Opal (Lux #3) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Opal by Jennifer L. Armentrout
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Book 3 of the Lux series was so darn good- I could not put it down!!! Once again Katy and Daemon are put into positions where they are blackmailed into helping Blake get Chris s well as Dawson rescuing Beth. Onyx was ever present destroying Katy's powers and rendering her without a voice from screams. The romance heats up which I definitely loved but the danger is ever present; now that she has been mutated; she must be afraid and be very careful. The ending was so so awful; I have to get the next two books immediately. I love this series; also love Jennifer L. Armentrout books!!!

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Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I loved the narration by Jennifer Lim but was not a fan of the story. I really did not like most of the characters, the only 1 I loved was Izzy, she was a feisty heroine, misunderstood by her family and transformed by her friendship with artist, Mia who (along with her daughter) rents from Izzy's family. Her sister, Lexie is self-absorbed, while Trip is an athlete who is mean to his brother, Moody. Moody really disgusted me when he turned against Pearl; not once does he regret how he behaves toward Mia & he further spews lies and invective to Izzy and Trip. Elena Richardson was a horror as a self important mother who believed herself a mover and shaker with her Shaker ideals- she almost hated Izzy and drove Mia and Pearl away. The whole part dealing with the adoption was tough for all involved. I loved Ng's first book, Everything I Never told you, not so much this one.

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Onyx (Lux #2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Onyx by Jennifer L. Armentrout
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I could not put this book down!!! I want to devour the rest of the books because I hear the final book in the series will be out soon!!! The anxiety, fear, and dread amped up for Katy, Dee, Daemon as they try to stay under the radar. Katy now has abilities since Daemon healed her, and a new kid Blake begins to show interest in her. Katy's mom is dating Will (watch out!!!). I loved the hot chemistry between Katy and Daemon, those kisses will certainly be remembered for a long time. Such a great read- the action gets more intense and you fall in love with the characters! Can't wait to read #3 Opal- maybe Opal will stop the Onyx (it takes away the Lux abilities - like kryptonite) please!!!

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Cooper's Charm (Love at the Resort #1) by Lori Foster

Cooper's Charm by Lori Foster
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a great beach read- I loved sisters Phoenix and Ridley; opposites in many ways but such a strong bond. Phoenix has run from an assault to try to work out her life AFTER at the fun resort- she meets Cooper Cochran, the owner and there is immediate interest on both sides. I loved Phoenix's glasses, her can do attitude, love of dogs and Cooper!!!. Their romance was slow, delicious and filled with a mysterious someone who is out to get Phoenix. Phoenix is hired immediately and Cooper has done his research so he lets her know is she needs his help just let him know. As head of the landscape maintenance crew she is a tireless worker. Cooper is interested immediately and continues to enjoy everything about Phoenix. Once her sister, Ridley comes and begins working there too; she meets Baxter, the scuba diver coach and they fall for each other, but oh is Ridley a trip! There is so much to enjoy about this romance- the 2 couples, the dog, who is trying to hurt Phoenix, and the sizzling romance provide great reading!

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Monday's Not Cominig by Tiffany D. Jackson

Monday's Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I think this book has traumatized me; Jackson's story of Claudia's "search" or "journey" for her best friend (they have the strongest sisterly bond) when she returns from her annual summer vacation visiting her grandmother is fraught with so much mental anguish for Claudia (and me) because no one worries about where Monday is except Claudia. It also does not help that there is so much evasiveness by adults (parents, school, agencies) with this ripped from the headlines story of the awful life children suffer (and hide the truth) from. As the reader goes from Chapters titled by month, or The Before, or The After, or One Year Before the Before (or Two Years Before the Before) poor Claudia finds that maybe her best friend held many secrets from her and she asks herself why? as she learns more and more about Monday and her life in the Ed Borough, the urban ghetto. Once again, I really did not like most of the adults in this story (the only one who was really concerned and acted upon it time and again was 7th grade English teacher, Ms Valente) even her mother and father were walls Claudia came up against time and time again in her search for Monday. I highly recommend this book, it will open many teens eyes to the harsh existence many of their classmates endures and will hopefully create empathy and awareness to deal with this all too real problem in our world.

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Knockout by K. A. Holt

Knockout by K.A. Holt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Just as I loved House Arrest so did I love Knockout which continues the family drama of Timothy and Levi. Holt is a master at novels in verse. I did not want to stop reading; I laughed with Levi but I also cried for Timothy's lost life. The characters, plot and action will thrill middle school readers and this novel in verse nails it with each word. My heart loved the interaction between the brothers writing back and forth (using Timothy's journal) was so real with words they could not say. Levi's friendship drama with his lifelong friend had many different kinds of moments, all so fraught with their tight bond being tested. I really liked the mom this time around, she annoyed me in House Arrest, but she listened to Timothy's counsel and that was progress for all involved. These 2 books are books I want to read again and again---love the family dynamics, the lifelong medical condition of Levi's (he wants to be normal in so many ways) and the progression to a satisfying end!!! Highly recommended!

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Home Safe by Elizabeth Burg

Home Safe by Elizabeth Berg
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoy Elizabeth Burg and this book about a woman (an author) who has lost her husband, is grief stricken, and pondering why she and her daughter are at odds was a great read. I loved the plot, what did deceased husband, Dan, do with the $850,000 that he took from their account? Helen's insecurities, isms, and her forays into author appearances and teaching a writing class were all so interesting in getting to know who Helen really is and how she is grappling with life after Dan. I loved the character, Tom Ellis, and would have loved to have more of him in the book. Her daughter, Tessa, reminded me of how my sisters and I speak to our mom-"Mom, Mom, Mom!" Helen annoyed me often, but I saw how I am now too with my mother. A quick beach read!

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