The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli | Book Review #96

The Bookish Island's Book Review:
The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli

Are there spoilers?

I don't really think so.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is one of the books I read after the passing of Hurricane Maria here in Puerto Rico. With no water, electricity or internet I took to reading my books.

I decided to not do this for the books I've read on 2018. But it has been 6 months since Hurricane Maria. And I'm happy to announce that now we have water, and electricity.  

Title - The Upside of Unrequited

By - Becky Albertalli

Publication - April 11th, 2017 by Balzer + Bray 
     
Copy -  Paperback, 336 pages

Genre - Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Seventeen-year-old Molly Peskin-Suso knows all about unrequited love—she’s lived through it twenty-six times. She crushes hard and crushes often, but always in secret. Because no matter how many times her twin sister, Cassie, tells her to woman up, Molly can’t stomach the idea of rejection. So she’s careful. Fat girls always have to be careful.

Then a cute new girl enters Cassie’s orbit, and for the first time ever, Molly’s cynical twin is a lovesick mess. Meanwhile, Molly’s totally not dying of loneliness—except for the part where she is. Luckily, Cassie’s new girlfriend comes with a cute hipster-boy sidekick. Will is funny and flirtatious and just might be perfect crush material. Maybe more than crush material. And if Molly can win him over, she’ll get her first kiss and she’ll get her twin back.

There’s only one problem: Molly’s coworker Reid. He’s an awkward Tolkien superfan with a season pass to the Ren Faire, and there’s absolutely no way Molly could fall for him. Right?

The Rating:

My Review:

I started and finished this book on March 24, 2018.

Who is it by?
The Upside of Unrequited by the author, Becky Albertalli.
I love her writing. After reading Simon I just fell in love with every word. So I was glad I got The Upside of Unrequited because it didn't fail me. That's why Becky is among my favorite writers. 

What is it about?
This is about a girl named Molly who has had over 20 crushes in her life and still no boyfriends. She doesn't think its ever going to happen. To her boys just don't see her that way. Till she meets a hipster guy who might be into her and a coworker who she might be into.


Why did I read it?
I actually decided I needed to read this book because I had just finished Simon vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda and loved it so much. So I went back to where I bought that and convinced my mom to help sop in so I could get The Upside of Unrequited.

&
Did I like it?

I did. I was so happy to have read this book because not only did I loved it but I felt it spoke to me in so many ways.
The main character, Molly, was so much like me as a person. Her many crushes, her shyness, her inability to talk to boys casually. That is all me.
She has many crushes that don't go anywhere. Which is a lot like me. My total is unknown since I lost count a long time ago. But its definitely over 30.
I also can't talk to boys. I just never know what to say.
So you already know I cried when I read this book. Even for the little things. 

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The Knocked Up Plan by Lauren Blakely | Book Review #89

The Bookish Island's Book Review:
The Knocked Up Plan by Lauren Blakely

Are there spoilers?

I don't really think so.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is one of the books I read after the passing of Hurricane Maria here in Puerto Rico. With no water, electricity or internet I took to reading my books.

I decided to not do this for the books I've read on 2018. But it has been 4 months since Hurricane Maria. And I'm happy to announce that now we have water, electricity, and satellite tv.  

Title - The Knocked Up Plan
By - Lauren Blakely  
Publication - June 23rd 2017 by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

Paperback, 300 pages

Genre - Adult, Romance, Cotemporary

There are three little words most guys don’t want to hear on the first date. Not those…I mean these… “knock me up.”

This single gal has had enough of the games, the BS and the endless chase. I know what I want most, and it’s not true love. It’s a bun in the oven, and I’m not afraid to hit up my sex-on-a-stick co-worker to do the job. Ryder is gorgeous, witty and charming — and he’s also a notorious commitment-phobe. That makes him the perfect candidate to make a deposit in the bank of me.

I won’t fall for him, he won’t fall for me, and there’s no way baby will make three.
Right?

****
There are four words every guy wants to hear on the first date — “your place or mine?”

When my hot-as-sin co-worker makes me a no-strings-attached offer that involves her place, my place, any place — as well as any position — I can’t refuse. After all, my job is like a coach and my latest assignment for the good of mankind is to create a fail-safe, battle-tested, proven guide of what to do or say to get a woman to fall into your bed — I mean, fall for you. So when Nicole says she’s game to work through my list in a hands-on way, I take her up on her deal even with her one BIG condition.

There’s no way I’ll want more from one woman than any position, any where, any night? Except . . . what if I do?

Note: Be prepared to swoon and fan yourself from the heat! This full-length standalone contains lots of hot baby-making s-e-x, happy tears, naughty jokes and a hot, swoonworthy hero you will fall madly in love with.

The Rating:

My Review:

Started this book on January 2, 2018.
I finished reading this book on January 7, 2018.

I don't even remember how my friend gave me this book to read. It was just in my hands one day and I started reading it.

Its about Nicole who is baby crazy and is willing to go and get a sperm donor, but when the idea to ask her co-worker Ryder who is super hot and who she believes would make a beautiful baby for her comes up. But when she tells Ryder about her brilliant idea he counters it with a proposition she cant resist.

I loved this book. The romance between them didn't feel all that real in the beginning but half way and  during the end I totally believed they should be together. So I was rooting for them to end up as a happy couple and be in total love with each other.
  

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There's Someone Inside Your House by Stephanie Perkins | Book Review #86

The Bookish Island's Book Review:
There's Someone Inside Your House  by Stephanie Perkins

Are there spoilers?

Some.
-------------------------------------------------------------------

This is one of the books I read after the passing of Hurricane Maria here in Puerto Rico. With no water, electricity or internet I took to reading my books.

I decided to not do this for the books I've read on 2018. But it has been 4 months since Hurricane Maria. And I'm happy to announce that now we have water, and electricity.

Title - There's Someone Inside Your House
By - Stephanie Perkins 
Publication - September 26th 2017 by Dutton Books for Young Readers      

Copy -  Hardcover, 289 pages

Genre - Young Adult, Romance, Horror, Mystery, Thriller

Love hurts...

Makani Young thought she'd left her dark past behind her in Hawaii, settling in with her grandmother in landlocked Nebraska. She's found new friends and has even started to fall for mysterious outsider Ollie Larsson. But her past isn't far behind.

Then, one by one, the students of Osborne Hugh begin to die in a series of gruesome murders, each with increasingly grotesque flair. As the terror grows closer and her feelings for Ollie intensify, Makani is forced to confront her own dark secrets.

The Rating:

My Review:

Started this book on January 2, 2018.
I finished reading this book on January 22, 2018.

The Cover:

Although they say never judge a book by it's cover I believe the cover should represent what the book is going to be like or at least some aspect of it.

This cover is everything. I mean just look at it. It's awesome because of the neon punk projection of the title, but creepy with the staircase. 

The Story:

Teen murder mystery. Where a YA contemporary romance mixes with a horror murder mystery.


Overall:
I had been in a mystery thriller ride. Where I was reading all my tnt books that went along with that genre. 
But something that this book had that was different was the horror genre. 

On account of the horror in this I just didn't like it. It wasnt that good. The only scary part was the stranger in the house trope. But that was it. 

With the whole YA side of the story. I also didn't completely like it. The relation ship the main characters had felt too rushed and boring. The teen situations were good though. 

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The Inevitable Collision of Birdie & Bash by Candace Ganger | Book Review #85

The Bookish Island's Book Review:
The Inevitable Collision of Birdie & Bash  by Candace Ganger

Are there spoilers?

I don't really think so.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is one of the books I read after the passing of Hurricane Maria here in Puerto Rico. With no water, electricity or internet I took to reading my books.

I read this one on October 23.
52 days after.

Title - The Inevitable Collision of Birdie & Bash
By - Candace Ganger  
Publication - July 25th 2017 by St. Martin's Griffin      

Copy -  ARC, 320 pages

Genre - Young Adult, Romance, Cotemporary

Birdie never meant to be at the party. Bash should have been long gone. But when they meet, a collision course is set off they may never recover from.

Sebastian Alvaréz is just trying to hold the pieces together: to not flunk out, to keep his sort-of-best friend Wild Kyle from doing something really bad, and to see his beloved Ma through chemo. But when he meets Birdie Paxton, a near-Valedictorian who doesn’t realize she’s smoking hot in her science pun T-shirt, at a party, an undeniable attraction sparks. And suddenly he’s not worried about anything. But before they are able to exchange numbers, they are pulled apart. A horrifying tragedy soon links Birdie and Bash together—but neither knows it. When they finally reconnect, and are starting to fall—hard—the events of the tragedy unfold, changing both their lives in ways they can never undo. Told in alternating perspectives, The Inevitable Collision of Birdie & Bash by Candace Ganger is a beautiful, complex, and ultimately hopeful teen novel that will move you to the very last page. 

The Rating:

My Review:

The Cover:

Although they say never judge a book by it's cover I believe the cover should represent what the book is going to be like or at least some aspect of it.

I'm not about the cover. It isn't good compared to the story inside. I would rethink the cover design if it were up to me. 
It's cute. I like it but for the story it didn't make sense. 

The Story:

Birdie and Bash are two people who are linked by tragedy.
They meet at  a party and quickly feel an attraction, but nothing happens after that. But then Bash and his friend drive down a road in high speed and end up running over Birdies baby brother.


Overall:
Birdie is an amazing character. Smart, funny and knows how to handle her shit. But who I loved was her grandfather. Cause I love popping bubble wrap and he gives the best advice for being a character in a YA novel. And because he made me want to have met my grandfather cause I always hear how awesome he was with everyone but I never got to meet him so it bums me out.

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Book Depository

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Mr. Dickens and His Carol by Samantha Silva | Book Review #83

The Bookish Island's Book Review:
Mr. Dickens and His Carol by Samantha Silva

Are there spoilers?

No.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is one of the books I read after the passing of Hurricane Maria here in Puerto Rico. With no water, electricity or internet I took to reading my books.

I read this one on September.
? days after.

Title - Mr. Dickens and His Carol
By - Samantha Silva
Publication - October 31st 2017 by Flatiron Books      

Copy - Paperback, 288 pages

Genre - Historical Fiction, Christmas, Holiday, Fiction

Shakespeare in Love meets A Christmas Carol in this transporting debut novel set during the whirlwind period in which Dickens wrote his beloved classic, as he embarks on a Scrooge-like journey of his own.

For Charles Dickens, each Christmas has been better than the last. His novels are literary blockbusters, and he is famous on the streets of London, where avid fans sneak up on him to snip off pieces of his hair. He and his wife have five happy children, a sixth on the way, and a home filled with every comfort they could imagine. But when Dickens’ newest book is a flop, the glorious life he has built for himself threatens to collapse around him. His publishers offer an ultimatum: either he writes a Christmas book in a month, or they will call in his debts, and he could lose everything. Grudgingly, he accepts, but with relatives hounding him for loans, his wife and children planning an excessively lavish holiday party, and jealous critics going in for the kill, he is hardly feeling the Christmas spirit.

Increasingly frazzled and filled with self-doubt, Dickens seeks solace and inspiration in London itself, his great palace of thinking. And on one of his long walks, in a once-beloved square, he meets a young woman in a purple cloak, who might be just the muse he needs. Eleanor Lovejoy and her young son, Timothy, propel Dickens on a Scrooge-like journey through his Christmases past and present—but with time running out, will he find the perfect new story to save him?

In prose laced with humor, sumptuous Victorian detail, and charming winks to A Christmas Carol, Samantha Silva breathes new life into an adored classic. Perfect for fans of Dickens, for readers of immersive historical fiction, and for anyone looking for a dose of Christmas cheer, Mr. Dickens and His Carol is destined to become a perennial holiday favorite.

The Rating:

My Review:

The Cover:

Although they say never judge a book by it's cover I believe the cover should represent what the book is going to be like or at least some aspect of it.

It's such a nice cover. I'd totally display it on my shelves around the holidays. Mostly because it's so pretty and because I'd be my only Christmas-y book. 😜

The Story:

The fictional story of the author of A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens around the time he write that famous story. 


Overall:

I enjoyed reading this book so much. Specially since I had just gotten it the day I read it from the mail and was lucky to have my own copy of A Christmas Carol unread. 
I read that first which didn't take long and then read Mr Dickens and His Carol. 
I was happy I got the opportunity to read this book despite it not being in December, and perfect for the holidays, but i was happy regardless. 

Totally recommend you read this book whether it's around the holidays or not. 

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I Hate Everyone But You by Gaby Dunn and Allison Rashkin | Book Review #82

The Bookish Island's Book Review for:
I Hate Everyone But You by Gaby Dunn and Allison Rashkin

Will there be spoilers?

Maybe there will be some.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Disclaimer:
This book was sent to me by the publishing company in exchange for an honest review.

This is one of the books I read after the passing of Hurricane Maria here in Puerto Rico. With no water, electricity or internet I took to reading my books.
I read this one on October 7. 17 days after.

Title - I Hate Everyone But You

By - Gaby Dunn and Allison Rashkin


Publication - September 5th, 2017 by Wednesday Books

Copy - Paperback, 334 pages

Genre - Young Adult, New Adult, Contemporary

Dear Best Friend,
I can already tell that I will hate everyone but you.
Sincerely,
Ava Helmer
(that brunette who won’t leave you alone)

We're still in the same room, you weirdo.
Stop crying.
G

So begins a series of texts and emails sent between two best friends, Ava and Gen, as they head off to their first semesters of college on opposite sides of the country. From first loves to weird roommates, heartbreak, self-discovery, coming out and mental health, the two best friends will document every moment to each other. But as each changes and grows into her new life, will their friendship be able to survive the distance?

The Rating:

My Review:

The Cover:

Although they say never judge a book by it's cover I believe the cover should represent what the book is going to be like or at least some aspect of it.

My copy is an arc mine is different with a phone and the message from the two main characters. But the official cover is very bright and totally suits the books perfectly. 

The Story:

Two friends each go their separate ways to different colleges. But they want to keep their friendship. 

Overall:
The story is told in emails and texts between the two girls. Which made it easy for me to follow.
It also tackled a bunch of themes but it didn't feel like it was too much.

I don't really have anything bad to say about it except that I was pissed my arc copy got soaking wet from me taking it with me in the neighbor's car without knowing the floor was wet. But that's nobody's fault. 

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Bad Girl Gone by Temple Mathews | Book Review #78

Book Review:
Bad Girl Gone by Temple Mathews

Spoilers?

None.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Disclaimer:
This book was sent to me by the publishing company in exchange for an honest review.

This is one of the books I read after the passing of Hurricane Maria here in Puerto Rico. With no water, electricity or internet I took to reading my books.

I read this one on September 25. 5 days after.

Title - Bad Girl Gone 
By -Temple Mathews
Publication - August 8th 2017 by A Thomas Dunne Book for St. Martin's Griffin      
Copy - Hardcover, 261 pages

Genre - Young Adult, Mystery, Paranormal, Ghost

Sixteen-year-old Echo Stone awakens in a cold sweat in a dark room, having no idea where she is or how she got there. But she soon finds out she's in Middle House, an orphanage filled with mysteriously troubled kids.

There is just one problem: she is not an orphan. Her parents are very much alive.

She explains this to everyone, but no one will listen. After befriending a sympathetic (and handsome) boy, Echo is able to escape Middle House and rush home, only to discover it sealed off by crime scene tape and covered in the evidence of a terrible and violent crime. As Echo grapples with this world-shattering information, she spots her parents driving by and rushes to flag them down. Standing in the middle of the street, waving her arms to get their attention, her parents' car drives right through her.

She was right. Her parents are alive but she's not.

She's a ghost, just like all the other denizens of Middle House. Desperate to somehow get her life back and reconnect with her still-alive boyfriend, Echo embarks on a quest to solve her own murder. As the list of suspects grows, the quest evolves into a journey of self-discovery in which she learns she wasn't quite the girl she thought she was. In a twist of fate, she s presented with one last chance to reclaim her life and must make a decision which will either haunt her or bless her forever.

The Rating:

My Review:

The Cover:

Although they say never judge a book by it's cover I believe the cover should represent what the book is going to be like or at least some aspect of it.

Simple cover. Bright red color which is rare in my collection. But I just don't like the design even if in person it looks better than the image.


The Story:

Echo is dead but she doesn't immediately realize that. Not until she finds herself surrounded by ghosts in a strange mansion who constantly scare her whenever they can.

Echo joins up with the other dead kids and goes off to figure out what happened to her and get revenge.


Overall:

In this story I found myself liking some of the side characters more than Echo and the boy. Their stories were better than hers. Although her story was great.

I mean I read it in one day so I must have enjoyed it.

I wish I remembered more, but I can't. I might later go back and remember what my thoughts were.

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The Fortune Teller by Gwendolyn Womack

Book Review:
The Fortune Teller by Gwendolyn Womack

Spoilers?

A tad.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Disclaimer:
This book was sent to me by the publishing company in exchange for an honest review.

This is one of the books I read after the passing of Hurricane Maria here in Puerto Rico. With no water, electricity or internet I took to reading my books.
I read this one on September 26, 2017. 6 days after.

Title - The Fortune Teller
By - Gwendolyn Womack
Publication - June 6th, 2017 by Picador 
ARC copy, 368 pages
Genre - Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary

Semele Cavnow appraises antiquities for an exclusive Manhattan auction house, deciphering ancient texts—and when she discovers a manuscript written in the time of Cleopatra, she knows it will be the find of her career. Its author tells the story of a priceless tarot deck, now lost to history, but as Semele delves further, she realizes the manuscript is more than it seems. Both a memoir and a prophecy, it appears to be the work of a powerful seer, describing devastating wars and natural disasters in detail thousands of years before they occurred.

The more she reads, the more the manuscript begins to affect Semele’s life. But what happened to the tarot deck? As the mystery of her connection to its story deepens, Semele can’t shake the feeling that she’s being followed. Only one person can help her make sense of it all: her client, Theo Bossard. Yet Theo is arrogant and elusive, concealing secrets of his own, and there’s more to Semele’s desire to speak with him than she would like to admit. Can Semele even trust him?

The auction date is swiftly approaching, and someone wants to interfere—someone who knows the cards exist, and that the Bossard manuscript is tied to her. Semele realizes it’s up to her to stop them: the manuscript holds the key to a two-thousand-year-old secret, a secret someone will do anything to possess.

The Rating:

My Review:

The Cover:

Although they say never judge a book by it's cover I believe the cover should represent what the book is going to be like or at least some aspect of it.

I appreciate this cover so much for its warm orange color but it is very mysterious as to what the book is about.


Relationships:

Semele x Theo
Their relationship was one I didn't completely expect but was delighted it did happen. They have such a grand connection that it was simply meant to be.


Settings:

There were so many locations mentioned and visited in this book that it is hard to pin point my favorites but I probably like old Egypt. Probably because the library sounded so amazing and because my mother has loved Egypt since I can remember. Someday I wish to take her there.


Overall:

This book seemed to me like it was going to be like most historical fiction books I 've read but once I started reading it I couldn't stop -not that I would have wanted to since I wanted to finish it the same day I picked it up. It was filled with just about all the things that would make this book a great movie. It goes into the past smoothly and introduces character that have such important, to the story, lives.

I don't much remember what I had in mind to write here since it was among the first books I read.

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