Sophie Reads YA: Swoon

#RockMyTBR 2017 Challenge

Review: Internet Famous by Danika Stone

10:00

Internet Famous
Series: None
Author: Danika Stone
Published June 6th 2017 by Swoon Reads

Goodreads Synopsis
High school senior and internet sensation Madison Nakama seems to have it all: a happy family, good grades, and a massive online following for her pop-culture blog. But when her mother suddenly abandons the family, Madi finds herself struggling to keep up with all of her commitments.

Fandom to the rescue! As her online fans band together to help, an online/offline flirtation sparks with Laurent, a French exchange student. Their internet romance—played out in the comments section of her MadLibs blog—attracts the attention of an internet troll who threatens the separation of Madi’s real and online personas. With her carefully constructed life unraveling, Madi must uncover the hacker’s identity before he can do any more damage, or risk losing the people she loves the most… Laurent included.
Goodreads

Review
In Internet Famous, blogger Madi's life does a complete 180. At first, she has it all: a lovely family, perfect school life, and really big online following on her MadLibs blog. However, it soon changes when her mam walks out, and an online troll starts to threaten her. She has always kept her real and online lives separate, and this hacker is threatening to bring them together, which could have huge repercussions, not least that fact it could hinder her chances of graduating high school. Her final project is linked to her blog, and if it's taken down, or hacked, it could mean she fails her course, and with the help of online crush, Laurent, they work together to ensure that the troll is stopped.

I enjoyed Madi as the main character, as she was definitely relatable, and seemed so real and honest. She cared about her family, including her Autistic sister, Sarah, who is really struggling after their mam walked out, and that just endeared her to me more. With the book being written in a range of mediums - texts, blog posts, prose, etc. - it was nice to see how this added to the story, more than it would've done if it was all prose. This was my first book by Danika, but I definitely don't think it will be my last!

Dates Read:
September 3-4, 2017

Rating
3 Stars

2020 Beat the Backlist challenge

Review: The Birds, The Bees, and You and Me by Olivia Hinebaugh

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The Birds, The Bees, and You and Me
Series: None
Author: Olivia Hinebaugh
Published January 22nd 2019 by Swoon Reads

Goodreads Synopsis
Seventeen-year-old Lacey Burke is the last person on the planet who should be doling out sex advice. For starters, she’s never even kissed anyone, and she hates breaking the rules. Up until now, she's been a straight-A music geek that no one even notices. All she cares about is jamming out with her best friends, Theo and Evita.

But then everything changes.

When Lacey sees first-hand how much damage the abstinence-only sex-ed curriculum of her school can do, she decides to take a stand and starts doling out wisdom and contraception to anyone who seeks her out in the girls' restroom. But things with Theo become complicated quickly, and Lacey is soon not just keeping everyone else’s secrets, but hers as well.
Goodreads

Review
Lacey Burke has never even kissed a guy, but she knows all about safe sex and healthy relationships because of her midwife mam making sure she's known since she was old enough. Her best friends, Evita and Theo, had a disastrous attempt at a relationship, but managed to stay friends through it all, but when the school's health class starts to give students unhelpful, and frankly, dangerous abstinence only sex education, the three decide they need to take a stand. Starting off with advice sessions in the girls bathroom, soon leads to pamphlets being made, condoms handing out, and a suspension in the works. Lacey also starts to reconsider her plans for the future, thinking that training to be a doula may be better than going to study music, and helping a former classmate through her own teen pregnancy is the jump she needs. Her conflicting feelings for Theo don't help matters either, but will Lacey's Senior year be as perfect as she was expecting?

This book was so sex positive and frankly, perfect for teens these days. I'm lucky that the school I went to, and the education system in my country, isn't outdated or spouts 'abstinence only' education, because that helps literally no one! Lacey was such a relatable main character, and I loved her friendship with everyone in the book, from Evita and Theo, to Alice, to Kelly and her mam at the hospital. The romance between herself and Theo was cute, but I would've liked a little more substance to it - but that's my only negative. Definitely a great YA contemporary!

