Blog Tour: LOVE ME NEVER Review + Giveaway

LOVE ME NEVER (Lovely Vicious #1)

Author: Sara Wolf

Publisher: Entangled Teen

Number of Pages: 352

Release Date: April 5, 2016

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Romance/ Dark Comedy

Previously published as Lovely Vicious, this fully revised and updated edition is full of romance, intrigue, and laugh-out-loud moments.

Don’t love your enemy. Declare war on him.

Seventeen-year-old Isis Blake hasn’t fallen in love in three years, nine weeks, and five days, and after what happened last time, she intends to keep it that way. Since then she’s lost eighty-five pounds, gotten four streaks of purple in her hair, and moved to Buttcrack-of-Nowhere, Ohio, to help her mom escape a bad relationship.

All the girls in her new school want one thing—Jack Hunter, the Ice Prince of East Summit High. Hot as an Armani ad, smart enough to get into Yale, and colder than the Arctic, Jack Hunter’s never gone out with anyone. Sure, people have seen him downtown with beautiful women, but he’s never given high school girls the time of day. Until Isis punches him in the face.

Jack’s met his match. Suddenly everything is a game.

The goal: Make the other beg for mercy.

The game board: East Summit High.

The reward: Something neither of them expected.

Purchase: Amazon | B&N |iBooks | Kobo | Amazon.co.uk |
Amazon.ca | Entangled Publishing

***

My Thoughts:

When I first heard of Sara Wolf's Lovely Vicious trilogy, I knew I had to read it. Despite the "cliche-ness" of the plot based from the blurb, I still want to read about a spunky female lead who somewhat hates (and is at war with) the most popular boy in school. There's just something about their "cat and mouse" sort of relationship that's exciting to read. And we kinda know how this will end, don't we?

SUMMER READS: Mini Reviews

It's officially summer in the Philippines. It has been for almost a month now. And that means no school, no homework, and no annoying exams (happy dance!). And thus, more time to sleep, read and binge watch movies and television series.

I don't know about you guys,but I'm seeing "summer reads" all around, and whenever I hear that or anything similar, the first thing that comes to my mind are the contemporary/realistic young adult books. Yes, the YA Contemporaries in general - not limited to those beach reads. Although I read a wide variety of YAs every summer, I think majority of the books I have read are contemporaries. And right now, all that I have read since the last day of school are books like that.

The three most recent books I have read just a few days ago are:

Things We Know by Heart by Jessi Kirby

Megan Meade's Guide to the McGowan Boys by Kate Brian

Aimee and the Heartthrob by Ophelia London

Three contemporary romances with three very different themes.

Book Blast: THE ART OF LAINEY by Paula Stokes + Giveaway

The Art of Lainey

By: Paula Stokes
Published by: HarperTeen
Release Date: May 20, 2014

Soccer star Lainey Mitchell is gearing up to spend an epic summer with her amazing boyfriend, Jason, when he suddenly breaks up with her—no reasons, no warning, and in public no less! Lainey is more than crushed, but with help from her friend Bianca, she resolves to do whatever it takes to get Jason back.

And that’s when the girls stumble across a copy of The Art of War. With just one glance, they’re sure they can use the book to lure Jason back into Lainey’s arms. So Lainey channels her inner warlord, recruiting spies to gather intel and persuading her coworker Micah to pose as her new boyfriend to make Jason jealous. After a few “dates”, it looks like her plan is going to work!  But now her relationship with Micah is starting to feel like more than just a game.

What’s a girl to do when what she wants is totally different from what she needs? How do you figure out the person you’re meant to be with, if you’re still figuring out the person you’re meant to be?

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY

Another Little Piece of My Heart (Bonus Scene) + Giveaway

Another Little Piece of My Heart

Tracy Martin

What if your devastating break-up became this summer’s hit single? In this rock-and-roll retelling of Jane Austen’s Persuasion, music can either bring you together or tear you apart.

At her dying mother’s request, Claire dumps Jared, the only boy she’s ever loved. Left with a broken family and a broken heart, Claire is furious when she discovers that her biggest regret became Jared’s big break. While Jared is catapulted into rock-star status, another piece of Claire’s heart crumbles every time his song plays on the radio.

The summer after her senior year, it’s been months since the big break-up, and Claire is just trying to keep her head down and make it through a tense trip to the beach with her family. But when Jared shows up, and old feelings reignite, can Claire and Jared let go of the past? Or will they be stuck singing the same old refrain?

Amazon |  Barnes & Noble 

I have been fortunate enough to receive an ecopy of Another Little Piece of My Heart from Netgalley. Although I haven't written a decent review yet (what I have here are just random notes and ideas), I can tell you that this book is as good as it sounds. The feeling while reading the book was a mix of lightness, humor, frustration and angst. You'll feel the sweetness, the occasional tingles, and sometimes, a little tightening of your chest. It's not your ordinary contemporary story wherein the plot is focused on the gradual development of the love story. With this one, they were the couple, it ended, and now the question: Will they get back together?

Another Little Piece of My Heart is like a fun ride; like a sweet drive; and like a potential hit song. It may not be the best I have read and there were a few things that I had issues with, but it did leave something behind.

For those who have read Another Little Piece of My Heart, and even those who want to read it, Tracy Martin has a special treat for us - a bonus scene from Jared's point of view and a giveaway.

BOOK BLURB: Where You'll Find Me

Where You'll Find Me 

Author: Erin Fletcher

Publisher: Entangled: Teen

Number of Pages: 211

Expected Pub. Date: January 7, 2014

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

(Received an ARC from Netgalley for an honest review)

Goodreads:

When Hanley Helton discovers a boy living in her garage, she knows she should kick him out. But Nate is too charming to be dangerous. He just needs a place to get away, which Hanley understands. Her own escape methods (vodka, black hair dye, and pretending the past didn't happen) are more traditional, but who is she to judge?

Nate doesn't tell her why he's in her garage, and she doesn't tell him what she's running from. Soon, Hanley's trading her late-night escapades for all-night conversations and stolen kisses. But when Nate's recognized as the missing teen from the news, Hanley isn't sure which is worse: that she's harboring a fugitive, or that she's in love with one.

BOOK BLURB: This Song Will Save Your Life

This Song Will Save Your Life

Author: Leila Sales

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)

Number of Pages: 288

Date Published: September 17, 2013

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary

Amazon:

Making friends has never been Elise Dembowski’s strong suit. All throughout her life, she’s been the butt of every joke and the outsider in every conversation. When a final attempt at popularity fails, Elise nearly gives up. Then she stumbles upon a warehouse party where she meets Vicky, a girl in a band who accepts her; Char, a cute, yet mysterious disc jockey; Pippa, a carefree spirit from England; and most importantly, a love for DJing.

Told in a refreshingly genuine and laugh-out-loud funny voice, Leila Sales' THIS SONG WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE is an exuberant novel about identity, friendship, and the power of music to bring people together.

***

COVER CRAZY: Several Crazy YA

If you haven't noticed, I have been gone for quite some time, and I haven't really had the chance (and resources) of scouring the world wide web for book updates like cover reveals, new releases etc... So now, I'll try to catch up with what's happening and finally be able to at least get a little in line with every one out there.

Now, to start things off, I just want to say something... This blog post is entirely dedicated to those upcoming books I have been on my TBR list that unfortunately, I haven't been able to check up on for the past few months. And just by random chance, when I looked into my goodreads account, I saw that they have already covers. How amazingly bitter-sweet was that.

This cover reveal may be a few weeks or a few months late, but I don't care. I have the right to fangirl, too! :)

BOOK BLURB: Losing It (Losing It #1)

Losing It

Author: Cora Carmack

Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
 Number of Pages: 289
Date Published: December 5, 2012
Genre: New Adult Romance

Goodreads:

Virginity.

Bliss Edwards is about to graduate from college and still has hers. Sick of being the only virgin among her friends, she decides the best way to deal with the problem is to lose it as quickly and simply as possible-- a one-night stand. But her plan turns out to be anything but simple when she freaks out and leaves a gorgeous guy alone and naked in her bed with an excuse that no one with half-a-brain would ever believe. And as if that weren't embarrassing enough, when she arrives for her first class of her last college semester, she recognizes her new theatre professor. She'd left him naked in her bed about 8 hours earlier.

***

My Thoughts:

I was having doubts if I should really read this book or just leave it unread. Why? First of all, when you read the synopsis, the first thing that comes to your mind is sex. A lot of steamy moments and everything that minors should take caution reading; A story all about sex and losing one’s virginity, and who would want that? Second, it’s another student-teacher relationship story and I have read a few already. Do I really need to read another one?

BOOK BLURB: The Book of Broken Hearts

The Book of Broken Hearts 

Author: Sarah Ockler 
Publisher: Simon Pulse
 Number of Pages: 352 
Date Published: May 21, 2013 
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary

Goodreads:

When all signs point to heartbreak, can love still be a rule of the road? A poignant and romantic novel from the author of Bittersweet and Twenty Boy Summer.

Jude has learned a lot from her older sisters, but the most important thing is this: The Vargas brothers are notorious heartbreakers. She’s seen the tears and disasters that dating a Vargas boy can cause, and she swore an oath—with candles and a contract and everything—to never have anything to do with one.

Now Jude is the only sister still living at home, and she’s spending the summer helping her ailing father restore his vintage motorcycle—which means hiring a mechanic to help out. Is it Jude’s fault he happens to be cute? And surprisingly sweet? And a Vargas?

Jude tells herself it’s strictly bike business with Emilio. Her sisters will never find out, and Jude can spot those flirty little Vargas tricks a mile away—no way would she fall for them. But Jude’s defenses are crumbling, and if history is destined to repeat itself, she’s speeding toward some serious heartbreak…unless her sisters were wrong?

Jude may have taken an oath, but she’s beginning to think that when it comes to love, some promises might be worth breaking.

***

My Thoughts:

I have been waiting for this book for months now. Why? Read the synopsis above. :) The moment I read that, I knew I had to read it as soon as it comes out. Basically, it’s about Jude and her older sisters making an oath to never get involved with another Vargas ever again due to the previous heart breaks her older sisters have suffered. Call it coincidence or fate, but it looks like Jude is being challenged, because she direly needs a mechanic that summer and she’s left with no other choice but to hire Emilio Vargas. Whoooopie! Sounds awesome doesn’t it? Yeah, it does. The perfect recipe for a cute summer romance.  And that’s what really drew me to the story. I’m dying to know how Jude will handle this situation. Will Jude choose Emilio Vargas over her three older sisters? Is she willing to break their oath, their blood pact, just so she could be with a notorious Vargas boy?

Now, if you’re looking for a fun, light, and carefree book filled with sweet summer romance, The Book of Broken Hearts is probably not the best choice. Because while it’s fun and has this cute teenage romance, it’s not carefree or light at all. It covers something that will touch some readers’ hearts deeply. In fact, Book of Broken Hearts is more than just the teenage love story, or the typical boy heart break. It's about family relationships as well, about making your own choices, letting go of what has been and moving on to what will be.

Jude and Emilio’s love story was a pleasure to read. They had their ups and downs. They had their fair share of good times and bad times, while constantly being watched by the sisters’ oath. But honestly, I was more interested in reading about Jude and her father’s relationship. What their future will become, how Jude will be able to cope, and all that. It was fun at times, often a little depressing and pitiful, but most of the time touching. The father-daughter moments are the ones I’m waiting for (not that I’m not waiting for Emilio and Jude’s lovey dovey moments). Also, it was pleasant to see how Jude grew in the story, how she was able to stand up for her choices and not become the girl overshadowed by her older sisters.

To sum up, a great read.  :)

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BOOK BLURB: Game. Set. Match. (Outerbanks Tennis Academy #1)

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Game. Set. Match Author: Jennifer Iacopelli Publisher: Coliloquy, LLC Number of Pages: -- Date Published: April 29, 2013 Genre: New Adult Romance   Goodreads:

Nestled along the North Carolina coast, the Outer Banks Tennis Academy is the world's most elite training facility. In this pressure-cooker environment, futures are forged in blood and sweat, and dreams are shattered in an instant.
Penny Harrison, a rising female star, is determined to win the French Open and beat her archrival, Zina Lutrova. But when her coach imports British bad boy Alex Russell as her new training partner, will Penny be able to keep her laser-like focus?
 
