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 week. 

It's been too long since I have posted a Weekly Obsessions post. There hasn't been a lot being announced, and everything was getting pushed back and delayed. I am restarting this because we've been getting more announcements lately and I have hope that with a vaccine being rolled out and things being released to streaming that this trend might continue.

I have decided to shift this post to Fridays to close out the week!

We've got some fun things coming up and I am very excited to share what has me most excited this week.

BOOKS

Birds of California by Katie Cotugno (goodreads)

I was really excited when I heard that Katie Cotugno was releasing her first adult novel. I was even more excited when I read the synopsis because it is definitely something I am desperate to read.

It sounds amazing and it is going to be a long wait for summer 2022 when I can get my hands on it!

MOVIES/TELEVISION

Cruella trailer

Disney's villains are iconic and are just as popular as their other characters so I was not surprised when it was announced that they were going to do a live action movie detailing the origin story of Cruella from 101 Dalmatians. 

Emma Stone stars as a younger Cruella and based on this trailer she has nailed the part.

Her laugh is perfection. It reminds me so much of the one from the original animated movie and I love all of the fashion that is showcased here. I am also entirely here for them making her a villain right from the beginning. It doesn't seem like they are going to offer a sympathetic backstory (at least from this trailer). 

It's scheduled to be released in May. No word on if it'll be a theatrical release, or offered on Disney+ as part of their 'Premier Access' releases. 

Cruella Poster

Along with the trailer they also released a few posters that are amazing.

Excellent use of Cruella's black, red, and white colour palette. This particular poster was my favourite of the two they released. 

OTHER

WandaVision Funko

I cannot be the only one completely obsessed with WandaVision. I've been eagerly awaiting the release of each episode on Disney+ each Friday and have so many theories.

I am loving the inclusion of Evan Peters in the show and absolutely need this particular Funko!

It's from the Halloween episode which was one of my favourite so far and I think there is much more to be discovered both in the show in general and this character in particular. 

What are you obsessed with this week? Let me know in the comments.

 

Waiting On Wednesday ... You Say It First

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

This week's pick is You Say It First by Katie Cotugno

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Meg has her entire life set up perfectly: her boyfriend Mason is sweet and supportive, she and her best friend Emily plan to head to Cornell together in the fall, and she even finds time to clock shifts phonebanking at a voter registration call center in her Philadelphia suburb. But everything changes when one of those calls connects her to a stranger from small-town Ohio, who gets under her skin from the moment he picks up the phone.

Colby is stuck in a rut, reeling from a family tragedy and working a dead-end job—unsure what his future holds, or if he even cares. The last thing he has time for is some privileged rich girl preaching the sanctity of the political process. So he says the worst thing he can think of and hangs up.

But things don’t end there.…

That night on the phone winds up being the first in a series of candid, sometimes heated, always surprising conversations that lead to a long-distance friendship and then—slowly—to something more. Across state lines and phone lines, Meg and Colby form a once-in-a-lifetime connection. But in the end, are they just too different to make it work?

You Say It First is a propulsive, layered novel about how sometimes the person who has the least in common with us can be the one who changes us most.

An opposites attract love story that is also long distance?! Not only is this super unique but it is not something I know I wanted until I was presented with the option.

Katie Cotugno writes amazing books so I am confident this one is going to be just as amazing. The premise has certainly gotten my attention and the cover is worthy of picking up all on its own.

This one comes out in time for summer and I cannot wait to read this while eating some delicious ice cream.

Expected release date - June 16, 2020

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.

Posting on a Sunday. It's been a VERY long week and I have mostly been exhausted. There also wasn't too much released that caught my attention, but there are a few exciting things to chat about.

BOOKS

Cover of You Say It First by Katie Cotugno (goodreads)

This illustrated covers are always fun and this one definitely caught my eye. It's colour palette is perfect and gives up a vibe that fits the synopsis perfectly.

I really love the two characters and how they are drawn. Katie Cotugno always gets really fun covers, but I especially like this one.

MOVIES/TV

Marriage Story Trailer

I was already sold on Marriage Story thanks to the two teaser trailers that were released. I am even more sold after seeing this full trailer.

 

I have heard that Adam Drive gives an incredible, Oscar nomination worthy, performance in this. I heard all of the performances are good, but his tends to get singled out. I am also really happy that this is coming to Netflix so it'll be widely accessible to a lot of people.

What are you obsessed with this week? Let me know in the comments.

9 Days and 9 Nights by Katie Cotugno

9 Days and 9 Nights by Katie Cotugno
Release Date - May 1, 2018
Publisher Website - Harper Collins

Publisher Social Media - Twitter/Facebook/SavvyReader/Frenzy
Pages -  272 pages
My Rating - 4/5
**received from publisher for an honest review**

**potential spoilers for 99 Days**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

The irresistible sequel to the bestselling 99 Days.

Molly Barlow isn’t that girl anymore. A business major at her college in Boston, she’s reinvented herself after everything that went down a year ago . . . after all the people she hurt and the family she tore apart.

Slowly, life is getting back to normal. Molly has just said “I love you” to her new boyfriend, Ian, and they are off on a romantic European vacation together, starting with scenic London. But there on a Tube platform, the past catches up to her in the form of Gabe, her ex, traveling on his own parallel vacation with new girlfriend Sadie.

After comparing itineraries, Ian ends up extending an invite for Gabe and Sadie to join them on the next leg of their trip, to Ireland. Sadie, who’s dying to go there, jumps at the prospect. And Molly and Gabe can’t bring themselves to tell the truth about who they once were to each other to their new significant others.

Now Molly has to spend nine days and nine nights with the boy she once loved, the boy whose heart she shredded, without Ian knowing. Will she make it through as new, improved Molly, or will everything that happened between her and Gabe come rushing back?

Having a sequel to a book you thought was a standalone always comes with mixed feelings. There is excitement to be returning to the world and characters you love, but also some nervousness that it won't live up to the original. I had these exact feelings when it was announced that Katie Cotugno would be releasing a follow up to 99 Days. It turns out that I need not have worried. It's a story that embraces its characters and more than pays tribute to the book that came before it.

Molly Barlow is a character that ignited some strong reactions. She's a flawed female character who made some pretty large mistakes and she was certainly judged for them by both the other characters in the book and readers. Society judges women more harshly for their mistakes and this fact was showcased in 99 Days. Gabe is treated quite differently for the same actions that Molly committed. She is vilified while his transgression garners not much more than a shrug. This sequel shows how Molly keeps paying for the mistakes she made and having to face the unbalanced consequences of those actions.

This novel looks at learning to accept all parts of yourself, including the messy parts you may not be proud of all of the time. It is about being comfortable with being yourself. If this story has a message at its heart it is the beauty of being yourself. Molly has grown, but that doesn't mean she has to be someone she isn't to be worthy. It's a message that I found uplifting and affirming because it tells everyone that they are enough. They can be exactly who they are and be accepted.

There is a background element of wanderlust that thrums throughout the novel. The book makes you itch to create some memories of your own while trekking around Europe. There is something romantic and whimsical about some of the places Molly's journey takes her to. I appreciated that this is a travel book that doesn't always feel like one. It is background element to the story and it is the characters that are the main focus. It doesn't let the destinations drive the story, bur rather allows the characters to.

The awkwardness of the love square that Katie Cotugno has set up is pitch perfect. The secrets being held create this bond between Gabe and Molly that is undeniable. The fact that both Ian and Sadie are decent people make the situation even more uncomfortable. The entire situation showcases the growth that Molly has gone through while still acknowledging the mistakes she still needs to learn from. It's a well written look at a situation filled with complex relationships. It could have easily been written in a way that made it not work, but Katie Cotugno's writing ensures it comes together perfectly.

This feels like a much more fitting ending to Molly and Gabe's story. It's a bittersweet look at forgiveness and the hope of second chances. It's just as complex, messy, and thought provoking as Katie Cotugno's other books and one that I predict her fans will love. 

