Review: Elixir (Covenant #3.5) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: Elixir

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Publisher: Spencer Hill Press

Release Date: November 22 2012

Pages: 80

Series: Covenant #3.5

Where I Got It: Barnes and Noble

Synopsis: Aiden St. Delphi will do anything to save Alex. Even if it means doing the one thing he will never forgive himself for. Even if it means making war against the gods.

Jennifer L. Armentrout
# 1 New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Jennifer L. Armentrout Lives in West Virginia. 

All the rumors you heard about her state aren’t true. 
Well, mostly. When she's not hard at work writing, she spends her time, reading, working out, watching zombie movies, and pretending to write.
She is the author of the Covenant Series (Spencer Hill Press), the Lux Series (Entangled Teen), Don't Look Back (Disney/Hyperion) and a yet untitled novel (Disney/Hyperion), and new YA paranormal series with Harlequin Teen. 
Jennifer also writes New Adult and Adult romance under the pen name J. Lynn. The Gamble Brothers Series (Tempting the Best Man/Tempting the Player) and Wait for You. Under her pen name, she is published with Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

Review

I read this on September 6th 2013.

This is going to be a short review because I don't have a lot to say about this book. All I'm going to say is that it's funny that, even if you forget a person, you will eventually feel the same thing about them that you did before. This novella is a 3.5 for the Covenant Series by Jennifer L. Armentrout. It was really sweet to read from Aiden's POV and I love that he never gives up.
I recommend this series to readers of the Lux series.

Ages: 14+
Grade: 9 and up

Sentinel Tour - Elixir (Covenant #3.5)

Elixir (Covenant #3.5)

First of all, Happy Halloween, everyone!

The Sentinel Tour is still going, so today is the day for Elixir, or as I like to call it, Aiden's book. It is from his POV and is a novella.

Here is the link for the complete Sentinel Tour.

There's Elixir right there, the one between Deity and Apollyon.

Synopsis: 
Aiden St. Delphi will do anything to save Alex. 
Even if it means doing the one thing he will never forgive himself for. Even if it means making war against the gods.

Pretty straight forward, right?

Jennifer L. Armentrout
# 1 New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Jennifer L. Armentrout Lives in West Virginia. 

All the rumors you heard about her state aren’t true. 
Well, mostly. When she's not hard at work writing, she spends her time, reading, working out, watching zombie movies, and pretending to write.
She is the author of the Covenant Series (Spencer Hill Press), the Lux Series (Entangled Teen), Don't Look Back (Disney/Hyperion) and a yet untitled novel (Disney/Hyperion), and new YA paranormal series with Harlequin Teen. 
Jennifer also writes New Adult and Adult romance under the pen name J. Lynn. The Gamble Brothers Series (Tempting the Best Man/Tempting the Player) and Wait for You. Under her pen name, she is published with Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

Website
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Goodreads

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Interview

For Jennifer L. Armentrout – After writing the series from Alex’s POV, what challenges did you face writing from Aiden’s POV in Elixir?  It was hard to get into Aiden’s head because he was more of a challenge to write than I anticipated.

For Alex – Um…seriously girl, if I ever hear “My Seth” again, I may puke.  Is there anything about that time that you want to remember?  No.  Well, except Aiden because he believed in me. 

For Aiden – Where does your strength come from? Standing up to Alex and even the Gods, you were a rock during Elixir.  How did you do it?  It was all for Alex.  I love her and I wasn’t giving up.

For Seth – During the time where you didn’t know where Alex was, what were you doing to find her?  Everything.  I was gonna find her.

Review: Crash (Visions #1) by Lisa McMann

Title: Crash

Author: Lisa McMann

Publisher: Simon Pulse
Release Date: January 8, 2013

Pages: 233

Series: Visions #1
Where I Got It: Barnes and Noble

Synopsis: If what you see is what you get, Jules is in serious trouble. The suspenseful first of three books from the New York Times bestselling author of the Wake trilogy.

