Book Review: When Dimple Met Rishi by: Sandhya Menon

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Book, Book Review, review, Romance, Sandhya Menon, When Dimple Met Rishi, Young adult

But that was Rishi… he was like a pop song you thought you couldn’t stand, but found yourself humming in the shower anyway

Summary

Dimple Shah has it all figured out. With graduation behind her, she’s more than ready for a break from her family, from Mamma’s inexplicable obsession with her finding the “Ideal Indian Husband.” Ugh. Dimple knows they must respect her principles on some level, though. If they truly believed she needed a husband right now, they wouldn’t have paid for her to attend a summer program for aspiring web developers…right?

Rishi Patel is a hopeless romantic. So when his parents tell him that his future wife will be attending the same summer program as him—wherein he’ll have to woo her—he’s totally on board. Because as silly as it sounds to most people in his life, Rishi wants to be arranged, believes in the power of tradition, stability, and being a part of something much bigger than himself.

The Shahs and Patels didn’t mean to start turning the wheels on this “suggested arrangement” so early in their children’s lives, but when they noticed them both gravitate toward the same summer program, they figured, Why not?

Dimple and Rishi may think they have each other figured out. But when opposites clash, love works hard to prove itself in the most unexpected ways.” – Goodreads

The Review

 After reading and enjoying Sandhya Menon’s From Twinkle, With Love, I decided to give When Dimple Met Rishi a try. When Dimple Met Rishi is a cute and light summer read. Although I found the plot predictable, I really enjoyed watching the romance simmer between Dimple and Rishi.

Dimple Shah’s has always dreamed of becoming a professional coder and creating the perfect app that will draw in her idol, Jenny Lindt’s, attention. She wants nothing more than to escape from her mother’s obsession with finding her the perfect Indian husband.

Book Review: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by: Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Borrows

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Annie Borrows, Book Review, historical fiction, Mary Ann Shaffer, review, Romance, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, World War II

Perhaps there is some secret sort of homing instinct in books that brings them to their perfect readers. How delightful if that were true” – The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Borrows

Initial Thoughts: I had found The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by chance while I was browsing through Walmart.  It was the title – the super long and strange title – that drew me in. As I found out later while reading, I wasn’t the only one who was curious about what a potato peel pie was made of. I’ll give you a hint… potatoes.

Summary

Written with warmth and humor as a series of letters, this novel is a celebration of the written word in all its guises, and of finding connection in the most surprising ways.

“I wonder how the book got to Guernsey? Perhaps there is some sort of secret homing instinct in books that brings them to their perfect readers.”

January 1946: London is emerging from the shadow of the Second World War, and writer Juliet Ashton is looking for her next book subject. Who could imagine that she would find it in a letter from a man she’s never met, a native of the island of Guernsey, who has come across her name written inside a book by Charles Lamb….

As Juliet and her new correspondent exchange letters, Juliet is drawn into the world of this man and his friends—and what a wonderfully eccentric world it is. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society—born as a spur-of-the-moment alibi when its members were discovered breaking curfew by the Germans occupying their island—boasts a charming, funny, deeply human cast of characters, from pig farmers to phrenologists, literature lovers all.

Juliet begins a remarkable correspondence with the society’s members, learning about their island, their taste in books, and the impact the recent German occupation has had on their lives. Captivated by their stories, she sets sail for Guernsey, and what she finds will change her forever. ” – Goodreads

The Review

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie society was an absolute delight to read. My only regret, why didn’t I come across this book sooner!

It’s January 1946, and the war is finally over. Now, London is slowly beginning to rebuild itself. In the mix of everything is writer Juliet Ashton, whose book Izzy Bickerstaff Goes to War, is the best work she has ever written (to her great dismay). While trying to find a new subject to write on, Juliet receives a letter from the island of Guernsey. The letter is from a man named Dawsey Adams who bought Juliet’s previously owned copy of the poetry of Charles Lamb. In his letter, he reveals that he and his friends created a literary society by accident during the German occupation called The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Enraptured by this letter, Juliet begins a correspondence with Dawsey and the members of the society. As Juliet learns more and more about the German occupation of Guernsey, Juliet rediscovers her passion for books and for telling stories.

Book Review: Date with a Rockstar by: Sarah Gagnon

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Book, Book Review, Date with a Rockstar, Dystopian, Netgalley, review, Rockstar, Romance, Sarah Gagnon, Young adult

Initial Thoughts: Who wouldn’t want to go on a date with their favourite rockstar? For me, my favourite rockstar is twice my age and speaks very little English. So, a date with my favourite rockstar is very unlikely. But, a girl can dream, can’t she?

Date with a Rockstar by Sarah Gagnon

Summary

Monet isn’t just another lust-struck teenager trying to win the heart of Rock God Jeremy Bane–she needs the prize money from his new reality show to cure her illness. Monet has Fluxem, a contagious disease that’s spread through saliva. It’s completely curable if you have enough money, which she and her single mother don’t. Now that she’s on the show, Monet has to work harder to keep her Fluxem hidden. She only has to keep the secret long enough to woo Jeremy Bane so he picks her as the winner. She doesn’t even care about the love part; the prize alone will change her life. But the real Jeremy Bane is nothing like she imagined. Monet finds herself fighting against feelings that make her want to give in to her attraction and Jeremy’s attempts for a kiss. The further she goes in the competition, the more impossible it becomes to resist him–and when the producers turn the tables and start digging up dirt on the contestants, Monet fears her secret will be revealed before she’s ready and ruin everything. The only way to win Jeremy’s heart is to tell him the truth, but confessing her disease could cost her the competition, the prize money, and him” – Goodreads

The Review

Before I began reading, I hadn’t realized that this book was a dystopian novel. Who knew that pop culture could survive in a dystopian universe!? The pairing was a little odd, but I decided to give it a chance anyway.

Thousands of girls have lined up for the chance to be on the new reality t.v. series, Date With a Rockstar. The winner will become the next girlfriend of world famous rockstar Jeremy Banes, and win thirty thousand dollars. Monet is one of the contestants, but unlike the other fan girls, she is uninterested in having a chance at dating her favourite rockstar, Jeremy Banes. Instead, she is in the competition to win the prize money. Monet has fluxem, a disease spread through saliva, and can be cured if only she had the money. Entering the reality t.v. show is her only chance at winning the prize money. But, as the competition goes on, Monet finds herself falling in love with Jeremy. Will she be able to keep her disease a secret while the cameras are rolling?

Book Review: Protogenesis by: Alysia Helming

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Advanced reader's copy, Alysia Helming, arc, Book Review, Fiction, Greek Mythology, Kostas Martakis, Mythology, Netgalley, Protogenesis, Protogenesis: Before the Beginning, Retelling, review, Romance, Young adult, Young adult fiction

Initial Thoughts: Whenever I see a young adult novel with elements of Greek mythology, I automatically want to read it. But, Protogenesis caught my eye for another reason. Not only is it the first novel in a series of seven books but there is also a music video, and a jewelry line related to the series.

Summary

Protogenesis by Alysia Helming

With her unusual violet hazel eyes hidden behind heavy glasses, American teenager Helene Crawford is the kind of student that always has an answer; yet, she doesn’t seem to fit in anywhere.
One fateful day, life as she knows it comes to a grinding halt. There was a fire. Her mother is gone. But something is not right… The Greek Mafia may be involved. Vivid dreams of ancient deities consume her sleep. A maze of clues leads her to believe that her mother is still alive… She must go to Greece.
The answers to her perilous quest lie there, as Helene braves into the unknown of a new life, torn between two Greek guys and a new world that literally awaits her.
And who knows, maybe the Greek gods and goddesses are on her side… or maybe not.
After all, nothing is as it seems.

The Review

Helene Crawford has never really fit in anywhere. Awkward with a fascination with Greek mythology, Helene’s closest friend is her mother. But when Helene’s mother suddenly vanishes, Helene is whisked off to Greece to live with her godfather she never met. In Greece, Helene is desperate to unlock the secrets of her mother’s disappearance. But things are not what they seem. The Greek gods and goddesses from the myths Helene adores might actually be real, and one of them might want her dead.

Overall, this was an exciting story of a teenage girl’s journey to Greece to find her mother while getting caught up in a love triangle. There’s Ever, mysterious, alluring, rich and handsome. Then there’s Nick, handsome, a tour guide, and a bit of a bad boy. Usually, I find love triangles annoying, but somehow I found myself rooting for both Nick and Ever. I assume that there will be more drama between Nick, Ever and Helene in the books to come. It will be interesting to see how this love triangle will progress. 

Blog Tour & Book Review: Risen by: Cole Gibsen

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Blog Tour, Blood Eternal, Book, Book Review, Cole Gibsen, Entangled Teen, review, Risen, Romance, Vampire, Vampires, Young adult, Young adult fiction

Welcome to my first (ever!) blog tour! This blog tour is hosted by Entangled Teen in promotion of Cole Gibsen’s newest book, Risen. This blog tour will include an excerpt from the book, a review, and a giveaway! I would like to say a huge thank you to Entangled Teen for allowing me to participate as a stop on this blog tour, and for providing me a copy of Risen for review.

Initial Thoughts: I was immediately drawn to Risen like a moth to a flame. For whatever the reason may be, I have a huge weakness for vampire novels, especially if there is a hint of romance…

Where to Buy…

Entangled Publishing

Summary 

Fans of Vampire Diaries and Twilight will be thirsting for this latest vampire addiction…

My aunt has been kidnapped by vampires, and it’s up to me to save her. Only…I had no idea vampires existed. None. Nada. I’m more of a reader than a fighter, and even though I’d been wishing to escape my boring existence in the middle of nowhere, I’d give anything to have it back now if it meant my aunt was safe.

Then there’s the vampire Sebastian, who seems slightly nicer than most of the bloodsuckers I’ve run into so far. Yes, he’s the hottest being I’ve ever come across, but there’s no way I can trust him. He swears he’s helping me get answers, but there’s more to his story. Now I’m a key pawn in a raging vampire war, and I need to pick the right ally.

But my chances of surviving this war are slim at best, when the side I choose might be the one that wants me dead the most

Excerpt from Risen:

“Don’t say it like that, Charlie. I wanted to protect you.” She tugs on the edge of my cardigan, pulling me toward her. “I love you. You’re the most important thing in my life, do you understand?”

There’s a desperation in her eyes that tightens my throat. Swallowing hard, I nod.

She lets go of me with a sigh. “Maybe I took it too far.” She sweeps her dreadlocks over her shoulder and twists them tightly. “All I’ve ever wanted was to keep you safe.”

Safe. The world spirals, cold and slippery, down my spine. “What are you so afraid of?”

She opens her mouth only to shut it again.

Jax growls.

We turn as he claws at the door.

“The only thing there is to be afraid of,” she whispers. “The monsters.”

The Review

I was so surprised by how much I really enjoyed this novel. I was expecting a typical vampire romance where the main character (human girl) falls immediately in love with the vampire. The vampire would convince her that he’s not right for her, but somehow they would make it work. Risen has everything I could want in a vampire novel, romance, action, and a lot of mystery.