Release Day Book Review + Giveaway: Underworld's Daughter (The Chrysomelia Stories # 2) by Molly Ringle

Release Day Book Review + Giveaway: Underworld's Daughter (The Chrysomelia Stories # 2) by Molly Ringle

Posted by Nina L. on 10:00 PM in 5-star, fantasy, Molly Ringle, release day, review, The Chrysomelia Stories,

Author: Molly Ringle

Release date: June 27th 2014

Publisher: Central Avenue Publishing

Series: The Chrysomelia Stories # 2

Age Group: Adult / General

Genre: Fantasy

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository 

Add to your library: Goodreads

New immortals are being created for the first time in thousands of years thanks to the tree of immortality discovered by Persephone and Hades. But Sophie Darrow is not one of them. Nikolaos, the trickster, has given the last ripe immortality fruit to two others, the reincarnations of the gods Dionysos and Hekate: Tabitha and Zoe, currently Sophie's and Adrian's best friends.

While the disappointed Sophie struggles to remember Hekate and Dionysos from ancient Greece, she must still face her daily life as a mortal university freshman. Tabitha and Zoe have their own struggles as they come to terms with being newly immortal and their own haunting dreams of past lives and loves. The evil committed by Thanatos invades all of them in heartbreaking memories, and worse still, Sophie and her friends know their enemies are determined to kill again. And even the gods can't save everyone. (via Goodreads)

HAPPY HAPPY RELEASE DAY TO UNDERWORLD'S DAUGHTER. May a lot of awesome readers start to get lost in your world. 

I received an e-copy of this from Michelle Halket of Central Avenue Publishing in exchange for an honest review. This however did not influence my opinion of the book or of the author in any way..

Review

I waited one year for this. And man was it ever worth it. Don't continue reading this review if you haven't read Persephone's Orchard. Spoilers might be present for that one.

Underworld's Daughter surely did surpassed Persephone's Orchard (for me so don't argue). Both are lengthy but I guess that's already a given. All the aspects I loved in Persephone's Orchard were the same things I loved in this sequel. The plot. The mystery. The drama. The magic. The mythology. The characters. The romance (or the lack thereof in this one). So what made this one even more special? I'll go with the story itself.

Underworld's Daughter focused more the underworld's daughter of course. That's obvious. Anyway, it also presented the slow-by-slow unveiling of the Greek Gods' memories and how whatever they have done thousand years ago still affect their lives in the present they were born in. It was both fun and painful to know what have happened to Sophie and others before. A lot happened. Both during their past and their present. Literally. A. Lot. Things were now understood as to why they were happening to them. Especially with Thanatos' existence. Can I just say that Thanatos is quite uhm scary? And violent, I can't forget that.

More lost souls were present here and their presence stirred up a bit of turmoil. Zoe and Tab were fabulous in learning their past lives. Things happened as they usually do because hey, Thanatos is always after the Greek Gods. I don't honestly understand Thanatos' issue. Especially with that "traitors" thing. I think they really have a different outlook on the Greek Gods. They do believe in the 'Gods' sense of them. And hey, Molly, that one surprise at the end was such a surprise. I wonder how Adrian and the others will handle that lost soul in the next installment.

Adrian and Sophie were having trouble in paradise. I didn't mind that a bit. As much as I want to swoon over them, I had my fair share already with Persephone's Orchard. I guess it's time to let the others shine. The problems were mostly Sophie's. And I just get her. If I were her, I'd probably think about how if I didn't eat that fruit and all. Maybe things were a little different for her and for the people around her.

Of all the minor characters I've met since PO, Niko or should I say Hermes, is the most endearing for me. I told you not to continue this if you haven't read Persephone's Orchard. See? Spoiler for you already. Anyway, Niko reminds me of Puck from The Iron Fey series. I guess it's because of the charm. So yes, I love Niko. His character can be very sarcastic at times but at least he was being truthful.

The story alternates between the past and the characters' recollection of their memories. I loved that part of the novel because it somehow shows how the present was quite the repeat of the past. Just thinking about it makes me sad as the way the things ended in the past and even in the present.

When the end was fast approaching, I wasn't surprised as to how it happened. I guess at the back of my mind, I know something like that was going to happen but that doesn't still make it any less sad.

Underworld's Daughter is truly an entertaining and amazing sequel that will leave you wanting for more (I swear I'd give anything just to read the next one.) Prepare to be mesmerized by the Greek Gods and their memories and by the absolutely thorough writing of Molly .

P.S. You're right, Michelle. It totally gave a soap opera vibes. I honestly think the plot of this series will be a good one for a TV show.

 About the Author

Molly Ringle has been writing fiction for over twenty years. With her intense devotion to silly humor, she was especially proud to win the grand prize in the 2010 Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest with one (intentionally) terrible sentence. Molly grew up in the Pacific Northwest, and lives in Seattle with her husband and children. Her studies include a bachelor of arts in anthropology and a master of arts in linguistics. She was a Tri-Delta in college, in an old sorority house that was supposedly haunted, which inspired some of the central ideas for 'The Ghost Downstairs.' She also loves folklore and mythology, and is working on new novels about the Greek myths. 'Persephone's Orchard' is the first in the series. When not writing, she can often be found experimenting with fragrances, chocolate, and gardening.

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[Blog Tour] Plus One by Elizabeth Fama: Review

[Blog Tour] Plus One by Elizabeth Fama: Review

Posted by Nina L. on 1:00 PM in 5-star, Dystopia, Pinoy Book Tours, review, romance, sci-fi, YA,

Author: Elizabeth Fama

Release date: April 8th 2014
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Series: N/A

Age Group: Young Adult

Genre: Sci-Fi / Romance / Dystopia

Tour organized by: Pinoy Book Tours

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository 

Add to your library: Goodreads

It takes guts to deliberately mutilate your hand while operating a blister-pack sealing machine, but all I had going for me was guts.

Sol Le Coeur is a Smudge—a night dweller in an America rigidly divided between people who wake, live, and work during the hours of darkness and those known as Rays who live and work during daylight. Impulsive, passionate, and brave, Sol deliberately injures herself in order to gain admission to a hospital, where she plans to kidnap her newborn niece—a Ray—in order to bring the baby to visit her dying grandfather. By violating the day-night curfew, Sol is committing a serious crime, and when the kidnap attempt goes awry it starts a chain of events that will put Sol in mortal danger, uncover a government conspiracy to manipulate the Smudge population, and throw her together with D'Arcy Benoît, the Ray medical apprentice who first treats her, then helps her outrun the authorities—and with whom she is fated to fall impossibly and irrevocably in love.

Set in a vivid alternate reality and peopled with complex, deeply human characters on both sides of the day-night divide, Plus One is a brilliantly imagined drama of individual liberty and civil rights—and a compelling, rapid-fire romantic adventure story. (via Goodreads)

A physical copy was lend to me by Pinoy Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. This however did not influence my opinion of the book or of the author in any way.

Review

Plus One was very much recommended by Dianne of Oops I Read A Book Again. That's why I was so excited to get lost in the world of Plus One.

This one has far by the most unique setup for a novel. I'm still debating with myself if this one is a Dystopia or a Sci-Fi. Honestly, I don't know. Yet the mere divide of the Day and Night is a strong ground that this one is indeed Dystopia. Either way, the world-building was just a tiny little bit lacking for me. How can the world just exist wherein people was chosen to be in the Day or Night world? It was explained how the world became like that as the story went on. But personally, I cannot just think that people will actually allow other people to get a hold of their lives, to be told on what part of the day they'd be living in. I assume they did some revolt or anything? They should have resisted at first. Maybe the higher officials were that much powerful too. I don't know. That's the only issue I had with this. I hope that we'd know more about their world in the sequel.

