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Book Review: Serious Moonlight by Jenn Bennett




Serious Moonlight

Author: Jenn Bennett

Published by: Simon & Schuster on May 16th, 2019

Rating: ★★★★★

Genre: Young Adult // Contemporary Romance

Similar Books I’ve Read: Hello, Goodbye & Everything In Between


Disclosure: I received this book from the Publisher/Author in exchange for an impartial review. This is an unpaid/unsponsored post.



Raised in isolation and home-schooled by her strict grandparents, the only experience Birdie has had of the outside world is through her favourite crime books.
But everything changes when she takes a summer job working the night shift at a historic Seattle hotel. There she meets Daniel Aoki, the hotel’s charismatic driver, and together they stumble upon a real-life mystery: a famous reclusive writer—never before seen in public—is secretly meeting someone at the hotel.
To uncover the writer’s puzzling identity, Birdie must come out of her shell, and in doing so, realize that the most confounding mystery of all may just be her growing feelings for Daniel. 



First Thoughts  


As soon as Jenn Bennett launches a new book, I’m 100% there for it. I’ve been an avid collector and reader of her books only in the last couple years (I know, I’m so far behind) but when I got Serious Moonlight in the mail, I did a little happy dance. The UK Cover (I’ll input it below at the end of the post) is seriously stunning and so is the US one! I’m torn between which one I love the most. 




My Review


I read Serious Moonlight over forty-eight hours, breaking for sleep (well, a little) and had to dive straight back in (if you read this book, you’ll know why.) Birdie, our main character, loves mystery and crime books and is a self-confessed bookworm, so we have pretty much that huge aspect in common. She’s been raised in a sort of isolation because she was home-schooled by her grandparents, and that’s something else that I had in common with Birdie (I was homeschooled from the age of fourteen) so the connection between us was extremely strong and I felt my heart follow her story with eager eyes and fast page-turning.


Her world gets a little busier when she takes a summer job working the night shift at a hotel. That’s where we meet Daniel Aoki, who works at the hotel as a driver (he also happens to be charming and gorgeous, because, of course he is.) There’s that spark between them (Jenn writes these so perfectly and un-instalove) as they start to investigate a mystery together. They start to delve into finding a recluse writer who nobody has ever seen, spending more and more time together – growing closer and spending quality time, letting Birdie come out of her shell – searching for clues when they find out the writer will be meeting someone at the hotel they’re working at. 


Overall, Serious Moonlight has seriously stolen my heart. Not only were the characters so vividly human and complex, but with mental health aspects and diversity rep, character building and a romance that was woven into the plot with ease and healthily positive. Daniel and Birdie seemed so unlike each other at the start, but by the end, you can see just how akin they are to each other, mirrored in their moments at cafés and eating pie and investigating mysteries together. I cannot gush about this read more than this – YA Romance fans (and those who like a mystery thrown in there for good measure) will adore this five-star read with characters that feel like they’re sat right beside you while you’re reading their story. Huge love for Jenn Bennett’s newest read!




 

the UK cover!


Have you read Serious Moonlight?


What are your thoughts?


Let me know in the comments or on twitter @LittleMemoirs!




happy reading!

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Book Review: “The Paper & Hearts Society” by Lucy Powrie



The Paper & Hearts Society

Author: Lucy Powrie

Published by: Hodder Children’s on June 13th, 2019

Rating: ★★★★★

Genre: Young Adult // Contemporary

Similar Books I’ve Read: The Movie Version


Disclosure: I received this book from the Publisher/Author in exchange for an impartial review. This is an unpaid/unsponsored post.



A brand new series from Booktuber Lucy Powrie – about what happens when you give up on trying to fit in and let your weird out! It’s time to join The Paper & Hearts Society … 
Tabby Brown is tired of trying to fit in. She doesn’t want to go to parties – in fact, she would much rather snuggle up on the sofa with her favourite book.
It’s like she hasn’t found her people …
Then Tabby joins a club that promises to celebrate books. What could go wrong? EVERYTHING – especially when making new friends brings out an AWKWARD BUZZING feeling all over her body.
But Olivia, Cassie, Henry and Ed have something that makes Tabby come back. Maybe it’s the Austen-themed fancy-dress parties, or Ed’s fluffy cat Mrs Simpkins, or could it be Henry himself …
Can Tabby let her weird out AND live THE BEST BOOKISH LIFE POSSIBLE?
Perfect for fans of Holly Smale and Super Awkward.


First Thoughts  

Okay, so I’ve basically known Lucy for what seems like years and years through her YA Chat on Twitter and reading her blog as a fellow Blogger. We’ve chatted a few times and I know she’s a super friendly and lovely girl, so when I was following her Writing journey and saw what came of her hard work spent writing, I knew that I had to read it! So when The Paper & Hearts Society arrived on my doorstep, I couldn’t wait until it was on top of my TBR! 




My Review

I started reading The Paper & Hearts Society yesterday morning and finished it in the early evening – yes, you read that right, in one sitting! Once I started, there was no stopping for anything or anyone. I connected with Tabby almost instantly. If you’ve followed my blog, you’ll know that just a couple years ago, my cat (also named Tabby) passed away. So this book felt extra special because I got to see her name on the pages (and with a reference to Tabby cat, I was really touched). 

Tabby Brown is one of those YA Heroines you know you’re going to love. She’s currently staying with her Grandma while her Parents pack up their lives to move down to where her Gran lives. Tabby went ahead, mostly because she wanted to get away from her old life and the friends that had shunned her and are still causing her anxiety and harm through messages and flashbacks. But when she finds a secret invite in a copy of her favourite book in the Library, she’s suddenly meeting the not-yet-named-officially book club. Olivia is the sweetest (and could talk for hours!), Ed is hilarious, Henry is charming and Cassie, well she’s the hardest to crack. At first, Tabby is taken aback by how hostile she is, but over the chapters we learn why and how they actually become just as close throughout the story. Together, the book club are unstoppable. They host evenings at each others houses, parties and finally, a Literary Road Trip (the stuff of dreams), from Shakespeare to Austen, they want to see it all. But the trip isn’t all smooth sailing, and the online bullying that Tabby’s been receiving – that’s now involved her new friends – reaches an all time low. It takes trust, the security of her new friendship and the courage to fight for the newfound love she’s found for her kind of people to get back to the Tabby she’s loving becoming. 

Overall, I just have no words for how breathtakingly spectacular this book is. Not only was there true-to-life anxiety in the characters, realness, demisexual rep and no fluffy-insta-love (actual character development and relationship building!), but there was a driving force of a true love for literature behind every quote, every moment that the love for books was introduced. I fell in love with the characters, with the words, with what’s to come in the series. . .I can’t tell you just how amazing this book is. Every teenager-to-young-adult needs this glorious gem in their lives. Huge five stars to Lucy – you’ve written something so timeless!



You can buy or PreOrder The Paper & Hearts Society on June 13th:

Amazon UK | Book Depository (Worldwide)




Have you had a chance to read it? 



If not, what sparks the most interest in the book for you?



Let me know in the comments or on twitter @LittleMemoirs!



happy reading!

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Blog Tour & Review: Show Stealer by Hayley Barker (Spoiler-Free)

Hello book lovers and welcome to the deadliest show–I mean, tour, today! I’m kicking off the lovely SHOW STEALER by Hayley Barker, the follow-up to SHOW STOPPER, which you know I loved so much. So stay tuned!


Title: Show Stealer 
Author: Hayley Barker
Published: August 2nd, 2018
Publisher: Scholastic
Rating: ★★★★★
Find the Author: Goodreads 

Disclosure: I was sent this ARC by the publisher, reviewing it as an impartial review. This does not sway my opinion of the book. As always, my reviews are fair and unbiased.

Hoshiko and Ben have been on the run since they burned Silvio Sabatini’s circus down to the ground at the explosive finale of SHOW STOPPER. But Ben’s mother will stop at nothing to track him down and get her revenge: backing him into a corner where he is forced to sacrifice himself to save Hoshiko. The deadliest show on earth has been resurrected and if Ben thought he’d seen into its dark corners as an outsider, the true extent of the horrors that lurk beneath the Big Top are about to be revealed as he becomes the circus’ new star attraction…

First Thoughts…

I got an ARC of Show Stopper before it came out and I just knew after reading it that there would be a huge hype because of how insanely amazing it was and I was right! Hayley’s books have gained this incredible following and rightly so. When I was offered the chance to be on her blog tour for Show Stealer, I jumped at the chance! Getting to be a part of this has definitely been a highlight for me, blog wise, this year. 

My Review…

We’re right back into the action in Show Stealer that first engrossed us last year, back into the lives of Hoshiko and Ben. The story picks up a little after the end of the first, in alternating perspectives. They’re on the run – since burning down Silvio’s circus in Show Stopper – and even a year on, dodging the ruthless chase from Ben’s mother and others trying to find them. With a reward on their heads, it’s more dangerous than ever to get close to anyone else for fear of being turned in. But being backed into a corner by his mother, Ben is forced to sacrifice himself to save Hoshiko once and for all.
Thrown into the spotlight as the new star attraction of the circus – risen from the ashes – the deadliest show on earth is far darker on the inside than as an outsider. The deeper that he gets involved and learns more of the show, the more revelations come to light that changes everything they thought they knew about the circus. 
Wow, wow, wow. Just wow. Have you ever been reading a book and you just have to stop and think “this is amazing, please don’t ever end?” Because that’s how I felt when I was reading Show Stealer. There’s something about the way Hayley writes that’s so hypnotic, and I was reeled in by the darkness of the deadliness, turning pages faster and faster. The pacing is so faultless that putting it down at one a.m. wasn’t on my mind, and I kept reading until the sky was as dark as the turns Ben took in the circus. I finished the book in two sittings over two days (if it was up to me I wouldn’t have put it down in between, but you know, life) and I seriously can’t wait to just binge-read the entire series again. 
Overall, Show Stealer has stolen my heart in the best possible way. Hayley is such a talented and unique author and I am so lucky to have been a part of the Show Stopper – Show Stealer journey over the last couple years. There’s hidden messages in the book that entwine with society and perception (which is one of my favourite things) that makes this a definite highlight of YA Fiction this year for me. If you’re looking for just one series to start this year, make it Hayley’s. You won’t regret this stunning five-star read.

Hayley Barker has a BA (hons) degree from Birmingham University and has taught secondary school English for eighteen years. 

She is a huge YA fiction fan and says being published is the most exciting thing that has ever happened to her. 

Hayley was inspired to write her YA because of her fears about the growing wave of crime and animosity against minority groups in England. She lives in Essex with her husband and two young sons.

It’s the last few days to enter this INCREDIBLE giveaway I’m running for SHOW STEALER!

Have you read Show Stealer/Stopper?


What did you love the most about the series?


Let me know in the comments or on twitter @LittleMemoirs!


happy reading!

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Blog Tour: “Because Of The Sun” by Jenny Torres Sanchez 🌞

BECAUSE OF THE SUN BLOG TOUR 


Title: Because Of The Sun

Author: Jenny Torres Sanchez

Published: January 3rd, 2017

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Find the Author: Goodreads 


I received this book for review on my blog! As always, my reviews are fair and unbiased.

From the backyards of suburban Florida to the parched desert of New Mexico, Because of the Sun explores the complexity of family, the saving grace of friendship, and the healing that can begin when the truth is brought to light.
Dani Falls learned to tolerate her existence in suburban Florida with her brash and seemingly unloving mother by embracing the philosophy Why care? It will only hurt. So when her mother is killed in a sudden and violent manner, Dani goes into an even deeper protection mode, total numbness. It’s the only way she can go on.
But when Dani chooses The Stranger by Albert Camus as summer reading for school, it feels like fate. The main character’s alienation after his mother’s death mirrors her own.
Dani’s life is thrown into further turmoil when she is sent to New Mexico to live with an aunt she never knew she had. The awkwardness between them is palpable. To escape, Dani takes long walks in the merciless heat. One day, she meets Paulo, who understands how much Dani is hurting. Although she is hesitant at first, a mutual trust and affection develop between Dani and Paulo, and Dani begins to heal. And as she and her aunt begin to connect, Dani learns about her mother’s past. Forgiving isn’t easy, but maybe it’s the only way to move forward.

First Thoughts 

Because Of The Sun drew me in from the cover. Although I try not to judge a book by it’s cover, it reminded me so much of a dusty sunset with the swirls of rich-meets-pastel colours. The blurb itself seemed just as inviting and I was eager to get started and see if it was just as beautiful on the inside..

Review

I read Because Of The Sun in two sittings, both after midnight (when I should have been sleeping, but fellow insomniatics know it can be very hard) and devoured this incredible story with twists, emotional turmoil and the power of grief. 

Dani has never really had a perfect relationship with her Mother, in fact, Dani’s Mother has acted fairly hostile toward her, moving them from place to place and drowning herself in alcohol and men. But then, out of the blue, Dani’s Mother is killed by a bear in a very unique plot twist. The situation forces Dani to go deep within herself and become a numb version of herself, the qualities of grief definitely showing. She is sent to live with an Aunt that she had never heard of, let alone knew existed, in New Mexico. 

At first, their relationship is strained and awkward. Dani doesn’t know her or how to act around her, or feel inside about this whole situation. After taking long walks in the excruciating heat, she met Paulo. He doesn’t have a major part of the story, but his character was a welcome and fitting part in Dani’s life. He knew how Dani was feeling, even if she didn’t quite yet, and knowing that someone else had been going through the same thing makes her come out of her shell a little more. The more time that she spends with Paulo and her Aunt, the more she can feel a different self coming around to the idea of healing and forgiving. 

Overall, Because Of The Sun is an undeniably vivid and sincere read. Dani’s character development is flawless, because she is flawed, herself. The enormity of the situations she is put in and the steps that she takes toward happiness again is meaningful and realistically on point. Jenny has written such a powerfully eloquent novel that I am so thankful to have read. This is a book that you must have on your bookshelf this year. Five stars completely – the easiest I’ve given. 

Rating

About The Author

JENNY TORRES SANCHEZ is a full-time writer and former English teacher. She was born in Brooklyn, New York, but has lived on the border of two worlds her whole life. She lives in Orlando, Florida, with her husband and children.

Have you read Because Of The Sun?


What did you think?


Let me know in the comments! Check out the rest of this blog tour by tracking #BecauseOfTheSun on twitter!


happy reading!

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Blog tour: EVERYONE WE’VE BEEN by Sarah Everett (+Giveaway!)

Title: Everyone We’ve Been

Author: Sarah Everett

Published: October 4th, 2016

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Find the Author: Goodreads | Twitter


I received this book for review on my blog! As always, my reviews are fair and unbiased.



 Addison Sullivan has been in an accident. In its aftermath, she has memory lapses and starts talking to a boy that no one else can see. It gets so bad that she’s worried she’s going crazy.

Addie takes drastic measures to fill in the blanks and visits a shadowy medical facility that promises to “help with your memory.” But at the clinic, Addie unwittingly discovers it is not her first visit. And when she presses, she finds out that she had certain memories erased. She had a boy erased.

But why? Who was that boy, and what happened that was too devastating to live with? And even if she gets the answers she’s looking for, will she ever be able to feel like a whole person again?

From the premise, Everyone We’ve Been sounds like everything I love in a book. There’s a potential mystery boy, the element of an underlying mystery that has to be solved and a sense that there’s a whole lot of adventure lying between the pages. I was lucky enough to be asked to be on the blog tour and I couldn’t wait to get started reading as soon as it landed in my lap.

Addison, or Addie, has been in an accident that will change her life drastically. At first, she’s worried she’s seriously going crazy. She can see a boy no one else can see and I know that realistically, if that were to happen to me, I would be freaking out. In the time after her accident, Addie begins having these dips in memory that can’t be explained, twisted into the fact that this boy that only her eyes can see is forged into them. 
Everyone We’ve Been is told in the before and afters of Addie’s accident which really gives the story another dimension of truth and normalcy. It keeps the plot steadily paced and engrossing and I found that slowly, as the truth of Addie’s accident, her memory gaps and the mystery boy came to light, I began to piece together the puzzle and underlying illusive aspect that seems to tie into her memory loss. Addie was straight away relateable. I love characters that feel like friends and someone you can just get as they tell you their story. The alternating past and present times really captured Addie’s character development and I found that because of this, it made her all the more real to me and I could connect with her so much better and feel like I was on the journey with her the whole way, too. 
Overall, Everyone We’ve Been is a powerful, magnetic story bursting with potential and perfection. I found myself hooked to the pages at two a.m., compelled by the storyline that just seemed to ooze “keep reading me” qualities. Addie was a star character and I was rooting for her the entire way, with each new unveiling of information I found myself falling further into the skillful plot that keeps you guessing. Underneath the beautiful cover there is an even more lively story just waiting to be read and now that I have, I can’t recommend it highly enough. Everyone We’ve Been is one of the best hits of 2016 and I’m so glad that I had the chance to read it. Five stars aren’t high enough.

 Young Adult readers!






Sarah Everett remembers growing up in enchanted forests, on desert islands and inside a magical wardrobe. She would only ever erase her memory of past karaoke performances and certain fashion choices. She was born in west Africa but currently resides in Alberta, Canada where she attends graduate school and writes YA novels. Visit her on Twitter at @heysaraheverett.

Thanks to Random House Children’s Books, I get to give away a FRESH NEW copy of Everyone We’ve Been! OPEN TO USA RESIDENTS ONLY.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


 


Stop by the other days on the Everyone We’ve Been Tour!

Monday through Friday, October 10th – 14th 2016
Monday, October 10: Novel Ink
Tuesday, October 11: A Midsummer Night’s Read
Wednesday, Octboer 12: Addicted 2 Novels
Thursday, October 13: Pretty Little Memoirs
Friday, October 14: Rose Gold Class

Have you read Everyone We’ve Been?

What do you think of it?

Let me know in the comments or at @LittleMemoirs on twitter!

happy reading!

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Book Review: “Looking For Alaska” by John Green




Title: Looking For Alaska

Author: John Green
Genre: Young Adult – Contemporary
Release Date: March 1st, 2011 
Published by: Harper Collins (UK)

Before. 
Miles “Pudge” Halter’s whole existence has been one big nonevent, and his obsession with famous last words has only made him crave the “Great Perhaps” (François Rabelais, poet) even more. 
He heads off to the sometimes crazy, possibly unstable, and anything-but-boring world of Culver Creek Boarding School, and his life becomes the opposite of safe. 
Because down the hall is Alaska Young. The gorgeous, clever, funny, sexy, self-destructive, screwed-up, and utterly fascinating Alaska Young, who is an event unto herself. 
She pulls Pudge into her world, launches him into the Great Perhaps, and steals his heart.
After. 
Nothing is ever the same.

I knew as soon as I could fit another one of John Green’s books into my TBR list, I’d thank myself later, because they always end up being HUGE favourites of mine, like The Fault In Our Stars and An Abundance of Katherines. From what I had heard previously about the book, it was a clear five-star read so I definitely went in with high hopes. But gladly, I didn’t know any spoiler-ish details, because I hate missing out on the little unveilings.

Miles “Pudge” was a very unique kind of character and extremely relateable like every lead John Green creates. He had very little friends at home and was stuck in this vicious circle of not stepping out of his comfort zone and doing something amazing, which kind of inspires the adventurer in him, seeking his own Great Perhaps like he had read about from a poet called François Rabelais. Miles loves learning people’s last words, and so that was a highlight throughout the novel that popped up every now and again and I thought it was such an interesting and unique thing to add into the storyline. It gave a mature edge to Miles that some of the other characters when he went to Culver Creek didn’t have, well, until he met Alaska. 
She was different, and such a compelling character in the least. I thought her character development was perfect and I didn’t feel like there were any flaws in her character. Although, Miles’s first friend was The Colonel, who’s kind of the first person who nicknames him Pudge and gives him this whole new side to him that the old Miles wouldn’t quite recognise, although it wasn’t a huge rebellious thing, it was just a little growing up mixed with the influence of the new crowd he was hanging out with. 
Miles was enchanted by Alaska all the time in her charm and wisdom, despite being up-and-down in her behaviour, and aside from him having another love interest, she was always on his mind and he cared for her a great deal. But she had a boyfriend, and so they were both pulled in different directions a little. Still, in reading a John Green book’s final conclusion, the “after” part (there are parts to the novel like 100 days before and then after) was when I was teary-eyed (code for crying like a baby) and enveloped more if that was possible. 
Filled with happiness, then sudden anguish, Looking For Alaska was about everything that happens when we grow up; regret, newfound ways, guilt and friendship, even if not all the answers we desire are given to us. I was taken on the journey with them the whole way and it was a twisted, enthralling and sorrowful one. This book is truly one of the greatest treasures of YA Fiction and if you haven’t read it, you’re surely missing out. A clear five-star read. 
Waiting for the Looking For Alaska movie to be made! Would love to see it made into one, because we all know John Green movies are THE best.


“Sometimes I don’t get you,’ I said.

She didn’t even glance at me. She just smiled toward the television and said, ‘You never get me. That’s the whole point.” 
– Miles (Pudge) and Alaska
Everything is better said with a quote, clearly.

I’m going to keep it simple. This book is perfect for: EVERYONE. (Really.)

Have you read Looking For Alaska?


Tell me in the comments or on twitter!


happy reading!

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