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 recieved an AMAZING package from HCC Frenzy/Haper Collins Canada. I am so excited to read this book. A huge thank you to them for sending it over.

99 Days by Katie Cotugno (goodreads)
9 Days and 9 Nights by Katie Cogtugno (goodreads)

What bookish goodies made their way into your mailbox this week? Let me know in the comments.

Happy Weekend and Happy Reading!

Waiting On Wednesday .... 9 Days and 9 Nights

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

This week's pick is 9 Days and 9 Nights by Katie Cotugno

Here is the Goodreads synopsis 

The irresistible sequel to the bestselling 99 Days.

Molly Barlow isn’t that girl anymore. A business major at her college in Boston, she’s reinvented herself after everything that went down a year ago . . . after all the people she hurt and the family she tore apart.

Slowly, life is getting back to normal. Molly has just said “I love you” to her new boyfriend, Ian, and they are off on a romantic European vacation together, starting with scenic London. But there on a Tube platform, the past catches up to her in the form of Gabe, her ex, traveling on his own parallel vacation with new girlfriend Sadie.

After comparing itineraries, Ian ends up extending an invite for Gabe and Sadie to join them on the next leg of their trip, to Ireland. Sadie, who’s dying to go there, jumps at the prospect. And Molly and Gabe can’t bring themselves to tell the truth about who they once were to each other to their new significant others.

Now Molly has to spend nine days and nine nights with the boy she once loved, the boy whose heart she shredded, without Ian knowing. Will she make it through as new, improved Molly, or will everything that happened between her and Gabe come rushing back?

I love Katie Cotugno's books and especailly love that 99 Days is getting a sequel.

I love the idea of this being a Eurotrip novel! I love that Gabe and Molly will reunite. I am so excited to get my hands on this next spring!

Expected release date - May 1, 2018

Fireworks by Katie Cotugno

Fireworks by Katie Cotugno
Release Date - April 18, 2017

Publisher Website - Harper Collins
Publisher Social Media - Twitter/Facebook/SavvyReader/Frenzy
Pages - 336 pages
My Rating - 5/5
**received for an honest review from publisher**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

From Katie Cotugno, bestselling author of 99 Days, comes Fireworks—about a girl who is competing with her best friend to become the new pop star of the moment—and all the drama and romance that comes with it—set in Orlando during the late-'90s boy-and-girl-band craze.

It was always meant to be Olivia. She was the talented one, the one who had been training to be a star her whole life. Her best friend, Dana, was the level-headed one, always on the sidelines, cheering her best friend along.

But everything changes when Dana tags along with Olivia to Orlando for the weekend, where superproducer Guy Monroe is holding auditions for a new singing group, and Dana is discovered too. Dana, who’s never sung more than Olivia’s backup. Dana, who wasn’t even looking for fame. Next thing she knows, she and Olivia are training to be pop stars, and Dana is falling for Alex, the earnest, endlessly talented boy who’s destined to be the next big thing.

It should be a dream come true, but as the days of grueling practice and constant competition take their toll, things between Olivia and Dana start to shift . . . and there’s only room at the top for one girl. For Olivia, it’s her chance at her dream. For Dana, it’s a chance to escape a future that seems to be closing in on her. And for these lifelong best friends, it’s the adventure of a lifetime—if they can make it through.

Set in evocative 1990s Orlando, New York Times bestselling author Katie Cotugno’s Fireworks brings to life the complexity of friendship, the excitement of first love, and the feeling of being on the verge of greatness.

When I heard Katie Cotugno was releasing a novel that focused on female friendships and used the 90s boy/girl band craze as its backdrop, I knew I needed to read it immediately. I was hoping it would be drenched in nostalgia and filled with everything I love about Katie Cotugno's books. Luckily, that is exactly what I got when I picked up Fireworks. It's the kind of book that will immediately make you want to have a 90s music dance party in your house. It is also the kind of book that will make you thankful for the female friendships in your life - flaws and all.

Many people snidely make fun of boy/girl bands. They assume they are frivolous and that the members of these groups do not work hard for their success. These groups are often dismissed simply for being something that teenagers, generally teen aged girls in particular, enjoy. This book is here to set you straight on that assumption. The determination, and hard work that goes into one of these groups is meticulously detailed within Dana and Olivia's story. Nothing about it is easy, and I loved that the novel took the time to address that. There are plenty of perks too, and these are addressed right along side the negative aspects.

The novel may be set in the 90s but it also feels current and relevant. This is largely because the issues that Dana and Olivia are facing are not limited to a specific time frame. The problems that arise in their friendship are ones that people will always struggle with. This is a well developed look at a friendship that is often one sided with one person taking more than they are giving. Combine this with jealously, drifting away from each other, and growing up and you have issues that anyone is able to relate to. The connection between Dana and Olivia is the most important relationship in the novel, even more than the romance found within these pages, and that fact is never forgotten.

The ending is the perfect blend of bitter and sweet. There is hope for the future, but also a sense of loss. The fact that the novel highlights that sometimes things cannot be saved was something I appreciated. Sometimes you cannot mend things, or make your way back to each other. It also shows that you can love someone and be disappointed by them at the same time. The good memories and the bad parts can co-exist. You can still want the best for them, even if they've hurt you. This complexity is at the heart of this friendship and it is something Katie Cotugno does flawlessly.

Fireworks offers up a nostalgic read for anyone who remembers the boy/girl band craze of the 90s. Katie Cotugno once again portrays imperfect female characters who are nuanced, and realistic. If you are looking for a read that focuses on friendship, especially ones that are not perfect, I highly recommend picking up this wonderfully written read.

Waiting On Wednesday .... Top Ten

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

This week's pick is Top Ten by Katie Cotugno

Here is the Goodreads synopsis 

From Katie Cotugno, New York Times bestselling author of 99 Days, How to Love, and Fireworks, comes Top Ten—the top ten best moments in the best friendship—turned potential romance—between a couple who should have nothing in common.

Ryan McCullough and Gabby Hart are the unlikeliest of friends. Introverted, anxious Gabby would rather do literally anything than go to a party. Ryan is a star hockey player who can get any girl he wants—and does, frequently. But against all odds, they became not only friends, but each other’s favorite person. Now, as they face high school graduation, they can’t help but take a moment to reminisce and, in their signature tradition, make a top ten list—counting down the top ten moments of their friendship: 

10. Where to begin? Maybe the night we met.
9. Then there was our awkward phase.
8. When you were in love with me but never told me…
7. Those five months we stopped talking were the hardest of my life.
6. Through terrible fights…
5. And emotional makeups.
4. You were there for me when I got my heart broken.
3. …but at times, you were also the one breaking it.
2. Above all, you helped me make sense of the world.
1. Now, as we head off to college—how am I possibly going to live without you?

I love Katie Cotugno books! I am so happy that we're getting two this year from her! Top Ten sounds adorable, and perfect. I love the idea of counting down the top ten moments of this friendship that could possibly be more. I am really excited to met Ryan and Gabby and fall in love with them and their story.

Expected release date - October 3, 2017

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.

It's a Stranger Things filled week with lots of amazing things revealed about season two (including the release date) and plenty of other things to be very excited about as well.

BOOKS

Cover of Top Ten by Katie Cutugno

I love this cover.  It not only matches her previous covers, but provides the tone for the story. It really does look like you're seeing snapshots of their relationship which totally fits the synopsis.

I love Katie's books and I am pretty sure this one is going to be no exception. I cannot wait to read it.

TV/MOVIE

Stranger Things Video

This video may be the most adorable thing ever. It's the Stranger Things kids telling you what it takes to be a member of their squad.

Adorable, right? These kids are so precious. 

Stranger Things Season 2 Teaser

The highly anticipated second season of Stranger Things has a teaser trailer and IT IS AWESOME! Check out this trailer and immediately join me in crying over the long wait we have until it premieres.

HALLOWEEN?! SERIOUSLY?! That is waaaaaay too far away but I have a feeling (based on this trailer) that it will be worth the wait. I love that the kids are dressed up as Ghostbusters for Halloween. Super cute.

