[Review: Song Of Summer by Laura Lee Anderson

"Song of Summer"
Author: Laura Lee Anderson 
Series: None
Pages: 250
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Date Published: July 7th, 2015
Publisher: Bloomsbury Spark
Format Read: eARC provided by publisher (via NetGalley) for honest review

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Summary:

The thirteen qualities of Robin’s Perfect Man range from the mildly important “Handsome” to the all-important “Great taste in music.” After all, Westfield’s best high school folk musician can’t go out with some shmuck who only listens to top 40 crap. When hot Carter Paulson walks in the door of Robin’s diner, it looks like the list may have come to life. It’s not until the end of the meal that she realizes he’s profoundly deaf.

Carter isn’t looking for a girlfriend. Especially not a hearing one. Not that he has anything against hearing girls, they just don’t speak the same language. But when the cute waitress at Grape Country Dairy makes an effort to talk with him, he takes her out on his yellow Ducati motorcycle.

Told in first person alternating perspectives, language, music, and culture go along for the ride as Carter and Robin find their song.

-Goodreads

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My Thoughts:

An Open Letter To Song For Summer,

Cute and adorable are two words that I think describe you. You reminded me of an episode of "Switched at Birth," with all of your teen drama and hearing challenged characters. I liked you a lot, but you weren't perfect. Thanks for being a fun summer read though!

-The White Unicorn

This is the story of a girl who can hear, and a boy who can't. It's a story about summer loves, first loves, and figuring out how to love yourself. There is a lot of love happening up in these pages, that's for sure. 

I really liked this book. It's one of those stories that is perfect for summer. Plus, Anderson adds some interesting characters into the mix. Robin is a shy music junky, and Carter is a hunky, motorcycle riding, deaf kid. Throwing those two into a relationship is a great plot device, and I enjoyed it a lot. 

Both main characters were fun to read. They both had major flaws, which irritated me as a reader, but those are just based off personal preference. The fact that the plot relied on people not saying what they meant is also a pet peeve of mine, but that's what form books like this normally take. Add in the fact that Robin and Carter actually had a hard time chatting, using that as a plot point seemed a bit redundant. Hence why I only give this book 3 unicorns, even though I really did enjoy it.

The secondary characters were also pretty cute, and added a secondary romance into the mix. Like I said before, love was in every particle of air surrounding this book. 

I do not know much about deaf culture, but from what I could tell, it seemed like Anderson really did her research there. I liked that she added that element into her novel. It made it feel fresh, and it made it feel educational. 

If you're looking for a cute summer romance with some added cool factor, this might just be the right book for you!

Rating:

3 Unicorns = I liked it a lot, but it had it's issues!  

[Review: What Happens In Paris by Jen McConnel]

"What Happens in Paris"
Author: Jen McConnel
Series: Adventures Abroad #2
Pages: 250
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary
Date Published: June 16th, 2015
Publisher: Bloomsbury Spark
Format Read: eARC provided by publisher (via NetGalley) for honest review

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Summary:

Four countries.
Three girls.
Three loves.
One adventure abroad they'll never forget.

Camie can't figure out what she wants, from college or life…until she meets Hunter. But will the magic of a romantic night in Paris last till the morning?

Fall in love with the second novella in the New Adult series, Adventures Abroad!

-Goodreads

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My Thoughts:

An Open Letter To What Happens In Paris,

I'm so glad that you traveled to a lot of my favorite places in Paris. I got some major flashbacks to my own trip there a few years ago as I read through your pages. It was delightful to know just where Camie was traipsing through in Paris. On the flip side, I found your protagonist to be a whiner, and I didn't get along with her very well, which bummed me out. So props for the travel stuff, but I could have done without Camie.

-The White Unicorn

I have to let you all know that this is the only Adventures Abroad book that I have read so far. As this is a series of four books, I feel like I have limited insight into the storyline as a whole. That being said, this book does read like a standalone, which is nice as well. 

The travel bits of this book were my favorite. McConnel paints a really straight forward portrait of Paris, and makes sure to take her readers to most of the main (yet slightly off the beaten path) attractions of the city. I was glad that she decided to use the landmarks and museums that she did, as most of Camie's favorites are also mine. 

The romance is a little stilted, but I still enjoyed it. It is meant to be one of those whirlwind type of things, and McConnel succeeded there. That being the case we didn't really get to know Hunter as well as I would have liked. It made a few things feel a bit sloppy, but then again, vacation hook-ups are never neat and tidy. I did enjoy all of Hunter's snark though. He really knew how to lay it on thick.

That brings us to Camie and her back story, which to be honest, I had a hard time swallowing. I get being sad when a relationship doesn't work out, but I don't get when someone throws themselves such a huge pity party that it effects the rest of their life. The fact that she didn't go to a class because her ex was there seemed way too dramatic for me, but it's possible that other people (who are not me) will connect with her. 

I'm excited to get my hands on the rest of the series once it is released, so I can see the other adventures, since I liked the other girls in the few flashes that we got to see of them.

If you like travel and a whole lot of drama, I'm gonna go ahead and say that these are the right books for you!

Rating:

  3 Unicorns = I liked it, but it had it's issues!

[Review: One Wish Away by Kelley Lynn]

"One Wish Away"
Author: Kelley Lynn
Series: ?

Genre: YA, Sci Fi, Fantasy
Date Published: November 24th, 2014
Publisher: Bloomsbury Spark
Format Read: eARC provided by publisher (via NetGalley) for honest review

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Summary:

Be careful what you wish for…

Lyra has always been ahead of the curve. Top of her class in school, a budding astronomer, and with a best friend like Darren she barely has time to miss the mother who abandoned her family years ago. She's too busy planning to follow in her father's footsteps, and to become the youngest astronomer at Space Exploration and Discovery.

When a star goes missing Lyra is determined to get to the bottom of it only to discover her braniac dad is the mastermind of a top-secret government experiment. They promise to build a perfect world, one galaxy at a time, but with every tweak of the present, a bit more of the future starts to crumble.

Lyra has to go undercover to reveal the truth and let humanity decide if the consequences are worth more than wishing on a star.

-Goodreads

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My Thoughts:

An Open Letter To One Wish Away,

You were a mixed bag of tricks for me. On one hand you were a fun and fanciful read. You didn't seem to take yourself too seriously and your plot was well thought out. On the other hand, you were really off the wall and none of you made any logical sense. These things made me like you and feel rather "uh" about you at the same time. I honestly don't really know how I feel about you as a whole, but I can't say that I didn't enjoy you.

-The White Unicorn

I'm not even sure where to start this review. Lynn has managed to write a book about what would happen if you could turn real stars into real wishes and mess with time and events in history. Let's just say that it makes a huge mess, that's what it does. These scientists are playing God and we all know that that never turns out well in the end. It keeps the tension levels up and it keeps you interested, but at the same time it's not believable and there in lies this book's odd charm.

As a work of complete fiction this book actually works. It's what I like to call a "fun read". You can't take it seriously, but it's plot and your interest level keep you attached enough to forget the things you know and jump on board with the story. Still, some of the things that happen in this book can't even be helped by that kind of reading style. The star machine itself and some of the rest of the story (like the ending) get a little too far fetched. Though I still give Lynn mad props for the ideas and moral questions displayed in this novel.

I liked Lyra as a main character. She's smart and sure of herself in most things and I liked that about her. But like with the story I felt her lack of self confidence in how she looked went against the rest of her personality and this bugged me a bit. In the end I liked her a lot though, even with my issues.

Darren seemed like he was the perfect match for Lyra and I can't help but be a fan of the whole friends to more thing. He was also there for her even in the tough times and that really worked for me. He also ended up being a really solid rock for her in her chaotic life. 

The ending was another thing I took into account when I rated this book. I have no problems with how this book ended, that is, if it's a series, but if it's not than I have beef with it. The book ends on what can only be called a cliff hanger and I can't find whether or not there will be more books. If there aren't going to be more books, I want to know where the rest of the ending is.

If your looking for a book about a group of really smart people who make stars into wishes, then look no farther, this is the book for you.

 3 Unicorns = I liked it, but it had it's issues!

[Review: Mistletoe and Mr. Right by Lyla Payne]

"Mistletoe and Mr. Right"
Author: Lyla Payne
Series: None
Pages: 150
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Date Published: November 20th, 2014
Publisher: Bloomsbury Spark
Format Read: eARC provided by publisher (via NetGalley) for honest review

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Summary:

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring…but lust refused to settle in for a long winter's nap.
She might be all nestled, snug in her bed, by why, oh why, do visions of the wrong guy dance in her head?

Jessica, (not Jessie), figures that nothing could be better than a trip to the Emerald Isle for Christmas break. So she takes a flying leap and follows her boyfriend home for the holidays, not only sure that he will finally agree they're destined for each other, but also that Ireland will provide the perfect backdrop to the beginning of their happily-ever-after.

But it turns out his family--and his gorgeous ex-girlfriend--don't feel the same way, and even the family goat seems to be conspiring against her well-laid plans. The only person making the trip worthwhile is the very last one she should be thinking about, but Grady, the local farmhand, has a way of showing up when Jessica needs him most...and least.

USA Today bestselling author Lyla Payne wraps up the perfect holiday novella, ties it with a ribbon of romance, and tops it with a light dusting of snow. Perfect to curl up with under the tree. Just add hot cocoa!

-Goodreads

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My Thoughts:

An Open Letter To Mistletoe and Mr. Right,

You're cute. Cute like one of those crappy made for TV movies that we all love so much. Trust me, even though it might not sound like it, this is a really high compliment coming from me. 'Cause God knows that I love me some crappy yet adorable Christmas movies. Throw in the fact that you take place in Ireland and I'm hooked. Thanks for being a cute, quick, fun, Christmas read!

-The White Unicorn

This novella is amazingly cute! Payne knows just how to work a shorter story and it made this book a really fun read. I do have to admit that I wish it would have been a bit longer, because I felt like some of the plot points were a bit rushed, but that being said, I think that Payne did really well based on the length of the book. 

At only 150 pages, this is the perfect book to read in a sitting or two snuggled next to the fire. It will be able to fill that Christmas movie feel you want, but still allow you to read a book at the same time. The plot isn't that deep, but in the few moments that are, it really shines. When you add in the fact that some really ridiculous things happen and that Payne has a knack for comedic timing, you know you're in for a good time. Sure, the plot is extremely predictable, but that's not really all that surprising. Plus, it's set in Ireland, so you get a little book travel in as well!

The cast of characters is a good one. The back stories could have been fleshed out a bit more, because I feel like it would have added to the story, but I also fear that the story would have lost some of it cuteness along the way if that would have been the case. Payne gives as much detail to the background characters as her main ones and I think this really helped the novel in so many ways. It took you into her world quickly and I really liked that.

For a NA romance, this book is really clean and I liked that. It's one of those books that anyone could read and smile over. Which brings us around to the romance. I found Jessie's 10 year plan to be a little annoying, and she seemed really clueless in her relationship, but she had guts, so I liked her. Brennan is so removed from what's going on that I never really liked him. And Grady was pretty great and understanding and handsome. Some would say that this is a triangle, but it never felt like one to me. The story is more about Jessie than her relationships and I thought that was a good call. Not to say that the romance wasn't swoony and adorable, because it was.

If you're looking for a short, sweet, Christmas time read, pick this little jewel up!

Rating:

4 Unicorns = Close to perfect!

[Review: Her Secret Inheritance by Jen McConnel]

"Her Secret Inheritance"
Author: Jen McConnel
Series: Isobel Key #2
Pages: 150
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Date Published: June 12th, 2014
Publisher: Bloomsbury Spark
Format Read: Purchased eBook

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Summary:

Five years ago, an impulsive trip to Scotland changed her life. Now Lou is back in the misty, magical country. But this time, she’s not on vacation.

When Brian, her old Highland fling, turns up at the scene of some depressing family business, tension mounts between the former lovers. But dealing with him is only part of the problem; something wicked is stirring in Scotland. Lou must use all her strength to handle the increasingly desperate situation, but will she be strong enough to battle both a vengeful ghost and her heart?

Lou may have thought that she was finished with the witch Isobel Key, but some secrets can't stay buried forever.

-Goodreads 

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My Thoughts:

An Open Letter To Her Secret Inheritance,

I have to be honest. I don't think you were as great as the book that you follow. You fell a little flat for me, but to be fair I still really enjoyed you. You were a fun, fast, easy read and you brought back some characters that I really enjoyed the first time around. So thank you for that...

