Top 10 Tuesday: Books That Made Me Laugh Out Loud

Happy Top 10 Tuesday my lovelies! In these crazy times, I’m probably not alone in needing a good laugh every now and again. This week’s topic, hosted at That Artsy Reader Girl, is Books That Made Me Laugh Out Loud.

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Only Mostly Devastated by Sophie Gonzales

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Tweet Cute by Emma Lord

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Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

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The Sookie Stackhouse Series by Charlaine Harris

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Carry On by Rainbow Rowell

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Illuminae by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman

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The Princess Diaries Series by Meg Cabot

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Magic in Manhattan Series by Sarah Mylnowski

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Again, but Better by Christina Riccio

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The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

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This list was harder for me than I thought it would be! What books have made you laugh? Let me know ❤

The Everlasting Rose by Dhonielle Clayton ARC Review

Summary: In this sequel to the instant New York Times bestseller, Camille, her sister Edel, and her guard and new love Remy must race against time to find Princess Charlotte. Sophia’s Imperial forces will stop at nothing to keep the rebels from returning Charlotte to the castle and her rightful place as queen. With the help of an underground resistance movement called The Iron Ladies-a society that rejects beauty treatments entirely-and the backing of alternative newspaper The Spider’s Web, Camille uses her powers, her connections and her cunning to outwit her greatest nemesis, Sophia, and restore peace to Orleans.

 

*Release Date: March 5th, 2019*

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My Thoughts: I was such a huge fan of The Belles, and when I got approved for an ARC on Netgalley for the sequel, I was SO happy.  I was excited to get back into the world that I loved so much from book one, and find out what was next for the characters after that cliff hanger ending.  The book jumps right back in to where we left off, and it took me a minute to remember everything and readjust to the creative and specific verbiage they use.  Unfortunately, the plot of this book is a bit slower than The Belles, and even though things were happening, everything just felt less vibrant.  The action does pick up in the second half, but the characters stay pretty linear without much growth.  The chemistry between Camille and Remy was nice, but I wanted their relationship to be stronger.  It didn’t progress enough for me.  The best relationships were between Camille and her sisters, and I loved seeing the different ways they all dealt with the battle against Sophia and their way of life.  Speaking of, I wanted more of Sophia.  They talked about her a lot, but I wanted more interactions and moments with her because her craziness made the first book so engaging.  I liked where the story went, but it just felt like something was missing.  I appreciated the open ending- it was satisfying enough if there is not another book, but it definitely leaves room for the story to continue.  Overall, I was a little underwhelmed by this sequel, but there was enough for it to be enjoyable and I look forward to seeing if there is more to the story.

 

It Really is That Good! A Review of Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Can Anna find love in the City of Light?

Anna is happy in Atlanta. She has a loyal best friend and a crush on her coworker at the movie theater, who is just starting to return her affection. So she’s less than thrilled when her father decides to send her to a boarding school in Paris for her senior year.

But despite not speaking a word of French, Anna meets some cool new people, including the handsome Étienne St. Clair, who quickly becomes her best friend. Unfortunately, he’s taken —and Anna might be, too. Will a year of romantic near misses end with the French kiss she’s waiting for?

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My Thoughts: After only seeing glowing reviews for this book, I finally read it and understand why people love it so much.  It is a really well written YA romance.  First of all, the characters are real and incredibly likable.  Anna is a great narrator and her arc throughout the story is slow moving, but full.  Her inner dialogue is hilarious and ridiculously entertaining.  St. Clair is totally swoon-worthy, even when he’s acting like an ass.  I loved their relationship, and while it was a slow burn the fire was always there and it was steamy and butterfly inducing.  The roller coaster of their emotions felt super realistic given the situations they were in, and I was totally invested.  Their friend group was full of diverse, interesting, and individual characters, with a couple cliché teenage villains thrown in as well.  It is a quick read, but it’s because the pacing is so great and the plot so well developed that it goes by in the blink of an eye.  I got so sucked in that I stayed in the bath tub reading until the water turned cold, and then continued to read way past my bedtime.  I really loved this book, and I’m happy I stopped putting it off.  You can believe the hype, it really is that good.

ARC Review: Wrong in All the Right Ways by Tiffany Brownlee

Summary: Everything in Emma’s life has always gone according to her very careful plans. But things take a turn toward the unexpected when she falls in love for the first time with the one person in the world who’s off-limits–her new foster brother, the gorgeous and tormented Dylan McAndrews.

Meanwhile, Emma’s AP English class is reading Wuthering Heights, and she’s been assigned to mimic Bronte’s style in an epistolary format. With no one to confide in, she’s got a lot to write about. Emma and Dylan try to constrain their romance to the page–for fear of threatening Dylan’s chances of being adopted into another home. But the strength of first love is all-consuming, and they soon get enveloped in a passionate, secretive relationship with a very uncertain outcome.

*I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review*

Release Date: July 17th, 2018

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My Thoughts: I love a modern re-imagining, so when Tiffany Brownlee approached me about reading her new book, Wrong in All the Right Ways, I was excited to see her take on a classic like Wuthering Heights.  Now, having not read Wuthering Heights yet, (it has been on my list FOREVER), I may have missed a few things, but I knew the story enough to understand the comparison.

This book was a super quick and easy read.  It started off strong and I liked the voice of our main character, Emma.  When we are introduced to her new foster brother, Dylan, there is instant chemistry between the two and it got me super excited for all the secret forbidden love moments- unfortunately it didn’t continue in that direction.  Their relationship quickly turned toxic, with both of them being complete morons.  I spent the majority of the book screaming at them, mostly at Emma, for all of the stupid decisions they were making, and not understanding how they could possibly think that they were doing the right thing to help their situation.  While the plot kept me engaged, a few of the major scenes felt a little disjointed and over dramatic and they came out of nowhere.  My favorite characters were Emma’s best friend, Karmin, and Karmin’s twin brother, Keegan (#teamKeegan).   Karmin provided great comic relief and was a surprisingly good friend to Emma (even though their friendship also came out of nowhere), and I liked Keegan A LOT more than Dylan.  Overall, this book was a quick read, but lacked the swoon-worthy love story that I was hoping for, and left me feeling kind of weird.

Review: Fallen by Lauren Kate

Summary: What if the person you were meant to be with could never be yours?

17-year-old Lucinda falls in love with a gorgeous, intelligent boy, Daniel, at her new school, the grim, foreboding Sword & Cross . . . only to find out that Daniel is a fallen angel, and that they have spent lifetimes finding and losing one another as good & evil forces plot to keep them apart.

Get ready to fall . . .

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My Thoughts: I was expecting so much more from this book.  I’ve heard such great things, and it left me completely underwhelmed.  The concept is very intriguing — a teenage girl gets sent to reform school where she falls in love with one of the mythical fallen angels.  Sounds great, right?  Unfortunately, it fell really flat for me.

Kate created a great atmosphere in this novel that was dark, creepy, and engaging, but that’s kind of where it stopped.  The plot was almost nonexistent.. just a lot of Luce yearning for a boy she doesn’t really know, and everyone keeping information from her that should have been revealed way sooner.  I was constantly frustrated at the slow pace and lack of justification.  I get that Luce and Daniel knew each other in their past lives, but I still would have liked to see more of a connection and some sort of development or growth with them to justify the slow pace of their relationship.  I didn’t really feel anything between them, other than being told that they had a connection- there wasn’t any real heat or chemistry.  Cam, the other guy vying for Luce’s affections, was super creepy, and while I think he was supposed to be charming, he just came across as overbearing and gross.  I liked her friends, Arriane and Gabbe, but Penn was my favorite character.  She was probably the most developed character in the book, but even she was pretty one note.  “The Shadows,” that follow Luce around are explained, but to me it didn’t fully make sense.  In fact all of the explanations in this book felt very surface level.  The school seemed unrealistic and I still don’t quite understand how they all ended up there.  Is the school involved and aware of the angel situation or is it just supposed to be an actual reform school?  There was one pretty good twist towards the end, but the rest was predictable and boring.  I love the concept and atmosphere, and think it could have been a really cool and romantic story if only it had more development in its characters and plot.

Everless by Sara Holland Review

Goodreads Summary: In the kingdom of Sempera, time is currency—extracted from blood, bound to iron, and consumed to add time to one’s own lifespan. The rich aristocracy, like the Gerlings, tax the poor to the hilt, extending their own lives by centuries.

No one resents the Gerlings more than Jules Ember. A decade ago, she and her father were servants at Everless, the Gerlings’ palatial estate, until a fateful accident forced them to flee in the dead of night. When Jules discovers that her father is dying, she knows that she must return to Everless to earn more time for him before she loses him forever.

But going back to Everless brings more danger—and temptation—than Jules could have ever imagined. Soon she’s caught in a tangle of violent secrets and finds her heart torn between two people she thought she’d never see again. Her decisions have the power to change her fate—and the fate of time itself.

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My Thoughts: I liked Everless.  Was it amazing? No, but it was an enjoyable YA Fantasy novel.  I’ve been excited to read this book ever since I first heard its premise.  The idea is so interesting, but unfortunately the execution just seemed a little under developed.  The origin story of The Sorceress and The Alchemist, which is supposed to explain how the blood-irons came to be, was confusing and didn’t feel fully completed or fleshed out with enough detail.  The first mention of it was confusing and hard to follow, and I just kind of accepted that it had happened somehow and moved on.  They keep coming back to the legend, so I was able to figure out a little more every time, but I still didn’t feel like I had a full grasp on it.  Background info aside, I did still enjoy the concept and the world of the story.  I felt very indifferent about most of the characters.  Jules was a very typical YA heroine, and her “love interest”, Roan, was super boring.  I did like Liam and Caro and thought they were interesting and a little more complex.  The plot of this book started off a bit slower, but MAN did it pick up towards the end.  The last few chapters were awesome and had a bunch of twists that I actually didn’t see coming, which surprised me because the rest of the book had been pretty predictable.  Overall, Everless was a quick and fun read, and after that ending I’m excited to see where the story goes from here!

 

Fracture by Nina Walker Review

Amazon Summary: Broken by magic and murder, he’ll risk everything for revenge.

Prince Lucas is falling to pieces. He couldn’t save his mother, and now his father is hesitant to execute the man responsible for her death. Lucas only has Jessa, the last shred of light left in his dark world. But she’s conflicted.

What if he loses her too?

Jessa made a commitment. Her family, the resistance, even her own country is counting on her to succeed. She must be initiated and gain the trust of the king. She jumps headfirst into her alchemy trials, determined to impress the court. She knew the tests would be dangerous, but never expected they might reveal her secrets.

And what happened to her friend, Sasha, anyway?

The Color Alchemist Series continues with book two of four. An Amazon number one new release, Prism has captivated fans with its unique magic and swoon-worthy romance. Don’t stop the adventure, read Fracture today.

My Thoughts:  I am so in love with this series.  When I rejoined the world of The Color Alchemists with book two, it felt like coming home.  I didn’t realize how much I had missed these characters.  I am so invested in their lives, and Walker does a great job of developing them even more in this book.  Their relationships feel real and complicated, and gave me such a huge range of emotions.  I literally screamed at my book at one point.  We get the addition of Sasha’s perspective in this book, which was set up really well in the ending of the last one.  I loved learning more about the resistance and the rest of the world (Hey female American president!), and her love interests were really great.  There was a ton of action throughout, and the whole story was engaging and exciting.  Jessa and Lucas’s dynamic is both heart warming and frustrating at the same time.  Their relationship goes through a lot in this book, and I am anxious to see where it is going to go from here.  The more I learn about color magic, the more I love it.  I think it is a totally brilliant idea, is really well done, and continues to develop into a deeper system of magic.  I think I enjoyed Fracture even more than Prism… I cannot wait for book 3!

The Gwythienian by Savannah J. Goins Review

Goodreads Summary: Seventeen-year-old Enzi Montgomery had worn the stone around her neck for years. It was set in a cheap metal fitting, nothing fancy. But it made her wonder if she was crazy. Sometimes, when she had it on, she could disappear. She couldn’t make it happen. It just worked on its own. But always at convenient times, like when she’d needed to hide again from Caleb. Maybe she’d only been imagining it; insomnia could do that to you. The nightmares had never left since that day seven years ago and she’d never really learned to cope with them. But what if she wasn’t crazy? When she finds out that someone else has been searching for the stone—someone from another world—she must decide what to do with it. Should she get rid of it? Or find out what other secrets it holds?

*A big thanks to Savannah J. Goins for this ARC in return for an honest review!*

*Mild spoilers ahead! Proceed with caution!*

My Thoughts: I had a lot of mixed feelings about this book.  After reading the first few chapters I wasn’t sure I was going to like it, but Goins’ easy going and fast pace writing style made it an enjoyable read.  That being said, my biggest issue was that I found it difficult to connect to the characters.  I could not stand Enzi.  She was whiny and negative about herself and her life.  The scenes with her bullies actually made me laugh out loud because they seemed so unrealistic and unmotivated.  As the story progressed and we learned more about Enzi’s dark past and trauma (which I thought was handled really well), I grew to empathize with her more, but I still found it hard to want to root for her.  Despite my feelings about our protagonist, I became invested in the mystery surrounding her powers and her father.  The more we learned about the necklace and it’s connection with the other realms, the more interested I became.  Goins did a great job of developing the realms and their histories, and making us excited to learn more about each one.  The problem was that I became more interested in the other realms than I was with Odan Terridor and the Gwythienians, a race of talking dragons.  While I found the Gwythienian lore and customs intriguing, I felt no connection to them as a whole.  I’ve never had an affinity for dragons, and overcoming my traditional view of what a dragon is was difficult for me, and I think it hindered my ability to fully immerse myself into their world.  I appreciated the slow build in Enzi and Gaedyen, a Gwythienian’s, relationship.  I found their friendship really endearing and enjoyed their banter.  As their journey with the stone progressed, you could definitely see the powerful affect they had on each other’s character arcs and growth.  However; I did get a little weirded out when Enzi started to develop romantic feelings towards a dragon.  Despite its flaws, I  did enjoy the plot and mysteries of this story.  After the huge cliff-hanger ending, I am invested and want to know what the future holds for Enzi, Gaedyen and the fate of the realms.

Prism by Nina Walker Review

Goodreads Summary: What if color held the secrets to powerful magic?

Forced to move into the palace, Jessa begins training as a Color Alchemist under the direction of the kingdom’s most eligible bachelor, Prince Lucas. As an alchemist, Jessa must capture and harness the color of living things. Every color has a unique purpose, except red. Red is the untapped magic no one can access—until Jessa.

Prince Lucas is running out of time. His mother is deathly ill and healing magic hasn’t worked. When Lucas suspects someone is using alchemy to control her, he sets out to discover the truth, no matter the cost.

PRISM is the first installment of a unique young adult romantic fantasy series where a dystopian world with a Victorian flair meets the dynamic magic of color!

*I received a copy of this book in return for an honest review!*

My Thoughts: I loved this book. I am surprised by how much I loved this book.  When I first read the summary, I was interested, but I had no idea what was actually in store.  I am enamored with the concept of color alchemy and the world of Prism.  Walker did a fantastic job of explaining the power and how it works, as well as showing us the futuristic world of New Colony.  I ate up every tidbit of information, that was well dispersed throughout the book, giving us just the right amount to keep us knowledgeable, yet guessing at what was to come.  I loved her reasoning for how this dystopia came to be, and I can’t wait to find out more about the world outside of New Colony.  The main character, Jessa, was so refreshing in a YA dystopian-fantasy.  She wasn’t whiny, had a healthy self-esteem, and a passion for ballet and family.  It was also nice to see a dystopian society from a middle-class perspective, as dystopian heroes tend to be from the lowest class, and we don’t often get to see that side of the world.  The perspective switches between Jessa and Prince Lucas were very effective.  Lucas was a likable narrator, and I really enjoyed his story line and the way it weaved with Jessa’s.  I appreciated the build in their relationship, and though there was a strong immediate attraction, it didn’t feel like insta-love.  There were a bunch of dynamic supporting characters, and all of them were integral to the action.  No one felt unnecessary.  The plot was thoroughly engaging, and it was very easy to read.  Despite a few overly-used, repetitive phrases, I really liked Walker’s writing, and recognized the distinct voices of each narrator while still remaining a cohesive style.  The plot twists were great, and for the first time in a while, I actually didn’t see some of them coming.  I am so happy that I was given the chance to read this fantastic story, and my hopes are high for the next book!

Netgalley Review: Sparked by Helena Echlin and Malena Watrous

Goodreads Summary: Fifteen-year-old Laurel Goodwin wakes up to find her older sister Ivy missing from their Airstream trailer in the Oregon redwoods. A recurring nightmare convinces her that Ivy was abducted, but no one takes her dream seriously, including her mom. Laurel, a loner, has to learn to ask for help, and Jasper Blake, a mysterious new kid who shares her love of old books, quickly becomes her ally. Together they find their quiet town holds a deep secret and is the epicenter of a dark prophecy. Laurel soon learns that her worst enemies, mean girls Peyton Andersen and Mei Rosen, are developing powers that she needs to find and save Ivy. With time running out, Laurel realizes that power doesn’t always take the form that you expect. And once she learns to look beyond her snap judgments, she develops an unexpected gift of her own.

*Thanks to Netgalley and Inkshares for this ARC copy of Sparked in turn for an honest review*

My Thoughts: I was super excited to read this book.  I had heard great things, and I was drawn immediately to its dark enchanting cover.  Sparked was a perfect fall read, with a fast paced plot, a bunch of twists and turns, and a group of interesting characters.  The plot of this book was clever and exciting, and I couldn’t wait to see where it would go.  Although I picked out the major ending twist towards the beginning of the story, there were plenty of other minor twists that kept me thoroughly entertained.  While I loved the concept of “the sparked,” and the ancient prophecy, I wanted more information about how it came to be, and how it all worked.  It felt a little underdeveloped and rushed through.  The way it was presented made it hard to follow, and I found myself having to reread those bits to make sure I hadn’t missed anything important.  The prophecy came out of nowhere, and with very little detail and explanation was just accepted by everyone.  I was along for the ride, so it didn’t take me out of the story completely, but I definitely had a “That seems fake, but ok.” moment.  I absolutely loved the different powers that emerged within each of the characters, but I really wanted more detailed information about how they worked and grew and where they came from.  Laurel was a surprisingly likable narrator, despite her “I’m not as beautiful and special as my sister” syndrome.  She annoyed me a little at first with her whining, but I grew to like her as her character developed and the story progressed.  I admired her courage and drive to do whatever it took to find her sister, Ivy.  I loved their close relationship, and how they helped each other through their rough family history. Her romantic interest, Jasper, however; was so bland to me.  I felt completely indifferent towards him throughout the book, and while I appreciated the slow burn of their relationship, it felt really anticlimactic and I felt no chemistry between them.  My favorite character was Peyton.  I liked her immediately, even when she was the classic mean girl, and couldn’t wait to see how her character developed.  I was hoping for a bigger arc for her and Mei, but as most of the story is Laurel’s perception and journey, I understand why it developed as it did.  I was pleasantly surprised by the perspective switches, and I felt that they worked really well in furthering the plot and giving us better insight to each of the “sparked”.  Even with its faults, I had a good time with this book.  Sparked was a fun, fast read that fans of the Supernatural YA genre will definitely enjoy.