ARC Review: Emmy & Oliver

Title: Emmy & Oliver

Author: Robin Benway

Publisher: HarperTeen

Publication Date: June 23, 2015

Source: Borrowed from Sarah

Goodreads || Amazon

Emmy’s best friend, Oliver, reappears after being kidnapped by his father ten years ago. Emmy hopes to pick up their relationship right where it left off. Are they destined to be together? Or has fate irreparably driven them apart?

Emmy just wants to be in charge of her own life.

She wants to stay out late, surf her favorite beach—go anywhere without her parents’ relentless worrying. But Emmy’s parents can’t seem to let her grow up—not since the day Oliver disappeared.

Oliver needs a moment to figure out his heart.

He’d thought, all these years, that his dad was the good guy. He never knew that it was his father who kidnapped him and kept him on the run. Discovering it, and finding himself returned to his old hometown, all at once, has his heart racing and his thoughts swirling.

Emmy and Oliver were going to be best friends forever, or maybe even more, before their futures were ripped apart. In Emmy’s soul, despite the space and time between them, their connection has never been severed. But is their story still written in the stars? Or are their hearts like the pieces of two different puzzles—impossible to fit together?

Readers who love Sarah Dessen will tear through these pages with hearts in throats as Emmy and Oliver struggle to face the messy, confusing consequences of Oliver’s father’s crime. Full of romance, coming-of-age emotion, and heartache, these two equally compelling characters create an unforgettable story.

ARC Review: Devoted

Title: Devoted

Author: Jennifer Mathieu

Publisher: Roaring Brook Press

Publication Date: June 2, 2015

Goodreads | Amazon 
Source: eARC from Macmillan 
Goodreads | Amazon

A godly girl keeps a cheerful countenance.
A godly girl never tempts a boy.
A godly girl always keeps sweet.

Rachel Walker is devoted to God. She prays every day, attends Calvary Christian Church with her family, helps care for her five younger siblings, dresses modestly, and prepares herself to be a wife and mother who serves the Lord with joy.

But Rachel is curious about the world her family has turned away from. What is she to make of the boy recently returned from camp Journey of Faith with newfound piety? Or of her mother’s miscarriage and resulting depression? And how should she respond to Lauren, the girl who left the church several years ago and who has recently returned to town?

Rachel knows she should find solace in her beliefs, but she can’t shake the feeling that her devotion might destroy her soul.

  My Review

It's only been a few short months since I've read Mathieu's stunning debut, The Truth About Alice, but I can tell you that the synopsis for this book, Devoted, is what really pushed me to read Alice. I don't know why - because I'm not a fan of books about religion - I had to read this book, but I did. I am one hundred percent glad that I read it because it's eye-opening and beautifully troubling. 

Upon meeting Rachel Walker, I just knew I was going to like her. There was just something about her easy-going disposition that drew me in, and then I got to know her and realize that she's not a simple character. She's a complex character, but for reasons that are beyond her control. What I really liked about her was her determination. She's going to be a character that will serve as a role models for the teens who will read this book because she's determined to change her own life, even if it means hurting the people she loves and the people who are trying to help her. She's independent, but not too fiercely independent, and I think kids, especially the shy ones, will really be able to relate to her.

Ms. Mathieu's writing is wonderful in this book because she really lets her characters tell the story. It's beautiful because she doesn't try hard to make the words pop. They just flow from one word to the next, one paragraph to the next, and one chapter to the next. I felt like I was watching everything develop on screen as it was happening because it's just detailed enough to really provide the backdrop and the actions of the characters.

Another thing that I loved about this book was the lack of romance. It's hard to find that in contemporary YA these days.  While Mathieu touches on first crushes and secondary characters' love lives, she really lets the familial and friendships shine. It's a breath of fresh air, and if you're looking for a contemporary sans romance, reach for this book.

Honestly, I'd recommend this book to everyone who reads YA. I'm sure it will be challenged, but hey... good books are often challenged because they make people think. And trust me, you're really going to think about this one. It really helps readers see that sometimes what people perceive as good can really be a terrible situation, and this book will let readers see that and help them to form their own opinions.

Jennifer Mathieu is an English teacher, writer, wife, and mom who writes books for and about young adults. Her debut novel, THE TRUTH ABOUT ALICE, was published by Roaring Brook Press on June 3, and her second book, DEVOTED, will be out June 2, 2015.

Her favorite things include chocolate, pepperoni pizza, and this super hilarious 1980s sitcom about four retired women called The Golden Girls. She can basically quote every episode. 

Jennifer lives with her husband, son, one rescue dog, one fat cat, and another cat that is even fatter than the fat cat.

When it comes to what she reads, Jennifer loves realistic young adult fiction, creative nonfiction, super scandalous tell-all memoirs and unauthorized biographies, and basically anything that hooks her on the first page.

 

ARC Review: The Summer of Chasing Mermaids

Title: The Summer of Chasing Mermaids

Author: Sarah Ockler

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Publication Date: June 2, 2015

Source: Printed ARC from Simon Pulse

Goodreads | Amazon 

The youngest of six talented sisters, Elyse d’Abreau was destined for stardom—until a boating accident took everything from her. Now, the most beautiful singer in Tobago can’t sing. She can’t even speak.

Seeking quiet solitude, Elyse accepts a friend’s invitation to Atargatis Cove. Named for the mythical first mermaid, the Oregon seaside town is everything Elyse’s home in the Caribbean isn’t: An ocean too cold for swimming, parties too tame for singing, and people too polite to pry—except for one.

Christian Kane is a notorious playboy—insolent, arrogant, and completely charming. He’s also the only person in Atargatis Cove who doesn’t treat Elyse like a glass statue. He challenges her to express herself, and he admires the way she treats his younger brother Sebastian, who believes Elyse is the legendary mermaid come to life.

When Christian needs a first mate for the Cove’s high-stakes Pirate Regatta, Elyse reluctantly stows her fear of the sea and climbs aboard. The ocean isn’t the only thing making waves, though—swept up in Christian’s seductive tide and entranced by the Cove’s charms, Elyse begins to wonder if a life of solitude isn’t what she needs. But changing course again means facing her past. It means finding her inner voice. And scariest of all, it means opening her heart to a boy who’s best known for breaking them…

My Review

The Summer of Chasing Mermaids by Sarah Ockler is a book that readers soon won't forget. It's beautiful, gritty, magical, and realistic. It's also a story of self-discovery that will have readers cheering for so many different characters during the book. In my opinion, it's a great contemporary fairy tale retelling, and this is a book that should be on everyone's radar this summer.