Dates Read:
July 6-9, 2020

Rating
4 Stars

2019 New Release challenge

Review: The Hummingbird Dagger by Cindy Anstey

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The Hummingbird Dagger
Series: None
Author: Cindy Anstey
Published April 16th 2019 by Swoon Reads

Goodreads Synopsis
1833. After young Lord James Ellerby witnesses a near-fatal carriage accident on the outskirts of his estate, he doesn't think twice about bringing the young woman injured in the wreck to his family's manor to recuperate. But then she finally regains consciousness only to find that she has no memory of who she is or where she belongs.

Beth, as she takes to calling herself, is an enigma even to herself. She has the rough hands of a servant, but the bearing and apparent education of a lady. Her only clue to her identity is a gruesome recurring nightmare about a hummingbird dripping blood from its steel beak.

With the help of James and his sister, Caroline, Beth slowly begins to unravel the mystery behind her identity and the sinister circumstances that brought her to their door. But the dangerous secrets they discover in doing so could have deadly ramifications reaching the highest tiers of London society.
Goodreads

Review
The Hummingbird Dagger is a mystery surrounding Beth, who is found on the outskirts of Lord James Ellerby's estate, after an accident with absolutely no memory of who she is (even her name is unknown, but she likes Beth), or how she got there. James and his sister Caroline, want to help Beth, and know from observations that while she has hands that a servant might have, she by all means appears to be a lady. Her one memory is that of a bloodstained hummingbird dagger, and using that as a means of discovering who Beth really is could lead all three of them into a dangerous situation.

Cindy's books have always been favourites of mine, but this one takes the prize of my most favourite! From the get go, I was hooked, and every page had me gasping or in shock, and I needed to read it as fast as possible to find out more. Beth's character was wonderful, and even with her amnesia, she was feisty though somewhat vulnerable, and doesn't want to see by while there's a mystery out there. When she is taken in by the Ellerby's, she becomes close to them all, and James is smart and sensitive, and the perfect hero for Beth. Their romance is the slowest of slow burns, to the extent that it was almost painful, but as they relied on each other and got to know one another, we saw the romance blossom and bloom naturally. The secondary characters of Caroline, Walter and his Henry, were all true characters too, with their own tales and characteristics, and really added to the story. Some of the plot lines were a little too out there, but I was left guessing at what would happen next. Cindy has retained her spot on my auto buy list, and I can't wait for my pre-order of Deadly Curious to arrive!

Dates Read:

May 4-5, 2019

Rating
5 Stars

#RockMyTBR 2017 Challenge

Review: All the Feels by Danika Stone

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All the Feels
Series: None
Author: Danika Stone
Published June 7th 2016 by Swoon Reads

Goodreads Synopsis
College freshman Liv is more than just a fangirl: The Starveil movies are her life… So, when her favorite character, Captain Matt Spartan, is killed off at the end of the last movie, Liv Just. Can’t. Deal.

Tired of sitting in her room sobbing, Liv decides to launch an online campaign to bring her beloved hero back to life. With the help of her best friend, Xander, actor and steampunk cosplayer extraordinaire, she creates #SpartanSurvived, a campaign to ignite the fandom. But as her online life succeeds beyond her wildest dreams, Liv is forced to balance that with the pressures of school, her mother’s disapproval, and her (mostly nonexistent and entirely traumatic) romantic life. A trip to DragonCon with Xander might be exactly what she needs to figure out what she really wants.
Goodreads

Review
I honestly can't even remember when or how I heard about this book, but everything about it appealed to me, and I ordered is as soon as I could. The main character in All the Feels, Liv, is obsessed with the Starveil movie series, and when her favourite character, Spartan, is killed off, she is distraught. She can't cope with it, and decides to start an online campaign, along with the hashtag #SpartanSurvived, to show people that still love the character, and hopefully bring him back. She even ropes in best friend, Xander, to cosplay as Spartan in the videos she creates, and the more time they spend on the #SpartanSurvived campaign, the more Liv finds herself falling for Xander.

