Archive for Romance
Publisher: Lakehouse Press
Publication Date: November 13, 2012
Format: eARC
Source: Received for review as part of the Kismet Book Tour.
Status: Second in the Paradise Diaries series, following Dante’s Girl.
Genre: Contemporary Teen Romance
Other Info: Dante’s Girl and Mia’s Heart both take place in the fictional Mediterranean country of Caberra. Many of the characters from book one reappear in Mia’s Heart.
Description and link from Goodreads):
My name is Mia Giannis.
I am seventeen years old.
I live in Valese, Caberra.This has become my mantra and my lifeline, having recently lost my memory due to a scary natural disaster.
Yeah. I have amnesia. Messed up, right?You don’t know the half of it.
Not remembering anything has turned my world upside down. My parents try their hardest to “remind” me of who I was, but it doesn’t feel right. Or, if what they’re saying is true and that really was me, I’m not sure I like that person very much.
And then there’s my love life. Apparently, Gavin Ariastasis is my oldest and best friend in the world. Also, apparently, we’ve never dated. But now, noticing him for what feels like the first time, he’s making my heart do somersaults. He knows me inside and out—the real me. Plus, he’s sexy and charming as hell. Sounds perfect, right?
But then… there’s the new guy. Quinn McKeyen – tall, gorgeous and deliciously American. His mischievous grin and slow Midwestern drawl turn my insides to mush in two seconds flat making me question who I really am and what I really want.
Seriously. What am I supposed to do with all that?! I feel torn between them, but I barely even know who I am, let alone what I want.
I just hope my indecisive heart will clue me in. And sooner rather than later…before I lose what little of my mind that I have left.
My interest in the Paradise Diaries series stems from a secret love of Harlequin Presents novels. You know the ones I’m talking about–all those contemporary romances with their fictional billionaire playboy princes and virgin mistresses. Dante’s Girl (book one in the series) sounded like it was going to align pretty closely with that same standard, and I knew Mia’s Heart was only going to up the ante with its amnesia storyline. Unfortunately, both books fell flat on my Contemporary Fantasy-o-meter, and here’s why:
That fictional Mediterranean country of Caberra? Yeah, I don’t buy it. The people of Caberra supposedly have their own language, but we never hear any of it, nor mention of any accents. All the Caberran teenagers speak colloquial American English. They say things like “dude” and “epic fail.” In fact, Reece’s first person narrative (from Dante’s Girl) is almost indistinguishable from Mia’s, even though the former is from Kansas and the latter, Caberra. I’m honestly at a loss as to why Cole didn’t just set her books in a seaside American city. It would have been more believable, and have saved my needed to remind myself that it wasn’t set in the US.
Then there were the characters. If the setting was one-dimensional, the characters had only slightly more fleshing out. The characters just weren’t all that interesting to me. Mia, perhaps because of her similarity to Reece, began to grate on me almost at once. Quinn wasn’t much of an improvement, either, despite apparently being a very fine physical specimen. And the amnesia plot? A sinful waste of one of my favorite story lines.
Now, I’m all for fluff. I think it’s important to occasionally read schmaltzy romance stories where the bad guys get their due and the couple ends up happily ever after and everyone gathers together for a ginormous group hug and singing around the campfire. But Mia’s Heart failed to entice any happy sighs from me. It was a chore to read. There was no eye strain while reading, but I almost wish there had been. It might have made reading Mia’s Heart more entertaining.
2 Matryoshkas: I would smile awkwardly at this book when I crossed the street.
While you’re here, check out my giveaway!:
Audiobook of Eve & Adam by Katherine Applegate and Michael Grant
When I asked for some guest reviewers at the beginning of the month to help me with my overwhelming TBR list (and limited time), there were a number of bloggers who stepped up to the plate. Thus, I have a guest reviews for the next couple of weeks to help me with my workload. I hope you will join me in welcoming my latest guest reviewer, Amy, from bookgoonie:
Publisher: MTV Books/Simon & Schuster
Publication Date: July 19, 2011
Format: paperback
Status: Stand alone
Source: Ruby Reads
Genre: Contemporary YA
Other Info: 243 pages
Description (from Goodreads):
She’s writing about him. he’s writing about her. And everybody is reading between the lines.. For Erin Blackwell, majoring in creative writing at the New York City college of her dreams is more than a chance to fulfill her ambitions–it’s her ticket away from the tragic memories that shadow her family’s racehorse farm in Kentucky. But when she refuses to major in business and take over the farm herself someday, her grandmother gives Erin’s college tuition and promised inheritance to their maddeningly handsome stable boy, Hunter Allen. Now Erin has to win an internship and work late nights at a coffee shop to make her own dreams a reality. She should despise Hunter . . . so why does he sneak into her thoughts as the hero of her latest writing assignment? Then, on the day she’s sharing that assignment with her class, Hunter walks in. He’s joining her class. And after he reads about himself in her story, her private fantasies about him must be painfully clear. She only hopes to persuade him not to reveal her secret to everyone else. But Hunter devises his own creative revenge, writing sexy stories that drive the whole class wild with curiosity and fill Erin’s heart with longing. Now she’s not just imagining what might have been. She’s writing a whole new ending for her romance with Hunter . . . except this story could come true.
Erin Blackwell heads to NYC to go to college. She wants to be a writer. What better place to be? She is struggling to pay tuition and even to eat. Check. Creative Writing class. Check. She is ready to share her first story, a romantic story, with her classmates. Of all the classes, in all the colleges, in all the world, he has to walk into hers. Yep, Hunter Allen. He is the son of the stable manager from her family horse farm in Kentucky. The subject of her fantasies and her nightmares.
One the one hand, he is the stable boy. That is just hot…with his muscles and hair falling into his face. But he stole her birthright. Erin’s grandmother wanted her to study business and take over the family farm. Erin turned it down to follow her dream. So grandmother offered Hunter the full ride to college, in exchange for running the family business.
Creative writing class will never be the same. These two air their dirty laundry and repressed feelings through a series of steamy tales that have the whole class begging for more. Their personal interactions range from sweet concern, to indifference, to outrage which screams they like each other. But those darn demons that plague their past, present and could affect their future, if they don’t deal with them.
This is a nice easy contemporary love story that can be read in one sitting. I enjoyed the images Jennifer painted of the Kentucky horse farm. It made a perfect backdrop for her romance. I understood why Erin would abandon her grandmother’s wishes for her dream of writing, but she annoyed me at times. She constantly complained or made reference to having no money and living off peanut butter crackers. I got it. I didn’t need to be reminded constantly. I felt her character was a little petty towards Hunter. Disclaimer–I tend to be harder on the female characters. I really liked how Jennifer uncovered Erin and Hunter’s past through the short stories they shared.
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing
Publication Date: April 26, 2011
Format: Hardcover
Status: Third in the Summer books, following The Summer I Turned Pretty and It’s Not Summer Without You.
Source: Received from the publisher for review
Genre: Teen Romance
Location: Cousins Beach
Other Info: I listened to the audio versions of The Summer I Turned Pretty and It’s Not Summer Without You.
Description (from Goodreads):
It’s been two years since Conrad told Belly to go with Jeremiah. She and Jeremiah have been inseparable ever since, even attending the same college– only, their relationship hasn’t exactly been the happily ever after Belly had hoped it would be. And when Jeremiah makes the worst mistake a boy can make, Belly is forced to question what she thought was true love. Does she really have a future with Jeremiah? Has she ever gotten over Conrad? It’s time for Belly to decide, once and for all, who has her heart forever.
A large part of one’s enjoyment of a series is based on the enjoyment of the characters. At least, this is the case for me. Plot, and a romantic element are additional requirements, but the truth is, if I don’t like the characters even those won’t be enough to win me over. The truth of this statement is exponentially compounded when the story is told in first person narration. If you’re familiar with this series, you already know that the first books is entirely first person perspective from Belly’s POV. Book two alternates between Belly and Jeremiah’s perspective and the last book finally gives readers insight into Conrad’s mind. And continues with Belly’s, of course.
The thing is, if you held a gun to my head right now and demanded that I tell you which of this cast of three I liked best…I’d be hard pressed to tell you. Should I name self-absorbed Belly? Conrad, who jerks everyone around and generally acts like a jackwagon? Or Jeremiah, whose inferiority complex is the size Texas, Alaska and Canada combined? What about Susanna, Conrad and Jeremiah’s deceased and practically canonized mother who, with the power only dying parents can wield, conspired to make things as messed up as possible between her two sons and Belly? My feelings for these characters couldn’t be described as dislike–frustration fits better.
I couldn’t stomach Belly because it was clear to me that she never, ever, got over her feelings for Conrad. Jeremiah (and anyone else) would always, always be second best. I almost didn’t blame him for cheating on her (but I can’t, really) because I suspect that Jeremiah always knew that she was with him by default. She was with the brother she could have–because the one she wanted had refused her. Blech.
Conrad, on the other hand, spends most of the books being emotionally abusive. True, he has reason to be in agony. But–honestly–talk about the road to jerkhood being paved with “good” intentions. Whatever. I hate it when a character’s bad behavior is “excused” by some higher purpose. My ultimate feelings about Conrad were that he was far too immature to deal with any of the stuff that was on his plate–and I kind of blame his mother for putting the pressure on him. It was like she handed Conrad a fifty pound sack of potatoes and said, “Promise me you’ll carry this on your back for the rest of your life.” What was he supposed to say? “How about if I carry it for, like, a week?” Um, not to your dying mom, he can’t.
When it comes down to it, “Immature” is the word that best illustrates all three of these characters. And while I found it excusable in The Summer I Turned Pretty, I expected some growth by the time we got to book three. I think this is a trilogy that I would have preferred to end after the first volume. After that, things just fell apart and I felt less inclined to support/care for the characters and I had even less interest in the love triangle. It was sordid, not intriguing.
Here, again, I am in the minority. This is another series that others have loved and We’ll Always Have Summer is considered a satisfying end to the trilogy. Below I’ve linked to a positive review. I hope you’ll check it out for another opinion.
While you’re here, check out my giveaways! There are two going on this week:
Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: April 27, 2010
Format: Kindle edition
Status: Second in the Perfect Chemistry series, all of which are about the Fuentes brothers: Alex, Carlos, and Luis. Perfect Chemistry tells the story of Alex and Brittany. Rules of Attraction tells Carlos’ story, and the third book in the series, Chain Reaction will feature Luis. Chain Reaction has a publication date of May 24, 2011.
Source: Absolutely could not wait for someone to loan this to me. I bought it, fair and square.
Genre: Teen, Contemporary Romance, Coming of Age
Location: Boulder, Co
Other Info: Simone Elkeles has also written two other series: The How to Ruin Series and the Leaving Paradise Series.
Description (from Goodreads):
When Carlos Fuentes returns to America after living in Mexico for a year, he doesn’t want any part of the life his older brother, Alex, has laid out for him at a high school in Colorado. Carlos likes living his life on the edge and wants to carve his own path—just like Alex did. Then he meets Kiara Westford. She doesn’t talk much and is completely intimidated by Carlos’ wild ways. As they get to know one another, Carlos assumes Kiara thinks she’s too good for him, and refuses to admit that she might be getting to him. But he soon realizes that being himself is exactly what Kiara needs right now.
The description of this book is kind of misleading, especially as regards Kiara’s personality. She is certainly not intimidated by Carlos, and at no time does Carlos think that Kiara thinks she’s too good for him. In fact, Carlos begins the novel thinking that Kiara–with her shapeless clothing–isn’t his type. Also, it’s not that Carlos is determined to carve out a life for himself, it’s that he’s as trapped by gang culture as Alex was before him. Carlos is also determined not to get close to anyone. He’s derisive of Alex and Brittany’s relationship and pushes people away any which way he can. He even has a hard time accepting help from his brother.
You wouldn’t think it would be possible, but I loved this book more than I loved Perfect Chemistry. Carlos easily escapes the fate of middle siblings everywhere. I liked Alex–but I looove Carlos. He’s got the kind of snarky sense of humor that I love in a guy. He’s pretty and makes jokes about it–I love it when guys do that. Sure, Carlos has emotional baggage (he’s a Fuentes), but that’s just part of his appeal. His romantic counterpart, Kiara, I definitely liked better than Brittany. She’s not popular or perfect. She’s outdoorsy and athletic and has a good relationship with her parents. But though she’s interested in certain “unfeminine” things (fixing cars, rock climbing), she’s also self-aware enough to want the things most girls want: a boyfriend, and a date to the Homecoming dance.
When someone frames Carlos by putting some pot in his locker on search day, he finds himself living with Kiara’s family. It’s entirely different from anything he’s ever known. It’s normal–and Carlos doesn’t know normal. Despite himself, though, he meshes with Kiara’s family. This was the most touching part of the story for me. I loved the moments Carlos spent with Kiara’s little brother. And Carlos’ internal reflections on her father were both funny and heart-wrenching. This isn’t just a book about Carlos finding love with Kiara–it’s about him finding a family. You’d think that odd given the fact that he has two brothers and a mother, but it’s not.
Simone Elkeles has a gift for creating teen romances that feel as though they’re going to last. Most of the time, when I read a teen book, I assume the happily ever after has a shelf-life that’s longer than most high school relationships, but I don’t generally picture the couple at the alter. They’re so young! But I buy it with Alex and Brittany and Carlos and Kiara. I buy it for Alex and Brittany because they’re each others’ support system, each others’ family. And I buy Kiara and Carlos because Carlos becomes part of her entire family before the two even become a couple. That said, I could still do without the epilogues. I don’t need ‘em.
Now that I’m finished with Rules of Attraction, I’m looking forward to Chain Reaction, though my anticipation isn’t what it might be. I love that Carlos and Alex were bad boys, and it makes me less interested in Luis to learn that he’s not. I will read it, however, simply because I know it means reconnecting with Alex, Brittany, Kiara and Carlos. In the meantime, I’d love some recommendations for some YA romance. Hook me up, guys!
Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: January 1, 2008
Format: Kindle edition
Status: First in the Perfect Chemistry series, all of which are about the Fuentes brothers: Alex, Carlos, and Luis. Perfect Chemistry tells the story of Alex and Brittany. Rules of Attraction tells Carlos’ story, and the third book in the series, Chain Reaction will feature Luis. Chain Reaction has a publication date of May 24, 2011.
Source: Received on loan through the Kindle Lending Club. Thanks!
Genre: Teen, Contemporary Romance, Coming of Age
Location: Chicago area
Other Info: Simone Elkeles has also written two other series: The How to Ruin Series and the Leaving Paradise Series.
Description (from Goodreads):
When Brittany Ellis walks into chemistry class on the first day of senior year, she has no clue that her carefully created “perfect” life is about to unravel before her eyes. She’s forced to be lab partners with Alex Fuentes, a gang member from the other side of town, and he is about to threaten everything she’s worked so hard for—her flawless reputation, her relationship with her boyfriend, and the secret that her home life is anything but perfect. Alex is a bad boy and he knows it. So when he makes a bet with his friends to lure Brittany into his life, he thinks nothing of it. But soon Alex realizes Brittany is a real person with real problems, and suddenly the bet he made in arrogance turns into something much more.
In a passionate story about looking beneath the surface, Simone Elkeles breaks through the stereotypes and barriers that threaten to keep Brittany and Alex apart.
You’d have to be completely dim-witted to have missed seeing or hearing about Perfect Chemistry. Simone Elkeles is sort of like the new Sarah Dessen. Her books have teen angst, teen romance and plenty of emotional baggage. Well, I’ve only read Perfect Chemistry so far, but that’s my take, having read the descriptions of her other books.
If you’re like me, and you’ve waited to pick up this book, then you’re in for a treat. I haven’t read much “normal” teen fiction lately (try none) and this was the perfect reentry into the genre. I frankly loved it. In the beginning, I felt the writing was a little clunky. Brittany was a little too Miss Shallow and Perfect (but with Hidden Depths), and I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to like her or relate to her. Alex I saw through right away. But, then I knew he wasn’t going to turn out to be the stone-cold gangbanger of the reputation which precedes him. He is a bad boy, but for all the right reasons. Plus, it’s part of what makes him so sexy. Roarrryum.
Brittany and Alex are the classic star-crossed lovers. He’s from the wrong side of the tracks, a rule-breaker, a hellion and a, er, um, a ladies’ man. She’s the blond cheerleader with wealthy parents, perfect clothes and an expensive car. Not to mention a boyfriend. Don’t worry, he doesn’t stick around long enough to be a sticking point between Brittany and Alex. He’s also the quintessential current-boyfriend-who-isn’t-the-hero (a cheating jerk with a side of prove you love me with sex). Of course, the cliches dissolve once we get to know each character. Brittany’s life isn’t as perfect as she’d have people believe, and Alex isn’t a sociopath. Furthermore, he isn’t a banger by choice, but necessity. It’s also a fate he’s determined to save his brothers from sharing.
The secrets that rule Brittany and Alex are both heart-wrenching, but of the two, I found Alex’s story affected me more. Brittany has a sister with cerebral palsy. It’s had the kind of consequences on the family dynamic that you’d expect. Alex, however, is a boy who was born without a chance. His father was in the Latino Bloods before he died, and he was fated to become a member before he even understood the concept of choice. Highlight for the upcoming spoilery bit: I couldn’t forgive Alex’s mother for the things she kept from him. I think she was in a terrible position, but I find it hard to fathom a mother who wouldn’t at least try to save her son from getting mixed up in a gang. I couldn’t help thinking she could have moved back to Mexico–or ANYWHERE else–if the alternative was to allow her son to become a drug dealer and, eventually, a murderer.
The love story between Brittany and Alex is both sweet and hot. I was worried, at first, that the climax of the book was going to be Brittany finding out about the bet. It comes out, but the conflicts in Perfect Chemistry go deeper than that. Neither does it become a story about Brittany and Alex keeping their relationship a secret from everyone. The story doesn’t only focus on their relationship, either. There are subplots about Brittany and her best friend, and Alex and his brother, Carlos. There’s plenty of angst to go around, but that doesn’t mean a happy ending isn’t waiting for you.
This book really got me thinking about gang life, prejudice and criminality. It’s as thought-provoking as it is a love story that makes me go all squishy inside. I have to say, though Alex sounds like a superb adult male specimen, not an adolescent. I don’t remember guys looking like that when I was in high school. Do you? Of course, I could just be justifying my crush on an eighteen-year-old character. Hm. I also want to add that, while I love a happy ending, I didn’t need the epilogue. I would have been perfectly happy without it, especially since I’ve heard that Alex and Brittany make an appearance in Rules of Attraction.
If you haven’t already read this book, do so now. I’m not kidding. Buy it, check it out from the library, borrow it from someone on Lendle. Get your hands on a copy asap. Oh, what’s that you say? I’m the last person on earth who hadn’t already read it? Oops, my bad.
