Category: Contemporary

After by: Anna Todd

12/21/2014

After by: Anna Todd
Synopsis: Tessa is a good girl with a sweet, reliable boyfriend back home. She's got direction, ambition, and a mother who's intent on keeping her that way. But she’s barely moved into her freshman dorm when she runs into Hardin. With his tousled brown hair, cocky British accent, tattoos, and lip ring, Hardin is cute and different from what she’s used to.

But he's also rude - to the point of cruelty, even. For all his attitude, Tessashould hate Hardin and she does — until she finds herself alone with him in his room. Something about his dark mood grabs her, and when they kiss it ignites within her a passion she’s never known before.

He’ll call her beautiful, then insist he isn’t the one for her and disappear again and again. Despite the reckless way he treats her, Tessa is compelled to dig deeper and find the real Hardin beneath all his lies. He pushes her away again and again, yet every time she pushes back, he only pulls her in deeper.

Tessa already has the perfect boyfriend. So why is she trying so hard to overcome her own hurt pride and Hardin’s prejudice about nice girls like her?

Unless… could this be love?

Alright, its review time!!

What. the. absolute. heck. did. I. just. read?

**DISCLAIMER. I read the Wattpad version of this novel so some of these names and event may be different then what is in the actual paperback version. Also this review is very angry so if you like this book... I recommend that you move along.)

I have lots of friends who have read or who are currently reading this book and all they do is talk about how perfect it is and how obsessed they are with it blah blah blah blah. I decided I would give it a try and I honestly believe that my IQ has dropped a few points just from reading it. One of the worst books I've read this year. I honestly don't even know where to start. If this book wasn't on my iPad I would seriously burn it.

Let us start with Tessa. One of my friends said that I reminded her of Tessa and now I am seriously starting to worry about what I'm like as a person. I hope they were just referring to the fact that she is smart and studies a lot because this chick is a mess. She may be book smart but is lacking in the street smart department. She doesn't think about anyone but herself and doesn't think about anything that she says or does before she acts. Don't get me wrong, I understand having insecurities in a relationship. A big part of having any sort of relationship with someone is to be able to trust the other person and saying that it was sometimes difficult to trust Harry is an understatement. But this girl.... she was just so clingy all the time!! It was good that she stood up for herself (sometimes) but when ever Harry wouldn't give her what she wanted she would freak out and start screaming and crying. and my God can that girl cry. There were 100 chapters in this book and swear that 67 of those chapters contained her crying at something. I just felt like she was so helpless.

Harry...... I don't even know what to say about him. He was horrible. Like horrible with a capital H. I get he had daddy issues and that he struggled with it but that does NOT give you a reason to treat everyone around you like crap. I don't care if you're moody, hungry, or just insecure it is not okay to treat someone that you supposedly "love" the way Harry treated Tessa. If I was Tessa I would booted him out the door in seconds. And how many times did the two of them fight in this book. I swear, every single chapter included them fighting (Tessa was crying of course) and then them having make up sex and then its all rainbows and sunshine. Harry was constantly taking advantage of Tessa and her insecurities. I wanted to just swoop in, rescue her and teach her some self respect because GIRL YOU DESERVE SO MUCH BETTER. And the fact that Harry's solution to everything was sex. Tessa is crying? Sex. Tessa is stressed out for work? Sex. He is stressed out AT A WEDDING? Sex. They are out of groceries? Let just have sex. every. minute. of. the. entire. book. I honestly just felt like the author was just trying to shock us with how dirty she could make everything. It wasn't romantic what so ever and it had be skipping large parts of the book.

All I know is that now I need to find a nice way to tell my friends that I think they are all lunatics. Thank you goodreads for letting me vent. IF YOU VALUE YOUR SANITY DO NOT READ THIS BOOK. At this point you couldn't pay me to read the next two books. Just no.

**Small side note, this author can't write. Every sentence was "He made me angry." "He made me want to cry." Tessa is happy. Tessa is sad. And I swear to goodness if that girl makes one more comment about how Harry smells good I'm gonna punch someone.

Happy reading nerds and sound off in the comments with your opinion on this novel!

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Love and Other Unknown Variables by: Shannon Lee Alexander

10/7/2014

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Scientifically, I know beginnings don't exist. The world is made of energy, which is neither created or destroyed. Everything she is was here before me. Everything she was will remain. Her existence touches both my past and my future at one point- infinity.
Lifelines aren't lines at all. They are more like circles.
Its safe to start anywhere and the story will curve its way back to the starting point. Eventually.
In other words, it doesn't matter where I begin. It doesn't change the end.

Love and other Unknown Variables by: Shannon Lee Alexander
Synopsis: Charlie Hanson has a clear vision of his future. A senior at Brighton School of Mathematics and Science, he knows he’ll graduate, go to MIT, and inevitably discover solutions to the universe’s greatest unanswered questions. He’s that smart. But Charlie’s future blurs the moment he reaches out to touch the tattoo on a beautiful girl’s neck.

The future has never seemed very kind to Charlotte Finch, so she’s counting on the present. She’s not impressed by the strange boy at the donut shop—until she learns he’s a student at Brighton where her sister has just taken a job as the English teacher. With her encouragement, Charlie orchestrates the most effective prank campaign in Brighton history. But, in doing so, he puts his own future in jeopardy.

By the time he learns she's ill—and that the pranks were a way to distract Ms. Finch from Charlotte’s illness—Charlotte’s gravitational pull is too great to overcome. Soon he must choose between the familiar formulas he’s always relied on or the girl he’s falling for (at far more than 32 feet per second squared).

Alright... review time!

*I want to say a huge thank you to Entangled Teen for sending me an early ARC of this novel*

This book was incredible. It was nothing like I expect it to be. Based on the cover and the synopsis, I kind of expected this book to be more of a cutesy, romance book that would have me squealing and fangirling because of the cute couple (Charlie and Charlotte). I was not at all expecting to find tears streaming down my face. Nor was I prepared for the perfect mixture of sadness and hope that caused my heart to do these weird little cartwheel things in my chest. Im not going to say anything else in the non-spoilery section of this review because I believe that it is best to go into this knowing as little as possible. If you haven't read this, do it. Now. Fans of the Fault In Our Stars will LOVE this.

**DO NOT read any farther if you have not read this book. Spoiler ALERT. You have been warned. **

I freakin LOVED this book. The quotes, the romance, the dialogue. It was all perfect! I think the thing that really made me love this book though was the characters. I could see a bit of myself in each of them.

In Charlie, I saw my inner nerd. My need to always be pleasing teachers and the pressures of always being expected to be the best at everything. I loved seeing the reckless feeling that came him when he skipped school that one day to visit Charlotte! That made me laugh. I saw myself in him when he struggled to decide what to do with his future. I saw myself in him whenever he referenced Harry Potter. ;) I used to be obsessed with math and science and while I still did a lot of reading, I didn't understand the power that words really held. Its just been in the last year that I realized how much more a poem can move you and understand you then the process of photosynthesis. I loved watching Charlies journey. But most of all, Charlie and I shared the same want to love people. Not necessarily a boy/girlfriend, just a friend. Just putting someone who we care about above ourselves. Caring about the people who we love.

In Becca, Charlie's sister, I saw my love to read. I understand her fear of going out on her own adventure and meeting new people. Sometimes its easier to just submerse yourself in a book. I absolutely loved when she sat in her room crying over Charlottes death and the first thing she did was build a wall around herself from books. She literally did what a lot of people do internally. I loved that about her.

In Greta and James, I saw the friendships I have with my friends. The way Charlie, James and Greta stuck together through thick and thin made me think of not only my own best friends, by the friends Ive lost as well. I think everyone needs to find a Greta in their own life.

In Jo, Charlotte's sister, I saw not really myself, but some of the adults around me. Jo had so much pressure on her shoulders and you could see the effect it had on her. She was so worried about Charlotte, she wasn't focussing on herself as much.

And lastly Charlotte. I saw myself in her wanting to be free. To just be able to take a step back and disappear to a different place and be a different person. To not be around people who know all your flaws but be around people who will take you for who you are in the moment. At the same time, I absolutely loved watching Charlotte realize that maybe its not so bad to have people know about who you are. Charlie helped give her a place to be herself without the fear of being ridiculed and judged. In my eyes, he gave her safe home and I think that was one of the best gifts he could have given her.

The ending of this book was so heart breaking yet so hopeful. I respected Charlottes decision to forgo treatment, but I wish the rest of her family had as well. She knew she was going either way but she wanted to go as a whole person not a shell of what she used to be. My heart completely went out to Charlie but I knew he would someday learn to live with the pain. Someday, hopefully the angels wing will heal itself.

Happy reading nerds and sound off in the comments with your opinions and perspectives on this book! :)

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Isla and the Happily Ever After by: Stephanie Perkins

8/12/2014

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Isla and the Happily Ever After by: Stephanie Perkins
(third book in the Anna and the French Kiss companion trilogy)

Synopsis: From the glittering streets of Manhattan to the moonlit rooftops of Paris, falling in love is easy for hopeless dreamer Isla and introspective artist Josh. But as they begin their senior year in France, Isla and Josh are quickly forced to confront the heartbreaking reality that happily-ever-afters aren’t always forever.

Their romantic journey is skillfully intertwined with those of beloved couples Anna and Étienne and Lola and Cricket, whose paths are destined to collide in a sweeping finale certain to please fans old and new.

Alright... review time!! If given the option, I would give this book hundreds upon thousands of stars. In the past year or two, I have read a lot of contemporary romance books. Out of all of them, I have never read any that even compare to Stephanie Perkins writing. She is so unbelievably talented. She somehow is able to have the perfect combination of romance, comedy, and deep soul searching in all her books and it absolutely takes my breathe away. While reading Isla, I laughed, screamed, cried, giggled, and fangirled... I basically experienced every emotion possible. I applaud Miss. Perkins for that. If you haven't read her books.... you really need to sort out your priorities. :)

**Do not read past this point if you have not read this incredible book. You will be SPOILED**

Isla and Josh..... I honestly did not expect to love these characters as much as I did.

Isla: Wow.... I think I have to say that she is my favourite girl to read about from the series. It had nothing to do with that fact that she was a better person or because she was funnier or anything like that. It was because I could relate the most to her out of all of them. Like myself, Isla reads a lot and loves to learn. She's at the top of all of her class and because of that she puts a lot pressure on herself. People always think that being the smartest kid in the class is easy and that they have it a lot easier. Sometimes thats not the case. Its hard to always have people judging you, always expecting your best and if, God forbid, you mess up once, they will never let you forget it. I loved that fact that Isla was quiet about her successes and that she was more reserved. Truthfully though, I think the main reason I really connected with her was because of her insecurities. She looked at herself and questioned why she was special. Why anyone would love her. What her purpose was. She was in a really place and she was able to pull herself out of it and I really look up to her for that.

Josh: This dude was FREAKIN ADORABLE. Like why can't I go to school with guys like this? Gahhhh. I think one of the main things I look for in male characters (and guys in everyday life) is someone who has a passion. Not just someone who enjoys sitting on the couch and has a passion for alcohol shopping, but someone who has a passion for something that can alter your opinion on the world. Examples: literature, cinematography, nature, photography and in Josh's case, art. Yes, his sexy grin, flirtatious charm and jokes were amazing and had me giggling and dying inside but I think it was those moments when Josh saw beautiful architecture or talked about a book that I really fell in love with him. The effect that his mural in the tree house had on Isla was beautiful and the way Josh traveled to his own place and got in his "art zone" was gorgeous. His love for the magic of art made me fall in love with him.

I absolutely LOVED the setting, plot twists and especially, the dialogue! All the characters are freaking hilarious and just amazing. And that ending..... just slayed me! Josh's graphic novel both broke my heart and mended it all at the same time. Also, when Anna, Etienne, Lola, Cricket, Meredith, Isla and Josh all go together at the end of the book.... BEST ENDING EVER! The proposal. I in no way, shape, or form saw that coming! Beautiful and in my opinion, a genius way to give readers the closure we needed!

I seriously can't get over this book and I highly doubt that I ever will. Perkin's writing is always something that I can come back to for a pick me up and I will definitely be rereading this book in the near future! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

Happy reading nerds and sound off in the comments with you opinions and perspective on this masterpiece of a novel! :)

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Panic by: Lauren Oliver

8/11/2014

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Panic by: Lauren Oliver
Synopsis: Panic began as so many things do in Carp, a dead-end town of 12,000 people in the middle of nowhere: because it was summer, and there was nothing else to do.

Heather never thought she would compete in Panic, a legendary game played by graduating seniors, where the stakes are high and the payoff is even higher. She’d never thought of herself as fearless, the kind of person who would fight to stand out. But when she finds something, and someone, to fight for, she will discover that she is braver than she ever thought.

Dodge has never been afraid of Panic. His secret will fuel him, and get him all the way through the game, he’s sure of it. But what he doesn't know is that he’s not the only one with a secret. Everyone has something to play for.

For Heather and Dodge, the game will bring new alliances, unexpected revelations, and the possibility of first love for each of them—and the knowledge that sometimes the very things we fear are those we need the most.

Alright.... review time!

Im not really sure how I feel about this book... Im stuck somewhere between a 3.5 and a 4 star rating.

Y'all should know that Im a HUGE Lauren Oliver fan. Like 100% obsessed with her writing which is why Im really confused. Ive heard a lot of mixed reviews about this novel so I was totally stoked to read it for myself. It was a lot different then I thought it would be. Truthfully, I was a little disappointed.

Don't get me wrong, I still really liked this book. I was just expecting a 6 star book.

I think the thing that really grabbed me the most was the storyline and plot. I think that Panic is so unique and there are so many stories that could be make from this idea. I loved the intense events the characters had to participate in. I did find that it was a little hard to believe that it was only this specific years Panic game that caused the cops to get involved though. I liked the action and the switch between the characters perspectives.

I am sorry to admit though, I wasn't the biggest fan of the characters. I think that is the main reason why I didn't fully connect with this book. I didn't find that the characters were that deep. I guess what Im trying to say is that I didn't find them to memorable. I didn't understand why they did things or acted in specific ways. I didn't really care what happened to them, I just wanted to know who would win. The only character that I really felt a connection with was Heather because I felt bad about her home life. I give her a lot of credit for just taking her sister and leaving. I hated Nat and I felt like she was a bit of a brat. Dodge was ok I guess. Its admirable that he was trying to get revenge for his sister but he should have been there to support her, not ruin someone else's life. I did like Bishop though! He was cute and it was nice to see how much he cared for Heather.

I could go on and on about this books pros and cons. I liked the plot and the small town feel etc, but I just didn't connect with the characters! Maybe my opinion will change once I reread some parts and think about it more but as of right now, Im disappointed that I didn't like it more.

Happy reading nerds and sound off in the comments with your opinion and perspective on this novel! :)

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Just One Day by: Gayle Forman

4/17/2014

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Just One Day by: Gayle Forman
Synopsis: Allyson Healey's life is exactly like her suitcase—packed, planned, ordered. Then on the last day of her three-week post-graduation European tour, she meets Willem. A free-spirited, roving actor, Willem is everything she’s not, and when he invites her to abandon her plans and come to Paris with him, Allyson says yes. This uncharacteristic decision leads to a day of risk and romance, liberation and intimacy: 24 hours that will transform Allyson’s life.

A book about love, heartbreak, travel, identity, and the “accidents” of fate,Just One Day shows us how sometimes in order to get found, you first have to get lost. . . and how often the people we are seeking are much closer than we know.

Alright... review time!

I have heard soo much hype about this book and Gayle Forman's writing so I was extremely excited to read this. I must admit though, I was expecting a bit more.

I LOVED the traveling aspects, the food, and the languages in this book but I found that the characters, romance and turn of events was a little choppy and confusing at times. I really liked the very beginning of this book but I found that the one day spent in Paris was a little hard to follow but still good. I did find Allyson a little annoying at times and I couldn't really relate to her and understand all her decisions. I also liked Willem but I didn't think he was anything special. Although the college scenes were a tad boring at times, I really enjoyed seeing Allyson change her classes and really discover herself as a person instead of being her parents perfect golden girl. I also freakin LOVED Dee. He was amazing. Also, Allyson's mom drove me crazy. She was so controlling etc but I did like the tension and the mood that her craziness created.

I loved that Ally went back to Europe and I really liked watching her find the little clues on her way to Willem. I did lose a lot of respect for Willem though when you find out how he was had relationships with almost EVERY girl in Europe. I highly enjoyed reading about Allyson's travels but I found that the ending was a bit of a let down. I was just DYING to see them have their first convo together since Paris but it never happened. Maybe you get to see that in the next book. There were aspects that I hated and aspects that I loved. I don't plan on running out to buy the next book but if I see it for cheap somewhere I will probably pick it up.

Happy reading nerds and sound off in the comments with your opinions and perspective on this novel! :)

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Just Listen by: Sarah Dessen

2/16/2014

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Just Listen by: Sarah Dessen
Synopsis: Last year, Annabel was "the girl who has everything" — at least that's the part she played in the television commercial for Kopf's Department Store.

This year, she's the girl who has nothing: no best friend because mean-but-exciting Sophie dropped her, no peace at home since her older sister became anorexic, and no one to sit with at lunch. Until she meets Owen Armstrong.

Tall, dark, and music-obsessed, Owen is a reformed bad boy with a commitment to truth-telling. With Owen's help, maybe Annabel can face what happened the night she and Sophie stopped being friends.

Alright... review time!

**Do NOT read this review if you have not read this book**

**1.5 stars**

I can't even put into words how disappointed i am with this book. This book was slowing predictable. There was basically zero romance which annoyed me and I didn't even find Owen very likeable. His reaction to what Annabel went through was really weird. I felt that after spilling her entire life story he would have more of an reaction. The main character Annabel... ugh, she annoyed me sooooo much. She was so oblivious to how people around her were feeling (Clarke and Owen especially) and I felt like she didn't try very hard to make friends or keep her friendships going. I found her to be very helpless. She didn't stand up for what she believed in (except for music) and she let Sophie control her for to long. She saw how wrong and abusive she was but she did nothing to defend herself or her friends. Ive had many friends like Sophie and by letting Sophie do what she wanted Annabel just gave her more power. I can't even begin to explain how much that angered me.

The book I read before this one was Hopeless By Colleen Hoover and it also had to do with sexual assault and that book i found was more believable. It showed the mental and physical struggle the victim went through and the repercussions of rape. It also showed the reactions of the victims family and her boyfriend. I found the fact that Annabels mom went into a deep depression after Annabels grandma died and then her daughter gets raped and she doesn't even cry or freak out. That just doesn't sit well with me. I guess everyone does deal with grief in their own way though.

The only thing I liked about this book was that I was able to relate to a lot of the stuff Annabel was going through and felt, even if i didn't agree with how she delt with it. This is my personal opinion but this book was a total let down. I don't plan on reading anymore of Sarah Dessens books. I don't recommend this novel.

Happy reading nerds and sound off in the comments with your opinions and reviews on this novel! :)

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The Fault In Our Stars By:John Green

11/25/2013

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The Fault In Our Stars By: John Green
Synopsis: Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.

Alright.... Its review time! I actually read this book at the end of July and since then have reread it multiple times. It one of my absolute favourite books so I believe it is necessary that I write a review. If you have not read this book I legitimately have no idea what you are doing with your life! The following contains SPOILERS so if you have no read TFioS yet go read it and then we can cry together!

****** SPOILERS DO NOT READ ANY FARTHER IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THIS AMAZING SPECIMEN OF A NOVEL******

This book.... is one of those rare books that changes your perspective on life and death. John Green is a phenomenal author.
Hazel Grace is a 16 year old girl with terminal cancer who attends Cancer Kid Support Group. As depressing as her life was Hazel finds comfort in books and Americas Next Top Model. :) And then Augustus Waters comes into the picture. Hazel was drawn to Augustus' humour, wit and his perspective on life and so was I. Struggling with past cancer repercussions as well, Gus and Hazel begin to fall in love.

Augustus was a true gentlemen. When he read An Imperial Affliction and he began texting Hazel about it, I remember giggling and smiling constantly because I knew where the story was going. Watching them fall in love was the sweetest thing ever and when Gus offered to use his wish to take Hazel to visit Peter Van Houten in Holland I was so happy for them. Their visit with Mr. Van Houten wasn't exactly ideal but their journey and time together was beautiful. Definitely one of my favourite YA couples. Sadly, while their trip progressed you could pick up on little things Gus would say and do that hinted that he was in pain and uncomfortable. Thats when he told Hazel his cancer had come back.

Every time I read the line:

"I lit up like a Christmas tree, Hazel Grace"

I burst into tears. I imagined something like one of their deaths was going to happen but actually reading it caused me to lose it. I cried throughout the rest of the book.

Reading about Gus' slow death was heart breaking and something I highly doubt I will ever fully recover from. The part when Gus tries to go to the gas station to get cigarettes totally broke my heart. Throughout the book you become familiar with the confident and almost "untouchable" Augustus but at that particular part you begin to see his beliefs and will to live break and crumble.
The most amazing part of the entire book in my opinion was Gus' eulogy. Isaac's and Hazel's speech had me laughing and crying. This quote is probably my favourite from the entire book:

"My name is Hazel. Augustus Waters was the great sat-crossed love of my life. Ours was an epic love story, and I won't be able to get more than a sentence into it without disappearing into a puddle of tears. Gus knew. Gus knows. I will not tell you our love story, because-like all real love stories-it will die with us, as it should. I'd hoped that he'd be eulogizing me, because there's no one I'd rather have..." I started crying. "Okay, how not to cry. How am I-okay. Okay."

I took a few deep breaths and went back to the page. "I can't talk about our love story, so I will talk about math. I am not a mathematician, but I know this: There are infinite numbers between 0 and 1. There's .1 and .12 and .112 and infinite collection of others. Of course, there is a Bigger infinite set of numbers between 0 and 2, or between 0 and a million. Some infinities are bigger than other infinities. A writer we used to like taught us that. There are days, many of them, when I resent the size of my unbounded set. I want more numbers than I'm likely to get, and God, I want more numbers for Augustus Waters than he got. But, Gus, my love, I cannot tell you how thankful I am for our little infinity. I wouldn't trade it for the world. You gave me a forever within the numbered days, and I'm grateful."

Even writing this review caused a huge cloud of sadness to descend upon me so I am off to eat chocolate and watch some Dancing With The Stars!:)
If you have not read this book I HIGHLY recommend it!

Happy Reading nerds and sound off in the comments with your perceptive and opinion on this book!!!

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Forward>>

After by: Anna Todd

Love and Other Unknown Variables by: Shannon Lee Alexander

Isla and the Happily Ever After by: Stephanie Perkins

Panic by: Lauren Oliver

Just One Day by: Gayle Forman

Just Listen by: Sarah Dessen

The Fault In Our Stars By:John Green

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