ARC Review of The Year We Fall Apart

The Year We Fell Apart   

By Emily Martin

Stars: 3

Source: EW

Release Date: January 26th 2016

If Harper could take back all of the mistakes that she has made in the past year she would do it in a heartbeat. Earning a reputation as the schools slut, getting kicked off the swim team, distancing herself from her family. She'd take it all back. But the thing she regrets most is Declan. Messing up their friendship, destroying their relationship. Turning away from him when he needed her the most. 

But now Declan is home from boarding school and he makes it almost impossible to ignore him and the choices that she's made. 

Is it too late to move forward or will the past catch up with her before she's ready to confront it? 

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"In the tradition of Sarah Dessen..." That is why I picked up this book... Let's just say I WOULD NOT compare this to Sarah Dessen... At all. 

This book started off great, it had everything I wanted when I picked it up, (somewhat) unrequited love, family dynamics, new and old friendships, summer! 

The middle kept me going, it was fast paced, had witty commentary and even a teeny bit of mystery to it. 

The ending... The ending was just... Just there! One minute I'm reading and the next I'm sitting there wondering if I missed a chapter (or three).  

Spoilers ahead! Turn back now or continue at your own risk! 

*Please keep in mind I did read this as an ARC and the finished copy may be more... complete. If you had read the finished book and know something I don't PLEASE let me know!*

What the hell? 

The loose ends in this book are enough to make me that fringe purse I've been eyeing at Target! (What? The 70's are coming back baby!)

First off Harper's Mom, is she going to die? Be okay? Make a miraculous recovery and climb Everest? 

Does Harper even care? 

While I didn't want her mom's cancer to be the focal point of the story it would've been nice if Harper showed a little bit more emotion and concern for her dying mother! 

But no, that's too much to ask for!

Then there's her "best friend" Sadie. What. A. Little. Bitch. 

She's always dragging Harper out to party, dumping her the second she finds a guy to hook up with and then by the time she's ready to leave she's too drunk to drive. On top of all that she doesn't give an eff about Harper's mom or the fact that she should be home spending time with her family. Nope she just wants a ride somewhere and then she's gone, off doing god knows what. 

But is there a wrap up? A light bulb turning on over Harper's head leading up to the last chapter? A moment when Harp realizes that a toxic friendship is the last thing she needs in her life right now? 

Nope. 

Because she's too focused on Declan. 

The ENTIRE book revolved around 'will they, won't they'. Will they talk? Will they get back together? Does he still love her? Can he forgive her? 

It was like Ross and Rachel times ten minus the actual romance. 

I'm all for romance but deal lord... 

To top it all off, I hated Harper as a character... 

In the beginning it wasn't that big of a deal but as the book went on and she continued to make 'mistake' after 'mistake' (silly me I tend to call those patterns or choices if you tend to do it OVER AND OVER AGAIN) and never learned from them... I got so frustrated! 

You ruined your reputation by making out with someone else's boyfriend so instead lets hook up in the back of a car with a guy you barley know. 

You got too wasted to see right from wrong so lets do a shot! 

You couldn't drive yourself home from the party last night because you drank too much and your friend had to come and get you but let's go out tonight and do it all over again. 

You're probably wondering why in the hell I gave this book 3 stars when I obviously didn't like it I'll just clarify. 

It wasn't awful. While I didn't like some of the characters (surprisingly the side ones weren't that bad) or the plot (if you can call it that) I really did enjoy the writing.

In fact if the ending hadn't of had all those loose ends I probably would've given it 4 stars.  

Emily Martin is a debut author and I'll actually be on the lookout to see what she has coming out next. 

Let me know if you read this one and how you felt about it! 

And if you're reading this part... Thank you for sticking around and reading that revi- rant. You deserve a gold star!

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 "Shallow Graves"

Shallow Graves  

By Kali Wallace  

Stars: 3

Source: EW

Release Date: January 26th 2016

Breezy doesn't remember who killed her. Or how she ended up in a shallow grave a couple of blocks from her house, in the backyard of a house that's for sale. She doesn't know why she's waking up after a year of being 'dead'. She doesn't know why the man who dug her up is now laying dead next to her. She doesn't know why she has to remind her heart to beat. She doesn't know how she can pick murderers out a crowd. And she doesn't know why her touch kills them. But while she searches for answers she realizes she isn't the only one with supernatural abilities and that there are people out there whose soul purpose in life is to hunt people like her. 

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I have such mixed feeling about this book. When it first started I was hooked. I hadn't read anything about this so I went in blind, and the first couple of chapters were amazing. But then it took a weird turn and left me a little disoriented. 

I loved the idea behind Breezy's story. She was murdered and now she hunts murderers. It reminded me of a much, much darker version of Kimberly Dertings "Body Finder" series. 

But when it turned into 'crazy cult hunting monsters' it lost me. It almost felt like two different books with two different plots mashed up together. 

I would've liked it so much more if it had stayed on the same track as the first couple chapters. But from the second she entered the 'church' I kept having to force myself to finish it. 

It went from what I thought was a book about murder and justice to this weird occult train wreck. 

Personally (if you couldn't tell already) this wasn't a book for me. 

I'd be interested to see what else the author has coming out but I wouldn't recommend this book.  

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.

January Wrap UP!

I'm really embracing the snow for this months 'theme' so I hope you guys like it! 

Here's my January Wrap Up! 

1. Sweet Reckoning: The conclusion to Wendy Higgins "Sweet Series". I listen to this one on Audible and I LOVED it. 

2. Shade Me: The first book in the new "Nikki Kill" series. If you like Veronica Mars you will love this book! 

3. See Me: Nicholas Sparks isn't everyone's cup of tea, but dammit, he's mine! I read this book in one sitting! 

 1. Slammed: I've only ever come across one Colleen Hoover book that I didn't like and this was not it! While I didn't give it 5 stars it was without a doubt one of my favorite books I read (listened to) this month. 

2. The Assassin and the Pirate Lord: This was for my TBR Challenge (read a prequel)and it was a quick, fun read. I'm currently reading The Assassin and the Healer so that will be in my February Wrap Up Post. 

3. Sword and Verse: This was a really pleasant surprise for me! I didn't know anything about this book going into it and I flew through it! I'll have a review up later this month. 

 4. The Year We Fall Apart: This book was a hard one for me to rate, I'll go into why in my review (to come) but I just felt like it was missing too much for me to rate it 5 Stars/Snow Flakes. 

5. Smart Girl: This was my first Rachel Hollis book and OMG I laughed so hard I cried! And not just at one part, it was the entire book! It was a super fun, sweet read and I'll be reviewing it sometime next week! 

6. Flat Out Celeste: This is the third book I listened to this month and while it wasn't quite as good as the first book in the series, "Flat Out Love", I really liked seeing things from Celeste's point of view and I loved how it wrapped up everything for all the characters. I haven't read the "Flat Out Matt" yet which is book 1.5 in the series but its on my list. 

1. Shallow Graves: This was one of my most anticipated books of the month and it just fell short for me. I liked the idea behind it but the story itself wasn't enough to hold my attention. I'll also be review this later this month. 

2. I Remember You: Oh how I wanted so badly to love this book. Its been on my TBR since before it was released and I was so excited to read it. Sadly I ended up almost hating this book, along with the characters. I couldn't relate to the MC and the story just dragged on and on. Honestly this one should've been rated 2 Stars and I don't know why I gave it 3 on Goodreads... 

 All of my 1 "Snow Flake" books are books that I DNF. 

1. Elementals: I love stories about modern day witches and I LOVE this cover but the story just wasn't there for me.

2. Thicker Than Water: Another good concept and intriguing synopsis but it just dragged on and on and I couldn't make myself finish it. 

3. The Mystery of Hollow Places: I was actually really excited when I started this book. I went into it blind and it started off with a really interesting couple of chapters but I found myself forcing myself to pick it up and the story started to lag. 

4. Other Broken Things: I'm all for a rebellious teen with an attitude problem but oh. My. God. I hated this MC. I usually make myself read 30% before I DNF but I don't even think I made it past 15% with this book. 

5. A Madness So Discreet: A little back story on this book. I actually met Mindy McGinnis at an event before she ever started writing this book. I overheard her talking about an idea she had for her next book and I was hooked. I immediately inserted myself into the conversation to get the tentative title and possible release date. A year or two later I finally saw it on EW and I was SO EXCITED. Sadly I just couldn't get into it...

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So there's my January Wrap Up! I feel like I had a really good reading month! I think what helped me read SO MUCH and what kept me from falling into a slump is DNF when I felt like it and not forcing myself to push through. Last year I fell into a MONTH LONG slump and it was awful so I'm trying to not let that happen again. 

Let me know what you think and I'll talk to you soon! 

Until next time,

 Ginger  

Mini Review of "After Hours"

After Hours 

By Claire Kennedy 

Stars: 3 

Source: Edelweiss 

Release Date: June 16th 2015

For Isa, Finn, Peter and Xavi working at the Waterside Cafe is way more than just waiting tables and washing dishes. 

In fact it pretty much revolves around one thing and one thing only: Tips. 

Enter your weeks worth of tips for a chance to play and you could walk away with enough money to change your life, all you have to do is complete the dare and the money is yours.

What are you willing to risk for "Tips"?

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I initially picked up this book thinking it was going to be a cross between Lauren Oliver's "Panic" and pretty much any Sarah Dessen novel. 

Boy. Was. I. Wrong. 

First off, the 'high stake' dares in this book consist of making out with random people, hooking up with random people and walking around with little to no clothing on until someone complains. Oooh scary! 

*Insert bored face here*

Secondly, while the setting of the so called 'high end' (read skeezy) Cafe was the perfect place for fan girl swoons and feels the only feelings I got were 'blah'. 

I didn't really like any of the characters so I didn't care who they did or didn't end up with. 

For me it was kind of a dud. I was excited to read it but ended up forcing myself to finish it. 

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 "Tiny Pretty Things"

Tiny Pretty Things 

By Sona Charaiporta and Dhonielle Clayton 

Stars:3 

Source: Edelweiss 

Release Date: May 26th 2015 

June, Bette and Gigi. Three completely different girls all vying for the shot to be a prima ballerina. 

June is barley holding on, with her mother threatening to pull her out of the elite ballet school and the school nurse threatening to send her away if she doesn't gain weight she feels like her dreams of dancing are slowly slipping away. 

Bette is desperate to get out of her older sister shadow and prove she has what it takes to stand in the spotlight even if that means pushing someone else out of it. 

Gigi is the new girl with an old secret. A beautiful dancer who finds herself with a target on her back after getting the coveted lead role. Now worrying about her secret isn't her only problem, now she has to watch her back too. 

A drama filled book with twists and turns fit for a premiere danseuse. 

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Sona Charaipotra & Dhonielle Clayton met while attending the New School's Writing for Children MFA program. Sona is a journalist who has written for the New York Times, People, Parade, Cosmopolitan, and other major media. Dhonielle is a librarian at a middle school in Harlem and taught English at a cutthroat ballet academy. Together, the pair have also co-founded CAKE Literary, a boutique book packaging company with a decidedly diverse bent. Find them online at www.cakeliterary.com. 

Amazon - Barnes and Noble  - Book Depository

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I was really excited to read this book, mostly because it was promoted as being a cross between Black Swan and Pretty Little Liars. While I haven't yet watched Black Swan I've heard a great deal about it and was eager to jump into this book. 

For me it started off great, lots of intrigue, backstabbing and lies. As I got farther into the book it seemed to lose my interest and I found myself getting bored, but when it picked up it really picked up.

I'm not a huge fan of ballet books, they just aren't something I seek out but this was the most honest ballet book I've read. Most try to paint this perfect picture of what it's like to be a dancer and they gloss over- or don't mention at all- the struggles that go along with that. 

Eating disorders and drug abuse and body issues. 

This book did an incredible job of diving into those subjects without it overpowering the characters or their stories.

While I wasn't a fan of 2 out of the 3 characters I did enjoy reading from all 3 point of views and getting a glimpse as to what drove each of them to continue dancing. 

If you're looking for a cute, light read about some ballet dancers this is not that book. These characters are spiteful, vicious and down right nasty to one another. While it wasn't something I would normally read I did enjoy parts of it and will probably be keeping an eye out for the sequel. 

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 "99 Days"

99 Days 

By Kate Cotugno 

Stars: 3 

Source: Edelweiss 

Release Date: April 21st 2015 

Molly has to spend 99 days back in her home town before heading off to college, 99 days of nasty notes, key'd cars and dirty glares. 

When Molly's relationship with Patrick fell apart she ran as fast as she could and as far as she could, but coming back is like reopening wounds that have barley healed. 

While Gabe, Patrick's brother, was just as much to blame as Molly for what happened he seemed to get off scot free. 

Only Molly is the town slut, the whore who came between two brothers. 

Molly still blames her mother for writing a fictionalized book about that summer, for revealing her secrets and acting as though it didn't matter that what she had confided in her was confidential and personal. 

With no one to turn to Molly starts hanging out with Gabe again, after all with Patrick half way across the country it couldn't really hurt... Right? 

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Spoilers ahead!

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I hate how much I loved the writing in this book. From page one I was hooked. I loved everything about it, the setting (the hotel was my favorite) how she felt running, the tiny flashbacks, the day by day chapters. 

I loved how we didn't get the full story right away, for the first couple of weeks I thought that Molly had cheated on Patrick with his brother, but come to find out Patrick (being the all around prick that he was) broke up with her before she ever did anything remotely intimate with Gabe. 

Yes she lied about it and got back together with Patrick without coming clean and that wasn't the best way to handle things but the way they treated her was insane (although completely realistic). 

The whole town had this double standard where Molly was the devil and Gabe could do no wrong. 

I started to really like Molly and Gabe together and I couldn't believe how nice Tess (Patrick's new girlfriend) was being. 

Then about 3/4 of the way through the book it all took a turn... 

Molly freaking cheats on Gabe with Patrick. It was like a daytime show opera. She wanted people to stop treating her like crap and forgive her for something I didn't think warranted an apology and then she goes and does something ten times worse. 

It was so irritating! 

Gabe pretty much chose her over his brother (thus his family), Tess stuck up for her and treated her with kindness and respect and even Julia was starting to act somewhat civil towards her and then she goes and throws it all away. 

It was like a slap in the face. 

As much as I enjoyed the first however many days/chapters the ending outweighed what I liked and ended up tainting the book for me. 

Sadly I won't be recommending this book to anyone anytime soon. 

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.

Review of "Frostfire"

Frostfire

By Amanda Hocking 

Stars: 3 

Source: Purchased 

Bryn Aven is a tracker, her job is to venture outside the walls of the Kanin kingdom, infiltrate the lives of the young trolls who they left to be raised by humans and bring them (and their fortunes) back home. 

While on a routine mission Bryn comes face to face with the man who tried- and failed- to kill her and her father several years ago. 

Konstantin hasn't been seen in years and although Bryn has the opportunity to kill him and rid herself of the guilt she's been carrying around she lets him live. 

It doesn't take long for Bryn to regret her decision though because it seems like seeing Konstantin near her changeling wasn't a coincidence. 

Suddenling all the changelings are in danger and Bryn must set aside her hate for Konstantin and her unknown feelings for her boss, Ridley and figure out a way to protect her people. 

Amazon - Barnes and Noble  - Book Depository

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I was SO excited when Amanda Hocking announced she was writing another book set in the same world as her Trylle series, I marked the release date on my calender and was thrilled when I went out the weekend before it was suppose to go on sale and found it at my local book store. 

Then of course life got in the way and other books came out and I waited almost 4 months to read it... 

And when I finally did I was so disappointed... 

I felt like it just dragged. The story started off really slow and never really picked up. 

I wasn't a huge fan of the characters and even the underlining mystery of Konstantin wasn't enough to keep my attention. 

I read 3 other books while trying to finish this and I kept putting it down and hoping that when I picked it back up again it would be better but that never happened. 

There was a little 'Easter Egg' (is that what they are calling it?) for fans of the Trylle series, you get to see where a certain character ended up and how their life turned out but even that didn't thrill me like it should have. 

The only thing I did enjoy throughout the book were the moments between Bryn and Ridley but they were so few and far between that it didn't make up for the lack of action or suspense. 

Before I read this I was ecstatic about the fact that all three books in this series are being released within the year but now I'm thinking I won't even be picking them up...

I still HIGHLY recommend Hocking's Trylle series but this one just missed the mark for me. 

Until next time, 

Ginger 

ARC Review of "Everything That Makes You"

Everything That Makes You 

By Moriah McStay 

Source: Edelweiss 

Stars: 3 

Release Date: March 17th 2015 

Fiona Doyle was badly scared twelve years ago in a freak accident. 

Fi Doyle was not. 

Everything That Makes You is two stories about one girl. 

Moriah McStay dares us to ask, is it personal choices, fate or some twisted destiny that defines who we are and who we are meant to become?

Amazon - Barnes and Noble  - Book Depository

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When I read the synopsis for this book I instantly thought of Cat Patrick's book "Just Like Fate". It has the same basic idea of how one event can cause a fork in the road and leave you with two alternate realities. 

I loved "Just Like Fate" so I definitely had high hopes for this book going into it. 

While it wasn't my favorite it did have some parts I really enjoyed. 

The first half of this book held my attention and mesmerized me, I couldn't put it down and when I did I couldn't stop thinking about it. 

I had an idea as to where the story was going and I'm sure I'm not the only one who figured it out early on, there is a small, for lack of a better word, plot twist half way through the book that I really liked and its the reason I gave this book 3 stars. 

However after it happened it seemed like the book just stalled out. I lost interest pretty quickly and the almost gave up finishing it 2-3 times. 

It was hard for me to relate to Fiona/Fi which I find so strange because I was given my choice of two main characters and I didn't like either one of them. 

Her mother (in both realities) drove me CRAZY! I just wanted to reach into the book and slap her. She claims to want what's best for her daughter but all she ever does is berate her and make her feel bad about herself. 

I did like that there were two different love interests in each reality. At first I was against it and I kept hoping that both versions of Fiona would end up with the same guy but it became clear that that was not a possibility. 

All in all it was an okay book but not one of my favorites and if you're looking for an alternate reality/duel perspective, 'what if' kind of book I think that there are a couple books out there that I would recommend above this one.   

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.

Review of "Love, Rosie"

Love, Rosie By Cecelia Ahern  

Stars: 3 

Source: Purchased 

Rosie and Alex are best friends, have been for years, they can't quite pinpoint the moment their friendship developed into something more but it did and this is their story. 

Amazon - Barnes and Noble  - Book Depository

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*This is NOT a spoiler free review* 

You have been warned. 

First off you need to be EXTREMELY patient in order to read this book and not throw it across the room- multiple times. 

I thought it was going to be a sweet, romantic, love story. Instead it was irritating and slow as hell. 

If you're a Gilmore Girls fan you'll remember the conversation that Lorelei had with Sookie, about dating and not wanting to get with Luke when she's 80+ years old and only have an ending. She wants a beginning and a middle and an ending. 

Rosie and Alex had an ending. 

It was so infuriating to read a 500 page book and like most if not all of it and then have the ending slap you in the face. 

I wanted them to end up together so badly and yes in the end (the very, very, very end) they did but what's the point of having just an ending? 

Love, Rosie is told in emails, letters and notes, while that did make me fly through the book faster than I would have had it been written in story form I have to say it didn't help with my love/hate relationship towards it. 

It almost felt like each chapter was an episode guide synopsis, it had a short overview for that week or month or even year but the details were lacking and thus the feelings and emotions were subpar at the most. 

I felt no real connection with the characters, let alone what was happening to them or around them. 

I feel like this would have been an amazing book had it not been spread out over so many years. 

I specifically read this before I rented to movie and I only pray that the movie (for once) is better than the book. 

Until next time, 

Ginger