TBR Intervention Challenge (25)

TBR Intervention is a weekly challenge hosted by 

Dani@RefractedLight , Ayanami@Whatever you Can Still Betray

and April@Books4Juliet

Everyone is WELCOME to JOIN this meme. Just click the image TBR Intervention Button above to see the rules and read more about this feature.

MY LAST WEEK'S TBRIC:

Unfinished - Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead

Still reading - Whispering Hills by Taryn Browning

FINISHED IT, ENJOYED IT, LOVED IT! - The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

FINISHED IT, OH MY GOLLY WOW! I TOTALLY LOVED IT! - Obsidian by Jennifer Armentrout

I also enjoyed listening to my all time favorite Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins via Audible. *SWOON* again. I love love love Etienne St. Clair! I'm currently enjoying a new audible, another favorite book of mine-- Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready. Since I'm always on the road, I've decided to finally pick up audio copies of my favorite reads so I can listen to them while in the car with hubbie. 

That summarizes my last week's TBRIC :) Woot! Woot!

THIS WEEK'S TBRIC:

I hope to finish Whispering Hills by Taryn Browning while on Tour. I'm enjoying it and I want to finish the book asap so I can share my thoughts with you. As with the Shadow Kiss, I know you've been seeing this book like FOREVER now... I was desperately wanting to knock it off but with no luck and success so far... I think I need a chanting spell that would make me too eager to read it, and hopefully get to enjoy it (fingercrossed). I badly needed HELP.

So, how's your week again? I've missed last week's hop. So sorry. I wasn't able to visit your posts. I've been super busy :<  *snip

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Whispering Hills Blog Tour : Guest Post & Giveaway from Author Taryn Browning

Welcome to Whispering Hills Book Blog Tour stop at Books4Juliet!

 A BIG THANKS to Ms. Taryn Browning and Heather @ SupaGurl Tours for the opportunity to be part of this awesome tour.

Here is an interesting article from Taryn Browning, author of the Dark Seeker and Whispering Hills.

Building My Fictional Characters 

by Taryn Browning 

When I'm reading a book I love it when the characters are developed so that I genuinely care about what happens to them and would even love to know them or be friends with them. This is what I strive to do when I am developing my characters. I like strong female heroines that do what it takes to get the job done, like Janie in Dark Seeker, or search for the truth at any cost, like Alexis in Whispering Hills. Both characters have their burdens and difficult back stories that make them who they are today. Instead of focusing on the negative, they push forward and do whatever it takes to protect the people they love and find answers even when the outcome isn't positive. They are definitely not perfect, which adds to their "realness." Both girls also learn a lot about life, friendship and love, which helps to shape them as the books develop. I don't always agree with the choices they make, but it's the errors they make that make them human and also allow them to grow. 

As for the leading guys in my books, I want them to posses the same qualities. Chance in Whispering Hills and Kai in Dark Seeker are imperfect. They are afraid to open up and be completely forthcoming with the girls they care about in an effort to protect them. Both guys also evolve during the books, not only Chance with his fashion sense and uncomfortable actions, or Kai with his sarcasm and cockiness, but they learn that being honest from the start is best. Yes, both guys are beautiful to look at, even the physical scars Kai bares from a painful time in his life, but they are genuinely good even though their actions are sometimes misguided. They still act out of love and most importantly grow throughout the books. I believe this makes the leading guys endearing but also fun to read about.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Title: Whispering Hills
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

Summary | Add to TBR

For as long as she can remember, seventeen-year-old Alexis Forbes can hear the thoughts of others. Most recently, she is disturbed by the dark, unfamiliar voice of a frightening killer: callous, cunning, charismatic…and dead. She hears his every sinister thought. But she can’t tell anyone. No one would believe her. 

Alexis is suddenly being haunted by a terrifying past she doesn’t remember, and a ghost with a serious score to settle. Even Chance, the gorgeous new guy she’s falling for, has his own ghostly secret. He’s definitely not like any guy she’s ever met. Alexis soon discovers she has a connection to the dead and it runs much deeper than she could ever imagine. 

And if the sociopathic entity has his way, she’ll finally be sentenced to the fate she escaped thirteen years ago. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Taryn Browning writes young adult paranormal romance and urban fantasy novels. Her debut novel, DARK SEEKER, is available on Amazon and B&N. The sequel, DARK RETURN, comes out in late, 2012. 

