Review: The Start of Me and You by Emery Lord

384 pages

Expected publication: March 31st, 2015 

Published by: Bloomsbury

Source: Publisher

Rating: 5/5

Following her pitch-perfect debut Open Road Summer, Emery Lord pens another gorgeous story of best friends, new love, & second chances. 

Brimming with heartfelt relationships and authentic high-school dynamics The Start of Me and You proves that it’s never too late for second chances. 

It’s been a year since it happened—when Paige Hancock’s first boyfriend died in an accident. After shutting out the world for two years, Paige is finally ready for a second chance at high school . . . and she has a plan. First: Get her old crush, Ryan Chase, to date her—the perfect way to convince everyone she’s back to normal. Next: Join a club—simple, it’s high school after all. But when Ryan’s sweet, nerdy cousin, Max, moves to town and recruits Paige for the Quiz Bowl team (of all things!) her perfect plan is thrown for a serious loop. Will Paige be able to face her fears and finally open herself up to the life she was meant to live?

After Paige's boyfriend drowns, nothing is ever the same. Now, a year later, she's ready to take control of her life. She compiles a list of tasks that she must complete in order to start over: 

1. Parties/Social events

2. New group

3. Date

4. Travel

5. Swin

But things never go according to plan. 

This book is just magical. It made me feel warm and fuzzy and giddy. Since I tend to judge Contemporary novels based on how they make me feel, this baby wins all of the awards. The novel is both adorable and quirky, which is the perfect combination. I must admit that the plot is predictable but what's so wrong with that? Sometimes cuteness is more important. In the book, one of the characters says: 

"In books, sometimes the foreshadowing is so obvious that you know what's going to happen. But knowing what happens isn't the same as knowing know it happens. Getting there is the best part." 

I couldn't agree more. The journey is worth the price of admission. The novel might lack the element of surprise but it has a lot of heart. It makes you feel all of those adorable things that come with falling in love. I love when novels make me feel something and this one is just right on point throughout. 

Let's talk characters for a second, shall we? I really enjoyed reading Paige's perspective. Her development is there, but it takes her a little while to see the light. Even though I liked Paige, I kind of really loved Max. He's such an amazing character. He's so nerdy/cool/nice that you can't help but hate Paige's crush because HE ISN'T MAX. I want Max to have his own book. Is that possible? Should I start a petition or something? 

Sometimes you want a book that makes you feel like you're falling in love. The Start of Me and You is that book. I was on the fence about Emery Lord and now...well, I might as well come out and say it: I LOVE HER. 

ARC Review + Giveaway: Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

 565 pages

Expected publication: September 2nd, 2014

 Published by: Bloomsbury USA Childrens

Source: Publisher

Rating: 5/5

Lost and broken, Celaena Sardothien’s only thought is to avenge the savage death of her dearest friend: as the King of Adarlan’s Assassin, she is bound to serve this tyrant, but he will pay for what he did. Any hope Celaena has of destroying the king lies in answers to be found in Wendlyn. Sacrificing his future, Chaol, the Captain of the King’s Guard, has sent Celaena there to protect her, but her darkest demons lay in that same place. If she can overcome them, she will be Adarlan’s biggest threat – and his own toughest enemy.  

While Celaena learns of her true destiny, and the eyes of Erilea are on Wendlyn, a brutal and beastly force is preparing to take to the skies. Will Celaena find the strength not only to win her own battles, but to fight a war that could pit her loyalties to her own people against those she has grown to love?

This book, people. Actually, forget the book. This SERIES is awesome. I don't want to spoil it for any of you so I'll keep this review short. If you want an even shorter version of this, I wrote an "Early Cuddles" post for Cuddlebuggery. You can read it here. 

This book starts off with a bang. After we find out Celaena's true identity in Crown of Midnight, I was left a little unsure as to where this series was going. I can officially say that all those doubts were put to rest pretty early on into Heir of Fire. This book is fun, extravagant, and ridiculously addicting. You know a book is good when you want something longer than 565 pages. 

There are new characters galore. The beauty of this series is that you get to read multiple points of views, making it so easy to get to know old and new characters alike. The story never gets stuck in one place. Instead, it travels from character to character and this opens up the world in such a magnificent way. And let's not forget the fairy aspect of this series. The Fae are pretty fantastic, especially one in particular *cough* Rowan *cough*. Also, get ready for the craziest ending yet. You've been warned. 

For me, Heir of Fire falls somewhere between the first and the second book.  It isn't a secret that I didn't love Throne of Glass. In fact, I almost didn't read Crown of Midnight. I only read it because I kept hearing how amazing it was and guess what? Everyone was right. I've said it before and I'll say it again: don't give up on this series! Please read the second one before you make a decision. I would've missed out on an amazing second and third book otherwise. In all honesty, Sarah J. Maas is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors and I cannot wait to continue on with this series! 

Since Bloomsbury was kind enough to send me an ARC of Heir of Fire, I want to return the favor and give it to one of you! Due to the fact that this is the biggest ARC in the world, I have to make this giveaway US only. Sorry! 

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Stacking the Shelves!

ARCs, preorders, and books I couldn't resist! 

The Demon Trapper's Daughter  *  Juliet Immortal  *  Looking for Alibrandi  *  The Bees  *  Landline  *  Love, Rosie  *  The Piper's Son  *  The Kiss of Deception  *  Heir of Fire  *  Open Road Summer  *  Stitching Snow  * Zombies vs Unicorns 

Bloomsbury sent me an ARC of Heir of Fire and it was epic. That review will go up in a few days and I'll be giving away my copy! So keep an eye out for that if you want to read it early.  Disney-Hyperion sent me a copy of Stitching Snow (ahhhh) so I'll love them forever. I won a copy of The Bees (thank you Jenna!) and I cannot wait to read it. I also won a copy of Open Road Summer so my search for the perfect summer romance novel is over. Even though I had an eARC of The Kiss of Deception, I ended up reading it when I got the physical copy in the mail. I also preordered Landline and it was glorious. Can Rainbow Rowell write a terrible novel? I don't think so. 

I needed to add to my Melina Marchetta collection so I bought The Piper's Son, the sequel to Saving Francesca. In typical Marchetta fashion, it was amazing and I can't recommend it enough. I also got Looking for Alibrandi and I started it last night. After talking nonstop about Of Beast and Beauty and proclaiming my love for Stacey Jay, I had to get Juliet Immortal. I've heard mixed reviews about this one so I'm not sure what to expect. 

The three wildcards in this haul are The Demon Trapper's Daughter, Zombies vs Unicorns and Love, Rosie. I've heard nothing but great things about The Demon Trapper's Daughter and it was on sale so I had to get it. The movie version of Love, Rosie is coming out soonish (overseas, I'm not sure about the US) and it looks like my kind of movie so I had to pick up the book. Zombies vs Unicorns...just...happened. I don't have an excuse for this. Do I even need one? 

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas: Series Spotlight

Why I love it: 

The characters and their personalities impressed me the most throughout the first two books of the series. From Celaena to Princess Nehemia, every single character is interesting. The multiple points of view aids the development of the characters and their individual stories, which merge together to create a very magical and unique reading experience. I also really love that this series has such a strong female character. She's feisty, strong, and hilarious. How can you not love her? In case you are not sold yet, the twists and turns in this series are insane! Crown of Midnight took me on a ridiculous roller-coaster of emotions. Unlike Throne of Glass, Crown of Midnight's plot is not predictable at all and it keeps you interested until the very end. 

What I didn't like about it:

I had some issues with the first book in the series. It took me over a month to read, which is insane! Even though I enjoyed it a lot, I had a hard time with it. I felt like the story was lacking a little bit and it was a tiny bit predictable. I expected a lot more action--considering the whole kickass-assassin-in-a-competition-to-be-the-top-assasin angle--but it wasn't there for me in the first book. However, Crown of Midnight gave me everything I wanted from the first book and more. 

Final Verdict: 

This is an excellent series so far. It is an action-packed novel with an insanely strong female main character, and vivid storytelling. I can't ask for anything better. There is a whole lot of room for development since this is a seven book series (A SEVEN BOOK YA FANTASY SERIES, SOMEONE HOLD ME). I cannot wait until the third book comes out. I'm so excited about it that I already pre-ordered my copy (let's ignore the fact that it comes out in September). Not to mention that a series with a hardcover copy of its novellas is a winner in my book.