The Deal (Off-Campus, #1) by Elle Kennedy

The Deal by Elle Kennedy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the first Elle Kennedy romance I have read and oh did I enjoy Hannah and Graham. They were both believable college students, Graham the jock and Hannah a music Major. But they bring their real selves to their friendship which begins with Graham stalking Hannah to tutor him so he won't get kicked off the ice hockey team. As Captain, Graham has lots of friends and girls who chase him. But Hannah works, is a good student and is in the annual music show, and she does not have many friends, does not drink and does not go to frat parties. I liked the slow way their bickering friendship proceeded and as they begin to tell each other things that they have not told to too many people, my fingers were crossed. A really great book to begin the Off-Campus series, I can't wait to read more Elle Kennedy romances!

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In Waves by A. J. Dungo

In Waves by A.J. Dungo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a beautiful, haunting graphic novel! Thank you to Jennifer LaGarde for this wonderful recommendation- graphic novel, memoir of love, grief, and honor. A.J. Dungo weaves his love of Kristen, who has been stricken with cancer but keeps a fierce love of life, surfing, and friends and family as the illness ravages her. Interspersed with chapters on the history of surfing narrating the heroes Duke Kahanamoku and Tom Blake, done in beige, white and black illustrations---the chapters on Kristen, her cancer, their love of surfing with friends is painted with aqua blue, white and black. Haunting, yet riveting, I loved learning about the history of surfing while being ensconced in A.J.'s life and love of Kristen, a romance at once so sad but honoring his memory of Kristen.

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This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel

This is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thanks to Shelly Wall for this awesome book that delves into so much---I loved this family, Claude/Poppy, their fierce love for one another, their honesty (even when Mom and Dad do not listen or see the signs), their friendships and yeah everything about this book! Not just a book about a little boy who wants to be a little girl but so much more and for all the adults who loved this book, I highly recommend these YA books too: Bus 57, If I Was Your Girl, Something Like Gravity, Beyond Magenta, and Blanca and Roja!

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Without Merit by Colleen Hoover

Without Merit by Colleen Hoover
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really liked this Colleen Hoover book and I wasn't sure I would because the main character, Merit was such a mean girl. But as I read, you find there is a lot more going on in this book with Merit, her family, and extraneous people living in their home. I loved how Sagan and Luck were able to speak honestly to Merit which was so important to her since her family had soooo many secrets and they were literally consuming Merit. I also loved the dog aspect too, changed the dynamic of the story too. Merit and her family, the dysfunction, unhappiness, anger are all too real; I loved how Hoover unpeeled the layers, and slowly page by page began the healing after Merit's scathing letter (and other devastating events that night) opens wounds, enemies, and angry secrets. How will Merit survive? Will she? Will her family? Such a great read, I was very satisfied with the ending and I was so afraid I would hate the ending:)

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I Have Lost My Way by Gayle Forman

I Have Lost My Way by Gayle Forman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a oowerfully GOOD read- 3 teens meet in NYC after an accident brings them together. Freya has a beautiful voice and singing contract but for unkown reasons, she can't sing anymore. Harun loves Ben but can't come out to his family and suffers terribly. Nathaniel and his father live together but it is a very solitary existence, but even more so after he loses his eye, baseball, and friends. In one day, they bond, become friends, and even more life lines for each other. I loved Forman's plot (could not put my kindle down), each character is believable (and powerful) as they suffer loss (through flashbacks) and cemented friendship and support they all desperately need from one another. Family, friendship, secrets are all deftly, heartbreakingly explored- great for adult readers too (since these seem to be more mature teens).

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A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The 2nd book in the series, A Court of Thorns and Roses, finds Feyre and Tamlin struggling with their arduous time under the mountain with horrible nightmares and intense guilt and insecurity. Also added to her woes is the impending deal she struck with Rhys for saving her from Amarantha. I loved Maas's characters with their scheming, darkness, horror, and magic; the worlds of Feyre, Tamlin & Rhys are lush, beautiful and alluring. I fell in love with Tamlin's world through Feyre's eyes and then the dark lords underworld of dreams and nightmares. And I rooted for Feyre as she learns to use the 7 High Lords powers from Rhy's commanders Cassian, Azriel, Amren and Morrigan. This book is so seductive in so many ways, I could not put it down and I hope I don't have to wait a whole year for the 3rd book!!! I listened to this audiobook, narrated by Jennifer Ikeda and I loved all 23 hours!!! Highly recommended!!!

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