Genre: Contemporary Romance

Pizza, Love, and Other Stuff that Made Me Famous by Kathryn Williams (Book Review)

Posted August 23, 2012 by Jana in Book Review, Young Adult Fiction / 7 Comments

Pizza, Love, and Other Stuff that Made Me Famous by Kathryn Williams
Published by Henry Holt and Co. on August 21, 2012
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romance
Pages: 240
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher (ALA)
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Can a spot on a teen reality show really lead to a scholarship at an elite cooking school AND a summer romance?

Sixteen-year-old Sophie Nicolaides was practically raised in the kitchen of her family’s Italian-Greek restaurant, Taverna Ristorante. When her best friend, Alex, tries to convince her to audition for a new reality show, Teen Test Kitchen, Sophie is reluctant. But the prize includes a full scholarship to one of America's finest culinary schools and a summer in Napa, California, not to mention fame.

Once on-set, Sophie immediately finds herself in the thick of the drama—including a secret burn book, cutthroat celebrity judges, and a very cute French chef. Sophie must figure out a way to survive all the heat and still stay true to herself. A terrific YA offering--fresh, fun, and sprinkled with romance.

Have you ever been on a strict diet and then all of a sudden decide that you need to chill out and eat a little comfort food, or else you just might go crazy? Pizza, Love, and Other Stuff is my comfort food. This book is exactly what I needed to make me smile. It was an adorable, quick read with such a unique sounding storyline that I knew I would love it. And honestly, it had me at the title. I gobbled this book up like I did the delectable pizza I had in Siena, Italy this past May. As always, my main points are bolded. :)

1. I’m kind of a reality TV junkie. I love all of it. The drama, the excitement, the fact that I’m watching real people rather than polished actors. When I read about this book, I knew we’d make a great pair. It embodies all that is reality TV, but also gives you a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes happenings that we all know hold more truth than the show itself. The idea behind the book is so fresh and unique to me. Reality TV meets young adult novel. I’m all for it!

2. The characters are all so likeable. We’ve got Sophie, the main girl, who is this sweet thing with broad hips and a love of food and her foodie family. I love her family. They’re right out of My Big Fat Greek Wedding, and I loved that. Her best friend, Alex, being the true friend that he is, has her back and gets her on the show with a little coaxing and many pep talks. The contestants on the show (two of which become Sophie’s best friends) all fill a very specific role for a very specific character. You know how reality TV is. You’ve got the sweetheart, the villain, the brooding anti-social, etc. I really enjoyed them all, especially when they stirred up drama. The judges were all the sterotypical, dramatic judges you see on TV, and we even had Tommy who is the spitting image of The Chairman on Iron Chef. And then… there’s the hot French guy who, off camera, has Sophie swooning and daydreaming. The cast of characters was a winner in my book!

3. The FOOD. Oh my! I loved reading all the yummy-sounding descriptions of the dishes that the contestants made. Each week they were on the show focused on different genres, if you will, of food. There was a Latin week, an Asian one, a French one, a Mediterranean one, and a Pastry one. This book made me so hungry! Of course, the author included some of the recipes for these meals and desserts, so if you feel the need to satisfy any resulting cravings, you’re encouraged to do so.

4. I was worried about whether or not I would believe the excitement of the kitchen during competition time, but I did! I got really excited and read faster. It was like reading an episode of Iron Chef. I really enjoyed it.

5. The romance was minimal, but there. I really enjoyed the small glimmers of romance, but appreciated that they were not the focus of the story.

6. I also appreciated that the book was not predictable. It was not perfectly wrapped up into the obvious conclusion. It made things more realistic for me.

Overall, Pizza, Love, and Other Stuff that Made Me Famous was stinkin’ cute. It was quick, light, happy, sweet, and savory. I loved the idea, and the execution was done really well. The writing was witty, and the characters were all loveable. I’d recommend this to anyone who needs a little comfort food in their life.

From What I Remember… by Kramer & Thomas (Book Review)

Posted August 7, 2012 by Jana in Book Review, Young Adult Fiction / 9 Comments

From What I Remember... by Stacy Kramer, Valerie Thomas
Published by Disney Hyperion on May 15, 2012
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romance
Pages: 462
Format: eBook
Source: Gift
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KYLIE: Mexico? What a nightmare! I should be putting the finishing touches on my valedictorian speech. Graduation is TODAY! Wait! Is this a wedding band on my finger??

MAX: It started with Kylie's laptop and a truck full of stolen electronics and it ended in Ensenada. It was hot, the way she broke us out like some chick in an action movie. But now we're stranded here, with less than twenty-four hours before graduation.

WILL: Saving Kylie Flores from herself is kind of a full-time occupation. Luckily, I, Will Bixby, was born for the job. And when I found out she was stuck in Mexico with dreamy Max Langston, sure, I agreed to bring their passports across the border but there's no reason to rush back home right away. This party is just getting started.

LILY: This cannot be happening. It's like some cruel joke. Or a bad dream. I close my eyes and when I reopen them, they're still there. Max and Kylie Flores, freak of the century. In bed together. If Kylie thinks I'm giving him up without a fight, she's dead wrong.

Sometimes I love reading a book for the sole purpose of enjoying it. I think all book bloggers get caught up in trying to remember every good (or bad) thing about a book, so that they can provide a thorough review for their readers. This time I decided to just read a book for myself, not keeping anyone else in mind as I read. I wasn’t even going to write a review, but decided I absolutely had to because I love this book so much. As always, my main points are bolded. :)

1. I love the entire idea behind this book: good, geeky, smart girl decides there’s more to life than being good, geeky, and smart. You’ve got to live and have fun as well, or there’s no point. The entire story had a very “Grease” kind of feeling. Kylie is the valedictorian of her graduating class. She’s smart, and liked by pretty much nobody except her hilarious gay friend named Will. She gets paired up for a last-minute class project with the jock of the school, Max. He’s extremely hard to work with, but she HAS to get a good grade. So she pushes him. In a conglomeration of crazy events, they both find themselves smuggled across the border in a van of stolen electronics. They are in Mexico with no passports, no way of getting home, and graduation day is closing in. Geeky girl turns hard core, and jock notices. Things get really cute.

2. Kylie is just like me. I was the overachieving good girl in high school and college too. Heck, I still am. I’ve always been a little geeky and bookish. I loved her inner thoughts and her street smarts, because I could relate to her so much. Like her, many people never discovered that I was so much more than the girl who chose to study over hanging out with friends. I had more fun watching her grow and change than I have with a character in a long time.

3. Will. Oh, Will. I loved him so much. He’s extremely flamboyant and obnoxious, but in a way you can’t help but love. He’s a cross-dressing, movie-quoting, ball of energy that is the only person who really knows and gets Kylie. He does his best to push her towards opening up, but holds back and is there for her when she needs him to. Everyone needs a friend like him. I also enjoyed watching him grow and progress.

4. Max is a sweetheart, but in a Danny Zucko (see? Grease) kind of way. He’s sweet when nobody is watching, and then he kind of shafts you when he needs to maintain his reputation. You know how Danny and Sandy have a whirlwind summer with the sweetest romance? Danny doesn’t even wear leather! He’s just normal and in love. And then he gets back to school, puts a bottle of gel in his hair, and acts like he barely knows Sandy? That’s kind of how Max was, just not as bad. He did struggle, though, with the choice between following his own heart and following the path that his friends chose for him. I grew to really like him, though. His true colors are beautiful.

5. I liked the 4 different perspectives we get with this book. The narration alternates chapter-by-chapter between Kylie, Max, Will, and Kylie’s younger brother, Jake, who has Asperger’s syndrome. Normally I hate this idea, but it totally worked with the story. Getting into Will’s head was hilarious, getting into Kylie’s head was like jumping in my own brain, getting into Jake’s head made me smile at his sweetness, and getting into Max’s head was enlightening. I really enjoyed it.

6. The story had a few elements that were totally unbelievable. I mean, how many times can these kids get in and out of trouble so easily? Haha! It’s a book, though. It doesn’t have to be true. Just sit back and enjoy the ride. :)

7. The writing is amazing. I always applaud a book that has two authors, because I think it would be really hard to blend two different writing styles. I could not tell when one other began and the other ended. It is a great partnership, and I’m hoping they pair up again in the future.

8. When all was said and done, I had major warm fuzzies happening. I loved watching these kids grow and mature. I loved Kylie’s transformation into a force to be reckoned with. I loved how all the loose ends were tied up.

Favorite Quotes:

“At least she’s not wearing those Uggs anymore, which look like huge suede foot tumors, as far as I’m concerned.”

“Hopefully in the Venn diagram of their lives, they can find a little more overlap.”

“So, kiss the girl. Buy the dress. Take a vacation. Join the circus. Order the fried frog legs. Try out for the play. Learn to snowboard. Do something that scares the s*** out of you. Or something that makes you happy. Or something that makes you cry. Whatever it is, do something that makes you feel something. Because feeling nothing is no way to go through life.”

This is definitely a new favorite book of mine! I’d recommend it to people who enjoy contemporary romance, humor, and a little adventure. Oh, and movie quotes. Each chapter begins with a quote from a popular movie that foreshadows what’s going to happen in that chapter. I loved that idea! Now I need to go watch all those movies!

Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry (Mini Book Review)

Posted July 27, 2012 by Jana in Book Review, Young Adult Fiction / 5 Comments

Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry
Series: Pushing the Limits #1
Published by Harlequin Teen on July 31, 2012
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romance
Pages: 392
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher (Netgalley)
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No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with "freaky" scars on her arms. Even Echo can't remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal.But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo's world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible.

Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she'll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again.

I’ve never read a book quite like this one before, but I’m so glad I did! I always love reading about two broken characters who put the pieces of their lives back together, together! This is the kind of story that needs to be experienced, so I am making my review short and sweet.

These characters are so amazingly real and likeable. They both have dark pasts that haunt them, and they are both a little broken and struggling with inner demons as a result. They both end up going to the same therapist, and that therapist puts them together to help one another. What surfaces is an amazing journey of transformation, self-discovery, self-confidence, and love. I adored the lessons of forgiveness and resilience that were inserted throughout the story. Two broken families, two heartbroken people, and one mission to change all of that in the hopes of a better future.

I loved seeing them transform and grow into better versions of themselves. Echo gained confidence and answers, and Noah gained a new perspective. I particularly loved watching Noah go from this hardened bad boy to an amazingly caring and responsible man. I loved the tenderness he exhibited with Echo and his brothers. I think everyone needs a Noah in their life.

The romance is so raw and believable, not to mention a long time coming. This one was a very slow burn, and I loved the tension and vulnerability. These two are put through the ringer, and at times put each other through the ringer too. Their imperfections made them perfect for each other. If one of them struggled with something, the other one was the rock that pulled them through. And vice versa.

The writing was beautiful. Katie painted such vivid pictures in my mind of what these characters, even the supporting ones, went through. I gained a lot of insight into the minds of people in general. I’ve never endured these hardships that are discussed in this book, but I do feel much more understanding than I was.

I would definitely recommend this book to contemporary romance and realistic fiction lovers. Many of my readers and blogger friends know me as That Artsy Reader Girl Who Does Not Read Books That Bring Tears. I’m embracing the inner crybaby, and I am so glad I gave this book the chance it deserved.

Flirting in Italian by Lauren Henderson (Mini Book Review)

Posted July 17, 2012 by Jana in Book Review, Young Adult Fiction / 9 Comments

Flirting in Italian by Lauren Henderson
Series: Flirting in Italian #1
Published by Delacorte Books for Young Readers on June 12, 2012
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romance
Pages: 336
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher (Netgalley)
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Four girls. One magical, and possibly dangerous Italian summer. Family mysteries, ancient castles, long hot nights of dancing under the stars . . . and, of course, plenty of gorgeous Italian boys!

Ok, guys… This just might be the biggest disappointment of the summer. I was SO excited when I found out about this book, and even more excited when I found out I was approved for it on Netgalley. Seriously. I was in a local creperie, and I might have made a smallish scene when I checked my e-mail and saw that I could download it. At that time, I was about to leave for Italy myself, and I love themed reads! I never got around to it while on my trip, though, but I still thought it would be fun to read it as I reminisced.

The summary on the back of the book tells very little about what happens in the story. Violet is our main girl, and she finds out about a centuries old painting that looks just like her. It’s in Italy, so she figures out a way to get herself there as part of a program that is basically finishing school for Italian girls. Her neurotic, overbearing, and borderline insane mother about has a flip-out session, but lets her go. She gets to spend the summer at a house in Tuscany with 3 really stuck up girls (another English person, and two Americans) and some rude Italian girls… and gets in too deep with a playboy, all while searching to find out whether or not she was adopted, and who this doppelganger was.

So… within the first 50 pages of the book, I almost gave up. I love art history so much, so I was really excited with the mystery posed at the beginning of the book, about the heroine’s doppelganger in a centuries old painting. And I love Italy, and was enjoying reading all about the scenery, and the Tuscan countryside. I’ve been to Pisa, so I know what it looks like in that area. It was fun to reminisce. And then the girls showed up. First off, the American girls are made out to be materialistic valley girls, and I was embarrassed. They act so dumb, snobby, rich, and entitled. I hope the author does not believe we’re really like that.

And then the high school mentality set in. These four girls are terrible (well, one of them was not so bad, but it was only because she was so insecure that she couldn’t be cocky)! They constantly think about how someone is fat, or that shade of green makes her skin look putrid, or “thank goodness I have been self tanning for a while”, or how the blonde has nothing between her ears, etc. The bullying and rude thoughts are so annoying! And Violet, our main character is exactly the person who made my life miserable in school. She’s rude, cocky, gossipy, and downright mean! I mean, come ON. I thought we were supposed to like the main character. Why should we stick with the book if we don’t? I had no interest in reading such rude thoughts and mindless gossip and backbiting. The mystery at the beginning of the book fades away, and it turns into one big mess of rude, unintelligent girls partying and hanging out with the guys you’re, as a general rule of thumb, supposed to avoid. The main love interest, Luca, looks down his nose at Violet, and comes off as being a bit of a lunatic. Violet realizes this, but goes back and forth from loving him and hating him. It was just weird. There’s no real character development, and I cared about nobody.

The book is all partying. It’s like spring break in Cancun in book form. Violet’s mission to go to Italy to find out about herself is completely forgotten. Towards the end of the book, another mystery (which ends up being very unrealistic) surfaces, but honestly, it’s too little too late. The book was already unsalvageable at that point, so trying to make up for that by adding in a mystery that is seriously hard to believe, does more harm than good.

AND… there’s a companion novel. So… crud! Haha. The ending was just a mess! I suffered through it only to be told that I have to read another book if I want to know what happens. I put the book down wondering why I wasted the time on it, and I have no interest to read the next book.

I loved the idea. LOVED it. And I know that it could have been done so much better. I’m so disappointed in it! I’d heard it was in the vein of Anna in the French Kiss. Heck. No. To be honest, I feel a little deceived with that marketing statement. I’m going to tell you right now to not bother with this one. There are many better choices out there.

The Fine Art of Truth or Dare by Melissa Jensen (Book Review)

Posted July 2, 2012 by Jana in Book Review, Young Adult Fiction / 9 Comments

The Fine Art of Truth or Dare by Melissa Jensen
Published by Speak on February 16, 2012
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 380
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
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Pretty in Pink meets Anna and the French Kiss in this charming romantic comedy

Ella is nearly invisible at the Willing School, and that's just fine by her. She's got her friends - the fabulous Frankie and their sweet cohort Sadie. She's got her art - and her idol, the unappreciated 19th-century painter Edward Willing. Still, it's hard being a nobody and having a crush on the biggest somebody in the school: Alex Bainbridge. Especially when he is your French tutor, and lessons have started becoming, well, certainly more interesting than French ever has been before. But can the invisible girl actually end up with a happily ever after with the golden boy, when no one even knows they're dating? And is Ella going to dare to be that girl?

Here we have another cute contemporary romance, and it was just what I needed for a summery day spent reading on my cruise ship’s balcony. Oh, and I was sick. Who else loves reading cute love stories when you’re sick? They are like comfort food. :) Really, all I feel like I can say is that it was adorable! Sometimes I get so swept into a story that I forget I have to review it. Haha. That’s kind of what happened here. So, this review will most likely be short and sweet, just like the book itself! As always, my main points are bolded. :)

1. I went into this book expecting “Pretty in Pink meets Anna and the French Kiss” since, well, that’s what the book said it was. While I certainly would not measure this book up to Anna (because it falls short in comparison), it was a sweet read that I’m glad I took the chance on.

2. I really enjoyed the wacky humor. Ella has this crush on Edward Willing, a painter from the 19th century. Obviously he’s no longer living, but she has a bust of him that she talks to about her life and inner thoughts. And he talks back and gives advice. I found that to be rather weird at first, but the idea kind of grew on me. I ended up enjoying their conversations. Ella also has this hilarious Italian family who all work at their Italian restaurant together. Their conversations and loud personalities kind of reminded me of the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

3. Ella is really easy to relate to. She’s got all the normal traits of a high school girl: a meddling family, a few best friends, a crush she is sure will never ever like her back, and some insecurities (especially regarding some severe scars leftover from a boating accident when she was younger). At the same time, though, she shines and gains the attention of that certain unattainable guy.

4. I love Ella’s two best friends, Frankie and Sadie, who go to Willing School with her. They are the misfits of their class, and have bonded together. Frankie is gay, Sadie is rich but has low self esteem, and Ella is there on scholarship. Clearly, they don’t fit in among the elite students (phillites) that surround them. Together, they help instil confidence in Ella, and help her grow as a person. Frankie is extremely flamboyant and confident, always bouncing around and voicing his opinion. Every girl needs a guy like Frankie in her life.

5. Alex is such a sweetie. He’s appointed Ella’s math tutor, and even though he’s a phillite, he is so sweet and caring towards her. They form this really cute relationship. There was no insta-love, just a simple, sweet teenage love story. They have a very real connection.

In short, I loved this book. It was cute, sweet, and light, but at the same time it touched on some of the deeper issues that teenagers face like self worth, body image, and feelings of inadequacy. I enjoyed everything about it, and would definitely recommend it to people who enjoy contemporary YA.