RECOVERY ROAD
Author: Blake Nelson
Source: Publisher
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Scholastic Press (March 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0545107296
ISBN-13: 978-0545107297

SUMMARY:

From acclaimed author Blake Nelson, the story of girl meets boy…in rehab. 

Madeline is sent away to Spring Meadows to help with a drinking and rage problem she has. It’s a pretty intense place, but there is the weekly movie night in town–where Madeline meets Stewart, who’s at another rehab place nearby. They fall for each other during a really crazy time in their lives. Madeline gets out and tries to get back on her feet, waiting for Stewart to join her. When he does, though, it’s not the ideal recovery world Madeline dreamed of. Both of them still have serious problems. And Stewart’s are only getting worse….

MY THOUGHTS:

I was a little hesitant in reading and reviewing this book for the simple fact that it touches on some heavy and serious subjects.  Rehab, drug abuse, and even a small scene of attempted rape are touchy subjects in the young adult genre.  As I started to read this book though, I found that the author has done a wonderful and remarkable job at telling the story, touching on these subjects and keeping the interest of the reader.

In this heartbreaking story we meet Madeline and Stewart.  Both are at the rehab center called Spring Meadow.  Both characters are struggling to get over their addiction to drugs and alcohol. While I have never been to rehab or been in a situation like this, the author did such an amazing job of telling each characters story that I felt like I was right there with them both.  You could actually feel the pain and the struggle that each one of the characters goes through on a daily basis.  The two of them grow close even if it is against the treatment centers rules.  When Madeline is released, they both promise to find each other when Stewart finishes his rehab.

The story is broken up into parts.  The first part is dealing with the rehab and trying to work through the addiction.  Then we have the part of Madeline going home and trying to adjust to life after rehab. She tries to fit back in at school and is hesitant on making friends.  Along the way, Madeline finds new friends and new things are discovered about herself.  When Stewart is released, nothing seems to work out as they planned, yet Madeline believes she is in love with him.  It is like she traded one addiction of drugs, for the drug of love.

The story really starts moving at a quicker pace at this point.  Each part of the book is the next chapter in her life.  We slowly see Madeline try to climb over the obstacle of being a recovering addict and trying to make something for herself.  She finishes high school and even gets accepted into college.  We see her struggle, relapse and eventually make it out of the hole of despair.  Stewart on the other hand is fighting his own personal demons.  While I kept hoping that he would find the way to his happy ending, you could tell that the author was going to put you through some rough patches with Stewart.  By the end of the book I was crying tears of joy for Madeline and tears of sadness for Stewart.  When the story ends it  leaves you with hope, sadness, joy and strength.

A well written book for teens on the subject of drug abuse and consequences that can arise of this life changing and sometimes deadly addiction.  The book does touch on touchy subjects of attempted rape, drinking, smoking and sex, but I feel the way the author portrayed it in the book it needed to be written to tell the story in a realistic way.  One book that I am glad to have read and wouldn’t mind re reading again.

MY RATING:

Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading! 5 STARS

CLAIRE DE LUNE
Author: Christine Johnson
Source: Personal Purchase

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: Simon Pulse; 1 edition (May 18, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1416991824
ISBN-13: 978-1416991823

SUMMARY:

Torn between two destinies? 

Claire is having the perfect sixteenth birthday. Her pool party is a big success, and gorgeous Matthew keeps chatting and flirting with her as if she’s the only girl there. But that night, she discovers something that takes away all sense of normalcy: she’s a werewolf. 

As Claire is initiated into the pack of female werewolves, she must deal not only with her changing identity, but also with a rogue werewolf who is putting everyone she knows in danger. Claire’s new life threatens her blossoming romance with Matthew, whose father is leading the werewolf hunt. Now burdened with a dark secret and pushing the boundaries of forbidden love, Claire is struggling to feel comfortable in either skin. With her lupine loyalty at odds with her human heart, she will make a choice that will change her forever?

MY THOUGHTS:

I have had this book for a while now, and finally took the time to read it.  The cover is actually what attracted me to this book in the first place and that alone made me want to buy it.

When Claire turns sixteen, she is expecting a car.  Well, she doesn’t get the car but gets fur instead.  It seems her mom has been keeping Claire’s true heritage a secret until now.  After finally getting the attention of Matthew at her birthday party, Claire discovers that she is actually a werewolf.  With a rogue werewolf hunting people, a hot boy who wants to be more than friends, and a mother who refuses to embellish on the details of her heritage, Claire is confused and wondering what to do.

I really had a hard time enjoying this book.  While I think the plot was a great idea, I feel the book to be just written in the ‘okay’ category. I never could get into Claire’s character because at times she was whiny and weak, then she would be strong and independent.  Her personality was flat, and the relationship between Claire and her mother felt forced.  Her mother was hardly around and when she was, she acted cold and unloving to me.  The secondary characters were not much better in my opinion.  They seemed like characters that just filled text on pages with no reason at times.

The mystery of the book was fairly easy to figure out early on which left the story lacking the suspense it needed to keep the book going from beginning to end.  Overall a book that passed the time and was okay, but not a memorable read that leaves me anticipating the next book.

MY RATING:

THE DAY BEFORE
Author: Lisa Schroeder
Source: Around The World Tours

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Simon Pulse (June 28, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1442417439
ISBN-13: 978-1442417434

SUMMARY:

Sometimes there’s no turning back.

The more time that Amber spends with Cade, the more she’s drawn to him. And the more she’s troubled by his darkness. Because Cade’s not just living in the now–he’s living each moment like it’s his last.

MY THOUGHTS:

Oh, Lisa Schroeder. How much do I love thee?  I love the writing style of verse.  I love the characters you create because they are so real.  I love how you are not afraid to touch on subjects that touch the heart. Your books are what every teen and adult needs to read. 


Amber is a 16 and feels as though her whole world is crumbling down around her.  With the issue Amber is being forced to face, I would feel the same way. She desperately wants a day for just her and to feel anything but sadness.  When she escapes to the beach for the day, fate steps in and she meets Cade.  Cade is facing a scary issue as well the following day.  The two make a pact not to discuss why they are alone at the beach that day and to just feel happiness for the day.  They become fast friends within the first 12 hours and it slowly turns to teen love.


I loved this story.  I love how Cade and Amber both tried so hard to make the other feel alive and free.  Even though they both are facing something difficult the following day, they learn that fate may be cruel at times, but it also brings good as well.  


The only thing I didn’t like about this book was how soon it ended! I wanted more moments with Amber and Cade.  I found myself slowing my reading down towards the end because I wanted to savor each page and not think about how close I was getting to the end of such a beautifully written story. I enjoyed this story so much, I had it read within one hour.  I can’t wait for the release of this book so I can run out and buy myself a finished copy to read over and over again. 


MY RATING:

Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading! 5 STARS