Sketchy Behavior by Erynn MangumMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Oh, gosh...I have seriously been dreading this review. In all honesty, I gave this book 4 stars because of how wonderfully it ended. Otherwise it would have only received 3 stars. I HATE that I wasn't a fan of this book until the last few (VERY few) pages, especially since my favorite blogger lists this as one of her very favorite books of all time. While the story-line/plot was good, it just didn't feel at all realistic, and I feel that the author made the main character (Kate) a bit TOO snarky, especially in the beginning. Perhaps at a later time, I'll re-read it without such high expectations. It's possible that I was expecting too much from the book, and thus was disappointed when it did not deliver.
View all my reviews Oh, gosh...I have seriously been dreading this review. In all honesty, I gave this book 4 stars because of how wonderfully it ended. Otherwise it would have only received 3 stars. I HATE that I wasn't a fan of this book until the last few (VERY few) pages, especially since my favorite blogger lists this as one of her very favorite books of all time. While the story-line/plot was good, it just didn't feel at all realistic, and I feel that the author made the main character (Kate) a bit TOO snarky, especially in the beginning. Perhaps at a later time, I'll re-read it without such high expectations. It's possible that I was expecting too much from the book, and thus was disappointed when it did not deliver.
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Roadside Assistance by Amy ClipstonMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book touched my heart and soul like no other book ever has. Like Emily, I lost my mom at a young age. In fact, I lost my dad when I was 10, and my mom when I was 13. There were so many areas of Emily's story that I could totally identify with. Like Emily, I was uprooted from the only home I'd ever known, but I had no family to turn to. I instead ended up with a family friend who went above and beyond to provide love and comfort, along with doing her best to provide a stable home life for me. This book was exactly what I needed. It brought up emotions and feelings that I had never yet dealt with, and brought SO much peace and healing to me. Although this book is Christian YA fiction, it's a PERFECT book for anyone to read who has lost a friend or loved one and is finding it difficult to cope. I can never thank Amy Clipston enough for penning such an amazing story, and sharing the pain and rawness of losing a parent. This will definitely be a book that I'll re-read MANY times through the remainder of my life, and I also want to thank Lindsey (Christian Books for Girls) for recommending this book on her YouTube channel. Thank you God for steering me to this book and using it to heal my shattered heart.
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The Whitney Chronicles by Judy BaerMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Whitney Chronicles was my second book by Judy Baer. What a delight!! I must confess she is quickly becoming my favorite author. In this book, we follow Whitney as she faces an all too familiar struggle with weight management, and relationships. It was refreshing to find a main character with not only emotional flaws, but physical ones as well. While the book was a tad cliche in it's plot, the references to scripture and faith more than made up for it. I think that's my favorite parts of the Judy Baer books that I've read...the inclusion of scripture and prioritizing faith. I have a new one of her books arriving today, and I'm very much looking forward to diving into it as well. I recommend this book for pretty much any age group...pre-teen up through adult. There's something in it for everyone, and there's not a dull moment in it anywhere!
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Chasing Sunsets by Karen KingsburyMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
What an incredible book. This was my first time reading anything by Karen Kingsbury, and I'm now a huge fan. This book has it all...love, heartbreak, sacrifice...everything that makes life TRULY what it is. Gang violence is a serious, SERIOUS issue these days, and not a day passes that a child doesn't lose their life due to gang wars. We truly need more people like the characters in this book, who are willing to make sacrifices and give of themselves so completely to make a difference. I was so moved by this book, and so anxious to see what happens next, I ordered the next book in the sequel. If you want a book that is real, gutsy and full of faith, then I highly suggest this book. It is book #2 of the Angels Walking series, and I have not read #1 yet, but this book is simply wonderful, and I'm not at all sad that I read it first. Yes, I'll eventually get around to reading the first one, but not until I see what happens with Mary Catherine and Marcus first! =)
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The Merchant's Daughter by Melanie DickersonMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Although "The Merchant's Daughter" is the second book in this particular series by Melanie Dickerson, I began with it. I had NEVER read a fairy-tale re-telling until I saw Melanie Kilsby's review of this book on her YouTube channel. I'm SO glad I chose this one. I am now officially hooked, no only on the re-tellings, but on Melanie Dickerson as an author. This books was AMAZING. I fell in love with each character, and felt as though they were life-long friends by the time I had finished the book. It was so refreshing to see Annabel's deep hunger for God's Word, and her tremendous joy at finally being able to read it for herself, compliments of Lord Ranulf le Wyse. Two themes made impacts on me as I read. First and the most obvious, was how love overlooks imperfections in others, and secondly, how truly loving and caring for others will bring about tremendous boldness in standing up for them and what you truly believe in. As with most fairy tales, this one had all the "feels" of a happily-ever-after, and made me long to know more about their future together. I hear that another book in this series gives a bit more information as to their lives together, so now I have the PERFECT excuse to read every one of Melanie's re-tellings. If you're a fairy tale fan, and a fan of happily-ever-afters, I highly recommend this book. You'll be hooked from page one!
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