REVIEW: Parallel by Lauren Miller

Title: Parallel

Author: Lauren Miller

Publisher: HarperTeen

Release Date: May 14, 2013

Pages: 432, Hardcover
Source: Purchased

Summary from Goodreads:

Abby Barnes had a plan. The Plan. She'd go to Northwestern, major in journalism, and land a job at a national newspaper, all before she turned twenty-two. But one tiny choice—taking a drama class her senior year of high school—changed all that. Now, on the eve of her eighteenth birthday, Abby is stuck on a Hollywood movie set, miles from where she wants to be, wishing she could rewind her life. The next morning, she's in a dorm room at Yale, with no memory of how she got there. Overnight, it's as if her past has been rewritten.

With the help of Caitlin, her science-savvy BFF, Abby discovers that this new reality is the result of a cosmic collision of parallel universes that has Abby living an alternate version of her life. And not only that: Abby's life changes every time her parallel self makes a new choice. Meanwhile, her parallel is living out Abby's senior year of high school and falling for someone Abby's never even met.

As she struggles to navigate her ever-shifting existence, forced to live out the consequences of a path she didn't choose, Abby must let go of the Plan and learn to focus on the present, without losing sight of who she is, the boy who might just be her soul mate, and the destiny that's finally within reach.

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• Abby's reality is constantly changing based on her parallel self's decisions. It was suspenseful to wait and see what decision would cause a new reality. And as I started getting attached to certain people and situations, I started rooting for certain things to stay the same, or change. 


• I loved the friendship between Abby, Caitlin, and Tyler. They made a pretty rock solid trio. Caitlin was just super great and deserves extra kudos for being the world's best best friend. I also loved Marissa's character, and how great of a roommate she was. 


• The ending was a little crazy. There were two plot twists I definitely did not see coming. I wouldn't say that I LOVED the way the book ended, but there was enough promise in the air that I am ok with it. 


• "Your path changes. Your destiny doesn't." I really love this concept, and I loved how it was executed in this book. 

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• It was hard for me to really enjoy either love interest. I didn't dislike the romance by any means, and I had a favorite, I just didn't swoon for either boy. I think it was a little bit of the way the romance played out in each reality, and the shitty situation it ended up being (that's all I can say). 


• I always have a little difficulty following parallel stories in the beginning until I can get a handle on what is going on.

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I think Parallel was a well-excuted, suspenseful story and stand-out among books with that parallel worlds/uncertain futures/alternate realities theme. The plot was engaging and well-paced, the characters were good, and the ending was reassuring. It wasn't perfect, but definitely an interesting and enjoyable read for those looking for a book of this type. 

REVIEW: Premeditated by Josin L. McQuein

Title: Premeditated

Author: Josin L. McQuein

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Release Date: October 8, 2013

Pages: 336, Hardcover
Source: Library

Summary from Goodreads:

A week ago, Dinah’s cousin Claire cut her wrists.

Five days ago, Dinah found Claire’s diary and discovered why.

Three days ago, Dinah stopped crying and came up with a plan.

Two days ago, she ditched her piercings and bleached the black dye from her hair.

Yesterday, knee socks and uniform plaid became a predator’s camouflage.

Today, she’ll find the boy who broke Claire.

By tomorrow, he’ll wish he were dead.

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• The premise of this book is great. Who doesn't love a revenge story? But it was more than that. It touched on relationships and difficult issues like teen suicide without feeling preachy. 


• The loyalty of these characters. Dinah went to great lengths because of her love for Claire. Claire's parents cared for Dinah despite the grief over their daughter. Brooks was loyal to a fault. Jordan's loyalty to Chandi. Dinah's father. So many well done relationships in this book.


• The ending. The ending of this book was unnecessarily heartbreaking but it was also well written and soothed some of my frustrations. 

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• I can't help but feel a little disappointed in this story. There was not nearly as much fun to be had getting revenge as I had expected there to be. Sure some things happened, but nothing major and somehow it felt like it was in the background to everything else going on.


• The plot twist was SO OBVIOUS and way too soon in the book. And knowing what I knew when I knew it kept me from really enjoying the book because I felt terrible and I was frustrated that things went as far as they did until Dinah realized it. I don't know if this is cryptic or not but I'm trying not to give too much detail. 

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My expectations for this book and my frustrations over the plot twist kept me from fully enjoying the story. But I still think this book has a lot of great points, including strong characters, and I know several other readers who really enjoyed it. It also gets bonus points for being a standalone. So I do recommend it. 

REVIEW: Where The Stars Still Shine by Trish Doller

Title: Where the Stars Still Shine

Author: Trish Doller

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Release Date: September 24, 2013

Pages: 352, Hardcover
Source: Purchased

Summary from Goodreads:

Stolen as a child from her large and loving family, and on the run with her mom for more than ten years, Callie has only the barest idea of what normal life might be like. She's never had a home, never gone to school, and has gotten most of her meals from laundromat vending machines. Her dreams are haunted by memories she’d like to forget completely. But when Callie’s mom is finally arrested for kidnapping her, and Callie’s real dad whisks her back to what would have been her life, in a small town in Florida, Callie must find a way to leave the past behind. She must learn to be part of a family. And she must believe that love--even with someone who seems an improbable choice--is more than just a possibility.

Trish Doller writes incredibly real teens, and this searing story of love, betrayal, and how not to lose your mind will resonate with readers who want their stories gritty and utterly true.

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• Callie's story was a difficult one to experience. She was raised under unthinkable circumstances with a selfish and neglectful mother then suddenly thrust into a normal life with a man she barely remembers. But she doesn't know the first thing about normal. She's resistant to this new life. She doesn't know what to think or feel. She scared and confused and her actions reflect as much. I felt for her.
  
  
• Callie's strength and maturity was admirable. She made mistakes, as one would expect, but she didn't make excuses. She didn't run from confrontation or apology. She was honest with herself and others. 


• I really liked Alex, the love interest. He was kind to Callie and gave her the outlet she needed while she worked through everything else in her life. But he also had his own story to tell. And it was just as heartbreaking to me. 

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• It took me some time to warm to Callie. I didn't always understand her actions but I've also never been through what she has been through. This was a bit of a hurdle for me, but my only criticism. 


• I can't help but make a comparison to If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch and if I am being honest, I like If You Find Me more. But that's not to say this isn't a wonderful book. They are both wonderful books. 

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I highly recommend Trish Doller's books to anyone willing to listen to me. She writes stories that aren't often heard. She challenges the way you think, gives you a new perspective, and makes you feel new emotions. She is a force to be reckoned with and Where The Stars Still Shine is just another example of her amazing talent. 

ARC REVIEW: How to Love by Katie Cotugno

Title: How to Love

Author: Katie Cotugno

Publisher: Balzer & Bray

Release Date: October 1, 2013

Pages: 389, Hardcover

Source: ARC obtained at BEA

Summary from Goodreads:

Before: Reena Montero has loved Sawyer LeGrande for as long as she can remember: as natural as breathing, as endless as time. But he’s never seemed to notice that Reena even exists…until one day, impossibly, he does. Reena and Sawyer fall in messy, complicated love. But then Sawyer disappears from their humid Florida town without a word, leaving a devastated—and pregnant—Reena behind.

After: Almost three years have passed, and there’s a new love in Reena’s life: her daughter, Hannah. Reena’s gotten used to being without Sawyer, and she’s finally getting the hang of this strange, unexpected life. But just as swiftly and suddenly as he disappeared, Sawyer turns up again. Reena doesn’t want anything to do with him, though she’d be lying if she said Sawyer’s being back wasn’t stirring something in her. After everything that’s happened, can Reena really let herself love Sawyer LeGrande again?

In this breathtaking debut, Katie Cotugno weaves together the story of one couple falling in love—twice.

There is no rhyme or reason to how one person feels about another. You like who you like, amiriight? The things that often connect two people are not always easily explained or understood, just as are the things that often tear two people apart. Feelings are messy. Feelings don’t always make sense.

It’s not exactly clear what draws Serena and Sawyer together. After all, they couldn’t be more opposite. But their attraction is so strong it is almost tangible.  I wouldn’t exactly say that they work well together but there is no doubt that they care about each other immensely. And when it comes down to it, they are the only two people that have to get it.

How to Love is told in the “Before” and the “After”. In the “Before” part of the story, Sawyer and Serena are like two oncoming trains. You can see that collision is inevitable, and when it happens it is explosive, and messy and confusing. And as is the case with any train wreck, witnesses can’t look away. Readers know what is going to happen to their relationship; not only does the synopsis tell us but we see the “After” unfold at the same time. Yet the story is still irresistible. We see the good, the bad, and the ugly of relationships. We see two people who love each other so much it hurts.

In the “After” part of the story, Sawyer and Serena are thrust together yet again in the wake of Sawyer’s sudden return. Serena tries not to fall into the same destructive patters with Sawyer but finds it difficult to resist his charms. But what she doesn’t account for is that maybe he’s changed. The “After” is just as heartfelt as the “Before”. Timing and circumstance were against them in the past but things are different now. They get a second chance.

I can see readers relating to Sawyer and/or Serena and/or their situation in at least some way. I found it easy to connect with the feelings in the story even though I've never been in a similar situation (teenage pregnancy and destructive relationships and all that). Speaking of teenage pregnancy, I had no qualms with this aspect of the story. I think it was handled really, really well.

The writing in this book is just beautiful. The way the ending comes together with the “Before” and “After” is pretty perfect. There are just so many feelings and I really enjoyed this read.

ARC REVIEW: All the Truth That's In Me by Julie Berry

Title: All the Truth That's In Me

Author: Julie Berry

Publisher: Viking Juvenille

Release Date: September 26, 2013

Pages: 288, Hardcover

Source: ARC obtained at BEA

Summary from Goodreads:

Four years ago, Judith and her best friend disappeared from their small town of Roswell Station. Two years ago, only Judith returned, permanently mutilated, reviled and ignored by those who were once her friends and family. Unable to speak, Judith lives like a ghost in her own home, silently pouring out her thoughts to the boy who’s owned her heart as long as she can remember—even if he doesn’t know it—her childhood friend, Lucas. But when Roswell Station is attacked, long-buried secrets come to light, and Judith is forced to choose: continue to live in silence, or recover her voice, even if it means changing her world, and the lives around her, forever. This startlingly original novel will shock and disturb you; it will fill you with Judith’s passion and longing; and its mysteries will keep you feverishly turning the pages until the very last.

“My thoughts swirl and scatter like snowflakes on an errant wind. Will I help him make something of his life? Who will help me? Why does everyone presume that I, as damaged merchandise, forfeit any claim to happiness? That I expect nothing, have no ambitions or longings of my own? When was it agreed that my lot would be to gladly serve as a prop and a crutch for others who are whole?”

All The Truth That’s In Me is a sad book that is sure to pull on your heartstrings. There is so much emotion contained within these pages. My reading experience was swift, deep, and memorable.

This book is largely Judith’s internal dialogue as she observes the world around her. She cannot does not speak, most believe she is unable to. She is left to live on the fringes of society. Harassed.  Separate. Alone.  It was easy to be swept away by her story. She endures much. And she withstands it all. There is an ending to greatly look forward to. I was happy with Judith’s conclusion, although I wish it didn’t take so long for her to get there.

Julie Berry doesn’t give up the story of what happened to Judith easily. It’s all in due time. And it definitely kept me intrigued. But I wasn’t just curious about her past, I was genuinely invested in her future. The writing took some getting used to. I did struggle to understand how time worked at first – what were flashbacks and what were errant thoughts. But once I adjusted, it was easy to follow along and the book read very quickly (I think I read this in little over a day).

Judith is a strong character and the strength of this book relies on the strength of her words. There was this undeniable innocence about her. And she feels so much. I couldn’t help but feel all that emotion too. It’s impossible not to sympathize for her.  I wanted to protect her. I wanted to hug her and take care of her. I wanted to beat up everyone who was ever unkind to her. I wanted her to get everything she desired and more.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book.I think I overused the word emotional in this review, but that's what this book is.I'd definitely recommend it for readers looking for a unique, heartfelt, personal story.