Review: The Perfectionist by Sara Shepard

Title: The Perfectionist 
Author: Sara Shepard
Pages:336
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pub Date: October 7th, 2014
Source: Edelweiss
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In Beacon Heights, Washington, five girls—Ava, Caitlin, Mackenzie, Julie, and Parker—know that you don’t have to be good to be perfect. At first the girls think they have nothing in common, until they realize that they all hate Nolan Hotchkiss, who’s done terrible things to each of them. They come up with the perfect way to kill him—a hypothetical murder, of course. It’s just a joke...until Nolan turns up dead, in exactly the way they planned. Only, they didn’t do it. And unless they find the real killer, their perfect lives will come crashing down around them. 

From Sara Shepard, author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Pretty Little Liars series, comes another story of dark secrets, shocking twists, and what happens when five beautiful girls will do anything to hide the ugly truth.

When I was in middle school, Pretty little liars was THE thing. Even the people who didn’t like reading started to read just so they could figure out what happened next. Around book 7 I finally gave up because it just got ridiculous. As soon as I found out that Sara Shepard had a new series, I got right up on that.

Its pretty much Pretty Little Liars but backwards, instead of waiting a few years before the girls got accused of murder, it happened immediately. These five unlikely friends have only one things in common: A Film Class. In this film class they get paired up and decide to talk about how they would kill the school bully/Mr.Popular, its all fun and games until he actually gets murdered. And they were the last ones to see him alive.

The biggest difference between the girls from PLL and the girls from Perfectionist is that they are not besties, and they don’t pretend to be either. There’s Mackenzie who has her own backstabbing best friend who are both competing for a seat in Julliard. Next is Parker and Julie who are joined together by an awful secret, both caused by Nolan Hotchkiss. Ava is the super sexy ethnic chick who has a great boyfriend and is artsy. Last is Claire who was a shallow soccer player, until her brothers sudden death.

Each different story was unique and intricate which I loved but couldn’t help but see the similarities between PLL. Near the end of the book we realize that its loosely based on a 1950's movies called And Then There Were None which is a much better story and I feel like more could have been done, and lets talk about Nolan Hotchkiss. Half the things he did were illegal, they were all petty misdemeanors but they still called for jail time I mean maybe instead of plotting to kill him or playing pranks on him you could’ve called the police.

In true Sarah Shepard fashion, the end of the book ends with more questions than we started with. Last thing that merits a mention is that there’s an Ezra type character with a bit of a twist.

Overall, great book for any PLL fans and just a fun middle school read.  

Review: Love and Other Unknown Variables by Shannon Lee Alexander

Title: Love and Other Unknown Variables 
Author: Shannon Lee Alexander
Pages: 350
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Pub Date: October 7th 2014
Source: Netgalley
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Charlie Hanson has a clear vision of his future. A senior at Brighton School of Mathematics and Science, he knows he’ll graduate, go to MIT, and inevitably discover solutions to the universe’s greatest unanswered questions. He’s that smart. But Charlie’s future blurs the moment he reaches out to touch the tattoo on a beautiful girl’s neck. 

The future has never seemed very kind to Charlotte Finch, so she’s counting on the present. She’s not impressed by the strange boy at the donut shop—until she learns he’s a student at Brighton where her sister has just taken a job as the English teacher. With her encouragement, Charlie orchestrates the most effective prank campaign in Brighton history. But, in doing so, he puts his own future in jeopardy. 

By the time he learns she's ill—and that the pranks were a way to distract Ms. Finch from Charlotte’s illness—Charlotte’s gravitational pull is too great to overcome. Soon he must choose between the familiar formulas he’s always relied on or the girl he’s falling for (at far more than 32 feet per second squared)

Review: Nova and Quinton: No Regrets by Jessica Sorensen - Nemo

Title: Nova and Quinton: No Regrets

Author: Jessica SorensenPages: 384

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Pub Date: April 15th, 2014

Source: Netgalley 

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 Today is the first day of Quinton Carter's new life. The toxic guilt of his past left him in pieces-but one girl unexpectedly put him back together. Thanks to Nova Reed, Quinton can finally see the world with clear eyes. She's the reason his heart is still kicking behind the jagged scar on his chest. And he would love to have her in his arms every minute of the day . . . but he's not ready yet.

Playing drums in a band and living with her best friends are just some of the highlights of Nova's life. But the best new development? Talking to Quinton on the phone each night. She wishes she could touch him, kiss him, though she knows he needs time to heal. Yet shocking news is on the way-a reminder of life's dark side-and Nova will need Quinton like he once needed her. Is he strong enough to take the final leap out of his broken past . . . and into Nova's heart?

Very Wicked Things by Ilsa Madden-Mills Joint Review!

Title: Very Wicked Things
Author: Ilsa Madden-Mills 
Publisher: Little Dove Publishing
Pub Date: May 13th, 2014
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Born on the poor side of town...

Ballerina Dovey Beckham is a scholarship student at Briarcrest Academy, determined to prove she’s more than just a girl with the wrong pedigree. She does whatever it takes to succeed in her endgame, even if it means surrendering her body…but never her heart. 

Until the day she meets him, and he rips apart all her well-laid plans. Suddenly, the girl everyone thought unbreakable might just shatter.

Born into wealth and privilege...

Cuba “Hollywood” Hudson is rich, spoiled, and a star football player. With his fast cars and superficial girlfriends, he lives the high-life, hiding his secrets from the world.

Until the day he meets her, and she offers him something he’s never tasted... love.

But once in a lifetime kind of love doesn’t come easy. When trust crumbles and doubts creep in, both will have to decide to either love or let go... forever.

Welcome to Briarcrest Academy, where sometimes, only the wicked survive

The Revealed by Jessica Hickam - Nemo

Title: The Revealed
Author: Jessica Hickam
Pages: 314
Publisher: Spark Press
Pub Date: June 17th, 2014
Source: Netgalley
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Lily Atwood lives in what used to be called Washington, D.C. Her father is one of the most powerful men in the world, having been a vital part of rebuilding and reuniting humanity after the war that killed over five billion people. Now he’s running to be one of its leaders.

But in the rediscovered peace on Earth, a new enemy has risen. They call themselves the Revealed – a powerful underground organization that has been kidnapping 18 year olds across the globe without reservation. No one knows why they are kidnapping these teens, but it’s clear something is different about these people. They can set fires with a snap of their fingers and create a wind strong enough to barrel over a tree with a flick of their wrist. No one has been able to stop them, and they have targeted Lily as their next victim.

But Lily has waited too long to break free from her father’s shadow to let some rebel organization just ruin everything. Not without a fight.

Her Royal Masquerade by Natasha Moore - Nemo

Title: Her Royal Masquerade

Author: Natasha Moore

Publisher: Self-published

Pub date: October 13, 2003

Page: 191

Source: Netgalley

Rating: 3.5 Miscommunicating Stars

Time is running out for Prince Vittorio. His father’s health is failing and he must find a royal bride. Fast. He’s never forgotten his glimpse of a beautiful Scandinavian princess and lures her to his Mediterranean country with an invitation to his father’s birthday ball. He’d planned to propose a marriage agreement as cold as her icy reputation, but then he discovers she's as colorful and warm as a summer sunset. The heat between them flares red-hot and when she allows him to seduce her, Vittorio sees his future unfolding just as he had planned. But what he doesn’t know is that the woman in his bed is not a princess at all.

The last thing schoolteacher Mia Holmberg expects when she masquerades as her royal cousin is to be swept off her feet by a charming prince. The incredible night in Vittorio’s arms is like a fairy tale come true, but she’d never want the life of a real princess, with all its pomp and politics. Knowing they can never have a future together, she slips out of his bed and back to reality, where she belongs. 

But Vittorio discovers the deception and kidnaps Mia back to his palace, demanding she be his mistress until the real princess appears. Despite her attempts to stay aloof, Mia soon learns there’s more to the prince than arrogance and attitude, but now she’s in danger of falling in love with a man she can never have.

To Love A Wicked Scoundrel by Anabelle Bryant - Nemo

Title: To Love A Wicked Scoundrel
Author: Anabelle Bryant
Publisher: Carina UK
Pages: 221
Pub Date: April 9th 2014
Source: Netgalley E-ARC

Is there a Lady in the land that can resist this scoundrel’s charms…?

At her step-mother’s command, Isabelle – and her irrepressible step-sister Lily – are leaving the pleasantries of the English countryside behind them, and heading straight to the bustling heart of a London season. Isabelle couldn’t care less about fashionable society, and is even less interested in the name on the lips of every ballroom gossip - Lord Constantine Highborough, reputedly a scoundrel of the highest order! But once he sets eyes on the stunningly beautiful Isabelle, London’s most notorious rake knows exactly where to direct his devilishly bewitching smile.

And everybody knows that Constantine always gets what he wants, usually leaving a trail of broken hearts behind him…

Capturing Peace by Molly McAdam

3.5 Peaceful Stars 

We've all seen the Aristocats right?

Good because this book could be the human version of that.

Reagan got pregnant while in her school and her boyfriend wanted her to have an abortion, she refused and he broke up with her. 6 years later she's sworn of men, except for her 6yr old son, Parker. Coen just got out of the military, he can't leave behind his war demons but he still tries to live a normal life. They meet by chance and there starts their awkward relationship.

Earlier I compared it to the Aristocats and heres why:

For one Reagan is a single mother and Coens “Sweet” nickname for her is Duchess. When Coen and Reagan first meet she is not impressed, she's sure that he's just trouble and she doesn't want to start introducing random guys to Parker.

While Parker is ecstatic to meet Coen and finally have a daddy figure

Parker is an absolute sweetie, he's the best part of the book!

 “Because Jason has a dad, and he said everyone has a dad. But I don't. Uncle Keegan's my uncle. And Grandpa is my grandpa. And I like Coen. So can Coen be my dad, mom?” 

It even broke my heart when he said that. 

Now I had some serious problems with this book, because the entire first half she's talking about how she's sworn off men, she can't trust them, and they wouldn't be good enough for parker and she goes OOON and OOOON about this but she hasn't been with Coen for 3 weeks when already she's trusting the rest of her future with him... Which I guess is better than The Aristocats because they were inlove after hours

 

Not only that but the Coen's going for ever about how he loves her and she takes away his demons and then just because of a story he hears he figures she's cheating on him, I mean really?

” Not even three months in I was thinking about marrying her? I couldn't do this. I just – I couldn't”

It was very frustrating, and okay even though Coen was pretty sexy, It didn't excuse his flat out jerky-ness. My favorite part was the ending because of how adorable it was, and the book is full of cute and swoon-worthy moments but they were overshadowed by the dumbness of the other moments.

 Overall for a Novella it's okay, but not one that I would recommend or re-read

TL;DR gif: 

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Now or Never Book Review

goodreads summary

Twenty-one year old Grayson Alexander finally breaks away from an abusive relationship and finds herself free for the first time in three years.

Determined to enjoy her new-found freedom, Grayson is intent on sticking with 'no strings attached' relationships—one-night stands, and steamy sex.

But she didn't plan on Derrick. 

Her attraction to the sexy man in uniform quickly turns into an unhealthy relationship. They both try to resist the pull, but neither can stay away. 

When tragedy strikes, Grayson realizes it's now or never—walk away or make it work

My rating 3 stars

My review

The book started out great, but as the book went on I felt as if Grayson didn't develop well at all. If you are looking for a story with growth and a character who is strong and heroic- this isn't the story for you. She makes this big decision to leave her abusive ex boyfriend, but her fears and trama from a physically and mentally abusive relationship are not show throughout the book. There is one scene where she has a flashback when a man's hand grazes her neck- but that is the extent. After volunteering and being around many women at a safe haven home for battered women- I didn't feel like the character portrayed this abuse well. Then the character kept embarassing herself- I started to feel so bad for her. She was letting men walk all over her, not standing up for herself, and then basically becoming obsessed with the male love interest. It was quiet sad. Then she automatically accepts his apology for screwing her over and all we get is a little explanation at the end of the book on why he was such a jerk. I didn't feel like his character was well portrayed at all. Quiet jerk. That's what I would call him. THEN I kept waiting for the story to be about her abusive ex who was obsessed with her, but he never showed up. Those types of men don't give up. They stalk and beg and cry for forgiveness until someone is hurt or dead. What happened to him? He just dissapeared mid way through the book. The writing style by the author was actually pretty well done- except for the fact that I may have enjoyed it better if it were in first person. There were a few instances where I had to keep rereading because I didn't know who was talking or who was saying what.For a free book, this book was satisfying and pretty sad. I wouldn't say I loved it or was blown away, and I may not read another bok in the series unless it is free.
Wait...I forgot to add that Grayson has unprotected sex over and over again. The author would have done well to teach her a lesson. Give her herpes or something to make the story interesting....WTH???

(Movie Review Monday) Muppets Most Wanted and Gravity

My rating 2 stars

My review

Let me start off by saying, I loved The Muppets Movie and our  family has been waiting for this movie to come out for months. We watched the 2011 movie over and over, even went as far as listening to the songs in the car. I am a HUGE Jason Segel fan. I fell in love with him in How I Met Your Mother. I even know the lines of Getting over Sarah Marshall and I love you, Man by heart. What Jason Segel did for the 2011 movie was wonderful. Unfortunately, Jason Segel made that movie what it was. Muppets Most Wanted lacked the clever songs with hidden humor. Example one?

 "Life is full of highs with someone to stir

and someone to fry"

The only funny lyric in Muppets Most wanted? Just a clever joke that that Sequels always suck. And yes, it did. The plot for this movie was plain awful, and with most of the movie taking place in a Russian prison, it made me cringe in horror. Nothing like a kids movie with a prison plot. Ty Burrell was the only great thing about this movie.  This funny man made me laugh, even though his part in the movie was rather small. I give this movie 2 stars. Just because everything about this movie sucked. My husband and I almost fell asleep. If it wasn't for the kids mildly enjoying it, I would have given it 0 stars. So my review is simple and to the point. Don't waste your time.

My rating 3

My Review

After seeing such critical acclaim for this movie, I decided to check it out and see what it was all about. On first thought, the movie seemed interesting. I love space movies. The view was breathtaking, and I could imagine myself up there among the stars in space, living the life I always wanted. The technicalities of this movie were perfection. The scenery, and the props, it all looked so real and expensive! When it came to the plot, that was where it all went downhill. I kept thinking, this lady had months and months of training. How do you not know what to do if there is a disaster? This gal is struggling along the entire movie and giving up, doing the worst things. It was like a horror movie, when the characters do all the wrong things, and you scream at your T.V to tell the characters not split up or go into the woods. I did the same thing here! Without all the stupid mistakes, the movie wouldn't have been more that 10 minutes long. Watch this movie, if only for the view.