Second Star by Alyssa B. Sheinmel

Second Star by Alyssa B. Sheinmel

Release Date: May 13, 2014

Publisher: Farrar Straus and Giroux (BYR)

Age Group: Young Adult

Pages:  256

Summary: A twisty story about love, loss, and lies, this contemporary oceanside adventure is tinged with a touch of dark magic as it follows seventeen-year-old Wendy Darling on a search for her missing surfer brothers. Wendy’s journey leads her to a mysterious hidden cove inhabited by a tribe of young renegade surfers, most of them runaways like her brothers. Wendy is instantly drawn to the cove’s charismatic leader, Pete, but her search also points her toward Pete's nemesis, the drug-dealing Jas. Enigmatic, dangerous, and handsome, Jas pulls Wendy in even as she's falling hard for Pete. A radical reinvention of a classic, Second Star is an irresistible summer romance about two young men who have yet to grow up--and the troubled beauty trapped between them.

My Thoughts:  I have a hard time with retellings so I knew this going in. Some of them I will love and some not so much.

Second Star was an okay read for me. We are introduced to Wendy whose two brothers have gone missing due to a horrible surfing accident. They are presumed dead.

But Wendy doesn’t think so she goes on a journey to find them. She runs into Pete and Jas and things go from there. You kind of have to read this one to get all the references and see what happens.

I remembered all the characters from Peter Pan. I even noticed some similarities in other ways as well. But I had a hard time connecting with Second Star. I liked it enough to keep reading it but I never felt myself really care too much about what happens or the characters.

Second Star was a short read and one that I would recommend if you like Peter Pan, it just wasn't right the right book for me. It was just okay.

Overall:  I liked the beach aspect! I felt like I was right there with Wendy! I liked watching her learn to surf and being with Jas and Pete. I just never really connected. And the ending, I’m not so sure I really loved the ending. I wanted more I guess.

Fans of Peter Pan will probably love Second Star, but for me it was just an okay read!

Cover:  Like it! I do like how we can see them and I like the colors.

What I’d Give It:

Free To Fall by Lauren Miller

Free To Fall by Lauren Miller

Release Date: May 13, 2014

Publisher: HarperTeen

Age Group:  Young Adult

Pages:  480

Summary: What if there was an app that told you what song to listen to, what coffee to order, who to date, even what to do with your life—an app that could ensure your complete and utter happiness? What if you never had to fail or make a wrong choice?

What if you never had to fall?

Fast-forward to a time when Apple and Google have been replaced by Gnosis, a monolith corporation that has developed the most life-changing technology to ever hit the market: Lux, an app that flawlessly optimizes decision making for the best personal results. Just like everyone else, sixteen-year-old Rory Vaughn knows the key to a happy, healthy life is following what Lux recommends. When she’s accepted to the elite boarding school Theden Academy, her future happiness seems all the more assured. But once on campus, something feels wrong beneath the polished surface of her prestigious dream school. Then she meets North, a handsome townie who doesn’t use Lux, and begins to fall for him and his outsider way of life. Soon, Rory is going against Lux’s recommendations, listening instead to the inner voice that everyone has been taught to ignore — a choice that leads her to uncover a truth neither she nor the world ever saw coming.

My Thoughts: This one was a bit confusing for me at first but the more I read, the more I got into the story.

We are introduced to Rory who just got accepted into Theden Academy. Its basically a school for really smart people. She’s so excited to attend especially since her mother went there when she was younger.

Rory shows up on Theden and a lot of things start happening. Its more mysterious than she thought and crazy things happen. She also meets a boy named North. Oh North, how I really liked you!

Rory finds out so much information about her family its hard to really think about how much. So much to process but I’m happy I got to know all the extra information.  Of course, there is also a backstory and a scifi-ish story to Free To Fall but I mostly just liked Rory and listening to her reasoning on things and how she handled everything. I’m not going to say too much about this one. There was just so much going on that you need to read it so you can process everything.

I liked the story, I liked the characters, and I loved all the little things that surprised me.

Overall:  I liked it. I enjoyed it. I loved Rory and North as characters. There is just so much fit in this book I think you have to process it yourself! HAHA!  Romance, scifi, and a lot of other things going on!

Cover:  Like it. Its not too colorful but still makes me want to pick it up.

What I’d Give It:

Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson

Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson

Release Date:  May 6, 2014

Publisher: Simon And Schuster Books For Young Readers

Age Group:Young Adult

Pages: 464

Summary: The Pre-Sloane Emily didn't go to parties, she barely talked to guys, she didn't do anything crazy. Enter Sloane, social tornado and the best kind of best friend—the one who yanks you out of your shell.But right before what should have been an epic summer, Sloane just... disappears. No note. No calls. No texts. No Sloane. There’s just a random to-do list. On it, thirteen Sloane-selected-definitely-bizarre-tasks that Emily would never try... unless they could lead back to her best friend. Apple Picking at Night? Ok, easy enough.Dance until Dawn? Sure. Why not? Kiss a Stranger? Wait... what?

Getting through Sloane’s list would mean a lot of firsts. But Emily has this whole unexpected summer ahead of her, and the help of Frank Porter (totally unexpected) to check things off. Who knows what she’ll find?

Go Skinny Dipping? Um..

My Thoughts: I always end up loving all books written by Matson so when I got the chance to read this one, I jumped on it!

We are introduced to Sloane and Emily who have been best friends for a while. Sloane is adventurous and outgoing while Emily is quiet and usually in her own world.  Sloane is a leader and Emily is a follower, sort of.

When Emily wakes up one day and Sloane is completely gone, she’s confused. Where did Sloane go? And then she finds a list left by Sloane of things Emily should do! I loved the list! I especially loved all the little things on it, including going skinny dipping and kissing a stranger, etc. I enjoyed watching Emily do all these things!

Emily also makes a new group of friends. I liked them all. But especially Frank. Oh Frank!!! Frank was such a sweet guy but he has a girlfriend so Emily doesn’t think much about being his friend (or more). She starts running with him and gets to know him pretty well. He also enlists himself in helping her complete this list, as does her new group of friends.

I really really enjoyed this one! I loved it! I loved the characters, I loved the list of things she had to do. And I loved all the time spent with Frank! And that skinny dipping scene was just too cute and so was the tent scene! This one was filled with so many cute adorable moments that made me gush.

And the moment she finds Sloane, wow! This one was so much fun and good!!!

Overall: Loved this one! Another winner by Matson! I always enjoy her stories so much! If you haven’t read all of her books, you need to now!

I loved Emily and Frank and all the side characters! I really loved the plot! And I was so fascinated with the list of things. I enjoyed watching her complete each and every one!

Wonderful story and great characters!

Cover: Seriously cute! I love their clothes and how they are just hanging out eating ice cream!

What I’d Give It:

Wish You Were Italian by Kristin Rae

Wish You Were Italian by Kristin Rae

Release Date: May 6, 2014

Publisher:  Bloomsbury USA Childrens

Age Group:Young Adult

Pages:  352

Summary: Pippa is in Italy for the summer and, despite her parents’ wishes, she has no intention of just studying the local art! She has a list of things of her own to do: from swimming in the Mediterranean Sea to getting a makeover – and falling for an Italian boy! As Pippa explores the dramatic ruins of Rome and Pompeii, she is swept into her own drama with two guys: an irresistible local she knows is nothing but trouble and a cute American archaeology student . . . Will she find her true love?

The perfect reckless romance to enjoy whether you are home or abroad.

My Thoughts:  I really really loved this one!

I've always wanted to travel somewhere interesting so going on this trip with Pippa was pretty darn cool.

