Review: Love Off-Limits

Natalie writes for the school newspaper. Among other articles, she's in charge of the anonymous romance advice column. She feels like a hoax, because she's having the biggest romance doubts in her life.

She's been dating Jeremy for two years. Everything about him screams perfection. While she cares about him, she's afraid she's no longer in love with him.

It's the worst possible timing, as his parents are going through a divorce. She doesn't want to break up with him during his time of need, but she doesn't want to keep up pretenses of their failing relationship.

The worst part is she's having feelings for someone else - his best friend. How can she give advice to others when she can't even handle her own love life?


My Thoughts: LOVE OFF-LIMITS is a quick, entertaining read filled with humor, romance advice, self-doubts, and learning when to take a stand.

Cover Thoughts: This one doesn't pull me in either direction - it's ok, but not great and not terrible

Source: My Library - reviewed for www.teensreadtoo.com

Challenge: Simon Pulse Ro Com Challenge.

Review: At First Sight

Lauren doesn't believe in love at first sight, even though her best friend finds her boyfriends instantly. She's forced to change her opinion when she meets Riley on a school field trip to the planetarium.

Sparks fly. They have a moment together before they're whisked away. They didn't even tell each other their names.

Lauren can't get him out of her head. Her best friend does some digging on a social media site and discovers his identity. Plus, he can't get Lauren out his head, either. But the path to true love isn't simple.

When he writes about meeting an amazing girl, his wall on the website explodes with girls claiming to be "the one." Lauren doesn't let that faze her; she writes him a message. He responds and soon they're hanging out online.

He doesn't believe she's one of the posers, but he doesn't believe that she's the one he's searching for, either. How can she get him to figure out the truth?

My Thoughts: Catherine Hapka writes about love at first glance as part of the Simon Pulse Romantic Comedy series. Lauren tackles overcoming her shyness and going after what she wants. Ms. Hapka touches on the different aspects of relationships, including lust and friendship-turned-love, in this engaging installment to the line.

Cover: I really like it

Source: From my library, but reviewed for www.teensreadtoo.com

Challenge: Where I'm going ALL IN!
(you can still joint the challenge, click on the picture)

Simon Pulse Rom Com Challenge!

(I saw this from twitter, @PageTurnersBlog who pointed me to The Book Celler, who found the challenge on Chick Loves Lit)

There is a new challenge on the block. How exciting. I usually don't do challenges, but I started them this year. So, I figure why not! I have been reading the Simon Pulse Romantic Comedies for a few years now. I can't remember the first one I read, but they're very addicting.


THE CHALLENGE.

You can find more about the challenge here. The Simon Pulse Rom Com Challenge runs September 1, 2010 - September 1, 2011. There are four levels for this challenge:


Rom Com Lover - 5 books
Rom Com Raver - 15 books
Rom Com Addict - 25 books
Rom Com Crazy - 35+ books

I am going Rom Com Crazy - You can count books you have read before the start date, but you want to read at least 50% of the books during the year.

Here's a complete list of all 38 Simon Pulse Romantic Comedies. I'm going to bold all the ones I've read prior to September 1, 2010 and I'll simply bold each book that I read as the year goes on.

Royally Jacked by Niki Burnham - January 2004
How Not to Spend Your Senior Year by Cameron Dokey - January 2004
Ripped at the Seams by Nancy Krulik - June 2004
Spin Control by Niki Burnham - January 2005
Cupidity by Caroline Goode - January 2005
South Beach Sizzle by Suzanne Weyn and Diana Gonzalez - February 2005
She's Got the Beat by Nancy Krulik - April 2005
30 Guys in 30 Days by Micol Ostow - June 2005
Animal Attraction by Jamie Ponti - August 2005
Scary Beautiful by Niki Burnham - January 2006
A Novel Idea by Aimee Friedman - January 2006
Getting to Third Date by Kelly McClymer - April 2006
Dancing Queen by Erin Downing - June 2006
Major Crush by Jennifer Echols - August 2006
Do-Over by Niki Burnham - October 2006
Love Undercover by Jo Edwards - December 2006
Prom Crashers by Erin Downing - February 2007
Gettin' Lucky by Micol Ostow - April 2007
The Boys Next Door by Jennifer Echols - May 2007
In the Stars by Stacia Deutsch and Rhody Cohon - August 2007
Crush du Jour by Micol Ostow - October 2007
The Secret Life of a Teenage Siren by Wendy Toliver - December 2007
Love, Hollywood Style by P.J. Ruditis - January 2008
Something Borrowed by Catherine Hapka - April 2008
Party Favor by Whitney Lyles - June 2008
Puppy Love by Nancy Krulik - August 2008
The Twelve Dates of Christmas by Catherine Hapka - October 2008
Sea of Love by Jamie Ponti - December 2008
Miss Match by Wendy Toliver - February 2009
Love on Cue by Catherine Hapka - April 2009
Drive Me Crazy by Erin Downing - June 2009
Love Off-Limits by Whitney Lyles - August 2009
The Ex Games by Jennifer Echols - October 2009
Perfect Shot by Debbie Rigaud - December 2009
Hard To Get by Emma Carlson Berne - February 2010
At First Site by Catherine Hapka - April 2010
Endless Summer by Jennifer Echols - May 2010

So my current count is at

25/38

Looking at the numbers, I'm not sure I qualify for this specific challenge, so I'm coming up with a new challenge. I'm going to track down the ones I haven't read yet, because they're books that I've been wanting to read.

Are you up for the challenge?