Review: Before You Go

Before You Go by James Preller Series: Stand Alone Published by Feiwel & Friends on July 17th 2012 Genres: Young Adult-Contemporary Source: FTC: Exchange for honest opinion, Publisher Goodreads "The summer before his senior year, Jude (yes, he’s named after the Beatles song) gets his first job, falls in love for the first time, and starts to break away from his parents. Jude’s house is kept dark, and no one talks much—it’s been that way since his little sister drowned in a swimming pool seven years ago when Jude was supposed to be watching her. Now, Jude is finally, finally starting to live. Really live. And then, life spins out of control. Again. Acclaimed author James Preller explores life, death, love, faith, and resilience in his first young adult novel...

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Review: Burn

Burn by Heath Gibson Series: Stand Alone Published by Flux on August 8th 2012 Genres: Young Adult-Contemporary Source: FTC: Exchange for honest opinion, Netgalley Goodreads "William Tucker loves being a volunteer firefighter (maybe it's no coincidence that a pastor's son would enjoy saving people). And after he rescues his crush, Mandy Pearman, she undergoes a profound transformation for the better. In fact, it seems like a lot of good comes from the embers of tragedy in his small Alabama town. William may not be able to meet his father's expectations, force his mother to ditch the gin, or protect his gay brother, but for those who need a second chance at life, William isn't afraid to light the match--and become the hero the town needs." These are the types of...

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Review: Don’t You Wish

Don't You Wish by Roxanne St. Claire Series: Stand Alone Published by Delacorte Books for Young Readers Genres: Young Adult-Contemporary Source: FTC: Exchange for honest opinion, Netgalley Buy on Amazon Goodreads "When plain and unpopular Annie Nutter gets zapped by one of her dad's whacked-out inventions, she lands in a parallel universe where her life becomes picture-perfect. Now she's Ayla Monroe, daughter of the same mother but a different father—and she's the gorgeous, rich queen bee of her high school. In this universe, Ayla lives in glitzy Miami instead of dreary Pittsburgh and has beaucoup bucks, courtesy of her billionaire—if usually absent—father. Her friends hit the clubs, party backstage at concerts, and take risks that are exhilirating . . . and...

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Review: DJ Rising

DJ Rising by Love Maia Series: Stand Alone Published by Brown For Young Readers, Little on February 6th 2012 Genres: Young Adult-Contemporary Source: FTC: Exchange for honest opinion, Publisher Buy on Amazon Goodreads "The first thing I hear is music. The first thing I've always heard is music.Meet Marley, an unassuming high school junior who breathes in music like oxygen. In between caring for his heroin-addicted mother, and keeping his scholarship at a fancy prep school, he dreams of becoming a professional DJ. When chance lands Marley his first real DJ job, his career as "DJ Ice" suddenly skyrockets. But when heart-rending disaster at home brings Marley crashing back down to earth, he is torn between obligation and following his dreams."   This is a type...

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Review: Ditched

Ditched: A Love Story by Robin Mellom Published by Disney-Hyperion on January 10, 2012 Genres: Young Adult-Contemporary Source: FTC: Exchange for honest opinion, Netgalley Buy on Amazon Goodreads "High school senior Justina Griffith was never the girl who dreamed of going to prom. Designer dresses and strappy heels? Not her thing. So she never expected her best friend, Ian Clark, to ask her. Ian, who always passed her the baseball bat handle first. Ian, who knew exactly when she needed red licorice. Ian, who promised her the most amazing night at prom. And then ditched her. Now, as the sun rises over her small town, and with only the help of some opinionated ladies at the 7-Eleven, Justina must piece together — stain by stain on her thrift-store dress — exactly...

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