Review: Room to Breathe

 

Indy and Beau used to be best friends. But that was before. Before Indy's life fell apart. 

She lost:

1. Her class rank

2. Her friends

3. Her reputation at school

Her father's in trouble with the law and Indy's spiraling.

She's supposed to be meeting her parents to help with her Dad's case, but her phone was taken away in class. The teacher left before she unlocked Indy's phone. Indy attempts to find a lock to unlock it; she ends up in the teacher's lounge. There's a bathroom in the teacher's lounge and Indy gets locked inside. FOr one second, she has hope of getting out, but instead, someone else gets locked inside too - her ex-best friend. Can things get any worse?

My Thoughts: This was a cute read. I loved the dual timelines and understanding what happened between the two best friends and how their relationship changed over time. I love how part of the story took place in 24 hours and the other part took months for the story to unravel. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A fun romance for your school and public library collection

Review: Better Than Revenge

 

Finley hasn't been preparing to be named to the school's podcast team for years. It's the first step towards her future. Her boyfriend decides that he's also going to audition too. He makes the team, taking her spot as a host. Instead, she's given a research position.  

But that's not all, after the announcement, he's overheard saying that Finley wasn't right for the job. He's not surprised when they break up, but he doesn't understand why she's so upset either. 

But then Finely has an idea. She'll try out for the kicker position on the football team. Finley asks Jensen's enemy to help train her. As Theo and Finley begin hanging out, they more they become friends. Can Finley take everything away from Jensen like he did to her?

My Thoughts: I really loved this book; I didn't want to put it down. It's not really a sports book, because most of the book is training, but there is a good football part. I loved reading about Theo and Finley. Their relationship worked nicely. I couldn't believe that Jenson could be so obtuse. I really liked Finley's grandmother, and I enjoyed her story too. Finely had a great group of friends. The podcasting part was interesting. I liked the students' reaction to their school's podcast. I love how the book turned out. 

Cover Thoughts: Adorable

Source: My Library

Why I read this book: Revenge!

Library Recommendation: A fantastic romance for your school and public library

Hand this to: Readers who enjoy podcasting, enemies to lovers trope, and a cute romance. 

* This book is dedicated to Taylor Swift and I'm here for it. 

Holiday Book Review: Snow in Love

Four Holiday short stories featuring a road trip, a job as an elf, a Christmas present surprise, and a scavenger hunt inside an airport - by four awesome YA authors. 

My Thoughts:  I really loved this collection of short stories. I loved the diversity of the stories - from Christmas to Hanukkah from straight to lesbian romances and from characters of different races. I also loved how each story stood out.  I hope there are more holiday stories coming from these authors because I'm already looking forward to book 2!

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

Review: Fame, Fate, and the First Kiss

Lacey can't believe her dream's come true. She's acting in a Hollywood movie with a superstar. So what if said superstar is acting in this movie to heal his reputation after a scathing review. She's excited to gain experience.

But when things keep happening on set, it's starting to look like someone's out to get her. On top of that, she's having trouble showing chemistry with her co-star. Plus because she's under 18, she has to follow all these rules. And her father is making sure she follows each one of them - including her homework packets.

When she fails to produce her packets in a timely manner, her father hires her a tutor. Donavan couldn't be less interested in her or shot at the big time. He simply wants to get their time together over with. The more time they spend together, the more Lacey begins to rely on him.

My Thoughts: This is my kind of zombie book! I liked the zombies in the movie. I enjoyed reading snippets of the screenplay in between the story. I really loved the relationship between Donavan and Lacey - they had great banter (and chemistry). I liked how Lacey wasn't head over heels for her co-star. I liked the moments between her and her father. I really liked how the movie while fun, was a job for her, and she wasn't about to let anything mess that up. Another fun Kasie West book.

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: Another great read from this author - grab it for your library where her books and Hollywood books circulate well.

Review: Listen to Your Heart

As far as Kate is concerned, there are two types of people in this world: lake people and everyone else. She loves spending time on the lake and letting the wind rush through her hair when out on the boat. She's not crazy about the rest of the world.

When her best friend talks her into taking a podcasting class, she figures she'll be behind the scenes. Instead, she's thrust into the job of co-hosting the show. And she couldn't be more annoyed.

