Review: Heiress Takes All

 

Olivia's father is getting remarried - for the 3rd time. It's the biggest event of the season. Olivia can't wait - not because she's happy about the wedding. Afterall, her father kicked her and her mother out of the house and his life. No, she's excited because it's the perfect opportunity for Revenge. 

My Thoughts: I can't say too much without spoiling this book - but it was Really Good. I loved all the twists and turns. There were so funny moments, some sweet moments, and some brilliant moments. 

I loved the ending - which allows the story to continue with a possible sequel. I really hope that happens!

Cover Thoughts: Love it

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A highly recommended book for your public library's collection.

Review: I am the Mission

* Sequel to I am the Weapon (aka Boy Nobody) *

He's the perfect person for the job - no past, no ties, and no feelings. He's not supposed to have a future. He's an assassin; someone who follows orders without question.

His last mission went terribly wrong for the first time. He's having trouble getting over it. He's starting to think and to have feelings - which means he might no longer be the best.

He's not out yet, but he does have to prove himself.  He gets a new mission: a new objective and a new target. He's to take out Eugene Moore who owns and runs a military camp for teenagers. He's training them to be soldiers. On the surface, it seems legitimate, but when he goes in, he realizes it's anything but.

Nothing about the mission goes according to plan. He doesn't know who to believe or who to trust, including the Program. Will he complete the missions?

My Thoughts: I really loved this book; it's filled with action, danger, and a boy questioning everything in his life. I couldn't stop turning the pages to see what happened next. I felt bad for the way his life has been up until this point, coerced into becoming a weapon. I liked the mission - uncovering the truth behind the camps and understanding the people running it.  It's hard seeing people for who they really are, especially if you've been blinded.  The boy wrestles with himself and his loyalty, even in the midst of danger.  I loved Howard coming back, he allows the boy a softer side. The ending was amazing and now I can't wait for the third book in the series.

Cover Thoughts: Perfect

 Source: ARC for review

Review: Summer State of Mind

 Harper used to be normal - before her father made it big in the music industry. Now he's concerned she's become too materialistic. He's ruining her summer by sending her to summer camp - the same camp he went to as a kid.

Harper's NOT the outdoorsy type and it shows. Her brother nicknames her Camping Barbie and the name sticks. Harper learns the hard way that you can't bring candles, hair styling tools requiring extra electricity or makeup to camp.

While she does make one friend in her bunk, the rest of the cabin despises her - and they aren't afraid to show it.
Can Harper pull things together enjoy any of the summer?

My Thoughts: I'm a huge fan of the authors and loved this companion novel to Sleepaway Girls. I love the camp setting - although I confess to being a little like Harper and not liking to camp (I like beds and running water.) I love how she embraces her nickname - that's meant to torment her. I love how she tires to fit in and how she hangs out in the kitchen with the  book. I love her determination, her loyalty, and her generous heart. I do wish there was an epilogue showing what happens after summer. A fantastic summer reading filled with the warmth of the sun, the great outdoors, s'mores, summer friendship, and summer romance. 

Cover Thoughts: Love it
Source: ARC sent for review.
Comes out: April 22nd

BEA: Little Brown Cocktail Party

The Little Brown Cocktail Party featured authors as bartenders - an unique and awesome idea! Each featured author at a table with their own drink. The line up included: Paolo Bacigalup, Holly Black, Peter Brown, Kami Garci, Daniel Handler, Megan McCafferty, and Jerry Pinkney.

I made a beeline for Megan McCafferty because I adored Jessica Darling's It List #1. It was really great  meeting her. We talked about her book, the new cover, and how she doesn't really look at reviews. I then chatted with  Daniel Handler, who was funny and had a really strong drink. I caught up with Holly Black, who was awesome at the SLJ Day of Dialog. Plus I got to meet several librarians/bloggers.

The room was packed and everyone was chatting = a very fun night!  

Here are the book cards

They feature the drink of the night on the back:

Review: Boy Nobody

* Comes out June 11th *

Body Nobody has an easy way of blending into crowds. he can become your new best friend in just a moment. He'll change your life forever and than disappear without a trace. It's his job and he's really good at it.

His new assignment is to infiltrate a famous private school on the Upper West Side and become friend's Sam, the Mayor's daughter. His next target is the Mayor of New York City. The Program sets him up with an apartment and cover story. He has five days to complete the mission.

On first first day, he gains the attention of Sam. He's not sure if it's a good thing or a bad thing. When he attends a party at her house, he has the opportunity to make his move. Instead, he hesitates. The Mayor brings up memories of his own father. He's not sure he wants to complete this mission for the Program. But if he's not Boy Nobody, than who is he?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this action packed book. I love books about assassins/spies. I liked the interaction between Sam and Ben. I like that she made him work for a chance at friendship and she wasn't afraid to say her real thoughts. The action made me not want to put the book down. I liked Body Nobody and how he could blend into a crowd and disappear. He could also be anyone. He could reinvent himself anytime - with a price of course. I felt bad for him. While he feels nothing, he seems lonely.

Cover Thoughts: LOVE it!
Source: Little Brown
Fun Fact: It looks like it's the first in a series, according to GoodReads.

Rumor: The rumor swirling at the Little Brown event was movie rights have been purchased by Will Smith's company in hopes that his son will star in this movie --- as a read I can see that happening and real liking the idea. I hope it turns out to be more than just a rumor!

Book Review: Why We Broke Up

Min isn't the type of girl that catches Ed Slaterton's eye. He's a basketball star while she's not interested in sports. Min loves watching old movies, talking with her friends over coffee, and going on adventures.

One night, two months ago, they clicked. Their relationship lasts two months. Their friends didn't understand their relationship. While Min and Ed acknowledge their relationship doesn't make sense, the heart doesn't always care.

When they break up, Min dumps a box on Ed's doorstep. The box is filled of objects with memories of their moments together. She writes letters to correspond with each object.

My Thoughts: I LOVE the uniqueness of this book. I love the letters explaining the significance of each object. I really liked this book, but I didn't love it. I couldn't really connect with Min. I could feel the frustration with her letters, but she didn't really voice her opinions to Ed. I felt like she lost herself in him, which resonates truthfully with relationships. While I was intrigued by the book, there was something missing from keeping me from loving it. Still, I needed to find out why they really did break up and that kept me turning the pages.

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: From the publisher - Little Brown

** Why We Broke Up is a Printz Honor book (announced just this morning)

Review: The Statistical Probability of Falling in Love At First Sight

Hadley rushes all day - but through a series of circumstances misses her flight to London by four minutes. She has no idea how much those four minutes will change her life.

As she waits for a new flight, she meets a boy. He helps her out of a situation and the two start talking. He sits next to her on the plane.

The two talk through the flight. About Hadley's father's wedding, about school, about family, and about random things.

Hadley's not freaking out so much because Oliver keeps her calm. She opens up with him even though they've known each other such a short amount of time. She feels like she's known him forever.

She doesn't want to think about what will happen when the plane lands and they go their separate ways.

My Thoughts: I love the idea of this book taking place in 24 hours! I really loved this book - it pulled all kinds of emotional heartstrings. I laughed. I cried. I loved how they chatted about anything and everything on the plane. I loved the one liners and the jokes between them. I really loved how those four minutes changed their lives forever! A magnificent book!!

Cover Thoughts: Awesome! I love how blurry it is except for the couple.

Source: ARC from the publisher -Thanks Little Brown Young Readers