REVIEW: Never Always Sometimes by Adi Alsaid

Never date your best friend

Always be original

Sometimes rules are meant to be broken 

Best friends Dave and Julia were determined to never be cliché high school kids—the ones who sit at the same lunch table every day, dissecting the drama from homeroom and plotting their campaigns for prom king and queen. They even wrote their own Never List of everything they vowed they'd never, ever do in high school.

Some of the rules have been easy to follow, like #5, never die your hair a color of the rainbow, or #7, never hook up with a teacher. But Dave has a secret: he's broken rule #8, never pine silently after someone for the entirety of high school. It's either that or break rule #10, never date your best friend. Dave has loved Julia for as long as he can remember.

Julia is beautiful, wild and impetuous. So when she suggests they do every Never on the list, Dave is happy to play along. He even dyes his hair an unfortunate shade of green. It starts as a joke, but then a funny thing happens: Dave and Julia discover that by skipping the clichés, they've actually been missing out on high school. And maybe even on love. 

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**REVIEW CONTAINS POSSIBLE SPOILERS**

My Thoughts:

Love was people creating memories for each other...

I'd always meant to read Adi Alsaid's Let's Get Lost, but for some reason that never happened. When I read the synopsis for Never Always Sometimes I knew that this would be the book to introduce me to this authors writing. And the very first thing that jumped out at me was how beautiful that writing is. I connected with it so easily. It was descriptive and perfectly paced. It was so easy to read and get swept up in the story. I was hooked right from the first page!

Never Always Sometimes is split into three sections and told from the POV of our two main characters Dave and Julia. They've been best friends for years, and early on they compiled a list of things that they would never do in high school. A list of cliches that they would avoid at all costs. The list of Never's. But as high school is coming to an end they decide to make things interesting and actually do everything on the list. From partying at the Kapoor brothers house to dying your hair a colour of the rainbow. Everything is fair game.

I loved both Dave and Julia immediately. I loved their closeness and their banter and their ease. Dave is a romantic. He thinks beautiful, romantic things. He's so sweet and caring. And Julia has such a zest for life. She was infectious! But it wasn't until Julia's POV that I realised how much substance she had. She's not just out to have fun and do crazy things. She's so much deeper than that. She cares much more than she lets on.

He'd been a cliche all four years of high school, in love with his best friend, pining silently.

As Dave and Julia complete each of the never's they begin to question the way they viewed things previously. Not just the relationships and interactions they've had with their classmates, but also their feelings for each other. I absolutely loved this aspect of the story. I loved watching their opinions and presumptions evolve and change. I loved seeing the growth of new relationships and new friendships. 

One of the things on the Never list related to hooking up with a teacher. And it was here that the author lost me for a bit. I found the whole thing a little odd. I don't know about you, but hooking up with a teacher never entered my mind when I was in high school. I mean sure there's been teens who've had a crush on a teacher, but the lengths Julia went to were just a little bizarre for my liking. 

Outside of that I loved everything. Until the ending. Now, don't get me wrong, there's nothing really wrong with it besides it not being what I'd imagined. As readers we picture things in our minds. We have visions of how things will play out. And this ending never entered my head once. I'm sure lots of people will love that the author didn't take things down the predictable route though. I just wish I could be one of them. It did guarantee that I'd be thinking about it long after I'd finished reading it.

Rest assured that I will be reading more from this author in the future. Loved, loved, LOVED his writing!

People were always belittling teenage heartbreak. But heartbreak was heartbreak was heartbreak.

4/5 Wonderfully Written Stars

Thanks so much to Harlequin Teen for providing me with a review copy. 

REVIEW: Captivate (Submerged Sun #1) by Vanessa Garden

In a glittering underwater world, nothing is as it seems...

For the past twelve months since her parents’ death, seventeen-year-old Miranda Sun has harboured a dark secret — a secret that has strained the close relationship she once shared with her older sister, Lauren. In an effort to repair this broken bond, Miranda’s grandparents whisk the siblings away on a secluded beach holiday. Except before Miranda gets a chance to confess her life-changing secret, she’s dragged underwater by a mysterious stranger while taking a midnight swim.

Awakening days later, Miranda discovers that she’s being held captive in a glittering underwater city by an arrogant young man named Marko...the King of this underwater civilisation.

Nineteen-year-old Marko intends to marry Miranda in order to keep his crown from falling into the sinister clutches of his half-brother, Damir. There’s only one problem. Miranda is desperate to return home to right things with her sister and she wants nothing to do with Marko. Trying to secure her freedom, Miranda quickly forms an alliance with Robbie — Marko’s personal guard. However, she soon discovers that even underwater, people are hiding dangerous secrets...

