Tween Tuesday Review: Baseball Great

 * 1st in a series *

Josh's embarrassed by the school newspaper reporting on his baseball skills. He's not sure he can make the team the best in the league, but he's willing to help make it a reality.  Unfortunately, he doesn't get the chance, his father pulls him out of the school baseball program for a private one.

There Josh's put on a strict regime - plenty of excerise and protein shakes. He's struggling with the excersies and chocking down the shakes, but he's willing to try them to make him a better player. It isn't until some of the other guys try to give him pills that he starts to question the team.

He's not about to take steroids and he's not about to let this go quietly. He turns to his two best friends for help and hopes that they can come up with a plan.

My Thoughts: We read this for our March book club pick and I really liked it. I liked Josh - though I was amazed at his height at his age. I thought he was smart and he tried to do the right things. I felt bad for his father - never making his dream come true and projecting his wishes onto Josh. I wish that he had listened to his son. My favorite character might have been Jaden  - I love her smarts and her desire to achieve her dream of writing great news stories. I'm interested to see where this series goes with Josh and his friends.

Cover Thoughts: Great
Source: My Library

Adult Review: Big Girl Panties

Holly meets Logan on one of her worst days. She looks a mess and she's forced to sit next to him on an airplane. She can already hear his thoughts, they're broadcasted all over his face.

She brings up the fact that her husband died, leaving food as a comfort. He surprises her by making her an offer she can't refuse. Logan's a personal trainer and he's willing to help her take back control over her life.

Holly decides to take him up on his offer. Soon she's working out and making better food choices. She's also spending quite a bit of time with Logan. Could there be romance in the air?

My Thoughts: From the moment I heard about this book from PW, I was excited to read it. I devoured this book - and loved it. I loved Holly - she's strong, determined, and a wise ass. I loved her banter with Logan. I loved watching her struggle to love herself and to find peace with her body. It's hard to feel comfortable in your own skin; I thought Evanovich portrayed the ups and downs nicely. Holly worked out, kept a food journal, and tried leaving her guilt behind her. 
I liked watching Logan's reaction to Holly, how he started falling for her without realizing it and what that would mean to him. I liked the dual perspectives. A fantastic debut novel and an author to watch.

Cover Thoughts: It's ok, but it doesn't give away lot of information about the book
Source: BEA where I got to meet the author, who was super sweet!

Tween Tuesday Review: Wig in the Window

 * Comes out June 18th *

Sophie and Grace host midnight spy missions to improve their spy skills. Grace has wanted to spy on Sophie's school counselor Dr. Agford for ages. Grace has always found her suspicious, but Sophie never wanted to get too close. Dr. A has a reputation at school and Sophie doesn't need her attention.

They decide to peek in her windows, a one time exception. They see blood everywhere - and immediately call emergency services claiming to have witnessed a murder.

The next day at school, Sophie's called to the principal's office where her parents, Dr. A, and a police officer gather to talk about the incident the night before and the proper punishment. Now more than ever Sophie distrusts Dr. A. Could she be hiding something significant? If so, can Sophie figure it out without getting into more trouble?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book: spies, potential murder, and the investigation made it hard to put down. I wanted to uncover the truth about Dr. A. The many twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat. The relationship between Sophie and Grace added tension. With Sophie being a public school and Grace being home-schooled, they had various view points of both school and social interactions. They also had different groups of friends. I found Trista entertaining, especially her prank. I hope there are more Young and Yang myseries planned as this was fantastic!

Cover Thoughts: Great
Source: Sent for review

Mini Adult Review: Happily Ever After

At BEA two years ago, someone told me I should read the Bridgerton series. They were RIGHT, I devoured this series. I loved every book. Here's a new book of short stories sharing what happened after the books ended.

The Good: I love this family for their loyalty to each other, their quick wit, their banter, the strong female characters, and the humor. These stories made me laugh and made me sigh with happiness. If I had to pick, I think the pall mall story made me laugh the most. I love their competitive streak. All in all, it was perfection!

The Bad: There's nothing bad about this book, except it makes me want more!

If you haven't read this series, START THEM! The Duke and I is the first one.

* Even the puppy liked, he licked the book as it smells good! *

Tween Tuesday Review: Destiny Rewritten

Emily's mother often retells the story of her naming, how she was named after Emily Dickinson while looking in at a book in a bookstore, and how she knew her daughter would write poetry- just like her namesake.  Emily's kept that book close to her. Her mother wrote down all her life's progress besides fitting poems.

Emily doesn't like to write poetry. She's not interested in it. She's more interested in happy endings. When an accident causes her to misplace her book, she worries about finding it. Mostly Emily worries about her destiny. Is she in control of her own destiny?

What will happen to her future? After talking with her best friend, her cousin, and her mother, Emily decides to attempt to change the way she makes decisions. If she changes, will the book come back to her? And  can she change her future?

My Thoughts: I loved this book. I really liked the concept behind it - can we change our Destiny. I like how Emily searches for her lost book -even though she wants to change her Destiny. I like how much the book means to her and what it could mean for her future. I love how Emily wishes and requires happy endings. I love that she write Danielle Steel letters. I love that she gets a response from these letters. I loved the ending of the book - powerful and obviously happy.

Cover Thoughts: Brilliant.
Source: My Library

Mysterious Saturday Review: Footprints in the Sand

*3rd in the Piper Donovan series - read my review of To Have and to Kill*

Piper's cousin Kathy's getting married. Not only is Piper the Maid of Honor, but she's also baking the wedding cake for beloved cousin. She and her family travel down early for the week of festivities leading up to the wedding.

Kathy's not feeling very festive as one of her good friends and bridesmaids is missing. Piper wants to make her cousin feel better and asks a few questions. Soon, a body turns up at the beach. It's Shelley. Now more than anything, Kathy wants to know what happened.

However, both potential witnesses are silenced. With Piper asking questions and poking her nose into Shelley's affairs  could she be next one the list?

My Thoughts: I really really like this series - I love the wedding cakes created. I love the weddings. And above all, I enjoy Piper. She sort of fell into the wedding cake decorating, taking over from her mother due to her failing eyesight. Piper's sweet but a little naive. She's at a crossroads in her life. She used to have a recurring role on a soap opera, but her character died. Although she's still interesting in acting the jobs have gotten fewer. I like the little tidbits of Piper's acting life, her auditions  her facebook posts and friends, and her desire for more jobs. She's taking her romance with Jack slow as she's been burned in the past. I really like Jack. He's solid, dependable, and really nice. I'd like to see more of him in the next book.
I loved the descriptions of the beach and the water. It made me long to be there. I found the Amish culture included very interesting as most of it I didn't know. The short chapters with multiple perspectives make this book impossible to put down. I always want to know what's going to happen next. 

Cover Thoughts: I like it, though it differs from the previous two books featuring a wedding cake, which I really liked.
Source: Sent to me for review!!
Fun Fact: 2 years ago, I met Mary Jane Clark at BEA.

Tween Tuesday Review: Bliss

**Tween Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted at GreenBeanTeenQueen to highlight great reads for tweens. Join the fun! **  

Rose's parents own a bakery. It's not an ordinary bakery. They follow recipes from the Bliss Cookery Booke - which includes magical ingredients. The recipes are written in story format. Best of all, the goodies make people happy.

Rose's excited at the idea of baking with magic. When will her parents allow her to really help in the family business? She's getting tired of waiting. 

Then her parents are called away on an important mission. They give Rose a key to secret room, where they keep the cookbook. Rose is under strict instructions NOT to use the book. She promises, but things get out of hand when Aunt Lily appears.

Rose has never heard of Aunt Lily, but soon she becomes part of the family.  Rose's brothers want to experiment with the book. They convince Rose to copy out a few recipes and try them. The results are a disaster. Each recipe they try, they just make it worse. Can they fix things before their parents come home?

My Thoughts: A magical bakery = sold. I loved this idea and really enjoyed reading this one. I loved the magical elements to the story - the secret ingredients, the secret rooms, the cookbook made from stories. I enjoyed the squabbling between Rose and her brothers, but liked how they pulled together. The small town feel of the this book made it more delightful. Everyone knew everyone's business, which made their bad behavior more amusing.  I loved the descriptions of the librarians fighting, the girls going crazy over Ty, and the disco party.  I'm so interested to see where this series will continue after the cliff hanger ending!

Cover Thoughts: Great, it made me want to read the book. Plus I love the wrap around cover!
Source: My Library

Tween Tuesday Review: Princess Curse

Tween Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted here at GreenBeanTeenQueen to highlight great reads for tweens! Join the fun and discover great reads for tweens!

* A retelling of the fairy tale Twelve Dancing Princesses*

Reveka works as an herbalist's apprentice. One day she longs to join a nunnery where she can become an herbalist. However, in order to join the nunnery, she'll need a substantial dowry.

She has mixed feelings when she hears the strange tales about the princesses and the people lying sleeping in the tower. The people won't wake up, they're just like vegetables While it's horrible, if Reveka can figure out the mystery, she'll have a dowry big enough to make her dreams come true.

As she tries to get close enough to the princesses, she discovers a hidden world. Could she be the girl to break the curse?


My Thoughts: I really liked this retelling - which added in other mythology. I loved the descriptions of the underworld. I didn't like the princesses, they seemed cold - even towards each other.  I found the father-daughter relationship intriguing and I like how it blossomed. I liked the magic and differences between the worlds. I liked Reveka - her determination, her intelligence, and her loyalty. I would love to see this as a trilogy as it seems there's more to the story.


Cover Thoughts: I love it!


Source: my Library

Adult Review: Romancing Mister Bridgerton

Many years ago Penelope Featherington fell in love with Colin Bridgerton.  He's her best friend's brother.  He's also never given her a second glance.

Penelope and Eloise have both been eligible for marriage years ago. neither of them has found the right man to marry.  Eloise has received marriage proposals, but no one has asked for Penelope's hand.

It didn't help that upon her coming out her mother chose the wrong style and colors for her dresses. She looked so hideous that even Lady Whistledown commented on her poor choice of clothing.

Doomed to be a wallflower, Penelope watched society.  To those who know her well, her wit doesn't come as a surprise. What might come as a surprise is the secret she's been keeping for years.

Will Colin finally notice Penelope as a woman?

My Thoughts: Still adoring this series. I LOVE Penelope's secret. I love her determination, her friendship with Lady Danbury, and her heart.  Lady Danbury is hilarious. Portia Featherton is horrible - but I love her interactions with Colin. Felicity Featherton is sweet and affectionate towards her sister. I wish there had been more interaction with Penelope in the earlier books.  I quite adore this series. It's all I've been reading lately.


Cover Thoughts: Cute


Source: Inter-Library Loan

Adult Review: An Offer from a Gentleman

* Book 3 in the Bridgeton series - read my reviews for the first and second book *

Sophie Beckett has a wicked stepmother who orders her to do the work of three servants.  Her two step-sisters haven't ever stood up for her. Her father never claimed her while he was alive, although he made sure she was educated. Upon his death, her life changed for the worse.

One night, she attends a ball - a Bridgeton ball. There she dances with Benedict Bridgerton who makes her feel like a princess. It's a magical night for her. Except her stepmother discovers her identity from the scuff marks on her shoes. 

Sophie leaves the only home she's ever known and goes into service.  She meets Benedict Bridgerton again while serving at a house party. She's in a tough spot. Benedict rescues her.  He offers her shelter and will make sure she finds a position in his mother's household. During their trek, he falls ill. Sophie nurses him.

She's never forgotten their moment together. However Benedict doesn't recognize her.  She can't help but feel deeply for him. Could she win the gentleman's heart?

My Thoughts: I love this twist on the Cinderella story. This book was different from the two previous Bridgerton novels.  Sophie's heritage leaves her place in society questionable. I love her interactions with the Bridgerton household.  The only criticism I have of this book is the fact the Sophie harps on her station in society too much. It seemed like she kept using the same arguments over and over.  I still devoured this one and loved the same aspects as in the previous books: the Bridgerton family, their easy banter, their way at stumbling into love, their charm, and their wit.


Cover Thoughts:  Love the slipper and how it connects the book to as Cinderella story


Source: Inter-library loan

Mysterious Saturday Review: The Look of Love

* 2nd book in the Wedding Cake Mysteries - read my review of 

To Have and To Kill *

Piper's life isn't going as planned. When she receives an email asking her to create the wedding cake for Jillian Abernathy in LA, she jumps at the chance.

She's happy to spend a week at the elusive Elysium until she realizes that someone wants to stop Jillian from getting married. Someone wants her dead.

When she arrives at the spa, Piper hears rumors. There are guests not happy with the outcomes of the spa. Memories are reawakened.   Not long after she arrives, a guest is murdered in her private cottage.

 Danger is around every corner. Will Jillian be alive to make it to her big day?


My Thoughts: For my mysteries, I usually read cozies, but there are some authors/series I adore that isn't part of the cozy world. This is one of those series. I adore the multiple perspectives. The short chapters keep me turning the pages long after I should turn off my light at night. The huge cast of suspects always leaves me second guessing my own instincts on the murderer.  The twists and turns make me shake my head in amazement.  I loved this book. I loved the setting. I adore Piper. I'm interested to see where her relationship with Jack might go.  I can't wait to read more of this series! 


Cover Thoughts: LOVE it!


Source: my Library


Similar Read: Weep No More My Lady and A Body to Die For

Adult Review: Overbite

Meena broke up with her vampire boyfriend and hasn't seen him in months. She does however see the future death of another ex-boyfriend. She calls him to warn him. They agree to meet.

Meena doesn't realize he's a vampire until it's too late. He's attacking her. All of sudden Lucien comes out of nowhere and deals with him. Now Meena's hiding the fact that she's seen Lucien - otherwise known as the Prince of Darkness.

Meena's been trying to convince the Palatine that there is good in vampires. They can choose to love. Deep down she knows that Lucien does love her. She wants to protect him, but something's changed in him.

He tells her the Palatine is using her as bait, trying to make her doubt her employer. Could it be possible? Have they planned this elaborate game with her as a pawn? Or is Lucien trying to manipulate her into his arms again?


My Thoughts: A cross-over A/YA title dealing with vampires. I liked this a little better than the first book, Insatiable. There's more of a mystery, more danger, more double crossing, and still the love triangle with Meena at the center between Lucien and Wulf. I loved the bits with Meena's brother. I love Meena struggling with her "gift" and deciding how to tell people their future deaths. I love the parts with Meena and Wolf, although there weren't as many in this book as I would have liked.

Cover Thoughts: LOVE it! I love the redesign of the first book to match this one as well. It's creepy, yet elegant. I love the addition of the book in her hands.

Source: my Library

Mysterious Saturday Review: To Have and To Kill

Piper's life isn't going to the way she imagined. Instead of pursuing an amazing acting career, she's bombing auditions and moving back home with her parents.

Her mom owns a bakery where she makes delicious wedding cakes. When Piper's friend and former co-star, the star of a Soap Opera announces her engagement, Piper promises her mother will make her wedding cake.

However, her mother's having trouble seeing. Instead, Piper takes over the baking. Piper also nabs a spot on the Soap Opera as they wind down shooting in New York City before moving to LA. Glenna isn't following the show. She'll be staying behind with new husband.

As the wedding date comes closer and the last week of the show in New York begins, Glenna's co-star is murdered. It could have been her. It looks like someone might want Glenna to die rather than remarry or someone's targeting the beloved soap opera.

Piper can't just sit around, she wants to help out. When more bodies start falling, she's completely unsure of the killer's intended target.

My Thoughts: The first in a new series and it's as addictive as cake. Piper's smart, resourceful, and determined. I love the blend of the baking world with the acting world. Piper's FBI friend makes a very potential love interest. The short chapters and multiple perspectives make it almost impossible to put down. I kept turning pages because I wanted to see what would happen next. I simply can't wait to see what Mary Jane Clark will cook up next.

Cover Thoughts: Adorable - but I do wish that the cake on the cover was the one that Piper creates for her friend.

Source: My Library.

Adult review: I Heart New York

At her best friend's wedding, Angela catches her boyfriend on ten years cheating with her. Plus her best friend's known about it. She goes back into the wedding, breaks the groom's hand and makes a huge scene.

She has no idea what to do next, so she flees. She jumps on a plane to New York and doesn't look back.

She instructs the cab driver to take her to a hotel where she meets the concierge Jenny. Jenny takes one took at Angela and immediately takes her under her wing. She takes her shopping for a new wardrobe and new makeup, attempting to create a more put together Angela.

She invites Angela out with her friends who also welcome her with open arms. In a struck of luck, she meets two guys both who ask her out on a date and she has an interview for an online blog for a magazine.

The magazine loves her Bridget Jones meets New York blog idea. Angela begins dating the two men, each very different. While she juggles both of them, she writes about their dates. Her viewers eat up her drama.

She has no thought towards her future, she's simply living in the moment and loving it.

Before long she moves in with Jenny and thinks seriously about staying in New York forever. She loves the city. How can she ever leave it?

My Thoughts: Lindsey Kelk knocks it out of the park with her debut novel. I love how Angela falls in love with the city and explores it with eyes wide open. I love the commentary running through her head especially while she's out on date (the Cheetos bit especially). Angela's adventures make you cringe, laugh, and fall in love.

Cover Thoughts: I Loved it until the first day in the city, Angela chops off her hair.

Source: reviewed for www.teensreadtoo.com