Tag: Young Adult (Page 66 of 159)

BOOK REVIEW – A Matter of Fate (Fate #1) by Heather Lyons

February 15, 2017 / Jen / 15 Comments

I fell madly in love with A Matter of Fate. This story refused to be put down, and now I can’t wait to finish the rest of the series. Have fun reading my 4 Star Review below!

BOOK REVIEW – A Matter of Fate (Fate #1) by Heather Lyons

A Matter of Fate (Fate #1)
by Heather Lyons
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Chloe Lilywhite struggles with all the normal problems of a typical seventeen-year-old high school student. Only, Chloe isn't a normal teenage girl. She's a Magical, part of a secret race of beings who influence the universe. More importantly, she's a Creator, which means Fate mapped out her destiny long ago, from her college choice, to where she will live, to even her job. While her friends and relatives relish their future roles, Chloe resents the lack of say in her life, especially when she learns she's to be guarded against a vengeful group of beings bent on wiping out her kind. Their number one target? Chloe, of course.

That's nothing compared to the boy trouble she's gotten herself into. Because a guy she's literally dreamed of and loved her entire life, one she never knew truly existed, shows up in her math class, and with him comes a twin brother she finds herself inexplicably drawn to.

Chloe's once unyielding path now has a lot more choices than she ever thought possible.

Review:

A Matter of Fate was captivating, slowly intoxicating and emotionally charged. While everything unfolded at a slower pace, and it was heavily character driven, I found myself glued to the pages. We’re taken through daily struggles, friendships, battles, love, and even learning and watching how Magicals influence the universe. But what was at the heart of this story, in my eyes, was the most emotionally gutting love triangle I have ever read. And I will most definitely be continuing on with this series, because my heart has to know what happens next.

Why does this hurt so much? If this is how it’s supposed to be, then why do I feel like I’m breaking apart?

We’re led through the story with Chloe, who is a Magical. And within the Magical race, she is a Creator. This means she will be asked to create and destroy anything and everything in the world, including civilizations. I felt suffocated right along with her. Fate has mapped out her life, and she few choices for how it’ll all go down. On top of that, her parents are heartless and leave her clueless about what it means to be a Magical, since she lives on the human plane and goes to a human high school. But thankfully she doesn’t feel entirely alone, since she has her Cousins in her life. They’re not all technically related to her, but each of them are Magicals and have different ways that they’ll influence the Universe. I adored Cora, Meg, Lizzie and even Alex.

I look out the window, at the streaking colors, now muted with growing shadows. And then I find myself telling him the truth. “I’d want to go somewhere and be anyone who wasn’t me.”
For a long moment, the only sounds are that of tires on blacktop. Rather than saying something unhelpful like, Why would you want to do that? Kellan merely says, “You and me both.”

But her whole world shifts in class one day, physically and emotionally. A boy walks into the classroom that she knows, but she’s never met him outside of her dreams. Since they were four, they’ve been together in Chloe’s dreams. They slowly became each other’s best friends and even fell in love. But a year ago he disappeared, and she was heart-broken that he was gone from her dreams. So seeing Jonah in real life floors Chloe. And in those first few pages we see Jonah, I was captivated by him. He was sexy, alluring, and oh so beautiful. But he doesn’t approach her, and before she can talk to him, everything gets flipped upside down.

And like a fool, I take a step closer, unable to resist the pull toward him any longer. He is confused, wary . . . and yet also unable to resist the pull, because he tentatively reaches out his hand and touches my face so lightly, I wonder if the fingers are even there or not.

You see, Chloe realizes Jonah has a twin. One she never knew about. And his name is Kellan, and he has no problem approaching Chloe. Their moments together made me gasp and giggle. I adored Kellan and I couldn’t get enough of him. So it was inevitable that I fell head over heels in love with him. He commanded my full attention and he made my heart race. Kellan was funny, caring, loving and intoxicating. I loved his words, his mannerisms, every single tiny thing about him. Now here’s the but. But while Chloe has always loved Jonah, she ends up with Kellan, and I was selfishly okay with that.

Beneath my ear, his heartbeat speeds up. Finally, “If you need me, I will always be here for you.”
These words mean more to me than he’ll ever know. I press my face harder against him, clutch at his shirt tighter. He is my anchor. He is my strength. He is here, for me, and even though I don’t deserve it, I take it.

