Book Review: Meant To Be by: Lauren Morrill

Meant To Be by: Lauren Morrill

Book Description:
Meant to be or not meant to be . . . that is the question. 
It's one thing to fall head over heels into a puddle of hazelnut coffee, and quite another to fall for the—gasp—wrong guy. Straight-A junior Julia may be accident prone, but she's queen of following rules and being prepared. That's why she keeps a pencil sharpener in her purse and a pocket Shakespeare in her, well, pocket. And that's also why she's chosen Mark Bixford, her childhood crush, as her MTB ("meant to be").
But this spring break, Julia's rules are about to get defenestrated (SAT word: to be thrown from a window) when she's partnered with her personal nemesis, class-clown Jason, on a school trip to London. After one wild party, Julia starts receiving romantic texts . . . from an unknown number! Jason promises to help discover the identity of her mysterious new suitor if she agrees to break a few rules along the way. And thus begins a wild goose chase through London, leading Julia closer and closer to the biggest surprise of all: true love.
Because sometimes the things you least expect are the most meant to be.

5 out of 5 stars!!!!!

My Opinion: This book was totally fun to read! It had adventure, drama, romance, and so many other emotions. I loved how up and down this book was, and you never knew what to expect! There were so many moments when I was frustrated with Julia and Jason. They both seemed to screw up at just the wrong moments. I was rooting for them, then rooting for Julia to go for the new mysterious guy, then back to Jason, then Mark, and so on so on. I was all over the place with this book but that is one of the things I loved most. I couldn't decide what I wanted to happen and the book kept me on my toes. 

The characters are so real too! When I was reading this book, I would sometimes find myself saying, "come on Jason, what are you thinking?" or "Julia OPEN YOU EYES!" I actually felt like I knew these characters! It is awesome writing!

My favorite part (SPOILER ALERT FROM THIS POINT ON!)

One of the biggest things I love about this book is the fact that it addresses the "meant to be, perfect guy" topic. This time though, instead of everything being exactly perfect, and classic novel romantic, it is real life stuff! It isn't what Julia had pictured for herself, it isn't what she read in the books but she is still so happy! I loved this most about the book! Julia had her whole perfect guy picked out, and figured it would be everything she imagined, but instead gets Jason. But he really ends up being such a great guy! 

Books coming this 2013 that I have been waiting for!

Here are some books that I am super excited to read in 2013!

Requiem by: Lauren Oliver

March 5, 2013

I love the Delirium series, and I have been waiting for this book forever! The last book left you with a big cliff hanger and totally wanting more of the story!  I will be reading this book the day it comes out! I can not wait!

The Moon and More by: Sarah Dessen 

June 4, 2013 

I have never read a Sarah Dessen book that I have not liked. This is a book that I have been excited to read ever since she talked about it on her blog. This will be a perfect summer read!

All I Need by: Susane Colasanti

May 21, 2013

This is another author where I can not say I didn't like any of her books. There were some that I liked more, but that is just because they related more to me. I am interested to see what this story will bring for me! Another perfect summer read!

The Elite by: Kiera Cass 

April 23, 2013
I am reading Selection, the first in this series now. I have to say it is so good! I am going to want to read this next book ASAP! 

In Honor by: jessi kirby

Honor lost her parents when she was just a little girl, but her brother Finn was always there for her to make everything better. Then he enlisted in the military, and was shipped over seas. No one understood why he did that when he had his dream life ahead of him. Then he is killed while on a mission, and Honor doesn't know how to handle it. She is lost, and believes if she just acts like it didn't happen, she can pretend he is still overseas and alive. Then she receives a letter from her brother that he had written before everything messed up. This letter inspires a road trip of possibilities. When she is about to hit the road, Rusty, Finn's old best friend now turned drunk, decides to go along with her.

This book was such an emotional roller coaster! From anger, to tears, to nothing but giggles this book takes you all over the map of losing a loved one.

I guess I was expecting something different for this novel. When I heard that Rusty was going along for the ride, I assumed I was in for a total romance novel of how her brothers death brought them together. Not that there wasn't little hints here and there at it but it wasn't a googly eyed kissin romance where its only about that and not the actual story.

Rusty and Honor were both amazing characters. They were the kind you love one moment then hate the next then just kinda like them until they do something to make you love them or hate them again. But can i just say, Rusty sounds like a totally sexy cowboy! A few issues here and there but all in all a good guy!

All in all, I have to say it was a really good book that I found hard to put down!

I give this book 4 out of 5 thumbs up

Buy this book here on Amazon

My Life Next Door

I was so excited to read this book and I can honestly say I am so glad I did! It was so good!! From summer romance, to crazy drama, and from addiction, to the importance of telling the truth and so much more! This book has it all! I was surprised by a lot of what happens in the book, I just never expected half of what the book consisted of. This was an amazing summer read and would TOTALLY recommend this for anyone!

I give this book 5 out of 5!!! I could totally just read it again!

Go read it :) you can find it on Amazon in ebook or hardcover.

Book description: 

A gorgeous debut about family, friendship, first romance, and how to be true to one person you love without betraying another 

“One thing my mother never knew, and would disapprove of most of all, was that I watched the Garretts. All the time.” 

The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, numerous, messy, affectionate. And every day from her balcony perch, seventeen-year-old Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them . . . until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs her terrace and changes everything. As the two fall fiercely in love, Jase's family makes Samantha one of their own. Then in an instant, the bottom drops out of her world and she is suddenly faced wit h an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself? 

A dreamy summer read, full of characters who stay with you long after the story is over.

 

Tiger Lily

What I thought and a little about the book:

This book was so fascinating! Coming from someone who has heard nothing more than the kids movie version of the story of Peter Pan, this was a whole new side of things. This is the story of before Peter met Wendy, and was in love with a girl named, you guessed it, Tiger Lily. The story is told by the perspective of Tinker Bell, which was interesting because in this book fairies can feel others emotions too, so you get to know a little of everyones thoughts through out this book. This book had its happy parts and sad parts, its ups and downs and its in betweens. Over all, however, it was a great story. It is a book you really can not predict and thats what I enjoyed most. I also love Tiger Lily's character. She seems like a very cold, wild, reserved person on the outside. But coming from Tink you get to see what she is really like on the inside even when she is hiding it so well. This novel brings you love, suspense, fantasy, and adventure all in one!

Where you can find it:

Amazon

Goodreads

My Rating: 3.8

    .8

What do you like?

For me I love the dystopian novels or the fun teen romance. I even like a few mysteries every once in a while.

How about you? what would you like to see more of? Romance? suspense? dystopian? fantasy? mystery? scary? whats your favorite book or author?

Comment and let me know :)

Keep Holding On

I recently finished the book Keep Holding On by Susane Colasanti. This was an amazing book! High school students should definitely read this book. From bullying to romance to bestfriends that try to help you through anything, this book is an inspiring story.

Description:
A romantic and empowering book about bullying.
Noelle's life is all about survival. Even her best friend doesn't know how much she gets bullied, or the ways her mom neglects her. Noelle's kept so much about her life a secret for so long that when her longtime crush Julian Porter starts paying attention to her, she's terrified. Surely it's safer to stay hidden than to risk the pain of a broken heart. But when the antagonism of her classmates takes a dramatic turn, Noelle realizes it's time to stand up for herself--and for the love that keeps her holding on.

Rating: 

Great things in this book:

Amazing friendships: 

The friendship between Noelle and Sherae is amazing. Even though sometimes Noelle is insecure about somethings in her life, Sherae does not care about that stuff and this book shows what a true friend is. When family isnt there to help, Sherae is. 

Simon is a guy that goes against the norm. He likes to be different and Noelle envies him. He ends up becoming an amazing friend to her and helping her out even when she doesn't realize he is doing it on purpose. 

Cute romance:

Julian sounds like a fun, artistic, caring guy who also is some what of a hero. He is understanding and does not care about all the rumors that people talk about. Everyone needs a Julian in there life. 

Real high school sometimes:

The guy that thinks he can have any girl he wants with no consequences. This guy is a jerk and just plain gross. 

The girls that think they are too cool to get in trouble no matter what. 

The kids that are sometimes too afraid to stand up for one another.

And so much more.

Susane Colasanti's Blog

Divergent series complete

I have finished Divergent and Insurgent by Veronica Roth! I have to say it is one of the best series i have ever read! It reminds me a lot of Hunger Games! With epic battles and longed for romances with drama all combined into one! I would definitely recommend this series to anyone who likes dystopian novels!!

I give this series:

  

Out of 5 thumbs up!

Description of Divergent:

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.
During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

Description of Insurgent (SPOILER ALERT FOR DIVERGENT):
One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.
Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

If you have read these series, which faction would you choose? 

My Summer Reads So Far

This summer has been one full of reading! It feels nice to finally have some time to read! It is so unusual lately.
So far I have been able to read the following:

Romance:
Susane Colasanti- Waiting For You

At the beginning of her sophomore year, Marisa is ready for a fresh start and, more importantly, a boyfriend. So when the handsome and popular Derek asks her out, Marisa thinks her long wait for happiness is over. But several bumps in the road—including her parents’ unexpected separation, a fight with her best friend, and a shocking disappointment in her relationship with Derek—test Marisa’s ability to maintain her new outlook. Only the anonymous DJ, whose underground podcasts have the school’s ear, seems to understand what Marisa is going through. But she has no idea who he is—or does she?

Rating:

Out of 5! 

This book takes you through the good and bad times of a girl named Marisa who is waiting for that prince charming to come sweep her off her feet (aren't we all?). It is an eye opening inspiring story that teaches you about appreciating your life you have. 

Need a good reminder of why life is so good right now?
Try this suspenseful novel:
Susan Beth Pfeffer- Life As We Knew It

Miranda’s disbelief turns to fear in a split second when a meteor knocks the moon closer to the earth. How should her family prepare for the future when worldwide tsunamis wipe out the coasts, earthquakes rock the continents, and volcanic ash blocks out the sun? As summer turns to Arctic winter, Miranda, her two brothers, and their mother retreat to the unexpected safe haven of their sunroom, where they subsist on stockpiled food and limited water in the warmth of a wood-burning stove.

    

Told in journal entries, this is the heart-pounding story of Miranda’s struggle to hold on to the most important resource of all--hope--in an increasingly desperate and unfamiliar world.

Rating:

Out of 5

This book tells a really good story! It is crazy to imagine how people would react in a situation like this, and it is also very scary! I am planning on reading the rest of this series, but I need a break with some light hearted novels in between. 

If you enjoyed the Hunger Games.. READ THIS SERIES!

Dystopian Novel:

Lauren Oliver- Delirium Series: Delirium, Pandemonium, Requiem 

Summary of first book so I won't spoil anything for you!

They didn’t understand that once love -- the deliria -- blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the government demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love.

Rating:

Out of 5!

Totally up there with the Hunger Games books! Absolutely in LOVE with this series!! I can not wait for the new one, Requiem, to come out! February 2013

Now for Manga!

I am currently reading BLEACH!

SOOO amazing! 

 I love this manga! it is so good! The action in the battles are awesome! you will love it!

I plan to read a lot more this summer and I will keep you updated on what I read and what I think!
Stay tuned..

Summer Romance Reads

Books by Sarah Dessen can be described in so many ways, but a few words come immediately to mind. Amazing, Inspiring, Incredible. This is one of my absolute favorite authors! I have not found a book of hers that I do not like. She is such an amazing author! All of her books teach you something new, but at the same time give you a little taste of the romance you were hoping for. 

Another great author is Susane Colasanti. A writer, a lot like Sarah Dessen, trying to help you through your teen years with a little understanding that you are not alone. Once again I love all the books from her. There have been a few that were a bit slow in the beginning but they all come together to be incredible books. 

Sarah Dessen's website

Susane Colasanti's Blog

Sarah Dessen's Twitter

Susane Colasanti's Twitter