Mini Review: The Flip Side

Charlie Ryland wants it all - and she's willing to go to great lengths to keep her two identities secret for as long as possible. Sooner or later the truth will come out about who Charlotte really is, but Charlie's hoping that will happen on her terms and after she qualifies for the Olympic gymnastics team.

The Good:
I didn't want to put this book down, I read it over two nights and stayed up late the second night to finish it.

• I loved the double lives - the double friends.
• I loved the moments when they crossed over
• I loved the training moments
• I loved the moments between Charlie and her brother
• I loved the secret
• I loved how hard Charlie/Charlotte pushed herself, even when life seemed to be spinning out of control.
• I loved the student government angle
• I didn't like the speical treatment, but course it happens and I like how Charlie handled it.

The Bad:
There were a few places where the editing could have been a little tighter. A few times I was jarred out of the story.

Final Thoughts: Great for your gymnastic loving fans, or readers who wish to be famous, or anyone getting pumped up for their own sporting event.

Cover Thoughts: I actually really like this cover (especially the guy with the book) but it doesn't match any scene in the book, which saddens me. I almost wish there was an addition scene based on it!

Library Recommendation: Grab it for your library!

I wrote a little bit about it on the teen library blog

Summertime Book Review: Unexpected Everything

Andi knew what she wanted from life and a plan to get it. So imagine her surprise when her world comes crashing down after her father's political career takes a hit.

The scandal changes her summer plans in an instant. Now without her internship, Andi's floundering. She's stuck at home with no plans and no ways to create a better summer.

At first, she's at her wits end, but then she agrees to take a dog walking job. Just like that everything changes.

She meets Clark - a boy who challenges her on every level. Her relationship with him gets off to a rocky start but then rebounds.

Could this spontaneous summer be the best thing that ever happened to her?

My Thoughts: I LOVED this book, not surprising because I love her author books. I enjoyed the father - daughter banter, the political side to the book, Andi's friendships, her letting go of her plans and letting loose, and of course Clark. Clark reminded me of the Christoper Paolini publishing story crossed with a little Game of Thrones - which was awesome. And that sweet dog. Bertie was charming. I love how Clark and Andi didn't know much about each other and their first date was priceless. I liked learning more about Andi's mother. I loved how this summer taught her to have deeper relationships. I didn't want this book to end!

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for all teen collections.

Review: Lock and Mori

Mori and Sherlock Homes attend the same high school and meet quite by accident. Before she knows it, Sherlock seeks her out. A body turns up dead in the park near Mori's house - a place where she runs when things get out of hand at home.

Sherlock wants to spy on the police work. He scoffs at their amateur findings and suggests he and Mori dig into the death - as a game. The only rule - they have to tell each other everything they uncover. Mori's not sharing the details she uncovers. This case could become personal for her. She's not sure she wants to share that with Sherlock.

My Thoughts: I admit that I haven't delved into the Sherlock Holmes novels - I've watched different adaptations from Elementary to Robert Downey Jr and Jude Watson's movie. I really liked this Sherlock Holmes spin and I'm so curious to see where this series goes. 

My heart broke for Mori and her brothers living in that house. They dealt with so much at a young age. Mori needed an escape and Sherlock provided her with one. I like how Mori attempts to figure out Sherlock - he does have some quirky ways. I liked trying to figure out both characters as neither was very forthcoming about their actions. I really enjoyed the romance between Mori and Sherlock and I curious to see where that goes as well. The friction and tension between the two of them works very nicely. I felt the ending needed a little more explanation as I didn't quite understand Mori's reasoning. 

Cover Thoughts: Great
Source: Book sent for review

Final Thoughts: An intriguing start to new series with familiar characters, secrets, and the start of a relationship that could turn into something more. If you're a Sherlock fan or if you like thrillers, add this one to your list.

Review: P.S. I Still Love You

 * Book 2 in the Love Trilogy *

Lara Jean isn't happy that her fake relationship ended with Peter. She misses him. So on New Year's Eve, she writes him a letter. The letter works like magic and they're back together. Lara Jean couldn't be happier.

Until a video of her a Peter in the hot tub goes viral. She's so embarassed that everyone knows. She's deveestated. Peter defends her. But they aren't saying awful things about him.

Lara Jean knows her ex best friend and Peter's ex-girlfriend is behind the video, but she can't prove it. Peter defends Gen. What starts out as friction between the two of them leads to drama.

Can a fake relationship turned real actually work?

My Thoughts: I loved this sequel.

I love the power of words and letters. I love that Lara Jean wrote on New Year's Eve, to create an understanding for the new year. I liked learning about Lara Jean's family cultural traditions for New Year's. 

I felt horrible for Lara Jean and dealing with the fallout from the video posted. I can't imagine going through anything like that. 

I like the game the old friends play and Lara Jean's chats with John.

I love Kitty -she's funny, sharp, and wildly entertaining. I love her schemes, especially trying to set up her father on date. 

I can't wait to see what happens next.

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My Library

Final Thoughts: Jenny Han captures contemporary romance perfect - the highs and lows combined with drama, friendship, and family. If you haven't read this yet, what are you waiting for?

Review: Killer Instinct

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.

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? 

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.

Cover Thoughts: Interesting.
Source: My Library
Similar Read: Dangerous Girls 

Summertime Book Review: Since You've Been Gone

Books perfect for the beach or to read by the pool

Emily and her BFF Sloan have always been inseparable. Now Sloan's vanished into thin air just before summer. Emily and Sloan had all these plans, but Emily's left to navigate summer on her own. Then she finds a letter from Sloan - with a list of things to accomplish over the summer.

It's not the first list Sloan's made for her, but immediately Emily decides to cross all the items off the list. She's hug a Jamie, deal with her fear of horses, and maybe break out of her shell.

At first the list seems to be a like a job, but soon in becomes fun. Summer starts sliding by and the list is almost complete. 

My Thoughts: Everyone raved about this book - and they were right. If you haven't read it yet - get yourself to a library or bookstore and grab a copy. Here are more reasons why I love this book:

Cover Thoughts: Eye Catching
Source: My Library

Review: To All The Boys I've Loved Before

When Lara Jean falls out of love with a boy, she write him a letter. She has no intention of ever mailing them, the letters are for her.  Then something happens and five letters are mailed. 1 is returned address unknown, 1 boy moved away, 1 is an old friend, 1 is an old crush, and the last is to her sister's ex-boyfriend.

Josh is the boy next door and they've been friends for ages. Lora Jean had a crush on him that ended when he kissed Margot.

Margot and Josh broke up right before she left for college. Nothing is the same without her sister, but Lara Jean knows that nothing can ever happen between her and Josh - which is why she decides to fake date one of the boys who got her letter. He has his own relationship drama. Plus if you're fake dating than nothing can go wrong.

My Thoughts: I DEVOURED this book, loving it so much. At the end of the book, I realized that it reminded me of a modern day Little Women. I loved the relationship between the sisters - the close fighting, the loyalty, and the sweetness. Since their mother died, the girls have become even closer and have stepped up to pitch in more around the house. I love the moments of household chores that fail - they're entertaining. Their father tries really hard and although he's busy, he makes time for this daughters. It still isn't the same for the girls, who at times need a mother figure. I loved the fake relationship and how it brought Lara Jean out of her comfort zone. I can't wait to read more about her relationship and her time with her sisters.

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My Library.

Review: Darkest Fear

 * First in the Birthright series *

When Vivi turns 18, her birthday doesn't go as planned. Each year, she and her parents pack up her favorite foods and go on a picnic. Things between Vivi and her parents are tense ever since she found out about her heritage - the heritage she has no desire to be a part of. During the picnic, her parents tell her to run and she does. Coming back later to the scene, she finds both her parents on the ground. Her father's dead and her mother is dying.

While dealing with her grief, Vivi discovers a family she never knew about and sets off to find them. Vivi locates a cousin who invites her to stay with him. He has a house full of friends - all from the same heritage.

Vivi learns more about her heritage and wishes that she could change her past behavior. More than anything she wants to uncover the truth about her parents' murder. How far will she go to uncover the truth?

My Thoughts: I love how different Vivi's heritage is - being able to turn into a jaguar. I really like the moments when she turned and her thought processes. I felt awful for her when her parents died and she lost herself in her grief. I loved her new family. I like how she tried to understand more of her heritage and how being around more of her kind helped. I liked the danger and the romance. I liked the ending, even though it left me waiting for the next book. 

Cover Thought: I like her eye
Source: My Library

Review: It's Not Summer Without You

 * Book 2 in the Summer series * 

Summer will never be the same again. When Susannah relapsed and died, everything fell apart.

Now Belly's at home - missing every summer that's come before - missing the beach house, Susannah, and the boys.

She and Conrad haven't been together for months, but she can't stop thinking of him. When Jeremiah calls with the news that Conrad's gone missing, Belly wants to help find him. Maybe seeing him again will finally bring her closure.

My Thoughts: I loved this book; I tore through it not wanting to put it down. It made me have all the feels - sadness, heartache, heartbreak, and a smile through the tears. I liked the timeline and how it unfolded. I liked uncovering the details of what happened between Belly and Conrad.  I liked seeing the summer house again, even under these circumstances.  I wanted the final book in the trilogy immediately after reading this one!

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Review: To Be Perfectly Honest

Colette's mother is a major movie star - thus, Colette never knows who her real friends are. Are they the people who hang out with her who want the perks of her life? Are they the people who hang out with her for a chance to meet her mother? Does anyone like the real Colette?

Colette's been burned one to many times by people. So, she's become an expert at lying. If you're always lying, you can't get hurt.

She thought she had a perfect summer planned in Paris, until her mother announces that Colette and her brother are required to join her on location in the middle of nowhere California.

Once their, her mother becomes absorbed in her movie and in her life. Collette's stuck hanging out with her brother - not that that's a bad thing most of the time.

Ever since she met Connor, she wants some alone time with him, not dates with her brother as the third wheel. Could he be the best part of her summer?

My Thoughts: I was so happy to have a new Sonya Sones book - I love them. I'm a big fan of novels in verse and tore through this one. I felt bad for Collette - for not knowing who to trust in her life, for not being able to be herself, and for trying make the best of her summer. I loved her brother. The moments between them were sweet and I loved the birthday bit. There were a few twists that threw me as I wasn't expecting them. I completely LOVE the ending!

Cover Thoughts: I like it
Source: My Library.

Two Lies and a Spy

About the book (summary from the publisher)

When sixteen-year-old Kari’s dad sends her an unexpected text, she and her brother immediately go into hiding. Because when your parents are superspies and your dad declares a Code Black, it can only mean something bad. Very bad.

Kari soon discovers that her parents have been disavowed and declared traitors, and she’s determined to clear their names. Breaking into the Agency seems like a reasonable plan, especially with the help of a team that includes her longtime crush, Luke, as well as her two best friends—an expert hacker with attitude and a master martial artist—and Luke’s popular, vindictive twin sister. Oh, and a new guy, who’s as cute as he is complicated…

My Thoughts: The first time I heard of the book - I was hooked by the title. It's clever and I'm a sucker for books about spies. I really loved Kari - she's tough and resourceful. I liked her interaction with her younger brother. I like how she reaches out for help from her friends - including Evan. I liked the snarky banter between her and Evan. I found Lacey amusing. I hope this is the start of a series - because I love these characters and I don't want to leave them. There was heartbreak, a little romance, some great action scenes, and danger - everything you'd want in a spy novel. A fantastic debut that makes the author one to watch!

Prize:

A Spy is Only as Good as Her Gadgets

One (1) winner receives:

·         Emergency Phone Charger and a copy of Two Lies and a Spy

Giveaway open to U.S. addresses only.

Prizing  courtesy of Simon & Schuster.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Visit the Official Book Site

Review: Dangerous Girls

Anna and her friends are celebrating Spring Break in Aruba and having the time of their lives.

Then everything changes: an intense, out of control vacation turns deadly.

Elise hasn't been answering her phone. They're worried about her. Finally they break into her room - and discover Elise lying in a pool of blood- murdered.

The house hasn't been vandalized, except for the balcony door.

Anna's friends have alibis. Her alibi is her boyfriend Tate. The police question them - hard. It's revealed that they weren't together the entire afternoon.

Now Anna's on trial for murder. She had no idea how this happened, but she's fighting for her life. 

My Thoughts: I read this book weeks ago, devouring it in one sitting and I'm still thinking about it. I like the set-up of the book - the timeline and how it goes back and forth from the time Anna and Elise met throughout the trial. I liked learning about their friendship. I loved trying to uncover what really happened that afternoon.  That ending - slammed into me and made me think. A perfect ripped from the headlines book that teens will gobble up - just like I did.

Cover Thoughts: I like it!
Source: my Library.

Review: Summer I Turned Pretty

 * first book in a trilogy*

Belly lives for summer. Her family's been going to the summer house for years with family friends. She's been tagging along after her brother and his two friends forever.

Now she's 16.

Boys are starting to look at her - just not the boy she wants. Her brother's not there for most of the summer. She has Conrad and Jeremiah all to herself. Could this be the summer that changes Everything?

My Thoughts: I've been meaning to read this book for ages - people have been talking about it forever. Everyone was right, I couldn't put this book down. I loved the shifts in time and how they are woven together. I liked learning about Belly's relationships with the brothers while growing up. In some ways, it was the perfect childhood, but in others I felt bad for Belly, always trying to be part of the group, but always too young. This book tugged at all my heartstrings - making me laugh, making me want to cry, and giving me hope. I can't wait to finish the rest of the trilogy. If you haven't read this - go read it now!

Cover Thoughts: Fun
Source: My Library

Review: Maid Of Secrets

I was able to participate in the Maid Of Secrets blog tour where I interviewed Jane. Now, here's my book review. 

Meg's a master of disguises, which she puts to good use stealing from the crowd gathered around the acting troupe. When she's caught, she's given a choice: work for the Queen or rot in a dungeon cell where her fellow actors of the troupe would be hunted down and killed.

Without much of a choice, Meg chooses to work for the Queen. She's amazed to discover the spy service for the queen. She's taught proper courtly manners and defend herself. She has not let learned to read, though she would rather die than tell anyone. She can recite back anything she hears, but doesn't want to let out her secret. Meg soon learns there are rarely secrets among spies.

As she's given her first assignment, Meg comes to understand just what's at stake. Someone's plotting against the Queen. Someone wants to stir up trouble at court. Someone wants to force the Queen to marry and have a male helping her rule. Meg's job is locate the source of the trouble; but it's hard to root out evil when she doesn't know who she can trust.

My Thoughts:  I loved this book for the court intrigue, the secrets, the maids, the secret passageways, and the romance. I loved watching Meg understand her role as a Queen's spy, figuring out who to trust and finding friends. I loved watching her playing the games of court. Meg's fierce, loyal, and determined - everything I like in character. I liked learning more about Elizabethan England and her court. I loved the cat and mouse games played by Meg and Rafe.  Plot twists, danger, and an intriguing romance kept me furiously turning these pages!

Cover Thoughts: Love it!
Source: My Library
Try it if you like: Grave Mercy

Review: The Essence

 * Sequel to The Pledge*

Months have past since Charlie changed her world. She's now the Queen - learning etiquette as well as horse riding and hand to hand combat. She's not sure which she's worst at learning.


While laws have been changed for the benefit of her people, there are moments when Charlie wishes everything was back to normal. Things won't ever be normal for her again - and not just because she's now the Queen.  It's because Sabara and her legacy. She's keeping Charlie from being at peace, from resting, from finding confidence in her new role.


Not everyone's pleased with Charlie as the leader. After a riot, it becomes quite clear that something needs to be done with the rebels. It's also clear there's a traitor in Charlie's camp. Can she and her team uncover the identity before it's too late?

My Thoughts: I really liked the sequel to the Pledge. I did have a hard time keeping track of all the Queens (probably just like Charlie). I liked the multiple perspectives with Brooklyn, Charlie, and other minor characters. There were so many emotions in this book.  

I felt horrible for Charlie and her restlessness, horrified at some of her behavior, and my heart ached for her at times. The tension surrounding Charlie made for a fast read. I wanted to find out what happened next, who had it in for her, and what the rebels were going to do next. The action and the danger heightened all the other emotions.  I can't wait to see how everything turns out.

Cover Thoughts: I like how it ties into the first book
Source: My Library

Review: Wentworth Hall

Maggie has a secret and she's pulled away from her family to keep it. After her return from Paris, she's no longer the carefree wild child. Instead, she's looking at marriage.

She has no desire to marry any other men around Wentworth Hall, which is crumbling down. When her father's friend dies leaving his children alone, Lord Darlington offers them his home. 

The twins stand to inherit a large fortune on their 18th birthday, but until then, they are penniless. Lord and Lady Darlington hope to marry Maggie to Teddy Fitzhugh.  Maggie isn't sure she wants to marry Teddy, but there's no harm in spending time with him.

My Thoughts: The tagline for this book states that it's perfect for Downton Abbey fan and it's true. The book features multiple perspectives from Maggie, her sister, and their maid. There's also an anonymous newspaper series based upon Wentworth Hall that isn't kind to anyone in the house.  Maggie and her sister used to be close, but that was before her trip to the continent. Now, there's obvious tension between the two sisters. Scandal, romance, and jealous all reside with the family in Wentworth Hall.

I really enjoyed this read, except that I felt it wrapped up too quickly. It felt like the beginning of a series, but I'm not sure if that's true and I can't find any information to a sequel.


Cover Thoughts: I Like it


Source: My Library

Challenge: Historical Fiction