Another wonderfully bittersweet book by Kate DiCamillo!
Interestingly this is the second middle grade fiction I’ve read recently that was set in the 70Another wonderfully bittersweet book by Kate DiCamillo!
Interestingly this is the second middle grade fiction I’ve read recently that was set in the 70’s. We’ll have to see if the trend keeps up. DiCamillo does a fabulous job of finding the humor and hope in tragic situations. She adds enough quirky characters and then puts those characters in painfully awkward scenes that helps to keep their tragedies in perspective. If you’ve read any of Kate DiCamillo’s other books, I’d put this on par with her *Newbery honor book “Because of Winn-Dixie”.
But I don’t think Raymie Nightingale is quite as good as “The Tale of Despereaux,” which is both a Newbery Award winner, and one of my all-time favorite books. I’ve you’ve never read Kate DiCamillo, then I’d say that Raymie Nightingale is a good place to start....more
3.5 more like it. I’ve been looking forward to this book ever since I heard about it almost a year ago!!! It’s a YA retelling of You’ve Got Mail! They3.5 more like it. I’ve been looking forward to this book ever since I heard about it almost a year ago!!! It’s a YA retelling of You’ve Got Mail! They don’t make chick-flick movies like that anymore! *sigh* so I’ve been dying to get my hands on this book! I really enjoyed the idea of this book. A girl who ends up moving across the country to live with her dad. Using the excuse of getting away from her mom and step-dad who are constantly fighting, but what she really hopes to do is see if she can hunt down her online friend shes been writing back and forth with for a while.
It started of so fun and great! It was interesting how the author made Bailey almost like she had anxiety? am I right? well she is someone who avoids anything that may be awkward or remotely uncomfortable and will do anything to avoid those types of situations. I really enjoyed her trying to find this guy she’s been writing to all the while working at a museum as her summer job.
I thought it was cute and fun how Bailey and her writing buddy LOVE old movies. LOVED IT! I knew all the movies they were talking about and I loved that Bailey’s style was so 1940s and her love for Lana Turner. It was just something fun added in the mix of it all.
I adored her interactions and conversations with her arch-nemesis and co-worker Alex. They were hilarious and I so wish there was A LOT more of that before things started getting better.
As much as I enjoyed the book I didn’t love it as much as everyone else or as much as I wanted to love it. It was too predicable, now I get it that the reader is suppose to figure it out before the characters but I figured it out like in 30 pages! Plus I wish there was a lot more dislike between them BEFORE Bailey and Alex started to work things through.
HOWEVER, MAJOR props to the author for writing a contemporary book that the main love interest is a WONDERFUL, GOOD guy! THANK YOU!
Overall it was cute and enjoyable but not memorable.
Sexual Content: moderate Language: moderate Drugs/Alcohol: moderate Violence: moderate...more
I found this book through Instagram. Of course I follow a TON of book lovers because they post pictures of books and talk abthis was a cute Rom-com...
I found this book through Instagram. Of course I follow a TON of book lovers because they post pictures of books and talk about them and it’s how I found this one!
I really enjoyed this book and you want to know why? It was just so freaking cute! It’s an enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy. And of course, those are my favorite types of stories!
This story is about socialite Georgianna Watkins whom her friends call Georgie. At first glance, Georgie seems shallow, flighty, party-girl with no brains. She sleeps all day and parties all night and to fill her days when she isn’t sleeping with hair appointments, and which party to next go to and which outfit to where to picked party. BUT Georgie has, in fact, an economics degree from Browns. THAT is ONE thing I wish I saw more of. I didn’t hear or see that she did anything with that. My dad is an economics professor and so those who go into that field are incredibly smart. So I didn’t get to see how that tied in with her or the story and wished I could see more of that, it felt like the author threw that in there to make her look less shallow and “blonde.” But everyone loves her. She’s vivacious and people are drawn to her except one…
Andrew Mulroney is the complete opposite of Georgie. He is all seriousness. Everything has purpose, professional and nothing ridiculous. He is a well known highly sought-after divorce attorney. His clientele cover both rich and famous, he is beyond smart graduating high school years early and the youngest man to reach partner at his firm. He is collected, assured and pure no-nonsense often distant and abrasive. However, what I loved about his character is the sense of insecurity which he is well aware of and tries to keep hidden and under control but there are moments when his insecurities come through and it’s endearing.
