The Avery Shaw Experiment by Kelly Oram

     About the book: When Avery Shaw's heart is shattered by her life-long best friend, she chooses to deal with it the only way she knows how --scientifically.                                                                                        The state science fair is coming up and Avery decides to use her broken heart as the topic of her experiment. She's going to find the cure. By forcing herself to experience the seven stages of grief through a series of social tests, she believes she will be able to get over Aiden Kennedy and make herself ready to love again. But she can't do this experiment alone, and her partner (ex partner!) is the one who broke her heart.               Avery finds the solution to her troubles in the form of Aiden's older brother Grayson. The gorgeous womanizer is about to be kicked off the school basketball team for failing physics. He's in need of a good tutor and some serious extra credit. But when Avery recruits the lovable Grayson to be her "objective outside observer," she gets a whole lot more than she bargained for, because Grayson has a theory of his own: Avery doesn't need to grieve. She needs to live. And if there's one thing Grayson Kennedy is good at, it's living life to the fullest.

           

     Quote of the Book: "Hey now, you can't just go jumping in the shower with every guy you know. That's totally our thing." -Grayson Kennedy

     My thoughts and opinion: I'm not a science geek, but I thought this book was awesome. It was different from anything I've ever read, which could be a terrible, awful thing, but for this book, it was a wonderfully delightful thing. And I thought the cover was pretty cool because the periodic table of elements is there! I mean, how often do you see that on a book?

     Onto the characters. Avery reminded me of an innocent deer. She was cautious and careful (who wouldn't be after getting your heart broken?) but it wasn't to the point where it made the book unbearable to read. Avery might be shy, but she can be quick and she certainly isn't dumb. 

     Well, in the beginning, it may seem so. However, I thought Avery's judgement was just clouded because her heart was really, really broken. Like stepped on, smashed with a baseball bat, and thrown off a ten-story building. So, I really felt for Avery when she tried to defend Aiden's behavior and actions. Her denial was understandable. Avery Shaw was, in a way, a complex character to read, but no matter how frustrated I sometimes got at Avery, (yeah that happened, too) I still liked her since she wasn't really a bad person.

     And another character who likes Avery is Grayson! I totally loved Grayson from the start when he inserted his own prologue. What's not to love about him? Grayson's charming, sexy, hilarious. He's also really caring and gentle and just so darn perfect. I also liked how everything he did was for Avery; you could tell that Avery was his whole world. (Seriously. Grayson even joined the science club for her.) He never truly gave up on the science project and on curing her broken heart even though it seemed hopeless in some parts of the book. Not to mention, Grayson is super funny, which just adds on to how awesome he is. The guy has a fantastic sense of humor and it was nice to laugh every once in a while. 

     Aiden Kennedy. Now, since I love connections, I'll connect. When I met Aiden, I couldn't help but think of Aidan from Girl at Sea. There are similarities between the two characters like the fact that Aiden and Aidan are smart guys and their names are almost, almost the same. But while I loved Aidan, I really, really did NOT like Aiden Kennedy. I could not stand Aiden with his selfishness and his cruel revenge back at the cabin. The one time when I paused hating Aiden was when I realized what he said was true, that Grayson did, in fact, steal Avery away from Aiden. Then again, the way that Aiden acted (especially when he was with his horrible girlfriend) he didn't deserve Avery anymore. In my opinion, Aiden really didn't deserve Avery's forgiveness, but I guess it helped Avery's heart heal. 

     The friends in this book were great, too. Grayson's friends were popular yet cool at the same time. They were the good kind of popular, and I thought it was great of Pam and Chloe to take Avery under their wing. Avery's friends were witty and geeky and they treated a jock like Grayson somewhat equally. I mean, they took Grayson bowling in order for him to grasp the concept of Newton's Laws so, that's a pretty generous thing to do, right?

     Overall, I enjoyed this book very much. It was cute and fun with all the characters and humor. I thought The Avery Shaw Experiment was a roller coaster of a book since there are emotional stuff (SEVEN stages of grief!) Even if you're terrified of roller coasters, you can still try this book out. It's just as awesome without all the dizziness. 

His Eyes by Reneé Carter

     About the book: Amy Turner's about to graduate from high school and all she wants is a job. Actually, all she wants is to find a way to pay for college. Amy certainly isn't looking for love when she answers an ad to baby-sit a boy-she just need the cash. But the job has a catch: The boy is blind...and he's her age. 
     Tristan Edmund may be hot, but he doesn't want Amy's help. Or so he thinks. After being blinded in a horse show-jumping competition, Tristan spends his days in the dark, refusing to accept his disability. Much to his annoyance, Amy bursts into his life and drags him into the light. But just as the two begin to see something in each other, Tristan's beautiful ex-girlfriend shows up. Will the temptation be too much, or will Tristan choose the girl who really sees him? 

     Quote of the Book: "Way to be humble, Romeo." -Amy Rose Turner

     My thoughts and opinion: What a light yet sweet read! I knew I was going to like this book after  reading the summary, and I was right. There was humor in all the right places which is always great, but at 3 in the morning, I had to contain my laughter. I would have been laughing, though. And the characters were fabulous and kept me going.
     Amy Rose Turner is so cool and easy-going like whipped cream in a mug of hot chocolate. The way she bonded with Chris and Marly was so caring and gentle; it must have been her baby-sitting expertise. I thought Amy would be a great role model for the kids. Next, Amy is so persistent, in a good way, because she got Tristan to open up to her. I thought that was really awesome how she was determined to help Tristan and earn the money for Evanston, her dream college. So determined that she was able to tolerate Lexus or better known as, The Creature. All in all, Amy is just amazing because she got Tristan to change for the better.
     Tristan Edmund is... He is really something because in the beginning, he was emotionless like a rock and then once he's comfortable with Amy, he turns into this witty, sweet, fun guy to be around. And when The Creature shows up, Tristan is an oblivious ice cube, trying to please his mother by hanging with The Creature and therefore hurting Amy. Finally, towards the end, Tristan was wonderful again. More than wonderful. Although Tristan seemed like the typical, rich snob, he proved me wrong because he was actually a good person. He's one of the good people! 
     Since there needs to be a balance, The Creature is the loathsome character. There's also Kristy, but I didn't hate her; I just disliked her. Kristy didn't do that much to make my blood boil, but The Creature made sure the stove was turned on. I didn't think anyone could be so self-centered until I met The Creature. I'm still incredulous how Tristan could have dated such a vile girl. However, the book wouldn't have been great without an evil character like The Creature. She was the total opposite of Amy and that made Amy all the more better. Even the kids love Amy way more than The Creature.
     Speaking of the kids, Chris and Marly are just the cutest siblings ever! And they totally loved Amy more than The Creature which warmed my heart. Chris was like the ideal little bro because he was mischievous yet adorable. And all those Battleship games reminded me of childhood years. 
     Overall, I really liked this book and not surprisingly, it turned on my tear faucet in some parts. If you're a sucker for happy endings (like moi) or just looking for an light read, then give this book a shot! :-)

Impossible by Nancy Werlin

     About the book: Lucy is seventeen when she discovers that she is the latest recipient of a generations-old family curse that requires her to complete three seemingly impossible tasks or risk falling into madness and passing the curse on to the next generation. Unlike her ancestors, though, Lucy has family, friends, and other modern resources to help her out. But will it be enough to conquer this age-old evil? 
     A beautifully wrought modern fairy tale from master storyteller and award-winning author Nancy Werlin. Inspired by the classic folk ballad "Scarborough Fair," this is a wonderfully riveting and haunting novel of suspense, romance, and fantasy.

     Quote of the Book: "I'll think of something. You're pregnant, for crying out loud. They won't arrest you. Come on, Lucy. We aren't going to let a little thing like what people will think stop us. Besides, Southerners are hospitable. They'll probably offer me lemonade." Zach Greenfield.

     My thoughts and opinion: First of all, take a look at that amazing cover! It's so beautiful and the dress is fabulous. Also, the flying hair is pretty neat, too. 
     Despite the bad reviews on this book, I thought it was actually really good. And it isn't because the author and I share the same name. I mean, don't get me wrong, that's totally awesome. However, I actually loved the characters and the plot. The whole curse thing was very appealing and there was a LOT of suspense so I loved that.
     Lucinda (or more commonly known as, Lucy) Scarborough was an excellent character to read about. I was amazed by her determination and her strength. Lucy gets pregnant and she makes the decision to have the baby which was admirable, in my opinion. She kept going at the puzzle, even though it was almost impossible. Lucy did not give up, and maybe she wanted to at the end, but she had Zach to encourage her on. Lucy was also strong because although her mother, Miranda, was a lunatic, that did not bring Lucy down. Lucy might have been afraid and resentful at her mother, but Lucy came to respect her mother. I also thought Lucy was mature and she handled her situation well.
     Zachary or Zach Greenfield was just as wonderful as Lucy. At first, I thought he was going to be a jerk or a total wimp and back out from helping Lucy with the curse and pregnancy. However, I was really wrong because Zach was so supportive of Lucy and then that one part, I was shocked and surprised by what he asked Lucy. But of course I definitely approved of them being together. I loved how caring Zach was and also how he would sacrifice and change his life for Lucy and the baby.
     Soledad and Leo Markowitz deserve a Best Parents award. When they find out that Lucy is pregnant, they were really understanding and super supportive. Also with the curse, Soledad and Leo worked hard to try to solve the pieces of the puzzle. I liked Miranda Scarborough a lot especially when she isn't crazy. Miranda seemed nice and cool, and I would love to read more of her. And last of the characters, Padraig Seeley. I was suspicious at first and I knew all along. Poor guy, but he deserves what he got which was nothing. 
     Overall, I disagree with the people who thought this book was terrible because I thought it was terrific! However, I do think it's possible this book won't amazed everyone. I personally loved it, but I can think of some people who will not touch the book. I still recommend it; I mean, just give it a try. And however impossible it may seem, there's a happy ending!