FOR DAYS OF YOU AND ME

By: Miranda Kenneally

Genre: Y/A.  Contemporary Romance

Year: 2020.

Rating: 4 stars.🌟🌟🌟🌟

“Every May 7, the students at Coffee County High School take a class trip. And every year, Lulu’s relationship with Alex Rouvelis gets a little more complicated. Freshman year, they went from sworn enemies to more than friends after a close encounter in an escape room. It’s been hard for Lulu to quit Alex ever since.

Through breakups, make ups, and dating other people, each year’s class trip brings the pair back together and forces them to confront their undeniable connection. From the science museum to an amusement park, from New York City to London, Lulu learns one thing is for sure: love is the biggest trip of all.”

Even though this book isn’t entirely about a sport, like every other story by the author it has his magic. To be honest, I had to force myself through the first couple of chapters to get into the book, but once it got me, there wasn’t any way I couldn’t put it down until I finish it.

‘Four Days of You and Me’ has all the whole package of an excellent Y/A story, friendship, romance, growing up and learnings, with a particular concept, that I think is the key for this story’s success, It’s told through entire high school experience. No one year, no one season, with this book, we have the opportunity of living the life of the characters and their adventures for four years.

I love the writing, it’s so powerful, I feel everything, anger, depression, sadness, euphoric and happiness. Lulu and her gang are fantastic, I laugh and cry with them. Alex, on the other hand, gets on my nerve more than once, but with every page, I start to understand him and kind of like him. Still, the author has created better male characters in the past.

Another thing it doesn’t convince me well, it’s the idea of the antagonist comforting the protagonist. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a good example and great learning, but for a reader like me, that it needs to feel everything like it is real, this situation doesn’t work, maybe with some more explanation. And what about children deciding on their healthcare over teachers, the only thing I could think at the moment was a liability. However, those are small details that anyone can overlook and just appreciate a well-done plot.

I really enjoyed the reading, especially when it helped me to bring those memories of my high school years, the feeling of having the best time of my life, the longing at the end and those friends that I might or might no seeing again, but that always were going to be important in my heart.

100% Recommended

Best phrases:

“When I was younger. I wondered if happily-ever-afters were realistic. Were they a myth? I still don’t know the truth. A friend could choose a different path. A lover could leave. Family can change their minds, there’s only one thing I know for sure. … No matter what we’ll find our way back.”

I received an ARC from Sourcebooks through NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. And I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Note: Picture was taken from www.goodreads.com

ASK ME ANYTHING

Author: Molly E. Lee.

Year: 2019

Genre: Y/A Contemporary Fiction.

Rate: 4 STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Amber is the best hacker in a school with the most obsolete concepts, especially about sexual education.

So, she had an idea, she created a blog to help all of those afraid to ask questions about sensitive topics.

First of all, let me tell you that this blog “Ask me anything” should be something real. Let’s face it, the reality is that no matter our beliefs or our ideas, teenagers are curious per nature, they need guidance and education especially on a topic so delicate like sex, and for me, the author nailed the subject brilliantly; the plot is unique, original and well done delivered. There are sensitive situations that the writer handled carefully and smartly.

I liked the characters, especially the protagonist and her parents. Amber is strong, determinate and sweet, a great combo, and Amber’s parents are great, for once I liked to read a story where the main character has a good relationship with mom and dad, and that they are good listener and supporter, bravo!  Descriptions, scenes, setting, in my opinion, the author hit every right button when she wrote this book. Excellent!

Now, what I didn’t enjoy much as the rest.

Repetitions. The story is told from both main characters POV, and that is one of my favorites writing. However, they go on and on with the same inner thought which makes the story slower than what it should be.

We know there have to be secrets, if not what is the point of the story but, in this book, it’s ‘I have a secret, but I can’t tell you’ kind of thing. It would be much better if the reader walks the path without being told.

And every good part of the story is discovered because somebody walks behind the character and read something over their shoulder. It’s like everybody flies instead of walking. It’s too convenient. Once can be okay, but more than that, not so much.

Despite this minors’ things, I think Ask me anything should be read not just for a teenager but for everybody it has a good message and again it’s well-done delivery.   

Note: I received an ARC from Entangled Publishing LLC through NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. And I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

IUSTITIA

I fell in love once, not with a guy but with a girl.

She was strong and powerful,

she was blind, but with a little help, she could see the truth,

she showed me the beauty of values,

she made me believe.

I’m not sure if at some point in my life I lost that love,

I want to think that it went to sleep and

last week when I visited one of her many houses, it woke up.

I walked through the hallways, I entered the rooms,

my eyes filled with tears,

my heart skipped a beat,

her presence was everywhere.

Then, I thought about the possibilities and why not?

Maybe someday, I’ll help her again.  

#SupremeCourtofCanada

Z is for ZERO

Zero regrets,

Zero fears,

Zero second-guessing.

Take the risk,

Live the adventure,

Enjoy the journey,

Because the best of life is to be alive.

Note: Pictures were taken from google.com and AtoZchallenge website.

Y is for...You're my friend, you're my king

“Is there something wrong?” I asked surprised and concerned.

“No, nothing is wrong, on the contrary everything is perfect,” Rhyon said with sparks in his eyes, “you are perfect, beautiful, smart, brave.”

Oh oh!

“My prince, we should go back, it’s late.”

“Why are you calling me ‘Prince’ you’ve never done that before?”

I had my suspicions about Rhyon feelings, I guessed I was in denial. “You’re the Prince.”

“Tell me you care about me.”

“I do,” How can I not. He wasn’t just the Prince, he was my friend, he was like a brother to me.

“I care about you too, I like you I lov,”

I put my hands on his lips, “Please don’t say it.”

“Why not?” He looked at me with so much hope that killed me.

“Rhyon, I could die for you, But…” I couldn’t find the words.  

“You love me, but not in the way I want you to love me.”

“I’m sorry.”

He gave me a sad smile. “I know you do.”

Note: Images were taken from google.com & atozchallenge website. 

X is for...XENNIALS

Why do we feel like outsiders sometimes?

The answer is because we’re special. Let’s see:  

As children we played outdoors, engaged in games we made ourselves, a long time before the advent of gaming consoles, we wrote actual letters for our friends and passed notes in class.

We weren’t able to coordinate meeting using text or WhatsApp, we had to use a receiver to call to our friends’ houses, speak to their parents and then finally we could talk to our friends, without not privacy, btw.

 We don’t always have a cell phone, but we grew up watching their development.

We don’t always have an iPod. When we were teens, we recorded cassettes from the radio. I remember the adrenaline and the excitement when a favorite song was played, and we get to press the rec button on time.

We use social media but can remember living life without it. Before social media we needed to rely on our best friend and her ability to gossip, so we can have information about the boy we liked.

The internet was not a part of our childhoods, that’s true, but also, it’s true that computers existed and there was something special about the opportunity to use one.

 Economically, Xennials have seen it all. They are old enough to remember the end of a long period of growth (following a small recession) in the 1990s, but they came of age around the time that the “dot-com bubble” burst and saw the decline and major recession of the 2000s. In other words, they were first given a sweet taste of the good life and then kicked in the face.

Xennials aren't too much of any one thing, it’s more like a unique situation of balance.

Some people say that Xennials are the lucky ones.

Like I said, we’re not lucky.  we’re special. 

Note: Images and sources were taken from www.google.com & atozchallenge web site. 

U is for... UNWANTED

“What he doesn't want is to get caught.”

 “Well, I would rather get caught, than die.”

“This is your fault Jake, so, shut up, and jump!”

We were the doomed boys, the unwanted ones, Society called us orphans.  I called us survivors.

Last year, Will, Tommy and I escaped from the bullshit system. Finally, we were free and because of me, maybe until today.

Will was the oldest one, I didn’t know what we would do if he was caught.  I scared away that thought and mentally smacked the back of my head and I just did what he said. I ran.

           My leg hurt, it was a bad landing when I jumped from the fire-stair, but I needed to keep going a little longer and we would be safe. Will always has a plan B.

“You’re an idiot.” Tommy had been yelling at me for the past five minutes and I barely could catch my breath. “That’s the first rule moron! Don’t do anything stupid.”

            “Look, I didn’t want to steal it, the food was going to expire soon anyway, it was going to end in the trash, I don’t know why the asshole clerk called the cops?”

“Because it’s shoplifting, idiot.”

“You’re right,” Of course he was, I just was pissed off, sometimes life wasn’t fair, and now Will was in trouble because of me. “I’m going to the police station.”

            “Jake, you listen to me very carefully, you’ll stay here, and we’ll wait for Will. Now give me that backpack, I’ll make us something to eat. Moron.”

             It was almost eight in the morning and Will never showed up. I left all my money and a note next to Tommy’s bed. It didn’t matter he would never understand why I left.

 I was walking around the corner when a hand pulled me into the alley. Shit! I almost had a heart-attack.

“Where the hell do you think you are going?”

“Will!” I blinked twice to be sure it was him. I hugged him, knowing he was okay.

                                                                     ***

            “Next town will be better,” Will said and he smacked the back of my head, and then Tommy did it as well.

“The hell!” They were laughing, and I was laughing too. I didn’t care where we were going. I got my brothers and that was enough for me.

Note: Images were taken from google.com & atozchallenge web site.

N is for...NOT ENOUGH

The third week in the AtoZchallenge starts we a story where love sometimes is not enough.

Jake ran through the train station, searching the sea of people, it couldn’t be late. It couldn’t.

“Sarah!”

            There she was, beautiful as always. He walked to her with a sense of relief and fear at the                    same time, praying, hoping.

“I don’t want you to go, I was wrong, I love you.”

Sarah looked into his eyes without talking.

“Please say something.”

Finally, she went to her tip-toes and kissed his cheek. “Sometimes Love is not enough.                        Goodbye, my love.”

Sarah turned around and walked away.

           

              Note: Images were taken from google.com & atozchallenge.com

JESUS LOVES ME

Today’s post is in his honor.

Jesus loves me by Anna Bartlett Warner.

“Jesus loves me still today,

Walking with me on my way,

Wanting as a friend to give

Light and love to all who live.

Jesus loves me! He who died

Heaven’s gate to open wide;

He will wash away my sin,

Let His little child come in.

Jesus loves me! He will stay

Close beside me all the way;

Thou hast bled and died for me,

I will henceforth live for Thee.”

Note: Pictures were taken from google.com and atozchallenge.com

H is for...HUMAN RIGHTS, ALWAYS

Human Rights are more than words.

Human rights are for each human being.

Human Rights more than ever,

We don’t need to fight, instead, we need faith.

Human Right to a better World.

It’s possible,

It could be real,

Keep going, keep talking, keep spreading the word.

Check the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ep93Tqc_i-g

Note: Pictures were taken from google.com and Atozchallenge.com

D IS FOR...DEVIL.

“I can’t believe Peter killed all those people.” James drank his scotch; he and Lydia were finally at home.

“Do you ever suspect, he was the killer?” She asked.

James sat on the couch next to Lydia. “No, never, and I don’t know why?”

“I know why.”

James smiled and kissed her hand. “I’m listening.”

Lydia leaned closer and whispered in his ear. “Because Peter wasn’t the killer.”

            James’s chest hurt, he couldn’t move, his mouth went dried. He tried to speak and realized his body was paralyzed.

“The poison works fast. I promise you won’t feel pain.”

There was nothing else James could do. Silently he prayed, closed his eyes and waited for his end.

Note: Pictures were taken from google.com and atozchallenge.com

C is for....COURAGE

“Don’t do it.”

“There is not another choice.”

“There is always a choice.”

Phillips, gave a step forward to the door ignoring the words of his younger brother. A hand gripped his left arm, Phillips was surprised by Gabriel’ strength. Someday his little brother would take the lead, but right now he was still the head of the family, the one who made the decisions and he had decided.

“Let it go, Gabe, everything is set. They are waiting,” Phillips pulled his arm free, and walk out his room, he went all the way down the marble stairs, leaving behind the house, crossing the grounds of the family property with Bash on his heals imploring.

“He’s going to kill you.”

“It’s a duel a first blood, maybe nobody will die tonight.” Phillips didn’t stop, he continue his way to the barns.

“Why are you doing this?”

“Why?” Phillips stopped and look at his brother with all the intensity of his blue eyes, “let me tell you why, there is only one thig that matters, honor. All the money in the world is useless if you don’t have honor. Listen to me very careful Gabe, nobody will step over our name, no as long as a member of this family can defend it.”

Gabe held a sob. “If you go all go with you, I’ll be you witness.”

“Octavius is my witness. You take care of the family, take care of mom and our sisters.” Phillips give him a smile, “I’m good with guns little brother. Trust me, I’ll see you again. I promise.” Phillips kissed the head of his brother and jump onto his black stallion.

Note: Pictures were taken from google.com and atozchallenge.com

B is for BE YOURSELF

Be a princess or be a warrior,

Use a sword or a magic wand.

Wear pink or wear black,

Walk in stilettos or combat boots.

         A girl can be strong playing football or dancing ballet.

    A girl can be beautiful with long hair or short.

      A girl can have a voice for a speech or for a song.

    A girl doesn’t need to be different to be powerful,

         To be equal, a girl just needs to believe in herself and in 

her ability to be whatever she wants to be.

Note: Images were taken from google.com and atozchallenge.com

CON SABOR A HOGAR

A la edad de ocho años solía sentarme en la mesa del comedor y observar con admiración, en silencio y sin tocar, pues esa era la regla, como mi abuela le daba vida a los mejores platos de comida. Recetas que sólo estaban en su cabeza, pero luego de años de tan sólo mirar, las aprendí de memoria, el gran problema es que no heredé su arte culinario o su entusiasmo por cocinar.

La torta de chocolate era mi favorita, cada diciembre esperaba con ansias el momento de su elaboración. La mejor parte eran cuando por fin podía tener las sobras del arequipe y pudín, para luego untarlas al bizcocho, aquél que mi abuela nunca confesó cocinar especialmente para sus nietos, pues ella no era una consentidora.

Todos en la familia tenían sus preferencias, no sólo yo, y mi abuela en su estilo muy aguerrido trataba de complacer todos los gustos, pero es que hasta el café preparado por ella tenía un sabor único.

El pasado mes de diciembre tuve la oportunidad de celebrar el año nuevo con un pedacito de mi familia, y gracias a mi talentosa prima, quién sí heredó el arte culinario de mi abuela, puede probar nuevamente la mágica torta de chocolate, su sabor me llenó de melancolía, era como estar de regreso en casa.

Dicen por allí que el hogar no es un lugar, sino donde el corazón se encuentre. En los cinco años que llevo lejos de la tierra que me vio crecer, la pregunta constante entre mis conocidos y amigos es acerca de lo que más extraño. La comida? EL trabajo? La cultura? Las fiestas o el compartir?

Mi respuesta es siempre la misma, aquello que más extraño es a mi gente, pues los sabores, aromas, memorias, y mi corazón estarán por siempre dondequiera que ellos se encuentren.

SAVIORS

“Don’t be stupid. Don’t do it.” Bash warned him again.

The blue circle was fainting.   He had wasted enough time already.  Time, he didn’t have. Oliver chuckled at the irony of his thoughts.

He gave a step forward ignoring the words of his second commander and best friend. Two hands grabbed his left arm, faster that Oliver expected, the numbness reached to his fingers. Good! Bash was getting stronger. The moment for him to take the lead was almost there. Almost, but not yet. So far, Oliver was still the one who made the decisions and he had decided.

“It’s wrong. You know it’s forbidden.”   

Oliver’s glares traveled from Bash’s grip to his eyes. Bash didn’t flinch. Oliver’s heart swelled with pride.  

“This is not going to bring your wings back.”

“I don’t care about my wings, I only care about to end this war.” Oliver had accepted his punishment and learned to live with that. But failing again, it was something that it wasn’t going to happen in this life, nor in the next one. “Let it go, Bash.” Oliver was losing his energy. “It’s an order.”

“I swore to protect you.”

Using his free hand, Oliver pushed Bash making him land on the ground. He closed his eyes letting the energy returning little by little to his body.

“I’ll see you again. I promise.” Oliver smiled at his friend and jumped to the past.

 Note: Image is taken from google.com

PLAYING HE PLAYER

By: Lisa Brown Robert.

Genre: Y/A Contemporary Romance

Year:  2015

Rate: 4 Stars

Synopsis:

The Good Girl Vs. The Player

Round one begins...

“Trina Clemons needed the money. Why else would she - the most organized, prepared student in school - spend the summer as a nanny and partner with the biggest slacker ever? Now she's ready to tackle nannyhood with her big binder of research and schedules. Just don't ask her about the secret job of "fixing" the bad habits of a certain high school player...

Slade Edmunds prefers easy hook-ups, and Trina is definitely not his type. She's all structure and rules, while Slade wants to just have fun. Fortunately, Trina has no idea about the bet Slade made with his best friend that he can totally get her to unwind by the end of summer...

Then the weirdest thing happens. There's chemistry. A lot of it. 

But nothing gets between a boy and a girl like a big, fat secret...”

I love contemporary Romance Y/A, but lately, I haven’t been fortunate with my choice of books. Although it’s true, that they have not been a complete disappointment, they aren’t what I was expecting, nonetheless, what I was looking for. That’s why I’m so glad I found this book.

Overall this story is well done written. Despite the telling, there are excellent descriptions, great dialogues and a great touch of humor, with this I mean I laughed a lot.

The plot is simple but flows well, the development of the romance feels real and the scenes with the protagonists were really cute.

The secondary characters are a good complement, and even when there is not a real antagonist, there is tension, lies, and secrets during the story.

Slade is a great character.  A teenager that pretends he doesn’t care but that behave as the way he is, passionate, good friend, and considerate.

My biggest problem was Trina. She isn’t anything as she is presented. There is a huge contradiction between the way she behaves and the way she is descriptive as a character. Of course, as any story, there should be a development, but Trina as a character feels lost through the pages.

 Also, there is the telling and explanation, that even when it is not much, I think the writer lost a good opportunity for giving us more of her wonderful showing and descriptions.

Besides, I believe there are some threats left lose, some conversations missing, especially between Slade and her mom, and at the end, I would change some words, to give the sense of a “longer intention.” You’ll understand when you’re at this point.

But yes I recommend this book 100% it’s funny, romantic, and perfect for a summer day.

Note: Image was taken from google.com