Tag Archives: contemporary
My Best Everything
Juvenile Fiction
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
2015-03-03
400
An Appalachian summer walks the line between toxic and intoxicating in this debut novel about first loves, broken hearts, and moonshine. Luisa "Lulu" Mendez has just finished her final year of high school in a small Virginia town, determined to move on and leave her job at the local junkyard behind. So when her father loses her college tuition money, Lulu needs a new ticket out. Desperate for funds, she cooks up the (illegal) plan to make and sell moonshine with her friends. Quickly realizing they're out of their depth, they turn to Mason, a local boy who's always seemed like a dead end. As Mason guides Lulu through the secret world of moonshine, it looks like her plan might actually work. But can she leave town before she loses everything? My Best Everything is Lulu's letter to Mason--but it a love letter, an apology, or a good-bye?
Review:
It is going to be really difficult to describe just how much I love “My Best Everything” and what makes it amazing, but I am going to give it a try.
At its heart it is a coming of age story and a romance, and one that uses some of the standard tropes, but somehow manages to turn them around and make them into something completely different. You have the bad boy, a common staple of romances, but he is not at all typical and by chapter ten you know his story is not what you think it will be. There is bullying and stereotypes, but they are not the ones usually addressed in books, and it makes the reader think beyond what they would normally define as “bullying”.
The novel is written in the first person, but as a letter to the male protagonist, making the word “you” draw the reader into the experience. It makes the entire thing more personal and intimate, with the narrator expressing feelings in a direct fashion, skipping flowery language, exposing the very real problems with the relationship, and yet somehow making this the type of love story you are glad you were given the chance to become a part of. There’s also the mystery of exactly why the letter is being written in the first place, adding some suspense, as well as reader anxiety, to the reading.
The character development is some of the best I have ever read in this novel’s genre, with traits and backstories being revealed with perfect timing. All of the characters are flawed, with qualities that make you want to hug them and qualities that make you want to shake some sense into them. In other words, they are realistic and react to their circumstances in a manner consistent with their personalities. Additionally, the environment of the Blue Ridge Mountains is written in a way that makes them their own character. Beautiful and flawed, they evoke feelings of longing and frustration.
I want to make note that the main character, Lulu, is Latino, and that is refreshing. It is so rare to find diversity in books without it being the central theme of the book that it was a wonderful surprise to have her race being something that just is part of her and not the driving plot of the story.
The characters in “My Best Everything” act realistically, so there is underage drinking, sexual situations, and quite a bit of colorful language. There is also a relationship with an age difference that may bother some, though the girl is only a couple of months shy of eighteen, so keep that in mind if that is the sort of thing that will decrease your enjoyment of the book. Also, it’s about making moonshine, so if alcohol bothers you in any way, this is most definitely not the book for you.
As for my opinion, I highly recommend “My Best Everything” for older young adults as well as those who are no longer young. It’s wonderful and I did not want to leave the characters and world behind. I will never stop hoping that Sarah Tomp revisits Lulu and Mason at sometime in the future.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Sexual Content, Language, Violence, Addiction, Underage Drinking, Lots of ‘Shine
The Third Twin
Delacorte Press
February 24, 2015
Hardcover
336
Identical twins. Identical DNA. Identical suspects. It’s Pretty Little Liars meets Revenge in this edge-of-your-seat thriller with a shocking twist.
When they were little, Lexi and her identical twin, Ava, made up a third sister, Alicia. If something broke? Alicia did it. Cookies got eaten? Alicia’s guilty. Alicia was always to blame for everything.
The game is all grown up now that the girls are seniors. They use Alicia as their cover to go out with boys who are hot but not exactly dating material. Boys they’d never, ever be with in real life.
Now one of the guys Alicia went out with has turned up dead, and Lexi wants to stop the game for good. As coincidences start piling up, Ava insists that if they follow the rules for being Alicia, everything will be fine. But when another boy is killed, the DNA evidence and surveillance photos point to only one suspect—Alicia. The girl who doesn’t exist.
As she runs from the cops, Lexi has to find the truth before another boy is murdered. Because either Ava is a killer . . . or Alicia is real.
Review:
I really wanted to like “The Third Twin”, and for a little over half of the book, I did. Somewhere around there it really jumped the rails in several aspects. The first half is why I gave it three stars, but the second would most certainly would be a two star book, in my opinion.
The premise is a very interesting one, and an unsolved murder for which the protagonist is a suspect holds a lot of promise. The stakes rise as it goes on, delivering a mix of the predictable and good surprises. The set-up was the best part of the book.
The characters are not well-developed, relying mostly on tropes to establish their personalities, and by the end they are quite grating. The ending, without spoiling it, is everything that a mystery should not be. While unpredictable, which is a good quality, it comes out of nowhere with absolutely no clues to lead it there, which is anything but good.
For most mystery lovers, I would recommend giving this one a pass. If the little details are not something you care about in a mystery or thriller, it may be worth a try. If nothing else, “The Third Twin” is a quick read.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Mild Sexual Situations, Language, Violence
Paper or Plastic
Paper or Plastic
Entangled: Teen
February 23, 2015
Paperback
352
Welcome to SmartMart, where crime pays minimum wage...
Busted. Alexis Dubois just got caught shoplifting a cheap tube of lipstick at the local SmartMart. She doesn’t know what’s worse—disappointing her overbearing beauty-pageant-obsessed mother for the zillionth time…or her punishment. Because Lex is forced to spend her summer working at the store, where the only things stranger than the staff are the customers.
Now Lex is stuck in the bizarro world of big-box retail. Coupon cutters, jerk customers, and learning exactly what a “Code B” really is (ew). And for added awkwardness, her new supervisor is the totally cute—and adorably geeky—Noah Grayson. Trying to balance her out-of-control mother, her pitching position on the softball team, and her secret crush on the school geek makes for one crazy summer. But ultimately, could the worst job in the world be the best thing that ever happened to her?
Review:
“Paper or Plastic” is exactly what it intends to be: a light ya romance and palate cleanser. It fulfills its purpose wonderfully.
The characters are engaging and fun, all of them with underlying issues that a revealed throughout the book. They grow a surprising amount as people given the length and lightness of the plot. It’s easy to find yourself relating to them in some way and I found myself more invested in their lives more than I expected to be.
The plot is solid and deals with some heavier issues like bullying, Alzheimer’s, and child abuse while somehow managing to keep the tone light and humorous for the most part. The writing is done in a style that makes it a quick read, and the teenagers speak like actual teenagers, which is something I am always appreciative of when digging in to a ya novel.
I can’t finish the review without noting that the author has very obviously worked at a retail chain of some sort in the past. The horrors of retail were enough to bring me back nightmares about my days at a grocery chain. In spite of the nightmares, reading about the customers had me literally laughing out loud. Well done, Vivi Barnes.
“Paper or Plastic” is obviously meant for the teen market, but there are few things explicit enough for parents of younger teens to worry about. I recommend it for those looking for a quick romantic read filled with humor and just the right amount of sweetness.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Mild Sexual Situations, Brief Language, Child Abuse
How (Not) to Fall in Love
How (Not) to Fall in Love
Entangled: Teen
February 3, 2015
Hardcover
352
Seventeen-year-old Darcy Covington never had to worry about money or where her next shopping spree was coming from. Even her dog ate gourmet. Then one day, Darcy’s car is repossessed from the parking lot of her elite private school. As her father’s business hit the skids, Dad didn’t just skip town, he bailed on his family.
Fortunately, Darcy’s uncle owns a thrift shop where she can hide out from the world. There’s also Lucas, the wickedly hot fix-it guy she can’t stop crushing on, even if she’s not sure they’ll ever get out of the friend zone.
But it’s here among the colorful characters of her uncle’s world that Darcy begins to see something more in herself...if she has the courage to follow it.
Review:
“How (Not) to Fall in Love” is the perfect palate cleanser that mixes romance with deeper issues, making it light but intelligent. Part romance, part mystery, and part family drama, it covers quite a wide range of subjects.
All of the characters are wonderfully flawed and do not fall prey to stereotypes, even though the other characters try to project them onto those who are different. They are well-developed and the dialogue is realistic and snarky. The male love interest is actually a decent guy who sets a good example for the type of relationships girls and boys should expect to have. Unfortunately, that is not always the case with young adult romances, so I’m always appreciative when it happens.
Mental illness and the effect it has on family members is also tackled and handled in a very sensitive manner. There are no miracles to make it go away, and the path is not an easy one. The realistic nature is something many people will be able to relate to, and it will also serve to help educate those without personal experiences.
While there is some adult content, none of it is explicit enough to keep middle readers from being able to read it and appreciate it, and parents can feel at ease with how everything is handled. This makes it a wonderful choice for romance lovers of almost any age.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content:
Mild Sexual Situations, Language, Drug Usage
The Same Sky
Fiction
Ballantine Books
2015-01-20
288
A childless woman looking to adopt crosses paths with a 13-year-old Honduran girl who has embarked on a dangerous journey into Texas with her brother. By the author of How to Be Lost.
Review:
“The Same Sky” is an intense book told in the stark voices of two narrators, a girl from Honduras named Carla, and a woman from America named Alice. The two stories combine to make a haunting novel that will, hopefully, forever remain in the mind of the reader.
Alice, while she can be somewhat of annoying character, is a good representation of middle-class America. Her family has its own struggles and deal with the inability to have children. She and her husband run a small family business and live comfortably within their own bubble until the poverty that surrounds them becomes a part of their lives. I liked this subplot of the book, as it was a good example of the fact that poverty exists, quite literally, in our own backyards.
The story of Carla is eye-opening and disturbing. Her life in her village is vividly described, illustrating some of the many reasons people of all ages choose to risk the journey to the United States. I had no idea the trip is as difficult as it is, and I may have nightmares about it for quite some time.
I highly recommend “The Same Sky”. It brings a deep understanding to the struggles of others who share our world, and it sheds light on the reasons many illegal immigrant children are arriving at our borders alone. It is my hope that we can all come together to help others in need with this book in the backs of our minds. I know it will remain in mine.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
While I do not typically write content warnings for adult books, please be aware that there is rape, child, and drug abuse in this book.
Vivian Apple at the End of the World
Vivian Apple at the End of the World
Vivian Apple, Book 1
HMH Books for Young Readers
January 6, 2015
Hardcover
272
Seventeen-year-old Vivian Apple never believed in the evangelical Church of America, unlike her recently devout parents. But when Vivian returns home the night after the supposed "Rapture," all that’s left of her parents are two holes in the roof. Suddenly, she doesn't know who or what to believe. With her best friend Harp and a mysterious ally, Peter, Vivian embarks on a desperate cross-country roadtrip through a paranoid and panic-stricken America to find answers. Because at the end of the world, Vivan Apple isn't looking for a savior. She's looking for the truth.
Review:
The summary for “Vivian Apple at the End of the World”, while intriguing, sells the book far short. So much more occurs within different contexts during the course of the book. It is a contemporary romance, mystery, dystopia, and horror story all mixed into one good book.
The subject matter can be controversial, as organized religion is not exactly lauded, but I believe readers should look at it as satire. It brings up very important questions that are important that we all ask ourselves in a way that is very palatable for teenaged readers. What do we believe? What is important to us? Should we follow the crowd or go against the pressure of society? Is everything we are taught true?
The plot flows quickly, but not too quickly, and is anything but predictable. The characters are well-developed and there is a tongue-in-cheek humor that left me laughing out loud several times. Not to be ignored is the romance between Vivian and Peter. It is refreshingly devoid of “instalove” and develops in a way which is believable under the circumstances. That is always something worth noting in a young adult book.
I recommend it for teenagers and adults who enjoy a good satire that makes them think closely about religion and society, though it may be offensive to those with certain religious beliefs.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Language, Sexual Situations, Underage Drinking and Drug Use, Violence.
The Here and Now
Juvenile Fiction
Delacorte Press
2014
242
Seventeen-year-old Prenna, an immigrant who moved to New York when she was twelve, came from another time and she and the other travelers must follow strict rules to avoid destroying the new life they have worked so hard to get, as well as the one personPrenna is desperate to protect.
Review:
I don’t know whether I had high expectations because I loved “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” so much, or whether it was the book itself, but I found “The Here and Now” to be underwhelming.
The premise is original, and there is no real fault in the storytelling, but it seems like it would have been more suited to a short story. There was quite a bit of filler in regard to the plot and the romance felt sudden, jarring, and forced. The only character that seemed to be fully developed was the protagonist.
All of those being said, while there are sexual situations, it is a very easy and quick read that can easily appeal to younger middle readers. In spite of there being plot filler, it does flow well, and it is technically well-written.
I would recommend it for the younger set, but not for older young adults or adults.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Mild Language, Brief Sexual Situations, Violence
Since You’ve Been Gone
Juvenile Fiction
Dundurn PressLtd
2015-01-24
224
On the run from her abusive father, fifteen-year-old Edie Fraser and her mother flee to London, England for a fresh start. But one day, Edie's mom doesn't come home from work. Afraid to phone the police and risk being returned to her father, Edie begins a desperate search for her mother, and finds an unlikely ally along the way.
Review:
“Since You’ve Been Gone” was a very difficult book to rate. It tackles some very difficult subjects, including domestic violence and racism. To be honest, I had no idea how rampant racism was in Great Britain until reading this novel, and the valuable education alone raised it from two stars to three. I’d like to thank the author, Mary Jennifer Payne, for making me more aware.
The problem with the book was not the plot but the pacing. It all seemed very rushed from one event to the next in a way that did not allow the reader to gain much understanding of each situation. It would have been much better had there been more details offered, even though it would have significantly increased the length. A story about such heavy topics deserves to be fully explored.
There were also a large amount of secondary characters that were completely unnecessary. They presented conflicts that had no resolution in some cases, and in others they just served to muddle the story. One character in particular did nothing for me but make me have an intense dislike of Edie, the protagonist.
It was not terrible, and I can neither recommend nor say it is to be avoided.
This book is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Language, Brief Sexual Situations, Violence, Domestic Violence
All the Bright Places
All the Bright Places
Knopf Books for Young Readers
January 6, 2015
Hardcover
400
Theodore Finch is fascinated by death, and he constantly thinks of ways he might kill himself. But each time, something good, no matter how small, stops him.
Violet Markey lives for the future, counting the days until graduation, when she can escape her Indiana town and her aching grief in the wake of her sister’s recent death.
When Finch and Violet meet on the ledge of the bell tower at school, it’s unclear who saves whom. And when they pair up on a project to discover the “natural wonders” of their state, both Finch and Violet make more important discoveries: It’s only with Violet that Finch can be himself—a weird, funny, live-out-loud guy who’s not such a freak after all. And it’s only with Finch that Violet can forget to count away the days and start living them. But as Violet’s world grows, Finch’s begins to shrink.
Review:
I can summarize my thoughts on “All the Bright Places” by saying that this is a book that anyone in the upper middle grades and up absolutely needs to read, including adults. It may be one of the most important books written in this decade, and I will be extremely disappointed if I don’t see it start popping up on school reading lists within a year.
The writing, complete with witty dialogue and two distinct narrator voices, is witty and solid. You feel in the moment along with them, as opposed to reading about their own moment. The characters are well-developed when they should be and not developed when they should not be. That sentence makes little sense before you read it, but please keep it in mind when you get to the end.
Jennifer Niven is a brave woman with bold and risky decisions concerning the plot, and all of those decisions come together to form a masterpiece. I can’t say much else, because the journey is the most important part of “All the Bright Places”, so I do not want to inadvertently spoil even the smallest of moments. I will say that it is a story that will most likely stay with you for life.
In short, here are three things I know to be true about “All the Bright Places”:
- There will be a movie adaptation starring Elle Fanning.
- There will be angry posts all over the internet no matter who is chosen to play Theodore Finch, because he will be so loved by fans, and that is the nature of fandom.
- It will save lives. Literally.
Five stars in this instance needs to be rounded up to 500. Please read it, and please take its messages to heart.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Language, Violence, Sexual Situations, Talk of Suicide and Self-Harming
Wildlife
Juvenile Fiction
Poppy
2014-09-16
400
During a semester in the wilderness, sixteen-year-old Sib expects the tough outdoor education program and the horrors of dorm life, but friendship drama and an unexpected romance with popular Ben Capaldi? That will take some navigating. New girl Lou has zero interest in fitting in, or joining in. Still reeling from a loss that occurred almost a year ago, she just wants to be left alone. But as she witnesses a betrayal unfolding around Sib and her best friend Holly, Lou can't help but be drawn back into the land of the living. Fans of Melina Marchetta, Rainbow Rowell, and E. Lockhart will adore this endearing and poignant story of first love, true friendship, and going a little bit wild.
Review:
This review is based on a complimentary copy given through Netgalley by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers in exchange for an honest review.
“Wildlife” by Fiona Wood is a book about two vastly different girls coming together during a semester in a wilderness type camp required by their school. It’s set in Australia, and while the differences are strange at first, I thought it was fun to learn more about the life of teenagers there.
The book is absolutely beautifully written, and takes many twists and turns that I did not expect at all. The two main characters, along with a secondary character (Michael), were so well-developed that your heart breaks when theirs do, and you laugh when they laugh. The mood is up and down with the story, ranging from sad to embarrassing to hilarious, and it makes the whole thing realistic.
Speaking of realistic, there is a LOT of strong language and talk of sex in “Wildlife”. It fits with the story, and I love when authors are brave enough to write how real teenagers speak, but I did want to mention it in case anyone likes to avoid those types of things.
The only reason I gave “Wildlife” four stars instead of five is because the ending felt somewhat rushed. It was a natural conclusion, but felt like it needed a couple of more chapters to make it seem less jarring. It was a bit like being on a pleasant drive and then slamming on the brakes. However, it is not anywhere near enough to ruin a wonderful book.
I highly recommend “Wildlife”.
Content Warning:
Language, Sexual Situations, Underage Drinking, Drug Use, Animal Death
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