From Goodreads: On a rainy spring day in Seattle, young software tycoon Micah Taylor receives a cryptic, twenty-five-year-old letter from a great uncle he never knew. It claims a home awaits him on the Oregon coast that will turn his world inside out. Suspecting a prank, Micah arrives at Cannon Beach to discover a stunning brand new nine-thousand square foot house. And after meeting Sarah Sabin at a nearby ice cream shop, he has two reasons to visit the beach every weekend. When bizarre things start happening in the rooms of the home, Micah suspects they have some connection to his enigmatic new friend, Rick, the town mechanic. But Rick will only say the house is spiritual. This unnerves Micah because his faith slipped away like the tide years ago, and he wants to keep it that way. But as he slowly discovers, the home isn’t just spiritual, it’s a physical manifestation of his soul, which God uses to heal Micah’s darkest wounds and lead him into an astonishing new destiny.

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While I knew that this novel was Christian Fiction, I was not expecting as much preaching as I noted in this novel. I was thinking it would be more along the line of a Frank Peretti book, in which God is a focus, but allusions are made more than direct preaching.  However, that is not what I found in this novel.

Rooms started out just as any novel does, enticing the reader through the manifestation of a house and the mystery behind Micah’s eccentric uncle, but about a quarter of the way through, the novel becomes a constant preaching of the Bible, which is okay, but I felt that it took away from the story at large.  While the mystery was still evident within the novel, I felt that the religious preaching and connotations were overbearing and made it hard for me to progress with the novel, as I became a bit bored.  I would recommend this to any strong believers in the Christian faith as the book does a great job expressing the Bible’s message, but it honestly wasn’t my cup of tea. One star.

B&H Publishing Group has been extremely gracious in allowing me to read a copy of this novel, via Netgalley.

From Goodreads: When the environment is ravaged by rising sea levels and monstrous storms, America is divided and survival becomes more precious than love.

After their haven in the woods is compromised, Nada and her tribe must decide whether they want to hike all the way from California to Washington D.C. in the dead of winter with the Guardians on their tail. Nada isn’t certain she wants to spend the rest of her life living in an underground shelter with Isaac, even if it means living comfortably and free of fear. Nada thinks this is the most difficult decision she has ever had to make until an even more difficult decision presents itself. Will love or shelter conquer all?

This is a post-apocalyptic novella.

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I’m having a really hard time coping with the end of this series!  A really hard time!  Talk about the unexpected!  I guess I should have seen it coming; I mean, the beginning of the series, book one, even said it was going to happen, but I didn’t think it was literal… This book defies the rules of good versus evil here, and I can’t quite cope!  Nor can I get it out of my mind. This, although it bugs me to no end, makes this an awesome read!  I love books that make me stop and analyze, re-think, and examine myself, and that’s exactly what Welti has caused me to do through this epic ending to such a good series.

I’d love to tell you what happens, but I can’t… and likewise, I really can’t discuss the characterization here either, because I think it’ll give away the ending, but just know that this was a jarring conclusion that still has me reeling, hours after reading it.  Amazing.  And in all honesty, I can’t see how this series could end any other way, though I really wish it did!  You have to read this.  Trust me.  Four stars.

I received a copy of this novella from the author in exchange for an honest review.

From Goodreads: When the environment is ravaged by rising sea levels and monstrous storms, America is divided and survival becomes more precious than love.

After a harrowing rescue and escape, Nada sets off to rescue Isaac from the prison where she was forced to abandon him. During this long journey, Nada’s feelings for Daedric intensify… until they discover Isaac roaming the mountains north of the Salton Sea–and he’s not alone. Isaac is accompanied by a mysterious and beautiful girl, a fellow prisoner who was also set free by the Guardians. Nada is conflicted about how she will fit into their tribe, and how she factors into Isaac’s past. Meanwhile, Isaac must decide whether to ditch everyone for their own good or stay true to his promise to Nada to “never give up.”

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In this second installment of the No Shelter trilogy, we follow Nada as she attempts to right a wrong and find Isaac in hopes of bringing him home safely. We learn a little bit more about Nada’s personality as this novella unfolds, especially as the love triangle between her, Isaac, and Deadric begins to climax.  I have to admit, I found myself miffed with Nada throughout much of this novella.  I think that she made some terrible choices, and I wanted to reach through the pages and strangle her on many occasions, especially when it came to acting on her feelings.  However, she lost her mother when she was about 15, and so she hasn’t had the guidance she needs to understand what love versus lust is, and I think, had her mother survived, things would have panned out differently in this novella.  And, that being said, reader beware, there are some situations within the novella that make me think this is more suited for 18+ readers, as some explicit scenes take place that I don’t believe are suitable for teens and younger readers, so just keep that in mind as you read.   

