Friday Night Alibi - Cassie Mae

Title: Friday Night Alibi
Author: Cassie Mae
Rating: 3 - 3.5/5

On Fridays Kelli Pinkin usually sits at home, playing X-Box while someone is out, using her as an alibi, whether it's being the BFF or the boyfriend. But then she meets college students Chase Maroney. By getting to know him, she learns that there is more to life than pretending and at some point she has to decide between her "job" and her first love.

Cassie Mae just followed me on Twitter, so I felt like I should thank her with a review for Friday Night Alibi.

I love easy, light reads. Cassie Mae never fails to amaze me with these kind of stories. I didn't like the male character in this one as much as in the previous books I read by her, but Chase is still very, very cute (and I suddenly want to get a taste of oranges, though I react allergic to them sometimes. Cassie Mae, what have you done to me?)

I liked the nicknames Stinky and Moron, so funny. I also loved the teasing and jokes between Kelli and Chase. This is a romance everyone is looking for - having fun with a person you can be yourself with. *sighs*

One of my favourite scenes between the two of them was the one in the spa. My mom looked funny at me, because I laughed. I actually laughed. That only happens to two of thirty books. If even that.



The reason why I don't give this book four stars is, because I can't rate it better than How To Date a Nerd. That is still my favourite Cassie Mae book. Probably will always be.

Maybe I shouldn't have started this book - I want more books by that author and I think I read them all now. I have to wait for the next release, ugh. I am not patient. Not at all.

And maybe I shouldn't have started writing a review for this book. I cannot say something useful. I am a writer-mess, yes. At least right now. I am sorry for the lack of information on this book and by the expression how much I love Cassie Mae, but I shouldn't lie, should I? I won't. I refuse to. Read this and love this! Go, go, go!

Switched - Cassie Mae

Title: Switched
Author: Cassie Mae
Rating: 3.5 - 4/5

Thanks to Random House via NetGallery for allowing me to read this book before the official publication.

Kayla likes Talon. Wes likes Reagan. Talon likes Reagan. Reagan likes Talon. Talon and Reagan are a couple. Perfect plan for Kayla and Wes: Break up the perfect couple and get your prince or princess charming. But is the plan really worth the price and what happens when unknown feelings get in the way?

I wanted to use some gifs for this review, but I noticed that almost all the Cinderella Story gifs (the movie with Hilary Duff, not the one with Selena Gomez) would fit for the book. I cannot decide for a gif that way. Gah!

These are the things I know before I start a Cassie Mae book:
● I won't like the best friend of the main person
● Give me a few hours and I'll have read it
● I will like the male main person very much
● I will love the book

With the few Cassie Mae books I read so far, I can safely say these things.

So, yeah, I really disliked Kayla's best friend Reagan. She was too emotional and exaggered everything. Same with Talon. I liked him fine in the beginning, probably because of Kayla's feelings for him, but I started to dislike him more and more during the book. Of course I loved Wes. You just have to. He is one of my favourite book boyfriends now - there, I said it. Good to get it all out.

I also liked Kayla, and I was kinda surprised, because I usually have some trouble with the female main characters or main characters in general. But Kayla had was a really nice character, she had her moments, yeah, especially when she talked about Talon and you couldn't understand her blindness and all that, but she was just like any ordinary teenage girl and then again she wasn't. I like that.

The story overall is simple. And to be honest, after reading the first few pages, you can already guess how the book will end. Yet, I found myself excited about the story. I always wanted to know what happened next, because the scenes were quite extraordinary too (and no, I don't mean spin the bottle scenes, etc.). One more detail: I like how Cassie writes. The scenes aren't too long and you don't get the feeling that she didn't know what else to write.

Cassie Mae, please write thousands of books. I will put everything, all the work and whatever else there is aside to read your books first. I will! Promise! Also, I am sorry for the short review.

The Summer I Found You - Jolene Perry

Title: The Summer I Found You
Author: Jolene Perry
Rating: 4 - 4.5/5

Thanks to Albert Whitman Teen via NetGallery for allowing me to read this book before the official publication.

Kate is disgnosed with diabetes type one and doesn't want to deal with it. Her life should be normal, though because of the disease it's anything but that. After meeting Aiden, who lost an arm, her own problem suddenly seems so small. Kate feels good that Aiden is treating her normal - he doesn't know she has diabetes. But as their relationships grows and grows, Kate knows she can't keep her disease a secret for much longer.

Honestly, I'm not the kind of human who likes this whole war thing and goverment sending people somewhere, knowing they can and probably will get killed there. And making someone proud (even yourself) doesn't mean you have to risk the chance to get killed. But whatever... It explains why I am also twisted and get mixed up feelings when I pick up a book that contains that (and The Summer I Found You is only the fourth book I think I read about the Army, etc.).

I loved this book with almost all my heart though. It had me right from the start. Sometimes that happens. You pick up a book and start to read it, not expecting anything and ta-dah - you love it. That's exactly what happened to me. I wanted to read, didn't know what book I should read and thought of the books I received via NetGallery. So, I just read The Summer I Found You.

Where other books would disappoint you - this book doesn't. Where other books would be cheesy - this book isn't. Where other books would try to make you cry but couldn't - this book does. This book definitely has it all: Funny parts, sad parts, dramatic parts, romance parts.

It kind of reminds me of "Stir Me Up" by Sabrina Elkins, but only because the guy there is also has a missing body part - his leg. This guy here, Aiden, has a missing arm. And though Jolene could have it left it at that - one person who is having trouble with life and health and all is enough - she didn't. And I am glad. Because she shows that Kate also has some issues and problems and I think that's what also hooked me. Not just one person has all that, but everyone has. And everyone is having a different way to get used to it or deal with it.

Sometimes, the things Kate said were kind of harsh. But that also showed me that Jolene Perry is perfectly able of writing different characters and give them meaning and a heart. Even without the names on top of the chapters you could have easily kept Kate and Aiden apart. And I love writings from both points of view if they are written well. That was the case here.

I don't know what else to say, I am still thinking about this book, though I finished it yesterday. It's in my favourites-shelf, no need to explain that, it just is. I loved Aiden and Kate and their conversations and most of all I think the way they met. This is a book for teenagers and yet the writing and the story is so much more than that. I can't even describe it. It's beautiful. All Jolene fans should read it and then some more!

Mafia Girl - Deborah Blumenthal

Title: Mafia Girl
Author: Deborah Blumenthal
Rating: 4/5

Thanks to Albert Whitman & Company via Netgallery for allowing me to read this book before the official publication.

Her whole school has a love/hate relationship with Gia. The reason is the business of her father: He is the boss of all bosses. When she meets Michael, a cop, she knows right away that there is something between the two of them. But can a "Mafia Girl" really fall for the opposite side? Also, can she prove that she is more than her name makes her?

I've been a fan of Deborah Blumenthal's work ever since I read "The Lifeguard", which is one of my all time favourite reads. I think that list got longer with "Mafia Girl" now.

While I read this, I always came to stops, but than I just took a glimpse of the next chapter and thought: "What will happen between her and Michael?" and I couldn't put it down for long. So, yes, it's safe to say - this romance or whatever you might call it, is probably one of my most favourite romances in books ever. I don't know why. But the scenes between them are fabulous. I was a bit afraid that Clive, one of Gia's best friends, would get in the way. I guess I am spoling right now, aren't I? Well, I'll just tell you, you can either be Team Michael or Team Clive. There are enough scenes that prove that Clive can be just as good for her. Probably even better - he wouldn't mess with Gia's head. But Gia also assumes Clive is gay, so he is out of the game.

I don't know why I didn't like the Vogue theme. I am not that much into fashion or into labels, maybe that's a reason. I still liked the scenes between Gia and her family though. In the back of your head you always know they are rich (*coughs* from not very legal money), but you don't really get the impression that they are selfish or snobs. They just try to be a good family. And also the sayings between Gia and her dad are just lovely. You actually find yourself feeling sorry for him, though you shouldn't. It's sad.

I would have liked to read more of Anthony. There are a couple of scenes with him, yeah, but you don't really get to see the real him, don't understand the way he is thinking or what he feels like. So, I really need a "Mafia Boy", Deborah :] Pretty, please?

I am giving this book four stars. I don't think Deborah is able to disappoint me, ever. Maybe I'm reading too much into it since this is the second book I read written by her, but yeah... I just loved it. It was really great and also the theme itself was so much different from all these typical Young Adult books. I'm glad I received it via NetGallery. Thanks again for that!

Thousand Words - Jennifer Brown

Title: Thousand Words
Author: Jennifer Brown
Rating: 3 - 3.5/5

Ashleigh wanted to make sure her boyfriend Kaleb doesn't forget about her. What she does is taking a naked photo of herself and sends it to him. After their break-up, she gets to know real face though - he sends it to everyone she knows - and more people. While people call her ugly names and life feels miserable for her, court orders her community service. There she meets Mack, who is probably the only one who hasn't seen the photo.

I haven't written a review in forever, so I thought it was time to get back on track. Or at least give it a try. I'm sorry if it isn't doesn't match your opinion about the book or whatever. I'm not used to write reviews anymore, haha.

This book really had me twisted. I really liked it though. The story is just great and also very believable. You always read about stuff like that: Girl loves boy and sends him a picture of himself, that shouldn't be seen by under 18 year olds or anyone else but the boy at all. The boy is kind of evil and sends the picture anyway. Or someone finds it on his phone and spreads it around the globus. Not cool, no no. Happens all the time though and I feel so sorry for the girls. I wouldn't say I feel sorry for ALL the girls who do that...

That explains why this book had me twisted, just like these "accidents" have me twisted. You can blame the boy for sending the picture as much as you want, but in the end, nobody made you take a naked picture of yourself. You have a free will, duh. And all the consequences that follow are yours to take and deal with. I am not saying that the boy is the sweety now, but there are always two sides to blame and look at.

It's a serious crime though. It should not be taken too easily. Teenagers may not think about the consequences of their actions, but there are some. Serious ones even.

I really hated Ashleigh's "friends" though. They didn't seem like such a good support. Neither did her parents. No one really did, and that guy Mack was kind of ... I don't know. He was a bit strange, I think. And I'm not sure if I should like the fact that's he and Ash are friends, or if I like relationships better.

I would recommend this book anyway. I liked it. That's what I actually wanted to prove or say for that matter. It's written really well and you feel all of Ashleigh's emotions. I also read "Bitter End" by Jennifer Brown, but I liked Thousand Words much better!

Completed first reading challenge in 2013

In a former post, I already informed you about my first reading challenge in 2013, that I set up for myself. I read the first set of books by alphabet. Leaving out X and Z I went through them all and am happy to announce that I am finished! WAHOO! I thought it'd be hard to find a book with the letter Q, but I managed. Unfortunately, the only Z-lettered books I know are German, or yet to be released. However, I am already thinking up new challenges, but I want to read some random ones first. In case you want to see the whole list of books in the first challenge this year, here it is:


A - Ask The Passengers by A.S. King
B - Beta (Annex #01) by Rachel Cohn REVIEW BELOW!
C - Cold Kiss (Cold Kiss #01) by Amy Garvey
D - Drive Me Crazy by Erin Downing
E - Ember (Ember #01) by Carol Oates
F - Fury by Shirley Marr
G - Girl Saves Boy by Steph Bowe
H - He's So Not Worth It (She's So/He's So #02) by Kieran Scott
I - If I Lie by Corrine Jackson REVIEW BELOW!
J - Just Flirt by Laura Bowers
K - Kissing Shakespeare by Pamela Mingle
L - Losing It by Eliza Jane
M - My Beautiful Failure by Janet Ruth Young
N - New Girl by Paige Harbison REVIEW BELOW!
O - Over You by Emma McLaughlin, Nicola Kraus REVIEW BELOW!
P - Pandemonium (Delirium #02) by Lauren Oliver
Q - The Queen's Army (Cinder #1.5) by Marissa Meyer
R - Reasons I Fell For The Funny Fat Friend by Becca Ann
S - The Secret of Ella and Micha (The Secret #01) by Jessica Sorensen
T - There's No Light In Darkness by Claire Contreras REVIEW BELOW!
U - Undeadly (The Reaper Diaries #01) by Michele Vail
V - Vain by Fisher Amelie
W - What I Didn't Say by Keary Taylor
Y - Young Love Murder (Young Assassins #01) by April Brookshire

Thanks to all the authors for writing these books. I (mostly) had a good time!

There's No Light In Darkness (Darkness #01) - Claire Contreras

Title: There's No Light In Darkness (Darkness #01)
Author: Claire Contreras
Rating: 3 - 3.5/5

Blake's life is full of mystery. First her parents suffer a mysterious death and now she seems to remember more and more about her past. She decides to find out what really happened twenty-one years ago. Just as her journey begins, she has to decide if she really wants to risk to find out the truth, if her loved ones may pay for it.

I started this in the middle of the night because I couldn't sleep. I ended up awake for some time, though I didn't read this in one session. Maybe it was the night, but I liked the start very, very much. I thought: "Yes, finally another book that hooks me right from the start." I'm sad to say that they story faded a little during the middle and end.

While I enjoyed reading about the romance between Blake and Cole in the beginning, it kind of annoyed me later on. Simply because it was all this book was about. I wanted it to be focused on the crime. I wanted to feel horrified, but I didn't. The breaking in scene fools you. You think that there will be some action, but there won't. Cole will come around the corner and everything will be about the two of them hooking up again.

Don't get me wrong - I loved Cole! He is everything you desire in a bad boy for a book. But sometimes he was too soft and too loving and I don't really know. As I said - I liked the start, I didn't like how the story turned out.

I'm really out of words. This book is still cofusing me and I don't know what to think of it. Well, I do know, but I'm still not sure whether the points I liked overweight or not. I liked it, and I am very glad the beginning was what it was, 'cause otherwise, I would have seen this book as a typical let's-hook-up-and-break-up-until-we-make-up-again read. And let's face it, we've all had enough of that.

So thank you Claire, for creating the story. I hope to read more crime in the second Darkness book. I look forward to it. And I love the cover for There's No Light In Darkness. (Though I might have seen the original picture somewhere on Tumblr before). I will not give up on the series, and though you may get the impression that I didn't like it, you are wrong. I liked it. It's just not my favourite book ever, but that's fair to say, I guess.