Student Book Review: While He Was Away by Karen Schreck

May 24, 2013 by Leave a Comment

While He Was AwayTitle: While He Was Away

Author: Karen Schreck

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Student Reviewer: Makenna

Summary (From Goodreads):

One year–he’ll be gone for one year and then we’ll be together again and everything will be back to the way it should be.

The day David left, I felt like my heart was breaking. Sure, any long-distance relationship is tough, but David was going to war–to fight, to protect, to put his life in danger. We can get through this, though. We’ll talk, we’ll email, we won’t let anything come between us.

I can be an army girlfriend for one year. But will my sweet, soulful, funny David be the same person when he comes home? Will I? And what if he doesn’t come home at all?…

“A tender and honest examination of love, longing, and loyalty in the face of modern war.”–Laura Ruby, author of Bad Apple

“While He Was Away is a wonderful love story with writing that is skillful and true.”–Amy Timberlake, author of That Girl Lucy Moon

Student Review:

The book While He Was Away by Karen Schreck is all about a girl and a guy.  The odds are against them when Penelope’s boyfriend, David, leaves to go to war.  He is in the army so Penelope and David’s relationship is being tested.  She has to keep herself occupied while he is away.  While Penelope is making friends, David is off becoming a different person.

I really enjoyed reading this book.  I can relate to this book; it captured my attention.  I love how strong and faithful Penelope is to David.  It shows that there are some people in the world that can handle long distance relationships.

Another thing I liked about this book is how it can guide people through dealing with a long distance relationship.  Especially the kind where one is going off to war.  It isn’t always easy being positive but this book explains to people that it is really important.  It is also important to stay busy so you aren’t worrying all the time.

Even though I liked the characters and it is a great help for long distance relationships, there is a part that I don’t really like.  I dislike the ending because it seems like every book about military relationships always ends badly.  I feel like if people that can relate to and read While He Was Away, it will worry them.  Not all military relationships end badly; it just seems like people don’t talk about those as much.

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Waiting on Wednesday–The Infinite Moment of Us by Lauren Myracle

May 8, 2013 by 4 Comments

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine.  It’s designed for bloggers to spotlight the upcoming releases that they simply can’t wait to read.

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I love a good YA contemporary novel, and I love Lauren Myracle, so The Infinite Moment of Us sounds like a definite win.  Bonus–The cover is gorgeous!

The Infinite Moment of UsTitle & Author: The Infinite Moment of Us by Lauren Myracle

Release Date: August 20th, 2013

Publisher: Amulet Books

Summary (From Goodreads):

For as long as she can remember, Wren Gray’s goal has been to please her parents. But as high school graduation nears, so does an uncomfortable realization: Pleasing her parents once overlapped with pleasing herself, but now . . . not so much. Wren needs to honor her own desires, but how can she if she doesn’t even know what they are?
Charlie Parker, on the other hand, is painfully aware of his heart’s desire. A gentle boy with a troubled past, Charlie has loved Wren since the day he first saw her. But a girl like Wren would never fall for a guy like Charlie—at least not the sort of guy Charlie believes himself to be.
And yet certain things are written in the stars. And in the summer after high school, Wren and Charlie’s souls will collide. But souls are complicated, as are the bodies that house them . . .
Sexy, romantic, and oh-so-true to life, this is an unforgettable look at first love from one of young adult fiction’s greatest writers.

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Review: Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

April 24, 2013 by 2 Comments

Beautiful DisasterTitle: Beautiful Disaster

Author: Jamie McGuire

Publisher: Atria Books (Simon & Schuster)

Release Date: August 14th, 2012 (paperback)

Interest: Student Recommended

Source: Purchased

Summary (From Goodreads): The new 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 needs—and wants—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.

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire wasn’t on my reading radar until two of my seniors started raving about it.  I was at Target last week, saw a copy that was marked 20% off, and decided on a whim to buy it.  I was hooked as soon as I started reading.

I do, however, have a lot of mixed reactions about it.  Books that fall in the New Adult category are naturally going to be more mature than YA, in my opinion, so that’s why I hesitate sometimes when I read them.  As a mature adult, I can look at Travis and Abby’s relationship and make sense of their relationship and all of the drama.  In Beautiful Disaster, I’m really not as concerned about the sex in the story as I’m concerned about the dynamics of their relationship.  The sex isn’t overly graphic or too prevalent.  My issue is that their relationship is dysfunctional and bordering on dangerous.  Travis isn’t physically abusive, but he is incredibly dependent on Abby and extremely violent around her on an almost regular basis.  My concern is that my students will read this and think that Travis is cute and sweet and the kind of guy they want to date.  And to be honest, he does have many of those characteristics and grows throughout the story.  Abby isn’t always much better.  She toys with Travis and is often wishy-washy which she knows drives him crazy.  They have a really messed up relationship, but it has plenty of moments that shine.  I’m going to add Beautiful Disaster to my classroom library, but I’m going to take my time book talking this and expressing my concerns.  I’ll make sure to discuss it with any of my students that read it because I want to make sure they understand the difference between a stable relationship and a dysfunctional one.

Now I know I harped on Travis and Abby in that last paragraph, but don’t let that make you think I didn’t like them or the book.  There were plenty of times I wanted to scream at both of them.  But there were also plenty of times that I loved seeing them together and cheered them on.  They’re both very flawed characters and their relationship brings their insecurities and flaws to light, but it also helps them grow and mature.  I really felt like I knew them.  At one point, I was so upset about an event in the book that I called my friend, who had already read it, to vent and express my concerns.  I felt attached to Travis and Abby while I was reading.  Jamie McGuire has done a fabulous job write these two characters and their supporting characters as well.  I could easily see and feel everything that was happening in the story.

I do have to point out that Beautiful Disaster is full of DRAMA.  Lots and lots of drama.  Abby and Travis bring most of the drama on themselves, but there’s plenty there that’s outside of their control.  I can’t complain about it too much because it made the story intense and exciting, but towards the end a few things came up that sort of made me shake my head.  I’m not sure some of it was really all that vital to the story at that point.

I’ll definitely be reading Walking Disaster which is told from Travis’s point of view.  I’m not going to lie, I really liked him.  He’s often an idiot, but he grew on me, and I would love to read something from his point of view to better understand him.

If you’ve read either of these books, I’d love to know your thoughts!  I’m curious to know if any other high school teachers have read this and added it to their libraries.  I’d also love to know if I’m off base in regards to my concerns.

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Audiobook Review: Prodigy by Marie Lu

April 22, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Prodigy audiobookTitle: Prodigy

Author: Marie Lu

Narrators: Steven Kaplan & Mariel Stern

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile

Release Date: January 29th, 2013

Interest: Series

Source: Audiobook purchased via Audible

Summary (From Goodreads): June and Day arrive in Vegas just as the unthinkable happens: the Elector Primo dies, and his son Anden takes his place. With the Republic edging closer to chaos, the two join a group of Patriot rebels eager to help Day rescue his brother and offer passage to the Colonies. They have only one request—June and Day must assassinate the new Elector.

It’s their chance to change the nation, to give voice to a people silenced for too long.

But as June realizes this Elector is nothing like his father, she’s haunted by the choice ahead. What if Anden is a new beginning? What if revolution must be more than loss and vengeance, anger and blood—what if the Patriots are wrong?

In this highly-anticipated sequel, Lu delivers a breathtaking thriller with high stakes and cinematic action.

Audiobook Review: I really enjoyed listening to Steven Kaplan and Mariel Stern narrate Prodigy by Marie Lu.  I’ve decided that I like male audiobook narrators more than female narrators, and I’m not entirely sure why, but it holds true with Steven Kaplan narrating Day’s parts.  He does a nice job differentiating between the characters, even more so than Mariel Stern did.  I liked Mariel Stern for the part of June because she has almost a lilt to her voice that sounds right for June.  The audiobook is a little over ten hours long, but it felt like it went faster than that.  I didn’t listen to Legend, so I’m not sure how I’ll read the third book in this trilogy.  I liked the audio enough that I’d be happy reading it that way.

Book Review: Prodigy picks up right where Legend left off.  I had a hard time getting into it when I was reading it in the traditional sense, which is why I switched to the audiobook.  I don’t know why I was having a hard time reading it because once I started the audio I was really into the story.

We learn a lot more about June and Day and the world is developed even more.  I liked getting more information about Anden, the Republic, and the Patriots.  I’m actually kind of torn about Anden because I didn’t want to like him, but I really do.  He and June spend more time together in Prodigy and their interactions add a great level of intensity to the story.  June and Day are more a part than together in Prodigy, but it made the scenes where they are together even more enjoyable to read.  There’s lots of angst between them in this book.

I didn’t love Prodigy which makes me feel like the only person in the book world who didn’t love it.  I can’t even put my finger on what it was missing.  A few parts kind of dragged, and it just wasn’t as good as Legend.  The end of book is what really saved it for me.  There’s lots of action and excitement towards the end.  The actual ending, however, just about broke my heart.  I have NO idea what to expect in the last book.  I’m hoping that something will miraculously change so the story ends the way I want it to, but right now, I’m not so sure.  What an emotional ending.

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Review: Dead Silence by Kimberly Derting

April 15, 2013 by 1 Comment

Dead SilenceTitle: Dead Silence

Author: Kimberly Derting

Publisher: HarperCollins

Release Date: April 16th, 2013

Interest: Series

Source: ARC received from the publisher

Summary (From Goodreads): Violet thought she’d made peace with her unique ability to sense the echoes of the dead and the imprints that cling to their killers…that is until she acquired an imprint of her own. Forced to carry a reminder of the horrible events of her kidnapping, Violet is more determined than ever to lead a normal life. However, the people who run the special investigative team Violet works for have no intention of letting her go.

When someone close to Violet becomes a suspect in a horrific murder, she finds herself pulled into a deadly hunt for a madman with an army of devoted followers. Violet has survived dangerous situations before, but she quickly discovers that protecting those closest to her is far more difficult than protecting herself.

I think I’ve said this in all of my reviews of The Body Finder series, but I really love it.  They’re fun, suspenseful, and romantic.

I’m not sure if Dead Silence is concluding Kimberly Derting’s series because there isn’t a fifth book listed on Goodreads.  I liked the ending, but it didn’t feel like a series closer.  Maybe there will be a spin-off?  Regardless, I’ve really enjoyed reading about Violet and “watching” her grow as a character.  She really comes into her own in this book.  I feel like she really has a sense of who she is, what her ability/gift can do, and who her true friends are.

One of the reasons I like The Body Finder series so much is because Violet is so independent.  Sure, she leans on her boyfriend Jay quite a bit, but I never get the sense that she needs him.  Violet makes her own decisions and does what she thinks is right.  Many YA heroines look to their male counterpart/love interest for guidance and help, and that simply isn’t the case with Violet.

Kimberly Derting finally gives us more background information about Violet’s ability and the group she’s working with.  I’m not going to say much about this because I don’t want to spoil anything, but the new layer to the story is really interesting and answers so many questions.

Like the other books, we get to read from a killer’s point of view.  And like the other books, it adds an exciting sense of creepiness and suspense.  I didn’t have as many questions about who was behind everything in Dead Silence as I did in previous books, but I still enjoyed it.

If you haven’t picked up this series, I highly recommend that you do.  It’s very popular in my classroom and really enjoyable.

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Book Trailer Thursday (105)–Let the Sky Fall by Shannon Messenger

April 11, 2013 by Leave a Comment

After watching this book trailer, I’m kicking myself over the fact that I haven’t read this yet when I have had an ARC since attending NCTE back in November.  So many books, so little time I suppose.  It released on March 5th, so you have the opportunity to read it if sounds like something you’d enjoy.  I will be reading Let the Sky Fall by Shannon Messenger sooner rather than later!

Let the Sky FallSummary (From Goodreads):

Seventeen-year-old Vane Weston has no idea how he survived the category five tornado that killed his parents. And he has no idea if the beautiful, dark-haired girl who’s swept through his dreams every night since the storm is real. But he hopes she is.

Seventeen-year-old Audra is a sylph, an air elemental. She walks on the wind, can translate its alluring songs, and can even coax it into a weapon with a simple string of commands. She’s also a guardian—Vane’s guardian—and has sworn an oath to protect Vane at all costs. Even if it means sacrificing her own life.

