Blog Tour: Design The Life You Love: A Step-by-Step Guide to Building a Meaningful Future by Ayse Birsel {Review + Giveaway!}

A joyful, inspirational guide to building the life you've always dreamed of, using the principles and creative process of an award-winning product designer.

Life, just like a design problem, is full of constraints-time, money, age, location, and circumstances. You can’t have everything, so you have to be creative to make what you want and what you need co-exist. Design the Life You Love is a joyful, inspirational guide to building the life you’ve always wanted, using the principles and creative process of an award-winning product designer. Through four steps that reveal hidden skills and wisdom, anyone can design a life they love!

LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Facebook

Review: 

I've been looking for something like this for some time now.  I turned 27 this year and inspirational guides are a must. Most feel like a chore, like something that needs to be completed, so I've abandoned plenty of guides in the last year. Design The Life You Love is worth sticking around. 

What I love about this guide is that the author tells you from the very beginning that you should spend about twenty minutes working on it and then step away for a little while or come back another day. She encourages breaks and that alone made me feel at ease. Whenever I see so much empty space or activities, I have the urge to finish them as quickly as possible. This is not the goal here. You start off taking a few minutes to draw something, anything, as a "warm up" just so that you can get in the creative mood. How awesome is that? There's plenty of space to expand your thoughts/drawings/etc at the end of the book. It has such a laid-back feel to it that I feel very relaxed whenever I pick it up and I actually look forward to the next activity. 

Thinking about the future usually comes with stress/anxiety/terror but I've learned in the past few days that there are ways to break things down so that you can focus on the areas you want to improve. Design the Life You Love is an excellent concept and an easy/fun way to discover things about yourself and plan out your life. I highly recommend it. 

Schedule:

11/13: The Irish Banana Review - Excerpt

11/14: Kimberly Faye Reads - Review

11/15: Reading Teen - Excerpt

11/16: Don't Fold the Page - Review

11/17: Seeing Double in Neverland - Excerpt

11/18: Good Books & Good Wine - Review

11/19: Reads All the Books - Excerpt

11/20: Addicted 2 Novels - Review

11/21: No BS Book Reviews - Excerpt

11/22: Resch Reads & Reviews - Review

11/23: Lost In Lit - Excerpt

11/24: Avid Reader - Review

11/25: Rattle the Pages - Excerpt

11/26: Novel Ink - Review

Giveaway: 2 Finished Copies of DESIGN THE LIFE YOU LOVE (US Only)

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Review: Onyx Webb: Book One: Episodes 1, 2 & 3 by Richard Fenton, Andrea Waltz

264 pages

Published: March 17th 2015 

Published by: Courage Crafters Inc. (Lust for Living Press)

Source: Author

Rating: 4/5

Best-Selling Authors Fenton & Waltz Welcome You to the World of Onyx Webb. This is Book One. (Episodes 1, 2, and 3)  

One reviewer says, "Fabulous. Different. Odd. Crazy. Wonderful. I've never read anything like it. You've created the weirdest, coolest new genre of fiction and I love it."  

- It’s June, 1980 and piano prodigy, Juniper Cole is on the way to her senior prom.

- It’s January 2010, and Koda Mulvaney has blown through his 20 million dollar trust fund and is told by his father to return home and get to work.

- It’s August, 1904 and little Onyx Webb is on her way to the famous World’s Fair in St. Louis with her father, Catfish.

Two of the three will see a ghost, one will become a ghost and everyone will learn that life is hard to let go of even when you’re dead. And that's just Book One. Designed to read like a supernatural soap opera, Onyx Webb is a paranormal suspense series, with supernatural romance, as well as a dash of historical fiction. The stories may haunt you, the darkness may disturb you, but ultimately you’ll be reminded to treasure every moment of your life because… If you think life is precious now? Just wait until you’re dead.

Honestly,  I was a little concerned that this book is the first in a ten-book series. It raises the bar that much higher since it takes something very special to keep my attention for that long. So, does this series deserve such a big commitment? 

I really love this book. It is atmospheric, unique, and super creepy. I could tell right away that a lot of research went into it (from the different locations, to the time periods, to all the historical references). The characters are interesting and multidimensional, which is not always the case in paranormal novels so this was a pleasant surprise. The story captured my attention immediately. It is the kind of book that you want to pick up without knowing too much about the story. The way every point of view intertwines keeps the story fresh and unexpected. I loved that so much. Actually, I pretty loved everything about it, even the incredible design (seriously, the format adds so much to the story). I can't wait to know what happens next!  

If you're looking for a new series that has plenty of heart-pounding fun, definitely check out Onyx Webb! 

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. 

Review: The Resurrectionist: The Lost Work of Dr. Spencer Black by E.B. Hudspeth

208 pages

Published: May 21st 2013 

Publisher: Quirk Books

Source: Publisher

Rating: 4/5

Philadelphia, the late 1870s. A city of gas lamps, cobblestone streets, and horse-drawn carriages—and home to the controversial surgeon Dr. Spencer Black. The son of a grave robber, young Dr. Black studies at Philadelphia’s esteemed Academy of Medicine, where he develops an unconventional hypothesis: What if the world’s most celebrated mythological beasts—mermaids, minotaurs, and satyrs—were in fact the evolutionary ancestors of humankind?  The Resurrectionist offers two extraordinary books in one. The first is a fictional biography of Dr. Spencer Black, from a childhood spent exhuming corpses through his medical training, his travels with carnivals, and the mysterious disappearance at the end of his life. The second book is Black’s magnum opus: The Codex Extinct Animalia, a Gray’s Anatomy for mythological beasts—dragons, centaurs, Pegasus, Cerberus—all rendered in meticulously detailed anatomical illustrations. You need only look at these images to realize they are the work of a madman. The Resurrectionist tells his story.

The Resurrectionist is unlike anything I've ever read. It combines a fictional biography with a significant amount of illustrations based on Dr. Black's mythological beasts. This book is a super quick read and very beautiful. I didn't know what to expect when I started this stunning book but I didn't think I would end up loving it so much.

The biography part of it is very interesting and creepy. I'm an anthropologist so the concept really intrigued me. The author showcases Dr. Spencer Black's life in an almost textbook-like read. The doctor's evolution is both terrifying and gripping, which captivated me. The book is small enough that you'll read it quickly but you might want to spend a bit of time looking through the marvelous illustrations that make up the second half of the book. The Codex Extinct Animalia contains both illustrations and explanations of the various beasts Dr. Black believed in. They show the level of madness and creativity of the doctor and this adds a really interesting touch to the book. Overall, The Resurrectionist is a really cool book that reads like non-fiction with a touch of insanity.


* A huge thanks to Eric at Quirk Books for sending me this book! :) 

Review: Of Beast and Beauty by Stacey Jay

 391 pages

Published: July 23rd, 2013 

Published by: Delacorte Press

Source: Purchased

Rating: 5/5

In the beginning was the darkness, and in the darkness was a girl, and in the girl was a secret... 

In the domed city of Yuan, the blind Princess Isra, a Smooth Skin, is raised to be a human sacrifice whose death will ensure her city’s vitality. In the desert outside Yuan, Gem, a mutant beast, fights to save his people, the Monstrous, from starvation. Neither dreams that together, they could return balance to both their worlds.

Isra wants to help the city’s Banished people, second-class citizens despised for possessing Monstrous traits. But after she enlists the aid of her prisoner, Gem, who has been captured while trying to steal Yuan’s enchanted roses, she begins to care for him, and to question everything she has been brought up to believe. 

As secrets are revealed and Isra’s sight, which vanished during her childhood, returned, Isra will have to choose between duty to her people and the beast she has come to love.

