My Soul To Save by Rachel Vincent

My Soul to Save
Rachel Vincent
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date: December 29, 2009
Pages: 279

Rating: 4 stars

“If she were going to die, I’d already be screaming. I’m a banshee. That’s what we do.”

The last thing Kaylee needs right now is to be skipping school, breaking her dad’s ironclad curfew and putting her boyfriend’s loyalty to the test. But starry-eyed teens are trading their souls for a flickering lifetime of fame and fortune in exchange for eternity in the Netherworld — a consequence they can’t possibly understand. Kaylee can’t let that happen, even if trying to save their souls means putting her own at risk....

How I loved entering the wonderful world Rachel Vincent has created with the Soul Screamers again! My Soul To Save picks up Kaylee and Nash's story several weeks after where My Soul To Take left off, and draws you in just as quickly a book 1. My Soul To Save is a book filled with the fascinating lives of banshees/bean sidhes, romance and a bit of mystery.

Nash and Kaylee's relationship really grows in My Soul to Save. All those moments that seemed awkward in their relationship in book 1 are long gone. My Soul to Save wasn't as easy to connect with. I found myself connecting much more with all the characters in My Soul To Take, but I wasn't feeling for the popstars as much in My Soul to Save.

My Soul To Save really introduces you to more and more of the Bean Sidhe's power. That was simply fascinating. Along with learning about Bean Sidhe's power, you learn all about the world and Netherworld.

Overall, My Soul To Save is a wonderful continuation of My Soul To Save. It has me impatiently awaiting June, so My Soul to Keep can come out!

Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore

Magic Under Glass
Jaclyn Dolamore
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's Books
Release Date: December 22, 2009
Pages: 240

Rating: 4 stars

Nimira is a music-hall performer forced to dance for pennies to an audience of leering drunks. When wealthy sorcerer Hollin Parry hires her to do a special act - singing accompaniment to an exquisite piano-playing automaton, Nimira believes it is the start of a new life. In Parry's world, however, buried secrets stir. Unsettling below-stairs rumours abound about ghosts, a mad woman roaming the halls, and of Parry's involvement in a gang of ruthless sorcerers who torture fairies for sport. When Nimira discovers the spirit of a dashing young fairy gentleman is trapped inside the automaton's stiff limbs, waiting for someone to break the curse and set him free, the two fall in love. But it is a love set against a dreadful race against time to save the entire fairy realm, which is in mortal peril.

Jaclyn Dolamore debut novel is an enchanting historical romance with all the key components.

Dolamore's writing was terrific. I was swept into the world Magic Under Glass is set in within a few chapters and felt completely immersed in it right alongside the characters. It is a world that anyone would want to escape to. Nimira's voice was pleasant, and I continuously loved hearing the story.

The plot didn't quite live up to the expectations I had for it. You have this politically corrupted world on the verge of a fairy war of doom and a hopeless romance - sounds like a perfect setup for an amazing story. While I did love the story, I would've loved to have seen all that played up a bit more in the story. Hollin and his secrets played such a great role in upping the plot. Nimira is swept into his world, and she gets put in numerous dangerous situations.

The mix of characters in Magic Under Glass was great. You had characters all across the board, and they all surprised you in different ways. I loved the strength Dolamore put behind Nimira. She wasn't one to accept whatever life handed to her - she was going to get what she wanted and not just be pushed around.

Nimira and Erris's romance seemed a bit off. Nimira seemed to magically fall in love with this automan, without anything but him plunking out a few notes to communicate.

Magic Under Glass is an overall intriguing read. With it's gorgeous cover, spectacular characters, superb writing and charming world readers will find themselves caught up reading this excellent historical paranormal. Jaclyn Dolamore is definately an author to watch out for.

The Dark Divine by Bree Despain

The Dark Divine
Bree Despain
Publisher: Egmont USA
Release Date: December 22, 2009
Pages: 375

Rating: 5 stars

Grace Divine, daughter of the local pastor, always knew something terrible happened the night Daniel Kalbi disappeared--the night she found her brother Jude collapsed on the porch, covered in his own blood--but she has no idea what a truly monstrous secret that night held.

The memories her family has tried to bury resurface when Daniel returns, three years later, and enrolls in Grace and Jude's high school. Despite promising Jude she'll stay away, Grace cannot deny her attraction to Daniel's shocking artistic abilities, his way of getting her to look at the world from new angles, and the strange, hungry glint in his eyes.

The closer Grace gets to Daniel, the more she jeopardizes her life, as her actions stir resentment in Jude and drive him to embrace the ancient evil Daniel unleashed that horrific night. Grace must discover the truth behind the boy's dark secret...and the cure that can save the ones she loves. But she may have to lay down the ultimate sacrifice to do it--her soul.

Bree Despain has delivered a simply divine debut that readers will absolutely adore. It was absolutely addicting! The Dark Divine is mysterious and thrilling. As soon as I met Daniel, I was drawn in and couldn't put The Dark Divine down. There was something so daring about him, as if taunting to you discover everything about him.

I love how Bree Despain put twists on the story and the mythology to make it something original. As you were reading you started putting pieces together, and then Despain takes you off on an entirely different route than anything you've ever read before. It was absolutely fantastic!

The characters were all wonderfully written. They all had so much depth. I loved how you continously learn new things about characters, making them fresh and exciting the entire book. Daniel is 100% swoonworthy! The chemistry between Daniel and Grace was so much - I loved it.

The ending leaves readers begging for more! The Dark Divine is dark, edgy, romantic and original. It is a novel that will simply blow readers away! It is definately one of my favorites of the year!

Stupid Cupid by Rhonda Stapleton

Stupid Cupid
Rhonda Stapleton
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Release Date: December 22, 2009
Pages: 244

Rating: 4.5 stars

Felicity's no ordinary teen matchmaker...she's a cupid!
Felicity Walker believes in true love. That's why she applies for a gig at the matchmaking company Cupid's Hollow. But when Felicity gets the job, she learns that she isn't just a matchmaker...she's a cupid! (There's more than one of them, you know.)

Armed with a hot pink, tricked-out PDA infused with the latest in cupid magic (love arrows shot through email), Felicity works to meet her quota of successful matches. But when she bends the rules of cupidity by matching her best friend Maya with three different boys at once, disaster strikes. Felicity needs to come up with a plan to set it all right, pronto, before she gets fired?and before Maya ends up with her heart split in three.

This book is too cute! All while being hilarious and totally original. I also must make a comment on the cover now - isn't it absolutely adorable? I lurve it! Rhonda Stapleton definately put a new view of "cupids" out there. I really liked how a big part of the book was focused on Maya's romance, while leaving Felicty hoping for a romance of her own.

I loved the characters. They were all so fresh. Felicity, Maya and Andy were all different from each other, but you could tell the bonds of friendship that would hold them together. I also liked that Rhonda Stapleton didn't really use a lot of stereotypical characters.

The book was filled with so many laugh-out-loud moments! Some character was always getting into something. Poor Felicity, there was no end to her mother embarassing her. Gosh was it funny, but I would have dropped dead on the spot in a few of those situations!

I cannot wait to see where this series goes with books 2 and 3. I don't know where that will be, but I'm sure it'll be fabulous!

Nothing Like You by Lauren Strasnick

Nothing Like You
Lauren Strasnick
Release Date: October 20th, 2009
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 224

Rating: 4 stars

“You think he’s yours but he’s not, I thought. You think he’s yours but really he’s mine.”

When Holly loses her virginity to Paul, a guy she barely knows, she assumes their encounter is a one-night stand. After all, Paul is too popular to even be speaking to Holly, and he happens to have a long-term girlfriend, Saskia. But ever since Holly’s mom died six months ago, Holly has been numb to the world, and she’s getting desperate to feel something, anything—so when Paul keeps pursuing her, Holly relents. Paul’s kisses are a welcome diversion, and it’s nice to feel like the kind of girl that a guy like Paul would choose.

But things aren’t so simple with Saskia around. Paul’s real girlfriend is willowy and perfect… and nothing like Holly. To make matters worse, she and Holly are becoming friends. Suddenly the consequences of Holly’s choices are all too real, and Holly stands to lose more than she ever realized she had.

Nothing Like You is a fabulous debut that is a sweet, quick read. Nothing Like You was very well written! I really enjoyed the plot.

