Time for another recap of what I’ve been reading lately. I’m sure there are books I’ve missed. Despite my best intentions I *always* forget to keep track of them! There were a couple of additional books that I read and didn’t care for, but I’m all about the positive here so I won’t be reviewing them!
Greygallows – Barbara Michaels
Lucy Cartwright placed her life and future into the hands of the dashing Baron Clare, despite the rumors of his dark, unsavory past. Trusting his kind words and gentle manner, she agreed to be his wife and followed the enigmatic lord to Greygallows, his sprawling country estate. But mystery, deception, betrayal, and danger surround the magnificent manor—a ghostly secret charges the atmosphere and terror reigns in its shadowed hallways. Lucy entered Greygallows willingly . . . and now she may never leave. Ms. Michaels is one of my “comfort reads” – I grew up wanting to write romantic suspense just like hers before I realized that wasn’t where my talents lay. However, this isn’t one of my favorite books by her. Still, it was enjoyable and a quick read.
Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake – Sarah McLean
Lady Calpurnia Hartwell, a plain but wealthy 28-year-old who refuses to marry a man who only desires her fortune, acts on a long-held crush and flings herself at Gabriel St. John, marquess of Ralston. Gabriel finds her antics more amusing than enticing, but his half-wild half-sister needs an impeccable chaperone and he chooses Callie for the role. Their proximity creates an infinite series of opportunities for the rake to practice his wiles on the more than willing wallflower. LOVED this book! I’m a regency sucker and this was pitch perfect! I found myself giggling out loud in some places and cringing in others (in a good way).
White Cat – Holly Black
Curse working is illegal, and curse workers are branded as scoundrels and con artists. Cassel is the only one in his family who’s not a curse worker. Although he’s the “straight” kid in a cursed family, he killed his best friend, Lila, years ago. How he’s having terrifying dreams of a white cat and suspects a secret plot between his brothers. He’ll have to unravel his past to out-con the people he thought he knew best.
It took me a little while to get into this one, as I wasn’t sure where the story was going, but it’s a testament to Ms. Black’s writing skill that despite my confusion I had to keep reading. And I’m glad I did! A very interesting addition to the YA Urban Fantasy market and I am very much looking forward to the next book in the series!
My Soul to Take – Rachel Vincent
She doesn’t see dead people, but…
She senses when someone near her is about to die. And when that happens, a force beyond her control compels her to scream bloody murder. Literally.
Kaylee just wants to enjoy having caught the attention of the hottest guy in school. But a normal date is hard to come by when Nash seems to know more about the need to scream than she does. And when classmates start dropping dead for no apparent reason, only Kaylee knows who’ll be next…
I really liked this one. I wasn’t expecting much, just another YA Urban Fantasy, but I was totally hooked, and there was a different premise than the usual Vampire/Werewolf trope. The relationship between Kaylee and Nash is really sweet, and I can’t wait to see where it heads.
Suite Dreams – Rachel Hawthorne
Over winter break, Alyssa’s “unable to commit for more than a semester” boyfriend heads to Australia and forgets to tell her that the guy whose couch he’s sleeping on is heading over to sleep on his. As a matter of fact, he didn’t tell anyone and his couch is no longer available. Now Alyssa has a hot Aussie sleeping on the couch in her dorm suite and wanting her to play tour guide.
Cute teen romance. Whipped through it in a couple of hours.
Prada and Predjucice – Mandy Hubbard
Fifteen-year-old Callie’s class trip to England is, like most things in her life, remarkably unremarkable. Ever since she was overheard making a derogatory remark about cheerleaders by one of the most popular girls in school, Callie has been permanently on the D list. To her misery and embarrassment, she has been ditched by her class-trip buddy, leaving her stranded at their London hotel. A scheme to join fellow classmates on a surreptitious trip to a hot club leads to her tripping spectacularly over her new Prada heels. Upon waking from her blackout, Callie discovers that she has been transported to Regency England and is now the long-lost American friend of Emily, a well-to-do teenager. True to her character, she makes a series of faux pas with the titled gentry, earning her the disapproval of a matriarch and a dashing 19-year-old duke. Although her adjustment to an 1815 lifestyle is rough, she begins to appreciate her friendship with Emily and her surprising budding romance with the duke. I wasn’t sure about this one when I started, it took a little while for me to get into it, and I wasn’t really liking Callie much. But by the end of the book I was totally hooked, and it was great to see a character with a real arc. She changed a lot between the opening and the end. And in a very good way! And of course the Duke was pretty dreamy too 🙂
Hunger Games (reread)
Catching fire (reread)
Mockingjay -Suzanne Collins
I doubt I need to recap these books! Like everyone else on the planet, I was eagerly anticipating Mockingjay and decided to re-read the first two while I was waiting. I forgot again how much I loved these books. Suzanne Collins is a brilliant writer – every word is chosen with care, there’s no extraneous description or setting, and the tension stays high in all 3 books! I’m not sure I would have made the choices she did in Mockingjay, but it was still a compelling read.
I’d Tell you I Love You But Then I’d Have to Kill You – Ally Carter
Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy – Ally Carter
These were such cute and clever books that I’m totally hooked. How could you not be when you’re reading about a spy school for girls? Cammie is book-smart and boy-clueless and it definitely leads to some fun conflict. I can’t wait to read all the others in this series!
I've never read The Hunger Games. In fact, I never even heard of them until the Mockingjay book came out. I generally don't follow the YA market and I really don't follow what's popular on the YA market. I'm always afraid it's going to be whiny, angsty stuff.
I think you'd really like the Hunger Games, Krista! They didn't really feel like YA to me, more something that anyone could pick up and enjoy. And there's very little whining (except for life and death things).
Actually, the MC reminds me a bit of Bethany – they're both ruthless, fiercely loyal, and don't always make the expected/right choice. And then have to deal with the consequences 🙂