Review: Grass is Always Greener

 * 3rd Book in the Belles trilogy *

Izzie and Mira have had a rocky start - their secrets have been splashed over the newspapers, their friends have stabbed them in the back, and the family drama just keeps happening.

Izzie's aunt has secrets from her mother's past - but Izzie isn't sure she can trust her aunt after Zoe abandoned her twice. She's not sure she wants to give up the opportunity to talk with her especially since Izzie's still reeling her from her grandmother's death.

Mira's trying to hold it all together. She's worried about Izzie. Her boyfriend's moving. Plus she's dying to plan her sweet sixteen party.

Can the girls recover from all their ups and downs and just enjoy life?

My Thoughts: I"m sad that this trilogy is over because I'm come to love the characters. I love watching Izzie adjust to her new life, without leaving her old self behind. In this book, I liked how she tries to blend her group of friends - even though it's a major struggle. I love the romance, the family drama, and watching the sisters interact. Mira's grown with the influence of Izzie and with her art. I love reading about her painting; it softens her. A fantastic conclusion to the trilogy! I can't wait to see what Jen Calonita writes next!

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My Library

2013 YA Contemporary Challenge

Hosted by Katie's Book Blog:

Rules:
You can read any contemporary YA novel that is published between January 1, 2013 and December 30, 2013 but you must read them in 2013! (All formats accepted: paperback, ARC, e-book)

I'm choosing: Level 3: 15+ books

Her'es a list of books I'm looking forward to reading!

1. Moon and More
2. Grass is Always Greener
3. Five Summers
4. Our Sing
5. Also Known As
6. Perfect Scoundrels
7. Jane Austen Goes to Hollywood
8. All I Need
9. Trouble with Flirting
10. Return to Me
11. Racing Savannah
12. My Summer Went up in Flames
13. Isla and the Happily Ever After
14. Book of Broken Hearts
15. Falling for You
16. Salvation 

Top 10 Tuesday

This week's Top Ten Tuesday lets you choose your favorite authors in a specific genre, be it sci-fi, romance, nonfiction....anything that strikes your fancy! Meme from Broke and Bookish.

Top 10 Authors that write amazing contemporary teen romances - in nor particular order. I devour their books and pass them along to teens at the library all the time.

Meg Cabot

Sarah Dessen 

Susane Colasanti 

Jessica Brody 

Jen Calonita 

Jennifer Echols 

Catherine Clark 

Catherine Hapka 

Rachel Hawthorne

 Elizabeth Eulberg

Review: Belles

Izzie's life isn't easy, but she loves it. She loves living by the water, able to surf whenever she wants to. She loves hanging out on the boardwalk with her friends. She loves living with grandmother.

In a split second, everything changes. Her grandmother's health has been slowly declining. Now she's unable to care for Izzie. She's shipped off to a nursing home and Izzie's sent to live with family she's never known.

Her new family consists of her Uncle, who's running for the U.S. Senate, her aunt, and her three cousins.

Mira, her cousin of the same age, isn't interested in helping Izzy fit into her privileged life. Her friends talk sweet to Izzy's face, but spread rumors and stab her in the back. Mira's torn between wanting to be her own person and wanting to remain at the Queen Bee's side.

Can Izzie prove to them she belongs in their world?


My Thoughts: I confess that I was dying to read this one. I squealed when I saw it at the event. I LOVE Jen Calonita's books. They're funny, fresh, and romantic.
This books was no different! I loved the setting - especially the school.I loved the Southern charm. I loved the differences between the two girls and reading their different perspectives. I loved Mira's art world. I loved the event being a hoedown. I loved Izzie's heart, determination, and her ability to see the good in the world. I can't wait to read more of this series!

BUT THE BACK OF THE BOOK CONTAINED THE MAJOR PLOT TWIST!!!!!! I was not a fan of this, obviously. I did check Goodreads and the description of the book is different and without spoilers.

From what I understand, the author had no control over this issue. I loved the book enough that this didn't matter to me, but it was disappointing to know the ending.

Cover Thoughts: Cute - I love the flower in her hair

Source: Little Brown event

Arrives in April 2012

Review: For Keeps

Josie never knew her father, but in the grocery store, her single mother nearly has a heart attack when she sees her old high school sweetheart's parents.

Kate found out she was pregnant with Josie when she was 16. Paul moved away not knowing the whole story. Paul's always been the elephant in the room.

Now his parents have moved back to town.

Josie's half sacred and half hoping she might run into her grandparents. When her grandfather becomes a regular customer at the cafe she works at, she has a small opportunity for contact. Her best friend urges her to get to know him.

Josie's not she wants to open that door.

Just when she's freaking out about her family life, her mother meets a man. He quickly becomes part of their lives. Josie just wishes everything would go back to normal - including her relationship with her mother!

My Thoughts: This reminded me a lot of Gilmore Girls (which I'm REALLY missing!) I loved the relationship between Josie and Kate. I loved Kate's freak out moments. I liked Josie's limited interaction with her new family. I really liked Liz (Josie's best friend) and her two gay Dads were priceless. A fun contemporary novel for fans of Sarah Dessen and Susane Colasanti!

Cover Thoughts: I'm not crazy about either cover. The hardcover looks like it could be a ghost story. The paperback cover looks like a light hearted romance. Neither of them match the story. (This is the paperback cover, which is better)

Source: My Library