Review: Jesse's Girl by Miranda Kenneally

Image & Description from Goodreads.com

Everyone at Hundred Oaks High knows that career mentoring day is a joke. So when Maya said she wanted to be a rock star, she never imagined she’d get to shadow the Jesse Scott, Nashville’s teen idol. 
But spending the day with Jesse is far from a dream come true. He’s as gorgeous as his music, but seeing all that he’s accomplished is just a reminder of everything Maya’s lost: her trust, her boyfriend, their band, and any chance to play the music she craves. Not to mention that Jesse’s pushy and opinionated. He made it on his own, and he thinks Maya’s playing back up to other people’s dreams. Does she have what it takes to follow her heart—and go solo?

My Thoughts:

I liked this book.  I didn't LOVE it, but I liked it a lot.  I think it’s because I haven’t read the other books in the series (which I will be doing ASAP) so I wasn't as attached to the characters as others might be.  I liked Jesse & Maya and I think they were both well written.  They each had their own trust issues to work out & I liked how they helped each other.  My heart for Jesse & his family situation.  Out of the two, he seemed the most vulnerable which is a nice change from most books where the female is the fragile one.  Both Jesse & Maya have something the other longs for.  As the story progresses they help each other get what they need.  The only negative thing I can say about them is that they both seem a little immature.  Maybe that was intended, but it kept me from being as connected with them as I’d like.  I was still very interested in the story & I can’t wait to go read the other books in the series. I thought Sam & Jordan were hilarious so I’m excited to read Catching Jordan.  One thing I appreciated most was the fact that not everyone got exactly what they wanted all tied up in a pretty bow.  Both Jesse & Maya had to make some compromises & even let go of some expectations.  That enriched the story all the more. 

Recommended for 16 & up.  Moderate sexual content.

Author Links:

http://mirandakenneally.com/

https://www.facebook.com/miranda.kenneally

https://twitter.com/MirandaKennealy

Review: Nowhere But Here by Katie McGarry

Image & description from Goodreads.com

Seventeen-year-old Emily likes her life the way it is: doting parents, good friends, good school in a safe neighborhood. Sure, she's curious about her biological father—the one who chose life in a motorcycle club, the Reign of Terror, over being a parent—but that doesn't mean she wants to be a part of his world. But when a reluctant visit turns to an extended summer vacation among relatives she never knew she had, one thing becomes clear: nothing is what it seems. Not the club, not her secret-keeping father and not Oz, a guy with suck-me-in blue eyes who can help her understand them both. 

Oz wants one thing: to join the Reign of Terror. They're the good guys. They protect people. They're…family. And while Emily—the gorgeous and sheltered daughter of the club's most respected member—is in town, he's gonna prove it to her. So when her father asks him to keep her safe from a rival club with a score to settle, Oz knows it's his shot at his dream. What he doesn't count on is that Emily just might turn that dream upside down. 

No one wants them to be together. But sometimes the right person is the one you least expect, and the road you fear the most is the one that leads you home.

My Thoughts:
So. Many. Emotions!!  I fully expected to love this book since I have loved every book I've read by Katie McGarry.  I don't know how she can pack so much into one phenomenal story.  Her characters are powerfully pragmatic.  They grab your heart & never let go.  Emily & Oz are no exception.   Emily has grown up in a safe sheltered world believing that all the adults in her life have been completely honest about her early childhood.  Oz has grown up idolizing most of the adults in his life & strives to follow in their footsteps.  But dark secrets always have a way of coming to light and things are never left unchanged.  Emily soon discovers what Oz has grown up knowing; that your parents are flawed humans and sometimes their mistakes affect their children more than themselves.  She changes so much that the Emily you know at the end is not the one you started with.  Emily's relationship with Eli really hit home for me and I loved the way it evolved. Oz...beautiful, melt me like butter, Oz.  He matures as well.  Oz realizes he has more than one path to choose from and that even though parents make mistakes they can learn from them & be better as a result.  
This story has some profound messages:
Don't judge by appearances or stereo types.  Parents aren't above making huge mistakes.  Last but not least, the only limit to the amount of love your heart can hold is the one you put on it.   

Recommended for 15 & up.
Strong language, mild to moderate sexual content.

Give yourself a treat & read this book!  In fact, read all Katie McGarry's books.  You won't regret it!

Author links:
http://www.katielmcgarry.com/
https://www.facebook.com/katielmcgarry
http://www.amazon.com/Katie-McGarry/e/B008RFNSB8
https://twitter.com/katiemcgarry
https://instagram.com/katielmcgarry/

Read the Pushing the Limits Series!  Just click on that gorgeous pic.

Pre-Order Jesse's Girl by Miranda Kenneally!

Coming July 2015!!

Everyone at Hundred Oaks High knows that career mentoring day is a joke. So when Maya Henry said she wanted to be a rock star, she never imagined she’d get to shadow *the* Jesse Scott, Nashville’s teen idol.

But spending the day with Jesse is far from a dream come true. He’s as gorgeous as his music, but seeing all that he’s accomplished is just a reminder of everything Maya’s lost: her trust, her boyfriend, their band, and any chance to play the music she craves. Not to mention that Jesse’s pushy and opinionated. He made it on his own, and he thinks Maya’s playing back up to other people’s dreams. Does she have what it takes to follow her heart—and go solo?

JESSE’S GIRL PRE-ORDER PROMOTION:

Everyone who emails teenfire@sourcebooks.com will automatically receive an email of the EXCLUSIVE Jesse’s Girl Playlist, and will be invited to attend a LIVE online author event on July 6, the day before Jesse’s Girl goes on-sale!

In addition, if you pre-order the book and send your proof of purchase (and mailing address) to teenfire@sourcebooks.com, you’ll not only get the exclusive playlist and event invite, but you’ll also receive a signed/personalized bookplate, a super-cute custom guitar pick, and entered to win a $300 gift card to TicketMaster so you can go to a concert or musical or some other fun event.  

So hurry up and send your information to teenfire@sourcebooks.com (Subject: Jesse’s Girl), including your mailing address if you’re sending in proof of pre-order, and how you would like your bookplate signed.

Here are links to order a copy of Jesse’s Girl:

Amazon:                                       Books-A-Million

Barnes & Noble                            Indiebound

iTunes                                           Indigo

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Review: The White Rose by Amy Ewing

Image & description from Goodreads.com

Violet is on the run. After the Duchess of the Lake catches Violet with Ash, the hired companion at the Palace of the Lake, Violet has no choice but to escape the Jewel or face certain death. So along with Ash and her best friend, Raven, Violet runs away from her unbearable life of servitude.

But no one said leaving the Jewel would be easy. As they make their way through the circles of the Lone City, Regimentals track their every move, and the trio barely manages to make it out unscathed and into the safe haven they were promised—a mysterious house in the Farm.

But there’s a rebellion brewing, and Violet has found herself in the middle of it. Alongside a new ally, Violet discovers her Auguries are much more powerful than she ever imagined. But is she strong enough to rise up against the Jewel and everything she has ever known?

The White Rose is a raw, captivating sequel to The Jewel that fans won’t be able to put down until the final shocking moments.

My Thoughts:

I read this book in less than 2 days.  It was so good!  It picks up right from the end of The Jewel.  In the first chapter you see just how cruel the Duchess really can be.  I thought she might end up being a better person but that wasn't to be.  More about the island and auguries are explained along with some history about the matriarchal society.  This installment in the series really goes into the terrible atrocities the royals have subjected the lower classes to.  Each division thinking they have it the worst when in actuality they all have been wronged in unthinkable ways.  Violet makes strides in becoming the leader the people need her to be. She's not the only one who evolves either.  Garnet, Raven and Ash all develop knew strengths as they find their place in the "Society".  I am so excited to read the next book!

Recommended for 15 & up.

I requested this book from Edelweiss in exchange for my honest & unbiased review.

Author links:

website:  http://amyewingbooks.com/

Twitter:  @amyewingbooks

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/amyewingauthor