Review: Bet Me

Bet Me

By Jennifer Crusie

Publication date: 2004

My review:

Minerva "Min" Dobbs realizes that she took a bad risk on her relationship with boyfriend David Fisk when he dumps her publicly at a bar. Now she is dateless for her sister's wedding and to make matters worse, she overhears David betting one of his friends that he can't get Min to sleep with him within a month. Cal Morrissey is a handsome heartbreaker with quite a reputation. Min is certain that her heart is safe but decides to go along with his flirting thinking she can at least use him as a date to her sister's wedding. Unexpectedly, Cal is nothing like she thought he'd be and they eventually become friends. Before she knows it,  Min starts to fall in love but are his feelings for her real or is it still just about the bet?

Bet Me is the first Jennifer Crusie book I've read and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. The story is told in multiple viewpoints which I was not expecting and there is quite a cast of supporting characters. Min is a very down to earth character. She does obsess about her weight a lot and she enjoys food and fashionable shoes. I do wish that she hadn't had such a low self image. It would have been nice if she had listened to her friends and realized her true worth and beauty without needing to hear it from Cal. Still, this makes her a believable woman because unfortunately that is something many women struggle with. It is good to see her bloom though and her personality definitely shines. 


When I read the description of this book, I wasn't sure that I would like Cal. Like Min's first impression, I thought I'd hate his character and find the romance unbelievable. Thankfully, Cal proved to be a decent guy (there are a lot of misunderstandings surrounding that "bet") or the story wouldn't have worked. I liked that Min and Cal's relationship develops gradually. At first Cal sees Min as an uptight and boring woman who is bitter towards men and Min thinks of Cal as a player who agreed to that horrid bet. It is nice to see their attitudes about each other change. I also liked how protective their friends were. 


The supporting characters were entertaining but I do wish that the book was only written from Min and Cal's points of view. At times the book felt a little overcrowded with personality because of this. There is quite a bit of humor and food descriptions that made me crave donuts and chicken marsala. There are some deeper moments too. The issues of family expectations, self esteem issues for both Min and Cal, and the idea of taking risks vs. playing it safe were handled nicely without overwhelming the lighthearted tone.  Bet Me is the kind of story that would appeal to both readers of contemporary romance and chick lit. I would suggest it to fans of Sarah Strohmeyer, Jennifer Weiner, and Meg Cabot's chick lit novels. Overall I thought this was a fun romance with a predictable plot but enjoyable just the same.


Readalikes: The Sleeping Beauty Proposal by Sarah Strohmeyer, Every Boy's Got One by Meg Cabot, Pretty Woman by Fern Michaels, Jennifer Weiner, Beth Harbison

Review: Dearly, Departed

Dearly, Departed

By Lia Habel

Publication date: October 18, 2011

My review:

The novel takes place in the future (2195) in a time when war and devastation have led to the establishment of New Victoria, a civilization that combines modern technology and Victorian values. Not all members of this society are happy to be there. There are class distinctions and struggles. A group of dissidents called Punks have been waging war on the New Victorians. There is also a threat to both sides that is yet unknown to the majority of people-a strange infectious disease called The Laz that causes people to die and then reanimate as zombies. Nora Dearly, a New Victorian teen, has just returned home from her boarding school when she is kidnapped during a zombie attack. It is then that she crosses paths with the honorable Captain Abraham "Bram" Griswold, a young soldier who happens to be a "good" zombie along with the other members of his unit. With a possible epidemic on their hands and dangers from every side, Nora will have to put aside her anger and distrust to save those she loves.

Nora may come from a privileged class but she proves to be capable of handling difficult situations. At the same time she isn't strong to the point that she has no fears or doesn't need help sometimes. Nora is grieving the loss of her dad which left her an orphan. Then she uncovers some major secrets that turn her world upside down. It understandably takes some time for Nora to adjust to these changes but with the help of Bram and her other new friends both human and zombie, Nora is strong enough to deal with it.  

Bram is a fantastic character. His story is a sad one but he has a good sense of humor and a good heart. He is a great leader for the other members of Company Z. The romance between Bram and Nora develops slowly which is understandable but she quickly comes to trust him when she sees that he is honorable and kind. Though their romance may be doomed, Nora and Bram do not mope over it-they are too busy fighting the bad guys and rescuing friends. I also liked Pam, Nora's best friend and the one living person who seems to genuinely care about her. Pam at first is shy as someone from a lower class than Nora but she proves that she has courage and determination too. 

