[Review: This Darkness Mone by Mindy McGinnis

"This Darkness Mine"
Author: Mindy McGinnis
Series: None
Pages: 352
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Thriller, Horror
Date Published: October 10th, 2017
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Format Read: eARC provided by the publisher (via Edelweiss) for honest review

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Summary:

Sasha Stone knows her place—first-chair clarinet, top of her class, and at the side of her oxford-wearing boyfriend. She’s worked her entire life to ensure that her path to Oberlin Conservatory as a star musician is perfectly paved.

But suddenly there’s a fork in the road, in the shape of Isaac Harver. Her body shifts toward him when he walks by, her skin misses his touch even though she’s never known it, and she relishes the smell of him—smoke, beer, and trouble—all the things she’s avoided to get where she is. Even worse, every time he’s near Sasha, her heart stops, literally. Why does he know her so well—too well—and she doesn’t know him at all?

Sasha discovers that her by-the-book life began by ending another’s: the twin sister she absorbed in the womb. But that doesn’t explain the gaps of missing time in her practice schedule or the memories she has of things she certainly never did with Isaac. As Sasha loses her much-cherished control, her life—and heart—become more entangled with Isaac. Armed with the knowledge that her heart might not be hers alone, Sasha must decide what she’s willing to do—and who she’s willing to hurt—to take it back.

Edgar Award–winning author Mindy McGinnis delivers a dark and gripping psychological thriller about a girl at war with herself, and what it really means to be good or bad.

-Goodreads

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My Thoughts:

If you've ever wondered what it would be like if Mindy McGinnis wrote a magical realism book, This Darkness Mine is the answer to your question. And yes, it's just as twisted, uncomfortable, and utterly fucked up as you'd expect it to be. Honestly, this book isn't for the faint of heart. This book is brutal... in all the best ways.

Mindy McGinnis is one of the few authors who are on my instant buy list, and she hasn't let me down yet. Even though this is the weirdest book in her catalogue so far, I dig it. This Darkness Mine is one of those books that's hard to review, because you don't want to give anything away, and you honestly can't put your finger on how to review it. 

I'm sure that some people are going to say that the plot isn't realistic, and I think that that's what makes it work. I mean the main character absorbs her twin in the womb, and that's just the beginning of the messed up things that "perfect" Sasha Stone has done to the people around her. Is Sasha the only one living in her body, or is her dead twin still around? McGinnis explores this idea in ways that can't be medically verified, but like I said, this book feels like a messed up, magical realism novel, so it worked for me.

Sasha starts out as this perfect angel, and it's fun to see who she truly is. Some might call her an antihero, some might call her a villain, and truth be told, she's not a good girl, that's for sure. 

On one side, it feels like you're watching Sasha's life unravel, but if you look closely I think that this book is about Sasha finding herself. She's not nice, she's not a reliable narrator, and if you're looking for a cute story about a girl finding out who she is, this isn't going to be the book for you. McGinnis is unflinchingly real with her narrative, and even though you'll be disturbed, you won't be able to look away.

Rating:

4 Unicorns = Close to perfect!

[Review: I See London, I See France by Sarah Mlynowski]

"I See London, I See France"
Author: Sarah Mlynowski
Series: I See London, I See France #1
Pages: 336
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Romance, Travel
Date Published: July 11th, 2017
Publisher: HarperTeen
Format Read: eARC provided by publisher (via Edelweiss) for honest review

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Summary:

I see London, I see France
I see Sydney’s underpants.

Nineteen-year-old Sydney has the perfect summer mapped out. She’s spending the next four and half weeks traveling through Europe with her childhood best friend, Leela. Their plans include Eiffel-Tower selfies, eating cocco gelato, and making out with très hot strangers. Her plans do not include Leela’s cheating ex-boyfriend showing up on the flight to London, falling for the cheating ex-boyfriend’s très hot friend, monitoring her mother’s spiraling mental health via texts, or feeling like the rope in a friendship tug-of-war.

In this hilarious and unforgettable adventure, New York Times bestselling author Sarah Mlynowski tells the story of a girl learning to navigate secret romances, thorny relationships, and the London Tube. As Sydney zigzags through Amsterdam, Switzerland, Italy, and France, she must learn when to hold on, when to keep moving, and when to jump into the Riviera… wearing only her polka dot underpants.

-Goodread

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My Thoughts:

Okay, this is the perfect summer read. It's fluffy as you can get, but it's also deals with some tough issues. I feel like the best fluffy summer reads always deal with more than just a hot romance. That being said, I See London, I See France also delivers in the romance category. So much so that I'd almost argue that it's more of a New Adult title than a YA one. That being said I wouldn't change anything about this book.

It's fun to see Sydney break away from her family. She's been looking out for her mom since her dad left them, and it's not an easy job. Her mom can't even leave the house, and so Syd and her little sister have been tied down to one place for as long as they can remember. I love that it takes a trip to Europe for everyone to find their own footing in Sydney's family. And the family dynamics makes the story seem a bit more real.

The main story is a bit silly and predictable. Two girls go to Europe and the cheating ex shows up with a hot friend. It's simplistic, but in being simple you actually get a feel for some of the foreign places the girls see. I like that in a travel themed book. Sure, the books a bit goofy, but weird, goofy things happen when you're out traveling the world. 

All in all I enjoyed this book a lot. If you're looking to get away this summer, pick I See London, I See France up!

  4 Unicorns = Close to perfect!

[Review: Red Velvet Crush by Christina Meredith]

"Red Velvet Crush"
Author: Christina Meredith
Series: None
Pages: 304
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Music
Date Published: June 14th, 2016
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Format Read: eARC provided by publisher (via Edelweiss) for honest review

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Summary:

Rock music, a broken family, challenging sisters, and the crush of first love—Red Velvet Crush has everything you need in a summer read. For fans of Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist, Eleanor & Park, and This Song Will Save Your Life.

Teddy Lee’s mother ran off when she was in second grade. And ever since, Teddy Lee, the often-overshadowed middle kid, has tried to keep her family together. But her older brother Winston usually keeps himself busy with smoking, drinking, and girls, and who knows what else. Her younger sister Billie is occupied with her shoplifting habit and boys . . . and who knows what else. So when Teddy Lee finally takes the songs she’s always written and forms a band, maybe it’ll bring everyone closer together, maybe it’ll be her time to shine. Unless Billie steals the spotlight—and the boy—just like she always does. Christina Meredith explores the complicated relationship of sisters—both the unconditional love and the unavoidable resentments—in a novel full of music, urgency, the first blushes of love, and the undeniable excitement of hitting the road. 

-Goodreads
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My Thoughts:

Finally, a book about music that I actually enjoyed. It's true that I'm really picky when it comes to books that have to do with bands and going on the road. In fact they usually fall really flat for me, but Red Velvet Crush surprised me, and I found that I really liked it. It's much better than the band name the book is named after, but that's beside the point. 

I think that what works so well for this novel is that it's about so much more than just the music. It reminded me of Almost Famous in that way. That the story is actually more about a group of people coming together and learning some really tough lessons, while also rocking out, and having a grand adventure at the same time. It's refreshing, and it's bold.

I also have to say that I really enjoyed Meredith's writing style. It's whimsical, but it's also brash, and I think it's one of the reasons that this book works so well. Her flowery prose makes reading some of the harsher details much more interesting. And she makes sure to make you feel as unsure as the characters in her story as you read along.

The relationships in Red Velvet Crush felt really authentic. They felt real, and that is part of this books charm. Sure Teddy Lee and her family aren't perfect (at all) but there is a love there that can't be denied. Winston, though he plays a part in the novel, takes a backseat to the relationship between Teddy Lee and Billie. Theirs is a sister bond that isn't full of rainbows and butterflies, and that's one of the biggest plot pushes of the book. It's uncomfortable sometimes, but it means that we get to see Teddy Lee grow a lot in the short amount of time that we have with her.

The romance element was fun, but it wasn't the best part of the book for me. In fact my only complaint with the book has to do with the romance and how it all ended. Now, I'm sure that teen readers are going to eat the end up, but as someone who's older, I found that it didn't work for me. 

That being said, Red Velvet Crush is a delightful summer read for anyone who's a music junkie like I am. Meredith fills the pages with old school band references, beautiful words to describe the music that's happening on the page, and some good old "on the road" shenanigans.  

Rating:

4 Unicorns = Close to perfect!

[Review: With Malice by Eileen Cook]

"With Malice"
Author: Eileen Cook
Series: None
Pages: 320
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Thriller
Date Published: June 7th, 2016
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Format Read: eARC provided by publisher (via Edelweiss) for honest review

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Summary:

A read about a teenage girl who wakes up in a hospital bed and cannot remember the last six weeks of her life, including the accident that killed her best friend--only what if the accident wasn't an accident?

Eighteen-year-old Jill Charron wakes up in a hospital room, leg in a cast, stitches in her face and a big blank canvas where the last 6 weeks should be. She comes to discover she was involved in a fatal accident while on a school trip in Italy three days previous but was jetted home by her affluent father in order to receive quality care. Care that includes a lawyer. And a press team. Because maybe the accident...wasn't an accident. Wondering not just what happened but what she did, Jill tries to piece together the events of the past six weeks before she loses her thin hold on her once-perfect life.

-Goodreads

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My Thoughts:

With Malice is the kind of YA thriller that I've been missing in my life lately. It's dark, and confusing, and it'll take you on a trip into the mind of someone who can't remember a life shattering event until people tell her what happened. I think that Cook is a genius for giving us the story from the view of someone who doesn't remember what happened. And the question of whether or not the accident was actually an accident will keep you on the edge of your seat. 

This book is one of those books that's hard to talk about. It's so convoluted that if you say too much you're going to give away a chunk of the plot. And nobody wants that. 

I will say that Jill's character was a really interesting one. Cook made sure that you felt for her, even though you knew she was an unreliable narrator. She can't remember the last six months of her life, and she's thrown into a confusing world that the people around her expect her to understand.

Most of the secondary characters are frustrating, and I disliked her father the most of all. But I am glad that Cook decided to give Jill a friend in the form of her roommate Anna. And that Cook actually uses Anna's character to move the plot along. 

If you love a good mystery, who done it, what really happened, type of book, then this is the one that you should be reading this summer. Plus some of the book takes place in Italy, and if that's not the perfect summer vacation spot I don't know what is. 

Rating:

5 Unicorns = Get your hands on this NOW!

[Review: Frannie and Tru by Karen Hattrup]

"Frannie and Tru"
Author: Karen Hattrup
Series: None
Pages: 320
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Date Published: May 31st, 2016
Publisher: HarperTeen
Format Read: eARC provided by publisher (via Edelweiss) for honest review

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Summary:

When Frannie Little eavesdrops on her parents fighting she discovers that her cousin Truman is gay, and his parents are so upset they are sending him to live with her family for the summer. At least, that’s what she thinks the story is. . . When he arrives, shy Frannie befriends this older boy, who is everything that she’s not–rich, confident, cynical, sophisticated. Together, they embark on a magical summer marked by slowly unraveling secrets.

-Goodreads

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My Thoughts:

This book is so beautifully written that I found myself highlighting sections in my Kindle. Hattrup has a way with words that turns even the most ordinary moments into something memorable. And trust me she showcases this talent a lot in Frannie and Tru. The plot is a very simple one, and even though a lot of self discovery happens in the pages, not much else does. I'm glad to say that it's not a bad thing here. Somehow Hattrup is able to take the internal workings of a young teen and make it something that you want to keep reading. 

Frannie is a familiar character. The girl who is young. The girl who doesn't know who she is yet. The girl who thinks that the world is a better place than the one she actually lives in. That being said, she feels fresh, and she feels fresh because she's so incredibly honest. I found myself rooting for her instead of shaking my head at her, because I felt like, even though she was learning some tough lessons, she was actually learning them. I'm glad that a character like her exists in teen fiction.

Tru on the other hand, was a hot mess of a character, but his personality mixed with Frannie's kept me wondering what was going to happen next. I have to admit that Tru is a male version of the Manic Pixie trope, but it really works here. I think it has a better impact because the plot doesn't make him the sexual desire of the main character. In fact, aside from one slight romance, he's simply a character, and not a romantic lead. 

Which brings me to the fact that Frannie and Tru is a coming of age story that has more to do with family dynamics than a romance, and I found that really refreshing. Frannie finds herself not because she falls in love, but because she idolizes her older cousin, who in turn drags her into the real world. 

My one complaint with the story is a small one. And that's the fact that the promised "secret" and "suspense" boiled down to really flat conclusion. I wish that the part of the story would have been as good as all the rest of it, but in the end it didn't have much sway over my general like of the novel.

If you're looking for an awesome book about finding yourself, and are also looking for a fun, yet deep, summer read, this is the book for you.

Rating:

 4 Unicorns = Close to perfect!

[Review: Girl Against the Universe by Paula Stokes]

"Girl Against the Universe"
Author: Paula Stokes
Series: None
Pages: 382
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Date Published: May 17th, 2016
Publisher: HarperTeen
Format Read: eARC provided by publisher (via Edelweiss) for honest review

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Summary:

From the author of The Art of Lainey and Liars, Inc. comes a fresh, contemporary story about one girl’s tragic past and a boy who convinces her that maybe her luck is about to change. Perfect for fans of Sarah Dessen or Jenny Han.

Maguire knows she’s bad luck. No matter how many charms she buys off the internet or good luck rituals she performs each morning, horrible things happen when Maguire is around. Like that time her brother, father, and uncle were all killed in a car crash—and Maguire walked away with barely a scratch. But then on her way out of her therapist’s office, she meets Jordy, an aspiring tennis star, who wants to help Maguire break her unlucky streak. Maguire knows that the best thing she can do for Jordy is to stay away, but staying away may be harder than she thought.

-Goodreads

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My Thoughts:

This book is straight up huggable. It's cute, but it's also daring. Add in the fact that there is a dark streak that runs through it, and you have a very dynamic book. On top of all of that it's a story about mental illness, sports, and finding a way to help yourself.

I found myself instantly taken in by Maguire's struggles. She believes that she's cursed, because she's lucky. She manages to live and walk away from things that leave the people around her either hurt or dead, and she carries that around in a way that only makes sense to her. She's also a real tough cookie, and she's learned how to live her life in a way that makes sure no one has to know what she's dealing with. It's wonderful to see her walls come down, and to see her realize that her life doesn't have to be what she's been making it into. She's a likeable character, and it's easy to find yourself rooting for her as she deals with her heavy dose of survivors guilt, as well as other mental health issues. 

Stokes handles Maguire's struggles in a real, tangible way, and creates a story that everyone can connect to. And she adds so many light moments into the novel that it never feels too heavy.

I adore that Maguire and Jordy meet at their therapist's office. It makes the book so much more than just a book about tennis. It makes it about the struggles that people have as they try to uncover who they really are, and how they want to live their lives. 

Speaking of which, Jordy is an adorable love interest. He's got so much going on in his life, and yet he still takes time out of his busy, overly controlled, schedule to help Maguire learn how to help herself. He also gets a lot out of it himself. It's the cutest, and I'm so glad that this element is part of the book as well.

Add in the fact that Stokes throws in a bunch of secondary characters that are just as fleshed out as her main characters, and you've got a whole cast of awesome people, usually being awesome.

If you adore feel good books that deal with some tough issues, and hot tennis players, give this book a go!

Rating:

  4 Unicorns = Close to perfect!

[Review: This is My Brain on Boys by Sarah Strohmeyer]

"This is My Brain on Boys"
Author: Sarah Strohmeyer
Series: None
Pages: 352
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Romance
Date Published: May 10th, 2016
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Format Read: eARC provided by publisher (via Edelweiss) for honest review

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Summary:

Jane Austen’s Emma meets The Rosie Project in this quirky, irresistible, romantic comedy from Sarah Strohmeyer, the author of Smart Girls Get What They Want.

Addie Emerson doesn’t believe in love. Not for herself anyway. With one year left of high school, she’s more interested in snagging a full scholarship to Harvard than a full-time boyfriend.

That doesn’t mean she’s oblivious to the ways of the heart. Or, rather, the head. Because after months of research, Addie has discovered how to make anyone fall in love. All you need is the secret formula.

But will her discovery be enough to win the coveted Athenian Award and all its perks? (See above, full scholarship to Harvard.) Or will she be undone by Dexter, her backstabbing lab partner, who is determined to deep-six her experiments at their exclusive private school?

Those are the least of her problems now that she’s survived a death-defying flight with a mysterious, dark-haired boy, who has delicious chocolate-brown eyes and a few secrets of his own.

With an experiment to mastermind, an infatuated exchange student on her hands, and at least one great white shark (more on that later), can Addie’s prefrontal cortex outwit her heart? Or will she have to give in to her amygdala and find out, once and for all, if this thing called love is more than just her brain on drugs?

-Goodreads

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My Thoughts:

This book is extremely unique. It's clear going into it that this isn't your normal YA romance, and I loved that about This is My Brain on Boys. As the title suggests, this book is quirky, nerdy, and a little like an episode of "The Big Bang Theory" dropped right into it. If you like the show, you're sure to love this novel.

As a nerd myself, I was excited to dig into Strohmeyer's newest contemporary. And after finishing it, I realize that I'm not quite the same kind of nerd as Addie. Though I did find her to hilarious anyway. She's so socially awkward that it's pretty cute, and she's a total smartass to boot. She kept me laughing, that's for sure. I loved the fact that she's always in control in the book. Not many YA contemporary leads tend to have this good of a grasp on the world. Sure, she might be a tad annoying as well, but she's usually right, so I found myself forgiving her for moments I didn't think I would. Yay, for smart girls who are also smartasses!

Kris was also a great character. Though I'm not sure that I bought the whole "I love animals soooo much" thing. It felt corny to me, but I also thought it gave him dimension, so I'm just going to say that I have mixed feelings about him. He's great for Addie, but he's also a little strange for the story. But maybe that's just me.

The plot itself is a great one. Strohmeyer has this grasp on her story that makes it read really smooth. And the payoff is so good, that you'll have a smile on your face at the end. Because, once again, she makes sure that Addie gets the last word. So much girl power fills the pages of this book, even though the whole book is about love and such. 

If any, and or all of this sounds good to you. Read it!

Rating:

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

[Review: Seven Ways We Lie by Riley Redgate]

"Seven Ways We Lie"
Author: Riley Redgate
Series: None
Pages: 352
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Date Published: March 8th, 2016
Publisher: Amulet Books
Format Read: ARC provided by publisher for honest review

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Summary:

 Paloma High School is ordinary by anyone’s standards. It’s got the same cliques, the same prejudices, the same suspect cafeteria food. And like every high school, every student has something to hide—whether it’s Kat, the thespian who conceals her trust issues onstage; or Valentine, the neurotic genius who’s planted the seed of a school scandal.

When that scandal bubbles over, and rumors of a teacher-student affair surface, everyone starts hunting for someone to blame. For the unlikely allies at the heart of it all, the collision of their seven ordinary-seeming lives results in extraordinary change.

-Goodreads

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My Thoughts:

There are a few things that I normally don't like reading in YA fiction, mainly stories that take place in the halls of high school, and books with more than two POVs. If you know anything about Seven Ways We Lie, you know that both of these things are written into the story. But in a strange turn of events, this is good news. See, Redgate has managed to write a story that kept me swept up in the tale, even when she used some of my least favorite story components. Her writing is quick, sharp, and makes you take note of the things she's trying to say. All in all, she's an interesting author with a strong, unique voice, and I didn't feel like I was reading a debut from her as I dug into this book.

I think it's the fact that even though Seven Ways We Lie is told through the viewpoint of seven students, the flow of the novel isn't interrupted. Sure we see things from different view points, but I never felt confused, and I always felt like I was getting somewhere in the story. The story was pushing forward, and each character had something to say that I needed to know. And yet, Redgate made sure that I cared about, or at least had strong feelings about, each of the characters in their own rite. 

Sure, there were a few characters that I didn't care for, and there are a few that I connected to a bit too closely, but the fact is, I felt things about each of them. And that's important when you're writing a story with so many main characters. You want to make sure that your reader feels something about each of them, and Redgate does that in spades!

I was also captivated by the fact that each of the seven characters took on the seven deadly sins. It was fun to figure out who was who, and why, and what part they all played in the student/teacher scandal at the school. 

That might actually be my only complaint with this book. I found that the student/teacher scandal was a bit simple. I wish it would have been fleshed out a bit more. But at the same time it was its simplicity that really made the characters shine, so I'm really not sure why it bugged me, but I can say that it did.

If you're looking for a book that takes place in high school that's told in a unique way, this is the book for you. I highly recommend it!

Rating:

4 Unicorns = Close to perfect! 

[Review: Shallow Graves by Kali Wallace]

"Shallow Graves"
Author: Kali Wallace
Series: None
Pages: 368
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Supernatural, Horror
Date Published: January 26th, 2016
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Format Read: eARC provided by publisher (via Edelweiss) for honest review

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Summary:

For fans of Holly Black and Nova Ren Suma, a gripping, hauntingly atmospheric novel about murder, revenge, and a world where monsters—human and otherwise—lurk at the fringes.

When seventeen-year-old Breezy Lin wakes up in a shallow grave one year after her death, she doesn’t remember who killed her or why. All she knows is that she’s somehow conscious—and not only that, she’s able to sense who around her is hiding a murderous past. In life, Breezy was always drawn to the elegance of the universe and the mystery of the stars. Now she must set out to find answers and discover what is to become of her in the gritty, dangerous world to which she now belongs—where killers hide in plain sight and a sinister cult is hunting for strange creatures like her. What she finds is at once empowering, redemptive, and dangerous.

Tense, complex, and wholly engaging, Shallow Graves is a stunning first novel from Kali Wallace.

-Goodreads 

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My Thoughts:

Shallow Graves is such an interesting novel, and it's certainly going to put Kali Wallace on a lot of people's radars. This book is dark, like really really dark. It asks a lot of interesting questions, and it'll give you goosebumps to boot. It's a novel told from the POV of monsters, but it begs the question as to if they're actually evil or not.  It felt like the story could have been an episode of Supernatural, just told from the monster's POV.

I loved Breezy's character. She's an interesting one in the fact that she knows who she was, but has no idea who she is once she wakes up. Wallace makes sure to give us enough flashbacks in the story that we get to know Breezy as she was, and as she is now. She goes from a carefree high schooler to a dead girl walking, and the changes she goes through to be okay with herself are extreme. Wallace uses Breezy to ask the question "what does it mean to be human" over and over again. 

I have to admit that while I enjoyed the plot, and all the characters in the novel, it was Wallace's writing choices that made the book so strong for me. From when she decided to tell us who the killer was, to the fact that there isn't a drop of romance, to the fact that it's really just about characters struggling with the oddities they've been dealt in life. I have to say that these are the things that made Shallow Grave stand out for me. 

There are so many more things that I'd like to talk about, but I feel that the way the book is written limits me to what I can say about it. If I let anything slip, I feel like people won't have the same reading experience that I did, and that would be a total shame.

Read this novel if you enjoy twisted moral questions, lots of gore, and compelling characters.  

Rating:

4 Unicorns = Close to perfect!

[Everything But The Truth by Mandy Hubbard]

"Everything But the Truth"
Author: Mandy Hubbard
Series: If Only #6
Pages: 288
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Romance
Date Published: November 17th, 2015
Publisher: Bloomsbury US Childrens
Format Read: eARC provided by publisher (via NetGalley) for honest review

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Summary:

If Only . . . she wasn't pretending to be someone else! The If Only romance line continues in this fun rags-to-riches romance.

Holly Mathews' mom is the new manager of a ritzy retirement home, and they just moved in. But having super-rich retirees as her only neighbors isn't a total bust, because the gorgeous, notorious Malik Buchannan is the grandson of a resident. Just one problem: when they meet, Malik assumes Holly is there to visit her own rich relative. She doesn't correct him, and it probably doesn't matter, because their flirtation could never turn into more than a superficial fling . . . right? But the longer she lives in his privileged world, the deeper Holly falls for Malik, and the harder it is to tell the truth . . . because coming clean might mean losing him.

For anyone who has dreamed of their own Cinderella story, this romance shows that when it comes to true love, the best person to be is yourself!

-Goodreads

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My Thoughts:

An Open Letter To Everything But The Truth,

So, I have a whole lot of truth for you. (See what I did there?) I have to admit that I'm not your biggest fan. Though I will say that I thought Malik was an interesting character, nothing else really did it for me. I wish I could say I had different feelings, but I don't. I do on the other hand think that there will be a large group of teens that have a different opinion on things, so that's good. 

-The White Unicorn

So guys, this book didn't do it for me. The pacing was weird, the main character seemed like she was 15 instead of 18, and there was just way too much silly drama for me. That being said, I think this book will have it's audience, that audience just isn't a girl in her late twenties. 

