Review: Finding Hope by Colleen Nelson

Release date: April 12th 2016
Publisher: Dundurn
Purchase: Amazon

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Hope leaves her small town for a fresh start, but her plans are derailed by an online romance and the appearance of her brother.

Hope lives in a small town with nothing to do and nowhere to go. With a drug addict for a brother, she focuses on the only thing that keeps her sane, writing poetry. To escape, she jumps at the chance to attend Ravenhurst Academy as a boarding student. She’ll even put up with the clique-ish Ravens if it means making a fresh start.

At first, Ravenhurst is better than Hope could have dreamed. She has a boyfriend and a cool roommate, and she might finally have found a place she can fit in. But can she trust her online boyfriend? And what can she do after her brother shows up at the school gates, desperate for help, and the Ravens turn on her? Trapped and unsure, Hope realizes that if she wants to save her brother, she has to save herself first.

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

Finding Hope seriously had my emotions all over the place. When I started the book, I noticed it was somewhat short and I was worried it wouldn't make an impact on me if the story wasn't fully fleshed out. Well, I was wrong, and am honestly impressed with the way the author delivered the intensity of abuse and how it affects the user, as well as the lives of everyone around that person. 

I liked that the story was told in two POVs, taking us inside the heads of both siblings. It was obvious from the beginning that Eric was on drugs, but it was also obvious something terrible had happened, leading him down that painful path. Not many would have turned to meth as a way to escape what he'd been through, and at times I found myself angry at Eric for going that route while that bastard continued to live his life, but at the same time I understood and sympathized. He needed a way to cope with his demons and meth gave him the ability to numb that hurt. It was horrible, the way he lived and what he had to do for his next high, but I found this depiction rather realistic to that of drug abusers in society. 

Now in Hope's case, she was an enabler. Big time. Their Dad had done the tough love thing and the Mom was trying to do that as well, but Hope would leave things like food, clothes, and money for Eric in a secret spot. I kept rolling my eyes at her because, duh, clearly he would use the money for drugs and would sell the stuff she gave him for money to buy drugs. But again, I understood her character. She was his sister, and she felt like she had to look out for her brother because she was afraid he'd end up dead if she turned him away. Hope had some issues of her own too. While she may not have been on drugs like her brother, the effect of his abuse on her became more obvious when she went off to the all girls boarding school. 

Hope seemed desperate for a life where she could feel like she mattered too. A life that wasn't all about Eric. She needed to feel accepted. And it was hard for her to find friends at Ravenhurst. That is where some issues with her character started for me. I thought that maybe she could have looked for friends in her class, instead of trying to fit in with Lizzie and her followers. Also, her roommate was off-putting. She could have been nicer but hey, there really are people like her out there. And Hope was just too gullible. So quick to believe the nonsense spewed by that cruel clique, and often times her brother. Even worse, she believed that crap about the online guy who liked her. I just couldn't believe she'd fall for someone she hadn't met in real life and who never even called her on the phone. It was always through text or email, so it baffled me that she'd fall for that BS and send off that kind of picture. All in the name of trying to hold on to something that didn't drain her as much as Eric, and made her feel wanted. 

While Hope was beyond stupid in doing that, I found her naivety somewhat realistic because there are girls who really do that. It happens on social media constantly. But I also blamed her mother. I felt like if she had paid more attention to her daughter and made her understand her value then Hope probably wouldn't be seeking it from anywhere else. Also, the Dad wasn't very present in the story. It would have been good to have him be more involved. Just so I could understand his character more. Regardless, it was still a good story. Wonderful writing. Very realistic when it came to drug abuse. And even though there were times I didn't quite get Hope's poetry, I still liked it and found it rather deep and intriguing. I highly recommend giving this one a read if you're looking for a story that's not too draggy while on the more serious side. 

