Review: The Catastrophic History Of You and Me

 

 



The Catastrophic History of You and Me

Jess Rothenberg

 Penguin Young Readers Group

 

 

 From Goodreads: Dying of a broken heart is just the beginning.... Welcome to forever.

BRIE'S LIFE ENDS AT SIXTEEN: Her boyfriend tells her he doesn't love her, and the news breaks her heart—literally.

But now that she's D&G (dead and gone), Brie is about to discover that love is way more complicated than she ever imagined. Back in Half Moon Bay, her family has begun to unravel. Her best friend has been keeping a secret about Jacob, the boy she loved and lost—and the truth behind his shattering betrayal. And then there's Patrick, Brie's mysterious new guide and resident Lost Soul . . . who just might hold the key to her forever after.

With Patrick's help, Brie will have to pass through the five stages of grief before she's ready to move on. But how do you begin again, when your heart is still in pieces?

 

 

 

My Review: This was a sweet, heartwarming and amazing story. I was touched by the sweet story and moved to tears at some parts of this wonderful story of Brie's journey in the after life and her desperate attempts to go home to the life she left behind. I must admit I was not sure what this book was about when I bought it (Yes I just loved the cover) but as I started reading it I loved it. The concept of a teen dying of a broken heart seemed a little over dramatic too me at first but as I read I was pulled into a story and a world that was written so well I lost myself in the story and was compelled to continue reading.

   Jess Rothenberg's writing transported me to an after life that was fun and interesting to learn about. I really enjoyed the idea that you could check on the people we leave behind, although Brie soon learns the downfalls of doing that. Brie is young and the first thing she wants is revenge on the person who she blames for killing her, but as the story progresses she matures and find the real reasons behind what happened in her life. I liked that even after her death she sill grows as a person.

 

  This book is for all contemporary lovers even though there are some paranormal elements but that does not get in the way of this emotional and heartfelt love story .

 

     

Review : Anna and the French Kiss

Anna and the French Kiss

Stephanie Perkins

Dutton

 

From Goodreads: Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris--until she meets Étienne St. Clair. Smart, charming, beautiful, Étienne has it all...including a serious girlfriend.

But in the City of Light, wishes have a way of coming true. Will a year of romantic near-misses end with their long-awaited French kiss?

 

 

My Review: I can explain why it took me so long to read this book. First I do not like the hype machine. I try to avoid books that I see every time you look in a bookstore window because I want to support all authors not just the most popular ones. Second, I never read contemporary before and Romance is not my style. I am a blood and guts kinda gal, but when I saw this for $1.99 at a store I figured "give it a try".

    Now, I am starting to warm up to the hype machine.

      I loved this book. I did not want it too end and I already bought the next book in the trilogy. Such a touching and emotional story, and set in Paris. An amazing back drop to an amazing book. I felt like I was back there roaming the streets and visiting the areas myself. The love story between Anna and St. Clair was so touching, sweet and frustrating. At some points I wanted to yell at them because it was so obvious but neither one admitted they were falling in love with the other. I was so happy with the end of this book I think my heart grew 3 sizes larger ( like the Grinch)   

 

 

 





Review: The Karma Club

The Karma Club

Jessica Brody

Farrar, Straus and Giroux

 

 

From Goodreads: Madison Kasparkova always thought she understood how Karma works. Do good things and you'll be rewarded, do something bad and Karma will make sure you get what you deserve.

But when Maddy’s boyfriend  cheats on her, nothing bad comes his way. That’s why Maddy  starts the Karma Club,  to clean up the messes that the universe has left behind. Sometimes, though, it isn’t wise to meddle with the universe.

It turns out Karma often has plans of its own.

 

 

My Review: Okay admit it we all want karma to kick someone's butt. Well this book was a great example of making karma hurry up and do it already. I really enjoyed this book. A light, fun read that makes you think messing with karma is a good thing. ( Beware when messing with forces you don't understand)

 

  I loved the character in the story Maddy, Jade, and Angie are so well written they leap off the page. I wish I had friends like that because there would never be a dull moment. Having your heart broken at their age is the worse thing that can happen to them, and you do cheer them all on.

  

   Jessica Brody is a wonderful author that I am just discovering. I am loving her writing style and the realism she brings to each book. I want to read more ....... and I will

 

 





Update 5/2014

     Okay, so I thought I would let you know what is happening in my Reading Life. I am using this time to get caught up on my Netgalley Reads. I have fallen behind on them. Such an addicting website. I am also doing the Project 50 Books. That is were I must read 50 books I own before I can buy anymore books. It is turning out to be tougher than I thought with all the new books I want or feel compelled to buy and read but I am sticking too it. I am on book # 13 right now. I am also going to start to review more books on my blog and You Tube channel.  One day a week I will be shooting 2 or 3 videos and writing the same amount of blog post. So stay tuned for that

Below is a list of books I have finished for my Project 50 Books. Reviews you can expect soon on all of them

1.) The Karma Club  by Jessica Brody

2.) Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

3.) The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg

4.) Legend by Marie Lu

5.) Something Strange & Deadly by Susan Dennard

6.) Give Up the Ghost by Megan Crewe

7.) Poor Little Dead Girls by Lizzie Friend (Already Reviewed)

8.) Raven's Gate by Anthony Horowitz

9.) Hereafter by Terri Bruce

10.)Nightmare in Niceville by Amberle Cianne (Already Reviewed)

11.)Counting Shadows by Olivia Rivers (Already Reviewed)

12.)Forged by Greed by A.O. Peart

I think I am off to a good start. Every month I will continue the list and add the links to the reviews. I know some of these books have been reviewed ten times over but I will still review them because each reviewer has their own view of them. So until you read again. Have a good one and always feel free to comment and suggest books for me to keep my eye out for. 

  



Review: Counting Shadows

Counting Shadows
Olivia Rivers
Red Sparrow Press

From Goodreads: Faye’s soul-mate is everything she should hate—an Angel, an outcast, an enemy. Ashe is just one more imperfection in her life that somehow makes everything… perfect.

Until he’s murdered.

With the only person she loves ripped away, Faye sets out to avenge Ashe’s death. The task seems impossible, until she finds Lor—an Angel who looks nearly identical to Ashe’s killer. Arrogant and hot-headed, Lor is everything Ashe wasn’t. But Lor is connected to her soul-mate’s past, and Faye needs him to find the killer—even if Lor is potentially deadly.

But when Faye discovers that Ashe’s past isn’t as black and white as she thought, she faces an impossible choice: Give up the hunt, and risk the lives of others. Or continue pursuing Ashe’s murderer, and forfeit the lives of everyone in her family—including herself.

 

 

My Review:  I was given this book for my honest review by netgalley

 

     This was a quick and entertaining read. This book has something for all readers, vampires, angels and a princess. I enjoyed how the author took each type of creature and gave them their own unique roll to play in the story. It gave the story in my opinion more depth. This epic fantasy with wonderful world building grabbed me from the fist time we were introduced to Faye and Ash. I thought Faye was a good character. A princess that stood her ground with her family and an outcast to her people. Not what you usually read about. I found this book gripping and I can not wait for the series to continue. I need more and I need to know what happens next.

 



Review: Nightmare In Niceville

Nightmare in Niceville
Amberle Cianne
 Boutique of Quality Books

 

From Goodreads: Lily Strykes is a typical teenage girl, who, along with her mother and younger sister, settles into a comfortably predictable lifestyle in the quiet little town of Niceville, Florida. But hidden in their past is something dark. A fun night out with friends takes an unexpected and terrifying turn as her previous life quickly catches up to her. Lily's routine but peaceful existence, as well as those of her family and friends, is turned upside down in a matter of hours when a figure from her violent past suddenly returns.

 

 

My Review:   I was given this book by Netgalley and the publisher for my honest opinion.

 

    I really enjoyed this book. It was fast paced and took off from page three and never stopped. Do not think this book is anything but a straight horror book, but I could not put this down. Lily is a girl with a family secret and when the secret comes back it comes back with a vengeance taking out anything or one in the way. Lots of mayhem and carnage. For older YA and adults.

     I found myself cheering for all the characters in this book and sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for what would happen next. I am going to read this book again.   

Review: Poor Little Dead Girls



Poor Little Dead Girls

Lizzie Friend

Merit Press

 

 

From Goodreads : Perfect people aren't just born. They're made.

The first time she is blindfolded and kidnapped, star-athlete and posh boarding school newbie Sadie is terrified. She wakes up in a dark room surrounded by hushed whispers, hooded strangers, and a mysterious voice whispering not-so-sweet nothings in her ear.

But once the robes come off, she realizes it’s just an elaborate prank designed to induct her into the group that’s been pulling the strings at Keating Hall for generations. The circle has it all--incredible connections; fabulous parties; and, of course, an in with the brother society’s gorgeous pledges.

The instant popularity is enough to make Sadie forget about the unexplained marks on her body, the creepy ceremonial rituals, and the incident that befell one of her teammates the year before. So the next time Sadie is kidnapped, she isn’t scared, but she should be. The worst of Keating Hall is yet to come.

 

 

 

My Review:    I was given this book by Netgalley for my honest opinion.

 

       I did enjoy this book. I found the plot different than anything I have read recently ,besides I needed a change from all the contemporary I have been reading lately. This book reminded me what I have been missing. A story about a boarding school and an elite secret society was interesting and fast paced. With lots of intrigue and mystery.

      That being said I did not feel it was enough. There were points that I did not want to put the book down but after they were over it did not pick up for a while again. I guess what I am saying I wanted this to be a book that I refused to put down. This was not that book. It was a cute read and I like it but  I did have some problems with it. I liked Sadie (the main character) I found her true to age worried about things a girl should. I thought that other characters were well written and I got a good feel for them but I would have liked to see more development in some of them. (The twins ).

 

       I believe this is the authors first work. I will look for her again to see how she develops as a writer.