Mini Review: Shh! by Stacey Nash

Title: Shh!
Series: Oxley College #1
Author: Stacey Nash
Format: ebook
Pub. Date: February 23rd 2015
Source: YA Bound Book Tours


Book Description via Goodreads:

Nineteen-year-old Olivia Dean has the perfect reputation, the perfect boyfriend, and an increasingly perfect CV. She has it all, until Christian breaks up with her in public, calling her out as a self-gratifying sexoholic: the kind that plays solo. But Olivia doesn’t do any such thing — the only thing she does at night is sleep … right?

Now all the boys on campus seem to want her attention for the absolutely wrong reason — including resident hottie, Logan Hays. He's pulling out his best moves to gain her attention, so resisting his sexy charm is hard work. With rapidly slipping grades, a disturbingly lurid reputation and demanding parents, Olivia must discover the truth behind her rumoured sleeping problem. If she doesn't, the perfect life she's worked so hard for may slip away, including the one person who has Olivia breaking all her rules — Logan.

What do you do when you’re asleep?

***

Shh! is a story about acceptance, learning to trust and in turn love while facing life's unexpected difficulties.

NB: This book is of a mild heat level, and contains no explicit sex scenes.

Review:

★★★

I will say, I have never read a book that discusses the topics found inside Shh!. That's why I was drawn into reading this book, because I had never heard of such a condition as the one Olivia experiences throughout the course of the book. However, this one wasn't really for me.

The reason why this book and I didn't really gel together is because of the main character, Olivia. I expected more from her. She goes through a lot of rough stuff in this book. There's a lot of really nasty rumors and bullying and I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy. She does stand up for herself... Eventually. For a very large part of the book, she just seems to sit and wallow and feel sorry for herself, which is not a character that I can relate to. It went on too long, and it frustrated me. A large part of this frustration came from the fact that Olivia is quick to talk about how she wants to be a lawyer. That's why she's so concerned with her image and reputation, because she wants to be a lawyer. I was surprised that she was so passionate about something where you have to stand up for what you may or may not believe in (depending on the client) and yet she was still so quick to lay down. (Granted, her parents were the ones pushing her towards this career...)

That said, I loved the side characters. I found that her friends, Savvy and Megan, were really the stars of this novel. In a world where everyone is talking smack about Olivia, they are there to help her combat it and stop her from breaking down completely. I also really, really liked the love interest, Logan. He's pretty swoon worthy. There was a great supporting cast of characters, and I liked that they were fairly diverse from one another in regards to personality.

I also appreciate that while this book deals with a medical condition that is sexual in nature (I'm purposely being vague to avoid potential spoilers), there are no explicit or graphic scenes.

All in all, I was left a bit disappointed with this book because I couldn't connect, try as I may, to the main character. However, I'm not sorry I read this book, and I think a lot of people out there will like it. There's an interesting medical condition, clean New Adult romance, and an Aussie university setting that might work really well for you, but just fell short for me.

I was provided with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Fall Mini Review: An October Bride

Title: An October Bride
Series:: (A Year of Weddings, #11)
Author: Katie Ganshert
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: September 23rd 2014
Source: Netgalley & Zondervan

Description via Goodreads:

A year's worth of novellas from twelve inspirational romance authors. Happily ever after guaranteed.

She wants to make her father's dream come true. She doesn't realize her own dream has been in front of her the whole time.

Emma Tate isn't a risk taker, so everyone in her small Midwest town is surprised when she suddenly becomes engaged to lifelong friend Jake Sawyer. No one but Jake and Emma know the true reason they're getting married---so Emma's dying father can walk her down the aisle.

While Jake and Emma plan an autumn wedding together, it becomes clear that their agreement has a few complications---the biggest being their true feelings for each other.

In this novella by award-winning author Katie Ganshert, a young woman must reconcile her dying father's dreams with her own dreams for love and for her future.

★★★★

I'll start this review off by saying that I haven't read any of the other books in the A Year of Weddings series. I was drawn in by the gorgeous cover and the promising blurb, and was in the mood for a quick romance that would put me in the proper autumn spirit. That's exactly what I got.

This novella has absolutely beautiful writing. I haven't read anything from Katie Ganshert before, but it's definitely clear that she's a talented author in this story. The descriptions are detailed, the characters have depth, the plot drew me in from the first few pages. All of these things, I usually find, are hard to come across in the format of a novella, where space is limited. While I do wish this story would have been drawn out into a book, the pacing and story-telling are well done and not at all rushed or cut to the chase.

The romance in this novella was sweet and clean without being cheesy. I fell in love with the characters and their stories rather quickly, and rooted for the not-so-real romance to bloom from early on. This book has a few laughable parts and a few sad ones, but there's this lingering feeling of hope throughout the text that I rather enjoyed. This paired with the fall scenery made for a pleasant reading combination.

One thing I wasn't aware of in this book was the Christian themes. This didn't hinder my rating or reading experience at all, it's just something that I neglected to realize at the time of download.

This is a great read for anyone looking for a short, clean, sweet romance. Though of course it can be read at any time, I recommend reading it in the fall season like I did. Though it's part of a series, it works as a standalone as well. Thanks to Netgalley and Zondervan for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

Release Day!- Review, Guest Post, & Giveaway: Jacob, King of Portalia by Casey Clubb

Hello my beautiful readers. I am so excited to share a guest post with you today from Casey Clubb, author of the middle-grade LGBT fantasy book, Jacob, King of Portalia. Keep scrolling and reading to see her post on writing mid-grade level LGBT books, my glowing review of the book, and enter to win an ebook copy for yourself!

Title: Jacob, King of Portalia
Series: The Pillars of Life
Author: Casey Clubb
Release date: September 16th, 2014
Genre: YA/MG Fantasy, GLBT story
Published by: Booktrope
Source: Booktrope


Summary:

Jacob is the only one who can protect us all from a vengeful lunatic.

But Jacob’s a tiny sixth grader who’s scared of his own shadow. And his only known talent is hiding.

A misfit in his own home, a boy out of place in his own skin, Jacob has been hiding all his life—in his head, or behind his only friend.

His kind of different just isn’t accepted.

He thought hiding would keep him safe. But he was wrong.

For Jacob’s hiding has buried more than one truth, more than one secret. Including a destiny and a duty that are his to fulfill.

And a powerful talent. One that could doom his people.

Or save them…if he can find the courage to stop hiding from the thing that terrifies him the most—the truth about who he is:

A boy who likes boys.
A boy with a destiny foretold in an ancient legend.
A boy whose love could save us all.

Buy it now on Amazon | B&N | iTunes

About the Author:
Casey Clubb lives near Portland, Oregon with her husband and her ever-growing collection of stuffed Tiggers.
For news and updates on Book Two—Jacob, Portal Master, visit www.caseyclubb.com.
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Guest Post with Casey Clubb:

Why LGBT For Middle Grade?

Many thanks to Jillyn for having me as a guest!

When I tell people what my middle-grade fantasy, Jacob, King of Portalia is about, the most common question I get is: “Why did you make Jacob gay?”

It’s a valid question I suppose. But wouldn’t it be great if it wasn’t?

Nobody ever asks why the hero has blue eyes or curly hair or freckles. Or why the girl fell in love with the boy, or why the boy fell in love with the girl.

Sometimes I think there’s this perception that there are no gay children in the world, only gay adults. A societal consensus that prior to the age of eighteen children are either heterosexual or confused.

But the truth is that gay adults are people who were once gay children. Yet despite the fact that there are many gay adults in the world, and as such it stands to reason that there are many gay kids in the world too, none of the heroes in children’s fiction are boys who fall in love with boys or girls who fall in love with girls.

Why is that?

Reading is a HUGE part of growing up.

We read to dream.

We read to escape.

And we read to identify with a fictitious character. We want to read about heroes who are different from us, and heroes who are like us.
LGBT kids who read hundreds of books are not going to fail to notice the fact that none of the heroes are like them.
Kids don’t need anyone to tell them what that means—our society believes that gay people should stay in the closet until they are adults. Just like they do in fiction.

Being a kid is a hard gig. And middle school in particular is rough. It’s a time of finding your way in the world. Kids want to fit in and be loved and accepted. Heck, we all want that.

But until the heroes in children’s stories are as diverse as the children who read about them, LGBT children will continue to grow up with a pervasive sense that something is wrong with them, a sense that society confirms with their actions if not with their words.

I didn’t set out to write a story about a gay boy. Like all of my stories, Jacob started as a kernel of an idea and grew from there.

Jacob is a lot like many other kids. He’s an ordinary boy with big dreams and high hopes. He’s a boy who feels out of place in his own home and in his own skin. He’s a boy who is looking for love and acceptance.

He’s also a boy who likes boys.

And like many LGBT children, Jacob hides the truth about who he is, from others and from himself, in order to find that love and acceptance.

Why did I write a story about a gay middle-school boy?

Because Jacob is gay.

He falls in love with a boy.

And if he finds the courage to come out of hiding he might just save us all.

Like heroes do.

Review:

★★★★★

Five amazing stars.

---

I am not sure I have enough words in my vocabulary to explain to you how much I loved this book, but I will try my hardest. In case you don't want to read my fangirling that will follow this introduction paragraph, here's the nutshell version: I loved this book to all of Portalia's moons and back and you should buy it and read it immediately.

When I was contacted to read this book, I was curious. I am a huge, huge fan of LGBT literature, being a member of the community myself. Then I read that it was not just middle grade LGBT, but a fantasy story too. I love all of those things, so I really hoped that I would love this one.

Love isn't a strong enough word.

First, let's talk about Jacob. He is so realistically portrayed and no more flawed than any one of us. His ears are a bit too big. He loves music and wants to be an intergalactic musician. He dreams big, even though he's not great at playing an instrument and has no way to leave our galaxy. But what struck the closest for me was the lies he told himself- that he wasn't really gay. He knows he looks at boys the way other boys look at girls, but he lies to himself and convinces himself that the kids teasing him for being a queer are wrong, that he's not. I lived "in the closet" so to speak for almost eight years. I knew I liked girls when I was 12, but I was too scared of losing my friends and family to admit it. Jacob feels the same. He's lost his father already, and he doesn't make friends so easily, as quirky as he is. He saw his bestest friend Sam make a gross face at two boys holding hands once, and he's terrified of losing him too. I could relate to him, and his story had me hooked from these beginning confessions.

But, let me just add, that his being gay is not the only story. I have read a lot of LGBT books that are about being gay and finding love, but little else. That's not a bad thing, per se, but I was blown away at how much plot was in here that wasn't directly tied to sexual orientation. The fantasy plot in this book is stellar. Jacob accidentally opens a portal to a new world, one of which he learns he is King. He is thrust into this new universe, where everyone knows him and the fate that has been set out for him, and he has to decide if he is brave enough to stand up for what he believes in. I adored watching Jacob grow into himself. He starts out as a quiet, shy, not-so-confident kid in the closet, and throughout this book turns into a determined leader who isn't afraid of letting our world or his know how he feels. It's admirable. I'm still working on being able to shout that I love my girlfriend from the rooftops, and Jacob's triumph gives me hope that I will get to that point.

The world building is great. Every detail and every sense is described, so that you will feel like you too are there with Jacob, learning and exploring the new lands of Portalia. Colors are brighter, the sky is differently colored, boys who love boys are no big deal, there are more moons and different foods and drinks and Casey Clubb details all of them so that you become sucked up into this magical sci-fi fantasy land. I read this book in one go. It's like a really cool middle grade pro-gay mix of Alice in Wonderland and Inkheart.

The message that this book carries is an important one: that you can believe in yourself and no matter what makes you different, be it who you love or what you wear- makes you awesome. Never be afraid to be yourself. I wholeheartedly agree and wish that I could somehow personally shove a copy of this book into every child's hand who has ever thought "Why am I such a freak? Why can't I be normal? Why can't I like girls/boys instead?" I can't say that this novel would have made me burst from the closet, but it definitely would have boosted my self-esteem and made me feel a little less alone.

I recommend this to fans of ya, middle grade, fantasy, and LGBT book. This book is clean and appropriate, and it reached me as an adult so it's for more than just junior high grade level. Casey Clubb has gained a new fangirl, and I will be waiting very, very impatiently to continue the next story that Jacob has to offer. Thanks to Booktrope for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Giveaway:

-This giveaway will run from September 16th to September 24th, 2014
-This giveaway is open to those 13+
-It is open to ANYONE over that age who can legally enter, receive, and use their prize.
-Five (5) winners will win a copy.
-This giveaway is sponsored wholly by the publisher. I am not responsible.
-This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity.
-Winner will have 48 hours to reply, or a new winner will be chosen. Winner will be chosen using random.org.
-Invalid entries will be removed, so please don't cheat.
-Void where prohibited. Odds will vary. No purchase necessary.
-My opinions are my own. Information will not be stored or sold, and will be used only to contact the winners.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Mini Review: My Little Pony: Pony Tales, Vol. 1

Title: My Little Pony: Pony Tales, Vol. 1
Author: Thom Zahler
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: November 5th 2013
Source: Netgalley and Diamond Book Distributors

★★★★

Four stars.

My Little Pony: Pony Tales, Vol. 1 is a graphic novel that stars the fourth generation of Hasbro's My Little Pony characters. In this book, each of the mane six- that is, Rarity, Twilight Sparkle, Apple Jack, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash- each get their own little story in which they individually learn a lesson on friendship.

What I really liked about this volume was that it is divided by pony. Don't get me wrong, I love these ponies as a group too, but it was a nice change of pace to see each individual highlighted in there own little section. And it is true that much like the television series, the stories are quite heavy handed with the morals. However, I think that's a good thing, seeing that the intended audience is for children. This is a graphic novel with a good message for kids and adults alike.

What I didn't really enjoy this time around was the art. I'm going to try my best to explain why, but to be honest I can't really put my finger on it myself. It just seemed that the ponies looked... A bit off. I don't know if it was the proportions or their outlines or what it was, but I wasn't really as big of a fan of the art in this volume as I have been in books past. That being said, the scenes and coloring with both nice and made it easy to hold my attention.

Overall, this is a graphic novel that any fan of My Little Pony, old or young, would appreciate. It's an easy, light-hearted read that illuminates just how important it is to know about friendship. I would pick up the next volume in this series.

Thanks to Netgalley and Diamond Book Distributors for my copy.

Review: Friday Night Alibi

Title: Friday Night Alibi
Author: Cassie Mae
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: July 29th 2013
Source: Netgalley/Flirt

★★

Two stars.

Kelli knows just how to earn herself a steady cash flow (until she gets her trust fund that is)- for a very reasonable fee, she will be the excuse you give to your parents or your friends. Your alibi. Complete stories, full of detail, she will be the perfect "good girl" so parents never grow wise. But that persona- as well as her business- are going to be challenged when she meets college student Chase, a boy like she's never experienced before. What is she willing to risk for love and happiness?

----

This isn't a bad book. I just have some problems with it that added up quickly.

First of these issues- this- in my mind- is not in the New Adult category. She may have graduated early, but she is still at a high school mentality. The evidence of this is clear in the dialogue scenes, where there is an abundance of teen speak: OMG, BFF, convo, deets. And she graduated early? I'm in college, and I don't know anyone that still talks that way outside of a frat house. (Nothing personal against Greek life. Just my own experience.) As it was, the "convos" felt a bit forced. I think it's because the town in which it's set is something that I don't relate too. There's a lot of "first world" problems about rich kids that I'm not really sympathetic towards. Maybe it's just a sign of the times, but I don't enjoy listening to the upper class whine about such pointless things.

Another part of this book that made it seem younger was the lack of sex. Now, I can respect clean romance and values in a book. But New Adult in general involves such content- it's what separates it from young adult and is why it's separating to a category of it's own, because it reaches beyond a teenage level to a more mature mindset. This might be young adult or clean romance, but to me the new adult title just doesn't work here.

With all of those unpleasantries out of the way, I really do like the concept of this book. I can't say that enough. Protagonist Kelli is great at her job. She goes into insane details with her alibis, including plot points in the movie she names for a discussion topic, and the color nail polish used at a sleep over. She had a great business model, which is why I think the teen speak was such a disconnect. It didn't give her enough credit as a character.

Between this apathy and the lack of mature situations, this just came off as dull. There was nothing either horrible or amazing about it. In my mind, it was just for a younger audience than myself with different life views. To me, it'll get lost among the other teen romances.

If you are a YA reader who likes clean romance, by all means check this out. I sincerely hope you like it more than I did. But if you're accustomed to new adult reads like Beautiful Disaster or Easy, I think you'll be disappointed.

Thanks to Netgalley and Flirt for the chance to read this title.