So I struggled. Because while Jonah takes more of a backseat throughout certain parts of the story, and that was perfectly fine by me, then you learn stuff. And it threw me for a loop. So my heart was on the line constantly while Chloe vacillated between the twins. Chloe broke my heart apart, because while I desperately wanted her to just be with Kellan, I got why she kept getting drawn back to Jonah. And usually I end up screaming and wanting to pull my hair out at love triangles, but this time I got it. And I never once got mad at Chloe.

“Fate sucks,” I say, trying hard not to cry. Which is stupid, because he knows I’m upset, and even worse because he knows it’s over his brother.
“Yeah,” he says quietly. “Sometimes, it really does.”

I became completely invested and totally addicted. The writing, story line and characters pulled me in, and I’m scared yet excited to see where this story goes. So wish me luck, because I’m reading Jonah’s novella next – Beyond Fate. And while I hope he’ll just die to make the story easier, yes I know I’m awful lol, I’m scared to death I’m going to fall for him. Just like Kellan. *Takes a deep breath* Here I go……

*ARC kindly provided by Author via Inkslinger PR in exchange for an honest review*

My Fate Power:

So in the tour, we were asked – If you had a power like Chloe, tell us what that “power” would be and how you would use it. At first, I was going to say an Emotional. Because I’d love to be able to know what others are feeling around me. Whether it’s people you first meet, or others that you’ve known forever, I’d love to get into their head and know what they’re truly feeling. To see if their words line up with their emotions. But then after thinking about it some more, I realized I would want to be a Healer like Cora who is Chloe’s Cousin. To take the pain away and help heal those I love would be the most beautiful gift I could ever be given. So that’s definitely my final answer. If I was a Magical, I would hope to be a Healer. ♥

Reading Order:

✿ A MATTER OF FATE (Fate, #1)
Amazon ✩✮✩ iBooks ✩✮✩ Kobo ✩✮✩ B&N

✿ BEYOND FATE (Fate #1.5)
Amazon ✩✮✩ iBooks ✩✮✩ Kobo ✩✮✩ B&N

✿ A MATTER OF HEART (Fate, #2)
Amazon ✩✮✩ iBooks ✩✮✩ Kobo ✩✮✩ B&N

✿ A MATTER OF TRUTH (Fate, #3)
Amazon ✩✮✩ iBooks ✩✮✩ Kobo ✩✮✩ B&N

✿ A MATTER OF FOREVER (Fate, #4)
Amazon ✩✮✩ iBooks ✩✮✩ Kobo ✩✮✩ B&N

About Heather Lyons:

Heather Lyons is known for writing epic, heartfelt love stories often with a fantastical twist. From Young Adult to New Adult to Adult novels—one commonality in all her books is the touching, and sometimes heart-wrenching, romance. In addition to writing, she’s also been an archaeologist and a teacher. She and her husband and children live in sunny Southern California and are currently working their way through every cupcakery she can find.

Website ✩✮✩ Facebook ✩✮✩ Twitter ✩✮✩ Instagram ✩✮✩ Goodreads ✩✮✩ Pinterest ✩✮✩ Amazon ✩✮✩ Newsletter

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Adorkable by Cookie O’ Gorman

February 13, 2017 / Chelsea / 5 Comments

Adorkable by Cookie O'Gorman
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Adorkable (ah-dor-kuh-bul): Descriptive term meaning to be equal parts dorky and adorable. For reference, see Sally Spitz.

Seventeen-year-old Sally Spitz is done with dating. Or at least, she's done with the horrible blind dates/hookups/sneak attacks her matchmaking bestie, Hooker, sets her up on. There's only so much one geek girl and Gryffindor supporter can take.

Her solution: she needs a fake boyfriend. And fast.

Enter Becks, soccer phenom, all-around-hottie, and Sally's best friend practically since birth. When Sally asks Becks to be her F.B.F. (fake boyfriend), Becks is only too happy to be used. He'd do anything for Sal--even if that means giving her PDA lessons in his bedroom, saying she's "more than pretty," and expertly kissing her at parties.

The problem: Sally's been in love with Becks all her life--and he's completely clueless.

This book features two best friends, one special edition Yoda snuggie, countless beneath-the-ear kisses and begs the question:

Who wants a real boyfriend when faking it is so much more fun?

“But why? I don’t get it.”
“You don’t have to.”
“But Becks,” she whined, “I don’t understand. Why her?”
“Nothing to understand really,” he said, smiling down at me. “Sal’s my girl. Always has been.”

Adorkable is one of those books that just LOOKS like it’s going to be, well, adorable. Yet, every time I saw it and what people were saying about it, I thought it was going to be cheesy as hell. So, for as long as this has been out, I have passed it up and never marked it on my TBR. Stupid, really, considering all I’m ever looking for is my next addicting YA contemporary that makes me happy even on the saddest of days.

So it wasn’t until recently that my good friend, Jen, read it and told me my preconceived notions were not only false, but that it was actually better than one of my favorites. To this, I thought, bring it on. Why not? What do I really have to lose in the grand scheme of things. My most anticipated releases of the year are rolling out at full steam (always spring time and early winter, why is that???) and I’m just reading fun books during the week to pass the time. If I didn’t like it, the worst that would happen is that I get to pick up an anticipated release right after. Not a shabby deal.

So I picked up this book immediately, heavy on skepticism, low on give-a-shit. I truly didn’t expect much. But from the moment I picked this up, I knew it was just what I needed. Light-hearted, funny, heavy on swoon…I really had no complaints. Sure, there was a little cheese factor, I mean, all the best books have a little bit of cheese when it comes to teen romance, right? But there was just something so sweet and special about this book. I can’t even begin to explain it.

It’s definitely the purest form of ‘first love’, the kind where you pine for your best friend (or, I guess, just your guy friends since that’s how I felt in High School) and just know he couldn’t possibly feel the same about you. Cue the eye roll, I know. But that’s what’s so sweet. How couldn’t it be? Aren’t these sometimes the best forms of YA romance, if done correctly? Well, they are to me. And, even better, we get to add in the ‘fake relationship’ trope and this book just got a whole lot more interesting.

What starts out as a ploy to get her other best friend, Hooker (sigh), to stop setting her up on blind dates becomes much more real, much quicker. Becks does everything in his power to be the alpha boyfriend, the ‘don’t touch my girl’ boyfriend, the one who is wanted by everyone and yet doesn’t want her to grab anyone else’s attention. I mean, we’ve all seen it, right? Hell, that was my husband and I in High School (though, I’d say we were on a pretty level field of ‘don’t you dare fucking look at my girl/guy, takennnnn’). Totally believable.

photo tumblr_o49iy8XR8u1v8hcteo1_500_zpskzqbgsjt.gif

As everyone knows, this is like my favorite thing ever, so I was all SQUEEEEEEEs and EEEEEEEEEs as I read, loving every little look Becks gave Spitz (AGAIN, sigh), every secret emotion he revealed not-so-subtlety. Sally was a moron for not seeing it, sorry, but it’s true. And that might be my largest gripe for the whole book. And, come on, why not just say something!!! What’s he going to do, dump your ass as the best friend he’s ever had since SECOND GRADE?! Not hardly.

“There’s only one thing I know—have always known—that I wanted out of life. And it’s you.”

And, for those of you wondering if this just might suit your fancy enough to be your next ‘mindless YA romance’, here are the only triggers I can think of that people get all fussy about (obviously not me. Girl please, I could care less):

-Girl on girl crime, ie, slut shaming
-An extension of that might be calling other girls names (I think? I can’t remember completely)
-Oblivious to the obvious true love thing they have going on
-I suppose everyone has different opinions on cheesiness, so I’ll say that is one thing
-Jealousy where there shouldn’t be, on her part
-A little back and forth (but honestly, this is my biggest pet peeve and I barely think it applies, that’s up to you)
-Dramatic scene before they make up, like every other book

I mean, I feel like I lost my steam there, forgetting what I was going to say for those of you that get bothered by such things (damn pregger brain), but that just goes to show you how little it bothered me. If you know me, and somewhat agree with me on most things, I imagine most of this doesn’t bother you. But for those of you who do get bothered by slut-shaming and have never read my reviews before, I guess I’d say be very aware of that factor…meaning: don’t blame me, ye be warned.

So, I can’t say I disliked anything about this book. From the moment I met Becks, he stole my heart and I ached for the moment I could pick the story up again just to see how much he loved Sally. It was addicting, heart-warming, and, without a doubt, an instant favorite. And, even though it’s completely cliché….this book was absolutely adorable.

Under Rose-Tainted Skies by Louise Gornall

February 9, 2017 / Chelsea / 0 Comments

Under Rose-Tainted Skies by Louise Gornall
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
At seventeen, Norah has accepted that the four walls of her house delineate her life. She knows that fearing everything from inland tsunamis to odd numbers is irrational, but her mind insists the world outside is too big, too dangerous. So she stays safe inside, watching others’ lives through her windows and social media feed.

But when Luke arrives on her doorstep, he doesn’t see a girl defined by medical terms and mental health. Instead, he sees a girl who is funny, smart, and brave. And Norah likes what he sees.

Their friendship turns deeper, but Norah knows Luke deserves a normal girl. One who can walk beneath the open sky. One who is unafraid of kissing. One who isn’t so screwed up. Can she let him go for his own good—or can Norah learn to see herself through Luke’s eyes?

Some books have flare, have that cover and synopsis that draws you in the moment you lay eyes on it. You know you want to read it, you know it’s a genre you are absolutely obsessed with, but it’s also a genre that makes it difficult to gauge what’s going to be good, and what’s going to be a pile of wasted potential. And under those breathtaking covers and beautiful synopses, you expect (and hope) to find a spellbinding novel, the same level of awesomeness the outside of the book promises…but you almost always end up disappointed, because nothing is ever as good as you wish. But I can promise you-this isn’t that book.

A side effect of worrying about everything and everyone; I cry at least once a week over things that shouldn’t concern me.

It may not be for everyone. And, hey, you might even find it repulsive. I can only assure you one thing-this book feels wholly authentic, and I find that to be one of the hardest things to get past these days. Finding an authentic novel that not only shows you a deep, introspective look at a mental illness, but also lets you see that people understand, that people can be kind, that falling in love is a possible thing, no matter the restrictions or stipulations, is so very rare, and it’s just as captivating as any other love story. I find that fantastic and just plain beautiful.

I just want to have proof that I can think straight, that I am more than the girl who believes that odd numbers will cause a catastrophe.

This story felt so unique to me. I know, I know, mental illness books have been handled well before and so have realistic fiction-gasp!-but the depth to this story…it touched me. And, even more than that, the romance was handled so delicately. I never once felt forced into their relationship. I never once felt uncomfortable (well, aside from when Norah felt uncomfortable). And seeing Luke’s journey from clueless, to informed, to understanding, helpful love interest was a true transformation-and, frankly, also realistic.

Perfection is a feeling; you’ll know it if you’ve ever questioned the competency of your penmanship before writing on the first page of a new notebook.

He didn’t understand-not at all. He said he did. He really wanted to…but he didn’t truly understand until it all fell apart, until he saw how horrifying it was for Norah, how terrifying each and every day was for her if things didn’t go just as she needed them to. He didn’t understand-not at all…but he figured it out, for her.

“Do you need some help?”
I’m drenched in shadow, and boots with steel toecaps take three steps onto the porch. Three steps. That’s awkward. He leaves his back leg trailing behind. I wish he would bring it forward and make it four steps even. My eye twitches.

*This did not happen…but they did hang out on the bed and it was so cute so I had to use one of these!*

Look. Nothing goes perfect in this story, and that’s frankly the best part. Life doesn’t come wrapped up neatly in a perfect little bow, and not everyone gets their happily ever after. It takes work. It takes trust. It takes friendship….and it takes a strong support group surrounding you, people who will stand by your side no matter how tough life gets, and I just loved that about this story. I even felt like there was quite a bit of tough love in this story-Norah’s therapist didn’t let her off the hook, ever, and she constantly tried to push her out of her comfort zone.

It’s possible I’ve ingested enough of my own fingers to call myself a cannibal. They’re so chewed I have trouble straightening them. I very much doubt every girl my age does this. This is perhaps bordering more on my unhealthy levels of panic.

Funny, witty, wholly gripping, and with an adorable romance that stole my heart and took my breath away, this story sunk its claws into me from the moment I started it. I saw this book and just knew it was going to be special…and for once? I was right. It’s refreshing to pick up a story and feel not only giddiness, happiness, elation, true love…but also a life altering reality that many people live through every day. To read about something that hinders someone else’s life to the point of almost ruining it, to read about them and the support they receive but also how hard it still is for them. It broke my heart in the best possible way… and patched it back up again.

I hope others will find the same love and enjoyment from this book as I did, but if not, I’ll cherish it all by my lonesome-and I won’t feel the least bit guilty about it.

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