What Danielle Did Next

Read more reviews at What Danielle Did NextI’m a total fan-girl when it comes to the Twenties! Beaded flapper girl dresses? In my closet! Boardwalk Empire DVDs? Beside the TV! Louise Brooks autobiography? On my night-stand! I cannot get enough of this era so I was utterly thrilled when I spotted Speak Easy and knew I had to review!Tiny O’Mara works for her father as part of his Whiskey bootlegging operation. When he’s kidnapped by Italian gangsters - The DiFiore’s, her world is turned upside down. Racing against time to come up with the ransom money, Tiny is caught between her fears for her father and her attraction to Enzo, the son of her father’s kidnappers. Throw her childhood friend turned handsome devil Joey into the mix and Tiny’s got herself one helluva conundrum!I really enjoyed this book, it was an easy read with tons of action, romance, sex, violence and gorgeous fashion. From the first page I felt like I was right there, walking down the streets with Tiny and hearing the jazz music in the illegal clubs. I found the tone and language to be spot on and the descriptions of life and culture in the Twenties were realistic.The plot was entertaining, I adored the scenes with all the mobsters, in the clubs, transporting the boxes of whiskey in hidden compartments of hearses and the tension and pacing was balanced.I liked Tiny’s character for the most part. I found her to be sympathetic and really felt for the position she was in. A young girl who wants to live her own life but has to raise her two younger sisters while cleaning up her father’s messes and constantly worrying about his gambling habits and the risks it brought to their lives.The Male MC’s Enzo and Joey were interesting but I wasn’t particularly a fan of either at first. The chemistry between Tiny and each man respectively was scorching but if I had to choose teams I would probably be a fan of Joey’s. Enzo was a bit too harsh in his treatment of Tiny and used sex as a weapon in my opinion and considering his other loyalties I could never truly trust him. Joey at first seemed a bit more brawns than brains but I grew to like him as the book went on particularly how he seemed to care deeply for Tiny and her family and put his own personal safety and situations at more risk than Enzo did.My one gripe with the book was the sex. I’m all for sexy times and while the scenes themselves were great, hot and steamy, I found their use to be jarring at times. There were scenes when Tiny should have been attending to the dangers her family faced but instead was risking everything for an orgasm and it just didn’t sit right. While I was particularly pleased that she wasn’t painted as a naive ingénue who was clueless about her own pleasure (yay for authors who acknowledge female masturbation is real!) her journey from virgin to skilled sex kitten in two days was slightly unrealistic.Despite that one issue which I hope I can be forgiven for, I did enjoy Tiny’s story and look forward to finding out what happens next!Speak Easy is not your usual sedate historical fiction but instead was a fun frolic back to a world of illicit pleasure, entertainment, danger and love that kept me hooked from start to finish. Definitely give this one a try!