That aside, I was very interested in the love triangle, though I still dislike Isaac—there is something off about him, but I don’t know what it is.  I don’t trust him, and while Nada seems to, she also doesn’t seem to have a clue what she’s doing.  Daedric is a great guy, but I’m not 100% sure about him either… perhaps it’s because Nada has only known him for a few months… I don’t know, but we’ll see what happens in the final installment, which I’m about to read!

Now, in terms of the story line of book two, I felt a little bit like it happened too fast for me to really connect with all the characters and situations.  I’d love to slow it all down and learn even more about the perils of their travels and the characters’ innermost feelings because I think it’s a very good story.  So much could have happened within the weeks that are glossed over while the characters travel about, and I’m dying to know all the details, but I also understand that too much detail can be boring as well.  Thus, it’s a hard line to tote when writing, and I think Welti did a good job sticking to the information readers needed, and not making the story so full of detail that it put the reader to sleep.  This is definitely a fast-paced read, and if you like post apocalyptic stories, then this series is for you!  Three and a half stars.

I received a copy of this novella from the author in exchange for an honest review.

From Goodreads: When the environment is ravaged by rising sea levels and monstrous storms, America is divided and survival becomes more precious than love.

When seventeen-year-old Nada and Isaac stumble upon a handsome stranger in the woods, their cozy alliance and romance begin to unravel. This stranger promises Nada the impossible in exchange for helping him rescue his sister from a prison in the last corner of civilization in the western United States. But this rescue operation is wrought with complications, including the fact that the girl they are supposed to save is the ex-President’s daughter. This mission puts everyone’s life at risk, especially Isaac–the one person who has always been there for Nada. Now Nada and her small tribe must choose between a somewhat comfortable existence in the mountains and the chance at a life free of fear and starvation.

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This is the first novella in a series of three that tells the post-apocalyptic tale of Nada and her friends as they attempt to survive in what’s left of America.  Mainly told from the viewpoint of Nada, readers instantly dive into her world as she begins her story with a statement that can’t help but pique the reader interest: “I didn’t know how sharp my blade was until Isaac used it to stab me in the back.”  With an intro like that, I was highly engaged and ready to know what exactly Nada meant… literal?  Figurative? I’m thinking figurative since Isaac is not my favorite character in the world and he does some pretty awful things in this novella… but as this is just the first installment, I guess I’ll just have to wait and see…

Like I said… Isaac isn’t my favorite.  Perhaps it’s because he’s a player, but I feel like there is something else there too that just rubs me the wrong way.  Especially after what happened with Mary—and I can’t stand her.  Nada seems a bit naive and too trusting to survive the wilderness, but I could be wrong.  She’s done well for herself so far, but I didn’t feel like I really got to know her (or Deadric) very well, like I’d wanted to, and yet, they’re my favorite characters in the series so far.  I’m hoping to learn more about them in the second novella of the series, and I’m about to start it now, so stay tuned.  Three stars.

I received a copy of this novella from the author in exchange for an honest review.

From Goodreads: Yetzirah is a world where pocket wizards control pockets of reality. Where anything you want is possible and only people who know pain can visit. But what happens to the magic of Yetzirah when the rules of our world begin to intrude?

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This is a highly imaginative story that lovers of fantasy will enjoy.  The fact that its main characters are adults is another plus, as it lends itself to both adult readers and YA readers alike.  I was thinking, before I began, that it would solely be a YA/MG read, but I was very wrong, and glad to note it!  As an adult, I sometimes feel that there aren’t enough clean fantasy adult novels out there that I want to read, but Yetzirah is exactly what I was looking for!  Full of magic, an alternate universe, quirky wizards, and a race against time, this was a thrilling ride that I think most any reader will enjoy. 

