Review: Between the Devil and the Duke by Kelly Bowen

Series: Season for Scandal #3
Release date: January 31st 2017
Publisher: Forever
Purchase: Amazon

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Their love was always in the cards.

He should have thrown her out. But when club owner Alexander Lavoie catches a mysterious blonde counting cards at his vingt-et-un table, he's more intrigued than angry. He has to see more of this beauty—in his club, in his office, in his bed. But first he'll have to devise a proposition she can't turn down. 

Gossip said he was an assassin.

Common sense told her to stay away. But Angelique Archer was desperate, and Lavoie's club offered a surefire way to make quick money—until she got caught. Instead of throwing her out though, the devil offers her a deal: come work for him. Refusing him means facing starvation, but with a man so sinfully handsome and fiercely protective, keeping things professional might prove impossible.

*Publisher provided eARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I love Historical Romance and have been wanting to read more books in that genre, so you can imagine my excitement when Between the Devil and the Duke landed on my kindle. 

I was looking forward to traveling into the past and reading about the ways of society in that time period. And at start, I was beyond intrigued with this story. 

Angelique's character drew me in instantly. I needed to know why she was often in Alexander's casino at a vingt-et-un table (which by the way I had to look up to figure out meant blackjack), and what was up with her family. When those things were brought to light, I was happy that Alexander genuinely wanted to help her in any way he could. I mean, Angelique was a strong and fierce woman, and she had to be, with a terrible excuse of a brother that never got himself together for his family. So it was nice that she could allow herself to be vulnerable at times and just allow a man like Alexander to take care of things. 

In regards to Alexander, I never quite got his story, only bits and pieces here and there because of how much he kept inside. He spoke about a particular painful thing that happened in his life and how it affected him. Yet, I think there was still more to learn. Although, I did enjoy the air of mystery. 

It seemed the story would be about these two characters working together at the gambling hell, with Angelique putting her awesome skill to use and Alexander admiring her every step of the way. I had no idea that whole bit with the brother and the twist with Angelique's family would come into play. While I liked the addition of suspense, which was mostly about finding the real culprit and discovering why they were out to ruin Angelique's family, that part of the story seemed a tad drawn out and there were moments that I got confused about names and things mentioned. That aside, it was an interesting novel with nice writing and sexy scenes that'll ease any prolonged tension. I also like that even though this is the third book in the series, you don't have to read them in order and there are different characters to fall in love with in the two previous books.

  

About the Author

Kelly Bowen grew up in Manitoba, Canada. She worked her way through her teenage years as a back country trail guide and ranch hand. She attended the University of Manitoba and earned a Master of Science degree in veterinary physiology and endocrinology.

But it was Kelly's infatuation with history and a weakness for a good love story that led her down the path of historical romance. When she is not writing, she seizes every opportunity to explore ruins and battlefields.

Currently, Kelly lives in Winnipeg with her husband and two boys, all of whom are wonderfully patient with the writing process. Except, that is, when they need a goalie for street hockey.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

Review: The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett by Chelsea Sedoti

Release date: January 3rd 2017
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Purchase: Amazon

Synopsis via Goodreads:

A teenage misfit named Hawthorn Creely inserts herself in the investigation of missing person Lizzie Lovett, who disappeared mysteriously while camping with her boyfriend. Hawthorn doesn't mean to interfere, but she has a pretty crazy theory about what happened to Lizzie. In order to prove it, she decides to immerse herself in Lizzie's life. That includes taking her job... and her boyfriend. It's a huge risk — but it's just what Hawthorn needs to find her own place in the world.

*Publisher approved request via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was a bit surprised that I ended up liking this one more than I'd expected to, because initially, Hawthorn's character was a huge turn off and some things in the story made me cringe. We'll get to the cringing part later. First, let's discuss her personality. 

Hawthorn came across too immature and somewhat detached. Her thoughts and the things she'd say baffled me, a lot. She had no consideration for other people's feelings and was way too caught up with what others thought about her and constantly saying she was perceived as a loser because she didn't go to an event or wasn't super popular. The latter aside, because no one cared, I felt like she was too much in her own world and never regarded anyone else, in particularly her supposedly best friend, Emily, and her brother. And maybe she'd even have more friends if she would open up more and check her attitude. But in spite of her seemingly selfish ways and immaturity, I found myself laughing at times at her sarcasm and ridiculous conclusions about Lizzie Lovett's disappearance. 

The mystery surrounding Lizzie kept my interest for the most part. I wanted to know what happened to her and why everyone was so in love with her, especially Hawthorn. She'd only spoken to Lizzie once and had somehow developed this unhealthy fascination with the girl. It definitely irked my being seeing how obsessed Hawthorn was, I mean to go as far as to work at the same place and spend time with Lizzie's boyfriend was just weird. Still, I kept reading because I wanted to see if Hawthorn's character would experience growth; open her eyes and see that there were more important things in life and that the world didn't revolve around her. 

Back to what made me cringe. The situation with Hawthorn and Lizzie's boyfriend was seriously inappropriate. And I was beyond surprised at how lightly it was handled by Hawthorn's parents. She'd heard them complaining that Hawthorn was spending too much time with him, but it was never really addressed and their positions in the story as parents was rather disappointing to me. They could have done more in regards to their seventeen-year-old daughter. Maybe that's why Hawthorn was like that to begin with. Anyway, regardless of the issues I had, I still liked the story. The writing's great, very intriguing. And while Hawthorn wasn't the most likable character and her behavior often made me want to shake the hell out of her, I did love her brother's friend and the visitors her mother had welcomed. They provided great insight that helped change Hawthorn's perspective, and in the end, I could feel the change that started to take place in her. 

About the Author

Chelsea Sedoti fell in love with writing at a young age after discovering that making up stories was more fun than doing her school work (her teachers didn’t always appreciate this.) In an effort to avoid getting a “real” job, Chelsea explored careers as a balloon twister, filmmaker, and paranormal investigator. Eventually she realized that her true passion is writing about flawed teenagers who are also afraid of growing up. When she’s not at the computer, Chelsea spends her time exploring abandoned buildings, eating junk food at roadside diners, and trying to befriend every animal in the world. She lives in Las Vegas, Nevada where she avoids casinos, but loves roaming the Mojave Desert.

www.chelseasedoti.com | @chelseasedoti

Review: Under Rose-Tainted Skies by Louise Gornall

Release date: January 3rd 2017
Publisher: Clarion Books
Purchase: Amazon

Synopsis via Goodreads:

At seventeen, Norah has accepted that the four walls of her house delineate her life. She knows that fearing everything from inland tsunamis to odd numbers is irrational, but her mind insists the world outside is too big, too dangerous. So she stays safe inside, watching others’ lives through her windows and social media feed.

But when Luke arrives on her doorstep, he doesn’t see a girl defined by medical terms and mental health. Instead, he sees a girl who is funny, smart, and brave. And Norah likes what he sees.

Their friendship turns deeper, but Norah knows Luke deserves a normal girl. One who can walk beneath the open sky. One who is unafraid of kissing. One who isn’t so screwed up. Can she let him go for his own good—or can Norah learn to see herself through Luke’s eyes?

*Publisher approved request via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

After reading the blurb, I became curious and wanted to understand what was going on with Norah. Agoraphobia and OCD should never be brushed off or taken lightly. Norah definitely had a mental issue, and every page depicted the physical and emotional turmoil her illness took on her. I mean, there are times when I don't even want to go to my mailbox or attend a social event, but I don't panic or get on the verge of passing out when I do. And Norah had those just from the thought of leaving her house, or if the probability of danger tugged at her mind. It was quite a story to read, and I loved the writing and how the author was able to deliver awareness and better understanding of something so serious and realistic. Many go through the same thing as Norah and I feel her story can be related to. 

There were instances where I would get frustrated with Norah and wanted her to just take that step or try and relax. But then I'd remind myself that this is an illness. This is really happening to the girl. She's not being melodramatic and cannot simply snap out of it. That became even more clear when Luke came into the picture. Like everyone, Norah had the desire of having a relationship, whether a true friendship or dating, and her illness made that hard. Many just didn't understand or laughed at the situation, and I was happy that Luke was genuinely interested in Norah and could accept every part of her as he grew to understand her illness. 

