REVIEW: Waiting For You by Shey Stahl

Waiting For You by Shey Stahl

Published: 13th February 2013
Format Kindle
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary
Overall:
Goodreads | Amazon

Bailey Gray is tired of her perfectly planned life. Everything about her life has been organized and lived out to the expectations set of her parents. She is the class valedictorian, has perfect grades, the perfect friends, a perfect boyfriend, basically perfect life...or so everyone thought. That's when she realizes the path planned isn't always the path chosen.

On graduation day she makes a decision. One that changes everything she thought she knew about her intended future.
On a whim, she runs away with the town rebel, Dylan Wade, in search of the unknown.
Dylan Wade isn't looking to run away from anything.
He knows what he wants as he's been waiting on it for years.
On a journey to find the unknown, they discover a friendship they once knew along the open highway and have not a care in the world. Between the yellow and white lines of the heated summer asphalt, a spark draws them together as Dylan's past and Bailey future try to ripe them apart.
Could it be that Dylan and his GTO are exactly what her perfectly planned life needs?

My Thoughts:
Look at that deceiving ass cover!

This book sounded like it was just the book I was looking for; New Adult, road trip, long time hidden feelings all the ingredients for a juicy read, right? Wrong. So very very wrong.

I'm not exactly sure where the turning point was for me with this book, but it happened and I wanted to throw my kindle. I was over it immediately.

I am 100% over the bad boy in books, the ass hole, the guy who thinks he can be a bossy ass because it's his car and he has some damaging secret but yet.... he "loves you"... gag me with a rusty spoon.

Bailey was one of the whiniest characters I've read in such a long time. And she sure thought about and begged for sex a lot for a girl who has never actually had sex.
Oh and that secret Dylan was holding yes, it was sad and disappointing that it was ever kept a secret, but to hold it over her head was stupid.

I feel like I need to say something good before I continue on my rant. It started out nice. I loved Bailey's spunk and "F the world" attitude...in the beginning. Basically everything in the beginning was great. Fantastic even. And then you get a chapter from Dylan and that's when everything goes very very south.

In my opinion, if you'd like a teenage version of 50 Shades of Grey (which I hated), you like bad boys and depressing climaxes, this is the book for you. For me.. not so much!

I don't think I'll be reading anything else from Shey Stahl anytime soon.

Plot:
Characters:
Ending:
Writing:
Cover:

Author Info:
Shey Stahl is a romance writer who enjoys writing about racing and a good love story that will sweep you off your laughing ass. Growing up she was surrounded by racing watching her dad at the local Northwest tracks.
Writing wasn't something she thought she would ever do but when a rough pregnancy landed her on bed rest three years ago, a passion was discovered. Now, aside from chasing around her little princess with magical powers, it's rare for her to put down the pen.
Currently Shey is finishing up her series, Racing on the Edge, that follows a dirt track racer on his rapid rise to the glitz and glamour of NASCAR and the family who supports him.
More on her: website | twitter | goodreads

MUSIC REVIEW: Justin Timberlake - 20/20 Experience

Justin Timberlake - "20/20 Experience (Target Deluxe Edition" [Album]
Rating: ½
Genre: Pop/R&B/Soul
Language: English

Tracklisting:
1. Pusher Love Girl
2. Suit & Tie feat. JAY Z
3. Don't Hold The Wall
4. Strawberry Bubblegum
5. Tunnel Vision
6. Spaceship Coupe
7. That Girl
8. Let The Groove Get In
9. Mirrors
10. Blue Ocean Floor
11. Dress On (Target Exclusive)
12. Body Count (Target Exclusive)

My Thoughts:
It has been far too long since Justin Timberlake released anything, so as soon as I found out he had an album coming up, I knew I had to get it. I ended up purchasing this the day it came out at Target (so I could get the two bonus songs).

 I wasn't 100% sold with "Suit & Tie" (it's grown on me), but I didn't care. I needed an album with pages that had his face and a cd with his voice!
Luckily most of the other songs are soo much better. Like my two current favourites, "Mirrors" and "Blue Ocean Floor". When I first heard "Mirrors," there was something about it that pulled me in and when I actually learned the lyrics and say the music video for it, it immediately became my favorite. "Blue Ocean Floor" has a different vibe than anything he's ever released--not just on this album; and it fits into that alternative style genre that is actually my favorite kind of music. I still don't fully understand the song, but I don't care. It's beautiful and tranquil.

"Let the Groove Get In" and "Strawberry Bubblegum" are ones I find myself playing frequently at work, the upbeat, fun vibe of the songs keep me moving and working quickly.

I'll admit I was a little disappointed there were only 12 songs on the deluxe album, but with the length of each song (most 6+ minutes) it feels like an album of 20 songs. Recently Justin stated that this was only part one of more songs to come. I'll be picking that up the day it's released as well (and possibly an extra copy for a giveaway!! ^_^").

I only gave it 4½ stars only because the entire album doesn't have a repeat listen factor so much as a select few: "Mirrors," "Blue Ocean Floor," "Let the Groove Get In," "Strawberry Bubblegum," "Tunnel Vision," and "Dress On."

Is it worth it to buy the Target copy for two extra songs? In my opinion, yes. One the covers are different and you can actually see his face, though out of focus... his face! and two, I love "Dress On" and feel like "Body Count" has a feel reminiscent of his first album, "Justified."

Have you listened to JT's new album? What do you think? What are your favourite songs?

Bonus video:
Check out his music video for "Mirrors". I may have shed a tear or two, and didn't quite understand why. It's beautiful and perfect beyond words!!

REVIEW: Just One Day by Gayle Forman

Just One Day by Gayle Forman
Published: 8th January 2013 | Dutton Juvenile
Genre: Young or New Adult, Contemporary
Format: Hardcover, from library.
Series: Just One Day, book one.
Goodreads | Amazon | Author

When sheltered American good girl Allyson "LuLu" Healey first meets laid-back Dutch actor Willem De Ruiter at an underground performance of Twelfth Night in England, there’s an undeniable spark. After just one day together, that spark bursts into a flame, or so it seems to Allyson, until the following morning, when she wakes up after a whirlwind day in Paris to discover that Willem has left. Over the next year, Allyson embarks on a journey to come to terms with the narrow confines of her life, and through Shakespeare, travel, and a quest for her almost-true-love, to break free of those confines.

My thoughts:
This was one of those books I was debating whether I'd buy or not, and now I wish I had.
I loved it.

I truly do not know how to review this book. I really have nothing to say other than I loved it.

I related wholly to Allyson and her state of mind involving friends and social situations.

I adored Willem and loved how realistic their connection was. It wasn't forced,but there wasn't much you're left to hope for. It's all there. Their emotion, connection...everything.

I cannot wait to read the second book, Just One Year which will be from Willem's perspective. You get a few clues as to what the story will involve, but it's an entire year. I just hope that you get at LEAST a day past the end of Just One Day.

Sorry for this short review. I don't know how to review a book I loved so much!! Just, read it.
I will say there were a few misspelled words, like being instead of been, but I honestly don't care!

[*Note: I will be going back to my old review format with my next review. I feel like it has more information for the readers!  And making a new signature. I hate that one. lol. ^_^"]

Drama of the Week - Substitute Princess

» Substitute Princess | 金大花的華麗冒險 «

I have a serious crush on Taiwanese dramas, I feel like they are just how dramas are supposed to be! This one (so far) is no different. Reading the summary I thought it was going to be heavy on the comedy--though there is comedy--this is more on the drama side.
This is the first Taiwanese I've watched that is currently airing... and it is pure torture! There will be 20 episodes and only one is released every week. I've been spoiled with Korean dramas airing two times a week.
This is one of the first dramas I've watched where I'm really not sure which guy she'll end up with. In about 99.9% of the dramas it's with a chance encounter or the 1st guy you see her with... it turns out both guys fit those categories.
This is much more than an "ugly duckling" style drama. Episode 8 is up and I cannot wait to watch it!

If you've never watched a Taiwanese drama, I recommend Devil Beside You or Fated to Love You be your first ones then quickly head to Dramafever to watch this one!

Summary of the Drama:

Jin Da Hua (Nikkie Hsieh) is sweet, but misunderstood: she’s constantly being made fun of for her buck teeth, pigtails and poor fashion taste. On top of that, she’s got a debilitating crush on the handsome, good hearted Lin Guan Jun (James Wen), but does he even know she exists? Before she can find the genuine answer, Jin Da falls into a bizarre plot of plastic surgery and wakes up looking like the glamorous heiress Du Liang Yen. From rags to riches — and from dork to princess — Jin Da ends up in a tale of romance and soul searching.

If you'd like to watch too, and be totally hooked, check out these sites with English subtitles: Dramafever | Hulu

I am always looking for drama recommendations, but if you have any Taiwanese ones you loved then please let me know!!