Fracture by Megan Miranda

Review by Jen

Paranormal romance.....this is a relatively new genre for me. Sure, I read Twilight and a couple select reads that would fall within this genre, but overall, it really isn't my turn-to genre. However, this came up as a recommended Nook book to read and after reading the synopsis, I thought, "Why not? Seems intriguing enough." So, low and behold I began a complicated relationship with this book. So let me explain why........

The book's main female character is Delaney. She is a senior at a school in Maine and is fairly popular, but the nerdy/smart type of girl popular. Her best friend and neighbor, Decker, is one of those guys who she hangs out with and has fun banter with, but can never tell how she feels about him. She doesn't tell him, you, or even herself, really. During an outing to meet her pals, Decker has Delaney walk across the "frozen" lake. But the lake isn't frozen through and Delaney falls in only to realize she can't find the opening to help herself out. Here is where the tag line comes in: "A lot can happen in eleven minutes." This is the amount of time that Delaney was under water before being pulled out with a rare chance to even be alive.

So, after being pulled out, she is rushed by ambulance to the hospital where she is in a coma for multiple days. Decker being the guilty best friend he is, stays by her side the entire time, except when she wakes up. The doctors are astounded that Delaney is as "normal" as she is, especially since her MRI shows significant brain damage. But what the doctors don't realize is that that brain damage gives Delaney a special ability to tell when someone is about to die. She gets this "itching" feeling within her brain that travels down her spine and to her fingers each time she senses it, causing major twitching within her hands. And after several instances of her "seizure" type behavior, her parents really begin to freak out and question what Delaney is hiding-even going as far as thinking she might have caused someone's death.

Megan's concept for this book was quite good. However, a character by the name Troy pretty much ruined this story for me. Is he good? Is he bad? And then after some time you are left thinking, "Goodness, is this character leaving anytime soon? Please say yes!!!!" See, Troy comes quite literally out of nowhere and somewhat stalks Delaney. He has this secret that makes him much more like Delaney than anyone else around her, and feels they are forever connected. But, it's Delaney's wishy-washy relationship with him that may drive the reader to dislike the story even more. While consistently getting jealous of Decker and his new "girlfriend," Delaney goes back and forth from hating Troy to liking him, and it's utterly painful to read.

Delaney expects Decker to just understand how she is feeling without actually saying anything to him....which we know is quite common for teenagers. However, the amount of anger she carries around about Decker seems forced and misplaced. He continues to try and be a good friend, as she continues to pout and get mad and change her mind about Troy.

The other issue I take with this book is that she never really speaks up with her doctor about what she is able to sense after awakening from the coma. There is a scene where she is at her neurologist's office and can sense a young boy dying and goes totally ballistic in the waiting room warning everyone.....as they all watch her like she's a total psychopath. And later her neurologist tells her that the waiting room episode saved him from dying. But she never just tells the doctor why she was able to tell he was dying-and he never asks. It just seemed very out of character for her. But then again, she was lying and hiding things from almost every character in the story....so maybe not.

Right after finishing this book, I told people it was really good and I liked it. But the more time that passed and the more I was able to really think about the characters, I really felt let down. The concept was so cool and I really WANT to feel a connection to the story, but in the end....Troy was a story killer and Delaney was just annoying.

Delaney does have redeemable qualities which help you attempt to like her character. She feels alone, like she's living in hell having this death telling ability, and desperately wants to find a way to help the people she senses dying. In the end though, you just get sick of her beating around the bush, want her to get over herself, and just finally be honest with everyone around her.

Six Months Later by Natalie Richards

Reviewed by April:

I grabbed the Kindle version of this book on a Christmas sale after seeing it posted on none other than the Best "Read" Wine Book Blog Facebook page by Jen!  I jumped into it right away and was up late last night and awake bright and early this morning reading this mystery into the afternoon, and here I sit this evening just itching to review it so I can share it with other readers looking for a great book with which to end the year...or ring in the new year, however you want to roll with it!!

Chloe is finishing up her junior year of high school when she falls asleep in study hall one day and wakes up to the same classroom, only six months later and in her senior year with no memory of the time in between.  As she slowly uncovers the details needed to put the pieces together she finds that she is not only missing six months of her life, but that her life itself is also now very different than it was when she fell asleep.  But she, and we, soon figure out that Chloe is not in fact starring in the Twilight Zone, nor has she crossed over into the paranormal, but rather was involved in someone's sinister plans....plans they cannot afford to have revealed, no matter what.

This is a YA mystery which I cannot say I've had any experience with, and while I've read nearly every of Sue Grafton and Mary Higgins Clark books, those definitely fall within the Adult mystery genre so I was curious as to whether a YA mystery could really hold the same appealing qualities I find in a good mystery.  I was pleasantly surprised to find that while this book certainly had a lighter feel to it, it was still full of the same suspense and thrill of the details chase that I'm used to.  It is also a clean novel with regard to romance, so while Ms. Richards is definitely talented in conveying the butterflies in the stomach chemistry between Chloe and Adam, nothing more than kissing happens in this book so its a good choice for an older teen mystery as well.  Coming from someone whose daughter reads at a much higher level than her age and has trouble finding content appropriate books for, that was something that happened to stand out for me while reading this book!

While I thought the suspense in this book was great, and the pace at which the details were uncovered was just right, there were still some loose ends I wish had been tied up before the end of the book and I was a little frustrated to see that final page come when it did, without having the answers to all of the questions I'd mentally cataloged along the way, which I find to be the best part of reading a mystery.  However I think I've gotten so used to authors lately giving us an Epilogue, and then sometimes even a sequel Novella, that I rarely ever finish a book with no stone left unturned anymore so I probably noticed that more than I would have a few years ago!  Nonetheless, Natalie Richards is definitely an author I'm looking forward to reading more from in the future!!

Sweet Home by Tillie Cole

Review by Jen

I.can't.get.this.typed.fast.enough. I read this book in 12 hours straight after finding out I had a snow day from my day job (the privilege of working in a school besides summers). I had my daughter invite friends over and told them immediately, "Your job is to entertain yourself, I'm reading on this unexpected day off!!!!!" (Hey, no judging, you would TOTALLY do it too!!!!!) What I didn't realize is the love affair that I would suddenly take on between myself and Miss Tillie Cole. Her story grabbed my heart, almost from go, and I say that this is one amazing love story that had me reading slower and slower knowing I was getting close to the end.

First off, this cover. I mean, REALLY????? How could you resist? If covers were meant to be judged, I would definitely pick this one RIGHT OFF the shelf.

But enough about everything happening outside the book, it's time to just get to it. The story starts out in a small town in England where sweet 6 year old Molly finds out from her grandmother that something tragic has happened to her father. This all happening after already losing her mother at birth. Molly doesn't know what to think, she doesn't understand why this keeps happening to her. It's a very sad scene that truly leads you to understand the challenges and complications that Molly will have moving forward with her life. Molly feeling that life is disappointing and feeling emotions just hurts way too damned much.

The story quickly moved to the United States where Molly is now studying for her Masters degree in philosophy at The University of Alabama. She has two crazy, very different roommates who are trying to quickly pull Molly out of her shy shell and to enjoy her college life to the fullest. First off there's Lexi, the goth roommate who is dying to live her cheerleader dreams. Then there's Cass, where large explains everything about her. She has a larger than life body and personality to go with it. She tells it like it is and doesn't take anyone's crap. And Molly loves them both like sisters.

Molly, running very late for her philosophy lecture as a teaching assistant, is verbally assaulted by the campus belle and bitch, Shelly, when she smacks into her in the corridor-causing her papers to fly all over the floor. Wearing bright orange Crocs and her glasses, with her frizzy hair pulled up in a messy bun, she is suddenly given a hand picking up her papers by none other than Romeo "Bullet" Prince, the starting QB for the UA Crimson Tide. He is tall, blonde and gorgeous and he was looking at her with wonder because she didnt immediately recognize him like every other female on campus.

The story quickly turns into an unlikely relationship between a shy Brit and an All-American quarterback, which all started with the words, "Hey Mol," after a sorority hazing kiss.

Their communication isn't the greatest, and they are both scarred beyond repair from pasts that have changed their lives forever. Romeo, called Rome by everyone other than his parents and Molly, grew up with money and parents who hate him. He is expected to marry Shelly, the campus belle, in order to help an oil deal between their two daddys. Molly, has never let anyone in after so much death in her life. She has run from everything in her life once it gets complicated. But they need each other and need to find a way to get past their horrible pasts.

As their relationship grows, Molly suddenly becomes a good luck charm for Rome on the football field. And she becomes hope for the Tide fans who are hoping to see their "Bullet" take them to the Championship game. She is becoming more and more emerged into this American lifestyle, and is starting to let down her guard and letting Rome in.

I won't go into the whole story, because I don't want to spoil the whole story for you, but be prepared to have some very emotional moments through the last half of this story. The one thing that Tillie does so well is create a total feeling towards a character. There was not a single character that I felt on the fence about. There was either strong love and loyalty or strong loathing. She does such a great job with character development. And although their relationship happens over the course of a few weeks, you never feel as though she rushed it. They started strong and strange (I mean his name is Romeo and her last name is Shakespeare!) and then she just developed their relationship from there. She also does a great job connecting all the characters of the story so you feel that they are one big family.

This book is not for teenagers, and is definitely geared towards adults as the sexual moments of the book are graphic. It isn't the most graphic I've read, but it certainly gives you enough information that you know exactly what's happening. The only thing that bothered me about the entire book was actually during some of the intimate moments when Rome kept screaming, "Do you get me," but I understood her reasons for having him say it.

Tattoos play a major symbolism for this book and what these characters have gone through or are currently going through. She uses beautiful lines to explain their emotions and bring out their insecurities.

This isn't a book I've heard lots of people talking about. None of my friends have heard of this book or of Author Tillie Cole. But I'm sure my enthusiastic banter will drive them to purchase this book, if only to get me to shut up about it. But in the end, I know that they will click that last page feeling the same fulfilling emotions I did, while being sad that the book is over.

But don't be too sad, for Sweet Rome (Book #2) comes out in January!!!!!!!! I think we will all be shouting, "Thank you Tillie!"

Remember When 3, The Finale by Tina Torrest

Review by Jen

First off, let me start with this.......if you did NOT read book 2, STOP READING THIS NOW!!!!!!! This book and review would be a major spoiler to the second book, which truly deserves its own read. Much of the content and emotion of this book is a follow up to incidents occurring within the first two books. And lets be honest, no one wants to just be thrown a spoiler with no warning....or maybe that's just me.

Ok, on with the book and review. I was told about this series by my blog partner April and we have a wonderful review of book 1 earlier this fall. We did not do a review on book 2 as our opinions of the book differed so much. This series captured my heart from the very first page. I grew up in the era of the first book, I understood so much of the content within the first book. But mostly, I connected with Layla on a personal level, because I felt her personality was so close to my own. In fact, sometimes I felt she could have been writing about me!

Book three begins with a look at Trip's POV while waiting in the hotel for Layla to show up (one of the last scenes in the second book). He is confused, frustrated, and mostly in serious need of a drink. When Layla doesn't show up, Trip gives into his innermost demons and gets wildly out of control drunk, setting up a span of many years dealing with the continued path of alcoholism that has plagued his family for years.

When the first chapter begins, we learn of Trips' fathers death. Layla, currently living at home in NJ with her parents, drops everything to be there for her long lost boyfriend and best friend. Over the last multiple years, Trip has been in rehab for alcohol abuse and also started a charity to give his life and money meaning, versus the phony notoriety that follows living a celebrity life. Layla has watched through entertainment magazines Trip's self inflicted demise and his rise back to the top. The pain caused from the misunderstanding between the two of them in book 2 has taken their toll on each of them. But the death of Trip's father will bring the two of them back together for the first time in years.

When their eyes meet for the first time in the funeral home, nothing matters.....not the engagements, misunderstandings, not the years that have passed between them. They both know in that moment that their love has always been for each other....no one else. This moment sets up the entire story for book 3 and how two people who have had so many misunderstandings over the years can make a timeless relationship work, even when things aren't always at their best.

It is clear from the beginning that Tina wants you to know we ALL want to see Trip and Layla together. And she does to. But just like with any relationship, especially one built through maturing years and oceans between them, not everything can come easily. Yes, their spark and physical attraction is undeniable. But their insecurities are patterns that have followed them throughout their 20 year history. How easy can it be to break those patterns?

When Layla moves to LA with Trip to finally be with the man she has loved almost her entire life, she finds out that having paparazzi and beautiful women around all the time is not exactly a walk in the park. Jealousy and impatience soon take over her being and it creates a tension filled environment where their relationship can be knocked over any moment. Trip is trying to do his job as an actor and charity director while trying to help Layla adapt to her new home. Needless to say, their past problems come crashing back again causing them to reconsider if together is the place they are meant to be.

I loved seeing the softer side of Trip in this book. I loved seeing him vulnerable and openly in love with Layla. This was something I think the readers have been waiting for. There is a moment that Trip is just hoping that everything they've worked for isn't going to fall apart. You get see him at his weakest in front of her, begging her to forgive him.

