Review: How My Summer Went Up in Flames

Title: How My Summer Went Up in Flames

Author: Jennifer Salvato Doktorski

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Publication date: May 7th 2013

Format: ebook

Genre: YA | Contemporary

Goodreads

First she lost her heart. Then she lost her mind. And now she’s on a road trip to win back her ex. This debut novel’s packed with drama and romance!

Rosie’s always been impulsive. She didn’t intend to set her cheating ex-boyfriend’s car on fire. And she never thought her attempts to make amends could be considered stalking. So when she’s served with a temporary restraining order on the first day of summer vacation, she’s heartbroken—and furious.

To put distance between Rosie and her ex, Rosie’s parents send her on a cross-country road trip with responsible, reliable neighbour Matty and his two friends. Forget freedom of the road, Rosie wants to hitchhike home and win back her ex. But her determination starts to dwindle with each passing mile. Because Rosie’s spark of anger? It may have just ignited a romance with someone new…

My thoughts:

I think this read was probably one of the most charming I've ever come across. I don't usually describe books that way but the characters all had such likeable personalities that I couldn't help but think 'awww,bless' every time they spoke. Apart from one or two that I wasn't supposed to like of course.

I liked this read for what it was. It was funny and it was cute. It was about revenge on a cheating ex, a road trip and figuring out where you want life to take you at the end of high school. That was pretty much it. Apart from the romantic drama and the event that gave the book it's title, there was nothing at all hugely exciting happening but the everyday thoughts and feelings of a girl trying to figure herself out.

My favourite thing about this book is definitely the characters. Rosie was so well rounded - she had this great feistiness to her but she also doubted herself where she needed to. She came to rely on her friends where she didn't before and because they were so great, it made her a better person. Plus, Logan was hot :D

Overall I think this is a great, quick and sometimes hilarious read for the summer.

My rating: 7/10

Jennifer Salvato Doktorski:

Goodreads 

Review: Demonic Dora by Claire Chilton

Title: Demonic Dora

Author: Claire Chilton

Publisher: Ragz Books

Publication date: June 30th 2013

Format: ebook | Netgalley

Genre: Paranormal

Goodreads

SHE'S FINALLY MANAGED TO SUMMON HER FIRST DEMON...

Dora Carridine is trying to summon a demon, but she's not very good at Latin and nothing ever works out the way she plans.

Her life is fraught with weekly exorcisms and having to watch her father’s fire and brimstone TV show every Sunday. So, when Dora finally succeeds in summoning an incompetent demon lord, she’s absolutely delighted when all hell breaks loose.

She thought summoning a sexy demon lord would be the answer to all of her problems, but her problems are only just beginning when her zealot parents try to burn her at the stake, and Dora is left with only one option—to escape and follow her demon straight into Hell.

My thoughts:

I don't really have much to say about this one so it's probably going to end up a really short review.

I can honestly say a lot of people will hate this read. I only started reading it thinking it looked like a lot of fun and to be honest, it was.

There were no complicated plot twists, it was predictable and the writing was about average in my opinion. But it was so funny. I really loved the interaction between Dora and Kieron - sometimes it was so ridiculous I would read over a couple of pages just because it made me smile every time. 

It may not be the best read, but I honestly do recommend this one if you want a good laugh.

My rating: 6/10

Claire Chilton:

Goodreads | Website | Blog | Twitter

Review: Two-Way Street by Lauren Barnholdt

Title: Two-Way Street

Author: Lauren Barnholdt

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Publication date: June 2007

Format: ebook

Genre: YA | Contemporary | Romance

Goodreads

There are two sides to every breakup.

This is Jordan and Courtney, totally in love. Sure, they were an unlikely high school couple. But they clicked; it worked. They're even going to the same college, and driving cross-country together for orientation.

Then Jordan dumps Courtney -- for a girl he met on the Internet.

It's too late to change plans, so the road trip is on. Courtney's heartbroken, but figures she can tough it out for a few days. La la la -- this is Courtney pretending not to care.

But in a strange twist, Jordan cares. A lot.

Turns out, he's got a secret or two that he's not telling Courtney. And it has everything to do with why they broke up, why they can't get back together, and how, in spite of it all, this couple is destined for each other.

My thoughts:

This is another read that I won't have much to say about since I pretty much found it average. There was a definite mix of things I liked and things I didn't like.

The characters are a great example of what I mean. I loved Jordan. I thought he was really open with his thoughts and feelings, especially when reading from his perspective. I liked how he changed when Courtney came into the picture and how he did his best with what he was given. He was a really relatable character that had both strengths and flaws. However, I had a hard time liking Courtney. Sometimes I felt like I didn't have enough time to and other times I thought she was just all over the place as a character - just when I thought I understood her personality to be a little, shall we say, quiet or a person who keeps to herself, she would do something completely the opposite and start screaming hysterically at someone for nothing especially. I just found it hard to relate to her at times.

 

The thing I really had a hard time with was the plot. The pace wasn't great. It started off really slow and started to speed up as I read on. Eventually it went too quickly for my taste, especially for this kind of book - when I finished the book I was really unhappy with the way things turned out. They didn't seem resolved at all and that really frustrated me.

 

Overall I thought it was okay. It was definitely a quick read and I don't regret picking it up but it's not one to go on my favourites list. Of course it's just my opinion so I would encourage you to give it a go if it sounds like your cup of tea. 

 

My rating: 5/10

 

Lauren Barnholdt:

Goodreads | Website 

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Chameleon by Kelly Oram

Title: Chameleon

Author: Kelly Oram

Series: Supernaturals #1

Publisher: Bluefields

Publication date: June 25th 2013

Format: ebook

Genre: YA | Paranormal

Goodreads

 

For small-town rebel Dani Webber magic and monsters are no more real than the Easter Bunny… until the day she accidentally stops time. Dani quickly discovers that not only do supernaturals exist, but she herself is one of them. This is great news for her life-long best friend Russ, who can finally come clean about his own supernatural status and his undying love for her. Before the two can start to enjoy the long overdue relationship, Dani is taken by a powerful council of supernaturals who believe she is the Chosen One destined to save them from extinction. 

As if being kidnapped and expected to save the world isn’t bad enough, an ancient prophecy warns of the Chosen One’s dark nature: “Only the truest love will keep her an agent for good.” The council believes they know who this “true love” is and, unfortunately, that person isn’t Russ. The mysterious, powerful and devastatingly handsome Seer is the last person Dani wants in her life, but when she starts having visions of a horrific future, she has no one else to turn to for help. 

Soon Dani finds herself torn between two very different boys with two very different opinions of whom she can trust. With the visions getting worse and time running out, Dani is forced to put aside her feelings and work with both the Seer and Russ before an ancient evil is unleashed upon the earth.

My thoughts:

I normally don't go for love triangles. They never seem to work in my favour and a lot of the story is always taken up by who the main character is going to choose as their ultimate love interest. I felt that this one was kind of obvious though so I was in safe waters. 

To get all the bad stuff out of the way I thought this read was a lot longer than it needed to be. Some of the arguments and events going on were repeated a lot, especially when it came to the love interests. It got a little repetitive and therefore, it frustrated me a little. I also didn't like Russ…at all. I thought he was great at first but he became too much after a while. 

Aside from that I really enjoyed the story. I thought it was incredibly fast paced with no dull moments. The plot took no time at all to start moving forward and kept up with the pace. I was always turning pages and struggled to put this down so a definite good sign!

Aside from Russ I loved the characters. I thought Dani was a perfect mix of vulnerable and the strong heroine we all seem to love in books. Gabriel was intriguing to say the least. He definitely played the part of the mysterious character very well. I couldn't wait to find out all I could about him and what his motives were.

Overall I liked the story and enjoyed reading this one. I would recommend it to fans of the paranormal genre if you can handle a love triangle.

My rating: 7/10

You can find out more about this blog tour here.

Kelley Oram:

Goodreads | Blog | Twitter | Facebook

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Tempest's Legacy by Nicole Peeler

Title: Tempest's Legacy

Author: Nicole Peeler

Series: Jane True #3

Publisher: Orbit

Publication date: 01 Sep 2011

Format: Paperback - 336 pages

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Goodreads

Jane True feels she's finally been accepted in small-town Rockabill. To get there, she's had to face up to her supernatural heritage…but mastering her powers over water has turned out to be a whole lotta fun. Her good mood is shattered, however, when she is brought some shocking news.

Someone has been carrying out a series of gruesome attacks on females - both supernatural and human - in her area. After demanding to help investigate, Jane finds herself confronting her darkest nightmares as well as her deepest desires. And she's not sure which she finds more frightening.

My thoughts:

I've been in love with this series since the first Jane True book and this one was no exception. Most of all I just love how there's a big mix of everything I love in a book. There's witty one liners, amazing characters and lots of action with some romance thrown in. 

 

The characters are so loveable. I loved how Jane really came into her own in this book - she's steadily changing as the series goes on, becoming stronger and more sure of herself. I'm a huge fan of a lot of character development, especially in a series. I find it so easy to get bored of a protagonist if they stay the same throughout 6 books or so - change makes a character relatable if it's done right and I thought Jane was reacting to change perfectly.

 

I also really, really loved Anyan. That's a whole lot of man right there. I found him to be so much more mysterious than ever in this book and that's saying something. I especially love the way he interacts with people he cares about. With Jane he just melts my heart - he's just so considerate of her feelings as well as being the protective type. Anyan is just yummy.

 

As for the plot, it was also amazing. There wasn't a dull moment reading this book whether it be for all the action or romantic drama. One of the easiest ways to tell whether or not I really love a book is simply by knowing I want to read it again as soon as I finish it. I honestly finished this book wanting to start it all over again I loved it so much.

 

Overall I recommend this book to fans of urban fantasy. If you haven't read this series yet then I strongly urge you to start it - you won't be disappointed.

