Top Ten Tuesday: Authors from Connecticut

 This week's topic is authors from your state. Mine is Connecticut 

Kristan Higgins

Regina Kyle

Jamie Beck

Luanne Rice

Lucy Burdette

Suzanne Collins

Jerry Craft

Janae Marks

Abi Cushman

Gail Chianese

Review: From the Desk of Zoe Washington

Zoe Washington just turned twelve. On her birthday, she finds a letter from her father. He's in prison for murder. He wants to be part of her life. But she doesn't know him. He claims that he's innocent.

Zoe's determined to find out. She secretly writes him back. She asks him for information about his case; she wants to prove his innocence. But all the secrets and lying adds up.

She needs to tell someone about him. Will the truth come spilling out and ruin the rest of her summer plans - her baking internship, and her audition for a kid baking show.

My Thoughts: I really liked this book. I loved the baking parts and how Zoe made up her own cupcake flavor. I loved her moments in the bakery - how it was boring awesome and sometimes boring. I liked her friendship drama with Trevor and how that worked out. I loved her relationship with her grandmother. I loved her letters with Marcus and how they started to have a relationship. I enjoyed their conversation about music. I like how Zoe wanted to uncover the truth about her father even if it meant keeping secrets. I love how everything turned out. An impressive debut novel that leaves me waiting to see what Janae Marks writes next!

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My library
Library Recommendation: Grab this one for your school and public libraries. 
Conversation Starter: There aren't too many books about incarcerated parents and this book would make a great book discussion book.

Adult Review: Worth the Wait

 * first in a series *

Vivi has loved her best friend's brother since the day she met him. Over the years, they've developed a special friendship. But lately things are off. David left on a business trip and hasn't kept up with anyone, even his family.

When Cat invites Vivi to her family's summer home for a week vacation,she has no idea her brother (and his girlfriend) will be there.

David works hard to insert himself back into his family's lives. But he's holding on to a secret that threatens to destroy him - terrible secret he can't share with his brother or sister.

But the time on the island is making him reevaluate all his relationships - including Vivi. Could he actually have feelings for her?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. I loved the layers of family dynamics - how Vivi's family fell apart and how Cat's family took her in. I love that she had a relationship with all the siblings. I felt terrible for David and how learning the secret changed him. I like how he attempted to come back into his siblings' lives and how he kept that awful secret. I loved Vivi gaining more confidence and becoming stronger in her life. I enjoyed the flashbacks to their younger days, especially with Vivi's art. I liked Cat and Jackson, so I'm looking forward to reading the next books in the series to see them gain their happily ever afters.

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: my Library

Library Recommendation: A fun summer romance about relationships that will be a welcome addition in public libraries.