Release Date:
Book: This Raging Light
Author: Estelle Laure
Series: No
Number of Pages: 288
Source: Netgalley (I received this book in exchange for an honest review)

The Basics:Can the best thing happen at the worst time?

Her dad went crazy. Her mom left town. She has bills to pay and a little sister to look after. Now is not the time for level-headed seventeen-year-old Lucille to fall in love. But love—messy, inconvenient love—is what she's about to experience when she falls for Digby Jones, her best friend's brother. With blazing longing that builds to a fever pitch, Estelle Laure's soulful debut will keep readers hooked and hoping until the very last page.

Add it on goodreads 


My Musings:

When I was perusing on netgalley I came across this book and I thought it looked really interesting. Plus I love contemporary novels. To be honest I haven't read a good fantasy novel in a really long time, but that's beside the point. I requested this book not really realizing the buzz surrounding it. I'm so very happy I was able to read this book! It's honestly so good!

Books about heavy topics have to be done well or else they come across cheesy, dramatic, and overdone. The premise of the book is very heavy and dark at times. But the way the author went about it made it realistic and easy to empathize with. I loved the story line. I think it's a story that's important to tell and the way Laure did it was perfect. I kept waiting for some sort of happy ending but there's really not. If anything Lucille's life just kept getting worse. She took blow after blow and I think that instead of overdoing writing, the author allowed the story to unfold simply and without forcing it. That, for me, made it such an amazing read!

The whole theme of the book is too keep fighting even when everything seems to falling apart anyways. The characters each had their own struggles, their own obstacles to overcome and the way they came together to help one another was so inspiring. The characters are beautifully developed and showcased. Lucille's best friend is my favorite even though you really don't get to see her too often. I think that she represents the person we all want to have in our lives; kind hearted, funny, and supportive. Digby is great, for the most part. None of the characters are without flaws and I think that those imperfections only add to the story!

 One of my favorite parts of the book is the way relationships are developed. The parents here lean to much on Lucille and that takes it's toll on her, and leads to this big falling apart moment. But the relationship is not without love, it's just twisted and unbalanced. Lucille's relationship with her sister is my favorite relationship in the book. It's this give and take that is so heartwarming. For the actual romance part of the book, it's a little weird at first but I learned to love it and ultimately ship it!

Overall, I HIGHLY recommend this book! It's a beautifully tragic story about strength, love, and life. Whether you like contemporary or not, this book is a must read!

My rating:

Coffee for this book: Okay no coffee today because this book requires something a little more comforting. A  nice cup of lavender tea is perfect for this! Am I the only one who thinks tea just makes everything better?

Book Talk: Since You've Been Gone ARC

Release Date: February 17, 2014
Book: Since You've Been Gone
Author: Mary Jennifer Payne
Pages: 224
Source: Netgalley (I received this book in exchange for an honest review)

The Basics:Is it possible to outrun your past? Fifteen-year-old Edie Fraser and her mother, Sydney, have been trying to do just that for five years. Now, things have gone from bad to worse. Not only has Edie had to move to another new school she's in a different country. Sydney promises her that this is their chance at a fresh start, and Edie does her best to adjust to life in London, England, despite being targeted by the school bully. But when Sydney goes out to work the night shift and doesn't come home, Edie is terrified that the past has finally caught up with them. Alone in a strange country, Edie is afraid to call the police for fear that she ll be sent back to her abusive father. Determined to find her mother, but with no idea where to start, she must now face the most difficult decision of her life." 

Add it on Goodreads 

My Musings:

First I want to say that this is the first book I've read from YA fiction where I am older than the main character. This is a first for me and I'm not entirely sure how I feel about it. Anyways, I have to say I was somewhat excited to read this book, but the cover and the summary intrigued me so I decided to give it a shot. I tend to shy away from these type of books because I feel like there is a tendency to make it too dramatic and not properly developed. That being said I was pleasantly surprised that I liked this book, but It did let me down in some aspects.

The writing style is very simple. There isn't a lot of description within the novel. Its very much a simplistic way of writing, but in a way I felt like it did serve the book because of how fast pace it was. However because of how fast pace it was, and how simplistic the writing was I felt like I couldn't really connect with the story or the characters which for me, is a pretty fatal flaw. As a result it took me  a while to even begin to get into the story and get involved. I will say that there were several well written moments, like when she goes and see's her dad, or when she first arrives at her new school.

I found the plot to be pretty straight forward but pretty unrealistic and dramatic. The whole point of the novel is for Edie to find her mom and be able to deal with what she finds out. In this aspect itself, it's pretty solid and I enjoyed it. But there were a couple moments that I felt were added just for the sake of adding drama. Like when Jermaine jumps into the water to save a little kid. It didn't really help the plot along. It just elevated the drama. Or how instead of going to the police Edie decides to go look for her mom on her own. Now, if my mom went missing you bet I would call the police. If I really needed to I would look for her myself too. But if you take out these drama filled moments and leave the essential plot, its actually not a bad story line. Aside from that, some moments I felt like the author had it spot on. There's a moment were the author tackles racism and I those moments that unveil that side of humanity were pretty good. I have to say the moments that had more of a real feel, and just fit better into the story line elevated the plot and the overall book.

I didn't really like the characters. That being said, its probably because I didn't really connect with them, and because at times I feel like there were unrealistic. Similar to the plot issues, the characters had moments that didn't seem to make sense. I definitely admire Edie. I think she's a strong character and she's pretty bad ass for the most part. I just had a hard time agreeing with her decisions. I had a hard time being able to empathize with her because I was frustrated with her the majority of the time.
Jermaine I liked. He ends up helping Edie, but the way he decided to help her seemed like a little bit of a stretch. Aside from my initial reservation, Jermaine really grew on me and I did end up liking him. I guess I should emend my earlier statement to I didn't really like the main character.

Overall it was a pretty decent read. It wasn't anything special, and personally the cheesy drama level was a little too high for me. But If you can get over the tiny stretches and the extra ommphness of it all then you should give it a shot!

Coffee for thins book: Some moments can get to be too much, both on the cheesy level and the emotional level. So I recommend a Vanilla Latte Espresso. 

My Rating:

Book Talk: Suspicion by Alexandra Monir

Release Date: December 9, 2014
Book: Suspicion
Author: Alexandra Monir
Number of Pages: 368
Source: Netgalley (I received this book in exchange for an honest review)

The Basics:
“There’s something hidden in the maze.” Seventeen-year-old Imogen Rockford has never forgotten the last words her father said to her, before the blazing fire that consumed him, her mother, and the gardens of her family’s English country manor. For seven years, images of her parents’ death have haunted Imogen’s dreams. In an effort to escape the past, she leaves Rockford Manor and moves to New York City with her new guardians. But some attachments prove impossible to shake—including her love for her handsome neighbor Sebastian Stanhope. Then a life-altering letter arrives that forces Imogen to return to the manor in England, where she quickly learns that dark secrets lurk behind Rockford’s aristocratic exterior. At their center is Imogen herself—and Sebastian, the boy she never stopped loving. Combining spine-tingling mystery, romance, and unforgettable characters, Suspicion is an action-packed thrill ride.

My Musings:

Alright. So I think the cover is pretty awesome and I'm not going to lie it was half the reason I wanted to read the book. I know they tell you not to judge a book by it's cover, but I can't help it when it actually comes to books. The summary sold me on the book. It just seemed so eerie and cool and mysterious, that I HAD to read it. So read it I did. To be honest this wasn't a spectacular read, nor was it a book that I hated either. Let me explain.

Book Talk: Melt by Selene Castrovilla

Release Date: November 6, 2014
Book: Melt
Author: Selene Castrovilla
Pages:280
Source: Netgalley (I received this in exchange for an honest review)

The Basics: Based on true events, MELT is both a chilling tale of abuse, and a timeless romance. MELT will hit you like a punch in the face, and also seep through the cracks in your soul. MELT is a brutal love story set against the metaphorical backdrop of The Wizard of Oz (not a retelling). When sixteen year old Dorothy moves to the small town of Highland Park, she meets, and falls for Joey – a “bad boy” who tells no one about the catastrophic domestic violence he witnesses at home. Can these two lovers survive peer pressure, Joey’s reputation, and his alcoholism? Told in dual first person, Joey’s words are scattered on the page – reflecting his broken state. Dorothy is the voice of reason – until something so shattering happens that she, too, may lose her grip. Can their love endure, or will it melt away?

