Roomies

roomies

Author: Sara Zarr
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Genre: Young Adult
Source:  Purchased

Goodreads:  It’s time to meet your new roomie.

When East Coast native Elizabeth receives her freshman-year roommate assignment, she shoots off an e-mail to coordinate the basics: television, microwave, mini-fridge. That first note to San Franciscan Lauren sparks a series of e-mails that alters the landscape of each girl’s summer — and raises questions about how two girls who are so different will ever share a dorm room.

As the countdown to college begins, life at home becomes increasingly complex. With family relationships and childhood friendships strained by change, it suddenly seems that the only people Elizabeth and Lauren can rely on are the complicated new boys in their lives . . . and each other. Even though they’ve never met.

National Book Award finalist Sara Zarr and acclaimed author Tara Altebrando join forces for a novel about growing up, leaving home, and getting that one fateful e-mail that assigns your college roommate.

Ope’s Opinion:  This is a realistic look at two girls getting ready to leave home and go off to college.  The story went through all the emotions from the students, parents, and friends perspective.  This won’t be everyones experience, but I think it is a good representation of many students. 

I would recommend this book to a junior or senior in high school who may be concerned about what it will be like to leave for college.

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Winter Storm

winter

Author: Elin Hilderbrand
Publisher: Little, Brown, and Company
Genre: Holiday Fiction
Source:  Purchased

Goodread:  Gather under the mistletoe for one last round of caroling with the Quinn family in this heartwarming conclusion to Elin Hilderbrand’s bestselling Winter Street Trilogy.

Some of the stormy weather of the past few seasons seems to have finally lifted for the Quinns. After a year apart, and an ill-fated affair with the Winter Street Inn’s old Santa Claus, Mitzi has returned to rule the roost; Patrick is about to be released from prison; Kevin has a successful new business and is finally ready to tie the knot with Isabelle; and best of all, there’s hopeful news about Bart, who has been captured by enemy forces in Afghanistan.

That doesn’t mean there aren’t a few dark clouds on the horizon. Kelley has recently survived a health scare; Jennifer can’t quite shake her addiction to the drugs she used as a crutch while Patrick was in jail; and Ava still can’t decide between the two lovers that she’s been juggling with limited success. However, if there’s one holiday that brings the Quinn family together to give thanks for the good times, it’s Christmas. And this year promises to be a celebration unlike any other as the Quinns prepare to host Kevin and Isabelle’s wedding at the inn. But as the special day approaches, a historic once-in-a-century blizzard bears down on Nantucket, threatening to keep the Quinns away from the place–and the people–they love most. Before the snow clears, the Quinns will have to survive enough upheavals to send anyone running for the spiked eggnog, in this touching novel that proves that when the holidays roll around, you can always go home again.

Ope’s Opinion:  This is the third and last in the series.  I liked how all the characters were in this last book.  As you read, you are reminded where we left everyone from the last book, which is good because it has been a year since I read about these characters.

The ending was very satisfying.  Everyone’s story was complete.

If you get a chance, reading all three in  a row would be a fun holiday read.

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Change of Heart

heart

Author:  Courtney Walsh
Publisher: Tyndale
Genre: Christian Fiction
Source:  BEA 2016

Goodreads:  A Colorado senator’s wife, Evelyn Brandt seems to have it all. But her carefully constructed life comes toppling down when the FBI crashes her society brunch with news that her husband has been arrested for embezzlement, and he’s far from repentant. It turns out this was only the start of his indiscretions―for which he has little regret.

As the weeks following the scandal turn into months, Evelyn withdraws, even shirking her duties with the philanthropic Valentine Volunteers. The inquisitive women of the group are determined not to let Evelyn’s divorce destroy her. They have big plans for her to use her long-forgotten artistic talent to reimagine the city’s iconic lamppost hearts. But doing so will force Evelyn to work closely with Trevor Whitney, her ex-husband’s former best friend. Though she and Trevor used to be close―and he’s been letting her hide in his guesthouse―his gruffness conveys his unease with the situation.

Amid the beauty of Trevor’s farm and the comfort of a paintbrush, Evelyn starts to reclaim the dreams she sacrificed to become the perfect politician’s wife. And as creativity inspires them both, Whit begins to see the girl he fell in love with before his friend―and his own mistakes―stole his chance. Possibilities for a new beginning emerge, but long-kept secrets threaten to ruin everything. After so much time, is a change of heart too much to hope for?

