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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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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Decked With Holly - Marni Bates

 

Nick: "I'm an excellent actor." And to prove my point I looked right into her eyes and said seriously, "Holly, I've been crazy about you ever since I saw you at dinner, looking all windblown and tousled. You stole my breath away."

Holly: "Oh," she said. "But I thought you-"

Nick: "And...scene."

Summary: Holly is on a cruise to Mexico with her grandpa and the rest of her terrible family. One night Holly is faced with major seasickness and enters a random bathroom of one of the guests staying on the cruise. The room she stumbles upon doesn't belong to just anyone though, it belongs to a famous rock star! Rumors begin when a group of teenage girls bombard his room. To stop any possible scandals, Dominic convinces Holly to be his fake girlfriend for the next two weeks. What could possibly go wrong?

This book was SO cute! I was just melting while reading it. Holly and Dominic's banter made me want to squeal with delight. I wish Dominic was real...I mean technically any rockstar could be him really. My favorite part was everything that he planned for Holly's birthday. I WAS DYING. I even got emotional over a present that he gave her. What I liked about this book was that it was told in alternating POV's - one chapter would be from Holly, the next from Dominic. I really enjoyed reading what Dominic had to say. I feel like you don't get to see a guy develop a crush as much as you do for a girl.

Rating: 8/10

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