Review: My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick 

Published: June 14th 2012
Publisher: Dial
Page Count: Hardcover, 395
Source: Bought
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Find the Author: Website, Good Reads, Twitter, Facebook
Buy This Book: Amazon, Book Depository
Add It To Your Good Reads Shelf

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

“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, numerous, messy, affectionate. And every day from her balcony perch, seventeen-year-old Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them . . . until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs her terrace and changes everything. As the two fall fiercely in love, Jase's family makes Samantha one of their own. Then in an instant, the bottom drops out of her world and she is suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself?
A dreamy summer read, full of characters who stay with you long after the story is over. - Good Reads

My Life Next Door and The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight are two books that I read weeks ago, but are still running through my mind. Those books are my two favourite Young Adult contemporaries that I've read this year... and probably in my top favourites of all time. 

My Life Next Door has a wonderful cast, a wonderful plot and a very sweet and believable romance. Samantha is such a good character and her growth into her own person was reason enough to read the book. The decisions she is faced with are difficult. Friendships are evaluated and her relationship with her Mother, her lifestyle and all of that are really put to the test. It was just GOOD GOOD GOOD. Especially the romance. Jase is such a stud!

This is also the perfect time to read this... the big political subplot of the book fits right in with the US presidential election season (all those politics!) -- and on top of that it's perfect, because summer is ending and it helps those good summertime feelings last! And summertime romances are the BEST! 

Overall I really cannot recommend this book enough! Please read it! Really! Go, now! Buy it, check it out, etc! In fact, I already want to re-read it! I think I've found a new favourite author! I can't wait to see what Huntley Fitzpatrick writes next! 

                                             5 out of 5 Hello Kitties!

Review: The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg

The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg

Published: February 21'st 2012
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers
Page Count: Hardcover, 375
Source: ARC
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance
Find the Author: Website, Good Reads, Twitter, Blog
Buy This Book: Amazon, Book Depository
Add It To Your Good Reads Shelf

Dying of a broken heart is just the beginning.... Welcome to forever. 
BRIE'S LIFE ENDS AT SIXTEEN: Her boyfriend tells her he doesn't love her, and the news breaks her heart—literally. 
But now that she's D&G (dead and gone), Brie is about to discover that love is way more complicated than she ever imagined. Back in Half Moon Bay, her family has begun to unravel. Her best friend has been keeping a secret about Jacob, the boy she loved and lost—and the truth behind his shattering betrayal. And then there's Patrick, Brie's mysterious new guide and resident Lost Soul . . . who just might hold the key to her forever after. 
With Patrick's help, Brie will have to pass through the five stages of grief before she's ready to move on. But how do you begin again, when your heart is still in pieces? - Good Reads

There were many things that I loved about The Catastrophic History of You and Me and a few things that I didn't love so much. 

• I loved that each new chapter was labelled with lyrics. It was fun getting to each new chapter and seeing if I could guess the song. 
• I loved that the sections of the book were broken down with stages of emotional healing that the main character Brie was going through.
• I loved Brie's family dog Hamloaf. I'm a sucker for animals, especially dogs and some of the scenes with Hamloaf even brought tears to my eyes, even though I wouldn't say I was particularly feeling very emotional in that way towards the story.
• I really enjoyed the base of what the story was about. A girl who dies unexpectedly and then dealing with the after effects of getting past it. 

But there were a few things I didn't like as much about the book. Like, sometimes the humour seemed a little immature and could be too repetitive. The love interest of the book Patrick went a little too far for my taste with cheese nicknames for Brie. And Brie went too far with the "Your Mom" jokes. They're really only funny the first few times or on occasion, not as much as they were used in the book. The ending held a lot of surprises that I didn't see coming, so it explained a lot about little hints throughout the book, but I really wasn't feeling the relationship between Brie and Patrick. It lacked the spark that I was looking for. Towards the end though it improved, but even so, it felt too rushed slash quickly explained. 

Overall though, it was a good read. I was definitely kept interested and despite my love of series, it was nice to read something that ENDED and was wrapped up without having to wait another year to figure out what happens next. 

                                                3 out of 5 Hello Kitties

Review: A Temptation of Angels by Michelle Zink

A Temptation of Angels by Michelle Zink

Published: March 20th 2012
Publisher: Dial
Page Count: Hardcover, 435
Source: ARC
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance
Find the Author: Website, Good Reads, Twitter, Blog
Buy This Book: Amazon, Book Depository
Add It To Your Good Reads Shelf

Even angels make mistakes in this page-turning epic romance
When her parents are murdered before her eyes, sixteen-year-old Helen Cartwright finds herself launched into an underground London where a mysterious organization called the Dictata controls the balance of good and evil. Helen learns that she is one of three remaining angelic descendants charged with protecting the world's past, present, and future. Unbeknownst to her, she has been trained her whole life to accept this responsibility. Now, as she finds herself torn between the angelic brothers protecting her and the devastatingly handsome childhood friend who wants to destroy her, she must prepare to be brave, to be hunted, and above all to be strong, because temptation will be hard to resist, even for an angel.
Michelle Zink masterfully weaves historical fantasy with paranormal romance to create a gripping tale of love and betrayal. - Good Reads

I hate to do this review, because it isn't going to be glowing. And I hate that, because I love Michelle Zink. She is very sweet, has an amazing blog and I loved her Prophecy of the Sisters trilogy, which is what made me so eager to read A Temptation of Angels. 


A Temptation of Angels began with a really amazing opening scene that had me unable to put it down. Like, I was up at 3 am trying to nurse my newborn son back to sleep and I was beyond exhausted and I actually lingered and read after he'd gone back down. It was that intriguing. I really found the world building to be interesting. What was the problem for me then? Instaluuuuv. I can do instaluv, but it has to be believable and it just wasn't believable for me. I also felt that Helen was a little bit of a pushover on one hand and then on the other, she could be ridiculously defiant and do whatever she pleased, even if it wasn't a very clever mood. I just couldn't identify with her or sympathize with her. I felt that her character wasn't as fleshed out as I would have liked. There were also a few phrases or words that I felt were a little over-used as well. 


I'm not sure how to rate this book. I can't tell if it's really just a stand alone book or if there is potential for a series. If there is potential for a series, I'd be much more forgiving. The reason being is that I felt the character growth didn't satisfy me completely and neither did the blossoming of the romances - I think they should be stretched out a little more and given more room to grow. Plus the ending didn't feel final at all! 

                                              4 out of 5 Hello Kitties!

Waiting on Wednesday: Sapphire Blue (Edelstein Trilogie #2) by Kerstin Gier

Waiting on Wednesdays is hosted by Breaking the Spine! It puts a spotlight on upcoming releases we're anticipating! 

SAPPHIRE BLUE BY KERSTIN GIER
Release Date: October 30th 2012

Gwen’s life has been a rollercoaster since she discovered she was the Ruby, the final member of the secret time-traveling Circle of Twelve. In between searching through history for the other time-travelers and asking for a bit of their blood (gross!), she’s been trying to figure out what all the mysteries and prophecies surrounding the Circle really mean. At least Gwen has plenty of help. Her best friend Lesley follows every lead diligently on the Internet. James the ghost teaches Gwen how to fit in at an eighteenth century party. And Xemerius, the gargoyle demon who has been following Gwen since he caught her kissing Gideon in a church, offers advice on everything. Oh, yes. And of course there is Gideon, the Diamond. One minute he’s very warm indeed; the next he’s freezing cold. Gwen’s not sure what’s going on there, but she’s pretty much destined to find out. - Good Reads

I really loved the first book in this series Ruby Red and I can't wait for this one! And the cover is gorgeous!