@yabooknerdlibrarian Summer loving, travel, and adventure! #loveandgelato #summerlovin #summerromance #YAromance #booktok #YAbooks #YAbooknerd #bookstomovies #ifyoulike ♬ FEEL THE GROOVE - Queens Road, Fabian Graetz
Liv's world changed forever when her father left their family when she was eight. Liv never understood how he could leave without looking back. Years later, she's spent her time trying to fit in. She doesn't want anyone to leave her again.Out of the blue, her father invites her to Greece during the summer. Her mother forces her to go. Her father's making a documentary for his search for the lost city of Atlantis. Liv remember all the times they talked about finding the city together.Now they possibility is before them. But Liv isn't ready to go backwards in time. Can she and her father heal the past in order to move forward together?
Pinky is tired of family thinking she makes poor choices. Just once she would like their approval - the way they approve of Dolly. When a fire breaks out on their shared summer property, Pinky's mom immediately suspects her. It's just one more fight in a long line of arguments. Pinky denies the accusation and than accidentally blurts out that she would be in the barn with a boy because she has the perfect boyfriend - even one that her mother would approve.With her mother's interest peaked, Pinky scrambles to find a boyfriend. She knows the perfect candidate - and his summer plans just happen to have fallen through. Even though they're not really friends, together they form an agreement to spend the summer together fake dating.But the more time they spend together, the more Pinky and Samir begin to understand each other. Even though they drive each other crazy, could it be for the best?
Willa, Taylor, and Finley were supposed to spend the summer after high school sailing from Ohio to Key West in their sailboat. But Finley died before high school ended and made her two best friends promise to go without her.
Willa and Taylor are not really friends. Finley was the glue that held them together. But a promise is a promise...
Finley leads them a list of clues, places to see and experiences to have at stopping points during the trip. It's going to take all summer. Neither Willa nor Taylor is sure they will survive that long in each other's company.
* First Book in a New Series *When Princess Jaya Rao discovers that her sworn enemy will be attending the same boarding school, she plans the ultimate revenge. She's going to make Grey Emerson fall in love with her and then smash his heart into a million pieces.My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this story. I love that it's a Beauty and the Beast retelling. I loved how Grey and Jaya first met. I really enjoyed the school setting - and how it was in the middle of nowhere. I loved the balls and the parties - even though they didn't always end well. I loved the moments between Grey and Jaya - how they understood each other, how they started to share little moments, and how they started to let their walls down. I felt terrible for Grey - for the way his father treated him, for the way he never let anyone get close, and for the belief about the curse. I loved Isha and how she wasn't interested in cultural traditions; she just wanted to live her own life. I loved how she took control. I liked reading about the other students. Can't wait to return to the school and read the next installment.
No one messes with her family - especially her youngest sister. She'll do anything to keep Isha safe. Yes, she believes in tradition and family honor. Those beliefs rules her world; she's not giving up until Grey's broken.
Ashish Patel has lost his swagger. His girlfriend broke up with him and is now dating someone else. He feels lost. When his parents state they can find him a nice Indian girl like they found his brother Rishi, Ashish doesn't believe he has anything left to lose.My Thoughts: I adored this book. I loved Sweetie - for her big heart, her kindness, and her Sassy Sweetie project. I loved how she challenged Ashish to a race and how that turned out. I love her acceptance of her body and knowing her body didn't change her. I loved her moment in the spotlight singing. I loved her insightfulness, her banter, her determination, her strength. I love how she and Ashish brought out the best in each other. I really liked the dating contract and the type of dates the pair could go on. I like that Ashish lost his swagger - in dating and on the basketball court. I enjoyed his change after dating Sweetie. I loved his parents, especially his mother. I loved both sets of friends, especially Oliver and Elijah and their love story. Of course I loved seeing Dimple and Rishi again. I can't wait for Pinky's story!
Enter Sweetie. She's from a great family, is kind, and respectful. His mother seeks out Sweetie and her mother at the market. But when she brings up the idea of Sweetie dating her son, Sweetie's mother rejects the idea. Sweetie is fat and fat girls don't date boys who look like Ashish.
Sweetie's used to her mother's insults, but that doesn't make them right. She sets out to prove to her mother (and herself) that being fat doesn't have anything to do with being Fabulous.
They begin to date. The more time they spend together Ashish starts to think that...there's something about Sweetie.
After an awkward first encounter, Birdie and Daniel are forced to work together in a Seattle hotel where a famous author leads a mysterious and secluded life in this romantic contemporary novel from the author of Alex, Approximately.
After Ali’s father passes away, he leaves his one and only prized possession—a 1968 Firebird convertible—to his daughter. But Ali doesn’t plan on keeping it. Not when it reminds her too much of all her father’s unfulfilled promises. So when she finds a buyer three hundred miles up the Pacific coast willing to pay enough money for the car to save her childhood home, Ali can’t wait to get going. Except Ali has no idea how to drive a stick shift. But guess who does?
At 17, Mei's brains have gotten her into college early. But according to her mother, it's never to early to start thinking about marriage. Mei's parents have her whole future mapped out for her: She's going to be a doctor (never mind that she's a germaphobe), she's going to marry a Taiwanese boy (never mind that the boy she likes is Japanese), and she's not going to talk with brother again (never mind that she misses him).My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this one - although it hit me straight in the feels. My parents were really strict and some of the moments here hit a little TOO close to home for me. I loved the dancing moments! I loved the descriptions of food and all the eating that happened during the book. I really enjoyed the moments between Mei and her brother. This book gave me all the feels. It tugged at my heartstrings, was heartwrenching and hopeful, sad and happy. I'm eager to read what Gloria Chao writes next.
Mei's newfound freedom makes it hard to understand why her parents still hold on so tightly to their culture and to her. As soon as she starts to disagree, their relationship becomes strained. Can Mei trust her own judgement or will she do as they wish?
Zorie and Lennon haven't been the same since the disaster of the homecoming dance. When Zorie agrees to go glam camping with her friend, she has no idea that Lennon (or boys) will be there. And she's not thrilled at the idea either. Her father hates his family and he's not shy about it.My Thoughts: I adored this book. I loved Lennon's moms. I loved the banter between Zorie and Lennon. I felt terrible for Zorie and learning about her father. I also hated her friends; they were terrible to leave her in the middle of nowhere. But I did love the adventure that came out of it. This book made me long to go hiking and see more of the outdoors, despite all the disasters that happened to them along the way. I loved that Zorie had a passion for the stars. Her astronomy friends were great. I didn't want this to end. I loved the romance, the stars, and the family dynamics. Another fantastic book by Jenn Bennett. I can't wait to read what she writes next!
Zorie and Lennon never really hashed out what happened the night that broke their relationship. But when the rest of the party ditches them in the middle of nowhere - they have more than enough time to address it. That is if they can make it out of the woods alive - after storms, wild animals, and getting lost.
Could their relationship be on the mend?
Twinkle believes if she could date her longtime crush Neil, her life would infinity improve. Her best friend would enjoy her company again, people would listen to the stories she wants to tell, and she wouldn't be invisible.My Thoughts: I adored When Dimple Met Rishi and needed this book. When it came in a box of librarian preview books, I squealed and then rushed home to read it. And it was everything I imagined it would be. I loved it; I'll read anything that Sandhya Menon writes.
As an aspiring filmmaker, Twinkle has a small YouTube channel, but longs to make it big. She wants to crush glass ceilings.
When Neil's twin brother approaches her with an idea to create a movie together for Midsummer Night Arts Festival - Twinkle can't help but agree. It's even better when Maddie agrees to star in the movie. Now Twinkle can do what she loves while hanging out again with her bff. Maybe this movie will help catapult Twinkle into a new life - the one where she's not invisible and people want to talk with her.
Harper can't believe her ears; Shift magazine just called her asking her to be a last minute replacement intern for the summer. It's a dream come true to be able to write for the teen magazine. It almost doesn't matter that she's going to be their dating blogger and she's never been out on a date.My Thoughts: I really liked this book. It reminded me a little bit of a YA version of Shopaholic. Parts were really cute, parts made me cringe, and parts made me happy. I loved Ben and the dog moments. I really liked the blog posts and wish we could have seen more of the interns' work. The pressures of the interns, their moments of friendship, and exploring New York made this one a really fun read.
After a few missteps at the office, things start looking up for Harper. She's got a hot boy to potentially date, a great new guy friend, and fodder for her blog posts (who cares if it's not exactly true?) She's taking New York by storm and isn't about to let anything stand in her way.
Library Recommendation: Great for both school and public libraries.
Mink moves out to live with her father after her mother's marriage hits the rocks. She's been communicating with the boy online who could very well be her soulmate, but she's scared to tell him about the move. Instead, she's determined to hunt him down incognito beforehand - just to make sure he's normal.My Thoughts: I adored this You've Got Mail inspired story. I loved the museum where Porter work. I love their banter. I love Mink's father and his new relationship. I really loved Porter's family - especially his mother. I felt terrible for all that they had been through. I really enjoyed Grace and her relationship with Mink. I really liked watching Porter and Mink interact. And I loved how they became friends. I really liked the moments they spend together outside of work. I adored the slow burn! I didn't want to put this book down!
Mink's adjusting well to her new town, but she has yet to locate Alex. Her dad got her a job where she she works with the most aggravating boy ever - even though he is dreamy. They snark at each other intensely. Could there be sparks?
Library Recommendation: Great book with a fun romance and great parents. Highly recommended for public and school libraries.
In the tradition of Bridget Jones’s Diary, a lovably flawed high school student chronicles her life as she navigates the highs and lows of family, friendship, school, and love in a diary that sparkles with humor and warmth.
I’m Chloe Snow, and my life is kiiiiind of a disaster.
1. I’m a kissing virgin (so so so embarrassing).
2. My best friend, Hannah, is driving me insane.
3. I think I’m in love with Mac Brody, senior football star, whose girlfriend is so beautiful she doesn’t even need eyeliner.
4. My dad won’t stop asking me if I’m okay
5. Oh, and my mom moved to Mexico to work on her novel. But it’s fine—she’ll be back soon. She said so.
Mom says the only thing sadder than remembering is forgetting, so I’m going to write down everything that happens to me in this diary. That way, even when I’m ninety, I’ll remember how awkward and horrible and exciting it is to be in high school.
Grayson, Mike, and Ian are hoping for one last epic summer on the island before everything changes. But in reality, everything's already changed.My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. I love that it's about older teen boys who just graduated high school. It reminded of books from a few years back, which I miss. I like how everything is from the guys perspective even though each of the boys has a summer romance. I love the island setting. I love how the boys are different (race and social class). I love how they try to talk with each other without really saying too much - until it all came out. I love the fantasy show they all talk about - how very Game of Thrones.
Grayson's mom left his family. As a reaction, he drove off angry and got into a car accident that messed up his shoulder. He's lying to everyone about how badly it still hurts, realizing that in the fall, he probably won't be playing college football.
Mike's girlfriend breaks up with him. She does this often, but this time it might be for good. With his father out of work, Mike steps up to help out the family. Floundering he's not sure what's going to happen to him.
Ian's father never came home from his latest deployment. For him the summer is only a reminder of what he lost. Can he find a way to overcome his grief?
Final Thoughts: I Love Jessica Brody - a fantastic summer read filled with tension, friendship drama, family drama, grief, wrong impressions, and romance. Check it out!
Darcy wrote a novel during National Write a Novel Month, Then she found herself an agent and a fantastic publishing deal. Now she's decided to defer going to college and move to NYC to ease into the publishing world.My Thoughts: I love how the chapters alternate between Darcy's life and Darcy's YA novel. I loved reading about the business side of writing and how Darcy took her NaNoWriMo novel and created something amazing - even though she had to push herself for the right emotional ending.
Her parents aren't thrilled with her decision, but she's not backing down. She has enough money from the sale of her book to live comfortably for three years - until she blows a bunch of money on rent and food.
On her first night in the city, Darcy attended a drink night with other YA authors. She's taken a liking to them and they've helped her navigate through the waters of the writing business.
Final Thoughts: A long fantastic read about writing, the love of books, and love.
Henry Tudor has his life all figured out - or rather his mother does. He's to follow in the footsteps of his late father. It's also the path his older brother would have followed if he hadn't died early. Now, Henry's allowing himself to be molded into a political powerhouse, complete with the perfect girlfriend who once dated his brother.My Thoughts: Clearly we all knew how the story would end, even if we wished for something different. I like the modern twist on Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn.
Everything is going right on track until Anne enters the picture.
New to town, Anne challenges Henry in ways he never thought possible. But Anne makes her own enemies and before long, they circle around her like sharks.
Final Thoughts: An interesting modern look at Henry and Anne's story with a hint of sequel.
Lane isn't your average teen; she hides a secret obsession of following serial killers. Lane can relate to them because she understands them. She feels the darkness rise in herself.My Thoughts: This book sucked me in and didn't let me go. I read it in one sitting because I couldn't put it down. At the same time, I found it disturbingly creepy. I'm drawn to crime shows and cozy murder mysteries. It's hard to talk about this book without giving too much away - so I'll say that I really liked Lane's step siblings. They were cute, funny, snarky, and smart. They added some lightness to the story. I never saw the final twist coming; this book kept me on the edge of my seat turning pages.
When her FBI mother catches a case featuring a local serial killer, Lane can't help but be fascinated with the details. She starts looking into the case. Soon, she's contacted personally by the killer.
The more she learns about the case, the more she learns that everything she thought she knew about her life was a lie. Can she solve the case before someone she loves is murdered?
