Book Review : The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer

Book: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer (#1)
Author: Michelle Hodkin

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Date Published: September 27, 2011
Pages: 464
Source: ARC
Date Read: June 2, 2011

Mara Dyer doesn't think life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there.

It can.

She believes there must be more to the accident she can't remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously unharmed.

There is.

She doesn't believe that after everything she's been through, she can fall in love.

She's wrong.

Summary Taken from Goodreads

Yani's Review:

This was the ARC I was most excited about getting at BEA. I felt like everyone was talking about it, yet no one knew what it was about. And that just might be what I loved most about it. I went in expecting nothing, and being sucked into this giant mystery, which yes got a little crazy at points, but was so intriguing and new!

Mara Dyer's story has a little bit of everything: mystery, romance, suspense, family, mean girls, etc, etc. I was seriously sucked in, from the first pages to the last. Not that I didn't put the book down, at some points I had to, just so my brain function could return to normal. I haven't been this excited for a series in a long time.

The writing is fantastic. The scene with Noah (ahh <3) and Mara are fantastic. I never knew where the story was going, but it was one heck of a ride.

I don't want to spoil anything of the book, but if I have to say one thing I wish was a little different it would just be that if the story is in Miami (my hometown) can we have some more Hispanic representation?? Maybe the next book? Maybe a girl named Yanelys (just in case you didn't get this, that's my full name HAHA) =)

My Review in a Tweet: Exhilarating, suspenseful, magical debut by Michelle Hodkin that just may be one of my favorites this year! Who is Mara Dyer???

Ratings:

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

Memorable Quotes:

I narrowed my eyes at him. "I was warned about you, you know." And with a half-smile that wrecked me, Noah said, "But you're here anyway."

Similar Titles:
trying to think of some...

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Waiting on Wednesday #18

This weeks pick is.... The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith! 

WOW is hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine.

From Goodreads:
Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan's life. She's stuck at JFK, late to her father's second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon to be step-mother that Hadley's never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport's cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he's British, and he's in seat 18B. Hadley's in 18A.

Twists of fate and quirks of timing play out in this thoughtful novel about family connections, second chances and first loves. Set over a 24-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver's story will make you believe that true love finds you when you're least expecting it.

Why Yani is Waiting on It: Everyone that has received an early copy has loved it. Awesome name, awesome premise, just can't wait!

Can't wait for this book coming out: January 2, 2012

My Mom gave TIM TEBOW my card!

This Monday Tim Tebow, Heisman trophy winner and ex-quarterback of my Alma Mater University of Florida, was signing his book in Miami. My Mom is a huge fan, as am I, but I have met him many times at school, and I couldn't attend this time because of work. I think she might have gone a little crazy and I don't know if I am mad at her or want to give her a big kiss on the cheek! But apparently while I was busy working, my mom took a business card from my desk and wrote a note to Tim and gave it to him!!!!!!!

That's my mom holding my card with the note written in the blank spaces. (check out the dude in the back haha)

That's Timmy looking at her like she is crazy! (AGAIN check out the dude in the back haha)

That is him covering the card with his hand and wondering where the nearest trash can is (Well dude in the blue shirt thanks for looking in this one)

And if by any chance Tim, you didn't throw the card away and are on my blog and reading this post, GO GATORS!!!!!! And thanks mom, I guess your crazy plan worked =)

Book Review : Sometimes It Happens

Book: Sometimes It Happens
Author: Lauren Barnholdt
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Date Published: July 12, 2011
Pages: 320
Source: GalleyGrab
Date Read: May 24, 2011

On the last day of her junior year, Hannah's boyfriend Sebastian dumped her. Facing a summer of loneliness, Hannah turns to her best friend Ava for comfort. Ava does what BFFs do: she stays by Hannah's side...until it's time for Ava to head up to Maine for the summer. Also left behind is Ava's boyfriend, Noah, who's such a great guy he gets Hannah a job at the diner he waits tables at. Slowly, Hannah comes out of her funk thanks to Noah's good conversation and their fun times at the diner. But things get complicated when their friendship turns into attraction--and one night, into a passionate kiss.

The novel opens on the first day of senior year; the day Hannah is going to see Ava, Sebastian, and Noah all in one place. Over the course of the day secrets and betrayals are revealed, and alliances are broken and reformed. In the end, everyone is paired up once again, but not the way you might think...

Summary Taken from Goodreads

Yani's Review:

There is not much to say about Lauren Barnholdt other than she consistently writes books I love to read. Two-Way Street is one of my favorite books, and one of my favorite things about it is the writing style. Lauren's style in each of her books in different and unique, she has an awesome way of writing past and present at the same time and I love that about this book.

Yes, you know what happens right from the beginning, yes it deals with a difficult topic (cheating), but the way the story builds is amazing. I couldn't put the book down. And while Ava was a B***h at times, no one deserves to be cheated on. I liked that Hannah at times tried to rationalize the way she was feeling, or give herself excuses, but in the end she knows what right and wrong is.

I LOVED Noah, and while Hannah fell for him that summer so did I. The romance was cute, and really came from a friendship. That paired with the emotions Hannah express, makes it so I can't hate,

My Review in a Tweet: Hard not to fall in love with this story, told in past and present, Lauren's writing style always draws me in! Sometimes it Happens

Ratings:

Plot: 4/5
Writing Style: 5/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Characters: 5/5

Memorable Quotes:

"I grab another magazine and start to read angrily. Well, I'm not sure you can really read angrily. But you can make it clear that you're upset by sighing a lot and ruffling the pages. Which is what I'm doing now." Hannah

Similar Titles:

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Buy Sometimes it Happens by clicking HERE!

*commission received from sales goes toward amazon gift cards and buying books for giveaways!*

In My Mailbox : The Birthday Edition!

In My Mailbox {aka IMMB} is hosted by The Story Siren.

ARC Tour:

Bought:

For Review:

RAK:

Blogs Mentioned:

• Jacinda at the Reading Housewives of Indiana

• Lauren Kate's Passion Event in Miami, FL
• TGIF # 8
• Book Review : The Vespertine
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• Mondays Bite: Twilight Re-Read Along!
• Book Review : Die For Me