Cupcakes and Hockey...I'm game

Hudson is the cupcake queen of her small town. Her dreams of becoming a figure skater were short lived after her parents divorced, and since that day she hasn't made any mention of it. Hudson bakes cupcakes for the diner, and she hopes that one day she could get out of this small town in Buffalo.

One day she receives a letter about a figure skating invitational that could win her scholarship money for college. A college away from Watonka. Around the same time, the Watonka hockey team asks for her help with technique in exchange for ice time. How can she resist the hockey boys? Now she's determined to not let anything come between her and her dream again.

But between baking and waitressing at the diner, a possible love triangle, and training, Hudson discovers she may be stretching herself too thin. And maybe her future isn't so certain after all...

Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler was a very cutesy, girly, read. Each chapter begins with cupcake recipes, which was yummy and great because I love baking and am constantly looking for new ideas. Did it have anymore depth than a simple teen drama, no. The main character was a typical girl with a dilemma and a desperate desire to leave her small town for better things. It was really simple, had nothing to it, but was very cute and sweet at the same time.
It was predictable, but a nice fluff read. I mean who doesn't like cupcakes and hockey boys?
Don't expect too much out of it, but it's worth a chance if you're looking for a quick read.

I Wasn't A Project. I Wasn't An Experiment. I Wasn't A Blasted Butterfly

Imagine being born into a world where everyone knows you, and you're constantly reminded of how unwelcome you are. Ana is a "no soul", someone who was not reincarnated. In her world everyone has lived thousands of lives because once they die, they are reincarnated. Different body, same soul. The day Ana was born, Ciana died for good. Devastated, the community wasn't sure how to react, but from what she's heard, Ana knows she's disliked.

After living with her mother for eighteen years, Ana journeys out on her own to the city of Heart in order to find some answers. On the way, she encounters spyths(ghost like creatures that can burn and kill), and many near death experiences, but she also finds Sam. There is as softness about him, and the more the two travel together the more she discovers about him. Although Sam defends her, there are still people inside and outside of Heart that do not welcome Ana's presence. As the weeks go on, she desperately searches for answers of her past and future. When an old friend comes back into the picture, it threatens to take away all she's worked for, and the new love she's found.

Incarnate by Jodi Meadows was a very interesting read. I had it on my shelfari shelf for a few months, and finally managed to get to reading it. What struck me was the subject because it was very different. As I was reading the first chapter, I found myself being bored and confused, but with these books I tend to stick it out. I am glad I did.
It is difficult to understand Ana's dilemma because it is so unnatural. She is truly alone; the only person in her world that is a new soul. The terrible abuse her mother put her through leaves Ana with not choice but to trust no one. Readers can tell immediately that her spirit is fragile. Even when Sam shows her nothing but kindness, Ana's first instinct is to run.
This book has a great deal of self-discovery moments, and the tension between Ana and Sam is incredible. I fell in love with the concept, plus the idea of music being part of a person's soul is very easy to relate to. You as a reader are always skeptical of the surroundings because Ana is, but Sam is always the sure thing. Everyone needs a friend like Sam :)
Such a cool story. Definitely a change from the recent subjects, but worth a look.

Her Return From The Underworld Marks the Beginning of Spring...

Nikki Beckett's life took a rough turn. Then she vanished; sucked into the world of Everneath; a place filled with immortals who feed on human despair and pain. But now she's returned to her old life, only to be reminded her time on earth is a short one.

She has six month before the Everneath claims her once again, this time forever. She uses this time to reconnect and say her formal goodbyes to her family, friends, and old boyfriend. Her love for Jack was what brought her back, and now she must come to terms with the fact that this time she will lose him, forever. Cole, the immortal who brought her to the Everneath, is desperately trying to convince Nikki to return with him to rule the underworld. Nikki's strong will continues to fend him off, but once time gets closer for her return, will it be her only option?

Everneath by Brodi Ashton is a bittersweet retelling of the Persephone myth. I really enjoyed how Ashton managed to weave mythology into the novel. It is, of course, modern, so it is a little flaky and lame at times, but the fact that Ashton incorporated a really neat myth into a teen read is awesome.
Nikki really does come of age because of her return. Her reasoning for entering Everneath was very impulsive, and there were points in the novel where I didn't feel sorry for her because of it. However, Jack still cares for her. His feeling, his emotions, and his genuine love for her is so apparent. I felt sorry for Nikki simply because of him. Don't get me wrong, Nikki is a good main character and readers do feel her pain and her longing, but there are times when you will question your feelings simply because she is a seventeen year old girl who acts impulsively.
Cole is a great character. I liked how conniving he was, yet, you could tell his "heart"  belongs to Nikki. He and her had great banter, and he always tended to show up unexpectedly and unannounced. He feeds on despair and pain, but he also can make people feel his emotions. Anger, sadness, love. It was really incredible. Plus, who doesn't love a good bad guy; especially one who is a rock star?

The novel is definitely worth a read. I wouldn't go in expecting a classic, but a modern take on an old myth is quite refreshing. It will be the first of a trilogy, so this forces readers to wonder what else Ashton has in store for this Everneath world.

And Mercy Was Something The Darkling Would Never Understand

Alina has spent her life not expecting any sort of good to come. She grew up with her long time friend, Mal, in an Orphanage, so she is used to the bottom of the barrel life. Once her and Mal are drafted into the army of their homeland, all Alina can think about is the deadly mission ahead. Their unit is being sent into the Fold, a place full of darkness with horrible monsters who feed on humans. Once their convoy is attacked all seems hopeless, until she discovers she has powers that are unimaginable.

In a flash, Alina's life is turned upside down. She is torn away from Mal and everything she knows and sent head first into this new Grisha palace life. She meets the mysterious Darkling, who informs her she is the Sun Summoner and the only one who can help him destroy the Fold and bring peace. Each day brings despair and confusion, but slowly Alina begins to unravel secrets of the Grisha. She must take her stance, and determine if perhaps her heart can let go of her past.

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo was a great dark fantasy. Bardugo created this world in such depth, and at times I had to remind myself this was created and not a reality. The world is a dark place, but hope is restored when the Darkling finds the Sun Summoner, Alina. It is a great way of showing how people will put their faith into whatever and whoever as long as someone in power is behind this idea.
The Grisha life is rich and beautiful, yet there are many things Alina does not know. She begins to slowly release her grip on her past as the months go by, and the Darkling continues to take an interest in her in all aspects. But I felt for Alina's pull toward her past and Mal. The fact that we as readers discover Alina is by no means the prettiest girl at the ball is another way for people to really see her character as strong willed and not simply a bratty teenager who is homesick.
I loved the idea of this book. The fantasy element worked perfectly and it weaved a fantastic story filled with despair, courage, resistance, and hope. I was skeptical when I began the book, but I forced myself to read the first chapter. I was hooked afterward. I figured out why she titled the novel Shadow and Bone after I was a little more than halfway through; such a cool concept. Definitely pick this one up if dark fantasy is your forte. Even if it's not, the novel is worth a read.

You're Going To Kill Us? That's So Mean!

The fifty contestants in the Miss Teen Dream pageant thought their only worries would be evening gowns and getting through their speech without stammering. When their plane crash lands on a deserted island, the remaining girls are left with little food, no water, and worse, no mascara! The group decides they must combine their resources to provide shelter, and hope they are rescued reasonably soon.

Days turn into weeks, and although they are losing hope, the girls begin to discover a few things about each other, and themselves. Sometimes it's not about how smart or pretty you are, sometimes it's just about being yourself and breaking the stereotype. You may not be able to be what everyone wants, but maybe it's better to just be you.
But, there is more to this island than meets the eye. Turns out, it's not so deserted and there are a few conspiracies no one could have imagined. Add in some sexy ship wrecked pirates, and you have yourself a big ball of crazy; complete with sequence and high heels.

Beauty Queens by Libba Bray was absolutely hilarious! It takes the stereotype of the typical pageant girls and creates an amazing story of survival, both in a literal and a figurative sense. Some of these girls have been so programed to do these pageants that they haven't had an opportunity to really live. Others joined the pageant to make a statement, or to help a loved one believe in them. Each girl has a story, and eventually they all embrace each other as friends, and allies. When the girls fight back against the "bad guys" it is completely like an Austin Powers movie, but there's a slight sense of empowerment. They may be pretty, but that doesn't mean they can't kick butt.
The writing is very clever. Bray is a great author, so this is by no means a "trashy fluff" book. She uses her wit to create a book describing the valley girl trash that is our society. Bray creates t.v. shows, books, clothing, etc. that are so similar to our society and makes fun of it. You can see the connections, and it makes it even funnier to know there are people who actually partake in this garbage.
There were times when I felt as if I was watching a VH1 trash show and should be slightly embarrassed for myself. But this book is far from trash. It is funny and the perfect beach read. It's quick, it will get your interest, and you will find yourself laughing out loud. Just be careful where you read it, or people may believe you're insane.  Like, totally.

The Best of Times

You can say Auden is socially unaware. Because she doesn't have a social life, she buries herself in school, reading, and any kind of activity that does not involve being around others. Plus, she's an insomniac ever since her parents' divorce. It seems all she's ever known are the countless cocktail hours her mom holds for her graduate students, which involve mindless chatter about the world, literature, and things of that nature.

After graduation, Auden sees an opportunity to spend the summer with her father and his new family at the beach. Although life by the beach seems carefree, this is far from Auden's mindset. Coming into a community where the girls discuss gossip, crushes, and their evening plans, Auden feels out of place and much happier in her room studying for the upcoming college semester.
Lost in paradise, she comes across Eli, also an insomniac, who has trouble in his own world as well. Together the two set forth on a quest to help rebuild the social life and childhood she seemed to miss out on. And it's at this unfamiliar location that Auden begins to come to terms with the decisions she's made, and she discovers that it doesn't matter how many times you fall, just that you get back up.

Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen is a very sweet, quick summer read. As I said in past reviews, I love Sarah Dessen books. They are the perfect cushy read for anyone. They are absolutely predictable, but isn't that sometimes the fun part?  Everyone is in search for something to read while tanning at the beach, and I feel Dessen has quite a knack for writing those types of books.

I felt the whole aspect of her parents' divorce and how she never quite dealt with it is a very real topic. Many teenagers go through it, however many teenagers don't have Auden's parents. Her parents are very demanding, pretentious, judgmental, or easy to quit while the going is tough. Plus her brother can do no wrong, and she is doomed to hear about it by her mother all the time. I can definitely relate to that, being the oldest with two younger brothers. So mix these realistic topics with the fact that there is a romance brewing, and you have yourself a great filler book to get through quickly. Everyone could use one of those...duh.

Third Cover in the Series

Again, I am a huge dork when it comes to covers. So, being a follower of the author, I got to see what the third cover in the series looks like.

This is the final book in Lauren DeStefano's  The Chemical Garden Trilogy.

Yes, the cover is now on shelfari, but I felt I wanted to bring the good news. And it is taking a little longer to read the two books I'm reading now, so a post wouldn't hurt.

I absolutely love these covers. When you see them up close, they are a tad shimmery and all the pieces of the novel are involved. In this one, the wedding band is off her finger, which implies something is going to happen in the mansion, maybe with Gabriel.

I like how much thought goes into this because it works. The names for the novels are very to the point, but they also explain a bit about the plot.
I'm super excited for the third. Too bad I have to wait until February. :(