My Thoughts:

Part of me wanted to believe that an underwater city existed. Because, if Marin didn't exist, it would mean that all of these people here, my captors, were clinically insane. And I did not want to be at the mercy of crazy people.

Captivate is such a wonderful title for this book. I was definitely captivated throughout the story. I love books that deal with underwater worlds. It all seems so very magical to me. As the story went on, I found myself more and more intrigued and curious about how things were going to play out. There was a real sense of mystery surrounding things. 

Miranda has been dealing with the death of her parents and the resulting strained relationship with her sister when she finds herself kidnapped and wakes up days later in an underwater world. Waking to find her kidnapper, Robbie beside her and being told that she is to marry the king, Marko to help populate and save the city.

I stared up into Marko's beautiful Face, the kind of face artists would willingly starve to paint. It would be easy to fall under this intoxicating spell of fantasy, to imagine that I was a character in a book and indulge in wherever the story went. Let Marko lead me into a world I wouldn't dare tread in reality.

What at first I thought was going to turn into a love triangle really didn't eventuate. In fact, for most of the book, there isn't any real romance at all. Yes, it's expected that Miranda is going to jump at the plan that's been put before her, and marry Marko, but Miranda is having none of that and wants nothing more than to return home. This aspect of the story was one that I think I enjoyed the most. Miranda's unwavering strength to stand up for what she believed were her rights. She's been kidnapped and held captive, so I think I would have been pretty put off if there was an instant attraction here. The author handled it perfectly here I think.

Robbie was such a sweetie. He was really protective of Miranda almost from the very start. I loved that his feelings were conflicted between loyalty and what is right. That really showed his wonderful character. At first that's where I wanted the romance to be, because, honestly, who could like Marko. He was so abrupt and standoffish. I didn't like him very much at all. Him and Robbie were like polar opposites. And it was for almost all of the book that I felt that way. But Marko slowly started to show me his true colours and I couldn't help but begin to like him. His responsibilities are so big and he has so much pressure placed on him as well as battling all the evil entities that are coming into play.

And I feel that we have only really skimmed the surface of those evil forces. We got brief glimpses into things, but I think there are definitely some challenges ahead for the characters. And I personally can't wait to see what will play out.

Now, I wasn't immediately taken in by the story and it's characters, but from about a third of the way in, I was completely on board. I think it was from that point on that I felt I was getting a better understanding of the characters and the plot was really starting to settle into a nice groove and pace. There were also a few mysteries that really peaked my interest as well. Also, that ending has guaranteed that I will be grabbing myself a copy of the next book upon it's release. 

How could a monster like him look so... so good? It was just wrong.

4/5 Completely Intrigued Stars.

A huge thank you to Harlequin for the review copy via NetGalley.

REVIEW: Take Me On (Pushing the Limits #4) by Katie McGarry

Acclaimed author Katie McGarry returns with the knockout new story of two high school seniors who are about to learn what winning really means

Champion kickboxer Haley swore she'd never set foot in the ring again after one tragic night. But then the guy she can't stop thinking about accepts a mixed martial arts fight in her honor. Suddenly, Haley has to train West Young. All attitude, West is everything Haley promised herself she'd stay away from. Yet he won't last five seconds in the ring without her help.

West is keeping a big secret from Haley. About who he really is. But helping her-fighting for her-is a shot at redemption. Especially since it's his fault his family is falling apart. He can't change the past, but maybe he can change Haley's future.

Hayley and West have agreed to keep their relationship strictly in the ring. But as an unexpected bond forms between them and attraction mocks their best intentions, they'll face their darkest fears and discover love is worth fighting for.

My Thoughts:

She and I are like two separate halves to a whole. Separate in that the two of us could live life apart and be successful, but when we are together -- when we are whole -- that's when the magic happens.

I know before going into a Katie McGarry book that I'm going to get amazing characters and an engaging, extremely well written story. That's just a given. She has not written a book yet that I haven't fallen completely in love with. Her books are so full of emotion. And Take Me On was no different.

I have to say that I was a bit dubious going into this one. I wasn't previously a fan of West's. He didn't really endear himself to me at all in Crash Into You. His actions and his attitude kind of turned me off. But it just goes to show that first impressions can be deceiving, because it wasn't too far into Take Me On that I was completely smitten. On the outside, he is a bad boy who doesn't really give a toss. There are those crappy first impressions again, because on the inside he has a heart of pure gold. Yeah, he's absolutely gorgeous, but for me, I fall in love with a person's heart. And his heart is huge! He is just so passionate about everything. The good, the bad and the ugly. He feels everything so deeply. There were times that my heart broke for him. But everything that is thrown at him, forces him to grow up and by the end of the book, the West that we have is a much more strong and mature version.

I'm in love with you. I'm in love with you and I don't know how to make you better. I'm in love with you and I shouldn't be. I'm in love with you and once you figure out who I am, you're not going to love me. I'm in love with you and I seem to fuck up the ones who love me back.

I absolutely loved Haley. Her strength was amazing. Her happy family life is turned upside down. Everything that was stability is taken away from her. She carries around the responsibilities of caring for and protecting her family, and has had to grow up way too quickly. But she does it all without question. She is tough, but on the inside she carries hurt. Hurt that her ex inflicted, and that makes her very wary to trust again. She is especially wary to place that trust in another fighter. But she doesn't count on West's persistence.

For strangers, West and I have become uncomfortably familiar in a rapid amount of time. Our worlds didn't just collide; they merged as paint spilled on a sidewalk and it's like neither one of us will be the right color again.

The romance between West and Haley was a slow burn. Because of Haley's past hurt, it took her quite a while to finally give into West. The attraction was there from the start for both of them, but it was West that didn't hold back. He was caring and protective, right from the very start. He knew what he wanted and he was more than willing to give Haley what she needed.

These dual point of views are my weakness at the moment. It's the best of both worlds. Being inside both main characters heads is perfection. What better way to get a true and complete insight into the whole story. My favourite is almost always the males point of view and this time was no different. I love being inside the head of a guy as he's completely undone by a girl, and getting West's emotions, thoughts and feelings as he was falling for Haley was incredible.

I was so happy to have Isaiah, Rachel and Abby make an appearance. I always miss characters once a book is finished, so to get to spend a little bit more time with them was a welcome bonus. I really, really hope that we get Abby's story at some point. I really want her to experience a wonderful, crazy, good love. She's not always easy to like, but I thought we got real glimpses into a deeper Abby this time around.

Katie McGarry once again has nailed the perfect young adult read. True, realistically flawed characters, combined with her amazing ability to create a story that never fails to completely grab your heart and make you fall in love. She has such a knack for writing strong characters. 

5/5 West young Stars

A huge thank you to Harlequin Australia for the opportunity to review such a wonderful read.

REVIEW: The Break-Up Artist by Philip Siegel

Some sixteen-year-olds babysit for extra cash. Some work at the mall. Becca Williamson breaks up couples.  

Becca knows from experience the damage that love can do. After all, it was so-called love that turned Huxley from her childhood best friend into a social-world dictator, and love that left Becca's older sister devastated at the altar. Instead of sitting on the sidelines, Becca strikes back—for just one hundred dollars via PayPal, she will trick and manipulate any couple's relationship into smithereens. And with relationship zombies overrunning her school and treating single girls as if they're second-class citizens, business is unfortunately booming. Even Becca's best friend, Val, has resorted to outright lies to snag a boyfriend. 

One night, Becca receives a mysterious offer to break up the most popular couple in school: Huxley and the football team's star player, Steve. To succeed, she'll have to plan her most elaborate scheme to date—starting rumors, sabotaging cell phones, breaking into cars…not to mention sneaking back into Huxley's good graces. All while fending off the inappropriate feelings she may or may not be having for Val's new boyfriend. 

No one said being the Break-Up Artist would be easy.

My Thoughts:

Love.

People use that word to go around and do what they please. They don't have to worry about who gets hurt because it's all in the name of love. Love has no rules, no boundaries. It's gone all these years unchecked. That doesn't make it whimsical; that makes it a tyrant.

I had heard so many people say what a fun and cute read The Break Up Artist was that I knew that this was a book that I just had to read for myself.

I think that at some point in our lives we've either been that person that's been pushed aside a little when our best friend finds themselves in a relationship and swept up in the romance and all the feelings that come along with that, or we know someone who has. And haven't we all felt a little bit upset and put out by that? Maybe not to the point where we'd try to break them up, but definitely enough to feel hurt and left out. Or maybe we've even been the one to get wrapped up in our own new relationship.

"After the first dates and romantic gestures peter out, because they all will eventually, you have to be left with a person you still want to look at every day."

Becca is the Break Up Artist. She goes incognito and finds the flaws and exposes them in the relationships she's been hired to end. I have to say that it took me a little while to warm up to Becca. I had this little niggling in the back of my head that kept questioning, what right she had to meddle in peoples affairs? But as the story went on, I found myself pushing that thought aside and just trying to enjoy the story. And I did end up liking Becca, because when it's all said and done, I think her intentions were good, even if I thought she went about some things the wrong way.

Maybe some couples an't be broken, no matter how hard anyone tries.

Becca has been on the receiving end of her best friend Huxley getting a boyfriend and being pushed aside and feeling left out. And while she's moved on and has a new best friend, the feelings of hurt and betrayal remain. But it's not until Becca is hired to break up Huxley and Steve, that she really faces all of those pent up feelings and has the chance to have a good, close up look at their relationship.

I loved that while this book was basically about relationships, it wasn't solely about romance. This book contained love in lots of forms. It really highlighted that love comes in many colours. Love of family and love of friends were the two main ones that I took away with me.

The girls and Mrs Hardwick aww. Am I missing the girl gene that forces me to aww whenever I see something corny? Or was there a mass lobotomy I wasn't invited to?

The Break Up Artist had lots of humour throughout the story and I loved Philip Siegel's way of binding everything together. His writing was fun and witty, just as I had been told it would be. I really liked that there were so many layers to the story and there were little story lines developing all over the place. There was also a great sense of anticipation because of that.

If you love your YA with a good dose of humour and characters who you can relate to because of their flaws and the good dose of reality, then I'd say to grab yourself a copy of The Break Up Artist.

4/5 Cute, Fun Stars.

A huge thank you to Harlequin Australia for the review copy.

REVIEW: Where You'll Find Me by Erin Fletcher

When Hanley Helton discovers a boy living in her garage, she knows she should kick him out. But Nate is too charming to be dangerous. He just needs a place to get away, which Hanley understands. Her own escape methods (vodka, black hair dye, and pretending the past didn't happen) are more traditional, but who is she to judge?

Nate doesn't tell her why he's in her garage, and she doesn't tell him what she's running from. Soon, Hanley's trading her late-night escapades for all-night conversations and stolen kisses. But when Nate's recognized as the missing teen from the news, Hanley isn't sure which is worse: that she's harboring a fugitive, or that she's in love with one.

My Thoughts:

"I think sometimes it's easier to pretend to be okay than it is to admit weakness"

Hanley Helton has been escaping her pain through the regular parties she goes to to get drunk. She shuts herself off emotionally from everyone around her. If you don't allow yourself to feel, you can't hurt. She keeps her family at arms length and rebels against her parents rules. Her relationship with her best friend is only superficial, no more that gossiping about who's hooking up with who and where the next party is at. Hanley's escape route to these parties is through the garage. One night while sneaking out she discovers someone has been camping out in that very garage. That someone, is runaway Nate.

"It's perfect. You're beautiful."

My cheeks warm. I'm far from perfect and too messed up to be beautiful. But Nate makes me feel like that doesn't matter.

I really connected with these characters. Despite Hanley's tough exterior, she is a softie at heart. Nate was just one big ball of perfect. And it was him that I was most intrigued with throughout the whole story. Both dealing with pain, loss, grief, guilt and loneliness. I loved the relationship between the two of them. It had the most perfect tempo to it. It was sweet, but it was also caring and deep. They didn't instantly fall in love, but they slowly found something in each other that they each needed. They comforted, they questioned, they supported and they loved. 

Erin Fletcher eluded to the reasons for Nate being a runaway throughout the book, and it's not until fairly late in the story that we find out those reasons. We had gotten glimpses of Nate's pain at different stages, but it really pulled me up and made me take a real hard look at the depth of the pain that Nate must have been experiencing. It was also a really original and heartbreaking subject matter. 

Pain guilt and grief. Quite possibly the very hardest things to deal with. Sometimes, so hard that you can't see things from anyone's perspective but your own. If guilt is what you're dealing with, you manage to carry that pain squarely on your own shoulders. But sometimes grief see's you directing that pain at the very people you love the most. Where you'll find me dealt with all of that.

The one drawback for me was that the side story of Rosalinda didn't seem to get resolved enough for me. I would have loved to find out the choices she made and the impact of those choices. She eluded to things but I don't think there were ever any final decisions made.

Where You'll Find Me drew me in from the very first page. It was a quick and at times emotional read. Love find's us when we least expect it, in the oddest of places, but sometime's it's exactly at the right time we need it. 

4/5 Perfect Nate Stars

Copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley.