Brad About Books: Crash Into You by Katie McGarry

Read from September 27 to 28, 2013

CRASH INTO YOU
Expected Publication Date: November 26, 2013
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Format: ARC
Page Count: 474 pages
Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest review
Series: Pushing the Limits, #3

Read my reviews for previous novels in this series:

Pushing the Limits • Dare You To

From acclaimed author Katie McGarry comes an explosive new tale of a good girl with a reckless streak, a street-smart guy with nothing to lose, and a romance forged in the fast lane 

The girl with straight As, designer clothes and the perfect life-that's who people expect Rachel Young to be. So the private-school junior keeps secrets from her wealthy parents and overbearing brothers...and she's just added two more to the list. One involves racing strangers down dark country roads in her Mustang GT. The other? Seventeen-year-old Isaiah Walker-a guy she has no business even talking to. But when the foster kid with the tattoos and intense gray eyes comes to her rescue, she can't get him out of her mind. 

Isaiah has secrets, too. About where he lives, and how he really feels about Rachel. The last thing he needs is to get tangled up with a rich girl who wants to slum it on the south side for kicks-no matter how angelic she might look. 

But when their shared love of street racing puts both their lives in jeopardy, they have six weeks to come up with a way out. Six weeks to discover just how far they'll go to save each other.

Crash Into You is an electric read that will have your heart soaring and your mind completely entangled  with Rachel and Isaiah's relationship. Katie McGarry has managed to top herself once again with this completely absorbing novel - such a fantastic read! One of my favorites for the year!

In my Dare You To review, I talked about taking chances and risks for love and just for the thrill of it - oh man, Crash Into You is even more explosive and dangerous than before! There's so much peril and danger running rampant throughout these streets, where car races and gambling are ablaze. McGarry had my heart racing and pulse pounding many times throughout Crash Into You, and I was turning pages as fast I could, always on the edge of my seat. This series is definitely one of my favorite contemporary series out there, simply because of how each book brings new, exciting characters and a one of a kind plot. Crash Into You was incredible by every means!

Isaiah and Rachel were stunning as a duo. It seems that with McGarry book, the relationships become even better. Rachel is the good girl with a wild side to her, and I loved seeing that balance of good and rowdy in her. She may be naïve at times, but I couldn't deny that she was an awesome protagonist. Isaiah is equally as awesome. He protected Rachel throughout the entire novel - though they did have some rough patches here and there, they were a force to be reckoned with when together. McGarry is fantastic at weaving together such marvelous characters!

That ending! All. The. Feels. It's dynamic and explosive and I couldn't get this book off of my mind. Every book in this series has managed to top its predecessor, and Crash Into You definitely set the bar very high. I can't wait to see where it goes in book four, Take Me On! Everything about this book will rock your world - absolutely amazing. One of my favorites of 2013!

Overall, Crash Into You is a wonderful addition to this ever epic series. With love, action, and just the right amount of what-in-the-world-will-happen-next, Crash Into You is a must-read!

M Y     R A T I N G

Brad About Books: Dare You To by Katie McGarry

Read from July 23 to 24, 2013

DARE YOU TO
Published: May 28, 2013
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 456 pages
Source: Purchased
Series: Pushing the Limits, #2

Read my review for Pushing the Limits

Ryan lowers his lips to my ear. "Dance with me, Beth."

"No." I whisper the reply. I hate him and I hate myself for wanting him to touch me again...

"I dare you..."

If anyone knew the truth about Beth Risk's home life, they'd send her mother to jail and seventeen-year-old Beth who knows where. So she protects her mom at all costs. Until the day her uncle swoops in and forces Beth to choose between her mom's freedom and her own happiness. That's how Beth finds herself living with an aunt who doesn't want her and going to a school that doesn't understand her. At all. Except for the one guy who shouldn't get her, but does....

Ryan Stone is the town golden boy, a popular baseball star jock-with secrets he can't tell anyone. Not even the friends he shares everything with, including the constant dares to do crazy things. The craziest? Asking out the Skater girl who couldn't be less interested in him.

But what begins as a dare becomes an intense attraction neither Ryan nor Beth expected. Suddenly, the boy with the flawless image risks his dreams-and his life-for the girl he loves, and the girl who won't let anyone get too close is daring herself to want it all...

Dare You To is a stunning, captivating read full of deeply passionate romance and heart-soaring moments. Not only were my expectations met, they were blown out of the water. I fell so hard for this book!

I enjoyed Pushing the Limits, but oh man, Dare You To rocked my socks. I'll start off with the romance first: I absolutely loved Beth's story. Beth is a troubled girl, but she's also a risk-taker, and I loved reading about a fearless heroine who has her share of flaws. She wasn't afraid to back down and stand up for what she believes in - Beth was fantastic. And Ryan was great, as well. Ryan is the golden child of the town, but he's not all glitz and glamour. With Beth, his true side comes out, and I loved how they just connected so well when they came together. Their love felt real and authentic, and I appreciated how McGarry created this pair to fit and click together so well. Needing something romantic with that kick of spunk? Dare You To is a fantastic choice. 

So much scandal and betrayal in this one! A lot of dares and risks are taken in Dare You To, and I adored how fast-paced and pulse-pounding this sequel was. I can't believe, but I loved it even more than the first book! The writing style, the characters, the flawless progression of romance, everything was kicked up a notch - you know how some sequels are disappointing compared to the first book? That's not the case with this series whatsoever. Absolutely amazing!

Katie McGarry's writing style? Outstanding. Each character has their own unique voice, and I loved the compare and contrast between Ryan and Beth. Each line flowed off the page like a melody - Dare You To is easily one of my favorite contemporaries of all-time. Katie McGarry has proved herself again of being an incredible YA romance writer; Dare You To shines bright with love, heartbreak, and the outbreak of taking chances.

Overall, Dare You To is an extraordinary tale of starcrossed misfits that captured me right from the beginning and never let me go. A new favorite of mine!

M Y     R A T I N G

Brad About Books: Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Read from August 30 to 31, 2013

FANGIRL
Expected Publication Date: September 10, 2013
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 433 pages
Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest review

A coming-of-age tale of fan fiction, family and first love. 

Cath is a Simon Snow fan.

Okay, the whole world is a Simon Snow fan . . .

But for Cath, being a fan is her life — and she’s really good at it. She and her twin sister, Wren, ensconced themselves in the Simon Snow series when they were just kids; it’s what got them through their mother leaving.

Reading. Rereading. Hanging out in Simon Snow forums, writing Simon Snow fan fiction, dressing up like the characters for every movie premiere.

Cath’s sister has mostly grown away from fandom, but Cath can’t let go. She doesn’t want to.

Now that they’re going to college, Wren has told Cath she doesn’t want to be roommates. Cath is on her own, completely outside of her comfort zone. She’s got a surly roommate with a charming, always-around boyfriend, a fiction-writing professor who thinks fan fiction is the end of the civilized world, a handsome classmate who only wants to talk about words . . . And she can’t stop worrying about her dad, who’s loving and fragile and has never really been alone.

For Cath, the question is: Can she do this?

Can she make it without Wren holding her hand? Is she ready to start living her own life? Writing her own stories?

And does she even want to move on if it means leaving Simon Snow behind?

Fangirl is a beautiful, riveting story that can't be topped. A phenomenal gem that is so absorbing and one of a kind. Absolutely marvelous. 

I read Rainbow Rowell's Eleanor & Park earlier this year and fell in love with it so hard. So obviously, I was very much excited about her newest novel, Fangirl - and it did not disappoint in any level! While it doesn't have the same emotional attachment that Eleanor & Park has, Fangirl is a beautiful, coming-of-age tale that gave true light to letting things consuming your life (some for the good, some for the not-so-good), and Rowell did a fantastic job at handling Cath's situation. I felt connected to Cath immediately. The way her twin sister, Wren, basically leaves her in the dust when they get to college really stuck with me, and I loved going on this exploration journey of love, bonding, and being a fanatic of things you love with her. Rainbow Rowell has easily become one of my favorite writers of all time. I'm such a fan for Fangirl!

I also love how Fangirl gives off the illusion of parallel worlds (not literally parallel worlds; multiple stories being intertwined with each other). We have the story of Cath discovering herself and true love at college; we have the story of Cath and her fanfiction addiction; and we also have the story of Simon Snow, the series that Cath is obsessed with. Each story plays a vital role to the overall picture, and Rainbow Rowell balanced all these stories within Fangirl so well. But be warned: Fangirl will tug at your heartstrings so hard. We all have experienced/know someone who has experienced bullying, and I personally feel like Fangirl touches on the subject of bullying amazingly. Cath was been left by her own family, the people she thought she could always count on. What do you do when you've been looked away from? Cath's story with traveling through a new, vibrant world alone was fantastic; absolutely loved this book!

This. Entire. Book. I can't even; I seriously can't even. Fangirl has become one of my favorite contemporaries... ever. It's so interesting, and I loved how it also deals with a current and modern topic. I, myself, have never wrote fanfiction, but reading it through the eyes of a fanatic and popular fanfiction-er was great; I can't express to you how much I loved this book. Fans of Rainbow Rowell, you will not be disappointed by Fangirl. Fans of contemporary, you are going to fall head over heels in love with Fangirl.

Overall, Fangirl is truly a masterpiece that tugged at my heartstrings and made me fall in love with the characters. One of the best books of the year.

M Y    R A T I N G

Brad About Books: Hideous Love by Stephanie Hemphill

HIDEOUS LOVE
Expected Publication Date: October 1, 2013
Publisher: Balzer + Bray (Harper)
Format: ARC
Page Count: 320 pages
Source: ALA

From award-winning author Stephanie Hemphill comes the fascinating story of Mary Shelley, a brilliant teenager who wrote one of the greatest literary masterpieces of all time: Frankenstein.

An all-consuming love affair.

A family torn apart by scandal.

A young author on the brink of greatness.

Hideous Love is the fascinating story of Gothic novelist Mary Shelley, who as a teen girl fled her restrictive home only to find herself in the shadow of a brilliant but moody boyfriend, famed poet Percy Shelley. It is the story of the mastermind behind one of the most iconic figures in all of literature: a monster constructed out of dead bodies and brought to life by the tragic Dr. Frankenstein.

Mary wrote Frankenstein at the age of nineteen, but inspiration for the monster came from her life-the atmospheric European settings she visited, the dramas swirling around her, and the stimulating philosophical discussions with the greatest minds of the period, like her close friend, Lord Byron.

This luminous verse novel from award-winning author Stephanie Hemphill reveals how Mary Shelley became one of the most celebrated authors in history.

Despite from seeing some not-so-good reviews, I loved Hideous Love! The beautiful writing, the engaging arc, and the tragic and achingly stunning story of Mary Shelley all worked together flawlessly for me - I really, really enjoyed this book!

I'm just going to go ahead and state the obvious Goodreads has shown me: Hideous Love didn't receive the best of reviews from my friends. But it was one of my most anticipated books of fall, so I knew I had to give it a shot; and in the end, I'm so thrilled I did! This, to me, is the best example of trying something for yourself before you knock it. I thought that the writing was masterfully done. While it is a slower-paced novel, I was so hooked and engrossed by Mary Shelley's story and the twist that Hemphill spun on it. The fact that Hideous Love was told in verse was superb; it fit the story so seamlessly, and I fell in love with this book so much. Beautiful, enthralling, and fantastic!

Like I said before, Hideous Love is a slow-build kind of book. It took me a couple of pages for me to get into the groove of the story, but it wasn't long before I caught myself sinking deep into this rich and fascinating world. If something happened to Mary, I ached for it. If she succeed, I cheered her on. I absolutely love it when an author can make me connected to a character like that, much less an actual person. What's weird is that I didn't enjoy Frankenstein at all, but I loved the story that was based off of the author! If you're in the mood for a wonderful historical that will have you falling in love with the characters and captured by the writing, definitely give Hideous Love a try!

Stephanie Hemphill, why don't you just rip my heart out. The ending of Hideous Love is what made the book for me. Hemphill just reflected the scenario of Mary Shelley's pain and struggles so incredibly, and I felt a better understanding for Mary after this novel. And though I've said that Hideous Love is a slow-build book, it's not boring by any means. The pacing fit the story so well - whether it was her family or Mary's writing, she goes through many hardships, and Stephanie Hemphill brought that essence of obstacles to Hideous Love so well. Highly recommended!

Overall, Hideous Love is a slow-paced, brilliant book that enthralled me and made me feel a connection to the characters I haven't felt in a very long time. Hideous Love is lovely!

M Y    R A T I N G

Brad About Books: How to Love by Katie Cotugno

Read on July 12, 2013

HOW TO LOVE
Expected Publication Date: October 1, 2013
Publisher: Balzer + Bray (Harper)
Format: ARC
Page Count: 389 pages
Source: ALA

Her greatest mistake was her one true love. 

Before: Reena Montero has loved Sawyer LeGrande for as long as she can remember: as natural as breathing, as endless as time. But he’s never seemed to notice that Reena even exists…until one day, impossibly, he does. Reena and Sawyer fall in messy, complicated love. But then Sawyer disappears from their humid Florida town without a word, leaving a devastated—and pregnant—Reena behind.

After: Almost three years have passed, and there’s a new love in Reena’s life: her daughter, Hannah. Reena’s gotten used to being without Sawyer, and she’s finally getting the hang of this strange, unexpected life. But just as swiftly and suddenly as he disappeared, Sawyer turns up again. Reena doesn’t want anything to do with him, though she’d be lying if she said Sawyer’s being back wasn’t stirring something in her. After everything that’s happened, can Reena really let herself love Sawyer LeGrande again?

In this breathtaking debut, Katie Cotugno weaves together the story of one couple falling in love—twice.

How to Love is, simply, fantastic in every way imaginable and possible. My favorite contemporary novel of all-time, for sure! Powerful, heartbreaking, and incredible, How to Love should not be missed - absolutely phenomenal!

If you know me, you know that I only recently began to get into more contemporary novels. And How to Love was one of my most anticipated reads of 2013. You have no idea how relieved and thrilled I was to discover that How to Love lived up to all of the hype surrounding it; it's truly great! The emotions, the heartbreak, the characters, the writing style, everything blends and flows together perfectly and congruently, and How to Love has easily become one of my favorite books of all-time. If you love contemporaries, you seriously must pick up this book. It's a revolution in the YA market.

What I love most about How to Love is how the story is told: we have the Before chapters, which tells of Sawyer and Reena's life before Reena became pregnant, and the After chapters, set three years later with their daughter, Hannah, and their love rekindling. It was just so unique and interesting! And I love how the situations and dilemmas feel authentic. I can't express that enough. Reena does not jump back into Sawyer's arms when he comes back into her life; he hurt her in ways he could never possibly imagine, and Reena will never forget that. Oh my gosh, I am so happy that Reena did not go running back to him by any means. It felt totally real and genuine! I thank you for that, Katie Cotugno - for not only created an authentic, incredible novel, but just for this masterpiece of contemporary literature. How to Love is incredibly phenomenal and fantastic. I loved this book to pieces.

And the writing style - GAH. Talk about stunning. The way Cotugno bends the words makes them flow off the page so easily and masterfully. This novel is sure to be a hit, and I can see myself re-reading this book in the future; it's that wonderful. I'm serious with this recommendation, guys. How to Love is an absolute must-read. One of my favorite books ever.

Overall, How to Love is an achingly beautiful, satisfyingly incredible novel that moved me, shook me, and completely consumed me. I couldn't get this novel off of my mind. If you're in need for a great love story, How to Love is the fantastic way to go!

M Y    R A T I N G

Brad About Books: Romeo Redeemed by Stacey Jay

Read on July 14, 2013

ROMEO REDEEMED
Published: October 9, 2012
Publisher: Delacorte Press (Random House)
Format: ARC
Page Count: 384 pages
Source: Arcycling
Series: Juliet Immortal, #2

This review is entirely spoiler free, even if you haven't read book one, Juliet Immortal.

Romeo Redeemed is a dazzling sequel that burns bright with irresistible romance and a timeless love story. Not only did this book surpass the first installment, it shattered it completely. Loved it so much!

I'll be honest: I thought Juliet Immortal was good, but not as good as I hoped. And I despised Romeo in that book. So reading about his story? I wasn't too thrilled. But woah! One of the biggest surprises I've ever read! I was very shocked at how... authentic Romeo felt. In Juliet Immortal, he was a jerk that only wanted one thing - to save himself. And while in Romeo Redeemed that's his goal, we get to see a new side of him that wasn't presented in book one. And I liked that! I love it when a character flip flops from bad to good over time, and Romeo is one of the most shocking characters I've come across in YA. So obviously, I thought Romeo Redeemed was way better than Juliet Immortal!

I am a huge sucker for re-tellings, and Romeo Redeemed is a new favorite re-telling. I have read Romeo and Juliet before (insta-love, much?), but I have to be quite honest - I prefer this series to the original! It's just much more interesting and captivating. And Romeo Redeemed captured me wholly. I didn't want to set the book down for a minute, and while I did have problems with it (see next paragraph), I found it to be a highly enjoyable and stunning read. 

I didn't find too many flaws with Romeo Redeemed actually! But there were a few. My biggest was Ariel. Gosh, I couldn't stand her! While she is thrust into an odd and different situation, she was way too naïve for my likings. And I felt that Romeo Redeemed detoured away from the plot at times - it switched from Romeo trying to save himself, to Romeo trying to fall in love. Which is interesting, but some scenes were executed that well. But still, Romeo Redeemed was an awesome sequel.

Overall, Romeo Redeemed is an electric and one of a kind sequel that had me in its clutches and biting at my fingernails. A satisfying and epic ending!

M Y    R A T I N G

Brad About Books: Juliet Immortal by Stacey Jay

Read from June 16 to 17, 2013

JULIET IMMORTAL
Published: August 9, 2011
Publisher: Delacorte Press (Random House)
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 306 pages
Source: Purchased
Series: Juliet Immortal, #1

Fans of Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver and Becca Fitzpatrick's Hush, Hush will relish this intense paranormal love story featuring Romeo and Juliet, literary history's most tragic couple, who meet again, not as true lovers, but truly as enemies.
The most tragic love story in history . . .

Juliet Capulet didn't take her own life. She was murdered by the person she trusted most, her new husband, Romeo Montague, a sacrifice made to ensure his own immortality. But what Romeo didn't anticipate was that Juliet would be granted eternity, as well, and would become an agent for the Ambassadors of Light. For 700 years, she's fought Romeo for the souls of true lovers, struggling to preserve romantic love and the lives of the innocent. Until the day she meets someone she's forbidden to love, and Romeo, oh Romeo, will do everything in his power to destroy that love.

Juliet Immortal is a wildly romantic and highly heart-racing, pulse-pounding tale of true love and heartbreaking betrayal. It's impossible to put it down!

I'll begin on a positive note: what did I like about Juliet Immortal? Numerous things, thankfully! My favorite part about this novel was the entire concept - I will admit, it was pretty risky and daring to have a story where Juliet and Romeo aren't in love (I was hesitant going into Juliet Immortal for that reason alone.), but luckily, Stacey Jay manages to pull it off. I didn't get at some parts why Romeo and Juliet were constantly fighting, but it was most definitely entertaining. And I loved the setting - the way Jay described it sounded stunning! Even though I am definitely not a huge fan of Romeo and Juliet any, Juliet Immortal takes a unique spin on the timeless, starcrossed tale and breathes new life into it. So epic!

Now for a slight downfall: what did I not like about Juliet Immortal? Unfortunately, I ran into some problems with it. The characters felt WAY too whiny at some parts. I'd say that Juliet - maybe Romeo - was the biggest problem. I felt like they had too many mixed emotions and feelings for each other, and I couldn't keep up with the jumbled signals. 

But the ending did redeem (ha! A pun on the sequel's title!) Juliet Immortal for me. It was fast-paced, shocking, twisty, and so good. I didn't see that ending coming, and I am definitely intrigued to see where the story will be taken to next!

Overall, Juliet Immortal was a good read, but not one of my favorites. Charming, delightful, and bursting with love at the seems, Juliet Immortal shimmers and glows bright in this dark and captivating story!

M Y     R A T I N G