Christmas Book Review: My New Crush Gave to Me

Charlotte Charlie Donovan knows exactly what she wants for Christmas: Teo Ortiz. He's the school's star athlete, in the National Honor Society, invited to every party, contributes to the school paper (where Charlie is co-editor), and is about to be featured as One to Watch in a teen magazine basically, he's exactly the type of guy Charlie s meant to be with. The only problem he barely knows she exists.

But Charlie is determined to be Teo's date to the Christmas ball. And she has a plan: To rig the paper's Secret Santa so that she can win his heart with five perfect gifts. But to do that she needs help. Enter J.D. Ortiz Teo s cousin, and possibly the most annoying person on the planet. He's easy going, laid back, unorganized, spontaneous, and makes a joke out of everything the exact opposite of Charlie (and Teo). But he's willing to provide insight into what Teo wants, so she s stuck with him.

Yet, the more time Charlie spends with J.D., the more she starts to wonder: Does she really know what, or rather who, she wants for Christmas? - book summary from the publisher

My Thoughts: I really liked this book - but I did love all the relationships. I wasn't quite sure why Charlie liked Teo so much. I liked the moments between Charlie and J.D. - they were like oil and water. I enjoyed the fact that Teo loved the 80s so much. The Christmas moments were funny - the dressing up, the caroling, the sweaters. I loved the moments between Charlie and her mother. I loved the moments between J.D. and Morgan - that when I liked J.D. There were some really cute moments here. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute - love the sweater

Source: My Library

Hand this book to: readers of Hallmark movies

Library Recommendation: A fun Christmas read for teens

Happy Poetry Month: Novels in Verse

 I quite enjoy reading novels in verse. I wrote up a column for VOYA about novels in verse in 2016. But I confess I haven't read many novels in verse lately. And I'm not sure why.

I did just finish this one:

Here's one of the poems, that I enjoyed:

Last Year I read:

I wrote up this blog post with some early favorite novels in verse (this was my version of Top Ten Tuesday before that was a thing)

Any novels in verse that you would recommend me?

On a personal note:

But first attempt at writing a book was a novel in verse. It's up on Swoon Reads if you're interested. It's about a girl during her first year of college. 

I like to dabble in poetry now and then. I haven't written much lately, but here are few older poems that I added to the blog.

Review: Match Me if You Can

Mia's friend Robyn has matchmaking skills, but she refuses to set Mia up with Vince. She knows they are not right for each other. But Mia refuses to believe that. She sneaks an email from Robyn's address to her crush.

Vince asks Mia out, causing a whole lot of problems in a domino effect:
Robyn finds out and becomes mad at Mia.
Robyn had another boy in mind for Mia.
That other boy is causing Mia to rethink everything...

My Thoughts: I enjoyed this book even though the bonds of friendship weren't as strong as I wanted them to be. Romance and high school is so hard. I really liked the newspaper and photography aspects of the story. I really liked the dates. As the reader, you can tell who's perfect for each other, even when the characters haven't figured it out yet. A strong debut that leaves me looking forward to Tiana Smith's next book.

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: Grab this one for your school and public libraries.

Review: The Game Can't Love You Back

Eve's used to being one of the boys - from her family life filled with brothers to being on the baseball team. But everything changes when her school burns down and she's forced to attend a different school. She doesn't want to start all over again, but she's not about to give up pitching.

Jamie, the star pitcher for the baseball team, isn't about to give up his spot on the mound. He needs to recognition from the awards to help him get to college. His whole future is riding on this and he's not going down without a fight.

Can the two pitchers share the mound and help their team or will everything go up in flames?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this feminist read. I love how Eve isn't about to take crap - even after some jocks try to bring her down. I love the banter between her and Jamie. I really liked the dual perspective of this book - it made the book pop.  While I can't say that I enjoyed reading about the sexism of baseball - I thought it was an important piece to the story. And I liked the romance! 

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: Grab this feminist sports read for your school and public libraries!

On Your Radar (11)

Title: Love Scene, Take Two

Author:  Alex Evansley

Publisher: Swoon Reads

Publication Date: June 12, 2018

Why it Should be on Your Radar:

New Adult
Hollywood Story
Set on a movie set
Adorable Meet-cute
Best-Selling Author
Seeing a YA book become a movie
Will
Olivia
Misunderstandings
Shipping
That bookstore scene
Baseball Caps
Romance
Great banter
Debut novel


Cover Thoughts: Cute! 
Source: Reviewed for SLJ

Review: You Won't Know I'm Gone

* Sequel to You Don't Know My Name *

Reagan's learning to deal with her grief, but it's hard - especially when all she wants is Revenge. She wants to destroy Torres. But right now she needs to keep her anger in check. Because her actions have cost her - not only the life of her mother but her spot as a Black Angel.

Now the only way back in is through the normal training channels. Over the past six months, she's lost muscle and weight. She's going to need every bit of her strength back and then some if she hopes to make it through the academy.

While she has some people on her side, she also has a huge target on her back. There are plenty of people who want to see her fail. Reagan just needs to keep her anger in check and her head down. Does she really want this life?

My Thoughts: I loved this sequel - for the action, the danger, the friendships, the forbidden romance, and for Reagan. I loved watching her struggle and find herself and understand what she wants from life. I enjoyed the bits at the Academy where she fought for her spot. I love the training exercises. I can't believe that ending and I need the next book immediately! 

Cover Thoughts: Matches the first really well
Source: ARC sent for review
Library Recommendation: Grab this series for both your public and school libraries.

Mini Review: Internet Famous

Madi's life starts spiraling out of control when her mother leaves for a job opportunity overseas. She's helping more around the house, juggling school work, blogging, and dealing with online harassment. 

The Good: She prefers her online personality
Fandoms
Pop Culture and movies
Her interactions at the school
Her blog
The romance
Her relationship with her sister
Sara.

 The Bad: 
 More like a nit picky thing - but if her blog hits were so large, how come she didn't realize the extent of her fan base?

Final Thoughts: Grab this one for both your public and your high school libraries - great read for fandom fans. Plus it's a drama filled read that teens will gobble up.

Blog Tour: You Don't Know My Name

About the Book:

Title: YOU DON'T KNOW MY NAME (The Black Angel Chronicles #1)

Author: Kristen Orlando

Pub. Date: January 10, 2017

Publisher: Swoon Reads

Pages: 320

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Find it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iBooks, Goodreads

Fighter, Faker, Student, Spy.

Seventeen-year-old Reagan Elizabeth Hillis is used to changing identities overnight, lying to every friend she’s ever had, and pushing away anyone who gets too close. Trained in mortal combat and weaponry her entire life, Reagan is expected to follow in her parents’ footsteps and join the ranks of the most powerful top-secret agency in the world, the Black Angels. Falling in love with the boy next door was never part of the plan.

Now Reagan has to decide: Will she use her incredible talents and lead the dangerous life she was born into, or throw it all away to follow her heart and embrace the normal life she's always wanted? And does she even have a choice at all?

Find out if you are ready to join the Black Angels in the captivating and emotional page-turner, You Don't Know My Name, from debut novelist Kristen Orlando!

My Thoughts: It took me a little bit to get into this book, but then it hooked me. I devoured it and didn't want this book to end. I loved the romance between Reagan and Luke. I felt bad for Reagan for not being able to have a normal life, for not being able to choose, and for fitting in so effortlessly in the many versions of her life. Once the action started, it didn't stop, leaving me on the edge of my seat. The book took a turn I wasn't expecting. I loved it when Reagan took matters into her own hands. I didn't see the end coming - at all. I need the next book in the series ASAP! 

Cover Thoughts: Interesting
Source: ARC sent for review

Final Thoughts: Highly recommended for school and public libraries. Hand this one to fans of Ally Carter and Jennifer Lynn Barnes. A twisty action packed romance.

About Kristen:

Writing is one of the great loves of my life (with bacon mac and cheese, Netflix binges and PJs also in the mix). My childhood in Columbus, Ohio was spent reading every single Baby-Sitter’s Club book ever written and acting out imaginary tragedies in my room (complete with costumes and props) until a really embarrassing age. I started writing plays for my younger cousins as soon as they were all old enough to act (The Spoiled Princess may be a personal favorite) and haven’t stopped writing since. After graduating from Kenyon College with a B.A. in English Literature, I’ve been lucky enough to make writing my career; first as a television producer, then as a marketer and now as a novelist.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Goodreads

Check out the rest of the tour

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

1/2/2017- BookHounds YA- Interview

1/3/2017- A Gingerly Review- Review

1/4/2017- Novel Novice- Guest Post

1/5/2017- YA Book Nerd- Review

1/6/2017- Brittany's Book Rambles- Interview

Week Two:

1/9/2017- Ohana Reads- Review

1/10/2017- Curling Up With A Good Book- Excerpt

1/11/2017- Bookwyrming Thoughts- Review

1/12/2017- The Cover Contessa- Interview

1/13/2017- I Heart Romance & YA- Review

Giveaway Details:

Sounds great right? Luckily you have a chance to win a copy. 3 winners will receive a signed finished copy of YOU DON’T KNOW MY NAME, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Love, Lies, and Spies

Juliana isn't an ordinary girl excited about traveling to London for her debut season. Her primary purpose in going to London is to have her and her father's work on beetles. She isn't interested in finding a match and marrying anyone.

She doesn't like the rigid rules of society and several times breaks them, much to the horror of her aunt. During one of her escapades, she meets a gentleman.

He doesn't seem to mind her intelligence or her rule breaking ways. He enjoys spending time with her. The more time Juliana spends with Mr. Northam, the more she can see herself forming an attachment to him.

Mr. Northam appears amiable, but does he have an ulterior motive for attaching himself to Miss Juliana?

My Thoughts: The tagline I heard for this book was Jane Austen with spies. And I was sold. I had to read it.

From the very first scene where Juliana's dangling from a cliff in need of help, I adore this book. I love her intelligence and how different she appeared from the rest of the girls. I love hoe her primary purpose in getting to London isn't the season or finding a suitor but in trying to publish her research.

I loved her moments with Mr. Northam - their banter, their views on society, and the stolen moments together. I enjoyed his moments of spying and uncovering information.

I liked her cousin Carrie and their interactions. I enjoyed her uncle when he finally came to his senses.

Cover Thoughts: Charming
Source: ARC sent for review

Final Thoughts: A fantastic historical fiction - if you're a Jane Austen fan, don't miss this one!