#BookReview Beautiful Broken Things by Sara Barnard

Beautiful Broken Things
by Sara Barnard

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Friendship
Publication: February 2016
Format: Paperback
Source: Own
Connect: Website | Instagram | Twitter | Goodreads

I was brave
She was reckless
We were trouble

Best friends Caddy and Rosie are inseparable. Their differences have brought them closer, but as she turns sixteen Caddy begins to wish she could be a bit more like Rosie – confident, funny and interesting. Then Suzanne comes into their lives: beautiful, damaged, exciting and mysterious, and things get a whole lot more complicated. As Suzanne’s past is revealed and her present begins to unravel, Caddy begins to see how much fun a little trouble can be. But the course of both friendship and recovery is rougher than either girl realizes, and Caddy is about to learn that downward spirals have a momentum of their own.

I have to admit that I nearly put down this book after the first few pages when I saw Caddy's list of milestones number two by her next birthday.

2) I would lose my virginity.

I have a problem about a girl trying to lose her virginity. I'm not a fan of it and I never understand why is this an important issue for girls her age. But, I decided to give this book a chance. I hate to judge only after a few pages. 

Still, there are a few other occasions when I really wanted to DNF this book, mostly because of Caddy's character. She sounds like a good friend, but there are a few occasions when I wanted to smack her real hard because of her jealousy, selfishness. Caddy and Suzanne are teenagers who hurt people around them for selfish reasons. I stay around to the last page hoping the characters will grow up.

Overall, I thought that this is an okay read on friendship.  I can't relate to the characters and I didn't really care about what happened to them until the last few chapters. It was shocking what happened to them. But I'm happy with how the author wraps up the story.

#Spotlight Heath, Cliffs & Wandering Hearts by Laura Barnard + #Giveaway

Laura Barnard is now in the Spotlight with her new book, Heath, Cliffs and Wandering Hearts. Check out my review to this book here. Don't forget to enter the giveaway to win tons of exciting prizes!

Heath, Cliffs & Wandering Hearts
by Laura Barnard

Genre: Young Adult, Friendship, Mature
Connect: Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
Buy: Amazon | Nook | Kobo | iBooks

Life for sixteen-year-old Savannah Franks has just been turned upside down. Her Mum’s business has failed and they’re forced to move into a maisonette in the rough end of town.

She doesn’t want anyone to know her dire situation, not even her besties. So when the rest of the money for the school ski trip is due she can’t be seen not to attend. Everyone is going! She just needs to find a job. Add that to the list of getting a boyfriend and losing her pathetic virginity.

But working every spare hour in a job she hates on top of school work and mounting secrets doesn’t prove easy. Soon she’s keeping so many she’s not even sure herself what’s true and what’s not.

The only person she can lean on, to tell the truth, is her best friend Heath.

Only…did he gets hot recently? That won’t make things awkward between them…right?

About Laura Barnard

Laura Barnard lives in Hertfordshire, UK and writes romantic comedy or 'chick lit' as its so often described. In her spare time she enjoys drinking her body weight in tea, indulging in cupcakes the size of her face and drooling over hunks like Jamie Dornan, Ryan Gosling and Leo Dicaprio.

She enjoys wearing yoga pants and reading fitness magazines while sitting on the sofa eating chocolate. She's a real fan of the power nap and of course READING!

She writes not to get rich or famous, but because she LOVES writing. Even if one person tells her they enjoyed her book it makes the midnight typing worth it!

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#BookReview Heath, Cliffs & Wandering Hearts by Laura Barnard + Giveaway

Heath, Cliffs & Wandering Hearts
by Laura Barnard

Genre: Young Adult, Friendship, Mature
Format: ebooks, ARC
Source: Author, Publisher
Connect: Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
Buy: Amazon | Nook | Kobo | iBooks

Life for sixteen-year-old Savannah Franks has just been turned upside down. Her Mum’s business has failed and they’re forced to move into a maisonette in the rough end of town.

She doesn’t want anyone to know her dire situation, not even her besties. So when the rest of the money for the school ski trip is due she can’t be seen not to attend. Everyone is going! She just needs to find a job. Add that to the list of getting a boyfriend and losing her pathetic virginity.

But working every spare hour in a job she hates on top of school work and mounting secrets doesn’t prove easy. Soon she’s keeping so many she’s not even sure herself what’s true and what’s not.

The only person she can lean on to tell the truth is her best friend Heath.

Only…did he gets hot recently? That won’t make things awkward between them…right?

I've previously read Laura Barnard's Porn Money and Wannabe Mummy. I was intrigued when I heard that the author is writing for Young Adult. 

Savannah's life was changing. Her family was forced to move into a smaller place her mother's business failed. And now, her brother, Dylan has gone traveling to Australia with his girlfriend. Savannah was afraid that she was going to stay as a virgin, but now, she got a boyfriend, Zach. However, she can't stop thinking about her best friend, Heath.

Heath, Cliffs & Wandering Hearts is full of drama and friendship. But, I have to warn that there was a few scene are not suitable for children. Savannah and her girlfriends were constantly worried about boys, and how their peers see them. Sometimes, they made some reckless decisions. I have to say that I was worried about all partying scenes. There seem a bit too many parties going on. But it was interesting to see how they overcome their teenage life as friends.

My favorite character from this book is definitely Savannah's Nan. She didn't act like how a normal grandma always does, despite her age. Heath would come  in second. I love how he always take care of Savannah.

Heath, Cliffs & Wandering Hearts is definitely an interesting read. I enjoyed the author's voice. But, there are some scenes that I don't think was necessary and the ending was a bit too rushed in my opinion.

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

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#BookReview Sula's Voyage by Catherine Torres

Sula's Voyage
by Catherine Torres

Genre: Adventure, Contemporary, Fantasy, Young Adult
Publication:  May 2016 by Scholastic
Format: Paperback, 226 pages
Source: Author, Publisher
Connect: Website | Facebook | Goodreads

Fifteen-year-old Sula has always known she is different. Even though her parents have shown her nothing but love and acceptance, she sees her dark skin as a reminder of how she doesn’t fit in with the rest of her family.

What’s worse is she also feels that her parents are hiding something from her. After getting expelled from school, Sula reluctantly goes to stay with her mother’s friends. There she unexpectedly finds herself on a journey of self-discovery — a journey that keeps drawing her to the sea. Sula must not only figure our her parents’ secret, but also just how different, and possibly magical, she really is.

Sula has always been different than her parents. She often wondered why her skins are darker than her family. Because of her difference, it was hard for her to fit in with her schoolmates and the rest of her family. When Sula's father went away to further his career, Sula and her mother headed to Puerto Galera and stayed with her mother's friend. There, Sula began to learn about herself. What makes her different and special.

I enjoyed the book. The story flowed really well. I love the elements of fantasy and mystery in the book. I love Sula. She's one of the girls who always got bullied at school, and that made her stronger. I love the way Sula and her parent's dealt with the school. The side characters were really great and memorable. I especially love Pablo and Mira.

Sula's Voyage is definitely a page turner. I enjoyed reading about Philipines and its culture. The truth about Sula and her family was what I have expected, but still, I truly enjoyed Sula's adventure to self-discovery. 

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

BookReview: The Goat Children by Jordan Elizabeth Mierek

The Goat Children
by Jordan Elizabeth Mierek

Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult, Fantasy
Publication:  March 23rd, 2016 by CHBB Publishing
Format: ebooks
Source: ARC
Connect: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

When Keziah’s grandmother, Oma, is diagnosed with dementia, Keziah faces two choices: leave her family and move to New Winchester to care for Oma, or stay in New York City and allow her grandmother to live in a nursing home miles away.

The dementia causes Oma to be rude and paranoid, nothing like the woman Keziah remembers. Each day becomes a greater weight and love a harsher burden. Keziah must keep Oma from wandering off or falling, and try to convince her grandmother to see a doctor as her eyesight and hearing fail, but Oma refuses to believe anything is wrong. Resentful of her hardships in New Winchester, Keziah finds herself drawn to Oma’s ramblings about the Goat Children, a mythical warrior class. These fighters ride winged horses, locating people in need while attempting to destroy evil in the world. Oma sees the Goat Children everywhere, and as Keziah reads the stories Oma wrote about them, she begins to question if they really exist.

I have previously read a few fantasy works from the author and I absolutely love them. I was a bit worried when I pick up this book because the story is a bit different than the author's other work, but I have to say that I'm glad this book didn't disappoint me. 

Keziah volunteered to look after her Oma who was diagnosed with dementia. It was hard for Keziah to look after Oma, especially since dementia caused Oma to be paranoid about things around her. When her Oma was in a better mood, she would tell Keziah about Goat Children, the mystical creatures.

Keziah loved her Oma and choose to stay with her Oma even though Oma treated her badly because of dementia. Keziah is a growing up teenager who should be experiencing a normal life with school, friends, and romance. But instead, she had to look after her Oma. I've never had to deal with anyone with dementia before, so I didn't know how it would be. But I sympathized with what Keziah had to go through. But still, it was nice to see how Keziah love her Oma. I love reading the memories Keziah had with her Oma back from when she was little.

The author did a great job in writing The Goat Children. The story is a bit slow at certain parts, but I love the pace. What I like about The Goat Children by Jordan Elizabeth Mierek is that there are bits of fantasy. The world of the Goat Children fascinates me. It sounds magical what with the wing horses and the fight to destroy evil. I think I wouldn't mind reading a book about the Goal Children if the author decided to write about them.

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

#BookReview Risuko: A Kunoichi Tale by David Kudler

Risuko: A Kunoichi Tale 
(Seasons of the Sword #1)
by David Kudler

Genre: Historical, Young Adult, Fantasy
Publication:  June 15th, 2016 by Stillpoint
Format: ebooks
Source: NetGalley, Stillpoint Digital Press
Connect: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Instagram

Can One Girl Win A War?

Though Japan has been devastated by a century of civil war, Risuko just wants to climb trees. Growing up far from the battlefields and court intrigues, the fatherless girl finds herself pulled into a plot that may reunite Japan -- or may destroy it. She is torn from her home and what is left of her family, but finds new friends at a school that may not be what it seems.

Magical but historical, Risuko follows her along the first dangerous steps to discovering who she truly is.

Kano Murasaki, called Risuko (Squirrel) is a young, fatherless girl, more comfortable climbing trees than down on the ground. Yet she finds herself enmeshed in a game where the board is the whole nation of Japan, where the pieces are armies, moved by scheming lords, and a single girl couldn't possibly have the power to change the outcome. Or could she?

I wasn't expecting much when I first read the book. I was afraid that it was going to be a letdown. But after reading Risuko, I have to say that I'm impressed with this book. I think the author did a very good job in writing the book with a strong heroine and magical world of the Kunoichi. 

Kano Murasaki or Risuko was a child who grew up without her father. She was taken away from her family and was brought to a school. She was a likable character. She's strong and curious. She sounded a bit like a child now, but I have no doubt that she was going to grow up fine. The secondary characters made the story much more interesting. I love her friends and will be happy to see more of them. I'm excited to see Risuko and her friend grew as Kunoichi.

I was intrigued with the book after the first few chapters, although it slowed down a bit in the middle. It wasn't draggy, but slow. Soon, the story picked up its pace with a whole lot of action, mystery, secrets, and twists. The book was lacking in romance, but I'm fine with that because I truly enjoyed Risuko's growth within the story. I'm glad that there was going to be a continuation from this book. Risuko: A Kunoichi Tale is definitely a one of the best historical fantasy book I've read.

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

#BookReview Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Throne of Glass 
(Throne of Glass #1)
by Sarah J. Maas

Genre: Fantasy, Magic, Mystery, Romance, Young Adult
Publication: August 2nd, 2012 by Bloomsbury
Format: ebooks
Source: Own
Connect: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Meet Celaena Sardothien.
Beautiful. Deadly. Destined for greatness.

In the dark, filthy salt mines of Endovier, an eighteen-year-old girl is serving a life sentence. She is a trained assassin, the best of her kind, but she made a fatal mistake: she got caught.

Young Captain Westfall offers her a deal: her freedom in return for one huge sacrifice. Celaena must represent the prince in a to-the-death tournament—fighting the most gifted thieves and assassins in the land. Live or die, Celaena will be free. Win or lose, she is about to discover her true destiny. But will her assassin’s heart be melted?

I decided to start the Throne of Glass series after Sarah J. Maas won in Goodreads Choice Award last year. Frankly, I don't think I'm the only one who think that Throne of Glass is somewhat similar to Maria V. Snyder's Poison Study. The beginning of Throne of Glass reminded me of Snyder's book. But that doesn't mean that I didn't enjoy this book. I did. So much that I purchased the second book right after I finished this.

The author did a really great job creating wonderful characters in Throne of Glass. Calaena had a strong personality. She's a trained assassin. She's smart. I loved her right from the beginning. She's clever, a survivor and she loves books! She may be a badass, but she got her sensitive side too. There are times when I thought that she was a bit childish. I liked the friendship between Calaena and Princess Nehemia and the chemistry between Calaena and the two other characters, Chaol, and Prince Dorian. And those two men are definitely swoon-worthy. 

I really enjoyed the book. The characters development was great. The plot was amazing. It was packed with action. I enjoyed reading the tournament part and I absolutely love the bit of mystery surrounding the castle. There are bits of romance building in the story. A possible love triangle. But I was quite disappointed with how the possible romance died before it even started.

Overall, Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas is a wonderful read. I thoroughly enjoy this one and am looking forward to reading the next book! If you're a fan of fantasy with a kick-ass heroine, you should definitely read this book.

#BookReview Summer Days and Summer Nights: Twelve Love Stories by Stephanie Perkins, Leigh Bardugo, Jon Skovron , Jennifer E. Smith, Francesca Lia Block, Libba Bray, Cassandra Clare, Brandy Colbert, Tim Federle, Lev Grossman, Nina LaCour, Veronica Roth

Summer Days and Summer Nights: Twelve Love Stories

by Stephanie Perkins, Leigh Bardugo, Jon Skovron , Jennifer E. Smith, Francesca Lia Block, Libba Bray, Cassandra Clare, Brandy Colbert, Tim Federle, Lev Grossman, Nina LaCour, Veronica Roth

Genre: Romance, Young Adult, Contemporary, Fantasy
Publication: May 17th, 2016
Format: ebooks
Source: NetGalley, St. Martin's Press

Maybe it's the long, lazy days, or maybe it's the heat making everyone a little bit crazy. Whatever the reason, summer is the perfect time for love to bloom.

Summer Days & Summer Nights: Twelve Love Stories, written by twelve bestselling young adult writers and edited by the international bestselling Stephanie Perkins, will have you dreaming of sunset strolls by the lake. So set out your beach chair and grab your sunglasses. You have twelve reasons this summer to soak up the sun and fall in love.

The thing I like about an anthology is that I get to experience a lot of stories. And there are twelve love stories by twelve awesome young adult writers in Summer Days and Summer Nights, Each story has their own adventure and romance, all happen during summer. But not all stories have a happy ending.

There are stories for everyone: fantasy, sci-fi, horror. Each story is entertaining in their own way. What I really like about this anthology is the diversity of characters and romances. The pairings are interesting. There are also LGBT pairing in the book. 

The thing I didn't like about an anthology is that there are some stories that I really like, stories that I thought was okay, and stories that I didn't understand at all. And each time I finished a story, I have to put down the book to let the story sit in for a while before I pick it up again.

My favorite stories are:

Head, Scales, Tongue, Tale by Leigh Bardugo 

A really good start. There are something magical about this story and I love that bits of twist at the ending.

Brand New Attraction by Cassandra Clare

I love the setting! It was set up in a dark carnival powered by demon magic. Kind of reminds me to The Night Circus. This story has a really good plot and development.

A Thousand Ways This Could All Go Wrong by Jennifer E. Smith

I absolutely love the characters. It was hard to not fall in love with everyone. The romance was really sweet and super cute.

My least favorite stories are:

Sick Pleasures: For A and U by Francesca Lia Block

It was hard to connect with the characters because they didn't have names. They are all referred by letters. And I'm not really sure what happen in the story.

The Map of Tiny Perfect Things by Lev Grossman

I absolutely love the idea of the book. But I just thought that the pairing didn't really click. The romance was too quick and a bit cheesy. It could be good if it was a bit longer.

Overall, I absolutely enjoyed the stories. A perfect read for summer! There are lots of stories that I really like as compared to that I didn't like,  The stories are light and short. If you're looking for a quick read, this is the book for you.

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

#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.

#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.

#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.

Review: My Best Friend's Exorcism by Grady Hendrix

My Best Friend's Exorcism
by Grady Hendrix

Genre: Horror, Young Adult
Expected publication: May 17th, 2016 by Quirk Books
Format: ebook
Source: NetGalley, Quirk Books
Connect: Website | Twitter | Goodreads

Abby and Gretchen have been best friends since fifth grade, when they bonded over a shared love of E.T., roller-skating parties, and scratch-and-sniff stickers. But when they arrive at high school, things change. Gretchen begins to act . . . different. And as the strange coincidences and bizarre behavior start to pile up, Abby realizes there's only one possible explanation: Gretchen, her favorite person in the world, has a demon living inside her. And Abby is not about to let anyone or anything come between her and her best friend. With help from some unlikely allies, Abby embarks on a quest to save Gretchen. But is their friendship powerful enough to beat the devil?

I was hesitant to read this book at first because of the genre. I don't read a lot of horror book. I'm not a big fan of the horror genre. The last time my friend took me to watch 'The Conjuring', I couldn't sleep for a week. But I decided to give My Best Friend's Exorcism by Grady Hendrix a try anyway. I couldn't resist the pretty cover and the blurbs sounded great.

The book was set up in the 80's, so, I didn't get some of the references, but still, I thoroughly enjoy reading this. It wasn't as scary as I had feared, which was a good thing. I love reading about Abby and Gretchen's friendship—how Abby tried to save her best friend when she suspected that Gretchen was probably possessed by something evil.

The plot building was interesting. There were a few dramas between Abby, Gretchen and their two other friends—Glee and Margaret—which reminded me a bit of the movie, 'Mean Girls'. There are some scary and disgusting moments that made me cringed. I thought that the exorcism scene in the book was going to be something really horrifying, but the author made it a bit humorous with Abby questioning the exorcist's method to cure Gretchen. In the end, I have to say that I absolutely admire Abby and Gretchen's friendship.

I would recommend this book. If you're looking for a fun, horror, YA book, then, this is the book for you.

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

Review: Terminal by Kathy Reichs & Brendan Reichs

Terminal (Virals #5)
by Kathy Reichs & Brendan Reichs

Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal, Suspense, Young Adult
Publication: Published March 26th, 2015 by Arrow (Young)
Format: Paperback, 400 pages
Source: Own
Connect: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

The Virals are back—but they’re not the only pack in town anymore. Terminal finds Tory Brennan—grandniece of the famous forensic anthropologist (star of the hit show Bones)—and the rest of the Morris Island gang tracking a pack of rogue Virals who call themselves the Trinity. The new pack was infected by a strain of supervirus created by Tory’s nemesis and sometimes-crush, Chance Clayborne, who accidentally infected himself, too.

These red-eyed Virals have openly challenged Tory’s pack for domination of Charleston, bringing on the attention of a shadowy government organization intent on learning the secret to their powers. Surviving it all is going to test the limits of the gang’s abilities.

Terminal is amazing! I can't say how much I love the Virals. At the end of the previous book, the Virals learned that Chance Claybourne was infected with the virus and there was a new pack in town. A pack called Trinity. Tory and the gang, along with Chance Claybourne have to find out about the new pack before they attract the attention of a government organization who were after their power.

Like every other Virals book, Terminal was packed with action and suspense. The Virals have to deal with the new pack and the secret organization. I am amazed with the friendship between the Virals and absolutely in love with the bits of romance between Tory/Ben/Chance. But, of course, Tory's choice was obvious from the beginning. 

Kathy Reichs & Brendan Reichs were very good authors. The storyline was amazing. The characters were great. I love how Tory and the Virals investigate things, with their curious nature. I just can't stop reading once I have this book in my hand. I wanted to know what will happen to the Virals and how will they escape from each danger they faced. I was heartbroken with the story towards the end, but, the authors got me excited again with the ending. Thankfully, there's a novella after this book. Hopefully, the writers will explain to us what happened to Tory and the Virals. I just need the novella in my hand, then, I can relax. Hopefully.

Virals will always be one of my favorite series of all time. It was sad to know that this is the final book for the Virals series, especially with how the story ends. I'm definitely going to miss the pack so much. 

If you haven't read the book and the series, I recommend that you will start now. It was amazing. If you like a kick-ass heroine who faced a lot of dangerous situations because of her curiosity nature, you will definitely enjoy this book.

Review: My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

My Life Next Door
by Huntley Fitzpatrick

Genre: Romance, Young Adult, Contemporary
Publication: June 13th, 2013 by Speak
Format: Paperback, 394 pages
Source: Own
Connect: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Instagram

"One thing my mother never knew, and would disapprove of most of all, was that I watched the Garretts. All the time."

The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, messy, affectionate. And every day from her rooftop perch, Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them . . . until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs up next to her and changes everything.

As the two fall fiercely for each other, stumbling through the awkwardness and awesomeness of first love, Jase's family embraces Samantha - even as she keeps him a secret from her own. Then something unthinkable happens, and the bottom drops out of Samantha's world. She's suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself?

