The Other Side of Perfect by Mariko Turk is an impactful story about identity and raising your voice. Following a dancer who suffers a career-ending injury, the emotions in this story run high, and the main character is exceptionally well-written. Her fight against racism in classical ballets is especially powerful, making this a thought-provoking read. Continue reading
Sister of the Bollywood Bride by Nandini Bajpai contains just the sort of drama I love to read about. Following a girl who singlehandedly plans her sister’s wedding, this one is filled with both wedding catastrophes and community support. The main character is kindhearted, and the descriptions of each aspect of the wedding make the event jump off the page. I would definitely recommend this to those looking for an entertaining and uplifting read. Continue reading
Title: Instructions for a Secondhand Heart
onny knows better than anyone that life is full of cruel ironies. He's spent every day in a hospital hooked up to machines to keep his heart ticking. Then when a donor match is found for Jonny's heart, that turns out to be the cruelest irony of all. Because for Jonny's life to finally start, someone else's had to end.
That someone turns out to be Neve's twin brother, Leo. When Leo was alive, all Neve wanted was for him (and all his glorious, overshadowing perfection) to leave. Now that Leo's actually gone forever, Neve has no idea how to move forward. Then Jonny walks into her life looking for answers, her brother's heart beating in his chest, and everything starts to change.
Together, Neve and Jonny will have to face the future, no matter how frightening it is, while also learning to heal their hearts, no matter how much it hurts.
(Features select illustrations from "Jonny's" sketchbook.)
❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃
Instructions for a Secondhand Heart by Tamsyn Murray has an enjoyable concept, but the characterization is lacking. I also found certain aspects of the book to be kind of creepy, and I didn’t enjoy the romance. This book had so much potential, but I ended up pretty disappointed. Continue reading
Title: The New Guy (and Other Senior Year Distractions)
A ridiculously cute, formerly famous, new guy dropping into your life? It’s practically every girl’s dream.
But not Jules McCallister-Morgan’s.
I realize that on paper I look like your standard type-A, neurotic, overachiever. And maybe I am. But I didn’t get to be the editor of my school’s long-revered newspaper by just showing up*. I have one main goal for my senior year — early acceptance into my first choice Ivy League college — and I will not be deterred by best friends, moms who think I could stand to “live a little,” or boys.
At least, that was the plan before I knew about Alex Powell**.
And before Alex Powell betrayed me***.
I know what you’re thinking: Calm down, Jules. But you don’t understand. This stuff matters. This is my life. And I’m not going down without a fight.
* Okay, I sort of did. But it’s a sore subject.
** I mean, I guess everyone knows about Alex Powell? Two years ago, you couldn’t go anywhere without hearing about viral video boy band sensation Chaos 4 All. Two years ago, Alex Powell was famous.
*** Some people think I’m overreacting. But this. Means. War.
Filled with tons of romance, rivalry, and passive-aggressive dog walking, Amy Spalding delivers a hilariously relatable high school story that’s sure to have you falling for The New Guy.
❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃
The New Guy by Amy Spalding is one of the most original and creative books I’ve read so far this year. It is all about a school newspaper, rivalry, and a character who used to be in a popular boy band. To top it all off, the main character has two moms, which is definitely uncommon in YA. This whole book is just a massive rollercoaster! Continue reading
Title: Hello, Goodbye, and Everything In Between On the night before they leave for college, Clare and Aidan have only one thing left to do: figure out whether they should stay together or break up. Over the course of twelve hours, they retrace the steps of their relationship, trying to find something in their past that might help them decide what their future should be. The night leads them to family and friends, familiar landmarks and unexpected places, hard truths and surprising revelations. But as the clock winds down and morning approaches, so does their inevitable goodbye. The question is, will it be goodbye for now or goodbye forever?
Charming, bittersweet, and full of wisdom and heart, this irresistible novel from Jennifer E. Smith, author of The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, explores the difficult choices that arise when life and love lead in different directions.
❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃
Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between by Jennifer E. Smith will help you to hold on to summer for a little while! It is the kind of book that is frank, yet easy going. The story also contains a likeable main character who is level headed and fun loving. This is the perfect book for an afternoon at the beach. Continue reading