Let's start with the good. I actually really liked the romantic lead. Malik was a character I could actually get behind. I think he could have been developed a bit more, but I dug what Hubbard let us see of him. I also liked a lot of the secondary characters in this book. In all truth, I liked Holly's BFF more than I liked her. Her story was more interesting. That's all I'm saying. Also, I liked that the setting was in a retirement home. It made for lots of laughs.

But then we have Holly herself and the mess that was her storyline. I'm not going to say that I didn't enjoy it at all. It had it's really cute moments, but our leading lady's storyline was really cheesy. To the point of eye rolling. I think if Holly would have been younger, I could have bought the lengths and the lies that she went to to keep her guy, but Holly is supposed to be a graduated eighteen year old, and I couldn't buy it. She acted like she was fifteen, and had no idea how to handle things. She's actually in her dorm room in the last chapter, and it was almost laughable. This girl had no life skills, which made this book unbelievable for me. 

So if you're looking for a corny, cute, mindless read that will make you laugh on occasion, this is the book for you. But if it doesn't sound like something you'd like, I'm sure there's someone younger around who will dig it. 

Rating:

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

[Review: One by Sarah Crossan]

"One"
Author: Sarah Crossan
Series: None
Pages: 400
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Verse
Date Published: September 15th, 2015
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Format Read: eARC provided by publisher (via Edelweiss) for honest review

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Summary:

Tippi and Grace share everything—clothes, friends . . . even their body. Writing in free verse, Sarah Crossan tells the sensitive and moving story of conjoined twin sisters, which will find fans in readers of Gayle Forman, Jodi Picoult, and Jandy Nelson.

Tippi and Grace. Grace and Tippi. For them, it’s normal to step into the same skirt. To hook their arms around each other for balance. To fall asleep listening to the other breathing. To share. And to keep some things private. The two sixteen-year-old girls have two heads, two hearts, and each has two arms, but at the belly, they join. And they are happy, never wanting to risk the dangerous separation surgery.

But the girls’ body is beginning to fight against them. And soon they will have to face the impossible choice they have avoided for their entire lives.

-Goodreads

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My Thoughts:

An Open Letter To One,

Wow, you really packed an emotional punch. There is just something about a well written novel in verse that I can't dislike. You made me cry. Big, fat, crocodile tears. And it made me like you even more. I don't cry over everything, so the fact that you got some of my tears is a big accomplishment. Good on you!

-The White Unicorn

I didn't know what to expect when I headed into One. I've read a few other novels in verse form, and I actually like poetry a lot, but books in poem form usually miss the mark for me. One is not one of those books. Crossan has crafted a book that hits your right in all the emotions and it will most likely make you feel everything, even though the words are fairly sparse. 

The book also happens to be centered around something that I didn't know much about before. Conjoined twins. Two very different girls, joined at the belly forever. They have their own separate upper bodies, which provides some interesting situations. 

Crossan brings us into Grace and Tippi's lives. Gives them interesting backgrounds, a loving family, and their own agendas. I really liked getting to know them. What made them tick individually. She also gives them two really interesting friends. One of which will end up dying of HIV. I liked that Crossan chose to give the girls a friend who is also facing a possible premature death. 

The facts of conjoined twins are looked at in a brutal light. I'm not saying that this novel is downer, because it actually had me laughing quite a bit. On the flip side, not everything is light and fluffy, hence all the crying I admitted to doing. I feel like this is a book that you just have to experience for yourself, and since it's in verse form, you can do that really quickly. 

Read it, feel it, love it, and then when it's over cry your eyes out!

Rating:

  5 Unicorns = Get your hands on this NOW!    

[Review: Exit Stage Left by Gail Nall]

"Exit Stage Left"
Author: Gail Nall
Series: None
Pages: 356
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Romance
Date Published: September 8th, 2015
Publisher: Epic Reads Impulse
Format Read: eARC provided by publisher (via NetGalley) for honest review

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Summary:

In this funny and sweet digital-original novel perfect for fans of Fame, Casey works to find a new passion after her dreams of becoming a Broadway star are ruined.

Casey Fitzgerald has always been an actress. She's known it was her destiny ever since she snagged the role of "apple" in her kindergarten's production of The Food Pyramid. But when she doesn't get the lead in her performing arts high school's production of The Sound of Music, she begins to question everything. Not getting the lead means no recommendations, and no recommendations means she can kiss good-bye any chance of getting a scholarship to the prestigious New York College of Performing Arts.

After some soul searching and some wise words from her friend Harrison, Casey decides to totally reinvent herself. She's already ditched her on-again off-again boyfriend Trevor and is interested in the new boy at school, so why not start fresh with everything? But every new destiny she tries doesn't seem quite right. And when her best friend, Amanda, who did get the lead, starts hanging out with Trevor, Casey's not sure if she'll ever be able to leave the drama behind.

Epic Reads Impulse is a digital imprint with new releases the first Tuesday of each month.

-Goodreads

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My Thoughts:

An Open Letter To Exit Stage Left,

I honestly don't know what to say. I didn't like you at all. I thought we'd get along, I thought you sounded funny, but in the end you didn't cut it. At all. Your characters just didn't work for me. Though I will admit that your plot was okay. Maybe if we had a different set of characters I would feel differently about you, but as it stands, we just didn't get along, and that's okay too.

-The White Unicorn 

After the first couple chapters of Exit Stage Left I knew we were doomed. I didn't listen to that feeling, and I was hoping I was wrong, but in the end I think I should have gone with my gut. Now, I don't think that everything about this book was unlikable, and I actually think that other people will connect with the material, but I didn't. Nall came up with a fun plot. I'm always interested to see someone reinvent themselves, and I think that this was the best part of the book. There are some minor spoilers ahead, so be warned.

Then the characters happened. I think they all showed promise to begin with, but then they started showing their true colors and I just couldn't get behind them. Casey is really selfish, and I don't think that that changes over the course of the book. She keeps making these choices that made me literally shake my head at the book. I think I would have liked the novel more if I would have seen character growth, but all I saw was someone whining about not getting what they wanted and then getting it anyway. 

I really wanted to like Harrison and Amanda, but I felt like they were both really stagnant. They were letting Casey act however she wanted, and they bent over backwards to make her happy. They never stood up for themselves and what they wanted, and in the end that caused a lot of the drama in the book. 

And poor poor Oliver. Oliver with the hero complex who has no idea how awful Casey will end up treating him. Actually he got a chance to see it pretty clearly and yet he still just went along with it. Seriously, how Casey treated him throughout the book made me really sad, which made me really sad to see that their love "bloomed", and they got together in the end.  

Honestly, this book really frustrated me, and I wish that it hadn't. But it is what it is. 

Rating:

1 Unicorn = No, just no!

[Review: Glory O'Brien's History Of The Future]

"Glory O'Brien's History of the Future"
Author: A.S. King
Series: None
Pages: 308
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Magical Realism
Date Published: October 14th, 2014
Publisher: Little Brown Book for Young Readers
Format Read: Hardback from the library

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Summary:

In this masterpiece about freedom, feminism, and destiny, Printz Honor author A.S. King tells the epic story of a girl coping with devastating loss at long last--a girl who has no idea that the future needs her, and that the present needs her even more.

Graduating from high school is a time of limitless possibilities--but not for Glory, who has no plan for what's next. Her mother committed suicide when Glory was only four years old, and she's never stopped wondering if she will eventually go the same way...until a transformative night when she begins to experience an astonishing new power to see a person's infinite past and future. From ancient ancestors to many generations forward, Glory is bombarded with visions--and what she sees ahead of her is terrifying: A tyrannical new leader raises an army. Women's rights disappear. A violent second civil war breaks out. And young girls vanish daily, sold off or interned in camps. Glory makes it her mission to record everything she sees, hoping her notes will somehow make a difference. She may not see a future for herself, but she'll do anything to make sure this one doesn't come to pass.

-Goodreads

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My Thoughts:

An Open Letter To Glory O'Brien's History Of The Future,

You're weird. Like really really weird, but in a way that made me like you a lot. I guess the better word might even be strange. Because that's also what you were. You're about a lot of things all at once. Dealing with death, dealing with coming to terms with your life, and drinking bats so that you accidentally see the future. Thing is, I got you, and I'm glad that I did.

-The White Unicorn

This is my first A.S. King read, and I have to say that I dug it. I have heard that her other stuff is really different, but I have yet to see that for myself. This novel was strange, quirky, and just a straight up trip. King decides to take on regular life issues, but then adds in the fact that her main character drinks the dust of a dead bat in warm beer, and then can see the future. Yerp, it's just as weird as it sounds, but in this case, that's a good thing. 

The fact is that two stories are going on at once. On one hand we have the story of Glory and her life. Her weird relationship with her hippie, commune living, best friend. Who she doesn't really like. The fact that she and her father are still dealing with her mother's suicide, and the fact that she likes to document everything, but doesn't have a life plan of her own. On the other hand we see what Glory sees after she drinks her dead bat. All the sudden we're seeing a contemporary tale, and Glory's dystopian future at the same time. It's a mind trip, but it was a good one. 

Glory is the reason that this book really worked for me. I didn't love the other characters very much, but I think that she made up for it. As she learns about her past, and her future at once, it turns her into a different person. She goes from being a loner feminist, to a girl with a mission. She knows things that no one else does. While her friend sees the cuteness of the world through the bat's eye, Glory sees all the gory details. All of them. 

This is one of those books that you could try to describe for days, but it's so layered and detailed that you have to read it for yourself to understand what's really going on. 

Rating:

 4 Unicorns = Close to perfect! 

[Review: Model Misfit by Holly Smale]

"Model Misfit"
Author: Holly Smale
Series: Geek Girl #2
Pages: 400
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Date Published: July 21st, 2015
Publisher: HarperTeen
Format Read: eARC provided by pubisher (via Edelweiss) for honest review

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Summary:

Harriet knows that modelling won’t transform you. She knows that being as uniquely odd as a polar bear isn’t necessarily a bad thing (even in a rainforest). And that the average person eats a ton of food a year, though her pregnant stepmother is doing her best to beat this.

What Harriet doesn’t know is where she’s going to fit in once the new baby arrives.

With summer plans ruined, modelling in Japan seems the perfect chance to get as far away from home as possible. But nothing can prepare Harriet for the craziness of Tokyo, her competitive model flatmates and her errant grandmother’s ‘chaperoning’. Or seeing gorgeous Nick everywhere she goes.

Because, this time, Harriet knows what a broken heart feels like.

Can geek girl find her place on the other side of the world or is Harriet lost for good?

-Goodreads

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My Thoughts:

An Open Letter To Model Misfit,

I love a funny, fluffy, book to cleanse my pallet every once in awhile. You book, were just what the doctor ordered. You had me doubled over in laughter. Again and again. You're just super cute, and I like your characters, a lot. I thought that you were really similar to the first book in your series, which is why I couldn't give you a higher rating, but that doesn't mean that I didn't like you. We're still friends. Promise.

-The White Unicorn 

Just like Geek Girl this book had me doubling over in laughter. Smale sure knows how to write some geniusly awkward characters, and it shines, once again, in Model Misfit. Harriet is back to her old tricks, only this time she's already a model. Or at least she's still trying to be one. I love that even though this book is 6 months in the future from the last pages of Geek Girl, Harriet still hasn't mastered much of anything. She's just the same girl that we all got to meet in book one. It's refreshing, and hilarious.

Though I loved the fact that not much has changed for Harriet, it was also something that made me feel a bit like I was reading the first book all over again. Sure, the adventures were different, and Smale added a few new characters into the mix, but I felt like it was a bit of a repeat action. I just wish that Harriet would have grown a tad from book one to book two.

The plot was cute, and I was glad that we ended up in such a different location. Japan seems like an interesting place, even though I have no inclination to want to go there myself. It was cool to read about all the photo shoots that Harriet ended up doing, and live through her for a minute.

I have to admit that I adored Rin. She was a great addition to Harriet's model world. Plus, it was nice to see Harriet meeting a few girls other than her BFF. 

The romance was also kind of a repeat of book one. Though Harriet and Nick had a few more issues to hash out this time around. Like a breakup and a makeup and a lot of needless confusion along the way. 

I know that it might seem like I didn't like this book all that much, but in all actuality, I did. I just wish that there would have been a bit more character development in the 6 months that we didn't see the characters. That being said it was still a nice break from all the other kinds of books that I've been reading, and I can't dislike a book that makes me smile.

Rating:

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

[Review: Everything Leads To You by Nina LaCour]

"Everything Leads To You"
Author: Nina LaCour
Series: None
Pages: 307
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Date Published: May 15th, 2014
Publisher: Dutton Books for Young Readers
Format Read: Hardcover from the library

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Summary:

A love letter to the craft and romance of film and fate in front of—and behind—the camera from the award-winning author of Hold Still.

A wunderkind young set designer, Emi has already started to find her way in the competitive Hollywood film world.

Emi is a film buff and a true romantic, but her real-life relationships are a mess. She has desperately gone back to the same girl too many times to mention. But then a mysterious letter from a silver screen legend leads Emi to Ava. Ava is unlike anyone Emi has ever met. She has a tumultuous, not-so-glamorous past, and lives an unconventional life. She’s enigmatic…. She’s beautiful. And she is about to expand Emi’s understanding of family, acceptance, and true romance.

-Goodreads

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My Thoughts:

An Open Letter To Everything Leads To You,

You were finally a LaCour book that I liked. Not only were you different, but you also dived into an interesting part of Hollywood that people don't usually pay any attention to. On top of that your words were really pretty. Overall I liked you.

-The White Unicron

I've only read one other LaCour book (The Disenchantments) and I have to say that I wasn't that impressed. I felt like there was no way that her main character was actually a male, and I said in that review that I wished that he would have been a lesbian, because I felt like he would have seemed more honest. Well, as soon as I heard that Everything Leads To You featured a lesbian protagonist, I knew that I had to read it, just to see if my hunch was correct. I have to say that I really liked this book. Emi's voice was honest, and she held all the sincerity as a character that I was missing with my first LaCour experience. 

The thing that is so refreshing about this novel is that it doesn't feel like a statement piece. Sure there is a love story between two girls, but it isn't the main focus of the story. There is a huge mystery, Hollywood antics, the filming of an Indie movie, and finding yourself, playing in the background. LaCour fits so much into this book, that you find yourself pulled right in, and the diversity of the characters adds to the story. 

  

I loved all the Hollywood history in the book. Emi and her best friend find a note in a dead western stars' vinyl record that they bought at an estate sale, and the story gets going right away as they try to get the letter to its rightful owner. This leads them to Ava. 

There is an ongoing mystery as Ava tries to figure out things about her life. And there is also an Indie film being made that Emi has signed on to be the set designer for. So, no matter where you look, you're surrounded by the backstage parts of the movie business. I loved the details that made it into the book. Emi's job is one that you never hear talked about like this, and I have to say that it was one of my favorite bits of the story.

If you're looking for a love story that has something new to offer, and if you love Hollywood glamour, than may I suggest this delightful little story. I think you'll love it!

Rating:

4 Unicorns = Close to perfect!