One Moment by Kristina McBride

Publication Date: 6-26-2012

Publisher: EgmontUSA

Pages: 272

Format: eBook

Source: Netgalley

Challenge: eBook Challenge

Goodreads | Amazon

Goodreads Summary:

"This was supposed to be the best summer of Maggie's life. Now it's the one she'd do anything to forget.
"
Maggie remembers hanging out at the gorge with her closest friends after a blowout party. She remembers climbing the trail with her perfect boyfriend, Joey. She remembers that last kiss, soft, lingering, and meant to reassure her. So why can't she remember what happened in the moment before they were supposed to dive? Why was she left cowering at the top of the cliff, while Joey floated in the water below-dead?
As Maggie's memories return in snatches, nothing seems to make sense. Why was Joey acting so strangely at the party? Where did he go after taking her home? And if Joey was keeping these secrets, what else was he hiding?
The latest novel from the author of "The Tension of Opposites," "One Moment" is a mysterious, searing look at how an instant can change everything you believe about the world around you.

I was excited to read this book because the synopsis made it sound really interesting.  I thought it would make a great summer read and I love the cover.  Thankfully I wasn't disappointed! McBride had me hooked on this book from the very beginning.  The plot line was thrilling and mysterious.  I couldn't wait to find out more.  However, I will admit this book is slightly depressing.

Maggie is an amazing character.  She is well-rounded, sweet and believable.  The grief she experiences from the loss of her boyfriend is expected and not over exaggerated.` She has her ups and downs and is just a very lovable character.  I found myself attached to her and hoping for the best.  

I literally couldn't put this book down.  This was probably the fastest I finished a book in a long time!  Like I said, the storyline was catching and the mystery surrounding the death of Joey was something I couldn't help but try to figure out.  As more details arise, I began to feel a little differently.  Some characters didn't have a single good aspect to them.  I almost didn't want to know what happened.  I thought it would ruin the book.  Of course, I was wrong.  The ending of this book is the best part.  I was thrilled to have everything seemingly worked out. 

Although this book is a bit of a downer in the beginning, I suggest picking it up.  I think it's a great read for this summer.

Saving June by Hannah Harrington

Publication Date: 11/22/2011

Publisher: Harlequin

Pages: 336

Format: e-book

Source: NetGalley

Goodreads | Amazon

Goodreads Summary:

Harper Scott's older sister, June, took her own life a week before high school graduation, leaving Harper devastated. So when her divorcing parents decide to split up June's ashes, Harper steals the urn and takes off cross-country with her best friend, Laney, to the one place June always dreamed of going—California.

Enter Jake Tolan, a boy with a bad attitude, a classic-rock obsession…and an unknown connection to June. When he insists on joining them, Harper's just desperate enough to let him. With his alternately charming and infuriating demeanor and his belief that music can see you through anything, he might be exactly what Harper needs. Except…Jake's keeping a secret that has the power to turn her life upside down—again.

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I'm not sure where to begin with this review.  So I'll start with the characters and go from there!  Harper Scott is a teenage girl who feels as though she is the screw-up of the family.  Her parents are divorced and always treated her older sister as though she was perfect and could do no wrong.  Now that June is gone, Harper is facing the wrath of her parents and family who seem even more annoyed with her.  Harper holds a lot of anger and has trouble facing her emotions.  She basically went through an emotional journey in this book that taught her so much more about herself.

Laney is Harper's amazing best friend.  She helps Harper through every tough situation and is always there for her.  She puts up with more than she should at times, but they always work it out.  Eric Tolan is a very mysterious boy who wants to go with Harper and Laney, but they are still trying to figure out what his connection to June is.  He and Harper fight constantly and make each other mad yet they seem so much alike in so many ways.  Harper and Jake have a lot of their own problems to work through and the connection to June is going to help them out.

This truly is a story about finding yourself, your place in the world, and discovering more about a person you lost.  Harper is trying to get closure over the surprising loss of her sister.  She feels like she should have expected it and isn't sure how to handle it.  As I'm sure no one would know how to handle the loss of their sibling from suicide.  She feels guilt and ultimate responsibility.  This trip is helping her discover that not everything is her fault and she has a place in the world.  Harper learns more about her sister, life, and those around her through this trip.  She works through all her emotions and becomes a stronger person for it.  I really enjoyed this novel and I'm glad I had a chance to read it.  Harper's story needed to be told and portrayed a very typical reaction to someone losing someone so close.  I felt sorrow for Harper which turned to joy as she found herself and where she belonged.  YAY Harper!!

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Publication Date: 11-15-2011

Publisher: HarperCollins

Pages: 352

Format: ARC

Source: Publisher

Goodreads | Amazon

Goodreads Summary:

Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days.

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war-- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

In this electrifying debut, Tahereh Mafi presents a world as riveting as The Hunger Games and a superhero story as thrilling as The X-Men. Full of pulse-pounding romance, intoxicating villainy, and high-stakes choices, Shatter Me is a fresh and original dystopian novel—with a paranormal twist—that will leave readers anxiously awaiting its sequel.

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Could you imagine being unable to touch another human being without risking their lives?  Could you imagine your own parents disowning you and giving you up to the government to live in an institution because they want to wash their hands of you?  Well, imagine it.  Imagine living in a place where it's never light, you never see anyone else, but you hear their screams.  You hear their pain and wonder every day if you will be next. 

Suddenly, everything changes.  You aren't alone.  You're being told that you have a gift.  You have an amazing weapon that can be used for the good of the world.  Yet, you don't understand.  It's too hard to believe.  Then, you find out you can touch other human beings, but you don't know why.

I don't even know where to begin an explanation for this novel . It was just pure AWESOME!  Of all the books I've read this year (almost 200), this has been my favorite.  Tahereh Mafi did an amazing job writing a suspenseful, jaw-dropping, unique and entertaining novel.  She led us through a world developed in her mind and brought to life on paper.  A world I could never imagine.  She introduced us to the dynamic character of Juliette.  A girl who truly deserves the name.  Juliette experiences love, loss, and heartbreak that reminded me of Shakespeare's Juliet.  Yet she is a strong-willed, stubborn, hard-ass heroine who is out to make the best of her world.  She is trying to live a life that is somewhat normal, while trying to avoid accidentally killing another human being.

I can't wait to find out where Mafi leads us in the next book of this series. We learned so much about Juliette, her childhood, and the people around her, but so many questions were left unanswered.  There is so much we don't know about this society and I can't wait to find out.  The kick-ass fighting and drama in this novel is enough to make me want more.  I couldn't read fast enough to find out what happened in each (what seemed like) desperate situation.  This is a 2011 debut that you don't want to miss!

Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez

Publication Date: 10/18/2011

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Pages: 304

Format: ARC

Source: Simon & Schuster

Goodreads | Amazon

 Goodreads Summary:

Now is not the time for Carmen to fall in love.  And Jeremy is hands-down the wrong guy for her to fall for.  He is infuriating, arrogant, and the only person who can stand in the way of Carmen getting the one thing she wants most: to win the prestigious Guarneri competition.  Carmen's whole life is violin, and until she met Jeremy, her whole focus was winning.  But what if Jeremy isn't just hot...what if Jeremy is better? 
Carmen knows that kissing Jeremy can't end well, but she just can't stay away. Nobody else understands her--and riles her up--like he does. Still, she can't trust him with her biggest secret: She is so desperate to win she takes anti-anxiety drugs to perform, and what started as an easy fix has become a hungry addiction. Carmen is sick of not feeling anything on stage and even more sick of always doing what she’s told, doing what's expected. 
Sometimes, being on top just means you have a long way to fall....

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Definition: Virtuosity: The character, ability, or skill of a virtuoso.

                Virtuoso: A person who has special knowledge or skill in a field. (www.dictionary.com)

You may have already known the definition of virtuosity, but I admit that I did not and I'm glad I looked it up.  It fits perfectly as the book title.  I want to start by saying this was a great book to bring me out of a reading slump.

Carmen is an amazing violinist, but a very naive teenager.  She doesn't have a lot of social experiences, and this shows in her character.  She so badly wants to believe what everyone in her life tells her rather than making decisions for herself.  Then, she meets Jeremy who is a polar opposite.  He has so much freedom and natural confidence in himself that she wants to believe him too.  Jeremy is so nice to her and shows such interest that Carmen can't help but be a teenage girl and believe he wants her for who she is.

I admit at times I was more than a little annoyed with Carmen.  She just wants to believe what her mother tells her and has never thought much about any of these decisions.  Her mother forced her to take the anti-anxiety drugs to perform and it's her mother who has done some questionable things in Carmen's life.  Her mother is the one who puts ideas in her head and causes more issues for Carmen.  My main thought regarding Carmen's mother is that she was trying to live her life vicariously through Carmen.

Carmen grew into herself and became an adult through this book.  She learned that trusting everyone around you isn't always the best move and she began to make decisions for herself.  I think this book teaches a lot about overcoming differences and doing what is right.  At some point, we all need to come into ourselves and discover who we want to be and what we want to do.  Carmen was able to do this eventually and brought us along through her own journey.  We were able to see her falls and her mistakes, but also her successes and awesomeness.  Jessica Martinez writes in a way that helps you connect with the characters and feel like you know them just a little better.  Carmen and Jeremy have a fun story that you'll be happy to go along on the ride for.  I enjoyed this book a lot and the events that occur to cause the twists and turns were awesome.  They kept me guessing and at times saying, "OMG?"

Pick this one up, it's a keeper.

Eve by Anna Carey

Publication Date: 10/4/2011

Publisher: HarperCollins

Pages: 336

Format: ARC

Source: amazing blogger!

Goodreads | Amazon

Goodreads Summary:

The year is 2032, sixteen years after a deadly virus—and the vaccine intended to protect against it—wiped out most of the earth’s population. The night before eighteen-year-old Eve’s graduation from her all-girls school she discovers what really happens to new graduates, and the horrifying fate that awaits her.

Fleeing the only home she’s ever known, Eve sets off on a long, treacherous journey, searching for a place she can survive. Along the way she encounters Caleb, a rough, rebellious boy living in the wild. Separated from men her whole life, Eve has been taught to fear them, but Caleb slowly wins her trust...and her heart. He promises to protect her, but when soldiers begin hunting them, Eve must choose between true love and her life.

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I was so excited to get this book before the release date and holy crap I was not disappointed.  I've been waiting for this book for quite a while, and when I was able to get my hands on a copy I just couldn't resist.  From the moment I picked it up I couldn't put it down.  


Eve and the other girls in society are brainwashed into believing great things are happening.  They believe they're going to be brought into a society in which everything is flourishing.  Eve luckily finds out before graduation that this isn't the case.  Each and every girls is being prepped to live a life of providing children for the population.  They will live in a building strapped down to beds, continuously birthing children until they are no longer needed to do so.  Of course, the fate for Eve is even worse than the fate of the other girls.


A teacher helps Eve sneak out of the school, but she's out in the wild.  She needs to find a way to survive and make it to the safe city.  On her way she meets Caleb who she doesn't trust at first (boys are made out to be horrible creatures), but eventually learns to trust and fall for.  Eve finds not all boys are as bad as the girls are led to believe.  The real question of course is whether Eve will make it where she needs to go or die trying.


This book is one big ball of awesome.  Eve is an amazing character who is a naive child, but learns quickly how to survive.  She lacks trust, but once again realizes she needs help to survive the wild.  Eve encounters more than I thought she could ever handle.  She finds her way through the mess of it all, but does so many stupid things on her way.  Eve was constantly getting on my nerves for her stupidity in situations.  Of course, her stupidity caused the death of people around her.  This is a love story full of loss and heartbreak while keeping you engaged in the action of the entire scene.  I can't wait to find out what happens in this planned trilogy because Eve is one character that I can imagine growing and becoming someone absolutely amazing in the future.

A Book Blogger's Dream!

Hello fellow book bloggers!  I want to start out by thanking Jessica @ Peace Love Books for introducing me to this amazingly awesome website in her In My Mailbox this week.  

Jessica referenced a website entitled netGalley.  Of course, I had to check it out!  NetGalley is a website that allows book reviewers access to ARC of novels or recently released novels through their PC, Nook, Kindle, or other reading device.  All you do is have to sign up, fill out your profile, request some novels and you are all set!  I think any book blogger should consider checking this out.

FYI...if you have an Amazon Kindle and you sign up for netGalley, be sure to add your wi-fi e-mail address so the books are sent to you for free.  Your wi-fi e-mail is as follows: (name)@free.kindle.com.  The only difference from this and your regular kindle e-mail is the "free."   Enjoy!

Invisible River by Helena McEwen

"When Evie and her father say good-bye at the train station, they are both on their own for the first time since her mother's death.  But Evie is not lonely for long.  At art school in London, she is quickly caught up in colors and critiques, gallery visits and sketching expeditions.  She finds fiercely loyal friends--Rob, pragmatic and pregnant; Bianca, dramatic and Italian; and Cecile, the sidelined ballerina--and stumbles tentatively toward a relationship with Zeb, a second-year sculptor with hair blue-black like a crow.

But when her father arrives in the city, slumped on the doorstep of her new home and soured with alcohol, Evie must determine what she owes her past, and how it will shape the life, and the art, she's trying to create."

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This is a harrowing story of a young girl trying to find herself in this enormous world.  Evie is trying to find a place for herself in the world of the art school as well as trying to figure out where she fits in with her father.  It's a heart-wrenching story concerning relationships in all areas and the power of the mind and friendship to affect the future.  The writing style in general of the book could have been a little clearer and had a better flow, but overall, the book was okay.  I would recommend this to someone who has more of an interest in art school and is a "outside the box" thinker.  I'm a practical thinker and this book had some concepts that were not something I grasped onto well with my typical train of thought.

*I received this ARC book for free from Goodreads First Reads.*