Its A Great Time To Read!

HAPPY SUMMER!!!!!!!! I am back to reading finally!!! Look for reviews soon!!!

Welcome to 2019

Its almost Christmas... Its almost 2019... The past few years I've been MIA a lot.  I've been going through a lot in my personal life.  My mom passed away, and than almost every few months after that I've lost another family member.  I've also been having a lot of medical issues. Its been a rough few years but I'm ready to start reading again. I love reading and I enjoy it so much. I miss it. I'm excited about all the books I can read that have came out in the past few years from favorite authors and new authors!!  Its exciting really to think about!!!

So you'll be seeing new posts from me soon!  
Merry Christmas and I hope this reading year rocks! 

2019 DEBUT AUTHOR CHALLENGE AND BOOKS READ

2019 Debut Author Challenge

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Books Read in 2019
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Even The Darkest Stars by Heather Fawcett

Even The Darkest Stars by Heather Fawcett

Release Date: September 5, 2017

Publisher: Balzer And Bray

Age Group: Young Adult

Pages:  432

Summary: Set in a fictional Himalayan kingdom, this is the story of a girl enlisted by a legendary explorer to help him climb the kingdom’s deadliest mountain – only to discover that his true mission may threaten her whole world.

Kamzin has always dreamed of becoming one of the emperor’s royal explorers, the elite climbers tasked with mapping the wintry, mountainous Empire and spying on its enemies. She knows she could be the best in the world, if only someone would give her a chance.

But everything changes when the mysterious and eccentric River Shara, the greatest explorer every known, arrives in her village and demands to hire Kamzin—not her older sister, Lusha, as everyone had expected—for his next expedition. This is Kamzin’s chance to prove herself—even though River’s mission to retrieve a rare talisman for the emperor means cimbing Raksha, the tallest and deadliest mountain in the Aryas. Then, Lusha sets off on her own mission to Raksha with a rival explorer, and Kamzin must decide what’s most important to her: protecting her sister from the countless perils of the climb or beating her to the summit.

The challenges of climbing Raksha are unlike anything Kamzin expected—or prepared for—with avalanches, ice chasms, ghosts, and other dangers at every turn. And as dark secrets are revealed, Kamzin must unravel the truth about their mission and her companions—while surviving the deadliest climb she has ever faced

My Thoughts:  I haven’t been reading as much lately so I needed a book to get me back into the game and out of this slump.  This one seemed to do the job. I want to read again!

We are introduced to Kamzin and her sister Lusha. Both sisters are so different yet they share a bond even if a little estranged at times.

A boy comes to town named River Shara to find a girl to take him on an expedition through a deadly mountain and he thought he had chosen the right girl until he meets Kamzin.  He’s on the hunt for a sacred treasure and it’s up to him to find it.

Honestly, I feel like if I tell you too much of the plot, I’ll ruin the story completely.  I especially liked when the two meant each other! HA! This one has so much going on, I never knew what was going to happen next. Thats a good thing.

I liked all the characters it seemed. I liked him, but I also liked Kamzin. I also liked her best friend.  I even liked the not so good guys. This one was just a fun read. I always felt like I was right there with them exploring and seeing new things.  And I really liked how things turned out.

Overall:  I really enjoyed this one. I liked the setting a lot too. I liked feeling like I was in the tent with them, or going up the mountain. Or through the woods.  I really enjoyed this one!  Great characters and great plot!

Cover:  Like it! Its got a kind of mysterious feel to it. Pretty.

What I’d Give It:

Lucky In Love by Kasie West

Lucky In Love by Kasie West

Release Date: July 25, 2017

Publisher: Point   

Age Group: Young Adult

Pages: 352

Summary: In this new contemporary from YA star Kasie West, a girl who wins the lottery learns that money can cause more problems than it solves, especially when love comes into the picture.

Maddie doesn't believe in luck. She's all about hard work and planning ahead. But one night, on a whim, she buys a lottery ticket. And then, to her astonishment --

She wins!

In a flash, Maddie's life is unrecognizable. No more stressing about college scholarships. Suddenly, she's talking about renting a yacht. And being in the spotlight at school is fun... until rumors start flying, and random people ask her for loans. Now, Maddie isn't sure who she can trust.

Except for Seth Nguyen, her funny, charming coworker at the local zoo. Seth doesn't seem aware of Maddie's big news. And, for some reason, she doesn't want to tell him. But what will happen if he learns her secret?

With tons of humor and heart, Kasie West delivers a million-dollar tale of winning, losing, and falling in love.

My Thoughts:  Kasie West is one of my all time favorite authors so when I was given the chance to read this I jumped on it! It was one of my most wanted books of the year of course!

We are introduced to Maddie who has always put her best effort forward. She goes after what she wants even though she’s a bit shy. She is motivated yet she isn’t very social. Well, except for her small group of friends.  She also loves working around animals and works at a zoo.  She loves her job and it doesn't hurt there's a cute boy who also works there.

Things go crazy when Maddie’s birthday doesn’t go as planned. She treats herself to a little gift and she ends up with a huge surprise!!!!

I really enjoyed the concept of this one.  If you were put in the situation you wouldn’t really know how you’d act.  I always think I’d spoil my family, give back to the ones not so fortunate and live life more fully and open.

I also loved the romance in this one! So sweet!! I think I loved most how she worked at a zoo and a lot of the small conversations with a certain boy took place there.  

Overall:  I enjoyed this one! I don’t think it was my favorite West book but it still fits into one of my favorite all time books. It was a cute story with a bit deeper lesson. Add some romance, friends, family and you have a great combination.

Cover: Love it!!! I’d definitely pick this up if I saw it in a bookstore! Super cute!

What I’d Give It:

Wesley James Ruined My Life by Jennifer Honeybourn

Wesley James Ruined My Life by Jennifer Honeybourn

Release Date: July 18, 2017  

Publisher: Swoon Reads

Age Group: Young Adult

Pages: 256

Summary:  Sixteen-year-old Quinn Hardwick’s having a rough summer. Her beloved grandmother has been put into a home, her dad’s gambling addiction has flared back up and now her worst enemy is back in town: Wesley James, former childhood friend—until he ruined her life, that is.

So when Wesley is hired to work with her at Tudor Tymes, a medieval England themed restaurant, the last thing Quinn’s going to do is forgive and forget. She’s determined to remove him from her life and even the score all at once—by getting him fired.

But getting rid of Wesley isn’t as easy as she’d hoped. When Quinn finds herself falling for him, she has to decide what she wants more: to get even, or to just get over it.

My Thoughts: When I saw the summary of this one, I figured it was right up my alley! Sounded interested and a fun light read.

We are introduced to Quinn who is working a medieval themed restaurant and it’s a real riot. It's a job and she needs money right now. It isn’t perfect but it's okay for her. She goes to work, does her job, and goes home and copes with the rest of her life. She is dealing with her grandmother not remembering her and being put in a nursing home. She has a tough life.

It gets even more tough when a new hire comes along. His name is Wesley and Quinn has quite the past with him. She basically hates his guts and doesn’t want anything to do with him because of their past.

I really liked seeing these two quarrel.  I really wanted to support Quinn and hate him from the get go, but I just couldn’t. All I could see was this sweet boy who was trying.  

I liked the way things went along and I liked seeing their interactions. I really did like the characters for the most part but I did just have a hard time really connecting with them for some reason.

I’m glad I read this one even though I did have some issues with following along with the story! However, I did like the different pranks going on!

Overall: I liked this one but maybe a little less than I thought I would. It was still a fast light read and I did like certain parts more than others. I’d still recommend it, it probably just isn’t my top read of the year! But you also have to remember, contemps are my cup of tea!! So I read a lot of them!

Cover:  Love it! Love how fun and cute it looks.

What I’d Give It:

Letters To The Lost by Brigid Kemmerer

Letters To The Lost by Brigid Kemmerer

Release Date: April 4, 2017  

Publisher: BloomsburyUSA

Age Group: Young Adult

Pages: 400

Summary:  Juliet Young always writes letters to her mother, a world-traveling photojournalist. Even after her mother's death, she leaves letters at her grave. It's the only way Juliet can cope.

Declan Murphy isn't the sort of guy you want to cross. In the midst of his court-ordered community service at the local cemetery, he's trying to escape the demons of his past.

When Declan reads a haunting letter left beside a grave, he can't resist writing back. Soon, he's opening up to a perfect stranger, and their connection is immediate. But neither Declan nor Juliet knows that they're not actually strangers. When life at school interferes with their secret life of letters, sparks will fly as Juliet and Declan discover truths that might tear them apart.

My Thoughts:  This one will probably have to be a shorter review from me. I may cry the whole time writing it. I basically cried most of the time reading it.  

We are introduced to Juliet who lost her mother. She visits the cemetery and leaves her mom a note. Because she always wrote her mom notes. She’s dealing with her death the best way she knows possible.  But when someone responds to the note, it's a whirlwind of emotions for Juliet. That was a private note, why would anyone even write back?

We also meet a boy named Declan who is a loner. He’s a good guy, but doesn’t have the best past. People are afraid of him.  I fell for him from the start. He was such a good character and I just knew he had a big heart.

They start to communicate back and forth. They have both been through so much.

This story is so raw and beautiful. But if you’ve lost a parent I do believe it makes it just so much more emotional. I’ve lost both parents now. And its rough. I could feel everything Juliet was feeling. I could see the pain. I could feel the pain.

Overall: If you like contemps, this one should be on your read list this year. It was addicting and beautiful, yet it made me cry. It made me happy seeing how much they start to care for each-other, but it’s also heartbreaking to see Juliet go through everything she has.  Add this to your TBR now!!!! I’d definitely give this one 5 cupcakes!

Cover:  Honestly, I probably would pick this one up once I read the back. I just don’t think the cover gives it justice!!!!

What I’d Give It:

Alex, Approximately by Jenn Bennett

Alex, Approximately by Jenn Bennett

Release Date: April 4, 2017  

Publisher: Simon Pulse  

Age Group:  Young Adult

Pages: 400   

Summary:   In this delightfully charming teen spin on You’ve Got Mail, the one guy Bailey Rydell can’t stand is actually the boy of her dreams—she just doesn’t know it yet.

Classic movie buff Bailey “Mink” Rydell has spent months crushing on a witty film geek she only knows online by “Alex.” Two coasts separate the teens until Bailey moves in with her dad, who lives in the same California surfing town as her online crush.

Faced with doubts (what if he’s a creep in real life—or worse?), Bailey doesn’t tell Alex she’s moved to his hometown. Or that she’s landed a job at the local tourist-trap museum. Or that she’s being heckled daily by the irritatingly hot museum security guard, Porter Roth—a.k.a. her new arch-nemesis. But life is whole lot messier than the movies, especially when Bailey discovers that tricky fine line between hate, love, and whatever-it-is she’s starting to feel for Porter.

And as the summer months go by, Bailey must choose whether to cling to a dreamy online fantasy in Alex or take a risk on an imperfect reality with Porter. The choice is both simpler and more complicated than she realizes, because Porter Roth is hiding a secret of his own: Porter is Alex…Approximately.

My Thoughts: Oh my gosh, when I saw this summary I knew I had to read it as soon as I could get my hands on it! And I wasn’t disappointed. It was such a fun and cute one!

We are introduced to Bailey who has been living with her mom but when things start to get awkward she decides to go and spend the summer with her dad whom she hasn’t seen in awhile. It's a little inconvenient for her social life but it’s also a chance to find the boy she’s been crushing on through the internet. She’s been chatting with a boy across the country for quite a while and she does kind of want to hunt him down!

She moves and gets a job at a museum! This was really fun! I liked experiencing it with her! It was so intriguing and a lot of work!  She also meets a boy there and she despises him at first but once she gets to know him, things go a different way. I loved getting to know Porter and all that there was to him!! But this definitely puts a halt in her finding her dream mystery boy!

I just loved Bailey! I loved her personality. She was shy and not always sure of herself but another part that was determined and very loyal.

Overall: This one brought a lot of smiles and laughs to me. I enjoyed seeing what was going to happen next and read it in a day. One of those that you sit down and can’t stop! I really really enjoyed this one, and that ending, whoa! And the dinner scene, yep I laughed! I really enjoyed!!! I think this is a 4.5 cupcake rating for me.

Cover:  Love it! Even though it kind of makes it feel like a book that takes place at a beach, and I guess it does in a way. It’s a very cute cover!

What I’d Give It:

The End Of Our Story by Meg Haston

The End Of Our Story by Meg Haston

Release Date: April 4, 2017

Publisher: HarperTeen  

Age Group:  Young Adult

Pages:  288

Summary:  Meg Haston's romantic and thrilling new YA novel explores a star-crossed high school relationship in a tale rife with deeply buried secrets and shocking revelations.

Bridge and Wil have been entangled in each other’s lives for years. Under the white-hot Florida sun, they went from kids daring each other to swim past the breakers to teenagers stealing kisses between classes. But when Bridge betrayed Wil during their junior year, she shattered his heart and their relationship along with it.

Then Wil’s family suffers a violent loss, and Bridge rushes back to Wil’s side. As they struggle to heal old wounds and start falling for each other all over again, Bridge and Wil discover just how much has changed in the past year. As the fierce current of tragedy threatens to pull them under, they must learn how to swim on their own—or risk drowning together.

My Thoughts: I was really torn on this one. We are introduced to Wil and Bridge. They have been friends since they were kids, and then got romantically involved, and then things didn’t turn out quite how they wanted it too.

I really liked Bridge and Wil both but at times, I was hesitant to like either of them. Each had their ups and downs to their personalities.  I really enjoyed the plot of this one.  Wil’s dad isn’t who everyone thought he was, and there was more to the story. And when it all comes out, Wil knows what he must do and it’s hard for him. It’s hard to really even admit his dad wasn’t the perfect guy everyone thought he was. And Wil is afraid he’ll be just like him.  This one was complicated as heck!

This one really pulled at my heartstrings. It was just so emotional and having lost people in my life, I understood the heartbreak.

I liked this one, and while reading it I needed to know what happened next. I haven’t read Paperweight yet by this author, so I will add that to my list!

Overall: I’m not sure if I ever really liked Bridge or Wil.  This one did make me tear up a few times but at others, I wanted to throw something! HAHAHA.  I’d say this is probably more between a 3.5 and 4 cupcake rating for me!

Cover:   Love it! It’s so romantic. I really like it!

What I’d Give It:

By Your Side by Kasie West

By Your Side by Kasie West

Release Date:  January 31, 2017

Publisher: HarperTeen

Age Group:  Young Adult

Pages:  352

Summary: In this irresistible story, Kasie West explores the timeless question of what to do when you fall for the person you least expect. Witty and romantic, this paperback original from a fan favorite is perfect for fans of Stephanie Perkins and Morgan Matson.

When Autumn Collins finds herself accidentally locked in the library for an entire weekend, she doesn’t think things could get any worse. But that’s before she realizes that Dax Miller is locked in with her. Autumn doesn’t know much about Dax except that he’s trouble. Between the rumors about the fight he was in (and that brief stint in juvie that followed it) and his reputation as a loner, he’s not exactly the ideal person to be stuck with. Still, she just keeps reminding herself that it is only a matter of time before Jeff, her almost-boyfriend, realizes he left her in the library and comes to rescue her.

Only he doesn’t come. No one does.

Instead it becomes clear that Autumn is going to have to spend the next couple of days living off vending-machine food and making conversation with a boy who clearly wants nothing to do with her. Except there is more to Dax than meets the eye. As he and Autumn first grudgingly, and then not so grudgingly, open up to each other, Autumn is struck by their surprising connection. But can their feelings for each other survive once the weekend is over and Autumn’s old life, and old love interest, threaten to pull her from Dax’s side?

My Thoughts: I always look forward to Kasie West books and I always have to read them as soon as I get the chance. So when I got the chance to review By Your Side, I jumped right onto it!!!  

We are introduced to Autumn who likes to hang out with her friends, and the guy she likes. She’s always out doing something with them, and even getting her parents to let her stay the night at a cabin. They trust her, and she checks in with them quite a bit.

One night they are studying at a library and a snowstorm starts and they all pile into the car to head to the cabin.  Well Autumn doesn't quite make it into the car and she gets stuck in the library while all her friends are away away away!  It sucks nobody realized she was missing.

Well, she has to make do in the library and another guy is there as well. His name is Dax and he’s known around her school as a quiet maybe troublemaker kind of kid. Keeps to himself.

I loved exploring the relationship with Dax and Autumn. It wasn’t so simple and he had such an intriguing backstory as well. As time went on, and things happened, I fell more and more in love with him. I just wanted him to be safe and taken care of.

Autumn really grew throughout the novel as a person. She started off scared of what others might think of her, but she did gain some self confidence in there.

I really liked this one!

Overall: I want to say I really liked this one, but actually I think I loved it!! I really liked Dax and Autumn both. I loved their personalities so that made the whole book better! I loved the plot and I love all the little things that happened!!!!

Cover:  Love it! And it just fits right along with all her other cover’s books!! Cute as heck!!!

What I’d Give It:

Caraval by Stephanie Garber

Caraval by Stephanie Garber

Release Date: January 31, 2017

Publisher: Flatiron Books

Age Group: Young Adult

Pages: 416

Summary:  Before you enter the world of Caraval, you must remember that it’s all a game . . .

Scarlett has never left the tiny island where she and her beloved sister, Tella, live with their ruthless father. Now Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval, the legendary, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show, are over.

Then, Scarlett’s long-dreamt of invitation to Caraval finally arrives. So, Tella enlists a mysterious sailor’s help to whisk Scarlett away to this year’s show. But as soon as the trio arrives, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend.

Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. But she nonetheless soon becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic with her sister, with Legend, and with the other players in the game. And whether Caraval is real or not, she must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over, a dangerous domino effect of consequences is set off, and her sister disappears forever.

My Thoughts: Okay, so I had heard really great things about Caraval, but I wasn’t real sure what it was even about. But I knew I had to read it if I got the chance!

We are introduced to sisters Scarlett and Tella. Scarlet always has been so protective of Tella. Their father has a habit of punishing them for the most ridiculous things and he’s brutal.  They have heard things about Caraval, a place like no other. Stories from their family that they must explore. So, Scarlett has written to the master of Caraval many times with no response. But she finally hears back, finally!

Caraval is a game like no other. It’s a game full of surprises, mysteries, and nobody really knows much about it. Not really. There are stories of course. And the winner gets a wish. Any wish they want. It’s magic. It’s amazing.  Scarlett gets an invitation to play along with a guest, which is meant to be her soon to be husband.

Tella and Scarlett go to Caraval and the game starts. It’s crazy. We also meet a few different boys. And the person who organizes it all, Legend. I wasn’t sure what to think about him as we never really know him or who he is. Just stories. And then another boy who I absolutely fell in love with. He was so sweet yet so dangerous. Whoa. Swoony!

This one was such a magical beautiful book! I want to tell you all about the games, and all the different great characters. But this is one of those you need to experience yourself so I’m going to keep this review somewhat short.

Overall: Caraval was everything I hoped it to be! It was magical, excruciating at parts, and just plain AWESOME! It will probably be one of my favorites this year!!!  

Garber you did everything right!!!!!

Cover: Love it! It fits. It lures you in and doesn't give anything away.

What I’d Give It:

Wait For Me by Caroline Leech

Wait For Me by Caroline Leech

Release Date: January 31, 2017   

Publisher:  HarperTeen

Age Group:  Young Adult

Pages: 384  

Summary:  The perfect blend of sweet romance and historical flavor, Wait for Me, from debut author Caroline Leech, brings a fresh new voice to a much-loved genre.

It’s 1945, and Lorna Anderson’s life on her father’s farm in Scotland consists of endless chores and rationing, knitting Red Cross scarves, and praying for an Allied victory. So when Paul Vogel, a German prisoner of war, is assigned as the new farmhand, Lorna is appalled. How can she possibly work alongside the enemy when her own brothers are risking their lives for their country?

But as Lorna reluctantly spends time with Paul, she feels herself changing. The more she learns about him—from his time in the war to his life back home in Germany—the more she sees the boy behind the soldier. Soon Lorna is battling her own warring heart. Loving Paul could mean losing her family and the life she’s always known. With tensions rising all around them, Lorna must decide how much she’s willing to sacrifice before the end of the war determines their fate

My Thoughts: I’m honestly not much for historical fiction of any kind. I’ve read a bunch and only liked a few. But when I read the description of this one, it just pulled me in so I decided to give it a chance. And I enjoyed it more than I thought I would.

We are introduced to Lorna who doesn't like German’s much. It’s not really surprising since her brothers are away fighting in the war. She just wants them back home to her safely. Lorna also has a best friend. I kind of liked her, I kind of didn’t. She just was kind of dense and I know back then it was more normal for the husband or soon to be husband to be in charge of things but it just bugged me.  Lorna herself was a strong character though and I’m glad that her friend did eventually come around. I also liked her family and the other characters.

Well Lorna is surprised when a German prisoner comes to work on her farm. He’s in charge of helping her with some of the duties and picking up where the last worker left off.

His name was Paul. I liked him so much from the get go. He sure wasn’t perfect physically or emotionally but I liked him instantly. Just something about him that drew me right in.

I really liked seeing how the town reacted to Paul’s appearance, not good. I liked seeing how having him there really impacted the people around him. But he wasn’t a bad guy at all!!!! And I liked the way him and Lorna got along. I was just really drew into this one even though its historical and wanted to know what would happen next.

If you like historical you’ll probably really like this one and if you're not sure, just give it a chance anyway, it might surprise you!

 

Overall:  I actually liked this one a lot. I think it rates between a 3.5 and 4 cupcake rating. It did have a few drawn out spots but I liked it a lot and finished it within a day!!!

Cover:  Like it. I think that’s one of the things that made me want to pick it up. I love how they are almost touching. CUTE!

What I’d Give It:

2017 Debut Author Challenge

This post will be all the Debuts I read in 2017

1. Even The Darkest Stars by Heather Fawcett
2.
3.
4.
5.

Has To Be Love by Jolene Perry

Has To Be Love by Jolene Perry

Release Date: September 1, 2015

Publisher: AW Teen  

Age Group:  Young Adult

Pages:  272   

Summary:  Years ago, Clara survived a vicious bear attack. She's used to getting sympathetic looks around town, but meeting strangers is a different story. Yet her dreams go far beyond Knik, Alaska, and now she's got a secret that's both thrilling and terrifying--an acceptance letter from Columbia University. But it turns out her scars aren't as fixable as she hoped, and when her boyfriend begins to press for a forever commitment, she has second thoughts about New York. Then Rhodes, a student teacher in her English class, forces her to acknowledge her writing talent, and everything becomes even more confusing--especially with the feelings she's starting to have about him. Now all Clara wants to do is hide from the tough choices she has to make. When her world comes crashing down around her, Clara has to confront her problems and find her way to a decision. Will she choose the life of her dreams or the life that someone she loves has chosen? Which choice is scarier?

My Thoughts:   I liked this one, I did, but I didn’t fall in love with it as I hoped I would. We are introduced to Clara who is a survivor. She survived a pretty bad bear attack and she has scars on her face and other places. She’s brave and confident even though she does want to change her scars. Make them better. Less noticeable.

We also meet a boy named Rhodes. He comes over to her house a lot and visits her father. He’s also a student teacher. This makes it a bit awkward for Clara.  Clara also has a boyfriend.

As Clara and Rhodes get to know each other, they start to develop feelings for each other. But Clara is very religious so doesn’t want to do anything with her boyfriend but with Rhodes it’s different.

I don’t know. I just never felt the connection really with Rhodes. I didn’t love him, liked him,, but just not “enough” I guess. I read a lot of romance so this one just wasn’t everything I wanted it to be. Hopefully you’ll like it more than me!  I think Perry books are going to be a hit or miss with me because I did really like the first one of hers I read.

Overall: This one was just okay for me. I hope the next Perry book I read, I enjoy more. I did finish it but it wasn’t one of my favorites of the year. Or will be.

Cover:  Like it! Like the colors and the way she is leaning over to kiss him.  

What I’d Give It: