Tell Me When You Feel Something by Vicki Grant

With summer coming up, I’m getting my young adult fiction vibes. I LOVE reading young adult novels in the summer time. I mean, yes, I love reading them at all times, but there’s something just so addicting about a good YA summer book!

Thank you Penguin Teen for my gifted ebook in exchange for my honest review.

Synopsis: It seemed like a cool part-time program — being a simulated patient for med school students to practice on. But now vivacious, charismatic Viv lies in a very real coma. Cellphone footage just leads to more questions. What really happened? Other kids suspect it was not an intentional overdose — but each has a reason why they can’t tell the truth. Through intertwining and conflicting narratives, a twisted story unfolds of trust betrayed as we sift through the seemingly innocent events leading up to the tragic night. Perhaps simulated patients aren’t the only people pretending to be something they’re not . . .

I really wanted to like this one so much! I thought it was such a cool premise, but there were way too many characters and such short snippets of what truly happened. If there were two points of view with more in-depth details, this would be so much better. It was tough to stick this one out all the way through. There also should be multiple trigger warnings for this one.

2/5 Stars

The Ivies by Alexa Donne

Hello to all my Karen McManus fans out there – I have a new book for you to checkout!

Thank you Crown Publishing for my gifted ebook in exchange for my honest review.

Synopsis: Everyone knows the Ivies: the most coveted universities in the United States. Far more important are the Ivies. The Ivies at Claflin Academy, that is. Five girls with the same mission: to get into the Ivy League by any means necessary. I would know. I’m one of them. We disrupt class ranks, club leaderships, and academic competitions…among other things. We improve our own odds by decreasing the fortunes of others. Because hyper-elite competitive college admissions is serious business. And in some cases, it’s deadly. Alexa Donne delivers a nail-biting and timely thriller about teens who will stop at nothing to get into the college of their dreams. Too bad no one told them murder isn’t an extracurricular.

This was such a fun read! It’s addictive and keeps you super engaged. The characters are extremely well developed. I wasn’t as big of a fan of “One Of Us is Lying” like others are, so this was a HUGE win for me! I want more!

5/5 Stars

In Another Life by CC Hunter

I am honored to be apart of the Wednesday Books Blog Tour for In Another Life. Thank you for the opportunity!

Synopsis from Goodreads: Chloe was three years old when she became Chloe Holden, but her adoption didn’t scar her, and she’s had a great life. Now, fourteen years later, her loving parents’ marriage has fallen apart and her mom has moved them to Joyful, Texas. Starting twelfth grade as the new kid at school, everything Chloe loved about her life is gone. And feelings of déjà vu from her early childhood start haunting her. When Chloe meets Cash Colton she feels drawn to him, as though they’re kindred spirits. Until Cash tells her the real reason he sought her out: Chloe looks exactly like the daughter his foster parents lost years ago, and he’s determined to figure out the truth. As Chloe and Cash delve deeper into her adoption, the more things don’t add up, and the more strange things start happening. Why is Chloe’s adoption a secret that people would kill for?

The first few chapters of this book had one of my eyebrows raised. Chloe had a lot of teenage drama going on and I was worried I wouldn’t be able to handle it for the rest of the book. Boy, was I wrong! The book quickly took a turn for the better. Chloe runs into Cash. The story turned upside down (for the better)! I will say that I predicted a few of the major events (or twists) early on, but it did not stop me from enjoying the read. Cash completely stole my heart. He has gotten himself into so much mess in his life. But, the determination he had to find his foster parents’ lost daughter was emotional and heartbreaking. I kept cheering him on despite decisions he had made previously. The ending wrapped up perfectly. I didn’t feel like I was left with unanswered questions. All in all, what a fun read to finish in one night!

4/5 Stars

You Owe Me a Murder by Eileen Cook

I was traveling this week for work, and I needed a good young adult thriller to catch me on my toes. I scored the jackpot on this one.

Thank you HMH Teen for gifting me a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Synopsis from Goodreads: 17-year-old Kim never expected to plot a murder. But that was before her boyfriend dumped her for another girl. Now, Kim’s stuck on a class trip to London with him and his new soulmate and she can’t help wishing he was a little bit dead, even if she’d never really do that. But when Kim meets Nicki, a stranger on the plane who’s more than willing to listen to Kim’s woes, things start to look up. Nicki’s got a great sense of humor, and when she jokes about swapping murders, Kim plays along—that is, until Kim’s ex-boyfriend mysteriously dies. Blackmailed by Nicki to fulfill her end of the deal, Kim will have to commit a murder or take the fall for one.

Talk about a book to pick while traveling, YIPES! I was a little hesitant to read this while traveling myself, but it just added to the nail-biting anxiety of having to know what was going to happen! I will say, I started falling in love with certain characters before things suddenly changed! It took me a lot of guts to withhold myself from throwing my book across the room with the hopes that “no…it can’t be true!” This one is advertised for fans of “One of Us is Lying”, which I can definitely echo. Eileen does a great job putting the reader in Kim’s shoes as she goes through the roller coaster of emotions. You’ll be on the edge of your seat the entire time reading this. It’s a fun read for sure!

4/5 Stars

What We Buried by Kate A Boorman

Whenever I’m in a reading rut, I always go for a young adult novel. They always get me into the spirit! This was the perfect choice to give me out of a book slump!

Thank you Henry Holt for gifting me a free copy in exchange for my honest review.

Synopsis from Goodreads:
Siblings Liv and Jory Brewer have grown up resenting one another. Liv—former pageant queen and reality-TV star—was groomed for a life in the spotlight, while her older brother Jory, born with a partial facial paralysis, was left in the shadows. The only thing they have in common is contempt for their parents. Now Liv is suing her mom and dad for emancipation, and Jory views the whole thing as yet another attention-getting spectacle. But on the day of the hearing, their parents mysteriously vanish, and the siblings are forced to work together. Liv feels certain she knows where they are and suspects that Jory knows more than he’s telling . . . which is true. What starts as a simple overnight road trip soon takes a turn for the dangerous and surreal. And as the duo speeds through the deserts of Nevada, brother and sister will unearth deep family secrets that force them to relive their pasts as they try to retain a grip on the present. 

I was afraid the beauty pageant aspect would deter me from enjoying it, but this book had me laughing out loud, jaw dropping to the floor, and begging for more! It’s a super fast read. Talk about a crazy family dynamic! It’s a little cliche (as most young adult novels tend to read like for adults, in my opinion), but the dry humor is fresh and original. I’m still reveling in how the author chose to end the book. If you’ve read this one, let’s talk about it!

4/5 Stars

This Lie Will Kill You by Chelsea Pitcher

Thank you to Simon Pulse for sending me a copy in exchange for my honest review.

You are cordially invited to a murder mystery party. The first person who solves the murder wins a $50,000 scholarship. Interested?

You will meet 5 teenagers, all of wihch are hiding deep secrets. Soon enough, they will learn that someone among them knows everything about them. It’s going to get real. this party is unlike any other you’ve ever been to. Are they willing to make it to the end? Are they even safe?

The Breakfast Club meets Clue meets Pretty Little Liars meets Agatha Christie – those are all the vibes I got while reading this! The first seven chapters were a bit dull for me. I didn’t feel the excitement in wanting to read more until chapter 7 hit. I was intrigued about the lies these characters were holding, but not about the characters themselves. I had to keep reading to find out how someone knew every little detail about their lives, all the way down to deleted pictures that no one else had ever seen. Crazy! Their personalities left me wanting more…they were very stereotypical. If you liked Pretty Little Liars, I think you’ll really enjoy this one.

3.5/5 Stars