Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han

Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han
Release Date -  May 2, 2017

Publisher Website - Simon and Schuster
Publisher Social Media - Twitter
Pages -  336 pages
My Rating - 5/5
**received for an honest review from publisher**

**spoilers for other novels in this series**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Lara Jean’s letter-writing days aren’t over in this surprise follow-up to the New York Times bestselling To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and P.S. I Still Love You.

Lara Jean is having the best senior year a girl could ever hope for. She is head over heels in love with her boyfriend, Peter; her dad’s finally getting remarried to their next door neighbor, Ms. Rothschild; and Margot’s coming home for the summer just in time for the wedding.

But change is looming on the horizon. And while Lara Jean is having fun and keeping busy helping plan her father’s wedding, she can’t ignore the big life decisions she has to make. Most pressingly, where she wants to go to college and what that means for her relationship with Peter. She watched her sister Margot go through these growing pains. Now Lara Jean’s the one who’ll be graduating high school and leaving for college and leaving her family—and possibly the boy she loves—behind.

When your heart and your head are saying two different things, which one should you listen to? 

Endings of series are difficult. Endings of series that were never planned as series are even more so. I wasn't sure what to expect from the final installment of Jenny Han's To All The Boys I Loved Before series. What I ended up getting is a poignant, heartfelt look at navigating high school, first love, and the bittersweetness of growing up. It's also the perfect end note to a brilliant series.

The bond that exists between the Song sisters is the most important element of this series. We see how their connection changes as they each grow, but their love for one another remains steadfast. Their relationship is painted as one that even when they hurt each other, the love is there. It reminds me of my own relationship with my sisters, and I feel this relationship is what makes these books so charming.

My favourite part of this novel is how grounded in reality Jenny Han makes it. She doesn't shy way from the unpleasant emotions that plague her characters. Jealousy is a huge part of the last two novels in some form. It also looks at feeling left behind as things change around you. We see Margo adapt to not being with her family on a regular basis as momentous changes occur. This story arc was building in the last novel, and I loved seeing it continue in this one. Through Lara Jean the novel examines having the stress and pressure of your plans for the future veering off course, and the joy at finding a new path that may just be what you needed all along. Jenny Han's characters are filled with a complexity that breathes life into them. She ensures that even as they sometimes make mistakes, the love they share shines through.

Lara Jean's character growth is most evident at the end of the novel. She's not the girl we met in To All The Boys I've Loved Before. She'd matured in a way that feels authentic to both her character, and the process of growing up. This novel specifically looks at the emotions surrounding the high school chapter of your life ending. The bittersweetness that exits in both the sadness of saying goodbye and the excitement of a new beginning. It captures the realization that things are going to drastically change and will not be the same. It honors the reality that relationships will change along with these other changes that are happening. Those bonds will inevitably morph into something else. This includes family bonds that will change as you no longer see each other every day, or live under the same roof. This novel captures all the highs and lows of this time and it does it perfectly.

The romance, like everything else in this novel, is crafted so realistically. There isn't a magic fix to the problems Lara Jean and Peter face in this novel. It's not something that can be brushed aside. They are facing growing up and that may mean growing apart. I don't want to give too much away about this story arc as it is the crux of the novel, but I loved the message Jenny Han delivered with this final installment of Lara Jean and Peter's story. Fight for what you love, but don't compromise your future and happiness for it either. It's a balance that fit the bittersweet tone of the story perfectly.

Kitty, once again, steals the spotlight. Her spunk and charm was entirely winsome and I would welcome a trilogy based around her high school experience. She is destined to be a main character and I hope that, eventually, she'll get her time in the spotlight. Especially if it means looking in on characters we've come to be so fond of.

Lara Jean's story concludes with her venturing into college. These are her first steps towards adulthood, and  her future. Jenny Han has created a trilogy that is, at its heart, a story of a girl navigating her way to the beginning of adulthood. It is also the story of first love, family, and coming into your own. If you're a contemporary young adult fan this is one series you cannot miss. It's something truly special. 

PS I Still Love You by Jenny Han

PS I Still Love You by Jenny Han
Release Date -  May 26, 2015

Publisher Website - Simon and Schuster
Publisher Social Media - Twitter
Pages -  337 pages
My Rating - 4/5
**purchased**

**SPOILERS FOR THE FIRST BOOK IN THE SERIES**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Lara Jean didn’t expect to really fall for Peter.
She and Peter were just pretending. Except suddenly they weren’t. Now Lara Jean is more confused than ever.
When another boy from her past returns to her life, Lara Jean’s feelings for him return too. Can a girl be in love with two boys at once?

