The Dig (Zoe and Zeus Trilogy #1) Review

Author: Audrey Hart

Summary:
Zoe Calder has always been an outsider. Stashed away in boarding schools since her parents died, Zoe buries herself in the study of ancient worlds. Her greatest thrill is spending her summers with her archeologist aunt and uncle on digs around the world. And one day, while investigating a newly unearthed temple in Crete, Zoe discovers a luminous artifact that transports her to ancient Greece. As Zoe quickly learns, the Olympian Gods are real, living people—humans with mysterious powers… Powers that Zoe quickly realizes she has come to possess, as well. However, when the people of ancient Greece mistake Zoe for an Olympian, the Gods must restore the balance of the ancient world… No matter what. Zoe is forced to play a confusing and dangerous game as Hera rallies the gods against her—all except for Zeus, the beautiful, winged young god who risks everything to save her. Out of time and out of her element, teenager Zoe Calder finds herself in ancient Greece, battling against the power of the Olympians and the vengeance of a scorned goddess—all for the strange and mysterious boy she has come to love.

Think Percy Jackson meets Time traveling and you have your story. I really did like this book. It was fresh, new. And of course Greek Myhthology (One of my favourite genres) The beginning was a little boring to begin with because it went in slow paths and didnt explain much on the greek gods but more on Zoes background, her being at boarding school and not fitting in, which had to be done or of course we wouldnt understand her character as much. It then went into more explanation on how she went to spend her summer with her aunt and uncle in Greece ( I did want more story on them) and her finding the temple and landing back in time which she got transported by an Iphone (Very clever). But by the part that Zeus was introduced I really got into the story, thats when the romance started. I loved Zeus and Zoes relationship I just thought it was a little rushed. But I'm happy there making a trilogy so we can see how their relationship develops. But Zeus is the most spot on guy on how a male character should be. Hes sweet, strong and very protective over Zoe and I just loved how they clicked as soon as they met. One thing I did love about this book though was how everything was described. I could picture everything in my head happeneing. I loved the whole way Audrey portrayed the gods in this story too. I thought they were developed amazingly and acted just like how gods and goddeseses would. Espically Heras character. We just love a jelous girlfriend. The ending was great aswell, it left you with wondering what would happen next. Something not to miss reading next. I rated this an A+ it was my kind of story, and had me glued as soon as I read it.

Review: The Goddess Test By Aimee Carter

Review: Overprotected By Jennifer Laurens

Title: Overprotected

Author: Jennifer Laurens

Genre: Young Adult/ Romance.

Summary:

Ashlyn: A lonely society princess living in New York City.

Daddy hired you to be my bodyguard.

Colin: Childhood enemy, now her protector.

Daddy thought I’d be safe. He thought I’d never fall in love. He thought he could keep me forever.

Charles: obsessed with keeping her safe, keeping her his, he hires the one person he knows she could never fall in love with: Colin.

Daddy was wrong.

Review:

I so bloody loved this book. It was everything I hoped for. This story takes place around a girl named Ashlyn. Whos father is so highly stricked and overprotected over her (hense the title) that he literally has a bodyguard to follow her every step. She literally dosent have a life, they even have to go to school with her. The reason for this is because when Ashlyn was five she got kidnapped by her babyistter because she was obssessed with her dad. Anyway Ashlyn gets her old bodyguard fired because shes trying to prove to her dad she can do everything on her own but he only ends up hiring the one person she wishes he didn't hire and thats Colin. Her child enemy of who used to bully her because her father just dosent want her to ever fall in love and he knows she wouldnt with him.

I just loved this story it gives you that 'awww factor' and reminds you of a fairytale story in a way. The beginning was a little slow to begin with but I am a slow reader so that is probably why.

The characters were amazing. Colin has go to be one of my favourite male characters ever, no kidding! He was just so sweet. He was geunine. And he was just being himself. He wasn't a player, or you know a broody typical silent type. It was a nice change to what you normally see in stories with the male lead being dark and stuff. He was very nice and I loved his friendship with Ashlyn. Ashlyn was very sweet too. She was so real, and I felt like you could feel her feelings and how she just wanted to be like any normal person and not feel like she has someone watching her back all the time. I loved the whole tension between them and the whole we-cant-do-this and how it was wrong but yet so right.

Overall I rated this a huge A+ this was everything I wanted it to be. My only flaw with this story was that there were alot of typo errors or words that didn't make sense in the sentence and sometimes that could be really annoying when I was reading. But the story made up for it.

In My Mailbox (6)

This is my in my mailbox for this week. Thanks to everyone who sent me gifted me these books :) What did you get in your IMM this week?

RAK: August 2011 Wrap Up!

RAK: August 2011 Wrap Up! So as you know I am part of the rak community which I have done a video and post about nearly every month so check it out if you dont know what rak is. It is hosted by Booksoulmates, and its a wonderful place where people do an random act of kindness and they give and recieve books to each other, its such a wonderful place. And as you know it was my birthday last month so I got an incredibal amount of books of people which Im so grateful for that they deserve a thankyou!! I recieved - ----------------------------

Random Act OF Kindness:

Michelle Smith - Matched - http://muchlovedbooks.blogspot.com/

Shannon Lovell - The Summer I turned pretty

Helena Norlin -The summer I turned pretty x (http://www.helenasbookshelf.blogspot.com/)

Nicole Sobon - The Hunger Games x ("http://yabookhaven.wordpress.com".com

Ambur Hostyn - The Duff x(http://burningximpossiblyxbright.blogspot.com/)

Harpreet Singh - Jekyl and Hyde x (http://booksforteens6212.blogspot.com/)

Cassie Preece -The Luxe x (http://baileysdarkfantasyreviews.blogspot.com)

Karis - Bumped (http://yalitwit.blogspot.com/)

Alice Priday - The Iron Witch http://bestbooks1.blogspot.com/

You guys are the best seriously, couldnt wish for better birthday presents. I also sent Remembrance to : Rensrambles (http://rens-rambles.blogspot.com)

Cant wait to do rak again this month, because Ill be sending alot more books hopefully :D. What did you get this rak month.

Review: Jessie Hearts NYC By Keris Stainton

Title: Jessie Hearts NYC.

Author: Keris Stainton.

Genre: Young adult.

Summary:

Jessie's just arrived in New York, hoping to forget about her awful ex.

New Yorker Finn is in love with his best friend's girlfriend.

They might be perfect together, but in a city of eight million people, will they ever find each other?

Review:

I really enjoyed this light easy read story. It takes place when Jessie and her bestfriend Emma are going on a trip to New York (since Jessies mom lives there) so shes gone to visit her and to explore all of New York because its her dream. It also takes place around Finn who lives in New York and was brought up there. They both have problems of their own with them both in New York, Jessies with her and her moms relationship and also from just splitting up from her ex. Finns problems consist around him being in love with his best friends girlfriend.

I really enjoyed it because everything was around New York. This book made you feel like you was actually there. And since its been a dream of mine to actually go it felt nice to read a story that is mainly based around everything there. It spoke of the films made there, the tv shows and the most famous places, it was so cute.

I think this books main focus was fate. About how fate can make Jessie and Finn be brought together. How out of eight billion people these two were made for each other. I loved the whole concept of the two of them always bumping into each other but not noticing the other, because it made you think that have you ever bumped into your future relationship without you knowing. It always made you think that everything happens for a reason.

The characters were amazing. I loved Jessie, I felt why she couldnt get along with her mom because I wouldnt either if I was in the same situation. I felt she was very natrually easy going and nice and just wanted to get her moms attention now and then. I loved Finn too. I understood it was bad of him to like his best friends girlfriend, but sometimes these things happened and he wasnt a bad person because he didnt want to hurt his friend. He is the easy friendly going guy who just wants to be able to make his own choices, instead of his family making them for him.

The only thing I did not like about this book was that there wasnt alot of romance. Even though it was about Jessie and Finn keep bumping in to one and other and romance in New York, I didnt find there was alot of it. I wanted more, I know I sound greedy but I did. I wanted to see more of there friendship and relationship. There could of been a few more chapters for me, so I hope she makes a companion or sequel.

But I did enjoy it overall because Im obsessed with New York and hope one day to go there to. Because I wouldnt mind following in Jessie footsteps and having an amazing trip like her.

Overall I rate this an A.

My Book Wishlist (1)

So once a month I've decided to write a post with my wishlist because I like to keep track on what I want plus you guys could take a look and get ideas on what books you love aswell and if your in the rak communitiy (I have a post on it) you could even send me a book :D Not that you have to aha. Will put a cross next to my list once Ive brought it or got it.
Heres my list:

1. Its not summer without you. By Jenny Han
2. Falling for Hamlet. By Michelle Ray
3. Ripple. By Mandy Hubbard.
4. Going to far. By Jennifer Echols.
5. Divergent. By Veronica Roth.
6. Tigers Curse. By Collen Houck.
7. Shutout. By Kody Keplinger.
8. Perfect Chemistry. By Simone Elkoles.
9. Epic Fail. By Claire LaZebnik.
10. The Girl in the steel corset. By Kady Cross.

Put your wishlists down below if you want with your wishlists. I love checking peoples out.

Review: A Kiss In Time By Alex Flinn

Title: A Kiss in time

Author: Alex Flinn

Genre: Young adult

Summary:

Talia fell under a spell...Jack broke the curse.
I was told to beware the accursed spindle, but it was so enchanting, so hypnotic...
I was looking for a little adventure the day I ditched my tour group. But finding a comatose town, with a hot-looking chick asleep in it, was so not what I had in mind.
I awakened in the same place but in another time—to a stranger's soft kiss.
I couldn't help kissing her. Sometimes you just have to kiss someone. I didn't know this would happen.
Now I am in dire trouble because my father, the king, says I have brought ruin upon our country. I have no choice but to run away with this commoner!
Now I'm stuck with a bratty princess and a trunk full of her jewels...The good news: My parents will freak!
Think you have dating issues? Try locking lips with a snoozing stunner who turns out to be 316 years old. Can a kiss transcend all—even time?

