The Conspiracy Of Us by Maggie Hall

The Conspiracy Of Us by Maggie Hall

Release Date:  January 13, 2015

Publisher:  G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Reader

Age Group: Young Adult

Pages:  336

Summary:  A fast-paced international escapade, laced with adrenaline, glamour, and romance--perfect for fans of Ally Carter

Avery West's newfound family can shut down Prada when they want to shop in peace, and can just as easily order a bombing when they want to start a war. Part of a powerful and dangerous secret society called the Circle, they believe Avery is the key to an ancient prophecy. Some want to use her as a pawn. Some want her dead.

To unravel the mystery putting her life in danger, Avery must follow a trail of clues from the monuments of Paris to the back alleys of Istanbul with two boys who work for the Circle—beautiful, volatile Stellan and mysterious, magnetic Jack. But as the clues expose a stunning conspiracy that might plunge the world into World War 3, she discovers that both boys are hiding secrets of their own. Now she will have to choose not only between freedom and family--but between the boy who might help her save the world, and the one she's falling in love with.

My Thoughts:  I wasn’t sure what to really think of this one as I started it. It seemed like something I would really like but once I got started I did have a bit of trouble following along with it.

We are introduced to Avery who comes from a mom would do anything for her. But her mom has held a lot of secrets from Avery. Avery wants to know her dads side of the family. She always assumed he was dead since he hasn’t been around, or off hiding somewhere. She wasn’t really sure.

When she meets Jack, she feels a strong connection with him. He is the boy she starts to like. But then she gets put into another situation where she meets a boy named Stellen.

Avery gets swept away in the idea of meeting her father and his family. It’s a dangerous game but she’s eager to find out something.

I liked where this one went. It had a lot of mystery and intrigue. I liked both Jack and Stellen. Both had their good and bad quirks.

I also liked the plot and I wanted to know what would happen in Avery’s life.

Overall: I liked this one but I never really connected to the plot very well. I did like the plot but I just felt like something was missing for me. It was a strong debut and I will read the next in the series to find out what happens.

I think this one is more of a 3.5 rating for me. I liked it, I finished it, and yes I’ll move onto the next one!

Cover: Like it.  Love these sweet covers with dresses in them!

What I'd Give It:

The Problem With Forever by Jennifer Armentrout

The Problem With Forever by Jennifer Armentrout

Release Date: May 17, 2016

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Pages: 480  

Age Group: Young Adult

Summary: For some people, silence is a weapon. For Mallory “Mouse” Dodge, it’s a shield. Growing up, she learned that the best way to survive was to say nothing. And even though it’s been four years since her nightmare ended, she’s beginning to worry that the fear that holds her back will last a lifetime.

Now, after years of homeschooling with loving adoptive parents, Mallory must face a new milestone—spending her senior year at public high school. But of all the terrifying and exhilarating scenarios she’s imagined, there’s one she never dreamed of—that she’d run into Rider Stark, the friend and protector she hasn’t seen since childhood, on her very first day.

It doesn’t take long for Mallory to realize that the connection she shared with Rider never really faded. Yet the deeper their bond grows, the more it becomes apparent that she’s not the only one grappling with the lingering scars from the past. And as she watches Rider’s life spiral out of control, Mallory faces a choice between staying silent and speaking out—for the people she loves, the life she wants, and the truths that need to be heard.

My Thoughts: I’m a big fan of Armentrout so when I get the chance to read her books, I jump right on it! And I love contemps so I knew this one would be pretty good.

We are introduced to Mallory who has lived with her parents for a while now. Her adoptive parents. See, Mallory used to be in another foster home, a not so good foster home. Also in that foster home was a boy named Rider. Until one night something awful happened and she was removed from the home.

I felt so bad for Mallory. She’s really been through so much. Even with getting adopted her scars run really deep. Mallory wants to be ordinary. She wants to fit in. She wants normal people experiences. So, her solution is to enroll in public school.  

Mallory actually ends up at the same school as Rider!! This was such a coincidence but I loved it.  The moment she lays eyes on him it brings up so many memories, both good and bad. But Mallory sees this as the opportunity she needs.  And Rider has a girlfriend so spending time with him should be easy as friends. Well, Mallory has a hard time controlling her feelings.

I loved the side characters. So many of them and so much happens. Part of the book did actually make me cry. I kind of saw it coming but it was so heartbreaking I had a little bit of trouble going on. It was hard. But those are the best kinds of books.

Overall: I loved both Mallory and Rider. I loved them for their flaws even. Neither one is perfect and they have their own way of dealing with things. I loved this world. I loved seeing into both of their worlds and how their past life affected them. This one was done nicely. I haven’t read much about foster families so this was a good experience for me. I really enjoyed seeing that things can turn out okay in the long run on some things. I really really enjoyed this one!

Cover: I love it! It’s so cute even though it’s simple. I love the colors even.

What I’d Give It:

Trial By Fire (Worldwalker #1) by Josephine Angelini

Trial By Fire by Josephine Angelini

Release Date:  September 2, 2014

Publisher: Feiwel And Friends

Pages: 384  

Age Group: Young Adult

Summary: The exhilaratingly seductive new series from the author of the bestselling Starcrossed series

Love burns. Worlds collide. Magic reigns.

This world is trying to kill Lily Proctor. Her life-threatening allergies keep her from enjoying many of the experiences that other teenagers take for granted...which is why she is determined to enjoy her first (and perhaps only) high-school party. But Lily's life never goes according to plan, and after a humiliating incident in front of half her graduating class Lily wishes she could just disappear.

Suddenly Lily is in a different Salem - one overrun with horrifying creatures and ruled by powerful women called Crucibles. Strongest and cruellest of all the Crucibles is Lillian . . . Lily's identical other self in this alternate universe. This new version of her world is terrifyingly sensual, and Lily is soon overwhelmed by new experiences.

Lily realizes that what makes her weak at home is exactly what makes her extraordinary in New Salem. It also puts her life in danger. Thrown into a world she doesn't understand, Lily is torn between responsibilities she can't hope to shoulder alone, and a love she never expected.

But how can Lily be the savior of this world when she is literally her own worst enemy?  

My Thoughts: Let me start off by saying I just have a hard time getting into books related to witches.  I have no idea why because I like paranormal! I love books with vampires, warlocks, faeries, but witches, I just have yet to find that one I adore adore!

And while I liked Trial By Fire, I just didn’t love it. I hate that. I wanted it to be that one witch book I’d love to pieces. And I can see where tons of people will love it like that.

We are introduced to Lily who is in a world where she is constantly sick. She has a best friend named Tristan who is always there for her and her rock. She also has a sister.  Well, things in her world go haywire and she gets the chance to walk into another way of life.

That is confusing, I know right? Well it’s pretty easy in the book. It explains it pretty well. Much better than I can. She’s thrown into this other place where there are the people she knows from her world.  There’s Tristan and he’s pretty similar. A parallel universe I guess.

There’s also a boy named Rowan. I loved Rowan. He was probably my favorite character and the reason I wanted to keep reading. I never really connected to the world much but I did connect with his relationship with Lily and I had to see what would happen between them.

I did enjoy the plot and some of the characters but the world building was just a bit confusing for me.

Overall: It’s okay, I can’t give every single book 5 stars. If you like books related to witches you’ll probably love this one but me, I’m still going to hope I can someday find a witch book I love!!! I’m still going to read the second in the series to see what happens though to Lily and all the characters.  I’d say this is probably more of a 3.5 cupcake rating!

Cover: I love the cover. It’s what made me want to read it!

What I’d Give It:

We Were Never Here by Jennifer Gilmore

We Were Never Here by Jennifer Gilmore

Release Date: June 14, 2016

Publisher: HarperTeen

Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 320

Summary:  In this exquisitely written, emotionally charged young adult debut, Jennifer Gilmore explores the bond that is formed between a hospitalized girl and the secretly troubled boy she falls in love with.

Did you know your entire life can change in an instant?

For sixteen-year-old Lizzie Stoller that moment is when she collapses, out of the blue. The next thing she knows she’s in a hospital with an illness she’s never heard of.

But that isn’t the only life-changing moment for Lizzie. The other is when Connor and his dog, Verlaine, walk into her hospital room. Lizzie has never connected with anyone the way she does with the handsome, teenage volunteer. However, the more time she spends with him, and the deeper in love she falls, the more she realizes that Connor has secrets and a deep pain of his own . . . and that while being with him has the power to make Lizzie forget about her illness, being with her might tear Connor apart.

My Thoughts: I really did like this one! But I just never really connected much to Lizzie or Connor.

We are introduced to Lizzie. She’s just a normal girl with a normal family. She lives with her mom and dad and older sister. She’s pretty ordinary. One day at camp she starts to feel sick. It only gets worse and she’s admitted to the hospital. She gets put in the Colon Cancer ward basically. This scared me a little bit as I’m dealing with my own problems right now with having anemia and being tested for stomach related issues. I thought oh crap, is this book going to scare the crap out of me?

Lizzie ends up getting diagnosed with a colon disorder and her life changes completely. She has so much to face and so many new challenges.  Than in comes a boy named Connor when Lizzie sure isn’t at her best.

I liked Connor but he had so many issues of his own. And that’s the point. We learn more about him as the story progresses. I liked him. I especially liked his cute dog.

Connor is just what Lizzie needed rather they both knew it or not. She needed someone she could lean on even if he wasn’t always around. He brightened her days while in the hospital.

I liked this one, I really did but it just wasn’t the happy go lucky book I needed right than. It was sad, it was raw, it was emotional. I also liked seeing that Lizzie and Connor weren’t perfect. Their lives weren’t perfect and they had so many obstacles to overcome.

Overall:  I really did enjoy this one but it wasn’t one of my favorites of the year. I did race right through it and finished it pretty quickly. I’d still recommend this one though. I’d say it’s probably more of a 3.5 cupcake rating than a 3. I read a lot of contemps and it’s hard to please me on those!

Cover:  Love it! I love the colors and the way they are holding hands. Cute!

What I’d Give It:

Sweet Legacy (Medusa Girls #3) by Tera Lynn Childs

Sweet Legacy (Medusa Girls #3) by Tera Lynn Childs

Release Date: September 3, 2013

Publisher:  Katherine Tegen Books

Pages:  384

Age Group: Young Adult

Summary:  United triplets descended from Medusa must find gate between human and monster worlds, rescue aunts jailed under Mt Olympus. Greer must use her second sight, even though she hears gods argue in her mind. Grace wants to trust her adopted brother, Thane, but what is his secret? Orphan Gretchen has fought all her life, but now boys are helping - or are they?

My Thoughts:  I’m so glad to finish this series. But only because it’s another series I can say I read. I did really enjoy it!

Each girl had such a distinct personality and I really loved each one in their own way! Gretchen, Grace, and Greer. And the boys Nick and Thane! Oh baby! I just adored them both.

I feel like so much happened in this one but I’m so glad how things ended up and how things went down. I never really felt like it dragged on, I easily read right through it. The words flowed nicely.

I feel like if I say much than I’ll give too much away from previous books or give away backstory which I don’t want to do at all!

I really enjoyed this series and I’m so glad I read it and had all 3 books when I started so I could read the next one as soon as I wanted too!

Overall: I really enjoyed this series! Of course I’ve read some other books by this author and I’ll keeping read them!! Love her!

Cover:  Love it! A girl on each cover. Cute!

What I’d Give It:

What Happens Now by Jennifer Castle

What Happens Now by Jennifer Castle

Release Date: June 7, 2016

Publisher: HarperTeen

Pages: 384

Age Group: Young Adult

Summary:  "I know what it is to want something so badly, you feel like your cells aren’t properly bonded together without it.

I also know what it’s like to get that something.

And honestly, I’m still not sure which is worse..."

Ari Logan is battling to win her war against depression and the dark night she hurt herself on purpose. It’s not easy: her best friend is drifting away, her mom’s emotionally checked out, and she spends her days playing caregiver to her handful of a half-sister, Danielle. But it’s summer, and anything is possible...

That’s when Camden Armstrong steps onto the beach of Ari’s local swimming lake.

At first, Ari quietly longs for Camden from afar, seeing in him everything she wants to be. When the two discover a true connection the following summer, Ari lets herself fall not just for the quirky and self-assured Camden but also his friends, tumbling into their world of independence, adventure, and shared sci-fi fandom. As Ari’s romantic dreams come true, she must unlock the mysteries of the very real and troubled boy behind her infatuation, while also struggling with her own demons, obligations, and loyalties.

From the award-winning author of "The Beginning of After" and "You Look Different in Real Life," "What Happens Now" is a touching, insightful novel about learning to heal, learning to love, and what happens when fantasy becomes reality.

My Thoughts: I’ve read another one of Castle’s books and enjoyed it! So I was really excited to go into What Happens Now.

We are introduced to Ari whose had a crush on a boy named Camden. She hasn’t really said much to him but has admired him from afar. Well, one summer after Ari has went through a lot of her own troubles, she ends up bumping into Camden in an unexpected way and is thrown right into his life! They end up meeting in such a weiiird way! But, I loved it.

Ari falls in love with Camden and his friends. His friends each were so unique and cool. They had their issues but they were all really neat.

Ari is also dealing with a lot of inner demons. She has overcome a lot but it still gnaws away at her. I really liked her personality. I liked seeing things from her perspective. And oh sweet Camden. He wasn’t perfect either but I really did enjoy him too.

Overall:  I liked this one quite a bit but had trouble with it. But of course there were some parts that I did just want to get through. And others I wanted to last forever. I’d say this is a 3.5 cupcake rating, more than just a three.

Cover: Love it! Love seeing them at the beach, getting ready to dive!

What I’d Give It:

The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson

The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson

Release Date:  May 3, 2016

Publisher:  Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Age Group: Young Adult
Pages:  528

Summary: Andie had it all planned out.

When you are a politician’s daughter who’s pretty much raised yourself, you learn everything can be planned or spun, or both. Especially your future.

Important internship? Check.

Amazing friends? Check.

Guys? Check (as long as we’re talking no more than three weeks).

But that was before the scandal. Before having to be in the same house with her dad. Before walking an insane number of dogs. That was before Clark and those few months that might change her whole life.

Because here’s the thing—if everything’s planned out, you can never find the unexpected.

And where’s the fun in that?

My Thoughts:  Oh, how I love Morgan Matson!! I’ve read all her books and will read anything she publishes!! One of my absolute favorites. So, when I heard about The Unexpected Everything, I just knew I’d have to read it!!! And soon!

We are introduced to Andie who is a politician's daughter. Andie knows all about staying out of trouble and keeping below the radar. And, even though her dad is on a bit of an absence she knows to still stay low key! Never know when the media might be watching or what they will say next!

Andie’s summer plans get pooped on so she ends up staying home with her dad for the summer. That means she gets to spend time with her friends but she also must find another job for the summer.

She ends up getting a dog walking job! How fun and cute! I thought this was such a neat idea and I’d love to do it! She doesn’t think she’s cut out for it but soon she starts to really love it.

She also meets a boy named Clark. Pretty amazing way she meets him and then sees him again! And, I loved everything about him! I loved his story. I loved his background and I loved who he “really” is. It was so freaking adorable and so was he!

I want to say so much more about this, but it was wonderful and I’d highly recommend it, especially if you like Matson’s previous books!

Overall:  This one is a true winner! I just loved it too pieces! I hope you read it! Go out and get it today and curl up on a hot summer day and just devour it!!!! I just loved the romance, and the sweet sweet dogs!!!

Cover:  Love it!! It truly does fit. It’s fun and creative, and cute!

What I'd Give It: