Camp Payback (Camp Boyfriend #2) by J.K. Rock

Camp Payback (Camp Boyfriend #2) by J.K. Rock

Release Date: May 27, 2014

Publisher:Spencer Hill Press

Age Group:Young Adult

Pages: 304

Summary:  Alex has big plans for camp this year, starting with making it the best summer ever. Having fun and breaking some rules will get her the payback she wants against her parents and her ex-boyfriend. Because of his disgusting texts, she's headed to a super strict all-girls school in the fall.

Then she meets Javier and revenge doesn't seem nearly as important as getting to know the troubled loner determined to keep a low profile at camp. But Alex's trouble-magnet personality and Javier's need to stay in the background don't mix nearly as well as their irresistible chemistry.

With her home life eroding under her feet and her last year of summer camp speeding to a close, Alex wants to make her mark on the world and squeeze every bit of fun out of her time with Javier. Too bad her old plans for revenge turn back on her just in time to ruin everything. Will she lose Javier too?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed the first book in this series, and the novella before this one but I had a hard time with Camp Payback.

We are introduced to Alex who lives in the fame of her parents. Her brother is pretty perfect and her mom and dad are the parents who have the perfect family, or are supposed too. Alex doesn’t believe she’s that bad but the tabloids make her out to be the problem child.

Alex is back at summer camp and she vows to stay out of trouble. But, her jerky ex boyfriend is at this summer camp and she also meets a new boy named Javier.  Javier has his own set of problems and is trying to stay as far away from trouble as possible.

Alex and Javier get knotted up together pretty fast and things aren't great. Alex really likes him but her ex tends to make trouble and she’s always in the fallout.

I loved seeing Javier cook and I’m glad Alex realizes what is important. However, I just didn’t connect to this one as much as I hoped. I didn’t really connect to the characters very well.

I liked it enough but I hope I like the next one a bit better. I think Alex just seemed really young I guess.

I still love the summer camp angle.

Overall: It was just okay for me. I liked it enough to finish reading but I hope I will enjoy the next one as much as I did the first.

Cover: Cute! Love how they are laying there and we see it from behind. Cuteness!

What I’d Give It:

The Bridge From Me To You by Lisa Schroeder

The Bridge From Me To You by Lisa Schroeder

Release Date: July 29, 2014

Publisher: Point

Age Group: Young Adult

Pages: 336

Summary: Lauren has a secret. Colby has a problem. But when they find each other, everything falls into place.

Lauren is the new girl in town with a dark secret. Colby is the football hero with a dream of something more. In alternating chapters, they come together, fall apart, and build something stronger than either of them thought possible--something to truly believe in.

My Thoughts:  I loved both Lauren and Colby. Lauren has her own problems with her mom and has secrets. Colby’s dad wants him to play football but Colby has something else in mind! They both are dealing with so much. And then there is Benny, poor Benny!

I loved how Colby and Lauren met each other! Very cute and sweet! I also loved how they got to know one another and things weren't hunky dory at first. They had so many problems to deal with on their own but put them together, and they were there for one another. They understood one another.

I also loved the bake sale. I loved seeing what happened and how successful it was. I was so sad to see what happened to Colby’s friend Benny though. He was a strong willed character though.

I loved all the little football references. I’m not really into football but I loved seeing how much the town loved it and how they came together. It reminded me of high school and going to the games and how everyone would come out to see it!

Overall:I really liked this one. It was also a very fast read for me! I loved Lauren and Colby both and I loved Lauren’s family also. The kids were so cute and her aunt/uncle were the kind of people I’m glad she ended up with! I really enjoyed this one even though I flew right through it! I'd probably give this one between a 4.5 and a 5 cupcake rating!

Cover: Like it! I’d definitely pick it up to see what the story was about!

What I’d Give It:

Talon (Talon #1) by Julie Kagawa

Talon (Talon #1) by Julie Kagawa

Release Date: October 28, 2014

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Age Group: Young Adult

Pages: 400

Summary:In Julie Kagawa's groundbreaking modern fantasy series, dragons walk among us in human form.

Long ago, dragons were hunted to near extinction by the Order of St. George, a legendary society of dragon slayers. Hiding in human form and growing their numbers in secret, the dragons of Talon have become strong and cunning, and they're positioned to take over the world with humans none the wiser.

