Contemporary February #5: Where She Went

 

*CONTAINS SPOILERS

Goodreads: It's been three years since the devastating accident . . . three years since Mia walked out of Adam's life forever.

Now living on opposite coasts, Mia is Juilliard's rising star and Adam is LA tabloid fodder, thanks to his new rock star status and celebrity girlfriend. When Adam gets stuck in New York by himself, chance brings the couple together again, for one last night. As they explore the city that has become Mia's home, Adam and Mia revisit the past and open their hearts to the future - and each other.

Told from Adam's point of view in the spare, lyrical prose that defined If I Stay, Where She Went explores the devastation of grief, the promise of new hope, and the flame of rekindled romance.

Review: Okay, this has to be the best contemporary novel I've ever read. I never suspected a sequel to If I Stay. I mean, I was peeved that If I Stay ended the way it did, just leaving off with Mia waking up and after Adam pleaded with her to stay. I mean, who does that! Leaving off with nothing afterwards! Then I heard about a sequel, I was like: OMG! I HAVE TO HAVE THIS BOOK!

No, seriously, this was my face. Fortunately, other bloggers got the same feeling. Contest here and there. Did I win? No. It sucked. Then, when BN had their 50% off sale, I put that one in my cart, and a few weeks later, it was in my hands.

I wasn't disappointed. This book, though I did wish it was in Mia's view point, was perfect. I was a bit sad that it was in Adam's view, but after reading it, I thought he was the one to say it all. In the book, it switches back and forth between the aftermath of the accident and present day. Flashback books are always the best. :D

For three years, Adam drowned himself in his depressed self. Basically, Mia dumped him by not calling or contacting him after the accident and she went off to Julliard. It sucked reading about that. I wanted to punch Mia. Really! And because of it, a few things came out of it.

1. Adam wrote several hits and he and the band got back together and became rock stars.
2. Adam soon became the center of the band since he wrote the songs and tension between everyone grew, leaving Adam to stay in a different hotel than the band.
3. Adam gets very stressed out and has anxiety and has to take pills.
4. He smokes. Ew.
5. Mia became a success.
6. Both are going on tour.
7. Adam's dating some cougar that wants kids and he's not ready. Only 21!
8. They find each other again later on and get everything out.

Now, as much as I hate that Adam not only smokes and cusses and is with a woman he shouldn't be, I really felt for him. The girl he loved dumped him without telling him, and then one of his band mates doesn't like him, and the girl he's dating feels he still loves Mia, which he does. And then his fans, who he feels pressure from because of his anxiety. It's horrible.

Now, the book takes place over 24 hours, and in that time he meets up with Mia again by accident and they spend the night touring around New York talking about things and what happened before they both go on tour the next day.

One thing though that may make people veer from this book is the language. In the first book and the second, there is cussing. Adam loves using the f-bomb. In the first book, it was used in scenes like when Mia's mom was giving birth to Ted. I mean, giving birth is a pain. I have not seen one woman cry out in pain because of it yet. In the second book, he uses it to express his anger, and he has a lot of it. Some may say that it's not appropriate, but I think the cussing was appropriate in this case. I would cuss too if I kept all that anger in for three years.

One thing I did really love about this book was that when Adam was with Mia, he would have these moments when he wanted to give up and love Mia again. But then he remembers what happened and BOOM!--moment over. But then when Mia lets out why she broke up with him, I was shocked and at the same time not. If someone did that to me, I would be peeved too and relieved that I was away. Note: I am not going to mention what that thing is. :D

Future: This I believe is the end of the story for Mia and Adam. In the end, I was happy. If a sequel is in the works for this book, then it would probably about Mia and Adam grown up with a family telling them about what happened, accident, aftermath, and then the aftermath of the aftermath. I think it would be interesting.

Favorite Quote:

"We fall asleep, waking in teh middle of the night, ravenous. We order takeout. Eat it upstairs in ther bed. It's all like a dream, only the most incredible part is waking up a dawn. With Mia. I see her sleeping form there and feel as happy as I've ever been. I pull her to me and fall back asleep." Adam, pg. 243

This is a must read for any of you contemporary lovers out there. Heartache and repressed feelings of the past collide with passion and chaos of life. You have to love it.

 

Rating:

The Big Kahuna

Yes, this book was THAT good. I loved it!

Rereadable.

Cover:

I hate cover changes. I have the hardback of If I Stay and I love it, but when this one came out and the covers were totally different, I was peeved.

Ending:

 

*Bought this from BN

 

Keep On Reading!

 

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Actually, I'm almost done with it. It just took me forever to get this review up. :D

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Contemporary February #4: The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight

*CONTAINS SPOILERS

 

Goodreads:

Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan's life. She's stuck at JFK, late to her father's second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon to be step-mother that Hadley's never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport's cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he's British, and he's in seat 18C. Hadley's in 18A.
Twists of fate and quirks of timing play out in this thoughtful novel about family connections, second chances and first loves. Set over a 24-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver's story will make you believe that true love finds you when you're least expecting it.

Review: Cheesy, sweet, funny, romantic, classic, comedy. Though words are this novel.

The tension between dad and kid because dad cheated on mom and is getting married. Mom's upset. Girl hates dad. But then, one plane ride, one boy, changes everything.

This book was so cute! I loved it. Sure, there were a few things I might have done differently, but I loved it. The feelings Hadley was feeling were so spot on, and Oliver, sweet Oliver, is a total catch. I just feel sorry for him about his dad.

Ok, not actually funny, but heart touching. When Hadley confronted her dad and told him everything, he sat there and listened instead of ignoring her or going to his new wife. That was my "Aw" moment. And all the feelings that Oliver had boiling up in him about his God awful dad, well, let's just say that was interesting to read. 

I have only one problem, maybe that's just me, but if was Hadley, I wouldn't just talk to my dad in a room and tell him everything. No, I would pound him with all my anger. "YOU LEFT MOM! AND YOU STILL WERE MARRIED! AND NOW YOU WANT ME TO ATTEND YOUR WEDDING!!! F**K NO!" That's what I would do. I wouldn't let him get off that easily. 

The characters? Well, in the amount of time the book actually covers, suprisingly the characters did show change. Hadley went from a girl who hates her had and life to one who starts warming up to her new family. Oliver didn't change, but he did get a moment where he could just get it out. Both our main characters had their rage boiling up inside of them, one's rage longer than the other's. I can't say that I wish that things like this didn't happen, but unfortunately they do.

Future: Just a wonderful stand alone.

Okay, sorry this one is short, but anything else I say is basically going to make me feel like I'm repeating what other bloggers have said. I loved the book from start to finish, and though I don't believe in love at first sight, this book put a little belief in me.

Rating:

Cover:

It's cute and creative, but I like the UK one better.

Ending:

I love happy endings.

*Bought from B n' B

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Contemporary February #3: Dash & Lily's Book of Dares

*CONTAINS SPOILERS*

Goodreads:

"I’ve left some clues for you.
If you want them, turn the page.
If you don’t, put the book back on the shelf, please.”

Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash that right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York? Could their in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions? Or will they be a comic mismatch of disastrous proportions?

Review: Okay, first of all, this book was THE BEST!! Seriously, I mean, I was into it from the beginning. Only time I put it down was for homework (Gah!) and to sleep (not that I got much of it). It captivated me so much that by 12:30 (at night), I forced myself to put it down. Now, I maybe exaggerating a bit, this is how I feel.

First off, the notebook. At first, I thought it was going to be dare dares. Like, I dare you to this, dare you to jump off blah blah blah. But no, it was more like, “I dare you keep writing”. In the book, Lily and Dash write down their feelings and what they think on some topics and then ‘dared’ each other to get it to the next place. I thought this was a cute idea and a good way to get out their feelings of hurt and anger.

Dash and Lily’s relationship bloomed like most relationships should: over time. I hate that insta-love crap. Sure, they did it mostly through a notebook, but that’s what makes it cute.

Problem: The Families.

Mostly Lily’s. Dash’s I understand. Parent’s split, Dad and Mom get with new people, Dad’s doesn’t talk much to kid and doesn’t really want him in a way, both go on vacations without kid because kid lies and says he’s staying with the other. I really don’t like Dash’s dad. When the fiasco about kid abuser and baby stealer (long story) came up, his dad didn’t even call him to ask if he was okay, except to see if he need a lawyer.

Lily’s family is okay. I have to say, part of her oversensitivity for most of her life I blame on the parents. I bet they sheltered her too much. Yes, go to Fiji on the honeymoon you never had since you got married young instead of waiting until after you got money to raise kids. Yes, don’t tell your kid that you may be moving there because of a job offer. Yes, let her spend Christmas alone. GAH! HATE PARENTS LIKE THAT! Especially when they are thinking about moving their only kid (that’s not in college) away from the only home she’s know. Plus, they still treat her like a kid. And by ‘they’, I mean everyone in her idiotic family. Example, when her brother got sick, she told her parents. Mom asks if he gets sicker, can she call the doctor. WELL, OF COURSE SHE CAN!! SHE’S SIXTEEN FOR HEAVEN’S SAKE!! And her grandpa, who says she can’t go out alone and blah blah blah. And it doesn’t help that her dad’s the VP of her school, and like she said, “Who really want to be friends with the vice principal’s daughter?” If you get her anger, you fail! GAH! Brother’s an idiot. I get it; yes, he’s in love again after a harsh breakup, but that doesn’t give him the write to ignore his sister when she needs him the most, AND ON CHRISTMAS!!! Thank God she had other relatives who were more supportive.

Second Problem (not a big one at least): Language.

In the book, Dash doesn’t have the cleanest mouth. He says the f-bomb once or twice, and then all the other curse words like ‘damn’ and ‘shit’. I just don’t like it how he uses it in front of Lily, who never said a cuss word in her life. The closest she got to saying was not verbally, but just flipping off her brother.

Main Characters:

Lily: Pure as the driven snow, she doesn’t really cuss or do bad things. She’s the epitome (vocab word! Take that Mrs. Pascal! (definition: perfect example)) of the good girl, except she’s overly sensitive, which, like I said before, I think is because of her horrid parents. Anyway, I believe she’s the character that changes the most. I’m not going to say how, but she does. Last thing, she’s a good soccer player. :D

Dash: Kinda arrogant, impatient, and pushy, but he’s a boy. In the book, Lily’s family describes him as “snarly”, when I think it’s just witty sarcasm/humor. Though he could be thought of as just a typical teenage boy dealing with divorced parents and a distant dad, he’s very deep. Some of things he writes are very deep, and you can see a side of him that doesn’t come out. I love guys like this. :D

Other characters:

For the ones that supported Dash and Lily’s adventure, Lily’s relatives and Dash’s friends, they are awesome.

For those who didn’t: Dash’s dad, Lily’s parents and grandpa, they suck.

Future: Well, the book is just a stand alone, but both authors have written more books like this one that I will definitely be reading. :D

Quotes:

“You’re being silly,” I [Dash] assured her.

“Lily is the greatest girl who ever was.”
I drew closer. “Lily is the greatest girl who ever was.”

For a moment, I think we’d forgotten where we were. Pg. 221

“Cinderella was such a dork.” Lily, pg. 136

“It wasn’t so much about plot. It was much more about character.” Dash, pg. 198

Song: Okay, while I read this, I started to listen to Glee's version of We Found Love by Rihanna. I thought the song went perfectly with the book. Sure, the "hopeless place" isn't all true, but in a way, it is because both are without anyone on Christmas in a way.  

Over all, this book had me captivated from page 1. Twists and turns with the great red note book were entertaining and fun. And the characters were crafted perfectly.

This, my friends, will be one of the only books I reread again.

Rating:

The Big Kahuna

Cover:

Seriously, look at it. I love that the street signs have the title and the authors' names on them, and the heart in the crosswalk sign is amazing. And since the book takes place around Christmas time, and what better than to have snow falling, but even better, heart shaped snow!

Ending:

Love stories are the best.

*Christmas gift from Mom. :D Thank you!

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I believe the one to the left is the US cover, and the one to the right is the UK cover. That or it's the paperback version, but I doubt it. :D

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Contemporary February #2: The Beginning of After

*CONTAINS SPOILERS*

Goodreads: Anyone who’s had something truly crappy happen to them will tell you: It’s all about Before and After. What I’m talking about here is the ka-pow, shake-you-to-your-core-and-turn-your-bones-to-plastic kind of crappy.

Sixteen-year-old Laurel’s world changes instantly when her parents and brother are killed in a terrible car accident. Behind the wheel is the father of her bad-boy neighbor, David Kaufman, whose mother is also killed. In the aftermath of the tragedy, Laurel navigates a new reality in which she and her best friend grow apart, boys may or may not be approaching her out of pity, overpowering memories lurk everywhere, and Mr. Kaufman is comatose but still very much alive. Through it all there is David, who swoops in and out of Laurel’s life and to whom she finds herself attracted against her better judgment. She will forever be connected to him by their mutual loss—a connection that will change them both in unexpected ways.

Review:
Okay, so when I first saw the book, I was like WHOA! I MUST READ IT! Why you may ask? I love contemporary, and the plot sounded classic and unique all at the same time. Classic--girl falls for bad boy, trouble, blah blah blah. Unique--the reason why they did.

In the book, Laurel loses her family in one single night. To her neighbor. Car + Drunk Driver = Death. And why didn’t anyone stop him?! It sucks. Really, it does. I felt extremely sorry for her. 1) she lost her family. 2) she was stared at like a freak because of what happened. 3) she had some annoying therapist "try" to help her through her grieving. Seriously, I wouldn't want some strange lady talking like she knew all about my parents and what happened! Anyway, the fact that David went on a cross-country road trip was amazing, and I say that all the postcards he sent to her (well, actually his dog, Masher, that Laurel was taking care of) was more therapeutic than any talk with a stranger. In a way, knowing that there was another person out there that was going through the same thing as her made her feel better. I might be jumping the gun, but don't you ever feel that way sometimes? That out there there's that one person who is going through what you are, and yet you have no clue who they are? I do sometimes, mostly when I read contemporary. With contemporary, I'm the character, this is the life I wish I had, the life I want. :) See why I love contemporary so much?

Okay, back to the review, I say, the descriptions of what Laurel did after her parents die were kinda typical. And I loved it. I mean, it does happen: you get wrapped in your grief trying to sort through things and everyone suddenly doesn't seem to meet up to your problems anymore and you distance yourself and that one boy or girl asks you out, and all you can think of is "Is he/she asking me out out of pity?" Honestly, that's what I thought when Joe asked her to prom. But I'm happy he actually did like her.

Now, I had only three problems with this book
1): The way they portrayed drugs and sex. Drugs--smoking. David was part of a group that smoked blah blah blah. And Laurel! OMG! She did it once. Thank God she didn't start. Then the sex part. Well, there was implied sex between Meg and Gavin, friends of Laurel, and I'm fine with that because that's them. My problem was with Joe. At the after party of prom, Joe tells Laurel he wished they were in the limo alone instead of being out on the deck of the house. Really? Is that what all boys think of? And then at the end of the book when David and Laurel actually got five seconds away from the act itself! GAH! Can there be one book that the main character doesn’t just throw herself at the guy all because she depressed?! Well, actually Laurel wasn’t depressed depressed, just wanting comfort in my opinion.

2): Now, it may just be me, but when I read the summary, it said, and I quote:

“Through it all there is David, who swoops in and out of Laurel’s life and to whom she finds herself attracted against her better judgment.”

Where was this attraction? During most of the book, Laurel was flirting with Joe, NOT David. The only time they actually showed interest in each other was when they kissed, were in the woods together looking at a cave from their past, or when they were around Masher. Seriously! Yes, the attraction was there, but not so much. I felt at the end she kinda just decided “Oh, well I’m going to like him and not Joe.” Well, throughout the book she actually did question her feelings for Joe, which led to her leading him on at sometimes, which was wrong, but honest, I’m happy she said to him that they weren’t good.

3): How in the world does a car start on fire after hitting a ditch?!


Characters:

Laurel, our protagonist, when through a lot of change. She was detached and distant after the accident, but later starts to come back to life.

David, well, I think he was on a journey of self-discovery. He didn’t know what he wanted to do after the accident and he just left. During his journey, he made a few discoveries. Or at least that’s what I think.

Nana: Horrible what happened to her. Her son died, her grandson died, and her daughter in law died. And did I mention she lost her husband earlier in life? It sucks. Personally, though she’s a great supportive, but sometimes I think it should have been her in therapy.


Other Characters
1. Laurel’s best friend Meg had problems of her own, as in, her parents fought a lot because Mom was depressed and Dad was sick of it. (How supportive!)
2. Joe just really liked her but I think he knew she couldn’t fully like him back.
3. Eve was a good friend and co-worker, even though she pulled away after learning that Laurel’s parents.
4. The two girls, names forgotten, that try to help Laurel come back to life and her friends, were okay but too perky.

(That’s all I can remember from the book)


Future: Just a stand alone, but I think the author will think about making another book just like it.

Though it wasn’t my favorite, The Beginning of After did leave an impression on me, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who loves contemporary. :D

 Rating

Cover:

I kinda wish it had something more to it. I like it has a girl on the front and looking into the distance, as if she's thinking about her problem, and I like the sun in the background, but I think there could have been soemthing more to it.

Ending:

I liked the ending. Wasn't totally in love with. I like how everything was resolved, but think there could have been more.

*I won this book without any requests attached. I forget from who.

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I can't wait to sink my teeth into this one. I'm so excited!

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Killing Two Birds with One Stone.....

NO, I am NOT actually going to kill two birds with one stone. I don't even think I could do that. Anyway, what I mean is, I'm going to get these two blog contest entries over with in one!
First one is for The Magic Attic's Once Upon a Time Giveaway.

What is my favorite Steampunk novel?

Okay, I admit it, I had no clue what Steampunk books were. Then I looked it up and found out they are novels with futurtisic stuff set in the past. And I will go with Girl in the Steal Corset. :D

What are your thoughts on steampunk in general?

Different type of book. Unique, and they sound great.

Are there any authors you would like to see try their hand at writing steampunk?

Julie Kagawa definiately. And Lauren Kate and Becca Fitzpatrick. I love them!

Are there any steampunk books being released that you're especially excited about?
The Clockwork Prince. I have yet to read the Clockwork Angel, but my friend has it and I hope to borrow it sometime (after i get through all the books I have to read right now). :D

Second one is for the Book Breather (Note for you: your banner is kinda creepy. Just saying). Anyway, on to the questions!

Who is your favorite contemporary author?

I've only read a few contemporary novels, but my favorite author is Susane Colasanti.

What is your favorite contemporary book?

Susane Colasanti's novel Waiting for You.

Who is your favorite contemporary character?

Hmm....this one is kinda hard. Marisa from Waiting for You. I just can't recall any other character except her. :D

What do you love most about contemporary books?

That they are about real life situations that could happen, and that in the end, the girl usually gets her guy. :D

   

Now, I suggest you head over to both of their sites, enter their giveaways (T.M.A.'s ends in 3 days!), and answer the questions yourself.

Keep On Reading!

Tayte :D

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