The Boyfriend Thief by Shana Norris

3/5 Stars

Goodreads Summary:

Avery James has her life planned out: this summer she'll work with a humanitarian program in Costa Rica, next year she'll graduate at the top of her class, and after that, college and medical school. Perfect, planned, total order.

The only problem: getting the rest of the money she needs for the trip before the deadline. Hannah Cohen, her biggest competition for the valedictorian title, makes an unexpected offer: If Avery can win over Zac Greeley and make him break up with Hannah before the end of the school year, a check for five hundred dollars is all hers. Faced with the prospect of spending yet another summer working as a giant hot dog, it's an offer Avery can't refuse.

Zac is nothing like Avery expected. Within his chaotic world of midnight slushie runs and spontaneous dance parties, her total order is quickly falling apart while Hannah seems poised to get everything she wants. But just how much is Avery willing to give up for the perfect, planned life?

My Review:

This is definitely a book I'll recommend to my 8th grade girls. It's cute and I can totally see some girls relating to this. It has the friendship problems, family problems, and boy problems all in one, and the author does a wonderful job of keeping it "real".

That Boy by Jillian Dodd

3/5 Stars (I'd say 3 1/2 stars)

Goodreads Summary:

That Boy is a contemporary romance about falling in love with the boys next door.

You know, being friends with two cute boys does have its benefits.

There's Danny. Danny is a golden boy in every way. He has dreamy blue eyes and blonde hair that always looks perfect, even when it’s windblown or been stuck under a football helmet. He’s the boy every girl crushes on. The boy I get into trouble with, the boy I fight with, the hot quarterback no girl can resist, not even me. Being with Danny is like being on an adventure. He has a bright, contagious smile and abs to die for. He’s pretty much irresistible.

Equally crush worthy is Phillip. Adorable, sweet Phillip, who I have known since birth. Phillip has dark hair, a perfect smile, brown eyes, and the sexiest voice I have ever heard. He’s the boy I talk to every night before I go to sleep. The boy who rescues me, the boy who can read my mind, the boy who is always there for me, the boy who tries to keep me out of trouble, the boy who irritatingly keeps getting hotter, and whose strong arms always seem to find their way around me. And when he gives me that grin, I can never say no.

One boy will give me my very first kiss.
One boy will teach me to make out.
One boy will take me to prom.
And finally, one boy will ask me to marry him.
They will both be my best friends.
But only one of them will be the boy I fall in love with.
Only one of them is That Boy.

My Review:

I liked this book. Although, the main female character annoyed me sometimes. Overall, I really liked how the author portrayed the 2 boys. They were so different, but I could see why she was best friends/loved them both. There was a HUGE shocking turn in the plot that came out of left field. I cried actually and had to keep reading (until 4 a.m.) so that I could go to bed and not have sad dreams.

This was a longer book than I thought it would be (I read on my Nook, so I never actually know how many pages there are in the book until I open the file).

There's part of me that really liked the book, but then another part that just liked it. Back and forth. :)

The Boyfriend Game (First Kisses) by Stephie Davis

4/5 Stars

Goodreads Summary:

I rested the ball on my hip and walked back toward the equipment shed. In the dark.

Alone. With a boy.

I would be completely freaking out over varsity soccer tryouts if it weren't for the new student, Graham, who's helping me practice. He has the most amazing green eyes, curly brown hair, and perfect legs. Plus, we have lots in common, since all we both care about is soccer! Well, that's all he cares about. But my heart beats so fast when we're on the field together . . . and I don't think it's just from all the running around.


My Review:

This was an extremely quick read (I don't even think it had 200 pages to it), but it was also a wicked cute read. The author did a fantastic job at portraying what teens come across with dating, friends, and a change of heart w/ what's really important to them. I've read another from this author (Fast Girls and Smart Boys) which was good as well.

It looks like she focuses on teen girls who enjoy sports, but who also are figuring out what they want and who they are in life.

Definitely an author to recommend to my students.

Pride & Popularity by Jenni James

4/5 Stars

Goodreads Summary:

Chloe Elizabeth Hart despises the conceited antics of the popular crowd, or more importantly, one very annoying self-possessed guy, Taylor Anderson, who seems determined to make her the president of his fan club! As if! Every girl in the whole city of Farmington, New Mexico, is in love with him, but he seems to be only interested in Chloe.

This modern high school adaptation of Pride and Prejudice is a battle of wits as Chloe desperately tries to remain the only girl who can avoid the inevitable—falling for Taylor.

My Review:

The author did a great job at keeping with the plot of Pride and Prejudice, but she also put a spin on some of the characters and their relationships. The funny relationship between Chloe and Taylor was very well done. I really enjoyed reading this book and plan to read the rest of her Jane Austen Diary books

The Death Cure (Maze Runner Series #3) by James Dashner

4/5 Stars

*Last book in the series. If you have yet to read The Maze Runner or The Scorch Trials, I suggest you skip this post.

B&N:

Thomas knows that Wicked can't be trusted, but they say the time for lies is over, that they've collected all they can from the Trials and now must rely on the Gladers, with full memories restored, to help them with their ultimate mission. It's up to the Gladers to complete the blueprint for the cure to the Flare with a final voluntary test.
What Wicked doesn't know is that something's happened that no Trial or Variable could have foreseen. Thomas has remembered far more than they think. And he knows that he can't believe a word of what Wicked says.
The time for lies is over. But the truth is more dangerous than Thomas could ever imagine.
Will anyone survive the Death Cure?

My Review:

The author did a great job ending this series. Everything came together and the action kept me on the edge of my seat. I did not want to stop reading. There were definitely some twits that finally revealed themselves, ones that I could not predict, and I'm usually pretty good at predicting.

Overall, this is a great series, and I will definitely be recommending the books to my kids.

The DUFF: (Designated Ugly Fat Friend) by Kody Keplinger

4/5 Stars

B&N:

Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn't think she's the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She's also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her "the Duff," she throws her Coke in his face.

But things aren't so great at home right now, and Bianca is desperate for a distraction. She ends up kissing Wesley. Worse, she likes it. Eager for escape, Bianca throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with him.

Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out Wesley isn't such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she's falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone. And eventually, through this realization, Bianca begins to see how harmful her unhealthy way of dealing with her problems has been, and finds a way to confront them head on.

My Review:

This is more so a high school book than a middle school book. Lots of sex. But, it's interesting to read because this actually does happen. Girls throw themselves into a relationship of just sex to hide from something. It was really interesting to see the self-destruction of this girl. And, I actually really liked the character Wesley. Overall a good read, but again, not for most middle schools due to the content.

Exclusively Yours (Kowalski Family, #1) by Shannon Stacey

4/5 Stars

Goodreads Summary:

When Keri Daniels' editor finds out she has previous carnal knowledge of reclusive bestselling author Joe Kowalski, she gives Keri a choice: get an interview or get a new job.

Joe's never forgotten the first girl to break his heart, so he's intrigued to hear Keri's back in town--and looking for him. Despite his intense need for privacy, he'll grant Keri an interview if it means a chance to finish what they started in high school.

He proposes an outrageous plan--for every day she survives with his family on their annual camping and four-wheeling trip, Keri can ask one question. Keri agrees; she's worked too hard to walk away from her career.

But the chemistry between them is still as potent as the bug spray, Joe's sister is out to avenge his broken heart and Keri hasn't ridden an ATV since she was ten. Who knew a little blackmail, a whole lot of family and some sizzling romantic interludes could make Keri reconsider the old dream of Keri & Joe together forever.

My Review:

When I first read what this book was about, I didn't realized there were 3 books. You don't need to read them all, but the 3 books are all about the same family. I love when authors do that. This book is my favorite out of the 3. I just really liked the characters, setting, and plot. The whole basis on Joe having Keri join him with his family after years and years of not seeing each other was just great. It was funny watching all the different things that happened and really moving along in the story with the characters. A great read. I'll definitely read more from this author.

Undeniably Yours (Kowalski Family #2) by Shannon Stacey

4/5 Stars

Goodreads Summary:

Bar owner Kevin Kowalski is used to women throwing their phone numbers at him, but lately he’s more interested in finding a woman to settle down with. A woman like Beth Hansen. If only their first meeting hadn’t gone so badly...

Beth’s tending bar at a wedding when she comes face-to-face with a tuxedo-clad man she never thought she’d see again. She tries to keep her distance from Kevin but, by last call, she can’t say no to his too-blue eyes or the invitation back to his room. Then she slips out before breakfast without leaving a note and, despite their precautions, pregnant.

Kevin quickly warms to the idea of being a dad and to seeing where things go with Beth. After all, he’s not the player she thinks he is. But she’s not ready for a relationship and, given his reputation, it’s going to take a lot to convince her to go on a second date with the father of her child...

My Review:

Again, the Kowalski men are just amazing fictional characters (yes, I unfortunately said fictional). I would put this one in 3rd place as far as the series goes. But, as I gave it 4 stars, it's still really good. The author does an amazing job at describing the characters and what they go through. A great, quick, easy read.

Yours to Keep (Kowalski Family #3) by Shannon Stacey

4/5 Stars

Goodreads Summary:

Sean Kowalski no sooner leaves the army than he's recruited by Emma Shaw to be her fake fiancé. Emma needs to produce a husband-to-be for her grandmother's upcoming visit, and, though Sean doesn't like the deception, he could use the landscaping job Emma's offering while he decides what to do with his civilian life. And, despite his attraction to Emma, there's no chance he'll fall for a woman with deep roots in a town he's not planning to call home.

Emma's not interested in a real relationship either; not with a man whose idea of home is wherever he drops his duffel bag. No matter how amazing his "pretend" kisses are...

My Review:

*Swoon* Sean Kowalski is just an amazing character. Too bad he's just that...a character. I really liked the interaction between him and Emma. The whole story was really really cute. I found myself emotionally involved just as the characters were.

Too Good to Be True by Kristan Higgins

4/5 Stars

B&N:
When Grace Emerson's ex-fiancé starts dating her younger sister, extreme measures are called for. To keep everyone from obsessing about her love life, Grace announces that she's seeing someone. Someone wonderful. Someone handsome. Someone completely made up. Who is this Mr. Right? Someone...exactly unlike her renegade neighbor Callahan O'Shea. Well, someone with his looks, maybe. His hot body. His knife-sharp sense of humor. His smarts and big heart.
Whoa. No. Callahan O'Shea is not her perfect man! Not with his unsavory past. So why does Mr. Wrong feel so...right?

My QUICK Review:

I loved this one, too! I must say, I'm kind of sad that I've now read all her books. But anyways, I couldn't believe that the younger sisters started dating the ex-fiance! I was like, really?!?! I would have punched the younger sister. But then I was a little annoyed with Grace even thinking of him after he did that. But still, I really enjoyed the story. I loved the way Grace and Callahan interacted. And the who dating scene for Grace...funny stuff. I also really liked how Grace was so into history reenactments. Overall, a great read.

Until There Was You by Kristan Higgins

4/5 Stars

B&N:

Posey Osterhagen can't complain. She owns a successful architectural salvaging company, she's surrounded by her lovable, if off-center, family and she has a boyfriend—sort of. Still, something's missing. Something tall, brooding and criminally good-looking…something like Liam Murphy.
When Posey was sixteen, the bad boy of Bellsford, New Hampshire, broke her heart. But now he's back, sending Posey's traitorous schoolgirl heart into overdrive once again. She should be giving him a wide berth, but it seems fate has other ideas….

My QUICK Review:

I really really really liked this book. I found myself laughing at loud with some of the things Posey said. She has a great sarcastic sense of humor. And some of the conversations between her and Liam...priceless. Also, I really enjoyed hating her cousin with her. Overall, a fantastic, light, easy read.

Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

4/5 Stars

B&N:
Amy Curry thinks her life sucks. Her mom decides to move from California to Connecticut to start anew--just in time for Amy's senior year. Her dad recently died in a car accident. So Amy embarks on a road trip to escape from it all, driving cross-country from the home she's always known toward her new life. Joining Amy on the road trip is Roger, the son of Amy's mother's old friend. Amy hasn’t seen him in years, and she is less than thrilled to be driving across the country with a guy she barely knows. So she's surprised to find that she is developing a crush on him. At the same time, she’s coming to terms with her father’s death and how to put her own life back together after the accident. Told in traditional narrative as well as scraps from the road--diner napkins, motel receipts, postcards--this is the story of one girl's journey to find herself.

My Review:

This book was very well written. The characters were developed so well that you really could feel what they were feeling. Amy and Roger are so like-able. Roger is just a nice guy who you really can't help having a crush on right along with Amy's character. The author does an amazing job taking us on the journal across the USA along with these two. They are both learning things about themselves and each other. There are funny parts, cute parts, and parts that just pull on your heart strings. Seeing what this young girl goes through after her father dies really got to me. The author also did a great job using flashbacks to help move the story along letting us see things that happened for ourselves rather than the main character just telling us what happened.

I'm hoping to pick up a copy for my classroom because I think middle school and high school kids would really like it. (No graphic sex scenes!--yay!)

Things Not Seen by Andrew Clements

3/5 Stars

B&N:

Bobby Phillips is an average fifteen-year-old boy. Until the morning he wakes up and can't see himself in the mirror. Not blind, not dreaming—Bobby is just plain invisible. There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to Bobby's new condition; even his dad the physicist can't figure it out. For Bobby that means no school, no friends, no life. He's a missing person. Then he meets Alicia. She's blind, and Bobby can't resist talking to her, trusting her. But people are starting to wonder where Bobby is. Bobby knows that his invisibility could have dangerous consequences for his family and that time is running out. He has to find out how to be seen again—before it's too late.

My Review:

I've had this book in my library for a while, and I've heard some great things. I'm glad I read it so that I can recommend it to my students. It's an easier read, but the content can really create some great discussions. You can take the invisibility at face-value, or you can go a little deeper with it.

The characters were developed nicely. There were some funny parts, and then at the end, there was a point where you had to keep reading to find out how it all played out.

I heard there's a second one...I'll probably check that one out, too.

Kristan Higgins' books

Ok- so I just posted a ton of reviews on Kristan Higgins' books. If you like quick chick-lit/romance reads that have great strong characters, are funny, are heart-wrenching, and don't involve details sex scenes, this is the author for you.


(Now, you want detailed sex scenes...Lisa Kleypas)

Fools Rush In by Kristan Higgins

4/5 Stars

B&N:

Millie Barnes is this close to finally achieving her perfect life…
Rewarding job as a local doctor on Cape Cod? Check. Cute cottage of her very own? Check. Adorable dog suitable for walks past attractive locals? Check! All she needs is for golden boy and former crush Joe Carpenter to notice her, and Millie will be set.
But perfection isn't as easy as it looks—especially when Sam Nickerson, a local policeman, is so distracting. He is definitely not part of her master plan. But maybe it's time for Millie to start a new list…


My Review:

I don't even need to comment (if you read all my other reviews by this author). Just read it. It's good. :)

Catch of the Day by Kristan Higgins

4/5 Stars

B&N:

Maggie Beaudine, is the proud owner of the town's diner and daily town get-together location. She's got a twin who is her best friend, a dog who is inseparable from her, and she may have a crush on the town's new..umm.priest, Father Tim. But he's Irish (so Bono), very attractive, and he clearly has a heart of gold. Unfortunately, the entire town knows about her crush that she's now been nursing for a year. It's time to stop making dreamy-eyes at one of God's chosen decides Maggie.
But her small town of a little over 1,000 residents doesn't offer many choices. This is when the one and only Father Tim begins to set her up on blind dates (like her family and her town haven't tried that enough already?).

My Review:

I really liked this one, too! Seeing Maggie going all "gah-gah" over a priest was just funny. Also...when she reveals something to the towns-people after drinking a bit too much...loved it. I also enjoyed how it wasn't extremely predictable at the very beginning. Again- strong characters. I really like this author!

All I Ever Wanted by Kristan Higgins

4/5 Stars

B&N:

One Happily-Ever-After Rocking Chair…
and no sign of any forthcoming babies to rock in ol' Georgebury, Vermont. For Callie Grey, turning thirty means coming to grips with the fact that her boss (and five-week fling) is way overdue in his marriage proposal. And way off track because Mark has suddenly announced his engagement to the company's new Miss Perfect. If that isn't bad enough, her mom decides to throw her a three-oh birthday bash in the family funeral home.
Bad goes to worse when she stirs up a crazy relationship with the town's not so warm and fuzzy veterinarian, Ian McFarland, in order to flag Mark's attention. So Ian is more comfortable with animals…. So he's formal, orderly and just a bit tense. The ever-friendly, fun-loving and spontaneous Callie decides it's time for Ian to get a personality makeover. But dang, if he doesn't shock the heck out of her, she might actually fall for Vermont's unlikeliest eligible bachelor…

My Review:

Another good one. This one did have a little twist that was sad (yes, it did bring tears to my eyes). I know, I know...I really don't like sad books, but the author did a really good job with this one. I also loved the character of Ian and how things all come to play.

My One and Only by Kristan Higgins

4/5 Stars

B&N:

Divorce attorney Harper James can't catch a break. Bad enough that she runs into her ex-hubby, Nick, at her sister's destination wedding, but now, by a cruel twist of fate, she's being forced to make a cross-country road trip with him. And her almost-fiancé back at home is not likely to be sympathetic.

Harper can't help that Nick has come blazing back into her life in all of his frustratingly appealing, gorgeous architect glory. But in Nick's eyes, Harper's always been the one. If they can only get it right this time, forever might be waiting—just around the bend.

My Review:

I must admit, I love my easy romance/chick-lit reads. Yes, they are predictable, but Kristan Higgins tells a good story. Her characters are complete, the dialogue real, and there's always a heart-wrenching part where you really feel for the characters.

One thing that kind of annoyed me... I read most of her stories right in a row (in a short period of time), and I noticed how often she uses the word "amiably". I think there needs to be another word she could use.

But, overall, I really enjoyed reading all of her books.