You Will Be Mine Spoiler Free Review

You Will Be Mine
by Natasha Preston

Release Date: February 6th, 2018

Synopsis:

ROSES ARE RED

VIOLETS ARE BLUE

WATCH YOUR BACK

I'M COMING FOR YOU

Lylah and her friends can't wait to spend a night out together. Partying is the perfect way to let loose from the stress of life and school, and Lylah hopes that hitting the dance floor with Chace, her best friend, will bring them closer together. She's been crushing on him since they met. If only he thought of her the same way...

The girls are touching up their makeup and the guys are sliding on their coats when the doorbell rings. No one is there. An envelope sits on the doormat. It's an anonymous note addressed to their friend Sonny. A secret admirer? Maybe. They all laugh it off.

Except Sonny never comes home. And a new note arrives:

YOUR TURN

My Thoughts:

I received a copy for an honest review

I gave this book 4 stars. This was a really quick read. All you want to do is sit down and find out who the killer is and what the motive is and really what the hell is going on.

Our story centers around Lylah, an English college student and her group of friends who all live in a house together. They begin to receive these love letters with serial killer letters cut out of magazines. 

The story is thrilling. I’ve found that a lot of YA thrillers can be rather tame as they are for a younger audience than just straight up thrillers, but this one pulled no punches. It was gruesome, nerve-wracking, and an utter conundrum of a plot line.

These characters are so stupid. There is a killer actively stalking them and they decide to get their minds off it by going to bars and parties. Reckless. So unbelievably reckless I can’t process it. Also, cops tell them not to go off on their own and that’s exactly what these idiots do. Are you trying to get murdered?

(Minor Spoilers in next Paragraph)

It really annoyed me that throughout the novel everyone was just so convinced it was Jake. They had pretty much no evidence it was him but they kept saying it was him. Spoiler Alert, it wasn’t him. He was just too obvious of a choice. The actual killer didn’t come off as too much of a surprise to me, they were off pretty much the whole book. We were all just naive enough to believe that the killings were romantic in any way. 

Also, what an ending! Everything looks good and then BAM! The last sentence of the book shakes everyone to their very core. Honestly, very good way to end the book. Now I’m curious as to if there will be another installment or if the author just wants to leave the reader thinking about that from now on.

Olympian Challenger Spoiler Free Review

Olympian Challenger
by Astrid Arditi

Release Date: July 3rd, 2018

Synopsis:

A hero’s tournament. A defiant contender. Does one girl have the courage to take on Mount Olympus?

Hope’s world doesn’t have room for heroes. She barely has time for schoolwork, swim team, and taking care of her ailing mother. But when she’s invited to a mysterious tournament, the all-powerful hosts won’t take no for an answer.

Transported to Mount Olympus, Hope comes face to face with her new trainers—the pantheon of Greek gods. While other contenders train hard to gain a fighting edge, Hope searches for a way out. Instead, she finds a gorgeous shadow god who may just convince her to stay…

As each round unfolds, the ultimate prize draws closer—the granting of her heart’s deepest desire. If she survives the final challenge, her mother’s cure would be within reach…but only if Hope can ignore the tournament’s dark purpose.

Olympian Challenger is the first book in a bold YA urban fantasy trilogy. If you like Greek mythology, forbidden romance, and feats of courage, then you’ll love Astrid Arditi’s heroic coming-of-age tale.

My Thoughts:

I received an ARC through Netgalley for an honest review

I gave this book 4 stars. I had a blast reading this book. I was having a bit of a hard time reading some of the ARCs I had, but reading this one gave me the push I needed.

The thing about books like this is that I really love them for the whole competition theme. My only issue is that by the end when everyone else has been eliminated, it just feels so lonely. There is a reason I loved the Hunger Games and my favorite show when I was younger was Total Drama Island, but with all of these the same issue arose: It just isn’t fun anymore when there is a single person left.

The characters were a home run. They were well rounded, dynamic personalities and I wanted them all to be happy. I want only good things for them and hopefully, we will see that in the next book.

I’m a sucker for anything with mythology in it and I am happy to say that I was pretty satisfied with the knowledge the author had of Greek Mythology. There have been a few books I’ve read in the past which were pretty much 95% fabrication of the mythology. I mean it definitely wasn’t the most accurate, but it did have a healthy incorporation of fact.

Overall, I’m excited to get to the next book. This was an amazing start to the series and I want to see some happy things and some exciting things happening in the next book. Fingers crossed.

Pretty Dead Girls Spoiler Free Review

Pretty Dead Girls 
by Monica Murphy

Release Date: January 2nd, 2017

Synopsis:

Beautiful. Perfect. Dead.

In the peaceful seaside town of Cape Bonita, wicked secrets and lies are hidden just beneath the surface. But all it takes is one tragedy for them to be exposed.

The most popular girls in school are turning up dead, and Penelope Malone is terrified she's next. All the victims so far have been linked to Penelope—and to a boy from her physics class. The one she's never really noticed before, with the rumored dark past and a brooding stare that cuts right through her.

There's something he isn't telling her. But there's something she's not telling him, either.

Everyone has secrets, and theirs might get them killed.

My Thoughts:

I received an ARC through Netgalley

I gave this book 4.5 stars. I’m not much of a mystery reader as I have terrible patience, but I loved this book.

I really enjoyed this book, a lot more than I thought I would. I mean, I guessed who the killer was about halfway through the book, but this didn’t diminish my enjoyment. What made me love it more was the fact that the author says she was inspired by Scream Queens, a show I love. 

I originally thought this book was going to go in the direction of Heathers, because, if you’ve ever seen Heathers and read the synopsis of this book, you know it’s not a hard conclusion to jump to. There’s also the fact that we saw some moments from the murders point of view, but it’s in first person along with our protagonist, so at first, you think they are the same person. At least I did as there was no indication of any shift in perspective, that is maybe the one thing I disliked about this book. You don’t know that the perspective has changed until someone dies.

I’ve read Monica Murphy’s books before, but only ever her romances. I have to say that her transition into Young Adult was well done. I may even like this book more than any of her other novels.

Cass had so much past and I loved hearing about it, I do wish we could have found out more about what happened with his parents, but I guess they never had time to fully breach the subject so I will forgive them. Cass was also very adorable. He had these moments where he would get so excited or smug or just have these bursts of charisma that I found engaging. 

I still can’t decide if I like Penelope. I don’t dislike her, but she definitely isn’t my favorite character. She had moments that I found unreliable as she is supposed to be this spoiled rich girl, but she still managed to be down to earth at the same time. It really depended on what was happening in her life.

I would highly suggest reading this if you love YA contemporary romances and maybe want to try reading more mysteries. It’s not a cozy read mystery, more like a thriller mystery, but it’s still a good one.

Pulse Spoiler Free Review

Pulse 
by Danielle Koste

Release Date: January 1st, 2017

Synopsis:

Rowan Platts is addicted to success.

When she's presented with the chance to work on a top secret project fronted by her idol, renowned virologist Dr. Margot Miller, Rowan signs her life away without second thought. The realization she’s gotten in over her head comes only after the subject of their study is revealed: a boy with a bad attitude and an uninhibited taste for human blood.

He's a medical anomaly. Having the ability to crush metal with his bare hands and hear a heartbeat from across the room, it would make Rowan’s career if she was the one to discover what made him so unusual.

Easier said than done, with a subject who prefers snapping necks over answering questions. 

My Thoughts:

I received a copy for an honest review

I gave this book 5 stars. It was one of those books I was unsure about but ended up not being able to put down. It was such an engaging sci-fi/new adult romance. I would highly recommend it.

Lyall was unexpected. I thought because of what he was, that he was going to be a basic brooding bad boy that was so moody that would be the only thing anyone could focus on. This was not the case. Lyall was such a little shit. Playing without protagonists emotions and just messing with her for fun. It was playful and I loved that.

As for the story itself, I was very pleased with how it played out. The story felt almost metaphoric at times. I don’t know how to describe it. It was very fast paced. The book was around 300 pages and I read the entire thing in two sittings (I decided to take a shower halfway through and then continue). This book will be done in no time.

I loved how his condition was never given a name. I know everyone thinks vampire right away, but I like how it was rationalized and how there was that scientific element to a classic myth.

The story felt edgy, almost like a plotline in American Horror Story but with a happier ending. The atmosphere of the story was creepy. It felt isolated because we only had about 5 important characters, the story was very contained to just a few of them. 

Overall, creepy and engaging, I would definitely recommend that you give this book a read. It’s refreshing and I think it adds something new to the genre.

All the Wrong Chords Spoiler Free Review

All the Wrong Chords
by  Christine Hurley Deriso

Release Date: December 12th, 2017

Synopsis:

Scarlett Stiles is desperate for a change of scenery after her older brother, Liam, dies of a drug overdose. But spending the summer with her grandfather wasn't exactly what she had in mind. Luckily, Scarlett finds something to keep her busy--a local rock band looking for a guitarist. Even though playing guitar has been hard since Liam died, Scarlett can't pass on an opportunity like this, and she can't take her eyes off the band's hot lead singer either. Is real happiness just around the corner? Or will she always be haunted by her brother's death?

My Thoughts:

I received a copy through Netgalley for an honest review

I gave this book 2.5 stars. The first half of the book was really hard for me to get through. I felt no connection to the protagonist and the story felt pretty dry to me. The ending picked it back up a lot but still doesn’t deserve 3 stars. 

The love triangle felt so forced. First, we were introduced to Zach who right off the bat seems pretty cool and we can definitely see him getting with our protagonist. Then all of a sudden Scarlett meets Declan, Zach’s friend, and there are absolutely no sparks or anything to suggest that he and Scarlett should get together. Scarlett doesn’t even seem to be into him all that much until after their meeting when she tells her sister she’s in love. Their entire exchange was just her thinking about how guys always hit on her sister. 

This love triangle was the trigger for me finding the protagonist unbearably annoying. She just got mad at her sister for such stupid things that were not her fault and just overall being a spoiled brat. I don’t respect her as a character much less like her. As anyone who reads books, you know how important liking, or at least respecting, the protagonist is. Without that liking or respect, the story behind it isn’t going to be very good for you no matter how good the plot actually is.

I also felt that the protagonist was incredibly oblivious or just naive. She just goes along with whatever she is told. She gets blown off and she thinks to herself “of, it was just a misunderstanding” and then goes on to believe even more lies. The girl needs to get a clue. She also overreacts. There is a secret she finds out near the end that I won’t talk about because of spoilers, and she just gets so upset that no one told her. I mean I do understand her getting upset about it, but she started bringing up completely irrelevant things to express to these people how much they have wronged her. It was irritating that these people were obviously sorry for not telling her and she just reacted like they were plotting against her or something. 

Overall, not my favorite. I’m also glad I started this book months ago because it took me a while to read. I might suggest this if you don’t mind love triangles or even like them.

Undone Spoiler Free Review

Undone
by Wendy Higgins

Release Date: December 5th, 2017

Synopsis:

USA Today and New York Times bestselling author, Wendy Higgins, brings you the gripping, sensual conclusion to her apocalyptic trilogy.

Amber Tate never dreamed their heart-wrenching escape from the enemy’s attack would lead them to the most beautiful place she’s ever seen, marred by one ugly fact; it’s under enemy control. Like everywhere else in the world, Elmendorf military base in Alaska has been captured, and it’s time to take it back—all of it—one base, one city at a time. After losing so much, Amber clings to the only precious person she has left, and vows to sacrifice everything to help save the Earth.

Remy Haines is a lover, not a fighter, so when she finds herself in enemy territory, expected to feign allegiance while gathering intel for the rebel cause, she’s never been more out of her element. Tensions only increase when her feelings for Jacob “Tater” Tate won’t go away, and the enemy’s leader takes an interest in her. She’s torn between what her heart wants, and what she knows she should do. As for what her body needs…well, it’s always had a mind of its own.

My Thoughts:

I received an ARC for an honest review

This series got better by the book. While the first was a 3.5 star book, the second was 4.5 and this third and final installment has finally earned that last half a star. Everything finally came together in this final book that was left open-ended in the past two installments and I have to say it feels really good to see it tied up so nicely.

One character I’ve had a pretty rocky relationship with over the past two books is Linette. She’s strong, confident, and kind of a shitty person. I don’t like her, but there is definitely respect for her. She does things that are questionable and a lot of the time I don’t agree with what she does and the way she treats other people, but at the same time, she does know what she’s doing. 

I loved how this novel was a perfect blend of relationships and plot. I feel like a lot of the time novels either focus more on romance or more on a boring used up plot. This had the romance and had the exciting plot, but it also had compassion. There were all these characters finding companionship and love in unexpected places. Those were some of my favorite parts, just the closeness of the characters.

The unique part of the series is the fact that I don’t think I’ve ever encountered this particular blend before. The entire first book was dystopian, there wasn’t even a hint of extraterrestrials and then we get to the second book and it completely transitions into a sci-fi novel. It was really bizarre when first reading it, but I have to say I started to enjoy it more after the shift happened. I’m not complaining.

I usually have an intense hatred of duel perspective books, I just don’t see how they are helpful in most books, however, in this one it completely worked. Since our core group was separated we got to see through the points of view of best friends Amber and Remy. We got to see how they were doing while separated and could see both of their efforts throughout the war. This is one of the rare occasions where I have in fact, enjoyed a dual perspective. 

It’s a fast-paced book filled with emotion and excitement. Would highly recommend reading the series and this their novel in particular.

Unrest Spoiler Free Review

Unrest
by Wendy Higgins

Synopsis:

New York Times bestselling author Wendy Higgins brings you the second book in this thrilling war-torn world... Being on the run in the desert means food and sanctuary are hard to come by, but Amber Tate and her crew are not about to give up. Not after having the things they love brutally ripped from them by an unknown enemy who sent their world into the apocalypse. Survival takes precedence, but once safe shelter is found, their guards fall and the emotions they've been holding in are finally released. Anger, insecurities...lust. In their tight quarters, Amber, Rylen, Tater, and Remy can't escape it. The past must be faced, and passions run even stronger in the darkest of times. In the midst of unrest, their worlds are rocked again when they discover the truth about the war that's ruined their lives. They thought finding out the enemy's identity would give them the edge; instead it's revealed terrifying dangers they never thought possible.

My Thoughts: 

I received a copy for an honest review

I gave this book 4.5 stars. Unrest was so much better than book one. I found that our protagonist, Amber, wasn’t doing as many things that were stupid as in the first book. She seemed to actually have gone through some character development that made her into a much more matured character.

Our main ship managed to work through their communication issues, they actually managed to start speaking to each other and being honest and things were developing between them finally after the struggle of the first book. It was nice to see the heat between them and to see it finally going somewhere.

I don’t think I mentioned it in the first book, but I really love Rylen, he’s so sweet and such a good person. During the first book where it seemed like he was leading Amber on he didn’t really know he was doing it, he didn’t realize that she, in fact, liked him in return. What I loved about him is that he wasn’t one of those “Perfect” characters whose main goal is to be good and to make sure everyone knows just how good they are, he wasn’t overly noble, he just liked to do right by people. He too has done some stupid things when it comes to Amber, but he’s making up for it. 

Remy and Tate are something I saw coming from the beginning. The moment Remy was introduced and Amber thought about how much Remy and Tate hated each other I just knew that something would happen between them. They are absolutely adorable together. Well, from what we saw, I’m hoping we’ll get more of that in the third book as the third is duel perspective with Remy and Amber. Tate is a bit emotionally unavailable because of the whole apocalypse thing, but he really does care for Remy and want’s to be good to her. He’s there to support her when she needs it and he gets really jealous when other guys try and get with her despite the two not actually being together. They are a good pair.

