Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway

Book:  Audrey, Wait!
Author:  Robin Benway
Published:  April 10, 2008 from Razorbill
My edition/number of pages:  PB/313

Age group:  Young adult
Source:  Bookstore
Series?:  Nope.

While trying to score a date with her cute co-worker at the Scooper Dooper, sixteen-year-old Audrey gains unwanted fame and celebrity status when her ex-boyfriend, a rock musician, records a breakup song about her that soars to the top of the Billboard charts.

I kind of want to beat myself up for waiting so long to read my copy of Audrey, Wait!  Every review I read for it was great but for some reason I kept putting off reading it.  I am so glad that I decided to take it on vacation with me this year because I finally found the time to read it and it was fantastic!

Audrey Cuttler had no idea that when she broke up with her boyfriend, Evan, he would write a song about it.  Well he did.  And what's even worse is that it's popular all over the country.  Overnight, Audrey went from being nobody special to being the girl in the song and everybody wants a piece of her.  Luckily, it seems like her crush is one of those people.  James and her are getting closer but how can a relationship work when she can't even go outside without someone trying to take her picture?  Will James be okay with it or will Audrey's fame come between all her relationships?

Audrey was a fabulous character.  She was witty, clever, cute, and just easy to relate to.  I felt bad for her because of The Song but I also kind of wanted to be her.  She had such great friends and James was absolutely adorable.  The fame part probably would have annoyed me though.  Her best friend Victoria was there to help her through it.  Victoria was crazy and I loved her.  She made me laugh so much.  Her and Jonah were such a cute couple and such good friends to Audrey when she needed them.  Then there was James.  You already know how I feel about him.  He was just so sweet and funny.  He didn't care about Audrey's fame because he had liked her way before that.  They seemed to have the perfect relationship and they were a great couple.

My only complaint about Audrey,Wait! was the beginning.  I had a little trouble getting into the book to begin with but once I got past that part it was so hard to put down.  I don't really know why I had a problem with the beginning though.  I think it was just that there wasn't a whole lot going on yet and I had to get into to the book for more action to begin.  It was well worth it though.  =]

Overall, Audrey,Wait! is a wonderfully written, hilarious tale of being famous and trying to get through high school.  It's been out for a while now so it shouldn't be hard to find a copy if you haven't read it yet and I highly recommend trying to find one. 

First line:  The day I broke up with my boyfriend Evan was the day he wrote the song.

Writing:  5

Characters:  5

Plot:  4

Ending:  5

Originality:  5

Overall:  24=A+

Cover:  4=B-

Two Way Street by Lauren Barnholdt

Book:  Two Way Street
Author:  Lauren Barnholdt
Published:  June 26, 2007 from Simon Pulse
My edition/number of pages:  PB/288

Age group:  Young adult
Source:  Bookstore
Series?:  No.

There are two sides to every breakup. This is Jordan and Courtney, totally in love. Sure, they were an unlikely high school couple. But they clicked; it worked. They're even going to the same college, and driving cross-country together for orientation. Then Jordan dumps Courtney -- for a girl he met on the Internet. It's too late to change plans, so the road trip is on. Courtney's heartbroken, but figures she can tough it out for a few days. La la la -- this is Courtney pretending not to care. But in a strange twist, Jordan cares. A lot. Turns out, he's got a secret or two that he's not telling Courtney. And it has everything to do with why they broke up, why they can't get back together, and how, in spite of it all, this couple is destined for each other.

I honestly do not know why it has taken me so long to read this book.  I have had it on my shelf for a long time and I have had tons of my friends tell me that I need to read it.  For some reason, I just kept putting it off but I figured that it would be the perfect book to take with me on my vacation and I was right. 

