My True Love Gave To Me: Twelve Holiday Stories edited by Stephanie Perkins

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Title: My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories

Authors: Holly Black, Ally Carter, Matt De La Pena, Gayle Forman, Jenny Han, David Levithan, Kelly Link, Myra McEntire, Stephanie Perkins, Rainbow Rowell, Laini Taylor and Kiersten White

Length: 320 pages

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Classification: Young Adult, Short Stories, Contemporary, Romance, Realistic, Christmas

Release Date: October 14, 2014

Source: e-galley via NetGalley (Thanks St. Martin's Press!)

Read: October 2014

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If you love holiday stories, holiday movies, made-for-TV-holiday specials, holiday episodes of your favorite sitcoms and, especially, if you love holiday anthologies, you’re going to fall in love with MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME: TWELVE HOLIDAY STORIES by twelve bestselling young adult writers, edited by international bestselling author Stephanie Perkins. (From GoodReads)

***I received an e-galley of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***

My Rating:

I really have not read that many books that are short story collections, so I wasn't sure how much I was going to enjoy this book. But there were several authors that I either like or have heard of (out of the twelve authors, I have only read books by four of them, but I had heard of five of the other authors) and I enjoy the holidays, so I thought it would be a good book to read. 

And I am really glad that I decided to give it a read. This book is full of cute, heartwarming, lovely holiday stories. I really like that these twelve stories have diversity. There are different ethnicities, holiday traditions/beliefs/celebrations, and different kinds of relationships. 

One thing I did notice while reading these stories, is that it felt (at least to me) that most of the stories have broken family homes. Single parents, stepparents, adoptive parents, dead parents. It felt like there were very few families where the parents were still together. It doesn't really bother me, I don't feel like it took away from me enjoying the stories, it is just something that I did take note of while reading.

Overall, I really enjoyed the stories in this collection. There are some stories that I enjoyed A LOT more than others. But I think that on some level, I was able to entertainment in each of the stories. 

1. Midnights by Rainbow Rowell
I LOVE this story. Very much. It was just so cute and adorable. I love the flashbacks to the other New Year's Eves. I love that it takes place during New Year's Eve. And even though it is a short story, I was able to connect to these characters instantly. I love them. And I really wished that their story did not have to end. I was left wanting more, but also satisfied with the story. I adore Rainbow Rowell's writing and this holiday story did not disappoint me at all. 

2. The Lady And The Fox by Kelly Link
This story I did not like as much as the others. I found it to be a little weird. But there were parts of it that kept me wanting to know more. I was intrigued by the guy that Miranda sees and wondered why he was so mysterious. But the ending left me confused. 

3. Angels In The Snow by Matt De La Pena
Overall, I found this story to be cute. A young man is cat and apartment sitting when he encounters the girl upstairs. I like the dialogue between the two characters and was very interested in the conversations and encounters that they would have. I also like that it is told from the male point of view. 

4. Polaris Is Where You'll Find Me by Jenny Han
I enjoyed this story. I love Jenny Han's writing and enjoyed the fantasy element of the story. The main character is a human girl that lives in the North Pole with Santa and the elves. I liked the characters and was interested in Natty and her story. But I feel like the ending was open-ended. I wanted more and wanted to know what was going to happen next.

5. It's A Yuletide Miracle, Charlie Brown by Stephanie Perkins
I LOVE this story too! Stephanie Perkins does an amazing job creating characters that I care about instantly. This story is full of cuteness and heart. I loved getting to know the characters and watching them get to know each other. And I absolutely loved the chemistry and banter between them. So adorable. Definitely one of my favorites of all the stories!

6. Your Temporary Santa by David Levithan
This story felt really short to me. I really found what the main character does for his boyfriend's family to be really sweet. This story is full of love and is thoughtful. It brought a smile to my face.

7. Krampuslauf  by Holly Black
This story was different. I enjoyed reading the story, but I didn't fall in love with it. I didn't really feel a connection with the characters or what they were doing. I was more interested in the fantasy aspect of the story and the traditions. The story did grab my attention more at the end.

8. What The Hell Have You Done, Sophie Roth? by Gayle Forman
I liked this story. I enjoyed the characters and their interactions. Overall, I think that it is a sweet story. And I really like that it felt realistic. Especially when it comes to Sophie and her "What the hell have you done" moments. I felt like I was able to relate with this.

9. Beer Buckets and Baby Jesus by Myra McEntire
This story was alright. I was entertained by what was happening and the decisions that the main character made. I like that it is also told from a male point of view. And I liked that this story showed some hope and redemption. It was entertaining and I like the characters.

10. Welcome to Christmas, CA by Kiersten White
I love this story. I really enjoyed these characters. Maria is just living her life waiting for the day that she can leave where she is living. She works in a diner that her mother manages after school. And she seems pretty unhappy. Then things change close to Christmas time. The diner gets a new young cook named Ben. I really love the banter between Maria and Ben. And watching their relationship develop was a lot of fun. I also really like that we get to see relationship development between Maria and her mother. I found this story to be really cute and sweet. With characters that I came to love.

11. Star of Bethlehem by Ally Carter
This was a fun story to read. I feel like the story kept me on my toes. I kept trying to guess about what the main character was running away from and her secret. I really love the family element of this story. And the small glimpses of a different holiday culture.

12. The Girl Who Woke The Dreamer by Laini Taylor
I found this story to be really interesting. It is set in a different place and time. I found the storyline to be fascinating and different (in a good way). I was not expecting the ending. But I was left happy and with a smile on my face at the end of this story.

My Recommendation:
If you enjoy reading short stories and love books to get you in the holiday spirit, then I definitely recommend reading this book of holiday short stories. There were a few stories that I absolutely love and several others that I really enjoyed reading. These short stories are diverse and full of love and cuteness. I do not regret reading them and will probably re-read some of them during the holidays.

Althea & Oliver by Cristina Moracho

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Title: Althea & Oliver

Author: Cristina Moracho

Length: 384 pages

Publisher: Viking Juvenile

Classification: Young Adult, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, Friendship

Release Date: October 9, 2014

Source: e-galley via NetGalley (Thank you so much, Penguin Young Readers and Viking Juvenile!)

Read: September 2014

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What if you live for the moment when life goes off the rails—and then one day there’s no one left to help you get it back on track? Althea Carter and Oliver McKinley have been best friends since they were six; she’s the fist-fighting instigator to his peacemaker, the artist whose vision balances his scientific bent. Now, as their junior year of high school comes to a close, Althea has begun to want something more than just best-friendship. Oliver, for his part, simply wants life to go back to normal, but when he wakes up one morning with no memory of the past three weeks, he can’t deny any longer that something is seriously wrong with him. And then Althea makes the worst bad decision ever, and her relationship with Oliver is shattered. He leaves town for a clinical study in New York, resolving to repair whatever is broken in his brain, while she gets into her battered Camry and drives up the coast after him, determined to make up for what she’s done. Their journey will take them from the rooftops, keg parties, and all-ages shows of their North Carolina hometown to the pool halls, punk houses, and hospitals of New York City before they once more stand together and face their chances. Set in the DIY, mix tape, and zine culture of the mid-1990s, Cristina Moracho’s whip-smart debut is an achingly real story about identity, illness, and love—and why bad decisions sometimes feel so good. (From GoodReads)

***I received an e-galley of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***


My Rating:

Pretty interesting story. This book grabbed my attention from the very beginning and didn't let go. I had a very hard time putting the book down.
This book concentrates on Althea and Oliver. They have been Best Friends for the past ten years. It is one of those friendships that consumes you. They are pretty much inseparable.
Until Oliver discovers he has KLS (Kleine-Levin Syndrome) a rare sleep disorder which causes him to fall asleep for large chunks of time.

KLS takes a toll on both Oliver and Althea and they are left to deal with and come to terms with everything that is happening.

Althea takes it really hard and struggles with the fact that whatever is causing Oliver to sleep for so long, takes away her best friend for weeks at a time. And poor Oliver has to wake up and deal with the fact that live has been continuing on without him while he has been out.

I like that the story isn't all sugar-coated and sweet. It includes the hard stuff. Mistakes and things that you might wish you could take back, but can't. It really makes the whole story feel realistic.

These are raw, realistic characters that aren't always liked by the reader. For me, what made this book so moving was the characters themselves. They are so well written and developed.

There are things that Althea does that I don't agree with and sometimes I didn't really understand why she decided to do the things she did. But I did find her to be a very well-written character. Sometimes, I thought she could come off as being a bit selfish, but I also can't imagine the strain that is placed on her due to watching what is happening to her best friend and not being able to do anything to help him or make it better. Also, dealing with the fact that she does not know when he will wake up again. For the past ten years, her life has been in orbit with his, they did everything together and he was pretty much her only friend. There were plenty of times during this story, I wanted to be able to hug her and tell her that everything will be okay. We all make bad decisions in the moment, don't always think clearly. Which really made this book and this character feel so realistic.

