The Secret Diamond Sisters by Michelle Madow [Books I Couldn't Get Through #1]

The Secret Diamond Sisters by Michelle Madow

Page Count: 382

Published on:  February 25th 2014

Published by: Harlequin Teen

Genre(s): Contemporary, Romance, Chick Lit, YA, Realistic Fiction
Source: Print: Paperback: Library

Age Rating: PG-15

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon

Twitter: @MichelleMadow

My Rating: 1 star

Goodreads synopsis

Savannah. Courtney. Peyton. 

The three sisters grew up not knowing their father and not quite catching a break. But it looks like their luck is about to change when they find out the secret identity of their long-lost dad—a billionaire Las Vegas hotel owner who wants them to come live in a gorgeous penthouse hotel suite. Suddenly the Strip's most exclusive clubs are all-access, and with an unlimited credit card each, it should be easier than ever to fit right in. But in a town full of secrets and illusion, fitting in is nothing compared to finding out the truth about their past.

~~~

Hey guys!

         Oh my gosh. I absolutely hated this book. At first I thought the premise was really interesting, and my favorite BookTuber, Sasha Alsberg really loved it (and I trust her judgment). But when I got about 50 pages into it I started to really hate the characters, especially Savannah. I hate to hate this book, because I think that Michelle Madow is such a sweet person (if you've watched her on YouTube you'd fall in love with her personality, she's so nice. I loved her with Sasha and Lindsey Cummings.

Savannah: Savannah was so...naive and really superficial and just ugh! I literally had to force myself to even pick it up. I read about 2/3 of it and even then I just quit the book because it was just really annoying and UGHHH! Ok she was a 15 year old girl who wanted to be accepted and loved, but for the most part she didn't pay attention to the signs around her. She was so oblivious to the world around her and she always assumed that everything would go her way. Obviously not, you're living in Las Vegas chica. It's hard to like a main character who doesn't have the self confidence to just be who she is, without needing expensive clothes or popular friends or the hottest look. Sweetie be yourself. 

Courtney: I kind of liked her. She wanted to work for what she had and she wanted to do her best. She wants to get into college because she earned it, not because she has a billionaire father. But she'd make out with her almost step-brother anytime she could which was super weird and really gross.

Payton: I really hated her too. Not as much as Savannah, but she was a total brat. Her attitude was somewhat justified, but I couldn't stand her. She's also kind of a hoe.

The Boys & Madison: Madison didn't really give anything to the story. She was a stuck up brat and I couldn't stand her. The boys were shallow and womanizing and I didn't like any of them either. 

The Drinking: OK these girls are all underage (15, 16, 17) and they all have a recovering alcoholic mother, you'd think that they wouldn't drink, but they do and that annoyed the crap out of me! OH MY WORD GIRLS LEARN FROM PAST MISTAKES! I mean it's Vegas, and I guess young girls perhaps do go clubbing at 18/21+ clubs but I found it so unrealistic and just annoying. The drinking age is 21 years old for a reason guys! Rules are there for a reason! AND THEY WEREN'T CARDED! THAT'S MY PROBLEM! BECAUSE THEIR DAD IS RICH THEY WEREN'T CARDED UGH!

The Plot: From what I read, there was no plot progression. I didn't like this at all. Nothing was happening, the characters weren't intelligent and they didn't have any common sense. I couldn't stand it! There was too much drama for my taste.


        I really wanted to like this book, I really did, but it was absolutely awful. I couldn't bring myself to like it. If you like books about 3 girls who find out their father is a billionaire and they move into his Vegas casino thingy and meet boys and drink and do stupid stuff then you'll like this. They all fall for guys they can't have and it basically goes no where, so I don't know if you'll like it because I sure didn't like what I read...sorry Michelle Madow! :( 

EDIT: I LOVE THE COVERS SO MUCH! THEY ARE PERFECTION!!!

Until next time guys!
Olivia 
~livthebooknerd~
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The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

Page Count: 236 
Published on: January 2nd 2012
Published by: Poppy
Source: Print: Hardback: Library
Genre(s): Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, Young Adult, Romance

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon


My Rating: 4 stars





Goodreads synopsis:

Four minutes changes everything. Hadley Sullivan 17 misses her flight at JFK airport, is late to her father's second wedding in London with never-met stepmother. Hadley meets the perfect boy. Oliver is British, sits in her row. A long night on the plane passes in a blink, but the two lose track in arrival chaos. Can fate bring them together again?

~~~

Hey guys!

        I figured since I really like Jennifer E. Smith's novels: This Is What Happy Looks Like & The Geography Of You & Me, I'd like The Statistical Probability of You & Me. And I actually like it just as much as The Geography Of You & Me. It didn't impress me as much as This Is What Happy Looks Like, but it was still quite entertaining. I for one don't believe in love at first sight either, so I was kind of skeptical in starting this. This book has convinced me that you can fall in love with someone "at first sight".

        This is an adorable book about grief, love, and acceptance. I loved how Jennifer E. Smith dealed with the subject of divorce. I could relate with Hadley personally and I loved to read about her process of dealing with it. I love how Jennifer E. Smith writes. She writes her works like any other contemporary but will slip in a flashback that will explain the little details of the plot. This novel made me feel the emotions of the characters. It didn't make me cry which was a let down, but I came close. But it made me FEEL! I love books that make me feel something. Jennifer E. Smith will make you feel something, that is a given. Another idea in the premise that I loved was that the novel takes place in the span of 24 hours, and it's a legitimate book! 

       This novel follows Hadley and Oliver as they meet at the JFK airport. They're both going to London, Hadley to her father's wedding, and Oliver...well to London (read to figure out why I'm so secretive :) ) And throughout the story are Hadley's memories that give us more insight into her past and her character motivation. Throughout the whole duration of the book, my favorite parts had to be when Oliver and Hadley were bantering during their plane ride. They were just so adorable to "listen" to them. I don't think that Hadley and Oliver automatically fell in love. I think that they fell in love with each other over the course of their plane ride. And if anything I think they were intrigued by their personalities and their experiences. They were definitely attracted to each other which was super sweet and their love story was super cute. 

        The only reason I'm giving this 4 stars is because at times it was kind of cheesy and I felt like it could have been better but over all it was really entertaining and a really cute story. I will definitely read more of Jennifer E. Smith's works. She know what she's doing.

I'd rate in order (by my preferance): This Is What Happy Looks Like as NUMBER 1; The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight as NUMBER 2; The Geography Of You & Me as NUMBER 3.

My Jennifer E. Smith Reviews:

1. This Is What Happy Looks Like
2. The Geography Of You & Me

        I'm really excited to read Happy Again, which is a continuation of This Is What Happy Looks Like. I really loved This Is What Happy Looks Like; and Hello, Goodbye, & Everything In Between, which is another novel.  

ALSO I REALLY REALLY LOVE ALL OF THE COVERS FOR JENNIFER E. SMITH'S NOVELS THEY ARE PERFECTION! ASLALFHALFHAKHFK

Enjoy guys!

Olivia

~livthebooknerd~

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The Iron Trial by Cassandra Clare & Holly Black

Page Count: 299

Published on: September 9, 2014

Published by: Scholastic Press

Genre(s): Fantasy, Children's Lit, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Adventure, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal
Source: Print: Hardback: Library

Age Rating: 

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon

Twitter(s): @HollyBlack

My Rating: 4.5 stars

(8/21/2016) Edit: 3 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

       Most kids would do anything to pass the Iron Trial.

       Not Callum Hunt. He wants to fail.

       All his life, Call has been warned by his father to stay away from magic. If he succeeds at the Iron Trial and is admitted into the Magisterium, he is sure it can only mean bad things for him.

       So he tries his best to do his worst - and fails at failing.

       Now the Magisterium awaits him. It's a place that's both sensational and sinister, with dark ties to his past and a twisty path to his future.

       The Iron Trial is just the beginning, for the biggest test is still to come...

~~~

Hey guys!

        I picked this up fromm my local library after I watched a booktube video where a booktuber hauled it. I've really loved Holly Black's Spiderwick Chronicles and I've loved Cassandra Clare's writing style, though I've not read all of her books, so I've been looking forward to picking up The Iron Trial. 

        The Iron Trial is about Callum Hunt. Call (yes "Call"). Call knows he's going to have to compete in the Iron Trial, and everyone wants to pass the Iron Trial..all except Call. All his life his father has warned him about the Magisterium. The Magisterium holds dark ties to his past and will explain his future, but the biggest test is still to come.

        This book was really easy to read and by the end, I wanted to read the sequels. This book and the whole concept reminded me of a mix of the Harry Potter books and the whole Avatar the Last Airbender TV series and comic series. 

 

        It took place underground, but it was a magic school where young children developed their powers which were really cool. Also, their powers weren't powered from wands or potions or other magical items like in Harry Potter but were powers that helped them connect to the elements (water, earth, fire, air, chaos, and soul). For example, Call worked on one thing for weeks at a time until his master said that his group was ready for the next thing. I really liked the teachers. Well, at least Call's teacher worked on the control until they got it. I also loved the food, the lichen, it sounded really cool and I really want to try it haha. Also, Call, Tamara, and Aaron kind of remind me of Harry, Ron, and Hermione from Harry Potter, just by their personalities and such. Cassie Clare and Holly Black really know how to build a cool new world! It was so cool to discover the Magisterium! The underground tunnels and rooms were fun to discover with Call.

What I Didn't Like: ~Callum being called Call. It should be "Cal"!!!!! 
                                ~Call's dad -- man he grated on my nerves!
                                ~Jasper -- UGH!!!


If you Love __#_ You Will Love The Iron Trial!

1. Harry Potter (7) by J.K. Rowling
2. The Last Airbender (Volumes 1-8) by Michael Dante DiMartino & Bryan Konietzo
3. Peter & the Starcatchers series (5) by Dave Berry & Ridley Pearson

Enjoy guys!

Olivia

~livthebooknerd~

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Weekend Reads [6/26~6/29]

Hey guys!

       So, I've just gotten out of my Trigonometry summer school class and now I have much more time to read! I'm really excited to finish up my batch of library books and begin on tackling my TBR stack of books. This weekend I plan on finishing up The Jewel by Amy Ewing and finish up the rest of my library books. Here's what I plan on reading!

The Jewel by Amy Ewing

Page Count: 358

Published on: September 2nd 2014 

Published by: HarperTeen

Genre(s): 
Source: Print: Hardback: Library

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon

Twitter: @amyewingbooks

This is really good so far, and I'm excited to see where this leads.

Alanna: The First Adventure (Song Of the Lioness #1) by Tamora Pierce

Page Count: 274

Published on: 1983

Published by: Simon Pulse

Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, High Fantasy, YA
Source: Print: Paperback: Library

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon

This is one of my all time favorite series and I'm really excited to read it again!

In the Hand of the Goddess (Song Of the Lioness #1) by Tamora Pierce

Page Count: 264

Published on: 1983

Published by: Simon Pulse

Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, High Fantasy, YA
Source: Print: Paperback: Library

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon

Pendragon: The Merchant Of Death (Book 1) by D.J. MacHale

Page Count: 

Published on: 

Published by: 

Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, High Fantasy, YA, Science Fiction, 
Source: Print: Paperback: Library

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon

I've also read this series. It's one of my favorites. It's been a couple years since I've read them, but I'm excited to read them again.

I may choose some different books but only time can tell for a mood reader. Comment down below what you're reading this weekend!

Reviews coming soon for The Iron Trial by Cassie Clare & Holly Black and a review for The Statistical Probability of Love At First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith!

Enjoy guys!

Olivia

~livthebooknerd~

A Court Of Thorns & Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Page Count: 416

Published on: May 5, 2015

Published by: Bloomsbury Children's Publishing

Genre(s): Fantasy, YA/NA, Fairy-tale Retelling, Paranormal
Source: Print: Hardback: Library

Age Rating: PG-17

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon

Twitter: @SJMaas   

My Rating: 5 stars!!

Goodreads synopsis:

When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.

As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.

~~~

Hey guys!

        So, I've been dying to read this since May, and I've finally read it! This book didn't disappoint! This was chock full of action and magic and romance, and Sarah J. Maas has once again left me speechless. I literally almost cried when I finished this book. I NEED MOREEEE!!! There needs to be more! This is definitely going to be in my top 15 of 2015. The characters were really interesting and Feyre's narration made me want to keep reading and Tamlin was just plain dreamy! I loved how original the concept was and it was really fast paced but not rushed at all. The characters were really well developed, but a few times I really wanted to slap Feyre upside the head. Sometimes she just didn't make very good decisions...she also acted really weak sometimes, but I had expected her to be a really badass character. From what I read in the beginning, she was a really strong character, but as soon as she encountered Tamlin she became a prissy pansy. I mean I would be too, but I expected more but I expected more from her. Also, the world building was genius! I felt like I was in the story, and I was just totally in love with this book. 

       This book could easily be a standalone, but I'm so glad it's not. I'm so excited to read what happens in the next book. I'm on the prowl for news about the next book in the series. This book kept me hooked throughout the whole story, and towards the middle and the end it kept me in a constant state of feeling the feels.

       If you love magic, action, the Beauty & the Beast, and political/magical intrigue, you will love this.

       Words cannot describe how much I loved this book...but I've tried my hardest to put it into words..just for you guys! I definitely recommend this book to you guys! This was absolutely perfect and I just can't even... It's everything that you need in a retelling of Beauty & the Beast!

       Also, this is borderline new adult, so it will have some mature scenes that younger readers may not be ready for, so I suggest that readers shouldn't be reading it if they are younger than 15. :)


If You Loved ___(#)____, You Will Love A Court Of Thorns & Roses!

1. Beauty by Robin McKinley
2. Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge
3. Beastly by Alex Flinn
4. East by Eddith Pattou
5. Wings by Aprilynne Pike

Beauty, Cruel Beauty, Beastly, and East are chosen for their fairy-tale retelling aspects and Wings is chosen for it's involvement with fae.

Enjoy guys!

Olivia

~livthebooknerd~

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The DUFF by Kody Kleplinger

Page Count: 280

Published on: September 7, 2010

Published by: Little Brown/Poppy

Genre(s): YA/NA, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, Romance, Chick Lit
Source: Print: Paperback: Library

Age Rating: PG-17

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon

Twitter: @Kody_Keplinger

My Rating: 4.5 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

       Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn’t think she’s the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She’s also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her “the Duff,” she throws her Coke in his face. 

       But things aren’t so great at home right now, and Bianca is desperate for a distraction. She ends up kissing Wesley. Worse, she likes it. Eager for escape, Bianca throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with him.

       Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out Wesley isn’t such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she’s falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone.

~~~

Hey guys!

       So...I started this around 2PM and finished it around 5:30PM...I read it in one sitting and I absolutely loved it! Well, I don't agree with some of the character's life choices but over all this was a very entertaining read. What first sucked me in was Biana and her personality. Her whole demeanor is so sarcastic,  snarky, and completely hilarious! The reason I kept reading was Wesley. He was hilarious, rude, stuck up, and intriguing. 

“I actually need your help. You see, your friends are hot. And you, darling, are the Duff.”

“Is that even a word?”

“Designated. Ugly. Fat. Friend,” he clarified. “No offense, but that would be you.”

       Bianca and Wesley have broken familys. Bianca's mom is never home and her father is an alcoholic. Wesley's parents just don't care and are never home. What surprised me about this book is that it wasn't only about the sex that Bianca and Wesley have. They've come up with a justified reason that they think it is okay to just randomly do it when they "need" to. They use intercourse as a way to distract themselves from the awful things that are occurring in their daily lives. I could understand their "logical" way of thinking, but my personal beliefs kind of influenced my rating. I also could relate with the characters quite a bit with the broken family aspect, as my parents just went through a divorce. It's a very rough process for a family, and Bianca being an only child it was even rougher for her I should think. I have sisters that helped me get through it and I can't imagine going through it alone. On that note, Bianca didn't talk about what she was going through with her closest friends or even Wesley, she just kept it inside and just tried to distract herself with meaningless sex. That made me sad. Overall I really enjoyed this book. It made me think and it gave me all the feels that an excellent contemporary should give you.

Until next time guys!

Olivia

~livthebooknerd~

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PS: THANK YOU FOR 4,000 VIEWS!!!!

Beyond the Spiderwick Chronicles: The Nixie's Song by Holly Black & Tony DiTerlizzi

Page Count: 162

Published on: September 18th 2007

Published by: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Genre(s): Middle Grade, Fantasy, Adventure, Urban Fantasy
Source: Print: Hardback: Library

Age Rating: G

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon

Twitter(s): @HollyBlack & @TonyDiTerlizzi 

My Rating: 4 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

Nick Vargas thinks his sucky life is being turned upside down when his father remarries. So when an expedition to a nearby lake turns up a nixie with a giant problem - it's up to Nick and Laurie (his new step-sister) to come up with a plan. Will they be able to stop the rampaging beast before all of Mangrove Hollow goes up in smoke?

~~~

Hey guys! 

       So, I borrowed this from my local library after I read The Spiderwick Chronicles. I was hoping that it would be a continuation of the Grace family's shenanigans, and it wasn't. The Beyond the Spiderwick Chronicles followsw Nick and Laurie. Nick and Laurie are newly made step-siblings. Their mom and dad just got married and Laurie and her mother have moved into Nick's house. Nick's house. Nick doesn't like the new additions to his family, and he especially doesn't like his new step-sister Laurie. Laurie is obsessed with all things fairy. Soon after Laurie and her mother moving in, Nick and Laurie encounter a nixie in the pond near their house. They promise the nixie that they will find the nixie's sisters and return them to their home. In the process, Nick and Laurie wake up a fire-breathing giant and they have to figure out a way to stop the giant from burning down the surrounding area.

       I didn't think this was as good as the Spiderwick Chronicles, but I feel like this is a really great first installment of this trilogy. With the Spiderwick Chronicles I felt like the five books each was each a chapter in one big story, which was amazing...you know, it'd be bad if I hadn't had the bind up of the 5 books and the 3 lost chapters, but reading the whole story was really fun and cute. I look forward to reading the next two books in the trilogy. 

What I Didn't Like: I didn't like how Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi handled divorce, but I hope that it gets better in the next 2 books because I know I'll read the next two.

What I Did Like: Laurie, and the world building! I loved how descriptive and beautiful the language was. I also loved the illustrations! Tony DiTerlizzi has done it once again! Dude you're a magician! The story was interesting and really magical. 

Until next time guys!

Olivia

~livthebooknerd~
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