Review: In Too Deep by Amanda Grace

In Too Deep by Amanda Grace

From the author of "But I Love Him" comes a haunting novel about what happens to one teenage girl when a rumor of rape goes around her school. A Junior Library Guild Selection.

Published in US: Feb 8th 2012
Source: Flux

My Review:

    This is such a unique idea for a story! Amanda writes with such emotion and her characters are always deep and have characteristics that are so easy to relate to, even if we aren't in their exact situation. She makes it so that the rumor snowballing is so easy to believe and the circumstances leading up to it are a perfect storm. It really is a picture of what can happen when you tell a lie, which I know I did some as a teenager, some of almost as epic proportions to letting people believe that Carter raped Sam, although mine didn't quite have the same repurcusions as letting people believe that a guy raped you when he didn't, no matter what a jerk he might be.
    I guess that I can understand how Sam let it go on, but I just kept crossing my fingers that she would own up and time after time, she didn't. But I really think that she should've seen what would happen to her relationship with Nick if she didn't tell the truth right away but did later.
   Speaking of Nick, I really enjoyed their friendship at the beginning. It seemed so much fun and I like to see that sort of comradery with guys and girls without it being romantic. But I guess I saw it coming because of the way she said she started thinking of him differently. Though I have to say friends to a relationship really can work out beautifully in real life when done right, because that is how me and my husband were.
   I want to applaud Ms. Grace for letting the ending play out the way it did. I think that given the nature of the book that it really couldn't have happened any other way. 

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ARC Review: Ripple by Mandy Hubbard

Ripple by Mandy Hubbard

Lexi is cursed with a dark secret. Each day she goes to school like a normal teenager, and each night she must swim, or the pain will be unbearable. She is a siren - a deadly mermaid destined to lure men to their watery deaths. After a terrible tragedy, Lexi shut herself off from the world, vowing to protect the ones she loves. But she soon finds herself caught between a new boy at school who may have the power to melt her icy exterior, and a handsome water spirit who says he can break Lexi's curse if she gives up everything else. Lexi is faced with the hardest decision she’s ever had to make: the life she's always longed for - or the love she can't live without?

Publishes in US: July 21st 2011
Series? Her site says two book deal
Source: Around the World Tours

Review:
   Ripple is a beautifully crafted story with lots of surprises and an awesome paranormal aspect.
   Lexi's journey is very emotional, and I really cared about her and was rooting for her. Even when she made decisions that others viewed as bad, I could totally understand where she was coming from, especially since I was in on her secret. I totally wonder how I would handle her situation, having to swim, and trying to protect all the people in my life.
   Cole is hot, and sweet, though I guess the only thing I don't understand is: why all of the sudden after two years does he finally speak to her and act like the man that he is? But I don't mind it's a very sweet relationship, and I love how it happens.
   Some of the stuff in here really broke my heart, and that speaks wonderfully for the writing.
   When Erik comes in the picture, something just never sat right with me. I kept wanting to cheer for him because of what it would mean for Lexi's life, but yeah... I can't really say a whole lot about that, except for he's written wonderfully and I never quite know what to feel.
   The paranormal part with the sirens and the nixes were well thought out and believable in this world. The constricts and the pluses were somewhat balanced out.

I'd love to hear what you think of my review and/or this book.
Here's my video review:

Review: You Wish by Mandy Hubbard

You Wish by Mandy Hubbard

Kayla McHenry’s sweet sixteen sucks! Her dad left,her grades dropped, and her BFF is dating the boy Kayla’s secretly loved for years. Blowing out her candles, Kayla thinks: I wish my birthday wishes actually came true. Because they never freakin’ do.
Kayla wakes the next day to a life-sized, bright pink My Little Pony outside her window. Then a year’s supply of gumballs arrives. A boy named Ken with a disturbing resemblance to the doll of the same name stalks her. As the ghosts of Kayla’s wishes-past appear, they take her on a wild ride . . . but they MUST STOP. Because when she was fifteen? She wished Ben Mackenzie would kiss her. And Ben is her best friend’s boyfriend.

Book links to The Book Depository and photo and teaser from Goodreads
Published in US: Aug 5 2010

**My rating: 4/5**

*My review*

     You wish is a funny, cute and quick read! It is light but there are underlying themes that make it more than just a fluffy read (not that there is anything wrong with that!) I love it when books make me laugh and this one made me laugh throughout- Kayla's responses to things, what is actually going on in the plot, and her snarky comments.
   Kayla is an "outcast" and makes quirps at the popular crowd throughout, and I can totally relate- I was that girl in high school! I like the growth that we see in her especially toward the end, she realizes that she can be herself, instead of the self imposed image she put on herself of being everything that "they" are not.
   Her friendship with Nicole and Ann are great, and both had something to teach Kayla and to contribute to the novel. Ben, the love interest of the semi-triangle, is cute and quirky himself, and it is fun to watch him and Kayla interact. Kayla does somewhat fall under the absentee parent trend in YA, but I like that there is at least acknowledgement of this and some resolution to it.
   The wishes are all great in their own aspects, and I was kept wondering what would come next! It really makes you think about the things you wish for and how it could effect you if it came true later in life.
   I would definitely recommend this one! And I would love to hear what you think of my review and/or this book.

Interested in You Wish? It is on my for sale/trade page!