Fusion (The Patrick Chronicles #2) By Nicole Williams Review

SUMMARY

Patrick Hayward isn’t used to feeling helpless. He’s a man of action used to controlling his destiny. But falling in love with Emma Scarlett had a way of upending everything, his sanity included. 

Locked away as inmate number one-three-seven-oh for a crime he didn’t commit, Patrick spends his days slopping toxic sludge onto trays, resisting the urge to tear the scratchy, orange jumpsuit from his body, and making sure every hardened criminal behind bars with him knows he’s the biggest and baddest of them all. With the help of his handy little gift of teleportation, his nights are spent watching a certain green eyed goddess from the shadows. 

When he discovers a couple of Inheritors stalking her one night, he realizes the obstacle of explaining who and what he is to Emma might not be the biggest battle they face.

REVIEW

I'm not even sure how else to start this other than to say she has done it again folks! Nicole Williams has written, once more, an amazing book. I don't even think I could possibly put into words on how well she did. In Fusion, the second and final book of the Patrick Chronicles, we're once again thrown into Patrick Hayward's world. Having to do time in jail for a crime he didn't commit in order to help the family of the woman he loves, he is forced to remain at a distance to Emma Scarlett the woman who's managed to make the Patrick Hayward, in all his swag and sexy glory, fall in love with her. The Eden Trilogy fans will not be disappointed. Our favorite couples all make their appearances again in Fusion, allowing us to once again revel in the amazing Hayward clan. I won't lie, the ending of Fusion had me bawling. It was bitter-sweet and perfect and so amazing that Nicole Williams deserves and award, or ten. Everything drew to a close, a perfect ending to my number one favorite series. I'm so ecstatic Patrick finally got his stories, so extremely happy we got to see more of William and Bryn, Joesph and Cora, and Nathaniel and Abigail. You can bet I'll be waiting to see what else she writes, while re-reading the Eden Trilogy and the Patrick Chronicles over and over again of course! Thank you Mrs. Williams for giving us the awesomeness that is the Haywards!

Freshman Year & Other Unnatural Disasters By Meredith Zeitlin Review

SUMMARY

Kelsey Finkelstein is fourteen and FRUSTRATED. Every time she tries to live up to her awesome potential, her plans are foiled – by her impossible parents, her annoying little sister, and life in general. But with her first day of high school coming up, Kelsey is positive that things are going to change. Enlisting the help of her three best friends — sweet and quiet Em, theatrical Cass, and wild JoJo — Kelsey gets ready to rebrand herself and make the kind of mark she knows is her destiny. 

Things start out great - her arch-nemesis has moved across the country, giving Kelsey the perfect opportunity to stand out on the soccer team and finally catch the eye of her long-time crush. But soon enough, an evil junior’s thirst for revenge, a mysterious photographer, and a series of other catastrophes make it clear that just because KELSEY has a plan for greatness… it doesn’t mean the rest of the world is in on it. 

Kelsey’s hilarious commentary throughout her disastrous freshman year will have you laughing out loud—while being thankful that you’re not in her shoes, of course…

REVIEW

Freshman Year and Other Unnatural Disasters is one heck of a cute contemporary perfect for all ages. The main character is hilarious and there is plenty of drama to keep you plowing through the pages. Freshman Year definitely wouldn't have worked without its lead Kelsey. Though I found her a bit selfish in the beginning I loved watching her grow throughout her year. With each quirky new dilemma for her to deal with, she became a better person and as her frustration and sarcasm where turned to more worthy causes, I liked Kelsey more and more. Her over-dramatic tone made even the tiniest of problems into something huge and therefore made for some great laughs.

While Freshman Year isn't going to change your life, it is a really cute story full of funny situations and the perfect protagonist to survive them. Each potential disaster made Kelsey into a stronger protagonist and her humor made the story special

A Match Made in High School By Kristin Walker Review

SUMMARY

When the principal announces that every senior must participate in a mandatory year-long Marriage Education program, Fiona Sheehan believes that her life can't get any worse. Then she marries her "husband": jerky jock Todd, whose cheerleader girlfriend, Amanda, has had it in for Fiona since day one of second grade. Even worse? Amanda is paired with Fiona's long-term crush, Gabe. At least Fiona is doing better than her best friend, Marcie, who is paired up with the very quiet, very mysterious Johnny Mercer.

Pranks, fights, misunderstandings, and reconciliations ensue in an almost Shakespearean comedy of errors about mistaken first impressions, convoluted coupling, and hidden crushes.




REVIEW

This is one of those novels where you'll think of how great the chemistry is between the two main characters that you'll feel cheated when you find out that they don't end up together. I was so caught up with how hilarious and fun Todd and Fiona's love-hate treatment of each other was, the pranks, the witty exchanges, that it didn't occur to me that it would be possible for the two of them to just be friends. And good friends at that. I was blind sided with how Johnny, the gentle giant, seemed to have worked his way through Fiona even though he gets less time than Todd. It's one of those "he's so close in front of you that you can't see him" type of romance. Typical but still very romantic. Definitely recommended if you're up for some cheering up, as this book will make you laugh nonstop! It also shares a lesson or two about relationships with the various people around us, friends, family, classmates. Presented in a very easygoing way that will make the readers enjoy.

From Dead to Worse (Sookie Stackhouse #8) By Charlaine Harris Review

SUMMARY

The supernatural community in Bon Temps, Louisiana is reeling from two hard blows: the natural disaster of Hurricane Katrina, and the manmade horror of the explosion at the vampire summit in the up-north city of Rhodes. Sookie Stackhouse is safe but dazed, but too many vampires - some friends, some not - were killed or injured, and her were-tiger boyfriend Quinn is among the missing.

It's clear that things are changing, whether the weres and vamps like it or not. And Sookie, Friend to the Pack, blood-bonded to the leader of the local vampire community, is caught up in those changes. She's about to find herself facing danger and death and, not for the first time, betrayal by someone she loves. And when the fur has finished flying and the cold blood has stopped flowing, Sookie's world will be forever altered ...

REVIEW

In this eighth full-length installment of the Southern Vampire Series, Sookie’s loyalties to her friends and family will be tested and she’ll continue the struggle to piece together the puzzle of her life. With supernatural action that never slows, Ms. Harris takes readers on a new thrill ride filled to the brim with fabulous detail, characters that will charm their way into your heart, and the magic of never knowing what might come next. Tension filled, and laced with romantic possibilities, From Dead to Worse advances the storyline as it ties up loose ends and opens new doors. This series is a must read for fans of urban fantasy and should be read from the beginning.

Fissure (The Patrick Chronicles #1) By Nicole Williams Review

SUMMARY

Patrick Hayward’s never been a one woman type of guy, that’s why he never dates just one. However, still reeling the loss of the one woman he took a chance on falling in love with to his older brother, Patrick is enrolled—sequestered, if you asked him—at Stanford in hopes of breaking him out of his months long, beard growing, rootbeer chugging, hygiene impaired, funk.

Something breaks when a certain Emma Scarlett storms into his life his first week on campus as he’s suntanning and cat calling when he should be in class. Emma sees through his act and calls him out like she’s seen his kind a million times before, but Patrick knows he isn’t one of a million, he’s one in a million. 

Intrigued by this fascinating creature that is ignorant to his charm, surrounded by four older brothers who look at Patrick like he’s a bug they could squish, and dating the same guy for the past six years who gives new meaning to the term territorial boyfriend, Patrick gravitates to her, knowing she’s everything he shouldn’t fall for.

So, of course, he can’t help himself.

Forcing the stars to realign and slapping fate in the face, Patrick takes matters into his own hands and finds a way to wrangle his way into Emma’s life at every chance. As Emma begins to open up to him, he’s about to discover she’s thwarted by as many secrets as he is. 

But hers are the kind that make you want to keep your light on at night.

Patrick never could have imagined a more unhappy ever after for himself than the one he's about to face.

REVIEW

This book was perfect. If you thought William and Bryn's story was incredible then prepare for Awesomeness! How can you not when our main man here is Patrick FREAKING SEXY Hayward! 

The book picks up a month after United Eden. Patrick has turned into a shell of himself after seeing the women he fell in love with marry his older brother. You would think Patrick was a jealous fool, but he's far from that. He's happy for William and Bryn but it doesn't stop his heart from hurting. After our lovely, optimistic, always smiley Joseph forced Patrick to go clean his smelly self and their father told Patrick to go to school everything changes for the better. 

I think this is my favorite male point of view book. I found myself laughing, crying, and yelling at Patrick as I did when I first met him in The Eternal Eden books.

 Emma is the perfect girl for him, I couldn't have picked someone better. She isn't afraid to call him out on the way he acts or the way he sat there and made 'inappropriate' comments at every girl who walked by him the first week of school instead of actually going to his classes. 

One of my favorite supporting characters was Julia, Emma's best friend. She's her own soul and one hilarious girl. I hope Julia or Jules continues playing a role throughout The Patrick Chronicles because I absolutely loved her character. 

All in all I absolutely loved Fissure. Patrick and Emma are extremely entertaining. Patrick cracked me up, and Emma, who always had a come back ready for him, kept me laughing. There was something undeniably sweet and innocent about their love for one another and I can't wait to see how things play out for them in the next novel in this series.

FAV QUOTES-

“Did you see that?” I asked, turning and looking behind me, letting her change the subject. “That was my ego just falling away. Do you think I should go back and get it?”

“Who are you, Patrick Hayward?” she asked, looking back at me slowly.   
 “Who do you want me to be?” I said, praying she’d tell me, knowing I’d be whatever it was she wanted.

“Save some for our guest!” Emma shouted, smacking as many hands away as she could. “And the woman who gave birth to you.” She fought a spatula out of Dallas’s hand and shot an elbow into Jackson’s side when he made his move for it. “And for the sister who prepared this feast for you barbarians.”

The door clicked open then, on cue, and two forms ghosted into the room, stacking themselves behind me. And then a third. William nodded his head in acknowledgement as he took his place beside Joseph and Nathanial behind me. - Patrick (I love how William showed up to support Patrick!)

Now this was something that would have been on my life list had I known it existed. Emma Scarlett chasing down her linebacker sized brothers, to inflict what kind of damage if she caught them I couldn’t guess at, because they’d chowed down on pie 

“Of course it is,” I said, smiling tightly at her. “Now would you mind helping me find my jaw? It fell to the ground somewhere around here.”

You Wish By Mandy Hubbard Review

SUMMARY

Kayla McHenry's sweet sixteen sucks! Her dad left, her grades dropped, and her BFF is dating the boy Kayla's secretly loved for years. Blowing out her candles, Kayla thinks: I wish my birthday wishes actually came true. Because they never freakin' do.

Kayla wakes the next day to a life-sized, bright pink My Little Pony outside her window. Then a year's supply of gumballs arrives. A boy named Ken with a disturbing resemblance to the doll of the same name stalks her. As the ghosts of Kayla's wishes-past appear, they take her on a wild ride . . . but they MUST STOP. Because when she was fifteen? She wished Ben Mackenzie would kiss her. And Ben is her best friend's boyfriend.

REVIEW

I don't even know where to start. All I know is that I LOVED this book so much that I feel like reading it all over again. The moment I started reading this book I knew I wouldn't stop until I get it over with and that is exactly what happened. You Wish touches on friendships, first love, families and growing up while still remaining true to yourself. One thing I loved is that Kayla has problems and is a pessimist at heart but she never whines and is always willing to learn. 

I found myself in a fit of giggles sooo many times. Ken buying his muscle milk at the health food store, kissing his biceps and buying tank tops in every color... Ann having a Cinnabon roll for the first time… the pony walking into the middle of a motocross event...I could go on and on. I completely ADORED Raggedy Ann. She was so hilarious.

All of the wishes and the characters were perfect. There was never a dull moment. It was really interesting to see how Kayla handled her past birthday wishes. Overall, I can’t recommend You Wish enough! It is the perfect girly read. It has an unforgettable premise and amazing writing.

Something Like Fate By Susane Colasanti Review

SUMMARY

Lani and Erin are bonded for life. One thing that connects them is their fascination of fate. Lani wonders how much of our lives has already been decided and how much we can actually influence. Since the Unknown can unexpectedly change our lives forever, how much can we really control?

From the minute Lani meets Jason, she can't deny the intense connection they share. It feels like she's known him forever. She's not sure if he feels it, too. But it doesn't matter. Because Jason is Erin's boyfriend. Lani is determined to ignore her feelings for Jason, no matter how powerful they are, rather than risk hurting her best friend.

How long can Lani keep running from the boy who might be her destiny?


REVIEW

Something like fate is about how Lani, our main character, falls in love with Jason who happens to be her best friend Erin's boyfriend.This is an awkward position for Lani. She admits to herself that she has a crush on Jason, but she knows he is off-limits. That is until Erin goes away one summer and Lani starts spending more time with Jason. As time goes on, Lani realizes that she and Jason could be soul mates. But would she betray her best friend just for ‘something like fate’? Especially if that best friend saved her life? Another character I like is Blake, the other friend of Lani who's so gay and I love him! He always says the truth even when it's not what you wanted to hear. He's a kind and true friend. 

I liked Lani, especially her many little quirks. I also appreciated her genuine kindness; her positivity makes for a breezy read that is a welcome break from many darker YA books. Jason's character is also put together well, and his role as a hero was never questionable. His feelings came off pretty well when they were revealed, and he and Lani’s relationship as a whole had the ‘summer love’ feeling that feels good to read about.

FAV QUOTES-

“The first thing we saw at the pet store was this scary white cat sitting on his own pedestal. He fluffed out his fur in a huff of attitude. His weird eyes were like lasers, way more expressive than human eyes. It felt like he could read my soul. His eyes were all, Yeah. I know you. I know everything you’re thinking. The cat was acting all exotic and important. Which I guess is what happens when you’re put on your own pedestal.” 


“Rien ne va arrêter ma quête pour te trouver" No one will stop my quest to find you.”