OTHER

Stranger Things Entertainment Weekly Cover

Lastly, because there has not been enough Stranger Things goodness released this week, Entertainment Weekly has gifted us this amazing cover.

Eleven's hair! The fact that her and Mike are the only straight faced ones! Dustin's hat! I love it all. I cannot wait for Canada to get this issue (we're always a week behind) so I can devour the article and learn all the tidbits that are teased!

What are you obsessed with this week?

Waiting On Wednesday ... Fireworks

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 Fireworks by Katie Cotugno

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

From Katie Cotugno, bestselling author of 99 Days, comes Fireworks—about a girl who is competing with her best friend to become the new pop star of the moment—and all the drama and romance that comes with it—set in Orlando during the late-'90s boy-and-girl-band craze.

It was always meant to be Olivia. She was the talented one, the one who had been training to be a star her whole life. Her best friend, Dana, was the level-headed one, always on the sidelines, cheering her best friend along. 

But everything changes when Dana tags along with Olivia to Orlando for the weekend, where superproducer Guy Monroe is holding auditions for a new singing group, and Dana is discovered too. Dana, who’s never sung more than Olivia’s backup. Dana, who wasn’t even looking for fame. Next thing she knows, she and Olivia are training to be pop stars, and Dana is falling for Alex, the earnest, endlessly talented boy who’s destined to be the next big thing. 

It should be a dream come true, but as the days of grueling practice and constant competition take their toll, things between Olivia and Dana start to shift . . . and there’s only room at the top for one girl. For Olivia, it’s her chance at her dream. For Dana, it’s a chance to escape a future that seems to be closing in on her. And for these lifelong best friends, it’s the adventure of a lifetime—if they can make it through. 

Set in evocative 1990s Orlando, New York Times bestselling author Katie Cotugno’s Fireworks brings to life the complexity of friendship, the excitement of first love, and the feeling of being on the verge of greatness.

A novel set in Orlando during the 90's boy band/girl band craze?! SIGN ME UP! I was the target market for these bands during the 90s (as I was a teen during these years) so there will be a lot of nostalgia while reading this. I am hoping there is a band that is obviously inspired by the two biggest boy bands of the 90s - Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC. Katie Cotugno's books have always impressed me with their voice (and I loved 99 Days more than her first novel) and I am sure this one will be no exception. I only wish this was coming out in the summer because it sounds like the perfect pool side read and I will not be able to wait to devour it once it comes out in April.

I also love the use of Polaroids on the cover. I love that they are becoming a thing again and this cover just makes me think of summers on the beach and bonfires.

Expected release date - April 18, 2017

99 Days by Katie Cotugno

99 Days by Katie Cotugno
Release Date - April 21, 2015
Publisher Website - Harper Collins
Publisher Social Media - Twitter/Facebook/SavvyReader/Frenzy
Pages - 384 pages
My Rating - 4/5
**received for an honest review from publisher**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Day 1: Julia Donnelly eggs my house my first night back in Star Lake, and that’s how I know everyone still remembers everything—how I destroyed my relationship with Patrick the night everything happened with his brother, Gabe. How I wrecked their whole family. Now I’m serving out my summer like a jail sentence: Just ninety-nine days till I can leave for college, and be done.

Day 4: A nasty note on my windshield makes it clear Julia isn’t finished. I’m expecting a fight when someone taps me on the shoulder, but it’s just Gabe, home from college and actually happy to see me. “For what it’s worth, Molly Barlow,” he says, “I’m really glad you’re back.”

Day 12: Gabe got me to come to this party, and I’m actually having fun. I think he’s about to kiss me—and that’s when I see Patrick. My Patrick, who’s supposed to be clear across the country. My Patrick, who’s never going to forgive me. 

99 Days is going to produce strong reactions in readers, no matter how they feel about the book itself. Katie Cotugno has crafted a messy, murky story that has a complicated situation at it's core. She's created characters who will push you outside your comfort zone, and hopefully, make you see this not black and white situation through different eyes.

