"One Week Girlfriend" by Monica Murphy

Judge a book by its cover

Sexy.  My guess - a YA romance novel.  Or as I like to refer to them as "PG-13 romance novels".  And does anyone else think the guy kind looks like Robert Pattinson???

Synopsis

Drew Callahan, collage football legend, needs a pretend girlfriend for when he returns home for Thanksgiving, so he asks Fable, the local bar waitress, who has made a reputation for herself in his circle of friends, and not in a "ladylike" way.  Drew isn't looking for a serious relationship because he believes himself to be too damaged; and Fable isn't looking for a serious relationship because she has her brother to look out for since mom is a drunk.  Fable agrees to be Drew "girlfriend" for $3000, for one week, while he returns home to see his dad and step-mom.  Tension is high in the Callahan household.  Fable discovers Drew is keeping a big secret that is eating away at him, and the more time Drew and Fable spend together, the more the fake relationship begins to feel real.  Will Drew's secret push Fable away, or bring her closer?

Humble Opinion

Totally predictable story.  I guessed Drew's secret even before they got to his home.  And I guessed the step-mom's secret immediately.  The "hints" were pretty damn obvious.  I hope that's what Murphy was going for, but if it was supposed to be a "shocking twist"... it wasn't.  In the slightest.


Obviously I went into the book predicting that the fake relationship would blossom into a real relationship, because that's what always happens in stories, but something about it felt... lacking.  It was an incredibly easy read but I didn't feel like there were much depth to the characters or the story in general.  Everything was predictable and textbook "teen romance story".  It almost felt more like a detailed outline for how the story was going to go, and what certain points/secrets needed to be revealed, but then Murphy never added depth to it.  I felt like the story had more potential than the final published product.

Final say

If you want an easy read and a story that doesn't make you think too hard, then this is the book for you.  But there are much better stories about "people from two different worlds" falling in love with each other.  Plus it wasn't nearly as steamy and sexy as the book cover suggested.  Ultimately - pass.

"Ruined" by Paula Morris

Judge a book by its cover

The book looked cool.  That's why I picked it up.

Synopsis

Rebecca has to move to New Orleans for the school year to live with her aunt Claudia while her dad travels on business.  But as far as Rebecca is concerned, New Orleans might as well be a completely different planet with how different it is from her home New York.  Her aunt reads tarot cards for a living, she attends a snooty prep school were family names  and Mardi Gras mean everything, and her only friend is Lisette, who just so happens to be a ghost.  The ultimate question is - why can Rebecca see Lisette?

Humble Opinion

It was a fun ghost story.  New Orleans has always seemed like such a foreign and mystical place to me full of history and lore, so I was thrilled that this ghost story took place in New Orleans.  I feel like if ghosts do exist, then New Orleans is the ghost mecca!!

I enjoyed how cleverly Ruined was written.  I felt like I learned about New Orlean's past and culture, yet Paula Morris kept the story moving and didn't give everything a way in the beginning.  Morris wrote Ruined in such a way, that you had sudden "aha!" moments, yet you still didn't know everything.  She kept you guessing as to who was really good and bad up until the very end!  I really appreciated that.

Final say

Very interesting book!  If you like ghosts and mysteries, then you'll really like this book!

"Generation Dead" by Daniel Waters

Judge a book by its cover

I'm a YA fan AND a zombie fan (I LOVE "The Walking Dead"), so if you combine those two... of course I'm going to read it!  I mean, there's zombie cheerleader on the front cover, how could I not pick up this book?

Synopsis

In America, some teenagers who died, aren't staying dead.  But when they come back, they aren't the same people they were when they are alive - the first time.  The zombies, or the politically correct term "differently biotic", are trying their best to fit back in to a world that doesn't want them.

Phoebe finds herself falling for the cute boy in her algebra class - Tommy.  Only problem is, Tommy is a dead kid.  Not only will her best friend, Margi, and her neighbor, Adam, not approve, but society wouldn''t stand for it either.  Phoebe feels like there is more to the dead kids, especially Tommy, that people aren't willing to see.  So, she convinces Margi and Adam to join the Undead Studies group that their high school is offering, to learn more about the "differently biotic", from the dead kids themselves.  Adam, however, has feelings for Phoebe that run deeper than "just friendship".  He would do anything for her.  But does that include putting his own happiness aside to protect Tommy for Phoebe's sake?

Humble Opinion

Loved it.  It was funny, cute, and kept a great pace.  I didn't want to put it down, but I also didn't have "withdrawal" if I didn't read it as soon as I got home.  (Endless Knight anyone??)  It had a Twilight forbidden love feel to it (only much better written), yet it's easily able to stand on its own as not to be thought of as "another Twilight book".

Phoebe and Adam are very likable characters.  Their friendship seems a little odd since he's the football star and she's the "goth girl", but since they have been neighbors for years and Adam has a crush on Phoebe, I bought into it.  Tommy is... mysterious.  I wanted to like him, but at the same time he was a huge question mark for me because there is so much that you don't know about him.  Meanwhile, Margi is written as a realistically, annoying best friend that most people don't like, but for some reason you're friends with.  The other supporting characters - Karen (who I'm pretty sure is supposed to be the girl on the book cover), Pete, Thorny, Colette, etc - are nicely developed and definitely add welcomed layers to the story.

Final say

I really enjoyed the book!  So much so that I ordered the sequel, Kiss of Life (which I am reading right now), immediately after finishing the book.  I could see this as a Disney series (since Disney's Hyperion Books is the publisher), and I would totally watch it.  I think the book is able to appeal to tweens, Twilighters, zombie fans, and general YA fans.  It's a fun book for everyone!

"If You Could Be Mine" by Sara Farizan

Judge a book by its cover

My friend got me the book when he went to an industry book fair.  He told me, "It's not the usually 'vampire stuff' you like.  It's about lesbians in the Middle East, so I don't know if you'll like it".  The premise intrigued me, so I decided to give it a try.

Synopsis

Sahar and Nasrin are best friends and have been in love since they were six years old.  But Iran is a dangerous place for two girls to be in love.  The punishment could range from being beaten, imprisoned, or even death.  Sahar and Nasrin carry on in secret - until Nasrin's parents arrange a marriage for her.  Nasrin tries to convince Sahar that their secret affair with each other can continue on as before, but Sahar wants to love Nasrin exclusively, and openly.  In Iran, homosexuality is a crime, but if you're a man trapped in a woman's body - that's nature's mistake and a sex reassignment is legal and government approved.  As a man, Sahar wouldn't have to love Nasrin in secret anymore.  But Sahar must decide if this life altering change is worth the love of her life.

Humble Opinion

I am a huge gay rights supporter so this book really captivated me!  The thought of two people having to hide their love for one another because of their gender is sad enough, but the punishment for such love is government approved death?!  I found it fascinating that Iran is against homosexuality, but they are okay with sex changes...  That's so bizarre in my mind - that Iran believes God (or Allah) made a mistake by putting a man in a woman's body (or vice versa), and therefore allows such drastic changes to be made to something as holy as one of God's creations - the human body.  Woman can't show their hair or elbows in public because it's "sinful", but completely changing the physical appearance and gender of a body isn't??  Don't get me wrong, I'm all for people having a say about what happens to their bodies - if they want to have sex changes, or abortions, or full body tattoos, etc - that's totally their choice.  I just find the whole concept so weird and interesting.

If You Could Be Mine is so beautifully written.  The struggle that Sahar goes through with loving her best friend, Nasrin, even though it's forbidden; dealing with her best friend/love being betrothed to another and not fighting it, while she desperately tryies to find a way to be with Nasrin, even if it means being untrue to herself - it's all so heart wrenching.  Living in America, where arranged marriages don't really exist anymore, the thought of marrying someone you don't know or don't love, is so strange to me.  Even though the man that Nasrin is set up with seems like a great guy, the idea of two people who are in love, not being able to be together, is so depressing.  This book is like the anti-fairy tale.

Final say

It's a FABULOUS book!  I would recommend If You Could Be Mine to anyone - gay, straight, man, woman, black, white, etc.  It would be interesting to see a homophobic or ultra religious/Christian's view on this book.  I feel like it might open some eyes to the struggle of homosexuals.  I think it also gave me a little more insight to Muslim culture and the struggles that Muslim women face on a day to day basis.  Great book.  I loved it.

"Doing Harm" by Kelly Parsons

Judge a book by its cover

Plain and simple, but creative enough to catch my eye and the title is intriguing. 

Synopsis

Steve Mitchell is a talented resident surgeon.  As chief resident, he is in charge of making surgical medical students into doctors.  Currently under his wing are Luis, an ex-Marine, and Gigi, the best medical student the University has ever seen.  Steve has a promising future ahead of him at University Hospital, until his overconfidence in the operating room leads to a disastrous mistake.  But it seems one mistake occurs after another and it becomes clear that someone is playing a deadly game that Steve must stop before another patient dies needlessly.  Time is running out, and Steve doesn't find the killer's next victim, it's the end of his career, his marriage, and another patient's life.

Humble Opinion

I don't usually read "adult suspense" books, but I really enjoyed it!  Kelly Parsons is a doctor so when he writes about hospital life in "Doing Harm", you don't have to question the validity of the situations.  It was also helpful that Parsons puts things in layman terms for the reader as well.  There were a few times I felt a little confused about what was going on, but I don't feel like I missed anything important.

 

I found myself not being to decide if I liked Steve Mitchell or not.  Parsons wrote him in such a way that Steve felt like a real person, with flaws and a personality that not everyone would like.  Overall, I wanted Steve to win the game, but as person, I don't think I would have liked Steve if I were to actually meet him.

 

There were so many twists in the book that I didn't see coming!  I really enjoyed not being able to guess the ending!  

Final say

Great read!  Keeps you on the edge of your seat!  This isn't a book I would typically read, but I'm glad I did.  I could see it becoming a made-for-tv movie.

"Endless Knight" by Kresley Cole

I am in love with Kresley Cole! And I am obsessed with the Arcana Chronicles!!

Jack... I can't help it - I am madly in love with that Cajun.  His bad boy demeanor mixed with his vulnerable soft side that sneaks its way out... *melts*

*SPOILER ALERT:  Don't read the Humble Opinion if you don't want me to give away the book for you!*

Judge a book by its cover

The cover could have been covered in dog poop for all I cared!  I just wanted to read the sequel to Poison Princess!!!

Synopsis

It picks up right where Poison Princess ends.  Jack discovers that Evie isn't as innocent and sweet as he original thought, and he has some issues wrapping his head around that fact.

Matt, Finn, Selena, and Evie have decided to ally together (for now) to defeat Death, but other Arcana start making their appearances - Joules - the Tower; Gabriel - the Archangel; Tess - the World; Lark - the Mistress of Fauna; and Guthrie - the Hierophant - causing the ally to really question each other.  Meanwhile, Jack is left trying to figure out his feelings for Evie and if he handle being a part of a non-human group of kids who ultimately want to kill each other.

Jack and Evie finally admit their feelings for each other and just when everything seems to be going great for them - a betrayal causes Death to kidnap Evie.  At first, you hate Death; then you feel pity for him; then you kinda fall for him... In the end, Evie is left with a HUGE decision, one that won't end well for Jack, no matter which option she chooses.

Humble Opinion
I can't say this enough - OH MY GOD I LOVE THIS SERIES!!!  The emotional roller coaster that Cole takes the reader on is a perfect balance between frustration, swooning, and distrust.  I feel in love with Jack all over again in Endless Knight.  After every he sees, which causes his world to be thrown on its side, he still wants to love and protect Evie. 

And oh dear Lord does it get steamy!!  When Jack confronts Evie in the bathtub and they finally admit their feelings for each other and Jack can barely stop himself from pouncing on Evie... *growl*  And then when Evie and Jack FINALLY do it... Thank you Kresley Cole for actually staying with the sex instead of ending the chapter and letting me pretend how good/awkward/hot it was!!!  Cole touched perfectly on how uncomfortable it is for girls to lose their V-cards, but the way Jack handles it... I'm getting warm just thinking about that scene.

Then when Evie is ripped way from Jack, my heart breaks because they were finally happy and you know that Jack is going to go crazy trying to get to Evie.  But... once Evie is with Death, I found myself warming up to Death; especially after you find out about what Matt and Jack did to Evie.  Pretty soon,  I'm liking the idea of Death and Evie because Death isn't really that bad of guy.  But when you find out that the Empress and Death were married, and the Empress betrayed Death the night of their wedding...  you really want Death and Evie to be together!

I was SO TORN by the end of this book!  I love Jack.  I am OBSESSED with Jack.  I want to have Jack's babies.  However... I really began to like Death.  At first I felt sorry for him, but then... he grew on me, the same way he grew on Evie.  And everything seems to be going great for Death and Evie, and then... Jack gets kidnapped by the Lovers and Evie is now torn between sleeping with Death so he will help her save Jack (which is pretty much rape...) or to leave Jack to the Lovers - a fate worse than Death.

I NEED THE THIRD BOOK AND I NEED IT NOW!!

Final say

Endless Knight - I can't find the right adjective to describe how much I loved this book.  There is a lot of action and sexiness and emotional heartbreak.  It keeps you on your toes.  It does slow down, a little too much, when Evie is in Death's castle.  I understand what Cole was trying to show, but after ACTION-ACTION-ACTION-ACTION, you have a slight lull that is a little irritating.  Those few chapters of Evie trying to convince Death that she wasn't the old Empress and was different, felt like they dragged on a little, but I understand that Cole had to convey that Death wouldn't be convinced quickly or easily.  It just felt like the brakes were on, when I wanted the ride to continue at 90 miles an hour.  But Endless Knight finishes strong and makes me impatient for the third installment.  I'm sure I'll end up reading Endless Knight at least two more times before the next one comes out.

"Reached" by Ally Condie

Judge a book by its cover

I read the first two books of the Matched series, I had to read the conclusion.

Synopsis

Cassia finally reached the Rising with Ky, only to be sent back to Central to work for the Rising from the inside.  Meanwhile, Ky has to stay in the Outer Providences to train as a pilot for the Rising with Cassia's new friend, Indie.

Once the Plague breaks out, the Rising begins.  The Pilot makes himself known, and the Rising provides the cure for everyone in the Society.  The transition from Society control to the Rising seems to be going smoothly.  Cassia begins working with the Archivists so she can stay in touch with Ky.  While trading, Cassia discovers that there is a need for people to express themselves through art, poetry, and songs, so she starts the Gallery, where people can gather to show off their creations, something that was never allowed in the Society.

But things can't stay good for long, because the Plague mutates and the cure doesn't work anymore.  More and more people are being still, and without a cure, are beginning to die.  Indie goes "rogue" and picks up Cassia and Xander on her ship and brings them back to Camas where the Pilot and Ky are; however, she did it for the Pilot, not Ky.  

The Pilot takes Xander, Cassia, and Ky to the outer villages to find the cure for the mutation.  Xander because he's a physic and the Pilot believes he can find the cure; Cassia because he thinks she holds the secret to the cure; and Ky because he's the most recent victim on the mutation and they need fresh samples.

Of course, Cassia finds the missing clue that is needed to make the cure so Xander can make it and save Ky, and then the rest of Society.

Humble Opinion

I really enjoyed the first two books, Matched and Crossed, but Reached seemed to go really slow.  I think Crossed was the best because it kept you in suspense and you just wanted Ky and Cassia to get together and finally reach the Rising, but with Reached,  there isn't much that goes on.  There's a Plague, but it's taken care of rather quickly.  Ky wants to steal a ship and get Cassia, but he never does. A mutation happens, but not really exciting happens with it.  Even when Indie picks up Xander and Cassia and she takes them to Ky, it's not very eventful.  It doesn't get eventful until Xander is accused of destroying the cure and killing Oker that things become interesting, but even that doesn't very last long.

Final say

I felt like Reached was a disappointing conclusion to a great series.  The story had to be wrapped up, but it just seemed to drag out.  There is a lot of waiting and internal monologues in Reached, but no real action.  I really liked the series, but the last book was a snoozefest.

Read Matched and Crossed, but then just know that Ky and Cassia end up together, and Xander finds love with a new girl, Lei.  The end.