Review: Stay With Me by. Paul Griffin

Title: Stay With Me
Author: Paul Griffin
Age Range: Young Adult
Publication Date: September 8, 2011
Pages: 304
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rating:

Synopsis from Goodreads: Fifteen-year-olds Cece and Mack didn't expect to fall in love. She's a sensitive A student; he's a high school dropout. But soon they're spending every moment together, bonding over a rescued dog, telling their secrets, making plans for the future. Everything is perfect. Until. Until. Mack makes a horrible mistake, and in just a few minutes, the future they'd planned becomes impossible. In this stark new reality, both of them must find meaning and hope in the memories of what they had, to survive when the person they love can't stay. From award-winning writer Paul Griffin, Stay with Me is both heartbreaking and uplifting, filled with characters (both dog and human) that will forever change the way you look at the world.

Review: Real and heartbreaking to the core, Stay With Me by Paul Griffin is a showcase to teen romance and the struggles of the reality that some teens face on a daily basis. Stay With Me is truly a breathtaking novel that shows sometimes even the deepest love is not enough create a happily ever after.

There is really so much to say about this book but I'll try to keep it short. The romance in this book may seem to be a little quick, but I still felt the connection between the two main characters instantly. It may have started off as a simple attraction, but it did blossom into a very unique love. They are so devoted to one another, and they are definitely there for each other through thick and thin.

Mack and Cece both are and have been living hard lives for a long time, and when they finally find each other, they become each other's reprieve from the harshness of their lives. Mack has to be one of the most interesting characters I have ever ready about. Since the book is told from both Mack and Cece's perspective you get to a really know the character Mack. From how he sees the world, and how the world sees him.

To be honest, this book had me in tears in a lot of places for a lot of reasons. In a lot of places, I felt like the book got really open and raw with the feelings and emotions of the two main characters that I could connect to what the both of them were going through so well. The romance, the pain, the loss, the forgiveness, and all of the problems Mack and Cece were going through were laid out so vividly to the reader that I dare you not to shed a tear while reading this book.

Stay With Me is one of those books that I know is going to be with me for a long time. It is a novel that has really touched my heart and one that I know I will never get tired of recommending.


Recommendations: If you want a deep and captivating read that will make you smile and definitely have you shedding a few tears along the way, Stay With Me is a perfect read.


Overall: 5/5

Characters: 5/5 
Plot: 5/5
Originality: 5/5
Entertainment: 5/5
Ending: 4/5
Writing Style: 5/5
Cover: 5/5





If you liked the romance in Stay With Me, check out the romances of Simone Elkeles Fuentes Brother's Series:  

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Posted in: Contemporary,POC,romance

Waiting on Wednesday #16- XVI

Waiting On Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

XVI

Release Date: January 6th 2011

Publisher: Puffin/Speak

Futuristic Fiction 

In the year 2150, being a girl isn’t necessarily a good thing, especially when your sixteenth (read sex-teenth) birthday is fast approaching. That in itself would be enough to make anyone more than a little nuts, what with the tattoo and all – but Nina Oberon’s life has taken a definite turn for the worse. Her mother is brutally stabbed and left for dead. Before dying, she entrusts a secret book to Nina, telling her to deliver it to Nina's father. But, first Nina has to find him; since for fifteen years he's been officially dead. Complications arise when she rescues Sal, a mysterious, and ultra hot guy. He seems to like Nina, but also seems to know more about her father than he’s letting on. Then there’s that murderous ex-government agent who’s stalking her, and just happens to be her little sister’s dad. - from Goodreads

From the cover, I thought this book was going to be about cutting, but its not at all. Its sounds really intriguing and original. I haven't read much futuristic fiction before, but this one sounds like a great one. Is anyone getting tired of the whole "mysterious hot guy" concept...I know I'm not!!!

