Review: Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen

Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen

Published: May 5th 2015
Publisher: Vikings Juvenile
Page Count: Hardcover, 359 pages
Source: Purchased
Genre: Young Adult
Find The Author: Blog, Twitter, Facebook
Buy This Book: Amazon, Book Depository
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Peyton, Sydney's charismatic older brother, has always been the star of the family, receiving the lion's share of their parents' attention and—lately—concern. When Peyton's increasingly reckless behavior culminates in an accident, a drunk driving conviction, and a jail sentence, Sydney is cast adrift, searching for her place in the family and the world. When everyone else is so worried about Peyton, is she the only one concerned about the victim of the accident?

Enter the Chathams, a warm, chaotic family who run a pizza parlor, play bluegrass on weekends, and pitch in to care for their mother, who has multiple sclerosis. Here Sydney experiences unquestioning acceptance. And here she meets Mac, gentle, watchful, and protective, who makes Sydney feel seen, really seen, for the first time.

The uber-popular Sarah Dessen explores her signature themes of family, self-discovery, and change in her twelfth novel, sure to delight her legions of fans. 

Warning!: You’re going to want to eat all the pizzas, french fries, and lollipops. EVER.

There is a good reason Sarah Dessen has a crown in the Queendom in the land of YA authors. She creates awesome characters in real, heart-tugging situations.

Sydney is a girl who is lonely. She is (almost frightening so) over-looked by her parents in lieu of a brother who can’t seem to get his act together and whose actions resulted in a tragedy for someone innocent. For some writers this is a perfect recipe for a girl who gets interrupted, a character who starts to rebel, and to be honest - I wouldn’t have blamed Sydney at all if she started to act out. The thing is...Sydney’s a good kid. She tries her best in school, tries to follow the rules, and has the biggest heart ever.

Enter Chathams and Co. AKA her new best friend, her future boyfriend, and a variety of awesome cast members that make you want to jump into the book and eat a Yum-Yums while hiking in the woods while listening to someone talk an insane amount about the deeper meaning of music. They adopt her into their crazy, tight-knit, loud world. Sydney starts to come to life, starts to have the moments and experiences a girl her age should have, and it kind of completely rocks. Unfortunately, home life isn’t as good. Plus, there’s this family-type of friend of her brother’s that is...CREEPEHHHH! Her parents literally leave alone with him overnight. I wanted to get inside the book and shake things until they realized how shady this guy really was. Thankfully - her friends have a clue. And it’s through them and a angel of a friends-mom that she begins to come to terms with the conflict inside of her and the emotional consequences that her brother’s actions have had on her.

It’s not without it’s drama, it’s not without it’s up and downs, but the ending is good and looks to a brighter, healthier, pizza-filled future for Sydney and the people around her.

Top favorite things about this book :

• Imagery. Pizza restaurant, the sound of bluegrass, the Chatham’s awesome house, the cold freezer-type of feeling of her home, Yum-Yums.
• Mac Chatham. He’s adorable, kind, gentle, protective, and patient. I want him to clone himself and send said clone into our world so I can set him up with our teenage sister (or me, if that clone was a few years older! lol). Also, that guy has like some serious willpower to withstand the amount of junk-food his sister and friends consume. Seriously. The dude needs a medal.
• Layla Chatham. She’s the best friend everyone wants to have come sweeping into their lives. She, from the very, very beginning, is on our girl’s side. Even though there’s some conflict between them - they’re the best friends that are going to be old and gray together. I just feel it.
• David Ibarra. He didn’t get a lot of up and close time but he made an impact. A big one.

My rating? Four out of five. And a official recommendation for any mood, phase, time of life.

Review: The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

Published: January 10th 2012
Publisher: Dutton Books
Page Count: Hardcover, 316
Source: Bought
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Find the Author: Twitter, Website
Buy This Book: Amazon, Book Depository
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Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten. - Good Reads



I read this while I was on a blog break last year and wanted to post a review on it, mostly to share the love. This book was absolutely heart breaking. Thinking about it still gets me teary. Mostly because I actually lost a friend to cancer a few months before I read it and she actually was the only real life friend that I had that really loved to read, and she read a lot of YA. It hurts my heart that she'll never get a chance to read it, or any other book for that matter. And the character of Hazel reminded me a lot of my friend as well. Sarcastic and intelligent. The love story in this book is very beautiful and it's just...

