Review: The Truth About Faking by Leigh Talbert Moore

Title: The Truth About Faking
Author: Leigh Talbert Moore
Publication:  September 1st 2012
Genre: YA Contemporary
Source: Owned

The Truth About Faking
Jason just wants a date with Harley. 
Harley just wants a date with Trent. 
Trent's still getting over Stephanie.

When Harley and Jason decide to fake date, they uncover a school of deceptions. Trent's got a secret, but so does Jason. And the more time Harley spends secretly kissing her fake boyfriend, the further she gets from her dreams with Trent. 

Worst of all, Harley's mom is getting cozy with her hot massage therapy student, and even Harley's Reverend Dad can't fake not being bothered by it. But when the masks finally come off, can everyone handle the real truth?

-- My Rating --

4/5 Oscars: Really liked it

-- My Thoughts --

     Okay, so I have read the second book in the series before this one, which is the first book. They are companion novels, so  you can read them in whatever order you want. But still, there are some references to the characters in this book in the second book, The Truth About Letting Go.
     Harley always had a crush on Trent. But she never did anything about it, up until this year. This year she wants to make Trent jealous. And what better way to do that than fake date with the new , sweet, hot-guy at school, Jason? Harley is set on her plan, but her heart has plans of its own.
     Okay, so , officially  I am in love with Leigh Talbert Moore's characters. And I am a huge fan of hers, so I will always be on the lookout for new books. I could connect well with Harley, her insecurities, her decisions, her romantic problems. Leigh T.M. knows well to capture a teenager's feelings and make it feel real. 
     The plot is character-driven, and the small town feel is awesome. Shadow Falls and Shadow Creek were vividly imagined and the way the author describes the scenery is perfect. It made me imagine everything in the town, it was too easy due to her amazing writing style. 
     This is not  a book about teenage love, alone. No. This is a book about family, relationships, and the line between truths and lies. It is a book that will teach you a lesson or two. Lessons that you'll keep for the rest of your life. And isn't that the joy of reading; learning new things?
PS. I will post the review of the second book in the series, soon. Since I read the second one before the first. remember, they are companions. You can read them in whatever order you want.

Review: Clockwise by Elle Strauss

Title: Clockwise (Clockwise #1)
Author: Elle Strauss
Publication: November 21st 2011 by ESB Publishing
Genre: YA Contemporary, Fantasy
Source: Provided by the kind publisher..
Goodreads

Casey Donovan has issues: hair, height and uncontrollable trips to the 19th century! And now this --she's accidentally taken Nate Mackenzie, the cutest boy in the school, back in time. Awkward. Protocol pressures her to tell their 1860 hosts that he is her brother and when Casey finds she has a handsome, wealthy (and unwanted) suitor, something changes in Nate. Are those romantic sparks or is it just "brotherly" protectiveness? When they return to the present, things go back to the way they were before: Casey parked on the bottom of the rung of the social ladder and Nate perched high on the very the top. Except this time her heart is broken. Plus, her best friend is mad, her parents are split up, and her younger brother gets escorted home by the police. The only thing that could make life worse is if, by some strange twist of fate, she took Nate back to the past again. Which of course, she does.

-- My Rating --

4/5 Oscars: Really liked it

-- My Thoughts --

     I have always been a fan of time-travel stories. The concept is enchanting and every book I have read about it was exceptional and lovely. This book was more of a light, cute read with a small yet significant time travel element. 
     Casey is far from a normal girl. yes, she has normal girl issues: uncontrollable hair and an uncontrollable crush on Nate. But she also has uncontrollable trips back to the 19th century. And things get worse, when she accidentally takes back Nate with her on a trip to the past. From worse to worst, Casey has to bear with them all...
     I love some light read in the summer. On one side, this was a typical high-school romance. All the high school drama was portrayed perfectly and the teenage insecurities were also evident and felt real. But on the other side, the time travel element is not unique in YA, but Elle Strauss did a unique approach to the genre. The time travel was much more interesting that Casey's normal high school life, so I always wished she would go back to the past when she was actually in the present.
     The plot was fast-moving. And the romance was cute, but it felt real. Casey developed a lot throughout the book, so the character development gets an A+. Although this book was not AMAZING, it was great, nonetheless. And I cannot wait to read the second book in the series, and get more time travel drama!

Review: The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Name of book: The Iron King  (Iron Fey #1)
Author: Julie Kagawa
Publication: February 1st 2010 by Harlequin Teen
Genre: YA Fantasy
Source: Owned

Meghan Chase has a secret destiny; one she could never have imagined.

Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school or at home.

When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change.

But she could never have guessed the truth - that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face; and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.

-- My Rating --

-- My Thoughts --

 **NOTE: This review is pretty old. It's almost five months old but I just never had the time to post it on the blog. So you might notice some punctuation mistakes, which are from my lack of great English back then ^-^**

     I have heard so much about Julie Kagawa and her series, The Iron Fey. So, when I had the time (finally!) to read something of my own choosing, I chose this. And I don't regret one moment spent in Julie's spectacular world!
     Megan Chase's life turns upside down when her brother disappears. She has to get him back, even if it means going to the wickedly beautiful land of Nevernever. Her life will never be the same. Her heart will never be the same.
     I have always been a great fan of fantasy. Losing myself in a world that is so far from reality, and yet feels so real, it like a profession of mine. Julie Kagawa has created characters that are so genuine, they almost jump out of the page. She has a created a world, so mysterious and so obvious at the same time. She has created two love interests that are polar opposites but they capture your heart all the same. She has created a masterpiece that you will be invested in 'til you turn the very last past.
     This book was really, really good. But I still didn't give it five stars. Because, sometimes, books are good, but they are not the BEST. This one was good, but there ones that are much better. I loved the uniqueness and the enchantment in this book and I cannot wait to read the second book in the series, The Iron Daughter, and go back to Puck and Ash's  world...

Review: Severed Stone by Kelly Walker

Title: Severed Stone (Souls of The Stones #0.5)
Author: Kelly Walker
Publication: June 8th 2013 by Kelly Walker
Genre: YA Fantasy
Source: Provided by the kind publisher

See how it all started in the first prequel of Souls of the Stones. Severed Stone will answer the question posed throughout the other books: How did the once united land separate?

Immortality is my prison. I broke the bonds of brotherhood because I once loved a girl whose hand was not as available as her heart. Cursed by the gods, I watch countless generations live with the consequences of my transgression. Even with the gift of foresight, I cannot say I would be strong enough to turn away if given the opportunity. And were she cursed to watch the destruction unfold by my immortal side, I would without a doubt make the same fated choices. But Tomorrow is a cruel mistress, and the first death I witnessed as part of my damnation was that of my beloved. -Fidwen Roth

Their story should have been a fairytale, but someone is playing a dangerous game that can only end in heartbreak.

When Ciorstan awakes alone in a field, far from home and more than a little confused, it won't be the strangest thing to happen that day. Ignoring both her intuition and a mysterious but handsome stranger's warning, she allows a dashing prince to take her home to his palace. 

Agreeing to marry the prince was her second mistake. 

Her next one will rip an entire kingdom apart. Sometimes, true love can be a tragedy with devastating consequences. 


SEVERED STONE is a prequel novella, 155 pages in length and can be read at any point during the Souls of the Stones series. (But because it is designed to answer questions posed in Cornerstone and Second Stone, it may be more gratifying after reading those titles first.)

-- My Rating --

3/5 Oscars: Liked it

-- My Thoughts --

     Kelly Walker's Souls of The Stones series is an amazingly crafted series that will appeal to all fans of Fantasy and Romance, specially in the YA genre. And who doesn't love a novella, every once in a while?
     Ciorstan is the reason the three kingdoms separated many years ago. But why? Why would one simple, pretty girl break up a kingdom? Spread hate and jealousy between three brothers? It's love, of course.
     I NEVER really expect novellas to be as good as novels. They rarely are. The short length of novellas doesn't really give the author the liberty of plot development, or character development. I didn't notice a character development, not even one bit. Which I expected from the novella, so I wasn't disappointed at all.
     I think this novella was essential to really understand why the huge kingdom separated, since this fact is referred to a lot of times in the actual novels of the series. This is a sort of prequel, and although too short for my taste, was a great built-up, and contained very silly, but cute romance. I liked it, but I am still not a fan of novellas.

Review: Fallen Too Far by Abbi Glines

Name of book: Fallen Too Far (Too Far #1)
Author: Abbi Glines
Publication:  December 14th 2012 by Abbi Glines
Genre: Contemporary
Source: Owned

To want what you’re not supposed to have…

She is only nineteen.

She is his new stepfather’s daughter. 

She is still naïve and innocent due to spending the last three years taking care of her sick mother. 

But for twenty-four year old Rush Finlay, she is the only thing that has ever been off limits. His famous father’s guilt money, his mother’s desperation to win his love, and his charm are the three reasons he has never been told no.

Blaire Wynn left her small farmhouse in Alabama, after her mother passed away, to move in with her father and his new wife in their sprawling beach house along the Florida gulf coast. She isn’t prepared for the lifestyle change and she knows she’ll never fit into this world. Then there is her sexy stepbrother who her father leaves her with for the summer while he runs off to Paris with his wife. Rush is as spoiled as he is gorgeous. He is also getting under her skin. She knows he is anything but good for her and that he’ll never be faithful to anyone. He is jaded and has secrets Blaire knows she may never uncover but even knowing all of that…

Blaire just may have fallen too far.

-- My Rating --

4/5 Oscars: Really liked it..

-- My Thoughts --

     Oh. My. God. I have heard so many good things about Abbi Glines and her books. Specially the Vincent Brothers series. But when I heard of her new series, this one, and the new book coming out. I knew I had to try her work soon. And I finished this in only two hours! It was amazing!
     When the only person who Blaire loves gets taken away from her, she turns into her dad for a place to stay. But her dad has a new wife and Blaire has a new stepbrother. But not a normal stepbrother at that. Rush is smoking hot, sexy, and he makes her feel wanted and repulsed at the same time. But the secrets that they have build their fragile relationship on will come crumbling down and both of them might never be the same again.
     I loved the idea of this book. Yesterday, one of my friends asked me to describe the plot to her. No matter how I tried, I couldn't. it is so complicated and dark and the ending was so unexpected that I was in shock for a couple of hours. But nonetheless, I am a FOREVER fan of Abbi Glines and I cannot wait to read more.
     The characters will get you hooked. I liked Blaire, she is fragile and sweet but she doesn't notice how many guys are on her heels. I liked Rush, too, he's incredibly sexy and HAWT. The steamy moments filling this book are countless and enthralling! You need a block of ice to lower down the hotness.
     Still, the secondary characters are just as intriguing. Nat is a b****, I wanted to slap her every time she showed up. Rush's brother is so sweet and caring, I loved him. But my favorite boy character of all was Woods. Woods is definitely my kind of guy. Full of pride. Not afraid to take risks. Caring. Sweet. And beautiful. I cannot describe how happy I was that Abbi Glines is writing a book in the series about him! Go, go, Woods!
    Abbi Glines has effortlessly made it to my favorite authors list. And I cannot wait to start reading Never Too Far, the second book in the series, and read all her older series, too!