Blog Tour Review: Tweet Cute

I am so thrilled to be part of this tour. As soon as I was asked to be part of this tour for Tweet Cute I jumped at the chance. I read the summary and knew I had to read this book right away!  Anyway, below you will find everything you need to know about this amazing book and its author, as well as my thoughts about the book. 

I want to thank both Emma Lord and Wednesday Books for letting me be part of this fantastic tour. 

Tweet Cute by Emma Lord

Publisher: Wednesday Books

Published: January 21st 2020

Format: E-ARC

Pages: 368 pages

* Goodreads * Amazon *

 A fresh, irresistible rom-com from debut author Emma Lord about the chances we take, the paths life can lead us on, and how love can be found in the opposite place you expected.

Meet Pepper, swim team captain, chronic overachiever, and all-around perfectionist. Her family may be falling apart, but their massive fast-food chain is booming ― mainly thanks to Pepper, who is barely managing to juggle real life while secretly running Big League Burger’s massive Twitter account.

Enter Jack, class clown and constant thorn in Pepper’s side. When he isn’t trying to duck out of his obscenely popular twin’s shadow, he’s busy working in his family’s deli. His relationship with the business that holds his future might be love/hate, but when Big League Burger steals his grandma’s iconic grilled cheese recipe, he’ll do whatever it takes to take them down, one tweet at a time.

All’s fair in love and cheese ― that is, until Pepper and Jack’s spat turns into a viral Twitter war. Little do they know, while they’re publicly duking it out with snarky memes and retweet battles, they’re also falling for each other in real life ― on an anonymous chat app Jack built.

As their relationship deepens and their online shenanigans escalate ― people on the internet are shipping them?? ― their battle gets more and more personal, until even these two rivals can’t ignore they were destined for the most unexpected, awkward, all-the-feels romance that neither of them expected

If you didn't get the hint above that I love this book, well let's just say it again, I love this book. I loved the characters and really connected with Pepper. While reading you can tell the author really knew these characters and the writing just flowed.  I loved reading every single word of this book and it was such an easy and fun read. Which was just what I needed first thing this year. I needed a light and fluffy read, Tweet Cute fit that bill. 

Tweet Cute was the perfect HEA, one that had me giddy to continue till the last word. I read this one in one day and I didn't want it to end.  This was one easy and very believable read, one that teenagers and even us adults can connect with. Especially that guy that drives you insane. I'm pretty sure every teen girl has that one guy in their lives.  I know I did!  I can't wait to read more from this author and hope she has more coming very soon!

I loved the relationship even from the beginning. It was just perfection! I also loved the "You've Got Mail" feel about this one and that just made this book even better.  I couldn't get enough of this story and everything it had to offer. This was the perfect debut for this fantastic author. I highly recommend Tweet Cute to anyone who loves young adult contemporary romance, I know you will love this one. 

Also, I must note how much I love this cover as well, isn't it just the cutest thing? 

I'm so happy to give Tweet Cute my first....

Of the year! 

  

Emma Lord is a digital media editor and writer living in New York City, where she spends whatever time she isn’t writing either running or belting show tunes in community theater. She graduated from the University of Virginia with a major in psychology and a minor in how to tilt your computer screen so nobody will notice you updating your fan fiction from the back row. She was raised on glitter, grilled cheese, and a whole lot of love. Her sun sign is Hufflepuff, but she is a Gryffindor rising. TWEET CUTE is her debut novel. You can find her geeking out online at @dilemmalord on Twitter.

Mini Reviews: Hex Hall, Demon Glass, and Spell Bound

So in order to play catch up when it comes to reviews, I've decided to add a post every once in a while called Mini-Reviews. I've seen a lot of blogs do this recently and I think it's time I add something like it as well. I really love the concept and I hope you do as well. Anyway, in these posts I will have a couple of reviews, sometimes it will be two or even up to four depending on the size of each review and what I have to say. ARC's will get their own posts, but that could change as well. 

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
Series: Hex Hall
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal
Published By: Disney Hyperion
Also by this Author: Demon Glass, Spell Bound, Rebel Belle, Miss Mayhem, Royals, Her Royal Highness, Lady Renegades, Journey's End
Format: Hard Cover
Goodreads * Amazon * Author Website

 Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It's gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie's estranged father—an elusive European warlock—only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it's her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters. 


By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tag-along ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire student on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect.

As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her.

 I've had this book for a long time and I'm honestly not sure why I hadn't read it before now. Though I'm kind of glad I waited, I was in a bit of a reading slump before I started reading this one and this whole series helped me so much with getting me out of it. If I'm being honest, which I always am here on the blog, I didn't think I would enjoy this book as much as I did. I thought it would end up being one that I would give a three puppy rating, but I was so happy that it wasn't. Anyway, if you didn't already see my comments on Goodreads, I love this whole series so much.

While reading I will say this I wasn't sure what was going to happen and I didn't read any summary before I started reading. So I didn't know what this book was actually about, I might have years ago, but not when I started it. Anyway, I didn't see much of this book coming. I didn't realize who the bad person was and I didn't see the ending coming at all! With that being said, I literally yelled, cried and laughed so much while reading Hex Hall.

I fell in love with these characters and even the crazy weird school. Sophie and her best friend Jenna are the best. I love their friendship even though it's weird to everyone else in the book.  At first, Asher got on my every last nerve, but by the end, I was totally crying over him. Yep, sobbing!  I honestly, was yelling "I can't believe it" over and over again.

Anyway, I couldn't get enough of this story and the author's writing, the book was such an easy and relaxing read, well up until the end anyway. (The ending just about killed me if you can't tell. I had to grab the second book right away!) I loved every single minute of this book! I can't wait to read more from this fantastic author and world creator.  For these reasons and so many more, I'm giving Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins, Ali's Bookshelf...

Demon Glass by Rachel Hawkins
Series: Hex Hall
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal
Published By: Disney Hyperion
Also by this Author: Spell Bound, Rebel Belle, Miss Mayhem, Royals, Her Royal Highness, Lady Renegades, Journey's End
Format: Hard Cover
Goodreads * Amazon * Author Website

 Sophie Mercer thought she was a witch. That was the whole reason she was sent to Hex Hall, a reform school for delinquent Prodigium (a.k.a. witches, shape-shifters, and faeries). But then she discovered the family secret, and the fact that her hot crush, Archer Cross, is an agent for The Eye, a group bent on wiping Prodigium off the face of the earth.

Turns out, Sophie's a demon, one of only two in the world-the other being her father. What's worse, she has powers that threaten the lives of everyone she loves. Which is precisely why Sophie decides she must go to London for the Removal, a dangerous procedure that will either destroy her powers for good-or kill her.

But once Sophie arrives, she makes a shocking discovery. Her new housemates? They're demons too. Meaning, someone is raising demons in secret, with creepy plans to use their powers, and probably not for good. Meanwhile, The Eye is set on hunting Sophie down, and they're using Archer to do it. But it's not like she has feelings for him anymore. Does she?

Okay, fair warning there is probably going to be a few spoilers in this mini-review because I can't stop screaming about these books.  I know you all will understand that, anyway the whole entire time I was reading Demon Glass I was trying to figure out if she still had feelings for Asher, I mean I knew she did, but I wasn't sure. Okay who am I kidding, I knew! I didn't know however that she was betrothed, even though the book hinted at it early on in Hex Hall.

Again this one made me cry, like torrential downpour type of crying. I couldn't put the book down though because I had to know what was going to happen to her and her dad. I had to know how Asher was going to play into it and of course Cal. The best thing about this one, again I didn't see the ending coming and to me that makes for an awesome read.

I honestly thought it was Asher and his people creating the demons, I never even suspected that it might be someone else. Especially who it ended up being, okay I won't spoil that part for you. Even though I want to scream it as much as I screamed at the book when I figured it all out.

I can't get enough of this whole series, it's such an easy read, but at the same time, the storyline is so AMAZING! I had to know what was going to happen at every twist and turn and I didn't care how late I had to stay up to find out. We need more books like this one! By the end of Demon Glass I was so happy that I had the next book that I literally grabbed it and started it, even though it was like four in the morning. Yep, I did that!

Another amazing book by Rachel Hawkins and the amazing Hex Hall series.

Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins

Series: Hex Hall
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal
Published By: Disney Hyperion
Also by this Author: Rebel Belle, Miss Mayhem, Royals, Her Royal Highness, Lady Renegades, Journey's End
Format: Hard Cover
Goodreads * Amazon * Author Website

Hailed as “impossible to put down,” the Hex Hall series has both critics and teens cheering. With a winning combination of romance, action, magic and humor, this third volume will leave readers enchanted.

Just as Sophie Mercer has come to accept her extraordinary magical powers as a demon, the Prodigium Council strips them away. Now Sophie is defenseless, alone, and at the mercy of her sworn enemies—the Brannicks, a family of warrior women who hunt down the Prodigium. Or at least that’s what Sophie thinks, until she makes a surprising discovery. The Brannicks know an epic war is coming, and they believe Sophie is the only one powerful enough to stop the world from ending. But without her magic, Sophie isn’t as confident.

Sophie’s bound for one hell of a ride—can she get her powers back before it’s too late? 

 OMG this series keeps surprising me, each and every time. When I went into this book, I knew what Sophie knew about the Brannicks and I was shocked to find out her mom was with them. The reason why though shocked me to my core and I had to put the book down to just chill for a few minutes.
I love the authors writing style so much though that I jumped right back into reading and finished reading this one in record time.

Again, I screamed and cried so hard while reading this one and even though so many emotions were flowing I couldn't make myself stop. I needed to know what was going to happen to each of these characters. I had to know their fate, I was so connected to each of them in the end that I was in shock while I finished the last couple of words. I didn't want it to end and if the author wrote more books with Sophie and her crew in this world I would read it. (I know there is another book, but it's not about Sophie so not sure if I want to read it. If I should, please let me know in the comments below!)

Author Rachel Hawkins is one of those authors that capture you with the world and the characters and they never let you go. Which is one hell of an amazing compliment. There aren't of authors that I can say can do that for all of a series. Normally the second book slumps a bit and I had been worried that would happen, but it didn't. Then I started the third book and I was a bit worried again, but I didn't need to be Spell Bound was just as amazing as the first and second book!

I need more books like these, yes the ending killed me and I was in a bit of a book comma for a few days but at the same time, the story/plotline and characters were worth it. I have so much love for this whole series that I moved my copies to my favorites shelf and that's where they will be until I decide to re-read this series, because I know I will at some point.  I can't gush enough about these books!

ARC Review: The Lovely and the Lost

I recieved this book for free in exchange for my honest review.  My thoughts are my own and mine alone. 

The Lovely and the Lost by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Published:  May 7th 2019

Publisher: Freeform

Format:  E-ARC

Pages: 328 pages

Challenges: Goodreads

Kira Bennett’s earliest memories are of living alone and wild in the woods. She has no idea how long she was on her own or what she had to do to survive, but she remembers the moment that Cady Bennett and one of her search-and-rescue dogs found her perfectly. Adopted into the Bennett family, Kira still struggles with human interaction years later, but she excels at the family business: search-and-rescue. Along with Cady’s son, Jude, and their neighbor, Free, Kira works alongside Cady to train the world’s most elite search-and-rescue dogs. Someday, all three teenagers hope to put their skills to use, finding the lost and bringing them home. But when Cady’s estranged father, the enigmatic Bales Bennett, tracks his daughter down and asks for her help in locating a missing child—one of several visitors who has disappeared in the Sierra Glades National Park in the past twelve months—the teens find themselves on the frontlines sooner than they could have ever expected. As the search through 750,000 acres of unbridled wilderness intensifies, Kira becomes obsessed with finding the missing child. She knows all too well what it’s like to be lost in the wilderness, fighting for survival, alone. But this case isn’t simple. There is more afoot than a single, missing girl, and Kira’s memories threaten to overwhelm her at every turn. As the danger mounts and long-held family secrets come to light, Kira is forced to question everything she thought she knew about her adopted family, her true nature, and her past.

Let me first start off this review by saying this isn't the usual genre that I read, now in this instance this isn't a bad thing. I tend to stick the contemporary or fantasy when it comes to young adult, but I am so happy that I jumped out of my comfort zone and picked this one up. I loved this book so much. The story had me on the edge of my seat the whole time and I had no clue who the real bad person was. There were so many clues pointing me toward one person when it was a person that I didn't see coming. But I'm getting ahead of myself. Like I said I love this book and honestly I've now picked up another book by this author and can't wait to read it as well.

The writing style of author Jennifer Lynn Barnes is one that caught my attention right away. It's the reason I stuck around to see what was going to happen next, well that and the plot of course. This author has a way with words and honestly I was so caught up in the story that my emotions were all over the place just by reading this book. Which to me makes for the best kind of read. If you're that connected to a story then you're reading a great book! I loved how real this book/story felt while I was reading it. It was almost like I could see it playing out in my head as I read each word from the page.

I really connected also to the fantastically written characters. All throughout the book I wanted to know more about each of them and the author in her time gave us details about each. You could really tell that she fleshed out each one of them, even the smaller role characters. I loved that all the information about each of them wasn't just thrown in there in the first couple chapters, but throughout the whole book. Yes! I mean the whole book.

I had to know why and where Kira came from. (Not going to give away any spoilers so no worries.) But I had to know the reasons she was in the woods. I loved the connections that this book showed between her and her dog as well. It showed how much belief she had and trust she had in her companion. I also connected to the mom in this story as well and the whole search and rescue part.

I loved each and every part of this book! I haven't stopped thinking about it since I put it down for the final time. This might be a book that I end up re-reading at some point.  If you haven't read The Lovely and the Lost by author Jennifer Lynn Barnes, you should pick this one up and start it right away. It's my favorite read so far this year. Who would have thought that a mystery young adult would be my favorite book of the year!

Oh and I must say one more thing, I love love love this cover! It's so subtle but so pretty at the same time.

I know a couple months ago I talked about trying to be more critical with my ratings and I have been lately, but The Lovely and the Lost deserves this rating to the fullest. 

Plot: 20/20

Characters: 20/20

Writing: 19/20

Creativity: 20/20

Cover: 10/10

Ending: 10/10

 

ARC Review: The Next to Last Mistake

I recieved this book for free in exchange for my honest review.  My thoughts are my own and mine alone. 

The Next to Last Mistake by Amalie Jahn 

Published By: Light Messages Publishing
Published Date:  March 19th 2019

Format: Egalley

Pages: 282 Pages
Challenges: Goodreads

Tess Goodwin’s life in rural Iowa is sheltered and uncomplicated. Although she chooses to spend most of her free time playing chess with her best friend Zander, the farm-boy from next door, her skills as a bovine midwife and tractor mechanic ensure that she fits in with the other kids at East Chester High. But when her veteran father reenlists in the Army, moving her family halfway across the country to North Carolina, Tess is forced out of her comfort zone into a world she knows nothing about. Tess approaches the move as she would a new game of chess, plotting her course through the unfamiliar reality of her new life. While heeding Zander’s long-distance advice for making new friends and strategizing a means to endure her dad’s imminent deployment to the Middle East, she quickly discovers how ill-equipped she is to navigate the challenges she encounters and becomes convinced she’ll never fit in at her new school. When Leonetta Jackson is assigned as her mentor, she becomes Tess’s unexpected guide through the winding labyrinth of disparities between them, sparking a tentative friendship and challenging Tess to confront her reluctant nature. As the pieces move across the board of her upended life, will Tess find the acceptance she so desperately desires?

When I first read the summary of this book I was super excited to read it. I couldn't wait to get my hands on the ARC so I could read and share my thoughts here on the blog. Let's start off by saying I wasn't disappointed in this one. Yes there were a few things that I didn't particularily enjoy, but all in all this was a great read. 

In the beginging of this book, I really loved the relationships between Tess and Zander, I hated that she ended up moving away and wasn't around him anymore. I needed more of that relationship in this story. I understand that the book had to move forward after she moved but still I needed more of Zander! I loved the character Tess, she's the main character and I really related to her. All she wants is acceptance and that's pretty much what everyone really wants. To be accepted for who she is. 

Now my next thoughts on this book is something that I don't usually talk about here on the blog, but I think it needs to be mentioned when it comes to this book. I don't want you to take this the wrong way though. I think this subject is extreamly important in today's world. The world we live in gets crazy and honestly it's very racist. It's how it is and I'm not sure how we change that. I do think sometimes we push a bit too hard though and I think at times this book did that. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, but it did make the book drag a bit in my opinion. Like I said I think it's a really important subject to have in YA books, because kids these days need to know and see what others go through, but we don't need to push too hard either way. (I hope I'm saying this right.) I wasn't going to say anything because I don't want a bunch of hate comments on my blog, but I think it's also important to mention because it's such a huge part of this book and a huge part of our world today.  

It did bring to attention that sometimes our words touch different people in different ways. Maybe we say something but didn't mean it that way, but it was precieved that way. We as people need to watch the way we say things. I did like that it touched on that subject and how it was brought up. 

Now let's talk about setting and plot. I really enjoyed the plot, I wanted to know if Tess was going to make it in her new world so to speak, but like I said above it did drag a bit in places. I really loved the descriptive parts about her new house and new school.  All in all I did enjoy this book and would like to read more books by this author. I think it's a great book for young adults to read and honestly need to read. I really hope you'll read this book and enjoy it.  It's got some tough subjects but it's a fantastic read over all!

I'm giving The Next To Last Mistake an Ali's Bookshelf...

Plot: 20/20

Characters: 15/20

Writing: 16/20

Creativity: 15/20

Cover: 10/10

Ending: 10/10

ARC Review: The Dysasters

I recieved this book for free in exchange for my honest review.  I want to say thanks to the amazing publishing company for sending me this book, though I will say it does not affect my thoughts or my opinion in any way! My thoughts are my own and mine alone. 

The Dysasters by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast

Published: February 26th 2019

Publisher:  Wednesday Books

Format:  ARC paperback

Pages: 320 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasty

Challenges: Goodreads Challenge

Source: Publisher

Foster Stewart knows she's different. Her life has never been "normal." Talking to plants and controlling cloud formations aren't things most seventeen year olds are into. Tate "Nighthawk" Taylor is perfect. Star quarterback and all around dreamy boy next door he never thought about his "extra" abilities. What quarterback wouldn't want night vision? That's not weird, right? It's cool! But on the night of their first meeting a deadly tornado brings them together and awakens their true abilities - the power to control the element air. Unbeknown to Tate and Foster, they are the first in a group of teens that were genetically manipulated before birth to bond with the elements. Which truly sucks for Foster, as she has to face the fact that Dr. Rick Stewart, her beloved scientist father, betrayed her and now wants to use her and the others for his own nefarious world domination plot. Foster and Tate must stop Dr. Stewart and his minions before he destroys their lives and the world.

To say I was excited to recieve this book for review is an understatement. I was jumping up and down excited. In recent years I have really loved books by these two fantastic authors and this book hasn't changed my mind one bit about this duo! I want to thank the publishing company for letting me be part of this tour and for the chance to review The Dysasters.

My first impression of this book was WOW, the cover is just breathtaking. I love everything about it, then I read the summary and it wowed me just as much. I knew it was something that I had to read and review here on the blog. I just couldn't wait to find out what happened to this cast of characters and I had to know what was going to happen. The plot of this book was one that I've seen a few times, but not exactly like this one. I loved the twists and turns, but I will say this at times it felt more of an middle grade than an young adult, but that didn't take away from the story for me.

Once I got into the book, it didn't take long at all with all the craziness in the first few chapters, I couldn't put it down. I will say that the images/artwork in this book is one that I will never forget!  I also really loved the bonds that these characters make throughout the whole story. Elemental powers has always been something that facinates me in books. So, reading this book I was on the edge of my seat to find out what was going to happen on each and every page.

Now there are a few things that I didn't like in this book, I mean there is always a few things, but all in all The Dysasters was a fantastic read.  One of which is how it switched every single chapter to another pov and it wasn't just between two characters it was several and after awhile it's kind of hard to keep up, but again not hard enough for me to hate the book or put it down. I was so drawn in by the characters themselves to do that.

All in all, The Dyasters was a fantastic read that I would recommend to anyone that enjoys reading about elemental powers or kids with powers. It has a lot of adventure and battles in it as well. I mean what great book doesn't have good vs evil right?

I'm giving The Dyasters by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast an Ali's Bookshelf rating of...