Review: The Bride Test by Helen Hoang

THE BRIDE TEST 
Helen Hoang
Publication date: May 7, 2019
Genres: Adult, Contemporary Romance
Format: eARC
Source: Berkley and Edelweiss



GOODREADS  *  AMAZON

S Y N O P S I S

Khai Diep has no feelings. Well, he feels irritation when people move his things or contentment when ledgers balance down to the penny, but not big, important emotions — like grief. And love. He thinks he's defective. His family knows better— that his autism means he just processes emotions differently. When he steadfastly avoids relationships, his mother takes matters into her own hands and returns to Vietnam to find him the perfect bride.

As a mixed-race girl living in the slums of Ho Chi Minh City, Esme Tran has always felt out of place. When the opportunity arises to come to America and meet a potential husband, she can't turn it down, thinking this could be the break her family needs. Seducing Khai, however, doesn't go as planned. Esme's lessons in love seem to be working... but only on herself. She's hopelessly smitten with a man who's convinced he can never return her affection.

With Esme's time in the United States dwindling, Khai is forced to understand he's been wrong all along. And there's more than one way to love.

M Y   T H O U G H T S

I was convinced there was no way I would possibly enjoy The Bride Test as much as The Kiss Quotient. Silly me, because Helen Hoang proved she is no one hit wonder.

If you’ve read TKQ you’ll remember Michael’s cousin Khai. His autism means he processes emotions differently and after the loss of his best friend as a teenager, when he felt unable to truly grieve, he decided that also meant he was unable to love. Enter Khai’s mom who has decided if Khai isn’t going to find a wife on his own, she’ll just have to do it for him. She meets Esme while in Viet Nam and arranges for her to come to California. And so it begins.

There are so many differences between Esme and Khai – their education, their culture – but I loved that Esme simply accepted Khai as he was, without being aware of any labels. She was able to look past his social awkwardness, his quirks, and see how truly kind and compassionate he was. And I appreciated that they were both so brave – they took chances, pushed themselves, and made steps toward a possible future neither had envisioned.

She’d come to find him. No one ever looked for him. They all knew he wanted to be alone. Except is wasn’t always that way. Sometimes he was alone out of habit. Sometimes it took effort to distract himself from the growing emptiness inside. - Khai

Esme was so sweet and so determined to make this arrangement work. She had her own insecurities, about her immigrant status and her lack of education, but she was willing to work hard to overcome those challenges. Even though I sometimes felt like I didn’t know enough about her, I was still totally won over by her perseverance and her sense of self-worth.

She wasn’t rich, classy, or smart, but she wasn’t something you could use once and throw away. She had value. You couldn’t see it in the clothes she wore or the abbreviations after her name or hear it in the way she spoke, but she felt it, even if she didn’t entirely understand where it came from. It pounded in her chest, big and strong and bright. She deserved better than this. – Esme.

The moments between Khai and his brother Quan were some of my favorites. And when he was getting a little sex ed from Quan and Michael… oh my goodness, so hilarious and so priceless. Quan was always, always there for Khai and I loved their connection. Quan accepted him but also challenged him.

I don’t want to keep comparing The Bride Test to The Kiss Quotient (I know it’s not fair) but, like it or not, it’s going to happen. And while this one didn’t quite have the same charm as TKQ, it was still a total winner. I may have had a few quibbles (I wish I’d known Esme better, I wish she hadn’t kept her secret until the very end), but I was able to overlook those in the face of so much Helen Hoang goodness. There were moments that made me laugh, moments than were so sweet I thought my heart would burst, plus delicious sexytimes and characters that I was pulling for on every single page. Don’t miss this sweet and swoony romance!

4.5/5 STARS

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. This does not impact my opinion of the book or the content of this review. I received no compensation and my review is voluntary.

Review: Moonlight Scandals by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Moonlight Scandals 
Jennifer L. Armentrout
Publication date: January 29, 2019
Series: de Vincent #3
Genres: Contemporary, Romance
Source: AvonBooks and Edelweiss

GOODREADS  |  AMAZON

S Y N O P S I S

Even a ghost hunter like Rosie Herpin couldn’t have foreseen the fateful meeting between two mourners that has brought her so intimately close to the notorious and seductive Devlin de Vincent. Everyone in New Orleans knows he’s heir to a dark family curse that both frightens and enthralls. To the locals, Devlin is the devil. To Rosie, he’s a man who’s stoking her wildest fantasies. When a brutal attack on her friend is linked to the de Vincents, he becomes a mystery she may be risking her life to solve. 

Devlin knows what he wants from this sexy and adventurous woman. But what does Rosie want from him? It’s a question that becomes more pressing—and more dangerous—when he suspects her of prying into the shadows of his past. 

Now, the legends surrounding the de Vincents may not be myths at all. But if she’s to discover the truth, she must follow them straight into the arms of the man she can’t resist—the handsome devil himself.

M Y   T H O U G H T S

Fasten your seatbelts because the final installment in Armentrout’s de Vincent trilogy is one heck of a twisty ride. Filled with plot twists galore and jaw-dropping revelations, Moonlight Scandals is a mic drop ending to the series.

Enigmatic Devlin had been a big question mark for me since the start of the trilogy. Aloof, cold, enigmatic… it was impossible to get a read on the guy and I wasn’t even sure he was a good egg. This installment shines a light on the oldest de Vincent brother and we learn what goes on behind those blue-green eyes. Needless to say, there’s a lot more to Devlin de Vincent than meets the eye.

Rosie has long been fascinated by talk of the de Vincent curse and when an attack on her friend has her brushing elbows with Devlin, she’s eager to learn all she can. But Devlin stonewalls her at every turn even as their attraction to one another grows. Their relationship runs hot and cold – trading insults one minute and trading steamy hot kisses the next – and the more Rosie is drawn to Devlin, the more she questions the truth behind the secrets and scandals surrounding the de Vincent’s.

File this under the heading “it’s not you, it’s me”, but I’ve gotta say I wasn’t the biggest fan of the relationship between Devlin and Rosie. Individually they were great, and goodness knows their chemistry was off the charts, but I’ve never been a big fan of the hate-to-love trope and it’s in full effect here. Rosie and Dev spar and bicker and trade insults. There’s something there but both are wary of the other and trust is a big issue. Fans of the enemies-to-love/hate-to-love trope will probably squeal in delight over their back and forth barbs, but it left me feeling like they just didn’t belong together. But like I mentioned, this was totally a me thing.

Plot-wise Armentrout hit this one out of the park. I did guess one significant reveal midway through the second book (Moonlight Seduction) but that didn’t detract in the least because there were plenty more where that came from. Secrets were shared, backgrounds came to light, and the OMG moments just kept on coming. All the skeletons in the closet came tumbling out and left me reeling. I bow to Armentrout’s genius at delivering plot twists that blew my mind and had me yelling, “No way!” more than once. Well played, Jennifer, well played.

If you’ve already jumped into the world of the de Vincent’s, you’re going to love this explosive finale. And if you haven’t, what are you waiting for?

4/5 STARS

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. This does not impact my opinion of the book or the content of this review. I received no compensation and my review is voluntary.

Review: The One You Fight For by Roni Loren

The One You Fight For 
Roni Loren
Series: The Ones Who Got Away #3
Publication date: January 1, 2019
Genres: Contemporary, Romance
Source: Sourcebooks Casablanca and Edelweiss

GOODREADS  |  AMAZON










S Y N O P S I S

How hard would you fight for the one you love?

Taryn Landry was there that awful night fourteen years ago when Long Acre changed from the name of a town to the title of a national tragedy. Everyone knows she lost her younger sister. No one knows it was her fault. Since then, psychology professor Taryn has dedicated her life's work to preventing something like that from ever happening again. Falling in love was never part of the plan...

Shaw Miller has spent more than a decade dealing with the fallout of his brother's horrific actions. After losing everything—his chance at Olympic gold, his family, almost his sanity—he's changed his name, his look, and he's finally starting a new life. As long as he keeps a low profile and his identity secret, everything will be okay, right?

When the world and everyone you know defines you by one catastrophic tragedy...
How do you find your happy ending?

M Y   T H O U G H T S

As a survivor of a mass school shooting 14 years ago, Dr. Taryn Landry has made it her life’s work to prevent such a tragedy from happening again. A forensic psychologist, Taryn’s sister was among the victims, and now Taryn has developed a program to identify kids at risk and hopefully intervene before the unthinkable happens. Unfortunately, her work has consumed her life, leaving no time for relationships.

Shaw Miller has lived a half-life. As the older brother of one of the Long Acre shooters, Shaw lost everything in the aftermath. His dream of the Olympics, his relationships, and any semblance of a normal life. Hounded by the press and branded a danger, just like his brother, Shaw retreated into obscurity and lived on the fringes with no real attachments. He considers the loneliness his penance for the guilt he harbors over his brother’s actions.

When Taryn and Shaw meet the attraction is fast and furious. When Shaw realizes who Taryn is and the connection between them, he does his best to pull away, unwilling to inflict any more damage. When the truth comes out, Taryn is shocked and betrayed – but can she see past the acts of Shaw’s brother to the man she’s come to care for?

While it took me a little time to connect with Taryn (the woman was truly single-minded when it came to her work), my heart softened for Shaw immediately. This was a man who had suffered for the actions of his brother and carried staggering guilt for what he perceived to be his own failings and responsibility. Taryn’s life was insular and her devotion to her work, while admirable, also left her just as alone. In addition, her still-grieving parents placed enormous pressure on her and I found myself chafing at their weighty expectations on her behalf.

I loved the relationship between Shaw and Taryn and the much-needed healing they provided to each other. Taryn’s honesty and willingness to face things head-on and say what needed to be said was so refreshing. There were no games, no dodging the truth, and that went a long way in helping them both get to the heart of what was truly important.

The strong female friendships continued to flourish in this one and I loved to see the support that Liv, Rebecca and Kincaid showed Taryn. These women were truly present for one another and showcasing that connection and support in one of Loren’s strong suits.

Loren’s deft handling of a sensitive (and sadly timely) subject continues to impress. Whether you inhaled the previous two books as I did, or if you’re new to the series, I recommend this one to readers who enjoy their romance with a dose of reality and heartfelt emotion.

4/5 STARS

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. This does not my opinion of the book or the content of this review. I received no compensation and my review is voluntary.

Review: What If It's Us by Becky Albertalli & Adam Silvera

What If It's Us 
Becky Albertalli & Adam Silvera
Publication date: October 9, 2018
Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance, LGBT
Source: Harper Teen & Edelweiss

Arthur is only in New York for the summer, but if Broadway has taught him anything, it’s that the universe can deliver a showstopping romance when you least expect it.

Ben thinks the universe needs to mind its business. If the universe had his back, he wouldn’t be on his way to the post office carrying a box of his ex-boyfriend’s things.

But when Arthur and Ben meet-cute at the post office, what exactly does the universe have in store for them?

Maybe nothing. After all, they get separated.

Maybe everything. After all, they get reunited.

But what if they can’t quite nail a first date . . . or a second first date . . . or a third?

What if Arthur tries too hard to make it work . . . and Ben doesn’t try hard enough?

What if life really isn’t like a Broadway play?

But what if it is? 

What If It’s Us is like getting a big squishy hug from your best friend – who just happens to be made of warm melted chocolate, cotton candy, and rainbows. I read most of this little gem with a big smile on my face because Arthur and Ben are Just. That. Precious.

“Sometimes I feel like New Yorkers do New York wrong. Where are the people swinging from subway poles and dancing on fire escapes and kissing in Times Square?” - Arthur

When Ben and Arthur meet at the post office, the clock is already ticking on their relationship. And the cards seemed stacked against them. Arthur’s days in New York are numbered before he returns home to Georgia, native New Yorker Ben is still in the throes of a recent break-up, and then there’s the fact that once separated they have no idea how to find each other again. But never underestimate the power of a hopeless romantic who is certain the universe is on his side (aka Arthur).

