Monday, June 15, 2015

Review: Extraordinary Means by Robyn Schneider

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23149128-extraordinary-means
Extraordinary Means
by Robyn Schneider
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Publication Date: May 26th 2015
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Pages: 336
ISBN: 9780062217165
Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Realistic Fiction
Source: Edelweiss

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From the author of The Beginning of Everything: two teens with a deadly disease fall in love on the brink of a cure.

At seventeen, overachieving Lane finds himself at Latham House, a sanatorium for teens suffering from an incurable strain of tuberculosis. Part hospital and part boarding school, Latham is a place of endless rules and confusing rituals, where it's easier to fail breakfast than it is to flunk French.

There, Lane encounters a girl he knew years ago. Instead of the shy loner he remembers, Sadie has transformed. At Latham, she is sarcastic, fearless, and utterly compelling. Her friends, a group of eccentric troublemakers, fascinate Lane, who has never stepped out of bounds his whole life. And as he gradually becomes one of them, Sadie shows him their secrets: how to steal internet, how to sneak into town, and how to disable the med sensors they must wear at all times.

But there are consequences to having secrets, particularly at Latham House. And as Lane and Sadie begin to fall in love and their group begins to fall sicker, their insular world threatens to come crashing down.

Told in alternating points of view, Extraordinary Means is a darkly funny story about doomed friendships, first love, and the rare miracle of second chances. (Goodreads)
Extraordinary Means is a story about a teenage boy Lane, who finds himself at Lantham House, a sanitarium for young adults who suffer from an incurable strain of tuberculosis. On his first day at the boarding school/hospital, Lane has already messed up the rules and has almost failed at the most basic of tasks, including breakfast. There he see’s Sadie, a girl from his past who is so different than who she used to be, and his life totally changes when he becomes a part of her quirky group of friends. 

While all the characters in the novel had the one thing in common, their reason for being at Lantham House, that’s the only thing this group of teens have in common. Lane was an overachiever who has to learn to let it all go in order to just survive, and watching him learn to relax with help from Sadie and her friends was really interesting. Sadie was probably the most interesting character in the story for me. She took something bad, being at Lantham House, and made the absolute best she could of the situation. No longer was she the shy girl that Lane knew from before, instead she was snarky and confident, a totally different girl. The secondary characters in the novel were all interesting as well, and I loved that they were all so different in their own ways. Together, these kids really were an awesome group.

I’ve read quite a few books lately that deal with illness, so I figured this book would be really similar to those, but it still managed to stand apart from the rest. I thought the storyline was really creative, and while the illness plays a huge part in the storyline, it doesn’t completely overwhelm the rest of the story. It was interesting to see how these kids had to live with the illness, and what they had to face on a daily basis because of it.

Overall; I really enjoyed Extraordinary Means. This is the first book that I’ve read by Robyn Schneider, but it definitely won’t be my last. I have her previous release, The Beginning of Everything, sitting on my shelf, just waiting to be read. I’ll definitely be moving it up on my to-read list!



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Thursday, June 11, 2015

Review: Last Year's Mistake by Gina Ciocca

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21825486-last-year-s-mistake
Last Year's Mistake
by Gina Ciocca
Website | Twitter | Facebook

Publication Date: June 9th 2015
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 320
ISBN: 9781481432238
Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary
Source: Edelweiss

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Before:
Kelsey and David became best friends the summer before freshman year and were inseparable ever after. Until the night a misunderstanding turned Kelsey into the school joke, and everything around her crumbled—including her friendship with David. So when Kelsey's parents decided to move away, she couldn't wait to start over and leave the past behind. Except, David wasn't ready to let her go...

After:
Now it's senior year and Kelsey has a new group of friends, genuine popularity, and a hot boyfriend. Her life is perfect. That is, until David's family moves to town and he shakes up everything. Soon old feelings bubble to the surface and threaten to destroy Kelsey's second chance at happiness. The more time she spends with David, the more she realizes she never truly let him go. And maybe she never wants to.

Told in alternating sections, LAST YEAR'S MISTAKE is a charming and romantic debut about loving, leaving, and letting go. (Goodreads)
When Last Year’s Mistake by Gina Ciocca crossed my path, I knew I would have to read the book out as soon as possible. I seem to be on a contemporary kick as of late, and I just can’t get enough of these books. I love the drama and the realness of it all, so I couldn’t wait to get started on this one.

Kelsey and David were the best of friends. They met the summer before freshman year and instantly clicked. They were inseparable. Then something happened that changed their friendship forever, and not in a good way. So when Kelsey was given the chance to move away and start her life over fresh, she jumped on the opportunity. Now it’s senior year, and Kelsey has the perfect life, until David walks back into her life and all the old feelings come rushing back, threatening to ruin all the happiness that she’s created.

I love that Kelsey and David were best friends in the beginning of the book. I love that bond between two characters, where you can tell there are romantic feelings, but also true friendship as well. Those relationships feel so super special. And while I loved the friendship, I found myself wanting so much more for them. But both of these characters were more than a little stubborn when it came to what I wanted from them. There were times in the book, especially during the flashback parts, where I wanted to grab both Kelsey and David and shake some sense into them. Seriously, the back and forth, push and pull, all the drama between these two characters was insane. I just wanted them to get together and to be happy and in love already. Sigh.

Not only was the friendship between the two main characters in the story great, but also the relationships with their family members as well. I love a book that has really great family relationships. I especially loved Kelsey’s sister, and also David’s dad, who made me tear up more than a few times throughout the book.

The story is told through alternate viewpoints from Kelsey; we get to see what happened during freshman year in flashbacks, and senior year through the present. I really enjoy books that are written this way because there is so much information on the back-story included, and I always appreciate that. Besides the drama, the storyline for the book also includes some topics that a lot of young adults will be able to relate to, including drinking, sex, and bullying. Altogether, this made for a very interesting read.

Overall; I really enjoyed reading Last Year’s Mistake! I enjoyed the friendships, the drama, and everything about the book. I’m really looking forward to reading more by this author in the future!

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Waiting on Wednesday #202 - When We Collided by Emery Lord

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25663637-when-we-collided
When We Collided
by Emery Lord
Website | Twitter | Tumblr

Publication Date: April 5th 2016
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
ISBN: 9781619638457

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25663637-when-we-collided

Pre-Order: Not yet available

Meet Vivi and Jonah: A girl and a boy whose love has the power save or destroy them.

Vivi and Jonah couldn't be more different. Vivi craves anything joyful or beautiful that life can offer. Jonah has been burdened by responsibility for his family ever since his father died. As summer begins, Jonah resigns himself to another season of getting by. Then Vivi arrives, and suddenly life seems brighter and better. Jonah is the perfect project for Vivi, and things finally feel right for Jonah. Their love is the answer to everything. But soon Vivi's zest for life falters, as her adventurousness becomes true danger-seeking. Jonah tries to keep her safe, but there's something important Vivi hasn't told him.

Perfect for fans of E. Lockhart and Jandy Nelson, When We Collided is a powerful story of two teens whose love is put to the test by forces beyond their control. (Goodreads)

WHOOOOOOO!!
We have a cover for Emery Lord's new book!! Isn't it great??
I imagine that we are going to be seeing this book on a lot of people's WOW posts today!!
I loved Open Road Summer and The Start of Me and You SO MUCH.
I can't wait to get my hands on this book.
I imagine it's going to be just as awesome the rest of them!

Be sure to stop by Emery's blog and check out her post for When We Collided!

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

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Monday, June 8, 2015

Review: The Devil You Know by Trish Doller

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22929537-the-devil-you-know
The Devil You Know
by Trish Doller
Website | Twitter | Facebook

Publication Date: June 2nd 2015
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Pages: 256
ISBN: 9781619634169
Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Mystery-Thriller
Source: Netgalley

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Eighteen-year-old Arcadia wants adventure. Living in a tiny Florida town with her dad and four-year-old brother, Cadie spends most of her time working, going to school, and taking care of her family. So when she meets two handsome cousins at a campfire party, she finally has a chance for fun. They invite her and friend to join them on a road trip, and it's just the risk she's been craving-the opportunity to escape. But what starts out as a fun, sexy journey quickly becomes dangerous when she discovers that one of them is not at all who he claims to be. One of them has deadly intentions.

A road trip fling turns terrifying in this contemporary story that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.
(Goodreads)
I was really looking forward to reading The Devil You Know by Trish Doller. I read Where the Stars Still Shine a few years ago, and really enjoyed the book, so I couldn’t wait to read this new book!! It was really different than what I expected, but was a very engrossing read!

