Review: How to Make a Wish by Ashley Herring Blake

Release date: May 2nd 2017
Purchase: Amazon
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers

Synopsis via Goodreads:

All seventeen year-old Grace Glasser wants is her own life. A normal life in which she sleeps in the same bed for longer than three months and doesn't have to scrounge for spare change to make sure the electric bill is paid. Emotionally trapped by her unreliable mother, Maggie, and the tiny cape on which she lives, she focuses on her best friend, her upcoming audition for a top music school in New York, and surviving Maggie’s latest boyfriend—who happens to be Grace’s own ex-boyfriend’s father.

Her attempts to lay low until she graduates are disrupted when she meets Eva, a girl with her own share of ghosts she’s trying to outrun. Grief-stricken and lonely, Eva pulls Grace into midnight adventures and feelings Grace never planned on. When Eva tells Grace she likes girls, both of their worlds open up. But, united by loss, Eva also shares a connection with Maggie. As Grace's mother spirals downward, both girls must figure out how to love and how to move on.

*Won a physical ARC in a Goodreads giveaway. My review remains honest and without bias.

I really liked Ashley's debut and was looking forward to reading more by the author. So imagine my excitement when I won a copy of her latest in a Goodreads giveaway that I'd randomly entered thinking I'd never win. Welp, I'm thankful to have gotten the pleasure to read How to Make a Wish because I liked it as much as her previous. 

This was certainly an interesting story. There were various things taking place and it wasn't only about Grace's roller-coaster life with her mother. I liked how she was also developing as an individual and learning to understand herself more. But let's start off with the situation with her mother. If that's even what you call her. 
The stuff she puts Grace through was just horrible. It's truly sad that she'd lost her husband when Grace was very young, and it's tough for many people to seek help and learn healthier ways to cope. But lord, this woman pissed me off so much. This "mother" constantly put her daughter in dangerous and uncomfortable situations where their roles were ridiculously reversed. Grace, a teenager, had to become an adult fast in order to look after her mother. It was so painful and frustrating to read the scenes where I wished this woman would get her crap together and think about her daughter more. 

What also frustrated me was the fact that Grace would make excuses and would even try to defend her mother whenever the best friend and his mom spoke up about it. I get that it's actually something many of us would do, no matter the hell they were putting us through, but I wish she would have come to the realization sooner that the only way her mother would get help was if Grace took herself out of the mess and gave her the ultimatum that she couldn't be in her life if she was going to continue living like that. 

That one drama aside, it was nice seeing how Grace was able to connect with someone. Even though Eva was dealing with her own problems. I liked that the two girls bonded and Grace could unravel more in regards to her emotions and aspirations. The issue with her mother threatened every relationship Grace had, including her friendships, but thankfully she addressed it all by the end. 

To conclude, I'm very satisfied with Ashley's second novel and so happy to have discovered her. How to Make a Wish has lucid writing with emotional moments and topics some may relate to. I look forward to wherever this talented storyteller takes us next. 

About the Author
Ashley Herring Blake used to write songs and now she writes books, including Suffer Love. She reads them a lot too and has been known to stare wistfully at her bookshelves. She lives in Nashville, TN with her husband and two sons. 

www.ashleyherringblake.com 

twitter.com/ashleyhblake

instagram.com/ashleyhblake

Review: Letters to the Lost by Brigid Kemmerer

Release date: April 4th 2017
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Purchase: Amazon

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Juliet Young always writes letters to her mother, a world-traveling photojournalist. Even after her mother's death, she leaves letters at her grave. It's the only way Juliet can cope.

Declan Murphy isn't the sort of guy you want to cross. In the midst of his court-ordered community service at the local cemetery, he's trying to escape the demons of his past.

When Declan reads a haunting letter left beside a grave, he can't resist writing back. Soon, he's opening up to a perfect stranger, and their connection is immediate. But neither Declan nor Juliet knows that they're not actually strangers. When life at school interferes with their secret life of letters, sparks will fly as Juliet and Declan discover truths that might tear them apart.

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

I've been wanting to read Brigid's Elemental series for a while now, but Letters to the Lost was a wonderful first experience with the author because I absolutely loved this story. So well-written and emotionally driven, I was invested from beginning to end and had to take a breather when I had finished. 

Both characters had a lot to deal with and perhaps would have continued keeping everything inside if they hadn't found each other through one of Juliet's letters to her deceased mother. As a result, they ended up building a deep bond that helped heal their hearts. And even though initially, it came off invasive on Declan's part, I believed it was meant to happen that way because he was given the chance to share his pain and show that there was more to him than what others had presumed. I mean, Juliet's story was without a doubt sad, after all, she'd lost her mother so suddenly and thought it to be her fault somewhat. But Declan's story really pricked at my heart. He'd been let down so much by the people who were supposed to love and care for him. It's a wonder he survived that long with the kind of pain that lived in his heart. But thankfully he had the support of his best friend and towards the end was able to find some closure.  

It's difficult for me to put into words just how much I liked Juliet and Declan and overall story. I felt as if I was in every moment with them, feeling their emotions, crying and smiling, and rooting for their happiness. When they had started communicating through letters, and then soon after through emails, I thought it was just fascinating. But whenever they encountered each other in person, having no clue who the other was, I'd get so frustrated with Juliet judging him like everyone else. And not that I'm justifying Declan's aggressive reactions, but I felt like his anger was due to the way he grew up and because he was always frowned upon. Glad Juliet saw his real side and that both overcame so much by the end. 

I could go on and on about how great a story Letters to the Lost is but I don't want to spoil it too much for you. All I can say is please read it. The writing is wonderful; inviting. It holds your heart captive and you just can't pry away from the characters. Even days after finishing the story, I'm still thinking about it and still feeling the emotions. I'm now eager to read another Brigid Kemmerer novel.

About the Author
BRIGID KEMMERER is author of THICKER THAN WATER, a New Adult paranormal mystery with elements of romance, and the YALSA-nominated Elemental series of five Young Adult novels and three e-novellas which Kirkus Reviews calls “refreshingly human paranormal romance” and School Library Journal describes as “a new take on the supernatural genre.” She lives in the Baltimore area with her husband and four sons.

WEBSITE | @BrigidKemmerer

CAN'T WAIT TO READ: Gun Shy by Lili St. Germain

Release date: June 27th 2016
Purchase: Amazon

Synopsis via Goodreads:

A standalone romantic psychological thriller.

There are two thousand people living in Gun Creek, Nevada.

Only one of them knows what really happened that night.

One year ago, my boyfriend almost killed my mother.

One year ago, my stepfather became my legal guardian.

One year ago, my whole world ended.

The boy I loved was the boy who ended my world; Leo drank too much, got behind the wheel and smashed his car into my mother's as she drove home from work. I believe him when he says it was an accident, but there’s only so much you can forgive when you’ve seen your mother laid out on a hospital gurney, all pale skin and damp hair from where they’ve tried to wash the blood away. There's only so much you can forgive as you watch a nurse feed her through a feeding tube, because your mother has turned into a ghost.

There’s only so much you can forgive when your stepfather—the untouchable town Sheriff—moves into your bedroom and forces you to fulfill his every dark desire.

Yesterday the mailman handed me a letter from the prison where Leo’s being held. Leo’s getting out. The boy who stole my mother and thrust me into this hell? He gets to walk free after one lousy year. He gets to move on with his life, and start again, and I’m trapped in this nightmare that never seems to end.

One year ago, my boyfriend almost killed my mother.

One year ago, my stepfather became my legal guardian.

One year ago, my whole world ended.

About the Author

Lili St. Germain is a USA Today bestselling hybrid author who has sold over half a million books. She writes dark, disturbing romance. Her #1 bestselling Gypsy Brothers series was created in a serial format – quick, intense episodes released frequently with some wicked cliffhangers.

Aside from writing, Lili's other loves in life include her gorgeous husband and beautiful daughter, good coffee, Tarantino movies and spending hours on Instagram. She loves to read almost as much as she loves to write.

www.lilisaintgermain.com | FACEBOOK

CAN'T WAIT TO READ: The Leaving Season by Cat Jordan

Release date: March 1st 2016
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pre-order: Amazon

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Middie Daniels calls it the Leaving Season: the time of year when everyone graduates high school, packs up their brand-new suitcases, and leaves home for the first time.