“He laces our fingers and shrugs. And I’m dead. I am actually dead. There’s no other way to explain it. I’m sitting in fucking Herald Square, holding hands with the cutest boy I’ve ever met, and I’m dead. I’m the deadest zombie ghost vampire who ever died. And now my mouth isn’t working. It's like I'm stunned into silence. That never happens.” - Arthur

What ensues is an adorably funny and sometimes bittersweet story of a relationship that almost wasn’t. How it can’t be forced, how it isn’t always what you expect it to be, and how it’s still worth taking a chance on. Albertalli and Silvera created two characters that I fell for immediately and only loved more as the story progressed. Arthur’s enthusiasm and utter guilelessness were contagious and Ben’s more reserved, introspective nature made him relatable. Arthur experiences his first crush/first date/first kiss and the reader gets to suffer through all the cringey awkwardness right along with him. Ben’s recent break-up has left his self-confidence shaken and questioning whether he is even worthy of love. He and his former friend-turned-boyfriend aren’t speaking so even his friend group is splintered just when he needs his friends most. Luckily, he still has best friend Dylan and that’s saying a lot. The bond between Ben and Dylan is total #FriendshipGoals and added so many laugh out loud (and heartfelt) moments.

“I think about the way Arthur smiled so hard during dinner when he thought no one was watching him and what I could do to win as many smiles out of him as possible.” - Ben

Speaking of friendship, it’s alive and represented well all throughout the novel. Both boys have strong friendships that have always been rock solid but are now showing the strain of growing up, new relationships, and circumstances.

What If It’s Us is chock full of pop culture references, Broadway talk (Hamilton lovers will rejoice!), first date do-overs, and the kind of witty banter than makes me grin goofily and actually giggle out loud. Sometimes I wanted to shake Arthur (the boy had no chill), sometimes I wanted to shake Ben (inertia, thy name is Ben). And yeah, maybe I was hoping for a little more from the ending (what can I say, I like my fictional endings tied up with a nice little bow). But none of that changes the fact that I adored these two boys and being a witness to their relationship filled me with all the happy.

4.25/5 STARS

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. This does not my opinion of the book or the content of this review. I received no compensation and my review is voluntary.

Review: One Small Thing by Erin Watt

One Small Thing by Erin Watt

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary

Release Date: June 26, 2018

Format: eARC

Source: Harlequin Teen and Edelweiss

Beth’s life hasn’t been the same since her sister died. Her parents try to lock her down, believing they can keep her safe by monitoring her every move. When Beth sneaks out to a party one night and meets the new guy in town, Chase, she’s thrilled to make a secret friend. It seems a small thing, just for her.

Only Beth doesn’t know how big her secret really is…

Fresh out of juvie and determined to start his life over, Chase has demons to face and much to atone for, including his part in the night Beth’s sister died. Beth, who has more reason than anyone to despise him, is willing to give him a second chance. A forbidden romance is the last thing either of them planned for senior year, but the more time they spend together, the deeper their feelings get.

Now Beth has a choice to make—follow the rules, or risk tearing everything apart…again. 

I read fewer and fewer YA novels these days so I tend to be choosier when it comes to the ones I do pick up. One Small Thing by Erin Watt is one I decided to take a chance on and it paid off big time.

Since the death of her older sister three years ago, Beth’s parents have taken over-protective to epic levels. Chafing at their control, Beth rebels and sneaks out to a party the weekend before her senior year of high school starts. Determined to push the limits, she spends the night with hot new guy Chase… only to find out later that he’s not new. And he has a connection to her sister’s death. When Chase shows up at Beth’s school she finds herself drawn to him again and again and a friendship forms. No one at school seems willing to give Chase a second chance and Beth has to make a decision: is Chase worth the risk?

Beth and Chase were characters that came alive and leapt off the page. I felt Beth’s conflicting emotions – how could the one person she should hate be the only person she could really talk to? – her frustration with her parents, her need to break away. Yes, sometimes she was irresponsible and put herself in iffy situations, but she was also self-aware enough to recognize her failings (sometimes with Chase’s help) and worked to make changes. There was real growth in her character. And Chase… well, Chase captured my heart. This was a young man who made a very foolish choice that had dire consequences – and he paid for it dearly. What broke my heart was Chase’s inability to forgive himself. The years since the accident had matured him and provided him with a wisdom beyond his years. He was a good friend to Beth and was often able to shed light on a situation, provide a sounding board, and give sage advice, and yet he could not find it within himself to make peace with his past and he continued to live in a prison of his own making.

