Book Review: What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen

Title: What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen
Series: Stand-Alone
Finished on: November 30, 2012
Released: May 10th 2011 by Viking Juvenile
Source: Library E-book
Rating: 4/5

Summary from Goodreads:

Since her parents' bitter divorce, McLean and her dad, a restaurant consultant, have been on the move-four towns in two years. Estranged from her mother and her mother's new family, McLean has followed her dad in leaving the unhappy past behind. And each new place gives her a chance to try out a new persona: from cheerleader to drama diva. But now, for the first time, McLean discovers a desire to stay in one place and just be herself, whoever that is. Perhaps Dave, the guy next door, can help her find out.

Combining Sarah Dessen's trademark graceful writing, great characters, and compelling storytelling, What Happened to Goodbye is irresistible reading.

 Another amazing story from Sarah Dessen. I was so excited to read this because it was the only currently released Dessen book I hadn't finished yet. I wasn't disappointed, though I really missed the romance!

What Happened to Goodbye mainly focuses on McClean's relationships with her family and not so much her romantic relationships, but Dessen does this wonderfully and creates a very touching story.

All of the characters are great. I especially loved McClean's dad and you can tell that he is trying his best for her. And yes, I even liked her mother, because even though Katherine Hamilton can be very annoying, you can't help but love Katie Sweet. Of course we have the boy: Dave Wade- cute and sweet and a complete genius and has a tattoo. Ellis, Heather, and Riley are his quirky cast of friends who quickly become McClean's friends, also. We get Deb, who should probably just get her own book. She was hilarious and an awesome character. Finally, we get the restaurant crew, a crazy and eclectic mix. This book definitely stands out as a wonderfully character-driven story.

Not one of my absolute favorite Dessen novels, but definitely near the top. We get all the fantastic qualities that her best stories possess. If you're looking for a cute YA contemporary, What Happened to Goodbye is a must.

Book Review: Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Title: Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
Series: Wolves of Mercy Falls #1
Finished on: November 22, 2012
Released: August 1st 2009 by Scholastic Press
Source: Owned
Rating: 3/5

Summary from Goodreads:

For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf--her wolf--is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human . . . until the cold makes him shift back again. Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human--or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.

I don't really know how I feel about this one. I was really excited to read Shiver when I first bought it, but I was a little disappointed. I think I was just expecting more. There were moments that I was into the story and moments where I put it down and struggled with picking it up again.

I liked Grace, but I didn't love her. Overall, she was a bit boring. I didn't like Sam at all. He wasn't my type of guy and that mixed with boring Grace made for relationship that I really didn't care about. I wasn't buying the relationship anyway. They were completely devoted to one another, but I never understood why. I know Sam saved Grace when he was a wolf years ago but that's just it: he was a wolf. Grace never even knew he was a human, but the second she finds out she's suddenly head over heels? I like the tough, funny, more "bad boy", "manly man" type male characters. Sam is none of those and I thought it was weird he would randomly have lyrics in his head for everything. I'm sure these characters would and do appeal to many readers, they just aren't my personal cup of tea. Honestly, I was a lot more interested in the secondary characters like Isabel, Olive, and Beck.

Outside the characters, however, I can find no fault. The writing style itself, while sometimes slow, is always clear, intelligent, and descriptive. Maggie Stiefvater can definitely create some beautiful head imagery.  The plot and storyline I found very interesting and because of that I'll eventually read the next installment: Linger. The whole concept of the wolf pack was compelling and I had many questions; That's what got me to finish the story.  I love a good love story though and on that end I was disappointed. Shiver was a lot more entertaining than some other books I've read this year and except for the characters the writing was quite well-done so I will recommend this book. While I didn't go crazy for it, I can see how some other readers would.

Book Review: Crash by Nicole Williams

Title: Crash by Nicole Williams
Series: Crash #1
Finished on: November 17, 2012
Released: July 19, 2012 by CreateSpace
Source: Owned/Nook

Summary from Goodreads:

Jude Ryder and Lucy Larson are this generation's Romeo and Juliet: Explosive. Sizzling. Tragic.

A steamy summer encounter with bad boy Jude means trouble for Lucy. Her sights are set on becoming a ballerina, and she won't let anything get in her way . . . except Jude.

He's got a rap sheet, dangerous mood swings, and a name that's been sighed, shouted, and cursed by who knows how many girls.

Jude's a cancer, the kind of guy who's fated to ruin the lives of girls like Lucy—and he tells her so.

But as rumors run rampant and reputations are destroyed, Lucy's not listening to Jude's warning. Is tragedy waiting in the wings? This racy romance is hot, hot, hot!

Two words: Jude Ryder. Review over.

Okay, seriously though, I loved this book! I was completely sucked into this tragic, dysfunctional, passionate, and sweet romance between Lucy and Jude. I began reading and didn't move until I finished the last page just a few hours later. This story had me smiling from ear to ear, laughing out loud, so frustrated, and on the verge of tears, all in the span of 322 pages. I definitely did not go into this expecting to come away loving it this much.

Lucy was a great main character for me. I loved her personality and her dialogue had me laughing so much. I also loved the relationship between Jude and Lucy. Their chemistry was great and believable. Nothing about the relationship or growth of it felt forced to me. In fact, the "normal" parts of their relationship, like when it's not obvious that Jude has many problems, were pretty relatable. I went back and forth with Jude. I began the story really liking him, then not so much for parts in the middle, then really liking him again. The moments where I didn't like him so much were the moments where I didn't fully understand him or his motives yet. Underneath it all, Jude is a very sweet boy capable of loving Lucy very much. Life has just handed him some crappy deals for too long and it's really taken a toll on him. But, I think anyone who has read Crash agrees that by the end life is looking up for him and he truly deserves it.

Crash was a rollercoaster ride if I ever read one. This thing goes up and down and all around so much, but that's what makes it so addicting. That's what kept me in place for hours reading. Sometimes that technique can make a reader dizzy, but Nicole Williams made it work so well. The entire story line was unpredictable for me and I was surprised by the turn of events quite a few times. Crash was an intense read and I can't wait to see where Williams takes Lucy and Jude in the next installment, Clash.

 "The name’s Jude Ryder, since I know you're all but salivating like a rabid dog to know, and I don't do girlfriends, relationships, flowers or regular phone calls. If that works for you, I think we could work out something special."

“How does a guy like you promise someone forever at eighteen?”

“Easy,” he said, pressing a soft kiss into the corner of my mouth. “He finds a girl like you.” 

“You can’t be friends with the person you were meant to spent your life with.” 

Book Review: The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan

Title: The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan
Series: The Forest of Hands and Teeth #2
Finished on: November 16, 2012
Released: March 9, 2010 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Source: Library e-book


Summary from Goodreads:

Gabry lives a quiet life, secure in her town next to the sea and behind the Barrier. She's content to let her friends dream of the Dark City up the coast--home is all she's ever known and all she needs for happiness.
But life after the Return is never safe.
Gabry's mother thought she left her secrets behind in the Forest of Hands and Teeth, but like the dead in their world, secrets don't stay buried. And now, Gabry's world is crumbling.
In one reckless moment, half of Gabry's generation is dead, the other half imprisoned.
Now Gabry knows only one thing: if she has any hope of a future, she must face the forest of her mother's past.

Another beautifully written story by Carrie Ryan. I swear, in my opinion, she is a master of plot twists, but in the most excellent way. Throughout this book we see a major theme of "what-if's". "What if I did this" or "What if I didn't do that" or "What if I didn't go there", etc. We see the full impact that one very small decision or moment can have on entire lives. We get an extremely thought-provoking story. Ryan does such a wonderful job crafting the most powerful scenes. And there are plenty of those in The Dead-Tossed Waves.

I actually didn't read the summary before starting this book so I didn't know it was going to be in a different POV from the first book until I began. While I didn't have as deep a connection with this set of characters as I did with the first book's, everyone was still very likable. (Except for Gabry's best friend, Cira, I found her bordering on annoying.) I had a hard time warming up to the relationship between Elias and Gabry only because I thought a certain something was going to be revealed, but later found out I was guessing wrong. I know that's vague, but I'm trying to keep away from spoilers! Gabry goes through such a journey from start to finish and really grows, deepens, and becomes enlightened in the best ways.

If you like books that are full of everyone having secrets and the consequences when they are finally revealed then this is for you! Like I said, plot twists and "Uhm, what!?"'s galore here. This story can also get on the depressing side at times. These characters all start to wonder what the point of anything is. They'll never overcome these Mudo. I can't blame them, though. After all, this is some extremely dark subject matter. Yet, though it all, there's always at least some small message of hope. Gabry finally comes to realize that the fences should only be for keeping the Mudo out, not for keeping people in. There really are a few different messages for any reader to gain from this story.

Honestly, I never saw anything that happened coming. I absolutely adore that in my books! Oh, and so many questions get answered about how and why these villages came to be which was awesome! I'm going to take a break and read a few different books before coming back to the third installment in this series but I'm greatly looking forward to it. And here's to hoping for many more YA novels by Carrie Ryan in the future!

4/5 

(Liked VERY much, but not enough to spend time re-reading)

Book Review: Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Title: Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
Series: Under the Never Sky #1
Finished on: November 12, 2012
Released: January 3rd 2012 by HarperCollins
Source: Kindle/Purchased


Summary from Goodreads:

Since she'd been on the outside, she'd survived an Aether storm, she'd had a knife held to her throat, and she'd seen men murdered. This was worse.
Exiled from her home, the enclosed city of Reverie, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland - known as The Death Shop - are slim. If the cannibals don't get her, the violent, electrified energy storms will. She's been taught that the very air she breathes can kill her. Then Aria meets an Outsider named Perry. He's wild - a savage - and her only hope of staying alive.
A hunter for his tribe in a merciless landscape, Perry views Aria as sheltered and fragile - everything he would expect from a Dweller. But he needs Aria's help too; she alone holds the key to his redemption. Opposites in nearly every way, Aria and Perry must accept each other to survive. Their unlikely alliance forges a bond that will determine the fate of all who live under the never sky.

I don't know why I didn't enjoy this as much as so many others; I just couldn't get sucked in the same way I do with the stories that I love. That's not to say I didn't like this one, because I did, it just took awhile to get there. I almost gave up in the first few chapters because I couldn't figure out what was going on or get a clear picture of this world in my head. After reading a huge amount of good reviews, however, I decided to push on. And about 100 pages in things started to come together. It is very unique and sets itself apart from a lot of the other books in the genre which was a good thing. But that could have contributed the fact that I had a harder time picturing this world.

By the time Roar came in I began to get into the story. I really liked Roar almost better than any of the other characters. Because of this I'll probably be reading Roar and Liv. Let's make this clear: Veronica Rossi's writing style is very good and I'll definitely give more of her work a chance. The rest of the story was enjoyable and I read though it pretty quickly, though it was more predictable than a lot of books I've been reading lately. I've become accustomed to moments of "OMG what?" and this one just didn't have that for me. I even noticed myself going for a few pages reading the words but thinking about things outside the story.

What we do learn about this world is really quite interesting and the last third of this book would probably rate higher for me. I am interested in Aria and Perry's relationship, too. So for these reasons I won't hesitate to pick up the next installment. It was my emotional response after finishing the story that influenced my rating. I turned off my Kindle and began my next book without needing to think about what I just read or the characters anymore. But that's just me so anyone who's been wanting to read this one for awhile should definitely read it and for anyone who's been on the fence about it, I say give it a try! 

Rating: 3/5

Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult

Title: Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult
Series: Stand-Alone
Finished on: November 6, 2012
Released: January 1, 2007 by Atria Books
Source: Bought 
Add to: Goodreads

Summary from Amazon:

In nineteen minutes, you can mow the front lawn, color your hair, watch a third of a hockey game. In nineteen minutes, you can bake scones or get a tooth filled by a dentist; you can fold laundry for a family of five....In nineteen minutes, you can stop the world, or you can just jump off it. In nineteen minutes, you can get revenge.