Jules lives with her family above their restaurant, which means she smells like pizza most of the time and drives their double-meatball-shaped food truck to school. It’s not a recipe for popularity, but she can handle that.
What she can’t handle is the recurring vision that haunts her. Over and over, Jules sees a careening truck hit a building and explode...and nine body bags in the snow.
The vision is everywhere—on billboards, television screens, windows—and she’s the only one who sees it. And the more she sees it, the more she sees. The vision is giving her clues, and soon Jules knows what she has to do. Because now she can see the face in one of the body bags, and it’s someone she knows. Someone she has been in love with for as long as she can remember.
In this riveting start to a gripping trilogy from New York Times bestselling author Lisa McMann, Jules has to act—and act fast—to keep her vision from becoming reality.

Lisa McMann
Lisa McMann lives and writes in the Phoenix area. Her books include the NYT bestselling paranormal WAKE trilogy, CRYER'S CROSS, DEAD TO YOU, and the dystopian fantasy series beginning with THE UNWANTEDS. (Book 2, Unwanteds: ISLAND OF SILENCE, comes out Sept 4, 2012).

You can find more info at Lisa'a website, lisamcmann.com, interact with her on Facebook or Twitter, or ask questions and find answers on her VYou.com page.

Review

I read this book on March 19, 2013.

Lisa McMann is a great YA author, but Crash was not her best.

First off, I was very happy to be reading another Lisa McMann book because "Dead to You" was great! So, this book is about a girl named Julia who keeps seeing this vision of a crash. She has to deal with seeing this everywhere then gets another punch in the face when she sees that one of the dead bodies in a body bag at the end of her vision is the guy shes been in love with since she was in grade 1.It was a nice novel and I am going to read the second one because the ending was a cliff hanger. 
I recommend this book to any Lisa McMann fan.

Ages: 14+
Grades: 9 and up

Review: Never Have I Ever (The Lying Game #2) by Sara Shepard

Title: Never Have I Ever

Author: Sara Shepard
Publisher: HarperCollins
Release Date: August 2nd 2011
Pages: 309
Series: The Lying Game #2
Where Did I Get It: Birthday Gift

Synopsis: My perfect life was a lie.

Now I'd do anything to uncover the truth.
Not long ago, I had everything a girl could wish for: amazing friends, an adorable boyfriend, a loving family. But none of them know that I'm gone--that I'm dead. To solve my murder, my long-lost twin sister, Emma, has taken my place. She sleeps in my room, wears my clothes, and calls my parents Mom and Dad.
And my killer is watching her every move.
I remember little from my life, just flashes and flickers, so all I can do is follow along as Emma tries to solve the mystery of my disappearance. But the deeper she digs, the more suspects she uncovers. It turns out my friends and I played a lot of games--games that ruined people's lives. Anyone could want revenge . . . anyone could want me--and now Emma--dead.
From Sara Shepard, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Pretty Little Liars books, comes a riveting series about secrets, lies, and killer consequences.

Sara ShepardSara Shepard graduated from NYU and has an MFA from Brooklyn College. She currently lives in Tucson, Arizona. Sara's Pretty Little Liars novels were inspired by her upbringing in Philadelphia's Main Line.

Review

I read this book on June 19, 2012.

This book was a good read but it was still a little out there. It was like the entire book was weird to me. I understand some people love this series but me, I guess the 2nd one was a little far fetched to me. 

AFTER READING THE SERIES

I wish that the series wasn't as predictable as it was. I mean, the series was okay, but the way it went was each book was a different person. And for me I didn't think that anyone would be the killer. I mean, its to weird.
I think that this series could have had much more for it but, if your going to start this series, just read the last one. Don't waste your time with the other 4 or 5 because (SPOILER) you know that those people will not be the killer.
I recommend this book for those who like suspense and who did it.

Ages: 14+
Grades: 9 and up

Review: The Lying Game (The Lying Game #1) by Sara Shepard

Title: The Lying Game
Author: Sara Shepard
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: December 7th 2010
Pages: 307
Series: The Lying Game #1
Where Did I Get It: Birthday Gift

Synopsis: I had a life anyone would kill for.
Then someone did.
The worst part of being dead is that there's nothing left to live for. No more kisses. No more secrets. No more gossip. It's enough to kill a girl all over again. But I'm about to get something no one else does--an encore performance, thanks to Emma, the long-lost twin sister I never even got to meet.
Now Emma's desperate to know what happened to me. And the only way to figure it out is to be me--to slip into my old life and piece it all together. But can she laugh at inside jokes with my best friends? Convince my boyfriend she's the girl he fell in love with? Pretend to be a happy, care-free daughter when she hugs my parents goodnight? And can she keep up the charade, even after she realizes my murderer is watching her every move?
From Sara Shepard, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Pretty Little Liars books, comes a riveting new series about secrets, lies, and killer consequences.
Let the lying game begin.

Sara Shepard
Sara Shepard graduated from NYU and has an MFA from Brooklyn College. She currently lives in Tucson, Arizona. Sara's Pretty Little Liars novels were inspired by her upbringing in Philadelphia's Main Line.

Review

I read this book on February 1st, 2012.

"The Lying Game" had many suspenseful parts to it. I enjoyed reading this book. My favourite part was near the end. I like and hate the end because it leaves you wondering. Little grammar errors. I just hope this series isn't super long. I'm hoping this series is only about 4 books long at most.I recommend this book to those who love mystery, suspense, and who-did-it.

I'm writing this part of my review after reading most of the Pretty Little Liars:
The Lying Game is a copy of the PLL series just instead of four people being blackmailed, its just one. I think that Sara needs to think of something original to write about.

Ages: 14+
Grades: 9 and up

Review: Beastly by Alex Finn

Title: Beastly

Author: Alex Finn

Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: January 1st 2007

Pages: 304

Series: -

Where I Got It: Chapters

Synopsis: I am a beast.
A beast. Not quite wolf or bear, gorilla or dog but a horrible new creature who walks upright--a creature with fangs and claws and hair springing from every pore. I am a monster.
You think I'm talking fairy tales? No way. The place is New York City. The time is now. It's no deformity, no disease. And I'll stay this way forever--ruined--unless I can break the spell.
Yes, the spell, the one the witch in my English class cast on me. Why did she turn me into a beast who hides by day and prowls by night? I'll tell you. I'll tell you how I used to be Kyle Kingsbury, the guy you wished you were, with money, perfect looks, and the perfect life. And then, I'll tell you how I became perfectly . . . beastly.

Alex Flinn
I was born in a log cabin in the Big Woods of... okay, maybe not. I was born on Long Island, New York. When I was five years old, my mom said that I should be an author. I guess I must have nodded or something because, from that point on, every poem I ever wrote in school was submitted to Highlights or Cricket magazine. I was collecting rejection slips at age seven!

I learned to read early. But I compensated for this early proficiency by absolutely refusing to read the programmed readers required by the school system -- workbooks where you read the story, then answered the questions. When the other kids were on Book 20, I was on Book 1! My teacher, Mrs. Zeiser, told my mother, "Alexandra marches to her own drummer." I don't think that was supposed to be a good thing. Now, when my daughter, Katie, brings home FCAT prep materials where you are supposed to read a passage and answer questions, I want to ask the teacher, "Does she really need to do this? She can read!!!"
My family moved to Miami when I was in middle school. I had a really hard time making friends, so I spent a lot of time reading and writing then. But unlike Christopher Paolini or Amelia Atwater-Rhodes, I never finished writing a novel. That was also when I learned to be a keen observer. By high school, I'd made some friends and gotten involved in various "gifted and talented" performing arts programs. I studied opera in college (I'm a coloratura -- the really loud, high-pitched sopranos.) and then went to law school.
It was law school that probably helped with my first novel. Breathing Underwater deals with the serious and all-too-common problem of dating violence. I based the book on my experiences interning with the State Attorney's Office and volunteering with battered women. I thought this was a really important topic, as 27 percent of teenage girls surveyed have been hit by a boyfriend. I'm happy that the book is so popular, and if you are reading this bio because the book was assigned for school, I'm happy about that too.
I started writing an early (and laughable) version of Breathing Underwater in college (I was really bored on a car trip with my parents). I didn't get back to it until I had my first daughter, Katie. I'm self-taught. I went to the library and took out books on writing. Then, I read a lot of young-adult novels by writers I admired, particularly Richard Peck. Reading his books is like listening to Mozart -- you learn the right way to write a novel. Then, you fill in your own style. I actually got to meet Richard Peck in person at a workshop of the Key West Literary Seminar. Lots of writers have been really helpful to me, especially Richard and fellow YA author, Joyce Sweeney. 
I think I write for young-adults because I never quite got over being one. In my mind, I am still 13-years-old, running laps on the athletic field, wearing this really baggy white gymsuit. I'm continually amazed at the idea that I have a checking account and a mortgage. So I try to write books that gymsuit girl might enjoy. It's a way of going back to being 13...knowing what I know now.Right now, I live half a mile away from my old middle school, in Palmetto Bay, a suburb of Miami, with my husband, Gene, and daughters, Katie and Meredith.

Review

I read this book on June 1st, 2011.

A thrilling romance with just the right amount of fantasy!

I enjoyed reading this book because I love fairy tales. After I saw the movie I had to read the book.
I must mention the beautiful cover. I love it, with the single rose.It wasn't what I expected but it was still pretty good. I only gave this book three stars because it seemed a little different. I had a hard time understanding some of the stuff they would talk about in conversations.I read this book 3 years ago and looking back, it wasn't as great as I imagined it to be. After reading other books, this book could have been structured a little differently. 
I recommend this book for those who love romance and fairy tales.

Ages: 13+

Grade: 9 and up

Review: Deity (Covenant #3) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: Deity
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Release Date: October 31st 2012
Pages: 330
Series: Covenant #3
Where I Got It: Barnes and Noble

Synopsis: "History is on repeat, and things didn't go so well the last time."

Alexandria isn't sure she's going to make it to her eighteenth birthday--to her Awakening. A long-forgotten, fanatical order is out to kill her, and if the Council ever discovers what she did in the Catskills, she's a goner... and so is Aiden. 
If that's not freaky enough, whenever Alex and Seth spend time "training"--which really is just Seth's code word for some up-close and personal one-on-one time--she ends up with another mark of the Apollyon, which brings her one step closer to Awakening ahead of schedule. Awesome. 
But as her birthday draws near, her entire world shatters with a startling revelation and she's caught between love and Fate. One will do anything to protect her. One has been lying to her since the beginning. Once the gods have revealed themselves, unleashing their wrath, lives will be irrevocably changed... and destroyed. 
Those left standing will discover if love is truly greater than Fate...

Jennifer L. Armentrout
# 1 New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Jennifer L. Armentrout Lives in West Virginia. 

All the rumors you heard about her state aren’t true. 
Well, mostly. When she's not hard at work writing, she spends her time, reading, working out, watching zombie movies, and pretending to write.
She is the author of the Covenant Series (Spencer Hill Press), the Lux Series (Entangled Teen), Don't Look Back (Disney/Hyperion) and a yet untitled novel (Disney/Hyperion), and new YA paranormal series with Harlequin Teen. 
Jennifer also writes New Adult and Adult romance under the pen name J. Lynn. The Gamble Brothers Series (Tempting the Best Man/Tempting the Player) and Wait for You. Under her pen name, she is published with Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

Review

I read this book on September 1st, 2013

This book was amazing! Jennifer L. Armentrout surprises you through the entire thing! That ending was just... wow!

I adored Aiden in this book, whereas in the second book I was pointed toward Seth. Aiden was so sweet! I seriously wouldn't mind dating someone like him and in this book you really see how well Aiden and Alex are for each other. Their relationship grows a lot more than the first two books.

However, I have to say Seth is still my favourite guy but I wouldn't want Alex with him. It just doesn't seem like they'd be good together. He need's his own strong female. I just want to read more about Seth, but as I said before, Aiden definitely is starting to be sweet and I actually like him now.

Alex makes a lot of rough decisions in this book and some of them I just wanted to slap her but others I was so proud that we shared a name! As I've said in other reviews, she reminds me a lot of myself and a lot of her decisions I would have made myself but some of them I would never do.I recommend this series to readers of Armentrout and paranormal romance.

Ages: 15+
Grade: 10 and up

Sentinel Tour - Deity (Covenant #3)

Deity (Covenant #3)

Thanks for coming to see my Sentinel Tour today! Make sure you come back tomorrow and enter the contest!

The Author

Jennifer L. Armentrout

# 1 New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Jennifer L. Armentrout Lives in West Virginia.
All the rumors you heard about her state aren’t true.
Well, mostly. When she's not hard at work writing, she spends her time, reading, working out, watching zombie movies, and pretending to write.
She is the author of the Covenant Series (Spencer Hill Press), the Lux Series (Entangled Teen), Don't Look Back (Disney/Hyperion) and a yet untitled novel (Disney/Hyperion), and new YA paranormal series with Harlequin Teen.
Jennifer also writes New Adult and Adult romance under the pen name J. Lynn. The Gamble Brothers Series (Tempting the Best Man/Tempting the Player) and Wait for You. Under her pen name, she is published with Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

The Book

Deity (Covenant #3) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

History is on repeat, and things didn't go so well the last time.

Alexandria isn’t sure she’s going to make it to her eighteenth birthday--to her Awakening. A long-forgotten, fanatical order is out to kill her, and if the Council ever discovers what she did in the Catskills, she’s a goner... and so is Aiden.
If that’s not freaky enough, whenever Alex and Seth spend time "training"--which really is just Seth's code word for some up-close and personal one-on-one time--she ends up with another mark of the Apollyon, which brings her one step closer to Awakening ahead of schedule. Awesome.
But as her birthday draws near, her entire world shatters with a startling revelation and she’s caught between love and Fate. One will do anything to protect her. One has been lying to her since the beginning. Once the gods have revealed themselves, unleashing their wrath, lives will be irrevocably changed… and destroyed. Those left standing will discover if love is truly greater than Fate...

The Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

The Interview

For Jennifer L. Armentrout – Deity lets the Gods out of the bag.  Who’s your favorite God to write and why?  Apollo.   I just really enjoyed writing his character because of his personality.

For Alex – The vanishing act of Apollo is sorta fun but his timing can be annoying.  If he wasn’t a God and still pulled that trick, what would you do to him?  Oh, I would kick his ass.  I’m tempted to try it, God or not.

For Aiden – What was your reaction to finding out the truth about Leon? I was surprised, but given the situation in which I found out, I couldn’t even focus on Leon.  I was too focused on Alex at that moment.

For Apollo – Were there ever any times that you wanted to intervene but didn’t to protect your identity?  Yes, that girl needs a full time babysitter.  I tried to be around, especially when I knew Aiden wasn’t with her, and I did intervene a few times without revealing my identity.

Sentinel (Covenant #5)

Sentinel on the NOOK

Sentinel on the Kindle

It's a beautiful day for a war. As the mortal world slowly slips into chaos of the godly kind, Alexandria Andros must overcome a stunning defeat that has left her shaken and in doubt of their ability to end this war once and for all. And with all the obstacles between Alex and her happily-ever-after with the swoonworthy Aiden St. Delphi, they must now trust a deadly foe as they travel deep into the Underworld to release one of the most dangerous gods of all time. In the stunning, action-packed climax to the bestselling Covenant Series, Alex must face a terrible choice: the destruction of everything and everyone she holds dear... or the end of herself.

Review: Breathe (Sea Breeze #1) by Abbi Glines

Title: Breathe

Author: Abbi Glines

Publisher: Simon Pulse
Release Date: June 4th 2013 (May 16th 2011)

Pages: 333

Series: Sea Breeze #1

Where I Got It: Walmart

Synopsis: Sadie White’s summer job isn’t going to be on the beach life-guarding or working at rental booths like most kids her age. With her single mother’s increasing pregnancy and refusal to work, Sadie has to take over her mother’s job as a domestic servant for one of the wealthy summer families on a nearby island.

When the family arrives at their summer getaway, Sadie is surprised to learn that the owner of the house is Jax Stone, one of the hottest teen rockers in the world. If Sadie hadn’t spent her life raising her mother and taking care of the house she might have been normal enough to be excited about working for a rock star.

Even though Sadie isn’t impressed by Jax’s fame, he is drawn to her. Everything about Sadie fascinates Jax but he fights his attraction. Relationship’s never work in his world and as badly as he wants Sadie, he believes she deserves more.

By the end of the summer, Jax discovers he can’t breathe without Sadie.

Abbi Glines

Since publishing her first novel Breathe in May of 2011, Abbi has also released The New York Times bestselling Seabreeze Series which includes Breathe, Because of Low, While It Lasts, Just For Now and Sometimes It Last, The Existence Trilogy that includes the USA Today Bestseller Ceaseless. New York Times and USA TODAY bestsellers The Vincent Boys and The Vincent Brothers. Last but not least her most popular series to date, Rosemary Beach which includes The New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestsellers Fallen Too Far, Never Too Far, Forever Too Far, Twisted Perfection and Simple Perfection. Her newest book scheduled to be released on December 17th, 2013 is Misbehaving (Seabreeze).

When Abbi isn’t locked away in her office typing away she is hauling her kids to and from their many social activities. You could say her second job is the Glines Kids personal chauffeur. It’s a rather illustrious job.

Review

I read this book on July 19th, 2013.

Sadie and Jax is just the right thing to start out your summer with.

I really expected more out of this book. I knew that Jax and Sadie were in love the minute they met each other but, like every other book, on of them think they need to leave the other to "keep them safe". In this case, it was Jax. He wanted Sadie to not be in the spotlight like he always was.
I liked this book on very small terms. It was a sweet romance between two people from completely different worlds. Still, Sadie annoyed me beyond belief. She was just so "trusting" but when something happened in a magazine, she freaked.Jax was always leaving Sadie saying he "wasn't good enough for her". That annoyed me so much! I know some find it sweet, but if I was dating a guy and he said he wasn't good enough for me I could understand it, but if he kept on trying to leave me, I would just move on! Like, Sadie, he thinks he isn't good enough, tell him he is and MOVE ON!

Honestly, I love Abbi Glines, but this one was not one of my favourite by her. I wish I could have liked it a little more, but unfortunately, I couldn't.

I recommend this series to fans of romance/chick lit and Abbi Glines.

Ages: 16+
Grade: Grade 11 and up

Review: The Vincent Brothers (The Vincent Boys #2) by Abbi Glines

Title: The Vincent Brothers

Author: Abbi Glines

Publisher: Simon Pulse
Release Date: June 1st 2012

Pages: 279

Series: The Vincent Boys #2

Where I Got It: Chapters

Synopsis: Getting a boy to fall head-over-heels in love with you isn’t easy. Especially when he’s been in love with your cousin for as long as you can remember.Lana has lived her life in her cousin’s shadow. Ashton always made perfect grades, had tons of friends, and looks model-perfect. And she’s always had Sawyer Vincent—the only boy Lana’s ever wanted—wrapped around her finger. But now things are different. Lana has a chance to make Sawyer see her, and she’s taking it. If only he’d get over Ashton—because Lana is sick of second-best.

Sawyer’s heart is broken. He’s lost his best girl to his best friend. And then Lana comes to town. Ashton’s cousin has always been sweet and soft-spoken, but now she’s drop-dead gorgeous as well. Sawyer doesn’t know if Lana can heal his broken heart, but spending time with her might at least make Ashton jealous. What starts as a carefree fling becomes a lusty game of seduction. Sawyer and Lana may have different motives, but their scintillating hookups are the same kind of steamy…

Abbi Glines

Since publishing her first novel Breathe in May of 2011, Abbi has also released The New York Times bestselling Seabreeze Series which includes Breathe, Because of Low, While It Lasts, Just For Now and Sometimes It Last, The Existence Trilogy that includes the USA Today Bestseller Ceaseless. New York Times and USA TODAY bestsellers The Vincent Boys and The Vincent Brothers. Last but not least her most popular series to date, Rosemary Beach which includes The New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestsellers Fallen Too Far, Never Too Far, Forever Too Far, Twisted Perfection and Simple Perfection. Her newest book scheduled to be released on December 17th, 2013 is Misbehaving (Seabreeze).

When Abbi isn’t locked away in her office typing away she is hauling her kids to and from their many social activities. You could say her second job is the Glines Kids personal chauffeur. It’s a rather illustrious job.

Review

I read this book on April 17th, 2013

Lets start off by introducing the new characters. 
Sawyer: very needy, polite, and kind. 
Lana: nerdy, weird, and unattractive. 
Well, all that changes in this book. Lana has transformed herself for a certain Vincent boy that she has had a crush on since she was about 10. Sawyer (after breaking up with Ashton) has become rude and arrogant. In the beginning he starts acting out and being very physical with Lana to make Ashton jealous. Then, after many times that Sawyer has messed up with Lana, she still forgives him! Like, what?! I would never forgive a guy if he was that rude to me. I'm not that dependable on guys, unlike Lana, who hangs on every word Sawyer says. Anyway, as the story continues on, things begin to get a little out of hand and... I don't know, I guess I kept reading because I was hoping for an outburst of something interesting but... not really.
Overall, I felt this book was good but I expected more. This book is more of a New Adult book rather than young adult. Either way, the book was still unsupported. My favourite part was the epilogue because it had Beau and Ashton.I recommend this book to anyone who liked the Vincent Boys, but don't get to excited.

Ages: 16+
Grades: Grade 11 and up

Review: Perfect Chemistry (Perfect Chemistry #1) by Simone Elkeles

Title: Perfect Chemistry
Author: Simone Elkeles
Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers
Release Date: December 23rd 2008
Pages: 357
Series: Perfect Chemistry
Where I Got It: Library

Synopsis: A fresh, urban twist on the classic tale of star-crossed lovers.

When Brittany Ellis walks into chemistry class on the first day of senior year, she has no clue that her carefully created 'perfect' life is about to unravel before her eyes. She's forced to be lab partners with Alex Fuentes, a gang member from the other side of town, and he is about to threaten everything she's worked so hard for: her flawless reputation, her relationship with her boyfriend, and the secret that her home life is anything but perfect. 
Alex is a bad boy and he knows it. So when he makes a bet with his friends to lure Brittany into his life, he thinks nothing of it. But soon Alex realizes Brittany is a real person with real problems, and suddenly the bet he made in arrogance turns into something much more.

In a passionate story about looking beneath the surface, Simone Elkeles breaks through the stereotypes and barriers that threaten to keep Brittany and Alex apart.

Simone Elkeles
Simone Elkeles is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of novels for teens. Simone’s books have won many awards including being YALSA Top Ten Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, being named to the YALSA Popular Paperbacks and Teens Top Ten lists, and added to the Illinois “Read for a Lifetime” Reading List. Simone also won the coveted RITA award from the Romance Writers of America for her book Perfect Chemistry. Simone is especially proud of the fact that the Illinois Association of Teachers of English named her Author of the Year. 

Simone was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, where she still lives today. Simone went to the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign and received her Bachelor’s of Science there in Psychology in 1992. She continued her education at Loyola University-Chicago where she received her Master’s of Science degree in Industrial Relations while working for a manufacturing company creating diversity programs for their employees.
She loves animals (she has two dogs – a labradoodle and a German Shepherd), kids (she also has two of those) and her family. In her spare time she’s the Hockey Mom for her kids hockey teams and is an active Girl Scout leader specially trained in outdoor education. She also spends time mentoring other teen and adult authors. (She also loves sushi, which you can probably tell by reading her books.) Simone writes about teens because she was a teen in the 80’s (when spiked hair and blue eye shadow were “rad”) and she loves writing about those exciting teen relationships and romances.

Review

I read this book on November 3rd, 2013.

I loved this book from beginning to end. I couldn't put it down and adored the relationship that began to grow between Alex and Brittany throughout the novel.
Brittany is popular, quiet, and had to keep up her 'act' of perfect. What Brittany was trying to hide was her growing feelings for Alex. When she got paired with Alex, she began to freak out. She thought Alex didn't give a care about her or her grades.
Alex is in a gang and he wasn't one you would want to be fighting against in a one-on-one. He was incredibly rude and hard on the outside but, as his and Brittany's relationship grew, he let down the wall and showed her he really cared for her.
I liked that this book showed how two people can grow just with someone you love. I disliked the fact that this book seemed unrealistic. As much as I would love the fact that this happens in real life, I know better.
I recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a Simone Elkeles book or is looking for a contemporary romance book.

Ages: 14+
Grades: 9 and up