Love And Other Theories by Alexis Bass

Love And Other Theories by Alexis Bass

Release Date: December 31, 2014

Publisher: HarperTeen

Age Group: Young Adult

Pages: 384

Summary: Love and Other Theories is a fast-paced twist on the coming-of-age novel . . . and the romantic comedy.

Aubrey and her best friends made a pact to play by the guys' rules when it comes to dating. They're hoping the rules will keep them from experiencing high school heartbreak--they don't realize that these rules could just as easily keep them from opening their hearts and minds. And when new boy Nathan Diggs moves to town, Aubrey starts to think that some rules are meant to be broken.

With equal parts bite and romance, topped off with an irresistibly engaging voice, Alexis Bass's debut novel is one you won't want to miss.

My Thoughts: I loved the premise of this one! I thought it sounded really cute and interesting.

And while it was both, I just had a hard time with it. I felt like too much was happening, but at the same time, not enough. I also thought the characters sounded really young.

We are introduced to Aubrey and her group of friends. They pretty much feel that boys aren’t worth the trouble and not to get too close. They have their own set of rules on how to handle love and romance.

I liked meeting all the different characters and I liked seeing things from Aubrey’s point of view. I also liked both boys in the book. I felt like they both added something to the mix. And I can understand why she wanted both of them in her life.

Love And Other Theories wasn’t perfect but it was good, just not as good as I wanted it to be. I feel like sometimes I’m too old for certain Young Adult books, and that is ok! I still enjoy reading them and even if one doesn’t hold up to my expectations, I know they will for the younger crowd.

I liked the plot, I liked the characters but I just felt like this one was maybe too young for me!  And thats alright!

Overall: I did like how smooth things went! The writing was awesome because you could just follow along like you were right there. Things just flew by on the pages! I liked the concept of this one! Probably more of a 3.5 cupcake rating for me!

Cover:  Its cute! Not very colorful but still unique. Love the heart!

What I’d Give It:

2015 Debut Author Challenge

This will be my post for 2015 Debuts Read! 

2015 Debuts Read In 2015
1. One Of The Guys by Lisa Aldin
2. A Wicked Thing by Rhiannon Thomas
3. How To Say I Love You Out Loud by Carole Cozzo
4. The Leveller by Julia Durango 
5. Play On by Michelle Smith
6. Magonia by Maria Dahvana Headley
7. Captive by AJ Grainger
8. Even When You Lie To Me by Jessica Alcott
9. Truest by Jackie Lea Sommers
10. The One Thing by Marci Lyn Curtis
11. First There Was Forever by Juliana Romano
12. Wrong Side Of Right by Jenn Marie Thorne 
13. What We Saw by Aaron Hartzler
14. Future Perfect by Jen Larsen
15.Everything Everything Nicola Yoon
16. Rules For 50/50 Chances by Kate McGovern
17. Hello I Love You by Katie Stout
18. The Wrath And The Dawn by Renee Ahdieh
19. Come Back To Me by Mila Gray
20. Not After Everything by Michelle Levy
21. The Jock And The Fat Chick by Nicole Winters 

2015 Debuts Read Before 2015
1. Love And Other Theories by Alexis Bass
2. When (Death Date) by Victoria Laurie
3. The Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard 
4. My Heart And Other Black Holes by Jasmine Warga




2016 Debuts
READ BEFORE 2016
1. Shallow Graves by Kali Wallace

Perfect Scoundrels (Heist Society #3) by Ally Carter

Perfect Scoundrels (Heist Society #3)  by Ally Carter

Release Date: February 5, 2013

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Age Group: Young Adult

Pages: 336

Summary: Katarina Bishop and W.W. Hale the fifth were born to lead completely different lives: Kat comes from a long, proud line of loveable criminal masterminds, while Hale is the son of one of the most seemingly perfect dynasties in the world. If their families have one thing in common, it's that they both know how to stay under the radar while getting-or stealing-whatever they want. No matter the risk, the Bishops can always be counted on, but in Hale's family, all bets are off when money is on the line. When Hale unexpectedly inherits his grandmother's billion dollar corporation, he quickly learns that there's no place for Kat and their old heists in his new role. But Kat won't let him go that easily, especially after she gets tipped off that his grandmother's will might have been altered in an elaborate con to steal the company's fortune. Forced to keep a level head as she and her crew fight for one of their own, Kat comes up with an ambitious and far-reaching plan that only the Bishop family would dare attempt. To pull it off, Kat is prepared to do the impossible, but first, she has to decide if she's willing to save her boyfriend's company if it means losing the boy.

My Thoughts:  I have really enjoyed this series! I love Kat and her friends! And I especially love Hale!

We are back with the gang in Perfect Scoundrels and this time its Hale’s legacy that is up for grabs. His Grandmother passes away and leaves the company to him. But, his trustee isn’t who he seems. And this sets off a chain of events!

In the beginning of this one, a lot of people really get the shaft. Hale might have ended up getting the company but he can’t have it yet and everything else is slowly taken away from him too. His life is in the pits. But Kat won’t let that happen. She has her own plans on getting his fortune back and helping out others in the process.

I really love this series! I love how they steal stuff and how professional they are! They are just teenagers but so smart! I’m always excited and on pins and needles as they almost get caught! And, I love all the code names!

This series is a must read! I’m so glad I just finished this one, not sure why I put off reading it for a year after its release date!

Overall:  I enjoyed this! If you like fun suspenseful books, I highly recommend this! I really like Kat but I also really like her family and friends too! A great set of characters!

Cover: Like it! Still loving the sunglasses! I could see Kat looking like this girl!

What I’d Give It:

This Shattered World (Starbound #2) by Amie Kaufman And Meagan Spooner

This Shattered World (Starbound #2) by Amie Kaufman And Meagan Spooner

Release Date: December 23, 2014

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Age Group: Young Adult

Pages: 400

Summary: Jubilee Chase and Flynn Cormac should never have met.

Lee is captain of the forces sent to Avon to crush the terraformed planet's rebellious colonists, but she has her own reasons for hating the insurgents.

Rebellion is in Flynn's blood. His sister died in the original uprising against the powerful corporate conglomerate that rules Avon with an iron fist. These corporations make their fortune by terraforming uninhabitable planets across the universe and recruiting colonists to make the planets livable, with the promise of a better life for their children. But they never fulfilled their promise on Avon, and decades later, Flynn is leading the rebellion.

Desperate for any advantage against the military occupying his home, Flynn does the only thing that makes sense when he and Lee cross paths: he returns to base with her as prisoner. But as his fellow rebels prepare to execute this tough-talking girl with nerves of steel, Flynn makes another choice that will change him forever. He and Lee escape base together, caught between two sides in a senseless war.

My Thoughts: Wow, just wow!! I think I liked this one more than the first! A new set of characters and a new set of problems! But we do see Tarver and Lilac for a little while.

We are introduced to Captain Lee who is a girl nobody messes with. All her soldiers respect her and know not to mess with her physically or emotionally. She’s strong willed, opinionated, and awesome.

Next, we meet Flynn Cormac who is mostly known for his sisters actions. He is following in her footsteps but he just wants to get along and make peace.

Flynn and Captain Lee meet in a unique way, certainly. I loved how they met, and they had so much chemistry! Too bad they are on opposite sides!

I loved following Flynn and Lee’s adventure. They were trying to work together (eventually) to change things and figure out the truth. I feel like this one was just too complex to explain everything. So much happened, and it was all important. I loved how they had to trust one another even though obstacles were against them.

I also loved all the little things going on in this book. I loved the descriptions of the caves, the stars, the water, everything. I felt like I was right there next to Lee talking to her soldiers and Flynn trying to make things better.

Also, I wanted to cry during the blast (you’ll know which one I’m talking about when you read this). It was devastating and heartbreaking! Tears!

I just loved Lee and Flynn so much!!!  Amazing characters, amazing plot, and wow the feels!

Overall: I don’t want to say much more but I loved this one! I loved it even more than These Broken Stars!  I loved the characters and the plot and I think everybody should give this series a chance!!!

Cover: Love it! These are so colorful yet they show the characters so nicely! Love it!

What I’d Give It:

Tease (Ivy Chronicles #2) by Sophie Jordan

Tease (Ivy Chronicles #2) by Sophie Jordan

Release Date: May 27, 2014

Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks

Age Group: New Adult

Pages: 320

Summary:What happens when a girl who always calls the shots meets a guy who's too wild for even her?

A born flirt and good-time party girl, Emerson has never had a problem finding a willing guy. She's always chosen her hookups carefully, and she's never broken her three cardinal rules:

Never let them see the real you.

Never fall in love.

Always leave them begging for more.

Then Shaw comes along. A hottie from the wrong side of the tracks, he's immune to her flirtatious banter and come-hither smile. After rescuing her from a disastrous night at a biker bar, he doesn't even try to take her to bed—he calls her a tease and sends her home instead. Unable to resist a challenge, or forget the sexy, dark-eyed, bad-boy biker, she vows to bring him to his knees.

But instead of making Shaw beg, Emerson finds herself craving him. For the first time in her life, she's throwing out her rule book. Suddenly, she's the one panting for a guy she can't control—a guy who won't settle for anything less than the real Emerson and who forces her to do things she's never imagined, including facing a past she thought she'd buried.

A guy who just might leave her wanting more. . .

My Thoughts:   We are back with one of Pepper’s friends. Yay!

In Tease, we are reintroduced to Emerson! Emerson was Pepper’s semi wild friend, remember? Hopefully you’ve read Foreplay if you're reading this review!

I always liked Emerson. I had a feeling she had a softer side to her. She has had a tough family life and college was her escape.

One night while out with friends, she meets a guy in a biker bar. His name was Shaw. I knew Shaw was going to be a sweetheart even if he did come off as a tough rough boy!

Well, Emerson passes out and ends up back at Shaw’s place. And this starts there wild romance, or lack of one at first. She wants nothing to do with him. Thinks she needs to stay away!

Both Emerson and Shaw are so wildly attracted to one another, its hard to stay away. I loved how he told her she wanted him, etc. Was so cute!

I also liked the drama that went on in Emerson’s home life. It made her more interesting even if it was kinda crap, but it also made her who she was.  She was such a strong character and she knew not to take anyone's bull now a days.

I loved Shaw and Emerson together!

Overall:   I loved Tease and I can’t wait to read more! So far I have loved Shaw and Reece (from the first book). I can’t wait to see how the next in the series plays out!  I did enjoy Foreplay a bit more than Tease but I still really liked it!!

Cover:  Its cute!!!! Love these covers! So romantic and they just fit!

What I’d Give It:

Foreplay (The Ivy Chronicles #1) by Sophie Jordan

Foreplay (The Ivy Chronicles #1) by Sophie Jordan

Release Date: November 5, 2013

Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks

Age Group: New Adult

Pages: 304

Summary:Before she goes after the life she’s always wanted, she’s about to find the one she needs.

Pepper has been hopelessly in love with her best friend’s brother, Hunter, for like ever. He’s the key to everything she’s always craved: security, stability, family. But she needs Hunter to notice her as more than just a friend. Even though she’s kissed exactly one guy, she has just the plan to go from novice to rock star in the bedroom—take a few pointers from someone who knows what he’s doing.

Her college roommates have the perfect teacher in mind. But bartender Reece is nothing like the player Pepper expects. Yes, he’s beyond gorgeous, but he’s also dangerous, deep—with a troubled past. Soon what started as lessons in attraction are turning both their worlds around, and showing just what can happen when you go past foreplay and get to what’s real…

My Thoughts:   I really loved Pepper and Reece! Two great characters who just went together so well!

I’ve only read a handful of New Adult but I find myself trying out more new ones.

We are introduced to Pepper who is always kind of the safe one in her group of friends. She goes to school, does her homework, and rarely hooks up with any guys. She is safe. But she has a crush on her best friends brother and finally wants to get his attention so her friends devise a plan to get her some action, and some experience. That way, she’ll know what to do with the crush.

She gets way more than she bargains for. She goes to the bar with her friends looking for the experienced bartender everyone raves about. There, she meets Reece. He’s behind the bar looking sexy as hell! She’s instantly attracted to him, and she thinks he is to her as well. But, she knows he’s a player so she just wants his attention to get some experience.

Man, this one was so good. It was sexy but also very heartwarming. I loved the little moments between Reece and Pepper. He was so cute and adorable. I also loved the way they got along. He understood her like nobody else did.

So much happened in this one, yet I raced right through it. I stayed up late just to finish it. I had to know what was going to happen between Reece and Pepper. It had me laughing out loud at times.

Overall:  What a cute little novel! I really enjoyed this one. Great NA story! I can’t wait to read more of this series, since each book focuses on one of Pepper’s friends! I’m so excited to know what happens to each of them!

Cover:  Its cute! I’d pick it up in the bookstore and buy it! Makes me wonder what its about!

What I’d Give It:

No Place To Fall by Jaye Robin Brown

No Place To Fall by Jaye Robin Brown

Release Date: December 9, 2014

Publisher: HarperTeen

Age Group: Young Adult

Pages:  368

Summary:   Amber Vaughn is a good girl. She sings solos at church, babysits her nephew after school, and spends every Friday night hanging out at her best friend Devon’s house. It’s only when Amber goes exploring in the woods near her home, singing camp songs with the hikers she meets on the Appalachian Trail, that she feels free—and when the bigger world feels just a little bit more in reach.

When Amber learns about an audition at the North Carolina School of the Arts, she decides that her dream—to sing on bigger stages—could also be her ticket to a new life. Devon’s older (and unavailable) brother, Will, helps Amber prepare for her one chance to try out for the hypercompetitive arts school. But the more time Will and Amber spend together, the more complicated their relationship becomes . . . and Amber starts to wonder if she’s such a good girl, after all.

Then, in an afternoon, the bottom drops out of her family’s world—and Amber is faced with an impossible choice between her promise as an artist and the people she loves. Amber always thought she knew what a good girl would do. But between “right” and “wrong,” there’s a whole world of possibilities.

My Thoughts: I really liked the Southern Twang of this one, or the atmosphere.

We are introduced to Amber who lives with her mama and daddy! Her sister, brother in law and nephew are also right nearby! Amber goes to school, goes to church, and hangs out with her best friend Devon.  Devon is gay so no romance there. But he does have a pretty smoking older brother named Will.

Amber wants to get into an art school. She doesn’t think her parents will go for it but she tries anyway. She is a wonderful singer and she sings here and there throughout the novel.

I really liked the romance between Will and Amber. Just something about it made me enjoy it a lot. Things happened and they sure wasn't perfect at first but I liked the way it ended up.

Amber definitely wasn't a perfect character. She makes mistakes, pretty big mistakes. But she also has a good heart. She buys another friend a guitar even though she didn’t get the money the perfect way. But, big heart here!

I really liked the Southernness to this one! I felt like I was right there with Amber experiencing living out in the country, being able to hike places, etc.

No Place To Fall was a pretty neat contemporary debut and I enjoyed it!

Overall:  I loved Amber and Will! This one was a bit slow in places but I still enjoyed it quite a bit. It was sweet and honest! I could see Amber really experiencing the things she did and overcoming them! Loved the romance!

Cover:  Love it! Probably one of the neatest covers this year! Its adorable!

What I’d Give It: