All I Need by Susane Colasanti

All I Need by Susane Colasanti

Release Date: May 21, 2013
Publisher: Viking Juvenile
Age Group: Young Adult

Pages: 240

Summary: The last night of summer is only the beginning.

Skye wants to meet the boy who will change her life forever. Seth feels their instant connection the second he sees her. When Seth starts talking to Skye at the last beach party of the summer, it’s obvious to both of them that this is something real. But when Seth leaves for college before they exchange contact info, Skye wonders if he felt the same way she did—and if she will ever see him again. Even if they find their way back to each other, can they make a long-distance relationship work despite trust issues, ex drama, and some serious background differences?

Teen favorite Susane Colasanti returns to the alternating-voice style of her beloved debut When It Happens in this Serendipity-inspired story about summer, soul mates, and the moments that change our lives forever.

My Thoughts: I seriously love this author. When her books come out, I jump for joy. Must always buy her books.

We are introduced to Skye and Seth who are both amazing characters. Skye was a hopeless romantic and Seth had been damaged but he’s doing pretty well. He was hurt by his ex girlfriend and Skye just wants to fall in love, with the right boy.  When they meet on summer vacation, things couldn’t be more perfect. Except, they don’t exchange contact info so they have no way of finding each other after the summer. They don’t even know each others last name. The whole year leaps by and nothing.

Than they find each other during summer and once again their romance starts back up. They are happy with each other. We get to experience so many firsts with them. Seth in college, Skye visiting him, so many different things.

I really liked both Seth and Skye but I was a little bit turned off with the insta love thing. I know they had a connection but I felt like they fell for one another to quickly. This one does take place over the course of three years even though it goes by fast and it doesn’t feel like quite that long.  I also really liked the scenes from summer, enjoying snow cones, walking around, and going to the roller rink.

The writing also felt very young on this one. I’m not really sure why, it just felt younger.  I did like Skye and Seth as characters. I really really liked Seth. I enjoyed watching him deal with things and I enjoyed his personality a lot. He was a sweet guy.

All in all, All I Need was a sweet book but not my absolute favorite. And that is ok. I’m not going to love every single one I read by each author.

Overall:  I enjoyed All I Need but it wasn’t my favorite Colasanti book. I’m still a big fan of hers and will read whatever she writes, this one just wasn’t the best one for me I guess. Probably would give this more like 3 and half cupcakes.

Cover: I do love the cover! Love the beach, and love how he is picking her up. Very romantic!

What I'd Give It:

Camp Kiss (Camp Boyfriend .05) by J.K. Rock

Camp Kiss (Camp Boyfriend .05) by J.K. Rock

Release Date: March 26, 2013

Publisher:  Spencer Hill
Age Group: Young Adult

Summary:   The Camp Kiss That Started It All…

Lauren Carlson, a fourteen-year-old expert on the cosmos, superheroes, and science fiction trivia has a crush on her longtime camp friend, Seth. Last summer she’d dreamed about upgrading their relationship to BF/GF status and this year she has a plan… if only her well-meaning cabin mates wouldn’t interfere before she’s ready. She hasn’t even adjusted to her new braces yet, let alone imagined kissing Seth with them. When a dare pushes her out of her comfort zone, will she and Seth rocket out of the friendzone at last? There’s only one way to find out…

My Thoughts: This was a cute little novella. It takes place before Camp Kiss. We are introduced to Lauren, whose a 14 year old girl with braces and kind of nerdy.

Every summer she goes off to camp and really enjoys it. She enjoys spending time with her camp friends, and they understand her. She can be herself there. She doesn’t have to impress anyone, everyone already likes her.

She also has a friend there named Seth. He’s one of her best friends but she also has a crush on him and has for a while now.

Well, on the first night of camp she gets dared to kiss Seth. Her friends know she has had a crush on him and they want to make something finally happen.

Lauren spends so much time debating on kissing him, that I just want her to do it already! She finally does and she figures out Seth’s true feelings for her as well.

I really thought this was a cute novella. I’m excited to read Camp Kiss soon! Hopefully this novel is a good set up for it.

Overall: Very cute novella! It was pretty short so we didn’t get to know the characters very well but hope that changes when I read the full book!

Cover: It’s ok. Kind of plain but in a good way. 

What I'd Give It:

Right Of Way by Lauren Barnholdt

Right Of Way by Lauren Barnholdt
Release Date: July 9, 2013
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 320

Summary: The road to heartbreak takes a lot of turns.

Here are Peyton and Jace, meeting on vacation. Click! It’s awesome, it’s easy, it’s romantic. This is the real deal.

Unless it isn’t.

Because when you’re in love, you don’t just stop calling one day. And you don’t keep secrets. Or lie. And when your life starts falling apart, you’re supposed to have the other person to lean on.

Here are Peyton and Jace again, broken up but thrown together on a road trip. One of them is lying about the destination. One of them is pretending not to be leaving something behind.

Neither of them is prepared for what’s coming on the road ahead…

My Thoughts: When I saw Barnholdt had another book coming out, I jumped for joy. I love her books! Seriously adore them!

Right Of Way is the story of Peyton and Jace. Peyton is Courtney’s cousin.  And, yes this is another one about a road trip. But there was so much more than that in this story.

Jace and Peyton were falling in love with each other. They had a long distance relationship but they really liked each other. Until Jace stopped calling Peyton. Stopped talking to her period. And she never really understood why.

Now Peyton has a mission to run away with her best friend, but the first stop is a wedding where Jace will be attending. She’s nervous but at the same time she can’t help but want to see how he’s doing.

They meet up at the wedding and things go crazy. They end up on a road trip together with Jace believing he is taking Peyton home.

I really liked seeing them together. And I liked all the banter back and forth. But I just didn't connect to this one as some of her other stories. I still enjoyed reading it, but it didn't quite feel like a 5 cupcake rating, and then it just ends. I want to know more of what happened. I want to know the next chapter of their lives, and what happens.

And, I did like learning the reasons why they stopped talking, and finding out more about each of them and what was going on.

Overall: I really liked this one, but I felt like the ending just kind of happened and I was left feeling a little bit confused and let down. It just abruptly ends, and that drove me nuts. I was having a pretty good time reading it, until that happened. Drove me flipping crazy!

Cover: Like it! Totally fits since they are in a car a lot of the story. It’s cute!

What I’d Give It:

This Strange And Familiar Place (So Close To You #2) by Rachel Carter

This Strange And Familiar Place (So Close To You #2) by Rachel Carter

Release Date: July 2, 2013

Publisher: HarperTeen
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 272

Summary: Rachel Carter’s breathtaking time-travel romance, This Strange and Familiar Place, is a great pick for fans of Kerstin Gier’s Ruby Red trilogy.

In the second book of the So Close to You YA trilogy, Lydia Bentley has discovered that the conspiracy theories about the Montauk Project, the ones her grandfather had told her about all her life, were true all along.

The little town on Long Island really is the Area 51 of the east. Lydia’s hometown has been the site of government time-travel experiments since World War II. Among the “recruits” the Project has used as subjects in these experiments are two members of Lydia’s own family, and Wes, the boy she loves.

What is Lydia willing to sacrifice to save them?

My Thoughts: I really loved So Close To You, it sucked me right in, and I read it quickly. I did enjoy this one a lot, but not quite as much as the first book.

We are back with Lydia and she is trying to adapt to her new life. Things have changed quite a bit, and she has to deal with them in any way she can. They have altered events a bit, and people seem to be different, even Lydia herself. And, Wes is nowhere to be found even though Lydia hopes he can’t be too far away from her. She misses him, she loves him, and she wants to be in his arms again.

Lydia is also still confused by everything that has happened. She misses her grandpa and wants to help him. When Wes shows up one day and tells Lydia some information she tries to figure out a plan to fix everything. She decides to go on a mission with Wes and find answers.

They end up going together, and things are even more hectic. Wes seems distant and Lydia wants to know why. She also runs into her grandpa, and her feelings are haywire. She meets a new friends along the way, and I liked them!

And, the ending, oh man. I want the next book now!

I still really like Wes, even though he wasn’t as engaging in this one. I felt like he wasn’t as likable or as charming, at least for me.

Overall: I still like the characters, the plot, and everything. But, I felt like something was missing maybe. The chemistry wasn’t as strong and I felt like the plot wasn’t as fast paced. I still enjoyed it alot but I felt myself losing interest every once in awhile. During the first book, I was excited to flip the pages, and this one, not as much. I’m still excited for the next in the series though.

Cover: Like it. I love her long shiny hair and the weather and buildings in the background. 

What I'd Give It:

The Distance Between Us by Kasie West

The Distance Between Us by Kasie West

Release Date: July 2, 2013

Publisher: HarperTeen
Age Group: Young Adult

Pages: 320

Summary: Seventeen-year-old Caymen Meyers studies the rich like her own personal science experiment, and after years of observation she’s pretty sure they’re only good for one thing—spending money on useless stuff, like the porcelain dolls in her mother’s shop.

So when Xander Spence walks into the store to pick up a doll for his grandmother, it only takes one glance for Caymen to figure out he’s oozing rich. Despite his charming ways and that he’s one of the first people who actually gets her, she’s smart enough to know his interest won’t last. Because if there’s one thing she’s learned from her mother’s warnings, it’s that the rich have a short attention span. But Xander keeps coming around, despite her best efforts to scare him off. And much to her dismay, she's beginning to enjoy his company.

She knows her mom can’t find out—she wouldn’t approve. She’d much rather Caymen hang out with the local rocker who hasn’t been raised by money. But just when Xander’s attention and loyalty are about to convince Caymen that being rich isn’t a character flaw, she finds out that money is a much bigger part of their relationship than she’d ever realized. And that Xander’s not the only one she should’ve been worried about.

My Thoughts: Whoa, I loved loved this one. I haven’t read West’s debut yet, Pivot Point. But when I read the summary for this one, I knew I had to read it and fast!

We are introduced to Caymen (cool name) who lives in a small apartment with her mother above the doll shop they run.  They are basically poor. Yes, they make money and they live on as little as possible. Caymen’s father was a rich boy so her mother has taught her to appreciate things and never trust the rich. And according to Caymen, you can always spot them coming from a mile away.

So, when rich boy Xander walks into the store, Caymen knows to stay away from him. Yes he’s charming and good looking but Caymen notices by the way he beckons her, he’s like the rest. Over time, he comes into the shop more and more, and she really likes him. He gets her dry sense of humor and just understands. Not good, not good at all.

There are other characters throughout the novel as well, including her best friend, and her best friend’s boyfriend, and of course the guy they are trying to set her up with. He’s pretty cool and he’s in a band, but he’s no Xander.  And then of course her mom. I really liked her mom. She was a great mom even if things weren’t always perfect.

I loved Xander so much! He was so sweet and nice. And I loved the careers they picked for one another. I loved the doll shop. I loved the plot of this one! Without giving anything away, it did have some twists and turns I never saw coming.  I love contemps so this was right up my alley!

Overall: Yep, 5 cupcakes from me! Enjoyed this one so much. Now, I want to go read Pivot Point to see if its any good. Loved Caymen and Xander.

Cover: This is a freaking awesome cover, right? YES! This would definitely spark my interest and make me pick it up! They did a wonderful job on this cover!

What I'd Give It: