[Blog Tour] The Conspiration of the Universe by Kenneth Olanday

[Blog Tour] The Conspiration of the Universe by Kenneth Olanday

Posted by Nina L. on 6:00 PM in 3-star, blog tour, fantasy, review, romance, YA,

Author: Kenneth Olanday

Release date: 2017

Publisher: Cloak Pop Fiction (Summit Books)

Series: N/A

Age Group:Young Adult

Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Purchase: Buy at Pop Fiction Bookstands!

Add to your library: Goodreads

"Luke believes in a quote by his favorite author -- that is you want something so bad, the universe will conspire to help you get it.

Luke must have wanted to find love so much that Eureka, the heroine of his favorite book, comes to life and falls in love with him.

There is just one catch: once Eureka reaches the end of her book's storylike in the real world, then her story with Luke will end, too.

Will the universe conspire to help the star-crossed lovers find true happiness with each other?

One thing is for sure, Luke will do everything he can to keep Eureka forever. (via Goodreads)

I received a physical copy from Pop Fiction in exchange for an honest review. This however did not influence my opinion of the book or of the author in any way..

Review

         The Conspiration of the Universe started slow for me. I could have finished it in a day but I kept on stopping because the momentum wasn't there yet. Finally, I got intrigued when Luke and Eureka met. I mean, seriously? The girl of your dreams from your favorite book coming to life? What a treat! I was totally curious as to what will happen to the two of them.

       Eureka and Luke were funny and entertaining. I enjoyed the progress of their relationship. It seemed so real and natural. They just clicked and the rest was history. Still, I disliked Luke a bit when he refused to tell Eureka the truth. It was obviously for selfish reasons. Of course, it wasn't an easy revelation to Eureka. Yet the two of them worked it out. I guess both of them were just in denial that Eureka's storyline would have to come to an end anyway.

       The funny and light romantic feels of the story kept me entertained as I wait for the final moment. Will Eureka stay or not? That's one thing you need to figure out for yourself. I liked how it ended that way. Giving me the power to play with what happens next.

        I live for mysteries and thrilling reads so I enjoyed this one and liked it. However, the main idea of the story reminded me of the movie, Ruby Sparks. It's not totally the same but kind of. Yet the story of Eureka and Luke had its own appeal. I liked it as it is.

Don't forget to follow the blog tour schedule. Tomorrow will be the last stop!

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Review: We Are Okay by Nina Lacour

Review: We Are Okay by Nina Lacour

Posted by Nina L. on 12:00 PM in 5-star, contemporary, Nina Lacour, review, YA,

Author: Nina Lacour

Release date: February 14th 2017

Publisher: Dutton Books for Young Readers

Series: N/A

Age Group:Young Adult

Genre: Contemporary 
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository 

Add to your library: Goodreads

"You go through life thinking there’s so much you need. . . . Until you leave with only your phone, your wallet, and a picture of your mother."
Marin hasn’t spoken to anyone from her old life since the day she left everything behind. No one knows the truth about those final weeks. Not even her best friend Mabel. But even thousands of miles away from the California coast, at college in New York, Marin still feels the pull of the life and tragedy she’s tried to outrun. Now, months later, alone in an emptied dorm for winter break, Marin waits. Mabel is coming to visit and Marin will be forced to face everything that’s been left unsaid and finally confront the loneliness that has made a home in her heart.  (via Goodreads)

Review

         We Are Okay took my breath away. Right from the beginning, I was so hooked. I didn't stop reading until the last page. It was that consuming.

           How do I even tell you about Marin's story without giving away too much? I'm afraid I'll spoil it when I say even the tiniest details. If I say anything, it'll make it less of a mystery.  I'll do my best not to spoil anything!

         From the synopsis itself, the story surrounding Marin screamed mystery. I was curious as to what happened to her. As I read through the book, my heart ached for her and the people around her. She was fragile, so vulnerable. How she ended up in New York was the mystery but within that mystery was another mystery. It was all about her family and the secrets she grew up knowing and not knowing. Add to that her relationship with her best friend, Mabel. I think it all made Marin a little overwhelmed that she just ended up in New York a little early for school.

