Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at The Breaking Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

I think the cover of this is sooo cute. I love Susane Colasanti's novels so I am really excited to read this one. I'm also a sucker for books about love, relationships, boys, etc., soo.... 


(sorry this is so short guys, i'm pretty busy with school this week & dance, but i'm trying so hang in there!)

Bittersweet: Review

Title: Bittersweet

Author: Sarah Ockler

Series: N/A
Book #: N/A
Pages: 378

Published: January 3, 2012

Synopsis: 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…. 

When Hudson was 14, her life was perfect. She had a perfect little family, with her mom, dad, and little brother, had an identical best friend, and she was on her way to becoming a professional ice skater. But one day before a huge competition, she makes a discovery that changes everything. Fast forward a few years in the future, and Hudson's life is completely different. She's known as the cupcake queen because of her craftsmanship in making delicious cupcakes. She works in her mother's diner and has a new best friend. And after a run-in with a cute hockey captain, Hudson realizes even after everything, she still might have a chance at making her ice skating dreams come true.

One main word comes to my mind after reading this book: Cute. It just describes this novel perfectly for me. It was an adorable chick lit, full of hot hockey boys, cupcakes, ice skating & lots of clumsiness. I read Sarah Ockler's debut novel, Twenty Boy Summer & loved it so I was excited to read this one. 

I loved the main character, Hudson. I guess I really connected with her, I felt like we had the same type of personality. I think the character's development was actually pretty great, the only problem I had with the characters was that I wish Josh would have appeared more. He was the only character that I thought was a little under-developed. My favorite though, was Hudson's little brother, Bug. He was so smart & cute, and his zany escapades were hilarious. 

Cupcakes, mmmm. Gotta love them. That was one of my favorite parts of this book, her and her affinity for making amazing cupcakes. She was always giving them to people, always making them. One problem though, it made me crave them the whole time I was reading this book. 

I felt like everyone relied on Hudson a little too much. Her mother expected her to ALWAYS be in the restaurant, and acted like it was her job to pay the bills. Her best friend, Dani, was jealous of her new life. I wanted her to have a freak out moment, and tell them how she felt, but it never happened.

Although I didn't quite enjoy this one as much as her debut, it was still a great read that I recommend to anyone with love for a quick cute chick lit. 

The Pledge: Review

Title: The Pledge

Author: Kimberly Derting

Series: The Pledge
Book #: 1
Pages: 323

Published: November 15, 2011

Synopsis:  In the violent country of Ludania, the classes are strictly divided by the language they speak. The smallest transgression, like looking a member of a higher class in the eye while they are speaking their native tongue, results in immediate execution. Seventeen-year-old Charlaina has always been able to understand the languages of all classes, and she's spent her life trying to hide her secret. The only place she can really be free is the drug-fueled underground clubs where people go to shake off the oppressive rules of the world they live in. It's there that she meets a beautiful and mysterious boy named Max who speaks a language she's never heard before . . . and her secret is almost exposed. 

Charlie is intensely attracted to Max, even though she can't be sure where his real loyalties lie. As the emergency drills give way to real crisis and the violence escalates, it becomes clear that Charlie is the key to something much bigger: her country's only chance for freedom from the terrible power of a deadly regime.            

Charlie has always been different. She has a secret, one that she can't tell anyone. If she did, it would result in deadly consequences. In Ludania, one small mistake could end up with an immediate execution order by the Queen. So Charlie is cautious, going about her life in the Merchant class with her parents, sister, and two best friends, Aron and Brook. But when she meets a mysterious dark-haired boy at a club, she can't seem to get him off her mind. All she knows is she has to protect herself, and her sister at all costs.

I had high expectations for this book, because it was raved about. I've read quite a few gushing reviews on it, so I was excited to get to reading. I'm also a ginormous fan of the dystopian genre. This book was fast-paced, action packed and riveting. I can truly say that there was never a boring moment within this book for me. This novel was just so greatly detailed. I felt like I was inside of the horrific world of Ludania, struggling along with Charlie. 

Charlie was pretty kick-butt. She was brave & determined. I love that, I really hate when characters seem too whiny or too timid. She was the perfect protagonist. And even though the queen is the antagonist in the novel, I couldn't help but admire how we got to get inside her head too and see the villain behind the curtains. The Queen was a really greatly developed character in this book. 

As for the plot, ME GUSTA. That was probably my favorite thing about this book. I loved all the vigorous adventures of Charlie. I do wish I could say way more about this, but it's hard to say too much without giving things away.

The only miss for this book, in my opinion, would be that I wish Charlie, and the other characters, would've felt more real. The plot was SO detailed but when it came to the characters, I felt like maybe their emotions could've been stronger, or more pronounced.

