Review: We Are The Goldens by Dana Reinhardt

Publish Date: May 27, 2014
Publisher: Random House Children's- Wendy Lamb Books

Synopsis: When Nell and Layla were little, Nell used to call them Nellaya. Because to Nell, there was no difference between where she started and her adored big sister ended. They're a unit; divorce made them rely on each other early on, so when one pulls away, what is the other to do? But now, Nell's a freshman in high school and Layla is changing, secretive. And then Nell discovers why. Layla is involved with one of their teachers. And even though Nell tries to support Layla, to understand that she's happy and in love, Nell struggles with her true feelings: it's wrong, and she must do something about it.

Review: This was a quick read about two sisters and their changing bond. Nell and Layla were always like one person growing up however now that they are both in high school, things are changing. Layla, who is older than Nell, is becoming very secretive and pushing Nell away. As you can imagine, Nell doesn't like this one bit. But then you find out more about what is going on in Layla's life and that's where the plot thickens (no pun intended.)

I did find that the plot fell flat for me however the characters and relationships made up for it. Though I did not grow up with siblings, I imagine that the older sibling growing up and leaving the younger one behind is a common occurrence. You could sense Nell's feelings of hurt throughout this book. Another relationship that seems to ring true is the parent/child relationship. So often you see the older child portrayed as the "favorite" of the two children. Luckily Nell has Felix, which is a complex relationship in itself!

I also enjoyed that this book was written in the form of a letter from Nell to Layla. This technique made the book seem more personal. It was a well written book, a fluffy contemporary that pulled a bit at the heart strings.

Recommended For: Fans of contemporary YA fiction

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

*Disclaimer: I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Review: Don't Let Go by Sharla Lovelace

Publish Date: April 11, 2014
Publisher: Beyond the Page

Synopsis: Noah Ryan and Jules Doucette spent every moment together, first as best friends and later as young lovers. The two had planned a life together—until one unspeakable decision tore them apart for good.

Twenty-six years later, Jules is still carefully living the life her mother planned out for her. She’s running her mother’s store, living in her mother’s house, following her mother’s rules, and keeping the secrets her mother made her bury.

Then Noah comes home and any sense of an ordered life flies out the window. Noah’s return does more than just stir up old memories—it forces Jules to see her life in a whole new way and uncovers secrets even she didn’t know were buried. Secrets that could easily destroy her world once more.

Review: I don't know if I will be able to accurately express how much I loved this book! It went something like this...

This book was an emotional roller coaster!! Jules is living the life that her mother mapped out for her. That is, until her high school love comes back to town after 26 years away. She hasn't seen or heard from him since he left, on the eve of a emotionally terrifying situation (that I will not spoil in this review.) At this point, both Noah and Jules, along with their families and friends, are forced to remember the events of years ago and confront demons that have been hidden away. 

The author did a wonderful job at character development. Each time something happened to Jules and Noah, I felt it. I was happy with them and cried with them. The chemistry between the two main characters permeates off of each page. You also are exposed to many other types of relationships including parent-child (multi-generational), sibling, ex-spouses, best friends.

I hadn't read anything by this author before but I feel like I need to buy all the books!!

This book appears to be available only in Nook or Kindle format but I highly recommend checking it out! 

Recommended For: Fans of new adult, women's fiction, contemporary fiction. 

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

2014 Book Blogger Summer Reading Program

I'm signing up for the 2014 book blogger summer reading program hosted by Katie's Book Blog. This program runs from the beginning of May to the beginning of September and is a great way to challenge yourself and tackle your TBR pile!

I remember as a child, reading challenges involved getting stickers and trading in said stickers for personal pan pizzas at Pizza Hut! Wow, that brings me back!! So why not participate in a grown- up reading challenge? There are prizes....

You can set your own goal and any format/genre counts toward your final goal.

My goal will be 20 books. Seeing that it is May 22, I will include the books I have already read in May as logged on my Goodreads account. I will be updating this post with my read books!!

Books Finished

1. Dear Nobody: The True Diary of Mary Rose by Gillian McCain

2. A Bird on Water Street by Elizabeth O. Dulemba

3. We Are the Goldens by Dana Reinhardt

4. Don't Let Go by Sharla Lovelace
5. Birthmarked by Caragh M. O'Brien
6. Stupid Girl by Cindy Miles
7. Coin Heist by Elisa Ludwig
8. Oliver & the Seawigs by Philip Reeve
9. The Art of Arranging Flowers by Lynne Branard
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Review: A Bird on Water Street by Elizabeth O. Dulemba

Publish Date: May 7, 2014
Publisher: Little Pickle Press

Synopsis: A Bird on Water Street is a coming of age story about Jack, a boy growing up in a Southern Appalachian town environmentally devastated by a century of poor copper-mining practices and pollution. Jack is opposed to the mine where so many of his relatives have died, but how can he tell that to his Dad who wants him to follow in the family trade? Jack just wants his dad safe and the land returned to its pre-mining glory with trees, birds, frogs, and nature—like he’s learning about in school. After Jack’s uncle is killed in a mining accident and the Company implements a massive layoff, the union organizes and the miners go on strike. It seems Jack’s wish is coming true. But the cost may be the ruin of his home and everything he loves.

Review: The premise of this book sounded great! Jack, a boy hero, who wants to save the day, save his father, save his town! However, it fell flat for me. It is based on a real place with a real situation in which a mining company destroyed an entire town. I couldn't help but ask myself frequently throughout this book "Why don't you move away?" This might be a snobby response to these folks' struggle as this was their livelihood. Definitely a case of me taking what we/I have for granted.

The character development in this story was satisfactory. You learn enough about Jack and his friends and family to build a loose bond with them. I really felt for Jack and his yearning for nature because I feel that is what I would be like as well. The plot, though, felt like it dragged on without a flow. You kept thinking something great was going to happen, but nothing ever really does.

Not to spoil anything for anyone who hasn't read this, but the ending was the flattest disappointment. It had the potential, in my mind, to be great. But it just...ended. Like, I went to flip to the next page and there wasn't one. Abrupt. Made me sad. Like I said, you build a bond with the characters and want to see them succeed and then they are done and gone. I think the ending totally left the author open to a sequel however it does not appear to be planned this way. Overall, this was just an okay read for me.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Challenge Accepted!

I am totally a newbie when it comes to this whole book blogging/reviewing thing. I am even newer to requesting/receiving/reviewing advanced reader copies!! I have been completely consumed by requesting e-galley copies from NetGalley. As of this post, I have 19 approved copies and only 4 reviews. This isn't too shabby seeing that I went click crazy when I first made my account back in March and requested 30+ books! My current ratio is 19.0%. (For those that aren't familiar with NetGalley, they recommend your feedback to approval ratio to be at least 80%.) I'm clearly slacking a bit in the ratio department.

And then, like fate, I stumbled across the NetGalley Reading Challenge over at Ariel Avalon. The goal of this year long challenge is to keep reading those advance copies and inch closer to an 80% ratio!!!

Ah yes Barney, you took the words right out of my mouth...this is my post to proclaim I will be joining in! Seeing that I have 15 books waiting to be read with more pending, I will set my goal for 16-20. I guess I can include the 4 that I have already reviewed? Even if I don't, I will strive to meet my goal!

Join me, won't you?

Review: Dear Nobody: The True Diary of Mary Rose edited by Gillian McCain

Publish date: April 1, 2014
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Synopsis: Go Ask Alice was a hoax. But Dear Nobody is a true teen diary so raw and so edgy its authenticity rings off every page.
"I am a freak."
The words and drawings of Mary Rose present a gritty, powerful, no-holds-barred true experience of a teen girl so desperate to be loved, so eager to fit in that she'll go to extremes that could cost her her life.
This is not a story about addiction. Or sexual promiscuity. Or cystic fibrosis. It's the story of a young woman with a powerful will to live, who more than anything wants to be heard...and loved.
This compelling, emotional account ensures her voice will not be forgotten.

Review: This book is hard for me to review. I mean really, who am I to judge someone's real words/feelings/emotions?  But alas, I must review! I usually like true story, diary type stories. Raw emotions, thoughts, and judgements- I usually eat those up. In this books case...I guess I can say this is 50% true.

I had a hard time finishing this book. Reading this, I could not believe everything that Mary Rose was putting herself through all of these detrimental events and activities!! What I couldn't believe more was that no one was really trying to stop her! Where is mom? It tore at  my heart that Mary Rose had no friends that were looking in her best interest. All these people she so desperately craved approval and friendship from were toxic to her. Through all of it, I just wanted to yell at her, ask her what she thinks she is doing and tell her she needs to take care of herself!

Keep in mind that I am familiar with the Cystic Fibrosis population. Not to generalize (I'm not meaning to offend, I'm just speaking from personal experience), but these individuals tend to be somewhat rebellious and strive to have control of some aspect of their lives as they have no control over their condition. I saw so much of this in Mary Rose.

So as a wrap up, this book was very raw and real. Might be too real for some to really relate and get attached. But like I said, I'm not here to judge this girl and her feelings.

Recommended For: Contemporary fans. Those that like non-fiction, diary type novels.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.