Tag: Blink YA

REVIEW: Freaky in Fresno by Laurie Boyle Crompton

REVIEW: Freaky in Fresno by Laurie Boyle Crompton

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Blink in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Ricki is into classic horror movies, monster makeup and saving the Starlight drive-in theater with her crush, Jake.

Lana is an online/social media influencer with her makeup videos. She has an online competition with another influencer who calls herself Her Highness, and an online relationship with Erik who has his own prank show. Lana is preparing for a huge appearance at Digifest in LA.

The girls are cousins. Their Aunt May announces she is giving them a joint gift – a Buick Skylark convertible. She knows the girls have been growing apart, so she insists that they learn to share the car, hoping it will help their relationship.

Lana is convinced that if she drives the car onto the stage at Digifest, it will launch her to the next level of stardom. Ricki is certain Lana is being selfish and will try to keep the car for herself. So she refuses to give Lana the car so that she can drive it to the Starlight’s grand re-opening. As the girls physically fight over control of the car, they get shocked and everything around them goes crazy. When everything goes back to normal, they shake off the weirdness and head home. But the next day, each wakes up in her cousin’s body.

Review

This was so fun! It made me want to watch both of the Freaky Friday movies; it’s been ages since I have seen them. This was a fantastic homage to the movies while standing on its own with contemporary conflicts. At first, I was frustrated with both girls, and I didn’t like either one. But as the story developed and we saw more of the girls’ inner lives, I came to appreciate them both.

My favorite moments were when Ricki experienced Lana’s anxiety. She didn’t know what that heavy feeling was at first. Lana loved the feeling of freedom she had while living in Ricki’s body. This whole piece of the story was well-done.

I was fascinated that the author chose to have Ricki tell the whole story rather than tell this with dual perspectives. In some ways, Lana had a LOT more to process, and the reader is able to dig into that through Ricki’s perspective. I’m not sure there would have been as much story to tell from the other direction, unless the author wanted to address how Ricki felt watching her mother connect so much with Lana. The story really didn’t directly address that dynamic.

If you enjoyed Pretty in Punxsutawney, if you love Freaky Friday stories, or if you just like novels that explore identity, fame, mental health and anxiety, and changing perspectives, you should check this story out.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: It Started with Goodbye by Christina June

REVIEW: It Started with Goodbye by Christina June

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

It starts when Tatum’s best friend asks for a ride. Before Tatum really knows what’s happening, she’s being arrested because her best friend’s boyfriend decided committing grand larceny was a terrific idea. While Tatum was only there to keep an eye on her friend because she didn’t trust the boyfriend, she now has a record, a fine and community service. And she’s completely lost the trust of her dad and step-mother.

At home, Tatum’s punishment is a loss of most of her freedom. Her step-mother checks her mileage before and after she drives to work. She also denies Tatum any chance to socialize outside of her community service hours. Her step-mom even called her own mother to stay with them for the summer to help watch Tatum while she works and manages her daughter’s dance career. And Tatum’s father leaves the country for work right after everything falls apart, leaving her at the mercy of her critical, demanding, helicopter “step-monster.”

Tatum has a lot of time this summer for contemplation. And she has a lot to consider – her relationship with the people in her house, her friendship with the “best friend” who got her into this mess, and questions of who she even wants to be. One saving factor for her summer is the graphic design business she starts. Not only is the work a nice, creative distraction that will help her pay off her fine, but it also puts her in touch with a talented, flirty musician in need of a website. His emails definitely make her summer more enjoyable!

Review

This was so sweet! I loved it. The family and friendship pieces of this Cinderella-esque tale are terrific. The dynamics between Tatum and her step-mother and step-sister are fascinating. There’s a lot to overcome here, but also some things that maybe Tatum isn’t seeing or reading correctly. There are issues with Tatum’s dad, too, frankly, but those are more in the background since he’s gone for most of the book. Tatum’s step-grandmother, though, is a breath of fresh air in a tension-filled home where control, authority and propriety are the name of the game.

But the romance is what delighted me. It’s warm and sweet and builds perfectly. I loved every moment of it! I would have read five more chapters of just the happy couple together – along with the two other potential couples from the story. They were adorable.

I have really enjoyed the books published by Blink YA in the past. I read this author’s book No Place Like Here earlier this year and loved it. But it wasn’t until I finished this that I realized No Place stars Tatum’s best friend from this book and is the third book in a collection. Now I’m going to have to read that book again to put it in its proper context. And I have to track down the second book, Everywhere You Want to Be, that stars Tatum’s step-sister. I need to get the full story on these young women!

So far, this is my favorite of the two Christina June books I have read. But I recommend both of them for readers who love contemporary YA with some romance. Obviously the books stand alone, which is good for clueless readers like me. But I am eager to read them in order to get the full picture of the teens and their lives as things develop for all three of them.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: No Place Like Here by Christina June

REVIEW: No Place Like Here by Christina June

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Ashlynn has finished her junior year at boarding school – punishment for some trouble she got in the year before. But she’s followed the rules, and her grades have been top notch. Now she’s ready to go home for the summer and to convince her father to let her stay home for her senior year.

But in typical fashion, Ashlynn’s father has his own plan in place. He’s being arrested for tax evasion. He’s going to prison, and Ashlynn’s mom is going into treatment for depression. Ashlynn has to stay with her aunt and uncle and work at a retreat center for the summer. And in the fall, her dad tells her, she will be going back to boarding school. He leaves no room for discussion. And Ashlynn accepts her fate as she always does.

So Ashlynn heads to Sweetwater Overlook Retreat Center with a cousin she barely knows. She only hears from her parents through letters, approved phone calls from the prison or the treatment center, and occasional trips to see her father in person.  She’s working for a careless, disorganized boss who is only too happy to dump tasks on Ashlynn who never speaks up for herself. But maybe a summer at Sweetwater is just what Ashlynn needs for this season in her life.

Review

This was terrific! The author does an amazing job with the descriptions of Ashlynn’s life under her father’s thumb – his ultra critical voice in her ear, his high expectations, and his crippling demands. But the summer away – free in a way she hasn’t experienced even with a year of boarding school – really lets Ashlynn examine her life and her choices in a new way. This thread was my favorite part of the book!

The retreat center pieces and the relationships Ashlynn experiences there are a great context for all of the personal work Ashlynn is doing. I expected the conflict with her boss would be bigger and uglier, but this isn’t that sort of story. This is a look at Ashlynn’s personal journey. The rest is setting and context and support. And it really works well!

I loved the quotes Ashlynn uses for her own comfort, growth and encouragement. It’s a fun angle to the story. It’s a nice contrast for Ashlynn’s quest to find – and use – her own words and her own voice. Fantastic!! Don’t miss this one!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Pretty in Punxsutawney by Laurie Boyle Crompton

REVIEW: Pretty in Punxsutawney by Laurie Boyle Crompton

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Blink in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Andie’s family moves to Punxsutawney, PA the summer before her senior year. And Andie spends her summer break at the movie theater. At first it’s because she’s a huge movie fanatic. But then she meets Colton there. And she manages to return each time he’s at work so she can spend more time with him.

Andie’s first day of school finds her asleep on her mom’s new stunningly pink couch in a pink polka dotted dress, while the theme music from Pretty in Pink plays from the DVD she was watching when she fell asleep. Colton is supposed to be picking her up. This is her chance to make some more inroads with him. But she’s running so late she has to wear the awful polka dotted dress to school. And that’s only the FIRST disaster of the day. Nothing goes the way Andie hopes, least of all her plans for connecting more with Colton.

When Andie wakes up for the second day of school, everything is the same. Pink couch. Polka dotted dress. Pretty in Pink. What is going on?! Once she warms up to the idea of getting a do over for her awful first day, Andie’s feeling optimistic. But as the do overs stretch out over weeks and weeks, Andie wonders just what she has to do to break out of this time loop.

Review

This was delightful! The voice is fantastic. I loved Andie. And there are so many laugh-out-loud moments. The movie references are also a lot of fun. This was a treat to read – from start to finish. Yes, there were awkward moments as Andie tries to find the “perfect” day. But they weren’t any more painful than any other teen rom-com. And the awesome moments – for Andie and for a lot of the other terrific characters – made it all worthwhile.

I loved the Groundhog Day story line. There are several references to the movie itself as well as some other more subtle nods that I enjoyed. But the story was really an original, even with the other movie tie ins.

I’ve read a few books from this publisher, Blink, before, but this is my favorite of the bunch. I could hand this book to any tween or teen – from upper elementary/middle school students to college students – without reservation. The characters are three-dimensional and fascinating – and so fun! The story is engaging. This hits all the right notes for me. I would have loved another couple chapters to see how things play out for Andie and her friends. Highly recommend!!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½

REVIEW: In 27 Days by Alison Gervais

REVIEW: In 27 Days by Alison Gervais

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Hadley is stunned to hear that Archer Morales committed suicide. They had had a class together two years ago as freshmen. He’d been quiet. Hadley remembered the annoyed look he always gave her in class. He was something of an outcast at school. And now he was gone.

After the funeral, Hadley meets Death who offers her a unique opportunity. Hadley can go back in time 27 days and try to keep Archer from taking his own life. There are no guarantees it will work. And it’s likely to be a lot harder than Hadley can even imagine. But how can she not try?! So Hadley signs Death’s “contract,” and finds herself 27 days in the past.

Archer is quiet and withdrawn for a reason. Hadley is going to have to figure out a way through his defenses if she’s going to have any chance to make a difference. And her days are zooming by.

Review

I was engrossed from page one. The premise was so clever, it hooked me from the beginning. When I got to know more about earnest and hopeful yet lonely Hadley and withdrawn, angry and protective Archer, I couldn’t put the book down. Not only did I want Hadley’s 27-day mission to succeed but I wanted so much more for both of these characters.

There are “forces” at work against Hadley, an evil force that insists that some tragedy must happen, someone must die. Some sort of trade off will have to take place if Archer ends up not dying. This part of the story was an odd twist for me, and I’m not sure how I feel about how that section and plot point played out. But everything else was perfect. I adored these characters and would absolutely read this again in order to spend more time with Hadley and Archer!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Solo by Kwame Alexander

REVIEW: Solo by Kwame Alexander

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Blade is a young man anticipating his future. Graduation is right around the corner, and college is approaching quickly. He has his music and the girl of his dreams. These should be his best days.

But he’s also

  • grieving the loss of his mother,
  • dodging paparazzi trying to catch a glimpse of the famous Morrison family going down in flames,
  • hiding from his girlfriend’s father who forbade her from dating him, and
  • disgusted by his father’s empty promises of staying sober “this time”

And when all of those things collide along with new challenges, Blade is off. Not to college, but to Ghanna Africa, in search of answers and in search of himself.

Review

Like other books by Alexander, this book is written in verse, along with song lyrics and other creative forms and references. I liked the unusual format. It’s amazing that he can tell terrific, effective stories with such sparse, carefully chosen words!

I had a hard time connecting with the characters in this one. I completely understood Blade’s emotional states, but I didn’t click with him like I had hoped to, or like I did with the twins in his book, The Crossover. Blade wasn’t the heart of the story for me. I did enjoy a couple other characters – like Joy and Sia, but not the others.

This book has been wildly popular with other early readers. If the story sounds interesting to you, I encourage you to give it a try. I usually enjoy Alexander’s work. I may just not be the right reader for this one.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher, Blink, for providing an electronic review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. [Some sources show this book releasing this week, and some say it will release on August 1.]

Rating: ♥♥♥