 

My rating: 10/10

 

Nicole Peeler:

Goodreads | Website | Twitter | Facebook

 

Books in the series:

1. Tempest Rising
2. Tracking the Tempest
3. Tempest's Legacy
4. Eye of the Tempest
5. Tempest's Fury
6. Tempest Reborn

Review and giveaway: Suddenly Beautiful by Boone Brux

Title: Suddenly Beautiful

Author: Boone Brux

Publisher: Entangled

Publication date: June 2013

Format: ebook

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Amazon | Goodreads | B&N

Being the son of Aphrodite isn’t a walk in the clouds. Rebelling against his demi-god status, billionaire make-up mogul Toraos Stephanos fights to separate his personal life and the immortal world by swearing off demi-god girlfriends forever. Too bad his newest employee can’t take the hint.

Though Nikki secretly pines for her smoking hot boss, no way will she jeopardize her job and independence professing her love to a guy so clearly out of her league. Too bad that leaves her with only imagining him naked and thinking evil thoughts about the new girl.

After a single bottle of Ambrosia and one night of passion… Nikki finally thinks she has a chance with the man of her dreams. But the next morning, Tor pretends like nothing happened, leaving Nikki with an emerging drive for combat—after all, turns out she is the daughter of Ares and she’s about to make her mama proud.

All is fair in love and war… and Nikki’s not about to let anyone forget it.

My thoughts:

This is a great read for a little bit of fun. I didn't start reading with any huge expectations of complicated plots and big secrets - I wanted a cute read with a little quick romance. And that's what I got.

 

I liked that this read had a little of everything. It had enough of the Gods and Goddesses aspect to satisfy my curiosity, romance and quite a bit of humour thrown in. 

 

The characters were endearing. Nikki was sweet half the time and feisty the other half so she had a nice well rounded personality to keep me interested. Tor was just hot. I loved the fact he couldn't figure out his own feelings until he was pushed into it. It gave him a little vulnerability which made him relatable in my opinion - not just a bachelor wanting his next fling. 

 

As for the plot, like I mentioned before, it's not amazing. I think people will like this read if they want to read it for the romance which is its main focus. It's really predictable but at the same time I still enjoyed reading about what happened with the characters anyway. 

 

Just as a side note, I loved Ares, he was hilarious.

 

My rating: 6/10

 

 

As a multi-published and an award winning author, Boone's writing drips with experiences from real life.

 

Addicted to anything that might make a good story, she weaves tales that range from dark fantasy to humorous romance. Settled in the icy regions of Alaska with the love of her life and twin daughters, it's not uncommon to find her tapping away on her iPad on a windy beach or the barren tundra.

 

Be warned, anyone and everything is fodder for one of Boone's novels.

 

Goodreads | Website | Twitter | Facebook

 

Onto the giveaway! This giveaway is open to the US only and offers an Amazon gift card worth $25.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness

Title: Shadow of Night

Author: Deborah Harkness

Series: All Souls Trilogy #2

Publisher: Headline

Publication date: 14th Feb 2013

Format: Paperback | 672 pages

Genre: Fantasy | Paranormal | Historical | Romance

Goodreads

IT BEGAN WITH A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES

Historian Diana Bishop, descended from a line of powerful witches, and long-lived vampire Matthew Clairmont have broken the laws dividing creatures. When Diana discovered a significant alchemical manuscript, she sparked a struggle in which she became bound to Matthew. Now the fragile coexistence of witches, daemons, vampires and humans is dangerously threatened. Seeking safety, Diana and Matthew travel back in time to London, 1590. But they soon realise that the past may not provide a haven...

My thoughts:

I'd been waiting for a while for this book and I have to say, I loved it even more than the first book in the trilogy, A Discovery of Witches.

The only problem I had was that i had to keep stopping and starting again since I'm doing exams at the minute. I literally had to read this a few chapters a day so as you can imagine it took a while longer than what I would've liked. 

I immediately got sucked back into Deborah's descriptive, heavily detailed writing and loved every second of it. Especially since this book has the aspect of time-travelling added to it - the way London was described and the differences between the times mentioned in the book were excellent and beyond captivating.

Of course I fell in love with the characters all over again. I really thought Diana came into her own in this book and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of following her schooling as a weaver/witch. Diana became such a well rounded character by the end of the book, full of depth which I found wonderful. I felt the same way about Matthew if not more so. I can't believe how many secrets were revealed about his past in this book - one or two huge ones as well that you will not expect. I didn't think I could like Matthew any more than I did already but I was wrong. They both work so well together.

As for the new characters introduced I found it really hard to remember who was who for the most part. There were definitely a few who stuck out, but the rest seemed a little too inconsequential. The characters who I did know and love were amazing. They had such distinct personalities and I loved the part they played in Matt and Diana's story.

The plot was delicious. There are so many different aspects to consider in this book that I wouldn't be surprised if I read it again and found I missed out on a whole lot. It's definitely one of those complicated story lines. Can't wait to see what happens after this.

My rating: 8/10

Deborah Harkness:

Goodreads | Website | Facebook | Twitter