This year Middie’s boyfriend Nate is the one leaving. Nate, who’s so perfect that she can barely believe it. Nate, who makes her better than she is on her own. Nate, who’s promised to come back once he’s finished his gap year volunteering in Central America. And when he does, it’ll be time for Middie to leave, too. With him.

But when a tragedy strikes, Middie’s whole world is set spinning. No one seems to understand just how lost she is… except for Nate’s slacker best friend Lee. Middie and Lee have never gotten along. But with the ground ripped out from under her, Middie is finding that up is down—and that Lee Ryan might be just what she needs to find her footing once more.

Cat Jordan’s heartbreaking story proves that no matter the season, no matter the obstacles, love can help you find yourself in the most unexpected of places.

Review: Volition by Lily Paradis

Release date: February 6th 2015
Publisher: Empire Books
Purchase: Amazon | B&N

Synopsis via Goodreads:

You know that feeling in the pit of your stomach that stays with you, then tears you apart slowly at first, and all at once shreds every fiber of your being? 

It’s because you’re contradicting the universe. 

Everything lines up so perfectly that you couldn’t have imagined it to work out better, but then you have to go and do everything humanly possible to ruin it because you can’t stand to have it go right? 

That’s what I did. 

I did it because there’s a darkness that surrounds me, and I think I want it there. 

My name is Tate McKenna, and my soul is blacker than my heart.

*Purchased the Kindle Book

I fell in love with Lily's exceptional writing in her debut, Ignite, and that feeling is carried over in Volition. I'm finding it hard to put my emotions into words so I can properly explain my thoughts on the story, but trust me it's hard. I feel like no words will ever truly interpret the awesomeness of this book. 

For one thing, Tate is like no other female protagonist. Everything about her character is so different from all the girls I'd read about before. I mean, to say she's flawed is an understatement. This young woman gives new meaning to the word. She's definitely an interesting character that will drive you nuts and make you weep, and at the same time make you laugh. I liked her personality and how imperfect she was. I could connect and relate with her intensity, and at times wanted to slap her for her behavior and the way she reacted to certain things. But that's just it, Tate is the kind of character that grabs at your emotions and pulls you into the story. So in a sense, she's perfect because she got my attention and held it.

I liked the overall plot and how Lily gave us Tate in the past and present. I felt like I got to know the main character on a personal level because the author alternated between time, and that also helped shed some light on Tate's feelings for one guy in particular. It gave more of an understanding, in my opinion, and I wasn't upset with her for feeling that way about one while falling for another, even if it wasn't intended.

Speaking of falling, I liked Hayden's character. Aside from being swoon-worthy and charming in many areas, he was quite the understanding and patient one. I mean, not many guys could accept a woman who believed her soul would forever be connected to someone else and still want to be with that woman. It's just a lot to handle, and Tate is a lot to handle. But Hayden stuck by her and showed her that she doesn't have to be afraid of trusting him, love, and finally taking the risk of allowing herself to feel happiness. Their meeting was not random either and I liked how in the end the author showed that. My heart bubbled when I read that part.

There were other impactful characters in the story, from Tate's best friends Catherine and Colin, to her very witchy grandmother and that one person she just couldn't escape from, Jesse. While I don't want to get into those characters too much for fear I'll give away a lot, I can say that I liked their presence in the story and how valuable they were. They weren't the kind of characters that were just fillers. They mattered, and they helped the reader understand Tate better.

In conclusion, great story. Interesting concept and fantastic writing. I liked every side of Tate. I could easily sympathize with her and liked how raw her emotions were. The way she handled losing her parents, growing up defiant, and sticking to what she believed in--wonderfully done. The story felt so real, like I was living Tate's life. I just can't explain enough how much I enjoyed the book. Good job, Lily. I look forward to reading more of your work. 

About the Author

Lily lives with her family and loves reading, running, and hiking. Although she's a Colorado native, New York City is her favorite place in the world and fosters her borderline unhealthy obsession with the Empire State Building and F. Scott Fitzgerald. Ignite is her debut novel.

www.lilyparadis.com 

facebook.com/LilyParadis 

twitter.com/lilyparadis

instagram.com/lily_paradis

Review: Rumors by Erica Kiefer

Series: Lingering Echoes 0.5
Release date: December 21st 2013
Publisher: Clean Teen Publishing
Purchase: Amazon

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Seventeen-year-old Allie Collins would rather hide behind rumors than face the truth—her life will never be the same as it was before the accident. As a star athlete grieving in the shadows, she hopes to find normalcy in boys and basketball. When her best friend sets her up with the popular Shane Moretti, Allie drags her feet, reluctant for added complications. Then she decides that dating Shane would be the perfect shield from last summer’s tragedy. However, what starts as a mere distraction proves much more complex. As Shane leads Allie into questionable situations, gossip continues to swirl.

Battling for her own identity while barricading painful emotions, Allie won’t escape her senior year without new wounds. After all, tragedy is no stranger to her. The events that unfold will draw readers deep into a well of emotion in Rumors, a Lingering Echoes Prequel.

*Purchased ecopy from Amazon Kindle

I liked this story. It was fast-paced, well-written, intriguing, and very relatable. Here we have this teen girl who's coping with the death of her cousin. Throughout the story you're given the sense of the guilt Allie feels. At first I thought it was going to be too depressing and overwhelming to read, but I was kept interested from start to finish. I'm glad I read Rumors before picking up Lingering Echoes because the prequel gives a clear understanding of what happened and it transitions into the next book with Allie trying to deal with the tragedy. 

Character-wise, she was understandable, her behavior was justifiable, and in spite of closing off from everyone and holding on to so much pain, Allie was a likable character to me. I might not have experienced such an event, much less know what she's going through, but I know other people have and they can definitely attest to the fact that Rumors is quite a realistic novel. 

I hated how her so-called friends wanted her to snap back into her old ways (sports, hanging out, etc.) Like, how could they not understand that she was dealing with a lot? I was kind of happy when that falling out happened and she stepped away from something she used to be so passionate about. Like her teacher said, you can't go back to your previous life, you have to learn to move on, even if it means changing certain things. It's so sad what happened to him just as someone was getting through to Allie, but I'm glad she took his words into consideration and in a way started to work on the pain.

Aside from what's going on with Allie, I liked how she got to experience a bit of dating, no matter how that turned out. Shane was a nice enough guy, just needed to shake off some people in his crowd, I guess. I also enjoyed the mom's character along with her sisters. I'm glad the author brought us into Allie's family life so we could see how they felt seeing her like that and how much they wanted to help. The mom is one tough cookie. I like her. 

Again, it was a great story with a very interesting plot. The feels are definitely there, in my opinion. I suggest giving this one a read before starting Lingering Echoes, and if you've already read that one, then still come back to Rumors because it clarifies some things and provides an understanding of why Allie is so detached. I highly recommend this one.

Book Blast: There Will Come A Time by Carrie Arcos

Release date: May 6th 2014
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pre-Order: Amazon | B&N

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Mark knows grief. Ever since the accident that killed his twin sister, Grace, the only time he feels at peace is when he visits the bridge on which she died. Comfort is fleeting, but it’s almost within reach when he’s standing on the wrong side of the suicide bars. Almost.

Grace’s best friend, Hanna, says she understands what he’s going through. But she doesn’t. She can’t. It’s not just the enormity of his loss. As her twin, Mark should have known Grace as well as he knows himself. Yet when he reads her journal, it’s as if he didn’t know her at all.

As a way to remember Grace, Hanna convinces Mark to complete Grace’s bucket list from her journal. Mark’s sadness, anger, and his growing feelings for Hannah threaten to overwhelm him. But Mark can’t back out. He made a promise to honor Grace—and it’s his one chance to set things right.

About the Author

Carrie Arcos is a National Book Award Finalist for Young People's Literature for OUT OF REACH. She lives in Los Angeles with her family but is originally from Albany, New York.

Random tidbits:

On food: I don’t let my food touch. I eat one thing at a time. Indian food can be a challenge. Right now I’m embracing a vegetarian phase. Watch Forks over Knives. You’ll understand.

Some books (note, this changes all the time): The Road—a master at work, The Book Thief—for the Jesse Owens incident alone, The Hours because it saved me at a time when I needed saving, Perks of Being a Wallflower—because he gets it, Ender’s Game—didn’t see it coming, Speak—I couldn’t keep it on my shelf in school, The Giver—wonderful, The Martian Chronicles—anything by Ray Bradbury, The Passage—a new one for fun that I got totally swept up in, The Shawl—the potential of writing and story.

Books on Writing/Creativity: If You Want to Write—hands down the best, The War of Art—when you need a good butt kicking, Walking on Water—deep, thought provoking, for when I wished I wrote in the mountains, next to a stream of trickling water

Best Ice cream: Thrifty’s Chocolate Malted Crunch. Only the Thrifty brand.

On coffee: Coffee is not a shake. It should be black with a tiny hint of cream. No sugar, please.

My community: I attend Mosaic, a wonderful community of faith in Los Angeles. I have learned a great deal through my friends there and consider them family.

I am a dancer in my fantasy life. Every now and then when you think I’m listening to you, a dance battle is happening in my head, where I am killing it on the floor.

On the small white lie I’ve been telling for years: I’m really only 5’1¾,” but I tell everyone I’m 5’2”.

Sometimes I let my kids watch more than the hour of TV I tell other moms I only let them watch. Sometimes.

On computers: PC or Mac? Mac of course

I’m allergic to everything, which is why I don’t have pets and why I won’t walk in a Bath and Body Works store.

On high school: I always think of this quote from Oz from Buffy the Vampire Slayer at the end of season three, when they’ve just destroyed the Mayor and saved the world, again.

Oz: We survived.

Buffy: It was one hell of a battle.

Oz: Not the battle. High School.

Find out more by visiting Carrie Arcos' official links: 

www.carriearcos.com

twitter.com/carriearcos

facebook.com/carriearcosauthor

carriearcos.tumblr.com

Review: Faithless by Amanda Bennett

Release date: October 14th 2013
Self-Published
Purchase: Amazon

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Sometimes in the darkness, we find the light. At least the fortunate ones do. For those who don't want to find the light are sometimes forced into it. What do you do when a stranger in the darkness ends up being your savior?

Riley Turner never expected or wanted to see her twenty-first birthday, and she planned not to. Feeling lost and alone her entire life with no one to love or support her, there was never a reason to exist. That was until the stranger who saves her, becomes the one person to show her what life is really about. Riley finds her world being turned upside down and for the first time ever, finds herself wanting to live.

Everything happens for a reason, and sometimes that reason doesn't always make sense, especially when life hasn't always been so kind. Will Riley be able to over come her fears and finally find a reason to live her life, or will she see just how cruel life really can be after believing and taking a chance?

*WARNING this book contains mature content, language and sensitive situations

*Received ecopy as a gift.

Faithless was different in some ways for me. The setting is definitely new, because I'd never read a book where the main characters were in a psychiatric hospital, so that really intrigued me. Also, I liked Riley at start. Her character had suffered a great deal and had given up on life completely. I was happy when things turned around for me, in meeting Tristan and learning the truth about her mother. Also, it was nice seeing how she started opening up and began trusting people. 

Tristan was also a likable character. I never suspected a thing about him. So that part was well covered and left unraveled till the right moment. Then after that came out I believed he was fine to begin with and had no problems to deal with. I was wrong. Tristan had a big issue even though he was initially in that situation to help Riley. So, I was thrilled when he started to work on his pain as well. 

As far as the writing, it was interesting enough. In fact, the story had the potential to be great, with the deep, emotional issues the main characters were facing. However, it turned out to be an okay read because there were some things that, in the end, I just couldn't overlook. The main problem for me was how unrealistic and inappropriate the hospital was. There were things taking place that had completely baffled me. There were also gaps in the story that I'm still curious about but I don't necessarily find them too big of a deal. Aside from that, and how Riley's light switch feelings for both guys confused me, I did like Faithless. I just didn't feel fireworks.