Yetzirah is a world that only those who have faced trauma are able to enter.  They are the broken people who have undergone atrocities that no one should ever face.  The wizards that reside there have chosen to stay, leaving the real world behind, and Elise is very close to doing the same, much to the dismay of her twin sister, Elena.  And, as the story unfolds, we learn the truth about all the characters, what their life has been, why they enjoy Yetzirah so much, and the hardships they face.  I loved the characterization and I adored the different pockets throughout the world as well; the creations are so imaginative that it really blew me away.  This is a great story that I think all should read in order to get away from real life for a while.  Three and a half stars.

I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

From Goodreads: The moon is full tonight. And something is going hunting…

When Val Sherwood and her friends went for a hike with the Sunset Hills Ecology Club, they didn’t expect to see more than the usual wildlife. But when stories told around the camp fire came true, Val had to find a way to live ’til morning.

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This was an interesting story dealing with lycanthropes.  If you like werewolves, I suggest taking a look into this novel, especially if you’re partial to young YA and MG reads.  Basically, the novel begins around a campfire and a battle between good and evil ensues.  Val Sherwood is bitten, and it then becomes her job to protect her friends as the evil werewolf in question attempts to kill everyone in the Ecology Club.  At the same time that Val must attempt to protect her friends, she must learn to live with her new condition, and her interactions with others while she’s attempting to do so provide enough humor to make the story comical. 

I thought the characterization within the story was very well done, though the story moved very quickly, making it difficult to connect on a deeper level with the characters.  I liked Val well enough, and her friends were interesting, though that fact that they couldn’t just listen and take orders irked me a tad bit.  Overall, though, this is a pretty good read and I think those who enjoy werewolf tales will enjoy it.  Three stars.

I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

From Goodreads: It’s been almost a year since Rylie Gresham was bitten by a werewolf on Gray Mountain. Now something is beckoning her back to the place she was attacked, along with every other werewolf in the world. But they aren’t the only ones heeding the call. A group of hunters notices them gathering and sees it as their chance to wipe out the entire species.

One way or another, everything is about to end—whether it means Rylie’s liberation or the end of her life…

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Reading this novel was bittersweet as it’s the last in the wonderful Season’s of the Moon series.  Over the last year, I have really gotten to know and love Rylie, and her story captivated me from the very beginning.  I love stories about werewolves, and this in-depth look at the battle between Rylie’s humanity and her new, carnivorous nature, as well as the love story between a werewolf and a hunter, made for an epic series that I really enjoyed.  And, this last segment was exceptionally well done!

Once again, Rylie is faced with an impossible choice, and I loved watching her work her way through her own issues while attempting to right all the wrongs and find out just what exactly Gray Mountain is trying to tell her.  This cross-country story was a rollercoaster ride, with its ups and downs.  My heart both rejoiced with the triumphs, and ripped apart alongside Rylie’s as the hunters began their killing spree on the way to Gray Mountain. 

Rylie has matured so much since the fatal day she was bitten, and her companions, Seth and Abel, have matured right alongside her.  In my opinion, this is one of the best series out there concerning werewolves, and Reine has done a splendid job creating a lifelike yet surreal world in which the reader can easily become a part.  I highly suggest reading this series.  Four stars.

I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Check out the other three novels in this wonderful series:

Six Moon Summer (#1)

All Hallows Moon (#2)

Long Night Moon (#3)

From Goodreads: Annabelle has always taken her bipolar brother under her wing, but after years of acting as his personal disaster janitor, she finds herself fighting against her lifelong compulsion to take responsibility for his actions and fix all his mistakes. It’s easier said than done, especially when his actions affect her own future.

The struggle between letting her brother deal with his own consequences and fixing just one more thing for him – so she can keep the life she’s always known – pushes and pulls at her as each mistake he makes lands her further and further from the future she had planned. In the end, the decision she makes about whether or not to play clean up crew for his most recent disaster, does not in fact produce the results she expected … but … it just so happens, it might not be such a horrible thing after all.

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This is a great novel focusing on the life of a normal teenage girl attempting to protect and understand her bipolar brother.  Smith does a great job setting up her novel, and I highly enjoyed it.  It’s a very well written, true-to-life story, and Annabelle’s struggles are very poignant, especially her belief that she’s a terrible sister, which is heartbreaking. 

Watching her deal with her own issues, as well as trying to keep her brother out of trouble was very interesting. Bullied by her ex, in love with her ex’s best friend, and trying to understand what her brother could have possibly done to get permanently kicked off the track team, voided any chance at a college scholarship, Annabelle feels like she’s between a rock and a hard place.  I really loved watching this story unfold from Annabelle’s point of view.  She doesn’t hold anything back, telling it as she sees it, and the raw emotions she feels adds to the validity and depth of the story.  I really enjoyed it, and recommend this to all. Four stars.

I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

From Goodreads: Branded as an Enemy of the State, Paivi Anderson left everything behind to start a new life. Torn from her parents and now a fugitive from justice, along with her brother, Torsten, and former frenemy Christian, she is desperate to save her family and escape her country’s tyrannical rule. But in order to outsmart the Anti-Terrorism Coalition, she’ll need to learn to control her powers. When Paivi discovers the true meaning of the EOS list, she realizes that she may end up saving much more than just her parents.

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I have been eagerly awaiting this sequel to Into the Shadows.  Dealing with mass hysteria and emulating the atrocities that happened to innocents during the Red Scare, the Holocaust, and the Japanese Internment camps, Kirkpatrick’s Into the Shadows Series quickly captivates the reader.  Likewise, the message she expounds about prejudice is loud and clear, and I think both of these novels are must reads for our youth.

Paivi is still on the run with her brother and Christian, but as her powers increase, her determination to fight back becomes overpowering, and our beloved characters begin making plans to take on the government.  I wasn’t expecting this development in the novel, but am glad that Kirkpatrick added it as the evil needs to be stopped, and in a way, it reminded me of the hit TV series Heroes, which I really enjoyed.  With their superpowers marking them an enemy of the state, and her parent nearly dead in a concentration camp, there really isn’t anything Paivi and her friends can do but fight back.

Though a bit slower in terms of action than the first novel, I still found this a very good, enticing read, and I am hoping the final installment will come out sooner rather than later as this novel once again ends on a cliffhanger, and the suspense is killing me.  Four stars.

I purchased a copy of this novel from Amazon.

From Goodreads: When Frank Benjamin, a Jewish teenager from New York, agrees to drive his black maid, Esther, to North Carolina to visit her sick sister in the summer of 1967, he has no idea he is about to set out on the ride of his life. What is supposed to be a quick and easy drive to and from Eden, North Carolina, soon turns into an odyssey, during which Frank is chased down by a gang of bikers, unknowingly befriends the Grand Wizard of a local chapter of the Ku Klux Klan, rescues Esther from a cult, and finds himself in a number of unexpected situations. Along the way, Frank and Esther make both friends and enemies, all the while discovering a thing or two about race relations in 1960s America.

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If you like cross-country road trips full of crazy adventures, then this novel is for you. Looking head on at racism in a world still rampant with Jim Crow Laws and the KKK, this novel puts both Frank and Esther in some precarious situations that are both harrowing and occasionally comical.  Though I found nearly all the situations to be unbelievable in their own right, the themes and motifs of the story are strong in this coming of age story.  The writing style is very vivid and telling, and the story itself is easy to follow.  I was reminded a little bit of Jack Kerouac’s On The Road as I read—though not dealing with the beat generation, Lemler’s novel, White Boy Highway, does spin a very intriguing cross-country tale that I think many will enjoy.  Three stars.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

From Goodreads: Sometimes love is meant to be. But sometimes…love is the death of you….

Seventeen-year-old Scarlet has just died. Only, dying isn’t unusual for a girl under a centuries old curse that left her semi-immortal.

This time, though, she comes back to her current life instead of awaking in a new one, and she realizes the curse is changing. Together with the immortal Archer brothers, Scarlet must piece together her life and try to break the curse before her impending death comes again. 

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This wonderful sequel picks up right where the first novel, Anew, left off, throwing the reader right into the midst of tragedy and bloodshed, captivating them from the very first page.  If you haven’t yet read Anew, then I highly suggest you do, because it’s amazing, and Awry is just as enticing and mind blowing as the first!  These are books you don’t want to miss, and I’m already eagerly awaiting the next installment in this riveting series!

In the first novel, we meet Scarlet and the drop-dead gorgeous Archer twins, Gabriel and Tristan.  Together, they embark on a journey to help Scarlet survive her curse, and it’s an extremely well written, entertaining read concerning reincarnation, the fountain of youth, and witchcraft.  I was mesmerized by the first novel, though not all my questions were answered in the first installment.  Now, insert Awry.  In this captivating novel, we are given glimpses into all the characters’ pasts, answering many questions the previous novel left unclear.  We are drawn into the story and watch it unfold as we learn just who met Scarlet first, how she came to love both twins, and how the betrayal of Gabriel and Tristan’s father brought about the curse in a round-about way.

This story shifts between past and present, and as Scarlet begins to remember her past, putting together the mystery surrounding the fountain of youth, the novel becomes impossible to set aside.  I ended up reading this book in one sitting; it’s that’s intense and amazing… especially as we realize, along with the characters, that the curse-casting witch isn’t actually out of the picture… Five stars.

I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Update: The final novel in this fabulous series, Avow,  is now available.

From Goodreads: THE BIGGEST STORY OF MY LIFE COULD BE HOW IT ENDS It’s my turn to run a “Campus News” crew, and I’ve put together a team that can break stories wide open. And Washington Irving High has a truly great one to cover, if only we can find a lead.

A secret society has formed in our school. It announced its presence with pranks: underwear on the flagpole, a toilet in the hallway, cryptic notes. A circle of silence keeps the society a mystery. No one knows its members, agenda or initiation secrets-until a student lands in the hospital under “strange” circumstances.

I “will” blow this story wide open and stop others from being hurt…or worse. And while my ex, Jagger, might want to help, I don’t trust him yet. (And, no, not because of our past together. That is “not” important to this story.)

But whether you find me, Valerie Gaines, reporting in front of the camera, or a victim in the top story of the newscast…be sure to watch “Campus News” at 9:00 a.m. this Friday.

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This is a highly entertaining, well written mystery novel that kept my attention from start to finish.  All the characters were amazing, and I loved trying to figure out the truth behind MP and their pranks, which become more sadistic as they continue.  Tanzman really is a gifted storyteller, and I can’t wait to read more by her as I anticipate her other novel, Dancergirl, is probably just as riveting.

I really love Valerie. Yes, she makes a few really stupid decisions all in the name of a story, but her dedication and yearning to be number one, never losing sight of her goals, is what makes her such a great character!  And the tension between her and Jagger… yikes!  Though I loved to hate him, I still really liked him as well, which is a bit ironic, but…

Not knowing who to trust throughout this novel, I has many theories about the identities of those in MP, but even when a really telling piece of evidence came up, I didn’t put two and two together until Valerie figured it out.  In my opinion, any writer who can keep me constantly guessing and highly engaged is a literary god/dess, and Tanzman fits the bill.  I highly suggest everyone read this amazing novel. Five stars.

Harlequin has been extremely gracious in allowing me to read an ARC of this novel, via Netgalley, prior to its release on July 24, 2012.

From Goodreads: After a year of dodging possessed superhumans, being cooped up in the dorms 24 hours a day feels like pure torture to Parker… until the truth about the people closest to him changes everything.

In this second installment of the Parker Chance Series, Parker finds himself rescued from a monotonous summer on campus when he’s whisked away to New York to visit his only family member. His time in New York proves even more boring until he allows his curiosity to get the better of him and he discovers a secret that will fester in his mind all year long. Parker’s sophomore adventures at Knobhouse Academy are teeming with encoded rings, encounters with the Infallible Five, water monsters, and frustrating prejudice. The Founders’ Code, the action-packed follow-up to The Fifth Specter, is rich in both mystery and heart.

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Harry Potter fans rejoice!  The second installment of the Parker Chance series is here, and if you enjoyed Harry, Hermoine, and Ron, then you’ll also enjoy Parker,  Nora, and Lucas in this sci-fi mystery novel.  In this second installment, Parker is once again back at Knobhouse Academy attempting to understand the disappearance of his mother.  With the development of a few secrets and keys, as well as a mysterious healing power, Parker has once again found himself wrapped up in a world filled with adventure and wrought with danger.

I really enjoy Parker’s character.  Yes, he is very similar to Harry Potter, and yes, so are his trusty side-kicks, but instead of witchcraft and wizardry, this series takes on a whole new look at the paranormal, adding a sci-fi feel to it all, and making it just as fun to read.  Just as action packed as the first novel, The Fifth Specter, Welti engages the reader through the many different situations the three heroes find themselves in. 

If you’ve enjoyed any of the Harry Potter series, you should definitely check out this series, and while you don’t necessarily need to start with book one, it’s always my suggestion to do so. Three stars. 