Georgie goes out of her way to annoy Andrew and Andrew goes out of his way to let Georgie know that she is “ridiculous” something she counts on daily. She arrives home every morning at 5AM after partying doughnuts in hand of the people who work the morning front dest shifts AND most importantly a chance to annoy Andrew. Andrew is up that early to get a start on the day by working out because everything needs to be fit and neat, everything must have order and Andrew is everything to that. So when these two cross paths it’s nothing but fun and hilarious times.
The author did a fantastic job with this chick-flick story. I literally thought I was watching a movie in my head while reading it. It was super fun.
Overall I look forward to more stories like this from the author and I’m interested to see what else she has already out.
Sexual Content: this is adult romance so heavy (detail sex scenes) Lanuage: moderate Drugs/Alcohol: moderate Violence: mild...more
When It’s Real is the story of a pop star named Oakley Ford that needs his public image cleaned up or polished a bit showing that he can be a good guyWhen It’s Real is the story of a pop star named Oakley Ford that needs his public image cleaned up or polished a bit showing that he can be a good guy instead of the playboy who parties all the time. In walks Vaughn a girl in need of money. She has siblings and even though she isn’t the oldest, she feels a sense of responsibility to help her family. Which is how Vaughn is discovered and how she ends up in the amazing deal that all she has to do is pretend to be this pop star’s girlfriend and money will come pouring our her ears! It will help pay for so much especially since she and her siblings are orphans.
Of course, Vaughn and Oakley don’t get along and can’t stand each other which I LOOOOVE in my books. But of course, as time goes on and small and simple things happen, they find that they hate each other less and less and a small friendship begins to blossom. And of course, well know where that leads in this type of story.
I liked Vaughn she was believable. Oakley, I think so too. I can understand fast attraction cause that is what this all was but it was a little too fast for me to be totally believable. I guess I don’t have much or any for that matter experience or knowledge about stars and how they act. I hear mostly horrible things about all of them except maybe a very select few so. But then again I don’t know.
I enjoy stories like this where they hate each other and then fall for each other. I like when they are forced into a situation that makes two characters who hate each other have to be around each other especially if there is some sort of little attraction. I like that, so this was my type of book.
So I can’t really say what it was exactly that made this book only okay for me. I do think part of it was that it happened all a little too fast for me, there wasn’t enough of a slow burn. The silly things that made them get all hot and sweaty for each other were little eye rolling for me which made me like the story a little less. I don’t mind cheese but this lacked something that made it all seem a little believable.
Overall I enjoyed it but felt it could’ve been a little better in the slow burn area.
Sexual Content: heavy Language: moderate Drugs/Alcohol: moderate Violence: mild...more
When I opened my package and saw the title of this book, I immediately dropped everything and read this. Read it in one sitting because I couldn’t putWhen I opened my package and saw the title of this book, I immediately dropped everything and read this. Read it in one sitting because I couldn’t put it down. THESE are the books I LOOOOOVE ANY hate to love story and I will drop everything to read it. THEY. ARE. THE. BEST types of stories.
This is like a 10 Things I Hate About merged with Taming of the Shrew which oddly enough 10 Things I Hate About You is a modern retelling of Taming of the Shrew… this book reminded me of that movie and concept. Even though there was no little sister some guy wanted so they had to get rid of the shrew older sister.
This story is about Harper who has 537 rules that she eats, sleeps and lives by. She is the top of her class and is meticulous about everything she does especially in regards to her life and rules down the last second. She isn’t liked at school because of her goody-goody ways plus she is completely honest and tactless in her honesty which keeps people away from her. However, Harper has a twin, her brother Cole who recently has been pulling away from Harper and she can’t figure out why until she finds out her brother is in trouble.
Enter Sterling Lane…ultimate rule breaker who immediately finds himself on Harper’s bad side. Things only get worse between them when Sterling is Cole’s new roommate. Everything wrong in Cole’s life, Harper believes is Sterling’s fault and they find themselves constantly battling with each other with words, pranks, and an every growing dislike for each other.
When they find themselves actually on the same side in regards to trying to help Cole with his problems they decide to sort of put aside their dislike for each other for the time being in order to help each other help, Cole.
I LOVED the chemistry of dislike between Sterling and Harper. I appreciated how the author stayed true to their characters with very subtle development which makes it all more realistic. There were times when Harper annoyed me but at the same time appreciated the fact that the author didn’t miraculously change the character. Harper is still Harper by the end of the book just a bit more refined which I appreciated.
Overall I LOVED the story, I was drawn in by the title and therefore didn’t even bother reading the synopsis because I knew this would be my type of book.
Sexual Content: moderate Language: moderate Drugs/Alcohol: moderate Violence: mild...more
needed something to read on my long drive from VA to FL this was okay but nothing that makes it stand out. the narrator was good so that's something. needed something to read on my long drive from VA to FL this was okay but nothing that makes it stand out. the narrator was good so that's something. full review to come......more
Normally I do not read young adult novels, but due to the subject matter, I felt inclined to do so having two Autistic Nephews and one Autistic Niece.Normally I do not read young adult novels, but due to the subject matter, I felt inclined to do so having two Autistic Nephews and one Autistic Niece. Martin is a teen who is on the Autism Spectrum, and he associates people he meets with his favorite book, In Search of Lost Time by Marcel Proust. He moves to France with his mother and sister. His mother is working on a movie project and his sister, Elisabeth helps with Martin. Martin’s father is not around, but each time Martin cooks, the memories of his father are revealed and why he cannot participate in Martin’s life. Martin has friends that are all on the Spectrum as well, living in America. He converses with them through the internet and gets advice from them and his teacher from the center back home.
While living in France Martin attends a public French school and falls for a girl, he keeps referring to her as Gilberte. Over time he realizes she is not Gilberte, but Alice and falls in love with her. Martin navigates through the tricky waters of learning to trust others, the value of friendship and love, all while whipping up amazing French cuisine. The author did a great job of telling the story through Martin’s viewpoint. At times the storyline did get a little cheesy and drawn out, but it was a quick read and a feel good book that was fun to read....more
I RARELY pick up the novellas of a series. I’m just not interested in them. I like having them but I rarely read them. weird, I know. But the only reaI RARELY pick up the novellas of a series. I’m just not interested in them. I like having them but I rarely read them. weird, I know. But the only reason why I picked this one up was because it’s about my main squeeze and I was in need of something before the final book in this series which I LOVE!
So in this novella it’s just a mystery BUT it’s a mystery with Gabriel point of view for almost all of it. So I was all about it! I Love Gabriel, always have because of his rough character and yet when he feels, he feels deep. I love his lack of ability to do and say what he needs out of fear of rejection and so he runs the other way but this whole series is about changing him through experiences. He just isn’t what he makes himself out to be, and I love him.
I loved the mystery that has me dying for the last book in this series. With Gabriel, Liv and interestingly enough-Patrick. Patrick comes with a case for Gabriel for his own gain and then Gabriel only takes it thinking of Liv and their complication relationship. Well Patrick gets left in the dust while Gabriel and Liv take over and it’s just so like them.
Overall I loved the ghost mystery. I loved this little tease before the grand finale of the Cainsville series which I’m dying and crying inside at the same time.
Sexual Content: mild Language: heavy Violence: mild Drugs/Alcohol: mild...more
This is my first book read, by this author. After reading this book I have downloaded her other series that I’ve seen floating around but haven’t pickThis is my first book read, by this author. After reading this book I have downloaded her other series that I’ve seen floating around but haven’t picked up. NOW I MUST READ THEM ALL!!! Other reviewers are saying this is Kemmerer’s BEST book so far. And if that’s the case I cannot wait to see what more this author has coming up! She is someone I’m going to be keeping an eye on from now on!
This book intrigued me so I requested it from Netgalley, lucky me I got approved. Contemporary books are always picked up with caution. It’s very rare I find a contemporary I like or even more rare that I love. This book I love.
This book goes back and forth between two points of view. Juliet, who is reeling from the death of her war photographer mother and she is really struggling to move on from that. She is so grief stricken that she is just a mess and losing those around her because she can’t move forward. And Declan, he is the misunderstood guy who everyone fears, but who nobody truly knows or has even really tried to know. Because of ONE mistake he is branded the “bad boy” and because of that he refuses to show anyone anything more than what they branded him as.
This story is a dark version of You’ve Got Mail. Where instead of two healthy people writing to each other, we’ve got two damaged people seeking refuge and understanding in each other.
I absolutely loved this story and layers of Declan and the slow progression and character development between him and Juliet. I loved the reality of his life and how people will act the way they are seen and branded.
Not gonna lie I can’t stand lots of crying in my characters regardless of the fact that it’s understandable. It’s pretty legit and even though I’m like here we go again-a tiny voice said, “but you’d cry this much too if it were you.” so I let it go.
I was FLOORED with the revelation of aspects in characters. I didn’t see it coming! I just loved the depth and reality of the overall story and felt the author did a fantastic job with this one.
Overall I loved this dark version of You’ve Got Mail and can’t wait get started on other books by this other as well as books she’s got coming out!
Sexual Content: mild/moderate Language: mild/moderate Violence: mild Drugs/Alcohol: mild...more
My Thoughts: I hate to say that I’m not going to have much to say about this book.
This story is about two completely opposite people. Jenmore like 3.5
My Thoughts: I hate to say that I’m not going to have much to say about this book.
This story is about two completely opposite people. Jenny the stay-at-home book nerd who has built her reputation on getting A’s and can’t/won’t settle for anything less. Jenny doesn’t live, she goes through the emotions but never had any desire to do anything or try anything such as kiss a boy or date one.
Then there is Chance who thrives on his reputation as a “playboy” who doesn’t DO relationships or anything serious. He’s always about using his charm to get his way and just slide his way through school, not at all serious about it.
However, when Jenny and Chance are forced to work on a school assignment, the created a situation like none I’ve ever read before. The assignment was to get to know the other person and what they had done over the summer but since Jenny was boring and Chance was not school appropriate, so they decide to completely make up a false story about their lives together on the spot, and it works!
Afterward, they decide to just keep up the charade that they’ve known each other most of their lives and have been best friends! Well, things progress so where they have a difficult time remaining just friends.
Although the story is quite cute and fun I had some issues. Everything came on too fast it was unbelievable. They’ve been aware of each other for years but just over ONE silly assignment they decide to be best friends and literally hang out all the time and share very personal information and all that? Yeah, I don’t think so. Feeling and emotions call so easily and so fast for them. Here we have two VERY different people who had NOTHING to do with each other and somehow super quickly were able to trust and come together? nah, it didn’t work for me.
Overall it was a fun cute story something that would be cute if it were turned into a movie.
Sexual Content: moderate Language: moderate/heavy Drugs/Alcohol: moderate Violence: moderate
Thank you to swoonreads for this ARC in exchange for an honest review ...more
My Thoughts: THIS. WAS. AMAZING. period, done. What more can I say? okay fine. seriously though, I’m gonna own this book.
This is a story of multiple coMy Thoughts: THIS. WAS. AMAZING. period, done. What more can I say? okay fine. seriously though, I’m gonna own this book.
This is a story of multiple complex relationships with magical realism. This story is compared with Romeo and Juliet which it had that vibe but it is NOT romeo and Juliet, I promise. The story unfolds in multiple timelines while maintaining a consistent current timeline. It’s so different than other books I’ve read like it! With each of the timelines, the time period can be pretty fluid. You’re jumping in and out of the story at a variety of points but it all ties in together. A story of two families that loathe each other.
This is a story of two families that loathe each other. A story where the fathers keep a grudge that has lasted decades and Jack/June/Junior (all one person) is caught up in it. As the daughter of one of the families, and with only a few rules to follow the biggest is to stay away from the other family. June has always been curious of Saul the forbidden boy that lives across the field and through the woods, to the point she internet stalked him. And when June bumps into Saul they get to officially meet and things take off from there.
I loved June, she’s strong, smart and has wit a plus in all my female characters. I loved the relationship between Saul and her, it unfolded so naturally, no crazy insta-love or what-not but a nice slow going relationship but one that kept you completely interested. I absolutely loved Hannah, June’s best friend. SHE has got to be my favorite side/BFF character I’ve ever read (besides Harry Potter and Percy Jackson side/BFFs). Their relationship wasn’t over the top teenage drama but real and I REALLY liked that plus Hannah is someone I would want in a BFF.
Overall I loved the story. It was so well written and well done. The story well thought out and the world building and all executed perfectly. I loved every second of reading this story, so much I stayed up all night to finish it.
Sexual Content: mild Language: mild Drugs/Alcohol: mild Violence: moderate...more
Started at 1am and finished at 4am this morning....could NOT put this down! I've already started book 2. Full review to come...Started at 1am and finished at 4am this morning....could NOT put this down! I've already started book 2. Full review to come......more
I love this series. I can't wait to read more of the Baylor family!
Again the amazing writing of this duo I can't help but just gush at how well writtI love this series. I can't wait to read more of the Baylor family!
Again the amazing writing of this duo I can't help but just gush at how well written their stories are! It's just Ana amazing combination of action, character development, mystery and more all in an urban fantasy setting.
I see how they are now turning the story towards one of the siblings and we are being introduced to more and interesting characters.
That ending though. WHOA! I am pretty sure I know what is going on but then again, how did I not see that coming!
If you haven't read this series, you guys gotta!
Sexual Content: heavy Language: moderate/heavy Drugs/Alcohol: mild Violence: heavy LGBTQ: none that I recall ...more
While reading this, I kept thinking, "This would be a great romantic-comedy movie adaptation!" I REALLY hope this book turns into a movie, I think it While reading this, I kept thinking, "This would be a great romantic-comedy movie adaptation!" I REALLY hope this book turns into a movie, I think it would be super cute and super fun!
There are many many aspects of this story that would make it a cute movie and the fact that is was a cute idea and story. Anybody to knows me or has followed me enough knows I LOVE enemies-to-lovers type stories and this is it.
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[image]This book starts off with Lucy a pretty curly haired woman who is a people pleaser. In her mind she doesn't do anything wrong and tries her hardest to make sure everyone is happy and likes her. That is just how she is and how she likes to do things. When her company merges with another she is faced with complete opposites. The "other side" are quiet, brooding, suit wearing, type people. So throughout the whole office there is a tension and tightness when it comes to working with them. Because of two CEO's there are also to executive assistants. Lucy and Joshua.
Joshua is the opposite of Lucy and takes joy in annoying her. They have these "games" [image]where they basically pit their will against the other and see who wins. Sometimes it's Joshua and sometimes it's Lucy. Where Lucy is all colors and unpredictable in her fashion sense, Joshua is all same colors, same style, neat and predictable.
This has a Pride and Prejudice sort of feel to it as there is a lot of judgments, prejudices, and yes need I say? Pride? yes, that too. When a very surprising and unpredictable encounter in the elevator happens between these two it sets everything off and sets things into motion hat neither could predict.
SO why then did I only give it 3 stars? Well, for ME anyway it just sort of became a little difficult for me to like the characters after a certain point in the book. It lost the spark it had at the beginning of the book while trying to mesh the story and these two characters together. I STILL think it would be a GREAT chick-flick movie and hope it turns into one. But when it comes to the story the characters sort of fell flat and the story behind joshua a little cliché.
Regardless I still enjoyed it overall it just sort-of fell flat for me sadly and that very well may be because of me and not anything to do with the book.
Sexual Content: heavy (detailed sex scene) Violence: mild Language: moderate Drugs/Alcohol: mild
Have you seen the movie Taken with Liam Neeson? Because if you have, and you love it, then by all means, read this book. But if you have, and you hateHave you seen the movie Taken with Liam Neeson? Because if you have, and you love it, then by all means, read this book. But if you have, and you hated it, then there’s no point in reading this book. The book is quite similar to the movie, only the roles are reversed with an angry daughter flying to Europe and taking on crime bosses, human trafficking and drug dealers to rescue her father. (Strangely enough, this is the third book that I have read in a month where the child goes to rescue their father.)
I will give Bergstrom credit where credit is due, the pacing of this book is fast moving and really well done. But unfortunately my praise ends there. The drug use, mention of sex and violence were too much for me. And the language was even worse. Now I have to be honest, I ended up skimming large portions of the book. Violence and foul language should not be used as substitutes for well developed characters.
I don’t have a problem with anti-heroes or even, to paraphrase the author, morally complex characters. I do have a problem with a main character who talks about catcallers loving her teenage legs at the very beginning of the novel. A few pages later she is flustered by a quick peck from a boy—is this the same character who was so obviously aware of her sexuality just a minute ago? Then not half a book later she contemplates prostitution as a means to an end—wait wasn’t she just flustered by some innocent affection? I don’t think Bergstrom had a very good grasp of what it means to be a 17 year-old girl. Nor does he have a very good grasp of his audience. I felt like I was reading a novel version of an action movie. And I’m sorry, but excessive use of the f-bomb does not adequately portray anything other than a poor mastery of the English language.
Now, the novel has been optioned by Paramount and Jerry Bruckheimer and I honestly think it could make a really good action movie. But it certainly wasn’t a very good YA novel....more
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