Showing posts with label Lauren Gibaldi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lauren Gibaldi. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Waiting on Wednesday #262, May 18th

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating!

Allegiance of Honor by Nalini Singh
Expected Publication: June 14th, 2016
From Goodreads:
The Psy-Changeling world has undergone a staggering transformation and now stands at a crossroads. The Trinity Accord promises a new era of cooperation between disparate races and groups. It is a beacon of hope held together by many hands: Old enemies. New allies. Wary loners.

But a century of distrust and suspicion can’t be so easily forgotten and threatens to shatter Trinity from within at any moment. As rival members vie for dominance, chaos and evil gather in the shadows and a kidnapped woman’s cry for help washes up in San Francisco, while the Consortium turns its murderous gaze toward a child who is the embodiment of change, of love, of piercing hope: A child who is both Psy…and changeling.

To find the lost, protect the vulnerable—and save Trinity—no one can stand alone. This is a time of loyalty across divisions, of bonds woven into the heart and the soul, of heroes known and unknown standing back to back and holding the line. But is an allegiance of honor even possible with traitors lurking in their midst?

Field of Graves by J.T. Ellison
Expected Publication: June 14th, 2016
From Goodreads:
All of Nashville is on edge with a serial killer on the loose. A madman is trying to create his own end-of-days apocalypse and the cops trying to catch him are almost as damaged as the killer. Field of Graves reveals the origins of some of J.T. Ellison's most famous creations: the haunted Lieutenant Taylor Jackson; her blunt, exceptional best friend, medical examiner Dr. Samantha Owens; and troubled FBI profiler Dr. John Baldwin. Together, they race the clock and their own demons to find the killer before he claims yet another victim. This dark, thrilling and utterly compelling novel will have readers on the edge of their seats, and Ellison's fans will be delighted with the revelations about their favorite characters.
How to Disappear by Ann Redisch Stampler
Expected Publication: June 14th, 2016
From Goodreads:
This electric cross-country thriller follows the game of cat and mouse between a girl on the run from a murder she witnessed—or committed?—and the boy who’s sent to kill her.

Nicolette Holland is the girl everyone likes. Up for adventure. Loyal to a fault. And she’s pretty sure she can get away with anything...until a young woman is brutally murdered in the woods near Nicolette’s house. Which is why she has to disappear.

Jack Manx has always been the stand-up guy with the killer last name. But straight A’s and athletic trophies can’t make people forget that his father was a hit man and his brother is doing time for armed assault. Just when Jack is about to graduate from his Las Vegas high school and head east for college, his brother pulls him into the family business with inescapable instructions: find this ruthless Nicolette Holland and get rid of her. Or else Jack and everyone he loves will pay the price.

As Nicolette and Jack race to outsmart each other, tensions—and attractions—run high. Told in alternating voices, this tightly plotted mystery and tense love story challenges our assumptions about right and wrong, guilt and innocence, truth and lies. 


The King Slayer by Virginia Boeker
Expected Publication: June 14th, 2016
From Goodreads:
"I think, in time, you'll either be my greatest mistake or my greatest victory."

Former witch hunter Elizabeth Grey is hiding within the magically protected village of Harrow, evading the price put on her head by Lord Blackwell, the usurper king of Anglia. Their last encounter left Blackwell ruined, but his thirst for power grows stronger every day. He's readying for a war against those who would resist his rule--namely Elizabeth and the witches and wizards she now calls her allies.

Having lost her stigma, a magical source of protection and healing, Elizabeth's strength is tested both physically and emotionally. War always means sacrifice, and as the lines between good and evil blur once more, Elizabeth must decide just how far she'll go to save those she loves.


Change Places With Me by Lois Metzger
Expected Publication: June 14th, 2016
From Goodreads:
From Lois Metzger, acclaimed author of A Trick of the Light, comes a work of speculative fiction set in the near future about a teen girl who finds a new, mysterious perspective on her life.

Rose has changed. She still lives in the same neighborhood with her stepmother and goes to the same high school with the same group of kids, but when she woke up today, something was just a little different than it was before. The dogs who live upstairs are no longer a terror. Her hair and her clothes all feel brand-new. She wants to throw a party—this from a girl who hardly ever spoke to her classmates before. There is no more sadness in her life; she is bursting with happiness.