Watt managed to take a situation that is unlikely and not only make it feel completely believable, but also had me emotionally invested. I was sympathetic toward Beth, I was heartsick for Chase, and I was genuinely outraged by the cruelty and the gang mentality that was rampant at the school (students and faculty alike). Despite an ending that was too rushed and felt abrupt, and secondary characters who made me all kinds of ragey, I fell in love with this emotional story of friendship, forgiveness, and love. I highly recommend One Small Thing.

4.25/5 STARS

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. This is no way changes my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

Review: The Fragile Ordinary by Samantha Young

The Fragile Ordinary by Samantha Young

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary

Release Date: June 26, 2018

Format: eARC

Source: Harlequin Teen and Edelweiss

I am Comet Caldwell.

And I sort of, kind of, absolutely hate my name.

People expect extraordinary things from a girl named Comet. That she’ll be effortlessly cool and light up a room the way a comet blazes across the sky.

But from the shyness that makes her book-character friends more appealing than real people to the parents whose indifference hurts more than an open wound, Comet has never wanted to be the center of attention. She can’t wait to graduate from her high school in Edinburgh, Scotland, where the only place she ever feels truly herself is on her anonymous poetry blog. But surely that will change once she leaves to attend university somewhere far, far away.

When new student Tobias King blazes in from America and shakes up the school, Comet thinks she’s got the bad boy figured out. Until they’re thrown together for a class assignment and begin to form an unlikely connection. Everything shifts in Comet’s ordinary world. Tobias has a dark past and runs with a tough crowd—and none of them are happy about his interest in Comet. Targeted by bullies and thrown into the spotlight, Comet and Tobias can go their separate ways…or take a risk on something extraordinary. 

Being sixteen is never easy but Comet Caldwell has the additional woe of being saddled with two parents who seem prone to treating her as a polite boarder or acting surprised that she’s actually still around. Add in two fun-loving friends who cannot understand her bookishness or her contentment to stay at home and Comet is often left feeling invisible and misunderstood. Enter hot new guy from America. A shared class project with Tobias turns into more and Comet is smitten. But Tobias and his cousin run with a rough crowd and suddenly Comet is the target of unwanted attention. Being with Tobias means no longer being invisible and facing up to bullies. So is Comet willing to shake up her life and come out of her shell?

I had an odd relationship with The Fragile Ordinary and my feelings for Comet and the overall story ran the gamut.

The first several chapters: Oh my goodness, this was sixteen year old me. I relate to this girl so hard.

By the middle: I’m so over being in this girl’s head. I get it already, you’re not like your friends, you don’t like parties, blah blah blah.

And by the end: So that was it, huh? Okay.

The Fragile Ordinary suffered from an overabundance of telling instead of showing - something I’m willing to go with in small doses but there was little here for me to discover for myself. Comet shared her every thought and feeling (to the point of being repetitive), Comet told me all about her feelings for Tobias, Comet told me about every outfit she wore (and described everything her friends wore). Because of this, I was never able to invest in the Comet + Tobias relationship. While I was told (often) how Comet felt and how their relationship progressed, I was never able to see it or feel it for myself. Passages like this one are a prime example: “Tobias and I… well we were better than great. Closer than ever and yet both excelling separately.” While I generally liked both Comet and Tobias, I was never able to feel any connection or buy in to the romance.

Comet did experience some real character growth throughout the book – finding confidence in herself, calling out her parents for their atrocious lack of parenting, and generally finding her own voice – and I appreciated seeing the gradual changes in her. While The Fragile Ordinary didn’t bring anything new to the YA contemporary genre, it was still an enjoyable story that showcased friendship, acceptance of what we cannot change, and standing up for one's self.

3/5 STARS

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. This is no way changes my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

Review: The One You Can't Forget by Roni Loren

The One You Can't Forget by Roni Loren

Genres: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: June 5, 2018

Format: eARC

Source: Sourcebooks and Edelweiss

Find it here: GoodReads

Most days Rebecca Lindt feels like an imposter...

The world admires her as a survivor. But that impression would crumble if people knew her secret. She didn't deserve to be the one who got away. But nothing can change the past, so she's thrown herself into her work. She can't dwell if she never slows down.

