The Sound of Us

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Thanks to Entangled Publishing for the copy of The Sound of Us by Julie Hammerle! I wasn’t sure how much I would enjoy this book about a classical musical competition and scholarships, but I am very pleasantly surprised! The Sound of Us is so much more than just music, but, at the same time, is engulfed in the musical students’ world. I like the musical and literary references throughout the book and I grew to care about the characters, who are very dynamic as they mature and learn through their struggles. I am very proud of Kiki and all that she accomplished. She learned valuable lessons about herself and others and moved forward with that knowledge. Kiki is a teenage girl that gets into the classical music summer camp that she has aspired to. The camp is cut-throat and each student is competing and fighting for one of seven scholarships (four-year, full-ride scholarships to the college). This story is engaging, fun to read, enjoyable, intelligent and has the perfect ending in which the future awaits!

 

Outrun the Moon

Posted on by lynndellwatson

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Outrun the Moon by Stacey Lee introduces Mercy Wong and her family living in Chinatown in 1906. Mercy wants to give her family a better life, so she studies and works her way into the St. Clare’s Boarding School for girls. Mercy has impressive maturity and wisdom for her age, probably due to the racism that surrounds her and her undying pursuit of future goals. The San Francisco earthquake strikes and some petty differences dissolve while others grow. Mercy Wong upholds her strong values and beliefs while still being open to others. She is perfect:) This wonderful historical fiction story contains some clean romance and a happily ever after feel.

A Totally Awkward Love Story

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Thanks to First In Line for selecting me as a winner and giving me a free copy of A Totally Awkward Love Story by Tom Ellen and Lucy Ivison! The title is perfect for this story as the awkwardness continues throughout the entire book and throughout the relationship between Hannah and Sam. Young adult British humor made me laugh a ton! I enjoyed the humorous honesty and complete openness about everything, and I mean everything! Fun and fast read by clever authors.

 

After Obsession

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After Obsession by Carrie Jones and Steven E. Wedel tells the story of a teenage girl and teenage boy that share a psychic connection. Aimee is psychic and has dreams. Alan has dreams also, his contain Aimee, even though he doesn’t know her yet. Aimee’s mother is gone and her friend Courtney’s dad is missing. People began to act more aggressively than they ever have before and no one can understand why. Courtney’s cousin, Alan, and his mother move in with Courtney and her mother to help support them, financially and emotionally. Alan is part Native American and has found his totem while on his vision quest. When Aimee and Alan meet, they immediately sense their connection and work together to solve the town’s mysterious change of behavior and missing people. The story grows more complicated as the supernatural comes to light and the townspeople have to work together to prevent more tragedy. This book is a clean read with a bit of romance and a taste of the supernatural! Enjoyable!

Trial by Fire

Posted on by lynndellwatson

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Thanks to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the third book in the Going Down in Flames series, Trial by Fire by Chris Cannon! The bond between Bryn and Valmont continues to be tested and threats to Bryn’s life continue as well. She keeps looking for any signs of other hybrids while her grandparents and Jaxon’s parents assume that Bryn and Jaxon will be married. The book ends with a possible opening for another book, but who knows? The series is enjoyable and a very clean read, so a book or books being added to the series would be welcomed by me!

Bridges Burned

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Thanks to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the ebook of Bridges Burned, the second book in the Going Down in Flames series by Chris Cannon! Bryn discovers who she can truly trust and depend on as she struggles through heartache. She loses her parents and moves in with her maternal grandparents while Valmont proves his bond with Bryn, building their relationship even more. Other hybrids are discovered, helping Bryn feel like less of an outcast. This is a clean read, through and through and the ending leaves an opening for the next book.

Saving April

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Saving April by Sarah A. Denzil is a book I was asked to review. Alternating points of view with Hannah (a writer who doesn’t leave her house much and is a recluse) and Laura (a woman who just moved into the neighborhood with her husband and daughter, April). The story pulled me in and the riveting suspense wouldn’t let me go! Once I began reading Saving April, I couldn’t put it down and I finished it in one sitting. I enjoyed how the characters are pulled together, how secrets are slowly revealed and the intensity of the plot! The epilogue adds even more to the story. Impressive writing and reading Saving April made me want to read this author’s other works.

Hearts, Fingers, and Other Things to Cross

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Hearts, Fingers, and Other Things to Cross by Katie Finn is a roller coaster of emotions! The relationship ins and outs of the characters become pretty tangled along with the hurricane scare. This is the shortest and final book of the Broken Hearts and Revenge series and also the most intense!

Revenge, Ice Cream, and Other Things Best Served Cold

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Revenge, Ice Cream, and Other Things Best Served Cold by Katie Finn delivers intense revenge. The story begins with a recap of past events. Hallie seems to be bent on revenge even though everything came to a head already. The revenge pit just keeps getting dug deeper and deeper. Both Gemma and Hallie go all out with their vengeful acts towards each other and the people around them suffer too. Interesting, heartbreaking and sometimes touching, this book was difficult to put down and the cliffhanger ending makes me want to dive into the next book in the series.

 

The Problem with Forever

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The Problem with Forever by Jennifer Armentrout pulled me in from page one!  This complex book tells about the present situation of two previously abused teenagers and the protective relationship between the two of them. Mallory and Rider have known each other since they were small and living together in a foster home.  By page thirty-nine, the amazing way that Rider took care of Mallory when they were younger got to me and I began all-out crying because it was so touching.  The Problem with Forever deals with some tough issues and the author handles these issues with dignity and kindness.  After reading this story, I felt inspired and like my soul had been lightened.  It’s like therapy!

This is the first book of Jennifer Armentrout’s that I have read, but it will not be the last!  I am very impressed with her writing and I have a feeling that this realistic fiction book will stick with me for a very long time.