PROM & PREJUDICE
Author: Elizabeth Eulberg
Source: Publisher
*I received this book free of charge
in exchange for an honest review*

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: Point (January 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0545240778
ISBN-13: 978-0545240772

SUMMARY:


After winter break, the girls at the very prestigious Longbourn Academy become obsessed with the prom. Lizzie Bennet, who attends Longbourn on a scholarship, isn’t interested in designer dresses and expensive shoes, but her best friend, Jane, might be — especially now that Charles Bingley is back from a semester in London.

Lizzie is happy about her friend’s burgeoning romance but less than impressed by Charles’s friend, Will Darcy, who’s snobby and pretentious. Darcy doesn’t seem to like Lizzie either, but she assumes it’s because her family doesn’t have money. Clearly, Will Darcy is a pompous jerk — so why does Lizzie find herself drawn to him anyway?

Will Lizzie’s pride and Will’s prejudice keep them apart? Or are they a prom couple in the making?

MY THOUGHTS:

How can you describe a book that you loved from beginning to end? How can I find the right words to even describe how much in love I am with this book?  Yes, this book has found a happy home on my favorites shelf and I have already recommended it to a few of my friends and family. 

I absolutely loved the characters in this book!  Darcy came off a little snobby at first, but once you read more about him you fall head over heels in love with him!  Lizzie was a great character as well that made you empathize with her and cheering for her throughout the entire story!  Jane was a great best friend that stood by Lizzie when she needed it and Lizzie made sure to be there for her as well.  Charles was the perfect compliment to Jane and I was also cheering for that couple as well.

The ending was great and was perfect for Lizzie.  This is what I wanted to happen at the end so she could shove it down the throats of all those snobby and wealthy brats she went to school with! I loved, loved, loved this book! Did I mention that I love this book?

If you are looking for a cute, yet predictable at times, teen love story with a spin on the classic story, then this is the book you need to pick up!  Don’t pass it by in the stores!  As soon as your eyes make contact with this gorgeous cover, pick it up and head for the register! Then be prepared to be swept away in a fun and great story that will keep you hooked until the end!

MY RATING:

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

SCARY BEAUTIFUL
Author: Niki Burnham

Reading level: Young Adult
Mass Market Paperback: 272 pages
Publisher: Simon Pulse (December 27, 2005)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 068987619X
ISBN-13: 978-0689876196

SUMMARY:


Chloe Rand’s life is great. She has a serious boyfriend, she’s about to start her junior year of high school, and she has a tight group of girlfriends. But when her boyfriend moves cross country, he dumps her cold right in the airport terminal. Chloe’s devastated, and soon learns that when you’re the prettiest girl in school and totally unattached, everyone starts treating you differently. Girls don’t trust you, guys don’t know what to make of you, and everyone assumes you’re spoiled, dumb, or both.

Chloe realizes she’s been living the last few years in a bubble and decides to do something about it. But when she falls for Billy, a total geek, will it make her situation better…or worse? 

MY THOUGHTS:

How cute is that cover? It is so playful and perfect for a young adult read!  I was looking for a quick read when I came across this book on my bookshelf.  These Simon Pulse Romantic Comedy line of books remind me of a Harlequin nook geared for teens.  They are predictable, a fun romance and characters that are fun. 


While I have read many books where the teen is the ugly duckling of the school, this is a first for me where we get to read from the beautiful and popular girls perspective.  Chloe is that girl that we all love to hate in high school.  She is scary beautiful, can have any guy she wants, and she is popular to boot.  What makes this different and the character likable, is the fact that she hates being the pretty girl in school.  She has just been dumped by her boyfriend of two years, realizing she has spent those two years closed off from her friends, and trying to rediscover who she is.  


Billy is the geek she would never have noticed before.  He is kind, cute, but part of the nerd crowd.  He is very smart, yet also fun to be around.  Chloe starts to fall for Billy and wants to hang around him more.  The only thing is her best friend Rachel has had her eye on him as well.  Now Chloe has to decide if friendship is more important than the boy. 


While I thought the book was predictable, I actually enjoyed this book.  It was fun and quick, but told a story as well with a great pace.  I liked how down to Earth Chloe was and Billy was such a sweetheart.  I love how the author put a new spin on the cliche of outer beauty vs. inner beauty.  A great read to add to your list of books!


MY RATING:

ENTICE
Need Series Book #3
Author: Carrie Jones
Source: Bloomsbury
*I received this book free of 
charge in exchange for an honest review*

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 272 pages
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books (December 14, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1599905531
ISBN-13: 978-1599905532

SUMMARY:

Zara and Nick are soul mates, meant to be together forever. But that’s not quite how things have worked out. For starters, well, Nick is dead. Supposedly, he’s been taken to a mythic place for warriors known as Valhalla, so Zara and her friends might be able to get him back. But it’s taking time, and meanwhile a group of evil pixies is devastating Bedford, with more teens going missing every day. An all-out war seems imminent, and the good guys need all the warriors they can find. But how to get to Valhalla? And even if Zara and her friends discover the way, there’s that other small problem: Zara’s been pixie kissed. When she finds Nick, will he even want to go with her? Especially since she hasn’t turned into just any pixie. . . She’s Astley’s queen.

MY THOUGHTS:

Wow. Oh,my! You don’t know how hard it is for me to put into words my thoughts on this book!  I admit that I am not a big fan of the whole pixies and fairy theme in books.  I was hesitant on even signing up for this tour for that fact alone.  Yet, the summary intrigued me.  I just had to read this book because I have heard so many positive things about this series and author.  Granted, I should have started this series from book one, but instead I jumped in and started with book three. I regret not reading the first two now, because I am addicted to this series now. I have already ordered my copies of the first two books just so I can have my Need fix!

Without going into too many spoilers, this book had suspense, intrigue, romance, paranormal, myth and conflict all rolled into a nicely bound book! Now, I need to find the time to start this series from the beginning so I can truly enjoy this book again for a second time! If you are fan of the series, you will be captivated by this installment of the story!

MY RATING:

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

DAKOTA CHILD
Author: Linda Ford
Source: Harlequin Ambassadors
*I received this book free of charge
in exchange for an honest review*

Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: Steeple Hill (September 8, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0373828209
ISBN-13: 978-0373828203

SUMMARY:

Trapped in a North Dakota blizzard, single mother Vivian Halliday’s prayer for herself and her child is answered. Rescue comes in the seemingly terrifying form of Billy Black, the hulk of a man feared by all the townsfolk. Yet in the home he shares with his ailing mother, the handsome, gentle giant warms her baby’s bottles and sings sweet lullabies that lull even Vivian to peaceful sleep. When the storm abates, will she still seek the life that led her back to the village?

MY THOUGHTS:

This was my first read in the Love Inspired Historical line by Harlequin.  While the book featured great writing skills by the author, Linda Ford,  I will say that I don’t think I will be reading anymore from this line.

The author has a wonderful gift for writing.  The book flowed great and the story was heartfelt.  I really loved the character of Billy Black.  He was so sweet and patient with the baby that it melted my heart! Here was this large man with a heart of gold, sitting in a rocker and humming the baby to sleep.  Vivian was an okay character for me.  She just wasn’t outstanding in my mind.  She was ordinary and the same type of character found in most books. While I enjoyed her being paired with Billy Black, she just didn’t have the wow factor that I like.  The one thing that I did not enjoy about this book was the constant reference to religion.  While I understand that this book is in the Christian Romance line, I have read other Christian Romance books that didn’t have this much preaching.  I think the author could have written the book with the same impact if she would have cut out a lot of the bible quoting.

While this book was just okay at most for me, I think it is because this type of book is not my style.  I just couldn’t bring myself to enjoy a book that had to force bible scriptures to me in every chapter.  If you like these types of books, then I do urge you to read it.  :Like I said, the author does of wonderful job with the writing skills.  But, if you are not a fan of this sort of genre, or if you don’t like to be preached to within each chapter, then I suggest holding off on reading this book right away.

MY RATING: