Just One Day - Gayle Forman

"Anything can happen in just one day."

Summary: Allyson is on a school trip to Europe when she meets Willem who invites her to spend one day with him in Paris...a day she will never forget.

I read this book as part of a read along for the last month and I am so glad I did! I loved reading it as part of an event and then getting to answer questions each week. It allowed me to not have to rush through the book and I really got to look at the book on a deeper level. I started off thinking that 'Yes, this book is really good and I can really relate to Allyson.' But at the same time, my relating to Allyson wasn't enough to make me fall in love with the book. Then I got to the last 5 chapters or so and WOW. BEST. BOOK. EVER. I was literally bawling my eyes out and freaking out because I couldn't tell what was going to happen! I couldn't even see my Nook screen because I was crying so hard. I was so scared reading the ending and wanted to throw my Nook at the wall. I've LOVED other books and I have ones that I also claim as best book ever but this one is different. Different because, in the end, books (or movies/tv shows) that make me react this much and leave me heartbroken but hopeful at the same time and have that bittersweet ending are what I live for. When I mentioned this to my mom, she says it's because I'm a hopeless romantic (which I am). I'm still emotional thinking about this book and I'm at a loss at what else to say right now but to read more, check out the links below to see all of my thoughts throughout the last month.

Rating: 10/10

Week 1 // Week 2 // Week 3 // Week 4

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The Moon and More - Sarah Dessen

"The thing is, you can't always have the best of everything. Because for life to be real, you need it all: good and bad, beach and concrete, the familiar and the unknown, big talkers and small towns."

Summary: Emaline has one last summer before she goes off to college. But the summer isn't what she thought it would be though when she is faced with tons of challenges - from a break-up, to the return of her absentee father, a summer fling, and more! During this one summer, Emaline will learn more about herself and the world around her, then she has her whole life.

Along For The Ride was my favorite Dessen book but it has officially moved to the number two spot after reading this one! I absolutely loved The Moon and More! Emaline was the perfect main character! I haven't read any fan reviews yet so I might be alone in this but I feel like everything she did was exactly how she should've done it. Usually when I read a book, I disagree with the route a character takes or something but I think in the end, the path she took was correct. I'm not even upset that she moved onto a summer fling literally after her three year relationship ended. I think she is a strong young woman and she learned SO MUCH. She's a changed person now and now she can go on this big journey and explore in college and learn even more about life and herself! One of my favorite things about the book was her relationships with Luke, Benji and her best friend Morris. I can't recall another book at the moment where I felt like the friendships were featured so prominently. Her friendships are what make her the person she is and I think she is a great friend as well! I just loved how thought provoking this book was (at least for me)! AND I am not sure if this has happened in other Dessen books....but the "Auden" featured in the book and Clyde himself, are the ones from Along For The Ride...right?! That's probably a stupid question but oh well!

Rating: 9/10

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Flirting in Italian - Lauren Henderson

"My adventure - maybe my real life - is about to begin."

Summary: Violet sets off on a journey to Italy to find out more about a painting that features a girl that looks just like her.

Oh my gosh, this book was awful. It might as well be considered a DNF for me because I basically skimmed it after the first 140 pages. Going into this, you get little information on what the book is actually going to be about. The second I read the Prologue, I was like 'This is so stupid." I don't know anyone in the real world who would automatically set out on a "life journey" just to learn more about a painting and the person in it. Once Violet actually gets to Italy, the story gets even worse. I don't want to spoil what happens in case you actually want to read the book but it was one of the worst story lines I've ever read. It just wasn't believable at all! And I can't believe there's going to be a second one! The only part I liked was this kiss that Violet shared with this hot Italian guy but even that storyline got ruined. I was warned that this book was bad but gave it a shot anyways. I really wish I hadn't.

Rating: 0.5/10

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Forbidden Boy - Hailey Abbott

 

"If he's your Prince Charming, he'll find his way back. He has to, actually. I think it's in the job description."

Summary: Julianne and Remi meet at a bonfire and instantly feel a connection. He gets her and her art like no one else. But Julianne soon finds out that he is the son of her new neighbors the Moore's who are set on taking over the whole beach just to build their dream mansion. So a relationship between them can't possibly work, right?

Compared to Abbott's other books, I felt like this one was a step back. For being published more recently, the writing wasn't up to par with some of her other books. Julianne really kind of annoyed me. I understood where she was coming from about not dating Remi when his parents are trying to force her family to give up their house but I felt like she could've handled everything differently. She would tell Remi "No we can't be together," and then turn around and still be with him! I did like Remi (aka Remington which FYI is the second Remi I've come across in books and I'm really starting to dig guys who have this name!), and I liked the relationship J has with her sister Chloe. I wish we got to see J actually hang out with her friends though and have time with other people in her life. Then of course there was Abbott's pretty descriptions again: "The reflection of the moon was tossed off the waves, like someone had drizzled the water with liquid gold."

Rating: 6/10

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The Other Boy - Hailey Abbott

 

"And she felt the best summer ever slip right through her fingers."

Summary: Maddy gets caught throwing a party and is forced by her parents to go to Napa Valley with them for the summer. While there, Maddy has to work on the new family vineyard - with David, but Maddy has a boyfriend back in the city. She may think the best summer ever has slipped right through her fingers, but she has no idea what's in store for her in the Valley.

I enjoy Hailey Abbott's books for their fluff factor, they are always just light, fun reads! In this one, Maddy is the typical city girl and is tested when she has to get down and dirty in wine country. The guy she has to work with, David, thinks she's a snob but Maddy proves to him - and herself - that that isn't really her. Turns out she likes eating ribs and getting messy! Of course like all good books, there's romance between Maddy and David which causes drama between Maddy and her boyfriend Brian. I really like David! He likes to cook and is a really down to earth guy. The thing I liked most about this book was the use of descriptions from Abbott. Here's a taste: "...gazing at the stars flung like powder across the black velvet sky."

Rating: 7/10

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