Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this story of a family that was once happy and with a father who loves them and leaves them, a mother who descended into alcoholism, and two brothers and two sisters who love surfing and use it to get through their life. As the book rises to a crescendo we see how each family member deals with their lives and loves. A great book that kept me turning the pages!

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Many Points of Me by Caroline Gertler

Many Points of Me by Caroline Gertler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this Author Debut Book as part of my 2nd #BitAboutBooks Winter Reading Challenge for 10 points and I ached for Georgia as she grieved the death of her "famous" artist Dad from cancer a year ago. Georgia's life has been defined by her artist father and art history mother and she has loved every moment. She has been best friends with Theo since their birth and they sit around all the time working on their art. Theo is the son of single mom, Harriet, who is best friends with Georgia's mom. Theo has a graphic novel that features him and Georgia as avengers of good against the evils of the world. But with the death of her father, Georgia is feelings things she has never felt before; jealousy of Theo, anger at her dead father and living mother, and the urge to stop her artistic endeavors because art is just not working for her anymore. When she finds a portfolio of her father's pictures of her, Georgia takes his last drawing of her at age 10, and does not tell anyone about it. She becomes consumed with trying to solve a mystery; but with no one to talk to, she feels even more alone and questions everything in her life. As Georgia begins to lie more and more, things unwind, and she is threatened with so many questions and feelings--will she be able to right her wrongs? I loved this debut novel, the characterization, the plot and oh what I learned and loved about all the art techniques and colors was just awesome. A must read!

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Mockingbird by Katherine Erskine

Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Caitlin has Asperger's Syndrome, has lost her brother, and her father can't seem to understand or help her now that Devon is gone. I liked the way Erskine showed Caitlin's side of things, like trying to find closure, dealing with the bully Josh and then his befriending of her little friend, Michael. I liked the school counselor so much and the way she worked hard but honestly with Caitlin. This is the kind of book students, teachers and counselors need to read; it is not one size fits all, it is an honest, messy look at a girl trying to figure things out (she sees black and white in things) and realizing she can do it!

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Winter in Paradise (Parasie, #1) by Elin Hilderbrand

Winter in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My first Elin Hilderbrand novel and oh did I love it!!! The family of Russ Steele is completely blindsided with his New Years Day death in a helicopter in St. John. Once Irene and her sons go to St. John for the body, they are even more horrified to learn he owns a palatial villa, has a woman on the side who is an island girl, Rosie,she also perishes in this crash. I loved the plot, the characters and the beauty of St John---Elin Hilderbrand crafted a suspenseful novel with so many questions and feelings crashing into Irene, Cash and Baker. But once they reach the island, they are not the only ones with questions---Huck, Rosie's stepfather to Rosie and grandfather to her daughter, Maia and Ayers, Rosie's best friend realized Rosie kept her lips tight about her Invisible Man, but now has become the time to try to deal with Rosie and Russ' secrets. The beauty of the island, the beaches and the local points of interest were awesome, I want to live there too! A series I can't wait to delve into more, I have the 2nd in the series, What Happens in Paradise on my kindle to read next!

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