Book Reviews: If I Stay

Title of Book
Author
Forman, Gayle
Rating
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review

A tragic story, reflecting the struggle of a girl who clings to life. This novel brought many tears to my eyes as I read it. The main character Mia and her family had just been in life threatening car crash; when in the hospital Mia wakes up but outside of her body. She is faced with a heartbreaking
decision: to stay and live, or to die and leave. Mia while in this conscious drift apart from her physical body re-lives all the life changing moments of her past and witnesses all of her relatives and friends as they come to the hospital to potentially say goodbye. Mia is then faced with the decision of whether she should stay. Sadness, memories, romance, heartbreak, the novel If I Stay has it all.
Reviewer Grade: 12

Reviewer's Name
Madison S

Book Review: Nine Perfect Strangers

Title of Book
Author
Moriarty, Liane
Rating
4 stars = Really Good
Review

** spoiler alert ** Well that's what I get for not reading the summary before reading this book. I really expected it to be more like 'Big Little Lies' but instead it took a turn for the disturbing. Nine people sign up for a ten day program at a health resort. Looking to improve their lives, their experiences take a turn for the worse as it's revealed that the director of the resort is a madwoman. A very good page-turner. I think I missed the very end, as my eBook expired, which is a bummer.

Reviewer's Name
vfranklyn

Book Review: Spirit of the Season

Title of Book
Author
Michaels, Fern
Rating
2 stars = Meh
Review

I haven't read Fern Michaels in several years, but since this is a "holiday" book, I thought I'd check it out. The main character lives in Denver. Colorado but the story takes place in South Carolina. Obviously, the editor didn't even bother to correct the cover illustration - a snowy Christmas scene. So many descriptions within the story were repeated. I couldn't finish the book. I wonder if the editor even reviewed the material.

Fern Michaels? Slam dunk. Not.

Reviewer's Name
Vickie S.

Book Review: Pride

Title of Book
Author
Zoboi, Ibi Aanu
Rating
4 stars = Really Good
Review

A modern take on Jane Austen's "Pride and Predjudice", "Pride" focuses on Brooklyn proud Zuri who writes poetry and hates seeing her neighborhood change. Zuri deals with the introduction of a rich new family to her block and the subsequent gentrification of her neighborhood. With themes of romance, reluctance, and pessimism, "Pride" makes for an interesting exploration of modern romance. Along with that, there is an interesting insight on the idea of what a neighborhood is: people you know, places where you know what to expect, and the true feeling of home. "Pride" is a great read for those who want a romance but also relate to the struggles of high school and family as a teenager.

Reviewer's Name
Maddie K

Book Review: Nowhere But Here

Title of Book
Author
McGarry, Katie
Rating
4 stars = Really Good
Review

Seventeen year old Emily lives a life full of curiosity. Curiosity of her biological father and his whereabouts. Curiosity of her father's motorcycle club, the Reign of Terror. Her curiosity overcomes her and she agrees to an extended summer vacation to visit her father and her relatives she has never met before. While with her father she becomes intrigued with her fathers motorcycle club, and the young and gorgeous boy OZ whose apart of it. They lead a forbidden romance filled with adventure and love, but when a rival club comes to town will it destroy their future plans, or is their love strong enough to overcome challenges? I adored this book, its twist and turns kept me glued to the page and urged me to read the sequels. The danger mixed with the romance was a brilliant way to keep readers interested.
Reviewer Grade: 12

Reviewer's Name
Madison S

Book Review: Halfway Perfect

Title of Book
Author
Cross, Julie
Rating
4 stars = Really Good
Review

A novel about a romance between a photographer and a model takes an interesting and intriguing take on unique love stories. Eve is a photographer with a troubled past, when she meets the gorgeous up and coming model Alex a romance blossoms. With both of their careers on the line, and Eve’s past catching up to her will their love survive to modeling industry? This novel was nothing like other romance novels and kept me wondering what was going to happen with every page turn. I especially loved the change in cliche where instead of the girl being the model, the man was the model.
Reviewer Grade: 12

Reviewer's Name
Madison S

Book Review: Me Before You

Title of Book
Author
Moyes, Jojo
Rating
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review

his novel brought every single emotion to mind while reading. Whether it was joy, love, anger or sadness; this novel made me feel many things. This romantic novel brings you through the road of love and romance as well as heartbreak and tragedy. Louisa Clark is a young woman leading an extremely mundane life, that is until she finds a job as the caretaker for the wheelchair bound Will Traynor. Through the adventure of love and romance, Louisa learns from Will that life is too short to waste and that she deserves more from life. This novel is absolutely riveting but also teaches a lesson on the importance of living your life to the fullest.
Reviewer Grade: 12

Reviewer's Name
Madison S

Book Review: My Life Next Door

Title of Book
Author
Fitzpatrick, Huntley
Rating
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review

A beautiful romance, and a classic boy next door love story. A young girl, Samantha Reed lives in a home in which messiness is avoided at all cost.
Samantha can’t help but look at the alluring chaos across the fence at her neighbors, the Garretts. She becomes swept up in a whirlwind romance with the extremely handsome Jace Garrett. This novel was extremely riveting and cute, it wasn’t predictable like most romance novels and always kept me reading and wanting more.
Reviewer Grade: 12

Reviewer's Name
Madison S

Book Review: Tales of Falling and Flying

Author
Loory, Ben
Rating
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review

This book is a compilation of short stories, which are filled with humorous tales and great short stories. I personally really liked this book because of how every story was a perfect duration. I often find it hard to commit to a book for more than a week, with this book, I was constantly entertained by the fun theme of all the stories. If you're looking for a great compilation of bed time stories, or just don't have the time to commit to a long chapter book, this book is perfect for you. If you are looking for one great story to start the adventure, my favorite was The Squid Who Fell in Love With The Sun.

Reviewer Grade: 8

Reviewer's Name
Kyle Y

Book Review: Big Little Lies

Title of Book
Author
Moriarty, Liane
Rating
4 stars = Really Good
Review

When a bullying issue arises in Kindergarten, several mothers duke it out on the elementary schoolyard. As we glimpse into the world of the three main mothers we see heart-wrenching elements unfold.

I didn't expect to get much out of this book. In fact, I thought it would be snarky and contrived. After all, the title smacks of drama. But I enjoyed it thoroughly, drama and all. I hadn't read the summary and didn't have any idea as to what would happen next. It was fun and powerful at the same time.

Reviewer's Name
vfranklyn
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