Not That Kind of Girl by Siobhan Vivian Mini Review

Not That Kind of Girl by Siobhan Vivian

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Natalie reminds me a lot of myself. And that made me uncomfortable but understanding. I was extremely judgmental when I was her age and I regret that I slut shamed one of my close friends. But I grew up and in this story Natalie does too.

I liked Spencer a lot. I felt like she was Natalie's foil in a lot of ways. She was very woman positive but in a different way from Natalie and Ms. Bee. She didn't think that women need to be perfect to be accepted. Natalie's view is my view these days.

This was an extremely enjoyable book. It flew through the reading of it. I'm definitely going to keep my eye for more stuff from this author.



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Really enjoyed this book. I think I'm going to check out the List by this author.

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#scandal by Sarah Ockler review (Spoilers)

#scandal by Sarah Ockler

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


The title of this book is what drew me in initially. I mean a hashtag? Come on wouldn't you pick that up? But the whole concept of the book is what made me keep reading. I love books that take on our virtual culture. I remember I was reading a post on themillions.com In it they were talking about how books (particularly literary fiction) were slow to include things that are commonplace in our lives now. You know like Twitter, Facebook, texting, sexting, cyberbulling and all that.

But I've noticed that genre fiction book (Romance in my case since I'm most familiar with that genre) had embraced it.

I read the reviews on here and I have to agree that while romance is a part of this story it's not really one. I feel like this book was more a study on modern teenagers in this decade you know?

I thought at first that I knew who the culprit was behind Lucy's smear campaign and I ended up being right it was (view spoiler)[ Griff. I mean I suspected her a hundred pages in. When Lucy confronts her I could understand her reasoning. Who doesn't hate being the third wheel in a friendship. (hide spoiler)] But I liked the moral of this story. It was really well done.

Four stars. I really enjoyed this book. Didn't quite love it though.



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Like I said I really like the author's take on cyberbulling. I wouldn't necessarily call this a straight out romance though. More like a romantic subplot.

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A Midsummer's Nightmare by Kody Keplinger Review + A Little Brief Note

I haven't been updating much about the Fifty Days of Grey. I haven't forgotten about but I've take a little break. I intend to get back to it next year though so look out for the posts.

I just finished a book though. I've been in a young adult mood lately. I went to the library for the first time in months to check out some books. This is one of them.

A Midsummer's Nightmare by Kody Keplinger

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is my second Kody Keplinger and I enjoyed just as much as I did the first.

She writes family drama really well. I think that's one of the reasons I enjoy them so much. I empathized with Whitley a lot during this book esp. with the father thing. I didn't have the exact same situation as she did but I felt myself nodding along with her when she was describing her relationship with her father. Luckily I had a very present mother unlike she did but it hurts to know that your parent doesn't care.

And I agree with someone who said it was felt like Greg took to long to come around. But it was a good climax.

And strangely I didn't find the dating the stepbrother thing too weird. Maybe I've been watching too much Clueless.



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The Duff by Kody Keplinger Review

The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend by Kody Keplinger

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I had heard about this book awhile back. I finally decided to buy it a few months ago.

What prompted me to read it now was a post on ONTD. I read about the casting of it. My internal monologue was like: "Don't I have that book? Yes you definitely have that book. Should I read it? Yes you should definitely read it."

I started it on Saturday night. I really liked it. Bianca is a nice narrator though she did kinda get on my nerves. She's abrasive but that's how she was written. She's a pretty realistic teenage narrator.

Her relationship with her friends is what really sold me on this book. I looked the little bit on how she became friends with Casey and esp. with Jessica. I've made a lot of my friends similar ways and it really touched me.

I thought her relationship with her parents was really well done too. I mean haven't we all held something in because we didn't know to approach the other person? I mean hell I still do that.

And Wesley. Alright I'm going to admit I was rooting for her to end up with him. My ideal type is cocky. But I'm glad that he mended his ways. And I like that they bonded over their family lives.

I really enjoyed this book and I'm looking forward to reading more from the author.



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Two Reviews and a Video

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


The first thing that I really noticed was that I read the first few chapters. The time just seemed to fly by.

I really liked Cinder and I thought Iko was so cute. I liked Prince Kai and I found myself mildly annoyed with Adri and Pearl.

Story wise I thought it was good. The plot moved a really good pace. I liked the way things unfurled.

But what really had me fascinated was the worldbuilding. I'm a sucker for it. The whole world is so fascinating. I mean cyborgs, androids, and aliens? The moon as a planet? Count me in!

I really liked this book and I'm excited to read more.



