It's a Mall World After All

Review by Curry

It's a Mall World After All
by: Janette Rallison



Genre: Romance, Contemporary Fiction, Young Adult, Young Readers

Rating: Y

Content: Clean

Summary:

It's too bad they don't give out diplomas for what you learn at the mall, because I could graduate with honors in that subject.  No really.  Since I've worked there, I've become an expert on all things shopping-related. For example, I can tell you right off who to distrust at the mall:
  
1) Skinny people who work at Cinnabon.  I mean, if they're not eating the stuff they sell, how good can it be?

2) The salesladies at department store makeup counters.  No matter what they tell you, buying all that lip gloss will not make you look like the pouty models in the store posters.

3) And most importantly--my best friend's boyfriend, Bryant, who showed up at the food court with a mysterious blonde draped on his arm.

Yeah, I saw it, and yeah, I told my best friend all about it.

You would think this would mean trouble for Bryant, but you would basically be wrong.  Somehow, the evil boyfriend turned everything around, and now I'm the one who has to prove myself!  But I will. Even if Bryant--and more importantly his best friend, Colton--keep trying to stop me.

Personal Review:

Do not judge this book by it's cover! (or by the title) Yes, it is true that the title is cheesy and this is a teen high school book, but this is such a fun read for any girl no matter the age. If you are a female and you can read, then I recommend this book. Janette Rallison's writing is clever and hilarious. She has such a good way of making fun of her characters and yet making the reader understand them and fall in love with them. I like how the main character, Charlotte, was able to grow in this book. Heyes is actually the one that introduced me to this author, when I was in high school, and I love her! If you are like me and love cute romantic comedies but sometimes have a hard time finding clean ones, then you will love this book. Actually, you will probably love any Janette Rallison book.

- Curry

If you liked this, you might also enjoy:

All's Fair in Love War and High School by Janette Rallison
When the Bough Breaks by Kay Lynn Mangum
Slayers by C.J Hill

The Reluctant Bachelorette

The Reluctant Bachelorette
by Rachael Anderson

Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary Fiction

Rating: Y

Content: Clean

Summary:

Taycee hates change. She has everything she wants in her small town of Shelter Springs. She owns her own shop, has a nice boyfriend and the best friend in the world. But when she realizes that she doesn’t want to be serious with her boyfriend because of unresolved issues with her high school crush, she decides dating needs to be pushed to the back burner for awhile. Unfortunately fate and her best friend have other plans. Plans that include Taycee dating 21 guys on a dating show and her long lost high school crush is one of them. Can Taycee save her town without losing her heart?  

Personal Review:

First of all, who says I can’t write those cheesy summaries on the back of the books? I mean look at that summary, special attention to the last bit. Ha ha. Okay so this book was what I categorize as a great chick flick book. It’s a great read to curl up on the couch when you want something light and cute. The characters are good people and the story is just enough unpredictable to keep you turning pages. I really liked Taycee I thought that her issues that kept her out of relationships was real without making you hate her. And I liked her best friend because she forced Taycee out of her comfort zone. None of the characters are perfect but they were all trying to be good people.

-heyes

If you enjoyed this you might also like

What the Doctor Ordered by Sierra St. James
Divinely Designed by Rachael Anderson
Persuasion by Rebecca Jamison
Cross My Heart by Julie Wright

Sum It Up

Review by Felicity

Sum It Up: 1,098 Victories, a Couple of Irrelevant Losses, and a Life in Perspective

by: Pat Summitt, Sally Jenkins

Genre: Sports/Non Fiction/Autobiography/Inspirational

Rating: Y 12

Content:  I do not remember specifics but overall yes I believe this book is clean

Summary:  (from goodreads)

Pat Summitt, the all-time winningest coach in NCAA basketball history and bestselling author of Reach for the Summitt and Raise The Roof, tells for the first time her remarkable story of victory and resilience as well as facing down her greatest challenge: early-onset Alzheimer's disease.

Personal Review:

As soon as I was introduced to the world of basketball in 7th grade I became a big fan of the Lady Vols and their head coach Pat Summitt. I recently found this book in the library. I was not disappointed, Pat Summitt is an amazing women and I have only come to respect and idolize her more, the more I learn about her. This book shows Pat Summitt’s struggles and successes not only on the basketball court but with Alzheimer’s as well. When I grow up I want to be like her.

- Felicity

If you like this you may also like:

Reach for the Summit by Pat Summitt, Sally Jenkins

Coach: Lessons on the Game of Life by Michael Lewis

The False Prince

Review by Curry

The False Prince

by Jennifer Nielsen

Genre: Adventure, Young Adult

Rating: Y-11

Content: Violence involving children

Let me just start off by saying that this is a 5 STAR book for me! Here’s the summary:

Summary:

In a faraway land, civil war is brewing. To unify his kingdom’s divided people, A nobleman named Conner devises a cunning plan to find an impersonator of the King’s long-lost son and install him on the throne. Four orphans are forced to compete for the role including a clever and defiant boy named Sage. Sage know that Conner’s motives are more than questionable, yet his life balances on a sword’s point - he must be chosen to play the prince or he will certainly be killed. His rivals will be devising their own plots as well, so Sage must trust no one and keep his thoughts hidden.

Personal Review:

For all of you that have not read this book yet, you are lucky. I only say that because you do not have to wait for the 2nd and 3rd books to come out like I had to. I LOVE THIS BOOK! It was torture to wait, but I did it and it was worth it. There are many reasons why I love this book but the main reason is because of Sage, the main character. He is brilliant and so fun to read about. There are times when you think “Why are you doing this?!” But then it all makes sense and I learned to fully trust him. This book has everything; an intriguing plot, great characters, humor, suspense and just a touch of romance. I think that I will go re-read it now. Peace!

- Curry

If you liked this you may also like:

The Runaway King by Jennifer Nielsen

Crown Duel by Sherwood Smith

Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier

The Kiss of a Stranger

Review by Felicity

The Kiss of a Stranger

by: Sarah M Eden

Genre: Regency/Romance

Rating: Y

Content: Clean (the villain is a physically abusive uncle)

Sarah M Eden is currently one of my favorite authors. Her books are quick and easy reads with fun and exciting romantic heroes and heroines set mostly in the regency period.

Summary:  (from goodreads)

When Crispin, Lord Cavratt, thoroughly and scandalously kisses a serving woman in the garden of a country inn, he assumes the encounter will be of no consequence. But he couldn't be more mistaken--the maid is not only a lady of birth, she's the niece of a very large, exceptionally angry gentlemen, who claims Crispin has compromised his niece beyond redemption. The dismayed young lord has no choice but to marry Miss Catherine Thorndale, who lacks both money and refinement and assumes all men are as vicious as her guardian uncle.

Trapped between an unwanted marriage and a hasty annulment, which would leave his reputation tainted and Catherine's utterly ruined, Crispin begins guiding his wife's transformation from a socially petrified country girl to a lady of society. Their unfolding relationship reveals encouraging surprises for both of them, and privately each of them wonders if theirs may become a true marriage of the heart. But their hopes are dashed when forces conspire to split asunder what fate has granted. As a battle of wits escalates into a life-threatening confrontation, will it be possible for Crispin and Catherine to live happily ever after?

Personal Review:

In this book you will watch a married couple fall in love and see all the dysfunction that comes from poor communication. I will admit the story is rather unnecessarily dramatic at times and yet I loved every moment of it. This book also has the bonus of introducing the Jonquil brothers which go on to be the heroes of three of her other books I also love.    

- Felicity

If you like this you may also like:

As You Are by Sarah M Eden

The Silent Governess by Julie Klassen

Friends and Foes by Sarah M Eden