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Bang by Barry Lyga
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
First off, I want to say that I love books that put your mind in a compromising position. (The ones that make you question your morals, ect...)
Bang is emotionally gripping and will leave your gut in a tangle. The plot was masterful. The characters well-developed, which is to be expected given the author.
With everything going on right now (specifically, gun violence) this is a must read.
I felt so bad for Sebastian and his family. Literally, I was in tears over the littlest things. And not because I'm an emotional reader, but because the way Lyga writes, so detailed, one can't help but to become invested.
Writing: 10+
Cover: 9
Characters: 10
Plot: 10
(With the exception of the cover...everything is gonna be a 10 right here. Sorry I'm not sorry.)
I would recommend BANG to anyone who enjoyed "The Hate U Give." (Though not as political, Bang can still hold it's own.)
RELEASE DATE: APRIL 18TH, 2017!!!!!!!!
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Lucky Girl by Amanda Maciel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
***WARNING: BOOK MIGHT MAKE YOU STAY UP ALL NIGHT READING***
What follows is not a review, but a fangirl-ish "episode". (I'm sorry, I'm just too excited!) I finished this book at 4am yesterday and had to forced myself to go to sleep, when all I wanted to write the review right then while things were fresh! So I went to bed and decided to sleep on it...
First, you've got Rosie. She's gorgeous, outgoing, and a flirt. Her best friend had it hard last year, and Rosie's made it her goal to make sure she's happy. :)
Then you've got Maddie: the best friend, book nerd, and at times overlooked sidekick. She's been away in Europe gettin' her soccer on, mingling with the guys. While over there she becomes "Britney." Do you understand? She returns home with toned legs, an exotic tan, and stunning blonde hair.... *FLIPS HAIR OVER SHOULDER*
Which brings me to the next character: Cory. Aka, Rosie's boyfriend, and a star football player. Worth mentioning: He's also the guy who takes a special interest in Maddie after seeing her transformation.
And finally....(I saved the best for last!) The new town celebrity: Alex Goode. A few years ago, Alex gained national attention after he stopped a school shooting.
WHY I LOVED THIS BOOK
1) It is VERY relatable, and I don't say that lightly.
2) It is diverse.
3) The lead protagonist, though described as perfect, is nowhere near. You can't help but root for her as she undergoes this "evolution" throughout the book. There were times when I wanted her to step up and really stand her ground, but then I realized that her strength was her patience.
4) Alex. Oh Alex. I liked everything about him. The person that Maciel created was so heartfelt. I just wanted to give him a big hug and pet him...and tell him it was going to be okay!
5) Lucky Girl pushes boundaries, and in doing so makes you question your morals.
6) The writing was impeccable.
7) The storyline SOLID.
8) I loved the main characters, as well as minor characters. (Ryan!!!!) To me that is the true test with a book. I felt like I knew Cory, Stephanie, and Ryan just as well as Rosie. (Even Gabe.)
IN CONCLUSION: 5 STARS***HIGHLY RECOMMEND***
Lucky Girl will be available on April 25th!
CLICK HERE to Preorder
Special thanks to HarperCollins for sending me this glorious ARC
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The F Word by Liza Palmer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Release date: April 25, 2016
Pre order THE F-WORD
First off, let me say this book is for all the ladies who cringe when reminded of their high school experience. (And I'm not talking "cringe" at the high school fashion either.) This is for every woman who wanted the "it guy" or was told she was "too fat" and mocked and ridiculed.
That's right.
This one's for you, boo.
Without knowing it, Liza Palmer has created a manual that every man (and woman) should be REQUIRED to read before stepping foot back into high school territory.
The goods:
Olivia was put through hell during high school because she was fat. 20 years later, she is in her prime, skinny, and rolls with the hottest celebrities in Hollywood. Her husband is a doctor...
After everything she endured, she finally has it all...
Or does she?
After seeing her former nemesis, Ben, at a coffee shop....Olivia is left trying to navigate through the terror that was her past life (aka, Ben's teasing, ect), while juggling the pitfalls Hollywood bestows on a client of hers.
I thought this book was HILAROUS. All of the characters were well-developed, and the tone throughout the novel was on-point. Olivia is so relatable, which in turn makes her extremely likable for readers. She doesn't sugarcoat anything. She's 100% no filter, and I loved that!
Readers who enjoy John Green's writing, will definitely appreciate this. TBR WORTHY
Cover: 7
Storyline: 9
Writing: 10
Love: 8
Humor: 10
Character Development: 10
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. My opinion is my own.
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You Were Here by Gian Sardar
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Release Date: May 16, 2017
4 stars--Shewww, what a ride! The beginning dragged a bit at times, but the middle-end was so full of drama and suspense that I couldn't stop reading!
Death, accidental and early, has always been Abby Walters's preoccupation. Now thirty-three and eager to settle down with her commitment-shy boyfriend, a recurring dream from her past returns: a paralyzing nightmare of being buried alive, the taste of dirt in her mouth cloying and real. But this time the dream reveals a name from her family's past.
Abby has bad anxiety. So much so that she could be riding in the car and obsessing about how she could die via a car crash. Her boyfriend, Robert, has promised to "upgrade" their life and fulfill her dreams as soon as he sells his next script, but Abby is starting to wonder if that will ever happen...And she feels stuck in a way.
Her best friend, Hannah, has moved forward and bought a house; meanwhile, Abby is being drawn back 10 years by a nightmare that won't go away.
The writing was spot-on, along with the delivery of creative metaphors that, at times, had me close to pissing my pants. The narrative is told from a third person POV and tends to stay in a dark tone throughout the book, but there were descriptions of memories and previous wants that lightened the mood and evened everything out.
Although the romantic plot of this book didn't play as big of a role as I would've hoped, I still walked away from this SATISFIED. (Which for me is a BIG thing.) I hate finishing a book and feeling like pieces are missing or that there should've been more.
Final thoughts
Cover: 7
Writing: 10
Character Development: 10
Romance: 7
Suspense: 10
I definitely plan on reading more books from this author in the future. I would recommend this to anyone who loved "Gone Girl" by Gillian Flynn. The plot's are different, obviously, but I felt similar tones throughout.
LINK TO PREORDER: Amazon
Many thanks to Putnam/Penguin Random House for sending this to me. :)
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The Girl Who Knew Too Much by Amanda Quick
