Review: By Your Side

Title By Your Side
By Kasie West
Genre YA Contemporary
Format Print
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis
When Autumn finds herself accidentally locked in the library over a holiday weekend her anxiety threatens to overwhelm her. So when she discovers Dax Miller, the school's bad boy, is locked in with her she's half panicked half relieved. As they get to know each other they'll find something in each other worth examining.

First Sentence
I was locked in the library trying not to panic.




My last attempt at one of Kasie West's romantic contemporaries didn't go so well. I liked it but didn't find it original or engaging enough. So it was with some hesitancy that I picked this one up. I did think it would be a good choice, though, since most of it takes place in a library. Can't go wrong there, right?

And I was right. I really like this one. I inhaled it in two days. Dax was adorable and sweet and is now sitting on the shelf with all my other book boyfriends.

I loved that while it was light and cute, it did discuss anxiety in a real light. I have anxiety and while it doesn't manifest like Autumn's did I could relate. Always a good thing.

I found the ending slightly too sweet and unbelievable but since I wanted a light romance it fit the bill perfectly. Now I'm not so hesitant to try her others.

Review: Ship Out of Luck

Title Ship Out Of Luck (Antsy Bonano #3)
By Neal Shusterman
Genre YA Contemporary
Format Ebook
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis
Always getting into mischief with good intentions, Antsy intends to keep himself in check on his family's vacation cruise but when he meets Tilde and discovers her secret all his plans go right out the window.

First Sentence
Don't ask me cause I don't got an opinion.





Most people know Neal Shusterman for his Unwind series or his latest series: Arc of a Scythe but if you haven't met Antsy you're missing out.

I was beyond happy when I saw another Antsy book was coming out. I bought the book and then put off reading it for five years because I didn't want it to be over. Anyone else do that? Anywho, I finally decided I needed a good laugh and picked this one up.

And I was disappointed, guys. My heart broke a little because of that disappointment. Antsy was his same old, trouble maker with a heart of gold and he made me laugh but the story...the story felt all wrong to me.

I'm used to Antsy making observations about human nature and working on something with people at it's core. This book just took a political problem and thew Antsy into the middle of it.

I kinda, sorta, hate politics, if you haven't noticed, and think that no matter how many laws are changed or how many different presidents are in power or what political party is running things that the real problem is the way human beings treat each other: The whole, "I'm right, you're wrong, My way or the highway" mentality. So Ansty is such a great character because at his core he's genuinely good and kind.

This story felt like a cop out. Forget awesome insights into human beings treating human beings with respect and kindness that the other books in the series offer. This one just takes a political issue and places Antsy on one side of the issue. Boring!

I still gave this one three stars because...did I mention Antsy?

Don't let this one dissuade you from reading the others, though. Because they are amazing and deserve to be read and loved.

Review: Startled by His Furry Shorts

Title Startled By His Furry Shorts (Georgia Nicolson #7)
By Louise Rennison
Genre YA Contemporary
Format Print
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis
Georgia gave Masimo and ultimatum but while he's thinking about it she's in agony. Normally she's confide in Dave the Laugh but he's declared his interest in her, at least she thinks he did. Why does life have to be such agony?!

First Sentence
I can't believe I am once more on the rack of romance.





Georgia and her love woes are back in the 7th book of the series. I flew through this one wondering what Masimo would say but caring more about poor Dave The Laugh.

I didn't expect that ending, though! I guess I should have expected things to amp up as the series gets close to its end but wow!

These books are so silly. I'm not blown away by them but I always find they make me smile. Good, solid, three star reads.

Review: The Hate U Give

Title The Hate U Give
By Angie Thomas
Genre YA Contemporary
Format Print
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis
When Starr see's her friend get shot by a cop during a routine traffic stop her world begins to unravel. She'll have to learn to be brave and stand up for what she believes and speak out or risk never seeing a change.

First Sentence
I shouldn't have come to this party.





Another book for book club but since I found this one at a thrift store I probably would have read it eventually.

I was really terrified to read this book. I was afraid it was going to be very manipulative and make me feel like crap for being born white and "privileged" (FYI: I just had to look up how to spell privileged. Does that mean I'm not privileged?)

I was relived that Angie Thomas managed to just write a story that was a story. Yes, it was written with an agenda, and yes it was pro-black, anti-white, (a little)  but it was handled smoothly.

It showed good and bad black people and good and bad white people and also managed to tell an interesting, albeit longer than necessary, story. I liked it.

Review: Leah on the Offbeat

Title Leah of the Offbeat (Creekwood #2)
By Becky Allbertalli
Genre YA contemporary
Format Audio book
Rating ⭐️⭐️

Synopsis
Leah has always felt like the odd one out in her group of friends. She's the daughter of a single working mother while her friends come from happy whole homes and she's bisexual and hasn't told her friends. Not even her best friend Simon who's openly gay. When her tight-knit group of friends hit a few bumps in the road on the way to their perfect senior year prom Leah will have to open up or risk losing her future happiness.

First Sentence
I don't mean to be dramatic but, God save me from Morgan picking our set list.

I'm a tiny bit obsessed with Albertalli's books right now. Have you noticed? I wanted to know how Leah's life panned out after Simon so I got my hands on this one and had a listen.

I don't know if I'm having and overload of her books or if I was in a mood or if it was Leah but I didn't really like this one. It was cute and had the great writing and dialogue Allbertalli is so good at but the story fell flat for me. I wasn't invested at all and I found Leah overly annoying and bitchy for my taste. Still, I feel like the author was true to Leah. She is who she is and makes no excuses. I just wish she didn't annoy me so much.

I was glad she got her happy ending and I enjoyed seeing Simon again but so far this has been my least favorite

Review: Forbidden

Title Forbidden
ByTabitha Suzuma
Genre YA Contemporary
Format Print
Rating ⭐️⭐️

Synopsis
Stepping in for their alcoholic mother, Maya and Lochan work hard to get good grades and raise there three younger siblings while their mom pursues her latest love interest and goes on benders. Brother and sister forced into the roll of parents the two start to find themselves with feelings for one another.

First Sentence
I gaze up at the small, crisp, burned-out black husks scattered across the chipped white paint of the windowsills.  



This one has been on my radar since it's release in 2010. I wondered if the author could convince me that siblings falling in love wasn't the cringe inducing topic I think it is. She couldn't.

In fact, it's been several weeks since I read this one and the distance has made me reconsider the two stars I gave it. It earned a star for some beautiful sentences here and there that made me think this author was quite talented but the romance? Nope. Didn't buy it. I wanted to FEEL what these kids were feeling and be forced to look at things in a different way but I just didn't. Couldn't.

Oh well. There's other books out there that can shake me up and make me question the world around me better than this one, I bet. I just need to find them.

Review: Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

Title Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda (Creekwood #1)
By Becky Albertalli
Genre YA contemporary
Format Audiobook
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis
Simon has a secret that not even his closest friends knows. He's gay. The only person that knows is someone he's been emailing from his school that's gay too. As their romance blooms they struggle with whether they should reveal themselves to each other but when Simon's secret gets out things get complicated.

First Sentence
It's a weirdly subtle conversation.




Ever since I read Albertalli's The Upside on Unrequited I knew I had to read her other books. Somehow she writes in a way that just makes you so emotionally invested. I listened to this one in one go while I was mowing lawns etc at our house and rentals. Sure makes the time fly when you listen to audio books.

I'd given in and seen the movie before reading this one and found it adorable too and liked the subtle differences between the two. There's a fine line of balance when making a book into a movie; it can't be  too different but too similar and it's no fun either. This one did a great job. Both the movie and book were great.

While I didn't love this one as much as Unrequited I enjoyed it immensely and have already downloaded Leah on the Offbeat to listen to right away!

Review: Being Friends With Boys

Title Being Friends With Boys
By Terra Elan Mcvoy
Genre YA Contemporary
Format Ebook
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis
Charlotte has been friends with Oliver forever. Writing lyrics for his band and hanging out with him and Abe and Trip has been a blast but when Trip drops out of the band and things start changing dramatically. Will Charlotte be able to handle the changes or will she lose her friends forever.

First Sentence
I'm on the way up the stairs to my locker Monday morning when Abe down the other direction.



I did the absolute worst job with that synopsis. I apologize. This book has so much going on in it that's it's hard to capture it all in a tiny little synopsis. First of all, just know, that that cover is the worst pick for this book. It captures nothing that the book is about.

And I really liked this book. It wasn't the greatest thing I've ever read but it was very character driven and there was a lot of drama happening that both delighted and entertained me.

I love a book that can just keep me in the present and not have me thinking ahead to what might happen or who will end up with whom etc. This book was perfect that way. I was totally enmeshed in the story and the characters and am very interested in trying more books by this author now. 

Review: Then He Ate My Boy Entrancers

Title Then He Ate My Boy Entrancers (Georgia Nicolson #6)
By Louise Rennison
Genre YA Contemporary
Format Print
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis
Georgia is back and this time she's traveling to America with her family. Maybe she can find her latest love interest Masimo.

First Sentence
Sun shining like a big yellow shining....er, warmey planet on fire thing.






I always read one of these during the read-a-thon but didn't manage to get to more than a few pages in. I decided to go ahead and finish it anyway.

This is the first time a book in this series had a little more depth to it and I loved it. Georgia is growing up and I'm loving watching it.

These books are great for a laugh and some cute romance but rarely have much depth to them so if you ever read them just go into them for some fun.

The ending of this one was a bit of a cliffhanger so I might have to read the next book sooner than intended.

Review: Optimists Die First

Title Optimists Dies First
By Susan Nielsen
Genre YA Contemporary
Format Audiobook
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis
A tragedy in Petula's past has made her see danger everywhere she looks. Forced to take an art therapy course to deal with her  issues she's trying to fly under the radar. But when Jacob joins the art class and ruffles her calm existence she'll have to face her fears.

First Sentence
The first time I saw the Bionic Man I was covered in sparkles.




This one has been on my radar since it's release last year. I'd heard good things. So when I needed something cute and quick I downloaded a copy and started to listen. These are my favorite types of stories: Cute and romantic while also having issues the characters are dealing with.

I listened to this one all in one go and found it absolutely perfect. There were things about the characters I didn't understand or relate to but I was perfectly happy to join them in their journey.

Because I listened to this one in one sitting I was afraid it wouldn't stick with me but I the characters are so memorable, even the side characters, that I still remember each of them and still love them all.

If I had to complain I might say everything wrapped up too cleanly but after looking at it again I don't think that's true. This is one of those books I don't  just want to recommend but push on everyone I know. So go! Read it!

Review: Geekerella

Title Geekerella
By Ashley Poston
Genre YA Contemporary Romance
Format Audiobook
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis
Elle lives with her step mom and sisters and works in a food truck that sells pumpkin flavored everything. She misses her dad and the bond they shared over Starfield, an old TV show with a crazy fandom. When Hollywood decided to reboot the old TV show into a movie and casts Hollywood's boy toy Darien Freeman, Elle is furious. What would a egotistical set of abs know about her beloved Starfield? When she sees a cosplay contest at the famous Excelsicon with a cash prize and a ticket to LA for the movie premier as the prize, Elle sees her chance to escape.

First Sentence
The stepmonster is at it again.

I've heard great things about this one and I'm always up for a fairytale retelling so when this one came up on Overdrive on audio I snatched it up.

I like retellings but I always want the author to make the story their own with enough uniqueness to make it worth reading. While I didn't feel like this one was quite unique enough, I liked it.

It was cute and fun and just plain adorkable. I loved that Elle and Darien got to know each other before they met so it wasn't just stupid instalove. We all hate that, am I right? I also loved that the "coach" was a food truck. Did I already say adorkable?

The writing was good and the characters relatable but I do wish that the story took a few more obvious deviations from the original story than it did. Oh well. I'd still recommend it and don't regret reading it one little bit.

Review: The Upside of Unrequited

Title The Upside of Unrequited
By Becky Albertalli
Genre YA Contemporary
Format Print
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis
Molly knows all about unrequited love, she's had twenty-six crushes in her 17 years. None of her crushes ever knew about her fondness for them because the other thing about Molly is she keeps herself very guarded and never puts herself out there for rejection. When her twin sister Cassie begins to fall in love, Molly finds herself feeling slightly left behind and decided it might be time to put herself out there at last.

First Sentence
I'm on the toilet at the 9:30 Club, and I'm wondering how mermaids pee.

Just the title of this one had me wanting to read it. I grew up knowing a thing or two about unrequited love. What I didn't expect was to find myself so closely relating to the MC in more ways than the above mentioned.

This one had a shaky start for me. I haven't read any other of Alberalli's books but I'm aware she always has all the politically correct characters covered. But this one started out feeling like maybe she was trying TOO hard??? Every type of LGBA was included all races were included and the MC is even overweight. It just started feeling more like walking on eggshells than writing a story. Does that make sense?

But then we get into the story. And what a story! I related so much to Molly! It's not even that we had too much in common but I just fell in love with this girl and felt all her feels so deeply that I was sobbing at one point. I couldn't finish the book fast enough to make sure everything turned out OK.

The whole cast of  "politically correct" characters were so dang memorable and I fell in love with them all. Reid is my new book boyfriend and Abby is my new best friend. Loved it!

Review: Summerlost

Title Summerlost
By Ally Condie
Genre Middle grade Contemporary
Format Audiobook
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis
It's been almost a year since Cedar lost her father and brother Ben in a car wreck. Her mother has decided to buy a summer home in Iron Creek. It's looking to be a long boring summer but then Cedar meets Leo who works concessions at the famed Summerlost festival. When Cedar gets a job there too her and Leo become fast friends as they become engrossed with the mystery of what happened to the famous Hollywood actress that got her start in the Summerlost festival and seemingly died of a broken heart.

First Sentence
Our new house has a blue door.

Trying to get out of my reading slump I decided to pick up some lighter middle grade books. I had success with the graphic novel Ghosts and decided to read this middle grade book by Ally Condie. This is her first middle grade book and I was interested to see what it would be like.

Condie writes beautifully. I like her style. At times it might have felt a bit too beautiful and flowery for a middle grade book but since I'm not a kid I can't say if they'd be bothered by it and I loved it so I didn't mind.

This book had a lot going on for a middle grade book too. It's dealing with grief and first love but it still manages to be a quick easy read.

My favorite thing about the book was the obsession Cedar and her brother Miles had with a soap opera their mother didn't know they were watching. I found it amusing and quirky enough to make the story not only memorable but believable. There were plenty of things I watched and read that my mother might not have approved of but that were my own little thing and I wasn't going to part with them for anybody.

A beautifully written and memorable story, I hope Condie continues writing middle grade. I found it utterly charming.

Review: Eliza and her Monsters

Title Eliza and her Monsters
By Francesca Zappia
Genre YA Contemporary
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis
Eliza is an introvert. She keeps to herself and is just trying to survive her senior year of high school and escape to college. But Eliza has a whole other side to her. On line she is the creator of Monstrous Sea, a popular web comic. But keeping the two lives separate becomes increasingly hard when a new boy comes to school. Wallace is a fan of Monstrous Sea but he's also a fan of Eliza's. It's only a matter of time before Eliza's worlds collide.

First Sentence 
The origin post is open on my computer when I shuffle over to it in the morning.

Guys, I'm in the worst reading slump of all time! I did manage to make it through a book though. I'd heard good things about Eliza so I thought it might be what I need to get out of my slump. But while I did manage to read it the whole way through, I'm still in my slump!

This book is 380ish pages and for the first 300 pages not much happens. It's mostly introducing us to Eliza, her family and Monstrous Sea and then watching her and Wallace fall for each other while Eliza keeps her secret from him. Of course the shiz hits the fan and when it does the book became much more engrossing. I flew through the last 80-100 pages. I wish the whole book had been that good.

But I have to say, I'm not sure what everyone sees in this one. It was OK but not amazing. But I'm a horrible judge right now. I'm in such a reading slumpish mood that who am I to judge?

At my last book club this book got brought up and those who had read it were arguing about Eliza's parents. I hadn't read it at the time but I had to laugh at how strongly each person felt. Now that I've read it...sorry Suey, I have to take a stand against the parents. They weren't horrible but they were so clueless. And I didn't buy that they wouldn't have looked up their daughters web comic and seen how popular it was. The fact that they didn't....not good.

So while this one didn't get me out of my reading slump, it did manage to get me to finish which is very impressive these days.

Should you read it
Yes.

Review: The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett

Title The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett
By Chelsea Sedoti
Genre YA contemporary
Format ebook
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis
Hawthorn isn't saddened or curious about the sudden disappearance of her sleepy town's sweetheart Lizzie Lovett. Hawthorn never cared for the popular prom queen. Lizzie had enough people fawning over her. Hawthorn doesn't need to be one more obsessed worshiper. But then why can't she get Lizzie out of her head? Why is she suddenly so obsessed with her disappearance and why is she now working where Lizzie worked and dating Lizzie's boyfriend?

First Sentence
The first thing that happened was Lizzie Lovett disappeared, and everyone was all, "How can someone like Lizzie be missing?" and I was like, "Who cares?"

I don't know how this one came on my radar but I'm glad it did. It was my first five star read of the year!

I'm a sucker for YA contemporary but I'm an even bigger sucker when they have some issues that are touched on, a subtle but important message and a hint of romance. Add one of my favorite writing styles (check out that first sentence again) and you have a winner.

Every character was solidly fleshed out and  therefore memorable to me. I loved the message I took away and I loved the humor that lightened the heavy issues this one dealt with.

I liked how real the book felt too. It didn't gloss over issues teens deal with. That being said, you might not want your younger teens reading it.

The whole thing was just beautiful. The writing, the message, the issues, the characters...I loved it all and am so happy I stumbled onto this one.

Should you read it
Ugh! I hate when you love a book so much but you can't articulate your feelings! Just go read this book. Now!   

Review: Places No One Knows

Title Places No One Knows
By Brenna Yovanoff
Genre YA contemporary
Format Audio
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis
Waverly puts on a facade of happiness at school and at home for her friends and family. She's the perfect "good girl" but all is not as perfect as it seems. Her unhappiness is eating into her nights giving her insomnia. Marshall is a nobody. He drinks and does drugs to dull the pain of his miserable home life. He's the typical "bad boy" When Waverly somehow dreams her way into Marshall's room and the two form a tenuous romance they'll have to decide if carrying it into the day time hours is possible or even worth it.

First Sentence
There's something awful about the sun.

I've really enjoyed Yovanoff's writing in the past so I've been working my way through her books. This one sounded intriguing.  What's not to love? You've got the "good girl" dreaming herself into the "bad boy's" bedroom at night. Sounds good, right?

I was expecting a much more light fluffy read then I got. Not that, that's a bad thing. This book dealt with some serious issues. I should have known it would. Yovanoff seems to get down to the nitty gritty of people and deal with the hard issues. It's one of the thing's I love about her writing.

As much as I found myself pleasantly surprised with this one and having an overall good experience listening to it, I found in unmemorable. I read it a few weeks ago and I'm already forgetting a lot of it. I do, however, remember that it felt important. Like teens should read this. I think they'll feel understood and relate to it.

Should you read it
I'll always recommend Yovanoff. I find myself liking her more and more with every one of her books I read.

Review: Beauty Queens

Title Beauty Queens
By Libba Bray
Genre YA Contemporary/Adventure/Comedy
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis
When a plane full of beauty pageant contestants crashes on an island there's only 13 survivors. Will they survive long enough to be rescued? And can they keep up their looks and dance routines until then? The longer the girls are on the island the more they discover who they really are and just how strong they are.

First Sentence
"Are you alright?"





I've had this book on my list for 6 years. The number of years it's been released, I think. I enjoyed the Gemma Doyle books enough to give the author my attention and this one sounded just plain hilarious.

I listened to this one on audio and it was my first audio book read by the author. That was a treat! When the author does all the different voices you know they're done exactly as she imagined the characters sounding. Her voice for Tiara cracked me up!

Filled with "a word from the sponsor" moments and commercial breaks this one was written to be an audio book.

While I was expecting a total comedy I was surprised to find a very feminist "girl power" twist on this one. I had mixed feelings about this. While I enjoyed the message, I sometimes found it a bit heavy handed and taking itself too seriously. But it actually gave depth to the story too so I don't know. I think I ended up liking that it chose to take that road. And of course it was still funny too. I laughed a lot.

There was a lot of eye rolling, yeah right, moments but I think any annoyance I had for those moments was ME taking things too seriously.

My biggest problem with this one was the length. (this seems to be an ongoing annoyance of mine as of late) I'm fine with long stories but needlessly long stories are another story. This one just kept going on and on! And on!!!

Should you read it
If you can buckle in for the LONG ride I'd recommend it for a laugh and a look at some cool messages about the awesomeness of girls.

Review: Be Frank With Me

Title Be Frank With Me
By Julia Claiborne Johnson
Genre Adult Contemporary
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis
M.M. Banning  once wrote a best seller but for years has been holed up in her Beverly Hills Mansion. When she tells her literary agent she's working on something new he'll do anything to ensure she finishes her book. He'll even go so far as to send his assistant, Alice, to watch Banning's eccentric 9 year old. When Alice meets Frank, the eccentric 9 year old who she's in charge of and immerses her life in theirs, she'll never be the same.

First Sentence
"Mimi's Prickley," Isaac Vargas told me when he asked if I'd go to California to work for M.M. Banning while she wrote her long-awaited second novel.

I don't remember who read this one and reviewed it and made me want to read it or if anyone read and reviewed it that I saw. I just know it ended up on my TBR list and when I saw it come up on Overdrive on audio I promptly downloaded it and began to listen.

I laughed my way through most of this one. Frank's innocence and bluntness amused me and he wormed his way into my affections just as he did with the MC Alice.

Occasionally while reading I'd wonder just what exactly the plot of this one was, there wasn't much of one, but then I'd become too immersed in Frank's shenannigans to care.

While I found this one an all in all delightful read it wasn't perfect. Xander really annoyed me, that is, his relationship with Alice really annoyed me. I found it unnecessary and kept wondering why the author even threw it in.

So, while I'm not sure why I picked this one up, I'm glad I did. It was a great read and Frank was adorably frustrating in all the right ways.

Should you read it
Yes, it was well worth the laughs.     

Review: The Red Notebook

Title The Red Notebook
By Antoine Laurain
Genre Adult Contemporary Romance
Rating ⭐️⭐️

Synopsis
Laurent finds a handbag in the garbage on the street. There's no way to know who the bag belongs to but there are other things. Things that intrigue Laurent enough to search for the owner.

First Sentence
The taxi had dropped her on the corner of the boulevard.







I'd heard good things about this one and thought it sounded cute and romantic so when I saw it available on audio book I decided to give it a listen.

And it was cute and romantic but it was short. Really short. And there was absolutely zero conflict. The author is french and maybe they don't do conflict but I just didn't feel at all invested in the outcome of the story. It was just like hearing a cute little story of how two people met. So...I guess that's OK but it felt just a little too light for me.

Should you read it
If you don't mind the whole lack of conflict then, sure, go ahead.

Review: Jane Unlimited

Title Jane Unlimited
By Kristin Cashore
Genre Magic Realism
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis
Before her Aunt Magnolia died, she made Jane promise if she ever got invited to the elusive Tu Reviens house to go. Such and invitation has come and Jane, true to her word goes. But no one could have prepared her for the crazy world she's about to enter.


First Sentence
The house on the cliff looks like a ship disappearing into fog.





How I came upon this book was a stroke of pure luck. No, publishers weren't pounding at my door or littering my inbox with requests to read the newest book by one of my favorite authors. No, I'm not one of those bloggers. However, one of THOSE bloggers received an ARC of this book in THEIR mail and they, hopefully after reading it, donated it to my local thrift store. Imagine my delight when a book not even published yet fell into my lap because I happened to be at the right place at the right time. And if that wasn't good enough, I only paid a dollar fifty for it. Giddiness ensued.

So, I quickly lapped it up. For some reason I thought this was going to be a fantasy novel like Cashore's other books. I was WAY off! This reads more like a contemporary NA and a choose your own adventure. At first, that's what I thought it was but there was no instructions to skip ahead to a certain page for such and such choice so I read it front to back. (which, I saw later in the author's notes, was exactly how she meant for it to be read)

I enjoyed reading all the different possibilities Jane's choices presented. I'm glad it wasn't a choose your own adventure because the endings of some of those choices were pretty gloom and unsatisfying. Seeing how they all coincided was fun too.

I loved how real all the characters felt. Cashore does such a great job with her characters. By the end of the book you feel like you actually know these people. I adored Jasper the very best. I'm sorry, but basset hounds are my favorite type of dog and, yes, he's only a dog but animals are often the very best of characters. Am I right?  I loved him so much!

I found Jane's umbrella making fascinating to read about. I loved what a unique talent it was. I've never read a book about someone who makes umbrellas, have you? No? Exactly. It was so fun. And it was interesting seeing each different umbrella she created with each different choice.

The house. Oi! On the one hand I want to visit this crazy house and on the other I want to stay far far away from it. A house full of art with a indoor pool, bowling alley and atrium on its own island surrounded by the ocean...yes please. But I could do with out that creepy library. Yes, I called a library creepy. Read the book and you'll know why.

I won't go on and on anymore. I think I've praised the book enough. You'll notice I only gave it three stars and perhaps you're wondering why if I appear to have loved it so much. Well, I'll tell you. ;) I found it a titch long and a little slow moving at parts. And books like these tend to get a tiny bit repetitive. But other than that it was a delightful journey. One I found unique and entertaining.

Should you read it
This book is in bookstores September 19th and yes, I'd recommend you go pick yourself up a copy.