The Romantics by Leah Konen
Published November 1, 2016 by Amulet Books
Rating: ★★★★
Love is patient. Love is kind. Love totally dropped the ball with Gael Brennan's parents and feels the best recourse is to save Gael's own love life. And that means keeping him away from the rebound girl.
"... leave it to the Manic Pixie Dream Girl trope to convince a guy that someone who straight-up irks him will also somehow save him."
I might cross-stitch that onto a pillow.
The problem with Gael is that he's a romantic. Not like he's into romantic comedies or anything like that, because he's not. He likes real movies, like Wes Anderson ones. But he falls in love too hard and too fast. So it's not surprising that his very first relationship ends in disaster when he blurts out the big ILY way too early. Hurt, Gael is desperate for a reminder that love is real. So when he runs into Cara in a meet-cute, he puts too much importance on the moment. But even as Gael is perusing Cara, Love knows his real destiny is with Sammy, his younger sister's babysitter.
This is a cute, fun read. That said, if you remove the quirky element of Love as the narrator, this becomes a very basic, expected romance. It's clear early on that a Sammy and Gael pairing is the endgame, and while I accepted the premise, I didn't think it grew organically. Sammy was supposed to be perfect for Gael, but I didn't really see it. In any case, this is a quick and mostly satisfying YA romance for those so inclined.
Dead Girl's Society by Michelle Krys
On Sale November 8, 2016 by Delacorte Press
Rating: ★★★
"The Society. Weird. Sounds like spam, but you know what they say: life is short, read spam."
Hope is facing a shorter, more sheltered life than most: she has cystic fibrosis and a mother who keeps her trapped inside the house. The only person she has outside contact with is her best friend, Ethan, who is also the object of her crush (go figure). So when "the society" offers her a bit of excitement and a chance to break out of her narrow mold, the email invitation to join the "games" proves too tempting to pass up. Hope finds herself in a twisted competition with a handful of other girls from her old school (when her mom used to let her go to school, that is). The winner gets a huge cash prize, but losers will be severely punished. At first, the society almost seems like a blessing. Hope is being raised by a single mother working a cashier job, and the medicines she needs do not come cheap. But as the consequences mount, Hope starts to wonder why the society is after her and will do anything to quit the game.
It was hard for me to take this book seriously. A couple of teens playing games set up by a "mysterious society" with "consequences"-- I was just at the very edge of my seat. So when real, dark stuff starts happening to the characters, I was kind of thrown for a loop. Where did that come from? This book goes from 0 to deadly serious very quickly, and I just didn't find it believable-- any of it. I also thought Ethan could have been eliminated from the book entirely. His character adds little to the story beyond being Hope's love interest, and that proved a pretty average and expected subplot. A teen girl whose best friend happens to be a hot, understanding guy that she happens to be in love with-- is that well not dry yet? I would describe this book as: good, not great, it has it's fun moments and logic does not apply.
The Best Possible Answer, by E. Katherine Kottaras
On Sale November 1, 2016 by St. Martin's Griffin
Rating: ★★★
So this is the book I expected: an over-stressed, over-worked, high school perfectionist with trust issues learns to open up to "Mr. Right" and live in the moment.That's not the book I got. This book is not a typical YA romance. In fact, it's not really a romance at all.This is a book about struggling to keep things together when your life is falling spectacularly apart.Viviana has real issues. It goes deeper than the humiliation she feels from her first love spreading around her nude selfies in retaliation for their break up. This incident puts her in the hospital with a severe case of anxiety. Viviana's parents put enormous pressure on her to get into an elite college, and her father is livid that the nude pics might bar her from Stanford (how?). In fact, her father is so disappointed he's moved out of the home and gone off to Singapore. If that weren't enough pain, Viviana also struggles to repair her relationship with her mother. Then she learns the truth about her father, and it's something that would land even the most well-adjusted person into a lifetime of therapy. With all this going on, she learns her best friend, Sammie, is moving away, and they spend much of their last summer together fighting over a boy. Then there's a mentally ill professor living in their apartment complex who somehow is going to teach a bunch of teens some important life lessons (sigh).I think this book tries to do too much. From the romance drama, to the family drama, to the best friend drama, to the sister drama... this book feels like a collage. A bunch of plot bits slapped together with glue into something that's not altogether horrible to look at but is undeniably cluttered. Each chapter starts with headers about studying for SATs, entrance essays to college, ect.-- I skipped past those.Something needed to give with this book. Removing one or more of the story elements and going further into depth with the remaining could have made this a much better novel, IMO.
