Review: Ask Me Anything by Molly E. Lee

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I had an enjoyable time while reading Ask Me Anything. I've read very few YA stories about hackers, so it was wonderful and exciting to enter this world. 

Ask Me Anything is Amber, a high school student who is amazing at hacking. After becoming upset with the school's teaching methods, Amber creates an underground sex positive advice blog- anonymously. Fortunately for her, it goes viral and unfortunately, the school's principal wants to shut it down. And to do that, he enlist the help of Dean- a boy who Amber has gotten close to recently. 

Like mentioned earlier, I had a good time while reading Ask Me Anything. There were times that it was suspenseful & exciting. There were times were it was funny. Overall, it was a good book. The plot was nicely paced and it had likable characters. 

However, it did feel a little too on the nose. For example, Amber's personalization. She had the purple hair. She was a hacker. She was sassy. She was the human embodiment of the term "pixie" -which, ironically Dean called her. 

Characters

Although most were likable, I would have liked more originality with the characters. It was leaned a lot towards stereotypes. 

Another issue I came across was one particularly thing that Dean did. Once the conflict arises, Dean lashes out at Amber in an unreasonable way. She was completely justified in her actions due to them previously setting up those guidelines. It felt odd that Dean would throw that in her face when he had agreed to those terms. Other than that, I didn't have a problem with him. I actually admired his strong relationship with his little sister, Tessa. I don't think brother & sister relationships are depicted enough in YA through the Male's perspective. 

Another important relationship that I enjoyed, was the relationship between Amber and her parents. It was so open and loving. They were truly supportive. I wish we had gotten to see more of them.

Review: Sincerely Cinderella by Kelsie Stelting

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I appreciate what Sincerely Cinderella was attempting to do. It's a loose retelling of Cinderella and the author wanted to make it inclusive; which is understandable. I applaud the author for that. 

However, there are times where Sincerely Cinderella fails were it should succeed. 

The book centers around Cindy. After a tragic accident, her life is turned upside down and she is left blind. In addition, she gets sent to live with her terrible aunt and cousins. Eventually, she gets a pen pal named Jett. And that's the only thing keeping her afloat. 

I hadn't expected this book to be so dark. Cindy can not catch a break. This book is only roughly around 120 pages and it was literally back to back horrible events happening in Cindy's life. 

This girl definitely deserved a happy ending. 

Unfortunately, I'm not quite sure if that happy ended needed to be with Jett. Separately, I appreciated the two characters. But together I felt like a spark was missing. 

Like mentioned previously, this is a very short book. And all of the problems, could be credited to the length. The author had good threads started but they were never fully developed. They felt rushed. And one particular twist was completely unnecessary. I understand wanting to have a big major conflict, but the "twist" felt a little extreme. Especially, since it was another example of someone being completely uncaring of Cindy's feelings. 

Final Analysis

Sincerely Cinderella attempts to make strides in a modern retelling of Cinderella. Unfortunately, it lacks development in several of the elements of the book.

Review: Love at First Fight by Maggie Dallen

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When done correctly, friends to love stories are the most superior and are the best. Fortunately, Love at First Fight had all the proper ingredients. It was a cute YA story with two sweet characters.

Love at First Fight tells the story of Margo. After a humiliating photo of her goes viral, the whole journey of her senior year changes. She must now rely on a past friend, Jason, to attempt to take control of the situation.

The story was simple and not overdramatic. It held my interest although through. And there were some moments that made me smile.

Characters

Like mentioned previously, I enjoyed Margo and Jason. I thought they were well rounded and sweet characters. Neither of them had a hidden agenda, what they did have was massive crushes on each other.

Although I found their relationship adorable, I would have liked more conversations between Margo & Jason. For most of the book, it was them reacting to events instead of be active. Also, I would have liked their explored to have been explored a little more. It was obvious that there was a history between the two but I would have liked a more exploration of how they used to act around each other.

The supporting characters were forgettable. There were a lot of them.Besides Margo's two best friends, every other supporting character in the book wasn't the best. They were a little manipulative & rude.

Final Analysis

Love at First Fight was a cute YA love story that does have a few flaws, however they do not hinder the reading experience.

Review: My Cake! (The Adventures of Louise Book 1) by Bena Roberts

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Blurb:

Switch off your phone, cure that hangover with a short read!

Louise, otherwise known as a red-haired Kardashian decides she wants to settle down. She dreams of a sugar daddy and is willing to sacrifice good looks and great sex for Mr. Sensible. Is this really what Louise wants? Can she put her lover, liar and diva life behind her and fall in love with the older man Gerhard?

Will this May to December date change her life forever?

Or will Louise's sexual appetite make things difficult for her?

Question - What is the first line of the book?

Answer - Yesterday, I had God-like sex with a man juicier than sirloin steak.

This laugh out loud short story is a quick read for the beach, train or plane. This is a very short story, not a novel or a novella. It has been heavily adapted from one chapter of the book Blind Dates, Big Love & Six Tinder Weeks

Review

At first when I saw that line about Louise being a red headed Kardashian, I almost hit next.This was definitely a quick, short read. Louise is a real character who had me chuckling at moments but it was done in a blink of an eye. Oh, the part with the cake. I will definitely think of her the next time I have a red cake. My only criticism is I wish there was a little more to the story of a before and after. At first I thought she was going to be shallow based on my first impression which actually eased back but then I got curious and then it was done. I’m curious to see what the next part of this will be like. Overall, fun little read if you’re on a plane, beach or waiting on an appointment.

Review: Live to Tell by Bianca Sloane

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I don’t even know where to start with this book. I read Tell Me a Lie first, which had I known how the first book was going to be, I’d read that after this. Biance Sloane has definitely grown as a author since her first book and I really believe this series is her best to date.

Going into Live to Tell, I knew the consequences of what had happened but needed to know how and why. Getting to experience the point of view of Charles had my thoughts like a pendulum going from sympathy to disgust. All in the name of being entertained, my curiosity piqued, not expecting the roller coaster ride of a plot page turner.

Let me say this disclaimer, usually I pass on books that involve adultery. It’s definitely a non negotiable for me, but since I read the second book it had my thoughts hanging out there wandering if there was more to the story that met the eye. Oh there definitely was and some. The book sort of set up the predictable cliche of husband and wife going downhill and the thought of adultery circling around. In those scenarios, you sort of know what’s going to happen but in this case, it was that taken to a whole different level. Just say vengeance and karma may or not been justified depending on your perspective of the characters.

Overall, this was a really entertaining read. I have not come across any character that I hated more than Jillian. If a character can drawn such ire towards her, you know you’re in for something good. The chemistry and pace of the book was just right. She really balances well the elements of the plot to give you what you need at the right moments. Now, that I’ve read this one, I strongly encourage reading this before the second book. There is a lot in the first that will account for any questions in the second. If you haven’t discovered her books yet, definitely check out her other books. I’m recommending adding this series to your TBR.

Review: Midnight Lullabies: Moments of Peace for Moms by Lauren Eberspacher

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Summary:

Usher the peace of Jesus back into motherhood with Lauren Eberspacher’s 31-day devotional, MIDNIGHT LULLABIES.

Often, mothers are told about the joyful, exciting things that they are about to embark on as they enter into parenthood. What people fail to share is the hard seasons of motherhood: loneliness, anxiety, depression, insecurity, comparison, disconnect with the Lord and their husbands, and loss of identity. These seasons can consume their hearts and steal their joy, leaving them hopeless and full of shame. Most mothers hide during this time, thinking that they are alone or that something is wrong with them. The simple truth is that having children changes everything. But so does Jesus. His Word can breathe life into every space, and Midnight Lullabies meets the weary mama in the trenches of motherhood while she does Kingdom work within the four walls of her home, shining light and giving hope when it seems most far away.

In Midnight Lullabies, over 31 days, Lauren Eberspacher explores those places of motherhood that are often left unspoken. While embarking on her own journey of being a mama, she has encountered seasons that shocked and surprised her. But there is always hope. As a storyteller, Lauren takes the everyday moments and gives biblical insight to the mother facing these hard seasons, giving the reader a sense that they are having a conversation with a friend around a cozy kitchen table.

Mothers often just want to hear another mom say she’s in it with them. And when Eberspacher addresses these hard issues, she not only says, “I’ve been there; I understand,” but she follows it with, “But God.” Eberspacher shows that Jesus can be found in every moment of motherhood and that His strength and His Word are enough for you.

Review:

I’m not a mother but I’ve seen enough to understand the pain many have gone through from their testimonies, tears and frustrations from friends and strangers shared about their journey through motherhood. Many have had support and others haven’t but one common feeling of defeat claws many at times for a moment of assurance that everything will be ok and you’re not alone. For many out there currently, or soon to be, Midnight Lullabies is exactly that. It might just give you some peace.

Lauren has been there and reading her shared experiences and pulling through, there’s a lot of positive love radiating from this book.

The book is meant to be read daily with themed moments, spiritual support and a prayer. The author shares her experiences, the good, bad and the ugly truth of what motherhood looks and feels like. If you have ever felt stuck emotionally, she puts herself out there as a sister that understands and is here to take you off that ledge of defeat. She wants to help you breakthrough the emotional burdens and overcome them.

She wants you to turn your brokenness to believing in the strength of your faith to restore and empower greatness within you to love yourself and lift you up. Her book gives you a feeling that you are loved and you are worth it, breaking through the binds that suffocate your worth & existence. I found this honest and compassionate. She is never preachy or judgmental. I think this will be interpreted by each women differently depending on their experiences but commonly will give hope, inspire confidence and assurance that you are not alone. I’d recommend checking this one out.

#Sponsored by FaithWords