Review: Only Love Can Break Your Heart by Ed Tarkington

I received a copy from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Genre: Literary Fiction
Publication: 01/05/2016 by Algonquin Books
Pages: 320 Pages
Source: eARC
Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars
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Goodreads Summary
Welcome to Spencerville, Virginia, 1977. Eight-year-old Rocky worships his older brother, Paul. Sixteen and full of rebel cool, Paul spends his days cruising in his Chevy Nova blasting Neil Young, cigarette dangling from his lips, arm slung around his beautiful, troubled girlfriend. Paul is happy to have his younger brother as his sidekick. Then one day, in an act of vengeance against their father, Paul picks up Rocky from school and nearly abandons him in the woods. Afterward, Paul disappears.

Seven years later, Rocky is a teenager himself. He hasn’t forgotten being abandoned by his boyhood hero, but he’s getting over it, with the help of the wealthy neighbours’ daughter, ten years his senior, who has taken him as her lover. Unbeknownst to both of them, their affair will set in motion a course of events that rains catastrophe on both their families. After a mysterious double murder brings terror and suspicion to their small town, Rocky and his family must reckon with the past and find out how much forgiveness their hearts can hold.

My Thoughts:
I had a VERY hard time rating this book. I enjoyed my time in this story but I found it slow going. The story follows Rocky as he grows up from the age of 8 until he is in late teens and adulthood. His life took some interesting turns which gives you a new persecutive on how you see our life and your family. 

The biggest reason that I couldn't rate this book higher was that I had trouble connecting to the characters. Most of them just felt distant and I didn't have the feelings that I feel like I should have when bad things were happening to them. I felt like I was looking into the story rather than being immersed in it. However, I got more invested in the story when it took on more of a mystery tone in the second half. I went into this story not knowing a whole lot about the plot and I think I was more enjoyable that way. I feel like the synopsis gives a lot away instead of allowing you to discover it for yourself. 

This is a good book, and it does make you think about many things. I really do think the title suits the book very well and I am adding it to some of my favourite quotes. The big thing for was was that the story just didn't wow me or hit me as emotionally as I thought it should have. If the story intrigues you I definitely recommend it. It's well written and touches on a lot of important topics. It is a good story about family and growing up, and if that's up your alley check it out.

DNF Review: Snowflakes on Silver Cove by Holly Martin

I received a copy of the this novel for an honest review from Netgalley. 

Genre: Holiday Romance
Publication: 10/30/2015 by Bookouture
Series: White Cliff Bay #2
Pages: 294 Pages
Source: e-ARC
Rating: 2 out of 5 Stars (DNF)
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Goodreads Summary:
Libby Joseph is famous for her romantic Christmas stories. Every December, readers devour her books of falling in love against the magical backdrop of the Christmas season. If only Libby believed in the magic herself…  

Struggling to finish her current novel, Libby turns to her best friend and neighbour George Donaldson to cheer her up. But George also needs a bit of support himself. Nervous about getting back into the dating saddle after splitting from his wife, he and Libby strike a deal. She will teach George how to win over the ladies, and Libby will in turn be inspired to inject her novel with a good dose of romance.  As Libby and George explore the beautiful White Cliff Bay on a series of romantic Christmas-themed dates, Libby finds herself having more fun than she’s had in ages and…discovers feelings that she never knew she had for George. But is it too late? Will George win someone else’s heart or can Libby act like the heroine in one of her stories and reach for her own love under the mistletoe this Christmas? Snuggle up with a piece of Christmas cake and mulled wine, and spend the festive season at White Cliff Bay. You won’t want to leave! Christmas at Lilac Cottage also out now.

My Thoughts: 
After some deliberation, I decided to put this book down. I am just not interested in finishing it at this current moment. Why may you ask? Well, this story just isn't for me right now. I requested it back when I was craving romance but when I actually got around to reading it, I just wasn't in the mood. There is nothing wrong with this book but there also isn't anything that makes it unique. It's a classic holiday romance and if that is what you're looking for this is definitely your book. 

