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 Patrick is dealing with his own loss which left him withdrawn and aloof.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-

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

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+

LoveHampton by Sherri Rifkin

Book Synopsis:

After a recent breakup sent her into a self-imposed "personal hiatus," thirty-something New York TV-promo producer Tori Miller is determined to get a life. The fastest way? A Hamptons summer share house. She ditches her old look—thanks to a last-minute makeover on a reality show pilot—and over the next three months, the new-and-improved "Miller" becomes the wing woman to a glamorous new BFF, goes head-to-head with her house's prickly Resident Alpha Female, and is drawn into a web of secrets by a charming Brit. But soon she finds herself entangled in one too many complicated romantic situations—and the many Hamptons Unwritten Rules threaten to implode her new, carefully cultivated social standing. Now the fabulous life Tori has might not be the one she wants, and she muse decide who she really is what she wants, and what she's willing to give up to get there. . .all by Labor Day.

My review:

Tori (aka "Miller" to her Hampton housemates) is waking up after a two-year depression caused by the breakup with her boyfriend. With the help of her best friends, Tori is made over, has started her own business, and thrown into a house share with strangers in the Hamptons. As the summer progresses, Tori comes out of her shell and begins dating, she can't help but wonder if "this new Tori" is the woman she truly wants to be.

LoveHampton is a perfect way to spend a lazy summer afternoon. Readers immediately connect to Tori as she struggles to move forward with her life. Yes, at times, she doesn't make the best decisions, however when she falls, she's able to pick herself back up. Readers will cheer her on as she tries to navigate her way through life and continue to "drive her bus" despite where the road may lead her.

Although, her love choice is obvious, Tori cannot see it until it's almost too late. I didn't understand why she was with George (he didn't appear to be what she wanted in a boyfriend) and at times I was frustrated with how he treated her and that she allowed him to do so.

The secondary characters added depth to the storyline. There's Alice, Tori's married best friend, who only wants the best for her; Jimmy and Jerry, her employees and relationship advisors; Cassie, one of her housemates, who just may not be as perfect as she appears; Leah, the control-freak and the one Tori needs to watch out for; and finally Andrew, Michael and Jackson, the three male roommates.

All in all, I enjoyed reading LoveHampton. My only regret? It has been sitting on my bookshelf for over a year. I wish I had read it sooner.

Recommended for: readers who enjoy reading a story about a woman moving forward after a terrible breakup.

Book details:
ISBN-13: 978-0-312-38021-2
Pages: 310
Year Published: 2008
Genre: Chick Lit
Date Finished: July 27
Rating: A-

Legacy by Kate Brian

Title: Legacy
Author: Kate Brian
Series: Private #6
ISBN-10: 1416950427
Pages: 243
Year Published: 2008
Genre: YA Fiction
Date Finished: June 2

First sentences: Death. It wasn't supposed to happen this way.

Caution: This review contains spoilers!

Reed and the rest of the Billings Girls are back in Legacy, book six of the Private Series. They are mourning the loss of Cheyenne and trying to get answers to their questions surrounding her suicide. This is the second death on the Easton campus and the question is how can tragedy strike the sheltered and the elite?

Cheyenne was president of Billings House prior to her death. Now that the presidency is vacant, only one Billings Girl seems appropriate to replace her: Reed. The same day Reed accepts the nomination, a surprise awaits her. Noelle is back at Easton Academy.

Meanwhile, Halloween approaches and it's time for the Legacy. There's just one problem: the Easton students have been blackballed. And no one knows why. Now that Reed is president, it's up to her to get everyone invites. As much as she enjoys being president of Billings House, Reed also learns it comes with a price.

Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott

Title: Living Dead Girl
Author: Elizabeth Scott
ISBN-10: 1416960597
Pages: 170
Year Published: 2008
Genre: YA Fiction
Date Finished: May 12

From the dust jacket: Once upon a time, I was a little girl who disappeared.

Once upon a time, my name was not Alice.

Once upon a time, I didn't know how lucky I was.

When Alice was ten, Ray took her away from her family, her friends-her life. She learned to give up all power, to endure all pain. She waited for the nightmare to be over.

Now Alice is fifteen and Ray still has her, but he speaks more and more of her death. He does not know it is what she longs for. She does not know he has something more terrifying than death in mind for her.

This is Alice's story. It is one you have never heard, and one you will never, ever forget.

First sentence: This is how things look: Shady Pines Apartments, four shabby buildings tucked off the road near the highway.

To me, Living Dead Girl is both compelling, yet disturbing. I found myself wanting to put it down, but at the same time wanting to know how things would end for Alice. It's a short book and one that could be read in a few hours. I decided to read it over a span of two days because at times I just had to step away from her story.

Ms. Scott wrote a story that allows the reader to delve into Alice's mind and feel the pain and anguish she has to endure by Ray. Each time she met someone new, I hoped this would lead her to freedom. That somehow, someway she would be able communicate to the person what is happening to her.

Living Dead Girl is the second book I read by Ms. Scott. I enjoy her writing style and look forward to reading more of her books.

Life Without Summer by Lynne Griffin

Title: Life Without Summer
Author: Lynne Griffin
ISBN-13: 978-0312383886
Pages: 310
Year Published: 2009
Genre: Fiction
Date Finished: May 3

From the dust jacket: Tessa Gray's life changes forever when she loses her four-year-old daughter, Abby, in a hit-and-run accident outside her preschool. Once a vivacious, joyful mother and wife, Tessa now spends her days holed up in Abby's room, sleeping in her bed, clutching Abby's Tootsie Rabbit stuffed animal—anything to keep her memories close. As Tessa grapples with a terrible grief, made worse by the police’s insistence that the case is unsolvable, she finds solace in Celia Reed, the therapist her husband has pushed her to see, and in the journal she’s keeping, where she compulsively counts the “days without Abby” and maps out her plan for catching the driver who tore her family apart.

As Celia struggles to keep Tessa from getting caught up in a bleak crusade for answers, she finds that their sessions open the door to emotions that she’s spent years ignoring, forcing her to face the rising tensions in her life—her troubled teenage son, her alcoholic ex-husband, and her fragile new marriage. Celia begins to realize that she must come to terms with the tragic mistakes of her past and the choices that have led her family to their own brink of destruction.

A haunting portrait of two women whose lives converge unexpectedly when the answers one needs turn out to be the other’s only chance for peace, Life Without Summer illuminates connections between love, marriage, truth, and forgiveness no reader will forget.

First sentence: There's a thud as her little body collides with the steel fender.

Life Without Summer is the debut novel written by Lynne Griffin. Tessa is a young woman whose life stops when her daughter is killed by a hit and run driver. Tessa isolates in Abby's room, sleeps in her bed and slowly unravels as she tries to comprehend a life without her only child.

Celia is Tessa's therapist. While working with Tessa, Celia realizes her new marriage may not be as stable as she thinks and learns her son is battling his own problems. Meanwhile, her alcoholic ex-husband is still present in her life and her feelings towards him further complicates things.

Life Without Summer is written in journal entries. The narration alternates between Tessa and Celia. The reader is privy to each woman's struggle and pain as she tries to heal and move forward. I highly recommend this book.