Goodreads Summary: Fallon meets Ben, an aspiring novelist, the day before her scheduled cross-country move. Their untimely attraction leads them to spend Fallon’s last day in L.A. together, and her eventful life becomes the creative inspiration Ben has always sought for his novel. Over time and amidst the various relationships and tribulations of their own separate lives, they continue to meet on the same date every year. Until one day Fallon becomes unsure if Ben has been telling her the truth or fabricating a perfect reality for the sake of the ultimate plot twist.
Review: What a monumental moment. Writing my first review in over a year and on a book written by none other than my favorite author. Colleen has been an author I’ve been loyally committed to since the day I opened up Hopeless. From the moment I opened to page 1, my bookworm life was changed forever (“spare us the dramatics, Eileen!” I know, I know. But it’s true!!). Since then, I’ve read all of Colleen’s books and each time she somehow tops the previous book. I don’t know how she does it, but she is seriously some sort of romance novel wizard. Please, Colleen, teach me your ways!! Each time I read one of her books, my expectations get higher and higher which is why I was quite nervous to read November 9. Will I fall in love with the characters as much as I did in Hopeless? Will I cry my eyes out like I did in Ugly Love? Will my heart break into a million pieces like it did in Maybe Someday?
Despite my doubts, November 9 was everything I wanted it to be and then some. Whenever I read one of Colleen’s books, it doesn’t feel like I’m reading. It feels like I am on some sort of crazy adventure tagging along with all the characters. An adventure I never want to leave.
It all starts with Fallon. A girl insecure about her flaws embarking on a new adventure across the country when she meets Ben the day before she leaves. With a ridiculously funny introduction, it leads these two characters to spend her last night in town with each other. This becomes the inspiration for Ben’s first novel and for the two too met up every year on the same day.
Okay pause. I admit that looking at this plotline by itself, it does seem a bit cheesy and predictable, but trust me when I say that Colleen will blow your mind.
And OKAY we’re back… I’m literally so obsessed with Fallon and Ben. They’re both so easy to fall in love with. Fallon with her insecurities and Ben with his boyish charm will win your heart over within a few pages. Fallon is this character who is struggling to find her passion again in life, and Ben who knows what he wants to do, but needs a little guidance. I loved being able to witness their ups and downs. I loved how their struggles became our struggles. Like all the characters in Colleen’s books, we get to grow alongside Fallon and Ben as well as going through so much time with them. Fallon and Ben will make you feel every single emotion. Literally ALL THE FEELS. One page these two would have me dying laughing then I would turn it and the next I would be crying so hard I couldn’t breathe.
Overall, November 9 did not disappoint. It surpassed my exceedingly high expectations, reminded me why I started reading books in the first place, and question why I ever stopped. I absolutely recommend reading November 9 with every ounce of my being. It will be the most emotional rollercoaster you will ever be on, but a ride you will not want to get off.
“When you find love, you take it. You grab it with both hands and you do everything in your power not to let it go. You can’t just walk away from it and expect it to linger until you’re ready for it.”
Thank you guys for always supporting Bookwormstothemax and helping me make it what it is today. I’m so excited to be back and I can’t wait for my bookworms to see everything I have planned for the future. 🙂
Until next time….
Catcha later bookworms!
Rating: 4/5
Goodreads Summary: Hopeless romantic Isla has had a crush on introspective cartoonist Josh since their first year at the School of America in Paris. And after a chance encounter in Manhattan over the summer, romance might be closer than Isla imagined. But as they begin their senior year back in France, Isla and Josh are forced to confront the challenges every young couple must face, including family drama, uncertainty about their college futures, and the very real possibility of being apart.
Featuring cameos from fan-favorites Anna, Étienne, Lola, and Cricket, this sweet and sexy story of true love—set against the stunning backdrops of New York City, Paris, and Barcelona—is a swoonworthy conclusion to Stephanie Perkins’s beloved series.
