Review: Goodbye Days by Jeff Zentner

May 29, 20171 Comment

30649795

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Title: Goodbye Days
Author: Jeff Zentner
Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: March 7, 2017
Stars: 5/5

Summary (from Goodreads): What if you could spend one last day with someone you lost?

One day Carver Briggs had it all—three best friends, a supportive family, and a reputation as a talented writer at his high school, Nashville Academy for the Arts.

The next day he lost it all when he sent a simple text to his friend Mars, right before Mars, Eli, and Blake were killed in a car crash.

Now Carver can’t stop blaming himself for the accident, and he’s not the only one. Eli’s twin sister is trying to freeze him out of school with her death-ray stare. And Mars’s father, a powerful judge, is pressuring the district attorney to open a criminal investigation into Carver’s actions.

Luckily, Carver has some unexpected allies: Eli’s girlfriend, the only person to stand by him at school; Dr. Mendez, his new therapist; and Blake’s grandmother, who asks Carver to spend a Goodbye Day with her to share their memories and say a proper goodbye to his friend.

Soon the other families are asking for a Goodbye Day with Carver, but he’s unsure of their motives. Will they all be able to make peace with their losses, or will these Goodbye Days bring Carver one step closer to a complete breakdown or—even worse—prison?

Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon | iBooks

Goodbye Days definitely wins for the most emotional book I’ve read this year. This novel is about a teen who loses his three best friends in a car crash and how he recovers from his grief. The main character is so real, and I really sympathized with him. The writing is also absolutely breathtaking, and now I need to check out the author’s first book!

This book honestly wrecked me in the best way possible. Basically, the main character sends a text message to his friends while they are driving. As the driver was replying, a truck hits the car and kills all three teens inside. This story is all about the grieving process and accepting a loved one’s death. I found the concept of a Goodbye Day, a day to honour the life of someone who has passed and to share memories of that person, to be such a good idea. These Goodbye Days seemed to be cathartic for Carver and help him move on. If you’re looking for an emotional and powerful read, this is the perfect book to pick up.

I loved Carver’s character so much. He is a writer who is so realistic. The descriptions of his feelings and actions are so believable, and I was really able to sympathize with him. I mean, he lost his three best friends in a car accident and blames himself. I just wanted to hug him throughout the entire book. Carver is also such a complex character, something I always like to see, which made me love him even more.

Since this was my first time reading a book by Jeff Zentner, I had no idea what to expect. I’m telling the truth when I say that his writing blew me away. This book is filled with metaphors and heartbreaking descriptions that made me have to pause and take a moment to appreciate them. The last sentences in a chapter are also especially thought-provoking. This book is realistic and, although I have no experience with grief like this or anxiety, I feel like it portrays these feelings really well. I will definitely be checking out Zentner’s other books!

Goodbye Days is a heartbreaking story about coming to terms with the death of loved ones. The main character is so realistic, and the writing is absolutely beautiful. I absolutely recommend this book, but be sure to be emotionally prepared before picking it up.

ARC Review: The Fashion Committee by Susan Juby

May 28, 20174 Comments

31456511

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Title: The Fashion Committee
Author: Susan Juby
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: May 23, 2017
Stars: 3/5

Summary (from Goodreads): “The Fashion Committee is another winner by one of my all time favorite authors.”–Meg Cabot, New York Timesbestselling author of the The Princess Diaries and Mediator series

Charlie Dean is a style-obsessed girl who eats, sleeps, and breathes fashion. John Thomas-Smith is a boy who forges metal sculptures in his garage and couldn’t care less about clothes. Both are gunning for a scholarship to the private art high school that could make all their dreams come true. Whoever wins the fashion competition will win the scholarship–and only one can win.
Told in the alternating voices of Charlie’s and John’s journals, this hilarious and poignant YA novel perfectly captures what it’s like to have an artistic drive so fierce that nothing–not your dad’s girlfriend’s drug-addicted ex-boyfriend, a soul-crushing job at Salad Stop, or being charged with a teensy bit of kidnapping–can stand in your way.
With black and white art custom-created by fashion and beauty illustrator Soleil Ignacio, the book is a collector’s item, perfect for anyone with a passion for fashion.

Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon | iBooks

The Fashion Committee is a story about a fashion competition that had so much potential. The concept is so original, but I found the main characters to be annoying and unrealistic. I also didn’t enjoy the excessive use of random French words and the main character’s habit of referring to herself in the third person. I’m a bit disappointed with this one, but I would still recommend it to those with a strong interest in fashion.

This book has a super unique concept that really interested me. Basically, there is a high-stakes fashion competition, and the winner receives free admission into an elite arts school. Of the two main characters, one is fashion obsessed and the other has no interest in the fashion industry. I found these two contrasting voices so enjoyable to read, since both candidates for the scholarship have such different motives. This book does an excellent job of demonstrating the fashion design process, and even contains some amazing drawings!

One of my issues with this book is the way the main characters acted. First of all, there’s Charlie. She honestly sounded more like an old woman than a teenager to me, and I just couldn’t relate to her. John was better, but his character really bothered me. I get that the scholarship is his only shot at getting into his dream school, but I didn’t like the way he posed as a fashion student. I would have been fine with it if he did all the fashion work himself, but he actually gets someone else to help him out. His dishonesty annoyed me, and I found it hard to root for him.

Another aspect of this story that I didn’t enjoy so much is the way it’s written. Charlie is trying hard to learn French since it is the language that her favourite designers speak, so she throws some French vocabulary into her sentences. I found this to be fun and quirky at first, but after a while, seeing French words in every other sentence got distracting and annoying. Also, when Charlie is writing in her journal, she often refers to herself in the third person. This confused me for a while, since she kept switching from first to third person.

The Fashion Committee is a book about a high-stakes fashion competition that I wish I could have loved. The main characters annoyed me, and the constant French vocabulary thrown in got old. However, if you are really interested in fashion, you would enjoy this book.

ARC Review: Impatient Foodie: 100 Delicious Recipes for a Hectic, Time-Starved World by Elettra Wiedemann

May 27, 2017May 27, 201718 Comments

I received an e-ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

32620348

Title: Impatient Foodie: 100 Delicious Recipes for a Hectic, Time-Starved World
Author: Elettra Weidemann
Publisher: Scribner
Publication Date: June 6, 2017
Stars: 4/5

Summary (from Goodreads): Sustainable and conscious eating made simple, fun, and delicious—the founder of Impatient Foodie shows how the “slow food” movement doesn’t have to be slow with these inspired meals perfect for everyone.

Elettra Wiedemann didn’t set out to be a foodie. At twenty-eight, with a burgeoning global modeling career and a Master’s degree from the London School of Economics, she understood the larger impact of her food choices, and the importance of a more conscious way of life. But whenever she walked into her apartment after a twelve-hour work day, all her ideals about food would collapse. Why did being a foodie mean you have to labor for hours using obscure cooking methods and ingredients? Why did good food always go hand-in-hand with slowing down? Wasn’t there a way to have slow, sustainable, delicious food without the “slow”?

Impatient Foodie bridges the gap between the ideals of the organic, slow food movement and the realities of a busy life. Loaded with shortcuts, pantry lists, and more than one hundred handy and delicious recipes for busy people, this vividly illustrated, easy-to-navigate cookbook shows how to get the most out of your meals in the least amount of time. Organized by ingredient to minimize grocery store trips and maximize seasonality, Impatient Foodie offers easy ways to spin off kale, chicken, fish, berries, and more into multiple meals, and offers home cooks a variety of inspiring vegetarian and vegan options. Unique, friendly, and entertaining, The Impatient Foodie provides the ideal foundation for thoughtful eating in a hectic, time-starved world. With her immensely popular Impatient Foodie blog, her profile at Refinery29, her degree in biomedicine, and her stunning beauty and charm, Elettra Wiedemann is the perfect spokesperson for this reassuring and helpful message.

Goodreads | Amazon

Impatient Foodie is the cookbook made for anyone with the desire to eat delicious, healthy and interesting foods without the time to prepare them. There are a variety of different recipes to choose from, with a focus on fruits and vegetables, meats, and desserts. Weidemann takes the sustainable food movement to a new level, and has created easy to follow recipes that make it simple for those of us who are too impatient to cook nutritious meals.

I am always struggling to find ways to eat food that is both good for me and quick to prepare. Throw in a desire to eat something locally, and I have no idea how to begin. I love the fact that Weidemann takes the guilt out of what and how I eat through her easy and down-to-earth approach to cooking.

There are so many more recipes that I look forward to creating, that I think I have bookmarked every single page in this one! However, I narrowed it down to a few things to try for my review and every single recipe was quick and flavourful. The Banana Cardamom Oatmeal is one that I have actually made a few times, and if you are a fan of morning oatmeal, this is one that should be on your radar. It is cooked with coconut milk and the addition of cardamom, banana, and pistachios give it a yummy and rich flavour that is so perfect for kicking off the day.

Banana Cardamom Oatmeal

Soups have always been a weeknight staple for me, as they are typically simple to prepare and provide a filling meal on a busy day. The Thai Cocounut Cauliflower Soup in this cookbook is absolutely incredible, and it has so much flavour that comes simply from the addition of red curry paste. It is a must try if you plan on making anything from this book.

Thai Coconut Cauliflower Soup

Last night, I made the enchiladas and I was surprised at how quickly they were to assemble. A rotisserie chicken makes the task so much easier that I am planning on using this tip more often. Unfortunately, I forgot to take a photo (they are that amazingly distracting!), however I discovered Weidemann has posted the recipe on her Facebook page.

If you are interested in trying to eat healthy and do not have the time to do it, this is one recipe book that you should check out. It is simple, straight forward and really helps to make a foodie out of anyone. I look forward to creating more recipes from this one!

I have linked this post to Beth Fish Reads Weekend Cooking.

Friday Reads #10: Goodbye Days by Jeff Zentner

May 26, 201715 Comments

Friday

Book Beginnings is a book meme hosted by Rose City Reader where participants share the first sentence (or so) of the book, along with initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires.

The Friday 56 is hosted by Freda’s Voice, and the rules are quite simple: Grab a book, any book, and turn to page 56 or 56% in your e-reader. Find any non-spoilery sentence(s) and post.

This week’s book:

Summary (from Goodreads): What if you could spend one last day with someone you lost?

One day Carver Briggs had it all—three best friends, a supportive family, and a reputation as a talented writer at his high school, Nashville Academy for the Arts.

The next day he lost it all when he sent a simple text to his friend Mars, right before Mars, Eli, and Blake were killed in a car crash.

Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon | iBooks

I am absolutely loving this book so far! This is my first Jeff Zetner novel, and I am finding the writing to be absolutely beautiful. While I am not normally one for super sad books, this one is definitely an exception. I can’t wait to keep reading this heartbreaking yet beautiful novel!

Book Beginning:

Depending on who—sorry, whom—you ask, I may have killed my three best friends.

Friday 56:

I sure hope I don’t go to jail even though part of me is convinced I deserve to. I’m sorry I killed my friends. I’m sorry.

Sign-Ups: 2nd Annual Summer TBR Wipeout

May 25, 201716 Comments

Welcome back! We had so much fun last year during our inaugural summer of wiping out our TBRs, that I thought we had better do it all over again! I am going to keep the same format as last year, as it was quite simple and straight forward. No need to stress ourselves out over the summer months, right?

To make the Summer TBR Wipeout simple and inclusive to everyone, I am opening this up to anyone who wants to participate. You do not have to run a book blog or a website for that matter. All that I ask is that you create your posts on some sort of social media website, such as Instagram, Facebook or Tumblr, etc. You can also read backlist books, ARCs, new releases, audiobooks, or anything else that has been beckoning you to read it. There will be 4 posts in total that you can link up to here on The Candid Cover.

GIVEAWAY:

To sweeten the deal, I will also be giving away a book of choice worth up to $20 CAD. As always, the giveaway is open internationally as long as The Book Depository or Amazon ships to you!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

SCHEDULE:

May 25- July 7: Sign-ups open!

Week of July 1: Introductory post- What books are you planning to read this summer?

Week of July 15: Update post #1- Tell us how your reading has been going so far. What books have you read? Were they enjoyable? What’s next on your TBR? Etc.

Week of July 29: Update post #2

Week of August 13: Wrap-up post- How did your summer reading go? Did you wipeout some books from your summer TBR?

SIGN-UPS

Don’t forget to check back during the event to link up your posts and earn more points for the giveaway! I am looking forward to this summer reading challenge and I can’t wait to find out what books you are reading this year.

Waiting on Wednesday #107: How to Disappear by Sharon Huss Roat

May 24, 2017May 24, 201713 Comments

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

This week’s book:

Title: How to Disappear
Author: Sharon Huss Roat
Publisher: Harper Teen
Publication Date: August 15, 2017

Summary (from Goodreads): Vicky Decker has perfected the art of hiding in plain sight, quietly navigating the halls of her high school undetected except by her best (and only) friend, Jenna. But when Jenna moves away, Vicky’s isolation becomes unbearable.

So she decides to invent a social life by Photoshopping herself into other people’s pictures, posting them on Instagram under the screen name Vicurious. Instantly, she begins to get followers, so she adds herself to more photos from all over the world with all types of people. And as Vicurious’s online followers multiply, Vicky realizes she can make a whole life for herself without ever leaving her bedroom. But the more followers she finds online, the clearer it becomes that there are a lot of people out there who feel like her— #alone and #ignored in real life.

To help them, and herself, Vicky must find the courage to face her fear of being “seen,” because only then can she stop living vicariously and truly bring the magic of Vicurious to life.

In this beautiful and illuminating narrative, Sharon Huss Roat shines a light on our love of social media and how sometimes being the person you think you want to be isn’t as great as being the person you truly are.

Goodreads | Amazon

Thoughts:

Social media has really become an easy way for people to hide behind a profile picture and suddenly gain popularity. This book sounds like it really explores the person behind some of these accounts and the importance of staying true to yourself. I can’t wait to find out how this story unfolds!

ARC Review: I Believe in a Thing Called Love by Maurene Goo

May 23, 2017May 23, 201710 Comments

31145133

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Title: I Believe in a Thing Called Love
Author: Maurene Goo
Publisher: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux
Publication Date: May 30, 2017
Stars: 3/5

Summary (from Goodreads): Desi Lee knows how carburetors work. She learned CPR at the age of five. As a high school senior, she has never missed a day of school and has never had a B in her entire life. She’s for sure going to Stanford. But—she’s never had a boyfriend. In fact, she’s a disaster in romance, a clumsy, stammering humiliation-magnet whose botched attempts at flirting have become legendary with her friends. So when the hottest human specimen to have ever lived walks into her life one day, Desi decides to tackle her flirting failures with the same zest she’s applied to everything else in her life. She finds her answer in the Korean dramas her father has been obsessively watching for years—where the hapless heroine always seems to end up in the arms of her true love by episode ten. It’s a simple formula, and Desi is a quick study. Armed with her “K Drama Rules for True Love,” Desi goes after the moody, elusive artist Luca Drakos—and boat rescues, love triangles, and fake car crashes ensue. But when the fun and games turn to true feels, Desi finds out that real love is about way more than just drama.

Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon

I Believe in a Thing Called Love is the K drama-inspired book that has been on my most anticipated books list for quite some time. However, while the concept had so much potential, it got a bit creepy, and the main character became manipulative. I did still enjoy some aspects of the novel, like the strong bond between the main character and her father, but I feel like this story could have been so much more than it was.

When I saw that this book featured K drama aspects, I was immediately intrigued. I have never seen something like this done before, and I am such a sucker for anything K drama, K pop, you name it. The plot of this book is about a girl who creates a list of steps to get a boyfriend that she discovered while analyzing Korean dramas. Right from the beginning, I could see where things could go horribly wrong, but I kept reading because I had such high hopes. There are some redeeming qualities in the story, such as the artistic aspects which I also love to see, but the plot is really predictable, which I didn’t enjoy. This book was a bit underwhelming and I really wanted so much more from it.

My main issue with this book is the main character’s behaviour. While she is creating her plan to win over her crush, she actually plans for things to go wrong. Desi actually plans out fake car crashes, which I thought was pretty strange. What’s even creepier is the fact that she actually executes these plans and risks both her and her crush’s lives. She doesn’t seem to understand that Luca is a real person with feelings and that she shouldn’t be using him for the sake of having a boyfriend. I also didn’t like the way Desi changes to be someone that she isn’t for the sake of a boy. She joins art club, even though she isn’t an artist. She makes her friends help her out, even though they tell her that what she’s doing isn’t going to work in the long run. I just don’t like Desi’s manipulative personality and warped ideas of what love really is.

Going back to what I said earlier, this book does have some redeeming qualities. Desi has such a strong relationship with her father, which is something that I love to see in books. Her dad is so adorable and is a K drama enthusiast. Since Desi’s mother has passed away, it’s just her and her Appa (which I learned means Dad in Korean). Because of this, her dad is super protective and will do anything to make sure that she is safe. I really enjoyed reading about their time together cooking and watching dramas. If only the rest of the book was as wholesome as this.

