Of Triton by Anna Banks

      About the book: Someone I love is lying to me.
      Emma has just learned that her mother is a long-lost Poseidon princess, and now struggles with an identity crisis: As a Half-Breed, she's a freak in the human world and an abomination in the Syrena realm. Syrena law states all Half-Breeds should be put to death. 
      As if that's not bad enough, her mother's reappearance in the Syrena world turns the two kingdoms--Poseidon and Triton--against one another. Which leaves Emma with a decision to make: Should she comply with Galen's request to keep herself safe and just hope for the best? Or should she risk it all and reveal herself--and her Gift--to save a people she's never known?

      Quote of the Book: "Did you hear what I said? She's ex-Mob. Her gun probably eats guns like that for breakfast." -Emma McIntosh.

      My thoughts and opinion: I waited waaay too long to read this book. Therefore, I had to read Of Poseidon again and then Of Triton. 
      And oh my coffee beans, this book was AMAZING!
      First of all, I really like how Banks dug deeper into the Syrena world. I loved reading about all the laws and class structure. It was nice to get to experience the life down under the sea. I thought all the action in this book was awesome; there was still romance and chemistry and attraction though which I loved because there was a nice balance. 
      One thing that strangely annoyed me was Emma's reaction to her mother, Nalia, reuniting with Grom. While I understood that Emma loved her father and thought her mother could at least show some love and respect towards his memory, I also thought Nalia should be able to be happy with Grom. If Emma could be with Galen, why couldn't her mother be with Grom? I just thought it was absurd that Emma didn't want Nalia to be happy and in love. However, I still liked Emma because she's not totally bad.
      Totally bad and evil would be Jagen. I also hated how he was able to convince so many people so easily. Everyone was so quick to eat up his lies and conspiracies. I especially hated him when he attacked Toraf. Emma and Toraf were trying to rescue him like the good Syrena people they are and he repays them by almost killing Toraf. I thought Jagen was just really ruthless. 
      I really liked the couples a lot. First it was Emma and Galen. Then it was Rayna and Toraf. Now it's Nalia and Grom. Banks is really good at this relationship romance writing. There could have been a Rachel and Dr. Milligan, too. If only something didn't happen. But it seriously did NOT need to happen! I was really emotionally emotional at that part. 
      All in all, I loved this book and every single chapter, page, word in it. That cover is pretty darn cool too. :-)

Honeysuckle Summer by Sherryl Woods

      About the book: Her devastating marriage behind her, Raylene Hammond is truly thankful for her best friends, the Sweet Magnolias. They've taken her in, shielding her from the world. Then she meets sheriff's deputy Carter Rollins, and suddenly Raylene's haven no longer feels quite so safe.
      Carter understands why Raylene is trapped inside. He's even taken to bringing the outside world to her. But with two kid sisters to raise, just how much time can he devote to this woman who's stolen his heart?              Raylene knows Carter is a man worth loving, but she may never be strong enough to accept what he's offering. How long can she ask him to wait? Maybe they'll never have more than this one sweet summer.

      Quote of the Book: "So if you need time, you've got it, because I know with every fiber of my being that you're worth it." -Carter Rollins. 

      My thoughts and opinion: Yay, I picked up another Sherryl Woods book! And isn't that cover just lovely? I thought the title was fitting for these months. I do hope I get to read all the Sweet Magnolia books but for now, I'll settle with Honeysuckle Summer. 
      At first glance or read, I did not like Carter that much. I hated his first impression of Raylene because how could he judge someone he didn't know? Carter had no idea what this stranger was going through and he already wanted to report her. However, Carter turned out to be a pretty nice guy and all the things that he did for her like planting the garden in the backyard were sweet and thoughtful of him. After spending time with Raylene, Carter obviously cared a lot about Raylene and he even visited her regularly which I thought was the nicest thing. He never gave up hope that Raylene would conquer her agoraphobia and that they could have a future together. 
      Raylene was such a strong woman and it was really great to read and follow her journey to recovery. I really loved the part when she fought off Paul; it was so courageous and inspirational. I wanted to jump up and cheer for her if it wasn't two in the morning. I thought it was extremely foolish of her to keep pushing away Carter though. Raylene knew what her heart wanted but she kept distancing herself from Carter in an attempt to be selfless. I'm glad that Carter was persistent and tried again and again to win Raylene over. 
     This book had some memorable and awesome parts like when Raylene stood up to Paul and when Carter helped Raylene with the salad. I thought this book was cute and funny like a baby pygmy goat. I also loved how the Sweet Magnolias looked out for Raylene and it makes me wish I grew up in a small Southern town. 
      Overall, I adored this book and all its lovey dovey parts. Honeysuckle Summer was a very beautiful and enjoyable read.

Dreamland by Sarah Dessen

      About the book: Wake up, Caitlin
      Ever since she started going out with Rogerson Biscoe, Caitlin seems to have fallen into a semiconscious dreamland where nothing is quite real. Rogerson is different from anyone Caitlin has ever known. He's magnetic. He's compelling. He's dangerous. Being with him makes Caitlin forget about everything else--her missing sister, her with-drawn mother, her lackluster life. But what happens when being with Rogerson becomes a larger problem than being without him?

      Quote of the Book: "'She can be anything,' Boo told me, and this is what I remember most, her freckled face so solemn, as if she knew she was the first to tell me. "And so can you.""

      My thoughts and opinion: Wow. I picked up this book thinking it would be a light read about a girl and a boy who are attracted to each other and eventually go to college together and live happily ever after. So therefore, I totally did not expect what I read. This book was much darker than the books Dessen usually writes and I actually liked how different this was. This book focused around abuse and really touched and rattled me inside.
      I really felt for Caitlin because she was in love with Rogerson but he kept hitting her and she still loved him. She had the opportunity to speak up anytime about the abuse but she didn't; she held back from speaking up and thought she could hide her pain. While I don't admire how weak and timid she was, I also don't blame her for keeping quiet. I probably would have been afraid to tell anyone if I were in her shoes. I thought it was so sad when Boo or Rina suspected something but couldn't reach out to Caitlin. They wanted Caitlin to tell them what was wrong but that just made her shrink back and hide away. In a sense, I felt like I could relate to Caitlin.
      I don't know how I feel about Rogerson, however. I hate him so much for hurting Caitlin and beating her, but also I knew that was because his dad did the same to him. Abusiveness is a cycle that passes down from father to son and perhaps Rogerson, being beaten all the time, felt the need to lash out at Caitlin since she was conveniently there. Since children gradually turn into their parents, Rogerson became his father whether he wanted to or not. So, I suppose I hated Rogerson but not completely. 
      On the other hand, Caitlin's mother irritated me so much. She was so focused on Cass's running away that she didn't even pay attention to the daughter who was there and who needed her more. Maybe I will regret saying this, but I really felt Caitlin's mother should have been a better mother. 
      I really liked Caitlin's friends like Rina and Corinna and as I'm typing this out, I realize that their names are really similar to each other. Rina could very easily be a nickname for Corinna. Anyway, I thought they were great friends for Caitlin and Caitlin needed people like Rina and Corinna. 
      Overall, I thought this book was interesting and while abuse is a very sensitive and tough subject, Dessen wrote it well. I think everyone should read this book or at least something like this. The emotions and the pain was so real and raw unlike any book I've ever read. All in all, Dreamland was a really cloudy and dark book but in a good way. 

Sweet Laurel Falls by RaeAnne Thayne

      About the book: Love knows no season
      Spring should bring renewal, but Maura McKnight-Parker cannot escape the past. Still reeling from the loss of one daughter, the former free spirit is thrown for a loop by the return of her older daughter, Sage, and the reappearance of her first love, Sage's father. Jackson Lange never knew his daughter--never even knew that he'd left the love of his life pregnant when he fled their small town--but he has never forgotten Maura. 
      Now they are all back, but Sage has her own secret, one that will test the fragile bonds of a reunited family. Thrown together by circumstances and dedicated to those they love, Maura and Jackson must learn to move forward and let go of the mistakes of their past for the bright future that awaits them and their friends in Hope's Crossing.

      Quote of the Book: "I think it's kind of funny, if you want the truth. He does the same thing, except he uses um, your mother instead." -Sage.

      My thoughts and opinion: This book was really amazing and I don't think I've ever read anything as touching as this. Well, maybe Chicken Soup, but this is a fictional story and it still tugged on my heartstrings. I felt all sorts of emotions while reading this book. I felt Maura's pain and depression, Jack's frustration, Harry's regret, and Sage's beauty.
      I really liked how Thayne switched from Maura's perspective to Jack's and occasionally, I got to see into Harry's perspective. I was really hoping for Sage's personal thoughts and point of view since it would have been interesting to read firsthand what happened with Sawyer in the hotel room, and the conversations she had with Jack when Maura wasn't around. 
      I seriously loved all the characters in this book and the only one I can think of right now that I hated was Sawyer (but really, who cares about him). Maura is one strong woman even though she denies it every time anyone tells her that. She managed to raise Sage all by herself and she kept going on with life even after Layla's death. Maura didn't completely fade into depression like most mothers would after losing their daughter. I loved how strong of a bond she had with Sage and the rest of the book club gals. Maura was really fortunate to have her friends, sisters, and mother to help her. I also totally understood the decisions Maura made to not tell Jack about her pregnancy.

      I sided with Maura and hated Jack for leaving her but he proved multiple times that he had changed and grown from that young, foolish, scared kid to a mature and caring man. I thought it was so romantic how he just picked up everything and moved his work to Hope's Crossing all for Sage and Maura. Almost every part with Jack and Maura was romantic and I loved how they were once in love and then after two decades, they reconnected again. I thought it was beautiful and heartwarming how their feelings for each other developed. Also, I really, really loved it when Maura and Jack started referring to Sage as "our daughter." I literally smiled at those parts. I enjoyed how awkward it was in the beginning as well.

      There was so much romance and love in this book I should have seen it coming when Harry revealed his feelings for Mary Ella. However, I still cannot believe that happened.

      This book was such a great book and I would seriously have second helpings of this book in the future. The seasoning was wonderful and Sage really gave flavor to this book. :-)

Megan Meade's Guide to the McGowan Boys

      About the book: Boys. 7 of them, to be exact. 
      Megan is used to moving from place to place--it's typical for an army brat. But she drew the line at South Korea. She insisted on staying in the States to finish her last two years of high school. So her parents made arrangements for Megan to live with their friends, the McGowans...and the McGowans' 7 sons. 
      Turns out, living with 7 boys might as well be a foreign country! The boys are messy. They are cliquey (who knew?). And worst of all, two of the oldest boys are H-O-T. (A problem considering they are supposed to be Megan's "brothers.") Megan is definitely in enemy territory. She needs to win over the boys' hearts without totally crushing her own. 
      And when Megan starts falling for one of them, sibling rivalry takes on a whole new meaning...
      What is a girl to do?

      Quote of the Book: "I got a girl who knows who she is and is really good at being that person." -Regina McGowan

      My thoughts and opinion: I would be so uncomfortable in a house filled with 7 boys. And I'd be so annoyed by their immaturity. But it would be a great experience. So therefore, I absolutely loved the idea and I thought this book would be cool to read. And it was! I thought this book was a nice read. It was cute, funny, and light. 
      I especially liked the journey Megan went through and how she slowly made progress with Miller and her transformation of the McGowan boys. Everything flowed smoothly and I really like her and Finn together. FIGAN. Haha. I was disappointed at the end of the book because I couldn't tell if Megan and Finn were together or not. It was really ambiguous. I did enjoy the way Brian started the story with an ultimate Frisbee game and later ended the story with an ultimate Frisbee game. It was a nice nostalgic feeling. Also I liked how Megan grew and she changed. In the beginning, Megan was shy and quiet but throughout the story, she started to stand up for herself and voice her opinions. She expressed herself and didn't let people take advantage of her. She was outspoken and strong. 
      Okay now for the boys. I sort of disliked the way she became obsessed only about Evan especially after she knew he had a girlfriend. Also Evan was one of the few characters I really hated. Besides his charm and good looks, he really was just a baby. And his temper and mood swings were really irritating and childish. At times he was a great friend and at times he was a great enemy. I just could not stand Evan. I also couldn't stand his girlfriend, Hailey. While I liked that Megan and Hailey made up and became friends, I feel like Hailey should not have gotten a friend like Megan. After what Hailey did, I would never have forgiven her. I'll never be able to understand Hailey and Evan's relationship.
      I am officially a Finn girl because Finn is so wonderful. I'm almost tempted to go out and find an artist to date haha. It took so long for Megan to realize that Finn was the one, but it was so nice that he was there for her. He listened to her when she needed to talk, he supported her, and he believed her when no one else would. Everyone needs a Finn in their lives. 
      Doug was all right at first; I didn't pay any attention to him since I thought he would be a small, unimportant character. However, I sort of disliked him after what he did to his own brother. I still don't believe that Doug is the smart one in the house because what he did was pretty stupid. I really, really liked Miller though. He was a real sweetheart and I loved the part where he told Finn that Megan and Aimee were his friends. Sean was also a cool guy and I would have liked to read more parts with him and Megan bonding over motorcycles. Ian and Caleb were little monsters but they were adorable and added to the story. 
      I thought Megan's friends from her soccer team were good friends but not great friends. After they heard rumors about Megan, they turned their backs on her and basically shunned her. Only Aimee was a true friend. 
      I finished this book in one day and I'd like to say it was one sitting but I got up to do things occasionally. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to read something fun and short. I actually have read this book before but this is one book I could read again and again. Besides, I could always be reminded of how boys work. 

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

      About the book: INTENSE. DANGEROUS. ADDICTIVE. 

      Abby Abernathy is a good girl. She doesn't drink or swear, and she has the appropriate number of cardigans in her wardrobe. Abby believes she has enough distance from the darkness of her past, but when she arrives at college with her best friend, her path to a new beginning is quickly challenged by Eastern University's Walking One-Night Stand.
      Travis Maddox, lean, cut, and covered in tattoos, is exactly what Abby wants--and needs--to avoid. He spends his nights winning money in a floating fight ring, and his days as the ultimate college campus charmer. Intrigued by Abby's resistance to his appeal, Travis tricks her into his daily life with a simple bet. If he loses, he must remain abstinent for a month. If Abby loses, she must live in Travis's apartment for the same amount of time. Either way, Travis has no idea that he has met his match. 

      Quote of the Book: "You're going to be sorry you didn't open this door, because I just crawled along that piss-covered floor and now I'm going to hug you." -Finch

      My thoughts and opinion: WOW THIS WAS AN AMAZING BOOK. From the very first chapter, I knew I was hooked on this book and the characters. That book cover is also really beautiful with the butterfly in the jar. No matter what terrible part or wonderful part I was on, I couldn't put down the book and this book was one fantastic roller coaster. 
      Gosh, okay Abby Abernathy is a really cool character and she's so witty and funny! She's so quick with her words but also with her emotions and decisions. I thought she shouldn't have dated Parker and block out the obvious thoughts she was having about Travis. In her heart, she knew she loved Travis yet she still strung Parker along on dinner dates. Travis was so patient with her and she just led him on for the longest time. However, I admire Abby's strength and courage because she had to suffer with her horrible father and she attempted to start over again in Eastern University. And when Mick showed up unexpectedly and asked her for 25 thousand dollars, Abby got it for him instead of leaving him to die. She was brave enough to go to Benny. Abby was so smart in ways and so terribly foolish in other ways. 
      I seriously thought nothing good would come with Travis Maddox but man, do I regret thinking that because Travis is so RIGHT for Abby. He's so sweet and thoughtful with the puppy and the tattoo he got of Abby's name. Also, Travis is really sexy and although I didn't like his past ways of using girls like that, I loved him for giving it all up for Abby. He changed himself for Abby and he didn't try to get her in bed with him because he was content with just being friends with her even though everyone knew he loved her. I was really disappointed when Travis was actually considering Benny's offer and I thought Abby was never going to forgive him. I'm glad Travis rejected the offer though. I thought Travis's jealousy was kind of wonderful even though Abby hated it. At the part where they were trapped in the basement with the fire, I was on the edge of my seat because I just thought, "Okay this is where they die, but at least they die in each other's arms." But Travis saved them both! Travis is like a knight in shining armor or in this case tattoos. 
      Abby and Travis's relationship was a wild roller coaster but I could say the same for America and Shepley's relationship too. Even though they did not fight as much as Abby and Travis did, they had one break up. However, America and Shepley resolved their issues quicker than Abby and Travis so their relationship was a bit more stable than Abby and Travis's relationship. I enjoyed America and Shepley as supporting characters though and they were nice to have in the book. 
      Travis's family was also so awesome and loud. Abby wanted to be a part of the family and I felt like jumping in the book to be with the Maddox men too. There was never a dull moment in that house and I loved every single Maddox.
      Last but not least, Finch! I just had to quote him up there because he was like the gay best friend I wish I had. He was also there for Abby when she was in a bad mood and she wasn't talking to Travis and Finch was just awesome in his own way. 
      Overall, I really, really loved this book, but I don't think I'm going to read the sequel. I would rather read about what happens after not Travis's point of view. At first I didn't understand the title but after reading the book, I find it very clever because Travis and Abby are truly a beautiful disaster. 

Scribbler of Dreams by Mary E. Pearson

      About the book: Romeo and Juliet had the right idea. About dating the enemy that is. They were true to their hearts. Kaitlin Malone knows what it's like to date the enemy. She was raised to hate the Crutchfields, and absolutely does - until she meets Bram Crutchfield. It turns out he's a great guy, one she can talk to, share things with...even love. But when Kaitlin gives her heart to Bram, her world spins out of control. Soon the Crutchfields are her friends and she's a traitor to her own family.
      To make things worse, Bram was raised to hate the Malones, especially Kaitlin's father - who murdered Bram's dad. Bram doesn't know Kaitlin is a Malone. If he did, he'd hate her, too.
      What's a star-crossed lover to do?

      Quote of the Book: "Just thoughts, glimpses, things running through my head." -Kaitlin Malone

      My thoughts and opinion: I really like how it was a twist to Romeo and Juliet. It was like a modern day Romeo and Juliet. It was interesting that Kaitlin's character was a writer and Bram's character was an artist. I thought that gave them more depth. This book was a fairly quick read and it was pleasant as well. 
      Kaitlin was a character I could not relate to at all. For one, she was a writer. A dedicated and devoted writer who wrote almost every waking moment. I did admire her strength to keep going on and continue with her life even though her father was in jail. She transferred schools and not only that but she transferred to the school that belonged to the Crutchfields. That was a difficult thing to do yet she survived in the end. I did not like how she deceived Bram for so long. I could understand that she wanted to wait for the right moment, but sometimes you just have to make the right moment happen. Life is way too short to wait. And did she really think her secret wasn't going to come out sooner or later? It just amazes me how she thought no one would figure it out especially when she wasn't being that careful. 
      I did not like Bram as much because he turned his back on Kaitlin for the longest time and then he had a brilliant realization that he couldn't live without her. He turned really cold the moment he found out Kaitlin was a Malone even though he admitted that he loved her; I guess all of that didn't matter if her name was the enemy's name. 
      Overall, I liked the book and it was a decent read. A nice thing about the book would be the cover because the tint is cool and that locket is beautiful. The story is not that complex so it could definitely be for someone looking for a quick read.