Hard Bitten Blog Tour: Interview + Giveaway

Hard Bitten is the fourth book in Chloe Neill's Chicagoland Vampire series. If you haven't heard of the Chicagoland Vampire series, where have you been? It's pretty freaking awesome, and you want to be apart of that awesome.

Anyway, please welcome Chloe Neill to Addicted 2 Novels!




1. How did you come up with the Chicagoland Vampires series?

SOME GIRLS BITE was the second manuscript I wrote. I had read a number of paranormal romances (at least the few
that were out at the time!) and after writing a bit of fan fiction, decided to try my hand at writing a full novel. The first
few chapters I drafted were silly, frankly, but once I got a better sense of who Ethan was, they came together.

2. What can we expect to see in Hard Bitten?

More of Mayor Tate, more of Merit out in Chicago, doing her Sentinel thing. Romance. Action. Adventure. Sarcasm and
food, of course. All the usual, I think, all while we watch Merit grow into her position.

3. What was your favorite scene to write in Hard Bitten?

There's a scene at the end involving a flower called amaranth that I really, really like. I'm very proud of it! :)

4. If you could set Merit up with any other literary boy/man out there, who would it be and why?

JAMIE FRASER!!! He's the hero of Diana Gabaldon's OUTLANDER series. I'm not sure they'd get along, but he's so
delish. Or maybe Adam Black from Karen Marie Moning's HIGHLANDER series. Also very delicious. :)

5. Any music recommendations that will best fit the tone when reading book?

I actually have a set of music recommendations on my website: http://chloeneill.com/music.htm

Any last words?

Thanks for having me today!


And now, giveaway time! Chloe is giving one lucky commenter a chance win some CV swag. To enter, leave a comment below with your email address, and I'll draw the winner sometime next week. The contest is only open to US and CA participants, but if you have a US address Chloe can ship to, feel free to enter!

Special thanks to Chloe Neill for putting all this together and taking the time out of her very busy schedule to drop by today. Be sure to check out Hard Bitten!

Review : Instructions For A Broken Heart

Title: Instructions For A Broken Heart
Author: Kim Culbertson
Expected publication: May 1st 2011 by Sourcebooks, Incorporated
Source: ARC

Summary: "Three days before her drama club's trip to Italy, Jessa Gardner discovers her boyfriend in the costume barn with another girl. Jessa is left with a care package from her best friend titled "Top Twenty Reasons He's a Slimy Jerk Bastard," instructing her to do one un-Jessa-like thing each day of the trip. At turns hilarious and heartwrenching, Instructions for a Broken Heart paints a magical Italy in which Jessa learns she must figure out life-and romance-for herself."

Thoughts: When I first read the summary for Instructions For A Broken Heart, I automatically thought it sounded like a cross between Anna And The French Kiss and P.S. I Love You. Jessa's best friend creates this list of dares to help her get over her ex while in Rome. How cute does that sound? And though charming in it's own way, it lacked the necessary book chemistry and allure I've grown to love about contemporary literature.

First off, I had so many issues with Jessa. I understand that she's upset. I felt bad for her. I mean, no one deserves to walk in on their boyfriend making out with the girl who has balloon sized boobies. And even though all her friends are there for her, she is so consumed with self pity and heart ache that she completely misses out on everything. There's a part in the book where even her closest friend on the trip (Tyler) can't take anymore of the Jessa-Sean drama, that he blows up at her. Not once does Jessa ask her friend how he's doing or if he's having fun on the trip. I get that she's hurt, but what's more tragic than the love-that-wasn't-meant-to-be is the fact that she's missing out on Italy and life. Maybe it's because I've always wanted to go to Italy, but what's a better way to get over an ex than enjoying the trip of a lifetime?

Though at times comical, I found a lot of the instructions Clarissa gives Jessa to be cruel. They weren't cute little things like singing karaoke in front of a room full of strangers. It was more like a list of vengeful, spiteful things mean, bitter girls do. I much prefer the funny random things than the cruel ones.

I did enjoy Tyler. He was the best kind of friend to Jessa. He was there for her and always had a bag of her favorite candy around. I felt bad for him because sometimes he was stuck between a rock and a hard place, especially with some of the dynamics between Jessa and Clarissa. But he was a great friend and person and deals with each situation gracefully.

Though I thought the book was well-written, I just couldn't get into it. I did relish in the descriptions of Italy and the places they went. It seems like those who have read Instructions of a Broken Heart did enjoy it, but sadly it wasn't the book for me.

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine. It showcases everyone's most anticipated books. This week, my pick is All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin.

Summary: "From the author of the critically acclaimed Elsewhere comes this brilliant novel about an impossible romance, a family living outside of the law, and the ties that forever bind us.

Chocolate and coffee are illegal, paper is hard to find, water is increasingly scarce, and New York City is rife with crime and poverty. And yet, for Anya Balanchine, the sixteen-year-old daughter of the city’s most notorious (and dead) crime boss, life is fairly routine—going to school, taking care of her siblings and her dying grandmother, trying to avoid falling in love with the new assistant D.A.'s son, and avoiding her loser ex-boyfriend. That is until someone in her inner circle ends up poisoned by the chocolate her family manufactures and the police think she’s to blame. Suddenly, Anya finds herself thrust unwillingly into the spotlight—at school, in the news, and most importantly, within her mafiya family.

Engrossing and suspenseful, All These Things I’ve Done is an utterly unique, unputdownable read that blends both the familiar and fantastic."

Why I Can't Wait: Dystopia? Mafia? Chocolate-ia and coffee-ia? Oh my goodness, doesn't this book sound absolutely delicious? And I'm loving who the romantic interest is going to be. What can I say, I'm a sucker for forbidden love. I read Gabrielle Zevin's novel Elsewhere quite some time ago and really enjoyed it, but her latest endeavour sounds so much better. Caaan't wait!

Expected publication: September 27th 2011 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)

Review : BUMPED

Title: BUMPED
Author: Megan McCafferty
Publication: April 26th 2011 by Balzer + Bray
Source: ARC

Summary: "When a virus makes everyone over the age of eighteen infertile, would-be parents are forced to pay teen girls to conceive and give birth to their children, making teens the most prized members of society.

Sixteen-year-old identical twins Melody and Harmony were separated at birth and had never met until the day Harmony shows up on Melody’s doorstep. Until now, the twins have followed completely opposite paths. Melody has scored an enviable conception contract with a couple called the Jaydens. While they are searching for the perfect partner for Melody to bump with, she is fighting her attraction to her best friend Zen, who is way too short for the job.

Harmony has spent her whole life in religious Goodside, preparing to be a wife and mother. She believes her calling is to bring Melody back to Goodside and convince her that “pregging” for profit is a sin. But Harmony has secrets of her own that she is running from.

When Melody is finally matched with the world-famous, genetically flawless Jondoe, both girls’ lives are changed forever. A case of mistaken identity takes them on a journey neither could have ever imagined, one that makes Melody and Harmony realize."

Thoughts: Around the blogosphere, I'm sure you've been reading/hearing mixed reviews about BUMPED. It's not the "normal" read, but what's so great about being normal? Before you judge it from what others say, I highly recommend checking it out for yourself. Personally, I found BUMPED to be captivating, provocative, hilarious, and a bit terrifying, all at the same time.

The story alternates from Melody and Harmony's points of view. I won't bother you with details of what the story is about. If you've read the summary above, you already have an idea. Plus, anything I give away might spoil it for you. What I will do is tell you how BUMPED had me questioning what I would do if I was put in either Melody or Harmony's situation. Megan's world building is impeccable. Most dystopian novels (though amazing) leave me a bit irritated and left with too many questions as to why. Not BUMPED. Though I still have my fair share of questions, at least it's not to the point of utter frustration.

I will say that some of the dialog (and lingoes) were a bit confusing to me. Eventually, I did get use to it. Who knows, maybe the word bumped itself will become the latest thing to say. "Who are you bumping with now?" Please don't ever really say that!

And, of course, there's Zen. Is he swoon-worthy? You bet! He's Melody best friend, as charming as his name sounds, and just an overall riot. Oh, how I adored his humor and every single scene he was in. Honestly, Zen is one of the main reasons I can't wait for BUMPED's sequel to release. What can I say, I just love him so!

Overall, Megan McCafferty has done it again, writing another entertaining and comical read. There are quite a few sexual references in this book, so I would recommend it to older YA readers. Did I enjoy it more than her Jessica Darling series? I don't know. But it's definitely in the running with Perfect Fifths!

Rating:

Don't Breathe A Word Cover Reveal + Giveaway

I'm sure many of you (as I am)are anxiously waiting for Holly Cupala's latest novel Don't Breathe A Word to release. Sadly, that's going to be quite a bit of a wait, BUT the cover will be released tomorrow. I've seen it, and it's GORGEOUS! Seriously, it's one of the best covers I've seen in quite some time.

Can't wait for tomorrow? Well, I hope you're good at puzzles because today several bloggers will be releasing different pieces to cover. Here's my piece/glimpse of the cover:



Here's the schedule of the times each blogger will be releasing pieces to the cover, all today, all CST:

8 am: Kristi (http://www.thestorysiren.com/)
10 am: Angela (http://www.readingangel.com/)
11 am: Lena (ME!) (http://addicted2novels.blogspot.com/)
Noon: Eve's Fan Garden (http://evesfangarden.com/blog/)
1 pm: Lauren (http://laurenscrammedbookshelf.blogspot.com/)
2 pm: Danielle (http://www.theresabook.com/)
3 pm: Sarah (http://sarahbear9789.blogspot.com/)
5 pm: Andye (http://www.readingteen.net/)

Tomorrow, you can find the full cover reveal at...

*Kari (http://agoodaddiction.blogspot.com/)
*Jessica E (http://totalbookaholic.blogspot.com/)
*Steph Su (http://stephsureads.blogspot.com/)

Giveaway time!!! 3 lucky commenters will win a signed copy of Tell Me A Secret from Holly herself! The commenters will be chosen at random by Holly and Kari. For each comment you leave on all of the blogs listed above earns you an extra entry. Be sure to leave your email address so they will have a way to contact you. Did I mention this giveaway is international? CAUSE IT IS!!!

Till then, I leave you with the summary for Don't Breathe A Word. Be sure to check Holly Cupala's website/blog and Twitter account (@hollycupala) for all things Don't Breathe A Word. Enjoy!

"Joy Delamere is suffocating.

From asthma, which has nearly claimed her life. From her parents, who will do anything to keep that from happening. From delectably dangerous Asher, who is smothering her from the inside out.

Joy can take his words—tender words, cruel words—until the night they go too far.

Now, Joy will leave everything behind to find the one who has offered his help, a homeless boy called Creed. She will become someone else. She will learn to survive. She will breathe…if only she can get to Creed before it’s too late.

Set against the gritty backdrop of Seattle’s streets and a cast of characters with secrets of their own, Holly Cupala’s powerful new novel explores the subtleties of abuse, the meaning of love, and how far a girl will go to discover her own strength."

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren!

For PBS:
*Siren by Tricia Rayburn

From My Awesome Buddy:
*Illusions (Wings #3) by Aprilynne Pike (already read, best one so far!)

For Review:
*Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs (Almost done reading; really good!)
*Flawless by Lara Chapman
*The Eternal Sea (Everlasting #2) by Angie Frazier
*Die For Me by Amy Plum

*Corsets and Clockwork Anthology edited by Trisha Telep (stories from Maria V. Snyder, Tiffany Trent, Kiersten White, Jaclyn Dolamore, Tessa Gratton, Lesley Livingston, Dia Reeves, Ann Aguirre, and more.)

*Truth & Dare- 20 Tales of Heartbreak and Happiness edited by Liz Miles (stories from Sarah Rees Brennan, Jennifer R. Hubbard, Heidi Kling, Saundra Mitchell, and many, many more)

And that's it. Special thanks to PBS, Sherry from Flipping Pages For All Ages, Bloomsbury, Harper Teen, Scholastic and Running Press Teens.

Feel free to leave links to your IMM posts in the comments below. I'll try to comment on as many as possible!

Review : Abandon

Title: Abandon (Abandon Trilogy #1)
Author: Meg Cabot
Expected Publication: April 26th 2011 by Scholastic Inc.

Summary: "New from #1 New York Times bestselling author Meg Cabot, a dark, fantastical story about this world . . . and the underworld.

Though she tries returning to the life she knew before the accident, Pierce can't help but feel at once a part of this world, and apart from it. Yet she's never alone . . . because someone is always watching her. Escape from the realm of the dead is impossible when someone there wants you back.

