Cover Reveal: The Summer After You and Me by Jennifer Salvato Doktorski

I am extremely happy to have been invited to join Jen Doktorski as she releases the cover of her upcoming novel, The Summer After You and Me. I really enjoyed (and reviewed) her other books Famous Last Words, and How My Summer Went Up in Flames. I can't wait to read this one as well--I'm sure I'll love it as much as her other books!

The Summer After You and Me 

by Jennifer Salvato Doktorski

The blurb as seen on Goodreads:

Release Date: Spring 2015

Publisher: Sourcebooks

Sunbathing, surfing, eating funnel cake on the boardwalk—Lucy loves living on the Jersey Shore. For her, it's not just the perfect summer escape, it is home. And as a local girl, she knows not to get attached to the tourists. They breeze in over Memorial Day weekend, crowding the shore and stealing moonlit kisses, only to pack up their beach umbrellas and empty promises on Labor Day. Lucy wants more from love than a fleeting romance, even if that means keeping her distance from her summertime neighbor and crush, Connor.

Then Superstorm Sandy tears apart her barrier island, briefly bringing together a local girl like herself and a vacationer like Connor. Except nothing is the same in the wake of the storm. And day after day, week after week, Lucy is left to pick up the pieces of her broken heart and broken home. Now with Memorial Day approaching and Connor returning, will it be a summer of fresh starts or second chances?

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I am stunned by the beauty of this cover. The coloring is phenomenal, and so eye-catching. I cannot wait to get my hands on a copy of this book! What do you think of the cover?

ARC Review: Heroes Are My Weakness by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

The blurb as seen on Goodreads:
Release Date: August 26, 2014
Publisher: William Morrow
384 Pages

The dead of winter.
An isolated island off the coast of Maine.
A man.
A woman.
A sinister house looming over the sea . . .

He's a reclusive writer whose macabre imagination creates chilling horror novels. She's a down-on-her-luck actress reduced to staging kids' puppet shows. He knows a dozen ways to kill with his bare hands. She knows a dozen ways to kill with laughs.

But she's not laughing now. When she was a teenager, he terrified her. Now they're trapped together on a snowy island off the coast of Maine. Is he the villain she remembers or has he changed? Her head says no. Her heart says yes. It's going to be a long, hot winter.

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There is nothing I enjoy more than getting so absorbed in a novel that I read it in one sitting, staying awake all night just to come to the end and close the book (or application) with a satisfied smile on my face. I started Heroes Are My Weakness just before bed hoping to calm my brain down for some sleep, and ended up finishing the book while my mother snored across the room. This was a fantastic introduction to Susan Elizabeth Phillips's work!

Annie has no choice but to return to her deceased mother's cabin on Peregrine Island. It's the only place she has left since she put herself in debt trying to give her mother all she wanted in the little time she had left on earth. The island is nothing but a reminder of the torment she was put through as a teenager. Theo is staying the Harp House trying to focus on writing his next novel. Annie's return forces him to remember his awful past. When eery things start happening around the cabin Annie is staying at, Theo find himself pulled into solving the mystery of who is out to get her. The two must let go of their pasts to work together, and maybe find a little more between them along the way.

I loved how the main characters, Annie and Theo, had so much depth to their personalities. They had dark pasts that showed how horrible life can be, but the were well-rounded, and recognized the good in people. It was so easy to fall in love with them both. Annie was quirky, kind-hearted, and sharp as a tack. I aspire to be like her. The inclusion of her ventriloquism was a unique talent that made me like Annie all the more. I also liked the direction she took with said talent. Annie had my sense of humor, and an intelligence that showed through her biting comments to Theo. Theo is introduced as an anti-hero, and one that as a reader, I wasn't sure that I immediately liked. He is a mysterious, and tragic character that over time stole my heart. His past is heart-wrenching, but the development of his character as the book progressed was very well done.

The romance… Oh geez. Don't even get me started. I adored the relationship between these two. What started out as bitter and fearful, turned sarcastic and teasing, and then became sizzling and sweet. I was hooked reading as their love progressed. I found their chemistry undeniable. I rooted from these two from their first interaction. Their dialogue really is what made the story for me! I also liked the role that the island community played in the story, and in their relationship. The minor characters like Livia, Jaycie, and even Annie's puppets played a large role in the story as well, and were excellently included--the story would not have been the same without them.

Heroes Are My Weakness is not a fast-paced novel; it moves at an unhurried rate. That being said, the pace fits the content. I was never bored, nor did I feel like the plot was too stretched. The hint of mystery made the novel all the more addicting. I didn't want to put the book down because I just had to know what came next! And though I am now so tired that I can barely keep my eyes open, I am happy to have given the book a chance. It did not disappoint!

