Review: My Unscripted Life

Dee thinks her summer will be super boring after her rejection from a summer fine arts program and her BFF attending her own dream program. But then a movie production company comes to town. Before she knows it, Dee is working behind the scenes of a movie - a movie starting a famous pop star.

When she first meets him, she's disappointed. She never really thought they would be best friends, but she expected someone a little...less rude.

The more time she spends on location, the more she realizes that Miles as a LOT of stuff going on and maybe nursing a broken heart. Plus he did laugh at her joke. Could friendship (or something more) be in the works?

My Thoughts: I adored this book. I really love Lauren Morrill. She's quickly becoming a must read author for me. And an auto buy for the library. I loved the Hollywood angle in this novel, how a movie set comes to town. I love that Dee took a chance and found herself working on the set. I loved reading about her on set and what happens during a movie shoot. I loved the banter between her and Miles. I loved Dee finding herself back in her art again, I love how she let herself be. I especially loved how she found the courage to chase her dreams. 

Cover Thoughts: Perfect
 Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Highly Recommended for all public and school libraries

Review: Year of Luminous Love

Three best friends graduate high school and start thinking about the future.  

Ciana wants to hold on to her family farm, go to college, and fall in love. When she meets a guy at a club, she realizes it could lead somewhere.

Unfortunately it's the same guy her BFF Arie's been crushing over for years. When Arie spots him again, her crush returns full force. Ciana doesn't want to tell Arie about her crush - not when Arie is finally in remission and deserves every happiness.

Both Ciana and Arie are concerned about Eden and her relationship with Tony. He might have rescued her once, but he's bad news. Ciana takes matters into her own hands to spread a little happiness among her BFFs.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book about three friends trying to figure out their future plans after high school. I used to read a lot of Lurlene McDaniel books in middle school. I haven't read her in a while and it brought me back. I loved the trip to Italy and how they explored the country together. I liked their friendship and how they were there for each other. I'm glad that Eden was able to get away and enjoy her time, although I felt bad for her mother. I liked how this book talked about deeper issues: cancer, cutting, abusive relationship, and parental failures - but at the same time, it wasn't too dark and there were plenty of light moments. A great book on friendship, loyalty, and taking a chance on love.

Cover Thoughts: Ok
Source: My Library

Review: Don't Even Think About It

After taking a flu shot, students in one homeroom suddenly start hearing thoughts - EVERYONE'S thoughts. At first it's hard to believe, hard to control, and hard not to think. Everyone has secrets.

They start meeting to discuss what they're going to do. Tell no one is the obvious answer. It could be kind of cool to see what others are thinking. Cheating would be easier. You'd always know what your friend really thought of you.

As time goes on, secrets spill out. Lives are ruined from all the drama: family, friendship, and relationship. Nothing will ever be the same for this group of sophomores.

My Thoughts: Oh man, I would NEVER want this power. At first, I think it might be cool, but then to hear everything would be terrible.  All that noise in your head and all those secrets coming out. Plus I would never want anyone to know what I was thinking. 

But - the idea makes for a wonderful book. I devoured this one. I really liked watching the group trying to figure out what to do with their new powers. I like how they worked out clues to help themselves cope with all the noise. My favorite characters was Olivia - how this new power gave her confidence to break out of her shell and find friends and maybe even a boyfriend. I can't wait to see what happens in the sequel!

Cover Thoughts: Before I read it, I really liked it. But now, it doesn't capture the awesomeness of the book.
Source: My Library

Fun Fact: I got to hang out with Sarah Mlynowski as she came to a local bookstore. She's super fun (just like her books.)

Review: Steelheart

Everything was normal - before super humans. When they started taking over the world - everything changed.

Now humans live in fear. Sometimes without electricity, food, water, or sunlight.

David knows something can be done to change the world. He saw Steelheart bleed. He spends all his free time researching and waiting for the perfect opportunity. 

Now it's here - if only he can convince the Reckoners to listen to his plan. It's a great plan, but he'll need their help to pull it off. Will they trust him enough to agree and try to bring down the most powerful Epic?

My Thoughts: A fascinating read that's very different. I got an ARC at BEA thinking my husband would like it, and he did. But then he made me read it next. I devoured it too. I like how David spent his time researching the Epics for their weaknesses, collecting data on them, and creating theories. I confess it made my nerdy self sigh. I never saw most of the twists and turns coming, which was perfect.  I enjoyed watching the revolution spark and the ideas catch fire. I really liked David and how he found and infiltrated the Reckoners. I enjoyed Cody's banter and Abraham's thoughtful words. A great dystopian novels that stayed in my mind for days after.

Cover Thoughts: Cool
Source: BEA ARC

Review: Flirting in Italian

Violet's always looked different than her parents, but it isn't until she's at a museum that she finds someone who looks exactly like herself. As she uncovers information about the painting, she wonders if she could be related to the family from the Castello di Vesperi. Violet researches to discover that the castle is closed to the public, but there's a course that would be perfect for her education development that also grants access to the castle. She convinces her mother to let her go. The course has three other girls - two American and another British girl. They're to learn about the Italian culture plus a mix of polishing courses. Violet finally achieves her goal at viewing the castle, where the family's startled at her resemblance. It doesn't help that the boy she meets and is crushing over is related to this family. Will Violet uncover the truth about her past?

My Thoughts:
I loved the descriptions of this book - it made Tuscany come alive and it made me long to go back to Italy.
I liked the idea of Violet discovering her family roots in Italy.
I liked the idea of the classes, I wish we saw more of those.
I liked the interaction with the four girls and the snarky girl
I liked the party scenes where the boys overwhelmed the girls.

I felt liked the book just ended without resolving anything and creating more questions. I realize there's another book coming, but I wish something had been resolved.


Flirting in Italian was a great read with romance, friendship, and Violet trying to stay true to herself. It's a great book about freedom and traveling one summer, which will change Violet's life forever.

I didn't want to the book to end and yet...there were times when I didn't like Violet. I must find out what happens in Following in Love, in Italian.

Cover Thought: Cute but doesn't exactly go with the book

Source: netgalley/my library

Review: Other Countess

Lady Eleanor Rodriguez, Countess of San Jaime hasn't had an easy life living with her father the alchemist. He's much more interested in his profession and his experiences than he is in buying the proper clothes for her, sending her to school, or even putting a roof over her head.


Now, after a stroke of good luck, Ellie finds herself at Queen Elizabeth's court. There she meets Lady Jane Perceval, who wealth is reflected in her clothing and her manners. After an entertaining introduction where they talk about the uselessness of their clothing, they become fast friends.


One man could threaten their newly formed relationship.  William Lacey, the Earl of Dorset needs a wealthy wife to help his estate survive. He's quite taken with Ellie. Ellie doesn't have a penny to her name. Plus the two have a history that Ellie's not sure she can overlook. While he wants to marry Ellie, he'll have to propose to Jane.


Can the two women keep their friendship? Will they be able to find love on their terms?

My Thoughts: I've been wanting to read this book for a while. It took me a little bit to get into it, but then I was hooked. I really loved the friendship between Jane and Ellie. I loved they spoke about their world, the frivolities, and how little power women hold. For me, the book wasn't about the romance (although I did like that part), it was about their friendship.


I found the men at court ungentlemently (Henry in particular), sweet (Robert Cecil), or a mixture of both (Will). I actually wasn't fond of Will. I didn't sympathize with his character and I didn't like his behavior.  I adored James and Tobias (Will's younger brothers). I found them entertaining and charming.

I liked the different perspectives from various ranks. I liked reading about the servants' life. I liked Deigo. I wasn't fond of Nell. I hated Turville. Still, I appreciated the class differences.


While I understand the pressures of society, it was sometimes hard to read the cruel words spoken by some characters. However, it was interesting to see the various social, religious, and political motives for actions. 


I found this book showcased social class very well along with the power of women and money. I loved reading about court. I liked the romantic entanglements. I liked the descriptions: court and the Lacey estate. I'm very interested in the next book: The Queen's Lady which features Jane as the main character.


Cover Thoughts: I like it


Source: My Library


Challenge: Historical Fictional Challenge 2012