The Last True Love Story by Brendan Kiely

Hendrix's grandfather is slowly disappearing into an Alzheimer haze and is living in a nursing home. All his grandfather wants is to go back to New York to see it one more time. That's when Hendrix gets an idea to drive his grandfather away from California back to New York fulfilling his grandfather's dying wish. The only problem was that he didn't know how to drive and he didn't exactly have his own car. That's when Corrina comes in. Corrina is one of Hendrix's friends and she is going through a rough time. All she wants is to get away so Hedrix proposes that she drives him and his grandfather to New York. They take Hendrix's mom's car, pick up his grandfather and then start driving to New York. It's a long drive but Hendrix is determined to make it there.

This book is filled with moments of happiness, some of sadness, and many filled with adventure and laughs. I love the 'relationship' between Corrina and Hendrix have during the story and I also really enjoyed how different parts of the story unfolded. I am shocked by a number of reviewers who didn't like this book. Some say it's "too John Green" or "too similar to every other YA book". In my opinion: so what if it shares similar plot lines to other books? It was still a great book and to be honest I didn't notice similarities to many other books.

I recommend this book to anyone who likes mild adventures. This isn't an action book, no one's being chased or shot at, but it's still a fun adventure to read. This book is exciting, funny, and heartwarming. It even has a little romance, but not too much to get sappy. I truly think this is a great book, and a wonderful read.

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The Odds of Lightning by Jocelyn Davies
My Unscripted Life by Lauren Morrill

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Wake by Amanda Hocking

Gemma is about to into her junior year of high school and is working towards her goal of becoming an Olympic swimmer. Gemma's life is going great! She's dating an amazing guy, the boy-next-door, named Alex. Her swimming time keeps getting better and she's all around happy. In Gemma's town, summer has started and tourist season has begun. There are three mysterious but gorgeous girls are in town visiting and they give Gemma the creeps. These girls, Penn, Lexi, and Thea make Gemma nervous especially when they approach her. When the missing teenage boys are found in the woods completely ripped apart, Gemma starts to worry. It seems that Penn, Lexi andThea may look normal but Gemma quickly finds out that they're far from it.

This book was good. It moved painfully slow at times but that's the way first books in a series tend to go. Gemma and Harper are so close and their dynamic, in my opinion, is what makes this book especially good. In a few of the Goodreads reviews it is mentioned that they're not a fan of Gemma, the main character. They say she isn't too bright and is mostly bland. I don't totally agree with this opinion but I can sort of see where they're coming from. They also say that the story moves too slow. I agree with that, as I said before, it does move slowly but in my opinion it needed to. I think that the pace was necessary for you to know the information to make the story work. There were many other reviews, some good some bad as you can guess, but none of them are worth arguing.

I recommend this book to anyone that enjoys mythical sea creature books. This book has mermaids, adventure, some suspense, and even romance. 

Books this reminded me of:
-Siren by Kiera Cass
-Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown
-The Tail of Emily Windsnap by Liz Kesler

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Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

Yes, I finally started reading Harry Potter series. I know this is book two but I didn't like book one, I couldn't finish it. It was too much like the movie which I've seen so many times. Although I didn't read it I was impressed with it's similarity in the part I did read.

I honestly feel like I don't need to explain what this book is about. There is so much hype around this wizarding world that if you haven't heard of Harry Potter then you've mastered a skill I wish I could have. In this book, Harry and his friends find out about a secret chamber created by one of the founders of Hogwarts that supposedly contains a beast so vicious it was impossible to defeat. This chamber can only be open by an heir of Slytherin, and no one knows who that is. Harry is worried that something bad is going to happen and knows he needs to try to stop it. 

Clearly there are many many reviews of this book, most of them being positive. I want to talk about the negative ones I've found. Most of them are just magic haters, don't really get into the magic 'thing', or it wasn't adult enough for them. All valid reasons. Others trash J.K. Rowling's writing and the way she goes about writing the book. I disagree but okay. Then there are the people who start to get too personal. They hate the characters, one specifically stated that she felt Harry shouldn't even be in the book at all and that he is so dull and predictable that it made the whole series "fall flat" in her mind. Wait what? 

I personally loved this book, but I can see how it may not be for everyone. So far I am in love with the characters and I can't wait to keep reading these books! If you're into magic, and fantasy you'll love these books. I especially recommend these books to middle schoolers. Being in high school and reading many different reading levels I can see that this book/parts I've read so far is definitely catered to younger kids in the difficulty levels. That being said, I know many adults who have loved it and have claimed that it made them feel like a kid again. So who really knows. 

The last thing I want to say is: don't let the coverage and media around this series decide whether you read them or not.

Books like this:
I'm not going to do this. I have honestly never read or heard of anything like this.

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Rapture by Lauren Kate

Luce and Daniel, as well as the others, only have a few days to find the site of the fall and stop Lucifer from deleting the past. All they have to do is follow the clues, get to the fall, and then Luce and Daniel have to make the same choice they chose years ago, again. 

This is the last book in the Fallen series and it is brilliant. So many questions are answered, so many 'oh my gosh' moments. This is one of those endings where there is no way you could have guessed it or have seen it coming. I turned the last page and was simply left in awe. There aren't many reviews at all of this book, I think all the angry reviewers finally gave up on this series which makes me glad. This book was wonderful.

I feel like every recommendation I've given for this series has been the same so I don't really know what to say about this one other than tell you that this book makes the series even better. It is the best ending and I am so glad it ended the way it did. If you've enjoyed this series so far you'll love this book and the end of Luce and Daniel's tale. 

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Passion by Lauren Kate

Luce stepped into an announcer, sending her through her past. No one would tell her about her life, out of fear or whatever it might be, she didn't care anymore she was going to find out for herself. Luce travels from life time to life time, going back as far as she can, learning as much as she can. Daniel and the others are chasing after her, trying to stop her from messing with the past. 

I have to say this was by far my favorite book in the series. I guess it comes down to me being Luce's number one fan. I love her, and this book makes me love her even more. In this book you get to see not only what she's like in other lives as she goes further and further into the past you also get to see how she learns from each lifetime. Many people found the time traveling confusing, and it is at first. You definitely need to pay close attention when reading it but I certainly didn't think it wrecked the book. I personally think that it must have been a hard thing to write. She goes further back then any of us could have lived through. It must have taken a lot of research and for that I commend Lauren Kate for. I couldn't imagine putting that much work into a book. 

I recommend this book to people who have loved the series so far. I always find it hard to recommend books that are in the middle of a series because really you should never start from the middle. If you're interested in this series book one is Fallen I have already written about it so you can find it under the Lauren Kate label. It's truly a great series and I recommend it to fantasy lovers.

Series like this:

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

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Spindle by Shannon Slayton

Briar Rose's life is far from a fantasy. She's raising her siblings by herself, she makes very little at the spinning mill and her wages keep getting cut. Her best friend, Henry Prince, has decided to go off on an adventure, leaving her by herself. While he's gone a mysterious peddler comes into town and sells her a new spindle, saying it has magical powers. Little does she know this spindle will bring her danger and possibly death.

I went into this book thinking it was a spin-off of Sleeping Beauty, without giving anything away from the book I can say that it's not. I'm not saying that that means I didn't like the book but it's not Sleeping Beauty. People had similar opinions about this, they expected Sleeping Beauty but that's not what they got. Other than that many people liked the book. I guess I finally read a book that other people liked just as much as me! :) 

I recommend this book to anyone who likes fairytales but also I need to warn you that this isn't your classic fairytale so don't get surprised when you start reading it. I think that you'll especially like this book if you like Sleeping Beauty. Although this is not another Sleeping Beauty story it does have aspects of it in it. 

Books like this!( with some help from our pal Goodreads)
Spinning Thorns by Anna Sheehan
Becoming Beauty by Sarah E. Boucher

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Time Stoppers by Carrie Jones

Annie thought that she was just a normal girl with no parents stuck moving from foster family to foster family. Until one day she is put in an exceptionally awful home where she is told not to make noise and just stay out of the way. Jamie is about the same age as Annie and lives with his Grandmother and Father who are both terrible to him. One day Annie gets chased by a giant creature that seems to want to eat her, she is saved by one of the dogs at her new foster home. She is taken somewhere named Avalon, a home for magical creatures. I loved this book for so many reasons. It takes place where I'm from so it's relatable, and easier to imagine. Even though it's an easier level book the story is interesting enough to keep even adults interested. I recommend this book to middle schoolers who like adventure and magical creatures, and if you're older and want a good, quick, and easy read then you will probably like this book too. 

Other books like this!
Lost Children of the Far Islands by Emily Raabe
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A Sliver of Stardust by Marissa Burt

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Sirensong by Jenna Black

Dana’s life just can’t get back to normal which, with who her father is and her being a Faeriewalker, it's no surprise. Dana gets invited to Faerie by one of the queens but everyone is afraid it will be too dangerous, but if she were to not go it could put her in even more danger. So Dana, her father, Ethan, Kimber, Keene and some other guards as well as the queen's son, Prince Henry, all set of for the queen's palace in Faerie. It’s a rough journey through Faerie but they finally make it to find out that not everyone is who they say they are and then something goes completely wrong sending Dana running for her life. My favorite thing about this book is that you get to learn more about Faerie since it doesn't mainly take place in Avalon. In the first two books I was always curious about Faerie in general and what Dana would think of it. If you had any questions about Faerie this book helps answer them. To me Faerie reminds me of the City of Glass in Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments Series. This book is definitely for the Fae lovers and anyone who enjoyed the first two books, it is a nice addition to the series.

More books like this series!
Need by Carrie Jones
Bones of Faerie by Janni Lee Simner

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Revived by Cat Patrick

Daisy is apart of a secret government mission that involves her being brought back to life after a bus crash she was in when she was young. Whenever she dies throughout her life they use a serum called revived to bring her back, each time they have to move again and change last names. Everything flows fairly smoothly in her life until she moves after an allergic reaction to bees. In her new town she meets Matt and Audrey McKean who change her life and cause her to start questioning everything. This book is definitely on my top 5 right now. It was very well written and different from the normal flow of YA books lately. Most people either LOVE this book or hate it. I recommend this book to the slight adventure with a little romance seekers.

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Another Day by David Levithan

This is the ‘sequel’ of Everyday. It essentially is the same story but in Rhiannon’s perspective. It shows her side of things, and how she felt. I honestly don't know what to say about this book. I liked seeing the other side of Everyday but it was more repetitive. I guess if you liked Everyday you'd like this one. I do agree with most reviewers that Everyday did not need a sequel, it was good stand alone. Don't go into this book thinking that it's a continuation of the first one. You WILL be disappointed.

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If I Should Die by Amy Plum

After the shocking ending of the last book how can you not read this one??? Vincent is gone, SAY WHAT??? This book starts off with Kate and Vincent’s kindred are trying to figure out how to save Vincent before Violet destroys him for good. Even though Vincent is gone, Kate won't give up the sliver of hope there is to save him. Violet is about to start a full out war with the revenants and there’s no way to avoid it. The ending of this book is absolutely amazing! It honestly couldn't have ended any better. Like all fans of this series I do want another book but you always feel that with a really good series. As much as I want this story to continue I just feel like it would be stretching it too far. Ever story has an end eventually.

Books like this!
Fallen by Lauren Kate
Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

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City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare

Sebastian Morgenstern, Clary’s brother, is wreaking havoc on the world again, turning shadow hunters against each other. He has found a way to turn shadow hunters into a nightmarish creature, and he uses these newly made creatures to create an army. Of course Clary and Jace must help the other shadow hunters to stop him but like all things in their life, it isn’t without sacrifice.This is the final book in what's been a very long series. I do agree it should have stopped sooner but that doesn't make me love it any less. Although long and repetitive I have not read anything quite unique. I give this series as a whole 4.5 stars. I will say if you are interested in this series be prepared for a long run, it took me all summer and that was reading almost all of the time.

Series like this!
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Fallen by Lauren Kate
The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau

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Until I Die by Amy Plum

Kate and Vincent can finally be together, with no threats, like they've wanted all along. But they soon realize that there is one thing that they can’t get around, and that's Vincent's fate. Kate can’t handle death all of the time after her own parents death, but that’s Vincent’s lifestyle, he is drawn to dying for other people. Another part of who Vincent is is that he's immortal, there's not much they can do to get around that; someday Kate will die and Vincent will still roam the earth for years later. Vincent promises Kate that he will try his best to live a normal life but then a new enemy arises. This is a classic "second book" but still just as captivating and thrilling as the first. This book does bring you deeper into the history and lore of the revenants.

Books like this!
Fallen by Lauren Kate
Dearly Beloved by Lia Habel

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Minders by Michele Jaffe

Sadie enters a program where her mind/conciseness is put into someone else’s brain to study the differences between a criminal mind and a non-criminal mind. She is supposed to study, and report back, and most of all she is not allowed to let the "host" she's in know she's there. Sadie has a hard time feeling unattached to the mind she’s in and her task becomes even harder when she starts to fall in love with him. This book is breathtaking and shocking. It is definitely a book I would suggest to sci-fi, futuristic and action lovers. The relationship you build with Sadie and her host throughout this book is unforgettable. The author went so in depth with detail and clearly thought it out well. Her goal and set up was well executed with feelings and actions drawn out on the page. Everyone, seriously, add this to your MUST read list!

Books like this!
The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau
Forgotten by Cat Patrick
Divergent by Veronica Roth

Seriously check it out!!!!

City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

Now that the Mortal War is over and Clary is back in New York, she is training to be a Shadowhunter and how to use her unique powers. There is now peace between Downworlders and Shadowhunters and Clary’s mother is finally going to marry Luke! Even Clary and Jace can finally start calling each other boyfriend and girlfriend! Everything is going well until someone starts mysteriously killing Shadowhunters and Jace starts pulling away from Clary. By now some people are a little tired of this story, it seems to be same old same old and I was like that too but I couldn't leave the characters just yet. If you like the characters in this series then why not just say what the heck and read this!

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We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

This story begins with a beautiful, rich family, with their own island. Cadence loves going to her family’s island in the summer. Her and her 3 other cousins call themselves the liars and the island is the only place they get to hang out together. She goes to the island every year but then some accident happened that she doesn’t remember and she’s not allowed to go back. This books is captivating and mysterious. It's very powerful and well crafted. My favorite thing about it is the back, it says that if someone asks you how it ends lie, and that's exactly what you should do!

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Dark Souls by Paula Morris

After someone close to Miranda dies in a car accident, she realizes she can see ghosts. Both Miranda and her brother have taken the car accident badly so Miranda's parents decide to take a trip to York, England and when she gets there she realizes that it’s filled with ghosts. Miranda didn't have much plans of doing anything while in York but then she meets someone mysterious that seems to know about the ghosts too. She is naturally curious about being able to see the ghosts so she tries to learn more but it leads her down a dangerous path. I recommend this to people who like ghosty and mysterious stories. It definitely doesn't scare your pants off but I was a little spooked reading it in a dimly lit room with no one else in the house.

Books like this!
(I haven't read many books like this but Goodreads recommends)
Frost by Mirianna Baer
Through Her Eyes by Jennifer Archer
After Obsession by Carrie Jones

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Off the Page by Jodi Picoult

Now that Oliver is in Delilah’s world he has somethings to get used to, things are a lot different in real life than in his book. Everything is going great until a message from the book pops out asking for help and Edgar's mom gets sick. Soon Delilah and Oliver realize there’s no way to keep him in her world, he has to go back. When Edgar finds out about his mom he wants to be with her. Edgar wants to be with his mom and Oliver wants to be with Delilah so they have to figure out another way. This book was so fun to read and I love love the story line. It was also way less predictable than the first book and totally still enjoyable! I recommend this to anyone who loved the first one and who absolutely loves fairytales. This is a story for the book lovers who have always wanted their characters to come to life.

Books like this!
Bookishly Ever After by Isabel Bandeira
Wicked by Gregory Maguire

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City of Glass by Cassandra Clare

Clary has to go to the Glass City to save her mother but it becomes a lot more complicated when she finds out that Jace doesn’t want her to go to the city. He doesn't even want her near it. It is also illegal to enter the city without permission which she doesn't have. When she illegally enters the city she finds an ally named Sebastian who starts to help her learn more about her family and how to stop Valentine. Clary fights to save her mother and the rest of the world to find Valentine and it is definitely not easy. This series does feel like it keeps going, and going, repeating what feels kind of like the same story over again. I love the story and series as well as Cassandra Clare but I can see how some people would think it goes a little far.

Books like this!
Demon Glass by Rachel Hawkins
Die For Me by Amy Plum
Divergent by Veronica Roth

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Between the Lines by Jodi Picoult

Delilah loves books and would rather just stay in her book than be in the real world. Her mother is worried about her, especially when she find an old fairytale book at the library and reads it over and over again. One day when Delilah is reading the book she realizes that the main character, Oliver can talk to her. All Oliver wants to do is get out of the story he’s been made to replay over and over again his whole life and thinks that Delilah can help him get out of the book. I loved the concept of this book and even liked how it was executed. I felt like it was simpler then my actual reading level but I don't think there's anything wrong with reading below your reading level once and awhile. I recommend this book to anyone who loves books and who have a little fairytale in their heart.

Books like this!
Bookishly Ever After by Isabel Bandeira
Cinder by Marissa Meyer
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