-The White Unicorn


I was excited when I heard that McConnel was coming out with a follow up novel to "The Secret of Isobel Key". I really enjoyed it and I was really excited to jump back into Lou's world. Perhaps it was the short length of this book that left me wanting more, or maybe it was the fact that I was actually satisfied with the ending of the first book, but this story felt a little redundant to me. That being said, I'm still a huge fan of McConnel's writing.

In the beginning of the book we get dropped into Lou's story 5 years down the line from where we last saw her. She's more sure of herself and of her magic, which is a delightful development. However, her once flirtatious and amazing chemistry with Brian seemed tedious this time around. I understand that 5 years is a long time, but they held so much resentment over something that most likely ended up helping Lou find herself in the long run.

I guess it goes back to the "let's not talk about it" romance trope that isn't my favorite. In this case my dislike for a romance that I dug the first time around is probably more of a "It's not you, it's me" type of thing.

I do love how McConnel manages to drop you into her setting. She world building makes you feel like you're traipsing around Scotland and that's awesome!

The mystery ties into the last book and continues the story of Isobel Key, but from a different point of view. I really like that we get to see some bits of history as well as all the modern happenings, it gives the book a fresh feel. In this case it also makes the book feel a pretty repetitive. I felt like the same things were done in both books and that this novel didn't end up being as exciting.

I know that this review isn't full of glowing praise, but don't let that fool you. I did enjoy this one and I got through it quickly because I wanted to know what happened in the end. I'd say if you're a fan of the first book, definitely check this one out. If you haven't read either yet, you should.

Rating:

3 Unicorns = I liked it a lot but it had it's issues!

[Review: Deliver Me by Kate Jarvik Birch]

"Deliver Me"
Author: Kate Jarvik Birch
Series: None
Pages: 250
Genre: YA, Dystopian
Date Published: April 29th, 2014
Publisher: Bloomsbury Spark
Format Read: eARC provided by publisher (via NetGalley) for honest review

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Summary:

One People. One Union. One Future.

Wynne’s entire life is dictated by the Union: the clothes she wears, the books she reads, even the genes she inherited. And like every other girl in the Union, Wynne dreams of being chosen as a Carrier on her 16th birthday—one of the elite selected to carry the future generation within her womb. Wynne and her best friend Odessa are certain they will both make the cut, but when Odessa is chosen and whisked off to a life of privilege, Wynne is left behind to work as an assistant, delivering perfectly planned babies for the Union.

As Odessa slips deeper and deeper into the role of Carrier, Wynne begins to see the Union for what it really is: a society that criminalizes the notion of love, and forbids words like mother and family.

For the first time in her life, Wynne is faced with a choice: submit to the will of the Union, or find a way to escape and save Odessa before she is lost forever.

-Goodreads 

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My Thoughts:

An Open Letter To Deliver Me,

I didn't go into reading you thinking that you were going to be a book that swept me off my feet, in fact I didn't give it much thought, but now I can't stop thinking about you.  You posed so many questions about the human condition and the quiet strength that we all have inside of us.  You made me bawl my eyes out at one point and that doesn't happen very often.  You gave me this terrifying world and these characters that I adored.  You gave me feminine, yet strong girl power and you touched on feminist issues without being obnoxious.  You book, are going to be something I'll be thinking about for awhile.

-The White Unicorn

Okay, so this book blew my mind.  Birch has a writing style that will pull you right into the world that she's created.  Her characters are ridiculously strong and well written.  You feel like they are people that you've known forever, which makes the reality of the things that are happening to them even more heart wrenching.  Deliver Me isn't a sweet book by any means.  It's brutal and it's dark and it's full of human conditioning.  That being said, Birch manages to give us the story through the eyes of people who still hang on to hope.  People who bend the status quo and see just how far they can push it.  This book is harrowing.

Birch gives us this dystopian world that will remind readers of the Nazi concentration camps.  The men and women are separated and placed into their own barracks.  They have numbers tattooed onto their arms.  Love and families aren't something you are supposed to know about.  And a few select girls seem like they get the best deal when they are chosen to be Carriers (baby making machines).  It's not pretty and it's actually pretty darn terrible.  It'll leave you cringing at times, but it will also make you want to cheer for human resilience.  

The story is fundamentally about friendship.  Wynne does have a moment where she meets a man, but this book isn't drenched in a typical love story, in fact it barely even dips its toes in.  Instead it's a story about Wynne and Odessa.  They share this sisterly love that is huge and they've planned their lives out together as Carriers, but that doesn't go as planned.  Once the girls are separated, Wynne builds strong and lasting relationships with most of the other women that come into her path.  The relationships that Birch builds are wonderful and full of warmth, even though the circumstances surrounding them are harsh.

Wynne is one tough cookie.  The things that she sees and experience are intense, but she still manages to stay grounded.  She's continually questioning everything that's happening around her, while everyone else is just going about their lives the way they were taught to.  She asks the questions that most people wouldn't want to know the answers to and it makes her one of the most interesting heroines that I've read in a really long time.  She stands up for what is right even though she's been conditioned from birth not to doubt anything that she's told by those who are in charge.  Of course this also brings loads of trouble knocking on her front door.

I do have one little qualm with this wonderful book.  It's a slight, little thing, but it's still there.  The world building, though it's really well developed, also isn't.  Sure we see the world that Wynne lives in and it's extremely detailed, but the wide scope world building could have been fleshed out a bit more.  Though it could have detracted from the characterization and God knows I prefer that to overly detailed outside information.  Like I said, it's a little thing.

I highly suggest that this book go on your "to be read" lists.  It snuck up on me and made me take notice of all the awesome that it had to offer.

Rating:

 4 Unicorns = Close to perfect!

[Review: Road To Somewhere by Kelley Lynn and Jenny S. Morris]

"Road to Somewhere"
Author: Kelley Lynn and Jenny S. Morris
Series: None
Pages: ?
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Date Published: March 11th, 2014
Publisher: Bloomsbury Spark
Format Read: eARC provided by the publisher (via NetGalley) for honest review

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Summary:

New! From Bloomsbury Spark, a sunny heartwarming story of discovery and sisterhood.

A road trip. A singing competition. And super-hot cowboys.

What could be better?

For Charlie, a post-high school road trip isn't just a vacation, it's life changing. While her parents think she's helping a friend move, a chance at fame is the real reason to grab her best friends and drive to L.A. But when her super annoying, uber-responsible, younger sister, Lucy, has to tag along, it isn't quite the summer of fun she imagined.

Add in a detour to her grandparents' ranch in Texas, and between mucking the stalls, down-home cookin’, and drool worthy ranch hands, this could just turn into the best, and most complicated, summer of their lives.

-Goodreads

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My Thoughts:

An Open Letter To Road To Somewhere,

You book, are a trickster.  You started out and I was pretty sure that I was going to love you.  You had all the right things: music, road trips, sisters and fun.  But then your main characters got lost in this maze of self pity and absolutely no confidence and I found myself getting more and more frustrated at you.  I know that some people will like you and that I just couldn't relate to your protagonists, but I really wish that there would have been at least a smidgeon of self confidence and way less victimizing of ones self going on.  Sorry we didn't get along, but I'm sure you'll find some best friends out there.  

-The White Unicorn

I don't know if my opinion of this book comes down to a serious case of "it's not you, it's me", or if I will be one of many who just didn't get this book.  (I have a feeling it'll be the first option)  Road to Somewhere had a lot going for it.  It had a music angle, it had a road trip, it had self discovery.  This book should have been something epic, but it fell completely flat for me.  There were a few things that I liked and I feel like I should talk about those things first!

The books is filled with duel POV.  It works really really well here.  Lynn and Morris have really similar voices and so the flow of the book reads really easily.  You can't even tell that two authors are behind writing the novel, which I think speaks volumes.  Road to Somewhere is plotted out really nicely and it also reads really fast.  Honestly, the writing was the best part.  That and the sister thing.  There aren't enough sibling stories out there.

Sadly, the content took away from the plot for me.  Charlie and Lucy had voices that sounded different and a lot alike at the same time.  Both girls doubted everything about themselves.  I think if one of the sisters would have had an inner dialogue filled with confidence it would have helped.  But Lucy doesn't think she's pretty enough and Charlie thinks she's stupid (her words, not mine) and they never let you forget it.  Characters with no confidence are a pet peeve of mine, if you couldn't tell, and these girls didn't have any.  The fact that the girls don't really take life into their own hands frustrated me too.  I mean on one hand they did, but they never changed the way they looked at the world or themselves, so their "look at me taking over my own life" actions seemed like a mute point.  

But there were some swoony cowboys, so that was nice.  I liked Drew and Jake, even though these girls force them jump through some huge hoops and kept being pretty awful to them.  