I wasn't expecting this to address such heavy topics as murder, suicide, or mental illness. While I did take issue with the way a few things were handled, I liked that the author included them in this book. They are pertinent to life today, and something that we as a society struggle with on a daily basis. I just didn't appreciate the way that Annie sometimes spoke about the women featured that had obvious mental problems. She was a bit too callous, and unfeeling about what those women struggled through. This is why my rating isn't a full five stars.

You can bet your buns that I will be reading more of Susan Elizabeth Phillips's work. I was extremely impressed by how quickly I fell in love with this story, and how I found it impossible to put it down for any reason but to pee. I can only hope that her other novels are as captivating as Heroes Are My Weakness was. 

I received an e-copy of this novel from the publisher for my honest opinion and review via Edelweiss.

ARC Review: My True Love Gave to Me Anthology

The blurb as seen on Goodreads:

Release Date: October 14, 2014
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
320 Pages

If you love holiday stories, holiday movies, made-for-TV-holiday specials, holiday episodes of your favorite sitcoms and, especially, if you love holiday anthologies, you’re going to fall in love with MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME: TWELVE HOLIDAY STORIES by twelve bestselling young adult writers, edited by international bestselling author Stephanie Perkins.

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Christmas is my favorite holiday, followed very closely by Halloween so to receive a book of winter-themed stories so close to Halloween is like everything I could've ever wished. I love the lights of the season, and snow, and the funnel cakes and sweet hot cider they serve at the zoo. I love getting presents, and giving them in return. I love kissing people under the mistletoe, and the smell of gingerbread. Basically, I love it for every commercialized, superficial reason in existence.

My True Love Gave to Me made me crave the winter sweetness that I love so much.

This book is filled with twelve stories written by some of the most talented authors in YA fiction today. While I didn't find all twelve pieces amazing, it was an overall magical anthology. Each tale was delightful in its own way. I was unsurprised that contributing authors that I loved before produced fantastic stories for this winter anthology. Of all the stories, I have to say that I enjoyed Stephanie Perkins, Rainbow Rowell, and Gayle Forman's most of all. I love their other works, so that I adored their stories in this book came as no surprise.

This is a quick read--maybe because I was immediately hooked from the very beginning. I could only put it down when my eyes started burning so badly that they watered and distorted my vision. It's a strangely wonderful feeling to be that in love with a book. My only complaint is that the stories ended! There were a few that I think had the makings of full-length novels, and the end of them had me yearning for more. Most were perfect just the way they were (and even then I wanted more just because they were so fantastic). I love the diversity in the stories; some were fantasy, others contemporary, all were utterly enchanting. I loved that I never knew which would come next, and that all of them were so unique, and distinct. No two were alike!

I need to go buy a physical copy immediately and reread this again as the holidays roll around (and probably a few times before then). They really help bring on the holiday spirit! I wish I could buy everyone a copy and make them read it, because it really is just a wonderful bunch of tales. I recommend it wholeheartedly, and hope that those who read it love it as much as I did! This exceeded my expectations, and reminded me why I love the holiday season so much! My True Love Gave to Me is sure to be an instant favorite for anyone who reads it.

P.S. Kudos to whoever designed the US edition's cover because from the moment I saw it, I knew I'd need to own it. I love that all the couples are included on the cover. That makes it even sweeter.

I received an e-copy of this novel for my honest opinion and review from the publisher via Netgalley.

ARC Review: Adrenaline Crush by Laurie Boyle Crompton

The blurb as seen on Goodreads:
Release Date: September 23, 2014
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
192 Pages

When a daredevil teen pushes herself too far, she must choose between two boys: the one who wants to keep her safe, and the one who dares her to return to her old self.

Seventeen-year-old Dyna comes from a family of risk takers and is an avid thrill-seeker herself, until the day she splinters her ankle in a terrible fall. Her whole life goes from mountain biking and rock climbing to sitting at home and attending group sessions at the bizarre alternative healing center that her hippie mother found. The boy who witnessed Dyna’s accident believes her injury is a wakeup call and he encourages her mild new lifestyle, but a young Afghanistan War veteran she meets at the healing center pushes her to start taking chances again. Forced to face the consequences of her daredevil impulses, Dyna finds herself in danger of risking the one thing she’s always treated with caution—her heart.

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Adrenaline Crush was a short, authentic story about staying true to yourself even when faced with the most difficult of challenges. This is the first book I've read by this author, and based on my experience, I would not be hesitant to pick up another. It was quite charming, and my interest never strayed from the story once I started it.

Dyna is an adventurous young woman who never backs down from a challenge. She has goals and plans and confidence, until a horrible fall that leaves her with an injury that may keep her from all that she loves to do. When her spirit declines, her parents send her to a new aging healing center and she meets people who are suffering through traumas much like herself. With the help of her new friends, and family, she must remember how to be the person she has always known herself to be.

I really liked the author's writing style. Once I picked it up, I read it to the very end. The book is pretty short, but it makes up for its length by being entertaining. I generally enjoyed the narrator's point-of-view, with just a few issues here and there. Adrenaline Crush isn't a heavy story. It does deal with some tough subjects, but ultimately, the focus is lighthearted in that it is really about a young girl coming into herself and taking pride in who she really is.

For being as short as the novel is (under two-hundred pages), it does deal with some serious issues like heartbreak, and war, and mental illness. I liked the way the author handles the subjects--it's easy to misconstrue these subjects, but the author seemed to really have a good grasp on the basic ideals. It's nice to read a story that deface human struggle, or make it seem like a completely negative thing. Reading about these characters facing their problems head on was interesting, and true to the nitty-gritty of real life. 

It was great to see how large of a part the story Dyna's family was. Stories with close families, or families that become close after an ordeal are more enjoyable to me. Familial relationships always seem to be downplayed, and that makes me sad. I adored the personalities of Dyna's parents. They are sweet, but have a bit of a wild, thrill-seeking side (that their children definitely inherited) which can be seen through their tattoos, motorcycles, and behaviors. The characters in this story were pretty assorted in that sense, and that was nice to see. I think it's sad that parents in fiction so rarely have diverse appearances because in this day and age it's quite common.

Is this the best book ever written? No. It definitely had it's faults. Dyna was not the easiest character to root for. She could be selfish, and sometimes it was a bit difficult for me to understand her perspective. Partially because I am not adventurous/outdoorsy/etc, but also because she was often too immature for my tastes. Her insecurities could drive me insane, as did her romantic relationships. This book is also quite predictable in regards to Dyna's love life. The "love triangle" and Dyna's final choice were obvious to me just from the summary. While I am satisfied with her choice, it would be nice for a more realistic romance. That being said, I am fond of Adrenaline Crush. It was a unique story with a familiar lesson. I think those who give this book a shot will find something in it they can appreciate!

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher for my honest opinion and review.

ARC Review: She Is Not Invisible by Marcus Sedgwick

The blurb as seen on Goodreads:
Release Date: April 22, 2014
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
354 Pages

Laureth Peak's father has taught her to look for recurring events, patterns, and numbers - a skill at which she's remarkably talented. 

Her secret: she is blind. 

But when her father goes missing, Laureth and her 7-year-old brother Benjamin are thrust into a mystery that takes them to New York City where surviving will take all her skill at spotting the amazing, shocking, and sometimes dangerous connections in a world full of darkness. 

She Is Not Invisible is an intricate puzzle of a novel that sheds a light on the delicate ties that bind people to each other.

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This is the first book that I've read by Sedgwick, and based on my experience, it will not be the last. She Is Not Invisible is a tale of familial bonds, strength, bravery, and coincidence. From the moment I heard about this unique story, I was determined to get my hands on a copy. Wendy, from The Midnight Garden, had been telling me to read something by this author for quite awhile and I'm ashamed that it took me so long to pick his work up!

From whatever viewpoint you look at, this story is imaginative. Laureth is a blind young adult, who is embarking on a huge adventure. Her father, once a renowned novelist, has disappeared. Sneaking away from her home in London with her little brother as her guide and companion, Laureth must use clues left behind, and brave New York to find her dad.

Some of the subjects that were brought up went over my head, but the intrigue of the plot kept me reading. The relationships between these family member also made this book that much better for me. Families in YA fiction are not generally shown as realistically as they are in this novel. Sure Laureth's family has their problems, but at the heart of it all, they have a deeply-rooted, unconditional love for one another. That is such a nice thing to see when so many recent books portray parents as dead/absent/abusive.

The plot is paced pretty slowly with quite a bit of build-up for the end. Though what the big mystery did not end exactly like I had expected, I still very much enjoyed this story. Laureth's point-of-view was mind-blowing. Her strength, as an individual struggling with a disability, astounded me. She does not want, nor need anyone's pity. She wants to be independent, and I sincerely admire that. The author does an excellent job of addressing the stigma of disability, and his character's struggle against is very well done.

She Is Not Invisible may have been my first book by this author, but trust me when I say, Sedgwick's other novels have become top priority on my to-read list! This book won't be for everyone, but I would still recommend giving it a shot. Unique, heartfelt and utterly captivating, She Is Not Invisible is a novel I won't soon forget, and is sure to leave its mark on readers.

I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher for my honest opinion and review.

Book Review: Attachments by Rainbow Rowell

The blurb as seen on Goodreads:

Release Date: April 14, 2011
Publisher: Dutton Adult
353 Pages

"Hi, I'm the guy who reads your e-mail, and also, I love you . . . "

Beth Fremont and Jennifer Scribner-Snyder know that somebody is monitoring their work e-mail. (Everybody in the newsroom knows. It's company policy.) But they can't quite bring themselves to take it seriously. They go on sending each other endless and endlessly hilarious e-mails, discussing every aspect of their personal lives.

Meanwhile, Lincoln O'Neill can't believe this is his job now- reading other people's e-mail. When he applied to be "internet security officer," he pictured himself building firewalls and crushing hackers- not writing up a report every time a sports reporter forwards a dirty joke.

When Lincoln comes across Beth's and Jennifer's messages, he knows he should turn them in. But he can't help being entertained-and captivated-by their stories.

By the time Lincoln realizes he's falling for Beth, it's way too late to introduce himself.

What would he say . . . ?

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Attachments is the second book I've read by Rainbow Rowell, and with each word she writes, she enchants me more and more. This novel is a bit unconventional, and Rowell pulls it off with ease. She is a phenomenal writer, who produced another marvelous story that completely captured my heart.

Beth and Jennifer have been friends for years; they even work at the same newspaper. Unbeknownst to them, it's Lincoln's job to monitor emails of the newspaper employees, and their personal back-and-forth emails have been flagged for his viewing. Lincoln's life is a mess. He can't seem to get over his ex, Samantha. He lives with his mother, and he has a job he hates. The only highlight of his life is the witty, intelligent emails he reads written by Beth and Jennifer. Beth and Jennifer have their own problems to worry about, but through a series of awkwardly adorable events, the lives of these three intertwine.

I love the layout of this story. For most of the book, the chapters flip between emails between Jennifer and Beth, and Lincoln's point-of-view. We only know the two women through what Lincoln sees in their emails, but the reader will get a clear view into Lincoln's head. Both parts play off one another very well, and they flow very well. The format of the chapters is interesting. The emails shared between Beth and Jennifer were my favorite part of the novel, and they were set up so well, in my opinion. I was quite surprised that I cared more about their friendship than the romance of the story. That's not to say I didn't enjoy the romance! It's just nice to see a story with dimension, and characters who care for more than just love. Seeing the support between these two friends was lovely.

I think a major reason that I connected so well with this novel is because I could relate to each of the main characters. They are flawed, and honest. Beth, Jennifer, and Lincoln are all going through their own struggles, and finding their own path. It was wonderful to read about characters who didn't have their lives together, who were dealing with insecurities, and fears. This book made me feel comfortable with myself. I definitely don't have it all together, and it's nice to know that I am not alone in that. Attachments is realistic, and awkward, and romantic in the weirdest, best way. It's an easy read probably because it's just so easy to love.

I don't have anything negative to say about this story. While I didn't fall in love with it the same way that I did Fangirl, the other Rainbow Rowell novel that I've read, Attachments was a gorgeous story. This is a novel about making your own happiness, true friendship, and finding love along the way. I would definitely recommend this book to fans of romantic comedies, and I, personally, can't wait to dive into another one of Rainbow's novels.

How to Come Back After an Extended Hiatus

So if you haven't noticed, I haven't posted on here in... months. After putting my soul into this blog for two years, I just dropped off the face of the planet. Real life got in the way of doing what I love. I was in a car accident in July that left me with some medical issues, and put me in a financial, and mental, rut. I got a second job, and became a year older. I got hooked on kdramas and anime, and fell for a jerk who screwed me over. Now that I'm slowly finding my way back, I decided that I needed to post again because I miss this blog, I miss books, and talking to all the lovely people.

Now the question is... 

How do you come back after months of being away?

1) Freak Out a Bit

2) Find a Support System (in my case, it's my cat, and my wonderful co-blogger Jenn)

3) Come Up With A Plan (Then Realize That It Sucks)

4) Chillax

5) Catch Up on Some Reading

6) Eat A Lot of Ice Cream/Chocolate/Sugar

7) Meditate (or take a nap)

8) Dance Off Emotions

9) Try to Remember How Blogger Works

10) Hit The Post Button

It's good to be back! I hope you all will bear with me as I adjust back into the life of an obsessive blogger. I also want to thank Jenn for being so patience with me, and for being my rock. She's the best. And thank you for reading!

*All GIFS are linked from Tumblr, and can be found by searching "anime gifs." I do not own any of them.