There are some great scenes in this book that will really take your breath away. The tree scene at the end of the book is likely to bring tears to your eyes, as it is such great symbolism to everything this book is about. There is also a throwback to Sixteen Candles which I absolutely LOVED because Jake Ryan is my ultimate dream man and that is my all time favorite movie.

The book can also be considered a reunion of sorts. Many of the characters from the first book show up during the funeral scene and also throughout other areas of the book. It was nice to know that "seeing" some old favorite characters 2 books later can be so nostalgic, even if they are only characters in a book.

Trip and Layla's journey could not be real if there were not significant bumps in the road. Sometimes the things that tear people apart are the things that ultimately bring them back together and makes them stronger than ever. But in the end, their love remains the center of the story and figuring out how to make their love story successful is what every reader wants, and Tina makes sure that you are satisfied without it being too fluffy.

Oh yeah, one warning......the very last line of the book had me bawling. I expected the first part, but was bursting with joy at the other. It was written so cleverly and cute that you cannot help to either bust out your biggest smile or your biggest tears of joy.

Terrific Tuesday 11-5-2013

As certain as it is that Monday will fall upon us, it is almost as certain that our favorite blog day is here. We are always so excited to tell you about a book that we have loved and hope to catch people who have not read the book/series. So, we are happy you returned!!!!

This week is from Jen:

The book I chose for this weeks Terrific Tuesday is A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness. This book is the first of All Souls Trilogy, with the first two already published. But in order to be fair to our readers, it would only be appropriate to start with book One.

The moment I read the synopsis of this story, there was absolutely no doubt I would be purchasing this book. Her story feels familiar, but with much more rich storytelling than your traditional paranormal series. Deborah loves history and will research her settings and surroundings to no avail. She makes you feel like you are standing right where her characters stand, listening in on their conversations. It is a gift, truly.

The book takes place in England where Diana Bishop is doing research at the Bodleian Library. Diana is the daughter and niece of the famous Bishop Witch family in Salem. While calling books within the library, she calls upon a magical book. As she opens the book and breaks the spell, she knows there is something very different about it and sends it back.

What Diana doesn't realize is that opening the book has brought out various underworld species wanting to get ahold of this ancient book that holds many secrets of the past. Diana finds herself surrounded by daemons and vampires. One specific vampire, Matthew Clairemont, catches Diana's attention while trying to keep her safe from the wanting to hurt her.

The journey the book takes you on is both magical and romantic.

Diana tries to figure out who is trying to hurt her versus who she can honestly trust. You meet a wide range of characters throughout the book, some who are infuriating and others you grow to love. But what keeps you turning page after page is the growing and building relationship between Diana and Matthew. Matthew has a past that has caused much hurt for him. Can he let it go and only love Diana? And how will the underground world feel about an inter-species relationship, especially his family?

You might be compelled to compare this to another vampire love story, but please.....please don't. To do that would be simplifying Deborah Harkness's story. This is beyond a love story. This story plays into societal roles and how others feel about relationships between different types of people. And for me, it was a bit of a learning experience....which I loved. The greatest thing about reading is to be swept away with a story, but when you get a bit of a history lesson without realizing it, then that is one creative, excellent and quite possibly a magical author.

Terrific Tuesday 10.29.13

It's that day again, Terrific Tuesday, which means that we all survived Manic Monday {kudos all around, especially if yours was anything like mine!} but more importantly it means we get to feature another book we've read in the past that we thought was a terrific read worth talking about!!

By April:

I had no trouble at all picking a feature book for this week!  As I scrolled through my Kindle library I saw the cover of this book and immediately remembered almost word for word the line that gave the book its title and I thought being able to quote a book six months after reading it is a pretty good sign that it is worth sharing!!  Thanks for obliging me this little moment of nostalgia with A Different Blue by Amy Harmon!!

"Blue Echohawk doesn't know who she is. She doesn't know her real name or when she was born. Abandoned at two and raised by a drifter, she didn't attend school until she was ten years old. At nineteen, when most kids her age are attending college or moving on with life, she is just a senior in high school. With no mother, no father, no faith, and no future, Blue Echohawk is a difficult student, to say the least. Tough, hard and overtly sexy, she is the complete opposite of the young British teacher who decides he is up for the challenge, and takes the troublemaker under his wing."

Several things from this book made a lasting impression on me.  First, I learned so much from Wilson's {the young British teacher} class lessons and it wasn't the least bit boring, as it usually is for this so.not.a.history.fan!!  And while that was not at all the point of this book, it is without a doubt a romantic fiction novel, I think my exact words to someone I was recommending this book to were "I can think of a few history classes I would've done much better in if this book was written a few decades sooner!"  And honestly, I've read Running Barefoot by the same author as well, and I would say the exact same holds true for that book, Amy Harmon is truly gifted in her ability to teach you something under the guise of a love story....it kinda reminds me of how my mom used to make my kids pancakes with peas and carrots in them when they were babies!

Wilson assigns his class the task of writing their own history throughout the term, and the very first sentence Blue writes not only draws Wilson to Blue, but draws the reader into this story if you weren't already! 

[I am not sure of the original creator of this graphic to give a proper credit]

But the line I really loved from this book is the one I mentioned as the title's namesake, when Wilson says to Blue:

“I keep wishing you had a better life... a different life. But a different life would have made you a different Blue. And that would be the biggest tragedy of all.”

Ahhhh, right?!  This was a really tender love story, and it really satisfied my craving for a meatier, heavier story than some of the steamier, lighter contemporary romances I'd been reading.  And I'm even more excited at the end of this post that I chose this book to feature this week because when I went to Google to get the cover picture above I stumbled upon a NEW book, released a week ago and sounds equally {or more!} UHmazing, that I now can't wait to read by the gifted Ms. Amy Harmon!!

If you've read A Different Blue, or are now planning to {hint, hint!} we'd love to hear what you think in the comments below or in our Terrific Tuesday post on Facebook!!  Have a Terrific Tuesday!

Terrific Tuesday 10-22-2013

In a bit of a brainstorming session between the two of us (which generally includes a phone call and multiple texts back and forth between our children screaming our names or carting them around) we have decided to add a weekly blog entry called Terrific Tuesday. Terrific Tuesday will not be a review per say, but just a book that we have read in the past that we would like to recommend you read.....therefore making the author and their book-yep, you guessed it, TERRIFIC! These books may be a year or more old, but sometimes those oldies but goodies can get lost in our searching shuffle and reading an old one can turn us onto an author we weren't all that familiar with. So ladies (and a few good men), lift up your glasses and Cheers because:

Jen:
So, our first entry is a fantastic author by the name of Jennifer Close. I was introduced to her through a friend who knew I loved reading, but when you have small kids, you have small snippets of time that you can actually quickly open your book and get a quick fix. (Mine was typically faking the need to tinkle while sitting on the bathroom floor allowing myself a good 5 minutes of solitude......and luckily I'm past that now!) So, this book was actually perfect for where I was in my life.

This amazing book is so perfect because it reads very much like a group of short stories....which for the busy person is a total bonus! The story follows three girls who are coming to terms that everyone around them is getting married. And for those who have been there, going to bridal shower after bridal shower, we know how it seems like it may never end-or ever be you! The stories follow their lives as they deal with job changes, lost loves, and watching virtually everyone around them get married. There is lots of laughter as well as some heartbreak to balance the book's mood.

It was a quick easy read, which is why it was a painless choice for what book to list first. So, let us know what you think after reading. Tell us why you loved it........and if you would recommend it to your friends. And as always.......Happy Reading!

The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith, aka: JK Rowling

Review by Jen

Wow. When I heard about this book, it was probably after many popular magazines had already done reviews of it, but before anyone realized that JK Rowling had written it. In her defense, it doesn't surprise me that she would write in an anonymous pen name, as many people can only see her as "that lady who wrote Harry Potter and is wealthier than the queen of England." But I'm here to tell you, do not. let. it. phase. you.

The one thing that is known by all people: she is an amazing storyteller. The way she introduces you to charcters and makes you feel like you immediately love or loathe them is so surreal. This book is really no different. She introduces you to a plethora of characters in this book too, but you will have no problems keeping track of them, as they are weaved so intricately through the story that you can easily keep up.

The story begins with the police outside of Lulu Landry's flat, with her body laying on the ground below her balcony. It seems to be an apparent suicide, but why would the popular and famous supermodel want to commit suicide? The police do their investigation and determine that for whatever reason, the beautiful Lulu did kill herself by jumping off the balcony.

We are quickly introduced to Cormoran Strike. He is a previous English military vet and is currently living his life as a leg amputee in England and a private investigator. The other thing which makes "Strike" so interesting is that he is the bastard son of an old rock and roll star.

Robin has been searching for work after moving with her fiancé and is placed in Strike's PI office as the receptionist. She is mostly intrigued about what Strike's life is like, mainly because as she first enters the office, she is welcomed by a screaming female who is aiming her rage at Strike. She looks around the office and notices that his clothes and other "belongings" are in the office as well. Does he live there? Who was that girl?

John Bristow suddenly enters Strike's office and wants Strike to investigate the death of his supermodel sister Lulu, as he is convinced that it was not a suicide, but a murder. Strike thinks that Bristow may be a bit on the crazy side, as the police already did extensive research to determine this a suicide. But with little money to his name, bills piling up, a receptionist he can barely afford, and a large money advance offer from Bristow-he could not afford to decline.

The story then goes on to follow Strike investigating the death of Lulu to determine whether the police missed critical information to determine whether this was indeed suicide or an actual murder. It also follows Robin, the receptionist, as she is quickly pulled into the allure of investigative work. And Strike and Robin's relationship is a backdrop to the entire storyline, but never feels forced or out of place.

The thing about this story is that I was guessing who or what I thought the final chapter would bring. But I can honestly say that she does such a remarkable job keeping you on your toes and guessing as you are introduced to each character and what their relationship to Lulu was. The ending I never saw coming, and it was one of those moments I was left thinking, "Huh......now THAT is the way to turn a story."

I hate to reveal too much because honestly, I think it could take away from the sincerity of the mystery. A great mystery is only great when you get to travel the path along with the author and characters. Therefore, I will stop here and just say this, great mystery is done well by so few authors, but I am happy to add her to the likes of so many others I have enjoyed in the past and I cannot wait for her next installment as author Robert Galbraith.

Blog Tour: Remember When Trilogy

The Remember When Blog Tour

We were dying to participate in this tour because quite frankly, Tina Torrest is one of our favorite authors. She is just one of those girls who you know was way cooler than you in your 80's high school days and her words on paper have captivated our hearts.

For those of you who haven't read the Remember When series, trust us when we tell you.....you are missing out! And believe me, if you haven't heard about her books, you will soon, as the story of Trip and Layla is spreading like wildfire through the mouths of avid readers alike.

We were asked to do an auther interview and we were more than happy to participate. Thinking of silly and serious questions to ask over the course of a week was a difficult challenge. But after a lot of thought we finally came up with our best five.

1. Was it the awesome bangled bracelets and Vanilla Ice that made you decide to set the series in the 80's and 90's?
Ha! I can't think of a sillier time to revisit. You?

-No, we love the 80's, it was one of the greatest periods of our lives!

2. If you were Layla, which Hollywood actor would be YOUR Trip?
I have crushed on Brad Pitt forever. We're talking "Growing Pains" days, here. (Trip's his own guy, but I definitely threw a little Brad in there.)

-Ironically, while reading, we could somewhat imagine a Brad Pitt type character in our minds!

3. Did your husband propose with something amazing like your ring in an old Charlie Brown lunchbox?
No!! We'd just bought our first house together. One random day, he just pulled a ring out of his pocket and dropped to his knee in the hallway. I'd just gotten out of the shower and was wearing a ratty T-shirt and a towel on my head! I could have killed him. I still bust his chops and tell him he owes me a "movie proposal" someday.

-Absolutely!! Or at least a proposal like you would write in your books.....or the one Trip is going to do for Layla, right? Right?

4. What was your most favorite item that you treasure from the 80's?
Wow. Tough call. I'm a bit of a packrat with that stuff. But I guess I'll go with my "Born in the USA" concert T-shirt. I still have it and it was a great show!

-That's a great item to keep and a Jersey boy as well. Nothing better for you to hang on to!



5. Do you believe that there is always a place in a person's heart for their first love that will never be fully healed?
Oh, hell yes. I have a few "first loves" that will always stay in my heart. Doesn't everybody? But I wouldn't trade my last love for any one of them ;)

-We agree, those first loves remain a special memory that can be fun to look back on, but the current loves are the ones that totally steal our heart.....

We are extremely excited for the last installment of the trilogy, Remember When 3, due this fall. Fans have been waiting to find out how Layla and Trip's journey will end. Will first love win? Will they find happiness with other people? Only T Torrest knows this answer, but we are waiting anxiously to flip open that first page and devour what we hope will be our happy ending to a couple we have fallen helplessly in love with.

Author Bio:

T. Torrest is a New Adult fiction writer from the U.S. She has written many books, but prays that only a handful of them will ever see the light of day. Her stories are geared toward readers of any age that know how to enjoy a good laugh and a dreamy romance.
She likes pina coladas and getting caught in the rain. She's not much into health food, but she does enjoy talking about herself in the third person.
A lifelong Jersey girl, she currently resides there with her husband and two boys.




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The Wishing Place by Mindy Haig

Reviewed by April

A truly unique story by up and coming author Mindy Haig, The Wishing Place is hard to force fit into any one literary genre, but has elements of both fantasy fiction and coming of age romance. But no matter its intended audience, it was a nice little break for me from some of the more intense or steamy stories that have been filling up my Kindle app lately and I was honored to do this courtesy review!!

Valerie meets Nickolas when they are just 8 years old, and she knows right from the beginning that he is something special, somebody important, because that is exactly what she had wished for right before he arrived and joined her in The Wishing Place. And that magical place, nestled away in a snug little spot somewhere on the realm between dream and reality, always answered every wish and gave her anything she wanted, but only for the time spent in The Wishing Place...only until she woke up. So is Nick only part of the dream too, or is he part of a reality that hasn't happened yet...her future? One thing Val does know for certain, seeing Nick in The Wishing Place at night is the only thing that gets her through her the days of her sad and lonely childhood.

The story alternates between Nick and Val's perspectives although it seemed much more Val's story the further it progressed. While Nick gave me a little bit of a 'too good to be true' vibe, I chose to read him instead as a saving grace for my two young daughters' inevitable future with boys and the hope that little Nick's do in fact exist in our world too!! That said though, I did feel like maybe the story should have started further along than 8 years old because I never felt like their dialogue was truly child like and their thought process was maybe a little too ahead of their time. I was intrigued at the route Haig took with Val's abusive mother and stepmother, because so often it is the dad that is portrayed as the mean parent in divorce situations that it made this an interesting, and well executed, perspective to read.  

On the other hand, I did find myself struggling to connect with the latter parts of the book when Val has graduated and moved away to college, though I understood that the author's intent with bringing Levi into her life was for Val to come to realize that family doesn't have to adhere to traditional definitions and its really the people who love and support you who make up your family, and that is definitely a lesson worth sharing so I was happy to see Val find that peace after the childhood she endured. However, I felt that the storyline with Apache was somewhat incongruent with the atmosphere of the book, and honestly that more calm feel to the first portions of the story is what made it such a pleasant winding down the day read for me, so I personally would have preferred not to be introduced to the harshness of Apache at all, and I had a hard time reconciling the choices and happenstances of his storyline to the original plot of The Wishing Place and Nick and Val. That's not to say everyone would feel the same, he definitely shows versatility in character development on Haig's part and he definitely counters the peaches-and-cream sweetness of the softer characters to bring balance to the book too, so take my dislike of him with a grain of salt! I was excited for the story to get back to answering whether or not Val and Nick would in fact meet in real life and found myself entranced in the story again, the suspense for this potential moment was nurtured perfectly by Haig, so much that I was holding my breath in parts in hope and anticipation of how this could be brought to fruition outside of The Wishing Place!

As I eluded to before, The Wishing Place is not a mainstream read but its not so far fetched that you really have to let your grasp on reality go by the wayside to enjoy either. There is not a lot of intimacy in this book, though still not appropriate for younger readers, so it gave me a chance to read and free up the hand I've had to use to fan myself while reading some of my latest downloads!  No seriously, I was happy to have been given the opportunity to read something this different, and it put a smile on my face every time Nick and Val wished for something silly like a life-size Lego world and having it appear before them, because I spent a lot of time daydreaming about something very much like The Wishing Place myself as a kid (that's why they are called dreams right?!) and I was tickled to read of an author taking that idea and making something more out of it!! Thank you Mindy Haig for your creative and talent laden debut novel!!  

Very Bad Things by Ilsa Madden-Mills

Review by Jen

I have been really reading a lot of new age romance books lately (which I will get into later), and I really wanted to find a stand out. So, after hearing tons of buzz about this in the blogosphere, I decided that I would jump into this head first without really even knowing the synopsis. Yes, I know.....rebel.

So, we open the story with Nora, the daughter of two very wealthy people. Her mother works in television and her father is never around. When the story begins, she is at her school Open House (she goes to one of those elite private schools where you can only imagine Katie Couric dropping her kids off) at Briarwood Academy, where she is standing at the podium waiting to give her speech to perspective and new parents. She is the quintessential perfect roll model for any new student. She is on the debate team, she plays the piano, she is in line to go to Princeton University.......everything is perfect......or so it seems. What ends up coming out of Nora's mouth at that said podium will change the course of her life forever. Standing up there she realizes that her life is in shambles.....and a farce. Therefore, she creates a list of the top "bad" things she wants to do in order to destroy her perfect image and free her from her life of excessive responsibility.

Leo has no intention on ever committing to a girl. His past has guaranteed that. Happiness in that way just isn't in his cards....or his thoughts. He has his brother to take care of, his band, and a business that requires a lot of attention. To go with all that, he has a selection of women whom are happy to oblige his sexual needs with no strings attached. But while visiting the open house at Briarwood Academy, for which his younger brother will be attending, he hears Nora's unforgettable speech creating a chain of events that happens to bring the two of them face to face.

Nora quickly attaches to Leo and expresses her desire to him immediately....in part because she is hoping to check one item off the list, but in part because she is so drawn to him that she has to have him. Leo, on the other hand, is stirring with desire for her, but knows that he would break her heart. For one, she's too young,in fact, his brother's age. For another, he can't stand spoiled rich girls.

Leo's brother Christian (my favorite character-I'm always good for loving a sidekick!) quickly becomes Nora's best friend, which brings her increasingly closer to Leo. Their back and forth sexual frustration builds throughout the book.....which for me was one of the best things about the book. The chase. We've all done it. We all claim to hate it. But it makes everything that much more attractive. And that's what Leo is for Nora......she is chasing him....until she realizes, He's. Not. Giving. In.

While you are cheering for them to have a HEA (Happily Ever After), there are a few things that are likely going to frustrate you along the way. For one, Nora's backstory is intense.....possibly too intense. While it is possible to believe things like that can happen among the wealthy, it just seemed like it was not well thought out, as her backstory just kept growing and growing. Then, the storyline later in the book with her father seemed out of the blue, since there was not much mention of him early in the book. I just wish their relationship could have been developed a little more because there are moments between them that are sweet and enlightening.

While I might seem somewhat cryptic, I apologize now. There are so many details about this book that I can't reveal. Moments that catch you by surprise are there and about halfway through the book there was a scene where my breath actually hitched because I was so happy. It was a moment where you want to yell out, "YES!" like a crazy person. Nora finding happiness for herself is something you aren't sure is ever going to happen. But like watching your own children make mistakes and hoping they learn from them, you feel the same for Nora as she struggles through that odd age of being an adult, but not quite yet feeling like an adult.

Although there are some glitches in the book, I had a very difficult time putting the book down, always wanting to know where the story was going to go. I rooted for Nora to grow up and love herself and find herself worthy. I rooted for Leo to grow up and realize that only you have the power to change how your future ends. And mostly I rooted for the two of them to realize that they could not go on without each other.

And PS- I think I am planning to read a non-romance book next to give us a change of pace and widen our variety a bit. Having all these book boyfriends, I'm having a hard time keeping them all straight. Maybe after the dust settles I will be able come up for air and find a few more........

Forever My Girl by Heidi McLaughlin

Review by April:

I have to admit that while I preach “don't judge a book by its cover” to my children, I don't always practice that myself...but only with regard to actual books of course, I don't judge people that way...so I'm not a total hypocrite, phew! Anyhow, Forever My Girl is a prime example of that, not that I haven't enjoyed the plethora of bared six pack abs and bulging biceps on a lot of recent book covers too, but truth be told it also makes them all run together a little bit for me, so this one definitely stands out! I'm also both a guitar lover and a photography lover, which is why this artsy picture alone had my mouse immediately hovering over the 'purchase' button during my daily Kindle book perusal...and I only got as far as the first line of the book abstract before clicking the button all the way!   I was never supposed to be a rock star....our leading man is a humble rock star?! Yes, please!

Liam Westbury had a perfectly stereotypical life as a football star in small town Beaumont, Texas before leaving his college scholarship, childhood best friends, and high school sweetheart behind to become Liam Page, Hollywood's, newest rock star. Upon the death of his once best friend, he returns to Beaumont for the first time in a decade and realizes its time he reconcile the life he's been living with the life he could have had, and begin creating the life he wants with the girl he never stopped loving. Of course ten years is a long time to be away, and he's not the only one who's changed....and therein lies our endearing story!

The one thing that stood out for me in this book were the flashbacks, which McLaughlin uses to bridge the time span story gaps for the reader, but the added bonus is we also get to know the character of Mason this way, the best friend whose death brought Liam home. Those flashbacks in particular will tug at your heartstrings, I really don't cry...like ever...but I had to swallow around a particular lump in my throat a few times while reading about the little family left to miss this sweet guy!  More than that though, its how McLaughlin chose to insert the flashbacks themselves; I'm more used to chapter breaks that bounce readers back and forth across a time frame but I now much prefer being brought along directly with the story in real time with the quick, italicized flashbacks McLaughlin used to portray the characters daydreaming about the past. I felt like the story had a much more realistic feel and was more tenderly written with the characters reminiscing in that way rather than having the past and present written in separate chapters and the readers blending them together themselves. 

I truly enjoyed this book and was happy to download the next in the series, My Unexpected Forever, right away too {no worries, Forever My Girl comes to a full conclusion, My Unexpected Forever has another set of main characters}.  I did, however, have a wish list when I finished reading!! I wish we'd been given more reasons as to what Josie and Liam loved so much about each other ten years ago to convince me their connection was strong enough to withstand the decade of separation. I felt they seemed like typical hormone driven teenagers in their flashbacks, whereas I was expecting to *sigh* at their deep true love! I also wish the reason for Liam leaving had been a little stronger, the whole story centers around him walking away from everything without ever looking back and the reason we eventually find out just seemed pretty weak overall to be the driver of such a drastic decision, especially given his age at the time. But you know, as fiction goes, it wasn't the most unrealistic pill to have to swallow either and it really was a great light read with plenty more reasons to warrant highly recommending that you spend an afternoon in the quaint little town of Beaumont {for real, I want to live there just so I can keep saying that town name...or put it in a whimsy font on my address label!}.  

Real Challenge by Kemmie Michaels

Review by Jen

Real Challenge is the second book of the trilogy: The Atlanta Series. If you read the review of Unlikely Hero, this story picks up right where it left off in the epilogue, with Cassie and Scott hitting it off at Erin and Marcus's housewarming party. I didn't go into Cassie in my first review because honestly I didn't realize she would be such a major player in the series and you only get to know her in small snippets in the first book.

Cassie Walker is Marcus's little sister and her protector in all ways. He has shielded her from their difficult past and made sure she was successful in life, even compromising in his own life to provide for her. She is quirky, funny, and definitely has a style all of her own. So when Scott, a co-worker of Erin's from the accounting firm, comes into the party-Cassie takes her fun originality to a new level. Scott, is a college athlete who also swam in the Olympics. In fact, that was one of his best pick up lines. He is a pretty boy in every sense. He has nice clothes, comes from a good family, and is working his way up the ranks in a white collar accounting firm. So when Cassie decides to mess with him through her sarcasm, she expects the same reaction she gets from most guys, which is an eye roll and comments about being obnoxious. But Scott finds her fun and interesting.

Cassie lives her life looking only for joy. Scott lives his life looking only for moving forward and up. As they begin their relationship, Cassie asks Scott who he is. This is the theme throughout the book. Cassie wants to show Scott a life he never pictured for himself. They become extremely close and have amazing physical chemistry-but Cassie realizes at times that Scott is trying too hard to be impressive and not letting his natural self come through. As Cassie challenges him more and more, he becomes increasingly frustrated. And when they run into a corporate accountant who Scott is trying desperately to impress, it is the turning point in their relationship because Cassie sees Scott for who he really is.

What comes next is an exploration of what it means to truly find yourself and what makes you happy in life. Does Scott decide that being the youngest partner in his accounting firm is his true desire? OR....does he try to solve Cassie's puzzling question of who he is-which is something different than he's ever known.

In all honesty, I enjoyed Book #1: Unlikely Hero. It was a quick read and kept my interest, and I liked Erin and Marcus. But Book 2: Real Challenge is by far the better book. The feelings felt deeper in the book than in book #1. Maybe I relate more to a character, I'm not sure. But I can say that throughout this book....I could truly feel what she wanted the reader to feel. Finishing up the trilogy, Book 3: Breaking Through, is being written now.

If you read Unlikely Hero and didn't like it, please give Real Challenge a chance. There is a scene that I love so much from the book, I have to post the graphic for it. Enjoy! Oh, and grab this book......quickly!

Ruin by Rachel Van Dyken

Buddy Review by Jen and April

Jen:

I was in need of another book to read and was searching the newsfeeed of our blog Facebook page and happened to come across this book. I had passed it a couple times before and it caught my eye, which is why I think I was drawn to it when it was time for me to choose. Coincidentally, April had also read this book last week! (See, we bloggers sometimes read so many books that we forget to tell each other the books we are reading!) Anyway, we decided since it was still fresh in our minds that we would do a joint blog about this book. This is our first one, so bear with us....

We start the story with Kiersten who is attending college. She is a beautiful red-headed co-ed (this happens to be my second book in a row with red-haired female characters-odd...) with a smokin' bod and a lot of interrupted sleep. You see, her past has been troubling her and she isn't really living her life and has been plagued with nightmares. At something that I assume would only be comparable to school orientation for all the fresh meat freshman, she happens to bump into Weston (quite literally actually-his 8 pack and all). Wes is the star football quarterback, a hottie, and just happens to be the son of one of the wealthiest men on the west coast. He is immediately smitten with her adorable questions and overlooks her obnoxious staring at his amazingly toned abs. The trouble with Wes is that he is keeping a secret from the entire campus that would most likely change the way everyone sees him.

Wes, wanting to get to know Kiersten more, tells her to talk to her dorm RA about any further questions....and it just happens that Wes is her RA! They form a quick friendship and spend lots of time just being "friends."

We are also introduced to her roommate Lisa and her cousin Gabe (which Gabe was actually my FAVORITE character in the book!) who are like the funny sidekick and humor relief. As Wes and Kiersten get closer and closer, Gabe steps up as Kiersten's good friend to make sure she will not get hurt.

Kiersten and Wes take off on a journey to try and live their lives to the fullest while trying to fight their demons both past and present. While the book does have areas that could be unbelievable, if you are willing to look past that and just enjoy where the story takes you, you will be gearing up for what you see coming for chapters and holding your breath to see how the ending plays out.

I went to bed that night thinking about the book (and luckily the auther had published an extended epilogue to the book right before I finished reading, so I jumped up at midnight and downed that as well), and woke up the next morning still thinking about the book. There is a slight spiritual aspect towards the end of the book that I truly appreciated, which I love the quote she wrote:

I loved this book, I read it very quickly (like in 2 days) and would recommend it to any of my friends!

April:

When Jen suggested a buddy review of this book because we'd both read it recently and we felt a little differently about it, I thought it was a great idea!  But after staring at this computer and having to erase everything I want to write because it gives away too much, I'm quickly realizing I drew the short straw on this one!!  Ruin would make an excellent book club choice for this very reason, there is a lot of good discussion to be had with this one, once you can talk about it in full disclosure!!  There's that, and then there's also the cover picture in case you need another convincing reason!

Van Dyken does fun loving flirty banter well, and it makes for a great opening to her books as the characters get to know each other.  Earlier this year I read The Bet by Rachel Van Dyken and the character quips was the one thing that stood out for me in that book and I would say that remains true with Ruin as well.   Some authors do back and forth banter so well it makes you want to grab your popcorn and head to their real house to be a fly on the wall around their family dinner table! 

While Jen and I agreed that this book grabs you hook, line, and sinker right away, our opinions started to part ways around the middle of the book.  The point at which we began to uncover Wes' secrets is the point I found myself starting to detach from him and my excitement for the book started wane.  I told Jen that even though I know I'm reading fiction, I don't necessarily want a constant reminder that it is fiction {with the exception of paranormal stories} and instead want to be able to feel the emotions of the characters as their story unfolds because they are written to be so real and their story so believable.  In the absence of that believability, even in fiction, I am left keeping a book at arm's length, enjoying it for the creative story it is, but not really losing myself in it so much that I can physically smile, laugh, gasp, or tear up with each turn of the page.

Jen mentioned that there is a spiritual element entwined to bring Wes and Kiersten's story full circle, and ironically that is actually not what I am referring to with regard to believability, it was more trying to reconcile the life Wes leads with the struggles we learn he is facing and the impossibility of that, along with the timeline of events.  Again, like I said, I don't even know that this makes much sense at all because I'm purposely not discussing specifics so that I don't ruin Ruin {ha, you knew that was coming at some point!} because it was definitely an entertaining read from the very talented Rachel Van Dyken!

Unlikely Hero by Kemmie Michaels

Reviewed by Jen:

So, I was contacted by this author with the offer to read her book. I had never heard of her before, but looking at the pictures from her facebook page, I was intrigued (please stop by and visit her-she is doing giveaways and freebies all the time! Kemmie's FB page ) I accepted the offer and began reading that night. As Kemmie and I began to talk, we realized that we certainly had much more in common than ogling over scrumptious looking men. But this is a review, and true to form, I will be as impartial to my new author friend as I can be.

The beginning of the book introduces us to Erin. Let me state that it has been awhile since I've read a story told through narrative versus the character's point of view. While I do find that you can reach much deeper into the character's feelings through personal point of view, you are much better able to be equally fair to EACH character's point of view through a narrative.

Anyhoo, Erin is the main female character in the story. She is the quintessential sounding Irish girl. She is thin, fit, with red flowy hair, and a back story that is sure to make you relieved that college parties weren't nearly as bad for you. Erin is scared to let herself out, she has cocooned herself within and lives a life that would be considered beyond hermit. After seeking therapy to help her through her fear and self doubt, she was encouraged to write her feelings in a notebook. Although doubtful it would do much, she embarked on trying to change how she lives her life. And what that notebook does changes her life forever.

Next we meet Marcus Walker. He is the main male character. He suffered through a terrible childhood with his twin sister and is filled with so much rage and anger, his life should have been spent in juvenile prisons and in a jail cell. But then a man by the name of Bill finds him and introduces him to an outlet that would help bring Marcus some peace. It is through MMA (Mixed Martial Arts for us lay folk) that he finally has an appropriate outlet for his anger.

When Marcus stumbles upon Erin's notebook, what he does changes the course of his and Erin's life. (And is beyond excusable and makes me want to apologize to my kids now for probably doing the same thing to their diary in the future.) Their connection through the notebook is beyond incredible and helps bring them something they both need in their lives: each other.

To say that Erin and Marcus's relationship heats up would be an understatement. The sex scenes in the book are fairly graphic, so if you aren't into a little couch and bed action, this isn't the book for you. However, she is so graphic in her writing of the sex scenes that it almost feels like you are there (I guess in an awkward fictional threesome-ha!). I could feel their passion through her writing and that was a wonderful thing when laying in bed with your book-especially when your husband is downstairs watching preseason football.

As their relationship moves on....Erin learns to find herself and how to love and trust again. And Marcus learns that he can control his fire filled rage, using it only when fighting within the walls of the MMA cage. Although Marcus is not quite the bad boy that many other books use to lure their readers in, he is a badass with the heart of gold. This alone, along with this own insecurities over money, help you feel for him and his whole backstory. In one scene in which he gets into an argument over money with Erin, it feels so real because anyone just starting their life understands the need to not be looked down upon. However, I wish Kemmie would have run with that idea a bit more because you can see trails of that insecurity throughout the book, especially in a scene with her parents later in the story.

With all that being said, if I had to choose a song for this book, it would most definitely be Christina Aguilera's song "Fighter," as it certainly fits the words in this book. It was a quick paced story and very fun to read. It has been a pleasure getting to know this author and I am happy that I got a chance to read Erin and Marcus's story. They are a couple I will definitely be interested in following through to marriage, and I am happy to recommend this book to my reader friends!

Slammed by Colleen Hoover

Reviewed by April:

I knew I would like Slammed before I even downloaded it because I had just finished reading another of Colleen Hoover's books, and I could just tell throughout that book that the sense of humor that had me literally laughing out loud while reading was inherent to the author and not just the characters. What I didn't know I would find in this book was a fondness for poetry I never remotely had while suffering through many an English Lit class growing up, or a new favorite band I had never heard of but have since burned through my iTunes credit downloading their songs!

We are first introduced to Layken, known by those closest to her as Lake, as she is forced to pack up and move north with her mother and little brother, after the passing of her father, and finish out her senior year as the new kid on the block. Anyone who survived high school can certainly understand the surly vibe she gives off as she makes this trek. But she quickly wins our hearts, and that of our leading man, Will Cooper, as he witnesses her soft spot for her brother with an Emmy worthy performance of “Attack of the Zombies” while both of their brothers play in her new front yard, directly across the street from his front yard. With a smile, a handshake, and a “Welcome to Ypsilanti” our new neighbors are on the fast track to coupledom. As an aside, kudos to any reader who can pronounce this Michigan town without having to rely on Wikipedia like me {Ypsilanti (/ˌɪpsɨˈlænti/, often mispronounced /ˌjɪpsɨˈlænti/), commonly shortened to Ypsi}. Alas, this is not Mr. Rogers' neighborhood (but a song about Ypsi would have been perfect to whistle along with), thus our more-than-friendly neighbors have a few obstacles to overcome and as their story unfolds and you will find yourself craving grilled cheese and chocolate milk on the rocks, cheering on the plight of one very ugly Halloween costume, tearing up over pink balloons and the sweetest birthday moment ever, and wishing your name was capable of being used as a double meaning in poetry like “so you keep your ocean, I'll take the Lake”. By the time you come to the final page (very likely not long after you start the first page, because you just can't put it down!) you will know how Slammed became a New York Times Best Seller and optioned for the big screen (which means we will certainly be discussing over on our Facebook page whom we'd like to see play all of our favorites!). Speaking of the end, while the book does not end with a cliffhanger, that doesn't mean you won't be left wanting more of Will and Lake, and Colleen Hoover does indeed deliver in a big way with a second book, Point of Retreat, which is one of the few sequels one could argue actually trumps its predecessor. In other words, you'll find a review of it here soon too!

Finally, if you are unfamiliar with a poetry slam, you will be thoroughly initiated and quite probably hooked by the time you finish reading Slammed. Hoover depicts this art form at its very best throughout all of the major, and some particularly endearing minor, plot twists and turns but definitely strikes a pleasant balance of 'just the right amount' so as not to turn off those readers who may still be too scarred from high school poetry assignments to really embrace it, so please don't let the poetry deter you from reading Slammed if that's not your thing, I am pretty confident Will Cooper can erase any and all bad English poem memories! 

And as an added bonus, when Lake goes to Will's laundry room to get his sewing kit, play this Youtube video of The Avett Brothers performing Laundry Room while you read what transpires...you can thank me afterwards!!


Alright now...ready, set, read!! And then come back and tell us in the comments or on our Facebook page what you think of Slammed!

Remember When by Tina Torrest

Reviewed by Jen:

It only felt right to start with this book considering Tina Torrest was the author who motivated us to start this blog. So with that being said.........

I was first introduced to this book by April. She told me in these exact words, "You will love it. There are so many 80's references. I was cracking up." So, without a clue of who this author was, I decided to download it. For $3.99, I couldn't go wrong. Right? And knowing this book was the first in a trilogy, I knew if I liked it, that I was in for the long haul.

As I downloaded it to my Nook, I didn't know what to expect, but the cover was very cute. I don't like to base a book by it's cover, but lets be honest here.....a cute cover has never hurt anyone! So, as the book was opening, I held my breath and started on the first page.

The book takes place in what I would assume is the mid 80's. Layla (which just happens to be one of my FAVORITE names-bonus!) is the main female character. She has paired up with her much girlier neighbor, Lisa, who has brought Layla into the popular crowd. Lisa, the ever popular best friend is tall, pretty and goes to parties dressed in all the right clothes. Layla on the other hand is one outfit away from being a Joan Rivers joke on Fashion Police. Layla is sweet and kind and has been dating the same boy (Coop) off and on throughout her high school career. When low and behold a new kid comes into her English Lit class. And this is where we are introduced to Trip. (AKA: Chester-you have to read the book to find out why.)

At first Trip seems to be the same type of guy who hooks up with all the beautiful girls at the parties. But what you watch unfold throughout the book is a beautiful friendship between Layla and Trip. Too scared to tell him how she feels, Layla holds in her inner feelings and decides to just deal with the friendship card that has been dealt. And watching her best friend, Lisa, canoodle with her boyfriend doesn't help matters either. But on the night of her prom, she decides to stay home and that's when Trip decides to (insert spoiler alert-stop reading if you havent read it yet!) give her an idea of how he really feels for her.

I don't want to ruin the book for you, that is certainly not the intention of this blog. But I will say this, the journey is worth the long trip (pun intended) to get there. What you see is how magical a relationship can be when it's based on friendship first. I think I have a particular emotional connection to this book because my husband and I were friends for most of my junior high, all my high school and college days. So I know what that type of relationship can look like.

The bonus of the book is the journey to a time that was so great it was almost surreal. The 80's. No matter how much I explain to my kids the greatness of it....they will just never really "get it." So, to be reminded of some of the products I used to use and to laugh out loud about them....well that's just an extra little guilty pleasure about the book.

What I haven't mentioned is how it's not only Layla who falls in love with Trip, but you the reader will go right along with her. His laid backness and easy going demeanor along with super star looks are like a gravitational pull right to him, and you can't help but feel some type of connection with him.

I've had a lot of character crushes in my day....but for now, I have to say that Trip is my absolute favorite.