Tennis is all Jasmine Randazzo has ever known. The daughter of two Grand Slam champions, she's hell-bent on extending her family’s legacy and writing her own happily-ever-after...until her chosen Prince Charming gives her the just-friends speech, right before the biggest junior tournament of the year, the Outer Banks Classic.  
With a powerful serve and killer forehand, newcomer Indiana Gaffney is turning heads. She’s thrilled by all of the attention, especially from Jack Harrison, Penny’s agent and hot older brother, except he keeps backing off every time things start heating up.
With so much at stake, dreams—and hearts—are bound to break.

BOOK BLURB: This Is What Happy Looks Like

THIS IS WHAT HAPPY LOOKS LIKE

Author: Jennifer E. Smith

Publisher: Headline

Number of Pages: 416

Date Published: April 4, 2013

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary

Goodreads:

If fate sent you an email, would you answer?

In This is What Happy Looks Like, Jennifer E. Smith’s new YA novel, perfect strangers Graham Larkin and Ellie O’Neill meet—albeit virtually—when Graham accidentally sends Ellie an email about his pet pig, Wilbur. In the tradition of romantic movies like “You’ve Got Mail” and “Sleepless in Seattle,” the two 17-year-olds strike up an email relationship, even though they live on opposite sides of the country and don’t even know each other’s first names.

Through a series of funny and poignant messages, Graham and Ellie make a true connection, sharing intimate details about their lives, hopes and fears. But they don’t tell each other everything; Graham doesn’t know the major secret hidden in Ellie’s family tree, and Ellie is innocently unaware that Graham is actually a world-famous teen actor living in Los Angeles.

When the location for the shoot of Graham’s new film falls through, he sees an opportunity to take their relationship from online to in-person, managing to get the production relocated to picturesque Henley, Maine, where Ellie lives. But can a star as famous as Graham have a real relationship with an ordinary girl like Ellie? And why does Ellie’s mom want her to avoid the media’s spotlight at all costs?

Just as they did in The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, the hands of fate intervene in wondrous ways in this YA novel that delivers on high concept romance in lush and thoughtful prose.

*** 

My Thoughts:

From the very moment I read the synopsis of This Is What Happy Looks Like, I knew that I should have the book once it comes out. Who wouldn't want to read about a movie star exchanging e-mails with an ordinary girl? I fell in love with its plot in an instant and it went immediately to the upper part of my “To Be Read” list. Plus, I love the look of the bright sunny yellow cover with the silhouette of a couple in a small boat. And I also have a thing for long titles. Everything about this book screams “READ ME!” and luckily, I was able to snag a copy when it came out. So on to my thoughts…

BOOK BLURB: This Lullaby

This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Goodreads:

When it comes to relationships, Remy doesn't mess around. After all, she's learned all there is to know from her mother, who's currently working on husband number five. But there's something about Dexter that seems to defy all of Remy's rules. He certainly doesn't seem like Mr. Right. For some reason, however, Remy just can't seem to shake him. Could it be that Remy's starting to understand what those love songs are all about?

***

Date Read: April 11, 2013
Rating: 3.5 Stars

Going straight to the point and making this as brief as possible, I liked the This Lullaby. It's my first Sarah Dessen book and, as mentioned by most of the reviews I have read, it will not be the last. I enjoyed flipping through the pages and finding out how a cynical girl who does not believe in love will be changed by the overly enthusiastic and optimistic musician. The characters were okay, pretty normal and nice to read about, though not really exceptionally different from most YA characters I have come to read. But they were good, in terms of fitting with the story and developing throughout the book. Maybe not all of them, but Remy at least (Well duh! She's the main character). Her mother has been one of the shocking revelations of the story. Ah, the wisdom of mothers. Bow! As for book the story, it was a little clichéd and predictable, but nonetheless, it went well. I was not really affected that much by Remy and Dexter's romantic encounters. It was funny and sweet, but that was just about it. All in all, one great chunk of thoughts put together in a story that will make you ponder on some things about love and taking chances. 3.5 Stars! :)

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BOOK BLURB: Amy and Roger's Epic Detour

Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Goodreads:

Amy Curry thinks her life sucks. Her mom decides to move from California to Connecticut to start anew--just in time for Amy's senior year. Her dad recently died in a car accident. So Amy embarks on a road trip to escape from it all, driving cross-country from the home she's always known toward her new life. Joining Amy on the road trip is Roger, the son of Amy's mother's old friend. Amy hasn't seen him in years, and she is less than thrilled to be driving across the country with a guy she barely knows. So she's surprised to find that she is developing a crush on him. At the same time, she’s coming to terms with her father’s death and how to put her own life back together after the accident. Told in traditional narrative as well as scraps from the road--diner napkins, motel receipts, postcards--this is the story of one girl's journey to find herself.
***

Dater Read: April 5, 2013
Rating: 4 Stars

Based from the title, the cover and blurb, you would think that this book is mainly about Amy and Roger's epic love story that bloomed during an unexpected road trip across the different parts of America. That's what I thought, too. Well it is, but not entirely. In a nutshell, it's about moving on and letting go; about taking a leap of faith; about jumping in without any certainty of what the outcome may be; about acceptance and finding yourself again. It is about family, life, and love. And it was pure awesomeness.

There's a always that blast of great satisfaction whenever a book you thought won't be making any impact takes you by surprise. Just when you thought you'd be putting it down and on the verge of giving up on it, you try again and you see it on a whole new perspective. That's happened with Amy and Roger's Epic Detour. I really didn't feel like reading the story much longer for some unknown reasons, but I tried to continue, and I started to like it a lot.

Road trips are always fun to read especially for those who can't experience them first hand, and this was no exception. Morgan Matson successfully brought readers along with Amy and Roger as they paved their way through the different states of America with only a few hundred dollars to spare. The best part? FOOD! That's the best part of every stop. Gets you salivating and hungry for those diner food, enough to for you to get fueled up to visit that state someday.

Also, Amy and Roger's relationship throughout the trip had been developed well - slowly but surely. From that awkward car silence to an innocent game of twenty questions, which lead to some heart to heart talk about burdens and heartaches. And by the of the trip, the uncertainty hanging between them was as strong as the promise of being together.

Lastly, I greatly approve of how everything ended.

So cheers to Edmund and Hillary for giving us a sweet story about life, love, family and finding oneself. All in all, great story!

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BOOK BLURB: Eleanor and Park

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Goodreads:

TWO MISFITS. ONE EXTRAORDINARY LOVE. 
It's 1986 and two star-crossed teens are smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. When Eleanor meets Park, you'll remember your own first love--and just how hard it pulled you under.

 A cross between the iconic '80s movie Sixteen Candles and the classic coming-of-age novel Looking for Alaska, Eleanor & Park is a brilliantly written young adult novel.

***

Date Read: March, 16, 2013
Rating: 2.5 Stars

This is the kind of love story that does not reach out to me. I found it boring and everything else that I dislike about annoying teenage relationships.

It wasn't bad. I actually really liked it at first, especially the voiceless communication between Eleanor and Park. The unsaid words of gratitude that comes with the exchange of comic books and mixed tapes, and the six inches of space between thew was fun while it lasted. But when they started to talk more, it just did not do anything good to me. It was like an instant unofficial relationship. Then, from no good, it went a bit worse. The relationship was unstable, confusing, and complicated. It wasn't funny, or sweet, or romantic. It was plain and bland. I would love to love the story, but it didn't suit my taste.

I usually love unusual characters, like Eleanor and Park. They weren't the best looking people, they weren't popular, and they weren't exceptionally talented. They stood out the best way they can, and that's by being awkward. I liked that, but sometimes they just seem to be off and that irritated a bit.

Again, I liked it at first. I am starting to get used to dual point of views now, and the book was good with that. I loved the parts when Eleanor and Park constantly switched point of views (not 1st person, but 3rd person) with only a short lines to tell. That was the meaningful part for me. Too bad that a big part of the book wasn't that great. But there were still a few notable good parts. Well, 2.5 stars.

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BOOK BLURB: That Boy (That Boy #1)

Hi people of the world wide web! It's been more than two weeks sine my last update, and I'm terribly sorry for that. I have been busy with school requirements and final exams for the past few days. I'm just days away from the official start of summer vacation. Yay! That means more updates, more posts! 

***

That Boy by Jillian Dodd
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Goodreads:

That Boy is a contemporary romance about falling in love with the boys next door.

You know, being friends with two cute boys does have its benefits. 

There's Danny. Danny is a golden boy in every way. He has dreamy blue eyes and blonde hair that always looks perfect, even when it’s windblown or been stuck under a football helmet. He’s the boy every girl crushes on. The boy I get into trouble with, the boy I fight with, the hot quarterback no girl can resist, not even me. Being with Danny is like being on an adventure. He has a bright, contagious smile and abs to die for. He’s pretty much irresistible.

Equally crush worthy is Phillip. Adorable, sweet Phillip, who I have known since birth.  Phillip has dark hair, a perfect smile, brown eyes, and the sexiest voice I have ever heard. He’s the boy I talk to every night before I go to sleep. The boy who rescues me, the boy who can read my mind, the boy who is always there for me, the boy who tries to keep me out of trouble, the boy who irritatingly keeps getting hotter, and whose strong arms always seem to find their way around me.  And when he gives me that grin, I can never say no.

One boy will give me my very first kiss.
One boy will teach me to make out.
One boy will take me to prom.
And finally, one boy will ask me to marry him.
They will both be my best friends.
But only one of them will be the boy I fall in love with.
Only one of them is That Boy.

***

Date Read: March 5, 2013
Rating: 2 Stars

That Boy, upon reading the blurb, will catch the attention of anyone looking for a sweet contemporary romance about a girl torn between two guys. It centers around the lives of three very close friends who grew up together. As time came and went, JJ (the girl) slowly realizes how her two guy friends changed from scrawny little boys to gorgeous young men. Then, the story begins.

The story was very disappointing. I was expecting something delightful, fun and worthwhile to read. But the sweetness, the tingles on the skin, and the knots in the belly I was hoping to feel was not there. The supposed love triangle was bland and boring. The story seemed to drag on due to the wide time frame it covers. To be honest, I felt it was too long because of some of the insignificant moments or parts in the story.

The characters, especially JJ, was unappealing. She was quite annoying, confusing and hard to relate to. And there's not much character development with her. With the guys, I was hoping to read something about a healthy brotherly/friendly competition to win the girl's heart. But none of the interesting and exciting parts of the sappy 'ol love story was present. They were okay for me, but crush-worthy? I think not so. They are tolerable.

I don't usually comment on the writing style because I'm not good at judging those kinds of things. But truth be told, this was not the greatest on the planet. It wasn't that good. It felt too conversational and informal. Not my kind of style, though I don't have any specific preference with the writing.

To sum up, I did not like it very much. But like I said, it was tolerable. But sweet, fun, dramatic and entertaining? No, not really. Well, not for me.

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COVER CRAZY: Isla and the Happily Ever After + New Covers for Anna and Lola

Presenting... the cover of Stephanie Perkins' new contemporary novel.

ISLA AND THE  HAPPILY EVER AFTER

Goodreads:

Falling in love in the world’s most romantic city is easy for hopeless dreamer Isla and introspective artist Josh. But as they begin their senior year at the School of America in Paris, Isla and Josh are quickly forced to deal with the heartbreaking reality that happily-ever-afters aren’t always forever. Their romantic journey is skillfully intertwined with those of beloved couples Anna and Étienne and Lola and Cricket, whose paths are destined to collide in a sweeping finale certain to please fans old and new.