Human interaction can be messy. It can be flawed, imperfect and mistakes can be made. We're layered, and complex. Katie Cotugno takes this and creates characters who feel authentic. Ones who make horrible decisions that just happen to feel right for the characters. As much as you may not agree with those choices, they make complete sense as you're reading. KatieCotugno shows through her characters that nobody is perfect, and that everyone makes mistakes sometimes.

Seething anger coursed through my body while reading this novel. The amount of rage filled texts and tweets I sent to people is probably borderline scary. The harsh light that this novel shines on double standards, as blood pressure raising as it is, is extremely important. Molly is vilified. She's the evil temptress who came between two brothers. She's the girl who couldn't keep her legs closed. She's the one to shoulder all the blame. Gabe, the golden boy, gets pretty much a free pass even through he did exactly the same thing that Molly did. They hurt the same person, and each had a connection to him that was forever altered. He played a part in what happened as much as Molly did, however it's not his car getting keyed, or his front lawn being toilet papered. My constant all caps messages to my friends of "Blame Gabe, too" was something I felt was expressed throughout the entire story. The notion of 'blame the girl' is what this story is really about underneath it all and Katie Cotugno captures that unfair bias pitch perfectly.

Molly is wracked with guilt. She's incredibly harsh on herself, and even believes the taunts of 'dirty slut' that follow her. This novel shows, however, that she's only human. Humans make mistakes. Humans will sometimes make awful decisions. Yes, she hurt Patrick. Patrick should be angry at her (AND HE SHOULD BE ANGRY  WITH GABE!). Everyone else, however, should not have an opinion. Katie Cotugno adeptly shows how the stigma sticks to Molly and follows her like a scarlet letter A branded on her chest. The most heartbreaking aspect is that Molly hasn't forgiven herself for what happened. She continues to berate herself, and question her self worth.

As we see Molly make the same mistakes again it'd be easy to grow frustrated with her. She certainly makes some unwise decisions, and it may seem like she's repeating those same mistakes over and over again. However, looking underneath everything you see that it's necessary to Molly's journey. Molly runs. It's what she does. It's her coping mechanism. She runs so she doesn't have to deal with things, or work through them. She ran after sleeping with Gabe and never sorted out her feelings, or the issues that they brought to the surface. Of course it makes sense that she would have to work through them to move forward. Of course it means her making those mistakes again so she can learn from them properly. As much as we want her to makes the choices that are better for her, the character growth she is to experience during the novel depends on her reliving what happened. If she is to come to a place of acceptance and self forgiveness she needs to actually deal with everything, instead of running away.

The friendship between Molly and Imogen is the bright spot of the novel. We see forgiveness and communication. Imogen was hurt when Molly just ran away with no word before she came back. At first I was worried that Imogen was being distant from Molly because of what had happened with Gabe. Instead, we find out how hard it was for Imogen when Molly left. We see how hurt she was. Molly genuinely apologizes and Imogen and her work through their issues. It's not automatically the same but they are working through things. It contrasts how everyone else treats her and hits home the message of forgiveness and understanding.

A novel with a lot to say about double standards, forgiveness and the mistakes we make. There is a lot going on under the beachy setting, and not all of it is pretty. It's messy, uncomfortable but honest. It may make some readers uncomfortable, but that is because it's challenging the way we perceive things, and how we relate to flawed, imperfect characters. 

Waiting On Wednesday ......... 99 Days

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 99 Days by Katie Cotungo

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Day 1: Julia Donnelly eggs my house my first night back in Star Lake, and that’s how I know everyone still remembers everything—how I destroyed my relationship with Patrick the night everything happened with his brother, Gabe. How I wrecked their whole family. Now I’m serving out my summer like a jail sentence: Just ninety-nine days till I can leave for college, and be done.

Day 4: A nasty note on my windshield makes it clear Julia isn’t finished. I’m expecting a fight when someone taps me on the shoulder, but it’s just Gabe, home from college and actually happy to see me. “For what it’s worth, Molly Barlow,” he says, “I’m really glad you’re back.”

