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.  

Review of "The Boy Most Likely"

The Boy Most Likely To 

By Huntley Fitzpatrick 

Stars: 5

Source: Gift 

Tim Mason, boy most likely to: 

-Screw up

-Forget his own name 

-Drive his car off a bridge 

-Run out of liquor before 9am 

-Start over? 

Alice Garrett, girl most likely to: 

-Put Tim in his place 

-Shut people out

-Take on too much 

-Let someone in? 

Tim and Alice are the poster kids for opposites attract. Where Tim is the screw up of the Mason family, Alice is the responsible and reliable older sister who everyone counts on.

After the accident involving Alice's father she has had to step up into the roll of both mother and father in order to keep the household running and somewhat in order. 

Tim's father has given him a timeline to straighten out his life or he'll be forced to give Tim's college fund to his twin sister. 

Both on very different paths and yet they keep finding their way into each others arms. 

Told in alternating points of view "The Boy Most Likely To" is the book most likely to melt your heart. 

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Oh Tim, sweet, adorable, lovable Tim... Wait... I'm forgetting a word used to describe him... Oh ya! Its 

How I love Tim! 

This is a giant 180 from how I felt about him in the companion novel to this book (My Life Next Door). Lets just say I wasn't his biggest fan. 

  Shocking I know! But after reading what this was about (and having complete faith in Huntley) I was dying to get my hands on this book! 

And from the first page... It was pure... 

Not only was I head over heels for Tim but I started to remember how much I adored the Garrett family! Especially Alice! 

(As you can see I already have my dream cast!)

I'm all for a cute summer romance but give me a book with witty banter, unexpected subplots and heartbreaking decisions and I'm hooked!

I know I've said this before, but, I love how all of Fitzpatricks books are centered around family. (Especially when that families last name is Garrett!) 

Am I the only one wanting another companion novel about Alice's younger sister (someone please remind me of her name)?

I swear the possibilities are endless! 

Getting back on track... 

I really enjoyed how Fitzpatrick didn't romanticize the fact that Tim was a recovering alcoholic, nor did she gloss over anything relating to his recovery process. 

It was ugly and painful and that's what the audience needed to read in order to know precisely what was going on in his head.

I'm also not a huge fan of (read I HATE) insta-romance. So the fact that Alice and Tim's relationship progressed in a slow and realistic timeline was a giant bonus! 

I can't gush enough about Tim and Alice, is there a ship name yet? Because I've already got my boarding pass and all my belongings waiting to board! 

All through the book I was rooting for them and praying to the fictional gods that they would end up together. 

Every page I would find myself reading ahead just to see if there was a kiss scene or hand holding or even a wayward glance! 

Needless to say this ended up being one of my favorite books of the year. 

I loved every sentence, word, hell every comma had be swooning and wanting more! 

"The Boy Most Likely To" is all about second chances and first loves and I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT!

To sum it up in one word: 

Oops! Wrong gif! 

In one word: 

Whew, there we go! 

In all seriousness though, go pick up this book! You won't regret it! 

Until next time, 

Ginger 

Book In A Minute Review of "Model Misfit"

Ginger's Book In A Minute Review 

"Model Misfit" 

Stars: 5

Source: Edelweiss 

Release Date: July 21st 2015

Whose in it? 

Harriet Manners <3

Three random facts about Harriet:

1. She's a walking accident waiting to happen.

2. She's about to become a big sister. 

3. She (still) has a stalker. 

What's it about?

Harriet's continued journey from self proclaimed geek to super model extraordinaire. 

Even though Harriet has a little bit of experience under her belt she's still naive to the world around her and the people in the fashion industry. After being dumped by her first real boyfriend all Harriet is looking forward to is her summer holiday. But when her summer with her best friend is abruptly canceled she makes the best of a crappy situation and jets off to Tokyo, hoping to forget about certain things, and certain people. However Harriet is shocked to discover the boy who broke up with her showing up wherever she is.  

Who would I recommend it to? 

Anyone who is looking for an easy, funny, light read. I read this in one sitting, it's nothing dark or deep but it's a cute read and if that's what you're looking for then you'll love it!

Anything else I think you should know? 

Don't read this book in public! At one point I was laughing so hard I had tears streaming down my face and I nearly peed my pants. TMI I know but this is such a fun series! You can't help but love it!

Where can you buy it? 

Amazon - Barnes and Noble - Book Depository

Feel free to post your own "Book In A Minute" reviews just make sure to link back to my blog :) 

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.

Book In A Minute Review Of "The Secrets Of Attraction"

Ginger's Book In A Minute Review 

"The Secrets Of Attraction" 

Stars: 4 

Source: Edelweiss 

Release Date: April 28th 2015

Whose in it? 

Madison and Jessie. 

Three things about Madison:

1. She is extremely close to her mother. 

2. She has a boyfriend named Zach. 

3. She is currently working on a portfolio that will hopefully get her into a summer art program. 

Three things about Jessie: 

1. He's a musician (insert dreamy eyes here). 

2. His girlfriend cheated on him with his former band mate. 

        3. He is incredible sweet and adorable. 

What's it about? 

Jessie trying to recover from an awful breakup and Madison trying to figure out how to deal with the major bomb that her mom just dropped on her and of course how they come together and help one another through their individual drama.  

Who would I recommend it to? 

Anyone who likes Stephanie Perkins or Jennifer E. Smith. This was a quick read with amazing characters that I instantly liked and rooted for. If you're looking for a book to read during these last few days of summer I HIGHLY recommend this one! 

Anything else I think you should know? 

This is actually a companion novel to Robins debut book "The Promise of Amazing". Which I was unaware of when I picked this one up. While it can be read as a stand alone it will spoil a few things from the first book so I recommend reading them in order. 

Where can you buy it? 

Amazon - Barnes and Noble  - Book Depository

I hope you enjoy this new feature I'm trying out. I'm so far behind on my reviews that I thought this would be a new, quick and fun way and catching up and sharing my thoughts. 

Feel free to post your own "Book In A Minute" reviews just make sure to link back to my blog :) 

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 "Kissing In America"

Kissing In America 

By Margo Rabb 

Stars: 4

Source: Edelweiss 

Release Date: May 26th 2015 

When Eva meets Will it's like one of her favorite romance novels come to life. In a split second she goes from single to soul mate. So when Will suddenly up and moves hundreds of miles away she's understandably heartbroken. 

With the help of her best friend Annie, Eva tries to find a way to travel from New York to California to see Will all without worrying her extremely overprotective mother or even divulging the fact that she has a boyfriend. 

Flying is out of the question because of how her father died two years ago so Eva and Annie set off on a cross country road trip.

  

In this coming of age novel Rabb teaches us how to grieve, how to love and how to find ourselves. 

Amazon - Barnes and Noble  - Book Depository

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I have very mixed feelings about this book. I felt like it was almost three really amazing books cut up and made into one. 

It started off feeling like a really cute, romantic, contemporary read. 

Then it got deeper and more emotional and showed us the horrible feelings of loss and pain. 

Then it turned into a road trip book (which granted is what I was expecting going into it) and suddenly there were weird bus people and STD obsessed aunts. 

All three on their own would be books I would enjoy and read but together made this weird mash up that left you tilting your head and wondering what was going on. 

Staying with the theme of mixed feelings... Eva. I couldn't help but laugh every time she daydreamed herself into the latest romance novel she was reading, it seriously made me laugh out loud. 

I actually didn't mind the 'insta love' she had with Will until he ended up leaving and she went all coo coo banana's. Really girl? Pull yourself together! 

But on the other... other hand she seemed so strong dealing with her fathers death, especially when her own mother didn't want to talk about it or acknowledge the fact that it ever happened. 

She was an okay character but was somewhat inconsistent and at times contradictory. 

I really enjoyed Annie as a character and I wish she had more of a part in the story. 

Will... Well lets just say I wasn't a fan of Will. 

All in all I did give it 4 stars because it was a really quick read and I would recommend it as a nice beachy/summer read. 

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 "Since You've Been Gone"

Since You've Been Gone 

By Morgan Matson 

Stars:5

Source: Purchased 

Emily has been looking forward to this summer for weeks, her and her best friend Sloane planned everything, from what summer jobs they were going to get to which parties they were going to attend.

So when Sloane up and disappears leaving nothing but a list of things Emily's suppose to do Emily doesn't know what to think. 

Some things seem pretty easy and straight forward while others are cryptic and downright insane. Skinny dipping? No thank you. 

But Emily feels like if she completes the list before summer ends then it will somehow give her a clue as to what's happened to Sloane. 

Even though it's not the summer she envisioned, with the help of some new friends and some new experiences, it becomes even more epic than she could have ever imagined. 

Amazon - Barnes and Noble  - Book Depository

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In a well ordered universe... I would've read this book a year ago when I bought it! 

Don't ask me why I kept putting off reading it for so long because I don't know! Apparently I'm crazy! 

First off Emily. I related to her from page one, she's the girl in the background, the one who never know's what to say and relies on her friend (Sloane) to fill in the awkward silences that inevitable ensue in social situations. So when Sloane is suddenly gone Emily has no idea how she's going to talk to people let alone check off random tasks on a list. 

But with the help of her three new friends Frank, Dawn and Collins, Emily starts checking off things on her list and (hopefully) finds herself one step closer to finding out what happened to Sloane. 

Frank, oh Frank, Frank, Frank. How I freaking loved Frank Porter. I won't go into detail because I don't want to spoil the experience of reading about him for the first time but I will say this. He is mine. Stay away from him. And thank you. 

Dawn was an awesome secondary character and I felt like she really added a ton to the story and growth of Emily. 

Collins. Collins made me laugh me ass off. Every single time I saw his name on the page I knew I was in for a treat. I can count two or three times when I was laughing so hard I had tears streaming down my face! 

I would literally (figuratively.. maybe) KILL for a spin off book with Collins as the main character! 

To sum it all up I adored this book, I loved how Emily grew as a person and gained self confidence after relying on someone else for such a long time. I loved how she found new friends but didn't allow them to replace the friend she had lost. I loved the family dynamics, especially her little brother and her eccentric parents. In short I loved everything about this book and I want everyone I know to read it so we can gush together! 

Until next time, 

Ginger 

Review of "Saint Anything"

Saint Anything 

By Sarah Dessen 

Stars:5! 

Source: Secret Sister Gift 

Sydney has always lived in the shadow of her older brother, Peyton, but after what happened a couple months ago it seems like the whole family is now stuck under his dark rain cloud. 

Sydney's Mother is too concerned with Peyton and how the judicial system is treating him to see whats right under her nose and Sydney's Father can't seem to be bothered to look up from his morning paper. 

But Sydney doesn't feel bad for her brother, she feels bad for the kid whose life he ruined and the family that was effected by his poor decisions. It seems as though she's the only one who actually thinks about the victim and the consequences of her brothers actions. 

After transfer schools and starting fresh Sydney finds friends and solace in a family owned pizzaria and for the first time in a long time allows herself to feel something other than guilt.

But when Sydney suddenly has her extremely controlling mother focusing all her attention on her, her new friends and where she is every waking hour she starts slipping back down the slope and quickly losing herself and her new found happiness. 

Amazon - Barnes and Noble - Book Depository

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This is my all time favorite Sarah Dessen Book! I read it in two sittings and the second I finished it I wanted to flip back to page one and read it again!

Sydney was such a perfect main character- not in the sense that she could do no wrong but in the sense that she was 100% relatable and lovable. 

Without even being aware of what was happening I found myself walking in her shoes and thinking her thoughts. 

I don't think I can recall ever rooting for a character as much as I rooted for Sydney and her happy ending. 

Layla was such an amazing character and such a good friend that I couldn't help but smile every time I saw her name on the page. Her french fry obsession did become slightly problematic around 1AM when I found myself with a crazy craving for my own fries and ketchup but that's why In-N-Out is open until 2. 

Of course I adored Mac and his protective nature! He reminded me of a Stephanie Perkins character with his boyish grin and tall build. 

I was amazed by how Sarah wrote Peyton/Peyton's story. He never actually makes an appearance in the book (he's mostly just mentioned and every once in a while there's a phone conversation) and yet his presence is so strong. He determines the mood for the day, the tone for the week and he factors into almost every decision made. 

It goes without saying my least two favorite characters were Ames and Sydney's mother. 

I understand being slightly (SLIGHTLY) over protective after what happened with your first child, but holy mother of God, could you not take every mistake made by Peyton out on Sydney? It's like she couldn't be bothered to care about her until she couldn't control Peyton and then the gloves came off and she was two seconds away from placing her under house arrest! 

And Ames, creepy, serial killer eyes, Ames. How I wanted to hit him in the face with a frying pan! How is it that neither one of Sydney's parents could see what a low life he was? He gave me the creeps from page one until the last page his name was mentioned. 

Lets end on that lovely note... Not! 

"Saint Anything" is a beautiful story told in true Sarah Dessen fashion. The ups and downs of family relationships, the excitement from new friendships and the first love butterflies. All wrapped up in a perfect bow.

I cannot recommend this book enough!  

Until next time, 
Ginger

ARC Review of "City Love"

City Love 

By Susane Colasanti 

Stars: 2 

Source: Edelweiss 

Release Date: April 21st 2015 

Three girls, one summer, no rules. 

Darcy, Rosanna and Sadie are sharing an apartment in New York City the summer before their freshman year of college. Surrounded by world famous restaurants, art exhibits and the occasional A-list celebrity it's hard not to get caught up in the hustle and bustle that is NYC but each girl has their own dreams, aspirations and goals and none of them are going to settle for anything less than extraordinary. 

Darcy is mending a slightly damaged heart, having been dumped by the love of her life before arriving in the big apple. She has deemed this summer her 'shiny new summer'. No boyfriend, but plenty of boys. 

Rosanna is dazzled by the city lights and can't believe she actually made it. She's always dreamed about living the New York and now it's finally happening. It doesn't matter that she can barley make ends meet or that her dinner for the next week is whatever cereal was on sale, she's determined to make it work. 

Sadie was born and raised in the West Village, she's barley a couple of blocks from her childhood home but already she feels like a whole different person being out on her own. Always the optimistic one she can't help but see the good in people, whether they deserve it or not.  

All three girls are world apart when it comes to their backgrounds, personalities and lifestyles but one thing they have in common is City Love, no matter the number of dates, relationships, breakups or heartbreaks, New York will never let them down. 

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I was really looking forward to this book, I saved it for a day when I needed a little cheering up, a light fluffy read to brighten my day... 

That didn't happen. 

While "City Love" started off on an okay foot it quickly went downhill fast. 

First off the timing, I kept having to remind myself that weeks, hell even days, weren't passing between each chapter, the entire book was around two weeks time wise and it drove me crazy! Especially when the girls were head over heels for guys they met... Yesterday. 

Yes that brings me to my next point: InstaLove... 

I kid you not there was a line in the book where Sadie is just gushing about Austin, how amazing he is, how sweet, how much she's falling for him, and then in the next breath she says something about "I can't believe I've only know him three days"... Oh lord. 

I hated how Rosanna, who comes from a poor family and can't afford to go out for coffee is suddenly with Donovan Clark who drops 200+ dollars on a dinner date. 

She kept having this inner dialog with herself about how she could never be with someone like that, who didn't understand the value of a dollar and who would never be able to relate to her situation and yet she kept going out with him. 

Darcy didn't annoy me too much, she was probably my favorite out of the three, her whole "Operation Shiny New Summer" actually kept me somewhat interested in the story (at least enough to finish it) but I still felt like she was missing something. 

If I was rating this book solely on the setting and the descriptions of the city I would give it 5+ stars but the characters and their 'love lives' just threw me. 

I forced myself to finish it just so I could see if the ending was any better but that may have been the worst part. Even though it's (apparently) going to be a series that was one of the worst endings I have ever read. It might as well have stopped mid sentence, that would have been less abrupt. 

I'm disappointed that I disliked it as much as I did because like I said I was really looking forward to it but after reading it I wouldn't recommend it to anyone and I doubt I'll read the next installment in the series. 

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.