Road Trip
Written by Jenny McLachlan
Contemporary, Coming of Age
Expected Publication August 13th 2015
302 Pages
Thanks to Bloomsbury Australia via Netgalley
RATING ★★★★★
Following on from Flirty Dancing and Love Bomb, Jenny McLachlan's next book is perfect summer holiday reading for fans of Geek Girl and Louise Rennison.Kat can’t believe her family are sending her to Sweden for the summer. But without her friends, or even a phone signal, can Kat make it on her own?In a land of saunas, nudity and summer sun, Kat soon realises she has nowhere to hide. It’s time to embrace who she really is, underneath what she’s been thinking people want her to be. Especially if she’s going to win the heart of mega fit Swede Leo! Can Kat find her inner strength and prove she’s got what it takes?Kat soon finds that when you're surrounded by phosphorescence and wonder it’s easy to sparkle. Or maybe that’s what happens when you fall in love... Or maybe you only shine when you’re true to yourself.
Fifteen year old Kat is in trouble, again. A long story of a wardrobe and her sister's former boyfriend later, and she finds herself en route to spending the summer with her Aunt Frida in Stockholm while her parents are on their fifth honeymoon, leaving older sister Britta home alone. But little does Kat know that she isn't on her way to Stockholm...
Welcome to the island of Strala, where nothing ever happens. Leaving behind her impressive shoe collection, not to mention electricity, Kat has a choice of canoeing, snorkeling or dancing every Friday night away to the sounds of grumpy resident Otto and his one man dance party. Her only friend on the island is thirteen year old twin Nanna, an explosion of loud shirts and compliments that could be mistaken for insults... Until Leo turns up.
Leo is a regular on the island each year, staying over the summer break to compete in the island's annual triathlon tradition Tuff Troll. Over five magical days, their tentative friendship turns into something more. Until Leo breaks Kat's heart.
Wanting to prove that she's more than a summer tourist, Kat begins to train for the triathlon to prove to her family, Leo and most importantly herself, that there is more to Kat than shoes. But to enter, you need a partner and with everyone on the island already in pairs, it's time to call in the big guns for help. The ladybirds.
Like previous books in the Ladybirds series, Sunkissed follows the story of Kat, one part of the group of once best friends and now fumbling through adolescence with each other for support. Kat is fashion conscious and can't live without best friends Bea and Betty, even resident mean girl Pearl. So when she's caught hidden in her wardrobe with her sister's former boyfriend, she knows she's pushed her parents too far. She's on her way to Sweden, spending the next few weeks of summer with her eccentric aunt Frida, but little does Kat realise that her aunt has other plans. Kat is staying in a ramshackle hut on the island of Strala, with no phone coverage, no electricity and no cute boy prospects. Then Leo arrives.
As a character, Leo wasn't the summer romance I had assumed he would be. He was lovely enough, but lacked a backbone as readers will discover. New friend Nanna more than made up for Leo's lack of likability, with her loud obnoxious shirts which are at odds with her personality. She's such a breath of fresh air.
Unlike previous series installments, Sunkissed isn't as comical, but more about the power of believing in yourself. There are still moments of laughter thanks to Nanna, but I felt Kat was much more serious than both Bea and Betty and it took me longer to warm to her personality. Regardless, it was wonderfully entertaining and I absolutely adore this series for it's fun and lighthearted take on four teens who are rekindling their childhood friendships.
A brilliant series for fans of fluffy, coming of age romances. Jenny McLachlan is the ultimate crafter of quirky characters, entertaining and feel good storylines that stay with you long after the final page is turned.
MY THOUGHTS
Like previous books in the Ladybirds series, Sunkissed follows the story of Kat, one part of the group of once best friends and now fumbling through adolescence with each other for support. Kat is fashion conscious and can't live without best friends Bea and Betty, even resident mean girl Pearl. So when she's caught hidden in her wardrobe with her sister's former boyfriend, she knows she's pushed her parents too far. She's on her way to Sweden, spending the next few weeks of summer with her eccentric aunt Frida, but little does Kat realise that her aunt has other plans. Kat is staying in a ramshackle hut on the island of Strala, with no phone coverage, no electricity and no cute boy prospects. Then Leo arrives.
