Novel Review: The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Genre: YA Contemporary Romance; Family, Friendship

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Release Date: May 3, 2016

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. Powells.

Teaser Tuesday. Wishlist Thursday.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Andie had it all planned out.

When you are a politician’s daughter who’s pretty much raised yourself, you learn everything can be planned or spun, or both. Especially your future.

Important internship? Check.

Amazing friends? Check.

Guys? Check (as long as we’re talking no more than three weeks)

But that was before the scandal. Before having to be in the same house with her dad. Before walking an insane number of dogs. That was before Clark and those few months that might change her whole life.

Because here’s the thing - if everything's planned out, you can never find the unexpected.

And where’s the fun in that?

The Cover:

I really like the cover. I think it fits the book and the setting quite well, and I appreciate that the dogs are an important part of the book. It would catch my eye. Plus, the back cover, and the inside of the dust cover have different images, and I really like that.

Review:

Of course, I enjoyed this book. It took me a while to read, but it still pulled me back in every time I picked it up. A very fun read.

In the beginning, Andie is a little bit unlikable, with how set in her ways she is. How she treats boys, and how controlling she can be. She didn’t bother me too much, aside from a few of her choices in the later half, but she learned a lot by the end, and I believed it.

I didn’t expect the father-daughter relationship that was in this book, given the synopsis made me think he would be a much worse person. And he has his faults. But he’s also a great dad, and the close relationship those two re-form in this book was so enjoyable. They get along really well, and it was really fun to see their banter.

Andie also has a very close group of girl friends, and they are all there for each other in an instant. The conflict that happens there, while sad, is realistic and understandable. Sad, but it makes sense to me. They were still a lot of fun to read, their interactions and banter a lot of fun. Andie’s best friend and her boyfriend were also a solid couple through this entire novel, and they seemed the type that had met early and would be together until late in life. I really liked seeing that.

Now, the romance. Andie meets Clark, who is awkward and shy, but who turns out to be a best-selling fantasy novelist. And he’s great, I love Clark. The chemistry between the two was slow at times, but it was still very sweet, and I loved them. He fits in with her friends really well, and I enjoyed the bromance he formed with the other guy in the group. I love the honesty among the group, how certain ones had certain people they would go to to talk with.

There was also a second boy, a guy who Andie had fooled around with from time to time, and I thought drama would be caused because of it. I was pleasantly surprised when not only was there not drama, but that the other guy reacted really well. It makes me want to know more about him. I want him to have a book.

This was a lot of fun to read. Her books are always a joy, and I will be picking up anything she releases next.

Novel Review: From This Moment On (The Sullivans, #2) by Bella Andre

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Harlequin Mira

Release Date: 2011

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository.

Goodreads Synopsis:

For thirty-six years, Marcus Sullivan has been the responsible older brother, stepping in to take care of his seven siblings after their father died when they were children. But when the perfectly ordered future he’s planned for himself turns out to be nothing but a lie, Marcus needs one reckless night to shake free from it all.

Nicola Harding is known throughout the world by only one name – Nico – for her catchy, sensual pop songs. Only, what no one knows about the twenty-five year old singer is that her sex-kitten image is totally false. After a terrible betrayal by a man who loved fame far more than he ever loved her, she vows not to let anyone else get close enough to find out who she really is…or hurt her again. Especially not the gorgeous stranger she meets at a nightclub, even though the hunger – and the sinful promises – in his dark eyes make her want to spill all her secrets.

One night is all Nicola and Marcus agree to share with each other. But nothing goes as they plan when instead of simply tangling limbs, they find a deeper connection than either of them could have anticipated. And even though they both try to fight it, growing emotions – and sizzling attraction – keep drawing them closer together.

Close enough for them to wonder if stealing one more secret moment together can ever be enough?

The long awaited print edition is out now from Harlequin MIRA with expanded editorial. More story, more Sullivans!

The Cover:

The cover is pretty, and gives the right feel for the book--it definitely shows that it's a contemporary romance, which is honest and fitting. I don't know if it really represents the setting or the characters, but it works.

Review:

“…I’ve always thought what makes a song really special is some indefinable magic that’s either there or it isn’t. I’ll bet your grapevines are like that. […] And that you’re the magic that makes them grow so well.’” (Paperback, pg. 221)

I’ve heard a lot of buzz over this author, and given that I’m already a fan of the genre, I knew I needed to get some of her books. I read one of her novellas on kindle and enjoyed it, so when I got to the bookstore, I picked this one up. And I will definitely be going back to pick up a few more.

This book features the oldest Sullivan brother, the one to take care of all his siblings, who just became single. He’s looking for a fling, just as Nicola is when they meet at a club. The attraction is instant and hot, and though they try to ignore it and push it off, they keep meeting up and the attraction only gets hotter.

Nicola is a popstar, living somewhat of a lie, who just wants someone to see her and love her. Marcus is the type to take care of the people he loves.

Having never read any other Sullivan novel, I got a glimpse of the clan here, and am really excited to read more. They all seem great, very close-knit, and I love those kinds of families. I can’t wait to read the previous book, and the twins’.

This book was hot and sweet, the sex nice and the attraction believable. Maybe a little fast, but I liked it. The book went by very fast and I can’t wait to read more.

Manga Review: Sankarea: Undying Love, Volume 1, by Mitsuru Hattori

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: Kodansha Comics

Publish Date: 2013

Volumes: 8+

Spoilers?: Yes.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. Powells. RightStuf!
Wishlist Thursday.

Goodreads Synopsis:

“I ONLY LIKE ZOMBIE GIRLS.”

Since he was little, Chihiro has felt an unusual emotional connection to zombie movies. It’s not that he feels bad for the survivors – instead he fantasizes about comforting the poor undead girls they slaughter! When his beloved pet passes away, he decides to brew up a resurrection potion in secret. But he’s discovered by popular girl and local heiress Sanka Rea, whose life isn’t as perfect as it seems… and Furuya suggests that she could serve as a test subject!

Review:

This volume was very much the same as the anime, with only some minor differences And it ends at about the point I paused watching the anime, so I’m looking forward to the next volume.

This series stars Chihiro, a high school boy who is obsessed with zombies. He loves all things zombies, wants a zombie girlfriend, and is trying to bring his dead cat back to life. He pretty much ignores all girls, fantasizing about a zombie girlfriend. He’s got some odd (read: awesome) family members, including a cousin who’s in love with him, a monotone sister, and a crazy grandfather (I love his family). And then he meets Sanka Rea, a girl who goes to the all-girls school next to his all-boys school, who is having problems with her “perfect” rich family, mainly her creeper father.

Chihiro is trying to make something to bring his cat back to life, and Sanka ends up helping him. And she ends up stealing some of the elixir, hoping that it either kills her or turns her into a zombie. She gets in trouble with her father, though, gets locked in the house and when she sneaks out and he chases after her, she fall off a ledge and gets killed. And then turns into a zombie.

Chihiro takes her home with him, hides her, and tries figuring out what to do with her. The volume ends with her dead body starting to harden.

This volume has a lot of promising things in it, and I’m looking forward to whatever’s next. I like Chihiro, I like Sanka Rea, I’m looking forward to whatever happens next with them. I don’t really care for Chihiro’s cousin, but I do like his sister and grandpa. There are several ecchi elements to the story (although not really that bad, and they’re mostly fully clothed), but it’s also a big zombie love story, and I’m intrigued by where the love story part goes.

I hope that there’s more storyline with Rea’s family, although I’m not sure how that’ll work, what with her supposed to be dead, I think? Her father is a creep, and those storylines always intrigue me. Her mom’s not very good either—so lots of bad parental drama that I really hope develops, or at least shows up more. 

I’m just intrigued and curious as to what’s going to happen next, really. It could go in any direction, the zombie lore could go anywhere—I don’t even want to guess. I do want to keep reading to find out.

Novel Review: The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen

Rating (Out of 5): ~4-4.5

Genre: YA Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Penguin (Viking)

Publish Date: June 4th, 2013

Spoilers?: Minor-ish.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. Powells.

Teaser Tuesday. Wishlist Thursday.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Luke is the perfect boyfriend: handsome, kind, fun. He and Emaline have been together all through high school in Colby, the beach town where they both grew up. But now, in the summer before college, Emaline wonders if perfect is good enough.

Enter Theo, a super-ambitious outsider, a New Yorker assisting on a documentary film about a reclusive local artist. Theo's sophisticated, exciting, and, best of all, he thinks Emaline is much too smart for Colby.

Emaline's mostly-absentee father, too, thinks Emaline should have a bigger life, and he's convinced that an Ivy League education is the only route to realizing her potential. Emaline is attracted to the bright future that Theo and her father promise. But she also clings to the deep roots of her loving mother, stepfather, and sisters. Can she ignore the pull of the happily familiar world of Colby?

Emaline wants the moon and more, but how can she balance where she comes from with where she's going?

Sarah Dessen's devoted fans will welcome this story of romance, yearning, and, finally, empowerment. It could only happen in the summer.

Something Specific:

Quotes:

• "Nothing happens for ages, and then all the changes come at once." (Hardback)
• "'Everything will look better in the morning.'" (Hardback)
• "'Life is long. Just because you don't get your chance right when you want or expect it doesn't mean it won't come.'" (Hardback)
• "It doesn't matter whether you're the one having to douse a flame or helplessly watching it sputter. Either way, it goes out eventually." (Hardback)

Sarah Dessen-isms (characteristics unique to this book, unique to Sarah Dessen's books)

•  Easter Eggs. There are always little appearances from Dessen's other books, and there were many nice ones in this book. To name a few: Last Chance, Auden and Heidi, and Gert.
• Morris. I explain him in the review, but he is such a Dessen character (much like Monica, from The Truth About Forever, is), and I just love him.
• "Talk later."
• The concept of a dater (active), and a person who just wants to hang out (passive).
• Those are just a few, but I don't think I'm going to list everything, although I might add more later.

The Cover:

I actually like this cover. It's pretty, the meaning works with the story in a way. It's not overly embarrassing or anything. It's just generally pretty to me.

Review:

I’m going to admit, from the very start, that I am a huge Sarah Dessen fan. Have been since I first read one of her books, and will continue to be. Her books excite me beyond belief, I love all of them, and I don’t even think I’m able to give her books any lower a rating than 4 (although her first couple might come close—I have to re-read them first to find out). Now that that’s out of the way: this book surprised me in many ways, some of which made me a little wary and unsure of how I feel about it. But then, again, I also kind of loved it like I always do, and it has a lot of reasons for me to love it. I’m a bit conflicted.

Emaline, in the summer before she goes away to college, is starting to have some problems with her long-time boyfriend Luke. Her father, who she’s had a mostly internet based relationship with, is in town with her younger step-brother. Plus there’s this new, older boy in town, Theo, working on a documentary with a grumpy woman, starring Clyde, a mystery of a man who lives in town. Then there’s Morris, her best friend, and Daisy, her best girl friend, who are going out together, but going to college in very different areas.

First, Emaline’s family. I love the originality of her family situation. Her mother got pregnant with her when she was younger, ended up growing apart from her father, and then Emaline decided to reach out and get to know him, and has thus far mostly had a relationship with him through email, mostly talking about school. But aside from that, she has her dad, who adopted her and her mom married when she was three, and her two older step-sisters, who she all loves. And then there’s Benji, her father’s son, who she’s just now starting to get to know.

I loved that her family life was messy, and I generally just loved her family, and maybe even would have liked more time with her dad, who was so sweet, and Benji, who is just plain adorable. Her sisters and her fight and argue, but they’re very close. Her mother has a problem with Emaline’s father, but can’t really do anything about it. And her father is kind of a misguided jerk.

Now, the romance. That’s the main point that leaves me so unsure. I don’t want to give anything away, but it was not what I was expecting. I liked Theo at first, and then not so much. I liked Luke at first, and then was unhappy with him, and then really liked him at the end. And I understand what happened at the end, even though I’m a little unhappy with not knowing what’s going to happen between them, and even unsure if they should get back together or not. I will say that I’m happy with the growth that Emaline did in the book—she was in a very good place with herself by the end of the book, and I’m happy about that.

Lastly, Morris and Daisy. I liked Daisy, and was happy with her and Emaline’s relationship. But it’s Morris that I loved. He is such a Sarah Dessen character, I could tell from the first time he was introduced, and I loved him right off. Morris is somewhat of a slacker; he moves slowly, he does everything slowly really, and he has to be told, very specifically, what to do in order to do it, or he won’t do anything. And his relationship with Emaline is so fantastic. He’s fantastic, really. And I was so happy with how much he’d grown by the end of the book, along with where his and Daisy’s relationship was by the end.

The writing, the development, the characters, everything, was so great. I loved all of it—every bit. I didn’t want it to end, even as I read it in one sitting, not wanting to but not being able to put it down. Right after I finished, too, I mourned the fact that I’m going to have to wait about two years for her next book, and then promptly re-read most of Dessen’s other books.

I’m a little unsure of what to rate the book, because of my feelings on the ending, but I know that it’s no lower than a 4. It’s probably between a 4 and 4.5, really.