The Secret of a Heart Note by Stacey Lee

a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25165389-the-secret-of-a-heart-note" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px">The Secret of a Heart Note by Stacey Lee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book for #yabookchat twitter chat 1/1/17 at 9PM EST, join us for a discussion of this great book! Mimosa and her mom are the only 2 women who can create love potions and boy do they have the perfect noses to smell out the right feelings (smells like blueberries = sadness) and a few acres of flowers, bushes, weeds to crush, grind and produce the elixirs! There are pluses and minuses Mim deals with - she wants to be an ordinary teen (Mom won't allow it) go to high school (which Mim negotiated with her Mom with many caveats - if Mim can't do her job, then no school!!!) join clubs (can't too much time away from being an aroma expert) and have friends (she has one, but oh is she a GREAT friend). I felt really sorry for Mim and rooted for her all the way through her mistakes, quandaries, growing romantic feelings for Court and all the bad decisions she makes trying to be just what her mother has brought her up to be (can you tell I do not like her Mom?!?). But Stacey Lee has written a many layered book that has you laughing and crying while also getting a peek at Court's family and friends, high school atmosphere, loneliness, responsibility, and the complicated smells associated with feelings. Lee's descriptions of gardens, parks, the beach, the ocean and high school were lush and authentic. Loved the ending; a must read.

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Saving Red by Sonya Sones

Saving Red by Sonya Sones
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sonya Sones has done it again; she is the master of novels in verse! Back in the 80s or 90s she came to Abington Senior High for the day and the students LOVED her and raved about her writing session. Saving Red illustrates Sones' command of each and every word; the longing, loss, and guilt Molly carries around since a year ago when her world turned upside down. Her dog, Pixel knows Molly and how to calm her down perfectly. Molly is a teen you root for; she had a very caring family and friends but her reality now consists of dysfunctional parents, a secret she can't bear to reveal and a homeless girl she befriends and tries to save. An even better part of the book is her accidental meeting of a guy, Cristo, on a bus and their hopeful developing relationship. LOVED LOVED LOVED this book; a must read for teens on homelessness, mental illness, and family problems & if you love dogs too!

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Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan

Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I listened to the Audible narration by Lynn Chenn and I absolutely loved this wild and crazy book about Asian families caught up in the money craze whether they are new to it, worked hard for it, or have had wealth for centuries. Lynn Chenn’s voices for all the characters having a British, Asian or American accent were perfect!!! I can’t wait for the 2nd book but since the narrator was changed there are so many bad reviews so I will read the book, China Rich Girlfriend because I can’t imagine listening to anyone else than Lynn Chenn! I am most excited to find out more about Astrid, Rachel and Nick and of course the other wild and crazy Asian relations in their families! If you like laughing out loud while fun is being poked at family craziness this is the book for you!


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The Cursed Queen (THe Impostor Queen #2) by Sarah Fine

The Cursed Queen by Sarah Fine
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley, Simon and Shuster Children’s Publishing and Margaret K. McElderry Books for the ARC, The Cursed Queen by Sarah Fine. Ansa is a warrior in the Krigere tribe and has fought beside and supported Thrya, the daughter of Lars, the ruler of the tribe. Ansa also loves Thyra and will do anything to be her wolf in war and at her side in life. On a ship battling the witch queen, Ansa sees Lars and others enveloped in the fire of the Kupari Queen Witch, and is herself “struck” by the witch. With Thyra and her good friend, Sander, they return a much smaller group to their tribe to regroup but all is not well within the ranks. As Thyra tries to rally her people, rumblings of mutiny stalk Thyra and Ansa wrestles with the reality she is cursed somehow with the ability to wield the power of fire and ice. The drama of keeping her lies about being a witch becoming insurmountable and becoming ensnared with Jaspar’s father’s tribe boiled my blood. I could not stop turning the pages. I rooted for Ansa and Thyra’s relationship but was mesmerized by the treachery, lies, and witch magic. An epic story of warriors, rulers, and witches with grand world building and ambitious characters; bring on the next book in the series!!! Highly recommended!

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The Fallen Vampire (Flux & Firmament: The Cloud Lords, Prequel Part #1) by Beata Blitz

The Fallen Vampire by Beata Blitz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many thanks to Beata Blitz and the Goodreads Group YA Reads for Teachers for the ARC, The Fallen Vampire. Chloe is a normal teen whose life changes abruptly at a party when she uses witchcraft. She is imprisoned awaiting a trial when her best friend and love interest helps her escape from jail. As they flee, Chloe wishes desperately that Wayne would return her feelings. As a witch Chloe will not have the life she wants so she slips away from Wayne and runs headlong into a conflict between Vampires (known as Night Flyers) and Dragons and Bats considered gods and also could change into human form. As something falls from the sky, Chloe follows and finds what seems to be a dead man. What will happen to Chloe now that she is hunted as a witch, meets Cloud Lords, and tries to save whoever fell during the battle? Beata Blitz has crafted an dystopian world where California is now Dragon's Faith with feral dogs, bombed out buildings, and a new world that is patrolled by sheriffs with Regulators, rules, no technology and no information from the past. I can't wait to learn more about Chloe, her fate, and that of the fallen man in the 2nd book in this epic series with magic, mystery, gods and vampires!

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Flash Point (Dr Jenna Ramey #3) by Colby Marshall

Flash Point by Colby Marshall
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I am going to be very honest with this 3rd book in the Dr Jenna Ramey series; the literature messages/clues overall were too tough to follow through the whole book, Yancey was definitely not in this book enough, I want Jenna's mom in prison, and some small kind of normalcy to Jenna's life with her daughter, father, brother, Victor and Yancey. Other than those few wishes, this psychological thriller had me turning the pages, enjoying the depth of the characters in the Behavioral Analysis Unit, and Colby Marshall's grapheme color synesthesia with Jenna continues to wow me. Can't wait for #4.

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Sacrifice (Serpentine #2) by Cindy Pon

Sacrifice by Cindy Pon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Loved this 2nd book in Pon's Serpentine Series! The stakes are high as Skybright and Stone learn the chasm was never "totally" closed and even more formidable demons and undead are still escaping above to the human realm. I loved how Pon brought all the main characters together to fight against impossible odds to find the evil source. I guess I should have known by the title, Sacrifice, that there would be a sacrifice which made my romantic heart break (have to read the book to find out what I am talking about). I have to admit I never really felt close to Stone as a character from the first book - even though he goes through great change in this book, I could not relate to him as much as I truly loved the person Kai Sen always was. Kai Sen was such an authentic, feeling, honest character from the time Sky's eyes met his "across the great distance" and he remained steadfast in his yearning, friendship, support and aid to Sky, he won my heart in both books. I also loved how Zhen Ni was so loyal and supportive of Sky (even in her serpentine form) and this ultimately was believed by Sky and gave her much peace and love in her heart. The growth in Sky was so fulfilling; her practicality and urge to protect and love made her a valiant and formidable foe. I will be telling my twitter chat, #yearofya, that these 2 books include Skybright & Zhen Ni as great examples of essential best friends for our December monthly chat. This is a must read; the drama and evil had me turning the pages while I rooted for Sky, Zhen Ni, Kai Sen and Stone to triumph. The worlds were lush, the characters drew me into their worlds, the personalities and the conflicts were awesomely brilliant - a must read!

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Serpentine by Cindy Pon

Serpentine by Cindy Pon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG, loved Pon's rich worldbuilding encompassing gods, monks, and serpent demons! Skybright is best friend and hand maid to Zhen Ni who is impulsive, reckless and totally thinks of Sky as a sister since they grew up together. While Zhen Ni does not want to ever marry, Sky's body is changing - into a serpent. Sky does not tell anyone except a young monk in training, Kai Sen who has seen her in her serpent form. Sky and Kai Sen care deeply for each other but with her new demon form Sky sees no future for them even though she is desperate to kiss him and help him. I could not stop reading this thriller of a fantasy- oh the highs and lows, the characters relationships, and the plot were just too rich with action. I can't wait to read the 2nd book in the series, Sacrifice!!!

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Born a Crime by Trevor Noah

Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Trevor Noah's life is unbelievable- born to a black mother and white father in apartheid Africa; he was not welcome in any world- white black or mixed and after apartheid things changed but the archaic beliefs of many of the tribes and the government continued. I loved Trevor's narration; his voice was beautiful, believable, laugh out loud funny but also sad, angry, and questioning. His mother was his constant growing up; she made him go to church every Sunday many times for the whole day. She raised him with a tough hand but she did it all in love. For all that went wrong in his life, Trevor remained positive and upbeat. A must read from a young man who lived through hell, eeked out a life, always loved and respected his mother. Highly recommended!

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Chasing Impossible (Pushing the Limits #5) by Katie McGarry

Chasing Impossible by Katie McGarry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Loved this 5th book in the Pushing the Limits series!!! Abby and Logan were characters I rooted to find each other sooner rather than later! They had lots of charisma, pushed each other to do crazy things and secrets, lots of secrets. Abby did too good a job at being a drug dealer (no one knew her truth) and Logan did not tell anyone his health secret. They have both been through so much but Abby has lots of loneliness in her life while Logan is popular, smart, a daredevil, and great at sports. Once Logan and his friends decide to help Abby with her trust issues; her world is turned upside down. I also enjoyed seeing Isaiah & Noah again (Rachel too). Such a fantastic series! Now I am headed into the Thunder Road series by Katie McGarry, can't wait!

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History Is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera

History Is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley, Soho Press and Soho Teen for the ARC, History Is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera. I loved Silvera’s first book, More Happy Than Not, but his second is even better as this sad, sad book deals with a group of three guys who are best friends trying to make sense of the sudden devastating loss of one of their trio. Wade, Griffin, and Theo have been joined at the hip for many years and while Griffin & Theo become romantically involved, their threesome remains intact. When Theo ponders going to college early, things begin to change within the dynamics of their tight little group. Told from Griffin’s point of view in his monologues which he directs to Theo, he bounces back and forth from his time with Theo (what he refers to as history) to the present and his devastating grief. Griffin has ODC compulsions, was totally in love with Theo but even so, broke up with him when Theo attends college in California. As Griffin laments much of what he said and did while Theo was alive; he becomes more and more grief stricken without Theo. At the funeral, Theo’s boyfriend, Jackson, attends and even more hurtful gives a eulogy (just as Grif does) and stays with Theo’s family. Theo’s family and Griffin’s family are so real; they loved their kids, talked to them and supported them. One of my favorite parts was when Theo & Grif come out to their families and I just felt all the love and happiness the parents had for these two boys as a romantic couple. I felt the palpable grief Griffin, Wade, Jackson and the families and friends suffered as a result of losing this very special, kind, and likable teen. I was fully invested in Grif’s journey of love, loss, devastation, lies, issues and I rooted for Griffin to find answers, peace, and honesty in his “history” monologues with the now dead Theo. Silvera has crafted the kind of a story teens have been asking to read for some time now. It speaks to their inner uncertainties, their love of family and friends, need for adventure but at the same time their need to be understood and accepted for who they are. Silvera’s book accomplishes this and much, much more; highly recommended.

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Double Vision (Dr Jenna Ramey #2) by Colby Marshall

Double Vision by Colby Marshall
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I LOVED this 2nd book in the Dr. Jenna Ramey series and I am so into the way Jenna sees colors as a way to solve the heinous crimes she investigates. I was up at nights worrying about Jenna and Yancey as he struggles with being a 911 operator - he LOVED being in on the crime solving with Jenna in the 1st book, but now he is back to being less than happy with some of the more mundane calls he receives. But all that changes when a female caller is being threatened and Yancy wants to jump in and help (will he make a mistake that costs him?). Also Jenna is working to find out who the Triple Shooter could be- uses the # 3 and 7 in order to kill his victims, and the way Jenna and her colleagues follow the leads and learn about mythology, religion, etc. was VERY interesting. I liked finding out more about Jenna and Hank's relationship before Ayanna, love her father and brother and my favorite character was Molly- she was fearless and excited (like Yancy) to be included in helping Jenna get answers from the store shooting. There is so much action and suspense as well as dark humor and humor in Colby Marshall's books, I can't wait to read the 3rd book in the series! Highly recommended!

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The Sound of Rain by Gregg Olsen

The Sound of Rain by Gregg Olsen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Thank you to Net Galley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC, The Sound of Rain by Gregg Olsen. I love mysteries and this one kept me reading until the end, and there it went really, really wrong for me. Nicole is a detective working with a partner, Danny (who is also her lover) when they get a call about an abducted little girl. As they investigate, this girl, Kelsey, is found murdered. When they interview a sexual predator living in the neighborhood, Danny gets a confession out of him (without Nicole being present)…but did Danny really do it by the book? Nicole reports her partner for wrong doing and even though Danny goes to jail, surprisingly Nicole is dismissed from the force, fights a raging gambling problem, and loses her house. Sounds like she is a mess, right? I am not a fan of unreliable narrators and Nicole’s home life as a child, teen, and now as an adult, stinks! I had so many unresolved questions, too many unbelievable characters like her sister, Angela, Danny, her boss Evan and Julian and really in the end, why did they do what they did? There were so many twists and turns but no real resolution, just many questions that went unanswered and an end that was so unsatisfying. Sorry, I love to give great reviews but this mystery just did not appease me at all. Nicole was not kick ass but a sorry, gullible excuse as a main character, I can’t even call her a protagonist. She should be doing things by the book but ends up missing all the signs, and just copes, rather than being a heroine. I was really rooting for Nicole but there was no redemption in this book’s ending.

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The Reader (Sea of Ink and Gold) by Traci Chee

The Reader by Traci Chee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am so excited- another new series I can't wait for book 2!!! Sefia has not had an ordinary existence but before the deaths of her parents Sefia loved her parents. Discovering her father murdered sets off a series of events that is paralyzing and beyond upsetting for 15 year old Sefia-aset again she is torn from Nin who ferried her far and away. She saves a boy who cannot speak from fighting other boys to the death. She carries a book that she does not realize is a book...and it seems the book is responsible for all the heartache she keeps suffering. Will Sefia ever get the ansers, revenge and redemption she wants for her parents and Nin? Unbelievably GOOD!!!

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