The first episode doesn't go well - but then she starts to relax and create a different persona. It doesn't hurt that there's a boy calling him for love advice. And it might be someone Kate recognizes...

If only he was talking about her, but she's pretty sure he's talking about her best friend

My Thoughts: I adored this book. I loved the idea of the podcast class - and I liked reading more about the behind the scenes of the production. I thought Kate and her co-host were entertaining. I liked the friendship between the two girls. I normally don't like books about best friends liking the same guy, but this one really worked for me. I loved Diego. I even liked Frank. I loved Kate's large and noisy family and how they got together for cousin night - that sounds charming. More than anything I wanted to be reading this book while at the late or a even poolside - sadly that did not happen. A fun flirty read that I gobbled right up!

Cover Thoughts: Adorable
Source: my Library

Library Recommendations: Perfect for school and public libraries.

Review: Lucky in Love

Maddie's got her life planned out; she studies hard to earn a college scholarship. After a lackluster birthday, she buys a lottery ticket. She's shocked when she discovers she's won. All of a sudden her life changes; she's no longer concerned about money. She has enough to pay for college. She can give money to her parents and her brother. Maybe it will turn their luck around.

She's also throwing money around by hosting a party on yacht one night, a clothing shopping spree, and a diamond necklace. Soon she's realizing that people are talking to her because of her money. Maddie's not sure who her real friends are after an article appears about her spending habits.

Her only solace is her job, working at the local zoo and hanging out with Seth, who doesn't know anything about her recent windfall. Sooner or later, she'll have to tell him. When she does, will everything change?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. I liked the study parties, especially the snacks. There were times when I wanted to yell at Maddie about her decision, but I like how it all played out. I loved the moments at the zoo. I adored Seth and his banter with Maddie. Of course this made me think of all the things I would do if I won the lottery. There are a lot of ideas!

Cover Thoughts: Adorable - it sold me on the book before I knew what it was about.
Source: My Library
Final Thoughts: A fun cotemporary romance perfect for the summer

Review: By Your Side

Autumn has big plans for the weekend - they include finally making a certain boy her boyfriend. They do not include being locked in the library for three days without any supplies. With her bag in Jeff's car, Autumn returns to the library to find a bathroom. All her friends believe her to be in a different car and leave without her. Autumn returns from the bathroom to discover no way out.

At first, she thinks she's alone, but then she discovers a classmate there. Only Dax isn't there by accident. Being in the library over the weekend is better than being in his latest foster home. Thankfully, he has supplies because it's cold there and the hunger pains don't go away any time soon.

To pass the time, Autumn and Dax play games, watch TV, and talk. As the weekend progresses, Autumn realizes that everyone's view of the resident bad boy is wrong. Before she knows it, Autumn cares about Dax. But will she revert back to normal once they escape the library and get back to reality?

My Thoughts: Of course, this one grabbed my attention as the characters were stuck in a library. It took me a tiny bit to suspend reality that the doors were locked from the inside too, but I loved the library scenes. I loved exploring the library. I loved the moments uncovering items in the staff room. I really loved the truths shared between Dax and Autumn. And their little moments together. I enjoyed the moments after the library too - even though they both returned to reality, they were still connected in someway. I felt terrible for Autumn as she struggled to find her equilibrium after that weekend with Jeff and his friends. Super cute romance!

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Who doesn't want a romance about getting locked into the library? Order this one! 

Review: P.S. I Like You

Chemistry is the worst subject ever, until Lily writes song lyrics on her desk. She's stunned the next day to get a reply - from someone who knows the song. This starts a fury of letters back and forth.

It's freeing to write to someone and not know their identity, it allows you to tell them all sorts of secrets. But soon enough, Lily learns the identity of her secret note passer - and it's not someone she expected.

How could someone be two completely different people? And how can she justify falling for him now? Should she stop writing?

My Thoughts: I adored this book, I devoured it. I loved reading the letters between Lily and the other person. I loved how they unfolded and become more and more personal as time went on. I like how they interacted outside of the letters too. This was my first Kasie West book, but it won't be my last.

Cover Thoughts: Charming
Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Get this one for your library!

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