Review

First of all wowza this book was just everything I wanted it to be. It takes place first of in the 1700 century with Talia and tells of the tale similar to sleeping beauty on how she pricks her finger and sleeps. The story then jumps three hundred so years and thats where one of our main chracters Jack (awesome but slacker) Jack comes into it. He decided to skip his europe tour and ends up coming across a magical place where everyone seems to be asleep and not helping himself he wakes up Talia (Beautiful but bratty) princess. The story then properly starts with this whole adventure happeneing with Talia and Jack running off together to his own country, not by Jacks choice but because Talia is not on good terms with her family. The story is about Talia understand the meaning of a different century on how different it is compared to her own time, the story of Jack and Talia falling in love and how the evil witch Malvolia is still alive and set out on making sure that Talia goes back to her fateful life of sleeping, since she was not meant to wake up by Jack since he wasnt her actual true love.

The character were simply awesome in this story, I love them both. When normally in a story I strongly agree with one character more than the other. It was set in both points of view, and surprisingly I did not mind. Now normally I hate the boy and girl both having their own minds because I get so confused with them but I loved this because I wanted to know what both of them were thinking and feeling in different situations, Alex Flinn did a good job with that. Talia was the bratty princess, always getting her own way, and because of this she wants Jack, yet she dosent want her. You learn shes human though and she just wants to be able to want what any other human being can do instead of being bodyguarded all the time, you learn shes a very friendly person to everyone and seems to listen to Jacks and everyones problems shes also quite funny in parts because she isnt used to new technology thats been made. You can tell that she really cares about Jack aswell. I loved Jack to. He was totally laid back and not one of those annoying male leads that are horrible, arrogant or think their way better then anyone else. All Jack wants is his families attention, this is what makes him bring Talia home in the first place. Hes a real good friend and just wants to be able to do something he enjoys not do what his parents want him to do. Oh and I also loved his friend Travis, he cracked me up in some times how he was always obsessed with food. I loved his role for a friend.

All over this was a A+ for me. I love it so much I may well read it again sometime soon, it was such an enjoyable read. Didn't take me too long, and I can deffinetly see it becoming a film. It would make a great movie.

This is how I picture my princess Talia.

In My Mailbox 5

Thankyou to everyone who sent me RAK gifts for birthday presents or sent me books publishers to review. Will eventually get around them all.

After The Kiss Winner.

After the Kiss Winner.

So after all those fabulous entries, we ended up getting a winner. So welldone to the wonderful Rabiah Rowther @ Confessions of a readaholic. (Who we have already contacted)And don't worry if you didn't win because I have another giveaway coming soon enough, so keep your eyes open :D

Review: Remembrance By Michelle Madow

Title: Remembrance.
Author: Michelle Madow.

Genre: Young adult

Summary:

New Hampshire high school junior Lizzie Davenport has been reincarnated from Regency Era, England ... but she doesn't know it yet.

Then Drew Carmichael transfers into Lizzie's school at the beginning of the year, and she feels a connection to him, almost like she knows him. She can't stop thinking about him, but whenever she tries talking with him about the mysteries behind her feelings, he makes it clear that he wants nothing to do with her. Reaching him is even more difficult because she has a boyfriend, Jeremy, who has started to become full of himself after being elected co-captain of the varsity soccer team, and her flirtatious best friend Chelsea starts dating Drew soon after his arrival. So why can't she seem to get him out of her mind?

Even though Lizzie knows she should let go of her fascination with Drew, the pair of them soon find that fighting fate isn't going to be easy.

Review:

So I was given a pdf copy (which I don't usually take to read) but because of how amazing the summary was I couldn't help myself but to read it. This story takes place in our time around a girl named Lizzie and a boy named Drew. Lizzie and Drew are drawn to each other from the moment they met and Lizzie realizes shes saw him before she feels like she fell in love with him before and its because in their past life they were lovers. This story takes place around that and how Lizzie cant keep away from him even though shes got a boyfriend and how for some reason Drew dosent want to be around her and dates her bestfriend and is trying to fight his feelings for her for a reason which is not told until the end of the book. It's about lovers who were torn apart for a reason and should be together.

I loved the characters in this. I liked Lizzie because she was genuine and just a regular teenager you could relate to with boyfriend problems. The only problem with Lizzie was that I felt that maybe she was sometimes in the wrong too in her relationship with Jeremy and even though her boyfriend was an idiot I felt that she could of tried harder with the relationship or broken up sooner instead of just being one of those girlfriend who whine about her boyfriend all the time, which she did. Her and Jeremy's relationship reminded me so much like a this couple at schools, which was awful aswell. My favourite character was Drew. I loved Drew there was nothing wrong with him he was how I wanted him too be. He listened to Chelseas feelings and wasn't like most boys and treated anyone nasty, he was just a sweet guy. Chelsea who was Lizzies bestfriend sometimes did bug me, but then I did felt bad for her at times and could understand why she was upset with Lizzie when she was, because I would of been the same.

My only slight glitch with this story was that I wanted more of their past. We didn't really get a strong storyline of what happened alot in there past more of the present, just parts and I really wanted to know what they were like back then. I wanted more pages and more indepth on the story. And about the man in shop aswell, he only appeared in it a few times and I felt he could of became a bigger character, it would of been alot fun.

But apart from that this book was enjoyable so I rate it: B.
P.S stay around for the author interview and giveaway, surely soon... Michelle Madow is awesome. I look forward to your next books.

