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Thursday, January 31, 2019

Manga Review: Coyote, Volume 1, by Ranmaru Zariya


Rating (Out of 5): ~3
Publisher: SuBLime (VIZ Media)
Release Date: October 2018
Volumes: 2+
Spoilers?: No.
Volume: 2.

Goodreads Synopsis:

A forbidden romance between a werewolf and a human whose passion conceals a dark secret.

Coyote, a werewolf, goes through life hiding his true identity. But when a handsome human pianist catches him in heat, forbidden passion explodes.

Coyote avoids getting too involved with humans in order to conceal the fact that he’s a werewolf. But Marlene, a pianist at a bar he frequents, is interested in him and just won’t take no for an answer. When Coyote suddenly goes into heat for the first time, Marlene catches him while he’s unable to maintain his human form and offers up a tempting invitation. Coyote wants to resist Marlene, but can he?

Review:

The feel of this series is an old-fashioned, European type town. Where everyone is strict and closed-minded in their beliefs, and they will form a mob if needed. Which is a little hard on some of them, when there's a mafia of werewolves living there and planning things.
Coyote is hiding, and he tries not to get too close to people. Marleen is a pianist at a bar with his eye on Coyote, and he's also high in society and thus on the opposite side as Coyote. It's a bit of a Romeo and Juliet feel, actually.
There's a lot going on in this volume. It's dark and serious, though it does have some quite hot scenes mixed in. There is definitely some chemistry, at least.
I don't really think this series is for me. It's too serious, with too much of a tragedy feel, like you know nothing good is coming. It was hot at times and I did like the main couples growing relationship, and the artwork is nice, but I don't think the main plot line is for me. Which is too bad, cause I want to like it more.


A review copy was provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, for an honest review. Thank you so, so much!

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Blog Tour/Excerpt: Only a Breath Apart by Katie McGarry

 

Would you dare to defy destiny? Are our destinies written in stone? Do we become nothing more than the self-fulfilling prophesies of other people's opinions? Or can we dare to become who we believe we were born to be?

 

“A gorgeous, heartfelt journey of redemption and love” (Wendy Higgins), ONLY A BREATH APART is a young adult contemporary novel from critically acclaimed Katie McGarry. “Haunting, authentic, and ultimately hopeful” (Tammara Webber), order your copy of ONLY A BREATH APART now!

 

About ONLY A BREATH APART:

They say your destiny is carved in stone. But some destinies are meant to be broken.

The only curse Jesse Lachlin believes in is his grandmother’s will: in order to inherit his family farm he must win the approval of his childhood best friend, the girl he froze out his freshman year.

A fortuneteller tells Scarlett she's psychic, but what is real is Scarlett’s father’s controlling attitude and the dark secrets at home. She may be able to escape, but only if she can rely on the one boy who broke her heart.

Each midnight meeting pushes Jesse and Scarlett to confront their secrets and their feelings, but as love blooms, the curse rears its ugly head…

 

Amazon | Kobo | Google Play 

B-A-M | Barnes & Noble | Apple Books

     

Gritty and real, Only a Breath Apart is a story of hope conjured from pain, strength drawn from innocence, and love earned from self-respect. Beautiful, poignant, and fierce.” ―Kristen Simmons, critically acclaimed author of the Article 5 series

 

Add it to your Goodreads today!

 

Excerpt:

~SCARLETT~
“I thought you said you were meeting Camila.”
I jump at the sound of Dad’s voice and spin in his direction. “I am.”
Dad studies me, and I hide my hands behind my back to conceal the slight quiver that could announce my guilt. When I left him, he was in good spirits, but his moods can quickly shift. There are two patched up holes in my bedroom that can testify to this. Dad replaced the drywall, covered it with fresh paint, but the perfection can’t take away the memory of the way my heart pounded through my chest as he drove his fist through the wall.
He inclines his head toward the booth of balloon animals. “Camila appears to be working.”
“She’s getting off soon,” I say too fast as I bite back the need to ask why he didn’t go home like he said he was.
“Why did you leave us if she’s still working? You said Camila would be done by five-thirty.”
My mouth dries out, and the tremble in my hands travels to the rest of my body, but I force out a cleansing breath. Show no fear. Don’t give him any reason to doubt a thing I say. “She was supposed to be off by now, but her parents asked her to work a few more minutes.”
“If Camila isn’t getting off until later, you should have told me,” There’s a subtle sharpness to his tone that causes hurricane warnings in my brain. “I was showing you a great deal of trust by letting you find Camila on your own.”
“She’s only running a few minutes late. Her parents are watching me so I’m okay.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I glance over and my heart lifts when I notice Camila’s mom watching us. Her stare gives credibility to every falsehood rolling off my tongue. She’s not watching because she thinks I need a babysitter, but probably because she’s mentioned to Camila that she’s perplexed by my father’s strict rules.
I touch the crystals on the table as if I’m interested in them. It’s difficult to act normal as Dad looks at Camila’s mom then studies me. Please believe me, please believe me. Please.
I’m so stupid. I should have never left Dad early. I should have never lied. But I did. Dad was having fun at the fair, Mom was having fun and my sister, Isabelle, was having fun. They were all laughing and smiling. They’ve forgiven him, and I haven’t. I can’t, not again, and this is one of the many ways life is no longer simple.
I want to peek at him in an attempt to understand my fate, but I don’t. Eye contact doesn’t help when he’s angry. It only makes it worse.
Being in public won’t soothe his temper. He’ll just be more discreet. Like last year when Dad had arrived early to pick me up at a football game and saw me heading to the bathroom by myself. After I had returned to my friends, he called me away with a smile on his face. He had placed a seemingly loving arm around my shoulder, but his fingers dug into my arm as he severely whispered in my ear how I was irresponsible and that it was time to go home.
Dad didn’t cause a scene at the game. The yelling started the moment we were alone in his car and continued until he left me in my room. I stayed on my bed for hours, curled up in a ball and sobbing.
My throat swells as I think of how this will play out. Will it be like Christmas? Will he throw a lamp and force Mom to clean it up as I watch? Or will it be like this past spring and he’ll flip the kitchen table, breaking all the dishes that had been placed there for dinner?
Dad steps closer to me, and I’m filled with dread. “Next time, in a situation like this, you return to me and have Camila text you when she’s done working. I don’t like the idea of you being alone.”
All I want is to be alone, for my thoughts and actions to belong only to me. But he’s not angry, he’s believing me, and I release a breath I had unknowingly held and take the small win.

 

       
 
Katie McGarry’s ONLY A BREATH APART – Review & Excerpt Tour Schedule:
 January 21st
@booksniffer7 – Review
Bickering Book Reviews – Review & Excerpt
Book Ballistic – Excerpt
Book Hoarder Mom – Review
Celindareyesblog – Excerpt
Do You Dog-ear? – Review & Excerpt
Novel Addiction – Excerpt
January 22nd
Beyourselfbebhaltair – Review & Excerpt
Booknerd1107 – Review
CeliaMoontown – Review & Excerpt
Crazy Chaotic Book Babes – Review & Excerpt
Echoing Books – Excerpt
GataLeitora – Excerpt
Its a mun thing – Excerpt
Mythical Books – Excerpt
Stellar Book Blog – Review & Excerpt
The Romance Reviews – Excerpt
Words Are Life – Review & Excerpt
January 23rd
A Novel Glimpse – Review
Bewitching bibliophile – Review & Excerpt
Book Freak – Review
Books Are My Life – Review & Excerpt
Bookworm Misfit – Excerpt
ClaryNathanWill – Excerpt
Craves the Angst Book Blog – Review & Excerpt
Latteandbook – Review & Excerpt
Once Upon a Book Blog – Review & Excerpt
Red Hot + Blue Reads – Review & Excerpt
The Book Hammock – Review & Excerpt
Velarisreads – Excerpt
January 24th
A Court of Coffee and Books – Review & Excerpt
Avid Reads – Excerpt
Bookishly Nerdy – Review & Excerpt
Dazzled by Books – Review & Excerpt
Kick Back & Review – Excerpt
Milky Way of Books – Review
Star-Crossed Book Blog – Review & Excerpt
Sweet Red Reads – Excerpt
Tale Out Loud – Excerpt
The Cover Contessa – Excerpt
The Lovely Books – Excerpt
The Start of Something New – Review & Excerpt
January 25th
A Literary Perusal – Review & Excerpt
Abellafairytale – Excerpt
Book Bite Reviews – Review & Excerpt
Boundless Book Reviews – Review & Excerpt
Confessions of a Wordaholic – Review & Excerpt
Fandomly Bookish – Excerpt
Girl Plus Books – Review
Kaidans Seduction – Excerpt
The Book Branch – Excerpt
The Book Trollop – Review & Excerpt
VoxLibris – Review & Excerpt
January 26th
Ali's Bookshelf – Review & Excerpt
Beauty and Lace – Excerpt
Blunt Book Blog – Excerpt
Book Angel Booktopia – Review & Excerpt
Bookish Intoxication Writes – Review & Excerpt
Confessions of 2 Book Lovers – Review & Excerpt
Crazii Bitches Book Blog – Review & Excerpt
Jesssiereads – Excerpt
Little Read Riding Hood – Review & Excerpt
Madison’s Library – Review & Excerpt
Reese's Reviews – Review & Excerpt
January 27th
As the Book Ends – Excerpt
Book Bitches Blog – Review
Books 4 Girls – Review & Excerpt
Bumbles and Fairy-Tales – Review & Excerpt
Chasing Faerytales – Review
K&M Sultry Reads – Excerpt
K's Korner – Excerpt
Less Reality More Books – Review & Excerpt
Poetry law and something more – Review & Excerpt
Roxy's Reviews – Excerpt
January 28th
Aaly and The Books – Review
A Book Fanatic Obsession – Review & Excerpt
Book Reader Addicts – Review & Excerpt
Bookishly Slytherclaw – Review & Excerpt
Contagious Reads – Review & Excerpt
Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews – Review & Excerpt
Escape 2 Fiction – Review & Excerpt
Midnight Book Girl – Excerpt
PBC – Excerpt
Rad Babes Read – Review & Excerpt
The Book Hookup – Review & Excerpt
Tween 2 Teen Book Reviews – Review & Excerpt
We Live and Breathe Books – Review & Excerpt
January 29th
A Gingerly Review – Review & Excerpt
Bangor belle books – Excerpt
Becky on Books – Review & Excerpt
Books & Tea – Review & Excerpt
Chapter by Chapter – Review & Excerpt
Echosreviews – Excerpt
GotToReadThoseBooks – Excerpt
Kindle and Me – Review & Excerpt
Lita's Book Blog – Excerpt
Margay Leah Justice – Excerpt
The Book Maven – Review & Excerpt
January 30th
Book Reader Chronicles – Review & Excerpt
Buttermybooks – Review
Ficwishes – Review & Excerpt
Geeky Reading – Excerpt
Little Bookworm Reviews – Review & Excerpt
Lo’s Lo-Down on Books – Review & Excerpt
Read. Eat. Love. – Review & Excerpt
The Butterfly Reads – Excerpt
The Writing Finch – Excerpt
YA Bibliophile – Review & Excerpt
January 31st
BookCrushin – Review & Excerpt
Little Lovely Books – Review & Excerpt
Margaux – Excerpt
Ms. Me28 – Excerpt
Nerdy Soul – Review & Excerpt
TBR Book Blog – Excerpt
The Bookish Introvert – Review & Excerpt
February 1st
Alotabooks13 – Review & Excerpt
Caitlin's World – Review & Excerpt
CJR The Brit – Review
Hedwig Reads – Excerpt
Literary misfit – Excerpt
Readers Retreats – Excerpt
The Reading Faery – Review
Total Book Geek – Excerpt
Twirling Book Princess – Review & Excerpt
Vera is Reading – Excerpt
Whoo Gives A Hoot – Excerpt
YA/NA Book Divas – Excerpt

Katie McGarry Bio:

Katie is the author of the PUSHING THE LIMITS series, THUNDER ROAD series, SAY YOU’LL REMEMBER ME, and the upcoming YA novel, ONLY A BREATH APART. Her novels have received starred reviews, critical acclaim and have won multiple awards including being a multiple Goodreads Choice Award Finalist for YA Fiction, multiple RT Magazine's Reviewer's Choice Award Finalist for Best YA Fiction, including a win in the category, and she was a 2013 YALSA Top Ten Teen Pick.      

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Pinterest | Tumbler | Instagram

Manga Review: My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, Volume 2, by Hideyuki Furuhashi and Betten Court, and Kohei Horikoshi


Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5
Publisher: Shonen Jump (VIZ Media)
Release Date: October 2018
Volumes: 6+
Spoilers?: No.
Volume: 1. 3.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Not everyone needs a license to fight for justice!

In a superpowered society, there is nothing ordinary about evil anymore. Heroes, trained and licensed to protect and defend the public against supervillains, stand above all the rest. Not everyone can be an official hero, however, and there are those who would use their powers to serve the people without legal sanction. But do they fight for justice in the shadows, or for reasons known only to themselves? Whatever they fight for, they are called…vigilantes.

Koichi and his “friends”—Kazuho, a.k.a. Pop Step, and the mysterious Knuckleduster—have teamed up to protect their neighborhood (unofficially, of course). But even petty criminals with Quirks can be dangerous, and taking them on shows Koichi that he’d better not underestimate them. Sizing up the opposition is important, especially when some of the villains are definitely out of Koichi’s league and more sinister threats lurk in the shadows…

Review:

Koichi meets a real hero in this volume, who works in a group and fights crime, and is honored to be scouted, offered a spot on his team. It's Ida's brother, I believe, and he's a nice guy. Koichi and him end up running together on some days, by coincidence at first and then forming a kind of bond during it. Koichi is proud to be given the opportunity, but he's kind-of already on a team, sadly.
Koichi reveals his true idolization for All Might in this volume, which ends up revealing a connection between him and Kazuho from when they were younger. Koichi is left clueless, though, as Kazuho hides her crush and her history with him, and how he saved her. It's a cute memory, and gives some understanding for her character.
This is a fun spin-off series. The characters are odd, and it's nice to see when it relates to the main series. The main plot was mainly just lurking in this volume, as we got to know the villain and see what she's working on in the background.
I'm intrigued, and enjoying this so far.


A review copy was provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, for an honest review. Thank you so, so much!

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Manga Review: Dragon Ball Super, Volume 3, by Akira Toriyama and Toyotarou


Rating (Out of 5): ~2.5
Publisher: Shonen Jump (VIZ Media)
Release Date: July 2018
Volumes: 8+
Spoilers?: Light.
Volume: 1. 2. 4.

Goodreads Synopsis:

 Goku’s adventure from the best-selling classic manga Dragon Ball continues in this new series written by Akira Toriyama himself!

Ever since Goku became Earth’s greatest hero and gathered the seven Dragon Balls to defeat the evil Boo, his life on Earth has grown a little dull. But new threats loom overhead, and Goku and his friends will have to defend the planet once again in this continuation of Akira Toriyama’s best-selling series, Dragon Ball!

With the Universe 6 and 7 Invitational Fighting Tournament over, Goku and his friends return to their normal lives. That is, until Future Trunks suddenly appears to warn everyone of a new threat—Goku Black, a mysterious warrior who looks like Goku but isn’t him! He’s a monster who has wiped out most of Earth and all of the Gods of Destruction and Lords of Lords from all twelve universes. Who is this mysterious man, and will Goku and his friends be able to stop him?!

Review:

Just as the group thinks things are calming down, Future Trunks arrives to warn everyone of a Black Goku showing up, who is on a mission of killing all the Lords and Gods. This is interrupted briefly when Goku is summoned to see Zeno-sama, who I actually quite like. He's a quirky character, and probably my favorite part of the volume. The rest involves Vegeta and Goku fighting, intermixed with Zamas revealing his plan and scheming/fighting.
I don't know if this was too busy or too serious, but it was just okay for me. I don't know the characters that well, though, and am only half-heartedly following the story. It was okay.


A review copy was provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, for an honest review. Thank you so, so much!

Monday, January 28, 2019

Manga Review: Platinum End, Volume 6, by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata


Rating (Out of 5): ~3
Publisher: Shonen Jump (VIZ Media)
Release Date: August 2018
Volumes: 9+
Spoilers?: Light, for the beginning.
Volume: 1. 5. 7.

Goodreads Synopsis:

From the creators of Death Note! Mirai may have been saved by an angel, but his battle is just beginning…

As his classmates celebrate their middle school graduation, troubled Mirai is mired in darkness. But his battle is just beginning when he receives some salvation from above in the form of an angel. Now Mirai is pitted against 12 other chosen humans in a battle in which the winner becomes the next god of the world. Mirai has an angel in his corner, but he may need to become a devil to survive.

With Mirai and Mukaido trapped in a mirror house at an abandoned amusement park, Metropoliman thinks he’s won. But Mirai has one last desperate plan!

Review:

I'm sure it's no surprise to anyone that Saki gets to jump in and help save them at the last minute. I don't know if it's good or bad that she ends up distracting the crazy guy, though, in an effort to save them. Is that empowering? (I think not?) In a way, it's so obvious that it's annoying.
After they pull one over on the crazy guy, metropoliman gets to throw an even worse ultimatum at the pair. It's a no-good-choice situation, at least until Mirai figures out a way around it.
I don't care for any of these characters. I'm not a big fan of the plot line, either, and the villains are kind of annoying.
I don't know. I'm not impressed.


A review copy was provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, for an honest review. Thank you so, so much!

Friday, January 25, 2019

Manga Review: Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You, Volume 30, by Karuho Shiina


Rating (Out of 5): ~4.5
Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)
Release Date: December 2018
Volumes: 30.
Spoilers?: Light.
Volume: 1. 29.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Sawako “Sadako” Kuronuma is the perfect heroine…for a horror movie.

With her jet-black hair, sinister smile and silent demeanor, Sawako “Sadako” Kuronuma always had trouble fitting in. But her whole life changes when she befriends the most popular boy in class, Shota Kazehaya. Can love trump her cursed life?

Kazehaya and Sawako have finally graduated from high school. When Sawako goes away to university, will their relationship withstand the distance? And what will become of their close group of high school friends? Kazehaya and Sawako’s quirky story about love and life concludes in the exciting final volume of Kimi ni Todoke!

Review:

There are a lot of goodbyes in this volume. They're graduating and going off in their new directions. Yano first, and then Chizu's being left back home. Kazehaya moves into his own apartment, where he gets to learn to take care of himself. And then it's Sawako's turn, off to Tokyo for university.
The middle of the volume features Sawako visiting Kazehaya at his new apartment. It's a big step for both of them, as they are alone for pretty much the first time. And it goes longer than either of them intended, but it was necessary. Especially when they have to part ways soon. It's a very sweet moment, and very well done.
This series ends really well, on a good note without being too cheesy (or ending with a predictable wedding—though that might have been okay in this instance), but I don't think I would have ever been ready for this series to end.
I would be just as happy to follow them all through college, and to get to see more Sawako and Kazehaya interactions, and see Chizu learn how to run the restaurant and wait for Ryu to come home, and Yano to fall in reciprocated love for the first time.
I just love everything about this series, and I will never be ready to say goodbye to it. But, despite that, I will agree it ended at a good point, and it did it well. It didn't go too long, for sure.
I hope that something else of Shiina's gets picked up for print, because I would love to see what else she's written.


 A review copy was provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, for an honest review. Thank you so, so much!

Thursday, January 24, 2019

Manga Review: Fire Punch, Volume 4, by Tatsuki Fujimoto


Rating (Out of 5): ~3
Publisher: VIZ Signature (VIZ Media)
Release Date: October 2018
Volume: 8.
Spoilers?: No.
Volume: 1. 2. 5.

Goodreads Synopsis:

In a frozen dystopia where inhabitants eat flesh to survive, can the destructive powers of fire bring salvation?

In the not-too-distant past, the Ice Witch blankets the world in snow, starvation, and madness, leading the inhabitants to seek their salvation in fire. With that, an unusual destiny unfolds for two young orphans, Agni and Luna, blessed with the ability to regenerate. But will this ability prove to be more of a curse than a blessing?

Boss, the leader of the Behemdorg escapees, finds he’s at a disadvantage when fighting the soldiers who continue pursuing them. But all that changes with the sudden appearance of a mysterious spear-wielding girl and a masked man who are willing to lend their aid. Meanwhile, will Agni have to perform that certain act once again for those who revere him?!

Review:

Agni is struggling with what to do with himself. He wants to help people, but he also doesn't think he has the right to help people. Now that people are treating him like a God, worshiping and believing he can save them, he wants to do what he can for them. Even if that means a little cannibalism.
The characters in this series are so demented, and disturbing. We meet a new character in this volume, who wants to remake the world, with destruction and rebirth. To remake it, you have to destroy it.
All of this is very disturbing to me. This whole series, really.
While I wouldn't read this on my own, I will admit that I'm a little fascinated and intrigued by it. It's a very odd concept and how it's all playing out. It's awful, but a little fascinating.


 A review copy was provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, for an honest review. Thank you so, so much!

Wednesday, January 23, 2019

Manga Review: Hatsu*Haru, Volume 1, by Shizuki Fujisawa


Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5-4
Publisher: Yen Press
Release Date: June 2018
Volumes: 13.
Spoilers?: No.
Volume: 2.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Playboy Kai and Tomboy Riko make for an unlikely couple in this adorable and hilarious shoujo romance!

Review:

A new shojo series from Yen always catches my attention. They tend to be either very good, or very bad. This one looks to be on the good side.
We meet Kai, who's rather full of himself, one of the popular boys who can get any girl he wants, and knows it. He has his guy friends, and classmates who he's known forever, including Riko. He's never had a very good relationship with tough-girl Riko, but after she confronts him about a friend of hers, they start getting pushed together, and he starts to notice her in other ways.
I will admit that I appreciate seeing a cocky, unlikeable-at-first character get put in their place, and start to grow some humility and likeability. Kai definitely needs that, and as he starts to crush on Riko, it happens. It doesn't take long for him to start changing, and even his friends notice pretty quickly.
Sadly for him, Riko already likes someone else. Although, it looks like Kai is going to have to make some hard, mature decisions to help Riko move past her own problems.
I like where this is going already, and I look forward to reading more.

Tuesday, January 22, 2019

Released Today! Only a Breath Apart by Katie McGarry

 

Would you dare to defy destiny? Are our destinies written in stone? Do we become nothing more than the self-fulfilling prophesies of other people's opinions? Or can we dare to become who we believe we were born to be? 

 

“A gorgeous, heartfelt journey of redemption and love” (Wendy Higgins), ONLY A BREATH APART is a young adult contemporary novel from critically acclaimed Katie McGarry. “Haunting, authentic, and ultimately hopeful” (Tammara Webber), ONLY A BREATH APART is now available!

 

About ONLY A BREATH APART:

They say your destiny is carved in stone. But some destinies are meant to be broken.

The only curse Jesse Lachlin believes in is his grandmother’s will: in order to inherit his family farm he must win the approval of his childhood best friend, the girl he froze out his freshman year.

A fortuneteller tells Scarlett she's psychic, but what is real is Scarlett’s father’s controlling attitude and the dark secrets at home. She may be able to escape, but only if she can rely on the one boy who broke her heart.

Each midnight meeting pushes Jesse and Scarlett to confront their secrets and their feelings, but as love blooms, the curse rears its ugly head…

 

Amazon | Kobo | Google Play 

B-A-M | Barnes & Noble | Apple Books

     

Gritty and real, Only a Breath Apart is a story of hope conjured from pain, strength drawn from innocence, and love earned from self-respect. Beautiful, poignant, and fierce.” ―Kristen Simmons, critically acclaimed author of the Article 5 series

 

Add it to your Goodreads today!

 

 EXCERPT:

~SCARLETT~
A scraping of a chair, a tray full of food and I glance over with my practiced smile in welcome. It’s not Camila, Evangeline, or anyone else from the group. It’s green eyes, red hair, a familiar mischievous smile that used to be reserved only for me, and my blood pounds with excitement as if someone lit a sparkler in my chest. Then I frown because I’m not supposed to feel this way. Not with him. Not with anyone.
Jesse Lachlin winks at me as he sits across from me like no time has passed from when we climbed trees together. “What’s up, Tink?”
Another thrill runs through me but then my muscles tighten. Stupid, antiquated reaction belonging to a dead past. “What are you doing here?”
Jesse pops a fry into his mouth, chews, then picks up another as if he has no intention of answering. I scan the cafeteria. Several people are watching us, curious as to why Jesse Lachlin is sitting with me, or is event at lunch, or even at school.
From the lunch line, Camila’s and Evangeline’s eyes are bugging out of their heads.
What is going on? Camila mouths.
I raise my eyebrows to inform her I have no idea. Jesse digs into his corn with his fork and that’s crossing a line. “Maybe you didn’t hear me, but I asked what you’re doing here.”
He lifts his eyes to meet mine and there’s a glimmer in them that causes my lips to flatten. Fantastic. He’s here to make my life a living hell.
“It seems obvious,” he says.
If he remembers anything about me, he should recall I was never known for my patience and that he should be speaking, and speaking soon. “Just answer the question.”
“I’m eating lunch.”
I honest to God groan in frustration. “There’s no room at the inn.”
He surveys the table, takes in the empty seats, my books, and then gives me a good look. A slow look. As if he’s trying to memorize every inch he’s drinking in. My cheeks redden because that somehow feels a little too intimate for lunch. Feels a little too intimate for someone I’m no longer friends with. It feels too intimate if we were friends.
I glance away, but I sense him still staring at me. God help me, I want to stare back.


   

 
Katie McGarry Bio:

Katie is the author of the PUSHING THE LIMITS series, THUNDER ROAD series, SAY YOU’LL REMEMBER ME, and the upcoming YA novel, ONLY A BREATH APART. Her novels have received starred reviews, critical acclaim and have won multiple awards including being a multiple Goodreads Choice Award Finalist for YA Fiction, multiple RT Magazine's Reviewer's Choice Award Finalist for Best YA Fiction, including a win in the category, and she was a 2013 YALSA Top Ten Teen Pick.
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