This book was the first of Stone's that I read, and I think it's my favourite of the two, as I definitely found myself invested more in this story than in Internet Famous. Liv's character was fantastic, relatable and such a geek, and I could understand her obsession with Spartan the more we read thorough the book. She was trying to juggle her real life with life in fandom, and I loved seeing the contrast between them. The drama with her mam was a bit unnecessary, and the reason why the book is only a 4, but all the scenes with Xander were swoony and he definitely was her perfect love interest. Always dressing in cosplay, and being even more of a geek than she was, no one would've been a better match for Liv. If you're a fan of the Once Upon a Con series, give this one a go too.

Dates Read:
September 16-20, 2017

Rating
4 Stars

#RockMyTBR 2017 Challenge

Review: Kissing Max Holden by Katy Upperman

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Kissing Max Holden
Series: None
Author: Katy Upperman
Published August 1st 2017 by Swoon Reads

Goodreads Synopsis
Kissing Max Holden was a terrible idea...

After his father has a life-altering stroke, Max Holden isn't himself. As his long-time friend, Jillian Eldridge only wants to help him, but she doesn't know how. When Max climbs through her window one night, Jill knows that she shouldn't let him kiss her. But she can't resist, and when they're caught in the act by her dad, Jill swears it'll never happen again. Because kissing Max Holden is a terrible idea.

With a new baby sibling on the way, her parents fighting all the time, and her dream of culinary school up in the air, Jill starts spending more and more time with Max. And even though her father disapproves and Max still has a girlfriend, not kissing Max is easier said than done. Will Jill follow her heart and allow their friendship to blossom into something more, or will she listen to her head and stop kissing Max Holden once and for all?
Goodreads

Review
I can't even remember how I heard about this book, but had it pre-ordered for quite some time, and read it as soon as it came. Kissing Max Holden is about Jill, who has been friends with Max for years, and after a series of family difficulties, it soon becomes something a bit more. Max's dad had a stroke in the recent months, and he doesn't know how to cope with it. He turns to best friend, Jill, climbing through her window to vent and be heard, and they soon find themselves kissing, even though they really shouldn't. Max has a girlfriend, and Jill's dad and new step-mother really dislike him, but neither can seem to stop it. Is Jill thinking clearly, or is the impeding birth of her new sibling and the fact that she might not be able to go to the university she wants because of parental decisions clouding her judgement.

Now, I read this book nearly 3 years ago, so the main details are a little vague with me, but I do remember having some issues with the cheating story line. I really dislike reading that in a book, and not even the use of one of my favourite tropes - friends to lovers - could take away from that. Also, as much as I shipped Max and Jill together, I couldn't see their relationship actually working. They were just in the right place, at the right time, and needed someone safe to help them through the difficulties they were facing. Maybe if I re-read it, I might find myself enjoying it more, but I could also perhaps find myself disliking it even more.

Dates Read:

August 5, 2017

Rating
3 Stars

2017 Contemporary Romance Challenge

ARC Review: The Breakup Support Group by Cheyanne Young

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The Breakup Support Group
Series: None
Author: Cheyanne Young
Published December 1st 2016 by Swoon Romance

Goodreads Synopsis
After four years of first love bliss, Isla Rush just got dumped.

Any hope she has of winning her ex-boyfriend back is shattered when the town rezones her neighborhood, forcing her to spend senior year at a wealthy high school in the next town over.

With a broken heart consuming her soul, Isla can’t focus on anything, except maybe Emory Underwood—a ridiculously hot guy who dates a new girl almost every day. She can’t help but crush on him, even though it’s wrong.

When memories of her ex make her cry in second period, the school counselor sends Isla to a club that meets during lunch. The Break-Up Support Group is a collection of broken-hearted misfits who are all helping each other heal.

