The Book Talk

  Young adult, contemporary romance - Ages 12 to older Anna was happy with her life in Atlanta. She had a best friend and a crush on her coworker at the local movie theater, who recently started returning the connection she felt for him. But now is a different story for Anna and her life. Her father has decided to send her to boarding school in Paris for senior year, despite her not knowing any French, or knowing anyone in Paris. Then things start moving quickly, when Anna meets some new friends, including the dashing Étienne St. Clair, who quickly becomes her best friend. But Étienne is taken, and Anna might be too- in more ways than one. Will a year of magical discoveries and challenges “end with the French kiss she’s been waiting for?“ OK, I would like to start off this review by saying this book definitely captures the feelings of a 17-year-old girl with a crush. Anna and the French Kiss was so CUTE! Throughout the whole entire plot I was intrigued by the hundreds of small...

  Fantasy - Ages 16 and older Bryce Quinlan was living her perfect life- “working hard all day and partying all night.” That was until a demon murdered her closest friends. Now two years later when the mysterious murders start back up again, Bryce finds herself digging to find answers in the middle of the investigation. She will do whatever it takes to “avenge” the deaths of her friends.  When Hunt Athalar, an infamous fallen angel, now a slave to the Archangels, is offered an irresistible deal that could change his whole future: help Bryce find the murder in a times notice, then his freedom will be granted. How can he say no? As the two venture throughout Crescent City’s darkest corners, they will uncover things such as a dark power that threatens everyone, and everything. A threat that could set them free in one of two ways, if they let it…  Oh my god. Crescent City by Sarah J. Maas is a sizzling, mysterious, and action packed fantasy novel that had me questioning every...

Contemporary romance - Ages 12 and older Lina’s mother’s dying wish was that she get to know her father. “But what kind of father isn’t around for 16 years?” Now Lina is spending the summer in Tuscany, but living in a house with a stranger for two months across the world from her home isn’t that exciting. But when Lina is gifted a journal that her mom wrote in while she lived in Italy, she starts discovering a “magical world” of art, food (including secret bakeries,) and so much more about her family’s secrets.  I would have to say after I finish this book I pretty much bolted to the computer to write a review for it. Love and Gelato is a giddy, adventurous, and thoughtful contemporary novel that I couldn’t put down! Some people may think that because this book's font was a little bigger than most YA books, that it would be meant for younger readers. But as a younger teen this book definitely didn’t lack in depth or romance! I especially loved this book because Carolina is sixteen...

  The Cruel Prince by Holly Black YA fantasy  Ages 13 and older Jude was seven years old when she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the “treacherous High Court of Faerie,” after her parents were murdered. Now, ten years later Jude only wants to belong in Faerie, which is hard to do in a world where fey despise humans. So when Jude tries to find her place, people like Prince Cardan, the youngest and cruelest son of the High King, will tease and taunt. Jude must trust her instincts, defy Cardan, and face the consequences in a dark and lush world of fey.  When it comes to anything faerie related, you can trust Holly Black to deliver an amazing, intriguing, and magical plot. I had heard lots of reviews about this book, and honestly I thought it was going to be overrated. But, even though I was a little lost in some parts when it came to the royal bloodline explanations- it was a pretty good! I gave this book a 3.5 out of 5 stars, and I would also like to acknowl...

  YA Fiction, mystery - Ages 13 to older Andie Bell was the stereotypical popular, and gorgeous high school senior, that was until she was murdered by her boyfriend, Sal Singh, who then killed himself. Now five years later, Pip, a senior, and the town still feels the eeriness of both their murders.  Pip has decided to take on the closed case for her final senior project. Pip sees it as a cool opportunity and simply does it without doubting much about the case, but soon after Pip discovers unsolved mysteries that make her question the past and present. “Someone in Fairview doesn’t want Pip digging around for answers, and now her own life might be in danger.” A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is a beautiful written thriller that had me on the edge of my bed the whole time! I usually don’t read mysteries that often but this fast paced book had me hooked from the start. I especially loved the fact that throughout the book, Holly included the “pieces of evidence,” whether it be an ema...

Fiction, contempo rary fiction   - Ages 15 to older Life for Lily hasn't always been easy, but she continues to push through it while working hard. She has come a long way since growing up in Maine, and graduating college, to now living in the one and only Boston, and starting her own business. “So when she feels a spark with a gorgeous neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid, everything in Lily’s life seems almost too good to be true.”  Ryle is everything that Lily has wanted, not to mention he wears scrubs-but he doesn't see relationships in the same way as she does… As Lily questions her current life, Atlas Corrigan- her first love, reappears into her life, and her feelings start to overwhelm her in more ways than one. Now everything Lily has worked for seems to be in danger, when she is faced with one simple question- What are you going to do Lily? You can definitely trust Colleen Hoover to deliver a heart wrenching novel like It Ends with Us ! From the start of this book I was ho...

  YA fiction, contemporary, humor - Ages 12 to older  “Shane has been doing college all wrong.” Shane gets perfect grades, and has a career path that her parents are proud for her to be in, but everything in her life is out of place. She has no real friends, and never leaves her dorm, and boys are a whole different story. So it seems like fate when Shane gets the chance to sign up for a semester abroad in London- I mean why not go to a different country to spice up your life?  At the time Shane thought this would be her great awakening, but “easier said than done.” Soon after settling in London, she has to make hard decisions just to keep her new life from falling apart, again. Determination, and courage may be the only things that can fix the mess that Shane has gotten into. “Throw in some fate and a touch of magic-the possibilities are endless.”  Again but Better is a magical, adventurous, and creative novel that makes me smile every time I read it! It was so hear...

Fantasy - Ages 12 to older Catherine Pinkerton has her whole future planned out accordingly, including all the sweet treats you could think of, but in a mad, and treacherous place like Wonderland, “fate has other plans.”  Catherine has caught the eye of the unmarried King, but she is not interested in sharing the throne with the short, shy, and annoying King. Cath’s mother and Father, the Marquess and Marchioness of Rock Turtle Cove expect her to accept the King’s hand in marriage at the upcoming royal ball. But when a mysterious and charming Jest makes a performance at the ball, Cath finally feels something true. Love. Now as Cath's life is thrown in different directions, can she stay true to her heart and find a way out of Wonderland’s madness?  When reading Heartless, you will follow the origin story of how the wicked and crazy Queen of Hearts came to be. And I guarantee that you will be transported into the beautiful and wacky world of Wonderland, as you dive into Meyer’...

  Fantasy, romance - Ages 16 and older In the last book of a Court of Thorns and Roses series, a Court of Silver Flames, follows the story of a proud, and stubborn, Nesta Archeron, as she battles herself against sorrow, fear, and anger. Nesta still hasn't gotten past the terrors of what occurred in the war and all with Hybern, or forgiven herself for her actions. Now with the cruel human queens reforming a new alliance, Prythian seems to be in danger of another stirring war, and Nesta may be the only one who can seek the answer to stopping it.  While Nesta is still managing her problems, she is forced to spend an awfully long time with Cassian, the scarred llyrian warrior. And as Cassian is a close member of Rhysand and Feyre’s Night Court, he is trusted to watch over and “help” Nesta. Even though the two share a burning passion for one another, they aren't sure where they stand. Despite their differences, Nesta and Cassian must work together through many treacherous situation...