Book Review: Beautiful Lies by Jessica Warman

Beautiful Lies by Jessica Warman
Publisher: Walker Childrens
Published: August 7, 2012
Pages: 432
Age Demographic YA Mystery

Rachel and Alice are an extremely rare kind of identical twins—so identical that even their aunt and uncle, whom they’ve lived with since their parents passed away, can’t tell them apart. But the sisters are connected in a way that goes well beyond their surfaces: when one experiences pain, the other exhibits the exact same signs of distress. So when one twin mysteriously disappears, the other immediately knows something is wrong—especially when she starts experiencing serious physical traumas, despite the fact that nobody has touched her.

As the search commences to find her sister, the twin left behind must rely on their intense bond to uncover the truth. But is there anyone around her she can trust, when everyone could be a suspect? And ultimately, can she even trust herself? Master storyteller Jessica Warman will keep readers guessing when everything they see—and everything they are told—suddenly becomes unreliable in this page-turning literary thriller.

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Review for Beautiful Lies
by Jessica Warman

Mysteriously alluring and boldly intriguing, Beautiful Lies is sure to mystify reader's. Exciting and full of suspense, Jessica Warman delivers, yet again, another young adult novel that will keep reader's guessing as they flip the pages. Delving further below the surface of a normal bond shared between identical twins, Beautiful Lies is a gripping runaway mystery full of so many amazing twists and turns. Filled with extreme bouts of emotional trauma and pain that seems to manifest itself physically in ense moments of distress, this story of two twins closer than most is one of the most beautifully written pieces of young adult drama in my personal opinion. Jessica Warman wastes no time doing what she's become best known for, as she weaves a story so personally touching, full of fear and despair, that is sure to ensnare the hearts and attention of many who embark on the journey with these two twins.

Beautiful Lies builds layer upon layer of misplaced trust, unexpected intrigue and mystery, as well as danger filled pages sure to keep reader's captivated and guessing. The devastating sorrow and the fact that this chillingly suspenseful story isn't spun from shiny rainbows and gold dust, makes it all the more terrifying and real. There is heart shattering sorrow born out of overwhelming sacrifice sure to knock the breath out of anyone. The gripping tension filled pages of this amazing novel are well written and can be, on occassion, a little bit confusing to readers. This same confusion seems to run along the thread of a theme developed throughout, Beautiful Lies.

From start to finish it is interesting getting to know both of the twins, experiencing the confusion along with Alice, as she embarks on a journey of self-discovery. Her pain and sorrow is real and manifests itself in the most peculiar way, as she experiences what her twin (Rachel) experiences, and her frantic search and disillusion at trusting just anyone when they could be a suspect. These characters are real and they come to life on the pages, most are enjoyable and likable, while few other's fan be complex and not as likable. If reader's have enjoyed Jessica Warman's prior young adult novels, such as Breathe and Between, they will surely enjoy this one as well. I would recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys true young adult mysteries, as this will stump and mystify them while delivering one interesting unexpected twist at the end.

ABOUT JESSICA WARMAN

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Jessica Warman is the author of Breathless, which received three starred reviews and was an ALA Best Book for Young Adults, and Where the Truth Lies. The idea for Between came from an incident in her childhood, when a local boy went missing after a party on a yacht (he was eventually found, alive).

Author information taken from her Goodreads.

{ This book was provided by ATW ARC Tours, in exchange for an honest review which I have provided here in this post. No money has exchanged hands, as I review books for fun simply because I love to read and share my thoughts on them with other's. I am not interested in receiving any monetary gain at all for my thoughts.}

Book Review: Burn For Burn by Jenny Han & Siobhan Vivian

Burn For Burn

by Jenny Han&Siobhan Vivian

Publisher: Simon&Schuster BYR

Publication Date: September 18, 2012

Pages: 368

Age Demographic: Young Adult/Adult Crossover

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BIG GIRLS DON'T CRY...

THEY GET EVEN.



Lillia has never had any problems dealing with boys who like her. Not until this summer, when one went too far. No way will she let the same thing happen to her little sister.



Kat is tired of the rumours, the insults, the cruel jokes. It all goes back to one person– her ex-best friend– and she's ready to make her pay.



Four years ago, Mary left Jar Island because of a boy. But she's not the same girl anymore. And she's ready to prove it to him.



Three very different girls who want the same thing: sweet, sweet revenge. And they won't stop until they each had a taste.



* Summary taken from Goodreads.

❝My Thoughts❞

I'm not sure exactly where to begin with this book, because I absolutely loved every bit of it. What I thought was going to be a summer romance, quickly turned into a summer of revenge in the best possible way. Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian have really out done themselves with Burn For Burn. It was such an incredible and delightful, albiet scheming read from the start up until the end. It wasn't perfect, but it was wonderfully realistic and a bit rough around the edges in other aspects.



Kat is this fiesty girl from the wrong side of town who doesn't exactly care what people think of her. Mary is the one who's been hurt probably the most out of the three of them, and Lillia is just amazing any way you look at it. All of the girls were extremely fun to get to know and discover new things about. I was very happy to see the history fleshed out between Lillia and Kat and the return of their friendship re-instated by a little bout of sweet revenge. The three sort of became the most unlikely besties that were so much fun to read about. I definitely got a kick out of all of their schemes and motives behind why they wanted their revenge and who it would be exacted upon.



The writing style was very laid back and easy going, the book was just so much fun, and the character's were definitely interesting. It turned out to be a great read, that ended on such a cliff-hanger that I'm totally left craving more. I cannot wait until the next book in the series come out, because I'll definitely have a copy in my hands. There was some amazing mystery wafting around the atmostphere that lent itself well to the character growth, background, and integrated itself well into the story keeping me hooked and excited to read what was going to happen next. I would definitely recommend this one to anyone who enjoys contemporary young adult fiction for sure. It would definitely make a worth read!

Want pre-order a copy of Burn For Burn by Jenny Han & Siobhan Vivian?

You can do so by visiting my Amazon Store and adding them to your shopping cart. While you're there, feel free to look around, you might find something else you want. I hope you enjoyed reading my review of Burn For Burn by Jenny Han & Siobhan Vivian. I definitely suggest you pick up a copy for yourself or even for someone else, if you think they'll like it.

JENNY HAN



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Jenny Han is an extremely talented YA author of the "summer series" which includes, The Summer I Turned Pretty, It's Not Summer Without You, and We'll Always Have Summer. Her favorite superhero is none other than Buffy the Vampire Slayer and if she was a beverage she would totally be cherry lemonade.

Author information taken from her dearjennyhan.com.

SIOBHAN VIVIAN



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Siobhan Vivian attended an art program very much like the one in Same Difference, during the summer before her senior year of high school. It was there that she discovered she was bad at drawing and good at writing. But she still keeps a sketchbook anyway.

Author information taken from her Goodreads.

{ This ARC was provided by ATW ARC Tours, in exchange for an honest review which I have provided. No money exchanged hands, I review books for fun because I love to read. I am not interested in monetary gain.}

Book Review: This Is Not A Test by Courtney Summers

this is Not A Test
by Courtney Summers
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Publication Date: June 19, 2012
Pages: 336
Age Demographic: Young Adult/Adult Crossover
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It’s the end of the world. Six students have taken cover in Cortege High but shelter is little comfort when the dead outside won’t stop pounding on the doors. One bite is all it takes to kill a person and bring them back as a monstrous version of their former self.

To Sloane Price, that doesn’t sound so bad. Six months ago, her world collapsed and since then, she’s failed to find a reason to keep going. Now seems like the perfect time to give up. As Sloane eagerly waits for the barricades to fall, she’s forced to witness the apocalypse through the eyes of five people who actually want to live.

But as the days crawl by, the motivations for survival change in startling ways and soon the group’s fate is determined less and less by what’s happening outside and more and more by the unpredictable and violent bids for life—and death—inside.

When everything is gone, what do you hold on to?

* Summary taken from Goodreads.

❝My Thoughts❞

Courtney Summers pens an emotional edgey unpredictable tale of survival and strength in a chaotic world full of danger and destruction. In many ways, it's a startling dismal outlook at life and death in an intensely gritty realistic and terrifying way. This book is by no means your average run of the mill zombie apocalypse horror stories. It's riddled with chaotic violence, terrifying outlooks on life itself, and the human race. This book is sure to draw readers into its web and wrap them up inside the pages.

There is so much more to this story, than just what appears on the surface. Sloane is not just fighting to die, she's actualy fighting to SURVIVE herself in this crazy violent and messed up world that Courtney Summers has created. It's not just about living life through the eyes of five strangers as they stuggle to survive and stay alive, but more about growing, learning, and needing to feel that urge to fight for survival on Sloane's part, herself. Sloane is a broken protrait of a young woman on the cusp of womanhood, yet she has had to deal with far more pain in her life at the hands of her father and again when her sister abandons her to save herself in the zombie apocalypse. It's easy to see how she would rather fight to die, than fight to stay alive.

The absolute best part of this book are the characters and how realistically written they are and how wonderfully flawed everything is. Nothing in this life is perfect, nor is it by any means necessary in Courtney Summers world either. It's what makes this story even more intriguing and incredibly intense. I absolutely fell in love with the premise, the memorable characters, the brilliant sense of reality, and the start dismal violence that comes along with it. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of dystopia and or zombie/horror fiction. It is certainly one that will grab readers and pull them in for more.

Want purchase a copy of This Is Not A Test by Courtney Summers?

You can do so by visiting my Amazon Store and adding them to your shopping cart. While you're there, feel free to look around, you might find something else you want. I hope you enjoyed reading my review of This Is Not A Test by Courtney Summers. I definitely suggest you pick up a copy for yourself or even for someone else, if you think they'll like it.

COURTNEY SUMMERS

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Courtney Summers can't wait for the zombie apocalypse. Also she is the author of CRACKED UP TO BE and SOME GIRLS ARE, FALL FOR ANYTHING (available now) and THIS IS NOT A TEST (June 19th, 2012), four edgy young adult novels published by St. Martin's Press.

Author information taken from her Goodreads.

{ This ARC was provided by ATW ARC Tours, in exchange for an honest review which I have provided. No money exchanged hands, I review books for fun because I love to read. I am not interested in monetary gain.}

Book Review: Underworld by Meg Cabot

Underworld
by Meg Cabot
Publisher: Point
Publication Date: May 8, 2012
Pages: 336
Age Demographic: Young Adult/Adult Crossover
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Escape from the realm of the dead is impossible when someone there wants you back.

Seventeen-year-old Pierce Oliviera isn’t dead.

Not this time.

But she is being held against her will in the dim, twilit world between heaven and hell, where the spirits of the deceased wait before embarking upon their final journey.

Her captor, John Hayden, claims it’s for her own safety. Because not all the departed are dear. Some are so unhappy with where they ended up after leaving the Underworld, they’ve come back as Furies, intent on vengeance…on the one who sent them there and on the one whom he loves.

But while Pierce might be safe from the Furies in the Underworld, far worse dangers could be lurking for her there…and they might have more to do with its ruler than with his enemies.

And unless Pierce is careful, this time there’ll be no escape.

* Summary taken from Goodreads.

❝My Thoughts❞

Meg Cabot captivates fans once again, in a stunning sequel to Abandon. Reminicent of the Greek myth of Persephone and Hades featuring the underworld, Pierce finds herself trapped between heaven and hell, against her will. The mysteriously dark and handsome John Hayden, maintains that it's only for her protection. He explains that some of the deceased spirits aren't too thrilled with their final destination after leaving the underworld, and will often come back as furies hell bent on vengence and destruction. They specifically target the person that is the cause of them being sent there, and anyone John loves himself.

Underworld is a fascinatingly dangerous world full of dark intrigue, mystery, daring adventure, and incredible suspense. It picks up where Abandon left off with Pierce held captive in the underworld by John. Meg Cabot pens a thrilling tale of sweet subtle intense romance, vengeful furies fueled by revenge, and wonderful intriguing suspenseful mythology sure to wow anyone who enjoys modern edgey re-tellings of Greek mythos. Pierce's character growth and development was an amazing element that only adding more depth and layers to the story being told. I personally enjoyed how much she's grown and matured as a young woman that possesses such a wonderfully honest and likable personality.

John, on the other hand, only added to the fascination of the story. Getting to now more about him and his past, only piqued my curiosity even more than being introduced to him in Abandon. He's not completely black and white and while being a little shady to a certain degree, he still has Pierce's best interests at heart. He's willing to go to any lengths or do whatever it takes to protect her, and that's what makes me enjoy his character a great deal more. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by how much more I enjoyed this sequel to Abandon.

It's the perfect blend of creative visual imagination brought to life, amazing crackling romantic chemistry, and a super subtle edgey paranormal take on Greek mythos. Meg Cabot absolutely does not disappoint, as readers will soon find out just how much wow fills these brilliantly written pages. This is a book that fans of the Underworld series will absolutely NOT want to miss out on anytime soon.

Want purchase a copy of Underword by Meg Cabot?

You can do so by visiting my Amazon Store and adding them to your shopping cart. While you're there, feel free to look around, you might find something else you want. I hope you enjoyed reading my review of Underworld by Meg Cabot. I definitely suggest you pick up a copy for yourself or even for someone else, if you think they'll like it.

