ARC Review: Aspen by Rebekah Crane

Title: Aspen
Author: Rebekah Crane
Publication: June 5th 2014, In This Together Media
Format: e-ARC, 206 pages
Source: Netgalley (Thanks to the publisher!)
Buy it on: Amazon | Barnes and Noble

SYNOPSIS:

Aspen doesn't want to remember the car accident that killed Katelyn Ryan, a sleek-haired popular soccer player. But forgetting is hard-- because Katelyn may have died -- but she didn't leave. Her ghost is following Aspen around, and heading into senior year, it's kind of a problem. Especially when Katelyn's former boyfriend Ben appears to be the only person at school with a clue as to how Aspen feels. 

Popularity, Homecoming Court, hot guys - none of these things ever mattered to Aspen. She's been busy trying to keep her stoner mother Ninny in line and out of unemployment. But with Ben sitting next to her in Physics and her therapist begging her to remember all the things she wants to forget, Aspen is thrust into a vivid, challenging world she can't control ... and doesn't want to. 

A darkly funny, emotionally gripping story of opening up, letting go, and moving on, Aspen is about the best-worst accident of your life ... and what comes next.

Misfit Review: 

If you are looking for a book with quirky characters and a mind boggling story, then I suggest you read Aspen.

A few weeks ago, Katelyn appeared in the corner of my room, like one of the ghosts in A Christmas Carol, except she didn't move or talk or anything. She just stood there in her soccer uniform, looking alive.

The story begins with Aspen Yellow-Sunrise Taylor is starting her senior year after going through an accident. It was the same night that soccer star, Katelyn Ryan died. Aspen seems to know something that happened that night but she can't seem to get herself to say anything. She's scared and worried that something might happen and so she keeps a tight lip. But she is constantly haunted by that past... Haunted every waking moment by Katelyn's ghost.

I'm already the illegitimate daughter of a teen mom who smokes more pot than Willie Nelson. I'm weird enough without the ghost.

Aspen is an interesting read. It's not far off from books I've read, though I really loved how the characters truly lifted the story. Aspen is the flower child, keeps to herself, loves to sketch and accidentally smudge charcoal on her face, and get this: SHE'S NOT INTO COLLEGE... (I hope life is this easy). She lives with Ninny, her hilariously funny and upbeat Mom. Aspen and Ninny's chemistry in the book was done so well, that I wouldn't mind just reading the book with only the two of them in it!

"Anything is better than Kim. Kim Choi is just so Asian. I'm more unique than that."

But add characters like Kim and Cass into the picture, and the book blooms of comedic prowess! I really like Kim because she breaks all Asian stereotypes and Cass isn't afraid to just be himself! Reading their parts together made Aspen a worthwhile adventure as well!

"I'm not supposed to be happy with you." Ben's eyes are serious. More serious than I've ever seen them. My heart pounds in my ears. "Why?"
"Because it makes me forget."

Then there's Ben. FUDGESTICKS! Ben and his dark hair and chameleonesque eyes. I really did think he was a young Benedict Cumberbatch in Sherlock Holmes form! Oh please, warp me to the book so I could have him. Ben is Katelyn's former boyfriend. They seemed like the perfect couple and everyone loves them. Ben misses Katelyn but finds solace in Aspen. I like their dynamic and chemistry. It's not just bound on sexual tension. There's a bond that forms though I wish it was more solid. But it was still beautiful between the two of them. Oh yeah, keep tabs on Ben! He's got a few things hidden under his sleeves... Not literally though. You get the gist.

"Isn't it weird that we never really see ourselves? We just see reflections," I say. "It's a good thing I like your face." "It's kind of depressing, though, that we never really see ourselves," I say. "Maybe it's about letting other people see us."

The novel is not really focused on romance which might bum out some rom-com enthusiast (BUT SERIOUSLY! IT DOES! Not so much though, from my point of view). The novel plays on the central theme of facing your fears and accepting the truth. The past will forever haunt you unless you face it and bury it for good.

The supporting characters shine too much sometimes that I care more for them than I do Aspen. Suzy may seem weirdly attached but she proved that she's not just the sweet side character. Although, I hated the fact that Kim and Cass didn't have much going on for them around the end. They kinda just pop out when the occasion needs them. I think I fell in love with them too much. As for Katelyn's ghost, there's so much mystery to it that you really would want to know what was going on, but I guess, we'll just leave it to the imagination, or when you purchase the book! HAHAHA!

I don't think the grove will ever be complete. That's the funny thing about endings. They're usually the start of something new.

As for Rebekah Crane's style, she seems to pull in the same punches of the Young Adult genre yet adding that odd hint of mystery that would get the readers questioning the protagonist and even the people around her. It was written decently and humorously captivating! And that ending! It's so perfect! So perfect!

If you are looking for a hilarious escape, with a psychological, mysterious twist. Aspen is the kind of book to cuddle up to in a cold day or maybe any day! It's that good!

P.S. Don't you think the cover looks like Carrie Bradshaw? I mean, c'mon! HAHA!

About the Author:

Website | Twitter | Goodreads

Rebekah Crane fell in love with YA literature while studying Secondary English Education at Ohio University. After having two kids, living in six different cities, and finally settling down in the foothills of her beloved Rocky Mountains, her first novel, PLAYING NICE, was published. ASPEN, her second YA novel, set in Boulder, CO, is due to release in summer 2014 from In This Together Media. She now spends her day carpooling kids or tucked behind a laptop at 7,500 ft high in the Rockies, where the altitude only enhances the experience.






Be sure to stay tuned for more book reviews and other feature contents here on the blog! I'll make it up to you guys! Thank you!

{Blog Tour}: Review: The Truth About Alice by Jennifer Mathieu

Title: The Truth About Alice
Author: Jennifer Mathieu
Publication: June 1st 2014, Hardie Grant Egmont
Format: Paperback, 199 pages
Source: Pinoy Book Tours (Thanks guys!)
Buy it on: Amazon | Barnes and Noble |iBooks | Kobo

SYNOPSIS:

There are a lot of rumours about Alice Franklin, and it's stopped mattering whether any of them are true. 

It all started at a party, when Alice was supposedly with two guys in one night.

Soon everyone at Healy High has picked a side in this game of he said/she said. Do they believe Brandon Fitzsimmons, the most popular guy at school and the football hero of Healy? Or do they believe Alice, the girl who wears too-tight T-shirts and was caught kissing Brandon in a closet a couple years before?

When Brandon dies in a car crash, there are serious allegations that his death was Alice's fault. As the rumour mill spins into overdrive, Alice's small town becomes suffocating. And when the truth becomes a matter of opinion, something's got to give.

Misfit Review:

Do you keep quiet when people talk about you? Do you speak up? Alice Franklin's life takes a turn as she is allegedly accused of killing football star and town heartthrob, Brandon Fitzsimmons. He dies fom an accident and everyone blames Alice after some people pin her down for it. Rather than talk, Alice keeps to herself and the rumor spreads like wildfire. 

The novel is short, 199 pages long and it was a read that I would say, moved me but also made me angry. Angry in the sense that I hated bullying. To be honest, I could never see any fault in Alice's character. I mean, she's not a goody- two shoes but she's nothing but nice to people around her and in the chaos of the rumor, no one trusts her, and people would rather throw darts at her than be seen next to her. 

“There is one thing I've learned about people: they don't get that mean and nasty overnight. It's not human nature. But if you give people enough time, eventually they'll do the most heartbreaking stuff in the world.”

The narrators, four of them-Elaine, Kelsie, Josh, and. Kurt- take us into their own psyche while telling the story of how they know Alice and how they interact/ed with her. Elaine is the star of the school, seems to hate Alice but she really isn't a bad nut. She feels bad for Alice too, in ways, but would rather keep it to herself. Kelsie, is Alice's "best friend", a nerd turned popular girl after moving out or her old town. She doesn't want to lose her current image, thus, she turns her back on poor Alice. She even starts some side rumors just to keep herself around the social circle. She's despicable. Josh, Brandon's best friend and football player, is charming but is the one who accuses Alice of the accident.  Finally, Kurt, the introverted nerd who is in love with Alice and would go to any lengths to help her. But he knows something that may change the course of the story.

What the narrators may have in common is that they are all self-centered in certain degrees. As they narrate Alice's story, we dive in into their own stories, problems that may either make us understand why they are doing what they are doing or would totally make us tear their parts from the book. Kelsie's POV is the most interesting to read but also the most difficult to stomach in. Kurt is also a personal fave, especially when he has these moments with Alice.

“How much did it hurt? It was like a million paper cuts on my heart.”

Healy didn't feel like a place I would spend my summer vacation in. I felt bad for Alice ultimately. If I had some sort of power to warp myself into the book, I'd clearly tug her out of that place and bring her somewhere quiet and where she can breathe. I could only imagine what it feels like for people who are going through the same thing as Alice. This is the reason why I love that Jennifer Mathieu dedicated this novel "To all the Alice Franklins". It should drive people to stand up for themselves and know when to keep quiet. Help is always there. It's only a matter of finding the right way to seek it.

Jennifer Mathieu's writing is clean but holds that pain so vigorously that it almost hurts to turn a page. It also brings forth the subject that this does happen in real life and that it's something that shouldn't be ignored. The ending wasn't clear but it made me think that there's a way out. 

The Truth About Alice leaves you mad at the world but also aware of what truths are out there.

About the Author:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Jennifer Mathieu is an English teacher, writer, wife, and mom who writes books for and about young adults. Her debut novel, THE TRUTH ABOUT ALICE, will be out in the spring of 2014. Her favorite things include chocolate, pepperoni pizza, and this super hilarious 1980s sitcom about four retired women called The Golden Girls. She can basically quote every episode. She lives with her husband, son, one rescue dog, one fat cat, and another cat that is even fatter than the fat cat. When it comes to what she reads, She loves realistic young adult fiction, creative nonfiction, super scandalous tell-all memoirs and unauthorized biographies, and basically anything that hooks her on the first page.

I'm so sorry if I haven't been posting Misfit Booknerds.. I have been undergoing something this August, but thank you for being helpful too! I love you! Thanks!

ARC Review: Coin Heist by Elisa Ludwig

Title: Coin Heist
Author: Elisa Ludwig
Publication: June 10th 2014, Adaptive Studios
Format: e-ARC, 225 pages
Source: Netgalley (Thank you Adaptive Studios!)
Buy it on: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks | Kobo

SYNOPSIS: 

The last place you’d expect to find a team of criminals is at a prestigious Philadelphia prep school. But on a class trip to the U.S. Mint – which prints a million new coins every 30 minutes – an overlooked security flaw becomes far too tempting for a small group of students to ignore.

United by dire circumstances, these unlikely allies – the slacker, the nerd, the athlete, and the "perfect" student – band together to attempt the impossible: rob the U.S. Mint. The diverse crew is forced to confront their true beliefs about each other and themselves as they do the wrong thing for the right reasons.

Elisa Ludwig's Coin Heist is a fun, suspenseful, and compelling thriller, told from the revolving perspectives of four teens, each with their own motive for committing a crime that could change all of their lives for the better—if they can pull it off.

Misfit Review: 

*I was given an ARC by the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Did you say heist? Well, it definitely caught my attention when I saw this up for request on Netgalley. Coin Heist is an enjoying read, with some set backs but just as fun as some of the books I've read.

There were reasons we all cared. That was obvious. I mean, we all wanted this. Otherwise, why had we wasted our time?

So it all starts with Jason Hodges as he attempts to rob The Mint after a tour the students of Haverford Prep had to go to. Jason's dad, who happens to be the ex-head of HF, was arrested for corruption; for stealing the school's money. This leaves Jason and his Mom to live a life far from what they were used to, so Jason decides that robbing The Mint is possible. He then asks the help of the resident nerd, Alice. In the process of figuring out how, they get Benny (the jock)'s attention as well as the VP of the student council, Dakota. Together, they plan on going through with the heist while also pursuing some of their interests in the process.

The characters are indeed diverse. They narrate the story through their own, little POV's. A lot of readers compare this to The Breakfast Club, which kind of is. They each have their own personalities and quirks but reading through their own thoughts, some of the characters are a little off.

Alice is a lovable character being the geek and all. She's adorable! I just hate the fact she's doing all this because of Jason. I kind of wished that Jason would've begged her, and she's like the chill, hard to insist kind of nerd. But no. She got distracted with Jason's charms. She shared some things about her family, especially her Dad but it didn't seem to develop much in the story.

He suddenly became sort of hot: shaggy brown hair soulful hazel eyes, a lanky frame with just enough muscle.

Jason was manipulative and self-centered. I didn't like the fact that he didn't seem to appreciate everyone's efforts much. Though he seemed nice in some parts, I just felt frustrated with him. He redeemed himself in the end, that's for sure. But still, not a fan of his character!

And the only girlfriend I had in my head: Jennifer Lawrence.

Benny, on the other hand, was my utmost favorite out of all the characters. He's quiet, observant, makes a lot of point and caring. He's easily flustered, but that makes him really cute! *cue twinkling eyes*. Of course he became part of the heist because he wants to save his education but ultimately, he's a really good guy. He's like the "actions speak louder than words" kinda guy. I love him for that.

Dakota was likable. She suffers from too much pressure from her esteemed parents who want nothing more but for her to succeed. They want to keep the family connection tight with her dating the senator's son, and also going to an Ivy League school once she graduates. Her character was kind of afloat for me. She can be here and there but you'd forget about her sometimes. She was helpful in situations though but she kind of seemed dense. I wouldn't mind if they stripped off her POV from the book. But I am a fan of the Benny x Dakota pairing.

Though quite lacking in individual characteristics back-up, when they do convene and work together, they become wonderful human beings who bring life to the story. It's like, everyone turns into shining heroes and I enjoyed every moment seeing them together or just working together.

Your time hasn't come yet, my mom always said. I was getting a little tired of waiting. But unless something seismic happened at HF, I might have to wait longer.

I loved how elaborate some of the operations are such as the hacking and how exactly you could get into The Mint. Every detail of the heist was well thought out. Maybe I should try some of those tactics, although I should probably have Alice's hacking skills. LOL! 

The novel got so much better halfway to the end where they had the ACTUAL heist. My heart was pounding, I was worried it won't work out. It was written awesomely though the prom really just served as a breather for me since I was more worried with Alice and Benny making it alive! I think the heist was done with justice and I enjoyed the suspense it offered to its readers. I was glad that it was effective to me.

It was of course, a little dangerous----evidence of our crime. But it was more than that. It was a reminder of what we could do, and who we could be, given the chance.

The end was sly but also it left me hanging, though not really a cliffhanger. It felt as though it was an empty victory somehow. I wanted to know more. This may be the reason why I wasn't that invested to the characters as individuals because I won't really know more about them or what future lies for them at least. 

Elisa Ludwig's attention to detail in terms of the heist was spot on. The planning and the actual thing worked well. How I wished I was fully invested on all the characters but I guess Benny could suffice my needs.

Coin Heist was not boring at all. In fact it's quite thrilling but it's not the type of book where you wish for something drastic to happen in the beginning. It's like peeling an onion to get to it's inner layer. Indeed there were shining moments and parts I did not care for. All in all, a likable read.

 

About The Author:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

My debut young adult novel PRETTY CROOKED (Katherine Tegen/HarperCollins) was released in March 2012, and the sequel, PRETTY SLY, is out in March 2014. COIN HEIST, a YA thriller, is out in June 2014 (Adaptive Studios). I live in Philadelphia with my husband and son.

WOW! That was a long review! Anyway, don't forget to check out more reviews for books, and maybe an interview with an author! Thanks Misfit Booknerds!

{Blog Tour}: Review: More Than Music by Elizabeth Briggs + Giveaway

Title: More Than Music (Chasing The Dream #1)
Author: Elizabeth Briggs
Publication: Jun 17th 2014
Format: Digital Copy, 229 pages
Source: Dianne (Oops I Read Again Tours! Thanks Dianne!)
Buy it on:  Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Kobo | Smashwords | The Book Depository

SYNOPSIS:

Music major Maddie Taylor just finished her junior year of college and has a summer internship lined up with the LA Philharmonic, yet every night she practices guitar and secretly dreams of a louder life. But geeky girls like her don't get to be rock stars. That is, until tattooed singer Jared Cross catches her playing guitar and invites her to join his band on The Sound, a reality TV show competition.

Once on the show, Maddie discovers there’s more to Jared than his flirty smile and bad boy reputation – and that he’s just as big a geek as she is. With each performance their attraction becomes impossible to ignore, but when the show pressures them to stay single they’re forced to keep their relationship secret.

As the competition heats up, Jared will do whatever it takes for his band to win, and Maddie must decide if following her dream is worth losing her heart.

Misfit Review:
*Thanks Dianne for the copy!

At first I was hesitant to read a NEW ADULT novel. I mean, I'm a 20 year old for pete's sake but I find it rather a challenge to submerge into the idea of physical intimacy taken into a whole new level, especially in books, where my imagination, runs really, really, I MEAN, REALLY, REALLY WILD. Excuse me. Here we go...

It's just that once in my life, I'd like to do something bold like that too.

{Cover Reveal} Time Shifters by Laura N. Anile

Title:Time Shifters

Author: Laura N. Anile (Beyond Time #1)
Publication Date: June 2014
Genres: Dystopia, Young Adult
Trailer: Available here

Read the first chapter to Time Shifters

Synopsis:

‘My blood runs cold, and I see the horror etched in the boy’s reflection. Anxiety seeps into my chest, making my heart hammer. I don’t know where I am. I don’t know how I got here. But what worries me most is: I don't know who the hell is looking back at me in the mirror."

When you wake up in the wrong body within a futuristic world, being yourself can get you killed.

17-year-old Ryder is on his way to school when he experiences a pain like he has never felt before. He awakes in a mysterious lab to discover that, as a victim of an unauthorized transfer, he has been pulled into the year 2127.

Now Ryder’s life depends on him succeeding in making everyone believe that he is Ziron, the boy that swapped places with him in 2015. If he fails, he will be captured, imprisoned, or worse. Ryder only has to survive two weeks in this futuristic world he doesn’t understand. But two weeks is a long time when you don’t know who to trust, and when you have to keep away from a girl you have sworn to protect.

Kira refuses to stay away, so how can he prevent her from discovering his secret? And how can he be with her when she thinks he’s someone else?

Time is running out for Ryder to unravel the conspiracy and uncover the answer to the biggest question of all: Just why did Ziron risk everything to change places with him? And what exactly has Ryder been pulled into?

In a desperate quest to find his way home, Ryder will stop at nothing to protect the girl of his dreams, and the secret that could destroy everything.

About The Author:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Laura has had a lifelong love of writing, which she explored in a successful marketing career before penning her first novel. She is fascinated by the ideas of fate and interconnectedness, central themes in her story. She loves all things humorous, laughs too loudly and finds her own jokes amusing. She has a passion for traveling and exploring the world but has a phobia of suspect hotel rooms with questionable hygiene. And, oh yeah, she isn't clairvoyant and doesn't own any crystal balls.

In addition to 'Visions', she has also written a collection of short stories, entitled 'Unmasked Secrets'.

Waiting on Wednesday #4: 17 First Kisses & Fan Art

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we are just waiting to have our hands on!

Title: 17 First Kisses

Author: Rachael Allen

Publication: HarperTeen
Pages: 352 

Expected Release Date: June 17th 2014
Pre-order it on: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Indie Bound | iBooks | Kobo

Synopsis:

No matter how many boys Claire kisses, she can’t seem to find a decent boyfriend. Someone who wouldn’t rather date her gorgeous best friend, Megan. Someone who won’t freak out when he learns about the tragedy her family still hasn’t recovered from. Someone whose kisses can carry her away from her backwoods town for one fleeting moment.

Until Claire meets Luke.

But Megan is falling for Luke, too, and if there’s one thing Claire knows for sure, it’s that Megan’s pretty much irresistible.

With true love and best friendship on the line, Claire suddenly has everything to lose. And what she learns—about her crush, her friends, and most of all herself—makes the choices even harder.

In her moving debut, Rachael Allen brilliantly captures the complexities of friendship, the struggles of self-discovery, and the difficulties of trying to find love in high school. Fans of Sarah Ockler, Susane Colasanti, and Stephanie Perkins will fall head over heels for this addictive, heartfelt, and often hilarious modern love story

About The Author:

Website | Twitter | Goodreads

Rachael Allen lives in Atlanta, GA where she's working furiously on her PhD in neuroscience. When she's not doing science or writing YA, you can find her chasing after her toddler and her two sled dogs. Her debut YA novel 17 FIRST KISSES, is forthcoming from Harper Teen. Rachael may or may not have had 17 first kisses...luckily she doesn't kiss and tell.

Title: Fan Art

Author: Sarah Tregay

Publication: Katherine Tegen Books

Pages: 368

Expected Release Date: June 17th 2014
Pre-order it on: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Indie Bound | iBooks | National Book Store (PH) |

Synopsis:
When the picture tells the story…

Senior year is almost over, and Jamie Peterson has a big problem. Not college—that’s all set. Not prom—he’ll find a date somehow. No, it’s the worst problem of all: he’s fallen for his best friend.

As much as Jamie tries to keep it under wraps, everyone seems to know where his affections lie, and the giggling girls in art class are determined to help Jamie get together with Mason. But Jamie isn’t sure if that’s what he wants—because as much as Jamie would like to come clean to Mason, what if the truth ruins everything? What if there are no more road trips, taco dinners, or movie nights? Does he dare risk a childhood friendship for romance?

This book is about what happens when a picture reveals what we can’t say, when art is truer than life, and how falling in love is easy, except when it’s not. Fan Art explores the joys and pains of friendship, of pressing boundaries, and how facing our worst fears can sometimes lead us to what we want most.

About The Author:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Raised without television, Sarah started writing her own middle grade novels after she had read all of the ones in the library. She later discovered YA books, but never did make it to the adult section. When she's not jotting down poems at stoplights, she can be found hanging out with her "little sister" from Big Brothers Big Sisters or stressing over performance classes at a model horse show.

She has both a Bachelors and Masters of Fine Art in graphic design, and her obsession with typography and layout naturally translates into formatting poetry on the page.

She lives in Eagle, Idaho with her husband, two Boston Terriers, and an appaloosa named Mr. Pots.

Look forward to more books to wait for! There are definitely plenty left! See you next Wednesday!

Waiting on Wednesday #3: (Don't You) Forget About Me

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we are just waiting to have our hands on!

Title: (Don't You) Forget About Me
Author: Kate Karyus Quinn
Publisher: HarperTeen
Expected Release Date: June 10, 2014
Pre-order it on: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Indie Bound

Synopsis:

There’s a price to pay for paradise. Every fourth year, the strange power that fuels the town exacts its payment by infecting teens with deadly urges. In a normal year in Gardnerville, teens might stop talking to their best friends. In a fourth year, they’d kill them.

Four years ago, Skylar’s sister, Piper, was locked away after leading sixteen of her classmates to a watery grave. Since then, Skylar has lived in a numb haze, struggling to forget her past and dull the pain of losing her sister. But the secrets and memories Piper left behind keep taunting Skylar—whispering that the only way to get her sister back is to stop Gardnerville’s murderous cycle once and for all.

About The Author:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Kate Karyus Quinn is an avid reader and menthol chapstick addict. She has lived in California and Tennessee, but recently made the move back to her hometown of Buffalo, New York, with her husband and two children in tow. She promised them wonderful people, amazing food, and weather that would... build character. Another Little Piece is her first novel.

Tell me what books you are excited to read through the comments and if you are excited with Kate's new offering!!! Have an awesome week misfit booknerds! Stay tuned for more stuff!