Wes Garrett is trying to get back on his feet after losing his dream restaurant, his money, and half his damn mind in a vicious divorce. But when he intervenes in a mugging and saves Rebecca―the attorney who helped his ex ruin him―his simple life gets complicated.

Their attraction is inconvenient and neither wants more than a fling. But when Rebecca's secret is put at risk, both discover they could lose everything, including what they never realized they needed: each other.

Rebecca works hard – both at her job and at putting up a façade. She appears to be a woman who has it all together and is in total control. In reality, Rebecca is still gripped by horror of a school shooting twelve years ago.

At work, she was the aggressive, confident lawyer. To her father’s friends, she was the studious, obedient daughter. To her friends, she was the practical, unemotional one. She was all those things and none of them, but those masks gave her a comfortable place to settle, a role she knew how to play.

Wes is a man who hit the bottom and is on the road to redemption. A talented chef who lost his restaurant in a bitter divorce, he’s now teaching an after-school cooking class for at-risk teens. Now sober, Wes is concentrating on starting over and rebuilding his life. A life that does not include the divorce attorney who helped strip him of all that he’d worked for.

Outwardly, Rebecca and Wes had nothing in common. But from a chance meeting, to a no-strings-attached affair, to a relationship that neither of them was looking for, I loved seeing these two characters come together. I appreciated how they slowly began to count on one another, become ingrained in each other’s lives, and provide the support and acceptance that they both needed so badly.

She hadn’t expected all the other sides to him. The mentor who had endless patience for troubled kids. The friend who held her after a panic attack and didn’t interrogate her about it. And the man who hadn’t been scared to tell her how he was feeling about what was going on between them.

In addition to Wes and Rebecca’s stories, there is a sub-plot concerning one of Wes’s students that took me by surprise and added such an emotional punch.

This second book in Loren’s latest series can be read as a stand-alone, but I highly recommend also reading The Ones Who Got Away. You don’t want to miss any part of this outstanding series. 

4/5 STARS

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. This is no way changes my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

Review: After the Game by Abbi Glines

After the Game by Abbi Glines

Series: The Field Party #3

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary

Release Date: August 22, 2017

Format: eARC

Source: Edelweiss/Simon Pulse

Find it here: GoodReads | Amazon

Two years ago, Riley Young fled from Lawton, Alabama. After accusing the oldest Lawton son, Rhett, of rape, everyone called her a liar and she had no option but to leave. Now she’s back, but she’s not at Lawton High finishing up her senior year. She’s at home raising the little girl that no one believed was Rhett’s.

Rhett is off at college living the life he was afraid he’d lose with Riley’s accusation, so Riley agrees to move back to Lawton so she and her parents could take care of her grandmother, who is suffering from Alzheimer’s. But the town still hasn’t forgotten their hate for her, and she hasn’t forgotten the way they turned on her when she needed them most.

When town golden boy Brady Higgens finds Riley and her daughter, Bryony, stranded on the side of the road in a storm, he pulls over and gives them a ride. Not because he cares about Riley, of course, but because of the kid.

But after the simple car ride, he begins to question everything he thought he knew. Could Brady believe Riley and risk losing everything?

This final installment in The Field Party trilogy was by far my favorite. With less soap opera drama and less obnoxious behavior from the local football gods, After the Game was able to reel me in with Riley and Brady’s story.

Riley was a character I truly liked and respected. When she accused the son of the town’s most powerful family of rape, she was branded a liar. Now back after a two year absence, she is solely focused on raising her daughter. Riley had to grow up quickly and her maturity showed in how she respected her parents, helped care for her Alzheimer’s-stricken grandmother, and finished high school from home with online classes. Because of this, Riley was largely unconcerned about gossip and petty small town drama. Yes she was sometimes lonely, but for the most part she was busy raising her fifteen month old daughter Bryony and focused on their future.

Brady has always been painted as the “good guy” even though I’ve often felt his actions spoke otherwise. (He spent the first two books using a girl for sex when he admittedly had no real feelings for her.) However, in this book I felt like Brady truly grew up and, when faced with difficult situations, he really came into his own and made choices that defined who he was. A family situation surfaced that I never saw coming and I was equal parts crushed for Brady and proud of how he handled himself.

Riley and Brady came together as friends and even though their relationship developed fairly quickly (they did know each other previously so it wasn’t totally insta-love) I still appreciated the support they provided one another. Despite a rocky start, Brady stood by Riley against the gossip and those in town who would still shun her. And Riley was there for Brady and encouraged him to follow his own path instead of the one that had been chosen for him.

After the Game was a satisfying ending to The Field Party trilogy with a strong focus on family and moving forward in spite of life’s challenges. Riley in particular proved to be so strong and resilient and I admired her for her determination to work for a solid future for her and her daughter. Fans of Abbi Glines will surely love this one.
Note: I received an advance copy of this title from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way changes my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

3.5/5 STARS

Review: Far from the Tree by Robin Benway

Far from the Tree by Robin Benway

Series: No

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary

Release Date: October 3, 2017

Format: eARC

Source: Edelweiss/Harper Teen

Find it here: GoodReads | Amazon

A moving contemporary novel about three adopted siblings who find each other at just the right moment, by acclaimed YA vet Robin Benway.

Being the middle child has its ups and downs.

But for Grace, an only child who was adopted at birth, discovering that she is a middle child is a different ride altogether. After putting her own baby up for adoption, she goes looking for her biological family, including—

Maya, her loudmouthed younger bio sister, who has a lot to say about their newfound family ties. Having grown up the snarky brunette in a house full of chipper redheads, she’s quick to search for traces of herself among these not-quite-strangers. And when her adopted family’s long-buried problems begin to explode to the surface, Maya can’t help but wonder where exactly it is that she belongs.

And Joaquin, their stoic older bio brother, who has no interest in bonding over their shared biological mother. After seventeen years in the foster care system, he’s learned that there are no heroes, and secrets and fears are best kept close to the vest, where they can’t hurt anyone but him.

Robin Benway’s beautiful interweaving story of three very different teenagers connected by blood explores the meaning of family in all its forms—how to find it, how to keep it, and how to love it.

Do you ever finish a book and think: Wow, nothing I can say will possibly do this justice? Yeah, that’s how I feel about Far from the Tree. This turned out to be an incredibly moving read for me, not because I have first-hand experience with most of the themes covered here (adoption, teen pregnancy, foster care, alcoholism, racism), but because Robin Benway is a genius at telling a story that elicits an emotional response.

A pregnancy and subsequent adoption prompts sixteen year old Grace to search for her birth mother. What she doesn’t expect is the revelation that she has two siblings. The coming together of Grace, Maya and Joaquin changes their lives in ways they couldn’t have imagined. Grace keeps the birth of her daughter a secret from her new siblings while dealing with loneliness, sadness and guilt. Maya often feels like a stranger in her own home which is made even more difficult when home is no longer a safe haven. And Joaquin has grown up in the foster care system, bouncing from one home to another, feeling unloved and unworthy. 

I loved these characters. They felt completely realistic – their every mood and emotion – and that sucked me right into their lives. There was so much detail Benway added (like Grace referring to her baby as Peach, because that’s the size she was when Grace discovered she was pregnant) that added such realism to the story. Grace was such a likable girl. A girl who went from having a boyfriend and friends to losing all of it after her pregnancy. She was lonely and depressed and mourned not only the loss of her daughter but also the loss of the life she used to have (her return to school after giving birth was so painful that I just ached for her).

“Is it okay that I said that?” Joaquin asked, glancing over at Grace.

She frowned. “Said what?”

“You know. I called you my sister.”

The edges of Grace’s mouth trembled even as she started to smile. “That’s fine,” she said. “That’s what I am, right?”

On his other side, Maya rested her head on his shoulder. “Me, too,” she said quietly.

Looking so different from her parents and her sister was just another reminder that Maya was adopted. (Not to mention the books her parents had on raising an adopted child, even though they had no similar books for their biological child.) Her parents are fighting all the time and she’s finding empty wine bottles that her mother hides. She escapes her house every chance she can get to spend time with her girlfriend, but even with Shay she doesn’t share what’s going on at home and how she’s truly feeling. Maya could have such a prickly exterior that it was sometimes hard for me to connect with her and empathize with her as fully as I did with the Grace and Joaquin. She was falling apart inside, but was determined to put up a tough exterior.

