From the shelf: Where She Went

Title: Where She Went
Author: Gayle Forman
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Realistic Fiction
Date read: December 12-14, 2013
Dawn Rates: ★★★★ (4/5)

Summary (cr: goodreads)

It's been three years since the devastating accident . . . three years since Mia walked out of Adam's life forever.

Now living on opposite coasts, Mia is Juilliard's rising star and Adam is LA tabloid fodder, thanks to his new rock star status and celebrity girlfriend. When Adam gets stuck in New York by himself, chance brings the couple together again, for one last night. As they explore the city that has become Mia's home, Adam and Mia revisit the past and open their hearts to the future-and each other.

Told from Adam's point of view in the spare, lyrical prose that defined If I Stay, Where She Went explores the devastation of grief, the promise of new hope, and the flame of rekindled romance.

My Review: (also in goodreads)

This book is in Adam's point of view. I was surprised at the time skip at first, especially that happened since the last scene in If I Stay is the moment Mia woke up. I was a little confused on how everything turned out but was expecting it a little bit. Like the first book it juggled from memories to the present moment. I teared up at the reunion and was happy at how they resolved everything. What gave me goosebumps is when Mia told Adam that she knew about his vow to make her stay.

Till the next read...

From the shelf: If I Stay

Title: If I Stay
Author: Gayle Forman
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Realistic Fiction
Date read: December 2-12, 2013
Dawn Rates: ★★★☆ (3.5/5)

Summary (cr: goodreads)

The critically acclaimed, bestselling novel from Gayle Forman, author of Where She Went, Just One Day, and the forthcoming Just One Year. 

On a day that started like any other,

Mia had everything: a loving family, a gorgeous, admiring boyfriend, and a bright future full of music and full of choices. In an instant, almost all of that is taken from her. Caught between life and death, between a happy past and an unknowable future, Mia spends one critical day contemplating the only decision she has left. It is the most important decision she'll ever make.

Simultaneously tragic and hopeful, this is a romantic, riveting, and ultimately uplifting story about memory, music, living, dying, loving.

My Review: (also in goodreads)

It's mind-boggling how things happen in a heartbeat. That sometimes things happen, no matter how pain-inducing, no matter how heartbreaking it is, it was there to make us stronger. That is what happened to Mia and more...the decision to stay despite her loss is quite a burden. I can't believe how many times I teared up all throughout and that cliffhanger is tearing me to shreds.

Till the next read...

From the shelf: Lola and the Boy Next Door

Title: Lola and the Boy Next Door
Author: Stephanie Perkins
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Chick-Lit
Date read: November 27, 2013
Dawn Rates: ★★★★ (4/5)

Summary (cr: goodreads)

Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn’t believe in fashion...she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit--more sparkly, more fun, more wild--the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood.

When Cricket--a gifted inventor--steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.

My Review: (also in goodreads)

First of all, I wanted to know who the hell names their child Cricket? LOL~ Anyway, just when I thought this was an entirely new story without a connection to the first book whatsoever, I was wrong. Well-loved characters from Anna and the French Kiss were present namely, Anna and St. Claire. I loved how the characters were significant to the main characters in this book's story, it had this familiar feel.

Till the next read...

From the shelf: Anna and the French Kiss

Title: Anna and the French Kiss
Author: Stephanie Perkins
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Chick-Lit
Date read: November 26-27, 2013
Dawn Rates: ★★★☆ (3.5/5)

Summary (cr: goodreads)

Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris--until she meets Étienne St. Clair. Smart, charming,beautiful, Étienne has it all...including a serious girlfriend. 

But in the City of Light, wishes have a way of coming true. Will a year of romantic near-misses end with their long-awaited French kiss?

My Review: (also in goodreads)

It was nice to read about teen love once again and I started with this book. Apparently, everyone liked the story. I was sort of irritated at first because I thought this would be another diva story having the protagonist whine about her miserable life being stuck in Paris (yeah, right) but fortunately there was more to it. The right setting, new friends, cliche high school enemies, hilarious one-liners and THE hot European boy is what made this story interesting.

Till the next read...

From the shelf: 50 Shames of Earl Grey

Title: 50 Shames of Earl Grey
Author: Fanny Merkin
Genre: Humor, Romance, Parody
Date read: September 28-October 9, 2013
Dawn Rates: ★★★★ (4/5)

Summary (cr: goodreads)

A shrewd, laugh–out–loud parody of E. L. James' bestselling Fifty Shades of Grey series:

Young, arrogant, tycoon Earl Grey seduces the naïve coed Anna Steal with his overpowering good looks and staggering amounts of money, but will she be able to get past his fifty shames, including shopping at Walmart on Saturdays, bondage with handcuffs, and his love of BDSM (Bards, Dragons, Sorcery, and Magick)? Or will his dark secrets and constant smirking drive her over the edge?

My Review: (also in goodreads)

I know that this is a light read but this was in my in-between currently reading list when I wanted to just laugh and shake everything off. Obviously, one would automatically know which book it parodies. The sense of humor in this book is so simple. This is one of those books you would enjoy just to escape the world a bit. Loved the way it made me laugh.

Till the next read...

From the shelf: City of Fallen Angels (The Mortal Instruments #4)

Title: City of Fallen Angels (The Mortal Instruments #4)
Author: Cassandra Clare
Genre: YA, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy
Date read: September 21-26, 2013
Dawn Rates: ★★★☆ (3.5/5)

Summary (cr: goodreads)

Simon, Daylighter vampire teen is protected by the Mark of Cain, a pillar of fire from Heaven blazes attackers into salt, but an enemy gets at him through his first love Clary, who must face consequences, and maybe lose Jace. A Greater Demon infects nights of her Shadowhunter beloved for control, and sends grey-garbed minions for Simon himself.

My Review: (also in goodreads)

I thought that this series would just be a trilogy but it seems that Cassandra Clare had more in the shadow hunter world. After City of Bones, City of Ashes and City of Glass; we I am again swept away into their world. I thoroughly enjoyed the first three books and was delighted that the series continues. I loved the fact that it was a little more about Simon now but was a little dissappointed at Jace being all emo. I know he might have been going through something...but still...

Till the next read...