Review: Wedding Wings (Disney Fairies: The Never Girls Book 5)

Title: Wedding Wings
Author:  Kiki Thorpe
Publisher: Random House/Disney

Summary:

Gabby is going to be a flower girl in a wedding! But a Never Land fairy hidden in her basket causes big trouble on her big day. Tinker Bell and the Disney Fairies star in a magical early chapter book series for girls ages 6 to 9—The Never Girls!

My Review:

I've loved all the books in the Never Girls series. However, none have made me laugh out loud like Wedding Wings. 

Once again, the clumsies and the fairies meet up for another adventure, this time at a wedding. When a fairy explores the set-up for the wedding reception, she causes all kinds of funny fairy trouble. The girls and the fairies have to work together to save the wedding and the results are a sweet, magical event. 

If you have a young reader who is making the transition to chapter books, I encourage you to give this series a chance. The Never Girls series has a lot to offer a young reader and I can't wait to see what happens next!

Thanks to YABC for the chance to read and review this!

Review: Suddenly Royal

Title:  Suddenly Royal
Author: Nichole Chase

Released: November 2013

Summary:

Samantha Rousseau is used to getting her hands dirty. Working on a master's degree in wildlife biology while helping take care of her sick father, she has no time for celebrity gossip, designer clothes, or lazy vacations. So when a duchess from the small country of Lilaria invites her to dinner, Samantha assumes it's to discuss a donation for the program. The truth will change the course of her life in ways she never dreamed . . . As crown prince of Lilaria, Alex D'Lynsal has had his share of scandalous headlines, but the latest pictures in the press have sent him packing to America and forced him to swear off women. That is, until he meets Samantha Rousseau. She's stubborn, feisty, and incredibly sexy. Not to mention heiress to an estate in his country, which makes her everyone's front-page news. While Sam tries to navigate her new world of politics and wealth, she will also have to dodge her growing feelings for Alex. Giving in to them means more than just falling in love; it would mean accepting the weight of an entire country on her shoulders.

My Review:

Anyone that knows me and my reading tastes, knows that I LOVE books with this type of story line. I love a good "royal" themed novel. Suddenly Royal exceeded my expectations and ended up being a fun, endearing story.

What I liked: I really enjoyed Samantha's character. At first I wasn't sure I would be able to get behind her 100% but by the end I was rooting for her completely. Samantha goes through quite the emotional journey throughout this book and I think readers will appreciate her growth and self-discovery. I appreciated that this wasn't just a "random girl becomes a princess" story. There is a lot more to it. The relationships Samantha has are true and honest and we see more than just a fancy house and a title.

Of course, I couldn't talk about what I liked without mentioning Crown Prince Alex. I think he is what you picture when you think of a prince. Dare I say, he is a good mix of both Prince William and Prince Harry. I love the chemistry between Samantha and Alex. They have some great moments between the two of them.

What left me wanting more: Nothing. This book was the perfect blend of royalty and romance.

Final Verdict: This is a charming book. I definitely recommend it. However, there are some *steamy* moments. Definitely not for the younger readers.


Thanks YABC for the chance to read and review this!

Review: Bright Before Sunrise

Title: Bright Before Sunrise
Author: Tiffany Schmidt
Publisher:  Walker Childrens

Thanks, Jen for sending me this one!  I loved it!

Summary:

When Jonah is forced to move from Hamilton to Cross Pointe for the second half of his senior year, "miserable" doesn't even begin to cover it. He feels like the doggy-bag from his mother's first marriage and everything else about her new life—with a new husband, new home and a new baby—is an upgrade. The people at Cross Pointe High School are pretentious and privileged—and worst of all is Brighton Waterford, the embodiment of all things superficial and popular. Jonah’s girlfriend, Carly, is his last tie to what feels real... until she breaks up with him. For Brighton, every day is a gauntlet of demands and expectations. Since her father died, she’s relied on one coping method: smile big and pretend to be fine. It may have kept her family together, but she has no clue how to handle how she's really feeling. Today is the anniversary of his death and cracks are beginning to show. The last thing she needs is the new kid telling her how much he dislikes her for no reason she can understand. She's determined to change his mind, and when they're stuck together for the night, she finally gets her chance. Jonah hates her at 3p.m., but how will he feel at 3 a.m.? One night can change how you see the world. One night can change how you see yourself.

