Showing posts with label Simone Elkeles. Show all posts

September 01, 2012

Stacking The Shelves [#18]

Stacking The Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews as a way to share all the books we got during the week!

Bought:

Perfect Chemistry (Perfect Chemistry #1) by Simone Elkeles (Review/Goodreads/Amazon/Book Depository)

Birthday Present:

Enshadowed (Nevermore #2) by Kelly Creagh (Goodreads/Amazon/Book Depository)

Thanks Angela!!! :D

NetGalley:

Guardian (Halflings #2) by Heather Burch (Goodreads/Amazon/Book Depository)

Thanks NetGalley & Zondervan!!

For Review from Author:

The Guardians by Lily Raye (Goodreads/Amazon)

Bloggers Mentioned:
Angela @ Reading Angel

Weekly Recap:

Reviews:

The Espressologist by Kristina Springer

Sweet Shadows (Medusa Girls #2) by Tera Lynn Childs

The Girl of Fire and Thorns (Fire and Thorns #1) by Rae Carson

Cover Reveals:

The Goddess Inheritance (Goddess Test #3) by Aimee Carter

Memes & Other Posts:

Teaser Tuesday [#54]

New Releases August 28-September 3

Waiting On Wednesday [#53]

September TBR Pile

March 30, 2012

Review: Chain Reaction by Simone Elkeles

Chain Reaction (Perfect Chemistry #3)
Author: Simone Elkeles
Publisher: Walker Books
Publication Date: August 16, 2011
Pages: 308
Source: Hardcover/Library

Luis Fuentes has always been sheltered from the gang violence that nearly destroyed his brothers’ lives. But that didn’t stop him from taking risks—whether he’s scaling a mountain in the Rockies or dreaming of a future as an astronaut, Luis can’t stop looking for the next thrill.

Nikki Cruz lives her life by three rules—boys lie to get their way, don’t trust a boy who says “I love you,” and never date a boy from the south side of Fairfield. Her parents may be from Mexico, but as a doctor’s daughter, she has more in common with her north-side neighbors than the Latino Blood at her school. Then she meets Luis at Alex’s wedding, and suddenly, she’s tempted to break all her rules.

Getting Nikki to take a chance on a southsider is Luis’s biggest challenge, until he finds himself targeted by Chuy Soto, the new head of the Latino Blood. When Chuy reveals a disturbing secret about Luis’s family, the youngest Fuentes finds himself questioning everything he’s ever believed to be true. Will his feelings for Nikki be enough to stop Luis from entering a dark and violent world and permanently living on the edge?

Review: *Includes some spoilers, though I tried to keep them to a minimum* OMG!!!! For me this was the best of the three books!!! I couldn't stop reading this!!! Like seriously, I was even ignoring my boyfriends texts until the end of a chapter just cuz it was so hard to put this book down.I was experiencing so many emotions while reading this book! I mean I was grinning like no freakin' tomorrow at some points, laughing so hard at others, and then I was crying or in complete shock. I seriously could not get enough of this book! I loved finally getting to here Luis' story. I mean we always got tid bits of him in Alex & Carlos' stories but we never got to learn a whole lot about Luis. I really enjoyed seeing how he was different and the same as his brothers. I also cant deny that I did enjoy seeing Alex, Brittany, Carlos & Kiara in the book as well! It was awesome seeing what was happening in their lives in the background of Luis' story. Luis... I don't know whether to classify him as a good guy or a bad guy. Lol. I mean yeah, he was just like his brothers in the way of looking for the next thrill, chasing after the girl and dealing with the gang but on the flip side, he had a conscious right from the start. He tried hard to get good grades, he didn't try as hard as his brothers to hide from his feelings, and he didn't want to be a part of the gang for the most part (until all the sudden events in the second half of the book) unless he had to be. And Nikki... I felt really bad about what she went through at the beginning with losing a baby. I mean yeah, she was only 15, but still, that kind of trauma doesn't go away, and it really affects your future.

Nikki and Luis!!! AHHH! I seriously loved them together!!!! I mean, I couldn't help but smile every time something good happened between those too. I was even smiling when they were fighting after they broke up and all of the truth came out because after that they really didn't have any secrets between them anymore and it would just make their relationship that much stronger when they got back together. I totally related to Nikki in a way. With all that had happened in her past I could completely understand her trust issues and why she was always so scared of relationships, especially since Luis did seem like a player when they first met. But even though he acted like it, I could tell right from the beginning he really wasn't. It bugged me a little that Nikki waited so long to finally trust Luis. I mean there was so many times way before she finally decided to completely trust him that he put himself completely out there for her and she blocked him out and shut him down. And omg! Luis! She kept doing that when his life was going downhill, which made things ten times worse for him! Especially with what he learned, that the guy he always thought was his father really wasn't. That must have sucked so much for him!!! He felt betrayed by his brothers and his mom and then on top of that Nikki cuz of how she was acting. He was so alone when he found that out. I felt so bad for him!! I was so glad that things worked out in the end for him and Nikki (even though what Nikki had to do to save Luis and his brothers at the end sucked big time). And omg! The epilogue! I was shocked at finding out the Fuentes brothers had a new step-dad. A certain someone I wasn't expecting (even though I should have seen it coming from the story). Overall the book was great, if you haven't read this entire series, I suggest you do so!

5 Stars!

February 18, 2012

In My Mailbox [#28]

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren where we share new books we bought, received, won etc.

Library:

My Soul To Save (Soul Screamers #2) by Rachel Vincent (My Review is HERE)
White Cat (Curse Workers #1) by Holly Black
Red Glove (Curse Workers #2) by Holly Black
Pink Smog by Francesca Lia Block
Vanish (Firelight #2) by Sophie Jordan
Chain Reaction (Perfect Chemistry #3) by Simone Elkeles

You have no idea how long I've waited to finally get my hands on Chain Reaction and Vanish! I've been trying to get my hands on them for months now. Lol.

Netgalley:

Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley

You guys have no idea how excited I was to see I got accepted for this! :D Thanks Random House & Netgalley!

Whats in your mailbox?

December 20, 2011

Review: Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

Perfect Chemistry (Perfect Chemistry #1)
Author: Simone Elkeles
Publisher: Walker Books
Publication Date: December 23, 2008
Pages: 360
Source: Paperback/Library

A fresh, urban twist on the classic tale of star-crossed lovers.

When Brittany Ellis walks into chemistry class on the first day of senior year, she has no clue that her carefully created “perfect” life is about to unravel before her eyes. She’s forced to be lab partners with Alex Fuentes, a gang member from the other side of town, and he is about to threaten everything she's worked so hard for—her flawless reputation, her relationship with her boyfriend, and the secret that her home life is anything but perfect. Alex is a bad boy and he knows it. So when he makes a bet with his friends to lure Brittany into his life, he thinks nothing of it. But soon Alex realizes Brittany is a real person with real problems, and suddenly the bet he made in arrogance turns into something much more. In a passionate story about looking beneath the surface, Simone Elkeles breaks through the stereotypes and barriers that threaten to keep Brittany and Alex apart.

Review: I absolutely loved this book! I'm a huge fan of Simone Elkeles! It is such a great story about struggling with real life problems and falling in love! I really enjoyed Alex's story. I loved how Brittany (I like her name, lol) & Alex's love story began all because they got stuck being partners in chemistry. Ok, first off I wanna start with Alex. It sucked that he had to be in a gang to protect his family! I cant even begin to imagine having to do that. Now, Brittany. Omg! Despite Alex being such a jerk to her in the beginning I was always rooting for him to win her over (and for her to let him, lol). I seriously despised Colin! He was such a JERK (substitute word for the word I really wanna use, Lol!) to her and it seemed like all he wanted to do was get in her pants. I wish they would have broken up sooner than they actually did!

Even though Alex getting with Brittany in the first place was based on a bet I was always hoping that his real feelings would surface! It made my heart melt when they got closer and let their true feelings for each other show! I also loved how protective Alex was of Brittany! I was absolutely devastated when Alex got shot and then they broke up! I was literally shouting NOOO!!! (Then I had a massive pouty face). I was amazed at the fact that Alex when through all the pain at the end to get jumped out of the gang just so he could do something good with his life (and for Brittany). I was so happy at the ending though when they got to be happy together again! :D

5 Stars!

November 28, 2011

Teaser Tuesday [#16]

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Anyone can play along! just do the following:

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

1. "No matter how I try to believe I don't need him to wake my draki, he proves me wrong every time."

2. "Maybe there's no separating need from want."

pg. 122 of "Firelight" by Sophie Jordan

1. "You call that a kiss?" "Yep."

2. "Okay, so I'm in shock the girl put my hand on her creamy cheek. Damn, you'd think I was on drugs by the way my body reacted."

pg. 84 of "Perfect Chemistry" by Simone Elkeles

October 20, 2011

Review: Rules Of Attraction by Simone Elkeles

Rules of Attraction (Perfect Chemistry #2)

Author: Simone Elkeles
Publisher: Walker & Company
Publication Date: April 13, 2010
Pages: 324
Source: Paperback/Library

When Carlos Fuentes returns to America after living in Mexico for a year, he doesn’t want any part of the life his older brother, Alex, has laid out for him at a high school in Colorado . Carlos likes living his life on the edge and wants to carve his own path—just like Alex did. Then he meets Kiara Westford. She doesn’t talk much and is completely intimidated by Carlos’ wild ways. As they get to know one another, Carlos assumes Kiara thinks she’s too good for him, and refuses to admit that she might be getting to him. But he soon realizes that being himself is exactly what Kiara needs right now.

Review: I absolutely loved this book! It was amazing! Let me start off with I always love a good story with a bad boy. Carlos seemed so tough on the outside when on the inside he really does have feelings and he really does care. I hated when he got busted for drugs that weren't even his. I mean he already had to move to the US from Mexico away from most of his family. While he was just trying to adjust he had that happen to him. It totally wasn't fair.

The whole thing with Kiara was so interesting. Carlos really didnt like her at the beginning, so much that he intentionally tried to piss her off. I loved the payback Kiara got on Carlos with the cookies in the locker. That was freaking awesome. I found it ironic though that after Carlos got busted for drugs he ended up having to live with Kiaras family. The person he was trying to hard to piss off ended up being the person he had to stay with. I really liked that he slowly opened up to Kiaras family and let them in. I also enjoyed seeing Carlos hang out and bond with Kiaras little brother Brandon.

I also liked reading about Carlos' struggle with his feelings for Kiara. She knew she loved him way before he figured it out himself. He was so busy dwelling on the fact that he didn't want to get left again (because that's all people in his life did was leave him) that he wouldn't give Kiara the chance to prove him wrong about it. I loved the end though when he finally breaks down and realizes his feelings for her and gives her a chance. :)

I would definitely recommend this to to others. Especially if you liked Perfect Chemisty or Simones' Leaving Paradise series.

October 13, 2011

Review: Return To Paradise by Simone Elkeles

Return To Paradise (Leaving Paradise #2)
Author: Simone Elkeles
Publisher: Flux
Publication Date: September 1, 2010
Pages: 302
Source: Paperback/Library

Caleb Becker left Paradise eight months ago, taking with him the secret he promised to take to his grave. If the truth got out, it would ruin everything.

Maggie Armstrong tried to be strong after Caleb broke her heart and disappeared. Somehow, she managed to move on. She's dermined to make a new life for herself.

But then Caleb and Maggie are forced together on a summer trip. They try ignoring their passion for each other, but buried feelings resurface. Caleb must face the truth about the night of Maggie's accident, or the secret that destroyed their relationship will forever stand between them.

Review: This is the first Simone Elkeles book I read. Yes, I know, Leaving Paradise comes before this book but hey, I go with what I can get my hands on at the library. I can buy some books but not that many. Lol. So even without reading Leaving Paradise I still understood the story. The way Simone writes is amazing! She continued with the story but still gave enough info on the events prior that even people who didn't read the first book could follow along with no problem. I can definitely see why like EVERYONE loves her books.

I loved how everything was kept real. There was no sugarcoating of anyone's feelings and at times there is even cussing. I actually liked that because it showed the raw emotions of Caleb and Maggie. It showed the anger and pain and everything behind the whole situation. I also loved how they tried so hard to stay away from each other but even despite the situation they still had feelings for each other.

Now the struggle Caleb went through to try and keep the fact that it wasn't really him who hit Maggie a secret was also interesting too. He was so dead set of protecting his sister that he was willing to risk losing Maggie forever over her not being able to trust him. I loved when the truth came out though. Caleb and Maggie finally got to move on and eventually trust each other again and give each other another chance. It also let Caleb go home to Paradise and face his family.

I also enjoyed getting to know the others on the Re-START trip such as Erin, Trish and Matt. Matt turned out to be a good friend to others and Erin... Even though she was quiet you could always sense there was more to the story than she let on. And at the end when Lenny finally opened up to Caleb. I found that shocking. I kind of understood why he acted like he did after learning that.

I would definitely recommend this book to others! It was a great read and it kept you wanting more until the end. I read this book in only a couple hours it was so good. I just couldn't put it down.

Hope, Faith & Books