Review: Where the Stars Still Shine

Summary:
Stolen as a child from her large and loving family, and on the run with her mom for more than ten years, Callie has only the barest idea of what normal life might be like. She's never had a home, never gone to school, and has gotten most of her meals from laundromat vending machines. Her dreams are haunted by memories she’d like to forget completely. But when Callie’s mom is finally arrested for kidnapping her, and Callie’s real dad whisks her back to what would have been her life, in a small town in Florida, Callie must find a way to leave the past behind. She must learn to be part of a family. And she must believe that love--even with someone who seems an improbable choice--is more than just a possibility.

Review:
I don't think there is a more perfect gif to explain my thoughts about this book. You never get a better feeling than picking up a book and have it meet every single one of your expectations. Nothing is more fulfilling that that feeling. When I finished it I immediately thought, "pero...why is it over?" 

Let me just start off by saying that Trish Doller is a genius when she writes about teens. This is a story about betrayal with the right amount of a love mixed in. Ugh this book is shear perfection. I had the privilege of going on a trip with my friend to Tarpon Springs and every time I would read about those stores and scenery I could imagine myself being right there. On a more important notion, I love love love the concept behind this book. Callie was taken from her family and forced to live in constant fear but then she is thrown back into the life she once was a part of. 

I liked how the story starts and gives us an idea of what Callie's life was with her mom. It made me understand why Callie couldn't really get close to guys. I remember texting my friend saying that she doesn't know any better. That is what she grew up seeing and believed it was the only best way of handling the situation.

The best part of the book is her relationship with Alex. At first I thought "oh great another bad choice" but Alex started warming up on me. He was the one that pulled her back to reality. It was nice how Trish Doller portrayed both of their struggles. Don't get me wrong I love reading perfect love stories but what made me appreciate this one a little more is that no relationship is perfect. The obstacles that they both went through allowed them grow as characters. 

Alysha I thank  you for recommending this book to me. This books is honest, and it will slap you with all the feels but I love it. I would even dare to say that it is my favorite book. Only a few can compare to it. 

Review: Anna and the French Kiss

Summary:
     Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris--until she meets Étienne St. Clair. Smart, charming,beautiful, Étienne has it all...including a serious girlfriend. 

But in the City of Light, wishes have a way of coming true. Will a year of romantic near-misses end with their long-awaited French kiss?

Review:
     Okay I might be the only idiot who read Lola and the Boy Next Door before I read this book. I was just so excited to start reading again (and actually having the time to do so) I really didn't look into it before I just picked it up and started reading. I blame my friend Alysha for that one ;) Jk I love her and she knows that. No wonder we have been friends for like a billion years now.               

We all like to think that we know a thing or two about falling in love. But it was refreshing to see a different outlook on young love. The humor, the setting, the tone in this book was ideal. But besides the point that it is a story about falling in love I feel that this book was more about Anna finding herself and testing the waters in regards to what she likes.  College was a scary place at first but after a couple of semesters and a few good friends you find yourself trying new things.

Perkins does a good job writing the dialogue between her characters. Its not forced or fake. It stays true to the younger generation and it was easy to read (for us old farts) and relate to. All in all, this book was funny, sweet and you dive head first into Perkin's sense of charm . Come on, what girl doesn't want to go to Paris and live out her dreams?

This book along with Lola and the Boy Next Door were my very first YA contemporary books that I read. And it made me question why I never read from this genre before. I must admit, I tried staying away from the corny love stories but I was glad I picked up this book and read it. It was cute in all the right ways. I am definitely not against reading YA contemporary books now that's for sure. 

Review: Lola and the Boy Next Door

Summary:
          Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn’t believe in fashion...she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit--more sparkly, more fun, more wild--the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood.

When Cricket--a gifted inventor--steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.


Review:
             Before this book I hardly read cute romance stories. Now I am a huge sucker for them. Don't get me wrong, most books these days focus on the romance part of the story that the ideal story is lost behind it all. I am glad that this one was different. I am not here to bash on a book or tell you how awful it is or give you a whole review on how it was perfect. I write honest reviews of what I liked about the book and how I could relate it to my own experiences.

             This book was a very easy read for me.  It isn't just a love story, it is a story about growing up and having to make hard decisions. We all have that moment in life where we are forced to do something that could ultimately change our lives for the good or the bad.  What made me love this book is that yes, it is cute and romantic but it puts into perspective that growing up isn't just some fairy tale. 
             Stephanie Perkins takes the time to develop her characters. She gives you their back story and guides you through their journey. She knows how to write about boys. We often read about Prince Charming and how he just comes and sweeps you off your feet. But we don't  really get a chance to read about boys who have to live in their twin sisters shadow and struggle with expressing themselves. I too lived in my sisters shadow and I hated it. It was nice to relate to a book and see yourself in the little things that make the book what it is.
              I adored this book and although it is cute and gushy and it has a lot of feels, its enjoyable. If you don't' believe me then read it for yourself.