I really liked Cadie as a main character. She was smart and a bit snarky, and knew she wanted more from life in her future. The girl had more responsibilities on her shoulders than any teenager should have to have, and for that, I can’t really blame her for wanting a little adventure in her life. However, I found myself wishing that she had gone about things a bit differently. Some of the decisions that she made throughout the story really had me shaking my head. (Yes, I do realize that if she hadn’t made these decisions then there wouldn’t be a story. Wink.) Thankfully Cadie is a really smart kid, and managed to hold her own throughout the story.

The romance in the novel is a bit of insta-lust, but Cadie acknowledges it for what it is throughout the book. That being said, the sexy-times in the novel were pretty steamy, and there is a bad boy in the book who is super swoon-worthy. If you don’t already know, I have a thing for bad boys with tattoos. ;)

I figured where the storyline was going pretty early in the book, and I’m thrilled my observation skills were right on about it as well. I have to admit, there were some parts of the book that had me really creeped out! I don’t usually like books that creep me out, because I’m a big chicken, but this one was too interesting to put down. I read this book in just a few hours time.

Overall; The Devil You Know was quite a fascinating read. While I found myself wanting to shake some sense into Cadie more than a few times in the novel, I still enjoyed this book so much. Now I’m ready to read more books by Trish, hopefully as soon as possible!!

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Saturday, June 6, 2015

Blog Tour: Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella - Review & Giveaway!!


Hey guys! Today I'm participating in the blog tour for Finding Audrey!!
Scroll down to check out my review for the book, get some info on the author
and enter to win a copy of this awesome book!!


_______________________________________________


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23305614-finding-audrey
Finding Audrey
by Sophie Kinsella
Website | Twitter | Facebook

Publication Date: June 9th 2015
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Pages: 288
ISBN: 9780553536515
Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary
Source: Publisher

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From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Shopaholic series comes a terrific blend of comedy, romance, and psychological recovery in a contemporary YA novel sure to inspire and entertain.

An anxiety disorder disrupts fourteen-year-old Audrey’s daily life. She has been making slow but steady progress with Dr. Sarah, but when Audrey meets Linus, her brother’s gaming teammate, she is energized. She connects with him. Audrey can talk through her fears with Linus in a way she’s never been able to do with anyone before. As their friendship deepens and her recovery gains momentum, a sweet romantic connection develops, one that helps not just Audrey but also her entire family. (Goodreads)
I can’t even begin to say how excited I was to get my hands on Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella. I read the first book in her Shopaholic series a few years ago, and really enjoyed the book. So I was super curious to see what she could do with a young adult novel, and I was definitely not disappointed!!

After a bullying incident at her school, fourteen year old Audrey now suffers from major social anxiety issues. With the help of her family and doctor, she’s been working her way towards progress, although it’s not gone exactly as she expected. Until her brother’s best friend, Linus, bursts into her world, and connects with Audrey in a way she’s never connected with anyone else before.

Audrey is probably the most relatable character that I’ve ever read in a book before. I have my own issues with social anxiety, so I could totally relate to how Audrey felt during all the situations that she went through. I have to admit that she handles things a lot better than I do at times! Her progress was pretty amazing, and I find myself wishing it was just that easy for everyone. But I was totally rooting for her for each goal that she met. I really, really liked Audrey as a character. I think she may be one of my favorites!

The secondary characters in the book were all great as well. While the mom was a bit crazy in her own way, you can’t help but love her. The dad and Audrey’s brothers were pretty awesome too, and all for different reasons. While the family had their issues, they were still such a close, fun family, and I love these types of families so much. Linus was pretty great as well; I loved his patience with Audrey and the way he helped her through things.

I also love that while the storyline for the book deals with some really serious issues, the book is still a fun and light-hearted read. It will also make you roll with laughter; I know I laughed more than a few times as I turned the pages. It was also a quick read as well; at just under 300 pages, I had flew the book in no time, and was wishing for more when it was over.

Overall; I was super curious when I first discovered this book to see what Kinsella would do with a YA novel, and now I have my answer. Finding Audrey was such a fun, touching, and relatable read for me. I hope Kinsella decides to do more in the Young Adult genre, as I would love to read more from her!!

_______________________________________________

*The Giveaway*

Win a copy of Finding Audrey & Coffee Sleeve!!
US Only.
Must be 13 years or older enter.


a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Friday, June 5, 2015

Review: The Summer of Chasing Mermaids by Sarah Ockler

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23309653-the-summer-of-chasing-mermaids
The Summer of Chasing Mermaids
by Sarah Ockler
Website | Twitter | Facebook

Publication Date: June 2nd 2015
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 368
ISBN: 9781481401272
Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary
Source: Edelweiss

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From the bestselling author of Twenty Boy Summer, a talented singer loses her ability to speak after a tragic accident, leading her to a postcard-perfect seaside town to find romance.

The youngest of six talented sisters, Elyse d’Abreau was destined for stardom—until a boating accident took everything from her. Now, the most beautiful singer in Tobago can’t sing. She can’t even speak.

Seeking quiet solitude, Elyse accepts a friend’s invitation to Atargatis Cove. Named for the mythical first mermaid, the Oregon seaside town is everything Elyse’s home in the Caribbean isn’t: An ocean too cold for swimming, parties too tame for singing, and people too polite to pry—except for one.

Christian Kane is a notorious playboy—insolent, arrogant, and completely charming. He’s also the only person in Atargatis Cove who doesn’t treat Elyse like a glass statue. He challenges her to express herself, and he admires the way she treats his younger brother Sebastian, who believes Elyse is the legendary mermaid come to life.

When Christian needs a first mate for the Cove’s high-stakes Pirate Regatta, Elyse reluctantly stows her fear of the sea and climbs aboard. The ocean isn’t the only thing making waves, though—swept up in Christian’s seductive tide and entranced by the Cove’s charms, Elyse begins to wonder if a life of solitude isn’t what she needs. But changing course again means facing her past. It means finding her inner voice. And scariest of all, it means opening her heart to a boy who’s best known for breaking them . . . (Goodreads)
The Summer of Chasing Mermaids is the first book that I’ve read by author Sarah Ockler. I was excited to start the book because I have heard nothing but great things about the author, and I couldn’t wait to finally read one of her books myself. I was not disappointed at all, and I can’t wait to read more of her books in the future!!

Elyse d’Abreau was going to be a star, singing on tour with one of her most favorite singers ever. Then a boating accident changed her world forever, taking away Elyse’s ability to sing, and even talk. Leaving her home in Tobago and everyone she loves behind, she goes to Atargatis Cove in search of solitude. Here she meets Christian Kane, playboy extraordinaire, and everything in her life changes.

Elyse was a really fascinating main character. I can’t say that I’ve read many books before where the main character can’t speak, so reading the book from her point of view was an interesting experience altogether. I found myself getting frustrated right along with her at times when she wanted to get her point across, or even just talk to someone, and they gave her the brush off. And while she has a lot to overcome in the book, she’s still such a very strong character, even when she thinks that she’s not. Even though she can’t actively speak, it was encouraging to watch her find her ‘voice’ as the story went along.

I loved so many of the secondary characters in the novel as well. The friendships and other relationships that grow between the characters throughout the story are so wonderful and inspiring. The storyline for the book was really fascinating as well. I loved the mermaid theme; there are definitely not enough mermaid books in the world at this moment.

Overall; I really enjoyed reading The Summer of Chasing Mermaids. I loved how the characters and the storyline blend together to make such a captivating read. I am really looking forward to reading more by Ockler in the future!!
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Thursday, June 4, 2015

Review: Daughter of Deep Silence by Carrie Ryan

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23281652-daughter-of-deep-silence
Daughter of Deep Silence
by Carrie Ryan
Website | Twitter | Facebook

Publication Date: May 26th 2015
Publisher: Dutton Books for Young Readers
Pages: 375
ISBN: 9780525426509
Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Mystery | Thriller
Source: First To Read

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I’m the daughter of murdered parents.
I’m the friend of a dead girl.
I’m the lover of my enemy.
And I will have my revenge.

In the wake of the devastating destruction of the luxury yacht Persephone, just three souls remain to tell its story—and two of them are lying. Only Frances Mace knows the terrifying truth, and she’ll stop at nothing to avenge the murders of everyone she held dear. Even if it means taking down the boy she loves and possibly losing herself in the process.

