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Wednesday, April 27, 2016

#BookReview The Only Thing Worse Than Me Is You by Lily Anderson

The Only Thing Worse Than Me Is You
by Lily Anderson

Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult
Publication: May 17th, 2016 by St. Martin's Griffin
Format: ebooks
Source: NetGalley
Connect: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
Trixie Watson has two very important goals for senior year: to finally save enough to buy the set of Doctor Who figurines at the local comic books store, and to place third in her class and knock Ben West--and his horrendous new mustache that he spent all summer growing--down to number four.

Trixie will do anything to get her name ranked over Ben's, including give up sleep and comic books--well, maybe not comic books--but definitely sleep. After all, the war of Watson v. West is as vicious as the Doctor v. Daleks and Browncoats v. Alliance combined, and it goes all the way back to the infamous monkey bars incident in the first grade. Over a decade later, it's time to declare a champion once and for all.

The war is Trixie's for the winning, until her best friend starts dating Ben's best friend and the two are unceremoniously dumped together and told to play nice. Finding common ground is odious and tooth-pullingly-painful, but Trixie and Ben's cautious truce slowly transforms into a fandom-based tentative friendship. When Trixie's best friend gets expelled for cheating and Trixie cries foul play, however, they have to choose who to believe and which side they're on--and they might not pick the same side.


Trixie Watson goes to a prestigious school for the smart students with high IQ. It was her senior year and she wanted to place third in the ranking and knock Ben West, her arch enemy, down to number four. But when their friends started dating, the Trixie and Ben have to play nice. Trixie began to soften towards Ben. But soon, Trixie's best friend was expelled for cheating. And Trixie was determined to find out the truth.

I saw the word, Doctor Who, and knew that I have to read this. And I wasn't disappointed. I love Trixie. She's funny. She can be harsh sometimes, but she had a really good heart and loyalty towards her friends. I love the banter between her and Ben. The occasional fandom references made the book a whole lot entertaining. There are a few references that I didn't get, but that didn't ruin the story.

I love the author's writing style. It's fresh, funny and I enjoyed the sarcasm. The characters were amazing and the plot was really good. Once I picked up the book, it was really hard to put it down. I just can't get enough of Trixie and Ben. They are super cute! I enjoyed this book from the beginning until the end. And then, there was this small plot twist towards the end that just blew me away. 

The Only Thing Worse Than Me Is You by Lily Anderson have everything I love about. Geeky characters, a bit of mystery, and a good romance. If you're looking for a light, cute romance read, or book with fangirl characters, this is the book you're looking for.

I received a copy of this book from the Netgalley & St. Martin's Press in exchange for my review.

Saturday, April 23, 2016

#BookReview The Geography of You and Me by Jennifer E. Smith

The Geography of You and Me
by Jennifer E. Smith 

Genre: Chick-Lit, Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult
Publication: March 3rd, 2015 by Poppy
Format: Paperback, 368 pages
Source: Own
Connect: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Tumblr
Lucy and Owen meet somewhere between the tenth and eleventh floors of a New York City apartment building, on an elevator rendered useless by a citywide blackout. After they’re rescued, they spend a single night together, wandering the darkened streets and marveling at the rare appearance of stars above Manhattan. But once the power is restored, so is reality. Lucy soon moves to Edinburgh with her parents, while Owen heads out west with his father.

Lucy and Owen’s relationship plays out across the globe as they stay in touch through postcards, occasional e-mails, and—finally—a reunion in the city where they first met.

A carefully charted map of a long-distance relationship, Jennifer E. Smith’s new novel shows that the center of the world isn't necessarily a place. It can be a person, too.
The Geography of You and Me is such a cute read. Lucy and Owen live in the same building. Lucy is living in the penthouse, and Owen is the building manager's son. They met on an elevator during a citywide blackout and decided to spend the night together, wandering in the street. Soon, they both finds out that they both have to move away. Lucy, to Edinburgh with her parents, and Owen, with his father.

Jennifer E Smith is definitely one of my favourite YA romance writers. I love Jennifer E. Smith's book since I first read The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight. I'm comfortable with her style and I love her characters, both the mains and the minor. I love reading about both Lucy and Owen's family as much as I love reading about them. 

The Geography of You and Me is sweet, light and heartwarming read. I can't stop reading this book and find out what will happen to Lucy and Owen next. I have to admit that the romance is a bit slow. But somehow, it works for Lucy and Owen. I enjoyed how the author builds the romance between the characters. It was interesting to see how Lucy and Owen try to stay in touch through postcards and occasional e-mails. Now, I simply cannot wait to get my hands on other books by Jennifer E. Smith.

Thursday, April 14, 2016

#BookReview Cogling by Jordan Elizabeth

Cogling
by Jordan Elizabeth Mierek

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Steampunk, Sci-Fi, Romance
Publication: January 25th, 2016
Format: ebooks
Source: Author/Publisher
Connect: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
When fifteen-year-old Edna Mather tears an expensive and unfamiliar pocket watch off her little brother's neck, he crumbles into a pile of cogs right before her eyes. Horrified, Edna flees for help, but encounters Ike, a thief who attempts to steal the watch before he realizes what it is: a device to power Coglings—clockwork changelings left in place of stolen children who have been forced to work in factories.

Desperate to rescue her brother, Edna sets off across the kingdom to the hags' swamp, with Ike in tow. There, they learn Coglings are also replacing nobility so the hags can stage a rebellion and rule over humanity. Edna and Ike must stop the revolt, but the populace believes hags are helpful godmothers and healers. No one wants to believe a lowly servant and a thief, especially when Ike has secrets that label them both as traitors.

Together, Edna and Ike must make the kingdom trust them or stop the hags themselves, even if Ike is forced to embrace his dark heritage and Edna must surrender her family.

I didn't read a lot of steampunk. But I wanted to give this book a chance since I have previously read Jordan Elizabeth's work in Gears of Brass Anthology and enjoyed it. I was glad I did. I wasn't expecting this book to be this good. I was definitely blown away.

In Cogling, children were kidnapped and forced to work in factories. Their dreams were taken away. These children were replaced by a Coglings—clockwork changelings, to fool their families. Edna Mather watched her brother turn into a pile of cogs before her. When Ike, a thief who wanted to steal her watch, explained to her about coglings, Edna asked for Ike's help to rescue her brother.

I love the author's voice and writing style. The author did a great job describing the world in the book. The setting was perfect. It felt almost like a movie. There are the human, hags, ogres, foxkin and other interesting creatures. 

I was amazed at the characters development in the story. I wasn't a big fan of Edna at first, but she grew on me. She's strong and won't stop at anything until she gets her brother back. Ike is definitely swoon-worthy. He may be a thief, but he had a good heart and was always looking after Edna. But, my favorite character in the book is Rachel. She was this pampered rich young lady, who Enda worked for. But she sort of grew up and she surprised me with her transformation.

Cogling is a great fantasy-steampunk read for the young adult. I may not be the target audience, but I enjoyed this book wholeheartedly. There are some romance, friendship, adventure, conspiracy and fighting with a few twists along the way. If you love a good fantasy read, you should definitely read this book.

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my review.

Thursday, April 7, 2016

#BookReview Natalie's Getting Married by Rosa Temple

Natalie's Getting Married
by Rosa Temple

Genre: Romance, Chick-lit
Publication: March 14th, 2016
Format: ebooks
Source: Author/Publisher
Connect: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
Career minded, Natalie Spencer, had never been in love. She could never understand what all the fuss was about. But when she met Jackson Humphries during Fresher’s Week at university, that all changed.

Utterly infatuated, Natalie quickly discovers the meaning of love and, before she knows it, she's heading up the aisle – for the first time, that is.

This is a tale about four wedding dresses, a runaway groom and a girl who got so carried away, she couldn’t see true love staring her right in the face.

This was a story about Natalie and her journey to find her true love. Natalie Spencer was career minded and has never been in love. But once she laid her eyes on Jackson Humphries, everything changed. 

It was hard not to like Natalie. She was independent, brave and this was the first time found out that she like someone. I like how she had her crush on Jackson but never had her courage to go after him. Jackson was a nice guy with a few problems with her mom.

Natalie also met Gabriel during the Fresher's Week and they have been best friends ever since. I enjoyed the interaction between the two of them. Gabriel may not like Jackson so much, but, he was always there when Natalie needed him. He was really sweet and I wanted to root for him.

Reading the story also made me frustrated with the characters. There were a few times when I feel like throwing away my e-reader because of this frustration. I wanted Natalie to turn around and see that the man she was waiting for was there for her from the very beginning. I got frustrated when the characters seemed to  always miss their chance to tell what they wanted to say.

Natalie's Getting Married was definitely a fun read. I like Rosa Temple's voice and writing style. The pace was great at the beginning but felt a bit rushed towards the end. 

I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher in exchange for my review.

Saturday, April 2, 2016

#BookReview The Semester of Our Discontent by Cynthia Kuhn

The Semester of Our Discontent (Lila Maclean Mystery #1)
by Cynthia Kuhn

Genre: Cozy Mystery
Publication: April 5th, 2016
Format: ebooks
Source: NetGalley/Henery Press
Connect: Website | Twitter | FacebookGoodreads
English professor Lila Maclean is thrilled about her new job at prestigious Stonedale University, until she finds one of her colleagues dead. She soon learns that everyone, from the chancellor to the detective working the case, believes Lila—or someone she is protecting—may be responsible for the horrific event, so she assigns herself the task of identifying the killer.

More attacks on professors follow, the only connection a curious symbol at each of the crime scenes. Putting her scholarly skills to the test, Lila gathers evidence, but her search is complicated by an unexpected nemesis, a suspicious investigator, and an ominous secret society. Rather than earning an “A” for effort, she receives a threat featuring the mysterious emblem and must act quickly to avoid failing her assignment…and becoming the next victim.

When I read the description from the book, I know I wanted to read this. It was the first time I read a mystery book surrounding an English professor in a university and I was intrigued!

The Semester of Our Discontent by Cynthia Kuhn is undoubtedly a good cozy mystery book. I love the premises and the mystery.  I like Lila's approach in her investigation. Her curiosity to find out the real culprit and the strange emblem, and the determination to free her and her cousin as the suspect were great. Although, somehow, she was always the person who would accidentally be at the crime scene. I like how the characters would have a conversation about authors, but sadly, I have never heard of most of the authors mentioned.

I thought the author did a good job with the plot and mystery. But I was a bit disappointed with how the culprit was revealed, especially since there was no hint that pointed Lila suspecting the culprit, even just a little bit until the end. I know that sometimes people would commit a crime with motives that I couldn't comprehend, but I have to say that the motive to attempt another murder towards the end of the book was a bit crazy. Overall, I thought that The Semester of Our Discontent was a good read. I did enjoy the book, but I wish the revealing of the whodunit could be better. 

I received a copy of this book from the Netgalley & Henery Press in exchange for my review.

Friday, April 1, 2016

#Giveaway Fool For Books Giveaway Hop


Fool For Books Giveaway Hop
April 1st - 7th
Hosted by Bookhounds

The Prize
ONE WINNER will get to pick any book(s) of your choice up to USD15 from BookDepository.com

You may choose any book(s) as long as it below USD15 from BookDepository.com. T&C applied.
.
Okay. Here's how you can enter this giveaway:
  • To enter this giveaway, enter your contact details in the form below. Easy.
  • You are not required to follow me, but, it would be nice if you follow me via GFC/Goodreads/twitter/Bloglovin' too :)
  • This is an International giveaway as long as BookDepository.com ship them to your country.
  • One entry per person. Anyone who entered their entry more than once will be disqualified. But if you think you may have entered more than once by mistake, please email me at shuffleit@gmail.com
  • The Winner will be notified via email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond before another winner will be selected. 
  • I'm not responsible for any lost package.
  • Have fun and good luck! Be sure to check out the other giveaway stops on this blog hop:


The winner is Maria A Malaveci! Congratulation!

Thank you for participating the giveaway. Look out for another giveaway soon for a chance to win more books.

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