I Believe in a Thing Called Love is a K drama-esque story about a girl who creates a list of steps to win over her crush. This concept could have been amazing, but the main character’s creepiness ruined it. However, there were some redeeming aspects, such as the theme of family, so I wouldn’t say that I disliked this book. I just feel like it could have been done in a way that was much more interesting and without the staged accidents.

ARC Review: When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon

May 22, 201710 Comments

28458598

I received an e-ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Title: When Dimple Met Rishi
Author: Sandhya Menon
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: May 30, 2017
Stars: 5/5

Summary (from Goodreads): A laugh-out-loud, heartfelt YA romantic comedy, told in alternating perspectives, about two Indian-American teens whose parents have arranged for them to be married.

Dimple Shah has it all figured out. With graduation behind her, she’s more than ready for a break from her family, from Mamma’s inexplicable obsession with her finding the “Ideal Indian Husband.” Ugh. Dimple knows they must respect her principles on some level, though. If they truly believed she needed a husband right now, they wouldn’t have paid for her to attend a summer program for aspiring web developers…right?

Rishi Patel is a hopeless romantic. So when his parents tell him that his future wife will be attending the same summer program as him—wherein he’ll have to woo her—he’s totally on board. Because as silly as it sounds to most people in his life, Rishi wants to be arranged, believes in the power of tradition, stability, and being a part of something much bigger than himself.

The Shahs and Patels didn’t mean to start turning the wheels on this “suggested arrangement” so early in their children’s lives, but when they noticed them both gravitate toward the same summer program, they figured, Why not?

Dimple and Rishi may think they have each other figured out. But when opposites clash, love works hard to prove itself in the most unexpected ways.

Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon | iBooks

When Dimple Met Rishi has got to be the best rom-com of the year. This story is about two teens arranged to be married who are also paired together in an app development competition. I loved the main character and her intelligence and the bits of culture laced throughout the book. This novel is a must-read this summer!

I adored the concept of this book! Basically, Dimple and Rishi are arranged to be married while they are participating in an app development competition. The thing is, Dimple has no intention of being married, and Rishi is only competing in the competition to get to know his future wife. This book is absolutely hilarious and adorable, both at the same time. There are also a lot of technological aspects to the book, such as coding, which I had no idea I was so interested in. After reading this story, I will definitely be on the lookout for more books like this one!

Dimple is absolutely one of my favourite main characters ever. She is so sassy and does not take crap from anyone. She even goes as far as throwing her iced coffee on Rishi when he meets her for the first time and addresses her as his wife. Dimple is also so independent and intelligent. She knows her values and would rather focus on coding than dating, despite her mother’s protests. If Dimple was a real person, I would definitely want to be her friend.

I really enjoyed all the Indian culture integrated into this book. Tradition plays a really big role in this story, especially arranged marriage. I feel like this is a topic that isn’t addressed very much, and Sandhya Menon did an amazing job discussing this subject with humour. I also loved the way that Dimple breaks away from tradition a bit while still embracing her culture. If you are looking for the perfect funny and diverse novel, this book is a great choice.

When Dimple Met Rishi is an Indian rom-com complete with one of the sassiest main characters ever. I loved the culture that is woven throughout the story and reading about Dimple choosing her own path for herself. After reading this book, I can definitely say that Sandhya Menon has made it onto my auto-buy list!

Friday Reads #9: I Believe in a Thing Called Love by Maureen Goo

May 19, 2017May 19, 201711 Comments

Friday

The Friday 56 is hosted by Freda’s Voice, and the rules are quite simple: Grab a book, any book, and turn to page 56 or 56% in your e-reader. Find any non-spoilery sentence(s) and post.

This week’s book:

Summary (From Goodreads): Desi Lee knows how carburetors work. She learned CPR at the age of five. As a high school senior, she has never missed a day of school and has never had a B in her entire life. She’s for sure going to Stanford. But—she’s never had a boyfriend. In fact, she’s a disaster in romance, a clumsy, stammering humiliation-magnet whose botched attempts at flirting have become legendary with her friends. So when the hottest human specimen to have ever lived walks into her life one day, Desi decides to tackle her flirting failures with the same zest she’s applied to everything else in her life. She finds her answer in the Korean dramas her father has been obsessively watching for years—where the hapless heroine always seems to end up in the arms of her true love by episode ten. It’s a simple formula, and Desi is a quick study. Armed with her “K Drama Rules for True Love,” Desi goes after the moody, elusive artist Luca Drakos—and boat rescues, love triangles, and fake car crashes ensue. But when the fun and games turn to true feels, Desi finds out that real love is about way more than just drama.

Goodreads | Amazon

Ever since I first laid eyes on this book, I knew that I needed to read it! I just love stories about first loves and the realities that the characters discover. The fact that it has elements of K Dramas adds a really fun and unique element to this story. I can’t wait to find out how it all unfolds.

Book Beginning:

When I was seven, I thought I moved a pencil with my mind. I heard this story about a man who taught himself how to see through objects so that he could cheat at card games. The idea was that if he reached a state of complete concentration and focus, he could do things with his mind that normal humans were incapable of.

Friday 56:

“That kind of relationship. The way you guys are. I’ve never seen anyone like that with their parents.” He was complimentary, but there was something sad having on the edges of his words, as if this nice thing highlighted the crappy thing in his own life.

Blog Tour, ARC Review & Giveaway: The Truth About Happily Ever After by Karole Cozzo

May 18, 201710 Comments

The Truth About Happily Ever After
Karole Cozzo
(Swoon Reads)
Publication date: May 16th 2017
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult

Chin up, Princess, or the crown will slip.

A theme park princess must put her life back together after her happily ever after falls apart in The Truth About Happily Ever After, a contemporary YA romance from Karole Cozzo, author of How to Keep Rolling After a Fall and How to Say I Love You Out Loud.

Everything was supposed to be perfect. Alyssa has a job she loves, working as Cinderella at her favorite theme park; a fantastic group of friends; and a boyfriend who will no longer be long distance. But as the summer progresses, her prince becomes less charming and more distant, and Alyssa’s perfect summer falls apart.

Forced to acknowledge that life is not always a fairy tale, Alyssa starts working to pull her herself back together. Fortunately, she doesn’t have to do it alone. With her friend Miller’s support, she’s determined to prove that she’s more than just a pretty princess. And with his help, maybe she’s finally ready for something better than dreams. Maybe she’s ready for something real.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

Author Bio:

Karole lives outside of Philadelphia, PA with her loving husband, exuberant little girl, and smiley little boy. She adores YA Romance, because it would be awesome if life in general had a requisite feel-good happy ending rule. Vices include obscene Haribo gummy consumption, addiction to Starbucks NF vanilla lattes, and tendency to hoard Bath and Body Works 3-wick candles.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

Review:

The Truth About Happily Ever After is a rollercoaster of emotions. Set in a theme park, this book is about proving yourself and overcoming difficulties. The main character is so likeable and realistic, but also so strong. For those that have ever wondered what it might be like to work at Disneyland, this book outlines both the good and the bad.

This book is so adorable! Alyssa’s summer isn’t going as well as she hoped, and she is going through a rough time since her boyfriend broke up with her. It doesn’t help that others judge her for her job as a princess at a theme park. This story is all about finding happily ever after, with or without Prince Charming, and destroying others’ expectations. I loved all the references to Disney princesses, such as Cinderella, and the amazing cast of characters. Honestly, if you like Disney and a strong female lead, you should definitely pick this one up as soon as possible.

One of the main aspects of this book that really drew me in is the setting. I adore all books set in a theme park, so I knew that I would love The Truth About Happily Ever After. This book in particular focuses on more of the behind the scenes aspects of working at a theme park, which I found to be so interesting. The descriptions of the secret tunnels and the costume rooms are so intriguing, and I would love to see these hidden areas of theme parks in real life. However, it’s not all fun and games playing a princess, and there are such strict expectations that must be met. Nevertheless, I really enjoyed learning about Alyssa’s experience at the park, and I would love to read an entire series with this same setting!

Going back to Alyssa, she is such an epic main character! She is a sorority girl and a theme park princess who is so real. After her breakup, she is so determined to prove that there is more to her than just a princess, and she is such a fierce character. Alyssa even tries out boxing! She goes through some rough moments, and she has her flaws, but she is so good at bouncing back and overcoming hardship. If you like your characters sassy and sweet, you’ll fall in love with Alyssa.

The Truth About Happily Ever After is a story about surmounting difficulties and going against the image that others have of you. It is set in a Disney-like theme park and contains a charming main character. I loved this book, and I would definitely recommend it this summer!

GIVEAWAY!

Print copy of The Truth About Happily Ever After
US/CAN only

a Rafflecopter giveaway