Book Review : Shut Out

Book: Shut Out
Author: Kody Keplinger

Publisher: Poppy
Date Published: September 5, 2011
Pages: 273
Source: ARC
Date Read: June 7, 2011

Most high school sports teams have rivalries with other schools. At Hamilton High, it's a civil war: the football team versus the soccer team. And for her part,Lissa is sick of it. Her quarterback boyfriend, Randy, is always ditching her to go pick a fight with the soccer team or to prank their locker room. And on three separate occasions Randy's car has been egged while he and Lissa were inside, making out. She is done competing with a bunch of sweaty boys for her own boyfriend's attention.

Lissa decides to end the rivalry once and for all: She and the other players' girlfriends go on a hookup strike. The boys won't get any action from them until the football and soccer teams make peace. What they don't count on is a new sort of rivalry: an impossible girls-against-boys showdown that hinges on who will cave to their libidos first. And Lissa never sees her own sexual tension with the leader of the boys, Cash Sterling, coming.

Summary Taken from Goodreads

Yani's Review:

I have yet to write a review on my blog for Kody’s first book- The D.U.F.F.- but just as a side note… I ADORE that book and its one of my favorites. The type of book I make time to re-read on top of my busy school/work/ reviewing schedule. And while in the end I did enjoy Shut Out, The D.U.F.F. was so much more than a story to me.

Written in the same Kody style, Shut Out is funny and real. It deals with real issues about girls, sex, self-image, and peer pressure and the pressures society places on both boys and girls. It deals mostly with the girls, but still I liked that all these issues were brought up so openly. The girls learned that no matter what they felt, they shouldn’t be ashamed of it as long as they were true to themselves.

I really liked that Lissa’s boyfriend had some redeeming qualities, because sometimes I feel like what type of girls are they if they are with a guy that is such a blatant asshole. And I loved loved loved Cash Sterling, though I wish he was a little more developed.

My Review in a Tweet: I wish this book was around when I was a teenager, so I could have just accepted my beliefs and myself. Like Kody's other work, this is an amazing open discussion about sex and image. Don't shut this book out!

Ratings:

Plot: 4/5
Writing Style: 5/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Characters: 5/5

Memorable Quotes:

"Being ashamed  of what you want or how you feel is pointless, and letting anyone else make you feel ashamed is a waste."

Similar Titles:

Other Reviews:

• GReads

Book Review : The ABCs of Kissing Boys

Book: The ABC's of Kissing Boys
Author: Tina Ferraro

Publisher: Delacorte
Date Published: January 13, 2009
Pages: 224
Source: Kindle
Date Read: July, 2009

Parker Stanhope has played soccer practically since she could walk. And now that she’s a high school junior, everything she’s worked for is finally coming together. She’s paid her dues on the field, and as an upperclassman, she’s a shoo-in for the varsity team. But that’s not what happens.

This year, Coach Hartley moved up every JV player but two—and one of those two was Parker. Now, she’s stuck with the freshmen, her friends are cutting her loose, and her love of the game is seriously beginning to fail. But Parker is determined to get her life back. She has to get on the varsity team, and she has the perfect plan. All she needs now is the right kind of coach.

Summary Taken from Goodreads

Yani's Review:

This will be a mini review, because I didn't have time to reread this book. I just want to say this is perfect recipe for making me smile. It had cute awkward moments and sweet kissing ones. I honestly have never been one for younger guys, but after this book I definitely never looked them over either.I thought Parker was awesome going after what she wanted, and I loved how she begins to realize what is really important. I love the family feud thing going on, almost make them like Romeo and Juliet. Everything is stacked against her, yet Parker continues to fight and ends up winning it all! duh =)

Ratings:

Plot: 5/5
Writing Style: 5/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Characters: 5/5

Similar Titles:

Book Review : How to Hook a Hottie

Book: How to Hook a Hottie
Author: Tina Ferraro

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Date Published: January 8, 2008
Pages: 208
Source: Kindle
Date Read: April 18, 2011

At 17, Kate Delvecchio has one goal in life: to become a millionaire before the age of 20. And as far as she’s concerned, college will only slow her down. Unfortunately for Kate, the one thing her parents do agree on is that they totally disagree with her strategy. And so the deal is born. If Kate can raise five thousand big ones by graduation day, her parents will hand over the balance of her college account to invest as she pleases. No college, no degree, and no way she’ll ever be able to pull it off. But when Kate accidentally agrees to go to the sports banquet with the hottest guy at school, she stumbles upon a possible cash cow. The rest of the junior class is amazed that no-nonsense Kate could hook such a hottie, and one by one they approach her for help hooking their own. She doesn’t know anything about getting guys, but for $100 a pop, she’s more than willing to invent a six-step plan for How to Hook a Hottie. And how could that possibly backfire?

