10 Things I Hate About You

Ten Things We Did by Sarah Mlynowski

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Songs for this book: All the Way by Allstar Weekend, Damned if I Do Ya by All time Low, and Seventeen Forever by Metro Station

An overall good read. Great characters and constant plot twists. i could go on in my usual rambling paragraph form but why do that when the title sets me up for this fun review?:

Ten Things I liked (... And some that I Didn't)

1) The style. I loved how there were mini chapters within each chapter. made it so fun to read. Granted at times it was annoying to have a current scene interrupted by a "flash back" but they were usually short enough to kinda skip over and go back to later. (bad reader alert! what? like you don't do it, too. I wanted to know what happened so I skimmed!! sue me for being eager.)

2)The concept. Really, this idea is kinda mind blowing to me. As a teenager I know I would never be able to pull that off. for some many reasons we don't need to get into including $, i love my parents, cleaning, cooking. I mean lets face it if I were to live on my own the place would be a mess and I would be 50pounds fatter after only eating pizza and cheetos everyday. But some how these girls pulled it off and convinced me that they did.

3)Character development. As I say a lot, this is one of the most important points in a story for me. And this book really pulled it off. By the end of the book I had conclusive opinions on all the characters, (I really liked this one, he was annoying, damn could I love you any more?)And not onlly that but I felt like I the background of all of them. About Vi and her mom, Lucy and why she was creepy, Hudson's secret, even Corinne who had like 0 dialog.

4) Best friend. Vi and Marissa kinda rock. Vi is kinda off the deep end crazy in a good kick ass kind of way and Marissa is more down to earth and angelic. They provide balance in April's life and I love them both. They are amazing friends and anyone would be lucky to have them.

5) The Hula. At first I was kinda judgmental about the Hula, I mean.. really girls? are you that emotionally unstable that you need to buy a hot tub to invite you boy toys to play in? But then I realized it kinda fit in perfectly with the story. It wouldn't be the same if all of these scenes in the Hula had taken place in the living room on the couch with the TV on. So I applaud you Hula, for being the perfect deep meaningful talk local as well as a trouble waiting to happen.

6) Sob story. This story wouldn't be the same without a depressing and sympathetically sob story background. Let's face it, of April didn't have the background she does she would just be a spoiled rebellious brat and kind of a stupid slut. But that being said, I do feel bad for her. No child should have to go through a divorce. And after that she should't be caught between her parents. And above all else no child should ever, ever feel as though their parents don't wan them. And that is what makes April human, and why we still like her even though she is naive and takes things for granted. I like you anyway April.

7) Parties. Parties are fun. And they make great drama for everyone. What I don't like is parties where everyone gets totally trashed loses all decorum and ruins their lives. Lucky for me I didn't think that really happened in this book. Sure there was that one Rager but it wasn't that bad. truly I liked that Vi and April always had a friend over. I like books with a lot of dialog and opinions. Boring narrations on what people are wearing and yada yada yada no thanks. So A+ on the character interactions and such.

8) Hudson and Dean. Love those brothers. Seriously, who wouldn't love to be best friends with a pair of totally attractive snarky mysterious brothers? One with a total player status and witty comebacks the other quiet with an income no one can explain and cheek bones that are stare worthy and blue eyes that melt you. Cause I don;t know about you but next time I have a Hula party those two are the first ones on my invite list!! 8.5) Hudson. Just Hudson. Damn that boy is amazing. I mean he got the girl a cat, he watch Vampire Nights (haha eww), he compliments her constantly! What more does this guy have to do April! if it was me I would have ditched Noah at the first sight of Hudson. Or at least after he got me a cat. I love him, really like he is the best. Can we have a whole book about Hudson? maybe his side of the story? could be aweeesome. (Note to self: Add Hudson to my mile long list of fictional boyfriends.)

9) The ending. negative. Really after all that all we get is one little kiss and a text message? A text message from a different continent. No plans for him to fly out on weekends? Go to college there? Damn all these Ya romances have really screwed up my expectations. At least gush to us about how you are planing to skype like every night for a gagillion hours. And then get an apartment together and open your own babysitting company and live happily ever after next door to Vi and Dean. (ok rant brought on by unrealistic expectations due to excessive reading of sappy YA dramas now over.)

10) The ending. positive. Very real, she learns and moves on. April isn't so nave now and she appreciates the people in her life more, especially her parents. Don't take for granted your childhood and being able to be carefree, Responsibility can suck the fun right out of things. It ends right, not everything in Aprils life is going to be tied up in a nice little bow just because it's the end of a book, she is only 17 after all.


So that's my 10 things. I really enjoyed this book and I'm glad i picked it up!
I recommend it especially to Lauren Barnholdt fans, defiantly has a similar vibe.


Note: highlight over blocked out sections to view spoilers!!


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Like a Spill Canvas Playlist

Sometimes It Happens by Lauren Barnholdt

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Songs for this book: Lessons in Love- Cartel, What the Hell- Avril Lavigne, Don't let Your Enemies become Friends- The Spill Canvas

I have read a few other books with this central idea, Something like Fate, The unwritten rule, and now Sometimes it Happens. And i think of the 3 this book it the one that i enjoyed most. I loved the set up, back and forth between summer and the first day of school.
Mostly i just really connected with the main character and i wanted to know her story.
I love Lauren Barnholdt so i knew i would not be disappointed. I think it is one of her best works.

Official Overview:
On the last day of her junior year, Hannah's boyfriend Sebastian dumped her. Facing a summer of loneliness, Hannah turns to her best friend Ava for comfort. Ava does what BFFs do: she stays by Hannah's side...until it's time for Ava to head up to Maine for the summer. Also left behind is Ava's boyfriend, Noah, who's such a great guy he gets Hannah a job at the diner he waits tables at. Slowly, Hannah comes out of her funk thanks to Noah's good conversation and their fun times at the diner. But things get complicated when their friendship turns into attraction—and one night, into a passionate kiss. The novel opens on the first day of senior year; the day Hannah is going to see Ava, Sebastian, and Noah all in one place. Over the course of the day secrets and betrayals are revealed, and alliances are broken and reformed. In the end, everyone is paired up once again, but not the way you might think...


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One Night That... was Like the Movies

One Night That Changes Everything by Lauren Barnholdt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

WOWOWOW! i loved this book. I read Two way Street by Lauren and loved it so once i got a goodreads and heard she had 3 new books coming out i was so excited. this is the first of her new ones i have read and it rocks!

This book reminds me of that older movie Sleepover (you know the one where all the little middle school girls challenge each other to a scavenger hunt one night all over town) except of course way better, more mature and a deeper plot.
I loved the characters. they were very well developed. It took me a little bit to keep Clarice and Marissa apart but i got it. Cooper is a sweet heart! and although Eliza is a little psycho (with good reason) i totally fell in love with her!

This book is a great quick read filled with fun, humor, love, hate and every other emotion you can think of. All told in one night that takes these friends on the adventure they will never forget!


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