Review: One Small Thing

One Small Thing by Erin Watt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Beth has been living in the shadow of her dead sister for years and has decided that things will change for her senior year. With the help of her best friend, she sneaks out and goes to a party where she meets a new guy, Chase, and they hit it off. Unfortunately, Chase has many secrets he must deal with and when Beth's parents discover the deception, she is grounded in a way she has never experienced before. What will Beth do in order to re-earn her parent's trust? Why was Beth's sister running out into the street that night?



One Small Thing is a stand-alone novel that will grab the reader's attention in the beginning and keep them turning pages until the end. Watt leaves many hints about what the truth may be, yet she artfully keeps the secret until right before the ending. One Small Thing is a realistic fiction story that will appeal to many readers and I highly recommend it for teens and adults alike. It is a quick read, so please be ready to stay in your favorite reading location for extended periods of time.



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Review: A Study In Shifters

A Study In Shifters by Majanka Verstraete
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Marisol Holmes is a half shifter and a descendant of Sherlock Holmes. She made the mistake of trusting the wrong person and now the Conclave wants her to prove herself before they will let her return to investigating supernatural cases. She is a very skilled detective, especially since she takes after her Holmes ancestor. Her trial case seems to involve a jaguar shifter and Marisol must not only prove her abilities, she must determine if this murder was an attempt to get her mother off the shifter throne? Will Marisol uncover the truth before it hits closer to home? What will she learn about herself in the process?

A Study in Shifters is the first book in The Adventures of Marisol Holmes series. The most frustrating portion of the book is the fact that Marisol is constantly thinking about events that happened in the past, leading the reader to think they may have missed a book or two. With that being said, the mystery and adventure were entertaining and Verstraete has definitely created a cast of characters that readers will want to return to. There should be more cases in the future and maybe even a prequel to explain the events from the past.


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Review: The Ruinous Sweep

The Ruinous Sweep by Tim Wynne-Jones
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

It was a dark road, late at night, when Donovan was struck by a car and put in the hospital. His girlfriend, Bee, stays by his side and fears he will die. Donovan never really wakes up, but he mumbles some words and Bee writes them in her journal. She soon discovers that the police believe Donovan took part in a murder before he was hit by the car; now Bee is out to prove his innocence and maybe find out why Donovan was on that road to begin with.

The Ruinous Sweep is a stand-alone novel that was ho-hum at best. If I had not been listening to the audio version, I might have given up on it. It wasn’t that the storyline was predictable (the ending was great); it was just that the story never really grabs the reader’s/listener’s attention. With it being 400 pages (10.5 hours), I can’t even give it a quick read status. The Ruinous Sweep might appeal to some mystery readers, but be warned that it will take perseverance.


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Review: The Opposite of Here

The Opposite of Here by Tara Altebrando
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Natalie’s parents have decided that she should have a seventeenth sail-a-bration. Natalie, her parents and three of her closest friends will take a cruise to celebrate her birthday. It has only been a few months since her boyfriend died in a car accident and everyone wants her to find peace and maybe move on. What better place than on a floating hotel? Natalie has an instant attraction the first night, but then there seems to be some confusion about the boy and she is wondering if it is all a game. The mystery behind this boy becomes even more complicated as Natalie learns about his past.

The Opposite of Here is a stand-alone novel that leaves a lot to be desired. Many times throughout the book I found my mind wandering and had to back up a few pages. This book is relatively short, so it would make a good car or beach read. With that said, The Opposite of Here would be a good distraction if choices were limited, but I do not recommend everyone read it. Altebrando has shined with her other books and I look forward to her next novel.


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Review: The Broken Vow

The Broken Vow by Scott Westerfeld
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Addison was changed after getting too involved in the Spill Zone. She soon finds out that she is not the only one. Don Jae also was changed, but he is from North Korea. There are people who are interested in Addison and Don Jae, because they want the same powers that they seem to have gained. Will Addison and Don Jae be able to keep the secret of their change from these people? Why has this happened twice in different parts of the world?



The Broken Vow is the second book in the Spill Zone graphic novel series. Although the primary story has been wrapped up nicely, Westerfeld has also left an opening for additional stories in this fantastic world. I was really looking forward to this book, since I gave the first book five stars, but I finished it feeling deflated. It is still a good book, but not as wonderful as the original. The Broken Vow should only be read by those who have read The Spill Zone already.



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Review: Save the Date

Save the Date by Morgan Matson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Charlie Grant is focusing on finishing high school, choosing which college she will attend and enjoying her sister’s wedding. It has been years since all of her siblings have been home at the same time and Charlie is hopeful that they will fill the house with fun and laughter. But life usually doesn’t go as planned and Charlie’s weekend is shaping up to be full of obstacles. The wedding planner cancels last minute, a dog is dropped off without any notice, their house alarm keeps going off and their neighbor wants to get back at her father for having a better garden. Let’s not even talk about the relatives! What will Charlie have to deal with to help her sister have the perfect wedding?

Save the Date is a stand-alone romantic comedy that will have readers laughing out loud throughout. As the pages progressed I kept wondering what would happen next to this young girl. If this was my wedding (or my daughter’s), I probably would have cut my losses and eloped, yet Charlie kept persevering and hides most of the turmoil from her sister for her big day. Matson has created a wonderful story that I will be excited to recommend to my students and review readers. Save the Date is a definite read if you like a good rom-com!


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Review: All the Little Lights

All the Little Lights by Jamie McGuire
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Elliott Youngblood has been watching Catherine since he was a boy. It isn’t meant to be creepy. He loves to take pictures and he believes she is the most beautiful thing he has ever seen. During one summer they become close friends and life is perfect; until tragedy hits Catherine’s life and Elliott is forced to leave her behind. Now it is their senior year of high school and Elliott has returned to town. He is the star of the football team, yet he wants Catherine to forgive him. Although Catherine is starting to get close to Elliott, she still has secrets she can’t share with anyone. What really is going on at her mother’s bed-and-breakfast?

All the Little Lights is a stand-alone novel that defies a single genre. Of course, McGuire has created a young adult romance, yet she has also included a mystery that is hinted at throughout. Readers will try and figure out Catherine’s secret and will be surprised that it isn’t what they first thought. Since this is a stand-alone novel, readers will find that it is a perfect escape read for any time of the year. All the Little Lights may not appeal to male readers but should be added to the TBR list of everyone who enjoyed McGuire’s other books.


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