          Marin's relationship with Mabel was a bit tense and complicated, and yet I love how Mabel was with Marin. When Mabel visited Marin at her dormitory, She tried her best for Marin. Sometimes, we think we don't need anyone so we try to push them off no matter how close we are to them. That's how Marin was to Mabel. She dreaded Mabel's visit. She counted the days of her visit. Yet as they spend time together, memories of the past haunted them and made them vulnerable for each other. What happened between the two of them during that visit made them both stronger for themselves and for each other. After learning what happened to Marin, I'm just happy she has a Mabel in her life. I hope each and every one of us has our own Mabel.

         Towards the end of the story, I was nervous. Mabel's visit wasn't just a visit anyway. It was a chance to convince Marin to go back home with her. Did she go home? That's for you to find out. All I can say is that the ending didn't disappoint. 

        This story is a little close to my heart as it holds secrets. Maybe I'm biased but hey, Nina Lacour's writing was definitely something I can always come back to. There was this rawness as if the story was real, as if it was alive.

            We Are Okay definitely lived up to its title. That no matter what we go through, we are okay. That yes, we have to deal with our struggles and our shortcomings, but we end up okay. That we don't have to be alone. That life can be messy sometimes but we have to go on. Because in the end, we are
okay.
           

      About the Author

Nina LaCour is the author of three critically acclaimed young adult novels published by Dutton Books: Hold Still, The Disenchantments, and Everything Leads to You. You Know Me Well, a novel written in collaboration with David Levithan, is forthcoming from St. Martin's Griffin in June, 2016.

She has tutored, taught, and guest lectured in various places, including Berkeley City College, Maybeck High School, Stanford University, and Mills College, where she received an MFA in Creative Writing in 2006. Her novels have been Junior Library Guild selections, ALA Best Books for Young Adults, and have appeared on many state and regional lists. Nina won the 2009 Northern California Book Award for Children’s Literature, was featured in Publishers Weekly as a Flying Starts Author, and was a finalist for the William C. Morris award. She loves teaching, reading work by emerging and established writers, and talking about the craft of fiction.

She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her wife, photographer Kristyn Stroble, and their daughter.

Website | Goodreads |  Twitter

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Review: My Heart and Other Black Holes by Jasmine Warga

Review: My Heart and Other Black Holes by Jasmine Warga

Posted by Nina L. on 12:00 PM in 5-star, contemporary, Jasmine Warga, mental health, review, YA,

Author: Jasmine Warga

Release date: February 10th 2015

Publisher: HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray

Series: N/A

Age Group:Young Adult

Genre: Contemporary / Romance

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository 

Add to your library: Goodreads

Sixteen-year-old physics nerd Aysel is obsessed with plotting her own death. With a mother who can barely look at her without wincing, classmates who whisper behind her back, and a father whose violent crime rocked her small town, Aysel is ready to turn her potential energy into nothingness.

There’s only one problem: she’s not sure she has the courage to do it alone. But once she discovers a website with a section called Suicide Partners, Aysel’s convinced she’s found her solution: a teen boy with the username FrozenRobot (aka Roman) who’s haunted by a family tragedy is looking for a partner.

Even though Aysel and Roman have nothing in common, they slowly start to fill in each other’s broken lives. But as their suicide pact becomes more concrete, Aysel begins to question whether she really wants to go through with it. Ultimately, she must choose between wanting to die or trying to convince Roman to live so they can discover the potential of their energy together. Except that Roman may not be so easy to convince.  (via Goodreads)

Review

          My Heart and Other Black Holes made me cry more than I can ever count. There were moments when I had to stop reading, look at the ceiling and just cry. Oh, the power of Jasmine's words. 

           The story of Aysel and Roman was sad, happy, heartbreaking, funny, stressful, hopeful, and realistic. It surely was a rollercoaster ride of emotions. Because in the real world, that's how it is.  They have different pasts and yet they want one future: to die. So they looked for a suicide partner, found each other, and decided to do it together. 

