Beautiful Burn by Jamie McGuire | Book Review

Beautiful Burn by Jamie McGuire

Reading Group: M for Mature

Personal Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Given Summary: Fresh out of college, Ellison Edson has fallen through the cracks of rock bottom. While staying in her family’s vacation home in Colorado, her behavior has finally gained the attention of her parents—but not in the way she hoped. Cut off from the millions she’s always taken for granted, and left alone to fend for herself, Ellie spirals further out of control, making a mistake she can’t take back.

Like his twin brother Taylor, Tyler Maddox is a member of the Alpine Hotshots, fighting wildland fires on the frontline. As arrogant as he is charming, Tyler’s nomadic lifestyle makes it easy to contain his relationships to one night. When he meets Ellie at a local party during off-season, her extreme personality and dismissive attitude fascinates him at first, but as his feelings deepen, Tyler realizes that the crippling inner demons of the woman he loves might be the strongest enemy any Maddox has ever faced.

Cover: The cover of this novel shows a forest with a flame front and center.  In the flame are the feathers that are on the other Maddox Brothers Series books.  I like how they were all incorporated in this cover. 

My Review: Another Maddox boy to fall in love with!  It's so sad that they're all over!  This story followed Ellie and Tyler as they fell in love.  Ellie is an alcoholic who refuses to admit that she needs outside help to to stop drinking.  Tyler is willing to do whatever it takes to get Ellie to admit she loves him.  Their story is a lot different from the rest of the Maddox brothers because theirs took a lot longer to get to the happily ever after.  It was kind of nice that it took a while to get the two of them together because I think it's a little bit more realistic.  In all of Jamie McGuire's books she is able to add some element to her characters that remind us that everyone has something going on.  Abby spent her childhood with mobsters, Cami dated two Maddox boys, Liis had to pretend to be dating a Maddox when she actually loved him, and Fayln gave up her child.  I think Ellie's drinking problem is something that more people can relate to that maybe the problems the other girls had to deal with.  She was trying to love someone when she didn't love herself and I don't know if saying it's impossible is the right word, but it's definitely hard.  She didn't feel like she deserved Tyler's love and it hurt him more and more every time she rejected him.  It wasn't until she came to the conclusion that she need help that she was able to get it and then live the life she wanted to live.  I love Jamie McGuire's books and I can't wait to see where the Maddox family is headed to next. 

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The Heartbreakers by Ali Novak | Book Review

The Heartbreakers by Ali Novak

Reading Group: Middle school+

Personal Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Given Summary:"When I met Oliver Perry, I had no clue he was the lead singer for The Heartbreakers. And he had no idea that I was the only girl in the world who hated his music."

Stella will do anything for her sick sister, Cara-even stand in line for an autographed Heartbreakers CD...for four hours. She's totally winning best birthday gift this year. At least she met a cute boy with soft brown hair and gorgeous blue eyes while getting her caffeine fix. Too bad she'll never see him again.

Except, Stella's life has suddenly turned into a cheesy love song. Because Starbucks Boy is Oliver Perry – lead singer for the Heartbreakers. And even after she calls his music crap, Oliver still gives Stella his phone number. And whispers quotes from her favorite Disney movie in her ear. OMG, what is her life?

But how can Stella even think about being with Oliver – dating and laughing and pulling pranks with the band – when her sister could be dying of cancer?

Cover: So the cover of this book appears to be Stella and Oliver.  However, it never said anything about Stella knowing how to play the guitar and there wasn't a scene where Oliver tried to teach hear. Also, Stella is supposed to have a blue streak of hair.  I think I would have liked the cover more if it had them looking at stars or something that actually correlated with the book.  This cover is cute, but I like it when covers subtly tell the story.

My Review: Ali Novak is a wattpad author which is a big reason I bought this book.  I had heard about it and I've seen it online, but I like to support wattpad authors.  The story is very cute.  It's one of those real life fairy tales that you wish would happen to you.  Stella is a normal girl who just happens to be good at photography and gets the chance of a lifetime.  However, she should have known working with one of the worlds hottest boy bands would lead to drama.  She has to juggle working with the band, crushing hard on the lead singer, and worrying about her sick sister back home.  It's a lot for anyone to deal with and Stella has to figure out what's best for her that won't leave her feeling guilty or heartbroken.  The Heartbreakers is a book I would recommend to the people who love when dreams come true.  It's a nice story that reminds us just how important Starbucks is for people.    

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Sweet Nothing by Jamie McGuire & Teresa Mummert | Book Review

Sweet Nothing by Jamie McGuire & Teresa Mummert

Reading Group: 17+

Personal Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Given Summary: It is enough to break any man: watching what could have been my future slip away before it was ever in my grasp.The possibility of losing someone I loved, before she was even mine, is something I never would have imagined. Certainly nothing I'd ever wish on anyone. I go to her every day and wait. Wait for the impossible, for a sign, for her to look at me ... hoping sinners are granted miracles, too. 

Just one glimpse of him was all it took. In the next lane, at a stop light, was the man I would fall in love with and marry. People talk about the kind of love that takes time--love you fall in to. We were more like a crash and burn, and when our lives intertwined I would never be the same. He was the man I would cherish the rest of my life, who would father my children. In an instant our life together began, and in an instant it would end. The late nights; the excuses; the lies. And in the blink of an eye, it was like we never were. 

For the first time, experience a heartfelt, jaw-dropping novel by #1 New York Times bestseller Jamie McGuire, and New York Times bestselling author Teresa Mummert. 

When you think you know what's happening, you're only half way there.

Cover: This cover shows a girl underwater.  I don't completely understand why she's naked, but it makes the cover look nice.  She seems to be reaching fro something and it made me think of when you're on medication and you can still move, but you feel like you're underwater.  It's like the girl on the cover isn't awake, but she is dreaming and moving.

My Review: So I kind of guessed what the plot twist was going to be when Avery was at her wedding and started having hallucinations of being in the hospital.  Especially because they were hit by a semi truck and walked away with no damage.  However, I still loved the story.  It was different because it's not very often that authors (at least the ones I read) write about the happiness disappearing.  Usually the book ends at the wedding and it doesn't get in to what happens when a marriage falls apart.  Reading it is really sad because you know Josh didn't do anything wrong, but Avery didn't want to hear it.  And then Avery wakes up and you're waiting for Josh to wake up and just go back to way they were, but at the same time you're worried he isn't going to remember.  However, you know he's having the same dream because he can hear them in the hospital room, but how do you just wake up and continue living out the dream you had while you were in a coma when none of your other friends know what's going on?  The last line of the novel made my heart cry.  However, I do wish there was an epilogue to show that they did have the life they had when they were unconscious.  The last page made it out that everything would go that way, but you just never know.  They could have had a boy instead of a girl.  I would have liked a little reassurance.  
I am really glad I bought this book because it's on a limited release.  So if you would also like to read it you have to go buy it ASAP, I promise it is worth it.

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The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton | Book Review

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

Reading Group: Middle School+

Personal Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Given Summary: A heroic story of friendship and belonging

No one ever said life was easy. But Ponyboy is pretty sure that he's got things figured out. He knows that he can count on his brothers, Darry and Sodapop. And he knows that he can count on his friends—true friends who would do anything for him, like Johnny and Two-Bit. And when it comes to the Socs—a vicious gang of rich kids who enjoy beating up on "greasers" like him and his friends—he knows that he can count on them for trouble. But one night someone takes things too far, and Ponyboy's world is turned upside down...

Written over forty-five years ago, The Outsiders is a dramatic and enduring work of fiction. S. E. Hinton's classic story of a boy who finds himself on the outskirts of regular society remains as powerful today as it was the day it was first published.

Cover: The cover of this novel shows a greaser, probably Ponyboy.  His head is bowed so you you can see his hair, which is something the greasers take very seriously. 

My Review: This book is a timeless classic.  That's why you read it in middle school, but you can still appreciate it when you reread it your freshman year of college.  It's a book about what it means to be a part of something that nobody else seems to understand.  Greasers are the kids from "the wrong side of the tracks" but they're just kids.  They're one big family because they're the only ones who truly understand each other.  Life isn't always good and it's important to have people cheering for you from time to time.  This book covers family, friends, loss, and what it means to be a kid living in a situation that isn't ideal.  Ponyboy loves his brothers, but they can't replace his parents.  He's also the odd duck with the rest of the greasers because he enjoys things that they don't, like sunsets and school.  He spends his life trying to please everyone around him, and it's simply impossible.  Hinton is able to write about a group of boys who would do anything for each other.  A group of friends anyone would kill for.  And he's able to write about it in such an honest way because he lived it, so if you have a few hours to spare I highly recommend you read (or reread) this book.      

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Vanishing Girls by Lauren Oliver | Book Review

Vanishing Girls by Lauren Oliver

Reading Group: High School+

Personal Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Given Summary: New York Times bestselling author Lauren Oliver delivers a gripping story perfect for fans of We Were Liars and I Was Here, about two sisters inexorably altered by a terrible accident.

Dara and Nick used to be inseparable, but that was before the accident that left Dara's beautiful face scarred and the two sisters totally estranged.

When Dara vanishes on her birthday, Nick thinks Dara is just playing around. But another girl, nine-year-old Madeline Snow, has vanished, too, and Nick becomes increasingly convinced that the two disappearances are linked. Now Nick has to find her sister, before it's too late.

In this edgy and compelling novel, Lauren Oliver creates a world of intrigue, loss, and suspicion as two sisters search to find themselves, and each other.

Cover: The cover of this novel shows a fuzzy picture of Nick.  It's as if the picture and the girl in it are vanishing.

My Review: (Careful...Spoilers) HOLY PLOT TWIST!  I was expecting Dara to be running away from Andre and fall of the lighthouse or something else to result in her death or disappearance, I was not expecting Nick to be hallucinating being her sister!  It makes other parts of the book make so much more sense.  When Parker and "Dara" were kissing in her car and she gets mad at him for saying the wrong name, but HE DIDN'T!  I absolutely loved the plot twist because it was different and unexpected for me.  The book itself is actually kind of sad and shows how trauma can effect a persons mental state.  I would have liked the ending better if she and Parker ended up together.  And I mean, I guess they did, but not really and I would have liked it to me more official, but that's just because I like when the people end up together in the end.  This novel is different from others that I've read and I really enjoyed the mystery aspect of it.

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Panic by Lauren Oliver | Book Review

Panic by Lauren Oliver 

Reading Group: High School+

Personal Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Given Summary: From New York Times bestselling author Lauren Oliver comes an extraordinary novel of fear, friendship, courage, and hope that Kirkus Reviews says "will have readers up until the wee hours," School Library Journal raves is "fast-paced and captivating," and E. Lockhart, author of We Were Liars, calls "a thrill a minute."

Panic began as so many things do in Carp, a poor town of twelve thousand people in the middle of nowhere: because it was summer, and there was nothing else to do. Heather never thought she would compete in panic, a legendary game played by graduating seniors. She'd never thought of herself as fearless, the kind of person who would fight to stand out. But when she finds something, and someone, to fight for, she will discover that she is braver than she ever thought. 

Dodge has never been afraid of panic. His secret will fuel him, and get him all the way through the game; he's sure of it. But what he doesn't know is that he's not the only one with a secret. Everyone has something to play for. For Heather and Dodge, the game will bring new alliances, unexpected revelations, and the possibility of first love for each of them—and the knowledge that sometimes the very things we fear are those we need the most.

Cover: The cover of this novel shows presumably Heather with her hair blowing across her face.  It doesn't give anything away about the plot of the book.

My Review: You know when you get off of a roller coaster or finish a race and you're just so hyped up and have insane amounts of adrenaline punning through your veins?  That's what the game Panic is like.  That's why so many people played it and why the book is so interesting to read.  You get sucked in to believing that you're the one accomplishing the tasks and you can't wait to see what the next one is.  This story also has personal stories that make us root for the winner to be Heather or Dodge for multiple different reasons.  This book reminded me of Assassin, a game my high school plays senior year where you're assigned a person and you use a water gun to "kill" them.  However, if Assassin is a level 4, Panic is level 104.  This novel is certainly an adventurous one that keeps you interested throughout the whole thing.  I would definitely recommend this one to anyone who enjoys stories that keep you guessing and maybe understand what it's like to not like their current situation.

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The List by Siobhan Vivian | Book Review

The List by Siobhan Vivian

Reading Group: High School+

Personal Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Given Summary:An intense look at the rules of high school attraction -- and the price that's paid for them.

It happens every year before homecoming -- the list is posted all over school. Two girls are picked from each grade. One is named the prettiest, one the ugliest. The girls who aren't picked are quickly forgotten. The girls who are become the center of attention, and each reacts differently to the experience.

With THE LIST, Siobhan Vivian deftly takes you into the lives of eight very different girls struggling with issues of identity, self-esteem, and the judgments of their peers. Prettiest or ugliest, once you're on the list, you'll never be the same.

Cover: The cover shows a girl in front of the lockers holding the list.  It is unclear as to whether this is supposed to be one of the girls on the list in the story or just a random girl in the school.  Either way, it is clear to see from her face that she is effected by what names are on the list.  Maybe she's on it or maybe a friend, sister, or enemy is on it.

My Review: In High School, reputation is everything.  We care what others think of us above all else, even our own opinions.  It seems like we need validation from strangers to make sure that the opinions we have about ourselves are accurate.  This novel shows just how much words can effect how we view ourselves and others.  Ugly and Pretty are just words, but they hold so much more meaning than other words.  And everyone they're said to reacts differently.  This novel proves that.  Being called pretty may come with a need to please and a will to prove to everyone that, yes, you are pretty.  Being called ugly may force you to prove people wrong or make a stand.  Either way, the fight to prove a point always comes with casualties.  You may lose friends, respect, courage.  And once those things are gone it can be hard to get them back.  The List reminds us just how serious words can be and how harmful their effects may be.  It doesn't matter how old you are either, you are effected when things are said about you, especially when they're said anonymously.  I liked how this book gave the perspective of every girl on the list rather than following one of them.  However, when it was over I was still left with a lot of questions.  Does Bridget start eating or get the help she needs?  Does Lauren really leave the school?  Does Andrew apologize and try to get Danielle back?  I wish there was a short epilogue for each of the girls just to explain what happens after the dance.   

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