sabthebookeater

This review and more on Sab The Book EaterDon’t let the pretty cover fool you – this book is far from fluffy and sweet. September Girls has a lot of cussing and sex… or talk of sex. I can’t say there was a lot of sex because Sam, the main character, barely got some and he complained about it a lot. I’ve never read so many F bombs or such vivid descriptions of people making out in a YA book. I understand how a lot of readers can get turned off or even disgusted by this. It’s a young adult book, after all. But one has to consider that Sam is 17 years old. In reality most 17 year old guys aren’t like the swoon-worthy love interests we read about in books. I’m not saying that guys around that age are pigs but let’s face it – it’s that stage in a boy’s life where his hormones are raging. Sam’s POV is as honest as it gets, in my opinion. But the problem is, it’s like the audience wasn’t even considered when this book was being written (and edited). Who reads YA books with pretty covers? Girls. Young girls.If the crudity was meant to convey something other than to show what boys are really like, it didn’t appear that way. For the most part, Sam kept talking about his urges and how the girls are extremely hot and whatnot. I didn’t get much out of it. There had to be a point to it all. I mean, sure, he's still a virgin at 17 and well what do you know? He has the magic stick! But did everything have to be said so crudely? I didn't get it. I didn’t help me understand the plot better and it surely didn’t help me appreciate Sam. Who is Sam, anyway? Take away all the talk of sex and what do I know about him? Very little. I barely even got to the point where I somewhat understood his character. His character lacked development, I think, even till the very end. He says he feels differently and that his time at the beach changed him but how?In what way did he change? In what way did he feel differently? It was all vague and underdeveloped.You know what else was vague and underdeveloped? The Girls. The chapters written in their perspective, while I appreciate some of it, just felt repetitive and useless. They answered the basic questions but by the end of it all, I still felt like they lacked depth and development. Especially DeeDee. I had a hard time trying to understand why exactly DeeDee was "different" than the other Girls. Was it because she enjoyed reading? Was it because she was more cynical than most? Was it because she was less horny than Kristle? Because I reckon if Sam met the other Girls (he only interacted with three, I think), he wouldn't find DeeDee so special. Or who knows, maybe it was her mermaid voodoo that did the trick. Woops! There, I said it. Now you know what they are.The readers are left with a rather vague (vague seems to be a trend here) ending. Summer is over and so is Sam and DeeDee's story. There were a lot of loose ends and it wasn't just with them but with everyone else! I honestly don't know what's wrong with me but oddly enough I kind of like how unfinished the story was. It felt sad yet magical in a way - to leave a place and time where everything was different and to fight to remember it all after. I just wish it was written better. Heck, the whole book could've been written better. It actually took me 6 days to finish it. If a book truly was engaging, I would be able to finish it fast! September Girls had a lot of potential but there were a lot of things that needed to be developed. Simply put: great concept, bad execution. And I just can't bring myself to like a book on a great idea alone.(ARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss. This review is based solely on my opinion.)

This review and more at Sab The Book EaterThere really isn't anything I could say to encapsulate just how breathtaking this book is. It was heartbreaking yet beautiful, powerful but in a subtle way. It's a story about self discovery and the choices that define us. It follows Parker and her journey to finding answers to a town mystery and, along the way, finding herself.Golden is probably one of the most well written Young Adult contemporaries I've read thus far. The story was told in a steady pace with a cast of relatable and well written characters. What made me fall in love with Jessi Kirby's writing was how Julianna's journal was written. There's something about the insightful way in which she tried to describe herself by describing the love of her life, Shane. But as Parker went deeper into Julianna's story, we're given a view of how her life took a turn by just one momentous meeting. I wasn't prepared for the rush of emotions I felt with every journal entry. Perhaps it was the idea of reading the words of someone who has passed or it was simply Kirby's impeccable writing (or both) that made something so simple stunning. And it isn't simply about a journal anymore because everything that takes place in the book, every choice that Parker made from the moment she decided to take Julianna's journal, is anchored on it.I loved Parker's transformation throughout the book. She wasn't the kind who took chances on anything because she already had her life mapped out for her. But as the story pushed forward, she learned that chance is everywhere and it's also what life is made of. She learned from the words written in Julianna's journal and lived it. Parker took more risks and did what she just knew she had to do. I think the only thing I didn't like so much about her was how strongly she fought for love and fate towards. She got so caught up in how she wanted things to turn out that she refused to see the implications of what she wanted to happen. But in the end, I still like her. She grew up and made choices that she wasn't sure of but hoped that in ten years or so, would matter.This book had its fair share of cheese though. Names like Orion and Hope, and repeating the Mary Oliver quote 'Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?' over over again ticked me off a little bit (just a little). But after having read everything, I guess it mixed perfectly with the story that I couldn't rate the book less than 5 stars.Golden is a compelling story that leaves the readers something to ponder on, dares the readers to make a life altering decision no matter how scary it seems. It's a perfect coming of age novel that says so much without saying a lot and undeniably leaves a lasting impression.(I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This review is based solely on my opinion.)

This review and more (so much more) on Sab The Book EaterNo matter how many times I try, I couldn't figure out a way to review Alter properly. There's so many things that I could say that might spoil the reading experience for you. But for the sake of future readers, I will do my best to not mention anything about the storyline itself. *breathes* Okay, here we go.Lilliana Anderson has shown yet again that she can create characters who can make their way into the readers' hearts effortlessly. The story revolved around Mia, Eric and Cayd - three people who had their lives turned upside down because of one life altering revelation.Mia Smyth, like Anderson's other female protagonists, is strong and independent (and tall, let's not forget tall). But what I think sets her apart is her ability to speak in sign language. This isn't just some ability that she can brag about on her resume; it's something that makes her who she is. Mia teaches deaf students and she takes her work very seriously. Her passion for teaching shows just how big her heart is. I liked Mia, though at the beginning I had a hard time connecting with her, but I liked her nonetheless.You know what I also liked? Eric. Eric with Mia. What I liked about their relationship was how light and loving it was. Nothing fancy, nothing big, nothing dramatic (in the beginning, that is). It was simply them, loving each other. It was love in the most uncomplicated form and I appreciated it greatly. It was through their relationship that I saw what kind of person Eric was. He's hot and sweet and all that but what won me over was how easy going Eric was. I didn't think it would be possible to find a guy so swoon-worthy just because of light he was but it totally is! However, things took a 180 when Mia met Dr. Cayd Donnelly.Now before you start thinking Cayd is a homewrecker and Mia allowed it, let me tell you, it wasn't like that at all. I can only say so much and it hurts like hell. But I will say this much: there's no competition between Cayd and Eric because they're both equally great guys. And I felt torn as I was reading. Inasmuch as Eric was lovable, I fell for Cayd as well... harder, even. (I talk about them like real guys. Thanks a lot, Lilli) He had so much fire in him and it only showed how much he loves Mia. He fell for her instantly and it wasn't anything shallow or unreasonable. I think given the circumstances, it was the most natural thing that could happen.Perhaps the only thing that I didn't like was the writing. It wasn't horrible, really. In fact, I have a love/hate relationship with it. I didn't like the third person POV that didn't focus on the main character. It felt like watching a movie where you can see what everyone's doing or feeling. It took a few chapters for me to get used to it! I know, I know... it's just me and my obvious preference for the first person POV. I also thought the pacing could've gone slower in the beginning because really, I couldn't say anything about what happens after the 20% mark on my Kindle app. What won me over, however, was how much insight I got from the characters without using lengthy paragraphs to express that. I felt my heart ache (seriously, painful stuff that was) but eventually I got what I wanted and I wasn't so bummed out anymore. I love that Alter was able to make me feel what the characters were feeling. I always expect that from a book and I got it.Alter brings a lot to the table: an electrifying romance, a lovable set of characters and one hell of a plot twist. A plot twist that I couldn't even talk about in any way because I want you all to see for yourself. It had me up late at night, guessing and wanting more. And I just know it'll do the same to you.(I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This review is based solely on my opinion.)

YAAAAY!!! Thank you Netgalley!!

This review and more at Sab The Book EaterSeeing the word "nerd" in the title completely drew me in. I just knew I was going to love it. I just knew.AND I WAS RIGHT!!!There was never a moment while reading the book where I felt like my expectations were not met. I hate it when a book is supposed to be filled with geekiness but it doesn't go all out. This book did not disappoint me; the overall geekiness was an 11 over 10! How geeky is this book? As in comic book-sniffing geeky. As in Live-Action Role Playing (LARP) geeky. Uh huh. While I had a slightly hard time trying to grasp the concept of LARP (which my brother was very happy to explain to me... I live with a geek.), it didn't bother me one bit. It's the first Young Adult book I've read that completely celebrates nerdom. All the geekiness made the story cuter and added to its charm.I liked how Maddie, the main character, was written. She's a big nerd inside but she strives to stay popular 24/7. At times it was frustrating how Maddie would do anything to keep her status. Sometimes she just seemed shallow but when she brought out the nerd, I'd forget about it. She's just too cute! I especially loved Maddie's obsession with comic books because you can see how much of a nerd she really is with the way she described the comics she reads - how it felt in her hands, how vibrant the illustrations were and even how they smelled. I don't know if it's just the nerd in me but Maddie was a very relatable character all throughout. She may have had issues but let's face it: she was going through a common struggle in high school. And I think the author did a really great job at presenting it through the eyes of one very lovable and spunky Maddie Summers.Aside from the insane dorkfest that went on, readers will certainly fall in love with the very adorkable Logan. Unlike most of the nerdy guys I read about in books, Logan is not wound up, he's not a loner, he's not clueless about girls. Sure he's not so smooth all the time but at least he's not too nerdy to function. He's funny, easy-going and incredibly swoon-worthy. I loved how he put on "the moves" without Maddie even realizing it. There were just these "moments" that were happening between them even before they recognized it and I think that's exactly what made me love their story even more. I got the feels I always look for in love stories and it's all because of how adorkable Logan was and even more adorkable when he's with Maddie.This book is so fan-freaking-tastic that it gave me a hangover. Deep down I know I'll always be craving for more of Mattie and Logan and all their nerdiness combined. I want more. It's been days since I've read it and I still want more. The Summer I Became a Nerd is instantly one of my favorite books this year. It has a great set of characters, lots of nerdiness, a lesson every teen should learn and a love story that made my heart jump for joy plenty of times. I don't see myself getting over this hangover inducing book any time soon.(I received an ARC from the publisher for an honest review. This review is based solely on my opinion.)

This review and more blog tour reviews on Sab The Book EaterBEAUTIFUL. This book is beautiful. I'm literally hitting the backspace over and over again writing this review because there are no words to fully describe just how beautifully written A Different Blue. Yes, it is one of those books.Right from the start I was drawn in by a very thrilling prologue. Normally it takes a few chapters for me to really get into a book but with this one? The prologue? BAM. I knew I was going to enjoy the book just because of the author's way with words. And I was not disappointed.What if what you believed about yourself or about your life is simply a myth that is holding you back?The story tells of a broken girl named Blue and her journey to discovering herself. It wasn't hard to like Blue because despite her angst, she was actually a genuinely good person. She's a tough girl with a witty sense of humor. Aside from that, Blue is also a talented sculptor using wood as her medium. She was able to express herself through her pieces and each one told a different story. Her carving served as a sort of coping mechanism for her, I guess. What I liked about Blue's transformation throughout the story was that it happened at a steady pace; it made everything believable. She didn't have that one big moment where she just decides it's time for a change - she had plenty of those moments, good ones and ugly ones. And at every one of those moments I found myself laughing with her, even crying with her! Okay I didn't literally cry but I'm pretty sure my heart did.A big part of Blue's transformation was Wilson.... Darcy Wilson. I'm not kidding, his first name is Darcy. And he's British. And he loves history. And he owns a Subaru. It's like Amy Harmon knew all the things I liked and put them all in a character! I absolutely loved how Blue and Wilson's relationship developed - nothing felt rushed or drawn out. I felt all warm and fuzzy whenever Wilson would show his affections in subtle ways. At a time where a lot of romances in Young Adult and New Adult books are insta love, it was refreshing to read a book where the love story progressed naturally.Blue's transformation, her relationship with Wilson, how her story unfolded - everything was at the right pace. That's one of the things that kept me reading the book nonstop (once I had the free time that is). I was able to appreciate all the Native American lore and flashbacks about Blue and Jimmy because of the book's pacing. I thought I'd be overwhelmed with all the stories and history lectures but it actually made the story all the more enjoyable. Combine that with how vivid Harmon's descriptions were from the way Blue's carvings looked to the way she felt. The writing was simply ahmazing.A story about revelations and redemption (and a lot more R's.... you'll see) and everything else that comes along with it, A Different Blue is one book I certainly will never forget.(I received a copy of this book for review. This review is based solely on my opinion.)

More reviews at Sab The Book EaterAfter reading Sweetest Taboo I was somewhat eager to get started with Tainted Love. Not because I liked the previous book a great deal but because I was curious how the story would continue. So there I was, expecting Isabel and Tom to engage in a slightly forbidden relationship the second time around. I say "slightly" because circumstances have changed but they still couldn't get their relationship out in the open. Isabel wasn't a minor anymore and was already in college and Tom was divorced and yet there were still things that hindered them from becoming happy in each others arms. Cheeseballs. I said something cheesy because that's what the romance in book two is - CHEESE.I absolutely did not like how the romance (or lack thereof) went on in this book. Tom was on cloud nine seeing Isabel again and being able to spend two uninterrupted weeks with her at a B&B. He kept telling her how much he loves her and how painful it was when she left and how excited he is to be with her again yada yada yada yada. A boyfriend that bares it all... sweet, right? Unfortunately no matter how loving (and heavy) Tom's words were there was simply no warmth to it. There were so many parts and paragraphs where Tom would express his feelings to Isabel and her doing the same but I just didn't get the feels you know? Maybe it's just me and my petty appreciation of romance but I just couldn't feel anything for the both of them.To make matters worse, it's like the book went two steps back instead of moving forward. I really wanted to see how their relationship would work without the limits that hindered them in the first book (apart from the rumors and judgment that is) but SPOILER ALERT - there was no relationship in this book. They may have had their moment in the beginning but all throughout the book they spent it apart without any real communication. I was so disappointed at how incredibly immature Isabel was in this book. She's supposed to know better now. I understand though that her exposure to different people in college changed her outlook greatly but I think she could've handled certain situations better, like an adult. Not that adults are completely rational and responsible all the time. I'm just saying, she was acting immature and it made everything worse than they were when she was 16. It also frustrated me how Isabel would constantly question Tom's loyalty and wonder whether or not the rumors are true. What a hypocrite! She's the one who's been having an affair with yet another teacher (or professor) and she has the nerve to judge Tom? When she wasn't even making an effort to speak to him? It's all moving backwards!Tainted Love was a bit different than the first book because some parts were written in Tom's perspective as well as Isabel's brother Tony (although not a lot). The book presented perspectives of a person who's obviously moved on, a person stuck in the past and a person looking from the outside. I appreciate that the readers are finally given a look into Tom's life. It was so hard feeling compassionate for Tom in the first one because we knew nothing about him and that his character felt so dry. But in this one, we're finally given some insight about his marriage and his feelings for Isabel. Given how poorly Isabel handled their relationship issues, I kind of feel bad for Tom now. It's almost like I don't want them ending up together because Isabel didn't deserve him.My biggest complaint in Sweetest Taboo was still very much present here - the writing. Except I think it got worse. Telling and not showing yet again. There were pages inner monologues that quite frankly went overboard. Isabel kept over thinking her situation - not that she's not supposed to think about it. It is a big deal after all. But if you have repetitive paragraphs that are basically saying the same thing, it gets really tiring. In fact I felt so tired of it that I had to skip a lot of pages. And guess what? I didn't miss much.The story ended with a sort of cliffhanger but honestly it didn't excite me anymore. There were too many things that went wrong with the second book that I couldn't see myself getting interested enough to find out how they fix their "relationship" and actually be happy for real. I still couldn't bring myself to appreciate the romance, the story line, even the taboo aspect of it all. I'm sorry. Maybe it's your cup of tea and not mine. (I received a copy of this book for review. This review is based solely on my opinion.)

More reviews over at Sab The Book EaterI was eager to read this book because I'm a sucker for the nerd-girl-gets-popular-jock plot, no matter how overused it is. I saw that it had a lot of great reviews so my expectations were set high. Unfortunately those were not met.Thumbs downThe book was classified under the adult age group but I thought it was wrong on two levels: 1) the blurb sounded like a typical YA love story where popularity getting in the way of "love" and 2) they simply were not adults yet. I think the only reason why this was classified as an adult book was the sex (and non-sex) scenes.It was kind of misleading to say that their popularity status would have a big impact on their relationship when it didn't. In fact it wasn't even an issue! Matt's friends liked Leah, the whole football team liked having her over at their place. Nobody really mistreated Leah except for this one chick but it wasn't like she went out of her way to make Leah's life a living hell. Just a few nasty comments here and there because Brynn's a bitch like that. But it was nothing. Leah's insecurities just got the best of her at times. Quite frankly, the idea of college kids making a fuss about the star of the football team dating a "nobody" doesn't sound right for a New Adult (or "adult") novel. It's so highschool. I don't know if it's just me but I don't think it still happens in college.“Sorry, Sweetheart. I may be nerdy and quiet, but I don't let stupid people walk all over me.”My biggest issue about this book was Leah herself - I simply did not like her. Whenever she was with Matt she's likable. She's so lovestruck that her bitch mode turns off. Yes, she's a bitch.“It's still mindboggling and almost imaginary that Matthew Jacobs could love me - the artsy nerdy, no friends and loner - Leah Bennett.”The only thing "nerdy" about Leah is the fact that she excels in academics but that just means she's smart. Her having no friends and her lack of experience with alcohol and boys is probably because of her attitude, not because she's a "nerd." EVEN NERDS AND ART FREAKS HAVE FRIENDS, LEAH. THEY HAVE FELLOW NERDS AND ART FREAKS TO BE NERDY AND ARTSY WITH. She's always overly snarky and always judgmental of everyone. She called all the pretty, perky girls Barbies because they were all beauty and no brains. At one point she even classified herself as "one of those dumb girls" because she had a big giddy grin while reading Matt's text. WHAT? NO, SHUT UP. IT'S OKAY TO BE GOOFY AND HAPPY WHEN YOU'RE IN LOVE. It especially annoyed me when this girl in her class eagerly asked her if she was dating The Matthew Jacobs and she reacted so negatively thinking how much she hates "annoying girls." Girl get a grip! She was just asking. No need to get all defensive. In fact, if I were her I'd relish it. Who cares if they hate me because I'm dating the football star? Matthew Jacobs is in love with you, Leah. Think about it.Another thing I wasn't so hot about was the story's pacing. Halfway through the book I didn't know where the story was going. Perhaps it was the author's intention to simply write a love story, I don't know, but for the most part I just didn't get it. When the story picked up though I felt that it was too late.The conflict? Very annoying. It only made me hate Leah even more. Matt never gave her a reason to doubt his loyalty. For her to say "to see is to believe" is utter bull. She didn't even see anything other than two girls coming out of Matt's bedroom. She just believed Brynn's word but you know how she is! Leah came in and one of Matt's housemates even told her he was upstairs. If something was going on, they'd know and they'd be all awkward and stuff. Leah freaked out and stormed out. I get that it's easy to jump to conclusions when it comes to situations like this (trust me, I get it) but at least have the balls to stay and ask. The way Leah handled everything just made me hate her even more.Matt's back story, nope, too late. Although I appreciate finally knowing more about Matt, I felt that it came a little too late. It would've been nice getting a peek at his life little by little. Not in one chunk, towards the end. And don't even get me started on the happily ever after. It was nice and I loved it (I did!!!) but it was all crammed. One thing though.... bringing a five day old baby to the Superbowl? I know Daddy's playing but that's bad parenting right there.Thumbs upThe only thing that I liked about this book was Matt. He's incredibly sweet and thoughtful. Sometimes it felt like he was the chick in the relationship. I also like how their relationship started. It happened without them talking it through - which was fine. It wasn't insta love or anything. It was just natural, I guess. Matt made everything easy and meaningful.OverallThis book was okay. There were things that made me smile but since it's written in Leah's POV, there were more things that made me unhappy so I couldn't really bring myself to like it fully. It had a potential but Leah's attitude really got in the way.***I received an Advance Reading Copy of this book for review***This review is based solely on my opinion.

More reviews on Sab The Book Eater!I was pretty iffy about this book at first because it sounded a lot like The Princess Diaries and The Prince & Me but a few chapters into the book I found myself insanely engrossed that I forgot all about my doubts. Simply put, this book was amazing. It was cute and really engaging!The thing that really captured my interest was Sam herself. She's really an interesting, well-rounded character and she was written so well that I felt that she was real. It wasn't hard to like her. Her experiences made her strong and she's definitely one tough cookie. I like that despite Alex's past and the many women he was linked to, Sam didn't let her jealousy get in the way. She didn't even say how jealous she was. She just thought about it and let it go - and that just shows how confident she is.I especially loved the romance between her and Alex a.k.a Prince Yummy. This is probably the thing that kept me reading so fast! He was just. So. Swoon worthy!!! I loved the banters between Sam and Alex and I loved how it wasn't insta love. Sure, the initial physical attraction was there but Alex waited till Sam was completely ready to give in (and boy did she). And when Sam did give in, it was hot and sweet all at the same time. I couldn't get enough of them, they were so good together!The secondary characters were also very enjoyable. They weren't just characters delivering lines, they really added to the story! I enjoyed Sam and Jess' friendship, Sam's dynamics with Chadwick and her relationship with her father. It was refreshing to read something that didn't simply focus on the main character and her love interest. All of the characters in the book felt alive.Lastly, I liked that this is a New Adult novel mainly because I belong to that age group. Ha! Seriously though, I liked seeing the story through Sam's eyes who had tons of responsibilities at home (graduate studies, her dad) but chose to live in Lilaria and take up more responsibilties. It isn't just light and fluffy because Sam's older (20-ish) than the usual female protagonists in a princess story. I felt that there was more depth to it.If you're looking for a fun and insanely swoon worthy read, go for Suddenly Royal. You'll be grinning like crazy from start to finish (like me. Heh!). ;-)I received an Advance Reading Copy of this book for reviewThis review is based solely on my opinion.

This review and more at Sab The Book EaterI've been really into taboo stories lately because I like seeing how authors handle controversial stories/topics. I think any writer who chooses to go down that path is bold. It's not easy reading stories like this so I can just imagine how much harder it is to write about it. Aside from considering how the story's told, a writer also has to consider how the reader will react. I've read some reviews that comment on the issue rather than focusing on the entirety of the book. I truly did my best to keep an open mind while reading this book because it's unfair if I don't. However, I still found myself unable to appreciate Sweetest Taboo like I thought I would. There were simply too many things that didn't appeal to me.What bothered me the most was how the story was written. I couldn't appreciate a book that tells a story rather than showing it. I know the book aims to cast taboo relationships in a gentle light but at the same time, I think it also needs to amp up the intensity a bit. It was written in Isabel's perspective and she had a lot of inner monologues that didn't quite help me get into the story. Her thoughts may have helped present student-teacher relationships in a different light but I think it also robbed the story of any excitement.The characters didn't appeal to me as well. I had a hard to feeling any sort of connection to either Tom or Isabel. Maybe it was just the way they spoke or how they were written - I don't know. I just felt like their personalities didn't affect me at all. I do appreciate the fact that Isabel, no matter how mature she acted on most occasions, was still a child. Her naivety showed in different ways like when she couldn't keep her mouth shut or when she purposefully made out with guys because she felt upset that Tom had a wife and that he goes home to her. Her inability to grasp the situation fully was just in some way part of her being young. I couldn't say the same for Tom though given that he's old and he should know better. He also made decisions that were too risky like meeting up in the parking lot or in his classroom. I guess the "excitement" that I've been craving for was supposed to come from their recklessness but it didn't really show.I find that this book was okay. It didn't really get to me. Perhaps if it was written in some other way I would've seen the appeal. I would still want to read the next book though because the story ended with Isabel who's older and has reconnected with Tom. I'm curious how the story will turn out now that she's of age. Definitely something to look forward to.

Reviews, author and blogger spotlights, giveaways and MORE over at Sab The Book EaterI know what you're thinking (or at least one of you is thinking. Hi Charlie!): the story's pretty much summed up in the blurb, right?I want to say wrong but basically, that's what happens. Before you get all judgy and forget about giving this book a shot, I'm telling you GIVE THIS BOOK A SHOT. Why? Because of all the feels. Yes, as simple as that. The feels.The best thing about this book is that it's written in a guy's point of view. I always enjoy books written from a guy's perspective because all the mushy stuff becomes sweeter. When West was starting to realize that he indeed felt something for Cat, it was so heartwarming reading his thoughts and seeing how his feelings developed further. Even though I hated West whenever he'd tell Cat something like, "Promise me you won't try anything?" (tugh. Douchebag) in the end I still loved him as much. West also had to deal with his grief over his mother's death. I appreciate how much detail and thought was put into solidifying parts wherein West would express his sadness. His feelings weren't simply on the surface, it went deep and at some point I felt even more drawn to West because his character became something more than the nerdy/goofy perky guy that he was with Cat/Harper.I had a few issues with West though, and I can sum it up in three questions:1. You have 135,789 subscribers. Did you honestly believe you could keep your vlog a secret?2. Cat and Harper sound so much alike. You honestly didn't notice? Never wondered....?3. You keep a diary? *raises eyebrow*Then we have Cat. The first thing I liked about her was the fact the she knew what she wanted (West) and she went after it (persistently). Girl power! And pffft you're bestfriends, it's almost always bound to happen. I also liked how fun and quirky she was. She was just right for West because she somehow balanced his life and it showed.I definitely loved how their love story developed. Yes, it became frustrating whenever West would feel really into her one minute but draw back so quickly the next. West was only using his head to make a decision about him and Cat. I happen to appreciate parts wherein West would be thinking about his situation with Cat and whether or not he should go with it. I really think they were well written because I was able to understand fully how West was feeling. He had good reasons for being reluctant. But in the end.... well you get how it goes.I just wish there was more vlog action, specifically the less dramatic, less emotional kind. The book screams "Vlog!" from the title, to the cover, to the blurb. It would've been great to get an idea of who Sam Green was and why he's 135,789-subscribers popular.Click to Subscribe was a fast, fun and heartwarming read that will have you grinning and gushing and feeling from beginning to end.ARC provided by the authorThis review is based solely on my opinion.

This review and more on Sab The Book Eater.I've been waiting for this for months (you guys have no idea) so I was stoked when I got the chance to review this. I love the cover and I found the plot really interesting. I don't usually go for scifi books but MILA 2.0 definitely lured me in.While the story didn't pick up immediately, I still appreciate how we were given a few chapters of normalcy before all the chaos commenced. I didn't like Mila very well in the beginning because I felt like she was rather bland. On some level her behavior was quite understandable because she lost her "dad" in as well as huge chunks of her "memory." I just wish there was a bit more umph to the way her thoughts were written, you know?Then we have Mila and Hunter - it was insta love... almost. Premature insta love is more like it. Before they even began their love story already took a really long break. I didn't get why the story had to include a love angle that seemed to evolve into something beyond a crush. I think the story would've still gone smoothly without it. I like the idea that Hunter's involvement was meant to show that Mila, despite being an android, was indeed capable of experiencing normal human feelings. But for Mila to obsess over Hunter till the very end? A tad too much.However, as far as showing that Mila was indeed becoming more and more human, I think Driza did a great job. Mila thought and acted like a regular teenager towards her mom, friends and even her crush. It actually became confusing for me when Mila found out that she wasn't human and she struggled to come to terms with everything. She got so upset at her "mom" for lying to her about everything but then again she didn't really have real memories to begin with. It was just so confusing and oddly enough I liked it. I felt how conflicted she was feeling.The thing that I liked most about MILA 2.0, was how action packed it was! Once I got past the weird insta love angle, I really couldn't get enough. I really enjoyed Driza's writing - there was never a dull moment once Mila and her mom started running. The pacing was great and the descriptions were so vivid. The story came to life with Driza's excellent writing.Debra Driza's thrilling debut novel opens a series that has a lot of promise. I liked this book overall and I'm looking forward to the next one, eager to see what else is in store.***I received a copy of this book for review***This review is based solely on my opinion.

This review and more at Sab The Book EaterAfter the whole Fifty Shades of Grey fiasco I became wary of books being associated with it (like this one). But when I saw that the Crossfire series is being optioned for a TV series and is in the early stages of development, I got curious enough to want to try it out. Plus, one of my blogger friends encouraged me. (Thanks, Louisse!) Three days after, here I am.... trying to write a review. Bear in mind that I started this novel with Fifty Shades of Grey (minus the BDSM) in mind so this review might contain a few comparisons. (Sad, I know. I apologize.)I have a love-hate relationship with this book. For starters, there were a lot of similarities between Fifty Shades of Grey and Bared to You. Christian Grey and Gideon Cross were too alike that it bothered me at times; it gave me a slight feeling of déjà vu. Now I won't dive too much into details because I plan on creating a separate post on it. But I will say this: the similarities were a total bust for me.Then we have Eva. Eva was nothing like Anastasia Steele of Fifty Shades of Grey... sort of. Alright fine, the biggest difference between the two ladies is the fact that Eva wasn't an innocent little virgin - which was great. That meant Eva wasn't naive about a lot of things like Ana. However they were similar in something - they were both moody. No, I don't think moody's the right word but that'll have to do for now. Eva had a lot of I love you/I hate you moments that it became tiresome for me at some point. I get that you're broken and that you've never felt this connection with someone before but make up your mind. Don't just go back and forth, being all tough one moment then feeling all weak the moment he touches you. Grow a pair!Which now brings me to the major irritation: makeup sex. It's like Gideon's sole response to Eva's constant nagging whenever she'd demand for the truth or for Gideon to open up is sex. The sex put Eva in a happy mood... but does it ever fix the problem? Nope. Is the problem still there after? Yes. Will they argue about it again? Yes. Will they talk it through this time? Nope. It's a vicious cycle! Opening up is something that Gideon's not very comfortable with but at least have the spine to tell him no. The hot attraction was undeniable but you have to know when to keep it at bay.Okay I'm done with my complaints. On to the reasons why I did like it. Off the top of my head: Gideon Cross. While I didn't necessarily like his similarities with Grey, he had some qualities that made me like him more. He was more direct in... err propositioning Eva, which was totally refreshing. No bullcrap or formalities. That's probably the thing I liked most about him. I also liked the chemistry between him and Eva. They were so good together when they weren't so caught up with their issues and drama.I enjoyed Eva's friendship with Cary too. It was refreshing to see a best guy friend who's actually bisexual and didn't completely pose a threat. Cary's just as messed up as Eva and Gideon. He had his own issues to deal with and that usually involved Eva in the process because they were each other's support system. I wish to see more of Cary in the second book and how his character develops.Next is the plot. While there were a lot of mysteries left unsolved and questions unanswered at the end of the book, I did like that there was a plot - a sensible one at that. Last is the fact that while it might have been insta love, the way Day wrote it made it bearable. The writing's definitely a plus for me. Day's vivid descriptions were just right; not the sloppy, cliched writing that I was half-expecting (sorry).Overall, I liked it because it exceeded my expectations. I hope I get more out of Reflected in You because I'm dying to see some sort of progression in their relationship.

This review and more at Sab The Book EaterAh yes, another one of my most anticipated books. I love being part of the VMafia (represent!) and I simply couldn't wait to get my hands on this book. Everything about it intrigued me: how does "sealing souls" work? A demon book boyfriend? Female MC's a nerd? Sounds freaking awesome, right? Right.This isn't just one of those books where the guy's impossibly hot and you'll immediately like him just for that. In fact, Dante's a douche - from start to finish. The only difference is he gradually focused his douchebaggery elsewhere as the story moved forward so he actually becomes less of a douche. But what's so likable about him if he's such a bad guy? His sense of humor.I've never been average. I look like a movie star and move like an athlete. That didn't change when I kicked the bucket. It's okay to be jealous, to covet me. It's a delicious sin - tastes like chicken.When I read that line it took me a while to get over it. Heck I'm still not over it. Dante was so funny that all the mean things he said didn't sound that mean. But he was still mean, let's not forget. Him being a demon and all. I never got bored with the story because of Dante's narration that was both entertaining and witty. I also liked his whole transformation. Dante remained his funny self when he decided to go against the grain so I didn't feel like anything was rushed or unreasonable or overly dramatic. It was inevitable but it didn't appear all too dramatic (I thought it would). It was just right. Then we have Charlie. I honestly didn't expect Charlie to be... well, an ugly nerd. I thought she'd at least be passable-but-quirky-cute and Dante would just fall head over heels for her. But he didn't... at least not right away. It took a long while. A makeover became all too inevitable once Dante kept commenting on everything he finds physically unattractive about Charlie. Just to give you just how unattractive Charlie is, here's how Dante described her:This is the girl Boss Man is after? She looks like a porcelain doll... beat three times with an ugly stick.Douchebag, right? But Charlie still saw through all that and he liked him for him. That's the most attractive thing about Charlie - her heart (cue "awwww"). Oh man that's cheesy! I'm serious though. She's so sweet and forgiving despite going through a lot of crap. I liked how quirky she was and how simple it was to like her.Insta love. Here's what I liked about the love story: Dante didn't fall in love instantly. I often characterize insta love by the span of time the leads spend together that I forget to consider how or why their feelings developed. It was clear that Dante saw the good in Charlie and she affected him greatly. He's a demon after all. It's like he got an intervention when he started spending time with Charlie. So I get that he fell madly in love with her. What I didn't get though was how Charlie was able to reciprocate the feelings. I know she's got a really good heart and she saw through Dante's mask from day one (day one!) but I didn't understand how she could return the same kind of love Dante felt. I just didn't. In fact, when Charlie started ignoring Dante and was being overly dramatic, I got super annoyed. It was just so confusing! She obviously has feelings for him but she's acting all weird. It was so not her. *rolls eyes* I'm just glad the book's written in Dante's POV. The love story made sense from his side. Charlie's? Not so much. I'm hoping for more insight from Charlie in the next book though. Now the thing I wasn't so hot about was the big twist in the story that turned everything upside down. The story just blew up into a bigger thing that I don't think really fits well with how the story was going through the first half. Everything was all light in the beginning but when the conflict came it sort of gave the book a different feel. Plus, it was weird. Charlie becoming the light of the world who's going to bring peace for hundreds (I think) of years? A bit far-fetched if you ask me.Anyhoo. I'm eager to see how the next book will turn out. There were so many things left hanging and we need lots of explanations! And Dante! Lots of Dante. ;) ---the creepy winky face. I really liked it as a whole because there was never a dull moment for me. Even though I didn't quite like a few things here and there, what matters is The Collector kept me entertained. 4 stars for Dante and the awesome Victoria Scott!ARC from publisher via NetGalleyThis review is based solely on my opinion.

This review and more at Sab The Book EaterOracle of Philadelphia was a very interesting read for me. At first I thought the pace to be a bit slow but as the story moved forward I found myself very much engrossed. What I primarily liked about the book was the author's take on angels and demons and the balance between Heaven and Hell. I was a bit iffy when it came to the part where the birth of Christ was being discussed in the beginning of the book and how Carrie, Bedlam and Gabriel were involved because I felt like it played just a little too much with conventional scripture. But taking into consideration the entirety of the book, I think Corrigan did a great job at fusing conventional knowledge on religion and mythology with Carrie's story. Things were explained nicely added with a bit of a twist to make the story more interesting.I also liked how the story went back forth between Carrie's past and present. I liked how Corrigan introduced Carrie little by little by giving the reader bits of who she was in her past lives - there were many, being immortal and all that. I liked reading about the different time periods and who she met at each point of her life. It was great how the story of her past would be told before diving into another adventure in her present. Furthermore I enjoyed the main characters a great deal. Especially Bedlam! He's such an energetic and fun character and he definitely made each chapter he was in livelier. I loved how easy his friendship with Carrie was too. Gabriel on the one hand was reserved compared to Bedlam... he's an angel after all. Carrie has feelings for him and I bet he feels the same way. I just hope we get more clarity in the next book, it was a bit like torture reading Carrie's thoughts on Gabriel. Overall, I liked this book. I liked Elizabeth Corrigan's imagery and storytelling. The story's unique and there's a lot in store for the reader - you just have to be patient and allow the story to take you along for the ride. ;-)***I received an Advance Reading Copy of this book for review***This review is based solely on my opinion.

Check out Katie's guestpost on my blog for the blog tour! She shares her TOP TEN APP-WORTHY FICTIONAL CHARACTERS! I've been waiting to get my hands on this book for so long now. The cover looks cute, the premise sounds promising and best of all it involves nerds. Yes, nerds/dorks/geeks (or in this case) "trogs" have a special place in my heart because I'm one of them. I'm not the techie kind of geek but I'm pretty sure I am a geek. So to me any book that involves nerds/dorks/geeks is worth reading. Thankfully, The Boyfriend App wasn't short on geekiness.I liked Audrey from the very start. She was into computers and programming and she hung out with the lovable nerd herd a.k.a. the Trogs. She wasn't the type who wanted to challenge the highschool caste system. She wasn't pining for the popular jock (although she was very attracted to one, but I'll get to that) because she had her sights on a fellow trog. She was basically herself - and she stuck to it till the very end. It's different from most YA contemporary books nowadays. Heck, the fact that she's into programming sets this book apart from the usual. Audrey's a fresh character who was believable. I didn't have trouble believing that she really was good with computer codes. I think part of the reason why is the backstory about her relationship with her father and how it was told. I also appreciate that Audrey had a very present parent in her life - which is pretty uncommon in books nowadays.Audrey didn't want the popular jock, no, she had her sights set on a fellow trog: Aidan. Despite what using the app would entail, this book did not involve insta love - and that's another different route this book took. I loved how natural it was for them to fall for each other, them being friends and all. It was cute how the love story slowly developed as the story moved forward and it didn't feel forced.There was another guy in the picture though - Xander. His presence was rather confusing. He was in the picture but not in her life. Until the very end Xander was very much present.... but not really. I'm so confused I can't even properly explain it. He could've just been there so Audrey had some way to get on Blake's (ex-BFF and very, very mean girl) nerves but in the end I was left feeling confused. What did Xander contribute to the story?The plot itself was interesting. It had the typical highschool drama which at some point I thought was too much. I couldn't wrap my head around Blake's attitude problem. She was pure evil! She even picked on the handicapable. Who does that?! Evil people, that's who.Let's talk about evil people for a while, shall we? Aside from Blake, Audrey had to face bigger bullies in the form of Public. Seriously, they got my blood boiling. They were so despicable! I kind of wondered if Katie enjoyed torturing Audrey. The girl can't catch a break!Fortunately though all the drama was balanced by Audrey's journey to creating an award-winning app. I was very eager to find out how the app would work! Initially I thought the story was too predictable because I reckon with an app like that, it's bound to get awry - and it did at first, then it got uglier but totally not in the way I thought.See, this book had a major twist that steered the story in a totally different direction. I think the shift brought the story to a whole different level because it turned it into something more than just a contemporary read. I don't want to spoil much but let's just say it got me thinking: is it really possible? It sounded so legit it kind of freaked me out.*insert The X-Files intro song but no there are no aliens. Just wanted eerie music*There were a few lose ends which are still bothering me till now. There's the Xander thing. And what happened after to the guys who were app-ed? But all in all, Katie Sise's debut novel The Boyfriend App was definitely enjoyable and out of the ordinary. It's a quick fun read that had everything in it - a little action, villains (for real), a cute romance, a lovable female lead and one heck of a plot twist.I received an ARC via Edelweiss.This review is based solely on my opinion.