Ope’s Opinion: If you have a church this book should be in it.  This is book two of the series.  I did not realize that when I started and you can’t tell when you are reading it.  I do think the church library should have both books – the other one is titled: Paper Hearts.

This book was not preachy at all. It was actually a really good book to give to someone you want to introduce to God.  He ( God ) was important in each of their lives, but they all made mistakes and were not perfect at all.  It was easy to relate to, no matter your situation.

I will be on the look for more books by Courtney Walsh.

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Behind Closed Doors

doors

Author: B.A. Paris
Publisher: Martin’s Press
Genre: Mystery
Source: BEA 2016

Goodreads: Everyone knows a couple like Jack and Grace: he has looks and wealth, she has charm and elegance. You’d like to get to know Grace better. But it’s difficult, because you realize Jack and Grace are never apart. Some might call this true love.

Picture this: a dinner party at their perfect home, the conversation and wine flowing. They appear to be in their element while entertaining. And Grace’s friends are eager to reciprocate with lunch the following week. Grace wants to go, but knows she never will. Her friends call—so why doesn’t Grace ever answer the phone? And how can she cook such elaborate meals but remain so slim?

And why are there bars on one of the bedroom windows?

The perfect marriage? Or the perfect lie?

Ope’s Opinion:  This book was hard to read.  I was interested in the outcome, but getting there was painful.  Just not my kind of story.  I am sure there are some readers that will find this story appealing. 

I felt like the main female character  ( Grace ) started out very weak and naive.  Men like Jack are attracted to women like Grace that they can control. I like books with strong women characters.

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Falling

fallingAuthor: Jane Green
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Source:  Kristin of Kritters Ramblings

Goodreads: 

The New York Times bestselling author of The Beach House, Jemima J, and Summer Secrets presents a novel about the pleasure and meaning of finding a home—and family—where you least expect them…

When Emma Montague left the strict confines of upper-crust British life for New York, she felt sure it would make her happy. Away from her parents and expectations, she felt liberated, throwing herself into Manhattan life replete with a high-paying job, a gorgeous apartment, and a string of successful boyfriends. But the cutthroat world of finance and relentless pursuit of more began to take its toll. This wasn’t the life she wanted either.

On the move again, Emma settles in the picturesque waterfront town of Westport, Connecticut, a world apart from both England and Manhattan. It is here that she begins to confront what it is she really wants from her life. With no job, and knowing only one person in town, she channels her passion for creating beautiful spaces into remaking the dilapidated cottage she rents from Dominic, a local handyman who lives next door with his six-year-old son.

Unlike any man Emma has ever known, Dominic is confident, grounded, and committed to being present for his son whose mother fled shortly after he was born. They become friends, and slowly much more, as Emma finds herself feeling at home in a way she never has before.

But just as they start to imagine a life together as a family, fate intervenes in the most shocking of ways. For the first time, Emma has to stay and fight for what she loves, for the truth she has discovered about herself, or risk losing it all.

In a novel of changing seasons, shifting lives, and selfless love, a story unfolds—of one woman’s far-reaching journey to discover who she is truly meant to be…

Ope’s Opinion:  OH My!!  Read this book!   It is an amazing story.  The characters are deep and wonderful.  They will slowly seep into your heart.  
I have read Jane Green before, but I believe this is a favorite for me.  She really showed me that love can come at any time in your life.  I held my breath a few times and the ending was very satisfying.
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Tiny Pretty Things

tiny

Author: Sona Charaipotra and Dhonielle Clayton
Publisher: HarperTeen

Genre: Young Adult Mystery
Source:  BEA 2016

Goodreads:  Gigi, Bette, and June, three top students at an exclusive Manhattan ballet school, have seen their fair share of drama. Free-spirited new girl Gigi just wants to dance—but the very act might kill her. Privileged New Yorker Bette’s desire to escape the shadow of her ballet star sister brings out a dangerous edge in her. And perfectionist June needs to land a lead role this year or her controlling mother will put an end to her dancing dreams forever. When every dancer is both friend and foe, the girls will sacrifice, manipulate, and backstab to be the best of the best.

Ope’s Opinion:  This is mean girls meets ballerina’s in tutu’s.  All the students at the ballet school are out for the prime position.  Only one of the girls made me have any sympathy.  The rest are backstabbing, self centered, nasty girls that I hope I never meet.

There is a second book to this series.  I would like to know if the girls each got what they deserved, but not enough to read the second book.

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Dumplin’

dump

Author: Julie Murphy
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Genre: Young Adult
Source:  BEA 2015

Goodreads:  Self-proclaimed fat girl Willowdean Dickson (dubbed “Dumplin’” by her former beauty queen mom) has always been at home in her own skin. Her thoughts on having the ultimate bikini body? Put a bikini on your body. With her all-American beauty best friend, Ellen, by her side, things have always worked…until Will takes a job at Harpy’s, the local fast-food joint. There she meets Private School Bo, a hot former jock. Will isn’t surprised to find herself attracted to Bo. But she is surprised when he seems to like her back.

Instead of finding new heights of self-assurance in her relationship with Bo, Will starts to doubt herself. So she sets out to take back her confidence by doing the most horrifying thing she can imagine: entering the Miss Clover City beauty pageant—along with several other unlikely candidates—to show the world that she deserves to be up there as much as any twiggy girl does. Along the way, she’ll shock the hell out of Clover City—and maybe herself most of all.

With starry Texas nights, red candy suckers, Dolly Parton songs, and a wildly unforgettable heroine—Dumplin’ is guaranteed to steal your heart.

Ope’s Opinion:  In my opinion, this book should be mandatory reading for every middle or high school student.  It is a wonderful portrait of how a young lady should look at herself and at others.  It also shows how others see us differently then we see ourselves.

Some of the characters are not likeable – welcome to real life in middle and high school.  It is good to see how all of this handled.

The ending is perfect because it is not perfect.  It is very near to real life.

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The Princess in Black Takes a Vacation

excited about black princess

Author:  Shannon Hale
Illustrator: LeUyen Pham
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Genre: Children’s Book
Source:  BEA 2016

black princessEmma has read The Princess In Black before.
This is the fourth in the series.  She was very excited about this new one.
We will be reading this one again I am sure.
hand

Emma gave it her five finger approval!

reading black princess

Gilt Hollow

gilt

Author: Lorie Langdon
Publisher: Blink
Genre: Mystery / Young Adult
Source:  BEA 2016

Goodreads:  Willow Lamott’s best friend is a murderer, and no one in the small town of Gilt Hollow will let her forget it. For four long years, she’s tried to fade into the background—but none of that matters when Ashton Keller comes striding into school, fresh out of juvie and fueled by revenge. The moment their eyes meet, Willow no longer feels invisible. Drawn to the vulnerability behind Ashton’s mask of rage, she sinks deeper into his sinister world and begins to question whether he’s a villain, a savior, or both.
Ashton thought he wanted vengeance, until Willow reminded him what he’d been missing. Now he longs to clear his name and become the person she sees in him. But the closer they get to uncovering the truth, the darker the secrets become, and Ashton fears his return to Gilt Hollow will destroy everyone he loves, especially the girl he left behind.

Ope’s Opinion: This book was very intense from the very beginning.  Although this is a young adult book, I would say the emphasis was on the mystery.  The main characters are in high school, but the situation was very adult. 

I enjoyed that the ending made sense and the story took you to the person who was responsible for the death of Daniel.  Overall, this was  a very good who done it!

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Only Daughter

only

Author: Anna Snoekstra
Publisher: Mira
Genre: Thriller
Source:  MIRA

Goodreads:  In 2003, sixteen-year-old Rebecca Winter disappeared.

She’d been enjoying her teenage summer break: working at a fast-food restaurant, crushing on an older boy and shoplifting with her best friend. Mysteriously ominous things began to happen—blood in the bed, periods of blackouts, a feeling of being watched—though Bec remained oblivious of what was to come.

Eleven years later she is replaced.

A young woman, desperate after being arrested, claims to be the decade-missing Bec.

Soon the imposter is living Bec’s life. Sleeping in her bed. Hugging her mother and father. Learning her best friends’ names. Playing with her twin brothers.

But Bec’s welcoming family and enthusiastic friends are not quite as they seem. As the imposter dodges the detective investigating her case, she begins to delve into the life of the real Bec Winter—and soon realizes that whoever took Bec is still at large, and that she is in imminent danger.

Ope’s Opinion:  This is definitely a thriller.  It was a very intense read from the very beginning.  If you like psychological thrillers this may be a 5 chair to you.  It had a little bit too much gorey stuff in it for me.  I am more of a “who done it” reader.  The ending was very satisfying, my daughter Kristin at Kritters Ramblings, said that was how I would feel about the ending and she was absolutely right.

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