The Iron Queen (Iron Fey #3) by Julie Kagawa

The Iron Queen (Iron Fey #3)

by Julie Kagawa

Paperback, 358 pages

Published January 25th 2011 by Harlequin Teen 

Source: Netgalley

Plot:

My name is Meghan Chase.I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who's sworn to stand by my side. Drag me into the core of conflict so powerful, I'm not sure anyone can survive it.
This time, there will be no turning back.

My Thoughts:

I am absolutely in love with this series. The Iron Fey series is one of my all time favorite series. This series has taken me on a whirlwind journey and I have loved every second of it. Throughout this series there has been tons of actions and stakes that make me hang on to the edge of my seat and forgo nights of sleep just to see what happens next.

The love story between Ash and Meghan is so epic. Their love for each other shines on every page and I can only pray the next book in the series The Iron Knight continues this pattern.

The end to the series in Meghan's point of view broke my heart. I so didn't want it to end like that. But I have faith that Ash's story, The Iron Knight, will mend the pieces.

Kudos Ms. Kagawa on a kick ass series!

The Jersey Shore Version of Twilight

Okay, I died laughing at this because it combines two of my guilty pleasures. Twilight and Jersey Shore. Check It out!

Our 5 Star Book List of 2011

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

It's time for us here at Reading, Writing and Waiting to round up all the novels we've reviewed during 2011 that received the coveted five star rating. I want to thank all of my review partners for their hardwork this year! I am so glad you came on board with me. I couldn't have got through all the reviews without you!! So, without further ado, here's the Young Adult novels we went Gah-Gah over last year:



Clarity by Kim Harrington
"First off, um, WOW!! This book has easily pushed its way to one of my favorite novels. True crime mysteries in YA are few and far between, and Clarity helps fill that void. This novel totally reminds me of a psychic Veronica Mars, and those of you who know me know how much I loooooooooove Veronica Mars. I know I'm not alone on that one. :)"--Annie



Demon Glass by Rachel Hawkins
"I loved every second of this book and it's so hard not to spill the beans because I could go on and on about the plot. There are so many things that happen in this book that make me think WTF, and OMG what's gonna happen next. This book is a must read for the Sophie Mercer fans out there."--Annie



Wither by Lauren Destefano
"There's just something about a forbidden love that hooks me every time. Rhine's relationship with Gabriel is risky. They'd be killed if anyone ever found out she liked anyone other than her husband, Liden, and that heightens the stakes tremendously. "--Annie



Vicious Little Darlings by Katherine Easer
"A good young adult contemporary novel, to me, is gritty and real, with a plot that is reasonable, yet has a great twist. A twist I can't guess by the second chapter of the novel. Well, my friends, I am so happy to tell you I found that in Vicious Little Darlings."--Annie



Secrets (The Ivy #2) by Lauren Kunze
"The drama kept me turning the pages. I just had to know what was going on, plus book one left off with a huge cliff hanger, so I was immediately hooked into book two."--Annie 



Lure by Stephaine Jenkins
"The voice in the first paragraph hooked me right away and told me this was a girl I could totally be friends with. She isn't afraid to call someone out on their crap, which in my eyes makes for an awesome female lead character. She will keep you on your toes."--Annie



We'll Always Have Summer: Jenny Han
"OMG, you guys. That's all I have to say about the final book in this series. I liked the first book, really liked the second book and absolutely LOVED the third. The third book was so emotional."--Annie



The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa
"I literally carried this book around with me everywhere until I finished it. Not since Edward in Twilight has a love interest hooked me this way. He has so many inner demons and Meghan is the one person who can get beneath that frigid layer of ice that surrounds his heart. Love him!"--Annie



Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini
"Gah! I love, love stories. Especially when the two people in the relationship want to kill each other all the time!"--Annie



Crush Control by Jennifer Jabaley
"I read through CRUSH CONTROL at lightning speed because I couldn't stop myself! I remember reading about this sale in Publisher's Marketplace and thinking how awesome it sounded, and it didn't disappoint. I loved it!"--Jamie



Hourglass by Myra McEntire

"I just finished this novel and it was AWESOME. This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2011 and I’m happy to report it didn’t disappoint. This time travel novel defiantly stood out among the sea of paranormal books out there on the YA shelf."--Annie



The Future of Us by Jay Asher & Carolyn Mackler
"Added to the dual main characters are their two best friends--an on again, off again couple--who are fun and quirky. The ending is sweet and satisfying--not over-done or under-cooked. I give THE FUTURE OF US five stars! (Who didn't see that coming?) :)" --Jamie



Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally
"All I can say is wow. I absolutely adored this book, the cast of characters was well-rounded and not what I was expecting AT ALL. A girl who is not only the leading quarterback, but captain of her team, respected and loved by the team mates? Never would've thought it could be pulled off and with such talent."--Jenn



Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire
"This is one of those books, either you love it or you hate it. I've seen this novel referred to as literary crack before, and I have to say I agree. This novel grabbed me from the moment the bad boy love interest stepped on the scene. He was amazing. He did things that I didn't expect and I was shocked. SHOCKED and appalled by some of the things he did in this book, which in large part hooked me even more."--Annie



Everneath by Brodi Ashton
"I love it when a novel is so out in left field, it defies ever rational thought I have about what the underworld is suppose to be like. Plus, anything that can tie in Greek mythology and make you wonder if some things could actually be true…is a fantastic book. EVERNEATH grabbed me by the arms and yanked me into it’s world. I could not put it down. I read it in, like, two sittings. It’s that good!"--Annie



Lola and the Boy Next Door Stephanie Perkins

"What can I say? Stephanie Perkins creates contemporary magic. LOLA AND THE BOY NEXT DOOR was witty, and quite simply, irresistible. I couldn't put it down. "--Annie

You can find full reviews of our five star novels HERE.

We love bringing you book reviews and would like to thank all of our followers, commentors, and guests for an awesome year. 2012 is gonna rock!! Thank you all for checking us out! We love you all!

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


What can I say? Stephanie Perkins creates contemporary magic. LOLA AND THE BOY NEXT DOOR was witty, and quite simply, irresistible. I couldn't put it down.



Perkins hooked me with the mystery on why the main character, Lola, had such built up anger at Cricket, the boy next door. Now I will say the name Cricket threw me off. It didn't exactly scream hot guy. BUT it fit the love interests character. Cricket was quirky, just like his name.



The narrative Perkins created with Lola felt authentic. I totally believed she was that rebellious chick from my high school who didn't give a damn about what people thought about her clothes. She was only concerned about pleasing her inner artist. So it was awesome to tap into a character like that. Lola was totally kick ass, and I loved her.



Lola's older boyfriend, Max was definitely a hot character. And let's face it, there's something alluring about older guys to teenage girls. Rebellion comes to mind. I loved reading about them. The last YA novels that come to mind with an older love interest was Vampire Academy and Going To Far. So it was great to read that same twist here. Added some spice. Plus he was a rocker. Who doesn't like reading about HOT rocker dudes?



Another thing I liked about this novel was the cameo appearance by Anna and St. Clair from ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS. I freakin' loved that book and was so happy to read a little more about them.



So if you are a YA contemporary fan, add this one to your list!



View all my reviews

Everneath (Everneath #1) by Brodi Ashton

Everneath (Everneath #1)

by Brodi Ashton 

Hardcover, 370 pages

Expected publication: January 24th 2012 by Harper Collins / Balzer + Bray 

Source: Netgalley

Plot:

Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever.

She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen.

As Nikki's time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she's forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's...

My Thoughts:

I just closed this book and felt compelled to write this review right away. There are so many paranormal books out there that sometimes they all seem to blend together. Then, when you least expect it, you begin a paranormal novel that is so different you can’t put it down. I love it when a novel is so out in left field, it defies ever rational thought I have about what the underworld is suppose to be like. Plus, anything that can tie in Greek mythology and make you wonder if some things could actually be true…is a fantastic book. EVERNEATH grabbed me by the arms and yanked me into it’s world. I could not put it down. I read it in, like, two sittings. It’s that good!

The Everneath is a place where immortals called Everlastings, take Forfeits, basically human sacrifices, to the Feed.  They feed off emotions. And when we meet our main character she is just coming out of the Feed, and things are a little confusing, but so interesting you’ll find that you can’t turn the pages quick enough to find out what’s going on and how things got to the point they are. This was so different. This was a completely new description of hell and what is like. And I’ve never met an immortal like these.

Another interesting thing about this book is the transitions. Often times I find myself skimming parts of the story on how a character gets from one scene to the next. Everneath there wasn’t a need to do that. There will just be a short italicized line that says: In my room, in my car, at Cole’s condo. That was really refreshing. I liked it because it cut to the chase and kept me hooked.

I recommend this novel to ANY paranormal lover. I cannot wait for book #2. I gotta know what happens. Nik and Jack’s love story tore me apart and I want more. It’s so great. This novel makes my top ten best books I read in 2011 list! Mark this one on your TO BE READ list immediately.

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire Review

Title: Beautiful Disaster
Author: Jamie McGuire
Source: Amazon (self published)

Two Different Covers Available:

Plot: 

The new Abby Abernathy is a good girl. She doesn’t drink or swear, and she has the appropriate percentage of cardigans in her wardrobe. Abby believes she has enough distance between her and the darkness of her past, but when she arrives at college with her best friend America, her path to a new beginning is quickly challenged by Eastern University’s Walking One-Night Stand.

Travis Maddox, lean, cut, and covered in tattoos, is exactly what Abby needs—and wants—to avoid. He spends his nights winning money in a floating fight ring, and his days as the charming college co-ed. Intrigued by Abby’s resistance to his charms, Travis tricks her into his daily life with a simple bet. If he loses, he must remain abstinent for a month. If Abby loses, she must live in Travis’ apartment for the same amount of time. Either way, Travis has no idea that he has met his match.

My Thoughts:

This is one of those books, either you love it or you hate it. I've seen this novel referred to as literary crack before, and I have to say I agree. This novel grabbed me from the moment the bad boy love interest stepped on the scene. He was amazing. He did things that I didn't expect and I was shocked. SHOCKED and appalled by some of the things he did in this book, which in large part hooked me even more. So many times I find myself predicting what's going to happen in a novel. Most of the time I'm spot on. I've read a ton of books and just about all YA books follow a certain formula ,so to speak, that make them predictable.I couldn't do that with this book.

The one thing about this novel is it's self published, so sure it had some things that maybe needed tweaked, but the main plot is about the relationship between the main character and the love interest and it's strong. It was hard to tell at times that this was self published! Not since Twilight have I read a novel formulated around the connection of two people that hooked me completely. I mean, I read this book twice in about a week because I missed the characters after the first go around.

I recommended this novel to my fellow reviewers here at READING, WRITING AND WAITING and there are a couple that are Team Travis right along with me and one other I know for sure didn't really like it. So, I recommend this book to be read with an open mind. Sure the love interest is a little heinous at times, and sure there are some parts that are unbelievable and could've been tweaked. But read it if you adore romances that are a little reminiscent of Harlequins with smokin' hot love interests.

---Annie

Catching Jordan by Miranda Keneally

Title: Catching Jordan
Author: Miranda Keneally
Source: NetGalley
Published: December 1st 2011 by Sourcebooks Fire

Plot:

What girl doesn't want to be surrounded by gorgeous jocks day in and day out? Jordan Woods isn't just surrounded by hot guys, though-she leads them as the captain and quarterback of her high school football team. They all see her as one of the guys, and that's just fine. As long as she gets her athletic scholarship to a powerhouse university. But now there's a new guy in town who threatens her starting position... suddenly she's hoping he'll see her as more than just a teammate.

My Thoughts:
All I can say is wow. I absolutely adored this book, the cast of characters was well-rounded and not what I was expecting AT ALL. A girl who is not only the leading quarterback, but captain of her team, respected and loved by the team mates? Never would've thought it could be pulled off and with such talent. It was believable, partly because she wasn't just some girl who happened to be able to play football, she was from a football family with a pro father and brother on the way to the pros. The family complications were real, along with her flaws and insecurities. It had a great plot that didn't depend on a mean girl or guy to bring conflict to the main character, which is refreshing. Great voice, hooked me from the beginning and I ignored everything else in my life until I finished it. In the middle of the day! And the romance was hot, believable and so messy, just like real life. Add in a swoon-worthy cover and I give it five stars!

THE FUTURE OF US!

How excited was I when I opened a package from my editor and this (THIS!) was inside?

YES! An ARC of the eagerly anticipated Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler collaboration!  I happen to be a HUGE Jay Asher fan.

It came with the stipulation that I had to finish the draft of my revised manuscript before I read it - how's that for motivation?

Published by Razorbill, THE FUTURE OF US is set to release November 21 and is available for pre-order.

It's 1996, and less than half of all American high school students have ever used the Internet.

Emma just got her first computer and an America Online CD-ROM.

Josh is her best friend. They power up and log on--and discover themselves on Facebook, fifteen years in the future.

Everybody wonders what their Destiny will be. Josh and Emma are about to find out.

In alternating POV, Asher and Mackler take the reader on a journey with Emma and Josh into their future and also through their present and what this discovery means to both of them. 

Romance complicates everything for Emma and Josh.  Are they dating "the one"?  If they find "the one" now, how will they keep "the one"?  Are they too young to know what they want in the future for themselves or from a partner?  Are they even the same people fifteen years from now (1996)? And what happens when they interfere with the future?  Can it ever go back, or have they destroyed it forever?

Added to the dual main characters are their two best friends--an on again, off again couple--who are fun and quirky.  The ending is sweet and satisfying--not over-done or under-cooked. 

I give THE FUTURE OF US five stars!  (Who didn't see that coming?) :)

---Jamie

Hourglass (Hourglass #1) by Myra McEntire

Hourglass by Myra McEntire

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I just finished this novel and it was AWESOME. This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2011 and I’m happy to report it didn’t disappoint. This time travel novel defiantly stood out among the sea of paranormal books out there on the YA shelf.



Emerson is such a great character. She’s so flawed, which makes her seem real. She practically leaped off the pages. I loved how she was will to take risks. She wasn’t afraid to risk it all to go after what she wants. Her ability is amazing. It kept me hooked in the novel. I wanted to find out what she was capable of.



There are two boys in this book. Both totally swoon worthy. One guy, Michael, you meet at the beginning of the book and he has what I like to call the typical YA relationship with Emerson. She sees him and is totally smitten and talks about his hotness A LOT. I personally don’t mind a character being completely GA-GA over a boy, but I know it turns a lot of people off. Their relationship does grow, so hang in there for a little depth. The boy that stole the show for me was Kaleb. Let me just say, um, WOW. He’s hot. A little reckless, tattoos, muscles and totally into Emerson—my kind of guy. Kaleb wasn’t afraid to make it known that Emerson had another choice other than Michael. Kaleb was totally my pick. There’s a solid love triangle in this novel and I really want to see how it plays out.



The last ten chapters or so were the best in the book. I flew through them. My ereader could barely keep up. I love the twists and turns the story took. Myra did a great job weaving past, present and future together. I’m left with a ton of questions and what ifs after reading this novel. I can’t wait to get my hands on book 2 to get some answers!



www.youngadultbookworm.blogspot.com



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CRUSH CONTROL Review and Giveaway!!

Title: Crush Control 
Author: Jennifer Jabaley
Publisher: Razorbill
Source: ARC

Reading, Writing and Waiting is excited to be part of Jennifer Jabaley's CRUSH CONTROL blog tour! 

I read through CRUSH CONTROL at lightning speed because I couldn't stop myself!  I remember reading about this sale in Publisher's Marketplace and thinking how awesome it sounded, and it didn't disappoint.  I loved it!

Here's the blurb:

Willow has spent most of her life as her mother's sidekick in a popular Las Vegas hypnotism show. So when she and her mom move back to their sleepy southern hometown to start over, she thinks she's in for a life of quiet normalcy. Except that her new life turns out to be anything but, when she kinda sorta hypnotizes Quinton, the hottest guy on the football team, to fall madly, deeply, head over heels in love with her. But what started out as an innocent way to make her best friend, Max, jealous soon gets way out of hand, and Willow begins to wonder if the mind - and more importantly, the heart - is something you can really control.

From the first chapter, I was a fan of Willow.  She's quirky and funny and 100% relatable.  When her dog starts humping hot guy, Quinton's leg at the park when they first meet, I was as humiliated for Willow as she was for herself. 

Willow's BFF, Max, once chubby nice guy turned hottie, is swoon-worthy, but not above letting Willow know when he's disappointed in her for considering using hypnosis herself.  But once the popularity takes hold and Willow can honestly say her hypnosis is helping others, it's hard to turn back...until it all goes very, very wrong.

Threaded through the story is a secondary plot about Willow's mom and grandma and what it takes to accept your child for who they are.  It's equally well done and heart-warming. 

This is a five star book that I plan to read again and again. 

Do you want to own the Crush Control ARC?

All you need to do is leave a comment with your email address.  Extra points for tweeting the contest - just make sure to @JamieMBlair me, so I know you tweeted!  Winner will be picked at random on FRIDAY, July 22!

Tales of Summer Romance

Tales of Summer Romance, A Collection of Short Stories by Fiction Flurry


My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Love this collection. The stories range from Contemp to Historical. Great mix! Plus it features Historical Romance writer Susan Gee Heino (Author of Mistress By Mistake, Damsel in Distress, Temptress in Training). Great book for a cheap price to add to you ereader. A portion of the profits goes to charity too!




View all my reviews

Guest Post by Katherine Easer Author of Vicious Little Darlings

DISCOVERING SARAH

By Katherine Easer

Before I began writing Vicious Little Darlings, I thought I had a pretty good idea of who my narrator was. Her name was Sarah Weaver, and she was a brown-eyed, raven-haired seventeen-year-old from California. I knew Sarah’s religious beliefs, past experiences, fears, weaknesses, and talents. I even knew her thoughts on Justin Timberlake. Feeling fairly prepared, I began to write.

Thirty pages into my first draft, I realized I didn’t know Sarah at all. The pages were lifeless; her voice was flat. Sarah said what I wanted her to say, and she did what the plot required her to do, but she didn’t feel like a real person. She existed solely in the left hemisphere of my brain—though I didn’t know that at the time—and hadn’t yet come to life. I threw away my pages and spent the rest of the day trying to get to know her. Frantic brainstorming ensued. I interviewed Sarah, free wrote, drank a lot of coffee, free wrote some more. Still, she eluded me. Maybe what I needed was to relax, I thought, and to let my mind wander. I ran a bath. I lit candles and waited for inspiration to strike. Nothing happened. Frustrated, I decided to sit at my desk and try writing again, but three dull paragraphs and an hour later, I was exhausted. It was midnight, and I needed sleep.

When my head hit the pillow, a strange and magical thing occurred. I heard a voice in my head. It was a voice I didn’t recognize, but I knew that it belonged to Sarah. Though I had heard about this kind of thing from other writers, I’d never experienced it firsthand. My subconscious was now engaged, and Sarah, in her own words, was telling me about her life. She was sassy, snarky, and a little bit angry, and she wouldn’t stop talking. I turned on the light and wrote down everything she said.

Writing didn’t exactly become easy after that, but it became easier. I realized that it was when I stopped trying to define, control, judge, or even think about Sarah that she sprang to life. I learned that I didn’t have to force the writing; I just had to let go and trust my narrator. And when I did that, interesting things began to happen. --Katherine Easer

Katherine Easer is the author of Vicious Little Darlings. You can visit her at: www.katherineeaser.com



THANK YOU Katherine for a brilliant guest post. Those are exactly the kinds of stories readers want to know. I wish you much success on the books release!

Be Sure and check out Katherine's novel VICIOUS LITTLE DARLINGS (Hits shelves June 21st 2011). It's one of my favorite novels this year! Put this one down on your to be read list IMMEDIATELY. You can read my review ->HERE<- and see how I gushed away about it even before I knew how awesome the author was.  ;)

STARCROSSED by JOSEPHINE ANGELINI - Review

Title: STARCROSSED
Author: Josephine Angelini
Hardcover, 496 pages

Expected publication: May 31st 2011 by HarperTeen

Plot:

How do you defy destiny?


Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is—no easy task on an island as small and sheltered as Nantucket. And it's getting harder. Nightmares of a desperate desert journey have Helen waking parched, only to find her sheets damaged by dirt and dust. At school she's haunted by hallucinations of three women weeping tears of blood . . . and when Helen first crosses paths with Lucas Delos, she has no way of knowing they're destined to play the leading roles in a tragedy the Fates insist on repeating throughout history.

As Helen unlocks the secrets of her ancestry, she realizes that some myths are more than just legend. But even demigod powers might not be enough to defy the forces that are both drawing her and Lucas together—and trying to tear them apart.

My Thoughts:

Gah! I love, love stories. Especially when the two people in the relationship want to kill each other all the time! LOL

This one was so good. I loved the spin on Greek mythology--very original. The first couple chapters really just help the reader get to know the main character and build repore with her, but then once we meet Lucas I was absolutely hooked. Romance makes or breaks a story for me and it definitely made the story here for me.
Read this one if you are a romance junkie!

The Iron Daughter (Iron Fey #2) by Julie Kagawa

The Iron Daughter (Iron Fey #2)

by Julie Kagawa

Paperback, 359 pages
Published August 1st 2010 by Harlequin Teen (first published July 27th 2010)

Plot:
Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron fey—ironbound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her.


Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's stuck in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.

My Thoughts:

I'm a little late hoping on the Iron Fey ban wagon, but I love this series. Book #1 in this series totally hooked me in and this novel started off right where the first book left off. It was good to find out what was happening between Meghan and Ash. I'd missed them when I ended book one.

There's just something about a guy who tries to push the main character away because it's for his and her own good, but just can't fight his heart even though he knows the girl can throw his world off balance. This novel has that. In book one we really get to know Meghan and Ash and the short novella, Winter's Passage,  that falls between books one and two is a MUST READ. It lets you in on what happened on the rest of their journey to the Winter Kingdom and draws you further into the love story.

Ash is such a well developed character. He makes the story so enthralling, I literally carried this book around with me everywhere until I finished it. Not since Edward in Twilight has a love interest hooked me this way. He has so many inner demons and Meghan is the one person who can get beneath that frigid layer of ice that surrounds his heart. Love him!

Bottom line, I love this series and can't wait to read more. I've already read The Iron Queen and will post my review soon. I'm super excited that Ms. Kagawa is releasing a story soon from Ash's point of view. If you haven't read this series, DO IT!!

We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han - Review

Title: We'll Always Have Summer (Summer #3)

Author: Jenny Han

Series: Summer

Hardcover, 288 pages

Published April 26th 2011 by Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Source: Galley Grab

Plot:

It's been two years since Conrad told Belly to go with Jeremiah. She and Jeremiah have been inseparable ever since, even attending the same college-- only, their relationship hasn't exactly been the happily ever after Belly had hoped it would be. And when Jeremiah makes the worst mistake a boy can make, Belly is forced to question what she thought was true love. Does she really have a future with Jeremiah? Has she ever gotten over Conrad? It's time for Belly to decide, once and for all, who has her heart forever.

My Thoughts:

If you haven't read the first two books stop here!
OMG, you guys. That's all I have to say about the final book in this series. I liked the first book, really liked the second book and absolutely LOVED the third. The third book was so emotional. Jeremiah had moments where I wanted to punch him in the face (you'll find out why about 20-30 pages in), which took me off guard because I never thought I'd feel that way toward him based on the previous novels. Jeremiah was always sweet and caring, and I found what he did was totally out of character for him, but I think it was a necessary evil that had to be done to help the story along, even the best guys flubbed up some times. That being said I loved the drama this novel brought. It was very real. Struggles real couples go through all the time, which makes for an awesome contemporary novel in my eyes.

The ending was bitter sweet. I think Belly made the right choice in the end. The last 10 chapters were the best in the whole book. Gah! They were so good I re-read them three times. Loved them!

If you are a YA contemporary fan or YA romance fan you'll love this series, especially this book! Awesome read! It'll hook you.

Lure by Stephanie Jenkins

Title: Lure
Author: Stephanie Jenkins
Source: Ebook
Kindle Edition
Published March 29th 2011
Series: Siren's Lure

Plot:

Charlotte Brewer is sure she's crazy when she hears singing drifting from the ocean-normal people don't have arias playing on repeat in their head. When she gets wasted at a party and investigates the ethereal tune, she almost drowns. Charlotte comes to with an overwhelming thirst for salt water, a new desire to eat fish, and a heartbeat of only seven beats a minute. She wakes up by the sea almost every day and dead men wash up hours later.


But then Charlotte meets Lorelei, a siren. Lorelei reveals she saved her from drowning with the "Siren's Kiss"-a curse that made Charlotte a soulless immortal. Her role as a siren is simple: guide the souls of the dead at sea. Too bad taking care of the dead means being stuck in the middle of a war between a fertility goddess and the sirens . . . and losing her soul. If Charlotte wants to regain her mortality, she must find love with a mortal. And if she fails to secure it, she risks becoming a puppet to the gods.

My Thoughts:

I've read a ton of books, and I have to say Lure surpasses a lot of the books I've read lately. Charlotte  makes you root for her. Her story is so addictive. I literally couldn't put it down. The voice in the first paragraph hooked me right away and told me this was a girl I could totally be friends with. She isn't afraid to call someone out on their crap, which in my eyes makes for an awesome female lead character. She will keep you on your toes.


I was captivated by the first chapter. I just had to find out what/who was singing and putting Charlotte in a trace where time would literally be sucked away from her. The Siren's song that calls to her hypnotizes her and causes her to do some crazy things.

The other characters in the novel were also well written. It's so hard to make secondary characters lovable, but Jenkins has done an awesome job of making me care for them and interested in their stories as well.

If you want romance in a YA novel, this one is for you. Wyatt sizzles and I can see why Charlotte is attracted to him. Hooray for hot boys in YA!! LOL This really kept the read going too. I wanted to know more about him and I rooted for him and Charlotte to hook up.

There is plenty of mystery and suspense in this novel, so if your looking for a YA fantasy novel to read that rocks and still doesn't break the bank, give LURE a shot!! I love, love, loved it and would totally recommend!!

Get it Here for only 99cents!!!:

Secrets (Ivy 2) by Lauren Kunze and Rina Onur

Title: Secrets (Ivy 2)
Authors: Lauren Kunze and Rina Onur
Hardcover, 336 pages

Expected publication: June 1st 2011 by Greenwillow Books
Series: Ivy
Source: ARC

Plot:
Gregory or Clint? Clint or Gregory? Matt, anyone? And what is Lexi up to . . .exactly? When we last saw Callie Andrews, she was caught on the horns of a dilemma. Lexi was threatening to expose all of her safely guarded, deeply buried secrets from high school, and Callie had just hooked up with bad-boy Gregory--despite the fact that she had a perfect (sort of) boyfriend and her BFF Vanessa had claimed (sort of) Gregory as her own. Yow. Entertaining, hilarious, addictive, scandalous, sexy, and smart, The Ivy series is an insider's look at freshman life at Harvard University. This isn't high school anymore!

My Thoughts:

This book reminded me of Gossip Girl. I'm a huge fan of the show and the books because there's just something about scandalous people that hook me every time. The drama kept me turning the pages. I just had to know what was going on, plus book one left off with a huge cliff hanger, so I was immediately hooked into book two. I think if you liked book one, you'll love the second one in this series. I think I liked it even better than the first one. I'm seriously chomping at the bit for book three, because yes this one left me wanting to know what happens next!

Read this series if you like Gossip Girl, Clique and those types of books. This one will hook you!

Vicious Little Darlings by Katherine Easer - ARC Review

Title: Vicious Little Darlings
Author: Katherine Easer

Hardcover, 320 pages

Expected publication: June 21st 2011 by Bloomsbury USA Children's Books
Source: ARC

Plot:
Sarah Weaver wasn't looking forward to starting at an all-girls school. But that was before she met Maddy. Maddy and her best friend, Agnes, are fun and rich and interesting—and for some reason, they seem to really like Sarah. Before long, Maddy and Agnes have moved Sarah into a big house off campus, where they cook together, buy each other presents, and share each other's secrets. So why does Sarah feel like something's bizarrely wrong? As more and more cracks start to show in Maddy's and Agnes's perfect veneers, Sarah notices some strange and disturbing things: Maddy's compulsive lying, Agnes's obsession with Maddy, and the deterioration of their friendship. And just when Sarah begins to question her own sanity, things turns deadly. Fans of Pretty Little Liars will devour this juicy debut novel.

My Thoughts:

A good young adult contemporary novel, to me, is gritty and real, with a plot that is reasonable, yet has a great twist. A twist I can't guess by the second chapter of the novel. Well, my friends, I am so happy to tell you I found that in Vicious Little Darlings.

I really didn't know what to expect when I started this ARC, but when I got into chapter one, I fell in love with the main character, Sarah. She was different, with tons of flaws, which makes a great character. I love how she had this internal struggle about her promiscuity. It made her seem real. She battled with making everyone else, but herself, happy. This of course only adds to her misery.

Sarah's two friends really stumped me. Maddie was sweet at times, but seemed crazy a majority of the time. Easer did a great job making Maddie come across as someone to watch closely. Agnes on the other hand, just seemed to be a raging bitch and a closet lesbian. She keeps a gun in her purse and isn't afraid to threaten random people with. Seriously, these two kept me on the edge of my seat. They kept me guessing until the end. :)

I love, love, loved this novel. It was so gritty. Easer let loose in this debut. She didn't hold back on the cursing, sexual description, or the sear violence in the novel. For that she is now on my favorite YA authors list and I will be anxious to read anything else she puts out.

Wither by Lauren DeStefano - Review

Title: Wither
Author: Lauren DeStefano
Hardcover, 356 pages
Expected publication: March 22nd 2011 by Simon &Schuster Children's Publishing
Series: Chemical Garden #1
Characters: Rose, Jenna, Cecilia, Linden, Gabriel, Rhine
Source: ARC
 

 

Plot:

What if you knew exactly when you would die?


Thanks to modern science, every human being has become a ticking genetic time bomb—males only live to age twenty-five, and females only live to age twenty. In this bleak landscape, young girls are kidnapped and forced into polygamous marriages to keep the population from dying out.

When sixteen-year-old Rhine Ellery is taken by the Gatherers to become a bride, she enters a world of wealth and privilege. Despite her husband Linden's genuine love for her, and a tenuous trust among her sister wives, Rhine has one purpose: to escape—to find her twin brother and go home.

But Rhine has more to contend with than losing her freedom. Linden's eccentric father is bent on finding an antidote to the genetic virus that is getting closer to taking his son, even if it means collecting corpses in order to test his experiments. With the help of Gabriel, a servant Rhine is growing dangerously attracted to, Rhine attempts to break free, in the limted time she has left.

My Thoughts:

It was easy to get sucked into the world WITHER creates. Rhine is a believable character who I wanted to succeed from page one. Rhine's attachment to her twin brother is a strong motivator for her to find her freedom and return to him because he is the only thing that matters in her crazy world. Her bother is all that she has. When she's stolen away and forced to become a bride, I felt her anger. I felt her disgust toward her new husband just like Rhine, but Ms. DeStefano did a great job at softening that feeling by peeling away Liden's layers and revealing he had a side that I could like. Still, I had a hard time getting over the hump that Liden also had a 13 year-old bride, which is why I am glad Gabriel is in the picture.

There's just something about a forbidden love that hooks me every time. Rhine's relationship with Gabriel is risky. They'd be killed if anyone ever found out she liked anyone other than her husband, Liden, and that heightens the stakes tremendously.

I really, really liked this one. I haven't gotten it off my mind for days. Instantly I craved book number two in the series because I just HAVE to know what happens next. Kudos Ms. DeStefano for a kick-ass debut!

Demonglass By Rachel Hawkins - Review

Title: Demonglass

Author: Rachel Hawkins

Hardcover, 368 pages

Expected publication: March 1st 2011 by Hyperion Books CH

Series: Hex Hall #2

Characters: Sophia Mercer, Archer Cross

Plot:

Sophie Mercer thought she was a witch.

That was the whole reason she was sent to Hex Hall, a reform school for delinquent Prodigium (aka witches, shapeshifters, and fairies). But that was before she discovered the family secret, and that her hot crush, Archer Cross, is an agent for The Eye, a group bent on wiping Prodigium off the face of the earth.

Turns out, Sophie’s a demon, one of only two in the world—the other being her father. What’s worse, she has powers that threaten the lives of everyone she loves. Which is precisely why Sophie decides she must go to London for the Removal, a dangerous procedure that will destroy her powers.

But once Sophie arrives she makes a shocking discovery. Her new friends? They’re demons too. Meaning someone is raising them in secret with creepy plans to use their powers, and probably not for good. Meanwhile, The Eye is set on hunting Sophie down, and they’re using Archer to do it. But it’s not like she has feelings for him anymore. Does she?

My Thoughts:

Hex Hall two was just as good, if not better than Hex Hall one. I loved every second of this book and it's so hard not to spill the beans because I could go on and on about the plot. There are so many things that happen in this book that make me think WTF, and OMG what's gonna happen next. This book is a must read for the Sophie Mercer fans out there. I will also tell you team Archer fans to gear up. There's a saucy forbidden romance thing going on there. At the end of this book I have to say I am TEAM CAL! If you can't remember him from book one, I suggest going back and skimming through the Cal scenes. You'll be glad you did when you start book two.

This one is a MUST READ if you liked HEX HALL.