Honestly, I don't want to ruin this book for anyone, but the ending surprised me, and I absolutely and completely recommend The Fault In Our Stars. Read it at least once. It's worth it!

And they just started filming for a film adaption! So we can all look forward to shedding tears with complete strangers in a crowded cinema! 

“Oh, I wouldn't mind, Hazel Grace. It would be a privilege to have my heart broken by you.” 

Review: How Zoe Made Her Dreams (Mostly) Come True by Sarah Strohmeyer

How Zoe Made Her Dreams (Mostly) Come True by Sarah Strohmeyer

Published: April 23rd 2013
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Page Count: Paperback, 320
Source: Library
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Find the Author: Twitter, Website
Buy This Book: Amazon, Book Depository
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From Sarah Strohmeyer, author of Smart Girls Get What They Want, comes this romantic comedy about one girl's summer job from hell. Think The Devil Wears Prada set in Disney World.
When cousins Zoe and Jess land summer internships at the Fairyland Kingdom theme park, they are sure they've hit the jackpot. With perks like hot Abercrombie-like Prince Charmings and a chance to win the coveted $25,000 Dream & Do grant, what more could a girl want?
Once Zoe arrives, however, she's assigned to serve "The Queen"-Fairyland's boss from hell. From spoon-feeding her evil lapdog caviar, to fetching midnight sleeping tonics, Zoe fears she might not have what it takes to survive the summer, much less win the money.
Soon backstabbing interns, a runaway Cinderella, and cutthroat competition make Zoe's job more like a nightmare than a fairy tale. What will happen when Zoe is forced to choose between serving The Queen and saving the prince of her dreams? - Good Reads

I have one word for this book: fun. I'm almost bummed I didn't save it for after I finish reading The Book Thief, because I know I'm going to need a pick-me-up! I couldn't resist though.

How Zoe Made Her Dreams (Mostly) Come True is the perfect fluff read. It had a really unique story that refreshingly centered a lot around the main character and her beautiful appreciation of her best friend and cousin Jess. She's a very selfless character and I found her admirable! The romance was secondary in this book, but very sweet as well. I think what I loved most about this book though was how when I arrived at the "dark moment" I seriously could not see a happy ending anywhere in the horizon, even though I knew it had to be there. Of course the ending was happy, but totally not in the way I expected! There was a big surprise! 

I'd definitely recommend this to those that love the light and fluffy contemporary reads! This fits the bill!

Review: Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler

Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler

Published: January 3rd 2012
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Page Count: Hardcover, 378
Source: Library
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Find the Author: Website, Twitter, Blog
Buy This Book: Amazon, Book Depository
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Once upon a time, Hudson knew exactly what her future looked like. Then a betrayal changed her life, and knocked her dreams to the ground. Now she’s a girl who doesn’t believe in second chances... a girl who stays under the radar by baking cupcakes at her mom’s diner and obsessing over what might have been.
So when things start looking up and she has another shot at her dreams, Hudson is equal parts hopeful and terrified. Of course, this is also the moment a cute, sweet guy walks into her life... and starts serving up some seriously mixed signals. She’s got a lot on her plate, and for a girl who’s been burned before, risking it all is easier said than done.
It’s time for Hudson to ask herself what she really wants, and how much she’s willing to sacrifice to get it. Because in a place where opportunities are fleeting, she knows this chance may very well be her last... - Good Reads

Useless fact: Back in my younger years I was a hardcore fan of figure skating. Irina Slutskaya, Alexei Yagudin, Berezhnaya and Sikharulidze were a few of my faves. I still have almost any competition that ever came on television recorded on VHS and in a box packed away somewhere at my Moms. I totally should have been a figure skater. Unfortunately that didn't work out, so now I just read about them. 

Important facts: Bittersweet is about a girl named Hudson who is a figure skater with a bright future, but when family problems arise, she walks out on it leaving not only her figure skating aspirations behind, but also her best friend. Hudson takes her sorrows out with cupcake making in the family diner. Each chapter has a lovely little cupcake description that will really make you want to experiment in the kitchen or hunt down a cupcake place and eat at least five different kinds. I found myself pausing at the beginning of each chapter and trying to imagine how I could re-create these cupcakes. Mmmm... 