Review: I’m BACK. It’s been 2 months since I’ve done a review. Part of the reason why is I’m still super busy with school and college applications. The other part is I’ve been having major blogger’s block. (Is that even a thing?) Either way, I’m glad to be back. 🙂
This book was essentially everything I needed it to be. It was quirky, moving, and ALL THE FEELS. I don’t think anything can beat Anna and the French Kiss, however this one was pretty close to amazing.
Isla has been enamored with Josh since she could remember, yet she’s barely talked with him, and is almost certain he doesn’t even know she exists. Isla runs into Josh while high on Vicodin (she had her wisdom teeth surgery), and therefore begins her romance with him.
It was a very enchanting read, and I loved that their relationship was a more private one, in a very sweet way that isn’t easy to explain. The clichés were the good kind which made the book even more enjoyable and as I reached the end of the book I couldn’t really comprehend my thoughts anymore.
It’s funny because in Anna and the French Kiss you don’t really even notice Isla (at least I didn’t). If you haven’t read the book as many times as I have you may not even notice her. And Josh, he was a great secondary character and side kick to St. Clair, but not someone you really thought about. Even though I had my doubts about the character selection, I was super excited when I learned these were our two leads in Isla and the Happily Ever After. There was something that fascinated me about what I did know about them and it peaked my curiosity.
I can’t believe that I doubted Isla and Josh in the beginning. I found myself a lot in Isla. Isla and I are both shy, somewhat awkward, but passionate individuals. I even swooned over Josh. As I learned more about his character and his story, I understood why Stephanie chose him as the male lead character. 🙂 Another thing that Perkins does well is the secondary characters. Isla had some great people in her life that taught her things that made her grow as a person separate from her connection with Josh. Kurt was a fascinating addition that was able to be Isla’s voice of reason. He told her things she didn’t want to hear about herself but needed to hear.
Finishing Isla was bittersweet because this trilogy, all of these characters, mean something to me. It sounds weird but reading Isla and the Happily Ever After was the end of an era. It was like graduating and leaving everything behind. I almost felt like Josh did, all alone after losing my friends. Even though Anna, Lola, and Isla’s stories have reached an end, I’m glad they each got their own “happily ever after.” 🙂
Until next time….
Catcha later bookworms!
Rating: 5/5
Goodreads Summary: According to Anna’s best friend, Frankie, twenty days in Zanzibar Bay is the perfect opportunity to have a summer fling, and if they meet one boy every day, there’s a pretty good chance Anna will find her first summer romance. Anna lightheartedly agrees to the game, but there’s something she hasn’t told Frankie–she’s already had her romance, and it was with Frankie’s older brother, Matt, just before his tragic death one year ago.
TWENTY BOY SUMMER explores what it truly means to love someone, what it means to grieve, and ultimately, how to make the most of every beautiful moment life has to offer.
Review: If you follow some of my posts, you would know that I usually describe an emotional book as “ALL THE FEELS”. I couldn’t do that with Twenty Boy Summer. Why? Because it was ALL THE FEELS and MORE. It was an INFINITE amount of feels. I actually read Twenty Boy Summer the day after I watched The Fault in Our Stars. So imagine a teenage girl already weak and fragile from the most emotional movie ever, putting her emotions into even more misery. Yeah, it was a disaster, but I don’t regret reading it at all. Although I went through a couple boxes of tissue, I can say that it is my favorite summer read by a long shot.
So how can a book make me bawl my eyes out, but still be my favorite summer read? I’ll tell you.
Before Twenty Boy Summer, I was reading a lot of other romance books. All of those romance books had one thing in common: they were unrealistic. The boy and the girl fall in love, then there’s something moderately shocking to keep the reader’s interest, and in the end, love conquers all and the couple lives happily ever after. BORING. I like reading these types of books, don’t get me wrong, but I needed a book to show what really happens in a relationship. I desired a book to show that a relationship isn’t just gumdrops and rainbows. Twenty Boy Summer did just that.
I loved how Sarah Ockler didn’t force sadness and grief down my throat. Some books tend to force you to feel a certain way whether that is happiness, sorrow, or anger. Twenty Boy Summer allowed me to feel how I wanted to feel. The writing didn’t seem forced either. It flowed at a perfect pace. My heart ached for all of the characters, but especially Anna. Not only did she lose one of her best friends in the death of Matt, but she also lost her first love. I can’t imagine how hard it is for someone my age to be put into that much tragedy. In addition, Frankie, who was her best girl friend, is dealing with the loss of her brother and the effects that it had on her entire family. It was almost as if Anna lost both of her friends with Matt’s death. Everything and everyone changed in some way. And since Anna promised Matt that she will keep their love a secret, Anna has her feeling bottled up.
Like I said earlier, I fell in love with the way Sarah Ockler writes. The characters were just beautiful, but I also really appreciated how authentic Sarah’s dialogue was. I can’t say enough about how she gracefully developed the characters in this story, especially Anna. Anna, Frankie, and the rest of the characters didn’t feel like characters. They felt like real people. I felt everything they felt. Being able to follow Anna on her journey was a beautiful experience. 🙂
“Nothing ever really goes away–it just changes into something else. Something beautiful.”
Until next time….
Catcha later bookworms!
Rating: 5/5
Goodreads Summary: Sloane knows better than to cry in front of anyone. With suicide now an international epidemic, one outburst could land her in The Program, the only proven course of treatment. Sloane’s parents have already lost one child; Sloane knows they’ll do anything to keep her alive. She also knows that everyone who’s been through The Program returns as a blank slate. Because their depression is gone—but so are their memories.
Under constant surveillance at home and at school, Sloane puts on a brave face and keeps her feelings buried as deep as she can. The only person Sloane can be herself with is James. He’s promised to keep them both safe and out of treatment, and Sloane knows their love is strong enough to withstand anything. But despite the promises they made to each other, it’s getting harder to hide the truth. They are both growing weaker. Depression is setting in. And The Program is coming for them.
Review: This particular book is the reason why I LOVE dystopian-type books so much! The Program is so different from any book I’ve read. It’s new, refreshing, and addicting. Seriously, I’m hooked on The Program. So thank you, Suzanne Young, for being the reason of my obsession. 🙂
The world is not the same world you once knew. What once was a sudden spike in teen suicides has turned into an international epidemic. The Program has been established to put an end to the epidemic — as well as their memories.. The person keeping Sloane out of the Program is her boyfriend, James. Little does Sloane know that James has some problems himself. Sloane and James do everything they can to keep the handlers at a distance, but they can’t avoid their issues forever..
I absolutely have to point out the book cover. You see both Sloane and James, holding hands and getting ready to face the Program. When I first saw this book at the bookstore, the cover immediately caught my attention. In the book, it is obvious that Sloane is fighting against the Program, but she is also fighting herself. Like all teenagers, Sloane has some inner demons as well. She has to figure out how to outsmart the Program while saving herself.
Teenagers tackles some pretty deep issues in The Program with everything from teenage love to depression. To some extent, The Program can be considered as true because although teen suicide isn’t an epidemic in the real world, it is an issue. Many teens face bullying, depression, and etc. Suicide is something we should all be aware of and help those who need our help most.
Overall, The Program was an amazing read. I found myself dying to find out what will happen next. There wasn’t a single moment in this book where I felt bored or unsure of where things were going. It was perfection by far. I loved the experience of getting to read this one and I can see myself re-reading it over and over.
Until next time….
Catcha later bookworms!
Rating: 5/5
Goodreads Summary: Whether you were charmed by Celeste in Flat-Out Love or are meeting her for the first time, this book is a joyous celebration of differences, about battling private wars that rage in our heads and in our hearts, and—very much so— this is a story about first love.
For high-school senior Celeste Watkins, every day is a brutal test of bravery. And Celeste is scared. Alienated because she’s too smart, her speech too affected, her social skills too far outside the norm, she seems to have no choice but to retreat into isolation.
But college could set her free, right? If she can make it through this grueling senior year, then maybe. If she can just find that one person to throw her a lifeline, then maybe, just maybe.
Justin Milano, a college sophomore with his own set of quirks, could be that person to pull her from a world of solitude. To rescue her—that is, if she’ll let him.
Together, they may work. Together, they may save each other. And together they may also save another couple—two people Celeste knows are absolutely, positively flat-out in love.
Review: OH MY SWEET BABY JESUS. That was my reaction after reading Flat-Out Celeste. Why? Besides my uncontrollable swooning tendencies, FOC completely surpassed my expectations. Celeste has always been my favorite character of all time. I loved her in Flat-Out Love. I loved her in Flat-Out Matt. And I LOVE her now.
I see myself so much in Celeste. I may not have the wide range of vocabulary that she does, but we both share one thing in common: isolation. A few years ago, I was in that awkward stage where I didn’t know where I belonged or who I truly was. Making friends was hard because I never knew what to say. I was always “the girl with her nose in a book.” Luckily as I grew older, I found my voice in the world and I discovered who I REALLY was. So thank you to Celeste for showing me what it’s like to rediscover yourself.
Flat-Out Celeste begins with Celeste getting ready to go off to college. While other students are trying to get into any college, Celeste gets to pick from the majority of the Ivy Leagues. Harvard? Yale? All of the top prestigious universities want her to study at their school. Celeste should be happy right? But she isn’t. She feels like she has something missing. She’s been so busy worrying about her education, that she hasn’t had the opportunity to have normal high school experiences.
“I refuse to be left behind in this world, so I need to catch up.”
In comes Justin Milano. Justin reminded me so much of Matt. They are both quirky, awkward, but oh so gorgeous. Justin is a college sophomore at Barton College who emails prospective students in hopes to get them to attend the college. What should be a few emails turns into numerous heartfelt emails. Just as Celeste begins falling in love with Justin, I found myself falling in love with him as well. Whether it was Celeste experiencing her first kiss or Justin bringing the best out Celeste, their relationship was just perfect.
“And you have me. Sometimes you need someone else to believe in you, to carry you, until you can do that yourself. Let me carry you. You’re almost there. Damn it, Celeste, you’re almost there. God, please, you have me, and I want you.” He stopped walking back and forth and put both of his hands over his heart. “I want you so much.”
Watching Celeste grow from being a shy and awkward girl into a strong and independent woman was the greatest reading experience ever. She showed me how to overcome hardships and how to stay true to yourself. I am so proud of Celeste and her journey. She has come a long way. Goodbye to the girl holding on to Flat Finn. Hello to the new and improved Celeste!
“I am choosing a love that defies boundaries and a life that defies boundaries. That is the power of Celeste.”
The last thing I will mention is Matt and Julie’s MOMENT. If you’ve read FOC, you will know what I’m talking about. During this part in the book, I was in total shock that I broke down crying. Is that weird? 😀 This was a very big moment and Jessica wrote it perfectly! I mean I was ugly-crying! I almost never ugly-cry reading books. Obviously it was a happy kind of crying because it was just beautiful.
Jessica Park. Thank you so much for bring life to all of the characters. Celeste, Julie, Justin, and Matt will always hold a place in my heart. I know I’m not alone when I say: You are a true artist. Thank you for being you. Thank you for writing some of my favorite books ever. Thank you for being one of the reasons why I am the die-hard bookworm I am today. You are beyond amazing!
Until next time….
Catcha later bookworms!
Goodreads Summary: The heart-stopping conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Shatter Me series, which Ransom Riggs, bestselling author of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, called “a thrilling, high-stakes saga of self-discovery and forbidden love.”
With Omega Point destroyed, Juliette doesn’t know if the rebels, her friends, or even Adam are alive. But that won’t keep her from trying to take down The Reestablishment once and for all. Now she must rely on Warner, the handsome commander of Sector 45. The one person she never thought she could trust. The same person who saved her life. He promises to help Juliette master her powers and save their dying world . . . but that’s not all he wants with her.
The Shatter Me series is perfect for fans who crave action-packed young adult novels with tantalizing romance like Divergent by Veronica Roth, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, and Legend by Marie Lu. Tahereh Mafi has created a captivating and original story that combines the best of dystopian and paranormal, and was praised by Publishers Weekly as “a gripping read from an author who’s not afraid to take risks.” Now this final book brings the series to a shocking and satisfying end.
Rating: 5/5
Review: Yes! YES. YEEESSS. I don’t know how to express my love for this book other than 1) screaming, 2) squealing, 3) dancing, and of course 4) bawling my eyes out. Honestly, I feel like this review will be so messy and unorganized so bear with me! Everything about Ignite Me was intense. Good Intense. Scary Intense. And Crawling-Into-A-Corner-And-Cry Intense. I am convinced that Tahereh Mafi is a Master Writer God because it was so deep and powerful. Tahereh’s writing is perfect in every way and uses symbolism exquisitely. I’m kind of sad that my favorite series has officially ended! It’s like losing a piece of me.. Maybe Tahereh will love her fans enough to write a spin-off? (Kenji Spin-off?!) Okay, beware: I’m going to begin rambling..
Ignite Me is my favorite book in the series, not because it is the finale, but because it was the most powerful. Looking back at Shatter Me, I’ve noticed how much Juliette has changed. She is no longer the weak, innocent, and timid girl. She finally realizes her infinite power and OWNS IT. She’s tired. So tired of being afraid. So tired of hiding and waiting for something to happen. She wants to be proactive. Juliette is finally ready to make a change and destroy the Reestablishment – once and for all.
I don’t think I can continue my review without giving things away so if you have already read Ignite Me, continue reading. If you haven’t, do not continue! Spoilers coming right now.
Don’t Do It..
Last chance!
Spoilers!!
OH MY SWEET BABY JESUS. Warner. I think I fell in love with him in 500 different ways (if that makes any sense). I had my doubts and I did not expect me to fall in love with him either. In Unravel Me, I didn’t fully trust Warner. I was afraid for Juliette’s safety and frankly, afraid to get my heartbroken. I had such a deep connection with Juliette and wanted to be there for her at all costs. But Warner totally proved me wrong. He was so misunderstood and vulnerable. He cared about Juliette more than she knew. I’m glad Juliette ended up with Warner instead of Adam. Adam loved the old Juliette. Juliette was no longer that girl Adam once knew. She was stronger and didn’t need a man to always be there to protect her because ummm, hello? SHE’S INVINCIBLE! Good for Juliette, Warner saw Juliette’s potential and power. Juliette didn’t need protection. She needed someone who did not hold her back from being the person she is now.
I did not expect Juliette and Warner to jump into SEX like that! Holy cow, it was intense I must say! 😀 Once Juliette declares her love for him, he does not waste any time. He practically attacks her…with his mouth. Warner is the epitome of every girl’s fantasy. He’s strong. manly, and tough, but he’s still gentle, caring, and unbelievably charming. I get goosebumps just thinking about him because HE’S THAT SEXY. He was everything Juliette needed. I hopelessly fell in love with him..
Adam. You insensitive cow. Adam made me so frustrated! Adam, SHE BROKE UP WITH YOU. Why are you so bitter?! She has every right to move on and be with who she wants. Obviously, Juliette put Adam in a tough spot. How would you feel if the love of your life fell in love with your brother? But it’s not like Juliette could help it. Our hearts work in crazy and impulsive ways. Our hearts do what they want. I think I was hyperventilating during Adam and Juliette’s fight at Adam’s house on unregulated territory. HOW CAN YOU BE SO HEARTLESS, ADAM! I don’t remember if Adam and Juliette fully made up in the end, but I would have liked Adam and Juliette to rebuild their relationship and become friends.
I LOVED KENJI. Can Kenji please be my best friend? I don’t think I’ve ever been THIS passionate about a character before. Kenji is witty, a little inappropriate, but protective of Juliette. I loved his funny comments to Juliette! And he can be invisible, how cool is that?! I was kind of disappointed that Kenji never found love, but I VOLUNTEER AS TRIBUTE!!
The ending was…okay. Part of me felt like the ending was a bit rushed. In about 5 pages, Anderson is dead and Juliette is the leader of the people. I wished Tahereh took her time in the ending, but I still loved it!
Until next time..
Catcha later bookworms!
Goodreads Summary:
tick
tick
tick
tick
tick
it’s almost
time for war.
Juliette has escaped to Omega Point. It is a place for people like her—people with gifts—and it is also the headquarters of the rebel resistance.
She’s finally free from The Reestablishment, free from their plan to use her as a weapon, and free to love Adam. But Juliette will never be free from her lethal touch.
Or from Warner, who wants Juliette more than she ever thought possible.
Rating: 5/5
Review: WHAT IS LIFE. This book chewed me up, spit me out, and left me emotionally scarred… It’s like all my emotions were forced in a washer machine and I’m tumbling out of control! Talk about ALL THE FEELS. In Unravel Me, we see firsthard the characters changing. I loved seeing all the characters (yes, including Warner) realizing who they are and OWNING IT. Also, look how beautiful this cover is!
By the end of Shatter Me, Juliette believed for the first time in her life that she was not a monster… she was special. But when Unravel Me starts, everything goes downhill. Within the two weeks of being at Omega Point it seems that Juliette has lost all self-esteem and reverted back to the frightened and withdrawn girl that she was in the very beginning. I was kind of annoyed that Juliette reversed back. I was rooting for the strong, independent young lady that believes in herself and when she’s got that confidence she can accomplish anything.
While Juliette spends her days hiding away from everyone and feeling sorry for herself, the rest of the people at Omega Point go on with their daily routines. Frankly, the people at Omega Point don’t really like her. It doesn’t take too long before Juliette is put in her place and slowly begins to come back around. She finally eases back into her TRUE self: The bad ass Juliette. The girl who will not let anyone or anything hurt the ones she cares for. We see a lot of Kenji in Unravel Me. At Omega Point, Kenji trains Juliette into harnessing her powers and eventually strengthening it. Go Team Kenji!
Kenji is seriously my biggest book crush ever. Kenji is not only completely in control of himself and everything around him, he is charming, witty and seems to be quite inappropriate at times. I was so happy that Tahereh showed the different sides of Kenji! The only reason I didn’t want Juliette to fall in love with Kenji was because I wanted Kenji for myself! 😀
Adam doesn’t really stand out much in this book. He spends his days and nights at Omega Point always in private meetings and doing super secret testing to learn more about his powers. Adam is still the most kind, and gentle man. After a while, I got pretty bored with Adam. He grew to be too overbearing. I mean if he was my boyfriend, I’d feel like I’m being suffocated. His love for Juliette is strong and powerful and there is nothing he will not do to keep her safe.
So, you can certainly understand why all holy hell broke loose when they brought back a captured soldier to Omega Point and it was none other than Warner. Yes, Warner. Mr. Cocky. Mr. I will kill you with my stare but I am just oh-so-so sexy that you are going to melt like ice cream on a scorching summer day Warner. Well, obviously this didn’t make many people very happy. The tension was thick in the air and only held the promise for getting worse. Except Warner wasn’t the evil man that they all knew and despised. Well, of course he was, but there was something different. There was compassion inside him. Not that he would show that side of himself to anyone but it was there. He was just a man with flaws, fears, pain and wild emotions going through him. He was human. It was so interesting to see this part of him. He was actually enticing.
Juliette has learned so many truths throughout the course of this book and the thought on everyone’s mind is.. what path is she going to follow? Will Adam ever be able to overcome the one thing that could keep he and Juliette apart forever? And will Warner revert to his previous self, not caring who he hurts or destroys if they happen to cross his path or get in his way? Or will he be the right guy Juliette needs? Bravo to Tahereh, Unravel me was phenomenal!
Until next time…
Catcha later bookworms!
Goodreads Summary: Companion to Catching Jordan and Stealing Parker.
Kate has always been the good girl. Too good, according to some people at school—although they have no idea the guilty secret she carries. But this summer, everything is different…
This summer she’s a counselor at Cumberland Creek summer camp, and she wants to put the past behind her. This summer Matt is back as a counselor too. He’s the first guy she ever kissed, and he’s gone from a geeky songwriter who loved The Hardy Boys to a buff lifeguard who loves to flirt–with her.
Kate used to think the world was black and white, right and wrong. Turns out, life isn’t that easy…
Rating: 5/5
Review: AHHHH! Yes. Yes. YEEESSS. As you can tell, I loved this book. After reading both Catching Jordan and Stealing Parker, I had very high expectations. I was surprised that this book ,in particular, did not involve sports like the two previous books. Unlike Catching Jordan and Stealing Parker, Things I Can’t Forget dealt with Christianity. Being a strong believer in Christ, I appreciated this book entirely. I’m not sure if Miranda Kenneally is Christian, but she dealt with the religious aspect flawlessly. Even if you are not the religious-type, you will still enjoy Things I Can’t Forget.
Kate, who is dedicated Christian, goes to work as a counselor in a religious summer camp. She’s just lost her best friend Emily, who’s been disowned by her parents when they discovered she got an abortion. Kate helped Emily get the abortion and feels like God is ultimately ashamed of her. For most of the book, I felt like Kate was the most annoying character ever.
She’s subjective, her vision of the world is restricted to her little community, and she’s SO UPTIGHT. Parker, Will, and Matt are likable characters, normal, reasonable, good kids, good at heart not only because they’re good Christians (in fact, if you remember Parker from the previous book, you know she messed up quite a lot). Why is Kate so STUBBORN!!
However, what made me fall in love with this book, was the depth of Kate’s spiritual growth. There are some big topics tackled in this book and I have to say, they are really well explored. Through Kate’s eyes, and with the help of some other characters – her dad’s speech, in particular – we see her questioning what she believes and striving to understand what it is that she really believes versus what’s been fed to her. Add to that the fact that Kenneally writes some amazing romance and you got yourself a great contemporary YA piece of lit.
Overall, this book was spectacular. Everything- the characters, the setting, the writing- was perfection! Also, if you’ve read Catching Jordan and Stealing Parker, the main characters in both books ARE in Things I Can’t Forget. I practically jumped up and down screaming when Sam Henry and Jordan were in the book! 🙂
Purchase Things I Can’t Forget now!
Until next time…
Catcha later bookworms!
Rating: 5/5
Goodreads Summary: Juliette hasn’t touched anyone in exactly 264 days.
The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette’s touch is fatal. As long as she doesn’t hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don’t fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.
The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war – and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she’s exactly what they need right now.
Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.
REVIEW:
I absolutely loved this book completely. A lot of my friends and fellow bookworms kept on bugging me to start this series and I wanted to know what the whole fuss was about. Can I just say that I am an idiot for waiting so long to do so? I usually get bored with dystopian books because they tend to be repetitive and I feel like I’m reading the same book over and over. This book was more than what I expected. It change my perspective on dystopian books and reminded me that there are some diamonds in the rough. I can’t believe what I have been missing this whole time! This really is one series that lives up to all the hype and then some.
