Review: A Million Miles Away

We always hurt the ones we love the most

Kelsey never meant to hurt Peter. When her identical twin sister, Michelle, passed away in a car crash, Kelsey was resolved to tell the "widowed" boyfriend the truth. But when she saw him through Skype, facing the war in Afghanistan, she couldn't. Why cause him more anguish? He seemed so happy to see Michelle's face. 

To be honest, the beginning captures the interest at once. The loss hit the family to the core; Kelsey finding a way to distract herself from the issue by corresponding with Peter, while her parents formed a grieving club in their living room. But then Kelsey goes too far (could she go any lower than impersonating a death person) by lying to Peter's family and friends, cheating on her own boyfriend and worse lying during intimacy. 

On top of all these crazy shenanigans brought on by her grief, Kelsey refuses to be a mirroring effect around Peter and actually becomes Michelle. She subscribes to Michelle's art classes and memorizes a heap of information on many painters just to sound like her dead sister. Even considering all her mannerism. When Peter plays her a song:

"Kelsey thought of Michelle, and remembered to clap."

All in all a good plot. Too bad the main character lacked depth.

Review: Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between

Love meets circumstances

Clare and Aidan are the perfect high school couple. They share numerous pleasant memories and most importantly they "dove" each-other (John Green would be pleased that more teens are giving the word love a personal touch). But now, Clare wants to break up. Tonight! It's logical that separate colleges will cause them to drift into a long distance relationship, and it's far better, to break up in good terms than later on when they are miles apart. But can these two say goodbye without resenting the other?

It's impossible not to feel a pang of sorrow when reading this book. They are not ending their relationship because someone cheated, or simply stopped caring. Aidan knew from the start what college to apply, and Clare had no choice due to some rejection letters. Sometimes you need to let someone go for your own good and theirs. 

However, despite their good reasoning, Aidan took out his anger with his best friend Scotty and Clare was far too self absorbed, that even her friend Stella had to mention it (in case we hadn't noticed)

"You've been asking me why I'm too busy for you. Why I haven't been there for you. You haven't once asked me where I've been."

All in all, a realistic situation but with characters too into themselves to relate.

Review: Final Orders

Can Anton be stopped once and for all

In this final installment of the series, Anton must face his rivals, as they attempt to stop his dictatorship. To know how to get rid of him, we must face his past and so Anton's education (including a glimpse of his mother) is demonstrated. Why is he so possessive and abusive towards woman? Seeing them as sexual objects more than humans? Who will end his tyranny?

It seemed cruel at times to see how bittersweet the characters got when meeting dead ones in other dimensions. But through it all, Helenowski passed on the message to let go of those "what could have been" questions of our past that haunt us and concentrate on the present.

Caught my arrow #46

Caught my Arrow is a meme similar to Stalking the Shelves featuring books that were purchased, borrowed or received that week.

Got a variety of genres to entertain me for this week. The weather is amazing this weekend in Montreal, and I will certainly be enjoying reading these outdoors.

Received from Publisher

Une photo publiée par natalia (@natyuniverse) le 15 Sept. 2015 à 5h38 PDT

Hello, Goodbye and Everything in Between by Jennifer E. Smith

Borrowed from Library

The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead
Vanishing Girls by Lauren Oliver
Landline by Rainbow Rowell

Received from Author

Black Ice by Stephen Tesher

What are you reading this week?

Review: Jesse's Girl

Could you resist one of 50's Most Beautiful People?

Maya didn't think she'd fall for Country Superstar Jesse Scott when these two are paired up during a career spotting activity for high school class. But with Maya's musical talent put on display, Jesse lets down his guard and shows her an entire different side of himself. Vulnerable, caring, family oriented... Jesse is amazing. Regardless of the fact she's falling hard for him, can Maya risk her heart?

Catching Jordan's writer returns with yet another romantic story worth swooning for. The dialogue sounds genuine, the sex advice is worth noting, and best of all, the climax is not love triangle based. The book also includes LGBT themes. 

A great uplifting romance, free of tears.