Cover Reveal: Maybe Me by Amber Hart

I am so excited to reveal the cover for Maybe Me by Amber Hart, the third book in the Before & After series. Maybe Me releases this fall from Kensington Teen!

I recently read Melissa and Javier's story in After Us (Before & After #2), and I'm looking forward to reading Maybe Me (Before & After #3) because it features Javier's younger sister, Maria!

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About MAYBE ME:

A sliver of a second is all it takes.

Maria Reyes knows what it means to come from nothing. Escaping Cuba, the States have given Maria new dreams. Like graduating high school. Going to college. Making something of herself. Forgetting a past that always seems to creep up on her family. But mostly, staying out of trouble. Which is why falling for Hale is out of the question.

An unguarded moment, a simple mistake.

Hale Watson is a flash of a second away from being locked up for good. With a rap sheet longer than the list of homes he comes from, Hale has one more shot at making things right. Graduate senior year. Don’t mess up. Don’t get caught. That’s the plan. Until he meets Maria.

And everything changes.

Be sure to add MAYBE ME on Goodreads!
You can also preorder it below (more retailers coming soon)!


MAYBE ME is the third book in the Before & After series, but it can be read as a standalone! You can find out more about BEFORE YOU and AFTER US here!

About Amber Hart

Amber Hart grew up in Orlando, Florida and Atlanta, Georgia. She now resides on the Florida coastline with family. When unable to find a book, she can be found writing, daydreaming, or with her toes in the sand. She's the author of the Before & After series (BEFORE YOU; AFTER US; MAYBE ME), and the Until You Find Me series (UNTIL YOU FIND ME; CAPTURED BY YOU). Rep'd by Beth Miller of Writers House.
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Cover Reveal: Nowhere But Here by Katie McGarry

West Side Story meets Sons of Anarchy?? Yes, please!

Katie McGarry's newest novel, NOWHERE BUT HERE, has a cover and I am thrilled to get to help reveal it to you today. The first novel in her upcoming The Thunder Road Series, NOWHERE BUT HERE is a young adult contemporary romance that will keep you turning the pages long into the night. We have no doubt that when you get done, you're going to wish you were on a motorcycle and had your own cut of leather across your back!

Follow along today as pieces of the cover are revealed, and then stop by the HarlequinTeen Page to see the full cover at 7pm EST! And that's not all, of course! I have a few Behind-The-Scenes pictures from the photo shoot itself for you to enjoy as well! Check out the Behind-The-Scenes pictures and then scroll down for our puzzle piece!


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And here's the ninth piece to the cover for you!

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Don't miss all of the puzzle piece reveals throughout the day!


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NOWHERE BUT HERE Synopsis:

An unforgettable new series from acclaimed author Katie McGarry about taking risks, opening your heart and ending up in a place you never imagined possible

Seventeen-year-old Emily likes her life the way it is: doting parents, good friends, good school in a safe neighborhood. Sure, she's curious about her biological father—the one who chose life in a motorcycle club, the Reign of Terror, over being a parent—but that doesn't mean she wants to be a part of his world. But when a reluctant visit turns to an extended summer vacation among relatives she never knew she had, one thing becomes clear: nothing is what it seems. Not the club, not her secret-keeping father and not Oz, a guy with suck-me-in blue eyes who can help her understand them both.

Oz wants one thing: to join the Reign of Terror. They're the good guys. They protect people. They're…family. And while Emily—the gorgeous and sheltered daughter of the club's most respected member—is in town, he's gonna prove it to her. So when her father asks him to keep her safe from a rival club with a score to settle, Oz knows it's his shot at his dream. What he doesn't count on is that Emily just might turn that dream upside down.

No one wants them to be together. But sometimes the right person is the one you least expect, and the road you fear the most is the one that leads you home.

Add it to your Goodreads Now!

