Breathing by: Cheryl Renee Herbsman: Review

Breathing

by: Cheryl Renee Herbsman

From Amazon:

Savannah would be happy to spend the summer in her coastal Carolina town working at the library and lying in a hammock reading her beloved romance novels. But then she meets Jackson. Once they lock eyes, she’s convinced he’s the one—her true love, her soul mate, a boy different from all the rest. And at first it looks like Savannah is right. Jackson abides by her mama’s strict rules, and stays by her side during a hospitalization for severe asthma, which Savannah becomes convinced is only improving because Jackson is there. But when he’s called away to help his family—and seems uncertain about returning—Savannah has to learn to breathe on her own, both literally and figuratively.

From Me:

I was so excited to get my hands on this book, and I don't want to say I was disappointed, because I really wasn't...I was just not as awed as I expected to be. I liked the story, and I enjoyed the dialect once I got used to it, but I am from the south and don't really know anyone who talks quite like that. I mean yeah, we say things like "yall" and the occasional "reckon" but you know...I guess North Carolina is more distinct.


The story of Savannah and Jackson I really liked. I felt at times that Savannah was kind of a complainer. She did some things that didn't set well with me, and I guess it may have been caused by her age, maybe she was just so young that she made those little annoying mistakes.


Okay, my nit picking is done. Over all I really liked it. I wish that it had more of a ending though. I did feel like I was left hanging...so maybe a sequel is in order? hmmm. I wouldn't mind it.


This book is worth reading for the relationship. It feels real, and I guess that's partly because Cheryl Renee Herbsman had a relationship similar to this. I would recommend it.


It gets a 8.


-Christina

My First Contest...

Okay yes. This is where the excitement part of my In My Mailbox post really comes into play. This week I got two ARC's of Twenty Boy, and I only need one...so I'm giving the other away. Plain and simple.

Here are the rules:

You get one entry for commenting on this post.

+1 extra entry if you link to this contest

+1 entry if you comment on past reviews (limit to 5).

+2 extra entries if you become a follower, or are already a follower.

Pretty Simple right?

At the end of one month I will tally up everyone's total and put all the names in a hat, and pick the winner.

Be sure to tell me what you do in your comment. If you link to it, please leave me the link.

So you have till June 23. Good luck everyone :]

The Summer I Turned Pretty by: Jenny Han

The Summer I Turned Pretty
by: Jenny Han

From Amazon:

Some summers are just destined to be pretty
Belly measures her life in summers. Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August. Winters are simply a time to count the weeks until the next summer, a place away from the beach house, away from Susannah, and most importantly, away from Jeremiah and Conrad. They are the boys that Belly has known since her very first summer -- they have been her brother figures, her crushes, and everything in between. But one summer, one wonderful and terrible summer, the more everything changes, the more it all ends up just the way it should have been all along.

From Me:

This book was exactly what I wanted to read. I went to Barnes and Noble and debated with myself for at least 20 minutes trying to decide whether to buy this or not...but my book loving self beat my sensible money saving side.

Then, about 24 hours later I had it read.

Is that a good thing? For me yeah.

It's not a really short book. It's 246 pages long and it was the perfect early summer read. I loved the setting, and the characters...although I'm not entirely sure about how they carried themselves always. Conrad was very wishy washy. One minute I liked him, and then the next I didn't. He went between two extremes - being a jerk, and then being completely adorable. It sat okay with me though, just simply because I know someone like that, but I'm not sure how every reader would like that.

Also the main character's name bugged me. I mean...Belly? Her name was Isabella and I know it was supposed to be like she was always seen as a kid but...Belly?! Why not Bell? Bella? Issy? Isabella? goodness.

But I did enjoy the book. The feelings were good, the emotion was powerful, and it wasn't light and fluffy. It was good and I would recommend it to anyone searching for a good summertime read about Love and Friendship...and all things in between.

I give it a 8/10.

-Christina :]

Waiting on Wednesday [9]

Okay so this weeks magical book is....

Once Was Lost

by: Sara Zarr

Samara Taylor used to believe in miracles. She used to believe in a lot of things. As a pastor's kid, it's hard not to buy in to the idea of the perfect family, a loving God, and amazing grace. But lately, Sam has a lot of reason to doubt. Her mother lands in rehab after a DUI and her father seems more interested in his congregation than his family. When a young girl in her small town is kidnapped, the local tragedy overlaps with Sam's personal one, and the already-worn thread of faith holding her together begins to unravel. In her third novel, acclaimed author Sara Zarr examines the coexistence of affliction and hope, and what happens when everything you thought you believed---about God, about your family, about yourself---is transformed.

*Sounds great, and I am a Sara Zarr fan :]

Radiant Darkness by: Emily Whitman

Radiant Darkness

by: EmilyWhitman

From Amazon:

He smiles. "Hello."
It's a deep voice. I can feel it reverberate in my chest and echo all the way down to my toes.
I know I should leave, but I don't want to. I want to keep my senses like this forever. I'm all eye, all ear, all skin.
Persephone lives in the most gorgeous place in the world. But her mother's a goddess, as overprotective as she is powerful. Paradise has become a trap. Just when Persephone feels there's no chance of escaping the life that's been planned for her, a mysterious stranger arrives. A stranger who promises something more—something dangerous and exciting—something that spurs Persephone to make a daring choice. A choice that could destroy all she's come to love, even the earth itself.
In a land where a singing river can make you forget your very name, Persephone is forced to discover who—and what—she really is.

From Me:

Okay, so Radiant Darkness reads almost like a fairy tale, but yet not. It's based on Greek Mythology and the story of Persephone but gives the story a completely different twist. Instead of Hadies being the bad guy and stealing Persephone, in this story she goes willingly and out of love.

I love the idea, and really enjoyed the change in the story.

The beginning was a bit fast for me. I wish that we had more time in the Vale with her and Hades. I would have really liked to see their relationship before their departure more.

However, once we actually entered the underworld I couldn't get enough of the story. It flowed well and was almost poetic in places. I loved the interesting characters that were found there and also how the relationship between Hades and Philomena continued to develop.

The Underworld was surprising which I liked. It wasn't at all how I would have expected it to be and it was a pleasant surprise to find it...joyful.

I felt that the emotions in it rang true. I understood the reasons for the characters actions and nothing really happened that was out of character, and that is always a good thing. Characters who do out of character things are one of my pet peeves.

All in all I loved the new take on this Greek Myth and enjoyed it very much, I would recommend reading it if you love fairy tales or Mythology, or just want to wander into a different world for awhile.

I really liked this book and will deffinately have my eye on this author, the writing style was good, and I can't wait to read more.

I give it a 9.

-Christina :]