Sterling is a small, ordinary New Hampshire town where nothing ever happens -- until the day its complacency is shattered by a shocking act of violence. In the aftermath, the town's residents must not only seek justice in order to begin healing but also come to terms with the role they played in the tragedy. For them, the lines between truth and fiction, right and wrong, insider and outsider have been obscured forever. Josie Cormier, the teenage daughter of the judge sitting on the case, could be the state's best witness, but she can't remember what happened in front of her own eyes. And as the trial progresses, fault lines between the high school and the adult community begin to show, destroying the closest of friendships and families.

Nineteen Minutes is New York Times bestselling author Jodi Picoult's most raw, honest, and important novel yet. Told with the straightforward style for which she has become known, it asks simple questions that have no easy answers: Can your own child become a mystery to you? What does it mean to be different in our society? Is it ever okay for a victim to strike back? And who -- if anyone -- has the right to judge someone else?

I absolutely fell in love with Jodi Picoult's The Pact and really enjoyed her Plain Truth; Nineteen Minutes secured me as a Jodi Picoult fan. She can tell a dang story!

We get the story of Alex, an amazing judge who is also trying her hardest to be a good mother. Then there's her daughter, Josie, who's just trying to figure out who she is outside of her popular clique. We also have Lacey, who's already lost one son and could potentially lose her other. And then there's Peter, Lacey's son who has been bullied every single day of his last 12 years. Once again, Picoult does a fantastic job of intertwining these characters and their lives into one complicated (in a good way!) and touching story.

I sat and read this book the entire way through. There was just no putting it down. Every character had a story that you just can't help being completely sucked into. I also appreciate that Picoult definitely did her research on bullying and school shootings. You want so bad to hate Peter and think of him as a monster, yet the author spins it so you understand what led up to that point. It wasn't just a psychotic act of rage... it was just the pressure of 12 straight years of being beaten down finally exploding.

This entire story is made up of twists and turns. You finally think you have it all figured out and Picoult throws in another surprise. Right up to the ending. And oh, that ending! Didn't see that coming at all... but now, looking back, I probably should have. All the clues where there. This book does its job of putting the entire situation of a school shooting into perspective. We get to see all sides from the killer to the victims to people who loved that killer. Everyone gets a voice.

RATING: 5/5

Mini Book Review: 16 Lighthouse Road by Debbie Macomber

Title: 16 Lighthouse Road by Debbie Macomber
Series: Cedar Cove #1
Finished on: November 4, 2012
Released: September 1, 2001 by Mira
Source: Public Library ebook
Add to: Goodreads
Website: Cedar Cove Series

Summary from DebbieMacomber.com:

When Cecilia Randall, and her naval officer husband, Ian, appear in Judge Olivia Lockhart's Cedar Cove family court, they expect the good judge to grant the divorce they seek. But Olivia senses the couple still love one another and just need time to work on their marriage in the wake of their infant daughter's death. So Olivia denies their petition and makes headlines in the Cedar Cove Chronicle, earning the divorced mother more than journalistic admiration from the paper's editor, Jack Griffin. Meanwhile, Olivia's daughter, Justine, must decide if she will marry an older man her mother insists is wrong for her, and Olivia's best friend, Grace Sherman, the local librarian, is frantic with the disappearance of her husband, Dan. Everyone in Cedar Cove is talking!

This is the first book in the Cedar Cover series and also my first read by Debbie Macomber. Let's just say that I am hooked. I adore Macomber's writing style. This is one of those books you curl up with on a cold night with tons of blankets and a cup of cocoa and just enjoy reading. I read this right after finishing Insurgent and it was perfect to clear my mind and lighten the mood.

There are so many characters and stories told in this book and Macomber does an excellent job with each one. There were a few characters' stories I was into deeper (Ian/Cecelia and Grace), I loved every character. Charlotte was absolutely adorable! Macomber has such a way of making you love her characters and making you wish you could live in Cedar Cove and have friendships with these people yourself.

This one is a little difficult to review because of the many different story lines, but if you enjoy a light adult contemporary with family, romance, friendships, and betrayls, I definitely recommend 16 Lighthouse Road.

RATING: 4/5