TheSecretLifeOfABooklion

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Book Review: Flirting in Italian

Book: Flirting in Italian

Author: Lauren Henderson

Rating: 2.5/5 stars

Summery: Four girls. One magical, and possibly dangerous Italian summer. Family mysteries, ancient castles, long hot nights of dancing under the stars . . . and, of course, plenty of gorgeous Italian boys!

Review: When I first picked up the book at Barnes and Noble I believed that it was going to be a funny, mysterious romance that wonderfully took place in a beautiful villa in Italy. Maybe I set the bar too high on this book. Throughout the story I was thoroughly confused by the characters (which is which) and the Italian used in this book (they never really translated any of it). The writing of the book however was very well detailed and kept me second guessing whether or not the 2 out of 5 stars was suffice. The characters however are a different story. They all were so bland and seemed like they were more soap opera stars than regular people. By the end of the book, however, I was left empty and upset at how the story didn't resolve by the last page and continued on to another book. In conclusion i will not be buying the second book for a long, long time and will be also leaving the rating of 2 out of 5 stars.

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Book Review: The Avery Shaw Experiment

Book: The Avery Shaw Experiment

Author: Kelly Oram

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summery: When Avery Shaw’s heart is shattered by her life-long best friend, she chooses to deal with it the only way she knows how—scientifically. The state science fair is coming up and Avery decides to use her broken heart as the topic of her experiment. She’s going to find the cure. By forcing herself to experience the seven stages of grief through a series of social tests, she believes she will be able to get over Aiden Kennedy and make herself ready to love again. But she can’t do this experiment alone, and her partner (ex partner!) is the one who broke her heart.Avery finds the solution to her troubles in the form of Aiden’s older brother Grayson. The gorgeous womanizer is about to be kicked off the school basketball team for failing physics. He’s in need of a good tutor and some serious extra credit. But when Avery recruits the lovable Grayson to be her “objective outside observer,” she gets a whole lot more than she bargained for, because Grayson has a theory of his own: Avery doesn't need to grieve. She needs to live. And if there’s one thing Grayson Kennedy is good at, it’s living life to the fullest

Review: Oh how could you Kelly Oram, how could you do this to me?!?! To say this book is great is a definite understatement. This book is the fourth one of Kelly's works of arts i have read and I am still surprised of how good of a writer she is. First off the descriptive writing was superb as well as the plot and the main ideas. But, the characters were first class. Avery, the main girl, did have many uncalled for crying scenes as well as her one flaw of being the biggest hypocrite in the universe. But, I will let all  that slip out of my memory because she has many aspects that most other main characters don't have. Such as brains, the ability to get pissed off, and the ability to not (at first) get swooned by the "popular guy" or the "jock". I have practically read over a hundred books were the main girl is ALWAYS, i mean always in love with the guy she could never get (but somehow does). Hmp. Speaking of the jock the next character is Grayson. Grayson is what I like to call the stereotypical book jock. The jock who ever girl falls for, never had a relationship longer than a week, is sorta dim, and is destined to fall for the girl no one ever suspected. It was actually sorta disappointing by Kelly's unoriginal character. But even through all the muck found in this book Kelly truly dissevers this 5 and should be very proud. And to all of those reading this make sure to check this book out!

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Book Review: Guardians The Girl

Book: Guardians The Girl

Author: Lola St Vil

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summery: Emmy - a bookish, witty student - is rescued by six teenaged angels with powers, called Guardians. They've been sent to elicit the secret from her before the demons can. Emmy later learns that her name is the only clue to locating a sought-after bridge that for centuries, Evil has plotted to destroy; this would in turn bring about the end of humanity. Things get worse when Emmy falls madly in love with Marcus, the well-intentioned but obstinate leader of the Guardians. He eventually confesses that he is in love with her as well. Unfortunately, Marcus has been warned by his clairvoyant and omniscient guide that should he and Emmy get together, the mission will fail and humanity will perish

Review: This is the first free book I had ever bought on my book that had actually ever blew me away. I was just searching one day in the shop app when low and behold is this piece of art for FREE! Now I'm usually not one to read about angels and hell themed books but this book changed my whole perspective on books. First, the writing is fantastic (for an author I never heard of), the plot and story line where very well thought out and captivating, and the characters well.....I wasn't quite sold. The main character, Emmy, was a total crybaby throughout the whole book. Yeah there was some parts were it was okay but during some others it was just embarrassing. But other than crying she was actually quite bad ass to all the demons. Now the main guy, Marcus,  is a whole other story. I hated his personality and his whole purpose. During the whole book he would pine  after Emmy yet when she would do the same to him he would tell her to hit the head and get lost. I mean WHAT!?!?! I cant even write about it right now. So if you are looking for some new material make sure to take a look at it.

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Book Review: Chameleon

Book: Chameleon

Author: Kelly Oram

Rating: 4/5

Summery: For small-town rebel Dani Webber magic and monsters are no more real than the Easter Bunny… until the day she accidentally stops time. Dani quickly discovers that not only do supernaturals exist, but she herself is one of them. This is great news for her life-long best friend Russ, who can finally come clean about his own supernatural status and his undying love for her. Before the two can start to enjoy the long overdue relationship, Dani is taken by a powerful council of supernaturals who believe she is the Chosen One destined to save them from extinction. As if being kidnapped and expected to save the world isn’t bad enough, an ancient prophecy warns of the Chosen One’s dark nature: “Only the truest love will keep her an agent for good.” The council believes they know who this “true love” is and, unfortunately, that person isn’t Russ. The mysterious, powerful and devastatingly handsome Seer is the last person Dani wants in her life, but when she starts having visions of a horrific future, she has no one else to turn to for help. Soon Dani finds herself torn between two very different boys with two very different opinions of whom she can trust. With the visions getting worse and time running out, Dani is forced to put aside her feelings and work with both the Seer and Russ before an ancient evil is unleashed upon the earth.

Review: I had read this book many, many weeks ago so I don't really have the strong feelings I had towards it anymore but, I will try to review it to the best of my ability. When I had read this book I was immediately sold on the story line and finished it in about 12 hours. I loved the story line of this book with all the supernatural aspects and back stabs. But, the characters are a whole other story. I sadly have to say that I only like one character and they weren't even the main character.  The only character I liked is Gabrielle. Gabrielle has never been outside of the Supreme Council's estate so he has no clue what mostly anything is besides love, Romeo and Juliet and New York City. Probably the only reason why I love him so much is because he is so absent minded and head over heels in puppy love with the main girl, Danielle. Hmp. Danielle is probably what I like to call a extreme trouble maker. Like every single chapter she is rebelling against something or breaking some rule. But there are some vulnerable moments for her like when she has to choose her own destiny. Overall the writing was captivating as well as the twists so, if you are thinking of getting this book dont even think twice this is an amazing book. Get it!

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Book Review: Flipped

Book: Flipped

Author: Wendelin Van Draanen 

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summery: Flipped is a romance told in two voices. The first time Juli Baker saw Bryce Loski, she flipped. The first time Bryce saw Juli, he ran. That’s pretty much the pattern for these two neighbors until the eighth grade, when, just as Juli is realizing Bryce isn’t as wonderful as she thought, Bryce is starting to see that Juli is pretty amazing. How these two teens manage to see beyond the surface of things and come together makes for a comic and poignant romance

Review: Flipped is such a great young romance books and one of my favorites. It has so much depth describing first love and what you feel like when you are young and in love.  The perspective was a great technique used by Wendelin that scored my heart. I always wondered how it things would be like in a new perspective. This is a must read to everyone, I don't care if your 20 or 60 this is a classic.

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Book Review: Pilgrims Don't Wear Pink

Book: Pilgrims Don't Wear Pink

Author: 

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summery: Libby Kelting had always felt herself born 

out of time. No wonder the historical romance-reading, Jane Austen-adaptation-watching, all-around history nerd jumped at the chance to intern at Camden Harbor, Maine’s Oldest Living History Museum. But at Camden Harbor Libby’s just plain out of place, no matter how cute she looks in a corset. Her cat-loving coworker wants her dead, the too-smart-for-his-own-good local reporter keeps pushing her buttons, her gorgeous sailor may be more shipwreck than dreamboat — plus Camden Harbor’s haunted. Over the course of one unforgettable summer, Libby learns that boys, like ghosts, aren't always what they seem.

Review: This book isn't at all as how it seems. At first I was a little skeptical and had it dusting away in my wishlist for a good solid month. Then one day I went to a used book store and probably scanned the book shelf for what seems like an half an hour. When I picked it up I just plopped it into my basket,  about 2 hours later I had finished it with glee. I had always wanted to read a book about working at a museum and was blown away when it ended. The only con of the book is that it's pretty predictable.Like how Libby is a stuck up popular queen who (obviously) rejects  Garret, a sci-fy loving geek. Pretty unique to me. The only unique things are the plot and  that Libby and Garrets have a  friendship like no other. They have some special bond that keeps them glued together throughout their hardest moments. Its so adorable how he has been rejected by her so many times but is still friends with her. This is a  hands must read to any one who loves history and romance.

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Book Review: Anna and the French Kiss

Book: Anna and The French Kiss

Author: Stephanie Perkins

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Summery: Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris--until she meets Étienne St. Clair. Smart, charming,beautiful, Étienne has it all...including a serious girlfriend. But in the City of Love, wishes have a way of coming true. Will a year of romantic near-misses end with their long-awaited French kiss.

Review : OMG! I don't know how I survived without this book in my life. I loved reading it (twice). At first I thought I couldn't top The Host but the characters are so addicting. They just kept dragging me into their drama and romance. I felt as if I was a part of their exclusive group. Etienne was so different from any leading male I have ever read. First off he already had a girlfriend, was short, and wasn't always trying to hookup with a girl. Anna was as interesting and never picked fights or got upset about everything like all the other girl leads. This book definitely deserves the 5 stars i ranked it.  I recommend it if you love comedies, romances, dramas, and or traveling books. 

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Book Review: Beautiful Disaster

Book: Beautiful Disaster

Author: Jamie McGuire

Rating: 4/5

Summery: Abby Abernathy is a good girl. She doesn’t drink or swear, and she has the appropriate number of cardigans in her wardrobe. Abby believes she has enough distance from the darkness of her past, but when she arrives at college with her best friend, her path to a new beginning is quickly challenged by Eastern University’s Walking One-Night Stand.Travis Maddox, lean, cut, and covered in tattoos, is exactly what Abby wants—and needs—to avoid. He spends his nights winning money in a floating fight ring, and his days as the ultimate college campus charmer. Intrigued by Abby’s resistance to his appeal, Travis tricks her into his daily life with a simple bet. If he loses, he must remain abstinent for a month. If Abby loses, she must live in Travis’s apartment for the same amount of time. Either way, Travis has no idea that he has met his match.

Review: I was up until 4 am reading This book and couldn't put it down. I cried, laughed,danced an even cringed, it was a roller coaster of emotions. The main character Abby (Pigeon) was a very spunky original character unlike any other but could get really annoying at times and always got pissed off at the other main character Travis "Mad Dog" Maddox. Throughout the story there was always some lame fight being dragged on.So it quickly became old.Besides all the bumps in the road I really loved the flame that progressed throughout Abby and Travis's relationship so it happened to be one of the best love story I've ever read.Overall i surprisingly enjoyed this book. I found this book on Goodreads because i was always recommended to read it, so when i saw it at B&N i decided to get it. I was very impressed by the authors writing. It had a great amount of detail and was always cut to the point. The characters all stepped out side the book and helped me live within the book.Though I am a little disappointed by how many crazy events presented themselves one after the other. I would not recommend it to everyone, unless you have a passion for love and disasters.This book really succeeded to its title. Over all it was the #3 best book I've ever read.

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Book Review: On the Island

Book: On the Island

Author: Tracey Garvis-Graves

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summery: When thirty-year-old English teacher Anna Emerson is offered a job tutoring T.J. Callahan at his family's summer rental in the Maldives, she accepts without hesitation; a working vacation on a tropical island trumps the library any day.T.J. Callahan has no desire to leave town, not that anyone asked him. He's almost seventeen and if having cancer wasn't bad enough, now he has to spend his first summer in remission with his family - and a stack of overdue assignments - instead of his friends. Anna and T.J. are en route to join T.J.'s family in the Maldives when the pilot of their seaplane suffers a fatal heart attack and crash-lands in the Indian Ocean. Adrift in shark-infested waters, their life jackets keep them afloat until they make it to the shore of an uninhabited island. Now Anna and T.J. just want to survive and they must work together to obtain water, food, fire, and shelter. 

Review: I loved this book! It had the most interesting concept of a young man named T.J and his tutor Anna getting lost in sea after there plane crashed. The writing was so pure and full of detail and kept me intrigued by every chapter switching between their point of views. My favorite point of view out of the two was T.J. He was just like any other 17 year old boy, sweet, kind, comical, and hopelessly romantic .Throughout the story though he very sick due to being  diagnosed with cancer 5 months before everything happened. Anna o the other hand was a 30 year old teacher who could never get her boyfriend to propose and was very uptight. At first anything that happened between them would be totally unexpected but as the book progressed you just started routing for them to be together. This book is such a tear jerker. I cried at so many parts while i smiled with glee. I recommend this book to any one is a shipper and loves survival books. I literally got transported from my bed to a stranded island in the Indian Ocean for the seven hour time period it took me to read. I give it a 5/5. I love it.

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Book Review: The Host

Book: The Host 

Author: Stephenie Meyer

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summery: Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. Earth has been invaded by a species that takes over the minds of human hosts while leaving their bodies intact, and most of humanity has succumbed.Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, knew about the challenges of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, the too vivid memories. But there was one difficulty Wanderer didn't expect: the former tenant of her body refusing to relinquish possession of her mind.Melanie fills Wanderer's thoughts with visions of the man Melanie loves - Jared, a human who still lives in hiding. Unable to separate herself from her body's desires, Wanderer yearns for a man she's never met. As outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off to search for the man they both love.Featuring what may be the first love triangle involving only two bodies, The Host is a riveting and unforgettable novel that will bring a vast new readership to one of the most compelling writers of our time

Review: I started reading this book because the movie was coming out and I always wanted to read it. But what stopped me before was that it was 600 pages. Anyway i sucked it up and sat in a dark room for the whole weekend and read it. At first i was so confused. I had no idea who was talking and what was going on. But by  chapter 3 i just couldn't put it down it was so good. First off the love story's are so heart wrenching and  romantic. I literary cried so many times during the book. It was an emotional roller coaster!!! When i finished my reaction could not be translated in the English language. I was like "cjhvkadshdchjkasdfhvavsfhasvh! Everyone should read it, it is its own phenomenon!

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Book Review: V is for Virgin

Book: V is for Virgin

Author: Kelly Oram

Rating:5/5 stars

Summery: When Val Jensen gets dumped for her decision to stay a virgin until marriage, the nasty breakup goes viral on YouTube, making her the latest internet sensation. After days of ridicule from her peers, Val starts a school-wide campaign to rally support for her cause. She meant to make a statement, but she never dreamed the entire nation would get caught up in the controversy. As if becoming nationally recognized as “Virgin Val” isn't enough, Val’s already hectic life starts to spin wildly out of control when bad boy Kyle Hamilton, lead singer for the hit rock band Tralse, decides to take her abstinence as a personal challenge.How can a girl stay true to herself when this year’s Sexiest Man Alive is doing everything in his power to win her over?

Review: OMG. I cried! I freaking  cried because of this book! What the heck is wrong with me? Anyway I loved it. A lot. Not because the guy, Kyle makes you swoon  or that he's incredibly hot. It's because I like how the story progressed. I actually had bought the sample of this book on my nook because i didn't know whether or not I should pay money but just from the sample I was hooked. I love Valerie's character. Shes very brave and determined to make her cause important and to keep away from the rebellious rock star Kyle. I really love Kelly Oram's work and I am very proud to give her 5 stars. Her writing is fantastic, the plot was captivating, and best of all It is one of the only books I have ever read were I have loved every single character. Job well done Kelly you may give your self a pat on the back!

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Book Review: Warm Bodies

Book: Warm Bodies

Author: Isaac Marion

Rating:5/5 stars

Summery: R is having a no-life crisis—he is a zombie. He has no memories, no identity, and no pulse, but he is a little different from his fellow Dead. He may occasionally eat people, but he’d rather be riding abandoned airport escalators, listening to Sinatra in the cozy 747 he calls home, or collecting souvenirs from the ruins of civilization.And then he meets a girl.First as his captive, then his reluctant house guest, Julie is a blast of living color in R’s gray landscape, and something inside him begins to bloom. He doesn't want to eat this girl—although she looks delicious—he wants to protect her. But their unlikely bond will cause ripples they can’t imagine, and their hopeless world won’t change without a fight.

Review: One of the things that sticks out in  this novel is the fact that R - the main character, a zombie - actually still holds on to some human aspects. On top of that, there's still feelings involved... which is something we don't see much of when it comes to the living dead. R wants to be more than what he is. He craves to feel, love and have more than just a normal zombie life. He's a character that will surprise you at how easily you can relate to and empathize with. It would be against all crimes of this blog not to point out that I did creep out a little with the romantic interest in the novel. It was just something I couldn't wholeheartedly get behind. However, as disturbing as it was for me, it was also very beautiful and seemed to fit naturally into the story as a whole. The story was amazingly written. R's perspective was completely enthralling and the story as a whole was nothing short of incredible. Once I started reading, I couldn't stop reading... even at the parts that made me cringe! . If zombie romances are your thing, then you absolutely MUST pick up a copy of Warm Bodies. Right now. If they're not your thing, then I would recommend picking up a copy of Warm Bodies. Right now. I have a feeling Marion will change your mind and steal your heart with this novel.

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Book Review: Top 8

Book: Top 8

Author: Katie Finn

Rating:4/5 stars

Summery: Everything in my life was working out. I had my three best friends, a brand-new boyfriend, and the lead in the school play. Aside from that history paper I hadn't started, things felt perfect.Then I returned from spring break to find my Friendverse profile hacked. Someone clearly out to ruin me had spilled the most damaging secrets - AND posted the worst photos of me ever taken - online.

Review: I gave it 4 out of 5 stars because I thought it was a good book. It was kind of like a mystery book and usually I dont read many mystery books. But this book combined my favorite kind of book with mystery. So i enjoyed it.When I first picked up this book, I didn't think I would like it as much as I did. But as I started reading more, I found myself actually enjoying the unfolding of the story. It's a book that you would think would be typed up like a text or a messenger online, but it only uses this when absolutely needed, and even then it's done in such a way that doesn't look terribly atrocious.

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Book Review: Angus, Thongs, and Full Frontal Snogging

Book:Angus, Thongs, and Full Frontal Snogging

Author: Louise Rennison

Rating:4/5 stars

Summery:In this wildly funny journal of a year in the life of Georgia Nicolson, British author Louise Rennison has perfectly captured the soaring joys and bottomless angst of being a teenager. In the spirit of Bridget Jones's Diary, this fresh, irreverent, and simply hilarious book will leave you laughing out loud. As Georgia would say, it's "Fabbity fab fab!"

Review: Let me just start this review by saying I love this book. LOVE IT! This is one of the few books that I've really, truly laughed out loud while reading - there were times I was seriously doubled over. It is hilarious. I'm going to start recommending this book to everyone I know. But, just so you know, this book is strictly a fun read, nothing more (still well worth reading, believe me). Georgia Nicolson is a self-centered fourteen-year-old girl growing up in England. Her story is told through her daily (-ish) journal entries: all about her fourth year (the equivalent of ninth grade here in the States) at her all-girl school. She rambles on about anything and everything that crosses her mind: boys, clothing, snogging, pranks, her "inept parents", her little sister, said little sisters nappies (and how they sometimes explode or get left in her room), her monstrous cat, and knickers. While her thoughts aren't in the least bit deep - quite the opposite, really - they are quite hilarious

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Book Review: The Boy on Cinnamon Street

Book: The Boy On Cinnamon Street

Author: Phoebe Stone

Rating:3/5 stars

Summery:7th grader Louise should be the captain of her school's gymnastics team - but she isn't. She's fun and cute and should have lots of friends - but she doesn't. And there's a dreamy boy who has a crush on her - but somehow they never connect. Louise has everything going for her - so what is it that's holding her back?Phoebe Stone tells the winning story of the spring when 7th grader Louise Terrace wakes up, finds the courage to confront the painful family secret she's hiding from - and finally get the boy.

Review:I read The Boy on Cinnamon Street by Phoebe Stone in 2-3 days so it was a pretty easy read. I recommend this book to any 5th or 6th grade girls because I think that is when you really start to notice boys, when you stop reading those little kid books and move up to more realistic things. I strongly agree that this book is not made for boys and if any boy picks it up, they will not enjoy it. It's like a boy going to a chick flick and crying it would be embarrassing. I also think she meant the book to be for girls. For 7th grade and up girls this book will be incredibly easy for you. If you love mystery books and love, well love, you will keep your eyes glued to this book. It will teach you to expect the unexpected because you won't believe what happens next.

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Book Review: Geek Magnet

Book: Geek Magnet

Author: Kieran Scott

Rating:4/5 stars

Summery :Everybody loves KJ. Especially the geeks. See, KJ Miller is super nice, smart, pretty, the stage manager of her high school?s spring musical . . . and a total geek magnet. She?s like the geek pied piper of Washington High, drawing every socially clueless guy in a five-mile radius. If only Cameron, the hottest guy in school, would follow her around and worship her the way her entourage of dorks do. Enter Tama Gold, queen of the popular crowd, and solution to all of KJ?s problems. KJ is too nice, and the nice girl never gets the guy. Tama?s ready to help KJ get cruel, ditch the dorks, and win Cameron?s heart. But is KJ?

Review:I love these kind of cute romance novels. However, most of them are extremely corny, and make me cringe. I'm just thankful that this one didn't  I am very excited about reading more books that Kieran Scott wrote, she is honestly a great author. I just can't believe how much i ended up liking the book! Looking at the title/cover/introduction, you probably don't expect much sophistication from this novel. However, a lot of true life stories are incorporated into this novel. It really surprised me how effortlessly Kieran Scott described complicated situations that some people go through in life. And you know how some teen books (especially teen romance books) are just SO corny? this one wasn't!

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Book Review: Crush

Book:Crush

Author: Lacey Weatherford

Rating:5/5 stars

Summery: Cami Wimberley has a plan, and that plan includes no room for boys—especially the big time party animal, Hunter Wilder, no matter how handsome and charismatic he is. She’s beautiful, a senior, extremely talented, gets good grades, and is working her way toward her dream college to be a musical theater major. Everything is perfect.Hunter Wilder does not want a girlfriend—that would complicate his life way too much right now. He especially doesn't want this girl, Miss-Goody-Two-Shoes, so how come he can’t keep his eyes off her? He tries to keep her at arms length, but fate seems to keep pushing them together. Before long, it’s obvious to everyone they’re crushing on each other. As sparks begin to fly, Hunter finds himself sinking deeper and deeper into hot water. Soon he’s scrambling to keep Cami from discovering his dark secret—one that can destroy their entire relationship.

Review: OMG!!! I absolutely stunned. This is my first Lacey Weatherford book and I have absolutely no idea why I haven't read her books earlier. It was such a great read and I am disappointed in myself for finding this author sooner. I loved this book it was simply amazing. The characters were well written, the plot was exceptional, this would be one of those great books to break down and talk about the theme and discourses throughout the novel. 5 stars Ms Weatherford, can't wait until I read you next book. One of the best books i have ever read - and I have read a lot.