Describing Dearly, Departed as a story of star-crossed love or a zombie romance would not do   it justice. Lia Habel's debut features plenty of action, interesting characters, humor, and solid world building.  I thought the author did an excellent job in depicting life in New Victoria and the politics and history behind it as well as "The Laz". She also convincingly portrays the zombies in a way that makes them "human" and readers come to care about these characters just as much as the living ones. The story is told from multiple points of view which at first seemed odd but it does give the reader a better understanding of the major players. Overall I think this is one of the best YA debuts I've read this year and it is a unique take on zombie fiction. Dearly, Departed has been described as steampunk though technically I'm not sure it can be considered steampunk since it is set in the future. It does have that steampunk feel to it so steampunk readers might like it. I would suggest this to fans of The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross, to those who enjoy the zombie fiction of Carrie Ryan, or to fans of YA paranormal romance in general. 

Readalikes: The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan, The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross, The Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare, Incarceron by Catherine Fisher (modern societies living by historic values)

Note: I read this ARC courtesy of the Amazon Vine program in exchange for my honest review

Waiting on Wednesday (72)

"Waiting on" Wednesday is a weekly meme to discuss upcoming books we can't wait to get our hands on. Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week, I'm waiting on:

The Savage Grace by Bree Despain

Publication date: March 13, 2012

Description from Goodreads: (Warning-Spoilers for books 1 &2)

A troubled soul. An impossible choice. A final battle.

Wrestling with the werewolf curse pulsing deep inside of her, Grace Divine was finally able to find her brother, but it nearly cost her everything.

With her boyfriend, Daniel, stuck in wolf form and Sirhan's death approaching, time is running out for Grace to stop Caleb Kalbi and his gang of demons. If she fails, her family and hometown will perish. Everything rests on Grace's shoulders.

The final installment in The Dark Divine trilogy brings Daniel and Grace's love story to a breathtaking conclusion.

I liked The Dark Divine and loved The Lost Saint. I am really looking forward to what happens in the final book in this series. As the cover was just revealed, I have a feeling The Savage Grace will be a popular WoW pick this week. I have to admit that this is my least favorite of the covers but hopefully the story inside will be my favorite in the series.

The Agency: The Traitor in the Tunnel by Y.S. Lee

Publication date: February 28, 2012

Description from Goodreads:

Queen Victoria has a little problem: there’s a petty thief at work in Buckingham Palace. Mary Quinn takes the simple case, going undercover as a domestic servant. But before long, a scandal threatens to tear apart the Royal Family.

One of the Prince of Wales’s irresponsible young friends is killed in disgraceful circumstances. Should the Queen hush things up or allow justice to take its course? Mary’s interest in this private matter soon becomes deeply personal: the killer, a drug-addicted Chinese sailor, shares a name with her long-lost father.

Meanwhile, James Easton’s engineering firm is repairing the sewers beneath Buckingham Palace. Trouble is, there’s a tunnel that’s not on the plans. Its purpose is unclear. But it seems to be very much in use.

These overlapping puzzles offer a perfect opportunity for Mary and James to work together again… if they can still trust one another. This is Mary’s most personal case yet and she has everything to lose.

Technically I already chose this as a WoW pick earlier this year but that was with the UK cover and title. I decided to showcase it again with the new US cover/title and release date. I do love this historical mystery series.

Top Ten Books Whose Covers/Titles Made Me Want To Buy Them

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. There is a new subject each week and this week's topic is "Top Ten Books Whose Covers/Titles Made Me Want to Buy Them".


Though I haven't purchased all of the books on my list, I did decide to read them partly because of their covers or titles.

1. Silver Phoenix by Cindy Pon


I wanted to read this book from the moment I saw it featured on the cover of the fantasy issue of Booklist in 2009. I could tell right away by the cover that this is a fantasy novel with a strong female heroine. I also loved the pink color and the power that is captured in the image. Sadly the paperback has a boring generic YA paranormal cover but the hardcover is still available through online retailers. I still don't own a copy and I need to remedy that because it is worth a reread!