But now she's moved to a new town. Maybe at her new school, she can start fresh. Maybe she can stop feeling so afraid.

Only she can't. Because even here, he finds her. That's how desperately he wants her back. She knows he's no guardian angel, and his dark world isn't exactly heaven, yet she can't stay away . . . especially since he always appears when she least expects it, but exactly when she needs him most.

But if she lets herself fall any further, she may just find herself back in the one place she most fears: the Underworld."

Thoughts: Abandon is an alluring, marvelous, modern take on the age old tale of Persephone and Hades. From the first page to the last, I was addicted and invested in Pierce's tale and journey. I lived, breathed and inhaled Abandon. Really, it's that good.

If you know the tale of Persophone and Hades, you already have an idea of what the story is about. Pierce dies in a tragic accident at the age of 15, but instead of her soul moving on to the next life, she reunites with John (someone she remembers from her childhood). Luckily, Piere escapes and finds herself back in the world of the living. Now -2 years later- wanting to put her past in the past, Pierce finds herself living with her mother in her mother's childhood home/island of Isla Huesos. John has been with her the whole time and as Pierce begins to realize, John has more secrets than she ever thought possible.

First, I wanted to mention how beautiful and perfect the cover is for Abandon. I'm seriously suffering from a case of cover lust. With the intricate floral designs to the girl laying in the dirt, the cover not only gives me goosebumps, but also gives me (and hopefully you) an idea of what the story will be like. I wish so badly that you could see the back cover. It's basically her legs and the rest of the white dress. Still, it's pretty amazing.

From the very first line, the story had my attention. "Anything can happen in the blink of an eye." Indeed it can, and in Pierce's case, it can be the most terrifying thing ever. I loved how well the story unfolds. Every so often,the story jumps from the past then back to the present. I'll admit, my favorite scenes involved her retelling past events, especially her experience in the Underworld with Had-eerr- I mean John. The present day situations were a bit of a bore to me, but I guess they would be compared to stories of the Underworld and Furies.

Though Piere is a brave heroin, I'll admit, she agitated me at times. There were scenes where I just wanted to shake her and scream "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" Though her intentions and instincts were normally right, she still does some pretty idiotic things. I won't go into details because I'd hate to ruin the story for anyone. Once you read it, I'm sure you'll see what I mean.

And then there's John. I don't know about you, but I am a sucker for the brooding bad boys. I'm not kidding, if he kidnapped me, I wouldn't protest. Not for one minute. I was kind of sad that there wasn't more to John's story in this book, but I guess that's what the sequel is for.

Last but not least, the ending. I didn't expect that! As far as endings go, Abandon leaves you with a bit of a cliffhanger, and yet still somewhat satisfying one too. At least for now. I can't wait for the sequel (The Underworld) to release. Isn't that the most tragic thing about trilogies? Waiting for the next book to release? Especially when this one hasn't even hit shelves yet. I have yet to read any other of Meg Cabot's books, however after this, I have to check them out. If they're anything like Abandon than they must be good!

Oh, and word of advice? Do not read this while getting ready to go to work. I ended up late several days in a row because I just couldn't put it down!


Rating:

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine. It showcases our most anticipated books. This week, my pick is The Pledge by Kimberly Derting.

Summary: "Words are the most dangerous weapon of all.

In the violent country of Ludania, the classes are strictly divided by the language they speak. The smallest transgression, like looking a member of a higher class in the eye while they are speaking their native tongue, results in immediate execution. Seventeen-year-old Charlaina has always been able to understand the languages of all classes, and she’s spent her life trying to hide her secret. The only place she can really be free is the drug-fueled underground clubs where people go to shake off the oppressive rules of the world they live in. It's there that she meets a beautiful and mysterious boy named Max who speaks a language she's never heard before . . . and her secret is almost exposed.

Charlie is intensely attracted to Max, even though she can’t be sure where his real loyalties lie. As the emergency drills give way to real crisis and the violence escalates, it becomes clear that Charlie is the key to something much bigger: her country’s only chance for freedom from the terrible power of a deadly regime."

Why I Can't Wait:I can't tell you how much I love The Body Finder and Desires of the Dead. Kimberly Derting is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors, so when she posted on her blog that she's working on something new, I immediately couldn't wait to read it. Look at that summary. LOOK AT THAT COVER!! Stunning doesn't even begin to describe it. If it's half as good as her Body Finder series is, I'll be a very happy camper.

Expected publication: November 15th 2011 by Margaret K. McElderry

Review : Stay

Title: Stay
Author: Deb Caletti
Published: April 5th 2011 by Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Source: ARC

Summary: "Clara’s relationship with Christian is intense from the start, and like nothing she’s ever experienced before. But what starts as devotion quickly becomes obsession, and it’s almost too late before Clara realizes how far gone Christian is—and what he’s willing to do to make her stay.

Now Clara has left the city—and Christian—behind. No one back home has any idea where she is, but she still struggles to shake off her fear. She knows Christian won’t let her go that easily, and that no matter how far she runs, it may not be far enough...."

Thoughts: Quite frankly, I think every teenager girl...heck, every woman, should pick up this book and read it immediately. Stay is not only beautifully written and well crafted, but it's also heart breaking and true in so many different ways. Where as Sarah Dessen's Dreamland speaks of physical abuse, Stay talks about verbal abuse and the powers of obsession. What happens when love goes terribly, terribly wrong?

Love at first sight. That's how Clara feels when she first meets Christian. In the beginning, he seems like the perfect boyfriend. Always attentive, always caring. But before long, Christian begins to become more possessive and a bit crazy. After so much drama and fear, Clara's father decides to send her and him away from Christian and away from it all. But things are rarely ever wrapped up in pretty pink bows. Signs of Christian begin to appear and eventually, Clara must come to terms with her past and finally put an end to it.

The chapters alternate between the present (Clara and her father in this new summer boat town) and the past (the first day Clara meets Christian and the days to come). This confused me a bit in the beginning, but once I understood what was going on, I really enjoyed it. One thing I will say is the story has footnotes every now and then. Personally, I thought that took away from the story. What I ended up doing was reading each chapter first, then going back later and reading the footnotes. They're not really relevant to the overall story, but they do include some fun facts.

I absolutely love the way Caletti unravels Clara and Christian's story. You know from the beginning it won't last, but still question how things got so bad. Every detail, every emotion felt so real. My heart cried out for Clara, but at the same time, I still felt a soft spot for Christian. Deep down, I think he's a good guy, but got lost somewhere along the way.

My favorite part of the story though is Clara's healing process. None of this was easy for her. I'm so glad she had her father to help her out. Many stories lately involve neglecting or aloof parents, so I'm so glad and relieved to finally read a story where the parent actually gives a crap. Clara's father is caring, supportive and very, very clever. I loved his humor and affection towards Clara. I love my dad, but if for some reason my dad couldn't be my dad, I'd want Clara's dad.

And of course, there's Finn. He's a local in Clara's new town and just a doll. He's protective in all the right ways and his family (in so many words) is absolutely adorable. The story was already amazing to begin with, but Finn really is the icing on the cake.

Overall, Stay is an emotion tornado that will leave it's readers breathless. I swear, some of Caletti's writing is just pure poetry. It's not an easy read, but it's definitely one you don't want to miss.

Rating:

Review : The Gathering

Title: The Gathering (Darkness Rising #1)
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Published: April 12th 2011 by Harper (HarperCollins)


Summary: "Sixteen-year-old Maya is just an ordinary teen in an ordinary town. Sure, she doesn't know much about her background - the only thing she really has to cling to is an odd paw-print birthmark on her hip - but she never really put much thought into who her parents were or how she ended up with her adopted parents in this tiny medical-research community on Vancouver Island.

Until now.

Strange things have been happening in this claustrophobic town - from the mountain lions that have been approaching Maya to her best friend's hidden talent for "feeling" out people and situations, to the sexy new bad boy who makes Maya feel . . . . different. Combine that with a few unexplained deaths and a mystery involving Maya's biological parents and it's easy to suspect that this town might have more than its share of skeletons in its closet.

In The Gathering, New York Times best-selling author Kelley Armstrong brings all the supernatural thrills from her wildly successful Darkest Powers series to Darkness Rising, her scorching hot new trilogy."

Thoughts: Ya know, I absolutely love Kelley's writing. I love how she not only creates this new world, but also mixes in pieces of the Otherworlds and Darkest Powers series. They're a little subtle, but if you've read her other books, you'll catch them.

Being the first book in the new Darkness Rising series, there's a lot of background information. There's character building, setting establishment, and also the added mystery of what Maya is. Don't worry, there's still a handful of action and romance. Just keep in mind that with world building comes slow pacing. Kelley writes with a lot of details, so if you're 100 pages in, wondering why nothing has happened yet, just keep reading. It'll be worth it!

Though I must admit, I enjoyed The Darkest Powers more, I still adored this book. It definitely has the potential of being something amazing and grand.

Rating:

900 Followers Giveaway

I can't believe it. You guys seriously rock my world. Thank you to each and every one of you who helped me to get 900 followers. *hugs for all!*

Now, it's giveaway time. There will be a total for 3 winners. Let's discuss prizes, shall we?

Prize Pack #1 (US Only):

*Suddenly In The Depths of the Forest (arc) by Amos Oz
*Rip Tide (arc) by Kat Falls
*The Vespertine (arc) by Saundra Mitchell
*The Dead-Tossed Waves (UK Edition, with signed book plate) by Carrie Ryan
*Extraordinary (arc) by Nancy Werlin
*Across The Universe (with signed bookplate) by Beth Revis

Prize Pack #2 (US Only):

*Abandon (arc) by Meg Cabot
*Wrapped (arc) by Jennifer Bradbury
*The Lipstick Laws (arc) by Amy Holder
*See What I See (arc) by Gloria Whelan
*Jenna and Jonah's Fauxmance by Emily Franklin and Brendan Halpin
*Purple Daze by Sherry Shahan

$10 Book of Choice (US, CA and international):
*One person will win any YA book of their choice (up to $10) from the Book Depository.

If you are outside the US, but have a US address I can ship the prize packs to, feel free to enter!

How To Enter:

*You must fill out THIS FORM.
*Since this is a followers giveaway, you must be a follower to enter.
*You must be at least 15 or up. If you are under age, please have a parent email me permission for you to enter at addicted2novels(at)gmail(dot)com. Integrity people!
*Giveaway ends May 7th.

The winner will be announced on the blog and contacted via email. Depending on the number of entries, please at least give me a couple days to announce the winner. Good luck, everyone.

Oh, and one more thing...

In My Mailbox: TXLA Edition

In case you haven't heard, TXLA was this past week. Sadly, I could not go all 4 days, but Cynthia from A Blog About Nothing and I did make it there for one day. And boy are we glad we did. Not only did we snag some awesome goodies, we also met some amazing authors (Carrie Ryan, James Dashner, Gayle Forman, David Leviathan, and many more). BUUUT, the very best part was hanging out with fellow Literary Lonestars and Blogger Buddies. I've got pictures and will be posting about the event very soon. Till then, let's get this IMM started!

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.





*The Betrayal of Maggie Blair by Elizabeth Laird
*You Against Me by Jenny Downham
*The Sweetest Thing by Christina Mandelski (signed!)
*The Last Little Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson
*Between Here And Forever by Elizabeth Scott
*Texas Gothic by Rosemary Clement-Moore (signed!)
*The Splender Falls by Rosemary Clement-Moore (signed!)
*Between by Jessica Warman
*Liesl and Po by Lauren Oliver
*The Beginning of After by Jennifer Castle
*Falling For Hamlet by Michelle Ray
*All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin
*Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini
*Where She Went by Gayle Forman (signed!)
*Shadow Hills by Anastasia Hopcus
*I Wore The Ocean In The Shape of a Girl by Kelle Groom

*My Beating Teenage Heart by C.K. Kelly Martin
*Populazzi by Elise Allen
*Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley
*I'll Be There by Holly Goldberg Sloan
*Rage by Jackie Kessler
*The Absolute Value of Mike by Kathryn Erskine
*Everything Beautiful Began AFter by Simon Van Booy
*Kiss of Death by Lauren Henderson
*Back When You Were Easier To Love by Emily Wing Smith
*Ten Things We Did (And Probably Shouldn't Have) by Sarah Mlynowski
*Reaching Through Time by Lurlene McDaniel
*Crossing Lines by Paul Volponi

And that's it! Feel free to leave links to your IMMs below!