The book starts out with Juliette who is imprisoned in an asylum due to the fact that she murdered a little boy three years ago by her deadly touch. She writes in a small red notebook to convey her feelings because she has no one to talk to. Throughout the novel, there are parts that are crossed out like this to symbolize her thoughts in certain situations. Soon, she gets a cellmate named Adam Kent, who is undeniably gorgeous and is strangely interested in Juliette. Out of no where, the Reestablishment, the government that controls over everything, comes for Juliette. We soon find out that Adam is a soldier for the leader of Sector 45 of the Reestablishment. The leader, Warner, gives Juliette an offer that includes her being able to get out of the asylum in turn for her being Warner’s personal weapon. Juliette has to choose: a lavish lifestyle being a dangerous weapon for the Reestablishment or defy Warner and be sent back to the asylum. What Juliette doesn’t know is that there is a Rebellion waiting for the right moment to overthrow the Reestablishment…
I don’t even know where to begin to describe the barren almost desolate feel to the world that Mafi has created. It is considered as dystopian possible but there is so much more to this story than a harsh dying world. This has all the elements I love in any book: it is captivating, it has such beautiful writing, and complex characters. I loved the voice Tahereh Mafi decided to give Juliette. She was strong, determined, and wanted to do the right thing. She really is quite the unique character in every way imaginable. Her voice is innocent and child like one minute and insightful and deep the next. She has so much goodness inside of her with her ability to see the good in people and to care about a world that has been nothing but harsh and cruel to her.
Adam is definitely one you won’t forget. The first moment we meet Adam in the asylum, I squealed with excitement. He is sweet and caring and just fabulous. He was so strong and wanted the best for Juliette. He would risk everything if it meant Juliette’s safety. Adam is absolutely on my list of swoon-worthy characters.
Overall, I totally recommend that you read Shatter Me, if you haven’t already. Shatter Me was more than I ever imagined. It was an explosion of perfection, romance, and nail-biting action. Truthfully, even if you don’t like dystopia or paranormal YA books, I’d recommend you read Shatter Me anyways because I could see it being of interest to all readers. The only negative thing I could say about Shatter Me was that I wanted more Kenji moments! He was my favorite supporting character, so I would have loved more of his witty comments!
Until next time….
Catcha later bookworms!
Rating: 4.5/5
Goodreads Summary: She was found abandoned. Her name forgotten. Her memory taken. In a decaying world ravaged by an untamable forest, seventeen-year-old Basil had a comfortably secluded life. She lived by a few unspoken rules, NEVER cross into the forbidden wing of the Manor, don’t trust any OUTSIDERS, and to ALWAYS keep her etching covered. Ever since she had been discovered, she always followed these rules…until, Basil’s etching begins to burn, memories start rushing back, and a silver-eyed boy, an outsider, appears. Basil soon uncovers why these whispered regulations were put into effect, not only to protect her but everyone around her.
Review: I absolutely loved Etched! I could not put it down. I was so engaged into Basil’s world that I had trouble coming back to my own world. Crazy what good books can do to you, huh? Britt Nunes is a fairly new author and I just can’t wait to see what lies ahead for her. Etched was explosive, secretive, and oh so enticing. It is so different than other books I’ve read. Britt’s writing is so flawless and flowed very easily. I surely recommend you read Etched!
We first start off meeting Basil. No one knows who she is, how she ended up in the swamp, and most importantly, why she’s etched…Basil is found and rescued by Maggs and Erin, a middle-aged couple residing in the Manor. We learn from Bail’s POV that she doesn’t even know who she is, let alone why she is etched. Readers are not fully explained what it is to be “etched”, but the secrecy is what makes the novel even more appealing. All we know is kids with the etching mark are being taken, which is why Basil needs to hide her etching and hide herself…
The characters, in my opinion, were the best part of the novel. They were all different, but relatable. Maggs, Erin, Basil, and everyone else were such a wonderful group of characters. The writing style of Etched was a bit different than the other books I’ve read. It took a chapter or two to get used to it, but it made the reading experience new and refreshing. Etched has a little bit of everything. There’s action, drama, and even a little romance.
Overall, I adored Etched. It was the perfect balance of Science-Fiction and Drama. The only cons I have on the novel was 1) I understand that Etched would be considered as a Dystopian novel, but I was a bit confused on what kind of world Basil lived in. I know there was different territorites, but if it was explained a little bit more, I would have given Etched a 5. 2) I still had a couple questions at the end of the novel. Maybe the author infused a degree of confusion so the questions will be answered in the second installment, which is why I can’t wait for the second book!
Until next time….
Catcha later bookworms!
bookwormstothemax. 