Review: If He Had Been with Me by Laura Nowlin

If He Had Been with Me by Laura Nowlin

Expected Publication: April 2, 2013
Format: ARC E-Copy provided by NetGalley
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Rating: 5/5

Summary via Goodreads

If he had been with me, he wouldn't have died.
Throughout their whole childhood, Finn and Autumn were inseparable—they finished each other's sentences, they knew just what to say when the other person was hurting. But one incident in middle school puts them in separate social worlds come high school, and Autumn has been happily dating James for the last 2 years. But she's always wondered what if...
The night she's about to get the answer is also one of terrible tragedy.

My Thoughts

Wonderful, beautifully written, haunting, heartbreaking and simply amazing! That’s just the tip of the iceberg when describing my opinion of If He Had Been with Me. Ahhhh…although no words can truly describe how much I loved this book!! Months ago I knew I wanted to read it but never could have imagined how great it would be.

It all starts with childhood best friends Autumn and Finn. Next door neighbors whose moms are best friends and whose birthdays are a week of each other how were they destined not to be in each other lives? Always together until, high school when they have totally different sets of friends. Each were in relationships when one day Autumn realizes that she’s in love with Finn. That is was, has and will always be Finn. She never acts on it because she doesn’t want to hurt her boyfriend’s feelings. Years go by and she discovers that her boyfriend cheated on her with her best friend. Being in a funk after the breakup Finn is the only who can bring her out of it. After re-establishing their friendship she finds out that Finn also had feeling for her at one time. But does he still? What comes next is a series of secrets and revelations that changes the course of everyone’s lives.

I can honestly say this is already in my top ten reads of all time. I was sucked in from the first page and never wanted it to end. It’s a story of love, friendship and fate. It will have you thinking about the what ifs and make you think if life really has us here for a certain reason. An emotional read that makes you want more after the last page. It definitely has me thinking [and hoping!] if a sequel maybe possible. Pick up this read…NOW! Trust me you won’t regret it!

Review: Nowhere but Home by Liza Palmer

Nowhere But Home by Liza Palmer
Expected Publication: April 2, 2013
Publication: William Morrow Paperbacks
Format: ARC E-Copy provided by Edelweiss
Rating: 5/5

Summary via Goodreads

Queenie Wake, a country girl from North Star, Texas, has just been fired from her job as a chef for not allowing a customer to use ketchup. Again. Now the only place she has to go is home to North Star. She can hope, maybe things will be different. Maybe her family's reputation as those Wake women will have been forgotten. It's been years since her mother-notorious for stealing your man, your car, and your rent money-was killed. And her sister, who as a teenager was branded as a gold-digging harlot after having a baby with local golden boy Wes McKay, is now the mother of the captain of the high school football team. It can't be that bad…

Who knew that people in small town Texas had such long memories? And of course Queenie wishes that her memory were a little spottier when feelings for her high school love, Everett Coburn, resurface. He broke her heart and made her leave town-can she risk her heart again?

At least she has a new job-sure it's cooking last meals for death row inmates but at least they don't complain! But when secrets from the past emerge, will Queenie be able to stick by her family or will she leave home again? A fun-filled, touching story of food, football, and fooling around.

My Thoughts

I initially picked this out in an effort to read more adult fiction this year. I was glad I did because I truly enjoyed it. I must admit I was sort of worried reading a book with southern characters. I am from Texas so sometimes I get upset that in most books people tend to stereotype us. I am glad to report this isn’t one of them.

Nowhere but Home is the story of Queenie, a chef who is recently fired from her job and returns home to Texas. As in any small town there are subjects of rumors and Queenie’s family is at the top of that list. Her sister got pregnant young by the star football player. Her mom was killed by her best friend after having an affair with her husband. And Queenie has only loved one guy her entire life, her childhood sweetheart whose rich family kept them apart. When she returns home Queenie realizes things never chance in small town Texas. Her family is still regarded as trash and the rich people still run the town and will always look down on them.

She takes a job as chef in charge of cooking the last meals at the prison. In the process of finding her next out of state job she finally finds herself. Eventually all the town secrets come to light. She realizes that she needs to stop running and not let people define who she is.

This book rang so true to me. This is a wonderful book of family, football, love and accepting who you are and most importantly what you deserve. I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants a good, solid and enjoyable read. You won’t be disappointed at all. 

WoW [22]

Waiting on Wednesday [WoW] is a weekly event hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

This week’s WoW feature is:

Tumble & Fall by Alexandra Coutts

Expected Publication: September 17, 2013
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux [BYR]

Summary via Goodreads...

A novel about the end of days full of surprising beginnings

The world is living in the shadow of oncoming disaster. An asteroid is set to strike the earth in just one week’s time; catastrophe is unavoidable. The question isn’t how to save the world—the question is what to do with the time that's left? Against this stark backdrop, three island teens wrestle with intertwining stories of love, friendship and family—all with the ultimate stakes at hand.

Alexandra Coutts's TUMBLE & FALL is a powerful story of courage, love, and hope at the end of the world.

Why I Can’t Wait....

Ok so I know ya’ll been seeing this a lot lately but…hello!! This book has EVERYTHING! Amazing cover and a storyline I can’t wait to read. I don’t know what sold me first…the cover or the story? Here’s to hoping it lives up to all the expectations in my head. Now if I only get my hands on a copy.

 That’s what I’m waiting for…please share yours.

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Recommend the Most

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme from TheBrokeandTheBookish

This week’s topic:

Top Ten Books I Recommend the Most

These are some of my all-time faves. The bottom half are ones that are soon to be released that I’ve read. Ones I will be telling everyone about because they are simply amazing!

Love is a Mixtape by Rob Sheffield

Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

The Vinyl Princess by Yvonne Prinz

Rhythms by Donna Hill

Summer Sisters by Judy Blume

The Summer Fletcher Greel Loved Me by Suzanne Kingsbury

In The After by Ashley Mackler Paternostro

Do yourself a favor and pick up these AMAZING reads when they are released!

 

If He Had Been With Me by Laura Nowlin

Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight

Feel free to share your Top Ten.

Blog Tour: Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt

Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt

Expected Publication: March 26, 2013
Format: ARC provided by publisher
Bloomsbury
Rating: 4/5

 Summary

When Mallory’s boyfriend, Jeremy, cheats on her with an online girlfriend, Mallory decides the best way to de-Jeremy her life is to de-modernize things too. Inspired by a list of goals her grandmother made in1962, Mallory swears off technology and returns to a simpler time (when boyfriends couldn’t cheat with computer avatars). The List:

1. Run for pep club secretary

2. Host a fancy dinner party/soiree

3. Sew a dress for Homecoming

4. Find a steady

5. Do something dangerous

But simple proves to be crazy-complicated, and the details of the past begin to change Mallory’s present. Add in a too-busy grandmother, a sassy sister, and the cute pep-club president–who just happens to be her ex’s cousin–and soon Mallory begins to wonder if going vintage is going too far.

My Thoughts

I knew I would enjoy this books from the get go. Loved the cover and I’m a sucker for all things 60’s.  Breaking up after discovering her boyfriend cheated on her, Mallory decides to go tech free. She does this in a way to just having something to do to get her mind off her ex. When she finds an old list of things to do from her grandmas high school days she thinks she’s found the perfect way to make her life right. Little goes she realize that she is about to unlock a secret bigger than she would ever imagine. Not only does she help her grandma come to terms with past and choices but Mallory also finds herself.

This is a cute quick and wonderful read that will keep you entertained without a doubt. I loved the way Lindsey Leavitt wrote the various characters. While Mallory is the main character I must say her sister is my favorite. She really steals the scene. She’s funny and quick witted, makes you feel like you’ve known them people forever. I highly recommend this book.

Feature and Follow Friday

Feature & Follow is a blog hop hosted by Parajunkee & Alison Can Read. The purpose is to meet new people and gain more followers in the book blogging community. If this is your first time here, welcome! You are about to make some new friends and gain new followers — but you have to know — the point of this hop is to follow other bloggers also. I follow you, you follow me.

Here’s this week’s question:

What is your guilty pleasure as far as reading? Is it a genre, or is it a certain type of book?

I don’t really have a guilty pleasure as far as reading. I’m proud of my genre preferences. No shame in my reading game…lol.

So what’s your guilty pleasure? Please share.

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Blog Tour: Things I Can't Forget by Miranda Kenneally

Things I Can’t Forget [Hundred Oaks #3] by Miranda Kenneally

Published: March 1, 2013
Format: Copy via publisher for blog tour
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Rating: 4/5

Summary via Goodreads

Companion to Catching Jordan and Stealing Parker.
Kate has always been the good girl. Too good, according to some people at school—although they have no idea the guilty secret she carries. But this summer, everything is different…
This summer she’s a counselor at Cumberland Creek summer camp, and she wants to put the past behind her. This summer Matt is back as a counselor too. He’s the first guy she ever kissed, and he’s gone from a geeky songwriter who loved The Hardy Boys to a buff lifeguard who loves to flirt--with her.
Kate used to think the world was black and white, right and wrong. Turns out, life isn’t that easy.

My Thoughts

I went into this kind of backwards. I must confess I’ve never read Catching Jordan or Stealing Parker before I read this book. I mean I have both I just haven’t read them…yet. So when I was contacted to review this book for a blog tour I was a little concern. I’m glad to say there was no need to worry. While all books are in the same series from what I can tell you don’t have to read them to read this one. Yes there are some characters making an appearance they are merely background characters. Their connection is briefly explained so I didn’t feel lost at all.

Things I Can’t Forgot is the story of Kate and her time as a camp counselor during the summer. Kate is having a hard dealing with her faith and harboring the secret that she did helped her best friend with. Kate is not only dealing with growing up but also how her faith interacts with the progress. I did have  a question that kept coming up while I was reading. Is it possible to hate the main character yet really like and enjoy the story? Cause honestly I am not the biggest fan of Kate. I felt her so judgmental of her best friend for her actions yet Kate almost did some of same things she judged her for. She always was seeing the faults in others yet when it came to her life she didn’t see it, or she though it was alright. However in the end I did chalk it all up to growing up and finding yourself. I mean really didn’t we all make mistakes? Like the saying goes “you can’t judge others until you walk a mile in their shoes.” If that doesn’t sum up life I don’t know what does.

This is my first time reading Miranda Kenneally and I must say I loved her writing. I will be reading her other two books ASAP! She has a real grasp of how teens are. I highly recommend this book and I know you won’t be disappointed.

WoW [21]

Waiting on Wednesday [WoW] is a weekly event hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

This week’s WoW feature is:

This is W.A.R. by Lisa and Laura Roecker

Expected Publication: July 2, 2013

Publisher: Soho Teen

Summary via Goodreads...

At Hawthorne Lake Country Club your trust fund can’t buy you happiness, but if it’s big enough, it almost always buys innocence. When Willa Ames-Rowan drowns in Hawthorne Lake everyone who’s anyone knows James Gregory is the one who killed her. But no one will ever say a word. Enter The W.A.R. Four girls, four motives to avenge Willa’s death, and only one rule: Destroy the Gregory brothers at any cost. The girls pool their trust funds and devise a series of elaborate pranks to deliver their own particular brand of vigilante justice. Innocence is lost, battles are won, but it’s the truth about what really happened that night that stands to destroy them all.

Why I Can’t Wait....

First off I love a great cover and this one is no exception. Secondly the whole story just sounds really good. Spoiled rich kids, a murder mystery and vigilante justice sounds like a winner to me. I recently got an advance copy and will part of a blog tour for this, so I can’t wait to start reading it. Hope it’s as good as I think it will be.

That’s what I’m waiting for…please share yours.

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I HAD to buy...but are still sitting on my shelf

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and The Bookish.

This week’s topic : 10 Books I had to buy…but are still sitting on my shelf.

Most of these are on my TBR list challenge so by the end of the year they will be read…finally!

Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan

The Red Book by Deborah Copaken Kogan

The Choice by Robert Whitlow

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

The Virgin Cure by Ami McKay

Live Through This by Mindi Scott

A Grownup Kind of Pretty by Joshilyn Jackson

Fire and Rain by David Browne

The Beatles by Bob Spitz

Vinyl Junkies: Adventures in Record Collecting by Brett Milano

That’s my Top Ten…what’s yours?

Book Haul: IMM [18] & STS [2]

In My Mailbox & Stacking the Shelves are weekly memes. They are all about sharing what goodies you received during the week.

 Finished Copy

If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch [my review]

Expected publication March 26, 2013

For Review

Dirty Little Secret by Jennifer Echols

Expected publication July 16, 2013

Mtv Books

The Bookstore by Deborah Meyler

Expected publication August 20, 2013

Gallery Books

Anthem for Jackson Dawes by Celia Bryce

Expected publication April 30, 2013

Bloomsbury USA

Island Girls by Nancy Thayer

Expected publication June 18, 2013

Ballantine Books

 Swimming at Night by Lucy Clarke

Published March 12, 2013

Free Kindle Reads

Pearl by C.E. Weisman

On the Edge by Autumn Doughton

That’s my haul. Feel free to link me to yours.

Feature & Follow Friday

Feature and Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read.

Gain new followers and make new friends! Or just check out the weekly questions and see what others respond.

This Week’s Question: Activity! Hopefully warm weather for most of us is here soon…so tell us about your favorite outdoor reading spot. Or take a picture.

Answer: Actually since I live in Texas and it’s hotter than hell here I tend to read anywhere there is an A/C. Lol. Seriously I like a cool and quite place. Sadly I wish it wasn’t so hot in the summer to read outside at a park or something.

What are your answers for this week's FF? Leave a comment and we'll drop by and follow back!

Review: If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch

If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch

Expected Publication: March 26, 2013
Format: ARC provided by NetGalley
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary via Goodreads

There are some things you can’t leave behind…

A broken-down camper hidden deep in a national forest is the only home fifteen year-old Carey can remember. The trees keep guard over her threadbare existence, with the one bright spot being Carey’s younger sister, Jenessa, who depends on Carey for her very survival. All they have is each other, as their mentally ill mother comes and goes with greater frequency. Until that one fateful day their mother disappears for good, and two strangers arrive. Suddenly, the girls are taken from the woods and thrust into a bright and perplexing new world of high school, clothes and boys.

Now, Carey must face the truth of why her mother abducted her ten years ago, while haunted by a past that won’t let her go… a dark past that hides many a secret, including the reason Jenessa hasn’t spoken a word in over a year. Carey knows she must keep her sister close, and her secrets even closer, or risk watching her new life come crashing down.

My Thoughts

An amazing story of two sisters left to defend for themselves after their drug addicted mother hides them in the woods. Carey took over the mother role when it came to her sister Jenessa. She taught her life lessons and school work. When it’s revealed that her mom kidnapped her years again from her dad Carey and Jenessa must now learn to live among others and all the things we take for granted.

Carey is holding many secrets from her time in the woods. She’s afraid for them to come out, thinking of what would happen to her and more importantly to her little sister. In time Carey knows what she must do right and confesses the whole story to her father, waiting for the consequents of her actions.

This is a beautiful and haunting story of a girl who grew up way to fast. A girl who saw and dealt with way more things than anyone should, much less a young child. When I read stories like these I am reminded how lucky I am. I’m lucky to have the love and support of a great family. Sometimes we tend to forget just how good we have it. I recommend this to anyone who is looking for a story you soon won’t forget.

WoW [20]

Waiting on Wednesday [WoW] is a weekly event hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

This week’s WoW feature is:

Save Yourself by Kelly Braffet

Expected Publication: August 6, 2013
Publisher: Crown

Summary via Goodreads...

Patrick Cusimano is in a bad way. His father is in jail, he works the midnight shift at a grubby convenience store, and his brother's girlfriend, Caro, has taken their friendship to an uncomfortable new level. On top of all that, he can't quite shake the attentions of Layla Elshere, a Goth teenager who befriends Patrick for reasons he doesn't understand and doesn't fully trust. The temptations these two women offer are pushing him to his breaking point.

Meanwhile, Layla's little sister, Verna, is suffering through her first year of high school. She's become a prime target for her cruel classmates, not just because of her strange name and her fundamentalist parents: Layla's bad-girl rep proves to be too huge a shadow for Verna, so she falls in with her sister's circle of outcasts and misfits whose world is far darker than she ever imagined.

Kelly Braffet's characters, indelibly portrayed and richly varied, are all on their own twisted paths to finding peace. The result is a novel of unnerving power-darkly compelling, addictively written, and shockingly honest.

Why I Can’t Wait....

Every once in a while I like a dark intense and intriguing read. This one seems to fit the bill. It seems like this book has a great cast of characters and I’m really interested in seeing what becomes of this story. Looks like a good break from all the sunny and fun loving summer reads that will be out around that time.

That’s what I’m waiting for…please share yours.

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten TBR Spring List

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and The Bookish.

My list features new upcoming books. It was hard listing just ten but I’ve been lucky enough to read some of the big ones not listed. Some of these I have ARCS to so I’m really excited to read them. I’m breaking my list down by months, March-May.

 Top Ten TBR Spring List

March

Family Pictures by Jane Green

April

 

This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith

White Lines by Jennifer Banash

If He Had Been With Me by Laura Nowlin

May

  

Someday, Someday, Maybe by Lauren Graham

The S-Word by Chelsea Pitcher

September Girls by Bennett  Madison

 

The Lake House by Marci Nault

Wild Awake by Hilary T. Smith

All The Summer Girls by Meg Donohue

That's my Top Ten... what's yours?

 

Review: Cover of Snow by Jenny Milchman

Cover of Snow by Jenny Milchman

Published: January 15, 2013

Format: Copy provided by publicist

Ballantine Books

Rating: 3/5

 Summary

Waking up one wintry morning in her old farmhouse nestled in the Adirondack Mountains of New York; Nora Hamilton instantly knows that something is wrong. When her fog of sleep clears, she finds her world is suddenly, irretrievably shattered: Her husband, Brendan, has committed suicide.

The first few hours following Nora’s devastating discovery pass for her in a blur of numbness and disbelief. Then, a disturbing awareness slowly settles in: Brendan left no note and gave no indication that he was contemplating taking his own life. Why would a rock-solid police officer with unwavering affection for his wife, job, and quaint hometown suddenly choose to end it all? Having spent a lifetime avoiding hard truths, Nora must now start facing them.

Unraveling her late husband’s final days, Nora searches for an explanation—but finds a bewildering resistance from Brendan’s best friend and partner, his fellow police officers, and his brittle mother. It quickly becomes clear to Nora that she is asking questions no one wants to answer. For beneath the soft cover of snow lies a powerful conspiracy that will stop at nothing to keep its presence unknown . . . and its darkest secrets hidden.

My Thoughts

A well written novel with great cast of characters. I love how this was a thriller and very suspenseful novel. I enjoyed the twist and was on my edge of my seat to find out what happens. I felt like I was on a journey with Nora as she goes out to find out with really happened to her husband. All the secrets and lies, which were buried in a small town as she sets out for the truth.

Jenny Milcham is a wonderful storyteller who never disappoints. She has you glued as she keeps you tuned in and you never see what’s coming next.

I think you will definitely enjoy this novel. It’s not just for those who enjoy thrillers or mysteries but anyone who plan enjoys a fabulous read.

Review: The Summer I Learned to Dive by Shannon McCrimmon

The Summer I Learned To Dive by Shannon McCrimmon

Published: May 9, 2012

Format: Copy provided by author in exchange for honest review

Rating: 4/5

Summary

Since the time she was a little girl, eighteen-year-old Finley “Finn” Hemmings has always lived her life according to a plan, focused and driven with no time for the average young adult’s carefree experiences. On the night of her high school graduation, things take a dramatic turn when she discovers that her mother has been keeping a secret from her—a secret that causes Finn to do something she had never done before—veer off her plan. In the middle of the night, Finn packs her bags and travels by bus to Graceville, SC seeking the truth. In Graceville, Finn has experiences that change her life forever; a summer of love, forgiveness and revelations. She learns to take chances, to take the plunge and to dive right in to what life has to offer.

My Thoughts

Finn was girl who did everything she was supposed to do. She was great in school, a great daughter and never got in trouble. But she always felt something was missing. She never experienced how it was to be a real teenager. She had questions about her past and wondered if there was more to what her mother has always told her.

When she realizes that her mother lied to her about her father and grandparents she goes off in search of the truth. In doing so she reconnects with her grandparents and finds the true meaning of family. She also makes friends, which she never really had before. Not to mention experiences her first love Jesse.

I loved this coming of age story. It was honest and sweet and showed the real meaning of family and eventually forgiveness. It shows that the truth wasn't as bad as it was made out to be. That the lies hurt way more than the truth every could.

This is the first installment of a series. The second book The Year I Almost Drowned is continuing the journey of Finn finding herself. What happens with her family and her relationship with Jesse. I can’t wait to read it and see how it all plays out. Shannon McCrimmon is a wonderful storyteller and just by this story alone I cannot wait for her future novels.

Feature and Follow Friday

Feature and Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read.

This week's question:

Q: What is a book you didn't like that all your friends raved about or what book did you love that wasn't popular?

Ok so the books I never “got” were The Harry Potter & Twilight series. I know, I know everyone loves either one or both of them. Don’t hate me…please! I just never saw anything interesting about them. Sorry. However now I totally understand how people felt about those series since now I’m a HUGE Hunger Games fan. So yeah now I know better to make fun of serious hardcore fans. Lol.

What are your answers for this week's FF? Leave a comment and we'll drop by and follow back!