Neverland by Anna Katmore

Title: Neverland

Series: Adventures in Neverland #1

Author: Anna Katmore

Publisher: Smashwords

Date Published: April 11, 2014

Genre: YA fiction, romance, fantasy, action

Pages: 301 (eBook)

Age Range: 13+ (language and mild sexual content)



Summary

“Any last words?”

“Go to hell, you freaking…filthy…godforsaken…”

Our noses almost touch as he dips his head and brushes a strand of my hair behind my ear. “Angel, the word you’re looking for is pirate.”

Why is there a boy who doesn’t want to grow up?
How can an apple start the sweetest romance in fairytale history?
And what does a ruthless pirate have to do with it all?

Angelina McFarland loves reading fairytales. But she never dreamed of falling right into one herself. That’s exactly what happens when she slips on her balcony and a flying Peter Pan catches her mid-fall.

Ending up in Neverland where no one seems to age and laws of nature are out of control, Angel has no idea how to get home. Worse, the ruthless Captain Hook captures her and keeps her trapped on his ship, the Jolly Roger, where she gets caught between the lines of a timeless battle. But the more time Angel spends with the captain, the more she sees beneath his ruthless façade.

As Angel desperately tries to find a way to return to her real life, she discovers a train ticket to London in her pocket. It won’t be any help in getting off the island, but as her memory fades away the longer she stays, this is all she has left to remind her of her former life and why she can’t give up trying.

Or is staying in Neverland forever the better choice after all?

Review

I was pretty disappointed with this book. I thought that it would be pretty good if the writing was good. But the writing, plot, and characters were all disappointing.

The writing was bad. Characters were all right--there wasn't much character development. The plot was okay. I was actually kind of disappointed with this book because it could have gone in a different direction and turned out really good. I thought Hook had more character development than anyone else, including the main character, Angel. How the story started was weird and quick as well.

I only really liked reading from Hook's/Jame's P.O.V., otherwise it was bland. Angel didn't have much of a personality at all, so I didn't feel her desperation to get home or her "love" for Hook. Maybe if there had been a little more of a background story before Angel fell into Neverland, I would have felt her need to get home to her sisters.

So...Yeah...I don't have much else to say about this book :-/ Sorry for the short review.

Top-5 Book Covers

   Here are my Top-5 book covers :)

   Frankly, I judge books by their covers. I know, it's something that we are constantly told not to do- but some of the best books that I have read have the most gorgeous covers. So without further ado, here is my list of top five book covers. Here are the guidelines for my list: 1) if a whole series has beautiful covers, I have to pick my favorite cover to represent that series. 2) The covers have to be from YA books (obviously). 3) These are just my favorites. 4) My favorite coves are not necessarily my favorite books. 5) The list starts from one (my favorite) and goes to five (my least favorite).

Cover #1: Rebel Belle by RachelHawkins. Let's just start with obvious: This cover is so pretty and pink! The pastel shade of pink looks so sassy on my black bookshelves and it makes me so happy! :) The necklace and knife pretty much envelope what the book is all about- it's simplistic, cute, and actually really pretty in a girly way.

Cover #2: To All The Boys I've LovedBefore by Jenny Han. Now, yes, I do wonder why there is a disco ball on the plant in the corner, but, ignoring that, this cover is fun. It looks a lot like a generic teenager girl's room, and the font is actually really pretty. A lot like Rebel Belle, the cover envelopes the gist of this book. The girl on the cover is gorgeous (!!!) and she looks a lot like I envisioned Lara Jean looking as she wrote her love letters.

Cover #3: The Madman's DaughterSeries by Megan Shepherd. I have to pick just one cover so my favorite one is: Her Dark Curiosity. This cover is dark and brooding, a lot like the book. The really simple shot of the girl in the dress is exquisite because: 1) I want that dress right now and 2) I want that girl's hair right now. Over-all, it's just a pretty cover and it was the wallpaper on my phone for the longest time.

Cover #4: Ruby Red Series by KerstinGier. My favorite one of these covers is Sapphire Blue. All of these covers were absolutely breath-taking and Sapphire Blue was like the icing on the cake. The cover is the most gorgeous shade of blue, and the picture on it is so pretty and old-fashioned. This one sort of leaves a lot lacking in summing up the book. Like, the other covers sum up the over-all theme of the book, but Sapphire Blue is lacking in this department somewhat. Both the hardcover and paperback versions of these books are lovely.

Cover #5: Cinder Series by Marissa Meyer. My favorite of this series is Cress. This cover is really pretty and it sums up the over-all gist of the book, however, it's only a half-picture and that annoys me sometimes. Anyway, the hair and girl on this book, automatically told me who this book was about- which I loved- without giving anything else away.

Tell me what you thought about my list, and tell me what your favorite book covers are in the comments :)

Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover

Title: Ugly Love

Author: Colleen Hoover

Publisher: Atria Books

Date Published: August 5, 2014

Genre: NA fiction, adult, romance, contemporary, realistic fiction

Pages: 336 (paperback)

Age Range: 18+ (sexual content, language, drinking)






Summary

When Tate Collins meets airline pilot Miles Archer, she doesn't think it's love at first sight. They wouldn’t even go so far as to consider themselves friends. The only thing Tate and Miles have in common is an undeniable mutual attraction. Once their desires are out in the open, they realize they have the perfect set-up. He doesn’t want love, she doesn’t have time for love, so that just leaves the sex. Their arrangement could be surprisingly seamless, as long as Tate can stick to the only two rules Miles has for her.

Never ask about the past.

Don’t expect a future.

They think they can handle it, but realize almost immediately they can’t handle it at all.

Hearts get infiltrated.
Promises get broken.
Rules get shattered.
Love gets ugly.

 Review

So, I decided to buy a few Colleen Hoover books and give em a chance. I bought 3 of her books off of recommendations without even reading their summaries, deciding to see what everyone is talking about. I'm sorry to say that I really don't see what all the fuss is about with her books. I guess I get it from the point that it's pretty much all about sex, but I've read better books with the same amount of sexual content.

The writing wasn't all that great, the characters didn't seem to have much of a personality to me. I mean, yes, a bunch of tragic stuff happened to Miles. I felt his pain. Every emotion he had really when it read from his perspective.

I didn't really feel Tate's emotions though, which was unfortunate, considering that most of the book was in her perspective. She was a bland character that fell for a guy too hard, too fast. And when she didn't even know him! She didn't know anything about Miles but she fell for him anyway! She basically got wrapped up in a sexual relationship with this guy, knew nothing about him and somehow ended up falling in love with him. I was severely disappointed with this female character.

I liked Miles back story. I liked how the chapters jumped from Miles past to Tate's perspective on the present. I really liked how emotional Miles was; it was just raw. I could feel everything he was feeling. It was so sad. Why he fell in love with a girl that has such a bland personality, I don't know.

I was disappointed with this whole book in general really. I was kind of disappointed with Hopeless too. So far, Colleen Hoover's books haven't impressed me. Hopeless I let slide because it was on a subject that should be written about more often but this book.....I can't let it slide.

Perfect You by Elizabeth Scott

Title: Perfect You

Author: Elizabeth Scott

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Date Published: March 25, 2008

Genre: YA fiction, romance, contemporary, realistic fiction

Pages: 304 (paperback)

Age Range: 14+ (mention of sex, and a lot, of kissing...like a lot)





Summary

Kate Brown's life has gone downhill fast. Her father has quit his job to sell vitamins at the mall, and Kate is forced to work with him. Her best friend has become popular, and now she acts like Kate's invisible.

And then there's Will. Gorgeous, unattainable Will, whom Kate acts like she can't stand even though she can't stop thinking about him. When Will starts acting interested, Kate hates herself for wanting him when she's sure she's just his latest conquest.

Kate figures that the only way things will ever stop hurting so much is if she keeps to herself and stops caring about anyone or anything. What she doesn't realize is that while life may not always be perfect, good things can happen—but only if she lets them....

 Review

This was my second contemporary--my first being To All The Boys I've Loved Before. Since this was my second contemporary, I had pretty high expectations, especially since Jenny Han's books are utter perfection. But this book really let me down. The premise was actually pretty funny--I mean, it's ironic that vitamins would ruin this girl's life--but it was executed poorly.

First, reading from Kate's point-of-view got really annoying, really quickly. Half the book was her whining, a quarter of it was being confused about Will, and the other quarter was her just sneaking around to make out with Will behind the mall. I would've liked reading from Will's point-of-view much more.

Kate was whiny, like I mentioned before, but she also seemed to have zero substance--she was like a skeleton--she was there, but just barely. She didn't even know if she liked Will but she kept sneaking around to make out with him, she was so STUPID when Will kept asking her out and she'd turn him down, and she was just so shallow. Even the bit about Anna, which I had hoped would more meat onto her bones, did absolutely zilch. I liked Will, he was sarcastic and pretty funny. I would've rather read from his point-of-view since it would be considerably less boring.

The whole bit about Kate's grandmother was far too dragged out. It didn't serve to any purpose and it was just like the author put her in there to "add another level to the story." It was unnecessary and very underdeveloped.

Similarly, the whole problem with Anna was stupid. It was far too drawn out and overly dramatic. Especially since things like that aren't quite like that in real life. 

Overall, the book needed help. Like, some book rehab or something. The only things I liked were Will and Todd, and they didn't even show up much except to make out and antagonize Kate. I think I'm going to stick with Jenny Han, and try some Miranda Kenneally. Let's hope that some other contemporaries end out better than this one did.

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

Title: The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight

Author: Jennifer E. Smith

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Date Published: January 1, 2013

Genre: YA fiction, romance, contemporary

Pages: 272 (paperback)

Age Range: 12+






Summary

Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?

Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan's life. Having missed her flight, she's stuck at JFK airport and late to her father's second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon-to-be stepmother Hadley's never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport's cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he's British, and he's sitting in her row.

A long night on the plane passes in the blink of an eye, and Hadley and Oliver lose track of each other in the airport chaos upon arrival. Can fate intervene to bring them together once more?

Quirks of timing play out in this romantic and cinematic novel about family connections, second chances, and first loves. Set over a twenty-four-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver's story will make you believe that true love finds you when you're least expecting it.

Review

My best friends bought me this book for my birthday so naturally, I started reading it right away. I'm sad to say that it was a book I could put down and walk away from without thinking about it until I picked it up again. It wasn't bad but I'm a very picky bookworm. Especially with contemporary novels, because there are a lot of bad (or not great) contemporary books out there. I've picked up some bad ones, and some really good ones. I would say this book is in between, like straight down the middle.

Here's why.

The ending was cute and sweet. I feel like the connection between Hadley and Oliver could've been a little less dramatic. I would've liked to have seen these two become friends, then, after a little while, have their relationship grow. I don't understand why Hadley did some of the things she did, like go to Oliver's church to sort of "spy on him," or "see why he was there" if you'd like.

Hadley was too devastated over the whole situation with Oliver when she only knew him for less than 12 hours. It seemed a little over the top to me, even though Hadley admitted this herself. She was just too into him from the start. But, yes, maybe that was the point since the title does include "Love at First Sight."

I think the whole subject about fate was great because it is accurate; I feel like a good bit of life is about timing and being at the right place at the right time, but maybe that's just me. What if Hadley had made it to her plane on time? She never would've met Oliver, had a connection with him and talked to him, leading to her realizing that she needs to appreciate her father because he won't be around forever. If she'd made it to her flight on time, she probably would have gone to her father's wedding and done exactly what she intended. Then left without any closure; in the end, leaving angry.

 The writing was good, the characters were nice--though they could have used a little more flare to their personalities.

Also, I found it really funny that Hadley has been to every state in the U.S. but on (North Dakota). Because I've been to every state but one as well (Alaska).

Chasing Brooklyn by Lisa Schroeder

Title: Chasing Brooklyn

Author: Lisa Schroeder

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Date Published: April 19, 2011

Genre: YA fiction, romance, fantasy, paranormal, realistic fiction

Pages: 432 (paperback)

Age Range: 14+






Summary

Restless souls and empty hearts

Brooklyn can't sleep. Her boyfriend, Lucca, died only a year ago, and now her friend Gabe has just died of an overdose. Every time she closes her eyes, Gabe's ghost is there waiting for her. She has no idea what he wants or why it isn't Lucca visiting her dreams.

Nico can't stop. He's always running, trying to escape the pain of losing his brother, Lucca. But when Lucca's ghost begins leaving messages, telling Nico to help Brooklyn, emotions come crashing to the surface.

As the nightmares escalate and the messages become relentless, Nico reaches out to Brooklyn. But neither of them can admit that they're being haunted. Until they learn to let each other in, not one soul will be able to rest.

 Review

 First off, this book was written in verse. This was the first book that I have read that has been written in verse. It was a new experience, but I'm glad I tried it out because it was really good. The verses were beautiful. I've read quite a few books, but this book was unexpectedly lyrical and flowy.

The story itself was sort of cliche. Boyfriend dies, girls goes into grief, does something to commemorate dead guy with help of come hottie. However, the way his book went down, it did not feel cliche. I didn't really expect Brooklyn and Nico to end up daring even though I wanted it to end that way.

The ghosts and their elements in this book kind of appeared out of the blue, which was a little weird. At the end of the book, I was still wondering why the heck they appeared in the first place.

Brooklyn was an amazing character--even in the face of romance, she stepped away to asses her new feelings, which I really liked. Nico...Where do I start? I felt terrible for him losing his brother and all, but he quickly established himself as more than a hot guy trying to get Brooklyn's attention. He became a true friend for her through the story, and eventually, a worthy boyfriend.

All in all, Chasing Brooklyn was a sweet book. It starts out pretty sad, but it ends on a really high, hopeful note that leaves you feeling ridiculously happy. I was incredibly happy with Lisa Schroeder and I think it's high time to check out her other books.