The plot thickens. We find out so much more about what happened in the first book. If you read the first book and didn’t read the synopsis for the first or second books then the plot twist will probably come as a huge surprise. Or it may not, but I was kind of expecting it, except I was expecting it to happen in the first book not the second, so I was a bit surprised when it was revealed.

Overall, if you like New Adult Novels, if you like dystopian, if you were a bit unsatisfied with the first book, you should definitely read this second installment because it just get’s so much better.

Adventures in Farland Spoiler Free Review

Adventures in Farland
by Moshank Relia

Synopsis:

Mira Rawat has heard tales of Farland all her life from her mother, who has described the magical place of gnomes, fairies, mermaids and animals, and especially its wondrous festival, the New Moon Party. Now, Mira has been informed by a man named Bushy that she has been invited by Princess Harmonica to attend the party. Bushy also uses a spell to turn her two friends, the mischievous and vexing boys, Bira and Vira, into rats so that they will not disturb the other party guests with their constant fighting and misbehaviour. At midnight, Mira, with Bira and Vira snuggled in her pocket, climbs Gunhill and is picked up by the pilot Starhead and flown in his plane to the party. However, the flight is cut short by a terrible wind, and Starhead is forced to land his plane near the Lost Forest. There, Mira discovers that Farland is in great jeopardy. Another Farland resident, Windman, has been generating great windstorms to prevent the Queen of Witches from reaching Dragon Hill. She intends to release the Dragon of Underhill, chained in its den beneath Dragon Hill, so that Farland will be burned and completely destroyed.

My Thoughts:

This book was hard to rate. My enjoyment level wasn’t all that high as I am not much of a middle grade reader. Looking at it as a children’s book, it had a bit of a higher rating, but only reading it as a child. It was hard to pinpoint where exactly it sat on the spectrum. I finally decided on 2.5 stars. 

I was told this book was for ages 6-15 but I feel like it would be more along the lines of 5-12. It just feels a bit young for 15 year olds. As I was 15 a few years ago I can say that I was definitely not reading books like this, I was more into the older YA books and I feel like a lot of 15 year olds would agree with that. This is definitely a good book for children though.

I’m a fan of middle grade, but this book felt even younger than middle grade and I’m just not sure if it was my cup of tea. If I had a small child I would definitely read this one to them as a bedtime story.

The illustrations in this book were also very cute and it was nice to see them every few pages, it gives a bit more of picture. It was also fun, books with little illustrations always add a bit of life to the story.

I Hate Everyone But You Spoiler Free Review

I Hate Everyone But You
by Gaby Dunn and Allison Raskin

Synopsis:

Dear Best Friend,

I can already tell that I will hate everyone but you.

Sincerely,

Ava Helmer

(that brunette who won’t leave you alone)

We're still in the same room, you weirdo.

Stop crying.

G

So begins a series of texts and emails sent between two best friends, Ava and Gen, as they head off to their first semesters of college on opposite sides of the country. From first loves to weird roommates, heartbreak, self-discovery, coming out and mental health, the two best friends will document every moment to each other. But as each changes and grows into her new life, will their friendship be able to survive the distance?

My Thoughts:

I gave this book 4 stars. If you’ve ever had a really close best friend that you shared everything with and had an incredibly strong bond with then this book will resonate with you. The entire novel is witty and clever, you'll never be bored.

Most of the time I hate books written in this format, where you only get the story through two characters texting or emailing each other because I usually feel like I’m missing a lot of the story. That problem wasn’t present here as I felt because these two characters were so close they would tell each other a lot so I could get a feel for them as characters and the people around them.

It was well written and something I couldn’t seem to put down. It was also super realistic, there wasn’t really a moment in this book where I thought to myself “yeah right, like that could actually happen”.

While the story is about the lives of these characters and how they are trying to get through their early adulthood okay, it’s first and foremost about the friendship between these two characters and it’s beautiful.

What I found most relatable was that these people who went in and out of the protagonists’ lives were all people I know. We’ve probably all met the people that are being written in this book. 

Overall, amazing contemporary about friendship and life. Would highly recommend this to those who love a good YA contemporary.