The Start of Me and You by Emery Lord

* * * *

Following her pitch-perfect debut Open Road Summer, Emery Lord pens another gorgeous story of best friends, new love, & second chances.

Brimming with heartfelt relationships and authentic high-school dynamics The Start of Me and You proves that it’s never too late for second chances.

It’s been a year since it happened—when Paige Hancock’s first boyfriend died in an accident. After shutting out the world for two years, Paige is finally ready for a second chance at high school . . . and she has a plan. First: Get her old crush, Ryan Chase, to date her—the perfect way to convince everyone she’s back to normal. Next: Join a club—simple, it’s high school after all. But when Ryan’s sweet, nerdy cousin, Max, moves to town and recruits Paige for the Quiz Bowl team (of all things!) her perfect plan is thrown for a serious loop. Will Paige be able to face her fears and finally open herself up to the life she was meant to live?

Review:

I admit it.  I haven’t read Open Road Summer.  I’ve heard all the good things about it but there are so many books and so little time.  You know how it goes.  But based on everyone’s reaction to Emery Lord’s debut I went ahead and requested her second novel from NetGalley.  And wow.  If you read any of my reviews you know that friends to lovers is one my absolute favorite tropes in romance.  I mean, what’s better than falling in love with someone that truly knows you?  So it’s no wonder that I fell hard for this story.

Paige’s very first boyfriend died in a terrible drowning accident and ever since, Paige has been hiding from the world.  Depression and fear will do that to a person.  Particularly a young teen.  But her junior year is about to begin and Paige has decided that this is the year she starts living again.  She even makes a list.  

1.  Parties/social events – because she has avoided anything other than small group outings with her friends.
2. New Group – She wants to put herself out there by doing an extracurricular activity during the school year.
3. Date – She hasn’t had a boyfriend since Aaron passed away.
4. Travel – She desperately wants to go to a summer program in New York over the summer.
5. Swim – She became deathly afraid of water after Aaron’s death. 

Paige musters all the courage she can and completes the first two things on her list pretty quickly.  Party?  Check.  Join the Quiz Bowl team?  Check.   Now for the dating.  She has her sights set on one Ryan Chase.  Her crush from years ago.  To her amazement, Ryan and his cousin (Max), naturally become part of her group of friends.  What she doesn’t expect is how quickly she and Max connect.  But Paige is a teenager and is so completely focused on super cute Ryan (who she has nothing in common with) that she is completely oblivious to the romantic possibility in Max.

It may take Paige forever to realize the possibilities in Max but it will take the reader only a hot second.  Max is totally the guy I would have crushed on in high school.  He is kind of perfect and perfectly kind.  I’m going to make a list a la Paige naming all the reasons I love Max:

1. Adorable nerd with glasses.  I’m always a sucker for this look/personality
2.  Firefly fan.
3. Total Beta hero.  My absolute favorite.
4. Firefly fan.
5. Read Pride and Prejudice.
6. Did I mention he was a Firefly fan?

But I digress.  Enough about my list and back to Paige’s.

Completing the things on her list doesn’t happen quickly.  There are a few other things going in Paige’s life that require her attention.  One of her friends is struggling with an older boyfriend, she isn’t connecting with her younger sister, her divorced parents are dating again and her grandmother’s Alzheimer’s is progressing.  But even with all the chaos, all three adults in her life (parents and grandmother) and her all of her friends (old and new) continue to be an amazing support system for Paige regardless of the complications in everyone’s lives.

As the school year progresses, Paige, along with the help of her friends (Max in particular), slowly learns to address her fears and ultimately the three final things on her list.   

The few contemporary YA books I’ve read this year have been simply fantastic.  But this might be might favorite so far.  I love a friends to lovers romance and this certainly fits the bill.

Nat

Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass #3) by Sarah J Maas

* * 3/4

Lost and broken, Celaena Sardothien’s only thought is to avenge the savage death of her dearest friend: as the King of Adarlan’s Assassin, she is bound to serve this tyrant, but he will pay for what he did. Any hope Celaena has of destroying the king lies in answers to be found in Wendlyn. Sacrificing his future, Chaol, the Captain of the King’s Guard, has sent Celaena there to protect her, but her darkest demons lay in that same place. If she can overcome them, she will be Adarlan’s biggest threat – and his own toughest enemy.

While Celaena learns of her true destiny, and the eyes of Erilea are on Wendlyn, a brutal and beastly force is preparing to take to the skies. Will Celaena find the strength not only to win her own battles, but to fight a war that could pit her loyalties to her own people against those she has grown to love?

The way Crown of Midnight ended in such a frenzy, I thought Heir of Fire would be bursting with energy from page one. It didn’t.  I can’t believe I’m saying this, especially because of how much I love this series and have been looking forward to this but compared to the previous two books, Heir of Fire is slow moving until much, much later and by then the book is over.  Let me explain …

The biggest factor in the lack of action is Calaena. She’s mopey. She’s a mere shell of herself and I can’t blame her. She suffered so much loss in Crown of Midnight and was so manipulated by the king where she eventually had to leave Chaol behind to serve the ruthless monarch. She’s just defeated and when someone is defeated they dwell in self-pity and withdraw into themselves. Then Rowan, another Fae finds Calaena to bring her to her aunt, Queen Maeve. This is a good thing as it’s Calaena’s chance to ask questions and get answers. Of course, it’s not that easy. She is instructed to undergo training under Rowan’s strict tutelage in order to draw out her magical gifts. Only then will Maeve give her the answers she seeks.  Calaena essentially roughs it throughout her training as she and Rowan just antagonize each other. But no matter how grueling it is, the training doesn’t really do much good. It’s so bizarre and aggravating to see Calaena give up so easily. 

In the meantime, Chaol is back in Adarlan desperately trying to protect is best friend Prince Dorian and his potentially deadly secret that he has magic. Keeping the king’s suspicions at bay becomes his other full-time job, as is putting off his promise for as long as he can to his father to return to his homeland. Unfortunately, the events in the last book have left things a bit messy and it has strained his relationship with Prince Dorian. Both start to keep to themselves under the noble but misguided idea that the less the other knows, the safer they’ll all be.  Without each other, they seek alliances elsewhere. Learning who to trust is literally a life or death undertaking.

I mentioned above that the action does pick up towards the very end only because Calaena finally gets her head out of you know where. But that’s only because she’s had the crap beaten out of her several times by then. It does get more interesting because Calaena learns something vital about herself and what she needs to defeat the king and restore balance to the world. All of that comes after her long struggle to get over her depression and find her purpose again.

So while Heir of Fire may be a harder read because it isn't as fast-paced and the overall mood is downcast, it is a very crucial next step in Calaena’s story.  She's constantly met with the question of whether she will embrace her fey nature and fight for the good of all or if she will only seek personal vengeance and walk away when done. This is about her evolution. And then of course there’s my burning question: will she and Chaol reunite? Oh please let that be so. A sad Calaena and a sad Chaol make me very sad too.

~ Bel

Taste Test by Kelly Fiore

* * * 1/2

If you can grill it, smoke it, or fry it, Nora Henderson knows all about it. She’s been basting baby back ribs and pulling pork at her father’s barbeque joint since she was tall enough to reach the counter. When she’s accepted to Taste Test, a reality-television teen cooking competition, Nora can’t wait to leave her humble hometown behind, even if it means saying good-bye to her dad and her best friend, Billy. Once she’s on set, run-ins with her high-society roommate and the maddeningly handsome—not to mention talented—son of a famous chef, Christian Van Lorten, mean Nora must work even harder to prove herself. But as mysterious accidents plague the kitchen arena, protecting her heart from one annoyingly charming fellow contestant in particular becomes the least of her concerns. Someone is conducting real-life eliminations, and if Nora doesn’t figure out who, she could be next to get chopped for good. 

With romance and intrigue as delectable as the winning recipes included in the story, this debut novel will be devoured by all.

REVIEW:

Hello.  My name is Nat and I am a Food Network addict.  A recovering addict that is “recovering” only because I no longer have cable.  I am not ashamed to say that I have fallen off the wagon.  Without ever having to turn on a television.  

Nora Henderson is a small town girl from South Carolina that has grown up in her father’s BBQ joint, Smoke Signals.  She loves cooking and can’t imagine doing anything else.  And now she has the chance to make cooking her life.  Nora has been accepted onto the reality show, Taste Test, where she has the chance to win a scholarship to the International School of Cuisine in Paris, France AND $50,000 towards advancing her career in the food industry.

Nora has been a fan of Taste Test since it first aired.  So she is no stranger to the drama the show fabricates in order to draw in viewers.  But she isn’t quite ready to be the star of the drama.  Taste Test has her rooming with her complete opposite - a diva princess with an instant disgust of Nora.  On top of that, the producers have noticed the volatile relationship between Nora and Christian Van Lorten and are doing everything they can to produce a romance where there is none.  

On top of the “normal” stress of being on a reality TV show, the studio kitchens are being plagued by disasters that Nora is convinced are the work of a saboteur.  Someone that wants to win the grand prize at any cost.

I really enjoyed this book.  And not just because I am a Food Network addict.  I of course loved the food challenges.  And there are even delicious recipes at the end of this (can’t wait to try the Coffee-Cocoa-Cayenne Dry Rub).  But I also loved the way Nora and the other characters tried to avoid the drama.  I enjoyed the fact that you could feel everyone’s frustration with the producers steadily build through out the story.  I really liked the relationships Nora had with her father; her father’s girlfriend; her best friend, Billy; and her newly made friends from the cast of Taste Test.  And what I found most fascinating was how the relationship between Nora and Christian grew through out the story.  There is a lot of push and pull between these two and they both do and say things that end most relationships before they have a chance to start.  But Kelly Fiore manages to build their story in a very believable way.  

As you can probably tell, I definitely recommend this book.  It’s light and fun and perfect for the beach.  And if you are anything like me, it will send you into your kitchen so you can pretend you are starring in your very own episode of Chopped.  

Or was that just me?

Nat 

Hidden (Avena #1) by Marianne Curley

* * 3/4

For as long as Ebony can remember, she's been sheltered. Confined to her home in a secluded valley, home-schooled by her protective parents, and limited to a small circle of close friends. It's as if she's being hidden. But something is changing in Ebony. Something that can't be concealed. She's growing more beautiful by the day, she's freakishly strong, and then there's the fact that she's glowing.

On one fateful night, Ebony meets Jordan and she's intensely drawn to him. It's as if something explodes inside of her--something that can be seen from the heavens. Ebony still doesn't know that she's a stolen angel, but now that the heavens have found her, they want her back.

Since there is a lot to this book that would be hard to talk about without giving away details and spoilers, I’ll summarize it this way:

What I Liked …

I was pleasantly surprised that the description did not give away the entire plot. There really was a whole lot more to it. It wasn't just Ebony and Jordan’s story even though it was told from either of their perspectives. There were other players involved who had something at stake. And how they're all connected is the giant puzzle that needs to be put together. I wasn't immediately able to discern who the good and bad guys were. I viewed each character skeptically and it was nice to be kept on my toes that way. So it felt real that Ebony felt the same and was not easily swayed by what was revealed to her all at once practically.

The other …

I really wanted to get carried away by this book but there were times when I found my interest waning because the conversations didn't flow naturally for me. I admit that I did put the book down for a day or so but my curiosity got the better of me and I knew then that it was still a story worth reading because I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

I mentioned previously that there were quite a few subplots which was fine though they did feel cluttered at times. And there were events I felt happened too quickly, awkwardly or unnecessarily. But all that can be put by the wayside because it all came to a pretty intense climax that I thought was rather clever because of all the dubious characters and side deals that threw me off.

So my ultimate take on Hidden is that it's a decent read and it's a story that has potential. Curley offers up a different take on angels and the idea of heaven versus hell, good versus evil, science versus religion – all new concepts to embrace. I'll be interested to see where she takes this as the series progresses.

 ~ Bel

Anthem For Jackson Dawes by Celia Bryce

* * * 

Megan Bright and Jackson Dawes are two teenagers who first meet each other on the hospital ward where they are both being treated for cancer. Megan is scared and worried about her illness, but Jackson seems to be an old hand, having been on the ward for ages. And everybody loves Jackson! He is a whirlwind of life and energy, warmth and sparkle. Megan will need to borrow some of Jackson's extraordinary optimism to face her and Jackson's future. A moving story of first love and a remarkably powerful debut novel.

