Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling

Book Summery (Via Goodreads):
In Why Not Me?, Kaling shares her ongoing journey to find contentment and excitement in her adult life, whether it’s falling in love at work, seeking new friendships in lonely places, attempting to be the first person in history to lose weight without any behavior modification whatsoever, or most important, believing that you have a place in Hollywood when you’re constantly reminded that no one looks like you.
In “How to Look Spectacular: A Starlet’s Confessions,” Kaling gives her tongue-in-cheek secrets for surefire on-camera beauty, (“Your natural hair color may be appropriate for your skin tone, but this isn’t the land of appropriate–this is Hollywood, baby. Out here, a dark-skinned woman’s traditional hair color is honey blonde.”) “Player” tells the story of Kaling being seduced and dumped by a female friend in L.A. (“I had been replaced by a younger model. And now they had matching bangs.”) In “Unlikely Leading Lady,” she muses on America’s fixation with the weight of actresses, (“Most women we see onscreen are either so thin that they’re walking clavicles or so huge that their only scenes involve them breaking furniture.”) And in “Soup Snakes,” Kaling spills some secrets on her relationship with her ex-boyfriend and close friend, B.J. Novak (“I will freely admit: my relationship with B.J. Novak is weird as hell.”)
Mindy turns the anxieties, the glamour, and the celebrations of her second coming-of-age into a laugh-out-loud funny collection of essays that anyone who’s ever been at a turning point in their life or career can relate to. And those who’ve never been at a turning point can skip to the parts where she talks about meeting Bradley Cooper.

Book Review:
About this time last year, I read Kaling's Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns), and loved it. Kaling brought a fresh voice full of savvy wit and honesty. So when I saw that she was releasing another book, I knew I had to get my hands on a copy. Luckily, my local library had an audio book version of Why Not Me?, which I lapped up greedily. Now here's the funny thing...I have never watched The Mindy Project. I only know Kaling from her appearances on The Office (one of my all-time favorite shows). So what then does Kaling's writing have to offer me? As I mentioned before, I find Kaling's writing refreshing. I love her unique, off-beat perspective on life. I find her priorities and overall lifestyle somewhat difficult to relate to. She's interested in romantic comedies, celebrities, and fashion...things that I wouldn't place as front prioritization in my life...and that's where I think the my interest is sparked. For whatever reason, I find her obsession with this lifestyle alluring and entertaining. Kaling takes me to another demention, one in which I enjoy rubbing elbows with celebs and hearing all the latest gossip, while carving out my legacy in Hollywood. It's a life I could never imagine without Kaling's particular perspective. To be fair, Kaling is also a rather intelligent person. I feel like this (more serious) side comes out most strongly at the end of this book. Overall, I feel that you get a diverse and entertaining perspective of Kaling's life in Why Not Me?. It's the perfect follow-up to Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? If you enjoy Kaling's brand of humor or are looking for something entertaining, but a bit different, I highly encourage you to check out Why Not Me?.

Cover Art Commentary:
I like the simplicity of this cover. The sleek, bright colors and simple lines. It draws attention to the author rather than the background.

Rating:

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Book Summery (Via Goodreads): Two misfits.
One extraordinary love.
Eleanor... Red hair, wrong clothes. Standing behind him until he turns his head. Lying beside him until he wakes up. Making everyone else seem drabber and flatter and never good enough...Eleanor.
Park... He knows she'll love a song before he plays it for her. He laughs at her jokes before she ever gets to the punch line. There's a place on his chest, just below his throat, that makes her want to keep promises...Park.
Set over the course of one school year, this is the story of two star-crossed sixteen-year-olds—smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try.

Book Review:
Every now and again, there comes a book that tugs at my heartstrings and keeps me awake thinking about what I just read. Eleanor and Park was that book. It is going to be very difficult for me to talk about this book without rambling. No matter what, just read this. It needs to be read.

What I loved.
The characters. Park is a friendly, well-meaning person who initially tries to keep his head down in high school until he graduates. Well, until Eleanor comes along (we'll get to that in a minute). Park is into comics and music, well beyond into...dare I say passionate about?! Park is person who tries to do the right thing, and comes from a good family. Park's mom is one of my favorite characters. Park definitely takes after her in so many ways. Ok...I'll put the kabash on the rambling. Eleanor. Eleanor brings Park out of his shell. While she is somewhat a victim of circumstance, she wears her inadequacies like a suit of armor. While she might come across as aloof and defiant, she definitely has a softer-side that the reader gets to see. Eleanor is really into reading and eventually finds interest in comics and music. :) There are many ways that Park and Eleanor differ, but the most obvious is their family life. Compared to Park's loving and warm parents, Eleanor comes from a rather dysfunctional household full of abuse and neglect. You could make a strong argument for this environment being responsible for Eleanor's perhaps mix-ed up priorities and overall behavior.

Overall, Rowell takes you on a roller-coaster ride of emotion. I do think it is important to mention that this story takes place in 1986, which I didn't see on the book summary, but it will help to place certain references and hopefully eliminate some confusion. This book swept me away from page one. I began listening to this as an audio book, which I highly recommend. But, I kept thinking about it well after I got out of the car. Luckily, John bought me a copy of this for Christmas last year, so I could read it in the house. Let me tell you folks. This book hit me hard. It will remain a part of me for many years to come. I can. not. tell you how amazing and moving this novel is. Just read it. It needs to be read!

Cover Art Commentary:
I love the simplicity of this cover. It just speaks to me on multiple levels. Am I making sense? I hope I am making sense.

Rating:

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell

Book Summary (via Goodreads): Simon Snow is the worst chosen one who’s ever been chosen.
That’s what his roommate, Baz, says. And Baz might be evil and a vampire and a complete git, but he’s probably right.
Half the time, Simon can’t even make his wand work, and the other half, he sets something on fire. His mentor’s avoiding him, his girlfriend broke up with him, and there’s a magic-eating monster running around wearing Simon’s face. Baz would be having a field day with all this, if he were here—it’s their last year at the Watford School of Magicks, and Simon’s infuriating nemesis didn’t even bother to show up.
Carry On is a ghost story, a love story, a mystery and a melodrama. It has just as much kissing and talking as you’d expect from a Rainbow Rowell story—but far, far more monsters

Book Review:
To be honest, I had no idea what this book was about when I picked it up. I just know that it was a Rainbow Rowell book and that was enough to spark my interest. What I got was a complex fantasy based on of the fan fiction characters from Rowell's book Fangirl (Which is amazing. If you haven't already read it, please go do so now!) I enjoyed many, many things about this book, which we will get to shortly. However, I think there are a few things that prevented me from loving this even more. It felt like the final book in a series, without the series. I think I would have been more invested in the characters had there been a series to start with. Also, the pacing seemed a bit slow to start, but no worries, it doesn't take long to pick up!

The characters.
Simon is super friendly and already has a few close friends, but it's quite clear that Penny is his BFF. They make a great team and I love their shared scenes. Along with friendly, Simon is trusty and reliable. He does what he says, and he means what he says. His connection to the Mage seems a bit off to me. For being Simon's mentor, the Mage seems rather aloof and secretive. Like he's holding back from Simon. That gave me some trust issues. Penny is smart, friendly, and loyal. She makes a great BFF for Simon. Agatha was a bit of a wild card to me. She seemed more of someone I should like, rather than someone I actually liked. Finally, Baz. The main concern surrounding Baz...is he a friend or foe. Despite several warnings, I had a soft spot for Baz. He just didn't seem to be this bad guy that his reputation had been built up to. Again, if there had been prior books, I may have felt differently.

Themes.
I loved the overall theme of love conquers all! Because it does and should. I also thought that treating magic with respect and honor was a prevalent theme, as it should be. Finally, family doesn't have to have to be the family you're born with. Good friends make a wonderful family. Another good theme!

Overall, I really enjoyed this story. It took a while for me to get in stride with the pacing, but once I did, it was difficult to set down this book. I would highly recommend Carry On to Fangirl fans and new Rowell readers alike. However, I would also encourage readers to read Rowell's other works as well. She is such an amazing author and while I enjoyed Carry On, some of her other books are even better!

Cover Art Commentary: 
Wow...it took me a loooong time to realize that the blue and yellow are actually faces of characters! That's kind of cool. Otherwise, the cover definitely isn't as special as the story.

Rating:

The Haunting of Sunshine Girl (The Haunting of Sunshine Girl #1) by Paige McKenzie, Alyssa B. Sheinmel

Book Summery (Via Goodreads): In that place where you're more asleep than awake any more, I hear something else. A phrase uttered in a child's voice, no more than a whisper: Night Night.
Something freaky's going on with Sunshine's new house . . . there's the chill that wraps itself around her bones, the giggling she can hear in the dead of night, and then the strange shadows that lurk in her photographs. But the more weird stuff that happens, the less her mum believes her. Sunshine's always had a quirky affiliation with the past, but this time, history is getting much too close for comfort . . .
If there is something, or someone, haunting her house, what do they want? And what will they do if Sunshine can't help them?
As things become more frightening and dangerous, and the giggles she hears turn to sobs and screams, Sunshine has no choice but to accept what she is, face the test before her and save her mother from a fate worse than death.

Book Review:
I wasn't quite sure what I was in-store for when I picked up The Haunting of Sunshine Girl. The cover was intriguing and the cover blurb made it seem like a good spooky story for Halloween. I knew nothing about the you tube series. After starting the book, I watched the first video and then stopped because I didn't want to ruin the story for myself. I started this out as an audiobook and was almost instantly hooked. Sunshine was easy to relate to and made a great main character. The author does a good job of narrating. I found it difficult to leave the story once I got out of the car. Luckily, I had picked up a copy of this book the last time I went to the bookstore. So it was easy to pick up where I left off once I got home. Honestly, it took no time at all to polish this baby off (between the book and the audio book). The story sucks you in. There's a great creepy atmosphere that builds as the story goes on. I found myself wanting to know more every time I picked this book up. The author slowly reveals answers, enough to whet my appetite, but not enough to answer all of my questions. There's so much more to this story that I'm dying to know! Overall, a great start to a series! I'm looking forward to the next one!

Cover Art Commentary:
I really liked this cover, it caught my eye immediately. I love the muted colors. The cover is clearly mid-scene, which makes you want to know more.

Rating:

Black Heart (Curse Workers #3) by Holly Black

Book Summery (Via Goodreads):
In a world where Magic is illegal.
Cassel Sharpe has the most deadly ability of all. With one touch, he can transform any object - including a person - into something else entirely. And that makes him a wanted man. The Feds are willing to forgive all his past crimes if he'll only leave his con artist family behind and go straight. But why does going straight feel so crooked?
For one thing, it means being on the opposite side of the law from Lila, the girl he loves. She's the daughter of a mob boss and getting ready to join the family business herself. Though Cassel is pretty sure she can never love him back, he can't stop obsessing over her. Which would be bad enough, even if her father wasn't keeping Cassel's mother prisoner in a posh apartment and threatening not to let her leave until she returns the priceless diamond she scammed off him years ago. Too bad she can't remember where she put it.
The Feds say they need Cassel to get rid of a powerful man who is spinning dangerously out of control. But if they want Cassel to use his unique talent to hurt people, what separates the good guys from the bad ones? Or is everyone just out to con him?
Time is running out, and all Cassel's magic and cleverness might not be enough to save him. With no easy answers and no one he can trust, love might be the most dangerous gamble of all.

Book Review:
I bought this sucker as soon as it was released. I vividly remember picking it up at the bookstore because I had to ask one of the employees to get a copy from the back because they hadn't even put them out yet. That was a little over 3 years ago...so what the heck kept me from reading this? Do you ever have a series that you love so much that hate to see it end? That is the case with the Curse Workers trilogy and I. I hated to see the story end, so I put off the ending...for a good long while. Finally, I gave in and listened to the audio book, which was not only excellent because it was written by Holly Black, but also because it was read by Jesse Eisenberg, who made an amazing Cassel!

Ok...so on to the review. It was just as good as I had imagined it to be all those years, if not better. There's a lot going on, but Cassel mainly runs into three separate issues that dominate the story line. Each one has its own arc and conclusion, but all fit nicely into the overall story. The characters are just as vivid, flawed, and intriguing as ever. I fell in love with the whole "curse worker" world all over again. There's tension between Cassel and several of the other characters, which adds drama and suspense. Black ended the whole trilogy nicely and tied up loose ends, but I can't help it! I want more! The Curse Worker series is probably my favorite work from Black. I highly, highly recommend the entire series!

Cover Art Commentary:
Why oh why did they change the covers of this series mid-series? I have all three books, and this one doesn't match the other two. Annoying. I might like it if that wasn't such an issue.

Rating:

The Creeping by Alexandra Sirowy

Book Summery (Via Goodreads):
Twelve years ago Stella and Jeanie vanished while picking strawberries. Stella returned minutes later, with no memory of what happened. Jeanie was never seen or heard from again.
Now Stella is seventeen, and she's over it. She's the lucky one who survived, and sure, the case is still cloaked in mystery—and it's her small town's ugly legacy—but Stella is focused on the coming summer. She's got a great best friend, a hookup with an irresistibly crooked smile, and two months of beach days stretching out before her.
Then along comes a corpse, a little girl who washes up in an ancient cemetery after a mudslide, and who has red hair just like Jeanie did. Suddenly memories of that haunting day begin to return, and when Stella discovers that other red-headed girls have gone missing as well, she begins to suspect that something sinister is at work.
And before the summer ends, Stella will learn the hard way that if you hunt for monsters, you will find them. 

Book Review:
This seemed like such a promising book for Halloween. Unfortunately, The Creeping didn't live up to my expectations. I'm very much a character person and I didn't connect to any of these characters. The main character, Stella, is a selfish, vapid person. I couldn't stand her. Her best friend, Zoey, is even worse. Between the two of them, I almost DNF'd this book. Stella's character "progression" felt forced and fake. The pacing was slow. By page 200, I was ready to give up. Finally, there was development regarding the big "mystery," but it was almost too little, too late. Overall, this was a disappointing story that could have been told in half of the page count.

Cover Art Commentary:
I really like this cover. The ombre effect is neat. I also love how the title seems like it's "creeping" itself. Too bad the story didn't live up to the cover!

Rating:

Beauty Queens by Libba Bray

Book Summery (Via Goodreads): When a plane crash strands thirteen teen beauty contestants on a mysterious island, they struggle to survive, to get along with one another, to combat the island's other diabolical occupants, and to learn their dance numbers in case they are rescued in time for the competition.Written by Libba Bray, the hilarious, sensational, Printz Award-winning author of A Great and Terrible Beauty and Going Bovine. The result is a novel that will make you laugh, make you think, and make you never see beauty the same way again.

Book Review:
I've been a fan of Bray since I picked up The Diviners. I've been wanting to read Beauty Queens for quite some time now. When I discovered that my library carried an audio book copy of Beauty Queens, I was really excited! My excitement soared when I noticed that the author read the audio book herself! The audio book is definitely the way to go on this one! Bray does a fantastic job of bringing the story and the characters to life. While there are a lot of characters, Bray does a superb job of giving each character their individual voice, which is crucial to the plot.

There is so much going on in this novel, I don't even know where to start. First of all, the island where the plane crashes isn't all what it seems...there are many dark secrets the lie in wait. It almost seemed a little like "Lost" to me. Also, the personalities of the girls become more defined and prominent as the story goes on, which is probably my favorite part. I adored the satire, but also was able to enjoy the more series points of the novel. I just can't help but gush...this book is everything I expected and more! I will definitely continue to pick up works by Bray! She is such an accomplished author and storyteller!

Cover Art Commentary:
I like the idea of this cover...the sash and the lipstick amo...but eh...it could have been a bit more imaginative, especially considering the book itself.

Rating:

Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey

Book Summery (Via Goodreads): Violet Willoughby doesn't believe in ghosts. But they believe in her. After spending years participating in her mother's elaborate ruse as a fraudulent medium, Violet is about as skeptical as they come in all matters supernatural. Now that she is being visited by a very persistent ghost, one who suffered a violent death, Violet can no longer ignore her unique ability. She must figure out what this ghost is trying to communicate, and quickly because the killer is still on the loose.
Afraid of ruining her chance to escape her mother's scheming through an advantageous marriage, Violet must keep her ability secret. The only person who can help her is Colin, a friend she's known since childhood, and whom she has grown to love. He understands the true Violet, but helping her on this path means they might never be together. Can Violet find a way to help this ghost without ruining her own chance at a future free of lies?

Book Review:
I've had this on my TBR shelf for YEARS. I wanted to read something scary for October/Halloween. John and I went to a few of the local libraries and were a bit underwhelmed with their October/Halloween displays and/or recommendations. I knew I had several scarier books on my TBR shelf waiting to be read and this was one of them. Haunting Violet knocked it out of the ballpark for me. This had everything I love about a good ghost story. The ghost that was haunting Violet had a purpose and a story to tell. I LOVED the historical setting. It added so much to the overall plot. The characters were flawed and real. I found Violet, Colin, and Elizabeth very easy to relate to. The pacing was superb. I had a very difficult time setting this book down. I will definitely be reading more books by Harvey in the future!

Cover Art Commentary:
I don't feel this cover does this book justice. I get the concept. A violet-y purple in honor of the main character, Violet. And this is the main "vision" that Violet sees over and over, but somehow, it's not like the image I imaginied while reading this story.

Rating:

The Accident Season by Moïra Fowley-Doyle

Book Summery (Via Goodreads): Every October Cara and her family become inexplicably accident-prone. Some years it’s bad, like the season when her father died, and some years it’s just a lot of cuts and scrapes. They know what they need to do—stock up on bandages and painkillers, cover sharp table edges with padding, banish knives to locked drawers, switch off electrical items. They buckle up, they batten down.
But this accident season—when Cara; her ex-stepbrother, Sam; and her best friend, Bea, are seventeen—none of that will make a difference.
Because Cara is starting to ask questions. And the answers were never meant to be found.
A haunting, untethered, addictive read that perfectly captures that time in our lives when our hearts crack open and the raw secrets of our true selves burst forth—whether we are ready or not.

Book Review:
The premise was intriguing. The book started of with a bang. It was rather fast paced. Initially, I was hooked. So how does this review end with a 3.5 rating? For a few major reasons. 1. Lack of character development. The characters start out rich with promise, but then...nothing. Sure there are a few nibbles and alluding whispers. That is what kept me reading on, but there is such an underwhelming lack of development, that these few delicious morsels simply aren't enough for the book to stand on its own. 2. Lack of plot development. Again, the plot is earnest with mystery and intrigue...and once again, there is no payment upon delivery. The suspense and dramatic tension seems promising, but overall falls flat. I'm sure you've gathered by now, that the author does exceptional job at keeping her novels packed with mystery and suspense, but it's just not enough. I didn't get that ending that I craved that wrapped up most of the considerable loose ends. I would be willing to try another book by this author, but I'd definitely keep this review in mind.

Cover Art Commentary:
I just love this cover. It's rather clever. I love that the image is upside down. It makes it looking like the woman on the over is falling up instead of down. I also like the muted colors. Very fitting.

Rating:

Vengeance Road by Erin Bowman

Book Summery (Via Goodreads):When Kate Thompson's father is killed by the notorious Red Rose Gang for a mysterious journal that reveals the secret location of a gold mine, the eighteen-year-old disguises herself as a boy and takes to the gritty plains looking for answers and justice. What she finds are devious strangers, dust storms, and a pair of brothers who refuse to quit riding in her shadow. But as Kate gets closer to the secrets about her family, she gets closer to the truth about herself and must decide if there's room for love in a heart so full of hate. In the spirit of True Grit, the cutthroat days of the Wild West come to life for a new generation.

Book Review:
Wow. Where to begin? Initially my interest was piqued by a YA western. It's just not something I had run across before, I am not really familiar with westerns, so this was a bit of a gamble, but it paid off. What I stumbled across was a fast-paced story full of action, revenge, and a touch (very, very light) of romance We first meet Kate, almost initially she finds her father dead, hanging from a tree on their homestead. Right away, you get the sense of a headstrong character that is full of loyalty, determination, and a bit of stubbornness. She is flawed, it works beautifully in this story. The western setting really adds something special to overall plot. Characters come and go along Kate's vengeful journey, but each carries their unique personality, leaving their fingerprint on Kate, as well as the reader. Overall, Bowman has delivered an exceptional and memorable tale. I definitely look forward to reading more by this author!

Cover Art Commentary:
I LOVE this cover. It is unlike any other book cover I have ever seen before. It is what initially drew me to this novel in the first place.

Rating:

Lair of Dreams (The Diviners #2) by Libba Bray

Book Summery (Via Goodreads):After a supernatural showdown with a serial killer, Evie O’Neill has outed herself as a Diviner. With her uncanny ability to read people’s secrets, she’s become a media darling, earning the title “America’s Sweetheart Seer.” Everyone’s in love with the city’s newest It Girl…everyone except the other Diviners.
Piano-playing Henry DuBois and Chinatown resident Ling Chan are two Diviners struggling to keep their powers a secret—for they can walk in dreams. And while Evie is living the high life, victims of a mysterious sleeping sickness are turning up across New York City.
As Henry searches for a lost love and Ling strives to succeed in a world that shuns her, a malevolent force infects their dreams. And at the edges of it all lurks a man in a stovepipe hat who has plans that extend farther than anyone can guess…As the sickness spreads, can the Diviners descend into the dreamworld to save the city?

Book Review:
I have held off on writing this review because I needed some time to think about this book after finishing it. Obviously, it took me a bit longer to get through this novel due to its length. While I really enjoyed Lair of Dreams, I definitely think it easily could have been at least 100 pages less. The first few hundred pages built up suspense and intrigue, and last few slowly resolved the plot and enigma that plagued the beginning of the story. However, the middle of the story seemed to be a bit repetitive and I found myself getting a bit frustrated at the lack of progress. Honestly, that's my biggest compliant. For being 600+ pages, it was quite easy to pick this baby up and get lost in the streets (and dreams) of New York. I love the historical feel with the supernatural twist. While Evie is the main character, she is not my favorite this time around. I loved the addition of the new characters. My favorite story-line is that of Ling and Henry. I definitely think their story is the heart of the novel. Overall, Bray did an excellent job with this second addition of The Diviners series. I can't wait for the next installment!

Cover Art Commentary:
I know the cover change has caused a bit of a stir, but I actually like it. The underground tunnels are perfect...it gives off a slightly creepy and mysterious feel. I also really like the colors.

Rating:

The Winner's Crime (The Winner's Trilogy #2) by Marie Rutkoski

Book Summery (Via Goodreads):A royal wedding means one celebration after another: balls, fireworks, and revelry until dawn. But to Kestrel it means living in a cage of her own making. As the wedding approaches, she aches to tell Arin the truth about her engagement: that she agreed to marry the crown prince in exchange for Arin's freedom. But can Kestrel trust Arin? Can she even trust herself?
Kestrel is becoming very good at deception. she's working as a spy in the court. If caught, she'll be exposed as a traitor to her country. Yet she can't help searching for a way to change her ruthless world...and she is close to uncovering a shocking secret.

Book Review:
Rutkoski's follow-up novel has been highly anticipated, and it does not disappoint. The Winner's Crime is full of action, romance, and suspense. The only issue I had was remembering what exactly happened in the first book. After reading some reviews of The Winner's Curse, I was able to piece things together somewhat. The plot of The Winner's Curse is crucial to the story line of The Winner's Crime, which made things a bit confusing for me. Otherwise, I have no complaints. There is SO MUCH going on in this novel, it's difficult not to devour it in one sitting. I simply cannot wait for the final installment of the series!

Cover Art Commentary:
I like that the cover follows suit of the series. The colors are pretty, and I like the sword/dagger.

Rating:

Model Misfit (Geek Girl #2) by Holly Smale

Book Summery (Via Goodreads):Harriet Manners is a model.
She used to be a geek, but now she has transformed into a creature of grace and sophistication. She is completely at one with the world of fashion.
Except she’s not.
In fact, Harriet feels even less popular and more awkward now than she did when she was just a geek. So when Yuka Ito invites her to go to Japan and be the face of her new label, Harriet seizes the chance to get away.
Harriet might have to bring along her crazy grandma Bunty, and she might run into Nick, the gorgeous costar who unceremoniously dumped her two months ago. But no one is going to ruin her fabulous Tokyo summer.
Unless she accidentally ruins it herself…

Book Review:
I read the first book in this series, Geek Girl, earlier this year (review found HERE) and just loved it. This second installment picks up right where the first book left off. You cannot help but fall in love with Harriet. She tries so hard to be many things to many people, but at her core, she is 100% geek. Her geekiness really shines through this time around. I love all of her fun facts that she lists. They add a whimsical touch. The setting is mainly in Japan which provides a colorful background. Her friends are back with the addition of her "model" flatmates she lives with in Japan. Her main love interest is back as well. Smale does an excellent job with this flirty, and sometimes rocky, YA romance. It's one of the best parts of the story. This is a quick, cute read. Perfect if you're looking for something a little lighter. I can't wait for the next book in the series!

Cover Art Commentary:
I just adore the (US) covers of this series. They are so playful and colorful. I, of course, love the glasses!!!

Rating:

Emmy & Oliver by Robin Benway

Book Summery (Via Goodreads):Emmy’s best friend, Oliver, reappears after being kidnapped by his father ten years ago. Emmy hopes to pick up their relationship right where it left off. Are they destined to be together? Or has fate irreparably driven them apart?
Emmy just wants to be in charge of her own life.
She wants to stay out late, surf her favorite beach—go anywhere without her parents’ relentless worrying. But Emmy’s parents can’t seem to let her grow up—not since the day Oliver disappeared.
Oliver needs a moment to figure out his heart.
He’d thought, all these years, that his dad was the good guy. He never knew that it was his father who kidnapped him and kept him on the run. Discovering it, and finding himself returned to his old hometown, all at once, has his heart racing and his thoughts swirling.
Emmy and Oliver were going to be best friends forever, or maybe even more, before their futures were ripped apart. In Emmy’s soul, despite the space and time between them, their connection has never been severed. But is their story still written in the stars? Or are their hearts like the pieces of two different puzzles—impossible to fit together?

Book Review:
I've been looking forward to reading Benway's newest novel since I saw it was going to be released! I was super excited that my library had a copy available, so I put this baby on hold and greedily read it as soon as I got my hands on it. I wasn't quite sure how I would like the whole kidnapping issue. However, Benway deals with it in a delicate manner that adds to the overall story-line. Of course, Emmy and Oliver's relationship takes center stage, and rightfully so. However I really enjoyed the incorporation of Drew and Caroline. Both supporting characters add color and depth to the story arc. Overall, this is an impressive story to add to Benway's collection as well as the many reasons that I love her writing!

Cover Art Commentary:
Love the simplicity of this cover. First of all, the colors are striking and contrast nicely. Secondly, I love the nod to surfing. Third, the fingerprint heart is just adorable!

Rating:

A Court of Thorns and Roses (A Court of Thorns and Roses #1) by Sarah J. Maas

Book Summery (Via Goodreads):When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.
As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it... or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.

Book Review:
After being slightly disappointed with Heir of Fire, I took my time picking up A Court of Thorns and Roses. Upon finishing ACOTAR, I'm happy to announce that this is Maas' writing that I fell in love with to begin with. Although the first 100 pages are a bit slower paced, the rest of the book makes up for it. The imagery is powerful and vivid. I can easily picture the lush ancient forests and the humble cottage Feyre lived in. Feyre is a powerful main character, full of strength, anger, and beauty. I'm not as much of a fan of Tamlin...I found him to be a bit boring. I did really like Lucien. I would love to learn more about his story. Overall, the story was really engaging, fast paced, and difficult to set down. I highly anticipate the next installment of the series.

Cover Art Commentary:
The cover is a gorgeous cover. I love the subtle references to the story. Overall, well done!

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Going Rogue (Also Known As #2) by Robin Benway

Book Summery (Via Goodreads): Being permanently based in a local New York City high school as an undercover operative has its moments, good and bad, for 16-year-old safecracker Maggie Silver. 
Pros: More quality time with her former mark-turned-boyfriend Jesse Oliver and insanely cool best friend, Roux. Getting to spend quality time with her semi-retired and international spy honorary uncle, Angelo. 
Cons: High school and the accompanying cliques, bad lunches, and frustratingly simple locker combinations. 
But when Maggie's parents are falsely accused of stealing priceless gold coins, Maggie uses her safecracking skills to try and clear their names. 
Too bad it only serves to put her and everyone she loves in danger. Maggie and her "new team" flee to Paris where they must come up with a plan to defeat their former allies. 

Book Review:
Robin Benway has long been one of my go-to authors. When I saw there was a sequel to Benway's Also Known As, I was excited to continue Maggie's journey. Once again, Benway does not disappoint! The cast of characters are a mixture of delight and humor. They add a wonderful splash of color to this espionage-centered novel. It's nice going past the initial meeting of each character. This time around you really get to know their quirks and personalities. One of Benway's strongest attributes is the ability to write believable YA charters. That being said, I know there is a slim chance of a real teenage spy that works for a collective of agents. But that's not what I'm talking about. I'm referring to Maggie's teenage behavior, the presence of parents, friends, accountability...So many times these things get overlooked in the YA genre. Ahem. Moving on. I also, of course, love the espionage setting. It's just not a common theme...it's so playful and refreshing! If you haven't picked up any of Benway's books, I highly recommend you do so. This series is a fun place to start!

Cover Art Commentary:
I just love the covers of this series! They are so so fun, colorful, and playful!

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Ink and Bone (The Great Library #1) by Rachel Caine

Book Summery (Via Goodreads):In an exhilarating new series, New York Times bestselling author Rachel Caine rewrites history, creating a dangerous world where the Great Library of Alexandria has survived the test of time.…
Ruthless and supremely powerful, the Great Library is now a presence in every major city, governing the flow of knowledge to the masses. Alchemy allows the Library to deliver the content of the greatest works of history instantly—but the personal ownership of books is expressly forbidden.
Jess Brightwell believes in the value of the Library, but the majority of his knowledge comes from illegal books obtained by his family, who are involved in the thriving black market. Jess has been sent to be his family’s spy, but his loyalties are tested in the final months of his training to enter the Library’s service.
When he inadvertently commits heresy by creating a device that could change the world, Jess discovers that those who control the Great Library believe that knowledge is more valuable than any human life—and soon both heretics and books will burn.…

Book Review:
Recently, for a Top Ten Tuesday post, I listed the top authors I've read the most from. I was surprised to find Rachel Caine at the top of my list! I read Caine's Weather Warden series first, and fell in love. I still need to finish the Morganville Vampires series, books 9-15, but it's a great series none-the-less. Needless to say, I was super psyched when I saw this little gem become available. Once again, Caine did not disappoint. Ink and Bone is action packed from the first page. I love the highlights of history that color the page. They add so much to the story. As always, I find Caine's characters to be quite engaging, whether they are good or evil. Caine makes it near impossible to set her books down. I couldn't wait to snuggle up to this book at the end of the day, and often ended up reading well into the night. I highly recommend Ink and Bone to readers looking for a full plot packed with action and intrigue.

Cover Art Commentary:
Loooove the cover of this one! The colors are bold and brilliant. The antiquing of the cover and spine is a nice touch!

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