My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick.

"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, messy, affectionate. And every day from her rooftop perch, Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them . . . until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs up next to her and changes everything.
As the two fall fiercely for each other, stumbling through the awkwardness and awesomeness of first love, Jase's family embraces Samantha - even as she keeps him a secret from her own. Then something unthinkable happens, and the bottom drops out of Samantha's world. She's suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself?
A transporting debut about family, friendship, first romance, and how to be true to one person you love without betraying another.

Thoughts!

Why didn't I read this earlier?? It's been on my tbr since it released in 2012- it was so worth the wait!
     My Life Next Door is a layered traditional contemporary summer book with twists and well written characters. It wasn't cliché as I'd anticipated.
    Samantha Reid was a great lead. I found her sweet and hard working if a little naïve. I love how she slotted into her life next door as she seemed to be a bit neglected at home especially with her sister gone and her Mum otherwise occupied. Jase was such a welcoming and generous male lead. He wasn't a cliché good or bad guy he was simply a well rounded mature teenager. I loved how he took on responsibilities for his family but would occasionally complain. I liked how he treated Samantha and how easy going he was.
    My Life Next Door has a well written individual side cast with all their own issues and personalities. The Garretts were such a vibrant family with so many different personalities. It was easy to see how and why Samantha was attracted and intrigued by them as they were so different to her family. I loved how all of them had positive attitudes and were well adjusted enough to rise above other's prejudices. I could probably write a detailed profile of each of them so I'll curtail my love of the siblings. Dad was a steady and pragmatic man with his approach to providing for his family, I loved how he was honest with Tim but still trusted him as an employee.
    Which brings me to Nan and Tim. Nan was a more complex character than she seemed. Initially I took her for a good friend if a little snobby but as the book progressed it became clear that she was exceedingly rude, cruel and entitled. Her apparent concern for Tim masked a deep jealously and I defiantly think she's heading for a breakdown. Tim was my breakout character, I loved him. Tim really developed and grew over the course of the book. I liked how he flourished under the positive encourage of the Garretts and Sam. Sam and Tim's friendship was resurrected and it was clear to see how they had grown apart and refreshing to see a platonic strong friendship which developed. I also loved his interactions with the Garretts, how he stepped up when needed and his banter with Alice.
    Samantha's Mum was another surprisingly complex character. She projected the image of career driven and confident involved Mum but it became clear that she wasn't as confident in herself as she seemed. I couldn't believe how her plot twisted and turned especially her sudden disregard for Samantha despite her initial concerns over how and where she spent her summer.
    My Life Next Door was primarily character driven, the plot itself was a clever manipulation of prominent clichés such as boy next door, rich/poor divide.
I loved the summery setting the town was big enough for the whole story to largely stay in one place. I loved the positioning of the summer jobs, the country club etc. It was like a storybook American summer town which was the perfect setting for My Life Next Door.

Rating!

My Life Next Door is the perfect summer read full of well crafted unique characters and a interesting original plot.

 

Are you a long time fan of My Life Next Door?

Are you excited for Tim to get his own book?

Much Love!

Lettie

Xxx

The One by Kiera Cass (No Spoilers!)

THE SELECTION changed the lives of thirty-five girls forever. Now, only one will claim Prince Maxon’s heart…
It’s swoon meets the Hunger Games in the third instalment of THE SELECTION series!
For the four girls who remain at the palace, the friendships they’ve formed, rivalries they’ve struggled with and dangers they’ve faced have bound them to each other for the rest of their lives.
Now, the time has come for one winner to be chosen.
America never dreamed she would find herself anywhere close to the crown – or to Prince Maxon’s heart. But as the competition approaches its end and the threats outside the palace walls grow more vicious, America realises just how much she stands to lose – and how hard she’ll have to fight for the future she wants.

I loved The Selection and The Elite. so I've been patiently waiting for The One!
I've had to do one of my love/hate reviews as I want to keep it as concise and spoiler free as possible!
What I loved:
Sisterhood- I loved how the sisterhood camaraderie Queen Amberley has with the previous Selection really took hold with the remaining girls. They definitely started to see themselves as a family rather than rivals and I loved how they started to share their true opinions with each other.
Twists- The One had so many twists it was a roller coaster! Some were tragic, some intriguing and some seemed so obvious afterwards. I loved how surprising and riveting this book was.
Triangle- I was initially put off this series by the idea of a love triangle however I think Kiera made it more than other love triangles. Neither Maxon or Aspen 'won' America or completely wrote themselves off. I loved that America didn't feel she had to pick one of them either, she could simply go home alone!
America- America grew more confident and compassionate throughout the series. I found her to always be fair and just, I loved how she encouraged the people to stand up for themselves not to hide away. Again I did find her frustrating because she had decided on who she loved ages ago but just wouldn't say!!
Maxon- Just continued to surprise me! I loved how attentive he was to each of the girls and how he thought out each move he made. After the revelations of The Elite it was interesting to see how he interacted with his father, he could have been more outspoken at times but Maxon is a quiet strength. As the book went on you could see glimpses of the King he would become.
Celeste- I couldn't stand her in the previous books but in The One she really opened up to America and the other girls. I liked how she admitted and apologised for all her sabotages. I grew to love her tenacity and her new found friendship with the others made the sisterhood lovely. I especially loved her friendship and support of America.
Rebels- I felt like I finally understood the difference between the Southern and the Northern rebels and I enjoyed all the twists and turns they provided.
The book had a huge climax at the end but I was left with questions about the rebels and their motives.
Side cast- America's family were all lovely and individual, I loved getting to know them better. America's bond with her father explained were she got her belief in equality and justice. I spent the whole book highly suspicious of Kota! He was just so rude and harsh to everyone. The maids were great companions and I enjoyed their interactions with America, Aspen and Maxon. I especially liked how devoted they were to America, for her kind personality rather than out of duty. Maxon's parents were so different from each other. The King was increasingly controlling and aggressive towards America. He didn't seem to understand that Maxon would be King after him and held a lot of important information back. Queen Amberley on the other hand was absolutely lovely. She was very maternal and supportive as the number of girls left diminished. I'm so glad she's getting her own novella.

The perfect end to a great series. However Kiera Cass has announced more Selection! The next book is called The Heir so I think it's safe to say this book was the perfect end to America's journey as a self aware champion for the lower castes. I have thoroughly enjoyed this series and I've already been rereading it!

Did you love The One?
Look out for my upcoming series review!
Much Love!
Lettie
Xxx

Torn Away by Jennifer Brown.

Jersey Cameron has always loved a good storm. Watching the clouds roll in and the wind pick up. Smelling the electricity in the air. Dancing barefoot in the rain. She lives in the Midwest, after all, where the weather is sure to keep you guessing. Jersey knows what to do when the tornado sirens sound. But she never could have prepared for this.
When her town is devastated by a tornado, Jersey loses everything. As she struggles to overcome her grief, she's sent to live with relatives she hardly knows-family who might as well be strangers. In an unfamiliar place, can Jersey discover that even on the darkest of days, there are some things no tornado can destroy?

Thoughts!

Torn Away is a thought provoking emotive book. It revolves around a difficult emotional subject and asked the all important question, what does happen after your life has been devastated? 
Jersey was a very determined and brave lead character. I admired how she stayed strong despite the awful circumstances, mean relatives and uncertainty.  I especially liked how she dealt with disappointing family and friends.
I found Ronnie to be quite selfish and mean. To begin with I could see his logic but his decisions were just cruel and high-handed. I really felt for Jersey as his betrayal and dismissal on top of the tornado would have be devastating. Dani, her best friend, didn't seem to grasp how awful Jersey's situation was which I think may have been due to the fact she wasn't too affected by the tornado. Dani's Mum seemed to be very self absorbed and unwilling to inconvenience herself to help out.
Jersey's experience in Caster City was harshly realistic. Her family were very rude and unsympathetic. I did like Terry and how kind she was to Jersey. 
Waverley provided a much more stable home for Jersey. I loved the journey she went on to build relationships and rebuild her life.
Kolby was my favourite character other than Jersey. He was strong, supportive and brave. I spent a lot of the book worried over him though!
Torn Away is a character driven book with a focus on Jersey's journey through the confusion of a devastating natural disaster, unknown family members and an uncertain future. I loved the character growth and development and the hopeful conclusion.


Rating!

Such an emotional and refreshing book that asks the questions what happens after the 'worst disaster'? How do you move on? I will definitely be looking out for more of Jennifer's books.

Have you read Torn Away?
Much Love!
Lettie
Xxx

All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill.

"You have to kill him." Imprisoned in the heart of a secret military base, Em has nothing except the voice of the boy in the cell next door and the list of instructions she finds taped inside the drain.
Only Em can complete the final instruction. She’s tried everything to prevent the creation of a time machine that will tear the world apart. She holds the proof: a list she has never seen before, written in her own hand. Each failed attempt in the past has led her to the same terrible present—imprisoned and tortured by a sadistic man called the doctor while war rages outside.
Marina has loved her best friend James since the day he moved next door when they were children. A gorgeous, introverted science prodigy from one of America’s most famous families, James finally seems to be seeing Marina in a new way, too. But on one disastrous night, James’s life crumbles apart, and with it, Marina’s hopes for their future. Now someone is trying to kill him. Marina will protect James, no matter what. Even if it means opening her eyes to a truth so terrible that she may not survive it. At least not as the girl she once was. 

Thoughts!

I'm not usually a fan of books involving time travel but All Our Yesterdays is a brilliant result of stepping out of my comfort zone. The time travel aspects of the book were clear, well explained and actually made sense! The plot itself was full of twists and turns, more than enough to keep you engrossed chapter after chapter late into the night. The characters were well written and so distinctive. I loved how unaware of themselves they were and how they all interacted. From the beginning I found James to be quite manipulative towards Marina especially as he seemed to know she was hopelessly in love with him. As the book progressed he became more obsessive, selfish and unlikeable but at the end he almost redeemed himself which was surprising! Marina had her faults but she was unfailing loyal and good hearted deep down. I loved Finn, he was brave, assertive when needed yet still maintained a semblance of mystery! I adored how he interacted with Em and to an extent James. Em grew in my estimations as her backstory was explained and revealed, I think it really added depth and made a Em more realistic character. I enjoyed how clever and witty she could be while remaining good and kind hearted. I found Nate to be the most intriguing character, mainly because he became a big what if? I especially liked his influence over James, Marina and Finn who all idolised him. The Doctor was possibly my least favourite character, he simply used people until they became useless to him and then cruelly discarded them. I found his 'interrogation' methods cruel and his enjoyment of them worrying!
I absolutely adored every page of this book! I felt like all the characters and plot points were tangled up in a ball which slowly unravelled revealing each surprising twist. It is the perfect mix of sci-fi, light dystopia and contemporary.

Rating!

First one of 2014! I immediately brought the paperback for my shelf and rereading purposes!

Are you an All Our Yesterdays fan?
Much Love!
Lettie
Xxx

Faster We Burn by Chelsea M. Cameron.

Katie Hallman is done with douchebags. Done with guys who treat her like crap and leave her broken. But then Stryker Grant is there anyway. With his numerous piercings and bleached hair, he’s the polar opposite of all of her past relationships, which makes him the perfect candidate.
At first, Katie just sees him as a physical escape from her previous rocky relationship, and Stryker doesn’t seem to mind just being a distraction from Katie’s problems. But soon he’s getting under her skin, peeling back layers she’d rather keep covered. She tries to make it clear that she doesn’t want a relationship, but keeps breaking her own rules.
Then a tragedy sends Katie into the only arms who are there to catch her, and she’ll realize that she needs him more than she ever thought possible. But is she ready to let herself trust another guy with her already-battered heart? Or will she push him away to protect herself from getting hurt again?
Why?
I loved Katie in Deeper We Fall and I was intrigued by her relationship with Stryker and her background.

What I loved:
Katie- I loved loved her! As I suspected she was a much more complex character than she seemed. I enjoyed seeing all the different parts of her personality reveal themselves to the other characters. I  liked how straight forward and direct she could be and how hard she worked for what she wanted. Her character growth throughout the book was well written and very interesting to read, she came across as a very strong character. I especially liked how she dealt with most things to do with Stryker in perspective, no petty misunderstanding etc. very refreshing! 
Stryker- Stryker also came into to his own and emerged as a flawed good guy. I loved how he treated Katie, playing by her rules but still keeping her guessing. He was so supportive of her and I liked how encouraging he was with regards to her future and her self confidence. The sibling dynamic between Trish and Stryker was very well written and reflective of their background- I'm hoping for a future book from Trish's point of view to explore this more. I liked how he approached Katie's family and met their disapproval and questions head on, sticking with Katie when needed. All in all a great character! 
Side cast- Again love them! It was great to see group from different point of view although I missed Will! I think the group dynamic had evolved and their friendships had deepened which made  Aud, for example, more intriguing. I loved the introduction of Strker's band friends, they were a refreshingly fun and welcoming group. I enjoyed the musical banter and impromptu sing-alongs! Allan was my favourite, he seemed like a gentle soul. Katie's family were mostly lovely. Her mother was highly critical and all around a bit controlling. Her dad, however, was the opposite more accepting, he seemed to say all the right things to Katie regarding her self image etc. Kayla was a fun addition, I really enjoyed her background storyline with Adam!
Ending- Great ending! Clear character and relationship development for both Katie and Stryker and Lottie and Zan which was good to read. It gave closure while remaining  open for more books in the series.
Timing- The rapid time progression was brilliant as it meant the relationship developed at a relatively normal pace as opposed to rapidly escalating from just met to full blown relationship!
Rating!

I absolutely loved Katie and Stryker's story! I reread it all the time

Thank you to Chelsea for providing me with a review copy.
I definitely think the next Fall and Rise book will be Trish and Mickey- already looking forward to it!
Expect reviews of Chelsea's latest books this coming Friday and Monday.

Much Love!
Lettie
Xx

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas.

After serving out a year of hard labour in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin. Her opponents are men-thieves and assassins and warriors from across the empire, each sponsored by a member of the king's council. If she beats her opponents in a series of eliminations, she'll serve the kingdom for three years and then be granted her freedom.
Celaena finds her training sessions with the captain of the guard, Westfall, challenging and exhilarating. But she's bored stiff by court life. Things get a little more interesting when the prince starts to show interest in her... but it's the gruff Captain Westfall who seems to understand her best.
Then one of the other contestants turns up dead... quickly followed by another.
Can Celaena figure out who the killer is before she becomes a victim? As the young assassin investigates, her search leads her to discover a greater destiny than she could possibly have imagined.
Why?
Many years ago I saw this story on FictionPress but never got around to reading it! I was so excited to see it published and to get a second chance to read it!

What I loved:
Celaena- I really like Celaena, she is such a strong female lead! I love her personality and her wit. It was so interesting to see her recovering from her imprisonment while training for the champion competition, I found it very realistic to read. Especially her training sessions and covering up her real talents. Celaena also came across a lot more compassionate than she even seemed to realised from the way she treated servants and the other contestants to the way she was with animals. I did at times find her a bit distant as a narrator and I found it hard to work out what she really felt with regards to certain things! Celaena is definitely one of the most layered and interesting characters I've read in a while and I have a feeling she'll be intriguing me for awhile yet! 
Side Cast- Chaol was another interesting character, he was bar far the most rigid rule follower and how seriously he took Celaena as a danger to. I liked how he grew to like and respect Celaena despite himself, especially their morning training routines. Dorian was a lot of fun to read! I loved how confident he was and how he teased Celaena. It was interesting to see how he interacted and responded to his Dad's extreme politics. I'm looking forward to see how Dorian develops as a character and as a prince! Nehemia added a very different dimension to the book. She served as a reminder of the world outside of the palace and how ruthless the King could be. I loved how she embraced Celaena and their friendship was one of my favourite things about Throne of Glass. Philippa was a great witty addition to the cast, she treated Celaena like anyone else and even teased her! I loved Fleetfoot, she sounds adorable! I also liked lots of the minor characters such as the other competitors etc. who I hope crop up again in the series!
Plot- Throne of Glass had such a clever blended plot. I loved the world building especially the history of Erilea and the magical aspects. The champion competition, which I had my doubts about, was well written and masked a bigger plotline. I liked how the plot is clearly part of a series long plot, I found myself asking questions and making lots of guesses which I think makes for a great first book!
 
What I didn't love as much:
Cain- I found Cain very creepy! I think his size and skill just made the whole character arc a lot more scary!
King- Another horrid character! Apart from being very intimidating and scary, he is also so ruthless! I don't think he'd blink twice at killing his own family if he thought he'd gain land! I'm intrigued by what his end game is going to be.

Rating!

Absolutley adored the plot, the side characters and Celaena! I can't wait for more!

Check out my predictions for Crown of Midnight!
Did you love Throne of Glass?
Much Love!
Lettie
Xxx

Earth Girl by Janet Edwards.

I know what you call us. Throwbacks. Neanderthals. Apes.

In the far future, the universe is divided into two different groups Norms, who can portal between planets, and people like Jarra, the one in a thousand born with an immune system that doesn't allow them to survive anywhere but Earth.

But I have a plan.

Norms come back to Earth for one reason: to study human history- like the ruins of what was once New York City. But only if they don't have to interact with any Apes alone the way. 18-year-old Jarra has a plan to change that.

This one Earth girl who won't give in.

Why?
I loved the sound of Earth Girl and Earth Star so I was thrilled when Harper Fiction sent me the two books!

What I loved:

World Building- I liked the futuristic sci-fi feel to the book! I really loved how the universe had been spilt into different sectors named after the Greek alphabet. I'm looking forward to seeing more of the different cultures on Beta and Gamma as they seem the most diverse! The role the military played in the exploration and settling of new sectors made them seem much more like explorers than fighters! 

I enjoyed the 'concept' of ape people, it was a different concept I enjoyed how it was portrayed and all the prejudices. I especially liked the ide of pro parents who supported the ape children. The world building was amazingly complex and well written- I really felt like I understood how the world had evolved and developed!

Jarra- I felt Jarra really developed throughout the book. I loved her passion and thirst for knowledge and how she had fully immersed herself in her passion for History so she was clearly ahead of her class. The way she wanted to confront 'exos' was understandable but I liked how she grew to realise she was actually judging them more than they were judging her and realised they weren't that different. I really loved seeing how the class changed and challenged Jarra as a character!
Side Characters- Issette was my favourite side character. Issette really complemented Jarra with her positivity and optimism towards life and her acceptance of her life. I missed her during Jarra's breakdown! Krath intrigued me, I hope we read more of him soon! The Pre history class was full of such interesting different characters! Lolita and Lolmack represented the very different Beta sector and definitely added a dimension to the class. I loved their hidden secret motivations! Dalmora was such a genuinely sweet and caring person despite the fact Jarra assumed she would be snobby as she was from Alpha! Krath was obviously the loose cannon member of the class, brainwashed by a fanatic father. I admired Episilon girl determination to go to University and become a teacher to help her planet despite the fact all of her friends were getting married and starting families. Fian was my favourite Norm character. Again I felt he really complemented Jarra well with his patience and stubbornness. I also admired his passion and attention to detail, he always worked hard to make sure he was as good as possible. Playdon made a very good teaching character as he was willing to put aside prejudices in the face of clear ability and allowed his students to work to their own level

What I didn't love as much:
Breakdown- I don't want to spoil the book but Jarra's breakdown while realistic did seem to drag on a bit!


Rating!

I absolutely adored the world building and the character development!

 

I can't wait to read Earth Star!

Thank you to Harper Fiction for sending me the books!

Much Love!

Lettie

Xxx

Divergent by Veronica Roth

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue--Candor, Abnegation , Dauntless, Amity, and Erudite. 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 alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are--and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating 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 unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her...

I put this book off for ages- what a mistake! It lives up to the hype and more!

What I loved:
Tris-  I admired her determination and drive! At times she really frustrated me with naivety and her inability to take direction but she was genuinely a good person. I loved how supportive she could be when needed and how she honoured the actual principles of Dauntless without losing the best parts of Abnegation.
Four- What an intriguing character! Hard to discuss him without spoiling it! I loved that I was able to guess the secret and still be intrigued and surprised. I liked how Four was withdrawn and low key but knew how to command respect and always seemed to be adhering to the basic principals of Dauntless
Side Characters- I loved the side cast! All the new Dauntless initiates were so diverse and had such contrasting motivations it was interesting to see how they coped with the pressures of initiation. I especially loved how Tris interacted both the Dauntless initiates and the Transfers. I liked getting to see the Abnegation people even briefly and I liked all the little insights in to the other sections through the side characters.
Setting- The setting was heavily influenced by the concept and the plot, each section had a part of the city. I liked how Abnegation was laid out and how Tris explained how the city was laid out as a whole. I'm really intrigued by what the rest of the world is like outside of the city and how they became the way they are!
Concept- I really liked this concept of Dystopia! I liked how it was based on personality not jobs or wealth. I loved the 5 different sections- very clever personality divisions. It was all explained really well seeing as it was Tris's point of view and she only had personal experience of two of them. My friend and I spent ages discussing which section we'd be in.
Fear landscapes- I loved this idea! It was a clever way to rank the initiates and really revealed the deeper fears that everyone has. I think it also showed the true meaning of Dauntless- not the absence of fear itself but the courage to work through the fear.

What I didn't love as much:
Character decisions- I loved Tris but my gosh she was told to lie low and she just didn't! She didn't seem to have any self preservation! I also disliked some the inevitable decisions
No Principles- Some of the initiates were so ruthless and cruel and  they got away with it. Fearlessness is not cruelty!

I loved this book- I can't believe i put it off for so long! Both my friend and her dad borrowed it while we were on holiday!

Did you love Divergent?
Much Love!
Lettie
Xxxx

Speechless by Hannah Harrington

Everyone knows that Chelsea Knot can’t keep a secret

Until now. Because the last secret she shared turned her into a social outcast—and nearly got someone killed.

Now Chelsea has taken a vow of silence—to learn to keep her mouth shut, and to stop hurting anyone else. And if she thinks keeping secrets is hard, not speaking up when she’s ignored, ridiculed and even attacked is worse.

But there’s strength in silence, and in the new friends who are, shockingly, coming her way—people she never noticed before; a boy she might even fall for. If only her new friends can forgive what she’s done. If only she can forgive herself.

I've wanted to read Hannah Harrington since Saving June so I jumped at the chance to request this one on NetGalley!

What I loved:

• Chelsea- I loved Chelsea! Yes she was obviously flawed but she had a very strong character- most teenage girls gossip but no one thinks of the consequences. I think it said alot about Chelsea that she shared the gossip because she was intrigued not that she was disgusted or judgemental. She was brave enough to recognise her role and reported it despite the consequences. I thought it was realistic to portray her as occasionally fantasising about what life would be like without confessing and missing Kirsten. I loved how being mute really enhanced  her character and how she developed relationships with new friends. 
• Sam- I have so much love for him- he is the kind of guy who gets over looked in school but is really sweet and decent! I liked how he gave Chelsea a chance and got to know her despite her lack of talking. He was in a difficult position as Noah's best friend but he didn't judge Chelsea or treated her too harshly. He was such a good friend to Asha and how he battled with how to treat Noah after the incident- it made him very relatable and realistic.
• Diner Crew- I really enjoyed the whole vibe of the diner and the staff! I loved Asha, she was so warm and sweet. I loved how quirky she was! Dex and L, exactly the kind of fun loving couple you imagine owning a retro diner couple I would love to work for them! I liked the dynamic between Andy and Chelsea and how it developed- he could see that she hadn't envisioned the consequences and Chelsea knew she owned him an apology.
• Plot- I loved the subject matter! People assume homophobic attacks happen 'other places' with people they don't know. However two guys who Chelsea thought she knew turned out to be violent bigots. I think it was an important message on discrimination and gossip.

What I didn't love as much:

• Kirsten- Such a mean girl! She was so selfish and self absorbed- she knew what they would do and didn't even attempt to stop them. I thought the way she threw Chelsea to the wolves was awful- they had been BFFs for years! 
• School System- Chelsea was publicly involved in a violent incidence and then stopped talking and none of the teachers or counsellors really attempted to check on her!!!

I absolutely loved the themes and the characters!

Is Saving June just as good?

Much Love!

Lettie

Xxx



Under The Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

WORLDS KEPT THEM APART.

DESTINY BROUGHT THEM TOGETHER.

Aria has lived her whole life in the protected dome of Reverie. Her entire world confined to its spaces, she's never thought to dream of what lies beyond its doors. So when her mother goes missing, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland long enough to find her are slim.

Then Aria meets an outsider named Perry. He's searching for someone too. He's also wild - a savage - but might be her best hope at staying alive.

If they can survive, they are each other's best hope for finding answers

Show Less

This was the first YA dystopia book I picked up by myself without hearing anything about it or seeing it everywhere! I clearly know how to pick them- I loved this book! It was intriguing, well crafted and left me wanting more! At least I'll have Roar and Liv's novellla to tided me over! 

What I loved:

• Realms- Loved this concept! The idea of virtual reality being an actual future possibility was popular in the 90s so I loved to see it 'resurrected' in this book. It seemed like such a perfect idea to keep people 'safe' while allowing them to 'experience' life. I also loved the issues that arose from living and experiencing life in a virtual reality.
• Senses- I liked that the Outsiders had a sort of evolutionary advantage. I loved how they were described and depicted. I was so intrigued by the different types and keeping to your own type. Can't wait to learn more! 
• Aria- Aria initially annoyed me but I grew to love her. I enjoyed how she grew and accepted the changes in her life with maturity. It was so interesting to see her adjust to the real world and real experiences outside of her cushioned life. I also respected how she dealt with all the 'random' events that happened to her without completely going crazy!
• Relationships- The relationships in this book were well written and developed. I loved how Aria and Perry developed. I liked how Aria and her mother were portrayed through Aria's eyes. Perry and Talon had such a sweet relationship and interesting bond  and I enjoyed the banter between Perry and Roar.  
• Perry- Like Aria I wasn't his biggest fan- he was quite rough and harsh but at least he had his reasons! I liked how mysterious he seemed to Aria with his heightened senses and different values. I loved how he crafted Aria shoes as gesture of apology as well as how sweet he tried to be about her starting her periods. He was also so self assured and impressive trekking across ground- I'd love to have him guide me somewhere!
• Roar- Roar provided a sort of foil to Perry. He was fun loyal and more relaxed. He seemed like a genuinely nice guy. I liked the bromance and acceptance between him and Perry. I loved how he treated Aria so nicely and looked out for her as well as connecting with her.. I loved his parallel forbidden love story with Liv. I'm excited to read more about him in the upcoming short novella!

What I didn't love as much

• Vale- I didn't really connect or feel much sympathy for him to begin with and the more I learnt about the less I liked! How can he be related to Perry, Talon and Liv? They all seem like decent people!
• Consul Hess- Typical power crazed high authority figure! How could he dump Aria outside while his son was the instigator and killer of the incident? He was very callous and selfish about the issues everyone was facing. He was also ruthless and devious with the way he blackmail Aria and dealt with Outsiders.
• Ward- He seem so weak willed and a bit pathetic. I'm sure he was aware of Hess' deceit/inappropriate experiments but he continued to happily work for him! He essentially betrayed Aria and her mother as Aria was so sure she could trust him....

 



I think I loved this book so much because it was unexpected! I'd never heard anything about Veronia Rossi or the book so it took me by surprise with it's brilliant and unique world building and fantastic characters!

 

Let me know if you loved Under The Never Sky too!
10 days to Roar and Liv!

Much Love!

Lettie

Xxx

If I Stay and Where She Went by Gayle Forman!

The last thing Mia remembers is the music.
After the accident, she can still hear it. And she can see her damaged body being taken from the wreck of her parents' car - even though she can't feel a thing.
All she can do is watch as doctors rush to save her life, as her friends and relatives gather outside her room, as the boy she loves struggles to be near her.
As the next twenty-four hours unfold, Mia must come to terms with what came before the crash - and what could come after. And she knows she must make the most difficult choice of all.

All the hype surrounding this book is so well deserved! It was so heart breakingly perfect! This review was hard to write as I loved so much of it but I couldn't quite put it into words!

What I loved:

• Mia's Family- Her parents were the kind of cool parents everyone secretly wishes they had. Her brother adored her and didn't find her embarrassing. Her extended family rallied around. Willow, not technically family, but still a person you would wanted by your side in a crisis.
• Mia- So realistic from the way she felt she was an outcast in her family to her issues with her best friend and her boyfriend. She was such an ordinary girl you felt you knew her so the crash really jolted you- she could be your best friend or the girl who's been in your class forever which made her decisions so much more poignant.
• Flashbacks- I love the way flashbacks were incorporated into the story so you learnt all about the different characters and their relevance. Sometimes flashbacks are just an unnecessary plot device but Gayle Forman uses them to their full potential so they kept the story moving forward.
• Kim- Such a good best friend. Despite not being Adam's biggest fan Kim goes to tell him in person about the accident and supports him throughout knowing that it would be important to Mia. She also tells Mia one of the most poignant things in the whole book- that she still has a family. Almost had me in tears!
• Mia and Adam- Her mum says it best- they have a forever love and it is so clear. The little flashbacks on their relationships and the way he is with her family- beautiful. His 'Stay' speech- no words!
• Adam- Seeing as I'm writing this after reading Where She Went in which I got more insight into Adam I'm just going with I love him!
• Relationships- The relationships in this book were so perfectly formed and realistic even those less significant. Kim and her mother. Mia and her grandparents. Adam and Teddy, Henry and Mia's Dad. You really felt you knew them and their relationship with just a few paragraphs which I loved.
• The Ending- which I already knew due to all the blog posts I'd read ages ago and the existence of the sequel but I still found it fit perfectly. It gave you enough closure that you knew the most important part without telling you everything.

What I didn't love as much:

• Premise- I've put off this book for so long because I knew it would be heart breaking. However I ended up devouring it and loving every second, but do I love what had to happen? Nope! I'll always be a happy ever after girl!
• The book had everything it needed but I wanted more! More of the past, more of the future... Which is why I rushed out and brought....

It's been three years since Mia walked out of Adam's life.
And three years he's spent wondering why.
When their paths cross again in New York City, Adam and Mia are brought back together for one life-changing night.
Adam finally has the opportunity to ask Mia the questions that have been haunting him. But will a few hours in this magical city be enough to lay their past to rest, for good - or can you really have a second chance at first love?

Where She Went was so similar yet so different from If I Stay. Adam narrated this one from his point of view and it had less of an obvious direction. In If I Stay it was all building to Mia's decision and she had to decide one way or another but in Where She Went there wasn't the same promise of resolution. I don't know who I love more Mia or Adam but I felt this book showed more of Adam's raw emotions whereas If I Stay had less in depth individual emotional exploration.

What I Loved:

• Adam- A man with everything he'd always dreamt of career wise but an unhappy messy personal life. It was so tragic to see how Adam had changed yet in some ways stayed the same. I found his fear of crowds strangely adorable and the way he treated Mia so hot and cold showed just how confused he was. I think Mia had it right when she realised no one had looked after Adam- he lost three people who were pretty much his family and had to be strong to help the love of his life through it all who then dumped him! That would break the strongest person but he struggled on.
• Mia- I liked how she'd dealt with her family- by having them everywhere, all over her walls, in her bag and in her decisions, it was refreshing and what her family would have wanted. I liked how she refused to be pitied or treated differently. I don't think she was right to dump Adam like she did, but she understood that and it was in a way understandable.
• New York- I loved how it provided such a good backdrop with Mia's secret tour. I loved the touches of Oregon in the secret bowling alley and the familiarity in the diner. I liked how the tour like them came full circle.
• Kim- Still a good best friend to Mia. I liked how Adam and Kim grew into an actual support team during Mia's recovery. I loved how Kim had just gone off to Afghanistan to photograph war- so brave!
• The pace- The story takes place over one night- so much is done but it's very realistic.
• Theo- Willow and Henry's baby boy just gave me hope for their future.
• Flashbacks- continued to add to the story rather than take away. I liked that they were fundamentally different from Mia's flashbacks. You could feel Adam's emotions and the things that had been most important in the past to him. I also liked seeing Adam's family, they weren't cold or unwelcoming like I'd imagined in If I Stay just not as amazing as Mia's.
• The ending- I loved the flash forward which gave you just a little more closure with the characters, that they were doing ok!

What I Didn't Love:

• Shooting Star- In particular Mike. Maybe I'm biased but after all Adam went through, yes he left you for awhile but he came back with a double platinum album! I felt that Mike held that absence against him for the rest of their career. I reserved judgement on Liz as she seemed to struggled between compassion, exasperation and jealously but you could tell she still cared.

x2!

Loved these books so much- I know they will be staying with me for awhile!
Let me know if you have any recommendations of similar books just slightly out of my happy ever after zone :)

Much Love!
Lettie
xxx

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Set in a dark vision of the near future, a terrifying reality TV show is taking place. Twelve boys and twelve girls are forced to appear in a live event called The Hunger Games. There is only one rule: kill or be killed. When sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen steps forward to take her younger sister's place in the games, she sees it as a death sentence. But Katniss has been close to death before. For her, survival is second nature.

  This book has been surrounded by a lot of hype which combined with the less than appealing covers (UK) deterred me from picking it up. Well I learnt my lesson- never judge a book by it's cover! The Hunger Games was the first book in ages to keep me up late reading because I could not put it down! It was an exhilarating, emotional, suspense filled roller coaster of a read. I am glad I waited until the whole trilogy was available because I devoured them in a matter of days! This review will not spoil any of the subsequent books but it will spoil The Hunger Games a little!

   The Hunger Games is set in a futurist North America totalitarian state arranged into 12 distinct districts and the Capitol. The background to the book was interwoven with the story in a way that didn't feel you were being bogged down with needless information. The geographical detail was cleverly incorporated and very well thought out. District 12 itself was a brief setting of the book yet it was described so well and so important to the main characters that I could vividly imagine all the major areas. The brief alliance of Katniss and Rue gave a lot of information on District 11 once again showing how well though out the background to the novel was. The portrayal of the Capitol of vain and vapid yet innocent in a way was very realistic. The actual population weren't necessarily cruel just desensitised to the realities of the Hunger Games. They seemed to view the Hunger Games without an awareness that they were watching children be murdered by other children. he Hunger Games themselves were an awful concept but portrayed brilliantly, it was evident how they were a tool of the Capitol and the divisions they caused. They were a little gruesome in description but I focused on the characters!

   Katniss Everdeen was a tough main character. I can't say we had much in common but the first person narrative of the book worked really well. It allowed you to see through Katniss' eyes and understand her motivations and actions so much so that I bonded with her character. I loved her interpretation and reaction to all the twists as  it made them more surprising and random than they would have been in a third person narrative. It also left me frustrated at her naivety at times which again shows the power of the first person narrative.

I loved the secondary characters and side cast! All of them were fleshed out irregardless of the size of their role. For example most of the tributes were described through the reaping, interviews and their actions so you got an idea of their characters through Katniss' opinion of their importance and the threat they posed with the actual characters getting little scene time. I'm going to focus on my favourites in this book as I could talk endlessly about certain characters whose roles are built upon in later books.
 I loved Peeta, through Katniss' eyes he was very much an unknown entity but I enjoyed watching them form their alliance and relationship. I enjoyed his different outlook despite their shared district, it added dimensions to Katniss' opinion and ex He was very layered as a character being more privileged but showing signs of dissent and his dedication feelings for Katniss was so admirable.
Gale, through Katniss' eyes seemed very closed off despite their obvious closeness. This was where I found Katniss naive and oblivious because I thought it was obvious that her and Gale would have ended up together if the Reaping hadn't happened purely as all they seemed to have was each other!
I loved Cinna, he was so visionary but not overtaken by the vain Capitol attitude. I liked how he initially treated Katniss and Peeta as genuine competitors with an equal chance. I also loved the relationship he developed with Katniss.
    My favourite tribute, outside of District 12, was of course Rue. Although she reminded Katniss of Prim I found her to be very similar to Katniss. Mature and wise beyond her years due to her role as oldest sibling and very resourceful. I think her death was one of the most poignant moments of the book and probably the whole series.

I honestly can't find fault with this book- it was addictive and well thought out, the characters were perfectly created and fleshed out, the setting was brilliantly complex and the sub context of the Games was clever.
The Hunger Games is officially one of my all time favourite books!

Much Love!
Lettie
xxx

Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

Amy Curry is having a terrible year. Her mother has decided to move all the way across the country and needs Amy to drive their car from California to the East Coast. There's just one problem: since the death of her father, Amy hasn't been able to get behind the wheel of a car. Enter Roger, the son of an old family friend, who turns out to be unexpectedly cute...and dealing with some baggage of his own. Meeting new people and coming to terms with her father's death were not part of Amy's plans for the road trip. But then neither was driving on the Loneliest Road in America, seeing the Colorado Mountains, visiting diners, dingy motels and Graceland. But as they drive, and she grows closer to Roger, Amy finds that the people you least expected are the ones you need the most - - and that sometimes you have to get lost in order to find your way home.

I loved this book so much I could of followed Amy and Roger through all 50 states and up to Canada! The last line of the blurb is so poignant and true to their journey.

The plot complemented the journey perfectly and the cast of minor characters were so well thought out, each one played a significant if brief role. My personal favourite was Bronwyn who was the perfect girl to briefly befriend Amy with her southern hospitality.

I really felt for Amy throughout the book. The first chapter set up her character and gave enough background to intrigue you. The flashbacks slowly reveal what Amy was like before her father's death and the circumstances surrounding the death. Making it so clear to see how the death has affected not only Amy and her life but her family too. Her brother Charlie really intrigued me and the little snippets we got were perfect in giving the idea of a sibling relationship that wasn't perfect or extremely close but very real and important to the characters.

I loved Roger! His story was a little more light hearted but he was such a gentleman and the perfect travel companion throughout the book.

The relationship between Amy and Roger is kind of in the background for a lot of the book but it progresses rapidly  from family friends who can barely remember each other to friends who have spent so many significant moments together during the trip. I loved how the ending is resolved yet open to the future.

I loved the little details such as the receipts from hotels and restaurants which make you feel like you are part of the road trip too and the summaries of each state they passed through was brilliant!

I'm now solidly a Morgan Matson fan and I'm eagerly awaiting her next book!
If you haven't checked out this book yet do it! You will not regret it :)
If you've already read Epic Detour try Two Way Street by Lauren Barnholdt. Epic Detour reminded me of it in ways- Two Way  Street included less travel details but it's a very good read.

Much Love!
Lettie
xxx