You know how there are just some people who can walk into a room and command attention? When they leave, you’re just left with such a fond impression of them? That’s Jackson Dawes, a teenager with this magnetic personality that draws in anyone within his vicinity. When Megan first arrives at the hospital and meets him, she’s not quite sure what to make of him.  At first she views him as sort of this inevitable annoyance who's always showing up to her room and talking endlessly about something or other. He’s also blunt about what she can expect during her stay. After a while, he becomes a calming influence. His vivid imagination and enigmatic personality keep all the kids on that floor optimistic and most importantly happy.

Anthem is told from Megan’s thirteen year-old point of view and it’s very innocent and straightforward. She starts off in denial about her cancer, then goes through the motions before accepting the reality of her situation. The uncertain outcomes of what she and her new friends are facing tug at your heart strings. I thought I’d have a very hard time with this book but honestly there are also plenty of moments to make you smile. Aside from her budding friendship with Jackson, I enjoyed Megan’s conversations with her grandfather who was a total riot. And the moments that are tough do make you teary-eyed but at the end, it’s a sweet story about having faith, being hopeful and living life to the fullest. 

In Anthem For Jackson Dawes, Celia Bryce has delivered a touching, heartfelt story that I highly recommend!

~ Bel

Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt

* * * 1/2 

When Mallory discovers that her boyfriend, Jeremy, is cheating on her with an online girlfriend, she swears off boys. She also swears off modern technology. Inspired by a list of goals her grandmother made in 1962, Mallory decides to "go vintage" and return to a simpler time (when boyfriends couldn't cheat on you online). She sets out to complete grandma's list: run for pep club secretary, host a dinner party, sew a homecoming dress, find a steady, do something dangerous. But the list is trickier than it looks. And obviously finding a steady is out . . . no matter how good Oliver (Jeremy's cousin) smells. But with the help of her sister, she'll get it done. Somehow. Lindsey Leavitt perfectly pairs heartfelt family moments, laugh-out-loud humor, and a little bit of romance in this delightful contemporary novel.

Review:

When Mallory disrupts one of her make out sessions with Jeremy by asking him to make her a snack she opens his computer to get started on a school assignment.  She never expected to open his computer and find  that her boyfriend was having an emotional affair with a girl on Friendspace.  What does she do?  Well, she does what any girl would do and calls him out on his own Friendspace page and then leaves.  She spends the rest of the weekend helping her dad clean out her grandma’s house and avoiding all texts and internet usage.  When she finds a list her grandma made when she was Mallory’s age, Mallory decides that life back then was considerably simpler and in turn better than it is now.  Mallory is determined if she does everything on her grandmother’s list  as well as give up modern conveniences like the internet and cell phones, her life will be better.    What she learns is that things are not always as they seem and sometimes a little old fashioned communication can gain some wonderful new friends.  

This was a cute story.  I think a lot of people will identify with Mallory’s character.  Her insecurities and her lack of focus seemed so, dare I say it, normal.  Her ex-boyfriend, Jeremy, is aptly labeled a tool.  But his cousin and classmate Oliver is the kind of boy that I would have admired from afar.  You know.  The boy you are really fascinated with but feel like you have nothing in common with so you just kind of check him out in the hallway but never say a word?    Yeah, that boy.  And then there was Mallory’s sister and rock, Ginny.  It was a blessing these two sisters had each other because their parents were nice but also a little bit nutty.  

All in all, this was a very sweet read.  The best part of this story is that it is appropriate for a lot of ages.   I would probably recommend it to most teens and pre-teens because it is just one of those stories that everyone can relate to in one way or another.  

Going Vintage will be released March 26, 2013

Nat

Something Like Normal by Trish Doller

* * * 1/2

I just came home from Afghanistan.

My parents are splitting up.

My brother has stolen my girlfriend.

(He also stole my car.)

And I’m haunted by the ghost of my best friend.

Then I run into Harper.

(Technically, her fist runs into my face.)

She’s beautiful, smart, funny …

… and she wants nothing to do with the messed-up Marine who ruined her life.

Sometimes the best you can hope for is something like normal.

Sometimes what you get might be even better.

I chose to read Something Like Normal  because I wanted something contemporary. With all the baggage mentioned above, I was fully prepared for the story to spiral into depression. That never happened. Instead, I found myself very much drawn to Travis Stephenson, the 18 year-old Marine returning home to Fort Myers for a month’s leave.

What impressed me about Travis is his startling maturity. He profoundly honest about himself and his family. He accepts that things are far from ideal: his estranged relationship with his over-bearing, alpha-male Superbowl champion dad, his jealous, undermining younger brother and his eager-to-please mom. His dysfunctional relationships don’t stop there. There’s also his ex-girlfriend, Paige who sent him a “Dear John” letter while he was in Afghanistan. The postage had barely stuck to the envelope when she took up with his brother. Awkward! So you see, it’s not exactly a happy homecoming.

Throughout the story, Travis is haunted by the death of his best friend and fellow Marine, Charlie. Often he reminisces about his experience in Afghanistan but zeroes in on his close bond with Charlie. He’s riddled with guilt over his loss and has yet to process all the things he’s been through. It's a revelation to realize that he feels more at home with his Marine brotehrs in a war torn region than he does with his family in Florida. He feels like a fish out of water. His year away has given him perspective, allowing him to define his idea of what “family” is. And having been in the company of his brothers, knowing that they’d stick with each other through hell and worse, he’s not interested in mending fences with his father and brother.

When Travis runs into Harper, a girl who has been dogged by awful rumors that Travis himself started, he is spun around on his head. Initially she wants nothing to do with him and makes that clear after a swift punch to the face. Hey, a girl deserves her moment of revenge after going through high school hell, right? But they keep running into each other and Harper starts to loosen up even offering to help him with a family dinner.

Here’s where I came to like Travis. Travis hates himself and most everyone around him. He’s been disappointed by his family. He has no pretensions about himself and can be a real ass. He admits his flaws, acknowledges his mistakes and owns up to his jackass nature. Harper is a breath of fresh air, opposite of him and his ex-girlfriend. With Harper, he cares about what he says and does. He’s enamored by her and picks up on her little mannerisms that make him go weak:

 “ … she gives me a tiny bit-lip smile that knocks the wind out of my chest.”

And then there those moments when he shows his vulnerability:

“I want to tell her I won’t hurt her, but what proof does she have of that? Thing is, I don’t want to hurt her. Harper brings out something different in me than Paige. Something better. At least, I want to believe that.”

Every time he noticed Harper, I smiled because he was genuinely happy then. This was something good finally happening to him. Something worth protecting. With Harper’s sincerity and patience, he starts to come to grips with Charlie's death and the traumatic events he witnessed while in Afghanistan. He also steps up to be the kind of man his mom needs in the light of his father’s many transgressions.

Something Like Normal was engaging from start to finish. Travis’ drive to become a better person and work through is issues is admirable. He's the underdog you root for. The story leaves you feeling hopeful that each day gets better and brighter.

~ Bel

Throne Of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

* * * *

Available August 7, 2012

Description taken from the author's website:

When magic has gone from the world, and a vicious king rules from his throne of glass, an assassin comes to the castle. She does not come to kill, but to win her freedom. If she can defeat twenty-three killers, thieves, and warriors in a competition to find the greatest assassin in the land, she will become the King’s Champion and be released from prison.

 Her name is Celaena Sardothien.

 The Crown Prince will provoke her. The Captain of the Guard will protect her.

And a princess from a foreign land will become the one thing Celaena never thought she’d have again: a friend.

But something evil dwells in the castle–and it’s there to kill. When her competitors start dying, horribly, one by one, Celaena’s fight for freedom becomes a fight for survival–and a desperate quest to root out the source of evil before it destroys her world.

Throne of Glass is being touted as the teen Game of Thrones. I have not watched the series nor have I read those books, so I have no means of comparison.  However, with the way things played out in this outstanding debut, I have no doubt that Sarah J. Maas has quite an epic adventure in store for us!

Celaena is an assassin armed with a sharp mind, a keen eye and cutting wit. She is by far one of my favorite heroines that I have encountered. Little does Celaena realize that accepting Prince Dorian’s offer to become his champion would send her on a journey that would both challenge her and also introduce her to a court life that is riddled with political drama and intrigue. Overseeing her training, is Chaol Westfall, the no nonsense captain of the guard and also Prince Dorian’s best friend. He comes off as gruff, but we all know that means deep down inside he’s a softie, right? And Prince Dorian is simply misunderstood.

There are many things I appreciate about TOG. It’s a story about Celaena and her fight to win her freedom. While there’s a hint of a possible love triangle between the three main characters, the story never veers off course. Celaena is smart but she’s not a woman who uses her femininity to manipulate either Prince Dorian or Chaol. To that end she stands in stark contrast to the other ladies at court. Thankfully, Celaena is not on her own in this regard as she befriends the visiting Princess Nehemia. Princess Nehemia's agenda at court is not at first clear but together with Celaena, these two are formidable young women and powerful allies. Celaena is also a brilliant athlete who takes her training seriously. She employs her keen power of observation and instinct to get a leg up on her competitors. I also enjoy how politics and dark magical forces slowly entwine themselves with the competition.  Living in a world where magic has gone underground adds great suspense to the story. Celaena learns that the mysterious deaths of her fellow competitors are part of a very sinister plot to undermine the current regime and that her presence at the competition is no coincidence. She grapples with the truth that her destiny is far greater than just earning her freedom. Once she accepts that, her dedication and resolve know no limits.

There were a couple times where the story had me on edge wondering if Celaena would meet with an untimely death. Granted I know that there can’t very well be a series without her but I was seriously caught up in the thick of it and worried for her! And I freely admit that I was like a giddy 14 year-old girl impatiently waiting to find out who she’d kiss first. I’m not telling :)

Throne of Glass is an impressive debut that's a whole lot of fun - I know many readers will take a shine to it. Celaena’s witty banter with both Prince Dorian and Chaol, particularly Chaol are fantastic. While Prince Dorian is playful, Celaena's and Chaol's tendency to goad each other provide for some of the funniest moments in the book. The political dynamics introduced, including many levels of deception and backstabbing, are only a small hint of the drama to come!

~ Bel

Visit Sarah J. Maas' website at http://sarahjmaas.com/ where you can access the pronunciation guide. Also, in anticipation of the release of TOG on August 7, three e-novellas are currently available for download: The Assassin And The Pirate Lord, The Assassin And The Desert and The Assassin And The Underworld. Also check out this stunning book trailer for TOG:

Breaking Beautiful by Jennifer Shaw Wolf

* * * * 

Allie lost everything the night her boyfriend, Trip, died in a horrible car accident—including her memory of the event. As their small town mourns his death, Allie is afraid to remember because doing so means delving into what she’s kept hidden for so long: the horrible reality of their abusive relationship.

When the police reopen the investigation, it casts suspicion on Allie and her best friend, Blake, especially as their budding romance raises eyebrows around town. Allie knows she must tell the truth. Can she reach deep enough to remember that night so she can finally break free? Debut writer Jennifer Shaw Wolf takes readers on an emotional ride through the murky waters of love, shame, and, ultimately, forgiveness.

I dove into this book late one evening in the hopes of a good read after finishing a less than stellar book.  The plan was to read a chapter and go to sleep.  Fast forward 6 hours later (or 4am) and I have somehow survived the emotional roller coaster that is Breaking Beautiful.  When I say emotional roller coaster, I don’t mean the rapid brutal ascent and fall of emotions that you find in Gayle Forman’s If I Stay.  Think shorter ascents and drops in a dark tunnel and the only thing that keeps you from trying to jump off the ride is the light you KNOW is at the end.

This is one of those books that is hard to review because I really don’t want to give anything away other than what is in the description above.  It’s a bit of a mystery and I would hate to inadvertently spoil it for anyone.   

What I can tell you is that this book is rather dark.  I knew going in that it would be.  The description provided by the publisher prepared me for the subject matter of abuse Allie experienced at the hands of her boyfriend, Trip.  What I wasn’t prepared for was the abuse/bullying that Allie and her friends and family suffered at the hands of the town’s population – both adults and adolescents.   Some of it was intentional and vindictive.  Some of it was just the careless and thoughtless.  Either way, it was hurtful to the characters and upsetting to read.   

But not the entire story was dark.  Some of the brightest parts of this story were Andrew and Blake.  The very first thing that drew me into this book was the relationship between Allie and her twin brother, Andrew.  Andrew and Allie have a bond that is both beautiful and moving and I truly believe is one of the few things that keeps her alive in the beginning.  Then there is Blake.  Even after the way she treated him while dating Trip, Blake still insists on supporting her however and whenever he can and when she lets him.   

Although dark, this book ends with a bit of sunshine and hope.  I truly loved it.  If you love a good emotional read, as I do, then I highly recommend this book.   

Nat

*Breaking Beautiful will be released Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Stolen Away by Alyxandra Harvey

**1/2

From Bloomsbury:

For seventeen years, Eloise Hart had no idea the world of Faery even existed. Now she has been abducted and trapped in the Rath of Lord Strahan, King of Faery. Strahan was only meant to rule for seven years, as Faery tradition dictates, and then give up his crown to another. But he won't comply, and now chaos threatens both worlds.

The only one who can break his stranglehold on the Faery court is his wife, Eloise's aunt, Antonia. Using Eloise to lure Antonia, Strahan captures his wife, desperate to end the only threat to his reign. Together with her best friends Jo and Devin, Eloise must place her trust in Lucas, her handsome protector, and Strahan's mysterious son, Eldric, and forge alliances with other Fae in a dangerous attempt to free Antonia for ever.


The Good:
Stolen Away is well-written and fascinating take on the fae.  It is told from the point of view of the quiet Eloise and her boy crazy best friend Jo.  And you guys know how I love stories told from multiple p.o.v! 

The Bad:
The story felt a little disjointed at times.  The ending was abrupt and felt a little unfinished.  I also ended the book never really understanding what was so special about Eloise that allowed her to begin seeing the fae, who remain hidden from humans.

Stolen Away is a decent, quick read.  If you enjoy stories about fae, faeries and mystical worlds you should pick up Stolen Away.

~Shel

Small Town Sinners by Melissa Walker

***

Synopsis taken from the author’s website:

Does falling in love mean falling out of faith?

“Lacey Anne Byer is a perennial good girl and lifelong member of the House of Enlightenment, the Evangelical church in her small town. With her driver's license in hand and the chance to try out for a lead role in Hell House, her church's annual haunted house of sin, Lacey's junior year is looking promising. But when a cute new stranger comes to town, something begins to stir inside her. Ty Davis doesn't know the sweet, shy Lacey Anne Byer everyone else does. With Ty, Lacey could reinvent herself. As her feelings for Ty make Lacey test her boundaries, events surrounding Hell House make her question her religion."

Let me preface this review by stating that this is NOT the type of book I would normally pick up.  And had I really known what I was getting into I am not sure I would have checked it out from the library.  But I don’t regret this read.  It was equal parts fascinating and upsetting.  It was so upsetting (for me, anyhow) that I texted my fellow Bibliojunkies at 1:30 in the morning to vent my frustration.  Hopefully I didn’t wake either of them up with text alerts screaming from their phones.

So, why did I pick up this book? Because of the following quote from a review found in Book Page – “For the first time in her life, Lacey is forced to stop and think about her faith, her friendships and what she wants for her future”.   Due to my strict religious upbringing and how it affected me, I could completely identify with this statement and thought I might really relate to Lacey, the main character in this book.  Thankfully, the person I am now couldn’t relate to her or her way of life but I saw my teenage-self more than a few times in this story. 

Extreme religious sentiments in this book abound.  Anti-gay, anti-abortion, anti-premarital sex…the list could go on.  And let’s not forget to mention the Hell House in which all these sentiments are delivered.  (If you didn’t know already, Hell Houses do exist.  Look it up.  You will be horrifically fascinated.)  Also, scriptures are often quoted by characters in this book (Lacey in particular) to both argue for and against certain religious beliefs. 

Melissa Walker does not try to send a pro or anti religion message.  However, she does stay so true to her setting and characters’ evangelical upbringing that this book can be very difficult to read if you can’t look past the extremes and see the message she is trying to make clear to her readers. 

I don’t agree with the path Lacey takes in the end.  It’s not the route I would have taken.  Nor is it the path I did take in life.  But that isn’t the point of this book.  The point that Melissa Walker so eloquently makes is that it is okay to question our faith and make our own decisions based on what we learn in life.

If you think you can handle reading about the extreme ideals of the far Christian right, then I would recommend this books as it is an interesting read.

~Nat