2. The Luxe series by Anna Godbersen


Though I don't wear dresses very often anymore I am still a sucker for a gorgeous dress on book covers and this series is full of them. Thankfully the stories drew me just as much as the covers did and I was not disappointed. My favorite cover from the series is Rumors with  that vivid red dress and the way it captures Penelope's bold attitude. A close runner up is the cover of Envy with Diana in a white gown with scarlet trim. It kind of fits her personality perfectly!

3. A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray


I think I was drawn to this book by the cover and title in equal measure. I remember finding an ARC of the book in a box of ARCs we received at the library and deciding to read it on the spot. I think the corset on the cover does a good job of reflecting the restrictions placed on young ladies in that time period. It screams "this is historical fiction" but the story is a historical/paranormal book. The covers suggest that the girls are innocent and not so innocent at the same time.

4. Matched by Ally Condie


I just loved the image of a girl trapped in a bubble as well as the green color. It stands out really well against the plain gray background. The dress Cassia is wearing is of course her dress from her Matching banquet and a major moment in the book. I thought the book was excellent and well represented by the cover. Sadly while the sequel shows Cassia breaking free from the bubble, the cover of Crossed just looks awkward. 

5. The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross


This is another one of those beautiful dress covers. I love the color of the dress (though I never wear red myself) and the clockwork images in the background to suggest steampunk.  I was just drawn to find out more about this book and I did really enjoy it.

6. Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel


I just love this cover image which looks historical and modern at the same time. Plus it has that great parasol! The cover  suggests sadness, death, and mourning and I think it does go well with the book though the story has plenty of action and lighthearted moments too.  I much prefer this to the British cover which would have made me decide against reading the book!

7. Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman


I love hummingbirds and this cover is just so lovely. It made me pick up the book to find out what it is about and I though the story was really good as well (plus it is set in Savannah, one of my favorite cities). 

8. The Dark Divine by Bree Despain


I think this cover is really striking with the swirls of purple color and the creepy pale legs on the dark background and the movement of the image. That is really what drew me to find out more about the book and I decided to read it. The covers from this series don't really reflect the plot but they are eye-catching.

9. Graceling by Kristin Cashore


I think this cover really appealed to me because of the medieval looking sword and the eye reflected on it. I also like the title and the font that suggests medieval fantasy. 

10. Juliet by Anne Fortier


This pretty cover caught my eye and made me want to read this book just as much as the description. I love the color of the flower and the picture of historic Siena. 

11. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer


While this book triggered a trend in covers as well as plots for YA fiction, I do like the use of color to make the apple stand out. The red/black/white imagery for this series is visually striking.

12. The Infernal Devices series by Cassandra Clare


I prefer these covers to the covers from the Mortal Instruments series. I love the muted colors and the historical/steampunk feel. I don't own the books yet but I will soon!

13. The Dowry Bride by Shobhan Bantwal


This is a case where the book does not live up to the cover! I really liked the cover and the title but unfortunately I didn't enjoy this book. Thankfully, unlike my sister, I did not purcharse The Dowry Bride but got it from the library instead.

14. For Matrimonial Purposes by Kavita Daswani


I was drawn to this book both by the title and the cover. I really enjoy Indian fiction and I thought this was pretty good.

15. Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder


I really like the original cover of this book. I still haven't read it yet but I've had it on my TBR list since 2009 when I first spotted it at the library. I even spent more money to get this version rather than the one with the new cover (which I don't like).

It's Monday, What Are You Reading (83)

It's Monday, What Are You Reading is a fun weekly meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey where we share what we've read and reviewed over the past week and what we plan to read next.

This week I was able to read more books than usual and I reached my goal of reading over 100 books this year! Of course I am participating in too many reading challenges so there are other goals still to be met but it's a start. 

Books read:

Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie

I thought this was a fun romance though I do wish that the story was only told from the point of view of the two main characters. I look forward to trying more of Jennifer Crusie's books in the future.

Lovetorn by Kavita Daswani

Lovetorn is the story of a young Indian teen who was engaged at the age of three and what happens when her family moves to the States and she finds herself falling in love with someone else.  

What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty

I thoroughly enjoyed this book though at times I became exasperated with Alice. I went in expecting something similar to Sophie Kinsella's Remember Me? but this is a book with deeper themes. I definitely want to read more of Liane Moriarty!

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

I am still pondering how I feel about this book. I know that I liked it but the romance got on my nerves at times and the ending was quite a cliffhanger!

Books reviewed:

Crossed by Ally Condie

Kiss Crush Collide by Christina Meredith

Currently reading:

Someone Knows My Name by Lawrence Hill

This is a reread to prepare for this month's book discussion. I read Someone Knows My Name in the summer of 2010 so I need to refresh my memory.

What I might read next:

Chain Reaction by Simone Elkeles

I am kind of curious about this book. I am still undecided about reading it though I did like the previous two. 

Belonging by Robin Lee Hatcher

Is it bad that the reason I picked this up at the library was to read a book set in Idaho? I am trying to read a book set in each of the 50 states for the Where Are You Reading Challenge. I do usually like Robin Lee Hatcher's historical fiction anyway but I think I am becoming a bit obsessed with completing this challenge... 

Love on the Line by Deeanne Gist

I am reading this one for a blog tour and I have to post my review on November 5th so I am going to try to get to it this week. I am not sure I will like this one. Gist's books are hit or miss with me.

Bellfield Hall by Anna Dean

I am definitely in the mood for mysteries this month and I've heard this is excellent. The fact that it is set during the Regency Period also adds to my interest. 

What have you been reading and what are you planning to read this week?

In My Mailbox (65)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren to share what books you received for review, purchased, or checked out from the library during the past week.

For review:

Lovetorn by Kavita Daswani

I received this for review from Around the World ARC Tours. I've read one of Daswani's books for adults and I enjoyed this YA book. Lovetorn is the story of a girl engaged at the age of three who moves to the U.S. as a teen and finds herself falling in love with someone else.

The Time in Between by Maria Duenas

I think this sounds really interesting. It was first published in Spain and is a bestseller in Europe. Dressmaking+WWII+romance+espionage = something I want to read!

Purchased:

Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder

I have been wanting to read this series for a really long time so I finally bought Poison Study for my Kindle. I already know a lot of the plot details since I read the Glass series but I am sure I will love this anyway.

Wizard's First Rule by Terry Goodkind

I really want to try this series (and watch the show based on it) so since it is on sale this month for Kindle, I went ahead and bought it.

The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley

I am a fan of Susanna Kearsley and when I saw that it was on sale, I decided to buy it even though I have the  e-ARC for review from NetGalley. 

From the library:

Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan

This sounds like Across the Universe meets Wither and it has received mixed reviews but I am going to give it a try anyway.

Between by Jessica Warman

I am in the mood for some suspense/mystery books now that Halloween is here. I am currently enjoying The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer and I have heard really good things about Between. 

Review: Kiss Crush Collide

Kiss Crush Collide

By Christina Meredith

Publication date: December 27, 2011

My review:

Leah is the youngest of the Johnson sisters and she has always been known that way. She has a privileged life though it does bother her that she has been pushed into this role with all its expectations of living up to her older sisters Yorke and Freddie. She isn't as beautiful as Yorke or as smart as Freddie but she is obedient. Leah even dates a boy her mother approves of and life seems wonderful. Then she meets Duffy and everything changes. Suddenly she is sneaking off to be with him and noticing all the chinks in their perfect life. Will Leah have the courage to break the mold?

Kiss Crush Collide is touted by the publishers as a book that would appeal to fans of Perfect Chemistry, John Green, and Sarah Dessen. I think this sets the reader up for unrealistically high expectations. The novel may have that theme of forbidden romance like Perfect Chemistry but that is where similarities end. We don't really get to see the romance develop between the characters. Instead there is instant attraction and stolen kisses in borrowed cars. They make out the first time they meet and their relationship doesn't seem to have much substance. We don't really get to know Duffy either. There are snippets of information about his background and home life but not much. Unlike Perfect Chemistry where readers get to know Alex Fuentes through the chapters from his point of view, we don't really learn much about Duffy by the end of the book. It isn't really clear what Leah likes about him either. 

Where the novel has its strength is the family dynamics between Leah, her sisters, and her unbearable mother. While we still don't see any motivation for the way her mother behaves, it does give us some understanding of why Leah acts like she does. I found it hard to connect with Leah because she is somewhat spoiled and privileged and she complains about her life. She cheats on her boyfriend and isn't fair to Duffy. She is also really rude to Valerie, her academic rival (though that isn't very believable-Leah isn't convincingly portrayed as a smart student but rather someone who is allowed to slide by virtue of her family name). Valerie shows up every day at the pool where Leah works and she calls Leah out on her behavior and lack of effort in school. Of all the characters in the book I liked Valerie the most. She is quirky, different, she loves to read and study, and she doesn't seem to care about popularity. The two eventually become friends as Leah becomes more mature. In the end Leah does grow up a little and assert some independence which was nice to see.

I think Kiss Crush Collide shouldn't have been marketed the way it was. Comparing the book to those by such major YA authors as Sarah Dessen and John Green did not do it any favors. Without those comparisons I think the book was not bad for a debut novel and I liked how the author wrote the scenes involving Leah and her family. Kiss Crush Collide does have some flaws and it would have benefited from more character development or even alternating chapters between Leah and Duffy. If you are in the mood for a romance with lots of chemistry and don't mind the flaws then Kiss Crush Collide might appeal to you. It is certainly entertaining and the author definitely has potential. I think that with time her books will rival the works of authors like Simone Elkeles and Jennifer Echols. Some fans of Perfect Chemistry and Forget You might even enjoy Kiss Crush Collide as long as they don't read it expecting it to be just like those books.

Note: I read an ARC of this book courtesy of Around the World ARC Tours in exchange for my honest review

Review: Crossed

Crossed

By Allie Condy

Publication date: November 1, 2011

My review:

After the explosive events of Matched, Ky is now stationed in the Outer Provinces and Cassia is taking work assignments while secretly trying to find him. When she gets the opportunity, she realizes just how dangerous and impossible it may be to fight for what she wants-if she even knows what that is. 

Crossed has a different feel when compared to Matched. The story takes place largely outside of The Society on the edges and there is the constant threat of danger and a struggle to survive. Another change is that Crossed is written from both Cassia and Ky's perspectives in alternating chapters. What I liked about this change is that we could learn more about Ky and gain a better understanding of his personality. Some of his past is revealed and it is very sad. I sometimes preferred his chapters to Cassia's. New characters were also introduced and one in particular appears to have secrets. Indie, one of these new characters, is a nice foil for Cassia as she is an assertive and independent girl with an "act now, think later" attitude.

Something else I liked about Crossed was that we finally get to see that there are people who did not blindly follow The Society like little sheep. In Matched it seemed like everyone went along with the rules but now we see the history and that there was a group protesting the changes. When I read the first book, I couldn't help but wonder why no one protested the ridiculous rules and way of life when it was first implemented (by now the younger generations are brainwashed into accepting it) but now I see that people did protest. The majority of those who grew up in The Society like Cassia, never knew about the dissenters because it was hushed up and the people involved were either killed or they escaped. I am eager to find out more about the uprising and who the leader is.

Just like with Matched, there are literary references throughout Crossed. The book takes its name from the poem Crossing the Bar by Alfred Lord Tennyson. Crossing The Bar is used as a code for those seeking to join the uprising as the Pilot is believed to refer to the leader. It also refers to the characters crossing to safety. The importance of poetry, art, and music is woven throughout the novel. The Society places more value on technology and productivity rather than creativity but people still long for that. There is even a black market where you can trade poems to get what you want. This theme seems to be a strong pro-arts message that resonates today with budget cuts leading to schools eliminating or reducing art and music programs. 

Overall I think Crossed is a good sequel to Matched though I had some issues with it. There are parts of the story that seemed too slow and at other times I wanted more explanation, particularly about the rebellion, but it wasn't provided. I suppose that I will have to wait for the answers in book three. I was also annoyed by the love triangle though Xander is not present for most of the novel. I know that this will be resolved in the final book so it is just a slight problem. I liked that Cassia is becoming more determined and starting to think for herself though she does still have her moments. I also liked the increased action and suspense in the plot. Crossed may not have the excellent world building of Matched but it does a nice job of developing the characters and setting up the story for its conclusion which I am sure will be thrilling.

Readalikes: Delirium by Lauren Oliver, Divergent by Veronica Roth, The Giver by Lois Lowry, Wither by Lauren DeStefano

Note: I read this ARC courtesy of Around the World ARC Tours in exchange for an honest review