Blog Tour Stop: Review + Giveaway: No More Confessions by Louise Rozett

No More Confessions
(Confessions #3)
Author: Louise Rozett
Release Date: January 25, 2015
Publisher: Louise Rozett
Source: YA Bound Book Tours
Review by: Jenn

For Rose Zarelli, freshman year was about controlling her rage. Sophomore year was about finding her voice. With all that behind her, junior year should be a breeze, right? Nope. When a horrific video surfaces, Rose needs the one person she wants to be done with, the person who has broken her heart twice—Jamie Forta. But as the intensity between them heats up, Rose realizes she isn’t the only one who needs help. The thing is, Jamie doesn’t see it that way—and that could cost them both everything.
***
ROSE ZARELLI is done confessing because ​confessions are for people who have done something wrong. ​And I haven't done anything wrong. Here, I'll prove it to you.
1) After my mother got that call, I “borrowed” her car. (Because you can’t steal your mother’s car, can you?) I don’t really remember driving downtown, but I do remember...
2) …getting past the bouncer at Dizzy’s (I mean, it’s his job to spot a fake ID, so that’s on him)…
​3) …and then later, telling my mother the truth about the bar but lying about how I got in. (A truth totally cancels out a lie, right?)
After all, what’s a little duplicity when finding Jamie Forta is the only thing that’s going to keep you from losing what’s left of your mind?
See? Junior year is off to a great start.

4 stars out of 5 stars

I've been a fan of this series ever since the first book, Confessions of an Angry Girl, came out. So I was over the moon when the third book was announced. No More Confessions followed the story a few months after where the second book left us and just like the previous books, we are left wondering what is happening and why is Jaime Forta not talking to us, meaning Rose of course.

No More Confessions is a bit different from the previous books. It is interesting in seeing Rose during her Junior year compared to her Freshman year because you can see how much growth she has gone through. It is especially obvious in her relationship with her mother and with Jaime. The Rose in this book is stronger in the sense that she knows what she wants and is willing to go for it. However, when it comes to Jaime Forta, her weakness, she allows for him to derail her from her thoughts and plans. The good thing about that situation is that Jaime Forta is really good guy and even though he is a man with a few words, we know he cares about Rose and she is also his weakness. In No More Confessions, he lets Rose set the pace and goes along with her ideas even if he doesn't believe in himself.

All the previous books deals with hard topic, such as Rose's father death in Iraq, teenage bullying and drinking, this book is just the same. However, this time, it feels all the more real. When we meet Rose in the first book, she is dealing with the repercussions of her father's death but we don't see it in initial stages, This time around, we're seeing trouble right from the beginning and it definitely and eye opener for Rose. Unlike the Rose in the previous books, she is unwilling to step in for fear of overstepping her bounds and for fear that it may be true. For me, it felt like it was really different Rose because the Rose I had met in book one would have stepped in, especially because it is someone she loves. I can't blame her though because at the end of the day there wasn't much she could have done to stop Jaime.

The ending left me feeling hopeful and I can hope that maybe we'll get another book or maybe a short story on what happens in the future. Rose did so much growing up throughout the series and she is one of my favorite female characters. If you haven't already read this series, I truly recommend that you do. Give the first book a try and you'll see what I'm talking about.

Tour Schedule Link:

http://yaboundbooktours.blogspot.com/2015/05/blog-tour-sign-up-no-more-confessions.html

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the author: 

Louise Rozett is an author, a playwright, and a recovering performer. She made her YA debut with Confessions of an Angry Girl, followed by Confessions of an Almost-Girlfriend, both published by HarlequinTEEN. The next book in the series, No More Confessions, is due out January 2015. She lives with her 120-pound Bernese Mountain dog Lester (named after Lester Freamon from THE WIRE, of course) in sunny Los Angeles, and pines for New York City.

Author Links: Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads / Website

Blog Tour Organized by: YA Bound Book Tours

Blog Tour: Review + Excerpt: All Played Out by Cora Carmack

All Played Out
(Rusk University #3)
Author: Cora Carmack
Release Date: May 12, 2015
Publisher: William Morrow
Source: Edelweiss
Review by: Jenn and Nahomi

First person in her family to go to college? CHECK.
Straight A’s? CHECK.
On track to graduate early? CHECK.
Social life? …..yeah, about that….
With just a few weeks until she graduates, Antonella DeLuca’s beginning to worry that maybe she hasn’t had the full college experience. (Okay... Scratch that. She knows she hasn't had the full college experience).
So Nell does what a smart, dedicated girl like herself does best. She makes a "to do" list of normal college activities.
Item #1? Hook up with a jock.
Rusk University wide receiver Mateo Torres practically wrote the playbook for normal college living. When he’s not on the field, he excels at partying, girls, and more partying. As long as he keeps things light and easy, it's impossible to get hurt... again. But something about the quiet, shy, sexy-as-hell Nell gets under his skin, and when he learns about her list, he makes it his mission to help her complete it.
Torres is the definition of confident (And sexy. And wild), and he opens up a side of Nell that she's never known. But as they begin to check off each crazy, exciting, normal item, Nell finds that her frivolous list leads to something more serious than she bargained for. And while Torres is used to taking risks on the field, he has to decide if he's willing to take the chance when it's more than just a game.
Together they will have to decide if what they have is just part of the experiment or a chance at something real.

Jenn's Rating: 5 stars out of 5 stars

Nahomi's Rating: 5 stars out of 5 stars

Overall rating: 5 stars out of 5 stars

Jenn:

I loved this book. LOVED it. I remember downloading the galley and opening it up to the first chapter but I wasn’t planning on reading at the time considering I was trying to write a paper for my 18^th century British Literature course. Next thing I know, I’m 28% into All Played Out and I’m in love with Mateo Torres and 18^TH literature is the farthest thing from my mind. I was completely consumed with story and I couldn’t read fast enough.

All Played Out follows Nell during her last few months of college. She is set to graduate early but realizes that she hasn’t has much college experience of just having some fun. So she makes a To Do List to get into gear. Confession, at the first mention of “College Experience To Do List” I knew I had a winner in my hands. I love doing To Do List! Enter Mateo Torres. Torres knows all about having a regular college experience and decides he’ll help Nell with her list. And boy, does he help her.

I had so much fun being in Nell’s head. She is funny and the way she thinks about sex, friendship and everything else is hilarious but honest. She doesn’t try to change the way she is for anyone, not even Mateo. Mateo, in turn, doesn’t want to change her and would rather try to figure her out. He is extremely hot but patient, sweet, and mischievous. I loved getting to know him.

There was come conflict between both of them that I feel could have discussed a bit earlier however, I do appreciate how it was towards the end of the story and it wasn’t dragged on unnecessarily. Their UST were off the charts. I loved their banter and flirting because it felt really real and authentic. Their sexy times were hot as well and it just further cement my love for Mateo.

All Played Out has been my favorite of the series and I want my own Mateo Torres. Cora Carmack has done a wonderful job at creating a story that I was completely invested in and I’m so excited for other people to read and fall in love with this story.

Nahomi:
All Played Out is such a fun story! Reading this book felt like being on an adventure; I never knew what was going to happen next. I really love the Rusk world and was really excited to see what the rest of the gang was up to.

Nell and Torres are complete opposites but have this amazing chemistry. The interactions between Nell and Torres are witty, satirical and at times full of raw emotions. Torres is my favorite of all of the Rusk leading men. He is extremely good looking, funny, thoughtful, and rough around the edges(just how I like em). The only thing that was a little troublesome for me was Torres internal monologue at times. He compared Nell to his ex-girlfriend a lot, and while I understand where he's coming from it still annoyed me. Nell is introverted and really focused on her studies to the point of really not having a life outside of her schoolwork. I really felt like I could relate to her and her anxiety over what's next for her. True to how she operates Nell makes a college bucket list and proceeds to check off every activity with laser precision so to speak.

All Played Out is entertaining, funny and overall a great read! Once again Cora Carmack does a fantastic job creating three dimensional characters and a story-line I just couldn't resist.

Excerpt

The door opens, and my stomach dips at the sight of Nell’s bleary eyes and rumpled hair. She squints at me, and then winces at the sunlight, instinctively taking a step back into the house.

I step in after her without waiting for an invitation, and shut the door firmly behind me.

“I brought coffee,” I say, lifting the tray up into her line of sight.

“Shhh!” She holds one hand up to me and the other to her forehead.

“I think,” she says, her voice raspy, “there’s a herd of elephants in my head.”

“Welcome to the world of hangovers, sweetheart.”

She blinks at me, then says matter-of-factly, “I’m going back to bed.”

She shuffles down the hallway, and I follow her, still holding the coffee carrier and resisting the urge to laugh. Then she swings her bedroom door wide, and doesn’t bother to close it before tumbling headlong into her bed. Again, I take that as permission, closing the door in case Dylan comes home unexpectedly.

Before Nell can slip back into sleep, I force the coffee into her hand.

“Drink a little of this,” I tell her. “It’ll help clear up the headache and nausea.” She doesn’t look like she believes me, but she takes a sip anyway. “Aspirin will help, too, if you have some.”

“Bathroom,” she says, and I go out to the hallway bathroom. I find a bottle in the second cabinet I open.

When I return to her room, she asks, “You find it?”

“I did. Right next to your box of tampons. The things I endure for you, woman.” She rolls her eyes and takes the aspirin, and she drinks about half the coffee before placing the cup on the nightstand and sinking back against her pillows. She must be feeling better because she finally asks the question I’d expected to hear the second she opened the door. “What are you doing here?”

I shrug, toe off my sneakers, and throw myself down on the covers on the other side of her bed. She groans when the mattress bounces, but other than that doesn’t complain.

“I knew you’d be miserable this morning ...”

“And you decided that was something you needed to see?”

“I decided I could be of some help. I’ve had more than my fair share of hangovers. When that coffee kicks in all the way, we’ll get you showered and dressed, and then we’ll go out for some greasy breakfast. You’ll be good as new in no time.”

“You’ve done this more than once? Are you crazy? I never want to drink again.”

“Everybody says that. If you don’t, you’re not doing it right.”

“I don’t feel like I did anything right.”

“You checked another thing off your list, didn’t you?”

She throws an arm over her eyes in lieu of an answer, and after a minute or so of silence, she asks, “Why are you really here?”

“I told you, I—”

“If you feel sorry for me because of what happened last night or what I said, don’t. Please. I’d really rather you just leave.”

“I can’t do that. Sorry.”

“Why?”

“Because last time I let you get away from me, you called some giant ginger-bearded monster to get you drunk, and look how well that turned out. Face it. You need me.”

She makes a groan that sounds vaguely laughlike. “Matt is not a monster.”

“We’ll agree to disagree.”

She sighs, and rolls on her side to face me. I suck in a breath because even hungover, she’s beautiful. And that fiery, challenging look in her eyes always goes straight to my cock.

“And if I had wanted to call you?” she asks. “I don’t have your number.”

“You could have just thought of me. I would have known and come running. I’m practically a superhero in that regard.”

“Riiight.”

“Why so disbelieving? Unless you thought of me, and it didn’t work? Were you thinking of me last night, girl genius?”

“Not even a little bit.”

“I thought about you. Even during the game last night when I should have been concentrating on not getting my ass kicked, you kept popping up. I think I might be addicted to you, Antonella De Luca.”

“How do you know my full name?”

“I might have done a little snooping last night while you were out of it. So you were valedictorian in high school, huh?”

“Just how much snooping did you do?”

“Relax. Your list is safe. I promised I wouldn’t read it, and I didn’t.” My eyes drop to her lips, which she keeps pressing together in what I assume is nervousness. “It was tempting, though.”

All of her is tempting, and I should probably get out of this bed right now before I drag her beneath me and remind myself just what her skin tastes like.

Regretfully, I pull myself up to a sitting position and say, “All right, sweetheart. Go shower so we can get breakfast. Unless you need assistance, then I’d be happy to—”

She cuts me off. “No. No, I think I can handle that alone.”

“Pity,” I say. “Well, I’ll be here waiting in your bed in case you change your mind.”

She stands up and faces me, still all cute and rumpled from sleep. “You are so ...” She trails off, and shakes her head, turning for the door instead.

As she heads for the bathroom, I call out, “I’m so what? Charming? Devastatingly handsome?”

“You so better be in the living room by the time I’m done with my shower.”

Damn. I’d been looking forward to seeing her in a towel.

Next time.

About the author: 

Cora Carmack is a twenty-something writer who likes to write about twenty-something characters. She’s done a multitude of things in her life– boring jobs (like working retail), fun jobs (like working in a theatre), stressful jobs (like teaching), and dream jobs (like writing). Raised in a small Texas town, she now lives in New York City and spends her time writing, traveling, and marathoning various television shows on Netflix. In her books, you can expect to find humor, heart, and a whole lot of awkward. Because let’s face it . . . awkward people need love, too. Her first book, LOSING IT, was a New York Times and USA Today bestseller.
Represented by the fabulous Suzie Townsend of New Leaf Literary.

Author Links: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Google+ / Instagram / Pinterest / Tumblr

Blog Tour Schedule

May 15

Book Bitches Blog-Review & Excerpt

Books and Swoons-Review & Excerpt

Jen in Bookland-Review & Excerpt

I Dare You To Read-Review & Excerpt

Lost in Lit-Review & Excerpt

Zili in the Sky-Review & Excerpt

The Slanted Bookshelf-Review & Excerpt

Stuck in Books-Review & Excerpt

May 16

Closet Geeks and Slow Mo-Review & Excerpt

Dark Obsession Chronicles-Review & Excerpt

Making It Happen-Review & Excerpt

Mia’s Point of View-Review & Excerpt

In Clouds of Pages-Review & Excerpt

That Book Life-Review & Excerpt

The Book Belles-Review

Stuck in YA Books-Review

A Bookish Escape-Review

Blog Tour Hosted by: InkSlinger Pr

Review: Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins

Rebel Belle
By Rachel Hawkins
Expected Release Date: April 8, 2014
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Source: Publisher
Review by: Jenn
Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Goodreads / IndieBound

Harper Price, peerless Southern belle, was born ready for a Homecoming tiara. But after a strange run-in at the dance imbues her with incredible abilities, Harper's destiny takes a turn for the seriously weird. She becomes a Paladin; one of the ancient line of guardians with agility, super strength and lethal fighting.

Just when life can't get any more disastrously crazy, Harper finds out who she's charged to protect: David Stark, school reporter, subject of a mysterious prophecy and possibly Harper's least favorite person. But things get complicated when Harper starts falling for him--and discovers that David's own fate could very well be to destroy Earth.

With snappy banter, cotillion dresses, no-stop action and a touch of magic, this new young adult series from bestseller Rachel Hawkins is going to make y'all beg for more.

3.5 stars out of 5 stars

*I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*

Rebel Belle was a great book to get lost in. There was action, funny moments, the main character was totally endearing and it has a nerdy love interest. What more could you want?

I totally enjoyed getting into Harper's head. She has such a funny and sarcastic sense humor even when her life was getting stranger by the minute. I'm able to relate to her in her perfectionism ways and so it was interesting when she tries to just let things go and control only what she can. David, the person Harper is supposed to protect, had me sighing and giggling. He's so nerdy and so unaware of his appeal that it makes him that much more attractive.

Teaming up together, Harper's and David's new found alliance turns a few head in their small town. However, they soon realize that they're way in over their head and are surprised by who, in the words of Harper, "their mentor-person" is. From there on, the book follows them trying to navigate their new powers.

I do have to admit, that although I've been waiting to read this book ever since it was announced back in 2012, there was something that completely stopped me from loving this book. And even months later after I originally read the book, I still can't quite pinpoint what exactly it is. That is not to say that I didn't like the book. I thoroughly enjoyed Rebel Belle and I laugh out loud at so many scenes, especially scenes with Harper's internal monologues. Rachel Hawkins just have a way with her characters that makes them come across as genuine and approachable. 

I can't wait to see what is going to happen with Harper and David in the next book and hopefully, we'll get some answers after that abrupt ending. Rachel Hawkins, please don't make me wait too long for the next book, please!

Review: Beautiful Player by Christina Lauren

Beautiful Player (Beautiful Bastard #3)
By Christina Lauren
Expected Release Date: October 29, 2013
Publisher: Gallery Books
Source: ARC gifted by publisher
Reviewed by: Jenn and Nahomi
Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Goodreads / IndieBound

*This ARC was provided by the publisher but it did not influence this review in any way.*

Jenn's rating: 4.5 stars out of 5 stars
Nahomi's rating: 4.5 stars out of 5 stars
Our overall rating: 4.5 stars out of 5 stars

Synopsis:
A bombshell bookworm. A chronic Casanova. And a lesson in chemistry too scandalous for school.

When Hanna Bergstrom receives a lecture from her overprotective brother about neglecting her social life and burying herself in grad school, she's determined to tackle his implied assignment: get out, make friends, start dating. And who better to turn her into the sultry siren every man wants than her brother's gorgeous best friend, Will Sumner, venture capitalist and unapologetic playboy?

Will takes risks for a living, but he's skeptical about this challenge of Hanna...until the wild night his innocently seductive pupil tempts him into bed - and teaches him a thing or two about being with a woman he can't forget. Now that Hanna's discovered the power of her own sex appeal, it's up to Will to prove he's the only she'll ever need.

Jenn:

If there’s anything I learned about reading Christina Lauren’s Beautiful Bastard series, is that there will be some (read: a lot) sexual tension, plenty of smexy times, a swoony guy and a feisty, know-what-she-wants girl. And while there were some modifications to Hanna in regards to what she wanted, Player lived up to its predecessors.

It was really fun getting inside Will’s head and learning about the man who “schedules his booty calls.” He’s a hot nerd, who knows his way around a woman’s body. And holy crap is Hanna a lucky girl. He’s a nice and confident guy but I love how patient he is with Hanna and how he’s willing to help her in discover what she wants. He never rushed anything but he just knew what needed to be done in order for her to be comfortable.

Hanna is a really fun character and it always made me giggle when she would ramble away when talking with Will. Out of the all the girls in the series, I feel like I relate more with Hanna by how naive and inexperienced she is. She is the lucky girl who gets to hang out with her childhood crush.

Will and Hanna are definitely something. Their time together left me in need of a cold shower and/or blushing. Like I said before, Will is very patient with Hanna and he let her control the pace but he was the one who took charge. And because of her inexperience, Hanna always asked him to “teach her.”

My only complaint of this book and of the previous two novels is that the conflict always ends up being the same: miscommunication. The guy end up lying for whatever reason or something happens that get him in trouble and then the girl find out or overhears about said secret and then takes off without talking. They won’t confront the situation until after someone tell them that they’re wrong. I feel like the miscommunication bit starting to get a bit old and I expect better from the characters.

I do love the ending, though. I love when authors give me epilogues. I think it ended in a wonderful place that could be easily be picked up in Beautiful Beginning. Beautiful Player certainly lived up to the hype and Will now has a place in heart, right along with Max. I can’t wait to see how Beginning will end this wonderful series.

Nahomi:

To say that I enjoy this series is an understatement. From the beginning, Christina Lauren captivated my attention with their great characters, witty dialogue, and their creativity. I feel like I’ve said this before but it must be said again: Christina Lauren outdid themselves with Beautiful Player, I really enjoyed reading this book.

The characters have a way of pulling me into the story. All I want to do is camp out and see what’s happening with them. I love that Hanna is a nerd workaholic, and that she has not filter when she speaks. Will is totally swoon worthy! He is attentive, sweet, pays attention to detail, and is a HOTT bad boy nerd. I love how we got to see the guys hang out as well as the girls in this novel. And there were definitely twist I wasn’t expecting.

There were a few things that I didn’t like, and it’s the same in almost all of the books. The lack of communication when things “go wrong” is a little upsetting. I feel like Hanna just labeled Will and was unable to look beyond that. And for all she can talk, she wasn’t talking to the right person about what she needed to do. Will was very upfront and honest about his relationships but he could have been more assertive and direct with Hanna about what was going on. With that said, let’s move on to my favorite part: the sexy scenes.

After having read the other books, I figured that the sex scenes would be different and steamy, but what I wasn’t prepared for was just how hot and sexy they actually are. I needed not just one cold shower but several long extended cold showers in order to get my “need” under control. I also felt a little exhausted in a good way because the scenes are really long and intimate. There were several but especially after the first scene at the party, and oh yea and Easter weekend. Curious? *winks* you’ll have to read the book and see.

All I have to say is: I want more Will and Hanna please.

Review: Confessions of an Almost-Girlfriend by Louise Rozett

Confessions of an Almost-Girlfriend (Confessions #2)
By Louise Rozett
Expected Release Date: June 25, 2013
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Source: Harlequin Teen through NetGalley
Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Goodreads / IndieBound

My rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads Summary:
Rose Zarelli has big plans for sophomore year - everything is going to be different. This year, she's going to be the talented singer with the killer voice, the fabulous girl with the fashionista best friend, the brainiac who refuses to let Jaime Forta jerk her around...

...but if she's not careful, she's also going to be the sister who misses the signals, the daughter who can only think about her own pain, the "good girl" who finds herself in mid-scandal again (because no good deed goes unpunished) and possible worst of all...the almost-girlfriend.

When all else fails, stop looking for love and go find yourself.

           I loved loved loved this book. This book makes me feel like an awkward teenager all over again and I don't even care!

Confessions of an Almost-Girlfriend follows Rose Zarelli into the end of summer right before her sophomore year. Rose has to be one of my favorite heroine ever, because, while she doesn't know exactly what she wants, she knows what is right and wrong and doesn't bend to social norms. She stands her ground even if it makes her unpopular. Rose is the kind of person I wish I were more like. That doesn't mean that Rose doesn't have her faults because she does, however, I can overlook them because she learns from her mistakes.

About Jaime Forts, I'm not sure what to think of him. I like him but I'm just as confuse as Rose. He has these absolutely swoony moments but then bam! Reality steps in and it like nothing ever happened. But I do want to share this:

He watches me with that faraway look, like he's appraising me from a distance. There's a lot of silence in conversations with Jaime. Sometimes it means he's trying to figure out how to say something. Other times it means he has nothing to say at all. The only way to find out which it is, is to wait.
"I worry about you," he finally says, the words awkward in his mouth like he's never said them before.
Jaime takes my glass of water sets it down on the counter next to his. Then he faces me, putting his hands on either side of me on the counter. He's so close I can see the gold flecks in his hazel eyes and smell December on his jacket.
A tingling sparks low down in my stomach and my breath gets shallow.
How does he do this? How does he gets this reaction from me within three minutes of walking in the door without even touching me? All he's doing is just...being him.
I guess that's my answer.

And I guess I'll just have to take that answer as well.

Confessions of an Almost-Girlfriend is a wonderful follow up to Confessions of an Angry Girl and it exceeded all of my expectations. I had all the feels and was glued to my phone while reading it...at a party. Thankfully, there were some other book lovers with me so they weren't offended by my lack of conversation. I cried, I laughed, I became angry, I experienced all the highs and lows that Rose experienced.

I sincerely hope that Ms. Rozett will write another book and that we get some closure because OMG. That ending! How can it end there?! What's going to happen with Jaime?! And Rose! I need to how that will turn out. After this book, Ms. Rozett will always have a reader in me. I can't wait to see what else she has up her sleeves.

Review: Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

Hallowed by Cynthia Hand
Released Date: January 17, 2012
Publisher: HarperTeen

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Summary from Goodreads: "For months part-angel Clara Gardner trained to face the raging forest fire from her visions and rescue the alluring and mysterious Christian Prescott from the blaze. But nothing could prepare her for the fateful decisions she would be forced to make that day, or the startling revelation that her purpose - the task she was put on Earth to accomplish - is not as straightforward as she thought.

Now, torn between her increasingly complicated feelings for Christian and her love for her boyfriend, Tucker, Clara struggles to make sense of what she supposed to do the day of the fire. And, as she is drawn further into the world of part angels and the growing conflict between White Wings and Black Wings, Clara learns of the terrifying new reality that she must face: Someone close to her will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning."

I feel the need for a disclaimer, so here it is: *Be prepared for some flails. There will be some lots of them. Oh, and some spoilers. *

First off, I'm the biggest Tucker Avery supporter. I have been on his team since day one and I will admit to being petty while discussing him and Christian with my friends; I just don't want to get hurt. I will gladly take him off Clara's hand if she is too busy. *grabby hands* Team Tucker up in here.

I'm Team Edward, too, yo.

Review: Along for the Ride, by Sarah Dessen

Along for the Ride
Author: Sarah Dessen
Release Date: June 16, 2009
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
Source: Library
Review by: Jenn

It's been so long since Auden slept at night. Ever since her parents' divorce-or since the fighting started. Now she has the chance to spend a carefree summer with her dad and his new family in the charming beach town where they live. A job in a clothes boutique introduces Auden to the world of girls: their talk, their friendship, their crushes. She missed out on all that, too busy being the perfect daughter to her demanding mother. Then she meets Eli, an intriguing loner and a fellow insomniac who becomes her guide to the nocturnal world of the town. Together they embark on parallel quests: for Auden, to experience the carefree teenage life she's been denied; for Eli, to come to terms with the guilt he feels for the death of a friend."

4 stars out of 5 stars

As my first Sarah Dessen novel to have read, I loved this book. I loved the main character, Auden. She seems like the type of person I would love to have around. She is this super smart girl that somehow ended up just trying to please her parents and forgot to do what she wanted to do and was denied a childhood. She knows she missed out on experiences but she doesn't let it deter her in a way that make her an annoying, obnoxious character. And I like that about her. It makes her a likeable and relateable character.

Auden is set for a prestigious college but before that, she has the whole summer ahead of her. She decides to spend her summer with her dad and his new family. Which includes a newborn, Thisby, her stepsister and Heidi, Auden's new stepmother. Heidi is struggling to deal with a new baby and an absent husband. So Auden volunteers to help Heidi with her clothes boutique and I have to admit I giggled at the awkwardness that was Auden with Maggie and the rest of the girls in the boutique.