Luck of the Draw

Luck of the Draw
by Rachael Renee Anderson



Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Romance, Young Adult

Rating: Y

Content: Clean

Summary:

When Brighton's roommates bet him that he can't get three girls to go out with him at the same time, he has no doubt that he's up to the challenge. Besides, the prospect of an entire month of free laundry is just too enticing to resist. Of course, that's before he meets Dani--a girl who's never had a problem turning down a not-so-perfect guy. Soon Brighton realizes that winning the bet might mean losing what really matters most. This fast-paced modern romance is told with wit, sweetness, and a healthy dose of fun. It's a sure bet that Luck of the Draw will keep you laughing to the very last page.

Personal Review:

This book was an enjoyable read. I was surprised to find that the little summary of the book is just a small portion of what this book is about. This is the type of book that I would read when in the mood for a chick flick (however you have already seen all of the good clean chick flicks and so you have to read one instead.)

-Curry

If you enjoyed this you may also like:

Trial of the Heart by Sierra St. James
Counting Stars by Michele Paige Holmes
All's Fair in Love War and Highschool by Janette Rallison

The Lost Art

Review by Felicity

The Lost Art

by: Jennifer Griffith

Genre: Romance, Contemporary Fiction

Rating: Y

Content: clean

Summary:  (from goodreads)

Dowdy art exhibit coordinator Ava Young is happy with her man-suits and sensible clogs. She likes the way they clip-clop on the museum’s tile floor. But they don’t win her any lovelorn looks from her office crush. In fact, the handsome new guy calls her “sir” when they first meet. Oh, well. She’s always known the only way a guy would take a second look at her was if she was the only person in the room. And on fire.

But after her workplace crush devastates her by, frankly, calling her something super-duper mean, Ava is ready to make some drastic changes inside and out, even if it means giving up chocolate, or taking hilariously out-of-date but strangely wise-sounding advice on femininity from a 1959 book on “How to Snare a Modern Man.”

Either way, she’d better hurry because when a priceless art exhibit gets a theft threat on Ava’s watch, a billionaire bachelor and a handsome FBI agent will be taking a good, long look at the art and at Ava

Personal Review:

Fun, Flirty, and Clean are the three words that sum up this book. It has several good tips on flirting, and a great concept that was executed well.

- Felicity

If you like this you may also like:

Prejudice Meets Pride by Rachael Anderson

Just One Wish by Janette Rallison

Super Daisy! by Jennifer Griffith

Yearbook

Review by Curry

Yearbook
by Ally Condie



Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Christian: LDS Fiction, Young Readers

Rating: Y

Content: Clean

Summary:

It was the first day of school at Lakeview High, and everyone was afraid of something. Michaela Choi was afraid that Ethan Back was never going to ask her out on a date. Andrea Beck was afraid that someone would find her weak spot, the chink in her armor. She was afraid of knowing what it was herself. Principal Downing was afraid she was going to die. Julie Reid was afraid that no one would notice her. She was also afraid that someone would. And there was a deeper, unnamed fear inside her that she couldn't escape - a fear that she was nothing and no one

Personal Review:

I actually found this book really interesting. It follows many different characters and story lines, each one of them unique and touching. My only complaint about this book is that it follows so many different characters (almost every chapter changes perspective) that I think that none of them are developed as well as they could be, as well as I wanted them to be. However, with that aside, I still really enjoyed the book. It wasn't predictable and it was very realistic. I recommend this book to everyone but it is especially great for teens. (There are also two sequels)

- Curry

If you liked this you might also like:

First Day (Yearbook trilogy #2) by Ally Condie
Deep Blue Eyes and Other Lies by Janette Rallison
Counting Stars by Michele Paige Holmes

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

What the Doctor Ordered

Review by Curry

What the Doctor Ordered

by Sierra St. James

Genre: Romance, Christian: LDS Fiction, Young Adult

Rating: Y

Content: Clean

Summary: (From the back of the book)

They've never been out on a date. They can barely speak a civil word to each other when they find themselves in the same room. But Aunt Bertie, who is not crazy, just -eccentric- knows that John and Ellie belong together, and she's doing all she can to further their cause. When Ellie comes to Colton Idaho, to spend the summer with Aunt Bertie and prove to her parents that her aunt doesn't belong in an assisted-care facility, the confusion begins. Bertie's determination to marry Ellie off to Dr. John Flynn leads to a hilarious string of miscommunications in this delightful romantic comedy

Personal Review:

Sierra St. James is the pen name for another author that I really like (Janette Rallison.) She uses Sierra St. James for her LDS fiction novels. Although I love all of her novels, I wish that she would write more under this pen name. There are only three books that I know of under Sierra St. James. Anyways, What the Doctor Ordered is my favorite Sierra St. James book. It is really funny, and yet also has some tender sweet moments. The romance in it is well developed, and who wouldn’t like the guy in this? he’s a doctor! haha :) Great romantic comedy type book.

- Curry

If you liked this you might also like:

Masquerade by Sierra St. James

A Love Like Lilly by Kay Lynn Mangum

Luck of the Draw by Rachael Anderson

Northanger Alibi

Review by Felicity

Northanger Alibi (Jane Austen Diaries)

by: Jenni James

Genre: Teen Fiction/Romance

Rating: Y

Content: Clean

Jenni James series of Jane Austen Diaries has taken Jane Austen's story lines and transplanted them into a modern day high school very successfully in my opinion.

Summary:  (from goodreads)

The Russo family and Seattle, Washington, are no match for Claire Hart and her savvy knowledge of all things vampire-related. Thanks to her obsession with the Twilight series, if there is anyone who would know a vampire when she saw one, it's Claire. And she's positive totally hot Tony Russo is a vampire - she just has to prove it!

In this modern retelling of Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey, follow Claire's hilarious journey on her first summer adventure away from home, where she learns everything isn't what it seems, and that in some instances, reality is way better than anything she'd ever find in a book.

Personal Review:

Thus far I have read three of the books from this series and surprisingly Northanger Alibi is my favorite. The main character is a Twilight obsessed teenager. I am not a fan of the Twilight Saga, however my love for Jane Austen far outweighs my dislike of Twilight. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I found myself laughing out loud throughout the book. If you have a friend or a daughter who is maybe a little too obsessed with Twilight then have them read this book and maybe it can help, either way they will love it. This book is fun, clean, and an easy read.

- Felicity

If you like this you may also like:

Pride and Popularity by Jenni James

Northanger Abby by Jane Austen

Austenland by Shannon Hale

Heist Society

Review by heyes

Heist Society

By Ally Carter

Rating: Y


Content: Clean

Summary:

Katarina Bishop is not your average 15 year old girl. When most parents were sending their three year olds to preschool hers took her to art museums… to case them. She stole crown jewels with her Uncle Eddie at age seven, and finally at the age 15 pulled her own con: her way out of that life and into an Ivy private school. But she can only pretend to be normal for so long, soon her former co conspirator, Hale, shows up and Kat is thrown right back into that world she tried to leave. Someone stole a mobster’s priceless art and left Kat’s dad’s MO all over it. In order to keep her father from the wrath of the Mobster and from the suspicion of Interpol, Kat and her friends must pull the biggest heist in history.

Personal Review:

I loved it. This book is super cute. The characters are very entertaining and the heists they pull are clever. I would recommend this book to girls, boys, adults, anyone in the mood for a fun, easy read. The sequels Uncommon Criminals, and Perfect Scoundrels are great too.

-heyes
       

If you liked this book, you may also like:

Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter

I’d Tell You I Love You, But Then I’d Have To Kill You by Ally Carter

My Double Life by Janette Rallison

All's Fair in Love War and High School

Review by Curry

All’s Fair in Love War and High School

By: Janette Rallison

Genre: Teen Fiction/Romance

Rating: Y

Content: This book is super clean. One time they mention that a character likes to party and drink (but it is looked down upon)

Let me just start off by saying that I am a big fan of Janette Rallison. Her books are very fun and clever and yet they are not shallow like teen fiction can sometimes be.  Her characters are very well rounded and there are always good lessons to be learned.

All’s Fair in Love war and High School is no exception to this.

Here is a summary:

Samantha Taylor is popular and pretty. Everything that you could want in high school, right? But when she bombs the SATs Samantha starts to think beyond high school and begins to worry about not getting accepted into college because of her less than outstanding grades. In an effort to make a college application seem more impressive Samantha decides to run for student body president. When she makes a bet with her long time friend/enemy, Logan, that she can go two weeks without insulting someone Samantha’s real journey begins.  Along this journey she learns that how she perceives herself and how others see her might not be exactly aligned and she may be the one in the wrong.

Personal Review:

I really enjoyed this book for many reasons. We read teen fiction all the time about the “average girl,” or the “shy smart book worm,” or the “outcast,” etc. But it is not so often that we read books about the “popular cheerleader.” Samantha is a flawed character but that was what made her endearing to me. No matter what stereotype we fit into in life we all have feelings and we all have insecurities. This book did a really good job at showing Samantha’s insecurities and strengths as well as her good sides. She is very clever and funny. It was so fun to follow along in her journey in this book.  This book is hilarious as well as sweet. I recommend it!

(Oh and the supporting characters were great too! I love Logan)

- Curry :)

If you like this you may also like:

It's a Mall World After All by Janette Rallison
How Not to Spend Your Senior Year by Cameron Dokey
To Catch a Pirate by Jade Parker

The Secret Journal of Brett Colton

Review by heyes

The Secret Journal of Brett Colton 
by Kay Lynn Mangum



Genre: Romance, Drama, LDS Fiction, 


Personal Rating: Y.

Content Review: Religion: Some Latter-Day Saint/Christian Themes

Short Summary: This is the story of sixteen year old Kathy Colton, who resents her deceased brother that succumbed to cancer when she was a toddler. Her family seems to think that he was perfect and doesn't have time for her. She happens upon his journal that he left specifically for her. Through reading his experiences and through her own in tutoring popular football player, Jason, who happens to be a Mormon, she learns the importance of family, friends and nurturing faith. 

Personal Review: Don't worry no spoliers. I really loved this book. You can see Kathy's life change from being cynical and unhappy at home with her family to seeing her really see things in a different light and being grateful for what and who she has. You don't have to be Mormon or LDS to like this book. But have a box of kleenex nearby.

-heyes

If you like this book you might also like:
A Love Like Lily by Kay Lynn Mangum
Just One Wish by Janette Rallison
Charly by Jack Weyland