Saving Wishes by GJ Walker-Smith

Title: Saving Wishes
Author: GJ Walker-Smith
Series: The Wishes Series #1
Genre: New Adult

               Amazon


 For Charli Blake, being seventeen is a tough gig.

She's been branded a troublemaker, her reputation is in tatters and she's stuck in Pipers Cove, a speck of a town on the coast of Tasmania.

Thankfully, it's temporary. Her lifelong dream of travelling the world is just months away from becoming reality. All she has to do is ride out the last few months of high school, which is easier said than done thanks to a trio of mean girls known as The Beautifuls.

When Adam Décarie arrives in town, all the way from New York, life takes an unexpected turn. His arrival sets off a chain of events that alters her life forever, convincing her of one thing. Fate brought him to her.

Saving Wishes is the story of a girl who doesn't quite fit the life she's living, and the boy who helps her realise why.


MY THOUGHTS

Sometimes I find it harder to write reviews of the books I loved, rather than ones I didn't. I can always find things to rant about, and I can keep going. But when I love a book, I just don't have words...at all. And that is the case with this book! I am finding I am loving New Adult, especially contemporary romance. And again, this has been added to my favorites!

As others have said, this book does start off a bit on the slow side. But once it picks up, there is no turning back. I read this all in one sitting, and the only regret I have is that I didn't slow down and take a bit longer to read it. It is beautifully written. And the characters are outstanding.

I loved Charli. She was a very relateable character. I enjoyed reading about her, ad loved watching her journey unfold. Adam was great as well.

See, I told you. I am having troubles putting my mind around this book. I guess  I will give a bottom line...read this book! Especially if you are into new adult contemp! It's great, and I can't wait to be able to get around to the second in the series! That's another thing about this author. She is able to make me enjoy reading more than one book without supernatural themes! 

Great read!!

5 STARS!!!

*****

 EXCERPT

Alex’s smile disappeared along with her, and an eerie silence set in. It was as if we’d all witnessed a terrible train crash and were too shocked to speak. I could feel his glare but kept my eyes on the front door.

“You have ten seconds to explain,” he informed me.

I punched out the explanation so quickly, I had five seconds to spare. I could almost see his mind ticking over as he processed my confession.

“Of all the stupid things to do.” His reproach was warranted, and defending myself would only have added fuel to an already raging fire. “You’re like a mini terrorist. Are you trying to get us run out of town?”

Gabrielle’s tried to stop a giggle escaping. I turned my attention to Adam

“I think it was ingenious,” he murmured, revealing the dimple on his cheek.

“You are too easily charmed,” complained Alex, waving his hands as if he was showcasing the major prize in a game show. “Charli Blake is the kind of girl your mother warned you about, Adam. Nothing but trouble.”

So much for defending me to the death! If he hadn’t been so worked up it would have been funny. The only people in the room game enough to see the humour were those of French lineage.

“I would be more than happy to claim her,” Adam told him.

“Me too,” added Gabrielle, much to my surprise.

Alex shook his head. He marched to the front door and flipped the sign, declaring the shop shut for the rest of the day.

“Are you closing?” asked Gabrielle, checking her watch. “It’s early.”

“I’m done. If I don’t get out of here, I might explode,” he muttered, pushing past me to collect his coat.

I knew Alex was close to breaking point. Escaping the café before he had a chance to lock the door seemed like a good idea. I reached for Adam’s hand. “I’ll see you later.” I moved quickly, giving Alex no chance of calling me back. Adam turned to face him as we reached the door.

“I’ll have her home early.”

“I honestly don’t care,” Alex said wearily.

He sounded broken. For a horrible second I wondered if I’d finally pushed him too far. Perhaps in the process of slaying the Beautiful dragons I’d accidently assassinated my white knight too. I peeked at my brother. “Do you mean that?” My voice was small because I feared his answer.

Alex looked back at me for a long time. He didn’t look angry any more, just beaten. “No,” he said simply. And I believed him.

 HAPPY READING!! :)

Fairy Tale Comics

 Title: Fairy Tale Comics: Classic Tales Told By Extraordinary Caroonists

Author: Various
Edited By: Chris Duffy
Genre: Comics
Expected Publication: 9/24/13

              Goodreads

From favorites like "Puss in Boots" and "Goldilocks" to obscure gems like "The Boy Who Drew Cats," Fairy Tale Comics has something to offer every reader. Seventeen fairy tales are wonderfully adapted and illustrated in comics format by seventeen different cartoonists, including Raina Telgemeier, Brett Helquist, Cherise Harper, and more.

Edited by Nursery Rhyme Comics' Chris Duffy, this jacketed hardcover is a beautiful gift and an instant classic

 ~MY THOUGHTS~

I thought this was a great compilation of fairy tales turned comics! It gives a wide variety of different tales, from the Brothers Grimm to lesser known stories. I thought that was a brilliant idea, because it gives children a look into a more variety of fairy tales.

The art work was magnificent! I am always blown away by graphic novels and comics because of the artwork, and this book was no different! We got to see different cartoonists depict the fairy tales. And I think that each had a different quality to enjoy. It added something new to each of the stories, even ones that we all knew already!

To name a few things I enjoyed about this work specifically, I will start with Emily Carroll's illustrations. I thought they were beautiful! And because of that, look forward to seeing more work by her.  In addition to that, I enjoyed the story titled "The Prince and the Tortoise." I thought it was funny, as well as having a great moral for children to take away from it.  Also, to highlight a tale I personally had never heard of before reading this comic, "The Boy Who Drew Cats." It was unique and cute, something a child would enjoy!

I'm not going to give this book a rating here on my blog, because beyond possibly being too old for it, I thought it was great!! I think it would be perfect for children who are starting to read, and a great way to introduce them into the world of fairy tales!



 HAPPY READING!! :)

Love Me for Me by Kate Laurens

Title: Love Me for Me
Author: Kate Laurens
Series: Safe Haven #1
Genre: New Adult

                  Goodreads
                  Amazon

A fresh start...

It’s been three years since Serena King learned to say no—no to the boys that were a desperate cry for help, no to the extra weight she put on in self defense, and most of all no to the abuse that has haunted her since she was fifteen. Now a sophomore in college, all she wants is to be normal. The last thing she expects is a guy who can make her want... make her want everything.

A new guy...

Alex Blackthorn is a bundle of contradictions, a sexy dark haired badness who goes slow... deliciously slow. And despite the iron will that has gotten her through the last few years, Serena finds herself unable to ignore the heat that sizzles between them whenever they’re together.

A dark past...

Serena never thought she could be involved in a relationship, but Alex makes her long for things she thought were out of her reach forever. When he finds out her secret... when he finds out what she did to keep herself sane... will he still want her, or he will treat her just like everyone else?

And Alex has a secret of his own.

Recommended for mature readers aged 17+ due to language and sexual content.

~MY THOUGHTS~

This book nailed character dynamic! I have never loved two characters as much as I did with Alex and Serena. They worked so well together, that I couldn't imagine the story any other way than the way it was written!

The story starts off with the two main characters, Serena and Alex, meeting. They meet because they are both late for American Lit, and the professor isn't a fan of late. So they go to a coffee shop on campus, and things go from there. And I have to say, I loved the pacing of this book. I felt that it was written in exactly the right way, things happening when they did. I have read books where things just seemed out of place, but not in this book. When different scenes would arise, they just felt like they went there.

I enjoyed Serena as the main character. She was a complex individual, with a lot of baggage. She was strong, and did what she needed to do to survive what had happened to her. It wasn't really a secret what happened, and all that. But the way Kate Laurens wrote Serena's story still made me wanting to know more. I liked the development of Serena even in the short amount of time that the book covered. I thought it was realistic. Again, it just worked. Serena grew to trust, and that wasn't easy.

Alex was an amazing character as well. Again, he had baggage. But he handled his differently. He used his past to shape the person he was for the better. He also was perfect for Serena. He says in the book to Serena that they were made for each other, and that couldn't be more true. He had a past, and so did she. And with that, they both could lean on each other for strength. I don't think that them both having bad things happen to them seemed forced. That happening is believable, and it worked for this story.

This story was heartbreaking and inspiring all in one. I loved this book, and will be recommending it everyone I know who reads! There were some grammatical errors, and I only feel the necessity in adding that for a constructive purpose. I, in no way, found that it detracted from the story at all!

One of my favorites for sure! Can't wait to read more by this author!

*Received a copy in exchange for an honest review*

 5 STARS!!
*****

HAPPY READING!!! :)