Review: Love in 280 Characters or Less

 

Sydney is headed off to college - she's excited but nervous. Her best friend Malcom seems to be hitting it out of the park. But she's struggling to make friends, to connect to her roommate, and to figure out what she wants.

Sydney loves writing and fashion. She writes an online blog and is active on twitter. The book is composed of her blog posts, tweets, and texts. Life isn't all that it's made up to be online - it gets messy.

Why I read it: I love college books and epistolary novels.

My Thoughts: I really loved this book - for the format, for the drama, and for Sydney's struggles. I like how she doesn't immediately fit in at school because it's more realistic. I love how she found an audience who admired/supported her writing. I love how Sydney's TA supports her but also guides her to different reading materials. There is a racial incident that shakes her world and changes everything. I wouldn't mind a sequel five years from now and seeing Sydney in the adult world.

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

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

Review: Roommate Agreement

 

Blair's excited about her summer experience with coding at college. She's going to be living with her two best friends and it's going to be amazing. Until she discovers last minute that they don't want to live with her. They don't want to be friends anymore.

Blair's devastated. This was supposed to be the perfect summer; they had it all planned out. She searching for any last minute housing, thrilled to discover an apartment that still needs a roommate. She's less than thrilled to discover that her brother's best friend is living there. 

She begs Jamie not to tell her brother as he will tell her parents and ruin everything. Jamie is not happy keeping a secret, but he reluctantly does, after blackmailing Blair. 

Blair struggles with her intensive class. The only bright spot in her life is her art class. But even that is stressing her out. Can she survive the summer?

My Thoughts: I really felt for Blair. She went through it this summer. But I loved her new relationships with her roommates. I love how she stood up for herself. Blair's fat and she owns it. Her family is terrible - her mother sides with the no nonsense step-father. Her computer class has a terrible teacher and terrible classmates. I hate how the class is set up for failure; that's no way to teach. All this drama made me cry at the end. But the book does have some bright spots. I love Blair's relationship with Jamie. Don't sleep on this one

Cover: Not my favorite 

Source: Book sent for review

Library Recommendation: A must have book for your public library teen collection

Review: The Cuffing Game

 

Mia Yoon wants to make a show for her college all about crushes. But her initial idea doesn't get off the ground. Instead, she brainstorms how to make it better with her nemesis. She isn't thrilled with the idea of changing the storytime about crushes to a reality dating show but...it does work.

The show gets greenlit for winter break. Mia, her crew, and the contestants (including Noah) travel to a winter wonderland. There she oversees the entire production. But what happens if she falls for one of the contestants...

My Thoughts: As they are in college - this is technically a new adult book. But it works as a YA book. I loved this book. Even though I don't watch much reality TV (Bake Off is my favorite), I love reading about it. I loved how this is from the perspective of the producer/host and not a contestant. What a fun twist on Pride and Prejudice! 

Cover Thoughts: Charming

Source: My Library

 Why I read it: retelling of Pride and Prejudice + reality TV show

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your school and public library

Review: She Gets the Girl

 

Molly had a terrible high school experience; she didn't have any friends. She's determined that college will be better. Maybe she'll also get the girl she's been pining over for years. But when she arrives on campus, she's stunned to learn she has a single.

All her dreams go out the window. How is she supposed to meet anyone?

Luckily for her, she meets Alex. Alex is smart, confident, and pretty. Alex knows how to make friends. She decides to help Molly - not just out of the goodness of her heart, but as a way to prove herself to her girlfriend. 

Molly doesn't have any problem talking with Alex; it's just everyone else that makes her anxious. Can they both help each other and get what they want?

My Thoughts: This was a fun read - perfect for older high school students. I love books set in college. I loved the banter between Molly and Alex. Both of them had issues that they needed to work through. I really loved the moments in the food truck. The five step plan was highly entertaining. I loved the ending. This book has sequel which is a holiday novella. 

Why I read this: I loved Make My Wish Come True, a holiday romance from these authors.

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

 Library Recommendation: A fun romance for your collection

Review: Happily Ever After

 

For Spring break, Madison applied to attend a new Disney immersion experience. Just after she's humiliated by overhearing her girlfriend's real thoughts about her, she learns she's been accepted into the program. She was supposed to go with her girlfriend, but she convinces her best friend to take her place.

Madison will be playing Cinderella and Lanie will be playing Merida. When they arrive, it's overwhelming and impressive. As the week continues, Madison embraces the Cinderella role. She's not able participate in all the participation activities because she's too busy under the watchful eye of her wicked Stepmother. Lanie is left to enjoy the activities alone - until she meets Prince Charming. They form an attachment. 

Will their Spring Break be everything they want?

My Thoughts: First, I really wish this island were real. I would love to stay for a week. I really enjoyed this book. Madison is stuck trying to figure out her future; everyone's asking her questions that she can't answer. Lanie's path has always been decided for her, she's just not sure that she wants to continue that path. I love the behind-the-scenes moments between Madison and Val. I loved the dual POV and the romances. The ending is perfect. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A great friendship and romance story for your school and public library collections. 

What character would you like to play?

BookTok: Love off the Record

 

This was such a fun read. It's a long read, but I didn't want this book to end.

Although there were some cringe moments....

@yabooknerdlibrarian Do you read books from #booktok - this was recommended to me and I’m so glad it was! I loved it! #youvegotmail #yabooktok #college #newspaper #romancebooks @Simon Teen #Inverted ♬ original sound - Jennifer @YA Book Nerd 📚📚📚

Top Ten Tuesday: Books Set In College

 This week's topic is a school freebie. I always enjoy books set in college - so here are some.

 

 

 

Want to read:

Any other recommendations?