Review: Racing Savannah (Hundred Oaks #4) by Miranda Kenneally

Title: Racing Savannah (Hundred Oaks #4)
Author: Miranda Kenneally
Series: Yes
Finished or ARC: Finished
Source: I think I bought this, but I'm not sure. I might have won it.

Goodreads: They’re from two different worlds.

He lives in the estate house, and she spends most of her time in the stables helping her father train horses. In fact, Savannah has always been much more comfortable around horses than boys. Especially boys like Jack Goodwin—cocky, popular and completely out of her league. She knows the rules: no mixing between the staff and the Goodwin family. But Jack has no such boundaries.

With her dream of becoming a horse jockey, Savannah isn’t exactly one to follow the rules either. She’s not going to let someone tell her a girl isn’t tough enough to race. Sure, it’s dangerous. Then again, so is dating Jack…

Review:

Moral: not all rich people are stuck up snobs and that social class shouldn't matter when it comes to love.

Like all of Miranda Kenneally's books, there is a heroine that is pretty awesome and a guy that has some issues. Jack's issue: the fact he is forced to pretend to like someone he doesn't like, and he can't have Savannah because of it and the fact she is him employee. Classic love story situation. Yes, cliche. No, it's not cheesy. This situation between them is funny, but sweet in a way.

I loved the comedy in this book. Kenneally never fails to make me laugh. What I love is that when things are going horrible for Savannah, she inserts a bit of humor in to lighten up the mood. 

Savannah is a great character--funny, smart, and kind. What I love about her is that she doesn't take crap from anyone and is very strong willed when she wants something. I love that she was willing to do anything to make sure her unborn sister had a good life, even if she didn't like Cindy, her father's girlfriend, all that well. 

There are some really, really sad moments in this book that made me want to cry. I'm not going to indulge you on what they are, but those moments are ones that can happen in real life, which is what I like about Kenneally's novels. She creates real situations and turns them into amazing stories. 

Jack. I have mix feelings about Jack. I thought he was really sweet, but he could be the biggest jackass. I did believe that Jack truly cared for Savannah, but during one scene, I wanted to jump into the story and beat him. He asked a question that was so rude that I can't believe Savannah went back to him. Of course, Jack redeemed himself and everything worked itself out.

Overall, this book was a great read and I loved it. 

Rating & Cover:

The Big Kahuna

I love the cover of this book. I love Savannah's outfit.

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Review: Things I Can't Forget (Hundred Oaks #3) by Miranda Kenneally

Title: Things I Can't Forget
Author: Miranda Kenneally
Series: Yes
Finished or ARC: Finished
Source: Christmas gift. Thank you, Mom!

Goodreads:
Kate has always been the good girl. Too good, according to some people at school—although they have no idea the guilty secret she carries. But this summer, everything is different…

This summer she’s a counselor at Cumberland Creek summer camp, and she wants to put the past behind her. This summer Matt is back as a counselor too. He’s the first guy she ever kissed, and he’s gone from a geeky songwriter who loved The Hardy Boys to a buff lifeguard who loves to flirt--with her.

Kate used to think the world was black and white, right and wrong. Turns out, life isn’t that easy…

Review:
I'm not going to rave on and on about how much I loved this book. yiou can read my reviews of Catching Jordan and Stealing Parker to know how much I love Miranda Kenneally an her books. This book doesn't disappoint.

In the book, Katie is a very religious girl dealing with the gulit of helping a friend get an abortion, and the feelings she has towards Matt, which are a little more intense than she would like. Obviously, she has issues to deal with that really suck. 

In Stealing Parker, Kenneally addressed the issue of people discriminating against gay people and adults having affairs with minors and both affect everyone. She really pushed the issue out there, like she did in Catching Jordan with girls in football. In this book, she pushed the issue of religion and modern relationships to the limit. 

What I mean is that Katie, being very religious, dealing with the way sex is viewed in the world and in relationships and at her age. Today we know many media outlets involve sex somehow, and it affects the youths of today (no, I am not an old middle age adult. I'm 19, but if you heard some of the things I did from kids younger than me, you'd say this too). This means that kids are having sex at a younger age or are doing other stupid things. Katie believes marriage should come before sex and that it should be only a man and woman. She comes around to gay people and their lifestyle, but she struggles with this desire she has for Matt that makes things complicated. He wants to have sex, but she wants to wait, and she struggles to tell him. I feel that there are many woman like that today, even if media doesn't show it. 

One thing I liked a lot about Matt was that he understood Katie's desire to wait and didn't push her. I feel many breakups today involve a girl not wanting to put out. Even though it is fiction, this book could be very real, and it's nice to know that there are guys like Matt out there. 

I was happy in the end. From the beginning, Katie changed a lot and nothing felt fake about the plot. I think everyone should read this, especially young girls. 

Rating:

The Big Kahuna

Cover:

I love how they are holding hands!

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Review: The House of Hades by Rick Riordan

Title: The House of Hades (The Heroes of Olympus #4)
Author: Rick Riordan
Series: Yes
Finished or ARC: Finished
Source: Bought from Amazon.com

Goodreads: At the conclusion of The Mark of Athena, Annabeth and Percy tumble into a pit leading straight to the Underworld. The other five demigods have to put aside their grief and follow Percy’s instructions to find the mortal side of the Doors of Death. If they can fight their way through the Gaea’s forces, and Percy and Annabeth can survive the House of Hades, then the Seven will be able to seal the Doors both sides and prevent the giants from raising Gaea. But, Leo wonders, if the Doors are sealed, how will Percy and Annabeth be able to escape?

They have no choice. If the demigods don’t succeed, Gaea’s armies will never die. They have no time. In about a month, the Romans will march on Camp Half-Blood. The stakes are higher than ever in this adventure that dives into the depths of Tartarus.

Review

To me, the Percy Jackson series and the Hereoes of Olympus are one of those series that if you love it, you love it. It's not a YA book that we normally think of: one hero, love interest with some forbidden love triangle or something, and one evil villain. Instead, these two series revolve around several characters (and Percy) and different couples and several evil villains. Great series all around. And I happen to be one of the people on the world that love this series. 

This book.........Holy freaking crap. I loved it. Absolutely loved it. One thing I love to point out is that unlike most YA novels, this series has several authors. I don't really like third person POV, but Rick Riordan does a great job using it. I love getting each character's perspective on the story/plot, even if I really wish I could know every character's thoughts on each scene (what a long book that would be). As much as I wish the story was told from only Percy's POV like in the first series, I do like all the characters narrating.

In all of his books that I have read (which is just the ones with Percy in them), Rick Riordan brings his own humor to the story, which makes getting through one of his books without a laugh very hard to do. I was surprised that this book didn't have as much funny jokes and humor as his other ones. Maybe it was because this book was a bit more serious than the others; given that Percy and Annabeth are in Tartarus (which was cruel) and Frank, Leo, Jason, and Piper are trying to reach the House of Hades to close the Doors of Death, with Nico's help. As much as seriousness is good for a book with so much suspense, I did miss some of the funniness Riordan brings to his books.

Characters:

I have to say, this is the one book I think most of the characters really revealed their true selves. Frank, we know, has been uncomfortable with himself, not only being the son of Mars, but also in his awkward shape and the fact Leo keeps teasing him. In the HOH, he grows out of all of this and comes to accept himself even more. Leo, who left a little left out given that he is the only one of the seven without a girlfriend, expresses this and I came to the conclusion that he teased Frank and was a joker because he felt that was the only way he would be noticed for something other than his awesome mechanical skills. I was really happy that he met Calypso, but really upset that the gods hadn't let her go yet. 

Frank and Leo are just a few examples of revelations. The biggest one to me was Nico. This is the first time we really see him for him. He lashes out at Cupid, who provokes him into revealing his big secret. It is shocking to learn this secret. I'm not going to say what it is since it is a big spoiler, but I will say this: if you look at the whole series, you wouldn't think of it at all. Many books these days have some of this issue (think of Glee when you are wonder what it is) and oddly, I would have never thought Riordan would have put it in his series. It's not that I think he's against this issue (I'm sorry if I'm offending anyone; I can't think of any other word for it without revealing the secret or sounding really, really rude), but it was just a surprise. But then again, a chapter earlier kind of hinted to it, which I wasn't smart enough to pick up on, but still, it was a shock. But I still love Nico. By far, he is one of the strongest characters of the series; not by strength and brute force, but by character in himself.

Romance:
What I love best about these books is that the love dovy stuff isn't overwhelming stupid and cheesy. It is the love you would expect two teenagers to experience as their first girlfriend/boyfriend. Of course, I love Percabeth all the way, but Jasper (Jason and Piper) and Frazel (Frank and Hazel) are good too. Hopefully Riordan doesn't screw it up and forget about Calypso. I love them together. I think their couple name is Caleo.

Ending:

I'm happy it ending the way it did, but I'm sad that Bob died and that Octavian is a horrible ^@*$^#)@ face. He's too power hungry. I really don't like him. I kinda hope he does get shot out of a cannon by Frank and Reyna. I can't wait for the last book, The Blood of Olympus, which I hope doesn't mean a main character dies. 

Rating & Cover:

The Big Kahuna

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Review: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Title: The Fault in Our Stars
Author: John Green
Series: No
Finished or ARC: Finished
Source: Bought from Amazon

Goodreads
Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.

 
 
Review:

I have many reviews to still post from this past summer. Some include books that I absolutely love. And I know I have been absent, but college will do that to you. But back to the book, I skipped the others because this is one that comes first above all.

A lot of words could describe this book, but all of them have been said. So I will say this:

This book does not degrade cancer. If anything, it shows what can happen to ones that do have it, especially ones that are teens. Teens with cancer don't get to go to college; they don't get to fall in love and grow old with their loved one; they don't get to watch their children and then their grandchildren grow up to be adults. No, they just die an unjust death.

Like Hazel's dad and Augustus said, cancer just wants to feel alive and be known to the universe. Well, it is known, and it is alive, while it takes a life in the process. I have only known one person personally that has died of cancer. It was my aunt. I wasn't close to her, but she had that personality that you couldn't really hate her. Her death made my family extremely sad, but we got through it.

I guess I'm trying to say that that despite our views on cancer, it's something that we won't be able to stop from taking our emotions on a rollercoaster. This book did that to me. It was funny, dramatic, and all the emotions that come with YA. I still can't believe I cried.

And because I cried, this book is extremely great. But of course, some may argue, but who cares. This book should be read by everyone. The characters were so in depth that I felt that this wasn't fiction. Hazel and Augustus and Isaac were all real. The love story, despite being doomed, was the best one I've read to date. It was......it was real.

I have to say, I was thrilled to hear that they were making a movie. And after reading the book, I swear, if they screw up the movie, I will hate the actors and the plot and the producers and the studio FOREVER!! Like Divergent, if they screw up that, I will hate them. I'm still up with their casting of Four. I felt he should 1) be younger, and 2) actually look like the one in the book.

Anyway, the ending kind of threw me for a loop, but it was true. We don't get to choose if we get hurt in this world and in this life. But we get to choose who hurts us. In this case, though Hazel was hurt when Augustus died, he was hurt when he had to leave her against his will. (I'm crying again, by the way).

Read it. It will be worth it. Okay?

Rating for everything:

The Big Kahuna

 

 

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Review: Stealing Parker by Miranda Kenneally

Goodreads:
Parker Shelton pretty much has the perfect life. She’s on her way to becoming valedictorian at Hundred Oaks High, she’s made the all-star softball team, and she has plenty of friends. Then her mother’s scandal rocks their small town and suddenly no one will talk to her.

Now Parker wants a new life.

So she quits softball. Drops twenty pounds. And she figures why kiss one guy when she can kiss three? Or four. Why limit herself to high school boys when the majorly cute new baseball coach seems especially flirty?

But how far is too far before she loses herself completely?

Source: Christmas gift

Review:

Plot: When reading the back of the book, it may seem like the cheesy story of a girl falling for an older man. Yet, Kenneally takes it to the next level. She bring in the classic drama of everyday life, conflicting views, and religion. It's not everyday an author brings in religion.

One's preferred sex is a conflicting issue in our nation. Religion is one too sometimes. Put them together and major conflict! In this book, Kenneally addresses gayness and how religion really views it. How though the Bible tells us God loves us all, he frowns on those who do not love the opposite sex. Through this book, you really see how prejudice people truly are, despite saying they are 'true Christians'. In my opinion, there are no 'true Christians'; for, along the line, we all sin. I don't go to church every Sunday but I believe in God. Stealing Parker really brings out the true beauty of how gays are viewed. I'm a supporter for gays. Some of my friends are gay, one of my teachers is gay, and I have cousin that's gay. They are just people. Nothing truly extraordinary about them.

There is so much emotion in this book. It goes deeper than Catching Jordan, which focuses on girls in sports and how they are viewed differently than boys. All the raw emotions that come out in this book are so real that you fell Parker's pain and all the crap that has happened to her. It's emotional. End of story.

And besides the emotional turmoil, Stealing Parker also shows what happens when you cling to the past. Brian sounds awesome, but his desire to be young again ruined his life. This is a lesson everyone needs to read.

Characters: Like I said before, a lot of emotion. Parker is a girl who bottled up all her emotions about her mom coming out and everyone picking on her and her church turning away from her and she tries to get through it by hooking up (makeout sessions) with a bunch of guys to show everyone she isn't like her mom. She's complex with her emotion, but yet forward--wanting to be accepted back yet not wanting people to think she's gay. She's a roller coaster.

The rest of the character are very emotional/stereotypical. I say stereotypical because most of the characters have the typical view of gays and those associated with them. Also emotional because of those who are or don't care about gayness. there's so much prejudice against them and others that the characters are so real because of it.

The two characters I did love were Will and Drew. Will was an absolute gentleman and the one guy your dad would like. He's much like Sam, same situation with his home life, and a sports guy. He was wonderful. And I get how he felt when he found out about everything. But he could at least hear Parker out first. Drew reminds me of my friend Aaron, who is much like Drew, except doesn't do sports. But the fact Drew becomes like everyone else after the big climax peeved me off, but he redeems himself.

Romance: Parker, because her mom left and her dad and brother truly don't pay attention, she's looking for somone to love and love her back. In Brian, I believe she saw an older man who would be maturer than boys her age and would want more than sex. This isn't true. Brian is 23! He's not grown up anymore than I am! He was a stupid man using the desire of a minor to feel young again.

And it's true: Love is Blind. I say this because Parker was so blinded by Brian that she couldn't see Will, and Will is just like Sam Henry--sweet, nice, a gentleman. That really ticked me off.

Ending: It was happy. Brian got what he deserved. Parker's life turned around. It was a good ending.

Rating:

The Big Kahuna.

I loved it that much

Cover:

I think there should be a bit more baseball in the cover. Maybe homeplate?

Ending:

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Review: Catching Jordan (Hundred Oaks #1) by Miranda Kenneally

*MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*

Goodreads: What girl doesn't want to be surrounded by gorgeous jocks day in and day out? Jordan Woods isn't just surrounded by hot guys, though - she leads them as the captain and quarterback on her high school football team. They all see her as one of the guys, and that's just fine. As long as she gets her athletic scholarship to a powerhouse university. But now there's a new guy in town who threatens her starring position on the team... and has her suddenly wishing to be seen as more than just a teammate.

FIRST, I know it's not February, but I have a lot of Contemporary novels I'd like to finish before the end of February get here.

Review: Well, I have to say, ever since I started blogging, I think this has been fastest I've ever read a book. 1.5 days! Why the .5? Well, I had to sleep sometime. :D

Anyway, I absolutely loved this book. IT WAS FANTASTIC! Comedy, romance, and teenage drama go so well together. Really, they do. They make the best characteristics for a romantic comedy.

 I think it's awesome someone finally stepped up to the plate and wrote about girls and football. Sure, there are girls that do play, but how many are the QB? Probably none.

The over all plot was kinda lost to me at first, but then it's like: Oh, it's Jordan's journey with her team to State and her dealing with two boys that are incredibly sweet.

Now, the only thing I have bad to say about this book is the way Ty and Jordan's relationship started.

The first thing they did was Ty tried to kiss her and then she got advice from the guys. That's not bad. But when she actually decided to go out with him, what's the first thing they do?

THEY HAVE SEX!

GOD, why can't people just go on dates? Why does sex have to come first? Oh, and then after they had sex, they made it official. Why couldn't they make it official then wait to have sex after a few months of dating. And their dating, yeah: just making out in public or tossing around the football. Sure, they went on ONE date that was utterly romantic, and they did go to the homecoming dance, but still! Making out isn't going out. It's just two people kissing non-stop. Gag me.

One other thing. In the book, Kenneally does point out there are sexist people in the world. That's the reason why Jordan wouldn't have been able to play with Alabama like she dreamed of. Not only was the coach and the team sexist, but so was the Director of Athletics. I hate people that like. Don't let anyone tell you you can't do something because of your gender. Women can do anything men can do.

Characters:

• Jordan: Kick ass type of girl. The true essance of a toyboy. Awesome football player. And a true represenation of a girl that has no clue that a guy likes her, especially her best friend. Though she doesn't show it, I think if the author did write it, she would have shown up that Jordan has some insercurites, like being a girl in general. But I love it how she over comes the rumors and the drama and the fact she is very tall to come out on top. SPOILER: Towards the end, I'm happy she started to realize her feelings for Henry and finally get it together to try to win him over.
• Henry/Sam: First, he's actually name is Sam Henry, but some people call him Henry or Sam. I like Henry, since that's what everyone mostly calls him. Anyway, in the beginning, he's a man-whore. Not going to hide it, but he is. I honestly think that using sex as a way out of a breakup is stupid. (at least it was safe sex). And when it came to Jordan, well, he's an idiot. Why not just tell her you like her? No, he, and like everyone else, just assumed she knew and she showed no interest. IDIOTS! At least by the end he gets he's head screwed back on.
• Ty: Or Tyler, he is the new kid. He's back story is very sad, but that back story (Oh, not going to say what it is) changes him. Whatever he was before, I want to say he is different. In the book, I'm happy that he cares for Jordan, and that he really likes her (though after what? A month, he said he's falling of her. No, after six then you say that type of crap), (SPOILER) but he's really controlling. On the field and off. We've never seen him on the field, but the other guys on the team have told Jordan about him. No boy should try to be controlling of his team or his girlfriend (which he does in some parts of the book).
• JJ: I really like him. Funny and an idiot. Good player. Cares about Jordan as a sister. But he's an idoit when it comes to women. All he does is look for a good fling. No commitment, no strings attached. I was shocked to hear that he was going with Lacey (cheerleader) for sometime, but of course, he never told her the three words. In a way, I think something must of had happened to him to cause himn to be like he is, or that he's just not ready. :D
• Carter: LOVE HIM! He's the only one that's not a man-whore it think. Unlike the rest of his friends, he doesn't want to be a professional football player. He wants to play, honoring his dad's wishes, but he also wants to be a chief. Honestly, I wish he got together with Jordan sometimes. He's nice and sweet.
• Carrie: She is a cheerleader and becomes one of Jordan's closest girlfriends after talking to her a bit. She's the one that broke up with Henry because--SPOILER--she believed he was in love with another person, and he was. Later one, she starts to date Carter, and it's so sweet that he actually really likes her and is NOT looking for a hook-up.
• Marie: She is a cheerleader and becomes one of Jordan's closest girlfriends too. In the beginning, she and Henry had a thing, but she knew he loved Jordan and tried to get them together. She never gets with anyone, but if there was another character in the book, I'd bet that she would be with him. She's an awesome best friend.
• Dad (a.k.a. Donovan Woods): Big NFL football player. Doesn't really like Jordan playing football and doesn't support her like her mom does. At first, I didnt' like him. I hate that one parent that doesn't support one child but does the other (Mike, the brother, plays football too), but the only reason he doesn't is because he doesn't want Jordan to get hurt. And I can see where he's coming from. Football is tough, and the guys in it are huge. He's girl, only a 170 lbs. He doesn't want her hurt. SPOILER: Thank God he turns around in the end. It was either that or have a horrible relationship with his daugher for the rest of her life.

Future: As most of you know, the companion to the book, Stealing Parker, is set to come out this far.

Here's the pic and the blurb.

Goodreads: About a 17-year-old girl named Parker who falls for the new 23-year-old coach of the baseball team.

Love the cover, and it's basically like Vampire Academy, but without the vampires. I can't wait!

Quotes: The entire book, especially the chapter titled Jerry Rice. :D

Rating:
The Big Kahuna

I debated about this one. I wanted to give it a 5 because of the sex thing, but the pros outweigh the cons. :D I LOVED THIS BOOK.

Cover & Ending: 

I believe I won this book. Forget from who though. :D

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