Review: A Step Toward Falling by Cammie McGovern

368 pages

Expected publication: October 6th 2015 

Published by HarperTeen

Rating: 3/5

Cammie McGovern follows up her breakout young adult debut, Say What You Will, with this powerful and unforgettable novel about learning from your mistakes, and learning to forgive. Told in alternating points of view, A Step Toward Falling is a poignant, hopeful, and altogether stunning work that will appeal to fans of Jennifer Nevin, Robyn Schneider, and Jandy Nelson. 

Emily has always been the kind of girl who tries to do the right thing—until one night when she does the worst thing possible. She sees Belinda, a classmate with developmental disabilities, being attacked. Inexplicably, she does nothing at all. 

Belinda, however, manages to save herself. When their high school finds out what happened, Emily and Lucas, a football player who was also there that night, are required to perform community service at a center for disabled people. Soon, Lucas and Emily begin to feel like maybe they're starting to make a real difference. Like they would be able to do the right thing if they could do that night all over again. But can they do anything that will actually help the one person they hurt the most?

Belinda, who suffers from developmental disabilities, is attacked under the bleachers at a football game. Since Emily and Lucas witnessed but failed to report the assault, they are forced to volunteer at a center for disabled people. But how can their new role help the one person they abandoned when she needed them the most?

The most important thing you should know about this book is that it carries a couple of very important messages. The biggest one of all is that a disability doesn't define a person. Belinda's point of view doesn't portray her as a character but as a young woman trying to figure out her future.  It was a unique experience to be in the head of someone with a disability. Seeing the world through a different set of eyes made me stop and reevaluate the way I perceive people with disabilities. While Belinda has similar dreams and aspirations as another person her age, her hurdles are exponentially bigger. However, her disability shouldn't set her apart from everyone else because it only hinders the way she approaches things. I love that I was able to take this away with me.

The other big lesson that Cammie McGovern wants you to learn is that speaking up is very important, regardless of how easy it is to do otherwise. This might be aimed to a younger audience but I know plenty of adults that would benefit from a little reminder. I know I did.

Switching gears a little, I want to talk about a few technicalities. The alternating points of view were done very well. Both girls have a distinctive voice and this was a highlight for me. However, I had a few issues with both pacing and plot. Some scenes and characters came off as unnecessary.  I wasn't that interested in the development either because nothing really took off.  I wasn't drawn to the book at all and it took me a few days to finish. I kept finding excuses to walk away from it ("Oh, look! That Doctor Who episode I've seen a hundred times is on!" or "I'm sure someone needs me to do something right about now. Let me go check.") and that's usually a sign that an emotionally connection is not there. This is a huge bummer because I tried really hard to love it but I just couldn't.

A Step Toward Falling is an okay read that delivers a powerful message. Unfortunately, while I learned a lot and I walked away with a new perspective on life, I wouldn't call this one a memorable novel.  Even though I prefer this one over her previous novel, Say What You Will, both are lacking that little something special that differentiates a good novel from a brilliant one.

Review: Liars, Inc. by Paula Stokes

368 pages

Published March 24th 2015 

Published by HarperTeen

Source: Library

Rating: 3/5

For fans of Gone Girl, I Hunt Killers, and TV's How to Get Away with Murder. 

Max Cantrell has never been a big fan of the truth, so when the opportunity arises to sell forged permission slips and cover stories to his classmates, it sounds like a good way to make a little money and liven up a boring senior year. With the help of his friends Preston and Parvati, Max starts Liars, Inc. Suddenly everybody needs something and the cash starts pouring in. Who knew lying could be so lucrative? 

When Preston wants his own cover story to go visit a girl he met online, Max doesn’t think twice about hooking him up. Until Preston never comes home. Then the evidence starts to pile up—terrifying clues that lead the cops to Preston’s body. Terrifying clues that point to Max as the murderer. 

Can Max find the real killer before he goes to prison for a crime he didn’t commit? In a story that Kirkus Reviews called "Captivating to the very end," Paula Stokes starts with one single white lie and weaves a twisted tale that will have readers guessing until the explosive final chapters.

I knew I had to get my hands all over this book as soon as I read "For fans of Gone Girl, I Hunt Killers, and TV's How to Get Away with Murder." I can now tell you that this description is very accurate.  I'm not familiar with I Hunt Killers but Liars, Inc. definitely has elements from the other two. While I don't consider this book a new favorite, I really enjoyed most of it.

The premise is interesting and Stokes definitely delivers a thrilling read. The suspense is there, which is one of the main reasons I kept reading until the end. I love that I didn't see the outcome coming at all. I had hundreds of guesses but they didn't even come close to the craziness that took place. While I loved that this novel keeps you guessing until the very end, I wasn't a huge fan of the romance. I think my only issue with it is that I really didn't like Max's girlfriend, Parvati. I kept waiting for that moment that would make me like her but it never happened. I hate to say this but I think I couldn't fall in love with this novel because of her. 

I'm a huge fan of her previous novel, The Art of Lainey, and this is the polar opposite. I love when writers can transform like this! It makes everything they write feel really new and unexpected. While I'm more of a Lainey kind of reader, I really loved the author's voice and the tone of Liars. If you are looking for a very crazy whodunit, definitely pick this one up! 

ARC Review: On the Fence by Kasie West

320 pages

Expected publication: July 1st, 2014 

Published by: HarperTeen

Source: Giveaway

Rating: 5/5

She's a tomboy. He's the boy next door… 

Charlie Reynolds can outrun, outscore, and outwit every boy she knows. But when it comes to being a girl, Charlie doesn't know the first thing about anything. So when she starts working at a chichi boutique to pay off a speeding ticket, she finds herself in a strange new world. To cope with the stress of her new reality, Charlie takes to spending nights chatting with her neighbor Braden through the fence between their yards. As she grows to depend on their nightly Fence Chats, she realizes she's got a bigger problem than speeding tickets-she's falling for Braden. She knows what it means to go for the win, but if spilling her secret means losing him for good, the stakes just got too high. 

Fun, original, and endearing, On the Fence is a romantic comedy about finding yourself and finding love where you least expect.

Charlie is your typical tomboy--tough, sporty, and clueless to anything girly. Sharing a house with her three brothers isn't easy so she tries to blend in with them. Things get complicated when she's forced to get a job and the only place willing to hire her puts her in a compromising position. Now Charlie has to balance her job as a salesclerk in a women's boutique and her reputation as one of the guys. Not to mention that the guy next door? The one she has known for years? Yeah, she might be developing feelings for him. 

To start off, I cannot tell you how adorable this is. Sure, it might be a little cheesy here and there but I didn't mind. Hey, I like some cheese from time to time.  I love to read something that's going to put a huge smile on my face and this book did exactly that. The great thing about this novel is the perfect balance between a little cheese and a lot of drama. 

I didn't expect Charlie's family to have such a huge role in the book. I was so glad to find out that On the Fence is not just a love story. Charlie and her family are struggling with a huge (and very unexpected) issue and that alone makes this story that much more interesting. Not to mention that the family dynamic is fantastic. Her dad is an important character in the book and I couldn't have been happier that this was the case. Charlie's brothers are hilarious and so awesome that I want individual books about them all. I need her brothers in my life. Need. 

What I loved about this novel is that I was able to connect with Charlie. I'm not a complete tomboy but I'm not very feminine either. I felt like her personality was so much like my own that I was able to understand her struggles and her doubts perfectly. Kasie West has a gift for writing ridiculously attractive guys and Braden is no exception.  There's something incredibly sexy about this guy and I found it hard to believe that it took Charlie so long to notice him. I mean, he's your next door neighbor! Come on, Charlie. Get it together. All kidding aside, there's something magical about reading a great love story, like you're falling in love along with the characters. I felt like I was walking on clouds while reading this one. Even though The Distance Between Us was witty and cute, On The Fence is the perfect mix between fun and serious. It touches your heart a little bit more and I can't wait to experience it again. 

I like to take notes as I read so I can give you detailed information on what I liked, disliked, etc. I didn't take any notes about this novel. Why? Because I was too busy reading it! I didn't want to put it down long enough to write anything about it. It is PERFECT for the beach. I really loved The Distance Between Us and I didn't think this one would top it. I can honestly say that On the Fence is even better! And if you love TDBU as much as I did, there might be a little special appearance by one of our beloved characters in On the Fence. Just saying. 

ARC Review: The Art of Lainey by Paula Stokes

Note: Football/Soccer related GIF will make an appearance in this review. You're welcome.

384 pages

Expected publication: May 20th, 2014 

Published by: HarperTeen

Source: Edelweiss

Rating: 5/5

Soccer star Lainey Mitchell is gearing up to spend an epic summer with her amazing boyfriend, Jason, when he suddenly breaks up with her—no reasons, no warning, and in public no less! Lainey is more than crushed, but with help from her friend Bianca, she resolves to do whatever it takes to get Jason back.

And that’s when the girls stumble across a copy of The Art of War. With just one glance, they're sure they can use the book to lure Jason back into Lainey’s arms. So Lainey channels her inner warlord, recruiting spies to gather intel and persuading her coworker Micah to pose as her new boyfriend to make Jason jealous. After a few "dates", it looks like her plan is going to work! But now her relationship with Micah is starting to feel like more than just a game. 

What's a girl to do when what she wants is totally different from what she needs? How do you figure out the person you're meant to be with, if you're still figuring out the person you're meant to be?

There's something you need to know about me before you read any further: I LOVE FOOTBALL (aka soccer). A lot. Almost as much as I love reading. Why am I telling you this? Because the fact that our main character Lainey is not only a football/soccer star but she's also not described as the stereotypical "sporty type" had me doing cartwheels and hugging my kindle so hard that I almost exploded into rainbows.

Lainey Mitchell is a really fun character. At the beginning of the novel, she's a shallow, popular girl--almost reminiscent of Jane Austen's Emma Woodhouse--whose goals in life are to play soccer and to get her ex-boyfriend Jason back. This leaves so much room for character development and Paul Stokes definitely takes advantage of it. I loved reading about Lainey's journey and how it changes her for the better. Most of the time women athletes are depicted as manly but that's not the case here. I can't tell you how much I appreciated that. Yes, football/soccer is Lainey's life. Yes, she's still a girl (a very feminine one at that) and that's awesome! Stokes deserves a million kitties for that.

As much as I loved Micah, I'm not going to talk about him. Oh, no. I won't mention his charm or his hilarious comments. I won't even tell you how much I want him in my life or the fact that I would read an entire book dedicated to him. I want to focus on the other boy in our main character's life. My favorite part is how much I hated Jason. He's obviously wrong for Lainey and everyone can see that but her. You how terrible he is from the very beginning, which makes Lainey's attempt to get him back a lot more frustrating. I just wanted Jason to get out of the way so Micah could be the last man standing.

Sorry, I just had to include this.

I loved the way Paula Stokes modernized The Art of War and how seamlessly it was incorporated into the novel. The writing is very descriptive and fun which makes this book one of those you can't stay away from for long. I particularly loved that the dialogue was believable and hilarious. The bickering between Lainey and Micah is one of my favorite aspects of the novel and one that a lot of people will enjoy. Their relationship develops in a very natural way so their dynamic changes as the novel progresses. They take each other out of their comfort zones and that connection elevates the novel to something more than just a cute high school romance. Stokes also does a great job with her secondary characters. From Lainey's best friend to Micah's sister, every character has a place and a story. Overall, every aspect of the story worked really well together to create a very enjoyable novel.

Even though I really liked this novel and I gave it a 5/5, I have to admit the plot itself is predictable. However, I had so much fun reading this book that I didn't care. If you're looking for an adorable novel then this is it! Pick up The Art of Lainey and get ready to have a smile on your face from the very beginning until the very end.

Review: Maybe One Day by Melissa Kantor

384 pages

Published: February 18th, 2014 

Published by: HarperTeen

Rating: 3/5

Critically acclaimed author Melissa Kantor masterfully captures the joy of friendship, the agony of loss, and the unique experience of being a teenager in this poignant new novel about a girl grappling with her best friend's life-threatening illness.

Zoe and her best friend, Olivia, have always had big plans for the future, none of which included Olivia getting sick. Still, Zoe is determined to put on a brave face and be positive for her friend.

Even when she isn't sure what to say.

Even when Olivia misses months of school. 

Even when Zoe starts falling for Calvin, Olivia's crush. 

The one thing that keeps Zoe moving forward is knowing that Olivia will beat this, and everything will go back to the way it was before. It has to. Because the alternative is too terrifying for her to even imagine. 

In this incandescent page-turner, which follows in the tradition of The Fault in Our Stars, Melissa Kantor artfully explores the idea that the worst thing to happen to you might not be something that is actually happening to you. Raw, irreverent, and honest, Zoe's unforgettable voice and story will stay with readers long after the last page is turned.

Maybe One Day is a story about friendship, not about cancer.  Zoe and Olivia are two inseparable young girls who are focused on their future and are not expecting the curveball life's about to throw their way. When Olivia is diagnosed with leukemia, Zoe has to balance her constant need to be near her friend and her life outside of Olivia's illness.

I didn't love this one but I didn't hate it either. The story is told through the perspective of the healthy friend, Zoe, which is interesting. You get to experience Olivia's sickness from the outside and it gives  you the chance to see how the people close to her are overwhelmed with her diagnosis. However, her point of view hinders the emotional connection that I was expecting to get while reading this book. I never felt sad about Olivia's situation because I didn't feel like I knew her enough. I didn't see her as anything other than Zoe's friend and I wasn't affected by what she was going through because we don't get to read about her perspective.  Zoe's constant struggle between living her life and being there for her friend creates that bond between the girls but it wasn't enough. I'm a very emotional reader and I didn't cry. Not once. Did I feel sad? Sure. But the story didn't haunt me like I thought it would. There's also some romance thrown into this novel and I felt like it was very flat and not very well developed. I do have a little crush on Calvin, though. All in all, I wasn't able to connect with the story or the characters and considering this is a story about a teenager with cancer, that's not such a good thing. 

I think the downfall of this novel is the marketing campaign. It is being sold as the next The Fault in Our Stars, which is a tall order and completely out of reach for many loyal readers of John Green. While this story touches your heart in more ways than one, it has too much fluff to impact you the way The Fault in Our Stars manages to do. If we focus on Maybe One Day as an individual rather than comparing it to such a successful novel, we can see its vulnerability and the message of mortality that it sends the reader. It addresses friendship, lost, and love in a nice little package. Even though Maybe One Day could've been a lot better, I liked Zoe's journey and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys realistic novels about difficult issues. 

Shatter Me Trilogy - Review

    

Why you should read it: To call this trilogy "explosive" and "goddamn addicting" doesn't do it any justice. I was a little unsure about it after reading Shatter Me. If this also happened to you, please do yourself a favor a continue on with the series. It has become one of my all-time favorites, with one of the most interesting male characters I've ever read and some of the most beautiful writing you'll ever come across in the YA world. 

Who should read it: Even though I want everyone and their mother to read this one, I wouldn't recommend this series to everyone. Here's why: 

• While the writing is beautiful--poetic, unique, and breathtaking--it isn't for everyone. The writing is choppy and very raw. There are metaphors left and right, which I can't get enough of but they might annoy some people. The structure is so different from anything I've ever read that it took me a little while to get into it. If you can learn to appreciate the writing for what it is, you'll fall in love with it. If you don't think you can do that, this series is not for you.
• Love. Triangle. Two words that make me stay away from any book. I hate love triangles with a passion. I think they're usually used as a way to create tension and they rarely benefit the story. However, I feel like the love triangle in this trilogy is done right. It isn't predictable and it will make you switch back and forth between the love interests. There is nothing more addicting than the beautifully written romantic scenes in these novels. I even have them bookmarked and I never do that. So, if you hate love triangles, maybe give this one a chance? Just this once? 

Overall rating: 4.5/5 

The story progresses in such a way that the books get better and better. The battle between Team Adam vs. Team Warner reaches a boiling point by the time we get to Ignite Me. While I was Team Adam after reading Shatter Me (and I was still annoyed about the whole love triangle thing--I mean, Adam was obviously the good one and there was no point to Warner), Destroy Me and Unravel Me played with my heartstrings and made me change my mind. That, my friends, is a love triangle done right. 

Flash Review - January Edition

More Than This by Patrick Ness

What I liked about it: This one must be the most confusing novel I've ever read. However, that made me love it so much more. I wasn't prepared for everything that happened in this book--trust me, it is an adventure--so you'll love the twists and turns and the unpredictable nature of this novel. 

What I didn't like about it: I had a hard time getting into the story at first. Once you really immerse yourself in the story, there's no way you'll be able to put it down.

Similar to: This one is so unique I'm having a hard time comparing it to another novel. Just read anything by Patrick Ness. That man is a genius. 

Don't Breathe a Word by Holly Cupala

What I liked about it: This story is beautiful. The characters are complex and interesting. I love how the themes of the book---homeless teens and abuse--are represented in such a raw and heartbreaking way. 

What I didn't like about it: The ending is weak compared to the rest of the story. I'm not a fan of stories that tie every loose end, especially in books with such a strong message. 

Similar to: Easy by Tammara Webber, The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay, and Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. 

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

What I liked about it:  I really enjoyed some elements of this story: strong female character, good world building, and possibly one of my favorite male characters (Chaol).

What I didn't like about it: It had a lot less action than I was expecting. And it took me over a month to read. That's a deal breaker right there. 

Similar to: Graceling by Kristin Cashore, Sanctum (Guards of the Shadowlands #1) by Sarah Fine, and Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor.

The Dust of 100 Dogs by A.S. King

What I liked about it: I took a piracy class in college and I really enjoyed putting that knowledge to use. 

What I didn't like about it: To be honest, this one really made me uncomfortable. Some scenes---including rape and animal abuse--were really tough to read.

Similar to: This is the first Pirate Fiction I've ever read so I can't recommend another. However, a good non-fiction read is If a Pirate I Must Be: The True Story of Black Bart, "King of the Caribbean Pirates" by Richard Sanders. 

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

What I liked about it: I loved every single page. The Rosie Project touched my heart in so many ways. Don Tillman is by far the most interesting characters I've ever come across. His voice is so unique and remarkably witty. I'm familiar with Asperger's and I think Graeme Simsion did a really fantastic job at representing Don's world and the way his brain functions. His behavioral patterns and his social interactions were fascinating to read. As far as the plot itself, I enjoyed it immensely. It was light, funny, and heartwarming. I can't wait to read more novels from this author in the future

What I didn't like about it: Honestly, this one is a five star novel for me. 

Similar to: This novel is not YA but I'll compare it to Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell--based on the feel-good awesomeness--and I think it is a perfect Contemporary novel for any John Green fan. 

The Elite (The Selection #2) by Kiera Cass

323 pages

Published: April 23rd, 2013 

Published by: HarperTeen

At the end of the first book of The Selection series, Prince Maxon chose his top six contenders (refer to as "the elite") to the title of princess of Illea. This is where The Elite picks up. If you haven't read the first book of the series, America Singer is the protagonist and one of the last six girls fighting for Prince Maxon. Even though this book might be classified as "dystopian," it is really difficult for me to see it as such when the books do not put a lot of emphasis on the world around the characters. The series is more focused on "The Bachelor" aspect of the story. Even though the series are more of a "fun read" than anything else, The Elite left me more than unimpressed.

Unfortunately for fans of the first book, The Elite does not make a lot of progress in the right direction. I feel like breaking this story in three parts might have been a mistake. In all honesty, this story could have been told in one book. I say this simply because nothing important happened in The Elite. The entire book was focused on the love triangle between Prince Maxon, America, and Aspen. While we got a taste of this in the first book, the second book focused ENTIRELY on America's indecision. The one moment that "changed" everything for America and made her doubt her feelings toward Prince Maxon wasn't enough for me. It didn't explain her dramatic change of heart nor did it excuse her behavior. Even though I didn't love America in the first book, she was unbearable in this one.

I am not a fan of giving bad reviews but this book left me so frustrated. I'll be reading the last one just to know what happens but I won't be dying of curiosity until it comes out.