Review: Thirty Sunsets by Christine Hurley Deriso

Thirty Sunsets by Christine Hurley Deriso

Expected Publication: July 8, 2014

Publisher: Flux

Format: via NetGalley

Challenges: NetGalley/Edelweiss

Rating: 3.5/5

Synopsis

To Forrest Shephard, getting away to the family's beach house with her parents and her brother, Brian, is the best part of every summer. Until this year, when her mother invites Brian's obnoxious girlfriend, Olivia, to join them. Suddenly, Forrest's relaxing vacation becomes a mission to verify the reality of Olivia's rumored eating disorder. But the truth behind Olivia's finicky eating isn't at all what Forrest expected. And over the next thirty days, Forrest's world is turned upside down as her family's darkest secrets begin to come to light.

My Thoughts

This is the story of Forrest and her family’s crazy vacation. Every year they go away for the summer but this year everything just hits the fan and changes the family like never before. She is forced to room with her brother’s girlfriend then finds out Olivia is pregnant. Forrest feels like she suddenly doesn’t know her family, it’s like secrets after secrets. After giving Olivia the benefit of the doubt she learns that Olivia is a good person and great friend.

This summer is also a time when Forrest discovers that she wants to experience first love; she is determined to find it. One day she meets a guy whom she thinks is really nice and they strike up some convo and she thinks he could be the one that she gets to know. Little does she know he isn’t who he claims to be. She soon finds herself in a situation that no one should ever be put in; she is attacked on the beach.

Back home the unexpected pregnancy is putting so much pressure on the family her mom and dad are constantly fighting something that has never happened before. After her ordeal with that guy her mom comforts her and telling her two shocking secrets that turns her world upset down. The family she has known all along isn’t the same anymore.

Forrest thought going into the summer she wanted thirty sunsets of love and fun but instead she finds out things she couldn’t ever thought possible. While it was shocking it also in the end brought them closer than ever as a family.

Review: The Truth about You and Me by Amanda Grace

The Truth about You and Me by Amanda Grace
Expected Publication: September 8, 2013
Format: E-Arc via NetGalley
Publisher: Flux
Rating: 4/5

Summary via Goodreads

Smart girls aren't supposed to do stupid things.Madelyn Hawkins is super smart. At sixteen, she's so gifted that she can attend college through a special program at her high school. On her first day, she meets Bennett. He's cute, funny, and kind. He understands Madelyn and what she's endured - and missed out on - in order to excel academically and please her parents. Now, for the first time in her life, she's falling in love.

There's only one problem. Bennett is Madelyn's college professor, and he thinks she's eighteen - because she hasn't told him the truth.

The story of their forbidden romance is told in letters that Madelyn writes to Bennett - both a heart-searing ode to their ill-fated love and an apology.

My Thoughts

I’ll be honest I didn’t know how I was going to feel about this novel. You know the told again tale of teacher falls for student. In many cases it can be…honestly….creepy. However this tale was different. It was different in the sense that the relationship was based on lies from the beginning. You see Madelyn never told her professor that she was of college age so in her eyes she didn’t actually lie, she just admit it. She kind of justifies her lies by saying “well he never actually asked, he just assumed.”

I gave this book a 4/5 not because of the storyline so much, but mainly for the writing. The author tells this tale in a very careful matter. This could’ve gone really wrong if it was told another way. You know creepy old teacher and young student. It’s told in letter form from Madelyn to Bennett. She tries to explain why she did what she did. While I can understand Madelyn letting things get out of control, I never think she truly understands how her actions hurt everyone around her.

The one I felt for was Bennett. He was an honest stand up kind of guy who just fell for the wrong person, or shall I say maybe the right person just at the wrong time. Call me crazy but I did believe and buy into their “love” story. I just feel they were at totally different times and paths in their lives.

While I enjoyed this book it may not be for everyone. I’ve read mixed reviews and while I can understand why you have to go into this willing to give it a chance. Although it’s a tale that’s been told over and over again, I totally got this one.