I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

From Goodreads: For millennia we’ve caught only glimpses of the lives and loves of the gods and goddesses on Olympus. Now Aimee Carter pulls back the curtain on how they became the powerful, petty, loving and dangerous immortals that Kate Winters knows.

Calliope/Hera represented constancy and yet had a husband who never matched her faithfulness….

Ava/Aphrodite was the goddess of love and yet commitment was a totally different deal….

Persephone was urged to marry one man, yet longed for another….

James/Hermes loved to make trouble for others-but never knew true loss before….

Henry/Hades’s solitary existence had grown too wearisome to continue. But meeting Kate Winters gave him a new hope….

Five original novellas of love, loss and longing and the will to survive throughout the ages.

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This novel, with its five novellas, is an absolutely fantastic addition to Carter’s amazing Goddess Test series. I have to be honest, I was a bit skeptical at first, as I’m not usually a fan of multi storied novels, or anthologies, etc., but Carter did an amazing job brining each novella together and the stories all built off one another quite nicely. We learn how Zeus became number one out of all his brothers and sisters, the treachery behind most of their decisions, and the heartbreak that went with it. After reading this and seeing how the siblings treated one another, and seeing Carter’s twist on the myths, the two current novels make even more sense. There were lots of “aha” moments while I read, and I got a kick out of it.  I especially enjoyed learning how they all got their names, like Henry and Calliope, etc., and how the goddess test actually came to be in the first place. Absolutely fantastic!

Truth be told, I’m actually not a fan of any of the gods/goddesses aside from Hades/Henry, though they all have heartbreaking stories. I would never want to live for eternity, that’s for sure! This is a must read, and, in my opinion, can be read prior to any of the full novels in the books, though it fits perfectly in between 2 and 3. Five stars.

Harlequin has been extremly gracious in allowing me to read an ARC of this novel, via Netgalley, prior to its release on July 31, 2012.

From Goodreads: Memories are like water. Some float on the surface bright and clear. Some lie deeper – blurred by time and distance. Others rest far from the light in the depths of the darkness. These memories are best forgotten. At the bottom of Asylum Lake the unremembered are growing restless.

After the sudden death of his wife, Brady Tanner moves to the small Michigan town where he spent summers as a youth. But he soon learns that small towns can be stained by memories…and secrets too. As Brady is drawn into unearthing the secrets of the town and of the abandoned psychiatric hospital on the shores of Asylum Lake, he discovers a new love in an old friend. But there is an evil presence lurking beneath the waters of the lake. What is the source of this evil–and what does it want with Brady Tanner?

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Although a little bit slow in the beginning, this novel turned out to be a real gem.  There are many mysterious happenings throughout the book, and the reader is sent on a rollercoaster ride as the plot unfolds, looking at both the past and present to give the reader the full picture. From the words appearing on the scrabble game to the Asylum wristband, I found this novel to be very creepy! And, reader beware, there were some very intense, horrifying, gross, bloody moments. There is some dismemberment, and though I hate to say it, little children are involved, which makes it all the more disturbing.  Thus, readers should take note that this is a harrowing read; it’s not a light beach read, but one that will leave you reeling.  Four stars.

I purchased my copy of this novel from Amazon.

From Goodreads: The summer before his senior year, Jude (yes, he’s named after the Beatles song) gets his first job, falls in love for the first time, and starts to break away from his parents. Jude’s house is kept dark, and no one talks much—it’s been that way since his little sister drowned in a swimming pool seven years ago when Jude was supposed to be watching her.

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I’m sorry to say that I was highly disappointed with this novel.  The synopsis made me think that the story would be trailing Jude’s life as it spins out of control—focus on the spinning out of control—but what I found is that this novel actually spends almost all of its time following Jude as he works a dead-end summer job he hates while attempting to woo a girl and fall in love. And, quite honestly, I found it all a bit boring.  Jude isn’t my favorite, and Becka rubbed me the wrong way throughout most of the story.  I also found the text to be a bit choppy, and it took over 70 percent of the novel to move on from everyday teenage life to a tragic happening that leaves Jude devastated and falling to pieces.  I personally thought a lot of the novel could have been cut out, but it was already short—I think I needed more development of the characters, to the point that I cared about them, because by the time Jude’s life falls apart, I couldn’t have cared less.  One and a half stars.

Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group was extremely gracious in allowing me to read an ARC of this novel, via Netgalley, prior to its release on July 17, 2012.