Summary Taken from Goodreads

Yani's Review:

I really liked this second book of Tina's, though not as much as the first one. The best thing about her books is always the main character. They aren't your typical whiny, damsel-in-distress, type girls, though they do have flaws, they are independent, tough, and go after what they want. Sometimes, they might not know what they REALLY want till later, but at least they are gung-ho about it.

Kate is a go-getter business type. President of the Future Business Leaders of America and determined to make a million by twenty. Nothing will hold her back. Including Kate's absentee academia mother. I loved Kate's voice in the story. she is cynical and sarcastic and doesn't even realize her own beauty. She is the someone who looks at everything in life as achievable through goals and a plan. She even carries her own business cards!

Like in Top Ten, I really liked the supporting cast of this one as well. Her bff Dal, little brat Lexie, and even the mother who drives Kate to do the things she does to not end up like her. I like the way the mom's behavior affects Kate, without drowning her in sorrow, anger, and pain.Its an obstacle in life that one must embrace and overcome, and sometimes these things are out of our control.

I thought this story was cute and funny. I love Tina's easy style of writing. I recommend picking up any of her books if you like fun YA contemp reads!

Ratings:

Plot: 4/5
Writing Style: 5/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Characters: 5/5

Similar Titles:

Memorable Quotes:

"I could hear the buzzer blaring in my BS meter."

Look out for out interview with Tina on May 31, 2011.

Book Review : He's So Not Worth It

Book: He's So Not Worth It (#2)
Author: Kieran Scott

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Date Published: June 7, 2011
Pages: 256
Source: E-galley
Date Read: April 12, 2011

Ally Ryan, come on down to the Jersey Shore and forget your troubles!
 
Have you recently been humiliated in front of your friends and family at your former best friend's birthday party? Was your almost boyfriend partly responsible for that humiliation by withholding some vital information about where your estranged father is? Did you come home to find said estranged father sitting on your stoop?

If so, then it sounds like you could use a vacation! The Jersey Shore is the place to be. Your mother may be living with her boyfriend of only a few months, but at least the stunt Shannen pulled has put some of your friends back in your court. Even so, you're still angry and what better way to get over Jake than to blow off some steam with local guy, Cooper? People will hardly recognize your new attitude, but the old one wasn't getting you anywhere, so who cares!


Jake Graydon, an exciting opportunity is waiting for you in the service industry!
 
Are your grades so low your parents have grounded you for the summer? Did you the girl you really like unceremoniously leave you behind? Would you rather eat dirt than see your friends again? Then a job at the local coffee shop is just the ticket! Surprisingly, Ally's father is the new manager so you get to be reminded of her nearly every day. Maybe it's time to start flirting with your best friend's ex or even taking school a bit more seriously. Especially when you finally see Ally and she's hanging around with some loser and it's couldn't be more clear that she is over you.

Have a great summer!

Summary Taken from Goodreads

Yani's Review:

Do Not Read if you have not read She's So Dead to Us!

I have been really excited about this book since I finished reading She's So Not Worth It. It ended in such a cliffhanger. Plus I couldn't wait to get back to Jake and Ally, but as usual things never go as planned.

Ally's dad is back and it sends Ally into an emotional whirlwind. Plus on top of everything her old friends think they are bffs again. It was a frustrating read because I wanted so much for Ally to let out her rage and grow up. At first, because of this, I was a little annoyed with the book. After thinking about it, the way Ally acts is completely reasonable in her situation. She is upset and hurt, and holding all her pain and emotions, trying to get her old life back.

Meanwhile Jake has grown up, some. He and Ally keep running circle around each other, both too prideful to admit what they want, but Jake handles the situation they are in more maturely. Ally on the other hand, not so much.

