Review: On the Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta

Summary:

I’m dreaming of the boy in the tree. I tell him stories. About the Jellicoe School and the Townies and the Cadets from a school in Sydney. I tell him about the war between us for territory. And I tell him about Hannah, who lives in the unfinished house by the river. Hannah, who is too young to be hiding away from the world. Hannah, who found me on the Jellicoe Road six years ago.

Taylor is leader of the boarders at the Jellicoe School. She has to keep the upper hand in the territory wars and deal with Jonah Griggs – the enigmatic leader of the cadets, and someone she thought she would never see again.

And now Hannah, the person Taylor had come to rely on, has disappeared. Taylor’s only clue is a manuscript about five kids who lived in Jellicoe eighteen years ago. She needs to find out more, but this means confronting her own story, making sense of her strange, recurring dream, and finding her mother – who abandoned her on the Jellicoe Road.

Review:

* Internally screams till the end of times* I know that when this book came out I was barely 10 and I wouldn’t have been able to understand anything but I will keep shaming my self for not reading it the moment it came out. Let me start this review by saying that I loved this book. So. Much.

That gif was basically me throughout the whole story. I know most of you have probably already read this book (if not, stop reading this and go do it NOW) but I can’t help myself but to write my thoughts on it down on the interwebs.

“It’s funny how you can forget everything except people loving you. Maybe that’s why humans find it so hard getting over love affairs. It’s not the pain they’re getting over, it’s the love.”

Review: Lucas (Preston Brothers #1) by Jay McLean

Summary:

In a sprint, every millisecond counts.
When you’re waiting for love, those milliseconds can feel like eons.

High school senior Lucas Preston has it all: star of the track team, a scholarship waiting for him, an apartment to himself and a revolving door of girlfriends. He also has an older sister, five younger brothers and a father who relies on him to make sure those brothers don’t kill each other.
His saving grace? Lois “Laney” Sanders, a girl he started to fall in like with when he was just eleven.
A girl who became his best friend, his confidant, his courage.

It took only sixteen clicks and eight seconds for Lucas to realize that his like for Laney had turned into love.
Eight life-changing seconds.
It’s also the exact length of time it took to lose her.In a sprint, every millisecond counts.
When you’re waiting for love, those milliseconds can feel like eons.

High school senior Lucas Preston has it all: star of the track team, a scholarship waiting for him, an apartment to himself and a revolving door of girlfriends. He also has an older sister, five younger brothers and a father who relies on him to make sure those brothers don’t kill each other.
His saving grace? Lois “Laney” Sanders, a girl he started to fall in like with when he was just eleven.
A girl who became his best friend, his confidant, his courage.

It took only sixteen clicks and eight seconds for Lucas to realize that his like for Laney had turned into love.
Eight life-changing seconds.
It’s also the exact length of time it took to lose her.

Review:

If you love Jay McLean’s books you’ll most definitely love Lucas. If you haven’t read her books, you should. This one can be read as a standalone; there are some emotional cameos from the characters from the More Series, but you’ll be way too consumed with Lucas and Laney’s story.

I think, ultimately, that’s what true love is, you know? To want to be someone’s hero when they’re faced with villains. To want to be the one who saves them. To be their wonderwall.

Review: Because You’ll Never Meet Me by Leah Thomas

Summary: 

In a stunning literary debut, two boys on opposite ends of the world begin an unlikely friendship that will change their lives forever.

Ollie and Moritz are best friends, but they can never meet. Ollie is allergic to electricity. Contact with it causes debilitating seizures. Moritz’s weak heart is kept pumping by an electronic pacemaker. If they ever did meet, Ollie would seize. But Moritz would die without his pacemaker. Both hermits from society, the boys develop a fierce bond through letters that become a lifeline during dark times—as Ollie loses his only friend, Liz, to the normalcy of high school and Moritz deals with a bully set on destroying him.

Review: 

“Let me tell you a wondrous story. For once, let me be the shining one. It is springtime. Birds are noisiest now. I can almost see the shape of the sky.”

Probably the most beautiful book I have read in a while. This is not a drill. 

Review: Kings Rising (Captive Prince #3) by C.S. Pacat

Summary: 

Damianos of Akielos has returned.

His identity now revealed, Damen must face his master Prince Laurent as Damianos of Akielos, the man Laurent has sworn to kill.

On the brink of a momentous battle, the future of both their countries hangs in the balance. In the south, Kastor’s forces are massing. In the north, the Regent’s armies are mobilising for war. Damen’s only hope of reclaiming his throne is to fight together with Laurent against their usurpers.

Forced into an uneasy alliance the two princes journey deep into Akielos, where they face their most dangerous opposition yet. But even if the fragile trust they have built survives the revelation of Damen’s identity—can it stand against the Regents final, deadly play for the throne?

Review:

If by any chance you follow me on Goodreads you know that I hated the first book on this series. To be completely honest I don’t remember clearly what it was that put me off, if it was the violence or the sickening sensation that the romance was going to develop in some sort of romantacized Stockholm Syndrome. But everyone and their mother told me to read it, so I did. As I said, it was not a good start and I genuinely thought I would never keep reading them, however, here I find myself: finished the last book and loved it. 

Review: Keepsake (True North #3) by Sarina Bowen

Summary:

There’s a first time for everything.

Lark Wainwright used to be fearless. Her life was a series of adventures, each one more exhilarating than the last. But her recent overseas adventure was one too many. Now she’s home and in one piece. Mostly. But her nights are filled with terror.

When her best friend offers her a stay at the orchard in exchange for help at the farmers’ markets, Lark jumps at the chance to spend fall in Vermont. But her nightmares don’t stop. Desperate to keep her fragile state a secret, she relies on the most soft-spoken resident of the Shipley Farm to soothe her when her dreams prove too much.

Zachariah is a survivor, too. It’s been four years since he was tossed aside by the polygamist cult where he grew up. He’s found a peaceful existence on the Shipley’s farm, picking apples and fixing machinery. But getting thrown away by your own people at nineteen leaves a mark on a guy. He doesn’t always know what to make of a world where movie quotes are the primary means of communication. Before hitchhiking to Vermont, he’d never watched TV or spoken on the phone.

Actually, there are a lot of things he’s never done.

Zach and Lark slowly grow to trust one another. One night they become even closer than they’d planned. But Lark may still be too broken to trust anyone. When she pushes Zach away, he will have to prove to himself that he’s good for much more than farm labor.There’s a first time for everything.

Lark Wainwright used to be fearless. Her life was a series of adventures, each one more exhilarating than the last. But her recent overseas adventure was one too many. Now she’s home and in one piece. Mostly. But her nights are filled with terror.

When her best friend offers her a stay at the orchard in exchange for help at the farmers’ markets, Lark jumps at the chance to spend fall in Vermont. But her nightmares don’t stop. Desperate to keep her fragile state a secret, she relies on the most soft-spoken resident of the Shipley Farm to soothe her when her dreams prove too much.

Zachariah is a survivor, too. It’s been four years since he was tossed aside by the polygamist cult where he grew up. He’s found a peaceful existence on the Shipley’s farm, picking apples and fixing machinery. But getting thrown away by your own people at nineteen leaves a mark on a guy. He doesn’t always know what to make of a world where movie quotes are the primary means of communication. Before hitchhiking to Vermont, he’d never watched TV or spoken on the phone.

Actually, there are a lot of things he’s never done.

Zach and Lark slowly grow to trust one another. One night they become even closer than they’d planned. But Lark may still be too broken to trust anyone. When she pushes Zach away, he will have to prove to himself that he’s good for much more than farm labor.

Review:

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review, and I’m so sorry to be posting this one week after release day, but I’ve been through some stuff and honestly couldn’t bring myself to read, and less so to write reviews. I did enjoy this book, though. It was quite intense and emotional.

Review: Punk 57 by Penelope Douglas

Summary:

“We were perfect together. Until we met.”

Misha

I can’t help but smile at the words in her letter. She misses me.

In fifth grade, my teacher set us up with pen pals from a different school. Thinking I was a girl, with a name like Misha, the other teacher paired me up with her student, Ryen. My teacher, believing Ryen was a boy like me, agreed.

It didn’t take long for us to figure out the mistake. And in no time at all, we were arguing about everything. The best take-out pizza. Android vs. iPhone. Whether or not Eminem is the greatest rapper ever…

And that was the start. For the next seven years, it was us.

Her letters are always on black paper with silver writing. Sometimes there’s one a week or three in a day, but I need them. She’s the only one who keeps me on track, talks me down, and accepts everything I am.

We only had three rules. No social media, no phone numbers, no pictures. We had a good thing going. Why ruin it?

Until I run across a photo of a girl online. Name’s Ryen, loves Gallo’s pizza, and worships her iPhone. What are the chances?

F*ck it. I need to meet her.

I just don’t expect to hate what I find.

Ryen

He hasn’t written in three months. Something’s wrong. Did he die? Get arrested? Knowing Misha, neither would be a stretch.

Without him around, I’m going crazy. I need to know someone is listening. It’s my own fault. I should’ve gotten his number or picture or something.

He could be gone forever.

Or right under my nose, and I wouldn’t even know it.

Review:

AN ARDENT AND SCORCHING ROMANCE NOVEL WITH A DEEP, RELATABLE AND IMPORTANT MESSAGE. 

Penelope Douglas delivers a poignant story about life, love, family and friendship, infused with her signature angst, wit and steam. I am a fan of the author’s previous works but I admit I was surprised by how much this book affected me. Punk 57 was so much more than the typical romance novel I expected. It’s a story that will urge you to self-reflect, analyze and strongly empathize with the characters’ journey. It’s like I suddenly became a philosopher myself when I finished and thought about it. Don’t lie! You’d probably had that moment in your reading experience too. 😉 It’s the best kind. It’s like you’ve discovered something exceptional that moved you while everyone is oblivious. Anyway, I digress. lol sorry. Let’s move on…

Review: Playboy Pilot by Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland

Summary:

From the New York Times bestselling authors of Stuck-Up Suit andCocky Bastard, comes a sexy new standalone novel.
Money or love? Which would you choose?
You probably just answered the question in your head thinking it’s an easy decision.
For me, it’s not. Did I mention it’s a lot of money? A hell of a lot.
I needed to go far away to think it through.
As I embarked on an impulsive trip, I hit a detour when I met sexy Carter in the airport lounge. We struck up a heated conversation.
Then, he left.
I thought I’d never see him again.
But fate had other plans.
Surprise! He was the pilot of my flight.
The bigger surprise was the adventure that followed after the plane landed.
Carter was dangerous and always on the move.
Even though our connection was magnetic, I knew it was only temporary.
He would give me tickets, and I would follow him around the world to exotic places.
A bevy of flight attendant exes and rumors about Carter’s reputation were never far behind.
I didn’t know what to believe.
But I was addicted. Nothing else mattered anymore. And I was going to get hurt. Because a part of me wanted to be the one to finally ground the playboy pilot.
At the very least, he was taking me on a thrilling ride.
All good things must come to an end, right?
Except our ending was one I didn’t see coming.

Review:

I was hooked from the very first page, I immediately thought this’d be a great read, but then Kendall’s plans were revealed and I just, I can’t believe she even thought about doing it! In order to get her grandfather’s inheritance she has to do something, which isn’t bad per se but it’s absolutely wrong to do for money! At least in my opinion. So I kind of pretended that wasn’t actually happening, so to be able to enjoy the book. That was actually the only thing I didn’t like about Kendall.

Because the book was definitely enjoyable, not amazing but pretty good. Carter’s one of those completely unapologetically outspoken guys, cocky as hell, he can say the rudest things and somehow seem charming. It was sooo funny! Yes, he’s a playboy, I mean he’s a young hot pilot, of course he is. He’s been hurt when he was younger, so that didn’t help him wanting to open up to someone. But once he meets Kendall and goes on this crazy adventure with her, something starts to change. It’s not that original but it’s fun nonetheless.

Overall, the book was funny and cute, Carter’s rude humor was addictive, I just wish that that one thing wasn’t part of the story.

Review: The Goal (Off-Campus #4) by Elle Kennedy

Summary:

She’s good at achieving her goals…

College senior Sabrina James has her whole future planned out: graduate from college, kick butt in law school, and land a high-paying job at a cutthroat firm. Her path to escaping her shameful past certainly doesn’t include a gorgeous hockey player who believes in love at first sight. One night of sizzling heat and surprising tenderness is all she’s willing to give John Tucker, but sometimes, one night is all it takes for your entire life to change.

But the game just got a whole lot more complicated

Tucker believes being a team player is as important as being the star. On the ice, he’s fine staying out of the spotlight, but when it comes to becoming a daddy at the age of twenty-two, he refuses to be a bench warmer. It doesn’t hurt that the soon-to-be mother of his child is beautiful, whip-smart, and keeps him on his toes. The problem is, Sabrina’s heart is locked up tight, and the fiery brunette is too stubborn to accept his help. If he wants a life with the woman of his dreams, he’ll have to convince her that some goals can only be made with an assist.

Review:

Just finished this one and I’m a little bit disappointed. I mean, it wasn’t bad, but I wasn’t feeling like staying up all night to keep reading. 

Review: Crooked Kingdom (Six of Crows #2) by Leigh Bardugo

Summary:

Kaz Brekker and his crew have just pulled off a heist so daring even they didn’t think they’d survive. But instead of divvying up a fat reward, they’re right back to fighting for their lives. Double-crossed and left crippled by the kidnapping of a valuable team member, the crew is low on resources, allies, and hope. As powerful forces from around the world descend on Ketterdam to root out the secrets of the dangerous drug known as jurda parem, old rivals and new enemies emerge to challenge Kaz’s cunning and test the team’s fragile loyalties. A war will be waged on the city’s dark and twisting streets―a battle for revenge and redemption that will decide the fate of magic in the Grisha world.

Review:

Oh gosh! It’s been a week since I read this book and I’m still feeling so very weak and shaken. Bardugo outdid herself.

“Have any of you wondered what I did with all the cash Pekka Rollins gave us?”
“Guns?” asked Jesper.
“Ships?” queried Inej.
“Bombs?” suggested Wylan.
“Political bribes?” offered Nina. They all looked at Matthias. “This is where you tell us how awful we are,” she whispered.

Crooked Kingdom starts exactly where Six of Crows left off. The main concern, although someone won’t admit it, is to save Inej. The whole book is full of those things that made this story so amazing. The writing style just keeps getting better, Kaz’s scheming always more unpredictable, the adventures crazier, the atmosphere darker, the characters more developed, the relationship more emotional. These characters are all put to test, and so are the readers. I was so incredibly scared a lot of times, just to be reminded that, yes, this crew is the best squad ever. But they’re not invincible.

“Everything is a negotiation with you, Brekker. You probably bartered your way out of the womb.”

I think this series will always be among my favorites. I’m so sad to know that it’s over, but I’m also happy it ended on such a high level! I’m definitely going to reread it a few times, but I’m also so excited for Bardugo to amaze me with her next work!

Review: Flawed (Flawed #1) by Cecelia Ahern

Summary:

You will be punished…

Celestine North lives a perfect life. She’s a model daughter and sister, she’s well-liked by her classmates and teachers, and she’s dating the impossibly charming Art Crevan.

But then Celestine encounters a situation where she makes an instinctive decision. She breaks a rule and now faces life-changing repercussions. She could be imprisoned. She could be branded. She could be found flawed.

In her breathtaking young adult debut, bestselling author Cecelia Ahern depicts a society where perfection is paramount and flaws lead to punishment. And where one young woman decides to take a stand that could cost her everything.

Review:

Well, I have a lot of mixed feelings about this book. I think it was definitely an interesting debut YA dystopian for Ahern.

The whole thing is based on this society in which perfection is required by law. Those who are deemed flawed are punished and discriminated. It was an interesting premise, and Celestine, the main character was just as brainwashed as everyone else. She never thought too much about it, because no one close to her had ever been flawed, until she witness something that finally had her reconsider. Her actions will bring a lot of attention on her, from both those supporting and those against the system.

This book was all about the moral dilemma, and Celestine’s development. I feel like this wasn’t enough to make a dystopian novel, though, like it was just the prologue. The real action was just about to start when the book ended. And there were a lot of things about the flawed system that weren’t clear. I’m still not sure what’s allowed and what’s not.

I’m really curious and excited to read the second book, though. Overall, it was a good read, it kept my attention and curiosity. It has a lot of flaws, but a lot of potential.