Love Story by Jennifer Echols

Publisher: MTV Books
Publish Date: July 2011
Source: From author (for honest review)

She's writing about him. He's writing about her. And everybody is reading between the lines. 

For Erin Blackwell, majoring in creative writing at the New York City college of her dreams is more than a chance to fulfill her ambitions -- it's her ticket away from the tragic memories that shadow her family's racehorse farm in Kentucky. But when she refuses to major in business and take over the farm herself someday, her grandmother gives Erin's college tuition and promised inheritance to their maddeningly handsome stable boy, Hunter Allen. Now Erin has to win an internship and work late nights at a local coffee shop to make her own dreams a reality. She should despise Hunter...so why does he sneak into her thoughts  as the hero of her latest writing assignment? 

Then, on the day she's sharing that assignment with her class, Hunter walks in. He's joining her class. And after he reads about himself in her story, her private fantasies about him must be painfully clear. She only hopes to persuade him not to reveal her secret to everyone else. But Hunter devises his own creative revenge, writing sexy stories that drive the whole class wild with curiosity and fill Erin's heart with longing. Now she's not just imagining what might have been. She's writing a whole new ending for her romance with Hunter...except this story could come true.

I found Love Story to be a very refreshing change of pace. Erin and Hunter had such an interesting dynamic. Just when I thought they were nice and friendly, they were hating each other full force again. I actually got a bit dizzy from all the back and forth, but it really did add a little something to the relationship that made it more delicious. Normally the jerky tendencies would have put me off of Erin, but with Hunter's attitude and everything that was happening in her life, it was completely understandable.

And oh my gosh, the stories! My only complaint is that I wish there were more. I loved that the writing of the stories was totally different than the actual book and unique to each Hunter and Erin. Though the steamy stories were something I haven't really experienced in YA so far and it was nice to get another angle and perspective on the teenage life. And, yeah, I enjoyed them simply because :P

I found that it took me a bit to get used to Echols's writing style, but it certainly wasn't bad. There's something to say for lyrical writing, but there's also something to say about stark reality. That's not to say it's an ugly sort of starkness, but rather one that puts the reader more into the story.

Final Thoughts: If you're in for a good contemporary with a nice dose of steamy romance, you have to pick this up. It's such a fantastic change of pace from all the insta-love, love triangles, and paranormal romances out there (not that I hate all of those, it's just a nice change.) It's also a nice, quick read. You won't regret this one.



Pages: 243
Series: No
Rating: 4 stars

Tune in Tuesday {4}

Tune in Tuesday is hosted by the awesome Ginger at Greads.

Do You Feel - The Rocket Summer

Hills and Valleys - The Rocket Summer

I'm sorry to bombard you with lots of music, but I really couldn't help it this week. I always get distracted when trying to pick just one song. A couple years ago I was absolutely obsessed with Bryce Avery. Most of it was his music, but I'll admit, a little of it was his hair. I find his lyrics to be not only catchy but pretty powerful. I really love the video for Do You Feel too. It's pretty amazing. I danced around my room singing his songs at the top of my lungs many times ;] Hopefully you'll enjoy him as much as me.
Happy listening :]

P.S. Check out my guest post over at WORD for Teens :]

Forever by Maggie Stiefvater

Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.
Publish Date: July 2011
Source: Library

then. 

When Sam met Grace, he was a wolf and she was a girl. Eventually he found a way to become a boy, and their love moved from a curious distance to the intense closeness of shared lives. 

now. 

That should have been the end of their story, But Grace was not meant to stay human. Now she is the wolf. And the wolves of Mercy Falls are about to be killed in one final, spectacular hunt. 

forever. 

Sam would do anything for Grace. But can one boy and one love really change a hostile, predatory world? The past, the present, and the future are about to collide in once pure moment -- a moment of death or life, farewell or forever.

I'm really, terribly sad that this wasn't everything I had hoped it would be. Maybe I put it on a pedestal, but no matter what the reason it really fell a bit short. I felt as if I was continuously waiting for something else to happen. And let's not even talk to me about that ending (quietly grumbles to self).

First, the writing. Stiefvater's writing is what first pulled me into Shiver and caught me again in Linger. It's the sort of beautiful writing that just takes your breath away and leaves you wondering "why can't I do amazing things like that?" There were pieces in Forever that completely recaptured that feeling and others that just felt a bit...odd. Sometimes the characters seemed to say things or talk in ways that simply didn't fit. The teenagers talked and used words I couldn't even hint at the meanings of. And Officer Koenig talked in a formal way that I couldn't put with my image of him.

I still quite enjoy the science behind the wolves instead of the simple "BAM! And then he was a wolf." I liked getting a little more into the science with Cole this time. I almost wish I could have learned more about. Speaking of Cole. I kept hearing everyone talk about Cole and he was so awesome in this one. I never payed much attention since Cole was always give or take for me. But seriously. I'm not in love with Cole or anything, but I absolutely loved reading about him and all the bits from his point of view. He was an awesome character. If you pick it up for nothing else, pick it up for Cole.

I have to say that Sam and Grace have the type of love everyone should aspire to. They're comfortable like an old married couple only they still get those butterflies (and, you know, those sexy-times urges). I hope to have a Sam and Grace love for the rest of my life.

I'm quite sad there's nothing left for us in Mercy Falls. I'm also quite sad that the ending left me feeling a little unfinished. Not a happy camper did this ending make.

Final thoughts: While Forever wasn't the best of the Mercy Falls books for me, it's still worth the read. There's a little bit of action with a good dash of love mixed in and all the different points of view make for a fantastic addition to the reading experience.

Pages: 390
Series: The Wolves of Mercy Falls #3
Rating: 3.5 stars (really, this was the hardest rating I've decided on yet. It doesn't quite deserve the low status I've given it, but I also can't really bump it up.)

In My Mailbox {10}

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. It features books acquired over the past week no matter the source (bookstore, publisher, friend, library, etc.)

So, yes. This week I broke down and went to Borders. These are actually the first hardcover books I've ever bought myself. I also don't usually go around buying myself books I've never read, but I've only heard great things about all of these. With that in mind, though I spent much more than I should have (really, a penny was more than I should have spent) I am quite happy with my purchase :]

Borders:
A Need So Beautiful by Suzanne Young
Small Town Sinners by Melissa Walker
Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway
Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins (I am so absolutely glad I have this hardcover. I loved the story, but the package is just as pretty. The actually book is purple! You may not know this, but it's one of my very favorite colors :])

That's all for me. What do you get this week?

Cover Lover {10}

Of course we all know you should never judge a book by its cover, but do we ever really listen to that?
Cover Lover showcases eye catching, intriguing, and beautiful covers.

This week's Cover Lover goes to Fade by Kailin Gow

Publish Date: August 15, 2011