Anyway! Enough about cupcakes! 

So, this book is a very typical Young Adult contemporary. A girl who has fears, a girl who has a dream, young love, etc. I loved the setting and Sarah Ockler is a talent at descriptions and the dialogue was very good. The characters were also snappy, which I like! I think one of my favourite parts about this book was that the main character Hudson is flawed. I don't need a heroine to be the epitome of perfection or to make all of the best moral choices and Hudson makes many choices that are definitely not best-worthy, but the important part is that she learns from them. 

Review: This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith

This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith

Published: April 2nd 2013
Publisher: Poppy/Little Brown
Page Count: Hardcover, 416
Source: Bought
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Find the Author: Website, Good Reads, Twitter
Buy This Book: Amazon , Book Depository
Add It To Your Good Reads Shelf

When teenage movie star Graham Larkin accidentally sends small town girl Ellie O'Neill an email about his pet pig, the two seventeen-year-olds strike up a witty and unforgettable correspondence, discussing everything under the sun, except for their names or backgrounds. 
Then Graham finds out that Ellie's Maine hometown is the perfect location for his latest film, and he decides to take their relationship from online to in-person. But can a star as famous as Graham really start a relationship with an ordinary girl like Ellie? And why does Ellie want to avoid the media's spotlight at all costs?

This book totally slipped past my book-dar until earlier this week, when I stumbled across it on HelloGiggles. I cannot tell a lie, I nearly had a miniature heart attack, because I seriously adored Jennifer E Smith's book The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, which I read last summer.

As you can see in the summary above, this book has the makings of a modern day fairy tale. An ordinary girl, a celebrity boy that meet accidentally through the internet. The internet factor made You've Got Mail pop up in my mind, which is in my top 10 favourite romantic movies of all time. I also had a little internet romance myself that turned into a 10 year and two children relationship, so naturally I was drawn to that story line! 

Jennifer E Smith has writing a believable unbelievable story down pat. This Is What Happy Looks Like And The Statistical Probability of Love At First Sight both have very "unbelievable" story lines, but she has the talent to twist them in a way that is realistic and believable. I loved the fact that Ellie not only feared the media and publicity for the simple fact that she's an average girl and it's invasive, but because she has deeper reasons that added a nice twist to the obstacle of the romance in this book. 

Overall, this was a sweet book. I can't say that I loved it quite as much as The Statistical Probability of Love At First Sight, but I still like this quite a bit and would recommend it to those that enjoy Young Adult Contemporaries. 

                                           4 out of 5 Hello Kitties!

Review: The Thing About the Truth by Lauren Barnholdt

The Thing About the Truth by Lauren Barnholdt

Published: July 10th 2012
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Page Count: Hardcover, 304
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

In this humorous love story from the author of Two-Way Street, an unlikely romance is the best sort of surprise—but the wrong secret can ruin everything. Kelsey’s not going to let one mistake ruin her life. Sure, she got kicked out of prep school and all her old friends are shutting her out. But Kelsey’s focused on her future, and she’s determined to get back on track at Concordia High.
Isaac’s been kicked out of more schools than he can count. Since his father’s a state senator, Isaac’s life is under constant scrutiny—but Concordia High’s his last stop before boarding school, so Isaac’s hoping to fly under the radar and try to stay put for a change.
When Kelsey and Isaac meet, it’s anything but love at first sight. She thinks he’s an entitled brat, and he thinks she’s a stuck-up snob. So it surprises them both when they start to fall for each other. Kelsey’s happy for the first time in months, and Isaac’s never felt this way about anyone before...But nothing’s ever completely perfect. Everyone has secrets, and Isaac and Kelsey are no exceptions. These two may have fallen hard, but there’s one thing that can ruin it all: the truth. 

I read this book last summer and this review is long overdue. I've just been really bad about blogging because I've been flying and driving all over the world. My apologies! 