When a hasty mistake reveals their location to the enemy who murdered both of their families, Audra’s forced to help Vane remember who he is. He has a power to claim—the secret language of the West Wind, which only he can understand. But unlocking his heritage will also unlock the memory Audra needs him to forget. And their greatest danger is not the warriors coming to destroy them—but the forbidden romance that’s grown between them.

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Review: Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

April 6, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Eleanor & ParkTitle: Eleanor & Park

Author: Rainbow Rowell

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Release Date: February 26th, 2013

Interest: Positive reviews / Historical fiction

Source: ARC received from the publisher

Summary (From Goodreads):

“Bono met his wife in high school,” Park says.
“So did Jerry Lee Lewis,” Eleanor answers.
“I’m not kidding,” he says.
“You should be,” she says, “we’re sixteen.”
“What about Romeo and Juliet?”
“Shallow, confused, then dead.”
”I love you,” Park says.
“Wherefore art thou,” Eleanor answers.
“I’m not kidding,” he says.
“You should be.”

Set over the course of one school year in 1986, ELEANOR AND PARK is the story of two star-crossed misfits – smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. When Eleanor meets Park, you’ll remember your own first love – and just how hard it pulled you under.

I’m really tempted to simply write, “Eleanor & Park is fabulous. You must read it now!” and leave it at that.  I’m not, however, because I really want to gush over everything I love about it.

I felt such an array of emotions while reading Rainbow Rowell’s YA debut.  I laughed plenty of times, and I think I teared up just as many times as I laughed.  Eleanor and Park come alive on the page and I couldn’t help but love them.  There were so many times that I wanted to hug Eleanor.  She needs lots of hugs.  Park is absolutely adorable and so real.  And his parents?!  I ended up loving them big time.

Something that surprised me about Eleanor & Park is that it’s written in third person.  I didn’t even realize it at first because it’s *that* well done.  I never felt like I was reading it as an outsider; I always knew exactly how Eleanor and Park felt.  I’m often turned off by books written in third person because it distracts me.  The characters in third person novels don’t always stick with me, but that’s not the case with Eleanor and Park.  Rainbow Rowell wrote third person the way it should be written.

I love that Eleanor & Park is a love story, but it’s not an overly mushy love story.  It’s a love story that’s sweet and tender.  It’s even bittersweet at times.  But it’s also a story about self-discovery and opening up.  Both and Eleanor and Park are discovering who they are, and they’re discovering it through each other and through their relationship.  Park doesn’t need to be like his friends and who his father wants him to be.  Eleanor discovers what a family really is and how to love herself.  Really, Eleanor & Park is simply perfect and you need to read it.

I have Eleanor & Park labeled as historical fiction since it takes place in 1986.  It’s awful labeling that time period as historical fiction, but for today’s teens, that is historical fiction.  There isn’t a big moment in history taking place in this book, but there are plenty of 80s allusions present that I’m sure many of my students will wonder about.

To sum this up, Eleanor & Park is already a favorite of 2013.  There’s no doubt in my mind about that.  Rainbow Rowell can’t write another YA novel fast enough because I want to read everything she writes.  Thankfully she has some adult/new adult novels out that I can read.

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Book Trailer Thursday (104)–Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

April 4, 2013 by Leave a Comment

I read Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell in one sitting the other day, and I’m still loving it and thinking about it.  Sigh.  I’m extra happy that not only is there a book trailer for this debut, but that there’s four!  They’re mini trailers with some excellent quotes from the book.  I hope you enjoy them!

Eleanor & ParkSummary (From Goodreads):

“Bono met his wife in high school,” Park says.
“So did Jerry Lee Lewis,” Eleanor answers.
“I’m not kidding,” he says.
“You should be,” she says, “we’re sixteen.”
“What about Romeo and Juliet?”
“Shallow, confused, then dead.”
”I love you,” Park says.
“Wherefore art thou,” Eleanor answers.
“I’m not kidding,” he says.
“You should be.”

Set over the course of one school year in 1986, ELEANOR AND PARK is the story of two star-crossed misfits – smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. When Eleanor meets Park, you’ll remember your own first love – and just how hard it pulled you under.

