Through To You

If you knew something was a bad idea, would you still do it?  That's exactly the story behind Lauren Barnholdt's Through to You.  This fast-paced read is action-packed with a variety of teenage drama, confusion and angst that will take you back.

Summary Courtesy of Goodreads:

Opposites attract—and then complicate—in this romantic, relatable novel from the author of Two-way Street and Sometimes It Happens.

It starts with a scribbled note in class: I like your sparkle. Harper had casually threaded a piece of blue and silver tinsel through her ponytail in honor of school spirit day. And that carefree, corny gesture is what grabs Penn Mattingly’s eye. Penn—resident heartbreaker of the senior class. Reliably unreliable. Trouble with a capital “T.” And okay, smolderingly sexy.

Harper’s surprised by Penn’s attention—and so is Penn. The last thing he needs is a girlfriend. Or even a friend-with-benefits. The note is not supposed to lead to anything.
Oh, but it does. They hang out. They have fun. They talk. They make out. And after a while, it seems like they just click. But Penn and Harper have very different ideas about what relationships look like, in no small part because of their very different family backgrounds. Of course they could talk about these differences—if Penn knew how to talk about feelings.

Harper and Penn understand their attraction is illogical, yet something keeps pulling them together. It’s like a crazy roller coaster—exhilarating, terrifying, and amazing all at once. And neither knows how to stop the ride…

I have to be honest and say that I had a love/hate relationship with Through to You.  One on hand I really loved the dual point of view between Harper and Penn.  It was so dynamic and really helped the pacing of the novel (even if the relationship seemed to move quite fast IMHO).  I always love getting both POV esp when it's the male/female viewpoint.  

On the other hand the plot seemed fairly predictable.  Good naive girl is enamored with resident bad boy and falls hard.  He of course, has a reputation and a past and needs to get over himself.  They build up and things start to go well but then they fight blow up and need to come to terms with their life and get their act together to hopefully have a happily ever after... beyond that the biggest thing I seemed to have an issue with was throughout the last half of the book I kept wondering, what is Harper doing?  Why is she putting up with this?  And wow, talk about anger issues...Penn needs some serious concealing.  Yikes!  I get his story is filled with bad lemons and his deck is stacked against him (he could have a whole novel himself), but seriously...talk about a bad boy with some serious issues! 

All in all though, I did enjoy the read.  Through to You was fast paced and and I believe, really captured the frantic teen emotions in this coming of age story.  

Waiting on Wednesday: The Glass Sentence (The Mapmakers Trilogy #1)

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Okay, so technically I'm on vacation, so I will make this WoW pick pretty short and sweet.  In honor of traveling to new lands I have selected The Glass Sentence (The Mapmakers Trilogy #1) by S.E. Grove as this week's selection!  I had not heard of this book until a few days ago, but wow, when I heard what it was all about I got so excited and then of course sad because it's not available yet...the best things, I suppose, are worth waiting for! 

Summary courtesy of Goodreads:

Boston, 1891. Sophia Tims comes from a family of explorers and cartologers who, for generations, have been traveling and mapping the New World—a world changed by the Great Disruption of 1799, when all the continents were flung into different time periods. Eight years ago, her parents left her with her uncle Shadrack, the foremost cartologer in Boston, and went on an urgent mission. They never returned. Life with her brilliant, absent-minded, adored uncle has taught Sophia to take care of herself.

Then Shadrack is kidnapped. And Sophia, who has rarely been outside of Boston, is the only one who can search for him. Together with Theo, a refugee from the West, she travels over rough terrain and uncharted ocean, encounters pirates and traders, and relies on a combination of Shadrack’s maps, common sense, and her own slantwise powers of observation. But even as Sophia and Theo try to save Shadrack’s life, they are in danger of losing their own.

The Glass Sentence plunges readers into a time and place they will not want to leave, and introduces them to a heroine and hero they will take to their hearts. It is a remarkable debut.Doesn't this just sound amazing?!  A completely new world to immerse yourself into and lose yourself with these amazing characters.  I personally cannot wait because it sounds like this one is action packed with rapid fire event sequences that are sure to leave readers breathless!  Also, this one appears to have some serious attention to the little details - "a gorgeous package--deckle-edge pages, roomy white space and elegant maps" (according to Shelf Awareness writer, Jennifer Brown).  I, for one, CANNOT wait! Eeeee!

The Anatomy of the Perfect YA Boyfriend

So we've all swooned over the myriad of YA Book Boyfriends and this summer will be no exception! So here is a brief look at The Anatomy of the Perfect YA Boyfriend:

Image courtesy of EpicReads.com

1. He's sensitive and so intelligent.  In fact, he often knows all of our needs in advance.  So tuned into what we need, even before maybe even we realize...and did we talk about brains?  This one opens doors (in our minds, not physical) we didn't know exists and shows us things about ourselves we didn't even know about!

2. He's got skills.  And by skills we're meaning like fighting, magic and/or supernatural skills!

3. He makes you laugh.  Oh the humor!  Where did that come from? How did he sneak his way into our hearts, oh that's right, he brought that smile to our face in a warm and soft kitten kind of way!

4. He's so patient we could die! We can seriously banish him and he'll likely come right back to us.  It's horrible really, but they're always waiting for us to come around and they always come back...they're good like that.  They can overlook our faults in a major way and see the very best within!

5. He's near unattainable.  Of course, he's wanted by EVERYONE and he picks us! The others, they ALL swoon over him, but he only has eyes for YOU (as it should be right?)

6. He has a papered often tragic history.  Parents somehow killed tragically?  Most often overcoming circumstances that would typically render him incapable of love, but for you...

7. Did we mention the CHEMISTRY!  Yes, that's right, the Feels.  There's just something about him that makes us tingle in our toes!  Sometimes we'll even find that that at first we feel passionately against him (He's so evil) and everything he is (pig)...or that you think he is.  Which leads us to...

8. There is ALWAYS more to him than you think! He is like an onion...lots of layers.  Often he will build up a facade to push people away or to keep them at arms length, but he has let us in and now we see him for what he is...PERFECT YA BOYFRIEND MATERIAL!

On the Fence

Kasie West, you steal my heart! On the Fence is such a heartfelt read and definitely one not to miss! For those of you who fell for the boy next door or always dreamed of having a worthy boy next door this story will warm your heart to the very core! I won't lie, I secretly always wished I had those "over protective" older brothers. This story really has it all: wit, humor, heartbreak, jealousy, coming of age, tragedy, family, friendship and of course LOVE! Lots of LOVE for West's On The Fence!

Summary Courtesy of Goodreads:

She's a tomboy. He's the boy next door…

Charlie Reynolds can outrun, outscore, and outwit every boy she knows. But when it comes to being a girl, Charlie doesn't know the first thing about anything. So when she starts working at a chichi boutique to pay off a speeding ticket, she finds herself in a strange new world. To cope with the stress of her new reality, Charlie takes to spending nights chatting with her neighbor Braden through the fence between their yards. As she grows to depend on their nightly Fence Chats, she realizes she's got a bigger problem than speeding tickets-she's falling for Braden. She knows what it means to go for the win, but if spilling her secret means losing him for good, the stakes just got too high.

Fun, original, and endearing, On the Fence is a romantic comedy about finding yourself and finding love where you least expect.  

Call me a cheeseball, but I seriously am addicted to these coming of age stories where characters really come into their own and begin to stop being the people they've been told to be or always thought they were and really blossom into the people they are from their core out. West does not disappoint in this case and On the Fence really scores! 

One of my favorite aspects of On the Fence are the characters. They are all so well developed that the reader actually feels a part of the family. Each character, no matter how minor is well described and given a personality so their own that they shine. West is so detailed that I can hear the rowdy boys goofing off around the house and on the field and I can smell the incense from the little shop that Charlie works in. All of the details are so vivid and contribute to West's beautifully matriculate world building. It's almost like you all right into the pages and end up on the streets of Old Town.

If FEELS is what you're after, then let me tell you, West does not let readers down on that front! Wow. It's a slow build, which honestly is my favorite kind of build, filled with a growing friendship, inclusive of those jealous tingles and then it's just downright romantic in a way that will melt even the coldest of hearts! Braden is so worthy of the FEELS and he is absolutely perfect! Noble, patient, kind, funny, romantic and HOT! Did we already cover that front? Oh well... Counter that with tomboy Charlotte i.e. Charlie who is raised by wolves (alright, alright three brothers and a dad) and who suddenly is thrust into a girly world that changes the way others see her and also changes the way she starts to see herself and others who surround her! She's a strong willed girl which I love and like so many of us, she is trying to find out where she fits in. 

We all try on different skins throughout life but the key is learning to be true to yourself...but who is that? Do not miss out on this wonderfully perfect read. Seriously! Get ready to fall in love this summer!

Prom Impossible

First of all, HUGE thanks to Giselle at Xpresso Book Tours and of course to Laura Pauling for this wonderful opportunity to review Prom Impossible! What a FUN ride...I mean read! I haven't wanted to get my hands on something that sounded this comedically tragic in a while and it was exactly what I was hoping it would be! Prom Impossible by Laura Pauling is perfect for summer! Such a delightful read that will leave you feeling hopeful, in love, in HATE, desperate and wonderful all at the same time! How does Pauling do that?! Let me just say, from the first page I was hooked and could not put this down until the end.

Summary courtesy of Goodreads:

1 girl + 1 prom + 3 guys = Prom Impossible!
Cassidy decides her senior year, including prom, will be about Michael Greenwood, the boy destined to be her soul mate. One problem. He hasn’t figured that out yet.

But certain events meant as innocent pranks—that weren’t completely her fault—introduce her to Zeke, the reformed bad boy. And cutting deals in the boys’ bathroom with Jasper, the hottest guy in school, lands her in a complicated web of half-truths that spirals out of control.

At the end of the year, she’s dateless the day before the big night but risks a lot more than her pride if she can’t find a way to fix her mistakes.

PROM IMPOSSIBLE is a modern-day Shakespearean romantic comedy in the world of teens, true love, and life.

While this novel is nothing ground-breaking, it is one heck of a crazy ride that will have you cursing and rooting for Cassidy all at the same time.  Her situation is sometimes a bit dramatic and she always seems to get herself into tricky situations but her journey throughout this read has so many emotions that it will keep you engaged and intrigued till the very end.  Will she end up with guy #1, guy #2 or guy #3?  You'll have to pick up this read to find out!

The Oyster's Autobiography

Looking for that contemporary read that will leave you saying, "aww..."?  Let me introduce you to Kitty Kilby's The Oyster's Autobiography.  For any of you who were ever shy in high school.  For any of you who wished you could have courage or be someone else.  For anyone who was ever scared to take a chance.  This book is for you!  Who could ask for more than an authentic, self-discovery story that starts with blackmail from a best friend and ends...well you'll have to read to find out!

Summary courtesy of Goodreads:

Shy girls don’t yarn-bomb the school fence at dawn, and they definitely don’t skip school to hang out with Patrick Hayes—student council president, football vice-captain (and president of his own fan club). But then, best friends don’t usually resort to blackmail.

Fifteen-year-old Mabs is the shadow to Olivia’s sun. That’s how it’s always been. But when Olivia goes on a semester-long exchange to France, Mabs can no longer hide behind her best friend.

When a letter arrives, postmarked Paris, the last thing Mabs expects is blackmail. And unless she completes the enclosed list of dares by the time Olivia gets home, Olivia will send the love poem she stole from Mabs’s diary to the boy it was written about.

What’s even worse than the possibility of Rob Eno (her way too easily decipherable codename for the former object of her affections) seeing that poem, or her best friend thinking that she’s a friendless recluse who needs to be blackmailed into getting a life, is having to admit it just might be true.

