Review : 52 Reasons to Hate My Father

52 Reasons to Hate My Father

Jessica Brody

Square Fish

 

Being America’s favorite heiress is a dirty job…but someone’s gotta do it.

Lexington Larrabee has never had to work a day in her life. After all, she’s the heiress to the multi-billion-dollar Larrabee Media empire. And heiresses are not supposed to work. But then again, they’re not supposed to crash brand-new Mercedes convertibles into convenience stores on Sunset Boulevard either.

Which is why, on Lexi’s eighteenth birthday, her ever-absent, tycoon father decides to take a more proactive approach to her wayward life. Every week for the next year, she will have to take on a different low-wage job if she ever wants to receive her beloved trust fund. But if there’s anything worse than working as a maid, a dishwasher, and a fast-food restaurant employee, it’s dealing with Luke, the arrogant, albeit moderately attractive, college intern her father has assigned to keep tabs on her.

In Jessica Brody's hilarious “comedy of heiress” about family, forgiveness, good intentions, and best of all, second chances, Lexi learns that love can be unconditional, money can be immaterial, and regardless of age, everyone needs a little saving. And although she might have fifty-two reasons to hate her father, she only needs one reason to love him.


My Review:  This was my favorite book of the month. So touching and so funny. I finished it and gave it too my daughter to read immediately.

   Let's start with Lexi. Spoiled, self-centered and rich. I wanted to smack her at times and I thought what her father does is quite justified. We have all worked jobs that were not glamorous but we learn from them and move on. Lexi just works them to get the inheritance taking nothing away from them and complaining all the way. I must admit I took slight joy in reading about how she thought they were horrible and way to hard. Then the turning point and I found myself rooting for her. I also wondered what everyone was hiding from her. The family secret that shed light on every thing.

  Luke self made and very motivated the complete opposite of Lexi. I loved how this character championed for Lexi's father because we do that for people we admire, I also understood Lexi unhappiness because her father was never there. Praising a mans public image to the end Luke want to be like the self made millionaire and can't grasp why Lexi is not on her knees thanking her farther for everything that is handed to her.

 I enjoyed how these characters played off each other and the romance that followed. The anger and resentment turns to understanding and appreciation. A real heart warming story that I will keep on my self and re-read for years to come.

   



Review : My Ultimate Sister Disaster

My Ultimate Sister Disaster

Jane Mendle

 St. Martin's Griffin

 

 

What happens when your sister becomes your biggest rival?

If there were a way to pick your family, fourteen-year old Franny might not pick her own. Her father is a hipster boutique owner who's constantly "friending" her on Facebook, her mother is off in Kenya jumpstarting her stalled anthropology career, and her sister Zooey, eleven months older and eight inches taller, is a precocious, prima ballerina. Lately, Zooey's so absorbed with her burgeoning ballet career that she barely seems to notice Franny. And since Zooey attends a top ballet conservatory, Franny's on her own navigating the brutal halls of her Manhattan prep school, a first-year trying to get noticed on the school paper (and by its soulful, long-lashed editor-in-chief).

But everything changes when Zooey breaks her leg and her dancing comes to grinding halt. Her ballet dreams shattered, Zooey begins to hone in on Franny's "normal" life and friends. Franny feels terrible for Zooey, but when her encroachment starts to extend to Franny’s long-time crush, Franny begins to wonder if her sister might just be her worst competition..

 

 

 

My Review:  Okay, everyone must admit we have that sibling that just seems too perfect (or is it just me?) This was a great book. Franny feels like she is living in her sisters shadow, and too a point it is true. Zooey seems to have it all a great start to become a famous dancer and the gleaming pride of her parents to back her. Then both their lives change. This story made me laugh and made me think. I liked how the situations these girls were put in helped them better understand each other. I loved how this book ended and I want to read more from this author. Eye opening and heart warming. This book is for anyone who feel like they live in someone's shadow.

Review : The Real Real

The Real Real
Emma McLaughlin & Nicola Kraus
Harper Teen

 

 

Imagine there was never a Laguna Beach, a Newport Harbor, the shimmering Hills. Imagine that your hometown—your school—is the first place XTV descends to set up cameras.

Now imagine they've trained them on you.

When Jesse O'Rourke gets picked for a "documentary" being filmed at her school in the Hamptons she's tempted to turn down the offer. But there's a tuition check attached to being on the show, and Jesse needs the cash so she can be the first in her family to attend college. All she has to do is trade her best friend for the glam clique she's studiously avoided, her privacy for a 24/7 mike, and her sense of right and wrong for "what sells on camera." . . . At least there's one bright spot in the train wreck that is her suddenly public senior year: Jesse's crush has also made the cast.

As the producers manipulate the lives of their "characters" to heighten the drama, and Us Weekly covers become a regular occurrence for Jesse, she must struggle to remember one thing: the difference between real and the real real .


My Review:  I really enjoyed this books take on "reality T.V ". I for one do watch a "reality" show and I know it is set up but this book throws it under the bus. Funny and lighthearted at times it shines a light on how fixed those shows are. Using teen in this way is never right. I know college cost a lot but I for one would never trade my life to be used in such a way. This book is enlightens teens on all the mystery of those wonderful people whose lives are watched 24/7. If they don't know it is all fiction they will after reading this book. My daughter loved this book and was shocked to think of all the TV shows she has seen. Now she looks at them threw different eyes and we smile at each other when something happens that we can't believe.

      I never read the nanny diaries but I did like the writing style of this book and the quick pace in which it flowed so I may pick that up too to read soon.

 

Review : If We Kiss

 

If We Kiss

Rachel Vail

  Harper Teen

 

If We Kiss is the story of Charlotte (Charlie to her friends), who finds herself falling for a boy who is off-limits. Her best friend is in love with him, and her mother and his father are dating. Still, Charlie can't help but wonder, what would happen if we kiss?





My Review : I don't know why but I seemed to be on a contemporary kick lately. I have never read any before, but I have so many on my shelf that I figured why not. I am happy I picked up this first. It was light easy read that brought back fond memories of my first kiss. How at that young age how confused your emotions get and your not sure what is going on. I like Charlie's character because you sympathize with the mixed feeling and puzzlement she feels. What does this kiss mean? I also like how Charlie is true to age. She does not rationalize it and forget about it. Like most young girls this throws her life into turmoil. It is a charming tale of love at first kiss (kind of ) (Maybe???)
Great story loved the characters and will read the sequel .

                                                 

 

 



Review: Hero Worship



Hero Worship

Christopher E. Long

Flux

 

Ever since becoming an IWP—Individual with Powers—Marvin Maywood has dreamed of joining the Core, a group of gifted heroes who save lives and stop crimes. But because he's a homeless teenager who is forbidden to use his amazing powers, wanting and achieving that dream are two very separate things.

But when Marvin saves a family from dangerous hoodlums with his incredible strength and speed, his chance to try out for the Core comes at last. The opportunity seems like a dream come true—until he realizes that the idyllic hero life he imagined is just a mask for the corrupt reality. And when a beloved hero is murdered, Marvin is suspected of being the villain behind the crime.

 

 

My Review:  I was given this book by Netgalley and Flux for my honest review.

 

      I was instantly draw into this book. The world building and characters were well done and compelling. This book was fast paced and easy to read. Marvin is a wonderful character. He propels the whole story with his humor, intelligent, and compassion. The supporting character are good and help the story progress nicely. Marvin is so star struck by The Core he is pulled in two directions . His friends seem to abandon him but come to his aid when really needed. Marvin eyes are opened to the dark world of power and how it corrupts. Great story, can be part of a series but it is a stand alone . I will be looking for more by this author . Really liked his writing style and pace.

 

  



Review: Cursed

Cursed

Lizzy Ford

 Evatopia Press

 

 

Five years after her sister disappeared, seventeen-year-old Adrienne finds the strength to return to her father’s home in New Orleans. But soon after she arrives, the mark of a curse appears on her, leaving her worried. Will she be the next victim of a four-hundred-year old family curse ... the next to be claimed by a serial killer roaming the back alleys of the city?

The day before his senior year begins, Jayden is given a skeleton key passed down through his family for generations -- a gruesome reminder of how his ancestors betrayed their own people and sold them into slavery. He doesn’t believe in the curse the key allegedly bears and puts it away with the intention of forgetting about its message. Until he meets Adrienne, a girl he’s compelled to for more reasons than her beauty.

He’s not the only one who notices her. A man in a skeleton mask and a voodoo gang member are also drawn to Adrienne. One is determined to protect her. The other intends to mislead her. Haunted by the mythical Red Man, all are connected to the ancient curse.

Can they overcome their misgivings about one another and prevent the dark prophecy looming over them? Or will they be lured away from each other by evil’s siren song?

 

 

My Review : . I received this book from netgalley for my honest review

 I devoured this book. It was a refreshing read from the other books I have been reading lately because it dealt with voodoo, but more on that later.

      Adrienne was a good character, head strong and fearless too a fault. I could relate with her quest for answers about her sisters disappearance. Her anger and confusion when no one will help her. It compelled her to dig deeper to find out what happened and brings her face to face with danger and the secrets that everyone tries to hide.

   Jayden was also a character I found interesting. Divided by two worlds. His father's world ( rich and classy ) and his mother's (poor and superstitious) Trying to please everyone all the time and be the good son. Until he meets Adrienne and fall for her instantly. Their relationship seem doomed from the start. It is a wonderful treat to learn how these two characters lives are intertwined with because of their ancestors.
   The most interesting part of the plot to me is the elements that deal with voodoo. Wonderfully done you feel like it is another character in the story. Voodoo brings a creepy and unique feel to this story using the history and belief of people. This story is sometimes dark and dangerous but also a action adventure story. This has it all. I want to read more.

                                                           

  

Review : Witch and Wizard

Witch & Wizard

James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet

 Little Brown and Company

 

 

 

Everything is about to change. The government has seized control of every aspect of society, and this is the astonishing testimonial of Wisty and Whit Allgood, a sister and brother who were torn from their family in the middle of the night, slammed into prison, and accused of being a witch and a wizard. Thousands of young people have been kidnapped; some have been accused; many others remain missing. Their fate is unknown, and the worst is feared--for the ruling regime will stop at nothing to suppress life and liberty, music and books, art and magic . . . and the pursuit of being a normal teenager.

 

 

 

My Review: I have read several adult books by James Patterson, but this is the first YA book of his I have read. Also the first book I have read of his with a co-writer. This did not disappoint. I expected it to be a fast paced action packed adventure, and that is what I got. We are thrown into this world just as it is all falling apart for  Wisty and Whit Allgood, and the journey they go on is entertaining and creative. I really enjoyed this first book, but I was kind of let down because of this fact too. The characters do not seem as well developed as they could have been. The lack of a backstory just seem to make the story fall a little flat. I am hoping the next book  develops Wisty and Whit better and leads me to root for their survival in a world turned upside down. Right now I really don't have any emotion for them. I am will to give this story one more book to see if it can be turned around.

 

 

   



Review: Backwards



Backwards

Todd Mitchell

Candlewick

 

 

At the moment Dan’s life ends, the Rider’s begins. Unwillingly tied to Dan, the Rider finds himself moving backwards in time, each day revealing more of the series of events that led to Dan’s suicide.
As the Rider struggles to figure out what he’s meant to do, he revels in the life Dan ignores. Beyond the simple pleasures of a hot shower and the sun on his face, the Rider also notices the people around Dan: his little sister, always disappointed by her big brother’s rejection, his overwhelmed mom, and Cat — with her purple hair, artistic talent, and misfit beauty. But Cat doesn’t want anything to do with Dan. While the days move in reverse and Halloween looms, it's up to the Rider to find out why Cat is so angry, and what he must do to make things right.

 

 

My review: I liked this book. The way it begins was strange to me but once I realized it was Dan's life in reverse I got the concept. I like how we learn about Dan and what has happened to make him feel that suicide is the answer. At first I did not like Dan . Moody and disengaged from his family but after the Rider decided to change Dan you get the sense that there is more there than meets the eye.

The Rider is a different perspective that has a broader view of Dan's life so we see how everything comes together . I am going to look for more books by this author because his writing style is creative and interesting.