Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland (Nantucket #1): Review

Title: Nantucket Blue (Nantucket #1)
Author: Leila Howland
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Buy This Book: Book Depository / Amazon  

For Cricket Thompson, a summer like this one will change everything. A summer spent on Nantucket with her best friend, Jules Clayton, and the indomitable Clayton family. A summer when she’ll make the almost unattainable Jay Logan hers. A summer to surpass all dreams.
Some of this turns out to be true. Some of it doesn’t. 
When Jules and her family suffer a devastating tragedy that forces the girls apart, Jules becomes a stranger whom Cricket wonders whether she ever really knew. And instead of lying on the beach working on her caramel-colored tan, Cricket is making beds and cleaning bathrooms to support herself in paradise for the summer.
But it’s the things Cricket hadn't counted on--most of all, falling hard for someone who should be completely off-limits--that turn her dreams into an exhilarating, bittersweet reality.
A beautiful future is within her grasp, and Cricket must find the grace to embrace it. If she does, her life could be the perfect shade of Nantucket blue. (Goodreads summary.)

Nantucket Blue turned out to be a perfect summer read, something you could devour in one day lounging in the sun. Leila Howland transported me to Nantucket, her descriptions were so vivid that I felt like I was there along with Cricket. I didn't have many expectations because I didn't know too much about the book, but it surprised me and really impressed me. I now have a new book to add to my list of perfect Summer reads; reading it made me feel like summer was already here.

The blurb hints at a devastating tragedy that Cricket's best friend Jules and her family will go through. I won't ruin it, even though you know what's coming very early on, but it did hit me pretty hard. It was one of those storylines that hit too close to home and ended up devastating me a little. But that did work to get me connected to the story almost instantly.

Cricket's friendship with Jules changes after the tragedy, partly without Cricket even realising. To a certain extent, I found that aspect of it very realistic to how someone can react in that situation. I have seen it myself and it does happen, especially the 'my pain is clearly more painful than anyone else's pain, how dare you be upset?!?'. But, Jules needed a slap after a while. She has a grace period, where it is acceptable to act like that after what you have been though. But after a while you need to realise that you need to suck it up, get on with it and stop treating everyone around you like crap.

Cricket was a character that I liked, but didn't fall in love with. I think it was just that some of the decisions that she made drove me a little crazy. But I think that was what made her a very realistic teenager, she makes mistakes and split second decisions. She also got me wondering what is with all these books lately and characters named Cricket. Is that actually a name in the US or something? I have seen quite a lot of books with characters who have that name. That's not a name, it's a bug or a really, really boring sport. It's like naming your kid Centipede or Basketball, you just don't do it.

This, to me, was a perfect beach read because you can read it in one sitting. It transports you to Nantucket and you can feel the sun on your face, smell the ocean air and almost taste the food yourself. It was a really easy read, and a little predictable too. I guessed pretty early on where the romance was going to go and with who, but I liked the romance in this.

4/5 Stars

This was a really easy read, perfect for reading in one sitting. It was a little predictable at times, but not in a bad way. The romance was really sweet and cute, and it was realistic of first love. It has made me very excited to read the sequel to this one. This is a perfect summer read. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Characters Who Make Me Want To Slap Them

 

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted at The Broke & The Bookish. Each week they host a different top ten topic.


FYI
I am ridiculously behind on replying to comments and visiting people back atm. Please forgive me, I got two new bookshelves and have been spending hours and hours, over the last few days, organising and reorganising them. I will get to them all on my week off, which starts on Thursday. WOOP, WOOP!!!

I was happy that we got to pick how we wanted to do this weeks topic. I decided to go with characters that Id really like to slap, and there are a ton. I am sure you all know the feeling well, of wanting to reach inside a book and slap the hell out of a character. It could be because they are pissing you off, are whining or are just completely infuriating. Surprisingly, the characters that I most want to slap are the ones I either really, really love or really, really hate. 