As far as I'm concerned, retelling are awesome so I'm always looking for new ones. This one caught my eye for two reasons: I love the concept of Beauty & the Beast and the cover is gorgeous. I looked it up on Goodreads before I bought it and the ratings were pretty good, too.  I'm so glad I bought it. Here's why:

Princess Isra is our beast. Sheltered and blind, Isra is seen as weak and unimportant by her people. Their existence relies on the power of the roses and the dome keeping them isolated from the dangers of the outside world. Isra's destiny is to sacrifice herself to the enchanted roses to keep the balance in her city. When Gem is captured during a mission to steal the roses, Isra begins to question her past, present, and future.

As far as retellings go, this one is great. The characters are truly fantastic. Isra's blindness makes for an interesting perspective. There's a lot more detail about what she hears and how she manages to travel throughout her city. Gem's hatred is evident and on point with the original. Together, they're a great foundation to this story. Of Beast and Beauty keeps the same dark tone of the original while adding elements that took me by surprise. The pace is just right and the development of the relationship between Gem and Isra happens gradually. The story is told through multiple points of views--mainly those of Gem and Isra--and the struggle happening inside both of them is fascinating to read. The world building was surprisingly good. I wasn't expecting such intricate details about the story between the Smooth Skins and the Monstrous. As a whole, Of Beast and Beauty creates a great atmosphere and does not take away from the original. 

If I'm not mistaken, Stacey Jay wrote a Romeo & Juliet retelling called Juliet Immortal. Based on my experience with this book, I'm looking forward to reading more of her work! 

Book Review: Indigo Incite by Jacinda Buchmann {YA Reads Review Tour}

The Book:

There are no secrets

Sixteen-year-old Tyler believed that his extra-sensory powers were a secret, but when his twin brother, Toby, is kidnapped by a covert government agency, he realizes that he has no secrets, and he has nowhere to hide.

He’s not alone

Now, to save himself and rescue his brother, Tyler must call upon the help of four strangers. Unknown to each other, Eddie, Liliana, Grace, and Sarah share a common bond. They are Indigo Children. With extra-sensory powers of their own, they must unite with Tyler in order to maintain their freedom.

Unexpected romance

They’re on the run. They’re on a mission. Romance is a distraction that Tyler can’t afford. But sometimes, the heart has a mind of its own.

Time is running out

Will they find Toby before the agency finds them first? Find out in Indigo Incite, Book One of the Indigo Trilogy.

Book Trailer:

The Review:

I couldn't be happier that I chose to be part of this book tour and review Indigo Incite for all of you. I didn't have any expectations diving into this novel but it was nothing less than a wonderful experience. The concept, indigo teenagers trying to stick together to save themselves from imprisonment while at the same time attempting a rescue mission, is interesting and action-packed. "Indigo Children" is a term used for people who are able to use a part of their brain only available to those with a slightly difference in DNA, which gives them access to special abilities. These abilities vary from healing powers to telepathy.

There are tons of characters in this book. I love how all of them are unique in both personality and dialogue. Their abilities vary, which makes for some interesting scenes between the characters. I enjoyed the connections that happened between certain characters and the understanding all of them shared about their common goal. There is a little bit of romance in this novel but it does not overpower the story and only adds a different layer to it. I really liked the pairings and I am looking forward to exploring their relationships in the next novels. 

Some chapters were a bit slow, probably because this is the first book in the series and it was used to set up the story and its characters. However, the majority of the novel was fast-paced and kept my interest.  Even though I had some issues with the placement of some of the commas throughout the novel, I still enjoyed Buchmann's writing style and the way she set up her story. 

Perfect for fans of the I Am Number Four series, Indigo Incite is a fast-paced and absolutely thrilling read.  

Note: Indigo Incite will be free from February 20th through February 22nd! So make sure you download your copy! :)

About the Author:

Jacinda Buchmann lives in Arizona with her husband and three children. She graduated from Carroll College, in Helena, Montana, with a B.A. in elementary education and later received a Master’s degree from Northern Arizona University, in school counseling. After spending several years as a teacher and later a school counselor, she now spends her time writing, any free chance she can get, that is, when she’s not spending time with her family or creating a new concoction in the kitchen.