Another great story by Kimberly Derting! Definitely adding this author to the favorites list. This book was everything I look for in a dystopian novel. 

PLL: Character TV show/Book differences

I was recently just re-reading the first Pretty Little Liars Book, and I realized that the characters are described different than the actors/actresses in the TV show. I read the Pretty Little Liars books a while ago, and when the TV show premiered I got addicted (still am! I tivo it every monday). As I was reading the first book and noticing these differences, I thought it would be fun to make a post about it. So here are the differences between the character descriptions in the book, and the actors/actresses in the TV show.

For instance, Hanna is blonde in the TV show, but described as a brunette in the books.

Another example is Emily. In the show she has dark brown hair, but in the book she has blonde hair tinted a bit green since she's a swimmer.

Then there's Spencer.

And finally, Aria. who's not too different at all, actually.

Another difference is Ezra, who in the books is described as having blonde, messy hair, but in the movies has dark brown hair. Alison's character is pretty spot on.

Unearthly Review

Title: Unearthly

Author: Cynthia Hand

Series: Unearthly
Book #: 1
Pages: 435

Publisher: HarperTeen
Published: January 4, 2011

Synopsis:  In the beginning, there's a boy standing in the trees . . . .

Clara Gardner has recently learned that she's part angel. Having angel blood run through her veins not only makes her smarter, stronger, and faster than humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer applies to her), but it means she has a purpose, something she was put on this earth to do. Figuring out what that is, though, isn't easy.

Her visions of a raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seems to fall into place—and out of place at the same time. Because there's another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara's less angelic side.

As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she'd have to make—between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?

Unearthly is a moving tale of love and fate, and the struggle between following the rules and following your heart.                      

Clara has a purpose. A destiny, all planned out for her. That's what comes with being an angel-blood. Clara's been getting visions of a boy in a fire.. it's all a little murky for her. However, she has her mother there to help. After getting a clearer vision, they move to Wyoming to continue to pursue her purpose. There, she starts a whole new life, and tries to figure out the future one laid out for her. With many obstacles to cross, confusion, and two new handsome boys, Clara's life couldn't get any more complicated.

Well you could say I'm a little late to join the bandwagon on this one. I'm not gonna lie, at the bookstore, I most definitely did judge this book by it's cover. Shimmery purple, gorgeous font & a mysterious girl on the cover.. count me in! The sequel, Hallowed, just came out too, so I figured if I loved this book I could just keep on reading. And sometimes, covers are all they're cracked up to be.. Which was the case with this book. 

For me, angel books are overrated. Not usually done right, and overused.  But I really did love this one. And it wasn't the whole angel concept of the book that i loved. I think most of all, I loved the storyline & the relationships between characters. For example, Clara and Tucker. I thought they such an adorable book couple. I could literally feel the chemistry coming off the pages. As for Christian... let me tell ya, I thought his character and role in the book were a little underdeveloped. I mean, he is supposed to be one of the main characters, but it felt like he was just a minor for a third of the book. I hope in Hallowed he gets a chance to shine. 

For Hallowed, I want more Tucker por favor!!!! Consuming, romantic, drama, are three perfect words to describe this fun & captivating novel. (Did I mention I LOVE the cover..)

i know i disappeared, without a warning, or anything.
here's the deal. i just started freshman year & it has been so stressful. trying to balance a social life, school, sleep, and a book blog was nearly impossible. it became more of a duty than a hobby, and book blogging is something i want to enjoy doing. so i kept putting off posting until i just finally stopped. but i have come to realize how much i miss being a book blogger. i miss reading. i miss reviewing, i miss the whole book blogging world.
so i am back. and i am determined to not quit. to those who stood by with patience, thank you so much!

Waiting On Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at The Breaking Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Title: Spell Bound

Author: Rachel Hawkins

Release date: March 13, 2012

Publisher: Hyperion

Synopsis:Hailed as “impossible to put down,” the Hex Hall series has both critics and teens cheering. With a winning combination of romance, action, magic and humor, this third volume will leave readers enchanted. 

Just as Sophie Mercer has come to accept her extraordinary magical powers as a demon, the Prodigium Council strips them away. Now Sophie is defenseless, alone, and at the mercy of her sworn enemies—the Brannicks, a family of warrior women who hunt down the Prodigium. Or at least that’s what Sophie thinks, until she makes a surprising discovery. The Brannicks know an epic war is coming, and they believe Sophie is the only one powerful enough to stop the world from ending. But without her magic, Sophie isn’t as confident. 

Sophie’s bound for one hell of a ride—can she get her powers back before it’s too late?

This is one of my all-time favorite series, so naturally i am desperately waiting on the third books release. I think the cover is so pretty, though I think I liked the first two covers a little more. I haven't read the first two books in a while so  i might have to re-read before this one comes out. This one seems intense though, score!