Anywhere But Here - Tanya Lloyd Kyi

Synopsis: Cole’s small town is a trap he’s determined to escape in this fresh and moving debut novel that balances loss with humor. Ever since his mom died, Cole just feels stuck. His dad acts like a stranger, and Lauren, his picture-perfect girlfriend of two years, doesn’t understand him anymore. He can’t ditch his dad, so Cole breaks up with Lauren. She doesn’t take the news very well, and Cole’s best friend won’t get off his case about it.
Now more than ever, Cole wants to graduate and leave his small, suffocating town. And everything is going according to plan—until Cole discovers the one secret that could keep him there…forever.

I’m enamored with this book, because I think it told me what I needed, more than what I wanted, to hear. It deals with the pain and frustration that are attached to coming of age, where you must first be disillusioned and then have your world view rebuilt. As Cole goes through this process, I recognized a realization I had come to years ago but had never really put words to, so I left Cole’s life understanding my own a bit better. 

Cole, and actually all of the characters in Anywhere But Here, are so difficult sometimes because they really can’t get out of their own way. Cole has a cynical view of his friends, his town, and especially of his family since his mother died. Although, even cynical, Cole’s voice is fresh and his perspective is unique. He sorts through his thoughts with imagined conversations with his mother and sees reality through a documentary lens. In some way, spinning his own story through an artistic form helps him see his world clearly. So while he doesn’t seem to be learning from his mistakes and really keeps making bad choices, I was okay with him because he was turning all those things into something and really pulling us through his process of growing up and building a future. 

The cast of characters surrounding Cole are really colorful, but equally frustrating. His ex-girlfriend can’t seem to pull herself together, has some serious issues with communication and has a crazy best friend who you have no choice but to love and hate at the same time. Then there’s Hannah, who also has communication issues and doesn’t seem to know how to demand that Cole treat her with respect. He ditches all of her sneaky efforts to get closer to him and you kind of just want to take her hand and help her walk away from him. And of course, his dad seems to be having a mid-life crisis of the most cringe-worthy kind. 

So there’s a lot of understated drama that’s happening. The big things aren’t really discussed and often the focus is just slightly off where it needs to be (which ties beautifully back into the parts where Cole is trying to film a documentary and keeps missing key moments). But what I think is important in this book, or at least what really made it worth something for me, was really demonstrating the way people need each other. Cole is from a small town and wants out (thus the title) and if I can relate to anything, it’s that feeling. I am an anywhere-but-here girl, which is something I grew up thinking was just my small town, but it turns out I just always need to know what else is out there. I’ve read a lot of books with the anywhere-but-here sentiment, and they generally grow into an angry get-me-out-now or a defeated stuck-here-forever tone. This book did something different and it takes that trapped feeling and redraws it as something beautiful and important.

I hadn’t heard much about this book until it crossed my path, but I think it’s one that deserves some attention. It has a strong voice and it really puts a small piece of the world into perspective. I read this story really quickly mostly because the longer I stayed in the story without breaking for real life, the closer I felt to Cole and all the people that make up the web around him. There's depth and meaning in this book that actually doesn't seem to go past the surface when you look too quickly. But I really think it's going to mean something different to everyone who reads it.

When You Were Mine - Rebecca Serle

::Post by Jackie Lindert::

Synopsis: In this intensely romantic, modern recounting of the greatest love story ever told, Romeo’s original intended—Juliet’s cousin Rosaline—tells her side of the tale.What’s in a name, Shakespeare? I’ll tell you: Everything.
Rosaline knows that she and Rob are destined to be together. Rose has been waiting for years for Rob to kiss her—and when he finally does, it’s perfect. But then Juliet moves back to town. Juliet, who used to be Rose’s best friend. Juliet, who now inexplicably hates her. Juliet, who is gorgeous, vindictive, and a little bit crazy...and who has set her sights on Rob. He doesn’t even stand a chance.
Rose is devastated over losing Rob to Juliet. This is not how the story was supposed to go. And when rumors start swirling about Juliet’s instability, her neediness, and her threats of suicide, Rose starts to fear not only for Rob’s heart, but also for his life. Because Shakespeare may have gotten the story wrong, but we all still know how it ends…

This was my first experience reading a Shakespeare retelling. I thought it sounded really cool that it would be from Rosaline's perspective. I'm sad to say I was more than a little disappointed with this one. I don't think trying to mesh a contemporary romance with one of the most iconic tragedies in history really worked out in this case. 

The first thing that turned me off was the overuse of snark. It was overwhelming to me (and I usually love that kind of voice!), but I didn't want to cast it aside just for that reason. This was about a girl who had a right to be all sorts of bitter. That being said, Rosaline was not at all mad, crazy, vengeful, or anything else you might expect a high school girl to be when they are flat out dumped for their cousin. She was still upset that it seemed like Juliet didn't like her. After all that happened, she wanted to be friends with Juliet. I don't think that is realistic at all. Unless Rosaline is a robot, she should be at least a little ticked off at someone. 

Another thing that actually made me upset over this book was the glorification of real-life mean girls. Rosaline and her friends (who are at times the only interesting people to really read about) were down right horrible. The girl who couldn't be mad at the guy, or her cousin who stole her guy, was surprisingly ok with seriously bashing her classmates who were less than popular. I never want to read another book that promotes, "I'm a stereotypical, pretty, mean girl high school senior, and I rule the school." That's what this one felt like to me.

The only thing I really found interesting in When You Were Mine was the explanation of the family feud. It was an interesting take, again, formatted to be contemporary. 

The end left me more than upset. I can't really get into it without spoiling anything, so I'll leave out the details. I can't say whether or not liking or not liking the original Romeo and Juliet will affect how you feel about this book. I was always a little indifferent about the play, but I found myself getting pretty defensive of Juliet, hating Romeo (whose name is Rob in this book, though all the others are the same), and not being able to stand Rosaline. If you choose to read this book, let me know how it leaves you feeling.  

The Book of Broken Hearts - Sarah Ockler

Synopsis: Jude has learned a lot from her older sisters, but the most important thing is this: The Vargas brothers are notorious heartbreakers. She’s seen the tears and disasters that dating a Vargas boy can cause, and she swore an oath—with candles and a contract and everything—to never have anything to do with one.
Now Jude is the only sister still living at home, and she’s spending the summer helping her ailing father restore his vintage motorcycle—which means hiring a mechanic to help out. Is it Jude’s fault he happens to be cute? And surprisingly sweet? And a Vargas?
Jude tells herself it’s strictly bike business with Emilio. Her sisters will never find out, and Jude can spot those flirty little Vargas tricks a mile away—no way would she fall for them. But Jude’s defenses are crumbling, and if history is destined to repeat itself, she’s speeding toward some serious heartbreak…unless her sisters were wrong?
Jude may have taken an oath, but she’s beginning to think that when it comes to love, some promises might be worth breaking.

This was my first time reading Sarah Ockler and it definitely won't be my last. Thankfully this book was pushed into my hands with high recommendation so I moved it up my TBR. Within the first chapter, it’s pretty clear that you’re not in for a typical YA contemporary; however, it still contains all those elements that make a really great summer read. There’s so much to love in this book, but it’s the fresh voice of Jude’s character that makes this book something special.

It’s hard to put my finger on what makes Jude so different from other YA narrators. There are obvious things that make her stand out, but there’s something in her voice and her thoughts that are unique to her. She’ll say or think something and if you knew her in real life you’d probably shake your head and say, “That’s so Jude.” She’s bright and quirky, yet so accessible. And she’s in that transition between high school and the rest of her life, where it seems you have too much space and not enough time, that gives her a perfect opportunity to grow.

It seems with a title like Book of Broken Hearts, that romance would be a big part of this book. And it plays a role, but it’s not the focus. While Emilio is great, I actually feel like he’s the weakest part of the book. I never really got a chance to fall for him or grasp on to the nuances of his personality. But this wasn’t that big of a deal because I feel like he’s a catalyst for Jude to face some issues and to find out who she is outside her family.

Family is at the heart of this novel, with Jude’s father who has Alzheimer’s and her sisters who are significantly older than her. She’s grown up under their influence and after they’ve all been scorned by a Vargas boy, Jude takes an oath when she’s 12 to never date a Vargas boy. And, of course, Emilio is a Vargas. So in developing a relationship with him, she’s really learning who she is outside of the influence of her sisters. A lot of her triumph comes from learning to voice her own opinions and feelings and to speak up for herself, even over the volume of her sisters. The Alzheimer storyline is heartbreaking, yet there are moments of such joy that it’s hard to let her father’s progressing illness get you completely down.

I could probably talk about a lot of other components of this book – it’s just one of those stories that miraculously contains so much more than it appears to. There are the rebuilding motorcycles and the freedom that comes from that, and the way that Jude grows apart from her high school best friend as many of us unfortunately do. There’s the way the author brings in other books and the literary world as an influence in Jude’s life, and the feeling that there’s a nostalgic summer air around the whole book. It’s an accomplished and wonderful novel that impressed me so much.

If I Lie - Corrine Jackson

Synopsis: Quinn’s done the unthinkable: she kissed a guy who is not Carey, her boyfriend. And she got caught. Being branded a cheater would be bad enough, but Quinn is deemed a traitor, and shunned by all of her friends. Because Carey’s not just any guy—he’s serving in Afghanistan and revered by everyone in their small, military town.
Quinn could clear her name, but that would mean revealing secrets that she’s vowed to keep—secrets that aren’t hers to share. And when Carey goes MIA, Quinn must decide how far she’ll go to protect her boyfriend…and her promise. (From Goodreads)

Quick personal side note before I jump into the awe I have for this book. I just moved to New York (scary!) and this was the first book I bought here. At The Strand. Which, for me, is kind of monumental. So this book is extra special and definitely one I'm going to hold on to for a long time.

Even better, this book is absolutely....you know what, I don't have the words. I could say it's heartbreaking, it's beautiful, it's real - but that's not really doing it justice. It's the kind of book that lodges itself inside your mind and changes the way you view things.

I think I have an understanding that soldiers go through something wicked and they suffer emotional and physical truamas. Even if it's not something I can know because I haven't gone through it, I'm aware of their pain. And I've always had the family memebers and loved ones of soldiers in my mind, but I guess I never completely considered what it's like on a day to day basis for those left behind.

What Quinn goes through is so painful. Every single day is like recieving a fresh wound. She's holding on to secrets, she's making sacrifices, and she suffers for it.  She's completely alone, but on top of that she's persecuted. She's not allowed to worry about Carey, or miss him even, in public. Even the people who know better have turned away from her. From the beginning you know the secrets she's keeping and I just kind of wanted to scream at everyone, but those secrets get lodged in your throat the same way they are hidden safely away in Quinn.

The way this story weaves from the past to the present was flawless and added a reflective quality to the story. The slow way the past is revealed deepens Quinns pain. There's also this really great circle effect happening with Carey, who's missing, and Georoge, the ailing veteran who's near death. Quinn helps George in collecting veteran's stories and this becomes her way of coping and staying in the world. But between these two characters, the past and the present are always together. Corrine Jackson brilliantly demonstrates how everyone's stories and lives build off of one another, and the past is truly a layered entity.

I cry pretty easily, but by the end I was reduced to painful sobbing. It was hard to read, but it was also difficult to tear myself away. I also want to applaud Corrine Jackson for the way she handles Quinns relationship with Blake. I won't go into specifics there, but the way that relationship turns out was just perfect. This book was just so absolutely stunning, it's one I wish everyone would read.

Being Friends with Boys - Tera Elan McVoy

Synopsis: Charlotte and Oliver have been friends forever. She knows that he, Abe, and Trip consider her to be one of the guys, and she likes it that way. She likes being the friend who keeps them all together. Likes offering a girl's perspective on their love lives. Likes being the behind-the-scenes wordsmith who writes all the lyrics for the boys' band. Char has a house full of stepsisters and a past full of backstabbing (female) ex-best friends, so for her, being friends with boys is refreshingly drama-free...until it isn't any more.
When a new boy enters the scene and makes Char feel like, well, a total girl...and two of her other friends have a falling out that may or may not be related to one of them deciding he possibly wants to be more than friends with Char...being friends with all these boys suddenly becomes a lot more complicated. (From Goodreads)

This book is completely adorable. I found myself reading this straight through, just because I was so wrapped up in Charlotte's life and the different paths all of her relationships are taking. I wasn't completely expecting the music and band element, but that was a nice surprise. I always like when characters are able to come out of their shells in a big way, and gaining the courage to sing in front of other people is definitely a great way to show that transformation.

I loved that this book isn't straightforward. It doesn't have a formula or a point A to point B kind of plot line. Charlotte's life feels real and a little messy. She tries something out and it doesn't work. She tests out a direction and realizes it's not taking her where she wants to go and she turns back. She gets lost quite often - both figuratively and literally - but she uses the people in her life as guide posts to find her way back. One of my favorite scenes in this book is one where Charlotte and  her best friend, Trip, are wandering around a residential area and they get lost, compose a song about Hansel and Gretel and how they used bread crumbs to find their way back, and in the process find themselves un-lost. That scene is kind of the epitome of the whole book, and I kind of like it as a metaphor for life too. Some times you do get lost, but if you're lucky, you have someone there with you to turn it into an experience and to help you figure out where you need to go.

My only issue with this book was the way that girl friends are portrayed. Obviously, this came up, given the title. I knew there'd be some sort of comparison between being friends with boys and being friends with girls. Both gave her problems, but the boys always chilled pretty quickly and those problems were resolved pretty well. The girls in this book though, had pretty much no redeeming qualities. They were either fake, or scattered, self involved, uncommitted, or catty. A couple might have been leaning towards okay by the end, but they still had that image slapped onto them. I have to say that there are some girls who make pretty awesome friends and I kind of wish all those relationships hadn't just been dismissed.

I also have to say that once I hit the last four pages, I kid you not, I literally read each page twice because I didn't want it to end. Then I finished it and read those four pages all together two more times. I was grinning like crazy and I went to bed feeling so happy. Just thinking about them now, makes me giddy. Ah, so cute. I definitely loved this book, and especially coming into summer, this is a great one to read and lift your spirits.

The One That I Want by Jennifer Echols

Synopsis: Gemma can't believe her luck when the star football player starts flirting with her. Max is totally swoon-worthy, and even gets her quirky sense of humor. So when he asks out her so-called best friend Addison, Gemma's heartbroken.
Then Addison pressures Gemma to join the date with one of Max's friends. But the more time they all spend together, the harder Gemma falls for Max. She can't help thinking that Max likes her back--it's just too bad he's already dating Addison. How can Gemma get the guy she wants without going after her best friend's boyfriend? (From Goodreads)


This book is everything that is great about crushes. You know those consuming, over-analytical, wonderfully exciting crushes that only come around every once in awhile. I'm not talking about the ones where you think he's cute and maybe you could like him, but the ones that make you think, This is it. This is THE ONE. And even while your heart is telling you that this is the end-all, your mind has doubts and goes into overdrive - which, really, just fuels the obsession. 


Reading this book was like transporting back to high school. This is what high school is like - no matter what group you were lumped into. This somehow covers any aspect I can think of - from the band geeks (I say "geek" lovingly) to the football players, the popular girls to the girls who don't feel like they don't fit in anywhere. I loved Gemma who was in the middle of this incredible transformation of going from an insecure overweight girl into an insecure skinny girl. But, the way that she grew as an individual through the book book was empowering. 


Her best friend, Addison, was, just, ugh, guh-urrrr. Every word out of her mouth made me want to smack her (and I'm not generally a violent person). While I give Addison credit for pulling Gemma along in situations she would have been too timid to get into, she was still a horrible person. But then, to balance her out, there's Max. Who's the perfect crush - unique, quirky, hot, a little awkward, candid, and completely sweet. He never felt like a cookie-cutter football player and he was never made out to be the ultimate boy. It was one of those - perfect when he's with the right girl - situations. So adorable.


Jennifer Echols is easily one of my favorite authors of contemporary fiction. She just has a knack for making her stories and characters feel so real - whether they're darker and gritty or light and cute. One of my favorite novels ever is Going Too Far and while The One I Want doesn't quite reach to those heights, it's still a great and fun read. I definitely recommend it for contemporary fans and for anyone who wants a great love story to read around Valentine's Day. The paperback is out today (February 7th) so go pick up a copy!