The Thing About The Truth threw me off at first, because it begins in the current time, hooks you, and then goes back in time, then jumps back to the current time and jumps back again and so on and so forth. Normally I would find this annoying, but for this novel, it really worked to tell the story in a very interesting way and I think it helped it shine more. 

The main character Kelsey was a realistically and brilliantly flawed teenage girl who made a mistake that made feel sorry for her and you watch her deal with the consequences of her lies, or omissions of the truth as it could be said. And Isaac was the real deal in the world of book boyfriends, he was definitely my cup of tea and I loved their romance! 

Overall, I loved this book. It was one of my favourite reads during the summer of 2012 and while it didn't keep me up all night itself, it did help me stay awake while my son, who was a newborn wanted me to stay up all night! Thank you, Lauren Barnholdt, I think you might have saved my life, for at least a night! 

Go forth and read this if you haven't and love Young Adult Contemporary! It's a good one! 

                                                                        5 out 5 Stars!

Review: The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith 

Published: January 2nd 2012
Publisher: Poppy/Little Brown
Page Count: Hardcover, 236
Source: ARC
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Find the Author: Website, Good Reads, Twitter
Buy This Book: Amazon, Book Depository
Add It To Your Good Reads Shelf

Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?
Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan's life. She's stuck at JFK, late to her father's second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon to be step-mother that Hadley's never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport's cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he's British, and he's in seat 18C. Hadley's in 18A. 
Twists of fate and quirks of timing play out in this thoughtful novel about family connections, second chances and first loves. Set over a 24-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver's story will make you believe that true love finds you when you're least expecting it. - Good Reads

I love love love love this book! Jennifer E. Smith really wrote something that could stick to my heart. And as someone who often travels, this was a very interesting premise, because flying with people is such an interesting experience. Spending time in such a compromising position (you know, 30,000-40,000 feet in the air) so close together... And then poof, you go your separate ways and then never see each other again, even though you may have spent the entire flight talking and talking. I have tried to keep in touch with people I've flown with and it's never worked out. I always lose touch. But in The Probability of Love At First Sight, it's a much sweeter story, but not quite as simple as I thought it would be. I thought this would be a pure love story without much personal growth, but I was surprised. This book actually revolves more around the growth of the character and her relationship with her father than on a true romance. I mean, romance is THERE and vital to the story, but it isn't the only thing brewing. 

Anyway, I beg of you... read this book! It's amazing! One of my favourites of 2012. 

                                                             5 out of 5 Hello Kitties! 

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: A Midsummer's Nightmare by Kody Keplinger

A Midsummer's Nightmare by Kody Keplinger

Published: June 5th 2012
Publisher: Poppy
Page Count: Hardcover, 304
Source: Bought
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Find the Author: Website, Good Reads, Twitter, Blog, Tumblr
Buy This Book: Amazon, Book Depository
Add It To Your Good Reads Shelf

Whitley Johnson's dream summer with her divorcé dad has turned into a nightmare. She's just met his new fiancée and her kids. The fiancée's son? Whitley's one-night stand from graduation night. Just freakin' great.
Worse, she totally doesn't fit in with her dad's perfect new country-club family. So Whitley acts out. She parties. Hard. So hard she doesn't even notice the good things right under her nose: a sweet little future stepsister who is just about the only person she's ever liked, a best friend (even though Whitley swears she doesn't "do" friends), and a smoking-hot guy who isn't her stepbrother...at least, not yet. It will take all three of them to help Whitley get through her anger and begin to put the pieces of her family together.
Filled with authenticity and raw emotion, Whitley is Kody Keplinger's most compelling character to date: a cynical Holden Caulfield-esque girl you will wholly care about. - Good Reads

This is my first Kody Kepling book and it definitely will not be my last. I've been meaning to read her other books, but never managed to get to one until A Midsummer's Nightmare. Something about the cover drew me in. I think because that cover girl looks a little fierce. And the main character of this story; Whitley Johnson is definitely fierce. A fierce bitch. I hated her at first. She was mean. She was heartless. She was whiny. And then the amazing author that Kody Kepling is, made me slowly start to feel for Whitley and begin to sympathize with why she is the way she is and it felt legit. No convenient excuses for her actions. You see it all played out over the course of the book. And I started to feel angry for Whitley, rather than angry at her. I think that is half because of the authors skill and half because I can totally relate to Whitley's situation. I still get those feelings of jealousy with my Father and step family at 27 years old. When her Father kept repeatedly blowing her off, I felt for her. I also loved the secondary characters, who really weaved into the story perfectly. They didn't feel like props just thrown in there: they definitely belonged there and added feelings and momentum to the book. I didn't really feel the love story a whole lot until a bit later into the book and I think what shone more in this book was the character growth, but the romantic interest was good and I felt those required (well, a requirement for me, that is. I love feeling that way when I read...) flutters a few times! 


Overall, a good read and one I'd definitely recommend to those who love the Contemporary Young Adult genre.

                                               4 out of 5 Hello Kitties!

Review: Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Published: September 29th 2011
Publisher: Dutton
Page Count: Hardback, 372
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Chick lit
Find the Author: Website, Good Reads, Twitter, Blog
Buy This Book: Amazon, Book Depository

Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn’t believe in fashion . . . she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit -- more sparkly, more fun, more wild -- the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood. 
When Cricket -- a gifted inventor -- steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door. - Good Reads

Stephanie Perkins is A-MAAAAAZING! I loved Anna and The French Kiss and was worried this wouldn't compare, but Lola and the Boy Next Door exceeded my expectations! ...and I think I might have even liked this more than Anna and the French Kiss, which I think is because I felt Lola's character and family was much more fleshed out and realistic feeling despite how unconventional she is. I still love Anna, but that was Lola's plus. I honestly felt from the summary that Lola might be a little too pretentious of a character for me, but she wasn't in the least. She's a very loveable girl. And CRICKET. CRICKET CRICKET CRICKET! When I read that name my little heart goes pitter patter. He has to be one of the best boys in Contemporary YA history. He's a little nerdy, but cool on the other side of the coin and he has a heart of gold. 


In my childhood I was a figure skating fanatic. I still have recorded vhs tapes of competitions from nearly every year between 1994-2002. Alexei Yagudin, Elena Berezhanaya and Anton Sikharulidze... Irina Slutskaya! Yes, obviously I root for Russia, but that's to be expected considering. But I loved all the figure skating references. I've never seen that before in YA novel and I was quite cheesed. I loved Lola's costumes and her courage to be so different. And I loved her family. I totally wish I had two dads! I think I could probably go on for forever about what I loved about this book and annoy the hell out of you, so I'll stop and say: READ THIS! It's just that wonderful! 

                        5 out of 5 Hello Kitties!

Review: We'll Always Have Summer (Summer #3) by Jenny Han

We'll Always Have Summer (Summer #3) by Jenny Han

Published: April 26th 2011
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Page Count: Hardback, 288
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Chick Lit
Find the Author: Website, Good Reads, Twitter, Blog
Buy This Book:  Amazon, Book Depository

It's been two years since Conrad told Belly to go with Jeremiah. She and Jeremiah have been inseparable ever since, even attending the same college-- only, their relationship hasn't exactly been the happily ever after Belly had hoped it would be. And when Jeremiah makes the worst mistake a boy can make, Belly is forced to question what she thought was true love. Does she really have a future with Jeremiah? Has she ever gotten over Conrad? It's time for Belly to decide, once and for all, who has her heart forever. - Good Reads

This last book in the Summer trilogy held me captive the entire time much like the previous books. In fact, I managed to read the entire trilogy in a day! 


This last book is, as it says in the summary, takes place two years in the future. Jeremiah and Belly are together now and going to the same university and neither have seen much of Conrad since he moved out to California. That all changes and they end up all being thrust together... And the story goes from there. 


I won't give away the ending because I don't want to spoil it. Now that I'm done with the review and re-reading before I post it, I realized I totally give the ending away. So if you don't want to be spoiled, please stop reading. 


A part of me loved the ending. A part of me didn't. One of the reasons why I loved this series so much is because I identified with Belly a lot.


Anyway, this series is really good. Read it contemporary lovers! Or perhaps read it even if you're not normally a contemporary lover. Read it if you've ever been in love with an emotionally distant rat bastard!


                                         4 out of 5 Hello Kitties