Beastly by Alex Flinn

“A beast. Not quite wolf or bear, gorilla or dog but a horrible new creature who walks upright—a creature with fangs and claws and hair springing from every pore. I am a monster. You think I'm talking fairy tales? No way. The place is New York City. The time is now. It's no deformity, no disease. And I'll stay this way forever—ruined—unless I can break the spell. Yes, the spell, the one the witch in my English class cast on me. Why did she turn me into a beast who hides by day and prowls by night? I'll tell you. I'll tell you how I used to be Kyle Kingsbury, the guy you wished you were, with money, perfect looks, and the perfect life. And then, I'll tell you how I became perfectly . . . beastly.” –GoodReads

This is a modern-day retelling of Beauty and the Beast which takes place in New York City. The story is told from the perspective of Kyle aka Beast. B&B is one of my favorite fairy tales and this modern twist was a delight to read. At the beginning Kyle is a normal teenage boy, okay maybe more like perfect (at least in his own mind). He is super hot, popular, rich, and of course dating the hottest girl in school. He has just been made Prom King and feels on top of the world. That world is soon turned upside down when a fellow class mate (real life witch) places a curse on him turning him into a beast, until he can find true love. A year later enter our Beauty…Linda, turns out Linda was once a classmate of Kyle’s, though he never gave her the time of day before. She comes to live with Kyle and friendship blooms (pun-intended). They both have a love of learning and of roses, and slowly they build a real relationship of trust, respect, and love. And I have to add, I have a bit of “library-lust” when Finn describes the library that Kyle builds for Linda!

I loved this book! It was such an entertaining read and may be one of my favorite retellings! Flinn creates new characters in a familiar story. Smart writing, moves along quickly and I LOVED the IM chats throughout the book with other fairytale characters, so creative. I’m excited to hear a movie is being made; I can’t wait to see it. If you haven’t yet, read this book!

A Crooked Kind of Perfect by Linda Urban

"Ten-year-old Zoe Elias dreams of playing a baby grand piano at Carnegie Hall. But when Dad ventures to the music store and ends up with a wheezy organ instead of a piano, Zoe's dreams hit a sour note. Learning the organ versions of old TV theme songs just isn't the same as mastering Beethoven on the piano. And the organ isn't the only part of Zoe's life that's off-kilter, what with Mom constantly at work, Dad afraid to leave the house, and that odd boy, Wheeler Diggs, following her home from school every day. Yet when Zoe enters the annual Perform-O-Rama organ competition, she finds that life is full of surprises--and that perfection may be even better when it's just a little off center." -GoodReads

I didn’t know what to expect when I picked this one up. I have heard rave reviews and was excited to see what all the fuss was about. I ended up loving the book just like everyone else. It’s completely original, cute, inspiring, tender, and just a very enjoyable read. Zoe is a cute 10 year-old little girl whose biggest desire is to play the piano. So, she’s a bit disappointed when her dad buys her an eletric organ instead. “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade,” is what kept coming to mind as I read this book. Zoe learns and has a talent for playing the organ and throughout the course of the book you fall in love with the organ as well. I loved Zoe’s parents, each is a bit neurotic, but they show their love for Zoe in their own unique way. And of course little Wheeler, what a doll! I kept thinking how fun it would be if the author wrote a sequel that takes place ten-years later and those two can fall in love and get married! I’m a hopefull romantic. A fantastic story that everyone should read!

Cover Comments: Okay, so when I was a little girl I remember the "cool girl" in school showed up wearing socks just like these! I always wanted a pair but never thought I was cool enough to pull them off, maybe I should track some down and give them a try! Anyway, just a random thought...

Prada and Prejudice by Mandy Hubbard

"To impress the popular girls on a high school trip to London, klutzy Callie buys real Prada heels. But trying them on, she trips…conks her head…and wakes up in the year 1815! There Callie meets Emily, who takes her in, mistaking her for a long-lost friend. As she spends time with Emily’s family, Callie warms to them—particularly to Emily’s cousin Alex, a hottie and a duke, if a tad arrogant. But can Callie save Emily from a dire engagement, and win Alex’s heart, before her time in the past is up?" -GoodReads

For our date night last night my husband and I went to Barnes and Noble (geeks, right?), while we were there I saw this and I’ve heard good things so my husband purchased it for me. Hmm, where to start? I guess I’ll begin with all the things I liked about the book. It was a pretty creative idea, sending a modern-day girl way back to 1815! Callie starts out as a totally clumsy, self-conscience girl with a deep desire to win the approval of her popular classmates. Arriving at Harksbury 1815, she soon takes on the identity of “Rebecca” and old family friend from America. As Rebecca, Callie is able to grow quite a bit and learns to stick up for herself which will hopefully remain if she makes it back to her proper time. Alex was a fun leading-man and I enjoyed the interaction between him and Callie, a.k.a. Rebecca.

Okay, the few things I didn’t like. Callie is suppose to be a pretty smart girl, so you’d think she would realize that customs and standards were obviously different back in 1815. So, it was a bit unbelievable when she would get as upset as she did with Alex for worrying about social order, and the limitations women had during that time. She almost took it as a personal insult, which in that time it really wouldn’t have been. The only other thing that bothered me was more on a personal note, the author uses the Lord’s name in vain A LOT, I hate that in books, and it was rather distracting.

All in all, it was an enjoyable read, fun for a Sunday afternoon.

A Dream to Call My Own by Tracie Peterson

"Lacy Gallatin, the youngest of the Gallatin sisters, is a woman with a mission: to find her father's killer. Haunted by the belief that she's failed him, Lacy is also battling a desire to have something more than just revenge, something she can't quite figure out. Enter Dave Shepard, deputy sheriff for the area. Dave has been fervently trying to find the man who killed George Gallatin, but he always feels inadequate when it comes to the beautiful Lacy. When they are together, the tension crackles between them--both when they argue and when they kiss. Lacy finds him frustratingly irresistible...but is it truly love?" -GoodReads

This was probably my favorite of the Brides of Gallatin trilogy. This book picks up pretty much where the last one left off, following the story of the youngest sister Lacy. Lacy has been my favorite character from the beginning, so it was fun to finally have a book mainly devoted to her story. Although, like the other two books this one was told by many different points-of-view. It’s nice in a way to hear what is going on with everyone, yet it also distracted from Lacy and Dave’s story. In this installment we finally learn a little more about our lovely villain, Rafe. We begin to see how he became so bad, and I felt a lot more compassion for him. This book moved along at a quicker pace and seemed like a lot more was going on. I love the setting of late 1800 Montana, I’ve traveled there a few times and it’s a beautiful part of the country. Everything came together nicely and it was a good conclusion to the trilogy.

Book One: A Promise to Believe in
Book Two: A Love to Last Forever
Book Three: A Dream to Call My Own

A Love to Last Forever by Tracie Peterson

"All Beth Gallatin has really wanted out of life is to settle down in one town, with one man, and raise a family. But with her father's roaming ways, she's always been denied that dream; instead, she found solace in reading romantic books. With her father's passing, she can, for the first time, dare to claim the rugged Montana frontier as her home. Nick Lassiter has loved Beth since she first came to town, but she's always seemed to think of him more as a brother. Just when he finally gets Beth to consider him, however, a challenger threatens the affection growing between them. But neither Nick nor Beth is prepared when they must face the consequences of Nick's complicated past. As a past fraught with unwise choices and guilt invades their world, can Nick and Beth find a love that will last forever?" -GoodReads

This one was just okay for me. The first half just felt a bit too preachy and Gwen and Beth just come across a little too goody-goody for me. Although they are obviously very Christian, they come across too judgmental for me. It felt too much like I was getting a sermon instead of a story. Not to mention all the romance novel talk from Beth, that got old rather quickly. About halfway or maybe a little more, it kind of changed pace and felt more like the first book. I am glad how things worked out for Beth, but the storyline itself was predictable and didn’t really hold a lot of excitement.

Lacy, the youngest Gallatin sister, has always been my favorite. She seems the most normal, down-to-earth character, full of sass and I love the encounters she has with Dave. They have the most chemistry out of all the characters. I’m excited to read her story in “A Dream to Call My Own,” and hope that Peterson keeps Lacy true to character and lightens up on the preaching aspect. You can tell a clean, motivating story without all the preachy stuff, just my opinion

Book One: A Promise to Believe in

Book Two: A Love to Last Forever

Book Three: A Dream to Call My Own

The Struggle by L.J. Smith

"Damon: Determined to make Elena his queen of darkness, he'd kill his own brother to possess her. Stefan: Desperate for the power to destroy Damon, he succumbs to his thirst for human blood. Elena: Irresistibly drawn to both brothers, her choice will decide their fate. The terrifying story of two vampire brothers and the beautiful girl torn between them." -GoodReads

This book literally picks up right where book one leaves us. In this installment we get to see a lot more of Damon. I know Damon is evil and everything, but there is just something very alluring about him. I’m still rooting for Stefan of course, but Damon started to entice me with his bad-boy self! Maybe his “power” is able to captivate the reader as well as the intended characters? I enjoyed this story a little more than the first book. Elena is a lot more approachable now and her character is really growing on me. I was frustrated that she was keeping so much from Stefan, but I can understand why she was doing it. Stefan wasn’t around as much in this one, but when he and Elena were together I felt better chemistry from them then in the first book. He also seems more in love with Elena now, as opposed to just loving the memory of Katherine, which was good to see.

I was very frustrated with the ending, if you could call it that. It ends right at a total climax with absolutely no closure! I suppose the first book did as well, but I already had the second book on hand so it didn’t bother me as much. The only other thing that is disturbing is all the blood-swapping that goes on in this one, pretty disturbing! I guess since we’re dealing with vampires it’s going to be expected.

Book One: The Awakening

Book Two: The Struggle

Book Three: The Fury

Book Four: Dark Reunion

Book Five: Nightfall

Book Six: Shadow Souls

Book Seven: Midnight

The Awakening by L.J. Smith

"Elena: Searching for the ultimate thrill, she vowed to have Stefan. Stefan: Haunted by his tragic past, he struggled to resist her passion. Damon: Driven by revenge, he hunted the brother who betrayed him. The terrifying story of two vampire brothers and the beautiful girl torn between them."
-Good Reads

Oh dear! What was I thinking reading another vampire series? I just want to say that this book was published in 1991, long before Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series. There are quite a few similarities; it’s odd that Meyer’s hadn’t read these books before. Just wanted to get that out of the way before I got to my review.

Elena is starting her senior year in high school. She lost her parents in an accident a few years before and hasn’t quite been the same since. She is gorgeous, popular, and use to getting whatever she wants. So, when the new guy in school, Stefan, totally snubs her multiple times, she makes it her life mission to win his heart. Stefan on the other hand has just moved to Fells Church, VA for a little peace and quiet as he tries to outrun the memories of his long-lost love, Katherine. Besides his memories of Katherine, are his equally painful memories of his elder brother Damon who tried to woo Katherine away and it now appears he has set his sights on Elena.

Elena and Stefan have okay chemistry for me. It kind of felt like Katherine was this annoying third-wheel. From his memories, I couldn’t really gather what was so great about her, besides her looks. She knew how Damon and Stefan felt about one another and made matters worse by choosing to be selfish.

Elena comes across as a snob at first, she gets a little better as the book moves on, but still I’m wondering what they like in each other besides looks. There wasn’t as much relationship development between them before they confess their love for each other to really feel legitimate. At this point it just feels like Elena has a really deep attraction, and for Stefan a remembrance of Katherine (again, the awkward third-wheel), and nothing really substantial…yet.

Having said that it was still a very captivating read, I finished it in one sitting and am eager to get my hands on the rest of the series. I hate to say it since it’s really not the same, but if you like Twilight then you will enjoy this darker variation.

Book One: The Awakening
Book Two: The Struggle
Book Three: The Fury
Book Four: Dark Reunion
Book Five: Nightfall
Book Six: Shadow Souls
Sook Seven: Midnight

Below is what actually made me notice and want to read these books. The CW is starting a new show this fall based on this series. The preview looks amazing (although in the book Elena has blonde hair, I like it better dark.).

A Promise to Believe In by Tracie Peterson

"After years spent following their father and his wanderlust, the three Gallatin sisters begin to fashion a life for themselves in the Montana wilds, operating a roadhouse at the crossroads of two stage lines. When their father is accidently killed, however, the oldest sister, Gwen, reasons that she's cursed. Death seems to haunt her every step. As the sisters work to maintain the roadhouse, an unexpected visitor arrives, sending Gwen into turmoil. Is he whom he claims to be? And can she dare to hope that love might again be hers?" -GoodReads

The story begins with the tragic death of Gwen, Beth and Lacy’s father. Each sister handles the passing in her own way but for Lacy she is set on vengeance. A great deal of the story focused on Lacy and her need for uncovering what really happened. I had a few suspicions but ended up being kind of disappointed with the whole thing. I understand the need to forgive, but for story purposes it would be been more interesting if it had been handled a bit differently. The relationship with Gwen and Hank was fun to watch unfold. Hank starts off as a pompous and mean. By the end he has grown a lot and become a much better person.

Throughout the story we were continually being switched around from multiple points of view. I can usually handle this when its each chapter, but when it sometimes switches 3 or so times in one chapter it can be a bit distracting. After awhile I got use to it and it and it didn’t bother me as much, but I would have preferred it if Peterson had just focused on Hank and Gwen, since this was their story in the first place.

Although in parts it moved a little slow or felt a little too drawn-out, I still became attached to the sisters and am curious to find out what happens with them in the other books in the trilogy.

Book One: A Promise to Believe in
Book Two: A Love to Last Forever
Book Three: A Dream to Call My Own (June 2009)

The Loser's Guide to Life and Love by A. E. Cannon

“Ordinary, boring Ed works a loser summer job at Reel Life Movies, where he doesn't even have his own name tag. He's stuck with "Sergio." Ed's only consolations are his two best friends. Shelving DVDs isn't so mind-numbingly dull with Scout cracking jokes, and after hours Ed hangs out with the super brain, Quark. Life starts to look up when the girl of his dreams saunters into Reel Life. Ed knows he doesn't stand a chance . . . but maybe, just maybe Sergio does. All he has to do is pretend to be a smoldering Brazilian stud for the rest of his life. Simple, right? But . . . Ed's new dream girl has her own secrets, Scout wants to be more than Ed's best friend, and his buddy Quark wants Scout for himself.” –GoodReads

What a fun, original story. This is a re-imagining of Shakespeare’s Midsummer’s Nights Dream. It follows the story of our four main characters: Ed (Sergio), Scout, Quark and Ellie as they fall in and out of love and test their friendships along the way. It was enjoyable reading from each perspective and just how they actually view on another. It moves along at an entertaining pace and keeps you wanting more. I was entertaining seeing the different relationships evolve and I was wondering and hoping certain people would end up together. Again, a very fun read and I think everyone would enjoy this cute story.

Side note…it takes place in Salt Lake City, where I was born and raised, so it was fun to hear references to many places that I’ve been and even my favorite restaurant Rodizio’s which added a nice familiar element to the story.

Rekindled by Tamera Alexander

"When her husband disappears into a mountain snowstorm one morning, Kathryn Jennings is flung into the world of ranching, banking, and business. Penniless and pregnant, Kathryn is determined to keep her land as a legacy for her child. The man who offers her a job seems to have an awful lot of secrets, but she is desperate. Most disconcerting of all is the uncanny familiarity she feels toward the badly scarred ranch hand who works in the dark shadows of the horse stables." -BookReads

I’m not sure if I can really give this one a fair review. I enjoyed the overall story, but I did skim or skip over a lot of the book. I think the book was just too long and boring. The book was written by a Christian author, so overall it was pretty clean. However, these type books just take on such a serious note, and it’s like the authors try and throw in all the horrible things that can go on in the world just to eventually prove the point of God’s love and forgiveness. In a lot of ways it reminded me of the book Redeeming Love. I did like this one a bit more it wasn’t as descriptive or depressing.

It’s a nice love story and I enjoyed the times when Kathryn and Larson are actually together. Overall it was an okay read; some may really enjoy the nice slow pace. This is the first in a trilogy, not sure if I will read the others.

Enthusiasm by Polly Shulman

"Julie's best friend, Ashleigh, is an enthusiast. Julie never knows what new obsession will catch Ashleigh's fancy, but she does know she's likely to be drawn into the madness. Ashleigh's latest craze is Julie's own passion, Pride and Prejudice. But Ashleigh can't just appreciate it as a great read; she insists on emulating the novel's heroines, in speech, dress, and the most important element of all—finding True Love. And so Julie finds herself with Ashleigh, dressed in vintage frocks, sneaking into a dance at the local all-boys prep school, where they discover some likely candidates. The problem with Ashleigh's craze this time, however, is that there is only one Mr. Darcy. So when the girls get a part in the boys' school musical, what follows is naturally equal parts comedy and romance, as a series of misinterpreted—and missed—signals, dating mishaps, and awkward incidents make Julie wonder if she has the heart for True Love." -GoodReads

Charming. This was defiantly a pleasant treat! I thought it was a fun story mixed with a lot of Jane Austen references. As the book progressed there was less and less talk of Austen, and although that was such a main part at the beginning it didn’t lessen the enjoyment as it faded into the background.

Julia (Julie) is a fun character, unlucky to have fallen in love with the same guy as her best friend Ashleigh. Ashleigh can be a bit irksome, but also very lovable. It would be fun to have a friend like her, who is so passionate about everything and eager to try new things. She is a loyal friend and a fun character to read about. The men in the book were also very entertaining. Our dear Mr. Darcy aka Charles Grandison Parr or Parr for short was the perfect gentleman. It was easy to see why both Julie and Ashleigh fell for him. It was a nice clean read, that kept me going and I was sad to have it end.

Update (August 18): I've decided to add this to my Everything Austen Challenge. This a great book for teens that mixes Austen with modern-day life. I really enjoyed this story and loved all the Austen references throughout.