Review: Finding Cinderella

Finding Cinderella (Hopeless #2.5)

by Colleen Hoover

Summary

This novella is a companion novel to the Hopeless series, but can be read as a standalone. 

A chance encounter in the dark leads eighteen-year-old Daniel and the girl who stumbles across him to profess their love for each other. But this love comes with conditions: they agree it will only last one hour and it will only be make-believe.

When their hour is up and the girl rushes off like Cinderella, Daniel tries to convince himself that what happened between them only seemed perfect because they were pretending it was perfect. Moments like that with girls like her don’t happen outside of fairytales.

One year and one bad relationship later, his disbelief in insta-love is stripped away the day he meets Six: a girl with a strange name and an even stranger personality. Daniel soon realizes the way he pretended to feel about Cinderella and the way he really feels about Six may not be so different after all. Especially when the two loves of his life end up being one in the same.

Unfortunately for Daniel, finding Cinderella doesn’t guarantee their happily ever after…it only further threatens it.

Review

To begin with, I have to say that I am not one to believe in love at first sight – it’s cliché, and the romance between Six and Daniel progressed too quickly for my liking. For the most part, the scenes centered on their making out, which didn’t bode well for me. Such actions did, however, suit their personalities, so I won’t dwell too much on that. I was actually expecting something big to happen, something that would change the course of the story, but it just didn’t have that moment. I felt that the plot was a bit rushed, and the ending was just this abrupt cut-off of the whole thing. That might be due to it being a novella, but either way, it disappointed me.

On the bright side, I did consider it a fun read. It was nice to be able to reconnect with Sky and Holder after reading Hopeless, and the banters between Six and Daniel were pretty amusing. The beginning of the novella was interesting to read, actually, because it sort of resembled a fairytale (Cinderella, as you can tell from the title). Also, I could tell that as the story went on, they were able to help each other grow and improve themselves, and with me being a sucker for that kind of character development, that made me like the whole thing a little more. 

So if you’re looking for something short and entertaining, you should check this one out!

My Rating

Cover Reveal: Girls Are Players

Title: Girls Are Players (G.A.P. #2)
Author: Ingrid Seymour
Publication Date: December 4, 2013
Genres: New Adult, Romance

Add to Goodreads

Synopsis:

Jessica Norton is a villain in the body of a gorgeous, rich, college girl. She cheats, lies, plays with people’s feelings, and purposely breaks unsuspecting hearts to avenge a personal loss. She’s the kind of girl people love to hate—even if it’s just because she has it all. Except . . . she doesn’t have it all. What she wants most is the love of her high school sweetheart, Taylor Drennon, the guy who got away, the one who left without telling her why and caused all her bitterness.

Not surprisingly, Jessica’s evil has made her a pariah. Alone, without friends or Taylor’s love, her college life is a nightmare. She’s haunted by her own mistakes and drowning in lack of direction. Something needs to change. So when the first opportunity to turn her life around presents itself, she takes it. Home for Christmas break, Jessica runs into Taylor. His unexpected friendliness seems like an invitation to rekindle their love. Inspired by a drastic idea that will both distance her from her heinous reputation and pull her closer to Taylor, she decides to transfer to OSU where he attends under a football scholarship.

Confident she can regain his heart, Jessica reenters Taylor’s life with a splash. Failing to naturally lure him closer, she is then forced to rely on her old games and underhanded scheming. Though Jessica’s heart is in the right place, it is hidden from Taylor by her blunders.  More than once their powerful chemistry takes control, leading Jessica to believe she’s winning. But, it’s a hot and cold affair, and she’s not the only one to blame for their stormy love. If Jessica can only coax Taylor into explaining why he doesn’t want her, maybe she could finally walk away from him for good, maybe she could finally be happy.

About the Author

Ingrid Seymour loves, loves, loves to write. Her favorite genres are Young Adult and New Adult. The idea for her debut novel "The Guys Are Props Club" assaulted her one day, and she just had to commit it to paper. She wrote it in record time and had incredible fun doing it. Now, she's enjoying hearing from her readers. It's a dream come true. Find her at www.IngridSeymour.com and share your thoughts!

Website || Facebook || Twitter || Goodreads

Stacking the Shelves

Meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

         

Thank you to Dianne of Oops! I Read a Book Again and Netgalley for these copies! :)

   

Head over to Divergent Gryffindor to win a signed copy of Beautiful Creatures or Icons by Margaret Stohl! :)

Divergent

Divergent

by Veronica Roth

Summary

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue--Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is--she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are--and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, Tris also learns that her secret might help her save the ones she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

My Review

This is a book I’d heard a lot about from my friends, but I only decided to read it recently. I regret that now, because this book was absolutely breathtaking! This book took my breath away. Ohmygosh, THE FEELS! :O I loved the entire plot – from the factions to the romance – everything! It sucks you right into the story, and just reading it already made me feel like I was a part of it all. The characters were developed well, especially Beatrice. She was introduced as this timid little girl, but by the end she’d broken out of her shell, becoming stronger and bolder. The romance between her and Four was not rushed at all, which made it all the more realistic. The selflessness shown by Beatrice’s parents was so touching that it even made me tear up a little. This book inspired me, teaching me so much about family, love, fear, and true bravery.

I pulled an all-nighter reading the book, and I’m definitely adding this one to my list of favorites. I’m already excited to continue to Insurgent! For those looking for a fast-paced, action-packed dystopian novel, I completely recommend reading Divergent!

Quotes From the Book

“We believe in ordinary acts of bravery, in the courage that drives one person to stand up for another.”

“Becoming fearless isn't the point. That's impossible. It's learning how to control your fear, and how to be free from it.” 

“I have something I need to tell you," he says. I run my fingers along the tendons in his hands and look back at him. "I might be in love with you." He smiles a little. "I'm waiting until I'm sure to tell you, though."

"That's sensible of you," I say, smiling too. "We should find some paper so you can make a list or a chart or something."

I feel his laughter against my side, his nose sliding along my jaw, his lips pressing my ear.

"Maybe I'm already sure," he says, "and I just don't want to frighten you."

I laugh a little. "Then you should know better."

"Fine," he says. "Then I love you.”

“I feel like someone breathed new air into my lungs. I am not Abnegation. I am not Dauntless.  I am Divergent.”

“Sometimes, the best way to help someone is just to be near them.”

My Rating

Feature and Follow

Follow Friday is a feature created by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read.  It's a fun blog hop where you meet other book bloggers and find people to follow.

What are some of your favorite magazines?

I actually don't read magazines.  Before, I used to borrow Candy Magazine, the local teen magazine here in the Philippines from my cousin, but they just kept on piling up, so I just stopped entirely.  Although now, if I got the time, I love to browse through fashion magazines. :)

The Guys Are Props Club

The Guys Are Props Club

by Ingrid Seymour

Thank you to Dianne of Oops! I Read A Book Again for the copy of this from a giveaway! :)

Summary

During her senior year in high school, Maddie Burch promised herself not to ever fall for a cute guy – or any guy – again. Cute guys are players and not to be trusted, a fact she learned the hard way when her first boyfriend ran her heart through a paper shredder. Two years later, her promise is still intact, and she’s determined to make it through college without falling victim to another creep. She has her job, school and The Guys Are Props Club to keep her mind and hormones in check.

The club was founded by Jessica, Maddie’s best friend. It is a sisterhood of girls who have fallen prey to heartless jerks and who have vowed to turn the tables. Once a semester, Jessica requires members to “do onto others as they’ve done unto you.” Setting the example, Jessica’s next play is Sebastian Capello, a theater major with heartthrob looks and a flair for Latin dance, whose heart she plans to break the way hers was once broken.

What the friends don’t know is that Sebastian is different. Despite his perfect looks and popularity, he’s not a jerk. He doesn’t play games to get his way. Instead, he keeps it real and goes after what he wants with honest intentions. And what he wants is not a bombshell like Jessica, but a down-to-earth girl like Maddie – even if it causes a riff in the girl’s friendship. Even if it means getting Maddie to break her personal vow.

Review

Okay, so this is the first time I read a new adult book, and frankly, I was kind of surprised with the topics it dealt with… But either way, the story was really interesting. I’d actually read something like that before in Wattpad; it was titled The Heart Breaker Association. The two plots were a bit similar in that they both involved this organization of girls, but it was actually more than that. I learned to admire Maddie because she was able to gradually break away from her past and realize the things she did wrong. Sebastian was amazing, too, what with his accepting Maddie for who she is. He was thoughtful enough to know when to push her and when to back off. It was great how, through their relationship, they were able to teach each other some valuable and irreplaceable things, helping them grow into better individuals. The character I didn’t like so much was Jessica, because she was just so nasty throughout the story, but even I have to admit that I look up to her for being able to gain the courage to say something that is undoubtedly really difficult to share. It was an easy read that had me falling in love with the plot over and over again as it progressed, and it is surely a book that is worth your time!

My Rating

Waiting on Wednesday

Meme hosted by Breaking the Spine

Title: After Eden

Author: Helen Douglas

Publication Date: November 7, 2013

Summary from Goodreads:

Eden Anfield loves puzzles, so when mysterious new boy Ryan Westland shows up at her school she's hooked. On the face of it, he's a typical American teenager. So why doesn't he recognise pizza? And how come he hasn't heard of Hitler? What puzzles Eden the most, however, is the interest he's taking in her. 

As Eden starts to fall in love with Ryan, she begins to unravel his secret. Her breakthrough comes one rainy afternoon when she stumbles across a book in Ryan's bedroom - a biography of her best friend - written over fifty years in the future. Confronting Ryan, she discovers that he is there with one unbelievably important purpose ... and she might just have destroyed his only chance of success.

Top Ten Tuesday

Meme hosted by Broke and Bookish

Top Ten Books I Was Forced To Read

The Distance Between Us

The Distance Between Us

by Kasie West

Summary

Seventeen-year-old Caymen Meyers studies the rich like her own personal science experiment, and after years of observation she’s pretty sure they’re only good for one thing—spending money on useless stuff, like the porcelain dolls in her mother’s shop.

So when Xander Spence walks into the store to pick up a doll for his grandmother, it only takes one glance for Caymen to figure out he’s oozing rich. Despite his charming ways and that he’s one of the first people who actually gets her, she’s smart enough to know his interest won’t last. Because if there’s one thing she’s learned from her mother’s warnings, it’s that the rich have a short attention span. But Xander keeps coming around, despite her best efforts to scare him off. And much to her dismay, she's beginning to enjoy his company.

She knows her mom can’t find out—she wouldn’t approve. She’d much rather Caymen hang out with the local rocker who hasn’t been raised by money. But just when Xander’s attention and loyalty are about to convince Caymen that being rich isn’t a character flaw, she finds out that money is a much bigger part of their relationship than she’d ever realized. And that Xander’s not the only one she should’ve been worried about.

Review

I completely fell in love with this story! It just made my heart melt. First of all, Xander was unbelievably perfect (Can I have this boy for myself?!), although adding a bit of badass-ness to his character wouldn’t hurt, because his perfection sometimes made him a little boring. I’m still a huge fan of him, though. I mean, he makes me want to have his pre-sipped hot chocolates! Then we have Caymen. There were times when I got annoyed at her and her mom, but I got over that. Caymen’s sarcasm was really amusing, and I still admire her for being able to sacrifice so much for her mom. It’s rare to see such pure, selfless love nowadays. The other characters were also really lovable as well, with the exception of a few jerks (Die!). The book was actually pretty short, given that I was able to finish it in one sitting, but it was still beautiful. It helped me see what family is really like, regardless of how rich or poor it is, and how there are a lot of important things that are far beyond what money can dictate. Overall, it was a really amazing book, and I definitely recommend it to anyone who’s willing to give it a shot!

Quotes From the Book

“Sometimes it's the little things that bring that special someone back to us in some small way.”

“A lot of people don’t get my humor. My mom calls it dry humor. I think that means “not funny,” but it also means I’m the only one who ever knows it’s a joke.”

“I wonder why some people seem to be born knowing what they want to do with their lives and others - mostly me - have no idea.”

“Sometimes it's hard for me to start something because I'd rather not try at all than fail at it”

"Feelings, my dear daughter, you will perhaps learn one day, can be the most costly thing in the universe."

"But knowing about someone doesn't equate to knowing them."

My Rating

Goddess

Goddess (Starcrossed #3)

by Josephine Angelini

Summary

After accidentally unleashing the gods from their captivity on Olympus, Helen must find a way to re-imprison them without starting a devastating war. But the gods are angry, and their thirst for blood already has a body count.

To make matters worse, the Oracle reveals that a diabolical Tyrant is lurking among them, which drives a wedge between the once-solid group of friends. As the gods use the Scions against one another, Lucas’s life hangs in the balance. Still unsure whether she loves him or Orion, Helen is forced to make a terrifying decision, for war is coming to her shores.

In Josephine Angelini’s compelling conclusion to the masterfully woven Starcrossed trilogy, a goddess must rise above it all to change a destiny that’s been written in the stars. With worlds built just as fast as they crumble, love and war collide in an all-out battle that will leave no question unanswered and no heart untouched.

Review

The first thing I can say about Goddess is that it was full of emotions – be it love, heartbreak, suspense, or sympathy. There were a lot of unexpected twists, which made the plot all the more interesting. The story was really parallel to that of actual Greek mythology, so that was really cool. It made me feel like every character was important, and the story wouldn’t be the same if even one of them were missing, no matter major or minor character. There were times when I got confused with the POV changes, but that’s okay. What I loved most about the novel, though, was the ending. It wasn’t exactly a happily ever after, but it made me smile all the same. I’m glad that the characters were finally able to break the cycle and live their own lives even amidst the threats looming over them. Also, it’s great that in spite of the love triangle between Helen, Lucas, and Orion, the three of them were still able to find closure and contentment in the end.

Quotes From the Book

“Some things stay a little bit broken forever—even after they’ve been fixed.”

“But how could anyone be grateful for what they have if they didn’t know what it was

like not to have what they need?”

“She'd created her own hell, and now that she had learned to control her fear, she knew how to create her own paradise.”

American Girl on Saturn (Review+Excerpt+Giveaway)

Title: American Girl on Saturn (Saturn #1)

Author: Nikki Godwin

Date of Publication: August 29, 2013

Genre: YA, Contemporary, Romance

Goodreads | Barnes and Noble | Smashwords | Amazon

Synopsis

The summer after graduation is supposed to be that first real taste of freedom - but not for eighteen-year-old Chloe Branson. Just as that breeze of freedom is making its way into her galaxy, her secret-service-agent dad drops a meteor-sized bomb of bad news on her and her sisters. An attempt has been made on the lives of Canadian boyband, Spaceships Around Saturn, during their USA tour, and the guys have to go into hiding ASAP. The only problem? In the midst of the crisis and media frenzy, their dad volunteered to hide the guys...in their house.

Six-year-old Emery is as ecstatic as any self-proclaimed Saturnite would be, but Chloe and her seventeen-year-old sister Aralie watch their summer plans crash and burn like a falling star. The SAS guys aren't happy with the situation, either. Bad boy Jules picks fights with Aralie about everything from his Twitter followers to his laundry, and heart-throb Benji can't escape Emery's fangirlisms for more than three minutes.

But after the super-cute Milo kisses Chloe during a game of hide-and-seek, she finally understands what Emery means when she talks about SAS being "out of this world." If this is what Saturn feels like, Chloe doesn't want to come back to Earth.

My Review

Amazing. That’s American Girl on Saturn summed up in one word. It was actually quite refreshing to read something lighter than all the books I’d been reading for the past few weeks. At first I wasn’t sure about wanting to try it, because it seemed like such a shallow and childish story, but I’m glad I was proved wrong. The plot was developed well, and so were the characters. I really felt like I could connect with them. I admired Aralie’s ability to always be open about how she feels, because there aren’t many people who can do that. And I’m a hundred percent Team Milo! He’s just too adorable! This book had me smiling the entire time! It definitely exceeded my expectations, and surprisingly, I learned something from it as well. I can’t help but say it again: This book was just so sweet, funny, and downright amazing! I loved every bit of it, and I totally recommend it to anyone looking for something light and amusing to read.

An Excerpt

I push him back. “You cheated!”

“Milo wins!” Noah shouts out. “I really thought you had it too, Chloe. I can’t believe you just crumbled like that.”

“He cheated,” I repeat.

Milo shakes his head in protest. Noah has the audacity to agree with him. And thanks to Emery’s lost spinner in the grass, the plastic is my only other witness.

Noah saunters over to us like a rapper trying to pull off a classic swagger.

“Good job, Milo,” he says. “You know how clumsy girls can be. I knew you’d take her down.”

I peel myself off of the plastic, grab my flip flops, and head back toward the house. I’ve had enough exhilaration and angst for one afternoon. The video premiere was enough. Porno-Posed-Twister with Milo was too much. But I can’t escape Spaceships Around Saturn even if I try.

Milo and Noah come up behind me like a black hole engulfing a shooting star.

“Whoa, where are you going?” Noah asks. “I need you to work some Sharpie magic for me.”

I spin around by the pool. The blue water glistens behind him.

 “Why don’t you ask your Canadian brother to help you out? I’ll even lend you the Sharpies, traitor,” I say.

Noah attempts a jaw-dropped shocked expression, but his dimples pierce through and make it impossible for him to look appalled. He moves closer to me.

“If you wouldn’t keep secrets from me then I would’ve backed you up,” he says through his teeth. “I need to be in the loop.”

An evil thought crosses my mind, and I instantly do what I can to erase it. But it’s sort of like typing an English essay. You type a line. You think it sucks. You slowly backspace. Then you realize it helps meet that three-and-a-half-pages criteria, so you keep it. This evil thought is too good for the backspace button.

“You want in the loop?” I ask.

He nods rapidly, and his smile bounces up and down.

“Okay,” I say. “Spell ‘loop’ backward, and you’ll totally be in it.”

I wait half a second for the word to click in his brain before I push him with all my energy into the cold water behind him. A splash of H2O floods the poolside concrete and splatters over my feet as Noah bobs to the surface. I rush to the patio door before he has a chance to climb out and throw me in.

But Milo blocks my escape.

“Are you free tonight?” he asks.

“As free as I can be on a lockdown,” I reply.

He slides the patio door open and motions me inside. “I’ll hold Noah back,” he says. “As long as you promise to meet me out here at midnight.”

My Rating

About the Author

Blog | Twitter | Facebook

Nikki Godwin is a Young Adult/New Adult author from the southern USA. She is a city girl who can't live without Mountain Dew, black eyeliner, Hawthorne Heights, and candles from Bath & Body Works. When not writing, she's not-so-secretly internet-stalking her favorite bands. She may or may not completely love One Direction.

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway