The Catastrophic History of You and Me By Jess Rothenberg Review

SUMMARY

Dying of a broken heart is just the beginning.... Welcome to forever. 

BRIE'S LIFE ENDS AT SIXTEEN: Her boyfriend tells her he doesn't love her, and the news breaks her heart—literally. 

But now that she's D&G (dead and gone), Brie is about to discover that love is way more complicated than she ever imagined. Back in Half Moon Bay, her family has begun to unravel. Her best friend has been keeping a secret about Jacob, the boy she loved and lost—and the truth behind his shattering betrayal. And then there's Patrick, Brie's mysterious new guide and resident Lost Soul . . . who just might hold the key to her forever after. 

With Patrick's help, Brie will have to pass through the five stages of grief before she's ready to move on. But how do you begin again, when your heart is still in pieces?

REVIEW

I didn’t at all expect to love it as much as I did! The storyline is excellent. It starts out seemingly predictable, but ends up taking a lot of unexpected turns. And while it may seem like the theme of this book is heartbreak, it’s really not. It’s about life...the good, the ugly and everything in between. Sure, Brie loses her boyfriend, but she learns how to truly love not just others, but also herself and comes to understand what it really means to be a family. Brie's death is one of those freak accidents we just don't see coming. Brie is a young girl, barely having lived her rather short life, she's a person, one we become close to over a gradual, delicious period of time, which makes her death and the loss her family feels all the more insidious, unfair, and cruel. Patrick, the guy who helps Brie move through her five stages of grief, is a bit of an enigma. He can be so cute and funny at times, but there were times that he would show what emotions he was hiding and I just wanted to understand him. This is as much his story as it is Brie’s. The twist that connected him and Brie shocked me to the core, and I was not at all expecting it. People die for love every day, so it's only right that when we die we, like Brie, find love as well. The Catastrophic History of You and Me is a gorgeous debut that is sure to please. P.S. LOVED THE COVER!!! Fav Quotes - “My heart didn't fail, someone failed my heart.”

“Love is no game. People cut their ears off over this stuff. People jump off the Eiffel Tower and sell all their possessions and move to Alaska to live with the grizzly bears, and then they get eaten and nobody hears them when they scream for help. That’s right. Falling in love is pretty much the same thing as being eaten alive by a grizzly bear.” 

“The problem is, there is absolutely nothing "fun" about falling in love. Nope. Mostly it just makes you feel sick and crazy and anxious and nervous that it's going to end miserably and ruin your whole life. And guess what: Then it does.”

“News flash, Bozo. Don't ever tell a girl to relax. It only makes us madder.”

Body & Soul (The Ghost and the Goth #3) By Stacey Kade Review

SUMMARY

The final book in The Ghost and the Goth Trilogy!

The Ghost
I’ve been trapped in the body of Lily “Ally” Turner for a month now. Talk about a fashion crisis on an epic scale. What worries me more, though, is sometimes I catch Will looking at me like he thinks I’m Lily...or that he wishes I were. Without the good looks of my former self, I don’t know who I am, or if who that is is good enough. I need out of this mess. Now.

Will and I have been looking for a solution, one that would separate me from Lily without killing her. But it’s not going well. Then, when it seems like things couldn’t get any worse, we run into Misty, my former best friend and boyfriend-stealer extraordinaire, who claims she’s being haunted...by me. Seriously?

I’m determined to get to the bottom of who’s pretending to be the spirit of Alona Dare (while I’m pretending to be someone else) and then get the heck out of this body. Or die trying...

The Goth
I’ll admit it. It’s really weird to look at Alona but see Lily. I do know the difference, though, contrary to what Alona might be saying. And Alona is more than a pretty face to me, not that she would believe that.

Our one lead for some help in this messed up situation might be a page torn from the yellow pages-—the “Psychics” section-—I found in my dad’s stuff. One of the “fakes” seems a bit more real-—and odd-—than the others. Before I can investigate further, though, Alona is off and chasing a ghost that’s probably nothing more than a figment of Misty’s guilty imagination. Now Lily’s family is freaking out because she didn’t come home, my mom is ordering me to stay out of it, and something is definitely wrong with the person formerly known as Lily “Ally” Turner...


REVIEW

BODY AND SOUL, by Stacey Kade, is the final book in The Ghost and the Goth series. I have enjoyed this series so much.

I love seeing Alona and Will bicker with each other, in a way is their way to show that they care. Will and Alona are the same as always. Bickering, fighting, avoiding certain topics *cough* their relationship *cough*. And, oh, how they NEVER seem to say the right thing to one another. They're hilarious, just like they have been since book one. And their relationship and feelings for each other just keep getting cuter and cuter.

And I liked that they really tackle the moral dilema of Alona being in Lily's body and what that means for everyone - Will and Alona and Lily's family who aren't aware that Lily's spirt is long gone - it didn't just skirt around the issue and made everything magically okay. 

Body and Soul is also very funny but it got me teary eyed a few time toward the end when you got to see that even if their relationship was very complicated, both Will and Alona were better off because of one another. I'm so sad that Body & Soul is the last Ghost and the Goth novel, but happy at the same time. Stacey Kade didn't sacrifice her characters or her plot just to keep the series going and I respect that. I also loved, I mean LOVED, the ending! If you've read the other two book in this series, you'll love this one!

Fav Quotes -

“My shirt is gray,” I pointed out. “You’ve expanded my fashion horizons dramatically. I wear three colours now.” 


“What happened to you?" she asked.
"Ben was feeling artistic. Wanted to rearrange my face.” 

“It’s called a near-death experience. You should try it sometime,” I said sweetly. “Maybe without the ‘near’.” 

“I know who you are, no matter what you look like,” he said quietly, surprising me.”

“At least I graduated," he muttered, stabbing the key in and unlocking the door. 
I sucked in a breath. "I think dying wad a little out of my control, thank you very much."
"If you say so". He shrugged, but I saw the corner of his mouth turn up into a faint smile.” 

Mad Love By Suzanne Selfors Review

SUMMARY

When you're the daughter of the bestselling Queen of Romance, life should be pretty good. But 16-year-old Alice Amorous has been living a lie ever since her mother was secretly hospitalized for mental illness. After putting on a brave front for months, time is running out. The next book is overdue, and the Queen can't write it. Alice needs a story for her mother-and she needs one fast.

That's when she meets Errol, a strange boy who claims to be Cupid, who insists that Alice write about the greatest love story in history: his tragic relationship with Psyche. As Alice begins to hear Errol's voice in her head and see things she can't explain, she must face the truth-that she's either inherited her mother's madness, or Errol is for real.

REVIEW

I loved this story, Mad Love has all the elements I love to crush on all together! Cute boys, legends, cute boys, humor, cute boys... ERROL! 

I love Greek mythology and the inclusion of that in the book made me love it even more. Errol set out to have the greatest love story written and as the story unfolded I truly think it was. The author brought the idea of Cupid to life in hot-teenage boy form and I applaud her for the creativity. The way his arrows brought about passionate love was hilarious. And the antidote was equally amusing.

There are so many bits and pieces that went into making Mad Love such a fantastic, entertaining and emotion-evoking love story. It is rare to find a book that has 'everything.' Overall, such a great book! This book has romance and love in many different ways. I was in tears in the end as to how much I loved this story. If you are looking for a little bit of mythology and cute boys, this is the book for you!

Queen of the Dead (The Ghost and the Goth #2) By Stacey Kade Review

SUMMARY

After being sent back from the light, Alona Dare - former homecoming queen, current Queen of the Dead - finds herself doing something she never expected: working. Instead of spending days perfecting her tan by the pool (her typical summer routine when she was, you know, alive), Alona must now cater to the needs of other lost spirits. By her side for all of this - ugh - “helping of others” is Will Killian: social outcast, seer of the dead, and someone Alona cares about more than she’d like.


Before Alona can make a final ruling on Will’s “friend” or “more” status, though, she discovers trouble at home. Her mom is tossing out Alona’s most valuable possessions, and her dad is expecting a new daughter with his wicked wife. Is it possible her family is already moving on? Hello! She’s only been dead for two months! Thankfully, Alona knows just the guy who can put a stop to this mess.


Unfortunately for Alona, Will has other stuff on his mind, and Mina, a young (and beautiful) seer, is at the top of the list. She’s the first ghost-talker Will’s ever met—aside from his father—and she may hold answers to Will’s troubled past. But can she be trusted? Alona immediately puts a check mark in the “clearly not” column. But Will is - ahem - willing to find out, even if it means leaving a hurt and angry Alona to her own devices, which is never a good idea. 


Packed with romance, lovable characters, and a killer cliffhanger, Queen of the Dead is the out-of-this-world sequel to The Ghost and the Goth.

REVIEW

I completely LOVE Will & Alona. "Queen of the dead" is a perfect case of opposites attracting, the Goth guy and the homecoming queen. In this book we get to explore the relationship with Will and Alona, which was so sweet. They pretend to not really care, but these two are having a hard time keeping their hands off each other. 

Things quickly take a turn, however, when Will meets another person who can see ghosts like him. He is swept into a world he is not familiar with and is anxious to learn more information about others like him. Alona is not so happy about this new revelation and it quickly causes tension between her and Will.

 One of my favorite things about this series is the dialogue between Alona and Will. 
Overall, I'm loving this series. This book was just as witty and fun as the previous installment in the series and I can't wait to read more about Will and Alona in the third, and final, book in the trilogy.

The One For Me By Layla James Review

SUMMARY

Seventeen-year-old Katy couldn’t find good luck if it were in an open pail. Her parents announce their divorce and her boyfriend, Hayden, of a year breaks up with her for long legged hottie, Holly, all in one week. Katy’s luck might as well be buried with her dignity, when she is partnered up with Avalon High School’s own bad by Liam Erickson.

Katy follows Liam after he ditches her to go to a party, where she finds Hayden and Holly swapping spit in her face. Furious, Katy kisses Liam to get back at Hayden, leaving her with a re-bound girl and new class hoe reputation.

Determined to save the last bit of her reputation, she proposes Liam a deal, a good reputation with his teachers, if he will ‘pretend’ to be her boyfriend, to stop the rumors. Katy deals with her parents’ divorce, her reputation being ruined and finds herself having more in common with Liam than she ever imagined. By the end, Katy can’t tell who is ‘pretending’ and who isn’t.


REVIEW

It was a sweet & fun read, though it did remind me of Patch from Hush Hush Series.
What the author managed brilliantly in this book is making the reader feel the chemistry between Katy and Liam. He’s a bad boy, all right, but he’s sexy, smart, dark and always has a perfect come back. The dialogue was the one thing that convinced me to read the book in the first place when I skimmed through the excerpt, and it kept going smoothly all the way to the end. Congratulations to the author for that.

There are however some grammatical mistakes and a few errors here and there.

All in all, a good read. It even made me cry. And yeah, I'll admit it here, and I know it might sound crazy, but I like books that can make me cry, as well as make me laugh. I love it when I get strong emotions by reading a book, be it something fun or something sad or incredibly romantic.
Anyway I obviously recommend it !!

Hearts in Darkness By Laura Kaye Review

SUMMARY

Makenna James thinks her day can't get any worse, until she finds herself stuck in a pitch-black elevator with a complete stranger. Distracted by a phone call and juggling too much stuff, the pin-striped accountant caught only a glimpse of a dragon tattoo on his hand before the lights went out.

Caden Grayson is amused when a redhead literally falls at his feet. His amusement turns to panic when the power fails. Despite his piercings, tats, and vicious scar, he's terrified of the dark and confined spaces. Now, he's trapped in his own worst nightmare.

To fight fear, they must both reach out and open up. With no preconceived notions based on looks to hold them back, they discover just how much they have in common. In the warming darkness, attraction grows and sparks fly, but will they feel the same when the lights come back on?

REVIEW

This is actually a contemporary romance with a high-concept premise and lots of emotion. Two people who’ve never seen each other are stuck in a dark, confined space, left to discover each other in every sense. The novella’s opening quote, by William Shakespeare, says it best: “Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind; and therefore is winged Cupid painted blind.”
It's a different concept, yet it works on so many levels. The romance in this story isn't based on looks, gazes, or how the outside world treats the two people. It's just the two, in the dark, with only conversation.

Caden Grayson is a compelling study in the differences between appearance and character. I was endeared by his very gentle spirit, yet entranced by his raw attractiveness. The treatment of his traumatic past is neither rushed nor made trivial; even though this story itself is relatively short, both Caden’s and Makenna’s personalities and motivations are given a fair amount of development.

“Hearts in Darkness” is not your average good girl meets bad boy story. It is a story of self discovery and honesty.

Dead to the World (Sookie Stackhouse #4) By Charlaine Harris Review

SUMMARY


Sookie Stackhouse is a cocktail waitress in Bon Temps, Louisiana. She's pretty. She does her job well. But she has only a few close friends, because not everyone appreciates Sookie's gift: she can read minds. That's not exactly every man's idea of date bait - unless they're undead; vampires and the like can be tough to read. And that's just the kind of guy Sookie's been looking for. Maybe that's why, when she comes across a naked vampire on the way home from work, she doesn't just drive on by. He hasn't got a clue who he is, but Sookie has: Eric looks just as scary and sexy - and dead - as he did the day she met him. But now he has amnesia, he's sweet, vulnerable, and in need of Sookie's help - because whoever took his memory now wants his life.

Sookie's investigation into what's going on leads her into a battle between witches, vampires and werewolves. But there could be even greater danger - to Sookie's heart - because this kinder, gentler Eric is proving very hard to resist.


REVIEW

In this fourth installment, Eric has a leading role. Sookie finds him running alongside the road in the night of New Year's Eve, barefoot, without clothes and obviously terrified. When Sookie pulls over her car to help him, he doesn't recognize her. Eric is suffering from amnesia and he has no idea who he is, let alone the others around him. It turns out that there's an evil Witch coven that moved into the area, and they want power. Sookie finds herself in yet more trouble - because an Eric without his memory is even harder to resist.


The supernatural setting is developed further with the introduction of witches, were-panthers and fairies. The story has more fast paced action, more mystery and a good romantic element to it too.


This book wasn't filled with a lot of Bill. Dead to the World is not a conventional romance, and it had an unexpected though satisfying ending. I’m sure the effects will continue into the fifth book. I can’t wait to get my hands on the next installment!

On Dublin Street (On Dublin Street #1) By Samantha Young Review

SUMMARY

Jocelyn Butler has been hiding from her past for years. But all her secrets are about to be laid bare…

Four years ago, Jocelyn left her tragic past behind in the States and started over in Scotland, burying her grief, ignoring her demons, and forging ahead without attachments. Her solitary life is working well—until she moves into a new apartment on Dublin Street where she meets a man who shakes her carefully guarded world to its core.

Braden Carmichael is used to getting what he wants, and he’s determined to get Jocelyn into his bed. Knowing how skittish she is about entering a relationship, Braden proposes an arrangement that will satisfy their intense attraction without any strings attached.

But after an intrigued Jocelyn accepts, she realizes that Braden won’t be satisfied with just mind-blowing passion. The stubborn Scotsman is intent on truly knowing her… down to the very soul.



REVIEW

On Dublin Street was certainly loaded with intriguing emotional baggage. It's about a girl struggling with her past and trying to come to terms with the horrors that linger there.
Jocelyn is a complex character. She’s suffered through two tragedies (and at such a young age) and as a result is reluctant to let people in. She also suffers from panic attacks. But she’s smart enough to know that she needs help and thus seeks out a therapist. I give the girl credit for taking this crucial step.


Braden pursued Jocelyn from the moment he laid eyes on her. He felt the connection and the attraction and was determined to get the girl. Jocelyn, on the other hand, was not of the same mind frame. She’s attracted to him but she doesn’t do relationships. But even though Jocelyn distances herself from people and doesn't let people in easily, the emotional connection between her and Braden is there and it's undeniable.

On Dublin Street was everything I hoped it would be. It was an emotional whirlwind and was also heart-warming.

The Ghost and the Goth (The Ghost and the Goth #1) By Stacey Kade Review

SUMMARY

Alona Dare–Senior in high school, co-captain of the cheerleading squad, Homecoming Queen three years in a row, voted most likely to marry a movie star… and newly dead.

I’m the girl you hated in high school. Is it my fault I was born with it all-good looks, silky blond hair, a hot bod, and a keen sense of what everyone else should not be wearing? But my life isn’t perfect, especially since I died. Run over by a bus of band geeks—is there anything more humiliating? As it turns out, yes—watching your boyfriend and friends move on with life, only days after your funeral. And you wouldn’t believe what they’re saying about me now that they think I can’t hear them. To top it off, I’m starting to disappear, flickering in and out of existence. I don’t know where I go when I’m gone, but it’s not good. Where is that freaking white light already?

Will Killian–Senior in high school, outcast, dubbed “Will Kill” by the popular crowd for the unearthly aura around him, voted most likely to rob a bank…and a ghost-talker.

I can see, hear, and touch the dead. Unfortunately, they can also see, hear and touch me. Yeah, because surviving high school isn’t hard enough already. I’ve done my best to hide my “gift.” After all, my dad, who shared my ability, killed himself because of it when I was fifteen. But lately, pretending to be normal has gotten a lot harder. A new ghost—an anonymous, seething cloud of negative energy with the capacity to throw me around—is pursuing me with a vengeance. My mom, who knows nothing about what I can do, is worrying about the increase in odd incidents, my shrink is tossing around terms like “temporary confinement for psychiatric evaluation,” and my principal, who thinks I’m a disruption and a faker, is searching for every way possible to get rid of me. How many weeks until graduation?


REVIEW

This was such an enjoyable book. Since the very first chapter the story is attention grabbing and I find myself immersed in the story, it starts when Alona, the queen bee of her high school, seemingly perfect in every way possible...*gasp* DIES! but despite what people like to think about her,The girl is fierce! I can't complain here, cause I got everything I was asking for, so I will just continue summarizing the plot,so yes, Alona dies but hey! stop sobbing, girl is not going anywhere for now, and that is because she has unressolved issues. And what's she to do, she doesn't know anything about being dead, and no one can help her, right? WRONG!


There's someone out there, someone who can help Alona with her newly acquired troubles...
and that someone is Will Killian! aka Will Kill, you might recognize him as the pseudo-goth guy sitting in the farthest cafeteria table that apparently talks to himself out loud and wears his hoodie over his head all the time to keep the voices out.


So Alona and Will make a deal, he would teach her everything he knows about ghosts, death and moving on if she serves as his bodyguard, that is keeping the other ghosts off of his face so he can finally have some peace and quiet after years and years of ghosts 'haunting' him. So yeah this book is really entertaining plus some twists you might not see coming.

Someone Else's Fairytale By Emily Mah Tippetts Review

SUMMARY

Jason Vanderholt, Hollywood's hottest actor, falls head over heels for everygirl, Chloe Winters, who hasn't gotten around to watching most of his movies. It's the ideal fairytale... for most people. The last thing Chloe needs is public attention. It brings back dangers from the past that she's worked her whole life to escape.


REVIEW

At first glance I wondered if the plot seemed a bit cliché, but the author made it work beautifully because her characters had depth.

Chloe and Jason both surprised me. I wondered if Chloe could really come across as uninterested in this big movie star. She did because she truly was just that…uninterested. Plus the back story of a tragedy that happened to her when she was young really rounded out her character and gave her a strength that I admired and respected. When she does realize her feelings for Jason, her reactions, insecurities and fears are well-written and believable.

Jason on the other hand was amazing & a genuine person. Not what you expect when you think of a movie star is it? I totally adored them together.

This book was sweet and endearing. Anyone who loves a good fairytale, which I mean who doesn't? will absolutely love this one, it's a modern day love story for any modern day girl, Check it out!

You Had Me At Halo By Amanda Ashby Review

SUMMARY

Holly Evans has just seen her own body laid to rest. Now she would like to move onto the afterlife. But apparently she has some mortal baggage to unload first, starting with the matter of how she died. Her heavenly shrink isn't buying that she didn't kill herself- and says she must return to earth to straighten things out. The thing is, she needs to borrow the body of computer geek Vince Murphy to do it. Oh, and although Vince was supposed to have vacated the premises, he apparently never got the memo.

Now, Holly has forty-eight hours to resolve her issues while sharing arms, legs, and...other things...with a guy she barely noticed while she was alive. But the real surprise is what life has to offer when you have only two days to live it.

REVIEW

I confess..I'm in love with this book. It had me hooked from the first page itself which rarely happens. The book is about a recently died 22 yr old Holly Evans. She is not at all pleased about being in heaven, so the heavenly officials send her back to resolve her issues. They are 1)That everyone thinks she killed herself & 2)That she had just had a fight with her boyfriend. They send her into the body of Vince Murphy,(whom I completely adore) one of the corporate geeks, who supposedly had died at her funeral. However, he wakes up a few hours later, resulting in delightful confusion.

Of course, the two of them are meant to be together. Halfway through this book, I thought, this book ought to be made into a movie. It would make a great chick flick. It turned out that the issues that Holly had to straighten out where not what she expected. I cheered when she used Vince's surprisingly buff body to clock someone who really needed punching.

Overall as I've already said I love this book, there's no reason you shouldn't give it a try.

Club Dead (Sookie Stackhouse #3) By Charlaine Harris Review

SUMMARY

Sookie Stackhouse always found it difficult to date - she's cute, but not many guys are comfortable with her mind-reading abilities. But vampires have no problems with Sookie's talent - she can't pick up much of anything form the undead.

But ther's only one vampire Sookie Stackhouse is involved with - at least voluntarily - right now, and that's Bill. But recently he's been a little distant - in another state distant. His sinister and sexy boss Eric has an idea where to find him, and next thing Sookie knows, she's off to Jackson, Mississippi, to mingle with the underworld at Club Dead. It's a dangerous little haunt where the elusive vampire society can go to chill out and suck down some Type O - but when Sookie finally finds Bill, he's not only in trouble, but caught in an act of serious betrayal. Should she save him, or sharpen some stakes?

REVIEW

Sookie Stackhouse is back in the third instalment of the southern vampire series.

This time things aren’t going too well for Sookie with her vampire boyfriend Bill. He has been more interested in working on his computer than spending time with her recently. He seems distracted when she is around and his feelings for her seem to have cooled.

The story is well plotted with twists and turns that are original and unexpected plus the mystery element of the story is first rate too. The action in the story was fast paced and once again Charlaine Harris has written a book that I found hard to put down.

Living Dead in Dallas (Sookie Stackhouse, #2) By Charlaine Harris Review

SUMMARY

Sookie Stackhouse likes living in Bon Temps, Louisiana, and she likes working as a cocktail waitress at Merlotte's. But she is having a streak of bad luck. First her co-worker is killed, and no one seems to care. Then she comes face-to-face with a beastly creature which gives her a painful and poisonous lashing. Enter the vampires, who graciously suck the poison from her veins (like they didn't enjoy it).

The point is: the vampires saved her life. So when one of her bloodsuckers asks for a favour, she obliges-and soon Sookie's in Dallas, using her telepathic skills to search for a missing vampire. She's supposed to interview certain humans involved, but she makes one condition: the vampires must promise to behave, and let the humans go unharmed. But that's easier than done, and all it takes is one delicious blonde and one small mistake for things to turn deadly.

REVIEW

Living Dead In Dallas is the second novel in the Sookie Stackhouse series. It takes up her story not long after the events of Dead Until Dead finished. Part mystery, part romance, the narrative concentrates on Sookie’s relationship with Bill and Sookie’s adventures solving mysteries. The action in the book is fast paced and the characters, both human and supernatural, are well defined.

We get to find out more about Eric in this book. He is irressitable, attractive, funny and powerful. I think that he is probably my favourite character in the book. 

So overall, I'd say I’m glad I picked this one up and I’m looking forward more to the rest of the series.

The Fine Art of Truth or Dare By Melissa Jensen Review

SUMMARY

Pretty in Pink meets Anna and the French Kiss in this charming romantic comedy

Ella is nearly invisible at the Willing School, and that's just fine by her. She's got her friends - the fabulous Frankie and their sweet cohort Sadie. She's got her art - and her idol, the unappreciated 19th-century painter Edward Willing. Still, it's hard being a nobody and having a crush on the biggest somebody in the school: Alex Bainbridge. Especially when he is your French tutor, and lessons have started becoming, well, certainly more interesting than French ever has been before. But can the invisible girl actually end up with a happily ever after with the golden boy, when no one even knows they're dating? And is Ella going to dare to be that girl?

REVIEW

Here we have another cute contemporary romance. I really enjoyed the wacky humor. Ella has this crush on Edward Willing, a painter from the 19th century. Obviously he's no longer living, but she has a bust of him that she talks to about her life and inner thoughts. And he talks back and gives advice. I found that to be rather weird at first, but the idea kind of grew on me. I ended up enjoying their conversations.

I loved Ella's two best friends, Frankie and Sadie. Alex is a sweetheart. He's appointed Ella's math tutor, and even though he's a phillite, he is so sweet and caring towards her. They form this really cute relationship. There was no immediate love, just a simple, sweet teenage love story. 

All in all it was cute, sweet, and light, but at the same time it touched on some of the deeper issues that teenagers face like self worth, body image, and feelings of inadequacy. So why don't you take a chance. Dare yourself to read it and see for yourself.

Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse, #1) By Charlaine Harris Review

SUMMARY


Sookie Stackhouse is a small-time cocktail waitress in small-town Louisiana. She's quiet, keeps to herself, and doesn't get out much. Not because she's not pretty. She is. It's just that, well, Sookie has this sort of "disability." She can read minds. And that doesn't make her too dateable. And then along comes Bill. He's tall, dark, handsome - and Sookie can't 'hear' a word he's thinking. He's exactly the kind of guy she's been waiting for all her life.

But Bill has a disability of his own: He's a vampire. Worse than that, hangs with a seriously creepy crowd, with a reputation for trouble - of the murderous kind.

And when one of Sookie's colleagues is killed, she begins to fear she'll be next ...


REVIEW


Okay,so the first book in Harris’ series, Dead Until Dark, introduces Sookie Stackhouse, an average bar waitress in the town named Bon Temps. Sookie can read minds. And, while many people would view her talent as a gift, she despises it as a curse. Sookie spends most of her time blocking out the many lewd thoughts and musings of those who frequent Merlotte’s Bar, where she works.


The best thing about Dead Until Dark is Sookie Stackhouse. She approaches every situation with wit and class, even when circumstances get the best of her emotions. She’s also not the typical damsel falling in love with a blood-sucker. She doesn’t lose her personal volition and strength just because she’s being courted by a handsome, chivalrous, age-old vampire. She knows how to say yes and no, and she thinks for herself.


Now Bill Compton. He’s strong, romantic and he's perfect for Sookie; his pursuit of her provides Sookie with the confidence she needs and protection from the dangers of the vampire world that start to encroach on her life.I loved the murder mystery element to this story too. In this book I was completely baffled as to who might have been committing the murders until the murderer was revealed in the exciting climax to the story. All in all a good start to a series.

Kiss of Death (Scarlett Wakefield #4) By Lauren Henderson Review

SUMMARY

Scarlett thought Dan McAndrew's murder was long behind her, but when she and her classmates arrive in Edinburgh for a weeklong field trip, she's startled to be joined by her old St. Tabby's cohorts--and enemies--who are visiting the area on a field trip as well.

 Even more startling, Callum, Dan's surviving twin, is in the area--and his cold treatment leaves Scarlett wondering what's changed, especially when a series of attacks makes her believe that someone's out to get her for her past mistakes. Would Callum ever hurt her, though? And what's Scarlett to make of her conflicting feelings for Callum, now that Jase isn't around? Even more upsetting, why is her most trusted confidante, Taylor, acting distant and dismissive?


REVIEW

Kiss of Death is the fourth and final book in the Scarlett Wakefield series.This is a great book. Anyone who likes realistic fiction, romance, and mystery would die to read this book.This is because Scarlett's life gets pretty complicated in this book.The nonstop action and suspense keeps readers engaged from page one all the way to the end.There are mysteries, lies & secrets.

Kiss of Death finds Scarlett and Taylor on a school trip to Edinburgh. There, they encounter Callum McAndrew.Scarlett is now torn between a flirtation with Callum and her love for her absent boyfriend, Jase. But these romantic entanglements are minor problems compared to Scarlett's newest worry -- someone is trying to kill her.

So overall I'd say Kiss of Death is a compelling read and I really enjoyed reading this series.

Kiss in the Dark (Scarlett Wakefield, #3) By Lauren Henderson Review

SUMMARY


With Dan McAndrews's murder finally behind her, Scarlett has high hopes for a fresh start at Wakefield Hall Collegiate, the elite English boarding school her grandmother runs. Unfortunately, those hopes are dashed when her nemesis, the infamous Plum Saybourne, is transferred to the school. Plum wastes no time turning Scarlett’s impressionable classmates against her.

Scarlett has dealt with Plum’s nasty schemes before, and she can handle her archenemy very nicely, thank you—until Plum sets her sights on Scarlett’s best friend, Taylor, and new boyfriend, Jase. Then Scarlett is more than willing to fight for what’s rightfully hers.

Things only get worse after Scarlett becomes entangled in a mysterious death on campus. Scarlett is compelled to investigate because she wants to protect someone close to her. She never imagines that she’ll uncover secrets related to her parents’ fatal accident so many years ago. . . .


REVIEW

These books keep getter better and better. This third book in the Kisses and Lies series, continues Scarlett's story. A mystery lies at the heart of this story, as two feuding families and their issues go back generations, and everything comes to a head when Jase's father's dead body is discovered by Scarlett and her best friend Taylor.The connection between Jase and Scarlett is sweet and innocent with just a hint at something more to keep the reader engrossed.

Overall, Kiss in the Dark is an enjoyable read. It’s fast-paced and has all the drama that teenage girls love to read.

Kisses and Lies (Scarlett Wakefield #2) By Lauren Henderson Review

SUMMARY

After discovering that someone saw what looked like Dan’s emergency EpiPen in A-lister Plum’s designer handbag, Scarlett and her tough American sidekick, Taylor, sneak into a posh London nightclub, where Plum has a private table. Scarlett is stunned to discover a piece of evidence that might implicate another girl in Plum’s exclusive circle, Lucy Raleigh. Which means Scarlett must cast a wider net in order to catch the right suspect.

Back at school, groundskeeper Jase is hoping to take Scarlett’s mind off her troubles with some heart-stopping kisses. Scarlett can’t help but feel guilty for indulging in romantic rendezvous when she should be hunting down Dan’s killer. However, once Scarlett finds out how Lucy is connected to Dan, she knows she must drop everything and travel to the McAndrew estate in Scotland to hunt for more clues. But when she arrives, Scarlett becomes the target of a dangerous hunt herself.


REVIEW

This book was a definite improvement. I loved how the action is potrayed in this novel. There is a big revelation about Dan, which I have to say I did not at all saw coming. First thing that I loved was that there was a conclusion in this book, the mystery was solved, I know who killed Dan and let me tell you it was a huge shocker.

Dan’s family has some serious skeletons hidden in the castle and as Scarlett uncovers them and figures out who killed Dan the book is impossible to put down. I was totally schocked with who the killer ended up being and what the motivation was. I wished that Scarlett and Callum's relationship would have went farther though. This is one of the first times a book had an understandable love triangle that wasnt outrageous or shallow. Jase was charming and Callum saved his smiles for special occasions.

Kisses and Lies was completely absorbing and realistic fiction at its best.

Kiss Me Kill Me (Scarlett Wakefield, #1) By Lauren Henderson Review

SUMMARY

When 16-year-old Scarlett Wakefield transfers from St. Tabby’s to Wakefield Hall Collegiate, she is relieved that no one knows her dark, haunting secret. A few months ago, Scarlett was invited to an elite party with a guest list full of the hottest names in British society, including Dan McAndrew. Before the party, Scarlett had only imagined what it would be like to have her first kiss with Dan, but on the penthouse terrace, Dan leaned in close and she no longer had to wonder. Their kiss was beautiful and perfect and magical, and then . . . Dan McAndrew took his last breath as she held him in her arms. No one knows how or why Dan died, and everyone at St. Tabby’s believes Scarlett had something to do with it. But now that she’s safely hidden away at Wakefield Hall, Scarlett would rather forget that it ever happened. Only she can’t. Especially when she receives an anonymous note that will set her on the path to clearing her name and finding out what really happened to the first and last boy she kissed.


REVIEW

Girls and their teen drama with boys, popularity, and fashion.KISS ME KILL ME is all about that and more.It was hard for me to relate to Scarlett because I was just never one of those girls who wanted to be part of the rich, popular clique.I see the appeal, but its not for me.However,I am glad that
Scarlett sees these girls for what they really are.

There is very little development in the romance department in KISS ME KILL ME.A huge part of the novel is mainly about Scarlett coping after Dan’s death.It’s a traumatic experience, and despite a police investigation, no one knows what happened. This is where the mystery comes in.Scarlett tries to recall what happened that night at the party to figure out how exactly Dan McAndrew died.

KISS ME KILL ME ends with Scarlett one step closer to figuring out the exact cause of Dan’s death, but that’s it.Mystery not solved.I wanted to give KISS ME KILL ME a three-star rating, but I just couldn’t do it but I am still willing to continue on with the series hoping that it will get better.

Thomas & January (Sleepless, #2) By Fisher Amelie Review

SUMMARY

Thomas Eriksson thinks he has it all figured out.

"People crossed the street when they saw me. I’m not really sure why that was. I mean, okay, I might have looked a bit intimidating if I was being truthful with you. I’d changed since New York. New York represented a life that wasn’t real, not truthfully, anyway. No, New York was the “young, immature, in love, idiot" side of Tom. The “Tie-Dye Tom of New York City” didn’t exist anymore. Tie-Dye Tom was dead."

January Mac Lochlainn thinks she’s her own worst enemy.

"I quit Berkeley. Threw away a full scholarship. Plans, you ask? What plans?"

But they’re both wrong.

***
Tom approached me slowly and met me under the light on the stone walkway. He leaned over me so closely, my neck craned to see his face. His expression was one of confusion as he studied my own.

“What is it about you?” he asked me.

I gulped. “What do you mean?” I whispered, closing my eyes and swallowing again, my breaths becoming labored.

He lifted his hand and dragged the backs of his fingers across my jaw so lightly I barely felt them, but they made me feel dizzy all the same.

“How can you be this extraordinary, January MacLochlainn?” He leaned closer, a look of pure frustration and anger lit his eyes and pressed his lips. “And why couldn’t I have met you before I realized I didn’t want anyone...ever?”

Life for Thomas and January will never be the same again...whether they like it or not.

REVIEW

I absolutely loved Callum & Harper by Fisher Amelie so decided to read Thomas & January as well with my expectations high and although it didn't match up to my expectations,Thomas & January did not dissapoint either.

We meet tie-dye Tom in C&H, but I really felt like he was still a bit of a mystery to me. In this book, I really found myself drawn to Tom. He is hurting from a broken heart. The woman he loved, loved another. So, Tom takes off to Austin to scout musicians.
January is just simply a sweetheart. I loved her sense of humor, her independent personality,her innocence, and her vulnerability.As a couple, I loved their mutual passion for music, their connection, and the love that they share.

It was a beautiful book about love, hurt & trust in its own way.Completely loved the characters & their depth.I loved the bickering between January and Thomas and found myself laughing hysterically.

So if you want a light quick read, pick up Thomas & January. But if you want to read something like Callum & Harper, this might not be it as its quite different from C&H.

Shine (Shade, #3) By Jeri Smith-Ready Review

SUMMARY

In this dramatic conclusion to the Shade trilogy, Aura and Zachary’s relationship sizzles as the secrets of the Shift are revealed.

Life can change in an instant, and no one understands that better than Aura. It’s been almost a year since her boyfriend tragically died. She’s finally letting go of Logan’s violet-hued ghost, but not her search to uncover the truth about her past.

As the first in a generation that can see ghosts, Aura is convinced she has a connection to the Shift. She’s trusted Zachary, ever patient and ever by her side, with all that she knows. But when the government threatens his life in an attempt to learn Aura’s secrets, she will stop at nothing to protect herself and the one she loves...even if that means betraying her own heart.

REVIEW

I'm speechless! Shine again starts where Shift left off.I was in shock for a few minutes in the beggining of the book. When you read it, you'll know why! Oh how I terribly missed Logan. It's like he isin't there but he still is! This series overall has many truly touching moments, but Shine completely stole my heart. Especially the Zachary and Aura together moments. They made my heart melt.

I loved all the characters. They again made me laugh, cry, smile & angry at the bad guys. I loved how the history repeated itself in this book. And the whole shift AKA ghost seeing problem..well it resulted in a whole new solution then what I expected whould happen & now that I come to think of it, it actually makes more sense & was the perfect solution.

This book was the best of the series and gave it an amazing conclusion.

Shift (Shade, #2) By Jeri Smith-Ready Review

SUMMARY

Aura’s life is anything but easy. Her boyfriend, Logan, died, and his slides between ghost and shade have left her reeling. Aura knows he needs her now more than ever. She loves Logan, but she can’t deny her connection with the totally supportive, totally gorgeous Zachary. And she’s not sure that she wants to.

Logan and Zachary will fight to be the one by her side, but Aura needs them both to uncover the mystery of her past—the mystery of the Shift.

As Aura’s search uncovers new truths, she must decide whom to trust with her secrets…and her heart.

REVIEW

I'd say this book was more attention grabbing then the first one in the series. Shift starts where Shade left off....i.e Logan turning solid!! This book also includes some massive shockers which you will definetly not see coming. I loved the mystery & advertures this book involves.

In Shift we get to explore more of the relationships between many different characters whether they were friendly or romantic. Zachary was again his charmimg , understanding & honest self. Again he made me swoon.It was interesting to see how much one life really can affects others.

Logan will truly be missed since he finally passed on in this book & was one of my favorite characters. He for sure made me cry and made me curse the author for killing him off. I still cant get over how tragic his death was for everyone especially everything he & Aura could have had but cant.

Overall, the book was really good & definetly recommended to everyone who enjoys a fine supernatural read.

Shade (Shade, #1) By Jeri Smith-Ready Review

 


SUMMARY

Love ties them together. Death can’t tear them apart.

Best. Birthday. Ever. At least, it was supposed to be. With Logan’s band playing a critical gig and Aura’s plans for an intimate after-party, Aura knows it will be the most memorable night of her boyfriend’s life. She never thought it would be his last.

Logan’s sudden death leaves Aura devastated. He’s gone.

Well, sort of.

Like everyone born after the Shift, Aura can see and hear ghosts. This mysterious ability has always been annoying, and Aura had wanted nothing more than to figure out why the Shift happened so she can undo it. But not with Logan’s violet-hued spirit still hanging around. Because dead Logan is almost as real as ever. “Almost.”

It doesn’t help that Aura’s new friend Zachary is so understanding–and so very alive. His support means more to Aura than she cares to admit.

As Aura’s relationships with the dead and the living grow ever complicated, so do her feelings for Logan and Zachary. Each holds a piece of Aura’s heart…and clues to the secret of the Shift.


REVIEW
This book is totally different from what I usually read. The concept was completely original and new to me,okay well not completely new since I've read books in which the lead characters can see the ghost but none of them actually had a part of the population being able to see them. Although I wasnt much interested in the beginning,I soon got caught up in the story. I felt that the author did an amazing job of making the idea of the Shift be just as confusing for the reader as it is for the characters in the book, which really helped me connect with the story. The love between Logan and Aura was to die for (kind of ironic huh!) On the other hand Zach's character was also adorable.

Overall, Shade is a unique story that will make you laugh and cry,keep you on the edge of your seat, and leave you dying if you dont instantly start with the sequel!

The Departed By J.A.Templeton Review

SUMMARY

Psychic? Check.

Haunted by a malevolent spirit who is making life a living hell? Check.

In love with a smoking hot Scot, who is the reincarnation of the man creepy malevolent ghost murdered two centuries before? Check.

Friends and family think you’re losing your mind? Check.

Welcome to the life of sixteen-year-old Riley Williams, whose life hasn’t been the same since she moved to Scotland and met the spirit of Ian MacKinnon, and Laria, the witch who murdered him.
Since helping Ian cross over to the other side, Riley became Laria’s target, and now the witch has made it clear she wants her dead. Laria has already possessed Riley’s brother and friends, and Riley is starting to feel a little strange herself. She just hopes that she can stop Laria before the ghost takes everything from her. With her boyfriend Kade, her brother, and her buddies by her side, Riley is in for the fight of her life


REVIEW

Such a lovely conclusion to such an amazing series. The Departed picks up where The Haunted ends. I loved all the characters in the book.It was amazing how much they grew in this book.The relationship between Kade and Riley was so cute and you actually get to know why they fell for each other. This was definetly the creepiest book in the series but in a good way. I also liked how Laria was after all a good person just caught up in dark magic. The ending of the book was so good I really loved it

The Haunted By J.A.Templeton Review

SUMMARY

After battling a malevolent ghost that held the spirit of her friend Ian MacKinnon bound to the land for two hundred years, sixteen-year-old reluctant psychic, Riley Williams, felt as if she was finally easing into her new life in Scotland.

Or so she thought.

Laria, the spirit of the witch who had cursed Ian wants revenge for Riley's interference and she's bringing along friends--dark entities who thrive on evil.

The one bright spot in Riley's world is Ian's descendent, Kade MacKinnon, who could easily be Ian's modern day twin. The parallels between the two guys are undeniable. As Riley's relationship with Kade blossoms, she begins to realize Laria has grown in her power since their last confrontation--a power that could very well manipulate the living just as effectively as the dead.


REVIEW

The Haunted picks up exactly where The Deepest Cut ends. The romance, mystery, and suspense are continued in this second book of the series. Laria is back, or well, she never left, and she has friends now; friends who are just as evil as she is. Laria has taken the proverbial gloves off and is gunning for Riley, and she doesn't care who or what she has to go through to get to her. She is willing to possess and try to destroy Riley's friends and family. She is making herself known to those around her. 

We get to know a few new characters as well: Kade's sister and cousin, in addition to a couple of new ghosts. The whole MacKinnon family history is fascinating. I'm very curious to learn more about their past; I'm fairly certain they have quite a few more skeletons in their closets than what we were initially told.

 I would definitely recommend this series to anyone who enjoys YA paranormal romance.