Review: The Start of Me and You by Emery Lord

The Start of Me and You by Emery Lord

Published: March 31, 2015

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children’s

Format: NetGalley via publisher

Challenges: 2015 NetGalley/Edelweiss

Rating: 5/5

Synopsis

Brimming with heartfelt relationships and authentic high-school dynamics The Start of Me and You proves that it’s never too late for second chances.

It’s been a year since it happened—when Paige Hancock’s first boyfriend died in an accident. After shutting out the world for two years, Paige is finally ready for a second chance at high school . . . and she has a plan. First: Get her old crush, Ryan Chase, to date her—the perfect way to convince everyone she’s back to normal. Next: Join a club—simple, its high school after all. But when Ryan’s sweet, nerdy cousin, Max, moves to town and recruits Paige for the Quiz Bowl team (of all things!) her perfect plan is thrown for a serious loop. Will Paige be able to face her fears and finally open herself up to the life she was meant to live?

My Thoughts

This is the kind of book that makes me love YA! It has everything [ok minus the whole tragic boyfriend lost] I love and wanted in high school. There is obviously the whole hot popular boy crush in Ryan. Who is so popular but at the same time super nice and sensitive. There is the “cool” group of girlfriends that would do anything for you and will always have your back. Lastly that friend who at the last second you realize is the guy who you love and are destined to be with.

This is the story of Paige who after the death of her boyfriend is just trying get back to “normal.” She just wants everyone to treat her like they use to and has recently started to like her old crush Ryan. She becomes friends with Ryan’s nerdy cousin Max and thinks that being friends with him she will get closer to Ryan. The more time she spends with Max she really gets to liking him as a friend and maybe even more. Max is the one person who doesn’t treat her like a delicate doll and who has the most in common with her. It’s all good until a friend of Paige’s starts spending a lot of time with Max that she realizes she likes him but does he feel the same? Will Paige risk it all and declare her feeling for Max or will she deny her happiness?

While I really enjoyed the whole Max/Paige thing what I loved most was the friendship with her besties. That’s the one thing I regret most, I’ve never had that whole bbf group of female friends. I’ve always been more of a guy’s girl than a girly girl, and while I love my boys I missed out on that whole slumber parties and gossip stuff. But I did totally connect on the friendship aspect of this read and always being there for one another. No matter if you have a ton of friends or just a tight knit group always have one that will always have your back. The best thing is the knowledge that someone out there will always love and support you no matter what and if you have that consider yourself one lucky person!

Review: Where the Stars Still Shine by Trish Doller

Where the Stars Still Shine by Trish Doller

Published: September 24, 2013

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens

Format: Kindle purchased

Challenges: 2014 TBR Pile

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis

Stolen as a child from her large and loving family, and on the run with her mom for more than ten years, Callie has only the barest idea of what normal life might be like. She's never had a home, never gone to school, and has gotten most of her meals from laundromat vending machines. Her dreams are haunted by memories she’d like to forget completely. But when Callie’s mom is finally arrested for kidnapping her, and Callie’s real dad whisks her back to what would have been her life, in a small town in Florida, Callie must find a way to leave the past behind. She must learn to be part of a family. And she must believe that love--even with someone who seems an improbable choice--is more than just a possibility.

My Thoughts

This was my first Trish Doller experience and what an awesome one at that! It’s a story of love, starting over, and trying to find your place. Callie is a young girl who had to grow up way too soon. She is her own caretaker since her mom is either drunk, out of her mind or with a new man. Callie had to learn to manage things all by herself and simply learn to survive on her own. She has dealt with things that no child should have to go through. She learns that her mom has kidnapped her and now has to deal with the aftermath. While she is torn by her mom’s betrayal, she has to reconnect with a father she doesn’t remember. Her new life begins and she has to learn to live with her dad and his new family and find her place in it. It’s all new to her, people caring, looking out for her and of course discipline. She goes from being alone to now having this large family and it becomes too much for her. She soon starts looking for love or at least a physical companion and finds it with someone who turns out to be closer to home than she realizes.

This read is all about second chances. Trish Doller is an extraordinary writer who works a storyline like no other. She weaves a story of pain and love and how both are way more intertwined than we can imagine. Sometimes love no matter how twisted to some, is better than no love at all. Although Callie knows her mother has issues and what she has done was wrong she is still her mother. She still loves her and is afraid to be apart from her. The pain I felt for Callie was so overwhelming. This life is all she has ever known and is somewhat scared of learning anything else. In a way she feels as if she doesn’t deserve it, the love and acceptance and most important the possibility of what is out there for her. The book made me see that how we are raised or even our environment doesn’t determine ones future. We are worth so much more than what others might think, we have to know we are worthy of love and all the good things that come with it.

WoW [56]

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

My Best Friend, Maybe by Caela Carter
Expected Publication: June 3, 2014
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA

Synopsis...

It has been three long, lonely, boring years for Colette. Ever since her best friend Sadie dumped her right before they started high school, Colette has tried to be perfect for everyone: for her parents, her younger brothers, her teachers and even her boyfriend, Mark. But she’s bored. And she misses Sadie.

So when Sadie tells Colette out of the blue that she needs her old friend to join her on a Pepper family vacation to the Greek Islands, one that leaves only a few days after the invitation is issued, Colette is surprised to find herself thinking about it. But can Colette get over the hurt of the past three years to be there for Sadie now that she’s called on? Can Colette choose Sadie over Mark after all this time? Can Colette give up her perfect life for a little adventure? A little drama? A summer with Sadie?

Why I Can’t Wait….

This seems like a good summer read and I love to read about friendships.

What are you waiting on? Please link me up to yours. I’d love to see your picks!

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.