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Genre: Mystery

Release Date: 8/4/2015

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About the Book: After her parents divorce and Zoe moves with her mom to upstate New York, the last thing she expected was to meet someone like Digby. No one really likes Digby when they first meet him-he's eccentric and annoying and only shows up when he wants something. Zoe just wants to survive her junior year with good grades and no problems so she can move back to NYC with her dad and attend a private school for her senior year. But Digby will change all of that. When you're with Digby, you can't help but get pulled into his madcap schemes and (sometimes illegal) hijinks. Digby's on a planet all his own and Zoe can't help but get pulled in as Digby tries to solve the mystery of a local missing girl and discover if it has any connection to the disappearance of his sister years before.

GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: The book marketing this meets that for this book is perfect-imagine Veronica Mars mixed with a John Hughes movie with a touch of Sherlock. That pretty much sums up Trouble is a Friend of Mine perfectly. There's lots of razor sharp dialogue and wit, plenty of pop-culture references, an amateur teen detective who somehow continues outsmart everyone around him, and a mystery to be solved. All that wraps up into a pretty hilarious and totally fun package and you just know going in, from the very first page, that just like Zoe, you're going to end up on Planet Digby too.

Tromly is a former screenwriter and that really comes across in her writing. The plot is very fast paced and the dialogue is snappy. It also reads like it could translate to the screen very easily (which I would love to see happen-this could be a great teen movie!) Zoe isn't the most well developed character. She's actually a bit bland, but I think part of that is purposeful for the novel as it allows the reader to jump right into Zoe's character and experience Digby for themselves. The rest of the supporting characters are funny, but a bit typical of teen novels-the cute popular boy, the mean rich girl, and the nerdy outcast. Yet all together, they do make for a pretty funny group and it works.

Digby on the other hand is such an enigma that you can't help but want to know more about him and follow along on his crazy escapades to solve whatever mystery he's surrounded himself with. The main focus of the novel is mystery and friendship and while you could read it as a romance (very slightly) that's not a main focus at all, which I really liked. This is one of those books I can hand to readers looking for a mystery and I know they'll be engaged with a great mystery without having to wade through lots of additional subplots about love triangles or family drama or forensic or paranomal elements. There's also plenty of humor and with the contemporary setting, so I think even non-mystery readers would be willing to give this one a try. And with the John Hughes comparisons, I also think Trouble is a Friend of Mine has great crossover appeal!

I had a ton of fun reading it and there were several points in the book where I was disappointed my lunch break was up and I had to stop reading because I just wanted to read one more page. The story especially picks up speed once the group goes to the school formal, and the mystery solving really takes off. Sure the situations the teens get themselves into can be far fetched, but that's part of the fun. The ending is left very open, so fingers crossed we get to hear more from Digby soon!

Full Disclosure: Reviewed from book sent by publisher for review

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The Terrible Two by Mac Barnett and Jory John

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About the Book: Miles is not excited to be moving to Yawnee Valley-how exciting can a place be when there's a yawn right in the name? Miles was known as the best prankster in his old town, always pulling stunts on his friends. When he discovers that Yawnee Valley already has a prankster, Miles has to figure out who it is-and take the prankster down. Each one tries to one up each other, leading to more epic pranks and jokes in a hilarious prank war.

GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: This book is sure to inspire tween pranksters everywhere! The Terrible Two is the hilarious tale of two epic pranksters had me cracking up. I listened to the audiobook, so while I'm sure the book itself is great (there are illustrations inside making a perfect book to give kids who are enjoying chapter books with illustrations) I loved the audiobook so very much. Adam Verner, the narrator, offers up a variety of voices for the characters and I laughed so much while I was listening-I especially loved his principal voice!

The pranks in this book are awesome and hysterical. These boys are not your average chalk in the eraser, whoopie cushion on the chair pranksters. They go above and beyond and their pranks are over the top that I know readers will get a kick of all their planning and pranking. The supporting characters are also very exaggerated, which adds to the humor. The principal comes from a long line of principals and he's a hapless leader. I loved the jokes about his speeches and principal lessons-I think adults would get a kick out of this book too.

The Terrible Two was a quick listen and a book I immediately went back to the library and started putting in the hands of my readers. It's perfect for readers who enjoy Jon Scieszka and when  kid asks for a funny book, I know exactly what to give them. But make sure you have your readers promise they won't pull any of the pranks they learn on you!

Full Disclosure: reviewed from audibook I checked out at my library

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About the Book: In 1909 London, girls are expected to follow the rules, behave, and marry well. But Victoria Darling wants none of those things-she wants to be an artist. Her passion for art takes a turn when she scandalizes her family by posing nude at her secret art class. She is pulled from her finishing school and returned home where her parents arrange a marriage for her to the wealthy Edmund Carrick-Humphrey. But Vicky wants other things for her future-she wants to attend the Royal Academy of Art and she knows she can make it-but she has to finish her portfolio. She befriends a local policeman who becomes her muse and gets caught up in the burgeoning suffragette movement. Vicky wants to choose her own path and she is determined to make that happen.

GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: I love historical drama set in this time period anyway, so I was sure to fall for this book, but there was so much happening and Vicky is such a fantastic strong character that I think I would have fallen head of heels for it anyway-even without the historical setting!

Vicky is a cross between Sybil Crowley and Arya Stark. She's passionate, she knows what she wants and she's not afraid to go after it herself. In a time where women were told to stay quiet and behave, Vicky doesn't listen. Instead she stays strong, follows her own path and makes her own way. It's not easy and she doesn't expect it to be, but that's also why she's incredibly tough. She knows what she's giving up to go after her dreams-she knows she's giving up a nice cozy future and while it takes her awhile to fully let it go, she comes to terms with it in the end and realizes that some dreams are worth working for.

I'll admit there were times I wanted to scream and Vicky and ask what she thought she was doing! While she eventually realizes that marriage to a stuffy rich boy is not the way to art filled future, she is somewhat naive about others. She thinks that she'll be able to fulfill her dream of attending art school once married and it took her a long time to figure out that wasn't going to happen! I saw that coming and would get frustrated with her, but I also had to remind myself that she was coming at it from a naive viewpoint and was acting exactly as I would expect her to-frustrating or not.

I adored the romance in this book and loved that Vicky wasn't all about focusing on Will, the policeman she befriends. There is romance in the book, but it's not the focus and it's not something Vicky spends a lot of time fretting about. Instead she is more concerned with her future and working with the suffragettes. I also loved the details and characters from Vicky's work with fighting for woman's rights. These women went through a lot to fight for equality and the author doesn't shy away from the way they were treated or the horrific things they experienced-from beatings to starving in prison and being force-fed. 

Vicky is an incredibly strong and thoughtful character and I loved her story. While the book dragged at times (which I think was especially noticeable while listening to it on audio) overall I really enjoyed it. Historical fiction readers, readers who enjoy strong female characters, and readers interested in women's rights are sure to enjoy this-and check it out on audio!

Full Disclosure: Reviewed from audiobook I checked out from my library

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Title: Becoming Rain
Author: K.A. Tucker
Publisher: Atria
Publication date: March 3, 2015

Summary: Luke Boone doesn't know exactly what his uncle Rust is involved in but he wants in on it—the cars, the money, the women. And it looks like he's finally getting his wish. When Rust hands him the managerial keys to the garage, they come with a second set—one that opens up the door to tons of cash and opportunity. Though it's not exactly legal, Luke's never been one to worry about that sort of thing. Especially when it puts him behind the wheel of a Porsche 911 and onto the radar of a gorgeous socialite named Rain.

Clara Bertelli is at the top of her game—at only twenty-six years old, she's one of the most successful undercover officers in the Washington, DC, major crime unit, and she's just been handed a case that could catapult her career and expose one of the West coast's most notorious car theft rings. But, in order to do it, she'll need to go deep undercover as Rain Martines. Her target? The twenty-four-year-old nephew of a key player who appears ready to follow in his uncle's footsteps.

As Clara drifts deeper into the luxurious lifestyle of Rain, and further into the arms of her very attractive and charming target, the lines between right and wrong start to blur, making her wonder if she'll be able to leave it all behind. Or if she'll even want to. 

Review: I absolutely loved this book! It is the first book in a really long time I've been able to just jump into. At first I will admit I wasn't quite sure I would be able to read it. For me it started out kind of dull and slow. But soon enough I was hooked and hoping to not have to go to work so I could just keep reading. I fell in love with Rain and Luke quickly and always hoped for the best. Books like this always renew my belief in Love. The best part about this is that the whole focus is not romance. Yet it feels like that's all that matters. I absolutely will be looking for more books by this author. As always I wish the story would never end! 4 stars

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Title: Relentless
Author: Robin Parrish
Series: dominion (#1)
Publisher: Bethany House
Publication date: July 1, 2006
Pages: 448
Stars: 4

Summary:
In the space of a breath, what he thought was his life…shattered. Grant Borrows has been Shifted- in the silence between heartbeats, his whole life fundamentally altered. There's another man in the world wearing his face and living his life. What's more, the man staring back from his mirror is a stranger. But the changes don't stop at skin-level. Inexplicably, he's able to affect objects around him by simply thinking about them. And as he soon learns, he's become the central figure in a vast web of intrigue that stretches from an underground global conspiracy to a prophecy dating back over seven thousand years. Enemies and allies find him at every turn, but one thing they learn all too soon is that you don't want to push Grant Borrows too far... Can destiny be undone? The players are ready. The game is in motion. And the pace is: Relentless. (The Dominion Trilogy Book 1)

Review:
I really enjoyed this book. It's not quiet like anything I've ever read before. As always the characters were amazing. I felt all of Grants pain and anger. I understood so much of how he was feeling. I feel like this is one of those books that should be made into a book. It had so much detail I felt like I was watching it rather then reading it. After I finished reading the book and writing my review I looked up other reviews. People either loved it or hated it. 4 Stars.

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Category: Young Adult Fiction
Keywords: Contemporary, Realistic, Abuse, Grief, Epistolary
Format: Hardcover, eBook
Source: ARC from Publisher


Synopsis:

It begins as an assignment for English class: Write a letter to a dead person. Laurel chooses Kurt Cobain because her sister, May, loved him. And he died young, just like May did. Soon, Laurel has a notebook full of letters to people like Janis Joplin, Amy Winehouse, Amelia Earhart, Heath Ledger, and more; though she never gives a single one of them to her teacher. She writes about starting high school, navigating new friendships, falling in love for the first time, learning to live with her splintering family. And, finally, about the abuse she suffered while May was supposed to be looking out for her. Only then, once Laurel has written down the truth about what happened to herself, can she truly begin to accept what happened to May. And only when Laurel has begun to see her sister as the person she was; lovely and amazing and deeply flawed; can she begin to discover her own path.

Alethea's Review:

Part school assignment, part confessional, Love Letters to the Dead introduces the reader to Laurel, a pensive girl whose older sister May, her de facto role model and idol, is dead; her family life has shattered in the wake of tragedy. For much of the book, the reader can only guess at how May died; we get the impression that Laurel witnessed the incident. But was it murder, suicide, or an accident?

Dellaria's writing style hovers on the edges of magical realism as Laurel struggles with memories she can't or won't recall. On the surface, it's the voice of a young girl with major emotional issues trying to cope with the already baffling struggles of puberty and the social lives of high schoolers. She lives part time with her aunt so that she doesn't have to attend the school that May did. She tries on parts of May's wardrobe and personality, but cannot move forward without examining her own guilt over her sister's death. She writes to the celebrities that May held in high esteem and tells them what she cannot bring herself to tell the the parents and teachers who have tried to reach out to her (some of these people even seem to have given up). The writing exercise forces her to get to the dark heart of her sadness, and the secrets she reveals are painful both to herself and the reader.

I found this novel deeply moving and well-written. At one point I felt the story begin to unravel with so many different sub-plots tugging at the seams: Laurel's crush and his connection to the world she was trying to leave behind, her two best girl friends exploring their sexuality--sometimes with each other, and her adult family members too busy dealing with their own baggage to take much care of Laurel. Ultimately Dellaria pulls it all together, threading the stories back through each other in a pensive tale of grief and hope. This lyrical coming-of-age novel melds family drama with historical and pop culture references to create a story that is touching, melancholy, and bittersweet.

*Please note that this post contains affiliate links. For more details, please see our full disclosure policy here.

**I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

---

Find out more about the author at www.avadellaria.com and follow her on Twitter @avadellaria.

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Rating: 4/5 Stars

Genre: Contemporary/Greek Mythology

Release Date: 3/11/2014

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About the Book: Haden Lord is a prince of the Underrealm-but he's a disgrace to his father and the court. It comes as a surprise when Haden is chosen by the oracle as the new Champion-the one to cross through Persephone's gate in order to bring back the latest boon. Only Haden's quest is different. His chosen girl, Daphne Raines, isn't an ordinary boon-she's the cypher and could be the key to restore immortality to the Underrealm. Haden goes undercover at Olympus Hills High School and has six months to return with Daphne. But fate has other plans as Daphne and Haden uncover more secrets about the Underrealm and their destiny.

GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: I really love stories based on Greek Mythology, so when I first heard about Into the Dark I was excited but wary. The Persephone myth seems like a popular trend right now in YA and I wasn't sure how yet another offering of the story would measure up. I was not disappointed as Into the Dark has a fresh, unique take. It may be inspired by the myth of Persephone, but the story is original take on the myth of Persephone as a launching point for a new tale about the Underrealm.

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Category: Young Adult Fiction/Fantasy
Keywords: Paranormal, High School, Ghosts, Witches
Format: Hardcover, eBook
Source: ARC from Publisher


Synopsis:

Fifteen-year-old Izzy Brannick was trained to fight monsters. For centuries, her family has hunted magical creatures. But when Izzy’s older sister vanishes without a trace while on a job, Izzy's mom decides they need to take a break.

Izzy and her mom move to a new town, but they soon discover it’s not as normal as it appears. A series of hauntings has been plaguing the local high school, and Izzy is determined to prove her worth and investigate. But assuming the guise of an average teenager is easier said than done. For a tough girl who's always been on her own, it’s strange to suddenly make friends and maybe even have a crush.

Can Izzy trust her new friends to help find the secret behind the hauntings before more people get hurt?

Kimberly's Review:

Izzy Brannick is strong and trained to fight monsters. And the one thing she is scared of? High School.

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Rating: 4/5 Stars

Genre: Humor/Mystery

Release Date: 9/3/2013

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About the Book: Wilmer Dooley is a scientist. His father always says "observe!" and that's just what Wilmer loves to do. So when Wilmer notices the kids at school start turning strange colors and have an excess of energy, Wilmer decides to research this strange new plague outbreak and he's sure to win the Science Medal with a cure! But Wilmer's nemesis is on his tail and the science teacher Mrs. Padgett just knows Wilmer is up to no good. Can Wilmer solve the mystery, save the school, and maybe even win the heart of his crush Roxie?

GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: Science and humor make for an awesome blend in Contagious Colors of Mumpley Middle School. Wilmer is an incredibly likable character-his scientific observations and his crush on Roxie make him incredibly endearing-he reminds me a young Leonard from Big Bang Theory. Wilmer loves to observe and make scientific discoveries, but he's the only one in school to seem to notice that anything strange is happening. All the other kids are excited about their new colorful looks and polka dotted faces.

Wilmer has some arch rivals to fend himself from. Mrs. Padgett is an unlikable mean teacher who is up to no good and is not a fan of Wilmer as his science abilities. She doesn't like anyone who is smarter than she is. She makes for a hilarious, over the top villain and readers will enjoy laughing at her attempts to stop Wilmer. Wilmer also has to contend with Claudius Dill, who readers will recognize is not as sweet as he appears to be. Wilmer and Claudius have a rivalry and readers will cheer for Wilmer to discover the cure and solve the mystery before Claudius does.

On top of all the science and mystery, there's a cute romance as Wilmer is trying to win over the girl he likes. Filled with humor, an eccentric cast of characters, and a lot of fun, middle grade readers are sure to get a kick of this adventure-and maybe even interested in science! I hope there's more to come from Wilmer and the rest of Mumpley Middle School.

Full Disclosure: Reviewed from finished copy sent by publisher




WANT TO WIN A COPY OF CONTAGIOUS COLORS OF MUMPLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL?
Thanks to Simon and Schuster, one lucky winner will receive a copy of the book Contagious Colors Band Aids!


Leave a comment below with your favorite color to win!

-Contest open to US Address only
-Ages 13+
-Contest ends 9/11/13
-One entry per person please

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Rating: 4/5 Stars

Genre: Contemporary/Novel in Verse

Release Date: 3/5/2013

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About the Book: Sam is excited for his special fishing day with dad-that is until his annoying little sister Lucy comes along.

GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: I love novels in verse and Gone Fishing is a perfect introduction to the format for young tweens. I think that while this could easily fit into the tween category, it might be the younger side of the tweens who are perfect for this one. Sam seems about eight or nine in the book.

The poems have different narrators from Sam, Lucy and Dad but it's mostly Sam that we hear from throughout. He's having a rough day having his sister tag along and he's not catching any fish. The author does a great job expressing Sam's emotions throughout with his annoyance and frustration about his trip and then also his excitement and change of heart when things start to go well.