Holly was a great main character with something everyone can relate to - She's lost a parent, liked someone she shouldn't have, etc. All these things that have happened to her made her very real. Her being a great character didn't stop my urge to want to hit her over the head and knock some sense into her when she wouldn't stop seeing Paul. Paul drove me insane, which was the point. He was a slimy git! Nils was fantastic character. He was hilarious and sweet.

I wasn't quite satisfied with the end. I mean I know it wasn't going to be a happy happy, skip off into the sunset ending, but the ending to me just wasn't right. I was absolutely loving the book until the ending.

Nothing Like You was a fabulous debut with a pretty cover, and I cannot wait to see what Lauren Strasnick comes up with next.

My Invented Life by Lauren Bjorkman

My Invented Life
Lauren Bjorkman
Release Date: September 29, 2009
Publisher: Henry Holt
Pages: 240

Rating: 3.5 stars

With Roz and Eva everything becomes a contest—who can snag the best role in the school play, have the cutest boyfriend, pull off the craziest prank. Still, they’re as close as sisters can be. Until Eva deletes Roz from her life like so much junk e-mail for no reason that Roz understands. Now Eva hangs out with the annoyingly petite cheerleaders, and Roz fantasizes about slipping bovine growth hormone into their Gatorade.

Roz has a suspicion about Eva. In turn, Eva taunts Roz with a dare, which leads to an act of total insanity. Drama geeks clamor for attention, Shakespearean insults fly, and Roz steals the show in Lauren Bjorkman’s hilarious debut novel.

I really enjoyed My Invented Life. Being a theater child myself, it was very entertaining reading about book with the plot central to a play. The use of all the Shakespearean talk between characters was hilarious!

The story was cute, but wasn't one that had me flipping pages at an insane speed or loosing sleep. Parts of the story left me a bit uninterested. The were a few surprises in My Invented Life that had my jaw dropping!

Lauren Bjorkman does a fabulous job with her characters! All the characters bring something to the page. Roz is a likable protaganist and brings humor to every page. Jonathon was my favorite character of the book!

My Invented Life is great debut, with great characters, Shakespearean insults, and a cute storyline. It is definately one to keep you laughing!

Hold Still by Nina LaCour

Hold Still
Nina LaCour
Release Date: October 15, 2009
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Pages: 230

Rating: 4.5 Stars

An arresting story about starting over after a friend’s suicide, from a breakthrough new voice in YA fiction.
dear caitlin, there are so many things that i want so badly to tell you but i just can’t.

Devastating, hopeful, hopeless, playful . . . in words and illustrations, Ingrid left behind a painful farewell in her journal for Caitlin. Now Caitlin is left alone, by loss and by choice, struggling to find renewed hope in the wake of her best friend’s suicide. With the help of family and newfound friends, Caitlin will encounter first love, broaden her horizons, and start to realize that true friendship didn’t die with Ingrid. And the journal which once seemed only to chronicle Ingrid’s descent into depression, becomes the tool by which Caitlin once again reaches out to all those who loved Ingrid—and Caitlin herself.

Hold Still is a heartbreaking, beautiful novel about the touching story of Caitlyn and her struggle to deal with life after her best friend commits suicide. Hold Still was a book that simply comes alive. All the characters were so realistic. You hear their voices in your head as if they were standing next to you. The plot was great, but there were a few moments I was just confused as to why certain things came about. They seemed to come out of no where. Hold Still takes a few pages to really hook you in, but then a sense of need to keep reading at a ridiculous speed kicks in.

I loved how Nina LaCour has the book in sections by season. It served well as a marking period for Caitlyn's growth as she continues on in her struggle. You also get passages of Ingrid's diary along the way which adds so much to the story. You not only get what's going on in Caitlyn's world, but how Ingrid had seen that same world as well. There were so many moments that were simply heartbreaking, and had me tearing up. Nina LaCour's such a talented writer and her style was a joy to read.

Hold Still is a powerful debut that I'd highly recommend; it has a powerful message, beautiful characters, and a story worth reading. Nina LaCour is a talented new voice in the world of Young Adult literature.

Give Up the Ghost by Megan Crewe

Give Up the Ghost
Megan Crewe
Release Date: September 15, 2009
Publisher: Henry Holt
Pages: 244

Rating: 5 stars

Cass McKenna much prefers the company of ghosts over "breathers." Ghosts are uncomplicated and dependable, and they know the dirt on everybody... and Cass loves dirt. She's on a mission to expose the dirty secrets of the poseurs in her school.

But when the vice president of the student council discovers her secret, Cass's whole scheme hangs in the balance. Tim wants her to help him contact his recently deceased mother, and Cass reluctantly agrees.

As Cass becomes increasingly entwined in Tim's life, she's surprised to realize he's not so bad--and he needs help more desperately than anyone else suspects. Maybe it's time to give the living another chance...

I had been looking forward to Give Up the Ghost since I first heard about it! I wasn't exactly sure what to expect, but what I found I absolutely loved! I simply fell in love with the story and the characters. What a spectacular debut from Megan Crewe!

Give Up the Ghost had everything going for it! There was a bit of everything - humor, sadness, serious moments, happiness, and a bit of romance.

Right away I fell in love with the main character Cass. She was the outsider after an incident in middle school, and now is the opposite of her perfect sister. She was funny and powerful character, never afraid to speak her mind. Tim is another character you see an awful lot of, and I loved him as well. Tim's friends with Cass ex-best friend who was responsible for her becoming an outsider, so right away you see the tension towards Tim from Cass. There were times I really would've liked to see Tim open a bit more. Two other characters I really enjoyed were the 2 ghosts that "haunt" Cass's high school - Norris and Bitzy. They both cracked me up to no end, and brought so much to the story.

The whole plot of the story intrigued me. I loved hearing all the gossip the ghosts had to report. There were times I had no clue where the plot was going with its little twists and turns. One aspect I do wish Megan Crewe had explored a bit more was how Cass came to have her powers. You do find out, but a bit more would've been really interesting.

Give Up the Ghost is a book to be read when you have quite a bit of time to read, because let me tell you, it is quite the gripping page turner. I cannot wait for another book by Megan Crewe!

Never After by Dan Elconin

Never After
Dan Elconin
Release Date: October 20, 2009
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 320

Rating: 5 stars

There is no place like a dysfunctional home.

Leaving everything behind for the Island was Ricky's dream come true. When his happily ever after is not quite what it seems, he discovers that running away means running toward bigger problems.

Trapped on the Island, Ricky must join together with the only people he can trust to help him face his fears and return home. But the only way off the Island is to confront the person who trapped Ricky and his friends in the first place. With countless enemies and true peril staring them down, Ricky's mission to leave this so-called paradise will become a battle for their very lives.

Generally with books, within the first few pages you get a feel of how a book will be. With Never After, my initial thoughts were, "Wow, this'll be good!" but it outlived every expectation I had for it and more! Never After was so enjoyable because it was such a twist on the classic Peter Pan and was filled with loads of humor!

Never After is a book to keep you flipping pages at an insane speed, needing to know what'll happen next. Every page is jam packed with action, humor, adventure, and a bit of romance. I found myself laughing out loud at so many points in the book, especially whenever you found a twisted part of the classic.

Dan Elconin really mastered the art of making you feel as if you're in the story, standing right next to all the characters. I simply fell in love with all the characters! Mariah was my favorite character though. She was such a great character - you didn't get to know her all at once, rather you got a piece here, and a piece there along the way.

Reading Never After makes you feel like you can have an escape to The Island, along with Ricky, Nigel and the others. I cannot wait to see what Dan Elconin has planned next. If it's anything like Never After, it'll be amazing.

Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey

Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side
Beth Fantaskey
Release Date: February 1, 2009
Publisher: Harcourt
Pages: 351

Rating: 5 stars

The undead can really screw up your senior year . . .

Marrying a vampire definitely doesn't fit into Jessica Packwood's senior year "get-a-life" plan. But then a bizarre (and incredibly hot) new exchange student named Lucius Vladescu shows up, claiming that Jessica is a Romanian vampire princess by birth—and he's her long-lost fiancé. Armed with newfound confidence and a copy of Growing Up Undead: A Teen Vampire's Guide to Dating, Health, and Emotions, Jessica makes a dramatic transition from average American teenager to glam European vampire princess.
But when a devious cheerleader sets her sights on Lucius, Jess finds herself fighting to win back her wayward prince, stop a global vampire war—and save Lucius's soul from eternal destruction.