Read more reviews at What Danielle Did Next 3.5 starsSo I’m still pretty new to New Adult fiction and my reactions to it have been varied to say the least (to be honest I think I need to take a break from it because I get the feeling I irritate people at times with my thoughts on the genre/category…)Beautiful Disaster is out there on its own, it’s really the first book people think of when NA comes to mind and it comes with a whole trunk full of controversy. I’ve seen this book on so many “Will-Not-Read-Due-To ” shelves on Goodreads and I’ve read the rants and raves and to be honest was pretty intimidated starting this book. It’s fiction but for some reason this book has become the poster child for dysfunction and liking it means liking dysfunction.I enjoyed this book. I didn’t expect to, NO-ONE expected me to but I liked it.If you don’t know the story…Abby Abbernathy (that name kinda irritates me) is a “good girl” (she wears pink cardigans and pearls so that means she’s a good girl apparently…wait I wear pink cardigans and pearls and I AM a good girl…okay McGuire well played with that one!) Anyway Abby is at an underground fight night (us good girls know how to party it on up!) and attracts the attention of *cue D-12 Fight Music* Travis “Mad-Dog” Maddox. Do you smell smoke? That’s your loins on fi-yah! So Abby and Travis become “friends” even though Abby has no clue why he likes her! Don’t you hate those pretty girls who are all “Gosh! You want to take lil ol’ me onto the porch for some lemonade?” Anyway it’s total scandal in…umm Western? Northern? whatever the university is called because Travis is a “fu*k and run” type of guy and no girl’s cooch is worth a second go round.Except…yup you guessed it Abby Abbernathy and her magic lady-garden is enough to make Travis give up the meaningless sex and become a “good man” and they lived happily ever after and are hereby deemed TRABBY…apart from the drinking, the fights and the most ridiculous sub-plot involving card sharks (is it sharks or sharps??) and the mafia. That re-cap might contain scenes created for entertainment purposes.So…you’re probably wondering about the part where I said I liked it. I’m trying to remember…right! Travis! No I don’t want to be “Mrs Maddox” and I’m going spoil something here but I really don’t care but Abby gets a tattoo saying just that and oh my god, ya wanna lose weight? Just think about that every day and your appetite will disappear faster than Travis’s lady-friends’ panties!Anyway, Travis was the highlight for me. He was hilarious, I know he was supposed to be the hottest, most dangerous, bad boy on the planet but for me he cracked me up. There’s one exchange where Abby says he has no standards and he says very seriously “First of all…I have standards! I’ve never been with an ugly woman. Ever”Be still my heart…I’m just going to take a minute and swoooooooon! Seriously though, Travis knows he’s a douche, he owns it and yes he treats women like disposable (can’t think of a word!) oh wait…condoms! But when you go home with a guy and he bends you over the couch rather than take you to the bedroom you have to know what you’re getting yourself into. I mean surely the fact that he says “I bag them on the couch” is transparent enough. He’s smart too (academically at least) which was a nice departure from the stereotype.Abby’s relationship with Travis at times is the holy mother of dysfunction but overall there were a lot of sweet moments and Travis did treat her with respect and love.His willingness to use his fists is another story and one that has been re-hashed by many so I’m just going to say I do not approve. The morning after TRABBY sleep together has been dissected at length, people have freaked out over the fact that he trashed his apartment when he realised Abby had left. Not the nicest behaviour but if you’re going to hit something I’d prefer a TV to be the victim than someone’s face.Travis making Abby change clothes for a fight so he’s not distracted was another not so fun moment for me but Abby changed her clothes rather than nut punch him which irritates me more.The thing that interested me most about this book is all the drama, all the incidents that have proved controversial happen BEFORE TRABBY become a couple. There’s this consensus that Travis’s behaviour is appalling because he shouldn’t do those things because it hurts Abby. Newsflash, if you’re not together, you have no loyalty to that person romantically. Friends yes but they aren’t a couple when any of the drama occurs so why the panty twisting? I also didn’t get how invested Shepley and America (oh yeah there are other characters in the book) were invested in their (non) relationship to the point where they split up over the TRABBY drama.When they finally do get together, the sea calms and the boat stops rocking and their relationship is actually functional. Then comes the sub-plot in Vegas which was just ridiculous. It turns out Abby and me aren’t truly sisters in the Good Girl Sorority and she’s got this shady past and an idiot father and I skimmed a LOT.The last third of the book was my favourite, McGuire really knows how to inject emotion and the scenes at the Maddox house at Thanksgiving were really touching and tugged at the heartstrings. I really felt it was here that I connected with Travis and Abby as a couple and truly rooted for them. From then on the emotion heightens until the climax that really made me smile and possibly experience some feels and honestly made me truly enjoy this book! Apart from that tattoo…

For more reviews check out What Danielle Did NextEver want to kick yourself for waiting so long to read a book? Yes? Great! ME TOO!Pivot Point...where do I even begin?Okay - so I'm a firm believer in that we make our own destiny with just a little sprinkle of fate to help us on the way. That Movie - "Sliding Doors"? I adore how we get to see how life can turn out if we take the other path. Being able to do it though? I think I'd probably be all talk and no action because that's a lot of terrifying power.Addie can see the road less travelled, She's a Searcher and has the ability to look ahead and decide based on what she sees how her life can turn out. When her parents announce they are getting a divorce Addie is devastated and persuaded by her best friend Laila to do a Search and see which parent to live with would be the better choice. Addie knows it's a risk to look ahead, what she doesn't realise is just how big a risk it truly is.I read the blurb twice before I started Pivot Point and I still didn't really know what I was getting into with this book. In a way it almost reminded me of Harry Potter, with the Para's living out secret lives in plain sight of the Norm's. Needless to say I was delighted to get a fresh, entertaining and above all riveting story with awesome characters! The Paranormal community consists of people with abilities as wide ranging as Telekinesis, Mood Control, Mind Erasing and Addie's rare talent to Search. They mostly live on The Compound away from the Norm community, interacting with them under heavy instruction to never let outsiders know the truth about who they really are. I loved how "normal" West made the Para community, I never felt like I had to suspend disbelief or roll my eyes at an implausible storyline which happens quite often in Paranormal/Contemporary mix novels. Each alternating chapter focuses on the path Addie would take if she moved in with her Mother or her Father. Her mom chooses to stay in the Para community on the compound so we got to know how this secret world operates, the attitudes the people hold towards the outside world and the lengths they go to manipulate their successes when using their talents in their everyday interactions with the Norm world. Addie's dad takes a job with the FBI to assist in cases pertaining to the Para community and we see how Addie must adjust to life on the outside, dealing with less advanced technology and ways of thinking. Both story-lines were equally compelling and my heart was pounding at times as they crossed over and we saw how a simple decision could have world-rocking consequences. I made my decision pretty early which path I hoped Addie would choose and who I personally would trust and *pats self on the back* I was right although it was amazing to read how Addie came to make her choices. Addie was a wonderful MC, she was independent, confident, snarky, kind, just all-round kick ass nice girl and in both story-lines she was equally captivating as our heroine. I never stopped rooting for her from day one. I loved her relationships with her parents, I found them realistic and full of love which was a pleasant surprise considering the trend of the disappearing parents in YA these days. While Addie remained steady and constant in both scenarios it was interesting to see how her choices affected the people around her. Her best friend Laila irritated the heck out of me in the "Para Path" however I adored her in the "Norm Path". It was also equally interesting to see how certain people - no matter what path you meet them on are the same, their true colours may not always be so transparent but eventually they will be revealed. There is of course the romance! While there are two guys there isn't a love triangle thankfully. Duke is the star football player, charismatic, handsome, it takes Addie a while to really take his attentions seriously but when she does she falls hard and fast. Trevor, cute, quiet, kind, he becomes the pillar for Addie to lean on as she adjusts to life with the Norms. I genuinely liked both guys at the start but I quickly made my choice and again *self high five* I was right! If you've read it let me know which guy stole your heart, I'm intrigued to see if we have the same taste! The story builds pace steadily until it gallops towards the finish with blistering speed and I couldn't put the book down until I found out which path Addie ultimately chose and the consequences of her decision. It's very rare that I come across a book that I can't fault on any aspect, technically or otherwise but Pivot Point is that book. The world-building was captivating, the characters well-drawn, realistic and consistent and the story - heart pounding, interesting and utterly thrilling. The ending was wholly satisfying to be considered a stand-alone but still leaves many avenues open for a sequel. With Split Second due out in February I await with bated breath to see just what paths lay before Addie and which she will choose!

Read more reviews at What Danielle Did NextI was equal parts excited and apprehensive when settling down to read THE TESTING. I do love a good dystopian but have found pickings to be decidedly lacking lately. The comparisons to THE HUNGER GAMES made me wary but nonetheless I was enthusiastic to see what approach Joelle Charbonneau would take and I wasn’t disappointed. From the beginning I was immediately drawn into Cia’s world and hooked on the compelling story.Cia is sixteen and graduating high school. She lives in a colony with her parents and brothers that is leading the research in agriculture for the United Commonwealth, a collection of cities and towns made up of the former United States after the Seven Stages War. Cia is eager to escape her potential future growing different strains of potato and vegetables and hopes along with her classmates to be selected for The Testing. The lucky students will get to advance their education and become the future leaders of their country. Is The Testing and The University the pathway to a gilded future or is it the beginning of a nightmare?Let’s address the obvious first. There is many similarities to The Hunger Games in terms of world building and the set-up of The Testing but it’s fair to say the same can be said for any dystopian these days with a female lead and a broken world. I do think it’s unfair to dismiss The Testing because of this, after all THG bears a lot of similarities with Battle Royale…every idea is a new version of an old one so I’m glad I didn’t let this get in the way of my enjoyment.I really like Cia. She’s kind, intelligent, compassionate and brave. Always looking out for her friends and fellow students even when they didn’t always return the favour. Her relationship with her parents was interesting and I enjoyed the development, particularly after revelations shared by her father about his own experience with The Testing and her family’s fears for their beloved only girl. When Cia is selected along with her childhood friend Tomas and sent to the Testing centre we get glimpses of the more insidious darker side to the process of selecting the next best and brightest.The theme of Trust No One is prevalent from the moment Cia enters the centre and it was truly disturbing to watch the lengths some of the students went to in order to eliminate the competition. There were several Oh My GOD moments particularly during the first phase of testing when the brutality and stone cold attitudes of the Testing committee was revealed and the pressures of winning and more importantly failing became too much. It did strike me as a little strange that in a war-torn society the government would want to see some of its brightest students injured, mutilated and even killed off so I’m hoping that some light is shed on that reasoning later in the series.I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Cia and Tomas. Happily Cia wasn’t the type of girl to automatically fall for a boy and dismiss her own feelings and thoughts in favour of his. Their friendship slowly deepened in intensity turning to a sweet romance gradually as Tomas and Cia fight for survival from the testers, fellow students and those they believed were friends.The second phase of the Testing takes place in the barren wasteland outside the society and while compelling it was standard dystopian fare, mysterious people hiding in the shadows, mutated animals, booby traps but the pace and action was kept intense and I was captivated throughout.As the book races to a stunning climax we see just how power and ambition can corrupt. It’s clear from the last third that answers we’re longing for won’t be offered in this book but the last few chapters make sure that you not only don’t mind that there’s a book two, you’re aching to see what happens next.The Testing is heart-pounding, captivating fare with a kick ass heroine you can’t help but root for! Roll on Independent Study!

Skimmed, it was bad, bad, bad, bad

Read more reviews at What Danielle Did Next Gayle Forman has been on my TBR list for a loooong time so I jumped at the chance at participating in a readalong of her books. I had zero expecations going into Sisters in Sanity but I was pleasantly surpised at how readable and compelling this book was and am a firm Forman fan for life!Sisters In Sanity is the story of Brit, a teenage girl, plays in a band, dyes her hair, isn't her stepmother's biggest fan- typical teenager. So when her dad tells her they're going on a family trip to the Grand Canyon and dumps her at Red Rock, a rehabilitation centre for troubled teens Brit's world is turned upside down.This book infuriated me. Not because it was bad, it was an excellent book but the subject matter and behaviour of the characters was horrifying at times particularly because you know that girls like Brit are being forced into similar situations every day. Brit is diagnosed with Opposition Defiant Disorder otherwise known as being a normal teen in my humble opinion. She is forced into humiliating situations, coerced into participating in confrontational therapy which involves tearing a person's character apart until they crumble and denied any contact with the outside world. It's clear from the word go that Red Rock is a messed up excuse for a therapy centre run by cowboys.Brit comes together with a group of girls who become a vital and stable support system that gets them through the craziness. Each girl has a distinct personality and brings a different facet to the group calling themselves - Sisters In Sanity - they resolve to survive and take down Red Rock.This is a very character driven book and Forman really does an excellent job of shaping each character into a real, fleshed out person. I don't think I've ever had such visceral reactions to fictional people before. Particularly Brit's dad who has to be one of the most infuriating and spineless characters I've ever come across. Throughout the book we get glimpses of Brit's past, her mom who is bi-polar and her descent into "madness" as she refuses to take her meds and ends up leaving her family. I do understand the fear Brit's dad has about his daughter and his worries she will end up the same way but I feel that he doesn't fully understand the consequences of his actions and I would have preferred to that developed more.The real heart of the story is the girls, I loved their relationship with each other and the deep understanding they had. Sisters In Sanity gave me a real insight into the abuse of trust that happens every day while institutions such as Red Rock are allowed to exist. I really loved Brit, I thought she was a wonderful well-rounded character and her sweet, innocent romance with Jed, her bandmate was butterfly inducing and one of my favourite parts of the book.Overall- Sisters In Sanity tackles difficult subject matter with sensitivity and warmth, creating wonderful characters and a story of hope, friendship and courage.

Read more reviews at What Danielle Did Next3.5 stars overall Tumble & Fall is not the easiest book to read. In fact it was hard work at times to the point where I almost abandoned it. I am so glad I didn't listen to my instincts. I said I'd stick it out to 100 pages and it was worth the trudge. It was a beautiful, interesting, unassuming read that really captured my attention. There are three POV's in this book, Sienna, Zan and Caden and all are in the 3rd person. This was overwhelming at first, it's hard enough trying to get to know one character but three? PLUS all their families and friends they encounter? I've read reviews that said they expected the three POV's to have purpose and come together and they didn't - I disagree. I found that each character connected with the others by the end, not perhaps in the most obvious of ways but like I said this is a very understated book. As is the plot as a whole. For a book about the end of the world don't expect Bruce Willis to come in and save the day. This is not a story about suddenly seizing the day because let's be real - do you think you would? Everyday we hear of disasters, horrifying things that happen to other people and we get those thoughts-- I need to live life to the full- I need to take more risks- I need to tell him/her that I love them...Do we? Not very often. It's understandable. Life is full of fear every single day not just when there's an impending disaster. At times the characters seem to be in a state of suspended animation - They don't do anything wild or exciting...they live and sometimes they simply exist. They fill their hours holding hands, making dinner, chasing dreams and confronting their past just like people do every.single.day. That's the beauty of this book, it's almost too difficult for me to put into words but there's a captivating atmosphere to Tumble & Fall that drew me in to the lives of these three people and made me care about them. The main theme of each POV is family - the dynamic, the interaction, the relationships. Sienna was my favourite POV. Recovering from depression, her father collects her from rehab to spend their last days at their beloved summer house on Martha's Vineyard. Haunted by memories of her dead mother she finds another woman taking her place. Her story is all about reconciling her past and present, rediscovering balance in her life. I loved the development of the relationship between her and her childhood friend Owen, their moments were beautiful and swoon-worthy. There's a strong emphasis on love throughout her story, how it can bring peace but also unbalance you. Zan is dealing with her own personal grief. Losing her boyfriend Leo the previous year she finds evidence that the night he died he was cheating on her. As the world prepares for the apocalypse, Zan's belief system is crushed. Was Leo with another woman the night he died? Did he truly love her? I adored the scavenger hunt she and Leo's best friend Nick went on to figure out the truth which is something neither of them could ever have anticipated. Caden's POV was the most jarring of all three. I connected with him the least to be honest. His story of reconnecting with family members from both the past and present was interesting but creepy at times. His father was almost like a cartoon villain. I enjoyed the theme of redemption however that threaded it's way through Caden's story. This book is truly a lesson in the art and beauty of the everyday mundane. We aren't going to suddenly live our best lives because it's ending... because newsflash right now it's ending. If this book was a movie - It would be firmly Art House - directed by Lars Von Trier or Sophia Coppola guaranteed. There's a heavy strain of denial running through the characters' stories. The panic doesn't happen until the end gets closer but again it's brief. There's a calm and peace in acceptance which is something human beings do so beautifully when we're not screaming at each other, when we remember to breathe, when we listen to the beat of our hearts rather than the train of thoughts rushing through our heads. Tumble & Fall is a book that echoes back to a simpler time in people's lives, a time in between the heartbeats.The Beatles sang "I want to hold your hand" - A simple, pure, elegant statement - this book is its literary equivalent.

Romancing the RA was a cute read but reaffirmed my opinion that novellas should strictly be companions to longer novels. There is just not enough pages to truly develop the characters and in a romance story like this one it leads pretty much to the dreaded and hated insta-love. Noelle and Julie are checking out college campuses for the weekend when Noelle meets and hits it off with Andy one of the Resident Advisers. Over the course of a weekend the two flirt, fall for each other and into bed and by the end are pretty much star crossed lovers. Forgive me while I eyeroll. There's nothing majorly wrong with the story but the fact that it is so short means their attraction spans too short a period to be realistic and their declarations for each other left me feeling flat. Noelle was a bit of a wishy-washy character and it irked me at one point when she was willing to abandon her friend and let her go to a party alone because Andy wasn't going to be there. There was also an incidence of slut shaming which to be honest I usually don't get up in arms about but here it really annoyed me. Noelle has a run-in with an ex of Andy's who he says he could never get into a relationship with because she sleeps around with guys she's just met. He then sleeps with Noelle who he JUST met but it's brushed off as okay because they have a "connection" and want something more...after 12 hours. Like if people want to sleep with each other after they've just met that's OKAY but be real about it and don't justify your actions by tearing down somebody else who's doing the same thing as you but not painting rainbows over their behaviour. Overall - Romancing the RA was fluffy and sweet at times but ultimately left a sour taste.

Read more reviews at What Danielle Did Next This Song Will Save Your Life is one of those books that reminds me just why I love Young Adult so much. Fresh, realistic, thought-provoking, this story reminded me of that loneliness, that feeling of inadequacy that haunts you as a teenager (and let's face it - never goes away). It's not often I call books beautiful but for me, Leila Sales has written one beautiful book. When I get the FEELS at page 21 I know I'm on to a winner. TSWSYL introduces us to Elise. Elise broke my heart, I know Elise, I've been Elise, I've made fun of Elise, I've stuck up for Elise. Elise is that girl, that beautiful soul you can't help but root for, can't help but wish that everyone else can see just what a magical human being she is. She's special, like everyone else - but because of the rules, the perceptions, the BS, we don't always get the recognition. Someone else decides that we are cool or aren't cool. We're weird because we like The Clash or because we don't like The Clash, we choose converse over heels, we like Gossip Girl instead of Hannibal and vice versa. Elise says in the book "I didn't know. I feel sometimes like...there are all these rules. Just to be a person. You know? You're supposed to carry a shoulder bag, not a backpack. You're supposed to wear headbands, or you're not supposed to wear headbands. It's okay to describe yourself as likeable, but it's not okay to describe yourself as eloquent. You can sit in the front of the school bus, but you can't sit in the middle. You're not supposed to be with a boy, even when he wants you to. I didn't know that. There are so many rules, and they don't make any sense, and I just can't learn them all" How very true...Elise doesn't fit in. She tries - desperately - but never seems to quite grasp the social nuances of her school and peers. You can feel her pain in every page. The isolation. It's just heartbreaking. Bullying is not unique to the young but reading about Elise's struggles every day, the effort it takes to ignore it and the effort her bullies go to in order to destroy her days reminded me of that position, that feeling in the pit of the stomach as it happened in my school, to me, to someone I know. That overwhelming feeling of helplessness was beyond upsetting to read. When Elise literally stumbles across Start "The Greatest Underground Party" and meets Vicky, Pippa and the enigmatic Char, her life changes. For the better? Maybe...There is so much about this book I loved but the music was so very special. It pulsed through the pages, providing us with the soundtrack to Elise's heartbreak, her recovery, her sadness and her triumph. Every song chosen had it's place, it's part to play, each scene so viscerally real, it gave me chills.Elise is the star but every girl needs her back up singers and the characters of Vicky, Mel, Char and Elise's dad truly made the book one of my favourites of the year. The charisma, the honesty, the emotion that oozed off the page in Elise's interactions with them really resonated with me. I connected with this book immediately and it held me until the very last oh so beautiful lines. "You think it's so easy to change yourself. You think it's so easy but it's not. True,things don't stay the same forever: couches are replaced, boys leave, you discover a song, your body becomes forever scarred. And with each of these moments you change and change again, your true self spinning, shifting positions - but always at last it returns to you, like a dancer on the floor. Because through out it all, you are still, always, you: beautiful and bruised, known and unknowable. And isn't that - just - you - enough?"This Song will Save your Life was a breath of fresh air, a stand-out amongst mediocrity, it may not save your life, but it'll remind you that life is worth saving.

DNF at 22%I had high hopes for The Registry but unfortunately they didn't pan out. I loved the idea of The Registry, I thought it fit the dystopian mould well but the execution was poor. I didn't connect with the characters, Mia seemed the most likable from what I read but her parents, Andrew and Grant were too one-dimensional for me to continue. I'm dying to know how it ends and one day may go back to it but at the moment it's just not something I want to finish.

Nick is my favourite brother. Quiet, intelligent, sensitive, I always felt there was more to him and so was delighted we get a chance to see who he truly is. As Nick’s buried feelings come to the surface I loved reading about his struggle to come to terms with who he is, his reaction to Adam who I really want to see more of and have that relationship explored was really sweet. You could feel the emotion as he battles with his confusion. I’m interested to see how the family will deal with his revelations, despite their girl crazy tendencies I really hope they handle it sensitively and surprise Nick. I did feel for Quinn, she wasn’t a character I necessarily connected with previously but I was interested to learn more about her. For such a short story it was such a pleasure how much we got to know Nick and I cannot wait to see how everything pans out. Plenty of romance and swoonworthy moments please!

Once Upon a Tag was a surprising, sweet short story. It's the tale of David, a fine Art student, straight laced, respectful, he's all about appearances. Late one night on the train home he spies a young woman graffiti bombing the station and immediately recognises her as the infamous "Masked Menace" who's guilty of spreading her art on some of Paris's most famous landmarks. Determined to bring her to justice, David hops off the train and thus begins a wild night of adrenaline filled chases as David and the "Masked Menace" who goes by Rita connect in the most unlikely of circumstances. I really liked both David and Rita, two polar opposites at least at first we slowly learn that they have more in common than what first meets the eye. The secondary character of Officer Gerard was an amusing addition, a man caught between duty and his love for Art. My only complaint is that the story was too short, I really want to know what happens next! Particularly with the ending that made me laugh out loud at just how ballsy Rita really is! Great little story! Many thanks to the author for providing me with a copy for a fair and honest review. See more reviews at What Danielle Did Next

Read more reviews at What Danielle Did NextMy review of Hopeless is a more balanced review dealing with both the emotion and the plot. I recommend you read that first as this is more a treatise of the effects both Hopeless and Losing Hope had on me as a reader. The plot of Losing Hope is stellar, that is beyond question, the emotion is devastating, the characters unforgettable. The experience...read on -There was one word that described my experience reading Hopeless and writing its review: Brutal. I didn't think anything could surpass that but Losing Hope has destroyed me. Every emotion that I drowned in whilst reading Sky's story came flooding back and swept me under until by the end I felt like I was gasping for breath and could go on no longer. Needless to say I've pretty much curled up in a ball, trying to think all the happy thoughts since then.I actually broke down sobbing at the dinner table telling my family about the book and couldn't eat. I'm sobbing now writing this review. I knew it would be affecting after how I let Hopeless in but I honestly didn't think Holder's story would be as brutal and upsetting. To be honest for most of the book I was able to remain at a distance from the story, a curious observer. I knew what was coming so I felt prepared. I could cope with all the shocks, I had cried with Sky, I knew Holder couldn't possibly be worse, after all, he was almost an observer like me right? Wrong.Holder's grief is palpable. A pulsing entity of pain and sadness from page one. Hoover with an unrelenting pace drags us along with Holder through his sister's suicide, his guilt at not being able to save her, his heart's momentarily leap of optimism when he first meets Sky and believes she is his childhood friend, the doubt that creeps in as he gets to know her and his joy at falling for Sky, his wish that Hope is at peace and that this exceptional young woman is someone he can forge a future with, a future with Sky filled with anticipation and belief in good and not a reminder of HopeLess - a life of regret.There aren't enough adjectives to describe the roller-coaster of emotional turmoil, happiness, fleeting joy, crushing blows and eventual peace that one experiences reading this book.The story is familiar but there are small moments, moments where Sky's perception of Holder's actions shaped her story only for us as the readers to discover they were something completely different. At all times his goal was to protect Sky from a pain so immense surely no-one could survive it. Her strength coupled with his love formed a bond stronger than titanium and together they were able to face the horrifying events that tainted their combined pasts. Holder's self-blame is heartbreaking to read and you can't help but sympathise and rejoice as he discovers his own personal form of therapy, writing in his sister's notebook, sharing his thoughts, paving his path to healing with moments of joy mingled with crushing pain. It's gut punching at its best.The chemistry between Sky and Holder is almost overwhelming when combined with his colliding wishes that she is indeed the friend he has never forgiven himself for losing and his desire that she really is Sky so he can protect her from the inevitable pain of coming to terms with a stolen childhood. It is beyond upsetting as the memories from Hopeless come flooding back and the feeling of helplessness as you watch two people desperately try to survive a pain that cuts deeper than the sharpest knife edge and struggle to endure it and come out the other side with scars that hopefully will heal.There are moments of light relief which are a welcome distraction but never quite ease the heavy ache in the pit of your stomach. As the book progresses my role as curious observer became a struggle to maintain and then Chapter Forty-seven-and-a-half happened...Holder says that Devastation is something that should only be allowed to refer to mothers who have lost children - by the end of this chapter I can honestly say that it can be used by readers of this book too. The past that we think we have finally got a grip on, the story we think we know is ripped from our trusting souls and turned completely on its head.There are no words that can really do this book justice and my paltry attempt above is unworthy but suffice to say the story is one that will never leave me. I ended my review of Hopeless with a sentence that I think is only fitting that it be included as an edited version here too as it truly encapsulates all the FEELS -This story of Sky and Holder captivated me from the stunning prologue of Hopeless through reveal after reveal after reveal until the ending of Losing Hope when I thought I finally had it all figured out and no way could I be bested again when my knees were taken out from under me and I was once again left me breathless, speechless but thankfully – not hopeless.

Read more reviews at What Danielle Did NextHello Rose Zarelli! Meet your almost 30-year-old future self because if you think you're confused about the world as a teenager - Just you wait!I adored this book and Rose! She was fresh, punchy, realistic, everything I want to see in a teenage character. She acted her age! She was 14 going on 15 not 40 and it was delightful to be drawn into her confusing, hormone driven world where up is down and boys are no longer infested with cooties but strange creatures to hold sweaty palms with and pray they don't wipe them on their pants when you let go.Rose is a freshman in high school and if that isn't enough to deal with, she's grieving the death of her father and the transformation of her best friend into a peppy pod person.Rozett really captures the uncertainty and vulnerability of teen life especially that precipice we balance desperately on between childhood and adulthood. Rose is still a child struggling to fill out her new womanly body emotionally. Yearning for her father she doesn't want to move on, she wants to still be the kid who can cuddle up on his lap. She's the queen of snark and through her musings on all the teenage rituals and rules that don't make sense you can really get an understanding for the underlying fear she's coping with.COAAG has one of the strongest teen voices I've come across in a long time - There's one major theme here which is surprisingly lacking in so many YA novels and that is - Respecting Yourself. Instead of Rose succumbing to peer pressure she strikes out on her own path and sticks to it, when her friend almost chokes on her own vomit after binge drinking and everyone else would prefer her life in danger rather than break up a party, Rose does the right thing and takes the abuse and the bullying for weeks with little complaint. She won't compromise her core being for anyone and it was admirable and I'm glad Rozett made the decision to let Rose be that person.All the themes you would expect to see in a contemporary teen novel are here but Rozett crafts a book with real emotion and heart. Every snarky comment, cutting remark is felt by the reader.Rose's connection with Jamie Forta (misfit, bad boy, just misunderstood?) was really sweet. Jamie has a quiet, unassuming nature that made the fact he was older than Rose seem less threatening and weird. Rozett keeps the relationship on the right side of awkward and tackled those moments when their relative levels of experience become significant sensitively.This book was by far one of the most realistic portrayals of the teenage experience, warts and all. The characters are so well-rounded that I felt like I was chatting with teenagers I know about their day. The ending sets the anticipation level high for book 2 and I can't wait to see what Rose gets up to next. Fresh, fun, realistic with a sweet thread of childhood innocence running through it - Confessions of an Angry Girl is packed full of heart, emotion and angst. Highly recommend.

Read more reviews at What Danielle Did NextConfessions of a Chalet Girl may be set in the chilly resort of Verbier but it’s the perfect summer read to warm you up especially when the climate is more “depths of winter than beach weather!”This book was not what I was expecting (in a very good way)! It’s a quick fun romantic read but with a twist. The characters are facing difficult painful times in their personal lives and that extra dimension really made me care for them. Usually with romance novellas I devour them and forget about them just as quick but I know that this one will stay with me which is a testament to the author and I’m delighted I got a chance to read her work.Holly, a young English girl has taken a job in an exclusive Ski resort in Switzerland. It was supposed to be a winter escape from the monotony of home life with her best friend but when circumstances change, Holly is left with no choice but to take the job on her own. Holly hasn’t had much opportunity for fun lately, her mum’s troubled past has coloured her outlook on life and she finds it difficult to let go. I really felt for Holly – I understood her reluctance and fear at the unknown and that need for control to feel safe. When she meets the handsome Scott, who happens to be her boss…sparks fly and Holly has a chance to experience life without regrets.Scott, at first appears the typical “Romance Cad”, handsome, rich, smooth but Wilson adds some unexpected layers to his character and when I found out about his own hidden pain, I couldn’t help but sympathise. Holly and Scott are definitely two halves of the same coin and watching as they challenge each other to break down the walls protecting their hearts meant I couldn’t help but root for them.There is of course the steamy bits which are – very pleasant lol and Holly and Scott’s chemistry sizzles on the page. I loved the supporting cast from the fun friends to the mean girl and they rounded out the story nicely.I have ONE complaint about this book…it’s too short! I absolutely loved reading about Holly and Scott and was aching to know more. I felt that it was slightly rushed but was surprised how in-depth and realistic Wilson was able to make the story considering it’s length.This is definitely a fun story to enjoy beside the pool, on the train or vegging on the couch. You’ll definitely find yourself wishing you could be trudging through the soft white powder for some aprés-ski fun. Now where’s the holiday brochure?

Read more reviews at What Danielle Did Next Oh my goodness, how much do I love this series? I'm a one flailing fangirl shipping Rose and Noah so hard! In Temptation, the course of forbidden love never ran smooth and now in Belonging everything is out in the open but unfortunately for Rose and Noah it doesn't mean an easier time. Now the hard work begins as Rose says goodbye to her old life to embrace the Amish lifestyle. Leaving her family, her friends, formal education, modern conveniences and freedom behind, Rose is plunged into her new world with plenty of icy cold shocks. Will the love of Noah be enough to fill the gap left in her heart? I seriously loved Temptation, I adored the romance between Rose and Noah, it was so sweet, laced with both innocence and passion. In Belonging, their romance becomes "real" in that they finally must embrace the pressures that come with the many rules and customs of the Amish community. Rose barely has time to breathe in her new adopted home before she faces a firing squad of Church elders all with their demands (and threats) for her to toe the line or say goodbye to Noah forever. I really admired Rose throughout this book. She literally entered another world, far different from her own. Living with a strange family, not being allowed to even look at Noah until the church elders said it was okay, partaking in back breaking work with only minor complaint, I really felt that she grew in this book. At times it angered me that Noah didn't always give her credit for her sacrifices, if Rose grumbled about her chores when weary he almost jumped down her throat accusing her of not being truly committed to her new life. Rose at times almost seemed more Amish than Noah when it came to handling their relationship, you could feel her terror at being caught if they got close whereas Noah seemed all too happy to risk exposure for a stolen kiss. Noah was very much a ball of hormones in Belonging. It was clear just how frustrated he was at being so close to Rose and still no where near the marriage he ached for. The age difference between the two was more significant and noticeable as Rose settled into her Amish routine and clearly enjoyed having a mother and father who looked after her and protected her. Their love grew beyond the childish infatuation into something more consuming and mature throughout the book. The intense kisses and stirring emotions are countered by the work that needs to be put in to make a relationship last, it is no longer just Rose and Noah...It's Rose and Noah and the world. I loved the exploration into the Amish community and how we see a darker side. It's not all pure and rosy and despite appearances, the people are just as much human and prone to temptation and mistakes. I was shocked at times to see just how much. I enjoyed meeting the new characters introduced especially Summer, Suzanna and Miranda. This book is definitely heavier thematically and there were some uncomfortable moments that really saddened me and made me love the characters even more. Just when things finally seem to be going right for the couple there is always someone to try and pull them apart and there were one or two incidents that really shocked and sickened me.At times I forgot just how young they were, on the whole they handled all that was thrown at them with a grace and maturity I found admirable so when things went really wrong I was frustrated with how willingly they accepted the manipulations of those around them. The last 20% of the book tore me apart and I was freaking out for how things would end up. The final outcome was slightly predictable but it set up book three in a way that I am aching to find out what happens next. I tweeted "who do I have to bang to get book three?" after finishing and no joke...deadly serious lol! Amazing, loved it - Belonging was heartfelt, compelling, beautifully written and a worthy sequel to Temptation!