Last Year's Mistake-- Gina Ciocca

You ever read one of those books that as you're reading it you just don't care? That's kind of how I felt about “Last Year's Mistake”. It just didn't seem to have very much substance. Everything that happened was ready immature. I know that it was supposed to be a high school drama but everything was blown out of proportion. Yes, I know that kids make stupid things epically huge, I just don't really see how this would be the case.

The main character, Kelsey, was genuinely sick and instead of having people be concerned about her (which I feel would have happened), people were making fun of her. Don’t get me wrong I understand how that made her feel I feel alienated. What I don't understand how she would think it was a good idea to alienate the one person who truly cared about her?  David was there for her FOR EVERYTHING. Yes, he made stupid decisions but he's a teenage boy they don't usually use their upper brain, if you know what I'm saying. But her reaction to everything that occurred was probably the worst that could ever happen.

David, David, David. Let’s talk about what he did. His declaration was selfish. HE didn’t really need to do it at that point in time. I get that her being sick brought it all to the fore-front. BUT I feel like he would have told her prior to a few days before her leaving. Like you know when we didn’t really know what was wrong? When there was the stressful admission about her not wanting to die a virgin? OR you know he could have shown her how he felt by not going to the dance that night… but those are just suggestions. I mean, if my best friend was in the hospital the day of the dance I would not have gone.

Maybe I'm just overthinking things but there was definitely something I did not enjoy about this but it just seemed to drag on. Originally, I told my friend that I would recommend this book for her to read, so that I would have somebody to talk to about it. Now, though, I don't even want her to read it.  I don't want my friends to think these are books that I enjoy. It was childish and I'm not really okay with all the drinking that occurred even though I do know that it's something that happens in high school aged kids.

The book, however, was written for high school-aged kids to read. It just felt to me like was normalizing behavior that shouldn’t be acceptable. Also, how easily she brings up kids having sex when they’re freshman or sophomores. That's not something that should be happening and I know that it is, believe me. Studies show that kids are having sex at younger and younger ages, so do we really need books flippantly adding it in. I think that, especially, if your book is geared towards young adults you need to walk cautiously when it comes to those kinds of hot topics. And if you are going more realistic make sure you add in basic knowledge to keep kids safe. There was no mention of safe sex or anything.

Now that being said I did read this book in a little over two hours. I was intrigued with David and Kelsey relationship. I needed to know what happened between them, but when I found out it was just BLAH. I was waiting for more from them, honestly. It was very anti-climactic when it came to their relationship. I just felt like there definitely needed to be more explosion when it came to them actually resolving their issues. I mean if they were to ever really talk about it. It seemed like they just glazed over their problems. Setting up for a healthy relationship.

The book was okay but probably wouldn't recommend, in case you didn't get that from the rest of my review.  

Cinder & Ella-- Kelly Oram

I have read most of Kelly Oram’s book and I am intent to read more after I post this review. Her stories are not the most complex but boy, do they draw you in. Cinder & Ella is exactly what you would think with a title like that--a revamped version of Cinderella.

It’s been almost a year since eighteen-year-old Ella Rodriguez was in a car accident that left her crippled, scarred, and without a mother. After a very difficult recovery, she’s been uprooted across the country and forced into the custody of a father that abandoned her when she was a young child. If Ella wants to escape her father’s home and her awful new stepfamily, she must convince her doctors that she’s capable, both physically and emotionally, of living on her own. The problem is, she’s not ready yet. The only way she can think of to start healing is by reconnecting with the one person left in the world who’s ever meant anything to her—her anonymous Internet best friend, Cinder.

Hollywood sensation Brian Oliver has a reputation for being trouble. There’s major buzz around his performance in his upcoming film The Druid Prince, but his management team says he won’t make the transition from teen heartthrob to serious A-list actor unless he can prove he’s left his wild days behind and become a mature adult. In order to douse the flames on Brian’s bad-boy reputation, his management stages a fake engagement for him to his co-star Kaylee. Brian isn’t thrilled with the arrangement—or his fake fiancée—but decides he’ll suffer through it if it means he’ll get an Oscar nomination. Then a surprise email from an old Internet friend changes everything.

Sound familiar? What you don’t see in the synopsis is how she relies so heavily on her relationship with Cinder, that even to her, her disability gets in the way. She is barely a year out of recovery, which to me makes some of the story not as believable and I will get to that later. When Cinder's identity is revealed she is crushed, if he was just some rich kid then it would have been no big deal. They would have been out of the spot light, but Hollywood's rising star was sure to be see. Her self-esteem is at an all time low and she can't even fathom what people would say about her if they give celebrities a hard time about their noses.To her, it's not logical. To him, it is a necessity.

Now back to her recovery: she had 70% of her body burned in either 2^nd or 3^rd degree burns, so much so that her toes are disfigured. She spent 8 months in the hospital and had thirty-some odd surgeries. I just don’t feel like she would ready to be out in the world. Now while I will nit-pick on this fact now, it doesn’t bug me one bit while I am reading.

I love the relationship that Cinder and Ella had and how easily they pick it back up. I love how Brian/Cinder is so concerned with Ella’s health and her well-being. He is so in love with her that he will be her rock. Their witty banter is amazing to read, you can just hear them bickering in the most loving way. I picture it, similarly to the way that my husband and I tease one another. Enough to annoy the crap out of each other but not enough to really piss the off--most of the time.

Now as for the other relationships, that’s where my dilemmas begin. Her dad is an idiot, genuine idiot. Why does he think bringing his 18 year old daughter, who he hasn’t seen in 10 years, will be a seem less transition? This doesn’t even include the fact that his wife and step-daughter are the family her left her for…yet he acts affronted when she calls him out for things. Now his wife is sharing a spot with him on the idiot train. She tries to help but she is completely lacking tact and is basically the least couth person there. I feel like she forget that not only Ella is scarred, living in a new place with new people, living every day in pain, but that she also lost her mother not even a year ago. Seriously, Jennifer?! What the heck?!

Now to the evil step-sisters, I feel like they are completely over the top. Anastasia was the culprit for most of the absurdity, but Juliette in the beginning was a bit much, too. Granted I have never had step-sisters, evil or otherwise, so maybe it is a more normal thing for newly made step-families. Some things pulled away from my general enjoyment of the book, but not enough to make the rating a 3.

It’s a solid 3.5 leaning more towards 4, because I am a sucker for a happily ever after and a sappy romance.

Getting Out of Hand (Sapphire Falls 1)-- Erin Nicholas

I really love this whole series and while they are not directly connected storyline-wise there is definite overlap or spoilers. So best start with this book before venturing further into the series.

What better way to go to your high school reunion, and back to a small town you have avoided since you graduated, than by being a huge success with multiple masters degrees and a PhD? Most people would want that, but not Mason Reilly. He hated his time in Sapphire Falls and even more than that he hated how the people there made him feel. He was a social outcast, too smart for his own good and had about as many social skills as a slug. But he was a good kisser. His reunion is fast approaching and he is adamant not to show up, especially since they are also looking at him to fund their newest thrill.

The town of Sapphire Falls needs Mason Reilly, but maybe the only person who really knows how much is Adrianne Scott. She was the one who worked up his profile, knows the minutia about his life/career and is attracted to him.  The attraction is mutual, for mason Reilly he never has felt attraction like this before. The type of craving that makes you want to do....things. Dirty things-- and I'm not talking about farming.

Like any relationship, they have their ups and downs. Especially since the shops they aware hoping Mason will fund will directly impact Adrianne. Mason is determined to win her love even without the monetary options. He decides that it is high time to move back home, leaving all his work and meetings with the Vice President behind. Of course, that's crazy. In comes the lovely bi-sexual Lauren. She might be my favorite if it weren't for what she convinces Adrianne to do.

Lauren and her big brain state that Mason is letting down people and will continue to do so as long as he loves Adrianne. So she goes and ruthlessly breaks his heart. Granted he knew something was up with her but it didn't take the sting away.

See here is one of my pet peeves; I don't understand why adults do this. They could have a rational conversation that won't result in (as much) pain or they could be underhanded and evil. Why do they choose to be evil? I mean seriously?! Mason Reilly in my mind is a more rugged Spencer Reid. Who would want to break his heart?! It’s just not fair. Granted she realizes that she does love him and headquarters. Still. It's just not fair.

But it is still a happily ever after, and if you are thinking I gave away spoilers, I glossed over the premise but did not even cover the steaminess that occurs. Which, delectably, is the best part. I fell in love with Sapphire Falls, hopefully you will too.

Dreamology--Lucy Keating

Where to begin with this convoluted story? Alice and Max have a confusing relationship...as in they are the people of each other's dreams. Literally. They have never met before yet Max and Alice's lives are intertwined almost nightly for as long as they can remember.

Alice moving back to Boston was basically the catalyst to everything. First day in a new school and who walks into her psychology class--you guessed it--max. Now how does dream-max compare in real-life??? I think this may be one of the times where dreams are better than reality.

Alice and her "take-no-hostages" attitude is determined to figure out the WHYS? Of course, she also finds out that max remembers her and all their dream adventures.

The relationship between Max and Alice is rocky at best, considering that Max has a lovely girlfriend. Alice is demanding to find answers. In the twist and turns the two teenagers take, they also discover who they really are.

Granted they make some stupid decisions. I truly believe that it was mostly the shock of finding out your dreams love is real. That would make me do stupid things.

Then there is Oliver, I either needed more or less of him. Lucy Keating almost makes us believe that Alice will move on from Max but instead makes it so she is almost playing the two boys. All unintentionally though.

Over all I loved this book, read it twice in two days. The second time I categorized the heartbreaks and dream-melding. I also know I will read it again.

The Next Contestant--Dani Evans

On a scale of 1 to unhealthy relationship, this book is the all mighty ruler of unhealthy relationships. The whole time I was reading this book I kept thinking "seriously?!" A sex game for points in a fraternity, I can see that. An overprotective brother, I can see that. Lying about who you are so you can date someone; have a hard time believing that. I mean it literally sets the whole relationship up on a lie. Then there is the frustration when Kimber get mad at Jax for doing things to keep their relationship a secret once the truth is discovered. IF YOU DON'T WANT TO GET CAUGHT IN A LIE, DON'T LIE! It seems so simple, but it also seems like no-one in this book learned this lesson as a child. I think the main characters of this book thought "hmm, this is something horrendously stupid--I must do it!"

The author’s logic was okay, I mean feasibly some of these things could have happened, but not to one person all around the same time.  Also, there is the over protective brother--understandable so due to Kimber’s past-- but it was just so over the top that it was just plain stupid.  Then there is the frat that is VIDEOTAPING the sex-capades. Sure all the girls are literally asking for it, at least they covered the rape lawsuits that would come from that, but none of the girl knew they were being filmed that does not seem like it would work for their benefit if some of the footage got leaked.  None of what they were doing was okay, verbal permission or not and a book that basically glorifies it in the male point of view is not okay.

I keep trying to find good points about this story but I can’t find many. When Jax and Kimber are together they are actually kind of cute, if you overlook the lying and secret relationship that is. I just could not enjoy this book, the level of stupidity of the characters rivals very few books. Would not recommend, would not read again.  It was just that…not good, not good at all.

Soulless (Parasol Protectorate 1) -- Gail Carriger

I was introduced to this series by my co-worker. She just knew this would be my cup of tea. (An oddly fitting phrase since the books are set in Victorian Era England.) Vampires and Werewolves are integrated into society. They hold positions in Buckingham Palace to being regular "people".

For our main character, a spinster of 25, Alexia is not normal. She is blunt and sarcastic and defies societal norms. On top of all those quirks, she is also soulless. What's that you ask? She is a preternatural who has the ability with just one touch to take away the supernatural. I.E. if she is attacked by a vampire or werewolf they are human-like and mortal for the duration of their contact.

You might wonder why this little tidbit is important, well it's pretty much the basis for the entire series and much of this book. Hence the title SOULLESS.

Soulless takes you inside the world of a social outcast, a werewolf alpha and a vampires. Alexia has no qualm about pushing the limits to find out what she needs. The deeper she digs the more she realizes that the problem is more than that, it is a catastrophe--at least it would be in the eyes of the supernatural. I don't want to spoil the twist and story, so I won't say any more on the plot.

I highly reccomend this series, it it witty and smart, but also has twists that you don't see coming. That being said I do like the next book better.

The Paper Princess (Royals One)--Erin Watt

You would assume with a title like this, that this book is a rags to riches-- modern day Cinderella. Instead this book pulls Ella our wayward Royal, from stripping into the the life of the elite. What you think you know is wrong, be prepared to be sucked into this gloriously entertaining story.

She finds out that while her life looked seedy before this new life has a hidden underbelly that is asking to destroy her.

Ella's Mother died and as a 17 year old woman she stole her ID so that she could provide for herself in the best way she knew how--stripping. The day she finds out she has a new guardian she runs for it, taking a job a full nudity club. Her first request of the evening is a lap dance to her new handsomely rich guardian, Callum Royal.

He literally steals her away from that life, throwing her into his "royal palace" with his five sons and SKANKY girlfriend. Okay maybe she isn't that swanky but I didn't get good vibes from her. It felt like she was lying. Actually most people in this story made me feel like they had ulterior motives.

Now let's get to the boys: Gideon, Reed, Easton, Sawyer and Sebastian. PRO: They are all hot. CON: They are all assholes. Lucky for Ella, she has dealt with worse than a few horrifically spoiled teens.

However as her time with the Royals last the deeper her relationships get with the family. Some platonic, some--remarkable, steamily--not. I was so worried this was going to pull a City of Bones and tell us that they are related. They're not, so one worry down. As far as worries go, this book does end on a cliff hanger. I hate cliff hangers! I finished this book, went to read books 2 The Broken Prince and found I couldn't. So instead I reread this book. If that doesn't tell you how compelling and well written this book is I don't know what will.

I love Ella's character she showed vulnerability where in most Cinderella stories the "Cinderella" is someone so hardened nothing effects them to the point of not being believable. She breaks a few times yet doesn't stay down for long. Her heart shows through her rougher exterior when, even though they are being epic buttheads, she tries to be there for the boys.

Now the boys are a different story! I am not even sure what is going on in their minds which is why I NEED the Broken Prince NOWWWWWW! I need it. Now. Period. Now. Fucking Cliffhanger.