Review: Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton

Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton 
Release Date: February 6, 2018 
Publisher: Berkley 
Genre: Women's Fiction, Historical Fiction 
Source: ARC provided by the publisher via First to Read in exchange for an honest review 

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After the death of her beloved grandmother, a Cuban-American woman travels to Havana, where she discovers the roots of her identity–and unearths a family secret hidden since the revolution…

Havana, 1958. The daughter of a sugar baron, nineteen-year-old Elisa Perez is part of Cuba’s high society, where she is largely sheltered from the country’s growing political unrest–until she embarks on a clandestine affair with a passionate revolutionary…

Miami, 2017. Freelance writer Marisol Ferrera grew up hearing romantic stories of Cuba from her late grandmother Elisa, who was forced to flee with her family during the revolution. Elisa’s last wish was for Marisol to scatter her ashes in the country of her birth. 

Arriving in Havana, Marisol comes face-to-face with the contrast of Cuba’s tropical, timeless beauty and its perilous political climate. When more family history comes to light and Marisol finds herself attracted to a man with secrets of his own, she’ll need the lessons of her grandmother’s past to help her understand the true meaning of courage.

Review: 

I've been eager to read Chanel Cleeton's Next Year in Havana ever since I first saw the cover. I can never resist books with gorgeous dresses on the cover. Plus, after reading the synopsis, I was one hundred percent sure it was the book for me - I LOVE books with past and present POVs. 

The Result? Next Year in Havana is a stellar read! Beautifully blending together two POVs, Next Year in Havana is a book filled with hope, sadness, and revolution, as two young women - decades apart - fight for the ones they love and for a life filled with purpose as well as happiness. 

I didn't know much about Cuba and its politics going into Next Year in Havana. I knew of Fidel Castro, of course, as well as the harrowing times Cuba faced at his hands; however, I didn't realize the extent to which the people of Cuba suffered as well as the challenges they still face to this day. Simply put, Next Year in Havana was eye opening as well as thought provoking.

Next Year in Havana provides much more than romance- it gives a detailed look into the politics surrounding the end of Batista's residency and start of Castro's ruling. It also brings both sides into play - why the rich put their hope in Batista, why Castro's politics were so appealing at first to the masses, how families were torn apart over their differing views... It's not a simple black-and-white picture, as both main characters begin to see during their respective lives. More importantly, it shows that the bad doesn't end with Castro's death, as present day Marisol learns. People are still suffering the negatives that came with his ruling to this very day. 

Additionally, I enjoyed the descriptions of Havana. It came to life in front of my eyes, and more importantly, I loved seeing it through the main character’s perspectives. 

If I were to describe Marisol and Elisa, I would say that they are strong, determined, unapologetic, and passionate. Out of the two, Elisa's story resonated the most with me. 

When Elisa is first introduced, she appears to have it all – status, wealth, and a loving family. She’s always been the quiet, reserved sister – the one who stands to the side while her two beautiful, adventurous old sisters catch everyone’s attention. With the introduction of Pablo, a secretive yet alluring man she meets at a party, she begin to live a little more – stealing moments with him away from the eye’s of her family and society. With Pablo, Elisa also begins to see her home in a new light. For so long, she believed in what her parents believed in - Batista  but suddenly, she begins to wonder if there’s more than meets the eye. What I truly respected and admired the most about Elisa, however, was how far she would go to protect her family and the sacrifices she took in doing so. As secrets of her life began pouring out at the end, my heart broke for her. Yes, her family held onto their wealth and status and she had an “easy” life, but she gave up so much in the process – her best friend, her first love, her home, etc. She was truly an amazing woman. 

Marisol was also an interesting as well as loveable main character. It was interesting to see how her narrative shifted upon her arrival in Cuba. She’s grown up on the stories passed down from her great aunts and grandparents. However, as Marisol finds out, being in a country is very different than hearing about a country. In Cuba, she experiences a homecoming, a rebirth of sorts. She learns things about herself she never knew, and begins to see her grandmother in a new light – one that shocks yet awes her. She also experiences love like never before – love that makes her risk everything. In most ways, she was like her grandmother – fearless, loving, a believer in the glass-half-full not half-empty. 

There was only one aspect that I didn’t completely love: the romance. I felt that it could have been more fleshed out in both perspectives; however, at the end of the day, I appreciated and enjoyed the time and development Channel put into the main characters’ journeys, and if that meant less romance, I could live with it. 

In all, Next Year in Havana has introduced to me to a new favorite story as well as a new favorite author, and given that exciting twist at the end, I can’t wait to read Beatriz’s story.

5 stars!! 

Review: Down and Across by Arvin Ahmadi

Summary/Cover Image from Publisher's Website: 

Scott Ferdowsi has a track record of quitting. His best friends know exactly what they want to do with the rest of their lives, but Scott can hardly commit to a breakfast cereal, let alone a passion. With college applications looming and his parents pushing him to settle on a “practical” career, Scott sneaks off to Washington, DC, seeking guidance from a famous psychologist who claims to know the secret to success.

He never expects an adventure to unfold. But that’s what Scott gets when he meets Fiora Buchanan, a ballsy college student whose life ambition is to write crossword puzzles. When the bicycle she lends him gets Scott into a high-speed chase, he knows he’s in for the ride of his life.

Soon, Scott finds himself sneaking into bars, attempting to pick up girls at the National Zoo, and even giving the crossword thing a try—all while opening his eyes to fundamental truths about who he is and who he wants to be. 

Review: 

When a book is blurbed by Adam Silvera, the man behind the spectacular, rip-your-heart-out They Both Die at the End, you know it's going to be good...no, wait, I take that back...not just good excellent. 

As it turns out, Down and Across is indeed excellent. It's the kind of book that reminds me just how wonderful contemporary YA can be. Down and Across is smart, quirky, and incredibly charming. 

Down and Across introduces us to Scott Ferdowsi. Scott can't seem to follow through on anything - music, writing, internships, etc. He's the ultimate quitter much to his father's dismay. 

Scott is the character for anyone who seem to never measure up to their parent's wishes, who can't seem to find their "thing" in life no matter how hard they try. This is what makes Scott so incredibly relatable and likable, in my opinion. It's been a while since I've been in high school, but I can remember so clearly not having any idea of what I wanted to do, changing my mind everyday just as Scott does in this book. Therefore, seeing his journey in this book struck a chord in me - I could easily slip into his shoes and understand what he was feeling. It's also important to add that Scott isn't lazy - he's more ambitious than he thinks, especially when it comes to his journey on finding his "grit." I'm a strong believer on how one experience, or summer in this case, can change everything, and that's exactly what happens here. Scott finds his purpose, and he kicks a$$. 

Besides Scott, Down and Across offers up such a wonderful cast of characters. Fiora, for instance, is wild and reckless. I've never seen someone love cross words as much as she does. Additionally, I enjoyed seeing the role she plays in Scott's summer. She inspires him to do crazy things - some of which he most certainly shouldn't do - but she makes him more well rounded because of it, someone who'd rather go on adventure than sit around. More importantly, I appreciated that Fiora wasn't perfect. She dealt with her own setbacks in this book, some of which broke my heart, but at the end of the day, she's just someone who won't let the bad get her down - she's just on to her next adventure. I also came to love Rick, Fiora's best friend and Scott's constant savior. Rick's view on politics was heartwarming, and I loved seeing him hone his passions in this. This boy definitely do what his "grit" was! 

At its core, Down and Across is a coming-of-age: Scott goes to Washington, DC on a whim and finds himself. First of all, I LOVED the DC setting. DC is a city that will always have my heart, and I loved that Arvin included so many real restaurants/venues within Down and Across's pages! Additionally, I loved the crossword application to life. It truly was the perfect metaphor, and better yet, I loved that actual crosswords were included in the book.  I also enjoyed how this book shows the ups and downs to growing up. Scott experiences the good and bad in DC. He makes life long friends, finds his "grit," learns to live on his own, but he also experiences hate, a bad relationship, and the consequences of lying. It made for an interesting read. 

Also, the epilogue? I don't think I've ever been happier with an epilogue! I loved how everything ended - it was the perfect mix of closure and openness. 

So in summary: Buy (or borrow!) Down and Across. Read it. And (hopefully!) love it (and come back and tell me!). Arvin is a fantastic new voice in YA. I'll be the first in line to buy his second book! 

Grade: A+ 

Down and Across is now out! 

Source: eARC provided by Penguin Random House's First to Read program

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Review: The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory

Synopsis and Cover Image from Publisher's Website: 

A groomsman and his last-minute guest are about to discover if a fake date can go the distance in a fun and flirty debut novel.

Agreeing to go to a wedding with a guy she gets stuck with in an elevator is something Alexa Monroe wouldn't normally do. But there's something about Drew Nichols that's too hard to resist.

On the eve of his ex's wedding festivities, Drew is minus a plus one. Until a power outage strands him with the perfect candidate for a fake girlfriend...

After Alexa and Drew have more fun than they ever thought possible, Drew has to fly back to Los Angeles and his job as a pediatric surgeon, and Alexa heads home to Berkeley, where she's the mayor's chief of staff. Too bad they can't stop thinking about the other...

They're just two high-powered professionals on a collision course toward the long distance dating disaster of the century--or closing the gap between what they think they need and what they truly want...

Review: 

As soon as I saw the title and cover of Jasmine Guillory's The Wedding Date, I knew I had to have it! Books about weddings are some of my favorites. Plus anytime the word "fake" is involved - be it a fake date or a fake relationship - I'm 100% sold. 

The verdict? Adorable, charming, and highly romantic, The Wedding Date is a fantastic addition to the romance genre. I seriously can't believe this is Jasmine's debut novel - it's just that great! 

The Wedding Date introduces us to Alexa and Drew, two ambitious young professionals who seem to have everything but love in their lives. 

I adored Alexa from the start. She's smart, determined, and loyal, especially when it comes to her friends and family. However, sometimes she jumps to conclusions where she shouldn't and feels insecure when it comes to diving into the unknown. To put it simply, she's perfectly imperfect, making it all the more easy to relate to her as well as like her. Over the course of the book, Alexa becomes more daring - she goes on a fake date, dives into a long distance relationship, and takes on a challenging project at work - and I just loved seeing this adventurous part of her emerge! 

Drew, on the other hand, works hard, plays harder, and avoids relationships like the plague if he can help. Commitment scares him, which is why he's become known as the ultimate heartbreaker; however, something changes when he meets Alexa - he becomes softer. At first, I had a love-hate relationship with Drew. On one side, I LOVED how he was with Alexa - sweet and kind, the ultimate gentleman. However, on the other side, I hated how he was often so ready to throw everything away because he was scared to have something real. Gosh, sometimes this boy just needed a smack on the head. 

The plot in The Wedding Date mainly revolves around Drew and Alexa's developing romance. It reminded me of one of my favorite romantic comedy movies, which made it all the better in my opinion. I loved the start at the wedding - I felt that Jasmine did a great job of establishing the connection between Drew and Alexa. As the book progressed and the weekend trips become more frequent, Drew and Alexa's romance ramped up the heat. It was so much fun to see their relationship continue; however, what I loved the most about it was the fact that it wasn't all smooth sailing. Drew and Alexa faced every day problems - communication issues, not knowing where they stood, juggling work, friendship, and romance, etc. - and I thought it added a realistic edge to this mostly romantic novel. It caused natural drama to occur, and made the novel and the characters stronger in the long run. Additionally, I enjoyed how Jasmine made Drew and Alexa's work such an important part of the book. I loved seeing the additional characters it brought to the mix (especially Carlos!!) as well as the relationships and challenges it brought forth. The change in relationship between Alexa and her sister really managed to warm my heart! 

In all, The Wedding Date is a book I highly suggest to romance fans, particularly those who love Rainbow Rowell or Sophie Kinsella. 

Grade: A- 

The Wedding Date is now out! 

Source: ARC provided by BookishFirst and Publisher 

Review: It Should Have Been You by Lynn Slaughter

Summary/Cover Image from Amazon: 

Living in her sister's shadow has never been more dangerous.

Five months ago, Clara Seibert’s twin sister was murdered. Struggling under the weight of newfound and unwanted attention, the only thing that makes Clara feel normal is ghostwriting an advice column for her school’s newspaper―until she starts receiving threatening emails in her staff inbox.

“It should have been you...but soon."

Convinced that her email stalker blames her for her sister’s death and is out for revenge, Clara undertakes her own investigation to clear her name and avoid a similar fate. Can she solve the murder before it’s too late?

Review: 

YA thrillers have been on fire lately - Karen M. McManus' One of Us Is Lying, Amanda Searcy's The Truth Beneath the Lies, and now  Lynn Slaughter's It Should Have Been You. 

When It Should Have Been You first appeared in my mailbox I was intrigued. The premise sounded interesting, and I was looking forward to trying one of Page Street Kids new YA titles. As it turns out, this book blew me away! It's Veronica Mars meets One of Us is Lying. It's well written, suspenseful, and compelling. It's a book that calls to be read in one sitting because once you start you just can't stop.  

It Should Have Been You begins the story of Clara Seibert, the twin left behind. When Clara's sister was brutally murdered in their own home, Clara's life was turned upside down. Her family has fallen apart, her mother can barely stand to look at her, and her sister's fan base believes Clara is the killer. It doesn't help that Clara is having a hard time grieving. Her sister and her were never close - she barely knew her - so how can you truly grieve someone, a twin to make matters worse, that you didn't know the first thing about? When Clara starts receiving threatening letters, claiming it should have been her, she decides she needs to take action: she needs to find out who's behind this before they kill her next. 

Part of what made It Should Have Been You so fantastic was Clara. Clara is stronger than she gives herself credit for. She's also wickedly smart, a good friend, and an even better advice columnist. I loved that Lynn Slaughter brought Clara's hobbies out front and center. It was always interesting to see what questions she would get for her advice column, and it brought out such a wise, helpful part of Clara. Honestly, she'd be the person to go to if you have a problem! I also found her relationship with her sister Moura to be fascinating. With this kind of book you'd figure her and her sister would have been super close, but that wasn't the case at all. Clara barely knew her beyond the superficial level, and as it turns out, her sisters was hiding a lot of secrets. 

The plot in this kept me on my toes the whole way through! I never could quite pin down who the bad guy was, and the times where I was sure I was right, I ended up being completely wrong. What made it even more thrilling that everyone seemed to be a suspect at some point. Constantly, I was double guessing everyone's motives, especially when it came to Moura's inner circle. What I loved even more was how well Lynn Slaughter pulled everything together at the end. I don't want to say too much, but I will say everything was a lot more connected than I could have ever imagined! Additionally, there was a touch of romance in this as well as that was believable as well as swoon-worthy. It also brought upon a pretty fun reveal towards the middle, which seriously had me laughing out loud. 

Overall, if It Should Have Been You is any indiction of what Page Street's YA line will be like, we're in for quite the treat! I can't suggest this one highly enough, and I look forward to Lynn's next book. 

5 stars!! 

It Should Have Been You is now out!

Source: ARC provided by publicist/publisher for review - thanks Deb and Page Street Kids! 

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Blog Tour: You'll Miss Me When I'm Gone by Rachel Lynn Solomon (Review & Giveaway!)

You'll Miss Me When I'm Gone

by Rachel Lynn Solomon

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Release Date: January 2, 2018

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

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Synopsis: 

A moving, lyrical debut novel about twins who navigate first love, their Jewish identity, and opposite results from a genetic test that determines their fate—whether they inherited their mother’s Huntington’s disease.

Eighteen-year-old twins Adina and Tovah have little in common besides their ambitious nature. Viola prodigy Adina yearns to become a soloist—and to convince her music teacher he wants her the way she wants him. Overachiever Tovah awaits her acceptance to Johns Hopkins, the first step on her path toward med school and a career as a surgeon.

But one thing could wreck their carefully planned futures: a genetic test for Huntington’s, a rare degenerative disease that slowly steals control of the body and mind. It’s turned their Israeli mother into a near stranger and fractured the sisters’ own bond in ways they’ll never admit. While Tovah finds comfort in their Jewish religion, Adina rebels against its rules.

When the results come in, one twin tests negative for Huntington’s. The other tests positive.

These opposite outcomes push them farther apart as they wrestle with guilt, betrayal, and the unexpected thrill of first love. How can they repair their relationship, and is it even worth saving?

From debut author Rachel Lynn Solomon comes a luminous, heartbreaking tale of life, death, and the fragile bond between sisters.

Review:

Rachel Lynn Solomon's You'll Miss Me When I'm Gone was one of my most anticipated books of 2018, which made starting it all the more nerve racking. I wanted to love it. The premise sounded amazing and fresh. The cover is stunning! Plus, there's nothing but high praise coming from the YA community about it. 

Thankfully, You'll Miss Me When I'm Gone was fantastic - hands down one of the BEST books I've read this year! Heartbreaking yet vastly hopeful, You'll Miss Me When I'm Gone is an eye opening look at how a Huntington’s diagnosis drastically changes two twin's lives. 

You'll Miss Me When I'm Gone is told in the alternating POVs of Adina and Tovah, two twins who couldn't be any more different.  

Charismatic as well as elusive, Adina is the twin everyone talks about yet no one truly knows. Adina is okay with that - she likes her hermit like existence, she'd rather focus on her music than live the typical teen experience. 

Tovah, on the other hand, is the sister that often blends into the background. Dedicated to her studies and becoming a doctor, Tovah  has little time for nonsense or love. 

Tovah and Adina are complicated characters, ones who are more unlikable than likable; however, there's something about both that makes them incredibly compelling and easy to root for. I loved getting to know both. Out of the two, Adina was my favorite. She gives off a larger than life feel. Her emotions are dramatic and colorful. She's never someone to do something quietly, and I admired that about her. I loved her passion and dedication. Tovah, on the other hand, is quiet and more straight forwarded than Adina. Tovah's life focuses on following the "rules" - getting good grades, the right experiences, the best recommendations. She leaves little time to breathe and just experience life, and I could relate to that - I've been there before.

The one aspect that I found the most interesting about Tovah and Adina was that they weren't best friends. In fact, they start off the book hating each other. Throughout the novel, I was dying to know what lead them to that point - what could make someone hate the person they shared the most with? To make it even worse, Tovah and Adina become even more estranged after the diagnosis. They do horrible things to each other- things that made my stomach turn. Yet at the same time, I felt that showcasing those events and their feelings made their characters more real, more gritty in a sense. 

The plot in You'll Miss Me When I'm Gone mainly revolves around the outcome of the test results. I knew a decent amount about Huntington’s disease prior to starting this, but there's such a difference between knowing the facts and seeing a family experience the disease. It was heartbreaking to witness Adina and Tovah's mother fall apart right in front of their eyes. I respected that Rachel Lynn Solomon didn't sugar coat anything when it came to that. 

Additionally, Rachel brings about an interesting dilemma within the girls - is there truly a winner when one twin has it and the other doesn't? The short answer: there isn't. Over the course of the book, we see both girls deal with the backlash of being the twin that has it versus being the twin that doesn't. Both roles bring about their own set off complications and emotions, and I enjoyed seeing those come to live within Adina and Tovah. It was interesting to see how one diagnosis could change everything, that sometimes even the best laid plains aren't what's meant to be. 

I also valued the Jewish rep You'll Miss Me When I'm Gone offered. It was interesting to see how religion meant many different things to the twins- Tovah being a strict follower while Adina was more loose with her following. Plus, as someone who is not Jewish, it was interesting to learn more about the religion. 

In all, I could go on about this book all day, but I won't bore you with that. Instead, I'll live with you this: give this book a chance. I won't sugar coat it: it's a hard read, but it's so incredibly worth it. I loved so much, in fact, that I'll be pre-ordering a copy just so I can re-read it :) 

5 stars!! 

Source: eARC provided by publisher for blog tour 

About the Author:

Rachel Lynn Solomon is a Pacific Northwest native who loves rainy days, tap dancing, red lipstick, and new wave music. Her debut contemporary YA novel, You'll Miss Me When I'm Gone, will be out from Simon & Schuster/Simon Pulse in spring 2018, with a second book, A Year of Bad Ideas, to follow in 2019.

Rachel has written for newspapers, produced a radio show that aired in the middle of the night, and worked for NPR, and she currently works in education. Rachel lives in Seattle with her boyfriend and tiny dog. She's represented by Laura Bradford of Bradford Literary Agency.

Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest 

Giveaway!!

Prize:1 signed Hardcopy of YOU’LL MISS ME WHEN I’M GONE by Rachel Lynn Solo-mon (US Only) 

Starts: January 2nd 

Ends: January 17th 

 a Rafflecopter giveaway 

Tour Schedule: 

January 2nd

The Unofficial Book Addiction Fan Club & Pink Polka Dot Books- Welcome Post

January 3rd

It Starts at Midnight- Review & Fave Quotes

YA Wednesdays- Q&A

The Hermit Librarian- Review

January 4th

The Cursed Books- Q&A

The Layaway Dragon- Review

Vicky Who Reads- Review

January 5th

Amanda Gernentz Hanson- Review

Life of a Literary Nerd- Review

Life of a Simple Reader- Review & Fave Quotes

January 6th

Never Too Many to Read- Review & Creative Post

Book Princess Reviews- Guest Post

Here's to Happy Endings- Review

January 7th

That Bookshelf Bitch- Review

Lauren's Crammed Bookshelf- Review

Rainy Days and Pajamas- Promo

January 8th

Camillea Reads- Guest Post

The Mind of a Book Dragon- Review

Supercalireader- Review & Fave Quotes

Review: The Key to Everything by Paula Stokes

Summary/Cover Image from Author's Website: 

College senior Oakland Fuller has always believed in signs and soulmates, so when both a therapist and a fortuneteller say that her repeated relationship failures are due to unresolved feelings for her high school boyfriend, Seth, Oakland tries desperately to get back in touch with him. Problem: Seth isn’t responding to her online messages.

To rescue Oakland from a pathetic Christmas break of sitting in front of the computer, her best friend Morgan books the two of them on a guided excursion of Thailand. When the girls meet a pair of American soldiers in Bangkok, Oakland takes Morgan’s advice and engages in a little harmless holiday hooking up. Sergeant Tyson Banks is the perfect mix of sexy and fun. Two weeks with him might just turn out to be the best relationship Oakland has ever had.

Until the day she spots someone familiar across a crowded temple complex—it’s Seth! Somehow the boy she’s been trying to reconnect with is in Bangkok too. If that’s not a sign, then what is?

Filled with friendship, romance, bromance, and gorgeous faraway settings, The Key to Everything is a story for anyone who’s ever dreamed of finding love when (or where) they least expected it.

Review: 

I can't stop smiling...the ending was way too cute and perfect for words! 

Paula Stokes's THE KEY TO EVERYTHING is romantic, adventurous, and insightful. 

I loved a lot about THE KEY TO EVERYTHING; however, I have to say the characters were by far my favorite part! THEY KEY TO EVERYTHING is classified as New Adult so Oakland and Morgan are college aged - second semester seniors to be exact. It was so much fun to read about characters who are around my age and going through similar things to what I just went through - graduating college, deciding what comes next, really just overthinking anything and  everything. 

Oakland is the more sensible out of the two. She's a planner and a rule-follower. She doesn't trust or open up easily, and I could easily relate, as I've always been that type of friend. At first, I was slightly worried that her indecision over the two boys would annoy me; however, that didn't happen. 

Instead, I felt that this journey was the last stepping stone in her growing up, and I enjoyed watching that occur. She's questioning the past while looking towards the future, and I feel like that's the natural progression of things. Her romance with Tyson was sparkly, new, and sexy while her memories of Scott were safe and sweet - the last remainder of childhood innocence in some respect. I could easily see the appeal of both boys as well as understand her conflict in choosing. Additionally, they both brought out the good in Oakland. 

Tyson, however, was without a doubt my favorite. He's adventurous, fearless, and risk-taking, and he brought those traits out in Oakland. I loved seeing Oakland open up, taking jumps and leaps. I especially loved that he wasn't a "rusher." He always wanted Oakland to feel safe and in control, and while at times I think she pushed his understanding a little too far, I thought it was sweet that he was always so willing to be there for her, no matter the outcome. Maybe a little too perfect, but I still liked him nonetheless. 

I also liked the side characters. Morgan was such a riot. I thought it was awesome that she always spoke her mind and didn't take anyone's garbage. I also loved seeing the dynamic between Morgan and Oakland. They banter always kept me giggling, and I especially loved how Morgan got Oakland into such crazy situations at times. It reminded me of my own best friend and me. Morgan's love interest was also adorable. I need a book about those two next! 

The setting was another fantastic part. I knew a fair amount about Thailand before starting this; however, it was fun to see the country and its culture through Oakland's eyes. It was interesting to see the different customs and traditions as well as how they celebrated Christmas. Additionally, Paula's descriptions added a drool-worthy factor. She beautifully painted the scene, so much so in fact that I now want to go to Thailand. 

In all, THEY KEY TO EVERYTHING is yet another rich addition to the New Adult genre. Paula Stokes's perfectly captures what it feels like to be at that pivotal point between college and real life, showing the fear, confusion, and more importantly, hope that comes with. It's a book about taking chances, falling in love, and embracing the unknown, no matter how scary it may be. This may be my first book by Paula, but it certainly won't be my last.

5 stars!! 

The Key to Everything is now out!

*Special Note: It's currently free through kindle unlimited.* 

Source: eARC provided by author - thanks Paula! 

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Review: Together at Midnight by Jennifer Castle

Synopsis/Cover Image from Publisher's Website: 

Combining the emotional deftness of Sarah Dessen with the magical spark of New York City in wintertime, this affecting novel will inspire readers to pay closer attention to the world around them.

What does it really mean to be kind . . . and why does it sometimes feel like the hardest thing in the world to do?

High school senior Kendall, who just returned from a life-changing semester in Europe, and Max, who is drifting his way through a gap year before college, struggle with these questions when they witness a tragic accident in New York City during the holiday season.

Racked with guilt, the two accept a dare to perform random acts of kindness to strangers. The challenge pulls these two teens, who have a history together from back home, closer and closer as they explore a vibrant city filled with other people’s stories and secrets.

Kendall and Max can’t deny their growing bond, even though they both have other romantic entanglements and uncertain futures. As the clock counts down on New Year’s Eve, will they find themselves together at midnight?

Jennifer Castle’s latest novel is a romantic, thought-provoking tale of human connection and how we find—and make—our place in the world.

Review: 

Jennifer Castle won me over with her debut novel The Beginning of After way back when. So when the chance arose to read and review her latest YA, Together At Midnight, I jumped at the opportunity. The cover was gorgeous, the storyline sounded interesting, and it took place during the holiday season - the week between Christmas and New Year’s to be exact. Simply put, I couldn’t wait to dive in! Thankfully, Together at Midnight is another must read by Jennifer .

When Max and Kendall witness a terrible, tragic accident, they’re at a loss. They don’t know how to move on from such a quick yet monumental moment, and to make matters worse: they feel as if they could have prevented it. Thus begins their random acts of kindness across New York City, and from that moment starts an incredible journey – one that changes Max and Kendall’s lives for the better.

When it comes down to it Kendall and Max are in an incredibly similar place: they’re at a crossroads in life, not sure of what to do next. Kendall has recently returned from a semester abroad, and she's feeling incredibly unsure in her skin. How she can she return to normalcy after being so happy with her adventures? Max, on the other hand, has chosen to put off college for a year. On the surface, he says he did it for his ex-girlfriend - she needed him around - but deep down he knows he did because he's afraid, afraid of the future and what it might meant for him.

I loved them both equally. They were so incredibly easy to relate to it. I admired Kendall for his kindness as well as loyalty. She's the kind of person you'd be lucky to have as a friend. What I loved even more was the fact that Kendall was her own person. She didn't always do or say the right thing - sometimes she would stop randomly to write something important for her future novel down - but she so completely embraced it. She was more fearless than she gave herself credit for. Max, on the other hand, I feel was the more cynical out of the two, and I think most of it had to do with being afraid. I could relate to that - change is scary, especially when you're in that weird time between high school and college. 

Together Max and Kendall were a dynamic duo. I loved watching them explore New York City together and perform random acts of kindness. Better yet, I loved the changes that resulted from their adventures. Both became more confident and daring as well as helped each other find comfort in the unknown.  

Another aspect of Together at Midnight I enjoyed was the multiple POVs used. Jennifer included perspectives from Max, Kendall, and all the people they helped or tried to help on their journey. All the POVs flew perfectly together, and I especially loved seeing the viewpoints of the strangers. It added such a personal touch to the novel, and I especially liked when it gave more clarification to a situation, i.e. why wouldn't that woman accept help? 

I also enjoyed the slow-burn feel of the romance. When the novel begins, Kendall has been flirting via email with a guy she previously knew and Max is somewhat still tied up with his ex-girlfriend. Over the course of the book, however, Kendall and Max begin to see something in each other, something that begins to change their feelings towards their other relationships. Honestly, at times I really wondered if they would or wouldn't, but in the end, I was so incredibly happy with the conclusion. 

In all, Together at Midnight is another stellar release from Jennifer Castle. I said this when I first finished this book and it still rings true: my heart is so incredibly full from this novel. Seriously, it's beautifully written, thought provoking, and hopefully...it's actually inspired me to start my own random acts of kindness in 2018. 

5 stars!! 

Together at Midnight will be released January 2, 2018!! 

Source: eARC provided by publicist/publisher - thanks Brandi/HarperCollins! 

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Review: One Love by Deanna Cabinian

Summary/Cover Image from Author's Website: 

Finding epic love isn’t easy.

Long-distance relationships are tough. Thompson should know.

He’s going to college in Hawaii, but his girlfriend Greta is in Italy.

When he meets Charlotte things get complicated.

Is it Greta he wants to be with?

Or Charlotte?

Will he discover that, despite what he believes a person can have more than One Love?

One Love, the companion novel to One Night (2016), is a contemporary YA novel about college, first love, and friendship. Though it is technically a sequel to One Night it can be read as a standalone novel.

Review: 

Earlier this year I read and, more importantly, LOVED Deanna Cabinian's debut novel One Night. Therefore, when I caught wind that Deanna was releasing a follow-up to One Night focusing on Thompson's freshman year at college, I was beyond excited! I couldn't wait to catch-up with the whole gang. 

The result? There's no sophomore slump to be found here! Charming, pitch perfect, and laugh-out-loud-funny, One Love is a fantastic follow up, and - dare I say - even better than One Night. 

I loved catching up with Thompson, Ronnie, Johnny, and Greta. It was like being reunited with an old friend - easy to slip right back into things. 

The quality I love the most about Thompson is that he's diehard romantic. He believes in true love - no matter how much his friends tease him about it -  and he'll go to any length to find it. In this book, Thompson thinks he's found his true love in Greta. There's just one problem: she's starting college in Italy while he starts college in Hawaii. Hence the introduction of a long-distance relationship. 

Over the course of the book, Thompson struggles with the idea of long-distance. On one side, he loves Greta and will do anything to stay with her. However, on the other side, it's hard. He gets jealous easily (especially when Greta's pictured with new hot guy friends), the twelve hour time difference hurts more than helps, and most importantly, he wants to experience new things and new people in college without the risk of hurting Greta in the process. I thought Deanna did a great job of handling Thompson's feelings over the matter. Long-distance is hard, and it's even harder when you're in college, as Thompson finds out. What I appreciated the most here, however, is that Thompson remains very adult like in handling the situation. 

As mentioned above, I also enjoyed being reunited with past characters and introduced to new ones! I loved seeing Ronnie find his first love, and better yet, I loved seeing Ronnie's friendship with Thompson continue to grow albeit a few setbacks. It was also fun to see the addition of Thompson's newspaper friends, especially Kenny and Troy! 

Last but not least, Deanna's writing was great. It flowed nicely, and I liked that she included Greta's letters between chapters. Also, I thought that Deanna perfectly captured college in this novel. Seeing Thompson and Ronnie experience their first college party, their first hangover, club expos, etc. brought me right back to the start of my college days. 

In all, One Love is the sequel I didn't know I needed! My only wish? I hope we'll see more of Thompson and his friends in the future as well as an answer to that jaw-dropping ending! 

Grade: A

One Love is now out! 

Source: eBook provided by author - thanks Deanna! 

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