ARC Review: The Trouble With Flirting by Claire LaZebnik

Publisher:  HarperTeen

Publication Date:  February 26th, 2013

Franny's supposed to be working this summer, not flirting. But you can't blame her when guys like Alex and Harry are around. . . .

Franny Pearson never dreamed she'd be attending the prestigious Mansfield Summer Theater Program. And she's not, exactly. She's working for her aunt, the resident costume designer. But sewing her fingers to the bone does give her an opportunity to spend time with her crush, Alex Braverman. If only he were as taken with the girl hemming his trousers as he is with his new leading lady.

When Harry Cartwright, a notorious flirt, shows more than a friendly interest in Franny, she figures it can't hurt to have a little fun. But as their breezy romance grows more complicated, can Franny keep pretending that Harry is just a carefree fling? And why is Alex suddenly giving her those deep, meaningful looks? In this charming tale of mixed messages and romantic near-misses, one thing is clear: Flirting might be more trouble than Franny ever expected.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

Oh, Claire LaZebnik, I so love the way you write!  Each time I read one of your books, I come away with a overall feeling that all is right with the universe, and that true love really does exist.  Trust me, THAT is a huge accomplishment, because I am possibly one of the most jaded people ever when it comes to love.  I absolutely DETEST Valentine's Day, get totally grossed out when my friends express their gushy feelings toward their significant others on Facebook, and believe that the true and everlasting love of a single person is a total myth.  Now, a true and everlasting love of cupcakes, well, that is another story...  Moving on.

About a year and a half ago, I reviewed Claire's YA debut, Epic Fail, and LOVED it (read my full review HERE). Claire has several other Chick Lit titles under her belt, as well as some non-fiction titles dealing with Autism (check out her Goodreads profile HERE), but I believe that YA is her forte; She has a real knack for understanding the minds of the characters she writes, as well as those of her target audience.  Plus, I love that her YA novels have been loose retellings of Jane Austen novels, because I believe that they will open the minds of a new generation to reading those dusty, old, WONDERFUL books!

So, The Trouble With Flirting?  All I can say is that I adored it.  (Actually, that isn't ALL I can say, but it sounded good.)  I just happened to be sick the day after I received it in the mail *coughs*, and read it straight through in one sitting!  It is a loosely based, modern retelling of Mansfield Park, and I thought it was near perfect.  Mansfield Park isn't my favorite of Jane Austen's books, nor is it my least favorite; Actually it falls right in the middle for me.  That meant one very important thing for me while reading The Trouble With Flirting... I had an open mind to the story, because I didn't feel a tremendous urge to compare and nitpick, as it pertained to the original, because this story is very loosely based on the original, and if it had been, say, Emma, I may not have been so okay with liberties.  That said, I am not going to do a play-by-play comparison. I'm just going to tell you the reasons I loved it.

Obviously, I was drawn to it because it's a modern retelling, so the story was big for me.  I loved it.  I loved that the protagonist, Franny, was at this summer theater camp, not as an actress as she would have liked to have been, but as an assistant to the costume designer, her spinster aunt.  You see, Franny's family can't afford to send her to college, let alone an expensive summer camp, so she is spending her summer earning money to help fund her education.  When Franny arrives at the Mansfield Summer Theater Program, she runs into her old friend from middle school, Julia Braverman.  This is when she finds out that Julia's brother, Alex, is also there; Alex, Franny's forever-crush, and the first boy she ever had it bad for... As Franny catches up with Julia and Alex, she meets other students and begins to build an awkward social life (after all, she is "the help", and these teens are all rich, beautiful, and sophisticated).  Enter Harry Cartwright, a roguish ladies man, who has the eye of every girl at Mansfield, except Franny, who is firmly pining for the attached Alex.  Well, of course, that means Harry sets his sights on the one he can't have, Franny... The story continues in ways that I wouldn't have expected it to, and it left me feeling very satisfied in the end.  Honestly, if you had asked me at the beginning, I would have said that, without a doubt, I knew how it would end, and it makes me happy to know that I would have been dead wrong.

Something else I really loved about this book were the characters and character development   Claire went out of her way to show us that people aren't always who they appear to be on the surface, and that everyone should be given the benefit of the doubt.  I became so caught up in the details of each character, that I found myself thinking of them as friends.  The interpersonal relationships between the characters would not have been so key had the characters themselves not been developed so well.  Of course, I loved Franny.  She was just a great girl.  Sure she was insecure and made a few poor choices, but she always owned up to them, and tried to fix any damage she may have caused.  Aunt Amelia really surprised me a lot, as did Isabella, and the boys.  I only had one character pegged from the beginning, and that was Marie; She was pretty much the very necessary, if cliche, romantic antagonist.

Like I said before, I found this book to be near perfection.  It was light, sweet, and so upbeat, I couldn't help but close it with a ginormous smile on my face.  It was like the feeling you have when you've just finished an airy, delectable pastry; Satisfied, yet craving more.  That is exactly how I feel about Claire's writing, and I can't wait to read what she has coming next!

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★  

Grade Level Recommendation:  This is perfectly fine for middle school and up.  There are a couple of hot and heavy make-outs, and some mention of a few morally questionable girls, and there are a few characters who smoke and drink, but overall, it it pretty benign stuff.  I would say it is fine for grades 6 and up (ages 12+).

ARC Review: The Goddess Legacy by Aimee Carter

Publisher: HarlequinTeen
Publication Date: July 31st, 2012

For millennia we've caught only glimpses of the lives and loves of the gods and goddesses on Olympus. Now Aime e Carter pulls back the curtain on how they became the powerful, petty, loving and dangerous immortals that Kate Winters knows.

Calliope/Hera represented constancy and yet had a husband who never matched her faithfulness....

Ava/Aphrodite was the goddess of love and yet commitment was a totally different deal....

Persephone was urged to marry one man, yet longed for another....

James/Hermes loved to make trouble for others-but never knew true loss before....

Henry/Hades's solitary existence had grown too wearisome to continue. But meeting Kate Winters gave him a new hope....

Five original novellas of love, loss and longing and the will to survive throughout the ages. 

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

I am a big fan of retellings.  I adore a good Fairy Tale Retelling, and lately retellings of Greek myths have really grown on me.  I never paid much attention when we studied Greek mythology in school, and I think that had a lot to do with the fact that my teachers kind of glossed over, or skipped altogether, the more entertaining parts of the lore- the affairs, the debauchery, the betrayals, the sex...  Through my reading of these retellings, I have found a renewed interest, and I look at the original stories in an entirely different light now.  Aimee Carter's series, beginning with The Goddess Test, is one of the ones that sparked this renewed interest.  The Goddess Legacy is the third (actually, it's titled as number 2.5) book in the series, and thus far, is my favorite.  The Goddess Test begins with the story of Henry/Hades and Kate, and her quest to pass the tests set forth by the Olympians so that she may become one of them, Henry's bride, and Queen of the Underworld.  Goddess Interrupted picks up where The Goddess Test leaves off, and ends with one of those horrible cliffhangers that makes the reader ponder and pine for more (read my review HERE).  Both are centered around Kate and Henry's relationship, and while many of the other gods and goddesses have roles, their stories and motivations are not stated.  The Goddess Legacy gives those stories an opportunity to be told.  It consists of five novellas, each telling the story of a god or goddess who had an integral role in the first two books.  Each is told from the POV of the god or goddess in question, and while not all of their stories evoked my sympathy, they did earn my understanding of their motivations and behaviors.

In the first two books Hera/Calliope is painted in a rather negative light.  Her negative traits include bitterness, selfishness, and a manipulative nature, and that is only to name a few of many.  She is cast as the total villain, and rightly so.  In The Goddess Legacy, as her life story and motivations are revealed, it becomes glaringly obvious why she has become the goddess she has become.  Did I ever grow to like her or excuse her actions because of it?  No.  But I can better understand how she came to be the goddess she is in the first books.  She has experienced much pain and suffering at the hands of others, over the course of her eternity.  Because of her pride and principles, she made some very deplorable and misguided decisions, of which there seems to be no end in sight. I still don't like her, but I now feel some pity for her.

Next was Aphrodite/Ava's story, and my opinion of her actually changed, after getting the skinny on who she actually is.  In the first two books, I felt sorry for her.  She showed some selfish tendencies, and she often made some questionable choices, but I honestly thought that those things were mainly a result of her lack of intelligence.  Wrong!  She is one manipulative, cunning girl.  Obviously she is her daddy's (Zeus) favorite, and she milks it for all it's worth.  She is spoiled and self-absorbed, and almost always gets what she wants, come hell or high water.  One scene that sticks out in my mind is when she argues with Persephone over Adonis; she isn't getting her way, and she shouts, "Daddy!", and Zeus immediately arrives to sort things out.  She is like a mythological Veruca Salt (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl, for those of you who have been living under rocks).  She is entertaining, but she is a brat.  Her only redeeming quality is the tenderness she shows toward Hephaestus and Eros, but in my mind, it isn't nearly enough.

After Aphrodite, we "meet" Persephone.  Compared to Persephone, Aphrodite's selfishness looks like martyrdom.  That said, I still felt more sympathetic toward her because she was truly a victim of the poor choices that others made on her behalf.  Zeus and her mother, Demeter, arranged the marriage she did not want, Hades allowed it to happen, and Hera clearly cursed the possibility of their union to ever working.  I'm glad Persephone found her happiness in the end, even as badly as I feel for Hades.

Next up is the story of Hermes/James...  In the first two books I didn't care much for him.  It wasn't that I disliked him, I just kind of felt indifferent.  Now, after reading his story, I really like him to the point that he is one of my favorite characters.  I enjoyed his story the most, and I really loved learning how each of the gods/goddesses got their "modern" names and why.  I felt like he had the most depth and humanity.

Finally, we learn more about Hades/Henry, and the circumstances leading up to his story in the first two books.  Having more of his background really helped me to understand him as it pertains to his cautious nature as far as Kate was concerned.  All of the gods/goddesses suffered to some degree, but he had it the worst.  At least they had one another to comfort them in their moments of pain, but he was alone in the Underworld.  Still, he almost always make selfless choices, even ones that the others didn't understand or hated him for.  I like the path Aimee Carter took when telling his story, and it makes me look forward to The Goddess Inheritance all the more.

Overall, this compilation of novellas really added to my enjoyment of this series.  If you've read and enjoyed Aimee's books to this point, make this one a priority on your TBR.  If you haven't read the first two books, that's okay, you can still read this one and fully understand what is going on.  The stories stand alone, but I will warn you, once you get a taste of Aimee's take on these characters, you will want to read more!

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★  

Grade Level Recommendation:  There is definitely some sex (Aphrodite is the goddess of it, after all) and a few of the characters definitely have some issues with morality, but otherwise this book is clean.  I stand by my grade level recommendation for the first two books.  Grades 6 and up (ages 11+).

**Don't forget to check out my giveaway for a chance to win a hardcover cop of Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry!  Click HERE to enter!  Ends at 12:00am, August 14th, 2012**

Review: Another Jekyll, Another Hyde by Daniel & Dina Nayeri

Publisher:  Candlewick Press

Publication Date:  March 27th, 2012

An elusive stalker is targeting Marlowe kids - and something unearthly has gotten into its wealthiest student - as the Another series builds up to a fiendish finale. When his billionaire father marries French governess Nicola Vileroy, high society is all abuzz - but Thomas, the most popular student at Marlowe, is just plain high. Ever since his girlfriend Belle dumped him, he's been spending less time with old friends and more time getting wasted at clubs. But after someone slips him a designer drug one night - and his stepmother seems to know way too much about his private life - things really start to get scary. As Thomas's blackouts give way to a sinister voice inside his head, and as news of a vicious hate crime has students on edge, Thomas comes to the sickening realization that Madame Vileroy has involved him in a horrifying supernatural plan. How can he muster the strength and will to stop it? The pulse-quickening climax revisits Jekyll and Hyde as a current-day cautionary tale laced with a heady dose of paranormal intrigue.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

I recently read and reviewed the first book in this series, Another Faust (read my review HERE), in preparation for reading this book.  My eye had been on it for awhile, and when I got an advance copy of Another Jekyll, Another Hyde, I knew it was time to get around to reading it.  I thoroughly enjoyed it, and wish I had time to read book number two, Another Pan.  I understood what was going on in Another Jekyll, Another Hyde, but there were a few holes, so I will definitely go back and read Another Pan, but I think you really only NEED to read Another Faust to read this book.

Another Jekyll, Another Hyde was fantastic.  I liked it slightly better than Another Faust because there wasn't a lot of backstory to bog it down, so it was a quicker, more action-packed read.  Where the pacing in Another Faust kind of ebbed and flowed, the pacing in this book was non-stop, all while keeping the mystery and intrigue alive until the last page.  This is the kind of book series that would make a brilliant movie franchise because of how well written the world and the action sequences are.  They kind of read like a movie, and you become very involved.  This book took me maybe a day and a half to read because I found it impossible to put down; if I had, I would have had a knot of anticipation in my gut until I was able to pick it back up.  The story was great, and I always felt an intense need to know what was going to happen next.  The Nayeris delivered in spades; they provided plausible answers that often opened up other questions.  The conclusion, however, was extremely satisfying.  It wasn't too neat and it didn't feel at all rushed.  It was exactly the type of ending a series like this should have.

The characters were mostly the same as those in Another Faust.  There were a couple of new ones, judging from the dialogue,  that I think were from Another Pan, but their roles were rather small, so I didn't feel like I needed their story.  Madame Vileroy, of course, is a central character, but the main character in this book is Belle's boyfriend from book #1, Thomas.  Madame Vileroy manages to marry his billionaire father, and becomes his stepmother.  The things she has in mind for Thomas are not pretty.  She's as manipulative and evil as ever, but she's also in a weakened state and desperate to regain her full power.  From the wedding until the end of the book, she turns Thomas's world upside down, while making it look to everyone else, including Thomas, like he is slowly descending down a drug-addled path to madness.  We do see the original Faust children a few times, but this story is not really about them, and their main purpose is to serve as backstory to people who may not have read Another Faust.

I can't say that this is the best book of three, because I haven't read Another Pan yet (I fully intend to, so stay tuned), but I can say, that I feel like the Nayeris outdid themselves over Another Faust.  This series is a brilliant modern-retelling of an old tale woven together with some classics, and I hope lots of people will pick it up.

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ½ 

Grade Level Recommendation:  This book has a lot of recreational drug use (along with a strong cautionary message), a good bit of violence (a la Mr. Hyde), and some allusions to sex.  That said, I don't think it would be inappropriate to upper-Middle School age students because of the consequences to all of the actions described.  Honestly, I think they would gain from reading this modern retelling.  Grades 8 and up (ages 13+).

Review: Another Faust by Daniel & Dina Nayeri

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Publication Date: August 25th, 2009

A devilish debut by a brother-sister team invites us into the world of the elite Marlowe School, where some gifted students are having a hell of a year.

One night, in cities all across Europe, five children vanish — only to appear, years later, at an exclusive New York party with a strange and elegant governess. Rumor and mystery follow the Faust teenagers to the city’s most prestigious high school, where they soar to suspicious heights with the help of their benefactor’s extraordinary "gifts." But as the students claw their way up — reading minds, erasing scenes, stopping time, stealing power, seducing with artificial beauty — they start to suffer the sideeffects of their own addictions. And as they make further deals with the devil, they uncover secrets more shocking than their most unforgivable sins. At once chilling and wickedly satirical, this contemporary reimagining of the Faustian bargain is a compelling tale of ambition, consequences, and ultimate redemption.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

I have been meaning to read this book for a couple of years, and I just never got to it.  It sat of my shelf and kind of got forgotten as many of the books I buy do.  I'm not sure why I put off reading it at first, but I'm glad I found a reason to come back to it (I got a copy of the 3rd book in the series, Another Jekyll, Another Hyde, on NetGalley), because it was really good.

It's funny.  I was reluctant when I first picked this book back up because the reviews are rather mixed.  People seem to have pretty strong opinions of it in both directions.  Personally, I don't see what the haters see.  I thought this book was very well written, and the story was interesting and quite original, which isn't necessarily an easy task when retelling an old tale.  It was thought provoking and full of scenarios that made me step back and ask myself what I would have done if presented with the same "deals" the Faust children were presented with.  I also liked the little italicized snippets of Madame Vileroy's past (and one future) deeds.  I felt like they gave a lot of insight into the fact that the five Faust children were not really as special as she made them think they were.

I have to say that aside from the brilliant premise, the characters were my favorite part.  The Nayeri siblings manage to develop them in such a way that you connect with them over time.  While I never actually liked Victoria or Valentin, the authors made me understand their drive and absolute need, at any cost, to be the best.  I found Belle to be the most pathetic of the five, and the more that was revealed of her story, the more I felt that way; I can't say I ever grew to LIKE her, but I did feel a growing pity for her that made it impossible for me to ever dislike her.  As for Christian and Bice, they were by far, my favorite characters.  Christian really wanted to be good, and honestly didn't understand why he felt compelled to "steal" the way he did; I felt like he had an honest soul that was ensnared in something very ugly.  Bice was written to be endearingly awkward, and I was quite (pleasantly) surprised by how her story evolved, right up until the end.  As for Madame Vileroy... Beautiful, manipulative, ever-present and ready to prey on every insecurity the children had.  I've met some creepy characters in my many years of reading, and I dare say that she takes the cake in an overt sort of way.

Finally, I want to touch on the plot pacing.  This was a major complaint for a lot of reviewers; they said it was much too slow and choppy.  On this point, I have to disagree.  While I didn't find this to be a quick read, I never found it tedious either.  The character development and backstory took time, yes, but those pieces were absolutely essential to making the story what it was.  I felt like it moved smoothly and I liked that there were important reveals throughout the story, instead of one climactic one in the end.

Overall, I thought this story was very well done.  I think that as a retelling of an old folk tale, it held on to all of the important elements of the original, while evolving into something completely unique, modern, and relevant.  It is definitely a book that has to be read by the right person; someone who enjoys reading and digging into thought provoking novels.  Patience is key in truly enjoying this book.  I'm looking forward to reading books number two (Another Pan) and three (Another Jekyll, Another Hyde).

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ 

Grade Level Recommendation:  I didn't really find much objectionable content.  No sex, language, or gratuitous violence.  It is a rather dark story, and very complex, so I wouldn't just give it to a younger reader, and as I said in my review, it needs to be read by someone who is willing to dig in.  That said, as an average, I would recommend this to grades 8and up (ages 13+).  A mature well-read 6th or 7th grader would enjoy it as well, but given the length  and time spent on development, it would have to a more patient one (my daughter, who is almost 11, would never get through it).

Review: New Girl by Paige Harbison

Publisher:  HarlequinTeen

Publication Date:  January 31st, 2012

They call me 'New Girl'...

Ever since I arrived at exclusive, prestigious Manderly Academy, that’s who I am. New girl. Unknown. But not unnoticed—because of her.

Becca Normandy—that’s the name on everyone’s lips. The girl whose picture I see everywhere. The girl I can’t compare to. I mean, her going missing is the only reason a spot opened up for me at the academy. And everyone stares at me like it’s my fault.

Except for Max Holloway—the boy whose name shouldn’t be spoken. At least, not by me. Everyone thinks of him as Becca’s boyfriend but she’s gone, and here I am, replacing her. I wish it were that easy. Sometimes, when I think of Max, I can imagine how Becca’s life was so much better than mine could ever be.

And maybe she’s still out there, waiting to take it back.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

I'm a sucker for a good retelling.  Jackson Pearce is a favorite author of mine, as are Shannon Hale and Gail Carson Levine.  When I heard Paige Harbison was doing a modern retelling of Daphne du Maurier's brilliant Rebecca, I was really excited to read it.  I read Rebecca in college and always thought it was a perfect Psychological Thriller; a 5-star read. I think in writing New Girl, Paige Harbison had some really big shoes to fill, and sadly, I think it fell a little short.  That said, I think if I hadn't read Rebecca first, I would have liked New Girl much better, but having done so, I spent most of the book making comparisons...

I'm going to try not to spend this entire review comparing the two books, but it will be difficult.  I liked that Harbison stuck to the original format, right down to the names she used and withholding the protagonist's name until the end; Rebecca, Manderley, Dana (Mrs. Danvers), Max- she worked the names and places in well.  I also really liked her take on the characters.  Rebecca Normandy was a total sociopath, manipulative to her very core, and I enjoyed reading her side of the story, which was told in alternating POVs (hers and New Girl's).  She was a total train wreck and you know how it is witnessing one of those- you just can't stop watching, as horrifying as it may be.  Some of the things the girl said and did were so disgusting and wrong, I wanted to be sick, but in the end, her antics were really what made this book so interesting.  Reading New Girl's character, or "Me", as her chapters were titled, was a bit different of an experience.  She was the quintessential nice girl who happened to be in an impossible situation, but she handled it as well as could be expected.  Where it got really interesting is when the romance between Max and New Girl began to blossom- it was beyond complicated because Becca had been the supposed love of his life.  The mystery surrounding Becca was intense and, as the reader, I never knew what to expect.  I liked that part a lot, and it was the book's saving grace for me.  I was happy with the way it ended too.  As I read the book, I couldn't help thinking that it was just a mediocre retelling of a book I love, but in writing this review, I see that if you take the amazingly done original (that is a long-standing classic for a reason) out of the equation, you have a pretty good book here.  Paige Harbison is a very good writer, and I will certainly keep my eye out for other books by her (I have Here Lies Bridget, but haven't read it yet).   I think anyone would be ambitious to tackle Rebecca and truly make it their own.  

Overall, I would recommend this book to people who like a good Mystery and/or Psychological Thriller.  If you've read Rebecca and loved it as much as I did, I would caution you that while it tries hard, it doesn't measure up.  If you've read it, but it's not a favorite, you may like this version better- it is definitely sexier and more modern.  Those who haven't read Rebecca are probably in the best position to read this because it won't be in the back of your mind, biasing your opinion, as it did mine.

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ½  

Grade Level Recommendation:  This is DEFINITELY a High School read.  There is loads of sex, and not just sex between couples who are in love, but sex used as a tool of manipulation.  There is also lots of teen drinking and drug use.  The kids at Manderley go to the boathouse on campus regularly to party and get absolutely wasted, with no consequence.  These parties are described in detail, and play a huge role in the story.  Aside from that, there is a part where a girl is drugged by a friend and date raped, and another part where a girl describes being sexually assaulted by a friend's older family friend.  Another inappropriate theme is that Becca is loved and admired because of the manipulative things she does.  A less mature reader might misconstrue that and try to emulate her behaviors in hopes that she would gain the type of popularity Becca had.  I would say this book is for 10th grade and up (ages 15+).

Review: Epic Fail by Claire LaZebnik

Publisher: HarperTeen

Publication Date: August 2nd, 2011

Will Elise’s love life be an epic win or an epic fail? At Coral Tree Prep in Los Angeles, who your parents are can make or break you. Case in point:As the son of Hollywood royalty, Derek Edwards is pretty much prince of the school—not that he deigns to acknowledge many of his loyal subjects.As the daughter of the new principal, Elise Benton isn’t exactly on everyone’s must-sit-next-to-at-lunch list.When Elise’s beautiful sister catches the eye of the prince’s best friend, Elise gets to spend a lot of time with Derek, making her the envy of every girl on campus. Except she refuses to fall for any of his rare smiles and instead warms up to his enemy, the surprisingly charming social outcast Webster Grant. But in this hilarious tale of fitting in and flirting, not all snubs are undeserved, not all celebrity brats are bratty, and pride and prejudice can get in the way of true love for only so long.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

Initially, I was drawn to this book because of its name; Epic Fail?  Come on.  Who wouldn't be?  Then I saw the cover and read the synopsis, and I had to give it a shot. I thought it was REALLY cute. I've recently read several heavier books, and this was just what I needed to perk me up.  It's a modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice, and I really think author Claire LaZebnik nails it.  She captured the characters, plot points, and timing perfectly,while modernizing it in a really delightful way (did I just say "delightful"?).  Of course, being a retelling, there aren't a lot of surprises (unless, of course, you've never read Pride and Prejudice), but I didn't love it any less for that.  Some reviewers complained about its predictability, but if you're reading a self-proclaimed "modern retelling", how can you expect surprises?  Sometimes I'm just looking for fun, and this was perfect.  It was funny, witty, and smart.  I felt like Claire LaZebnick had a really great understanding of teens; their ups, downs, worries, and daily dramas.  It was reminiscent of Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins (which I loved!), so if you liked it, I'm sure you'll like this.  Epic Fail?  I think not.  More like EPIC WIN!

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 

Grade Level Recommendation:  Squeaky clean.  Of course there's romance, but it's of the sweet variety. Perfectly appropriate for grades 5+ (Ages 10 and up).  In fact, my 5th grade daughter is reading it right now and loves it!

**Don't forget to sign up to win a signed copy of Across the Universe by Beth Revis HERE.  Giveaway end September 20th, 2011**