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.

Books like this:
The Odds of Lightning by Jocelyn Davies
My Unscripted Life by Lauren Morrill

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Teach Me To Forget by Erica M. Chapman

Ellerly is passed being depressed, she's ready for it all to be over. The date is planned down to the minute. In her closet sits the gun accompanied by the one bullet she will need. She has savings set aside for her mother to help with afterward, including hiring a cleaning crew to come the next morning. What she didn't plan for was the gun not working. 

This isn't just some suicide story. Yes, Ellerly wants to die, and even tries it more then once. But when she's returning the broken gun, a guy from school recognizes her and her distress, tries to stop her from getting a new gun. She doesn't know him but he refuses to leave him alone I thought that this books was well written and the parts of the story I do find relatable (and I promise, it's not the suicidal parts

I honestly don't know who to recommend this book to. It's a hard book to recommend. It covers a tough topic. If you are interested in books that cover sad, tough topics like suicide and depression then you might be interested in this book. 

Books this one reminded me of:
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
To Catch A Killer Sheryl Scarborough

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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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Unforgiven by Lauren Kate

Now that Luce and Daniel have found their happy ending Cam is left wanting to find his own. Cam wants to find Lilith, the girl he almost married years ago.  When he finds out that she is being put through hell by Lucifer he does everything he can to get her out. Lucifer gives Cam 15 days to get Lilith, who remembers nothing about him, to fall back in love with him. It is much harder than he could ever imagine but with Luce and Daniel as his inspiration, he keeps fighting no matter what.


I LOVED THIS BOOK!!! I always liked Cam throughout the whole series and when I found out that there's a book just about him I was so excited. There were many people that were excited about this book too, even people that didn't like the other books. This book allows you to see a different side of Cam and that's what I loved most about this book.

I recommend this book to readers who loved Cam in the other books. Although I do think this book is for readers who liked Cam I also think that if you like Lauren Kate and the Fallen Series I think that you'll still like this book. It really gives you another step into that world and if you didn't like Cam before I bet you will after reading this book.


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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. 

Check it out!

Short Story Saturday!- A Captivating Presence

I’m sitting a room, only lit by the almost overcast sky that shines through the windows, reading from my kindle. This is a place that, even early in the morning, explodes with chaos but today no one’s even bothered to turn the lights on. Although nothing special, like a long weekend, made this Monday morning harder than previous ones, it was clear that this sluggish mood would define the rest of the day. I'm not alone. He is also in here, the one I’ve mentioned before, pacing from instrument to instrument. My eyes follow his every move, completely forgetting my book. I try not to let him catch me watching him but I know he’s seen that I’m here. He doesn’t move like today’s a groggy Monday morning, he walks swiftly and with purpose. I suppose that’s simply his walk. A walk with meaning and destination.

He handles each instrument with careful calloused hands, and it’s beautiful. Without knowing a thing about him you can tell that his respect for each one is a mountain's worth. I’ve known him for almost four years now. We’ve played music together, in this same room, filled with other people playing too. We’ve gone to movies, walked on the beach, and sipped hot chocolate together. I have shared many deep and meaningful conversations with him and him with me. All these memories and yet I can’t find anything to say to him. I keep opening my mouth to say something but each time I bite down on my lips to close it. I really don't know what to say. Do I tell him that just his presence captivates me? I’m sitting here, my hands starting to sweat, holding another world in my hands but the only thing with my attention is him. I can’t go back into my fantasy world, I can’t even tear my eyes away. Should I tell him that being in the same room as him causes my heart to race? My hands that usually shake with chills could burn through the floor with just a touch. My face burning as red as a fireplace. My heart beating faster than a drum. Why can’t I say how I feel? How do you tell someone you’ve built a friendship with that you secretly hope your hands touch in the dark movie theater? How do I tell him that every conversation rings word for word through my head days later?

My attention snaps back to focus. He’s moving towards the door now, maybe the bell rang while I was lost in my thoughts. Just before he goes, he turns around and looks at me. His eyes are so intense they’re hypnotizing. A smile is spread across his face. He lifts his hand and gives a swift wave. For a split second, he doesn’t move, it looks like he’s going to say something. Then the moment passes and he turns back towards the door and goes on his way. I didn’t tell him anything and probably never will. I’m happy where I am. I love what we are. The thought of ruining that is terrifying. So this right here remains a secret. May it never past the confines of this single sheet of paper for if it did I would never be able to forgive myself.

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

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Glimmerglass by Jenna Black

Check it out!

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

Check it out!

Torment by Lauren Kate

Book two in the Fallen series! After everything that happened at Sword & Cross Daniel sends Luce to a new school with higher security. She gets sent to a school in California, far away from her small town in Georgia, that caters specifically to people like her. Not only does Luce get pulled from her home and away from her family, who thinks that she's still enrolled at Sword & Cross, Daniel still can't be with her because it's dangerous. Luce does make new friends at her new school and also starts to learn more about her past selves and even more about her current self. 

This book wasn't my favorite in this series and let me tell you why. First of all, this book makes you kind of hate Daniel in my opinion. He's distant, refuses to tell Luce anything, and just overall feels blocked off. I'm not complaining, I really get why it had to be that way and I think that it really helped us learn more about Luce as a person. This book allowed you to see Luce without the veil and awe of Daniel. Like Fallen, there are a lot of low rating reviews on this book. Many people felt the same way I did about Daniel, but they let it ruin the book for them. Yes, Daniel and Luce fight and argue during most of this book but in my opinion, that's not what monopolizes the whole story. Basically, what I'm saying is that there's more to this book than Daniel being a jerk and Luce being a little whiny. 

I don't recommend this book to people that didn't like Fallen. I get it if you want to give it another chance, see if it gets better, or whatever reasoning you have about it. If you don't like the first one just stop with the series. Don't write mean, annoying reviews over and over again, if it's such torture than stop reading the books! There are millions of books out there, find one, read it, and move on. On the other hand, if you enjoyed Fallen like I did then please read this book. It's not the best but it keeps getting better. 

Other Books Like This Series:
Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
Halo by Alexandra Adornetto
Need by Carrie Jones

Check it out

Forsaken by Sophia Sharp

Forsaken is about a girl named Nora Colburn. She is your classic, plain-Jane, unnoticed high schooler. Until one day a new kid arrives and rumors about him a spreading fast. Her friend tells her that he was kicked out of all of his other schools and is trouble. On his first day Nora gets assigned to stay after school to catch him up in the class they share. As they get to know each other he shares a secret with her that blows her mind. What he shows her is an ancient secret that puts them both in danger.

This book is not very good. I enjoyed it enough but it was just very poorly written. Almost every review I've read about this book compares it to Twilight, seems to be a trend in my recent posts. However, unlike what I said in my review of Fallen, I completely agree with it. When a friend asked what it was about I basically told them that it was Twilight with different characters and a slightly different plot. Even though it's different the basic plot is the same. Twilight- Quiet, new girl drawn to mysterious guy, falls in love, a secret is shared, suddenly she's in danger. Forsaken- Shy girl drawn to mysterious and rumored to be dangerous new guy, falls in love, he tells her something he shouldn't, and bam she's in danger. Don't get me wrong, it's not THAT terrible, I still went onto the second book and it does marginally get better.

I recommend this to someone who liked Twilight and enjoys a quick read. I will admit you have to be understanding and patient to read this book, it moves slow in some places and then jumps in others.

Books like this (maybe better):
Twilight by Stephanie Meyer-clearly-
Dust by Sarah Daltry
Alias Dragonfly by Jane Singer

Go for it and check it out

Fallen by Lauren Kate

Lucinda Price doesn't know what's wrong with her. She was in an accident where a friend died and now she has to go to a reform school called Sword & Cross. While at this school she gets captivated by a mysterious guy named Daniel. He's hot and cold towards her sending her mixed signals. She doesn't know why but she still can't shake the feeling that she's seen him before. Later she finds out that there's some mysteriously magical force that is trying to tear them apart. Being with Daniel has more complications and dangers than she could ever imagine. 

This book, and whole series, is filled with a wonderful and powerful romance that really captivates you. It's filled with action, drama, and suspense. Many people like to compare this to Twilight and THAT'S FINE until they say that it's way worse. Most of the problems people have with Twilight are dialogue, characters, and plot. A.) I don't care about how the dialogue is written or the way the author decides to do it, whatever. B.) The characters in this book aren't like Twilight. They're deeper, more sincere and just all around better (in my opinion). C.) Yes, I agree the plot is similar- girl goes to a new school, falls for an edgy boy, and something crazy happens- but Luce and Daniel's relationship runs deeper and stronger than Bella and Edward's. They have a massive intertwining history that takes four books to learn about. Don't listen to the haters, comparing it to Twilight is like comparing the first draft of an essay to a final draft. This book is wonderful and I'd read it a million more times if I didn't have a to-read list that's a mile long. 

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good fantasy romance. This book isn't your classic sci-fi fantasy with vampires and werewolves. In fact, if you don't like werewolves or vampires then your in luck because this book doesn't contain either. Luce and Daniel's relationship is one like no other that causes you to move from book to book as fast as possible. I will be honest, this book is not for romance haters. Book one is light on the subject but trust me it's there and grows throughout the series. If you like fantasy at all just give it a chance, I can almost guarantee you'll at least enjoy it a little. 

More books like this!
Need by Carrie Jones
Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Check it out!

(p.s. I loved the Twilight books...)

What Light by Jay Asher

The main character of this book is spunky, nice, but also slightly reserved. She, like most teenage girls, looks to her friends for advice even if she doesn't always listen to them. Sierra sells Christmas Trees from her family's tree farm in California every year for the month of December. Her whole family packs up and leaves Oregon to sell Christmas trees. She has a life back in Oregon but also has one in California. While in California Sierra meets a boy named Caleb but everyone tells her that he's bad news. Okay, I know what you're thinking, this is the same premise for so many books these days how is this not boring? Just trust me okay? This book is not your average, good girl meets bad boy and falls in love, there is so much more I promise. I laughed and cried over this book. It was beautifully written and the characters a totally lovable. Although other reviewers say it puts you in the Christmas spirit or that it's a Christmas book, I disagree. Yes, it does take place in December and it revolves around Christmas trees but to me, there's so much other stuff put into this small book that makes it so much more. I recommend this book to anyone who likes a good vanilla romance. Sierra and Caleb's romance is very middle school, nothing super intense but still makes your heart swell. It's a fast, easy read that swept me off my feet. 

Other books like this (according to Goodreads):

The Twelve Days of Dash and Lilly by Rachel Cohn

Our Chemical Hearts by Krystal Sutherland 

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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.

Books like this!
The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau
The Unquiet by Jeannine Garsee
Divergent by Veronica Roth

Check it out!

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.

Check it out.

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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The Siren by Kiera Cass

Kahlan and her family get into a shipwreck and there is a point in time where she knows that it’s almost inevitable that they’re all going to die. Suddenly a voice in her head asks if she wants to live, and she says yes not knowing the strings attached to it. After agreeing to live, she is destined to become a siren that is bound by the ocean for hundreds of years. She isn't allowed to speak to anyone but other sirens, she moves from place to place with her other sister sirens. This book isn't a romance novel. There is romance in it but it is mainly filled with family, travel, and mystery. I recommend this to three type of people. One, lovers of Kiera Cass because if you loved her voice and writing in her other books you'll love this one. Two, if you like stories with ocean and mermaids. Three, you definitely should read this book if you like both of these things!

Books like this!
(haven't read too many books like this but goodreads recommends)
Forbidden Sea by Sheila A. Nielson
Lure by Stephanie Jenkins
Seven Tears Into the Sea by Terri Farley

Check it out!

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

Check it out!

Forgotten by Cat Patrick

London Lane forgets her past but remembers her future. Every morning when London wakes up she doesn’t know anything about the day before, no one knows why. She gets through it by reading the notes she leaves herself each night. This system works until she meets someone who knows her from the past and knows her secret. This book is mysterious and I love this author's writing. There's secrets, puzzles, and even romance! Not for the action lovers but definitely for the people that sort of like romance but not full Nicolas Sparks style.

Books like this!

Every Day by David Levithan

Where Ever You Go by Heather Davis

Check it out!

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

Check it out!