I made it 50% of the way through this book and I think I have a good feel for the story. The biggest reason that this book isn't holding my attention is that every time I put it down I just don't have the desire to pick it back up. I enjoy my time while reading but once I set it down I never feel like going back to it. I would really have to push myself to pick it up to finish and I don't want to have to push myself when there are numerous other books I am interested in reading right now. 

I do enjoy the characters in this book and there is a lot of humorous dialogue between our love interests. It also follows a friends to lovers plot which is one of my favourite romance tropes. However, I think I can figure out what is going to happen so I don't feel bad setting this book aside. I do honestly recommend this to people who are a fan of romances. This is cute and not too in your face (as far as I have read anyway). I guess I have learned my lesson, don't try and read cutesy holiday romances when you are in a serious fantasy mood. 

Review: Weightless by Sarah Bannan

I received a copy from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Genre: YA Contemporary 
Publication: 06/30/15 by St. Martin's Griffin 
Pages: 336 pages
Format: e-ARC
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Goodreads | Amazon | Indigo

Goodread's Summary:
When 15-year-old Carolyn moves from New Jersey to Alabama with her mother, she rattles the status quo of the junior class at Adams High School. A good student and natural athlete, she’s immediately welcomed by the school’s cliques. She’s even nominated to the homecoming court and begins dating a senior, Shane, whose on again/off again girlfriend Brooke becomes Carolyn’s bitter romantic rival. When a video of Carolyn and Shane making out is sent to everyone, Carolyn goes from golden girl to slut, as Brooke and her best friend Gemma try to restore their popularity. Gossip and bullying hound Carolyn, who becomes increasingly private and isolated. When Shane and Brooke—now back together—confront Carolyn in the student parking lot, injuring her, it’s the last attack she can take.

My Thoughts:
Teenagers are just awful, so awful. Girls are awful, boys are awful. Bullying is awful. 

I am normally not a contemporary person, especially YA contemporary so I am the ideal audience for this book. However, if you are into contemporary about bullying go pick this book up. It is told by an un-named narrator which was interesting. She was just a regular girl, looking up to the popular clique, telling the story of what happened between Carolyn and the other girls. There is a lot of foreshadowing in this book, which builds and builds till the end. 

This book wasn't exactly my cup of tea. I just don't like to read about bullying. I don't like thinking that these kind of situations really happen in real life. Nothing crazy like this ever happened at my high school, so I never understand how these kinds of situations snowball to such awful proportions. The thing that really bothered me while reading this book is that the girls said such horrible things about each other. It bothers me so much, I am essentially this person:

I just have a lot of feelings OK. This book had a good message. Bullying really does hurt people and just standing aside and not doing anything is almost as bad. Contemporary isn't my genre so I wasn't completely engaged in this story but I can see it being popular in it's niche. If you are sensitive to topics like bullying, self harm or depression avoid this book. The characters in this book are awful too. I wanted to know more about the motives behind what happened. Why was Brooke so mean? Why is she so threatened by Carolyn? I don't get that, and I wish it went into more detail there. But that's difficult with the narration that it was told in. 

Conclusions: Definitely not a fun read, it covers some dark topics so be prepared. The narration is different which was interesting but also kind of hard to get into. The story was believable even if you don't want it to be. It really doesn't shy over any of the awful things people where saying. If you like contemporary that follows mental illness and bullying check this one out.

Review: The Ugly Stepsister - Aya Ling

I received a copy from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Genre: YA, Fantasy, Retelling 
Published: 06/12/15 
Pages: 452
Format: ARC ebook, Netgalley
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars
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Goodreads Description: 

When Kat accidentally rips apart an old picture book, she's magically transported into the world of Cinderella--as Katriona, one of the ugly stepsisters! Life turns upside down now that she’s a highborn lady and must learn how to survive the social season, including how to get through the door in a huge metal hoop skirt. To get back, she'll have to complete the story, right to the end of happily ever after. But the odds are huge: the other stepsister is drop-dead gorgeous, the fairy godmother is nowhere to be found, and the prince, despite being insanely hot, openly dislikes balls. Can she ever return to the modern world?

My Thoughts: 

Yup, I loved the shit out of this book. I didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I did which makes the reading experience even better. This book is like when Pride and Prejudice meets Cinderella. It is a retelling of Cinderella but it is a version of Cinderella similar to Ever After (the movie) and less of the original tale. Kat, our leading lady, is a avid reader and makes hilarious references to books we all know and love (aka Harry Potter, Narnia, Jane Austin's). 

There was little that I didn't like about this book. The first I felt like the pacing at the beginning was very rushed but I didn't mind since that got us into the retelling super quick and that's what I was really there for. My biggest issues was the pretences that Kat was brought into "Story Land".  The book was made by goblins so when she broke it she was transported into the story. To get home she has to complete the story, I just found this a bit weird but I could overlook it for what actually happens during the story.

Now, what I love is everything else. I think I just love royalty but I  ship Prince Edward so hard it hurts. Kat describes him as Mr. Darcy but better looking. He is most definitely swoon worthy. There is a slow burn romance that literally killed me. My heart still hurts and I might have had a huge lump in my throat at the end. The romance is everything, and it hurts. 

The characters are all interesting and I really liked that it took place during the Social Season with all the ladies looking for suitors/husbands. There was also a good political subplot that gives this books so much more than just your basic retelling. I really loved this version of Cinderella. Highly recommend! 

Review: From A Distant Star by Karen McQuestion

I received a copy from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Genre: Science Fiction, Romance

Published: 05/29/15 by Skyscape 

Pages: 272 

Format: ARC e-book, Netgalley

Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars 

Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Goodreads Description:

Seventeen-year-old Emma was the only one who hadn’t given up on her boyfriend, Lucas. Everyone else—his family, his friends, his doctors—believed that any moment could be his last. So when Lucas miraculously returns from the brink of death, Emma thinks her prayers have been answered.

As the surprised town rejoices, Emma begins to question whether Lucas is the same boy she’s always known. When she finds an unidentifiable object on his family’s farm—and government agents come to claim it—she begins to suspect that nothing is what it seems. Emma’s out-of-this-world discovery may be the key to setting things right, but only if she and Lucas can evade the agents who are after what they have. With all her hopes and dreams on the line, Emma sets out to save the boy she loves. And with a little help from a distant star, she might just have a chance at making those dreams come true.

My Thoughts
This book is essentially E.T. but if E.T. took over your boyfriends body. So essentially the alien, Scout, gets stuck inside Lucas and has to find a way to "Phone Home".

I did enjoy this book. It was fun and I did find it to be a fresh story (besides it's similarities to E.T.). However, if you are looking for romance, you are not going to find a lot of it here. It is more a story of friendship between Emma and Scout and trying to find a way to get him home so she can have Lucas back. It does take some interesting turns and I'm the kind of girl who loves a good alien conspiracy theory so this book was up my alley. 

I did have a few issues with this book. First, I am a pessimist when it comes to teenage relationships (likely because I had one crazy and burn). I find it hard to believe that Emma and Lucas are "soulmates" or whatever. They have only been together a year, which isn't very long in the grand scheme of things. Which also bothered me because if they have only been together a year, how long did Lucas have cancer? It could have been a very fast moving cancer but I still find it hard to believe that he went from perfectly healthy, doing all those things with Emma to dead in less than a year. I know it happens but I feel like it's a short timeline for them to be that in love before he got sick.

But most people can overlook those kinds of things, and there was an interesting adventure to try and get Scout home. I also really enjoyed how the first chapter was told by a dog. It was adorable. You also get a few chapters in Scouts POV which really helped for you to get a feel for his world and situation. 

Conclusions: Besides me being a pessimist to young love, this book was enjoyable. It wasn't perfect but it's a cute quick read with a Extra Terrestrial twist. If you enjoy contemporary books and E.T. then this book is for you.