As a character, Leo wasn't the summer romance I had assumed he would be. He was lovely enough, but lacked a backbone as readers will discover. New friend Nanna more than made up for Leo's lack of likability, with her loud obnoxious shirts which are at odds with her personality. She's such a breath of fresh air.
Unlike previous series installments, Sunkissed isn't as comical, but more about the power of believing in yourself. There are still moments of laughter thanks to Nanna, but I felt Kat was much more serious than both Bea and Betty and it took me longer to warm to her personality. Regardless, it was wonderfully entertaining and I absolutely adore this series for it's fun and lighthearted take on four teens who are rekindling their childhood friendships.
THE VERDICT
A brilliant series for fans of fluffy, coming of age romances. Jenny McLachlan is the ultimate crafter of quirky characters, entertaining and feel good storylines that stay with you long after the final page is turned.
Written by Trish Doller
Contemporary, Thriller
Published July 1st 2015
256 Pages
Thank you to Bloomsbury Australia
RATING ★★★★
Eighteen year old Arcadia wants adventure. Living in a tiny Florida town with her dad and four year old brother, Cadie spends most of her time working, going to school, and taking care of her family. So when she meets two handsome cousins at a campfire party, she finally has a chance for fun. They invite her and friend to join them on a road trip, and it's just the risk she's been craving, the opportunity to escape.
But what starts out as a fun, sexy journey quickly becomes dangerous when she discovers that one of them is not at all who he claims to be. One of them has deadly intentions.A road trip fling turns terrifying in this contemporary story that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.
Since her mother passed away, eighteen year old Cadie has stepped into the role her mother vacated, taking care of four year old brother Danny while dealing with her father's absence, preferring to be alone with his grief. Newly single and desperately craving adventure, it isn't long until Cadie meets Noah and Matt in town, out of state cousins camping their way through Florida when Cadie invites Matt to a bonfire party. Hitting it off and to avoid seeing her former boyfriend, in a snap decision, Cadie decides to join the boys, shirking her responsibilities an leaving her father to care for Danny alone.
Along with the quiet and kind Lindsey who has taken a liking to Matt, Cadie finds herself dangerously attracted to Noah, agreeing coming along on their wild adventure. Neither boy is what they seem. But what begun as a rebellion against her oppressive life, will turn into Cadie's fight for survival.
MY THOUGHTS
Ever find yourself internally yelling at a character? RUN YOU STUPID GIRL! Yeah, this book is it. Cadie is an oppressed eighteen year old who has found herself raising her brother since her mother passed away. Her father runs the local supermarket and involves himself in everything apart from the lives of his children, and it's left to Cadie to run their household, giving up the best of her teen years to do so. So when the opportunity arises to escape the small country town, she decides to take the risk and leave with cousins Matt and Noah. Cue internal cringing.
In her need to escape her former boyfriend and her life, she's lured by the wanderlust to leave even against her better judgement. She's desperate. With the promise of a wild adventure, she struggles between her attraction to both Matt and Noah, but seeing Matt taking an interest in once friend Lindsey, she settles for Noah. Noah admits he has a violent past, a brawl resulting in being shipped off to live with his cousin Matt and his family. His car a gift from his recently departed grandmother, both boys on the way back from her funeral and attempting to find adventure along the way. Where Matt is insistent the two girls join them, Noah is torn between reluctance and wanting to spend time with Cadie, who he seems to genuinely like.
Although Cadie seems to have no sense of self preservation or common sense, I couldn't tear myself away. It was incredibly engaging and I simply couldn't put it down. It reminded me of Becca Fitzpatrick's Black Ice, but wonderfully written despite the stupidity of the main character. It was a mild thriller, predictable but still enthralling nonetheless. My only really complaint is how the situation resolved itself. It was almost laughable, but didn't detract from how much I really enjoyed it.
In her need to escape her former boyfriend and her life, she's lured by the wanderlust to leave even against her better judgement. She's desperate. With the promise of a wild adventure, she struggles between her attraction to both Matt and Noah, but seeing Matt taking an interest in once friend Lindsey, she settles for Noah. Noah admits he has a violent past, a brawl resulting in being shipped off to live with his cousin Matt and his family. His car a gift from his recently departed grandmother, both boys on the way back from her funeral and attempting to find adventure along the way. Where Matt is insistent the two girls join them, Noah is torn between reluctance and wanting to spend time with Cadie, who he seems to genuinely like.
Although Cadie seems to have no sense of self preservation or common sense, I couldn't tear myself away. It was incredibly engaging and I simply couldn't put it down. It reminded me of Becca Fitzpatrick's Black Ice, but wonderfully written despite the stupidity of the main character. It was a mild thriller, predictable but still enthralling nonetheless. My only really complaint is how the situation resolved itself. It was almost laughable, but didn't detract from how much I really enjoyed it.
THE VERDICT
I loved it, despite the issues I had with Cadie's idiotic behaviour. One aspect I absolutely adored was how it depicted sex as being a positive experience, not something teens should be ashamed of. I loved the adventure road trip, hearing the local urban myths. It was thrilling, captivating and a quick read that will have you flipping pages long into the night.
Written by E. Lockhart, Lauren Myracle and Sarah Mlynowski
Contemporary, Road Trip
Published June 2015
288 Pages
Thank you to Five Mile Press and Hot Key Books
Add to Goodreads
Contemporary, Road Trip
Published June 2015
288 Pages
Thank you to Five Mile Press and Hot Key Books
Add to Goodreads
RATING ★★★★
When you're tired of being good, sometimes you gotta be a little bad ...Jesse is a good Christian girl. Always level headed, but casts her stern judgement upon others. She and best friend Vicks work at the local Waffle House, where wild girl Vicks is currently in crisis mode. Boyfriend Brady has left for college and has stopped communicating, fueling fears that he has met someone else. The friendship between Jesse and Vicks has been strained of late, Jesse's faith leading her to question her friend's life choices while hiding a secret of her own. Hoping to reconnect, Jesse whisks Vicks away across the state to see Brady, but neither were prepared for the wealthy and demure Mel to invite herself along.
Jesse, Vicks and Mel couldn't be more different. Jesse, a righteous Southern gal who's as thoughtful as she is uptight, is keeping a secret that she knows will change her life forever. Vicks is a wild child: seemingly cool, calm and collected on the outside, but inside she's furious at herself for being so anxious about her neglectful boyfriend. And Mel is the new girl in town. She's already been dismissed as just another rich kid, but all she wants is to get over some of her fears and find some true friends.
But for all their differences, the girls discover they've got one thing in common, they're desperate to escape. Desperate to get the heck out of Niceville and discover their true badass selves! Even if it's just for the weekend... One borrowed car later, it's time to hit the road and head for Miami. Hearts will be broken, friendships will be tested, and a ridiculously hot stranger could change the course of everything.
With both Jesse and Vicks without a cent to their names, Mel is their meal ticket and offers to pay for their fuel and meals in the hopes of developing a friendship with the girls. While on the road, Mel meets the charismatic Marco while Vicks is still pining for the still very much absent Brady. Neither compares to what waits for Jesse upon returning home.
MY THOUGHTS
I love adventure. Quirky road trips where not only discover themselves but that there is more to life beyond the trivial issues of being a teen. Jesse, Vicks and Mel are all unique characters in their own right. Jesse is religious and very judgmental, Vicks the party girl with the boyfriend and Mel is the wealthy quiet type who is just looking to make a friend. What sets out as a journey for Vicks to visit her boyfriend at collage, turns into an adventure of pirate themed hotels, the world's smallest police station and an urban legend in Old Joe. Each character is somewhat relatable, but Jesse tended to get on my nerves. She's painted as what could only be called trailer trash, but uses her beliefs to cast judgement upon others, especially Vicks and the two girls have drifted apart. She only agrees to allow Mel to tag along so she can pay for their fuel, food and accommodation, but loathes her for having wealth. She's a walking contradiction.
Vicks and Mel are more more engaging characters. I love Vicks and her brazen attitude. She's crass, but there is something incredibly genuine about her and she lured me into the storyline. But underneath the facade, she's terrified of reaching Miami and discovering Brady has met someone else. She jumps to conclusions but at that age, even the most confident teens still hold a certain level of self doubt. Unlike Jess, Vicks and Mel have a tentative bond between the two, leaving Jesse feeling hostile. But beyond the tension lies a fun and often flirtatious storyline of female bonding and an epic road trip of a life time.
THE VERDICT
Having loved We Were Liars and enjoyed The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau Banks, How to Be Bad was a well written and fun teen read. E. Lockhart, Lauren Myracle and Sarah Mlynowski have crafted a seamless storyline from three different points of view that was not only engaging, but a great summer read. Really enjoyed it and excited to see what E. Lockhart is working on next.
All The Bright Places
Written by Jennifer Niven
Contemporary
Expected Publication January 7th 2015
400 Pages
Thank you to Penguin Books Australia
The Fault in Our Stars meets Eleanor and Park in this compelling, exhilarating, and beautiful story about a girl who learns to live from a boy who intends to die.Theodore Finch is fascinated by death, and he constantly thinks of ways he might kill himself. But each time, something good, no matter how small, stops him.Violet Markey lives for the future, counting the days until graduation, when she can escape her Indiana town and her aching grief in the wake of her sister's recent death.When Finch and Violet meet on the ledge of the bell tower at school, it's unclear who saves whom. And when they pair up on a project to discover the 'natural wonders' of their state, both Finch and Violet make more important discoveries, it’s only with Violet that Finch can be himself, a weird, funny, live out loud guy who’s not such a freak after all. And it’s only with Finch that Violet can forget to count away the days and start living them. But as Violet’s world grows, Finch’s begins to shrink.
Let's Get Lost
Written by Adi Alsaid
Contemporary, Road Trip
Published August 1st 2014
336 Pages
Thank you to Harlequin Teen Australia
Add to Goodreads
Five strangers. Countless adventures. One epic way to get lost.
Four teens across the country have only one thing in common: a girl named Leila. She crashes into their lives in her absurdly red car at the moment they need someone the most.
There's Hudson, a small town mechanic who is willing to throw away his dreams for true love. And Bree, a runaway who seizes every Tuesday, and a few stolen goods along the way. Elliot believes in happy endings… Until his own life goes off script. And Sonia worries that when she lost her boyfriend, she also lost the ability to love.
Hudson, Bree, Elliot and Sonia find a friend in Leila. And when Leila leaves them, their lives are forever changed. But it is during Leila's own 4,268 mile journey that she discovers the most important truth, sometimes, what you need most is right where you started. And maybe the only way to find what you're looking for is to get lost along the way.
The Geography of You and Me
Written by Jennifer E. Smith
Published in Australia April 8th 2014
352 Pages
Thank you to Netgalley and Hachette Australia
Owen lives in the basement. Lucy lives on the 24th floor. But when the power goes out in the midst of a New York heatwave, they find themselves together for the first time: stuck in a lift between the 10th and 11th floors. As they await help, they start talking...
The brief time they spend together leaves a mark. And as their lives take them to Edinburgh and San Francisco, to Prague and to Portland they can't shake the memory of the time they shared. Postcards cross the globe when they themselves can't, as Owen and Lucy experience the joy, and pain, of first love. And as they make their separate journeys in search of home, they discover that sometimes it is a person rather than a place that anchors you most in the world.
The Geography of You and Me is a story for anyone who's ever longed to meet someone special, for anyone who's searched for home and found it where they least expected it.
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