Two Way Street is the story of Courtney and Jordan.  They both love each other but only one of them knows the real reason why they can't be together.  Jordan has been keeping the truth from Courtney for months now but this road trip may change everything.  Courtney is still in love with him and she will do anything to get him back.  Jordan is still in love with Courtney so it really doesn't take much to get him to notice her.  All the crazy things that she does to get his attention only make him want her back more.  The truth will have to come out before they can start to fix things but will the truth make things better or worse?

I know tons of people who loved Two Way Street and I really did expect to like it but I didn't expect to love it as much as I did.  It was kind of sad how Courtney and Jordan were still in love with each other but couldn't be together but there were so many times that I couldn't help but laugh.  B.J. and Jocelyn, Jordan and Courtney's best friends were hilarious.  The book would have been nowhere near as funny without those two.  Their relationship was so odd but they seemed perfect for each other.  Just like Jordan and Courtney.  When I read about their past together, I didn't see the chemistry between them at first.  As they spent more time together I started to love their weird relationship.  They brought out the best and the worst in each other and it was such a perfect relationship because it was so odd. 

The best part of the book was the way it was told.  Some of the chapters were told from Courtney's POV and some were told from Jordan's.  Also, some of the chapters were about what happened on the actual trip and some of them were about the months that led up to the trip.  It gave a good, in depth look at how their relationship got started and how it ended.  The one thing that I could have done without was the cussing.  Jordan cussed a lot and it was mainly the F-word.  I didn't think it was necessary that much but I do live with a teenage boy so I know that they actually talk like that.  Obviously, younger teens may want to stay away from this one if they don't like cussing.

Overall, Two Way Street was a great book and it's the perfect summer read.  It's not exactly a new release but it should be pretty easy to find yourself a copy of it.  I will have to check out more of Lauren Barnholdt's books now because this one was fantastic. 

First line: I'm a traitor to my generation.

Writing:  4

Characters:  4

Plot:  5

Ending:  5

Originality:  5

Overall:  23=A-

Cover:  5=A++

Sea Change Paperback Release + Giveaway!

I recently read Sea Change by Aimee Friedman and it was the perfect summer read.  I couldn't believe it when Scholastic offered me a whole Beach Reads prize pack, including Sea Change, to giveaway to one lucky reader.

Sixteen-year-old Miranda Merchant is great at science...and not so great with boys. After major drama with her (now ex) boyfriend, she's happy to be spending the summer on small, mysterious Selkie Island, helping her mother sort out her late grandmother's estate.

On the lush, beautiful island, Miranda finds new friends and a community with a mystical history, presenting her with facts her logical, scientific mind can't make sense of. She also meets Leo, who challenges everything she thought she knew about boys, romance...and reality.

Is Leo hiding something? Or is he something that she never could have imagined?

If you would like to find out more about Sea Change or any of other Aimee Friedman's works check out the sites below.

Aimee Friedman:  http://www.aimeefriedmanbooks.com/

Sea Change:  http://www.thisispoint.com/books/seachange.asp

Details:

-One person will win a Beach Reads Prize Pack containing paperback copies of all Aimee Friedman's books.  (Sea Change, French Kiss, Hollywood Hills, South Beach, and The Year My Sister Got Lucky)

Requirements:

-You must fill out the form to be entered.

-You must have a US mailing address.

Fill out the form here!

This giveaway will end on July 12.

Sea Change by Aimee Friedman

Book:  Sea Change
Author:  Aimee Friedman
Published:  June 1, 2009 from Point
My edition/number of pages:  ARC/292

Age group:  Young adult
Source:  Publisher
Series?:  No.

16-year-old Miranda Merchant is great at science...and not so great with boys. After major drama with her boyfriend and (now ex) best friend, she's happy to spend the summer on small, mysterious Selkie Island, helping her mother sort out her late grandmother's estate.

There, Miranda finds new friends and an island with a mysterious, mystical history, presenting her with facts her logical, scientific mind can't make sense of. She also meets Leo, who challenges everything she thought she knew about boys, friendship...and reality.

Is Leo hiding something? Or is he something that she never could have imagined?