The first amazing this about Ockler's latest book is the diversity! Seriously... there's so much of it. Our main character, Elyse, is from the twin island nation of Trinidad and Tobago, and she's spent pretty much all of her life on and in the waters surrounding Tobago. There's just so much diversity going on with her from her cultural background to her personal history, and readers of all backgrounds will love and adore her. The book is also domestically diverse, meaning that people from all over the United States come together in the summers when they stay in the small coastal town of Atargatis Cove. All of these differences keep readers on their toes, and it makes for one hell of a reading experience.

Ockler tackles many controversial issues in her books, and this novel is no exception. She takes on gender inequality from both sides by including a sexist mayor who doesn't think Elyse should be a first mate in the town's annual Pirate Regatta, and a father who is ashamed of his son who would rather do things that many people would constitute as "girly." It's refreshing and unexpected to see an author address both sides of gender inequality, and my love for Sarah Ockler grew so much more because of it. (And I was already a huge Sarah Ockler fangirl.)

Earlier, I stated that this new novel is a fairy tale retelling, and Ockler breathes new life into the Hans Christian Andersen fairytale by alluding to it and even parts of the Disney film that so many people have come to love over the years. Even though this is a contemporary YA novel, the retelling aspect gives the book a magical realism feel, and she weaves together a beautiful story of self-discovery.

Ockler's writing comes to life in this book. The book is full of magical and lyrical prose that just screams perfection. Within minutes, I was hooked because Ockler just has a way with words that grabs and captivates readers. Her metaphors are continuous, and she often revisits them throughout the book. Those everlasting metaphors make for a book that feels whole because she is able to relate so many different events in the books to the same series of words.

I would recommend this book to fans of Sarah's debut, Twenty Boy Summer because it has a more mature feel to it that will keep older teens and adults entertained. I'd also recommend this novel as a starting book for readers who have never read Sarah Ockler before because it's simply sensational and satisfying. Readers will really get a feel for how great of an author Ockler is, and why I think she's one of the Queens of Contemporary YA. 

Sarah Ockler is the bestselling author of young adult novels, including #scandal, The Book of Broken Hearts, Bittersweet, Fixing Delilah, and the critically acclaimed Twenty Boy Summer, a YALSA Teens' Top Ten nominee and IndieNext List pick. Her latest, The Summer of Chasing Mermaids, hits the shelves in June 2015.

Sarah is a champion cupcake eater, coffee drinker, night person, and bookworm. When she's not writing or reading at home in Washington, she enjoys taking pictures, hugging trees, and road-tripping through the country with her husband, Alex.

Book Review: The Heir

Title: The Heir

Series: The Selection

Author: Kiera Cass

Publisher: HarperTeen

Publication Date: May 5, 2015
Source: Purchased from Barnes & Noble

Goodreads | Amazon

Princess Eadlyn has grown up hearing endless stories about how her mother and father met. Twenty years ago, America Singer entered the Selection and won the heart of Prince Maxon -- and they lived happily ever after. Eadlyn has always found their fairy-tale romantic, but she has no interest in trying to repeat it. If it were up to her, she'd put off marriage for as long as possible.

But a princess's life is never entirely her own, and Eadlyn can't escape her very own Selection -- no matter how fervently she protests.

Eadlyn doesn't expect her story to end in romance. But as the competition begins, one entry may just capture Eadlyn's heart, showing her all the possibilities that lie in front of her . . . and proving that finding her own happily ever after isn't as impossible as she's always thought.

My Review

Stunning, beautiful, and eventful. These are three words that one might think of after finishing the highly-anticipated fourth book in The Selection series by Kiera Cass. I knew as soon as The Heir was announced that I would read it. I mean really... did you even have to ask? (It's one of those "Shut up and take my money" series for me.) You may or may not know that this series and I got off to a rocky start, but I fell in love with it. Once again, Ms. Cass was able to steal my heart and make me swoon with a lovable cast of characters and her witty banter. 

So The Heir takes place twenty years after America stole Maxon's heart and became the queen, and now a new selection has begun, but with a twist. Instead of the prince doing the selecting, this time, the heir is a princess! I loved this new dynamic that Cass brings in with this new novel, and it's entertaining to meet thirty-five goofy guys all vying for Princess Eadlyn's heart. Readers get to see how the privileged princess views her people. Sometimes, it isn't pretty. There is some dude drama (you know... fisticuffs and such), and I found it to be a lot more interesting than some of the cattiness that readers saw in The Selection, The Elite, and The One. I'm really hoping that Cass allows Eadlyn to really get to know some of these guys a lot better in the next book.

Then there's Princess Eadlyn herself. I'm no princess, but I felt a strong connection to her the minute I started reading. She's has huge shoes to fill eventually, and the whole country is watching her with an observant eye because she's the first female heir. Everybody is wandering what she'll do when she finally ascends the throne. I loved her disposition. Cass has created a beautiful blend of both America and Prince Maxon's best qualities with Eadlyn, and she's a true royal-pain-in-the-ass. Yes, she's a little bratty, but when you really get to know her, you see that she's a bit insecure like the rest of us. She doesn't want to admit when she's afraid, and she wants to give off the always-in-charge appearance of a future queen. She's built walls that she doesn't want people to climb, and she is very adamant about not falling in love because it only makes one vulnerable. She's doing what she thinks is best to be the next monarch on the throne. She seemed like a very normal YA character, despite her royal lineage.

For those readers looking to see how things for America and Maxon turned out, you're in luck. Kiera includes a few mother/daughter and father/daughter moments, and she also includes a few tender moments of Eadlyn and her siblings. She also offers Eadlyn's commentary on growing up with the two who set the standard for her own Selection. Readers don't get a lot (and I've already seen a few complain about it), but what do you expect when Kiera is writing two books for something that she once fit in three? There just isn't enough room unless you want her to write 500+ page books. I thought she did a great job at getting readers focused on Eadlyn.

And it wouldn't be a Kiera Cass novel if there weren't a cliffhanger. I can't even deal with that ending and the shocking events that Kiera includes in her non-resolution. All I know is that waiting for the fifth and final book will be extremely hard.

About Kiera Cass

Kiera Cass is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Selection series and The Siren. She is a graduate of Radford University and currently lives in Christiansburg, Virginia with her family. Kiera has kissed approximately fourteen boys in her life. None of them were princes.

ARC Review: The Last Good Day of the Year

Title: The Last Good Day of the Year

Author: Jessica Warman

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens

Publication Date: May 19, 2015

Source: Printed ARC from Bloomsbury

Goodreads | Amazon

A new powerful thriller from the globally-embraced author of Between.

Ten years ago, in the early hours of New Year’s Day, seven-year-old Samantha and her next door neighbor, Remy, watched as a man broke into Sam’s home and took her younger sister, Turtle, from her sleeping bag. Remy and Sam, too afraid to intervene at the time, later identified the man as Sam’s sister Gretchen’s much older ex-boyfriend, Steven, who was sent to prison for Turtle’s murder.

Now, Sam’s shattered family is returning to her childhood home in an effort to heal. As long-buried memories begin to surface, Sam wonders if she and Remy accurately registered everything they saw. The more they re-examine the events of that fateful night, the more questions they discover about what really happened to Turtle.

Master storyteller Jessica Warman keeps readers guessing in this arresting page-turner.

My Review

When I first requested The Last Good Day of the Year by Jessica Warman, I really thought I had no chance for approval. I don't really read thrillers, so why would Bloomsbury take a chance on me with no solid evidence of me reading the genre? Spoiler alert... I don't... well I didn't until now. I was shocked when it showed up in my mailbox, and afraid to give it a chance. You'll soon find out why this book may have been the game changer for me because I absolutely loved it!

While The Last Good Day of the Year gets off to a slow and confusing start, it's hella intense and scary enjoyable. I'm only saying that it's confusing because there are so many characters. There are the obviously important ones, and then there are some ones that are thrown in that just seem misplaced. By the time I was at the end of the book, I understood the inclusion of these characters, and why Warman was keeping me on my toes. OMG. It's just so crazy!

The reader probably shouldn't be enjoying a story about a four-year-old being abducted and most likely murdered, but it's hard not to enjoy. I don't want to compare it to a train wreck, but readers definitely won't be turning their eyes from this one once they start reading. Warman writes with an intensity that draws readers in and makes them crave more. It becomes a need to finish this book and figure out what happened to Turtle that New Year's Eve in 1986.

The book is told with a before and after perspective, and it jumps around a lot. Sometimes Sam is reflecting on what happened in 1986, and other times, it's 1996 when she and her family have moved back to the home where Turtle was taken. There are even a few times when Sam reflects on what happened a few months prior to her move back to Shelocta. You definitely have to piece together the puzzle, but it's worth it when you get to the shocking ending.

Now here's the part where I normally recommend the book to readers of certain books, but I have nothing to go on! So... if you are a fan of thrillers and mysteries, this might be the book you'll want to kick off your recreational summer reading. Trust me... you don't want to miss this that will keep you up at night!

About Jessica Warman

Jessica Warman is the author of Breathless, which received three starred reviews and was an ALA Best Book for Young Adults, and Where the Truth Lies. The idea for Between came from an incident in her childhood, when a local boy went missing after a party on a yacht (he was eventually found, alive).

Book Review: Me and Earl and the Dying Girl

Title: Me and Earl and the Dying Girl

Author: Jesse Andrews

Publisher: Harry N. Abrams

Publication Date: March 1, 2012

Format: Hardcover, 295 pages

Source: Purchased from Half Price Books

Goodreads | Amazon 

Greg Gaines is the last master of high school espionage, able to disappear at will into any social environment. He has only one friend, Earl, and together they spend their time making movies, their own incomprehensible versions of Coppola and Herzog cult classics.

Until Greg’s mother forces him to rekindle his childhood friendship with Rachel.

Rachel has been diagnosed with leukemia—-cue extreme adolescent awkwardness—-but a parental mandate has been issued and must be obeyed. When Rachel stops treatment, Greg and Earl decide the thing to do is to make a film for her, which turns into the Worst Film Ever Made and becomes a turning point in each of their lives.

And all at once Greg must abandon invisibility and stand in the spotlight.

My Review

Wow. Now this is one hell of a book!

If you want to read a realistic book about cancer that doesn't romanticize the disease, look no further than Me and Earl and the Dying Girl. Unlike other young adult novels that make it seem like living with cancer is a just a normal thing (which it's totally not), this book shows that cancer really does suck but can truly bring people together and realize what dying really means.

I'm pretty sure that in my Goodreads review, I swore a lot because of how much I adored this book. The swearing won't happen here, but I do want you to know just how much I loved this wonderful debut novel. Everything about Me and Earl and the Dying Girl is perfect. The characters are so real that you feel like they could walk down your street at any moment.
 

The book is told from Greg's point of view, and at the beginning of the book, he tells you that he is writing a book that will suck. That definitely caught my attention because it works as Greg writing his own novel. Many times throughout the book, he makes fun of the readers for still reading it. It is completely adorable. He doesn't expect anyone to keep reading, but you become so completely involved in the story that you do keep reading. Eventually, in the epilogue, Greg reveals who he is writing the book for, and a lot of it makes so much sense. It's a really funny moment. Also, you need to know that Greg prides himself for getting along with every clique in the school. That becomes important later in the book.

Earl is another central character in the book. Now Earl is Greg's friend. But from what Greg tells you, you realize that the two aren't really friends; they just hang out a lot out of habit. Earl is pretty much the coolest YA character you'll ever meet because he is one hundred percent honest and real. I love how he talks because it is in the right vernacular and everything. He reminds me of a lot of the people who work at my uncle's pizza shop. He is a piece of work, and I love Mr. Andrews for bringing Earl into the literary world.

And then you have "the dying girl." Her name is Rachel, and she goes to school with Greg and Earl, but neither of them hang out with her. Greg went to Hebrew classes with her when they were younger, and he kind of dated her, but in that way that middle schoolers "go out" and then usually break up a week later. Of course they broke up. Then they kind of stopped talking to her. As a favor to his mom, Greg spends time with her to make her feel better while she is sick.

I don't know if I've said it enough, but I really, really just freaking love this book. I'm really hoping that with the upcoming film adaptation, it becomes one of the most popular YA books of all time because it really deserves it. All three main characters are positively perfect because they aren't perfect and you can tell that Andrews never set out to make them perfect. The book is hilariously written, and it pokes fun at all sorts of other YA books about cancer and cliche YA books, which I think is really funny because it is completely fresh.

Now... to the cool connection that I have to the book. It's set in my hometown. so obviously, I knew I had to read it. I love all things about my city, so seeing it in literature yet again was just amazing. It is great to see another young adult author write about many of the great things to see and do in Pittsburgh.

Book Review: The Truth About Alice

Title: The Truth About Alice

Author: Jennifer Mathieu

Publisher: Roaring Brook Press

Publication Date: June 3, 2014

Source: Amanda (Of Spectacles & Books)

Originally Reviewed for Of Spectacles and Books

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆

Goodreads || Amazon

Everyone knows Alice slept with two guys at one party.

But did you know Alice was sexting Brandon when he crashed his car? 

It's true. Ask anybody.

Rumor has it that Alice Franklin is a slut. It's written all over the bathroom wall at Healy High for everyone to see. And after star quarterback Brandon Fitzsimmons dies in a car accident, the rumors start to spiral out of control.

In this remarkable debut novel, four Healy High students - the girl who had the infamous party, the car accident survivor, the former best friend, and the boy next door - tell all they know.

But what exactly is the truth about Alice? In the end, there's only one person to ask: Alice herself.

My Review

For a book that’s just under two hundred pages, Jennifer Mathieu’s The Truth About Alice packs a punch and delivers the pain right to the guts. This book is one that readers will wow readers so much that they’ll want to devour in one sitting, but it’s also conflicting because readers will want to savor it and make it last just a little longer. I did the latter, and decided to savor it, and it paid off. The novel is both heartbreaking and healing, though much of the book deals with heartbreaking issues such as bullying, depression, death, and mourning. Other issues, such as sex, drinking, and religion are brought up in the book, so it has a little something for everyone. Matthieu tackles these issues with grace and writes about them beautifully with such a vast array of emotions.

The novel is told from four different perspectives, and each character has his or her own opinion about the infamous Alice Franklin. Rumors are swirling around the small town of Healy, Texas, and teenage residents, Elaine, Kelsie, Josh, and Kurt all have something to say about Alice and what allegedly happened at Elaine’s party and the weeks that followed. The multiple narrator aspect allows for a multifaceted story that perturbs and engages readers as they turn every page. I really liked that this novel was told from the different points of view. As the book progresses, readers are able to put the puzzle pieces together to figure out the truth until Alice finally comes out to tell her side of the story. Each character had his or her own voice, and this springboards Mathieu amongst some of the best contemporary YA authors. I was never confused about who was narrating each chapter, and I loved each character’s unique voice.

I did feel like the four narrators represented the typical high school stereotypes and were clichés but the inclusion of that feature made the book more realistic and believable. No matter where you go to school, there are popular girls, jocks, nerds, and quite possibly, back-stabbing friends. I really enjoyed reading and learning about these characters they all conform to their respective stereotype in certain ways, but they are still able to break the mold and surprise readers by doing unexpected things at unexpected times.

Every teenager (and fan of young adult books) should and must read The Truth About Alice. Even with it’s more mature content, it’s such a powerful and emotionally slaying read because it realistically shows just how vicious teenagers can really be. On the other hand, it also shows that there still is some good in the world, even when it seems like all hope is lost. I would recommend this book for fans of gut-wrenching books and movies like The Breakfast Club and Mean Girls. If you’re looking for something realistic and suspenseful, read this book.

ARC Review: The Start of Me and You

Title: The Start of Me and You

Author: Emery Lord

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Publication Date: March 31, 2015
 Rating:  ☆☆☆☆☆
Source: Brittany
Goodreads | Amazon

Following her pitch-perfect debut Open Road Summer, Emery Lord pens another gorgeous story of best friends, new love, & second chances. 

Brimming with heartfelt relationships and authentic high-school dynamics The Start of Me and You proves that it’s never too late for second chances.

It’s been a year since it happened—when Paige Hancock’s first boyfriend died in an accident. After shutting out the world for two years, Paige is finally ready for a second chance at high school . . . and she has a plan. First: Get her old crush, Ryan Chase, to date her—the perfect way to convince everyone she’s back to normal. Next: Join a club—simple, it’s high school after all. But when Ryan’s sweet, nerdy cousin, Max, moves to town and recruits Paige for the Quiz Bowl team (of all things!) her perfect plan is thrown for a serious loop. Will Paige be able to face her fears and finally open herself up to the life she was meant to live?

My Review

Emery Lord nails it again with her sophomore novel by blending serious issues with a light feel that will make readers beg for more. The Start of Me and You includes themes of friendship, self-discovery, and healing, and it is perfection at its finest. You need to add this to your TBR lists right now because it's just so emotionally powerful without being too overwhelming. I'd call this book 2015's Feel Good Book of the Year if I had that sort of power, but I don't, so I'm just telling you that it's a "feel-good" kind of book that you won't want to miss.

Emery Lord is the author that I wish would have been around when I was in high school. Girls in the 13-18 (and beyond) age range should be reading Emery's books, especially The Start of Me and You because she includes such wonderful and positive friendships, and the friendships in this one are stellar. Personally, I feel like friendships kind of get brushed aside in a lot of contemporary YA novels to focus more on the romance, but Emery makes sure that Paige and her best friends are center stage throughout most of the novel. I loved reading about these four lovely girls (Paige, Tessa, Kayleigh, and Morgan), and I'm sure many teenage girls will be able to relate to them.

Ms. Lord also tackles the very difficult subject of grief in this novel, and she does it flawlessly. It's hard to lose anyone when you're at a young age, especially to tragedy because it's just confusing. There are so many highs and lows that come with losing a loved one or a friend, and Lord captures that grief, heartbreak, and confusion and bottles it up in Paige to create a completely realistic character and plot.  

Yes... there is romance in this novel, and I adored how Emery wrote planned and wrote it in this book. The reader knows something is eventually going to happen, but they don't know when. I was anticipating how things would develop the whole time, and I was completely satisfied when the big moment happened. I had a huge grin on my face, and I couldn't have asked for anything more adorable.

What I Loved:

• Paige's personal history - She's intelligent but she's also very pop-culture savvy (like Lorelai and Rory Gilmore), but she's very aware of her problems and how they might affect the people around her.
• Paige's circle of girlfriends - They are all so different and unique, but they are always there for one another.
• Max Watson - He'll make you swoon, but that's not all he's good for. He's a truly remarkable character, and one that will be hard to forget.
• Cameron - I'm a sucker for books with sister relationships, and Paige and Cameron have a rocky, but still loving (and realistic feeling) relationship.
• Ms. Pepper - I'm an English teacher, so I love it when English teachers are pretty big characters in a book. Ms. Pepper is pretty awesome, and I loved her. 
• One surprise reference - Emery alludes to something in her previous book in The Start of Me and You, and I almost melted. 
• The pop culture references - The Start of Me and You is full of pop culture references that will make any pop culture or trivia junkie geek out.

Would I recommend this book? Absolutely and to any and all fans of contemporary YA! It's just one of those books that all teenage girls should and must read, and I would tell any YA/school librarian to order it and display it immediately! I even tried to pass it off to my sister as soon as I finished reading it so she could experience Emery's wonderful story of finding yourself and beginning again. This book deserves more than just five stars because it's just that beautiful.

About Emery Lord

Emery Lord is a 20-something Midwestern girl who writes stories about high school and best friends and weird families and the crushes that make you feel combustibly alive and also more awkward than you thought was possible. If you're not sure how to pronounce Emery, try slurring the name "Emily," and that will get you really close. 

She lives in Cincinnati in a 100 year-old pink row house with her BFF/husband, a closet full of dresses, and lots of books. If karaoke-ing in grocery store aisles or guzzling coffee while impulse shopping were illegal, Emery would be writing her overemotional YA books from jail. Also, she makes up words sometimes. Like combustibly.

Open Road Summer, her first YA novel, is out now with Bloomsbury. Her second, The Start of Me and You, will be released on March 31, 2015.

Book Review: Open Road Summer

Title: Open Road Summer

Author: Emery Lord

Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers (Bloomsbury)

Publication Date: April 15, 2014

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆

Source: Amazon

Synopsis:
Regan O'Neill and Dee Montgomery are more like sisters than best friends. It's a bond that can't be broken, even by Dee's fame and fortune as a country music superstar.

When Regan break up with her bad-news boyfriend and Dee gets dumped by her high school sweetheart, even the sweetest country ballad can't heal their broken hearts, and that's where friends come in. Dee's twenty-four-city tour is the perfect opportunity for a girl's only summer that will kick off the dust of any relationship gone bad.

But when Matt Flinch joins the tour as its opening act, his boy-next-door charm completely throws off Reagan's plan for a drama-free existence. With miles to go before Regan and Dee are ready to risk their hearts again, this summer will be one to remember...

My Review

Open Road Summer by Emery Lord is one of those adorable Young Adult books that will literally take you on a roller coaster ride of emotions. This book will make you laugh. It will make you cry. You'll probably swoon a little bit, and then you'll get your heart broken into a million little jigsaw puzzle pieces only to have all the pieces put back together. It's literally that stunningly beautiful.

The book is about two childhood best friends, Reagan and Dee, who have recently suffered heartaches. Both are trying to heal and move on, and the best way for them is to head to the highways. But this isn't your average road trip because Dee is really country superstar Lilah Montgomery. This part of the plot kind of gives off the Hannah Montana and Taylor Swift vibes, but I adored it! Why? Well I'll tell you why. I freaking love Taylor Swift, and her debut album is still my favorite. Oh and Hannah Montana is kind of one of my guilty pleasures. I'm also a pretty big country music fan, and music fan in general, so this part of the plot really appealed to me and is pretty much the main reason why I bought the book.

Yes... there is some romance going on during this road trip, and yes, I'm going to go ahead and say that it's as endearing and charming as an idyllic country lifestyle. Prepare to swoon when you meet the country heartthrob in this book! Two words - Matt Finch. I have now found my contemporary book boyfriend, and no... I'm not sharing. I love Matt's story. He really helps round out the book.

I technically gave this book a five-star-rating, but I do want to state that I did find some flaws in the book. The ones that bothered me were easy enough to overlook and did not interfere with my enjoyment of the novel. I just was hoping that Emery Lord would make it seem more like a road trip novel by describing places, like landmarks or physical locations, in the different cities on Lilah's tour. That would have made it feel a little more real to me.

All in all, Open Road Summer is a wonderful read that explores friendship, heartache, loss, violence, love, and fresh starts. The characters are quirky and loveable, and the plot strikes a major chord if you're a fan of cute contemporary novels. (Sorry... I couldn't resist the pun!) I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a book to take to the beach or just a back porch read in the middle of the summer. And okay... a book to warm you up in the middle of winter.

About Emery Lord

Emery Lord is a 20-something Midwestern girl who writes stories about high school and best friends and weird families and the crushes that make you feel combustibly alive and also more awkward than you thought was possible. If you're not sure how to pronounce Emery, try slurring the name "Emily," and that will get you really close.  

She lives in Cincinnati in a 100 year-old pink row house with her BFF/husband, a closet full of dresses, and lots of books. If karaoke-ing in grocery store aisles or guzzling coffee while impulse shopping were illegal, Emery would be writing her overemotional YA books from jail. Also, she makes up words sometimes. Like combustibly.
 
Open Road Summer, her first YA novel, is out now with Bloomsbury. Her second, The Start of Me & You, will be released March 31, 2015.

ARC Review: Vivian Apple at the End of the World by Katie Coyle

Title: Vivian Apple at the End of the World

Series: Vivian Apple

Author: Katie Coyle

Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers

Publication Date: January 6, 2015 

(Originally Published in the UK under the title Vivian Versus the Apocalypse by Hot Key Books)
Source: HMH Books for Young Readers

Seventeen-year-old Vivian Apple never believed in the evangelical Church of America, unlike her recently devout parents. But when Vivian returns home the night after the supposed "Rapture," all that’s left of her parents are two holes in the roof. Suddenly, she doesn't know who or what to believe. 

With her best friend Harp and a mysterious ally, Peter, Vivian embarks on a desperate cross-country roadtrip through a paranoid and panic-stricken America to find answers. Because at the end of the world, Vivan Apple isn't looking for a savior. She's looking for the truth.

A chillingly real young adult novel that will leave readers questioning the line between fact and fiction.

My Review

Vivian Apple at the End of the World is a new kind of YA novel. I've never read a book like it, and quite honestly, I don't expect to read anything like it or its sequels again. As a young woman, I applaud Ms. Coyle for creating this because there were certain things in this book that I read that made me appreciate how lucky I am to live in a free country where I have my rights and my freedom.

Coyle creates a new kind of America in this novel in which many of the citizens of the United States are now Believers of a new cult-like religion called The Church of America. I don't want to spoil anything for interested readers, but it's fascinating to see how much effort Coyle put into the creation of this fictional church. You can tell that she definitely did her research. There are pieces of information about the church scattered throughout the book to help readers understand its creation, but let me warn you... it's a freaking weird religion. Readers will also come across excerpts and quotes from The Book of Frick, the religious text for the Believers.

If you're afraid of reading books with references to religion, don't be afraid to read this book. I'm not a fan of religious fiction, and I can tell you that this does not read like it. It's actually more like a rebellion against the new norm.

As far as characters go, Vivian starts off as a normal American teenager. Her new best friend is her next door neighbor, Harp, who is the opposite of Vivian. Also, these two weren't even friends before all of the Church of America stuff started, so it was interesting to learn about how they become friends. As readers get through more of the book, they will notice changes from both girls. There's also their new friend, Peter. He's just as he's described - mysterious, but readers will also learn more about him as well.

There are some bang-up moments in this book. There's a real and true friendship that faces challenges along the way. There's a little bit of romance. There's a cross-country road trip at the supposed end of the world. There are some bad ass moments that will make readers triumph with Viv and her friends. Oh... and there is some diversity.

I did notice a few flaws in the book like the first hurricane of the season being called Hurricane Ruth, instead of starting with an A name. There were also some events that I questioned, but by the time I finished this book, I was hooked.

Vivian Apple at the End of the World will not only entertain, but it will teach readers about tolerance at a time when its needed now more than ever. Emotions will be tested. Readers will laugh, swoon, cry, and feel anger. This is a book you won't want to miss.

In accordance to FTC guidelines, I must state that I received a galley free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

About the Author

Katie Coyle grew up in a small suburban town in New Jersey. The first story she ever wrote was about a girl with a pet dolphin - eventually the dolphin turned into a dog, and the third-person narration unceremoniously switched over to first-person. The story was never finished.

However, since then she has spent countless hours dreaming up tales about the weird and wonderful things that happen to teenage girls. She has an MFA from the University of Pittsburgh, and spends her free time buying books she doesn't need and crying at science-fiction television shows.

Book Review: The Book of Broken Hearts by Sarah Ockler

Title: The Book of Broken Hearts

Author: Sarah Ockler

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Publication Date: May 21, 2013

Source: Purchased

When all signs point to heartbreak, can love still be a rule of the road? A poignant and romantic novel from the author of Bittersweet and Twenty Boy Summer.

Jude has learned a lot from her older sisters, but the most important thing is this: The Vargas brothers are notorious heartbreakers. She’s seen the tears and disasters that dating a Vargas boy can cause, and she swore an oath—with candles and a contract and everything—to never have anything to do with one.

Now Jude is the only sister still living at home, and she’s spending the summer helping her ailing father restore his vintage motorcycle—which means hiring a mechanic to help out. Is it Jude’s fault he happens to be cute? And surprisingly sweet? And a Vargas?

Jude tells herself it’s strictly bike business with Emilio. Her sisters will never find out, and Jude can spot those flirty little Vargas tricks a mile away—no way would she fall for them. But Jude’s defenses are crumbling, and if history is destined to repeat itself, she’s speeding toward some serious heartbreak…unless her sisters were wrong?

Jude may have taken an oath, but she’s beginning to think that when it comes to love, some promises might be worth breaking.

My Review

After I finished reading this stunning novel by Sarah Ockler, I had tears in my eyes because she knows just how to tug at readers' heartstrings. This time, Ms. Ockler did it by writing about something I am all too familiar with, a disease that took a loved one from me - Alzheimer's.

In The Book of Broken Hearts , Jude Hernandez, the youngest Hernandez sister, decides to spend her last summer before going to college with her father. Everyone in the family knows he is not doing well, but Jude thinks that helping him fix his beloved Harley will bring his memories back to him. She realizes that they will need help, and the two end up hiring a young man named Emilio Vargas. The only problem with Emilio is that Jude made an oath that she would never get involved with a Vargas boy. You see... Jude's older sisters all had their hearts broken by the older Vargas brothers! Uh oh!

When it comes to writing about such a terrible and all too common disease, Ockler nails it. Reading what Jude goes through really reminded me of what it's like to lose a family member to Alzheimer's or dementia. Jude knows that her dad is physically with her, but his memories fade in and out. He wanders. He forgets how to use things. He is fading quickly, and she really believes that she can slow the progress of the disease by fixing the motorcycle because he can recall memories of riding it in South America. It's a heartbreaking cycle for many family members of patients with the disease; find something to help them remember, and they'll come back. I was astounded by how well Ockler writes about what Jude goes through. It's a very realistic take on what many people deal with every day.

In the book, Jude loses friends, and gains new friends. The people she thought she could count on don't know how to help her because of their unfamiliarity with Alzheimer's. This part of the novel is extremely realistic, and I really appreciate Ockler's inclusion of it. People who don't know how to handle something like Alzheimer's become scared. They don't know what to say or do to console their friends, and they often try to avoid the subject. Then Emilio comes in and helps the Hernandez family without judging them, even with all the past history between the two families.

This book has everything that you'd want in a contemporary Young Adult novel. It's a book about family. It's a book about sisterhood. It's a book about friendship. There are silly oaths in the book. Jude grows up, so it's even a coming of age story. It's a book about finding yourself. It's a book about finding love. Most importantly, it's a book about learning how to live.

I thought the book was practically perfect, and I would recommend this to anyone who has ever seen what Alzheimer's or dementia can do to a person. I'd also recommend this book to fans of romance and realistic fiction.

Book Review: Sketchy by Olivia Samms

Title: Sketchy (Bea Snatcher Chronicles #1)

Author: Olivia Samms

Publisher: Skyscape

Publication Date: April 30, 2013

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆

Synopsis:
Bea's life has been a mess ever since she got kicked out of private school and sent to rehab. Now clean, Bea is starting over at Packard High School, in a city shaken from two assaults on young women. The latest victim, Willa Pressman-the one who survived-doesn't remember a thing. But Bea has a disturbing new "skill": she can see-and then draw-images from other people's minds. And when she looks at Willa, Bea is shocked by what she sketches. Bea might be the only one who knows Willa's secrets-and who can take down the killer before he strikes again.

My Review 

In accordance to FTC guidelines, I must state that I won this book through the Goodreads First Reads giveaway program.

Sketchy by Olivia Samms is a book that you won't want to put down! It's seriously that amazing. I know that I didn't want to put it down when I was reading it. Reading Sketchy becomes addictive, which is ironic because the main character, Bea, is a recovering addict and alcoholic.

Anyways, Sketchy could definitely be a standalone novel because its story has a firm ending, but it's not a standalone novel. It is a part of the Bea Catcher series. I've not yet read the other books in the series, but it seems like the sequel, Snitch, has a plot of its own, but still has Bea using her special gift to help law enforcement. I can only hope that Samms next novel(s) in this series are just as great as the first book in this series. 

If you're looking for a book with a diverse character, go for this one. Bea is a biracial teen. In the book, she mentions being a mix of Italian and African American. Even though I'm not in a minority I was thrilled when I learned this little detail because it seems like so many YA characters are the same. I was also trilled as an educator because I see first hand how so many teens want to read books with characters more like themselves. Bea is also a strange and quirky character, and I think that's why I adored her so much.

The plot of Sketchy is unique, and I really enjoyed reading and learning about Bea's unique gift and how she learns to use it. 

I can see fans of art enjoying this book. I'd also recommend it to fans of mysteries and paranormal books. I could also see this book (and series) being adapted into a TV series. I think it's unique enough and has plenty to become a great new show for teenagers and young adults. 

ARC Review: Zodiac by Romina Russell

Title: Zodiac

Series: Zodiac

Author: Romina Russell

Publisher: RozorBill

Publication Date: December 9, 2014

Source: Goodreads First Reads Program

At the dawn of time, there were 13 Houses in the Zodiac Galaxy. Now only 12 remain….

Rhoma Grace is a 16-year-old student from House Cancer with an unusual way of reading the stars. While her classmates use measurements to make accurate astrological predictions, Rho can’t solve for ‘x’ to save her life—so instead, she looks up at the night sky and makes up stories.

When a violent blast strikes the moons of Cancer, sending its ocean planet off-kilter and killing thousands of citizens—including its beloved Guardian—Rho is more surprised than anyone when she is named the House’s new leader. But, a true Cancerian who loves her home fiercely and will protect her people no matter what, Rho accepts.

Then, when more Houses fall victim to freak weather catastrophes, Rho starts seeing a pattern in the stars. She suspects Ophiuchus—the exiled 13th Guardian of Zodiac legend—has returned to exact his revenge across the Galaxy. Now Rho—along with Hysan Dax, a young envoy from House Libra, and Mathias, her guide and a member of her Royal Guard—must travel through the Zodiac to warn the other Guardians.

But who will believe anything this young novice says? Whom can Rho trust in a universe defined by differences? And how can she convince twelve worlds to unite as one Zodiac?

Embark on a dazzling journey with ZODIAC, the first novel in an epic sci-fi-meets-high-fantasy series set in a galaxy inspired by the astrological signs.

My Review:

Romina Russell's debut novel, Zodiac, is both out of this world fantastic and stellar. Trust me and the bad puns - you don't want to miss this book. Ms. Russell creates a new kind of world in the science fiction genre that both teens and adults will want to explore for years to come.

In the first book of the proposed trilogy, Russell introduces readers to a futuristic world whose inhabitants are descendants of the people from our world. Parts of this story are revealed in the book, and Russell definitely proves to her readers that she didn't just dream this world up in one night. There are allusions and references to stories that we know, but they've been altered so that they now belong in this futuristic solar system named after the Zodiac.

Ms. Russell's world building is fantastic. I truly believe that people are going to compare her to some of the top names in YA, like J.K. Rowling, with this book just because of all of the details that she includes in her books. It's so full of new and original vocabulary that describes not only simple devices to all kinds of new planets and moons. She even includes a glossary on her website so that readers can look up these terms.

The characters in Zodiac are also creative and innovative. Even though they represent people from a future society, they still hit close to home. Readers can pick up on how far this society is removed from Earth, but still relate to how human they remain. 

Rho Grace, the novel's protagonist, has faced a lot of adversity in her young life, and it truly shows. Her rise to power is quick, and she faces it the way that any teen would. She's a little scared and confused. She is a unique character that will leave readers wanting more after they finish the last page. Rho is supported by two great groups of supporting characters - her friends and the people with whom she journeys through the far reaches of the Zodiac.

Yes... there is a love triangle in Zodiac. If you're one of those people who choose not to read books because of the inclusion of love triangles, I'm asking you to give this book a chance. The inclusion of the love triangle in no way takes away from the impressive plot.

The many twists and turns in Zodiac will leave readers wishing for more. Sometimes you find a book that's predicable, but that is not the case with Zodiac. I was shocked and surprised multiple times while reading. I know that I'm already waiting on the sequel, and this book isn't even out yet!

I received a free copy of this book through the Goodreads First Reads program.

Recommended for fans of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series and Marissa Meyer's The Lunar Chronicles.

Review: Isla and the Happily Ever After

Title: Isla and the Happily Ever After (Anna and the French Kiss #3)

Series: Anna and the French Kiss

Author: Stephanie Perkins

Publication Date: August 14, 2014

Publisher: Dutton

Love ignites in the City That Never Sleeps, but can it last?

Hopeless romantic Isla has had a crush on introspective cartoonist Josh since their first year at the School of America in Paris. And after a chance encounter in Manhattan over the summer, romance might be closer than Isla imagined. But as they begin their senior year back in France, Isla and Josh are forced to confront the challenges every young couple must face, including family drama, uncertainty about their college futures, and the very real possibility of being apart.

Featuring cameos from fan-favorites Anna, Étienne, Lola, and Cricket, this sweet and sexy story of true love—set against the stunning backdrops of New York City, Paris, and Barcelona—is a swoonworthy conclusion to Stephanie Perkins’s beloved series.

ARC Review: Damsel Distressed

Title: Damsel Distressed

Author: Kelsey Macke

Publisher: Spencer Hill Contemporary

Publication Date: October 14, 2014

Source: On the Same Page ARC Tours 

Format: ARC

Hot girls get the fairy tales. No one cares about the stepsisters' story. Those girls don't get a sweet little ending; they get a lifetime of longing

Imogen Keegen has never had a happily ever after–in fact, she doesn’t think they are possible. Ever since her mother’s death seven years ago, Imogen has pulled herself in and out of therapy, struggled with an “emotionally disturbed” special ed. label, and loathed her perma-plus-sized status.

When Imogen’s new stepsister, the evil and gorgeous Ella Cinder, moves in down the hall, Imogen begins losing grip on the pieces she’s been trying to hold together. The only things that gave her solace–the theatre, cheese fries, and her best friend, Grant–aren’t enough to save her from her pain this time.

While Imogen is enjoying her moment in the spotlight after the high school musical, the journal pages containing her darkest thoughts get put on display. Now, Imogen must resign herself to be crushed under the ever-increasing weight of her pain, or finally accept the starring role in her own life story.

And maybe even find herself a happily ever after.

Enhance the experience with the companion soundtrack, Imogen Unlocked, by the author's band, Wedding Day Rain.

My Review

Everywhere I look, it seems like most YA characters are very similar in regards to their physical appearances, but Damsel Distressed throws all of those common stereotypes out the window and introduces readers to a new kind of YA book. Why? Because finally, we don't have a skinny main character! We get a plus size girl with all sorts of problems, and I just love it! I truly hope to see more books like this in the future, especially if they are by Kelsey Macke.

First of all, I must applaud Kelsey Macke for the creation of this stunning book. Everything in this book is just perfect. It made me cry. It made me laugh. I pretty much experienced every human emotion possible while reading my book. In my opinion, I feel like the more emotions represented make it a better and more captivating read.

The main character, Imogen, is unlike any YA character that I've ever seen in a book before. First of all, she's overweight, and I mean that she's really overweight - not just a few pounds. As someone who struggled with my weight my whole life, I finally felt like this weight was being lifted off my shoulders because here is this wonderful character who I can relate to now. I'm twenty-five now, but much I still experience the nights where I want to binge eat like Imogen, and I felt like much of her struggles with obesity were realistic and true. Not only is Imogen overweight, but she's also got a lot going on emotionally and mentally. I loved her flaws. I love how she knows she has problems but she's afraid to fix them out of fear of ruining everything. I love how she learns to grow and becomes comfortable in her own skin.

I think fans of books like The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Love Letters to the Dead, and It's Kind of a Funny Story will be drawn to Imogen and enjoy her story because she also deals with mental health problems.

Macke shows her incredible support of the arts in this book, and as a teacher, I must thank her. I am obviously an English teacher, but I was very involved in my high school's music program when I was a student. I was in concert band, jazz band, pit orchestra, and marching band. I still support that music program to this day, so happy tears were brought to my eyes when I saw just how much Macke cares about the arts. Maybe people will read this book and realize just how important the arts are to keep in schools.

So how exactly does Macke show her support for the arts? Imogen, our main character, is involved in her school's musical. She works in the sound booth. During much of the book, Imogen is at rehearsals. Another way that Macke shows her support of the fine arts is by including a special event dedicated to them in the plot of the book. Can you say awesome? Also, there are going to be pages full of original artwork throughout the book. And finally, Kelsey Macke and her husband are releasing an original album as a soundtrack to the book. Talk about dedication. Ms. Macke certainly knows how to tell a story while supporting the fine arts. Kudos to her.

I loved this book, and everything that it represents. Yes, it's a retelling of "Cinderella" with a point of view twist, but it's so much more than that. It's a book about grief, love, family, and friendship. Most importantly, it's a book about self-acceptance that I think all teenagers and young adults should read.

Quotes I Enjoyed:

"I am whole. I am more than just the pieces that I see. I am so much stronger than I seem."

"When are we gonna get a fat princess? How about a princess with bad acne and crappy posture and the mouth of a sailor? Probably never. Every. Single. One. Is the same. Totally hot. Totally predicable."

"Happiness isn't a choice. And people who say it is are just lucky enough to not really need to choose it."

"But pain can make you beautiful... if you try."

"Shooting stars are for suckers."

Review: Cress

Title: Cress

Series: The Lunar Chronicles

Author: Marissa Meyer

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Publication Date: February 4, 2014

Source: Purchased 

In this third book in the Lunar Chronicles, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, now with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army.

Their best hope lies with Cress, a girl imprisoned on a satellite since childhood who's only ever  had her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker. Unfortunately, she’s just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice.

When a daring rescue of Cress goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing prevent her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only hope the world has.

My Review

 

Oh my stars!

I have to start my review off by stating that the third book in The Lunar Chronicles series by Marissa Meyer is, in my opinion, the best one yet! I can only hope (and I truly expect) that more amazing things are on the way in Fairest and Winter.

Once again, Meyer's stellar use of dramatic irony had me hooked. I did not want to put this book down! I couldn't wait to see what happened when the characters found out information that I already knew. It was almost addictive to keep reading just for their reactions.

The newest main character, Cress, is by far the most adorable naive character I've ever come across in a YA book. Her story is so captivating and entertaining. I wouldn't have cared if Meyer wrote over a thousand pages for this book. I would have read it just to learn more about Cress because she is just that cute and quirky.

I also love how Meyer perfectly entwines Cress' story with those of the other characters, like Cinder, Thorne, Scarlet, Wolf, and Kai. It was wonderful to see how she was connected to them and how she can work with them. I truly hope that we see Cress grow and mature a little more in the next book like we've seen Cinder grow since the beginning of the series.

Now... the ending! I'm so happy. I loved the ending. It was the perfect cliffhanger, and I've been waiting for Cinder to say those words since the end of Cinder. I'm so glad that she is finally confident enough to reveal her secrets, and I cannot wait to see how this unlikely group of heroes will use that to their advantage in Winter.