After a few humiliating attempts, Mabs realises the only way she’s ever going to get the list finished in time is to enlist the help of an extrovert. Enter Patrick Hayes, her brother’s pain-in-the-neck best friend. The ultimate extrovert, he might be the only one who can help Mabs finish the list, and step out of Olivia’s shadow.

We all know I'm a serious lover of a good coming of age story and throw in some flirty banter and blackmail and I'm putty.  Kilby did a wonderful job building some really fantastic characters that you can't help but fall a little in love with.  First off, bravo for creating a character like Mabs who has a little bit of each of us in her.  She's completely wonderful with a great heart and so much character but she is so used to living in her friend's shadow that she has no confidence in who she is...that is until her friend Olivia heads to Paris and leaves Mabs all alone to fend for herself...only she left a "to-do" list of sorts that takes Mabs on a journey that will forever alter how she sees herself and how others see her as well!

What a fun read!  If you're looking for something to throw into that picnic bag or take on your next trip, def add this one to your list! 

THE ART OF LAINEY by Paula Stokes Nerd Blast!

Okay, okay, honestly I cannot say enough good things about The Art of Lainey by Paula Stokes.  See my review here.  It's absolutely fabulous and if you have not yet read it, run don't walk and pick up your copy or download your e-book of this one...at least enter to win yourself a copy below...you won't regret it! :-)

Synopsis 

Soccer star Lainey Mitchell is gearing up to spend an epic summer with her amazing boyfriend, Jason, when he suddenly breaks up with her—no reasons, no warning, and in public no less! Lainey is more than crushed, but with help from her friend Bianca, she resolves to do whatever it takes to get Jason back.

And that’s when the girls stumble across a copy of The Art of War. With just one glance, they’re sure they can use the book to lure Jason back into Lainey’s arms. So Lainey channels her inner warlord, recruiting spies to gather intel and persuading her coworker Micah to pose as her new boyfriend to make Jason jealous. After a few “dates”, it looks like her plan is going to work!  But now her relationship with Micah is starting to feel like more than just a game.

What’s a girl to do when what she wants is totally different from what she needs? How do you figure out the person you’re meant to be with, if you’re still figuring out the person you’re meant to be?

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Paula Stokes is half writer, half RN, and totally thrilled to be part of the world of YA literature. She grew up in St. Louis, Missouri where she graduated from Washington University and the Goldfarb School of Nursing. When she’s not writing, she’s kayaking, hiking, reading, or seeking out new adventures in faraway lands. Paula loves interacting with readers! Find her online at www.authorpaulastokes.com or on twitter as @pstokesbooks.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS

2 Winners will receive a Copy of The Art of Lainey+Swag by Paula Stokes.

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--Giveaway is open to International. | Must be 13+ to Enter

YA Moms Who Rock - Happy Mother's Day!

Today is a VERY special day...It's MOTHER'S DAY! So to all you moms our there Happy Mother's Day!  If you're friends with a special mother or have a special mother be sure to let them know that you appreciate all they do!  

I know I for one owe part of my love of books to my parents who both are serious readers themselves and my early childhood was filled with lots of bedtime stories inclusive of some pretty awesome character voices!  I hope that someday when I have children of my own I too can pass on my passion for reading as well!  That is one gift that I am thankful for everyday. 

Now, I know that being a mom is one TOUGH job, but being a mom in YA seems to be even tougher!  Especially since so many featured moms seem to fall short, are missing entirely or never seem to make it onto the pages in any significance....so, let's give a shoutout to our ROCKSTAR moms of YA!  You know who they are...they're the women that stand strong, lead by example, are compassionate, loving, kind and kick a$$!  So let's start the list...


Our first shoutout goes to one of my favorite moms...she's nearly iconic for how she is portrayed literally laying down her life to save her son and still brings a tear to my eye just thinking about her sacrifice...Lily Potter from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Harry Potter #1).  She is one amazing woman who not only dies to protect Harry but also teaches him a lesson that helps him in his ultimate journey in the Harry Potter Series!  