About the Author

Colleen Nelson is the author of YA fiction books Finding Hope (2016), 250 Hours (2015), The Fall (2013) and Tori by Design (2011). 'The Fall' and 'Tori by Design' both won the McNally Robinson Book of the Year Award. 'The Fall' was also nominated for the White Pine Award. Currently living in Winnipeg with her husband, two young sons and three grown step-children, Colleen manages to eke out time to write everyday, but usually in the early morning after a strong cup of coffee. A junior high school teacher for ten years before having children, Colleen is familiar and comfortable with the tricky phase of life called 'adolescence'. Now a Teacher-Librarian in Winnipeg, Canada, Colleen is constantly on the look-out for books that will catch the attention of her reading-reluctant sons.

www.colleennelsonauthor.com | twitter.com/colleennelson14

Review: Did I Mention I Love You? by Estelle Maskame

Series: The DIMILY Trilogy #1
Release date: December 1st 2015
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Purchase: Amazon

Synopsis via Goodreads:

When sixteen-year-old Eden Munro agrees to spend the summer with her estranged father in the beachfront city of Santa Monica, California, she has no idea what she’s letting herself in for. Eden's parents are divorced and have gone their separate ways, and now her father has a brand new family. For Eden, this means she's about to meet three new step-brothers. The eldest of the three is Tyler Bruce, a troubled teenager with a short temper and a huge ego. Complete polar opposites, Eden quickly finds herself thrust into a world full of new experiences as Tyler's group of friends take her under their wing. But the one thing she just can't understand is Tyler, and the more she presses to figure out the truth about him, the more she finds herself falling for the one person she shouldn't – her step-brother.

Throw in Tyler's clingy girlfriend and a guy who has his eyes set on Eden, and there's secrets, lies and a whole lot of drama. But how can Eden keep her feelings under control? And can she ever work out the truth about Tyler? 

Did I Mention I Love You is the first book in the phenomenal DIMILY trilogy, following the lives of Eden Munro and Tyler Bruce as they try to find their way in an increasingly confusing world.

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

After reading the blurb, I knew going into the story there would be romantic feelings between the step-siblings, I just wasn't expecting it to be so intense and that I wouldn't be uncomfortable at all. In fact, I rooted for Tyler and Eden in spite of the situation, and I think that has a lot to do with their characters and how much they pulled me in. The author created these two teenagers with their own individual issues, on top of being drawn into a new family structure they didn't want to deal with.

Eden came to Santa Monica for the summer after her father's "invite", but really she just wanted to escape her life in Portland for a while, no matter if she hadn't forgiven her father for walking out on her mother. There was a lot of tension and awkwardness that Eden's father wouldn't address, instead he did his best to sweep his past issues under the rug and pretend like everything was all merry, but he was all too high and mighty when it came to handling Tyler. I didn't like him at all, and it got worse when it turned out who really wanted Eden to visit Santa Monica. 

Eden felt like her father traded her in for his new family, only she came to realize that his new family had problems of their own. One step-brother in particular kept stirring up trouble: Tyler.

At first she was put off by Tyler and his rebellious behavior. She all but written him off as a lost cause until she discovered that his issues were deeper than she thought. Tyler's activities began to worry Eden, and no matter how hard he tried to put up a facade and pushed her concerns away, Eden continued trying to help Tyler. For reasons beyond her understanding, she found herself wanting to understand him and the pain he was suppressing with those terrible methods. 

In no time both discovered their intense feelings for each other and things became even more complicated. They tried real hard to put an end to it but their hearts just wouldn't comply. And what I liked a lot about the story was that while their feelings were growing, there were other things going on. Like the way both characters were unraveling and I was learning a lot more about them as the story moved along. There were things addressed towards the end that answered questions I had, and of course, Tyler's lunatic girlfriend kept things exciting on the crazy side when some parts were getting too serious for me. 

To conclude, it was an intriguing story with likable characters. The writing's great and I loved the summery setting. I could feel the warmth seeping from the pages. No lie. Santa Monica is now on my bucket list as one of the places I want to visit. 

However, in regards to the supporting characters, I would have liked to get to know the other friend more, Meghan. Was that her name? She often seemed distracted with her crush but it would have been nice to have her spend more time with Eden without Rachel or Tiffany. I wish I could have felt the presence of Tyler's little brothers more as well. But those things didn't really take away from me enjoying the story anyway, because my focus was mainly on how Eden and Tyler's relationship would play out. 

I must say, Did I Mention I Love You? turned out to be quite an interesting surprise. To be honest, at first I really didn't think I'd like it so much because the opening was a little off for me, but as it progressed these characters had me seriously seeing things from their perspective and it made me wonder what I would have done if I were in the same situation. I look forward to reading the next book and I cannot wait to see how Eden and Tyler cope while being alone in the big apple. 

About the Author

Estelle Maskame is a novelist from Peterhead in Scotland. After gaining universal acclaim online during her teenage years, she signed a print contract with the Edinburgh-based publisher Black & White Publishing at the age of seventeen. She left school and now writes full-time from the comfort of her bed. Did I Mention I Love You? is her first novel.

www.estellemaskame.com

facebook.com/estellemaskameauthor

twitter.com/EstelleMaskame

Review: Black Iris by Leah Raeder

Release date: April 28th 2015
Publisher: Atria
Purchase: Amazon

Synopsis via Goodreads:

It only took one moment of weakness for Laney Keating’s world to fall apart. One stupid gesture for a hopeless crush. Then the rumors began. Slut, they called her. Queer. Psycho. Mentally ill, messed up, so messed up even her own mother decided she wasn't worth sticking around for.

If Laney could erase that whole year, she would. College is her chance to start with a clean slate.

She's not looking for new friends, but they find her: charming, handsome Armin, the only guy patient enough to work through her thorny defenses—and fiery, filterless Blythe, the bad girl and partner in crime who has thorns of her own.

But Laney knows nothing good ever lasts. When a ghost from her past resurfaces—the bully who broke her down completely—she decides it's time to live up to her own legend. And Armin and Blythe are going to help.

Which was the plan all along.

Because the rumors are true. Every single one. And Laney is going to show them just how true.

She's going to show them all.

*Publisher approved request via Netgalley

So I've been back and forth with Black Iris, trying to get my thoughts together to convey my reasons for why I didn't feel the fireworks that I'd anticipated, even though it had wonderful and poetic writing. The thing is, although the writing is absolute great, I felt like it worked for me at times, and then there were moments where I wish it would have been more to the point and less Shakespearean. For instance, the dialogues. Sometimes they lost me, and I would think to myself, "never mind girls, but do guys talk like this?" I guess that's what the author was going for but it just threw me at times, and every so often I'd zone out and not know what was going on or where I was. 

Speaking of where I was, the transitioning between time periods was sometimes confusing and I frequently had to skip back to know what time Laney was in for that particular chapter. It took some getting used to, but towards the middle I finally realized that it was breaking down what exactly happened and what the story was really about. The twist was interesting, I honestly didn't see that coming so I liked that aspect of the book. However, Laney's reasons were...humph. I know she's not the sweetest protagonist, but honestly, I don't think she should have gone after anyone using such tactics, and in any case, she had no one to blame but herself because no one held her hand and made her do anything. What happened to her mother was all on her. I hate bullying and emotionally scarring people, but violence is never the answer to get back at anyone. There are better ways to handle such pain. 

Which leads me to my overall feelings in regards to the characters. I didn't really connect with anyone. I mean, I'm all for equality and am sympathetic towards Laney and what she'd gone through because of who she was, but like I said, to me her actions weren't justice. Aside from that, I wish she'd dealt with her other issues. Like her substance abuse, among other things. Aside from Laney, Armin and Blythe were interesting enough to keep me curious, but like the main character I didn't connect with them. 

In conclusion, it was a good, dark read with beautiful writing that worked in some parts, but threw me in others. I do believe the plot was interesting and there were realistic topics that many face in their daily lives, but I just didn't feel the full impact of what the author was going for. Still, I'm in love with Leah's writing and will definitely read Unteachable soon. 

Review: My Soon-To-Be Sex Life by Judith Tewes

Release date: June 24th 2014
Publisher: Bloomsbury Spark
Purchase: Amazon | B&N

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Charlie is down to her absolute. Total. Last. Resort.

Despite a thoroughly comprehensive list of potential cherry poppers, er…suitors, and careful plotting, Charlie is three weeks into her devirginization campaign, still untouched, and getting desperate. In the movie of her life, this aspiring screenwriter is giving herself a PG, for please, get some.

Her project goes into freeze frame when her mom checks herself into rehab and packs Charlie off to live with her estranged, or just plain strange, grandfather, Monty. How is she supposed to get a date when she has to go pick up his Depends? 

Enter Eric, a hot rehab grad on the road to redemption, and the only one who can make Charlie rethink her strategy. The more she gets to know him, the more convinced she becomes that is the one, and not just another to add to the list of people who will abandon her.

In this hilarious and heartbreaking story of one girl’s detoured road to womanhood, Charlie’s list develops a life of its own – right when she realizes there’s so much more to lose.

