Book Review: Not After Everything by Michelle Levy

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Not After Everything
Author: Michelle Levy
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Contemporary 
Released: August 4th 2015
Publisher: Dial | ReadingTeen
 

A gritty but hopeful love story about two struggling teens— great for fans of The Spectacular Now, Willow, and Eleanor and Park

Tyler has a football scholarship to Stanford, a hot girlfriend, and a reliable army of friends to party with. Then his mom kills herself. And Tyler lets it all go. Now he needs to dodge what his dad is offering (verbal tirades and abuse) and earn what his dad isn’t (money). Tyler finds a job that crashes him into Jordyn, his former childhood friend turned angry-loner goth-girl. She brings Tyler an unexpected reprieve from the never-ending pity party his life has become. How could he not fall for her? But with his dad more brutally unpredictable than ever, Tyler knows he can’t risk bringing Jordyn too deeply into the chaos. So when violence rocks his world again, will it be Jordyn who shows him the way to a hopeful future? Or after everything, will Tyler have to find it in himself?

Not After Everything is a story not to be taken lightly. This story deals with suicide, abuse and violet. Yet, this story is yet another great story of proof that in the darkest time of a human being, a light of hope can do so much. The way this book digs into these elements and present you this story... it will make you realize that you are living a great life. There are many people that have it hard. Like in Not After Everything, a kid at a young age, loses his mother and is physically abuse by his drug after.

The book opens up as Tyler is being kicked out of class. I initially thought, oh great, he’s a troublemaker. But as the pages are read, the more I got to know Tyler. And boy, was I wrong. The way this novel focuses on Tyler is like seeing this happen in real life. After all, what he goes thru, happens on a daily basis. We learned that Tyler’s mom has committed suicide. And he was the first one to find her. It is tragical enough to know your mother is gone, let alone seeing in such condition. Tyler’s life is forever change at this very instant. His joyful life of being a football star, having a cheerleader as his girlfriend, having good grades is gone. Just gone. The boy is completely changed and now has to deal with a drunk father that blames his mother’s death on him. Who has to struggle two jobs in order to have daily meals. Oh the tears.

I cried a river with this story.

Don’t let this scare you because Tyler was able to find happiness, even in the darkest time of this life. With a little help from a friend, Tyler was able to conquer life. He defeated his inner demons and eventually grew to a mature and selfless person.

This story felt so real to me. Which is the reason why it brought me to tears. It was a roller coaster of emotions while reading. Because even if you think you know a person, you just have to open your eyes and put clues together. There may be someone that needs your help but is too scared to tell the truth. And sometimes it may be too late…

Not After Everything is a heartfelt story that many should read. Once you start the story, it will consume you and pull you into Tyler’s world. It is a hard read but it is a powerful tale. Read it, love it and learn from Tyler’s story.

Thank you, Andye for the copy!

Book Review: What I Thought Was True by Huntley Fitzpatrick

What I Thought Was True
Author: Huntley Fitzpatrick
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Contemporary
Released: April 15th 2014
Review Source: Dial Books for Young Readers

From the author of My Life Next Door comes a swoony summertime romance full of expectation and regret, humor and hard questions.

Gwen Castle's Biggest Mistake Ever, Cassidy Somers, is slumming it as a yard boy on her Nantucket-esque island this summer. He's a rich kid from across the bridge in Stony Bay, and she hails from a family of fishermen and housecleaners who keep the island's summer people happy. Gwen worries a life of cleaning houses will be her fate too, but just when it looks like she'll never escape her past—or the island—Gwen's dad gives her some shocking advice. Sparks fly and secret histories unspool as Gwen spends a gorgeous, restless summer struggling to resolve what she thought was true—about the place she lives, the people she loves, and even herself—with what really is.

A magnetic, push-me-pull-me romance with depth, this is for fans of Sarah Dessen, Jenny Han, and Deb Caletti.

I was one of the few people that didn’t enjoy My Life Next Door and seeing this amazing beach cover, I wanted to give What I Thought Was True a try. I know many of my bookish friends loved My Life Next Door and well I started this book open-minded. I mean, I really wanted to like this one. And to be honest with you, this one felt short too.

What I Thought Was True is a tale of Gwen Castle and her working class family. They live close an island, homes of the rich and wealthy people. While you may think she may be happy to live close to this exotic island, Gwen does not want to do anything with it. All she wants to do is leave it behind. With her family struggling financially, Gwen is to take a summer job. “A working-for-the-summer-people job. And I’ve promised myself I won’t do that”. Taking this job, Gwen comes across many times with Cassidy, a boy that lives the wealthy life of this island.

It is hard to come up with word to explain this book. So here is nothing - First, I had a hard time getting into this book. I felt lost right from the beginning. And trying to sum up all the information that was provided, somewhat made difficult to understand what was going on. It felt like this was a continuation of another book and I needed to catch up. I was truly disappointed at this. Also, the class division. This book constantly repeated this topic over and over again. (It was all over). I was trying my best to ignore this but it kept popping up.

Although Gwen’s father was a bit of a gold digger – I liked how Gwen knew better. Gwen is dedicated to her family but she knew that taking someone else’s properties is not the way to live your life. Knowing that life is not easy, Gwen learned how to cope with her financial situation. While I struggled with this story, I loved Fitzpatick’s writing style – very poetic. She certainly can write about real life situations such as family struggles.

Waiting on Wednesday: Love and Other Foreign Words by Erin McCahan

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Love and Other Foreign Words

Author: Erin McCahan

Release Date: May 1st 2014

Publisher: Dial

Perfect for fans of John Green and Rainbow Rowell, Love and Other Foreign Words is equal parts comedy and coming of age--a whip-smart, big-hearted, laugh-out-loud love story about sisters, friends, and what it means to love at all.

Can anyone be truly herself--or truly in love--in a language that's not her own?

Sixteen-year-old Josie lives her life in translation. She speaks High School, College, Friends, Boyfriends, Break-ups, and even the language of Beautiful Girls. But none of these is her native tongue--the only people who speak that are her best friend Stu and her sister Kate. So when Kate gets engaged to an epically insufferable guy, how can Josie see it as anything but the mistake of a lifetime? Kate is determined to bend Josie to her will for the wedding; Josie is determined to break Kate and her fiancé up. As battles are waged over secrets and semantics, Josie is forced to examine her feelings for the boyfriend who says he loves her, the sister she loves but doesn't always like, and the best friend who hasn't said a word--at least not in a language Josie understands.

Trailer Thursday: No Safety In Numbers by Dayna Lorentz

No Safety in Numbers

No Safety in Numbers #1

Author:  Dayna Lorentz

Expected Publication: May 29th 2012

Publisher: Dial

Life As We Knew It meets Lord of the Flies in a mall that looks just like yours

A biological bomb has just been discovered in the air ducts of a busy suburban mall. At first nobody knows if it's even life threatening, but then the entire complex is quarantined, people start getting sick, supplies start running low, and there's no way out. Among the hundreds of trapped shoppers are four teens.

These four different narrators, each with their own stories, must cope in unique, surprising styles, changing in ways they wouldn't have predicted, trying to find solace, safety, and escape at a time when the adults are behaving badly.

This is a gripping look at people and how they can--and must--change under the most dire of circumstances.

And not always for the better.

Book Review: My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

My Life Next Door
Author: Huntley Fitzpatrick
Reading Level: YA
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Released: June 14th 2012
Review Source: Loaned
Available: Amazon

Summary: (from goodreads) A gorgeous debut about family, friendship, first romance, and how to be true to one person you love without betraying another

"One thing my mother never knew, and would disapprove of most of all, was that I watched the Garretts. All the time.”

The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, numerous, messy, affectionate. And every day from her balcony perch, seventeen-year-old Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them . . . until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs her terrace and changes everything. As the two fall fiercely in love, Jase's family makes Samantha one of their own. Then in an instant, the bottom drops out of her world and she is suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself?

A dreamy summer read, full of characters who stay with you long after the story is over.

I might very well be they only person that didn't entirely enjoy My Life Next Door. I started reading this because my spring break is coming up & I thought what better way to start of my week than with a sweet, happy contemporary read. You should know that I'm a pretty easy reader to please. By the end of any book I'm always somewhat happy. That, my friends, is not the case with My Life Next Door.
I can't even begin to tell you how flawed this story is. We have Samantha & Jase who have lived next door to each other for over ten years. In those ten years never once did they ever cross paths. But, that might have to do something with Samantha's mom. Mrs. Reeds has always kept Sam very sheltered & has told her to stay away from the Garrett's; the next door neighbors. (Who happen to be the only reason as to why I didn't give up on this story.) One night Jase happens to climb up to Samantha's balcony & they start talking. Over the course of the summer they get to know each other, fall in love, etc.

No real depth is added to My Life Next Door until the very end. Fitzpatrick didn't only throw in one, but two sub-plots-- Both could have been handled so much better. Especially since one of them had so much potential. So many issues are left unresolved by the time you get to the last page that once you're there you think to yourself REALLY!?! This is Fitzpatrick's debut novel so there is a lot of room for growth.

Book Review: Soulbound by Heather Brewer

Soulbound
Legacy of Tril #1
Author: Heather Brewer
Reading Level: YA
Genre: Fantasy
Released: June 19th 2012
Review Source: DIAL
Available: Amazon

Summary: (from goodreads) Tril is a world where Barrons and Healers are Bound to each other: Barrons fight and Healers cure their Barrons' wounds in the ongoing war with the evil Graplar King. Seventeen-year-old Kaya was born a Healer, but she wants to fight. In Tril, and at Shadow Academy, where she is sent to learn to heal, it is against Protocol for Healers to fight. So Kaya must learn in secret. Enter two young men: One charming, rule-following Barron who becomes Bound to Kaya and whose life she must protect at all costs. And one with a mysterious past who seems bent on making Kaya's life as difficult as possible. Kaya asks both to train her, but only one will, and the consequences will change their lives forever.

Vastly known for her Chronicles of Vladimir Tod, Heather Brewer takes a step a way from the vampires and slayers to create her own unique world. Soul- bound, the start of the Legacy of Tril series, is a very balanced book that is a really good read if your looking for something new and fresh. The author continues to develop as a top tier author and it clearly shows in her new book. Her character growth isn’t just restricted to her main character but all of her characters get deeper. The pace of a novel is very important and the author does a good job of keeping it well balanced, having a fair share of action and drama. She has a unique style of writing that I think readers will like.

In Soul-Bound there are two main types of people in the world who are the Barrons and the Healers. The Barrons are warriors that fight evil forces. After fighting, it is the role of the Healer to tend to their wounds, as the Barrons are responsible for protection and safety of the Healers, from the evil that lurks in their world. This code is shaken up though when a young idealist healer arrives on the scene and decides that she can protect herself just fine. Embarking on a journey to save the lives of her parents Kaya goes on an identity quest that will change her life forever. Of course it also doesn’t help if your caught into a classic love triangle with two very different people. Soulbound is an exquisite book that is a very good sign of what’s to come of the new hit series by Heather Brewer.