Honestly, I just can't get behind this one.  But like I said, I think that there will be people out there who do like this one and I'm excited to see what other people think once the book is released.

(book was bumped up to two unicorns for the flow and plot)

Rating:

2 Unicorns = It was okay but something didn't work for me!

[Review: The Sound of Us by Ashley Poston]

"The Sound of Us"
Author: Ashley Poston
Series: Radio Hearts #1
Pages: 202
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary
Date Published: December 19th, 2013
Publisher: Bloomsbury Spark
Format Read: Purchased eBook

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Summary:

America's favorite pop band, Roman Holiday, is done, dead, and so totally last year. For eighteen-year-old rockoholic Junie Baltimore, this is music to her ears. But when she discovers their sexy ex-lead singer hiding out on the boardwalk, her summer vacation becomes the cover story of the year.

She's willing to keep him a secret, but when a sleazy paparazzo offers her the cash she needs to save the bar her father left behind, could she sell out for the chance to save her future? Who is she kidding? That's a no-brainer...but she never planned on falling head over heels for the lead singer.

-Goodreads   

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My Thoughts:

An Open Letter To The Sound Of Us,

Oh book, how conflicted you leave me.  On one hand you're one of the most quotable things I've ever read.  The highlights in my Kindle edition prove this.  Plus, you were super readable and fast and fun and music filled.  You made me think of song guessing games my dad and I still play and gave me some hilarious characters.  On the flip side you were just a bit much for me.  You were edgy and I give you props for pushing some envelopes (cause who doesn't love an envelope pusher?) but it was just a little too "in your face" with some things for my personal taste.  That being said, when you were good, you were better than great and who doesn't love that?

-The White Unicorn 

The Sound of Us is a lot of things.  It's a pop culture piece, it's a ode to classic rock, it's a story about broken people and it's got a lot of laugh inducing moments.  It also has lightsaber battles on pirate ships.  Yes, you read that correctly.  Lighsaber battles on pirate ships!  

As an author Poston really knows how to write a beautiful passage of words.  She has a way with bending them into the perfect sentence and she has a deep connection with music, you can tangibly feel her love of the stuff.  You can also feel what her characters feel, whether they are talking about something meaningful or just shooting their mouths off.  This ended up being both one of the strongest things about the book and the weakest, all in one package.  On one side we had dialogue so beautiful it would almost make you wanna shed a tear and then on the other side we had so many swear words that it was a little overwhelming.  I get that sexual references and cuss words can be funny, but it seemed to be a little overkill to me this time around.  And this is coming from a girl who usually doesn't care about this kind of stuff.

I loved the whole idea that Junie was a classic rocker at heart.  She could tell you everything about any rock song on the radio, she had a slew of band shirts and she knew her stuff.  She was healing and she was a mess.  It's always interesting to see a character who is dealing with something big, like a death in the family, and see how they react.  Junie does it all with a flare.  She goes and puts a box of neon pink dye to her hair and ends up hanging out with rock... I mean pop stars.  In the beginning she had a bit of martyr syndrome going on, but by the end she grows a pair and stands up for herself!  She turns into someone you can root for.

Perhaps my favorite characters were the guys in the book.  Roman and Boaz were awesome.  Roman was haunted and sweet at the same time and the way he treated Junie (most of the time) was dang darling to watch.  He lost his best friend and he's trying to hide from all the girls who love his band.  He's layered, he's evolving and he's got a lot of unresolved issues.  Top it all off with the lead singer vibe and you have Junie's perfect leading man.

Boaz is just a ball of crazy and he's so much fun.  He's also really rough around the edges, but it keeps things interesting.  Maggie, Junie's best friend was hilarious on so many levels.  Seriously, that girl had a mouth on her.  Really all of the secondary characters had big personalities, which worked for the book. 

Add in the fact that there is a bit of a mystery in the story and it's on point execution and you have a really cool extra layer.  The fact is no one really knows what happened to Roman Holiday's female band member Holly, but they do know that she's dead.  It adds needed tension to the plot.  It gives Roman a reason to hide (even if he doesn't do it well) and it gives Junie a reason to find him.  Which leads us to an epic game of cat and mouse!

If you're looking for a music filled, romance tinged, New Adult novel be sure not to miss out on this one.  Every classic rock lover will appreciate it, I'm sure of that.

