Review for My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

My Life Next Door

By Huntley Fitzpatrick
Published June 14th 2012 by Dial Books For Young Readers
Borrowed Paperback from Local Library
394 pages

"The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, messy, affectionate. And every day from her rooftop perch, Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them . . . until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs up next to her and changes everything.
As the two fall fiercely for each other, stumbling through the awkwardness and awesomeness of first love, Jase's family embraces Samantha - even as she keeps him a secret from her own. Then something unthinkable happens, and the bottom drops out of Samantha's world. She's suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself?" ~ Goodreads

Review

My Life Next Door is sure to steal your heart and if you're fortunate, give it back to you at the end. The odds aren't great.

It's been a long time since I've delved into a contemporary. I almost forgot how character driven they are and what an absolute joy it can be to get to know - in depth - a variety of characters. My Life Next Door is the perfect example. I'll only focus on the two main families because the cast is just so widespread (but I would like to give a shout out to Tim - you rule!). I would like to start with the Garrett family. Some would say chaos, mayhem, yada yada yada. I say grounded, loyal, fun, affectionate and in the fullest sense family. A real family. It baffles me how the author made every single one stand out. I loved them to bits - all ten of them! (Okay, George and Pasty have a special place in my heart.) They are just so full of life. It radiates from the pages through hilarious scenes and witty dialogue. In sharp contrast is the Reed family. Controlled, precise, planned. Two very different ways of living.

Sam and Jase. Sam and Jase. There of course is attraction at first, but no insta-love. They start off slow and steady. Progressing into a firm, solid relationship. It was beautiful really and what I hope is realistic (cause that would be aw-some). They made such a cute couple, it melted me. Jase is patient and understanding and Sam is open to being a better version of herself with him. They bring out the best in each other. It is so refreshing that there is no romantic conflict (no bringing in an ex or a new love interest) and that the boy is just all around good (I'm sure others exist out there). No teen aghast, too. My Life Next Door is centred on their growing relationship, their families and friendship.

Since this is a contemporary and one that focuses on day-to-day kinda life it is a slower pace. But I can guarantee you that it will be engaging - after all, it has an eight-kid family in there with a full serving of politics. Yeah. Things get real interesting. I do wish the ending wasn't quite as rushed, but it satisfied me. Throughout the whole book, I felt like I was vicariously living through Samantha. Getting to enjoy the ups and downs of life.

I highly recommend My Life Next Door to readers who enjoy contemporary and sweet romance. But it is so much more. It's like... no, that's not it. There is so much... I already said that. Remember when...gah. You know what? Just go read it!

Excerpt

"Is Jase already going to marry you?"

I start coughing again. "Uh. No. No, George. I'm only seventeen." As if that's the only reason we aren't engaged.

"I'm this many," George holds up four slightly grubby fingers. "But Jase is seventeen and a half. You could. Then you could live in here with him. And have a big family."

Jase strides back into the room, of course, midway through this proposition. "George. Beat it. Discovery Channel is on."

George backs out of the room, but not before saying, "His bed's really comfortable. And he never pees in it."

The door closes and we both start laughing.

........

"It's okay. I love him," I say. "I think I will marry him."

"You might want to think about that. Or at least be really careful about the bedtime reading."

Review for Pivot Point by Kasie West

Pivot Point (Pivot Point #1)

By Kasie West
Published February 12th 2013 by HarperTeen
Ebook from Library
352 pages

"Addison Coleman’s life is one big “What if?” As a Searcher, whenever Addie is faced with a choice, she can look into the future and see both outcomes. It’s the ultimate insurance plan against disaster. Or so she thought. When Addie’s parents ambush her with the news of their divorce, she has to pick who she wants to live with—her father, who is leaving the paranormal compound to live among the “Norms,” or her mother, who is staying in the life Addie has always known. Addie loves her life just as it is, so her answer should be easy. One Search six weeks into the future proves it’s not.
In one potential future, Addie is adjusting to life outside the Compound as the new girl in a Norm high school where she meets Trevor, a cute, sensitive artist who understands her. In the other path, Addie is being pursued by the hottest guy in school—but she never wanted to be a quarterback’s girlfriend. When Addie’s father is asked to consult on a murder in the Compound, she’s unwittingly drawn into a dangerous game that threatens everything she holds dear. With love and loss in both lives, it all comes down to which reality she’s willing to live through . . . and who she can’t live without." ~ Goodreads

Review

Pivot Point is a winning combination of colorful characters, a well executed and intriguing plot, sweet romance, and a touch of the not-so-ordinary.

It's been a long time since I have met a protagonist I love as much as Addie. It felt like I was the main character - her mouthiness and bookworminess fit like a comfy sweater. I became immersed in her life/lives and could completely get behind her. The comments and decisions she made never caused me to roll my eyes or bang my head against a wall. As for the rest of the cast, well, they practically walked off the page. Each individual was equipped with their own personality and somehow in a group setting it all worked like magic. The relationship between Addie and her best friend Laila was perfection. Their witty conversations had me smiling from ear to ear. And get this, parents are present and actually play a part! No joke. 

Now, romance. The unique approach (chapters that alternated between her two options) snuffed out any love triangle business, but still allowed us to see the best of both worlds. To be honest both guys didn't seem that special at first. But it soon became apparent which one I was going to root for - Trevor. Their relationship was wonderful because at first Addie was just looking for a friend - a best friend actually. Trevor fit the bill. They got along really well a friendship resulted. Only after did it grow into more. I like 'em slow budding romances. As for Duke, he was charming and kind to Addie, but he had nothing on Trevor in my opinion.

It all felt so realistic (except for the "mind abilities" of course) because the conversations and situations were natural. The plot was dynamic and never slow. Despite having no trouble putting it down (gasp), my interest was still there. Weird conundrum. I will be one to admit that the world building could have used some work; however, I didn't see this as a bad thing. Instead of information dumps, we got subtle slips. Soon a bigger picture was formed from all those hints. I loved the gradual submersion into the Compound world. Regarding the alternating "options" - do not be scared. It switches smoothly and will not leave you in a cloud of confusion. Amazing, but true. Even when the two seem to intertwine slightly. I am relieved to have the second book standing by - that ending left me wanting more. How heartbreaking her decision turned out to be, but it proved just how well grounded Addie was. She does not shy away from sacrifices.

I highly recommend Pivot Point to everyone - readers who enjoy relatable characters, "super hero powers" (read it and you'll see the inside joke), romance, and exciting plot. Seriously, give it a go - you will not be sorry! 

Excerpt

"I'm an aide in the library during sixth period."

"Nice." That would be my dream class.

***
"Wait, so you're telling me this is like a prison sentence for you?"

"More like a torture chamber."

 I gasp. "I'm deeply offended."

"It's just this place is so quiet and these books all start to look the same after a while."

"Charles Dickens is turning over in his grave right now," I tell him.

He forces a serious expression, straightens up, and nods. "Noted. I will not criticize your personal friends when you are within hearing range." He shifts the books in his hands then looks at one of the spines. "Well, I'd better get back to work. The librarian" - he checks over his shoulder - "is a Nazi."

My eyes go wide. "She is?"

He lowers his brow. "Not literally."

"Oh. Right."

Review for Every Ugly Word by Aimee L. Salter

Every Ugly Word
By Aimee L. Salter
Published July 29th 2014 by Alloy Entertainment
Received Ebook from Netgalley
257 pages

"When seventeen-year-old Ashley Watson walks through the halls of her high school bullies taunt and shove her. She can’t go a day without fighting with her mother. And no matter how hard she tries, she can’t make her best friend, Matt, fall in love with her. But Ashley also has something no one else does: a literal glimpse into the future. When Ashley looks into the mirror, she can see her twenty-three-year-old self.
Her older self has been through it all already—she endured the bullying, survived the heartbreak, and heard every ugly word her classmates threw at her. But her older self is also keeping a dark secret: Something terrible is about to happen to Ashley. Something that will change her life forever. Something even her older self is powerless to stop." ~ Goodreads

Review

Put away your assumptions and predictions about Every Ugly Word. They probably won't match up to the real thing. 

Every Ugly Word was not at all what I expected. Meaning it was not one of those "issue" books. The ones that are really heavy and hard to digest. You feel like you are wading through deep water. With the addition of obscurity and mirror magic it made the story feel a lot lighter, but the message still remained. The effects of bullying are astounding - and not in a good way. 

I really empathized with Ashley. I felt her helplessness, hopelessness and experienced the nightmare that was her life. The fact that she kept going and getting back up proved she was strong inside. A quality that reached through the pages and affected me deeply. Her best friend Matt at times was exasperating, but he really was the only one who truly cared about Ash. Bonus points to him. Their friendship was strong because they both stood by each other during the rough times. And like any realistic friendship, it had its less-than-stellar moments. However, they worked through them and by the end  both became more mature.

I cannot divulge any specifics regarding the POV or plot as it would ruin the mistique. However, I can say that I loved how the two alternating point of views were handled. Loved it. Loved it. Loved it. As I was flipping pages I was unaware of becoming hooked, it just happened. There is an underlying mystery to Ashley's story that will keep you remarkably engaged. Then, there is the fact that you are left questioning her sanity and her credibility. It felt almost like a thriller at times (slightly). As for the whole seeing her twenty-three year old self, that part was confusing. I like the ingenuity of it, but there came a point where I felt lost on how it all fit together. I just threw up my hands and kind of accepted it as it was. 

I highly recommend Every Ugly Word to readers who enjoy mystery, romance, page turners, and of course a heavier topic. Give it a chance and see what you think!

Excerpt

"So... where do you want me to begin?"

He crosses his leg over his knee, pulling up his pang leg slightly. "Nothing too dramatic. Start with the night you planned to give Matt the letter."

I feel the grin slide off my face. Nothing too dramatic. Right. I can't help glancing sideways at the mirror.

For a moment the magnitude of what I'm trying to achieve is overwhelming. I cannot breathe. But I force my muscles to loosen. I swallow my fear - and begin to speak. 

Review for The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

The Fault In Our Stars
By John Green
Published January 10th 2012 by Dutton Books
Borrowed from Library
313 pages

"Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten." ~ Goodreads

The Fault In Our Stars has acquired quite a reputation for itself as an intelligent, eloquent, and refined masterpiece. It does not fail to live up to that promise, I assure you.

Fact one: This is not your typical cancer book. Please, do not even go there. It is not depressing or preachy. It is full of life, love, death and laughter; it is realistic. If you can picture the essence of John Green transferred to a book, (I have had the great honor of getting to know him via YouTube), you can easily understand how profound that book would be... so, meet TFIOS everyone. He has a gift, plain and simple. Thank you John Green for sharing that gift with us mere mortals.

Fact two: TFIOS brings its characters to life in way that evokes emotion in the reader - real, powerful emotions. You will laugh out loud at their witty remarks, cry at the unfairness of it all, but more important you will wonder at their brilliancy. Hazel and Augustus are two exceptional people whose personalities charm their way into our hearts.

Fact three: It will morph your thoughts, actions, and outlook on life. Maybe not that day or the next, but TFIOS is a literary work that will stick with you for the rest of your existence. You may see an out of breath child at the park and think, "Hazel wouldn't be able to do that." Or perhaps you are drinking champagne and a comment slips out about "tasting the stars". No, maybe you are having a really bad day and, well, you convince yourself that you just need to suck it up because "the world is not a wish-granting factory". TFIOS packs a punch to the gut, but before it does, it feeds our mind with words worthy of meditation.

I highly recommend... no, I insist that if you have not allowed yourself the favor, honor, and "simple pleasure" of reading The Fault In Our Stars, please do. You will not regret it. My review just barely scratches the surface of it all; it is a once in a lifetime read that cannot be described by my sorry excuse of a review.

Excerpt

"I'm in love with you," he said quietly.

"Augustus," I said.

"I am," he said.  He was staring at me, and I could see the corners of his eyes crinkling. "I'm in love with you, and I'm not in the business of denying myself the simple pleasure of saying true things. I'm in love with you, and I know that love is just a shout into the void, and that oblivion is inevitable, and that we're all doomed and that there will come a day when all our labor has been returned to dust, and I know the sun will swallow the only earth we'll ever have, and I am in love with you."

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Review for Onyx (Lux #2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Onyx (Lux #2)
By Jennifer L. Armentrout
Published August 14, 2012 by Entangled Teen
Borrowed from Library
366 pages

"Being connected to Daemon Black sucks.
Thanks to his alien mojo, Daemon's determined to prove what he feels for me is more than a product of our bizarro connection. So I've sworn him off, even though he's running more hot than cold these days. But we've got bigger problems.
Something worse than the Arum has come to town.
The Department of Defense are here. If they ever out what Daemon can do and that we're linked, I'm a goner. So is he. And there's this new boy in school who's got a secret of his own. He knows what's happened to me and he can help, but to do so, I have to lie to Daemon and stay away from him. Like that's possible. Against all common sense, I'm falling for Daemon. Hard.
But then everything changes. I've seen someone who shouldn't be alive. And I have to tell Daemon, even though I know he's never going to stop searching until he gets the truth. What happened to his brother? Who betrayed him? And what does the DOD want from them - from me?
No one is who they seem. And not everyone will survive the lie." ~ Goodreads

 

Obsidian was a fall-hard book that left me breathless and wanting more. Could the series' next book Onyx fill the big shoes left behind? You bet it could. Although there was room to spare as I wouldn't go as far to say it was better.

Ms. Armentrout's way of writing is simplistic; it didn't hammer me over the head with long sentences and confusing phrases. Instead, her words effectively carried me along clearly throughout the scenes. It takes little effort to become sucked into Katy's world. Speaking of Katy, she is a character that I find relatible and easy to imagine myself being friends with (it helps that she is a book addict AND blogger). However, her denial towards Daemon's affections got on my nerves - accept it girl, I would! With that being said, if you are a fan rooting for Katy and Daemon I can assure you not to worry about them relationship wise, They have that same sizzling connection and Daemon holds many surprises for us. Daemon reveals more of himself, but stays true to what we know of him - the ever sarcastic and jerkface he is (don't be fooled, he's lovable). The fact that he gave the new "love interest" nicknames was hilarious!

The plot took me on its highs and lows - I felt every bump along the way. It was definetly relationship focused, but personally I found it engaging. More information regarding the DOD and some other 'mysteries' are revealed in their due time, yet are quickly replaced with more! And that ending... beware. Ms. Armentrout has skill.  She left me gripping the pages.

I highly recommend Onyx to lovers of the first book, romance, sexy aliens, and a series of events that will leave you wondering, "what's next". I warn you, this series will chain you to it and not let you go!

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Review for Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

Amy and Roger's Epic Detour
By Morgan Matson
Published by Simon & Schuster Books
Bought Paperback
368 pages

"Amy Curry thinks her life sucks. Her mom decides to move from California to Connecticut to start anew--just in time for Amy's senior year. Her dad recently died in a car accident. So Amy embarks on a road trip to escape from it all, driving cross-country from the home she's always known toward her new life. Joining Amy on the road trip is Roger, the son of Amy's mother's old friend. Amy hasn’t seen him in years, and she is less than thrilled to be driving across the country with a guy she barely knows. So she's surprised to find that she is developing a crush on him. At the same time, she’s coming to terms with her father’s death and how to put her own life back together after the accident. " - Goodreads
 

 Amy and Roger's Epic Detour was absolutely epic. The way the story was presented was perfect to showcase the character's development and the unforgettable journey both teenagers had. No doubt, Amy and Roger's Epic Detour would make a wonderful summer read.

Of course being the out-of-sync person that I am, I ended up reading it during winter. Still, this tale of two strangers was enough to warm me up! I admit, at first I didn't quite like Amy. I'm not sure why but I assure you, soon she became a great narrator. To say the least, she was relatible and I enjoyed seeing her reactions to sometimes awkward situations. Roger was utterly charming and just thinking about him makes me grin. At the beginning of the trip, they are strangers and I was so satisfied at how their relationship - first as friends - grew and developed. It was realistic and heartwarming. As soon as the detour begins, adventure sets in. The fact that they both had not seen much outside of California had great potential for memorable scenes. By the end of their trip together, they had both wrestled with what was holding them down and the reader can feel how they have grown as people. The friendships they fix and the people they meet along the way add to their dynamic. On a side note, I loved the part where Amy talks with her brother - wow, it was so heartwarming!

The places they go and the experiences they have made me want to pack up and take a road trip! The receipts, pictures, postcards, clippings, playlists, and doodles added so much to the experience of reading. It was like I was along for the ride. The scenery was brought out by the descriptive writing and the mystery in the background had me wondering. Yes, mystery. This may be a small thing but I noticed how the author kept off telling us what exactly happened. During the road trip, we see glimpses of what happened and so forth but not the whole story. It had me eagerly awaiting the part where we found out how the accident occured! That also brings me to mention the flashbacks; they really created a deeper story because of all the background information.

I'd highly recommend Amy and Roger's Epic Detour to those who enjoy roadtrips, cool music references, unhealthy snacks, and a brilliantly portrayed growing friendship! Trust me, you can read this any time of the year and have a completely epic time!

Excerpt

Yosemite Hike-u
Led by Ranger Carl
WORKSHEET

This is so stupid

Haikus are so very dumb.

Plus, getting blister.

- Amelia E. Curry

 

You were the one who

wanted to go on the hike 

Of Half Dome, 'member?

-Roger H. Sullivan

 

That was before I

Read the fine print, which was

very, very, very, very, very scary.

-A.E.C.

 

Amy, I don't think

Haiku are supposed to rhyme

Or repeat same words.

- R.H.S.

 

Is the plural of

Haiku really haiku, Rog?

I doubt it somehow.

-A.E.C.

 

Like mice, like moose, like

Aircraft, plural is the same.

And "Rog"? Stretching it, "Ame."

-R.H.S.

 

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Review for Bourne by Lisa Tawn Bergren

Bourne (River of Time #3.1)
By Lisa Tawn Bergren
Published by Bergren Creative Group, Inc
Bought Ebook
116 pages

"The dramatic tale about the Betarrinis and Forellis continues, picking up directly after where Torrent left off… The battle is done at the front, but the battle is only beginning back at Castello Forelli. Marcello fights for his life; Lord Greco fights to find his place; and Lia fights for love." - Goodreads
 

Oh how I have missed the Betarrinis and Forellis! This novella wets your appetite and now I seriously need more (Tributary here I come)!

I'm trying not to go completely fan-girling here but Bourne focuses more on Luca and Lia's relationship. JUST what I asked for *squee*. I love them! Although I still consider Waterfall my favourite book out of the series, novella's are brilliant. Through them we get to know the characters just a bit better and we get that much more attached to them. For Lord Greco fans - there is much more of him in this novella... as for Gabriella, Marcello, Evangelia, Luca, they get a nice amount of face time too. Since it is so short, not enough time as I would have liked, obviously.

One hundred and sixteen pages is short. Yet, somehow I felt like I had a read a well written book. There is character development, a plot, a resolution... me craving for more. The normal cycle. I loved learning a little bit about the secret brotherhood and I can't wait for more to be revealed. It definitely adds a level of intensity and danger to the series. An additional plus, was the fact that the chapters alternate between Gabriella and Lia's POV. Being able to read through Lia's POV was exciting, her view on things is very different from Gabs. She's not head over heels in love with the century and everything it brings but she is willing to stay because of her family. But I think the medieval times are growing on her *cough* Luca *cough*.

To read Bourne, you have to first read Waterfall, Cascade, and Torrent because you know, I said so. I recommend this to historical lovers who enjoy romance, Italian men, and castles.

Excerpt

***A little Luca and Lia banter for you: (your welcome)***

 

 That shyness was the antithesis of his constant flirtation, telling me it was real, not an act, his fondness for me. And I thought it pretty dang enticing.

"It'd make it far simpler to keep you all in order," he said. "To have you all at the castello."

I pulled away and resumed walking, smiling over his words. "So you believe you can keep us in order, then? Like a bunch of chickens in a coop?"

"Twould have to be a hen keeper worthy of Hercules' court, but a man can try." We shared a quiet laugh, and he lifted a fallen limb from the road and flung it into the woods. "I think you'll be fast friends with Adela," he mused. "If she is as I remember her."

"Since she is kin to you, 'tis destiny that we shall be," I said. It was my turn to give him a shy smile.

And it made Luca grin as widely as if I had just made it Facebook Official.



Review for Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Insurgent (Divergent #2)
By Veronica Roth
Published by HarperTeen
Bought Hardback
525 pages

 "One choice can transform you--or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves--and herself--while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable--and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so." - Goodreads

After I finished Insurgent, I ranted and raved how much I loved it (sorry Twitter). It blew my mind and that's saying something because my mind had previously been blown by Divergent. Insurgent has serious Author Brain characteristics (all credit goes to Small for the term!) Don't get me wrong, I loved Divergent just a little bit more but together they are an amazing pair.

These characters will grow on you, they will dig their way into your mind and set up camp... days after reading I still have them in my head. They have become that real to me and my emotions are completely invested in this series. Tris, she goes through some really rough times and how does she come out? Stronger than ever. She learns and fights till the end. Its one of the best character growths I've seen. Although I understand where she was coming from, I was disappointed that she kept lying though. As for Tobias, he has to put up with a lot and he has his personal skeletons to deal with but no matter what he keeps strong. Together, their relationship is rocky but it goes deeper... after all they experience they are still together. They build on their mistakes and their relationship has seriously gone to the next level so much so that I truly believe their "I love you's". One of the best fictional couples ever. I love them to pieces!

Insurgent had me smiling ("happy" serum scene anyone? Where Tris is at Amity headquarters?) but mostly it had me clinging to its pages breathless. There is a lot of action and a lot happens. We get to see into different factions and layer upon layer of the society is being revealed to us. The world building still amazes me. This society Roth has created was clearly thought out to the slightest detail. Be warned once you start reading, you won't reemerge until the end! And then your jaw will drop because of the cliff hanger ending (once you recover you might have the slight side effect of repeatly saying, "no,no,no,no,no it can't end, no,no....). 

Again, I highly recommend this series (of course if you are younger mabye not because of all the deaths)! It's a series you don't want to miss out on, Veronica Roth has a brilliant talent!

Excerpt

"Four!" I call out. Why am I calling out a number? Oh yes. Because that's his name. I call out again, "Four! Where are you?"

"Tris?" says a voice from the trees on my right. It almost sounds like the tree is talking to me. I giggle, but of course it's just Tobias, ducking under a branch.

****

"What did they-" he starts, but I stop him with my lips. He kisses me back, but too quickly, so I sigh heavily.

"That was lame," I say. "Okay, no it wasn't, but..."

"Tris," he says. "What did they do to you? You're acting like a lunatic."

"That's no very nice of  you to say," I say. "They put me in a good mood, that's all. And now I really want to kiss you, so if you could just relax-"

"I'm not going to kiss you. I'm going to figure out what's going on," he says.

****

"What did you do to her?" Tobias says, terse. "What in God's name did you do?"

"I..." Johanna frowns at me. "They must have given her too much. She's very small; they probably didn't take her height and weight into account."

"They must have given her too much of what?" he says.

"You have a nice voice," I say.

"Tris," he says, "please be quiet."

"The peace serum," Johanna says. "In small does, it has a mild, calming effect and improves the mood."

***

The serum wears off five hours later.... Tobias shut me in my room for the rest of the day, checking in on me every hour. This time when he comes in, I am sitting on the bed, glaring at the wall.

"Thank God," he says, pressing his forehead to the door. "I was beginning to think it would never wear off and I would have to leave you here to...smell flowers, or whatever you wanted to do while you were on that stuff."
"I'll kill them," I say. "I will kill them."

 

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Review for The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom by Christopher Healy

The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom
By Christopher Healy
Illustrated by Todd Harris
Published by Walden Pond Press
Bought Hardback
419 pages

"Prince Liam. Prince Frederic. Prince Duncan. Prince Gustav. You've never heard of them, have you? These are the princes who saved Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Snow White, and Rapunzel, respectively, and yet, thanks to those lousy bards who wrote the tales, you likely know them only as Prince Charming. But all of this is about to change. Rejected by their princesses and cast out of their castles, Liam, Frederic, Duncan, and Gustav stumble upon an evil plot that could endanger each of their kingdoms. Now it's up to them to triumph over their various shortcomings, take on trolls, bandits, dragons, witches, and other assorted terrors, and become the heroes no one ever thought they could be.

Debut author Christopher Healy takes us on a journey with four imperfect princes and their four improbable princesses, all of whom are trying to become perfect heroes--a fast-paced, funny, and fresh introduction to a world where everything, even our classic fairy tales, is not at all what it seems." - Goodreads

What a great read! Put aside all your fears about middle grade books (yes, those, "but it's too young for me", "it's FAIRY TALES", "I'm too old"), let that love of adventure and laughter move you to pick up this book! Trust me, no matter what your age, you will fall in love with these characters and their unique situation.

The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom (from this point on referred to as THGTSYK), is a fresh take on the classic fairytales: Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Snow White, and Rapunzel. What do you really know about these tales? Don't answer that, it was rhetorical. Basically, you don't know the half of it. Healy takes the tales we know and adds on to it with his own twists, creating a whole new story with whole new characters. Every character be it a Prince or a Princess or a Troll or a Bandit, they have very unique qualities and personalities that simply make them shine. The four Princes Charming have a quirky chemistry together that will have you laughing and smiling throughout their adventure. I love them all SO much that I just want to burst! Simply put: they rock.

The pace of THGTSYK is great, it's not cheetah speed but it's not snail speed. The style in which it was written was different and it worked great. The humor present lifted my spirits and had me in a feel good mood: the perfect emotion I want when reading a fairytale-based book. I think the thing that I most appreciated though were the illustrations. They were absolutely gorgeous and help you to envision what is happening.

I'd highly recommend this to people of EVERY age. It will have you laughing, gasping, giggling, smiling, and most of all entranced. It's truly a fairytale mash up for everyone!

Excerpt

Prince Charming is afraid of old ladies. Didn't know that, did you? Don't worry. There's a lot you don't know about Prince Charming: Prince Charming has no idea how to use a sword; Prince Charming has no patience for dwarfs; Prince Charming has an irrational hatred of capes. Some of you may not even realize that there's more than one Prince Charming. And that none of them are actually named Charming. No one is. Charming isn't a name; it's an adjective. But don't blame yourself for you lack of Prince Charming-based knowledge; blame the lazy bards. 

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Review for Where She Went by Gayle Forman

Where She Went (If I Stay #2)
By Gayle Forman
Published by Dutton Juvenile
Bought Paperback
264 pages

"It's been three years since the devastating accident . . . three years since Mia walked out of Adam's life forever.

Now living on opposite coasts, Mia is Juilliard's rising star and Adam is LA tabloid fodder, thanks to his new rock star status and celebrity girlfriend. When Adam gets stuck in New York by himself, chance brings the couple together again, for one last night. As they explore the city that has become Mia's home, Adam and Mia revisit the past and open their hearts to the future-and each other."- Goodreads

Where She Went is a breath-taking read. Gayle Forman is a spectacular writer brandishing a rare talent that I think everyone should experience. No one captures a story and creates such amazing characters as her: her writing is truly one in a million.

Just as it's predecessor, Where She Went is raw and undoubtedly one of the most heartbreaking - yet completely beautiful reads. When you're reading, you do not just feel for the characters (namely, Adam) - you feel them. You will completely be immersed in Adam's emotions. Its like the pages ooze his thoughts and deepest feelings.... that connection is indescribable.  If you have any doubts about Adam narrating the book, put that fear away and lock it up because honey, you want to experience the pain, torture, and later joy through his eyes. In the beginning, Mia seems like a distant mirage almost, but later her persona shines forth - changed from the previous book obviously - but still the Mia I grew to love. Their connection is palatable and I can sincerely say, they are one of my favourite couples because of their realness and deep-rooted friendship.

Where She Went picks up three years after Mia left for Juilliard. Through Adam, we see some things that have transpired in "flashbacks" if you would call it that. Especially regarding the aftermath of the accident. I really enjoyed this and some memories brought a smile to my face. Forman's writing will have you on an emotional roller coaster. Somehow the reader is left feeling happy - a hopeful happy, with a touch of sadness, by the end. Its hard to explain exactly what emotions boiled within me. I found that the pacing of this book was nice and all the while I was hoping for a nice ending (as for telling you if it does end that way, my lips are sealed) all I can say is I am deeply satisfied.

I'd highly recommend Where She Went to those who have read If I Stay. I'd recommend this series to everyone who can handle epic romances that may have some side effects, namely heart breaking, crying, laughing, smiling, and ultimately loving. Its true that this series is intense but its the best kind of intense.

Excerpt

My gaze returns to earth and when it does, its her eyes I see. Not the way I used to see them - around every corner, behind my own closed lids at the start of each day. Not in the way I used to imagine them in the eyes of every other girl I laid on top of. No, this time it really is her eyes. A photo of her, dressed in black, a cello leaning against one shoulder like a tired child. Her hair is up in one of those buns that seem to be a requisite for classical musicians. She used to wear it up like that for recitals and chamber music concerts, but with little pieces hanging down, to soften the severity of the look. There are no tendrils in this photo. I peer closer at the sign. YOUNG CONCERT SERIES PRESENTS MIA HALL.

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Review for Of Poseidon by Anna Banks

Of Poseidon (Of Poseidon #1)
By Anna Banks
Published by Feiwel & Friends
Won from Claire
336 pages

"Galen is the prince of the Syrena, sent to land to find a girl he's heard can communicate with fish. Emma is on vacation at the beach. When she runs into Galen — literally, ouch! — both teens sense a connection. But it will take several encounters, including a deadly one with a shark, for Galen to be convinced of Emma's gifts. Now, if he can only convince Emma that she holds the key to his kingdom . . . "-Goodreads

Of Poseidon may make mermaid haters -oops, I mean Syrena-haters- turn to Syrena-lovers. Banks really created a fun, funny, fishy tale that leaves readers dangling, or in my case, floundering on a hook.

The start of this book was a bit rocky for me. Emma and her best friend are on the beach about to do some surfing when, you guessed it, Emma bumps into a gorgeous guy. That didn't bother me, it was what happens after. Whoever has read the book knows what I mean, it just shocked me and devastated me. As the story continues my emotions stabilized though and all was alright.

Emma is a very down to earth type of girl, she views herself as an average girl and it was easy to connect with her because of that. Her sarcastic remarks and sauciness made me smile and I thought it was a nice touch that she has qualities you find in teenage girls - for instance, she is very easily embarrassed and blushes. Galen is what you'd expect a prince of the Syrena to be: incredibly handsome, smart, and of course loyal. Although it was a bit of an insta-love connection, I couldn't help but fall head over heels for those two. In the beginning their interactions with one another will have you tingling and sometimes even laughing. The secondary characters were amazing too: Galen's sister, Rayna and Toraf's relationship was priceless; Galen's brother Grom, Rachel and Emma's mother had great personalities that added so much to the story. It caused so many laughs and I just loved all of them.

The writing was smooth in itself. The POV's do switch between Emma and Galen. The only thing that takes some getting used to is that Galen's POV is third person, while Emma's is first person. It took some time for me to get used to it but in the end, I thought it made the writing style very unique and it gave a very different perspective on things.

The plot was really interesting. Although predictable (I was able to decipher the answers), I thought it was intriguing. I loved the political aspect that Banks took, it creates a sense of unrest and 'more things to come'. But, let me warn all you potential readers, the ending is a major 'wow' or perhaps more of a 'NO, how can it end right now?!?!'

I'd highly recommend this to romance, Greek mythology, and Syrena lovers. Of Poseidon is a great summer read that will leave you screaming and begging for more! And ohmysweetgoodness, I AM begging for more!

Excerpt

 "So, it kind of threw me when she said she didn't like fish," Toraf says.

"I noticed. Surprised me too, but everything else is there."
"Bad temper."

"The eyes."

"That white hair is shocking though, isn't it?"

"Yeah. I like it. Shut up."

***

"Plus, you feel the pull---" Toraf is greeted with a forceful shove that sends him skidding on one foot across the slippery marble floor. Laughing, he comes back to stand beside Galen again.

"Jackass," Galen mutters.

"Jackass? What's a jackass?"
"Not sure. Emma called me that today when she was irritated with me."
"You're insulting me in human talk now? I'm disappointed in you, minnow."

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Review for The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen

The False Prince (The Ascendance Trilogy #1)
By Jennifer A. Nielsen
Published by Scholastic
Personal Copy
342 pages 

"In a discontent kingdom, civil war is brewing. To unify the divided people, Conner, a nobleman of the court, devises a cunning plan to find an impersonator of the king's long-lost son and install him as a puppet prince. Four orphans are recruited to compete for the role, including a defiant boy named Sage. Sage knows that Conner's motives are more than questionable, yet his life balances on a sword's point -- he must be chosen to play the prince or he will certainly be killed. But Sage's rivals have their own agendas as well.

As Sage moves from a rundown orphanage to Conner's sumptuous palace, layer upon layer of treachery and deceit unfold, until finally, a truth is revealed that, in the end, may very well prove more dangerous than all of the lies taken together."-Goodreads

The False Prince is a book worth buying. It grabs you and pulls you in between the pages until the story turns into a real thing. Then, it leaves you wanting more - more I tell you!

Where to begin. How about with a high contender for the best-male-lead-character-ever? Sage is his name. (On a side note, how rockin' is that name? I adore it! Spoiler- highlight to read: Imagine how distraught I was to find out he will be no longer "Sage". I almost cried - Jaron just doesn't do it for me.) *Sighs wistfully* Sage, Sage, Sage. He is everything that makes a near perfect male voice for this type of story. He's witty, smug, has a quick-tongue, is steps ahead of everyone else, quick on his feet, knows how to look out for himself, can take pain and yet, is a very sweet boy. In his own right. His voice and attitude makes The False Prince so enjoyable. The dialogue and witty banter, his quick and smart comebacks are sure to have you grinning. The way he is able to predict things and take charge is very admirable. We soon uncover some vulnerability in him but he still manages to keep that swagger. Sage is someone who will have you wrapped around his finger but that's ok, he just has a way of doing that.

I should mention the other characters. I really liked their development because I did get to know them well. It irked me -in a good way- that I thought I would have someone figured out and then it turns out I'm wrong. Conner is a very complex character, as well as Tobias and Roden. I loved Imogen's story too -she's a servant girl that Sage befriends.

The plot and pace was amazing too. This is an example of a book that has been laid out before hand. The author made it so that she dropped hints throughout the book in order to build up to a dramatic conclusion. It was like a giant jigsaw puzzle that simply snapped into place. I loved how all the details matched together. Although I did predict somewhat was was going to happen, the finer details were a mystery to me - and a delight to read about! The False Prince is a smooth book, the events lead into each other and are connected well. The only thing that bothered me was at two points in the book: the POV changed to third person. I do understand why but it was a bit disorienting. Anyways, the writing was clear and easy to picture - hopefully we will get to see some more world building though in the the next book!

I'd highly recommend this book to adventure, fantasy, historical-ish, edge of your seat lovers who like good political intrigue. Although the idea isn't the most original it is extremely well done! Definitely one of my favourites of the year!

Excerpt

Conner walked back to me. "A thief and a liar, eh? Can you manage a sword?"

"Sure, if my opponent doesn't have one."

He grinned. "Do you farm?"

"No." I took that as an insult.

"Hunt?"

"No."

"Can you read?"

I stared up at him through the parts of my hair. "What are you wanting me for, Conner?"

"You'll address me as Sir or Master Conner."

"What are you wanting me for, Sir Master Conner?"

"That's a conversation for another time."

Book Trailer: spoiler free - its safe to watch :) 

       

Review for What a Boy Wants by Nyrae Dawn

What a Boy Wants
By Nyrae Dawn
Published by CreateSpace
Bought Kindle Edition
142 pages

"Courtesy of watching his mom’s relationships, Sebastian Hawkins knows what girls need to do to get a guy. He has what he considers a PHD in hooking up. When he needs extra cash for a car, Sebastian starts up an online venture as The Hook-up Doctor, to anonymously help girls land the guy of their dreams. Of course, his services don’t offer a happily-ever-after guarantee. He’s seen firsthand getting together never means staying together.

And then he falls in love…

With the last girl he would expect…

Totally not in his game plan.

Suddenly, Sebastian finds himself muddled in the game he’s always prided himself on. He can’t even pick up girls at parties anymore! Why would anyone want to be in love when it turns you into a stuttering, screwed-up, mess with really lame stalker tendencies? Stalking? Totally not his gig.

But the Hook-up Doctor won’t let himself go down easily. He’s always known how to give a girl what she wants and now it’s time to figure out what a boy wants… and he definitely plans on getting it."- Goodreads

What A Boy Wants was what one girl wanted - that girl being me. I needed a good romantic, yet hilarious, read. This book is sure to make you smile (if not laugh out loud) and say "awww". Sebastian Hawkins will capture your heart.

Sebastian, aka "Bastian", knows a thing or two about hooking up. He has loads of experience and has seen it first hand with his mother's relationships. Yet, he knows nothing about love - nothing! It was hilarious watching him fall in love, he totally was at a loss of what was happening to him. He was losing his "groove". When it dawns on him that he is in love, I really liked how he handled that knowledge. Bastian, under all his bravo, is a character to love. As his mother and Aspen would say, "he has a big heart". He's always worried about his mom getting hurt or his friends getting hurt. He's always there to protect them. All four of them - Bastian, Jaden, Aspen, and Pris - are a tight knit group of friends. As Bastian says, "they got each others back". It was nice to see this in a book and I enjoyed reading about every one's unique personalities. But the best part? Bastian's voice. No not his physical voice, but the narrative voice. Thank the writer heavens - this is *exactly* how a male mind would think (well at least half of the teenage male population). What he said, how he reacted, what he thought etc. just screamed: "Teenage boy! Teenage boy!" I adored this aspect of What A Boy Wants.


The idea itself, is fantastic. A hook-up doctor? To get some extra cash? Brilliant! This is a fairly quick read and through it all there is something that just keeps you reading. Whether it be Bastian's love life or his lack of love life, the ball just rolls on through. There are plenty of laughs, yet this book does have some substance. Especially regarding love. If I had only one problem with this book it was the editing, although it wasn't terrible, there were a few spots that needed attention (no biggie at all but just thought I'd mention it).

I'd recommend this to those who are into romantic, hilarious, good natured books that might be slightly predictable - but come on, who doesn't like those? I thoroughly enjoyed What A Boy Wants and will definitely be reading What A Boy Needs through Jaden's POV!

Excerpt:

My hands stung as I slid down the tree. The second Jaden and I hit the ground, I saw her front door jerk open. Daddy was pissed and he had a bat! We ran. Unfortunately, Jaden's car was in the opposite direction. My chest hurt but I pushed forward, Jaden right beside me. Daddy was on our tail, swinging his bat and cursing.

"Pris!" I told him. She lived in this neighborhood.

***

As we hit the next street over, I saw them. Pris and Apsen stood in Pris's driveway. They were looking at something in the truck of Aspen's car.

***

I had no choice but to dive in the trunk. Jaden was right behind me.

"Where'd you go you little punks?" He was still after us. Aspen must have put two and two together quickly and slammed the trunk. She was always smart.

As I fought to catch my breath, Jaden's sweaty back against mine, I cursed. The girls were never going to let us live this down.

Review for Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

Grave Mercy (His Fair Assassin #1)
By Robin LaFevers
Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Won from Giselle (thanks!)
549 pages

"Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf?

Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.

Ismae’s most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?" - Goodreads

Grave Mercy will have you begging for more and will linger in your thoughts for days - at least it did for me. It has made it to one of my favourite reads of the year. With rich history, a heroine to root for, and a unique plot, Grave Mercy leaves readers enthralled.

Ismae, you know the girl with the crossbow, is strong willed, stubborn, and determined. A total kick-butt, power-to-women type. She's went through some terrible things and her past is what fueled her in her new place in life - an assassin. Lets just linger on this topic here. An assassin. Trained in poisons, weapons, and deadly tactics. Now add another word. Nuns. Oh yeah. Yet, Ismae, who has a deadly gift, knows many poisons and ways to kill a man with bare hands is a total flop in 'womanly skills'. I loved that she isn't made out as this perfect heroine. No. She has imperfections, she makes mistakes, and -gasp- is sometimes embarrassed! Totally relatible material. It was awesome reading her story! Now don't go thinking just because she is an *assassin* that she has no heart. As much as she would like to deny it, Ismae does. That's what creates conflict. It was nice to see that she did have a conscious and it was especially amazing to see her viewpoint transform by the end of the book.

Set as a backdrop, we have the historical value of the politics of Brittany. The plot is based on real events, Anne was real and Brittany did go through tough times fighting for independence from France. I appreciated the authenticity of the topic. This book is crafted in a way that as the reader we peel back layer by layer of deceit and truth. I adore a good high court scene - with plots, blackmails, and intrigues. It felt like nothing was missing and the ball just kept on rolling at a steady pace. Personally, the politics did not bog down the book for me, I found I could easily follow on everything. Which is a lot coming from a girl who hates politics. It helped to have an index, stating all the characters and their position, plus a map!

The romance part. Yesss. Just YES. This is what I love. It didn't take up the main focus of the book yet it was there enough that I was satisfied. And ah! Slow burn romance - love that is built on... get this, a trusting relationship. At the beginning, Ismae and Duval despise each other because of the situation their put in. Yet, as time goes on the have to learn to trust each other because ultimately they have the same goal. This trust builds and builds until both realize, wow, their in love. Going from their banter to mutual respect to trust and then to maybe something more, was squeal worthy. Duval is so classy, smart, brave, and is a total 14th century man!

I'd highly recommend this to those who love historical romances (sa-woon), political intrigue and so much more! Grave Mercy is definitely worth the time to read!

Excerpt

"Except," Duval points out, "I am not known to favor mistresses. Not to mention that if I did, it would certainly not be one who was greener than a winter apple."
I set my teeth at his words. I am not that unpolished.
Reverend Mother leans back in her chair and tsks. "You exaggerate, milord. Ismae has been well trained in all things, including how to act as a man's mistress."
Clearly now it'll not be a good time to confess to playing trudant during most of Sister Beatriz's lessons.
"But more important," Duval continued,"with the way things are at court, I cannot assure her protection."
"I do not need protection," I say, offended at such a suggestion.
"No, she does not," the abbess agrees. "She merely needs an opportunity to act."

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Review for A Million Suns by Beth Revis

A Million Suns (Across the Universe #2)
By Beth Revis
Published by Razorbill
Personal Copy
386 pages

"Godspeed was once fueled by lies. Now it is ruled by chaos. It’s been three months. In that time, Amy has learned to hide who she is. Elder is trying to be the leader he’s always wanted to be. But as the ship gets more and more out of control, only one thing is certain: They have to get off the ship."-Goodreads

I remember falling in love with Across the Universe. I don't know how but A Million Suns was EVEN BETTER! Surpassed what I expected of it and left me almost in tears (I seriously have to wait till 2013??? That deserves tears!) A very mind blowing read that will leave you hanging on every word!

I had my qualms with Amy in the first book, she was very whiny and needed to get a backbone. I'm happy to report, Amy has a bit of a backbone now! She has changed in the past three months, she still hates it on the ship but she is taking control of her situation. Elder has grown also. He now has to be leader - without the Phydus - talk about difficult! I love Elder, he is the sweetest! He cares for Amy and all the people on the ship, personally, I think he is a great leader. I'm also happy to report that there is more romance in this book! The focus is still mostly on the problems/mysteries of the ship but Amy is starting to form feelings for my dear Elder! Old characters rise up and we get to see more of their backgrounds. We also get to see the true colors of some! (Yes, I'm hinting).

But come on. If you have read Across the Universe you KNOW how Beth Revis rolls. Yeah, I'm talking about the amazing plot. The mysteries that are woven in here, we are just uncovering. Lots of my questions did get answered but I have so much more! Ahh... so many. This book is packed with suspense, interest, edge-of-your-seat material. I was gasping, laughing, shocked, angry and at one point (at the big twist/revelation) I had to step back and just gawk (yes gawk!!). I even ran to mother and screamed, "GUESS WHAT HAPPENED??!! IT'S UNBELIEVABLE!" but sadly she did not share my enthusiasm. A very intense read! The writing flows great and it has a quality about it that you can just keep reading.

I strongly recommend this book/series to everyone. This is such an amazing story that everyone has to be a part of it. I mean, even if you don't like sci-fi, do you like suspense? Mystery? Romance? Evil plans? Seriously, its awesome. Beth Revis is a genius and trust me, once you finish A Million Suns - you will be begging for more, I was!

Excerpt:

{ELDER}

The Shipper's eyes go to Marae, but Marae's silently watching me.

"Why would Eldest lie to me about this?" I can feel myself losing control. I don't know what I expected --- that I'd figure out the big problem and the Shippers would jump up and fix it? I don't know. I never really thought past telling them that the laws of physics go against the explanations Eldest gave me. I never thought that I'd say what I came to say and they would look to the First Shipper, not me.

"Eldest lied to you," Marae says calmly, "because we lied to him."

AUTHOR'S SITE

Author Q&A about book (very interesting! Might not want to watch if you haven't read Across the Universe though):

Review for Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler

Bittersweet
By Sarah Ockler
Published by Simon Pulse
Ebook from Pulse It
384 pages

"Once upon a time, Hudson knew exactly what her future looked like. Then a betrayal changed her life, and knocked her dreams to the ground. Now she’s a girl who doesn’t believe in second chances… a girl who stays under the radar by baking cupcakes at her mom’s diner and obsessing over what might have been.

So when things start looking up and she has another shot at her dreams, Hudson is equal parts hopeful and terrified. Of course, this is also the moment a cute, sweet guy walks into her life…and starts serving up some seriously mixed signals. She’s got a lot on her plate, and for a girl who’s been burned before, risking it all is easier said than done.

It’s time for Hudson to ask herself what she really wants, and how much she’s willing to sacrifice to get it. Because in a place where opportunities are fleeting, she knows this chance may very well be her last…." - Goodreads

What a cute, light, fun read! Bittersweet will have you laughing, smiling from ear to ear, and craving some Watonka cupcakes!

Hudson Avery, she is quite the character! As the reader, I feel the need to connect with the MC so that I care about what is going to happen - and Hudson made that very easy for me. At times, mostly at the end, I was getting frustrated at how she was constantly worried about herself and her future. In general though she is a great girl. She has big dreams and I was with her every step of the way towards those. She has a LOT going on and I was very impressed with how she handled events. Through the entire book, I was rooting for her! Especially when she showed 'em boys what they were talking about (did anyone else fist pump?) I think my favourite character (besides the drool worthy hockey boys) is Bug, her little brother. He was just the darndest, sweetest little boy ever! And I love how she cared about him. Dani her best friend was a great addition and added comical moments in there. Oh and of course the "cute, sweet guy" that the summary talks about is just that - the awesomenest boy ever (can I order one from Watonka?) The hockey crew was quite the bunch of guys too!!

The romance was as sweet as Hudson's cupcakes and I loved every little bit of it! Between her baking, skating, teaching and work - the plot is set at a very enjoyable pace. There are family issues that are dealt in here as well as Hudson finding what she really wants in life. The setting of Watonka gives this book such a different feel from others that I have read like it and it grew on me. Friendship and family really came first in Bittersweet. I also appreciated that there was a few references to music too! I'm a huge music fan so I really loved that! The ending wasn't perfect but it was wrapped up in a way that leaves you completely satisfied.

I highly recommend Bittersweet for those looking for a fun, wintery, sweet tastin' stand-alone read! I loved it to pieces!

Excerpt:

In three years of baking for Hurley's Homestyle Diner in Watonka, New York, I've never met a problem a proper cupcake couldn't fix. And while I haven't quite perfected the recipe to fix my father, I'm totally on the verge.
"Taste this." I pass a warm cupcake across the prep counter to Dani and lick a gob of cherry-vanilla icing from my thumb. "I think it's the one."
My best friend sighs. "That's what you said about the blue-berry lemon batch. And the white mocha ones. Have you seen this thing walkin' around behind me? It's the Great Cupcake Booty of Watonka." She turns and shakes it, a few corkscrew curls springing loose from the pile on her head.

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