REVIEW: Gone by Anna Bloom

Gone by Anna Bloom

Expected Publishing Date: 28th July 2014
Genre: NA Contemporary
Format: Kindle (ARC)
Overall:
goodreads | barnes & noble

Rebecca Walters harbours a dark secret, and as the fifty-three bangles she wears on her wrists as a self-imposed sentence of guilt remind her, she can’t even begin to consider moving on. Not after what happened on that night six months ago… a night which she can’t remember and yet managed to change her life forever.

When Rebecca comes across Joshua Adams, man equally haunted by past tragedies, on a moonlit beach, both of their lives are destined to change forever, and when the girl made out of the sun meets the boy made out of the moon and sea, anything can happen… but will the knowledge of their murky pasts bring them together or drive them apart?
Will Rebecca finally be able to claim her freedom? Will she stay and fight to be the girl she found on the sandy beaches of Cornwall or is she destined to keep running and hiding from a past that won’t stay Gone? One thing’s for certain: either way, nothing will ever be the same again.

When this book was recommended to me, I read the synopsis and decided to hop on the blog tour. I definitely don't regret it. This book was a great read.

There were times I felt like it was very slow paced and I would feel like I should be further along than I really was. But I didn't completely hate the slow pace; we got to spend time with Rebecca--or Bex as only those closest to her call her--and Joshua.

They were adorable together and I loved that I could hear their voices and their accents as I read the book. There seemed to be this extreme spark and pull  between the characters that never really was defined in the book, but I believe that was supposed to be the point. That sometimes you find someone and you can't explain how, when, where, or even why... but you just need them in your lives. And I loved that aspect too.
I felt like the author had quite an artists mind as she wrote this. That everything she wanted to say, she was almost painting the scene, the words and everything that happened.

I did feel like all their secrets and the dark cloud that hung over both of their heads was a bit too much and pulled a lot of the reality out of the story for me. I understand that not everyone is happy (boy do I understand) but I don't think one person has so much pain and finds someone else with pain that has an almost identical cause and they just happen to work. It felt a bit forced.
When I'd ignore that part or when it wasn't the center of the book, which was rare, I loved them together. They truly were amazing together.

This is the kind of book I'd like to see turned into a movie.
However, I'm not a fan of dreads, so I'd prefer if Josh's hair accidentally gets chopped early.

Because I truly do enjoy Ms Bloom's writing style, as if she is painting with words, I will delve into her other books as well! Check this one out!


Plot:
Characters: ½
Ending:
Writing: ½
Cover: (although her hair is a bit too perfect, and not red enough for Bex)

REVIEW: While He Was Away by Karen Schreck

While He Was Away by Karen Schreck
Published: May 1st, 2012
Acquired: For Review
Format: ARC Paperback
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

Rating:  ½
goodreads |  amazon | website

One year--he'll be gone for one year and then we'll be together again and everything will be back to the way it should be.

The day David left, I felt like my heart was breaking. Sure, any long-distance relationship is tough, but David was going to war--to fight, to protect, to put his life in danger. We can get through this, though. We'll talk, we'll email, we won't let anything come between us.

I can be on army girlfriend for one year. But will my sweet, soulful, funny David be the same person when he comes home? Will I? And what if he doesn't come home at all...?

My thoughts:
I love a good contemporary and this book was no different.
When we first enter the book Penelope--Penna for short--is riding around Killdeer with her boyfriend David the night before he leaves for Iraq the next day.
Right away you get a feel for their love and how much they actually care about each other and just how difficult his departure will be--for both of them. Before he leaves, Penna insists on getting matching tattoos on their right ring finger, a simple braid. To signify their lives being forever intertwined.
With David being gone (for at least a year) and still a few months ahead before school resumes, Penna is left with nothing but plenty of time to wallow, worry and just be a girlfriend of a soldier. Until her mother, Linda, decides that she won't sit and watch her daughter's state of depression; she tells her she's coming to work at the restaurant, Red Earth to save money for college and keep her mind busy.
Penna's first day is horrible and she can barely keep up. But as time passes (weeks) she begins to get the hang of it. Along the way she becomes friends with Caitlyn and her friend Jules and with the help of David's mother, Penna begins to talk to Ravi--one of David's old best friends. It seems like this may be enough. With the little contact she has with David she pushes through.
But she just can't seem to stay busy enough. So she decides to find her grandmother who Linda has kept hush-hush about for too long.
Though this book is short, at times it did drag a tiny bit, I felt like she was forgetting David and that she may be lost in what she wants. But then she'd mentioned how much she loves him, misses him, etc. and how much seeing his parents affected her and then I'd remember she wasn't actually forgetting, she was just trying hard not to remember.
Though the beginning did seem a bit dramatic, I understood her pain. Someone you love desperately, really love for the first time isn't just leaving, they're going into a war. She remained strong most of the time, keeping herself very busy (and honestly I don't think she or her mother, Linda slept enough, I was quite concerned about this, lol). Her relationships with her mother and Ravi were inspiring in a way that made me want to hug my mom and go find someone who just needed a shoulder or a friend. I wanted to be there for Penna but above all, I wanted to be there for David.

I was not surprised by the very open-ended ending, but it left enough for the imagination. There was just enough to let you know that Penna was okay, but not enough to tell you if she was really okay. (ya know what I mean?) There will be a sequel to this book though! I would love whatever to happen. I just want more! I'll definitely be reading more from Schreck.
And if you want, you can read the 1st chapter of While He Was Away HERE!

REVIEW: Sam Cruz's Infallible Guide to Getting Girls by Tellulah Darling

Sam Cruz's Infallible Guide to Getting Girls by Tellulah Darling
Expected Publication: October 17th, 2012 by Te Da Media
Acquired: For review
Format: ARC Kindle
Genre:  Young Adult, Contemporary

Rating: ½

goodreads | amazon | website

Why the hell can’t chicks be more like guys?
That question plagues high school senior Sam Cruz. Sam is perfectly happy being a player. He just wishes girls wouldn’t change the game from sex to relationships. It makes him look like an asshole. But when Sam’s best friend, Ally Klinger, gets dumped, she begs him to transform her into someone who can screw around then screw off. No risk of heartbreak that way. It’s Sam’s chance to create the perfect female AND cheer up his best friend. Armed with Sam’s Three Step Guide to Backseat Success, Ally gets the game better than Sam thought she would and before long, Sam has his wish: the female version of himself. Too bad it’s driving him nuts. Told from Sam’s and Ally's alternating POVs, Sam Cruz’s Infallible Guide to Getting Girls is a fast-paced romantic comedy that follows these teens as they navigate the minefield of sex, love, and friendship.
This book contains strong language, drinking, euphemisms, and lots of “bow chicka wow wow.”

My thoughts:
I am always a bit nervous accepting "self-pub" books, but I'm glad I did with this one. From page one this book was fun and fluffy. Which, a lot of the time I just need. Just a good fun book that keeps my interest and doesn't make me figure out equivalents of math problems in their relationship. Just say what you feel, shit!

This. Was. Fun.

Okay, I'll stop using that work.

Sam Cruz is the kind of guy a lot of guys are lately. He likes to have fun, have sex, and no commitment. He's got his friends and doesn't need much else. Like his best friend Ally. She's the exact opposite of Sam. And when she gets dumped by her boyfriend, she decides to take Sam's initiative and just have fun... lots and lots of fun.

The comedy in this book was quick witted and if you weren't paying attention it would could very well go over your head. I loved that. I love quick wit sarcasm. But I really loved their relationship with each other. They managed to stay friends and have each others backs for as long as they could remember. Sam even considering Ally's mom--in a way--his own mom.

While Sam begins to help Ally in her new mission and lifestyle, it's obvious feelings are going to change a long the way somewhere. And honestly I didn't expect what happened to be what changed those feelings.

There really wasn't a single moment I was bored. The comedy, the romance, the sexy times. Everything kept my interest. I wouldn't mind if there was a bit more sexy times.

This book is short, sweet and fun.

Read it!

I'll definitely be checking out her other work. And you should too. But first, watch this adorable trailer for the book and then read it when it comes out October 17th!

REVIEW: Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Published:  January 3rd, 2012 by Feiwel & Friends
Acquired:  For Review.
Format: ARC Paperback.
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian

Rating:
goodreads | amazon | website

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . .

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

My thoughts:
When I first learned about Cinder, I can say that it did not even register... I just didn't care. But when I came back to it, something changed and it seemed interesting.