Weekly Writing Challenge : Die For Me

As always, Inkpop is hosting another amazing writing challenge. This one is based on the upcoming novel Die For Me by debut author Amy Plum.

The Challenge (Quoted straight from the forum)

"Die for Me is unlike any other paranormal you have ever read. Instead of a cold and rainy atmosphere, imagine being shipped off to Paris after a tragic accident leaves you orphaned. While there you meet a dark and mysterious guy who, instead of living forever, dies repeatedly. That is just beginning of Die for Me

So now that you know there are paranormals unlike any you have ever imagined lets reimagine what immortality might do to you. Write a short story, poem or essay that imagines a life that never ends. What does this world look like? Are you happy, sad or weirdly immune to the world around you? Did you give up the hope of death to save someone you love or to be with that person forever? Tell us about it in the Die for Me writing challenge. "

Two writers and two commenters will be selected to win a copy of Die For Me, as well as three additional books from the HarperTeen catalog.

For more information on the writing challenge and how to enter, check out Inkpop by clicking HERE or going to http://www.inkpop.com/forums/threads/62284/dark-days-of-supernatural-writing-challenge-6-die-for-me-writing-challenge/

Special thanks to the people at Inkpop and HarperTeen for bringing out the writer in all of us.

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine. It features out most anticipated books. This week, my pick is Crossed by Ally Condie.

Summary: In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky — taken by the Society to his certain death — only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake.

Cassia’s quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, an invitation for rebellion, an unexpected betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander — who may hold the key to the uprising and, still, to Cassia’s heart — change the game once again. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever.

Why I Can't Wait: Since I'm a fan of Matched, do you really question why I can't wait? If you've read Matched, you know it leaves you with a cliffhanger. I need to know what happened to Ky and where Cassia's journey will take her. I also want to read more about the wonderful world Ally Condie built. Plus, I'm totally digging the cover. Sometimes pictures speak louder than words, and this cover is screaming at me.

Expected publication: November 1st 2011 by Dutton Juvenile

Review : Enclave

Title: Enclave (Razorland #1)
Author: Ann Aguirre
Expected publication: April 12th 2011 by Feiwel & Friends

Summary: "New York City has been decimated by war and plague, and most of civilization has migrated to underground enclaves, where life expectancy is no more than the early 20's. When Deuce turns 15, she takes on her role as a Huntress, and is paired with Fade, a teenage Hunter who lived Topside as a young boy. When she and Fade discover that the neighboring enclave has been decimated by the tunnel monsters—or Freaks—who seem to be growing more organized, the elders refuse to listen to warnings. And when Deuce and Fade are exiled from the enclave, the girl born in darkness must survive in daylight, in the ruins of a city whose population has dwindled to a few dangerous gangs. As the two are guided by Fade’s long-ago memories, they face dangers, and feelings, unlike any they’ve ever known."

First line: "I was born during the second holocaust."

Thoughts:I'll admit, I kept putting this one off. After being pressured practically every day (Thanks, Karen and Tiger!), I finally caved. Boy howdy, am I glad I did! Fans of The Hunger Games will be thrilled to hear there's a book out there that actually compares. Enclave is a terrifying, yet engrossing read that will keep you up waaaay past your bedtime.

Welcome to the holocaust part 2. The story starts off with Deuce's naming ceremony. You see, since most people in their world don't live past the age of 40 (and the eldest person there is 25), children are not given names at birth. They are named at their ceremony and also receive scars on their arms for the task they will bare (Breeder, Builder or Hunter). Till this ceremony, all children are deemed brats and a number.

Deuce is a Hunter. She finds food for the Enclave and battles Freaks (ridiculously scary versions of crazy, psychotic zombies). Though she was born from a Breeder, she always knew she was meant to be a Hunter. After her naming ceremony, she is partnered with Fade, an outsider who used to live on the surface. Fade is quite possibly the best Hunter the Enclave has, but he clearly doesn't agree with the Enclave's laws, rules, and beliefs. And soon enough, he'll have Deuce questioning everything she thought she believed in.

One thing I will say about this book is, I think the summary gives way too much away. I mean, that's basically the first 100 pages of the book! Though, yes, the first 100 pages does have more than JUST that, the summary spoils it a little. I hope they might consider rewriting it.

Moving on, usually dystopian novels are either hit or miss for me. It all depends on the world building. In this case, Ann Aguirre does a fantastic job creating the setting for Enclave. Not only does she display a great amount of description and emotions into her writing, she'll also have you hooked and invested in all of the characters. One question I found myself asking over and over again is what would I do if everything I thought I believed in was wrong? Runaway? Pee in my pants? Probably.

And Fade. Ooooh, how I loved Fade. He is (as far as boys go) a breath of fresh air. I loved the way he challenges, yet protects Deuce. He meant it when he told her he has her back. I'll admit, there's not a lot of romance in this book, but that's okay. The potential alone will have your heart racing.

Action packed, horror filled and just an all around good time, Enclave is a book you don't want to miss. I do suggest making sure you have plenty of reading time before cracking this one open. You won't want to stop until the very last page. I can't wait for the sequel, and I'm sure once you finish, you'll feel the same way!

Rating:

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. I had a great week, but completely broke my book buying ban due to uhhh, Teen Book Con overload. Ch-ch-check it out!

From My Book Faerie:
*Divergent by Veronica Roth

For Review:
*The Mephisto Covenant by Trinity Faegen

Won:
*Other Words For Love (Signed! Lorraine writes her L's just like me!) by Lorraine Zago Rosenthal

Teen Book Con Buys/Goodies:
*A Field Guide For Heartbreakers by Kristen Tracy (Signed! She's HILARIOUS!)
*The Ghost And The Goth (Signed! LOVE this book and love Stacey!) by Stacey Kade
*Beauty Queens by Libba Bray
*Abandon by Meg Cabot

Bought:
*City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

PBS:
*Night Road by Kristin Hannah

While I was at Teen Book Con, I also got some other books I've previously posted signed. Here they are (minus The Verspertine and Stay):



And that's all, folks! Special thanks to Egmont, Trinity Faegen, and all the amazing bloggers/buddies/ladies/authors who hung out with me this weekend. I can't wait to see you guys in Austin for TLA! :D




XOXO,

Review : Red Glove

Title: Red Glove (Cursed Workers #2)
Author: Holly Black
Published: April 5th 2011 by Margaret K. McElderry
Source: ARC

Summary: Curses and cons. Magic and the mob. In Cassel Sharpe's world, they go together. Cassel always thought he was an ordinary guy, until he realized his memories were being manipulated by his brothers. Now he knows the truth—he’s the most powerful curse worker around. A touch of his hand can transform anything—or anyone—into something else. That was how Lila, the girl he loved, became a white cat. Cassel was tricked into thinking he killed her, when actually he tried to save her. Now that she's human again, he should be overjoyed. Trouble is, Lila's been cursed to love him, a little gift from his emotion worker mom. And if Lila's love is as phony as Cassel's made-up memories, then he can't believe anything she says or does. When Cassel's oldest brother is murdered, the Feds recruit Cassel to help make sense of the only clue—crime-scene images of a woman in red gloves. But the mob is after Cassel too—they know how valuable he could be to them. Cassel is going to have to stay one step ahead of both sides just to survive. But where can he turn when he can't trust anyone—least of all, himself? Love is a curse and the con is the only answer in a game too dangerous to lose.

Thoughts:**please excuse the ridiculous fan-girling**

Holy cow! To be honest, I wasn't really a huge fan of White Cat. I liked it enough, but it wasn't necessarily my favorite 2010 read. Red Glove, on the other hand, is everything I love about reading, and possibly even more. The summary doesn't lie. The cons do get twistier and the stakes higher. You think you know, but really, you have no idea!

There's heartache, humor, and crazy mobsters. Cassel is an amazing narrator. I absolutely adored his witty, but still somehow charming, personality. Deep down, he's a good guy, even though his actions beg to differ. And I loved the way Lila's character plays such an important role in this book. I didn't know how I'd feel about her after White Cat, but now? Wow. I love/hate her in the best kind of way. Just add in a cup of Sam and Daneca, and you've got the recipe made of win!

And that ending?

Oh. My. Goodness. I thought I had it all figured out. I thought "Psssh, I got this!" Well, the ending basically slapped me in the face because I didn't, not in a million years, ever would have guessd THAT was how it was going to end. Needless to say, I'm going to need to read the next book ASAP!

It's really hard for me to review this book without giving away any spoilers. Every single detail is important, so I'll leave it at this: For those who enjoyed White Cat, you are going to LOOOOOVE Red Glove. And if you weren't a fan of White Cat, I still recommend checking it out. I may not have been an original Cursed Workers fan, but now I'm hooked!

Rating:

Review : The Lipstick Laws

Title: The Lipstick Laws
Author: Amy Holder
Published: April 4th 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Source: ARC provided by publisher for review

Summary: "At Penford High School, Britney Taylor is the queen bee. She dates whomever she likes, rules over her inner circle of friends like Genghis Khan, and can ruin anyone's life with a snap of perfectly manicured fingers. Just ask the unfortunate few who have crossed her. For April Bowers, Britney is also the answer to her prayers. April is so unpopular, kids don't even know she exists. But one lunch spent at Britney's table, and April is basking in the glow of popularity. But Britney's friendship comes with a high price tag. How much is April willing to pay?"

Thoughts: If you're a fan of the movie Mean Girls, you're in for a treat. The Lipstick Laws captures the essence of how cruel and hilarious high school can sometimes be. Though a bit extreme in certain circumstances (ahem, cross dressers), it wouldn't be as fun without those moments.

The book starts off with the same spin as the movie Mean Girls. You have April, who is the somewhat new student, who is basically trying to find her place. Whether it's a blessing or a curse, during PE one day, she gets paired with Brittany, the most popular girl in school.

Brittany is everything a high school Queen Bee should be. She's callous, head strong and beautiful. She even has this rule book called The Lipstick Laws. In order to be her friend, you must obide by the Lipstick Laws or suffer Brittany's wrath. And trust me, you do not want to be on Brittany's bad list.

One thing I enjoyed about this novel is the way April developed as a character. She went from being a bit of a shy girl, to being a part of the intercircle, to something more. Though, at times, she got a little caught in the moment, she still remembered who she was pre-Brittany. I would have liked to see Brittany develope more as a character too, but I guess not everyone can change.

For you romance lovers, there is a handful of romance in the novel. Crushers, backstabbing, lingering feelings, they all play a role in this book. I mean, really, you can't have a novel based on high school without those things. Personally, I didn't find any of the guys swoon-worthy, but they were definitely entertaining. I'm especially fond of Delvin, though all the guys caused a lot of drama and laughs.

Overall, The Lipstick Laws is a delightful, quick read that will have you giggling one second and shaking your fist the next. It's not a serious read, nor will it change the world, but it will make you laugh at least once or twice.

Rating:

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine. It showcases everyone's most anticipated books. This week, my pick is Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins.

Summary: In this companion novel to Anna and the French Kiss, two teens discover that true love may be closer than they think.

For budding costume designer Lola Nolan, the more outrageous, the outfit—more sparkly, more fun, more wild—the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins move back into the house next door.

When the family returns and Cricket—a gifted inventor and engineer—steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.

Why I Can't Wait: OMG, thank my lucky stars! I absolutely LOVED Anna and the French Kiss, so when I heard there was going to be a companion novel to it, I literally screamed. Anna and the French Kiss is easily one of my favorite 2010 novels, and Stephanie is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. Did you read that summary? Wow. I'm curious to know how Anna and the gang will play a role in this book. Please, let there be at least a handful of Etienne in it. Can't wait, can't wait, can't wait!

Expected publication: September 29th 2011 by Dutton

Review : Purple Daze

Title: Purple Daze
Author: Sherry Shahan
Published: March 22nd 2011 by Running Press Teens
Source: Finished copy sent by publisher for review

Summary: "Purple Daze is a young adult novel set in suburban Los Angeles in 1965. Six high school students share their experiences and feelings in interconnected free verse and traditional poems about war, feminism, riots, love, racism, rock 'n' roll, high school, and friendship.

Although there have been verse novels published recently, none explore the changing and volatile 1960's in America-- a time when young people drove a cultural and political revolution. With themes like the costs and casualties of war, the consequences of sex, and the complex relationships between teens, their peers, and their parents, this story is still as relevant today as it was 45 years ago."

Thoughts: Purple Daze is like a time capsule into 1960s. Enter the world of drugs, sex and war, all told through the eyes of six unique teenagers. Though some readers may deem this book a bit controversial, I found it fascinating and truly unique. I loved the poetry, the letters, the historical passages...I loved it all.

One thing I will say is Purple Daze is unquestionably meant for older readers (15 and up). There's a lot of foul language and a handful of adult content that I'm sure parents would not want their younger teens/kids reading. With that said, if you're in that 15 and up bracket, I would recommend checking out Purple Haze.

The book is majority of the book is told in verse from each character. First, there's Ziggy. She is your typical rebellious teenager. Boys think she doesn't know they like her because she...uhh, gives her "milk" away for free, but she knows. She's more clever than people give her credit, but deals with so many issues, it could make your head spin. Then there's Cheryl. She's Ziggy's best friend and my favorite character of the six. Her innocence is endearing, and she is just a great person. The last girl is Nancy. Nancy's character is not as predominant as the other characters, but she still plays a role in their lives. I wasn't really a fan of Nancy, but to each their own.

If you know me, you know I love a good handful of romance in my books. Purple Daze is one of those books that has more lust than love, and even though there wasn't that much (if any) romance in it, I still enjoyed it. It's the history, I guess. I will say that out of all three boys, Phil was my favorite. His story just hooked me, and I really enjoyed hearing what he had to say.

For fans of Dazed And Confused, history and verse, hippies and hoopla, this is the book for you. I'm kind of surprised this is a YA book because I honestly thing adults would enjoy it, especially those who grew up during the 1960s. It's not an easy read, but it's still a good one.

Rating:

SGH & March Madness Winners

Yaaay, I've got some winners to announce. Special thanks to everyone who entered. I wish there was something I could give all of you. How about my love?

*sends you guys my love*

See? We're all winners! Anywho, the winner of Sean Griswold's Head ARC...

With 40 participants, and 175 entries, the winner is...

NoraBell!!!

And now the March Madness giveaway! With 195 participants and 300 entries, the winner is...

ORCHID!

Congrats, ladies! Emails are being sent your way. You have 48 hours to reply back before another winner is chosen. If (for some reason) you did not receive my email, feel free to email me at addicted2novels(at)gmail(dot)com.

If you didn't win, no worries. You can still enter the April Giveaway, amongst others!

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. It's pretty self explainatory, but basically it features all the goodies everyone got during the week. Boy howdy, I had a great week in books. Sorry the picture is so blurry/crappy. I can't find the USB cord to my camera, so I had to take it with my iPhone. Also, I accidently mixed everything up, so we're just going to do a big "For Review" pile.


For Review:
*Sweetly by Jackson Pearce
*Divergent (borrowed!) by Veronica Roth
*Like Mandarin by Kirsten Hubbard
*What Happened To Goodbye by Sarah Dessen
*Possession by Elana Johnson
*Always A Witch (Once A Witch #2) by Carolyn MacCullough
*Supernaturally (Paranormalcy #2) by Kirsten White
*Hourglass by Myra McEntire
*Trial By Fire (Raised By Wolves #2) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
*Afterlife (Evernight #4) by Claudia Gray
*Sweet Valley Confidential by Francine Pascal
*Ten Miles Past Normal by Frances O'Roark Dowell

**Special thanks to Michelle at Windowpane Memoirs, Kai at Fiction State of Mind (I love you guys!), HarperTeen, Kirsten White, Egmont, St. Martin's Press, Simon & Schuster, and Ann Marie Nieves from Get Red PR.

April Giveaway

It' giveaway time, and you know what they say...

April Showers Bring Umm...Books! This month, I'm giving away any YA book that's released in the month of April.


The Prize:

One winner will with any April Young Adult book of their choice. Want to see a list and get an idea of what you can win? Here ya go:

HARDCOVER RELEASES:

April 1st-
*Geek Fantasy Novel by E. Archer
*Alice In Time by Penelope Bush
*Almost True by Keren David
*The Blue-Eyed Aborgine by Rosemary Hayes
*Eclipse of the Jaguar by Richard Trout

April 4th-
*The Year We Were Famous by Carole Estby Dagg
*The Abused Werewolf Rescue Group by Catherine Jinks (sequel to Vampire Support Group)

April 5th-
*Through Her Eyes by Jennifer Archer
*Flip by Martyn Bedford
*Red Glove (Cursed Workers #2)by Holly Black
*Stay by Deb Caletti
*City of Fallen Angels (Mortal Instruments #4)by Cassandra Clare
*The FitzOsbornes in Exhile by Michelle Cooper
*Where I Belong by Gillian Cross
*Where She Went (If I Stay #2)by Gayle Foreman
*The Ghoul Next Door (Monster High #2)by Lisi Harrison
*Huntress by Malinda Lo
*Faerie Winter (Faerie series #2)by Janni Lee Simner
*The Time Traveling Fashionista by Bianca Turetsky

April 12th-
*Enclave by Ann Aguirre
*The Gathering (Darkness Rising #1)by Kelley Armstrong
*In the Shadow of the Lamp by Susanne Dunlap
*Insight by Diana Greenwood
*My Unfair Godmother by Jannette Rallison
*What Comes After by Steve Watkins

April 14th-
*The Returning by Christine Hinwood
*On the Volcano by James Nelson
*Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor

April 15th-
*Out of Shadows by Jason Wallaceb

April 18th-
*The Betrayal of Magiie Blaire by Elizabeth Laird

April 19th-
*Eona by Alison Goodman
*The Coven's Daughter by Lucy Jago
*The Black (Morpheus Road #2)by D. J. MacHale
*Boyfriends With Girlfriends by Alex Sanchez
*H.I.V.E.-Escape Velocity by Mark Walden

April 26th-
*Abandon by Meg Cabot
*The Last Little Blue Envelope (Little Blue Envelopes #2)by Maureen Johnson
*Bumped by Megan McCafferty
*Family by Micol Ostow

April 28th-
*Ocean of Blood (The Saga of Larten Crepsley #2)by Darren Shan
*Back When You Were Easier To Love by Emily Wing Smith

April 29th-
*Fury of the Phoenix (Kingdom of Xia #2)by Cindy Pon

PAPERBACK RELEASES:

April 1st-
*Dreamline by Nicole Luiken
*Runaway (Airhead Trilogy #3)by Meg Cabot
*Jack Flint and the Red Thorn Sword by Joe Donnelly
*Beautiful Beings by Kailin Gow
*Omens of the Stars: Sign of the the Moon by Erin Hunter
*Speak No Evil (Gifted Series #6)by Marilyn Kaye
*Starting Early: A Boy and His Bugle During WWII by Pal and Ann Karzkowski Kimpton
*Cinderella: Ninja Warrior by Maureen McGowan
*Sleeping Beauty: Vampire Slayer by Maureen McGowan
*Bruiser by Neal Shusterman
*Winter in Wartime by Jan Terlow

April 4th -
*The Lipstick Laws by Amy Holder
*Rage (Horsemen of the Apocolypse #2)by Jackie Morse Kessler
*Zen and Xander Undone by Amy Kathleen Ryan

April 5th-
*The Book of the Maidservant by Rebecca Bernhouse
*Ghost Town (Morganvill Vampires #9)by Rachel Caine
*13 Days to Midnight by Patrick Carmen
*Lies (Gone #3)by Michael Grant
*Living Hell by Catherine Jinks
*Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce
*The Daughters Break the Rules (The Daughters #2)by Joanna Philbin
*Thief Eyes by Janni Lee Simner
*Shade by Jerri Smith-Ready

April 12th-
*The Reckoning (Darkest Powers #3)by Kelley Armstrong
*Roadside Assistance by Amy Clipston
*The Key by Marienne Curley
*Boys, Bears, and a Serious Pair of Hiking Boots by Abby McDonald
*The Prince of Mist by Carlos Ruiz Zafoin

April 13th-
*Brisingr (The Inheritance Cycle #3)by Christopher Paolini

April 18th-
*The Education of Bet by Lauren Boratz-Logsted
*This World We Live In (The Last Survivors )by Susan Beth Pfeffer

April 19th-
*Twelfth Grade Kills (Chronicles of Vladimir Tod #5)by Heather Brewer
*The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter
*Something Like Fate by Susane Colasanti
*Down a Dark Hall by Lois Duncan
*Ritual and Legacy (Vampire Beach #2)by Alex Duval
*Invincible Summer by Hannah Moscowitz
*Who I Am by M.L. Rice
*Chasing Brooklyn by Lisa Schroeder

April 26th-
*Future Imperfect by K. Ryer Breese
*The Lighter Side of Life and Death by C. K. Kelly Martin
*Riot by Walter Dean Myers
*Forever Summer bind up by Alyson Noel
*Raven Speak by Diane Lee Wilson

April 28th-
*Exhile by Anne Osterlund

April 29th-
*Overprotected by Jennifer Laurens

April 30th-
*How Huge the Night: A Novel by Heather and Lydia Munn

Since I will be ordering the book via Book Depository, this giveaway is international!

To Enter:
*Please fill out THIS FORM.
*You must be 15 or up to enter (or have your parent's mission. Please have them email me at addicted2novels(at)gmail(dot)com.).
*You must be a follower

For Extra entries:
*+1 for tweeting (pranking) by buddy Karen from FWIW: "@teamsheltie PEETA IS MINE!!! #AprilGiveaway"
+1 for each place you spread the word

Good luck, everyone! I wish you guys an April filled with book showers!

Review & Giveaway: Where She Went

Title: Where She Went (If I Stay #2)
Author: Gayle Forman
Expected publication: April 5th 2011 by Dutton Juvenile
Source: ARC from publisher for review

**Warning: This will contain spoilers from If I Stay. If you have not read If I Stay, please look away!!!**


Summary: "It's been three years since the devastating accident ... three years since Mia walked out of Adam's life forever.
Now living on opposite coasts, Mia is Julliard's rising star and Adam is LA tabloid fodder, thanks to his new rock star status and celebrity girlfriend. When Adam gets stuck in New York by himself, chance brings the couple together again, for one last night. As they explore the city that has become Mia's home, Adam and Mia revisit the past and open their hearts to the future - and each other.

Told from Adam's point of view in the spare, lyrical prose that defined If I Stay, Where She Went explores the devastation of grief, the promise of new hope, and the flame of rekindled romance."

Thoughts:I'll be honest. When I first read If I Stay, I liked it, but I didn't love it. I didn't really understand all the hype. Fast forward 1 week later. I was still thinking about the book, how heartbreaking and beautifully written it is. That's when realized that If I Stay is one of those books that, even though you can finish it in a day, it might take a little longer for you to truly absorb everything.

Now, onto Where She Went. This one, to me, is a little bit different. It didn't take me a week to fall in love with it. Instead, it only took me 50 pages before I was so wrapped up in the story, I didn't even know what time or day it was. Adam's voice is so heart wrenching, strong and painful, yet relatable and enticing, all at the same time. I liked Mia's point of view, but I LOVED Adam's.

From the summary, you know Adam and Mia have gone down different paths. It's been three years since either of them spoke to one another, let alone seen each other. Now, in the city that doesn't sleep, both are reunited. Whether that's a good thing or bad thing, you'll have to read the book to find out.

Both books kind of remind me of the movies Before Sunrise and Before Sunset (best romantic movies ever!). So much time has passed by, and so many things have happened since both characters left off, but one thing is for sure. The chemistry between Adam and Mia is undeniable.

Adam is definitely on my list of favorite swoon-worthy boys. In fact, I'm writing him on my list with a sharpie because I honestly don't think there will be a time where I don't love Adam. His passion, his fears, his heart, his charm...wow. Sometimes, I like to doodle his name in my journal. I'm kidding. Maybe.

Anyway, a question I'm sure a lot of readers (especially those who haven't read If I Stay) are wondering is "Do I have to read the first book first?". I don't think you need to read If I Stay to enjoy Where She Went, but I do think both are better paired together. Some of the conversations and events will just make more sense and have more meaning if you read If I Stay first.

Overall, I really adored Where She Went. If you're a fan of If I Stay, just wait until you read Where She Went. It didn't have me in tears like If I Stay did, but it did give me butterflies, and left me with hope,warmth, and a little bit giddy.

Rating:




Now, it's GIVEAWAY time! I am giving away an ARC of Where She Went. It's simple.

*You must be a follower to enter.
*Comment below and leave your email address so I can contact you if you win.
*+1 for spreading the word. Please leave links!
*Open to US and CA only.

The giveaway will end April 15th.

I do ask that you agree to please review Where She Went either on your blog, goodreads, Amazon, etc.

Good luck, everyone!!!