It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It's Monday! What are you reading this week? is a weekly event to share what we read last week, what we are currently reading and what books we plan to read this week.

I had a great reading week. I challenged myself to read a book a day and I'm thrilled to announce I completed my challenge!

Books read and reviewed last week:

• Last Christmas by Kate Brian
• Beautiful Disaster by Kate Brian
• Love You Hate You Miss You by Elizabeth Scott
• Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler
• The Widow's Season by Laura Brodie

Books read last week, with reviews to come:

• Real Life & Liars by Kristina Riggle
  
• The Penny Pinchers Club by Sarah Strohmeyer
  

Currently reading:

• The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks
  

Later this week:

• Dial Emmy for Murder by Eileen Davidson
  
• The Neighbor by Lisa Gardner
• Ms. Taken Identity by Dan Begley
  

What are you reading this week?

Sunday Salon

Good morning Saloners! Earlier this week, I found myself reading three books in three days. I then wondered if I could read seven books in seven days. The most books I read in a week's time was back in 2001. I was sick and missed a week at work. All I wanted to do was read; I read eight books. It was my best reading week. Hmmm, imagine that...

Anyway, I am happy to report I started my seventh book today! I don't have much going on this afternoon, so I should finish it by this evening. My reading stats for August should be my highest for this year.

Books I read and reviewed this week:
(click the cover for the review)




Books read, with reviews to come:



Everyone have a great week!

The Widow's Season by Laura Brodie

Book Synopsis:
Sarah McConnell's husband had been dead for three months when she saw him in the grocery store...

What does a woman do when she's thirty-nine, childless, and completely alone for the first time in her life? Does it mean she's crazy to think she sees her late husband beside a display of pumpkins? Or is it just what people do, a natural response to grief that will fade in time? That's what Sarah McConnell's friends told her, that it was natural, would last a season, and then fade away.

But what if there was another answer? What if he was really there? They never found the body, after all. What if he is still here somehow, and about to walk back into her life?

My thoughts:
What would you do if you saw your dead husband while grocery shopping? Would you chase after him demanding answers? Would you silently think you're losing your mind due to your grief? Or would you shake off the image as simply wishing it to be your husband, but knowing it is just a complete stranger?

Having read glowing reviews about The Widow's Season, I was eager to read it. Unfortunately, it fell flat for me. As I read Sarah's story, I realized I didn't feel anything for her...nothing. Here's a story about a woman who recently lost her husband and thinks she sees him and I don't feel any sympathy? Compassion?

The characters in The Widow's Season were hard to connect to. Sarah and her brother-in-law, Nate, seemed to be somewhat aloof. Perhaps it was their reaction to losing David and the events (which I won't share to avoid spoilers) that occurred after his death. Or maybe it was Ms. Brodie's intent to write the characters this way. To be honest, this was the third consecutive book I read dealing with the death of a love one. It's possible I just felt numb after reading two previous tragic stories.

I think The Widow's Season would be an excellent selection for a book club. I figured out the ending pretty early in the book and wondered what other readers thought as the story unfolded. I wanted a chance to speak with other readers about my feelings (or lack thereof) for these characters and hear their thoughts as well. Perhaps speaking with other readers would challenge my opinion about the novel. (If you're interested, the author provides a reader guide that could be used for a book club discussion.)

Despite my disappointment with this novel, I would recommend it to other readers. I enjoyed Ms. Brodie's ability to write in such a way that I could instantly see the scenes in my mind. I plan to read Ms. Brodie's future novels.

Recommended for: book clubs

Book details:
ISBN-13: 978-0-425-22765-7
Pages: 303
Year Published: 2009
Genre: Women's Fiction
Date Finished: August 28
Rating: B

Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

Book Synopsis:

"Don't worry, Anna. I'll tell her, okay? Just let me think about the best way to do it."
"Okay."
"Promise me? Promise you won't say anything?"
"Don't worry." I laughed. "It's our secret, right?"

According to her best friend Frankie, twenty days in Zanzibar Bay is the perfect opportunity to have a summer fling, and if they meet one boy ever day, there's a pretty good chance Anna will find her first summer romance. Anna lightheartedly agrees to the game, but there's something she hasn't told Frankie---she's already had that kind of romance, and it was with Frankie's older brother, Matt, just before his tragic death one year ago.

Beautifully written and emotionally honest, this is a debut novel that explores what it truly means to love someone and what it means to grieve, and ultimately, how to make the most of every single moment this world has to offer.

My thoughts:
I read great reviews about Ms. Ockler's Twenty Boy Summer. As a result, I had high expectations for this novel. I'm happy to say, it did not disappoint.

It's a year after Matt's death. Anna is joining her best friend and Matt's sister, Frankie, on her family vacation. Frankie wants this to be their Absolute Best Summer Ever (A.B.S.E.) and forms the plan of meeting twenty boys that summer.

Prior to Matt's death, Anna and Matt become more than friends. As they are establishing their new relationship, Matt makes Anna promise not to tell Frankie just yet. He wants to tell her in his own time. Anna agrees to this. Unfortunately Matt dies prior to telling Frankie and Anna is uncertain how to handle her promise to Matt.

Twenty Boy Summer is about the process of grief and how one chooses to handle his/her grief. Frankie and Anna both love Matt in different ways and struggle to continue living with the void Matt has left in their lives. Anna knows Frankie is hurting, but is afraid to show Frankie her grief in order to protect her secret relationship with Matt. It's not until Frankie learns the truth about her brother and Anna, that both girls can openly discuss their loss.

Ms. Ockler did a fantastic job with Anna's friendship with Frankie. Anna is quiet, smart and cautious, while Frankie is out-going, boy crazy and a bit self-centered. Anna is very protective of Frankie as she watched her friend quietly withdraw after Matt's death and emerge as someone she doesn't know. When Frankie discloses to Anna what the loss of Matt has meant to her, Anna begins to see moving forward after someone has died is terrifying as one tries to not forget the person who has died while moving forward is also necessary in order to heal.

Readers will enjoy Twenty Boy Summer. I was immediately hooked and read it in a few hours. Ms. Ockler's debut is an emotional read. One that readers will not forget.

Book details:
ISBN-13: 978-0-316-05159-0
Pages: 290
Year Published:2009
Genre: YA Fiction
Date Finished: August 27
Rating: A-

Love You Hate You Miss You by Elizabeth Scott

Book Synopsis:

Get this, I'm supposed to be starting a journal about "my journey." Please. I can see it now: Dear Diary, As I'm set adrift on this crazy sea called "life" . . . I don't think so.

It's been seventy-five days. Amy's sick of her parents suddenly taking an interest in her.

And she's really sick of people asking her about Julia. Julia's gone now, and she doesn't want to talk about it. They wouldn't get it, anyway. They wouldn't understand what it feels like to have your best friend ripped away from you.

They wouldn't understand what it feels like to know it's your fault.

Amy's shrink thinks it would help to start a diary. Instead, Amy starts writing letters to Julia.

But as she writes letter after letter, she begins to realize that the past wasn't as perfect as she thought it was—and the present deserves a chance too.

My thoughts:
Amy is in pain. Emotional, physical and mental anguish. Her best friend, Julia, is dead. Amy believes she is responsible for her death.

Amy is leaving rehab and returning to life she no longer knows. Her parents are more involved in her life, she's in honors classes at school and she's seeing her therapist weekly. Prior to Julia's death, Amy drank. She drank to fit in, drank to feel numb and empty, drank to just be. Now, she doesn't have Julia or a drink to help her cope. She feels all alone, until she meets Patrick.

Actually, Amy met Patrick before, but he has since become a distant memory. Patrick is dealing with his own loss which left him withdrawn and aloof. Both Amy and Patrick are drawn to each other as they continue to move forward with their lives. Each struggles with his/her own loss in a different way.

Amy begins to process the events that occured the night Julia dies. Amy is adamant that she caused Julia's death. It's with the help of Patrick and her therapist that she begins to see the truth about that night and her friendship with Julia. The fog that her grief left behind is slowly lifting and Amy is able to finally able to accept what happened that night: the choices she and Julia made.

Love You Hate You Miss You is about the emptiness, loneliness, guilt and regret one feels after someone has died. You wake up one morning to a life that you no longer know, a life that no longer makes sense. Written in Amy's perspective and her letters to Julia, Love You Hate You Miss You is a compelling read. Ms. Scott writes a touching story bringing together two people who cannot see beyond their hurt and pain.

A quote to share:

"People forget stuff like that, " Patrick said, and in his eyes I could see he knew exactly what I'd been thinking. What I'd just remembered. "Stuff that...something happens that changes your whole life, and people tell you how sorry they are and all that, but then, after a while, it's like you're the only one who remembers. It'll happen to you too. People will forget what happened to Julia. They'll forget her." (p. 107)

Book details:
ISBN-13: 978-0-06-112283-5
Pages: 276
Year Published: 2009
Genre: YA Fiction
Date Finished: August 26
Rating: A-

Beautiful Disaster by Kate Brian

Book Synopsis:

She's Back....

After wasting away in a mental institution for a year and a half, Ariana Osgood is finally back where she belongs. She has a new look, a new name, and a new life -- all thanks to her former friend Briana Leigh Covington.

Now enrolled as a junior at the exclusive Atherton-Pryce boarding school just outside of D.C., Ariana sleeps in Frette sheets, flirts with the captain of the crew team, and gossips with the most beautiful girls on campus. She killed to get back her life of privilege. Just how far will she go to keep it?

From the author of the bestselling Private novels comes a series about the dark world of wealth, secrets, and privilege.

My review:
Ariana Osgood is settling in to Briana Leigh's life. She's now enrolled at a private school and is returning to the privileged life she's accustomed to. She was one of the popular girls at Easton Academy and she's determined to be the same at Atherton-Pryce Hall.

Things begin to quickly fall into place for Ariana, now known as "Ana". She's befriended the right clique and has tied up loose ends to her past. Or so she thinks. When her former crush and nemesis learns where she is, Ariana will stop at nothing to keep her new life.

Beautiful Disaster is the second novel in the Privilege series - the spinoff from the Private series. Ariana is a character readers will love to hate. At times, you will feel sympathy for her until she concocts a new plan to do away with the competition. Ariana is ruthless! I have to say, while reading the Private novels, Ariana had a quiet presence, a character that is easy to forget. Which made the truth behind Thomas's death that more shocking.

In Privilege, readers see the REAL Ariana and it's quite frightening. In Beautiful Disaster, Ariana is portrayed as paranoid. Her confidence is slipping as her life begins to slip out of control. I have to say, I was exhausted while reading about Ariana's scheming to keep her past hidden!

Beautiful Disaster ended on a cliff hanger, one that could possibly destroy Ariana for good. Fortunately readers won't have to wait long to see what happens next. Perfect Mistake, book three, will be released in October.

Book details:
Series: Privilege #2
ISBN-13: 978-1-4169-6760-6
Pages: 278
Year Published: 2009
Genre: YA Fiction (Series)
Date Finished: August 25
Rating: B

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Title: Final Exam
Author: Maggie Barbieri
Publication Date: December 8

St. Thomas, the college north of New York where Alison Bergeron teaches, has had its share of scandals involving its students, staff, and Alison herself, so when a Resident Director goes missing they keep it quiet by tapping Alison as a replacement. A stay in the dorms is like hard time and she will do anything to avoid it. Her way out: Find the reluctant resident and drag him back. Luckily, she doesn’t have to look further than the drugs he’s hidden to get her boyfriend Detective Bobby Crawford on the case. A budding star in the mystery world, Maggie Barbieri delivers another wildly entertaining adventure in her Murder 101 series with Final Exam. (From Amazon.com)

Cover Attraction

Each Wednesday, Marcia from The Printed Page, hosts Cover Attraction. She writes:

"I’m a very visual person and love beautiful cover art. It doesn’t necessarily mean I’ll read the book but at least I might stop and take a peek instead of walking right on by."

I am a visual person as well and have often read books simply because I liked the cover. My cover attraction for this week:

Title: Never the Bride
Author: Cheryl McKay & Rene Guteridge

Eleven Bridesmaid Dresses Don’t Lie

Since she was just a little girl, Jessie Stone dreamed up hundreds of marriage proposals, doodled the romantic ideas in her journal with her treasured purple pen, and fantasized about wedding dresses and falling in love. She’s been a bridesmaid nearly a dozen times, waved numerous couples off to sunny honeymoons, and shopped in more department stores for half-price fondue pots than she cares to remember.

But shopping for one key component of these countless proposals hasn't been quite as productive–a future husband. The man she thought she would marry cheated on her. The crush she has on her best friend Blake is at very best…well, crushing. And speed dating has only churned out memorable horror stories.

So when God shows up one day, in the flesh, and becomes a walking, talking part of her life, Jessie is skeptical. What will it take to convince her that the Almighty has a better plan than one she’s already cooked up in her journals? Can she turn over her pen and trust someone else to craft a love story beyond her wildest dreams?

Last Christmas: Private Prequel

Book Synopsis:
Ariana Osgood has everything an Easton Academy girl could want: straight A's, the perfect boyfriend, and a coveted spot in exclusive Billings House. But on the first night of Christmas vacation, a blizzard traps her on campus with irresistible bad-boy Thomas Pearson. Alone. Instead of snuggling with her boyfriend next to a cozy fire in Vermont, she's huddling for warmth with Thomas in Ketlar House.

As the snow transforms Easton into a winter wonderland, Ariana finds herself falling for Thomas. But someone is watching their clandestine romance unfold, someone intent on turning their holiday weekend into a nightmare...

Last Christmas reveals the secret of what really happened before Private began -- and the shocking truth will change everything for fans of Kate Brian's bestselling series.

My review:
Before Reed Brennan started dating Thomas Pearson, Ariana had a relationship with him. Last Christmas is the story about their relationship and the aftermath that followed.

Easton Academy is preparing for winter break. Ariana is spending the holidays with her boyfriend's family in Vermont. She's fortunate to do so, however it just doesn't feel quite right. As she struggles with these feelings, her attraction towards bad boy, Thomas, grows. When she's forced to stay later on campus to finish an English paper, she learns Thomas has stayed as well. He taunts her about her "good girl" image and soon Ariana starts to behave in ways that both shock and excite her.

Last Christmas provides more insight about Ariana and the events that led to Thomas's death. It's also a good companion to the Privilege series. I especially like Thomas and now wish Ms. Brian didn't kill his character so early in the Private series.

Ariana Osgood is a character readers will love to hate. She fears becoming like her mother and has to be in control at all times. It's shocking to read how extreme she becomes when her perfect world is threatened. She's delusional, mentally unstable, but so put together it's quite scary. She knows what she wants, how to get it and won't allow anything or anyone to stand in her way.

What I liked best about Last Christmas was the focus was primarily on Ariana and Noelle wasn't as powerful as she is in later books. Last Christmas allows readers an up close and personal look into Ariana's history and current thoughts. If you're a fan of the Private and Privilege series, you will not be disappointed with Last Christmas.

Book details:
Series: Private (Prequel)
ISBN-13: 978-1-4169-1369-6
Pages: 263
Year Published: 2008
Genre: YA Fiction
Date Finished: August 24
Rating: B

Tuesday Teasers

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Jenn of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
  
• Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
  
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure what you share does not give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
  
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
  

My teasers:

"She wished she knew why these girls seemed to be studying her so intently. She detested the way it made her feel⎯uncertain, threatened, and suddenly exhausted. Over the past few weeks she had imagined this moment hundreds of times, the moment she would arrive at her new school and begin her new life, but she had never imagined it would be quite this difficult, this confusing, this intimidating."

~p. 9, Beautiful Disaster by Kate Brian~

What's On Your Nightstand?

September 2009

In August, I read the following from my night stand:

• Swimsuit by James Patterson
• Killer by Sara Shepard
• Last Christmas by Kate Brian
  
• Red Hot Lies by Laura Caldwell

What's on my night stand for September:

• The Penny Pinchers Club by Sarah Strohmeyer
• The Actor and the Housewife by Shannon Hale
• Hope in a Jar by Beth Harbison
• The Neighbor by Lisa Gardner
• Mating Rituals of the North American WASP by Laura Lipton
• Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella
• Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen
• Red Blooded Murder and Red, White & Dead by Laura Caldwell
  

So, what's on your night stand?

Swimsuit by James Patterson

I heart James Patterson. He is one of my favorite authors and Alex Cross is one of my favorite series. When I hear about upcoming releases by Mr. Patterson, they immediately are added to my TBR list. So, I eagerly anticipated the release of Swimsuit.

Granted, I knew very little about the synopsis. A swimsuit model goes missing in Hawaii and her parents head there to learn more about her disappearance. A former cop turned author (also a crime reported for the LA Times) is also on the case. I thought it would be a classic JP style: missing person, lunatic killer and fast-paced plot. Actually, to me, Swimsuit wasn't liked that at all. It was much, much more.

Ben Hawkins meets Levon and Barbara McDaniels, the parents of the missing model Kim, while covering the story for the LA Times. He gains their trust and soon he is privy to meetings and discussions between the police and the McDaniels. He introduces them to Eddie Keloa, a private investigator, who takes on Kim's case.

Meanwhile two more murder victims are found and the police pondered if these crimes are linked to Kim's disappearance. The plot gets scarier when the McDaniels disappear without a trace.

Ben is a likable character. He's a good guy trying to make an honest living. He doesn't know how significant his role will be when he meets the McDaniels. The killer has targeted Ben to write a masterpiece: a book about the killer's murderous spree.

When Henri approaches (okay, threatens) Ben with writing the book, Ben has two choices: write the book or be killed (along with his girlfriend, Amanda). So, I ask you. . .what would your response be if you were Ben? Fearing for both his and Amanda's life, Ben agrees and spends several days interviewing Henri about his violent (and yes, psychopathic past).

What I didn't see coming was Swimsuit being a novel about the killer, not a novel about the missing person. That was a great twist for me. The killer is extremely violent (the scene with the ceiling fan was the worst and that's all I say about that), deep and twisted. The scenes are very graphic and being a visual reader, made it hard to read at times.

As Ben discovered more and more about Henri's relationship with the "Peepers", I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to see how this would end. Unfortunately, when the book ended, it ended. I had to read the last few pages several times because I didn't think it could be over. But it was. The ending didn't feel right to me as it was so abrupt. Now looking back, I wonder if it was done intentionally. Maybe Mr. Patterson has plans for Ben in future novels. I guess I'll have to wait and see.

Book details:
ISBN-13: 978-0-316-01877-7
Pages: 391
Year Published: 2009
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
Date Finished: August 23
Rating: C+

Musing Mondays

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about book series. . .

Do you prefer to read stand-alone books, or books in series? Do you stick with a series the whole way through or stop after the first instalment? Are there any particular series you enjoy?(question courtesy of Elena)

I like and read both. What I like best about series are the character development and the continuing story lines. Sometimes when reading, I end up liking a character so much, I want to know what he/she is up to next.

I prefer reading a series in order and make notes about the series and book order in my TBR list. I've at times read a series out of order, not knowing the book belong to a series. When this happens, I try to go back and read the previous novels.

My favorite series is Alex Cross. My cousin recommended Kiss the Girls and I read it in two days. Fast forward to a few weeks later while discussing James Patterson (then a new-to-me-author) with a friend, I learned Kiss the Girls was book two and Along Came a Spider was first in the series. I went back and read it and have since read each Alex Cross book upon its release.

Here are some of the series I'm currently reading:

• Stephanie Plum by Janet Evanovich (although I don't think the newer releases are as funny as the older books)
• Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard (YA series)
• Private and Privilege by Kate Brian (YA series)
• Cedar Cove by Debbie Macomber
• The Women's Murder Club by James Patterson
• Flower Shop Mysteries by Kate Collins

Series I'm interesting in starting:

• Gourmet Girl by Jessica Conant Park
• Do-It-Yourself by Jennie Bentley
• The Domestic Diva by Krista Davis
  

Killer by Sara Shepard

Book Synopsis:
In picture-perfect Rosewood, Pennsylvania, ash-blond highlights gleam in the winter sun and frozen lakes sparkle like Swarovski crystals. But pictures often lie—and so do Rosewood's four prettiest girls.

Hanna, Aria, Spencer, and Emily have been lying ever since they became friends with beautiful Alison DiLaurentis. Ali made them do terrible things—things they had to keep secret for years. And even though Ali was killed at the end of seventh grade, their bad-girl ways didn't die with her.

Hanna's on a mission to corrupt Rosewood's youth, starting with a very attractive sophomore. Aria's snooping into her boyfriend's past. Spencer's stealing—from her family. And pure little Emily's abstaining from abstinence.

The girls should be careful, though. They thought they were safe when Ali's killer was arrested and A's true identity was finally revealed. But now there's a new A in town turning up the heat. And this time Rosewood is going to burn.

My review:
I started reading the Pretty Little Liars series earlier this year. Each book ended with a cliff hanger and I couldn't wait to read what happened next with "A". I enjoyed these books so much, I read them consecutively. The only problem was I had to wait a few months for Killer's release.

Now that I finished Killer, I have to say I was worth the wait. It immediately began where Wicked concluded: the night of the Rosewood Day benefit held at Spencer's house. Spencer discovered Ian in the woods and when she later returned with the police, Ian was gone. He simply vanished. (I don't want to say more to prevent spoilers). While the police continue to search for Ian based on the details provided by Spencer, Aria, Hanna and Emily, they begin to wonder if these four girls fabricated their stories for attention.

Like the previous novels, Killer begins with a flashback. In this flashback the reader learns how the four girls became friends with Ali. Emily, Aria, Hanna and Spencer all have the idea of stealing Ali's piece of the Time Capsule flag. This is a tradition at Rosewood Day: the principal cuts the Rosewood Day flag into pieces, the upperclassmen hides the pieces around town, while the teachers post clues to their locations. When someone finds a piece, he/she can decorate it. When all the pieces are found, the flag is sewn back together and is buried in the Time Capsule. The students who find the pieces are known to be legends in the school's history. The twist to the game is another student can steal a piece from the original student who found it. Which is what Hanna, Emily, Aria and Spencer plan to do with Ali's piece.

This flashback is significant to the story. The reader learns what REALLY happened to Ali's stolen flag piece and why it's so important to her disappearance and death. As each girl continues to receive threatening texts from "A", they decide to investigate the events leading to Ali's death. As they dig deeper, they stumble on a new twist that will erase everything they knew about their friendship with Ali.

What makes this story so addicting to me is how the Ms. Shepard uses the girls' individual stories to add to the mystery behind Ali's death and "A's" hold on them. Each girl struggles with a secret, insecurity, problem, etc. "A" sends them text messages to manipulate them into doing what "A" wants by threatening to expose their secrets. Each girl discovers more clues about their friendship with Ali. The reader can't help but to wonder are these legitimate clues or just part of "A's" game? It's so hard to tell, but that's what keeps me reading. I WANT TO KNOW! The twists and turns are plenty in this series and just when the reader thinks he/she knows what will happen next, guess again.

Killer's ending took me by surprise! The cliff hanger was shocking and left me speechless. Of course, I had more questions and wondered did THAT just really happen or is this just another twist? Again, I must wait to have my questions answered. Heartless, book seven, will be released in 2010. Killer is a must read for fans of the Pretty Little Liars series.

Book details:
Series: Pretty Little Liars #6
ISBN-13: 978-0-06-156611-0
Pages: 323
Year Published: 2009
Genre: YA Mystery (Series)
Date Finished: August 19
Rating: B+

Mailbox Monday

Marcia, The Printed Page, hosts Mailbox Monday each week. She writes:

"Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books came into their house last week (checked out library books don’t count, eBooks & audio books do). Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists."

Here's what I received in the mail last week:

ARCs from Miriam Parker of Hachette books:

Title: The Last Song
Author: Nicholas Sparks

Seventeen year old Veronica "Ronnie" Miller's life was turned upside-down when her parents divorced and her father moved from New York City to Wilmington, North Carolina. Three years later, she remains angry and alientated from her parents, especially her father...until her mother decides it would be in everyone's best interest if she spent the summer in Wilmington with him. Ronnie's father, a former concert pianist and teacher, is living a quiet life in the beach town, immersed in creating a work of art that will become the centerpiece of a local church.

The tale that unfolds is an unforgettable story of love on many levels—first love, love between parents and children — that demonstrates, as only a Nicholas Sparks novel can, the many ways that love can break our hearts...and heal them. (From Barnes & Noble)

Title: Bo's Cafe
Authors: Bill Thrall, Bruce McNicol and John Lynch

High-powered executive Steven Kerner is living the dream in southern California. But when his bottled pain ignites in anger one night, his wife kicks him out. Then an eccentric mystery man named Andy Monroe befriends Steven and begins unravelling his tightly wound world. Andy leads Steven through a series of frustrating and revealing encounters to repair his life through genuine friendship and the grace and love of a God who has been waiting for him to accept it. A story to challenge and encourage, BO'S CAFE is a model for all who struggle with unresolved problems and a performance-based life. Those who desire a fuller, more authentic way of living will find this journey of healing a restorative exploration of God's unbridled grace. (From Barnes & Noble)

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It's Monday! What are you reading this week? is a weekly event to share what we read last week, what we are currently reading and what books we plan to read this week.

Books read last week:
(reviews to come)

• Killer by Sara Shepard
• Swimsuit by James Patterson
  

Currently reading:

• Last Christmas by Kate Brian
  

Later this week:

• Beautiful Disaster by Kate Brian
• Love You Hate You Miss You by Elizabeth Scott
  

What are you reading this week?

Sunday Salon

Good morning Saloners! I wanted to post early today as I have a busy afternoon planned. This week was a so-so week for reading. I finished Killer by Sara Shepard (look for the review tomorrow) and currently reading Swimsuit by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro. I hope to finish later this evening. I'm still deciding what to read next. I think I have too many books to choose from and they all sound good! Decisions, decisions. . .

Yesterday I spent a several hours catching up on reviews, reading blogs through Google Reader, writing challenges wrap-up posts, etc. I'm always surprised with how quickly I fall behind. I'm starting to block off time in my schedule each week dedicated to blogging. I realized that if I don't set aside time to do it, chances are it won't get done, despite how good my intentions are (which I have to say is just like everything else in my life).

Books I reviewed this week (click the cover for the review):

Books read, with reviews to come:



Everyone have a great week!

Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen

Book Synopsis:
Ruby can take care of herself. She's used to counting on no one and answering to nobody. But all of that changes when her mother vanishes and Ruby is sent to live with her older siser, Cora. Now Ruby's got her own room in a fabulous new house, she's going to private school, and—for the first time—feeling as if she has a future. Plus, there's the adorable and sweet boy next door, Nate. Everything should be perfect. So why is Ruby so wary? And why is Nate keeping her at a distance? Ruby soon comes to realize that sometimes, in order to save yourself, you've got to reach out to someone else.

My review:
Sarah Dessen is a talented author. The more books of hers I read, the more I find myself enjoying her writing style. Lock and Key is another reason why Ms. Dessen is a popular author.

Ruby is a young girl who has to grow up fast. Her dad left the family when she was young and now it's just Ruby and her mother. When her mother abandons Ruby, she didn't think anything was wrong. Her mother is known for leaving for days at a time and returns as though she never left. But her latest absence is different. Ruby is discovered living alone and is sent to live with her sister Cora and brother-in-law Jamie.

Lock and Key is about the influence relationships have on us. Ruby's dysfunctional relationship with her mother caused her to have an inability to accept others' help. She's very self-sufficient and questions others' motives for wanting to assist her. When she first moves in with her estranged sister, Ruby immediately plans her exit. She's guarded with Cora and Jamie believes she will never fit into their world.

As she begins her new school, she meets Olivia and Nate. Olivia is also a former student at her previous school, although the two never talked while there, and appears to be aloof. As the story unfolds, Olivia and Ruby form a friendship and realize they have a lot in common.

I enjoyed reading Ruby's friendship with Nate. Although I immediately guessed his secret, it didn't take away from the depth of their relationship. Ruby sees a lot of herself in Nate. When he begs her not to disclose his secret, she struggles with what to do. She's knows what it is like to pretend everything is fine. But for the first time, she realizes that these false pretenses will have severe consequences if the truth is not told upfront.

Through her relationship with Jamie, Ruby discovers herself. He encourages her to move out of her comfort zone which leads to Ruby feeling more confident. Their relationship is the catalyst for her to rebuild her relationship with Cora.

Lock and Key is a good read. I'm looking forward to reading more of Ms. Dessen's novels.

Favorite quotes:

"Cora was behind me, still talking. Through my tears, I could hear her saying it was all going to be okay, and I knew she believed this. But I was sure of something, too: it's a lot easier to be lost than found. It's the reason we're always searching, and rarely discovered—so many locks, not enough keys." (p. 365)

"Behind me, Cora was calling again. My family was waiting. Looking down at the pond, all I could think was that it is an incredible thing, how a whole world can rise from what seems like nothing at all." (p.422)

Book details:
ISBN-13: 978-0-14-241472-9
Pages: 422
Year Published: 2008
Genre: YA Fiction
Date Finished: August 16
Rating: B+

Red Hot Lies by Laura Caldwell

Usually I pride myself on my intuition. I listen to that voice that says, “Something bad is happening…”or maybe “Get out. Now.” But on that Tuesday at the end of October, my psyche must have been protecting the one remaining day I still believed life was orderly and the universe liked me. Because I didn’t hear that voice. I never saw it coming.

They say bad things happen in threes. When her fiancé, Sam, disappears on the same day her mentor and biggest client is killed, hotshot Chicago attorney Izzy McNeil starts counting. But trouble keeps coming. Sam is implicated in the client’s death, her apartment is broken into and it’s not just the authorities who are following her.

Now, to find Sam and uncover her client’s murderer, Izzy will have to push past limits she never imagined. Lucky for her she’s always thrived under pressure, because her world is falling apart. Fast. And the trail of half-truths and lies is red-hot.

My review:
Red Hot Lies is the first book in the Izzy McNeil trilogy. I've read two of her suspense novels, Look Closely and The Rome Affair, and enjoyed them both. When I heard she was writing a new trilogy, I immediately added the titles to my TBR List.

At first glance, life appears to be going well for Izzy McNeil. She's an entertainment lawyer working for one of the richest men in Chicago, Forester Pickett. She's planning her wedding with her successful and gorgeous, fiancé Sam. She's feisty, beautiful and is satisfied with how things are in her life. Until one evening when several bad things happen in a row that cause Izzy's life to spin rapidly out of control.

Izzy is a character that I liked from page one. Ms. Caldwell did an excellent character portrayal of Izzy, that it seemed as though she was a friend. I immediately pictured her in my mind and rooted for her as she scrambled to find the truth behind Sam's disappearance and Forester's murder.

Red Hot Lies is a good, solid mystery. It kept me engrossed until the ending. There's twists and turns and plenty of suspects. Red Hot Lies did not disappoint. The good news is books two and three, Red Blooded Murder and Red, White & Dead, are now available and I'm looking forward to reading what happens next with Izzy.

About the author:
Laura Caldwell is becoming a favorite author of mine. She is a former lawyer now an Adjunct Professor of Law at Loyola University Chicago. She's the author of Look Closely, The Night I Got Lucky and The Good Liar, just to name a few. To see her entire book list, click here.

Book details:
Series: Izzy McNeil #1
ISBN-10: 0778326500
Pages: 439
Year Published: 2009
Genre: Mystery
Date Finished: August 13
Rating: B+

Jinx by Meg Cabot

Book Synopsis:
It's not easy being Jinx.

Jean Honeychurch hates her boring name (not Jean Marie, or Jeanette, just . . . Jean). What's worse? Her all-too-appropriate nickname, Jinx. Misfortune seems to follow her everywhere she goes—even to New York City, where Jinx has moved to get away from the huge mess she caused in her small hometown. Her aunt and uncle welcome her to their Manhattan town house, but her beautiful cousin Tory isn't so thrilled. . . .

In fact, Tory is hiding a dangerous secret—one that could put them all in danger. Soon Jinx realizes it isn't just bad luck she's been running from . . . and that the curse she has lived under since the day she was born may be the only thing that can save her life.

My review:

Jean "Jinx" moves in with her aunt and uncle after an incident back home. Upon arrival, she learns her cousin Tory (now refers to be called Torrance) thinks she is a witch. Tory reminds Jean that their great-great-great-grandmother was also a practicing witch and stated that one of her descendants will also be a witch. Naturally Tory believes it's her, until Jean saves Zach's, Tory's neighbor and crush, life.

Having read most of Ms. Cabot's young adult novels last year, I was looking forward to reading Jinx. Unfortunately, this book didn't grab me as her previous novels did. The mystery behind Jean's move to live with her aunt is obvious as is the reason her family calls her Jinx.

What really stood out to me was how similar the characters are with the characters from The Princess Diaries series. For instance, Jean reminded me of Princess Mia; Zach was a good guy like Michael; Tory was mean like Lana. At one point, I actually started seeing the Princess Diaries characters instead of these main characters. From this, I thought the plot seemed "a bit familiar" and too formula-based.

Jean, the protagonist, came across as boring and naive. I often found myself wanting to shake her and say "Can't you see what's going on here?" It was so frustrating to see Tory repeatedly take advantage of her and for Jean to remain passive so she wouldn't hurt Tory's feelings.

Although Jinx is not a favorite of mine by Ms. Cabot, I still plan to read my way through her young adult collection.

Book details:
ISBN: 978-0-06-083766-2
Pages: 262
Year Published: 2007
Genre: YA Fiction
Date Finished: August 13
Rating: C-

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It's Monday! What are you reading this week? is a weekly event to share what we read last week, what we are currently reading and what books we plan to read this week.

Books read last week (reviews to come):

• Red Hot Lies by Laura Caldwell
• Jinx by Meg Cabot (audio book)
• Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen
  

Currently reading:

• Killer by Sara Shepard
• Audio book TBD
  

What's to come:

• Swimsuit by James Patterson
• TBD
  

As you can see, my "currently reading" and "what's to come" list didn't change from last week's post. I had every intention to start reading Killer by Sara Shepard, however library due dates forced me to change my plans. No harm done as I had a great reading week.

What are you reading this week?

Best Friends Forever by Jennifer Weiner

Book Synopsis:

Some bonds can never be broken. . .

Addie Downs and Valerie Adler will be best friends forever. That's what Addie believes after Valerie moves across the street when they're both nine years old. But in the wake of betrayal during their teenage years, Val is swept into the popular crowd, while mousy, sullen Addie becomes her school's scapegoat.

Flash-forward fifteen years. Valerie Adler has found a measure of fame and fortune working as the weathergirl at the local TV station. Addie Downs lives alone in her parents' house in their small hometown of Pleasant Ridge, Illinois, caring for a troubled brother and trying to meet Prince Charming on the Internet. She's just returned from Bad Date #6 when she opens her door to find her long-gone best friend standing there, a terrified look on her face and blood on the sleeve of her coat. "Something horrible has happened," Val tells Addie, "and you're the only one who can help."

Best Friends Forever is a grand, hilarious, edge-of-your-seat-adventure: a story about betrayal and loyalty, family history and small-town secrets It's about living through tragedy, finding love where you least expect it and the ties that keep best friends together.

My review:

I enjoy reading novels about women’s friendships. When I read the synopsis for Best Friends Forever, prior to its release, I immediately added my name to the wait list at my library. I’ve never read any of Ms. Weiner’s previous novels, and thought this would be a good place to start.

Val and Addie were best friends growing up. One summer day, Val and her mother moved in the house across from Addie and her family. Val immediately introduced herself to Addie and like they say, the rest was history. They remained close throughout high school until an event tore their friendship apart. Years later, and past hurts buried, but not yet forgotten, Val returns to Addie’s door step asking her for help.

The history of their friendship is narrated by Addie. Here’s where the book fell flat for me. I would have preferred to read Val’s back story in Val’s own voice instead of Addie’s perspective. Throughout the novel, Val mentioned her jealousy towards Addie and her sadness about her parents’ divorce which resulted in her mother becoming more of friend and less of a parent. Also, Val was an awkward child growing up. As an adult, she turned into a beautiful, successful woman, while still carrying her childhood insecurities. Because I felt the story was one-sided, I didn’t feel connected to Val and questioned her motive regarding her friendship with Addie. Often times, I questioned their "BFF" status.

I expected more from this book and was somewhat disappointed. The tragic event during high school is predictable as well as the man Addie eventually falls for. Despite feeling letdown, I will read another of Ms. Weiner’s books.

Book details:
ISBN-13: 978-0-7432-9429-4
Pages: 359
Year Published: 2009
Genre: Women's Fiction
Date Finished: August 9
Rating: C+

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It's Monday! What are you reading this week? is a weekly event to share what we read last week, what we are currently reading and what books we plan to read this week.

Books read last week:

• I Can See You by Karen Rose (review)
  
• Best Friends Forever by Jennifer Weiner (to be reviewed)
  

Currently reading:

• Killer by Sara Shepard
• Jinx by Meg Cabot (audio book)
  

What's to come:

• Swimsuit by James Patterson
• Red Hot Lies by Laura Caldwell
  

What are you reading this week?

Sunday Salon

Good morning Saloners! Today's forecast is hot, humid and muggy! Ahhh. . .how I love hearing these words! Yes, I heart this hot, sticky, hazy weather. And tomorrow is supposed to be hotter!

This past week was a slow reading week. I finished I Can See You by Karen Rose Friday (review) and started Best Friends Forever by Jennifer Weiner yesterday. I've read almost half and it's okay so far. I'm also listening to Jinx by Meg Cabot. I'm not so sure about it, though. It's not grabbing me as her previous young adult novels have. And, no it's not because of the narrator; I really enjoy listening to her interpretation of each character. It's just something about this story. We'll see. I want to listen a little more before deciding to abandon it.

After I finish Best Friends Forever, I plan to read Killer by Sara Shepard and Swimsuit by James Patterson. I have eagerly anticipated the release for both books so I can't wait to start reading. Amazon reviewers have rated Swimsuit 2 out of 5 stars, majority being 1 star. Despite this, I'm still looking forward to reading it. Killer, on the other hand, has received 5 out of 5 stars.

For me, book review ratings are similar to movie critics. If I want to read the book, despite having low ratings, I will still read it. Perhaps I may rate it the same, or maybe I won't. As with movies, there have been plenty of movies the critics gave glowing reviews and I stopped watching within the first 20 minutes! We all have different standards for what we consider to be "good" and "bad".

So, what about you? Do you allow the low ratings of a book to diminish your anticipation of reading it? Have you read a book that others rated low and you loved it? What about reading a book with numerous glowing reviews, only to finish reading and you did not like it all?

Have a good week everyone!

I Can See You by Karen Rose

Question: What do you have when you mix a female psychology graduate student attempting to move forward after a tragic event and a police officer who is a recovering alcoholic with a psychotic, deranged, serial killer?

Answer: The makings for a great romantic thriller.

I Can See You is the latest novel by Karen Rose. Eve Wilson was first introduced to readers in Don't Tell. It's several years later and Eve is trying to move forward with her life. As a young girl, she was the victim of horrific crime which left her face scarred and her emotions damaged. She has since had reconstructive surgery, reinvented herself and moved to Minneapolis to start fresh.

By day, Eve is a grad student and by night she's a bartender. She lives alone, has few friends and mainly keeps to herself. Still haunted from her attack, Eve believes it is best that she does not allow too many strangers into her inner circle.

Eve finds herself immersed into her grad coursework and her project. She is studying the relationship between the virtual world and the real world when she stumbles unto her next nightmare: her test subjects turn up dead from what appears to be suicide. The more Eve investigates, the more she realizes that someone has targeted these women. She's determined to find out why.

The police are stumped with "The Red Dress Killer". He/She leaves no clues and at first glance, these murders appear to be suicides. It's when Eve comes forth and informs the police what she knows, the police realize they have a sick, twisted murderer on their hands.

I Can See You is romantic suspense at its best. The murderer is so deranged and determined to kill his/her victims, that at times I found myself squirming while reading. The killer first sedates the victims and then tortures them with their worst fears. The killer is also very calculating, always trying to "one-up" the police.

For Eve and Noah, the reader wants to see a happy ending for both. Both are scarred and live in isolation caused by their respective tragedies. Both feel the attraction, but fight hard against it. I liked that Ms. Rose took time for Noah and Eve to develop their feelings for each other. Both were afraid, however they were able to work through their fears in their own time.

I want to mention I did not read Don't Tell prior to reading I Can See You. I thought Ms. Rose provided enough of Eve's history for me to follow the story. I wouldn't mind going back to read Don't Tell. I really liked Eve's character and to read her back story will only add to knowing how hard she fought to regain her life.

I would like to see Eve and Noah return in a future novel. I'm curious to know more about their relationship and how it will progress. In addition, there are several secondary characters I wouldn't mind having a "where are they now?" update.

I highly recommend I Can See You. I want to thank Miriam Parker, Hachette Book Group USA, for the opportunity to review this book.

Book details:
ISBN-13: 978-0-446-53834-3
Pages: 480
Year Published: 2009
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Date Finished: August 7
Rating: A

Friday Finds

Jenn of Should Be Reading asks:

What great books did you hear about / discover this week? Share with us your FRIDAY FINDS!

Here's what I discovered while browsing at Borders:

• Speed Shrinking by Susan Shapiro
  

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Title: Fear the Worst
Author: Linwood Barclay
Publication Date: August 11

Your daughter doesn’t come home one night from her summer job.
You go there looking for her. No one’s seen here. But it’s worse than that.
No one’s ever seen her. So where has she been going every day? And where is she now?

In Linwood Barclay’s riveting new thriller, an ordinary man’s desperate search for his daughter leads him into a dark world of corruption, exploitation, and murder. Tim Blake is about to learn that the people you think you know best are the ones harboring the biggest secrets.

Tim is an average guy. He sells cars. He has an ex-wife. She’s moved in with a man whose moody son spends more time online than he should. His girlfriend is turning out to be a bit of a flake. It’s not a life without hassles, but nothing will prepare Tim for the nightmare that’s about to begin.

Sydney vanishes into thin air. At the hotel where she supposedly worked, no one has ever heard of her. Even her closest friends seem to be at a loss. Now, as the days pass without word, Tim must face the fact that not only is Sydney missing, but that the daughter he’s loved and thought he knew is a virtual stranger.

As he retraces Sydney’s steps, Tim discovers that the suburban Connecticut town he always thought of as idyllic is anything but. What he doesn’t know is that his every move is being watched. There are others who want to find Syd as much as Tim does.

But they’re not planning a Welcome Home party.

The closer Tim comes to the truth, the closer he comes to every parent’s worst nightmare—and the kind of evil only a parent’s love has achance in hell of stopping
(From Barnes and Noble)

Cover Attraction

Each Wednesday, Marcia from The Printed Page, hosts Cover Attraction. She writes:

"I’m a very visual person and love beautiful cover art. It doesn’t necessarily mean I’ll read the book but at least I might stop and take a peek instead of walking right on by."

I am a visual person as well and have often read books simply because I liked the cover. My cover attraction for this week:


Title: Best Friends Forever
Author: Jennifer Weiner

My Cover Attraction for this week is my "up next" read. I like the contrast of the two women. One appears confident, head high looking to where she's going. The other appears to be distracted with her dress, not caring so much what's ahead. I wonder how this (if at all) ties into the story.

Tuesday Teasers

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Jenn of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
  
• Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
  
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure what you share does not give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
  
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
  

My teasers:

"Noah's heart had not stopped pounding. First he'd feared for her safety, then she'd rocked him with a kiss she'd called 'damage control'."

~p. 174, I Can See You by Karen Rose~

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It's Monday! What are you reading this week? is a weekly event to share what we read last week, what we are currently reading and what books we plan to read this week.

Books read last week:

• LoveHampton by Sherri Rifkin
• Just Listen by Sarah Dessen
• City Dog by Alison Pace
  

Currently reading:

• I Can See You by Karen Rose
  
• 6 Rainier Drive by Debbie Macomber
  

What's to come:

• Best Friends Forever by Jennifer Weiner
• Swimsuit by James Patterson
• Killer by Sara Shepard
  

What are you reading this week?

Musing Mondays

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is a library habits meme. . .

1) If you don't frequent your local library, why not? N/A

2) If you do visit the library, how often do you go? Recently, I cut back my visits. I now go once or twice a week.

3) Do you have a favorite section that you always head to first, or do you just randomly peruse the shelves? The first place I go to is the holds section. Patrons are able to pick up their holds without waiting at the circulation desk. Next I head to the new releases for fiction and mystery books. I might also stop and browse the new audio books, but I don't make it a habit to do so. Then I browse the HotPick section to see what's there. These sections are right near each other, so it's pretty convenient for me to browse them first. Finally I head to the fiction, mystery and young adults sections.

4) How many books are you allowed to check out at one time? Do you take advantage of this? 50. Just once I allowed myself to reach the limit. I soon returned them all. Seeing all those books on my floor and in my account overwhelmed me. I try to limit myself to 10, however it's been close to 15 lately.

5) How long are you allowed to have the books checked out? Three weeks for regular books and two weeks for HotPick books.

6) How many times are you allowed to renew your check-outs, if at all? Regular books can be renewed 2x as long as there is not a hold on a book. HotPick books cannot be renewed. They are new releases that are available without being on a wait list. The checkout time is shorten and they aren't available for renewal.

7) What do you love best about your particular library? The location. It's close to my work so I can go during my lunch hour. This branch is where I pick up my available holds and only go Monday-Friday. The library I visit on Saturdays is closer to my house and it's bigger and newer than the other one. I like this one because it's more modern and the book selection is better.

8) What is one thing you wish your library did differently? My Saturday library is fine as is. My weekday library needs work in the librarian help department. The librarians there just aren't willing to help you search for a book. It's so frustrating to see them sit there and they will not get up from behind the desk.

9) Do you request your books via an online catalogue, or through the librarian at your branch? I request books online. Whenever I read a great review for a book, I immediately search my library's catalog to see if they own it. The great thing about putting books on hold is that I can suspend the dates. So if I have too many books out, I can suspend my hold on a particular book for a week, month, or however long I want. Then when I'm ready to read it, I can cancel the suspension and still keep my place on the wait list. I've started to use this feature more and more recently.

10) Have you ever chosen a book on impulse (from the online catalogue OR the shelves) and had it turn out to be totally amazing? If so, what book was it? The Opposite of Love by Julie Buxbaum. I discovered this while browsing the new releases and decided to check it out. It was a fantastic read, one of my favorite reads in 2008. Why did you love it? The plot and characters were real. I could relate to the main character regretting the decision she made and trying to correct her mistake.

Sunday Salon

Good morning Saloners. This is an early post for me as I have a busy day ahead. Last week was a productive reading week for me. I participated in an online book club discussion, I managed to finish a challenge I didn't expect to finish and wrote reviews for books read this week. July was also a good reading month. I managed to read more than I thought I would.

Currently, I'm reading I Can See You by Karen Rose, an ARC received from Miriam Parker. I was thrilled to receive this copy as I've read several books from this author and loved them all. So far, I'm enjoying this book as well. Look for my review later this week.

The last two weeks, I received e-mail notifications that my library holds were available for pick up. My library has a week grace period before the hold expires, so I've taken advantage of this and only have checked out one or two books at a time. Most of my holds are new releases so I know I won't be able to renew them. I decided to challenge myself to read all books by their due dates and not return any unread. We'll see how I do.

City Dog by Alison Pace

After her divorce, Amy Dodge thought she'd finally write the next Great American Novel. Instead she's now the author of a bestselling children's book series, Run, Carlie, Run! starring her adorable and spirited West Highland White Terrier, Carlie, and a dashing (but fictional) Scottish explorer, Robert Maguire. When Carlie is offered a starring role in her own television show about activities for urban canines, and Robert Maguire begins to take on a life of his own, Amy's world takes a turn toward the surreal.

As Amy finds herself getting cropped out of Carlie's many photo opportunities and unable to get the image of Robert Maguire out of he head, the city she once loved begins to lose it's appeal. But just when Amy starts to think that it's a dog's life after all, she figures out a way to make everything change. And while life in New York isn't always a walk in the park, it might just take Amy and Carlie exactly where they need to be. . .

My review:

Ok, I'll admit it. My initial attraction to this book was its cover. (Seriously, how cute is that dog??) I had seen this book several times while browsing at the book store and just decided to go ahead and buy it.

The story is mainly told by Amy, however Carlie and Robert Maguire appear as needed to share their insights about Amy's life. As much as I enjoyed reading Carlie's perspective, I didn't feel connected to Amy. I felt something was lacking about her character. I did, however, admire her devotion and concern for Carlie.

Overall, I thought it was an okay read. I just expected more from this book. I thought it would be a cute, fun read about a girl living in NYC wanting to make it big, but instead has to live vicariously through her dog. Having the book told by the three different voices was tolerable, however I think I would have enjoyed the book more if it were only Amy and Carlie. Robert Maguire's voice ruined the flow of the story for me.

I did like the ending and thought Amy would see her dreams come true in time. Although this book did not keep my interest, I still think other readers will enjoy it.

Book details:
ISBN-13: 978-0-425-22143-3
Pages: 288
Year Published: 2008
Genre: Chick Lit
Date Finished: July 31
Rating: C+