Speaking of mothers who were willing to lay down their lives for their children, we could not leave out the next two:

Clary's mom Jocelyn from City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments #1).  We know mom's shouldn't keep secrets from their daughters who will save the world, but Jocelyn is ultimately just trying to protect Clary. 

Tris' mom, Natalie Prior of Divergent (Divergent, #1) , who too has secrets of her own that are only revealed once saves her daughter from execution and lays her life down to protect her during a high intensity chase scene.  Her death goes down as a brave death of love sacrifice.

One other we should not leave out is Percy's mom, Sally Jackson in the series The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #1).  Sally's desire to protect Percy leads her to marry smelly Gabe Ugliano so that monsters would stay away from her son and endures Gabe's abuse just so that Percy has a chance to be safe.

Now I know this list is short and I'm leaving some out...Who would you send a shout out to?  Is there a YA mom that you wish was your mom?  

I'll leave you with this pretty cool vid that was circulating out there that I thought did a particularly good job at defining how tiresome and hard a mom's job really can be!  

Waiting on Wednesday: The Perilous Sea

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Today's WoW read is greatly anticipated by yours truly!  You all know how I raved about Book 1 in this series, The Burning Sky but will you take a look at how Book 2 is shaping up?!  WoW-za is right!!!  The Perilous Sea by Sherry Thomas looks to just expand and stoke my growing love for Iolanthe (aka Archer Fairfax).  

I absolutely adore this cover art...whoever is responsible please accept my love and adoration! Honestly, so gorgeous!  And really, I cannot get enough of Titus and Iolanthe!  I want more!  I want to go to Eton with them...please?  This next book looks to include a twist that will challenge them both and set the path on an unknown (and exciting?) journey ahead!  Eeeee!


Summary Courtesy of Goodreads:

After spending the summer away from each other, Titus and Iolanthe (still disguised as Archer Fairfax) are eager to return to Eton College to resume their training to fight the Bane. Although no longer bound to Titus by a blood oath, Iolanthe is more committed than ever to fulfilling her destiny—especially with the agents of Atlantis quickly closing in.

Soon after arriving at school, though, Titus makes a shocking discovery, one that makes him question everything he previously believed about their mission. Faced with this devastating realization, Iolanthe is forced to come to terms with her new role, while Titus must choose between following his mother's prophecies—and forging a divergent path to an unknowable future.

The One (The Selection #3)

Whew...what a read!  I don't want to give too much away but for those of you who are romantics like I am, who also love twists and turns, and of course love our feisty America and moral compass, The One (The Selection #3) by Kiera Cass will not disappoint!  Cass wraps up her trilogy masterfully and gives readers a sense of hope in our constantly dysfunctional world.

Summary courtesy of Goodreads:

The Selection changed the lives of thirty-five girls forever. And now, the time has come for one winner to be chosen.

America never dreamed she would find herself anywhere close to the crown—or to Prince Maxon's heart. But as the competition approaches its end and the threats outside the palace walls grow more vicious, America realizes just how much she stands to lose—and how hard she'll have to fight for the future she wants.

From the very first page of The Selection, this #1 New York Times bestselling series has captured readers' hearts and swept them away on a captivating journey... Now, in The One, Kiera Cass delivers a satisfying and unforgettable conclusion that will keep readers sighing over this electrifying fairy-tale long after the final page is turned.

Let me just start by saying, I have absolutely not idea how writers keep everything straight!  Like all the little details...it's incredible.  Cass will pull something out from The Selection (The Selection #1) or The Elite (The Selection #2) and makes readers stop and think, "oh right, that happened."  Master of her cart that Cass.  So beyond her impeccable attention to detail Cass was able to write a clear and loud voice for America that stayed relatively steady throughout the series.  

America has got to be one of my favorite leading ladies if only for her flair for the dramatics and her clever ways to get around King Clarkson time and time again.  I can feel her struggle and confusion around Prince Maxon and Aspen.  One one hand she has familiarity of a boy she thought she had a forever with and on the other hand she has a prince who snuck in unexpectedly and turned her world and heart upside-down.  So who will she choose?  