A transporting debut about family, friendship, first romance, and how to be true to one person you love without betraying another.

I know that I should have read this book sooner. I mean, the book has been sitting on my shelf for a while, and I've seen lots of wonderful reviews about this book. But finally, I decided that it's time to indulge myself in this one. I wanted to read something light after I've been in a long reading slump.

Samantha had a perfect life and an attentive mother. She loved to watch her neighbor, the Garretts, who are not like her family. Samantha's world changed when she met Jase, a Garrett, after he climbed up next to her. It was a beginning of their love story. But, just like any other good love story, there's always a little bit of drama. Samantha and Jase's relationship was tested when something happened, and Samantha had to decide if she was going to choose her family, or the Garrets.

I love this book. It was exactly what I wanted to read. Like Samantha, I too have fallen in love with the Garretts. It was hard not to fall in love with Jase. And George. It was fun to get to know their family and their various personalities. The author is amazing at creating the lovable and believable characters. 

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick is a great YA contemporary romance. It was light, funny, and cute. It made me go through the emotional roller coaster ride with the unexpected drama. But in the end, everything worked out. I would definitely recommend this book to contemporary romance lover.

Review: Missing Dad: Wanted by J. Ryan

Missing Dad: Wanted
by J. Ryan

Genre: Crime, Thriller, Suspense, Romance, Young Adult
Publication: November 5th, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition, 133 pages
Source: Netgalley, ARC
Connect: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Missing Dad – Wanted is the first in a new series featuring the gutsy Joe St Aubin, the teenage son of a secret agent who has disappeared while working undercover.

Sixteen year old Joe and his girlfriend Becks Bowman must learn the hard way how to deal with the criminal underworld after his father, secret agent Commander Julius Grayling, disappears. Desperately missing his father and failing at school, Joe is in deep trouble for driving underage, and suspected of a hit and run. In a chance encounter with the real culprit, a drug runner, Joe attracts the attention of billionaire drugs baron Alfredo Bertolini, who is hell bent on revenge.

Joe is offered a glamorous job as chauffeur to the charismatic Monsieur Le Directeur of L’Ētoile Fine Wines, but his world implodes when he realises that he has been set up as a drug runner, in a Bentley loaded with cocaine and men with guns behind him. In the most terrifying drive of his life, Joe has to resort to some unusual tactics to deal with his unwelcome company.

But even more danger awaits Joe and Becks when they confront Monsieur Le Directeur. The price of discovering whether he is friend or foe to Joe’s father turns into a nightmare of darkness, fire and water that drives the teenagers to the edge of despair.

This series draws its appeal from Joe’s desperate search and love for his father and features compelling characters, fast cars and heart-stopping action.

Missing Dad: Wanted is the first book by J. Ryan. Joe St. Aubin is the  son of a secret agent who has disappeared while working undercover. He got into trouble for driving underage, and suspected of a hit and run. Joe soon encountered the real culprit and upsetting the billionaire drug. 

This book was really exciting, fast-paced and thrilling. Joe was a teenage boy who missed his dad and would sometimes get into trouble. I like Joe and his characters. But, I find it was a bit hard to believe how Joe got the job with his age. The story was really thrilling. I especially enjoyed the driving and the car chasing. The author's description of the fast-driving scene was exciting. It was like watching a movie. I bet the car chasing scene would look really good in a movie. There was also a bit of mystery surrounding Joe's father. Turns out that Joe found out a bit about his father while working for L’Ētoile Fine Wines.

I would totally recommend this thrilling young adult books to crime lover. There are just enough suspense, mystery and romance in the book. I was a bit disappointed that Joe hadn't learnt a lot more about his father in this book, but I hope to see more Joe and his adventure to find out what happen to his father in the next book.

Review: Carry On by Rainbow Rowell

Carry On
by Rainbow Rowell

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance
Publication: October 6th, 2015 by St. Martin's Griffin
Format: Hardcover, 522 pages
Source: Own
Connect: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Simon Snow is the worst chosen one who’s ever been chosen.

That’s what his roommate, Baz, says. And Baz might be evil and a vampire and a complete git, but he’s probably right.

Half the time, Simon can’t even make his wand work, and the other half, he sets something on fire. His mentor’s avoiding him, his girlfriend broke up with him, and there’s a magic-eating monster running around wearing Simon’s face. Baz would be having a field day with all this, if he were here—it’s their last year at the Watford School of Magicks, and Simon’s infuriating nemesis didn’t even bother to show up.

Carry On is a ghost story, a love story, a mystery and a melodrama. It has just as much kissing and talking as you’d expect from a Rainbow Rowell story—but far, far more monsters.

I enjoyed reading Raibow Rowell's Fangirl, and had pre-ordered Carry On when I found out that the author was going to write a story about Simon and Baz.

I love Carry On! I do think that the beginning of the book was a bit slow, but everything began to get much more interesting when Baz, Simon's nemesis showed up. The plot was straightforward, but, with a bit twist at the end that I totally wasn't expecting. I am contented with how the story goes and how it ended. But, I wouldn't mind for a sequel just to find out what will happen to Simon next.

Rainbow Rowell was really good with her characters in all her books. The characters in Carry On were brilliant. I love Simon interaction with Penny and Baz. Especially with Baz. I especially love the development with Simon and Baz. There were lots of moments that made me squealed and laughed maniacally, like a crazy fangirl. And then, I would reread a few of the scenes again, because it made me happy.

I have to say that Carry On was not what I had imagined or expected at first, But that didn't mean that I didn't enjoy it. I've been pondering whether to give this book 4 or 5 stars. In the end, I think Carry On deserved 5 stars. I don't really mind if people are comparing Simon with Harry Potter, or saying that Carry On was a fanfiction to Harry Potter. I enjoyed the book, and had fun reading Carry On. I think, that was what matter most. 

P.S: I've participated in Romance Is in the Air Giveaway Hop hosted by Bookhounds, which run from Feb 4 to 14, and listed Carry On by Rainbow Rowell as the prize. You should totally check it out before the giveaway ends.

Review: The Girlfriend Request by Jodie Andrefski

The Girlfriend Request
by Jodie Andrefski

Genre: Romance, Contemporary,Young Adult
Publication: January 11th, 2016 by Entangled: Crush
Format: ebook
Source: ARC, Netgalley
Connect: Website | Facebook | Twitter

Updating best friend to girlfriend is more than a change of status…

Emma has been best friends with Eli since she moved to his neighborhood ten years ago. Tired of being cast in the role of the girl next door, Emma creates a fake Facebook profile in the hopes of starting an online friendship with Eli, which would hopefully lead to more. Like...way more. From friend request to In a Relationship--it all seemed so completely logical when she'd planned it.

Eli can't figure out what Emma is up to. He’s pretty sure she's the one behind the Facebook profile, but then again, why would she do something so drastic instead of just admitting she wants to be more than friends? And who the heck is this new guy he saw her with? Eli starts to think that just maybe...he missed his chance with the girl next door.

Two best friends, one outlandish ruse. Their status is about to become way more than It’s Complicated…

This Entangled Teen Crush book contains one fake Facebook profile, two best friends who secretly crave each other, and a dreaded sex talk with parents…boy crush in the room included. Pushing a relationship beyond the friend zone has never been so crazy…

I was intrigued to read this book after reading the blurbs. It sounds interesting and I expect that the story was going to be funny. Besides, I really wanted to know how Emma's plan to win Eli with this fake profile will go. 

Emma has been best friends with Eli for a long time, and she wanted to be more than his friends. So, she created a fake Facebook profile, and role play as 'Kelli' and hope to start an online friendship with Eli. But things didn't really go as the way she planned, when Emma was caught in her own lies.

The Girlfriend Request was written in both Emma and Eli's point of view. I quite like that, since I get to know what they both are thinking about each other. I have to say that I'm not really a fan of Emma. I know that she has her own insecurities, and sometimes, the insecurities led her to do something stupid. There are times when I could understand why she do what she did, but most of the times, I get frustrated with her decision, especially when she decided to play the jealous game, by going out with her fake boyfriend, Jake. I like Eli more than Emma. At least he didn't try to pull something stupid as Emma. 

I definitely enjoyed the minor characters more than the major one. I love how Sarah, Emma's friend, tried to talk some sense into her. And I love how Emma's parents can be embarrassing and supportive of their daughter.

The Girlfriend Request can be straightforward and predictable, but it is definitely an enjoyable, light read. I enjoyed reading about Emma and Eli's friendship, and how they grew to be something more. There are some funny moments, and teen angst. I would definitely recommend this to those who were looking for a light, teen reads.

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