Author Interview: Terra Elan McVoy + After the Kiss Giveaway

Today on my blog page I have an fabulous interview for you all from the lovely Terra Elan Mcvoy who was kind enough to spare some of her time to tell me about her books, she also was very nice enough to give away one of her books for you all! Which will be at the end of the interview.

Hi Terra! You have a total of three books that have been published so far, which one would you say is your favourite that you have written?

The problem is, I can’t say! Each book is special to me for different reasons. Pure because it’s my first, but also because the issues in it are important to me. After the Kiss is special because it’s my first novel in poems, and I loved doing that form. The Summer of Firsts and Lasts has a significant place in my heart because it is all about sisterhood. And forthcoming Being Friends With Boys is one I love, because of all the different relationships in it!

You also have a fourth book that comes out next year in 2012 called Being Friends with Boys . Are there any little hints that your willing to share with us with what its about?

I am very psyched about this book, which is about Charlotte, a girl who has mostly guys for friends. Here’s the synopsis:

Charlotte and Oliver have been friends forever. She knows that he, Abe, and Trip consider her to be one of the guys, and that’s how she likes it. She likes being the one who keeps them all together. Likes offering a girl’s perspective on their love lives, and being the behind-the-scenes wordsmith who writes all the lyrics for their band. Char has a house full of stepsisters and a past full of backstabbing (female) ex-best friends, so for her, being friends with boys is refreshingly drama-free . . . until it isn’t any more.

When a new boy enters the scene (hotly) and makes Char feel like, well, a total girl . . . and two of the other guys have a falling out that may or may not be related to one of them maybe wanting to be more than friends with Char . . . being friends with all these boys suddenly feels a lot more complicated.

Where did you get your inspiration from to write all of these books?

Life! Friends, my own experiences and memories, things I see or hear about in the news, popular culture, talking to people I know who are in high school now . . . I’m always trying to keep my eyes, ears, heart and mind open to possible ideas. All of those things get mixed up with my imagination, and viola!

Who would you say your favourite character is, in your book After the kiss?

It is impossible for me to choose between Camille and Becca, so I will say Becca’s boss, Margot, because I think I have been that boss before, and I don’t think I painted a fair picture of her! Who are your favourite authors?

Who are your favourite authors?

There are so many! Lorrie Moore, Richard Yates, William Faulkner, T.S. Eliot, M. F. K. Fisher, Pat Conroy, Jonathan Franzen, Jean Thompson, Alice Munro, Cormac McCarthy, L. Frank Baum, Tom Robbins, Annie Dillard, Annie Proulx, Carson McCullers, Laurie Halse Anderson, John Irving, Beverly Cleary . . . too many to name here!

If you could have written someone else’s book that’s already published, what book would you have written?

This is such a good question and I wish I had a really solid answer for it. Faulkner’s The Sound and the Fury is a possibility. It is so complex and so genius and difficult, and it polarizes so many people . . . so that might be a good one. Or maybe Melissa Clark’s In the Kitchen With a Good Appetite, because the recipes are AWESOME and so are the stories!

Out of all of your books which one would you say was the hardest to write and why?

Hmmm. They have all been hard and intimidating in their own ways. But I think maybe Pure was the hardest emotionally, just because I had never written a novel before and I wasn’t sure if I could!

And have you got any plans for any more books in the future?

Oh, I will keep writing books as long as they let me! (And probably even if they don’t.) I definitely have one or two more YA titles in mind, plus some hopes for a short story or two, and who knows—maybe there is an adult book in my future. I didn’t think I could write my first novel, so every book I accomplish is a blessing!

Thankyou so much Terra for answering some questions for me and now for the giveaway bit. To enter the giveaway to win a brand new copy of After the kiss from Terra herself then here are the rules of what to do: Comment below with:

1. Your GFC name (You must be a follower) 2. Write your email address there aswell so that if you win we have a way of contacting you. 3. Write your real name aswell. That is all. The giveaway will end on 16th of August. It's international too :)

Usa VS Uk Book Covers: The Summer I Turned Pretty.

Usa VS Uk Book Covers: The Summer I Turned Pretty.

So I've decided to start doing Usa VS Uk Book cover blog posts weekly since I love the fact that you can debate about which cover you think is the best and how the publishers went wrong on making the other cover and why you don't like it. This weeks I chose The Summer I Turned Pretty.

USA Version.. UK Version

I think out of the two covers my personal favourite is the USA version by far. I seriously hate the UK version. It's plain and all it has is the writing on the front, while the USA version has pictures which looks like the typical beachy summer read and looks more for Young adults aswell, while the UK version looks more like a book for young children and to my expectations just looks like the cheap version of the book. Apart from that I hear the book is good, I havent read it yet since its on my wishlist, but if I were to recieve I would apprechiate the USA version more, it stands out at you and makes you want to buy it when the UK version just makes you think its going to be some really quicky easy read. What are your thoughts? Do you like the USA or UK version better?

Random Act of Kindness: August Sign-Up & Giveaway

The RAK Rules:

• 
  Sign up each month that you'd like to participate.
  Show off your participation by grabbing our RAK button :)
  Create a wish list (on Amazon, Goodreads, or your blog etc) and post it in the Google Doc located in each R.A.K post for the month.
  If you choose to do a R.A.K for someone, check out their wish list and contact that blogger for their address.
  NEW REQUEST: Please, once you receive a RAK, email or tweet me {Vanessa} so that I can update the Google doc. There are a lot of requests for this!
  At the end of the month, SHOW US YOUR R.A.K! Make a post saying 'Thank You' to whoever granted one of your wishes and share it with us :)

OPEN TO EVERYONE!
Let's keep our International bloggers in mind and in our hearts.
Remember, there's always the Book Depository and they offer FREE shipping!
LINKS YOU WILL NEED:Sign up for August {HERE}See who else is participating in August {HERE}

Now Onto the giveaway.
Simple Giveaway Rules:
The giveaway is open to participants
ONLY.
Please post about RAK and the giveaway info on your blog and paste link
in the same google doc that you use to sign up for RAKOR
If you don't have a
blog, you can still be entered by tweeting about it or Facebooking it
and TAG US
{If you don't have the link by the time you sign up for the
RAK itself, then please email me and I'll add it}That's it
:)
IMPORTANT: If you do not wish to sign up for the giveaway then please
leave a comment in the comments section of the google document.

I didn't get a rak last month, but I hope to get some this month, it is also my birthday month so its very exciting. Here you can check out my wishlist. http://www.amazon.co.uk/registry/wishlist/3SJ16J3R3DZGR

Feel like being kind then do an random act of kindness now and make someones day happy :)
Thankyou Vanessa and Isalys for this.

Waiting On Wednesday: Lola and the boy nextdoor #2

Waiting On Wednesday: Lola and the boy next door.

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine.

Summary: Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn’t believe in fashion . . . she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit -- more sparkly, more fun, more wild -- the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood.

When Cricket -- a gifted inventor -- steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.

My Rant: If this dosent get you excited the summary, then just totally check out the boy on the front of the cover, he's handsome. I am so so so excited for this book you guys wouldn't understand. I'm going to save my pennies for this one once it hits the shops and online. I love these type of romances, their my favourite. Stephanie Perkins has got to be one of my favourite authors, escpically from reading anna and the french kiss.

This awesome book comes out on September 29th. Remember the date

Book Buying Ban :(

So this is the reason I havent been getting many books latley. So from last week, my parents told me I wasnt allowed to keep spending money because we go away for the weekend in over a week and a half and Ive got to save all my pennies for my little weekend holiday. Plus my birthday is august 18th and Ill probably have a few books for my birthday aswell. So Im on a book buying ban for a few weeks. Thats the sad news over with....

But in other good news, Ill have a great book haul maybe from blackpool and deffinetly one for my birthday :)
I will try do more book reviews though because I have a few books thats I've read and need reviewing still.

- Kelsey :)

In my mailbox (4)

The in my mailbox is hosted by Kirsten @ thestorysiren.

This is everything I got this week.

I'm on a book buying ban until my birthday which is in two weeks.

Waiting On Wednesday #1 Dont expect magic

Waiting on wednesday.

Waiting on Wednesday* is a weekly event hosted at Breaking the Spine that spotlights eagerly awaited upcoming releases.

Dont expect magic. Summary:

Delaney Collins doesn't believe in fairy tales. And why should she? Her mom is dead, her best friend is across the country, and she's stuck in California with "Dr. Hank," her famous life-coach father—a man she barely knows. Happily ever after? Yeah, right.
Then Dr. Hank tells her an outrageous secret: he's a fairy godmother—an f.g.—and he can prove it. And by the way? The f.g. gene is hereditary. Meaning there's a good chance that New Jersey tough girl Delaney is someone's fairy godmother.
But what happens when a fairy godmother needs a wish of her own?

This will be released : November 8th 2011. What do you guys think of this? I think the summary and the book itself look amazing.

Anna And The French Kiss Review

Summary: Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris—until she meets Étienne St. Claire: perfect, Parisian (and English and American, which makes for a swoon-worthy accent), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home.
As winter melts into spring, will a year of romantic near-misses end with the French kiss Anna—and readers—have long awaited?

Review: I give this book five out five. I seriously loved it. It was a major chick lit, with whole lot of romance to it aswell. Plus it was YA which is another bonus. I loved it because the plot was amazing. I mean it starts off with a girl called Anna who lives in america and moves to paris- because of her dad who's like an bestselling author. And she hates it at first but so many things happen in it that she does start to enjoy. Espically when Etienne St Clair meets her. Their like the perfect match in a book I have seen. They had this amazing chemistry and they were such great friends. There was just one problem though and that was his girlfriend, which I loved because I like, love triangles in a book. Espically when it's a boy liking two girls and the main girl you really want with them. You also had her friend Meredith who liked him so there was even more drama going on. Plus she still had a crush back at home on a boy who she worked with, and so much more was going on. I loved all the drama.

The character's were fabulous. Anna was so relatable. She was kind, nice and easy-going. I really enjoying reading her point of view. So was St Clair. He had this whole golden boy thing going on at school. With everyone liking him and being the ''perfect boy'' all the girls wanted, yet couldn't have. He was friendly to everyone aswell, which in most books don't always happen. And the more nicer he was to Anna the more you wanted him with her.

I deffinetly recommend getting this. Whether your bored or wanting a really good romance, I would say this is a summer and winter read, its one of those books you could read anytime in the year. I would buy it.

My rate: A+

In My Mailbox (3)

Hosted by Kristie at the Storysiren.
What I brought myself from the charity shop 1) To Marry a prince - By Sophie Page. 2) Elsewhere By Gabrielle Zevin. 3) Before I die By Jenny Downham. 4) Rain By Kate Lee Van. 5) L.A Candy By Lauren Conrad. 6) The I got the two harry potter books which arent on here, The chamber of secrets and the Prizon of azikaban.

For Review from LittleBrown I got 7) Nightshade By Andrea Cremer. 8) Rosebush By Michelle Jaffe. Thankyou Frances for these! Huge thankyou.

For Review of MacMillian I got 9)Forbidden By Jana Oliver. 10) Everlasting By Alyson Noel. So thankyou again for these!

Also for review I got: 11) An Arc of Dark of the moon By Tracy Barret. (My first arc wooop) 12)
Starring in the movie of my life By Laurel Osterkamp. 13) Stay By C.C.Jackson 14) Dearly Departed By Lia Habel. 15)Veiled By S.B.Niccum. 16)The Night Circus (So excited for this one) By Eric Morgenstern.

What I won in a giveaway: 17)Forgive my fins By Tera Lynn Chlds (Won from Books for company) 18) The Pale Assassin From Blethering about books.

Thankyou!! For all this lovely stuff.
What did you get in your imm this week.

Review: Jenna and Jonahs Fauxmance.

Published By Bloomsubry: Thankyou for sending me this to review.

Summary: Teen TV celebrities Jenna and Jonah make more money in a month than most people do in a lifetime. They can't stand to be in the same room as each other, but to boost the TV ratings their agents make them a 'real life' couple. Then the deception is uncovered by the paparazzi, and Charlie and Fielding have to disappear to weather the media storm.

Rating: B

Review: I started off reading this because I was ill. I think thats why it took me so long to actually read it because I was poorly and was reading it slowly to enjoy it more. I think when you read a book to quick you forget what happens and rush it. Anyway it was a very light read. I could of probably read it in a few hours. A plane ride or car ride or a bored day will make you enjoy this book.

It is about two tv stars. Jenna A.k.a Charlie and Jonah A.k.a Fielding and Aaron. (he had so many screen names and different names here and there it was a little annoying but I suppose it was it made some of the book) who have starred in this hit family show for years and pretending to be a couple in real life aswell. Yet they hate each other all the time off camera. There always together, always acting even off camera for the media. I did like this book for reasons about the media because it gave me a different look on celebrities and how even though their famous they are normal people like ourseleves aswell.

Charlie and Aaron have to go into 'hiding' because people have realised that the two are not really together. Which takes us through the journey of them being together and bickering at the other all the time.

I can honestly say I did love the chemistry between the both of them, because one minute they hated each other and were at each others throats; but the next they either felt sorry for the other or sympathy or were actually getting along and enjoying the company with one and other. You could feel the sexual attention between them because they were always going at each other with snarky comments. I love it when characters in book have this, shows how they are feeling.

Character wise I loved Aaron. I felt sorry for him. I felt he just wanted a normal life and a normal life is not what he was getting. No one ever left him alone. His manager never left him alone and people pushed him around all the while. And yet even though he came across as a Zac efron look alike and acted very disney, I felt he had no other option but to act into that character because he didnt get to choose his own path, so I love it when he decides to do what he wants.

However Charlie annoyed the hell out of me. She was whiny and acted like a typical diva in the celebrity industry and always acted for herself and didn't care about anyone else. I felt she was very self-centered and a bit braty and quite bossy when it came to Aaron. However she sort of does change as the book goes along, but I still hated reading in her point of view sometimes because it was like everyone had to drop everything for her.

Overall I give this a rating of a B. It wasn't the best book I've ever read. But it wasnt the worst either. Maybe if they had exstended the book longer and added more things that had happened when they were at Aarons secret hiding house and at the camp I would of liked it alot better. The ending was a good way to end it though, it was a little cliche and light hearted but thats the type of books I like to read.

- Kelsey

In My Mailbox (2)

In My Mailbox (2)

Hosted by Kristie at the story siren.

So I said I wasn't going to post my in my mailbox weekly. But because I had quite a few books this week I thought well why not. So I think I may do it regular on a friday, a bit different to instead of sundays. This months I brought myself: 1) Crescendo By Becca Fitzpactrick. (Omg if you havent read this first book go pick it up now)

Books sent to me from The Chicken House. Huge big thank-you seriously so kind of you. 2) Princess Trap By Kirsten Boie. 3) Girl, Aloud By Emily Gale. 4) Rockoholic By C.J.Skuse. 5) Reckless By Cornella Funke. SO EXCITED TO READ THESE :) Thankyou Claire.

I got a book sent to me from Bloomsbury. 6) Jenna & Jonahs Fauxmance By Emily Franklin and Brendan Halpin. Thankyou Emma.

I then got sent from Charity herself Thankyou so much, her book 7) The geek girls guide to cheerleading. By Charity Tahmaseb and Darcy Vance. I also picked up some swagger bookmarks from her which I'll be soon giving away.

So thats all for my in my mailbox this week. What did you get?

- Kelsey xox

Hush Hush By Becca Fitzpactrick Review

Hush Hush - By Becca Fitzpactrick.

Summary:

For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her...until Patch comes along.
With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment, but after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure whom to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is far more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.
For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.

My review: First of all this book was amazing! I started off reading this slow because I was busy with prom all week but once I got into it I couldn't stop reading it until 2 in the morning. It starts off with Nora; a good student. Who does as shes told and tends to love doing homework alot. She not the total cliche good girl who cant do nothing wrong and make mistakes though because she does at times make the wrong choices. I found even though she has iron pills and did panic alot that she was strong and brave when it come to Patch because no one could put her off him. There chemistry was unreal it was totally epic and you could tell Patch was very into Nora.

Which leads us to Patch, who she meets in her biology class. As soon as she meets him she knows there's something off about him. Yet he dosent leave her alone anyway. But the more time she spends with Patch and the more he enters her life the more a mask figure enters and follows her around. I loved Patch because he had two different personalities. One minute he was cheeky, charming and playful. Then he had a side that was secretive, mysterous and well ... dangerous. Which when it comes to a girl like me, ticks every box.

There was so much to this story.. that I cannot wait for the sequel. And there was so many enemies and so many plots going on aswell. That as soon as something happened, another thing happened straight after.

I would of said this book was part thriller in a short way because there were bits in the book that made you feel scared for Nora and made you on the edge waiting to see what was going on.

There was also characters like Vee who was Noras bestfriend in it aswell. I didn't really like her that much though. For some reason I found she talked about herself alot and well she was all about herself and not wanting Nora with Patch (there's a reason for that though) But I just found her not as a good friend as someone should be in some situations.

But anyway I give this book a mark of an A+

It had romance, thrill, suspense and shock. If you havent read this go pick it up now. I can't wait to read the sequel Crescendo.

Fairytale Retelling Books

So I was researching through fairytale retellings, because I have an obsession with it at the moment and really want to buy a huge collection of them soon just to read them all. And it made me think to do a blog post on it because I know fairytales are a popular topic at the moment, with how many there are and that around. And I know sometimes its hard to find them because of how many books there are around so I thought to put a list of them here for guys.

What do you guys think? That retellings is getting out of hand and that people should stop taking the ideas from old classical authors or that their should be more?

Beastly - By Alex Flinn. This is a retelling of beauty and the best.

A Kiss In Time - By Alex Flinn

Cloaked - By Alex Flinn

Sisters Red - By Jackson Pearce

Sweetly - By Jackson Pearce

Entwined - By Heather Dixon

Cindy Ella - By Robin Palmer

Geek Charming - By Robin Palmer

Little Miss Red -By Robin Palmer

Beauty - By Robin Mckinely

If you know anymore please do write down below what other retellings in fairytales there are in the comments section.

In My Mailbox (1) For June.

In my Mailbox (1) June.

So I didn't do in my mailbox weekly this month I decided to just gather up all the books I get and show them all at the end of the month, but I may try doing it every fortnight since I don't get alot of books.

In mymail Box is hosted by Kirsten @ The story siren. Thankyou for this amazing idea.

This Month I brought myself:

1.Dark Heart Rising - By Lee Monroe

2. StarCrossed - By Josephine Angelini

3. You know you love me - By Cecily Von Ziegesar

Gifted to me this month:

4. Here lies Bridget - By Paige Harbison. Gifted By my sister.

5. Beastly - By Alex Flinn. Gifted At Rak By Graceful Reads.

6. Hex Hall - By Rachel Hawkins. Gifted at Rak By Kate.

7. Withering Tights - By Louise Rennison. Gifted By Becky @ Beckys Barmy Book Blog.

Sent to me too review this month.

8. Hex - By Ramona Wray

9. Somber Island - By C. Lynne Colles.

10. My So Called After Life - By Tamsyn Murray

11. Holding Her Breath - By Nicolen Green

12. Crush - By Andrea N Richesin

For Swap this month:

13. 13 Little Blue Envelopes By Maureen Johnson.

And I also recieved swag of C.Lynne.

Thankyou for sending me awesome books guys, will be sure to read each of them.

And thats all that I got this month. What did you get in your in the mailbox?

RAK: June Wrap Up!

Thanks to two wonderful, amazing people this month of RAK (Random act of kindness I was given two books)

By Graceful reads I was given Beastly. A link to her blog: http://gracefulreads.blogspot.com/

And By Kate I was Given Hex Hall.

Link for RAK:

http://booksoulmates.blogspot.com/2011/02/feature-how-big-is-your-rak.html

RAK: Random Act of Kindness: June.

RAK a.k.a Random act of kindness is a monthly signup up hosted by Book Soulmates. It's where you can sign up and people can be kind enough to send you books off your wishlist, or you can do an random act of kindness and donate to someone instead. It's a fabulous idea.

Rules:

• Sign up each month you'd like to participate in.

• Show off your participation! Grab one of the buttons available :)

• Create a wishlist and post it in the Google Doc located in each R.A.K post for the month.
{Post on your blog, Amazon, where ever as long as there's a link to it.}

• If you choose to do a R.A.K for someone, check out their wishlist and contact that blogger for their address.

• At the end of the month, SHOW US YOUR R.A.K!

{Make a post saying 'Thank You' to whoever granted one of your wishes :)

Lets's keep our International bloggers in mind and in our hearts.
Remember, there's always the Book Depository and they offer FREE shipping!

Fictionpress

FictionPress:

I don't know if you follow me on my youtube, but I did mention it on here also. But I had to tell my bloggers about this too. Because it's such an amazing site it deserves more vistors. So if you don't already know Fictionpress is a site for people to write there own stories, you don't have to be a publisher and you don't have to be the best writer around.

There your ideas and you can write about anything you want. It's such a great chance to read books by other people aswell who havent got the qualifications to or money to publish a book but write for the love of it. Sometimes people do finish there stories but some of the ideas people come up with are amazing. You also get feedback of your stories most of the time, so you know that people are reading your stories.

The best part about it, is that its free. You can read loads and loads of stories and it's not going to cost a penny.

I myself have an account on fictionpress where I write my own stories but havent finished them yet, heres the link to check them out www.fictionpress.com/~k.m.simpson

Have a beautiful day,
xoxo

Review: Megan Meade's Guide to the McGowan Boys By Kate Brian

Summary:

When she was nine, Megan Meade met a group of terrible, mean, Popsicle-goo-covered boys, the sons of her father's friend -- the McGowan boys. Now, seven years later, Megan's army doctor parents are shipping off to Korea and Megan is being sent to live with the little monsters, who are older now and quite different than she remembered them.

Living in a house with seven boys will give Megan, who has never even been kissed, the perfect opportunity to learn everything there is to know about boys. And she'll send all her notes to her best friend, Tracy, in...

Megan Meade's Guide to the McGowan Boys

Observation #1: Being an army brat sucks. Except that this is definitely a better alternative to moving to Korea.

Observation #2: Forget evil, laughing, little monsters. These guys have been touched by the Abercrombie gods. They are a blur of toned, suntanned perfection.

Observation #3: I need a lock on my door. STAT.

Observation #4: Three words: six-pack abs.

Observation #5: Do not even get me started on the state of the bathroom. I'm thinking of calling in a hazmat team. Seriously.

Observation #6: These boys know how to make enemies. Big time.

Megan Meade will have to juggle a new school, a new family, a new crush -- on the boy next door, as in next bedroom door -- and a new life. Will she survive the McGowan boys?

Review: I loved this book. I just adored it, so so so much. It's by all time my favourite book. It's weird come to think of it because I havent saw many people review this, which why when I had read this I was total surprised. It's such a chick lit book I could totally see this in a film. It's the ideal fantasy. Living in a house with seven boys. Megan moves in with her parents family friends because she dosent want to go with her mom and dad because they are like in a different country. And whilst living in the house she has to juggle all the boys. Who are quite some characters being all different. I mean you have the jock: Evan who she quickly befriends in the house- who's Mr Popular at school (who she begins to have a crush on) then you have Finn who's an shy artist and hardly speaks who she also becomes close too. I loved Finn he was just an amazing character. I loved the chemistry between him and Megan, and how he's like hard to read. And then you have the rest of the boys who are a bit younger then Megan who do not like her and do different thinks to make her hate the place. For example like Doug who just reminds me so much of an Eminem wannabe (thats all to do with her taking his former room though that he dosent like her) and the rest of the young boys don't like her basically because shes a girl. But I just loved this story. I mean it has romance and humour mixed into one.

The characters were fabulous aswell. Megan is kind of like a tom boy but with a good golden girl heart. I could really relate to her character and you could easily enjoy reading in her point of view, she wasnt whiny or bratty at all.

Finn as I said was my favourite out the boys, it might be because I love the broody silent type in books. There was Evan aswell, who was the total opposite of Finn because he was outgoing and wasnt shy at all with him being so popular and all.

I give this an A+ It was everything I needed in a book. Pick this up today!!

How I dreamed the cast:

Megan: Taylor Swift.

Finn: Chace Crawford.

Evan: Ian Somerhalder.

Doug: Eminem (back in his old days)

Books Vs TV Shows Version.

Books Vs TV Shows Version.

Over the past few years more books have been turned into tv shows. It has populated that much, that some tv shows make the storylines better then in the actual books and even make storylines that were not in the book.

Here are a few books that have been made into tv shows:

The vampire diaries -

Gossip Girl

Pretty Little Liars

The Book: Vs The Tv Show

I've never read Gossip Girl, but I adore the programme. Which is the total opposite of which the book is like, with the characters apperance being different and personality. For example Nate smokes pot in the book and is known as the type to get high all the time, while in the programme he is known as the golden boy the good one.

My mom and cousin have both read The Vampire Diaries, and have both said the programme is better then book because the main girls character Elena is supposed to be a total bitch in the book while in the programme she is more nice. I don't know about that I havent read the books but I have read the programme which I must say Damon is handsome way more handsome they his portrayed in the books as my mother quoted again.

Whats your opinons? Do some Tv shows ruin the books or make them even better?

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