Just when Isla’s heart is finally on the mend, Emory shows up, forced to atone for all the broken hearts he’s caused over the years. While hiding her massive crush, she helps him understand the seriousness of breaking a heart.

In turn, Emory offers to help Isla get back on the dating scene by agreeing to be her fake date for the homecoming dance. Isla gladly accepts the ruse, because if anyone can make her into a desirable girlfriend, Emory can! There's just one small problem.

Isla's little crush on Emory might be exactly full blown. And a homecoming fake date with him could push her over the edge to possibly uttering the "L Word!"

Isla can't afford another heartbreak so soon after the last one. She will have to resist his charms, refuse to look into those dreamy eyes, and above all else, not make the mistake of letting him kiss her.

If only she hadn't let her guard down at the end of the night, under the light of her porch in a toe-curling kiss moment of weakness. And now, after months of Break-Up Support Group therapy, and with a heart fully on the mend, Isla has just handed it over to a guy who knows full well just how to break it.
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the author. This in no way impacted on my view.

This book I first saw on twitter, and was offered the chance of reviewing it by the author. In The Breakup Support Group, there is just that - a breakup support group. Isla has been dumped after 4 years, and now she is forced to go to a different school for her senior year due to a rezoning in her town. She had hoped to be able to get back together with her boyfriend, but now that they aren't at the same school, she thinks it'll be difficult. After breaking down on one of her first days at school, the counsellor sent her to a support group for other teens struggling with break ups, and the guy she's now crushing on, and who seems to be with a new girl every week, turns up too. It ends up that Emory is more that just what he seems, and they are really good together. He wants to help her get over her heartbreak, and uses his persona and bad boy attitude to bring her onto the scene at school. The only issue is that her crush has turned into something more, and she's at risk of having her heart broken all over again.

This book was just really enjoyable. Isla is funny and real, and the Break Up Support Group was dead supportive. At her old school, she did have friends and that, but none that seemed to really care about her, and all dropped her when she started at the new school. The new group of friends though, and Emory in particular, do seem to care about her, and she's embraced by all.

The romantic aspect of this book, that was one of the biggest parts, was really well done. The chemistry between Isla and Emory was off the charts. Their friendship was developed naturally, and I loved that they were proper friends first, before it came to romance. I felt like this made it more realistic, and I believed in their relationship more that I would've done without them being friends. I definitely liked Cheyanne's writing style, and will read more from her again.

Dates Read:

May 19-20, 2017

Rating
4 Stars

2020 New Release challenge

Review: Deadly Curious by Cindy Anstey

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Deadly Curious
Series: None
Author: Cindy Anstey
Published June 23rd 2020 by Swoon Reads

Goodreads Synopsis
1834. Sophia Thompson wants nothing more than to be one of the famed Bow Street Runners, London's most elite corps of detectives. Never mind that a woman has never before joined their ranks--and certainly never mind that her reclusive family has forbidden her from pursuing such an unladylike goal.

She gets the chance to prove her capabilities when an urgent letter arrives from her frantic cousin Daphne, begging Sophia to come look into the suspicious death of Daphne's brother.

As Sophia begins to unravel the tangled threads of the case--with the help of a charming young policeman--she soon realizes that the murderer may be even closer to her family than she ever suspected.
Goodreads

Review
Sophia Thompson has always wanted to be a detective, and wants to be the first female agent with the Bow Street Runners. After a scandal in the family which has left her marriage prospects unlikely, this is even more of a goal, and when her cousin, Daphne, asks her to visit, a year after the unsolved murder of Daphne's older brother, Andrew, she jumps at the chance. Now in the village of West Ravenswood, there are strange things occurring and Sophia's uncle has called in the assistance of Bow Street Runner trainee, Mr Jeremy Fraser. Jeremy and Sophia must work together to discover just what is happening, who killed Andrew, and who is killing others getting close to the investigation.

