Review: Going Rogue

* Book 2 in the AKA series - read my review for Book 1 *

The Collective has accused Maggie's parents of stealing priceless gold coins. She knows they're innocent and she's willing to do whatever it takes to prove it.

She didn't figure on getting into fights with her boyfriend and her best friend. Yes, they helped her out of a jam last time, but she's trying to protect them.

Yet, it doesn't quite work out the way Maggie expected. She's keeping everyone except for Angelo in the dark. Could it be her downfall?

My Thoughts: I'm a sucker for spy books and this series is amazingly good. I love Maggie - how she longs to be a normal teen even though her entire life has been different. I like how she gets excited about every day things. I love her sense of loyalty and how she wants to protect her friends. I love Roux and her smart-aleck ways. My heart breaks for her family and school life and I'm glad she and Maggie found each other. I love Jesse and how he wants to look out for Maggie. I loved not knowing who to trust and how the secrets start piling up. A great spy novel with action, danger, family, and friendship.  I can't wait to read more adventures from Maggie and her friends. 

Cover Thoughts: Love it!
Source: ARC for review

Review: Taste Test

Nora's Dad owns a BBQ joint and Nora's been working there forever. When her BFF suggests that she audition for the Taste Test- a reality cooking show for teens, neither of them expect her to make it.

Now she's leaving home for the semester, joining the team of cooks. Nora's Southern roots show. She's not like the drama queens or chef royalties. She wants to win the scholarship to the Internationals School of Cuisine in Paris - and unlike some contestants, she can't afford to pay her way.

Soon, Nora's going head to head with her snobby roommate and her arrogant friend. Nora tries to stay away from them, but Christian has a way of getting under her skin. The two of them heat up the ratings with their banter. Could something else be brewing?

My Thoughts: LOVED this book and devoured it. I didn't want to stop reading it. I liked the drama of the cameras and the reality show. I loved the tension between Nora and Christian. I loved when they cooked together. I really enjoyed Nora's Southern ways and how she stuck to her roots. I liked the mystery of the sabotage on set. I loved the set-up of the book with interviews and scores from the show interspersed with the story. A fantastic debut novel; I can't wait to read more from Kelly Fiore. 

Cover Thoughts: Sure cute
Source: My Library

Mysterious Saturday Review: Also Known As

Maggie's never had a normal life. She travels with her spy parents - helping them break into safes all over the world. She hasn't met a safe she can't crack. Upon finishing their assignment in Iceland, they're headed to New York.

There, Maggie discovers that she's earned her first solo mission. She's to attend a local high school and befriend a boy. She needs to get inside Jesse Oliver's house and steal a computer file, which contains an article of the Collective - including a list of operative's names. There's a mole within the Collective and Maggie can't fail to recover the information.

On her first day, she meets Roux. Roux is a snarky know-it-all social outcast. Maggie meets Jesse Oliver by chance on the street and babbles about her Halloween costume to recover from a situation. Now she needs to make her plan come true. And it does - in an odd sort of way.

Halloween night changes her world -she attends her first high school party, talks to her mark, kisses a boy, and steals a flash drive. With a fantastic night, what could go wrong now?

My Thoughts: I LOVED this book - lots of action, danger, snarky friends, and romance. I loved learning the trade secrets and about the Collective. I found Angelo charming, funny, and a great character. I loved Roux for her snappy snarky ways, but I also felt bad for her too. Maggie finally gets to have a chance at a normal life - something she's been longing for, but something that shifts her parents' attention. They start to worry about her, creating rules. Maggie goes from breaking into safes in dangerous situations to fighting about curfews. I like how Maggie explores her new freedom and experiences firsts in teenage years. I love Maggie's flirty interactions with Jesse. I'm so hoping this is the start of a new spy/thriller series! 

Cover Thoughts: LOVE
Source: My Library
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