[Review] Faking Normal by Courtney C. Stevens

Faking Normal by Courtney C. Stevens
Publisher: Harper Collins
Publishing Date: February 25, 2014
336 Pages
Format: paperback, ARC

Synopsis 

Alexi Littrell hasn't told anyone what happened to her over the summer. Ashamed and embarrassed, she hiders in her closet and compulsively scratches the back of her neck, trying to make the outside hurt more than the inside does.

When Bodee Lennox, the quiet and awkward boy next door, comes to live with the Littrells, Alexi discovers an unlikely friend in "the Kool-Aid Kid," who has secrets of his own. As they lean on each other for support, Alexi gives him the strength to deal with his past, and Bodee helps her find the courage to finally face the truth.

A searing, poignant book, Faking Normal is the extraordinary debut novel from an exciting new author - Courtney C. Stevens.

My Review

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

Wow. That word pretty much sums up my thoughts on this book! I absolutely loved it. It was so raw and original! I can't believe this is the debut novel for Ms. Stevens, but I cannot wait until she publishes something else! I can only imagine how moving the next story will be.

Lex is your typical girl who struggles to find her place in high school. She doesn't have a lot of friends and after what happened to her over the summer, she struggles even more to remain close to these friends without revealing her secret. I haven't read too many books about self harm, but this was very well done. Lex scratches the back of her neck so bad that its completely raw. She has to wear her hair down, or wear a scarf to school, so that no one will notice. She even hides out in her closet and won't throw her laundry in with the rest of the family's because of the blood around the necks.

Bodee is an interesting guy. He's a social outcast without any friends. He has a terrible story that makes me hurt for him and his struggles. Then he goes to live with the Littrell's and has a new friend, Lex. They help each other fight their demons, and Bodee can tell something is wrong with Lex before she's willing to admit to anything. I love the relationship that they form throughout the story. It's not perfect; they have their ups and downs, and push each other too much. But they also listen and help each other heal.

Definitely worth your while to get a copy of this book! Just loved it (:

[Review] Savor the Moment by Nora Roberts

Savor the Moment by Nora Roberts
Bride Quartet, #3
Publisher: Berkley Books
Publishing Date: 2010
325 Pages
Format: paperback, purchased
Buy Links:

Synopsis 

Laurel McBane has always relied on her friends for support, especially when her dream of attending culinary school was almost ruined by her parents' financial problems. Now Laurel is repaying the kindness of her friends by creating extravagantly luscious tiers of cakes and other confectionery delights that add the perfect touch to their clients' weddings.

As for romance, Laurel believes in it - in theory. But she's too low-key to appreciate all the luxuries that other women seem to long for. What she does appreciate is a strong, intelligent man, a man just like Parker's older brother, Delaney Brown, on whom Laurel has had a mega crush since childhood.

But some infatuations last longer than others, and Laurel is convinced that the Ivy League lawyer is still out of her reach. Plus, Del is too protective of Laurel to ever cross the line with her, or so she thinks. When Laurel's quick-silver moods get the better of her - leading to an angry, hot, altogether mind-blowing kiss with Del - she'll have to quiet the doubts in her mind to turn a moment of passion into forever...

My Review

I read the first book in this series a while ago, and liked it so much that I wanted to continue with the series! I rarely buy books new, so I kept waiting for the rest to turn up at my used book store in their clearance section. (I buy waaayy too many books that this is really the only place I buy them otherwise I'd be completely broke) Well, I couldn't find the second, but the third one was finally there, so I snatched it up right away! It sat on my shelf for a bit, but I've been in the mood for romance novels lately, so I started this!

Nora Roberts is a very talented writer and I love reading her work! This book didn't disappoint and had a perfect touch of romance and comedy! The four main women in these books are fun. They each have such different personalities but still remain the closest friends and co-workers. Laurel is really sweet and hard working. She came from a tough family background, but fought hard for what she wanted and didn't back down. Del is a smart, good-looking lawyer who treats everyone with respect, and definitely takes care of "his girls." But when he stops looking at Laurel like a sister, things really heat up and get interesting! (: A fun story that I didn't want to put down! Cannot wait to read the other two books! I know what happens with Emma from the second book already, but I still want to read her story!

Others in the series: 

Top Ten Tuesday! 3.11.14

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by the The Broke and the Bookish. Every week she posts an idea for a 'Top Ten' list relating to books, and encourages other book bloggers to respond and participate. All the details are listed on her site. 

This week's topic: Top Ten all time favorite books in ____ genre!

Ahh...What genre to pick?! I love so many different kinds of books! Well, here are my top ten favorite books in MYSTERY/SUSPENSE! (In no particular order). Some may not exactly fall in this genre, but have this overall theme.

1. The Postcard Killers by James Patterson

2. Chill Factor by Sandra Brown 

3.  Saving Max by Antoinette van Heugten 

4.  Envy by Sandra Brown 

5.  Defending Jacob by William Landay

6.  1st to Die by James Patterson 

7.  Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight

8.  The Quickie by James Patterson 

9.  These Things Hidden by Heather Gudenkauf

10.  Blue Smoke by Nora Roberts 

What are you favorite books in mystery/suspense? Have you read any of these? I love getting suggestions of what to read next! 

[Review] Anything But Sweet by Candis Terry

Anything But Sweet by Candis Terry 
Series: Sweet, Texas #1
Publisher: Avon Books
Publishing Date: June 25, 2013
371 Pages
Format: paperback, won

Synopsis 

He's stubborn and thoroughly male....

If Charlotte Brooks thinks she and her TV makeover show can turn Reno Wilder's hometown upside down, he'll be happy to prove her wrong. The ex-Marine has seen too much turmoil and he likes Sweet, Texas, just the way it is. Traditional. Familiar. A little dull. Everything Charli isn't. But instead of backing off from his scowls like everyone else, Charli digs in her skyscraper heels.

She's tenacious and wickedly tempting...

Reno Wilder is a one-man unwelcoming committee, but Charli isn't budging. It's clear the gorgeous cowboy needs an overhaul just as much as Sweet. Someone needs to break him out of that gruff  shell and show him how fun and rewarding a little change can be.

They're about to find that love is anything but predictable.

My Review

I participated in a review tour for the second book in this series by Candis Terry a couple weeks ago, and really loved it! Then I was lucky enough to win an amazing giveaway where I won the first book of the series and 2 others by Candis Terry! I couldn't wait to dive into this book, and I read it over 2 days!

This book was the perfect romance :) I was really in the mood for something along these lines, and it didn't disappoint me! I just devoured this book and cannot wait for the next in the series to come out. I also can't wait to read more by Candis Terry! She sure has a way with romances. I love stories like this set in a small town, and it makes me really want to live in one. They always seem so sweet and charming. I loved Reno and Charli's story; they seemed perfect for each other and the sparks flew right when they first met!

If anyone is looking for a charming romance story, this is the perfect one for you! Romances were some of my first love of books and continuing to read them is one for my favorite past times.

[Review] The Boleyn Inheritance by Philippa Gregory

The Boleyn Inheritance by Philippa Gregory 
Series: The Tudor Court, #3
Publisher: Touchstone
Publishing Date: 2006
514 Pages
Format: paperback, purchased
Buy Links: Amazon  |  B&N

Synopsis

Three women who share one fate: the Boleyn Inheritance

Anne of Cleves: She runs from her tiny country, her hateful mother, and her abusive brother to a court ruled by the terror of a vengeful king who despises her. Her Boleyn Inheritance: accusations and false witnesses.

Katherine Howard: She is in love - but not with the diseased old man who made her queen and beds her night after night. Her Boleyn Inheritance: the threat of the axe.

Jane Rochford: She is the Boleyn girl whose testimony sent her husband and sister-in-law to their deaths. Throughout Europe, her name is a byword for malice, jealousy, and twisted lust. Her Boleyn Inheritance: a fortune and a title, in exchange for her soul.

My Review 

I love reading about Tudor England and thankfully, this book didn't disappoint! I'm always fascinated by how people lived in these times and learning about the court is very interesting. I would have to say that Anne of Cleves has been one of my favorite characters in these books (along with Mary Boleyn in The Other Boleyn Girl). Anne seems so innocent and really wanted to make a new life in England with the King. I loved that she wasn't necessarily as concerned about becoming Queen for the power, but more to get away from the life she lived with her family in Cleves. All she wants is to have some freedom, which for women now isn't too much to ask for, but it certainly was back then.

Katherine Howard... she is definitely portrayed as a stupid, young girl. She was somewhat entertaining, but so naive and ignorant. And Jane Rochford... well... she drove me crazy. At first I liked her and thought she was going to help out Queen Anne of Cleves. But then, once again, she just looks out for herself and seems to be willing to throw anyone under the bus as long as she is safe.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book! I was never bored and there is always something happening. I also love that it's told from different perspectives. I think, as readers, we would have lost a lot of the story if it were only told from one woman's view. Can't wait to read the next one in the series!

In the Series

Top Ten Tuesday! 3.4.14

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by the The Broke and the Bookish. Every week she posts an idea for a 'Top Ten' list relating to books, and encourages other book bloggers to respond and participate. All the details are listed on her site. 

This week's topic: Top ten popular authors I've never read

Cassandra Clare

I own Clockwork Angel, but I haven't had time to read it yet! I can't wait to start though as I've heard such great things about the series.

Stephen King

I own three of his books, but they're still just waiting on my shelf... I hope to get to them soon :) 

Lauren Oliver

I've seen such great things about all of her books! Need to read!

Kiera Cass

The Selection series looks amazing! This is on my list of books to read and buy

Veronica Rossi

I really would like to read Under the Never Sky, just haven't gotten a copy yet! 

Gayle Foreman

Again, heard such amazing things about If I Stay. It's on my list to buy!!

Jane Austen

I own all of her books, but never read them! I started Mansfield Park and Pride and Prejudice, but just couldn't get into them at the time. I really hope that over the summer when I get to enjoy relaxing outside I'll read them! 

Richelle Mead

And again, I own the first Vampire Academy novel, but haven't had time to read it yet. 

Marie Lu

I've had my eye on the Legend trilogy for a while, and even got the first book from the library, but just never got around to reading it.. soon I hope! 

Julie Kagawa

The Iron Fey series looks so good! The covers are beautiful and the story sounds so interesting. It's been on my TBR list for a white now! 

February Wrap-Up!

Wow, I can't believe that it's already March! February was a pretty successful month of reading for me. I think all these challenges are really keeping me on track, especially with getting books off my TBR pile (:

Jumble Your Genres

The purpose of this challenge is pretty self-explanatory in the title: each month, there is a new genre for you to read books from. February's genre was contemporary, and again, very easy for me as that is mostly what I read (:  Below is the list of books and reviews I completed for this challenge! 

Hate List by Jennifer Brown

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

Chasing Justice by Danielle Stewart

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First Reads Reading Challenge

This challenge is to read as many new-to-you authors as you can! I chose the Expert Level, in which I need to read 51-75 new-to-me authors. So far this year, I've read 12 books by new authors! Below are those that I read in February. 

 Hate List by Jennifer Brown

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins 

Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

Chasing Justice by Danielle Stewart

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Monthly Keyword Challenge

This challenge is so fun and thankfully isn't concerned about how much you can read. This challenge gives multiple words for each month, and you find a book that has one of these words in the title! The title can also have a variation of the word in it; for example: snowing or snowflake, even though the word is "snow". I didn't read anything this month with these words, but the creator of this challenge states that things can be read out of order, so maybe I'll come back to it!

February's words: Her, Life, Night, Red, Dark, Island

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Series Challenge

Goal: Finish as many series as you can! I love this challenge because there are so many series that I start, but just never get around to finishing. This helps me stay on track to get some more books off my shelves! So far, I've only finished The Hunger Games Series.

During this past month, I read Anna and the French Kiss, so I'd like to finish this series sometime during this year. 

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

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TBR Pile Challenge 

I participated in this challenge last year, but didn't do so well. As a result, I chose a lower level in hopes that I can accomplish this! Made some more progress on this challenge, so it's been a successful start to the year! So far, 7 books out of 21 for the year! Hopefully this trend continues so I can reach my goal! 

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden Heaven's Price by Sandra Brown Chasing Justice by Danielle Stewart (ebook, but I'm still counting it since it's been on my Kindle forever)

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Monthly Motif Challenge

I didn't meet January's motif of reading a book set in another country or written by an author from another country. However, like the keyword challenge, it doesn't matter if you read the books for the challenges out of order, as its just for fun! So I read a book this month that fits in the January motif, and also read a few books during February that fits February's motif!

January - Around the World

Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

February - Award Winner

Hate List by Jennifer Brown
 - American Library Association Best Books for Young Adults (2010)
 - Young Adult Library Services Association Popular Paperback (2012)
 - Michigan Library Association's Thumbs Up! Award
 - Oklahoma Sequoyah Book Award (2012)

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
 - Exclusive Books Boeke Prize (2005)
 - ALA Alex Award (2004)
 - Arthur C. Clark Award Nominee (2005)
 - John W. Campbell Memorial Award Nominee for Best Science Fiction Novel (2005)
 - British Book Award (2006)

Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

- New York Times Notable Books of the Year