Reasons I Fell for the Funny Fat Friend by Cassie Mae/ Becca Ann

1/5 Stars

Goodreads:

It’s stupid to fall for your brother’s ex. It’s even worse to enlist another’s help to win the ex over. But Brody is desperate and Hayley, his partner in American Sign Language, is more than willing to lend him a few tips.

She’s the school’s matchmaker,’ and with her bizarre and positive personality, Brody finds her easy to talk to, even about the most awkward situations. Hayley’s tips seem to be working, but as Brody learns more about his matchmaker, he starts finding reasons to spend time with her, and not the girl he thought he was in love with.

But Hayley isn’t ready to fall for anyone. Labeled the “Funny Fat Friend” within her group, her self image makes it impossible for Brody to share his feelings without Hayley shrugging it off as a joke.

Convincing her Brody can, and did, fall for the “Funny Fat Friend” turns out to be harder than simply falling in love.

Written by Cassie Mae under the pen name Becca Ann

My QUICK Review:

I almost gave up on this book because it just didn't have the "real" vibe. Maybe it was the dialogue, maybe it was the prose. Not sure exactly. The writing just all seemed pretty juvenile. Then I looked at the authors and saw their ages. That may play into it a little.

Overall the story line was good -- that has potential. But the writing itself, not so much.

You Don't Have to Say You Love Me by Sarra Manning

1/5 Stars

Goodreads:

Sweet, bookish Neve Slater always plays by the rules. And the number one rule is that good-natured fat girls like her don't get guys like gorgeous, handsome William, heir to Neve's heart since university. But William's been in LA for three years, and Neve's been slimming down and re-inventing herself so that when he returns, he'll fall head over heels in love with the new, improved her.

So she's not that interested in other men. Until her sister Celia points out that if Neve wants William to think she's an experienced love-goddess and not the fumbling, awkward girl he left behind, then she'd better get some, well, experience.

What Neve needs is someone to show her the ropes, someone like Celia's colleague Max. Wicked, shallow, sexy Max. And since he's such a man-slut, and so not Neve's type, she certainly won't fall for him. Because William is the man for her... right?

Somewhere between losing weight and losing her inhibitions, Neve's lost her heart - but to who?

My QUICK Review:

I really really really wanted to like this book. It had the potential; the plot caught my attention, but... it was horrible. The author rambled on and on. I found myself skipping so much. I also was extremely annoyed with the main character. I didn't feel anything real from her. There were little parts here and there that I enjoyed, but overall... horrible.

Trash by Andy Mulligan

1/5 Stars

B&N:

In an unnamed Third World country, in the not-so-distant future, three “dumpsite boys” make a living picking through the mountains of garbage on the outskirts of a large city.

One unlucky-lucky day, Raphael finds something very special and very mysterious. So mysterious that he decides to keep it, even when the city police offer a handsome reward for its return. That decision brings with it terrifying consequences, and soon the dumpsite boys must use all of their cunning and courage to stay ahead of their pursuers. It’s up to Raphael, Gardo, and Rat—boys who have no education, no parents, no homes, and no money—to solve the mystery and right a terrible wrong.

Andy Mulligan has written a powerful story about unthinkable poverty—and the kind of hope and determination that can transcend it. With twists and turns, unrelenting action, and deep, raw emotion, Trash is a heart-pounding, breath-holding novel.

My Review:

Well, I heard about this book and it seemed like an interesting concept. Then my friend read it and he told me that I had to read it because he read a book I picked out last time. I must say: reading this book was torture for me. I finished it over 2 days and that was w/ me skimming over the 2nd 1/2.

The characters weren't really developed enough for me. And the book is told through the different characters POV which I usually like. But the writing wasn't that great therefore it didn't draw me in.

The concept was neat. It was a mystery which I don't usually enjoy, but I did want to find out what happened at the end.

The B&N thing says that it is a "breath-holding, heart-pounding novel." I don't agree at all. It could have been, but the author really didn't get it up to that level.

I can see where this could have been a great book, but the author really fell short of making it one.

For me, it was a waste of time reading it. Would I put it in my class library? Maybe (if I didn't have to pay for the actual book). I say maybe because I could see low level boys enjoying it.

Now my friend, he said he really liked it and his wife enjoyed it, too.

So, if the book sounds interesting based on the B&N blurb, check it out. Go to a store and start reading it. You'll know right away if you'll want to continue.

I personally just didn't enjoy it. It was a task to finish it.

Forget You by Jennifer Echols

1/5 Stars

B&N:

WHY CAN’T YOU CHOOSE WHAT YOU FORGET . . . AND WHAT YOU REMEMBER? There’s a lot Zoey would like to forget. Like how her father has knocked up his twenty-four- year old girlfriend. Like Zoey’s fear that the whole town will find out about her mom’s nervous breakdown. Like darkly handsome bad boy Doug taunting her at school. Feeling like her life is about to become a complete mess, Zoey fights back the only way she knows how, using her famous attention to detail to make sure she’s the perfect daughter, the perfect student, and the perfect girlfriend to ultra-popular football player Brandon. But then Zoey is in a car crash, and the next day there’s one thing she can’t remember at all—the entire night before. Did she go parking with Brandon, like she planned? And if so, why does it seem like Brandon is avoiding her? And why is Doug—of all people— suddenly acting as if something significant happened between the two of them? Zoey dimly remembers Doug pulling her from the wreck, but he keeps referring to what happened that night as if it was more, and it terrifies Zoey to admit how much is a blank to her. Controlled, meticulous Zoey is quickly losing her grip on the all-important details of her life—a life that seems strangely empty of Brandon, and strangely full of Doug.

My Review:

Ok, let me just say I heard some decent things about this book. But I thought it was horrible. I was bored with hit. I literally skimmed through half the book just to find out what actually happened the night of the accident. I didn't feel any sympathy for the main character, I can't even remember her name and I just finished the book- oh yea, Zoey.

Mild spoilers:

Anyways her character was extremely annoying going on and on about Brandon. I'm sorry, if your "boyfriend" isn't calling you,texting you, checking in with you after you had an accident, he's not a good guy and something is up. Zoey is just an idiot.

Also, I wasn't a fan of the authors writing- which is probably also why I skimmed through most of the book. I did like the character, Doug (had to look up his name, too!). He was the most developed and he wasn't even that developed.

--And now I'm laughing a little because I just finished the book and I forget the two main characters' names of a book called Forget You

Uninvited by Amanda Marrone

1/5 Stars
B&N:

When rejection comes back to bite you...

Jordan's life sucks. Her boyfriend, Michael, dumped her, slept his way through half the student body, and then killed himself. But now, somehow, he appears at her window every night, begging her to let him in.

Jordan can't understand why he wants her, but she feels her resistance wearing down. After all, her life -- once a broken record of boring parties, meaningless hookups, and friends she couldn't relate to -- now consists of her drinking alone in her room as she waits for the sun to go down.

Michael needs to be invited in before he can enter. All Jordan has to do is say the words...


My Review:


This book seemed more like a short story to me. Not much happened in a sense of a plot. I think the author had some good ideas, but they just weren't fully developed. So, either the story had to be written much stronger with more characters development, more dialogue, more back story, and basically...just a stronger plot. OR it could be made into a short story. I think it would have worked a lot better like that.

So, it's just an "eh" book for me.