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Top Ten Tuesday: Book Boyfriends

April 2, 2013 by 7 Comments

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Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and The Bookish

This week’s Top Ten Tuesday post is all about fictional characters we would crush on if we were another fictional character.  I like to refer to this post as my Top Ten Book Boyfriends :)

1. Jay Heaton of The Body Finder series–He’s an all-around great and supportive boyfriend to Violet.  If you’ve read this series, I don’t think I really need to explain this because I’m pretty sure we all agree.

2. Lucas from Easy–Normally I’m not really attracted to guys that look like Lucas, but he completely won me over in Easy.  I want there to be a second book so I can read more about him and swoon a little more.

3. Cricket Bell from Lola and the Boy Next Door–Cricket is adorably nerdy, close to his family, and really sweet.  If I were another character in that book, I would have jumped at the opportunity to date Cricket.

4. Adam Wilde from Where She Went–I had a thing for musicians when I was in college, and maybe I still do now to some degree, but boy did I love Adam in Where She Went.  I want more books with Adam.

5. Jace from The Mortal Instruments–I haven’t read books four or five, but I was seriously crushing on Jace while reading the first three books.  He’s strong, mysterious, and so much more.

6. Edward Cullen from Twilight–Judge me all you want, but I wasn’t really into paranormal YA before I read Twilight.  I’ve read Twilight twice and I never read books more than once (unless it’s school related).  So yeah.  Edward Cullen and I have no shame.  P.S. I read the books before they were super popular and being made into horrible movies; a student recommended them. :)

7. Noah Calhoun from The Notebook–I know this isn’t technically YA, but I read The Notebook back when I was discovering YA and rediscovering my passion for reading, and I adore Noah.  I hated the movie, but I do love Ryan Gosling.

8. Finn Belastra from Born Wicked–I don’t care if he’s “unsuitable.”  He’s sweet and romantic and all about Cate.

9. Adam Kent from Shatter Me–Lots of tension and steaminess. I’m sure he’s on plenty of these lists.

10. Akiva from Daughter of Smoke and Bone–It’s hard to explain why I would crush on Akiva, but if you’ve read the books in this series you’d probably understand.  Maybe it’s the whole protector thing?  Or how much he loves Karou?

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Flash Reviews (21)

April 1, 2013 by 3 Comments

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the UniverseTitle: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

Author: Benjamin Alire Sáenz

Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers

Source: Purchased

Summary (From Goodreads):

A lyrical novel about family and friendship from critically acclaimed author Benjamin Alire Sáenz.

Aristotle is an angry teen with a brother in prison. Dante is a know-it-all who has an unusual way of looking at the world. When the two meet at the swimming pool, they seem to have nothing in common. But as the loners start spending time together, they discover that they share a special friendship—the kind that changes lives and lasts a lifetime. And it is through this friendship that Ari and Dante will learn the most important truths about themselves and the kind of people they want to be.

Flash Review:  I wish I would have written a full review of this when I finished reading it, but I really just wanted to sit back and enjoy how much I enjoyed it.  Is that weird?  I had never even heard of Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe before it received multiple ALA awards this year.  I’m happy it received so many honors because this book deserves attention.  I have a feeling it will really only speak to specific readers, but it still deserves praise and a wide readership.  I’m going to recommend it to John Green fans, which I realize is a broad scope of readers, but I think those who enjoy the verisimilitude in Green’s books will enjoy it in this book.  The conversations between Dante and Aristotle are simple and complex and beautiful.  Their story is beautiful.  I couldn’t put it down, and then trying to immediately put into words all of my feelings when I was done was nearly impossible.  I read it on my Kindle and when I finished I knew I had to find a way to get a copy with all of the medals in my classroom.  So far I’ve only been able to find a copy with the Printz honor medal.  I know I haven’t really “reviewed” this, but I still hope you read it.  It’s going to be a favorite of 2013.

Blood Red RoadTitle: Blood Red Road

Author: Moira Young

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Source: Borrowed from the library

Summary (From Goodreads): Saba has spent her whole life in Silverlake, a dried-up wasteland ravaged by constant sandstorms. The Wrecker civilization has long been destroyed, leaving only landfills for Saba and her family to scavenge from. That’s fine by her, as long as her beloved twin brother Lugh is around. But when a monster sandstorm arrives, along with four cloaked horsemen, Saba’s world is shattered. Lugh is captured, and Saba embarks on an epic quest to get him back.

Suddenly thrown into the lawless, ugly reality of the world outside of desolate Silverlake, Saba is lost without Lugh to guide her. So perhaps the most surprising thing of all is what Saba learns about herself: she’s a fierce fighter, an unbeatable survivor, and a cunning opponent. And she has the power to take down a corrupt society from the inside. Teamed up with a handsome daredevil named Jack and a gang of girl revolutionaries called the Free Hawks, Saba stages a showdown that will change the course of her own civilization.

Blood Red Road has a searing pace, a poetically minimal writing style, violent action, and an epic love story. Moira Young is one of the most promising and startling new voices in teen fiction.

Flash Review:  There are only a few books I chose for my Young Adult Lit II class without reading them first, which I know isn’t best practice, but I chose them based on LOTS of discussion with trusted teachers and librarians.  I haven’t been disappointed in those choices, and Blood Red Road was one of them.  The first thing that caught me off guard while reading was the dialect.  It was harder for me to read than the dialect in The Knife of Never Letting Go.  And the lack of quotation marks around the dialogue made it even harder, but ultimately I loved it.  I’m still not sure why Moira Young chose to skip the quotation marks, but I think it will make for great discussion when we read it in class.  Saba is a pretty awesome heroine; her bravery and overall hardcore attitude often put Katniss to shame.  The summary’s description of Blood Red Road being an “epic love story” isn’t accurate, in my opinion.  There’s a nice love story, but I would never call it epic.  When I think of an epic love story I think of Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor or something sweeping like that.  Overall, I would have liked to know Saba more than I did; I felt like I knew Jack and Emmi better than Saba.  This is a book that will appeal to many readers who enjoy action and adventure with a little bit of romance.

Just One DayTitle: Just One Day

Author: Gayle Forman

Publisher: Dutton Juvenile

Source: ARC received from the publisher

Summary (From Goodreads): A breathtaking journey toward self-discovery and true love, from the author of If I Stay

When sheltered American good girl Allyson “LuLu” Healey first meets laid-back Dutch actor Willem De Ruiter at an underground performance of Twelfth Night in England, there’s an undeniable spark. After just one day together, that spark bursts into a flame, or so it seems to Allyson, until the following morning, when she wakes up after a whirlwind day in Paris to discover that Willem has left. Over the next year, Allyson embarks on a journey to come to terms with the narrow confines of her life, and through Shakespeare, travel, and a quest for her almost-true-love, to break free of those confines.

Just One Day is the first in a sweepingly romantic duet of novels. Willem’s story—Just One Year—is coming soon!

Flash Review: It seems like everyone absolutely loved Just One Day.  I gave it three stars on Goodreads, but that’s mostly because of a few scenes at the beginning and some with Dee (a character introduced later in the story) in the middle.  If it weren’t for those few things, I wouldn’t have finished this book.  Allyson is one of the most annoying characters I’ve ever read, which makes me feel like a horrible person for thinking that because she’s depressed.  I think it’s more the reasons why she acts the way she does for over half of the book that bothers me so much.  She knew Willem for one day, hence the title, and is completely hung up on him for months.  Really?  Get over it.  Maybe if I was sixteen or seventeen and reading this I would have felt differently.  The big reason behind her feeling so low is her mother, which is why I feel bad saying she’s so annoying.  I simply wouldn’t call Just One Day romantic.  It’s about soul-searching and discovering yourself.  It borders on New Adult since Allyson is away at college and breaking away from her parents.  If I had gone into reading this prepared for all of that, maybe I would have liked it more.  I wish Gayle Forman would just write from a guy’s point of view because I didn’t think If I Stay was so great either, but I LOVED Where She Went.  I’m hoping I feel the same way about Just One Year which is from Willem’s perspective.

As always, thank you for the Flash Reviews idea, GreenBeanTeenQueen!

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