Review: All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

Theodore Finch is fascinated by death, and he constantly thinks of ways he might kill himself. But each time, something good, no matter how small, stops him.

Violet Markey lives for the future, counting the days until graduation, when she can escape her Indiana town and her aching grief in the wake of her sister's recent death.

When Finch and Violet meet on the ledge of the bell tower at school, it’s unclear who saves whom. And when they pair up on a project to discover the “natural wonders” of their state, both Finch and Violet make more important discoveries: It’s only with Violet that Finch can be himself—a weird, funny, live-out-loud guy who’s not such a freak after all. And it’s only with Finch that Violet can forget to count away the days and start living them. But as Violet’s world grows, Finch’s begins to shrink.

Hardcover, 384 pages

Expected publication: January 6th 2015 by Knopf

Terri's Thoughts

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher Knopf via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.  THANK YOU!  The expected publication date is January 6th 2014.

I have to be honest that I was skeptical about this read before starting it.  The blurb compares it to some heavy weight books by heavy weight authors in this genre who have had a lot of media attention in the last year.  I felt that this could be a disservice to the book as it would raise expectations that may be hard to meet.  Needless to say that there was no fear in that as I absolutely adored this book (although I stand by my thoughts about the risk of comparing it to other blockbuster books).

No matter what I write down on this page I will not be able to do this story justice.  I will not capture the humour, the love, the emotions or the tears so I wont try.  Instead you are stuck with my measly attempt to form some kind of thought.  Here goes nothing....

Every so often a character comes along that you just fall in love with.  While you can't completely pinpoint the reason why, you just know that this character will stick with you and you will remember them long after you have moved on to the next 500 books and characters.  This was Finch for me.  His seize the day attitude had me from the very beginning when he spoke his first words to Violet.  Although he was dealing with some very dark issues his approach to life was completely refreshing.  How he said what he wanted, acted the way he wanted and continually reinvented himself was so overwhelmingly charming that I found myself constantly smiling.  His attributes that resulted in him being labeled as a "freak" are the same ones I repeatedly fell in love with. He has made my top five list of all time favorite book characters.

Although not as charismatic as Finch, Violet held her own in the story.  She was essentially a nice girl who was drowning in grief and needed to find her way again.  The way she never looked at Finch with the same eyes that her friends did was endearing.

Put these two together and I was lost.  The concept of them "wandering" for a school project was as unique as the characters.  With Finch's outlook of living for today their adventures were amusing and heart warming.  Their exchanges on Facebook were relevant with today's times and the messages completely sweet.

I will stop here.  I think you get the picture as I seem to be gushing a little bit here.  To me this is one of the best YA books that I have had the luxury to read.  I laughed out loud in one moment and shed tears like a blubbering idiot in another.  This was simply a beautiful story about two people dealing with dark issues who ultimately save each other.  I say just go out and read it now.

On a side note:  My fifteen year old niece usually recommends to me what novel to read in this genre.  This time I get to recommend one to her that I know she will love and will resonate with her demographic.  I predict great things with this novel.  I see it is already slated to become a movie...I am not surprised.

About the Author     

From her Goodreads profile

By the time I was ten, I had already written numerous songs, a poem for Parker Stevenson ("If there were a Miss America for men, You would surely win"), two autobiographies (All About Me and My Life in Indiana: I Will Never Be Happy Again), a Christmas story, several picture books (which I illustrated myself) featuring the Doodle Bugs from Outer Space, a play about Laura Ingalls Wilder's sister entitled Blindness Strikes Mary, a series of prison mysteries, a collection of short stories featuring me as the main character (an internationally famous rock star detective), and a partially finished novel about Vietnam. I was also an excellent speller from a very early age.

In 2000, I started writing full-time, and I haven't stopped... I've written eight books (two of those are forthcoming), and when I'm not working on the ninth, I'm contributing to my web magazine, Germ (www.germmagazine.com), thinking up new books, and dabbling in TV. I am always writing.

Website:  http://www.jenniferniven.com/
Twitter:  Jennifer Niven

Review: Saving Grace by Jane Green

Grace and Ted Chapman are widely regarded as the perfect literary power couple. Ted is a successful novelist and Grace, his wife of twenty years, is beautiful, stylish, carefree, and a wonderful homemaker. But what no one sees, what is churning under the surface, is Ted’s rages. His mood swings. And the precarious house of cards that their lifestyle is built upon. When Ted’s longtime assistant and mainstay leaves, the house of cards begins to crumble and Grace, with dark secrets in her past, is most vulnerable. She finds herself in need of help but with no one to turn to…until the perfect new assistant shows up out of the blue.  To the rescue comes Beth, a competent young woman who can handle Ted and has the calm efficiency to weather the storms that threaten to engulf the Chapman household. Soon, though, it’s clear to Grace that Beth might be too good to be true. This new interloper might be the biggest threat of all, one that could cost Grace her marriage, her reputation, and even her sanity.  With everything at stake and no one to confide in, Grace must find a way to save herself before it is too late.

Powerful and riveting, Saving Grace will have you on the edge of your seat as you follow Grace on her harrowing journey to rock bottom and back.

Hardcover, 352 pages

Expected publication: December 30th 2014 by St. Martin's Press

 

 

Terri's Thoughts

I won a copy of this book in a giveaway on Goodreads in exchange for an honest review.  The expected publication date is December 30th.

This was one of those really frustrating reads for me.  Not because the writing was bad, because it wasn't, or because the plot was poor because it was good.  It was because as the reader you can see exactly where the story is heading but you are helpless to stop it from going there.  Similar to when you are watching a horror movie and you know that the bad guy is behind the door and you are yelling for the character to not open the door and they still do despite all of your protests.

The relationship between Grace and Ted was certainly dysfunctional from the very beginning.  I found Grace very weak to put up with Ted's garbage and wasn't sure I would be able to stick with a story where the main character didn't have a back-bone.  Enter Beth and this is where the story got interesting.

Although the damage Beth inflicted almost seemed to occur off of the pages you could see exactly where the plot was heading.  With it, Grace was redeemed slightly in my eyes.  The only thing I had a hard time getting past was as Grace was fighting to get her life back she was also wanting her husband back.  With everything that had happened I could not understand why she would want him back in her life.  He had no redeeming qualities to speak of.  I do feel that this was intentional to take the reader to the ultimate conclusion of the story yet every time she said she wanted her husband back I wanted to scream.

This was a very easy read.  I was finished reading it on no time.  While I cannot really pinpoint what genre I would consider it I think it has the ability to appeal to the masses.  I enjoyed it.

 

About the Author

 

 former feature writer for the Daily Express in the UK, Green took a leap in faith when she left, in 1996, to freelance and work on a novel. Seven months later, there was a bidding war for her first book, Straight Talking, the saga of a single career girl looking for the right man. The novel was an immediate top-ten bestseller in England, and Green was an overnight success.

Now in her forties, Green has graduated to more complex, character-driven novels that explore the concerns of real women's lives, from marriage (The Other Woman) to motherhood (Another Piece of My Heart) to divorce, stepchildren, affairs, and most recently, midlife crises (Family Pictures and Tempting Fate).

She joined the ABC News team to write A Modern Fairytale - their first enhanced digital book - about the history of Royal marriages, then joined ABC News Radio as a live correspondent covering Prince William's wedding to Kate Middleton. She has written a micro-series for Dove starring Alicia Keyes, many short stories, and has contributed to various anthologies, as well as regularly appearing on television shows including Good Morning America, The Martha Stewart show, and The Today Show.

Together with writing books and blogs, she contributes to various publications, both online and print, including Huffington Post, The Sunday Times, Cosmopolitan and Self, has taught at writers conferences, and does regular keynote speaking.

A foodie and passionate cook, Green filled one of her books, Promises to Keep, with recipes culled from her own collection. She says she only cooks food that is “incredibly easy, but has to look as if you have slaved over a hot stove for hours.” This is because she has six children, and has realised that “when you have six children, nobody ever invites you anywhere.”

Most weekends see her cooking for a minimum of twenty people in her home in Westport, Connecticut, where she lives with her husband and their blended family. When she is not writing, cooking, gardening, filling her house with friends and herding chickens, she is usually thanking the Lord for caffeine-filled energy drinks.

Website:  http://www.janegreen.com/
Twitter:  JaneGreen

 

Review: The Pages We Forget by Anthony Lamarr

In this heartfelt, emotional drama, singer-songwriter June is trying to find the answers to love. Will she end up with the man in so many of her songs; the one who broke her heart; or with the musician who brought her to fame?

Its been ten years since June's first love, Keith, walked out of her life without saying goodbye. Ten years, two months, and sixteen days to be exact since the night he first made love to her, then tiptoed out of the room while she lay in bed pretending to be asleep. June's life was over after that night, but she didn't stop living. Instead, she found a reason to live in her newborn son, and a reason to love again in Alex, an aspiring musician.

With Alex, she finds fame, fortune, and contentment. But now, her enviable life as one of musics brightest and most beloved stars is about to change in a way she never expected. Before her last song ends, June will come face-to-face with the horrible truth about that night ten years ago. And who will she choose: the man whose touch ruined her life, or the man whose unconditional love saved her?

Paperback, 288 pages

Expected publication: December 16th 2014 by Strebor Books 

Genre: Adult Fiction

Kristine's Thoughts:

I received an advanced readers copy from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

I was a little torn when it came to this book. I struggled with the first half of the story and I was unsure where it was trying to take me. I wanted to like June but I found her to be a little self involved and weak. I also wanted to shake some sense into her. She seemed to be neglecting a man that was too good for her, in my opinion, for the memory of her past. I felt that her history with Keith needed more development in order for me to connect with the initial story and for me to understand what she was feeling. What I really wanted was a little of Keith's voice. As the story progressed it started making a little more sense and I began enjoying it more. The second half of the story was, hands down, a lot better than the first half. I was able to connect and feel the story and it became less shallow. The disconnect that was apparent initially evaporated and a highly emotional story evolved.

Although there were a few bumps and it took a bit of patience early on, I did end up enjoying the story and was glad to have read it. 

About the Author

Anthony Lamarr is a novelist, screenwriter, award-winning playwright, and author of Our First Love. He is a graduate of the University of Florida’s College of Journalism and lives in North Florida.

Review: The Perfect Christmas by Kate Forster

A holiday short story that proves that true love is forever, not just for Christmas…
Hollywood movie star Maggie and friend and manager Zoe need an escape from their complicated star-studded lives in LA. With its history and Christmas charm, London feels like the perfect getaway.

But can they truly leave their realities behind?

In their luxurious quarters, the girls meet Holly who is ideal at showing Maggie and Zoe the sumptuous sights and sounds of London in their most glittering light. But behind her bright façade, Holly is hiding a secret: suffering from unrequited love, she’s looking for a Christmas miracle. Desperate to see an unattainable love story for Holly come together, will our LA starlets succeed in providing a Hollywood ending before the dawn of Christmas Day?

Packed to the brim with festive cheer, this is the only story you’ll need this Christmas…

ebook, 78 pages

Published September 29th 2014 by Mira UK

Terri's Thoughts

In search of a light holiday read I found this story as a read now feature on Netgalley.  Thank you for the chance to give my honest feedback.

This was a really quick read with only 78 pages.  I did not know where it was heading at the beginning.  Maggie's husband was such a nightmare that it was almost excessive.  There seemed to be so much more behind the story that I didn't understand.

Once the story moves to London it becomes the Christmas story I expected.  The story of Christmas magic, match making and falling in love.  It was really cute.  Add to it that one of the characters was named Jack Frost.  I wont say much because the story is not very long and I must leave something to discover.

I do have to make a couple of nit-picking comments on this.  The main idea is that Maggie is a rich and famous superstar who has a life of luxury.  In this I found a couple of inconsistencies.
The first is talking about her "suite" in first class when she was flying to London.  Having flown first class on numerous occasions this is a bit of an exaggeration.  Since it was not a private jet it would be considered more of a pod than a suite.  Minor I know but to keep it real it was a little too much.  don't get me wrong, first class is a way better option than the rest but suite implies spacious which is a stretch.  The second is that it talked about Maggie shopping at Zara as if it was an exclusive store when it is available everywhere at a price range for the average person.  Again, a minor point.

It appears that this Christmas story is a prequel to another story which I think will offer the reader a little bit more.  While this story was cute I found myself more interested in the story that happens next.  I will have to stay tuned to find out what happens.

About The Author

Website:  http://www.kateforster.com
Twitter:   kateforster  

Feature and Follow Friday #53

Feature & Follow Friday is a weekly meme that allows book bloggers to interact with each other and find new blogs! It has two hosts, Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. The rules are...
 
(Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Hosts {Parajunkee & Alison Can Read}
(Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers
Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. You can also grab the code if you would like to insert it into your posts.
Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say “hi” in your comments and that they are now following you.
If you are using WordPress or another CMS that doesn’t have GFC (Google Friends Connect) state in your posts how you would like to be followed
Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don’t just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don’t say “HI”
If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love…and the followers
If you’re new to the follow Friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog.

  This Week's Question:

Do you have a favourite place to read? - Suggested by Liberamans. 

Kristine's answer:

I can read just about anywhere but when I am at home I have a favourite corner of my couch that I like to curl up in with my dog. These days I am on the go so much that I will pull my phone out and read when I am waiting in my car for my daughter's or in a long line and just last week it got me through my hair appointment.

Terri's answer:

I don't really have a favorite place to read, I will read anywhere.  I do however have to take a book with me when I go to bed in order to be able to fall asleep.  Without it my mind is running a mile a minute and I can't fall asleep

That is our Feature and Follow Friday for this week! Comment down below if you're a new follower of ours with a link to your blog and we will make sure to follow you back. You can follow us via gfc, bloglovin, email, facebook and/or twitter. 

 

Review: Play Me Right (Play Me #5) by Tracy Wolff

My name is Aria Winston. I’ve fought desperately to escape the seedy underbelly of Las Vegas. Now I’m in control of my own life and my own destiny . . . but my future belongs to Sebastian Caine.

Technically, Aria may still be in one piece, but she’s feeling pretty damn close to broken. While she knows Sebastian would die before hurting her, their intense, steamy encounters have opened up old wounds in them both. Now Aria is considering the unthinkable: walking away again—this time to save Sebastian from the pain she knows her past will cause him. But Sebastian’s the one who set her free in the first place—how can she not show him the same care and compassion? Because, in the end, being together forever is the only thing that feels right.

ebook, 42 pages

Expected publication: December 2nd 2014 by Loveswept 

Genre: Erotica

Kristine's Thoughts:

I received an advanced readers copy from Loveswept via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! Play Me Right is the fifth and final instalment in the Play Me eBook original series.

Now that I have finished the entire series my thoughts will not just focus on this instalment but basically be an overview of the entire thing. I will not re-tell the series because it would be too easy to give spoilers and I don't want to do that.

Thoughts on this instalment:

At only 42 pages this instalment takes no time to get through. It is in this one that you will find out about Aria's past and whether it will make or break her relationship with Sebastian. I had guesses beforehand as to what she was hiding and I was right. So in those 42 pages you will find conflict, discover secrets and read some more sexy, steamy scenes. My rating for this instalment is a little lower than all the previous ones because I felt there were some unresolved issues that needed to be dealt with in the story. I thought there needed to be a little bit more conflict resolution.

Over all thoughts on the series:

I'm generally quite critical of this genre. It's not because of all the sex but the fact that a lot of times that is all it is. There has to be a story to go with it or I find it gets boring and monotonous even with all the between the sheets action. I thought that there was a good balance in this series. There was enough of a story to go with all of the sex that it held my interest. I really liked both Aria and Sebastian and I was in their corner from the beginning. I would recommend reading the entire series together because each instalment is like turning the page and is a continuous story. I think fans of erotica will really enjoy it.

About the Author

Tracy Wolff collects books, English degrees and lipsticks and has been known to forget where—and sometimes who—she is when immersed in a great novel. At six she wrote her first short story—something with a rainbow and a prince—and at seven she forayed into the wonderful world of girls lit with her first Judy Blume novel. By ten she’d read everything in the young adult and classics sections of her local bookstore, so in desperation her mom started her on romance novels. And from the first page of the first book, Tracy knew she’d found her life-long love. Now an English professor at her local community college, she writes romances that run the gamut from contemporary to paranormal to erotic suspense.

And for all of those who want the unedited version:
Tracy Wolff lives with four men, teaches writing to local college students and spends as much time as she can manage immersed in worlds of her own creation. Married to the alpha hero of her dreams for twelve years, she is the mother of three young sons who spend most of their time trying to make her as crazy as possible. (From Goodreads profile)

Connect with Tracy

Website/Twitter/Facebook/Goodreads 

 

Review: The Surgeon's Christmas Wish by Annie O'Neil

Not just for Christmas… Lone wolf Dr Tara Braxton is finally back on track. Running a ski injury clinic is a world away from her old life… and her research-stealing ex-fiancé. But her peaceful existence ends when she hires Dr Fraser MacKenzie. With his haunted sapphire eyes he simultaneously weakens her knees and presses all the wrong buttons! And when an unexpected kiss leaves them both reeling their frozen hearts begin to melt. Can Fraser overcome the secrets of his devastating past in time to make Tara’s Christmas wish come true?

Paperback, Paperback, 185 pages

Published October 3rd 2014 by Mills & Boon Harlequin Romance

Terri's Thoughts

I won a copy of this book in a giveaway on Goodreads in exchange for an honest review.  It came as part of a two for one package so I had received a bonus book with this that I have reviewed separately.

The timing of this read was really good.  I was reading about a winter wonderland just as we received the first snowfall of the year so I was curled up on the couch with a view of the snowflakes falling while reading this.  It did a wonderful job of setting the mood.

This was a short and cute read about two people who were meant for each other (but didn't know it) who fall in love over the holiday season.  As a sucker for a good holiday read I found it entertaining.  It is also a great story for those who do not want to commit a large amount of time to a book.

While the plot offered no surprises it offered a great landscape.  The snowy mountains, a charming ski town and a cast of small town characters you are sure to like.  On this aspect the story delivered exactly what I was hoping it would.  Add two strong willed professionals who become love-struck teenagers in each others company and you have the perfect combination for a satisfying read.

This story put me in the mood for the upcoming holiday season.  I think I will go wrap some gifts now!