          Aysel and Roman were the opposites. The only thing that connects them is their goal. It sounds scary, cruel and even sadistic. Who would want to encourage someone to die? To end his/her own life with you? But the truth is, you wouldn't know. We wouldn't know. Unless we're in that situation. Unless we have depression. Unless we have suicidal tendencies. Yet Jasmine made sure that the story will make readers understand more about the topic without losing the idea that the characters are in fact, just two teenagers. Just regular teenagers who happen to have it. 

           Aysel was such a Physics nerd and a classical music lover. I really enjoyed all of her existential questions about her potential energy, her gravity, her black holes and everything about Physics. On the other hand, Roman was definitely that cute guy you just have a crush on, an athlete and has a turtle pet! See? Total opposites, right?

           I love this novel. Every bit of it. Its representation of depression, how things are affected, what happens when someone has it, everything surrounding it. It clearly gave the readers a look at the inside. In the end, it wasn't just love that triumphed. It was hope, faith, and trust as well. 

          I'm so thankful to Jasmine for being brave enough to write this novel that tackles the issue of mental health. It's not everyday that you come across a book that depicts such real-life issues. Her writing style definitely made the story even more beautiful.

          My Heart and Other Black Holes is a great eye-opener for everyone. It is cringe-worthy, but in a good way. Ready your heart when you decide to read this, and I do hope you read this one.

         About the Author

Jasmine Warga is an author from Cincinnati, Ohio. Her first novel, My Heart and Other Black Holes, was an international bestseller and has been translated into over twenty languages. Her second novel, Here We Are Now, was released in November of 2017. Jasmine lives with her husband, two tiny daughters, large dog, and mischievous cat. 
 

Website | Goodreads | Instagram | Twitter

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[RECAP] Jasmine Warga and Jennifer E. Smith's Book Signing Event at Manila

[RECAP] Jasmine Warga and Jennifer E. Smith's Book Signing Event at Manila

Posted by Nina L. on 12:00 PM in book signing, Jasmine Warga, Jennifer E. Smith, recap,

#JenAndJasInPH

              Meet Jasmine Warga and Jennifer E. Smith, everyone! They visited the Philippines for a 2-day signing, last November 11 in Cebu and  the other one last November 12 in Manila. It was Jasmine's 1st time to visit while it was the second time for Jennifer. Hopefully not the last one! All thanks to National Bookstore for bringing them here and giving the Filipino readers an opportunity to meet and greet these two best-selling authors. 

           We all know how lovely and awesome these two, right? But seriously, they were both wonderful to chat with. National Bookstore was kind enough to allow some bloggers to have a Q&A portion with them. They answered the questions eagerly. Below are some of the things they shared with us and some photos I took with them. Enjoy!

1. When Jasmine started to write My Heart and Other Black Holes, she unexpectedly lost someone really close to her which made her think of big existential questions. Those questions that we don't often let ourselves think that much about. These periods of raw shock and deep grief made her question our own mortality, what it means to die. The story was born out of that.
2. Jen is drawn to themes like fate, serendipity, timing, and chance. She once saw a young man buying a lot of lottery tickets. She thought of writing about it, a kid who's 18 still hasn't quite figured out who he is yet wins this incredible huge amount of money. There goes the start of Windfall.
3. Both Jennifer and Jasmine prefer writing contemporary novels. They are both drawn to reading contemporary. Jen once wrote a  middle-grade book that's fantasy in genre. She had fun writing it as an experiment but her heart is into contemporary. She might write another middle-grade book, or an adult one, both as contemporary in the future.  On the other hand, Jas is interested in experimental styles, different ways to format a novel and various age groups.

              

                  Also featured on this event was the soft opening of Powerbooks in The Podium located in  Ortigas. It looks so classy, you guys. I can't wait for it to expand its opening. Don't forget to visit the store and discover new titles.

                  That's it for the recap! Let's all wait for another author to visit us. Happy Reading!

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E-ARC Review: Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

E-ARC Review: Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

Posted by Nina L. on 12:00 PM in 5-star, E-ARC, general fiction, Liane Moriarty, review,

Author: Liane Moriarty

Release date: July 29th 2014

Publisher: Berkley

Series: N/A

Genre: General Fiction

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository 

Add to your library: Goodreads

Big Little Lies follows three women, each at a crossroads:

Madeline is a force to be reckoned with. She’s funny and biting, passionate, she remembers everything and forgives no one. Her ex-husband and his yogi new wife have moved into her beloved beachside community, and their daughter is in the same kindergarten class as Madeline’s youngest (how is this possible?). And to top it all off, Madeline’s teenage daughter seems to be choosing Madeline’s ex-husband over her. (How. Is. This. Possible?).

Celeste is the kind of beautiful woman who makes the world stop and stare. While she may seem a bit flustered at times, who wouldn’t be, with those rambunctious twin boys? Now that the boys are starting school, Celeste and her husband look set to become the king and queen of the school parent body. But royalty often comes at a price, and Celeste is grappling with how much more she is willing to pay.

New to town, single mom Jane is so young that another mother mistakes her for the nanny. Jane is sad beyond her years and harbors secret doubts about her son. But why? While Madeline and Celeste soon take Jane under their wing, none of them realizes how the arrival of Jane and her inscrutable little boy will affect them all.

Big Little Lies is a brilliant take on ex-husbands and second wives, mothers and daughters, schoolyard scandal, and the dangerous little lies we tell ourselves just to survive.  (via Goodreads)

I received an e-copy of this from Berkley 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

Why does it have to end? Oh, right. It's a book. I just cannot believe it's over now. It's just that good, you know.

Big Little Lies is the book you won't ever want to put down. Written in the 3rd person POV and centering three women's li(v)es, Madeline, Celeste and Jane, it will certainly make you ask for more.

The story started with the present, the time of chaos. It then shifted to the past, the time wherein the three women's lives finally collided. In each chapter, there were some statements from other characters regarding the commotion. Those statements, for me, were technically gossips, you know? About what someone think happened, of course, with the help of their malicious imagination. Ugh. Right from the start, I knew the characters to hate. It got me guessing as to who died, what happened, who did it. Just when I think I know what happened, there were more surprises.

The trio was connected because their children started in the same Kindergarten class. Along with the other kids and their parents, the mishaps started. Bullying within the class was the source of it all, that's what I thought at first. Yet as the story went on, some other issues materialized. Domestic violence was the root of all evil in this story. Seriously, it makes me cringe just remembering that. And it's not just because of one person, it's a ripple effect.

I admire the author for tackling this issue in a way that's so realistic. How the victim would totally be in denial at first, because, sure, that person do love the other one. How violence can sometimes not just be controllable by the person, and professional help is needed. How there are many variables that the victim thinks about before leaving the other. It's all different for everyone, but how it was portrayed here was heart-wrenching as if it was real.

Madeleine, Celeste and Jane were a joy to meet. Their lives weren't at all perfect. But they all had something to be thankful for. Madeleine surely was the cool mom, the talker yet she had her own drama within her family. Just imagine your ex-husband has a daughter with his new wife who's in the same class with you and your present husband's daughter. Imagine if your daughter from your previous marriage liked to be with her stepmom more than you. Celeste's life was not something to be jealous of. Pretty on the outside but really bad on the inside. Jane was the young mom who had an agenda of her own, I knew there was something about her moving place to place. They made me laugh, cry, and most especially to be grateful for my family all the time.

Big Little Lies is all about those lies, no matter how little, we tell ourselves everyday to get through life. Is that bad? I honestly don't think so. But it gets bad when we lose ourselves in the process of our lying. When our lies become the truth that we want. When the truth becomes the lies we sought to forget. This book will not just give you a glimpse of how domestic violence can affect everyone around you, but also how hope and love can heal people amidst the storm. I cannot not recommend this book enough. I definitely want to talk about it more. Please read it. Tell me what you think.

P.S. I guess this just became one of my favorite mystery/thriller novels.

About the Author

Liane Moriarty is the Australian author of six internationally best-selling novels, Three Wishes, The Last Anniversary, What Alice Forgot, The Hypnotist's Love Story and the number 1 New York Times bestsellers, The Husband's Secret and Big Little Lies.

Her breakout novel The Husband's Secret sold over three million copies worldwide, was a number 1 UK bestseller, an Amazon Best Book of 2013 and has been translated into over 40 languages. It spent over a year on the New York Times bestseller list. CBS Films has acquired the film rights.

With the launch of Big Little Lies, Liane became the first Australian author to have a novel debut at number one on the New York Times bestseller list. An HBO series based on Big Little Lies is currently in production, starring Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon.

Writing as L.M. Moriarty, Liane has also written a children's book series, The Petrifying Problem with Princess Petronella, The Shocking Trouble on the Planet of Shobble and The Wicked War on the Planet of Whimsy.

Liane lives in Sydney with her husband, son and daughter. Her new novel, Truly Madly Guilty, was released in July 2016.

Website | Facebook | Goodreads

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E-ARC Review: The Five Stages of Andrew Brawley by Shaun David Hutchinson

E-ARC Review: The Five Stages of Andrew Brawley by Shaun David Hutchinson

Posted by Nina L. on 12:00 PM in 4-star, contemporary, E-ARC, review, Shaun David Hutchinson, YA,

Author: Shaun David Hutchinson

Release date: January 20th 2015

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Series: N/A

Genre: Young Adult

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository 

Add to your library: Goodreads

Andrew Brawley was supposed to die that night. His parents did, and so did his sister, but he survived.

Now he lives in the hospital. He serves food in the cafeteria, he hangs out with the nurses, and he sleeps in a forgotten supply closet. Drew blends in to near invisibility, hiding from his past, his guilt, and those who are trying to find him.

Then one night Rusty is wheeled into the ER, burned on half his body by hateful classmates. His agony calls out to Drew like a beacon, pulling them both together through all their pain and grief. In Rusty, Drew sees hope, happiness, and a future for both of them. A future outside the hospital, and away from their pasts.

But Drew knows that life is never that simple. Death roams the hospital, searching for Drew, and now Rusty. Drew lost his family, but he refuses to lose Rusty, too, so he’s determined to make things right. He’s determined to bargain, and to settle his debts once and for all.

But Death is not easily placated, and Drew’s life will have to get worse before there is any chance for things to get better.

A partly graphic novel.  (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

The Five Stages of Andrew Brawley appealed to me as mysterious. Hence, why I requested it for review. The synopsis and the title suggested it was about grief. That's why I prepared myself for some heavy heart feels. But gosh, you can never be ready for it.

Within a few minutes into the book, I got lost inside Andrew's life in the hospital. I got all these questions. Why is he there? Why can't people figure out he's living in an abandoned part? What happened to his family? Who is this Death? How can he roam around the hospital as if it's his house? How can he survive like that? How does he take a bath? Of course, I knew I was gonna get answers. I took my time reading his story and got an answer for everything except about his shower time.

Andrew's life was a series of misfortunes. As much as I find it weird that he got to live inside the hospital, he doesn't know where to go. Since it's the last place his family was in, he stayed there. He illegally worked in the cafeteria. He got to have a family there. A nice one. Nurses, cafeteria crew, even some patients in the pedia, Trevor and Lexi. The bond he created with them was the most important to him. Along with his human friends, he turned to his drawings and character, Patient F as a companions. While he has people he can turn to, he was also avoiding someone, the Death. Turns out, the Death is a social worker. I knew that character must be an employee inside the hospital. Everything became crucial when Rusty was brought in the hospital. Andrew was drawn to him and so he befriended him. They became close as Andrew spent more sneaking time to his room. You don't know how nervous I got every time he did that. Yet the truth caught up with Andrew and eventually, Death. My heart ached for Andrew for he was just trying to save his friends. However, bad things happened and he needed saving more than ever.

I was close to the end, around 4% remaining when something happened and I swear I was astonished I can barely believe it. I read it a couple of times just to make sure I read it right. I was crying inside because why did that have to happen? I even told myself I don't like the book anymore. Take note, I was loving every bit of it until that happened. Still, I finished the book. Good thing, I was relieved in the end, pretty much relieved.

The comics included were entertaining. Although what gave depth to Andrew's life was Shaun's writing. It was very engaging I thought for sure it was something personal. I can just feel the intensity of every word. I even shed some tears to a few scenes. His writing is something I would definitely want to read again. You write incredibly, Shaun.

I debated within myself as to what rating I'll be giving this. I got overwhelmed with that last part. I kept on rationalizing why it happened. After almost three days, I realized how fitting it was. Why it had to happen. It's the only way Andrew can be saved. I love the book! Really. Especially the writing. Yet I am only giving it 4 stars because of that tiny feeling I got.

The Five Stages of Andrew Brawley is an astounding piece of art. Goosebumps will definitely crawl in your skin. You'll have to go low before you go high. I cannot recommend this enough for its awesomeness. Please. Read it.

About the Author

Shaun is a major geek and all about nerdy shenanigans. He is the author of We Are the Ants, The Five Stages of Andrew Brawley, The Deathday Letter, fml, and the editor of the anthology Violent Ends. Find out more information at shaundavidhutchinson.com. He currently lives in South Florida with his dog and watches way too much Doctor Who.

Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter

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[Blog Tour] Stowaway by Jen Castleberry: Guest Post

[Blog Tour] Stowaway by Jen Castleberry: Guest Post

Posted by Nina L. on 12:00 PM in blog tour, guest post, Jen Castleberry, YA,

Author: Jen Castleberry

Release date: October 15th 2016

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Series: The Reservation Trilogy # 2

Genre: Young Adult

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes and Noble  

Add to your library: Goodreads

Twelve years ago, Nathan was forcibly transferred into governmental custody.

Once a brother, a son, and an outsider, he is now little more than an instrument of the Continental Order.

At least, that's what his superiors think.

Now, the Order is shipping out, and a resurgence of destruction lies in wait for the continent.

Will Nathan break free and embrace the hostile outside world, or will he take his place on the last train scheduled for the Reservation?  (via Goodreads)

Guest Post: Favorite Book Genre

I have always read across many genres, and was, in fact, a fan of romance novels first, having read them almost exclusively throughout my high school years. In the decade post, I have been particularly fond of young-adult dystopian fiction. Recently, I’ve discovered Sarah J. Maas and have nosedived into fantasy, reading every Goodreads-recommended fantasy I can get my hands on. And VERY recently, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by a few YA contemporary reads, a genre I’ve always steered away from. My favorite reads this year include Maas’s ACOTAR and ACOMAF, Victoria Aveyard’s Red Queen, and Nicola Yoon’s Everything, Everything. I’ve tried my hand at a bit of book-blogging, both on Goodreads and on my website, and this more than anything has expanded the parameters of my personal library.

About the Author

Jen Castleberry is a North Carolina native currently based in Virginia Beach, VA. She is a Communications graduate and proud ECU alum.

When she's not writing, Castleberry works full-time as a Veterinary Assistant at a local animal shelter.

Her affection for all critters, large and small, comes home with her at the end of each day. She frequently lends her house and heart to homeless animals in need of foster.

Her own clan of silly creatures include an Akita, a Basset Hound, a Maine Coon, and of course, her active-duty husband.

At twenty-seven, Castleberry hopes to soon realize a life-long dream of writing professionally.

The first installment of her YA debut series premiered in January of 2016.

Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter

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E-ARC Review: Promposal by Rhonda Helms

E-ARC Review: Promposal by Rhonda Helms

Posted by Nina L. on 12:00 PM in 4-star, contemporary, E-ARC, review, Rhonda Helms, romance, YA,

Author: Rhonda Helms

Release date: February 10th 2015

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Series: N/A

Age Group:Young Adult

Genre: Contemporary / Romance

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository 

Add to your library: Goodreads

Prom should be one of the most memorable nights of your life. But for Camilla and Joshua, some elaborate promposals are getting in the way. Will they be able to land their dream dates in time for the dance?

Promposal (n.)—an often very public proposal, in which one person asks another person to the prom, eliciting joy or mortification.

Camilla can’t help hoping her secret crush, Benjamin, might randomly surprise her out of the blue with a promposal. But when she’s asked to prom by an irritating casual acquaintance—who’s wearing a fancy tux and standing in front of a news crew—she’s forced to say yes. However, all hope is not lost, as a timely school project gives Camilla a chance to get closer to Benjamin...and it seems like the chemistry between them is crackling. Is she reading into something that isn’t there, or will she get her dream guy just in time for prom?

Joshua has been secretly in love with his best friend Ethan since middle school. Just as he decides to bite the bullet and ask Ethan if he’d go to prom with him, even if just as friends, he gets a shocking surprise: Ethan asks Joshua for help crafting the perfect promposal—for another guy. Now Joshua has to suppress his love and try to fake enthusiasm as he watches his dreams fall apart...unless he can make Ethan see that love has been right in front of his eyes the whole time.

The road to the perfect promposal isn’t easy to navigate. But one thing’s certain—prom season is going to be memorable.  (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

What are your pet peeves as a social being? Are you okay with a stranger suddenly grabbing your hand in public? Or a person doing something inappropriate in front of a crowd? We can all think of an instance where we felt uncomfortable, violated and annoyed. In return, we do our best to avoid doing stuff which can make other people feel the same way. It's an unwritten code, to be proper at all times especially in public places. These things that make us act in certain ways are what we call social norms. I am very much familiar with such as we studied it in the university and of course, I was one of those girls who was brought up to be proper always, just like with Camilla, the female lead character.

Promposal alternates between Camilla and Joshua's POVs. Two best friends who both share trouble in their romantic life. Camilla wishes to be seen and appreciated by her ultimate crush, Benjamin, who is the complete opposite of her with his mysterious aura. Yet Zach asked her to go to the prom in front of everyone so she was forced to say yes. Talk about social norms. While Joshua is in love with his best friend, Ethan who wanted to invite another guy to their prom. These two besties definitely had some heartaches before they both got what they want.

Only a few pages in Promposal, I got so excited because Camilla's class was studying social norms. Of course, the introduction of Camilla was absolutely relatable. She was witty on her own. I caught myself laughing a couple of times because of her thoughts, actions and endless worries. Girl, you'd think at her age, all she'd be worried will be college but no. When Zach did his promposal to her, she was tied to just say yes. Poor Camilla. I wanted to punch Zach for assuming a lot of things. But, hey. They became friends in the end. Camilla's flirting with Benjamin made me smile a lot. Their passing of notes and project together was fun and entertaining.

Joshua's dilemma was a bit more heartbreaking as he was asked by Ethan to help him do a promposal for another guy. How cruel was that? The moment that Joshua confessed to Ethan was definitely heart-tugging. I would surely eat lots of oreos and ice cream if that was me.

Camilla and Joshua balanced out each other in the story. As Camilla was funny and happy-go-lucky, Joshua was the more serious, the artistic one. It wasn't a bore reading about their lives. No too much drama, or heavy struggles. It was more of finding your way to your romantic life.

Promposal definitely is one for a good laugh. You will enjoy Camilla and Joshua's way to their budding romance. Be ready as it will also make you think about your dos and don'ts in the public, if you're being appropriate for that matter. It's nice to read a book that not only makes you enjoy the story and the characters, but also allows you to reflect on your own as a person.

About the Author

Rhonda Helms started writing several years ago when she realized she was having far too many conversations with people in her head that hadn’t actually happened. She has a Master’s degree in English and a Bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing. She also edits for Carina Press (an imprint of Harlequin Publishing) as a freelance acquisitions/developmental editor, plus offers freelance editing.

When she isn’t writing, she likes amateur photography, digging her toes into the sand, reading for hours at a time, and eating scads of cheese. WAY too much cheese.

Rhonda lives in Northeast Ohio with her family, a dog, and two sassy cats.

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