The Truth About Us by Janet Gurtler

The Truth About Us by Janet Gurtler
Release Date: April 7, 2015
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Pages: 304
Series: n/a
Review Source: Netgalley

Synopsis: (from Goodreads)

The truth is that Jess knows she screwed up.
She's made mistakes, betrayed her best friend, and now she's paying for it. Her dad is making her spend the whole summer volunteering at the local soup kitchen.

The truth is she wishes she was the care-free party-girl everyone thinks she is.
She pretends it's all fine. That her "perfect" family is fine. But it's not. And no one notices the lie...until she meets Flynn. He's the only one who really sees her. The only one who listens.

The truth is that Jess is falling apart – and no one seems to care.
But Flynn is the definition of "the wrong side of the tracks." When Jess's parents look at him they only see the differences-not how much they need each other. They don't get that the person who shouldn't fit in your world... might just be the one to make you feel like you belong.

My Thoughts:
My first thought upon finishing The Truth About Us was “wow!!”. I found it to be a very strong book with an incredibly interesting premise and great character transformation. I think I say this every time I read a Janet Gurtler book, but she does such an amazing job of telling stories that balance friendship, family, and romance. Those are my favourite types of contemporary YA, and I always enjoy what Janet has to offer.

Jess is the main character of this book, and she’s dealing with family issues -- or rather she’s not dealing with them. Bad things have happened and Jess feels ignored, so she just checks out. She acts out and has "friends" who she doesn't really seem to like. Jess is playing this part until she takes it too far and her uber strict dad steps in.

Flynn is someone who is so opposite from Jess in many ways, and yet he's so similar too. There’s a connection there between them that no one else seems to see. Flynn comes from completely different circumstances than Jess, and I think this book is very realistic about how differences of class can matter even now, when there's so much disparity between the two. I understood everyone being concerned about Flynn and Jess, and yet I also raged at how heavy handed people were at trying to keep them apart.

This is the story of Jess and Flynn, but it's also the story of Jess, of her finding her way back to who she wants to be. It’s the story of Jess’s family growing back into place, but especially of her mom trying to move past what's happened to her. I loved how Jess changed as she worked at the shelter, how she learned about the world and connected with people she normally wouldn't. I loved the granddaughter/grandfather banter relationship she had with Wilf, and the sister/brother and friend one she had with Flynn's little brother, Kyle.

The Truth About Us is a truly lovely book that made me feel so many things. It made me feel the butterflies of a crush and the feelings of it becoming something more. It made me feel the anguish over lost friendship. It made me feel disgust at people's horrid assumptions and rage at people thinking they knew everything and trying to control Jess and Flynn.

I highly recommend this book to all fans of contemporary YA, especially to fans of Sarah Dessen, Morgan Matson, and Emery Lord.

The Cover:
Honestly not a fave at all.

Rating:
[4/5]

Purchase Links:
Kobo | Amazon.ca | Amazon.com | Chapters-Indigo | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

Breathe, Annie, Breathe by Miranda Kenneally + Giveaway

Breathe, Annie, Breathe by Miranda Kenneally
Release Date: July 15, 2014
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Pages: 306
Series: Hundred Oaks #5
Review Source: Netgalley

Synopsis: (from Goodreads)

Annie hates running. No matter how far she jogs, she can’t escape the guilt that if she hadn’t broken up with Kyle, he might still be alive. So to honor his memory, she starts preparing for the marathon he intended to race.

But the training is even more grueling than Annie could have imagined. Despite her coaching, she’s at war with her body, her mind—and her heart. With every mile that athletic Jeremiah cheers her on, she grows more conflicted. She wants to run into his arms…and sprint in the opposite direction. For Annie, opening up to love again may be even more of a challenge than crossing the finish line.

My Thoughts:
Miranda’s books always fill me with so much emotion. I’m kind of over the saying “all the feels”, but that really is what Miranda’s books do to me. Her books have such a conversational tone to them, and I always find it so easy to connect with the main character. Annie is no exception to this, and I was quickly swept away in her story. I found it believable and relatable, and I quickly devoured this book.

There are many books which have characters who start to run, or already do so, as a “way to clear their head”, almost so much that it’s become a trope. Thankfully Annie’s story is completely different, and the way running is presented makes it central to the story instead of a throwaway fact. Annie is training to run a marathon in her boyfriend’s honour, as he was training to complete one before he died. I loved how Annie doesn’t start off as a runner, or sporty in any way. It’s simply her passion and determination to do this for Kyle that gets her through the rigorous training. I loved how it presented running as something that’s difficult, but that can be done by anyone willing to put in the effort.

As in all of Miranda’s books, the romance in Breath, Annie, Breathe is a great one. Jeremiah and Annie start off in a whirlwind because of their chemistry (really, there's a scene that kind of comes out of nowhere), but I was glad to see things slow down. Their relationship becomes a friendship and a slow burn of something more while Annie figures things out. There were many beautiful scenes of Annie going through the grieving process over Kyle, and I found it very realistic that she wondered whether she would be willing to open up in that way again. She didn't want to risk getting hurt and losing the person she loves again, especially since Jeremiah is a thrill seeker and adrenaline addict. Jere was such a lovely character, being patient with Annie and believing that waiting is worth it. I like that he was flawed and irritatingly clueless in some circumstances, yet he's a good guy, a sweet guy. He's still growing up, and seeing Annie become a big part of this was very sweet. I liked the two of them together, and I especially loved seeing Jere's family see them together. One of Miranda's past main characters, Matt, is Jeremiah's older brother, and his going from warning Annie about Jere to liking the two of them together is a sweet process.

I always inhale Miranda’s books. They’re smart and interesting and swoony. Miranda brings something to contemporary YA that I don't see in a lot of other books. Her books are about so many things, but they always involve some issue of class and what it's like to work hard for what you have. This is just one aspect of the book, but it's hugely important, and it's something that I find missing in most books. I love that Miranda's books are so down to earth and truthful about about romance, about what it’s like in high school and looking toward the future. I highly recommend Breathe, Annie, Breathe and all of Miranda's books to fans of contemporary YA.

The Cover:
I like it, although I wish it fit with the other covers in the companion series.

Rating:
[5/5]

Purchase Links:
Kobo | Amazon.ca | Amazon.com | Chapters-Indigo | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

About Miranda:
Growing up in Tennessee, Miranda Kenneally dreamed of becoming an Atlanta Brave, a country singer (cliché!), or a UN interpreter. Instead she writes, and works for the State Department in Washington, D.C., where George W. Bush once used her shoulder as an armrest. Miranda loves Twitter, Star Trek and her husband.

Where to find Miranda:
Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter

GIVEAWAY:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Be sure to check out the full TOUR SCHEDULE for more reviews.

16 Things I Thought Were True by Janet Gurtler

16 Things I Thought Were True by Janet Gurtler
Release Date: March 4, 2014
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Pages: 304
Series: n/a
Review Source: Netgalley

Synopsis: (from Goodreads)

Heart attacks happen to other people #thingsIthoughtweretrue

When Morgan's mom gets sick, it's hard not to panic. Without her mother, she would have no one—until she finds out the dad who walked out on her as a baby isn't as far away as she thought...

Adam is a stuck-up, uptight jerk #thingsIthoughtweretrue

Now that they have a summer job together, Morgan's getting to know the real Adam, and he's actually pretty sweet...in a nerdy-hot kind of way. He even offers to go with her to find her dad. Road trip, anyone?

5000 Twitter followers are all the friends I need #thingsIthoughtweretrue

With Adam in the back seat, a hyper chatterbox named Amy behind the wheel, and plenty of Cheetos to fuel their trip, Morgan feels ready for anything. She's not expecting a flat tire, a missed ferry, a fake girlfriend...and that these two people she barely knew before the summer started will become the people she can't imagine living without.

My Thoughts:
I tend to enjoy books where the main character changes her mind about the “hero” and that's the case here. Adam starts off as one thing in Morgan’s eyes, but he quickly becomes a great friend: someone who she can trust and tell anything to.

There are real emotions at play in this story, especially when it comes to family issues. Morgan has a lot of feelings about not knowing her father, and she has to face these head on as she decides to confront him. Morgan discovers things about her birth that she didn't know before, and she also has to deal with her complicated feelings toward her mother, who has always treated her differently than her siblings.

There are a lot of great secondary characters in this book. I loved Morgan’s twin brothers, especially Jake. Amy is a larger than life character: she's completely lacking in tact, but she's super loyal and generous, and she added a lot to the book. Morgan is someone I empathized with. She’s dealing with her family issues, but she’s also dealing with the aftermath of something really embarrassing that’s happened to her.

I really enjoyed 16 Things I Thought Were True. It was about friendship and family. It had a road trip aspect, which was both funny and emotional. The brewing romance between Morgan and Adam was sweet: I really enjoyed these two together. There was also an incredibly sad part which almost came out of nowhere, but I think that made it all the more realistic, because we can’t plan for the bad things that happen to us. Overall, another great read from Janet Gurtler.

The Cover:
I don't really care for it at all. =(

Rating:
[4/5]

Purchase Links:
Kobo | Amazon.ca | Amazon.com | Chapters-Indigo | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

Racing Savannah by Miranda Kenneally

Racing Savannah by Miranda Kenneally
Release Date: December 3, 2013
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Pages: 304
Series: Hundred Oaks #4 (Companion books)
Review Source: Netgalley

Synopsis: (from Goodreads)

They’re from two different worlds.

He lives in the estate house, and she spends most of her time in the stables helping her father train horses. In fact, Savannah has always been much more comfortable around horses than boys. Especially boys like Jack Goodwin—cocky, popular and completely out of her league. She knows the rules: no mixing between the staff and the Goodwin family. But Jack has no such boundaries.

With her dream of becoming a horse jockey, Savannah isn’t exactly one to follow the rules either. She’s not going to let someone tell her a girl isn’t tough enough to race. Sure, it’s dangerous. Then again, so is dating Jack…

My Thoughts:
Miranda Kenneally’s books have a style to them, a particular quality that make them so inherently readable. I love her conversational style of writing -- it makes her books so easy to delve into, and so enjoyable to read. This, her fourth book, focuses on the world of horse racing, something I know absolutely nothing about. I was happy to find myself interested in the subject (you almost can’t help it, it being something Savannah is so passionate about), but not overwhelmed by details or facts.

Our main pair for this book is Savannah and Jack, who are involved in a bit of a forbidden romance, since Savannah is part of the staff at Jack’s family’s farm. There’s a huge class difference between them, and a question of appropriateness since their parents do not approve. That undercurrent about class/money was definitely well written. It showed how having money doesn't mean you have class, but that it also doesn't indicate that you're a snob or a jerk. There was the same message about having less money: that just because that’s the case, it doesn’t mean you’re worth any less. The relationship in Racing Savannah was less swoony (for me) than in past books, but I still really liked these two together. It took some definite growth on both Savannah and Jack’s parts, but I feel like they ended up in a good place.

I really love how Miranda Kenneally brings back characters from past books for more than just two second cameos. There are major characters in this book that are siblings of past main characters, and without getting too spoilery, we get a wedding (!) for a past couple and an engagement for another. I can always picture the couples together in the future, finding weddings and engagements plausible, because the characters (including the ones from this book) are always such great friends. There’s so much more to their relationships than sexual chemistry.

In that regard, I think that Miranda Kenneally’s books are always very honest about sex and the emotions involved in it. They’re realistic about sexual activity, but it’s not presented in a tawdry or cheap way. It talks about how things can be good, but that you can also feel regret if things happen without a commitment. The book basically tells the characters (and the reader by default) that they are worthy, and that they deserve whatever it is they want from a relationship.

I’m a huge fan of Miranda Kenneally’s books: she is an auto-buy author for me. I definitely recommend Racing Savannah to fans of YA contemporary romance, but also for fans of sports books, or fans of just about any type of book that features strong relationships and a good message, without it being preachy in any way.

The Cover:
I'm not that keen on the yellow, but I still really like it.

Rating:
[Strong 4/5]

Purchase Links:
Kobo | Amazon.ca | Amazon.com | Chapters-Indigo | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

How I Lost You by Janet Gurtler

How I Lost You by Janet Gurtler
Release Date: April 23, 2013
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Pages: 309
Series: n/a
Review Source: finished copy for review from Raincoast Books

Synopsis: (from Goodreads)
There are a few things Grace Anderson knows for sure. One is that nothing will ever come between her and her best friend, Kya Kessler. They have a pact. Buds Before Studs. Sisters Before Misters. But in the summer before senior year, life throws out challenges they never expected. And suddenly the person who's always been there starts to need the favor returned. Grace and Kya are forced to question how much a best friend can forgive. And the answer is not what they expected.

My Thoughts:
‘How I Lost You’ may be my favourite book of Janet Gurtler’s yet, and if you’ve read my past reviews for her books (If I Tell, I'm Not Her, Who I Kissed) you know that I enjoy them a great deal. One of my favourite parts of this book was something that you would never guess from the cover or the blurb, and that is the fact that Grace is a kickass paintball player. Paintball is a huge part of who Grace is, to the degree that her biggest dream is to be a part of an all-female college team, and she may even want to go pro. I loved learning about the sport and seeing how passionate Grace was about it.

Of course this book mostly focuses on the friendship element, but I would be remiss if I didn’t mention a very cute boy who shows up in Grace’s life. Levi is just adorable, there’s no other way to describe him. He’s attentive and polite, a little shy. He’s a NICE BOY and I totally dug how well he treated Grace.

As mentioned, this book primarily focuses on friendship. I feel like everyone has probably had a friendship implode at one point or another, so it’s a very relatable story. It was actually scary how relatable I found it, and it was hard to read at certain points because of that fact. I basically felt all mama-bear protective over Grace, because she is such a great girl. She’s a fabulous friend, but she takes that loyalty to the point of being walked all over. Kya is a damaged girl who I definitely felt for, but that feeling gradually faded away as Kya became more and more out of control, ruining things for Grace and taking advantage of their friendship. This relationship was just toxic for Grace, and as the book continued I kept waiting for that moment when Grace would finally stand up for herself.

As you can tell, I absolutely loved Grace and I was cheering for her. Janet Gurtler writes such amazing contemps with family, friends, and romance all intertwined in the perfect way. ‘How I Lost You’ was a very intense friendship story that I think most everyone can relate to in one way or another. I enjoyed this book tremendously and I am eagerly anticipating Janet’s next release.

The Cover:
Like!

Rating:
[Strong 4/5]

Find How I Lost You by Janet Gurtler on Goodreads, Book Depository, & Amazon.

Things I Can't Forget by Miranda Kenneally

Release Date: March 1, 2013
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Pages: 304
Series: Hundred Oaks #3 (A companion book that can be read as a standalone)
Review Source: ARC for review from Raincoast Books

Synopsis: (from Goodreads)
Kate has always been the good girl. Too good, according to some people at school—although they have no idea the guilty secret she carries. But this summer, everything is different…

This summer she’s a counselor at Cumberland Creek summer camp, and she wants to put the past behind her. This summer Matt is back as a counselor too. He’s the first guy she ever kissed, and he’s gone from a geeky songwriter who loved The Hardy Boys to a buff lifeguard who loves to flirt…with her.

Kate used to think the world was black and white, right and wrong. Turns out, life isn’t that easy…

My Thoughts:
I completely adore how Miranda Kenneally is willing to discuss such serious (and touchy, for many people) issues in her books. And because of this I think my review for ‘Things I Can’t Forget’ will be a bit different from my normal ones. I know there will be some very strong reactions to this book, so I thought I would reflect on the issues that the book presents, and especially on the book’s main character.

Kate Kelly is a tricky character. I think for a lot of people she might seem too religious to relate to. However I think if you take a deeper look you can identify with Kate and her situation. Kate has done something which she believes to be immoral, something that she doesn’t believe in, to help a friend. Then because of prejudice (on both sides) that friendship falls apart. I think we’ve all had friendships end, and we’ve probably all been in situations where we have to make a difficult decision based on what we believe, whether that be related to religion, politics, or even just personal morals.

Personally I can relate a lot to Kate’s situation. I also grew up in a relatively strict Christian household, and at one point I think I was in that bubble where it was shocking to realize how other people were living, and what other people thought was right, versus what I grew up believing. Because of this I can really empathize with Kate as a character, even when her beliefs come across as rigid or judgmental.

I think as you read the book you see that Kate is someone who has a belief system and is growing up and learning about herself and her place in the world, just like anyone else. We see Kate try and reconcile her own faith and beliefs both with her own behaviour and with others’ beliefs and behaviours. Kate has never been a position before where she’s had to question her beliefs, and she finally sees how other people might find her judgmental. I love how Kate manages to stick to her fundamental beliefs, and yet also grows as a person, accepting that others might not always believe the same things as her. She realizes that it’s not the end of the world for people to have different beliefs, and that it’s not her place to judge people, especially before getting to know them.

I can't write this review without commenting on how much I adored the romance in this one. I’m pretty sure I would love any romance that Miranda Kenneally writes, but I especially loved Matt and Kate together because of their past connection. I loved how their relationship came out of an easy friendship, and the summer camp setting was a perfect place for them to explore their feelings. I loved the mutual respect that existed in their relationship, and how their feelings made Kate question (for the first time) what boundaries should exist in physical relationships before marriage.

I really can’t say enough about how much I enjoy Miranda Kenneally’s books. I always feel so much for her characters and their relationships. I love the examination of deeper issues that gets mixed in with totally swoony romances. After ‘Stealing Parker’ Miranda rose to the top of my auto-buy list, but this book just confirmed my feelings.

The Cover:
Cute!! I like it.

Rating:
[5/5]

Find Things I Can't Forget by Miranda Kenneally on Goodreads, Book Depository, & Amazon.

The Lies That Bind by Lisa & Laura Roecker

Release Date: November 1, 2012
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Pages: 320
Series: Liar Society #2
Review Source: Netgalley

Synopsis: (from Goodreads)
Just when Kate Lowry thought she had life at elite private school Pemberly Brown figured out, she cracks open a fortune cookie to find a message from her best friend Grace--who's supposed to be dead.

Another Sister Gone

A classmate has gone missing, and Kate soon realizes that the disappearance is tied to the secret societies that rule her private school. Her best friend died for their secrets, and there's no way she'll let them get away with it twice. It's up to quirky outsider Kate to get some answers, but in a school where every answer leads to more questions and nothing's as it seems, who can she trust?

My Thoughts:
I absolutely adored The Liar Society; I mean, it was Veronica Mars in YA book form: how could I resist? I definitely enjoyed this sequel as well. Bring in something secret society related and you have me hooked. This book was twisty and mysterious, which made for a fabulous reading experience. While I always had a good idea of who the culprit was, I was never entirely sure. I loved that there was this element of doubt and that the mystery was hard to completely figure out.

Kate is such a frustrating character in this installment, which was disappointing in some ways. She’s making decisions which constantly put herself in danger, and yet you almost can’t help but empathize with her. She’s been through so much, and her heart is in the right place, which keeps her from becoming completely unlikeable. Too often I think we expect a perfect heroine, when in real life none of us are perfect. Despite being frustrated with Kate and her lack of appreciation for her “sidekicks” Liam and Seth, I ended up being glad that Kate was a bit prickly. It made sense for her to be acting out after everything she’d been through.

Conclusion? I really loved the first book, and this one is almost as good. It features a fun mystery plot line where you’re never sure exactly what’s coming next.

The Cover:
Not so much. I definitely wouldn't have picked up this series at all if it hadn't been for awesome blogger reviews.

Rating:
[4/5]

Find The Lies That Bind by Lisa & Laura Roecker on Goodreads, Book Depository, & Amazon.