Rating:

     3 Unicorns = I liked it a lot but it had it's issues!    

[Blog Tour: The Secret Of Isobel Key by Jen McConnel]

"The Secret of Isobel Key"

Author: Jen McConnel

Series: None

Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Mystery

Date Published: December 19th, 2013

Publisher: Bloomsbury Spark

Format Read: eBook provided by author for honest review

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Summary:

Lou is in the middle of a quarter-life crisis. Fresh out of college, she’s unemployed and unsure of herself. But when she gets the chance to escape to Scotland with her best friend, it could be the answer to her quest for self-discovery. The trip is not at all what she expected, especially when her tour guide turns out to be the dreamy historian Brian, and together they embark on a hunt for information about Isobel Key, a woman accused of witchcraft in the seventeenth century.

They set out to learn the truth of the condemned witch, but Lou isn’t prepared for the knowledge that awaits her. She must face her own demons if she has any hope of righting the wrongs of the past.

Flashing between seventeenth century Scotland and a contemporary romance, THE SECRET OF ISOBEL KEY is a mystery that will please readers of all ages.

-Goodreads 

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My Thoughts:

An Open Letter To The Secret of Isobel Key,

You were actually a lot cooler then I was expecting, which is a good thing.  I liked that you were a quick read that came together rather nicely, and that you still kept me guessing a bit.  I also enjoyed the fact that I've been to most of the places that you talked about in Scotland, it made reading you more personal.  It also gave me a mad case of wanderlust, so my wallet thanks you for that.  Also I'd like to thank you for some snarky characters.  You can never go wrong there.  On top of that, thanks for not having crazy, explicit sex in your pages and keeping the romance sweet!  Overall, you were a pleasant reading experience, so that's something to be proud about.

-The White Unicorn

So, going into TSOIK, I didn't know what to expect, but I'm happy with what I got.  McConnel did her work and it shows in the details.  The book itself flips back and forth between a modern setting and a time when people actually burned witches (aka the seventeenth century)  She manages to give us folklore, history and an overall feeling of a genuine Scotland feel.  It makes reading the book feel like you're on this grand adventure with Lou and Tammy, not just watching it happen.

The story seems simple at first.  Lou quits her job and next thing she knows she's on a plane with her best friend headed to Scotland for the holidays.  But then we see flashes of a woman, a long dead woman known as Isobel Key.  The chapters swap between Lou and Isobel, bringing the full picture together in the end of the novel.  McConnel does a good job of keeping the puzzle pieces separated enough so that you can't guess everything about the mystery.  Sure, some things aren't that surprising when they come to light, but the story telling keeps some pretty big things under wraps till the right time.  

Lou was a fun main character.  She's snarky, she's unsure of her life and she's pretty darn lost.  All in all, she was just really honest.  Yes, there were times that I just wanted to tell her to get her stuff together, but I think we have either all been where she's at or we will get there at some point.  Let's just say that she's a quirky one and that she's into some pretty strange stuff that ends up propelling the story.

Tammy was an odd ball.  The fact that these two are best pals seems off at first, but as the story progresses it all starts to make sense.  She's a little more crass and confident and their dynamic works.  I also liked that even though TSOIK had a romance arc, McConnel also focused on the gal pal aspect of the novel.  Tammy and Lou's friendship was just as important as Lou's romance with Brian.  Speaking of Brian, he was delightful leading man and added just the right dash of dashing.  He's a foxy, sweet, red headed hunk.  What more could you want?

There isn't much more I can say about the book without giving away plot points.  And who wants to read a review that spoils all the things?  I know I wouldn't want that.  So, this is where my review ends.  Just know that if you give this NA novel a try you'll most likely enjoy it and all of it's world traveling, witch burning and self finding!

Rating:

    4 Unicorns = Close to perfect!

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 About The Author:

Jen McConnel first began writing poetry as a child. A Michigander by birth, she now lives and writes in the beautiful state of North Carolina. When she isn’t crafting worlds of fiction, she teaches college writing composition and yoga. Once upon a time, she was a middle school teacher, a librarian, and a bookseller, but those are stories for another time.  She is the author of The Secret of Isobel Key (NA 2013) and Daughter of Chaos (YA 2014).  Visit www.jenmcconnel.com to learn more.

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