On the Fence by Kasie West- Review

**I was provided with an ARC by the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

On the Fence by Kasie West

Charlie Reynolds is not like the other girls. She's a tomboy, not the girly-girl type. She can outrun and outsmart any guy she wants to which is what makes her so special. When she is forced to work at some lame fashion place to pay off her speeding ticket(s), everything just completely changes for her.  She slowly develops into someone who she's just the opposite of. She relieves herself with almost-daily fence chat with her brother/actually neighbor Braden. But really, he's just making it worse. And worse. And worse. 

This book needs to turn into a film! Oh my gosh, oh how I wish I was Charlie. I was laughing my butt off so hard, and holy crap I  just want three hot brothers and a hot neighbor. Okay, so maybe that's a little weird (especially the hot brothers), but I'm telling you, you'll understand when you read this. 

 Charlie (Charlotte) is a tomboy who's not your typical girl. She dreads makeup, would wear sneakers over heels anyday, and wears athletic clothes all the time. She's great at sports, and would kick your ass anytime playing. When she crosses the line with all the speeding tickets she gets, she has to work at some chic boutique to pay off her debt. The thing is, it changes her. She starts wearing... makeup (ohmigod) and actually dresses nice! It's not like her at all. Along the way, she develops feelings for Braden. She's seriously devoted to just staying friends, because anymore than that and it could ruin them for good. She just can't help it.

She doesn't know how to act properly to everything. Her mother died when she was a young child, so her dad and her three- well, four- brothers were the only people to help. 

This book was freaking amazing. It's the perfect light summer romance read. It's so romantic in a quirky way, and I laughed way too much at some parts. It's just like a sad romantic comedy book. 

The guys in this book are sooooo dreamy. Especially Braden. Oh yes, you will want Braden. He's strong, cute, athletic, and caring. Charlie's brothers are the same, but if you're a guy and you hit on Charlie even the teeniest bit, you're going down. They won't hesitate to punch you. I just can't get enough of her brothers. They're so geeky and cute. 
I loved the characters. Especially the realness of her brothers. They were playful and fun when they had to be, and protective/ big brothery when they had to be. And her father acted like how a father would at times where he was raising a daughter by himself. The characterization was perfect. 
There was not one negative aspect of this book. It was written so smoothly, and I didn't get bored. Even during parts where I usually would skim, I made myself not. The author didn't overwrite any descriptive parts. 

Referring to my statement earlier, I seriously want to be Charlie. I also don't, but for the most part do. She's tall (5'11), athletic, pretty, strong, and charismatic. She just has many struggles in her life when she falls for Braden, dates the wrong guy, finds out the real truth, and becomes an entirely different person. Charlie is in a war with her enemy being herself. Only one side of her can win. I just adored her personality overall, despite any lashing out. 

West has written an amazing summer read. She had me saying

-Omg 

-AWEEEE

-Well now I'm depressed

- Can I date him like plz

and when finally finished

-I CAN'T EVENNNNNN OH MY GOD THESE FEELINGS ARE JUST HOLY CRAP HE'S SO SWEET AND D'AWWW

 It's such an adorable love story that you won't be able to put down. I would know, I read it twice!  It's intriguing enough to make you want to devour the whole thing in a day if you're just that interested (which you will be). The ending seems like a HEA, but I know that she's just trying to live off the pain. 

Buy this if you want a quirky, cute, and sweet guys. It has just a right amount of all. This is her third book, and three is a charm :) She hit the nail right on the head with this book. I cannot wait to read more of her amazing contemporaries. 

Rating: 5/5 stars 

Platform: ARC

Pages: 304

Age Target: 13+

Publisher: HarperTeen

Release Date: July 1 2014

Find it on:

Goodreads

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

The Boyfriend List by E. Lockhart- Review

Introducing: The Boyfriend List by E. Lockhart 

**All opinions below are mine and nobody elses**

15 year old Ruby Oliver suddenly started having panic attacks all of a sudden, after some crazy debacles during her freshman(?) year. Within a 10 day period she:

-Lost her boyfriend (boy #13)

- Lost her best friend

-Lost all her other friends

-Learned gory details about her now-ex-boyfriend's sexual adventures

-Did something shockingly advanced with a boy (boy #15)

-Did something suspicious with a boy (boy #10)

-Had an argument with a boy (boy #14)

-Drank her first beer

-Got caught by her mom

-Lost a lacrosse game

-Failed a math test

-Hurt Megan's feelings

-Had graffiti written about her in the girls' bathroom

-Became a leper

- and a famous slut.

Yeah, a lot isn't it? After about 5 panic attacks, she finds herself stuck with Doctor Z., her therapist. 

 The book is flat out hilarious! You won't want to do anything else except read when this is in your hands.

            Okay most will admit that once they heard the title of the book, and saw the cover, they were mislead by it. It's not exactly a book that will appeal to people at first. But seriously, they are missing out. The ceramic frog resembles something that pops up later in the book, and the title just fits.

 I totally related to Ruby (she narrates the book) as I read this. Ruby's personality is so quirky! Even considering all that  bad stuff did happen, she's not a total optimist about her situation but neither is she a pessimist.  More of a realist if you will.  Most of the time, she makes idiotic mistakes (sorry Ruby), but the ones that happen to her make sense. It fits well.
When Lockhart tells the story, she describes it in great detail,  and you just think it's all happening to you. Which half the time isn't necessarily a bad thing.  Make that 1/4 of the time.

This book has fun little footnotes which  are really unique and they work out well with this kind of plot. The plot isn't rushed, but at one moment it felt as if it could have been written better.

The author has great potential, and I just love this series even though I'm not done. I just know I'll like the rest of the books. She may have been in her thirties when she wrote this, but her mind is like a teenager's. She is officially added to my not-yet-made list of favorite authors. Haha. :)

Overall, this is an eccentric, quirky and feel good novel that all pre-teens/teens should read.
Ruby Oliver lives to tell the tale!

Rating: 5/5 stars

Platform I read it on: Paperback from Amazon
Pages: 229

Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Goodreads
E.Lockhart's Website

Have a safe summer everyone!

☆ The Fault in Our Stars by John Green- Review ☆

The movie came out this Friday and I hope everyone got the chance to see it! If you went on June 5th you got a signed poster and bracelet. Although I'm a tad late, I'm going to post my review in honor of it.   I've read many books, but none were as great as this one. 

**Any opinions below are mine and nobody elses.**

I've read many books, but none were as great as this one. If you haven't heard of this book, here's a summary in my perspective: Hazel Grace Lancaster, a 16 year old cancer patient, is diagnosed as clinically depressed. Her doctor and parents, her mother mostly, thinks she needs to get out a little more. This means that her mother is pretty much forcing her to go to support group. Relenting, she goes, but has a sucky first day. It's pretty boring to her. But then, a charming boy named Augustus Waters comes around, which changes everything.  Together, they begin to solve a question.

How will they be remembered in future life?

Green wrote a sad, tragic, yet beautiful book. He handles the heavy material in a way that most likely doesn't offend anyone  who might be sensitive to the topics he writes about. John Green knows what it's like to be dying without actually dying.

I would highly recommend that teens, adults, even mature kids pick this book up. It's a book that makes you think differently about life. In my opinion, there's a moral in the book saying "Don't take life for granted." or "Life's too short to live on fear." I mean, life is too short anyways. By the way, this book is an emotional rollercoaster, so keep tissues handy. You can thank me later.

It's a beautifully written novel about love, life, and death, and it really makes you question yourself. The characters are so madly in love, but it's not in a harsh way. It's not something you'd exactly find hot (but Augustus is *cue creepy winky face*) I've never read a book or spectated a relationship with a connection as strong as the one Hazel and Augustus share.  Opinions may argue on the ending, but maybe it made the characters discover that the whole ending isn't sad. Maybe it was meant to happen, for closure. Green wrote a sad, tragic, yet beautiful book. He handles the heavy material in a way that most likely doesn't offend anyone  who might be sensitive to the topics he writes about. John Green knows what it's like to be dying without actually dying.

My star rating: 5/5 stars 

Would give six stars if I  could.

Platform I read this on: Hardcover from Library

Pages: 318

Favorite quotes:

Okay? Okay.

Maybe Okay will be our Always.

I'm on a rollercoaster that only goes up, my friend.

My thoughts are stars I cannot fathom into constellations.

It would be a privilege to have my heart broken by you.

How will you be remembered in future life?

Interview with Melissa Groeling

Hey, everyone!
 I'm pleased to have Author Melissa Groeling here on my blog today, for an interview. Below are a couple questions I have asked Melissa (questions = highlighted in black and blue) and her answers to them (answers = purple color).  
       I met Melissa about a month ago and she is one amazing lady! You should definitely check her out. I'll have some info on her towards the end. 

But I'll just let Melissa do the talking for now. 
1.What's your author name? Do you have multiple?

In order to keep things simple, I stick with one name and one name only: Melissa Groeling :)

2. What do you write about?

 I write about whatever pops into my mind. I know, it’s a vague answer, right? But seriously. I can’t sit down and say, “Okay, I want to write about purple cats and three-legged iguanas who team up to fight a slew of warlocks.” My ideas have to literally come from nowhere. It makes the writing process much more fun.

3. Who is your targeted audience?

Anyone willing to get their heart rate going!

4. Who/What inspired you with the idea of your first book?

Traffic Jam came to me while I was watching MSNBC.com which is kind of hysterically weird because I never watch the news…especially while on vacation, which is exactly where I was when I got the idea! It was the perfect story line for Val and Sam, the two main characters, who were kicking around in my head for a long time before Traffic Jam was even born.

5. Tell us a little bit about your cover art. Who designed it? Why did you go with that

particular image/artwork?

I love this cover! My cousin’s husband, Joey, designed it for me. He was so good about taking the pretty vague instructions I gave him and creating something completely awesome. I remember telling him that I didn’t want any full-on faces on the cover. I always find that takes away from the reader’s imagination when it comes to imagining what the characters look like. So he gave me part of a face and the tear coming down was the perfect touch of misery.

6. Who is your favorite character from your book and why?

As much as I love Val, I find myself torn between John and Jude. The two of them are completely misunderstood. They stand for something so much greater than what people see on the surface. The loyalty John has for his friends is so unheard of nowadays and Jude’s willingness to give up so much to stop what was going on, says oodles about his strength and character.

 7 .How about your least favorite character?  What makes them less appealing to you?

Hmmm…least favorite? That’s an interesting question. Let’s see…I’d have to say Brandon. To me, he embodies all the guys in high school who thought everyone was there for his own sick enjoyment. He was surprisingly easy to write because I knew a lot of guys like that and I’m sure it hasn’t changed any, has it?

8. Would you ever go back and change something about your first book?

No! I can’t! Seriously, if I change one thing then that leads to another thing, and then another and then another and before you know, the entire story is different. So to save my own sanity, I can’t change anything! lol

9. Give us an interesting fun fact or a few about your book or series:

Everything Val and Sam’s dad does is totally something my dad would do. If my sisters, my brother or I were getting in trouble at school, he would not have a problem marching us to school in front of everyone! There’s no room for embarrassment with my dad, I’ll tell you. Looking back, it’s pretty funny but when you’re in the moment…not so much.

10. What other books are similar to your own?  What makes them alike?

Honestly, I can’t think of any other books that are similar. Can you? Let me know if you think of any and I’ll check them out.

11. Do you have any unique talents or hobbies? I'll let you brag for a moment.

Heh heh. Did I ever tell you what a book nerd I am? Or how much I hate shopping? Or how much I love playing chess even though I’m no good at it? And I’m loud. Is being loud a talent? If it’s not, it should be. :)

12. Are you self published or do you have a publisher?

I do have a publisher—Black Opal Books. They’re really a great support system and very easy to talk to and work with, which is important when you’re pouring your heart out onto a page.

13. What book is your ABSOLUTE favorite?

Summer of Night by Dan Simmons, hands down. I’ve read that book at least 3 times and I’m sure I’ll be reading it again. The spine is so cracked, the pages will probably start coming out!

14. If you could sit on a bench with any author, alive or dead, who would it be?

Wow, that is such a good question. Let’s see…I’d say Mary Shelley. Who wouldn’t want to sit next to someone who created one of the most famous and saddest monsters in human history?

15. Anything you'd like to add?

Natasha—you are awesome! Thank you so much for having me!
Happy reading, girl!

16. Where can we check out your books? (provide links)

Here you go:

Amazon Author Page
  Traffic Jam on Amazon
  Traffic Jam on Goodreads
     Traffic Jam on B&N
       Traffic Jam on Smashwords
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Author Bio:
     Melissa Groeling graduated from Bloomsburg University with a degree in 
English. She lives, reads and writes in the Philadelphia region and wherever else 
life happens to send her. She is a hardcore New York Giants fan and loves 
chocolate. Lights Out is her second novel to date. 
Come find me at Facebook!

Twitter: @stringbean10

Blog: http://melissagroeling.blogspot.com

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Links to check her out on:

 Facebook

 Twitter

 Blogspot 

Amazon Author Page

 Goodreads (Traffic Jam)

 B&N ( Traffic Jam)

 Smashwords

 Doylestown Bookshop

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Traffic Jam: Blurb:

When you’re caught in traffic, you’ve got nowhere to go…

Val Delton’s life is spiraling and there’s nothing she can do to stop it. Her dad lost 

his job, her mom works fourteen hour days to pay the bills and yet somehow there are 

high-end shopping bags and an iPod in her older sister’s room. Naturally, Val becomes 

suspicious but her sister’s lips are sealed. Then by accident, she uncovers a dark, dangerous 

secret hidden behind her sister’s bright smiles and cool indifference. Val has no idea how 

far and how deep the repercussions of her sister’s secret will reach but she’ll do whatever it 

takes to keep her family safe. Will she succeed before her sister’s secret destroys everyone 

she loves?

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It was great having you, Melissa! It was great meeting you last month, too. I hope to see you again sometime, and  I wish you have a lot of success in your life and with your books. By the way, here's a little throwback to the YA Fest. 

Giveaway! (Now Closed)

Check out this giveaway of bookmarks that Karice Bolton kindly donated to us. Two winners! US only.
**Giveaway Closed**
Congrats to Paige and Tony! Winners have been contacted.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Criss Cross by Lynne Rae Perkins REVIEW

          I picked this book up from my school's library. From what I read on the back, it was enough to have me check it out. I read this book in a longer amount of time than usual, but it wasn't because of its length. It was because I had to actually devour the text and understand it, and I just didn't want to reach the end of the book.
       The characters that Perkins writes about... You can't help but feel sympathy for them. You feel like one of the characters in this book when you read it. I felt like giving them good luck at times, a hug when they needed it, felt like hitting them etc. You just empathize towards them, and you want to give them your condolences. They act as how really teenagers may act, but they're more thoughtful, you could say. The characters in this book are trying to find the meaning of life, really. But the author has written this book so it's done in a funny, serious, yet realistic manner. The whole book is like a masterpiece: some will detest and criticize and some will adore it, but it's out there and to some it's truly beautiful.

This book won the Newbery Award, as many people know. There's loads of Newberys out there (they've been giving them out since 1922 I believe). I've read heaps of them, and are some exceptional? Yes. But there's also some poor ones out there. Criss Cross isn't good but it's not bad either. It's far from both. This is a book that's so poetic, beautiful, and crisp yet it has its moments where it's tragic. Perkins really hit a home run this time, and I'm really happy because of that. If I hadn't read this, I would be a whole different person. It's just /that/ kind of book.


Anyways, I really encourage whoever took their time to read this review, to pick up Criss Cross by the lovely Lynne Rae Perkins. This book is one that will not disappoint, and you will surely fall in love with it the way I did. It's a book that stays with you...

Final Verdict: I would suggest picking up this book asap! It's a must read for everyone.
Rating: 5/5 stars!


Click for websites
Amazon US
Amazon AU
Amazon CA
Barnes and Noble
Lynne Rae Perkin's Website
~Natasha~

FREE KINDLE BOOKS! - Feb 5 2014

Free Kindle Books! 

Book Info: Every High School has their social outcasts. The band nerds, the math geeks, the chess club, the girl that chews her hair, but at Butler High, even the creepy nose picker in the chess club is more popular than Caleo Anima. No matter what he did, his pale skin, snow white hair, and piercing blue eyes always made him an easy target. He used to think that the only way things could get worse would be if someone found out that he was gay, but that isn't even the tip of the iceberg of problems after a mysterious stranger shows up and changes Caleo’s life forever.   Hidden amongst our society, a secret and magical race of people known as ‘Leeches’, have been engaging in civil war for decades. Both sides are desperately searching for a weapon with unlimited power that will give them the advantage they need to rule their world. This wouldn’t mean anything to Caleo, except for one problem... He is that weapon! Forget making it through High School. Caleo has bigger problems! As the search for him goes on, the world is quickly crumbling around him. He's now fighting for his life and the life of what little family he has left. With the help of new friends, he has little time to try and master his newly found powers as he tries to figure out who he can trust, who is trying to use him, and who just wants him dead. One wrong step and being the awkward pale outcast will be the least of his worries.

Click here to purchase your free copy of Caleo!


 Book info: What if you knew the exact date and time the world will end, what would you do? 

Sam Tucker was faced with that dilemma when he began getting visions of the Earth's demise. Luckily for him, he was able to save his family and as many people as he could before the tragic event occurred, and he did so with the help of unknown visitors. With Earth now destroyed, Sam, his family, and thousands of other lucky survivors must live the rest of their lives on a faraway planet in a Dome that simulates life on Earth. But Sam's mind can't seem to rest as a few questions arise. Why did the aliens save them? How did they know about Earth's sure fate? And exactly what are they hiding? 

Emma Tucker begged for an escape from her boring life, but never in a million years did she think it would come at the destruction of Earth. Living on a new planet and finding it difficult to get rid of her rebellious habits, Emma finds herself making friends with a member of the alien race and it soon develops into an unexplainable love; a love that is more dangerous than she could ever imagine. While her father is searching for his own truths, she has no idea that she is stumbling on a truth of her own.

Told from the point of view of both Sam and Emma, author Nova Sparks takes readers on a journey to discover love, fate, faith, truth, and the mystery of the DOME!


Click here to purchase your free copy of The Dome!