We Are Still Tornadoes by Michael Kun and Susan Mullen
On Sale November 1, 2016 by St. Martin's Griffin
Rating: ★★★★
Cath and Scott are best friends who grew up on the same block and never experienced life without each other. That bond is tested when Cath goes off to college several hundred miles away, and Scott stays behind in their hometown to sell menswear in his Dad's shop. Their lives are seemingly taking different directions. Together, they were Tornadoes, class of 1982. But what will they become?
The book is written entirely in the format of letters exchanged back and forth between Cath and Scott. I have to admit, I find the premise a bit hokey. I mean, outside of war and possibly prison, what 18-year-old guy writes this manyletters to a platonic girl friend? Overall, though, it was enjoyable to read, and I laughed pretty hard at some of Scott's letters. I did feel the expected ending came abruptly, like the authors only had x amount of paper and needed to fit it in before they ran out.
This is a cute, fluffy read that does not require a serious time investment. It's forgettable but fun and good when you're craving something lighthearted.
The Row by J. R. Johansson
On Sale October 11, 2016 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Rating: ★★★★
Having a father on death row has never been easy for Riley. Just six when her father was convicted of murdering three women, she's spent her life moving from place to place-- never too far from the prison, but hopefully far enough that no one will figure out who she is. But they always do. Neighbors leave threatening notes, kids at school make fun of her, and her mother has been let go of more jobs than she can remember. The one thing Riley has clung to, her life raft through the choppy waters of guilt by association and social isolation, is the fact that her father is an innocent man.Then one day, his execution imminent, her father confesses to her, and it turns Riley's world inside out.Her dad takes back his confession almost immediately, but it's too late to restore Riley's faith is him. Either way, he's lied to her, and it makes her wonder what else he's hiding. She's also distrustful of her mother, who has stopped visiting her father each week and is always at work. Riley is determined to discover the truth behind her parents, no matter what she discovers. Eager to help her is her new, and only, friend, Jordan. But he just happens to be the son of the cop who arrested Riley's father, and he believes the right man is already behind bars. I've always believed my parents-- always.If that sounds naive, it's in part because Riley comes across as much younger than seventeen. I cringed the million times she calls her father "Daddy." I don't know if this down-aging is a problem with her characterization, or if the author has made a deliberate effort to make it seem as if Riley is suffering arrested development on account of her father's conviction.The mystery part of this book surpassed my expectations. I was pretty sure I had it figured out, and I was so wrong. I loved the ending. The romance didn't impress me as much. I liked some aspects of Jordan, but he wasn't a very realistic character. Right after meeting Riley, he becomes oddly obsessed with helping her, and, honestly, she's a pill toward him the bulk of the time. I don't know what Jordan is getting out of their relationship.
Overall impressions: this is a solid YA mystery novel.
The Movie Version by Emma Wunsch
On Sale October 11, 2016 by Amulet Books
Rating: ★★
"Terrific? That's not how to describe Toby. He's charming and brilliant and bright and shiny. Toby is the movie star is his own movie! In all our movies!"
Amelia hero-worships her older brother, Toby, and always has. But here's the thing about building idols: when they falter, your world might come crashing down along with them. For Amelia, this moment comes when her brother starts exhibiting signs of a serious mental illness. She finds herself entirely unprepared to deal with the new reality.
In fact, most of this book is about Amelia unable to deal with Toby no longer being her cool big brother any more. That's because Amelia is an incredibly self-centered and immature character. It's obvious there's something wrong with Toby, but instead of being concerned about him, she whines about how she can't show him off properly to her new boyfriend. And that brings me to the romance portion of the book, which is awful. Amelia and Epstein have no chemistry together. She barely likes him, but she "loves" him, and they have sex... because. The sex scenes are incredibly uncomfortable and awkward. And it never seems to stop, because Amelia is constantly reminding us about it.
I didn't feel like this book had much of an ending, because nothing transformative happened. Amelia is still disappointed in Toby over something he can't control, and seems little more at peace with his illness than where she started. The only character who grew on me was Ray, Amelia's best friend, and she was the lone one in the book who put aside her own feelings to help someone else. Unfortunately, Amelia's parents are as self-centered as she is and deal with Toby's illness just about as well.
I'm not against showing drug use in YA books, but pot is pervasive in this book. It reinforces the stereotype that pot smokers are lazy bums disinterested in life, because none of these characters seemed to have any passions or plans for their future. I also grew tired of hearing about how Amelia didn't have her driver's license yet. It's mentioned about a million times throughout the book. Apparently, if you're not at the DMV the second you turn 16, there's something wrong with you.
The synopsis of this book is really misleading. I know mental illness is a popular theme in YA right now, but its one I mostly avoid. And I was disappointed in how this book used such a serious topic as a plot device. Poor Toby.
The Female of the Species by Mindy McGinnis
On Sale September 20, 2016 by Katherine Tegan Books
Rating: ★★★★★
I'm not entirely sure I have the words for this one, but I'll go ahead and try. This book is dark and violent and awesome... and I think I'll be processing what the holy heck I just read for a while to come. If you read this book, prepare to clear out some head space for the story to come and live in.
In the small, insular Ohio town where she grows up, Alex Craft is the girl with the dead sister. Not much more. She doesn't interact with her classmates, and they make no move to include her. That's until she catches the eyes of Jack Fisher-- the all-American boy who plays on every sports team, gets good grades and has no shortage of girls vying for a place in his bed. Once he notices Alex, really notices her, he can't get her out of his mind. Peekay also notices Alex but with very different motivation. Peekay is pigeonholed to the role of preacher's kid and is looking for a friend who sees her in a different light. Alex struggles with social interaction, but the two are able to cobble together a growing friendship as they volunteer at the local animal shelter.
And, oh, yeah, Alex Craft is also kind of a cold-blooded murderer:
"This is how I kill someone. And I don't feel bad about it."
"I am a wolf that my sister kept in a cage, until her hand was removed."
Alex Craft is the character I thought Jane Steele would be when I read the blurb for Jane Steele. She's a mixture of righteousness and cruelty. It's easy to fear her and admire her. You hope she'll be able to run off with Jack and start a happy little family while also thinking she really needs to be in jail.
And I did not see that ending coming.
For better or worse, it's impossible to deny this book has an effect. It's one of the most memorable books I've read all year. I will say that for a YA book, I'm not sure how comfortable I'd be with my teen reading this. I'll have to get back to you on that.
The Memory of Things by Gae Polisner
On Sale September 6, 2016
Published by St. Martin's Griffin
Rating: ★★★★★
September 11, 2001. Kyle is part of the human stream flowing over the Brooklyn Bridge: to safety, and away from smoldering, smoking Manhattan. As he's crossing, he notices what looks like a giant bird perched at the edge of the bridge. Then he realizes it's not a bird. It's a girl. She looks lost and scared. She looks like she might jump. Kyle convinces her to follow him to the safety of his family apartment. He discovers she doesn't know who she is or what happened to her. And on top of dealing an amnesiac stranger (who he's quickly developing a bit of a crush on), his first-responder father is not answering his phone, he can't get a hold of his mother and sister who were supposed to fly out from LA that morning, and there's a disabled uncle who needs care. What happens over the course of the next 3 days changes Kyle forever.
For the most part, this book is everything a YA novel should be. It's been a couple of days since I read it, and the more I think about it, the more I like it. Kyle is mature without coming off like a twenty-five year old. I'm in love with the boy he becomes by the end of the story. I liked the realistic relationship he had with his parents and Uncle Matt. This is exactly the type of book I'd want my teen to read, and I enjoyed it a lot myself.
Vivian is a book blogger.
She's obsessed with romance novels and spends her free time surrounded by them, from running a lonely hearts book club to working part-time at her mom's bookshop to raving about hunky heroes anonymously on the internet. Up until now, seventeen-year-old Viv's knowledge of love has come entirely from in between the covers... book covers, that is. But that changes when her long time crush, Jake, takes notice of her over the summer. They start sneaking off for clandestine make out sessions on the beach at night.
So it's all coming up roses for our fair heroine Vivian. Until the first day of school comes and Jake makes it clear he and she are not a thing. Were never a thing. He was just bored. Yep, he's that guy.
Heartbroken, Vivian decides to make a list of guys who are safe to crush on. It becomes an all-consuming mission (helped by a healthy dose of channeling Spock), and her number one requirement is lack of chemistry. Too bad she meets Dallas, the new guy. He's nerd-hot and a perfect match for her, but she won't let herself get close, worried about getting hurt again. Still, it's hard to deny the attraction between them, and Dallas isn't giving up on becoming her replacement crush. But Viv is playing a dangerous game and just might push him so far away that he's gone for good.
This is a cute, sweet book that's easy enough to devour in a single sitting. Dallas is the perfect book boyfriend. Not the least bit realistic, but he's fun to read about and has great chemistry with Viv. Vivian's friends were fun, and it was nice to read a book with drama-free, supportive girl friendships. Viv herself came across as younger than seventeen, and her mission became a bit tiresome and the concept a bit convoluted, which are my only real criticisms of this book. If you want to get lost in a fun, innocent romance with plenty of book nerd and straight-up-nerd references, consider this one.
This book will be published on September 6 2016 by Entangled Teen
Rating: ★★★★
Author: Scott Stambach
Release Date: August 9th 2016
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Version Reviewed: digital ARC courtesy of publisher and NetGalley
Rating: ★★★★★
Wow. I don't tend to use the word in book reviews, because I think it's kind of cliche. But, sometimes, a book is just... wow... and there's no better way to describe it.
Ivan has lived his entire seventeen years inside the Mazyr Hospital for Gravely Ill Children in Belarus. He was born with a number of physical deformities, including missing 3 of his limbs, probably due to radiation exposure after the Chernobyl meltdown. Abandoned by his parents and with little hope for a normal life, Ivan gets through the day by making everything a game. One of his favorites is to pretend to be in a coma to eavesdrop on the nurses. He dislikes most of these nurses, except Nurse Natalya, who is his biggest ally, his book supplier, and, ultimately, his savior.
Much of every day is the same for Ivan, until terminal cancer patient Polina comes to the hospital. Their relationship starts as a friendship, but becomes more. In some ways it's as bleak as the hospital, in other ways it's hopeful and typically teenaged. One thing is for sure: Ivan will never be the same.
There are parts of this book that are uncomfortable to read and even a little gross. But, in it's own way, it's also wonderful and moving. This is a unique book and a strong debut from the author. I recommend it.
Author: Karole Cozzo
Publisher: Swoon Reads
Release Date: 8/2/16
Version Reviewed: digital ARC courtesy of NetGalley
Rating: ★★★★
Nikki Baylor wants a second chance. But will anyone grant her one? A couple months ago, she took part in a cyber bullying incident for which she took 100% of the fall. Now she's the girl everyone is whispering about. Her friends, and co-bullies, have ditched her and she's been expelled from school. She never leaves the house without a baseball cap pulled down to obscure her face, hoping she can get through the day without being recognized and vilified. Her once loving and supportive parents have gone cold. She's given up the things she used to love like singing and preforming. She's not sure what future, if any, waits for her after graduation.
Nikki meets Pax at the rehabilitation center where she does community service. Pax is the first person since the bullying fall out who sees her as a person instead of just her sin. Pax believes everyone deserves a second chance. He feels his own reckless actions resulted in him being paralyzed from the waist down and having to adjust to a new reality in a wheelchair. Pax is confident, good looking, charming, and Nikki starts to fall for him. But Pax has insecurities that get in the way and that Nikki can't fully understand. Neither Nikki nor Pax is where they thought they'd be in life. Can a pair of teenagers make a relationship work when they're still carrying so much baggage?
This is a sweet and fun book. Pax is one of those perfect YA boy characters we all know don't really exist but like to read about anyway. The relationship between he and Nikki is genuine and uplifting. I did not like Nikki's parents. They adore their queen bee daughter until she gets publicly outed as a mean girl, at which point they drop her like it's hot and act like she's contagious. Way to straddle both extremes, mom and dad.
The ending was nice, but for me it was a bit abrupt. Pax had a lot of issues he needed to work on, and I didn't see much resolution on them. I also felt like Nikki's story was incomplete. Yes, she gets the guy, but that's not everything.
It has occurred to me in the five months since I wrote this review (and there's a reason I no longer review ARCs that far in advance) that I might have been a bit "hetero-normative" with my first paragraph. In my defense, I didn't even know that was a thing. What I do know, is that this is a delightful YA book. It hits the exact right note of being undramatic without being cutesy. And there are amazing passages in it like this:
"... I have known you since the mountains were made and the rivers were formed. I know we're in a weird place right now, but I want you to step out of it and be there for me. Taylor is a boy, and you are my best friend. Taylor is a date, and you are my calendar. Understood?"
Did you swoon? Because I did. The writing in this book is just so darn good. And a YA book about friendship and the value of said friendship over teen romantic attachments? Sign me up.
Title: You Know Me Well
Authors: Nina LaCour and David Levithan
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Release Date: 6/7/16
Version Reviewed: digital ARC courtesy of NetGalley
Rating: ★★★★★
Mark and Kate sat next to each other in Calculus class and never said a word to each other. But during the last week of the school year, they randomly find each other in a bar and everything changes. This, of course, is when Mark and Kate start to fall in love, each amazed that their soulmate has been sitting beside them the whole time undetected... or maybe not.
Mark and Kate are both gay, and both in love with seemingly unobtainable people. Both are in the midst of growing apart from their lifelong best friends, something that is especially painful for Mark because he happens to be in love with his. The two develop an instant connection and a fast friendship that they come to rely on. They help each other through insecurities and confront their fears. Kate is a promising art student who is afraid of success and believes she isn't good enough, not for the UCLA art program that accepted her and certainly not for her crush, Violet. Mark lives in terror of being rejected by his best friend, and sometimes secret boyfriend, Ryan. But even though both Kate and Mark are consumed with being in love, the driving engine of this story is their friendship.
There were so many places where this book could have dissolved into cliche, but it didn't. The ending was just that much more beautiful because it wasn't presented with a neat little bow. The writing and the characters are both fantastic. If I had to make one complaint, I do think Mark and Kate both seemed overly mature for their age.
I'll just cut to the chase: I didn't like this book. However, I decided to include a review for it on my blog, because I think it's a good example of how a "surprise ending" isn't always a something to strive for. You won't see the final twist in this book coming. But it's a surprise in the vein of surprise! your sister was actually killed by an intergalactic assassination force or surprise! your sister is really still alive and ran off to join the Israeli army. I can't give away the ending, of course, but I can say the author invoked a mental illness that remains controversial and debated to this day, which was another problem I had.
A good ending to a thriller has to have bread crumbs. Readers have to have a *chance* of guessing it. Now, if everyone foresees the twists and turns, that's a concern. But it's all a concern if no one could possibly. For me, the best-selling Girl on a Train is a good example of how a story can still be masterful and page-turning without a shock ending.
Title: Frayed
Author: Kara Terzis
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Release Date: 6/1/16
Version Reviewed: digital ARC courtesy of NetGalley
Rating: ★★
This book starts with a girl writing a letter to her murdered sister. For the most part, it goes on to be exactly what you'd expect from the genre. There's the dead sister who was hiding all sorts of secrets. There's the twin pillars of the bad boy who isn't all that bad and the good boy who isn't all that good. And, of course, an incompetent police force. Added to the mix is a criminally sophisticated girl gang that's also kind of cultish. The ending twist comes out of left field and is implausible. The author is young, this is a debut novel, and there is definite potential here. I just don't think this was ready for publication.