Sol was one hell of a heroine. She was only trying to do something sweet for her grandfather which led her to a lot of things. I'd be honest that she was a little annoying for all the attitude she threw upon other people. Especially with her brother, Ciel. I swear I want to slap her for being a little bitch to him. How can she not trust him like that? Then again, Ciel had his own faults and I cannot blame Sol for hating him anyway. It was actually the best thing that happened to Sol. She was able to grow as a person since her brother was taken away from them. She learned to be independent, though I guess too independent for the ways she acted. Still, at least she was able to learn how to live.

Meeting D'Arcy was one of the most enjoyable moments I had reading this. He was such a snob given that he was a Day Boy. His character really made sense to me. He was able to portray how Day people should be. Arrogant and all. Though deep inside, he was such a softy. I just want to hug him is all.

Sol and D'Arcy's relationship grew from such an unexpected situation. I love how their characters were so different yet they found a common ground. Ugh, they were just cute, okay.

Of all the minor characters, Gigi is my favorite. Don't ask me why. Her character was compelling. You know that there was more behind the make-up and yet you can't figure out what. Oh, and her sense of loyalty? Damn, she definitely broke the standards for that. I'm hoping to see her in the sequel as well.

The secrets and the lies that were built upon Sol and D'Arcy's separate lives were quite disheartening? If I were in their shoes, I wouldn't know what to do. The way those two handled it were inspiring. They handled it like they were adults and not just a Day Boy and a Smudge.

Towards the end, some decisions were made. I guess that all along the novel, that kind of ending would happen. It just makes sense for Sol to actually step up and be the heroine that she is.

Plus One is a terrifying sort of YA romance novel. Fast-paced, thrilling and romantic all the same time.

P.S. I gave it 5 stars because that's just how awesome it is. Despite my issue for the world-building, I felt like it didn't much matter to me at all while reading till the end of the novel. I even forgot that I had that kind of issue at hand. But yes, I still love it all the same.

  About the Author

Elizabeth Fama is the author of Plus One (FSG, 2014), Monstrous Beauty (FSG, 2012), a YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults selection and Odyssey Award honor winner, and Overboard (Cricket Books, 2002), an ALA Best Books for Young Adults. She is represented by Sara Crowe of Harvey Klinger, Inc.

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[Blog Tour] The Half Life of Molly Pierce by Katrina Leno: Review & Giveaway

[Blog Tour] The Half Life of Molly Pierce by Katrina Leno: Review & Giveaway

Posted by Nina L. on 10:00 PM in 5-star, contemporary, Molly Pierce, review, The Fantastic Flying Book Club Tours, YA,

Author: Katrina Leno

Release date: July 8th 2014

Publisher: HarperTeen

Series: N/A

Age Group: Young Adult

Genre: Contemporary / Psychological Mystery

Tour organized by: The Fantastic Flying Book Club Tours

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository

Add to your library: Goodreads

You take it for granted. Waking up. Going to school, talking to your friends. Watching a show on television or reading a book or going out to lunch.

You take for granted going to sleep at night, getting up the next day, and remembering everything that happened to you before you closed your eyes.

You live and you remember.

Me, I live and I forget.

But now—now I am remembering.

For all of her seventeen years, Molly feels like she’s missed bits and pieces of her life. Now, she’s figuring out why. Now, she’s remembering her own secrets. And in doing so, Molly uncovers the separate life she seems to have led…and the love that she can’t let go.

The Half Life of Molly Pierce is a suspenseful, evocative psychological mystery about uncovering the secrets of our pasts, facing the unknowns of our futures, and accepting our whole selves.(via Goodreads)

I received an e-copy of this from HarperTeen and The Fantastic Flying Book Club Tours in exchange for an honest review. This however did not influence my opinion of the book or of the author in any way..

Review

I was so excited when I first heard about this novel. I just love mystery. Given that this is a psychological one was a bonus for me.

I've been having a hard time writing a review for this so I decided to put everything together in a list. I know it looks like a formal book report but hey, this is the best that I can do just so I wouldn't give away something. Also, I'm pretty sure this will sum up all my feelings and thoughts for this novel.

