Review: Just One Year by Gayle Forman

Just One Year by Gayle Forman
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile 
Publication date: October 10th 2013
My rating: 4.5 stars 

The heartrending conclusion—from Willem’s POV—to the romantic duet of novels that began with Allyson’s story in Just One Day After spending an amazing day and night together in Paris, Just One Year is Willem’s story, picking up where Just One Day ended. His story of their year of quiet longing and near misses is a perfect counterpoint to Allyson’s own as Willem undergoes a transformative journey, questioning his path, finding love, and ultimately, redefining himself.

Just One Year had been a book I’d been eagerly anticipating after devouring Just One Day earlier in the year. Allyson was a character whose story had slowly ripped my heart to shreds and thrown it about like pieces of confetti. The way things had ended I needed to know what would happen next, but most of all I needed to know Willem’s story.

Willem was a character who I adored in Just One Day, but he had left me wanting more. He held back a lot of the time in truly admitting his feelings and then when something serious was about to go down he would try to shut everything down. I needed more from this guy, I needed to know why he was the way he was, what he was actually thinking and feeling and what actually happened that night. Once again Gayle Forman delivered a beautiful story which resulted in my heart breaking all over again. Honestly I’m barely able to function after reading a book by Forman and this was the case once again after reading Just One Year.

Willem’s year without Allyson was just as painful to watch as it had been with Allyson, I normally don’t have many favourite reads by male mc’s, but this is the second time Forman has won me over with a brilliant story from a male mc, (my first was Where She went told from Adam). I found myself being caught up in Willem’s life from the very first page. There was so much going on, with his feelings of confusion, sadness, loss and especially his vulnerability, that I felt that I was experiencing every single emotion with him on his incredible journey. Highlight to view spoiler! I was glad to find out that he hadn’t given up on Allyson either, the way he had left and the things Allyson had to go through had me doubting his character and sincerity, but from this story you just discover Willem’s just a really confused and lonely character that often doesn’t make the best decisions when it comes down to it. But with Just One Year I’m glad that Willem decided to do things differently, he actually took the risk to do things he wouldn’t do, go back and deal with people in the past and do things right.

Willem in my eyes was just a lost person who needed someone to keep him centred and on track. It was heart breaking to realise that this person had been Allyson. His need and longing for her was so paramount and at times it did seem that things would never be okay for him. But I’m glad that there were people in places that he least expected to be that could help him out, also help him without him even realising they were. Willem’s story was an absolute incredible one; I adored learning about his back story, it was such a sad but also beautiful story which influenced a lot of the decisions he made in this book. And with just like Allyson I thoroughly enjoyed going on this incredible journey of discovery with Willem from Mexico, to Mumbai to Amsterdam. The gorgeous settings just made me love this story even more. I love being able to visit so many gorgeous locations through a book, but actually visiting these places were an integral part to building Willem’s character. From each place he was able to take something away which made him the character that he became in the end of the book.

Fans of Just One Day will not be disappointed with Just One Year. Forman once again delivers a beautiful story full with longing, loss and beautiful relationships. I thought that nothing could top Just One Day, but now after going along Willem’s journey I’m not so sure. Just One Year will leave you feeling raw, with a huge lump in your throat and also if your heart is about to burst, but most of all happy.

I could go on endless journeys with Willem and Allyson and never get tired, their story is such a poignant one that I will always remember for years to come.

Review & Giveaway: 3:59 by Gretchen McNeil

3:59 by Gretchen McNeil
Publisher: Balzer & Bray
Publication date: September 17th 2013
My rating: 3.5 stars

 Josie Byrne's life is spiraling out of control. Her parents are divorcing, her boyfriend Nick has grown distant, and her physics teacher has it in for her. When she's betrayed by the two people she trusts most, Josie thinks things can't get worse.

Until she starts having dreams about a girl named Jo. Every night at the same time—3:59 a.m.

Jo's life is everything Josie wants: she's popular, her parents are happily married, and Nick adores her. It all seems real, but they're just dreams, right? Josie thinks so, until she wakes one night to a shadowy image of herself in the bedroom mirror – Jo.

Josie and Jo realize that they are doppelgängers living in parallel universes that overlap every twelve hours at exactly 3:59. Fascinated by Jo's perfect world, Josie jumps at the chance to jump through the portal and switch places for a day.

But Jo’s world is far from perfect. Not only is Nick not Jo's boyfriend, he hates her. Jo's mom is missing, possibly insane. And at night, shadowy creatures feed on human flesh.

By the end of the day, Josie is desperate to return to her own life. But there’s a problem: Jo has sealed the portal, trapping Josie in this dangerous world. Can she figure out a way home before it’s too late?

From master of suspense Gretchen McNeil comes a riveting and deliciously eerie story about the lives we wish we had – and how they just might kill you.

3:59 was a fun action packed read from start to finish.  Throw in some romance, mystery and danger and I was a happy girl.

Josie’s life has been less than ideal lately.  With her parents separated, her mother consumed with work, and her boyfriend, Nick, distant lately, she feels a little off-kilter.  Right off the bat, things go from off-kilter to bad, especially in the romance department, and your heart goes out to poor Josie.  After an explosion in her mother’s home workspace, Josie starts to see herself, a different version, in the mirror at the same time morning and night at exactly 3:59.  The Josie in the mirror, Jo, appears to be the improved, happier version, with parents still together, and Nick still normal.  Josie longs for things to return to normal so she switches places with Jo temporarily.  Josie learns the hard way that things are not always as they appear. 

I picked this up after my last read wasn’t clicking, and was immediately hooked. The pacing was great and fast and I felt for Josie right away after she’s dealt a terrible blow! There are two Nicks in this story, her boyfriend from her world and then the Nick in Jo’s world.  Josie develops a relationship with Nick in Jo’s world, but I felt it was a bit rushed and lacked depth. I think this is somewhat inherent in a plot driven novel, and I love reading about a romance that feels real in its connection, so this was a little bit of a disappointment. Still, I did enjoy this book and I was eagerly turning the pages to find out what would happen next. 

I liked the concept of parallel existences, but to be honest, some of the plot felt farfetched.  I’m no expert on parallel theories or quantum physics so this may be due to my ignorance (probably, lol!) but a lot of it went over my head.  All in all it was a fun, fast read and I was surprised when I looked at the page count (368) because it seriously didn’t seem that long at all.  I’m wondering if there’s a sequel planned because the ending didn’t seem quite like and end.  I’ve looked but I couldn’t tell.  

 

I'm sharing my ARC copy with one lucky reader. The giveaway is INTERNATIONAL, simply fill out the rafflecopter below for a chance to win. Good luck!

Giveaway: ARC of Premeditated by Josin McQuein

I’m giving away my ARC copy of Premeditated.  I started this last week and sadly it didn’t work out for me.  I think this is the old “it’s me not you” situation, since I've been craving a particular type of read lately, and anything else just won't do.  Rather than let this sit on my shelf, I thought I'd pass it on to someone else who's craving this type of read.

ARC copy of Premeditated by Josin McQuein

Publication Date:  October 8th 2013

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers


The giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY and will run for two weeks.  Simply fill out the rafflecopter for a chance to win.  Good luck, and thanks for visiting The Readers Den!  

Review: How to Love by Katie Cotugno

How to Love by Katie Cotugno
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Publication date: 1st October 2013.
My rating: 4.5 stars 

Before: Reena Montero has loved Sawyer LeGrande for as long as she can remember: as natural as breathing, as endless as time. But he’s never seemed to notice that Reena even exists…until one day, impossibly, he does. Reena and Sawyer fall in messy, complicated love. But then Sawyer disappears from their humid Florida town without a word, leaving a devastated—and pregnant—Reena behind. After: Almost three years have passed, and there’s a new love in Reena’s life: her daughter, Hannah. Reena’s gotten used to being without Sawyer, and she’s finally getting the hang of this strange, unexpected life. But just as swiftly and suddenly as he disappeared, Sawyer turns up again. Reena doesn’t want anything to do with him, though she’d be lying if she said Sawyer’s being back wasn’t stirring something in her. After everything that’s happened, can Reena really let herself love Sawyer LeGrande again? In this breathtaking debut, Katie Cotugno weaves together the story of one couple falling in love—twice

How to Love was a book which took me by surprise. I’ve read quite a few books recently that have gone down the same typical path, that I’m finding reading my favourite contemporary books ever so hard. So I’m pleased to say that the initial fear I had going into How to Love was worth it, because this book delivered in so many aspects.

How to Love is the story of Sawyer and Reena, who got together when they were pretty young, but things didn’t go the best possible way. Sawyer walked out leaving Reena pregnant and all alone and then returns two years later and its clear as day that’s there’s still some unfinished business between them. The first thing I enjoyed about this book was the way it was written, Cotugno wrote each chapter as a before (when Sawyer and Reena were younger) and as a after (the current day). It was crucial learning about Reena and Sawyer’s past as there were so many obstacles as to why things ended up the way they did. But instead of overwhelming us with the entire back story, Cotugno weaved in the back story in small snippets alongside what was happening today. This really worked wonderfully as I found myself invested in both stories the same amount, also the way back story was told fit in perfectly in order for us to understand what was happening right now.

Also despite us getting this back story which gave us a better understanding of our two main characters and their families, there were still some nice shock revelations along the way. Secondly Cotugno delivered a beautiful yet heart breaking story. The central story focused on the relationship between Sawyer and Reena, but Cotugno was also able to make us readers take a step back and look at the bigger picture, there were so many factors which made the decisions for both of these characters, that I was glad by the end both characters were finally able to take charge and make decisions by themselves.

Reena did have a lot to deal with after Sawyer left she was 16 and pregnant in a religious family. Despite seeing her one love up and leave with no explanation and seeing all her hopes and dreams shattered at the same time, Reena was a strong character. She constantly had to deal with the awkwardness from her father and Sawyer’s family too, but just really tried to get through life. There was only one part of her that I didn’t like, but overall Reena was a smart character who made the decisions that were important to her and her daughter. Sawyer was a real mixed character, when he was younger he did have Reena’s best interests at heart, but really did a shoddy job about being her boyfriend. I know Sawyer didn’t leave at the best possible time, but I think the point that Reena and Sawyer had reached in their relationship, it really was necessary for both characters to have a clean break, because the Sawyer that was able to return was a million times worth it. Now I like my stories where characters return, and haven’t changed dramatically but slowly win you over and this is exactly what happened with Sawyer’s character. He could be a little over confident at times, but little by little chinked away at the armour Reena had built to protect herself from. I liked how he had matured from the Sawyer that would get off his head and not give a toss to all he wanted to do was what was best for Reena and baby Hannah.

All that’s left for me to say is that don’t be fooled by this pretty cover, Cotugno provides a realistic and heart breaking read in How to Love. She deals with several tough issues that many individuals could relate to, but also delivers and incredible journey through the lives and love of Sawyer and Reena.

Review: Isn't She Lovely by Lauren Layne

Isn't She Lovely by Lauren Layne
Publisher: Random House Flirt
Publication date: October 28th 2013
My rating: 5 stars 

 

The rules are clear—until they’re broken. Lauren Layne puts a New Adult spin on Pygmalion, also the inspiration for Pretty Woman, and gives the classic love story its edgiest twist yet.

“Who knew that pretending you’re not falling for someone would be so much more difficult than pretending that you are?”

Stephanie Kendrick gave up her whole summer to ace her NYU film school screenwriting course, so she’s pissed to be stuck with a preppy, spoiled frat boy as her writing partner. Then again, with her piercings, black-rimmed eyes, and Goth wardrobe, Stephanie isn’t exactly Ethan Price’s type, either. He’s probably got his eye on some leggy blonde with a trust fund . . . or does he?

As the summer scene kicks off in the Hamptons, Ethan is desperate to make his snobbish mother forget the pedigreed girl who broke his heart. While Stephanie’s a stretch as a decoy, the right makeover and a pastel cardigan just might do the trick. She may not love the idea of playing Ethan’s brainless Barbie girlfriend, but the free rent and luxurious digs make a tempting offer. So does the promise of a ready-made screenplay idea inspired by their charade.

But when Stephanie steps into Ethan’s privileged world, the “acting” begins to feel all too real. The kissing and touching that were intended to fool the Hamptons crowd wind up manipulating them. And Stephanie faces a question she’s too afraid to ask: Is Ethan falling for the real her or for the dolled-up princess he wants to see?

Isn’t She Lovely was a classic romance of opposites attract; a story that was just pure unadulterated enjoyment!  Filled with snarky banter providing entertaining push and pull, I was smiling, laughing and swooning throughout!  *sigh* I just love it when a story leaves me happy and satisfied!

Outside appearances, prejudices and pride play a huge roll in Stephanie and Ethan’s first meeting.  Barreling into each other’s life, quite literally, they do not get off to a good start.  Stephanie is the stereotypical goth girl, and Ethan is the standard silver spoon jock.   Yet, from that first collision there is an undeniable mutual attraction in spite of their extremely opposite positions in life. 

I find this easy to understand.  Have you ever spied someone in a crowd, *hardware store* and thought, “Wow, if I were a biker girl, that dangerous looking, tattooed up guy would be my slice of heaven!”?  Dreams of riding off in the sunset, on the back of his Harley dance through your mind until you snap back into reality, or your husband snaps his fingers in front of your face and asks you if your finished picking out paint samples. Not saying that has ever happened to me or anything. *cough, ahem, cough*

Well, this is exactly what happens to Ethan and Stephanie, mutual appreciation, but with mutual hate and judgment in a brief encounter. Instead of them just going their merry way though, they find themselves paired together in a film project.  Let the barbs and sparks fly! 

I loved this story from beginning to end.  I don’t know about you, but I’m getting a little tired of the typical New Adult story: tragic pasts and meeting “the one” that rescues them from it all. So much drama and angst, I’m a little over it.  Yes, there were issues these two were dealing with, but there was a fun undertone throughout that kept the story lighter and so enjoyable.  I loved the fact that this wasn’t the typical “bad boy” meets “goodie nerdy/geeky/ girl” and fall in love. The male and female roles were a bit reversed, but I still wouldn’t pigeonhole either one of them into those stereotypical categories, which is what Stephanie and Ethan start realizing about each other, as well.

This romance was filled with lusty moments of intense attraction, accidently-on-purpose kisses, and ogling galore!  Yum!  There were also so many sweet moments between these two, that I couldn’t help but oooh and aww in some scenes.  

There wasn’t a spot where I was frustrated, spacing out, or looking at the percentage readout, and wondering when this would end.  This is my first Lauren Layne book, but it certainly won’t be my last.

I must give a shout out to my friend Lisa Jayne.  If not for her, this little gem wouldn’t registered on my radar.  Thanks, lovely!

Favorite quotes:

“Some guys have a thing for cheerleaders,” he says, his voice easy.  I roll my eyes as I start tossing socks into the bag. “Let me guess. You want to know if I still have my old uniform.” He sets the picture back on the nightstand and moves toward the door. “Nah. Not my thing. But I think I could develop a thing for girls in combat boots.” I spin around in surprise, wanting to see his face, wanting to know if he means what I think he means. But he’s already gone.*

Her skin’s so warm, and I don’t know if it’s from the sun, or because of me, and I hope to god it’s the latter because I don’t give a shit who’s watching, I’m dying for this girl.*

“So you think I’m just going through a phase?”

Oh, honey,” Amy says, as she gestures to the server for another round. “Life is nothing but phases.  Some things stick, lots of things don’t. You’ll figure it out.”*

 
*Quotes taken from an uncorrected proof and may change in the final copy.