My Thoughts: Legend by Marie Lu (Series Review)

Legend
by Marie Lu
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Publisher: Speak
Genre: YA | Fantasy | Sci-Fi | Dystopia

Legend (Legend #1)
November 29th 2011 • 305 Pages
ISBN: 9780141339603

Prodigy (Legend #2)
January 29th 2013 • 371 Pages
ISBN: 9780399256769

Champion (Legend #3)
November 5th 2013 • 369 Pages
ISBN: 9780399256776

In a violent, futuristic, half-flooded Los Angeles governed by martial law, fifteen year old Day lives on the streets as the country's most wanted criminal. When a murder forces him to cross paths with June--a wealthy, brilliant fifteen year old girl loyal to the state--the two are thrown into direct opposition and combat. But are they truly meant to be enemies? Or is there more to their society than meets the eye? (Marie Lu)

I was more than a little late to jump on the bandwagon for Marie Lu’s Legend series, but the series had been sitting on my bookshelf for THE LONGEST, and I was determined to finally read it, (as well as the Warcross series), this year. Now that I’ve finished the series, I’m totally kicking myself for not having read it sooner!! Here are my thoughts on the books!

(I thought about reviewing each book individually, but decided instead to try something new, and review the WHOLE series together. This is my first time doing this for a book series, if I remember correctly, so bear with me during this new process!!)

I went into Legend not really knowing what to expect, because even though the series is super popular, I never really looked up to see what it was about. I’m actually glad that I did this, because I went into the first book completely clueless to the storyline, and I just settled in for the ride.

So, what did I like about the series?? First, the storyline. I really enjoyed the fantasy and dystopian storyline. It has been a while since I last read a good dystopian, and even though I have read a LOT of them, I’m always curious to start a new one. Sometimes the story can seem so familiar, that I instantly lose interest, but that didn’t happen at all with the Legend series. The storyline was completely fascinating, and I was completely hooked.

Another thing I really liked about the series were the characters. June and Day come from completely different worlds, yet whose paths cross in the most unexpected way, and they end up having to work together, even though it’s the last thing either of them want. I enjoyed watching their relationship grow over the course of the series, and I LOVED their ending when I read the very last chapter of Champion. There are some pretty great secondary characters in the story as well, one of my most favorites being Eden, Day’s brother.

I also want to add that I even though I own all of the books for this series, I opted to listen to it in audio format, and I’m so glad that I did. All of the audiobooks for this series are narrated by Mariel Stern and Steven Kaplan, and they both did such a fantastic job with the voices and narration.

Overall; The Legend series by Marie Lu was on my list of book series to *finally* read this year, and I’m so thrilled that I have finally read it! I really enjoyed the storyline and the characters, and it was a great series all-around. I’m super curious for more info on the newly announced 4th book in the series, which is set to release sometime in 2019! While I wait for more news on that book, I will be working my way through Marie’s The Young Elites series, and then I will be officially caught up on her books!! If you’re a fan of good dystopian, sci-fi stories, do check out the Legend series!!

Waiting on Wednesday #314 - Always Never Yours & The Way You Make Me Feel

Always Never Yours
by Emily Wibberley & Austin Siegemund-Broka
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Publication Date: May 22nd 2018
Publisher: Speak
ISBN: 9780451479846

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Megan Harper is the girl before. All her exes find their one true love right after dating her. It’s not a curse or anything, it’s just the way things are, and Megan refuses to waste time feeling sorry for herself. Instead, she focuses on pursuing her next fling, directing theatre, and fulfilling her dream school’s acting requirement in the smallest role possible.

But her plans quickly crumble when she’s cast as none other than Juliet–yes, that Juliet–in her high school’s production. It’s a nightmare. No–a disaster. Megan’s not an actress and she’s certainly not a Juliet. Then she meets Owen Okita, an aspiring playwright who agrees to help Megan catch the eye of a sexy stagehand in exchange for help writing his new script.

Between rehearsals and contending with her divided family, Megan begins to notice Owen–thoughtful, unconventional, and utterly unlike her exes, and wonders: shouldn’t a girl get to play the lead in her own love story? (Goodreads)

Guuuuuuys! Does this book sound so cute, or what?
and I LOOOOOVE the cover as well.
I am super excited to check this book out. :)

The Way You Make Me Feel
by Maurene Goo
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Publication Date: May 8th 2018
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
ISBN: 9780374304096

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From the author of I Believe in a Thing Called Love, a laugh-out-loud story of love, new friendships, and one unique food truck.

Clara Shin lives for pranks and disruption. When she takes one joke too far, her dad sentences her to a summer working on his food truck, the KoBra, alongside her uptight classmate Rose Carver. Not the carefree summer Clara had imagined. But maybe Rose isn't so bad. Maybe the boy named Hamlet (yes, Hamlet) crushing on her is pretty cute. Maybe Clara actually feels invested in her dad’s business. What if taking this summer seriously means that Clara has to leave her old self behind?

With Maurene Goo's signature warmth and humor, The Way You Make Me Feel is a relatable story of falling in love and finding yourself in the places you’d never thought to look. (Goodreads)

The summary for this book won me over with Summer and Food Truck!
I love the cover for this book as well, and it also sounds like a super cute read!
I can't wait to check it out this May!!

There you have it, Bookworms! My awesome WOW picks for this now.
Now I'm wondering... What books are YOU excited for this week??

**"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine,
that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.**

Sarah Dessen Readathon - The Moon and More

The Moon and More
by Sarah Dessen
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Publication Date: May 5th 2015

(first published June 4th 2013)

Publisher: Speak
Pages: 435
ISBN: 9780142425817
Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary
Source: Own

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The perfect life?

At first glance, Emaline seems to have it all. A great boyfriend, a close-knot family, an idyllic beach town to call home. But now, in the summer before college, Emaline wonders if perfect is good enough.

Then she meets Theo, an ambitious young New Yorker assisting on a documentary film about a reclusive local artist. He's sophisticated and exciting, and thinks Emaline is destined for bigger things.

Emaline wants the moon and more, but can she balance where she comes from with where she's going? (Goodreads)

My Thoughts...
This week for my Sarah Dessen Readathon I read The Moon and More, which is another book that I’ve read before, but also really enjoyed, and couldn’t wait to read again. I remember really enjoying this book the first time I read it, but I feel like I enjoyed it even more the second time around!

Like many of Sarah’s other novels, I really, really loved so many characters in this book. I always find myself forming these emotional attachments to them, and the main character in this story, Emaline, was no exception. I related to her in so many ways. And it wasn’t just her; I loved a lot of the secondary characters as well. She had a really awesome family, and I think I love that more than anything. The only thing about this book that differs from the others is that I didn’t care of either love interest in the story. That rarely happens, but it did in this book.

The thing I remember most from reading this book before was the ending. It was one that I didn’t see coming the first time I read it, but I ended up really loving it, and the decision that Emaline made for her future. I also absolutely love that this book was set during the summer, AND at the beach. I am usually not a fan of summertime at all, but I’m actually really enjoying it this year, and I think all of the summer books that I am reading definitely have something to do with that. And the beach setting has me super excited for my beach vacation coming soon. All of this makes the storyline and setting for this book even more special to me, and I totally find myself wanting to visit Colby!

Overall; I’ve read The Moon and More before, but I really forgot how much I enjoyed the book the first time, and I think I enjoyed it even more reading it for the second time. Next on my list is Saint Anything, another re-read for me, and the LAST book on my readathon list before I can finally start Once and For All!

Sarah Dessen Readathon: What Happened to Goodbye

What Happened to Goodbye
by Sarah Dessen
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Publication Date: April 9th 2013 (first published 2011)
Publisher: Speak
Pages: 402
ISBN: 9780142423837
Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary
Source: Own

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Who is the real McLean?

Since her parents' bitter divorce, McLean and her dad, a restaurant consultant, have been on the move-four towns in two years. Estranged from her mother and her mother's new family, McLean has followed her dad in leaving the unhappy past behind. And each new place gives her a chance to try out a new persona: from cheerleader to drama diva. But now, for the first time, McLean discovers a desire to stay in one place and just be herself, whoever that is. Perhaps Dave, the guy next door, can help her find out.

Combining Sarah Dessen's trademark graceful writing, great characters, and compelling storytelling, What Happened to Goodbye is irresistible reading. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts...
My Sarah Dessen Readathon pick for this week was What Happened to Goodbye, a book that I’ve had on my TBR for a while now, and hadn’t yet read. I was SO excited to finally read this book. I can’t believe I’ve had it in my collection for so long, and hadn’t yet read it, especially considering that it’s one of Sarah’s more recent novels. I’m glad to finally mark it off my TBR, and to say that I LOVED IT!!

As I said, this is one of the few books by Sarah that I had not yet read, so I didn’t know what to expect when I started reading it. The story, like all of Sarah’s stories, completely grabbed my attention, and wouldn’t let go. I really enjoyed the storyline for the book, even the basketball parts, which I am just recently becoming a fan of, but still don’t really understand. The ending came together perfectly, even though I totally didn’t want the story to end at all, but it wrapped up nicely, and I loved that.

Like with Sarah’s other novels, there are SO many characters to love in this book. I always seem to relate to the main characters in one way or another, and Mclean was no exception. I totally got her, and what she was going through, and how she felt. I’ve been there, girl. The friends she met as the story went along are the ones you always want to have in life, and I really couldn’t get enough of them. Admittedly, at the end of Sarah’s books, I usually find myself wanting to know more about these secondary characters, and asking WHY don’t they get their own stories?? Haha!

I love the cameo appearances we get to see from characters that we’ve met in previous books! While some are named by name, others are just by descriptions, and I love that I know exactly who they are just by how they are described. That’s how well I’ve gotten to know all of these characters over the course of this readathon!

Overall; What Happened to Goodbye is definitely another favorite by Sarah, as if you couldn’t tell by this super gushy review. I’m thrilled to have finally read the book, and I imagine I’ll be reading it again in the near future. Next on my list is The Moon in More, which I read a few years ago, but am really looking forward to re-reading again!

Sarah Dessen Readathon: Along for the Ride

Along for the Ride
by Sarah Dessen
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Publication Date: first published June 16th 2009
Publisher: Speak
Pages: 399
ISBN: 9780142415566
Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary
Source: Own

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Up all night.

Nights have always been Auden's time, her chance to escape everything that's going on around her.

Then she meets Eli, a fellow insomniac, and he becomes her nocturnal tour guide.

Now, with an endless supply of summer nights between them, almost anything can happen... (Goodreads)

My Thoughts...
Along for the Ride is the next book on my list for my Sarah Dessen Readathon, and I was excited to read it again! I originally read the book a while back, way back in 2009 actually, so most of the details were blurry in my mind. I was really looking forward to rereading the book though, as I remember really enjoying it the first time I read it. And, of course, I did once again.

There are so many characters to like in this book, including the main character, Auden. I was definitely able to relate to her in more ways than one. Her parents were both kind of flakey in their own ways, but she had really cool step-mom. I completely forgot how selfish and annoying the dad was in this book. He was definitely my least favorite person. I really loved the friends she met in Colby. They were all awesome, including Eli!

I love that this book, like most of Sarah's books, was set during the summer. I'm not usually a big fan of summer, or of the heat, at least, but I've read a LOT of summer themed books lately, and they have me super excited for summer to finally arrive. The book was also set at the beach, and I definitely feel the beach calling me now.  The storyline was really light-hearted, and made for a really fun read.

Overall; now that I've reread Along for the Ride, I totally remember why I loved it so much. I'm so glad that I took the time to reread it again, and I definitely plan to reread it again in the future! The next book on my readathon list is What Happened to Goodbye, which I have NOT yet read before, and I'm really looking forward to finally doing so!

Sarah Dessen Readathon: Lock and Key

Lock and Key
by Sarah Dessen
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Publication Date: first published April 22nd 2008
Publisher: Speak
Pages: 448
ISBN: 9780142414729
Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary
Source: Own

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Unlock your heart and the rest will follow.

Ruby is used to taking care of herself.

But now that she's living with her sister, she's got her own room, she's going to a good school, and her future looks bright.

Plus there's an adorable boy next door.

Can Ruby learn to open her heart and let him in? (Goodreads)

My Thoughts...
Lock and Key is the next book on my list for my Sarah Dessen Readathon, and I couldn't wait to read this book again!! This book was actually the second book I ever read by Sarah Dessen, and I remember reading it way back in 2009. I only remembered bits and pieces from the story, but reading it again was like reading it for the first time. This was yet another really great book by Sarah!

One thing I've notice as I read these books for my readathon is that Sarah Dessen makes really awesome main characters. I've yet to 'meet' one that I didn't like, and I'm always able to relate to them in some way or another. Ruby in Lock and Key was no exception. I related to her in so many ways, so I totally knew where she was coming from and how she was feeling throughout the story. I love her family members; well, her sister and her husband, anyway, who were both really cool, and only wanted the best for Ruby. Her mom, on the other hand, was a real flake. The friends she meets at her new school were pretty awesome as well.

The storyline for the book was, like most of Sarah's books, lighthearted, yet full of emotion. I love that there are issues in the stories that people will be able to relate to, as I know I sure do a lot of the time. And, of course, there are the Easter eggs hidden in the story; be it in the description of a character we've met before, or a place from another story. I LOVE that these are included, and I definitely appreciate them so much more now that I'm actually reading the books in order.

Overall; Lock and Key is another great read from Sarah Dessen! I really enjoyed re-reading the story, especially since I didn't really remember much from when I read it way back when. My brain was happy for the refresher! Now I'm moving on to the next book on my list, Along for the Ride, which is another re-read for me, but I'm excited to get back into the story again!

Sarah Dessen Readathon: Just Listen

Just Listen
by Sarah Dessen
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Publication Date: first published April 6th 2006
Publisher: Speak
Pages: 400
ISBN: 9780142410974
Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary
Source: Own

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To find the truth, you've got to be willing to hear it.

When she's modeling, Annabel is the picture of perfection.

But her real life is far from perfect.

Fortunately, she's got Owen. He's intense, music-obsessed, and dedicated to always telling the truth.

And most of all, he's determined to make Annabel happy... (Goodreads)

My Thoughts...
The next book on my list for my Sarah Dessen Readathon is Just Listen, which happens to be one of my most favorite Sarah Dessen books! I first read Just Listen back in 2015, and unlike some of the other books I've re-read where I couldn't really remember much, I remembered almost everything from Just Listen. Seriously, this book is a favorite of mine for a reason. It has a great storyline, which is both lighthearted and extremely emotional as well, and it some pretty awesome, very memorable characters.

As I mentioned above, there's really so much to love about this book, including the characters. I love Annabel, the main character. She's often looked at as 'the girl who has it all', but in reality she's so far from that. And she's been through something that no person should ever have to go through. She has a pretty great family as well, even if they do, like most families, have issues of their own to work through. I especially love the relationship that she has with her sisters. I also love Owen, and his love for music, and his great family as well! I meant it, so many great characters in this story.

The storyline for the book is lighthearted for the most part, but also deals with some really serious issues as well. Along with great characters, this is another trend I see in Sarah's books. And I love that while the book is a fun read, it also deals with the tough stuff. I find myself relating to so much throughout Sarah's stories, and I know other people will as well, and I'm so glad that these books around in our world.

Another thing I really like about Sarah's books from reading them in order is the little Easter eggs that she leaves in each story. It may just be a location, (school, mall, etc) that we know from one of her previous books, or even people that we've met from the previous books! I didn't really notice this the first time I read the books, as I read them out of order, or haven't yet read a particular book to know the characters, but it's so interesting to see. In this book we get to see a few people we met from a previous book, and I loved seeing them again!

Overall; I really, really loved re-reading Just Listen. It's definitely a book that is worth the re-read, and I actually plan to re-read it again soon! It's so good. Next on my list for this readathon is Lock and Key, which I read in 2009, but don't remember much about, so I'm really excited to dive back into it!

Sarah Dessen Readathon: The Truth About Forever

The Truth About Forever
by Sarah Dessen
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Publication Date: first published May 11th 2004
Publisher: Speak
Pages: 374
ISBN: 9780142406250
Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary
Source: Own

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A long, hot summer...

That's what Macy has to look forward to while her boyfriend, Jason, is away at Brain Camp. Days will be spent at a boring job in the library, evenings will be filled with vocabulary drills for the SATs, and spare time will be passed with her mother, the two of them sharing a silent grief at the traumatic loss of Macy's father.

But sometimes, unexpected things can happen—things such as the catering job at Wish, with its fun-loving, chaotic crew. Or her sister's project of renovating the neglected beach house, awakening long-buried memories. Things such as meeting Wes, a boy with a past, a taste for Truth-telling, and an amazing artistic talent, the kind of boy who could turn any girl's world upside down. As Macy ventures out of her shell, she begins to question her sheltered life.

Is it really always better to be safe than sorry? (Goodreads)

My Thoughts...
The next book on my list for my Sarah Dessen Readathon is The Truth About Forever!! I read this book for the very first time last year, and it's definitely one of my most favorite books that I've read by Sarah, so far. Even though I read this just last year, I coudn't wait to dive back into the story again. That's how much I love it! I think I love it even more reading it for the second time!

There are SO many characters to love in this story; Macy, the main character, her sister Caroline, Wes and the WHOLE WISH CREW. I loved them all. When you have a group of such likable characters, it really makes the book that much more special, and I think that's why this is one of my faves.

The storyline for the book was fun and lighthearted, but was also about overcoming grief and loss. And even though I've read this book before, I was completely addicted to the storyline once again, and I flew through the pages in just a few hours time. I've been asked a few times lately what book would I recommend to readers that are new to Sarah's books, and I think The Truth About Forever is a great place to start, if you don't want to start from the very beginning. I love this book!

Overall; I can't even begin to tell you how much I love The Truth About Forever. It's definitely one of my favorites, and I highly recommend you checking it out if you haven't already done so. Next on my list is Just Listen, which happens to be another favorite of mine, and I can't wait to dive into it again as well!

Sarah Dessen Readathon: This Lullaby

This Lullaby
by Sarah Dessen
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Publication Date: first published May 27th 2002
Publisher: Speak
Pages: 368
ISBN: 9780142501559
Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary
Source: Own

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She's got it all figured out.

Or does she? When it comes to relationships, Remy's got a whole set of rules.

Never get too serious. Never let him break your heart. And never, ever date a musician.

But then Remy meets Dexter, and the rules don't seem to apply anymore.

Could it be that she's starting to understand what all those love songs are about? (Goodreads)

My Thoughts...
This Lullaby is the next book on the list for my Sarah Dessen Readathon, and I’m super excited to read this book again. This Lullaby was the first book that I ever read by Sarah, and I read it many, many years ago, so a lot of the details from the book are super fuzzy in my mind. I'm excited to have the opportunity to read the story again!

As I mentioned above, I read This Lullaby a while back, in 2009 actually, and it was the first book I read by Sarah. I expected the story to come flashing back in my mind as I started reading the book, but it didn’t. That was totally ok with me, however, as it felt like I was getting a chance to read the story like it was a new-to-me read, and I liked that. Some details I did remember, like Dexter, who is hard to forget, but a lot I had forgotten. (Easily done, considering how many books I read in a year!)

Remy was an interesting main character to follow, and I definitely found her to be really relatable. People in the story saw her as a b-tch in the beginning of the story, but she proves as the story goes along that she’s anything but that. I appreciate her need for independence and such. I get it, Remy. Dexter, Remy’s love interest in the story, was definitely the highlight of the book for me, as a lot of Sarah’s leading males are. He made me sigh more than a few times throughout the book; he was just so, so sweet. Why aren’t more guys like Dexter? There are many more interesting secondary characters in the story, including Remy’s family and friends. I love the friendship she had with them all, especially with her friends.

The storyline for the book was, like most of Sarah’s books, relatable and completely engrossing. There’s just something about Sarah’s books that are so comforting to me, I can start a story and become completely engrossed. That’s exactly what happened with This Lullaby. It was set in the summer as well, which I loved, since summer is quickly approaching. Altogether, the characters, setting and storyline made for a really great read.

Overall; I really, really enjoyed re-reading This Lullaby, especially as I read it so long ago, and it felt like reading the book again for the first time. I really enjoyed the book, and I’m not excited to move on to The Truth About Forever, which I actually read last year for the readalong that Penguin Teen hosted, and it ended up being one of my most favorite books by her. I’m super excited to dive into it again!

Sarah Dessen Readathon: Dreamland

Dreamland
by Sarah Dessen
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Publication Date: September 1st 2000 (first published)
Publisher: Speak
Pages: 250
ISBN: 9780142401750
Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary
Source: Own

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Love can be a very dangerous thing.

After her sister left, Caitlin felt lost.

Then she met Rogerson.

When she's with him, nothing seems real.

But what happens when being with Rogerson becomes a larger problem than being without him? (Goodreads)

My Thoughts...
Dreamland is the fourth book in my list to read for my Sarah Dessen Readathon, and it's one of the few books by Sarah that I've not yet read. To be honest, I've actually started to read this book in the past, and have promptly put it aside. For a reason. I know it deals with abuse, and books dealing with abuse tend to make me very angry. But, I wanted to read the book for this readathon, so I decided to dive in. I'm glad I did, as I can now finally mark it off the list of books I've read by Sarah.

I've read a lot of books lately where I've really been able to connect and relate to the main character, and this book was no exception. I totally get where Caitlyn was coming from regarding her parents and her sister, and I totally get why she did some of the things that she did. Been there, done that. And while I've never experienced firsthand the abuse that Caitlyn went through in the story, I do know someone close who has, so I instantly picked up on the signs from Rogerson. Maybe it's the overprotective parent in me as well, but I just know to watch for these things. It made me SO mad that no one around Caitlyn could see it. Seriously, I wanted to shout at everyone to OPEN THEIR EYES and see what is going on with this girl! Argh. This made me SO angry for her.

I knew going into Dreamland that the storyline for the book would be a lot darker than I am used to by Sarah. I totally prepared for this. I'm really astonished at how much darker it was. And though the storyline made me so angry, I'm also glad that books like this exist in the world, so that maybe someone reading the book is experiencing the same thing as Caitlyn will be able to relate. I wanted SO badly for Caitlyn to just talk to SOMEONE, to tell them what she was going through. There are people out there to help! No one should have to go what she went through.

Sigh.

Overall; Dreamland was a hard book to read, but I'm so glad I finally did. I'm totally going to have both of my girls read it asap. Now I'm moving on to the next book on my list, This Lullaby, which I have read before, but I am super excited to read again!! :)

Sarah Dessen Readathon: Keeping The Moon

Keeping the Moon
by Sarah Dessen
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Publication Date: September 1st 1999
Publisher: Speak
Pages: 228
ISBN: 9780142401767
Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary
Source: Own

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Never underestimate the power of friendship.

When Colie goes to spend the summer at the beach, she doesn't expect much.

But Colie didn't count on meeting Morgan and Isabel.

Through them, she learns what true friendship is all about, and finally starts to realize her potential.

And that just might open the door to her first chance at love... (Goodreads)

My Thoughts...
Keeping the Moon is the third book I've read for my Sarah Dessen Readathon! I have to admit, this readathon is seriously the best thing ever, as the more books I read of Sarah's, the more I look forward to the next book, and that makes me even more excited for Once and For All, Sarah's newest book which is due to release in June!

Some of Sarah's books I've read before, and some I haven't. Keeping the Moon is one that I've already read, but I can't really remember much about it. Bits and pieces, yes, but not much more. I was super excited to read it again to refresh my book-filled brain, and once I started reading the book, all the memories of reading it before came flooding back. I LOVE WHEN THAT HAPPENS!!

I really enjoyed both the characters and the storyline for the book. Colie, the main character, was very relatable in so many ways. I totally get her, and I loved watching her come out of her shell, with the help of her aunt Mira, and her new friends, Morgan and Isabel. I also really loved Norman, AND Cat Norman as well. LOL!

Overall; I really enjoyed rereading Keeping the Moon! It brought back a lot of memories for me from reading it before, and I really enjoyed diving back into the story. Now it's time to move on the Sarah's next novel, Dreamland, which is a new-to-me book, and I'm really curious to get started on it ASAP. :)

Sarah Dessen Readathon: Someone Like You

Someone Like You
by Sarah Dessen
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Publication Date: May 1st 1998
Publisher: Speak
Pages: 304
ISBN: 9780142401774
Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary
Source: Own

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The world is a terrible place not to have a best friend.

Scarlett was always the strong one.

Halley was always content to follow in her wake.

Then Scarlett’s boyfriend died, and Scarlett learned that she was pregnant.

Now Halley has to find the strength to take the lead and help Scarlett get through it.

Because true friendship is a promise you keep forever. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts...
Someone Like You is the second book I've read for my Sarah Dessen Readathon, and as it is one of the few books by Sarah that I had not yet read, I was really excited to finally read it. In case you don't know already, I recently started this readathon so that I could read ALL of Sarah's books in order from oldest to newest, in anticipation of her newest release, Once and For All, which is due to release this coming June!

The main character in Someone Like You, Halley was a really sweet girl, but some of the decisions she made throughout the book were completely frustrating. I do realize that this is part of the growing process, and we've ALL been there at one point or another, but it's still hard to read. I absolutely love Halley's relationship with her best friend, Scarlett, whom a good bit of the story revolves around. That strong bond that they have is the kind that everyone wishes for. It was so special, and I really loved it.

The storyline for the book was one that many people will find completely relatable, as it includes things like peer pressure, and a lot of other issues that people face every day. But it's also a story about growing and finding yourself, even when you don't know where you belong. I love that there are books like this in the world, and I hope that people are able to relate to them the way I did.

Overall; I'm thrilled that I finally had time to read Someone Like You! It was an enjoyable read, and now I'm excited to move on to Keeping the Moon, which will be a reread for me!

Audiobook Review: Just Listen by Sarah Dessen (Audiobook)

Just Listen
by Sarah Dessen
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Publication Date: June 2012 (Reissue)
Publisher: Speak
Pages: 371
ISBN: 9780142410974
Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Realistic Fiction
Source: Own

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Last year, Annabel was "the girl who has everything" — at least that's the part she played in the television commercial for Kopf's Department Store.

This year, she's the girl who has nothing: no best friend because mean-but-exciting Sophie dropped her, no peace at home since her older sister became anorexic, and no one to sit with at lunch. Until she meets Owen Armstrong.

Tall, dark, and music-obsessed, Owen is a reformed bad boy with a commitment to truth-telling. With Owen's help, maybe Annabel can face what happened the night she and Sophie stopped being friends. (Goodreads)

I've had Just Listen on my to-read list for a really long time now, and when I decided to read ALL of the Sarah Dessen books I own this year, this was the one I absolutely couldn't wait to start. The book had been sitting on my shelves, just waiting for me to read it, and I finally did, although I ended up listening to the audiobook instead of actually reading my finished copy. Regardless, I loved this book so much!

There are so many characters in this story that I absolutely love. The main character, Annabel, was such an awesome young lady, and has a really great family as well. Their lives were far from perfect, but they worked so well together to help each other through the problems, and I love, love, love this so much. Her parents were great, as were her sisters. Of course, each of them were quirky in their own way, but I loved them all even more for it.

One of my most loved characters in the book for me, I'd had to say, was Owen Armstrong. I've read quite a few Sarah Dessen books, and I almost always fall in love with the hero of the story, but Owen is different, and I really think that he's my most favorite of Dessen's main men up to this point.

It's not only the characters that I love in the story, however, but I loved the storyline as well. While the book was a really great read, it also has a really great message as well, one that I hope young girls will read and remember. I've already given my girls a copy of this book to read, and I can wait until they do so that we can discuss the book together!

As I mentioned above, I listened to the audio book for Just Listen, and I absolutely loved the narrator. Jennifer Ikeda did a wonderful job with the narrating and voices in this story, and I was pleased to discover that she also narrated audio books like A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas, the All Souls series by Deborah Harkness, The Ring and the Crown by Melissa De La Cruz, and many, many more! I'm really looking forward to listening to more by her in the near future; she was great!

Overall; I think Just Listen has become one of my most favorite Dessen books EVER, and that's saying a lot because I really love ALL of Sarah's books. But this one really made an impact with me, and I'm now going to force everyone I know to read it. Now I only have four more books to read by Dessen and I will have read her whole collection! These books are great, check them out sometime!!

Review: The Boy Most Likely To by Huntley Fitzpatrick

The Boy Most Likely To
by Huntley Fitzpatrick
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Publication Date: August 18th 2015
Publisher: Dial Books
Pages: 432
ISBN: 9780803741423
Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary
Source: First To Read

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Surprises abound and sparks ignite in the highly anticipated, utterly romantic companion to My Life Next Door

Tim Mason was The Boy Most Likely To:
- find the liquor cabinet blindfolded
- need a liver transplant
- drive his car into a house

Alice Garrett was The Girl Most Likely To:
- well, not date her little brother’s baggage-burdened best friend, for starters.

For Tim, it wouldn’t be smart to fall for Alice. For Alice, nothing could be scarier than falling for Tim. But Tim has never been known for making the smart choice, and Alice is starting to wonder if the “smart” choice is always the right one. When these two crash into each other, they crash hard.

Then the unexpected consequences of Tim’s wild days come back to shock him. He finds himself in a situation that isn’t all it appears to be, that he never could have predicted . . . but maybe should have.

And Alice is caught in the middle.

Told in Tim’s and Alice’s distinctive, disarming, entirely compelling voices, this return to the world of My Life Next Door is a story about failing first, trying again, and having to decide whether to risk it all once more. (Goodreads)

The Boy Most Likely To is the much anticipated follow-up to My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick. Having read and adored My Life Next Door recently, I couldn’t wait to dive right into The Boy Most Likely To. It’s been a really long time since I’ve been completely sucked in by a book, and that’s exactly what happened once I started these books. I absolutely couldn’t put them down, and now that I’m finished with them, I have the best book hangover!

