Monday, December 28, 2015

Review: Firsts by Laurie Elizabeth Flynn

Firsts
By: Laurie Elizabeth Flynn
Release Date: January 5, 2016

Description:
Seventeen-year-old Mercedes Ayres has an open-door policy when it comes to her bedroom, but only if the guy fulfills a specific criteria: he has to be a virgin. Mercedes lets the boys get their awkward, fumbling first times over with, and all she asks in return is that they give their girlfriends the perfect first time- the kind Mercedes never had herself.

Keeping what goes on in her bedroom a secret has been easy- so far. Her absentee mother isn’t home nearly enough to know about Mercedes’ extracurricular activities, and her uber-religious best friend, Angela, won’t even say the word “sex” until she gets married. But Mercedes doesn’t bank on Angela’s boyfriend finding out about her services and wanting a turn- or on Zach, who likes her for who she is instead of what she can do in bed.

When Mercedes’ perfect system falls apart, she has to find a way to salvage her reputation and figure out where her heart really belongs in the process. Funny, smart, and true-to-life, FIRSTS is a one-of-a-kind young adult novel about growing up.
 

Review:
This story was raw, real and unique. There are many different types of people in this world and they all go through different things.  Sometimes it’s nice to see a different side of a story, it’s not all a bunch of roses for some people.  Occasionally there are those who have dramatic things happen to them which lead them to do things for justification and this is one of those stories.  Firsts was an amazing read that brings you into the mind of a girl who is just trying to help, or at least that’s what she feels is true in her mind.

Mercedes doesn’t live in a happy home, there is nothing wrong with her home just she doesn’t really get the loving attention a child needs when growing up.  Because of her broken home situation she turns to the wrong things for satisfaction and for the need to feel wanted and helpful.  Of course the way she does this is by “helping” guys lose their virginity so that when they do sleep with their girlfriends it will be a memorable experience.  I know this all sounds like a plan that just isn’t going to work but in Mercedes mind she is helping people out to have a better first time than she did. 

There are many strong characters in this book and even if she doesn’t want it she does have people she can lean on but doesn’t realize that until the end of the book.  In the meantime she’s just going through the motions and vying her time until she leaves for college.  There were times when I felt sorry for Mercedes but then there were times when I just wanted to give her a hug.  There are a lot of intense emotions in this book and intense situations.  Some more than others but the ones that mean the most are the situations that scare Mercedes the most, especially those moments she shares with Charlie and essentially Luke who started this whole downfall. 

I’m not too fond of her bible loving best friend, but I get the charade she puts on for her because she needs that purity in her life that she doesn’t have.  And I completely understand her relationship with Zach even if she doesn’t, it’s sweet the way he constantly pursues her, it’s endearing.  In regards to Faye she came in to save Mercedes from herself and I think she’s a brilliant character.  There is just so much goodness in this book along with the craziness.  It’s another look at harassment and how schools do nothing about it, seriously the school did nothing.  It’s another look at abuse and how if you keep your mouth closed and don’t talk about it there are consequences that will eat you alive and change you into a person that you don’t want to be.  It’s also a really great look about trust.  Trust is a very big thing and I believe it needs to be earned and not given so freely.


Overall this book was amazing from beginning to end.  I sympathize with the main character and all her experiences.  The plot was something different and a new perspective to look at in the young adult world.  Kids are mean, but harassment is never an answer.  I really like the cover because the girl even if it’s just her feet looks so insecure.  It’s sweet.  You should definitely read this book it’s worth it to read about something other than insta love.  Just saying!

Disclaimer:

I received this book from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press (St. Martin's Griffin), so that I may give my honest opinion and a review. Whether it is good or not please do not let it discourage you from purchasing/reading the book yourself and forming your own opinion. What might be good for me may not be good for you and vice versa. With that said, Happy Reading Everyone!!!

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Review: Did I Mention I Love You? (Did I Mention I Love You (DIMILY)) by Estelle Maskame

Did I Mention I Love You? (Did I Mention I Love You (DIMILY))

By: Estelle Maskame 
Release Date: December 1, 2015
Series: DIMILY #1

Description:
Love is everything but expected.
Eden Monroe came to California for a summer of sun, sand and celebrities what better way to forget about the drama back home? Until she meets her new family of strangers: a dad she hasn't seen in three years, a stepmonster and three stepbrothers.
Eden gets her own room in her dad's fancy house in Santa Monica. A room right next door to her oldest stepbrother, Tyler Bruce. Whom she cannot stand. He's got angry blue eyes and ego bigger than a Beverly Hills mansion. She's never felt such intense dislike for someone. But the two are constantly thrown together as his group of friends pull her into their world of rule-breaking, partying and pier-hanging.
And the more she tries to understand what makes Tyler burn hotter than the California sun, the more Eden finds herself falling for the one person she shouldn't...
Did I Mention I Love You? is the addictive first book in Wattpad sensation Estelle Maskame's DIMILY trilogy: three unforgettable summers of secrets, heartbreak and forbidden romance.

Review:
This book was intense from beginning to end and had my attention captivated.  My heart is still pumping hard for this book, beyond entertaining.  Some might not like it because of the content but I was intrigued and enthralled with the characters and their situations.  Estelle Maskame did an amazing job bringing this story to life and I can’t wait to read the next chapter.

We meet Eden as she is shipped off to stay with her dad for a summer, why? she doesn’t know but goes along with it, anything to get away from the drama with her friends at home.  But with this move comes four new people into her life that she’s never met before, a stepmother and three stepbrothers. Her relationship with all these new people and friends in her life are interesting to watch and experience.  Especially her growing relationship with oldest stepbrother Tyler.  Who seems like a lot of trouble but really there are just some deep seeded issues that he’s trying to work out.

I loved when they interacted because it seemed like he hated her so much and the second he says to her “Me Frustras” I knew exactly where this was going and even though yes it’s weird sort of but only in technicalities, it still put a smile and I still have a smile on my face for these two.  Their story and budding romance and secrecy was intense and really sweet because all Eden wanted to do was save Tyler and make him a better person.  Together they were good but it’s hard when they couldn’t show that to the world. 

There were a lot of different and interesting characters in this book.  Tiffani the crazy one, Rachel the sensible one (sort of), Dean the sweet one who stays in the background, but nevertheless sweet.  Then there was Jake the player.  Tyler the bad boy who no one wanted to mess with but everyone wants to be around.  Even Ella the stepmom and her dad had their own issues but overall still interesting characters that bought something a little more to the story overall. 

I really enjoyed the west coast beach setting, the intense stimulating plot throughout the whole book, the fascinating characters and being given the opportunity to review this book, it was a joy to read and I’m off to read the next one in the series because I am now addicted to the DIMILY series!

I love all the different covers they have out there but I think this one caught my attention the most, just saying.  It’s sweet and innocent, like their relationship in a way.  I love the sweetness of it all, no you won’t be gushing but you will feel the intensity between the two of them and it is undeniable.  

Disclaimer:
I received this book from NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Fire, so that I may give my honest opinion and a review. Whether it is good or not please do not let it discourage you from purchasing/reading the book yourself and forming your own opinion. What might be good for me may not be good for you and vice versa. With that said, Happy Reading Everyone!!!

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Book Highlight: Did I Mention I Love You? By Estelle Maskame

Did I Mention I Love You?
By: Estelle Maskame
Release Date: December 1, 2015
Publishers: Sourcebooks Fire
Praise for Did I Mention I Love You?
 “Readers will root for them, like they would with Edward and Bella—the mutual attraction and need for one another is palpable. It rings of passion, excitement, and first love.” –VOYA Magazine
 “An edgy young adult romance with dark layers” –The Examiner
 “A believable coming-of-age story and an unconventional romance, set against a present-day California summer... . The fallout of divorce, the insidiousness of substance abuse and family secrets, and especially the pangs of first love drive this emotionally resonant tale.” – Publishers Weekly
 “Written in first person, Maskame’s trilogy opener is an excellent portrayal of a teenage girl’s life in the 21st century. Eden has to adjust to her blended family, try to feel pretty, be body conscious, and make friends, all while falling in love for the first time. She is someone all young people can relate to...Romance fans will be captivated by Eden and her journey to finding herself and true love.” –School Library Journal
Summary:
Love is everything but expected.
Eden Munro came to California for a summer of sun, sand, and celebrities- what better way to forget about the drama back home? Until she meets her new family of strangers; a dad she hasn’t seen in three years, a stepmonster, and three stepbrothers.
Eden gets her own room in her dad’s fancy house in Santa Monica. A room right next door to her oldest stepbrother. Tyler Bruce. Whom she cannot stand. He has angry blue eyes and an ego bigger than a Beverly Hills mansion. She’s never felt such intense dislike for someone. But the two are constantly thrown together as his group of friends pulls her into their world of rule-breaking, partying, and pier-hanging
And the more she tries to understand what makes Tyler burn hotter than the California sun, the more Eden finds herself falling for the one person she shouldn’t…
Did I Mention I Love You? is the addictive first book in Wattpad sensation Estelle Maskame’s DIMIY trilogy: three unforgettable summers of secrets, heartbreak, and forbidden romance.
Buy Links:
About the Author:
Estelle Maskame started writing at the age of thirteen and completed the Did I Mention I Love You?  trilogy when she was sixteen. She has built an extensive fan-base for her writing by serializing her work on Wattpad. Fitting book writing between work, Estelle has amassed followers from all over the world. She lives in Scotland. For more visit estellemaskame.com
Social Media Links:

Did I Mention I Love You? Excerpt
I can almost see the road through the gaps in the fence by the side of the house, and I squint through. There’s music playing. More like blaring. I can hear it over the crappy music that’s already bouncing around the back yard, and as a sleek white car speeds up to the edge of the sidewalk and skids against the curb, I grimace in disgust. The music cuts off the second the engine is killed.
“What are you looking at?” Rachael asks, but I’m too busy staring to even attempt to answer.
The car door swings open roughly, and I’m surprised it doesn’t fall straight off its hinges. It’s difficult to see clearly through the fence, but a tall guy gets out and slams the door shut just as aggressively as he opened it. He hesitates for a moment, stares at the house, and then runs a hand through his hair. Whoever he is, he looks su-per depressed. Like he’s just lost all his life savings or his dog just died. And then he heads straight for the gate.
“Who the hell is this jackass?” I mutter to Rachael as the figure nears us.
But before either of us can say anything more, Jackass decides to hit the gate open with a fist, drawing the at-tention of everyone around us. It’s like he wants everyone to hate him. I figure he’s probably that one neighbor that everyone despises, and he’s only here in a fit of rage because he wasn’t invited to the lamest barbecue get-together that’s ever been hosted.
“Sorry I’m late,” Jackass comments sarcastically. And loudly too, with a smirk on his lips. His eyes flash green as emeralds. “Did I miss anything besides the slaughtering of animals?” He throws up the infamous mid-dle finger to, from what I can see, the barbecue. “I hope you guys enjoyed the cow you just ate.” And then he laughs. He laughs as though everyone’s expressions of disgust are the most entertaining thing he’s seen all year.
“More beer?” I hear my dad call out to the silent crowd, and as they chuckle and return to their conversations, Jackass heads through the patio doors. He slams them shut so hard I can almost see the glass tremble.
I’m stunned. I have no idea what just happened or who that was or why he’s just entered the house. When I realize I’m slightly slack-jawed, I close my mouth and turn to Rachael.
She bites her lip and pushes her sunglasses down over her eyes. “I’m guessing you haven’t met your step-brother yet.”

Coming Soon!
Did I Mention I Need You (March 2016) & Did I Mention I Miss You (June 2016)
 Book Info:
Title: Did I Mention I Need You?
Author: Estelle Maskame
Release Date: March 1, 2016
Publishers: Sourcebooks Fire
Eden and Tyler have desperately tried to ignore their love for each other for the sake of their family. But they can’t seem to stay apart for long, especially once Tyler invites Eden to spend the summer with him in New York.
Away from their life in California and caught up in the excitement of the city, their summer fling turns into something much more serious. Unable to deny their feelings, Tyler and Eden must face reality. But how will their family react when they confess their romance? And is their relationship strong enough to survive the fallout?
Pre-Order Links:
Book Info:
Title: Did I Mention I Miss You?
Author: Estelle Maskame
Release Date: June 7, 2016
Publishers: Sourcebooks Fire
Eden’s on her way back to Santa Monica for the summer, and she hasn’t seen Tyler since the devastating fallout of their forbidden relationship. Eden claims to have moved on—but Tyler wants to rekindle the flame.
He convinces Eden to visit his new home in Portland, Oregon, where he has set up a center for troubled teens. Eden’s proud of what he’s built, but the last time they were together, it nearly destroyed Eden and their family. Then a tragedy draws them together, and Eden must search her heart and decide if Tyler is worth the risk once and for all.

Giveaway!