Another fun-filled romance mixed with touches of drama and heartbreak. Plus, cross-overs!!! :)

But wait! It's not over yet. Apparently, Anna and Lola gets a make-over along with the reveal of Isla. Here are the before and after covers.

So, what are your thoughts? Comments? Are the new covers better or worse?

Personally, I like the new covers a tad better than the old ones. It looks simpler, yet it screams sophistication. It looks more mature while holding on to that YA element. I can't explain it clearly, but the new covers have my vote. :)

BOOK BLURB: Perfect Scoundrels (Heist Society #3)

PERFECT SCOUNDRELS (Heist Society #3)

Author: Ally Carter

Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children

Number of Pages: 328

Date Published: February 5, 2013

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary / Mystery

Goodreads:

Katarina Bishop and W.W. Hale the fifth were born to lead completely different lives: Kat comes from a long, proud line of loveable criminal masterminds, while Hale is the scion of one of the most seemingly perfect dynasties in the world. If their families have one thing in common, it's that they both know how to stay under the radar while getting--or stealing--whatever they want. No matter the risk, the Bishops can always be counted on, but in Hale's family, all bets are off when money is on the line. When Hale unexpectedly inherits his grandmother's billion dollar corporation, he quickly learns that there's no place for Kat and their old heists in his new role. But Kat won't let him go that easily, especially after she gets tipped off that his grandmother's will might have been altered in an elaborate con to steal the company's fortune. So instead of being the heir--this time, Hale might be the mark. Forced to keep a level head as she and her crew fight for one of their own, Kat comes up with an ambitious and far-reaching plan that only the Bishop family would dare attempt. To pull it off, Kat is prepared to do the impossible, but first, she has to decide if she's willing to save her boyfriend's company if it means losing the boy.

*** 

My Thoughts:
(Date Read: February 19, 2013)

“I sincerely love that whenever anything is stolen anywhere in the world, YA readers think of me.”

That is one of the statuses Ally Carter posted on her Facebook page just a day or two after the Diamond Heist in Brussels. And I couldn't help but agree with it and say, “Yes, I do that too.” Why? Because Ally Carter has wrapped her readers around her finger. She has that ability to create a world where you want to be in.

BOOK BLURB: Hopeless

Hopeless by Colleen Hoover
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Goodreads:

Sometimes discovering the truth can leave you more hopeless than believing the lies…

That’s what seventeen-year-old Sky realizes after she meets Dean Holder. A guy with a reputation that rivals her own and an uncanny ability to invoke feelings in her she’s never had before. He terrifies her and captivates her all in the span of just one encounter, and something about the way he makes her feel sparks buried memories from a past that she wishes could just stay buried.

Sky struggles to keep him at a distance knowing he’s nothing but trouble, but Holder insists on learning everything about her. After finally caving to his unwavering pursuit, Sky soon finds that Holder isn’t at all who he’s been claiming to be. When the secrets he’s been keeping are finally revealed, every single facet of Sky’s life will change forever.

***

Date Read: February 9, 2013
Rating: 4 Stars

Good… but I there were some low moments that I really did not enjoy reading.

Hopeless by Colleen Hoover is a story about finding the courage to face the past and embrace what you have become because of it. It is a story of love, of loss, of grief and of coping with everything in between. It is a story of bravery, sacrifice, selflessness and forgiveness. But most of all it is a story of finding “Hope.”

Colleen Hoover does not disappoint. She brought out great characters with interesting stories to tell. It’s the kind of story that wholly revolves around the two main characters. So it is understandable that readers only get to experience a few chapters with Six and Breckin. Sky and Holder’s relationship was also explained well.

The subtle mix of unexpectedness and predictability in the plot made Hopeless very satisfying to read. Once you start reading and it gets you thinking what’s wrong with them or what happened back in the past, there’s a sense of satisfaction when you know you guessed correctly. There is still also that element of surprise that most readers are looking for.

Though it was a nice book, there were moments while reading it that I felt like the story is a bit too much. There came a point when it was honestly too depressing to read more. It’s just too much sometimes. And since I already read quite a handful of books with the same line of plot as Hopeless has, I can't really find it affecting me that much. But thankfully, the story ended well.

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BOOK BLURB: Speechless

Speechless by Hannah Harrington
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Goodreads:

Everyone knows that Chelsea Knot can’t keep a secret

Until now. Because the last secret she shared turned her into a social outcast—and nearly got someone killed.

Now Chelsea has taken a vow of silence—to learn to keep her mouth shut, and to stop hurting anyone else. And if she thinks keeping secrets is hard, not speaking up when she’s ignored, ridiculed and even attacked is worse.

But there’s strength in silence, and in the new friends who are, shockingly, coming her way—people she never noticed before; a boy she might even fall for. If only her new friends can forgive what she’s done. If only she can forgive herself.

***

Date Read: January 31, 2013
Rating: 4 stars

Words matter - how we use them and how we don't. Sometimes it is really difficult and even scary to speak up for what you believe is right, but it is important to do. At the end of the day, you answer to yourself, no one else, so you'll be happy you did. - Hannah Harrington

Chelsea Knot, once popular and envied upon by many, is now a social outcast because of her big mouth. Her inability to keep her mouth shut caused people to get hurt, mentally, emotionally and physically. Because she thinks it is better for her not to speak at all, she took a vow of silence ending all the gossip and rumors she once breathed. But she stumbles upon the unlikeliest students that helped her get through, made her realize the things that really mattered and showed her how to be truly happy.

Hannah Harrington has successfully whipped up an intuitive story about finding one's own voice amidst all the silence and everyone's the noise. Speechless is simple yet it holds something worth learning inside. It may not have been as deep with the emotions as I thought it would be, but the book delivered well. It was not complicated and stressful to read. It was light despite the problems encountered in the book. The diversity of the characters also made it more fun to read. The building up of the friendship was great. But I think there's something lacking with the blooming romance. It was sweet and cute at times, but I just did not feel it that much.

Overall, a nice read! Contemporary books with great lessons are always a pleasure to read :)

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BOOK BLURB: The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden (The Coincidence #1)

The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden by Jessica Sorensen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Goodreads:

There are those who don’t get luck handed to them on a shiny platter, who end up in the wrong place at the wrong time, who don’t get saved.

Luck was not on Callie’s side the day of her twelfth birthday when everything was stolen from her. After it’s all over, she locks up her feelings and vows never to tell anyone what happened. Six years later her painful past consumes her life and most days it’s a struggle just to breathe.

For as long as Kayden can remember, suffering in silence was the only way to survive life. As long as he did what he was told, everything was okay. One night, after making a terrible mistake, it seems like his life might be over. Luck was on his side, though, when Callie coincidentally is in the right place at the right time and saves him.

Now he can’t stop thinking about the girl he saw at school, but never really knew. When he ends up at the same college as Callie, he does everything he can to try to get to know her. But Callie is reserved and closed off. The more he tries to be part of her life, the more he realizes Callie might need to be saved.

***

Date Read: January 12, 2013
Rating: 3.5 stars

It seems to me that there are a lot of books nowadays revolving around two messed up people who’s lives, coincidence or not, intertwine - they share their secrets, they become close, they try to fix each others lives and eventually, they fall in love. The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden falls within the walls of that story, and honestly, it went pretty well.

The story began immediately with a hint of the revelations of both Callie and Kayden’s lives. As you read on through each chapter, the pieces of the past gets revealed bit by bit as Callie and Kayden gets to know each other better. My only issue with the story is the first half of the book. I did not really enjoy the attraction of both of the characters with one another, and the way they’re relationship began. Having recently read a book with a similar story, it is easy to compare the development of the relationship of the characters from this book to the other one. And honestly, I prefer the other one.

The second half of the book, on the other hand, was better. I really liked it when secrets starts to resurface and the their pasts are revealed. Even their relationship became better and sweeter than before.

So in total, I liked the book. I would have given it 4 if it weren't for some minor issues I've had with the book. :) The ending was unexpectedly unexpected - cliffhanger!!! I really thought this was a stand-alone book. I guess I was wrong. I am definitely reading the second book. ;)

The cover is gorgeous, by the way. :)

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