Cindy's books have always been some of my favourite YA books, and this one was no different. Though not my favourite of hers, I loved the mystery and all of the twists and turns we had until we got to the climax. Sophia was a fantastic character, who would be a perfect detective if not for her sex, and she wasn't phased by anything. Whereas Jeremy might've been apprehensive about working with a young lady, he wasn't put off at all, and they way they bounced ideas and motives off each other was perfect. Others in the village, and in the household, might've been against this young couple working on a murder case, but they could face it together. Their blossoming romance flowed naturally, and wasn't forced at all. When it came to the mystery aspect, I guessed a few things, and had my suspicions about one of the characters from a very early point, but couldn't have imagined the full scope of the crimes. I can't wait for Anstey's next book, and look forward to seeing what she does next!

Dates Read:
August 21-23, 2020

Rating
4 Stars

4 Stars

Review: These Vengeful Souls (These Vicious Masks #3) by Tarun Shanker & Kelly Zekas

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These Vengeful Souls
Series: These Vicious Masks #3
Author: Tarun Shanker & Kelly Zekas
Published February 20th 2018 by Swoon Reads

Goodreads Synopsis
England, 1883. On the run with the grieving Sebastian Braddock, Evelyn wants two things: to be reunited with her friends, and to get revenge on the evil Captain Goode. Not only has he misused his and Sebastian's powers to rack up a terrible death toll, but he's also completely destroyed any hope of Evelyn or her friends regaining the life they once knew.

Evelyn is determined to make Captain Goode pay for what he's done, but is her revenge worth risking the lives of Sebastian and her friends? Or is it better to flee the city and focus on staying alive? And with the Captain spreading lies about Sebastian in an attempt to flush them out of hiding and turn the populace against them, does she even have a choice at all?
Goodreads

Review
The previous books in this series had always sated my love of history and fantasy, and when the final book, These Vengeful Souls, was announced, I knew I needed to order it, and (im)patiently waited next to the post box for my copy to arrive - just in time for my birthday. This time around, we are with Evelyn and co. just days after the events of These Ruthless Deeds, and they are struggling with their grief and anguish. After being used so horrifically by Captain Goode, Sebastian doesn't know what to do with himself, or with his powers, and as much as Evelyn is finding herself falling for him, she also can't reconcile herself with her need for revenge and retribution, no matter the cost.

I really liked this book, but found bits lacking or going in a direction I didn't care for. I love the characters, all of them, but some made decisions in this book that were a bit too out there, even for me. Evelyn is hell bent on revenge, and has become consumed by this need that she makes some very silly decisions, which I wouldn't have expected from her previously. Also, parts of the book dragged, while other bits were wrapped up a bit too quickly/easily, as if the pacing was off for it. I don't know if that was just me reading it with such high expectations, or what, but I found the ending a bit lacklustre, if I'm really honest. All in all, enjoyable, but a bit disappointing.

Dates Read:

March 7-9, 2018

Rating
4 Stars

2020 Contemporary Romance Challenge

Review: Finding Mr. Better-Than-You by Shani Petroff

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Finding Mr. Better-Than-You
Series: None
Author: Shani Petroff
Published January 14th 2020 by Swoon Reads

Goodreads Synopsis
Camryn has been dating Marc FOREVER—since freshman year! She dropped out of volleyball to go to all his games, switched her schedule around to be in his favorite class, and has been busting her butt to get into Columbia so they can go to the same college. So when Marc suddenly, and very publically, breaks up with her a week into their senior year so that he can date the new transfer student, she’s absolutely devastated.

But why be sad, when you can get even? Inspired by her favorite movies, Camryn decides that the best revenge is a Senior Year well lived, starring a boy who is ever so much better than her ex. With a little help from her friends, Cam is going to have the Best. Senior. Year. Ever.

Or else!
Goodreads

Review
I've read a few of Petroff's books before, and when I saw this one was on special, I decided to order it as it sounded like my sort of book. Finding Mr. Better-Than-You shares Camryn's story. She has spent the last three years in a relationship with Marc, and is planning on having the best senior year she can, before they head off to Columbia for college. However, the first week back at school, Marc dumps her, publicly, and she is distraught. She now needs to rediscover just who she is, and, inspired by her love of rom-coms, decides the best way to get over Marc, is to find someone who is better than he was. She enlists her friends in her endeavours, and over time, will she work out that friendship is more important, and that this year will be perfect?

This book was okay, but it wasn't much, if I'm honest. I read it in about two hours, and even though I'm writing this review the day after I read it, I'm at a bit of a lost to what actually happened in the plot. Really, there wasn't much there, and what there was, wasn't too memorable. Marc, the ex-boyfriend, was awful - he had cheated on Cam with Lissi, but I felt sorry for Lissi. She was new to the town, and didn't know about Cam at first, and when she did, she refused to see Marc until he had spoken to Cam. Cam, as a character, wasn't the best either. She was flaky at times, though she did care about her friends - the party for Terri being evidence for this - but just not a character I would like, or want as one of my friends. By the end of the book, she had improved, but still not enough for the book to be more than 3 stars.

Dates Read:

April 18, 2020

Rating
3 Stars

4 Stars

Review: Suitors and Sabotage by Cindy Anstey

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Suitors and Sabotage
Series: None
Author: Cindy Anstey
Published April 17th 2018 by Swoon Reads

Goodreads Synopsis
Shy aspiring artist Imogene Chively has just had a successful Season in London, complete with a suitor of her father's approval. Imogene is ambivalent about the young gentleman until he comes to visit her at the Chively estate with his younger brother in tow. When her interest is piqued, however, it is for the wrong brother.

Charming Ben Steeple has a secret: despite being an architectural apprentice, he has no drawing aptitude. When Imogene offers to teach him, Ben is soon smitten by the young lady he considers his brother's intended.

But hiding their true feelings becomes the least of their problems when, after a series of "accidents," it becomes apparent that someone means Ben harm. And as their affection for each other grows—despite their efforts to remain just friends—so does the danger. . .
Goodreads

Review
I have loved all of Cindy's books, and this one was no different. Now we have Imogene, who after a successful London Season, is returning to her family's country estate, and is expected to host a suitor, along with his younger brother. The issue, however, is that the one she likes the most is the brother, Ben, and not her actual suitor, Ernest. She hasn't had a good going of love in life, and with Ernest being the only potential match, and one who her father approves of, she's expected to accept his offer, when he makes it. Even though they know nothing of each other, it doesn't matter, but the more Imogene is with both brother, she can only see herself with Ben, who is more like her with the artistic side. As the title suggests, there is sabotage rife in this book, and Ben and Imogene must work together to find out who is trying to sabotage him, which helps them get to know each other, and the chemistry just flies whenever they're together.

Like all of Cindy's books, the romance is done so well. Yeah, I guess there is a sort of love triangle, with both Ernest and Ben being potential matches for Imogene, but it's never really played out like you would expect. Ernest and Imogene work together as friends, but there's no chemistry between them, and I don't think there's any real feelings either. Imogene, being shy, and expected to marry well, tries with Ernest, and he's in a similar position. He needs a wife, and thinks that could be Imogene, but it never seems as if he is that bothered if it's her or not. When it comes to Ben and Imogene, their every scene together is dripping with the chemistry, and it's dead clear that that's who should be together. Ben and Ernest are really close brother's too, so there's never any animosity there either. This wasn't my favourite of Cindy's books - that's The Hummingbird Dagger - but I still really enjoyed it, and can't wait for Deadly Curious!

Dates Read:

April 21-22, 2018

Rating
4 Stars

2019 New Release challenge

Review: All Is Fair by Dee Garretson

10:00

All Is Fair
Series: None
Author: Dee Garretson
Published January 22nd 2019 by Swoon Reads

Goodreads Synopsis
Lady Mina Tretheway knows she's destined for greater things than her fancy boarding school, where she's being taught to be a proper English lady. It's 1918, and war is raging across Europe. Unlike her father and brother, who are able to assist in the war effort, Mina is stuck sorting out which fork should be used with which dinner course.