The two main characters in The Boy Most Likely To are Alice and Tim, who we originally met in My Life Next Door. To be honest, I didn’t know what to expect from these two characters, as I knew they were so completely different than Samantha and Jase, who I absolutely love. Alice is really a badass in most ways, but I love how much she loves her family. Her devotion to her parents and siblings was really inspiring; even when life was chaotic and so overwhelming, she still did what she had to do for the ones that she loved. As for Tim, I was a little worried about him when starting the book. He didn’t get off to the best start in the first book, even though he completely turned his life around. I was really hoping that he could stick with it in this book, and he totally did. I really, really love how much his character grew over the course of these two books, the transformation was really amazing, and you honestly can’t help but to fall in love with this boy.

I love that all of the secondary characters that I fell in love with in My Life Next Door were in this book as well, especially the Garrett family. I seriously love this family, I think they are one of my favorite YA families of all time. There’s just something about them that is absolutely wonderful, and if Ms. Fitzpatrick decided to keep writing stories about them, I’d totally keep reading them.

The storyline for the book, while about different characters, follows much of the same storyline for the previous book. While the book had lots of fun, flirty moments in it, it definitely dealt with more issues than what were in the first book. My Life Next Door was definitely my favorite book of the two. Not saying that I didn’t enjoy the book, I just liked it in a different way than I did the first book. Both books were really great, however.

Overall; I really enjoyed both My Life Next Door and The Boy Most Likely To! I can’t believe I waited so long to start reading these books, as I absolutely love them, and I’m now a fan of Ms. Fitzpatrick for life. I still have one more book left of hers to read, What I Thought Was True, and I will be diving into that book ASAP, and I absolutely can’t wait.

Review: My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

My Life Next Door
by Huntley Fitzpatrick
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Publication Date: June 14th 2012
Publisher: Dial Books For Young Readers
Pages: 394
ISBN: 9780803736993
Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary
Source: Own

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"One thing my mother never knew, and would disapprove of most of all, was that I watched the Garretts. All the time."

The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, messy, affectionate. And every day from her rooftop perch, Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them . . . until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs up next to her and changes everything.

As the two fall fiercely for each other, stumbling through the awkwardness and awesomeness of first love, Jase's family embraces Samantha - even as she keeps him a secret from her own. Then something unthinkable happens, and the bottom drops out of Samantha's world. She's suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself?

A transporting debut about family, friendship, first romance, and how to be true to one person you love without betraying another. (Goodreads)

I’ve had My Life Next Door sitting on my bookshelf for forever, and now that I’ve read the book, I’m kicking myself for not having read it sooner. I am a huge fan of contemporary books; it’s my favorite genre. I’d seen so many rave reviews for My Life Next Door everywhere I looked, and I figured with the release of The Boy Most Likely To coming up, it would be a great time to read ALL the Huntley Fitzpatrick books back-to-back, and feature them all on the blog. So far, this has been the absolutely best thing ever, and I’m thrilled to add this book to my favorite list!

It seems like Samantha has the perfect life. She’s a good girl, she gets good grades, she listens to her mom and never does anything wrong. But her life is far from perfect, with her busy mom who is painfully strict, living in a house that’s too big and cold. Samantha has watched the family next door for years; they are wild and disorganized and so very different from her own. Samantha has always wished she could be one of them, and then one night, her wish finally comes true.

Samantha was an easy character to like. I empathized for a lot of the things that she went through in the book, especially with her family life. It was great watching her grow as a character though, especially after Jase and his family comes into her life. There were a lot of times throughout the book where I really wished that she would just stand up for herself, especially when it came to her mom. Luckily she does finally find the courage to do so, and that made me like her even more.

Can I tell you how much I absolutely adore the Garrett family?? I adore all ten of them, from the awesome parents to the eight wonderful kids who are all different in so many ways. You’d think having so many characters in a novel would be confusing, but it totally wasn’t. I love that each character is so different from the others, they were all so well written. This family is loud and chaotic, but so full of love and affection; it really made me want to just be a part of this huge, awesome family. Jase, of course, is my absolute favorite of the bunch, (is this boy perfection, or what?), followed closely by George.

While the storyline for the book has a really fun, sweet feel to it, it also touches bases on a lot of different issues that young adults face today, like sex, drugs, and even consequences that come with lying and not being true to yourself. I really love the way these issues were wrote into the story. The story came together really well at the end; the only issue that I had with the book was about something that I felt was left unresolved between Samantha and her best friend. 

Overall; I really enjoyed My Life Next Door so much more than I expected to. I really do wish that I had read the book sooner, but now I’m looking forward to starting the next book, The Boy Most Likely To, and I can’t wait for Alice and Tim’s story!