Review: Let's Get Together

 

Liberty Perry is in a new foster home and will be attending a new school. When she arrives, everyone seems overly friendly. When she arrives in the office, she's called by a different name. 

Kenya can't wait for the new school year and for outdoor club. Maybe this is finally the year something with happen with the boy she's been crushing over. She's stunned to learn there's a new girl in school that everyone is telling her about. Everyone wants her to know the new girl looks exactly like Kenya. How can that be?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book; although I did find the ending a little rushed. Both girls have their lives unended by this news. There's a nasty trick between them that does sort itself out. I can't imagine what they must be going through, especially Liberty who found a foster home that she enjoys. I loved the moments of friendship between Liberty and Carrie-Anne (even the tough conversation). If you have a reader who loves The Parent Trap, this book is for them!

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Why I Read This: I'm a huge fan of the Parent Trap

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your school and public library.

Mini Review: I Can't Even

 

Julia's called home because her mother is dying (again). She leaves her two cats in the hands of her friends and returns home. She hasn't been home in years. she tends to avoid home since she got in a HUGE fight with her mother and she left for New York City. 

Then there is the matter of the stipulations of the will. Julia and her sisters have to live together for the entire summer. And we haven't even talked about the boy next door - Julia's first love.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book - I loved the sisters and their relationship. I loved the surfing bits. There was so much drama in this book - especially with the horrible cousins. I admired Julia - how resilient she is after all the family secrets come to light. This is a great read for Hallmark watchers; it would make a great movie.

I would be happy reading two more books about the other sisters.

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: Purchased

Library Recommendations: Highly recommended for your romance collection

Middle Grade Review: Let It Glow

Aviva Davis and Holly Martin meet at a holiday pageant tryout session. 

Aviva wants to be a star, but Holly's more interested in working behind the scenes. Aviva wants to create a Hanukkah song, but she's not sure that she feels Jewish enough. While her family is Jewish, they don't celebrate. But her Bubbe insists that she is. Aviva asks her parents to celebrate Hanukkah this year. 

Holly lives with her grandfather (a famous author) and her mother. She's been waiting to go get the tree, but her mom's been busy working. Lately, her grandfather hasn't been feeling himself. Her mom is worried about him being by himself so much with her at work and Holly at school. Maybe it's time for him to move to a senior community.

Once the girls meet, it's like looking in a mirror. They're both adopted. After texting with each other for a week, they decide to switch places. Will their families notice a difference?

My Thoughts: I loved this book. I'm a huge fan of the Parent Trap, so this was right up my alley. Plus, I adore holiday stories. I loved how the twins were so alike and yet so different. I loved the texts between the two of them and how they started to get to know each other. It was so cute! I loved how they both explored Christmas and Hanukkah. I loved Aviva's siblings. I enjoyed the close moments between the two families - and how the girls escaped them. One of my favorite middle grade reads this year! 

Cover Thoughts: Adorable

Source: Book sent for review

Library Recommendation: A must have book for your school and public library

**Check out the awesome activity packet with a word search, recipes, and so much more! 

Middle Grade Review: Out of Range

 

Abby, Emma, and Ollie have not been getting along lately. Their parents have had enough. They girls have been sent to camp this summer. But it's not your usual kind of camp. Instead, they go hiking for hours and are supposed to be learning discipline. 

But the prank war between the sisters hasn't eased up. If anything, it's gotten worse. 

On the last day of camp, when they are supposed to be packing up and heading back to civilization, the counselor has had enough. The three sisters and the counselor leave for a punishing hike. But the sisters and the counselor get separated. The three girls find themselves alone; they're going to need each other in order to survive. But can they put their differences aside? 

My Thoughts: I really love survival stories. This middle grade read was fantastic. Lots of action and danger from the survival portion but also lots of drama from the fights between sisters. All three sisters have reasons to be annoyed at the others, but those reasons are slowly built into the story. Each of the sisters has a perspective in the story and the timeline weaves back and forth between present day and the past. This was a great read.

Cover Thoughts: Perfect - I like how it leans into the danger

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Perfect for summer reading's theme. Highly recommended for your school and public library. 

Review: If You Must Know

 

* 1st book in a trilogy *

Amanda and Erin don't have the best relationship. Even though they're sisters, they couldn't be more different. Amanda resented the love their father showered on Erin. Erin never fit in with Amanda or their mother. 

But when push comes to shove, they start to be there for each other. Amanda's perfect life crumbles during the last month of her pregnancy. Both sisters start to take a look at the past to heal the wrongs. Trusting each other doesn't come naturally. Little by little, they start to understand past hurts. Hopefully they can come together to move forward.

My Thoughts: This family didn't function well together, especially after the death of their father. I admired the way they started talking again and looking out for each other. My heart hurt for both of the sisters and all the past pain they put each other through. I loved hearing about the Etsy shop ideas and the small business moments. I felt awful for Amanda and the choices she had to make in regards to her unborn child. She was very brave. I loved the dual narratives, hearing both Amanda and Erin's side of the story. Of course I loved learning more about Mo (Based on the author's dog). 

Cover Thoughts: Cute - makes me curious about the book

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Grab this one for your women's fiction collection - highly recommended

* I'm friends with the author