Under My Skin by James Dawson

Meet Molly Sue. Once she's under your skin there's no getting rid of her...

Seventeen-year-old Sally Feather is not exactly a rebel. Her super-conservative parents and her treatment at the hands of high school bullies means that Sally's about as shy and retiring as they come - but all that's about to change. Accidentally ending up in the seedier side of town one day, Sally finds herself mysteriously lured to an almost-hidden tattoo parlour - and once inside, Sally is quickly seduced by its charming owner, Rosita, and her talk of how having a secret tattoo can be as empowering as it is thrilling. Almost before she knows what she is doing, Sally selects sexy pin-up Molly Sue, and has her tattooed on her back - hoping that Molly Sue will inspire her to be as confident and popular as she is in her dreams.

But things quickly take a nightmareish turn. Almost immediately, Sally begins to hear voices in her head - or rather, one voice in particular: Molly Sue's. And she has no interest in staying quiet and being a good girl - in fact, she's mighty delighted to have a body to take charge of again. Sally slowly realises that she is unable to control Molly Sue... and before long she's going to find out the hard way what it truly means to have somebody 'under your skin'.

This review will be coming to you in a series of bullet points, because my thoughts won't arrange themselves into proper sentences.

• Sally is entranced by Molly Sue - she speaks the truth about guys, and dressing for yourself, and being brave. Until Molly Sue takes control and does something a little unforgivable 
• Molly Sue isn't scared to do the things that Sally won't
• what I loved about this was that Molly Sue wasn't just bad, she was bored and lonely, plus she did take care of Sally with her image and how to get the boy and gain confidence. It was just that Molly Sue was stuck as a tattoo and, understandably, fed up with being powerless. Having a villain that you can relate to is a great accomplishment.
• truly terrifying in the loss of control, and Molly Sue's control over Sally, both literally and emotionally. As Sally continues to black out and Molly Sue uses her body for fun and terrible things, Sally is driven all the more desperate to be rid of her

Published 5th March 2015 by Hot Key Books. Thank you to the publisher for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

Weekly Highlights: the 'April TBR' edition

Weekly Highlights is a feature borrowed from Faye of A Daydreamer's Thoughts, where I get to highlight my posts of the week, show you my new books and talk about bookish things!

I might have forgotten to post this last week, oops! Anyway, I've been really good and haven't bought any new books (just stolen some from the staff room) and I'm blasting through my TBR so I'm feeling pretty good! In work news, I'm doing so much overtime, I'm nearly more than full time but my bank balance sure does appreciate the money, even if my feet don't. Since I haven't done a W.H for a couple of weeks, below are links to my favourite posts, not all of them.

On The Blog

Review of Crown of Midnight and Heir of Fire by Sarah J Maas (5 stars)
Event write up of UKYA Blogger Awards
Review of Dodger by Terry Pratchett (4 stars)
Review of Trouble by Non Pratt (5 stars)

Currently Reading

New Girl by Paige Harbison - an old ebook title that has been gathering dust, but I'm finally finding out what all the fuss was about!

On My Bookshelf

I'll Give You The Sun by Jandy Nelson
From the author of The Sky Is Every­where, a radiant novel that will leave you laughing and crying - all at once. For fans of John Green, Gayle Forman and Lauren Oliver. Jude and her twin Noah were incredibly close - until a tragedy drove them apart, and now they are barely speaking. Then Jude meets a cocky, broken, beautiful boy as well as a captivating new mentor, both of whom may just need her as much as she needs them. What the twins don't realize is that each of them has only half the story and if they can just find their way back to one another, they have a chance to remake their world. 

Due out over here 2nd April, this will be Waterstones Loves for the month. It sounds really good and I've seen it around the blogosphere so I've borrowed the staff room copy.

The Last Leaves Falling by Sarah Benwell
And these are they. My final moments. They say a warrior must always be mindful of death, but I never imagined that it would find me like this . . .

Japanese teenager, Sora, is diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). Lonely and isolated, Sora turns to the ancient wisdom of the samurai for guidance and comfort. But he also finds hope in the present; through the internet he finds friends that see him, not just his illness. This is a story of friendship and acceptance, and testing strength in an uncertain future.

My colleague was sent this and has let me read it first, so thank you Jess! This has been on my radar for a while and I can't wait to see what's it all about.

The Accidental Life of Jessie Jefferson by Paige Toon

Meet Jessie, the daughter of Johnny Jefferson, as featured in 'Johnny Be Good' and 'Baby Be Mine'. Her 15th birthday turned out to be the worst day of her life when her mum was killed in a freak accident on her way to pick up her cake. Even when there was still no sign of her over two hours later, and her friends started to arrive at her house, it never occurred to her that she wouldn't be coming back. That was six months ago. Her mum died without telling her who her real dad was. Jessie thought she had taken the secret of her father's identity with her forever. But she didn't.

I did something bad and bought books when I went out for new clothes. Along with my first Paige Toon, I also got City of Heavenly Fire, so I can finally marathon The Mortal Instrument, and Into The Still Blue for my collection.

Nowhere But Here by Katie McGarry

Seventeen-year-old Emily likes her life the way it is: doting parents, good friends, good school in a safe neighborhood. Sure, she's curious about her biological father—the one who chose life in a motorcycle club, the Reign of Terror, over being a parent—but that doesn't mean she wants to be a part of his world. But when a reluctant visit turns to an extended summer vacation among relatives she never knew she had, one thing becomes clear: nothing is what it seems. Not the club, not her secret-keeping father and not Oz, a guy with suck-me-in blue eyes who can help her understand them both. 

Oz wants one thing: to join the Reign of Terror. They're the good guys. They protect people. They're…family. And while Emily—the gorgeous and sheltered daughter of the club's most respected member—is in town, he's gonna prove it to her. So when her father asks him to keep her safe from a rival club with a score to settle, Oz knows it's his shot at his dream. What he doesn't count on is that Emily just might turn that dream upside down. 

No one wants them to be together. But sometimes the right person is the one you least expect, and the road you fear the most is the one that leads you home.

I requested a copy of this a month ago but it must have gotten lost in the post, but it has just appeared on Netgalley! I can't pass up the new Katie McGarry, so thank you MiraInk!

April TBR
Apart from the aforementioned books, I will continue to work through my kindle backlog, starting with The Rain by Virginia Bergin. I've got a couple of blog tours to read and review, so look out for those, and I'm hoping I can marathon TMI this month at last too. Upcoming releases I'm looking forward to include Rogue by Julie Kagawa, which is due out early May, and All I Know Now by Carrie Hope Fletcher, due 23rd April.

Trouble by Non Pratt

In this dazzling debut novel, a pregnant teen learns the meaning of friendship—from the boy who pretends to be her baby’s father.

When the entire high school finds out that Hannah Shepard is pregnant via her ex-best friend, she has a full-on meltdown in her backyard. The one witness (besides the rest of the world): Aaron Tyler, a transfer student and the only boy who doesn’t seem to want to get into Hannah’s pants. Confused and scared, Hannah needs someone to be on her side. Wishing to make up for his own past mistakes, Aaron does the unthinkable and offers to pretend to be the father of Hannah’s unborn baby. Even more unbelievable, Hannah hears herself saying “yes.”

Told in alternating perspectives between Hannah and Aaron, Trouble is the story of two teenagers helping each other to move forward in the wake of tragedy and devastating choices. As you read about their year of loss, regret, and hope, you’ll remember your first, real best friend—and how they were like a first love. 

I'm going to start by saying this book was amazing. Simply amazing. In fact, I might just stop the review right here and leave it at that! But I won't, because I have lots of wonderful things to say about this book.

Being a teenager is pretty hard, being 15 and pregnant is way worse. Hannah is having a bit of a rough time of it, struggling with school work, arguing with her mother, and gaining a reputation at school for putting out. Non has captured the very essence of being a teenager, from the difficulties of communicating with parents to feeling like the world is collapsing at one small thing going wrong. When Hannah realises she's pregnant, things go from bad to worse. Meanwhile, Aaron is the new boy at school and has a few secrets of his own. Feeling the strong need to do something worthwhile, Aaron offers to be Hannah's baby daddy. 

Told from alternate perspectives, we hear things from both Hannah and Aaron, seeing how they deal with everything going on. What I especially loved about these two were how real they sounded. They were both typical teens and the authenticity of their narrative was so spot on, sometimes I looked up and was shocked to find myself in the real world! 

Everything about this book was incredible to read. Both protagonists were such complex characters that each page held a new secret about their lives and I couldn't wait to find out more. The way Non portrayed not only British teen life but also their sex lives as done exceptionally well; it was just a part of growing up, discovering yourself and nothing shameful, as long as you protected yourself. And finally the friendship between our protagonists; it was all about being able to lean on someone when you needed it, nothing untoward, just honesty and support. A great book and a truly great example of UKYA.

Published 6th March 2014 by Walker Books.

Dodger by Terry Pratchett

Dodger is a tosher – a sewer scavenger living in the squalor of Dickensian London. Everyone who is nobody knows Dodger. Anyone who is anybody doesn’t.

But when he rescues a young girl from a beating, suddenly everybody wants to know him. And Dodger’s tale of skulduggery, dark plans and even darker deeds begins . .

This has been sat on my shelves for an embarrassingly long time! I adore Terry Pratchett and his unique writing style, it just takes me ages to read, which is why I've been putting this off. This was something different for Pratchett, a re-telling of Oliver Twist, something, as a English graduate and huge book-nerd, I got very excited about.

It told of young Dodger, a seventeen year old lad, toughing it out on the streets of London. Until he rescues a young woman from blackguards and finds himself in a rather complicated and dangerous adventure. Pratchett wrote a funny, and very cockney, voice for Dodger, with slurred vowels and missing t's. Plus, it was set over a Victorian London backdrop, where Pratchett depicts the dramatic social changes, the gap between classes and of course the ugly underbelly of London, centred on Dodger's sewer territory. 

While the story was quite long and maybe a little convoluted, it was very entertaining with a mad variety of characters, including Mr Dickens himself. It was typically hilarious and witty and clever, just classic Pratchett.

As a final side note, I of course have to mention the sad news of his passing. I was at work when I found out, I teared up and we made a display table for him immediately. 

Published 13th September 2012 by Doubleday.

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

There was a time when love was the most important thing in the world. People would go to the end of the earth to find it. They would tell lies for it. Even kill for it.

Then, at last, they found the cure.

Now, everything is different. Scientist are able to eradicate love, and the government demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Haloway has always looked forward to the day when she'll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

But then, with only ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable...

I've had my eye on this for quite some time but never had a chance to pick it up. A world where love was seen as a disease, something to treated, something whose symptoms were getting in the way of normal life, was fascinating. And I think Oliver portrayed this quite well, from the rules and regulations of inter-gender mingling to the effects of the cure. I especially liked how Lena wanted the cure; with something like this, you'd expect the heroine to be a rebel but it was only after she fell in love that Lena realised the implications of the way society ran things. 

I really liked Lena. She wasn't the typical dystopian heroine, definitely not used to risking everything but she was sweet and had a horrible life before Alex, and that's why she wanted the cure. She saw it as a way out, a way to never feel things like heartbreak as her mother did. Lena was a little annoying at first, naive and completely susceptible to the big-wig's way of running things, but after Alex, she sees the world differently and realises that love isn't a disease, it's about having utter faith in someone else and letting yourself enjoy the moment. 

Now, I have to mention the ending, but I wouldn't dare spoil it. The last few chapters wrenched at my heart and boy, I cried! Lena and Alex's love story was slow-burning but completely true and I adored watching them learn to trust someone so different to what they were used to. With what happened at the very end, I'm tempted to leave this as a stand alone. I do really want to know what happens with one particular person but I was also looking forward to Lena's happily-ever-after, which can't happen now. 

Published 3rd February 2011 by Hodder and Stoughton. 

Tape by Steven Camden

Record a voice and it lasts forever…

In 1993, Ryan records a diary on an old tape. He talks about his mother’s death, about his dreams, about his love for a new girl at school who doesn’t even know he exists.

In 2013, Ameliah moves in with her grandmother after her parents die. There, she finds a tape in the spare room. A tape with a boy’s voice on it – a voice she can’t quite hear, but which seems to be speaking to her.

Ryan and Ameliah are connected by more than just a tape.

This is their story.

First off, I have to say I was expecting it to go one way, the only way I've seen this done, but it wasn't really time travel. It was refreshing and really sweet to see how it played out; very nice to see it wasn't the cliche I thought it was going to be. So, yes, I really liked that it wasn't a love story in the way I thought it was, it was about family and friends and getting through hard times the best way you can. 

The story was split over two timelines, one in the 90's, one modern. Despite having some issues with the style of speech - dashes instead of speech marks - it was surprisingly easy to get into. I didn't have to concentrate on much, there was no big twists or horrible surprises, just the mundane, normal lives of two people who have each lost someone. 

I don't want to say too much about how they are connected but let's just say I saw it coming but still really liked the unique twist. There was nothing corny or awkward, just Ryan and Ameliah leading parallel lives, decades apart. It was sweet, heart-warming, sometimes heartbreaking, but still really satisfying to see it all come together.


Published 30th January 2014 by HarperCollins. 

Heir of Fire by Sarah J Maas

Consumed by guilt and rage, Celaena can't bring herself to spill blood for the King of Adarlan. She must fight back...

The Immortal Queen will help her destroy the king - for a price. But as Celaena battles with her darkest memories and her heart breaks for a love that could never last, can she fulfil the bargain and head the almighty court of Terrasen? And who will stand with her?

Warning: spoilers for previous books.

After the cliff hanger at the end of book 2, I was ready to jump right into Heir of Fire. We catch up with Celaena outside the castle, as she has left the city to pursue answers of her own. Namely, how to destroy the King and stop him from using the Wyrdkeys. 

There was a very different feel to this one, as they are all split up - Dorian is hiding a powerful secret, Chaol is trying to protect Celaena from afar and Celaena has found some help in old magic. Celaena spent most of the book training to bring out and control her Fae abilities with Rowan. He was a tough one to get to know; he was, understandably, thick skinned and incredibly tough on Celaena when she was afraid of her magic but once they started to trust each other, a bond was formed, one that I think will help Celaena no end in the next book. 

We also see Manon and her bloodthirsty clan of witches train on wyverns (a.k.a dragons!) for the King's army. It took a while to see why we were following her story but it was fascinating to hear things from a different perspective, one so far removed from the rules of court, and of course to see first hand some of what the King apparently has planned.

Even though it had a different feel, this book was equally as thrilling as the first two. It was full of heart-quickening action and a couple of terrifying moments, plus some swoon-worthy adorable-ness; basically it had everything and I want the next book! Now please!

Published 11th September 2014 by Bloomsbury.

UKYABA!

Photo courtesy of Michelle (Fluttering Butterflies)

Last Saturday, I made my way across to London for the first UKYA Blogger Awards! I was super excited and surprisingly nervous, especially since I was actually nominated for one! 

Anyway, I had to work for a few hours so came up to London late. I had planned to bring The Fiance but he was ill so my mother tagged along instead. Which was actually great, we walked through Hyde Park in the dying sunlight, which was only slightly terrifying, and I didn't have to worry about directions, that was mum's job!

When we got there, I found a few bloggers waiting in the amazing Waterstones Kensington, including the group above, and did a bit of exploring of my first London Waterstones - I know, Sophie has already made me promise to go to Piccadilly with her asap.

I've only done a couple of these big bookish meet up things, so I'm still not used to it, but it was so great to met bloggers I haven't met in real life before, and meet new ones. It was truly incredible to see so many bloggers and book people in one room; the basement quickly filled up. I talked to so many awesome people, including finally meeting Viv and Kirsty in real life, and meeting new-comer Michelle, chatting to CJ again - it was all a little overwhelming! And then of course the award ceremony started and everyone started crying and whooping and cheering each other on. 

Plus there were authors there, like CJ Skuse, James Dawson, Johnathan Stroud and a few more that I spoke to or eavesdropped on without realising who they were - we totally need name tags next time!

After the ceremony, we were gifted with a goody bag from Hot Key with CJ's new book, plus some crisps and chocolate. Due out in September, it sounds so damn cool and I can't wait to read it!

A bunch of us also went upstairs to check out their teen section and I treated myself to a couple of new books that I've had my eye on, which were books 2 and 3 of Holy Black's Curse Workers trilogy. (I have ordered book 1) While we were looking, I was still in work mode, Sophie had to slap my hand a couple of times to stop me rearranging the shelves!

Anyway, it was a completely amazing evening and equally amazing to feel the love first hand of this awe-inspiring community and I am so damn happy to be part of it. Finally, I want to say huge well done to Andy Robb for organising it and congratulations to all the winners. We all rule, basically!

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J Maas

Crowned by Evil.
Bound by Duty.
Divided by Love.

Celaena Sardothien, royal assassin, is the King of Adarlan's deadliest weapon. She must win her freedom through his enemies' blood - but she cannot bear to kill for the crown. And every death Celaena fakes, every lie she tells, put those she loves at risk.

Torn between her two protectors - a captain and a prince - and battling a dark force far greater than the king, Celaena must decide what she will fight for: her liberty, her heart or the fate of a kingdom...

Celaena is the same stubborn, arrogant and incredibly skilled young woman that she is in the first book but this time round she has to lie. She is the King's Champion but she won't kill for him. Instead, she fakes the deaths of everyone the King sends her after and slowly but surely gets drawn into the underground rebellion. It had been a while since I rad the first book but things came flooding back as I remembered Celaena's sass, Dorian's wit and Chaol's protectiveness. 

We learn a hell of a lot more about Celaena this time round; we see the wear of being Adarlan's Assassin, the guilt of lying to her friends but with Chaol and Dorian at her side, she grows stronger. And speaking of the boys, something finally happens that makes my heart melt! And then Maas had to go and ruin it with "reality" and "actual plot" and my heart broke into a million pieces!

Some incredibly shocking things occur in this book - it has to be without a doubt the greatest second book in a series I've ever read! The story never slowed and while I wanted to shake it sometimes, it was so damn gripping I couldn't stop from turning page after page. Shock waves practically cascade from the past chapter, something is revealed that I did not see coming but made for a great cliffhanger! Thank God I had the next book ready and waiting!

Published 15th August 2013 by Bloomsbury. 

Weekly Highlights: the 'UKYABA' edition

Weekly Highlights is a feature borrowed from Faye of A Daydreamer's Thoughts, where I get to highlight my posts of the week, show you my new books and talk about bookish things!

A rather manic and work-filled week, ending with UKYA Blogger Awards! Full report to come, with some kinda bad pictures, but I will say that it was incredible to meet everyone and to feel the love of this amazing community. 

On The Blog

Review of The Sin Eater's Daughter by Melinda Salisbury (5 stars)
Review of Lips Touch by Laini Taylor (4 stars)

Currently Reading

Trouble by Non Pratt - nearly finished, this is an amazing book, why has it taken me this long to read it?

On My Bookshelf

Under My Skin by James Dawson

Seventeen-year-old Sally Feather is not exactly a rebel. Her super-conservative parents and her treatment at the hands of high school bullies means that Sally’s about as shy and retiring as they come – but all that’s about to change. Accidentally ending up in the seedier side of town one day, Sally finds herself mysteriously lured to an almost-hidden tattoo parlour – and once inside, Sally is quickly seduced by its charming owner, Rosita, and her talk of how having a secret tattoo can be as empowering as it is thrilling. Almost before she knows what she is doing, Sally selects sexy pin-up Molly Sue, and has her tattooed on her back – hoping that Molly Sue will inspire her to be as confident and popular as she is in her dreams.

But things quickly take a nightmareish turn. Almost immediately, Sally begins to hear voices in her head – or rather, one voice in particular: Molly Sue’s. And she has no interest in staying quiet and being a good girl – in fact, she’s mighty delighted to have a body to take charge of again. Sally slowly realises that she is unable to control Molly Sue… and before long she’s going to find out the hard way what it truly means to have somebody ‘under your skin’.

My first James Dawson book! I couldn't pass this one up, it sounds just fantastic. Thank you Hot Key!

I also got a couple of books at the awards last night but will include those in my write up in the next couple of days. 

Lips Touch by Laini Taylor

Three tales of supernatural love, each pivoting on a kiss that is no mere kiss, but an action with profound consequences for the kissers' souls:

Goblin Fruit
In Victorian times, goblin men had only to offer young girls sumptuous fruits to tempt them to sell their souls. But what does it take to tempt today's savvy girls?

Spicy Little Curses
A demon and the ambassador to Hell tussle over the soul of a beautiful English girl in India. Matters become complicated when she falls in love and decides to test her curse.

Hatchling
Six days before Esme's fourteenth birthday, her left eye turns from brown to blue. She little suspects what the change heralds, but her small safe life begins to unravel at once. What does the beautiful, fanged man want with her, and how is her fate connected to a mysterious race of demons?

A collection of stories where old school magic finds its way into the modern world. I really liked them all but my favourite was the first one. Based on the only poem I've ever really liked, The Goblin Market, it tells of a traditional fairytale in middle of nowhere hicksville trying to tempt Kizzy into giving up her soul. But what teenage girl wouldn't give their soul for that perfect boy?

The second story was a little longer, which made for a great in-depth look at the curse and the girl growing up with it. I thought the whole back story of bargaining for souls and using curses was amazing, and realising the implications of using them. I didn't like the third and final story as much. It was fascinating and nicely complex but a little too long, weirdly. 

A great collection of short stories with magic and curses and forbidden kisses, plus Taylor's patented fantastical writing style. 

Published 24th October 2014 by Hodder and Stoughton. 

The Sin Eater's Daughter by Melinda Salisbury

Seventeen-year-old Twylla lives in the castle. But although she’s engaged to the prince, Twylla isn’t exactly a member of the court. She’s the executioner.

As the Goddess embodied, Twylla instantly kills anyone she touches. Each month she’s taken to the prison and forced to lay her hands on those accused of treason. No one will ever love a girl with murder in her veins. Even the prince, whose royal blood supposedly makes him immune to Twylla’s fatal touch, avoids her company.

But then a new guard arrives, a boy whose easy smile belies his deadly swordsmanship. And unlike the others, he’s able to look past Twylla’s executioner robes and see the girl, not the Goddess. Yet Twylla’s been promised to the prince, and knows what happens to people who cross the queen.

However, a treasonous secret is the least of Twylla’s problems. The queen has a plan to destroy her enemies, a plan that requires a stomach-churning, unthinkable sacrifice. Will Twylla do what it takes to protect her kingdom? Or will she abandon her duty in favor of a doomed love?

Twylla is the embodiment of the daughter of two Gods and as such she is immune to poison and her skin is deadly to touch to all but the royal family, blessed by the Gods as they are. She is betrothed to the prince, lives in the castle as Daunen Embodied and acts as the royal executioner. It had a very Throne of Glass feel to it with old religion mixed in with the courtly atmosphere, belief and politics both vying for attention in this complex world.

Salisbury has created an amazing fantasy world, from the royal family and their religious court, to the ritualistic eating of sins at a funeral. A strong religious presence in books can be a bit hit and miss with me, but this never missed! I've come across sin eating before but not like this; the idea that different food represent varying sins and without the eating ceremony, their soul wouldn't find rest, was a little gross but mostly fascinating. 

The new guard Leif makes Twylla question everything she thought she knew about the court, about her life and about love. I adored Leif, he was quirky and funny and so damn cute but with everything going on, I was holding my breath, waiting for the blow back. I knew it couldn't last, as adorable and perfect as they were together, but something big was brewing and I knew that Twylla would be caught in the middle. Between Prince Merek trying to find his place in the world and the twisted Queen, determined to do anything to hold onto her power, Twylla was caught in this web of lies and deceit and power plays. Unexpected things happen, things that had me breathless. Basically: read this book!

Published 5th February 2015 by Scholastic. 

Weekly Highlights: the 'March TBR' edition

Weekly Highlights is a feature borrowed from Faye of A Daydreamer's Thoughts, where I get to highlight my posts of the week, show you my new books and talk about bookish things!

Is it really March already? I feel as though I've hardly been around online lately, which is probably true - the last few days and many days in the last couple weeks, I've been working full time so coming home at half 6 when all I want to do is collapse in bed. The plus side to this is of course come next pay day: book buying spree! 

On The Blog

Review of The Shadow Cabinet by Maureen Johnson (5 stars)
Review of Bound By Flames by Jeaniene Frost (4 stars)
Mini reviews of The Dagger In The Desk and Marly's Ghost (3/4 stars)
Review of Twinmaker by Sean Williams (4 stars)

Currently Reading

Dodger by Terry Pratchett - been sat on my shelves for, I believe, three years but I've finally got round to it! I'm about a third of the way through, I always read Pratchett slowly, but am loving it so far.

On My Bookshelf

Picture Perfect by Holly Smale
“My name is Harriet Manners, and I’ll always be a geek.” It’s the hilarious third book in the award-winning GEEK GIRL series!

Harriet Manners knows more facts than most. She knows that New York is the most populous city in the United States. She knows that its official motto is ‘Ever Upward’. She knows that one in thirty-eight people living in the US lives there.

But she knows nothing whatsoever about modelling in the Big Apple and how her family will cope with life stateside. Or ‘becoming a brand’ as the models in New York say. And even more importantly, what to do when the big romantic gestures coming your way aren’t from your boyfriend… Does geek girl go too far this time?


All That Glitters by Holly Smale
"My name is Harriet Manners, and I am still a geek." The fourth book in the award-winning GEEK GIRL series. Harriet Manners has high hopes for the new school year: she's a Sixth Former now, and things are going to be different. But with Nat busy falling in love at college and Toby preoccupied with a Top Secret project, Harriet soon discovers that's not necessarily a good thing... 

I've been meaning to catch up with this series and with the fourth book out now, there's no time like the present! I bought the ebook of the third one and was accepted to review the fourth so thank you Netgalley and Harper Collins!

Salt and Stone by Victoria Scott

In FIRE & FLOOD, Tella Holloway faced a dangerous trek through the jungle and a terrifying march across the desert, all to remain a Contender in the Brimstone Bleed for a chance at obtaining the Cure for her brother. She can’t stop – and in SALT & STONE, Tella will have to face the unseen dangers of the ocean, the breathless cold of a mountain, and twisted new rules in the race.

But what if the danger is deeper than that? How do you know who to trust when everyone’s keeping secrets? What do you do when the person you’d relied on most suddenly isn’t there for support? How do you weigh one life against another?

The race is coming to an end, and Tella is running out of time, resources, and strength. At the beginning of the race there were one hundred twenty-two Contenders. As Tella and her remaining friends start the fourth and final part of the race, just forty-one are left . . . and only one can win.

I am so damn excited about this! Being published over here early April, I'll be reading this asap - and I'll be part of the review-blog tour in April so look out for that! Thank you Chicken House!

March TBR

I've got just a few titles left in my TBR jar (yay!), next up is Trouble; I have Salt and Stone to read too, then I'll be switching to my Kindle and start making my way through that massive back load, starting with Geek Girl.