For the most part, Norah's condition and how it affected her life kept me intrigued. But I noticed that as the story went on and somewhere in the middle, it started to feel prolonged for me. And I didn't care for the drama that happened toward the end between her and Luke. Even though I had suspected that he'd end up doing that, I still feel like the resulted conflict should've gone a different way. Regardless of losing a little interest, I continued with the hope that something was going to help Norah and give her a good leap at having a speck of normalcy, especially since she acted out her anxiety in other sad and painful ways. And I liked how the author presented that horrible situation in the end for someone dealing with Agoraphobia, and showing us how the mental illness could be paralyzing even when it was life or death. It took a lot for Norah to make that move, but it was great to see her overcome something so tremendously hard. 

So overall, Under Rose-Tainted Skies is a good story with great writing and a very realistic issue. Hopefully someone will find it relatable and realize that they're not alone and can receive help for this illness.

About the Author

Louise Gornall is YA aficionado, film nerd, junk food enthusiast, and rumored pink Power Ranger. Under Rose-Tainted Skies is her first novel, and she can be found on Twitter @Rock_andor_roll. She lives in England.

www.bookishblurb.com

Review: All Is Not Forgotten by Wendy Walker

Release date: July 12th 2016
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Purchase: Amazon

Synopsis via Goodreads:

In the small, affluent town of Fairview, Connecticut everything seems picture perfect.

Until one night when young Jenny Kramer is attacked at a local party. In the hours immediately after, she is given a controversial drug to medically erase her memory of the violent assault. But, in the weeks and months that follow, as she heals from her physical wounds, and with no factual recall of the attack, Jenny struggles with her raging emotional memory. Her father, Tom, becomes obsessed with his inability to find her attacker and seek justice while her mother, Charlotte, prefers to pretend this horrific event did not touch her perfect country club world.

As they seek help for their daughter, the fault lines within their marriage and their close-knit community emerge from the shadows where they have been hidden for years, and the relentless quest to find the monster who invaded their town - or perhaps lives among them - drive this psychological thriller to a shocking and unexpected conclusion.

*Received a finished copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

All Is Not Forgotten is definitely not meant for the faint at heart, especially when details about gruesome events started to unravel. I barely made it through some parts and had to step away from the story at times to take a breather. That said, I did end up liking it because it kept me both intrigued and eager to learn how things would work out for each character. 

Many readers might find it disappointing that the story is narrated by someone other than Jenny, and even I was a bit bothered with that because I wanted to see things from her point of view; get inside her head, feel her emotions, and better connect with her. But if you can see past that, you'll delve deeper and discover how everything related. You may even say it came full circle. 

So the story went like this: 

After Jenny's attack, her MOTHER (because the father was pretty much ignored and overpowered in the decision-making) agreed to have doctors give Jenny a drug that'll block the memory of her assault. Mrs. Kramer believed it was best for Jenny to forget what had happened in order to go on living a normal life. But in all honesty, the mother was thinking about herself and wanted to put it all behind her. See Mrs. Kramer had issues of her own and she was used to sweeping things under the rug and dealing with them in other ways. I don't want to give those issues away, but throughout the story, we're told how unfair it was to judge the mother for her behavior and the way she treated her husband. That was hard for me, even as the story progressed and we learn more about her past. Her character was just too intolerable.  

Not saying the father didn't have issues of his own. The narrator explained a lot about both of Jenny's parents and I understood how certain factors in their upbringing contributed to who they were now as adults. Jenny's father never seemed to stand up for himself. I got mad at him for that, always letting his wife control things the way she did. But once details about his life were revealed, I totally got it from a psychological standpoint. And really, you just had to look at things in that way as you read, so you could understand these messed up characters. 

As for the narrator, he came into the picture after the parents sought out help for Jenny. And his conclusion was to help her remember the terrible night, because even though they'd used the drug to block the memory, the emotions were still there. Jenny knew something had happened to her and she still had a hard time coping, no matter how her mother pretended everything was fine. Besides, the police had no suspects and no leads. It was imperative that Jenny remembered, not only to deal with it properly but to find the monster before it happened again.

A lot transpired once Jenny started seeing the narrator. We uncovered more about his character and family. And another client's life entered the story. A soldier who was also given the drug. He and Jenny began spending time together, relating emotions and situations. And a good chunk of the story was spent on understanding this other person. At first, I was like, "why is he being mentioned?". Then we're told about all the things he'd dealt with and how a dreaded experience in the military had caused him to have PTSD. Hence, why he was given the drug. 

So much went on in the book and the more I read, the more I got pulled in, especially when something started to seem off about the narrator. When it became clear what that was, he certainly shouldn't have continued seeing Jenny, much less speaking to the police.  But he did. And with his involvement in Jenny's situation and what he'd stirred up for her mother and father, along with the soldier, it was almost mind-blowing. I couldn't believe the manipulation and how he was able to keep it all together. Then again, he had a dark secret that he'd kept for years. And by the end of the story, like me, you'll even hold him accountable for a lot that had happened.

Overall, this one was intriguing and made an impact on me in the sense that you never know what some people are going through, what they could be hiding. Sometimes sinister, sometimes gruesome. I wasn't expecting the story to be told in the way it was, based on the blurb, and I'm not too happy with the ending. Regardless, it's still worth the read.

About the Author
Wendy Walker is a practicing divorce attorney in Fairfield County, Connecticut who began writing while at home raising her three sons. She published two novels with St. Martin’s Press and edited multiple compilations for the Chicken Soup for the Soul series before writing her debut psychological thriller, All is Not Forgotten.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM

Review: Cutter Boy by Cristy Watson

Series: Sidestreets
Release date: August 1st 2016
Publisher: Lorimer
Purchase: Amazon

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Bullied at school and ignored at home, Travis has a secret: cutting himself with a razor blade is the only thing that lets him control the pain in his life and find some peace. When he becomes friends with Chyvonne, a new girl at school, he doesn't know how to get close to her without revealing his secret and making himself even more vulnerable. Spending time with Chyvonne spurs Travis to try to discover why his mother can't seem to face his very existence. It's only when he learns about the art form of paper cutting that he realizes there might be other ways to make himself feel adrenalin-fueled and in control.

Although self-harm through cutting is a problem usually associated with teenage girls, many young men are involved in different sorts of self-injury. This story explores a teenager's motivations for cutting and the options for overcoming the need to self-injure.

*Publisher approved my request via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a chilling story for me. While I'm well aware that girls aren't the only ones that self-harm, I've never read a book where it was the boy doing it, much less have ever seen a movie that focused on the guy self-mutilating. Speaking of movies, this story reminded me a lot of one that I saw on Lifetime a while back. Same topic, but opposite sex. And the girl had family issues as well, especially with the mom. I tried to figure out from the beginning why Travis' mom was like that with him, thinking that perhaps he wasn't her biological son or that she had cheated on her husband and his father wasn't his real father. In the end, it was a lot more complicated and sad, but it also didn't take long for me to pick up on the truth. Her erratic behavior solved that mystery for me. 

As for Travis, he had a lot that he was dealing with and it all piled up on the inside, so much so that cutting was an emotional escape. I don't understand a lot about this topic, but from reading this story I got the sense that self-harm was the character's way of dealing. It just made me cringe every time a scene popped up where he was doing it because the description was good and it gave me a vivid picture. And while I loved that he found another way to release his bottled up pain through art, I still wish that he'd get the help he needed, as well as his parents. The whole family needed therapy. 

Overall, good story with a frightening topic that needs to be addressed more frequently and deserves a lot of awareness. Thanks to the author for taking it on in such a way that it left quite an emotional impact on me.

About the Author

Cristy Watson is a teacher and writer living in Surrey, British Columbia. Cristy host's open mic at her local coffee shop and enjoys entering poetry contests. She has worked with a Young Adult population for most of her career and wanted to help readers find books to enjoy that were both at a level they could manage and that shared interesting and pertinent themes.

facebook.com/watsoncristy | twitter.com/luvshakespeare

Review: The Rains by Gregg Hurwitz

Release date: October 18th 2016
Publisher: Tor Teens
Purchase: Amazon | B&N

Synopsis via Goodreads:

In one terrifying night, the peaceful community of Creek’s Cause turns into a war zone. No one under the age of eighteen is safe. Chance Rain and his older brother, Patrick, have already fended off multiple attacks from infected adults by the time they arrive at the school where other young survivors are hiding. Most of the kids they know have been dragged away by once-trusted adults who are now ferocious, inhuman beings. The parasite that transformed them takes hold after people turn eighteen—and Patrick’s birthday is only a few weeks away. 

Determined to save Patrick’s life and the lives of the remaining kids, the brothers embark on a mission to uncover the truth about the parasites—and what they find is horrifying.

Battling an enemy not of this earth, Chance and Patrick become humanity’s only hope for salvation.

*Publisher approved my request on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Initially, I assumed The Rains was about zombies. Turns out the story is much bigger than that. Yes, people are indeed transformed into zombie-like states, but a more otherworldly and malicious situation was unfolding. 

Gregg Hurwitz had my undivided attention from start, and my interest never drifted. I loved how he got right to it, building up this dark world of terror and intrigue. Loved that the main characters were two brothers, and they were interesting individuals too. I liked their bond and how much they looked out for each other. Patrick, being the eldest, was more like a father-figure to Chance; he protected him to no end. And even though Chance was often the one shielded in his life, I liked that his character matured with the situation at hand and that he could survive  on his own without Patrick.

So much went down throughout the story, mainly pertaining to understanding what was happening to their little town and why. Every chapter had a chilling scene that made we wonder if one of the brothers would get taken. And the fact that Patrick was approaching his eighteenth birthday terrified me as much as everyone else in the story. I honestly never would have thought of what Chance did to save his big brother, but that was great thinking and yet another reason for liking his character. Chance was smart, and although he believed he wasn't as strong as Patrick, his quick thinking added a lot to the story and helped saved the day whenever they were in trouble. 

My only issue with the story was that girl and how she impacted both brothers. It was understandable, being that all three grew up together. Still, I felt like too much else was going on for such a thing to be thrown in the mix. 

Overall, loved the writing and the whole premise of teens being unaffected while adults had lost all their control. And it was crazy how being a senior citizen made you immune as well. The ending was quite a surprise. Never saw that coming, not even after what happened when Patrick turned eighteen. Yep, it's a really good story, not the usual zombie/alien parasites concept. And aside from leaving me with questions and the fact that I didn't care for some scenes and a particular girl, it was still a thrilling read and I look forward to the sequel. 

About the Author

Gregg Hurwitz is the New York Times bestselling author of 15 thrillers, including the recently released ORPHAN X. His novels have been shortlisted for numerous literary awards, graced top ten lists, and have been translated into 27 languages.

He is also a New York Times Bestselling comic book writer, having penned stories for Marvel (Wolverine, Punisher) and DC (Batman, Penguin). Additionally, he’s written screenplays for or sold spec scripts to many of the major studios, and written, developed, and produced television for various networks. Gregg resides in Los Angeles.

www.gregghurwitz.net | facebook.com/gregghurwitzreaders

Review: And The Sea Called Her Name by Joe Hart

Release date: April 15th 2015
Publisher: Blackspine Books
Purchase: Amazon

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Born a poor lobster fisherman's son on the stark, Maine coastline, Jason Kingsley has always struggled with becoming more than what his father intended for him. After meeting and falling in love with the beautiful Delphi Arans, he feels his destiny has finally been fulfilled.

Their joy is unrivaled, something he's only ever dreamed of.

But soon disturbing events begin to invade the couple's life, and Jason starts to doubt the nature of their relationship as well as his sanity.

As his world unravels around him, Jason comes to realize that some secrets are better left untold, and others are worse than death itself.

*Note* Short story, approximately 15,000 words.

*Downloaded the kindle ebook free on Amazon.

I rarely read short stories but when I do, I want it to be as enthralling as a full length novel, especially one in the paranormal genre. 

And The Sea Called Her Name was definitely creepy! From start to finish I was intrigued and wanted to know what was going on with Delphi. The story had a dark appeal, not to mention the writing was superb. I liked how even though 15,000 words, so much was given and I got to understand Jason and his situation. He never really wanted the things his parents wanted for him, but sadly he ended up in the fishing business while still chasing his dream. 

Throughout everything, Jason found comfort in the love between him and his wife, Delphi. It was such a beautiful and convincing love that I rooted for them and even felt heartbroken in the end after what happened. Being that it is a short story, I can't give too much without spoiling everything. I'll conclude with this, haunting story that's wonderfully written. I could envision every scene based on the fantastic descriptions. This is my first time reading Hart's words and I'm now yearning for more.

About the Author
Joe Hart was born and raised in northern Minnesota, where he still resides today. He’s been writing horror and thriller fiction since he was nine years old. He is the author of five novels and numerous short stories, including the books The River Is Dark, Lineage, and The Waiting. When he’s not writing, Joe enjoys reading, working out, watching movies with his family, and spending time outdoors.

www.joehartbooks.com

twitter.com/authorjoehart

Review: The 48-Hour Hookup by Sarah Ballance

Series: Chase Brothers #4

Release date: September 12th 2016

Publisher: Entangled Lovestruck

Purchase: Amazon

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Who knew a sweaty photo would be good for business?

Now unwanted booty calls are coming in as fast as work orders, and Liam Chase needs to get away. Cue a job upstate. His new client is hot as hell, but he left NYC to escape attention, not to hook up with the city’s “Runaway Bride”.

With three disastrous relationships under her belt, it’s clear Claire Stevens’s judgment sucks. And what’s she’s feeling for America’s newest sex god? Obviously another hormone-fueled mistake.

But when she accidentally fells a tree on his truck, leaving them stranded in a winter storm with a chocolate-snatching raccoon, there’s something to be said for body heat.

Too bad neither can trust their explosive chemistry…

*Publisher approved request via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was funny, flirty and fast-paced. The right mix if you're looking for something light to read. 

I liked the characters and the setting. That cold weather, small town, and cabin in the icy woods. It was just a very enjoyable story. The addition of that raccoon was a plus!

Loved that Liam and Claire had relatable circumstances. Both got unwanted publicity and were hoping to put that behind them, so it was understandable that they'd try to avoid starting a relationship. I mean, Claire was terribly unlucky in love and couldn't seem to find a genuine guy, and Liam was treated like a hot piece of meat and nothing more. But regardless of how they wanted to evade each other, Liam and Claire were just too appealing to the one another, so their intensity only grew. And I'm glad that Liam did what he did in the end and that things worked out for the best. 

Seems like a fun series and I'd love to pick up the previous 3 books and learn more about the Chase Brothers

About the Author

Sarah Ballance is a USA Today bestselling author of contemporary, historical, and supernatural romance and romantic suspense. She's been married to her own romantic hero for what he calls a "long, long time" (and no, he'll never hear the end of saying that). Together they have six children ... and clearly too much time on their hands.

www.sarahballance.com

facebook.com/sarah.ballance.author.news

Review: The Girls in the Garden by Lisa Jewell

Release date: June 7th 2016
Publisher: Atria Books
Purchase: Amazon | B&N

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Imagine that you live on a picturesque communal garden square, an oasis in urban London where your children run free, in and out of other people’s houses. You’ve known your neighbors for years and you trust them. Implicitly. You think your children are safe. But are they really? 

On a midsummer night, as a festive neighborhood party is taking place, preteen Pip discovers her thirteen-year-old sister Grace lying unconscious and bloody in a hidden corner of a lush rose garden. What really happened to her? And who is responsible?

Dark secrets, a devastating mystery, and the games both children and adults play all swirl together in this gripping novel, packed with utterly believable characters and page-turning suspense.

*Received physical ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I loved how the story started with a startling discovery and from there I was pulled into the mystery of what had happened and who had done that?

While it was an interesting story, told from third person narration and giving the reader everyone's backstory and what the surrounding was like, the pacing was rather slow and a tad draggy. I couldn't wait to get back to the present and find out the situation with Grace, and that alone kept me going. But at the same time, I understood that knowing each character would give me an idea as to who had hurt Grace. I figured it out pretty early and was basically looking forward to some kind of punishment. But unfortunately, it didn't come. And at the end of the story, I was left disappointed and confused. I kept asking, "What was the point of all that then?" 

I don't think I cared much for any of the characters, well except for Pip. She was the most likable. And I kind of felt like she was too mature for the age. The voice came out like a sixteen year old and not of a twelve year old, and she even seemed older than her sister, who was thirteen. I don't know, maybe it's me. But a lot of times I was confused and forgot their ages because their voices and actions seemed older. 

In regards to what happened to Grace, some may say she deserved it and should have behaved better. But look at the situation. Her father was mentally ill and the family had endured a dramatic, emotional change. The poor girl didn't know how to cope and was clearly looking for something. And I think the mom should have put an end to Grace's relationship with that kid. What they'd done was inappropriate for their age and they were too young to have been carrying on like that. Plus Grace needed better structure and a more present parent. That's just my opinion on the matter. 

Pip was the only one that seemed to have it together. People forget sometimes that just because you're adults doesn't always mean you'll handle things better. In fact, Pip seemed more together than their mom. I'm just saying. 

Other things that bugged me were the Howes family. They were just too carefree and the father was clearly a perv. Their children didn't seem to have much discipline either and the mom would rather be in the dark than address issues. 

There was just a lot of things that put me off about this group of people and the things that took place with the kids. But the mystery surrounding Grace kept me going. Sadly, the ending didn't satisfy me and I wanted a better conclusion--justice--for the girl. Overall, an interesting story. It need a bit more though. 

About the Author

Lisa Jewell is a popular British author of chick lit fiction. Her books include Ralph's Party, Thirtynothing and 31 Dream Street. She lives in Swiss Cottage, London with her husband Jascha and daughters Amelie Mae and Evie Scarlett.

www.lisa-jewell.co.uk

twitter.com/lisajewelluk

Review: The Sun Is Also A Star by Nicola Yoon

Release date: November 1st 2016
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Purchase: Amazon | B&N

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Natasha: I’m a girl who believes in science and facts. Not fate. Not destiny. Or dreams that will never come true. I’m definitely not the kind of girl who meets a cute boy on a crowded New York City street and falls in love with him. Not when my family is twelve hours away from being deported to Jamaica. Falling in love with him won’t be my story.

Daniel: I’ve always been the good son, the good student, living up to my parents’ high expectations. Never the poet. Or the dreamer. But when I see her, I forget about all that. Something about Natasha makes me think that fate has something much more extraordinary in store—for both of us.

The Universe: Every moment in our lives has brought us to this single moment. A million futures lie before us. Which one will come true?

*Received physical ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This one had really nice writing, a diverse setting, and an instant yet sweet romance. I don't think I've ever read a story that plays out in one day (maybe I just don't remember) but I liked the author's delivery and how much was touched on throughout. 

Natasha was a bit hard for me to like in the beginning. She just seemed too tough, too much attitude, but then I realized that the way she was had a lot to do with the issues she had with her father. And also, her family was about to be deported, so of course she would be upset. She was about to leave the country that had been her home since she was eight, and return to an island she didn't remember and didn't have much connection with anymore. While I'm from Jamaica and love that the author is also from there (yay), I do understand this family's situation. This is something that happens often and I wish more could be done for immigrants like Natasha and her brother (he was actually born in the US). So that was another thing I liked about the story--it's realistic. And even if I can't relate to the situation, I'm sure someone else will. 

Daniel was a sweetheart. I can't get over how awesome of a guy he was, coming from a family that had so much expectations and never cared to ask what he wanted. His older brother was a self-hating a-hole, by the way. Both Daniel and Natasha were from different cultures and their parents came from different countries, but there was some correlation. For instance, going back to the parents, they all worked hard to give their children opportunities, so they wouldn't have to face the hardships they once did in their home country. I wasn't expecting certain racial issues to come up in a story that only takes place in one day, but I liked that the author brought it up, especially in the scene with Natasha and Daniel's father. Man I wanted to slap him for his asinine presumption about her hair. That's another real issue that happens in society and it's truly sad. By the way, did I mention that Daniel's brother was a self-hating a-hole? Yeah, he had me seething. Another thing too, while it wasn't really obvious if Natasha's parents wanted her to be with someone black, though I doubt they cared, Daniel's parents wanted him to be with Korean girls. Yeah, that's still going on in modern times. 

The one thing about the story that some may not like or find the most unrealistic, is the way these two characters came to meet and fell in love (in one day). But I thought it was sweet and their emotions were convincing. I'm the kind of person that believes in falling for someone instantly because that happened to me and my husband, but when it comes to books I don't always like it because it usually isn't believable. But in the case of Daniel and Natasha, their romance tugged at my heart, especially when they only had one day together and who knew what the future had in store for them. I loved how Daniel got her to reconsider love and actually believe it, and believe that some things are just meant to be.  

My only issue with the story were the parts that gave a character breakdown on someone I didn't really care for, and the scientific explanations. I thought the book could do without those parts, but thankfully it wasn't enough to break my interest. Like I said, nice writing and a sweet romance. But the one thing I loved most of all was the multicultural aspect. Do give this one a read. 

About the Author

NICOLA YOON is the number one New York Times bestselling author of Everything, Everything. She grew up in Jamaica and Brooklyn and lives in Los Angeles with her husband, who created the artwork in these pages, and daughter, both of whom she loves beyond all reason. Everything, Everything is her first novel.

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