In this charming and heartfelt sequel to the New York Times bestseller To All the Boys I've Loved Before, we see first love through the eyes of the unforgettable Lara Jean. Love is never easy, but maybe that’s part of what makes it so amazing

I loved Jenny Han's To All The Boys I Loved Before. I loved it so much that I was hesitant to pick up the sequel because I didn't want it to change how I felt about the series. After devouring PS I Still Love You, I am happy to say that I love the series even more. Jenny Han continues to make you smile, and swoon with her story of a young girl growing up and falling in love along the way.

The Lara Jean we leave at the end of this novel is not the Lara Jean we meet in To All The Boys I've Loved Before. She is still Lara Jean, but she's grown, or at least taken the first steps down that path. The events of the novels have shaped her, which is something I always appreciate when an author does. Your character should be marked by what they go through in some way, and for Lara Jean it means growing up. She's experiencing so many things for the first time, and that shifts something in you.

I appreciated the feminist slant to Lara Jean's storyline in this book. There is a particular double standard that gets called out when something embarrassing happens to Lara Jean that made me cheer. This novel addressed the fact that girls think about sex, and that they enjoy making out with people just as much as boys do. It also addressed that slut shaming them for it is gross. I love how Jenny Han handled this plot point as it really showed how differently boys and girls are treated for the same behaviour.

Lara Jean's love of fashion, and baking are once again on full display in this novel. You'll immediately want a few of her cookie recipes and crave sugary sweetness as you are reading. These two elements are so ingrained in Lara Jean's character that the novel would feel strange without them. They add a charm to both Lara Jean and the book that almost gives it a classic, old time feel. There are a few nods to the throw back nature of both Lara Jean and the book within these pages while still making this feel entirely modern. It is a skill that Jenny Han masters within this novel, and will provide you with a warm, nostalgic feeling even though the book is not set in the past.

Love triangles are always a tricky thing. I hesitate to call this a full triangle, but there is definite
potential for romance with both boys in the synopsis. I was prepared to hate John, the boy who returns (and the recipient of letter Lara Jean never got back). I was, in fact, so hesitant that it took me forever to pick up this book. It turns out that I shouldn't have worried. I adore John. He's perfectly swoony and an excellent match for Lara Jean. I actually found myself wanting Lara Jean to end up with him instead of Peter (unpopular opinion, I know) and found that Jenny Han handled the feelings Lara Jean was having perfectly and realistically. Neither boy is a bad choice for Lara Jean, and those tend to be my favourite triangles. If I am able to see either couple as a viable option, it makes the agony of the choice have even more of an impact.

The sister bond in this novel is, once again, the heart of the series. It captured the reality of loving your sister, but sometimes being exasperated with her too. It showed that fierce loyalty and yet addressed that you can hurt each other. These relationships, combined with the father-daughter bond, ensured that family was the centre of the story in a way that complimented the romance. Lara Jean needs those anchors as she navigates her journey and it made her story feel more authentic to have them all be such  big parts of her story.

This review would not be complete without a special mention of Lara Jean's sister Kitty. I think she could star in her own series in a couple years if Jenny Han wanted to return to the Song sisters. She's spunky, and wise for her age. She'd be the perfect heroine and it would be nice to check in on them again. For now though, I will content myself with continuing Lara Jean's story and picking up the third (and final) chapter much sooner than I picked up this one.

This book is the perfect blend of romance, character growth, and family bonds. Jenny Han captures that time of becoming a young adult versus being a child in Lara Jean perfectly, and offers up a lot of swoons along the way. If you haven't already picked up this series I highly recommend doing so.

New To My Book Closet

It's that time of the week again. Time to show you what bookish goodies made their way into my home and book closet (to be saved from the evil book eating cat monster named Aria). This is inspired by the various "mailbox" posts out there (eg. In My Mailbox by The Story Siren, and Stacking the Shelves by Tynga's Reviews)

This week is filled with a bunch of amazing arrivals into my mailbox including my Ottawa Blogger Meet Up haul and a few of my new favourite Funko Pops.

First up is my haul from the #YOWOttawaBloggerMeetUp haul. I had such a fun time at the event and want to thank all the publishers and attendees for making it such a great afternoon.

Songs About A Girl by Chris Russell (goodreads)
Royal Bastards by Andrew Shvarts (goodreads)
No Good Deed by Goldy Moldavsky  (goodreads)
The Way Back Home by Allan Stratton (goodreads)
The Last Magician by Lisa Maxwell (goodreads)
The Glass Town Game by Catherynne M. Valente (goodreads)

Next is a highly anticipated read from Simon and Schuster Canada! A huge thank you to them for the chance to read and review this! I am so excited to see how Lara Jean's story end.

Always And Forever Lara Jean by Jenny Han (goodreads)

Next up are two Funko Pops that I have recently added to my collection. 

Visitors to the blog will not be surprised that I have added Peter Pan to my collection. He is one of my most favourite Pops currently. I love that it looks like he is flying! I was so thrilled to find this one at my local Hot Topic! I may have to have a Peter Pan movie marathon!

Lastly, I have another Pop, this time from Twin Peaks. This is Laura Palmer and she's as cool looking as she is creepy. Twin Peaks starts with Laura's body washing ashore in plastic wrap and this Pop perfectly captures the creepy tone of the show. 

Happy Weekend and Happy Reading!

Waiting on Wednesday ....... P.S. I Still Love You

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

My pick this week is P.S. I Still Love You

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Lara Jean didn’t expect to really fall for Peter.
She and Peter were just pretending. Except suddenly they weren’t. Now Lara Jean is more confused than ever.
When another boy from her past returns to her life, Lara Jean’s feelings for him return too. Can a girl be in love with two boys at once?

In this charming and heartfelt sequel to the New York Times bestseller To All the Boys I've Loved Before, we see first love through the eyes of the unforgettable Lara Jean. Love is never easy, but maybe that’s part of what makes it so amazing. 

The first novel in this book was cute, and sweet. I am excited to see what happens next in Lara Jean's story and am ready to fall in love with her all over again.

Expected release date - May 26, 2015

Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

Extremely small Weekly Obsessions post this week.

BOOKS

Cover of A Madness So Discreet by Mind McGinnis

WHOA, right? Visually captivating and stunning. So much going on at once and it makes me want to read it immediate. The synopsis sounds amazing too and the cover just *fits*. It all works to create a pretty, if terrifying, package for what is hopefully a spine chilling read.

Cover of P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han

I love everything. Her outfit is adorable. The setting is adorable. The model is adorable. It is going to look fantastic next the first book on shelves. I am excited to find out the next chapter in Lara Jean and Peter's story.

Red Queen book trailer

You may have heard me fangirl about this one....just a little bit. The EPIC book trailer was just released and it certainly won't make the wait for Tuesday any easier.

MOVIE/TV

Magic Mike XXL trailer

Damn, Channing. I knew you could dance, but THAT was amazing. The beginning? So hot. He's super talented. This looks like a lot of fun, but I hope it keeps the darker, gritter aspect that the first one had too. That balance made me really enjoy the first movie. I already have a night out with the girls planned for this movie!

50 Shades of Grey Advance Screening

I was recently given advance passes to go see 50 Shades Of Grey this coming Wednesday. I am looking forward to see what Jamie Dornan does with this role. I've heard good things from people who've already seen it, but do not have overly high expectations. I've never read the books (and probably never will) but am curious about the movie.

What are you obsessed with this week?

Ashes To Ashes by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian

Ashes To Ashes by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian

Release Date - September 16, 2014
Publisher Website - Simon and Schuster
Publisher Social Media - Twitter
Pages -  400 pages
My Rating - 4/5
**received in exchange for an honest review from the publisher**

**SPOILERS FOR BURN FOR BURN AND FIRE WITH FIRE**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

New Year's Eve ended with a bang and Mary, Kat and Lillia may not be prepared for what is to come.
After Rennie's death, Kat and Lillia try to put the pieces together of what happened to her. They both blame themselves. If Lillia hadn't left with Reeve... If Kat had only stayed with Rennie... Things could have been different. Now they will never be the same.
Only Mary knows the truth about that night. About what she is. She also knows the truth about Lillia and Reeve falling in love, about Reeve being happy when all he deserves is misery, just like the misery he caused her. Now their childish attempts at revenge are a thing of the past and Mary is out for blood. Will she leave anything in her wake or will all that remain be ashes?

Anger can devour you if you let it. It can be more harmful to you than the person you're angry with. It's said that if you start down the path of revenge be sure to dig a grave for yourself as well. Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian's series shows just how heartbreakingly accurate this age old proverb is.

After finding out that Mary was dead at the end of Fire With Fire, I was immediately dying for Ashes To Ashes. All those questions I had were addressed in this final installment of the series. We learn why Lillia and Kat could see Mary and interact with her. We also get the hows and whys of Mary's power, and get to see exactly what she's capable of. Mary is a force to be reckoned with after Fire With Fire, and she's not about to sit quietly by after everything that has happened. Her presence is so all consuming in this book that the tension feels earned and natural. It was natural, gradual progression from the first novel to the Mary we have leading into book three.

The most stunning character development, however, is Reeve. We get so much more back story to his relationship with Mary and what his life was like right after her suicide. Things I thought were true turned out to have more than one side to them. Jenny and Siobhan have crafted a complex character that at first seems one dimensional and flat. It's his journey more than any other, combined with Mary's story, that shows the entire point of this series. Having a character surprise readers, and defy our initial perception of them goes right to the heart of bullying itself. Take a closer look and you might not see what you think you do, and people are often so much more than they first appear to be.