My Musings:

I had pretty high expectations from this book. Everything about the summary caught my eye and attention. It seemed to be profound and inspiring. So I wanted to read it. To be honest I was kind of let down.

The plot, I felt like was a little rushed at times, but it was original somewhat. The very first few pages of the books are crazy and get you sucked into the story. The fact that this is based on a true story makes it that much more crazy, heartbreaking, and captivating. I liked how the story unfolded, even if it was a little predictable. I liked the alternating perspectives. It's always fun to see a story from multiple points of view. If i'm being totally honest I kind of wish we could have seen Dorothy and Joey's relationship develop more. It kind of just happens. At one point they end up just being together, you don't really get to see them get to this point. It's a soft spot in the plot because it's hard to be sympathetic to their relationship when its underdeveloped and rushed. Especially since their relationship is the main point of the story.  However, I will say this, if you can get past the whole rushing of the relationship, the ending is pretty good.

 I have to admit I really disliked Dorothy's chapters. I'm not sure why, but her character just annoyed me. She seemed emotional, dependent, and pushy at times. I couldn't connect at all really with Dorothy's personality. She just irked me. I LOVED Joey so much. He's strong, sweet, and actually really sweet. He's a good person and a good boyfriend without being overly dependent on Dorothy. I loved reading his chapters because they were so simply written, but they explained such profound things. I looked forward to reading his chapters and seeing what went on in his head.

One thing I did like about the novel is that even though this book is about a relationship, it still develops both of them as separate people. You get to understand Dorothy because she's put into different situations with Joey. You get a real feel for the type of life they lead and the type of person they are. Personally, I think it strengthens their relationship, because if you can see where each of them come from and how the end up meeting in the middle, the story is just that much cuter.

I liked Dorothy and Joey together. Despite the fact I didn't really like Dorothy, I did like her with him. I wished their love was a little bit more developed in the beginning, but it makes up for it, kind of, towards the middle.

Overall, I was disappointed with the book. I liked aspects of it, but I can't help but feel that it was rushed. I think the readers needed to see more of the relationship, more of the characters, for the story to feel real.

Coffee For Melt: A Nice Hazelnut Latte. 

My Rating:

Book Talk: The Odyssey of Falling by Paige Crutcher + Giveaway!

Release Date: November 4th, 2014
Book: The Odyssey of Falling
Author: Paige Crutcher
Number of Pages:338 (e-book form)
Source: Netgalley (I received this in exchange for an honest review)

The Basics:Meet Odd. Audrey “Odd” Ashworth is an exceptionally bright girl with a sympathetic heart. She’s in the top 4% of her class. She’s obsessed with getting into Manhattan School of Music, committed to following the “signs” the universe delivers, and infatuated with her recently deceased best friend’s boyfriend. Life is a little strange for Odd. Until she finds her best friend’s diary in her crush’s car, and decides to do the bucket list tucked inside the pages. As Odd seeks closure and a way to honor her friend, she discovers there’s nothing wrong with being a little strange, especially if it helps you discover who you were meant to be. Along the way, Odd falls into trouble, adventure, and finally love.

My Musings:

Okay first of all, isn't the title awesome? I love the title, I think it's original and perfect for the book. The cover is also pretty awesome. I was scrolling down Netgalley when this book caught my eye. The summary made me want to read this book and I couldn't wait to start it! I had pretty high expectations for this book and it didn't disappoint.

Characters are vibrant and colorful. They stick out from the page and feel real, which is all a reader really wants. You get to see different sides of them instead of them just being a one dimensional cardboard cut out. I love "Odd". I ca relate to her and they way she feels. Her voice is strong and poignant throughout the novel. She's strong, but doesn't really know it, and amazing, but doesn't know it. Perhaps my favorite character was Bandit. He isn't afraid of saying what he thinks and is overall a strong person. And also how awesome is his name? Chase is a complex character. He's kind of broken (pretty much everyone is in this book) but slowly you can see him devolve into a strong character whose maybe not made the best decisions. I love the characters, they were very well developed.

