On The Plus Side

On The Plus Side
Chubby Girl Chronicles Book One
Written By Tabatha Vargo

Contemporary, Romance, New Adult
Published January 19th 2013
248 Pages

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★★☆
Big girls need love, too, but at what cost? Lilly is loaded, not only with money, but with weight. Both things she could do without. But even with her undesired millionaire status, she doesn’t hold on to false hopes of finding true love. So when a sexy stranger comes into her life dripping with seduction, she finds it hard to resist. The bigger they are the harder they fall and Lilly falls straight through the floor in love with Mr. Sexy. Too bad he’s there for all the wrong reasons.
The chance of losing it all will make you do some crazy things and Devin’s willing to do whatever it takes to keep his life together. All seems lost when out of nowhere he’s approached by a Millionaire Momma with an offer he can’t refuse. But even a womanizer like Devin has a heart and when the short, chunky girl with the carefree attitude breaks through his icy facade, he finds that losing everything takes on a whole new meaning. 
Lilly is a girl with curves, voluptuous, luxurious, chunky, she's packing junk in her trunk... However you put it, she's larger than what society tells us is average. She has regular threesomes with Ben & Jerry, she has more money than she'll ever need, a bitch mother who makes her feel worthless and she's a virgin. Lilly has been hurt, she has been teased relentlessly throughout her life, so when Devin strolls into her life with his sexy smirk and flirts, she's right to be hesitant, she has no idea what he wants with her. He can't actually want the fat girl, can he?

Devin's life is in shambles. His alcoholic father is on the verge of losing their home and life support in their mechanic's garage and only has three months to find eight thousand dollars, or the bank will take everything they own. With just his father and little tomboy sister, Devin tries for a loan extension... Fat chance, pardon the pun.

A chance meeting in the bank, Devin meets Lilly's mother. Assuming she's a sugar mumma that wants to ride the Devin express, but she has a much more sinister plan. Date my daughter for three months, ensure her happiness and your debts will be taken care of. Sounds easy right? Wrong. What he didn't figure into the plan was that Lilly would be a fun, down to earth, beautiful and attractive chubby girl, that he can't keep his hands off. The only condition, is that Devin not sleep with her...

Lilly starts to make Devin feel loved again, something he hasn't felt since his mother abandoned her family, and he no longer feels alone. Lilly has her own heartbreak, but has vowed never to shed another tear, just wait until she finds out what Devin is doing to pay the bills.

Well written, reminded me of a slightly more mature version of The Duff, Designated Ugly Fat Friend, It was entertaining, but Devin was ridiculous. I know he was meant to come across as broken, but earlier on he had a sexual relationship with someone else, but uses a word like skank. He may have been eye candy, but he was unlikable and cruel, in regards to what he agreed upon to keep his family from financial difficulty. Luckily Lilly is fictional, as she could do far better than the arrogant and self absorbed Devin.

Elementris

Elementris
The Vangeretta Curse Book One
Written By Christina Mobley
Fantasy, Paranormal
Published July 11th 2012
252 Pages
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★★★★
There are people born in this world with a powerful connection to the earth itself.

They have an unbreakable and extraordinary bond. Every seven years, five people are born on the same day, at the exact same time. The elements bind them; earth, fire, wind, water, and spirit. They call them, Elementris.

Ava Vangeretta is seventeen years old and different. Unlike most born of the element, she was born alone. She has the power of all five elements. Ava is the first True Elementris to be born in many years. As her eighteenth birthday approaches she is faced with a choice. Give up this rare gift and live the normal life she has always craved or accept it and challenge the current True Elementris in a battle to the death.

Ava's past haunts her as she struggles to decide. In her present, the seasons are colliding together, storms are destroying lives, and love is a dangerous curse. The current True Elementris is behind it all and she will do whatever necessary to keep Ava from making it to her eighteenth birthday. Ava’s decision threatens the lives of the two people she cares about most. Can you choose between love and friendship?

Get ready for the storm…
Ava is magical, she has been able to call on magic since she was born, usually by accident. But she isn't a witch, she's an Elementris, she's Mother Nature. An Elementris being someone born every seven years on the exact same date, exact same time as four others. The five are bound through their gift, the gift of earth, fire, wind water and spirit. Only rarely is a true Elementris born, one with the gift of all five elements. Ava is a true Elementris, but it isn't a gift when all you want is normality, it's a curse.

Ava, abandoned by her mother, lives with her Aunt, who shares the same name. Has always been encouraged to learn to use her gift, something her mother thought of her as an abomination for doing so. A few months before her eighteenth birthday, Ava carelessly uses a magically wish, and we meet Alec.

Alex is a guard to the queen, the reigning true Elementris, and wants Ava dead. So when her house is stormed by the guard, saved by Alec, the hunt begins.

Torn between the boy she has had a crush on for years, and Alec, Ava must learn how to control her powers to save the Earth and become the one true Elementris.

I was given a copy of Elementris from Christina (Christina Mobley, Author) and wasn't sure what to expect, as I hadn't heard of the The Vangeretta Curse series previously, but I was pleasantly surprised. It was quite good. The storyline flowed and I'm a big fan of basic writing, without lengthy descriptions and explanations, so this book was just what I needed. It was engaging and perfect for younger teen readers.

This really is a case of not judging a book by it's cover. With a more attractive branding, The Vangeretta Curse series could be as popular as a Hex Hall or Darkest Series by Kelley Armstrong. I really enjoyed it and look forward to reading the next in the series.

Everbound

Everbound
Everneath Book Two
Written By Brodi Ashton
Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance
Published January 22nd 2013
384 Pages
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★★★☆
Nikki Beckett could only watch as her boyfriend, Jack, sacrificed himself to save her, taking her place in the Tunnels of the Everneath for eternity, a debt that should’ve been hers. She’s living a borrowed life, and she doesn’t know what to do with the guilt. And every night Jack appears in her dreams, lost and confused and wasting away.

Desperate for answers, Nikki turns to Cole, the immortal bad boy who wants to make her his queen and the one person least likely to help. But his heart has been touched by everything about Nikki, and he agrees to assist her in the only way he can: by taking her to the Everneath himself.

Nikki and Cole descend into the Everneath, only to discover that their journey will be more difficult than they’d anticipated and more deadly. But Nikki vows to stop at nothing to save Jack, even if it means making an incredible sacrifice of her own.

In this enthralling sequel to Everneath, Brodi Ashton tests the bonds of destiny and explores the lengths we’ll go to for the ones we love.
Two months ago, the Tunnels of the underworld came for Nikki Beckett. That night, Nikki's boyfriend, Jack, made the ultimate sacrifice. All Nikki wants is to save Jack before it's too late. All Cole wants is to find his queen - and he thinks Nikki is the one. Both determined, both desperate, Nikki and Cole form a tense alliance, leading them on a dangerous journey to The Heart of The Everneath.

Everbound continues after the Everneath cliffhanger, where Jack is still in the tunnels after sacrificing himself to save Nikki from the same fate. Through connected dreams, Nikki can feel Jack starting to slip away and knows she needs to return to the Everneath to find him... Before It's too late.

Her father has her in therapy, and Jack's mother is livid and blames Nikki for her son's disappearance. After attempting Jack's rescue by herself, she needs to enlist the help of Cole. He reluctantly agrees, and along with Max, they navigate the Everneath 'rings', with only her tether to Jack to guide them. To maintain their connection, Nikki must remember memories of Jack and there are flashbacks to Nikki and Jack's relationship, in which Cole doesn't seem too fond of.

Everbound ends with a shocking twist that I didn't see coming, so fans will have to wait in agony for the final book. It's a good read, not great though. I blame the dreaded 'middle book syndrome'. What I did notice was how often the characters would remark, you should know this or you know this, it felt as though they were talking in broken English at times and became annoying. All up, a good read and a significant ending that will leave you shell shocked.

Boundless

Boundless
Unearthly Book Three
Written By Cynthia Hand
Fantasy, Supernatural, Romance
Published January 22nd 2013
320 Pages
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★★★★★
The past few years held more surprises than part angel Clara Gardner ever could have anticipated. Yet through the dizzying high of first love to the agonizing low of losing someone close to her, the one thing she could no longer deny was that she was never meant to have a normal life.

Since discovering the special role she plays among the other angel bloods, Clara has been determined to protect Tucker Avery from the evil that follows her... Even if it means breaking both their hearts. Leaving town seemed like the best option, so she’s headed back to California and so is Christian Prescott, the irresistible boy from the vision that started her on this journey in the first place.

As Clara makes her way in a world that is frighteningly new, she discovers that the fallen angel who attacked her is watching her every move. And he’s not the only one... With the battle against the Black Wings looming, Clara knows she must finally fulfill her destiny. But it won’t come without sacrifices and betrayal.

In the riveting finale of the Unearthly series, Clara must choose her fate once and for all.
Boundless picks up with Clara, Christian and Angela at Stanford, deciding what to path to take and wondering if they'll ever be able to lead normal lives. Still coping with the loss of her mother, her missing brother and letting Tucker go to keep him safe and now Clara is being followed and watched by Samjeeza. He means her no harm, right? All he asks for are memories of her mother. The sadness is overwhelming and he is grasping to hold onto the memories of the woman he loves.

Angela is withdrawn, and rumours are circulating the university. Clara has enough to deal with, her and Christian are sharing the same purpose. But what is it? And how does it involve Angela? The black wings are gathering in strength and coming for them. Clara must train to control her glory, for the greater good. She learns to fight, to protect herself and those around her that she loves. Torn between a pressing Christian and the love she still feels for Tucker, Clara finds herself transporting to the familiar, to where she feels safe, her home, with Tucker.

Jeffery is back. Is he finally... Happy? With a new life, job and girlfriend. As the pieces of Clara's purpose emerge, an epic battle is on her doorstep and she will need to fight for her life and save those around her... But she can't save everyone.

Full of twists and turns and the inevitable choice of Christian or Tucker will leave you on the edge of your seat until the very end. But she DOES choose. The ending epilogue is a beautiful touch, and leaves open the prospect of perhaps another series following the life of one of the missing main characters. The epilogue may seem oddly familiar to some.

Fantastic end to one of the most loved paranormal romance series. Sadly it has to end.

The Boys of Summer

The Boys of Summer
Summer Book One
Written By C.J Duggan
Contemporary, Romance
Published December 17th 2012
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★★★★★
It seemed only natural to nickname them the ‘Onslow Boys’. Every time they swaggered in the front door of the Onslow Hotel after a hard week’s work, their laughter was loud and genuine as they settled onto their bar stools. I peeked through the restaurant partition, a flimsy divider between my world and theirs. I couldn’t help but smile whenever I saw them, saw him ... Toby Morrison.
Quiet seventeen-year-old Tess doesn’t relish the thought of a summertime job. She wants nothing more than to forget the past haunts of high school and have fun with her best friends before the dreaded Year Twelve begins.

To Tess, summer is when everything happens: riding bikes down to the lake, watching the fireworks at the Onslow Show and water bomb fights at the sweltering Sunday markets.

How did she let her friends talk her into working?

After first-shift disasters, rude, wealthy tourists and a taunting ex-boyfriend, Tess is convinced nothing good can come of working her summer away. However, Tess finds unlikely allies in a group of locals dubbed ‘The Onslow Boys’, who are old enough to drive cars, drink beer and not worry about curfews. Tess’s summer of working expands her world with a series of first times with new friends, forbidden love and heartbreaking chaos.

All with the one boy she has never been able to forget.

It will be a summer she will always remember.
Tess is in high school. Quiet, reserved with an asshole of an ex - boyfriend who has the school referring to her as tic - tac - tess, a name she loathes. Tess, along with her two best friends, start summer jobs at the local bar and eatery. Adam, who found Tess and Ellie the positions at his uncle's business, breaks his arm and is forced to spend the summer out of town, finger knitting and watching Mattlock.

Ellie is a natural, she's outgoing and commands attention in any room, and that's fine with Tess, who prefers to blend into the background. Until the 'Onslow' boys notice her. The Onslow boys are a group of early twenties boys who frequent the bar, including the breathtakingly handsome Tobias. Tess has had a crush on Toby since she first spotted him during her high school orientation. It was love at first sight for Tess, with the boy with the high wattage smile.

As the Onslow boys start to include Tess and Ellie into their circle of friends, Tess finds herself falling once again for Toby. By the penetrating stares and brilliant smiles, it seems Toby feels the same way. Only one problem, Angela, Toby's girlfriend.

A brilliant story of the great Aussie summer. I love Australian slang in books and our unique pop culture references. C.J Duggan is brilliant. The Boys of Summer is hilarious, touching, inspiring and a beautiful coming of age novel, exploring adult relationships and discovering yourself.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone

Daughter Of Smoke And Bone
Daughter Of Smoke And Bone Book One
Fantasy, Romance, Supernatural
Written By Laini Taylor
Published September 27th 2011
424 Pages
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★★★★☆
Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil’s supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real, she’s prone to disappearing on mysterious errands, she speaks many languages not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she’s about to find out.

When one of the strangers, beautiful, haunted Akiva, fixes his fire colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?
Karou seems the regular seventeen year old girl. She attends an arts school in Prague and spends her days avoiding her ex - boyfriend, eating goulash in a medieval castle with gas mask collectables and running errands all over the globe for her demonic foster father.

When it seems the portals from the underworld are all being marked, attacked by a devastatingly handsome Akiva, Karou is suddenly left on her own and locked out of the only world and family that she knows. A strange, but familiar attraction forms and Karou is now on a quest to discover how to reach her family and find out who she is.

Beautifully written and descriptive. Set in Prague, but we travel to other exotic locations as they reader is taken on Karou's journey with her. A fantasy setting, but deals with real emotions, rather than the standard happy ever after we see with so many in this genre.

Just One Day

Just One Day
Just One Day Book One
Written By Gayle Forman
Contemporary, Romance, Adventure
Published January 8th 2013
320 Pages
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★★★★
When sheltered American good girl Allyson Lulu Healey first meets laid back Dutch actor Willem De Ruiter at an underground performance of Twelfth Night in England, there’s an undeniable spark. After just one day together, that spark bursts into a flame, or so it seems to Allyson, until the following morning, when she wakes up after a whirlwind day in Paris to discover that Willem has left.

Over the next year, Allyson embarks on a journey to come to terms with the narrow confines of her life, and through Shakespeare, travel, and a quest for her almost true love, to break free of those confines.

Just One Day is the first in a sweepingly romantic duet of novels.

Allyson is a good girl, a model student and lives her life to please her parents. As a graduating present, Allyson is given the opportunity to travel abroad with a youth tour, accompanied by her best friend. Well organised and travelling the typical 'tourist route', the girls miss out on seeing Paris, due to an industrial strike. On their last night on the tour, the girls skip their normal routine to see am impromptu performance of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, and there she meets Willem.

Willem, tall, lanky and very, very Dutch. By fate, Willem is also on the train with the girls the next morning after the performance, on a whim, Allyson & Willem sweep off to Paris, just for one day.

Beautifully written. Gayle Forman has brilliantly wrote another romantic adventure.

Through The Ever Night

Through The Ever Night
Under The Never Sky Book Two
Written By Veronica Rossi
Published January 8th 2013
353 Pages
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★★★★★
Aria has struggled to build a life for herself outside Reverie. It hasn't be easy adjusting to life in the wilderness but that struggle has been worth it with Perry by her side.
But Perry has other challenges. His people are looking to him for answers. Answers about what happened to his nephew and what's happening to their world. And they don't trust the priviledged Aria, one of the enemy, in their midst.

Soon he'll be forced to chose between the tribe that looks to him for leadership and the girl that looks to him for love.
The second book in the Under The Never Sky series, Through The Ever Night, picks up where we last seen Aria and Perry. Reunited, they now face the reality of both their worlds being destroyed. The Aether storms are now too close for comfort and pose a threat against the realms and tribal villages. Perry, now blood lord of the tides needs to show he can lead his people through disaster, famine and as able as Vale was.

Aria is being blackmailed by Consul Hess who is insisting she find the elusive 'Still Blue' in exchange for Talon, Perry's nephew. The Realms are no match for the brutal storms and the Still Blue is now the only chance that dwellers and savages alike, have to survive.

Mesmerizing series and brilliantly written.

Tomorrow, When the War Began

Tomorrow, When The War Began
Tomorrow Book One
Written By John Marsden
Dystopian, War, Australian
Published March 27th 1995
286 Pages
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When Ellie and her friends go camping, they have no idea they're leaving their old lives behind forever. Despite a less than tragic food shortage and a secret crush or two, everything goes as planned. But a week later, they return home to find their houses empty and their pets starving. Something has gone wrong - horribly wrong. Before long, they realize the country has been invaded, and the entire town has been captured - including their families and all their friends. Ellie and the other survivors face an impossible decision: They can flee for the mountains or surrender. Or they can fight.
Tomorrow, When the War Begun is set in Australia. A group of teens set out camping, bush bashing as it's called. Told from Ellie's point of view, writing a journal to recant the story of how live became to be after the invasion.

After their week long camp, they return to a ghost town. No parents, no children playing. Houses and shops are abandoned. The only movement seems to be a few rare curtains fluttering and foreign troops patrolling the streets on foot and in tanks and trucks. Realising something is terribly wrong, the teens head back to Ellie's house to find all but one of her beloved dogs have died, food is spoilt and rotting, but no one seems to have left in a hurry. What happened?

As they carefully make their way around to each of their homes, the group of teens fear the worse. Where have they taken everyone? They had left during the week of the local country show, a prime opportunity to take the town swiftly and without causalities. With their parents, families and friends being held at the showgrounds, invading foreign troops hot on their heels, how will the teens survive? Retreating to their camp, they devise a plan, this is our country and we'll be damned if we let them take it from us.

Absolutely loved it! I was hesitant to read Tomorrow, When the War Began due to the movie, but so thankful I convinced myself to take a chance. It was brilliant and the film didn't do the book justice at all. I love reading Australian novels, the language and phrasing make you feel as though you are right there with the characters. A tad frightening to even contemplate an invasion in our own backyard. It was brilliantly scary!

Everneath

Everneath
Everneath Book One
Written By Brodi Ashton
Published January 24th 2012
370 Pages
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★★★★
Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath. Now she’s returned, to her old life, her family, her boyfriend, before she’s banished back to the underworld... This time forever. She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can’t find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these precious months forgetting the Everneath and trying to reconnect with her boyfriend, Jack, the person most devastated by her disappearance and the one person she loves more than anything. But there’s just one problem, Cole, the smoldering immortal who enticed her to the Everneath in the first place, has followed Nikki home. Cole wants to take over the throne in the underworld and is convinced Nikki is the key to making it happen. And he’ll do whatever it takes to bring her back, this time as his queen.

As Nikki’s time on the Surface draws to a close and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she is forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole’s queen.
Beware, there IS the chiche Young Adult love triangle.

Book one on the Everneath Trilogy, where Nikki has just returned from the Everneath, spending the last hundred years being a forfeit to the alluring Cole, who feeds off emotions. Life became too much for Nikki, and she would have given anything to have the pain eased, and she literally did.

Now back on the surface, she has been giving six months before she is pulled under again, her fate is sealed... Or is it?

Meet Jack, Nikki's long time love. Jack has searched for Nikki since she disappeared, heartbroken and lost. When Nikki returns, she can hear the whispers and rumors, determined to keep to herself. Jack is on a mission to find out where Nikki has been, and rediscover the girl who still has his heart... If Cole will allow it.

A stunning modern telling of the Hades and Persephone myth. Well written. Jack is a brilliantly beautiful character. My only complaint is that it wasn't nearly long enough and ended in a cliffhanger.

Forever My Girl

Forever My Girl
Beaumont Book One
Written By Heidi McLaughlin
Contemporary, New Adult, Romance
Published December 26th 2012
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★★★☆
I was never supposed to be a rock star. I had my life all planned out for me. Play football in college. Go to the NFL. Marry my high school sweetheart and live happily ever after.

I broke both our hearts that day when I told her I was leaving. I was young. I made the right decision for me, but the wrong decision for us. I've poured my soul into my music, but I've never forgotten her.

Her smell, her smile.

And now I'm going back.

After ten years.

I hope I can explain that after all this time.

I still want her to be my forever girl.
This is the story of Josie and Liam, high school sweethearts and unconditionally in love.

Planning to marry one day, then Liam leaves with no warning and doesn't look back. He leaves his life, his love and his future behind to chase his music dreams in L.A, while Josie is left in their small town to wonder what went wrong and why he walked out on her.

After a tragic accident 10 years later, Liam returns. He has lived a lonely, but successful life. He now has to face the love of his life and is determined to make her his girl again.

It was entertaining but shallow. Characters are somewhat likable, but the storyline just posed too many questions. Well written, but incredibly unrealistic. I think fans of Molly McAdams will enjoy this.

Blood Kissed Sky

Blood Kissed Sky
Darkness Before Dawn: Book Two
Written By J.A London

Paranormal, Vampires
Published December 26th 2012
368 Pages

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★★★☆
There's nowhere left to hide.

I thought vampires were our enemies, they controlled our lives, isolated our cities, and demanded our blood, until I met Victor. With Victor taking over as the new Lord Valentine, things were supposed to get better. Instead, they're worse than ever.

Day Walkers, a new breed of vampires who can walk in the sun, are terrorizing the city. Blood supplies are low, and if Victor's vampires don't get enough, they will become infected with the Thirst, a disease that will turn them into mindless killers.

To stop it, I must journey across the desolate wasteland to the very place where the sickness began. I can only hope that the answers that await me are enough to save us all... Before it's too late.
The second installment in the Darkness before Dawn trilogy, once again is unique and picks up with Victor taking over as the new Lord Valentine and things go from bad to worse. The new breed, Daywalkers are threatening to take over the cities inside the walls, and no one is safe, even Dawn. Has Dawn recovered from being bitten, or are her worst fears now a reality?

With a blood drive shortage and no longer a delegate, Dawn is sent beyond the walls to find information about 'The Thirst', a deadly vampire disease which is a threat to all. Dawn discovers that she and Victor can now communicate via dreams, both baffled by how it is possible. Kidnapped by a daywalker, Dawn soon finds the answers she seeks.

Really enjoyed Blood Kissed Sky, the characters remind me of those of the Mortal Instruments series. A few plot twists that were unexpected, but there can also be something said for the comfort of knowing where a plot is leading. Well written and enjoyed it somewhat more than the first in the Darkness Before Dawn series, which is rare considering the likelihood of middle book syndrome.

My Paper Heart

My Paper Heart
Written By Magan Vernon
Contemporary
Published August 1st 2012
300 Pages
There are worse things in life than failing out of college such as having your parents receive the letter that you’ve been kicked out.

Now to appease her parents self-proclaimed sorority princess Libby Gentry is packing up her Prada bag and heading to work for her great aunt’s antique store in tiny Elsbury, Louisiana. She’s pretty sure she can tackle the swamp and deal with her great aunt and tom boy of a little cousin, but what she doesn’t know is if she can handle the local town playboy, Blaine Crabtree.

As Libby's feelings for Blaine grow, so does her need for acceptance and all of the insecurities she has kept inside are coming out. She may have survived the Louisiana swamp, but she may not survive Blaine's reluctance to say the 'L' word. When Blaine finally commits to the three words Libby’s been waiting for, she only hopes they haven’t come too late.
 
Libby is a spoilt rich girl, popular, in a collage sorority, attractive with a fantastic body, designer clothes... BLAH BLAH BLAH. You know, the cliched bombshell. She wasn't always noticeable. In high school she was a nobody, and that would have made for a more interesting story.

She drops out of collage, or is asked to leave. I can't remember exactly, it was just that boring. Anyhow, she is sent out to a little howdy town and supposedly that is where her life changes and she is supposed to have an epiphany... It was lost somewhere between the pages. 

Then she meets Blaine. Before they begin dating, he lectures her, tells her how she should be dressing, how to carry herself... Then once dating and being intimate, he doesn't seem to care whether they have sex in the middle of a field. Considering he's had sex with half the women in town, he comes across as a complete walking contradiction.

Oh, I wanted so much to like this book, and parts were enjoyable, but I felt as if half the story was missing... And then had to double check that I wasn't reading a completely different book. I just finished it and barely remembered the main characters names. It really needed to be longer, the beginning was more than promising, but as soon as Libby met Blaine, it felt like it all went downhill from there. He was cardboard and she was annoying. I tried, persisted, and just wish I hadn't. 

Across The Universe

Across The Universe
Across The Universe Book One
Written By Beth Revis
Science Fiction, Dystopian
Published November 11th 2011
398 Pages
★★★
Amy is a cryogenically frozen passenger aboard the vast spaceship Godspeed. She expects to awaken on a new planet, 300 years in the future. But fifty years before Godspeed's scheduled landing, Amy's cryo chamber is unplugged, and she is nearly killed. Now, Amy is caught inside an enclosed world where nothing makes sense. Godspeed's passengers have forfeited all control to Eldest, a tyrannical and frightening leader, and Elder, his rebellious and brilliant teenage heir.

Amy desperately wants to trust Elder. But should she? All she knows is that she must race to unlock Godspeed's hidden secrets before whoever woke her tries to kill again.
Amy and her parents are off to discover a new world, one far from home, traveling as frozen cargo on Godspeed, to arrive at the new planet 300 years into the future. Only one problem, someone aboard has drained Amy's tank and her fight for life begins. She realises that someone has in fact tried to kill her, and if she can't find out who, her parents may be next.

Elder is the heir to Godspeed, taking over from Eldest to lead the new generation on board. Together they try to unravel the mysteries of Godspeed, the mission and the killer, before it's too late.

Very slow to start and almost gave up several times, but stuck with it and the final third was awesome. Well written, but quite confusing in the beginning.
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