Summer Reads 2015 (#3 & #4)

Happy Saturday everybody! I have more than one recommendation today and both books are by the same author. Since You've Been Gone and Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson. Both books take place during the summer and are great for summer reading! 

Summer Read #3

Since You've Been Gone 
By Morgan Matson
Published May 6th, 2014 by Simon and Schuster
464 pages

Summary from Goodreads.com 

The Pre-Sloane Emily didn't go to parties, she barely talked to guys, she didn't do anything crazy. Enter Sloane, social tornado and the best kind of best friend—the one who yanks you out of your shell.

But right before what should have been an epic summer, Sloane just… disappears. No note. No calls. No texts. No Sloane. There’s just a random to-do list. On it, thirteen Sloane-selected-definitely-bizarre-tasks that Emily would never try… unless they could lead back to her best friend.

Apple Picking at Night? Okay, easy enough.

Dance until Dawn? Sure. Why not?

Kiss a Stranger? Um...

Getting through Sloane’s list would mean a lot of firsts. But Emily has this whole unexpected summer ahead of her, and the help of Frank Porter (totally unexpected) to check things off. Who knows what she’ll find?

Go Skinny Dipping? Wait ... what? 

Thoughts: 

Emily's best friend, Sloane, disappears and leaves a to-do list for Emily to accomplish throughout the summer. Emily isn't the type to do some of the things on the list and isn't quite sure what to do without Sloane at her side. This is a great summer read about a girl finding out who she really is and who her friend is as well. I wasn't sure if I would like it at first but I flew through it and was pleasantly pleased! I definitely recommend Since You've Been Gone!

Summer Read (#4) 

Second Chance Summer 
By Morgan Matson
Published May 8th, 2012 by Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing
468 pages

Summary from Goodreads.com

From the Flying Start author of Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour, a powerful novel about hope in the face of heartbreak. 

Taylor Edwards’ family might not be the closest-knit—everyone is a little too busy and overscheduled—but for the most part, they get along just fine. Then Taylor’s dad gets devastating news, and her parents decide that the family will spend one last summer all together at their old lake house in the Pocono Mountains.

Crammed into a place much smaller and more rustic than they are used to, they begin to get to know each other again. And Taylor discovers that the people she thought she had left behind haven’t actually gone anywhere. Her former best friend is still around, as is her first boyfriend…and he’s much cuter at seventeen than he was at twelve.

As the summer progresses and the Edwards become more of a family, they’re more aware than ever that they’re battling a ticking clock. Sometimes, though, there is just enough time to get a second chance—with family, with friends, and with love.

Thoughts:

This was the first book that I have read by Morgan Matson! While it was a little slow at the beginning, I was definitely feeling the feels by the end of the novel. A touching story about friendship, family, love, and heartbreak! This book takes place during the summer and is another great read during your long summer days. 


P.S. - Morgan Matson has also written Amy and Roger's Epic Detour! I unfortunately haven't been able to read it yet but there are many great reviews for it. :) 

Review - Kitty Hawk (#5) by Iain Reading

Kitty Hawk and the Mystery of the Masterpieces (Kitty Hawk Flying Detective Agency #5)
By Iain Reading 
Published February 14th, 2015 
238 pages

*I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

Summary from Goodreads.com:

Kitty Hawk and the Mystery of the Masterpieces is the eagerly anticipated fifth instalment of the Kitty Hawk Flying Detective Agency book series. This series features the intrepid teenage seaplane pilot and amateur detective Kitty Hawk as she continues in the footsteps of Nancy Drew and Amelia Earhart on her epic flight around the world. 

After meeting up with an old friend in the eternal city of Rome, Kitty Hawk unexpectedly stumbles (almost literally) into a bizarre mystery involving creepy disembodied voices, secret hidden rooms, unbreakable mathematical codes, ominous chain-smoking strangers and an array of plundered artworks by such famous masters as Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro and Vincent van Gogh - all of it wrapped up and entwined in an enigmatic riddle hanging in plain sight right in front of everyone's noses. 

With the help of friends both old and new, Kitty Hawk follows a trail of cryptic clues that leads her on a breathless tour across a quintessentially European landscape - from ancient Roman Italy to the darkest corners of Germany, Austria and beyond. 

As with the previous books in the series, this new installment is perfect for firing the imaginations of readers of all ages. Filled with fascinating and highly Google-able locations and history, this exhilarating adventure will have armchair explorers and amateur detectives alike anxiously following every twist and turn as they attempt to help Kitty Hawk try and solve the extraordinarily bizarre Mystery of the Masterpieces.

Review:

Iain Reading has done it again! Kitty Hawk is back solving mysteries in the fifth book in the series. This time Kitty is in Italy and there is a new adventure to begin. 

Kitty is hired to figure out just who stole some important masterpieces. She is pretty curious to solve the mystery but soon learns that she'll need some help from a few old friends! 

I really enjoyed the mystery in this book! I loved how Kitty had to solve interesting problems and the whole explanation given for those problems. It was also really great to see some old friends from previous books. Some really nice friends were made in this adventure and I look forward to see who helps Kitty on her next adventure. 

It still surprises me how well Iain is able to include informational topics and make them interesting to read! I always learn something new after reading about Kitty's adventures. This book was a little shorter and had a different feel to it from the previous books. There were a few somber moments for Kitty and the reader but overall it was an enjoyable read. Quite a lot of action and suspense as well! 

Kitty Hawk and the Mystery of the Masterpieces is full of the right amount of interesting information and heart pounding action and suspense. I can't wait to see where Kitty heads next! Plus, the cover is absolutely wonderful and fits the content of the book so well. :) Definitely recommend this book if you have been keeping up the series. 4 out of 5 stars! 

Vanessa

Wishlist Wednesday #16

Wishlist Wednesday is a book blog hop where we will post about one book per week that has been on our wishlist for some time, or just added (it's entirely up to you), that we can't wait to get off the wishlist and onto our wonderful shelves. 

This is hosted by Pen to Paper ! 

Hello everyone! Today's Wishlist Wednesday book is one that looks absolutely amazing! Cannot wait to get my hands on this one! Which book are you wishing for this week?

The Wrath and the Dawn (The Wrath and the Dawn #1)

By Renee Ahdieh

Published May 12th, 2015 by G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers

395 pages

Summary from Goodreads.com:

A sumptuous and epically told love story inspired by A Thousand and One Nights

Every dawn brings horror to a different family in a land ruled by a killer. Khalid, the eighteen-year-old Caliph of Khorasan, takes a new bride each night only to have her executed at sunrise. So it is a suspicious surprise when sixteen-year-old Shahrzad volunteers to marry Khalid. But she does so with a clever plan to stay alive and exact revenge on the Caliph for the murder of her best friend and countless other girls. Shazi's wit and will, indeed, get her through to the dawn that no others have seen, but with a catch . . . she’s falling in love with the very boy who killed her dearest friend.

She discovers that the murderous boy-king is not all that he seems and neither are the deaths of so many girls. Shazi is determined to uncover the reason for the murders and to break the cycle once and for all. 

Review: Fall with Me by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Fall with Me (Wait for You #4)

By Jennifer L. Armentrout

Published March 31st, 2015 by Avon 

New Adult Genre

376 pages

Summary from Goodreads.com:

Eleven months ago, bartender and weird-shirt-wearing extraordinaire Roxy and Officer Reece Anders had a one night stand. Well, kind of. She’s been in love with him since she was fifteen, and he wishes that night they shared never happened. She’s sworn him off forever, but the past and future collide, forcing her to rely on the one man who broke her heart not once, but twice.

Her best friend since birth has been in a long-term care facility since he became a victim of a hate crime years ago, and the person who put him in there is out of prison and wanting to make amends with him and Roxy. She’s not sure she has room for forgiveness in her and when she begins to receive frightening messages and is on the receiving end of escalating violence, she thinks she knows who is to blame. The man who already destroyed one life already.

But Reece isn’t convinced. The threats are too personal, and even if Roxy doesn’t believe him, he’s not willing to let anyone hurt her. Including himself. He’s already messed up more than once when it comes to Roxy and he’s not going to let history repeat itself. 

Review:

Jennifer L. Armentrout is such an incredible author. She has once again managed to make me fall in love with her characters. Fall with Me is the fourth book in the Wait for You companion series. The companion series is a New Adult series and Armentrout proves that she is able to write New Adult as well as Young Adult. I would recommend reading them in order because I think it might make a little more sense if you did since the characters tend to make appearances. 

I have to admit that I forgot that I hadn't read the third book after I read this and was a little confused at the mention of some characters. Other than that, I really enjoyed this one! 

Roxy was such an interesting and quirky character. I loved her shirts and her attitude. She seemed like a pretty cool person to be friends with and she was pretty short so I felt a connection with her there. :) She had gone through a traumatic experience and I felt for her. Reese was another guy that it was pretty easy to fall for. He isn't my absolute favorite but I liked him well enough. :) I especially enjoyed the bantering between the two. 

This book was a little different from the previous ones in the series because it had a small mystery in it. There are murders going on in the town and some weird things happen to Roxy's apartment. I actually thought that it was just enough mystery to not take away from the contemporary feel but still add something new. The ending was a little suspenseful and exciting as well as kind of sad. Another win for Jennifer and I can't wait to read about the other characters in the next book! 

*The four hearts below this post represent my rating of the book. Instead of writing out 4 stars I have decided to use hearts to portray my rating!*

Vanessa

Summer Reads 2015 (#2)

Hello everyone! Today I have my second Summer Reads 2015 recommendation. This book is one of my absolute favorite YA Contemporary novels as well as summer reads! I could not say enough about this book so I definitely recommend you give it a try. There is a sequel being released May 26th of this year!! 

Summer Read #2

To All the Boys I've Loved Before (To All the Boys I've Loved Before #1)

By Jenny Han

Published April 15th, 2014 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

355 pages

Summary from Goodreads.com:

Lara Jean keeps her love letters in a hatbox her mother gave her.

They aren't love letters that anyone else wrote for her, these are ones she's written. One for every boy she's ever loved—five in all. When she writes, she can pour out her heart and soul and say all the things she would never say in real life, because her letters are for her eyes only. Until the day her secret letters are mailed, and suddenly Lara Jean's love life goes from imaginary to out of control.

Thoughts:

This book was one of my favorites of last year and I am so excited that the sequel is almost here! Lara Jean is such a great and unique character. She was so fun to read about and the book was definitely better than I was expecting. This book is a must read for summer because it gives the reader so many good feels! Check it out now!! 

Review: The Distance Between Us by Kasie West

The Distance Between Us

By Kasie West

Published July 2nd, 2013 by Harper Teen 

312 pages

Summary from Goodreads.com:

Seventeen-year-old Caymen Meyers studies the rich like her own personal science experiment, and after years of observation she’s pretty sure they’re only good for one thing—spending money on useless stuff, like the porcelain dolls in her mother’s shop.

So when Xander Spence walks into the store to pick up a doll for his grandmother, it only takes one glance for Caymen to figure out he’s oozing rich. Despite his charming ways and that he’s one of the first people who actually gets her, she’s smart enough to know his interest won’t last. Because if there’s one thing she’s learned from her mother’s warnings, it’s that the rich have a short attention span. But Xander keeps coming around, despite her best efforts to scare him off. And much to her dismay, she's beginning to enjoy his company.

She knows her mom can’t find out—she wouldn’t approve. She’d much rather Caymen hang out with the local rocker who hasn’t been raised by money. But just when Xander’s attention and loyalty are about to convince Caymen that being rich isn’t a character flaw, she finds out that money is a much bigger part of their relationship than she’d ever realized. And that Xander’s not the only one she should’ve been worried about.

Review:

Before reading this book I had only read one other Kasie West book. That book was On The Fence and I enjoyed it so much. Some of you may know that I'm not always in the mood for contemporary and it's hard for me to find some that I really enjoy. Well Kasie West has managed to write two YA contemporaries that I have absolutely devoured. The Distance Between Us was such a great summer read that had such relate-able characters. I actually read this in one sitting because it flowed so easily!

Caymen was such an awesome teenage girl. She doesn't live a rich life and helps her mom with the doll store that they own. Caymen really has a talent for sarcasm and it was so funny to watch her interact with others. She has a dry sense of humor but she knows it. Xander was another charming character and I loved the interactions between the two of them. It was great to be able to learn a little bit about him and watch how he didn't seem to fit the rich stereotype. 

The story itself was pretty interesting and wasn't hard to follow at all. I enjoyed how the characters were able to learn more about each other. Especially how Caymen was able to learn that not everyone fits into the stereotype. This book just left me with such good feelings and Xander and Caymen had a smile on my face every time they interacted. This is definitely a good summer read that is quick and entertaining! Check it out now!  

*In case you were confused, the four hearts at the bottom of this post represent the rating I have given this book!* 

Vanessa

Review - A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas

A Court of Thorns and Roses (A Court of Thorns and Roses #1)

By Sarah J Maas

Published May 5th, 2015 by Bloomsbury Children's

416 pages

5 stars - Absolutely Intoxicating!! 

Summary from Goodreads.com:

A thrilling, seductive new series from New York Timesbestselling author Sarah J. Maas, blending Beauty and the Beast with faerie lore.

When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.

As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.

Perfect for fans of Kristin Cashore and George R. R. Martin, this first book in a sexy and action-packed new series is impossible to put down! 

Review:

WOW. I feel as if there are no words to describe how I felt while reading this book, finishing this book, and still thinking about this beautiful book. The content is beautiful but the outside is beyond words as well. Look at that cover! I absolutely love the red and black and it is even better in person!! 

Stick with me as I get through this review because this is currently one of my favorite books of this year! The feels that this book brings out are beyond words but I will try my best. 

A Court of Thorns and Roses is a loose retelling of the Beauty and the Beast.  Beauty and the Beast is one of my favorite fairy tales and Disney adaptations. When I found out that Sarah J Maas was doing a retelling I was absolutely intrigued and beyond excited. Sarah J Maas is such a talented author and is brilliant at creating characters that are, at times, flawed but so endearing and unforgettable. I read Throne of Glass earlier this year and was beyond pleased with it and the two other books in the unfinished series. While ACOTAR is definitely different from ToG, it isn't any less beautiful! 

Feyre is a mortal and she lives in a poor village right outside of the land that is ruled by the High Fae. She is the main source of food and income for her family and living in poverty has definitely taken a toll on her. She is hungry, tired, bitter and angry at all Fae in the beginning of this book and she has every right to be. Not all Fae are nice creatures and their kind had once ruled the world as well as the mortals living in it. There are no happy stories of the Fae and Feyre believes them until one day she actually meets one. 

Feyre was such an awesome character and I really enjoyed watching her grow in the time span of the book. She learned so much about herself as well as the Fae and her family. She learned just how strong she really is because she had to go through some major difficulties. Feyre is definitely flawed and, at some points, a little too stubborn. There were times when she didn't listen to the advice of those around her and ended up getting into some trouble, but she was a fantastic character nonetheless. 

Tamlin and Lucien are two very big reasons why I absolutely fell in love with this book! I won't say too much about them but they are such amazing characters and I loved watching them grow as well. I cannot wait to read more about them! Also, Tamlin is absolutely swoon worthy! ;)

Feyre's family members are more fleshed out than I thought they would be and I was definitely pleased with it. I hope to learn more about them in the books to come! 

The setting was definitely magical and Maas has such a way with words! I felt as if I was really there with the characters. The history of the High Fae and the mortals is definitely interesting. There was suspense, action, romance, and funny moments throughout the book and Maas knows how to execute each one perfectly! The romance in this book is steamier than Maas' other books and might be described as New Adult by some. 

The ending had my heart pounding and I was on such an emotional roller coaster. I feel as if I have rambled on throughout this review but I cannot find enough to say about this book! If you liked Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge as well as The Throne of Glass series by Sarah J Maas, then you will definitely want to check this out. If you haven't read either of those, then you definitely should! And if you haven't read any other books by Maas, then let this be your first!! I cannot rave enough. :) 

Vanessa

Summer Reads 2015 (#1)

Hello everyone! I am finally back to posting on the blog and have decided to do something a little new. It is finally getting into the summer months and I am so excited to have some time to read! I don't really read too many contemporary books throughout the year, but during the spring/summer months I am always in the mood for them. How about you? If you are looking for a great summery read, then look no further! I've decided to share some of my favorite summer YA reads with you and I definitely recommend you try them out. :)

Summer Read #1

The Wrong Side of  Right 
By Jenn Marie Thorne
Published March 17th, 2015 by Dial
400 pages

Summary from Goodreads:

Fans of Sarah Dessen and Huntley Fitzpatrick will enjoy this smart debut young adult novel, equal parts My Life Next Door and The Princess Diaries—plus a dash of Aaron Sorkin.

Kate Quinn’s mom died last year, leaving Kate parentless and reeling. So when the unexpected shows up in her living room, Kate must confront another reality she never thought possible—or thought of at all. Kate does have a father. He’s a powerful politician. And he’s running for U.S. President. Suddenly, Kate’s moving in with a family she never knew she had, joining a campaign in support of a man she hardly knows, and falling for a rebellious boy who may not have the purest motives. This is Kate’s new life. But who is Kate? When what she truly believes flies in the face of the campaign’s talking points, she must decide. Does she turn to the family she barely knows, the boy she knows but doesn’t necessarily trust, or face a third, even scarier option?

Set against a backdrop of politics, family, and first love, this is a story of personal responsibility, complicated romance, and trying to discover who you are even as everyone tells you who you should be.

Thoughts:

I just recently read The Wrong Side of Right because it was just recently released. I wasn't sure if I would enjoy it but it is definitely an interesting read. Most of the book takes place in summer so it is a perfect summer read that looks at an interesting situation. Check it out this summer! 

Vanessa

Book Blitz - Flash by Donna Ball

Hello Everyone! Today I am participating in a Book Blitz brought to us by Sage's Blog Tours. Check out the info below and learn more about Flash by Donna Ball. Flash is released today and can be found on Amazon! Sounds like a pretty interesting book so don't miss out! 

Flash

By Donna Ball
Publication Date: May 1, 2015

Publisher: Blue Merle Publishing

Don’t miss the first book in an exciting new dog mystery series

Almost two years ago the sleepy little community of Dogleg Island was the scene of one of the most brutal crimes in Florida history.  The only eye witnesses were a border collie  puppy and a police officer. Since that time Flash has grown from a puppy into a vital part of the Dogleg Island Police Department, and has  lived happily with the two people who rescued him on that horrible night: Deputy Sheriff Ryan Grady and Police Chief Aggie Malone. 

Now the trial of the century is about to begin.  The defendant, accused of slaughtering  his parents in their beach home, maintains his innocence.  Aggie and Ryan, the top witnesses for the prosecution,are convinced he is lying.  But only Flash knows the truth.

And with another murder to solve, a tangle of conflicting evidence to sort out, and a brutal storm on the way, the truth may come too late... for all of them.

Author Bio

Donna Ball is the author of over a hundred novels under several different pseudonyms in a variety of genres that include romance, mystery, suspense, paranormal, western adventure, historical and women’s fiction. Recent popular series include the Ladybug Farm series by Berkley Books and the Raine Stockton Dog Mystery series. Donna is an avid dog lover and her dogs have won numerous titles for agility, obedience and canine musical freestyle. She divides her time between the Blue Ridge mountains and the east coast of Florida, and lives with a variety of four-footed companions. You can contact her at http://www.donnaball.net, or follow her on Facebook at Donna Ball

Links:

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