Best Friends For Never by Lisi Harrison

Pages: 197

Publisher: Little, Brown

Age Group: Middle Grade/Young Adult

Challenge: N/A

Release Date: October 6, 2004

The Clique is back . . . 

Massie Block: Still gorgeous. Still trendsetting. Still ruling the social scene at school… she hopes. To keep her spot at the top, Massie decides to throw the school’s first boy/girl Halloween party. But her parents are making her invite the entire grade AND share the party with Claire. She’s not sure which is scarier…

Dylan Marvil: Lost the weight. Kept the attitude. Plans to use her new look to snag a cute guy. 

Kristen Gregory: Clothes are for sharing. Guys aren’t. Likes the same guy Dylan does. Will do whatever it takes to get him. 

Alicia Rivera: With the Clique unravelling faster than last season’s Burberry sweater, is it time for Alicia to stage her takeover?

Claire Lyons: Still out. Wants in. Seriously needs to lose those Keds.

Stars: 3.5/5

Cover: B+

Plot:

Massie Block and her friends are back with more petty drama, comebacks, and fashion in the second novel in The Clique series. As always, the girls are fierce and relentless, and seem to always get themselves in some type of predicament.

When I first read this book in the fifth grade, I thought it was the best thing ever. Now, I still love the series (and the author), but this particular book in the series didn't pack as much of a punch as the other books did. I do remember from reading this series twice before that the books get better and better as they go on, so I'm excited to continue with the series.

Each book in this series kind of reminds me of a  TV episode. In each book, the characters get themselves into new situations, and it's not like (for example) the Harry Potter series, where each book is building up to the final book, where the climax of the entire series it. I really like that aspect of this series, because you don't necessarily need to read the books in order, or even all of them, to understand the storyline.

Characters:

I really, really like Claire. If I was in her position, and I had to go through what she did from Massie and her vicious friends, I would probably cry. I think she is an awesome role model for girls that are getting picked on or bullied, because she is such a strong girl that knows when to fight back, and fight back hard.

Lisi Harrison does an awesome job of showing that Massie is only mean because she insecure, which is true for most bullies. She just wants to be on top, and anytime she feels that her power is slipping, she needs to put someone down to make herself feel more mighty.

Writing:

At first glance, these books are shallow and are all about petty girls who like to pick on other girls. But, if you delve deeper, you'll see that the books are showing what length people will go to to be powerful, and on a slightly less serious note, why most "mean girls" are mean.

Lisi Harrison did a wonderful job of portraying all of this, and how to deal with girls like that.

Ending:

The ending leaves us with hope (as do many of the first books in the The Clique series) that maybe, just maybe, Massie and Claire can be friends. I love that, because it's a little teaser that makes you want to read the next book.

Cover:

I think all of the covers are really cute, with their corresponding colors and patterns. I like how each book shows three different girls not necessarily portraying the clique, but a clique.

Lovely Line:

"I see you watching me," Massie said, without even turning her head.

"Uh, I was just ---"

"Claire, do you work at a grocery store?" Massie asked as she was wrapping her tape measure around her mannequin's waist.

"Huh? No," Claire said.

"Then why are you checking me out?"

(Page 54)

The Final Verdict:

I love this series, and I think anyone with a sense of humor and a craving for clever comebacks and a fast, fun read will, too.

Read my review of The Clique.

FTC: Bought.

Sugar And Spice by Lauren Conrad

Pages: 304
Publisher: Harper Collins
Age Group: Young Adult
Challenges: N/A
Release Date: December 8, 2010


In the final book of the hit series L.A. Candy, Jane Roberts is a bona fide celebrity—she’s got the VIP treatment, couture clothes, and starlet looks. She also has the tabloid scandals, fake friends, and relentless paparazzi. Having learned a few things from her first season on the air, Jane is trying to surround herself with the people who she knows love her for her...and take a break from boys—since they’ve been nothing but trouble. But when her high school sweetheart Caleb and her unrequited L.A. crush Braden show up, both looking cuter and acting sweeter than ever, Jane has a hard time remembering her no-boys rule.... 