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Posted in: Futuristic Fiction,romance,Waiting On Wednesday

Review: Played by Dana Davidson

Title: Played                                                       Author: Dana Davidson
Age Range: 15+
Publication Date: May 1, 2007
Pages: 240
Genre: Romance, Contemporary
Rating: 5/10

Synopsis from Goodreads: When one of Ian's boys dares him to get plain-faced Kylie Winship to sleep with him in just three weeks, he thinks it'll be a breeze. Tall and fine, with honey-colored skin and eyes, Ian is used to getting what he wants from girls. And if he succeeds in playing Kylie, he'll be down with the most popular crew in his high school. But this girl, who everyone considers a nobody, is turning out to be more surprising than he ever could have imagined. 


Initial Thought:  "I can't wait for another book by Dana Davidson!!!"
End Thought: "Wow, guys can really be cruel, and some girls really disappoint me."

Review: I had very high expectations for Played after reading Dana Davidson's incredible book Jason and Kyra. After waiting over 4 months for this book to finally become available on paperback swap, I was really disappointed with the outcome.

In this book Ian is one of the finest more popular guys in Kylie's school. And he suddenly finds interest in her. Little does she know that it is only because of a bet. A bet that consists of Ian getting Kylie to fall for him, and sleep with him, in order to be initiated into some sort of popular fraternity. If you are anything like me, you are cringing at the mere thought of a guy willing to stoop so cruelly and so low in order to be a part of a crowd.

The plot went on like any other contemporary romance, except for the opposing thoughts of the two main characters. Kylie thinking that this guy who seems so ashamed of her at school is slowing falling in love with her, and Ian thinking that he only has a limited amount of time to STEAL Kylie's virginity in order to be part of the innermost in crowd. I could never get into the romance in this book because of how cruel and fake it seemed from my perspective, but I kind of feel like that may have been the author's objective when writing this book.

Ian is a creep. He can embellish all of his feelings and motives as much as he wants, but it takes a truly cruel person to be capable of such a thing. I actually admired Kylie in the beginning of the book. She takes care of her brother and sister, is in charge of a lot of things within her household, and barely utters a complaint. But by the end of the book, I felt she was acting a little bit naive. Emotions get in the way of logic I assume.

Overall, I did not really enjoy this book. But for some reason, I think that Dana Davidson expected this to be a book that will not be welcomed as well as others since this romance didn't spring as true as the others. It may have been meant to teach a lesson, and I have to say: Message Received! 

Recommendations: I recommend this book to those who have read Dana Davidson's previous books and are looking for something different from her. To those looking for a book that will make you wonder whether or not you liked it or not. And to all those out there that love a controversial romance.

Characters: 4/10 
Plot: 7/10
Originality: 8/10 
Entertainment: 5/10 
Ending: 3/10 
Writing Style: 7/10 
Cover: 8/10

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Posted in: african american,Contemporary,POC,romance

Review: Wherever Nina Lies by. Lynn Weingarten

Title: Wherever Nina Lies                                       Author: Lynn Weingarten
Age Range: 13+
Publication Date: February 1, 2009
Pages: 288
Genre: Mystery, Romance
Rating: 8/10

Synopsis from Goodreads: Nina was beautiful, artistic, wild . . . and adored by her younger sister, Ellie. But one day, without any warning, Nina disappeared.

Two years later, Ellie can't stop thinking about her sister. Although everyone else has given up hope that Nina will return, Ellie just knows her sister is out there, somewhere. If only Ellie had a clue where to look.

And then she gets one, in the form of a mysterious drawing tucked into the pages of a book. Determined to find her sister, Ellie takes off on a crazy, sexy, cross-country road trip with the only person who believes she's got a chance -- her hot, adventurous new crush.

Along the way, Ellie finds a few things she wasn't planning on. Like love.
Mysteries. Lies. And something far ore shocking -- the truth. 


Initial Reaction: "Hmm a romantic mystery...this could be interesting"
End Reaction: "WoooW!!! I did not see that coming, I still can't believe it!!!"

Review: I am officially addicted...to mystery books. What book is it that caused my sudden relapse in this addiction (which I got over after I read every single Nancy Drew book), Wherever Nina Lies by. Lynn Weingarten. This book is so compelling, that I couldn't help but get sucked in after the first few chapters. The mystery and intrigue begins from the very beginning and plays out like a mystery game, where you use the clues you are given throughout the book to try and make your own conclusion on the ultimate question: is Nina dead?

The book is told through Nina's little sister Ellie, whom after 2 years still has not given up the will to find her sister and the hope that she is still somewhere out there. And once she finds 1 clue, just one little thing that adds to her reassurance that her sister is still out there, she sets out on a rode trip in search of her. And what memento accompanies her on her instantaneous desire to drive to another state in search of her missing sister; a hot guy whom she has known for two days. But you know, finding yourself suddenly a little closer to solving the mystery of your missing sister will cloud your judgement that way.

I admire Ellie's character so much. I mean many people might have gave up or lost hope of ever seeing their loved one again, but Ellie never really gave up in trying to find her sister. And she chose not to let anything come in the way of her figuring out what happened. I could really tell that throughout the book, it wasn't only about finding her sister. It was about restoring the faith in someone she had admired her whole life, finding an answer to how,  if her sister was still alive, how she could just abandon her and their mother in that way. 

Overall, I loved this book. I loved it so much because it made me think. It really was like a game where you use the clues to come up with your own conclusion while comparing it to what the main character's is coming up with. It was a fun, emotional, and still very deep mystery book that I will definitely be re-reading over and over again.

Recommendations: I recommend this book to all mystery lovers, and romance junkies!!!

Characters: 9/10 
Plot: 9/10
Originality: 9/10 
Entertainment: 8/10 
Ending: 10/10 
Writing Style: 9/10 
Cover: 10/10

 If You Like This, You Might Enjoy...
1-800-Where-R-U Series by. Meg Cabot
Dead is the New Black Series by. Marlene Perez 

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Posted in: Mystery,Review,romance

Review: Dedicaton by. Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus

Title: Dedication                                                       Author: Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus
Series: Stand-Alone
Age Range: 14+
Publication Date: June 5, 2007
Pages: 278
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 7.5/10

Synopsis from goodreads:  What if your ex was famous and adored by millions? What would you do if you had one chance to make him regret his entire existence? How much would you risk? 
Kate Hollis's ex-boyfriend's face plasters newsstands and TV, the Internet, and the multiplex. Jake Sharpe is one of the biggest recording stars on the planet, and every song he's famous for is about Kate. For over a decade his soundtrack has chased her -- from the gym to the supermarket, from the dentist's office to the bars. Now thirty-year-old Kate gets the call that Jake has finally landed back in their Vermont hometown for an MTV special. The moment she has been waiting for has arrived.
On the eve of their prom, Jake Sharpe vanished, resurfacing when his song "Losing" -- about his and Kate's first sexual experience -- shot to the top of the Billboard charts. And the hits kept coming, each more personal than the one before.
Now Kate gets her chance to confront Jake and reclaim her past. But after eleven years of enduring protracted and far-from-private heartbreak, everyone in Kate's life has a stake in how this plays out. Kate must risk betraying the friends Jake abandoned, the bandmates whose songs he plundered, and her own parents, who fear this will dredge up a shared past more painful than any of them want to acknowledge. But after getting the call in the dead of night and jumping on a plane, can she turn back now?

Review: The dynamic duo of Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus have done it again by creating a funny and entertaining book for for chick lit lovers everywhere. The book is told from the main character's perspective in two time periods. Her high school years, and her life as an accomplished 30 year old with a score to settle.

Kate Hollis is out for revenge, on her ex-boyfriend Jake. Who has made his whole music career out of revealing what went on in their high school relationship, including her secrets and her personal family problems. Kate was a fun character. She seems so fearless. This could be her only chance at confronting her ex about basically exploiting their relationship in order to build his career, an she is ready to make the most out of it.

