Blurred Lines by Lauren Layne

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

A New Adult story in the form of a more traditional romance is a refreshing change.  There are no gimmicks, no “mystery” element that isn’t much of a mystery, no deals, bets, or games, and there is nothing supernatural or magical.  Frankly, it’s a relief.  In book world there seems to be a trend of 50 Shades-type fetishism, or a story with little to no plot that is only driven by sexual encounters.  Layne gives us a story that we can become immersed in that is driven by Parker and Ben and the simplicity of their story.

The dual narration is great- Ben is a normal guy whose thoughts and conversations aren’t profanity-laced idiocy masquerading as an authentic voice.  He’s a strong character who is presented well on the page and in his interactions with other characters.  Alternately, Parker is not a wishy-washy girl who doesn’t realize how amazing/attractive she is.  She’s a realistically drawn, independent, confident character who can easily be a fictional role model for readers. 

As usual, Layne’s writing is spot-on.  There are many genuinely funny, laugh-out-loud moments that are characteristic of her New Adult stories.  She definitely knows her intended audience and her characters are always representative of them.  The pacing is excellent, the plot progresses at an excellent rate, and although it seems as if there can’t possibly be a satisfying conclusion for both Parker and Ben, there is never a sense of being forced or rushed.  Nor are there any overly sappy, trite moments that make readers want to gag.    

Blurred Lines by Lauren Layne- Definitely read this one.  You won’t regret it.  Available from libraries and booksellers now. 

Material Girls by Elaine Dimopoulos

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Although I felt this left a little to be desired as far as development, I liked the premise and the dual narration.  The obsession with youth and the disregard for anything that isn't accepted by the masses provides a lot to think about, especially when careers top out at age 17.  Marla and Ivy give readers two very different views of life in a world where you're only as good as the popularity of your next decision.

I don't think it's accurate to call this a dystopian novel, either.  No, things weren't perfect and kids are blatantly taken advantage of by the world at large, but no one's being threatened with death, there is no one character who can do something no one else can, and there is no crazy vision of world domination.  This can be labeled ageist, at worst. 

However, I did like Marla and Ivy.  Some of their character development seemed rushed in places, but I found them both to be sympathetic.  The other characters were also good, whether they were naughty or nice.  Some of them made me cringe and some made me smile, but all were well drawn.
The writing could use a little more tweaking in places to eliminate unnecessary story lines, such as one of Ivy's nymphs being used to spy on her- which ultimately amounted to nothing and was never mentioned again. 

Material Girls was ultimately a good story.  You might be frustrated with the fashion talk in a few places, but the characters and plot provide many topics of thought and conversation. 

 

Material Girls by Elaine Dimopoulos: It's not going to start an uprising to end government tyranny, but it is a good story about two girls who begin to question everything they've always accepted as the norm.  Available from libraries and booksellers now.  

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Although there are several elements in this story that are reminiscent of other YA favorites (Red
Rising, The Hunger Games, even Divergent), I feel quite strongly that Aveyard has made Red Queen strong on it's own.  There are many reviews claiming hatred and insinuating minor plagiarism, but can you honestly tell me that you can't see any equal similarities in The Hunger Games, Divergent, and even Red Rising?


Those who have nothing but disparaging remarks for this book are entitled to their own opinions.  I won't tell them they're wrong for not liking exactly what I like.  But we, as consumers of the written word, need to get over this "special snowflake" issue.  Yes, Mare is special.  So was Katniss.  And Katsa.  And Darrow.  And Percy Jackson. So was Jane Eyre, for that matter.  Books, series especially, would suffer greatly were the main character to not be "special."

The writing is strong here: the characters aren't quite what you expect, the plot is propelled by an excellent main character, the pacing and action are on point, and the ending is set up nicely for the next installment. Victoria Aveyard has given us a strong beginning to this trilogy.  I am looking forward to the next piece of it.

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard: Love it or hate it, it's up to you.  But I encourage you to read it because I thought it was great.  Available now from libraries and booksellers.

Zoey and the Nice Guy (Big Girl Panties #1) by Carter Ashby

 

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

Just to get the negative out of the way, Zoey and the Nice Guy presented some issues for me, as far as character development.  Her regression from independent, self-sufficient chick who takes care of those she loves to stark-raving lunatic at a certain plot point was annoying.  She went from being a character I could applaud to one I wanted to push down a flight of stairs.  I am a fan of stories where I don't always admire the characters, though, so I kept on with her tale.

For fans of modern romance this is a good choice.  It's quick, it's got a decent plot, and it has some excellent characters.  Zoey is fiercely loyal to her friends, her friends are not spineless twits, and Kellen is a good counterpoint to Zoey.  I would recommend it for its happy ending. 

Zoey and the Nice Guy (Big Girl Panties #1) by Carter Ashby: If you're not a fan of the romance genre, skip it.  Otherwise, you'll probably like it.  Available now from libraries and booksellers. 

Ticker by Lisa Mantchev

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Ticker is a richly imagined world full of marvelous mechanics, excellent character traits, and plenty of mystery and danger.  Penny, the protagonist, is a sassy, unapologetic, determined, and courageous heroine who will do anything to save her family, even at the risk of her own life. 

The setting is wonderfully drawn, letting the imagination run rampant with a steampunk version of technology that would, frankly, be pretty cool to have.  My favorite bit of this technology?  The time-locked bakery boxes, of course. 

Mantchev has presented readers with a fantastic read that we won't soon forget, and will most likely want to read again.

Ticker by Lisa Mantchev: Why are you waiting?  Read it now!  Available from libraries and booksellers now.

Infandous by Elana K. Arnold

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Infandous is raw, gripping readers with hideous fairy tales and myths, weaving them into Sephora's life.  Each of these seems unrelated to the overall story, but with each chapter narrated by Sephora, you can see how she is living them, to a degree. 

There are so many angles to this story that pull away layers of love, pain, truth, fear, and acceptance.  It's not a feel-good book that will make you long for the romance of it all.  It is a gritty look at what life is really like sometimes.  Sometimes you have no read choices; sometimes you're thrown into the storm that other people have cast around you and the best thing you can do is try to keep your head above water and get through it.

Arnold gives us an unapologetic look at the dark side of love.  Sephora has secrets that will hurt everyone she loves, but they hurt her most of all.  She can't see a way around the choices she (or anyone else in her life) has made.  And she can't imagine a life for herself that is separate from her mother's.  She does give us the courage to look at horrifying things and hope that they might be overcome, no matter the brusque tone of the narration, or the utter helplessness you feel as more is revealed.  For such a grim book, I was oddly buoyed by it.  I highly recommend you try it.

Infandous by Elana K. Arnold: Fantastic!  Available from booksellers and libraries in March of 2015.

The Ruby Airship by Sharon Gosling

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Ruby Airship gives just as much tension, mystery, and romance as its predecessor, The Diamond Thief. The characters are just as richly drawn, the writing is still excellent, and the plot never has a dull moment.

The best aspect of The Ruby Airship was the additional character development. Remy isn't as quite as worldly as she thought. Thaddeus is overly cautious and meticulous, and forgets that he is also young and capable of missteps. But the real star of the book is J, who takes his passion for gadgetry and learning and shines as a Cockney Nutty Professor.

Gosling has delivered a solid sequel to this series, and I look forward to reading the next.

 

 

 

The Ruby Airship by Sharon Gosling: Awesome!  Available from booksellers and libraries now!

We've Always Got New York by Jill Knapp

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was horribly boring. I read 100 pages and didn't like either narrator. The plot (although I didn't find much of one) was forgettable. The characters were dull. The writing was grammatically correct. Sadly, that's the best compliment I can give to this book.

We've Always Got New York by Jill Knapp: 1 out of 5 stars.  Available from libraries and booksellers now. 

Imitation by Heather Hildenbrand

I received a copy of this title in exchange for an honest review. 

Although it raises a few questions that cannot be answered (at least as far is this installment of the story goes), I really liked Imitation. 

The concept of having clones on standby in case of an emergency or medical necessity for important people (think the president or the queen of England) is creepy, and realistic enough to drive the entire plot.  That the clones know this is why they have been created and have been made to study and emulate those they're to possibly replace makes it more frightening. 

There are a few gaps to be found.  For example, we never know if those who are after Raven Rogen are the same people trying to eradicate Ven.  We don't really understand why the people trying to help the imitations escape their life of servitude employ the same tactics as the "bad guys." 

Despite the issues, the story itself was good.  The writing is solid, it flows well, and even though there is the presence of (heaving sigh) an instant love connection, it does promise a riveting sequel. 

Imitation by Heather Hildenbrand: 4 out of 5 Stars.  Available from Amazon (Kindle edition) now. 

Midnight Dawn by Jocelyn Adams

This is an action-packed fantasy novel that combines great writing with excellent characters.  Adams presents a world for Addison and company that seems plausible enough to scare you into wondering what would happen if it were true.  Even though I didn't read the first one, I didn't feel like I had missed too much.  All my questions were eventually answered, and the ending was neatly done.  Not everything was perfect, but everyone's fate was included before the final page. 

Midnight Dawn by Jocelyn Adams: 4 out of 5 stars.

Broken by Lauren Layne

Layne has written a provocative story of two people who think they are damaged beyond redemption.  The dual first-person narration provides insight into the thoughts of both Paul and Olivia, highlighting the struggles and demons of each.  Broken will move you to tears, yes, but in a few places it will also make you laugh.  Ultimately, that is the test of fiction based on real life- if it affects your emotions the same way, it's a good story.  Layne accomplishes what few authors can with modern fiction: she makes you feel like you're part of the story that's unfolding on the pages. 

Broken by Lauren Layne: 5 out of 5 stars.

The Diamond Thief by Sharon Gosling

The adventurous story of Remy, a diamond thief and trapeze artist, will leave you breathless and wanting more.  Her desire to succeed as a thief in order to escape her oppressive life in the circus, and her need to help her friend Claudette make a better life for her daughter, is admirable.  Remy is strong, resourceful, and is willing to sacrifice herself in order to save those she loves- especially Thaddeus, the one person who is supposed to bring her to justice. 

The Diamond Thief by Sharon Gosling: 3 out of 5 stars, pending the sequel, because it felt a little unfinished to me.