1. Writing.
One of the best. I believe that good mysteries can only be written by the best writers. Okay, hold up. That's my opinion so no need to look at me with judge-y eyes. In all honesty, I believe that Katrina did a great job in writing this psychological mystery. She used the right amount of words needed so that the novel will be felt by the readers. I'm seriously guessing it's not just me, right?

2. Molly Pierce.
The moment I met Molly, I knew she was unique. Not just because she cannot remember what she have done but also because her voice was consuming. I felt like I was inside her thoughts. I mean, really inside. The way she thinks about things was so personal you couldn't help but feel you were inside her head. So yes, I also felt weak and helpless because hello. She cannot remember what happened and she felt isolated at all. I'd never want to actually go through what she went through. I guess no one does. All I can say is that Molly was such a complex character that there were a lot of things about her that you didn't know were present but were always there.

3. Minor Characters
Generally, I liked most of the minor characters because they helped Molly in the best way possible. Even though it felt like they were betraying Molly in a way, I believe what they did was actually what they should have done in the first place. I mean, it's annoying they did what they did but I guess that was really for the best.

4. Hazel, Alex, Bret.
I hate playing favorites but these three minor characters cannot be not mentioned in my review. Hazel is Molly's sister, Alex is Molly's therapist and Bret is just a random schoolmate. Hazel and Alex were obviously really helpful to Molly because they should be. Bret was just a random person to Molly's life but I'll never forget what he did at the end. I know it was just a small gesture but that was it. It showed me how even not people close to you can actually care for you.

5. Plot.
I read this around 4 am when I realized I wasn't going to sleep. I was so hooked the moment Molly cannot remember why she was in her car which was not in the school parking lot where she was supposed to be at. How could I not be intrigued by that alone? There were a lot of possible explanations going through my mind. I mean, a lot. Of course, I was still on the psychological stand. The more the story went on, the more it became clear to me what was happening to Molly. I never had my guess confirmed till the latter part of the story. Though it was somehow obvious with the little hints dropped. But it was hard to take note of all those hints because you'll get so engrossed by the story. Alright, did I even say anything about the plot? I don't want to give away anything, really. Oh, this is one of the most unusual plots I've ever encountered. I know the issue itself was already used a dozen times but it never gets old for me. So I guess there's that. I'm a fan, eh?

4. Psychological Mystery.
Intense. Mind-boggling (you know how much I want to say that it was mind-f****** but I can't because I don't want to curse here but there I've said it.) Mind-f******. I guess that term sums it up, you know. It, oh goodness, I can't even describe it in words. But I'm pretty pretty sure this novel will tear your mind apart. If not, then I guess it's not on your radar?

5. The End.
Many readers wouldn't have liked the way it ended because it was somehow open-ended. It solely depends on the reader on how will he or she interpret those words. Yet that's the reason why I liked it. I have the power to think about what was going to happen to Molly. Was it done already? Or will it continue for her?

6. Katrina Leno and to all the others out there.
I read the acknowledgements and I loved the novel even more because I knew right then that it was really personal. Thank you to Katrina for taking up the courage to write this. I'm sending you all my love straight from our country. Well, as much as I know this is personal, I know a lot of people were reflected in this one. To all the people who have the same issue, may it be exactly the same or not (it sounds redundant but you know what I mean), thank you for not giving up on yourselves. Know in your heart that there are people who are supporting and loving you just the same the moment you were born.

I hope I was able to reach out all my feels right there. Oh, you know how much I love this novel? I sent an email to Katrina right after reading it. I just cannot NOT tell her how I feel. I know I pretty much fangirl-ed over the email.

There are things in life you don't know exist. Some may confuse you. Some may annoy or irritate you. Some may hurt you. But know that at the end of the day, it's all on you. It's all on your will. When sometimes it isn't, remember that there are people who always got your back. The Half Life of Molly Pierce is an intense, mind-boggling read that will tear your mind and heart to the core. Be prepared for life-shattering moments and realizations.