Taryn graduated with a BS in Education from Towson University and went on to earn a MS in Reading from Hood College. She lives in Virginia with her husband, two young sons and their dog. When she's not writing, she enjoys reading, spending time with friends and family, music, movies, and the beach. Visit her at www.tarynbrowning.com, on twitter and facebook.

GoodReads | Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter

Now for the GIVEAWAY, simply enter in the Rafflecopter below. This is open internationally.
One Winner will win the following:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The tour is until April 12th 2012, so you have plenty of time to enjoy reading Reviews, Book Excerpt, Guest Posts, Interviews etc., and enter in the giveaways. 

Also, there will be a Big Giveaway at SupaGurl Books in the last day of the tour!

Make sure to visit the rest of the participating blogs. Happy Reading!

TBR Intervention Challenge (24)

TBR Intervention is a weekly challenge hosted by 

Dani@RefractedLight , Ayanami@Whatever you Can Still Betray

and April@Books4Juliet

Everyone is WELCOME to JOIN this meme. Just click the image TBR Intervention Button above to see the rules and read more about this feature.

Sorry for my late post today. I didn't feel good this morning and I couldn't even get up from bed. My hubby just grabbed a coffee before heading out, we didn't had breakfast cos I was in bed til 10 am (I wasn't able to prepare the food). I felt horrible... so I tweeted Dani and Ayanami, saying I'd be late for my TBRIC post today. 

MY LAST WEEK'S TBRIC:

*Sucks. I know it shouldn't be this way, but I haven't finish Shadow Kiss or Whispering Hills yet. But I'm done with If I Die, sorry but I can't post the review until May for the SS Reading Challenge. 

The week has been a moody one, cos I've started four books consecutively in the first four days! Yep, that's one book a night different book each night!

I've started Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead on Monday,
Whispering Hills by Taryn Browning on Tuesday,
The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith on Wednesday, and
Obsidian by Jennifer Armentrout on Thursday!

Isn't it just WOW? =P

I'm just having problem with my moods lately and I guess I was searching for the right book and it doesn't come, well until Obsidian =) So, right now I'm enjoying this first book in the Lux Series and it's really really good. I hope to finish it by tomorrow and I'll post my review soon. 

As of my next TBR IC books, I think it's kinda obvious by now... 

THIS WEEK'S TBRIC:

I hope you had a great week and feeling livelier than me right now. Happy reading everyone! You all rock.

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Book Review: MY SOUL TO KEEP by Rachel Vincent

My Soul To Keep (Soul Screamers #3)
Author: Rachel Vincent
Publication Date: June 1st 2010
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Genre: Young Adult, Urban Fantasy/Paranormal

Summary | Add to TBR

Kaylee has one addiction: her very hot, very popular boyfriend, Nash. A banshee like Kaylee, Nash understands her like no one else. Nothing can come between them.Until something does.Demon breath. No, not the toothpaste-challenged kind. The Netherworld kind. The kind that reallycan kill you. Somehow the super-addictive substance has made its way to the human world. But how? Kaylee and Nash have to cut off the source and protect their friends—one of whom is already hooked.And so is someone else…

My Thoughts:

At first, I didn't expect that I would be able to enjoy this book after reading My Soul To Save (book 2), which happened to be a bit of a let down for me. But honestly, I'd enjoyed this book better than book 2. Among the first three books, I'd say My Soul To Keep was the saddest. Because I saw how the relationship of Kaylee and Nash twist and turned into something unhealthy and probably the worst. It may not still be the best moment for Kaylee to shine, because honestly, she still get on my nerves from time to time. I have a feeling that I will still need to endure Kaylee's need to save people even if it means risking her own life which usually end up risking her love ones too. If you will ask me, part of what happened to Nash was Kaylee's fault after all. Though of course, Nash should have been careful and smart. I really felt devastated for him, for what he's going through and for everything that happened between them and Kaylee. I still want them to be together but I know that I should start to learn how to let go of Nash. Soon. So I won't end up broken hearted. Oh well, Nash... I thought you were smarter and stronger than that... *sigh... how will you ever make it all up to Kaylee, huh? :'(

The Netherworld seems to be all time present now and in the future books, so expect to see and experience more of the Netherworld--though I know that it's a place we don't want to experience at all. Avari, the demon of greed won't stop hunting Kaylee until he gets her soul, and thus the story is becoming more and more complicated. 

I think this book was good... heartbreaking and devastating especially if you're rooting for Nash like me. Thank goodness, there's Tod and I'd say watch out. I can't wait to see how their lives will be more tangled and complicated as the story unfolds. Oh my, Tod, will you come out of the shell now and enlighten me? I need to know what's beneath those blue eyes... 

I can't wait to read the rest of the books, and I tell you, if you haven't read the Soul Screamers, I think you should consider getting a copy now. My Soul to Keep may not be the best book in the series, but I think this was a great turning point in the lives of the characters. I'm excited to see what will happen next. I need the next book now.

My Rating:

TBR Intervention Challenge (23)

TBR Intervention is a weekly challenge hosted by 

Dani@RefractedLight , Ayanami@Whatever you Can Still Betray,

and April@Books4Juliet

Everyone is WELCOME to JOIN this meme. Just click the image TBR Intervention Button above to see the rules and read more about this feature.

MY LAST WEEK'S TBRIC:
I'm done with Hallowed by Cynthia Hand but I'm not sure about my review yet. I had mixture of feelings about the book. It's good but slow, and Clara irritates me much. I also finished The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen (my review is up). It was so good and it made me want to read more of Dessen's books! 

Along with Hallowed and SD's, I was also able to read My Soul To Keep (book 3) by Rachel Vincent I was glad that I've finally did it after a few weeks of trying to dust it off my shelf. And Yay Finally! As a bonus, I also finished the next book: My Soul To Steal immediately after I read book 3. So it's a double yay for me! Plus (yes, there's another one!) I am currently halfway through If I Die (book 5)! Yay yay yay! I never thought that I would still enjoy the remaining books after reading My Soul To Save, which had been a bit of a let down compare to book 1 that I loved. So I think this week was really good for me :) My reviews will be up soon this week except for My Soul To Steal and If I Die which needs to wait until April 15th and May 15th (respectively) for the schedule of Soul Screamers Reading Challenge.

THIS WEEK'S TBRIC:

I will finish If I Die by Rachel Vincent and decided to read Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead (I know, I know... I really should get it done this time), I'm also considering Whispering Hills by Taryn Browning because it's currently on tour and will stop here in my blog on the 28th. I hope I'll get these three books done by the end of the week.

Whispering Hills by Taryn Browning

Publication Date: March 19th 2012

Summary

For as long as she can remember, 17-year-old Alexis Forbes can hear the thoughts of others. Most recently, she is disturbed by the dark, unfamiliar voice of a frightening killer: callous, cunning, charismatic…and dead. 

She hears his every sinister thought. But she can’t tell anyone. No one would believe her. Alexis is suddenly being haunted by a terrifying past she doesn’t remember, and a ghost with a serious score to settle. Even Chance, the gorgeous new guy she’s falling for, has his own ghostly secret. He’s definitely not like any guy she’s ever met. Alexis soon discovers she has a connection to the dead and it runs much deeper than she could ever imagine. And if the sociopathic entity has his way, she’ll finally be sentenced to the fate she escaped thirteen years ago.

How many books did you knock off last week? =)

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Book Review: THE TRUTH ABOUT FOREVER by Sarah Dessen

The Truth About Forever
Author: Sarah Dessen
Publication Date: May 11th 2004
Publisher: Penguin Group Inc.
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

Summary | Add to TBR

a long, hot summer...

That's what Macy has to look forward to while her boyfriend, Jason, is away at Brain Camp. Days will be spent at a boring job in the library, evenings will be filled with vocabulary drills for the SATs, and spare time will be passed with her mother, the two of them sharing a silent grief at the traumatic loss of Macy's father.

But sometimes unexpected things can happen—things such as the catering job at Wish, with its fun-loving, chaotic crew. Or her sister's project of renovating the neglected beach house, awakening long-buried memories. Things such as meeting Wes, a boy with a past, a taste for Truth-telling, and an amazing artistic talent, the kind of boy who could turn any girl's world upside down. As Macy ventures out of her shell, she begins to wonder, Is it really better to be safe than sorry? 

I just loved this words from Author Sarah Dessen regarding her book and it's main characters Macy and Wes:

"...overwhelmingly, I’ve heard the most so far about Wes. I think that in a lot of ways, he was the kind of guy I was always looking for: one who wasn’t so interested in the “perfect,” girl, whoever she might be. A boy who likes flaws, who sees potential in everything... Wes to me is hope. To him, nothing is ever finished, or broken. It’s just waiting to be incarnated, to begin as something new, again. And that, to me, is what Macy’s story is all about. How life is a continuing series of beginnings and endings, losses and gains, all folding into one long stretch, one lifetime, and one forever." - Sarah Dessen, The Truth About Forever.

My Thoughts:

It's been a while since I read a Sarah Dessen's book and once again, this book did not disappoint. It reminds me of how much I loved Along For The Ride... how much I adore Sarah Dessen because of her stories and how much I wanted to read more of her books. Whenever I crave for contemps, I don't hesitate to pick up Sarah Dessen's. If you haven't tried reading her amazing stories, you're missing something...

The Truth About Forever is an absorbing, heart warming story about Macy, who, after losing her father gave up running (something she was amazing at, and the thing that makes her feel close to her father), settled for Jason (her brainy, organized and perfectionist boyfriend), and make sure that everything about her is neat, presentable, and... perfect.

So when she meet the Wish catering crew, including the beautiful and talented boy Wesley, she began to realize that she can no longer hide what she truly was. That her life isn't supposed to be perfect... more than anything else, she needs to be alive.

I don't know how Sarah Dessen did it, but she nailed it again. This book is just what I needed. The characters she created are amazing. What's with her boys? She makes me love them so much that I can't seem to get enough of them! First, she made me fell in love with Eli in Along For The Ride, now it's Wes! *swooning. I loved Macy, her sister Caroline, Delia, Kristy, Monica, and Bert. They all made this book even more entertaining and worthwhile. I'm sure you'll be thrilled to meet them.

I know that some of you avoid books that are heavy and emotional, but I don't think you could ever go wrong with this book (or any of Sarah Dessen's books). She's a brilliant writer and she knows how to pull the readers into her stories... she knows how to break and mend the hearts of her readers and I am impressed by how she creates her characters--flawed but perfect, weak yet strong, broken but remained whole. 

The Truth About Forever will inspire readers to be alive, to make every moment count, to appreciate the flaws and holes and scars in our life. Because the truth is, life isn't perfect. And forever can start now, just like the things that just happen. No plan. It can start the moment you choose to be alive. This story is truly inspiring and highly engaging. This is why I recommend it especially to those YA contemporary lovers. I want more of it and I will definitely pick up another Sarah Dessen's book. Soon. Soon. Soon.

"For any of us our forever could end in an hour, or a hundred years from now. You can never know for sure, so you'd better make every second count."

"There is never a time or place for true love. It happens accidentally, in a heartbeat, in a single flashing, throbbing moment."

"Just because someone's pretty doesn't mean she's decent. Or vice versa. I'm not into appearances. I like flaws, I think they make things interesting." -Wes

"Someday, you'll agree to run that mile with me..." -Wes

My Rating:

Other books by Sarah Dessen

(Click the image to add the book on your TBR on Goodreads)

Read my Review of Along For the Ride.

Book Review: BREATHE by Abbi Glines

Breathe (Sea Breeze #1)

Author: Abbi Glines

Publication Date: May 17th 2011

Publisher: Wild Child Publishing

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary Romance

Summary | Add to TBR

Sadie White's summer job isn't going to be on the beach life-guarding or working at rental booths like most kids her age. With her single mother's increasing pregnancy and refusal to work, Sadie has to take over her mother's job as a domestic servant for one of the wealthy summer families on a nearby island. 

When the family arrives at their summer getaway, Sadie is surprised to learn that the owner of the house is Jax Stone, one of the hottest teen rockers in the world. If Sadie hadn't spent her life raising her mother and taking care of the house she might have been normal enough to be excited about working for a rock star. 

Even though Sadie isn't impressed by Jax's fame, he is drawn to her. Everything about Sadie fascinates Jax but he fights his attraction. Relationship's never work in his world and as badly as he wants Sadie, he believes she deserves more. By the end of the summer, Jax discovers he can't breathe without Sadie.

My Thoughts:

What if you meet the famous and most loved rock star of the generation and he happens to fall in love with you? That was what happened to Sadie White when she was forced to work at Stone's summer house as a kitchen helper in place of her very pregnant mother. But then, not everything goes smoothly. With her mother about to bring out another child, and Jax being popular and target of all intrigues, Sadie's life would never be the same again.

I've read Sea Breeze #2: Because of Low before Breathe, and it was nice to see Marcus Hardy again in this book. Now I know the whole story before he fell in love with Willow in book 2. I saw the resemblance between Sadie and Low, and just like what Marcus said, both girls are special and rare. Sadie White is a smart, gorgeous girl that is mature enough for her age. She has a lot of things on her shoulders and it was amazing how she keep up with everything in her life. She's tough and responsible and kind-hearted. She's different from any other girls and that's why Jax fell in love with her instantly.  And I liked Jax. Not only because he's gorgeous but he also has a good heart.

"I know sometimes life with me is hard to handle. I get caught up in the lights and the crowd. But you're the reason I keep on playing. Without you girl, it would all die down..." - Jax Stone (singing)

"I want whatever part of you I can have." - Sadie

The story is simple but absorbing. Once you start, it will be hard to put down. There were couple of cheesy moments, but nothing that is too much for a romantic reader. I am confident to say that is purely YA novel, and unlike the second book, this one is totally wholesome. But whatever steamy moments this book was lacking, book two will deliver it big time!

Over all, this was a great read, fast paced and not dragging. Abbi Glines is a talented writer and she doesn't disappoint. You'll just can't get enough of her stories. I definitely look forward to more of her books. I recommend Breathe, I recommend Abbi Glines. You surely don't want to miss one such talented author.

My Rating:

Other books by Abbi Glines:

Because of Low (Sea Breeze #2)

Read my 5 Coffee Cups Review Here

The Vincent Boys (The Vincent Boys #1)
Read my 5 Coffee Cups Review Here.

Existence (Existence Trilogy #1)
Read the Summary on Goodreads

TBR Intervention Challenge (22)

TBR Intervention is a weekly challenge hosted by 

Dani@RefractedLight , Ayanami@Whatever you Can Still Betray,

and April@Books4Juliet

Everyone is WELCOME to JOIN this meme. Just click the image TBR Intervention Button above to see the rules and read more about this feature.

MY LAST WEEK'S TBRIC:

Um.. I.. um..I didn't do my homework... Yeah, I know! I've tried! But what can I do? I was AGAIN distracted by some new books I got on Kindle. (Thanks to my friends over at Starbooks for recommending some books that got me hooked and forgot my TBR IC commitments. Yeah girls, this is your fault. LOL. Just Kidding!) Anyway, I did finished and LOVED two of Abbi Glines books in the SEA BREEZE Series: BREATHE and BECAUSE OF LOW (my review is up except for Breathe which I just finished last night). I am a new fan girl of Abbi Glines and I will surely don't miss the rest of her books now. Because of Low just made it to my favorite caffeinated books. 

THIS WEEK'S TBRIC:

So for this week's TBRIC, I think I will finish Hallowed (Unearthly #2) by Cynthia Hand which I started last Monday and wasn't able to finish because of the two books mentioned above. I will TRY AGAIN reading My Soul To Keep, thanks again to my Starbooks friends for talking about this book non-stop :) Besides, I need to catch up with the Soul Screamers books before the due date for the SS Challenge. 

SO guys, how was your week? I hope yours was better than mine. What books did you finish? What books did you set aside?

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Book Review: BECAUSE OF LOW by Abbi Glines

Because of Low (Sea Breeze #2)

Author: Abbi Glines

Publication Date: February 7th 2012

Format: Kindle Edition

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary Romance

Summary | Add to TBR

In my debut novel, Breathe, Sadie may have fallen in love with the teen rock star, Jax Stone, but readers fell head over heels for Marcus Hardy. This is his story… 

Marcus Hardy had hoped to enjoy a year away at college while he put the summer he’d rather forget behind him. But instead, he’s jerked right back to the coastal town of Sea Breeze, Alabama due to a family crisis. His dear ol' dad found himself a girlfriend only a few years older than Marcus. So now his sister needs help dealing with their mother who is mentally falling apart. The only bright spot to returning is the fascinating red head who sleeps over several times a week. The problem is she's sleeping in bed with his new roommate, Cage Watson. 

Willow “Low” Foster needs a place to live. Running to Cage’s apartment every time her sister kicks her out isn’t exactly a long term solution. Juggling her courses at the local community college and a part time job doesn’t produce excess income. But Cage has a new roommate and suddenly sleeping over at her best friend’s apartment isn’t such a bad thing. Not when she gets to see those sexy green eyes of Marcus Hardy’s twinkle when he smiles at her like he wants her there. 

Even though Cage seems a little territorial where Low is concerned, Marcus finds time to spend with Low without upsetting his roommate. Cage may use his small college baseball star persona to sleep with every hot female in his path but he’s still under the disillusion that when he’s through sowing his wild oats, he’s going to marry Low. Marcus intends to change that assumption for both Cage and Low. Until his carefully laid plans come crashing down with a revelation he never expected. He’ll have to choose between Low or his family. Because once the truth comes out.... there’s no other choice.

My Thoughts:

Oh my golly... just wow.

This wasn't the first time I read something by Abbi Glines. The first one was The Vincent Boys. Have you heard about that one? You should read it. Anyway, I became a fan of Glines after reading The Vincent Boys (which I loved! See my review here). And when I learned from a friend how much she enjoyed Because of Low, I immediately grabbed a copy (Thank you Jenny Vasquez for the recommendation) .  I know that I should've read Breathe (Sea Breeze #1), but I didn't realized that it's part of the series! Okay, too late for that, but it doesn't lessen my enjoyment, and to be honest, there was no spoiler in book #2 at all. 

Oh, wait... where was I again? Oh yeah, I was supposed to write a review! =B

Let me begin with these lines from Marcus Hardy:

"I don't think I'm making myself very clear Low," he'd lowered his voice and the effect made goose bumps break out over my body. "I was only interested in one person at that bar last night. I only came to see one person," he tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and softly caressed my earlobe before tracing the line of my jaw. " I was there for you."

If you've met and liked Marcus Hardy in Breathe, you'll surely fall head over heels with him in this book. Besides, it's his story. I felt sorry for him in Breathe because as we all know, he loved Sadie  but Sadie loves Jax. Marcus--the sweet, thoughtful, nice and handsome guy who protected and loved Sadie White in Breathe, is back. And he deserved an equally amazing girl like Sadie... 

So here comes Low.

"She's been left her whole life. She's a good girl. Larissa adores her. Where her sister lacks in many honorable traits Willow seems to have them in abundance."

Meet Willow "Low" Foster. Who wouldn't love a girl like Low? She's everything a guy could ask for. She's gorgeous, strong, good-hearted and loving. People hurt her but she's so forgiving. She was being left all her life but she remains strong. Her sister kicked her out of the house except for the nights that Tawny needs her to babysit her one-year old daughter whom Low loves dearly. She always run to her best friend every time she needs a place to stay, and Cage always welcomed her with wide arms. He was her safe haven. He's the only person who stays with her when everybody left her. And that was until Willow meet Marcus.

There are so many things I loved about this book. I don't know how to say it all, but I think the author perfectly nailed it. The pacing of the story is perfect and there was no boring moment for me. I ate every word, I swooned big-time and I tensed a lot! I loved every part of this book and I really enjoyed how this book made me feel. It was very entertaining and there is nothing that I didn't like at all. The author successfully blended the right amount of everything I loved from a contemporary book--strong characters, beautiful setting, titillating romance, and exciting plot. It's like the author wrote this book for me. I truly enjoyed it.

If you like contemporaries with great love stories, gorgeous and swoon worthy boy, strong female lead, and supported by sometimes-crazy, most-of-the-times-funny, and all-time-dependable friends, then I bet you'll enjoy this book too. This story is full of family drama that will make you feel sad and hopeful at the same time. It has lots of romantic moments that will make you swoon to the bones. I know because I experienced it myself. Because of Low, I read in the toilet. Because of Low, I read in the car until I was dizzy enough to stop. Because of Low, I didn't finished the book I was supposed to read. Because of Low, I stayed awake until past two in the morning. And Because of Low, Abbi Glines became one of my favorite author.

I know that readers aren't all the same, but if you are like me who isn't a big fan of adult books, but is looking for a bit edgy kind of YA Contemporaries, then this might be a perfect book for you. If you read and enjoyed other books by Abbi Glines, I'm sure you'll love this too, maybe even more. When I finished this book, I grabbed Breathe immediately, that's how much I enjoyed Abbi Glines writing and her story, I just cant get enough of it. It's a great read and I totally loved it!

My Rating:

Book Review: THE FAULT IN OUR STARS by John Green

The Fault In Our Stars

Author: John Green

Publication Date: January 10th 2012

Publisher: Dutton Books

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

Summary | Add to TBR

Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 12, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumours in her lungs... for now. 

Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too; post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumours tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault. 

Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind.

My Thoughts:

Finally! Now I know what the loud buzz was all about. It was a meaningful read and this book was amazing. I may be one of the few who wouldn't give a perfect 5 star rating, but it doesn't mean I loved this book any less. So for the mean time, let me tell you what I loved about this book.

The world is not a wish-granting factory. -Augustus Waters

Okay. I'll skip the summary.

When I started reading the first few pages, I found myself REALLY laughing out loud. And people around me looked at me and asked "what happened? what's that all about?" I'll tell you.

This book is hilarious. Amazingly funny and crazy and quirky. I loved how the author wrote it. And yeah, I was laughing all the time because of the choice of words which the author used in narrating the story. It was a very good laugh, and I loved it. And that's what makes this book great and unique--the way it can make you feel that way, and still it makes you feel aware that something is wrong and something scary might happen. And I was right. I was laughing in many parts of the story, and by the end of the book, I felt like my heart was broken into pieces.

Depression is not a side effect of cancer. Depression is a side effect of dying. - Hazel Grace

Hazel Grace and Augustus were no perfect couple but they're perfect for each other. Their disabilities made them. What they're lacking made them whole. I think that's the best thing I got from this book. To live a grand life even though it seems that there were no reasons to do so. Hazel Grace and Augustus Waters might be physically weak but they are two strong characters all through out the story. They are crazy and fun to read about. You'll love them both, plus you'll love Isaac, too. He's the amazingly funny friend of Gus and Hazel, who is blind and dumped by her ex-girlfriend. It was enjoyable to see their journey as they experience how to love, be loved, to live and die. It was amazing how the author crafted great characters that made this book very entertaining.

What I loved most about the story is how it made me happy and sad at the same time. It felt good to laugh over a book and then cried over it afterwards. I guess there will never be enough explanation on how this book made me feel. It was hilarious and yet heart breaking. Tragic but beautiful. 

"I'm in love with you, and I'm not in the business of denying myself the simple pleasure of saying true things. I'm in love with you, and I know that love is just a shout into the void, and that oblivion is inevitable, and that we're all doomed and that there will come a day when all our labor has been returned to dust, and I know the sun will swallow the only earth we'll ever have, and I am in love with you." -Augustus Waters

Don't be afraid to read The Fault In Our Stars. Yes, it is an emotional read and you might cry over it (make sure to ready some tissue), but it was a fun, crazy journey of two characters who have meaningful fight with cancer, who are trying to enjoy every cancer perks they were given, who wishes on Genies yet aware that the world is not a wish-granting factory. It's a story about a boy who lived grand and who rides a roller coaster that only goes up and a girl who is willing to ride the roller coaster with him. Read this book, meet these amazing characters, know what An Imperial Affliction is all about, and experience Amsterdam. 

I have my reason why I gave it a 4 coffee cups rating and I will tell you why. I was impressed by how the two characters talked about life and cancer and everything, but sometimes it was too much for me to easily get it. Some dialogue were a bit hard to understand (or maybe I'm the one with the problem *wink) but other than that, this book is great in every way.

It was sad and heart breaking but over all it was beautiful. You should read it. I'm glad that I DID. This is the first book by John Green that I've ever read, and surely it won't be the last.  

You don't get to choose if you get hurt in this world...but you do have some say in who hurts you. I like my choices. I hope she likes hers. - Augustus Waters about Hazel Grace.

P.S. I've never really liked the word "Okay" until now :)

My Rating:

Feature: Cover Releases and Upcoming Sequels

While sorting out my TBR list on Goodreads, I've decided to list (for your viewing pleasure) some of my most anticipated books, mostly are sequels to my favorite series. So without further ado, here are the books I mostly anticipate for the upcoming months...

(Click on the book image to read the summary and add it to your TBR on Goodreads.)

 What do you think of the covers? Have you read any book in the series?

 I can't wait for these books to come out!