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. 

Follow Me Back by A.V. Geiger

Follow Me Back by A.V. Geiger
Release Date -  June 6, 2017

Publisher Website - Raincoast
Publisher Social Media - Twitter
Pages -  368 pages
My Rating - 3.5/5
**received for an honest review**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Tessa Hart’s world feels very small. Confined to her bedroom with agoraphobia, her one escape is the online fandom for pop sensation Eric Thorn. When he tweets to his fans, it’s like his speaking directly to her…

Eric Thorn is frightened by his obsessive fans. They take their devotion way too far. It doesn’t help that his PR team keeps posting to encourage their fantasies.

When a fellow pop star is murdered at the hands of a fan, Eric knows he has to do something to shatter his online image fast—like take down one of his top Twitter followers. But Eric’s plan to troll @TessaHeartsEric unexpectedly evolves into an online relationship deeper than either could have imagined. And when the two arrange to meet IRL, what should have made for the world’s best episode of Catfish takes a deadly turn…

Told through tweets, direct messages, and police transcripts.

Follow Me Back is the type of novel that would be at home as a television show on the CW network. A mix of mystery, twists, and romance, it will immediately appeal to those looking for their next obsession after finishing Pretty Little Liars. This novel looks at the dark and obsessive side of fandom and crafts an entertaining tale filled with surprises.

So much of this novel is hard to talk about because of spoilers. It, in my opinion, is better not knowing too much before reading this one and just enjoying how the story unfolds. The use of social media and police transcripts to fill in the story is well done and adds a very modern feel to the story. This narration style also ensures a quick, easy to read novel that can be devoured during a day at the beach. It's engrossing enough to keep your interest, and just offers a book that is fun to read.

Tessa has experienced something traumatic and as a result has retreated inside the safe little world of her bedroom. Barely venturing outside her room, she spends her days online and in therapy. I cannot speak to the representation of agoraphobia, but I felt Tessa's panic. A.V. Geiger manages to make you feel what Tessa is feeling. The fear, frustration, and desire to do better are all there. She blames herself for not doing better, and for the events that lead up to the way her life is now. She's a character that is easy to sympathize with, simply because you can imagine what it feels like for her.

I found the parts from Eric's point of view to be the most interesting. A huge pop star who is becoming increasingly uneasy and (at times) paranoid after the death of a fellow pop star. Everything about this was captivating. He is apprehensive about any fan interaction, and frustrated with how his team is brushing off his concerns. Combine this with him being disenchanted with his public image and the path his career has taken and he is a fascinating character study. I would easily read an entire novel based on Eric's storyline. I mean, a pop star growing increasing paranoid after the death of a fellow pop star at the hands of a fan? It has the makings of a fantastic mystery. This novel, however, veers off onto a different direction that makes this only part of the focus. I anticipate it will continue to be important in subsequent sequels as this novel doesn't provide all the answers.

The slow build romance worked for me in this case. I may not have completely bought their connection, but it certainly felt more believable that they would have feelings develop as they got to know each other, instead of the celebrity falling for his fan at first sight that Hollywood based romance arcs in novels tend to do. It allowed me to suspend a little bit more disbelief and kept me in the story.

The pacing, for me, as a bit of an issue. The beginning of this novel is so strong. I was immediately hooked and intrigued by the mystery. The middle, sadly, lags a little. It loses its pacing and it felt noticeable to me. It just doesn't feel as tight has the first part of the novel. It does regain its footing with its ending that sent my thoughts racing. It's the type of ending that makes you wish you had the sequel immediately. It packs the most punch and is something that, for me, saved the novel.

If you're looking for a fun thriller with Hollywood flair, I recommend you give this book a read. It's filled with plenty of twists and reveals and sets up the second novel in this series perfectly. It may have a bit of an issue with pacing, but this is an otherwise a solid read for those looking for something other than romances to put in their beach tote this summer.

Waiting On Wednesday .... Winner Take All

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 Winner Take All by Laurie Devore

Here is the Goodreads synopsis 

For Nell Becker, life is a competition she needs to win.
For Jackson Hart, everyone is a pawn in his own game.
They both have everything to lose.

Nell wants to succeed at everything—school, sports, life. And victory is sweeter when it means beating Jackson Hart, the rich, privileged, undisputed king of Cedar Woods Prep Academy. Yet no matter how hard she tries, Jackson is somehow one step ahead. They’re a match made in hell, but opposites do attract.

Drawn to each other by their rivalry, Nell and Jackson fall into a whirlwind romance that consumes everything in their lives. But when a devastating secret exposes their relationship as just another game, how far will Nell go to win?

Visceral and whip-smart, Laurie Devore’s Winner Take All paints an unflinching portrait of obsessive love, toxic competition, and the drive for perfection.

I loved Laurie Devore's debut novel. It was filled with messy, complex female characters and toxic friendships.

I was immediately on board with her second novel when it was evident she was taking those complex themes and applying them to relationships. It has a Chuck and Blair from Gossip Girl vibe, and I am curious to see how Laurie will handle a toxic romance.This synopsis has only made me even more excited to get my hands on this one!

It is going to be a long wait as this doesn't release until early 2018 but it gives people the chance to read How To Break A Boy in the meantime.

Expected release date - January 30, 2018

The Gentleman's Guide To Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee

The Gentleman's Guide To Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee
Release Date - June 27, 2017

Publisher Website - Harper Collins
Publisher Social Media - Twitter/Facebook/SavvyReader/Frenzy
Pages - 528 pages
My Rating - 4.5/5
**received for an honest review from publisher**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

An unforgettable tale of two friends on their Grand Tour of 18th-century Europe who stumble upon a magical artifact that leads them from Paris to Venice in a dangerous manhunt, fighting pirates, highwaymen, and their feelings for each other along the way.

Henry “Monty” Montague was born and bred to be a gentleman, but he was never one to be tamed. The finest boarding schools in England and the constant disapproval of his father haven’t been able to curb any of his roguish passions—not for gambling halls, late nights spent with a bottle of spirits, or waking up in the arms of women or men.

But as Monty embarks on his grand tour of Europe, his quest for a life filled with pleasure and vice is in danger of coming to an end. Not only does his father expect him to take over the family’s estate upon his return, but Monty is also nursing an impossible crush on his best friend and traveling companion, Percy.

Still it isn’t in Monty’s nature to give up. Even with his younger sister, Felicity, in tow, he vows to make this yearlong escapade one last hedonistic hurrah and flirt with Percy from Paris to Rome. But when one of Monty’s reckless decisions turns their trip abroad into a harrowing manhunt that spans across Europe, it calls into question everything he knows, including his relationship with the boy he adores.

Witty, romantic, and intriguing at every turn, The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue is a sumptuous romp that explores the undeniably fine lines between friendship and love.

I love books that are based around some kind of journey or trip. Especially ones set in Europe. I also love romances, and stories filled with adventure. Luckily, The Gentleman's Guide To Vice and Virtue has all of this and more. It's the kind of novel you'll want to immediately push onto others, and the type that makes you want to read it again once you've turned that last page.

This story is less fluffy than I anticipated. I didn't expect it to have the levity and weight that the story has. It's much more thoughtful and thought provoking than it might appear at first glance. It is still a whole lot of fun with some epic adventures within these pages, but it also tackles deeper issues with equal skill. It is the type of book you'll to discuss with others, because of the topics handled within these pages, as well as the feel good feeling it leaves you with.

Monty is a charming rogue who you will spend equal time wanting to smack and kiss. He both infuriates and invokes sympathy in equal measure. I appreciated how complex Mackenzi Lee made this character. He could have easily been a caricature, but instead we have a great example of character growth without losing what makes the character special. Monty never looses his spark, even as he comes to terms with his faults.

Percy is a character that I wish I had gotten to know a little more. We learn quite a bit about him, but I find his part of the story arc to be something I really wanted more of. Race, racism, and class structure are all examined through this character and the ways in which others view and treat him. His character is so incredibly sweet that you instantly feel protective of him because he really is just a decent young man.

Felicity ends up stealing every scene she is in. She's determined, focused, and caring. She is just so vivid, and her voice really jumps off the page. She is a character who follows the path they choose, even when it seems impossible to do so. I predict many readers will love her just as much as I do.

The romance is everything I hoped it would be. It is grin inducting, and swoon worthy. It has a delightful tension to it. There is the push and pull that exists in large part due to the 'will they/won't they' nature of the romance. It ultimately leaves you rooting for them both as a couple, and own their own. It really is the heart of the novel, and I anticipate plenty of people will feel the same way I do. They're really easy to ship together, and the relationship is one of the sweetest payoffs of the story.

There are so many action adventure type scenes within the novel. I was surprised at the amount of these scenes within this novel.  It could easily be a movie with it's blend of action, humour, romance and strong characters. The action scenes add an element of danger, and risk to the story that is definitely welcome. It really makes this a grand adventure in all meaning of the word, and it is (perhaps) the most eventful Grand Tour that has even been written.

My slight issue with the novel was that I would have preferred this to be a series. There is so much more I want from this novel that I wish we had more time with this story. I wanted some characters to be explored more, I wanted some plot points to have more details. It really is a testament to how wonderfully this novel is written that it left me wanting more.

This is the book that I never knew I wanted. It's filled with fantastic characters, big adventures, and wonderful character development. It's left me eager to return to this world and I can only hope that Mackenzi Lee will return to this world, and these characters again and again. 

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 have some ebooks and the newest issue of Entertainment Weekly to share with you this week!

I am a huge fan of all the shows Ryan Murphy has created (the ones on the FX network at least).

The newest season of American Crime Story is coming up and it is the focus of this week's Entertainment Weekly. I already adore the casting choices, and I cannot wait to see this season!

I love so much of this article, and how they are approaching the story. An official premiere date has not been announced, but I am hoping it is soon!

Next up I have some ebooks that I purchased recently. Some romance novels to enjoy by the pool this summer! These book sound really good, and I have my friend Emilie to thank for bringing one of them to my attention (so thank you Emilie).

Wilder by Rebecca Yarros (goodreads)

The Accidental Honeymoon by Portia Macintosh (goodreads)

Let me know what bookish goodies made their way on your shelves this week!

Happy Weekend 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

Summer is officially here, but I am already missing the weather that allows me to curl up with a cup of tea, a blanket and a good book. I guess it is time for outside reading, ice cream and fruity wine beverages.

Lots of exciting things were announced this week, and here are the ones I have been most excited about.

BOOK

Marisha Pessl's YA Debut

It was announced that Marissa Pessl will be releasing her first young adult novel. I love Night Film by her so I was excited to hear she'd be releasing another book, and even more excited by the news that it would be young adult.

The title of the upcoming release is Neverworld Wake and the synopsis is basically everything I want in a book.

A group of teens who all attended the same elite prep school reunite a year after graduation. After a night on the town, the teens are faced with an impossible choice—only one of them can live and the decision must be unanimous.

That is not a choice ANYONE wants to make, but it instantly makes me want to ask a million questions. Mainly, why? Why do they have to make this choice? Who or what is making them? How long to do they have to choose? I can just tell it is going to be a discussion starting read and I cannot wait. There are also sci-fi elements to the story which isn't immediately evident from the synopsis.

TV/MOVIE

The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story

I am so excited for the second season of American Crime Story. It will focus on the assassination of Gianni Versace and looks to be just as well crafted as the first season (which focused on the trial of OJ Simpson).

This week's issue of Entertainment Weekly has a feature story on the upcoming season and it is PERFECT. I always love the casting in Ryan Murphy's shows and this is no exception.

It was also just revealed that Finn Wittrock will be joining the cast in a minor role (he is playing a friend of the guy who murdered Gianni Versace) and that news has only increased my excitement level (which surprises nobody who has read this blog).

Fun fact - they are filming at house Gianni Versace lived in at the time of the murder. This is going to add a layer of realism to the show, but also sends shivers up my spine. Not sure I could do it myself.

What are you obsessed with this week?

How To Make A Wish by Ashley Herring Blake

How To Make A Wish by Ashley Herring Blake
Release Date -  May 2, 2017

Publisher Website - Raincoast
Publisher Social Media - Twitter
Pages -  336 pages
My Rating - 4/5
**received for an honest review**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Grace, tough and wise, has nearly given up on wishes, thanks to a childhood spent with her unpredictable, larger-than-life mother. But this summer, Grace meets Eva, a girl who believes in dreams, despite her own difficult circumstances.

 One fateful evening, Eva climbs through a window in Grace’s room, setting off a chain of stolen nights on the beach. When Eva tells Grace that she likes girls, Grace’s world opens up and she begins to believe in happiness again.    How to Make a Wish is an emotionally charged portrait of a mother and daughter’s relationship and a heartfelt story about two girls who find each other at the exact right time. 

How To Make A Wish's synopsis promises a love story between two girls who are dealing with difficult things at this point in their lives. It is also so much more than that.  Ashley Herring Blake delivers a novel that looks at the complexity of relationships, both healing and toxic, and the strength in accepting the reality of both.

I love when the main character and love interest each have story arcs outside of the romance. How To Make A Wish excels at this. Ashley Herring Blake has given each girl their own issues, and comple stories outside of falling in love. This, for me, made them seem even more nuanced and real. It made their story seem more fleshed out, and this allowed the characters to grow outside of the relationship so that the relationship could work. It made them better characters, and as this is a character driven novel, it made all the difference.

The romance in this is rather adorable. It contains a lot of my favourite things - secrets, inside jokes, well written kissing scenes, and characters who are actually good for each other. It was nice to read a love story between two girls where discovering their sexuality, or coming out was not the focus. Those stories are necessary and vital, but so are stories like this one. Stories that focus on relationships and the giddiness of falling in love. Stories in which both girls know who they are, even if one (or both) are still testing the language that feels comfortable to define themselves with. It showcases the need for different kinds of stories for all kinds of representation.

The adult characters that populate this story are both utilized and woven into the story arcs seamlessly. There are complex relationships shown between the teen characters and the adult characters. The complexity mostly comes from the adult characters being complex themselves. The adults in this novel are imperfect, but not vilified. They are shown to make mistakes, but that those mistakes are not all they are. These mistakes do not make them beyond redemption. There are examples of both healthy and unhealthy examples of parent/child like relationships within this novel, and none of them veer into cliche territory.

This story doesn't wrap itself up in a happily ever after bow at the end. That doesn't mean there isn't happy things at the end, but the themes of this story are such that a 'perfect' ending would have felt false. The ending we get feels true. Repairing ourselves, and relationships take time. It is a longer journey filled with stumbles and set backs. Ashley Herring Blake acknowledges this with this story, and it makes this story feel very realistic. It is both satisfying and hopeful, while remaining true to the story being told. Those, in my opinion, are the best kind of endings.

If you're looking for a summer read that is a romance, but with something extra, I recommend picking this one up. I am looking forward to reading whatever Ashley Herring Blake writes next as she's proven herself to be an author to follow in the young adult contemporary genre.