Just when everything feels out of control, Jane makes a shocking discovery. And what she finds changes everyone’s definition of “reality” forever. 

In her deliciously entertaining novel, television star Lauren Conrad pulls the curtain back on young Hollywood and shows that sometimes the real drama is behind the scenes.

Stars: 4/5

Cover: A-

Plot:

I've been a big fan of Lauren Conrad's L.A. Candy series, so when the third book came out I went right down to the bookstore and bought it. And even though I knew I didn't read it for a couple of months (I had to re-read the first two in the series), it still felt nice to actually have the book.

I found Sugar and Spice to be bittersweet. I was sad that the series was ending, but I thought Lauren Conrad tied it up wonderfully.

Sugar and Spice was just as packed with drama, petty girls, shady producers, and cute boys as the first two books. I couldn't get enough of Jane's world, and I really wish the series wasn't ending.

Characters:

I really like Lauren Conrad's characters. They all seem realistic, and even the supporting characters with the smaller roles in the story are 3-D and have personality.

A new attention-seeking character was introduced, putting even more spins on the plot, and the drama that she stirs up.

I love all of the plotting and scheming some of the characters do just so they can come out on top. It really shows you how desperate some people are for ten extra minutes of airtime, and the lengths they'll go to to achieve it.

Writing:

Conrad knows how to twist things around in her stories, make you gasp, and say, "did that really just happen?" The situations are all believable, though, which makes the story ten times better.

Ending:

The ending to this left me wanting more, even though I know there won't be a fourth book. All of the loose ends were tied up seamlessly, and Lauren couldn't have ended the series more perfectly. I really liked that in the end, the characters all did what made them happy, and I even laughed a little bit at what some of them (ach-hem, Madison and Sophie) ended up doing.

Cover:

I've loved the first two covers to the L.A. Candy series, and this one was no exception. I loved the simplicity of it, with just a pop of eye-catching color.

Lovely Line:

Maybe someone as powerful, ambitious, and beautiful as Madison was meant to be alone? Madison glanced at Jane, who was jabbering on about the guest list now. Madison has always wanted --- and deserved --- to replace Jane as the star of L.A. Candy. She was so close now; all she had to do was keep her eye on the prize and not get distracted by sentimental feelings about Jane or anyone else. And, of course, make sure Sophie kept her big mouth shut.

To hell with other people. It may be lonely at the top, but it was totally worth it.

(Page 116)

The Final Verdict:

I know a lot of people are put off by the fact that this series is written by Lauren Conrad, but I wouldn't let that bother you. It's such a fantastic, well-written series that definitely deserves being read.


Read my review of L.A. Candy here.
Read my review of Sweet Little Lies here.

FTC: Bought.

"One Lovely Blog" Award!

I was super duper excited to find out that Simply Me (Book Addict) gave me the "One Lovely Blog" Award! It means a lot that she likes my blog enough to give me an award. :)

So, basically, here are the rules if you are awarded:
1. Thank and link back to the person who awarded you this award.
2. Share 7 random facts about yourself.
3. Pass this award onto 15 other lovely bloggers.
4. Contact these bloggers and tell them about the award.

Seven Random Facts About Laura:

1. Burritos = Love.

2. I have a closet addiction for teen movies like John Tucker Must Die, Mean Girls, She's The Man, etc. . . .

3. I have a parrot. She barks.

4. I hate writing facts about me because I never know what to say. :P

5. I play softball and run Cross-Country.

6. I've really been enjoying the band Imogen Heap lately.

7. I think Alex Pettyfer is pretty. :)

Six Bloggers That Are Lovely: (alphabetical)

Bookworm Reviews

Call Me Crazy

I Eat Words

The Reader Room

What's Your Story

Zoe's Book Reviews

I haven't had very much time lately to be stalking other people's blogs like I used to (hehe) so I only put the six that I usually check on a regular basis.

Anyways, thanks again for the award!

The Breakup Bible by Melissa Kantor

Pages: 272

Publisher: Hyperion

Age Group: Young Adult

Challenges: N/A

Release Date: May 1, 2007

Jen Lewis is having a great junior year.  She is the features editor of the school paper, and she's dating Max Brown, the paper's editor-in-chief. Everything is perfect-that is, until Max says, "Maybe it would be better if we were just friends." In shock and total denial, Jen wonders how she is going to deal with the pain of seeing Max in school every day. Her misery only intensifies when her grandmother gives her a book that she heard about on the radio. Dr. Emerson's The Breakup Bible claims that "there's no reason a woman can't get over a breakup very quickly if she'll just follow a few basic commandments." Jen is doubtful. What does Dr. Emerson know about her and Max?

Stars: 4/5

Cover: B-

Plot:

The Breakup Bible was a very cute, fast, witty read that had me laughing out loud practically every other page. I couldn't put this book down, and read the last half in one sitting. 

It was a very fast paced book, and didn't take very long to read. Not to mention, as soon as you started The Breakup Bible, you were swept up into Jen's world and unable to get her or her story out of your head.

Characters:

Jennifer was an awesome MC that really let me in her head, and understand what she was feeling.

I loved the character development. At the beginning of the book, Jennifer was heartbroken and confused, and by the end of the novel, she was a strong, confident young woman that was completely over Max (with the help of The Breakup Bible).

Writing:

This was the first book I've read by Melissa Kantor, but I can assure you it won't be the last. I loved everything about the way she wrote this book: the premise, the plot development, the characters, and the funniness of it. I was reading it in class, and I'd burst out laughing and get weird looks from the people sitting around me. :)

Ending:

The ending to this book left me with a smile on my face, and thinking, "You go, girl!"

One thing that I would have realllllyyy liked cleared up is why Max actually broke up with Jen. He never said, and it wasn't really specified, and I'm extremely curious as to know why he just dropped her like that.

Cover:

The cover to this book is cute, but I would have preferred it to be more eye-catching, or resemble more of what the book is actually about. 

I'll admit, I didn't have very high expectations of the book (partly because of the cover), and I'm sure I wasn't the only one.

Lovely Line:

But then I thought about going to school tomorrow and seeing Max and Anya, and I started to panic. What if I froze up again, just like I did at the theater? Thinking of standing paralyzed in the two-hundreds corridor, unable to put one foot in front of the other, while my classmates circled around me like I was some kind of slideshow freak ("Step right up, ladies and gentlemen! Step right up and see the woman paralyzed by the humiliation of being dumped!") was all the motivation I needed to follow Dr. Emerson's instructions to the letter.

(Page 143)

The Final Verdict:

The Breakup Bible was one of those feel-good novels that have you rooting for the MC the entire way.

I recommend this book to anyone who has a few extra hours to spare, and wants a good laugh.

FTC: Bought.

Here Lies Bridget by Paige Harbison

Pages: 224

Publisher: Harlequin

Age Group: Young Adult

Challenges: Debut Author Challenge

Release Date: January 18, 2011

Bridget Duke is the uncontested ruler of her school. The meanest girl with the biggest secret insecurities. And when new girl Anna Judge arrives, things start to fall apart for Bridget: friends don't worship as attentively, teachers don't fall for her wide-eyed "who me?" look, expulsion looms ahead and the one boy she's always loved—Liam Ward—can barely even look at her anymore.

When a desperate Bridget drives too fast and crashes her car, she ends up in limbo, facing everyone she's wronged and walking a few uncomfortable miles in their shoes. Now she has only one chance to make a last impression. Though she might end up dead, she has one last shot at redemption and the chance to right the wrongs she's inflicted on the people who mean the most to her.

And Bridget's about to learn that, sometimes, saying you're sorry just isn't enough . . .

Stars: 4.5/5

Cover: A-

Plot:

I was hooked from the very first page. The book started out showing us Bridget as a total (insert other word for a female dog here). She almost dies, and then has to try to right all the wrong that she's done so that she can live.

I reaaaaaalllyyyyy loved this book. Paige Haribson created an awesome world, and when the book was over, I was hoping there'd be a sequel just so I could be re-immersed in Bridget's life (Even though there'd be nowhere for the story to go in the sequel, I think).

Characters:

The character development in this book was spot-on. Bridget didn't come to realize how hurtful she'd been to other people too fast, but it wasn't too gradual either. 

The supporting characters were awesome. They helped the story along without hindering, and provided some comic relief and uniqueness to the story.

Writing:

I love the way Haribson writes. As I said up there, she had me hooked from the very first page, and I could not put this book down.

Her writing flows really nicely, and the different elements of Here Lies Bridget were molded together seamlessly.

Ending:

I liked the ending of this book! It was refreshing, and gave me hope that maybe Bridget really had changed.

Cover:

The cover to Here Lies Bridget is cute and eye-catching, but (I think) still has some edge to it with the dead body and all.

The Final Verdict:

Here Lies Bridget was one of those books that you can get a moral or life lesson from. It kind of reminded me of A Christmas Carol, with Bridget resembling Scrooge (though she doesn't walk around hating Christmas like he does).

If you haven't read Here Lies Bridget, I definitely recommend it.

FTC: NetGalley

Unthinkable by Shirley Duke

Pages: 112

Publisher: Lerner Classroom

Age Group: Young Adult

Challenges: N/A

Release Date: October 28, 2010

Omar Phillips is Bridgewater High's favorite local teen author. His Facebook fans can't wait for his next horror story. But lately Omar's imagination has turned against him. Horrifying visions of death and destruction come over him with wide-screen intensity. The only way to stop the visions is to write them down. Until they start coming true . . .

Enter Sophie Minax, the mysterious Goth girl who's been following Omar at school. "I'm one of you," Sophie says. She tells Omar how to end the visionsbut the only thing worse than Sophie's cure may be what happens if he ignores it.

Stars: 2.5/5

Cover: B-

Plot:

Unthinkable was just over one hundred pages, and felt more like a short story. I felt like I was reading the first draft of Unthinkable, because there wasn't much character development or details --- it was all just plot, and that really took away from the story.

I did think that this book was eerie and creepy, and would be good for reading to a younger sibling to scare them.

Characters:

As I mentioned above, there wasn't much character development in this book, and I didn't really know what the characters were like, or their background stories.

I could tell that Duke was trying to make Goth-girl Sophie really weird and creepy, but it didn't work for me. I felt like she was trying too hard.

I will admit that not having much focus on the characters did shift your attention to the plot more, and how scary the horror stories were.

Writing:

It seemed like Unthinkable was the summary of a much longer, better book. I think if Shirley Duke had spent more time to add in more details and background info, I would have enjoyed it more and felt like I was actually in the book.

Ending:

The ending was my least favorite part of this entire book. Everything was wrapped up in a couple of paragraphs, and it was all facts, and no feeling.

Reading the last pages of the book reminded me of where, at the end of some movies/shows, the "What happens next to the person" is written across the screen in a few sentences. It felt rushed and didn't end the book on a good note for me.

Cover:

I think the cover did a good job of capturing the eerie-ness of Unthinkable, but it isn't really eye-catching.

Lovely Line:

Omar had barely made it out of the clearing when he felt something rubber knock gently against his face. He looked up into the sole of a shoe. It belonged to a corpse hanging from a noose above. No, it wasn't a corpse. It was still living --- a woman gasping for air and clawing at her neck. "You you, you!" the woman rose a limp arm and pointed it at Omar. "You did this."

(Page 75)

The Final Verdict:

Unthinkable was a not very memorable, but still enjoyable read. It kept my attention, and only took me an hour and a half or so to read.

FTC: NetGalley