Day 12: Gabe got me to come to this party, and I’m actually having fun. I think he’s about to kiss me—and that’s when I see Patrick. My Patrick, who’s supposed to be clear across the country. My Patrick, who’s never going to forgive me.

So this has been described as having things in common with Dirty Dancing and I was immediately sold. This sounds super cute, and fun. Its a perfect spring read that I am pretty sure will be filled with adorable (and awkward) moments. Sadly, it's a bit of a wait for this one, but I expect it'll be worth it.

Oh, and the Polaroids. I have a soft spot for  Polaroid photos! I love that they are becoming a thing again (thanks, Taylor).

Expected release date - April 21, 2015

How To Love by Katie Cotugno

How To Love by Katie Cotugno
Release Date – October 1, 2013
Publisher Website – Harper Collins
Publisher Social Media - Twitter/Facebook/SavvyReader
Pages - 389 pages
My Rating- 4/5
**received from publisher for review**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Before: Reena Montero has loved Sawyer LeGrande for as long as she can remember: as natural as breathing, as endless as time. But he’s never seemed to notice that Reena even exists…until one day, impossibly, he does. Reena and Sawyer fall in messy, complicated love. But then Sawyer disappears from their humid Florida town without a word, leaving a devastated—and pregnant—Reena behind.

After: Almost three years have passed, and there’s a new love in Reena’s life: her daughter, Hannah. Reena’s gotten used to being without Sawyer, and she’s finally getting the hang of this strange, unexpected life. But just as swiftly and suddenly as he disappeared, Sawyer turns up again. Reena doesn’t want anything to do with him, though she’d be lying if she said Sawyer’s being back wasn’t stirring something in her. After everything that’s happened, can Reena really let herself love Sawyer LeGrande again?

In this breathtaking debut, Katie Cotugno weaves together the story of one couple falling in love—twice.

How To Love is a story of love, redemption, second chances, sacrifice, and taking leaps of faith. It's also brilliantly written, and has a main character that is easy to love and root for. The love story of Sawyer and Reena didn't resonate as deeply with me, but everything else about this novel was easy to love.

The writing in this novel is engaging, captivating and brings to life the character of Reena. Katie captures Reena perfectly, and allows her writing to show us her character. The first half of the novel is much stronger than the second, and there is a lot of potential for Katie Cotugno to be a force in the contemporary market.

Reena was everything I could want from a main character. She was mature (mostly) and handled becoming a teenage mother with nothing but strength. She wanted to be a good mother, the best mother she could be. Her life focus immediately made that switch. She sacrificed, and made the decisions she needed to. She may make some wrong decisions, but her flaws made her character feel all the more real.

Sawyer never really grew on me. His teenage self was immature, self focused, and a mess. The older version is more put together, and in a much better place. However, the change he needed to make in order for this story work failed to resonate with me. The 'older' Sawyer is supposed to be in a better place, but this never came across for me. It didn't show me the ways he had changed (other than the glaringly obvious) but instead TOLD me he had changed. I wanted his actions to back up his words, and there just wasn't enough character development for 'older' Sawyer to win me over. The little things he does do are a step in the right direction, and perhaps that is the point. He's trying, and attempting to make things right. I just wish I had seen why he deserves a second chance and redemption.

The approach this novel takes to teen pregnancy is one of the most realistic portrayals I have read. It felt honest. The balance between trying to be a teen, and being a mother came across, and the hard truths that came along with it were put under a harsh light. The incredible moments that would come with being a parent were also included and shone a bright light in the murkiness that is Reena's life.

The message of hope, and healing is so prevalent throughout the novel. It's ultimately an uplifting read that shows that life may take some unexpected turns, but perhaps those turns are what make it worth living. Dreams may change, and sometimes turn into something you never expected. The fact that Reena took what came and did her best with it was a refreshing, and affirming character trait that made me love her all the more. It also made me love the novel's message.

Katie Cotugno is a talented writer, and I look forward to whatever she might come out with next. I certainly adored Reena, but wished I had gotten a little more from Sawyer. All that aside, How To Love is a touching, realistic novel filled with the message of promise and hope.