REVIEW: The Edge of Always (The Edge of Never, #2) by J.A Redmerski

The Edge of Always by J.A. Redmerski

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5 EXTREMELY SWEET AND INSANELY SEXY HEARTS!




  "You think we're lost?"

I tilt my head back a little and look up at the stars behind her and say, "In society, maybe. But together, no. I think we're right where we need to be."



REACTION AFTER READING THE BOOK

My heart
Is just full of happiness right now!





To date, The Edge of Never and now The Edge of Always easily became my favorite book of all time.

Before I start and share my passionate love for this book. I'll start with a short GIST

Just when things are starting to fall into place... unexpected things happen that could possibly tear them apart.

Camryn and Andrew met on a Greyhound bus in Kansas.
They met. Got to know each other. Went on a roadtrip. Helped each other. Fell in love.



They both didn't have any idea how that would change their life forever.

A few months after their roadtrip together, Camryn and Andrew couldn't be more happier.
Things was starting to fall together.
They made plans for their future.
They made arrangements.
They had to as they were expecting a baby girl along the way.
But something happened.
Something unexpected that pushed Camryn over the edge.
She tries to hide it like she did a thousand times before but this time Andrew was there.
He was there to make sure Camryn doesn't go through her struggles alone.
He wasn't going to let her go.
He wasn't going to let her fall apart without him.
He was going to be there for her no matter what happens.
Even if it kills him.

OVERALL THOUGHTS

I just thought this book was really beautiful.
Both of them are.
I loved the first one, but this book really sealed the deal for me. This is my favorite books of all time.
It touched me in ways other books couldn't.

It was a slow start I agree but I feel like it wouldn't be as heartfelt if the book was too rushed or something. It felt beautiful. It felt real.

I liked how Camryn and Andrew's relationship turned out. I knew there were loose ends on the last book with Camryn and I loved how Andrew helped her get over that. It was just beautiful and heartwarming and endearing and... Well I couldn't think of any more adjectives as of the moment that would describe how wonderful this book really made me feel. It took me up and down and all around! It was a complete rollercoaster ride.



I think the highlight of this story is really just about love. How love can heal everything. How love could mend broken things. I loved how Andrew showed Camryn how much he loves her no matter what. He never, not once, ever made her forget how much she means to him. He was just perfect. Andrew just couldn't stop swooning me until I am absolutely crazy for him. He was just perfect. I really wish I could find a guy like him.

Camryn. Although I didn't really agree on some of the decisions she made on this book and on the past one, I still liked her. People cope with pain and loss at different levels and I guess she just had too much and she just broke. Luckily, Andrew was there to pick up all the pieces and mend it back together.

I cried. Again. Seriously. For the nth time I really cried for this book. I am both happy and sad that its finally come to a close. I enjoyed the giggles that I get when Andrew made his moves on Camryn. I cried when it seems that the problems were pushing them away from each other. I got excited when they were going to go back on a roadtrip. I was happy and again teary-eyed when they finally got their happily ever after.

Love is such a special thing isn't it? I love J.A Redmerski so much I think I'll kiss her a million times when I see her.



When Camryn and Andrew did their little gigs every now and then, I absolutely imagined Andrew singing the song "Your Song" to Camryn. Of course, its the Cameron Mitchell version is what I was talking about. I attached a short snippet of the lyrics below.

  It's a little bit funny this feeling inside
I'm not one of those who can easily hide
I don't have much money but boy if I did
I'd buy a big house where we both could live

If I was a sculptor, oh, but then again, no
Or a man who makes potions in a travelling show
I know it's not much but it's the best I can do
My gift is my song and this one's for you

And you can tell everybody this is your song
It may be quite simple but now that it's done
I hope you don't mind
I hope you don't mind that I put down in words
How wonderful life is while you're in the world



I seriously think its the perfect song for Camryn and Andrew. I really imagine him singing this song to Camryn and it melts my insides.. I feel extremely giddy just thinking about it.

Oh and last but not the least can I just say...



Seriously. Andrew is a total keeper! If I meet someone like him, I'd really throw my underwear across the room!! :D LOL. Just kidding!

All in all. I am totally in love with this book! This book left a mark on me and I will really really treasure it forever!

Amazing job JA Redmerski!!

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REVIEW: Resilient by Patricia Vanasse

Resilient by Patricia Vanasse

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

DISCLAIMER This copy has been provided by the author for an honest review.


  4 sweet hearts for Resilient!





resilient

adjective
(of a substance or object) able to recoil or spring back into shape after bending, stretching, or being compressed.
(of a person or animal) able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions:

Livia was special and she knows it.

She can empathize with people. She could feel their emotions. She could feel their pain, happiness, anger and most of the times, it makes her unhappy knowing what other people are feeling. As time passes by, she began to develop more abilities that she was forced to hide from her adoptive parents.  She thinks her biological parents have the answers to her questions. But will finding them really answer her questions or will it lead her to more questions?

Adam was your normal highschool golden boy. At least, that is what everyone around him thinks. But there was more to him than meets the eye. He only allow people to see what he wants them to.

When Livia and her family moved to Whidbey Island, she meets Adam and unfortunately, sparks didn't fly (at least at first). For the first time, Livia couldn't feel an emotion. She couldn't read Adam's emotion at all. It made her curious as to why he was the only one immune to her ability.

The closer they got to each other, the more they learn about the secrets that lurk behind their true identity.

THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS

First of all, I would like to thank Patricia Vanasse for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book. It was absolutely amazing and am very honored to read and review it!

Alright so my thoughts on this book is that it was very unique. That is actually what first caught me about this book. There was no cliche-ish pathetic heroine who needs to be saved by a swoonworthy and strong hero. That was not the case here.

I liked Livia. She was very persistent in searching for answers. She was strong and not whimpy. She was not a damsel in distress that needs saving all the time. I guess sometimes she was impulsive like her decision to go back to New York just because she wanted to know about something. A very bold and dangerous decision but she made it.

Adam. Hmmm. I wasn't really extremely blown away by him at first because I thought he was a jerk but as the story goes, boy he made up for it.  I guess that's the only thing that I found wrong with Adam but other than that he was a pure sweetheart! Oh and did I mention he was goodlooking? LOL.

I would have to say that it was a slow read for me though, hence why I have not given it a perfect 5 stars. The real bulk of the story for me started when I was I think about half or probaly 60-70% on the book. That was where things started making sense and when the story really got more intense.

Oh and I did like the chemistry between Adam and Livia. They were attracted to each other yes but it wasn't i-want-to-be-with-you-forever-at-first-sight kind of love. I really liked that! That earned this book tons of points for me.

I really really hate cliche in books. It is very rare that a book will not have that type of pattern: girl is pretty but doesn't know it then goodlooking guy makes pretty girl feels she's beautiful, saves her from herself and then they live happily ever after! I just noticed that it has been a very common and overused type of plot in most of the YA books right now and its getting kind of old. Resilient, fortunately, is not one of them.

Oh did I say that I'm also a bit angry and upset?!
Why?
It's because of that freakin' cliffhanger!!

Oh geez you are so cruel!!
I'm just kidding. I'm not exactly angry. LOL.
Actually...

Looking forward to the next one!
Great debut novel!! :)


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REVIEW: Dare You To (Pushing the Limits, #2) by Katie McGarry

Dare You To by Katie McGarry

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

  Screw what Mom and Dad think. Screw the rest of the town. Screw perfection. This girl is mine.

~Ryan

REACTION AFTER READING THE BOOK

Totally happy and a little bit teary-eyed.



*clap. clap. clap*



Oh and I have a playlist for this book:

Ryan to Beth: Kiss Me Slowly by Parachute
Isaiah to Beth: What I know by Parachute
For Beth: Broken Angel by Boyce Avenue
Beth to Ryan: Who Knew by Pink or Terrified by Katharine McPhee


This book wasn't perfect. There were stuff here and there that made me want to throw the book out the window but I stuck with it and is totally happy that I did.

THE GIST

Beth Risk lives a life not everyone would be able to handle.



At 17, she's been through a lot and those things made her tough. It made her strong. She knew she had to be strong to protect her mother. But something happened and she got sent off to live with her uncle who used to be her favorite person in the world that is until he left her when he promised not to.

Everyone thinks Ryan Stone was perfect. He was good-looking and hot. He was a great pitcher. He had the perfect family. He was popular. He wasn't on the top of the class but he was smart.

But if you ask him.. He'll say...



Everyone thinks his life was perfect but what they didn't know was what was happening behind closed doors. Ryan was tired of pretending.

Because of a dare, Beth and Ryan's paths crossed. Because of a dare, their lives took a 360 degree turn. But was it for the good or the bad?

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

This would have to be my first book by Katie McGarry and I am totally hooked. Honestly, I had no intention of reading this series at all even though I've read a lot of good reviews about it. I wasn't really sure why but Allen Grace's(thanks girl!! *high five*) review made me change my mind. I was so intrigued by the guy she called Taco Bell boy.

THE CHARACTERS

I think the characters are all awesome. I liked the main ones and the secondary ones. Let me start with.

Beth



Beth was one of those characters you'll hate but love at the same time. She was b*tchy most of the time. She had a dirty mouth. She drinks. She parties too much. She smokes weed. Eventhough she was pretty, she wasn't the type of girl you'd want to take home to meet your parents.

<

As you read through the book though, you'll understand why she has to be that way. You'll eventually see what her struggles are and why she has trust issues. She was the type of girl who looks tough on the outside but a real softie in the inside. What she went through in life is definitely not easy. She had to experience the harsh reality of life at a young age. She felt being unwanted by the people who should be taking care of her and not the other way around.

I kind of didn't like her at first but then who could blame her for all her insecurities and uncertainty with herself. No one was there to tell her that she was beautiful and buy her pretty dresses and give her ribbons (that she loves so much) when she was younger. Her good for nothing mother was useless. Her father was a good for nothing sperm donor who doesn't give a f*ck which was why he ran away. She has good friends though and I think they are the ones that kept her sane. That kept her moving forward. And then.. Ryan came. ^__^

Ryan aka Taco Bell boy



*note: i didn't intentionally picked this guy because he was shirtless. LOL*

Taco Bell boy was the reason I read this book and I was so not disappointed. I absolutely love him. He was far from the cliche-ish bad-boy-turned-good-boy male lead in most YA books. Actually, he was the good boy and he really owned up to it.

At first, I really thought he was perfect but he wasn't. He was far from perfect. He was dependent with his brother but he went away and left him which actually broke him. He felt alone with his parents who were too busy pretending that everything was perfect when it was not. He felt dependent on them too as to what he thinks he wants to do with his life. His father controlled him and he didn't even notice it.

What I loved most about Ryan was how serious he was when it comes to relationship. He was a real sweetheart.

(view spoiler)[    "Because I love you. Beth - you're everything I want to be. You're alive and live without apology. I never would have made love to you if I thought you didn't trust me... or love me. And I never would have done it if I didn't trust and love you.
 
 (hide spoiler)]


Everything with Beth started as a dare but he then called it off when he started falling for her and he wasn't scared to admit that to his friends, his schoolmates and his family *at least towards the end*.

Oh did I forget to mention that Ryan is one hell of a writer?! That even makes him more sexier. A writer with a sexy six pack abs. *I absolutely love it!*

Isaiah



*note: sorry about that. another shirtless guy here. LOL*

Isaiah. Well, I liked him really. He did nothing but do what is best for Beth but... I really think there was not enough chemistry with them as it is with Beth and Ryan. I haven't read the first book so I had no idea if they looked sweeter there or if Beth was different with Isaiah there but I really just thought of him as Beth's friend.. nothing more.

Sorry guys. I know a lot of you would have and have loved Isaiah but I don't like him for Beth. He doesn't bring out the best in her like Ryan can. But I do agree that he is a good friend. What I wouldn't give to have a friend like him. Sexy. Dependent. HOT. Cool. And a lot more. :)

I'm just so happy to hear that the next book will be about him. He does deserve a happy ending too!

Secondary Characters

I liked Noah and Echo. Although I haven't really read their story, I kind of like how supportive they are of Beth. Especially Noah.

Gwen. I hated her. She thinks she could make everything go how she wants to because she's pretty and popular. Unfortunately, that is so not true.

Uncle Scott. I liked him. He admitted he was wrong when he left and wanted to make it up to Beth. He was very admirable.

Ryan's parents. Meeh. They are crazy perfectionist it's absolutely insane.

Mark. I liked him. He wasn't afraid to go after who he really is. He didn't let his parents tell him what he is


RYAN + BETH = SWEET AND SEXY

This was the type of book that doesn't need to be smutty to be sexy.



Ryan and Beth's relationship was not insta-love. Thank goodness. They were attracted to each other physically yes but that doesn't mean they liked each other. In fact, they hated each other's guts and that is what makes their relationship work for me I guess. They got to know each other more before they fell for each other.

Makes me all dreamy about it really. LOL



I wish I had my own Ryan that would sweep me off my feet and write me poems or stories or whatever. :D

Anyways, there were scenes where they showed how much they liked and wanted to be close to each other but nothing more than that and that's kind of refreshing. I liked that.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I liked this one and will remember Ryan and Beth for a long time. It's one of those stories that will stick to your brain and will remember and smile because it was good.

I liked Beth and Ryan's love story but what I really liked the most was the way it shows how life is never as it seems. Some things you can just see above the surface. Not everything is what it seems. Like with the case of Ryan's family. You think they have everything but they don't. Inside their house, someone was gay, someone was angry, someone was disappointed and someone felt completely alone. But if you look at their perfect family facade, you never would know, unless of course, they tell you or you are a nosy next door neighbor who likes to snoop on other people's lives. Haha.

Beth's case was different. Everyone knows what she is going through but not a lot of people were willing to help. The person she was trying to save doesn't really want to be saved and that is sh*tty. She was endangering her life for someone who doesn't give a f*ck.

Books are really a good thing. It takes you to the mind of another person and see things the way they see. It's an eye opener. And Dare You To is not just a typical YA contemporary romance with a feisty heroine and a swoon-worthy hero but it was also about life and its troubles and how they overcame it.

FINAL RATING

 
 
 
 
 


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REVIEW: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

But, Gus, my love, I cannot tell you how thankful I am for our little infinity. I wouldn't trade it for the world. You gave me a forever within the numbered days, and I'm grateful.”

------------------

Some books will make you laugh so hard your stomach will hurt.
Some books will make you so mad that you’d want to throw the book out the window or burn it in fury.
Some books will leave you asking for more because it ended with a cliffhanger.
Some books will leave you questioning why it ended the way it did.
Some books will leave a mark on you not only because it made you cried buckets of tears or made you laugh until you couldn’t breathe but because you felt something as you were reading it and that feeling would never leave you forever.
The Fault in Our Stars left that kind of mark in me.
It made me cry.
It made me laugh occasionally.
It made my heart ache.
It made me giggly all over when Gus made his moves on Hazel.
It made me feel all sort of things and for a book to have that effect on someone it must be really special.
The Fault in Our Stars is one of the best books I’ve ever read.
EVER!

Hazel has cancer.

She already anticipated Death would soon be knocking on her door.

She doesn’t have a lot of friends because she keeps to herself.

Why?

She didn’t want anyone else to be burdened by her death in case it comes.

One day at support group he met Augustus (Gus) Waters.

They just sort of clicked.

Gus liked her but she didn’t want to take their relationship to a higher level because she was afraid that she’d cause him pain if she dies.

Hazel think Gus was healthier than she is and that he’ll have more time on earth than she does and that it would be unfair if she lets him in.

But no matter how hard she tries to keep her distance from Gus, she just couldn’t.

Everything felt right.

Fate however has different plans for them.

There are so many things I want to say about this book but I’m so afraid I might not get them all right.
John Green, you have broken my heart into tiny little pieces.
This book made my heart ache and my eyes burn with tears.
There was just so much emotion in the pages of this book that it was so hard not to feel them.

Hazel was an inspiration.
I have never been that sick but I think if I was I wouldn’t be as composed and as strong as she was.
Despite her constant need to have an oxygen tank near her she still goes about and does things normally.
She doesn’t go out that much with friends though because she wanted to spare them the pain if ever she dies.
And while Hazel was sometimes (most of the time) pessimistic, Gus was the exact opposite.
He was Hazel’s ray of sunshine.
He has this sort of halo of positivity that makes the people feel good including Hazel.
While Hazel was my inspiration, Gus was my favorite.
I guess this book would not have been that much of a success without Gus.
He was smart (though he often doesn’t think so) and funny and sweet and kind and loving.
(Damn! Where are all the Gus’s hiding? I’d like to get myself one! LOL.)

I finished this book last night after coming home from work.
On the last 3 or 4 chapters my eyes were flooded with tears that I can’t stop.
My mom actually got worried and asked me if I was okay and told her the reason I was crying was because of this book.

The Fault in Our Stars was amazing.
I would like to applaud Mr. Green for making such a wonderful and emotionally gripping novel that mirrors the lives of kids who has cancer.
Hazel, Gus, Isaac and all of the other kids in the memorial maybe fictional characters but what they were experiencing maybe happening to someone else right now.
The characters in this book seemed so real like you and me.
Hazel and Gus seemed too mature for their age.
Was it the cancer? Possibly but it’s actually something so minor that I don’t care if they think too maturely. I can deal with that.

One thing I noticed though was how it reminded me a little (really just a little) of one of my favorite books by Nicholas Sparks, A Walk to Remember.
Gus reminded me of Jaime.
Gus changed something in Hazel just like Jaime did to Langdon.
Jaime and Gus left their mark.
They may have passed but they will never be forgotten.

Anyhow, I totally love this book.
I highly recommend it.
No graphic scenes here so in my opinion it’s totally safe for the teenage kids to read. :)

I am so in love with you Mr. Green.
Too bad you’re married and with kids. (Just kidding!)

But my friends and I will be reading Looking for Alaska next hopefully they would be as great as this one.


I give this perfect 5 stars!


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