Breathe

Author: Abbi Glines
Release Date: June 4, 2013
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 333
Genre: Young Adult, New Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Summary

Sadie White's summer job is at the beach, but she won't be working as a lifeguard. Since her mom is pregnant and refuses to work, Sadie will be taking over as a domestic servant for a wealthy family on a nearby island.

When the family arrives at their summer getaway, Sadie is surprised to learn that the owner of the house is Jax Stone, one of the hottest teen rockers in the world. If Sadie were normal--if she hadn't spent her life raising her mother and taking care of the house--maybe she'd be excited about working for a rock star. But she's not. 

Even though Sadie isn't impressed by Jax's fame, he is drawn to her. Everything about Sadie fascinates Jax, but he fights his attraction: Relationships never work in his world, and as badly as he wants Sadie, he believes she deserves more. Yet as the summer stretches on, Jax's passion leaves him breathless--and Sadie feels like the only source of oxygen.

Can their love overcome their lifestyles? One breath at a time, they're going to find out.

The Rundown

I love a good, steamy romance. Who doesn't? I loved Until Friday Night by Abbi Glines when I read it last fall, so when I stumbled upon her earlier YA/NA Sea Breeze series, I figured I'd be hooked.

Sadly, I was wrong.

This is the part of reviewing that I don't like: when you've loved an author's book and grab another one by them only to be less than thrilled. 

Don't worry, when the sequel to Until Friday Night comes out in August, I'll be sitting on ready to read it!

But Breathe...hmm.

Okay, now I read the description thinking, "Alright, I can get into this sexy spin on Cinderella you're throwing out." I can be down for a hot rags-to-riches love story.

Breathe was just so far out there for me that I couldn't even finish it. I gave it a solid three chapters before I was starting to get a twitch from rolling my eyes. I skimmed the middle. I made sure the end was what I imagined. And saved myself around 300 pages of barely realistic nonsense and flat characters.

Bummer. 

But wait! There's hope! The Sea Breeze series has a total of nine books, so there has to be something there for it to have kept up even if I personally couldn't get into the first book. Abbi Glines writes truly wonderful contemporary fiction and walks that line between YA & NA beautifully, but this one just wasn't my thing.

Rating: 2 Stars. Meh, not for me. 

This Is Where It Ends

Author: Marieke Nijkamp
Release Date: January 5, 2016
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Pages: 285
Genre: Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Thriller, GLBT

Summary

10:00 a.m. The principal of Opportunity High School finishes her speech, welcoming the entire student body to a new semester and encouraging them to excel and achieve.

10:02 a.m. The students get up to leave the auditorium for their next class.

10:03 a.m. The auditorium doors won't open. 

10:05 a.m. Someone starts shooting.

Told from four different perspectives over the span of fifty-four harrowing minutes, terror reigns as one student's calculated revenge turns into the ultimate game of survival. -Goodreads Summary

The Rundown

I'm so torn with how to review this book. The plot was intense and kept me at a binge reading level until I finished it. But the characters and issues addressed could have been done so much better than what they were.

Allow me to explain.

School shootings in the US is such a hot button topic right now. As someone who started middle school in the shadow of Columbine, I wanted this book to be something...more? I wanted it to dive deep. I wanted to know what makes someone just go off the deep end and hurt their classmates, their educators, and themselves. 

Instead, we never saw things from Tyler's (the shooter) perspective. I think giving him a voice in the story would have given me the depth I was craving. We learn from flashbacks from the other four narrators that Tyler was from a once respected and now troubled family in town. He was close with his sister, Autumn. He once dated the star track runner, Claire. Others thought him a little odd but harmless. He was a good student. All the narration talks about a time when he was different. But why? When? How? 

Answering these questions by either giving Tyler his own narration or going to flashbacks of a revealing conversation with one of the other voices in the story could have cleared this up. I wanted to get inside of his head, to know what the breaking point was that took him from classmate to murderer. This would have given Tyler a human touch. Instead, we learn he was a rapist. We see him randomly killing others and laughing. When it came to Tyler, it was hard for me to shake the image of an old-timey villain twisting his handlebar mustache.

The points of view we get are that of Claire (Tyler's ex), Autumn (Tyler's sister), Sylv (Autumn's girlfriend), and Tomas (Sylv's twin brother). I did appreciate that the flashbacks each narrator had showed some of the complexities in how we all relate to one another. The connections of siblings and romantic partners. They were all diverse. They all had a reason to fear Tyler wouldn't stop shooting until they were dead. 

But the deep issues faced by these characters: surviving rape, physical abuse, coming out, racism...it just fell flat. There wasn't that gripping emotion behind it. So much in this novel could have been expanded on.

This is Where It Ends had all of the potential to be THE talked about YA novel of 2016, but this plot driven thriller fell flat with underdeveloped characters and a void of real emotion.

Sigh. But I did love the cover!

Rating: 2 Stars. Meh, not for me.

3-2-1 Cakes

Do your teens like doing cooking projects? On a time crunch? Only have access to a microwave? If you're nodding your head, let me tell you about 3-2-1 cakes my friend!

I first came across this bit of genius about four years ago, when I was in a friend's wedding and her mom made up recipe cards for all of the bridesmaids and this was one of them. As a general rule, I'm more of a salty snacker, but these are perfect for those sweet tooth cravings! Single serve cakes that take just one minute to make!

What You'll Need

1 box of angel food cake mix (the add water only kind)
1 box of any flavor cake mix
Water
1 Gallon Ziploc bag
A tablespoon measuring spoon 
A microwave save mug or bowl

Directions

Pour the angel food cake mix & other cake mix (we used confetti cake mix because sprinkles make everything better) into the plastic bag, seal, and shake to mix.

Add 3 tablespoons of the cake mix to your mug or bowl. 

Add 2 tablespoons of water to your mug or bowl.

Stir.

Heat in the microwave for 1 minute.

Enjoy!! See why they're called 3-2-1 cakes? I think they're delicious as is, but experiment with cake flavors and toppings! Fresh fruit, chocolate chips, whipped cream...the possibilities are endless! 

All Played Out

Author: Cora Carmack
Release Date: May 12, 2015
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Pages: 321
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance, College/Academic, Sports

Summary

First person in her family to go to college? CHECK.
Straight A's? CHECK.
On track to graduate early? CHECK.
Social life?.....yeah, about that....

With just a few weeks until she graduates, Antonella DeLuca's beginning to worry that maybe she hasn't had the full college experience. (Okay...scratch that. She knows she hasn't had the full college experience.)

So Nell does what a smart, dedicated girl like herself does best. She makes a "to do" list of normal college activities.

Item #1? Hook up with a jock.

Rusk University wide receiver Mateo Torres practically wrote the playbook for normal college living. When he's not on the field, he excels at partying, girls, and more partying. As long as he keeps things light and easy, it's impossible to get hurt...again. But something about the shy, quiet, sexy-as-hell Nell gets under his skin, and when he learns about her list, he makes it his mission to help her complete it. 

Torres is the definition of confident (And sexy. And wild.), and he opens up a side of Nell that she's never known. But as they being to check off each crazy, exciting, normal item, Nell finds that her frivolous list leads to something more serious than she bargained for. And while Torres is used to taking risks on the field, he has to decide if he's willing to take the chance when it's more than just a game. 

Together they will have to decide if what they have is just part of the experiment or a chance at something real. -Goodreads description

The Rundown

Cora Carmack why are you so great? 

I'm always going to be a little biased when I review her books because her Losing It series was my intro to the New Adult genre a few years ago. And it was sweet, hot love at first read! She writes characters you cheer for and fun, flirty, smart stories that you'll have a hard time putting down. To think some of my now favorite authors I may never have discovered if I hadn't picked up Cora's first book...

Anyways I'm getting off track. But that's okay. Reviewing NA should be like gabbing with your besties!

So. Here we are! Back at Rusk University for the third installment in the series! I had hoped for a Torres book ever since I met him in All Lined Up (Dallas & Carson's story). But then Silas unexpectedly and totally stole my little reader heart in All Broke Down and I was like, "Oh my! Can Torres bring it like that?" Trust me, it was brought and then some!

Torres is the kind of guy that is so easy to fall for. Sure of himself. Funny. Life of the party. And hot. Nell is the type of student I wish I had been in college: super focused, beautiful, on track to graduate early with a degree in a cutting edge field. This is definitely a pairing of opposites attracting and testing their limits and shedding their pasts to come together for the real thing. 

After the really tough subjects addressed in All Broke Down, All Played Out was like a warm summer breeze. A little cheesy, I know. But seriously, you will laugh as the two set off together to conquer Nell's list and realize they're both capable of great love in the process. This story is equal parts steam, heart, and humor! Perfect for fans of Jay Crownover, Molly McAdams, and Colleen Hoover!

Rating: 4 Stars! A really great & enjoyable read! 

The Art of Being Normal

Author: Lisa Williamson
Release Date: May 31, 2016
Publisher: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux (BYR)
Pages: 352 
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, GLBT

*I received this book as a NetGalley ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Summary

David Piper has always been an outsider. His parents think he's gay. The school bully thinks he's a freak. Only his two best friends know the real truth: David wants to be a girl. 

On the first day at his new school Leo Denton has one goal: to be invisible. Attracting the attention of the most beautiful girl in his class is definitely not part of that plan. When Leo stands up for David in a fight, an unlikely friendship forms. But things are about to get messy. Because at Eden Park School secrets have a funny habit of not staying secret for long, and soon everyone knows that Leo used to be a girl. 

As David prepares to come out to his family and transition into life as a girl and Leo wrestles with figuring out how to deal with people who try to define him through his history, they find in each other the friendship and support they need to navigate life as transgender teens as well as the courage to decide for themselves what normal really means. -Goodreads descripton

The Rundown


Wow!! 2016 is shaping up to be an outstanding year in YA contemporary fiction! 

I have to admit that this is the first YA book I've read with transgender teens as the main characters. Let me tell you, The Art of Being Normal set the bar high!


Lisa Williamson took what can be a tough issue and told the story of the everyday lives of two transgender teens in a way that was funny, honest, respectful, and both heartwarming and heartbreaking at times. I really felt like it had all the elements of a good YA coming-of-age with awesome characters who just happen to be transgender.

Although romance does play a role in the story it is by no means the focus. This is definitely a tale of the strong friendship between Leo & David and how amazing it feels to find someone else who truly knows what you are going through. Tense family relationships, bullying, sexuality, and class differences are themes that are also tackled brilliantly. 

Leo's character was a lot better developed, but in a way that made the story work. He had already been living as his identified gender for a while and by being new at school, was able to come in as a boy without any of his classmates remembering him before his transition. David, who is a little younger than Leo, has yet to discuss that he identifies as female with his parents and feels trapped in a male body that he hates and doesn't recognize. Even though Leo had a much more interesting story with family drama and his reason for transferring to a new school, David's good-natured heart will win readers over. 

Teens and adults alike, especially fans of David Levithan, should add this to their summer reading list!

Rating: 4 Stars! A really great & enjoyable read!

Get Out & Read Summer Challenge

As we're now less than a week from Summer Reading Kickoff at my library, I thought I'd share something new I'm trying this summer. In the past I'd always had kind of a ho-hum SRP. I serve a medium sized library in Central Indiana, so getting around 30 teens signed up each summer seemed great to me until I realized it was kind of boring. Okay it was a lot of boring. Teens could pick up a small prize each week as long as they'd read a new novel. Once they read 7 novels, they got a ticket in the drawing for the big prize (usually a gift card) and a free book. I don't know who came up with the number 7. I don't know who came up with the once a week thing either. It was just how we'd always done it and boy am I ready for a shake up! 

I decided to play off a summer bucket list style this summer. There's all sorts of easy, fun, free activities that teens can do here in our community or anywhere! Examples include: attending a library program, reading anything for an hour, finishing a book, and visiting any park. 

If teens complete any 10 activities, they get a grab bag prize and a free book. If they complete any 25 activities, they get an invitation to the End of Summer Reading Bash and a ticket in the big prize drawing. If they complete all 50, they get another free book and 5 tickets into the big prize drawing. This could flop. Or I could be starting a way more fun SRP this year! I can't wait to get some feed back from my Teen Advisory Group this fall! 

To see my Get Out & Read Summer Challenge sheet, click here. Feel free to borrow or tweak to make it work for your library!

It's a Wonderful Death

Author: Sarah J. Schmitt
Release Date: October 6, 2015
Publisher: Sky Pony Press
Pages: 320
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Humor

Summary 

Seventeen-year-old RJ always gets what she wants. So when her soul is accidentally collected by a distracted Grim Reaper, somebody in the afterlife better figure out a way to send her back from the dead or heads will roll. But in her quest for mortality, she becomes a pawn in a power struggle an overzealous archangel and Death Himself. The tribunal presents her with two options: she can remain in the lobby, where souls wait to be processed, until her original life expires, or she can replay three moments in her life in an effort to make choices that will result in a future worthy of being saved. It sounds like a no-brainer. She'll take a walk down memory lane. How hard can changing her future be?

But with each changing moment, RJ's life begins to unravel, until this self-proclaimed queen bee is a social pariah. She begins to wonder if walking among the living is really worth it if she has to spend the next sixty years as an outcast. Too quickly, RJ finds herself back in limbo, her time on Earth once again up for debate. -Goodreads description 

The Rundown

This book was totally not what I was expecting in the best way possible! 

RJ is seriously your classic mean girl, ruling the school with pom poms and intimidation. When a Grim Reaper makes a mistake of collecting her soul (right before Homecoming no less!) there's hell to pay. But bullies don't matter in Heaven. What does matter is a well-lived life and a soul worth saving, neither of which RJ has in her court.

From there, RJ sets off to get her life back by changing the past. With each moment of redemption she learns that what's right and what's easy rarely go hand in hand. Even though the changes she made have put her on a path that's much better than the one she was on, has she changed enough to convince a tribunal of angels that she's said goodbye her mean girl ways for good?

I honestly don't know if I laughed or cried more while I read this book. It was hilarious and full of teachable moments (you know those quotes you want to plaster on your bathroom mirror). Death Himself is a surfer. Saint Peter plays cornhole to pass the time. If that image doesn't make you smile, smile anyway. It's a fun thought! Readers will be thinking about life, love, and the choices made every day that change things we can't begin to imagine long after the last page! 

Highly recommended to fantasy lovers and reluctant readers!

Rating: 4 Stars. A really great & enjoyable read!