Bella Swan

Now I have read all four Twilight books, and I've enjoyed them to some extent but, my god, Bella Swan is one of THE WORST characters ever. She makes me want to bitch slap her all round the place. As far as annoying characters go, for me, Bella Swan will always be number one. She begins dating someone who is unsuited for her in every way, who's controlling and, quite frankly, really creepy. This guy is the perfect example of who NOT to date, so Bella deserves a slap for thinking he is perfect boyfriend material. Plus, she's ridiculously clumsy and spends all her time needing to be saved by Edward. Also, when she gets dumped she literally just curls up into a ball on the floor and stays there for hours. *vomits*

Lord Voldemort

Lord Voldemort is the perfect villain, and one that everyone can love to hate. I can't actually decide whether Voldemort requires a slap or if he just needs a hug, something he clearly didn't get enough of as a kid. He's a grown man who spends all of his time trying to kill a young boy. He's a malignant narcissist who is in need of years of therapy. I'd also recommend he see a plastic surgeon about that nose, he looks far too creepy without one. Then I could break it with the sheer force of my slap to his face. 

See... he craves the hugs. 

Katniss Everdeen

I know, shocking, but she makes the list. For the most part, Katniss Everdeen is the perfect heroine. She's strong, independent and manages to survive the Hunger Games, not one but twice. But she makes herself worthy of a slap for two reasons. Reason one is that she can be completely indecisive at times. Gale or Peeta, Peeta or Gale - just pick one, it's not as hard a decision as she makes out. Her constant flitting from one to the other gets really tiresome to read. Reason two is that she can be downright miserable at times. Why I understand that she had to kill people, watch friends die and go through the Hunger Games twice, she is still unbearably miserable - you survived, you're alive, so for f-sake live and maybe try smiling every once in a while. She's probably one of the most realistic heroines, she's affected by what she's seen and been through... but I want to slap a smile on her face all the same. 

America Singer

She makes the list because she is a huge annoyance as far as characters go. First, her name is America Singer and she's American and a singer... seriously? I want to slap her just for that. She's also infuriating because her situation isn't that bad and she whines far too much about it. Her brother wants to be a football player but, since he is in a caste system for the arts, he will not be able to pursue a career in it. America acts like this is the most tragic thing that could ever happen to anyone ever. If Katniss Everdeen could meet this girl, I am pretty sure she would slap her for me. 

America Singer... really?

Edward Cullen

Twilight is one of those phenomenons that left thousands of girls declaring which 'Team' they were on, but I've never been able to root for Jacob or Edward. I can merely suppress the urge to find a way to land myself inside the book so that I could finally get the pleasure of bitch slapping both of them. Edward is rather scary/creepy as far as male romantic leads go. Yes, he was turned into a vampire at seventeen, but he has still been alive for a hundred years and is, technically, an old man. So it's a little disturbing that he is a hundred year old man who is actively pursuing a relationship with a seventeen year old. He's also obsessive, controlling and possessive, and also thinks sneaking into someones room to watch them sleeping is perfectly normal. Nope, it's creepy; you require seven million slaps! 

Ronald Weasley

I LOVE RON! I think if I could marry a fictional character then I would definitely make that guy my husband. So it might seem weird that he is making this list, but that boy is definitely deserving of a slap. He was just so incredible slow when it came to Hermione and it drove me insane. It takes him seven years to finally realise his feelings for her.... seven years! Then he waits until they are in a battle, where they could potentially die, to actually make a move and express his feelings. Plus, his jealousy towards Harry and many of his actions in Deathly Hallows make him very worthy of a slap.

Tris Prior

I feel a little bad writing this after seeing the film because film Tris rocked! But book Tris... not so much. In book one she chooses to leave behind her family and picks Dauntless at her choosing ceremony. Dauntless is the faction of the brave, who thing jumping off movie trains and beating the crap out of each other is all kinds of fun. The fact is that Tris chose that for herself, and it was a sign that we had one brave, strong female lead. And that was what we got... for one book. But then Tris just becomes rather weak, miserable and whiny. She spends her time making rash, bad and completely stupid decisions that make me want to reach in and yank her out the book so that I can knock some sense into her. I was actually pleased with how Allegiant ended, it finally put a stop to her near constant whining! So, Tris Prior, your constant whining makes you ridiculously worthy of a big ol' slap. 

Jacob Black

If I could, I would probably have a list that was just full of characters from Twilight, quite a lot of them deserve to be on it. Jacob is on here for two important reasons, his pining for Bella and his imprinting on her infant daughter. Bella chose Edward, a crazy, possessive vampire, a clear sign that she is crazy and yet Jacob still wants to be with her. This goes on for four books, until finally he manages to move on. Hooray! But, wait a minute, he moves on to her infant baby, which is just weird. This is then accepted ridiculously quickly by Bella & Edward, another reason why they both deserve slaps. The characters of Twilight really need to learn to be with people who are closer to them in age. So, Jacob Black, your desire to one day be romantically involved with Bella's baby makes you completely worthy of the list. 

A small baby...

Harry Potter

I think the Harry Potter series is one that every person should read, but it is full of many annoying characters that you want to hit at times. Harry makes this list because when he hits his teenage years he becomes very self-centred and a bit too 'I'm the Chosen One and my life is so hard.' I'm sure having the pressure of saving the wizarding and Muggle world from Lord Voldemort must be pretty tough, but it's no excuse to be horrible to all the people around you. He shouts at his friends, who've stuck by him through everything, and generally makes out like he's doing all the hard work. I really wish Hermione or Ron had given him a good slap in book 5, he clearly deserved it. 

The Break-Up Artist by Philip Siegel: 3/5 Review

Five Friday Favourites: Villains

Storm by Brigid Kemmerer: DNF Review

Storm by Brigid Kemmerer (Elemental #1): DNF Review

Title: Storm (Elemental #1)
Author: Brigid Kemmerer
Publisher: Much-in-Little
Buy This Book: Book Depository / Amazon


Secrets are hard to keep when your life's at stake.
Becca Chandler is suddenly getting all the guys; all the ones she doesn't want. When she saves Chris Merrick from a beating in the school parking lot, everything is about to change. Chris is different from the guys at school... really different. He can control water just like his brothers can control fire, wind, and earth. The brothers are powerful and dangerous. And now that Becca knows the truth, so is she.
When the mysterious new kid, Hunter, turns up, Becca thinks she can trust him. But when he goes head-to-head with Chris, Becca's left wondering who's hiding the most dangerous truth of all. (Goodreads summary.)

It's been quite a while since I had to DNF a book, and I am actually really surprised that Storm turned out to be one of those books. It has a really interesting premise, a great average rating on Goodreads and is the start of a series that I have heard a lot of praise for. It just didn't work for me, right now at the very least. This does seem like one of those books that I might be able to revisit at another time and really enjoy. But, in my defence, I did make my way through over 70% of the book, I just honestly couldn't go further than that.

My main problem with the book was that it left me feeling quite lost from the very beginning. It jumps straight into the story and I found myself trying to keep up with it. It didn't lead you in slowly, it made you dive straight in and I was left feeling very lost and confused. You're immediately introduced to so many different characters, I wasn't able to keep them all straight in my head. Chris had twin brothers and Becca couldn't tell them apart, she wasn't the only one because neither could I.

I love action in a book but, in the first book in a series especially, it's important to introduce the character and their back story before jumping right to the action. Imagine if Harry Potter got his acceptance letter and went off to Hogwarts straight away, no back story of how he came to be at Privet Drive, no insight into his life with the Dursley's. Or if Katniss started the book at the reaping and went straight off to the Games, no insight into how bad things in her District were or her relationship with Gale. They aren't action packed scenes, but they are really important to the story and getting you into the story. That felt lost with Storm, I was thrown straight in and I wanted that slower, less action packed introduction.

I am surprised to see this book is only 320 pages long because, after getting about 70% of the way in, I felt like I had been reading for 400 pages or so. The book did feel very long, not a lot was really happening. This reminded me of the Twilight books actually, I felt like it would have the same slow pace until right near the very end when all of the action would happen. It would then leave it open to the sequels. But I just couldn't last long enough to make it to the end and see for myself.

I like things to be explained more, especially in a series where people have elemental powers. There were explanations but they came very late into the story. It felt like everyone in the book was in on it, and I was just the outside who was completely confused. I needed more information on the characters and where Becca fitted into it all. I was also frustrated to see that this had another pointless, irritating love triangle. I can't commit myself to yet another series where the girl can't decide between two guys. It will just drive me over the edge.

DNF at 70%

I won't rate the book because I didn't read the whole thing. It left me a little lost because it jumped straight into the action, it didn't get you into the story slowly. I felt like it wasn't letting me get to know Becca very well, so I ended up feeling no connection to her. The pacing was too slow for me, I got really bored and was having to struggle through it. There is also a pointless love triangle, I can't have yet another series to read where the main character can't choose between two guys. This might be one I can go back to and really enjoy at another time, but for now it needs to be a DNF. 

*I received a copy of this novel from the author/publisher/publicist via Netgalley in exchange for a free and honest review and received no monetary compensation for this review.

My Weekly Book Haul: 19/04/2014

Friday Finds is something that was started over on ShouldBeReading and Stacking the Shelves over at TyngaReviews, I am in love with all of these as I love finding other blogs to follow and books to read through these! So check them all out and see what you find, Stacking the Shelves has a lot of participants as well which is great. This is basically a way for me to show what books I have received, borrowed or bought each week. All book covers and their summary come from back of book or Goodreads.

I have had a fun, tiring and interesting week. I worked a few days of it, but have a whole six days off. I was hoping to get 6 days of blogging, planning posts and scheduling done, but it hasn't worked out. I have had two days walking round London so far, one for my best friends birthday and one with my sister and her boyfriend. It has been fun, but tiring.

I got my Butterfly garden delivered and I am super excited. You essentially get ten caterpillars delivered to your house, along with a netted house to put them in when they go into pupa stage. Then in a few weeks, I will have beautiful butterflies that I can release! I can't wait

.

I also had a brilliant discussion on the blog, which was about how abusive relationships are romanticised in fiction at the minute. I am fed up of woman swooning over men who are essentially controlling and abusive. It was really nice to see that so many other bloggers are sane as well, and find these types of characters just as repulsive as I do. You can read the original post here. 

Whilst walking round London I visited some of my absolutely favourite places in London. I bought some amazingly awesome bookish related things as well, which I will feature below. First of all, I got two amazing Harry Potter shirts that I saw whilst walking through Camden Market, whilst on my way to get liquid nitrogen ice cream (if you ever go London, go get some... it's delicious!). One says Keep Calm and Avada Kedavra, with a glow in the dark lightning bolt. And the other is a loose fitting one that has the Deathly Hallows symbol and 'Together they make one master of death' written on it. I LOVE IT. The last thing I got was a Lannister notebook from Forbidden Planet. I spent far too long trying to choose between Lannister, Stark or Targaryen because I actually love them all for different characters. I got Lannister in the end because it was red and looked the best out of them all.

Wild Cards by Simone Elkeles

After getting kicked out of boarding school, bad boy Derek Fitzpatrick has no choice but to live with his ditzy stepmother while his military dad is deployed. Things quickly go from bad to worse when he finds out she plans to move them back to her childhood home in Illinois. Derek’s counting the days before he can be on his own, and the last thing he needs is to get involved with someone else’s family drama.
Ashtyn Parker knows one thing for certain--people you care about leave without a backward glance. A football scholarship would finally give her the chance to leave. So she pours everything into winning a state championship, until her boyfriend and star quarterback betrays them all by joining their rival team. Ashtyn needs a new game plan, but it requires trusting Derek—someone she barely knows, someone born to break the rules. Is she willing to put her heart on the line to try and win it all?

I couldn't resist getting this finished hardback from a local charity shop, it was £2.50!

How to Love by Katie Cotugno

This is a love story. But it’s not what you think. This is not a first kiss, or a first date. This is not love at first sight. This is a boy and a girl falling in messy, unpredictable, thrilling love. This is the complicated route to happiness that follows.
This is real. This is life. This is how to love.
BEFORE:
Reena has loved Sawyer LeGrande for as long as she can remember. But he’s never noticed her, until one day… he does. They fall in messy, complicated love. But then Sawyer disappears from their humid Florida town, leaving a devastated – and pregnant – Reena behind.
AFTER:
Three years later and there’s a new love in Reena’s life: her daughter Hannah. But just as swiftly and suddenly as he disappeared, Sawyer turns up again.
After everything that’s happened, can Reena really let herself love Sawyer again?

Got this from the same place for only £2.

 

Spy Society & Sleuth or Dare by Robin Benway

Being a 16-year-old safecracker and active-duty daughter of international spies has its moments, good and bad. Pros: Seeing the world one crime-solving adventure at a time. Having parents with super cool jobs. Cons: Never staying in one place long enough to have friends or a boyfriend. But for Maggie Silver, the biggest perk of all has been avoiding high school and the accompanying cliques, bad lunches, and frustratingly simple locker combinations.

Then Maggie and her parents are sent to New York for her first solo assignment, and all of that changes. She'll need to attend a private school, avoid the temptation to hack the school's security system, and befriend one aggravatingly cute Jesse Oliver to gain the essential information she needs to crack the case . . . all while trying not to blow her cover.

Cracked by Eliza Crewe

Meet Meda. She eats people.
Well, technically, she eats their soul. But she totally promises to only go for people who deserve it. She’s special. It’s not her fault she enjoys it. She can’t help being a bad guy. Besides, what else can she do? Her mother was killed and it’s not like there are any other “soul-eaters” around to show her how to be different. That is, until the three men in suits show up.
They can do what she can do. They’re like her. Meda might finally have a chance to figure out what she is. The problem? They kind of want to kill her. Before they get the chance Meda is rescued by crusaders, members of an elite group dedicated to wiping out Meda’s kind. This is her chance! Play along with the “good guys” and she’ll finally figure out what, exactly, her ‘kind’ is.
Be careful what you wish for. Playing capture the flag with her mortal enemies, babysitting a teenage boy with a hero complex, and trying to keep one step ahead of a too-clever girl are bad enough. But the Hunger is gaining on her.
The more she learns, the worse it gets. And when Meda uncovers a shocking secret about her mother, her past, and her destiny… she may finally give into it

Origin by Jennifer L. Armentrout

I got this so that I can read book three and four back to back. Won't post blurb in case it has any spoilers. 

The Sweet Dead Life by Joy Preble

"I found out two things today: One, I think I'm dying. And two, my brother is a perv."
So begins the diary of Jenna Samuels, who is having a very bad year. Her mother spends all day in bed. Dad  vanished when she was nine. Her older brother, Casey, tries to hold together what’s left of the family by working two after-school jobs—difficult, as he’s stoned all the time. To make matters worse, Jenna is sick. Really sick. When she collapses one day, Casey tries to race her to the hospital in their beat-up Prius and crashes instead.
Jenna wakes up in the ER to find Casey beside her, looking pretty good. Better than ever, in fact. Downright... angelic. The flab and zits? Gone. Before long, Jenna figures out that her brother didn’t survive the accident at all, and she isn’t just sick; she’s being poisoned. Casey has been sent back to help Jenna find out who’s got it out for her, a mystery that leads to more questions about their mother’s depression and their father’s disappearance.

Boomerang by Noelle August

The first book in a sensational New Adult trilogy from Noelle August

Welcome to Boomerang.com, the dating site for the millennial gen with its no-fuss, no-commitments matchups, and where work is steamier than any random hook-up
Mia Galliano is an aspiring filmmaker. Ethan Vance has just played his last game as a collegiate soccer star. They’re sharp, hungry for success, and they share a secret.
Last night, Ethan and Mia met at a bar, and, well . . . one thing led to another, which led to them waking up the next morning—together. Things turned awkward in a hurry when they found themselves sharing a post hookup taxi . . . to the same place: Boomerang headquarters.
What began as a powerful connection between them is treated to a cold shower courtesy of two major complications. First, Boomerang has a strict policy against co-worker dating. And second, they’re now competitors for only one job at the end of summer.
As their internships come to an end, will they manage to keep their eyes on the future and their hands off each other, or will the pull of attraction put them right back where they started?

I am really excited for this one, it's co-written by Veronica Rossi!!!

Releases: 15th July 2014

In a Handful of Dust by Mindy McGinnis

The only thing bigger than the world is fear.

Lucy’s life by the pond has always been full. She has water and friends, laughter and the love of her adoptive mother, Lynn, who has made sure that Lucy’s childhood was very different from her own. Yet it seems Lucy’s future is settled already—a house, a man, children, and a water source—and anything beyond their life by the pond is beyond reach.
When disease burns through their community, the once life-saving water of the pond might be the source of what’s killing them now. Rumors of desalinization plants in California have lingered in Lynn’s mind, and the prospect of a “normal” life for Lucy sets the two of them on an epic journey west to face new dangers: hunger, mountains, deserts, betrayal, and the perils of a world so vast that Lucy fears she could be lost forever, only to disappear in a handful of dust.
In this companion to Not a Drop to Drink, Mindy McGinnis thrillingly combines the heart-swelling hope of a journey, the challenges of establishing your own place in the world, and the gripping physical danger of nature in a futuristic frontier.

Have got the first book, I now just need to read it. 

Releases: 23rd September 2014

Two chances to win a Kindle Fire HDX or $229 in Paypal Cash/Amazon Gift Card

And my giveaway to celebrate reaching 850 Bloglovin' followers!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Discussion: Why Do Books & Readers Glorify Abusive Relationships?

Exile by Kevin Emerson: 2.5/5 Review

Top Ten Tuesday: Bookish Things I Want To Own

The Break-Up Artist by Philip Siegel: 3/5 Review

Five Friday Favourites: Villains