This book was a little slower and more angst-y that the first book, but Scott does a fabulous job of mixing lough out loud moment with the more serious stuff. And the ending, She really knows how to get a reader's jaw to drop. Seriously, even more so than the first one, this ending just surprised me like a cold bucket of water in the morning, I am very excited to see what is going to come next!

Ratings:

Plot: 4/5
Writing Style: 4/5
Uniqueness: 5/5
Characters: 5/5

Book Review : She's So Dead to Us

Book: She's So Dead to Us (#1)
Author: Kieran Scott (also Kate Brian)

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Date Published: May 25, 2010
Pages: 278
Source: My Kindle
Date Re-Read: April 12, 2011

When having money is all that matters, what happens when you lose it all?

Perfect, picturesque Orchard Hill. It was the last thing Ally Ryan saw in the rear-view mirror as her mother drove them out of town and away from the shame of the scandal her father caused when his hedge fund went south and practically bankrupted all their friends -- friends that liked having trust funds and new cars, and that didn't like constant reminders that they had been swindled. So it was adios, Orchard Hill. Thanks for nothing.

Now, two years later, Ally's mother has landed a job back at the site of their downfall. So instead of Ally's new low-key, happy life, it'll be back into the snake pit with the likes of Shannen Moore and Hammond Ross.

But then there's Jake Graydon. Handsome, wealthy, bored Jake Graydon. He moved to town after Ally left and knows nothing of her scandal, but does know that he likes her. And she likes him. So off into the sunset they can go, right? Too bad Jake's friends have a problem with his new crush since it would make Ally happy. And if anyone deserves to be unhappy, it's Ally Ryan.

Ally was hoping to have left all the drama in the past, but some things just can't be forgotten. Isn't there more to life than money?

Summary Taken from Goodreads

Yani's Review:

The story starts with Ally's move back into her old town of Orchard Hill, but instead of moving into the posh house she left behind, she now lives in Orchard View Condominiums. What seems like a light and funny story about coming home turns out to be a deeper story about friendship, family, and love. Its about labels and society, about accepting the past and forgiving. I really enjoyed this book and would go as far as to say that this is my favorite of Kieran Scott's work (including her work as Kate Brian).

There are many reasons I love this book and one of them is the main male protagonist Jake, I like Ally too, but Jake is just.... He is one of those guys in a perpetually amused state, which I love in a guy. He's also not your typical main man. He's not brooding or dark, he's just a real guy who thinks about hot girls and how to get with them. In any other book, he would be the guy the main girl should not end up with. But as you read from his point of view (another plus of the book alternating narrators) you see how much he cares for Ally. Sweet, sad Ally who is down to earth and love sports. It's not hard to relate to her.

As if Ally and Jake weren't already completely amazing characters, you can't help but love the rest of the Cresties and Norms! Even the secondary characters are well developed and Scott tells you about their past without getting bogged down in the details. Time passes quickly in the story and it's not too rushed either. I really liked the pacing. And the ending! Kieran knows how to leave a reader wanting more. This series has made Kieran Scott's books an auto-buy from now on.

Ratings:

Plot: 5/5
Writing Style: 5/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Characters: 5/5

Similar Titles:

The Sequel : He's So Not Worth it Comes out June 7, 2011! Look out for my review on 5/16 =)

Memorable Quotes:

"If home is where the heart is, then home had just arrived."

Book Review : Top Ten Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress

Book: Top Ten Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress
Author: Tina Ferraro

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Date Published: March 13, 2007
Pages: 240
Source: my bookshelf
Date Re-Read: April 19, 2011

Sophomore year, Nicolette Antonovich was dumped two days before prom by the hottest guy at school. As a result, she became the proud owner of one unworn, perfectly magical pink vintage dress. But Nic is determined to put that night behind her for good. 

She's a junior now— older, wiser, and completely overwhelmed by a new set of problems: (1) The bank's ready to foreclose on her childhood home. (2) Her father's too busy with his "replacement" daughter to care. (3) Her best friend's brother is an eternal thorn in her side. (4) Her best friend isn't exactly the rose attached to that thorn. (5) Rumors are flying around school that could get her kicked off the volleyball team, which would (6) ruin all chances of a college scholarship. (7) She still likes the boy who dumped her in the first place. (8) And what in the world do you do with an unworn prom dress, anyway? Strangely, it's getting to the bottom of this last dilemma that just might hold the answer to all Nic's problems.

Summary Taken from Goodreads

Yani's Review:

I read this book when it first came out and it instantly became one of my favorite happy reads. I have read it so many times I already know the page numbers of a few of my favorite scenes. {48, 67, 72, 101-129 and 194} This book seriously gives me butterflies. It is the epitome of my favorite type of easy, fun, beachy read.

Let me tell you what I love about his book:

1. Nic. I love that she is young, but not too young (if you understand what I mean). She is me (or like me) when I was a teen, always trying to do what’s best but never really understanding what that is. She is sporty and tough, but like every girl still pictures her perfect prom with the perfect boy and the perfect dress. The one that makes you look at yourself and just go wow.
   
2. Supporting Cast. This book has great secondary characters, there are a lot of them, but they are so well developed for such a short book. Jared, Rascal, her best friend Alison are awesome, funny, and so real. I love the manly rivalry Jared and Rascal have going on I can pretty much picture their grunts and cocky faces in my head. And Alison reminds me so much of my best friend with her tough love act.
   
3. Emotional. Yes this is a super happy, light, and funny read, but Tina still manages to incorporate the emotional struggle Nic has going on with her father and her “replacement” sister.
   
4. The list. The actual list of Top Ten Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress is hilarious! And the last number was just heartwarming. Kind of reminds me of David Letterman’s Top Ten with the wacky, absurd, and sarcastic comments. {Please Read #8)

What can I say other than I love this book! While my reading tastes have matured, this book never fails to put a smile on my face and warmth in my chest.

Ratings:

Plot: 5/5
Writing Style: 5/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Characters: 5/5

Similar Titles:

Memorable Quotes:

"Yeah Rascal," I said, my thoughts racing, "you're the coolest guy I know. But Jared?" I said, forcing a smug smile. "He's the hottest."

Look out for out interview with Tina on May 31, 2011.

Review: The Ghost and the Goth

Book: The Ghost and the Goth (Book #1)
Author: Stacey Kade
Publisher: Hyperion Book
Release Date: 6/29/2010
Pages: 281
Source: Bought
Date Read: 2/14/2011

Summary:

Alona Dare–Senior in high school, co-captain of the cheerleading squad, Homecoming Queen three years in a row, voted most likely to marry a movie star… and newly dead.

I’m the girl you hated in high school. Is it my fault I was born with it all-good looks, silky blond hair, a hot bod, and a keen sense of what everyone else should not be wearing? But my life isn’t perfect, especially since I died. Run over by a bus of band geeks—is there anything more humiliating? As it turns out, yes—watching your boyfriend and friends move on with life, only days after your funeral. And you wouldn’t believe what they’re saying about me now that they think I can’t hear them. To top it off, I’m starting to disappear, flickering in and out of existence. I don’t know where I go when I’m gone, but it’s not good. Where is that freaking white light already?

Will Killian–Senior in high school, outcast, dubbed “Will Kill” by the popular crowd for the unearthly aura around him, voted most likely to rob a bank…and a ghost-talker.

I can see, hear, and touch the dead. Unfortunately, they can also see, hear and touch me. Yeah, because surviving high school isn’t hard enough already. I’ve done my best to hide my “gift.” After all, my dad, who shared my ability, killed himself because of it when I was fifteen. But lately, pretending to be normal has gotten a lot harder. A new ghost—an anonymous, seething cloud of negative energy with the capacity to throw me around—is pursuing me with a vengeance. My mom, who knows nothing about what I can do, is worrying about the increase in odd incidents, my shrink is tossing around terms like “temporary confinement for psychiatric evaluation,” and my principal, who thinks I’m a disruption and a faker, is searching for every way possible to get rid of me. How many weeks until graduation?

Yani's Analysis:
As soon as I finished this book, I just could not wait to get my hands on more. Alone Dare is the girl you love to hate, but secretly you would love to be her. She is confident and brutally honest, yet not as insufferable as other characters (see Here Lies Bridget review). It was a cute read, but it also had some depth and mystery. I would say this book is a cross between the seriousness of Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver and the Mediator Series by Meg Cabot.

If you loved the Mediator series as I do, you will really enjoy this book. Told in alternating viewpoints, Alona and Will describe their adventure fighting off ghosts, mean principals, a money grubbing psychiatrist, a dark and scary cloud-like energy ( a la Lost), and their attraction to each other.

This is a refreshing funny take on paranormal romances today, with a side moral lesson of learning to be a nice person. I really really really liked this book and I can't wait for the next one.

Why did I give it 5 stars? While it might not be the deepest, it changed my life type of book, it DID keep me turning the pages anxiously wondering what would happen next.
Ratings:

Plot: 5/5
Writing Style: 5/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Characters: 5/5

Similar Titles:

Other Memorable Quotes:

"My popularity was frozen forever at its peak. I felt like I'd crossed the finish line of a race I hadn't even known I was running" Alona

Review: Nailed

Book: Nailed
Author: Jennifer Laurens
Publisher: Grove Creek Publishing
Release Date: 9/22/2008
Pages: 236
Date Read: 2/6/11

From Amazon:
One girl. Two guys. Who says three's a crowd? When Mandy takes an unusual summer job-in construction-she has to prove she's just one of the guys. But she gets more than she bargains for being the only girl on the job. The mixture of hot guys, sunscreen, raw wood and testosterone proves to be an elixir she can't protect her heart from. Brooding Boston and flirty AJ find themselves looking at Mandy as more than just a girl who holds a hammer. Mandy soon finds herself not only lost in a whirlwind of a male-dominated world, but also the center of an inadvertently "constructed" love triangle. Mandy must choose between two guys who want her heart. But what's a girl to do when she wants them both?

Mandy must choose between two guys who want her heart. But what's a girl to do when she wants them both?

Yani's Analysis:
I love a well "constructed" love triangle. Especially on books like this, simple " cute" reads.

See more about what a "cute" read is {here}.

However, after all the great reviews I read about this book, I was disappointed. Not only was Mandy confused about here feelings, but the plot was confused too. The story didn't know where it was going. It wasn't your typical "Oh, I am confused about who I love." It felt like the actions where random, not motive driven. Even though the character felt one way, she acted another. I was just very confused as to why she did most of the things she did. And while there where some original, romantic, and steamy moments, it all felt random.

Still I enjoyed it, but I have read better (see below for recommendation). Will give Laurens another try with her book Magic Hands.

Ratings:

Plot: 3/5
Writing Style: 2/5
Uniqueness: 2/5
Characters: 3.5/5

Similar Titles:

• Labor of Love by Rachel Hawthorne

Memorable Quotes:

"You've got four alpha males and one innocent female. Mix it all together and you might as well be watching a National Geographic special. It's about the animal in all of us, and you're the prize whether you like it or not."

What is a "Cute" Read?

I realized that I have been using that word over and over again in my reviews. I bet many of you are wondering what constitutes a "cute" read?



Warning: Definition may vary depending on the reviewer.

Cute Read: (adj or adv)

... light, with little or no substance/background; fun; feel-good; in the moment; fast; straightforward; some are laugh-out-loud; there is a beginning, middle, and end; amusing; and satisfying...

Simon Romantic Comedies, Rachel Hawthorne Books, and -for the older generation- Love Stories Series are both great examples of Cute Reads.

Review: Head Games

Book: Head Games (Pretty Tough #3)

Author: Keri Mikulski

Publisher: Penguin Books

Release Date: 1/6/2011

Pages: 284

Source: Own

Date Read: 2/1/2011

From Amazon:

Taylor is calm, cool, collected, and ferocious on the basketball court. A total all-star. Not so much in real life. She may be tall, gorgeous, and an incredible catch, but just try telling her that!

And lately, Taylor doesn't know which way to turn: The summer showcase game is almost here. Her BFF Hannah roped her into a fashion show (eek!). And she can't decide between Zach - the super-popular, super-tall, super-off-limits basketball dynamo and Matt - the sweet boy from her math class (who may just be dating her BFF's older sister). It's enough to make any girl's head spin!

Can Taylor strike a pose, land the boy of her dreams, and win the game?

Yani's Analysis:

First, I have to say I loved the first two in the Pretty Tough series. They are about sporty girls, who are still popular and cute, that get the guy. The series doesn’t have to be read in order, because the books can be standalone books, but some of the characters do make cameos in the other books. The author of the first two Liz Tigelaar is really in tune with teenagers. She is an amazing writer. (She was also the producer/writer for the show Life Unexpected)

Even though Pretty Tough series is aimed more at the young of young adult -and not twenty-somethings like me- I can usually relate to the girls in the story. After all, I did only graduate high school four years ago. So because of my love for the first two books and my intellectual youth, I was very excited to see a third Pretty Tough book coming out, even if it wasn’t the same author. However, with Head Games I just couldn’t relate. I don’t know if it’s that the generations have changed so much – I mean bratz was mentioned once, when I was little there was only Barbie – or the sports references where over my head, but it took me a while to connect with Taylor. This is supposed to be a fun light read, I don’t like spending too much time forcing myself to sit there and do it,

Overall, there were some cute moments, but then there were times I wanted to scream at the characters. I mean do they even understand what being in a relationship is? If you are into the younger high school period or first crushes then you might want to give this book a try.

Ratings: 

Plot: 2/5

Writing Style: 3/5
Uniqueness: 1/5

Characters: 2/5

Similar Titles:

·      The Boyfriend Game by Stephie Davis

o   Highly recommended- younger high school students and first crushes, mixed in with sports

·      Pretty Tough by Liz Tigelaar

·      Playing with Boys (Pretty Tough #2) by Liz Tigelaar

·      Smart Boys and Fast Girls by Stephie Davis

Memorable Quotes:

none

Review: The Education of Hailey Kendrick

The Education of Hailey KendrickAuthor: Eileen Cook
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Release Date:
Pages: 272
Source: Simon Pulse It
Date Read: 1/29/11

Hailey Kendrick always does exactly what's expected of her. She has the right friends, dates the perfect boy, gets good grades, and follows all the rules. But one night, Hailey risks everything by breaking a very big rule in a very public way...and with a very unexpected partner in crime. Hailey gets caught, but her accomplice does not, and Hailey takes the fall for both of them. 

Suddenly, Hailey's perfect life--and her reputation--are blowing up in her face. Her friends are all avoiding her. Her teachers don't trust her. Her boyfriend won't even speak to her for long enough to tell her that she's been dumped.

They say honesty is the best policy--but some secrets are worth keeping, no matter the cost. Or are they?

Yani's Analysis:
I forgot how much I like Eileen Cook's work. I have only read What would Emma Do, and I read it such a while back that I forgot how much her words got to me. Her stories are relevant/current and laugh-out-loud funny. I have so many highlighted quotes from this book, I don't know if I can share them all without telling you the whole story! I also really like how she incorporates a theme/message into the story, without spelling it out to the readers. In this book it was about appreciation and going after the things you want in life. Hailey Kendrick certainly got an education, but it wasn't your typical high school class. Hailey learned about life, and as much as you can try, you never really have full control over it.

I loved the characters in this story as well, they are so well constructed. They are neither good nor bad, they have a little bit of both. For example, Hailey is one of these girls that has everything, but doesn't realize it. Despite not having appreciation for the things she does have in life, I would never classify her as snobby or judgmental. Her boyfriend Tristan is agreeable, which isn't necessarily the worst thing a boyfriend could be, but Hailey needed someone more assertive. Without giving away too much more, I liked that despite everything Hailey did, Tristan was a good guy. Sometimes authors make old boyfriends horrible, so you have no choice but to emphasize with the main character even if her actions are wrong.

Overall this book was a very enjoyable read and makes me want to go pick up Getting Revenge on Lauren Wood, or reread What Would Emma Do. I highly recommend you do the same.

Ratings: 

Plot: 4/5
Writing Style: 5/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Characters: 5/5

Similar Titles:

• What Would Emma Do? by Eileen Cook
• Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers (though not as intense)

Memorable Quotes:

"You say that like he's the best thing since sliced bread," I said with a laugh....
"He is the best thing since sliced bread. I bet when sliced bread talks about something cool, it uses him as the example."

and....

"Unfortunately, real life isn't a choose-your-own-adventure book where you can go back and start over if you don't like how things turned out" Hailey

one last one...

"All I'm saying is that people act like they are stuck, when the truth is that they have a choice.... If you want to be happy, then you have to make it happen." Drew

I have so many more, but I don't want to give anything away, so go read it!