Suffer Love by Ashley Herring Blake

Suffer Love by Ashley Herring Blake

Release Date: May 3, 2016

Publisher: HMH Books For Young Readers

Pages: 352  

Age Group: Young Adult

Summary:  “Just let it go.”

That’s what everyone keeps telling Hadley St. Clair after she learns that her father cheated on her mother. But Hadley doesn’t want to let it go. She wants to be angry and she wants everyone in her life—her dad most of all—to leave her alone.

Sam Bennett and his family have had their share of drama too. Still reeling from a move to a new town and his parents’ recent divorce, Sam is hoping that he can coast through senior year and then move on to hassle-free, parent-free life in college. He isn’t looking for a relationship…that is, until he sees Hadley for the first time.

Hadley and Sam’s connection is undeniable, but Sam has a secret that could ruin everything. Should he follow his heart or tell the truth?

My Thoughts: I really thought Suffer Love sounded awesome when I read the description! I knew I had to read it! It sounded like a fun contemp!

We are introduced to Sam and Hadley!!! They both have a very complicated past and they both came from a very interesting family.

Sam and Hadley are more connected than they think when they meet. Well, Sam puts together the pieces pretty quick but Hadley is left in the dark for a while.

Despite the circumstances Sam is really drawn to Hadley. And Hadley is drawn to Sam.

This one is hard for me to write about. I liked it. I liked following along with the story and putting two and two together. I liked Sam and Hadley as characters. Hadley let her guard down around Sam and I liked Sam overall. But, I just never really felt connected with the story or plot. It was a good contemporary, it just wasn’t the best one for me I think.

Overall: It wasn’t Sam or Hadley’s fault on what their parents did but I still had a hard time really getting into this one because I had figured out pretty quick what had happened.  I did really like the dual point of views. I know I can’t love each book I read so there’s always a few that I never really feel that connection too. I think A LOT of people will read this one and love love love love love love it but it was just okay for me! I’m still glad I read it!!! I will continue to read the next one this author writes! I think this is more of a 3.5 cupcake rating, instead of a 3.

Cover: Love it! Love the colors and the way they are holding one another.

What I’d Give It:

26 Kisses by Anna Michels

26 Kisses by Anna Michels

Release Date: May 24, 2016

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 304

Summary: Breaking up with her boyfriend is not how Veda planned on starting her summer. When Mark makes it clear that it’s over between them, Veda is heartbroken and humiliated—but, more importantly, she’s inspired. And so she sets out on the love quest of a lifetime: use the summer to forget about Mark, move on, and move up. All she has to do is kiss twenty-six boys with twenty-six different names—one for each letter of the alphabet.

From the top of the Ferris wheel at her hometown carnival to the sandy dunes of Lake Michigan, Veda takes every opportunity she can to add kisses (and boys) to her list, and soon the breakup doesn’t sting quite as much. But just when Veda thinks she has the whole kissing thing figured out, she meets someone who turns her world upside down.

By turns hilarious and heartbreaking, Anna Michels’s debut is the story of one girl who realizes that moving on from the supposed love of your life means taking a chance—and having the courage to love again.

My Thoughts: This sounded right up my alley! A girl who gets dumped and vows to kiss so many guys in one summer! And with each guy, a new dilemma arises in herself. whoohoo.

We are introduced to Veda who has been dating the same boy for a while. He ends up dumping her and she’s devastated. But her cool best friend decides on an idea that should pull her right out of her depression. Kiss 26 guys before school starts back up. Each letter of the alphabet.

Veda thinks the idea is a little bit insane but she does it anyway. At this point, what does she really have to lose?

But of course she has to meet a boy she actually likes and wants to kiss. A boy she gets to spend her days working around. She gets along with him. He understands her. He gets her quirky personality and her love of things.

I really did enjoy this one a lot. It was a fun summer read, even though I read it in the winter. It’s a book you’d want to sit out and read all day long by the pool. It was so much fun. Veda had me laughing but I also had the feels a lot of the book. I also liked all the side characters. Her family, her friends, her co-workers.

I really enjoyed this one, and I flew right through it.

Overall: I could say a whole lot more about this one but I don’t want to ruin it for you. It was a cute read. It was a nice neat read. I really liked it and Veda and all her kisses!!!

Cover:  Love it! Love the colors and the little kisses. Its cute!

What I’d Give It:

Summer Of Sloane by Erin L. Schneider

Summer Of Sloane by Erin L. Schneider

Release Date:  May 3, 2016

Publisher:  Disney Hyperion

Pages:  304

Age Group: Young Adult

Summary: Warm Hawaiian sun. Lazy beach days. Flirty texts with her boyfriend back in Seattle.

