Review: Oh My Affogato!

 

Soraya and her two best friends are traveling Europe together the summer before they leave for college. What her two friends don't know is that they are starting in the same city where her ex-boyfriend is also visiting. 

At first, she's stunned that the hotel is not a 5-star resort, but before long, she comes to appreciate their attention to detail and the beauty of the place - even if it is a little run down. The owner's son has suggestions on out of the way places to visit.

By day, Soraya hangs out with her friends, but by night, she meets up with Wes. Until - she and Wes come face to face with her friends. They get into a major fight that threatens to ruin everything. 

My Thoughts: I loved this book. I loved the setting and how it was Italy, but not one of the major cities. I love how the friends set up the trip. I didn't like the major conflict of the book because I felt bad for everyone involved. But it did make for a great story. I love how this takes place the summer before college. I loved the adventures the friends went on together - the out of the way ones. I would love to see Pompeii. This book made me want to travel to Italy.  And I wouldn't mind companion novels with the other two friends leading each book.

Cover Thoughts: Stunning 

Source: my Library

Library Recommendations: A great summer romance for your teen collection - highly recommended.

Top Ten Tuesday: Traveling

This week's topic is all about traveling. I love it when a book makes me want to travel. I'll share a few recent reads and some old favorites. I adore travel romances, so I could go on forever, but I'll stop after 10. 

Side note: I also love books that make me want to travel to the fictional town. Like Stars Hollow. (I know that's a TV town, but you all know what I mean...)

- meme from That Artsy Reader Girl

Recent Reads:

Go hiking (I'm doing this later this summer)

Go to a beach side town

Visit Alaska

Visit Scotland

Some old favorites

What books make you want to travel?

Review: Changes in Latitudes

Cassie wants life to return to normal - but after her parent's divorce that's never going to happen. She's still angry over her mom's betrayal.  And then her mom drops another bombshell on her life.

Her once perfectly planned summer of hanging out with her friends is gone. Instead she'll be spending the summer on a boat sailing from Oregon to Mexico. Plus their home will be rented out to help make ends meet.

Cassie couldn't be more unhappy or more furious. She's had enough changes in her life without adding this one. And without any say in the matter. She's not the one who broke up the family.

When they meeting their boating companions, Cassie's happy to discover Jonah's close to her age. They spend time together getting to know each other and flirting, but underneath could their be real feelings?

My Thoughts: I really liked this book. I understood Cassie's anger to her mother. I liked how they eventually talked about everything. I loved Cassie's relationship with Drew and how she tried to shield him even though he's old enough to understand. I felt terrible for her - missing her old life and carrying such a heavy secret. She didn't always act maturely about it, but her actions and reactions were normal. I loved her banter with Jonah. I really liked the sailing part of the story - both the good moments and the frustrating moments. I'm not sure I could do that, but it sounds like an amazing adventure. Another winner from Jen Malone!

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My library

Library Recommendation: Grab this travel romance for the family drama and the sailing.