Review: My True Love Gave to Me Anthology

My True Love Gave to Me
Goodreads / Amazon
Published October 14, 2014
Review Copy Via NetGalley

Summary 

If you love holiday stories, holiday movies, made-for-TV-holiday specials, holiday episodes of your favorite sitcoms and, especially, if you love holiday anthologies, you’re going to fall in love with MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME: TWELVE HOLIDAY STORIES by twelve bestselling young adult writers, edited by international bestselling author Stephanie Perkins.

Let’s begin this review with a wish. Here, I’ll start. In the words on Anaïs Nin: “Let him be kind.” Leave your wish in the comments.

Okay, I love every single one of these (well like, there are one or two I’m not totally head over heels for. Also if someone, anyone, could explain to me why having twelve EPIC authors being in the same freaking book was a sound idea regarding my mental sanity, that’d be awesome. Thanks. *rolls eyes and grins like a complete and utter maniac* I have a confession: I don’t usually read Christmas or ‘tis the season or happy holiday sort of books. At all. Not even around this time of year. And I’ve already read two. This one is by far my favorite. It was a lovely combination of contemporary and mystic magical jazz and cute kisses and short stories that I’d loooove to be longer. Especially the very last one of this novel. Laini Taylor’s contribution. Which was freaking perfect. It was the perfect end to the anthology.  

Rowell’s New Year’s Eve story was lovely, not one of my favorites, but absolutely stunning. I love how her writing always manages to drag me into her world. Kelly Link’s fox story was some kind of strange and wonderful. I was confused then enchanted. Also, still a little confused. Matt De La Pena; this wasn’t one of the one’s I’d re-read. I felt no connections. Not much actually occurred. A bit of a disappointment to me. Han’s elf but not an elf story left me feeling dreary. This was another story that I didn’t really like all that much. But it was different.  When does Perkins not deliver? I loved it. Love, love, love it. Love it to pieces. I love David Levithan, but this one not as much as I usually do. I’m really happy that a LGBT story made it into the novel. Also, I adore this quote:

“I am here, and he is here, and everything I need to know is that I will hold him and he will hold me until I am warm again, until I know I belong (47%).”

Holly Black- how many ways are there to tell her I love her writing SO FREAKING MUCH?! This one is no exception. Forman delivered a good ol’ feel-good story for the holiday. I loved how it had the whole ‘I’m here in a new place I need to find my people vibe’ to it! McEntire did a cute job with an adorable story, even if it wasn’t for me.  White did a lovely job with this sweet, homey story. I really liked this one as well. I would reveal the name, but where’s the fun in that? *winks* Ally Carter’s story just didn’t appeal to me. It was too neatly wrapped. FINALLY we have me favorite (which I was not expecting to be my favorite) by Laini Taylor. I’ll just show you some quotes:

“I will free you, and I will lift you. I will learn a thousand ways to make you laugh. Your smiles will be the honey in my mead, your enchantment my delight.”
 “She was the goddess of. . .herself. And he could not look away from her.”

I could write an entire review on just that one story. Ohsweetbabyjesus I love it, love it, love it. I mean “I will free you?” I love him. Where can I get me one? Why aren’t real guys saying things like this? Okay *breathes* It was perfect. 

How was y'all's holiday? I've had a lovely Christmas filled with presents and hot choco and family. Also, homework. Oh, joy. I hope y'all got everything on that lovely list of yours!

Review: Mistletoe on Main Street by Olivia Miles

Mistletoe on Main Street by Olivia Miles
The greatest gift begins with a kiss. . .
Published: September 30, 2014
Review Copy via Publisher (Forever)

Summary 

Sleigh bells, snow, and second chances . . .

Briar Creek's quaint shop windows, cozy homes nestled in snow, and neighborly residents are what Christmas dreams are made of--for everyone except Grace Madison. She left her hometown years ago to pursue a writing career. But when her father's death leaves his bookstore empty, Grace must return to face why she fled Vermont in the first place: Luke Hastings, who still heats her up like a shot of smoky whiskey on a cold winter's night.

Grace is back, and Luke is worried. How much has she changed as a bestselling author in the big city? What memories will she stir up? And was the choice he made five years ago the biggest mistake of his life?

Now, with their past, present, and future rocking around the Christmas tree, it's time for Grace and Luke to face the music . . . and the mistletoe.

There is no decking of the halls in this Christmas time book- or at least not in the first hundred leaps. Know what there is a lot of? Drama. Angst. Idiots. Cute moments. Stupid moments. Drama. Tension. Heartbreak. Drama. *looks over list* And drama. Since I don’t really know how to review this book (and it’s been about a month.5 since I’ve read it (thanks school)) I’ll be doing this review little differently. I’ll be breaking down the whatchamacallits into sections.  First let me offer you a suggestion in your choice of Christmas music to go with how I feel about the romance in this book: This Christmas- Set It Off (it’s on the Punk goes Christmas album, if case you feel confuzzled)

SO, let’s talk romance, my lovelies: I hate the romance. *giggles hysterically* I HAAAAATE IT (that was said in a sing-song voice to convey the psychotic tendencies this romance brings out of me) It was too angsty. Everyone had issues, most which I didn’t really understand, nor feel I could empathize, or even sympathize, with. I never had the urge to lock them in a room. Okay, that last one was a lie, but come one. Communication, y’all. Communication. I swear. I’ll say it one more time in case you didn’t hear it, I’ll even type this in a Dr. Phil voice- Communication.

Let’s chat plot: The plot . . . a mother who doesn’t feel Christmas, lovers who are resisting each other (haha, bet you think I’m talking out our main characters) and two idiots who don’t know how to let go of the past. I really liked all the different stories interwoven into the novel. It was cute. And sweet. And made me want to see how everything would end up.

That small town feel, y’all :  . . . it gets me every time! Pastry shops and book stores and adorable plays and a holiday with mistletoe and jingle bells and hot chocolate 24/7. I think yes yes yes. Where’s my plane ticket?

So, basically: I liked everything and everybody except the two main characters. Therefore, I give this book a nice and round rating of 3 stars. Tee hee hee.

Happy holidays, my lovelies!

HAAAAVE YOURSELF 

a merry little Christmas, or holiday

Just have food and presents and hot chocolate

Review: Scratch by Rhonda Helms

Scratch by Rhonda Helms
Look below the surface . . .
Published: September 30, 2014
Review copy via Netgalley + Publisher

Summary

The most painful scars are the ones you never see.

In her DJ booth at a Cleveland dance club, Casey feels a sense of connection that's the closest she ever gets to normal. On her college campus, she's reserved, practical-all too aware of the disaster that can result when you trust the wrong person. But inexplicably, Daniel refuses to pay attention to the walls she's put up. Like Casey, he's a senior. In every other way, he's her opposite.

Sexy, open, effortlessly charming, Daniel is willing to take chances and show his feelings. For some reason Casey can't fathom, he's intent on drawing her out of her bubble and back into a world that's messy and unpredictable. He doesn't know about the deep scars that pucker her stomach - or the deeper secret behind them. Since the violent night when everything changed, Casey has never let anyone get close enough to hurt her again. Now, she might be tempted to try.

Girl DJ with enough emotional issues to create a barrier between her and everybody else. (minus the oh so very lovely grandparents) She creates this wall through the entire novel and even refuses to relinquish any of it, even if it means a life time of loneliness and despair. Throughout the book “Scratch,” one sees fantastic character development, even if none of the characters are very complex.  Or very likeable. And that is what this book is severely lacking in: complexity.

“Scratch” was very one step forward, three steps back. ALSO- main DJ chick- she needs to grow and move on. That may seem insensitive, but really, it’s for her own good. Letting music consume you until you don’t recognize the difference between who’s trying to help you and who’s trying to deceive you isn't really the best decision. And there are a lot of people trying to help her (even in the really, really, REALLY went about it the wrong way. (Seriously, man, did you honestly think that one through?) But, I really just wish she could see. Like really see.

The plot. Oh, the plot. It was very, how do you say, simple? Yup. It was simple. I mean, it was 100% inner turmoil and healing and romance, but also zero action. No bang-pow-pow. I like some bang-pow-pow. No street fights or butts being handed back.

In the end, this was a lovely 3.5 stars of a book. One with a gorgeous cover, a story worth reading, and doesn't require much thought process.

So how have y'all been? Since I've been gone? Empty? Half-empty? Completely empty? Also, if you know that movie quote you're the best person ever. 

Here's a Cover I'm in Love With

Jalen, lover of B-grade sci-fi movies, meets the far-too-handsome P in a cafe while deciding whether or not to skip uni again. When P invites them along to a double feature of Robot Monster and Cat Women of the Moon, Jalen can hardly believe that hot boys like bad sci-fi, too. But as their relationship progresses, Jalen realizes P leaves them wondering if they're on the same page about what dating means, and if that's what they're doing.

On Netgalley 

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I LOVE THE FONT. I LOVE THE FONTSSS.

A Holiday Book to Believe In

So I was approved for this book on Netgalley and the cover is SO CHRISTMAS-Y and BEAUTIFUL! I can't wait to get started on it . . . on school whyyyy must you drown me in work??

Family-oriented Juliet is a Christmas-dinner cook extraordinaire and is trying to keep it together in the wake of her marriage breakdown two Christmases ago, but the cracks are beginning to show.

Her bright and vivacious sister Gemma was always the favorite daughter. Gemma has no qualms about escaping the festive madness and the pressures of her glamorous job by jetting off somewhere warm and leaving Christmas in Juliet's capable hands.

When Gemma shirks responsibility one too many times and announces she's off to the Caribbean (again!), Juliet finally snaps. Gemma offers her sister the perfect solutionto swap Christmases. She'll stay home and cook the turkey (how hard can it be?) and Juliet can fly off into the sun and have a restorative break.

In the midst of all the chaos, there's Will, Juliet's dishy neighbor who's far too nice to float Gemma's boat and may secretly harbor feelings for her sister; and Marco, the suave Italian in the villa next door who has his own ideas about the best way to help Juliet unwind.

Will the sisters abandon caution and make this a Christmas swap to remember?

Find it on Netgalley

Last Day of Sale!

Every year, the girls of Phi Delta Chii, Fiona Arlett’s dream sorority, hold a competition. 

The prize? 

James Reid, king size bar of eye candy and famous actor turned haughty undergrad. 

The rules? 

No girl but the winner can touch him. 

The problem? 

Fiona miiight have unknowingly banged his brains out last week. 

Losing the competition may mean wearing a chicken suit to the sexiest Halloween costume contest, but she’d rather have feathers up her butt than let the truth out. 

Unfortunately, she and James have lots in common and more chemistry than the science wing. Soon they’re sneaking around behind the backs of UCSD’s hottest and most vengeful girls. 

If they find out? 

Fiona’s screwed. 

Buy it on Amazon!

A Holiday Giveaway

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I hope y'all are having a lovely and festive holiday season! Good luck with the giveaway.

As for why the posts are less frequent, school has been kicking me in the butt. All study and no reading. The life of a student is a hard one indeed.