Review: Seeking Sarah by ReShonda Tate Billingsley

Release date: August 15th 2017
Publisher: Gallery Books
Purchase: Amazon

Synopsis via Goodreads:

From the national bestselling and award-winning ReShonda Tate Billingsley comes this gripping and emotional exploration of the complex bond between mother and daughter.

From the time Brooke Green was seven years old, she has lived with the pain of losing her mother. Her father has done the best job he could in raising her, but a piece of her always felt empty. On the day of her father’s funeral, her grandmother breaks the shocking news: her mother, Sarah, is very much alive. She abandoned her family because she claimed she wasn’t fit for motherhood. 

After doing some research, Brooke discovers her mother is living in Atlanta, enjoying a great career…and a brand new family. Stunned, Brooke doesn’t know if she wants answers or revenge against the mother who abandoned her. When she meets Sarah’s husband, Anthony, Brooke sees the perfect way to make her mother pay. But her plan for revenge just may leave everyone in danger, and end up costing Brooke more than she ever bargained for.

*Received a physical copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I discovered Seeking Sarah on Netgalley and became intrigued after reading the blurb. I wanted to understand what could have possibly compelled a mother to leave her child behind, and I was curious about Brooke's character and the ways abandonment had affected her. 

The story started out quite interesting. Although Brooke had a lot going for her--a doting man and a promising career--she had a hole in her heart. One that could never be filled, no matter how she had the love of her father, grandmother, and cousin. She was also welcomed by her boyfriend's family and treated as if she was a part of them. But then things started to unravel a tad after Trent proposed. Brooke knew he was perfect for her and that they both loved each other, yet she just couldn't shake the emptiness in her heart and the feeling of uncertainty. 

A lot of the emotions Brooke displayed stemmed from loss; losing her mother at a young age, and then losing her first fiance. Her pain was understandable and undoubtedly relatable. I couldn't imagine going through something like that and still managed to keep going. However, my connection to her character started to dwindle after the passing of her father. Following the big reveal that he and Brooke's grandmother had lied about her mother's death and had faked the memorial service, Brooke became pretty much out of control. She did things that had me shaking my head and wondering how she could all of a sudden throw away her morals and partake in such appalling acts. 

The downhill began the moment Brooke made the decision to go to Atlanta. I thought she was going to take a few days to just meet her mother and feel out the situation, but then she went as far as to transfer and live there. I mean, Trent wasn't as supportive as a loving fiance ought to be, but regardless, they were in a relationship, and Brooke basically disregarded everyone and everything in her life for someone who had chosen not to be a part of it. I get the rush and excitement of finding out your mother is alive and wanting to go find her and reconnect. But I feel like Brooke needed to take some time to gather her thoughts and consider every possibility before doing anything. And she definitely should have taken a step back once she'd arrived in Atlanta and her fantasy reunion turned out to be just that, a fantasy. Instead, she transformed into a conniving villain from a Lifetime movie and made the situation even more difficult for herself. 

Brooke ended up losing so much more, and while it was sad, I stopped sympathizing with her because of the way she'd constantly bury herself in problem after problem, behaved like an immature twenty-year-old at times, and often dismissed people but then wanted them back as if their life should be placed on hold for her. I guess you could say this was all the effects of abandonment but wow, the whole thing was so dramatic. By the end of the story, I just wanted Brooke to get counseling and work on herself. Even after everything, she still deserved happiness.  

        

About the Author

ReShonda Tate Billingsley is a general assignment reporter for KRIV-TV, the Fox affiliate in Houston, Texas. She is the author of the nonfiction book Help! I've Turned Into My Mother! and three previous adult novels: My Brother's Keeper, for which she received the prestigious Gold Pen Award for Best New Author from the Black Writer's Alliance and the Nova Lee Nation Award from the Greater Dallas Writing Association; the national bestseller Let the Church Say Amen, chosen for Library Journal's Best of 2004 list for Christian fiction; and I Know I've Been Changed, a Main Selection of the Black Expressions Book Club. Her previous Christian teen novels are Nothing But Drama and Blessings in Disguise, both available from Pocket Books. She is also a contributor to the story anthology Have a Little Faith.

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Review: Between the Devil and the Duke by Kelly Bowen

Series: Season for Scandal #3
Release date: January 31st 2017
Publisher: Forever
Purchase: Amazon

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Their love was always in the cards.