This book is more of a character driven book than a plot driven book. It's Audrey's journey to acceptance and moving on. The story line is good. It's a pretty faced paced book and the beginning will definitely get you turning the pages. Being on this journey with Audrey is really special. Audrey stumbles about trying to finish the list that her friend, Meredith, left. Guilt and grief fuel her and that is a dangerous combination. She starts to go off the rails but her friends are there for her so that she doesn't completely end up messing everything up. There is a pretty awesome plot twist at the end of the book that puts a lot of things in question. Overall the story line is pretty solid.

There's nothing I hate more than insta-lovey couples. Glad to say this isn't the case in this book. The romance is a bit complicated and twisted by grief and past feelings. Audrey is dealing with her feelings for Chase. She's had a crush on him since before Meredith died. Then there's Bandit. Sweet, dependable, Bandit. Her feelings for him surface slowly at first and then all of a sudden, It's not really a love triangle at all, but more like Audrey accepting her feelings for one of the boys. Romance doesn't really play as huge a role as you think it would. While it's important other things take the front seats, like the list, grief, dealing with friend drama. What I love about this romance is how real it is. It's intertwined with the story line so perfectly that you can't help but root for Audrey to just accept her feelings and for her and her guy to be together!

I loved this book. It's amazing and well written. I love the sparks of sarcasm and wit. It definitely made me laugh out loud, but it also made my heart ache for the characters.


Coffee For The Odyssey Of Falling:  This book is equal parts heart wrenching and uplifting. You'll definitely want the company of a warm liquid when you're up late reading this. I recommend a nice Hazelnut Latte.

My Rating:

Where to Find Paige:

Author Website
Twitter  @PCrutcher
LinkedIn

Goodreads

Amazon

Virtual Tour Page 

Giveaway Time!!!

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Book Talk: The Artful

Release date: May 27, 2014
Book: The Artful
Author: Wilbert Stanton
Source: Netgalley 

The Basics:New York City, 2025: Everything is changed. The city that never sleeps is now a land of death and decay. A rampant virus has taken over and the survivors have become carriers, quarantined from the rest of the world. Twist and Dodger grew up in the streets, the sewers and underground tunnels - their playground. They aren't heroes. They just like attention; and stealing meds from the rich and giving them to the poor is their golden ticket. On their latest raid, they unknowingly steal a cure that puts them square between the ailing Emperor of Manhattan and the war hungry Governor of Brooklyn and forces them on a quest into the darkest shadows of their putrefying world

My Musings:
     Okay so when I first read the summery I immediately thought that this book was going to be really interesting and an overall great read. As soon as I read the first few sentences of the book I began to like it. I loved the high energy and the suspense and the intensity of the first few chapters. The beginning of the novel, I thought, was spot on in terms of it's ability to hook it's reader. The beginning set up the book nicely and introduced the characters in a great way.
     However, as the book went on it lacked the strength and intensity that the initial chapters had. As I continued reading I found myself not really connecting to the character because of the slow moving pace of the novel. I didn't mind the slowness so much as the lack of dialogue and the long internal monologues and descriptions. Because I saw too much over analyzed thoughts and descriptions I lost the initial connection I had with Twist. Furthermore I felt that the dialogue it did have was stiff and awkward at times.
     Despite all that I felt like the plot itself was really well thought out, but it did affect the story negatively. The very idea the novel presents intrigued me and I love how the author spun it into in intricate story. I loved the twins and turns the novel took. I really didn't know what to expect half the time. There's a lot of shocking moments in the book and I loved every singe second of it.
       Romance wise I didn't think the coupling was all that special. They're cute don't get me wrong, I just don't feel passionate about the romance. This is kind of a good thing because this way the story line takes the front seat and is not over shadowed by an overbearing romance.
      I have a confession to make. My favorite character is Dodger. I love his story line and the way he grew as a character. In terms of character development the author did a good job. He presented more than one side of his characters which adds depth to these people we're reading about. That being said, I still didn't feel like these characters were real because I feel they lacked a little bit more depth and more exploration of the different sides of Twist and Dodger etc. But overall I feel like he did a good job making his characters good solid characters.
     I honestly enjoyed the book and thought it was a nice summer read for those of us looking to stay away from contemporary novels. If you like cool, dystopian, books with lots of action this is the book you should check out :)

Note: The fact that I received this book for free did not in anyway alter my thought on the book.

                           My Rating: