Review: The Book of Broken Hearts

The Book of Broken Hearts by Sarah Ockler

Publication Date: May 21st, 2013
Genre: YA Contemporary
Amazon/Barnes and Noble

When all signs point to heartbreak, can love still be a rule of the road? A poignant and romantic novel from the author of Bittersweet and Twenty Boy Summer.

Jude has learned a lot from her older sisters, but the most important thing is this: The Vargas brothers are notorious heartbreakers. She’s seen the tears and disasters that dating a Vargas boy can cause, and she swore an oath—with candles and a contract and everything—to never have anything to do with one.

Now Jude is the only sister still living at home, and she’s spending the summer helping her ailing father restore his vintage motorcycle—which means hiring a mechanic to help out. Is it Jude’s fault he happens to be cute? And surprisingly sweet? And a Vargas?

Jude tells herself it’s strictly bike business with Emilio. Her sisters will never find out, and Jude can spot those flirty little Vargas tricks a mile away—no way would she fall for them. But Jude’s defenses are crumbling, and if history is destined to repeat itself, she’s speeding toward some serious heartbreak…unless her sisters were wrong?

Jude may have taken an oath, but she’s beginning to think that when it comes to love, some promises might be worth breaking. 

----Review----

This novel was powerful and well-written, however, the book didn't stand out from all the other contemporaries. I will try some more Sarah Ockler, as this book did have some good parts and I have heard so much praise.

 The tragic part was the father's case of Alzheimer's. This frequently left me in tears. We see how the illness effects the family. I felt like the reactions from family and friends Papi's condition were very realistic, and the father's episodes were heartbreaking and real. Please note that, in my opinion, the disease was the most impressive part of The Book of Broken Hearts, along with the diversity of the characters!

The romance aspect was sweet, but not very developed in my opinion. Emilio was a sweet, flirty love interest, yet he just didn't do it for me. Most of the time he felt... bland, there was only one scene where I felt connected to him. I loved the feeling! However, Emilio Vargas will never stand out in the crowd of young adult love interests. Then again, I felt like this book wasn't about the romance. It is about family and overcoming great obstacles.

Also, I had very conflicting feelings about Jude.  I enjoyed the characters and middle mostly, however, the ending just didn't do it for me. It seemed a little too... macho I guess. Kind of overdone.  Don't get me wrong, it is a beautifully written ending, just not realistic for me. Also, there was a lot of other things I wanted to know that weren't mentioned or concluded well.

I really don't know what my problem was besides those little complaints, the book just plain didn't leave an impression on me. At all, really. Do you know that read that you know a lot of people will like, and that something is wrong with you because your mind keeps straying? Yeah, that was The Book of Broken Hearts to me.

Overall, this book had factors I liked... and factors I didn't. The Papi's Alzheimer's tore at my heart, and I loved the character diversity yet the romance and ending were very "meh". I would recommend this novel to big-time contemporary fans. There were strengths and flaws.

3.5/5 Stars

Also, please note that the synopsis is misleading. I feel that this book is about so much more than just a pact to ignore the Vargas brothers.

Thanks for reading!

-Emily

Top Ten Tuesday #22

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. 

Topic: Top Ten Best Sequels Ever! Ooh, I love this list!

I enjoyed Cinder but I loved, loved, loved Scarlet. Red Riding Hood and cyborgs? Oh, yeah! The Golden Lily has more magic, mysteries, and Adrian in it! Also, Clockwork Prince was, like, the book that got me invested in Shadowhunters!

Hallowed was an amazing angel read. And Demonglass was just as fun and awesome as Hex Hall, which is saying something. Then, Awake at Dawn was so addicting! These paranormal books are all topnotch.

Cross My Heart and Hope To Spy is one I have re-read so many times. However, I have read In the Hand of the Goddess even more times. I love the Alanna series! And The Exiled Queen was... spectacular.

As you see, I only did #2 in series, because if I did all sequels... well, this would be a long list! (Later Harry Potter, Percy Jackson etc.)

See you next time!

What are your favorite sequels?

-Emily

Blog Tour: The Right Kind of Wrong

Check out the rest of the tour schedule!

Please Note: Normally, I am a YA book blog, but today I wanted to mix in some NA! 

The Right Kind of Wrong by Jade Eby

Publication Date: June 27th, 2013
Genre: New Adult Contemporary
Amazon/Goodreads

Nothing stays hidden forever. 

Kara Pierce has held onto the same dream since she was a little girl: to be the next Katie Couric.

Vince Gage, a budding filmmaker whose I-don't-give-a-shit attitude cancels out his charm, almost ruined it for her once, and now he’s back, threatening to do it again.

When the two of them are paired together for a college competition with a $20,000 prize, the only thing they agree on is winning.

They return to Iowa where Kara grew up to research her grandfather's service in World War II, instead they find themselves in the middle of a family scandal kept quiet for far too long.

As Kara and Vince investigate the scandal deeper, they realize the price of uncovering the truth is so much more than they bargained for.

----Excerpt----

"Hey, I wanted to ask you something."

"Anything, dear."

"You know how I always told Grandpa that I'd write about him one day?"

"Of course I do."

"Well, I'm finally going to do it. I'm working on a project for my multi-media class and I've chosen Grandpa and World War II as my topic." 

"That's fantastic! Your grandfather would be so proud."

Proud? No. He would be disappointed it took me this long to do something I've always wanted to do. And at the insistence of some silly boy, too. I take a deep breath. "I'm coming back home to do some research. I need to look through some of Grandpa's old war stuff and I wondered if you'd be up to some interviews."

She coughs in surprise. "You're actually coming home?" My chest constricts so tightly, I wish I could reach inside myself and pull my lungs to safety. !is is why I don't go home. "Yeah, Grandma. I'm coming home."

"Oh Kara, I'm so happy to hear that. I've missed you so much. I didn't..." She stops for a minute. "I didn't think you were ever coming back. Your father even—"

"I miss you, too. We'll be leaving here next week. Okay? We only have a week and a half to get everything done, so I won't have a lot of time to hang out."

"Who is we?"

Oops. "Oh. Well. I kind of have a project partner.

"That's great, honey! I'm excited to meet her."

"It's a guy. His name is Vince." 

----Giveaway----

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Fairytales: Snow White

Fairytales
We all know a little bit about fairytales, whether from the disney films or the grimm brother's original tales. However, these fairytales never grow old, especially as you find more and more editions with amazing illustrations and interpretations. There are also so many fairy tale retellings in the YA world which keeps these timeless tales alive. What is your take on the tales?

Snow White
This copy of Snow White was illustrated by Camille Rose Garcia and boy is it gorgeous!

Stacking the Shelves #25

Hosted by Tynga's Reviews! 

I was pretty darn sick this whole week. *sigh* However, I did receive some pretty awesome books thanks to my amazing family and my english assignment. The Greek Mythology book was for my English class, and then I spied a beautiful copy of Snow White...

Bought or Gifted

Young Adult

To Be Perfectly Honest by Sonya Sones

Burn for Burn by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian

Zoe Letting Go by Nora Price

Envy by Elizabeth Miles

Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor

Sea Glass by Maria V. Snyder

Other

Snow White by The Grimm Brothers

Greek Gods and Heroes by Rouse

How was your week?

-Emily

Review, Interview, and Giveaway: Find Me

Make sure to check out the rest of the tour stops!

Find Me by Romily Bernard

Publication Date: September 24th 2013
Genre: Young Adult, Mystery, Thriller, Romance
Source: ARC for an honest review
Amazon/Barnes and Noble

“Find Me.”

These are the words written on Tessa Waye’s diary. The diary that ends up with Wick Tate. But Tessa’s just been found . . . dead.

Wick has the right computer-hacking skills for the job, but little interest in this perverse game of hide-and-seek. Until her sister Lily is the next target.

Then Griff, trailer-park boy next door and fellow hacker, shows up, intent on helping Wick. Is a happy ending possible with the threat of Wick’s deadbeat dad returning, the detective hunting him sniffing around Wick instead, and a killer taunting her at every step?

Foster child. Daughter of a felon. Loner hacker girl. Wick has a bad attitude and sarcasm to spare.

But she’s going to find this killer no matter what.

Because it just got personal.

----Review----

Find Me was a thrilling, unputdownable read! I loved, loved, loved it! I guarantee this novel will leave you mind blown with all it's suspense, action, and romance. Romily Bernard is top on my lists of authors to watch.

The beginning of the book is spectacular. We meet Wick, and already start to feel attached and invested in her story, and see the beginnings of an awesome plot unfold. There are many aspects: the suicide, Tessa, Wick's dad, Wick's new family, the "Find Me" note, and more! There is no slack in the beginning, just how I like it. Never a dull moment!

Wick Tate was a great character. Normally, I have little irritations with my main characters. Sorry, I'm just like that. However, Find Me was a totally different story. Wick felt real, and very likable in her unlikable and flawed way! Her voice is perfect and I love how she could make me want to smile or bang my fists against the wall. Her love for her sister is also very admirable. Overall, she is an A+ heroine. 

Griff was another amazing character, who I can't wait to get to know better in the next book (yay!) He is intense, loyal, and has a few secrets of his own tucked up his sleeve. I wish I could have grasped at his personality a lot more in this book. The next big character, Lily, is a very sweet, vivid, optimistic, and lively character. I really felt bad for her during a lot of the book. The poor kid just wants to live safely and happily for a while! Lily Tate was a great addition to Find Me.

The plot and twists were too die for. I seriously applaud Romily Bernard. I. could. not. put. this. book. down. I fear I ignored my family for an hour finishing this book. Not only is the writing addicting, but the twists are masterful and there is the exact right amount of suspense and mystery.

Overall, you all need to read Find Me. It is calling to you "Find Me! Read Me!". Why not listen to the book's cries? Please? In all seriousness, this is an amazing book that will appeal to fans of thrillers, amazingly written heroines, and great twists. 

4/5 Stars

----Interview with Romily Bernard----

1. Can you describe your book, Find Me, in three words? 

Hackers. Stalkers. Suicide.

2. How did you get your first little piece of inspiration for Find Me? 

I had this image of a girl on her computer, hacking some account, while a cop circles her house. I had no idea why either of them were doing that so I sat down to figure out why.

3. Where is your favorite location to write?

Staff meetings. There's something about forecasting projections that makes me think about burying bodies. I try not to dwell on what that says about me as a person.

4. Do you have plans for any more books after Find Me?

 Yes! FIND ME is the first in a trilogy. REMEMBER ME will be out September 2014.

5. What is your favorite color? 

Blue! No, green! Wait...YES!

6. Are you a cat or dog person? (or neither?) 

Dog, but cats are fun too. Oh and horses! Definitely horses and not just because, if I don't mention Wonder Pony in every post, she gets mad.

7. In a game of Truth or Dare, which option do you normally pick? 

Totally dare.

8. What is something about yourself you always like to tell people?

 It's pronounced like Emily,  but with an R-O...yeah, I have no idea why my mom named me that either.

----Giveaway----

This giveaway is US only, and remember, the more entries you have the more likely you will win!

The Question: What would you do with computer hacking skills?
a Rafflecopter giveaway

----About Romily Bernard----

I graduated from Georgia State University with a Literature degree. Since then, I’ve worked as a riding instructor, cell phone salesgirl, personal assistant, groom, exercise rider, accounting assistant, and, during a very dark time, customer service rep.

So don’t let anyone tell you a BA degree will keep you unemployed.

Thanks for reading! And good luck on the giveaway!

-Emily



OH! and don't miss this:

Musings of a Blogder, a team member of The Fantastic Flying Book Club, will host a Twitter Party for FIND ME on launch day, 9/24/2013. Romily is giving away signed hardbacks of FIND ME every ten minutes. 

The Twitter Party is 7pm EST and is hosted by Nova Lee Zaiden (@novablogder). 

I hope you enjoyed reading about Find Me. This really is the end of the post, pinky promise.

-Emily

Waiting on Wednesday #25

Hosted by Breaking the Spine

Cress (The Lunar Chronicles) by Marissa Meyer 

Publication Date: February 4th, 2013
Series: The Lunar Chronicles book 3
Amazon/Barnes and Noble

Rapunzel’s tower is a satellite. She can’t let down her hair—or her guard.

In this third book in the bestselling Lunar Chronicles series, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army. 

Their best hope lies with Cress, who has been trapped on a satellite since childhood with only her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker—unfortunately, she’s just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice. 

When a daring rescue goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing stop her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only ones who can.

I am dying for this book! The Lunar Chronicles are becoming a favorite of mine. I have this weakness for twisted fairytales. Plus, Meyer's writing, sci-fi world, and characters are amazing!

What are you waiting on?

-Emily