“You think they want to meet me?”

Linda paused. “I’m pretty sure that when someone emails you asking to meet them, that’s a good sign.”

Joaquin just shook his head. “No, I mean, like… meet me.”

Linda paused again, but there was a gentleness between her words. “I think lots of people want to meet you, kiddo,” she said, then put a warm hand on his shoulder. “You just don’t know it yet.”

And then there’s Joaquin – who was never adopted and lived his life in the foster care system. Despite being with foster parents Mark and Linda for the past two years, people he truly cares for, his past doesn’t allow him to accept their love or believe that he truly has a home. Experience has taught him that he could be sent away at any time and he refuses any attachments. It was Joaquin that captured my heart and had me wanting to wrap him up, take away all the hurt and convince him he had so much to offer and was worth of love. My heart broke again and again for this sweet boy that had gone far too long without feeling stability and love and hope.

Far from the Tree grabbed me by the heart and didn’t let go. Benway created complex, multi-layered characters dealing with real-life situations and I was riveted by their journey, individually and together. I feel like I cried my way through half the book (usually at Joaquin’s chapters), sometimes with sadness and heartache but also with joy and hope. Grace and Maya and Joaquin came alive for me and I finished their story feeling so happy that I’d met them. 

Note: I received an advance copy of this title from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way changes my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

4.5/5 STARS

Review: Top Ten by Katie Cotugno

Top Ten by Katie Cotugno

Series: No

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary

Release Date: October 3, 2017

Format: eARC

Source: Edelweiss/Balzer + Bray

Find it here: GoodReads | Amazon

Ryan McCullough and Gabby Hart are the unlikeliest of friends. Introverted, anxious Gabby would rather do literally anything than go to a party. Ryan is a star hockey player who can get any girl he wants—and does, frequently. But against all odds, they became not only friends, but each other’s favorite person. Now, as they face high school graduation, they can’t help but take a moment to reminisce and, in their signature tradition, make a top ten list—counting down the top ten moments of their friendship:

10. Where to begin? Maybe the night we met.
9. Then there was our awkward phase.
8. When you were in love with me but never told me…
7. Those five months we stopped talking were the hardest of my life.
6. Through terrible fights…
5. And emotional makeups.
4. You were there for me when I got my heart broken...
3. …but at times, you were also the one breaking it.
2. Above all, you helped me make sense of the world.
1. Now, as we head off to college—how am I possibly going to live without you?

I feel like I just lived through four years of the trials and tribulations of high school with Gabby and Ryan. And I mean that in both the best and worst ways possible (because whoever said high school is the best time of your life is a terrible liar). These two characters had me wanting to hug them, wanting to shake some sense into them, and most of all just wanting them to find their way and be happy.

With each chapter visiting a pivotal time in their friendship, Top Ten delves into the ups and downs of Ryan and Gabby’s ever-evolving relationship. On the surface, Ryan, easy-going and popular, and Gabby, anxious and shy, are unlikely friends. But in each other they find someone they can truly be themselves with.

I related to Gabby to a ridiculous degree and it was sometimes almost painful to watch as she tried to navigate her daily life while dealing with varying levels of anxiety. She chafed against being told to “just try” doing the very things that sent her into a panic and yet still sometimes made the effort (usually with disastrous results). From best friend Ryan, to her girlfriend Shay, to her family, Gabby struggled with not being enough for those around her.

Outwardly Ryan was a carefree character who had it all – a gifted hockey player, friends, girls, parties. But Ryan struggled with not only his own insecurities – outside of hockey did he have anything to offer? – but also to please his volatile father whose love and attention felt conditional.

I simply loved the relationship between these two characters. Loved it. Their friendship was the real deal. They were (usually) brutally honest with each other. They called each other out. They broke each other’s hearts. They were one another’s touchstone. It wasn’t always smooth sailing – far from it – but when it came down to it, they shared a connection that stood the test of time.

From freshman year to the summer after graduation, through parties and girlfriends, friends and family, Cotugno brings to life two characters who are each other’s Most Important Person – and defines what that truly means for Gabby and Ryan.

Note: I received an advance copy of this title from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way changes my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

4/5 STARS