These are the things seventeen-year-old Sloane McIntyre pictured when she imagined the summer she’d be spending at her mom’s home in Hawaii with her twin brother, Penn. Instead, after learning an unthinkable secret about her boyfriend, Tyler, and best friend, Mick, all she has is a fractured hand and a completely shattered heart.

Once she arrives in Honolulu, though, Sloane hopes that Hawaii might just be the escape she needs. With beach bonfires, old friends, exotic food, and the wonders of a waterproof cast, there’s no reason Sloane shouldn’t enjoy her summer. And when she meets Finn McAllister, the handsome son of a hotel magnate who doesn’t always play by the rules, she knows he’s the perfect distraction from everything that’s so wrong back home.

But it turns out a measly ocean isn’t nearly enough to stop all the emails, texts, and voicemails from her ex-boyfriend and ex-best friend, desperate to explain away their betrayal. And as her casual connection with Finn grows deeper, Sloane’s carefree summer might not be as easy to find as she’d hoped. Weighing years of history with Mick and Tyler against their deception, and the delicate possibility of new love, Sloane must decide when to forgive, and when to live for herself.

My Thoughts:  I really thought this was really cute! We are introduced to Sloane who has dealt with quite the catastrophe at home so when she gets the chance to go to Hawaii, she jumps at the chance. Back home, her boyfriend got her best friend pregnant so Sloane is pretty upset.

Sloane gets to Hawaii with her twin brother Penn and she’s back with a group of friends. Some old, some new. She’s told herself she’s going to spend the summer relaxing and just being okay and not thinking about the drama back home.

Well, Sloane pretty much shuts herself off from home and meets a new guy. His name is Finn and he’s pretty dreamy. Finn is such a good guy. He has had his fair share of problems but he’s a good guy and he’s there for Sloane. Mostly.

I liked Finn, I really did but there were times I wasn’t so sure about him either.  Even her best friend and ex were jerks but I kind of felt sorry for them at times too! Confusing!

I really loved the atmosphere of Hawaii! I just loved reading about it and all the details!

This is such a cute summer read.

Overall:  I really liked this one a lot. I’d say it’s more of a 3.5 rating from me. I did enjoy it but at times I wanted to just know what was going to happen! It is kind of raw and gritty though!

Cover:  Love it! I think its cute and one I’d pick up in the store!

What I’d Give It:

The Season Of You And Me by Robin Constantine

The Season Of You And Me by Robin Constantine

Release Date:  May 10, 2016

Publisher: Balzer And Bray

Pages:  352

Age Group: Young Adult

Summary: Cassidy Emmerich is determined to make this summer—the last before her boyfriend heads off to college—unforgettable. What she doesn’t count on is her boyfriend breaking up with her. Now, instead of being poolside with him, Cass is over a hundred miles away, spending the summer with her estranged father and his family at their bed-and-breakfast at the Jersey Shore and working as the newest counselor at Camp Manatee.

Bryan Lakewood is sick of nevers. You’ll never walk. You’ll never surf. You’ll never slow dance with your date at prom. One miscalculated step and Bryan’s life changed forever—now he’s paralyzed and needs to use a wheelchair. This is the first summer he’s back at his former position at Camp Manatee and ready to reclaim some of his independence, in spite of those who question if he’s up for the job.

Cass is expecting two months dealing with heartbreak.

Bryan is expecting a summer of tough adjustments.

Neither of them is expecting to fall in love.

My Thoughts: OMG I loved this book!!!! I loved both Cassidy and Bryan so much! They were so perfect for one another, even though they each had their flaws.

Cassidy has had a rough few months after a breakup with a boyfriend so she goes and stays with her dad for the summer! Her dad has a wife and they have a son together, so Cassidy has a stepbrother. He was so stinkin cute! I also loved Bryan and his family. He had a funny brother.

Cassidy ends up working at a day camp and there she gets to know Bryan. Bryan has had a rough year. He’s in a wheelchair and paralyzed in his legs. But that doesn’t stop him. He’s such a cute and funny guy. I could say so much about this one but I just loved it too pieces! It was funny but also so loving and warm. I loved all the side characters and the moments on the beach and getting slush. It was the perfect summer read (even though it’s only spring).

I can’t rave enough. I just loved this one. I was really looking forward to it and I’m so glad I read it!

Overall:  I finished it in a day! Loved it! Loved the characters, loved the story-line, loved the sun and sand! I just loved it! Duh!

Cover:  This cover was perfect for this one! I adore it! Loved how they are just sitting on the beach! It’s so cute!

What I’d Give It:

The Mirror King (Orphan Queen #2) by Jodi Meadows

The Mirror King (Orphan Queen #2) by Jodi Meadows

Release Date: April 5, 2016

Publisher:  Katherine Tegen Books

Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 544

Summary:  Wilhelmina has a hundred enemies.

HER FRIENDS HAVE TURNED. After her identity is revealed during the Inundation, Princess Wilhelmina is kept prisoner by the Indigo Kingdom, with the Ospreys lost somewhere in the devastated city. When the Ospreys’ leader emerges at the worst possible moment, leaving Wil’s biggest ally on his deathbed, she must become Black Knife to set things right.

HER MAGIC IS UNCONTROLLABLE. Wil’s power is to animate, not to give true life, but in the wraithland she commanded a cloud of wraith mist to save herself, and later ordered it solid. Now there is a living boy made of wraith—destructive and deadly, and willing to do anything for her.

HER HEART IS TORN. Though she’s ready for her crown, declaring herself queen means war. Caught between what she wants and what is right, Wilhelmina realizes the throne might not even matter. Everyone thought the wraith was years off, but already it’s destroying Indigo Kingdom villages. If she can’t protect both kingdoms, soon there won’t be a land to rule.

In this stunning conclusion to THE ORPHAN QUEEN, Jodi Meadows follows Wilhelmina’s breathtaking and brave journey from orphaned criminal on the streets to magic-wielding queen

My Thoughts: Yep, as soon as I finished the last page of The Orphan Queen I had to jump right into the Mirror King! After that ending, OMG! We are back with Will and all her crazy and wild friends and not so friends! I’m so happy it pretty much started where the last one left off. I’m so glad! I needed to know what happened!

And I can’t say much about it without giving away spoilers soooo shhhhhh. I really loved that we are back on the mission on what in the heck is Will going to do and how is she going to save her kingdom. We also see a lot of sadness but there is happiness to make you swoon too.

Man I just zoomed right through this one. I stayed up late just wanting to know what happened. And, I’m glad we got to know Will even better. And her best friend. And her nemesis. So much happened, and so much devastated me. I laughed, I cried, I swooned. I just really enjoyed this one. I want to say more but I’m afraid I’ll give away spoilers so I’m going to stop there.

Overall: I LOVED THIS ONE! I think I liked it better than the first one even. I just love all the characters and I love learning more about them. I love that she can take care of herself but she also wants to truly be taken care of. She wants love, she wants it, she’s just afraid to have it.

I highly recommend this series, and I’m glad we got some kind of resolution. I’m glad how things went for the most part, even though there was a bit of sadness there but I still loved it! Recommend this series!

Cover: Love it. Hadn’t really looked at it up close until recently. Its nice.

What I’d Give It:

The Last Time We Were Us by Leah Konen

The Last Time We Were Us by Leah Konen

Release Date: May 10, 2016  

Publisher:  Katherine Tegen Books

Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 368

Summary:   A passionate summer love story about a girl, her childhood best friend recently released from juvie, and the small-town lies that have kept them apart. A teen romance debut with a dark edge.

Liz Grant is about to have the summer of her life. She and her friend MacKenzie are getting invited to all the best parties, and with any luck, Innis Taylor, the most gorgeous guy in Bonneville, will be her boyfriend before the Fourth of July.

Local teen convict released early.

Jason Sullivan wasn’t supposed to come back from juvie. A million years ago, he was her best friend, but that was before he ditched her for a different crowd. Before he attacked Innis’s older brother, leaving Skip’s face burned and their town in shock.

“Everything is not what you think.”

Liz always found it hard to believe what they said about Jason, but all of Bonneville thinks he’s dangerous. If word gets out she’s seeing him, she could lose everything. But what if there’s more to that horrible night than she knows? And how many more people will get hurt when the truth finally comes out?

“You’re the one person who believes in me.”

Leah Konen’s southern romance swelters with passion as it explores the devastating crush of lies, the delicate balance of power and perception, and one girl’s journey to find herself while uncovering the secrets of so many others.

My Thoughts: Honestly, I went into this one not knowing if I’d like it or not. I had heard some good things and some bad things about it.

I did find myself enjoying it throughout the story.

We are introduced to Liz who has always tried to the good girl. She has a mom, dad, an older sister. She has friends. She starts seeing a new guy named Inis. Inis is popular and everybody likes him. They think he’s a great guy. I liked him at first but as the story unfolded I just knew he wasn’t as perfect as everyone thought.

We are also introduced to Jason. Oh, sweet Jason. Jason made a mistake and has paid the price. Honestly, there was a lot more to the story than what we knew. But of course, Jason used to be Liz’s friend and she’s been told to stay as far away from him as she can. But that is kind of hard when his family still owns the house next door.

I knew there was going to be a lot to this story. It had a lot of depth and you really had to pay attention to the details.  I really liked Jason. I liked Liz but at times I wanted to ram some truth into her head.

I’m glad where the story ended up even though things weren’t peachy and perfect. It was raw and emotional.

Overall: I’d say this is probably more of a 3.5 cupcake rating. I liked it. I liked the plot but at times I felt like things went to slow but thats okay!

Cover:  I like it! Very romantic!

What I’d Give It:

The Way Back To You by Michelle Andreani And Mindi Scott

The Way Back To You by Michelle Andreani And Mindi Scott

Release Date: May 3, 2016

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books  

Age Group: Young Adult
Pages:  384

Summary:  In this witty, heart-tugging novel, two teens take a spontaneous road trip across the Southwest to meet three strangers who received the life-saving organs of their late best friend—charting a journey of loss, hope, and love along the way.

Six months ago, Ashlyn Montiel died in a bike accident.

Her best friend Cloudy is keeping it together, at least on the outside. Cloudy’s insides are a different story: tangled, confused, heartbroken.

Kyle is falling apart, and everyone can tell. Ashlyn was his girlfriend, and when she died, a part of him went with her. Maybe the only part he cares about anymore.

As the two people who loved Ashlyn best, Cloudy and Kyle should be able to lean on each other. But after a terrible mistake last year, they're barely speaking. So when Cloudy discovers that Ashlyn’s organs were donated after her death and the Montiel family has been in touch with three of the recipients, she does something a little bit crazy and a lot of out character: she steals the letters and convinces Kyle to go on a winter break road trip with her, from Oregon to California to Arizona to Nevada. Maybe if they see the recipients—the people whose lives were saved by Ashlyn’s death—the world will open up again. Or maybe it will be a huge mistake.

With hundreds of miles in front of them, a stowaway kitten, and a list of people who are alive because of Ashlyn, Cloudy and Kyle just may find their way to back to her...and to each other.

My Thoughts: I was really excited for this one!! When I first read the summary I knew I had to read it and it would be one I was really excited for.

I enjoyed it but I was hoping to maybe like it a bit more than I did.

We are introduced to Kyle and Cloudy. Two friends who also lost another person in their life. A very important person. She was Kyle’s girlfriend and Cloudy’s best friend. Ashyln. Sweet Ashyln.  Cloudy loved her best friend but she also had quite the feelings for Kyle. But, she liked him before Ashlyn ever became his girlfriend but kept her feelings secret.

When Ashyln dies Cloudy and Kyle are both left alone. They each deal with it in their own ways. Well, one day Cloudy discovers the people’s names who Ashlyns organs were donated to so she gets a wild idea to go visit them and learn more about each of them.

She asks Kyle to go along and that sets out their road trip! I loved the road trip aspect of this one. I loved seeing Kyle and Cloudy together. They got along so great once they actually got along. Things were tense at first. I loved the scene where they slept in the car together. I also loved Arm. Sweet sweet Arm. What a cute little kitty. I loved reading about her so much! She was so adorable.

I really did enjoy this one and I liked all the little details. But I just didn’t connect to the story as I hoped. It may just be that I’m still so raw after losing my mom last year that these books that have death in them are just hard for me and it seems like a lot of YA now a days does, so its hard!

Overall: I’d say this probably rates closer to a 4 cupcake rating but I just had a hard time debating between 3.5 cupcakes or 4 so I’ll just settle on 4. It was hard to rate this one! I did really enjoy it but I also just had a hard time with it. Understandable! I also loved the back and forth point of views!

Cover: Love it! I’d pick it up to see what it’s about! I also love the sign!

What I’d Give It:

A Walk In The Sun by Michelle Zink

A Walk In The Sun by Michelle Zink

Release Date: May 3, 2016

Publisher: HarperTeen

Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 336

Summary:  In this Bridges of Madison County for teens, Michelle Zink weaves a magnetic tale about summer love that stays with you long after the seasons change.

Rose Darrow never wanted to spend her life working on her family’s farm. But when her family is rocked by an unexpected tragedy she has no choice but to put her plans for the future—and dreams of escaping her small town—on hold.

Bodhi Lowell left home as a kid and hasn’t looked back. Years of working farm jobs has given him the one thing he wants most: freedom to travel without answering to anyone. He’s already looking past his job at Darrow Farm and plans on leaving in September—until he meets Rose.

Neither Rose nor Bodhi can deny the sparks flying between them, but with the end of summer looming, they must decide if it is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all....

My Thoughts: This one was so sweet!!! It’s a little country novel that just makes your heart melt!

We are introduced to Rose who lives on a farm with her father. Her mother passed away shortly ago and Rose is doing her absolute best to keep the farm going on. She takes care of the day to day tasks, with the help of one of her neighbors!

Well, they decide to hire a little bit of help! Another boy comes into the picture named Bodhi! I just knew from the minute I met Bodhi I was going to like him! He had his inner demons but he was also such a sweetie. Bodhi and Rose are both dealing with a lot in life and you put them together, and WAM! A lot of chemistry but also a lot of confusion.

I loved the moments they spent together, rather it be just working on the farm or going out in town. I just loved this one. It was super cute and country!

I always felt like I was right there with them having to deal with the day to day stuff and than their own problems in their own lives. I also loved seeing how strong they both were. Things got confusing but they found a way to talk, even if it took a while.

I thought this one was cute and just what I needed, something light and fun.

Overall:  I really liked this one a lot! Such a good contemporary! It did get slow in a few parts but it would speed right back up and I’d be into it again!

Cover:  Adorable!! I love how they are standing there, love the colors, it’s cute!

What I’d Give It:

The Orphan Queen by Jodi Meadows

The Orphan Queen by Jodi Meadows

Release Date:  March 10, 2015

Publisher:  Katherine Tegen Books

Pages:  400

Age Group: Young Adult

Summary:  Wilhelmina has a hundred identities.

She is a princess. When the Indigo Kingdom conquered her homeland, Wilhelmina and other orphaned children of nobility were taken to Skyvale, the Indigo Kingdom’s capital. Ten years later, they are the Ospreys, experts at stealth and theft. With them, Wilhelmina means to take back her throne.

She is a spy. Wil and her best friend, Melanie, infiltrate Skyvale Palace to study their foes. They assume the identities of nobles from a wraith-fallen kingdom, but enemies fill the palace, and Melanie’s behavior grows suspicious. With Osprey missions becoming increasingly dangerous and their leader more unstable, Wil can’t trust anyone.

She is a threat. Wraith is the toxic by-product of magic, and for a century using magic has been forbidden. Still the wraith pours across the continent, reshaping the land and animals into fresh horrors. Soon it will reach the Indigo Kingdom. Wilhelmina’s magic might be the key to stopping the wraith, but if the vigilante Black Knife discovers Wil’s magic, she will vanish like all the others.

Jodi Meadows introduces a vivid new fantasy full of intrigue, romance, dangerous magic, and one girl’s battle to reclaim her place in the world.

My Thoughts: Oh Man, Oh Man! Why did I wait so long to read this one?? Oh wow. I just adored it! I’m going to say enough but not much at all. I loved Will and the way her mind worked. I loved that she wanted to get her kingdom back the right way. I just loved who she was as a person and how she wanted to do things right. This is one of those ones, I want you to experience on your own! Wow.

I loved the world building. I loved the way she described how things used to be and how she wanted them to be in the future. I loved how she was a good person. I loved how she also was a badass!

And Black Knife. Oh Black Knife. He was AWESOME! I fell for him as soon as we met him. And I knew there was more to his story than what we knew. And I was sooo right. I saw it coming a little bit but it also made me smile and swoon! And there were so many other characters I loved, and who I loved to hate.

I just loved the way Will and Black Knife came together, worked together, and became friends. I loved that things were so complicated. It just fit and worked. I honestly just loved this one and I’m so glad the 2nd in the series is released BUT I have a feeling I will still want the 3rd when I finish the 2nd.

Oh Will and Black Knife how I love thee and I can’t wait to see you again! And after that ending, whoa!

Overall: Loved this one! I can’t wait to read The Mirror Queen! I’m so glad I finally picked this one up! Read it soon! It’s one that should be on your next month's TBR!!!! Loved it! I was so torn between a 4 or 5 cupcake rating, but think it deserves a 5!

Cover: Love it! Love the colors and the way she is just waiting!

What I’d Give It: