Tween Tuesday Review: The Girl Who Could Not Dream

Sophie lives above a hidden shop. Her family owns a bookstore but below the bookstore lies a dream shop. Special people can purchase and sell dreams. Sophie helps out her parents, but she actually can not dream.

One morning, she comes downstairs without checking the calendar. Sophie and Monster (her best friend who came to life from a dream) come down stairs and find a man in the bookstore. The man pretends not to notice, but he does ask several questions. Sophie's parents freak out and with good reason.

When Sophie comes home from school, the bookstore and her home are trashed and her parents are missing. Sophie isn't sure what to do, but she knows that she must do something. Should she trust her new friend with her secret in hopes that he might be able to help?

My Thoughts: I really loved this book. I loved the cozy bookstore and learning about the dream shop underneath the store. I really loved Monster - he was funny, quirky, and very loyal. I loved his admiration for cupcakes.  I liked Sophie branching out of her shell with the dream catchers and even finding friends. I really liked Ethan and how he didn't care that Sophie was weird - he just liked spending time with her. I liked how Sophie dealt with Madison - who wasn't the same as Ethan. She didn't want people knowing about their relationship. But I like how she changed over the book. The bravery the characters showed shone through, along with their determination. Mr. Nightmare was scary and downright creepy. The ending is sweet and heartwarming.

Cover Thoughts: I like it now that I've read the book but before reading it seemed really strange
Source: BEA Arc

Final Thoughts: Charming friendships, dangerous dreams, a creepy villain, and a secret mix together to make a perfect middle grade fantasy read. Run out to the library or bookstore to request this book today!

Review: Infinite In Between

Five teens meet at freshman orientation. For their project, they decide to write letters to themselves to open in four years - after graduation.

After writing the letters, they go their separate ways, but their paths wind together. Through the next four years, we witness their heartaches, romances, hopes and dreams.

My Thoughts: I loved this book - I loved following the same characters all the way through high school from the beginning to the end. I loved reading their different perspectives especially of the same situations. 

I liked how each character was so different from the strange quirky girl to the daughter of a Hollywood star, to the boy who came out to his family to the it girl who fell from Grace to the guy who obsessed over one of the girls. 

The chapters were short pulling me through the book quickly and even though it's 480 pages, I would have read more!

Cover Thoughts: Cute, I like the chalk letters
Source: BEA arc
If You Like:

Final Thoughts: A fantastic read about the highs and lows of high school - that almost makes me want to go back and re-do high school. 

Upcoming Review: Hello?

Tricia's grandmother dies leaving a hole in her heart. She can't contemplate living with out. Tricia and her longtime boyfriend break up after months of her depression. One night, in despair, she calls her grandmother's old phone number.

A boy picks up the phone. Tricia and Emerson have a great conversation about everything and nothing. He gives her courage and hope - enough to pull herself back into the land of the living.

Can strangers come together and change each other's lives?

My Thoughts: I really loved this book. I loved the set-up: five characters and their stories woven together in an amazing way.  I was surprised by the format of this book. Some of the characters wrote in prose, others in screenplay format or poetry. It worked really well and will entice reluctant readers.

Each of the five characters deal with drama: lies, secrets, abuse, grief, break-ups, secrets, friendship troubles. But they all seem to have hope and change in their lives.

Cover Thoughts: Love it!
Release Date: November 10th 2015 by Spencer Hill Contemporary
Source: ARC signed at BEA

Final Thoughts: If you like books with connections (think Love, Actually) - this is the perfect book for you.  Drama runs deep in these characters lives, along with hope. Pick this one up, you won't regret it!

Review: Black Window: Forever Red

Natasha Romanov doesn't like to think of her past, especially Ivan. SHIELD sent her back to Russia years ago to kill him. She did - but she also rescued Ava. She promises to look after Ava, but it's too painful.

She leaves Ava in the care of SHIELD, but Ava doesn't enjoy her time there. She escapes and lives on the streets. When she and her friend start taking fencing lessons, things change. They find a tournament. Trouble follows them.

Turns out Ivan didn't die and he's coming for both Ava and Natasha. Together with a friend of Ava's, they go on the run. Can they face their past and work together to make a better future?

My Thoughts: I LOVE Black Widow from the MARVEL movies and was so happy to see this book! 

I liked how both heroines had to face their horrible past and learn how to move past it. I loved the strength of both Ava and Natasha. Natasha was bold. She made choices and didn't look back, even though the choices were tough. She did was did to survive. I liked the inclusion of the classified documents. I liked their different reactions to family, friends, and trust. I really liked the moments between Ava and Alex, from how they met to their relationship. I wasn't prepared for that ending! I hope there are more Black Widow books coming soon

Release Date: October 13th
Source: BEA galley
Cover Thoughts: Full of action
Similar Reads:

Final Thoughts: Lots of action and two fantastic heroines make this book one you don't want to miss!

Tween Tuesday Review: Blackthorne Key

Christopher works for his master, preparing medicinal items for the neighborhood. But with murders happening throughout the apothecary guild, his master's acting suspicious.

Then one afternoon after wrecking havoc in the shop, Christopher's mast beats him and sends him on a useless errand. When he returns, his master is lying on the floor - murdered. The the apothecary shop trashed. Someone was looking for something.

As Christopher puts the store back together, he finds a clue. Someone is desperately looking for something. And the police are looking for him. With the help of his best friend, Christopher manages to hide from the police who certainly have more questions for him.

Christopher follows the clues his master left behind in hopes of figuring out what really happened that night.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this middle grade debut - it was entertaining and mysterious. I loved learning about Christopher's life as an apprentice. I really loved his friendship with Tom - how they were mischievous, daring, and how they had each other's backs.

I loved this historical pieces of this book, I wanted to soak it all in.

I loved the secrets, the clues, the puzzles, the ciphers, the danger, the mystery, and the alchemy of this book. I turned the pages quickly on this because I wanted to know how it all worked out!

Cover Thoughts: LOVE
Source: BEA arc
Release date: September 1st

Final Thoughts: This book sucked me in and never let go. A fantastic debut novel.

Upcoming Adult Review: If You Only Knew

Rachel sees a sext sent to her husband. When she asks if he's having an affair, he denies it. She takes him at his word, but lately, she's wondering if her marriage is stale. How did she get into the rut being a stay a home mom?

Jenny's marriage fell apart in flames, but she's still friends with her ex-husband and his new wife.  She moves to the suburbs and opens her own bridal shop. Jenny moves into a house with a grumpy landlord, who just might be the one thing she needs right now.

Two sisters couldn't be more different, but they're there for each other when the going gets tough.

My Thoughts: I really loved this book - it's a little bit different from the author's other books. It's a women's fiction instead of romance. It had to the same humor, the same strong family bonds, and the same lovable flawed main characters who go through hell.

I loved Jenny - and her attempting to play nice with her ex-husband and his new family even though she was torn up inside. I loved learning more about her dress shop and how she dealt with her brides and their families. I liked her conversations with Leo - how she was more handy than him. I liked her interactions with Evander - he stole my heart. I want him to succeed so badly. 

I loved Rachel and her triplets. The triplets stole my heart - they were charming  entertaining, and sweet. 

I felt badly for their mother, who didn't have an easy life but who stung her daughters frequently. I hated that Jenny had to keep such a big secret to herself for all those years. 

While the men in the book moved the story, I felt that the heart of the novel happened between the two sisters.

Cover Thoughts: I like it, but it doesn't really tell much about the story
Source: Signed ARC at BEA!
Release Date: This book comes out August 25th

Final Thoughts: I devoured this book, loving the sisters' story. They've both brave independent women who find themselves. Right up my alley. Don't miss this one, add it to your TBR list now!