Neurotic Thoughts - New Girl

New Girl 
Author: Paige Harbison
Release Date: January 31, 2012
Genre: YA Contemporary
Published by: HarlequinTeen
Source: HarlequinTeen through NetGalley
Summary from Goodreads:
They call me 'New Girl'... 

Ever since I arrived at exclusive, prestigious Manderly Academy, that’s who I am. New girl. Unknown. But not unnoticed—because of her. 

Becca Normandy—that’s the name on everyone’s lips. The girl whose picture I see everywhere. The girl I can’t compare to. I mean, her going missing is the only reason a spot opened up for me at the academy. And everyone stares at me like it’s my fault. 

Except for Max Holloway—the boy whose name shouldn’t be spoken. At least, not by me. Everyone thinks of him as Becca’s boyfriend but she’s gone, and here I am, replacing her. I wish it were that easy. Sometimes, when I think of Max, I can imagine how Becca’s life was so much better than mine could ever be. 

And maybe she’s still out there, waiting to take it back.

The most exciting part of New Girl and probably what inspired me to finish the book was the fact that I wanted to know what had happened to Becca. I was never as taken with her as the students of Manderly Academy, of course as the reader we are privy to some of her inner thoughts and let's just say....she is not a very nice person, at all. That didn't stop me from wanting to know how she disappeared though. 


Other than that I wasn't overly impressed with this book.  I had a hard time connecting with pretty much all of these characters because I just didn't "get" them. They were mean and snotty and not at all like the teens I knew in high school or the ones that I now know.  I couldn't figure out what their motives were for their actions. My favorite character was "new girl" as she was the most real character in the whole book.  I didn't notice until the last page that we never got "new girls" name until then, I still don't know how that escaped my attention while I was reading. The only other character that made any kind of impression on me was the principal and he is only in one scene but he was pretty darn awesome! The rest of the characters were shallow and really just for the most part awful people. I didn't even really enjoy the love interests because I thought "new girl" deserved better than both of the boys that seemed interested in her. This was definitely just an OK book for me. I have a feeling it will be one of those that I forget about pretty quickly.


Just so you know: This book talks a lot about "hooking up" and contains a lot of scenes with underage drinking. 


If you know me at all you know I hate writing reviews that don't favor a book. However, when I agree to review a book I always state that I will give my honest opinion. I do like to share links to more positive reviews though because hey, everyone likes different things so I like to share other perspectives. Here are a few links to reviews that enjoyed New Girl. 


Book Whales 4.5 rating


I Heart YA Books 5 rating

Neurotic Thoughts - Foolish Games

Foolish Games
Author: Leah Spiegel
Release Date: 2011
Genre: YA/Adult Crossover Contemporary 
Published by: Createspace
Source: I won this copy from Leah Spiegel and  Book Whore for book club
Summary from Goodreads:

Falling in love was the last thing Joie had on her mind when she was thrown into the marketing scandal intended to boost the Grimm Brothers Band's declining sales. Joie thought she knew the players of the game; she was the writer, J.T. Hawkins was the famous rock star, and Lizzie was her beautiful cover to the world. That was until a psychopathic stalker, who seemed to be three steps ahead of everyone else and calling all the shots, upped the stakes. In a situation where many different kinds of games were being played, Joie had to figure out if or who was bluffing because her life. . . and her heart, might very well depend on it.

Foolish Games was a great read for me. It had everything! Super hot rock stars, mystery, suspense, best friends (both great and evil), life changing events, and lots of opportunities for three just graduated teens to become adults. Mix all that with an original (although slightly predictable) plot line and a romance almost every girl has dreamed of and you've got yourself one sweet treat. 


Joie and her friends Riley and Lizzie are following the Grimm Brothers Band around on their summer tour. Riley has been hired to write blog reviews of the band's shows. Joie has the transportation and a little cash that her father recently left her and Lizzie just happens to be dating one of the opening band members. After a not so nice run in with lead singer Hawkins, Joie writes a derogatory fake blog review about what an ass Hawkins is basically. Things happen and the fake review accidentally gets sent and published. This all kicks starts the beginning of Foolish Games. 


I was really enjoying reading a light hearted romance in the beginning of Foolish Games and then the book took a turn. A good turn. Things got kicked up a notch by crazy dude stalking the band and in all of the craziness he ends up stalking Joie and friends as well. 


Leah Spiegel did a great job of intertwining a romance with a suspense novel and even though I was pretty confident that I knew what was going to happen in the end, I had no idea of the roller coaster ride that I would be on to get to that ending. 


Even with all of the great twists and turns my favorite part of this book were the characters. What an amazing mix of people and emotions. The vulnerable rock star with a huge chip on his shoulder. Joie our main character who is just as vulnerable and has set up all of these walls to keep herself from ever being hurt again. The bitchy friend that you want to slap repeatedly. Riley, oh I can't say enough about Riley. He is always there for Joie with concern, honesty and a shoulder to lean on ( I loved him so much if you can't tell). 


Trying something new for me at the end of this review let me know what you think.


Plot: Unique and fun 
Characters: Amazing
Writing: A definite page turner
Ending: Slightly predictable, but awesome all the same
Kid Friendly: For a book about a bunch of older teens following a band around not as bad as you would think. Mentions of sex, drugs, and drinking but no overly descriptive scenes
Overall: A highly addictive, sweet romance with a touch of heart pounding suspense

Waiting on Wednesday (3/7/2012) Way To Go

Author: Tom Ryan
Expected Release Date: April 1, 2012
Summary from Goodreads:

Kierce has a rule for everything, not to mention his whole future planned out. Jay has bad grades, no plans, and could care less. As for Danny, he’s stuck somewhere in the middle and can’t stop stressing out about it. His dad keeps nagging him about his post-high school plans, his friends won’t stop bugging him about girls, and a run-in with the cops means he has to to get a summer job – about the last thing he had planned. Worst of all, the secret he’s been keeping for years is threatening to spill out into the open. 

Just when he’s beginning to wonder how he’ll get through the summer, let alone survive another year in Deep Cove, Danny meets Lisa Walsh. Lisa is dynamic, beautiful, and different from any girl he’s ever known. She’s also from New York City, which is about as far from Deep Cove as the dark side of the moon. For the first time in a while, things begin to look like they might turn out all right after all – that is, if friends, family, and reality don’t get in the way. 

WAY TO GO is Tom Ryan’s first novel.

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we (bloggers) are anxiously awaiting. So what book are you excited about right now?

Teaser Tuesday Ember by Madison Daniel

"You play music!" he shouted again and I couldn't help but laugh. So I decided to have a little fun with him. 


"What gave it away? The concert tee I was wearing? The headphones I have sticking out of my ears?" I leaned into him a little. "Or was it the giant guitar I have strapped across my back?" I finished with a polite wink. He stood there pondering what to say for a moment.


"Your fingers. I know an ax man's fingers when I see them." He was quickly and easily excited. 

Teaser from page 47






Summary From Goodreads:
Love never dies...but it can kill.

Ember is the story of Max Valentine, a teenager with secret abilities and many inner demons. His life revolves around music and his love for it. When his father dies he seeks answers with his last living relative, his fathers brother Frank. Frank lives on the island of Maui and eagerly takes Max in as his own. Max soon learns that healing his past will be more difficult than he could have ever believed. Two major complications will tempt and torment him as he tries to make sense of his abilities.

The first temptation comes in the form of a mysterious island girl. Asia Lyn Michaels is rich, spoiled, angry and beautiful. Her path crosses with Max on the beach one afternoon, forever changing both of their lives. Max saves her life and she discovers his secret. From that moment on they are connected, no matter how much they fight it.

The second temptation will test Max’s very soul. Samantha Ann Summers is sweet, artistic, smart and confident. She will help Max find his smile again and maybe even heal his past mistakes. She is possibly his soul mate and Max will fight that with every fiber of his being.

Max’s temper and indecision with the girls will send in motion events that will cost him dearly. He will test the limits of his powers and the new relationship with his protective uncle. He will gain a powerful love and lose another.

Miz B hosts Teaser Tuesday every week, check her out for the official rules.  I never seem to be able to stick to the rule about only 2 sentences.

I love reading teasers so let me know where I can view yours in the comments. Have a great day!

Neurotic Thoughts on Mark of the Seer

Author: Jenna Kay
Release Date: March 16, 2012
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
Published by: Crushing Heart and Black Butterfly
Source: Bewitching Book Tours
Summary from Goodreads:


CLARITY MILLER always thought of her life as semi-normal. She had friends that would do anything for her, a boyfriend that was madly in love with her, and a roof over her head that she shared with her aunt.
Everything seemed to be falling into place. That is, until the day she met Sam.
When Sam informs her that he’s her guardian angel and that she has been given the gifts of a Seer, her life starts spiraling out of control. She wants nothing to do with the spiritual realm.
All she wants is to have a normal life as a teenager, but when a tragedy occurs that causes the whole town of Garlandton to fall to its knees she realizes that she has a very important decision to make.


Should she embrace the life of a Seer?
Only time will tell . . .

I think this may be one of my favorite angel books ever! I loved the fact that Clarity already had a love interest and that her romance wasn't with her guardian angel. Forbidden love is great and all but well, let's just say been there done that. This book is set in the south and I love that the author wrote the characters with a noticeable southern accent. The voices of these teens actually sounded like teens without being over the top dramatic. I also enjoyed the fact that Clarity wasn't even sure she believed in angels. She has been so mad at God for so long for the death of her parents that she doesn't even know if she believes in Him. While she struggles with her own faith she is thrown into a war between the angels and the demons and she has to decide quickly what her role in the war will be. (All of this happens without being preachy in any way.)

The characters in Mark of the Seer are great. They are gritty and definitely not perfect. They make lots of mistakes and act like real people, not perfect imaginary book characters. Clarity is loyal, witty, and a bit wild. Not quite as wild as her best friend Kora whom I loved. Kora has not had the easiest childhood and has had to take care of not only herself but also her alcoholic mother. The story doesn't go into Kora's past overly, the author gives you just enough information to understand why she is the way she is.

Boyfriend, Brenton is not only dreamy but also one of the sweetest book boyfriends ever. I love that the two of them have been friends forever before becoming "involved" and that they know each other so well. I also liked that there is no stress between them in the romance department. They love each other and they know it.

Sam the angel is also another wonderful character. He is supportive of Clarity even when she tries to deny his existence. He is loving in the way that you would expect a guardian angel to be. There is no romantic tension he is strictly doing his job as guardian angel.

The plot line is engaging and dramatic in all the right places. A story that holds your attention and keeps you turning the pages even when you know your favorite shows are on the dvr. A definite recommend for anyone who enjoys reading about angels versus demons. The fact that the Demons coerce humans to do the their bidding seemed more natural than Demons just running amuck and causing problems. As you can tell there wasn't much I didn't like about this book!  Over all a fantastic read!


Just so you know: There is some "language", and mentions of teen drinking and "hooking up"