When Mina receives a telegram that's written in code, she finally has her chance to do something big. She returns to her childhood home of Hallington Manor, joined by a family friend, Lord Andrew Graham, and a dashing and mysterious young American, Lucas. The three of them must band together to work on a dangerous project that could turn the tide of the war.

Thrilled that she gets to contribute to the war effort at least, Mina jumps headfirst into the world of cryptic messages, spycraft, and international intrigue. She, Lucas, and Andrew have to work quickly, because if they don't succeed, more soldiers will disappear into the darkness of war.
Goodreads

Review
This book was one of the first ones I had read on SwoonReads, and when I found out it was being published traditionally, I knew I needed to get a copy, and re-read it. Set in 1918, as the war in Europe is still being fought, Lady Mina Tretheway goes home from her boarding school at the request of her father, and finds that childhood friend, Lord Andrew, and a young American, Lucas Mueller, will be visiting, and she needs to help them. This could be her only chance to help in the war effort, and she will stop at nothing to be useful, especially if it could turn the tide of the war, and stop so many people being killed. Mina, Andrew, and Lucas need to become spies, and may even need to go behind enemy lines in order to stop the senseless killing.

Mina was a fantastic character, and she really reminded me a bit of Lady Sybil from Downton Abbey. She wanted to be more than just a Lady, expected to marry well and know just want she needs to, and not too much. With both her father and brother being involved in the war effort, it having affected the country for nearly 4 years, and her not being able to do anything because she's a girl, any chance to help is one that she would jump at, and that's exactly what she does here. At first, she's not too sure how she can help, but the more she learns about what Andrew and Lucas have been up to, and the fact that she would be crucial to helping because of her language skills, she will stop at nothing to be there. The fact that she is growing closer to Lucas, and feels as if the attraction is mutually, doesn't hurt either. Their chemistry was fantastic, and I really was rooting for them from the start, but especially as the action and the stakes grew high.

Plot wise, it was a little slow at first, as it was setting the scene, but once we got to grips with the world Mina was living in, and the things she would have to do or help with, it definitely ramped up, and was a quick and enjoyable read. I can't wait to read Dee's next book, Gone by Nightfall.

Dates Read:

May 11-12, 2019

Rating
5 Stars

#RockMyTBR 2017 Challenge

Review: Wesley James Ruined My Life by Jennifer Honeybourn

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Wesley James Ruined My Life
Series: None
Author: Jennifer Honeybourn
Published July 18th 2017 by Swoon Reads

Goodreads Synopsis
Sixteen-year-old Quinn Hardwick’s having a rough summer. Her beloved grandmother has been put into a home, her dad’s gambling addiction has flared back up and now her worst enemy is back in town: Wesley James, former childhood friend—until he ruined her life, that is.

So when Wesley is hired to work with her at Tudor Tymes, a medieval England themed restaurant, the last thing Quinn’s going to do is forgive and forget. She’s determined to remove him from her life and even the score all at once—by getting him fired.

But getting rid of Wesley isn’t as easy as she’d hoped. When Quinn finds herself falling for him, she has to decide what she wants more: to get even, or to just get over it.
Goodreads

Review
I haven't found a bad Swoon Reads published book yet, and this was no exception. Over the course of this book, Quinn is working at the local restaurant, Tudor Tymes, which is a medieval themed placed. She's dealing with a lot in her personal life, including her father's wasting their money on gambling, and her grandma being diagnosed with Alzheimer's and going into a home, that she doesn't think she can take any more. All she wants is to work in peace, and save up in order to go to London with her high school in the summer, and that's all she has the energy to focus on. Well, of course, life never turns out perfect. Her arch nemesis, and once friend, Wesley James, has moved home, and ends up working at the same restaurant. They used to be really close, and when Wesley moved to Portland when they were 11, everything changed. Now she despises him, and want to get revenge for the way he treated her at the leaving party, and work seems to be the perfect place to do so.

Quinn definitely knew how to hold a grudge, and had had plenty of time to work out how to get payback on Wesley. She was a stickler for the rules at work, but would do what she could to make Wesley look bad, which didn't always work out because he seemed to be loved by everyone. He hadn't expected the kind of reaction that he got when he eventually went home, but he is persistent in his wish to get back on good terms with Quinn, and maybe even more than that. He is lovable where she is abrupt, but to me they seemed to be perfect for each other. I did think parts of the story were a bit rushed, especially towards the end when Quinn realised she loved Wesley, and didn't want to keep fighting.

However, the book didn't just focus on their story, but rather all of Quinn's family. Her grandmother was beloved by Wesley too, and the scenes of them together were really sweet. I also liked how the darkness was looked at, especially how gambling addiction can affect a family, and the effects of the breakdown of relationships can last a long time. This was also done really well, and definitely was a plus for the book. As Honetbourn's debut, I definitely can see her becoming an author I'll read more of in the future.

Dates Read:

July 26-30, 2017

Rating
4 Stars

2018 Contemporary Romance Challenge

Review: My New Crush Gave to Me by Shani Petroff

10:00

My New Crush Gave to Me
Series: None
Author: Shani Petroff
Published October 31st 2017 by Swoon Reads

Goodreads Synopsis
Charlotte Charlie Donovan knows exactly what she wants for Christmas: Teo Ortiz. He's the school's star athlete, in the National Honor Society, invited to every party, contributes to the school paper (where Charlie is co-editor), and is about to be featured as One to Watch in a teen magazine basically, he's exactly the type of guy Charlie s meant to be with. The only problem he barely knows she exists.

But Charlie is determined to be Teo's date to the Christmas ball. And she has a plan: To rig the paper's Secret Santa so that she can win his heart with five perfect gifts. But to do that she needs help. Enter J.D. Ortiz Teo's cousin, and possibly the most annoying person on the planet. He's easy going, laid back, unorganized, spontaneous, and makes a joke out of everything the exact opposite of Charlie (and Teo). But he's willing to provide insight into what Teo wants, so she's stuck with him.

Yet, the more time Charlie spends with J.D., the more she starts to wonder: Does she really know what, or rather who, she wants for Christmas?
Goodreads

Review
This is another Secret Santa book that was a nice, quick read, and one to get into the Christmas spirit. Charlie has been into Teo, the star of the school, and alright perfect guy, for as long as she can remember. Even though they work together on the school paper, Teo barely knows Charlie exists, but that's all about to change. Charlie is going to rig the paper's Secret Santa so that Teo is hers, and will bag a date to the Christmas dance and they'll fall in love. The only issue is that fact that Charlie doesn't know what would be perfect for the five gifts to give to Teo, so she enlists his cousin, J.D., to help, even if she thinks he is the most annoying person, ever. The more she works with J.D., the more she questions whether it is Teo she wants, or the idea of him, and whether J.D. is as bad as she thought he was.

Charlie's character was slightly annoying at times, but I did enjoy the story. Yes the idea that a girl is using someone else, who clearly has feeling for her, in order to get with someone else is abhorrent, I think that Charlie was just a bit naive, and honestly didn't realise that J.D. liked her until late on. It might be assumed that there's a love triangle in the book, but Shani made sure that there wasn't, which made me happy as I dislike love triangles. The more Charlie is thinking about her feelings, the more she realises that her 'feelings' for Teo are non-existent, and she starts to really look at herself, and find her true self, and who she actually likes.

Teo, as a love interest, was boring, but J.D. was sweet, and goofy, and seemed to really care for Charlie. From their first interactions, you could see the chemistry, even if Charlie was in denial, and both argued a lot. However, the use of the enemies-to-lovers trope was executed well, and I honestly believed in their feelings and relationship. All I could've asked for was a bit of an epilogue to find out what happened after the climax of the book, but overall, it was a nice and quick read, perfect for the festive season.

Dates Read:

January 13, 2018

Rating
4 Stars

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