*Approved by publisher via Netgalley in exchange of an honest review

I saw the title and figured this would be an interesting read, so I decided to request it on netgalley. I was really excited when I got approved, because I've been looking for a story that's not only quirky, but will pick me up out of my 3 star zone. Sadly, this book didn't. It's not that I didn't like the story, I liked it somewhat because the character was sarcastic, funny and witty. My issue is that it didn't pull me in as much I'd hoped. I didn't feel the fireworks. 

From the blurb, it does state that her mission to lose her virginity gets put on hold when her mom decides to take care of her addiction, which is understandable, but I would have loved for there to be more moments when she was with her mom so that we could hear more about their issues and the hurt she dealt with in the loss and betrayal of Charlie's father. I know it's not really about the mom but it would have given me a better understanding of her character. Her presence wasn't really felt, even when she was in the scene. That's just me though. 

I also didn't fall too much in the romance part of the story. Eric didn't give me the feels, but I am happy that Charlie realized the importance of being with someone you cared for instead of just going into a situation where she wanted to have no feelings only to get rid of her virginity. 

As for Charlie building a relationship with her grandfather, I didn't get why there was a rift between them to begin with because of how Monty easily allowed her to stay with him. No complaints. Then again, he's not in his right mindset at present and really did need the help. Still, I would have liked to learn more about his character and what really caused him and Charlie's mom to end up with a distant relationship like that, but I guess it's not that big a deal to dive into every single detail. 

In regards to other characters, I did enjoy Roach and Grace (although she wasn't around much). Both were interesting individuals. I appreciated Roach's character because I could relate somewhat to her family dynamics and being under so much pressure. 

Overall, it was an interesting story, just wasn't as epic as I'd hoped it would be. Still, if you're looking for a quick read with snarky writing and a less than squeaky clean character, then this one is for you.

About the Author

Judith Tewes - author and screenwriter - resides in small town northern Alberta, where she: writes, sings, plays bass guitar in an all-woman band, walks her three crazy labs, and suspects she's living the life of a superhero's alias. Her edgy, contemporary young adult fiction is full of heart with a side of snark. 

She also writes paranormal YA under the pen name, Judith Graves.

BLOG | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

Review: The Wonder Bread Summer by Jessica Anya Blau

Released: May 28th 2013
Publisher: Harper Perennial
Purchase: Amazon

*A paperback copy was provided by publisher in exchange of an honest review.

Synopsis via Goodreads:

It's 1983 in Berkeley, California. Twenty-year-old Allie Dodgson is a straitlaced college student working part-time at a dress shop to make ends meet. But when the shop turns out to be a front for a dangerous drug-dealing business, Allie finds herself on the lam, speeding toward Los Angeles in her best friend's Prelude with a Wonder Bread bag full of cocaine riding shotgun and a hit man named Vice Versa on her tail. You can't find a more thrilling summer read!

Once again, I did not read the synopsis instead I went into the book completely unaware of the plot. 

The Wonder Bread Summer, wow, I actually liked the titled and was really looking forward to reading an interesting contemporary story. Sadly, I was neither amused or in love with the book. It was just an okay read, and the only reason I finished it is because I'm trying to stay clear of DNFs. 

The story opened up and I was like, oh nice, it takes place in the 80s and its new adult so this should be good. What I didn't know was that from beginning to end I would develop no connection with the main character or any other characters whatsoever. Honestly, the only person I liked was the grandmother (who happens to be dead) but seems to me she had some decent things to say about life, which Allie never really acted on. As she went on her little journey, there were things that made no sense, and activities that made her seem cheap.

The depiction of drugs and racial stereotyping didn't really bother me as much because the author kept it real. What I didn't like was how Allie kept doing one stupid thing after the other. Like she would go somewhere and seek out someone who just seemed so pointless to the situation. In particular, her mother. I don't want to spoil it but really, how can you bring drugs around an already drug addict and be as naive enough to actually think she would be of some kind of help to you when she already made the ridiculous decision of abandoning her child to become a tambourine girl in some played out rock band. Allie, that's just dumb. And she continued to piss me off throughout the book with idiotic things she would say and do. I wanted to slap her majority of the time. The minor characters weren't as bad as she was, but they didn't seem to shine throughout the pages either. And up to the end of the book I was filled with so much rage, I just wanted to kick some of them. 

As for the writing, it was good. The descriptions were good. Jessica painted a very clear picture, its just that the overall concept didn't impress me. And I feel really bad whenever I give a book under 3 stars but I have to be honest, The Wonder Bread Summer isn't for me. And even though I had no expectations really, I wasn't expecting to feel this disappointed.

Review: Out of Reach by Carrie Arcos

Out of Reach
by Carrie Arcos
Hardcover, 250
Release date: October 16, 2012
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Purchase: Amazon | BookDepository
*Finished and signed copy received from author for an honest review.

Synopsis via Goodreads:

How do you find someone who doesn’t want to be found? A girl searches for her missing addict brother while confronting her own secrets in this darkly lyrical novel.

Rachel has always idolized her older brother Micah. He struggles with addiction, but she tells herself that he’s in control. And she almost believes it. Until the night that Micah doesn’t come home.

Rachel’s terrified—and she can’t help but feel responsible. She should have listened when Micah tried to confide in her. And she only feels more guilt when she receives an anonymous note telling her that Micah is nearby and in danger.

With nothing more to go on than hope and a slim lead, Rachel and Micah’s best friend, Tyler, begin the search. Along the way, Rachel will be forced to confront her own dark secrets, her growing attraction to Tyler…and the possibility that Micah may never come home.

~My Review~

A journey of realization, forgiveness, and finding a little romance along the way. Out of Reach gives a realistic look at how the dangers of substance abuse affects not only yourself but those around you. And Carrie captures the situation in straight-to-the-point verbage and unsugarcoated descriptions.

The book isn't just about the addiction, it explores the path in which it takes you. Homelessness,    giving sexual favors to purchase drugs, mental problems, and often times death. 

I like the way the story's told; Rachel spent the entire book in between searching for her brother while reflecting on life leading up to the day he left. It was a great way for readers to connect to the characters, Micah included. I could establish an idea of the kind of person he was from the details given by Rachel's memories. He seemed really protective of his sister, and wanted desperately to be the older brother she could look up to. In fact, it seems he left more so because he felt like he had let her down with his addiction and was too embarrassed about facing her or his parents. Rachel on the other hand kept her brother's secrets because she didn't want him to hate her. Whether or not she realized, Rachel was also protective of her brother and even of the fact that he had started doing drugs. 

The whole journey of finding Micah turned out to be one of Rachel learning to let him go, forgive him, and most of all forgive herself. All along she felt guilty about not doing enough for him, and even blamed herself for the seriousness of his substance abuse. If Tyler hadn't gone along with her I don't think she would've found closure because like Rachel, Tyler also thought he should've done more for Micah. At the end of their trip both acknowledged the truth, that they can only let him come to them on his own. 

While the overall story's relatable and refreshing in its own way from the fantasy flood, there were times it seemed prolonged. Aside from that, I enjoyed the book. I grieved with Rachel when every lead seemed futile, and whenever she heard new details regarding Micah's state. The writing, again, was precise and had me visualizing the scenes in a simple manner. It was an acceptable debut, but I'm not sure if the story will continue as the ending left me holding on. Or was that another point depicted about drug abuse, that you truly can't do anything else but wait for the one you care about to return to you.

About the Author

I live in Los Angeles, Eagle Rock, to be specific, though I can’t claim myself a native. Not many can. I’m from Albany, NY–which means I’m Italian and Irish on Dad’s side and English on Mom’s side. And most of the time this information may seem incidental, except that people tell me I feel more East coast than West. What they are trying to politely say is that I at times exhibit the New Yorker sass or attitude. This is fine by me.

I married a handsome Latino man, hence the last name. We have three children: boy, girl, boy. All have curly hair. All will tell you exactly what they think about Justin Bieber. All want to be artists someday.

I have worked as a sandwich designer, health food connoisseur, tutor, refugee resettler, citizenship instructor, and camp director. But the best job, other than writing, has been that of a teacher. I taught High School English and coached Cross Country and Track for a few years in primarily urban environments, and man, I miss those kids. Although it was always a little rough to get through early American literature because there was a piece we had to read with the word seaman in it. The boys lost it every time.

I ended up getting my masters in English and Creative Writing, which really was an excuse to write. But this eventually allowed me to teach college students. My husband was happy until he realized that there really isn’t any money in it, and I should go back to teaching high school, but not many schools will let you work part-time.

I love teaching college students. They’re kind of like high school students, but older.

Now I write and teach and feel sometimes like I’m standing outside of my life. You know when you’ve wanted something for a long time and then it happens? What do you do with that? Say thank you.

www.carriearcos.com