My Review:

I was initially intrigued by this book because of the fast-paced, one night can change everything hook. I was immediately drawn into this story line and could not read fast enough.

What I loved: Tiffany Schmidt takes readers on a one night, life-changing journey of Brighton and Jonah. The chapters alternate between them. Sometimes that can bog a story down and readers can get caught up in the alternating view points....but not in this case. The flip-flop between Brighton and Jonah highlights both of their insecurities and their very different ways of dealing with their issues. I loved reading how their thoughts and actions changed throughout the course of the night. 

This story happens in one night so don't expect an intense romance. Instead, enjoy Brighton and Jonah's journey of friendship, self-discovery, and a few smooches along the way. 

What left me wanting more: Nothing. I loved it all!

Final Verdict: You won't want to miss out on this one. Prepare to pick it up and read it in one night. 

**This review has also been posted on YABC**

Review: Be With Me

Title:  Be With Me (Wait For You #2)
Author: J. Lynn/Jennifer L. Armentrout
Publisher: William Morrow

Thanks to YABC for the chance to read and review


Summary:

From the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Wait for You

Do Teresa and Jase have a real shot at getting together or will life get in the way?

Teresa Hamilton is having a rough year—she's in love with her big brother's best friend, but he hasn't spoken to her since they shared a truly amazing, mind-blowing, life-changing kiss. Then she got out of a terrible relationship. Now an injury is threatening to end her dance career for good. It's time for plan B: college. And maybe she'll have a chance to convince Jase that what they have together is real.

Jase Winstead has a huge secret that he's not telling anyone—especially not his best friend's incredibly beautiful sister. Even though he and Teresa shared the hottest kiss of his life, he knows that his responsibilities must take priority. He certainly doesn't have time for a relationship. But it doesn't help that all he can think about is kissing the one girl who could ruin everything for him.

As they're thrown together more and more, Jase and Teresa can't keep denying their feelings for each other. But a familiar danger looms and tragedy strikes. As the campus recovers, the star-crossed couple must decide what they're willing to risk to be together and what they're willing to lose if they're not. . . .

My Review:

Dare I say that I love Jase more than Cam? Because I do. Yes, there it is, I said it. J. Lynn once again delivers a fantastic NA story that had me sitting down and reading until I finished. 

What I loved: One thing that I love most about this series is how readable it is. When I sit down with one of J. Lynn's books I know I need to clear my schedule for the next few hours because there is no way that I will be able to put the book down. Tess and Jase are both likable characters. They are fun, energetic and fiercely loyal to those they trust. They both have issues in their pasts that weigh on them and these lead to some pretty dramatic moments between the two of them. Along with a physical chemistry that is off the charts they have the ability to really see each other and understand what makes them the way they are. They really are a great match. And really ladies, when you're feeling down in the dumps a cute guy showing up with a cupcake can fix almost anything, right?

What left me wanting more: Nothing, except I could have used a few more chapters of Jase but maybe that's just me. 

Final thoughts: Fans of Wait for You will adore Tess and Jase's story. And don't worry, Cam and Avery make many appearances along the way.

This review has also been posted on YABC.

Review: From the Mist (Disney Fairies: The Never Girls Book 4)

Title: From the Mist
Released: July 23rd, 2013
Rating:  4 stars

Summary:  Kate, Mia, Lainey, and Gabby are special girls. They know how to travel to Never Land, and this time Kate is craving an adventure. She gets her wish when mysterious mist horses arrive in Pixie Hollow and one takes her on a journey through the magical island. Tinker Bell and the Disney Fairies star in a magical early chapter book series for girls ages 6-10--The Never Girls!

My Review:
The seven year old me would have been so excited to read this installment of the Never Girls Series. In this book, Kate takes an amazing journey through the island with a magical mist horse. I loved how her ride was written. I would want to ride on one of those horses too! Neverland seemed especially enchanting with the added bonus of the mist horses. 

This series continues to be one that I would recommend to young readers that are fond of the magic of Disney. You could pick this one up as a stand alone, although I would recommend reading all of the adventures the girls and the fairies have. I think your young reader will read one and want more!

Review: Fangirl

Title:  Fangirl
Author: Rainbow Rowell
Released: September 2013

4.5 Stars!

Summary:

In Rainbow Rowell's Fangirl, Cath is a Simon Snow fan. Okay, the whole world is a Simon Snow fan, but for Cath, being a fan is her life—and she’s really good at it. She and her twin sister, Wren, ensconced themselves in the Simon Snow series when they were just kids; it’s what got them through their mother leaving.

Reading. Rereading. Hanging out in Simon Snow forums, writing Simon Snow fan fiction, dressing up like the characters for every movie premiere.

Cath’s sister has mostly grown away from fandom, but Cath can’t let go. She doesn’t want to.
Now that they’re going to college, Wren has told Cath she doesn’t want to be roommates. Cath is on her own, completely outside of her comfort zone. She’s got a surly roommate with a charming, always-around boyfriend, a fiction-writing professor who thinks fan fiction is the end of the civilized world, a handsome classmate who only wants to talk about words . . . And she can’t stop worrying about her dad, who’s loving and fragile and has never really been alone.

For Cath, the question is: Can she do this? Can she make it without Wren holding her hand? Is she ready to start living her own life? And does she even want to move on if it means leaving Simon Snow behind?
 
A New York Times Book Review Notable Children's Book of 2013 (Summary via Goodreads)


What I liked: Cath is one of the most realistic and lovable characters I have read recently. Her anxiety and nerves about college and real life is just so real. I totally got her-I was her my freshman year in college, minus writing fan-fiction, having a twin sister and in general being much cooler and funnier than me. You can't help but love Cath and all she brings to the table in this book. 

I also really liked Cath's roomate, Reagan. She's hardcore and the perfect roommate for Cath. Imagine if Cath and Wren would have been roommates...how different might this story have been.

What left me wanting more: I could have stayed in Cath's world the whole time. I understand the importance of the fan-fiction aspect to the development of the story but Cath's real-life  journey was my favorite.

Final verdict: The romance is sweet and the characters are as true to life as you can find. I highly recommend this book

Review: Secret Girlfriend

Title: Secret Girlfriend
Author: Bria Quinlan
Published: 2013

Rating: 4.75 stars of awesomeness!

Summary:  Since her mom died, Amy Whalen’s been invisible—but not in the cool, superpower kind of way. Overlooked at school and ignored at home, Amy holds tight to her few constants: running, painting, and her long-held crush on soccer god, Chris Kent. But as senior year nears, Chris doesn’t just notice her, he needs her.

Amy will agree to almost anything to be with him.

Everything is great—sort of—until Luke Parker shows up for soccer tryouts and sees through every one of Amy’s defenses. When Luke decides he wants Chris’s spot on the team and wouldn’t sneeze at the captain’s jersey either their rivalry spins out of control.

It doesn’t help that Luke also wants the girl Chris kept hidden all summer: AMY. 

(Summary from Goodreads)

My review:

I could not put this book down. Secret Girlfriend is one of those books that you will stay up and read all night long because the story is so captivating and you just have to know how this one is going to end.

What I loved: Amy's transformation throughout the book. She learns a lot about herself and has quite the emotional journey. I thought I had a lot of this story figured out but the twists kept coming and kept me reading. I may have even been a sobbing fool at one point. Quinlan's take on relationships is so realistic and honest. She writes about tough stuff and makes it real. Everything about this book is real--the insecurities, the doubt, the love, it's all there. These characters FEEL. And you know what, as hard as it may be to read sometimes it's refreshing.

What left me wanting more: I could read novels about those Parker boys!

Final Verdict: This book will tug at your heartstrings in the best possible way.