Sea Change is the perfect summer read.  I had a feeling it might be but after actually reading it, I am certain.  It has everything you could possibly want in a summer read.  There's romance, mystery, mermaid lore, and so much more.  It's a quick easy read and the perfect book to laze by the pool with.

Miranda Merchant had plans for the summer.  She was going to be interning at The Museum Of Natural History in New York City.  It was her dream internship.  She couldn't wait.  But plans changed.  When her grandmother, Isadora, died, she left the summer house on Selkie Island to Miranda's mom.  Her mom wants to sell the house but it has to be cleaned out first and it can't be done alone.  Miranda defers her internship and meets up with her mom on the island.  At first, it's unbearable but then she meets Leo, a local boy who seems to be hiding a secret.  Could the legends of Selkie Island really be true?  And could Leo be one of those legends?

First off, I just want to say how much I love mermaid stories.  I always have and I probably always will.  Sea Change didn't actually have a lot to do with mermaids, more with the start of the legends of them on Selkie Island.  I was actually okay with that.  I liked the mystery behind the story, not knowing who might be a mermaid and if the legends were even true.  It was fun to try and figure everything out.

The characters were kind of blah for me.  Miranda was a little whiny at first but she did grow out of that as the book progressed.  She also seemed naive at some parts of the book.  She automatically trusted Leo and I don't know if I would do that or if anyone would.  Their relationship went super fast and I didn't think it was very realistic.  It's almost like the book would have been too long if their relationship had gone on a normal course.  Don't get me wrong, I loved Leo.  He was mysterious but sweet at the same time.  He had just a hint of bad boy to him and I liked that he drew Miranda out of her shell.  They were great together but there were some little flaws with them.

Overall, Sea Change is a great tale of romance and mystery.  My absolute favorite type of books are ones that keep me guessing and Sea Change did just that.  If you haven't already read this one, add it to your list.  Aimee Friedman is one of my favorite authors and Sea Change just proves why.

First line:  The waiting ferryboat--ivory-colored and two-tiered--resembled a slice of cake.

Writing:  5

Characters:  4

Plot:  4

Ending:  4

Originality:  5

Overall:  22=B+

Cover:  5=A++ (It's absolutely gorgeous!)

Product review: my new bookcase from CSN Office Furniture!

A couple weeks ago, before I left for vacation, I mentioned that I was getting a product from CSN Stores for review.  I chose to review another bookcase from their huge selection and I chose the SEI 55" H Spine Book Tower.  I ordered it on Monday and received it on Wednesday so I was super happy and had to immediately put it together.

Here is what the pieces looked like in the box:

The box was lot heavier than I expected it to be so I had to drag it back to my room but other than that it was great.  Once I got everything out of the box and out of the plastic it was so easy to put together.  It came with everything I needed to assemble the bookcase and I managed to get it put together all on my own and in about 20 minutes.  It was the easiest furniture assembly that I have ever done.

Put together, it looks beautiful:

Of course, it looks even better with my books on it:

I love it.  It's little so it fits in the one open spot in my room but it holds tons of books.  I counted and I think I got 65 on it.  I was kind of surprised because I didn't think it would hold that many but I am glad that it did because I really needed somewhere to put my books.  (Oh and sorry that you can see into my closet.  Hehe.)

Overall, there isn't a single thing about my new bookcase that I don't absolutely adore.  It's little but big enough and it's sturdy too so I don't ever have to worry about having too many books on it.  The assembly was easy and it was totally worth it.  You won't find a bookcase like this in stores, or at least I didn't manage to.  I also think it's very cool that it just looks like a big pile of books from far away.  Luckily, this pile won't topple over.

In the end, this was the perfect choice for me and for anyone else with limited space.  It was a great price and I know that I will get tons of use out of it over the years.  This is one bookcase that will be going with me wherever I move.  I know that it will match whatever I want perfectly.  I greatly appreciate CSN Office Furniture giving me the chance to review one of their products.  I love their site and I can't wait to see what I find on there next.

