Tour Review: Meant to Be by Lauren Morrill

Synopsis:
Meant to be or not meant to be . . . that is the question.

It's one thing to fall head over heels into a puddle of hazelnut coffee, and quite another to fall for the—gasp—wrong guy. Straight-A junior Julia may be accident prone, but she's queen of following rules and being prepared. That's why she keeps a pencil sharpener in her purse and a pocket Shakespeare in her, well, pocket. And that's also why she's chosen Mark Bixford, her childhood crush, as her MTB ("meant to be").

But this spring break, Julia's rules are about to get defenestrated (SAT word: to be thrown from a window) when she's partnered with her personal nemesis, class-clown Jason, on a school trip to London. After one wild party, Julia starts receiving romantic texts . . . from an unknown number! Jason promises to help discover the identity of her mysterious new suitor if she agrees to break a few rules along the way. And thus begins a wild goose chase through London, leading Julia closer and closer to the biggest surprise of all: true love.

Because sometimes the things you least expect are the most meant to be

Publication Date: November 13, 2012
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction
Source: Thanks to the Souther Book Bloggers for allowing me to be a part of this book tour!



Review:
The only way I can describe this book is: Adorable. It is simply sweet and scrumptiously adorable. I had a good idea of where the book was going, but there are enough little twists to keep you feeling satisfied with the story.

This book has one of my favorite personality combinations to read: uptight, rule-folllower type of girl and the free-spirited, life-loving dude that inspires her to just be herself. Julia and Jason's relationship is so sweet and progresses so honestly throughout the book. I also loved how Jason isn't exactly what he appears to be on the outside. He can be really deep and considerate and sweet. I keep using that word, but if you read the book you'll see why :)

If you love contemporary fiction that keeps you hooked in, but the subject matter isn't too dark then this is the perfect book to read. It's a quick book to go through, but leaves you feeling warm and happy with how it ends. A good weekend type of book to read :)

Review: Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

Synopsis:
"I won't tell anyone, Echo. I promise." Noah tucked a curl behind my ear. It had been so long since someone touched me like he did. Why did it have to be Noah Hutchins? His dark brown eyes shifted to my covered arms. "You didn't do that-did you? It was done to you?" No one ever asked that question. They stared. They whispered. They laughed. But they never asked.

"An edgy romance that pulls you in and never lets go. I was hooked!"-Gena Showalter, New York Times bestselling author of the Intertwined series

So wrong for each other...and yet so right.

No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with "freaky" scars on her arms. Even Echo can't remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal. But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo's world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible. Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she'll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again.

Publication Date: July 31, 2012
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, Romance
Source: Thanks so much to Harlequin Teen for making this title available though Netgalley.


Review:

I can't remember the last time I cried actual tears while reading a book. Pushing the Limits kind of crept up on me. It just kept ratcheting up my emotions (in a good way) and hitting all the right nerves. I ACHED for these characters. I felt their pain. I love a book that kind of beats me up along the way. But don't get the wrong idea, this isn't a depressing book. It's very profound and touching and beautiful. I loved it! Echo is an amazing MC. Omg. Looking back after finishing the book her tra...moreI can't remember the last time I cried actual tears while reading a book. Pushing the Limits kind of crept up on me. It just kept ratcheting up my emotions (in a good way) and hitting all the right nerves. I ACHED for these characters. I felt their pain. I love a book that kind of beats me up along the way. But don't get the wrong idea, this isn't a depressing book. It's very profound and touching and beautiful. I loved it! Echo is an amazing MC. Omg. Looking back after finishing the book her transformation is breath-taking. Book perfection. She has lived through a traumatic event that she can't remember and it defines her life. She's stuck back in that black hole of not knowing and although she wants to move forward she's basically just living a shadow of a life. Trying to be normal. Noah is another great character. He's got his own issues that are holding him back and keeping him from being the person he wants to be. Their mutual school counselor throws them together and they pretty much rock each other's worlds. They recognize the broken parts of each other and are drawn together like magnets. What was great to me was that although these were two dysfunctional characters, their relationship was amazingly functional. They made each other better. The tension just builds and builds in this one and tied me up into so many knots along the way before finally smoothing them out. I love those moments in books where you just keep reading faster and faster to get to the resolution. I have a hard time stopping before that point :) This is such a beautiful and satisfying-to-the-soul kind of read.

New Adult Review: All The Wrong Reasons by J.L. Paul

Synopsis:
Irelyn's life is headed in the right direction: College education, new friends, fantastic boyfriend. Her dream of writing romance novels isn't too far out of reach. Her relationship with her family is good. And to top it all off, she's positive her boyfriend is going to propose soon. Yes, life is wonderful.

Until that night with Lucas changes everything.

Publication Date: February 24, 2011
Genre: New Adult, Mature YA, Contemporary, Romance
Source: My own Tower of Books!



Review:
I bought this book for my Kindle when I saw it compared to Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire. I adored that book and was excited to try something along the same lines. This didn't quite live up to my expectations but was still an enjoyable read.

I really liked the overall plot of the book. Irelyn gets herself into some major trouble when she has a one night stand with the smokin' lead singer of a band. Problem is that she has a boyfriend she's been in a long-term relationship with AND that she can't stop hooking up with band guy, Lucas. I love when characters make bad decisions and ultimately come out on top. I also loved Lucas and his bandmates/family. I read this book super fast to find out how everything was going to turn out, it was hard to put down.

All that being said there were a few things that kept me from rating it higher than I did (3 stars). There was a recurring theme of Irelyn blushing, like all the time. It started to feel contrived. Please keep in mind that I love a well-placed red-cheeked gal. It can add so much to a scene when put in the right place AND used sparingly. My last issue was that in a book like this that promises some angst and sex...I kind of missed the sex :) There was all the build up and then...*play music* cut to landscape shot out of the window. I'm no perv, but I want to know what these people are doing with (to) each other *waggles eyebrows*

I would say that if you like books in this genre that you should go ahead and read it. It was definitely still worth it for me and I'll be reading the second book in this series soon too. I could see room for improvement but was overall satisfied with the story.

Review: Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

Synopsis:
The new Abby Abernathy is a good girl. She doesn’t drink or swear, and she has the appropriate percentage of cardigans in her wardrobe. Abby believes she has enough distance between her and the darkness of her past, but when she arrives at college with her best friend America, her path to a new beginning is quickly challenged by Eastern University’s Walking One-Night Stand.

Travis Maddox, lean, cut, and covered in tattoos, is exactly what Abby needs—and wants—to avoid. He spends his nights winning money in a floating fight ring, and his days as the charming college co-ed. Intrigued by Abby’s resistance to his charms, Travis tricks her into his daily life with a simple bet. If he loses, he must remain abstinent for a month. If Abby loses, she must live in Travis’ apartment for the same amount of time. Either way, Travis has no idea that he has met his match.

Publication Date: May 26, 2011
Genre: Young Adult, New Adult, Romance, Contemporary
Source: My own Tower of Books


Review:
One of my book friends texted me and told me I had to read this book. We have similar book taste so I bought it and started it the next day. I swear I would have walked around the house with my Kindle all day not speaking to anyone if I could've gotten away with it. It's like the perfect storm of everything I die for in a book.

I was skeptical the first two chapters because I thought 'Been here, seen this.' Um, no. The entire story is so unique and Abby and Travis's relationship is absurdly addicting to read. Their relationship is passionate and volatile...and sweet. Abby is so likeable and every decision she makes made sense to me, I didn't have to forgive the book anything because there was nothing to pick apart. Travis is...how do I put this...I mean, can I marry a fictional character yet? Is that possible? :)

Seriously though, there are so many reasons to love this book and I can't do it justice. Read it!! It stands on its own merit. This is definitely a must-read and I'm now dying to read it again. AND I *needs* to see this as a movie!

I am freaking out over this author and will be reading everything she writes! If you want to buy this book (and YOU SHOULD :) it's only $2.99 on Amazon. So worth that price and more.

Review: Temptation by Karen Ann Hopkins

Synopsis:
Your heart misleads you. That's what my friends and family say. But I love Noah. And he loves me. We met and fell in love in the sleepy farming community of Meadowview, while we rode our horses together through the grassy fields and in those moments in each other's arms. It should be ROSE & NOAH forever, easy. But it won't be. Because he's Amish. And I'm not.

Publication Date: June 26, 2012
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Realistic Fiction
Source: Thanks so much to Harlequin Teen for making this title available through Netgalley!

Review:
Temptation has a really cool and unique forbidden romance going on in it. Rose and Noah definitely should not be together, but they find it impossible to stay apart.

I had a mixed bag of feelings about this novel. From the beginning I was pretty sure I knew how things would turn out between these two young characters, but I was actually kept guessing the entire time. They can't be together...maybe they can! Nope, no way. It could never work out, Buuuut...(yes, I did this the entire time I was reading :) My need to find out how things would play out kept me reading and I got through this one really fast. I shouldn't forget to mention that the characterization is really well done even though I wasn't totally sold on the romantic element.

As much as I was interested in how Rose and Noah's love would be resolved, their relationship was lacking in intensity to me. I never quite got how they fell so madly in love apart from just a physical attraction that was mistaken for something more...the story of teenagers' lives really. Sometimes I'd be rooting for things to work out for them, and then other times I was pretty sure it was the worst possible idea.

Although the romance was missing a spark for me, the plot does a good job of keeping you drawn in, not wanting to miss what will happen. And although you *kind of* find out what happens between these two young lovers, this is the first book in a series and the reader is left on a smallish cliffhanger :) Since I still feel a great need to see what goes down I'll be keeping an eye out for Temptation's sequel.

Blog Tour Review: Unbreak My Heart by Melissa C. Walker

Synopsis:
Sophomore year broke Clementine Williams’ heart. She fell for her best friend’s boyfriend and long story short: he’s excused, but Clem is vilified and she heads into summer with zero social life.

Enter her parents’ plan to spend the summer on their sailboat. Normally the idea of being stuck on a tiny boat with her parents and little sister would make Clem break out in hives, but floating away sounds pretty good right now.

Then she meets James at one of their first stops along the river. He and his dad are sailing for the summer and he’s just the distraction Clem needs. Can he break down Clem’s walls and heal her broken heart?

Told in alternating chapters that chronicle the year that broke Clem’s heart and the summer that healed it, Unbreak My Heart is a wonderful dual love story that fans of Sarah Dessen, Deb Caletti, and Susane Colasanti will flock to.

Publication Date: May 22, 2012
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Coming of Age, Realistic Fiction
Source: Thanks so much to Bloomsbury and Walker for letting me be a part of this tour!


Review:
Contemporary greatness strikes again. I always think of myself as a 'paranormal' type of gal, but these contemp books just strike at my heart. This one is no exception. The emotions hit and then keep piling up as you read further into the pages. Whether or not you can relate to this exact situation, I think the feelings that saturate the MC are so relatable.

Clementine is a girl stuck on a boat with her family for the summer. She's been blacklisted from her best friend and bad-mouthed by the entire school. Her family boating trip comes at the perfect time to let her figure out who she really is and separate it from what everyone says she is. She's a girl with a lot of baggage and it has crushed her self-worth. I was railing at the injustice of how she was made to shoulder the full blame for what happened, especially the more I knew about it.

Surrounded by her family and senior citizens it is most fortunate that she meets James. He helps her see past her sadness and guilt to what is REAL. He is a sweet, flame-haired love interest for Clem . . . even if she doesn't want him to be :)

This is a poignant story with a beautiful message about love and forgiveness. A perfect summer read!

SBB Tour Review: The Girl in the Park by Mariah Fredericks

Synopsis:
When Wendy Geller's body is found in Central Park after the night of a rager, newspaper headlines scream,"Death in the Park: Party Girl Found Strangled." But shy Rain, once Wendy's best friend, knows there was more to Wendy than just "party girl." As she struggles to separate the friend she knew from the tangle of gossip and headlines, Rain becomes determined to discover the truth about the murder.

Publication Date: April 24, 2012
Genre: Young Adult, Mystery, Contemporary
Source: Thanks so much to Southern Book Bloggers for letting me be a part of this Tour :)

Review:
When I started this book I had an idea in mind as to what I was expecting.  The synopsis actually makes the plot of the story extremely clear, but I guess I thought it would involve more of the struggle to figure out what kind of person her now-deceased friend was.  I thought that would be the sole focus and completely forgot about Rain trying to find out who killed her friend.  It turned out to be a good murder mystery that took me by surprise :)

I really liked Rain in the book.  She is very self-conscious due to a speech problem caused by a cleft palate.  Through therapy over the years she talks normally when we meet her in the story, but she shows glimpses of the painful years growing up and being made fun of.  I think we can all relate to that! (And if you can't relate to being made fun of...then I hate you. Joking, of course ;)  I had a harder time liking her friend Wendy (the one that was found dead in the park after a party).  As the story started showing some more of the things Wendy did, I had a harder time liking her.  She seemed selfish and petty and downright stupid sometimes.

I've said before that I'm no whiz at figuring out 'who dunnit' in mystery novels, but I did pick up on the killer's identity rather early on in this one.  That doesn't make me like it any less, but it did make me want to tell my book 'You lose!!! Ah ha ha ha haaa'.  . . . . Ok, I'm way off track here.  My point is that it doesn't take a genius or a detective to figure this one out, but the book is still enjoyable and keeps you reading to find out how everything will play out.

The Girl in the Park has some shining, poignant moments that pop up during Rain's quest to find out who her friend really was and, more importantly, who killed her.  This was a fast, hard-to-put-down book for me, but still not exactly what I had expected.

Review: Breaking Beautiful by Jennifer Shaw Wolf

Synopsis:
Allie lost everything the night her boyfriend, Trip, died in a horrible car accident—including her memory of the event. As their small town mourns his death, Allie is afraid to remember because doing so means delving into what she’s kept hidden for so long: the horrible reality of their abusive relationship.

When the police reopen the investigation, it casts suspicion on Allie and her best friend, Blake, especially as their budding romance raises eyebrows around town. Allie knows she must tell the truth. Can she reach deep enough to remember that night so she can finally break free? Debut writer Jennifer Shaw Wolf takes readers on an emotional ride through the murky waters of love, shame, and, ultimately, forgiveness.

Publication Date: April 24, 2012
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, Mystery
Source: Thanks so much to the publisher, Walker Children, for making this title available on Netgalley.


Review:
Reading the synopsis of Breaking Beautiful I would have never guessed I would be on the edge of my seat almost the entire time. It's everything I thought it would be, times a million. I can't even say how amazing it is!

Allie's character is coping with the death of her boyfriend, Trip, but not really in the way that everyone around her thinks. She's hiding something about how he died, but she's also hiding something about their entire relationship. I loved how she goes from being almost in denial and just shying away from everything to facing her life head on. The transition was done so great and reading her progress as a character was amazing.

And her Blake...I want Blake to be my childhood friend and protector. He's so sweet and amazing which translates as super hot in the book :) And believe it or not, her dead boyfriend plays such a large part in the book which is amazing because he's dead the entire time. I think that echoes how he still has such a hold on Allie even after he isn't physically around, and I felt that as the reader.

I expected alot of things from Breaking Beautiful but reading furiously to find the answer to 'what happened the night Trip died?' wasn't what I expected at all. The story and characters are all so profound, but there is also this thrilling 'whodunit' element too. Seriously, this one goes on my list of all-time favorite books. So good!

eARC Review: Pieces of Us by Margie Gelbwasser

Synopsis:
Two families. Four teens.
A summer full of secrets.

Every summer, hidden away in a lakeside community in upstate New York, four teens leave behind their old identities…and escape from their everyday lives.

Yet back in Philadelphia during the school year, Alex cannot suppress his anger at his father (who killed himself), his mother (whom he blames for it), and the girls who give it up too easily. His younger brother, Kyle, is angry too—at his abusive brother, and at their mother who doesn’t seem to care. Meanwhile, in suburban New Jersey, Katie plays the role of Miss Perfect while trying to forget the nightmare that changed her life. But Julie, her younger sister, sees Katie only as everything she’s not. And their mother will never let Julie forget it.

Up at the lake, they can be anything, anyone. Free. But then Katie’s secret gets out, forcing each of them to face reality—before it tears them to pieces

Publication Date: March 8, 2012
Genre: Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Contemporary
Source: Thanks to Flux for making this book available through Netgalley!

Review:
The title of this book is so fitting for what is contained within its pages.  It's all about the pieces.  The pieces coming together.  The pieces falling apart, getting broken.  The pieces of ourselves that we show the world and the ones we keep hidden. This is one that has lingered in my mind and will continue to for some time.  I thought it was all brilliant.  Especially the way the pieces all fall into place (please forgive me. I'll stop saying it :-).  And there is this shift, this moment, on the very last page that is just amazing.

And speaking of 'shifting', the characters seem to be in constant emotional movement. The growth, positive or negative, of Julie, Katie, Kyle and Alex throughout the book is phenomenally well-done.  And this may be one of the best novels for giving each one of those characters their own distinctive tone.

As I'm looking back at the synopsis of the book it tells you exactly what the book is about, but it feels like it doesn't say enough once you've finished it.  Do you know what I mean?  These characters are all deep and flawed and beautiful and horrible.  I'm still psycho-analyzing them all :)

I do have to mention that there is a ton of mature content as far as younger readers are concerned.  This doesn't bother me personally, but I know it's not for everybody.  If that is not a deterrent for you, then I highly recommend reading Pieces of Us!

Blog Tour Review: The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour

Synopsis:
Colby's post-high school plans have long been that he and his best friend Bev would tour with her band, then spend a year in Europe. When Bev announces that she will start college just after the tour, Colby struggles to understand why she changed her mind and what losing her means for his future.

Review:
I admit one of the main reasons I was obsessed with reading this book was because of the cover.  And honestly, the cover really conveys the feel of the book perfectly.  Although, it doesn't really showcase that the book is from the male perspective . . . so I'm not sure if an actual young adult male would want to be carrying around a book with this cover ;-)

That being said though, the male point of view is done superbly.  I haven't read many YA books with the guy telling the story, but I have loved most of the ones that do.  Like Ashfall, loved that one! Colby is the narrator and he is so honest about how he feels even when he doesn't know exactly what he is feeling.  That plays a huge part in what this book is about.  Basically just growing up.  Colby has to find out who he really is and what he wants.  I was rooting for this boy whole-heartedly.

The story is about him and his long-time childhood friend Bev. She is one of the three girls in the band The Disenchantments (who kinda suck, but they look amazing! ha!).  Colby is their trusty friend and steadfast supporter.  This group of friends is made up of a bunch of free spirits and hipsters.  Like the cool 'indie' types that are so different and cool.  Not because they're trying to be different but because they are being themselves and being true to the things they love.

The huge turning point for Colby happens when Bev tells him that their plans of traveling through Europe for a year after high school aren't going to happen because she wants to go to college.  They have been planning this trip for years.  And then, boom. Not happening.  Colby is furious and I was SO mad at her too.  Colby still agrees to go on tour with their band as planned and it is a very eventful journey. Along the way you (and Colby) start to realize that Bev has some good reasons for why she didn't tell him sooner, and then it's really hard to feel mad anymore.

This book is full of some deep growing-up type stuff and I loved it.  Everything comes together to give off some good book vibes.

Publication Date: February 16, 2012
Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Young Adult, Coming-of-Age
Source: Thanks so much to Southern Book Bloggers for making me a part of this tour :-D

Review: The Duff by Kody Keplinger

Synopsis:
Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn’t think she’s the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She’s also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her “the Duff,” she throws her Coke in his face.

But things aren’t so great at home right now, and Bianca is desperate for a distraction. She ends up kissing Wesley. Worse, she likes it. Eager for escape, Bianca throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with him.

Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out Wesley isn’t such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she’s falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone.


Review:
Alright, this is another book that's just been hanging out in my giant tower of books for awhile. I've heard some amazing things about it such as, "Oh my gosh, that book is SO hot!" and "Holy crap, I loved that book!" and "Read that book before I punch you!". I've seriously heard most of those things :)

Well, this book really IS hot! And Holy Crap! I loved it too! I won't punch anybody into reading it...but it's seriuosly so great. The characters are pretty straightforward at the beginning. It isn't long before they undergo some huge transformations and it is all so gripping and un-put-downable.

Another strong point is that the side characters (friends and whatnot) are all nicely rounded and enjoyable whenever they're in the book. Not just fillers. I mean, I kind of knew where the book was going to take me, but I sure as heck didn't mind. I read this one crazy fast.

Did I mention it was hot? ;)

Publication Date: September 7, 2010
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Source: My own tower of books.

Review: Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

Synopsis:
A fresh, urban twist on the classic tale of star-crossed lovers.

When Brittany Ellis walks into chemistry class on the first day of senior year, she has no clue that her carefully created “perfect” life is about to unravel before her eyes. She’s forced to be lab partners with Alex Fuentes, a gang member from the other side of town, and he is about to threaten everything she's worked so hard for—her flawless reputation, her relationship with her boyfriend, and the secret that her home life is anything but perfect. Alex is a bad boy and he knows it. So when he makes a bet with his friends to lure Brittany into his life, he thinks nothing of it. But soon Alex realizes Brittany is a real person with real problems, and suddenly the bet he made in arrogance turns into something much more. In a passionate story about looking beneath the surface, Simone Elkeles breaks through the stereotypes and barriers that threaten to keep Brittany and Alex apart.

Review:
I never thought I would be reluctant to dive back into a paranormal read, but after reading this book that is exactly how I feel. This is a contemporary book that is so amazingly sexy and sweet. I was burning through the pages to find out what would happen, but also feeling sad that it would end at some point.

The premise could be compared to a Romeo and Juliet type scenario. Two people from different worlds fighting for their love against all odds. I don't want Shakespeare fans to punch my face, but this book took that idea to another level.

I never knew how sexy a Spanish/English mix could be or someone being called 'mamacita', but, WHOA!! It really is. Alex is a gang banger that lives life as the bad boy. When he meets Brittany she awakens his inner softie, and he becomes SO . . . yum!

The chapters alternate their perspectives, and after I was introduced to each of them I felt this manic glee and tingly anticipation because I knew they would eventually get together...and I knew it would be a great ride. I was right :)

Do not miss out on this book. Read it right now and if you don't like it, I want to know why! :)

Publication Date: December 23, 2008
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult
Source: My own tower of books

Review: Everything You Need to Survive the Apocalypse by Lucas Klauss

Synopsis:
Phillip's sophomore year is off to a rough start. One of his best friends ditches him for a group of douchebags. His track coach singles him out for personalized, torturous training sessions. And his dad decides to clean out all of the emergency supplies from the basement, even though the world could end in disaster at any moment...and even though those supplies are all Phillip has left of his dead mom. Not that he wants to talk about that.

But then Phillip meets Rebekah. Not only is she unconventionally hot and smart, but she has seriously great boobs. And she might like him back.

As Phillip gets closer to Rebekah, he tries harder and harder to turn himself into the kind of person he thinks she wants him to be. But the question is, can he become that person? And does he really want to?


Review:
Let me just say, the title and cover of this book will mean so much more to you after reading the book. It is so heartfelt and real.

Philip Flowers tells this story, and he tells it like a dude. As a girl, there are still a lot of mysterious things about the opposite sex that I just don't get. How they interact is very alien to me and also very fascinating. That is such a strong driving force in this book, and I loved it. It was like peeking into a window to the male mind :-)

Philip Flowers is a real boy. He really was an actual person to me. This is a boy that you could meet anywhere, and he has the same issues and questions that we all have had at some point. He's not sure what he believes about life and God. He finds faith...and then doubt. Not just in regards to God and religion, but faith and doubt in people. His friends and his family.

I would say this book has a strong religious message, except I'm not sure that it does. What I took away from it was that belief isn't about what people tell you to believe, but something that you have questioned and come to truly believe for yourself. Philip has to make this decision, and I won't say what he ends up deciding since I don't want to spoil anything. But I was really engaged in his journey for truth and answers.

A lot of great things to be found in Everything You Need to Survive the Apocalypse. A true to life coming-of-age story.

Publication Date: January 3, 2012
Genre: Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Contemporary Fiction
Source: Thanks so much to Simon & Schuster for my eARC!

Review: If I Tell by Janet Gurtler

Synopsis:
Jasmine Evans knows one thing for sure... people make mistakes. After all, she is one. Jaz is the result of a onenight stand between a black football player and a blonde princess. Having a young mother who didn't raise her, a father who wants nothing to do with her and living in a small-minded town where she's never fit in hasn't been easy. But she's been surviving. Until she sees her mom's new boyfriend making out with her own best friend. When do you forgive people for being human or give up on them forever?

Review:
If I Tell hooked me in from the very beginning. The style of writing, the characters, story. It was all so addicting to read, and I had a hard time putting it down. I don't normally read a lot of contemporary fiction, but this book makes me think I might be missing out.

Beautifully told, the story pulls you in and makes you really care about Jasmine. She's had a rough life and learned to deal with it in her own way. After being betrayed by people she loves over and over, she finally reaches a breaking point. Her journey to forgiveness is twisted and painful, but her eyes are opened to a lot of truths about others and about herself.

A touching story of family, love and forgiveness

Publication Date: October 1, 2011
Genre: Young Adult, Realistic, Contemporary
Source: Thanks to Sourcebooks Fire and Netgalley.com