MEG CABOT

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Meg Cabot was born on February 1, 1967, during the Chinese astrological year of the Fire Horse, a notoriously unlucky sign. Fortunately she grew up in Bloomington, Indiana, where few people were aware of the stigma of being a fire horse -- at least until Meg became a teenager, when she flunked freshman Algebra twice, then decided to cut her own bangs.

She is now the author of nearly fifty books for both adults and teens, selling fifteen million copies worldwide, many of which have been #1 New York Times bestsellers, most notably The Princess Diaries series, which is currently being published in over 38 countries, and was made into two hit movies by Disney. In addition, Meg wrote the Mediator and 1-800-Where-R-You? series (on which the television series, Missing, was based), two All-American Girl books, Teen Idol, Avalon High, How to Be Popular, Pants on Fire, Jinx, a series of novels written entirely in email format (Boy Next Door, Boy Meets Girl, and Every Boy's Got One), a mystery series (Size 12 Is Not Fat/ Size 14 Is Not Fat Either/Big Boned), and a chick-lit series called Queen of Babble.

Meg currently divides her time between Key West, Indiana, and New York City with a primary cat (one-eyed Henrietta), various back-up cats, and her husband, who doesn't know he married a fire horse. Please don't tell him.

Author information taken from her Goodreads.

{ This ARC was provided by ATW ARC Tours, in exchange for an honest review which I have provided. No money exchanged hands, I review books for fun because I love to read. I am not interested in monetary gain.}

Book Review: Fated by Alyson Noel

Fated
by Alyson Noel
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Expected Publication: May 22, 2012
Pages: 368
Age Demographic: Young Adult
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Lately strange things have been happening to Daire Santos. Animals follow her, crows mock her, and glowing people appear out of nowhere. Worried that Daire is having a nervous breakdown, her mother packs her off to stay in the dusty plains of Enchantment, New Mexico with a grandmother she’s never met.

There she crosses paths with Dace, a gorgeous guy with unearthly blue eyes who she’s encountered before...but only in her dreams. And she’ll get to know her grandmother—a woman who recognizes Daire’s bizarre episodes for what they are. A call to her true destiny as a Soul Seeker, one who can navigate between the worlds of the living and the dead. Her grandmother immediately begins teaching her to harness her powers—but it’s an art that must be mastered quickly. Because Dace’s brother is an evil shape-shifter who’s out to steal her powers. Now Daire must embrace her fate as a Soul Seeker and find out if Dace is one guy she’s meant to be with...or if he’s allied with the enemy she’s destined to destroy.

* Summary taken from Goodreads.

❝My Thoughts❞

Fated is a mysteriously intriguing novel about a young girl who discovers she has the power to walk between the world of the living and the dead. Daire Santos has noticed some strange happenings around her, crows have been mocking her, animals have started following her around a lot, and people have started showing up mysteriously out of nowhere. When her mother starts taking notice of these weird things and starts worrying after her daughters mental well being, she decides that it might be better for Daire to send her off to stay with her grandmother she's never met before, to live in Enchanted New Mexico. Once out there, Daire meets Dace, a sweet and charming guy with unearthly blue eyes that seem familiar to her, only in her dreams. As Daire becomes closer to Paloma, her grandmother, she soon learns the truth of her destiny.

Daire Santos is a Soul Seeker who is able to traverse between the world of the living and of the dead. Almost as soon as she discovers this hidden gift, she is tasked with learning how to harness her new found powers. This is something that Daire has to master pretty quickly because Dace's brother, an evil shapeshifter, is vying for her power and will stop at nothing to claim it for his own. Daire has no choice, but to embrace her power and seek the answers to whether or not Dace is the one she's meant to be with or if he's with the enemy she's meant to destroy. The story that develops between these two quickly starts to turn into a story of love and trust.

At first glance of the premise for Fated, the story itself seems to be quite promising. Alyson Noel's idea behind the Soul Seekers is intriguing and definitely attention grabbing, if nothing else. Readers will find themselves wanting to gobble up as many details as they can, regarding the history and the mythology behind how the Soul Seekers came about and what exactly they can and can't do with their powers, and why it's important to never let evil shapeshifters steal them. Daire is a likable and easy character to connect with. It was admirable to see how brave and determined to take on her destiny of being a Soul Seeker, despite the few annoying flaws she did possess.

Dace is a wonderfully developed and charming character, of his own merit. He has such a warm and likable disposition about him and it's endearing to see just how much he does does really care for Daire. Their romance is sweet and fun to read about and readers will either enjoy them or not. Cade, on the other hand, had this alluring bad boy swagger going on that appealed to me on a more personal level. There's just something about a swoon worthy and irresistably bad boy that gets my blood to pumping.

Those who found themselves enjoying Alyson Noel's previous paranormal romance series The Immortals, are sure to enjoy this novel quite a bit as it explores new territory and brings a whole new world of mythology to the table in the form of animals and spirits. It is chalked full of wonderfully fun mystery, interestingly developed mythology behind the Soul Seekers making them and the Native Americans one of the more interesting aspects of the novel, and beautiful magical enchantment. It is quite an enjoyable and light read, for those who are looking for something easy to read.

Want to pre-order a copy

of Fated by Alsyon Noel?

You can do so by visiting my Amazon Store and adding them to your shopping cart. While you're there, feel free to look around, you might find something else you want. I hope you enjoyed the review for Fated and you decide to give it a chance. If you haven't read it, then I encourage you to pick up a copy for yourself or even for someone else, if you think they'll like it.

ABOUT ALYSON NOEL

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Alyson Noël is the #1 New York Times best selling, award-winning, author of FAKING 19, ART GEEKS AND PROM QUEENS, LAGUNA COVE, FLY ME TO THE MOON, KISS & BLOG, SAVING ZOË, CRUEL SUMMER, FOREVER SUMMER (a LAGUNA COVE/CRUEL SUMMER 2-in-1), the IMMORTALS series including: EVERMORE, BLUE MOON, SHADOWLAND, DARK FLAME, NIGHT STAR, and EVERLASTING, the IMMORTALS spin-off, RILEY BLOOM series including RADIANCE, SHIMMER, DREAMLAND, & WHISPER (04.26.12), with short stories appearing in the anthologies FIRST KISS (THEN TELL), KISSES FROM HELL, & DEAR BULLY. She is currently working on a new series for teens, SOUL SEEKERS, including: FATED, ECHO, MYSTIC, & HORIZON. Book 1, FATED, is set to debut in May 2012.

Author information taken from her Goodreads.