But something still feels wrong to Rose. Because, until very recently, Rose was an entirely different person—a person who is still there inside her, just beneath the thinnest layer of skin. 

A bold and original work of speculative fiction set in a familiar future, Lois Metzger’s latest novel is a profoundly authentic and heartbreaking tale of the things we keep locked away inside us, even from ourselves. 

Red Velvet Crush by Christina Meredith
Expected Publication: June 14th, 2016
From Goodreads:
Rock music, a broken family, challenging sisters, and the crush of first love—Red Velvet Crush has everything you need in a summer read. For fans of Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist, Eleanor & Park, and This Song Will Save Your Life.

Teddy Lee’s mother ran off when she was in second grade. And ever since, Teddy Lee, the often-overshadowed middle kid, has tried to keep her family together. But her older brother Winston usually keeps himself busy with smoking, drinking, and girls, and who knows what else. Her younger sister Billie is occupied with her shoplifting habit and boys . . . and who knows what else. So when Teddy Lee finally takes the songs she’s always written and forms a band, maybe it’ll bring everyone closer together, maybe it’ll be her time to shine. Unless Billie steals the spotlight—and the boy—just like she always does. Christina Meredith explores the complicated relationship of sisters—both the unconditional love and the unavoidable resentments—in a novel full of music, urgency, the first blushes of love, and the undeniable excitement of hitting the road. 


Autofocus by Lauren Gibaldi
Expected Publication: June 14th, 2016
From Goodreads:
Family.

It’s always been a loaded word for Maude. And when she is given a senior photography assignment—to create a portfolio that shows the meaning of family—she doesn’t quite know where to begin. But she knows one thing: without the story of her birth mother, who died when Maude was born, her project will be incomplete.

So Maude decides to visit her best friend, Treena, at college in Tallahassee, Florida, where Maude’s birth mother once lived. But when Maude arrives, she quickly discovers that Treena has changed. With a new boyfriend and a packed social calendar, Treena doesn’t seem to have time for Maude—or helping Maude in her search.

Enter Bennett, a cute guy who lives in Treena’s dorm. He understands Maude’s need to find her mother. And as Bennett helps Maude in her search, she starts to find that her mother’s past doesn’t have to define her own future.

Lauren Gibaldi has crafted a beautiful and timely coming-of-age story that poses the question: Is who we are determined at birth, or can we change as we grow? 

How it Feels to Fly by Kathryn Holmes
Expected Publication: June 14th, 2016
From Goodreads:
A struggle with body dysmorphia forces one girl to decide if letting go of her insecurity also means turning her back on her dreams.

Sam has always known she’d be a professional dancer—but that was before her body betrayed her, developing unmanageable curves in all the wrong places. Lately, the girl staring back at Sam in the mirror is unrecognizable. Dieting doesn’t work, ignoring the whispers is pointless, and her overbearing mother just makes it worse.

Following a series of crippling anxiety attacks, Sam is sent to a treatment camp for teens struggling with mental and emotional obstacles. Forced to open up to complete strangers, Sam must get through the program if she wants to attend a crucial ballet intensive later in the summer. It seems hopeless until she starts confiding in a camp counselor who sparks a confidence she was sure she’d never feel again. But when she’s faced with disappointing setbacks, will Sam succumb to the insecurity that imprisons her?

This compelling story from Kathryn Holmes examines one girl’s efforts to overcome her worst enemy: herself. 

We Were Never Here by Jennifer Gilmore
Expected Publication: June 14th, 2016
From Goodreads:
In this exquisitely written and emotionally charged young adult debut, Jennifer Gilmore explores how sometimes the wounds you can’t see are the most painful.

Did you know your entire life can change in an instant?

For sixteen-year-old Lizzie Stoller that moment is when she collapses out of the blue. The next thing she knows, she’s in a hospital with an illness she’s never heard of.

But that isn’t the only life-changing moment for Lizzie. The other is when Connor and his dog, Verlaine, walk into her hospital room. Lizzie has never connected with anyone the way she does with the handsome teenage volunteer. However, the more time she spends with him and the deeper in love she falls, the more she realizes that Connor has secrets and a deep pain of his own . . . and that while being with him has the power to make Lizzie forget about her illness, being with her might tear Connor apart.

Another great collection of books! I've read some of the books, but I want the rest! What about you guys? Happy reading!

Thursday, April 21, 2016

Lauren Gibaldi Author Page

The Story: I saw The Night We Said Yes on Edelweiss, and it looked really good, so I got it, rad it, and really enjoyed it! Then the same thing happened with Autofocus! I can't wait to read more from her!

Website:

Series: The Night We Said Yes.

The Night We Said Yes: The Night We Said Yes and her site, my review, Matt's Story and her site, my review.

Stand Alone's: Autofocus and her site, my review.

Monday, March 28, 2016

It's Monday! What Are You Reading #251, March 28th

It's Monday! What Are You Reading is a weekly meme hosted by Book Date where we share what we read this past week, what we hope to read this week...and anything in between! This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well...you never know where that next "must read" book will come from!

What happened in the past week:

Weekly Memes:
It's Monday! What Are You Reading #250
Teaser Tuesday #258
WWW Wednesday #258
WOW #255
Will the Time Come #251
Third Sentence Thursday #241
Random Reads #226
First Lines Friday #245
The Reward Challenge Update #236
Follow Friday #228
LLFL Reading Challenge Update 63
How Well I Stuck to It #80
Wrote that Review Update #85
Show the Books Showcase #3

Week 13 Reviews:
With Malice
How to Disappear
Autofocus
The Third Twin
The Lie Tree
No One Else Can Have You
Nothing Bad is Going to Happen
Sweet Filthy Boy
Dirty Rowdy Thing
Conjured
No Intention of Dying
Burning Kingdoms
The Heir Apparent
Broken Crowns
In the End
Ask Me How I Got Here
My Life and Other Black Holes
Hunt
Lion's Share
After Impact
Angels' Dance
Angels' Judgement
Angels' Pawn
Angels' Blood
The Unseen

Random:
We Have the Cover of Falling Kingdoms #5!!!!
We Have the Cover of Spirits and Thieves #2!!!!
We Have the Title of The Gatlon Trilogy #1!!!!
We Have the Cover of Blood of Gods and Royals #2!!!!
We Have the Cover of Fever #9!!!!

OK, so I got 34 posts in 7 days, so a pretty great week! What about you guys? Happy reading!

So this week I want to read Out of My Mind, Please Don't Tell, The Season of You & Me, and Unrivaled.

Callie Sinclair is literally out of her mind.

As the government’s youngest psychic spy, Callie finds valuable information for top-secret missions without ever leaving the office. Her work is fascinating and keeps her headaches at bay, but it means she must lie to everyone she loves. She can’t move to New York with her boyfriend Charlie no matter how much he begs; he’ll never know the real Callie and that wouldn’t be fair to him. Besides, she has a job to do… and a new partner to do it with.

Jasper’s psychic abilities are impressive, as is the way he keeps up with her witty remarks. Callie can’t help but flirt; Jasper knows her in a way Charlie never will. But as her love life gets more complicated, so do her visions. People halfway around the world seem to be in danger…and people in her own backyard, too. When an oddball billionaire takes interest in Callie’s talents, it’s clear that if she can’t find a way to alter future events, she could lose the people she loves—and her mind. Literally.

Lauren Sabel’s enthralling, romantic novel captures the thrill of exploring a unique power in a dangerous world.
Joy killed Adam Gordon—at least, that’s what she thinks. The night of the party is hazy at best. But she knows what Adam did to her twin sister, Grace, and she knows he had to pay for it.

What Joy doesn’t expect is that someone else saw what happened. And one night a note is shoved through her open window, threatening Joy that all will be revealed. Now the anonymous blackmailer starts using Joy to expose the secrets of their placid hometown. And as the demands escalate, Joy must somehow uncover the blackmailer’s identity before Joy is forced to make a terrible choice.

In this darkly compelling narrative, debut author Laura Tims explores the complicated relationship between two sisters, and what one will do for the other. It’s a story that will keep readers turning pages and questioning their own sense of right and wrong.
From Robin Constantine, author of The Promise of Amazing and The Secrets of Attraction, comes a funny and heartfelt summer romance set in New Jersey. Perfect for fans of Sarah Mlynowski, Jenny Han, and Morgan Matson.

Cassidy Emmerich is reeling from a sudden, humiliating breakup. The last thing she wants to do is stick around and be reminded of her ex everywhere she goes. On impulse, she decides to spend the summer with her father and his family at their Jersey Shore bed-and-breakfast. A different scene and a new job working as a camp counselor seem like the perfect recipe for forgetting Gavin as quickly as possible—not to mention for avoiding him until he leaves for college.

Bryan Lakewood is sick of nevers. You’ll never walk. You’ll never surf. You’ll never slow dance with a girl and have her put her head on your shoulder. Last year he made one false move—now he’s paralyzed and needs to use a wheelchair. But this summer, he’s back at his camp job and is determined to reclaim his independence—and his confidence.

Cass is expecting two months of healing her broken heart.

Bryan is expecting a summer of tough adjustments.

Neither is expecting to fall in love.
Everyone wants to be someone.

Layla Harrison wants to leave her beach-bum days for digs behind a reporter’s desk. Aster Amirpour wants to scream at the next casting director who tells her “we need ethnic but not your kind of ethnic.” Tommy Phillips dreams of buying a twelve-string guitar and using it to shred his way back into his famous absentee dad’s life.

But Madison Brooks took destiny and made it her bitch a long time ago.

She’s Hollywood’s hottest starlet, and the things she did to become the name on everyone’s lips are merely a stain on the pavement, ground beneath her Louboutin heel.

That is, until Layla, Aster, and Tommy find themselves with a VIP invite to the glamorous and gritty world of Los Angeles’s nightlife and lured into a high-stakes competition where Madison Brooks is the target. Just as their hopes begin to gleam like stars through the California smog, Madison Brooks goes missing. . . . And all of their hopes are blacked out in the haze of their lies.

Saturday, March 26, 2016

Week 13 Review: Autofocus

From Goodreads:
Family.

It's always been a loaded word for Maude. And when she is given a senior photography assignment—to create a portfolio that shows the meaning of family—she doesn't quite know where to begin. But she knows one thing: without the story of her birth mother, who died when Maude was born, her project will be incomplete.

So Maude decides to visit her best friend, Treena, at college in Tallahassee, Florida, where Maude's birth mother once lived. But when Maude arrives, she quickly discovers that Treena has changed. With a new boyfriend and a packed social calendar, Treena doesn't seem to have time for Maude—or helping Maude in her search.

Enter Bennett, a cute guy who lives in Treena's dorm. He understands Maude's need to find her mother. And as Bennett helps Maude in her search, she starts to find that her mother's past doesn't have to define her own future.

Lauren Gibaldi has crafted a beautiful and timely coming-of-age story that poses the question: Is who we are determined at birth, or can we change as we grow?

My Review:
Yeah! Another fantastic book by Lauren Gibaldi! It's another contemporary, dealing with the relationships of families and friends, and yeah, it was just so darned enjoyable! I loved seeing Maude and her friends look for information on her birth mother!

A big part of this book was her birth mother search. She knew her name, and where she died, but she didn't have really any personal details, of what made up her mother's personality. Another part of this book was discovering who she was, what she wanted to do, what relationships meant what to her.

I really enjoyed her photography, it was the whole starting point of this book, the project on family. And how Maude documented her journey with the photos, that was really great! It's not something that I understand, my mind doesn't work that way, but it was really awesome to read!

It wasn't a perfect ending, but life never is. Life is messy, and people have their emotions and their pasts. But it was better then where it started, with Maude with a more solid foundation into who she was, and some really strong relationships!

Loved this book, and yeah, it was just so enjoyable and great!

Author: Lauren Gibaldi
Read:  March 21st, 2016
Source: Edelweiss
Reason Why: Sounded good, and I enjoyed her other book! And it's a SAC 2016 Book, Sophomore Challenge Book and a WoW Book!
Publisher: Harper Teen
Expected Publication: June 14th 2016
5/5 Hearts
4/5 Books
4/5 Stars

Saturday, June 6, 2015

Week 23 Review: The Night We Said Yes

From Goodreads:
A fun, romantic read, perfect for fans of Sarah Dessen and Susane Colasanti!

Before Matt, Ella had a plan. Get over a no-good ex-boyfriend. Graduate from high school without any more distractions. Move away from Orlando, Florida, where she's lived her entire life. 

But Matt—the cute, shy, bespectacled bass player who just moved to town—was never part of that plan.

And neither was attending a party that was crashed by the cops just minutes after they arrived. Or spending an entire night saying "yes" to every crazy, fun thing they could think of.

Then Matt abruptly left town, and he broke not only Ella's heart but those of their best friends, too. So when he shows up a year later with a plan of his own—to relive the night that brought them together—Ella isn't sure whether Matt’s worth a second chance. Or if re-creating the past can help them create a different future. 

In alternating then and now chapters, debut author Lauren Gibaldi crafts a charming, romantic story of first loves, lifelong friendships, uncovered secrets, and, ultimately, finding out how to be brave.

My Review:
It was really fantastic to read this book! Nice and light, but also dealing with some harder things, though something that could've been bigger was glossed over a bit, but while it, itself wasn't important, the ripples had a really big impact in this book! Like, that it's the cause of the big conflict, why there's a book at all!

I really enjoyed the narration, of the bad and forth between the day that they met, and then the day that they found out that he was back. Well, not really days, but nights, like it says in the title. And while they recreated some of the events, where they were different was really great!

This is a book about characters, and the relationships that they have, of Ella, Matt, Meg, and Jake. Two romantic couples, and two really close confiders in the girls and the boys, and then friends with everyone. Exploring these relationships in both days was a big part of this book!

I've seen on Goodreads that there's a novella, Matt's Story, which I wish came out soon then it does, so I could read it with this! Because it would've been really fantastic to have Ella's story, then go and get Matt's right away! Oh, well, I got this early, so yeah!

Really great, fantastic book, and I enjoyed it a lot! Lots of fun to read, and I loved where it ended! I just love roller coasters!

Author: Lauren Gibaldi
Read: May 30th, 2015
Source: Edelweiss
Reason Why: Looked really great, and it's a DAC Book, SAC 2015 Book and a WoW Book!
Publisher: Harper Teen
Expected Publication: June 16th 2015
5/5 Hearts
4/5 Books
4/5 Stars

Saturday, May 30, 2015

Clean Sweep ARC Challenge Update 14

May Clean Sweep ARC Challenge
Ok, so I read The Night We Said Yes, and yeah, now to read Snow Like Ashes and Suicide Notes from Pretty Girls!!!

My Reading Journey:
Get Dirty by Gretchen McNeil
Started On: May 6th
Finished On: May 6th, 7:54 PM
Pages Read: 268

Feral by Holly Schindler
Started On: May 7th
Finished On: May 7th, 11:19 PM
Pages Read: 280

The Immortal Heights by Sherry Thomas
Started On: May 10th
Finished On: May  10th, 5:50 PM
Pages Read: 282

Kissing in America by Margo
Started On: May 19th
Finished On: May 19th, 12:02 PM
Pages Read: 276

Killer Within by S.E. Green
Started On: May 19th
Finished On: May 19th, 11:49 PM
Pages Read: 306

The Memory Key by Liana Liu
Started On: May 20th
Finished On: May 20th, 11:26 PM
Pages Read: 239

Making Pretty by Corey Ann Haydu
Started On: May 21st
Pages Read: 274

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
Started On: May 23rd
Finished On: May 23rd, 10:29 PM
Pages Read: 128

Bone Gap by Laura Ruby
Started On: May 25th
Finished On: May 25th, 11:14 PM
Pages Read: 222

Ruthless by Carolyn Lee Adams
Started On: May 25th
Finished On: May 25th, 11:23
Pages Read: 248

Ask Again Later by Liz Czukas
Started On: May 26th
Finished On: May 26th, 8:38 PM
Pages Read: 187

Paperweight by Meg Haston
Started On: May 26th
Finished On: May 26th, 10:47 PM
Pages Read: 224

This Heart of Mine by Brenda Novak
Started On: May 28th
Finished On: May 28th, 4:50
Pages Read: 392

Things We Know by Heart by Jessi Kirby 
Started On: May 29th
Finished On: May 29th, 6:53 PM
Pages Read: 196

The Night We Said Yes by Lauren Gibaldi
Started On: May 30th
Finished On: May 30th, 10:00 PM
Pages Read: 193

Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch
Started On: May 31st
Currently On: Page 7 of 277

Suicide Notes from Pretty Girls by Lynn Weingarten
Started On: May 30th
Currently On: Page 1 of 328

Books Read: 14
Goal: 25 Books
Pages Read: 2725

Reading Next: An ARC from the schedule!