Sharp and incisive, Daughter of Deep Silence by bestselling author Carrie Ryan is a deliciously smart revenge thriller that examines perceptions of identity, love, and the lengths to which one girl is willing to go when she thinks she has nothing to lose.
(Goodreads)
If there is one thing that I’ve learned from all the books I’ve read, it’s to never judge a book by its cover. I’ll admit, I can’t resist a book with a gorgeous cover, and that’s the first thing that drew me to Daughter of Deep Silence. I did not expect a story that was so engrossing that I couldn’t put the book down, but that is exactly what I got from this story, and I enjoyed it so much.

The main character in the story, Frances, aka Libby, is one of those characters that you’re not supposed to like. She’s hell-bent on getting revenge against the two other remaining survivors who have lied about what really happened on the cruise ship Persephone, burying the truth along with the ship itself. But Frances knows the truth and has lived with it for the past four years, and now, she’s set on getting her revenge once and for all. For this, you can’t help but relate to Frances, and as the story goes along, you can’t help but sympathize for what she’s been through. She’s a tough girl, that’s for sure.

I had no idea when I started this book how completely addictive it was going to be. Once I started reading the book, I had a really, really hard time putting it down. The storyline was engrossing, and the main characters need for revenge for the terrible thing that happened was imperative. I loved the story so much, and I now want to read more books like this one. The only thing that kind of bothered me about the book was the decision that Frances made at the end, the one about the massive plot line in the beginning of the book that made her want revenge to begin with.  The decision she made shocked me. I could understand her reasoning, but for something that insanely massive to have happened, I wouldn’t have been able to let it lie. I would want to know what had happened, but that’s just me.

Overall; despite my issues with the ending of the book, I still found it to be a very enjoyable read. The storyline was highly addictive and I could not put this book down. I’m really looking forward to reading more books by Carrie Ryan as soon as possible, starting with her Forest of Hands and Teeth series!!
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Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Waiting on Wednesday #201 - The Iron Warrior by Julie Kagawa

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18054085-the-iron-warrior
The Iron Warrior
(The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten #3)
by Julie Kagawa
Website | Twitter | Facebook

Publication Date: October 27th 2015
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
ISBN: 9780373211357

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18054085-the-iron-warrior

Available for Purchase:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

The Iron Prince—my nephew—betrayed us all.

He killed me.

Then, I woke up.

Waking after a month on the brink of death, Ethan Chase is stunned to learn that the Veil that conceals the fey from human sight was temporarily torn away. Although humankind's glimpse of the world of Faery lasted just a brief moment, the human world has been cast into chaos, and the emotion and glamour produced by fear and wonder has renewed the tremendous power of the Forgotten Queen. Now, she is at the forefront of an uprising against the courts of Summer and Winter—a reckoning that will have cataclysmic effects on the Nevernever.

Leading the Lady's Forgotten Army is Keirran himself: Ethan's nephew, and the traitor son of the Iron Queen, Meghan Chase.To stop Keirran, Ethan must disobey his sister once again as he and his girlfriend, Kenzie, search for answers long forgotten. In the face of unprecedented evil and unfathomable power, Ethan's enemies must become his allies, and the world of the fey will be changed forevermore. (Goodreads)

So, apparently I've been living under a rock and had no idea this cover had been released!
(Or maybe I did see it, and just don't remember. I'm easily distracted like that.)
Anyways...
I've been waiting on this book for what seems like forever...
But has actually been since August 2013,
when I finished that cliffhanger ending in The Iron Traitor.
I've been impatiently waiting for The Iron Warrior, and now... it's so close!!
But still so far away.
Hurry October!!
**"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine,
that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.**


http://www.thereaderbee.com/2012/08/review-lost-prince-by-julie-kagawa.html   http://www.thereaderbee.com/2013/10/review-iron-traitor-by-julie-kagawa.html

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Review: Proof of Forever by Lexa Hillyer

Proof of Forever
by Lexa Hillyer
Website | Twitter | Facebook

Publication Date: June 2nd 2015
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 352
ISBN: 9780062330376
Genre: Young Adult | Sci-Fi | Time Travel
Source: Edelweiss

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Available for Purchase:
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Before: It was the perfect summer of first kisses, skinny-dipping, and bonfires by the lake. Joy, Tali, Luce, and Zoe knew their final summer at Camp Okahatchee would come to an end, but they swore they’d stay friends.

After: Now, two years later, their bond has faded along with those memories.

Then: That is, until the fateful flash of a photo booth camera transports the four of them back in time, to the summer they were fifteen—the summer everything changed.

Now: The girls must recreate the past in order to return to the present. As they live through their second-chance summer, the mystery behind their lost friendship unravels, and a dark secret threatens to tear the girls apart all over again.

Always: Summers end. But this one will change them forever.
(Goodreads)
The summary for Proof of Forever instantly had me curious. I haven’t read that many time-travel books, so I’m always curious to read a new one to compare to the ones that I have read. I have to admit, those that I have read have all been different and interesting, and Proof of Forever was no exception.

Zoe, Tali, Luce, and Joy were the best of friends during their final summer at Camp Okahatchee, and they promised that they would be best friends forever. But life happens, and their friendship has all but faded away. Two years later, all the girls are back at Camp Okahatchee for the end of the year reunion, the biggest night of the year for the camp. They are almost strangers when they meet again at the camp, but decide to take one last photo together in the famous reunion photo booth. But, when the camera flashes, everything changes, and they are transported back into the past, two years beforehand.  Is this a second chance at changing the past for these girls??

To be honest, I had a hard time connecting to these girls in the beginning of the book. I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to connect with them at all. The last time they had seen each other was at their last year of camp two years before. Even though the girls had all been the best of friends at the time, they had drifted apart since then, especially after Joy disappeared from their lives. So when they first get back together in the book, they aren’t close at all, and it’s almost painful to even read. But as the story goes along, the bond between them slowly starts to reform, and I enjoyed watching these relationships grow. Also, since the story was told from each girl’s viewpoint, we get all the sides of their story, and that was really interesting. While I worried in the beginning about these girls, they definitely grew on me over time.

I really liked the storyline for the book. Who wouldn’t want to go back in time and get a second chance at your past? Ok, honestly… I probably wouldn’t, but I know a lot of people that would jump on the opportunity. There are a couple twists and turns throughout the story, a few plot twists I saw coming, but were still interesting. I really loved the setting of the book the most. I especially love summer themed books at the moment, and with this one being at summer camp as well, I enjoyed it even more.

Overall; I found Proof of Forever to be a quick, fun, summer read. If you’d taken away the time travel parts of the book, it would still be a fun book to read in the summer time. Reading it during the summer made me even more excited about it being summertime!
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Monday, June 1, 2015

Review: Devoted by Jennifer Mathieu

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22718682-devoted
Devoted
by Jennifer Mathieu
Website | Twitter | Facebook

Publication Date: June 2nd 2015
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Pages: 336
ISBN: 9781596439115
Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Religion
Source: Publisher

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Rachel Walker is devoted to God. She prays every day, attends Calvary Christian Church with her family, helps care for her five younger siblings, dresses modestly, and prepares herself to be a wife and mother who serves the Lord with joy. But Rachel is curious about the world her family has turned away from, and increasingly finds that neither the church nor her homeschool education has the answers she craves. Rachel has always found solace in her beliefs, but now she can’t shake the feeling that her devotion might destroy her soul. (Goodreads)
All her life, Rachel has been preparing for the moment when she becomes a wife and a mother, as all the women in her family and church have done. But Rachel wants more. She wants to travel the world and learn everything that she possibly can in life, not be a wife or mother at such a young age. When her family discovers Rachel’s indifference to their faith, they turn her away, and she is left to find her own way in the world.

I found Rachel to be a very relatable character. I loved that she wanted to read and learn so much! I seriously just wanted to take her to the library and show her all the worlds that she could get lost in. Her love of books was insatiable. While I believe everyone should be able to choose the life they want to live, and the beliefs that they want to believe, I just couldn’t imagine living the life her parents and church had planned out for her. It was suffocating to me and I was just the one reading about it, so I don’t blame Rachel at all for wanting more. And I love that even though she didn’t want to continue the path set out of her by her church and her family, she never gave up on her faith. She just changed how she wanted her life to be, but she never gave up on God like so many others do.

When I was first approached to read Devoted, I was curious, but also a little nervous about the religious aspects of the book. I tend to put these types of books off, because I always worry that a religion is going to be interpreted. After reading the books, I realize that I was nervous for nothing. While there is religion in the book, it is written more as a fact, and not in an ‘in your face, preaching for you to believe in this’ way. It was very well written. The storyline, the characters, and even the religion were completely fascinating.

Overall; I was warned that I would absolutely love Devoted, and I totally did! I’m super curious not to read Mathieu’s The Truth About Alice, which I also hear is really great, so I’m excited to check this out as well.
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