Review: We Are the Wildcats

The Wildcats' season is just beginning, but they're coming off the loss of the championship game. There are reasons for the loss. But now the team has to pull themselves together.

They just discovered their teammates and there's a scrimmage tomorrow against the team that beat them. They have one night to gel as a team. Luckily the sleepover tradition will help.

This is the one night of the season that they break all the rule in the name of tradition. The initiation ceremony helps seal the bond of friendship and teammates. But the coach throws a wrench into their plans and the night pivots in a way Mel, the captain, never imagined.

My Thoughts: I've been waiting to read this book since I heard Siobhan talking about this during her book tour for Stay Sweet. And it was really good. It kept me guessing and I couldn't wait to see how everything turned out. I loved the multiple perspectives and how all the stories came together within a 24 hour window. My heart broke for these girls but it also cheered for them. I loved their friendship, their loyalty, and their sportsmanship. It's hard to talk too much about this book without giving away spoilers, but I really really enjoyed it. I didn't want to put it down and I didn't want the book to end. I want more about these characters. 

Cover Thoughts:
Source: Book from the library
Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your library. Siobhan Vivian is now an auto-buy for me for the library's collection.

Red Book Tag

Created by Awkwordly Emma

Emma (Awkwordly Emma) created this tag themed around Taylor Swift's album Red 

I adore Taylor Swift and her songs.  I think I love them so much because each one tells a story. I think Red is probably one of my favorite albums ever. Since Jessica from Just Another Teen Reading tagged me, I've been listening to it nonstop in the car. Do you have a favorite song from that album? 

I'm going to try to fill this out with books I've read this year. I confess I took out the negative ones because I feel bad about answering them.

State of Grace - "And I never saw you coming/And I'll never be the same."

A book you unexpectedly loved.

I cried at the end of this book. It was powerful and blew me away.

Red - "Faster than the wind, passionate as sin/Ending so suddenly."

A book that was a whirlwind experience to read.

Sarah J Maas has a gift for writing twists that I never see coming.

I Knew You Were Trouble - "I knew you were trouble when you walked in/So shame on me now."

A favorite villain.

She was pure evil
Although I do Love Jessica's pick with Neverseen,  They'd be my second choice.

All Too Well - "But maybe this thing was a masterpiece til you tore it all up."

A book or series you think is a masterpiece.

Friendship - empowerment - love - being comfortable in your own skin. There's nothing to change about this book - it's just that good!

22 - "We're happy, free, confused, and lonely in the best way."

A happy, carefree book.

This book had me a feminist and ice cream. And it was Everything I wanted it to be.

Stay Stay Stay - "So I think it's best if we both stay."

A book with a happily ever after (or a happily ever for now).

I adore Jill Shalvis - her books always make me happy!

The Last Time - "Put my name at the top of your list."

A book written by two authors.

I adore this series - it's smart, cute, and the ladies always kick butt.

Holy Ground - "But I don't wanna dance if I'm not dancing with you."

A relationship that doesn't continue past the last page of the book.

I honestly don't think I've read one of these this year. 

Sad Beautiful Tragic - "What a sad beautiful tragic love affair."

Your favorite sad book.

I Read this one for Andi at Andis ABCs and it was great and I cried like a baby.

The Lucky One - "Another name goes up in lights, like diamonds in the sky."

A popular character (within their book or within the book lovers' community).

Percy Jackson!

Everything Has Changed - "All I know since yesterday is everything has changed."

A friends-turned-lovers story. (Inspired by that adorable music video.)

I had never seen that video before - it is cute!

This is one of my favorite tropes.

Starlight - "I met Bobby on the boardwalk, summer of '45."

Your favorite historical fiction story.

I love a great historical romance and Sarah's books always hit the spot.

Begin Again - "But on a Wednesday in a cafe, I watched it begin again."

A book you wanted to reread as soon as you'd finished it.

I don't do many re-read but this one was so fun, I didn't want it to end.

That was fun! Thank you to Jessica for tagging me! Please join in the fun if you feel inspired and haven't been tagged. 

Books and Treats (10)

A new blog idea inspired by Andi @ http://andiabcs.com/2014/08/01/pub-date-1/ with the Pub Date where a few bloggers share book and beer pair ups.  Andi states that the idea is the brain child of Brittany at The Book Addict’s Guide.

Early this summer, I read two amazing books that put me in the mood for ice cream!

In Stay Sweet, Amelia runs an ice cream stand for the summer - until a wrench is thrown into her plans. 

In See You on a Starry Night, Juliet moves to a beach town where she befriends a girl whose family owns an ice cream shop. They enjoy mixing flavors.

I'm from Vermont, so I'm a Ben and Jerry's girl, but I don't mind trying new ice cream places!

Photo Credit: https://www.benjerry.com/scoop-shops/free-cone-day

Review: Stay Sweet

Molly Meade started her ice cream stand in 1944, during the war. At first it was something to help out her family and spread some joy. But it became bigger than that. She only employed girls. Now, in present day, Amelia can't believe it's her last summer at the ice cream stand. Nor can she believe that she's head girl.

But on her first day, she discovers Molly's body. There goes her perfect summer hanging out with her best friend, Cate and scooping ice cream.

Molly left her stand to her great nephew. More than anything Amelia wants to help him, but she's concerned about the changes he wants to make. Meade Creamery stands for more than just ice cream.

My Thoughts: Two concepts hooked me on this book: feminism and ice cream. I loved the dual timelines and how they came together. I loved learning about Molly's life in stages, through her diary. I really loved how the ice cream stand came to be - first with fun for her friends and then through business. I loved Amelia and her dedication to the creamery. I loved her determination, her brains, and how she wanted to make the summer magical for the other girls. I would have loved to work at the stand. I liked her relationship with Cate and how that worked out, even through the rocky moments. I felt badly for Grady and his relationship with his father. This book made me crave ice cream so badly! Stay Sweet is the perfect summer read!

Cover Thoughts: Love it.. I love the wrap around.
Source: Book sent for review
Fun Fact: The author is super sweet and fun!
Library Recommendation: A must have for school and public libraries.