Smart Girls Get What They Want by Sarah Strohmeyer

Title: Smart Girls Get What They Want
Author: Sarah Strohmeyer
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Release Date: June 26, 2012
Pages: 352
Source: eBook

Summary from Goodreads:
Gigi, Bea, and Neerja are best friends and total overachievers. Even if they aren't the most popular girls in school, they aren't too worried. They know their real lives will begin once they get to their Ivy League colleges. There will be ivy, and there will be cute guys in the libraries (hopefully with English accents)! But when an unexpected event shows them they're missing out on the full high school experience, it's time to come out of the honors lounge and into the spotlight. They make a pact: They will each take on their greatest challenge—and they will totally rock it.

Gigi decides to run for student rep, but she'll have to get over her fear of public speaking—and go head-to-head with gorgeous California Will. Bea used to be one of the best skiers around, until she was derailed. It could be time for her to take the plunge again. And Neerja loves the drama club but has always stayed behind the scenes—until now.

These friends are determined to show the world that smart girls really can get what they want—but that could mean getting way more attention than they ever bargained for. . . .

Review

Smart Girls Get What They Want brought me right back to my high school days. I was so much like Gigi/Bea/Neerja and shared their whole mentality – get good grades, follow the rules, sight set on the future. Now, I wouldn’t say no one knew who I was – I think it’s pretty difficult to obtain that level of anonymity – but I could relate to these girls and how they felt like they were missing out on something. So I enjoyed watching the girls start to branch out of their comfort zones and be rewarded for it. I thought they were all great and it was easy to root for them.

I also LOVED the friendship they shared. It was one of those power friendships – like, mess with one and face the wrath of the others - which is the best and most entertaining kind, in my opinion. And because of how much I value friendship, and needed the support of my best friend in High School, it was nice seeing these girls have each other’s backs.

I also think Strohmeyer provided a pretty fair portrayal of High School. I do think some things were exaggerated for the sake of the story (when are they not), but other things were pretty accurate. Like all of the stresses of an overachiever and the smart girl persona. Gigi overthinking her Harvard interview response was SPOT ON. And I would have had a full on melt down if someone wrongfully accused me of cheating and threatened my future prospects. Like, I would have made Gigi look calm. So I appreciated those details. And I don’t think the story read too juvenile or fell victim to any of the typical High School tropes – at least not to the point that it annoyed me.

Oh, and the romance was cute. Although, there was a pseudo love triangle.

Bottom Line

Smart Girls Get What They Want was a fun read. There are some really great characters, a super strong friendship, and even a little romance. I definitely feel like it’s a contemporary that the masses can enjoy. But if you were (are) an overachiever in High School (like I was), then this book is definitely for you. You will relate to it in so many ways, I can guarantee it!

REVIEW #164: The 5th Wave (The 5th Wave #1) by Rick Yancey

Title: The 5th Wave
Series: The 5th Wave #1
Author: Rick Yancey
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Release Date: May 24th 2011
Pages: Hardcover, 457 pages
Source: Audiobook from the Library

Summary from Goodreads:
The Passage meets Ender’s Game in an epic new series from award-winning author Rick Yancey.

After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one.

Now, it’s the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth’s last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie’s only hope for rescuing her brother—or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up.

So I always tend to get nervous reading a book with a lot of hype, so I procrastinated reading my copy of The 5th Wave. Then the library got a copy of the audio book and I felt compelled to check it out. I can honestly report, The 5th Wave lived up to the hype. It was full of GREATNESS.

The story is told from multiple POVs with the different story lines weaving together in a beautiful, intense manner that kept my emotions on a roller coaster. The story lines were mostly independent yet had threads connecting them to each other with what seemed perfectly seamless writing. This allowed for each main character to develop and to really connect with the other characters; I was able to see and connect with each character’s journey.

As for the characters, I loved Zombie. He felt so real to me, his actions seemed so honest. Even though he was tough and jaded, Nugget breaks him and gives him the ability to love again. The Nugget-Zombie relationship is one of my favorites! Cassie on the other hand was an extremely stubborn yet strong character. There were a couple points where her stubbornness got annoying but I felt like the situation she was in justified it. The villains/aliens were perfectly creepy; the way they developed the ‘waves’ and method of attacks were dark and evil.

The pacing was spot on; while it did slow in some parts the action would always pick back up full force. I felt like I was holding my breath for the last 50 pages as the POVs switched back and forth between Zombie and Cassie. The ending was excellent, Ahh I could breathe again. Yancey left room for so much more yet there was a great conclusion to this part of Cassie and Zombie’s journey.

The 5th Wave was an easy 5 star book. I highly recommend it if you are looking for an apocalyptic, alien invasion fast paced action story. (Caveat: There is some violence, a little cursing, and some intense imagery) Audiobook wise, it is now ranking as one of my top 3 favorite audiobooks. The narration was fantastic, it was so easy to keep track of the changing POVs and quickly sink into the crazy war they were facing.

Maid of Secrets (Maids of Honor #1) by Jennifer McGowan

Title: Maid of Secrets

Series: Maids of Honor #1
Author: Jennifer McGowan

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Release Date: May 7, 2013

Pages: 416, Hardcover
Source: ARC obtained from trading

Summary from Goodreads:

Seventeen-year-old Meg Fellowes is a wry, resourceful thief forced to join an elite group of female spies in Queen Elizabeth’s Court. There she must solve a murder, save the Crown, and resist the one thing that will become her greatest freedom–and her deadliest peril.

For Meg and her fellow spies are not alone in their pursuit of the murderer who stalks Windsor Castle.

A young, mysterious Spanish courtier, Count Rafe de Martine, appears at every turn in the dark and scandal-filled corridors of the Queen’s summer palace. And though secrets and danger are Meg’s stock-in-trade, she’s never bargained on falling in love…

Review

I really enjoyed Maid of Secrets. But rather than me tell you, in so many words, that the plot was engaging and the characters were likably unalike, I thought I’d take a different approach. Using my powers of table-making, I laid out what Maid of Secrets IS (nifty adjectives that I’d use to describe this book), and what Maid of Secrets HAS (plot elements that might appeal to you). The result….

 

Now if a line item appeals to you, indicate as such with a (mental) check mark. There is a total possible score of 20 (i.e. you like everything in the table). And here is how you may interpret your score.

I myself am on a big spy kick and I always love books that take place in the past, especially those with an opulent setting. Really this book was perfect for me and I’d easily recommend this to others.  

Final note: I can draw a parallel between Grave Mercy and Maid of Secrets, and I’d suggest if you liked one that you read the other.

ARC REVIEW #161: The Dream Thieves (The Raven Cycle #2) by Maggie Stiefvater

Title: The Dream Thieves

Series: The Raven Cycle #2
Author: Maggie Stiefvater

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Release Date: September 17, 2013

Pages: 448, Hardcover
Source: ARC obtained at BEA

Summary from Goodreads:

Now that the ley lines around Cabeswater have been woken, nothing for Ronan, Gansey, Blue, and Adam will be the same. Ronan, for one, is falling more and more deeply into his dreams, and his dreams are intruding more and more into waking life. Meanwhile, some very sinister people are looking for some of the same pieces of the Cabeswater puzzle that Gansey is after...

Maggie Stiefvater’s books have secured a place in my heart as well as on my shelf for all of my reader days. She has proven herself to be both extremely talented and wonderfully unique in her storytelling. And I am completely won over by everything she writes.

The Dream Thieves is a fantastic continuation of the story introduced in The Raven Boys. Gansey, Ronan, Adam, Noah and Blue are still stirring up trouble in Henrietta in their search for Glendower but this is no longer the main focus of the story. Ronan dropped quite the bomb at the end of TRB and therefore the attention has shifted to him and his story.

Ronan is such an intriguing character that I was thrilled to learn that this book would be largely from his perspective. And I feel like readers benefit a lot from this. TDT explores a whole new side of Henrietta such that the world, the characters and the story really develop in this second book. Stiefvater definitely took more risks this time around, but I feel like they paid off in the end.

Typical of Stiefvater’s style, this book is carefully constructed, intricately detailed and elegantly presented. It is not a ‘fast-read’ but a literary work of art to be appreciated. The characters she gives us are wonderful. I really feel for all of them in some way and I am deeply invested in each of their stories. The setting is magical and rich and really projects a fitting atmosphere for the story to unfold. And the story itself, if anything else, is pleasantly original. You have not read anything else like it, I promise you.

As much as I loved this book, it did not WOW me as much as TRB did. I think this was because it contained fewer surprises. And the ending did not pack the same punch as TRB. However, I do not want to do a disservice to this book because it was still wonderful and far superior to the average YA read. I really loved it.

I am very curious to see where Stiefvater will take the third book. The ending to TDT is open ended enough that really anything is possible. But I have no doubt that it will be as enjoyable as the first two.

The Burning Sky (The Elemental Trilogy #1) by Sherry Thomas

Title: The Burning Sky

Series: The Elemental Trilogy #1
Author: Sherry Thomas

Publisher: Balzer & Bray

Release Date: September 17, 2013

Pages: 464, Hardcover
Source: ARC obtained from BEA

Summary from Goodreads:

It all began with a ruined elixir and an accidental bolt of lightning…

Iolanthe Seabourne is the greatest elemental mage of her generation—or so she's being told. The one prophesied for years to be the savior of The Realm. It is her duty and destiny to face and defeat the Bane, the greatest mage tyrant the world has ever known. A suicide task for anyone let alone a sixteen-year-old girl with no training, facing a prophecy that foretells a fiery clash to the death.

Prince Titus of Elberon has sworn to protect Iolanthe at all costs but he's also a powerful mage committed to obliterating the Bane to revenge the death of his family—even if he must sacrifice both Iolanthe and himself to achieve his goal.

But Titus makes the terrifying mistake of falling in love with the girl who should have been only a means to an end. Now, with the servants of the Bane closing in, he must choose between his mission and her life.

Review

The Burning Sky is SO GOOD that you cannot help but spontaneously shout out declarations of love for it. You will be SO WILD with emotion that you will lose control of your ability to think and act rationally. SO CONSUMED by this book you will be that all sense of time and responsibility will be like a whisper on the wind.  The Burning Sky is literally un-put-down-able and unforgettable. (I am getting pretty good at these dramatic intros)

Iolanthe Seaborne rivals the fiercest of characters – think Celaena Sardothien. While not yet as deadly, her strength of will, defiance, bravery, loyalty, ability to hold her own, and sheer adaptability, places her among the finest. Yet she is extremely relatable in her doubt, frustration, fear, stubbornness, and tendency for self-preservation. She is sure to win your heart, as she has easily won mine. I felt her triumphs, her struggles and her slights. Not to mention, it was extremely enjoyable watching her play the part of a boy. A role she conquered with tenacity and whit that speaks volumes to her personality and charm. Hands down she is a new favorite.

"'My Latin is fine. It's my Greek that's as ghastly as your lovemaking,' she retorted. The boys howled, including Titus, who laughed out of sheer shock-and relief. She was good. Brilliant, in fact."

Titus’ character was the perfect complement to Iolanthe’s. On the outside he was all hard edges, arrogance and reckless abandon. He was focused and ruthless, careful and controlled. But underneath it all he was just a boy that was given too much responsibility at too young an age. He was resolute in his love for his kingdom and his people. His actions were driven by an unwavering moral obligation to do what was right even at the greatest cost to himself. He was intelligent, devoted and dangerous.

I loved the progression of their relationship – from half-hearted rivals, to fragile companions, to loyal friends with the possibility of more. The journey they took together was a fantastic one full of ups and downs, action and suspense, mystery and intrigue. They ran, hid, chased, practiced, played, planned, and fought together. They made a wonderful pair.

This story was seriously OVERFLOWING with adventure. From the first chapter this book takes off and doesn’t slow down for a second. Awesome characters and fabulous setting aside, this plot was engaging. Seriously powerful people are after Iolanthe. Titus is protecting her but he has his own agenda and his own dangers.  Iolanthe hides in plain sight AS A BOY. And there is magic. I mean there is just so much to love about this story I could write a similarly lengthy novel just talking about it. Love love love.

THIS WORLD! HOLY SMOKES I LOVED IT! The attention to detail paid by Sherry Thomas is noteworthy. Her imagination is without bounds. This place was full of endless possibilities and promise. It was magical and exciting but dangerous and unpredictable. To give you a little taste of what to expect (without spoiling anything) there is a book that you can enter that contains a world of its own where you can train and learn about magic. There are different places that are modeled after fairy tales where you can go and battle dragons and other magical beasts. It was like being in a video game, but cooler. This was fantasy at it's prime.

Like I said, I can go on and on. Just count the number of times I said 'love' in this review for a good estimate of my LOVE for it. (hint: the answer is 8 - not counting the last one)

BLOG TOUR {Review #159 & Giveaway}: Relic by Renee Collins

Welcome to our stop on the blog tour for Relic by Renee Collins hosted by Jaime and Rachel of Rockstar Book Tours. You can follow the rest of the tour here. And don't forget to enter the giveaway to win a signed copy of Relic and set of almanac pages! Thanks for stopping by! :D

Title: Relic

Author: Renee Collins

Publisher: Entangled Teen

Release Date: August 27, 2013

Pages: 400
Find it: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, The Book Depository, Goodreads

Summary from Goodreads:

After a raging fire consumes her town and kills her parents, Maggie Davis is on her own to protect her younger sister and survive best she can in the Colorado town of Burning Mesa. In Maggie’s world, the bones of long-extinct magical creatures such as dragons and sirens are mined and traded for their residual magical elements, and harnessing these relics’ powers allows the user to wield fire, turn invisible, or heal even the worst of injuries.

Working in a local saloon, Maggie befriends the spirited showgirl Adelaide and falls for the roguish cowboy Landon. But when she proves to have a particular skill at harnessing the relics’ powers, Maggie is whisked away to the glamorous hacienda of Álvar Castilla, the wealthy young relic baron who runs Burning Mesa. Though his intentions aren’t always clear, Álvar trains Maggie in the world of relic magic. But when the mysterious fires reappear in their neighboring towns, Maggie must discover who is channeling relic magic for evil before it’s too late.

Relic is a thrilling adventure set in a wholly unique world, and a spell-binding story of love, trust, and the power of good.

Relic offers readers an irresistible mystery, an inspiring heroine and a pleasantly unusual world. Renee Collins triggered all the right emotions to keep my attention and leave me wanting more.

Relic begins with tragedy and I was instantly captured by the gravity of the situation. From the very beginning readers are plagued with the question of who is starting these unnatural fires that are destroying whole towns and for what purpose. And while I might not brag about my powers of perception, Renee Collins kept me guessing until the end. But the clues are all there for the talented mystery solver, steadily given and carefully woven throughout the story. I had one of those "ahhhh, I see" moments when the culprit was revealed. In the meantime, I enjoyed trying to figure out who that was.

In the beginning, circumstance forces Maggie to be incredibly brave and strong and I sympathized with her immediately. But she quickly earned more than just my sympathies. She proved herself time and time again to be a selfless, capable, and surprisingly clever young lady. But as a young heroine she lacked confidence and power. Yet these struggles are what made her relatable and believable as a character. She is definitely someone I see readers looking up to.

There is a romance in this story but it is not a dominating plot element, just a nice complement. It might feel a bit insta-love-y to some but I didn't really get that impression since it wasn't a huge focus. The love interest is actually one of the many interesting secondary characters. Renee Collins does a good job of building up the other characters in the story and having each of them have their own story. I am sure many readers, like myself, will be moved by Adelaide's story. I wanted to solve all her problems, and kick many a butt.

The setting for the story was more Wild Wild West than fantasy. In fact, I would consider it fantasy-light so if you aren't a big reader of fantasy I would not let that deter you. The fantasy element is mostly captured in the history and presence of relics. I myself, as a huge fantasy-lover, was fascinated by the relics. I found the fact that the bones of mythical beasts, long since extinct, could harness power and transfer that power to the user to be both a unique and welcome concept. I actually wish there was more attention paid to them in the story. They do play a critical role, and Maggie herself has a connection to them, but I  could have explored this idea endlessly.

It did take some time for me to become fully invested in the story. It's one of those books that sneaks up on you and you don't realize how bad you've got it until you've got it bad. But Relic is a worthwhile read and I urge readers to continue with the story if they begin to feel the same sentiment. Coming out of this book, my dominating thought is "I hope there is a sequel." Great debut, Renee Collins.

---

About Renee: 

Renee Collins graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in History, and currently lives with her family in the shadow of the Colorado red-rock cliffs, thugh she hasn't unearthed a relic. Yet. Relic is her first novel.

Website/Blog/Twitter/Facebook/Goodreads
RELIC SERIES Facebook

---

Giveaway:

A signed copy of RELIC and a printed signed set of RELIC almanac pages. US Only 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Top Ten Things That Make Our Life As A Reader/Book Blogger Easier

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week's Top Ten list is "Top Ten Things That Make Your Life As A Reader/Book Blogger Easier".

1. Goodreads

I think we can all agree that Goodreads is a pretty magical place. Like Disney World, but with books instead of princesses. 

 

2. Google Shared Calendars
Running a blog ain't easy. If our blog was like Hogwarts, Google Shared Calendars would be like... our wand. Or, Hermione.

3. Google Docs
We don't actually like to talk to each other so we coordinate through google docs ;)

4. Feedly/Bloglovin
Without Feedly or Bloglovin we wouldn't have nearly as many friends.

5. Audiobooks
As extreme multi-taskers, we love our audiobooks. Nicole has to spend at least two hours in the car each day and Ashley can do her job without her brain being present (kidding!!). But for reals, there are times when a physical book cannot be in our hands, and so we listen.

6. E-Reader
How else would we read all the ecopies that we are getting approved for on EW and Netgalley. (This is a joke, these ecopies are non-existent).

7. Co-Blogger
Contrary to what #3 says, we actually do love each other.

8. Blogger
Well we should probably give some kudos to Blogger or how else would this Blog exist. You can't expect us to learn Wordpress. O_O

9. BEA
Since no one else is giving us ARCs...

10. Bookmarks
Because our creative juices ran out at number 7 and we'd hate to dog ear pages all the time.

What are your top ten?

REVIEW #158: The Ward (The Ward #1) by Jordana Frankel

Title: The Ward
Series: The Ward #1
Author: Jordana Frankel
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Release Date: April 30th 2013
Pages: Hardcover, 465 pages
Source: Library

Summary from Goodreads:
Sixteen-year-old Ren is a daredevil mobile racer who will risk everything to survive in the Ward, what remains of a water-logged Manhattan. To save her sister, who is suffering from a deadly illness thought to be caused by years of pollution, Ren accepts a secret mission from the government: to search for a freshwater source in the Ward, with the hope of it leading to a cure.

However, she never expects that her search will lead to dangerous encounters with a passionate young scientist; a web of deceit and lies; and an earth-shattering mystery that’s lurking deep beneath the water’s rippling surface.

Jordana Frankel’s ambitious debut novel and the first in a two-book series, The Ward is arresting, cinematic, and thrilling—perfect for fans of Scott Westerfeld or Ann Aguirre.

The Ward was getting some mixed reviews but I am a sucker for Dystopians so I had to give it a try. I am glad I did, while the book had its faults I still found it very entertaining.

Setting & World Building: The book took place in an area that used to be NYC but has since been flooded over destroying some of the areas and creating a dark, mysterious setting.  The setting itself was kinda creepy but interesting.  There were quite a few times I found myself struggling to imagine the world Ren lived in.  The overall scenery and destroyed city could have been better described, I understood the racing but struggled to picture the buildings in the races.

Characters: I loved Ren.  She was strong female character who would do anything for her sister Aven.  Their love was fantastic and powerful.  The secondary characters supported the story line and helped develop the overall underground racing type of life Ren lived.

Romance: The romance between Ren and her bookie was not bad, but not great.  Pretty middle of the road. He had his own baggage that I was not expecting that played a particular role in the plot but their love story was not a focus point of the story.  I hope the sequel develops their story.

Overall, The Ward was a fast paced, dark, and fun story about saving family and doing the right thing.  I cannot wait to see what the next book brings.  I wish there was not so much of a cliffhanger, I NEED to know how things are going to pan out.   The action and characters were great, the world building needed some work earning it 3.5 stars.  

REVIEW #157: Stormdancer (The Lotus War #1) by Jay Kristoff

Title: Stormdancer

Series: The Lotus War #1
Author: Jay Kristoff

Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books

Release Date: September 18, 2012

Pages: 313, Hardcover
Source: Library

Summary from Goodreads:

A DYING LAND
The Shima Imperium verges on the brink of environmental collapse; an island nation once rich in tradition and myth, now decimated by clockwork industrialization and the machine-worshipers of the Lotus Guild. The skies are red as blood, the land is choked with toxic pollution, and the great spirit animals that once roamed its wilds have departed forever.

AN IMPOSSIBLE QUEST
The hunters of Shima’s imperial court are charged by their Shōgun to capture a thunder tiger – a legendary creature, half-eagle, half-tiger. But any fool knows the beasts have been extinct for more than a century, and the price of failing the Shōgun is death.

A HIDDEN GIFT
Yukiko is a child of the Fox clan, possessed of a talent that if discovered, would see her executed by the Lotus Guild. Accompanying her father on the Shōgun’s hunt, she finds herself stranded: a young woman alone in Shima’s last wilderness, with only a furious, crippled thunder tiger for company. Even though she can hear his thoughts, even though she saved his life, all she knows for certain is he’d rather see her dead than help her.

But together, the pair will form an indomitable friendship, and rise to challenge the might of an empire.

There are several popular 2012 releases that I have been meaning to read for quite some time but have yet to for no good reason at all. Finally making good on my promises of “I will read that one soon”, I decided to start incorporating these books into my reading schedule, for real this time. I started with Tiger Lily, and not-surprisingly LOVED it. Stormdancer was the next one up on my list. And, well honestly, I wish I would have started this little personal challenge sooner because this too, WAS AWESOME.

In full disclosure, Stormdancer and I did have a bit of a rough start. I have no affinity for Japanese culture and for the first couple of chapters I felt like I was reading in another language. It took some time for me to get used to, but eventually, I did catch up. (Did this happen to anyone else? Just Me? Ok, moving on). I also felt the slow start that other readers have commented on before me. But I’d say this is over once you hit page 75. From then on, Stormdancer is a splendid, awe-inspiring adventure and I didn’t want to ever put this book down (but I did for necessities, like sleep and food).

This book is really without flaws (aside from the aforementioned, which I wouldn’t really call flaws). Yukiko, the main character, is fierce and head-strong. No overbearing romance fills the gaps between events. In fact, there really are no gaps. This entire story is one big adventure with no boring parts. There is a strong focus on friendship and family that complements the action. There is full character and story development. There is both happiness and heartbreak (no story should be all sunshine and rainbows). The surprises are plentiful. The writing is superb, almost poetic. The ending was satisfying yet open-ended enough for more awesomeness to come. I honestly can’t say enough positive things. Did I convince you to read this one yet?

Stormdancer is incredibly well-rounded. There are elements of fantasy, steampunk, dystopian, and more. I think it has a little of something to appeal to a wide variety of readers. It really does deserve all of the hype it has gotten. And anytime I finish a book that I really enjoyed I give it to my mother to read. And she loved this one too. So there you have it, two glowing opinions for the (non-existent) price of one ;).

Stacking the Shelves (33) - Aug 17th

Stacking the Shelves - hosted by Tynga at Tynga's Reviews features books that you bought, borrowed, rented from the library, received for review, etc.

This is what's on my shelf for upcoming reads:

---

---

Relic by Renee Collins
Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

What books are stacking your shelves??

ARC REVIEW #156: The Distance Between Us by Kasie West

Title: The Distance Between Us

Author: Kasie West

Publisher: Harper Teen

Release Date: July 2, 2013

Pages: 320, Paperback
Source: ARC obtained from trading

Summary from Goodreads:

Seventeen-year-old Caymen Meyers studies the rich like her own personal science experiment, and after years of observation she’s pretty sure they’re only good for one thing—spending money on useless stuff, like the porcelain dolls in her mother’s shop.

So when Xander Spence walks into the store to pick up a doll for his grandmother, it only takes one glance for Caymen to figure out he’s oozing rich. Despite his charming ways and that he’s one of the first people who actually gets her, she’s smart enough to know his interest won’t last. Because if there’s one thing she’s learned from her mother’s warnings, it’s that the rich have a short attention span. But Xander keeps coming around, despite her best efforts to scare him off. And much to her dismay, she's beginning to enjoy his company.

She knows her mom can’t find out—she wouldn’t approve. She’d much rather Caymen hang out with the local rocker who hasn’t been raised by money. But just when Xander’s attention and loyalty are about to convince Caymen that being rich isn’t a character flaw, she finds out that money is a much bigger part of their relationship than she’d ever realized. And that Xander’s not the only one she should’ve been worried about.

DID I LOVE THIS BOOK OR WHAT? I want to display it on my bookshelf on a raised platform with a spotlight and queue up harmonic music every time someone gazes upon it. I want to snuggle with it at night and fall peacefully asleep to thoughts of Xander. I want to rewind my life and replay the few precious moments spent reading this on loop.

Alright, maybe I am getting carried away. But seriously, I devoured this book. This is definitely one of my new favorite light-contemporaries, in the distinguished company of My Life Next Door. If you have ever had so much as a passing thought about reading contemporary, you should pick up this book right now.

Kasie West, can we be besties? I seriously love your work.

The best thing about this book? Besides Caymen and Xander and Xander and Caymen (and Caymen’s grandfather) has to be the humor! Caymen is the queen of sarcasm and was absolutely hilarious! And her jokes were usually at Xander’s expense, which – hello! – makes them a bazillion times funnier. Here are some of the things she said that made me laugh:

"In the world of science, if Skye were a host, I would be her parasite. She has a life. I pretend it's mine."

"'Tomorrow is Saturday. Don't you have a tennis match to watch or something?'
'What? No. I hate tennis.'
I look around. 'You might want to keep your voice down when you say stuff like that. You wouldn't want to be kicked out of the club.'"

"'And since we're all into this matching up the career day to our traits I guess I should find a career for you that involves ironing T-shirts or using lots of hair product.'"

"I am not in denial. Okay, so I'm totally in denial, but I need her to play along with me until all the feelings I am trying to convince myself I have are actually true."

"'You think I can blackmail him? Show up at his work screaming, 'Daddy'? Like Will Ferrell in Elf?' 'Caymen, joking about it isn't going to help either of us feel better.'
'Elf is no joking matter. That movie is a classic.'"

And can we give a shout out to the long lost grandfather here? When you put an old man in your book and make him funny – you get bonus points from me.

"'Hi, I'm stranger one and this is stranger two. Are you uncomfortable yet?'"

Caymen and Xander were pretty fantastic as separate entities - but together? - absolutely, perfect !This was the type of romance story where both parties are obviously interested in each other, but due to several misconceptions and no one speaking up about it, it’s not acted upon. That means you have your ‘AWW’ moments, your ‘Grrr’ moments, your ‘UGHHHH’ moments, and your ‘)(*&@#$)(‘ moments, many times over before you finally get your ‘!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!’ moment. And I enjoyed every damn second of it.

So we have a winning romance here, but that’s obviously not all. This is Kasie West we are talking about so obviously this book goes deeper. We tackle some stereotypes and resolve some family issues. But really who cares about that when you have Caymen and Xander and Xander and Caymen (and Caymen’s grandfather). They could have watched paint dry for 300 pages and I’d probably still be writing a glowing review.

Right so I hated this book. (That was a test to see if you were paying attention). I was in exactly the right mood for it and it was beyond enjoyable and funny. If I haven’t convinced you to read it yet, then you must have no soul (kidding!).