Preorder NOWHERE BUT HERE

Amazon ** Kobo ** BAM ** Barnes and Noble ** iBooks ** IndieBound

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Katie McGarry was a teenager during the age of grunge and boy bands and remembers those years as the best and worst of her life. She is a lover of music, happy endings, reality television, and is a secret University of Kentucky basketball fan.

Katie is the author of full length YA novels, PUSHING THE LIMITS, DARE YOU TO, CRASH INTO YOU, TAKE ME ON, BREAKING THE RULES, and NOWHERE BUT HERE and the e-novellas, CROSSING THE LINE and RED AT NIGHT. Her debut YA novel, PUSHING THE LIMITS was a 2012 Goodreads Choice Finalist for YA Fiction, a RT Magazine's 2012 Reviewer's Choice Awards Nominee for Young Adult Contemporary Novel, a double Rita Finalist, and a 2013 YALSA Top Ten Teen Pick. DARE YOU TO was also a Goodreads Choice Finalist for YA Fiction and won RT Magazine’s Reviewer’s Choice Best Book Award for Young Adult Contemporary fiction in 2013.

Website ** Twitter ** Facebook ** Goodreads ** Pinterest ** Tumbler ** Instagram


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Waiting On Wednesday (167) Things We Know by Heart by Jessi Kirby

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Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly anticipating.

Wednesday is my absolute favorite day of the week because I get to share the books that I am super excited about and can't wait to read.

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Expected publication: April 21st 2015 by HarperTeen

Synopsis from Goodreads:

When Quinn Sullivan meets the recipient of her boyfriend’s donated heart, the two form an unexpected connection.

After Quinn loses her boyfriend, Trent, in an accident their junior year, she reaches out to the recipients of his donated organs in hopes of picking up the pieces of her now-unrecognizable life. She hears back from some of them, but the person who received Trent’s heart has remained silent. The essence of a person, she has always believed, is in the heart. If she finds Trent’s, then maybe she can have peace once and for all.

Risking everything in order to finally lay her memories to rest, Quinn goes outside the system to track down nineteen-year-old Colton Thomas—a guy whose life has been forever changed by this priceless gift. But what starts as an accidental run-in quickly develops into more, sparking an undeniable attraction. She doesn't want to give in to it—especially since he has no idea how they're connected—but their time together has made Quinn feel alive again. No matter how hard she’s falling for Colton, each beat of his heart reminds her of all she’s lost…and all that remains at stake.

This. Sounds. Awesome. I hope it lives up to my expectations!

What are you waiting on this week?

Be sure to leave a link to your WoW so I can visit you back!
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Review: Promposal by Rhonda Helms

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Review

Promposal by Rhonda Helms

Publication Date: February 10, 2015
Page Count: 224
Published by: Simon Pulse
Source: eArc received from publisher in exchange for an honest review

Synopsis from Goodreads:

promposal (n.)--an often public proposal, in which one person asks another to the prom, eliciting joy or mortification.

Camilla can't help hoping her secret crush, Benjamin, might randomly surprise her out of the blue with a promposal. However, when she's asked to prom by an irritating casual acquaintance--wearing a fancy tux and standing in front of a news crew--she's forced to say yes. Yet all hope's not lost. A timely school project gives Camilla a chance to get closer to Benjamin...and it seems like the chemistry between them is crackling. But is she reading into something that isn't there?

Joshua, Camilla's bestie, has been secretly in love with his gay best friend, Ethan, since middle school. Just as he decides to bite the bullet and ask Ethan if he'll go to prom with him, even if just as friends, he gets a shocking surprise: Ethan asks Joshua for help crafting the perfect promposal--for another guy. Now Joshua has to suppress his love and try to fake enthusiasm as he watches his dreams fall apart...unless he can make Ethan see that love has been right in front of his eyes the whole time.

The road to the perfect promposal isn't easy to navigate. But one thing's certain--prom season is going to be memorable.

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When I first heard about this book I thought it sounded like a fun contemporary. It was pretty good and I ended up enjoying it. It was cute, sweet, and angst all rolled into one story.

Told in dual POV in alternating chapters from Camilla and Joshua, the story follows the two best friends as they navigate the end of senior year, culminating in the celebration of Prom. Camilla and Joshua both have their hearts set on the perfect Prom dates, but what will they do when things don't go their way?

I found the characters to be mostly likable, and I enjoyed reading about them. I thought Camilla was just okay, but I really enjoyed Joshua more. He was such a great friend and he was fun and interesting to read about. It was a little harder to get a good feel for Ethan, but I found myself liking him because Joshua loved him so much. The story allowed Camilla (and the reader) the time to get to know Benjamin better. I wasn't sure about him at first, but I ended up really liking him.

Promposal is an appropriate title for this book, because that's ALL the story was about. The entire school was Promposal crazy, and at times it was a bit too much to take. I would have preferred to read about the characters doing something other than obsessing over promposals for the entire book. Some of the characters came off as quite immature at times, and there was too much whining going on. Do you want to know what would have made this book totally awesome? If it had been only the gay story between Joshua and Ethan. Because to me that was the most intriguing aspect of the story.

Promposal was pleasantly enjoyable, but I felt the story didn't have enough substance to be deep or meaningful. The ending played out perfectly and really wrapped up the story well. Overall, this was very clean read with nothing that would be inappropriate for younger teen readers.

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
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Sunday Updates (51)


Inspired by features from The Sunday Post from Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer and Sunday Summary from Book Twirps.

I'm back among the living after spending more than 10 days being sick. About 5 of those days I was feeling really, really bad. I don't even know what it was, I'm just glad it seems to be over. I felt too bad to read, so that part really sucked.

New eArcs that I acquired recently:
Edelweiss is going to be the death of me. SO many good books!!!!

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This is the first book in a new series about 3 girls who move to New York City. I usually enjoy Susane's books, and I like reading her blog because she just seems so nice.

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I can't believe I marked this To Read on Goodreads on July 24, 2012. I'm thinking this book will invoke warm and fuzzy feelings.

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The Little Mermaid? Intriguing.

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Summer beach read. Sounds cute. The age difference thing could be problematic. (I'm going to show my age here.... this synopsis reminds me of a movie that I love from my youth, Sooner Or Later circa 1979. It's a book too, but I won't get into that. It's about 13 year old Jessie who pretends to be older to get a 17 year old boy, who just happens to be a swoony musician. Not that I watch this movie at least once a year or anything, because LOVE.....)
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Book Trailer Reveal - Blurred Lines by Jen McLaughlin

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Blurred Lines by Jen McLaughlin will be releasing January 26th, but first I have some exclusive content to share. FINNClub team members have been sharing special details from the book this week in order to share their excitement for the new novel. Be sure to check out the contest below for a chance to win the series.

Today I have the incredible book trailer from Blurred Lines.


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BOOK TRAILER




BOOK BLURB:

Once burned…

Finding my fiancée naked on my couch might’ve been a good thing, if her ex-boyfriend hadn’t been with her. For the past eight years I’ve been a witness to the power of true love, but after getting burned I’d decided there wasn’t any hope for me finding it for myself. Until I met Noelle Brandt in a hotel bar. Maybe it wasn’t the most romantic meeting, but the moment I met her I knew I had to have her. The more I learn about her, the more I know I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her.

Twice shy…

I’d already found the love of my life, but I’d lost that love forever. And I’d been lost ever since. But one night a wounded man makes all of that go away. He makes me laugh, live, and feel alive. When he tells me he has no intention of letting me go, I finally begin to believe in the power of true love again. That is, until I find out who he really is…and by then, it’s far too late to correct the mistakes we’ve already made. By the time we both know the truth, the lines have already been blurred beyond recognition.

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Jen McLaughlin is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of sexy New Adult books. Under her pen name Diane Alberts, she is a multi-published, bestselling author of Contemporary Romance with Entangled Publishing. Her first release as Jen McLaughlin, Out of Line, released September 6 2013, and hit the New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal lists. She was mentioned in Forbes alongside E. L. James as one of the breakout independent authors to dominate the bestselling lists. She is represented by Louise Fury at The Bent Agency.
Though she lives in the mountains, she really wishes she was surrounded by a hot, sunny beach with crystal-clear water. Though she lives in the mountains, she really wishes she was surrounded by a hot, sunny beach with crystal-clear water. She lives in Northeast Pennsylvania with her four kids, a husband, a schnauzer mutt, and a cat. Her goal is to write so many well-crafted romance books that even a non-romance reader will know her name.


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Waiting On Wednesday (166) The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things by Ann Aguirre

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Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly anticipating.

Wednesday is my absolute favorite day of the week because I get to share the books that I am super excited about and can't wait to read.

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Expected publication: April 7th 2015 by Feiwel & Friends

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Sage Czinski is trying really hard to be perfect. If she manages it, people won’t peer beyond the surface, or ask hard questions about her past. She’s learned to substitute causes for relationships, and it’s working just fine… until Shane Cavendish strolls into her math class. He’s a little antisocial, a lot beautiful, and everything she never knew she always wanted.

Shane Cavendish just wants to be left alone to play guitar and work on his music. He’s got heartbreak and loneliness in his rearview mirror, and this new school represents his last chance. He doesn’t expect to be happy; he only wants to graduate and move on. He never counted on a girl like Sage.

But love doesn’t mend all broken things, and sometimes life has to fall apart before it can be put back together again…

I've never read anything by this author before.... but this sounds really good!

What are you waiting on this week?

Be sure to leave a link to your WoW post so I can visit you back!
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Waiting On Wednesday (165) The Start of Me and You by Emery Lord

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Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly anticipating.

Wednesday is my absolute favorite day of the week because I get to share the books that I am super excited about and can't wait to read.

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Expected publication: March 31st 2015 by Bloomsbury

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Brimming with heartfelt relationships and authentic high-school dynamics The Start of Me and You proves that it’s never too late for second chances.

It’s been a year since it happened—when Paige Hancock’s first boyfriend died in an accident. After shutting out the world for two years, Paige is finally ready for a second chance at high school . . . and she has a plan. First: Get her old crush, Ryan Chase, to date her—the perfect way to convince everyone she’s back to normal. Next: Join a club—simple, it’s high school after all. But when Ryan’s sweet, nerdy cousin, Max, moves to town and recruits Paige for the Quiz Bowl team (of all things!) her perfect plan is thrown for a serious loop. Will Paige be able to face her fears and finally open herself up to the life she was meant to live?

Even though I thought Open Road Summer was just okay, I'm willing to give this author another chance.

What are you waiting on this week?

Be sure to leave a link to your WoW post so I can visit you back!
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Blog Tour + Review + Giveaway: Perfect Couple by Jennifer Echols


Series: Superlatives #2
Release date: January 13th 2015
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Purchase: Amazon

Synopsis from Goodreads:

In this second book in The Superlatives trilogy from Endless Summer author Jennifer Echols, Harper and Brody think they're an unlikely match, but the senior class says they belong together.

As yearbook photographer, Harper is responsible for those candid moments that make high school memorable. But her own life is anything but picture perfect. Her parents' bitter divorce left her wondering what a loving relationship looks like. And ever since the senior class voted her and star quarterback Brody 'Perfect Couple That Never Was', her friends have been pushing her to ask Brody out.

Brody doesn't lack female admirers, but Harper can't see herself with him. He's confused about the match too. Yet they find themselves drawn together; first by curiosity about why the class paired them, then by an undeniable bond.

The trouble is, though they're attracted to each other, they have a hard time getting along or even communicating well. If they're the perfect couple, this shouldn't be so difficult! Soon it becomes clear their class was wrong, and they throw in the towel. But they feel so changed from making the effort, they can't forget each other. What if this match made in hell is the perfect couple after all?

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I’ve said this before, but Jennifer Echols is my favorite go-to author when I want to read a cute, fun contemporary. I've rarely been let down when reading one of her books. Perfect Couple, book two in the Superlatives series, is a quick and entertaining read. It also has a few angsty teenage moments that help balance out all of the cute.

Just like the first book, the characters are absolutely adorable. I liked Harper well enough, and I loved how ambitious she was about her photography. I was glad when Harper started standing up for herself because I thought she was too easily influenced by her friends. Since it was told from Harper's POV, I had a really difficult time getting a good feel for Brody's character, but I liked him anyway. He ran a little hot and cold with me, but in the end I thought he was worth taking a chance on.

Perfect Couple was going along great and I was really enjoying the characters and their interactions. But then some serious shit went down that broke my heart and hurt my feelings. Then things started looking up and I was happy again. And then sad again. Sigh. This relationship was really having some ups and downs, and taking me along for the ride! Overall, I felt really happy reading about Harper and Brody. I couldn't tell if they would be able to work things out, but I was rooting for them anyway.

My one and only complaint? Believe it or not, but I thought Sawyer was more than a bit neutered this time around. I absolutely loved him in the first book, and I couldn't wait to see him in book two. But now I'm really concerned about how his rough around the edges character will be portrayed in book three. I'm hoping and praying that my Sawyer love will be revived.

Perfect Couple was another terrific read from Jennifer Echols. While her books are fun, she manages to throw in everyday problems that keep the stories realistic. I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys cute and contemporary YA.
My rating: 4 out of 5 stars
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jennifer Echols was born in Atlanta and grew up in a small town on a beautiful lake in Alabama—a setting that has inspired many of her books. She has written nine romantic novels for young adults, including the comedy MAJOR CRUSH, which won the National Readers’ Choice Award, and the drama GOING TOO FAR, which was a finalist in the RITA, the National Readers’ Choice Award, and the Book Buyer’s Best, and was nominated by the American Library Association as a Best Book for Young Adults. Simon & Schuster will debut her adult romance novels in 2013, with many more teen novels scheduled for the next few years. She lives in Birmingham with her husband and her son.

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK

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Waiting On Wednesday (164) What Waits in the Woods by Kieran Scott @KieranScott

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Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly anticipating.

Wednesday is my absolute favorite day of the week because I get to share the books that I am super excited about and can't wait to read.

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Expected publication: March 31st 2015 by Point

Synopsis from Goodreads:

It's a beautiful, sunny day. Callie Velasquez holds hands with her boyfriend Jeremy as they follow Callie's new BFFs Penelope and Lissa up the trail. The four friends are embarking on a camping trip -- a trip that immediately goes awry. They lose their way on the trail, and encounter a charismatic stranger with questionable motives. And when Callie stumbles upon a dead body, it becomes clear that the danger that lies in the woods is deadlier than she could have ever imagined. Tensions mount and friendships are tested as these teenagers try to survive the most sinister of circumstances.

I just have to say that I hate camping, and I think this book might just drive home all the reasons why. LOL Sounds scary enough to keep me out of the woods forever.

FYI - Kieran Scott wrote the Shadowlands series (which I enjoyed) as Kate Brian.

What are you waiting on this week?

Be sure to leave a link to you WoW so I can visit you back!

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2015 Reading Challenges

Over the last few years I have come to the realization that I suck at reading challenges. Seriously.
But I'm okay with that, and I have decided to try harder this year.
Now I just have to keep track of my books better, because last year I gave up way too easily.


2015 Goodreads Challenge

Goodreads is a no brainer. That's where I keep track of all my books anyway, so it makes sense to participate in the challenge. Plus, it's SO easy!



2015 YA Contemporary Challenge hosted by The Book Belles

My goal this year is: Rose: 26+ Books, which will be very easy because I really prefer to read contemporaries.



2015 Debut Author Challenge hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl

My goal is to read 12 or more debut author books. I do tend to enjoy reading and discovering new authors, so this should be an easy goal to reach.

I think that's it for me this year. Hopefully I won't give up so easily like I have in the past.

What challenges are you participating in this year?

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