In the beginning I really didn't get what was going on in this book at all. It was just confusing to me, but after a while things started to make sense and I got a lot more into the book. The plot was interesting to say the least and it kept my nose in the book. I enjoyed the high school years part of the book more than the present day telling of the book. The high school sections were a lot more believable, and they seemed like real actions and emotions a high schooler would feel going through what Kate went through. Though when it came to the present day sections, I found it hard to believe that it was a thirty year old telling the story. I had to flip back to the beginning of the chapters many times to see if it was high school Kate talking or 30 year old Kate. Besides that, the book was enjoyable.

There were many ups and downs in the book, that throw you off whatever idea you will have about how the book will end. Jake and Kate went through a lot of roller coasters in their relationship that I think a lot of girls can relate to. Through the high school and middle school years, Jake was a wonderful character. But as he showed up in Kate's adult life, I started to question his compassion, and how he viewed women as a whole. You'll understand what I mean if you read the book.

In the end, I did enjoy this book. I loved how the book ended and I felt Kate finally womened up and became the strong 30 year old she should have been all along. 

I Recommend: this book to all Chick-lit fans! 

Characters:  6/10 
Plot: 7/10
Originality: 8/10 
Entertainment: 8/10 
Ending: 8/10 
Writing Style: 8/10 
Cover: 8/10
Total: 7.5/10



 

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Posted in: Contemporary,romance

Review: Poison Study by. Maria V. Snyder

Title: Posion Study

Author: Maria V. Snyder

Publication Date: March 2007

Pages: 416

Series: Poison Study, Magic Study, Fire Study
  Rating: 9.5/10

Synopsis from BN.com

About to be executed for murder, Yelena is offered an extraordinary reprieve. She'll eat the best meals, have rooma in the palace--and risk assassination by anyone trying to kill the Commander of Ixia.

And so Yelena chooses to become a food taster. But the chief of security, leaving nothing to chance, deliberately feeds her Butterfly's Dust--and only by appearing for her daily antidote will she delay an agonizing death from the poison.

As Yelena tries to escape her new dilemma, disasters keep mounting. Rebels plot to seize Ixia and Yelena develops magical powers she can't control. Her life is threatened again and choices must be made. But this time the outcomes aren't so clear...
 

Review:
             Finally!!! Thats what I kept on thinking while reading this book. Finally a book that was so incredibly mind boggolingly good (yes, I felt the need to make up a word to describe this book). To say this book was a page turner would be a huge understatement. I would describe it as a gripping start to a trilogy.
           The plot of this book was very original. I have never seen the idea of a poison taster ever explored before, and Maria V. Snyder did it in a remarkable way. The plot in Poision Study is filled with twists and turns. There are so many routes the plot takes throughout the book, just adding to the suspence and intrigue. As the magical element is added to the story Yelena's commitment to the commander, and her new mentor 
Valek is tested while she starts discovering revealing things about who she is and where she comes from. 
With every new question being answered throughout the book, a new one is asked, keeping readers on their toes to the very last sentence.
          Reading about a main character such as Yelena was one of the greatests parts of the book. She is a person whom, despite what she has been through and her place now as a poison taster, is confident in her own. She is a very intelligent character and it is reasuring reading about a female character that doesnt get over shadowed by the male characters around her. She is such a strong character I couldnt help but shout "you go girl" in various places throughout the book. Valek is also a great leading male character, its fun to see how him and Yelena change together throughout the story. 
        The ending was perfection, is was a great way to pull the whole book together while still leaving enough unanswered questions and inquiries to make the reader sprint to their nearest bookstore and grab the second book in the trilogy.
        This book had all the great qualities I look for in a book that can hold my attention days after I finish reading it. I reccommend this book to all those who are fans of magic, paranormal, suspence, romance, and just a great page turners that will keep you guessing!

Characters: 9/10
Plot: 10/10
Originality: 10/10
Entertainment: 10/10
Ending: 10/10
Writing Style: 10/10
Cover: 8/10
Total: 9.5/10
 

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Posted in: Magic,Paranormal,paranormal romance,romance

Review: Vampire Academy by. Richelle Mead

Title: Vampire Academy                                                  
Author: Richelle Mead
Reading Level: 14+
Publication Date: August 2007
Pages: 332
Series: Vampire Academy, Frostbite, Shadow Kiss, Blood Promise
Rating: 8.3/10

Synopsis from richellemead.com:
Lissa Dragomir is a Moroi princess: a mortal vampire with an unbreakable bond to the earth's magic. She must be protected at all times from Strigoi; the fiercest and most dangerous vampires--the ones who never die.
The powerful blend of human and vampire blood that flows through Rose Hathaway, Lissa's best friend, makes her a Dhampir; she is dedicated to a dangerous life of protecting Lissa from the Strigoi, who are hell-bent on making her one of them.
After two years of illicit freedom, Rose and Lissa are caught and dragged back to St. Vladimir's Academy, hidden in the deep forests of Montana. Rose will continue her Dhampir education. Lissa will go back to being Queen of the elite Moroi social scene. And both girls will resume breaking hearts.
Fear made Lissa and Rose run away from St. Vladimir's--but their world is fraught with danger both inside and out of the Academy's iron gates. Here, the cutthroat ranks of the Moroi perform unspeakable rituals and their secretive nature and love of the night creates an enigmatic world full of social complexities. Rose and Lissa must navigate through this dangerous world, confront the temptation of forbidden romance, and never once let their guard down, lest the Strigoi make Lissa one of them forever...
Review: 
 
Richelle Mead's introduction to Vampire Academy was one of the best vampire books I have ever read. I loved how Richelled Mead combined the cliche part of what a vampire is and added new ideas to the book. And even though for some "unexplainable reason" I have become obsessed with vampires. I didnt have high hopes for this book. When I thought of it I figured it was going to be another boarding school, girly kind of book that just happened to have vampires. I was greatly proved wrong. This book was so incedible. I read it in about four hours and I was so sad when it ended. This is book is the perfect paranormal romance. With all the action packed vampire butt kicking along with all the steamy and scandalous romances developing this book was one of the best vampire novels I have ever read.


I really loved the main character in this book. Rose who is a guradian to her best friend and Moroi Princess is a very unique character. I loved Rose throughout the book. She is so devoted to Lissa as a friend and as Gurdian. She is such a strong character, she is her own person no matter what other people think she should be like. And as she discovers her feelings for Dimitri we start to see a new side of her that isnt always hard and defensive.Lissa on the other hand I found to be annoying in her reliance on Rose. I felt that she couldnt be her own person without Rose around. But she finally seems to start discover herself in a way when a forbidden romance of her own starts to bloom. Another greatly loveable character is Dimitri. In the beggining of the book when we are first meeting Dimitri he seems kind of like the boring all work no play no nonsence type. But as his and Rose's relationship starts to go deeper, we see him opening up and a deeper side to him.


The plot of this book was extremely engaging. There was so much happening at once without it being confusing. There are a multiple of romances with love triangles, and with the development of Rose and Lissa's bond, and both of them still trying to figure out whether or not they should run away from the Academy again or not. And the ending was the best part. It is so action packed with twists and turns over her and over there that you'll probably be holding your breath throughout the ending. After reading this book it took me the whole of 2 hours to go out and buy the next in the series. There was so much drama and suspence and romance in this book and to top it all off it all off all of the characters are vampires. This is the beginning kick ass paranormal romance series and I cant wait for the next in the series.


Characters: 8/10
Plot: 9/10
Originality: 8/10
Entertainment: 9/10
Ending: 9/10
Writing Style: 8/10
Cover: 7/10
Total: 8.3/10 

 

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Posted in: paranormal romance,romance,vampires