He should have thrown her out. But when club owner Alexander Lavoie catches a mysterious blonde counting cards at his vingt-et-un table, he's more intrigued than angry. He has to see more of this beauty—in his club, in his office, in his bed. But first he'll have to devise a proposition she can't turn down. 

Gossip said he was an assassin.

Common sense told her to stay away. But Angelique Archer was desperate, and Lavoie's club offered a surefire way to make quick money—until she got caught. Instead of throwing her out though, the devil offers her a deal: come work for him. Refusing him means facing starvation, but with a man so sinfully handsome and fiercely protective, keeping things professional might prove impossible.

*Publisher provided eARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I love Historical Romance and have been wanting to read more books in that genre, so you can imagine my excitement when Between the Devil and the Duke landed on my kindle. 

I was looking forward to traveling into the past and reading about the ways of society in that time period. And at start, I was beyond intrigued with this story. 

Angelique's character drew me in instantly. I needed to know why she was often in Alexander's casino at a vingt-et-un table (which by the way I had to look up to figure out meant blackjack), and what was up with her family. When those things were brought to light, I was happy that Alexander genuinely wanted to help her in any way he could. I mean, Angelique was a strong and fierce woman, and she had to be, with a terrible excuse of a brother that never got himself together for his family. So it was nice that she could allow herself to be vulnerable at times and just allow a man like Alexander to take care of things. 

In regards to Alexander, I never quite got his story, only bits and pieces here and there because of how much he kept inside. He spoke about a particular painful thing that happened in his life and how it affected him. Yet, I think there was still more to learn. Although, I did enjoy the air of mystery. 

It seemed the story would be about these two characters working together at the gambling hell, with Angelique putting her awesome skill to use and Alexander admiring her every step of the way. I had no idea that whole bit with the brother and the twist with Angelique's family would come into play. While I liked the addition of suspense, which was mostly about finding the real culprit and discovering why they were out to ruin Angelique's family, that part of the story seemed a tad drawn out and there were moments that I got confused about names and things mentioned. That aside, it was an interesting novel with nice writing and sexy scenes that'll ease any prolonged tension. I also like that even though this is the third book in the series, you don't have to read them in order and there are different characters to fall in love with in the two previous books.

  

About the Author

Kelly Bowen grew up in Manitoba, Canada. She worked her way through her teenage years as a back country trail guide and ranch hand. She attended the University of Manitoba and earned a Master of Science degree in veterinary physiology and endocrinology.

But it was Kelly's infatuation with history and a weakness for a good love story that led her down the path of historical romance. When she is not writing, she seizes every opportunity to explore ruins and battlefields.

Currently, Kelly lives in Winnipeg with her husband and two boys, all of whom are wonderfully patient with the writing process. Except, that is, when they need a goalie for street hockey.

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Review: The Lost and the Found by Cat Clarke

Release date: September 13th 2016
Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers
Purchase: Amazon

Synopsis via Goodreads:

THE LOST

When six-year-old Laurel Logan was abducted, the only witness was her younger sister, Faith. Since then, Faith’s childhood has revolved around her sister’s disappearance—from her parents’ broken marriage and the constant media attention, to dealing with so-called friends who only ever want to talk about her missing sister.

THE FOUND

Now, thirteen years later, a young woman is found in the front yard of the Logans’ old house, disoriented and clutching the teddy bear Laurel was last seen with. Can her sister finally be back? Faith always dreamed of her sister coming home; she just never believed it would happen. But soon a disturbing series of events leaves Faith increasingly isolated from her family and paranoid about her sister’s motives. Before long, Faith begins to wonder if it’s the abduction that’s changed her sister, or if it’s something else. . . .

*Received a physical copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

From the opening chapter I was intrigued and wanted to understand the family and Faith. It was easy to say she was being bratty and not very considerate of the situation, but at the same time I could understand her feelings. It was obvious that Faith was somewhat neglected by her mother and in some ways by her father as well. Her parents had spent all their time and efforts in finding Laurel, that they seemed to have not paid much attention to their other daughter. And when they were informed that Laurel had reappeared, Faith's mixed reaction wasn't surprising. I sensed jealousy a tad in her, because all the attention was given to her sister and not much was left for her. Over the years, she basically took care of herself. And honestly, I was happy that her parents weren't together. The mother seemed like such a trip, and I found nothing likable about the woman, and I wish there were more scenes with Faith's stepfather because he was the only one really there for her. 

Now, on to Laurel. It was great that one parents misery was coming to an end, and  their kidnapped daughter had finally come home. But I had my reservations. Something didn't seem right, especially with how Laurel didn't mind being in the spotlight and the way she acted with Faith's boyfriend. He was another story. With the way Faith questioned her feelings for him daily, I knew she had no business being in a relationship with him, and sadly it took too long for her to realize that. Even after what happened towards the end. 

The truth became pretty obvious to me from early. So for the rest of the story, I diverted my focus to the relationship between the girls; how they acted with each other, if Faith would finally break and unveil how she truly felt, and how the story would wrap up. It was terribly unfortunate what Laurel had experienced and I was happy that she was free from that. But with the state of the family, I didn't think it was healthy for her to be with them because she needed to know what it was like to have a normal, loving and supportive family. The father was barely around and the mother was pretentious and acted as if the world owed her. She got too caught up in the press and money and lost sight of what was important. She also pressured Faith a lot and treated her like crap, often dismissing her feelings or putting the guilt trip on her. The whole situation made me cringe and I yearned for the moment each of them would have an epiphany.

The ending wasn't much of a surprise, but it was emotional when Laurel spoke about her ordeal at last. Her pain felt so real and I could picture every single detail in my head as she revealed them. I'm not so sure I'm contented with the way things ended, but a part of me understands why they did that. 

To conclude, The Lost and the Found is an interesting story with a realistic tragedy no one should ever go through, but I did have some issues and that's why I rated it three stars. The writing's good, but at times I felt like there could have been less of some things mentioned, and more given at other parts. Also, I wasn't as emotionally invested as I was expecting to be, and I didn't really connect with the characters. Like I mentioned before, I already knew the truth from early so it was more about how it would end, and that was my main drive to keep reading. 

   

About the Author

Cat was born in Zambia and brought up in Edinburgh and Yorkshire, which has given her an accent that tends to confuse people. 

Cat has written non-fiction books about exciting things like cowboys, sharks and pirates, and now writes YA novels. She lives in Edinburgh with a couple of cats, Jem and Scout, who spend their days plotting to spit up furballs at the most inconvenient times. She likes cheese A LOT, especially baked camembert.

www.catclarke.com

facebook.com/catclarkewriter

Review: Full Share by Eliza Freed

Series: Shore House #1
Release date: June 21st 2016
Publisher: Brunswick House
Purchase: Amazon | B&N

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Nora Hargrove’s post-grad life includes a horrific entry-level job, a cave of an apartment, and a strict avoidance of all interpersonal relationships. She knows only one thing about herself—she wants to be left alone.

Avoiding her mother’s forced family time, she seeks solitude on her own terms. In a poorly ventilated, overcrowded Dewey Beach rental, she discovers there’s no place to hide. Not from yourself, not from your life, and not from love. This is the story of Nora Hargrove’s full share.

I learned the healing power of a good bloody Mary and a dip in the Atlantic. I kayaked in the dead of night and witnessed the only shooting star I’ve ever seen. I fell in love on a bed made of pallets. I lived.

Life is deep. Dive in.

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

I wasn't expecting Full Share to leave a deep impact on me. I mean, initially I found the story to be humorous and interesting, but never anticipated it taking the tone it did, and in a way that made me like it more.

Nora wasn't the most lovable character, in my opinion. She was closed-off and for the majority of the story never said what was on her mind. Many might have a problem with her but I thought her personality made her more interesting. She wasn't perfect or came from a perfect family, and I liked how realistic that was. Nora had witnessed a terrible thing involving her mother and that played a part in the shield she went on to build around herself. She fought hard against letting anyone in, but that started to waver when she started spending her weekends at the beach rental and Tank, along with Jack, came into her life. 

The immediate attraction between Jack and Nora didn't bother me one bit. I found their interactions cute and silly, and the way Nora turned him down over and over was one to stir up laughter. Because it was obvious she wanted to be with him but kept on telling herself that she liked being alone. Not to mention she had an idiotic crush on a friend in the beginning. But I was happy that she got over that nonsense and accepted the truth, even if it took the loss of a friend to encourage her to reach a resolution. 

There was a lot going on with Nora and the housemates, but I think the most thought-provoking parts were scenes with Tank. He had a lot of insightful things to say and I truly loved his character. There were times he'd act strange or do things a lot of people wouldn't do, and I wondered about his mental state. My questions about him were answered in the end, and no matter how sad it turned out, I still smiled whenever I thought about Tank and the way he reached Nora.

In conclusion, Full Share was quite the mix. You'll find humor, serious issues, and of course some romance along the way. I liked the writing and how much the author got me thinking about life and how I feel about my current state. There's so much to take from the story, you'll just have to go in with an open mind and open heart. I noticed that this is a series and I look forward to seeing where the author goes next with these crazy characters. 

About the Author

Eliza Freed graduated from Rutgers University and returned to her hometown in rural South Jersey. Her mother encouraged her to take some time and find herself. After three months of searching, she began to bounce checks, her neighbors began to talk, and her mother told her to find a job. She settled into corporate America, learning systems and practices and the bureaucracy that slows them. Eliza quickly discovered her creativity and gift for storytelling as a corporate trainer and spent years perfecting her presentation skills and studying diversity. It was during this time she became an avid observer of the characters she met and the heartaches they endured. Her years of study taught her that laughter, even the completely inappropriate kind, was the key to survival.

Eliza currently lives in New Jersey with her family and a misbehaving beagle named Odin. As an avid swimmer, if Eliza is not with her family and friends, she'd rather be underwater. While she enjoys many genres, she is, and always has been, a sucker for a love story…the more screwed up the better.
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Review: Suffer Love by Ashley Herring Blake

Release date: May 3rd 2016
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Purchase: Amazon

Synopsis via Goodreads:

“Just let it go.”

That’s what everyone keeps telling Hadley St. Clair after she learns that her father cheated on her mother. But Hadley doesn’t want to let it go. She wants to be angry and she wants everyone in her life—her dad most of all—to leave her alone.

Sam Bennett and his family have had their share of drama too. Still reeling from a move to a new town and his parents’ recent divorce, Sam is hoping that he can coast through senior year and then move on to hassle-free, parent-free life in college. He isn’t looking for a relationship…that is, until he sees Hadley for the first time.

Hadley and Sam’s connection is undeniable, but Sam has a secret that could ruin everything. Should he follow his heart or tell the truth?

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

I had featured Suffer Love a few weeks ago as a way to depict my excitement for its release. After reading the blurb, I became intrigued and wanted to understand what had happened to these characters and the state of their families. Ashley did not disappoint; from fluid and superb writing, to a story that is both relatable and likable, Suffer Love turned out to be just what I was looking for.

You might say "what a small world", with the way these characters ended up living in the same town. Both families are connected in a not so flattering way, and it may seem too coincidental to some that Hadley and Sam ended up falling for each other, but I felt like these things happen in real life and it didn't seem too far-fetched to me. 

I actually liked Hadley and Sam being together in spite of the situation. I always say you can't pick who to love, it just happens. And they were both dealing with the aftermath of adultery and had developed trust issues, but the fact that they were still capable of developing such strong feelings for each other was rather sweet and admirable, in my opinion. And I liked that their love had somewhat healed their hearts. 

In regards to the characters, I loved Sam. Didn't like that he behaved in that way to distract himself, of that he kept that significant detail from Hadley, but I understood his intentions and how protective he was of his little sister. He was a smart guy with a lot of hurt, and I wanted to shake his mom for not being there for him after what she put her family through. 

As for Hadley, I felt a little detached from her and wasn't a fan of how she'd act in various situations. Like she'd behave as if she was the only one in pain or dealt a horrible hand in life, when other people were suffering too. Some of the things she'd say turned me off at times too. But honestly, throughout the story, I grew more of a understanding of her character and why she was the way she was. 

Ajay and Livy were also great additions to the story. Ajay, Sam's best friend, was a breath of fresh air and humor relief when things got too serious. As for the parents, I would have liked to learn more about Sam's mom and Hadley's father, the two people who caused the issues to begin with. The story started with life after the cheating came to light, but I would have still liked to know about the parents and why or how they ended up in that predicament. 

Again, Suffer Love is an intriguing novel with interesting characters coping in a sad but realistic situation. Ashley is a great writer and she delivered a really good debut. I'm definitely a fan now, and I cannot wait to read her next release. 

About the Author

Ashley Herring Blake is a poet, teacher, and YA novelist. Her debut novel, SUFFER LOVE, follows two teens as they attempt to wade through an intense relationship complicated by their parents' infidelities. Ashley lives in Nashville, TN.

www.ashleyherringblake.com

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Review: My Kind of Crazy by Robin Reul

Release date: April 5th 2016
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Purchase: Amazon

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Despite the best of intentions, seventeen-year old, wisecracking Hank Kirby can’t quite seem to catch a break. It’s not that he means to screw things up all the time, it just happens. A lot. Case in point: his attempt to ask out the girl he likes literally goes up in flames when he spells “Prom” in sparklers on her lawn…and nearly burns down her house. 

As if that wasn’t bad enough, Peyton Breedlove, a brooding loner and budding pyromaniac, witnesses the whole thing. Much to Hank’s dismay, Peyton takes an interest in him—and his “work.” The two are thrust into an unusual friendship, but their boundaries are tested when Hank learns that Peyton is hiding some dark secrets, secrets that may change everything he thought he knew about Peyton.

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

My Kind of Crazy was fun and at the same time sad. The beginning had me laughing, with how Hank decided to do the promposal and it went awfully wrong, as expected. And from then on I just had the best of time with his character; his humorous thoughts and overall simple personality. But when I got into his family life and saw how his dad was, I felt sad for him. Hank never seemed to have his father's attention, at least not in a good way. And his dad was always giving him crap and drinking a lot. It's a wonder how Hank kept his sanity for that long, but I'm happy he held on because good things eventually came to him. I also liked how artistic he was and that he was into comic books. That made me connect with him a lot more. 

So Hank was about ready to put that mistake and somewhat embarrassment of what happened on his crush's lawn behind him, when in comes Peyton and all her craziness. And this girl certainly seemed out there, from how she handled people getting on her bad side, to her unhealthy obsession with fire. In a way, it was playing with fire that brought them together, and who would've thought these two individuals could be friends. I guess it's because Hank wasn't really a judgmental person, and at the same time he thought it was best not to get on Peyton's bad side so she wouldn't reveal it was him who set off the sparklers. 

I had my reservations about Peyton from the beginning. Like Hank, she had a lot of family issues but hers seemed a lot more intense. She'd often talk about her mother's behavior and the different stepdads she's had, and she was always out late at nights as if afraid of going home. On the outside looking in, one would really believe her when she told Hank all those things. But even though I sympathized with Peyton, I also suspected there was more going on. It was obvious to me that her mental state was off, from the playing with fire to the things she'd say. It just seemed like she needed the right kind of help, and even though she never got it professionally, I liked that Hank was able to give her some kind of happiness even though Peyton was wrong from lying and for being a tad clingy. 

Overall, it was just a good story with nice, fast-paced writing, humorous moments, interesting characters, and sad situations. And I loved that in the end, things worked out for all parties and they managed to find some happiness. I liked that Hank and his father were able to find common ground and his father started to get his act together. A lot of crazy stuff happened throughout the story that made me shake my head and yell at the characters, but honestly, it wouldn't have been that interesting if it wasn't that crazy. I recommend reading this one if you're into YA contemporary with a lot of drama and things that make you say, "Seriously?" 

About the Author

Robin Reul has been writing since she was in early elementary school, when she used to make her own book club flyers for her classmates and then pen them original stories. Though she grew up on movie sets and worked for many years in the film and television industry both as an actress and in motion picture development, she ultimately decided to focus her attention on writing young adult novels. She likes to write the same kinds of stories she loved as a teen: the ones that give her with butterflies in her stomach and are filled with quirky, memorable characters who stay with the reader long after the story ends. When she’s not writing, Robin can be found singlehandedly driving up the profit margin of her local Starbucks and indulging her love of baked goods, particularly those in the key of pumpkin. She lives in Los Angeles suburbia with her husband, son and daughter.

www.robinreul.com | facebook.com/RobinReulAuthorPage

Review: Did I Mention I Need You by Estelle Maskame

Series: Did I Mention I Love You? #2
Release date: March 1st 2016
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Purchase: Amazon

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Love has no rules.