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The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I had heard about this book even before I could grasp what an enigma Sylvia Plath was. I knew the book was about mental illness. But I put off reading it until now.

I feel that Esther as a narrator is very blank. She has personality but it's diminished. When I was going through my own illness I felt blank inside so I could relate.

I related to this book but the wow factor wasn't here for me. With her poems I feel there's so much talent but this book while good just didn't do for me. I feel if she had written another book then maybe her skills could have grown. I very much prefer.her poems and even her journals. I feel like this book is missing passion.



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I finally have my internet back and I have access to my Nook books now that I have a tablet though I kinda wish I would have bought a tablet in the first place. My poor Kobo is going unused.

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Just One Day by Gayle Forman Review + Weekly Vid

Just One Day by Gayle Forman

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I will admit that when I started this book I thought about putting it down. It didn't immediately grab me but I kept reading.

I feel like the main theme of the book would be: finding yourself? I feel like Allyson had to learn to be her true self outside of her parents, Melanie, etc. It struck a cord with me because I'm trying to do the same thing at the moment.

I really enjoyed this book. It was interesting. I like it. I don't love it but it does make me want to read more of Ms. Forman's work and I consider that a good thing.



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Good stuff yeah yeah.

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Three Weeks with Lady X by Eloisa James

Three Weeks With Lady X by Eloisa James

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


So I want to confess before I start this review that I did not read the book featuring Thorn's father. I do intend to but I was so fucking excited when I found out that she was doing a series about one of the kids from the Desperate Duchesses series that I didn't care. I wanted that book and I have waited patiently for it.

It was often mentioned that Thorn was a lot like Villers. Again since I haven't read his book I'm not quite sure. But I feel like Thorn was less...cocky than Villers. Idk I can't quite put my finger on it. They were alike but different. I don't know. I am going off my impressions of Villers from four of the DD books so.

I really like India despite her ridiculous name. The grammar thing really endeared her to me. I also like that India and Thorn boned over their issues with their family. Family is a big theme with me. So I really liked those parts. And the parts with Rose! She really reminded me of an online friend with her somberness but acute eye you know? I really like that.

I give this book four stars. I really enjoyed it. I really did it. But I can't quite rate it five stars for some reason. But it is a really good book.



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I was just thinking as I got ready to post this about something the title made me think about? It was of my ranting points about the YA genre that the H/Hr seemed to fall in love out of thin air? It irked me. It still irks me. But as I was thinking about that title and the fact that it happened in three weeks I'm starting to wonder. Am I hypocrite?

I mean the relationship times are similar. But I guess with the YA romances I've read the plot may be focused on something else. The main plot of a romance is the developing of a relationship so I suppose that might be why I don't feel like the relationships are as developed in the YA especially since my main reading genre at the time was paranormal romance so of course there's stuff going in the background so perhaps the romance gets rushed? Idk I was just thinking about that.

What about you? Do you think relationships in romance develop too quick? It can be either in the adult or the young adult genre. I'm interested in hearing people's thoughts on this.

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It's Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han review

It's Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This book people...this book is how you do love triangles.

I mean it's been awhile since I read the first book. Like two years or something but when I started reading this the day before I feel right back in. The characters are really great and real and I feel like Belly is a great character individually but her interactions with Conrad and Jeremiah and even her mother. They just seem...authentic I guess? Like how I would react if I were in her place.

I definitely want to read more of Ms. Han's stuff. I might just read the last of this trilogy next and that is rare indeed.



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I really loved this book you guys. I haven't read YA in a long while with one exception. I guess I got tired of the cliches prominent in the genre (Mostly related to the fantasy side I admit.) But I'm glad I returned. I really enjoyed this book and I'm glad I decided to pick it up. Four for you Ms. Han.

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50th Post

I can't believe I've gotten to my fiftieth post on this blog. Really. My private journals each have like 800+ entries each, but that's just me talking out of my ass and complaining and what not.

The year is almost is over. I'm thinking about making a year in review post. At the beginning of this year, I made a list of reading goals that I wanted to accomplish. I did think I did pretty good, though I'm disappointed in myself with other aspects.

So this post is totally not redundant, I want to post about the latest book series that I've read.

Previously I had bought two books by Kelley Armstrong. One adult and one young adult. About a month ago, I picked up the young adult one and instantly fell in love it.

Cut to December 2, 2012. I read the last two books in the space of two days. Usually if I gobble a book up within a day that generally means I like it. Now I'm getting ready to read the next trilogy set in the same verse.

Here are two reviews from the first two books of the Darkest Powers trilogy.