Ember and Dante Hill are the only sister and brother known to dragonkind. Trained to infiltrate society, Ember wants to live the teen experience and enjoy a summer of freedom before taking her destined place in Talon. But destiny is a matter of perspective, and a rogue dragon will soon challenge everything Ember has been taught. As Ember struggles to accept her future, she and her brother are hunted by the Order of St. George.

Soldier Garret Xavier Sebastian has a mission to seek and destroy all dragons, and Talon's newest recruits in particular. But he cannot kill unless he is certain he has found his prey: and nothing is certain about Ember Hill. Faced with Ember's bravery, confidence and all-too-human desires, Garret begins to question everything that the Order has ingrained in him: and what he might be willing to give up to find the truth about dragons

My Thoughts:  I always enjoy Kagawa’s series so I knew I had to read this one as soon as I heard about it!

We are introduced to Ember and Dante who are brother and sister. They are also dragons. They are training to become a part of Talon. Talon is a kind of society for dragons. Everyone has a role to play, a place there. They get assigned and it becomes their life.

Well, the summer they start training Ember meets a boy named Garret. He is a soldier who is out to kill her kind; dragons. She also meets another guy named Riley. Riley is a lot like her and she can relate to him on so many levels. She also gets some new friends as well. Things are ok for her. She spends the days training but at night gets to spend time with her friends. She’s ok in this lifestyle. She just wants to be normal.

But how can she be normal when so many people want to kill her? And her brother is also starting to act kind of weird.

I loved the plot of this one! I loved the dragon angle. I loved how Ember grew close to Garret and I also liked seeing things from his point of view. I liked that there was more to him than meets the eye.

I loved Kagawa’s other series and I just have a feeling this series is going to get better and better. I loved everything explained about dragons and how things went down with them. I loved the little things that happened throughout the novel, especially at the carnival and the surfing scenes. I felt like I was right there with her enjoying the days.

It was fun but also mysterious and a great plot!

I don’t want to say much else about this one but I loved it! I got sucked right in and read it in a few days!

Another amazing one by Kagawa!!! A must read!

Overall:  Great story line, great characters, great details, just all in all, GREAT!

Cover:  Like it! I’d definitely pick it up and it does have a dragon feel to it! HA!

What I’d Give It:

Damsel Distressed by Kelsey Macke

Damsel Distressed by Kelsey Macke

Release Date: October 14, 2014

Publisher:Spencer Hill Contemporary

Age Group: Young Adult

Pages:336

Summary: Hot girls get the fairy tales. No one cares about the stepsisters' story. Those girls don't get a sweet little ending; they get a lifetime of longing

Imogen Keegen has never had a happily ever after–in fact, she doesn’t think they are possible. Ever since her mother’s death seven years ago, Imogen has pulled herself in and out of therapy, struggled with an “emotionally disturbed” special ed. label, and loathed her perma-plus-sized status.

When Imogen’s new stepsister, the evil and gorgeous Ella Cinder, moves in down the hall, Imogen begins losing grip on the pieces she’s been trying to hold together. The only things that gave her solace–the theatre, cheese fries, and her best friend, Grant–aren’t enough to save her from her pain this time.

While Imogen is enjoying her moment in the spotlight after the high school musical, the journal pages containing her darkest thoughts get put on display. Now, Imogen must resign herself to be crushed under the ever-increasing weight of her pain, or finally accept the starring role in her own life story.

And maybe even find herself a happily ever after.

My Thoughts: I knew I’d probably like this one as soon as I started it.

We are introduced to Imogen who has her own set of problems. She’s emotional and has had some dealings with her weight and how she looks. She never has very high self esteem. And then her stepsister moves in with her and things get even more hectic. Her stepsister is skinny and all the boys like her. Imogen also has a best friend named Grant. Grant was the perfect guy. He was dreamy and he was there for Gen. He was always there trying to cheer her up and when she was down in the dumps he would be by her side.

Things start looking up for Gen when she gets to play a pretty epic part in the school play. But then things go down when her stepsister does a pretty bad thing.

This book was real! It had real characters and I felt like I was right there experiencing things with them.

I liked this story and the characters!

Overall: As I said before, I thought this one was really good! It felt so real and I loved seeing the scenes with Grant. I even liked her therapist George! I thought this one was pretty neat! I would recommend it to anyone who likes fairy tales! I’d probably rate this a 3.5 overall.

Cover: I like it but its very dark and I don’t know if it would make me pick up in a bookstore or not.

What I’d Give It:

Rites Of Passage by Joy N. Hensley

Rites Of Passage by Joy N. Hensley

Release Date: September 9, 2014

Publisher: HarperTeen

Age Group: Young Adult

Pages: 416

Summary:  Sam McKenna’s never turned down a dare. And she's not going to start with the last one her brother gave her before he died.

So Sam joins the first-ever class of girls at the prestigious Denmark Military Academy. She’s expecting push-ups and long runs, rope climbing and mud-crawling. As a military brat, she can handle an obstacle course just as well as the boys. She's even expecting the hostility she gets from some of the cadets who don’t think girls belong there. What she’s not expecting is her fiery attraction to her drill sergeant. But dating is strictly forbidden and Sam won't risk her future, or the dare, on something so petty...no matter how much she wants him.

As Sam struggles to prove herself, she discovers that some of the boys don’t just want her gone—they will stop at nothing to drive her out. When their petty threats turn to brutal hazing, bleeding into every corner of her life, she realizes they are not acting alone. A decades-old secret society is alive and active… and determined to force her out.

At any cost.

Now time's running short. Sam must decide who she can trust...and choosing the wrong person could have deadly consequences.

My Thoughts:  Another great contemp that I loved!

We are introduced to Sam who comes from a military family. Her older brother died a while ago from suicide but he dared her to go to Denmark Military Academy and become one of the first female cadets. She also has another older brother as well, and her dad is military too!

She was born military, she breathes, and sleeps military so its only natural when she accepts Amos dare and joins the school. She’s one of the few females there. This is the first time females can attend.

We meet quite a few characters. We meet Stamm, who goes by Drill most of the book. Oh man. He was sooooo swoonworthy. I loved him! I loved the chemistry between Sam and Drill. Oh baby! I loved all the moments from eating pie to her sleeping on his couch. Oh man! Loved him!

We also meet another boy named Cadet Kelly. I liked him at first but than out of nowhere he just changed, and I didn’t like that. By the end, I liked him a bit more but I’m always going to be Stamm’s girl.

Another boy in the story spends most of his time bullying Sam! I wanted to punch him so many times! I did not like him at all!!!! Arrrgggg. So much bullying in this one! And I know that is the point!

Things aren't easy for Sam and there is more to the story than that. A secret society out to put girls in their place, to make the girls quit, so the school can continue to be guys only!

So much was going on in this one and I just loved it all! I loved the plot but I also loved how much the characters progressed. I loved seeing how much Sam grew in a short period of time! I loved everything, even the ending though things were not perfect!

I loved this debut!  The romance=swoonworthy!!!

Overall:  AMAZING!!!! This is WONDERFUL! I haven’t read a military based book since Simone Elkeles How To Series and I loved those too!

This is a for sure must read!!!! YOU NEED THIS ONE IN YOUR LIFE NOW!!!!

Cover: Love it! Love the dog tags and the colors!

What I’d Give It:

Stone Cold Touch (Dark Elements #2) by Jennifer Armentrout

Stone Cold Touch (Dark Elements #2) by Jennifer Armentrout

Release Date: October 21, 2014

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Age Group: Young Adult

Pages:  304

Summary: Every touch has its price

Layla Shaw is trying to pick up the pieces of her shattered life—no easy task for a seventeen-year-old who’s pretty sure things can’t get worse. Her impossibly gorgeous best friend, Zayne, is forever off-limits thanks to the mysterious powers of her soul-stealing kiss. The Warden clan that has always protected her is suddenly keeping dangerous secrets. And she can barely think about Roth, the wickedly hot demon prince who understood her in ways no one else could.

But sometimes rock bottom is only the beginning. Because suddenly Layla’s powers begin to evolve, and she’s offered a tantalizing taste of what has always been forbidden. Then, when she least expects it, Roth returns, bringing news that could change her world forever. She’s finally getting what she always wanted, but with hell literally breaking loose and the body count adding up, the price may be higher than Layla is willing to pay…

My Thoughts: I still love this series! And as I finished Stone Cold Touch I was left wide eyed and stunned. I wanted the next book now!!! And its a while until it even comes out! Booo!!!

Do not read this review if you haven’t read book 1! We are back with Layla and her so called family, and of course her friends. She still has feelings for Zayne but her feelings for Roth are even more deep now. He sacrificed himself for her and now Layla feels the guilt. She also misses him.

Things start happening at Laylas high school and people start acting weird than die. And there is a Lilith to blame! But nobody knows her/what it really is!

Layla and her band of misfits have to start digging and find out what is going on!

But it doesn’t help that everyone in her so called family is suspicious of her and don’t really trust her. I couldn’t believe some of the stuff that was happening with that. I felt so bad for her and I just wanted to help her out!