Debut author, Beth Fantaskey, delivers a spectacular book with a twist on dating a vampire. Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side is a book to keep you reading late into the night - I read straight through it!

The characters were fantastic! I loved Lucuis, right off the bat he gives a vibe that you shouldn't like him, but you cannot help yourself. Jess was your typical American girl. When she first saw Lucuis, she didn't just throw herself at Lucuis like a majority of girls would do.

Jess and Lucuis's relationship developed nicely. At first, there was resentment on both parts, but more with Jess. As time went on you saw both shed that resentment, and day by day grow closer and eventually fall in love.

Lucuis writes letter to his uncle throughout the book, and every one had me laughing. The letters also allow you to see Lucuis grow as a character, and grow away from the duty he was entrusted and turn it to love for Jess.

The ending was adorable, and left me wanting more (though it's totally satisfying as a stand-alone novel too)! I cannot wait for more from Beth Fantaskey.

The Everafter by Amy Huntley

The Everafter
Amy Huntley
Release Date: September 29, 2009
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 256

Rating: 5 stars

Madison Stanton doesn't know where she is or how she got there. But she does know this--she is dead. And alone, in a vast, dark space. The only company she has in this place are luminescent objects that turn out to be all the things Maddy lost while she was alive. And soon she discovers that with these artifacts, she can re-experience--and sometimes even change--moments from her life: Her first kiss. A trip to Disney World. Her sister's wedding. A disastrous sleepover.

In reliving these moments, Maddy learns illuminating and sometimes frightening truths about her life--and death.

The Everafter is a totally unique book that's not quite like anything else I've ever read. Amy Huntley draws you in with her first sentence, "I'm Dead" and doesn't let you go, only sucks you in further and further.

It was such an interesting concept of after death - going back and reliving moments of objects you lost. Every object Madison found you were thrown into a random point in her life - you never knew which part of her life you'd be headed to next. Through these moments, you really get to know Madison and you see who shaped her life. All the secondary characters give you a clue as to who Madison is and why she is that way. The secondary characters were all extremely well written. Amy Huntley's creativity shows through on every page.

The scenes with Maddy and Gabe were my favorite. Every scene with the 2 of them was perfect, never being too much.

The only thing I really would have liked to know is answers to a few questions that arise during the book.

Overall this was a stunning debut from an author I will be watching to see what she comes up with next!

Lipstick Apology by Jennifer Jabaley

Lipstick Apology
Jennifer Jabaley
Release Date: August 6, 2009
Publisher: Razorbill
Pages: 286

Rating: 4 stars

Sometimes a good-bye is just the beginning…
When Emily Carson’s parents die in a plane crash, she’s left with nothing but her mother’s last words scrawled in lipstick on a tray table: “Emily, please forgive me.”

Now it’s fall and Emily moves to New York City— where she attracts the attention of two very different boys: the cute, popular Owen, and her quirky chemistry partner, Anthony. With the help of some surprising new friends, Emily must choose between the boy who helps her forget and the one who encourages her to remember, and ultimately heal.

Debut author Jennifer Jabaley has written a wonderful, feel-good romantic comedy with real emotional depth. Full of lovably wacky characters, Lipstick Apology is a heartwarming story about the true meaning of forgiveness.

This was a really great read! It was a book I had trouble putting down at certain points. Lipstick Apology was full of humorous moments and sad moments all with an element of suspense. It was a book that was heartbreaking, and heartlifting at the same time. You had no clue what the message left by Emily's mother meant. With the premise and plot of the book, I just was expecting a little more. To me, if my mother had died and left me a message saying forgive me, I would search until I knew. Emily did little to nothing for the first section, then towards the end searched for the answer with a bit more work. Nonetheless, this was still a good read.

My favorite scenes of the books were the ones with Jolie, Trent, and Emily. They were just so entertaining to read. The scenes with Anthony were among my favorites as well. Anthony just lit up all the scenes he was in.

I loved the characters. You had Emily - the girl who's lost her parents and thrust into life in NYC, Jolie - the aunt who now has to adjust to raising her sister's kid, Trent - Jolie's friend, Andi and Lindsay - the two popular girls, Lindsay being the nicer of the two, and many more! Jolie's position was portrayed so well. You saw her not know exactly what to do and adjusting majorly to life with someone else you're responsible for and living with you. I absolutely loved her! Trent was just a laugh the entire time and was my favorite character of the book. Anthony was the sweet guy - the one Emily's blind too. I would've loved to see him a bit more throughout the book. Emily was a bit too much on both ends of the scale at times, but she grew on me as the novel went on.

Lipstick Apology overall was a great debut by Jennifer Jabaley and I cannot wait to see what she comes up with next!

The Demon's Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan

The Demon's Lexicon
Sarah Rees Brennan
Release Date: June 2, 2009
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry
Pages: 336

Rating: 4 stars

Nick and his brother, Alan, have spent their lives on the run from magic. Their father was murdered, and their mother was driven mad by magicians and the demons who give them power. The magicians are hunting the Ryves family for a charm that Nick's mother stole -- a charm that keeps her alive -- and they want it badly enough to kill again.
Danger draws even closer when a brother and sister come to the Ryves family for help. The boy wears a demon's mark, a sign of death that almost nothing can erase...and when Alan also gets marked by a demon, Nick is des-perate to save him. The only way to do that is to kill one of the magicians they have been hiding from for so long.

Ensnared in a deadly game of cat and mouse, Nick starts to suspect that his brother is telling him lie after lie about their past. As the magicians' Circle closes in on their family, Nick uncovers the secret that could destroy them all.

This is the Demon's Lexicon. Turn the page.

The Demon's Lexicon took a bit to really pick up. For the first 200 pages, there was some action, but I found myself bored at times. It took me awhile to read, because I kept putting it down.

The plot Brennan spins is amazing! It didn't really pick up for a bit, but even in the down time she builds the plot for what comes later. There's so many twists and turns, I never had a clue what would happen next.

So many of the characters in The Demon's Lexicon, you would think you have them figured out, then a few chapters later they'd do something to make you completely flip your opinion. Mae was my favorite character of the book, I don't think she necessarily was the best written character but she just had an air about her. Alan and Nick were strong characters - as times they played off each others weaknesses. Jamie, overall, was just an entertaining character throughout the entire book.

The ending was a total shocker! And the events that lead to it were surprising as well! For the last chunk of the book, I found myself flipping pages and sucked in. The ending set up such a perfect road for an awesome sequel! I'll definately be picking up the sequel to see how the story continues!

Never Cry Werewolf by Heather Davis

Never Cry Werewolf
Heather Davis
Release Date: September 1, 2009
Publisher: Harper Teen
Pages: 224

Rating: 4 stars

Shelby’s summer plans go totally awry when her horrible stepmother sends her off to “brat camp” as punishment for one too many broken curfews. Camp is full of spoiled rich kids, obnoxious counselors wanting Shelby to talk about her feelings, and a totally inhumane “no cell phones” policy.

Things start looking up, though, when Shelby meets fellow camper (and son of a rock star) Austin Bridges III. But soon she realizes there’s more to Austin than crush material—his family has a dark secret, and he wants Shelby’s help guarding it. Shelby knows that bad boys get her into trouble…but who is she to turn her back on a guy in need, especially such a good-looking one?

Heather Davis’s debut novel mixes together irresistible characters, a pesky full moon, and a delicious taste of the supernatural.

Never Cry Werewolf was a fast-paced, enjoyable read! It was your typical "my mom's died, and now I have a stepmother who I do whatever I can to annoy and my stepmother has no great feelings for me either" situation. It was a cute and short book! I couldn't put it down!

Some of the characters weren't as developed as they could of been, but were easy to relate too. I just felt like you never got to know any of the characters real well. The variety in characters was entertaining. All these kids are at "brat camp" so there was such a mix. You had Charles the gossip and one who has to be in everyone's business and Ariel who was kind of quiet and unsure. Mr. Winters was way out there, and the places he showed up in the book were really entertaining. Cynthia, or "Guitar Lady" was another really entertaining character. She was the counselor you would associate with a "brat camp" and everything about her was just overall entertaining.

I felt like Austin barely knew Shelby, and he had already told her he was a werewolf. It felt almost like "Hi! I'm a werewolf! Nice to meet you!" I just didn't feel the relationship there grow and develop enough for me to understand why Austin would tell the secret he's only told 1 person ever.

Austin and Shelby's relationship was one of my favorite parts of the book, but I didn't feel like it had enough base to grow from.

The end was definately one of the endings that make you go "Aw!" It was so cute, and I loved it.

The cover is gorgeous with the girl and the moon. I thought it was cute that they have her wearing a red hoodie - you know Little Red Riding Hood and the wolf.

I definately cannot wait to see what Heather Davis comes up with next! *Do I smell a sequel?*

Willow by Julia Hoban

Willow
Julia Hoban
Release Date: April 2, 2009
Publisher: Dial
Pages: 329

Rating: 5 stars

Seven months ago, on a rainy March night, sixteen year- old Willow’s parents died in a horrible car accident. Willow was driving. Now her older brother barely speaks to her, her new classmates know her as the killer orphan girl, and Willow is blocking the pain by secretly cutting herself. But when one boy—one sensitive, soulful boy—discovers Willow’s secret, it sparks an intense relationship that turns the “safe” world Willow has created for herself upside down.
Told in an extraordinary fresh voice, Willow is an unforgettable novel about one girl’s struggle to cope with tragedy, and one boy’s refusal to give up on her.

With her debut novel, Julia Hoban blows away readers with a gripping story full of emotion, truth, and what could be real life experiences. Willow blames herself for the accident that happened months ago, and expresses and releases the guilt she feels through cutting herself.

Willow is written in 3rd person, and at first it distracted me from the book. But after a few chapters, it made the story so much more raw and emotional and definately suited the book. It made the writing almost detached, and Willow is dealing with so many emotions and so detached herself.

The first page Guy walked into the story, you could feel the romance that would happen between Guy and Willow. The journey and build up to that romance was so sweet, open, and honest. Guy was such a well-rounded character. The fact he cares about Willow and what she's doing to herself, all the while taking action to help her was great. I can relate to some of his emotions he felt towards Willow in regards to her cutting herself, as one of my best friends took up the same escape. I don't think a lot of people realize the seriousness of the issue. As a narrator, Willow was interesting. Hearing her story and emotions she feels toward everything was really enlightening. Julia Hoban nails what I'd assume the emotions that would be going through a sixteen year old's head in that situation.

The end was so sweet. It's not exactly what readers are thinking will happen. This was a book I was addicted to, especially needing to know how it would end.

While Willow deals with such a intense plot, it's not depressing. It's full of hope that Guy expresses towards Willow and helping her through that point in her life. I cannot wait to see what Julia Hoban comes up with next.

Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

Twenty Boy Summer
Sarah Ockler

Rating: 5 stars

"Don't worry, Anna. I'll tell her, okay? Just let me think about the best way to do it."
"Okay."
"Promise me? Promise you won't say anything?"
"Don't worry." I laughed. "It's our secret, right?"

According to her best friend Frankie, twenty days in ZanzibarBay is the perfect opportunity to have a summer fling, and if they meet one boy ever day, there's a pretty good chance Anna will find her first summer romance. Anna lightheartedly agrees to the game, but there's something she hasn't told Frankie---she's already had that kind of romance, and it was with Frankie's older brother, Matt, just before his tragic death one year ago.

Beautifully written and emotionally honest, this is a debut novel that explores what it truly means to love someone and what it means to grieve, and ultimately, how to make the most of every single moment this world has to offer.

This may have been Sarah Ockler's first novel, but all I can say is holy debut! Twenty Boy Summer was incredible! Sarah Ockler writes a touching story about tragic loss, friendship, love, and summer romance. Ockler really touched all aspects of life that are meaningful to people. Matt lingers in every conversation even when not being discussed.

Anna, the main character, was so real. Her wave of emotions were all so deep that one must wonder how Sarah Ockler wrote such a wonderful character. Throughout the entire book, I found myself feeling for Anna, especially when dealing with the grief Anna felt. As the novel went on, you could see Anna changing, starting to move on. As changes progressed, I found myself more and more drawn to Anna. Her best friend, Frankie, changed in different ways - more as a cover for that emormous pool of grief she's feeling. The two girls were so different and unique, making reading about each that much more alluring.

I absolutely loved the cover! When I first picked up the book, I had no clue what it meant, and within a few chapters I could completely connect with what the cover symbolized. That made me love the cover that much more.

I cannot wait to see what ideas Sarah Ockler comes up with next!