Oliver is a great character. I really feel for him throughout the book. He has to deal with so much and has a hard time accepting his syndrome. While I read the story, I wished that there was something I could do to make things better for him. I think he is a great character that readers will be able to connect with. I like the development of his character. I especially like when he starts to put himself first and wants to figure things out. He is a nice guy in a hard situation, and I like that he is able to not let it bring him completely down.

I like a lot of the other characters too. Oliver has some interesting friends that Althea gets to know better. And I like the group of friends that she makes when she goes to New York.

My Recommendation:
I really enjoyed reading this story. It is quick paced and interesting. It is bittersweet and realistic. I recommend giving it a read.

Something Real by Heather Demetrios

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Title: Something Real

Author: Heather Demetrios

Length: 403 pages

Publisher: Henry Holt & Company

Classification: Young Adult, Contemporary, Realistic 

Release Date: February 4, 2014

Source: Hardback (Won an annotated copy from a giveaway given by the author. Thank you again, Heather!)

Read: June 2014

GoodReads

There’s nothing real about reality TV.
Seventeen-year-old Bonnie™ Baker has grown up on TV—she and her twelve siblings are the stars of one-time hit reality show Baker’s Dozen. Since the show’s cancellation and the scandal surrounding it, Bonnie™ has tried to live a normal life, under the radar and out of the spotlight. But it’s about to fall apart…because Baker’s Dozen is going back on the air. Bonnie™’s mom and the show’s producers won’t let her quit and soon the life she has so carefully built for herself, with real friends (and maybe even a real boyfriend), is in danger of being destroyed by the show. Bonnie™ needs to do something drastic if her life is ever going to be her own—even if it means being more exposed than ever before. (From GoodReads)

***I won a copy of this book from a giveaway hosted by the author. This does not change the way I view this book.***




Let me just start off by saying that I wasn't sure how much I would like this book. I didn't really know much about this book with the exception of it involving Reality TV and that there have been some good reviews from bloggers that I follow on GoodReads. And I don't watch Reality TV. I have seen a few episodes of different Reality TV shows here and there. But I don't actively seek out to watch any of these shows. And I don't choose to watch any of them.

My Rating: 5+ Stars (2014 Favorite)

This book was AMAZING! I was blown away by how much I loved reading this book. I could not put it down. I really tried taking my time to try and savor this beautifully written story.
But I still ended up reading it rather quickly. And when I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it.


The Story:

I LOVE this story.
I found this story to be unique and wonderfully written. I love Demetrios writing style! (I am really looking forward to reading her other books coming out in the future!)
What a thought-provoking story about a young girl dealing with wanting to be herself and longing to live a normal life when her family's life is back to being broadcast on TV.
I don't think I can even imagine what Chloe had to go through in this story. Growing up as part of a Reality TV series, having a bit of relief and freedom after the show was cancelled for a couple of years, to then be back on TV and having her attempt at a normal life turned upside down! Wow. And all the other personal challenges she is coping and dealing with besides the show.
It was just amazing.
And so well written.
When I discovered that this story was going to be about a family that has 13 children, I was really worried that I would get confused trying to remember all the characters. But it wasn't. It focuses mainly on Chloe (aka Bonnie) and her brother Benton. There are several more characters that have bigger roles than some of the younger children.
I really like that the author addresses so many important subjects in this book and I really feel that these subjects and issues really added to the story and were well addressed.
And I love the way the book is written. I love all the scenes that are written as scripts and the online stuff. I also love that the author included some flashbacks (written like scripts) to past important episodes, I really feel that it helped add to the story and make us as readers more understanding about things that had happened. And I absolutely LOVE the titles of the chapters (I am a huge F.R.I.E.N.D.S. fan!)

The Characters:

Oh my goodness, these characters!
They are so well developed and well written. It was so easy to either love the character or hate certain characters. I wanted to be a part of the story and hug Chloe and Benton. As well as wanting to yell at the producer, parents and step-father.
I REALLY love Chloe. It was so easy for me to feel connected to her as a character. She has some many things she is trying to deal with personally and I love that she is trying to fight for what she wants. I love how easy it is to love her character. And being able to emphasis and root for her.
I also adore the sister-brother relationship between Chloe and Benton. It is a wonderful sibling relationship. They care about each other, they pick on one another, and they will have each other's back. I think it is one of my favorite sister-brother relationships I have ever read about!
I also love Benton's character. He is a well written character and I loved having him in this story.
Lexie was another character I enjoyed in this story. I loved the developing relationship between Chloe and Lexie in the story. And there were times that I would be a bit frustrated with Lexie, but also times that I just simply LOVED her.
Which brings us to another AMAZING character...Patrick!
*Swoon*
Patrick is simply outstanding. I absolutely adored his character. He is a great person, friend, boyfriend, shoulder to cry on, etc.
I love his relationship with Chloe. I love his friendship with Benton.
I feel like I can't find the right words to fully convey the awesomeness that is Patrick.

My Recommendation:

Read this book!
If you like contemporary books or if you enjoy reading realistic books that deal with issues but also have fun and loving moments then I highly recommend Something Real. It is realistic and simply amazing. It is full of characters to relate to and love.
I LOVE this book so much, I am adding Heather Demetrios to my auto-read author list. I am really looking forward to her future books.

Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson

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Title: Second Chance Summer

Author: Morgan Matson

Length: 482 pages

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Classification: Young Adult, Contemporary

Release Date: May 8, 2012

Source: e-book (own)

Read: June 2014

GoodReads

Taylor Edwards’ family might not be the closest-knit—everyone is a little too busy and overscheduled—but for the most part, they get along just fine. Then Taylor’s dad gets devastating news, and her parents decide that the family will spend one last summer all together at their old lake house in the Pocono Mountains. Crammed into a place much smaller and more rustic than they are used to, they begin to get to know each other again. And Taylor discovers that the people she thought she had left behind haven’t actually gone anywhere. Her former best friend is still around, as is her first boyfriend…and he’s much cuter at seventeen than he was at twelve. As the summer progresses and the Edwards become more of a family, they’re more aware than ever that they’re battling a ticking clock. Sometimes, though, there is just enough time to get a second chance—with family, with friends, and with love. (From GoodReads)

My Rating:

Wow, what an emotional read. I didn't start really crying until the last few chapters of the book, but there were several times when the story brought tears to my eyes. But I did cry, I had tears streaming down my face and had to get a box of Kleenex.
If you haven't read this book and plan to do so, I suggest having a box ready...just in case.

Hard to put down book. Even though I knew it was going to be a sad read going into reading it, I didn't want to stop. I became very invested in knowing what would happen and finding out more about these wonderful characters.

The Story:

I think that this story is beautifully well-written. So realistic. It made me think about my life and my family. It made me think about death and how heartbreaking it is.
This story broke my heart, it also made me think about how it is important to try and not take my family for granted because you never know how much time you really have left.
I loved that the family went to their lake house to spend the summer together with the father.
But I also liked that the story focused on them living their lives and not just focusing only on the fact that he is sick.
I like how close the family is and the conversations between them.
And I was really interested in the flashbacks. I was just as interested in knowing what happened the last summer that Taylor was at the lake house as the current summer that was taking place during the book.
I think that this is a good (but heartbreaking sad) read for summer.

The Characters:

The author did an amazing job creating a family that I started caring for right away. I was interested in what was happening with each of them, not just Taylor.

I really cared for her siblings and her parents and everything that they were dealing with and going through having this summer together. I also was very interested in the other relationships that the characters developed throughout the book.
There wasn't a single character in this story that I didn't like or care about at some point while reading.
I also think that the characters were very well developed and written. They felt realistic to me.
I wanted to jump into the story and hug them all.
I was very captivated by these characters' lives.

My Recommendation:

If you love reading Contemporary books that make you stop and think about your life, family, friends, love, loss, etc. then I highly recommend this book. I found the book to be beautifully written and amazing. Heartbreaking and moving.

The Truth About Alice by Jennifer Mathieu

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Title: The Truth About Alice

Author: Jennifer Mathieu

Length: 208 pages

Publisher: Roaring Brook Press

Classification: Young Adult, Contemporary

Release Date: June 3, 2014

Source: e-galley (I was pre-approved by NetGalley for this book. Thank you Macmillian and NetGalley!)

Read: March 2014

Everyone has a lot to say about Alice Franklin, and it’s stopped mattering whether it’s true. The rumors started at a party when Alice supposedly had sex with two guys in one night. When school starts everyone almost forgets about Alice until one of those guys, super-popular Brandon, dies in a car wreck that was allegedly all Alice’s fault. Now the only friend she has is a boy who may be the only other person who knows the truth, but is too afraid to admit it. Told from the perspectives of popular girl Elaine, football star Josh, former outcast Kelsie, and shy genius Kurt, we see how everyone has a motive to bring – and keep – Alice down. (From GoodReads)

**I received an e-galley from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review**



My Rating:

Wow. I really liked this book and I am so glad that I read it!
Such a well-written powerful realistic story that high school aged teens should read.

The Story:

I thought that the Truth About Alice was an interesting read. It wasn't really what I was expecting. I read the first part of the synopsis and then went on to reading the story.

I found that the story being told from four different points of view, none of which are Alice, ( the character the story is about), was different and quite interesting! At first I was confused, especially since we were only getting bits and parts of what happened, but as I continued reading, it became clearer and I really liked how the story was being told. I tend to not enjoy books that are told from several points of view, because a lot of times for me the voices merge together and I forget whose point of view I am reading. But I didn't have this problem with this book! The points of view were unique and well written for each character. I didn't have to look back at the chapter to remember whose point of view I was currently reading.

It has been a several years since I was in high school, but I found this book to be realistic of things that can happen. Rumors spread and bullying begins.

And that is what happens in this story. A rumor is started at a party, stating that Alice is a slut. And instead of the rumor being fixed right away or blowing over, others add to the lies and it grows.

The Characters:

I didn't really like and many of the characters in this story. They are very unlikable people, but I think that is part of the story. But I really liked reading each of their points of view and their own challenges dealing with what has happened and what they have said.

I did have emotions for Alice.

I found her to be an incredibly strong character for having to go through everything that is happening to her because of the rumors and events that have been happening around her. I felt her pain and her anger. There were times that I wished I could climb in the book and hug her. 

I think all of the characters were well developed and well written. 

My Recommendation:

I really do think that high school aged teenagers should read this book. I also recommend this book for readers that enjoy reading Young Adult Contemporary books!

Torn Away by Jennifer Brown

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Title: Torn Away

Author: Jennifer Brown

Length: 288 pages

Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers

Classification: Young Adult, Contemporary

Release Date: May 6, 2014

Source: e-galley (I was pre-approved for this book on NetGalley. Thank you to Little Brown Books and NetGalley!)

Read: April 2014

Born and raised in the Midwest, Jersey Cameron knows all about tornadoes. Or so she thinks. When her town is devastated by a twister, Jersey survives -- but loses her mother, her young sister, and her home. As she struggles to overcome her grief, she's sent to live with her only surviving relatives: first her biological father, then her estranged grandparents. In an unfamiliar place, Jersey faces a reality she's never considered before -- one in which her mother wasn't perfect, and neither were her grandparents, but they all loved her just the same. Together, they create a new definition of family. And that's something no tornado can touch. (From GoodReads)

My Rating:

** I received an e-galley of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

Between 4.5 and 5 stars.

I have always been afraid of tornadoes. I have not been in one, so I cannot imagine what being in a tornado is like. But I feel that this book does a good job of making me have a small glimpse of what it would be like.

I feel that this book was realistic, powerful, and full of emotion. The author created a story that makes one stop and think about their life. And I feel that the book is very well written.

Although I would describe this as being an emotional heavy read, it was also a quick read. I was able to get sucked into the story, wondering what was going to happen in Jersey's life next.

The Story:
We start reading like it is just another day in Jersey's normal life. Coming home from school, trying to relax before doing chores. Then the story quickly shifts when the weather becomes bad. And we, the readers, experience from Jersey's point of view, the tornado that devastates her town and her life.

The story then continues on as we read about the new changes and challenges that Jersey must face after the tornado destroyed so much.

There were several things that I didn't see coming throughout reading this story and I feel that it kept the story interesting. There were a few things that I did predict and see coming, but I don't think it took away from my liking of the story.

I felt so many emotions while reading this book, and I even shed a few tears.

I really love that this story focuses on Jersey's path to overcome the challenges and hardships that she now faces in her life, without adding in the complications of romance and dating. This story is simply about Jersey. Yes, we see pieces of her new family members she must get to know, and we read about her relationships with her two best friends and the next door neighbor boy (also a friend).

Jersey is a well written character. I felt that I was able to connect with her emotions. The horrible fear that she felt during the tornado as well as,the  sadness and anger that she felt afterwards. I wanted to pull her out of the book and just give her a hug and tell her that eventually everything will be okay.

My Recommendation: 

If you enjoy reading young adult contemporary books, then I recommend you read this one. I feel that the story is very heartfelt and powerful. It makes me think about the important things in my life.