Pippa gets sent away to attend school for a few months but instead she finds herself taking a little adventure. Instead of going to the school she sees the sights such as Rome and a few other little places. Pippa was such a fun character. I loved her voice and I loved how she cared about people.

I also loved her adventures. I liked seeing things right there with her. I always felt like I was really experiencing it alongside her. And she meets boys…. Darren and Bruno. I liked them both even though I liked one a bit more. I liked seeing her to get to know each one though. And, I loved how things ended with the one. I just adored Pippa and all the friends in her life. I liked her grandma. I liked seeing the sights.

I could go on and on about this one but I feel like its one you need to experience yourself. You need to go on the whirlwind romance but also all the sight-seeings. I loved how she described things. Now I need to go visit Rome.  

Wish You Were Italian had sweet love interests, a brilliant leading girl, and so much plot for me! I loved all the references and I loved the sights.

Overall:  I loved this one! I don’t know of too many books where the character gets to go abroad so this one was such a fun read for me! It was cute and very enjoyable! I really enjoyed it and didn’t want it to end!

Cover:  Love it! I just love how we can see the girl and the guy (kinda). I think its such a cute cover and I’d definitely pick it up!

What I’d Give It:

The Break Up Artist by Philip Siegel

The Break Up Artist by Philip Siegel

Release Date: May 1, 2014

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 304

Summary: Some sixteen-year-olds babysit for extra cash. Some work at the Gap. Becca Williamson breaks up couples. 



After watching her sister get left at the altar, Becca knows the true damage that comes when people utter the dreaded L-word. For just $100 via paypal, she can trick and manipulate any couple into smithereens. With relationship zombies overrunning her school, and treating single girls like second class citizens, business is unfortunately booming. Even her best friend Val has resorted to outright lies to snag a boyfriend.

One night, she receives a mysterious offer to break up the homecoming king and queen, the one zombie couple to rule them all: Steve and Huxley. They are a JFK and Jackie O in training, masters of sweeping faux-mantic gestures, but if Becca can split them up, then school will be safe again for singletons. To succeed, she'll have to plan her most elaborate scheme to date and wiggle her way back into her former BFF Huxley’s life – not to mention start a few rumors, sabotage some cell phones, break into a car, and fend off the inappropriate feelings she’s having about Val’s new boyfriend. All while avoiding a past victim out to expose her true identity.

No one said being the Break-Up Artist was easy.

My Thoughts: It took me a little while to get into this one, but once I did I discovered a truly sweet and cute story!

We are introduced to Becca who is your typical teenager except when she’s the breakup artist. Yep, you read that right. She breaks couples up for money. $100 through paypal to be exact.  She’s broken up multiple couples and nobody know who she is. All they know is she is good!

Becca is kind of cynical. She watched her older sister Diane go through a horrible breakup and it stuck with Becca. She’s ok with breaking people up, if its for the greater good.

Becca has a best friend named Val. She also has an old friend named Huxley. They don’t get along so well now. Things changed between them. Huxley is now part of a popular couple and she wants to stay this way.

Until Becca gets a new mission. To break up Huxley and her boyfriend. Becca figures she has it coming. And the person who hired her! Wow!

And if this isn’t enough stress, Val also gets a new guy.  Becca forms a bond with him and she sees herself having feelings for him. I never did really like him. Something about him just threw me off. I don’t know.

I really enjoyed this one. It had a lot of drama but also really deep but fun characters. Becca was very likable. She was funny yet I understood her almost all of the time. I liked all the side characters. I liked the plot and how things went down. I thought this was a cute novel. It took me a while to really get into it, because of all the drama and typical high school scenario.

Overall: This was a cute one! Even though there were a lot of deeper meanings throughout this one, it will still cute. I liked Becca’s personality and how she dealt with things. I liked the break up artist and I’d probably hire her! And the last few pages, so funny and priceless.

Cover: Its cute. Its eye catching enough to pick it up without it being overly cutesy or tacky. 

What I'd Give It: