Category: ya contemporary

Reviews, Special Review, ya contemporary

Book Review: The Summer of Chasing Mermaids by Sarah Ockler

Veronica Porras (TTB)

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Goodreads Summary:

The youngest of six talented sisters, Elyse d’Abreau was destined for stardom—until a boating accident took everything from her. Now, the most beautiful singer in Tobago can’t sing. She can’t even speak.

Seeking quiet solitude, Elyse accepts a friend’s invitation to Atargatis Cove. Named for the mythical first mermaid, the Oregon seaside town is everything Elyse’s home in the Caribbean isn’t: An ocean too cold for swimming, parties too tame for singing, and people too polite to pry—except for one.

Christian Kane is a notorious playboy—insolent, arrogant, and completely charming. He’s also the only person in Atargatis Cove who doesn’t treat Elyse like a glass statue. He challenges her to express herself, and he admires the way she treats his younger brother Sebastian, who believes Elyse is the legendary mermaid come to life.

When Christian needs a first mate for the Cove’s high-stakes Pirate Regatta, Elyse reluctantly stows her fear of the sea and climbs aboard. The ocean isn’t the only thing making waves, though—swept up in Christian’s seductive tide and entranced by the Cove’s charms, Elyse begins to wonder if a life of solitude isn’t what she needs. But changing course again means facing her past. It means finding her inner voice. And scariest of all, it means opening her heart to a boy who’s best known for breaking them .

Review:

I am floored.

My expectations for TSoCM were met and then some. I’m a puddle of feelings and cannot function. Dear Lord. I need a minute.

I hope it is known how big of a Sarah Ockler fan I am. I have loved every single one of her books (except #Scandal because I haven’t read it yet, but I’m sure I will love it too). When I heard the title of her new book, I wasn’t sure if it would be up my alley, but after seeing the cover I said, forget it. I will read this book.

The Summer of Chasing Mermaids is a story that explores so many things, but the number one thing it focuses on is the aftermath of shattered dreams. Elyse, the main character, loses her voice in a tragic accident and now has to face the world without her voice, without the ability to sing, even speak. Her Plan A, to be a singer, a performer, is not doable anymore. My heart broke for Elyse.

I still can’t seem to form the words to properly explain my feelings, but I will try.

Let’s start with Christopher Kane. Mr. heart-breaker. We get a glimpse of the old him, but I loved that none of his “playboy” ways showed up in the story which in turn could hurt Elyse. I really liked their initial friendship and how everything developed. It wasn’t a “oh we are both attracted to each other, let’s start making out” but a steady build throughout.

I connected to both Elyse and Christopher for different reasons. I saw myself in both characters and honestly, it helped me come to terms with some of the choices I’ve made in the past 6 years.

I loved that Elyse figured out the difference between loving someone because they love you, and actually loving someone for them. There is a big difference. One is on the side of lust and attraction, and the other on real love which is much more than just attraction.

The side characters are the best and not one of them felt forced. I loved Kirby and Vanessa, and Sebastian Kane is one of my favorite children ever (and he doesn’t even exist. *cries*). He reminds me a lot of my nephew Jacob. The enthusiasm, that sense for adventure. Now I miss my nephew.

Another thing I loved is that the entire story feels like a journey. There is no one part where I felt like it was a little boring, or I was being given filler information. The entire novel felt steady, grounded, full of life.

There are so many things I want to talk about like the brotherly love, Lemon, Elyse’s family back at the islands, and the accident but I don’t want to give this book away. I don’t want to spoil it for you.

As I close this review I will only say this. Sarah Ockler has a gift and her writing changes you.

Rating: 6 out of 5 (rating meter broken due to  awesomeness of book)

Disclaimer: Thank you Simon & Schuster for giving me the opportunity to read this book for free in exchange for an honest review. Receiving this book for free does not sway my opinion.

Reviews, ya contemporary

Book Review: Ugly People, Beautiful Hearts by Marlen Komar

Veronica Porras (TTB)

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Title: Ugly People Beautiful Hearts
Short Summary: Ugly People Beautiful Hearts is a poetry book with over 70 poems and verses moving between the feelings of loving someone, feeling loss, trusting the night sky, losing your light, resolving that hurt is beautiful, and finding compassion in a stranger’s smile.
Genre: Poetry
Pages: 96
Audience: 16+
 
Website with poem samples: http://mar-komar.tumblr.com/

Review:

I know I normally don’t review poetry books here, but Marlen kindly reached out to me and after reading a poem of hers I said… why not?!

This poetry book still fits in the YA genre because it is for 16+ or older, but it does have some themes that I wouldn’t want someone very young to read them. I almost feel like… it wouldn’t have the same impact as someone who is a bit older. Anyways I am straying away from the review.

The entire time I was reading Ugly People Beautiful Hearts, I felt like I was on a journey, I was given entrance into someones mind and innermost thoughts and feelings which in turn made me feel vulnerable. Some of the best writing comes from pain and I think Marlen truly captured the intense emotions we feel throughout life in her poems, her work. There were some poems that I understood, while some made me feel melancholy and just sad. I wanted to shake the voice and tell them to stop acting so stupidly at times. Each poem was like a journey in itself and I couldn’t stop reading it until I’d reached the end.

Below is one of my favorite poems… What We’re Leading Up To

“And you pointed at the thick field of stars and asked, “Lie here with me?” My skin is translucent; the spots where your finger tips trace lighting up like the verses in the sky. And I’ve had my heart broken in so many interesting ways, but this way, oh by far, has been my favorite.”

There is just something about this poem that I love. I can’t explain it.

Thank you Marlen for being kind and sharing with the world your poems. You’ve poured out your soul for everyone to see. That takes a lot of courage. Congratulations!

Rating: 4 out of 5

About The Author:

photo

Marlen Komar

Writer/ Poet, Ugly People Beautiful Hearts
   
 Disclaimer: Thank you Marlen Komar for giving me the opportunity to read this book for free in exchange for an honest review. Receiving this book for free does not sway my opinion.
Reviews, ya contemporary

Book Review: Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson

Veronica Porras (TTB)

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Goodreads Summary:

he Pre-Sloane Emily didn’t go to parties, she barely talked to guys, she didn’t do anything crazy. Enter Sloane, social tornado and the best kind of best friend—the one who yanks you out of your shell.

But right before what should have been an epic summer, Sloane just… disappears. No note. No calls. No texts. No Sloane. There’s just a random to-do list. On it, thirteen Sloane-selected-definitely-bizarre-tasks that Emily would never try… unless they could lead back to her best friend.

Apple Picking at Night? Okay, easy enough.

Dance until Dawn? Sure. Why not?

Kiss a Stranger? Um…

Getting through Sloane’s list would mean a lot of firsts. But Emily has this whole unexpected summer ahead of her, and the help of Frank Porter (totally unexpected) to check things off. Who knows what she’ll find?

Go Skinny Dipping? Wait … what?

Review:

Wow. I really did not expect to like this book. You might be thinking… Veronica what did you just say?! and I am rather surprised myself that I had those thoughts too. I am one of those people that LOVES Morgan Matson books. I tell people I don’t even know at the bookstore that they have to read one of her books. The thing is that when SYBG was released, I wasn’t too thrilled. Don’t get me wrong, I was excited, but the synopsis didn’t grab me. Kayla bought me the book because she is awesome and I started reading it and… it fell flat. I couldn’t get into it. It was boring. (Yes I know I committed blasphemy by saying that but keep reading please)

10 months later, I decide to give SYBG another chance because I HAVE to. I was at a different point in my life then and maybe my perceptive now will change since I am at a different stage in life. I decide to “read” the book a different way this time too. Once I received my credit on Audible, I choose to spend that credit on SYBG and listen to it on my commute to and from work. Let me jus tell you the wonders a good audiobook does to your overall experience of a book, it gave Emily a voice that I couldn’t have given her in my mind. I got so into the story that I regretted packing all of my books already, and not leaving SYBG out. As I was wallowing because I could only hear SYBG and not read it too, Ms. Matson tweeted that the kindle version of SYBG was on sale for 1.99. I snatched that baby up in no time and started reading it. A month of car rides and reading SYBG at night when I could muster enough energy to stay awake for 20 more minutes, I finished it and it ended up being exactly what I needed.

Emily is a very relatable character. I think my 17 year old self would have connected with Emily more, but nonetheless, I did too at 24. In February I started a new job and I had to be the new girl all over again and It’s easy to be the shadow of a new friend. I’ve done that my entire life, but an important lesson I’ve learned is that you need to have an identity all on your own and be proud of that identity. I came into my new job with this mentality and it has worked. I am my own person and I can also be somebody’s good friend without being their shadow.

This review is more of my journey and not information itself of the book because that is exactly how the book is. I recommend you read it at some point in your life. You may not be ready for it now (or you might be), but you will be ready for it at some point and it will leave you feeling good and content with life.

Before I close, let’s not forget about Frank. I’m not a fan of the name Frank, but this character has even made me like the name. He is the sweetest, most loyal, human character I’ve read in contemporary YA in a long time. Don’t get me wrong I am still in love with Isaiah from Crash Into You (that boy will be the death of me), but there is something so real and raw about Frank that I have to say Ms. Matson did a darn good job with her characters in SYBG.

Rating: 5 out of freaking 5

Reviews, Special Review, ya contemporary

Book Review: The Truth About Us by Janet Gurtler

Veronica Porras (TTB)

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Goodreads Summary:

The truth is that Jess knows she screwed up.
She’s made mistakes, betrayed her best friend, and now she’s paying for it. Her dad is making her spend the whole summer volunteering at the local soup kitchen.

The truth is she wishes she was the care-free party-girl everyone thinks she is.
She pretends it’s all fine. That her “perfect” family is fine. But it’s not. And no one notices the lie…until she meets Flynn. He’s the only one who really sees her. The only one who listens.

The truth is that Jess is falling apart – and no one seems to care.
But Flynn is the definition of “the wrong side of the tracks.” When Jess’s parents look at him they only see the differences-not how much they need each other. They don’t get that the person who shouldn’t fit in your world… might just be the one to make you feel like you belong.

Review:

There is something about Janet Gurtler novels that just makes me binge read them. I stayed up late reading this one several nights in a row (even though I had to work early in the AM). I read #16ThingsIThoughtWereTrue a few months ago and I LOVED it. I apparently loved it so much that I went over to Kayla’s house and said READ IT. I don’t remember this, but she has it and she says it happened, so it probably did. Especially since she has my book.

I was really intrigued when I saw the synopsis of this novel. We have a boy who comes from under the poverty line, and then we have the girl who is rich. We never see the rich girl, it is always the rich boy helping out the poor girl (except in Crash Into You by Katie McGarry, but that’s a whole other story there…).

I really wanted to see how Ms. Janet would portray those who are below the poverty level, and I wanted to see if they would be accurately represented.

Throughout the novel, the issue of poverty is present and it is somewhat explored, but not enough. We barely get a glimpse of it. Yes, we have the soup kitchen, and yes we have that brief moment in Flynn’s house, but poverty isn’t described well enough for me. I do have to keep in mind though that Ms. Gurtler is from Canada and I live in the USA, so poverty will look a bit different in both countries. What I did like was Jess’ attitude towards Flynn on the whole not having money front. She didn’t discriminate, but I loved that Ms. Janet did show that Jess felt uncomfortable at times being in a place where poverty is so real. I hate it when a rich character goes into a poor area and is like, “Cool yo, no shame, I’m cool. It’s all cool.” NO IT ISN’T. That is not a normal reaction. Not believable at all.

Switching over to some less serious stuff… Really Flynn?! You were so cute and adorable until the end. I loved you. I believed in you and you crushed my heart. I forgive you, but I cannot love you as much as I did at the beginning. That ending just… ugh I’m not cool with it bro.

Overall, The Truth About Us is another great book under Janet’s belt. I enjoyed reading it immensely. I know I didn’t talk much about that, but The Truth About Us raises some very important issues and that is why I requested it on NetGalley, not because I wanted a fluffy read.

Rating: 4.50 out of 5

Disclaimer: Thank you Sourcebooks Fire and  NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book for free in exchange for an honest review. Receiving this book for free does not sway my opinion.

Contemporary Conversations, Reviews, ya contemporary

ContempConvos: The Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson

Veronica Porras (TTB)

lauriehalseanderson

Goodreads Summary:

For the past five years, Hayley Kincain and her father, Andy, have been on the road, never staying long in one place as he struggles to escape the demons that have tortured him since his return from Iraq. Now they are back in the town where he grew up so Hayley can attend school. Perhaps, for the first time, Hayley can have a normal life, put aside her own painful memories, even have a relationship with Finn, the hot guy who obviously likes her but is hiding secrets of his own.

Will being back home help Andy’s PTSD, or will his terrible memories drag him to the edge of hell, and drugs push him over? The Impossible Knife of Memory is Laurie Halse Anderson at her finest: compelling, surprising, and impossible to put down.

Introduction:

Welcome to something that Kayla and I like to call Chat Style Book Reviews, but as you will see… It’s more like a discussion. We had tons of fun with this and I hope you find reading this as much fun as we had writing it. So that you can know who is writing what, I have given each of our parts different colors. I am the Red Violet text and Kayla is the Royal Blue text.

Review:

Dear Lord where do I start? THAT BOOK AND ITS FEELS. I’ve always loved Ms. Anderson’s books and this is no exception. All I can think is… FINN. AND THAT HE IS HISPANIC. AND HIS LAST NAME IS RAMOS. AND THAT HE IS FIIIIIIINE. Okay, Kayla… a little help here!

FINN RAMOS. I really am of no help here because FINNNNNN. I’m pretty sure that name is magical, just like Rowan. Every single character that I’ve read about with the name “Finn” (or Finnegan – even better) is a favorite of mine. So – new resolution: if I have two sons, they will be Finn and Rowan. So it is written, so let it be done. BUT ANYWAY…

Damn it. I’m still speechless. What did I love, besides the Finn? 1) Hayley’s prickliness. I really liked her narration, even if it was grating at times. EVERYTHING about Anderson’s writing screamed of Hayley’s mental status. Even without her voicing her problems and putting them into black and white terms, I just KNEW she was struggling. And the way she described her panic attacks was like YES I GET IT. I just wanted to wrap her up and keep her safe forever.

OMG I know. At first I found it too perfect for her not to be struggling and then when we started getting those glimpses I was like CRAP. She too is experiencing what her Dad is, just in a different way. While she doesn’t remember, her Dad remembers it all. I think both remembering and not remembering are equally devastating.

Something I really liked was that Ms. Anderson totally showed us that someone can change. We can see it in her once upon a time step mom. She might have added to Hayley’s trauma, but she came back and tried to help both of them. She got her act together and changed. I love it when they give us hope because we all need it. We need to see that people do change, but only if they are willing. That is the key.

Ahhh her step-mom. I was totally with Hayley when she came back, but once I stopped thinking as Hayley and started thinking as an outsider, I really saw how much she truly had changed. The mini-redemption-arc was a great touch to the book, because it also tied in with Hayley’s journey toward healing.

Speaking of healing arcs – Hayley’s dad. I was so thrilled by the fact that there wasn’t an HEA. Does that sound awful? I’m just ecstatic that it wasn’t like a “oh they’re magically better” sort of moment. Mental illness is hard work to get through, and a single epiphany won’t make it go away. But the fact that there was so much hope in the end – that even though Hayley and her dad will both still struggle, they’ll still be okay – I just needed to see that message.

No, it doesn’t sound awful. I too liked that we were given hope for a better future instead of a happily ever after because in real life, we see hope and most of the time not an instant happily ever after.

Overall, The Impossible Knife of Memory is a book I think we will both cherish for what’s its worth and its message, and I am absolutely glad we read it together. I suggest you all take a moment and go to a bookstore and pick this book up. It will change your life. Amen sister!

Rating:

Vero: 5 out of 5

Kayla: 5 out of 5

 

Contemporary Conversations, Reviews, ya contemporary

ContempConvos: The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen

Veronica Porras (TTB)

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Intro:

The Moon and More is second book I will be reviewing as a part of Contemporary Covnersations first week’s theme Coming of Age stories within the young adult contemporary genre. Sarah Dessen’s books are a must-have item when building your contemporary library.

Goodreads Summary:

Luke is the perfect boyfriend: handsome, kind, fun. He and Emaline have been together all through high school in Colby, the beach town where they both grew up. But now, in the summer before college, Emaline wonders if perfect is good enough.

Enter Theo, a super-ambitious outsider, a New Yorker assisting on a documentary film about a reclusive local artist. Theo’s sophisticated, exciting, and, best of all, he thinks Emaline is much too smart for Colby.

Emaline’s mostly-absentee father, too, thinks Emaline should have a bigger life, and he’s convinced that an Ivy League education is the only route to realizing her potential. Emaline is attracted to the bright future that Theo and her father promise. But she also clings to the deep roots of her loving mother, stepfather, and sisters. Can she ignore the pull of the happily familiar world of Colby?

Emaline wants the moon and more, but how can she balance where she comes from with where she’s going?

Sarah Dessen’s devoted fans will welcome this story of romance, yearning, and, finally, empowerment. It could only happen in the summer.

Review:

Bittersweet is the aftertaste The Moon and More left me with. I’ve read every single one of Sarah Dessen’s novels (except for Somebody Like You which I recently acquired) so I am very familiar with her style, the theme of her books, and the overall “This world is always messed up, but there is always hope for a better one”. What threw me off-balance is the fact that the ending of The Moon and More was somehow more bleak than I am used to from Ms. Dessen’s novels. This of course like every single one of her books deals with the “coming-of-age” protagonist and we ourselves grow with them, but the ending of this one just hurt. 

One of the important things that Emaline realized was that it was too late for her father and her to repair that severed relationship. Her coming to terms with that was painful for me because it shed light on some of my familial situations. It may be too late for some, like Emaline, but for Benjie, her half brother, it’s not. Familial situations are always hard, no matter how close family members are.

At the end of The Moon and More we have that bittersweet taste I am talking about. Emaline doesn’t have her life figured out, she doesn’t know what the future exactly holds, but what she can be sure of is that appreciating the people she loves and letting life take its course things may just turn alright after all. TMaM’s ending is very open-ended and it’s exactly the same open-ended-ness life has. We know never exactly where we are going, but we can only hope we find our way throughout the course of life.

Rating: 4.25 out of 5

Contemporary Conversations, Reviews, ya contemporary

ContempConvos: Fixing Delilah by Sarah Ockler

Veronica Porras (TTB)

7074259

Introduction:

I am kicking Contemporary Conversations first week off with Fixing Delilah by Sarah Ockler. I don’t really see anyone talking about this at all and after reading it I am very surprised no one is! It was an amazing coming of age story. One that left me in awe at the end that I even tweeted Ms. Sarah Ockler herself to let her know my FEELS. To my surprise she tweeted me back and I then had some fangirl feels, I couldn’t believe it, but there is proof that exchanged happened. 🙂

Goodreads Summary:

Things in Delilah Hannaford’s life have a tendency to fall apart.

She used to be a good student, but she can’t seem to keep it together anymore. Her “boyfriend” isn’t much of a boyfriend. And her mother refuses to discuss the fight that divided their family eight years ago. Falling apart, it seems, is a Hannaford tradition.

Over a summer of new friendships, unexpected romance, and moments that test the complex bonds between mothers and daughters, Delilah must face her family’s painful past. Can even her most shattered relationships be pieced together again?

Rich with emotion, Sarah Ockler delivers a powerful story of family, love, and self-discovery.

Review:

Oh Delilah, my poor baby. I just want to hug you and tell you everything is going to be alright. For some reason I got all motherly over Delilah as I was reading Fixing Delilah. So much happened throughout the novel, yet it wasn’t overwhelming for us as the reader. Ms. Ockler paced it in such a way that I didn’t notice how much information I was given until the very end. Honestly, I think this book would be perfect to be translated into film. There is this epic story with another equally heart-wrenching story under it that the entire time you weren’t just rooting for Delilah, but also for her Aunt Stephanie.

This book was made to take you on a journey and at the end of the journey helps you realize something important about life. I tabbed several different parts of the book as I read because there were so many good moments and as I was reviewing those tabs and I came across this gem.

“I look over at Luna, wiping down the counter and the nuzzles on the steamers, chatting with customers, making the schedule, and I wonder how much we don’t see. How much of our lives we witness and accept as truth when the rest of the iceberg—the heaviest, bulkiest part—is buried and invisible.” (Pg.178 of the Paperback edition)

That quote is the only way I can sum up this novel in its entirety without spoiling you. I came into this book blind without knowing any details about it and I myself want you to experience this novel the same way I did.

There is a lot of mystery in Delilah’s life about her past, her father, her aunts strained relationships, and why her grandmother acted the way she did which in turn sadly ended up in her dying completely alone. Fixing Delilah isn’t a book about happiness, but about relationships and what can make or break them.

Rating: 5 out of 5

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Reviews, ya contemporary

Book Review: The Boyfriend List (#1 The Ruby Oliver Quartet) by E. Lockhart

Veronica Porras (TTB)

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Goodreads Summary:

Ruby Oliver is 15 and has a shrink. She knows it’s unusual, but give her a break—she’s had a rough 10 days. In the past 10 days she:
lost her boyfriend (#13 on the list),

lost her best friend (Kim),

lost all her other friends (Nora, Cricket),

did something suspicious with a boy (#10),

did something advanced with a boy (#15),

had an argument with a boy (#14),

drank her first beer (someone handed it to her),

got caught by her mom (ag!),

had a panic attack (scary),

lost a lacrosse game (she’s the goalie),

failed a math test (she’ll make it up),

hurt Meghan’s feelings (even though they aren’t really friends),

became a social outcast (no one to sit with at lunch)

and had graffiti written about her in the girls’ bathroom (who knows what was in the boys’!?!).
But don’t worry—Ruby lives to tell the tale. And make more lists.

Review:

Where do I even start?!
I remember the first time I read this book, I was in my senior year of high school…. Or was it my junior year? Honestly I don’t remember, but what I do remember is that I liked it a lot.

I’ve been on a bit of a reading slump and oh boy has it sucked, but this book achieved to get me out of that slump. The first thing I have to say about The Boyfriend List is that it’s freaking hilarious! I was laughing, rooting and booing at all the things. I know the title of this book sounds silly, but The Boyfriend List is much deeper than you think. Ruby’s sessions with her therapist made me realize a lot of things about myself and it made me think about my life choices. Weird right? A rather interesting outcome to a book that looks like it would be really silly. I don’t remember this happening the first time I read it, but I was a bit of an angsty teenager in high school (sad to say I was a little bit like Kim,  for example: Everything had to be perfect and I followed all the rules).

Ruby’s story made me realize that my high school experience could have been much worse. I was never a leper but I was publicly targeted for being the only Christian girl at a school where most of the kids were catholic. They took every opportunity to shame me and pick on me and condemn me for being different. I connected in that way with Ruby because she too was shamed for what others students saw as different, and if she didn’t fit into their cookie cutter mold, she was someone not of worth.

As I read the Q&A at the back of the book, it made me realize why The Boyfriend List impacted me so much the second time around. Ruby is going through a process of grieving for both the relationships she once had with her now ex-best friend Kim and her now ex-boyfriend Jackson that have now ended. I’ve had friends like Kim before and it really hurts when they betray you like that. It’s the worst.

Anyways getting to angsty here (that is what high school books bring out in me lol), The Boyfriend List may be about high school drama and at times seems a little childish, but once you digest what is being cleverly communicated to you through the pages of the book, you realize that there is more truth to Ruby’s life than we would like to acknowledge. I will continue to read Ms. Ruby’s adventures, and I thank Ms. E. Lockhart for writing books that send a message we should all be listening to.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Reviews, ya contemporary

Book Review: To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han

anjieeeb

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Goodreads Summary:

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is the story of Lara Jean, who has never openly admitted her crushes, but instead wrote each boy a letter about how she felt, sealed it, and hid it in a box under her bed. But one day Lara Jean discovers that somehow her secret box of letters has been mailed, causing all her crushes from her past to confront her about the letters: her first kiss, the boy from summer camp, even her sister’s ex-boyfriend, Josh. As she learns to deal with her past loves face to face, Lara Jean discovers that something good may come out of these letters after all.

Review:

I am so excited to review this book! To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before has been on my TBR ever since it was published. Needless to say, I finally got around to it. I actually went to read the first couple of chapters before purchasing it to see if I would like it. Anyways, long story short, I didn’t stop reading after the first two chapters. I ended up finishing it in one sitting! I’ve never done that with a book before. It hooked me right in and peaked my interest. I really loved it and that’s a lot coming from me because I’m more of a science fiction reader.

This was an emotional roller coaster and it made me cry throughout the entirety of it. Lara Jean was so easy to relate to and I definitely saw myself in her. It was as if I was Lara Jean. Some parts of the plot took me by surprise, all very good surprises. I loved seeing — rather reading — the reactions of the guys who received her letters. This book made me laugh so much, too. I really enjoyed the characters, especially Peter! The ending really got to me and ends with a cliffhanger. I was so relieved to find out that there is a sequel! I cannot wait!

Rating: 5 out of 5

Anjie Signature

Special Review, ya contemporary

ARC Book Review: For Real by Alison Cherry

Veronica Porras (TTB)

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Disclaimer: Thank you Random House Children’s/Delacorte Press and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this wonderful book in exchange for an honest review. Receiving this book for free does not sway my opinion.

Goodreads Summary:

No parents. No limits. No clue what they’re in for.

Shy, cautious Claire has always been in her confident older sister’s shadow. While Miranda’s life is jam-packed with exciting people and whirlwind adventures, Claire gets her thrills vicariously by watching people live large on reality TV.

When Miranda discovers her boyfriend, Samir, cheating on her just before her college graduation, it’s Claire who comes up with the perfect plan. They’ll outshine Miranda’s fame-obsessed ex while having an amazing summer by competing on Around the World, a race around the globe for a million bucks. Revenge + sisterly bonding = awesome.

But the show has a twist, and Claire is stunned to find herself in the middle of a reality-show romance that may or may not be just for the cameras. This summer could end up being the highlight of her life… or an epic fail forever captured on film. In a world where drama is currency and manipulation is standard, how can you tell what’s for real?

Review:

Cutie-Patootie! That’s how I’m describing this book. It was fun, adorable, and downright what I needed on a bad day. I was talking to Kayla (The Thousand Lives) and she kept telling me to read it. She said it would get me out of the reading slump I’ve been in and I wasn’t listening to her until a few days ago, and boy was she right.

For Real is a story that will slowly start winning you over until you are completely enamored with it and are so invested you literally have to shush yourself in the middle of the night because your roommates are sleeping and it wouldn’t be cool if you woke them up with your fangirling. (Although for a second there I was like FORGET NICE! But then… I decided to stay quiet. My roommates should thank me.) I absolutely loved that Claire would do something like that for her sister. That level of loyalty isn’t seen in fiction that much anymore. Although I don’t approve of revenge, what Claire was trying to do for her sister, putting herself in an uncomfortable situation for all to see, was beautiful. I may not have a sister, but I do have a cousin that I see as a sister and for some time, I was Claire and she was Miranda. Experiencing that type of relationship in some way made the story very believable and I think that’s what I loved the most about it. That I was able to make this personal connection to it. I was rooting for Claire every step of the way!

I don’t want to spoil anyone with any crucial details of the story (which is what I totally want to discuss, but alas I will not) so all I will say is. Buy it, Read it, and don’t forget I was the one who told you to read it. You’re welcome.

The book came out today in bookstores everywhere so go snatch yourself a copy. I shall be doing the same as soon as I can!

Rating: 5/5