The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


So I bought this book sometime in mid 2011. Like always, it was awhile until I got to it. Try a year and half like, but I'm glad that I finally decided to pick it up.

I vaguely read the blurb on the pack and surprisingly I didn't look for spoilers until like 150 pages into the back.

The books is kind of slow paced and there's not much action. I think like most first books in a series the opening book kind of sets up the world.

The characters? I really enjoyed reading from Chloe's POV. She didn't seem shallow like some YA heroines I could mention, but I won't because I don't want to go another whole tirade. I liked that she seemed normal you know despite seeing ghosts.

I want to say that part way through the book, I started to really grow fond of Derek. I know he's described as ugly and Chloe mentions acne once near the end of the book. But I was really attracted to his personality, even though he sometimes did come off as a jerk. Typical girl eh? :p

I'm really looking forward to reading the next two books. I'll have to wait a bit, but soon I'll have them in my grasp!



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The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This book...this damn book. Before getting into this series, I didn't really think I liked suspense enough. Maybe I'm on the bland side and I don't actually enjoy my heart speeding up and all that good stuff. Maybe.

But then I sit down and start reading this book. The entire book is intense. The first was slow, but this one moved at a fast pace. You've got four kids on the run and they could be caught at any time. Then you have the added bonus in that they're supernaturals. Pretty nifty huh?

I really enjoyed this book, it goes without saying. Now outside of GR, I tend to be a little...ship heavy. Every fandom I'm in, it's inevitable that I start to ship two characters (Sometimes three :P) and hell I even do that with real life. So of course I'm going to do it with this series as well.

The romance isn't BOOM IN YO FACE BOY! It's subtle. I can see it. I'm trained in this sort of thing. I think the two of them are cute and I like that their relationship isn't moving hella fast like in a lot of YA books. It's growing. I like how they open up to each other and gradually start to get more comfortable with each other.

Also I really hope in the last book that more about Derek's parentage is explained because that little interlude in the park? Yeah it got my interest peaked.



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The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong Review

The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


So I bought this book sometime in mid 2011. Like always, it was awhile until I got to it. Try a year and half like, but I'm glad that I finally decided to pick it up.

I vaguely read the blurb on the pack and surprisingly I didn't look for spoilers until like 150 pages into the back.

The books is kind of slow paced and there's not much action. I think like most first books in a series the opening book kind of sets up the world.

The characters? I really enjoyed reading from Chloe's POV. She didn't seem shallow like some YA heroines I could mention, but I won't because I don't want to go another whole tirade. I liked that she seemed normal you know despite seeing ghosts.

I want to say that part way through the book, I started to really grow fond of Derek. I know he's described as ugly and Chloe mentions acne once near the end of the book. But I was really attracted to his personality, even though he sometimes did come off as a jerk. Typical girl eh? :p

I'm really looking forward to reading the next two books. I'll have to wait a bit, but soon I'll have them in my grasp!



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Jane by April Lindner Mini Review

Jane by April Lindner

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I bought this book because I loved the original Jane Eyre novel and I love young adult literature. I didn't expect myself to love the book as much as I did.

I could see the instant parallels between Jane Eyre and this book. But the author made the characters come alive. I felt like they were more than just a copy and paste from the original book. I also loved how the author updated things for a modern setting. It all seemed to fit perfectly.

I really connected with Jane Moore when she left Thornfield Park was recently I've come close to being homeless and I could empathize with her not knowing where to turn and feeling helpless. It just made it seem so much more real.

I give this modern retelling 5 stars. It does the original Jane Eyre novel justice and it reignited my love for the book. I'm looking forward to listening to the audiobook and watching the countless adaptation so I can relive this wonderful story!



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Two Book Reviews

I come armed with two reviews of the young adult variety. I'm eight books down for my ten book a month challenge. The ninth book has yet to be decided, but the tenth book which I have saved for the last week of January will be one of my classics for the year. I've chosen Persuasion as I simply fell in love with Austen's work after struggling to finish a rather flat copy of Pride and Prejudice. After a simple change in edition (to the Penguin Classics which I now adore!) I finished P&P in a day after it had taken me a year to get through the first 200 pages. Lesson is that an edition changes everything.

I've also signed up for Library of Clean Reads Italy Challenge. I'm not sure which level I'm going for yet, but I have four books I'm eying for use in the challenge. I've set so many challenges for myself. Let's hope I can make them.

Anyway on to the reviews. First up is the Private Prequel, The Book of Spells.

The Book of Spells by Kate Brian

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Reading this book was kind of bittersweet. It's the last of the Private books that I haven't read yet. Having read the other books, I had heard about the Billings Literary Society. I was really excited to learn more about them. When I started reading the books I kind of got deja vu. From reading the Private novels, I know that Reed and Noelle are descendents of Eliza. But Eliza's introduction to the school seemed just like Reed's.

I initially thought Theresa was more like Noelle in the first few Private books, but it turns out she's an ancestor of Paige and Dylan. I think the books said something about that. My memory is vague. Of course I knew that Catherine was a great-great-great aunt of Ariana. I didn't get the killer vibes from Catherine.

Catherine ends up dying and the coven tries to bring her back to life. They do the spell and they do. I have to say it was anti-climatic. The creature just tried to choke Eliza. Is that all? Maybe it was my impression in reading the Private novels, but I expected some worse or more gruesome. Apparently the creature looked and sounded just like Catherine, but obviously it wasn't her.

All in all though I enjoyed the book and it was a quick read.



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I was really expecting more out of this book. The end of the Private series was kind of anti-climatic and from the way things were explained in the main series, I was expecting the creature to be more gruesome or something. That's the way they made it sound, but all it did was choke Eliza before they used a spell against it. Seriously? I kind of wished there were an epilogue though. I want to know if Eliza ended up with Harrison. I know she had children because of Noelle and Reed, but who did she marry? Questions, I have them Kate Brian.

Next up was Alicia's part of the Clique Summer Collection. It was a quick read at 112 pages and I finished it in an hour. Beyond some minor complaints about word usage. I generally enjoyed it. It was fun and very chick lit for teens. Also as someone that likes to invent words, I kind giggled at some the Clique-isms. True story, I checked out the Clictionary at my local library and I regret that I didn't pursue it closer because then I would know what some of the acronyms mean.


Alicia by Lisi Harrison

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


So I read the first two Clique novels and I enjoyed them and thus I bought the subsequent books. While shopping I saw four of the five summer collections going for $0.97 each. Now while I spend a lot of money on books, I loves me a good bargain! So of course I bought them.



I picked up Alicia's book this evening. Keep in mind that I haven't read the series since late 2011. It took me a minute to get back into the flow.I immediately knew I had missed some things, but that didn't bother me too much. What did bother me were the words used. Some of the stuff I could let slip by and I have to admit I liked some of the terminology. But spelling hot hawt and not nawt? That was just too much for me. It's minor, but I can get really picky about using proper language.



I did feel for Alicia for being thrown over by her cousins, but she bonded with Nina and I thought that was sweet. In the end she won the day when Nigel turned out to be the Spanish pop star. That did kind of surprise and I admit my inner thirteen year old cheered. Everything turned out okay.



So in conclusion I will be reading the other Summer Collections, maybe sooner than later and I'll get back to reading the main novels.



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Thoughts on The Summer I Turned Pretty

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I kinda of sorta love this book. I did think the name Belly was kind of silly, but when I learned it was sort for Isabel suddenly I thought it was cute. Weird of me huh? I liked how some chapters were flashbacks to previous ages. I kind of felt sorry for Cam and Jeremiah getting the short end of the stick. But I was pretty happy with the end. I have the second book on my shelf. Now all I need to do is get the third and then everything will be right in my world!



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In other entertainment news, I've been buying music since three this morning. Music is such a big part of my life. I've just got into Tori Amos' stuff and I just love it!

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Several Reviews and an Explanation

On the day after my last post here, my internet was turned off. It's a long story, but they claimed we didn't pay them. So for almost two weeks I was without internet. I almost went insane. But what did I do with the time, you ask? I read of course. I think I finished eight books. I also wrote up my thoughts on the books.

I have a new laptop (yay!) that I love and I'm hoping to be posting more regularly here. There is something to be said about updating your blog from your bed, am I right?

There are some spoilers for Beautiful Days by Anna Godbersen.

Thoughts on Matched by Ally Condie


I had heard good things about Matched, but I was hesitant to pick it up because of my own bias. But I finally started reading it. I’ve recently become fascinated with dystopias which I have to give credit to my first one, The Giver. While The Giver and Matched aren’t particularly violent, the means that the government suppresses their respective people made me think about my government. I’ll be the first to admit that the government here isn’t perfect, but it does seem to me that things could go along that way. But without going on a political rant, Matched was very interesting and I’m looking forward to reading the second one.

Thoughts on Desperate Duchesses by Eloisa James


A few months ago, I bought a lot of romance novels. This isn’t out of the norm for me as I tend to buy a lot of books in short spans of time. But anyway, around the 21st of this month, I was looking at my bookshelf and I saw this book. The blurb on the book piqued my interest, so I started reading. Immediately I knew why people raved about Eloisa’s writing. It was so funny! I mean I laughed out loud so many times. Damon and Roberta had perfect chemistry and Teddy was so cute. Also I thought it was great that even though Teddy was illegitimate Damon still cherished him. I’m also really interested in Elijah and Jemma. I hope their story is expanded upon in future books. I am definitely looking forward to more of Eloisa’s books.

Thoughts on The Bride’s Bodyguard by Beth Cornelison


I decided to pick up this book because I was looking for some action and if you know me, you know I love romance. So it seemed like a perfect combo. Within the first few pages, the action started, which was a plus for me as I have a very short attention span. So after Paige’s wedding got fucked up (Excuse my language, I couldn’t think of a better word). She and Jake, the bodyguard, take off. While they’re running from the terrorists the two start to fall in love. I thought it was believable enough. But on point, the story was good and I thought the author did a good job with it. Also she’s from Louisiana and I think she might be from around my area and that simple fact made me way too excited. So go, Louisiana!

Thoughts on Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins


I read The Hunger Games a little while ago. But it wasn’t until Christmas that I picked up Catching Fire. I don’t know if it was because my Christmas wasn’t so great, but I was without internet, so I decided to read. I wasn’t disappointed. The whole book was a ride and I finished it in a day. For Katniss and the other victors to have to go into the Games again was just terrible. I also noticed that there were little signs of rebellion. What with the mockingjay symbol and all. At the end of the book, I wasn’t too surprised at what happened, as it’s rare that I don’t look up spoilers for things. But still, I loved it. Now I’m contemplating should I go ahead and read the last book? It’s a tempting prospect.


Thoughts on the Dark Divine by Bree Despain


I bought this book way back on May 20, 2011. I had already wanted the book and when I saw it in the store, I immediately picked it up. It wasn’t until the last week of December that I actually started reading. The font of the book kind of threw me off, but I got used to around page 100. The story is really interesting. I already knew it would involve werewolves somehow, but I wasn’t sure how. I actually quite liked the heroine, Grace Divine and despite her name, she didn’t seem to be holier than thou. That sort of behavior really annoys me as I know a few people who are so like that. I didn’t see the end coming, but I like to be surprised. I also found Grace and Daniel’s relationship to be believable. That’s really important to me in books. But I’m looking forward to reading the next book as soon as I can!

Thoughts on Fallen by Lauren Kate


I started on this back in August or September or something. I don’t know what made me put it down but I did. During the last week of December, I picked it up again. I do really enjoy it. I wouldn’t quite say Luce is a stalker, but she does give off the vibes of it. I like Daniel, but he’s so hard to read sometimes. I think it’s rather strange that while I am completely fascinated by religion and all that. I’m currently in dispute with my own religion, whatever that means haha. But I really liked this book despite a few qualms I had with a few minor details. I will be reading the next book soon.


Thoughts on Beautiful Days by Anna Godbersen


After reading Bright Young Things, I was eager to read the sequel. I remember counting down the days until the book came out. In October after it had been released, I ordered it and waited for the book to arrive at my door. I had intended to read the book as soon as I could, but for some reason I never got around to it. It wasn’t until the last day of December during my exile from the net that I actually picked it up.


It took me about fifty pages to get back into the story, but after that hurdle. I remember why I had liked the first book. I still find Astrid to be dreadfully boring though. I don’t know what it is about her, but when I read a chapter about her, I find my eyes glazing over. Right now, Letty is my favorite girl.


I really wasn’t expecting Astrid to get kidnapped. I honestly thought it would be Cordelia. From the way Astrid was acting about being engaged to Charlie. I didn’t expect them to get married in the end. I REALLY wasn’t expecting Max’s mother to be black. But he did seem to be guarded and that was why. My girl Letty is finally living her dreams, but I can’t help feeling something is iffy about Valetine O’Dell. It just sounds suspicious. I’m hoping it works out for her though.

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Girls on Film by Zoey Dean Review

I think I'm in a young adult mood. But when am I not in a young adult mood? I finished up Girls on Film and now I'm reading Matched by Ally Condie and really enjoying that. Here's a short little review for Girls on Film.

Girls on Film by Zoey Dean

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I liked the second edition to the A List series. I found myself empathizing with Anna more. She didn't seem as boring or perfect as she did in the first book. I thought Cammie was a total nutcase as usual. What she did to Susan was messed up. I will be reading the third book in the series as I've really begun to enjoy myself.



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