I still love Bambi!! I think that is so cool, and I love how Layla describes her.

I’m still torn between both Roth and Zayne. I love them both to pieces. They have their ups and downs but they both make Layla whole as a person. Each one compliments her personality in different ways. And I want to root for both!!! She has major chemistry with them both. Zayne is a sweetheart but Roth is also so sarcastic and funny you have to love him. Character development is a big issue for me and this series does it so well!

This book had it all! Love interest, a great plot, and such awesome characters.  And the ending surprised me so much and I just had to gasp. I guess I just didn’t see that coming at all!

I loved Stone Cold Touch!

Overall: You must read this series if you haven’t yet! It is amazing and I love it!! Stone Cold Touch has me all giddy and excited to read more!!

Cover:  Love it! I liked the first cover but I think I like this one more. I love the blueness to it, and I love how her hands are on his chest. Very cute!

What I’d Give It:

Camp Christmas (Camp Boyfriend 1.5) by J.K. Rock

Camp Christmas (Camp Boyfriend 1.5) by J.K. Rock

Release Date: December 16, 2013

Publisher: Spencer Hill

Age Group: Young Adult

Pages: 74

Summary: Hannah never meant to be a mean girl – at Camp Juniper Point or at her high school. It just sort of happened during one painful year when her parents split and her life fell apart. Who knew being mad at the world would catapult her to popularity? But since changing the status quo would make her some serious enemies, she’s prepared to ride out her time until graduation. That is, until a camp friend calls her on the act during their school ski trip. Will Julian out her to her friends? Or will the guy she once accused of being King of the Nerds make her wish she was a whole lot more like him?

My Thoughts: In Camp Christmas, we get to hang out with Hannah and Julian. And Hannah’s not so good friends. They were kind of snobby but so was she. I knew it was an act for her right away. With her life unfolding before her eyes, she has to keep something normal; her social life.

I really liked Julian. He’s such a nerd but in a good way.  In this story, all the teens are away at a skiing trip.  And things take a turn for the worst. I liked seeing Julian and Hannah in action relying on their strength to pull through it.

This one was very short so I can’t say much but I did think it was cute and I can’t wait to keep on with the series!

Overall:  I really liked Julian and I want to know more about him! I love the idea of his tattoo on his chest too! Sweet! I really thought this was a cute novella!  I’d probably give this more of a 3.5 but it is very short and a fast read!

Cover:  Like it! They look all wintery so it fits perfectly!

What I’d Give It:

Famous In Love by Rebecca Serle

Famous In Love by Rebecca Serle

Release Date:  October 21, 2014

Publisher: Poppy

Age Group: Young Adult

Pages:  336

Summary: When seventeen-year-old Paige Townsen gets plucked from obscurity to star in the movie adaptation of a blockbuster book series, her life changes practically overnight. Within a month, Paige has traded the quiet streets of her hometown for a bustling movie set on the shores of Maui, and she is spending quality time with her costar Rainer Devon, one ofPeople's Sexiest Men Alive. But when troubled star Jordan Wilder lands the role of the other point in the movie's famous love triangle, Paige's crazy new life begins to resemble her character's.

In this coming-of-age romance inspired by the kind of celeb hookups that get clever nicknames and a million page views, Paige must figure out who she is -- and who she wants -- while the whole world watches.

My Thoughts: I really thought this sounded cute and sounded like something I would love.

I liked it but I didn’t love it. I also had a hard time really getting into it. It wasn’t bad, I just felt like I couldn’t really connect to any of the characters.

We are introduced to Paige who is just a normal girl. She tries out for different parts in plays. One day a major movie comes to her town for tryouts. Its based off a best selling book so she goes for it. Well, she gets the part. The main lead lady.

She goes on set and meets another cast member named Rainer. Rainer is every girls dream. He’s sexy, hot, and interesting. Later on, she meets another boy named Jordan. Of course there is major drama between Jordan and Rainer. They do not have a very good recent past.

Well, its hard to for her since she has to play the girl in between them. I thought this one had a very interesting and fun concept. I enjoyed the plot. I just couldn’t get into it very well. I did finish it and I am happy with how things went but I just didn’t connect.

Overall: This just wasn’t the one for me but you might like it more than me!! I had a hard time connecting with books where they are playing characters in tv shows/movies and that is probably my problem here. I just didn’t like Paige very well and I never really felt drawn to either boy. Maybe it was just my reading mood or I just wasn’t very into this one. I can see where a lot of people will love it though!

