Destination Unknown is a perfect book for those going through an 'identity crisis' because it is about a girl who goes through one and how God, friends, and family can all help you with it if you are willing to reach out to them.
Whitney and Taylor were good characters all around, but my favorite character was easily Emily. I adored all the talk about books though. (hello, book obsessed!)
There was only one problem I had with the story. All through out the book it was very real with the situations the characters were put in, the drama that developed, the relationships as they changed. However, the end was tied up like a neat little package.
I am all for happy endings, but this was just too perfect. It made all the real stuff seem pointless to have it end perfectly. Nothing in life is ever that perfect. I don't know I guess I was just expecting something different with how it ended.
Anyway, I enjoyed it a lot and give it a solid 3 1/2 stars. If the ending hadn't been so neatly tied together it would have gotten a higher rating from me. Teens will definitely like this book though.
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Saturday, February 22, 2014
Review of 'Minding Molly' by Leslie Gould
I got a copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.
Minding Molly was the first book I have ever read from Leslie Gould (though I own the other two - just haven't read them yet, but definitely am going to!) and it was the first Amish book I have read because of this I had a little bit of a tough time adjusting to Mamm for Mom and Dat for Dad as well as Denki for Thank you, but I adjusted fairly quickly.
The characters are quite captivating and I enjoyed almost all of them. Beatrice irritated me a little with her constantly complaining about Molly and Hannah was rather annoying due to her being so rude to her best friend - Molly. Maybe it is because Molly was the main character, but I felt bad for her being clearly misunderstood.
I mean, her dad had recently died and they were all acting like she was a terrible person because she was trying to stay strong for her family and keep the farm going. Yes, she was a bit too bossy and yes, she could have lightened up - but the other characters (in particular Hannah as her best friend) should have understood her whole life had been thrown into a complete tailspin and she was trying to stay above water.
Like I said, maybe I relate to Molly somewhat and that is why I got irritated with her friends and family.
Anyway, I really liked the way Leon and Molly interacted and the way Leon was from Montana. He seemed like a very good character though I wish there was a bit more of him in the book because it would have been good to see more of what caused Molly to fall so hard for him so quickly.
Overall, it was a cute story and I enjoyed it - but her friends and family really could have understood what was going on a bit better than they did. Perhaps that is a way different people respond to situations like that - I don't know.
I give it a solid four stars.
Minding Molly was the first book I have ever read from Leslie Gould (though I own the other two - just haven't read them yet, but definitely am going to!) and it was the first Amish book I have read because of this I had a little bit of a tough time adjusting to Mamm for Mom and Dat for Dad as well as Denki for Thank you, but I adjusted fairly quickly.
The characters are quite captivating and I enjoyed almost all of them. Beatrice irritated me a little with her constantly complaining about Molly and Hannah was rather annoying due to her being so rude to her best friend - Molly. Maybe it is because Molly was the main character, but I felt bad for her being clearly misunderstood.
I mean, her dad had recently died and they were all acting like she was a terrible person because she was trying to stay strong for her family and keep the farm going. Yes, she was a bit too bossy and yes, she could have lightened up - but the other characters (in particular Hannah as her best friend) should have understood her whole life had been thrown into a complete tailspin and she was trying to stay above water.
Like I said, maybe I relate to Molly somewhat and that is why I got irritated with her friends and family.
Anyway, I really liked the way Leon and Molly interacted and the way Leon was from Montana. He seemed like a very good character though I wish there was a bit more of him in the book because it would have been good to see more of what caused Molly to fall so hard for him so quickly.
Overall, it was a cute story and I enjoyed it - but her friends and family really could have understood what was going on a bit better than they did. Perhaps that is a way different people respond to situations like that - I don't know.
I give it a solid four stars.
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Review of 'Stranded' by Dani Pettrey
I got a copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.
This was the first book by Dani Pettrey that I have gotten a chance to read - Wow, was I missing out! She isn't a good author, she is a great one! I am definitely planning on going back and reading the first two books of the Alaskan Courage series.
To tell the truth, I was a bit concerned about reading Stranded only because it was the third in the series. Generally, I try to read series in order for I don't like feeling confused about things - such as how exactly Darcy and Gage knew each other.
It was fairly easy to put together, but I was a tad confused for the first few chapters. Once I put the backstory together, I quickly found myself really caring about the characters and what happened to them.
I loved the friendship aspect between Darcy and Abby (even Darcy and Piper) - it felt like a true friendship. There was a wonderful mix of romance, friendship, suspense, and mystery. Darcy and Gage are two characters I won't forget anytime soon.
The cover is amazing, but then again I am obsessed with Alaska scenery so that shouldn't surprise anyone that I love it.
Overall, I give the book 5 out of 5 stars and I am happy to say that it is able to be read in the series, but also by itself.
This was the first book by Dani Pettrey that I have gotten a chance to read - Wow, was I missing out! She isn't a good author, she is a great one! I am definitely planning on going back and reading the first two books of the Alaskan Courage series.
To tell the truth, I was a bit concerned about reading Stranded only because it was the third in the series. Generally, I try to read series in order for I don't like feeling confused about things - such as how exactly Darcy and Gage knew each other.
It was fairly easy to put together, but I was a tad confused for the first few chapters. Once I put the backstory together, I quickly found myself really caring about the characters and what happened to them.
I loved the friendship aspect between Darcy and Abby (even Darcy and Piper) - it felt like a true friendship. There was a wonderful mix of romance, friendship, suspense, and mystery. Darcy and Gage are two characters I won't forget anytime soon.
The cover is amazing, but then again I am obsessed with Alaska scenery so that shouldn't surprise anyone that I love it.
Overall, I give the book 5 out of 5 stars and I am happy to say that it is able to be read in the series, but also by itself.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Review of 'Little Red Lies' by Julie Johnston
I got a copy from a good reads contest -
I truly don't know what to say about this book... it has an interesting idea for a plot, but it was slow and really kind of boring. There were moments I was interested and moments I wanted to know what would happen, but overall I felt like I was just reading because I had to.
The characters didn't keep my interest except for her brother. Also, the book just stops. It felt as if there was no point to reading it for nothing seemed to be really tied up.
I don't know, it was okay. I am glad I read it, but it was lacking a lot for me. I am going to donate it to the library in hopes that someone will enjoy it more than I did.
However, I love the cover. It is cool.
I truly don't know what to say about this book... it has an interesting idea for a plot, but it was slow and really kind of boring. There were moments I was interested and moments I wanted to know what would happen, but overall I felt like I was just reading because I had to.
The characters didn't keep my interest except for her brother. Also, the book just stops. It felt as if there was no point to reading it for nothing seemed to be really tied up.
I don't know, it was okay. I am glad I read it, but it was lacking a lot for me. I am going to donate it to the library in hopes that someone will enjoy it more than I did.
However, I love the cover. It is cool.
2 stars out of 5.
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Review of 'Made to Last' by Melissa Tagg
I got a copy from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.
Made to Last by Melissa Tagg hooked me from the first page. Miranda - aka: "Randi" or "Rand" - has such a likeable charm and personality. While I read I felt like I knew her and her story as if it were my own. I laughed, I cried, and I even felt her confusion. Melissa has written a fantastic character and it just gets better!
Blake - aka: Blaze - was so much fun, Brad really cared, Izzy was adorable, and the rest of the "small" characters were perfectly captured.
Matthew - what else is there to say except I have a new fictional crush! ;) Okay, okay. Give me a second... Ah, here is something - he is a wonderful Uncle. I loved the fact that Melissa wrote about the deaf and hard of hearing. My older sister is HOH and it was a joy to read a book about kids with that. Made my heart happy.
This book is easily one of my favorites and has a nice place on my bookshelf! I can't wait to read more from Melissa Tagg!
5 stars!
Made to Last by Melissa Tagg hooked me from the first page. Miranda - aka: "Randi" or "Rand" - has such a likeable charm and personality. While I read I felt like I knew her and her story as if it were my own. I laughed, I cried, and I even felt her confusion. Melissa has written a fantastic character and it just gets better!
Blake - aka: Blaze - was so much fun, Brad really cared, Izzy was adorable, and the rest of the "small" characters were perfectly captured.
Matthew - what else is there to say except I have a new fictional crush! ;) Okay, okay. Give me a second... Ah, here is something - he is a wonderful Uncle. I loved the fact that Melissa wrote about the deaf and hard of hearing. My older sister is HOH and it was a joy to read a book about kids with that. Made my heart happy.
This book is easily one of my favorites and has a nice place on my bookshelf! I can't wait to read more from Melissa Tagg!
5 stars!
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Review of 'Rules of Murder' by Julianna Deering
I received this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.
Rules of Murder definitely reminded me of an Agatha Christie novel - it had me on the edge of my seat.
There is mystery, murder, romance, and even a bit of humor in the pages of this book. I could have sworn from the beginning that I knew what had happened and even the characters slowly got to what I thought I had figured out in the first third of the book.
However, I was wrong! The real murderer was one I never expected! Stumping me is not all that easy to do and I am very pleased to say that Julianna managed to do it!
The only complaint I have is that the romance seemed to almost take over the book 3/4 of the way through - it felt like the mystery slipped back a bit. However, this was quickly fixed for the ending was a crazy burst of mystery!
All in all, I loved it! Drew is very charming and I liked the parts about God that was thrown into the mix. If this is going to be a series, I am definitely reading the rest! Keep the mystery coming Julianna and never stop trying to stump the readers!
5 out of 5 stars!
Rules of Murder definitely reminded me of an Agatha Christie novel - it had me on the edge of my seat.
There is mystery, murder, romance, and even a bit of humor in the pages of this book. I could have sworn from the beginning that I knew what had happened and even the characters slowly got to what I thought I had figured out in the first third of the book.
However, I was wrong! The real murderer was one I never expected! Stumping me is not all that easy to do and I am very pleased to say that Julianna managed to do it!
The only complaint I have is that the romance seemed to almost take over the book 3/4 of the way through - it felt like the mystery slipped back a bit. However, this was quickly fixed for the ending was a crazy burst of mystery!
All in all, I loved it! Drew is very charming and I liked the parts about God that was thrown into the mix. If this is going to be a series, I am definitely reading the rest! Keep the mystery coming Julianna and never stop trying to stump the readers!
5 out of 5 stars!
Review of 'Aquifer' by Jonathan Friesen
I tried, truly I did. I got to the third chapter before I quit. It was just too odd for my tastes. I am not going to give it a real review since I didn't finish it - sorry. I passed it on to my sister in hopes that she will like it more.
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