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The Tour:

February 17th
Cubicle Blindness Reviews
Evening eBook
I Feel the Need, the Need to Read
February 18th
Mythical Books
Blissful Book Reviews
Page Princess
February 19th
Book Lovers Life
Out of Control Characters
February 20th
Don’t Fold the Page
The Book Beacon
YaReads
Mystical Lit Lounge
Fabulously frugal with Frugal Sue

February 21st

Cassandra M’s Place

BookJunkyGirls

February 22nd

JP’s Blog

SleepsOnTables

Nicole Storey’s Chaotic Thoughts

February 23rd

Elizabeth Delana Rosa

My Book Affair

Next Page Reviews

Review: My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

394 pages

Published: June 14th, 2012 

Published by: Dial Books For Young Readers

"One thing my mother never knew, and would disapprove of most of all, was that I watched the Garretts. All the time." 

The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, messy, affectionate. And every day from her rooftop perch, Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them . . . until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs up next to her and changes everything. 

As the two fall fiercely for each other, stumbling through the awkwardness and awesomeness of first love, Jase's family embraces Samantha - even as she keeps him a secret from her own. Then something unthinkable happens, and the bottom drops out of Samantha's world. She's suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself? 

A transporting debut about family, friendship, first romance, and how to be true to one person you love without betraying another.

Refreshing. That's the word I would use to describe this contemporary young adult novel.  I know I'm super late to this party but I had to review it and spread the love. On the outside, it looks like a slightly cheesy and totally girly romance novel. I wouldn't go as far as to say that I hate the cover (because I don't, I actually really like it) but I do think that it doesn't do the book justice and it might alienate some potential readers. The fact of the matter is that there is nothing short of awesome in its 394 pages. It is much more than just a romance story between two teenagers from totally opposite worlds. It is also a complex novel with innovative and multidimensional characters, a heart of gold, and the most mature young protagonists I've ever read in a contemporary Young Adult novel.

I found the story to be very realistic and beautifully written. It was also engaging and fun to read. Even though I loved the story, my favorite part of the entire book was the characters and their development. I love when writers pay attention to the secondary characters and don't use them as just fillers. The Garretts are an enormous family, yet I feel like I know all of their personalities and story-lines. I adore this about Fitzpatrick's writing. I love it so much that I'll read anything she writes for the rest of my life.

The maturity of the main characters both stunned and mesmerized me. I couldn't believe that someone wrote believable and relatable characters who are also mature and outside the mold of a "typical" teenager. Some writers excel at this already---Rainbow Rowell, A.S. King, Gayle Forman...just to name a few---but they are hard to come by. The relationship between Jase and Samantha is gorgeous. They figure things out together in such a grown-up way that I couldn't help but smile every single time they were together. Oh, and Jase is so freaking likable. He's sweet, smart, and a hard-worker. I am so tired of the "bad boys" taking over YA.  What's wrong with a nice male protagonist? Nothing! I want one like him. Haha.

This is such a charming, complex, and mature contemporary novel for fans of Sarah Dessen and Rainbow Rowell. Give it a go! And if you've read it, let me know what you thought of it!

ARC Review: Freakboy by Kristin Elizabeth Clark

448 pages

Expected publication: October 22nd, 2013

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux

From the outside, Brendan Chase seems to have it pretty easy. He’s a star wrestler, a video game aficionado, and a loving boyfriend to his seemingly perfect match, Vanessa. But on the inside, Brendan struggles to understand why his body feels so wrong—why he sometimes fantasizes having long hair, soft skin, and gentle curves. Is there even a name for guys like him? Guys who sometimes want to be girls? Or is Brendan just a freak?

In Freakboy's razor-sharp verse, Kristin Clark folds three narratives into one powerful story: Brendan trying to understand his sexual identity, Vanessa fighting to keep her and Brendan’s relationship alive, and Angel struggling to confront her demons.

This novel is such a refreshing read. I've read some amazing books this year but I've been having the nagging feeling that most YA novels are starting to blend together and the majority of new releases have not been catching my attention. Then Freakboy came along. The entire novel is written in verse (which is a first for me) and it tackles heavy issues and raises a lot of questions. This novel addresses sexuality and how it is not black and white. It shatters the notion that you are either gay or straight, male or female. It opens discussion and leaves lots of room for future research. At the end of the novel, there's a list of resources and one for further reading. I think that alone elevates this novel to a whole new level.

On one side we have Brendan, who is not sure what to call himself and is struggling to make sense of his life. Even though he is attracted to his girlfriend, he dreams of being a girl. On the other we have Angel, who is transgendered. She is fully adapted as a female and her past is represented throughout the book. This works so well because we can see the beginning, the middle, and one of the possible ends to such a transformation. Vanessa is another key player to this story. She's Brendan's girlfriend, a wrestler in the boys' team. She is in the receiving end of Brendan's realization and her evolution adds an interesting layer to the story.

The writing style is wonderful. The book length verse feels intimate and complex. l felt like I was reading someone's diary. There are three points of view in this novel--Brendan's, Vanessa's, and Angel's--and each one developed in a very fluid way. It is rare to find a unique novel that also takes your breath away and makes you go deep into your soul to not only empathize with the main character but also analyze the world around you. Personally, Freakboy is the standout novel of the year. I was not only hooked from the very first page but I was also yearning to understand Brendan and his struggles. Even though I couldn't relate to him, I did empathize with his journey to self discovery and the many hurdles along the way. The characters are flawed, complex, and very relatable. At the end of the day, this is a coming of age story. Growing up and accepting yourself is never easy but growing up and feeling like you're in the wrong body? That's a whole other beast.

Poetic, insightful, raw, and unique, Freakboy will rip your heart out. This novel is a brave YA debut that will not only leave you breathless but it will also make you think of sexuality in a whole new way.

Note: I won this book through the Cuddlebuggery LBBA program. It was donated by the lovely Kat. Thanks again. :)

ARC Review: Definitely, Maybe in Love by Ophelia London

Format: eBook, 344 pages

Expected publication: October 28, 2013

Publisher: Entangled: Embrace 

Spring Honeycutt wants two things: to ace her sustainable living thesis and to save the environment. Both seem hopelessly unobtainable until her college professor suggests that with a new angle, her paper could be published. Spring swears she’ll do whatever it takes to ensure that happens.

“Whatever it takes,” however, means forming a partnership with the very hot, very privileged, very conceited Henry Knightly.

Henry is Spring's only hope at publication, but he's also the über-rich son of a land developer and cash-strapped Spring’s polar opposite. Too bad she can't help being attracted to the way he pushes her buttons, both politically and physically. As they work on her thesis, Spring finds there's more to Henry than his old money and argyle sweaters…but can she drop the loud-and-proud act long enough to let him in? Suddenly, choosing between what she wants and what she needs puts Spring at odds with everything she believes in.

Definitely, Maybe in Love is a modern take on Pride and Prejudice that proves true love is worth risking a little pride.

One thing you should know about me is that I love Pride and Prejudice.  I love it so much that I am always on the prowl for a new adaptation of it. As much as I love the original, I am so intrigued at the way authors modernize classics such as P&P. As soon as I heard of Ophelia London's Definitely, Maybe in Love, I had to jump on the chance to read it and review it. It took me a little bit over a day to read because I was physically incapable of putting it down. Why? Well, let me tell you:

At first sight, this novel is nothing more than a retelling of our favorite love story but it only took me a few pages to notice that Definitely, Maybe in Love was so much more than that. While the characters and their personalities were familiar to me, the novel felt fresh and new. Spring Honeycutt is Elizabeth Bennet in every possible way. She's passionate, judgmental, and focused. Henry Knightly (his name is pure perfection and made my inner Jane Austen fangirl squeal) is determined, a lot more confident and less awkward than Mr. Darcy, and ridiculously dreamy. Instead of sisters, Spring has roommates and they are a handful. I felt like this change was really clever and worked so well with the story. Plot wise, I really liked the development of Spring and Henry's relationship and the way everything unfolded in a relatively long period of time. The Lydia/Wickham part of the story wasn't my favorite but I didn't hate it. Other than that, the story moved along in a very steady pace and kept my attention. Now, the love story. Oh, god. Just read it. And enjoy it. The scenes between Spring and Henry are simply beautiful. I had the biggest swoonfest while reading them so if you like romance, you'll love them too. I promise.

As far a retellings go, this one might be the best one I've read so far. The story does not rely on the classic to carry it and it doesn't follow the structure of the original to the point where it becomes unoriginal and repetitive. Like all retellings, you are well aware of all of the twists and turns and, most importantly, its conclusion. However, Definitely, Maybe in Love felt fresh and kept me interested until the end. The fact that Spring is an environmentalist tied in this adaptation to the original in a perfect little package. It showcases her passionate personality while also enhancing her judgmental tendencies. It created tension between her and Henry, which is the core of Elizabeth's relationship with Mr. Darcy in P&P. I felt like this story, unlike others I've read, paid homage to the great Jane Austen instead of changing a couple of aspects of her story and calling it a day. This is why this story works while others do not.

If you're looking for a classic love story with a contemporary twist--which also happens to be charming and gripping--this novel is for you. Jane Austen and Pride and Prejudice fans, do not despair. You won't be disappointed.


Note: An eARC was sent to me for an honest opinion. 

ARC Review: Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer by Katie Alender

Published: September 24th, 2013 

Publisher: Scholastic Press

304 pages

Colette Iselin is excited to go to Paris on a class trip. She’ll get to soak up the beauty and culture, and maybe even learn something about her family’s French roots.

But a series of gruesome murders are taking place across the city, putting everyone on edge. And as she tours museums and palaces, Colette keeps seeing a strange vision: a pale woman in a ball gown and powdered wig, who looks suspiciously like Marie Antoinette.

Colette knows her popular, status-obsessed friends won’t believe her, so she seeks out the help of a charming French boy. Together, they uncover a shocking secret involving a dark, hidden history. When Colette realizes she herself may hold the key to the mystery, her own life is suddenly in danger . . .

Acclaimed author Katie Alender brings heart-stopping suspense to this story of revenge, betrayal, intrigue — and one killer queen.

Based on the cover alone, I expected heart-pounding action and maybe some terrifying elements to be present throughout it. Unfortunately, I didn't get that creepy factor. I'm not sure if it was the writing (as far as how the scenes were described) or if it wasn't intended to feel that way.

I want to say that I liked the characters but I really didn't care for them at all. Our main character, Colette, does develop quite a bit but I feel like I've read her story before. Obviously not the "the ghost of Marie Antoinette is after me" element of the story but more of the "every day girl molding herself to be like her popular friends so she can stay in their circle" story arc that we are all familiar with. She's really passive and suppresses every aspect of her personality. I found her friend Hannah to be extremely annoying and shallow. She's also your typical rich mean girl, which I didn't particularly cared for. The only characters I actually liked are Jules and Audrey but I don't feel like I know much about either of them.

The supernatural aspect of the story was good. I found the reason behind the murders to be really clever and interesting. I do feel like the ending was rushed, though. I wanted a little more from the final confrontation. I might be a little biased (I absolutely adore anything and everything set in France) about this but I love that this novel is set in Paris. The settings were beautiful and worked really well with the tone of the novel.

If you're looking for a fun and light read then Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer is for you. At 304 pages, it is a very quick read so this will be perfect if you're behind on your reading challenge.

Note: A copy of this title was provided to me for free via NetGalley.

  

Review: Escaping Reality (The Secret Life of Amy Bensen #1) by Lisa Renee Jones

Publisher: Julie Patra Publishing

Publication Date: Jul 22 2013 

Format: Kindle Edition, 250 pages 

Infinite possibilities….
Infinite passion…..
Infinite danger….

His touch spirals through me, warm and sweet, wicked and hot. I shouldn’t trust him. I shouldn’t tell him my secrets. But how do I not when he is the reason I breathe? He is what I need.

At the young age of eighteen, tragedy and a dark secret force Lara to flee all she has known and loves to start a new life. Now years later, with a new identity as Amy, she’s finally dared to believe she is forgotten–even if she cannot forget. But just when she lets down her guard, the ghosts of her past are quick to punish her, forcing her back on the run. 

On a plane, struggling to face the devastation of losing everything again and starting over, Amy meets Liam Stone, a darkly entrancing recluse billionaire, who is also a brilliant, and famous, prodigy architect. A man who knows what he wants and goes after it. And what he wants is Amy. Refusing to take “no” as an answer, he sweeps her into a passionate affair, pushing her to her erotic limits. He wants to possess her. He makes her want to be possessed. Liam demands everything from her, accepting nothing less. But what if she is too devastated by tragedy to know when he wants more than she should give? And what if there is more to Liam than meets the eyes?

Escaping Reality is about expecting the unexpected, running away so often that you forget who you are along the way, and possessive and powerful intimacy. This is unfamiliar territory for me. I have never read anything like this before so it took me a little while to get comfortable. Even though the writing felt like fanfiction at times, if we focus solely on the story, it was fast-paced and entertaining. Beware, the sex is explicit and very much based on domination tactics. The beauty of this book--and what takes it from an erotica to an entertaining and interesting novel--is the suspense aspect of the story. The mystery is done so well that you feel paranoid along with Amy. The idea of being completely exposed and vulnerable is both terrifying and absolute brilliant because it works so well with the sex side of the story. They complement each other perfectly.

The characters are good, nothing too unique or completely out of the box but still interesting and complex. I think the mystery part of the story made me proceed with caution and I didn't allow myself to become overly attached to any of the characters. Liam Stone is possessive, and frankly kind of too intense for my liking but his personality works with Amy's. She has deprived herself of so much over the years that the instant connection with a complete stranger is understandable. While she is not weak, I felt like she is vulnerable and lost.

Overall, Escaping Reality is an intense page turner that will keep you up until you finish it. And rest assure, you'll be counting down the days until you can get your hands on the second one because this novel has the mother of all cliffhangers.

Note: A copy of this title was provided to me for free via NetGalley.

 

Review: Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

433 pages

Published: September 10th, 2013 

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

"A coming-of-age tale of fan fiction, family and first love." 

Twins Cath and Wren are starting college. Even though they look exactly alike, Cath is an introvert while Wren is definitely not. Cath, convinced that her sister was going to be by her side like she has always been, is shocked when Wren decides to branch out and not room with her. Wren doesn't even want to continue writing Simon Snow fanfiction with Cath. So what do you do when the person closest to you leaves you all alone? Write more fanfiction, of course! This is the story of change, life, love, and most importantly, finding yourself in this big old world. 

Rainbow Rowell has done it again. Eleanor & Park and Attachments are two of my all time favorite books so I had high expectations for this new novel. It didn't disappoint. Trust me when I tell you, once you pick it up you won't be able to put it down. So, plan accordingly. Like her two previous novels, this story is so realistic and emotionally charged. You'll fall in love with the characters immediately. Cath, Levi, Reagan...they are all so different but they have one thing in common: depth. They are charming without being fake, likable without being boring, interesting without being predictable. The list goes on and on. 

The romance aspect of this book is AMAZING. It isn't "instant love" and it doesn't feel forced. It is organic and beautiful. It is relatable because it doesn't cut any corners. It takes you on a journey of all of the terrifying emotions that come with falling in love for the first time. There are other kinds of relationships and love depicted in this novel that makes it one of the best books of the year. Cath's attachment to her father, her connection to her twin sister, and even the incredible relationship she was with her (sometimes bitchy) roommate makes sure this novel touches every single part of your soul.

Now, the cover. Isn't beautiful? I feel Rowell's books are known for their minimalist covers. This one is a little bit brighter, girlier, and definitely more colorful than the rest. I know that you're not supposed to judge a book by its cover and blahblahblah but look at it! It demands to be read. All I'm saying is that if I die and I have the option to come back as a book cover, I'll choose this one. 

Even though I love all of her novels, Fangirl is my favorite of the bunch because I can relate to Cath in so many different ways. She's just a girl who is scared of growing up and is not ready to let go of her childhood. She's insecure but learns to accept herself along the way and discovers the beauty in trusting others and letting go. Most of us can see a little bit of ourselves in her and ALL of you will fall in love with her journey. I guarantee it. 

ARC Review: Help for the Haunted by John Searles

368 pages

Expected publication: September 17, 2013

Publisher: William Morrow

Help for the Haunted takes us on a psychological and emotional journey into the bizarre family lifestyle of fourteen year old Sylvie Mason. After losing her parents in a horrific way, Sylvie must come to terms with what she witnessed that tragic night while also looking for clues in her parents' past. Between her parents and their strange career as helpers of haunted souls, the aftermath of their murders, and Sylvie's unpredictable and rebellious sister Rose, Help for the Haunted is a thrilling new novel that will keep you guessing until the very last page.

This novel is not only beautifully written but it is also fast paced, interesting, and slightly terrifying. Searles used a nonlinear way of storytelling, which kept me at the edge of my seat. Her sister Rose is insufferable but her demons slowly come to the surface leaving us with a clear picture as to why she was always the odd one out. While the characters are complex, the short span of time presented in this novel is surprisingly enough for some character development. The dynamic between the sister adds a twisted--at times rather chilling--element to the story. My only negative note is that the end didn't feel like a good fit as far as the tone of the rest of the book. The way the story played out in the last fifty pages left me a little dissatisfied. However, it did not by any means ruin the novel for me.

The frightening aspects of Help for the Haunted are sometimes so subtle that you won't know you're terrified until after you turn off the light.  Even though the novel's theme is at its core pretty dark, at the end of the day this is the coming of age story of a young girl trying to make sense of her life after it has been turned upside down.

Note: I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.

Review: Meant to Be by Lauren Morrill

304 pages

Published: November 13th, 2012 

Published by: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Julia Lichtenstein is your typical rule-abiding, straight A student. In a class trip to London, she is partnered with her polar opposite, Jason Lippincott. The roller-coaster that transpires (including but not limited to: parties, texting a mysterious stranger, and (gasp) lots of rule breaking) is more than enough to turn Julia's world upside down and catapult her to the adventure of a lifetime.


1) Do you like London?
2) Do you want to smile like an idiot and/or laugh like a fool?
3) Do you have a couple of hours to spare?

If you answered yes to any of the previous questions, READ THIS BOOK.

I devoured this novel. "Just one more chapter" at two in the morning is usually a sign that the book I'm reading is good. I might be a little biased since A) I've been to London, B) I love it more than life itself, and C) I miss it terribly. This is the reason I picked it up in the first place. A book set in London and one of the most beautiful covers I've ever seen? I had to get my hands on it.

As far a the book itself, the story is not out of this world but I enjoyed it just the same. Lauren Morrill's writing is hilarious and I found myself laughing out loud more than once. The story is light and fast-paced while the characters are entertaining and surprisingly likable.  The cover itself gives you a glimpse of what you're in for and this novel is undeniably as adorable as it looks.

This book is a fun, quick read and you should definitely pick it up if you're looking for a book to read this summer.