Interesting is an understatement.
I loved this book!
It has been a long time since I've read a book in two days, especially considering how hectic my past weekend has been. I did not want to stop reading this book. Every chance I had I picked it up and verbally cursed myself if I forgot to bring it with me.

Cinder is a girl who puts all of her drive into helping others, seldom thinking about herself which reminded me of another girl like that... Cinderella. And upon realizing this I completely understood the whole premise of the book. With the evil step-mother, father who died and two step-sisters. The fact that it is set in the distant future in New Beijing and that she's half cyborg, I was able to differentiate the two and fall in love with a whole new story.

When Cinder first meets Kai, I was a little worried, expecting him to be a jerk and the chemistry wouldn't be there... like every other book... but it was there and it was beautiful. They seemed to genuinely care for each other before they even knew one another. And with that, there was no where near enough Kai! The twists in the book were somewhat unexpected though I wasn't completely shocked with what happened, I loved how Meyer threw them in there.

There was a lot left open, but yet it felt complete so you are yearning for more, yet you're not dying to know what's going to happen next. Which I love. I cannot wait to read the next three books in the Lunar Chronicles. This is definitely a series I will be purchasing. I may wait for paperback however because I love the feel of the book. But it is hardback worthy.

There are a lot of different ratings and reviews, but this one is for you to judge. So when this one hits shelves, run to your book store or library and pick it up!!

(Aliens [I couldn't talk about without spoiling], cyborgs, Asians, a cute prince, strong protagonist... Can't go wrong!!)

REVIEW: You Are My Only by Beth Kephart

You Are my Only by Beth Kephart
Published: October 25th, 2011 by Egmont USA
Acquired: For Review.
Format:ARC Paperback, 240 pages
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

Rating:½
goodreads | amazon | barnes & noble

Emmy Rane is married at nineteen, a mother by twenty. Trapped in a life with a husband she no longer loves, Baby is her only joy. Then one sunny day in September, Emmy takes a few fateful steps away from her baby and returns to find her missing. All that is left behind is a yellow sock.

Fourteen years later, Sophie, a homeschooled, reclusive teenage girl is forced to move frequently and abruptly from place to place, perpetually running from what her mother calls the "No Good." One afternoon, Sophie breaks the rules, ventures out, and meets Joey and his two aunts. It is this loving family that gives Sophie the courage to look into her past. What she discovers changes her world forever. . . .

The riveting stories of Emmy and Sophie—alternating narratives of loss, imprisonment, and freedom regained—escalate with breathless suspense toward an unforgettable climax.

My thoughts:
You Are My Only is told from the two perspectives of Emmy and Sophie. Emmy's story takes place within the time she loses Baby up to the more recent years of Sophie's story (2004). It took me a few pages to understand the writing style and what the author was trying to convey in her book, but once I was able to pick it up, I knew that this book would stay with me for quite some time after I've finished.

I'll be completely honest, I preferred Sophie's story over Emmy's, because it's where the YA factor lies. And though I preferred Sophie's chapter's over Emmy's I was no less emotionally touched by Emmy. The way she felt when she learned she had lost Baby and the physical and emotional struggles she suffered through to find her child had an impact on me. Though I'm not a mother, I've taken care of my brother as if he were my own and to try to imagine losing him like that, physically hurt to think about. I felt that there was something more to Emmy, that she may have had a mental disability that hindered her thinking in a normal manner that only made her story that much more heartbreaking. Emmy's chapters were short, but (for me) they were enough to understand her and follow her along.

Sophie is a fourteen year old girl who has been kept sheltered from the world, hiding from what her mother calls "The No-Good", but when she meets Joey she begins to come into her self and starts to break rules. Every time a Sophie chapter started, I was immediately engrossed, I wanted to know everything about her. With Sophie, I wanted to scream at the book for letting her mother control her life in such a way that she had to sneak out to visit with the neighbor and his aunts. But when she finally started to search in her past when some things didn't add up, I was cheering her along the way.

There just wasn't enough Sophie. At all. I would have loved to see how she spent her time when she wasn't with Joey, or trying to please her mother. I kind of felt like Emmy's story overshadowed Sophie's a little. When their timelines began to line up is where the climax begins and you just can't put it down.

I read a majority of this book at my brother's football practice and I made my mom stay about 10 minutes after so I could finish the book.

I can't wait to read more from Beth Kephart, she knows how to tell a story.