Review: Alex As Well by Alyssa Brugman

Book Title: Alex As Well

Author: Alyssa Brugman

Published Date: January 20th, 2015

Publisher: Henry Holt & Co.

Genre: YA Contemporary 

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Book Link: Goodreads

Pre-Order Links: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, The Book Depository

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Alex is ready for things to change, in a big way. Everyone seems to think she’s a boy, but for Alex the whole boy/girl thing isn’t as simple as either/or, and when she decides girl is closer to the truth, no one knows how to react, least of all her parents. Undeterred, Alex begins to create a new identity for herself: ditching one school, enrolling in another, and throwing out most of her clothes. But the other Alex—the boy Alex—has a lot to say about that. Heartbreaking and droll in equal measures, Alex As Well is a brilliantly told story of exploring gender and sexuality, navigating friendships, and finding a place to belong.

Disclaimer: I got this e-ARC from Henry Holt & Co. via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Review:

I was really, really excited about this book and I had high hopes for it, but I ended up being really ambivalent to it which really disappointed me. I wasn't sure if this would be a straight up transgender story or if it was due to a congenital issue. I could never imagine feeling like I was born in the wrong body so I knew I wouldn't be able to relate to Alex the way others could, but I really wanted to see how it turned out for him.

Her parents really were crappy. I know it probably wasn't easy for them when Alex began dressing in women's clothes and professing that he was a girl, but instead of working to support what their child wanted, they were holding on to the boy that he was made into as an infant. I so wanted his parents to get over it and embrace the child that they did have.

The best part of the book was Alex herself. She was equal parts awesome and brave. She was going through so much and it hurt me that she had no one else she could talk to about this. Belonging is such a big deal, especially in cases like this, and Alex definitely struggled with the desire to belong. She didn't feel like she belonged anywhere and it was difficult for me to read about that, because I too struggled with not really belonging anywhere.

I am pretty ambivalent about this book. I didn't love it, but I also didn't hate it. Unfortunately Alex was not enough for me to enjoy the book. So I'm giving it 3 stars. I think I would recommend it though, as it was an important read for many reasons.

Review: Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys

Book Title: Out of the Easy

Author: Ruta Sepetys

Published Date: February 12th, 2013

Publisher: Philomel Books

Genre: YA Historical

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Book Link: Goodreads

Purchase Links: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, The Book Depository

Synopsis from Goodreads:

It’s 1950, and as the French Quarter of New Orleans simmers with secrets, seventeen-year-old Josie Moraine is silently stirring a pot of her own. Known among locals as the daughter of a brothel prostitute, Josie wants more out of life than the Big Easy has to offer. 

She devises a plan get out, but a mysterious death in the Quarter leaves Josie tangled in an investigation that will challenge her allegiance to her mother, her conscience, and Willie Woodley, the brusque madam on Conti Street. Josie is caught between the dream of an elite college and a clandestine underworld. New Orleans lures her in her quest for truth, dangling temptation at every turn, and escalating to the ultimate test.

With characters as captivating as those in her internationally bestselling novel Between Shades of Gray, Ruta Sepetys skillfully creates a rich story of secrets, lies, and the haunting reminder that decisions can shape our destiny.

Disclaimer: Library book.

Review:

Normally I shy away from these books because historical books are not really my thing. However my blogging friend, Bekka pretty much forced this book on me. I trust her opinion, so I decided to give this book a try. This book really surprised me in a lot of ways. I ended up really liking it more than I expected to.

I loved Josie as a main character. She knew what she wanted as well as what she didn't want. She didn't allow herself to fall into the same habits her mother had adopted. Unlike her mother, Josie had dreams that had nothing to do with breaking the law. She wanted to go to college, to make something of herself. She was under a lot of pressure from her mother to put out in order to make a boatload of money.

Josie had many people who were extremely supportive of her desire to not become anything like her mother. From Willie Woodley, the madam on Conti Street, to Charlie and his son Patrick. Even the other girls in the house ran by Willie. Sweety, Evangeline, Sadie. Cokie was also an integral part of the story. 

There was a bit of a love triangle between Josie, Patrick and another boy, called Jesse Thierry. The triangle was resolved exactly the way I was hoping it would be. I was even happier to see an opposite sex friendship in this book. Opposite sex friendships are seen so infrequently in YA, so whenever I do see one, I get excited and happy. It's even more rare to see one in a historical YA book.

I was not expecting the feels with this book, but I was given them with two separate character subplots. I loved Charlie so much, and at times, he stole the book for me. I wish he had gotten a bit more book time, but I loved what I did see in him. I loved his devotion & love towards his son, Patrick. It was really awesome to see.

I have a weird fascination with brothels & prostitutes during this time in history, I honestly don't know where it came from. I am so glad I decided to read this book. I will be giving this book 4 stars and I will read other things that Sepetys' writes. 

2014 Annual End Of The Year Survey

This end of the year survey is hosted by The Perpetual Page Turner. Go check out Jamie's survey and link up your survey with hers.

So check out my responses to the survey questions and see if you agree or disagree with any of my answers.

Number Of Books You Read:

127. Next year I need to hike up my Goodreads Challenge because I met my challenge back when it was still summer.

Number of Re-Reads:

I don't think I had any re-reads this year.

Genre You Read The Most From:

 YA Contemporary

1. Best Book You Read In 2014?

Oh crap-cakes, this is going to be hard. 

Contemporary

-The Start of Me and You by Emery Lord
-Pointe by Brandy Colbert
-Positively Beautiful by Wendy Mills
-Stronger Than You Know by Jolene Perry
-Faking Normal by Courtney C. Stevens

Fantasy

-The Young Elites by Marie Lu
-The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson

Dystopian

-Captive (Pawn #2) by Aimee Carter

Historical
-Prisoner of Night and Fog by Anne Blankman

Paranormal
-(Don't You) Forget About Me by Kate Karyus Quinn
-Beware the Wild by Natalie C. Parker

2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?

-The Murder Complex by Lindsay Cummings

-Don't Touch by Rachel M. Wilson

 3. Most surprising (in a good way or bad way) book you read in 2014? 

-Lies We Tell Ourselves by Robin Talley. This book surprised me in a wonderful way.

 4. Book You “Pushed” The Most People To Read (And They Did) In 2014?

-Pointe by Brandy Colbert

 5. Best series you started in 2014? Best Sequel of 2014? Best Series Ender of 2014?

-Ashes to Ashes (Burn for Burn #3) by Jenny Han & Siobhan Vivian
-Ignite Me (Shatter Me #3) by Tahereh Mafi

 6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2014?

-Anne Blankman

7. Best book from a genre you don’t typically read/was out of your comfort zone?

-Welcome to the Dark House by Laurie Faria Stolarz

 8. Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year?

-The Young Elites by Marie Lu

 9. Book You Read In 2014 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?

-Open Road Summer by Emery Lord

-The Start of Me and You by Emery Lord

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2014?

-The Start of Me and You by Emery Lord

-The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson

-Don't Look Back by Jennifer Lynn Armentrout

-Captive (Pawn #2) by Aimee Carter

Pointe by Brandy Colbert

11. Most memorable character of 2014?

-Adelina from The Young Elites

 12. Most beautifully written book read in 2014?

-Falling Into Place by Amy Zhang

13. Most Thought-Provoking/ Life-Changing Book of 2014?

-Little Peach by Peggy Kern

 14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2014 to finally read? 

 -Burn For Burn by Jenny Han & Siobhan Vivian

 15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2014?

"Maybe there were a hundred different ways to fall in love." The Kiss of Deception

16.Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2013?

  -Longest book: Take Me On (Pushing the Limits #4) by Katie McGarry (544 pages)
-Shortest book: Red At Night (e-novella) by Katie McGarry (84 pages)

 17. Book That Shocked You The Most

-The Jewel by Amy Ewing 

18. OTP OF THE YEAR (you will go down with this ship!)

-Gretchen & Daniel from Prisoner of Night and Fog by Anne Blankman
-Paige & Max from The Start of Me and You by Emery Lord

19. Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year

-Erin and her mom from Positively Beautiful by Wendy Mills.

20. Favorite Book You Read in 2014 From An Author You’ve Read Previously

-The Start of Me and You by Emery Lord

-Don't Look Back by Jennifer Lynn Armentrout

21. Best Book You Read In 2014 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure:

-17 First Kisses by Rachael Allen

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2014?

-Raffe from The Kiss of Deception

-Max from The Start of Me and You

-Daniel from Prisoner of Night and Fog

-Bodie from Faking Normal

23. Best 2014 debut you read?

 -Faking Normal by Courtney C. Stevens

24. Best Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?

 -The Young Elites by Marie Lu
-The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson

25. Book That Put A Smile On Your Face/Was The Most FUN To Read?

-Top Ten Clues You're Clueless by Liz Czukas

26. Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2014?

-Positively Beautiful by Wendy Mills

-The Start of Me and You by Emery Lord

27. Hidden Gem Of The Year?

-Pointe by Brandy Colbert. So good and so under-appreciated.

28. Book That Crushed Your Soul?

-Positively Beautiful by Wendy Mills
-The Start of Me and You by Emery Lord

29. Most Unique Book You Read In 2014?

-Beware the Wild by Natalie C. Parker
-Feral by Holly Schindler

30. Book That Made You The Most Mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?

-Things You Kiss Goodbye by Leslie Connor. This book absolutely infuriated me.

1. New favorite book blog you discovered in 2014? 

-Too numerous to count. I found some great ones though.

2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2014? 

-Don't Look Back by Jennifer Lynn Armentrout.

3. Best discussion/non-review post you had on your blog?

-The Healing Process- Where I talked about life after the ending of an engagement and how I was doing since finding out I was being cheated on.

4. Best event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, memes, etc.)?

-The virtual event that Bloomsbury held for their reviewers. It allowed us to see what books Bloomsbury had coming out in the Spring of 2015. It was such a fun event.

5. Best moment of bookish/blogging life in 2014?

-Again, Bloomsbury's getting a lot of love from me. My best moment would have to be when I started receiving the upcoming catalogs in my email. It may sound weird, but that was when I really started to feel significant.

7. Most Popular Post This Year On Your Blog (whether it be by comments or views)?

-2014 Debut Authors Bash- 101 views

8. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?

-If We Were Having Coffee #1- This was cathartic for me and I was excited to do it. 

9. Best bookish discover (book related sites, book stores, etc.)?

-Book Outlet. I've placed two orders with them and have gotten so many awesome books at majorly discounted prices.

10.  Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year?

 -Aside from the Goodreads Challenge that I blew out of the water, I really didn't reach any of the goals I had set for myself at the beginning of the year.

1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2014 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2015?

 -The Devil You Know by Trish Doller

2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2015 (non-debut)?

-What You Left Behind by Jessica Verdi

-Things We Know By Heart by Jessi Kirby

3. 2015 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

 4. Series Ending/A Sequel You Are Most Anticipating in 2015?

This is going to be yet another difficult category

-Ensnared (Splintered #3) by A.G. Howard

-The Heart of Betrayal (The Remnant Chronicles #2) by Mary E. Pearson

-Diamonds Are Forever ( The Secret Diamond Sisters #3) by Michelle Madow

5. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging Life In 2015?

 -Go to YallWest in April since BEA is still a bit pricey for me.

6. A 2015 Release You’ve Already Read & Recommend To Everyone:

                                            -The Start of Me and You by Emery Lord

                                -Positively Beautiful by Wendy Mills

So, tell me some of your favorite books of 2014.

Review: Top Ten Clues You're Clueless by Liz Czukas

Book Title: Top Ten Clues You're Clueless

Author: Liz Czukas

Published Date: December 9th, 2014

Publisher: HarperTeen

Genre: YA Contemporary

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Book Link: Goodreads

Purchase Links: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, The Book Depository

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Top Five Things That Are Ruining Chloe’s Day

5) Working the 6:30 a.m. shift at GoodFoods Market

4) Crashing a cart into a customer’s car right in front of her snarky coworker Sammi

3) Trying to rock the “drowned rat” look after being caught in a snowstorm

2) Making zero progress with her crush, Tyson (see #3)

1) Being accused—along with her fellow teenage employees—of stealing upwards of $10,000

Chloe would rather be anywhere than locked in work jail (aka the break room) with five of her coworkers . . . even if one of them is Tyson. But if they can band together to clear their names, what looks like a total disaster might just make Chloe’s list of Top Ten Best Moments. 

Disclaimer: I received this e-ARC from HarperTeen via Edelweiss in exchange for my honest review.

Review:

So flippin' CUTE! Gahhh, this book was exactly what I needed. It was primarily fluff, with a mystery embedded in it. The characters were interesting and dynamic. I actually liked all of them the same amount, and that hardly ever happens to me. I liked Tyson, Chloe, Sammi, Gabe, Zaina, Micah, at all the same level.

This book was filled with hilarious moments, sweet moments and even a few serious moments. I love books that manage to weave together all these things, and weave it in well.

"When people are shitty to you, it can really mess you up."

That was one of the quotes that hit me like a ton of bricks. I have had people be shitty to me and it not only really hurts, it makes you doubt yourself. Or at least it did that to me. It was a painful reminder of when people had hurt me. That moment was actually an unexpected feelsy moment for me.

"People assume that beautiful girls are sluts,"

That was another quote that made me reflect on my own high school experience. It was definitely true that the most beautiful girls in school were considered sluts. Most of the jocks felt like these girls were gorgeous and would absolutely sleep with them.

Chloe had her own battle to deal with. She has a secret: She's had diabetes since she was little and no one at work knows about this. Being diabetic and forced to stay at work under suspicion of theft, that puts her health in question. She feels her blood sugar dropping, but still resists telling anyone.

I found the mystery too predictable. I knew early on who had done it and I was pleased to find out that I was right. That was the disappointing part to me. I was hoping for some twists and turns, but I guess this book wasn't long enough for that.

I liked Chloe & Tyson as friends, and the romance part of this story really didn't work for me. That was a bit disappointing, but I was able to get over it because the rest of the book was so charming & adorable.This book was really cute, but the romance didn't work for me, and the mystery was predictable. However, the whole book was overall very cute. So I'll be giving this book 4 stars. I'll definitely read more of Czukas' books, and I'm very glad I read this book.

Release Week Blitz: Wicked by Jennifer L. Armentrout

We are over the moon excited to bring you the Release Day Launch for Jennifer L. Armentrout's WICKED! WICKED is a New Adult Paranormal Romance and the first book in Jennifer’s Wicked Trilogy!

   

Amazon **Barnes & Noble ** iBooks ** Kobo

  WICKED Synopsis

Things are about to get Wicked in New Orleans. Twenty-two year old Ivy Morgan isn’t your average college student. She, and others like her, know humans aren’t the only thing trolling the French Quarter for fun… and for food. Her duty to the Order is her life. After all, four years ago, she lost everything at the hands of the creatures she’d sworn to hunt, tearing her world and her heart apart. Ren Owens is the last person Ivy expected to enter her rigidly controlled life. He’s six feet and three inches of temptation and swoon-inducing charm. With forest-green eyes and a smile that’s surely left a stream of broken hearts in its wake, he has an uncanny, almost unnatural ability to make her yearn for everything he has to offer. But letting him in is as dangerous as hunting the cold-blooded killers stalking the streets.

Losing the boy she loved once before had nearly destroyed her, but the sparking tension that grows between them becomes impossible for Ivy to deny. Deep down, she wants… she needs more than what her duty demands of her, what her past has shaped for her. But as Ivy grows closer to Ren, she realizes she’s not the only one carrying secrets that could shatter the frail bond between them. There’s something he’s not telling her, and one thing is for certain. She’s no longer sure what is more dangerous to her—the ancient beings threatening to take over the town or the man demanding to lay claim to her heart and her soul.

 

Excerpt:

He left me standing there as he disappeared into the bathroom, and I tried to make sense of what just happened. All I knew was that the punch-in-the-chest sadness that came whenever I thought of Shaun wasn’t there. And I didn’t know what to make of that.

Or anything.

Taking a deep breath, I put my clothes on his dresser and all but dashed into the bed, and good Lord, the mattress was comfy! I scooted to the middle and froze, having no idea what side he slept on or if he had a side. I totally had a side—always the furthest away from closet doors because I was a dork. Straightening the shirt out so my undies weren’t saying hi to the world, I tugged the blanket up to my hips and lay flat on my back.

I so needed an adult to explain to me what the hell I was supposed to do from this point on.

There wasn’t much time to stress over it because Ren returned from the bathroom. His ever-present half grin spread as he saw me. I clutched the blanket, my breath caught in my throat. My heart pounded so fast that I wondered if I was going to have a heart attack, and God, wouldn’t that be embarrassing. I swallowed nervously and willed my heart to slow.

Turning off the lamp, shadows fell around Ren, but when he faced me, I could tell that he’d frozen. I couldn’t make out his expression as he bent, taking a hold of the covers on his side.

“Ivy?”

“Hmm?”

He slowly edged the covers back from his side and climbed in, and although I couldn’t make out his eyes, I knew he was watching me. “I’m happy that you’re here.”

My fingers eased off the blanket.

As he stretched out beside me, my eyes adjusted to the lack of light, and I could see that he was smiling. “Are you?”

“Yeah,” I whispered.

“Good. That’s all I wanted to hear.”

Wow, the warmth that flooded my chest could’ve turned me into a puddle of goo in that bed. I waited for him to make a move on me, but seconds ticked by. He seriously was behaving himself. I dared a quick peek at him, and found I could not look away.

Ren lifted his arm closest to me, and a heartbeat passed. I hesitated for a moment, and then, my heart pounding even more, I slid over until my leg brushed his. He curved his arm around my waist and drew me up against his side, guiding me down until I was nestled against his warm, bare chest. Another moment passed and then I lowered my cheek, and the simple pleasure of lying like this nearly broke me right open.

   

About Jennifer L. Armentrout:
# 1 NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki. Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV. She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

Website ** Facebook ** Twitter ** Novel Goodreads ** Author Goodreads

Release Day: Last Will and Testament (Radleigh University #1) by Dahlia Adler

Title: Last Will and Testament

Author: Dahlia Adler

Pub date: December 9, 2014

Series: Radleigh University

Book Link: Goodreads

Purchase Links: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo, Smashwords

Synopsis

Lizzie Brandt was valedictorian of her high school class, but at Radleigh University, all she's acing are partying and hooking up with the wrong guys. But all that changes when her parents are killed in a tragic accident, making her guardian to her two younger brothers. To keep them out of foster care, she'll have to fix up her image, her life, and her GPA—fast. Too bad the only person on campus she can go to for help is her humorless, pedantic Byzantine History TA, Connor Lawson, who isn't exactly Lizzie's biggest fan.

But Connor surprises her. Not only is he a great tutor, but he’s also a pretty great babysitter. And chauffeur. And listener. And he understands exactly what it’s like to be on your own before you're ready. Before long, Lizzie realizes having a responsible-adult type around has its perks... and that she'd like to do some rather irresponsible (but considerably adult) things with him as well. Good thing he's not the kind of guy who'd ever reciprocate.

Until he does.

Until they turn into far more than teacher and student.

Until the relationship that helped put their lives back together threatens everything they both have left.

Dahlia Adler is author and lover of YA & NA. Blogger, and macaron fanatic.

Review: There Will Be Lies by Nick Lake

Book Title: There Will Be Lies

Author: Nick Lake

Published Date: January 6th, 2015

Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's

Genre: YA Mystery

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Book Link: Goodreads

Pre-Order Links: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, The Book Depository

Synopsis from Goodreads:

In four hours, Shelby Jane Cooper will be struck by a car.

Shortly after, she and her mother will leave the hospital and set out on a winding journey toward the Grand Canyon.

All Shelby knows is that they’re running from dangers only her mother understands. And the further they travel, the more Shelby questions everything about her past—and her current reality. Forced to take advantage of the kindness of unsuspecting travelers, Shelby grapples with what’s real, what isn’t, and who she can trust . . . if anybody.

Award-winning author Nick Lake proves his skills as a master storyteller in this heart-pounding new novel. This emotionally charged thrill ride leads to a shocking ending that will have readers flipping back to the beginning.

Disclaimer: I received this ARC from Bloomsbury Children's in exchange for my honest review.

Review:
I really was massively excited about this book. I absolutely love mysteries and have read some really awesome ones lately. I hadn't read anything by Nick Lake before so I was nervous, I really wanted to enjoy this book as the premise sounded so fascinating.

Unfortunately the book really let me down and I struggled every single day with picking it up. No one wants to struggle to read a book, so the fact that I was doing it made me miserable. There were various reasons that this one didn't work for me, but I'm just gonna highlight a few of them.

Firstly, and more importantly, I felt like I was reading two separate books. The mythology of Coyote and the trickster gods didn't interest me at all and I flipped through those parts. I was more interested in Shelby and her mom. I think if the mythology bits had been woven into the story more effectively, I would have been able to enjoy it more. The sections about Shelby and her mom were far more interesting and I found myself devouring those parts. I was invested in Shelby's story, but I was not invested at all in the mythology bits.

My second issue is connected to the first issue. It's about the pacing. Pacing can be a really big deal to me depending on how the rest of the book is going. Sometimes it can save a book, sometimes it can sink a book. The pacing in this book was very choppy and I think that was due to the constant shift from Shelby's story to the mythology bits. The bits with Shelby and her mom were fascinating and paced well, while the bits with the mythology made me sleepy and bored. 

The editing. It didn't hit me until I was about 30 pages into the book that there were no quotation marks. None. Apparently we were supposed to just know that having italicized text meant someone was talking. I was extremely frustrated by that. It seemed very lazy to be totally honest, which is another thing that I didn't enjoy about the book.

I really liked Shelby as a narrator. She was interesting and I actually cared about her and what happened to her. Could her character been developed better? Hell yes. However, she was still the strongest part of the book for me. Having her be deaf was extremely fascinating to me as I had never read a book with a deaf narrator before, so that aspect was very interesting to me.

Overall, this book did not work for me. I am really bummed about that, but no one is going to love every book. I did like Shelby as a narrator, but she was not enough to save the book for me. I am going to give this book 2 stars. It had a great premise, but it was not executed well.