Two Truths and a Lie, by Sara Shepard

Series: Lying Game, #3
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: February 7, 2010
Hardcover: 304 pages
Genre: Young Adult - Contemporary
Read it in: 8 days
Source: Library
Challenge: YA Contemporary
Rating: ★★★★

Sutton Mercer watches from the afterlife as her long-lost twin, Emma Paxton, takes over her identity to solve her murder. But after ruling out her early leads, Emma still hasn’t found Sutton’s killer. A lot of people wanted her dead—but one name keeps popping up: Thayer Vega. When the gorgeous and mysterious Thayer returns to town, Emma has to move fast to figure out whether he’s back for revenge…or if he already got it.
Set in a town where friends can turn into dangerous enemies and everyone harbors dark secrets, The Lying Game is a juicy new series that fans of the #1 New York Times bestselling Pretty Little Liars series—and the hit ABC Family show—will love.

I know this is sad, but even though I'm on the third book in this series, I STILL have trouble trying to separate the characters and happenings in the TV show and the characters and happenings in the books. I mean, they are mostly completely different. But I do love both.

Sara Shepard really knows how to write a good mystery. She keeps it creepy, but enjoyable and glamorous. If that makes sense.  I love both Pretty Little Liars and this series. TV show and books. She's a fantastic story teller and definitely keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Once again, as with ALL of Sara's books, they give you a suspect and make everything point to them. You start believing it's actually them, but then BAM you're left back at step one by the end of the book. I don't want to go too much into detail about that because I don't want to spoil the book. But gosh....

I'd love to sit here and discuss theories of who the murderer might be and who is blackmailing Emma into keeping quiet about Sutton and herself, but I don't want to give anything away. But if you've read the first three books and would like to discuss, feel free to email me!

I really like Emma. I've always liked Emma better. I mean, c'mon, she's the nice twin. But, you know, it is refreshing to hear Sutton's thought every now and again to spice things up. Which I LOVE the added memories in this book. It really sheds some light on things and makes you able to see her side of what happened.

You also get to know more about Thayer in this book which I liked, though I'm  a bit creeped out by the book Thayer sometimes. But hey, that's good!

Overall, this was a great addition to the series and I'm very excited for the next! I definitely liked this one better than the second one. I hope I'll like the next one even better than this one. If you haven't checked out anything by Sara yet, please do. She may sound like a fluff writer, and parts of that may be true, but she sure knows how to keep you guessing and her books have great mystery.
                                                                                                                             
Author Info: Website | Twitter | Facebook
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The fourth book in this series is called  Hide and Seek, it was released July 31, 2012. 

Read my other reviews for this series:  

• The Lying Game
• Never Have I Ever

Pretty Crooked, by Elisa Ludwig

Series: Pretty Crooked, #1
Publisher: Katherine Tegen
Release Date: March 23, 2012
Hardcover: 368 pages
Genre: Young Adult - Contemporary
Read it in: 13 days
Source: Library
Challenge: Debut Author, YA Contemporary
Rating: ★★★★

Willa’s secret plan seems all too simple: take from the rich kids at Valley Prep and give to the poor ones.
Yet Willa’s turn as Robin Hood at her ultra-exclusive high school is anything but. Bilking her “friends”-known to everyone as the Glitterati-without them suspecting a thing, is far from easy. Learning how to pick pockets and break into lockers is as difficult as she’d thought it’d be. Delivering care packages to the scholarship girls, who are ostracized just for being from the “wrong” side of town, is way more fun than she’d expected.
The complication Willa didn’t expect, though, is Aidan Murphy, Valley Prep’s most notorious (and gorgeous) ace-degenerate. His mere existence is distracting Willa from what matters most to her-evening the social playing field between the have and have-nots. There’s no time for crushes and flirting with boys, especially conceited and obnoxious trust-funders like Aidan.
But when the cops start investigating the string of burglaries at Valley Prep and the Glitterati begin to seek revenge, could he wind up being the person that Willa trusts most?

When I first read the summary for this 2012 debut, I knew it was going to be an enjoyable read. It's just one of those books you know right of the bat is going to be fun. And it was. It took me a while to read it, nearly two weeks, but that was because I was in a rut. I just didn't want to read at all, but once I did I'd get through some pages pretty fast because it was funny at times and pretty snarky.

Willa was a great character, she lost her way a little bit toward the middle, but fixed it by helping those who didn't have much money. There is your classic mean girls in this book, the "Glitterati", they make it hell for those who are on scholarships and don't have the means to dress up to their standards. Willa thought there was something that needed to be done about that. So she turns into a modern day Robin Hood.

With the help of a new friend, she learns how to pick pocket and break into lockers and cars and eventually houses and steal things from those who have enough money to buy a million more of the things she stole. When she was on a "job" it really made my heart beat. My heart was pounding so hard thinking she was about to get caught. And then I'd exhale my held breath in relief.

Other than Willa, my other favorite characters were Cherise, Tre, and Aidan. Especially Aidan, he was so funny and all of his scenes made me smile. He's pretty different than the other rich kids. I can't decide who I want Willa to be with, though. I really like Aidan and she does too, but theres parts of me that see Tre and I'm like, "Noo Willa!". Maybe we'll see in the next book what will happen.

Overall, this is just an overall enjoyable book. The writing flowed well and I'd fly through pages when I was reading. This is definitely a debut to read this year! And a new author to add to my watch list. If you like Robin Hood and fashion, you should definitely give this book a try!
                                                                                                                                    
Author Info: Website | Twitter | Facebook
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The sequel, Pretty Sly, will be released on March 12th, 2013. 

Pushing The Limits, by Katie McGarry

Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date: August 1, 2012
e-Galley: 416 pages
Genre: Young Adult - Contemporary Romance
Read it in: 3 days
Source: Netgalley
Challenge: Debut Author, Contemporary
Rating: ★★★★★

"I won't tell anyone, Echo. I promise." Noah tucked a curl behind my ear. It had been so long since someone touched me like he did. Why did it have to be Noah Hutchins? His dark brown eyes shifted to my covered arms. "You didn't do that-did you? It was done to you?" No one ever asked that question. They stared. They whispered. They laughed. But they never asked.
So wrong for each other...and yet so right.
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 can't get this book out of my head. It's been three days since I finished this, and I just can't get it out of my head. When I have a free moment, my mind brings it up and I can't help it. I'm glued to the book I'm currently reading, and I love the book I'm currently reading, but I just CAN'T. GET. THIS. BOOK. OUT. OF. MY. HEAD!

If you can't tell by now, I really freaking loved this book. I LOVED it. Everything amazing. I mean, yes, I had a few issues with this book, but most of them were issues you're SUPPOSED to have while reading this book, like wanting to slap a few characters and cry because you think they are being stupid or making a very big mistake. The only problem and question that kept popping into my head was about Echo's mother. I'm not going to go into too much detail, but how, after ALL of the things that they think happened with her mother, did they NOT lock her up or put her into a psych ward? Really? I mean, I can kind of understand some of it, but at the same time I'm just left saying, "What....?"

But that's all!

I loved the characters. Except Grace. I wanted to smack a biatch when she popped into the story, ha! She drove me nuts. And I didn't really like Echo's ex-boyfriend all that well, he just seemed like your typical "I'm a jock and I'm popular, so you have to be too to be with me" guy. But Noah, oh God, Noah. I ADORED him. His past is pretty...wow, with all the girls, but oh my, Noah! *le dreamy sigh* That's all I can say about him. And Echo was a great character. She went through SO much, and I felt so bad for her. But she was a great character, even though I thought she was being stupid part of the time.

Echo and Noah were great with each other. They were complete opposites most of the time, but they fit so well together. They made each other better people. They learned a lot from each other and were just...perfect together. =)  Also, the book is told in both Echo and Noah's point-of-views with alternating chapters. Which I absolutely LOVED! I loved being in both their heads. (I need to get a physical copy ASAP because I read it on a messed up format e-galley. BOO!)

I also loved both of their issues. Echo trying to remember what happened with her and her mother, and then Noah trying to get his family back together. LOVED it. Not going to go into too much detail with that, but it really added to the story.

Overall, I don't know what else to say without rambling. It was amazing and I can't wait to re-read it in the future. I REALLY want to re-read it RIGHT now with a physical copy, but I don't have one. =( So boo! I  know there is another book coming out in 2013 in Beth's POV, but I wish there was another of Noah and Echo after they leave for school. I would definitely read it, even though some people think that it adds too much to a story that should of ended. But I love them so much! If you haven't read this yet, do it! I know you've most likely heard mostly GREAT things about it and you're probably suspicious, but don't be, it's amazing! Really! =D
                                                                                                                            

Author Info: Website | Facebook | Twitter

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The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, by Jennifer E. Smith

Publisher: Poppy
Release Date: January 2, 2012
Hardcover: 236 pages
Genre: Young Adult - Contemporary Romance
Read it in: 1 day
Source: Library
Challenge: YA Contemporary
Rating: ★★★★★

"Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?" Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan's life. Having missed her flight, she's stuck at JFK airport and late to her father's second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon-to-be stepmother Hadley's never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport's cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he's British, and he's sitting in her row. A long night on the plane passes in the blink of an eye, and Hadley and Oliver lose track of each other in the airport chaos upon arrival. Can fate intervene to bring them together once more? Quirks of timing play out in this romantic and cinematic novel about family connections, second chances, and first loves. Set over a twenty-four-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver's story will make you believe that true love finds you when you're least expecting it.

Before starting this book, I had a lot of trouble getting into a book and finishing it. I think I started about five books and never finished them. I was in a serious reading slump. But as soon as I saw this at the library, I grabbed it and new I'd be reading it when I got home. I started it, fell in love, and finished it. And voila, I'm nearly done with another book now!

I'd heard a lot of great things about this book for months and I'd been dying to read it. I'm glad I was FINALLY able to. It's short, but so much happens! It's definitely a VERY enjoyable quick read. If you get into a reading rut, pick up this contemporary and it will most likely snap you out of it.

This book takes place within a span of 24 hours. Girl misses plane, has to wait for another flight, meets boy. They stay up nearly the whole LONG plane ride and talk. They start falling for each other. VIOLA! =D Yes,  most of the time I hate insta-love, but this wasn't the case. Yes, they start falling for each other very quickly. But you'll just have to read it to understand how amazing this "love at first sight" is. It works. It's VERY romantic. They talk, have REAL conversations. I guess there is something about knowing that you will most likely never see a person again so you think it's fine to let them in. Something comforting sometimes about it, if that makes sense.

Hadley and Oliver work so well together, I loved their scenes together. They were so different at times, but at the same time it was like they were the same person. They got each other. When I first read the summary for this book, I admit, I though it sounded "fluffy and cute". It is cute, and fun, but also there were a lot of moments that were serious and sad.

Overall, there isn't much I can really say about this book. When I think about it, I smile. Everything was great, I don't think I can really complain about it, other than the fact that I want MORE. Though it worked SO well with how short it was. If you're looking for a great quick read to get you out of your slump, read it. Or if you just want to, READ IT. You won't regret it. =) I will definitely be buying and re-reading this in the future.
                                                                                                                                     

Author Info: Website | Twitter

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Someone Else's Life, by Katie Dale

Someone Else's Life, by Katie Dale
Author Info: Blog / Facebook / Twitter
Publisher: Random House
Release Date: February 14, 2012
ARC: 464 pages
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
Buy: Amazon
Read it in: 5 days
Source: Random Buzzers
Challenge: Debut Author, YA Contemporary
Rating: ★★★★
To learn more about my rating badges, click here!

When 17-year-old Rosie's mother, Trudie, dies from Huntington's Disease, her pain is intensified by the knowledge that she has a fifty percent chance of inheriting the crippling disease herself. Only when Rosie tells her mother's best friend, "Aunt Sarah," that she is going to test for the disease does Sarah, a midwife, reveal that Trudie wasn't her real mother after all. Rosie was swapped at birth with a sickly baby who was destined to die.Devastated, Rosie decides to trace her real mother, joining her ex-boyfriend on his gap year travels, to find her birth mother in California. But all does not go as planned. As Rosie discovers yet more of her family's deeply buried secrets and lies, she is left with an agonizing decision of her own, one which will be the most heart breaking and far-reaching of all.

When I first added this book to my reading list for the Debut Author Challenge, I thought it sounded really good. I got excited when I saw it in the Random Buzzer's store, but when it got here I just let it sit. I really wanted to read it, but was worried about the tough subject. Not that I've ever known anyone with Huntington's, but I was still worried.

Yes, it was a bit hard at times, but it's a wonderful book. Katie Dale really did her research and you learn a lot about Huntington's while reading it.  You also really get into the emotions of what it's like to love someone with the disease and all the effects it has on everyone.

Not only does she have the subject of Huntingtons, but she throws in what it would be like to be switched at birth! To have your mother, the woman you thought gave birth to you, die from Huntington's Disease, and then find out that you weren't really her daughter at all. If that happened to me, I would break down severely and sit in a dark closet for a very long time. But that's not what Rosie did!

Even though she loved the woman who she thought was her mother, the one who raised her, she wanted to know who her real parents were so she went searching! She hit a lot of obstacles along the way, but she was never completely selfish. Even when sometimes she had a right to be really upset and selfish, she tried her best to make the most of it.

Rosie was a really great character. It took me a while to get into the book and to get into Rosie's character, but as the story progressed I really started liking her character.Holly, on the other hand, completely annoyed me. At times, I really felt for her, but other times I just wanted to slap her. (Not going to tell you who she is!)


I really liked all the other characters. Especially Andy. I felt so bad for him a lot of the time, but he was a strong character. He was Rosie's rock.

Overall, this was a beautiful novel. It is also pretty uniquely written! Part One is told in chapters in Rosie's point-of-view. Part Two isn't cut up into chapters, but into point-of-views of Rosie and Holly.

If you've had someone close to you suffer from Huntington's Disease, or any disease at all, I highly recommend this book. Even if you haven't known any suffer from any disease, it's still a great book. Tough subject, but someone has to write them, right?! And Katie Dale chose to be the one with courage and to write this beautiful book. I'm very impressed and will definitely be keeping an eye out on Katie's work!

First Comes Love, by Katie Kacvinsky

First Comes Love, by Katie Kacvinsky
Author Info: Website / Blog / Twitter / Facebook
Publisher: Houghtin Mifflin Harcourt
Release Date: May 8, 2012
Hardcover: 208 pages
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
Buy: Amazon
Read it in: 6 days
Source: Publisher
Challenge: Sophomore Reading, YA Contemporary
Rating: 
To learn more about my rating badges, click here!

Like his name, Gray is dark and stormy. Dylan, a girl always searching for what’s next, seemingly unable to settle down, is the exact opposite: full of light and life. On the outside, they seem like an unlikely couple. But looks can be deceiving and besides, opposites attract.
What starts as friendship, turns into admiration, respect and caring, until finally these two lone souls find they are truly in love with each other.
But staying in love is not as easy as falling in love. If Dylan and Gray want their love to last, they’re going to have to work at it. And learn that sometimes love means having to say you’re sorry.

When I cracked open this book, I didn't know what I was getting myself into. I had read the summary, and it sounded really interesting and I wanted to read it. But the summary doesn't do it justice! I can't even begin to describe anything about this book.

In the beginning it was intriguing. I was curious about the mysterious guy, Gray, who walked through life in a daze. Hiding underneath his hoodie, listening to his music; and Dylan, the weird college courtyard girl who always showed up in the courtyard, taking pictures of anything and everything she could.

In the middle I was happy. The feelings of first love, and getting to know each other. I was seeing everything they were. I was experiencing love for the first time, all over again. All those memories of my first love coming back to me. And all the memories of my husband and I's new love blossoming.

Towards the end, I was heartbroken. I felt every knife stabbing me in the heart, over and over again, alongside Gray.

This book wasn't just about love, though, it was about loss and reminding yourself that you shouldn't stop living your life just because you lose someone close to you. They wouldn't want you to put your life on hold because you can't figure out how to live without them. It reminds you that fate works in mysterious ways, sometimes it throws people into your life to teach you lessons and remind you thinks and make you live again. Even if it's just for a short while, or even forever.

The characters in this book, Gray and Dylan, were so, so very real to me. Even though it took me a while to read this because I was limited on reading time, I was sucked into their world every time I started reading. I couldn't get enough. When I wasn't reading, I couldn't stop thinking about all the things Gray and Dylan had done and all the things they said. They really made me think about EVERYTHING. Dylan has me looking at life in a new way. This is one of those books that kind of change you a little bit while reading it; in a good way.

My family and I lost my Uncle Tim at the end of May. It's been hard because I was close to him, but I remind myself every day that he's in a much better place. I lost a little part of myself along with him. I feel the same way, but at the same time I'm different. Not sure if that makes sense. But reading this book, and reading about Gray's loss has really kind of helped me let my Uncle go. To smile up at the sky and thank the lord for taking him and ending his suffering. It's reminded me to live my life and to be happy.

I'm going to stop rambling now. But overall, I really think everything should read this book. It's short, has everything a good contemporary should have.  First love, finding yourself, no hateful break ups. But pure first love, that you just have to let go because of bad timing, but you find each other later on. Ugh, I really can't explain this book. Everything is so...wrong when I read back over this review. If you're into contemporary, please read it. You won't regret it. You get to see both sides of the story, Gray's and Dylan's.

Side-note:  I just want to let you know that this book was very personal for the author to write. It's based off her own experiences, things she would of liked to happen, and experiences of some of her friends. Also, the hardcover edition has THREE playlists! One for Gray, one for Dylan, and one to Dylan, from Gray.

Pilgrims Don't Wear Pink, by Stephanie Kate Strohm

Pilgrims Don't Wear Pink, by Stephanie Kate Strohm
Author Info: Website / Twitter / Facebook
Publisher: Houghtin Mifflin Harcourt
Release Date: May 8, 2012
Paperback: 204 pages
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
Buy: Amazon
Read it in: 3 days
Source: Publisher
Challenge: Debut Author, YA Contemp, ABC Reading
Rating: 
To learn more about my rating badges, click here!

A story of crushes, corsets, and conspiracy

Libby Kelting had always felt herself born out of time. No wonder the historical romance-reading, Jane Austen-adaptation-watching, all-around history nerd jumped at the chance to intern at Camden Harbor, Maine’s Oldest Living History Museum. But at Camden Harbor Libby’s just plain out of place, no matter how cute she looks in a corset. Her cat-loving coworker wants her dead, the too-smart-for-his-own-good local reporter keeps pushing her buttons, her gorgeous sailor may be more shipwreck than dreamboat — plus Camden Harbor’s haunted. Over the course of one unforgettable summer, Libby learns that boys, like ghosts, aren’t always what they seem.

 When I first read the summary for this book, I was like, "This sounds like a fun, quick contemporary!" and added it to my list. When I got it in the mail for review, I was happy, but not OMG YAY! happy. Once I started reading this, I got sucked in. It was so dang hilarious! The main character was so crazy. She was REALLY into fashion, and had her high standards, but she was also an aspiring historian and a nerd!

So many people underestimates her upon meeting her. They thing she's just your average dumb blonde, but she's not! She has a deeper layer that you realize once you start talking to her. Which made her seem that much more real!

At first, I was worried that she WAS that typical dumb blonde. But after a couple of pages I started to like her and knew there was a deeper layer. I'd really like to read more about her! And gosh, I never thought about working for a history museum for the summer when I was in school! That would of probably been quite fun! I love the old time dresses like she had to wear and would of loved to learn how to do some of the colonial cooking and things!

It was such a fun read, I wish it were bigger! At first I grabbed it from my TBR pile on my nightstand of books I want to get to ASAP and just wanted it for a quick contemporary read, but now I'm really sad it's over with. I really would have read 100 or even 200 more pages of it!

I really liked Garrett as well, right from the start! And I did like Cam as well, but was really suspicious of the way he acted. He was just...too weird. Too "perfect". That's always trouble! Okay, not always, but mostly.

Overall, if you're looking for a quick, fun, contemporary that has  some historical points in it (i.e she went to a history museum for the summer to live in the "colonial times") you should definitely check this out! And this is Stephanie debut novel for this year!  I will definitely be adding her to my author watch list!