{ This audiobook and ARC was provided by Macmillian Audio and ATW ARC Tours, in exchange for an honest review which I have provided. No money exchanged hands, I review books for fun because I love to read. I am not interested in monetary gain. Any piece of this ARC that was or wasn't quoted, is not part of the finished product and should not be perceived as such. Instead, you should compare and check it against a finished copy once it is released.}

Book Review: Lucky Fools by Coert Vorhees

Lucky Fools
by Coert Vorhees
Publisher: Hyperion Book CH
Expected Publication: July 10, 2012
Pages: 304
Age Demographic: Young Adult
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David Ellison dreams of acting at Juilliard, but he's expected to attend nearby Stanford University, just like all of his classmates at hard-driving Oak Fields Prep. As if wasting his private school education weren't enough, David is also on track to destroy his relationship with his girlfriend, Ellen, when he finds himself falling for his new co-star, Vanessa.

With David's Juilliard audition approaching, and his relationship teetering on the brink of disaster, Oak Fields is thrown into chaos as a mysterious prankster begins attacking the school's highest achievers, determined to sabotage their college aspirations. Anyone who excels is a potential target, and David, the star of every play, could be next.

From the author of the highly praised The Brothers Torres comes a dangerously insightful book about enduring the pressures of high school, surviving the ins and outs of love, and fighting for your dreams, no matter what.

* Summary taken from Goodreads.

❝My Thoughts❞

In Lucky Fools, David Ellison has been dreaming of attending the prestigious Julliard. He has exceptional acting abilities and wants to study acting seriously, however, it's expected of him to attend Stanford University. His relationship with his current girlfriend is also threatened by his developing crush on his co-star Vanessa. As David's audition for Julliard f ast approaches and his relationship seems to be suffering, chaos ensues at his private prep school Oak Feilds when a mysterious prankster starts targetting a series of attacks on some of the schools most promising acheivers. It seems anyone who has the potential of acheiving high standards could be next, including David.

Coert Vorhees does a masterful job of tackling the everyday pressures of being an exceptionally talented young adult in such a realistic way that readers are able to connect with. In a world of young adult fiction that is mostly brimming with female heriones, it is refreshing to see this story told from a male's persepctive. David is just as confused about college life and love, as anyone should be at that point in their life. The only drawback to his character was the lack of growth and dvelopment, except for the last few chapters of the book. This made it a little bit harder to connect with him on some levels.

The plot and premise of Lucky Fools itself, was fun and interesting to read even though it may have been a little bit predictable in some areas. There is unbelievable amounts of pressure put on these young characters as well as other happenings going on in the book, but despite all of that the author takes the story and makes it come together and really work. It's a fast and enjoyable read that may be best suited for those in high school. The romance is sweet and endearing and there are some really fun moments in the book overall. It was a pretty good read and I would definitely recommend giving it a try.

Want to pre-order a copy

of Lucky Fools

by Coert Vorhees?

You can do so by visiting my Amazon Store and adding them to your shopping cart. While you're there, feel free to look around, you might find something else you want. I hope you enjoyed the review for Lucky Fools and you decide to give it a chance. If you haven't read it, then I encourage you to pick up a copy for yourself or even for someone else, if you think they'll like it.

ABOUT COERT VORHEES

Website || Twitter || Blog || Goodreads

Coert Vorhees latest young adult novel is, Lucky Fools. His previous novels include The Brothers Torres, Annie Fleet and the Golden Janguar, and Storm Wrangler.

Author information taken from her Goodreads.

{ This ARC was provided by ATW ARC Tours, in exchange for an honest review which I have provided. No money exchanged hands, I review books for fun because I love to read. I am not interested in monetary gain. Any piece of this ARC that was or wasn't quoted, is not part of the finished product and should not be perceived as such. Instead, you should compare and check it against a finished copy once it is released.}

Book Review: Cold Fury by T.M. Goeglein

Cold Fury
by T.M. Goeglein
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Expected Publication: July 24, 2012
Pages: 288
Age Demographic: Young Adult
amazon | b&n

Jason Bourne meets The Sopranos in this breathtaking adventure

Sara Jane Rispoli is a normal sixteen-year-old coping with school and a budding romance--until her parents and brother are kidnapped and she discovers her family is deeply embedded in the Chicago Outfit (aka the mob).

Now on the run from a masked assassin, rogue cops and her turncoat uncle, Sara Jane is chased and attacked at every turn, fighting back with cold fury as she searches for her family. It's a quest that takes her through concealed doors and forgotten speakeasies--a city hiding in plain sight. Though armed with a .45 and 96K in cash, an old tattered notebook might be her best defense--hidden in its pages the secret to "ultimate power." It's why she's being pursued, why her family was taken, and could be the key to saving all of their lives.

Action packed, with fresh, cinematic writing, Cold Fury is a riveting and imaginative adventure readers will devour.

* Summary taken from Goodreads.

❝My Thoughts❞

Cold Fury is an epic action packed force of amazing. It's brilliantly engaging with crazy masked assassins, cops gone rouge, and turn coat relatives. T.M. Goeglein pens a breath taking riveting novel, filled with unexpected twists and turns that will have readers grasping the edge of their seats all the way through it. The world he creates and the characters he super-imposes within it, are just as intriguing as they are mysterious and full of fascinating quirks. He wow's his audience with an action filled, dangerous, and refreshing spin on the Chicago Outfit.

Sarah Jane, is such an phenomenal kickass herione who is cleverly brilliant, cunning in her own way, and just as resourceful as she is resilient. She finds herself in an unlikely predicament, being chased and attacked it seems at every turn, all the while searching for her family and the many answers to her questions. With an old tattered notebook that might be her best chance to save her family, a 0.45, and 96k in cash she's on the run moving and never stopping long enough to stay in one place at a time, in an attempt to survive. It's amazing how well balanced and likable Sarah Jane is, I found it enjoyable to see a more realistic side of her vulnerability tempered against her badass fighting skills of steel, and typical normal teen angst. The connection between Sarah Jane's "emotional core" being steeped in a strong connection to family and "cold fury" on T.M. Goeglein's behalf is a wonderfully fascinating and intriguing element of the book itself. It gives it a bit of its own originality in a world of action packed adventures currently being written in the young adult fiction market these days.

Cold Fury is cold burning flame of dark gritty intense emotions, pain, betrayal, and action packed adventure that is enough to hook any reader who enjoys mystery and action novels. The pages are filled with tension and dark twists and turns that are unpredictable and captivating. It's sort of like The Sopranos meets addictive unputdownable fiction. The ending will not only keep readers on the edge of their seats, but will also have them screaming for more background and heart stopping action as far as the Outfit and the Sarah Jane's search for her family and the answers to her questions.

Want to purchase a copy of Cold Fury by T.M. Goeglein?

You can do so by visiting my Amazon Store and adding them to your shopping cart. While you're there, feel free to look around, you might find something else you want. I hope you enjoyed my review for Cold Fury by T.M. GoegleinI definitely suggest you pick up a copy for yourself or even for someone else, if you think they'll like it.

ABOUT T.M. GOEGLEIN

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T.M. Goeglein began his career as a writer of print and television ads for a host of advertising and media companies. As a screenwriter, he created both original scripts and worked as a script doctor for several production companies in Los Angeles. He was an original contributor to the Huffington Post 'Living' section, and continues to write for both the national edition and Huffington Post Chicago. Read T.M. Goeglein's stories on the Huffington Post.

His debut young adult novel, COLD FURY, will be published by Penguin/Putnam in 2012 and is the first in a trilogy; he’s currently working on the second book. He lives in Chicago with his wife, Laura, and two young children.

Author information taken from her .

{ This ARC was provided by ATW ARC Tours, in exchange for an honest review which I have provided. No money exchanged hands, I review books for fun because I love to read. I am not interested in monetary gain. Any piece of this ARC that was or wasn't quoted, is not part of the finished product and should not be perceived as such. Instead, you should compare and check it against a finished copy once it is released.}

Book Review: So Close To You by Rachel Carter

So Close To You
by Rachel Carter
Publisher: HarperTeen
Expected Publication: June 10, 2012
Pages: 320
Age Demographic: Young Adult
amazon | b&n

ydia Bentley has heard stories about the Montauk Project all her life: stories about the strange things that took place at the abandoned military base near her home and the people who've disappeared over the years. Stories about people like her own great-grandfather.

When Lydia stumbles into a portal that transports her to a dangerous and strange new reality, she discovers that all the stories she's ever heard about the Montauk Project are true, and that she's in the middle of one of the most dangerous experiments in history.

Alongside a darkly mysterious boy she is wary to trust, Lydia begins to unravel the secrets surrounding the Project. But the truths behind these secrets force her to question all her choices—and if Lydia chooses wrong, she might not save her family but destroy them... and herself.

* Summary taken from Goodreads.

❝My Thoughts❞

So Close To You is an amazing ball of wow, chalked full of interesting history, wonderful theories on the Montauk Project, and interesting plot and character development. Rachel Carter does a pretty awesome job of blending historical elements in with sci-fi so naturally that the story just flows off the pages and it's so easy to become absorbed in it. The characters are interesting and likable, the plot development has a unique twist to it that will draw readers in and keep them captivated, and packs the right amount of elemental fear and mystery to keep them on edge. I found myself growing personally excited as I flipped the pages, because time travel, a world ruled by the Project, and super secretive government dealings that would be otherwise terrifying if leaked to everyone. This was definitely my kind of novel from the get go.

It is time travel, what isn't to love about time travel? It had such a Doctor Who vibe to it, that I sort of felt as if the Doctor was traveling back in time with Lydia in spirit. She's such an amazingly likable and spirited character that I fell in love with right off the bat. She's kind, smart, fun, intelligent, and very resourceful and resilient in so many ways. I love how completely accidental it was that she was able to go back in time to World War II and solve the mystery of why her grandfather was so adamant about the Montauk Project being real. That part was so much fun to read and I got a lot of enjoyment about of seeing her get to meet her relatives and get to know them.

The romance between her and Wes was incredibly sweet and tender. I like how you only got to see him the way that Lydia saw him, through her eyes. There were moments when I found myself wishing that he could only see himself as she saw him. He's such an wonderfully brave, charming, and sweet guy for readers to get to know. If I were to ever get the chance to travel back in time the way Lydia stumbled into it, I would want a guy like Wes to be brave and loving enough to follow me in an effort to protect me from whatever might be waiting for me on the other side the way he did with Lydia. These two definitely caused an aching in my heart towards the end, but it's definitely got me pining for the sequel even more.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys romance, historical, and time travel all combined into one amazing story.

Want to pre-order a copy of So Close To You by Rachel Carter?

You can do so by visiting my Amazon Store and adding them to your shopping cart. While you're there, feel free to look around, you might find something else you want. I hope you enjoyed the review for So Close To You. If you haven't, then I definitely suggest you pick up a copy for yourself or even for someone else if you think they'll like it.

ABOUT RACHEL CARTER

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I'm a young adult writer and my debut novel, So Close to You, will be available July 10th, 2012. It's the start of a three book series with HarperTeen.

Also, it's about time travel. Which I love. Along with vampires, werewolves, epic Russian historical romances, and movies starring Ryan Gosling.

Please, please recommend books to me, especially YA and romance (the more obscure the better!). I'm always looking for new stories to fall in love with.

Author information taken from her Goodreads.

{ This ARC was provided by HarperTeen and ATW ARC Tours, in exchange for an honest review which I have provided. No money exchanged hands, I review books for fun because I love to read. I am not interested in monetary gain. Any piece of this ARC that was or wasn't quoted, is not part of the finished product and should not be perceived as such. Instead, you should compare and check it against a finished copy once it is released.}

Book Review: The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda

The Hunt
by Andrew Fukuda
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Expected Publication: May 8, 2012
Pages: 304
Age Demographic: Young Adult
amazon | b&n

Don’t Sweat. Don’t Laugh. Don’t draw attention to yourself. And most of all, whatever you do, do not fall in love with one of them.

Gene is different from everyone else around him. He can’t run with lightning speed, sunlight doesn’t hurt him and he doesn’t have an unquenchable lust for blood. Gene is a human, and he knows the rules. Keep the truth a secret. It’s the only way to stay alive in a world of night—a world where humans are considered a delicacy and hunted for their blood.

When he’s chosen for a once in a lifetime opportunity to hunt the last remaining humans, Gene’s carefully constructed life begins to crumble around him. He’s thrust into the path of a girl who makes him feel things he never thought possible—and into a ruthless pack of hunters whose suspicions about his true nature are growing. Now that Gene has finally found something worth fighting for, his need to survive is stronger than ever—but is it worth the cost of his humanity?

* Summary taken from Goodreads.

❝My Thoughts❞

The Hunt is one of the most gritty, riveting, keep you on the edge of your seat books released this year. It's dangerously addicting and incredibly hard to put down until the last page has been read. It's quite a puzzle to be pieced together as it progresses, but it is bold, daring, and full of dangerous intrigue. The characters are just as confusing as the brilliantly crafted world they are living in, but as the two go hand in hand they are pretty spectacular to read about. Andrew Fukuda has penned such an extraoridinary chill-inducing tale of deception, lies, betrayal, love, and dangerous emotions mixed in with some extremely amazing kickass action sequences. This is such an irresistable book for any dystopian lover.



It seems as if the world Andrew Fukuda has depicted, has been spun upside down and left in suspension, where down is up and up is different. There is one human working to infiltrate the vampire world. He may or may not make it out alive, if he is found out. This is where you don't breathe, you don't sweat, you don't cough or sneeze, or do anything that would attract attention to you. Gene's family has been wiped out completely by the vampires and he has been on his own for quite some time using everything his father taught him for survival means necessary, before he became infected and died. Soon everything changes and the world takes on a darker more sinsister edge to it sharper than before, when he's ordered to hunt the last of the humans for sport.



The Hunt's pages are filled with wonderful irony and mystery. Vampires equal evolved beings, while helpers (humans) are the animals. It's sort of monster with weird quirks and facets versus helpers who translate as animals -more lowly creatures. The paranormal aspect of this novel was written exceptionally well and wonderfully developed throughout. The vampires within the story seemed to have unique oringinality of their own, possessing strange quirks and personality as disgusting as the drooling, nasty, and repulsing creatures they represent. Another thing that was interesting about them, is that they are functioning civil evolved beings, who go to work, go to school, and function just as well as any human would despite their weird quirks.



There are some dangerously frightening moments and chill inducing tension in the atmosphere that leave emotions running sky high. Wonderfully original and uncoventionally creative and clever, The Hunt is a disturbingly dark and deceptively twisted portrayal of the post-apocalytic world ran by vampires and one lone human left on his own to fight for his own kind. Fans of much darker and terrifying dystopian novels such as Partials and The Hunger Games will be absolutely blown away by the sheer force of this novel and the incredible cliffhanger that will have them anticipating the sequel.

Want to purchase a copy of The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda?

You can do so by visiting my Amazon Store and adding them to your shopping cart. While you're there, feel free to look around, you might find something else you want. I hope you enjoyed my review for The Hunt by Andrew FukudaI definitely suggest you pick up a copy for yourself or even for someone else, if you think they'll like it.

ABOUT ANDREW FUKUDA


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Born in Manhattan and raised in Hong Kong, Andrew Fukuda is half-Chinese, half-Japanese. After earning a bachelor's degree in history from Cornell University, Fukuda worked in Manhattan's Chinatown with the immigrant teen community. That experience led to the writing of Crossing, his debut novel that was selected by ALA Booklist as an Editor's Choice, Top Ten First Novel, and Top Ten Crime Novel in 2010. His second novel, The Hunt, the first in a new series, was bought at auction by St. Martin's Press and will be published in May 2012. Before becoming a full time writer, Fukuda was a criminal prosecutor for seven years. He currently resides on Long Island, New York, with his family.


Author information taken from her .

{ This ARC was provided by ATW ARC Tours, in exchange for an honest review which I have provided. No money exchanged hands, I review books for fun because I love to read. I am not interested in monetary gain. Any piece of this ARC that was or wasn't quoted, is not part of the finished product and should not be perceived as such. Instead, you should compare and check it against a finished copy once it is released.}

Book Review: Kill Me Softly

Kill Me Softly
by Andrew Fukuda
Publisher: EgmontUSA
Expected Publication: April 10, 2012
Pages: 336
Age Demographic: Young Adult
amazon | b&n

Mirabelle's past is shrouded in secrecy, from her parents' tragic deaths to her guardians' half-truths about why she can't return to her birthplace, Beau Rivage. Desperate to see the town, Mira runs away a week before her sixteenth birthday—and discovers a world she never could have imagined.

In Beau Rivage, nothing is what it seems—the strangely pale girl with a morbid interest in apples, the obnoxious playboy who's a beast to everyone he meets, and the chivalrous guy who has a thing for damsels in distress. Here, fairy tales come to life, curses are awakened, and ancient stories are played out again and again.

But fairy tales aren't pretty things, and they don't always end in happily ever after. Mira has a role to play, a fairy tale destiny to embrace or resist. As she struggles to take control of her fate, Mira is drawn into the lives of two brothers with fairy tale curses of their own . . . brothers who share a dark secret. And she'll find that love, just like fairy tales, can have sharp edges and hidden thorns.

* Summary taken from Goodreads.

❝My Thoughts❞

Kill Me Softly is a wonderfully romantic edgy Grimm-based novel, brimming with suspsense, passion, and hidden thorns. Sarah Cross pens a novel that has the magnificent ability to stand out on its own amongst the legions of fairytales and their retellings to date. Riddled with secrets and lies, half-truths covered in darkness, rich and compelling prose, and beautiful imagery Kill Me Softly is a tale beyond any other. The characters are entertaining and enchantingly interesting, the plot is well developed, and the mystery is enough to keep readers flipping the pages as fast as their fingers can fly. It's strange, but Sarah Cross does a good job of penning a host of fairytale re-tellings all combined into one book, with originality, creativity, style, and flare all its own.

The best thing about Grimms Fairytales is that there aren't always happily ever afters and wonderful pretty things. A rose is such a beautiful thing to look at, their fragrance appealing, but underneath all that green you'll find that you might be pricked by a thorn. It's such a deceptively beguiling little thing, but it can also wound. This is what makes Kill Me Softly so appealing, in the story that it has to tell. It's in the details of the fairytale destiny that Mirabelle has learned that she has to choose to accept or not to accept her destiny. Dark secrets are kept deeply hidden and locked away, two brothers lives cursed with fairy tales, while Mira struggles to either accept or embrace what fate has in store for her.

Sarah Cross prose is beautifully flawless and flows effortlessly. It will definitely draw readers in with its intoxicating beauty. The emotion and heart that she depicts while penning the romance contained within the pages of Kill Me Softly is breath taking and heart pounding. Personally I'm not the biggest fan of insta-love or triangles, but this was set-up brilliantly. The irony of the love triangle is that appeared to be somewhat haunted and a bit twisted, which made it much more easier to take and interesting to read about.

The characters are some of the most interesting and complex that I've read in a while, very unique and likable in their own ways. The story just seems to come alive on the pages and transports readers on an intriguing journey of their own. I would recommend this book for those who enjoy fairy tale retellings.

Want to purchase a copy of Kill Me Softly by Sarah Cross?

You can do so by visiting my Amazon Store and adding them to your shopping cart. While you're there, feel free to look around, you might find something else you want. I hope you enjoyed my review for Kill Me Softly by Sarah CrossI definitely suggest you pick up a copy for yourself or even for someone else, if you think they'll like it.

ABOUT SARAH CROSS

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Sarah Cross loves fairy tales in all their incarnations. Her first novel, Dull Boy, is about another kind of myth—superheroes. Visit her online at www.sarahcross.com.

Author information taken from her Amazon.

{ This ARC was provided by ATW ARC Tours, in exchange for an honest review which I have provided. No money exchanged hands, I review books for fun because I love to read. I am not interested in monetary gain. Any piece of this ARC that was or wasn't quoted, is not part of the finished product and should not be perceived as such. Instead, you should compare and check it against a finished copy once it is released.}

Book Review: Dreamless by Josephine Angelini

Dreamless
by Josephine Angelini
Publisher: HarperTeen
Expected Publication: May 29, 2012
Pages: 496
Age Demographic: Young Adult
amazon | b&n

Can true love be forgotten?

As the only Scion who can descend into the Underworld, Helen Hamilton has been given a nearly impossible task. By night she wanders through Hades, trying to stop the endless cycle of revenge that has cursed her family. By day she struggles to overcome the fatigue that is rapidly eroding her sanity. Without Lucas by her side, Helen is not sure she has the strength to go on.

Just as Helen is pushed to her breaking point, a mysterious new Scion comes to her rescue. Funny and brave, Orion shields her from the dangers of the Underworld. But time is running out—a ruthless foe plots against them, and the Furies’ cry for blood is growing louder.

As the ancient Greek world collides with the mortal one, Helen’s sheltered life on Nantucket descends into chaos. But the hardest task of all will be forgetting Lucas Delos.

Josephine Angelini’s compelling saga becomes ever more intricate and spellbinding as an unforgettable love triangle emerges and the eternal cycle of revenge intensifies. Eagerly awaited, this sequel to the internationally bestselling STARCROSSED delivers a gritty, action-packed love story that exceeds expectation.

* Summary taken from Goodreads.

❝My Thoughts❞

Hades and Persephone has always been a personal favorite of mine, as far as classic Greek mythology goes. It's such an interesting myth with fascinating possibilities and what if's that I've always turned over in my mind, which is why I have really come to enjoy Josephine Angelini's portrayal of the Greek gods and goddesses. She adds a whole new dimension of dynamic and originality to them and the world she has crafted so wonderfully. The way that she's had Helen deal with the furies so far, has been handled so flawlessly and amazingly well. Her characters have experienced wonderful character growth and have been developed exceptionally well, making them likable and easy for readers to connect with.

Orion, I'd have to say, was my personal favorite added to the cast. His personal tragic history and intriguing powers havd a way of making me extremely protective of him. I loved how he possessed wonderful humor and bravery, as he protected Helen from the very dangers of the Underworld. I could definitely understand how Helen could feel an inkling of something stirring - for him. Their connection was both interesting and pleasing to witness. There was a level of trust and care that could have potentially been turning into something else there between the two of them and it was quite enjoyable to read.

The romance added wonderful dynamic to the book and was beautifully written. There are so many possibilities that could happen by taking the story this route and I'm very pleased to see that Josephine Angelini hasn't disappointed me yet, with it. Although, watching Lucas and Helen having such a tough time trying to stay away from each other sort of pulled at my heart and made it ache just a bit. It's heartbreaking to witness especially after Lucas tried to make Helen hate him in such an unappealing and unflattering way. I'll admit, that even I was a bit annoyed by that part.

One of the most interesting things I found about Dreamless and the story that Josephine Angelini is wonderfully crafting, is that she implemented sleep deprivation as the cause of what's killing Helen. She has to travel to the Underworld to deal with the furies and trust the help of Orion to navigate her through the dangers that await her there. She's not physically sleeping, which means that she's not sleeping at all and that is detrimental to her health and is taking its toll on her. Despite a couple of minor drawbacks here or there, I found that the story being told was timeless, beautiful, and filled with gritty action packed danger. It's perfect for fans of Meg Cabot's Abandoned or Melanie Dugan's Dead Beautiful.

Want to purchase Dreamless by Josephine Angelini?

You can do so by visiting my Amazon Store and adding them to your shopping cart. While you're there, feel free to look around, you might find something else you want. I hope you enjoyed the review for Dreamless and the prior book (STARCROSSED) in the series, if you've already read them. If you haven't, then I definitely suggest you pick up a copy for yourself or even for someone else, if you think they'll like them.

ABOUT JOSEPHINE ANGELINI

Website || Twitter || Facebook || Goodreads

Josephine Angelini is a Massachusetts native and the youngest of eight siblings. A real-live farmer's daughter, Josie graduated from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts in theater, with a focus on the classics. She now lives in Los Angeles with her husband.

Starcrossed is her first novel.
Author information taken from her Goodreads.

{ This ARC was provided by ATW ARC Tours, in exchange for an honest review which I have provided. No money exchanged hands, I review books for fun because I love to read. I am not interested in monetary gain. Any piece of this ARC that was or wasn't quoted, is not part of the finished product and should not be perceived as such. Instead, you should compare and check it against a finished copy once it is released.}

Book Review: Soulbound by Heather Brewer

Soulbound
by Heather Brewer
Publisher: Dial
Expected Publication: July 19, 2012
Pages: 304
Age Demographic: Young Adult
amazon | b&n

What's worse than being blackmailed to attend a hidden school where you're treated like a second-class citizen? How about nearly getting eaten by a monster when you arrive? Or learning that your soulmate was killed in a centuries-old secret war? And then there's the evil king who's determined to rule the world unless you can stop him...

Meet Kaya, a young woman with the power to heal and the determination to fight. But struggle as she will, she remains tied to three very different men: a hero who has forsaken glory, a tyrannical ruler who wants to use Kaya, and a warrior who's stolen her heart. Kaya learns the hard way that some ties can't be broken...and blood is the strongest bond of all.

* Summary taken from Goodreads.

❝My Thoughts❞

Soulbound is a wonderfully entertaining world with captivating peril and danger. Heather Brewer's world is crafted beautifully and full of mystery and intrigue. The adventure and twists in plot will keep readers on the edge of their seats, stunned and amazed at how well the story plays out and the characters bring the world to life. The level of detail and plot fleshed out, is both refreshing and gives the story its own unique spin and originality. The concept of Healer's and Barron's being soulbound to one another was intresting and gave new meaning to the term "soulmate," which I enjoyed a great deal.

Kay was definitely my favorite character in the novel. She was incredibly brave, determined, and amazingly kickass in so many ways. I loved that she bucked the status quo the better portion of the time and refused to just sit back and let her Barron save her as if she were some damsel in distress. She was adamant in wanting to learn how to fright, so that she could protect herself ownself and not have to rely on someone else. Although, her rebilliousness can and does seem to get her into trouble often enough, but it still makes her realistically likable and easy for readers to connect with.

I also enjoyed the fact that the love story didn't play that much of a leading role in the story, giving us more information on the Council, the mythos between the Healers and their Barrons whom they are "soulbound" to, and the more intriguing aspects of the world that Heather Brewer has crafted wonderfully well. Soulbound is an incredibly action packed novel filled with dangerous twists and turns, heartbreak and beytrayal, and sacred duties all wrapped into an awesomely fierce novel that readers will be unable to put down. It is definitely a must read for anyone who enjoys fantasy and action, as well as mystery and intrigue. It's a pretty amazing ball of wow, from the beginning to the end that just doesn't quit, and leaves readers with a jaw-dropping never-see-it-coming cliffhanger that they won't quite be prepared for. It is enough to keep them eagerly anticipating the sequel for sure.

Want to purchase a copy of Soulbound by Heather Brewer?

You can do so by visiting my Amazon Store and adding them to your shopping cart. While you're there, feel free to look around, you might find something else you want. I hope you enjoyed my review for Soulbound by Rebecca SerleI definitely suggest you pick up a copy for yourself or even for someone else, if you think they'll like it.

ABOUT HEATHER BREWER

Website || Twitter || Facebook || Goodreads

Heather Brewer was not your typical teen growing up. She wore black, danced under full moons and devoured every book in sight.
She hasn’t changed much.

Today, Heather can be found writing in her funky, black Happy Bunny jammie pants, dancing under the full moon, devouring every book in sight, and attending Renaissance Festivals in costume (and in character).

When Heather's not writing, dressing up, dancing and reading, she's answering email, which she LOVES to get. You can email Heather by using the contact form on the right. But before you do, make sure you check the FAQ to see if your question has been answered there. Unfortunately, Heather cannot respond to all emails, as doing so would take up valuable writing time (and we wouldn't want that, would we?), but you can always reach her by commenting on her blog or her Facebook, or by following her on Twitter.

Author information taken from her .

{ This ARC was provided by ATW ARC Tours, in exchange for an honest review which I have provided. No money exchanged hands, I review books for fun because I love to read. I am not interested in monetary gain. Any piece of this ARC that was or wasn't quoted, is not part of the finished product and should not be perceived as such. Instead, you should compare and check it against a finished copy once it is released.}

Book Review: When You Were Mine by Rebecca Serle

When You Were Mine
by Rebecca Serle
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Expected Publication: May 1, 2012
Pages: 352
Age Demographic: Young Adult
amazon | b&n

In this intensely romantic, modern recounting of the greatest love story ever told, Romeo’s original intended—Juliet’s cousin Rosaline—tells her side of the tale.

What’s in a name, Shakespeare? I’ll tell you: Everything.

Rosaline knows that she and Rob are destined to be together. Rose has been waiting for years for Rob to kiss her—and when he finally does, it’s perfect. But then Juliet moves back to town. Juliet, who used to be Rose’s best friend. Juliet, who now inexplicably hates her. Juliet, who is gorgeous, vindictive, and a little bit crazy… and who has set her sights on Rob. He doesn’t even stand a chance.

Rose is devastated over losing Rob to Juliet. This is not how the story was supposed to go. And when rumors start swirling about Juliet’s instability, her neediness, and her threats of suicide, Rose starts to fear not only for Rob’s heart, but also for his life. Because Shakespeare may have gotten the story wrong, but we all still know how it ends.

* Summary taken from Goodreads.

❝My Thoughts❞

When You Were Mine is a wonderfully charming story of first love, heartache, butterflies, and letting go. It's beautifully written and so movingly tender, that readers will be aching along with the characters. It's an emotionally modern re-telling of the classic Shakesphere playwrite, Romeo&Juliet. The blurb on the inside flap describes it as "the way Romeo&Juliet should have been told." Rebecca Serle pens a beautifully and cleverly written take on the classic playwrite.

Rose is a pretty amazingly realistic and awesome character to get to know. She's been in love with her best friend Rob, for what seems like forever. So, when he starts showing interest in her, she starts to believe that the two of them were always meant to be - that whatever happens, come what may they are meant to be together forever. For Rob, the first inkling of the tenderest feelings he's shown towards Rose doesn't last too long, when Juliet (Rose's cousin) walks in and he turns all his attention on her. Rose is devastated by this and goes through some pretty heavy emotions. She and Rob go from spending every day together, to not talking at all and Juliet is anything less than cruel to her for the better part of the time.

Rose has an amazing support system in place, in the form of two awesomely fierce best friends and an unlikely someone she never realized could ever be there for her in such an amazingly intense and caring way. Just when things start looking up for Rose, tragedy to the highest degree strikes both her and her family in such a hard hitting emotional way that she has to learn how to let go of the one person that she thought would always be there no matter what. It's a devastating blow and she almost loses it, until she realizes in the end that sometimes the best thing that can ever be done is learning to let go when you know there's nothing there to still grasp hold of.

Rebecca Serle does such a beautiful job of penning a story full of heartbreak, greif, bretrayal of all kinds, the tenderst of heartaches, losing and finding hope in the bleak aftermath of such a tragedy. When You Were Mine is a story about love and hope, life and death, and overcoming overwhelming odds when they are stacked against you and your family. It's a story of learning to look beyond the outer appearance and dig deeper to the core of beauty and love in its rarest form, learning not to miss what's been standing in front of you all along. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys love stories, with a positive outcome.

Want to purchase a copy of When You Were Mine by Rebecca Serle?

You can do so by visiting my Amazon Store and adding them to your shopping cart. While you're there, feel free to look around, you might find something else you want. I hope you enjoyed my review for When You Were Mine by Rebecca SerleI definitely suggest you pick up a copy for yourself or even for someone else, if you think they'll like it.

ABOUT REBECCA SERLE

Website || Twitter || Facebook || Goodreads

Rebecca Serle is a full-time writer, which means she gets to wear pajamas to work. She went to the University of Southern California, then got her MFA from the New School in NYC. (She likes New York much more than LA, but don't tell anyone that.) Rebecca loves shiny hair, coffee, yoga, and pretending to be British. She, too, experienced heartbreak once. It worked out okay, though, because she turned the experience into her first novel, WHEN YOU WERE MINE. Find out more at rebeccaserle.com.

Author information taken from her .

{ This ARC was provided by ATW ARC Tours, in exchange for an honest review which I have provided. No money exchanged hands, I review books for fun because I love to read. I am not interested in monetary gain. Any piece of this ARC that was or wasn't quoted, is not part of the finished product and should not be perceived as such. Instead, you should compare and check it against a finished copy once it is released.}