P.S. PLEASE READ THIS NOW.

 

                     About the Author

I am a writer from the East Coast, currently living in Los Angeles.

My first book for young adults- The Half Life of Molly Pierce- will be published on July 8, 2014 by Harper Collins.

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E-ARC Review: Boys Like You by Juliana Stone

E-ARC Review: Boys Like You by Juliana Stone

Posted by Nina L. on 12:00 PM in 2-star, contemporary, E-ARC, Juliana Stone, review, YA,

Author: Juliana Stone

Release date: May 6th 2014

Publisher: Sourcebooks

Series: N/A

Age Group: Young Adult

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository 

Add to your library: Goodreads

One mistake.

And everything changes.

For Monroe Blackwell, one small mistake has torn her family apart –leaving her empty and broken. There’s a hole in her heart that nothing can fill. That no one can fill. And a summer in Louisiana with her Grandma isn’t going to change that…

Nathan Everets knows heartache first-hand when a car accident leaves his best friend in a coma. And it’s his fault. He should be the one lying in the hospital. The one who will never play guitar again. He doesn’t deserve forgiveness, and a court-appointed job at the Blackwell B&B isn’t going to change that…

Captivating and hopeful, this achingly poignant novel brings together two lost souls struggling with grief and guilt – looking for acceptance, so they can find forgiveness. (via Goodreads)

I received an e-copy of this from Sourcebooks through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This however did not influence my opinion of the book or of the author in any way..

Review

What really constitutes a mistake? Is it the irresponsibility of the person blamed? Is it the guilt of that person? Is it only considered one when something bad happens to another person? When does a mistake is actually just an accident? These were the questions raised while I was reading Boys Like You.

It's pretty much a usual occurrence in the literary space that two (somehow) broken people attract each other. I honestly think that it's because of the same experience they went through. It connects them in a much deeper way since each of them can actually understand what the other is going through. So it's no surprise to me when Monroe and Nathan hit it off. It was all there. The attraction. The connection. I enjoyed how their relationship escalated from two estranged people to this bonded pair.

Their mistakes were just entirely incidents. For me, anyway. Monroe blamed herself because at some point, it was really her fault. I'm not blaming her but when you know the situation, it'll occur to you that, 'Hey, that's kind of her responsibility.' But then it is not just her responsibility at all. Yet Monroe thought otherwise since she can never undo it and it will never be the same. Though it's not the same for Nathan. People can blame Nathan all they want because that's how we human beings are. We have to point at someone so we'd have this power over the situation. We cannot just believe that it happened for what it was. So Nathan kept on blaming himself of course. The only edge he had with Monroe was that he can still have that faith that it will change. I felt more scared for Nathan's situation. With Monroe's place, at least you know already that it's done. While with Nathan's, you still have that little hope that everything will be okay. And it's hard not to hope but it's harder to hope because of that tiny bit of chance.

As much as I enjoyed Monroe's and Nathan's budding relationship, them overcoming their pasts and making amends with their futures, I just didn't have that connection with them. Despite the deep connection between the two of them, I didn't feel their characters in a deeper sense. I had a hard time being with them as I was reading the novel. I just didn't feel their emotions.

Whether it's a mistake or an incident, all that matters is that you forgive yourself. Boys Like You will show you how it is to overcome it with the help of the people around you.

 About the Author

Juliana Stone fell in love with her first book boyfriend when she was twelve. The boy was Ned, Nancy Drew’s boyfriend, and it began a lifelong obsession with books and romance. A tomboy at heart, she split her time between baseball, books, and music-three things that carried over into adulthood. She’s thrilled to be writing young adult as well as adult contemporary romance, and does so from her home somewhere in Canada.

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[Blog Tour] Free to Fall by Lauren Miller: Review

[Blog Tour] Free to Fall by Lauren Miller: Review

Posted by Nina L. on 10:00 PM in 5-star, contemporary, Pinoy Book Tours, review, sci-fi, YA,

Author: Lauren Miller

Release date: May 13th 2014
Publisher: HarperTeen

Series: N/A

Age Group: Young Adult

Genre: Sci-Fi / Contemporary

Tour organized by: Pinoy Book Tours

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository 

Add to your library: Goodreads

What if there was an app that told you what song to listen to, what coffee to order, who to date, even what to do with your life—an app that could ensure your complete and utter happiness? What if you never had to fail or make a wrong choice?

What if you never had to fall?

Fast-forward to a time when Apple and Google have been replaced by Gnosis, a monolith corporation that has developed the most life-changing technology to ever hit the market: Lux, an app that flawlessly optimizes decision making for the best personal results. Just like everyone else, sixteen-year-old Rory Vaughn knows the key to a happy, healthy life is following what Lux recommends. When she’s accepted to the elite boarding school Theden Academy, her future happiness seems all the more assured. But once on campus, something feels wrong beneath the polished surface of her prestigious dream school. Then she meets North, a handsome townie who doesn’t use Lux, and begins to fall for him and his outsider way of life. Soon, Rory is going against Lux’s recommendations, listening instead to the inner voice that everyone has been taught to ignore — a choice that leads her to uncover a truth neither she nor the world ever saw coming. (via Goodreads)

A physical copy was lend to me by Pinoy Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. This however did not influence my opinion of the book or of the author in any way.

Review

Have you ever tasted Matcha? In case you don't know, Matcha (also spelled as maccha) is a finely milled or a fine powder green tea. Thank you for that, Wikipedia. I never wanted to drink one since I hate Green Tea (I've tasted one before and ugh.) But when my sister was ordering from Serenitea (a local teashop here in the Philippines), I cannot NOT order Matcha. So what changed my mind? Rather, who changed my mind? *drum roll please* NORTH, of course. I ordered Uji Pyramid (Japanese Matcha Vanilla Ice Cream). Let's just say that I ordered it in honor of North though I'd probably order it once in awhile. In all honesty, I actually loved the taste. Yet I'm still very far from being a Green Tea fanatic. Though if not for North, I wouldn't have ordered that in the first place. So yes, thank you, North.

It's pretty obvious that North is particularly one of the reasons I enjoyed every bit of this novel. I wished there's a way to know North before he came to work in that cafe, before he became what he was when he met Rory. It's pretty interesting to know his history. His ability paved way for a lot of things. I don't think Rory would have done what she did without him. Or vice versa of course. Still though, North had a pretty big role in everything that happened and please, I just love the guy. Tattoos. Eyes. Pretty face. Attitude. Principles. Nerd vibe. Uhh yes, did I say I love him?

I'd probably include North in every paragraph so forgive me for that. The first meeting of North and Rory was quite a scene. Mind you, it was flirtatious and just swoony, I guess? Sigh. I wish I can just take North out of the book while reading.

Going back... I have a hard time deciding whether this one is Dystopia or Sci-fi. I realized it cannot be Dsytopia since the Government isn't the one behind the doings around Rory's society. Or is it just me who thinks that Dystopia is supposed to be man-handled by the Government? I thought it was sci-fi since technology was the most prevalent and probably the most involved one in here. Lux, an app invented by a corporation called Gnosis, practically became a personal assistant of all human beings. It literally lives for you. You don't have to think about anything. Even the mere number of footsteps you have to make when going to places. Sounds awesome right? Well, not really. That's where North's awesomeness came in. Fine, together with Rory.

Rory's involvement with Theden Academy had a deeper reason than she could have ever thought of. Her acceptance to the prep school was the game changer for her. It led her to a lot of things she never thought possible since she was one avid fanatic of Lux. North included. I was amazed by the change in her character. From being dedicated to the Lux to being dedicated to herself. It pretty much summed up what Lux can do to someone. Pretty scary in all aspects. You thought it was just an app but then it had a lot of secrets on its own including the well-known Theden Academy.

The journey of knowing the secrets behind everything that revolves around the Lux was exciting and thrilling especially when someone as hot as North was involved. Seriously, I should have posted a separate review for that guy.

Going back (again). What made me love this novel aside from North is the idea of The Doubt. It was such an innate source yet so powerful as everyone was afraid of it. To think that there were a lot of references from the poem, Paradise Lost regarding this matter was quite intriguing and just mind-boggling. I didn't give away anything right? You have to read this so you'll understand what I'm saying.

I'd have to end this now right? Or I would just end up saying North. See? I just did. I wish I made sense to you. Somewhere near the end, I thought this was just Contemporary. You'll understand why after reading it. What are you waiting for???

Reading Free to Fall was like watching How To Train Your Dragon 2. Having watched it in 4DX made me feel like I was riding a dragon high up above the clouds and falling like Hiccup did. It was like having a choice to fall or not but then at the end, you'll just fall because that's how it should be.

Can I just say that I love this novel from the bottom of my heart? And North, of course.

  About the Author

Lauren Miller is an entertainment lawyer and television writer. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two kids.

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E-ARC Review: Biggest Flirts (Superlatives # 1) by Jennifer Echols

E-ARC Review: Biggest Flirts (Superlatives # 1) by Jennifer Echols

Posted by Nina L. on 12:00 PM in 3-star, contemporary, E-ARC, Jennifer Echols, review, romance, Superlatives, YA,

Author: Jennifer Echols

Release date: May 20th 2014

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Series: Superlatives # 1

Age Group: Young Adult

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository 

Add to your library: Goodreads

Tia and Will’s lives get flipped upside down when they’re voted Yearbook’s Biggest Flirts in this sassy novel from the author of Endless Summer and The One That I Want.

Tia just wants to have fun. She’s worked hard to earn her reputation as the life of the party, and she’s ready for a carefree senior year of hanging out with friends and hooking up with cute boys. And her first order of business? New guy Will. She can’t get enough of his Midwestern accent and laidback swagger.

As the sparks start to fly, Will wants to get serious. Tia’s seen how caring too much has left her sisters heartbroken, and she isn’t interested in commitment. But pushing Will away drives him into the arms of another girl. Tia tells herself it’s no big deal…until the yearbook elections are announced. Getting voted Biggest Flirts with Will is, well, awkward. They may just be friends, but their chemistry is beginning to jeopardize Will’s new relationship—and causing Tia to reconsider her true feelings. What started as a lighthearted fling is about to get very complicated… (via Goodreads)

I received an e-copy of this from Simon Pulse through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. This however did not influence my opinion of the book or of the author in any way..

Review

I've been putting off writing a review for this one because all I can think about is how flirty Tia and Will were. No words will ever amount to the level of their flirtatious game. I can feel myself smiling right now because just remembering them makes me so damn swoony inside. I'm pretty sure that if flirting was a sport, those two would probably be getting gold. Together. Always. It's not even the dislike-able (is there such a word) kind of flirting. It was the type of flirting that will make you giggle, swoon, smile like a retard and just fall in love with the characters over and over again. Why? Because they kept on flirting as if they were not flirting at all.

Tia and Will's relationship may not have started in a right way. I guess that made their relationship realistic to each of them. Will was the exception to Tia's rule but she wasn't willing to admit that immediately. She had her reasons and it was fun seeing how Tia actually go out from her comfort zone. Reading from her POV, it was obvious how attracted she was to Will and yet she kept up her guard all the time. Or not. Their chemistry was undeniable and I just wanted them to be together and all but then their flirtatious game was quite enjoyable. They were these two high school students who just can't keep out from each other. Will, on the other hand, had his own issues too and mind you, Tia was the only one who was able to really snag up Will's personality. In short, they were just perfect for each other.

As much as I love the chemistry between the two, I can't say much regarding their personalities. It seems like they can't be true to their selves without the help of the other. Maybe it was because I love them flirting with each other too much that I cannot see one without the other. Or maybe because they really needed each other be complete. Whatever. They were cute. Just cute. I especially enjoyed all the band practices. Quite the way to tell the world that they weren't flirting.

The idea of the Superlatives was such a catch. It was funny how the students came up with the titles especially they weren't the most usual ones. You know what couple I can't wait to read about? Most Likely to Succeed. Sawyer and Kaye. I adore Harper but Sawyer was the one who caught my heart. If it weren't for Will and Tia's unexceptional flirting skills, I'd be probably shipping Sawyer and Tia. Though I doubt I will since they'd definitely be the end of each other.

Things were funny, enjoyable and really funny (again) but some things were bound to happen and that's when it went a little downhill for me. The latter part was a little hasty for me. I know how things got to that point but I cannot just understand why. Shall I even understand it? As long as all is well for them, then it's fine for me.

Biggest Flirts is absolutely one of the flirtiest YA novels I've ever read to date. If you're looking for a light read that will make you laugh, swoon, smile and blush, then this one is for you.

                 About the Author

Jennifer Echols was born in Atlanta and grew up in a small town on a beautiful lake in Alabama—a setting that has inspired many of her books. She has written nine romantic novels for young adults, including the comedy MAJOR CRUSH, which won the National Readers’ Choice Award, and the drama GOING TOO FAR, which was a finalist in the RITA, the National Readers’ Choice Award, and the Book Buyer’s Best, and was nominated by the American Library Association as a Best Book for Young Adults. Simon & Schuster will debut her adult romance novels in 2013, with many more teen novels scheduled for the next few years. She lives in Birmingham with her husband and her son.

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[Blog Tour] #scandal by Sarah Ockler: Promo & Giveaway

[Blog Tour] #scandal by Sarah Ockler: Promo & Giveaway

Posted by Nina L. on 10:00 PM in blog tour, contemporary, Giveaway, promotion, Sarah Ockler, The Fantastic Flying Book Club Tours, YA,

Author: Sarah Ockler

Release date: June 17th 2014

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Series: N/A

Age Group: Young Adult

Genre: Contemporary 

Tour organized by: The Fantastic Flying Book Club Tours

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository

Add to your library: Goodreads

Lucy’s learned some important lessons from tabloid darling Jayla Heart’s all-too-public blunders: Avoid the spotlight, don’t feed the Internet trolls, and keep your secrets secret. The policy has served Lucy well all through high school, so when her best friend Ellie gets sick before prom and begs her to step in as Cole’s date, she accepts with a smile, silencing about ten different reservations. Like the one where she’d rather stay home shredding online zombies. And the one where she hates playing dress-up. And especially the one where she’s been secretly in love with Cole since the dawn of time.

When Cole surprises her at the after party with a kiss under the stars, it’s everything Lucy has ever dreamed of… and the biggest BFF deal-breaker ever. Despite Cole’s lingering sweetness, Lucy knows they’ll have to ’fess up to Ellie. But before they get the chance, Lucy’s own Facebook profile mysteriously explodes with compromising pics of her and Cole, along with tons of other students’ party indiscretions. Tagged. Liked. And furiously viral.

By Monday morning, Lucy’s been branded a slut, a backstabber, and a narc, mired in a tabloid-worthy scandal just weeks before graduation.

Lucy’s been battling undead masses online long enough to know there’s only one way to survive a disaster of this magnitude: Stand up and fight. Game plan? Uncover and expose the Facebook hacker, win back her best friend’s trust, and graduate with a clean slate.

There’s just one snag—Cole. Turns out Lucy’s not the only one who’s been harboring unrequited love...(via Goodreads)

       

About the Author

Sarah Ockler is the bestselling author of novels for teens, including The Book of Broken Hearts, Bittersweet, Fixing Delilah, and the critically acclaimed Twenty Boy Summer, a YALSA Teens' Top Ten nominee and IndieNext List pick. Her latest, #scandal, hits the shelves in June 2014.

Sarah is a champion cupcake eater, coffee drinker, night person, and bookworm. When she's not writing or reading at home in Colorado, she enjoys taking pictures, hugging trees, and road-tripping through the country with her husband, Alex.

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