What I really loved was how the author used various forms of poetry for each poem which are listed at the beginning of each poem. At the end of the book there is an extensive glossary with information on how to write the various forms, poetic techniques like alliteration and imagery, and a nice bibliography for readers wanting more information about poetry. Each page is also illustrated with adorable black and white illustrations. I especially love the illustrations of a proud Sam with fish.

Gone Fishing is fun to read and also a great teaching tool about poetry.

Book Pairings: Technically It's Not My Fault by John Grandits, Summerhouse Time by Eileen Spinelli

Full Disclosure: Reviewed from finished copy checked out from my local library

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Rating: 4/5 Stars

Genre: Historical

Release Date: 10/25/2011

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About the Book: For graduation, Frankie receives a scrapbook and typewriter. Frankie begins chronicling her life in her scrapbook-from school, to a mysterious Captain James who sweeps Frankie off her feet, to finding old friends and making new ones. Frankie's story of a girl coming of age in the roaring 20s is told all through scrapbook pages and vintage photographs, postcards, advertisements, and more.


GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: I first heard about this book when in won a 2012 Alex Award. When I found out it was told all in pictures and memorabilia, I knew I had to read it.

Frankie's story is so whimsical and fun, yet it's also heartfelt story of a girl who is trying to grow up, become independent, and figure out who she is during that crazy time of early adulthood. I love the way the author chose to tell Frankie's story through a scrapbook. There's a sticker on the cover that shouts "Full-color vintage memorabilia on every page!" which I love. Not only is it fun to look at and pour through just as you would a scrapbook filled with memories, but it matches Frankie perfectly. The author does an excellent job of weaving together various memorabilia she came across and placing it all together so that it made a cohesive story for Frankie. It's a fun graphic novel idea for grown ups and I would love to see more books designed and written in this format. (If anyone knows of any others like this, please let me know!)

Frankie starts out the story as an older teen, so it's easy to see why this book won an Alex Award. It certainly has teen appeal and is a great coming of age story and I would give it older teens looking for something unique and engaging to read.

While the story is cute and a bit light and nothing amazingly groundbreaking, I still loved and adored it. Frankie was a character I was sad to leave-she's spunky and hilarious and I savored every moment with her.

A charming read with a unique storytelling format that is sure to please older teens and adults.

Full Disclosure: Reviewed from finished copy I checked out from my library

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Rating: 4/5 Stars

Genre: Contemporary

Release Date: 3/26/3013

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About the Book: Living deep in the wood where they can't be found, Carey and her sister Janessa depend on each other. Their mother comes and goes and all they know of the world is what their mother tells them. When two strangers arrive and Carey is reunited with her estranged father, Carey begins to question everything she has ever known. But as she is reintroduced into a world she has long ago left, Carey is afraid to reveal her secrets, including why her sister Janessa has not uttered a word in over a year. Is Carey's father telling the truth about her long forgotten past? And can Carey learn to open up and learn to trust again?

GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: I am so glad to finally see If You Find Me on the shelf! I was lucky enough to read an early copy of this book last year and I've wanted to talk to everyone about it ever since.

If You Find Me is a contemporary story that felt like it stood out among the crowded field of YA. The premise of Carey being taken from her family years ago and now learning the truth about her past was emotional and heartbreaking, yet ultimately hopeful. As Carey slowly uncovers the truth and learns to trust those around her and it's an emotional journey that the readers goes on with Carey throughout the novel.

Once Carey hinted that she had a secret, I wanted to know more and that aspect of the storyline kept me reading and engaged. I wanted to know what Carey was hiding and why Janessa wasn't talking. I had my ideas and I wanted to keep reading to see if my theories were correct.

What I really appreciated about If You Find Me was that each time I thought the author was veering into something that I thought was yet another typical YA novel troupe, she managed to surprise me. Carey and Janessa's adjustment from being sheltered with their mother and now re-entering a world that is unfamiliar added something new to the story. Their transition isn't easy-and not just for them. Everyone around them is adjusting as well. Carey's father has remarried and has a daughter, Delaney. Yet this wasn't another mean girl storyline. Delaney was caught in the middle of having to deal with everything that was happening and all the what if's that she had dealt with having been caught up in searching for Carey. I also really appreciated the plot with Ryan. At first I thought the novel was veering into another "new girl meets boy" story, but the author made their friendship make sense and Ryan fit into the story in an unexpected way and I really liked the book even more for that.

There is so much here for the reader to unwrap and Emily Murdoch does a great job of saying a lot without saying much. The reader gets to unravel the story-from Delaney and Carey's delicate relationship, to Carey slowly letting her father in, and even in Janessa's relationship with the family dog which was perfect. It's a beautiful, emotional read that wraps you up in the story and doesn't let go.

Full Disclosure: Reviewed from advanced copy sent by publisher for review

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Category: Middle Grade Mystery
Keywords: Middle grade, mystery, friendship, bullying, Mafia
Format: Hardcover, paperback, eBook
Source: Borrowed


Synopsis from Goodreads:

Chris Rylander delivers a funny Ferris Bueler-style middle grade novel with The Fourth Stall.

Do you need something? Mac can get it for you. It's what he does—he and his best friend and business manager, Vince. Their methods might sometimes run afoul of the law, or at least the school code of conduct, but if you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can pay him, Mac is on your side. His office is located in the East Wing boys' bathroom, fourth stall from the high window. And business is booming.

Or at least it was, until one particular Monday. It starts with a third grader in need of protection. And before this ordeal is over, it's going to involve a legendary high school crime boss named Staples, an intramural gambling ring, a graffiti ninja, the nine most dangerous bullies in school, and the first Chicago Cubs World Series game in almost seventy years. And that's just the beginning. Mac and Vince soon realize that the trouble with solving everyone else's problems is that there's no one left to solve yours.

Review:

The Fourth Stall is a hilarious play on The Godfather set in an elementary school. The Godfather
in question is Mac, short for MacGuyver because he’s the guy that can get you anything. And the
fourth stall is and empty bathroom stall where he conducts his business. The empire is run by a
small sixth grader and his best friend who loan out their services helping solve the problems of
their fellow classmates for a small fee. Their business is threatened when the mysterious
kingpin, Staples, starts a gambling ring at their school. Using tough high school kids and bully
tactics, Staples plans on taking Mac and his friends down. Loyalties are tested when Mac finds
out that there’s a mole in his organization. Can Mac hold the business together and flush out the
rat at the same time or is this the end of his career? And will the Cubs make it to the World
series this year?

Each person in Mac’s crew had a distinct personality and I loved reading the bios of the various
school bullies. I am partial to Kitten, the small and polite sociopath, who is ruthless and more
than a little scary. I definitely don’t want to get on his bad side. And it was cool to see Mac band
the bullies together in order to deal with Staples. I had some mixed feelings the violence in this
book. On one hand, it was pretty graphic (especially for the middle grade reader that I think this
book is aimed at) but on the other hand, I think there had to be real consequences to their
actions in order to make the story work. And though Mac ends up using strong arm tactics to aid
his own cause, he doesn't feel good about it. While the book doesn't glorify violence in the
schoolyard, it doesn't shy away from it either.

What drew me in though was the friendship between Mac and his best friend Vince. Their easy
rapport and camaraderie seemed genuine. They were a bit like an old married couple and I was
really worried when their friendship was threatened. Ultimately this is a story about friendship and
family. And though I am not a sports fan, I found their dedication and obsession with The Cubs to be funny and endearing. It almost made to me want to watch a baseball game. ;)

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Rating: 4/5 Stars

Genre: Historical

Release Date: 2/12/2013

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About the Book: After leaving Uncle Chester's homestead, Hattie has a new dream. She would like to become a reporter. When the chance to become a seamstress with a traveling acting troupe arises, Hattie jumps on the opportunity to travel to a big city and ends up in San Francisco. Hattie has found a letter and a love token from Uncle Chester's old flame in San Francisco and maybe this is her chance to find out more about her mysterious uncle. Plus there's so much opportunity in San Francisco and Hattie will work hard to make her dreams come true.

GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: So as I went to review Hattie Ever After, I looked to see if I had ever reviewed Hattie Big Sky, which I had not. So I need to remedy that soon (but that may require a reread!) But all you need to know is I loved the first book-it appealed to tween Sarah who loved historical fiction and Hattie's adventures as she tries to make it on a homestead in Montana were beautiful, heartbreaking and wonderful and I couldn't have asked for a better book. So Hattie Ever After had a lot to live up to.

Hattie is back and I was reminded of just how much I love and adore her. She's smart, spunky, and works hard to achieve her dreams. She can be a bit naive, but she's young and her naivety is believable and part of what makes her an endearing character. Even though this is a historical novel set in 1919, Hattie's story rings true for readers today. She is trying to follow her dreams and find her place in the world. She's wondering about her future and what exactly her future holds. And she's trying to figure out just exactly where Charlie fits into all of this and if she wants to be with him or not.

What makes Hattie stand out to me is her independence. She's strong and while there are times she may need help, she accepts this help and it doesn't make her a whimpering powerless girl. Instead it makes her stronger and she grows into a strong, courageous young woman. There is a bit a romantic storyline in the book as Hattie is trying to figure out her feelings for Charlie and the gentlemen that may throw a wrench in their plans. But the romance is never a central storyline and I love how Hattie doesn't fall into the arms of a boy swooning, but instead comes to a relationship on her terms and her choice.

Hattie is a bit of a dreamer and she has big ambitions. I think if Hattie ever met Anne Shirley, the two would be kindred spirits, which I think is one of the reasons I love Hattie. She reminds me of my favorite childhood characters and she's destined to be a classic.

At times Hattie's story becomes a bit convenient and she comes into things a bit too easily. She can also be a bit naive about trusting people and believing everything she hears, but I chalked that up to being young and new to the city. Even though Hattie's story is sometimes a bit too perfect, it's still a lot of fun and I had a great time enjoying her story for another round. Hattie Ever After is a book you should give readers who are looking for a story with the charm of a classic with a spunky main character.

Book Pairings: Boston Jane by Jennifer L. Holm, Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maude Montgomery

Full Disclosure: Reviwed from egalley I received from publisher

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Category: Young adult mystery/suspense
Keywords: Murder, schizophrenia, color-blindness, family
Format: Hardcover, Kindle
Source: ARC for review



Synopsis:

They say first love never dies...

From critically acclaimed author Kate Ellison comes a heartbreaking mystery of mental illness, unspoken love, and murder. When sixteen-year-old artist Olivia Tithe is visited by the ghost of her first love, Lucas Stern, it’s only through scattered images and notes left behind that she can unravel the mystery of his death. 

There’s a catch: Olivia has gone colorblind, and there’s a good chance she’s losing her mind completely—just like her mother did. How else to explain seeing (and falling in love all over again with) someone who isn’t really there?

With the murder trial looming just nine days away, Olivia must follow her heart to the truth, no matter how painful. It’s the only way she can save herself.

Review:

Kate Ellison lets spots of color and light shine through Notes from Ghost Town's bleak and dreary premise. The main story revolves around the murder of Olivia's best friend, whom her unstable mother admits to killing. Ellison touches on all the nuances of love: kindness, friendship, family, first love, and even love turned to hate, to make this a moody and tender read. The settings sometimes seem contrived, missing flavor and making Miami seem like just any other locality, but enough of the characters and their occasionally surprising interactions are relatable enough to keep you reading.

Some readers might find Olivia's brattiness intolerable, but I felt invested enough in her heartbreak to want to know what really happened to Stern. I liked how she interacts with her soon-to-be step-sister, despite really hating the fact that her dad is remarrying so soon after divorcing her mother. I was hugely annoyed whenever she took unnecessary risks or behaved like a spoiled child, but I think it was mostly because I was starting to like her and wanted her to succeed, to heal, and to change for the better.

It's hard to articulate what I felt about this book. It's not so much that I enjoyed reading it as that I wanted everything to turn out ok, and so I kept turning pages. Fans of fast-paced mysteries should go look for another book: this one is slow, misty, and contemplative. I think this would make a great mostly-black-and-white movie.

If you like this book, you will probably also like:

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Rating: 4/5 Stars

Genre: Contemporary

Release Date: 3/5/2013

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About the Book: Everyone in Ruby's town knows that if you make a wish on your birthday and a quarter with your birthday year goes through the statue of Captain Bunning's donut, your wish will come true on Bunning Day. Ruby didn't listen to her grandmother and grandmother recently passed away. Ruby wants to know what it was her grandmother was trying to tell her. Plus Ruby's  best friend isn't speaking to her, her new friend is mad at her too, and Ruby's world is spinning out of control. Will her Bunning Day wish help her put everything straight?

GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: Linda Urban is a tween queen. I've been a fan of her books since her debut with A Crooked Kind of Perfect and Ms. Urban is a master at writing tween voices. She gets right to the heart of a story-you try and not get misty when you read a Linda Urban book.

In The Center of Everything Ms. Urban writes a gentle story of family and friendship. Ruby is in that tween stage of trying to figure friendships out, still believing and hoping in magic, and struggling to discover where and how exactly you fit in. She's not sure how to handle the grief over her grandmother and she's not sure how to talk about it with anyone. The tween voice is perfect and spot on and I think tweens will relate to Ruby.

The entire book takes place over the course of a day but with flashbacks what led up to Ruby's Bunning Day speech. While this is a short novel (maybe it just felt short because of all my YA reading lately!), each character is well developed and the plot moves at a nice pace. I think it would be a wonderful read aloud for families and classrooms and I would love to have a donut celebration like the one in the book!

Ruby is an avid reader and mentions When You Reach Me and A Wrinkle in Time. I think you could easily add The Center of Everything as a readlike for When You Reach Me and I think tweens who enjoy gentle, quiet stories about family and friends will enjoy this book.

Readalikes: When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead, Shug by Jenny Han, Mimi by John Newman

Full Disclosure: Reviewed from ARC received at ALA.

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Reading Level: Contemporary Romance/New Adult Format: Ebook Publisher: Gallery 1/8/13 Rating: 5

EFFORTLESS takes place about three months after the end of THOUGHTLESS. Kier a and Kellan are a couple and Denny has moved back to Australia. Although still suffering through the complications of their affair, both Kiera and Kellan are trying to make their love work.

Unfortunately, The D-Bags are discovered and a famous rock group wants them to tour with them and that would mean Kellan leaving Kiera for several months while the band tours. Because of what happened the last time her boyfriend left, Kellan does everything he can to make the separation a lot easier.

As Kellan's star rises, Kiera feels left out and wonders if he'll go back to his man-whore ways. Even thought everyone tells her that he is madly in love with her. He did tattoo her name over his heart. Kiera tries to stay away from the tabloids, but finds it difficult when she sees a video of Kellan hugging a woman.

Anna, Kiera's sister, is still having a relationship with Griffin, much to Kiera's dismay. She's not a fan of Griff's abrasiveness and lowly opinion of women. However, Anna comes up with a plan to get them to see the band in Idaho. The D-Bags have become so popular on the tour that they are bumped up to opening band and the other band on the tour is put out, so when Kellan takes Kiera back to the bus, one of the sore band members, makes it seem like this will be his second conquest of the night. Luckily, Kellan (after being smartly slapped across the face) is able to explain to Kiera what the jerk meant. She's not happy, but she has to trust him.

However, Kiera is also keeping secrets herself. Denny is back from Australia and has become a friend to lean on. Although he tells her constantly to tell Kellan he's back in the picture, she doesn't. Yep, by now, you're like, why Kiera? She's trying to trust Kellan, but keeping secrets herself. It sort of backfires, when at Christmas time, Kellan receives phone calls that he's not answering and lies to her about it. The both of them are keeping things close to the vest.

Probably the most shocking revelation is Anna gets pregnant and good lord it's Griffin's! Kellan comes home, sees Denny at Kiera's and of course thinks the worst. But it's Kiera who tells him what is what. They make love, she showers, he finds the pregnancy sticks (Anna was freaking out), and storms out, leaving Kiera to wonder what the hell just happened.

This time she's not leaving it alone. She goes to Kellan's and demands to know what is going on. He accuses her of cheating on him because he found the positive pregnancy tests. She informs him loudly that they are Anna's. He forgives her, she forgives him. He tells her about the phone calls. They're from his biological father and he wants nothing to do with him. Kiera tries to ease his mind that it would be a good idea to meet his other family. Kellan will have nothing to do with him (them).

Kiera finally graduates college, Kellan comes home from tour. Griffin finds out he's about to be a dad. Everyone meets Denny's Australian girlfriend. Kiera and Kellan get married at Pete's bar (well metaphorically, they meld their hearts together and vow to be together forever.)

If my review seems like whiplash, it's because the book gave me heart palpitations and whiplash! I loved the first book, loved the second book. Kellan really proved to be a true romantic by leaving little notes for Kiera to find on a daily basis while he was gone. She's even find notes weeks later. How can you not love that. Kellan struggles to remain true, but he's so in love with Kiera it makes it easier. The secret-keeping could get a bit annoying at time, but as a plot device it works, because you don't know what is going on, like Kiera and you really wonder if he's doing something detrimental. Anna's pregnancy is probably one of the brightest spots in the book. Yeah, she's freaked out (she works for Hooters!), but she calms down enough to enjoy the ride. However, she's not ready to tell Griffin yet. And of course everyone wonders how that will play out.

Kellan is a definitely book boyfriend. He's gorgeous, sexy, romantic and troubled. His life has not been an easy one and he struggles with his self-esteem. Although on stage he is a rock God. In his real life he is anything but. With Kiera by his side, his self-worth grows leaps and bounds. Kellan meeting Kiera's parents the first time is just as difficult and painful as if you were really there. And Kiera really does have the squeakiest bed ever.

SC's books have become a phenomenon since they were self-published a few years back. She is defintely one of those authors that I will search high and low for something new by her. She is definitely an author to watch. The last book in the trilogy will be out March 5, 2013 and it's titled, RECKLESS.

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Reading Level: Contemporary Adult Format: Ebook Publisher: Self Published 12/27/12 Rating: 4

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Category: Adult Paranormal Romance
Keywords: Paranormal, romance, apocalypse, pregnancy, siblings, horsemen
Format: Mass market paperback, eBook
Source: Bought

Synopsis:

Being connected to Daemon Black sucks…

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 Release date: September 6th, 2011
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Age group: Young Adult
Pages: 345
Flirt Factor: Chaste
Overall: 4/5 stars

Grace just moved to San Francisco and is excited to start over at a new school. The change is full of fresh possibilities, but it’s also a tiny bit scary. It gets scarier when a minotaur walks in the door. And even more shocking when a girl who looks just like her shows up to fight the monster.

Gretchen is tired of monsters pulling her out into the wee hours, especially on a school night, but what can she do? Sending the minotaur back to his bleak home is just another notch on her combat belt. She never expected to run into this girl who could be her double, though.

Greer has her life pretty well put together, thank you very much. But that all tilts sideways when two girls who look eerily like her appear on her doorstep and claim they're triplets, supernatural descendants of some hideous creature from Greek myth, destined to spend their lives hunting monsters.

These three teenage descendants of Medusa, the once-beautiful gorgon maligned by myth, must reunite and embrace their fates in this unique paranormal world where monsters lurk in plain sight. (Summary taken from Goodreads)

I'm definitely a sucker for a good Greek mythology YA book. So when I was looking for something to read and saw Sweet Venom sitting on my TBR shelf I knew that was my next read. Sweet Venom by Tera Lynn Childs is not your standard Greek mythology retelling, either. Tera Lynn Childs took a lesser-known (but still popular) myth and wrote it in an interesting and modern way. Sweet Venom follows the lives of three (unbeknownst to them) sisters who are descendants of Medusa. It's told in first person and alternates between the three sisters: Grace, Gretchen, and Greer.
I was kind of curious to see how Childs would differentiate between the three main characters since they are triplets that share the same fate. However, I thought she did a good job developing all three of them completely. Even Greer, who only narrates a couple of chapters, had her own different viewpoints and opinions.
One of my favorite aspects of the book was how Childs integrated the greek mythology into the novel. Obviously, it wasn't just a Medusa retelling. So rather than reading a traditional retelling you got a fresh, modern spin off of a classic Greek myth. The best part of this was that you got to discover the different parts of the myth the same time the characters did. They're all teenagers, so a big part of the book is discovering their background and their significance to the Medusa myth and guarding the entrance to their world.
However, I felt like at times there wasn't enough action in the book. There would be little significant scenes, but then Childs wouldn't go very far with them. There were also a lot of little sub plots that weren't incorporated very well. Gretchen and Grace both had romantic interests that you saw only a couple of times. Then you were left wondering what happened to them. There just wasn't enough time to develop those subplots. Also, there is a subplot with Grace's brother, but throughout the book you're not entirely sure what it means. However, this is a series, so hopefully that will be explored further in the next book.

On that note, I really liked the ending. I felt like the end was the only part of the book where you really saw a lot of important things happening. It was also very shocking and mysterious and set up for the next book extremely well. Overall, the writing was nice and the book flowed smoothly. There were some parts that were shocking, some were funny, and some were endearing and heartwarming. Even though there are times where there isn't a ton of stuff going on in the book, I felt like there was still enough so you didn't get bored.

I wish there had been a little more action and more exploration of the romances, but overall this was a fun take on a Greek myth and I really enjoyed it. I feel like the next book will explore the different subplots established in this book and I'm looking forward to reading it.

Writing: 4/5
Plot: 3/5
Characters: 5/5
Ending: 5/5

Love always,
Amanda

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	You could win this cool  Mickey Bolitar tote bag containing the new novel Seconds Away (Mickey Bolitar, Book 2) and Shelter  (Mickey Bolitar, Book 1) Go to the Rafflecopter below to enter!
click here to add to Goodreads [+]	click the cover to add to Goodreads [+]

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About Seconds Away

When tragedy strikes close to home, Mickey Bolitar and his loyal new friends—sharp-witted Ema and the adorkably charming Spoon—find themselves at the center of a terrifying mystery involving the shooting of their friend Rachel. Now, not only does Mickey have to continue his quest to uncover the truth about the Abeona Shelter, the Butcher of Lodz and the mysterious death of his father, he needs to figure out who shot Rachel—no matter what it takes.

Mickey has always been ready to sacrifice everything to help the people he loves. But with danger just seconds away, how can he protect them when he’s not even sure who—or what—he’s protecting them from?

About Shelter

The stunning young adult debut from international bestseller Harlan Coben is now in paperback!

Mickey Bolitar's year can't get much worse. After witnessing his father's death and sending his mom to rehab, he's forced to live with his estranged uncle Myron and switch high schools. Fortunately, he's met a great girl, Ashley, and it seems like things might finally be improving. But then Ashley vanishes. Mickey follows Ashley's trail into a seedy underworld that reveals that Ashley isn't who she claimed to be. And neither was Mickey's father. Soon Mickey learns about a conspiracy so shocking that it leaves him questioning everything about the life he thought he knew.

About the author

Harlan Coben is the #1 New York Times Bestselling author of numerous adult novels, and the winner of the Edgar Award, Shamus Award, and Anthony Award – the first author to receive all three. His books are published in forty languages with over 47 million copies in print worldwide – and have been #1 Bestsellers in over a dozen countries. He lives in New Jersey.

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Keywords: Contemporary, thriller, missing persons, friendship
Category: Young Adult Mystery Thriller
Format: Hardcover, Audiobook, eBook
Source: Review copy from Penguin Teen



Alethea's review of Shelter:

I try not to expect too much from mysteries, as I'm usually the type to guess outcomes too early. I didn't need to worry with Shelter. Harlan Coben knows how to twist and turn a plot so you can't see the end until it's too late. I started this book at about 3 in the morning and was so creeped out, I had to put it down until daylight.

Shelter starts out like a ghost story slash urban legend, but morphs into an entirely different tale tied into the history of the Holocaust--stories of danger and altruism that blend into myth. I really had to tamp down the urge to Google elements from the story to see whether they were real or not. (Luckily I've read enough James Rollins novels to appreciate that it's better to wait until the end of the book to look things up.) To my delight, a restaurant mentioned in the book is real.

Mickey is a likeable kid who has been through a lot of traumatic experiences in a short time. He not only watched his father die in a terrible automobile accident, he also is watching his once-vivacious mother disintegrate under the massive pressure of grief and addiction.

In a few ways, he seems a little too good to be true: he has inherited terrific athleticism from both sides of his family, is handsome and smart, and gets along with all the right people. Most of the time I'm torn between liking him a lot and disbelieving how easily he takes things that I expect the average affluent and good-looking white male teen character to have problems overlooking: class, race, and appearances. When his sort-of-girlfriend disappears just a couple of weeks into the school year, he befriends the dweebiest kid and the fattest girl in school, and takes the bus to Newark to play ball in a rough neighborhood. He can barely believe it when the hottest girl in his grade wants to partner with him on a project. The only counterbalance to his awesomeness is how aloof and secretive he is with his uncle Myron (from Coben's adult mysteries), and the bad decisions he makes which will make readers chew their nails down to stubs in suspense.

The friendships he forms throughout the book not only fill up his day and distract him from the pain of losing both of his parents; they also lead him on the hunt for the missing girl and strange goings-on from his father's past. I have always admired the way Coben manages to juggle character, plot, and theme while keeping the story moving at just the right pace. I enjoyed the secondary characters, the dialogue, and the ease with which the story is pieced together. The twists and turns were exhilarating and I am excited to start the next book.

I originally thought to recommend this to reluctant readers with an interest in sports, but after finishing the book I think anyone who appreciates conspiracies and secret societies (think Lost) will really dig this mystery. Mickey also goes looking for answers in some pretty troublesome and seedy places (like a go-go bar, for instance), so I'd recommend this to younger readers with caution.

If you can suspend your disbelief and just enjoy the thrill of secrets, spies, and lies that keep this fast-paced novel moving, you'll really enjoy Shelter. And lucky you, if you're just discovering Mickey Bolitar now, you won't have to wait for the next book in the series, Seconds Away (in stores September 18).

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*I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

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Genre: Science Fiction

Release Date: 6/5/2012

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About the Book: Ensign Andrew Dahl has just been assigned to the Intrepid. The posting is going well and Dahl is making friends with other new crew members. But the new crew notice something strange-the away missions always seem to end up dangerous-even the ones that seem like they should be routine. The senior staff always seem to survive these away missions, no matter how many crazy things may happen to them along the way. And there's always a low ranking officer that ends up getting killed. Something strange is going on on the Intrepid and Dahl and his friends are determined to find out what it is.

GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: Every once in awhile I manage to squeeze in some adult fiction into my reading (or listening) pile. If you know me well, then you know that I am a big Star Trek fan. And as a Star Trek fan, I understand that you must never beam down in a red shirt (lest you want to be killed on an away mission). So one I saw the title and premise of this book, I knew I had to read it!

Yes, Redshirts is a very well done Star Trek, science fiction spoof. The humor is spot on. The outrageous captain who solves things just in the nick of time, the over the top adventures, and the fact that the senior crew get beat up every mission and yet continue to survive all add up to a perfect spoof that will have science fiction fans laughing. But the book is so much more than a spoof of the genre. There are many twists along the way to keep readers surprised and just when you think you've got things figured out, you discover something new.

I enjoyed the plot twists and found that they added something new to what could have just been a very funny take on the science fiction genre. The best way to describe this book would be to say that it's meta-the plot becomes very self referential. I don't want to give the plot twists and surprise away, but I enjoyed the way the story ended up and how everything came about full circle.

I listened to the audiobook, partly because I'm reading so much the only way I can add in anything extra is by audiobook and also partly because the narrator is Wil Wheaton. I thought this would be a good audiobook pairing and in some ways it was. Wheaton gets the humor of the book and adds a nice spin on the characters (especially the captain's more crazy moments). But he doesn't do a wide range of voices like I'm used to from my audiobooks. And at times he reads really, really, fast! This was especially confusing at the beginning when there is a lot of quick dialogue between  two characters-Dahl and Duvall. Their names are so similar and add in a fast narrator without different voices and I was getting a bit lost between all the "Dahl said" and "Duvall said". I caught one soon after though and overall it was a very enjoyable listen and as the book got going I appreciated Wheaton's narration.

If you enjoy science fiction (and this is light science fiction) and want an enjoyable read, give Redshirts a try.

Full Disclosure: Reviwed from audiobook I purchased from Audible

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