It's been a year since Eden Munro last saw Tyler Bruce: her stepbrother...and secret love. Although they swore to ignore their feelings and put their family first, Eden can't help but feel excited when Tyler invites her to join him in New York City for the summer.

But it's not like anything is going to happen. Eden is happy with her boyfriend Dean, and she knows gorgeous, green-eyed Tyler must have moved on as well. But as they spend the long, hot summer in the city that never sleeps, it becomes obvious that those old feelings are still there...simmering beneath the surface. Will Tyler and Eden be able to resist temptation?

Did I Mention I Need You? is book two in Wattpad sensation Estelle Maskame's DIMILY trilogy: three unforgettable summers of secrets, heartbreak and forbidden romance.

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

I enjoyed the first book and with the way it ended, I was beyond eager to read Did I Mention I Need You? Now while the love and intensity between Eden and Tyler still came through as believable between the pages, the story was mostly frustrating for me. I found some of Eden's behavior throughout rather naive and couldn't make sense of some of the things she'd say, and while I liked Tyler for the majority of the book, I hated what he did in the end because it came so abrupt and out of nowhere. 

Let's start with Eden. I totally understood her decision in the previous book to try and end what was going on between them because, well, the situation was sticky since they were in the same family. But I really didn't get why she went on to date someone else, specifically Tyler's friend, in hopes of trying to move on and get over her feelings for her stepbrother. I mean, she basically strung Dean along all that time when she truly loved someone else. And I never liked when people did that, you're not only being dishonest with them, you're also being unfair and selfish. Because while Eden was clearly in love with Tyler, Dean was a nice guy with great qualities and she wanted to hold on to him while pining for Tyler. So not cool. And I hated how she'd get all jealous when Tyler was around other girls when she was the one in a relationship with another guy. Like she expected him to still be strung up on her while she carried on with Dean. My gosh, she pissed me off a lot in this one. Even when Rachael and Tiffany showed up in New York, I wanted her to just come clean and stand up to Tyler's ex, but no, she was quick to give the psycho what she wanted and risk her relationship with Tyler. Not to mention she was all crawled up in bed with Dean while crying over another guy. Come on, Eden. 

I could go on and on about how irritating her actions were for me, but then I'd give too much away. I can say though that I'm glad they finally told the truth about their love for each other. I mean, keeping that kind of secret was just too exhausting. But then in the end Tyler did something I totally didn't see coming, but you know what, I kind of understand because he did have a lot of pent up anger he needed to deal with. And even though he explained to Eden that he needed that space and PROMISED to return, she was still caught up on what he was doing in that moment. Gosh. I'm not even sure I want to read the third and final book because after reading the blurb, I saw that she's going to start dating another guy again. Like why can't this girl learn? When you're not over someone, don't bring that mess into another relationship. How about stay single for a while, Eden? Work on yourself first? Just a suggestion. 

Aside from those annoying things, I did like that they were in New York, and that the setting came through very vivid as I read. Also, I liked Emily, but not so much Stephen (Snake). It would have been nice if the author brought Emily back in the third book. While I do want the main characters to be together, I wouldn't mind Tyler being with Emily if things just can't work out with Eden. Emily just seemed like such a nice person and I would have liked to know more about her character.

Anyway, like I said this one was way more frustrating from start to finish. Never a dull moment though, and I still liked it in the sense that Eden and Tyler's love felt so real and I always found myself rooting for them, no matter if they were stepsiblings. I just hope things will finally work out for these two and they can be together. 

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. Did I Mention I Love You? is her first novel.

www.estellemaskame.com

http://twitter.com/estellemaskame 

http://facebook.com/estellemaskameauthor

Review: All the Major Constellations by Pratima Cranse

Release date: November 10th 2015
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
Purchase: Amazon

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Laura Lettel is the most beautiful girl in the world. . . and Andrew’s not-so-secret infatuation.

Now he’s leaving high school behind and looking ahead to a fresh start at college and distance from his obsessive crush. But when a terrible accident leaves him without the companionship of his two best friends, Andrew is cast adrift and alone—until Laura unexpectedly offers him comfort, friendship, and the support of a youth group of true believers, fundamentalist Christians with problems and secrets of their own. Andrew is curiously drawn to their consuming beliefs, but why? Is it only to get closer to Laura? And is Laura genuinely interested in Andrew, or is she just trying to convert him?

This provocative and compelling debut novel will resonate deeply with readers as it explores questions of identity, sexuality, and spirituality.

*Received a finished copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

The story started out intriguing. I was curious about this Laura and why Andrew was so fascinated with her. I wanted to understand her religion as well and see what her faith was really like, especially since the blurb indicated they had issues of their own. 

First of all, there was a lot going on in this story. From Andrew's tumultuous family, to him figuring out what to do with his feelings for Laura and what to do with his life. But most of all, that terrible event that led to one of his best friends, Sara, being in a coma. It was quite sad what happened her, and I wish the author had allowed us more time in getting to know her. As for Marcia, she seemed so much more mature than Andrew, and I commend her for stepping up the way she did to lend a hand to Sara's mom. That's some friendship. 

Now in the case of Andrew, I didn't connect with his character and was often displeased with the way he was. I could understand his situation, in that he was mistreated at home and one of the two people in his life who had always been there for him was on the verge of leaving him forever. But often time it was as if he didn't consider what his friends were going through, he mostly just thought about his own issues and his crush on Laura. And things started to complicate for him even more after receiving an invite, so to speak, from Laura and he got involved in her group for the wrong reasons. I liked that he sort of developed a slightly different perspective about faith, and also about each person in Laura's circle, but he still came off a tad immature toward the end of the story and I wasn't a fan of his actions with Karen and John. There were certain things that weren't necessary and I felt confused about them, but no more confused than Andrew, it seemed, and John. Poor John. I wish we'd gotten more in regards to what he was going through and how his situation turned out in the end. 

In spite of a few issues here and there, including me not connecting so much with the characters, it still was an interesting story. I did like the writing style and the book was a quick read. Just that it didn't deliver a certain depth that I wanted, and it certainly had the potential to do that. Still, not a bad story. 

About the Author

Pratima Cranse was born and raised in Vermont. She now lives in New Hampshire with her husband, daughter, and their two magnificent cats. When she’s not writing, Pratima enjoys jogging very slowly (some might call it shuffling) and spending time with her family.

www.pratimacranse.com | FACEBOOK

Review: First & Then by Emma Mills

Release date: October 13th 2015
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Purchase: Amazon

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Devon Tennyson wouldn't change a thing. She's happy watching Friday night games from the bleachers, silently crushing on best friend Cas, and blissfully ignoring the future after high school. But the universe has other plans. It delivers Devon's cousin Foster, an unrepentant social outlier with a surprising talent for football, and the obnoxiously superior and maddeningly attractive star running back, Ezra, right where she doesn't want them first into her P.E. class and then into every other aspect of her life.

Pride and Prejudice meets Friday Night Lights in this contemporary novel about falling in love with the unexpected boy, with a new brother, and with yourself.

*Won a copy in Goodreads Giveaway

I've never seen Friday Night Lights, but I do love me some Jane Austen so I was curious from that comparison in the blurb. And while it took me a little while to get into the book, I ended up liking First & Then a lot. The plot was very interesting, and the characters kept me intrigued. 

I enjoyed getting in Devon's head and seeing how she related Jane's stories to various moments in her life, especially when it came to liking someone and how that person acted towards you. I found her so smart and funny, and I really wanted her to get over her crush for her best friend and start living her life. In a way, she started to do that when Foster came to live with her family. 

At first she felt annoyed, as anyone would, but Devon warmed up to having Foster in her life and there was an automatic need to protect him and help him cope. They were more like brother and sister throughout the story, and that was great for Foster because he had gone through some painful things and really needed a healthier structure. And even though he was still hurting, Foster made a mark on everyone. He was funny, playful, and sometimes said things that made people think. Honestly, there were times I found him a bit young, like a ten year old, but then I remembered he was a few years younger than Devon and her peers so it was understandable that I'd wonder why he'd act that way in some scenes.

Of course, Devon wasn't perfect. There were times I rolled my eyes at her and even wanted to shake her, but I kept in mind that she's just coming of age and figuring out what she wants to do after high school. And I liked how passionate she became as the story progressed, especially about her studies and what college she'd like to attend. In a sense, it opened her eyes to the fact that there was life outside of her crush and slowly I noticed she was steering away from Cas. And regardless if she was starting to see Ezra in a different light, I feel like even if he wasn't in the picture Devon would have still moved away from Cas. In the end, I was beyond happy when she had an epiphany and came to her senses.