Cover:  Its cute! I could see it attracting attention!

What I’d Give It:

Stitching Snow by R.C.Lewis

Stitching Snow by R.C.Lewis

Release Date: October 14, 2014

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Age Group: Young Adult

Pages: 336

Summary:   Princess Snow is missing.

Her home planet is filled with violence and corruption at the hands of King Matthias and his wife as they attempt to punish her captors. The king will stop at nothing to get his beloved daughter back-but that's assuming she wants to return at all.

Essie has grown used to being cold. Temperatures on the planet Thanda are always sub-zero, and she fills her days with coding and repairs for the seven loyal drones that run the local mines.

When a mysterious young man named Dane crash-lands near her home, Essie agrees to help the pilot repair his ship. But soon she realizes that Dane's arrival was far from accidental, and she's pulled into the heart of a war she's risked everything to avoid.

In her enthralling debut, R.C. Lewis weaves the tale of a princess on the run from painful secrets . . . and a poisonous queen. With the galaxy's future-and her own-in jeopardy, Essie must choose who to trust in a fiery fight for survival.

My Thoughts:   Oh, I loved Essie!! And Dane!! I loved this one so much!

We are introduced to Essie who everyone thinks was kidnapped as a child. But she wasn't. She ends up on another planet named Thanda. She’s pretty far from home and on her home planet she is basically royalty. She keeps low profile at her new home. She works, does what she's supposed too, and has few close friends.  She’s as content as she can be.

And then a mysterious boy named Dane crash lands on her planet. He comes off as pretty arrogant and kind of a jerk. But I liked him right away and I knew he’d be a sweetheart.

Essie agrees to fix Dane’s ship and get him back home, but things do not go as planned and Essie ends up going back home. To the dad she isn’t sure wants her, and the step-mom who hates her. Man, things got intense.

I totally loved this one. I loved the 7 drones (get it?). I loved the way Essie and Dane interacted. Parts of this novel can be taken as a little cheesy but I still loved it. I loved their banter back and forth, and I laughed at so much during the story. I have a hard time with retellings but I really enjoyed this retelling!

The plot was awesome. I loved all the little details and I don’t want to give anything away. It did remind me a little bit of the novel Cinder but that made it that much better.  I loved how things ended. Yes, there were a few weird topics thrown in, but I still loved the story.

Overall:  I really liked this one a lot! It gripped me from the very first few pages and I couldn’t stop reading! I finished it in two sittings! I loved Essie’s voice and the way she was with everyone. She was so compassionate! Stitching Snow was an easy read and enjoyable!

Cover:  Its so white! But I love the apple as well! Cute!

What I’d Give It:

The Fire Artist by Daisy Whitney

The Fire Artist by Daisy Whitney

Release Date:October 14, 2014

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens

Age Group: Young Adult

Pages: 288

Summary: A forbidden romance literally heats up in this new fantasy from acclaimed author Daisy Whitney.

Aria is an elemental artist—she creates fire from her hands. But her power is not natural. She steals it from lightning. It’s dangerous and illegal in her world. When she’s recruited to perform, she seizes the chance to get away from her family. But her power is fading too fast to keep stealing from the sky. She has no choice but to turn to a Granter—a modern day genie. She gets one wish at an extremely high price. Aria’s willing to take a chance, but then she falls in love with the Granter . . . and he wants his freedom. Aria must decide what she’s willing to bargain and how much her own heart, body, and soul are worth.

In a world where the sport of elemental powers is the most popular form of entertainment, readers will be swept away by a romance with stakes higher than life and death.

My Thoughts: I really wanted to love The Fire Artist but I just liked it.

We are introduced to Aria who comes from a family of many talented people. Her brother and her father both have their own gifts so Aria longs to have one too. She does get one, but in another way.

I liked Aria but I just never felt connected to her. I liked the idea of shooting fire out of her body but I just couldn’t see it in my head very easily. I did like learning about what she and her brother could do though.

I liked the concept of this one but I never felt like I really connected to the story or the characters very well. I thought it was an interesting story.

I have enjoyed the novels by Whitney I have read and will continue to read them!! She’s very talented!

Overall:  I liked it enough but I just didn’t find myself in love with it. I think it was an interesting concept and had some interesting characters but I never really connected with the main character or even the love interest! Hopefully you’ll enjoy it more.

Cover: Its somewhat spooky! I like it!

What I’d Give It: