ARC Review of "The Start of Me and You"

The Start of Me and You 

By Emery Lord 

Source: Gift and Netgalley 

Stars: 5 

Release Date: March 31st 2015 

Paige had only been dating her boyfriend for three months before he died in a freak accident but even if she wanted to move on and let go the people around her won't let her forget that she's the girlfriend of the boy who drowned. 

When Paige decides to start over and wipe the slate clean she makes a list of the things that will help her. 

She wants to swim again, join a club, be more social and finally date her highschool crush, Ryan Chase. 

"The Start of Me and You" is an honest, relatable story about facing your fears, letting go of guilt and admitting your true feelings. 

Amazon - Barnes and Noble  - Book Depository

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I have four (FOUR) pages of notes for this book. Usually I only have one, maybe two so bear with me and my rambles. 

First off I loved Paige, she was thee perfect female protagonist, she wasn't one of those characters you grew to love, it was an instant 'If I knew you in real life we'd be best friends' kind of connection. 

Speaking of best friends hers were EPIC. I can honest say I have some of the worst luck when it comes to friends, I've learned the hard way that not everyone can be trusted and not everyone has your best interests at heart but oh my god I was INSANELY jealous of Paige and her friends. Tess, Morgan and Kayleigh were always there for her (and each other). They knew just what to say and knew just how to turn a crappy day into an amazing day. 

I would LOVE to see each of them get their own story (hint hint Emery ;)). 

I adored Max (I mean who didn't?!) but I also really liked how Ryan didn't turn out to be an awful guy. 

Usually in a story like this the girl falls for the hot, charming, popular guy and finds out in the end that he's an awful person but even though Ryan wasn't for Paige he was still a good friend and a pretty decent guy. 

Of course Max automatically became one of my favorite book boyfriends, he was the perfect mix of quirky, nerdy and book smart. Not to mention he was kind to a fault! 

I loved Paige's relationship with her Grandmother, it was such a breathe of fresh air, usually the main character doesn't have that 'one person' she can talk to and reveal all her secrets to. It's usually all inner dialog or sometimes written in journal entries but having her Grandma brought such a depth to the story and a realness that I really appreciated. 

The T.V show references were a nice touch (especially the Gilmore Girl's ones) and I wish the book had been twice as long as it was so we could get a peek at what happened next with Paige's screenwriting. 

Another favorite part of mine was how Max called Paige 'Janie', I won't say why in case you haven't read it but lets just say that it melted my heart and I still can't stop thinking about it! 

I've only read one of Emery Lord's books but just from this one book I can honestly say that she is a master at tugging at your heart strings and making you care for her characters. 

I can't wait to read more from her! 

Until next time, 

Ginger 

In compliance with FTC guidelines I am disclosing that this book was given to me for free to review. 

My review is my honest opinion.

ARC Review of "No Parking At The End Times"

No Parking At The End Times By Bryan Bliss

Stars: 3 

Source: Edelweiss 

Release Date: February 24th 2015 

Abigail's family is falling apart, they've lost everything, their money, their possessions, their home. One minute they're living in South Carolina, the next they find themselves in San Francisco living out of their van, giving any extra cash they might stumble upon to Brother John. 

Brother John, he said the world was ending, he said he knew how to prepare people from the end, for the ultimate unknown. But so far all Brother John has done is take everything from Abigail and her family. 

When Abigail's twin brother Aaron tells her he's planning on leaving San Francisco and heading back to home she's hesitant to follow, but it doesn't take long for Aaron to change her mind. Their father isn't going to change, Brother John isn't going to change and their situation isn't getting any better. 

Torn between family loyalty and self preservation Abigail must choose to have faith in herself and whatever higher power she believes in in order to survive. 

Amazon - Barnes and Noble  - Book Depository

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This was a very interesting read, it was really short so I flew through it in one sitting but it did leave me thinking afterwards. 

Mostly about how angry it makes me that their are people in this world who use religion as a way to con people out of their life savings. 

I couldn't help but shake my head at Abigail's father and think to myself "Who would believe this man? How stupid do you have to be?" But you see it on the news all the time, con artists are smart and conniving and most of the time they get away with it. 

I was hoping for a slightly more fast paced book when I started this and although I finished it rather quickly there were some parts that dragged on for me. 

I feel like it could have been a little more suspenseful, especially towards the end, and I wouldn't have minded a couple more chapters. 

But all in all it was a lovely debut and I look forward to seeing what comes next from this author. 

Until next time, 

Ginger 

In compliance with FTC guidelines I am disclosing that this book was given to me for free to review. 

My review is my honest opinion.

ARC Review of "Red Queen"

Red Queen By Victoria Aveyard 

Stars: 5 blood red stars! 

Source: Edelweiss 

Release Date: February 10th 2015 

Mare Barrow is your average 'Red' with her 18th birthday looming just around the corner she has accepted that her fate is to join her brothers on the front lines along with all the other hundreds of thousands of 'Reds' who have been conscripted. After all pick pocketing isn't a real job and without one there's no use in trying to fight being sent off to your death. 

However Mare's world is turned upside down when she has the misfortune of pick pocketing someone faster than she is. Much to her surprise the stranger treats her with kindness and not only offers her more of what she has stolen but the next day she suddenly finds herself with a job. And not just any job. A job at the palace. 

Serving Silvers isn't Mare's lifelong dream but if it keeps her and her family safe and fed she really can't complain.

The Silvers run Mare's world, with they special abilities and endless supply of Red soldiers no one dares to cross them. 

But when Mare discovers she has abilities of her own- abilities that up until now have only been gifted to Silvers she finds herself in the middle of a political coverup story. After all, if anyone knew Mare's true identity, that she is in fact a 'Red', well then the Royal family would have an uprising on their hands. 

Mare's cover story is simple, she is the lost daughter of a dead Silver, raised by Reds and only just now learning her true identity. To make it even more believable Mare is now betrothed to marry the Kings second son. 

Under the watchful eye of the Queen and her ever loyal staff Mare must learn how to control her new powers, cut ties with her 'Red' past and smile for the camera's, all while trying to find a way out of the suffocating world of Silvers and Royals and perhaps even a way to free her people from the Silvers, once and for all. 

You know in Mean Girls when Tina Fey say's "I'm a pusher!"? Well now so am I! 

Go. Read. This. Book!

I can't even describe to you how amazing "Red Queen" is, every description that I come up with feels inadequate. 

It's amazing, wonderful, terrifying, beautiful, spectacular, thrilling and addictive! 

And even all those words strung together like that do NOT do this book justice! 

I loved every second of Mare's story. It kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time, it was like a never ending roller coaster, one where you're never quite sure if you're upside down or right side up. 

Every single character, from the Royals to the maids all radiated with life. It seemed like if I could only get closer to the pages, breathe them in a little, that I would tumble right in and find myself surrounded by Victoria's characters. And what an amazing journey that would've been. 

You've all been asked the same question countless times, if you could live in any fictional world which would you choose? Well even though Hogwarts is still in first place, at least for me, Mare Barrow's world is now a very close second. 

My only warning to you is that once you finish the book you will immediately want to get your hands on the second one. I can tell you right now that the absolute second they announce the release date for the sequel I will have a countdown going, and not just a daily one, oh no, it will be down to the minute!

Until next time, 

Ginger 

In compliance with FTC guidelines I am disclosing that this book was given to me for free to review. 

My review is my honest opinion.

2015 Reading Challenges

Since I started my blog last June this is my first year participating in any reading challenges. I'm planning on making a TBR jar sometimes before the end of this week and I've officially signed up for four reading challenges.

The first challenge I've signed up for is one hosted by Alexa Loves Books and Hello, Chelly. For the Flights Of Fantasy challenge I've challenged myself to read 15 fantasy books. I know it may not seem like a lot considering how many books I read last year but I've found myself reading less and less fantasy these days. Hopefully this challenger gets me back into the habit of reading fantasy. 

Also it definitely can't hurt that Amanda Hocking has 2-3 new books coming out within the next couple of months. 

Next is a challenge I'm VERY excited about! The TBR Pile Challenge, I have SO MANY books, I buy them on sale, they are gifted to me, sent to me, I'm constantly at the library and yet when I finish a book I instantly think "Now I have nothing to read" which is entirely untrue. This challenge will (hopefully!) get me to read some books that have just been sitting on my shelves collecting dust. 

I've signed up to read between 11-20 books off of my TBR Pile. 

The third challenge that I've signed up for is the Finish The Series Reading Challenge. I have a confession to make... I haven't read the last three Mortal Instrument books.. or the last Clockwork Prince book... I also haven't finished the Delirium series... 

Whew! Now that I got that off of my chest... I really want to try to re-read the books I have read in the series' I'm trying to finish (because I have an awful memory) and then of course read the ones I haven't gotten around to yet. 

I'm not sure how well this is going to work out so I'm only going to sign up to finish reading one series and see how it goes from there. 

The last challenge I've signed up for is the Netgalley and Edelweiss challenge. Any book counts, any genre, length, release date. As long as it comes from Netgalley or Edelweiss. Since I get most of my books from EW I signed up for 50 books. 

So far those are the only challenges that I've signed up for, it may seem like a lot to commit to but I'm sure some books I read will overlap with challenges and make it a little bit easier for my first year. 

What challenges did you sign up for? 

Leave me a link in the comments below and perhaps I can talk myself into adding one more to my list. 

Until next time,
Ginger 

Review of "Firefight"

Firefight By Brandon Sanderson 

Stars: 5!

Source: Purchased 

Release Date: January 6th 2015 

"My name is David Charleston. 

I kill people with super powers." 

I cannot tell you the pure joy that I felt from reading that. I have waited for what felt like years to get my hands on Firefight and I was so excited to get it a couple days before the official release party and have time to read it before attending the signing. 

Let me just start off by saying that if you haven't read Steelheart you are missing out! You have not lived until you've immersed yourself in a world built by Brandon Sanderson! 

In the previous book David did the impossible, he not only killed a High Epic he killed thee High Epic. Steelheart died by Davids hand and now that the Reckoners have momentum they aren't about to stop now. 

With Newcago free and somewhat safe David finds himself with a new mission, traveling to Babylon Restored to find out exactly what the High Epic in charge has in store for her thriving community. 

Along the way we're introduced to new and exciting characters and some old favorites, whether they are Reckoners or Epics they come alive on the pages and draw you in. 

While trying to discover the mysteries of Babylon Restored David is struggling with inner demons. Killing Steelheart was his life goal, the light at the end of the tunnel, but now that he's achieved it he finds himself left with more questions than answers. 

Can Epics ever truly be good? Can they be cured? Is killing them the only answer? 

Can Megan be helped? Will she ever be the person he fell in love with? Or will killing her simply be giving her mercy?

Firefight is not 'fast paced' it's 'fast paced' times ten. Imagine a hummingbird on crack and you've got Firefight. 

I kept having to remind myself throughout the book to breathe. All I wanted to do was hold my breath and wait for the climatic scenes to end but they just kept coming, one after the other until I found myself starring at the last page in shock.  

I have no idea how Sanderson weaves such an incredible story, how he builds worlds so life like that you find yourself day dreaming about visiting them, how his characters become apart of you and change the way you look at the world. 

I have no idea how he does it but I do know that no one else could have told Davids story the way that he has. 

I will be counting down the days until I can get my hands on the third (and sadly the last) installment in this series. 

Until next time, 

Ginger