Back to the Books Giveaway Hop


Welcome to my stop on the Back To The Books Giveaway Hop, which is hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and Buried In Books.

I am giving away a $10.00 Amazon eGiftcard (for U.S. winner) OR one book of choice up to a $10.00 U.S. value from The Book Depository (for international winner).


Contest Rules:
  • The hop runs September 1 through September 7.
  • Giveaway is International as long as The Book Depository ships to your country.
  • Must be 13 years of age or older to participate.
  • Fill out the Rafflecopter entry below.
  • Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be chosen.
  • Be sure to check out the linky below and visit all of the participating blogs.
  • Have fun!

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Review: Small Damages by Beth Kephart

Small DamagesSmall Damages by Beth Kephart

Published July 19th 2012
Hardcover, 304 pages
Philomel
Source: Borrowed From Library

Synopsis From Goodreads:

It’s senior year, and while Kenzie should be looking forward to prom and starting college in the fall, she is mourning the loss of her father. She finds solace in the one person she trusts, her boyfriend, and she soon finds herself pregnant. Kenzie’s boyfriend and mother do not understand her determination to keep the baby. She is sent to southern Spain for the summer, where she will live out her pregnancy as a cook’s assistant on a bull ranch, and her baby will be adopted by a Spanish couple.

Alone and resentful in a foreign country, Kenzie is at first sullen and difficult. She begins to open her eyes and her heart to the beauty that is all around her and inside of her.

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Small Damages is beautiful and very descriptive. The writing is very different, and I know it won't appeal to everyone. I almost want to compare it to novels written in verse. It has that same sort of flowy, free form feel to it. It was very easy to lose myself in the story and imagine I was in Spain and experiencing everything right along with Kenzie.

The only downside for me was that I thought it lacked something by not having enough direct dialogue. Some conversations were not well defined, and sometimes they were a little hard to follow. Several times I had to re-read parts to figure out who said what. But that was minor and didn't take away from my overall reading enjoyment.

Kenzie's pregnancy is not romanticized or glossed over, and she faces a lot of really tough choices. As the narrator, Kenzie never lets the reader forget that she was shipped off to Spain by her mother to hide her pregnancy. Kenzie feels no shame in being pregnant, but isn't strong enough to stand up for herself and what she wants. Kenzie's boyfriend, Kevin, seemed to be a likable character in flashbacks. However, he is not supportive of Kenzie. All he can say is "We should have been more careful". Then he has the nerve to ask her "What are you going to do?" He really has no care about Kenzie going off to Spain to have the baby and give it up for adoption.

I loved Estella, the cook that takes Kenzie under her wing in Spain. She comes off very gruff, but she has a huge heart. Family is everything to her, and she is fiercely loyal. Estella really helps Kenzie open her eyes, mind, and heart to new possibilities. Because of Estella, Kenzie realizes that her decisions and actions affect the people around her.

I think I have a small crush on Esteban. He has a very strong presence, and Kenzie is drawn to him over and over again. He's just there. Quiet and steady and dependable. He listens, he never judges, and he gives Kenzie the space she needs to decide her future.

Being in Spain completely changes Kenzie's outlook on life and what could be. I felt that she experienced so much character growth. She really came into her own started to take charge of her own life. It was as if she had finally woke up to her reality and decided to make her own decisions, rather than having someone else decide everything for her. I loved seeing her 'grow up'.

I really, really liked the ending. Didn't see it coming at all. I was surprised - in a good way - and I found it very fitting.

Small Damages was full of beautiful scenery and wonderful characters. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves pretty language and imagery. It probably won't appeal to anyone who is looking for tons of action since this is really a character driven story.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
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Waiting On Wednesday (41) Unspoken (The Lynburn Legacy #1) by Sarah Rees Brennan


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

My choice for this week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:




Unspoken (The Lynburn Legacy #1) by Sarah Rees Brennan

Hardcover, 370 pages
Expected publication: September 11th 2012 by Random House Books for Young Readers

Synopsis From Goodreads:

Kami Glass loves someone she’s never met . . . a boy she’s talked to in her head ever since she was born. She wasn’t silent about her imaginary friend during her childhood, and is thus a bit of an outsider in her sleepy English town of Sorry-in-the-Vale. Still, Kami hasn’t suffered too much from not fitting in. She has a best friend, runs the school newspaper, and is only occasionally caught talking to herself. Her life is in order, just the way she likes it, despite the voice in her head.

But all that changes when the Lynburns return.

The Lynburn family has owned the spectacular and sinister manor that overlooks Sorry-in-the-Vale for centuries. The mysterious twin sisters who abandoned their ancestral home a generation ago are back, along with their teenage sons, Jared and Ash, one of whom is eerily familiar to Kami. Kami is not one to shy away from the unknown—in fact, she’s determined to find answers for all the questions Sorry-in-the-Vale is suddenly posing. Who is responsible for the bloody deeds in the depths of the woods? What is her own mother hiding? And now that her imaginary friend has become a real boy, does she still love him? Does she hate him? Can she trust him?

Why I Want To Read It:

At first, I thought I wouldn't be interested in reading this. But I have read so many reviews recently that now I really (REALLY!) want to read it. What are you waiting on this week?
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Teaser Tuesday (5)


Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers!





The Raven Boys (Raven Cycle #1) by Maggie Stiefvater


Hardcover, 408 pages
Expected publication: September 18th 2012 by Scholastic Press


Blue had two rules: Stay away from boys, because they're trouble, and stay away from raven boys, because they were bastards. ~ page 81


"Thanks for coming, Jane," Gansey said.
Blue shot him a dirty look. "You're welcome, Dick." ~ page 265

There is a seriousness in The Raven Boys due to the dire warnings about Blue causing her true love to die. (That is not a spoiler - it's in the book's synopsis.) But we also get a bit of cheeky humor, inside jokes, and one-liners that keep the story from being too heavy.

*Quotes are from the eARC and are subject to change.
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Sunday Updates (8)



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

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Received For Review:
Refuge by Carole Rummage
Crewel (Crewel World #1) by Gennifer Albin

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Borrowed From The Library:
Rivals and Retribution (13 to Life #5) by Shannon Delany

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Won:
Hardback copy of Tokyo Heist by Diana Renn from YA Books Central.

Books Read:
Of Poseiden (Of Poseidon #1) by Anna Banks
Small Damages by Beth Kephart
Amplified (Amplified #1) by Tara Kelly

eBooks Read For Review Copy Cleanup:
Through To You by Emily Hainsworth
The Unquiet by Jeannine Garsee
Currently reading The Raven Boys (Raven Cycle #1) by Maggie Stiefvater. I am enjoying this immensely, but I am wondering where it's heading... At first I had a hard time getting into the feel and mood of the book. I quickly realized that I need to read this book with no distractions and really immerse myself since it's very wordy and atmospheric.
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Winners! Last Days of Freedom Giveaway Hop


Thank you all so much for participating in the Last Days of Freedom Giveaway Hop. I really enjoyed finding out what your favorite book of the summer was. I added so many great books to my virtual tbr!

The winner of the $10.00 Amazon Giftcard is Entry #733 Candace.

The winner of the custom eReader/iPad zipper case from Pink Lady Designs is Entry #166 Jenny S.

Both winners have been emailed and have 48 hours to respond.


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Follow Friday (17)


Follow Friday is a weekly feature hosted by Alison Can Read and Parajunkee. It's a great way to discover new blogs and make new friends.

If you’re new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!

Q: Worst cover? What is the worst cover of a book that you've read and loved?



Past Perfect by Leila Sales

I don't think this book cover is so terrible. However, it has absolutely NOTHING to do with the story. You would think that this is a scene from the book, but no, it's not. The protagonist spends most of her time in period costume since 75% of the story takes place at a Historical Colonial Village. If you haven't read this book yet, I highly recommend it! How can you go wrong with period reenactors? You can check out my review HERE.

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Waiting On Wednesday (40) Falling For You


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

My choice for this week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:



Falling For You by Lisa Schroeder

Hardcover, 355 pages
Expected publication: January 1st 2013 by Simon Pulse

Synopsis From Goodreads:

Rae's always dreamed of dating a guy like Nathan. He’s nothing like her abusive stepfather—in other words, he’s sweet. But the closer they get, the more Nathan wants of her time, of her love, of her...and the less she wants to give.