Like I said, it was quite an interesting story. Very enjoyable. A light read with moments that'll probably take you back to high school, and if you're a fan of Jane Austen you'll definitely like the inclusion of her stories and how the author intertwined them with Devon's mentality about relationships. The writing is great. The pacing is perfect. First & Then will have you curious in the beginning and leave you smiling at the end. Really nice story. 

About the Author
Emma Mills is a debut author better known to her subscribers as vlogger Elmify. She is also co-creator and co-host of the "life skills" channel How to Adult.

twitter.com/elmify 

youtube.com/user/elmify

Goodreads

Review: All It Takes by Sadie Munroe

Release date: June 30th 2015
Self-published
Purchase: Amazon | B&N

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Nineteen-year-old Star Collins never intended to return to her hometown, Avenue. That part of her life ended when she was nine years old, and child services took her away from her hoarder mother. Her mother chose her stuff over her daughter. That part of her life was supposed to be in the past.

But her mother has just passed away and Star finds herself giving up her summer to quietly clean out her old home. She just wants to sell it and move on with her life. However, things aren't going the way she planned. With her dyed-black hair and tattoos, she's attracting almost as much attention from the small town residents as Ash Winthrope, the guy who was just released from prison.

All Ash wants is a chance to start over. He screwed up and he knows it, he's going to have to live with the guilt for the rest of his life. But he's stuck in Avenue until his parole ends, and no one, not even his own parents, wants anything to do with him. Nearly out of money and completely out of options, Ash takes the only job he can, helping Star haul stuff out of her mother's house.

Neither of them expects anything to happen between them, or for their lives to change. But sometimes meeting the right person is all it takes.

*Approved via Netgalley

To be honest, I didn't read the blurb before going into this book. Something about the solemn girl on the cover and the title intrigued me enough to request it on Netgalley. Good thing I did. All It Takes was a great read. I went in blind and received a wonderful surprise. 

The story is different in the sense that not only were the characters flawed, but the major thing, in my opinion, is that the plot surrounds a topic that has made me an addict to a certain TV show. I've never read about hoarding before, so it was refreshing to find a story that depicted it so well. And that had a lot to do with the writing style and how well the author delivered descriptions that made visualizing every scene so easy. I felt Star's shock upon seeing the true state of her mother's house for the first time in years, and I could relate with how overwhelmed it all was for her: trying to clean the place as well as what her next step should be. Then here comes Ash. 

Not without trouble of his own, Ash gave me the impression from start that there was a lot more to his story than just causing a terrible crash that led to someone's death. I connected with him as much as I did with Star, and that's mostly due to the fact that the story is written in alternating POVs. I loved getting inside Ash's head and feeling what he was going through: the scrutiny of returning to his hometown after what happened, and the guilt he held on to. Wow. He couldn't catch a break. No one would hire him and people treated him like a leper. Like he'd intentionally went looking to kill someone. It unnerved me how disgusting these town folks were and I cursed them on many occasions (inside my head). Even his parents were indifferent towards Ash when he came home. I can't believe his mother and the cowardliness of his father in standing up to her. Like seriously? Anyway, thank goodness these two imperfect characters came together. 

Star's such a wonderful person. She sympathized with Ash and stood up to others on his behalf. I mean, in spite of not knowing the guy, she went out on a limb and offered to pay him for helping her clean out her mother's house. And maybe it's because she needed the help, but I still found it nice of her to do that when no one else would hire him because of his past. Perhaps in a desperate way, they both helped each other and in the end, healed each other's hearts.

I'm not one to go deeper into a story in fear of giving too much away, so all that's left to say is that this one was truly realistic and enjoyable. The pacing was fast and to the point, and the overall feel of the story was believable. Without a doubt, I highly recommend picking up All It Takes if you're looking for gritty characters, small town setting, and a book that involves hoarding (if you're a fan of the TV show like I am). 

About the Author
Sadie Munroe has been dreaming up stories for as long as she can remember. She is often found staring off into space, brainstorming her next plot, even when she hasn't quite finished the one she's currently working on. 

It's a problem. 

She lives in Ontario Canada with her family and her dog Trips, as well as what some people would consider far too many books (they're wrong). 

ALL IT TAKES is her first novel.

www.sadiemunroe.com | twitter.com/sadie_munroe