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🌹 UNDER ROSE TAINTED SKIES 🌹

Title: Under Rose Tainted Skies

Author: Louise Gornall

Published: July 7th, 2016

Publisher: Chicken House

Find the Author: Goodreads | Twitter



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


Agoraphobia confines Norah to the house she shares with her mother.

For her, the outside is sky glimpsed through glass, or a gauntlet to run between home and car. But a chance encounter on the doorstep changes everything: Luke, her new neighbour. Norah is determined to be the girl she thinks Luke deserves: a ‘normal’ girl, her skies unfiltered by the lens of mental illness. Instead, her love and bravery opens a window to unexpected truths …

An important and uplifting debut from a British author, which tackles mental health issues such as agoraphobia and OCD.

As soon as I heard about URTS a few months ago on Twitter, I felt a magnetic pull to find out what it was about and what was beneath the beautiful floral cover. When I saw it dealt with things such as agoraphobia, OCD and anxiety, I was compelled even more. These things are hardly touched upon in the YA community, so many heroines being potrayed so unlike real life. I was excited to get involved anyway that I could and I was over the moon that I got the chance to read URTS and be a part of the tour.

Norah is undeniably honest, this I know from only opening the book just a crack. She talks about her mental health; her agroaphobia, OCD and depression/anxiety so bravely, reminding me in parts of my own struggles with social anxiety and OCD that I still have to this day. Norah’s anxieties and problems affect her every day and the way that Louise captured the qualities of the feelings and thoughts was unerring. Norah is housebound from her illnesses, only ever getting air at her front door on occasions, life outside like a different world completely. It’s there that she meets Luke, who moves in next door. Her anxieties don’t stop or halt when she meets him and love doesn’t conquer all her problems, but he tries to help in different ways, like trying to alter her way of looking at things and her thoughts. She can’t help but feel like he deserves someone “normal”, though. Nevertheless, her poignant and charming narrative of trying to cope with letting someone in whilst going through an inner battle with herself is as vulnerable and honest as a reader can observe.
Not only does Norah feel real, but her story is one I’ll never forget. URTS feels real because Norah’s mental health problems are real world things that can hold us back, shape our lives and try to change who we are. It’s her sheer determination and enthralling, heart-felt voice that reminds me that it’s okay to be different and to not be “normal” and sometimes need help along the way.
Overall, Under Rose Tainted Skies is in a word; phenomenal. It’s powerful, moving, heartwarming and sincere. Norah and Luke’s connection was written beautifully, as was Norah’s courageous journey through the pages. I was overwhelmed at how effortlessly I fell into the story and wrapped around the characters, feeling as if they were my friends and that I knew them. URTS is a breathtaking debut that is going to sky-rocket and it deserves every amazing thing that happens. Louise has written what I can gladly say has been my favourite book of the year so far. Five stars completely.

 Everyone.




Louise is a graduate of Garstang Community Academy, and she is currently studying for a BA (Hons) in English language and literature with special emphasis on creative writing. A YA aficionado, film nerd, identical twin, and junk food enthusiast, she’s also an avid collector of book boyfriends. Her debut novel, Under Rose-Tainted Skies, will be published in July 2016..

The YA community and finding a place! 

by Louise Gornall


Stepping into the world of writing was jarring. Admittedly, I knew nothing when I arrived. A query letter? What’s that? Books have word counts? I just thought you were supposed to stop when you ran out of story. No?


Luckily, I signed up to Twitter and bumped into the lovely Heather Marie, who was also writing books for teens. I think it took just one quick chat with Heather to discover how complex writing YA was, and how dangerously I lacked in direction. 


Cut to four years later, and a vast community of YA writers, several of whom I consider among my best friends, have taught me how to be the best writer I can be. And not just technically with the querying and the word counts and the character building and all that other stuff. The YA community is an amazing source of support, because, real talk, this business is tough. You will be rejected more times than you can count. You will feel crappy and worthless and like you want to quit, at least once a month (if not once a week). And people outside of publishing won’t get it, as wonderful as family and friends can be, if they don’t know shhh about the industry, you can bet your bottom dollar that you’ll be needing support from someone who knows exactly how it feels. That’s just science.


Plus, you know, there are perks to being BFF’s with YA writers, apart from them being lovely human beings, who, for the most part, really understand the importance of pyjamas and junk food, and that’s exclusive reading privileges.

Have you read Under Rose Tainted Skies?


What did you think?


If you were affected by any of the issues in the book, MIND and the Mental Health Foundation are available.

happy reading!

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Blog Tour & Review: “The Problem With Forever” by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: The Problem With Forever

Author: Jennifer L. Amentrout 

Published: June 1st, 2016

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Find the Author: Goodreads

Other Reviews by this Author: Cursed, Don’t Look Back, Half Blood


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




For some people, silence is a weapon. For Mallory “Mouse” Dodge, it’s a shield. Growing up, she learned that the best way to survive was to say nothing. And even though it’s been four years since her nightmare ended, she’s beginning to worry that the fear that holds her back will last a lifetime.

Now, after years of homeschooling with loving adoptive parents, Mallory must face a new milestone—spending her senior year at public high school. But of all the terrifying and exhilarating scenarios she’s imagined, there’s one she never dreamed of—that she’d run into Rider Stark, the friend and protector she hasn’t seen since childhood, on her very first day.

It doesn’t take long for Mallory to realize that the connection she shared with Rider never really faded. Yet the deeper their bond grows, the more it becomes apparent that she’s not the only one grappling with the lingering scars from the past. And as she watches Rider’s life spiral out of control, Mallory faces a choice between staying silent and speaking out—for the people she loves, the life she wants, and the truths that need to be heard.

Anyone who has read my blog for the past few years knows I can’t go long without a Jennifer L. Armentrout book. Not only does her writing entertain and grip readers, but her plots are always unique and interesting. I was definitely excited to see what kind of book The Problem With Forever would be, stepping away from the Fantasy genre I had always linked Jennifer to.
I thoroughly loved this book. Usually, I save my more praising notes for the end when I wrap up my review, but it had to be said: this book was perfect. The lead character, Mallory, or Mouse as she had been nicknamed, had been through hellish and bad times. Now, since those times had gone she had been home-schooled for years with loving and incredibly caring adoptive Parents, but now it was time to go to school for Senior Year to prepare for College, back into the open world. It was not only a scary experience for her, but for me as a reader, watching her go through this inner struggle. When Mallory gets to school, she doesn’t expect to run into Rider. His face brings back a whole lifetime of memories, mainly the ones of him defending and protecting her back then.
She doesn’t expect to find that the tethered connection isn’t as broken as she thought it was between them and it’s easier to reconnect than met the eye. But Rider’s life isn’t perfect and before she knows it, she’s watching it run away with him and cast him into bad ways. The only way she can help is to step out of her shadow and silence and into the freedom to grasp the life she deserves after her past neglect and childhood terrors. It’s the only way to save herself, Rider, and secure the lives they both so desperately need.
The Problem With Forever is a love story, a friendship, a whirlwind masterpiece and a deep, true-to-life book. It’s everything you want in a book. It didn’t take me long to finish it and it will be with me for a long time yet. Every time I read something new by Jennifer I am blown away and this was truly no exception. I’m wonderstruck (as Taylor Swift says) by this amazing story, these beautifully flawed characters and how effortlessly it has become such a winner in my eyes. Truly beautiful, five-star worthy YA read. Anyone who doesn’t read this is truly missing out on something so special.

 Young Adult readers.


Amazon | Website | Facebook | Twitter | #TheProblemWithForever

# 1 New York Times and # 1 International Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki.
Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV. Her young adult romantic suspense novel DON’T LOOK BACK was a 2014 nominated Best in Young Adult Fiction by YALSA.
She also writes Adult and New Adult contemporary and paranormal romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.
 

What did you think of The Problem With Forever?


Check out the other stops on the blog tour to the right of this post!


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



happy reading!

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Speed Review: “The New Guy (and Other Senior Year Distractions)” by Amy Spalding

Title: The New Guy (and Other Senior Year Distractions)

Author: Amy Spalding

Published: April 5th, 2016

Publisher: Poppy

Find the Author: Goodreads


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



A ridiculously cute, formerly-famous new guy dropping into your life? It’s practically every girl’s dream.

But not Jules McCallister-Morgan’s.

I realize that on paper I look like your standard type-A, neurotic, overachiever. And maybe I am. But I didn’t get to be the editor of my school’s long-revered newspaper by just showing up*. I have one main goal for my senior year-early acceptance into my first choice Ivy League college-and I will not be deterred by best friends, moms who think I could stand to “live a little,” or boys.
At least, that was the plan before I knew about Alex Powell**.
And before Alex Powell betrayed me***.
I know what you’re thinking: Calm down, Jules. But you don’t understand. This stuff matters. This is my life. And I’m not going down without a fight.
—-
* Okay, I sort of did. But it’s a sore subject.
** I mean, I guess everyone knows about Alex Powell? Two years ago, you couldn’t go anywhere without hearing about viral video boy band sensation Chaos 4 All. Two years ago, Alex Powell was famous.
***Some people think I’m overreacting. But this. Means. War.

Filled with romance, rivalry, and passive-aggressive dog walking, Amy Spalding delivers a hilariously relatable high school story that’s sure to have you falling for The New Guy.

definition: a “speed review” is a meme on Pretty Little Memoirs, specialized for short reads, galley copies, reviews for lovereading.co.uk or novellas!

When I’m looking for a feel-good, YA Contemporary to get me out of a reading rut, I turn to my NetGalley shelf. I know I should read more eBooks but I’ve always preferred books in hand, you know? The feel of turning the pages and new book smell. But The New Guy (and Other Senior Year Distractions) drew me away from that and actually got me out of a Galley rut.

Jules McCallister-Morgan knows exactly what she wants and she’s not afraid to fight for it, either. Journalism is her great love, among striving to attend an Ivy-league school. When formerly major-famous Alex joins her school and she’s picked to give him a tour, she plays dumb to his viral famous nature. But just as quick as they became close, a wedge is driven between them. Knocked off her course, charismatic and snarky Jules fights her way to the top in this sweet, charming YA book. 

I was totally won over by The New Guy. Not only did it deliver what it promised, but there was a kick-ass heroine and brilliant character development too. It wasn’t overly complicated to get into and was a fun, great read. I love that reading it was a breeze and it was funny and smart and all the things a YA novel should be. How close Jules was to her Mom’s and Alex and Jules’s back-and-forth’s were some of the great highlights and I loved how Amy wrote their personalities so relateable. Definite four-star novel with poise and charisma. 

Have you read The New Guy (and Other Senior Year Distractions)?

What did you think?

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

happy reading!
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Book Review: “When We Collided” by Emery Lord

Title: When We Collided

Author: Emery Lord

Published: April 7th, 2016

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Find the Author: Goodreads


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

We are seventeen and shattered and still dancing. We have messy, throbbing hearts, and we are stronger than anyone could ever know…

Jonah never thought a girl like Vivi would come along.

Vivi didn’t know Jonah would light up her world.

Neither of them expected a summer like this…a summer that would rewrite their futures.

In an unflinching story about new love, old wounds, and forces beyond our control, two teens find that when you collide with the right person at just the right time, it will change you forever.

I am guilty of having all Emery Lord’s books (so far) and having not read any of them (I know, I know, BIG mistake) because as soon as When We Collided fell into my hands (thank you Bloomsbury!) I was in love with it. The whole blurb on the back that quoted Vivi talking about Jonah was too beautiful for words. 

Is it possible for love at first sight for books? If so, then When We Collided has utterly won my heart. From the first page, Vivi was this lively, beautiful person who had the most vibrant personality that made her my favourite POV (sorry, Jonah!). While I was reading, this sort of soundtrack came into my mind like the type you’d hear in a rom-com with a perfect score. The moment Vivi came into Jonah’s world and both of them (like the title) collide, it was such a unique spin on a YA Romance that also dealt with real life issues like mental disorders and illnesses with care and shone a light on the awareness for them for which Emery should be highly praised for because this isn’t done hardly enough. 

Vivi and Jonah have a special type of relationship that changes and evolves throughout the book, from when they meet to when certain aspects of their individual lives conflict or overlap. Set in an idyllic town called Verona Cove that’s described as a small, everyone-knows-everyone place with pretty sights and friendly people, it’s a perfect Californian setting. You could say that such a small town like this was too small for a girl like Vivi. She was an ambitious, huge character that seemed to light up the pages and like he did for her, she lit up Jonah’s life too and changed it completely. There’s not only big personalities, but a big family and big feelings and issues that tell themselves so well and were written with poise. I love how there wasn’t a dull moment, not even an odd chapter or line with any of the plot segments that interacted. The character developments were timed just right and I couldn’t fault how perfect the world Emery created was, showing that imperfect is loveable too and not every family and relationship is plain sailing. 

Overall, When We Collided is a stand-out YA book of 2016 that is bursting with love, beauty and charm. I can’t recommend you read it highly enough. I’ve been seeing it everywhere and it surely deserves all the attention it’s getting. Five stars for a realistic, charismatic book that totally won my heart. 


YA Contemporary fans.

 Have you read/heard of When We Collided?

What did you think?

Let me know in the comments, on twitter @LittleMemoirs or #WhenWeCollided to spread the word!

happy reading!

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Book Review: “The United States of Us” by Kate Sundara


Title: The United States of Us

Author: Kate Sundara

Published: November 23rd, 2015

Publisher: Canelo

Find the Author: Goodreads


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


A heart-rending story of romance and self-discovery…

This is a story about soulmates, not where it began, but where it needs to begin: twenty-two year-old Mia pressed against the forest floor by a man shielding her from the crazed bear bellowing in her ear. This is a story about love and the power of actions over words. A story of how one day can change everything.

Mia Hart’s childhood sweetheart, Robin, has been watching over her ever since his death. Haunted by the devastating incident that killed him, Mia spends three years travelling the world.
Discovering the island of Utopia, a retreat in the sparkling Tyrrhenian Sea, Mia meets Zak, a dashing American musician. After a whirlwind romance, Zak asks Mia to come and live with him in the faraway Midwest. Swept up by infatuation and desperate to be free from Robin’s ghost, she accepts.

Braving a move to River Valley, a small town in the American wilderness, Mia soon discovers the fairytale Zak promised her is anything but. Worried she’s made a rash decision, but too proud to leave, Mia must confront her past before she can find true happiness.

Vivid, beautiful, and packed with unforgettable characters, The United States of Us is a riveting and intense tale of love, loss and letting go.

I was intrigued by The United States of Us from the synopsis and how it differed from a regular plot with a ghost in the POV line of a YA contemporary read and couldn’t wait to delve in. 
The United States of Us struck me as one of those rare gems that you read in the year that totally surpasses your expectations and totally knocks you off your feet. It was definitely like this for me, with how intricate and beautiful the plot really was. Mia and Robin were one of those couples who could’ve had it all, like starcrossed lovers. Sadly, Robin died and Mia was thrown into the abyss, the memory of it unforgettable. She spent some years travelling, trying to fill the void and find herself, meanwhile not knowing that Robin was watching over her; always, keeping their connection as soulmates locked tight.
When Mia is on a retreat, she meets charming musician Zak and though she keeps Robin’s ghost, they share a whirlwind, rollercoaster romance that leads to him inviting her to stay with him in the Midwest. Even though she doesn’t want to let go, she accepts, but suddenly there and with Zak, she starts to wonder if this life is what she wanted. . .and if this version of her vision of a fairytale is at all what she wants. 
Perfectly heartbreaking, The United States of Us was an epic story of soulmates, adventure and true happiness. With this story, one minute I was enraptured in the story, then saddened by the loss that Mia had been through and for Robin, torn away from his soulmate and love of his life. Although at times there was a lot going on in the story that took some time to remember what had happened previously in parts, I was totally compelled by this amazing emotional novel, the realness of it and the vivid, clear bonds of everlasting love and the pain of letting go.
 YA fans of Contemporary, realistic romance.

Have you read The United States of Us?


What did you think?


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


happy reading!

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Book Review: “This Raging Light” by Estelle Laure

Title: This Raging Light

Author: Estelle Laure

Published: January 14th, 2016

Publisher: Orchard Books

Find the Author: Goodreads


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

How is it that you suddenly notice a person? How is it that one day Digby was my best friend’s admittedly cute twin brother, and then the next he stole air, gave jitters, twisted my insides up?

Lucille has bigger problems than falling for her best friend’s unavailable brother. Her mom has gone, leaving her to look after her sister, Wren. With bills mounting up and appearances to keep, Lucille is raging against her life but holding it together – just.

A stunning debut to devour in one sitting, Laure captures completely the agony and ecstasy of first love.

I had heard amazing things about This Raging Light even before it landed in my mailbox. It was the subject of several Waiting on Wednesday posts from blogs I read and not to mention how I always seemed to see the cover and praise for it everywhere online. So I was eager to dive in and see what amazing-ness was within…


Lucille’s life is a mess, but that’s only a shred of light into her life. Her Mom has left, her Father has gone and she’s been left alone to care for her nine year old sister; Wren, whilst struggling with several other matters that only seemed to weigh heavier on her concious. She hadn’t ever thought about her best friend’s twin brother; Digby, in a “romantic” way before, but suddenly it’s like he’s right there and she can’t help but notice every incredible thing about him, the way he’s there for her and how he’s just so…perfect. But then, like a ton of bricks to her heart, she knows she can’t have him. The boy she loves has a girlfriend – a very serious girlfriend. 
Things only get tougher from there. Knowing her Mother will never come back, despite her promise, only drives Lucille more. She knows she has to care for Wren and make sure no one takes her away, investing all her time and effort into becoming a better person and sister to keep their small and messy, yet beautiful family together. She faces mixed feelings over friends, family and her life that cascade her into falling harder for Digby, making her messier life even crazier. 
The chaotic, beautiful writing that spun us into Lucille’s world was perfectly matched to every way she was feeling and acting. The romance was sweet, yet complicated in more ways than one. But This Raging Light is about more than just romance, it’s about real life. Lucille is left to fend for herself and her sister without a shred of help out of fear of losing her, and the way she grows up and pulls herself together throughout the novel was beautifully done. I was enthralled by the storyline and even though there was a lot going on, the way Lucille stuck by her sister was my favourite. Despite loving the character of Digby and his relationship/friendship with Lucille, the cheating between his current girlfriend and then with Lucille felt rocky to me and conflicted how he could see them both. 
Beautifully chaotic and poignant, This Raging Light was an amazing novel that will have you turning the pages and falling into the rabbit hole of the perfectly messy story. 
YA Fans of contemporary, romance and the in-betweens. 

Have you read This Raging Light?


What did you think?


Let me know in the comments or on twitter @LittleMemoirs


happy reading!

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Book Review: “What We Left Behind” by Robin Talley


Title: What We Left Behind

Author: Robin Talley

Published: October 22nd, 2015

Publisher: Mira Ink

Find the Author: Goodreads

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

From the critically acclaimed author of Lies We Tell Ourselves comes an emotional, empowering story of what happens when love isn’t enough to conquer all.
Toni and Gretchen are the couple everyone envied in high school. They’ve been together forever. They never fight. They’re deeply, hopelessly in love. When they separate for their first year at college—Toni to Harvard and Gretchen to NYU—they’re sure they’ll be fine. Where other long-distance relationships have fallen apart, their relationship will surely thrive.
The reality of being apart, however, is a lot different than they expected. As Toni, who identifies as genderqueer, falls in with a group of transgender upperclassmen and immediately finds a sense of belonging that has always been missing, Gretchen struggles to remember who she is outside their relationship.
While Toni worries that Gretchen, who is not trans, just won’t understand what is going on, Gretchen begins to wonder where she fits in Toni’s life. As distance and Toni’s shifting gender identity begins to wear on their relationship, the couple must decide—have they grown apart for good, or is love enough to keep them together?
When I read Lies We Tell Ourselves, it was clear that Robin Talley was going to be a huge hit in the YA and LGBTQ literature department so I was excited to start What We Left Behind with high expectations. I had heard mixed reviews about the novel and that there were issues with labels and pronouns for the characters (by the character), but read anyway to see my own view on it.

Gretchen and Toni are in love, but they’re facing different futures apart despite their close knit relationship. Whereas Toni, who identifies as genderqueer, is heading to Harvard, Gretchen who is not trans, is heading to NYU. This is the first real time they would be apart and they’re both worried for their future that prompts questions of doubt in their minds, especially after Toni falls in with a new crowd and for the first time in forever, feels at home and a sense of belonging with them. Gretchen starts to feel less and less like herself after she grows apart with Toni. She no longer feels like the person she used to be and worries for their future, if they even had one anymore – now distance and a sudden shift in their history make for an unsteady fate. Suddenly they only have two choices: will love keep them together or tear them apart?

I loved Lies We Tell Ourselves for the reason that it felt like I was reading something honest and true. With What We Left Behind, I still felt that, but I didn’t feel as much of a connection between Gretchen and Toni until later on in the novel, although reading about them separately and getting to know them, I connected to them individually. Their dynamic was a major plot device and it’s inspiring that LGBTQ characters are getting their chance to shine in novels – and in that way, it made for a great read. 

Inspiring, moving and a captivating read, What We Left Behind will give you a sense and feeling that you’ve just read one of the best in it’s genre. 

Have you read What We Left Behind?

What did you think?

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

happy reading!
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Book Review: “Hello, Goodbye and Everything Inbetween” by Jennifer E. Smith

Title: Hello, Goodbye and Everything Inbetween

Author: Jennifer E. Smith

Published: September 1st, 2015

Publisher: Headline

Find the Author: Goodreads

I recieved this for review. As always, my reviews are fair and unbias!


On the night before they leave for college, Clare and Aidan have only one thing left to do: figure out whether they should stay together or break up. 

Over the course of twelve hours, they retrace the steps of their relationship, trying to find something in their past that might help them decide what their future should be. The night leads them to family and friends, familiar landmarks and unexpected places, hard truths and surprising revelations. But as the clock winds down and morning approaches, so does their inevitable goodbye. The question is, will it be goodbye for now or goodbye forever?

Charming, bittersweet, and full of wisdom and heart, this irresistible novel from Jennifer E. Smith, author of The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, explores the difficult choices that arise when life and love lead in different directions.

I’ve always been a huge fan of Jennifer’s “one night” novels. As soon as I read the synopsis for Hello, Goodbye and Everything Inbetween, it sounded like another hit and I couldn’t wait to delve in.

This night is particularly important for Clare and Aidan. It’s the night before they go away to College, and on their check-lists of final things and decisions to be made, there’s only one thing left: break up or stay together. They love each other and there’s no doubt about that, but the question still hangs in the air.  Over the pan of twelve hours, Clare and Aidan take a trip down memory lane to the best moments of their relationship, trying to find some kind of sign to point them in the right direction – the direction that they should follow for their future.  This fast-paced, wonderment of a night leads them to their closest friends and family, places around town and most of all, an epiphany of sorts. All that was left to do was choose goodbye forever, or just for now. 
Full of friendship, emotion and sentiment, Clare and Aidan’s relationship is a flame that is on the verge of being blown out, but their affection for each other leads to a brighter fires despite the risk of being expelled. Overall, Jennifer’s newest novel was brilliant, bursting with wisdom and enchantment and even though it’s not my favourite that she’s written (This Is What Happy Looks Like shoutout! My favourite), it was still a great read that kept me wrapped around it’s finger for a whole day of reading, that I would recommend to fans of Sarah Dessen and Jenny Han! 

YA fans of Contemporary Romance!

Have you read Hello, Goodbye and Everything Inbetween?


What did you think?


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

happy reading!

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Book Review: “Nowhere But Here” by Katie McGarry




*I received this book from Harlequin Teen for a fair and unbiased review!*

Title: Nowhere But Here

Author: Katie McGarry
Genre: Young Adult – Contemporary Romance
Published: May 26th 2015 by Harlequin Teen


An unforgettable new series from acclaimed author Katie McGarry about taking risks, opening your heart and ending up in a place you never imagined possible.

Seventeen-year-old Emily likes her life the way it is: doting parents, good friends, good school in a safe neighborhood. Sure, she’s curious about her biological father—the one who chose life in a motorcycle club, the Reign of Terror, over being a parent—but that doesn’t mean she wants to be a part of his world. But when a reluctant visit turns to an extended summer vacation among relatives she never knew she had, one thing becomes clear: nothing is what it seems. Not the club, not her secret-keeping father and not Oz, a guy with suck-me-in blue eyes who can help her understand them both. 
Oz wants one thing: to join the Reign of Terror. They’re the good guys. They protect people. They’re…family. And while Emily—the gorgeous and sheltered daughter of the club’s most respected member—is in town, he’s gonna prove it to her. So when her father asks him to keep her safe from a rival club with a score to settle, Oz knows it’s his shot at his dream. What he doesn’t count on is that Emily just might turn that dream upside down.
No one wants them to be together. But sometimes the right person is the one you least expect, and the road you fear the most is the one that leads you home.

Katie McGarry is and will always be one of my favourite authors of all time. No matter what genre, characters or plot, something between her writing and my brain just click. So when I heard about a new series called Thunder Road and the first novel being Nowhere But Here, I was already anticipating finding the next best thing on my shelf.

Emily, our main character, loves her life. Her perfectly normal life. She has friends and family who love her—well, except her biological father who chose the life of being a member of Reign of Terror, the motorcycle club—and it hasn’t phased her since. That’s until she witnesses the club for herself and the danger that their world is consumed with, and her life gets changed forever. Even though she’s conflicted about meeting relatives she hasn’t before, when she meets a mysterious boy who’s sworn to protect her, suddenly her priorities are differed. 
Oz wants to be a member of Reign of Terror for more than one reason. They’re a close knit group, like a family. He knows they’re the good guys in a town full of not-so-good ones. So when he gets a chance to prove to Emily’s biological father that he can protect her from a rival club, he jumps at it. But what he didn’t expect was to fall head over heels for the protected girl. 
With a fast-paced, explosive and engrossing plot, I was sucked in from the start. Katie wrote an epic whirlwind romance with passionate and lively characters that are standing up there with the likes of Echo and Noah. I loved getting into this new world of exciting themes that will cascade into the next novel (that I CAN’T wait to read!).
Overall, Nowhere But Here is a novel you can’t miss. If you’re a fan of Katie McGarry, or you haven’t read anything from her yet—this is going to be your next favourite YA book. 5 Stars completely through and through. Katie never fails to write another book that I don’t fall in love with.

YA Readers and extended to NA readers, alike.

KATIE MCGARRY was a teenager during the age of grunge and boy bands and remembers those years as the best and worst of her life. She is a lover of music, happy endings, and reality television, and is a secret University of Kentucky basketball fan.
Katie would love to hear from her readers. Contact her via her website, katielmcgarry.com, follow her on Twitter @KatieMcGarry, or become a fan on Facebook and Goodreads.
Have you read Nowhere But Here?

What are your thoughts?

Let me know in the comments or on twitter @LittleMemoirs 


happy reading!

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Blog Tour: “Chopstix” by A. T. Raydan


Title: Chopstix

Author: A. T. Raydan

Published: 15 April 2015

Publisher: Unique Inspiration 

Find the Author: Goodreads



 “My heart was pounding and I was in a state of shock. I couldn’t believe what I had just done. My actions went against everything I had been taught. I arrived home and quietly made my way to my room. I locked the door to my bedroom and just collapsed into a heap next to it.”

Wendy Wu is an ordinary teenager, with a secure home and caring parents who worked hard running the family’s successful Chinese restaurant. Other than the occasional encounter with the bullies at her new college, Wendy could honestly say that life was good.

When out of the blue fate delivers Wendy a cruel blow, her life is turned upside down. Shaken by grief Wendy retreats in to her room, struggling to come to terms with terrible events that destroyed all she held dear. With her parents gone, it is her Aunt Daiyu who she turns to for support.

Why could Wendy always sense when danger was near? Why did she suddenly feel she had to save people under threat? Aided by her aunt, Wendy uncovers a mystical side to herself she never knew she had, and an ancestral secret that will change her life for ever…

Q+A with Brand New YA superhero Chopstix!




How did you discover you had superpowers?
 I was alone in my room one evening, carving chopsticks for the House of Wu, my parent’s restaurant that is no more.  It was burnt down in what police initially described as an accident, only, it wasn’t an accident. My parents were inside the building when it caught fire. They never made it out. Part of me fails to accept that this was a mere coincidence. In one painful night, I lost my parents, together with my family home. The chopsticks were my way of keeping my parents close to me. But, the more I thought about my parents and what has happened, the angrier I became. In the end, my anger got the better of me and the results took me by surprise. Over the days and weeks that followed I started to become more aware of myself and started to trust my instincts. The more I began to trust myself, the more I discovered about my abilities. 


Do your friends and family know about your powers?! How did they react when they found out?
 Aunt Daiyu is the only one that knows of my true identity. She has been a pillar of strength in my life and to my amazement has been very supportive. I can’t tell anyone else because I fear that in would endanger them. I don’t have many close friends. Those that I do may not approve of the path that I am choosing to follow. Maybe one day I can share my secret with them, but not today.


You use chopsticks to fight your enemies! What makes them so perfect for fighting crime?
 Why Chopsticks? Well, for a start, they can double up as a hair accessory! I have a strong heartfelt connection with my parents each time I handle a pair of chopsticks. It’s something that I can’t explain. I guess in time I will learn more about my destiny, about who I am and why I am the person that I am…
  
Tackling bad guys is terrifying! Do you ever get scared?
 Always. It’s the fear of the unknown. What if they are armed? What if there are too many of them? I am young and am still learning to deal with my powers. My mother and I often started each morning with a Tai Chi session, which provided skills for defence training. Some of these were serving me well during challenging circumstances. My father always told me to believe in myself and to stand tall, that I should never show fear in anything that I do in life.


When you were growing up were you into superheroes? If so who inspired you the most?
 Yes. When you’re young you let your imagination run wild and always aspire to be someone else.  When I was growing up, the superhero I looked up to the most was Wonder Woman. In fairness, it was all we really had! She was always fighting for justice, love, peace and equality. An inspiration to females everywhere.



What do you do when you’re not fighting crime? Are you into music? Fashion?
 I enjoy just watching the world go by, preferably over a slice of cake and a mug of hot chocolate. I’m curious about people, behaviours and enjoy people-watching.  I also love shopping. As for fashion, I’m always on the lookout for something that’s uniquely me. I’m not one for following trends. I’m a simple girl in many aspects. My mother always said, simplicity is elegance…

If you could give girls your age one piece of advice, what would it be?
 Be yourself. Believe in yourself. Stand tall and be counted. Above all, follow your dreams and destiny will find you.

Chopstix by A.T Raydan is published by Unique Inspiration (paperback, £6.99). Available online from Waterstones here.

NEXT STOP: Read a guest post by Chopstix author, A.T. Raydan on The Overflowing Library

Chopstix is honestly one of those books that’s going to be iconic. Not only does the book deal with subjects like bullies and grief, but it’s one of the very few books I’ve read that have a superhero who is female – something that I think is very overlooked in literature. While there’s a lot of male-fronted superheroes in literature and in television, female superheroes are far more rare, and that’s where Chopstix comes in.
Wendy Wu is your ordinary teenage girl dealing with the occasional bully, with loving Parents who own a Chinese restaurant – that’s where everything falls apart. Her Parents restaurant is burned down in what the Police say is an accident, and sadly her Parents never made it out. Grief-striken and feeling like her world is ending, Wendy connects to her Chopstix that keep the memory of her Parents everytime she picks them up. But the more anger that bubbles up inside her, the more of a mysterious and enchanting gift is unveiled. With her Aunt Daiyu being the only person who knows of her newfound abilities, she sets out on changing what she thought she never could – she was going to fight crime with her already quick skills having practised Tai Chi and stand up for those who couldn’t – whilst setting an example for girls along the way.
Chopstix is a breath of fresh air, a novel that will be something I’ll never forget. I was rooting for Wendy with her extraordinary abilities and fighting with Chopstix – something I’ve always loved styling my hair with. I never expected they could be used the way she does, but it’s all the more brilliant how A. T. Raydan came up with this amazing character who defies what we think is normal.
As I started with saying – this book will be iconic and set trends, making girls feel better about themselves, knowing they can be superheroes too. That’s why Chopstix is by far a five-star read that will leave you turning pages quicker than you thought possible.

All lovers of YA literature. I can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t find something entertaining and loveable in Chopstix.

     


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It was a pleasure getting to be part of the Chopstix Blog Tour and I couldn’t be happier with the result of the Q&A and how I expressed my feelings and thoughts about Chopstix. It’s one of those books where you read it and just think. . .WOW, where has this book been all my reading years? 
If you’re looking for a book that has a strong female character, action and unique themes, you’ll love Chopstix just as much as I did. The cover is one of my favourites I’ve seen this year and it’s definitely in my top five favourite reads of the year. Wendy Wu will be reigniting the flame for female superheroes this year for sure.
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Have you read Chopstix?

Who’s your favourite Superhero – and do you think there should be more female ones?

Let me know in the comments!

happy reading!
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Book Review: “I Was Here” by Gayle Forman

*May contain spoilers*

Title: I Was Here

Author: Gayle Forman

Published: Janurary 29th, 2015

Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK

Find the Author: Goodreads


I bought this book myself. As always, my reviews are fair and un-bias.



From the bestselling author of If I Stay – this summer’s YA blockbuster film.

This characteristically powerful novel follows eighteen-year-old Cody Reynolds in the months following her best friend’s shocking suicide.

As Cody numbly searches for answers as to why Meg took her own life, she begins a journey of self-discovery which takes her to a terrifying precipice, and forces her to question not only her relationship with the Meg she thought she knew, but her own understanding of life, love, death and forgiveness.

A phenomenally moving story, I Was Here explores the sadly all-too-familiar issue of suicide and self-harm, addressing it in an authentic way with sensitivity and honesty.

Cody has just lost her best friend Meg, to suicide. She found out in an email, detailing the vague reasons why and how it isn’t her fault. But that’s all Cody can think – is this her fault? Did she push Meg away when they went separate ways in life? How did she not know Meg was suicidal? A thousand questions rush around in Cody’s head as she tries her best to comprehend a world without her best friend, this piece of the puzzle that makes up who she is. Now it’s gone, there’s this emptiness like a hole in who she is now. That’s why she searches for answers, knowing this can’t just be a straightforward thing. 
With the help of Meg’s roommates at college, Cody learns more about Meg than she even thought possible. How desperate she was to end her life and how very little she actually knew about her best friend. I was enthralled by the determination that Cody had in finding out the reasons why and if anyone had known about how Meg felt. She had a courageous spirit, not just getting answers about Meg but about discovering who she was herself – how love came into the equation – and how to understand the cards that life had dealt her. 
Gayle Forman is one of those authors who just knows exactly what to write, how to give us the feeling that we’re reading something that isn’t a work of fiction, but real life. For the characters in I Was Here, that is the case. 
Many people lose friends, family and people they know, to suicide. The journey that Cody took was a brave one, to try and get justice for her best friend; Meg. She learnt more about the friend she thought she knew so well, and even found a piece of herself she lost along the way. She learnt strength, forgiveness and how unexpected life can be at throwing us a curve-ball of disastrous chaos. 
I Was Here moved me, changed me and opened up a world behind closed doors that I hadn’t really read a lot about. It made me question my own life and how sacred and precious our family and friends are to us, and how we treat people and assume things that we know about them. And most of all, just how unpredictable life can truly be, how we have the power to help people who were like Meg, if we just opened our eyes more to the possibilities of knowing not everyone is doing okay. That sometimes, everyone needs help. 
A five star novel that was compelling, tragic and powerful, one I know I will never forget. Reading this will change you, too. It’s a novel you can’t miss out on.

You. 

 What did you think of I Was Here?

Did you think reading it changed you too?

Let me know in the comments!

happy reading!
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