The ending wasn't as satisfying as I wanted it to be. It felt rushed, and the emotional resolution I wanted just didn't happen. The characters were not given a chance to react to the events that unfolded, and after three novels I wanted that. I care about these characters, and was invested in what happened to them. Getting to experience the emotions they felt about the events at the end should have been a priority with this novel. It's something that prevented it from being a full five star book for me. Everything was quickly dealt with, and brushed away that it didn't quite mesh with the thoughtful beginning that came before it.

In many ways the notion of a happy ending was never in the cards for this series. Sacrifices of many different kinds are made before the end of the novel. Sometimes your happy ending doesn't look like what you thought it would, and that feels very true to reality. We grow and change, and that shifts what our happy ending is. Our story is never done, and that's the most realistic element Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian wove into the story. The notion that something we didn't expect might turn out to be exactly what we needed is a powerful message and one that I found beautiful.

For a series that deals with anger, a lot of it's message is ultimately forgiveness. The overall message of revenge, and what it takes from all parties involved was beautifully threaded throughout the three books. As Kat, Lillia and Mary's story comes to close the only word that comes to mind is realistic. It might not be the exact ending you want, but it feels an awful lot like real life.

New To My Book Closet

It's that time of the week again. Time to show you what bookish goodies made their way into my home and book closet (to be saved from the evil book eating cat monster named Aria). This is inspired by the various "mailbox" posts out there (eg. In My Mailbox by The Story Siren, and Stacking the Shelves by Tynga's Reviews).

I was sort of spoiled with all the awesome book that made their way into my book closet this week

Ashes To Ashes by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian (goodreads)
The Bane Chronicles by Cassandra Clare, Maureen Johnson and Sarah Rees Brennan (goodreads)
 Brazen by Katherine Longshore (goodreads)
The Vanishing Season by Jodi Lynn Anderson (goodreads)

A huge thank you to Kelly for snagging me Ashes to Ashes! I have already read it, and felt it was an enjoyable end to the season.

A big thank you also goes out to Simon and Schuster Canada for The Bane Chronicles. I adore Magnus (he's my favourite character in these books) and cannot wait to read more about him.

And I got one e-galley that I am VERY excited about. If you haven't read Dangerous Girls make it your top read of the summer.

Dangerous Boys by Abigail Haas (goodreads)

I want to think Abigail for the opportunity to help promote this book in August! After Dangerous Girls I am obsessed with starting this book immediately.

What books made their way into your mailbox this week?

Happy weekend, and happy reading!

To All The Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

To All The Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

Release Date - April 15, 2014
Publisher Website - Simon and Schuster
Publisher Social Media - Twitter
Pages - 368 pages
My Rating - 4/5
**received in exchange for an honest review from the publisher**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

What if all the crushes you ever had found out how you felt about them... all at once?

Lara Jean Song keeps her love letters in a hatbox her mother gave her. They aren't love letters that anyone else wrote for her; these are ones she's written. One for every boy she's ever loved—five in all. When she writes, she pours out her heart and soul and says all the things she would never say in real life, because her letters are for her eyes only. Until the day her secret letters are mailed, and suddenly, Lara Jean's love life goes from imaginary to out of control.

Imagine a letter that you wrote to someone. One you never expected to send. The letter itself, while addressed to someone else, was actually for you. A means of closure. A way to get something off your mind. Now imagine that letter being sent. Scary right? Jenny Han has used this scenario to create story of love. A story of loves both lost and found, and most importantly the love between sisters.

Jenny Han's writing strength is the attention to detail she gives the reader. It creates the atmosphere, and allows the reader to clearly picture the setting. The clothes, and food described in To All The Boys especially jump off the page. It's no accident that Lara Jean has a flair for fashion, as you can tell it's something Jenny also enjoys. The little details are what make a novel, and they are peppered throughout this one wonderfully.

For a novel that has romance front and centre, I was surprised that it was not the romantic type of love that was allowed to shine the brightest. The relationship between the Song sisters is touchingly sweet, and realistic. They fight, they squabble, they hurt each other, but they always love each other. They would do anything for each other. The pressure to play a certain role in the family, the expectations you put on each other, are found within these pages right along with the unwavering love. It made me think of my own sisters and how, even though they drive me crazy, I would do anything for them.

The inclusion of the letters themselves in the story delighted me. I would have been sad to not to have the chance to read the letters themselves (and the story certainly could have worked without them being included). This inclusion served to both give insight into Lara Jean, and provided a few comedic moments as Lara Jean's words come back to haunt her. They're insightful, sweet, and perfectly capture the essence of both the character, and the book itself.

A novel about love letter wouldn't be complete without some swoon worthy moments. There are plenty of adorable interactions that will leave any YA fan smiling. The message that love appears when and where you least expect it proves true, and only serves to complicate Lara Jean's life further. It's done in a really heart warming way that left me rooting for her happily ever after. There are two boys in Lara Jean's life (don't worry, no love triangle here) and I found myself hoping for a different outcome than I expected I would in terms of who Lara Jean would open her heart to.

To All The Boys I've Loved Before is as endearing as it's main character. A novel that reminds you to take the risk, and say what's in your heart, because you never know where it might lead you. A sequel is already in the works, and all I can say is...p.s. it's a date.

New To My Book Closet

It's that time of the week again. Time to show you what bookish goodies made their way into my home and book closet (to be saved from the evil book eating cat monster named Aria). This is inspired by the various "mailbox" posts out there (eg. In My Mailbox by The Story Siren, and Stacking the Shelves by Tynga's Reviews).

Some amazing things in my mailbox this week. A book by one of my favourite authors showed up, and I am dying to dive right into it!

The Blonde by Anna Godbersen (Goodreads)

The Vanishing Season by Jodi Lynn Anderson (Goodreads)

I loved Jodi Lynn Anderson's Tigerlily and fell in love with her writing style. I can't wait to read The Vanishing Season. The other book also sounds good. It's a fictional story revolving around Marilyn Monroe as a SPY! Amazing right? A huge thank you to Harper Collins Canada and Weinstein Books for these.

I also go another book that was promptly borrowed by one of my fellow Ottawa Blogettes

To All The Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han (Goodreads)

A huge thank you to Simon and Schuster Canada for this one. The praise that my fellow Canadian bloggers are heaping on this one makes me want to read it immediately!

Let me know what you got in your mailbox this week!

Happy weekend, and happy reading!

Fire With Fire by Siobhan Vivian and Jenny Han

Fire With Fire by Siobhan Vivan and Jenny Han
Release Date – August 13, 2013
Publisher Website -  Simon and Schuster
Publisher Social Media -  Twitter
Pages -  528 pages
My Rating- 5/5
**obtained for review from publisher via BEA**

**SPOILERS FOR BURN FOR BURN**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

When sweet revenge turns sour… Book two of a trilogy from New York Times, bestselling author Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian.

Lillia, Kat, and Mary had the perfect plan. Work together in secret to take down the people who wronged them. But things didn’t exactly go the way they’d hoped at the Homecoming Dance

Not even close.

For now, it looks like they got away with it. All they have to do is move on and pick up the pieces, forget there ever was a pact. But it’s not easy, not when Reeve is still a total jerk and Rennie’s meaner than she ever was before.

And then there’s sweet little Mary…she knows there’s something seriously wrong with her. If she can’t control her anger, she’s sure that someone will get hurt even worse than Reeve was. Mary understands now that it’s not just that Reeve bullied her—it’s that he made her love him.

Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth, burn for a burn. A broken heart for a broken heart. The girls are up to the task. They’ll make Reeve fall in love with Lillia and then they will crush him. It’s the only way he’ll learn.

It seems once a fire is lit, the only thing you can do is let it burn...

A classic story of how sweet revenge quickly turned sour. Burn for Burn left me anxious and excited to get my hands on it's sequel. Fire With Fire is exactly what it should be - fun, twisty, and gripping. It's quite fitting that it's release got bumped up the release during the scorching days of summer, because that's exactly what this novel is - scorching.

Once again the writing is seamless. I am not sure if it's that they each focus on different characters, or that Siobhan Vivian and Jenny Han can blend their styles so perfectly, but I couldn't tell who had written what. It flowed extremely well, and kept a similar tone and feel throughout the novel. Their writing style complemented the pacing, and they dropped information at the exact right speed to make this a page turner.

Revenge is poison. It will consume the person desperate to achieve it, and shatter others in the way. Lillia, Kat and Mary learn that things don't always go as you expect them to. However, our trio of revenge seekers are not discouraged. They immediately begin hatching a new plot to enact Mary's revenge. As these girls decide to continue you, the hole their digger is deeper and deeper. It's easy to be swept away in this, and these girls are consumed. Mary, especially, is driven by nothing but the desire to make Reeve feel as horrible as she did. It makes them flawed, and dynamic characters. Having the main characters be slightly skewed has always appealed to me. Keeping the balance of allowing the reader to understand where they are coming from, while allowing the character to cross some lines is something that Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian do really well in this series.

After that insane reveal at the end of Burn for Burn, the biggest questions revolved around Mary. What exactly was causing her 'abilities' and what did it mean for the girls, and their plans? Well, Fire With Fire provides many answers, but those answers automatically lead to more questions. Finding out why Mary can do these things is just the beginning of her story. Mary always had the most wrenching story of the three girls, and her secret makes that even more obvious. Those who were thrown for a loop by the ending of Burn For Burn may want to reconcile the fact that this novel is going into territory that perhaps is a little unexpected, but in my opinion, offers one heck of a roller coast in the process.

Teenagers change their minds, and crushes, rapidly. Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian's series doesn't have the typical triangle that many YA novels have. Instead a much more realistic take on high school crushes is explored. There are many possible couplings, and flirtations. Nobody is desperately in love with anyone, and it's totally possible to be taken with more than one person at a time. It creates juicy drama, and it made the characters feel more like teenagers.

The friendship between Mary, Lillia, and Kat is the heart and soul of the novel. They've bonded in a way that nobody but the three of them can understand. They love and support each other. There is genuine emotion there. Their protectiveness and closeness felt natural, and earned after the events of the first book. They would be willing to do anything for each other, and that become even more obvious as the events of Fire With Fire unfold.

The characters, even the secondary ones, change throughout the novel. Their experiences shape them, and cause them to react in certain ways. Reeve's character will surprise you, and you'll see him differently many times throughout the novel. The 'wronged parties' are not totally innocent, and the 'villains' are not strictly horrible. Each person is complex. At various times I felt different things about each of the characters, and seeing them evolve with each bit of information I got was intriguing.

The end packs a delicious punch that left me excited. Excited about the possibilities of what is to come. Excited about where the story is going to go next. Excited about the fate of these three girls, and their friendship. Fire With Fire is, at it's core, the delicious aftermath revenge and how embarking on it really does require you to build two graves.

Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

Here are my obsessions this week:

BOOKS

Cover of Jenny Han's To All The Boys I've Loved Before

Cute, and a fun sounding (seriously, read the synopsis) contemporary. Pretty sure the main character is going to be awesome, and I love the tones/colours used for the cover.

Cover of Lauren DeStefano's Perfect Ruin

Lauren's covers usually offer major clues to the plot of the novels. I love the synopsis of this Utopian novel and can't wait to read my copy. The cover is eye catching, and I expect is offers a few hidden clues about what is in store for the characters.

TV

Friday Night Lights

This is a running theme, obviously. If you haven't met Tim Riggins, Matt Saracen, and the Taylors - YOU NEED TO FIX THIS IMMEDIATELY. It's one of those shows that inspires you to write, but at the same time, makes you realize you will never write something that beautiful EVER. I've become so invested in these characters that the littlest things make me cry. If you've been putting off watching this, DO IT!

Dexter

The final season of Dexter starts this Sunday. It's strange, but I am going to have a hard time saying goodbye to Dex, Deb, and the rest. I hope Deb finally finds a happy ending. I hope little Harrison ends up safe and loved (whatever happens to Dexter). A part of me even hopes for a happy ending for Dexter himself (even if unrealistic).

OTHER

Secret Blog Things

So Christy (from The Reader Bee), Kelly (from KellyVision) and I are working on something that I think is pretty awesome. Details are coming soon and expect the first installment of this new feature to take place in August. I am really looking forward to this!

So what are you obsessed with this week?

Waiting on Wednesday.... Fire With Fire

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

My pick this week is Fire With Fire by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Lillia, Kat, and Mary had the perfect plan. Work together in secret to take down the people who wronged them. But things didn’t exactly go the way they’d hoped at the Homecoming Dance.

Not even close.

For now, it looks like they got away with it. All they have to do is move on and pick up the pieces, forget there ever was a pact. But it’s not easy, not when Reeve is still a total jerk and Rennie’s meaner than she ever was before.

And then there’s sweet little Mary…she knows there’s something seriously wrong with her. If she can’t control her anger, she’s sure that someone will get hurt even worse than Reeve was. Mary understands now that it’s not just that Reeve bullied her—it’s that he made her love him.

Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth, burn for a burn. A broken heart for a broken heart. The girls are up to the task. They’ll make Reeve fall in love with Lillia and then they will crush him. It’s the only way he’ll learn.

It seems once a fire is lit, the only thing you can do is let it burn...

I loved Burn For Burn and what the cliffhanger ending that was served up to us, well....the wait for this one has been driving me crazy! So excited to get my hands on it.

Expected release date - September 3, 2013

New To My Book Closet

It's that time of the week again. Time to show you what bookish goodies made their way into my home and book closet (to be saved from the evil book eating cat monster named Aria). This is inspired by the various "mailbox" posts out there (eg. In My Mailbox by The Story Siren, and Stacking the Shelves by Tynga's Reviews).

A small mailbox this week. I am out of town (in Toronto) so this will be schedule to go up on Sunday. Anything from Thursday onward will be included in next weeks post.

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han (goodreads)

As I read Burn for Burn and really enjoyed it I decided to give Jenny Han's other series a try. I will eventually fit this one into my already huge reading pile.

Happy Sunday and Happy Reading!

New To My Book Closet

It's that time of the week again. Time to show you what bookish goodies made their way into my home and book closet (to be saved from the evil book eating cat monster named Aria). This is inspired by the various "mailbox" posts out there (eg. In My Mailbox by The Story Siren, and Stacking the Shelves by Tynga's Reviews).

This week I ended up going to Toronto to go to the Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian signing. It was a quick trip there and back in one day. I totally owe my friend for driving the 5 hours there and turning around and driving 5 hours back.

The signing was awesome, and both Jenny and Siobhan are lovely.

The signed page in my book. No clue what tinted it red when I took the photo, but I thought it worked (considering the title of the book).

The awesome Burn for Burn poster that Jenny and Siobhan were giving out at the signings. It's awesome and I am really happy to have one. I can't wait for Fire with Fire!

While at the signing I found out that the bookstore had some signed copies of The Raven Boys in stock. Since I was planning on buying a copy anyways, I figured I should get one that was signed while there.

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater (goodreads)

Happy Sunday and Happy Reading!

Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

Here are my obsessions this week:

BOOKS

Katherine Longshore's book 2 news

I was VERY excited to hear that book 2 in the Royal Circle series has a title! We also have character details! The novel is titled Tarnish. The most exciting part, in my opinion, is that it features a young Anne Boleyn. *Crazy fangirl flailing*. Anne happens to not only be my favourite of Henry's wives, but she is fascinating and this sounds like it focuses on a totally different aspect from the usual - no beheadings! I think you could safely get at least 2 books out of Anne's story and hope that the last book focuses on the later part of her life, and Anne's heartbreaking fate. I am beyond excited to see what Katherine does with Anne's story! Can it just be Summer 2013 already?!

Gayle Forman's Just One Day

I read the Goodreads synopsis and immediately started pining for this book. The cover was just released and I think it fits the synopsis rather well. I am fully expecting to swoon over Willem.

TV

Sunday Night

Those two words make me oh so happy. This Sunday a lot of my favourite shows come back. Once Upon A Time, Revenge and Dexter are all premiering that night. I have heard that the Once Upon A Time and Dexter premieres are INTENSE and nothing short of awesome. Revenge never fails to satisfy so I am confident that will also be an excellent hour of television. I am SO glad it's autumn right now.

OTHER

The Burn for Burn Tour

I made the long trek to Toronto for Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian's signing. I will be showing the awesome Burn for Burn tour poster they gave out, as well as other fun stuff, tomorrow in my mailbox post. I had an amazing time at the event. Both Jenny and Siobhan are so sweet, and seemed quite touched that we all turned out. I got to my the lovely tweeter behind the Simon Pulse Canada twitter as well. I missed meeting so many bloggers, but it was a really fast trip. I came back exhausted, but SO excited that I went.

So what you are obsessed with this week?

Burn For Burn by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian

Burn for Burn by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian
Release Date – September 18, 2012
Publisher Website –  Simon and Schuster
Publisher Social Media -  Twitter
Pages - 368 pages
My Rating- 5/5
**obtained from publisher via BEA for an honest review**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

BIG GIRLS DON'T CRY...
THEY GET EVEN.

Lillia has never had any problems dealing with boys who like her. Not until this summer, when one went too far. No way will she let the same thing happen to her little sister. 

Kat is tired of the rumours, the insults, the cruel jokes. It all goes back to one person– her ex-best friend– and she's ready to make her pay. 

Four years ago, Mary left Jar Island because of a boy. But she's not the same girl anymore. And she's ready to prove it to him. 

Three very different girls who want the same thing: sweet, sweet revenge. And they won't stop until they each had a taste.

Be careful what you wish for. Two wrongs do not make it right. We’ve all heard these before. The desire to avenge a wrong against us is something everyone has felt. What if you took that feeling and acted on it? Burn for Burn takes that idea and combines it with realistic characters and an engaging plot.

The narration switches perspectives between each of the three girls. Each of them are so fully developed. They have clear distinct voices, and engaging personalities. They have very little in common apart from their desire for revenge and their willingness to follow through. The unlikely, but touching friendship that grows between them was one of my favourite parts of the novel. Lillia is the wealthy, pretty, popular girl. Kat is the girl from the "other side of the tracks" so to speak. Mary is the damaged girl coming home after running away from her past. These three girls are the heart and soul of the novel and I ended up caring for each of them.

Jenny and Siobhan are best friends and know each other very well. This carries over to this novel and appears in the writing. They mirrored each other’s writing so effectively that it meshes flawlessly together. I could not tell that there were two authors, or how they might have divided up the chapters. It made the journey seamless and allowed me to be swept away.

The novel  brings to mind movies like Heathers, and The Craft. The former for it’s delicious take on revenge, and the latter for the strength and bonding these girls invoke while on their journey. The bonds of friendship is a fully explored theme within the novel. The sting of betrayal, the giddiness of spending time with friends, and feeling of support all come to mind for various friendships in the novel.

The road traveled when seeking revenge is rocky and this novel explores the darker side of it. Our anger and hurt can sometimes misguide us and make us act with considering the outcome. Consequences of your actions are very real and Lillia, Kat and Mary learn this the hard way. Each girl has their own reason for revenge, and they are as varied as the girls themselves are. I found each of their stories to be heartbreaking, but Mary tugged at my heart the most. I wanted to avenge her myself. Lillia’s story is gut wrenching, and should NEVER happen to anyone. Kat’s story is one that will most likely be familiar to a lot of people.

I like that the “villains” of the story are just as fleshed out as our main characters. Nothing in the story black and  white, and I found my sympathies changing throughout the story.

There is an element in the story. At first glance it appears to be paranormal in nature, but I hesitate to call it that. There is something  special about one of the delightful revenge seekers that is merely hinted at in the book. This tease of things to come was enough to leave me tantalized and wanting more.

Burn for Burn is a fun, and page turning read that is perfect for striving off those end of summer blues. I was left wanting to play with a little fire in the sequel Fire With Fire.

Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

Here are my obsessions this week:

BOOKS

Siobhan Vivian and Jenny Han Talk Burn for Burn



I loved Burn for Burn so much. It totally surprised me and left me wanting the sequel right away. This video is super fun, and the authors let you know a little bit about the characters and setting of the novel.

The cover for After Party by Ann Redisch Stampler

So pretty! I do not even know what this novel is about and I want it. I love the cover so much. I am excited to get a synopsis so I pine even more for this one.

The cover for The Goddess Inheritance by Aimee Carter 

Aimee's novels always have such pretty covers, but I think I love this one the best. Very eye catching. Curious about the tag line 'Immortality or Love. You can't have both.' though. After the cliffhanger of Goddess Interrupted I am glad to hear that this one was pushed up a bit!

TV

Season 2 Once Upon A Time Promo Art

Magic is coming!!!! This makes me so excited. Emma looks bad ass, and the purple smoke from the season one finale is taking center stage. Can it please be the end of September already?!

So that's it for me this week! What are you obsessed with?

Autumn Book Buzz

As summer comes to end my mind drifts to cooler evenings spent with warm tea and a good book. Luckily this year's Fall selection is better than ever. I have read a few Fall releases and offer some of my favourites that will have you reading long into the crisp autumn nights.

The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin - release date of October 23

If you haven't read The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, the first novel in this series, do so immediately. The sequel offers everything you loved in the first novel, and more. Dark, sexy, and decadent. Noah Shaw is sexier, the answers lead to more questions, and Mara is just as intriguing as ever. Michelle provides us with a ending that will leave you breathless for some Retribution.

Burn for Burn by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian - release date of September 18

This delicious tale of teenage girls and revenge surprised me in the best way possible. Something in this story brings to mind the movie The Craft whenever I think of this book. It's not the witchcraft elements, but the bonding of the girls in search of vengeance for wrongs done to them, that causes the comparison. Revenge can have some unforeseen consequences however, and this story still has a few surprises in store.

The Diviners by Libba Bray - release date of September 18

Part murder mystery, part paranormal, and all awesome! This 1920's set novel has well developed characters, and amazing world building. It's creepy, it's cool and pos-i-tute-ly stunning. A dark and thrilling novel that you'll want to read with the lights on.

So there are three of my MUST read Autumn selections. All three blew me away and left me anticipating the next installments in the series.

What fall releases are you must looking forward to? Let me know in the comments.

Waiting on Wednesday....Burn for Burn

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

My pick this week is Burn for Burn by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

BIG GIRLS DON'T CRY...
THEY GET EVEN.

Lillia has never had any problems dealing with boys who like her. Not until this summer, when one went too far. No way will she let the same thing happen to her little sister.

Kat is tired of the rumours, the insults, the cruel jokes. It all goes back to one person– her ex-best friend– and she's ready to make her pay.

Four years ago, Mary left Jar Island because of a boy. But she's not the same girl anymore. And she's ready to prove it to him.

Three very different girls who want the same thing: sweet, sweet revenge. And they won't stop until they each had a taste

Intriguing premise. I am really curious about the revenge aspect and how it'll play it. I am a huge fan of the TV show Revenge, and part of it is the guilty pleasure thrill this type of entertainment provides. Very excited to find out about these girls and what leads them to join forces.

Expected release date - September 18, 2012