Rating:  5 Stars!

In My Mailbox 68

In My Mailbox is a meme created by The Story Siren and inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie! It is a list of what books you have received over the previous week, either for review, from the library, from the bookstore, or from trades. =]

For review:

-What's Your Status? (A Top 8 Novel) by Katie Finn
-Salvaged by Stefne Miller (Signed!)
-Infinite Days by Rebecca Maizel (!!!)
-Heart To Heart by Lurlene McDaniel

From trades/bought:

-Unbelievable (PLL #4) by Sara Shepard
-The Wish by Gail Carson Levine
-Jealous? (The Ashleys #2) by Melissa de la Cruz
-Birthday Vicious (The Ashleys #3) by Melissa de la Cruz
-Summer In The City by Elizabeth Chandler
-I Was A Teenage Popsicle by Bev Katz Rosenbaum
-How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff
-Frenemies by Alexa Young
-Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
-Bounce by Natasha Friend
-Avalon High by Meg Cabot
-Matched by Ally Condie (Thank you Nancy!)
-Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
-Dark Flame (The Immortals #4) by Alyson Noel

This week I bought a ton of books but that was because they were all around $1.  I went to my local thrift store and found a ton of YA books that I either really liked or wanted to read.  I was ecstatic, especially when I found out they were all half price.  I didn't need to buy another copy of BC but I think I will give it to a friend.  I just couldn't pass it up.  I did buy Dark Flame at Borders though.  I have high hopes that it will be better than the last book.

Also, I got Infinite Days which I am dying to read.  It was a huge surprise and I am so excited to read it.  Oh and I got some swag to give away to you guys soon so watch for that!

What was in your mailbox this week?

Waiting, Wanting, Wishing: Debut Novels (4)

Waiting, Wanting, Wishing is a meme created by Mandy of MandyCanRead. It's based off of The Story Siren's Books To Pine For and other posts such as that one. There are so many books out there that I want to read and this is a good way to spotlight some of them.  This weeks theme is books by debut authors and I am very excited to read them all!

Click on the books title to be taken to the Goodreads page.

Title:  Stork
Author:  Wendy Delsol
Release date:  October 12, 2010

After her parents' divorce, Katla and her mother move from Los Angeles to Norse Falls, Minnesota, where Kat immediately alienates two boys at her high school and, improbably, discovers a kinship with a mysterious group of elderly women--the Icelandic Stork Society - who "deliver souls." 

Title:  The Other Side Of Dark
Author:  Sarah Smith (debut YA)
Release date:  November 2, 2010

Since losing both of her parents, fifteen-year-old Katie can see and talk to ghosts, which makes her a loner until fellow student Law sees her drawing of a historic house and together they seek a treasure rumored to be hidden there by illegal slave-traders.

Law Walker knew Katie Mullens before she was crazy. Before her mother died. Law knows Katie’s crazy now, but she’s always been talented. And she keeps filling sketch pads even though her drawings have gone a little crazy as well—dark, bloody. What Law doesn’t know is that these drawings are real. Or were real. Katie draws what she sees—and Katie sees dead people. People who have died—recently, and not so recently—in accidents, from suicide, even a boy who was trapped in a house that burned down more than 100 years ago. And it’s this boy who makes Law want to get to know Katie all over again. So what if his dad doesn’t want him dating a white girl? So what if people think Katie is dangerous? The ghost boy is hiding a secret that Law needs to know—and it’s much bigger, much more shocking than anyone ever expected.

Title:  Losing Faith
Author:  Denise Jaden
Release date:  September 7, 2010

A terrible secret. A terrible fate.

When Brie's sister, Faith, dies suddenly, Brie's world falls apart. As she goes through the bizarre and devastating process of mourning the sister she never understood and barely even liked, everything in her life seems to spiral farther and farther off course. Her parents are a mess, her friends don't know how to treat her, and her perfect boyfriend suddenly seems anything but.

As Brie settles into her new normal, she encounters more questions than closure: Certain facts about the way Faith died just don't line up. Brie soon uncovers a dark and twisted secret about Faith's final night...a secret that puts her own life in danger.

Title:  Freefall
Author:  Mindi Scott
Release date:  October 5, 2010

How do you come back from the point of no return?

Seth McCoy was the last person to see his best friend Isaac alive, and the first to find him dead. It was just another night, just another party, just another time where Isaac drank too much and passed out on the lawn. Only this time, Isaac didn’t wake up.

Convinced that his own actions led to his friend’s death, Seth is torn between turning his life around . . . or losing himself completely.

Then he meets Rosetta: so beautiful and so different from everything and everyone he's ever known. But Rosetta has secrets of her own, and Seth will soon realize he isn’t the only one who needs saving . . .

Title:  Inconvenient
Author:  Margie Gelbwasser
Release date:  Novemer 1, 2010

Alyssa Bondar’s world is falling apart. She has just entered her sophomore year at Glenfair High, the only place to hang out is behind the CVS, Keith her cross-country crush keeps sending her mixed signals, and her best friend Lana has started the school year with large breasts and a sexy attitude–-attracting the attention of the most popular kids in the school, a group Alyssa clearly doesn’t fit into.

Alyssa’s Jewish, like most of Glenfair, but since she’s also Russian, Alyssa feels even more separated from other teens. How many other Jewish families have a New Year’s tree with ornaments? On top of all this, Alyssa’s once stable home environment has become chaotic.

Alyssa is used to alcohol accompanying every meal and event in the Russian culture. But when Alyssa’s mother loses her job, the usual drink or two changes into a full-time happy hour. While Alyssa’s father uses news reports of war unrest in the Middle East as his escape from reality, Alyssa is left to pick up the pieces of her shattered family alone. As her mother’s alcoholism gets worse, Alyssa must decide how much she can and should handle before she crumbles as well.

Title:  Personal Demons
Author:  Lisa Desrochers
Release date:  September 14, 2010

Frannie Cavanaugh is a good Catholic girl with a bit of a wicked streak. She's spent years keeping everyone at a distance—even her closest friends—and it seems her senior year will be more of the same...until Luc Cain enrolls in her class. No one knows where he came from, but Frannie can't seem to stay away from him. What she doesn't know is that Luc works in Acquisitions—for Hell—and she possesses a unique skill set that has the King of Hell tingling with anticipation. All Luc has to do is get her to sin, and he’s as tempting as they come. Frannie doesn’t stand a chance.

Unfortunately for Luc, Heaven has other plans, and the angel, Gabe, is going to do whatever it takes to make sure that Luc doesn’t get what he came for. And it isn't long before they find themselves fighting for more than just her soul.

But if Luc fails, there will be Hell to pay…for all of them.

There are tons of other debuts that I want to read but these are some that are at the top of my list!

What are you waiting, wanting, wishing for this week?

Splendor (The Luxe #4) by Anna Godbersen

Book:  Splendor (The Luxe #4)
Author:  Anna Godbersen
Published:  October 13, 2009 from HarperTeen
My edition/number of pages:  HC/391

Age group:  Young adult
Source:  Publisher
Series?:  Yes.  Final book.

A spring turns into summer, Elizabeth relishes her new role as a young wife, while her sister, Diana, searches for adventure abroad. But when a surprising clue about their father's death comes to light, the Holland girls wonder at what cost a life of splendor comes.

Carolina Broad, society's newest darling, fans a flame from her past, oblivious to how it might burn her future. Penelope Schoonmaker is finally Manhattan royalty—but when a real prince visits the city, she covets a title that comes with a crown. Her husband, Henry, bravely went to war, only to discover that his father's rule extends well beyond New York's shores and that fighting for love may prove a losing battle.

In the dramatic conclusion to the bestselling Luxe series, New York's most dazzling socialites chase dreams, cling to promises, and tempt fate. As society watches what will become of the city's oldest families and newest fortunes, one question remains: Will its stars fade away or will they shine ever brighter?

Splendor was a great ending to a fabulous series.  I fell in love with this series as soon as I read the first book and I was so glad that the love never faded throughout the four book series.  Historicals are either really good or really boring and the Luxe definitely fell into the first category.

Splendor starts shortly after the ending of Envy and I was able to dive right back into the story.  It didn't take long to pick up and it was such a quick read.  It was probably the fastest 400 pages I have ever read.  I just had to know how everything would end.  I loved the series because of the characters.  By this book I was just dying for them all to get happy endings and some of them did, but not all.  I actually liked it better that way because it was way more realistic but I am obviously not going to tell you who got the happy endings.  =]

There wasn't as much action in this book but it was still super entertaining.  There were parties, weddings, murders, and escapes.  I never knew what was going to happen next and some of the characters surprised me.  I loved seeing them change throughout the books and there were a lot of changes in this final book too.  Elizabeth was probably my favorite out of all of them.  She had such bad luck throughout the books but she made the most of it and I loved her.  Of course, I loved everyone else too.  Well except for Penelope.

Overall, Splendor was another great installment in the Luxe series and the perfect ending.  If you haven't already read it, go out and do that.  It's spectacular and I can't wait for Bright Young Things.  I need more from Anna Godbersen now!

First line:  Fifty years ago, every American girl wanted to be a European princess.

Writing:  5

Characters:  4

Plot:  4

Ending:  5

Originality:  5

Overall:  23=A-

Cover:  5=A++ (This one fits perfectly with the rest of the series.)

Waiting On Wednesday: Hunger

Book:  Hunger (Horsemen Of The Apocalypse #1) by Jackie Morse Kessler

Release date:  October 18, 2010

Publisher:  Harcourt Graphia

Summary:
“Thou art the Black Rider. Go thee out unto the world.”

Lisabeth Lewis has a black steed, a set of scales, and a new job: she’s been appointed Famine. How will an anorexic seventeen-year-old girl from the suburbs fare as one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse?

Traveling the world on her steed gives Lisa freedom from her troubles at home: her constant battle with hunger, and her struggle to hide it from the people who care about her. But being Famine forces her to go places where hunger is a painful part of everyday life, and to face the horrifying effects of her phenomenal power. Can Lisa find a way to harness that power — and the courage to battle her own inner demons?

I have read some really amazing reviews for this book and one very sexy teaser and I want to read it now.  October is so far away.  Oh well, at least it comes out right before my birthday so maybe I will get it as a present.

What are you waiting on this Wednesday? 

Wanted (Pretty Little Liars #8) by Sara Shepard

Book:  Wanted (Pretty Little Liars #8)
Author:  Sara Shepard
Published:  June 8, 2010 from HarperTeen
My edition/number of pages:  HC/272

Age group:  Young adult
Source:  Bookstore
Series?:  Yes.  Final book.

In Rosewood, majestic estates sprawl for acres, and Tiffany toggle bracelets dangle from every girl's wrist. But not all that glitters is gold, and the town harbors secrets darker than anyone could imagine—like the truth about what really happened the night Alison DiLaurentis went missing. . . .

Back in middle school, Ali plucked Emily, Hanna, Aria, and Spencer from obscurity and turned them into the beautiful, popular girls everyone wanted to be. Ali was the best friend they ever had. But she also made them do terrible things and taunted them with their worst secrets. Now, three years later, all their questions about Ali have finally been answered and they can put this awful chapter of their lives behind them. Or so they think.

Not every story has a happy ending, especially when four pretty little liars have done so many wicked things. In the dramatic conclusion of Sara Shepard's bestselling Pretty Little Liars series, Emily, Hanna, Aria, and Spencer could get everything they've ever wanted—unless A has one more horrifying twist in store.

OMG!  This is seriously one of the most amazing series' that I have ever read.  When I picked up the first book years ago I had no idea how much I would love them.  I was scared to read the final book because I didn't think it could end the series in a good way but I was so wrong.  I bought the book and read it in the same day.  I could not put it down at all.

Sara Shepard answered all of my questions.  That was my biggest worry.  I thought that at the end I would be left hanging.  I also worried that it might be predictable but I should have known that that wouldn't happen.  None of the books in the series are predictable and the last one is the same.  I couldn't guess what might happen next and there were tons of twists.  Just like all the other books, there was never a dull moment.

I don't want to give anything about the book away so I am going to end my review.  All I have to say is that if you have read this series so far, you need to read this final book.  Go out and get it.  I don't know why you haven't already.  I bought my copy as soon as it hit shelves because I couldn't possibly wait any longer to figure things out.

Overall, Sara Shepard is awesome and so is her Pretty Little Liars series.  Her new book, The Lying Game, is very high on my wishlist and I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.

First line:  They say a picture's worth a thousand words.

Writing:  5

Characters:  4

Plot:  5

Ending:  4

Originality:  5

Overall:  23=A-

Cover:  4=B- (I didn't like the color of this cover.)

Giveaway time: The Class of 2K10 T-shirt!

Thanks to the lovely debut author Shari Maurer and the rest of the class of 2K10 I have a beautiful t-shirt to giveaway to one reader.  Last month the class of 2K10 had a huge week in NYC and lucky for you guys they had some extra t-shirts.  The shirt is a gorgeous blue color and is a size medium.  I would take a picture of it but my camera is missing the cord so I can't upload to the computer.  =]

Details:
-One person will win a shirt and other swag from the class of 2K10.

Requirements:
-You must fill out the form.
-You must have a US or CA mailing address.
-Contest ends on June 30.

Fill out the form here!

Heartless (Pretty Little Liars #7) by Sara Shepard

Book:  Heartless (Pretty Little Liars #7)
Author:  Sara Shepard
Published:  January 19, 2010 from HarperTeen
My edition/number of pages:  HC/275

Age group:  Young adult
Source:  Bookstore
Series?:  Yes.  Seventh book.

The newest installment in Sara Shepard’s bestselling Pretty Little Liars series is packed with juicy drama and delicious surprises that will keep readers guessing to the very end.

Hanna, Aria, Emily, and Spencer have been telling some outrageous tales; only, the proof always seems to go missing. The friends insist they’re telling the truth, but all of Rosewood thinks they’re just out for attention—and nobody likes a girl who cries wolf. So when the big bad killer comes after them, will anyone believe the girls. . . or will they be the next to disappear?

This review is going to be a little different than others just because the book is so far into the series.  People who haven't read the series won't be reading this review for obvious spoiler reasons.

The seventh book in the Pretty Little Liars series did not disappoint me in any way.  I have always been a huge fan of the series and the books just seem to keep getting better.  There is always mystery, romance, suspicion, betrayal, guilt, and so much more.  There is seriously never a boring moment in the books and that is why I love them so much.

The ending of the sixth book took me by surprise and shocked me.  The beginning of this one turned it all around.  I wasn't sure how Sara Shepard was going to make it work but she did.  Also, A really messed up these girls' heads in this book.  I could not even guess what A was going to think of next.  That is one crazy person and the girls kind of annoy me because they always fall for A's lies.

The ending was unexpected and kind of abrupt but the final book in the series is out now so there will be no more guessing on who killed Ali and why they continue to torment the Pretty Little Liars.  I am starting it right now and I can't wait until I have some free time to really get into it.

Overall, Heartless is another great addition to one of my favorite series.  I can't recommend this series enough.  I even managed to get a couple of my friends to read it who don't normally read books outside of school.  That should be recommendation enough.  =]

First line:  Ever have something really important just up and vanish without a trace?

Writing:  5

Characters:  5

Plot:  5

Ending:  5

Originality:  5

Overall:  25=A++

Cover:  4=B-

In My Mailbox 67

In My Mailbox is a meme created by The Story Siren and inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie! It is a list of what books you have received over the previous week, either for review, from the library, from the bookstore, or from trades. =]

For review:
-The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting (second copy)
-Hourglass (Evernight #3) by Claudia Gray (second copy)
-Crash Test Love by Ted Michael
-The Necromancer (Nicholas Flamel #4) by Michael Scott
-Mostly Good Girls by Leila Sales
-Orphan! by John R. Weber
-Stolen by Lucy Christopher
-Plain Kate by Erin Bow
-Dead Beautiful by Yvonne Woon
-The Candidates (Delcroix Academy) by Inara Scott
-The Limit by Kristen Landon
-Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices #1) by Cassandra Clare (2 copies!)
-The Lighter Side of Life and Death by CK Kelly Martin
-A Little Wanting Song by Cath Crowley
-Passing Strange (Generation Dead #3) by Daniel Waters
-Death Echo by Elizabeth Lowell
-The Ghosts Of Ashbury High by Jaclyn Moriarty (2 copies!)
-Touch Blue by Cynthia Lord
-Accomplice by Eireann Corrigan
-Rose Sees Red by Cecil Castelluci
-Blue Bloods:  Keys To The Repository by Melissa de la Cruz
-Elliot Allagash by Simon Rich
-Nevermore by Kelly Creagh (!!!)
-The Jumbee by Pamela Keyes
-Stalker Girl by Rosemary Graham
-Three Quarters Dead by Richard Peck
-Crossing Over by Anna Kendall
-Extraordinary by Nancy Werlin
-Five Flavors of Dumb by Antony John
-Early To Death, Early To Rise by Kim Harrison
-As Easy As Falling Off The Face Of The Earth by Lynne Rae Perkins
-How To Make A Bird by Martine Murray (second copy)
-I Now Pronounce You Someone Else by Erin McCahan (second copy)
-And Then Everything Unraveled by Jennifer Sturman (second copy)
-The Reckoning (Darkest Powers #3) by Kelley Armstrong (second copy)
-Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver (second copy)
-Spells by Aprilynne Pike (second copy)

Bought/From Trades:
-Infinity (Chronicles Of Nick #1) by Sherrilyn Kenyon
-Thirst No.2 by Christopher Pike
-Vampire Beach (Books 1&2) by Alex Duval
-Vampire Beach (Books 3&4) by Alex Duval
-Honey, Baby, Sweetheart by Deb Caletti
-Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind (Gifted #1) by Marilyn Kaye
-Better Late Than Never (Gifted #2) by Marilyn Kaye
-Pucker Up (Stupid Cupid #3) by Rhonda Stapleton
-Glimmerglass by Jenna Black
-Evil Genius by Catherine Jinks
-The Other Boy by Hailey Abbott
-Nobody's Princess by Esther Friesner
-Tithe (Modern Faerie Tales #1) by Holly Black
-Devilish by Maureen Johnson
-The Vampire Diaries (Books 3&4) by LJ Smith
-The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

Won:
-The Prophecy by Dawn Miller
-Far From You by Lisa Schroeder (signed!)

Where do I even begin?  I got home late last night to a  whole pile of packages.  It was like Christmas morning.  I tore trough them and was amazed at all the books that I received.  And it didn't help that I bought a ton while I was on vacation.  I guess I am on a book buying ban now until I get through some of the ones that I have already read.  

Also, I got a lot of doubles which means contests for you guys.  Be on the lookout for those very soon.  =]

What book do you recommend that I read first?  And what was in your mailbox this week?