As Rae’s affection for Nathan turns to fear, she leans on her friend Leo for support. With Leo, she feels lighter, happier. And possessive Nathan becomes jealous.

Then a tragedy lands Rae in the ICU. Now, hovering between life and death, Rae must find the light amid the darkness…and the strength to fight for life and the love she deserves.

Why I Want To Read It:

This sounds like it will be a very emotional contemporary story. It also seems that this is NOT written in verse like Lisa's other books, so I am interested to see how it compares.

What are you waiting on this week?
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Review: In Honor by Jessi Kirby

In HonorIn Honor by Jessi Kirby

Hardcover, 240 pages
Published May 8, 2012 by Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers

Borrowed From Library

Buy This Book from Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis From Goodreads:

A devastating loss leads to an unexpected road trip in this novel from the author of Moonglass, whose voice Sarah Dessen says “is fresh and wise, all at once.”Hours after her brother’s military funeral, Honor opens the last letter Finn ever sent. In her grief, she interprets his note as a final request and spontaneously decides to go to California to fulfill it.

Honor gets as far as the driveway before running into Rusty, Finn’s best friend since third grade and his polar opposite. She hasn’t seen Rusty in ages, but it’s obvious he is as arrogant and stubborn as ever—not to mention drop-dead gorgeous. Despite Honor’s better judgment, the two set off together on a voyage from Texas to California. Along the way, they find small and sometimes surprising ways to ease their shared loss and honor Finn’s memory—but when shocking truths are revealed at the end of the road, will either of them be able to cope with the consequences?

My Thoughts:

I was highly anticipating reading In Honor for what seems like a really long time. I did enjoy it, but there was just something about it that kept me from really loving it. While I could easily sympathize with the main characters, I couldn't relate to them. Nothing made them really stand out as great characters. So the book just wasn't as meaningful to me as it could have been, and that makes me sad.

Honor was an average character, and I thought she was a little naive. She is angry and confused and having a hard time dealing with her brother's death. She felt she had to take action and not sit around being depressed. I can understand why she needed to find peace, and why she thought taking a roadtrip would honor her brother. But I felt as though I never really got to know her or her personality. Maybe I just couldn't figure her out because she hadn't figured herself out yet.

As for Rusty, at times I really wanted to love him, but at other times he frustrated me and I wanted to knock his head off. The pissy attitude and all of the drinking really didn't help me like him, but he sort of improved as the story went along. He's far from perfect, and I wish I could have gotten to know him better.

We get to know Finn very well through Honor and Rusty's memories and stories. He was absolutely my favorite character, and he seems like someone that you can't help but love. There were also a lot of minor characters that were introduced. They played very small parts, but I felt they added a little something extra to the storyline. (Like Wyatt. I loved Wyatt. Why couldn't we have had more Wyatt?!?!?!)

While reading, there were moments when the sadness was almost overwhelming, and I found myself crying quite a few times. Once Honor and Rusty started to open up with each other and really communicate, they are able to share their grief over Finn's death. There was a lot of chemistry between Honor and Rusty, and you could really tell how aware they were of each other. The build-up between them seemed natural, and I was thankful there was no insta-love. Instead, we got a slow build and enough mutual attraction that readers will be left wondering what the future holds for these two.

In Honor is a really great story about self-discovery and coping with the loss of a loved one. I thought it was well written, quite entertaining, and truly heartbreaking. It is such a touching story, and I found myself getting quite emotional at times. I was happy with the ending - most of the plot points were wrapped up nicely and I think it was a fitting end to their road trip. It's just hopeful enough to leave a smile on your face.

I fully expected to love this book. What's not to love? Road trip with a hot guy? I'm in! But it just had too many problems for me to really love it like I had hoped to. I'd still recommend it because I know every reader has different tastes, and I'm sure a lot of people will love this story.

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

View all my reviews
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Tune In Tuesday (12)


Tune In Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by Ginger at GReads. My love of books is only surpassed by my passion for music.

Today's Tune In Tuesday is brought to you courtesy of my morning drive... aka taking the crabby kidlets to school because I'm a good Mom and the bus sucks. And I don't even embarrass them with hugs and kisses - I just drop them off with a nice little pat on the knee and an "I love you." See? Good Mom.

Jason Aldean's new song came on when I started up the truck this morning. My kids grew up with us listening to a lot of country, so they are used to it. Nowadays I just get the 'Mooooommmm" when they think I am torturing them with my music choices.

Take A Little Ride by Jason Aldean



On the drive back from school I had Neon Trees cranked up while I sang along. I had to slow down for a couple of deer by the side of the road. I don't think they were impressed by my (lack of) singing ability.

Everybody Talks by Neon Trees



Bonus Neon Trees song. Who couldn't use a little pick me up in the mornings? This should get you going.

Animal by Neon Trees

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New Release: Grace Doll by Jennifer Laurens (with Trailer)




Grace Doll by Jennifer Laurens

Paperback, 220 pages
Published August 20th 2012 by Grove Creek Publishing

Synopsis From Goodreads:
Grace Doll had everything a girl could want: Fame. Fortune. Beauty.

Everything except, of course, her freedom. So when a powerful movie producer forces an experimental treatment on Grace--one that's purported to make beauty immortal--she stages her own death to escape him.

With the help of trusted friends, Grace slips into hiding. She's forever flawless, forever young and forever pursued by her past.

But when a stranger arrives on her doorstep, holding the key to a life she thought she'd left behind, Grace must decide between the safety she's known... and embracing the role she was born to play.
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Review: Pushing The Limits by Katie McGarry

Pushing the LimitsPushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

Hardcover, 384 pages
Published July 31, 2012 by Harlequin Teen

Buy This Book from Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis From Goodreads:

No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with "freaky" scars on her arms. Even Echo can't remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal.But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo's world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible.

Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she'll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again.

My Thoughts:

What an amazing book! I had been looking forward to reading Pushing The Limits for months, and it did not disappoint. I'm so glad I got the opportunity to read it. You may recall that I posted it as my WoW way back in April. Then I got all excited over the trailer. Everyone should definitely put Pushing The Limits on their reading list.

When we first meet Echo and Noah they are complete opposites of each other. I couldn't imagine them getting their crap together and connecting. But the more we get to know the characters, the more alike they seem. Echo and Noah's problems and struggles were realistic and emotional, which made it easier to connect and sympathize with them. They found strength in each other, and they both pushed the other to be the best that they could be. Echo and Noah experienced so much growth that they seemed like completely different characters by the end of the story.

Pushing The Limits is told in alternating chapters with both Echo and Noah’s POV, so the reader gets to experience everything right along with them. I always love books told from both POVs because you really get a chance to know both characters so well, and you get a peek into both of their minds. You also get a better grasp of their personalities, so there is no second guessing their feelings or motives. It was so easy to connect with both Echo and Noah and really feel for them.

This book is full of harsh realities and a lot of really shitty situations. Noah and Echo's lives aren't all sunshine, but they are still so full of hope. I like that the author had the guts to write such a heart-wrenching and emotional story.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who likes contemporary stories. It is so powerful, and the writing is amazing. The character development throughout the story was wonderful. It has memorable and complex characters and a great love story. A remarkable and unforgettable story that will definitely give you the warm fuzzies!

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a copy for review.
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Last Days of Freedom Giveaway Hop


Welcome to my stop on the Last Days of Freedom Giveaway Hop, which is hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and The Elliott Review. NOW I have freedom, because my kids started school yesterday! Just kidding. I have a freshman and a senior. I can't believe how old they are!

I'm doing something a little different for this giveaway. I have 2 prizes to give away, therefore I will have 2 winners! There are 2 Rafflecopter forms below for you to enter to win.

First up, I am giving away a $10.00 Amazon Giftcard (for U.S. winner) OR one book of choice up to a $10.00 U.S. value from The Book Depository (for international winner).


Open to the U.S. only, I am giving away a custom eReader/iPad zipper case from Pink Lady Designs. If you are the winner, this padded case will be made to fit your eReader device using the beautiful fabric that is featured in the photo below. Case is 100% cotton, fully lined, and lightly padded.


a Rafflecopter giveaway


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Contest Rules:
  • The hop runs August 17th through August 22nd.
  • Giveaway is International as long as The Book Depository ships to your country.
  • Must be 13 years of age or older to participate.
  • Fill out the Rafflecopter entry below.
  • Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be chosen.
  • Be sure to check out the linky below and visit all of the participating blogs.
  • Have fun!


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Book Trailer - Forget Me Not by Carolee Dean

This book has been on my radar for quite a while. It looks like it will be very emotional! And it's told in verse, which I usually love. I can't wait to read it.

The author, Carolee Dean recently launched the book trailer, and is hoping to get 2000 views before the book is released.

Check it out and let me know what you think.

Forget Me Not by Carolee Dean

384 pages
Expected publication: October 2nd 2012 by Simon Pulse

Synopsis From Goodreads:

From the author of Take Me There, a fast-paced novel in verse about a girl caught between life and death—and the boy who will do anything to save her.

Ally is devastated when a scandalous photo of her is texted around school. With her reputation in shambles and her life essentially over, she hides out in a back hallway, trying to figure out where everything went wrong.

Elijah has spent time in that hallway too. He landed there after taking a whole bottle of sleeping pills. Now he can see ghosts, and he knows what Ally has yet to suspect—that she’s already half dead, and one choice away from never coming back.

Elijah has loved Ally for years and would do anything to save her from the in-between place. But if she’s going to live, Ally must face her inner demons and find the will to save herself.

Told in interwoven verse narratives, this crushingly honest and poetic exploration of pain and redemption will appeal to fans of Ellen Hopkins.


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Waiting On Wednesday (39)

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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.

My choice for this week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

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Revenge of the Girl with the Great Personality by Elizabeth Eulberg

Hardcover, 288 pages
Expected publication: March 2013 by Point

Synopsis From Goodreads:

A hilarious new novel from Elizabeth Eulberg about taking the wall out of the wallflower so she can bloom.

Don't mess with a girl with a Great Personality.

Everybody loves Lexi. She's popular, smart, funny...but she's never been one of those girls, the pretty ones who get all the attention from guys. And on top of that, her seven-year-old sister, Mackenzie, is a terror in a tiara, and part of a pageant scene where she gets praised for her beauty (with the help of fake hair and tons of makeup).

Lexi's sick of it. She's sick of being the girl who hears about kisses instead of getting them. She's sick of being ignored by her longtime crush, Logan. She's sick of being taken for granted by her pageant-obsessed mom. And she's sick of having all her family's money wasted on a phony pursuit of perfection.

The time has come for Lexi to step out from the sidelines. Girls without great personalities aren't going to know what hit them. Because Lexi's going to play the beauty game - and she's in it to win it.

Why I Want To Read It:
Doesn't this sound really cute? It seems like it will be a light and fun read. I also enjoyed reading Eulberg's Take A Bow, and I think I will like this one too. What are you waiting on this week?
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Teaser Tuesday (4) Small Damages by Beth Kephart

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Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers!

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Small Damages by Beth Kephart

Hardcover, 304 pages
Published July 19th 2012 by Philomel

Small Damages by Beth Kephart was one of my WoW picks back in June. I was able to borrow it from the library and I am really enjoying it.

"I love you," he said, before I left. I'm still trying to decide whether to believe him. ~ pg. 42

"Distance isn't the end of love." ~ Estella pg. 77

When he looks up at me, I know most everything. That he hasn't slept. That he means it.
I will miss you. ~ pg. 284

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Review: Kill Me Softly by Sarah Cross

Spoiler Warning!

Kill Me SoftlyKill Me Softly by Sarah Cross

Publication Date: April 10, 2012
Page Count: 336
Published by: EgmontUSA
Source: Borrowed From Library

Synopsis From Goodreads:

Mirabelle's past is shrouded in secrecy, from her parents' tragic deaths to her guardians' half-truths about why she can't return to her birthplace, Beau Rivage. Desperate to see the town, Mira runs away a week before her sixteenth birthday—and discovers a world she never could have imagined.

In Beau Rivage, nothing is what it seems—the strangely pale girl with a morbid interest in apples, the obnoxious playboy who's a beast to everyone he meets, and the chivalrous guy who has a thing for damsels in distress. Here, fairy tales come to life, curses are awakened, and ancient stories are played out again and again.

But fairy tales aren't pretty things, and they don't always end in happily ever after. Mira has a role to play, a fairy tale destiny to embrace or resist. As she struggles to take control of her fate, Mira is drawn into the lives of two brothers with fairy tale curses of their own . . . brothers who share a dark secret. And she'll find that love, just like fairy tales, can have sharp edges and hidden thorns.

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I'm going to be really honest and say that this book had a shit ton of problems. Did I enjoy reading it? Definitely, yes. But I also had to overlook a lot of the issues I had with it to enjoy it. Did I mention there were a lot of problems with this book? I feel bad that I had such high hopes for this book and I ended up being disappointed with it.

Let me start by saying that I really liked the writing and the creativity of the story. I thought it was very original and a tad bit quirky. But the details are what really brought the book down in my mind.

The book started off great, and at first I thought Mira was an intelligent 15 year old who wanted answers about her life. After not getting background info from her overprotective godmothers, Mira runs away to the small town where she was born hoping to learn more. But the town of Beau Rivage is far from normal. It is literally a fairytale town. Mira is completely clueless when she arrives,and must rely on the help of strangers. Unfortunately, she meets 2 brothers and is immediately thrust between them as they fight over her - Felix wants her to stay so he can 'help' her, but Blue wants her to leave. NOW.

The story gets even stranger when Mira meets Blue's friends. It takes a while, but Mira finally figures out that they are all characters from fairytales - and they are all cursed to live out the fairytales which they are from. Mira learns that she is also a character that is destined to live out a fairytale. Sounds weird, I know, but it all seemed so normal to them that it almost started to feel normal to me.

I had quite a few problems with this book though. We are instantly hit with a love triangle and insta-love. Like BAM with a sledgehammer, head over heals insta-love between Mira and Felix. Completely inappropriate because Felix is 21 and Mira is only 15! Can we talk about how illegal this is in all 50 states? Inappropriate behavior continuously overtakes common sense, and we get Mira in a sexy nightgown strutting herself through a casino while trying to find Felix to seduce him. No 15 year old would be allowed on the gaming floor of a casino, so this was just a lame attempt to show how far Mira was willing to go to get her man, whom she met 2 seconds ago and barely knows. Blue attempts to tell her how stupid she is and comes to her rescue about a million times, and even saves her from Felix. But Mira refuses to believe that she is in danger, even when Blue tells her YOU WILL DIE if you don't leave. What a stupid and selfish little girl. I don't know why Blue even bothered with warning her about his brother or why he tried to get her away from his brother. Oh wait, I DO know why. Blue told Mira it was because HE saw her first. And his brother, Felix, always wants what Blue has.

I really hate to blast a book because it offends my morals, but this book just had so much inappropriateness going on that it is hard to overlook. However, I really did like the writing. I thought the idea of a land of fairytales right in the middle of ordinary society was clever and very creative. I liked the secondary characters - fairytale characters - and how they all interacted with each other, even though they knew what their futures held. I enjoyed learning about how the curses came to be, and the 'gifts' that fairies can bestow to lessen the curses. I thought that the birthmarks that all of the characters have was really different.

I really wanted to love this book. There was so much promise, but it didn't live up to my expectations. I didn't hate all of it, but I didn't love all of it either. I wasn't able to connect with or relate to any of the characters. The ending was unbelievable and just so-so, and some of the plot lines were left hanging.

Kill Me Softly is definitely a book that I would not recommend. Even if it is a creative story, it still has so many issues that I can't imagine telling anyone it's good enough to spend (or waste) their time on.

2.5 of 5 stars


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Waiting on Wednesday (38) The Lucy Variations and Grace Doll


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

I have 2 picks for my WOW this week. One book will be released on August 20, but the other is not due out until March 2013... which seems like such a long way off.

My choices for this week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selections are:

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The Lucy Variations by Sara Zarr

Hardcover
Expected publication: 2013 by Little, Brown BFYR

Synopsis from Goodreads:
A once-promising concert pianist now believes that at 16 her best years are behind her — a belief that everyone she knows seems to agree with, until she meets her brother's attractive new piano instructor.

Why I Want To Read It:
I recently finished reading Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez, and this seems to have the same sort of young musical prodigy theme going. Even though there isn't much to the synopsis, it still sounds interesting.

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Grace Doll by Jennifer Laurens

Paperback, 220 pages
Expected publication: August 20th 2012 by Grove Creek Publishing

Synopsis From Goodreads:
Grace Doll had everything a girl could want: Fame. Fortune. Beauty.

Everything except, of course, her freedom. So when a powerful movie producer forces an experimental treatment on Grace--one that's purported to make beauty immortal--she stages her own death to escape him.

With the help of trusted friends, Grace slips into hiding. She's forever flawless, forever young and forever pursued by her past.

But when a stranger arrives on her doorstep, holding the key to a life she thought she'd left behind, Grace must decide between the safety she's known... and embracing the role she was born to play.

Why I Want To Read It:
The synopsis sounds very intriguing, and it's different than Jennifer's other books. I enjoyed reading A Season of Eden and Overprotected, so I hope I like this one too!

What are you waiting on this week?
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July Recap and August TBR

It's August already? Somehow, the summer just flew by! I can't believe my kids go back to school next week. Somehow I managed to NOT read all of the books that were on my summer reading list, which sucks.

Books Read in July:
Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez
Kill Me Softly by Sarah Cross
Body & Soul (The Ghost and the Goth #3) by Stacey Kade
What I Didn't Say by Keary Taylor

July was not a good reading month for me. I had 2 books that I started, spent waaaaay too much time attempting to read, then abandoned in favor of something (anything) more interesting. I got halfway through both books before I gave up on them, so I can at least say that I gave them a chance.

Reviews Posted in July:
Stay with Me by Paul Griffin
One Moment by Kristina McBride
Such A Rush by Jennifer Echols
This is Not a Test by Courtney Summers
Narc by Crissa-Jean Chappell
Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez

August 2012 has a ton of new releases. There are more books than I can read in a month. Below I have listed only the books that I really want to read.

August 7:
Rivals and Retributions (13 to Life #5) by Shannon Delany
The Waiting Sky by Lara Zielin

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August 14:
Onyx (Lux #2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

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August 20:
Grace Doll by Jennifer Laurens

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August 28:
If I Lie by Corrine Jackson
Enshadowed (Nevermore #2) by Kelly Creagh
Dangerous Boy by Mandy Hubbard
Speechless by Hannah Harrington

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Other books that are on my tbr that I hope to read in August:
Flirting In Italian (Flirting In Italian #1) by Lauren Henderson
For Darkness Shows the Stars (For Darkness Shows the Stars #1) by Diana Peterfreund
Of Poseidon (Of Poseidon #1) by Anna Banks
Small Damages by Beth Kephart
Amplified (Amplified #1) by Tara Kelly
The Thing About The Truth by Lauren Barnholdt
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Sunday Updates (7)



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




Received For Review:
Beautiful Disaster (Beautiful #1) by Jamie McGuire
Covet (The Clann #2) by Melissa Darnell

I know that people either love or hate Beautiful Disaster. Or won't even read it because of issues with the author. I'm willing to read it and decide for myself.



Borrowed From The Library:
Small Damages by Beth Kephart
The Thing About The Truth by Lauren Barnholdt
Amplified (Amplified #1) by Tara Kelly (I thought this was a stand alone. When did it become a series?)



Books Read This Week:
Body & Soul (The Ghost and the Goth #3) by Stacey Kade
What I Didn't Say by Keary Taylor

Challenge: Read For Review Copy Cleanup:
Back To Bataan by Jerome Charyn - REVIEW
I love the new cover, but I feel that it doesn't represent the book very well because the protagonist is only 11 years old.
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