Again, but Better by Christine Riccio

Shanehasbeendoingcollegeallwrong.Pre-med,stellargrades,andhappyparents…soundsideal—butShane'smadezerofriends,goeshomeeveryweekend,andromance…what’sthat?

Herlifehasbeendorm,dininghall,class,repeat.Time'saticking,andsheneedsachange—there'snothinglikemovingtoanewcountrytoreallymixthingsup.ShanesignsupforasemesterabroadinLondon.She'sgoingtorightallhercollegemistakes:makefriends,pursueboys,andfindadventure!

Easiersaidthandone.Sheissoonfacedwiththecomplicatedrealitiesoflivingoutsideherbubble,andwhenself-doubtsneaksin,hernewlifestartstofallapart.

Shanecomestofindthat,withtherightamountofcourageanddeterminationonecanconqueranything.Throwinsomefateandatouchofmagic—thepossibilitiesareendless.Shanehasbeendoingcollegeallwrong.Pre-med,stellargrades,andhappyparents…soundsideal—butShane'smadezerofriends,goeshomeeveryweekend,andromance…what’sthat?

Herlifehasbeendorm,dininghall,class,repeat.Time'saticking,andsheneedsachange—there'snothinglikemovingtoanewcountrytoreallymixthingsup.ShanesignsupforasemesterabroadinLondon.She'sgoingtorightallhercollegemistakes:makefriends,pursueboys,andfindadventure!

Easiersaidthandone.Sheissoonfacedwiththecomplicatedrealitiesoflivingoutsideherbubble,andwhenself-doubtsneaksin,hernewlifestartstofallapart.

Shanecomestofindthat,withtherightamountofcourageanddeterminationonecanconqueranything.Throwinsomefateandatouchofmagic—thepossibilitiesareendless.Shanehasbeendoingcollegeallwrong.Pre-med,stellargrades,andhappyparents…soundsideal—butShane'smadezerofriends,goeshomeeveryweekend,andromance…what’sthat?

Herlifehasbeendorm,dininghall,class,repeat.Time'saticking,andsheneedsachange—there'snothinglikemovingtoanewcountrytoreallymixthingsup.ShanesignsupforasemesterabroadinLondon.She'sgoingtorightallhercollegemistakes:makefriends,pursueboys,andfindadventure!

Easiersaidthandone.Sheissoonfacedwiththecomplicatedrealitiesoflivingoutsideherbubble,andwhenself-doubtsneaksin,hernewlifestartstofallapart.

Shanecomestofindthat,withtherightamountofcourageanddeterminationonecanconqueranything.Throwinsomefateandatouchofmagic—thepossibilitiesareendless.

Summary

Shane has been doing college all wrong. Pre-med, stellar grades, and happy parents…sounds ideal—but Shane's made zero friends, goes home every weekend, and romance…what’s that?

Her life has been dorm, dining hall, class, repeat. Time's a ticking, and she needs a change—there's nothing like moving to a new country to really mix things up. Shane signs up for a semester abroad in London. She's going to right all her college mistakes: make friends, pursue boys, and find adventure!

Easier said than done. She is soon faced with the complicated realities of living outside her bubble, and when self-doubt sneaks in, her new life starts to fall apart.

Shane comes to find that, with the right amount of courage and determination one can conquer anything. Throw in some fate and a touch of magic—the possibilities are endless.Easier said than done. She is soon faced with the complicated realities of living outside her bubble, and when self-doubt sneaks in, her new life starts to fall apart.

Shane comes to find that, with the right amount of courage and determination one can conquer anything. Throw in some fate and a touch of magic—the possibilities are endless.Shane comes to find that, with the right amount of courage and determination one can conquer anything. Throw in some fate and a touch of magic—the possibilities are endless.Shane comes to find that, with the right amount of courage and determination one can conquer anything. Throw in some fate and a touch of magic—the possibilities are endless.


My Thoughts

I can't believe it took me so long to read this book!  I've had it on my bookshelf for forever.  Well, thanks to my tbr jar, I finally picked it up.  And, let me tell you, Again, but Better was full of surprises.

I honestly didn't know there was going to be a magical element.  I'm not sure how I missed that little tidbit but I did.  So, that was a complete surprise to me.  I was pleasantly surprised, though!

I've read a few reviews that express their dislike for the 'excessive 2011 references' but I really didn't mind them.  This is a YA book.  I expect it to be a little "extra" at times.

Overall, I did enjoy this book.  It was a cute, fun read.  I'm glad I finally got to it!

Past This Point by Nicole Mabry

Summary

Karis Hylen has been through the New York City dating wringer. After years of failed relationships, she abandons her social life and whittles her days down to work and spending time with her dog, Zeke. Her self-imposed exile ends up saving her life when an untreatable virus sweeps the east coast, killing millions.

Alone in her apartment building, Karis survives with only Zeke, phone calls to her mom, and conversations with two young girls living across the courtyard. With the city in a state of martial law, violence and the smell of rotting corpses surround her every day. But her biggest enemy is her own mind. As cabin fever sets in, vivid hallucinations make her question her sanity.

In addition to her dwindling food and water stash, Karis must now struggle to keep her mind in check. When a mysterious man enters the scene, she hopes she can convince him to help her make it to the quarantine border. With the world crumbling around her, Karis discovers her inner strength but may find that she needs people after all.

My Thoughts

This book is so good!  It surprised me with how good it was!  No zombies, no monsters, no magic.  Just a 'real-life' look at post-apocalyptic living.

I was immediately pulled right into the story and never wanted to have to put it down.  Karis is such a great character!  She is smart and resourceful, kind and brave.
The girls across the street... they had my heart!
And Zeke, I am such a dog lover so I completely felt the struggle that Karis had when she was told she would have to leave Zeke behind in order to get on the plane!  I wouldn't be able to do it either!

Overall, this is an excellent read and I highly recommend it!

*Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Her Perfect Lies by Lana Newton

Summary

The twisty psychological suspense that will keep you guessing…


Claire is beautiful.
Claire is famous.
Claire has a handsome husband and a house to die for.

But Claire doesn’t know any of that. Claire isn’t even sure who she is…

When Claire Wright wakes in a hospital, she sees a stranger staring back at her in the mirror. With no memories from before the devastating car accident that left her and her father with life-changing injuries, she must navigate the life of a stranger along with all the mistakes her former self left behind.

As Claire discovers the person she used to be she must also unravel the mystery that surrounds the accident. But the more Claire uncovers, the more she will be forced to face up to the dark secrets from her life before…

My Thoughts

The summary sounded extremely good so I was really excited to start reading!  I was instantly drawn into the story.  I love it when that happens!

Now, while I didn't hate this book, there were a few things that are keeping me from giving it a higher rating.  First of all, without giving too much away, I did guess too many things before they were revealed.  All of the "twists" that other reviews had talked about were not surprising tome at all.  I figured it out way early in the book.  That made for an uneventful read.

If I hadn't figured everything out early I probably would have enjoyed this book a bit more.  All in all it wasn't a bad book, just not what I was ultimately hoping for!

*Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Alex and Eliza by Melissa De La Cruz

Summary

Their romance shaped a nation. The rest was history.

1777. Albany, New York. 

As battle cries of the American Revolution echo in the distance, servants flutter about preparing for one of New York society’s biggest events: the Schuylers’ grand ball. Descended from two of the oldest and most distinguished bloodlines in New York, the Schuylers are proud to be one of their fledgling country’s founding families, and even prouder still of their three daughters—Angelica, with her razor-sharp wit; Peggy, with her dazzling looks; and Eliza, whose beauty and charm rival that of both her sisters, though she’d rather be aiding the colonists’ cause than dressing up for some silly ball. 

Still, she can barely contain her excitement when she hears of the arrival of one Alexander Hamilton, a mysterious, rakish young colonel and General George Washington’s right-hand man. Though Alex has arrived as the bearer of bad news for the Schuylers, he can’t believe his luck—as an orphan, and a bastard one at that—to be in such esteemed company. And when Alex and Eliza meet that fateful night, so begins an epic love story that would forever change the course of American history.Still, she can barely contain her excitement when she hears of the arrival of one Alexander Hamilton, a mysterious, rakish young colonel and General George Washington’s right-hand man. Though Alex has arrived as the bearer of bad news for the Schuylers, he can’t believe his luck—as an orphan, and a bastard one at that—to be in such esteemed company. And when Alex and Eliza meet that fateful night, so begins an epic love story that would forever change the course of American history. 


My Thoughts

I don't know what took me so long to read this!  I really did enjoy it!

Eliza is such a great character!  I honestly didn't find her to be annoying or anything like that.  Sometimes a main character tends to have certain quirks that make them seem stuck up or extra judgey or something.  But, I didn't find that in Eliza at all.

And, Alex!  I love Alex so much!

This is such a great, solid book!  I'm so glad I finally read it and I can't wait to pick up the next one!

Solving Cadence Moore by Gregory Sterner

Summary

How much will one man risk to solve the unsolvable?

Ten years ago, famous young singer Cadence Moore disappeared without a trace on a remote highway in western Pennsylvania. To this day her fate remains unknown. Was she kidnapped or murdered? Or did she simply run away in search of a new life, leaving behind the abuse and heartbreak that haunted her?

Charlie Marx, host of the popular conspiracy radio show "Underground Broadcast," is obsessed with Cadence. Desperate to find her after deceiving his boss to save his job, he launches an investigation of his own, digging deep into the missing woman's past and uncovering her darkest secrets. Working feverishly for weeks, he claims to have solved the mystery and promises to reveal Cadence's fate at the end of a groundbreaking podcast series and live radio special.

But is it all a lie? As years of twisted details slowly unravel, Charlie races to solve the biggest mystery of the decade. If he succeeds, it will mean closure for Cadence. If he fails, his entire world will come crashing down live on air--and the truth may be lost forever.How much will one man risk to solve the unsolvable?

Ten years ago, famous young singer Cadence Moore disappeared without a trace on a remote highway in western Pennsylvania. To this day her fate remains unknown. Was she kidnapped or murdered? Or did she simply run away in search of a new life, leaving behind the abuse and heartbreak that haunted her?

Charlie Marx, host of the popular conspiracy radio show "Underground Broadcast," is obsessed with Cadence. Desperate to find her after deceiving his boss to save his job, he launches an investigation of his own, digging deep into the missing woman's past and uncovering her darkest secrets. Working feverishly for weeks, he claims to have solved the mystery and promises to reveal Cadence's fate at the end of a groundbreaking podcast series and live radio special.

But is it all a lie? As years of twisted details slowly unravel, Charlie races to solve the biggest mystery of the decade. If he succeeds, it will mean closure for Cadence. If he fails, his entire world will come crashing down live on air--and the truth may be lost forever.

My Thoughts

I love mysteries!  I love listening to and watching things about unsolved cases.  I had such high hopes for this book!

It's not that I hated it.  I found it simply ok.  I guess that's the problem... I was underwhelmed.  It didn't have what I was hoping for!  I can't exactly put my finger on what it is that I felt that it was lacking, I just needed something more!

Like I said, this isn't a bad book, it just isn't great.

*Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

Summary

Fall in love, break the curse.

Cursed by a powerful enchantress to repeat the autumn of his eighteenth year, Prince Rhen, the heir of Emberfall, thought he could be saved easily if a girl fell for him. But that was before he turned into a vicious beast hell-bent on destruction. Before he destroyed his castle, his family, and every last shred of hope.
Nothing has ever been easy for Harper. With her father long gone, her mother dying, and her brother constantly underestimating her because of her cerebral palsy, Harper learned to be tough enough to survive. When she tries to save a stranger on the streets of Washington, DC, she's pulled into a magical world.

Break the curse, save the kingdom.

Harper doesn't know where she is or what to believe. A prince? A curse? A monster? As she spends time with Rhen in this enchanted land, she begins to understand what's at stake. And as Rhen realizes Harper is not just another girl to charm, his hope comes flooding back. But powerful forces are standing against Emberfall . . . and it will take more than a broken curse to save Harper, Rhen, and his people from utter ruin.Harper doesn't know where she is or what to believe. A prince? A curse? A monster? As she spends time with Rhen in this enchanted land, she begins to understand what's at stake. And as Rhen realizes Harper is not just another girl to charm, his hope comes flooding back. But powerful forces are standing against Emberfall . . . and it will take more than a broken curse to save Harper, Rhen, and his people from utter ruin.


My Thoughts

I have come to realize that I own so many books that I still haven't read!  So, I decided to write each one on a piece of paper and put it in a big jar.  So now, just about every Friday, I pick one of the book titles from my TBR Jar and I read that book.  Recently, I picked A Curse So Dark and Lonely.

I was pretty excited to pick this book up.  I love retellings so I knew that I would enjoy this one.  I was not disappointed.

This book was actually a lot more intense than I expected!  I have already recommended it to a few people and I'm sure I will continue to recommend it to others.

Now, the only problem is that there is a sequel that I will HAVE to pick up soon!

Hidden Scales by A.M. Robin

Merrowsaresupposedtobeextinct.Noonehasseenthewater-breathingcreaturesinoveracentury.

That'salleleven-year-oldMirahastimetothinkasshestaresatthesilverscalesthathavespreadoverherfootbeforesheaccidentallytriggersacursethatwillchangeherworldforever.Sheandherbestfriend,Peter,areforcedtoembarkonajourneyacrossthekingdom,escapingfromruthlessspieswhowillstopatnothingtocapturethembeforeanyoneelselearnsMira'ssecret.

Withthehelpofarunawayscholarandafamiliaryoungboywhorevealsthathe,too,hasjustdiscoveredthatheisamerrow,thechildrenbegintotraintobeatthespiesattheirowngame.Beforetheycantrulyfindsafety,Miramustlearntousethemysteriouspowersofherpeople,orelsesheandherfriendsmayneverbeabletoreturnhomeagain.Merrowsaresupposedtobeextinct.Noonehasseenthewater-breathingcreaturesinoveracentury.

That'salleleven-year-oldMirahastimetothinkasshestaresatthesilverscalesthathavespreadoverherfootbeforesheaccidentallytriggersacursethatwillchangeherworldforever.Sheandherbestfriend,Peter,areforcedtoembarkonajourneyacrossthekingdom,escapingfromruthlessspieswhowillstopatnothingtocapturethembeforeanyoneelselearnsMira'ssecret.

Withthehelpofarunawayscholarandafamiliaryoungboywhorevealsthathe,too,hasjustdiscoveredthatheisamerrow,thechildrenbegintotraintobeatthespiesattheirowngame.Beforetheycantrulyfindsafety,Miramustlearntousethemysteriouspowersofherpeople,orelsesheandherfriendsmayneverbeabletoreturnhomeagain.

Summary

Merrows are supposed to be extinct. No one has seen the water-breathing creatures in over a century.
That's all eleven-year-old Mira has time to think as she stares at the silver scales that have spread over her foot before she accidentally triggers a curse that will change her world forever. She and her best friend, Peter, are forced to embark on a journey across the kingdom, escaping from ruthless spies who will stop at nothing to capture them before anyone else learns Mira's secret.

With the help of a runaway scholar and a familiar young boy who reveals that he, too, has just discovered that he is a merrow, the children begin to train to beat the spies at their own game. Before they can truly find safety, Mira must learn to use the mysterious powers of her people, or else she and her friends may never be able to return home again.


My Thoughts

I really enjoyed this book!  The plot is great and the characters are so much fun.  This may be considered to be a middle grade book but I really think it will be enjoyed by teens and adults as well.

Mira  is the main character.  She develops silver scales on her feet and discovers that she is a merrow.

I actually think that Peter is my favorite character.  He loves books and likes to find answers for the problems they are having in books.  There is just something about him that I love!

Overall, this book is a great read!  I really enjoyed and definitely recommend it to any other fantasy lovers!

*Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.