The world building continues in The One and I loved how it really showcases the differences between life in the palace and life beyond with the rebels and how that line is becoming more and more blurred as the conflict starts to seep within the walls of Illea. It's a good social/political discussion and makes us all pause to think about the differences between classes and how that either empowers people or disenfranchises and that unbalance can lead to unrest and that unrest to rebellion.  

The overlying plot, however, is mainly centered around the selection process and the growing relationship between America and Prince Maxon.  Can either ever fully trust the other?  Would you?  I have always wondered how those girls of The Bachelorette do it, knowing that every night he's cuddling with other girls.  That is of course America's concern as well.  How does she know that she can trust Maxon when he could very well be doing the exact same things and saying the same words to the remaining ladies?  On Maxon's side too, he know's America has a past and has loved, and can someone really love him for him despite all the chains and responsibilities of palace life?  Will they both be able to open their hearts fully to another or does a certain soldier *cough* Aspen *cough* still hold the key to America's heart?

All in all, a really wonderful read and wrap up to the series.  I could not have ended it better in my head.  I for one, was complete happy and at peace for how Cass closed up The Selection Series.  Bravo!  I can't wait to see what the future holds for this talented author. 

Biggest Flirts

Summer parties. Check! Senior year. Check! Band camp. Check! Hot new transfer? Check, Check! Okay, okay, so Biggest Flirts by Jennifer Echols is a fun and flirty read that is a perfect addition to your summer beach bag or backyard hammock this summer! A quick read with engaging flawed characters that grow into their own and will leave you feeling quite nice at the end!

Summary Courtesy of Goodreads:

Tia and Will’s lives get flipped upside down when they’re voted Yearbook’s Biggest Flirts in this sassy novel from the author of Endless Summer and The One That I Want.

Tia just wants to have fun. She’s worked hard to earn her reputation as the life of the party, and she’s ready for a carefree senior year of hanging out with friends and hooking up with cute boys. And her first order of business? New guy Will. She can’t get enough of his Midwestern accent and laidback swagger.

As the sparks start to fly, Will wants to get serious. Tia’s seen how caring too much has left her sisters heartbroken, and she isn’t interested in commitment. But pushing Will away drives him into the arms of another girl. Tia tells herself it’s no big deal…until the yearbook elections are announced. Getting voted Biggest Flirts with Will is, well, awkward. They may just be friends, but their chemistry is beginning to jeopardize Will’s new relationship—and causing Tia to reconsider her true feelings. What started as a lighthearted fling is about to get very complicated…

Let me start by saying, I have a super soft spot for anything nerdy. Bring on the band geeks, the academics, the overachievers and unrealized potential! Echols builds a beautiful setting for us that seems to very accurately paint the picture of Tia's Florida high school experience. Enter Will who you almost instantly cannot help but fall for with his innocent charm, caring ways and total HOTNESS! Can this boy keep his shirt on at all throughout the book? Well I guess not, but I'm also not complaining!

One of my favorite surprises in this novel was the fact that I was completely expecting a love triangle situations that I was pleased to see excluded in this instance! While I do love me a love triangle from time to time, it can be overdone and it was really refreshing for once...not that I wouldn't mind reading a book completely dedicated to Sawyer! Sawyer is probably one of my favorite characters in this book mainly because of his mystery and past and really, who doesn't love a bad boy?

The pace is quick and is filled with witty, sarcastic, teenage humor. An easy read to breeze through in a sitting and really take you back to the halls of high school.

The Art of Lainey

Wow, wow wow! I could not put this down! Paula Stokes really scores with The Art of Lainey!

Summary Courtesy of Goodreads:

Soccer star Lainey Mitchell is gearing up to spend an epic summer with her amazing boyfriend, Jason, when he suddenly breaks up with her—no reasons, no warning, and in public no less! Lainey is more than crushed, but with help from her friend Bianca, she resolves to do whatever it takes to get Jason back.

And that’s when the girls stumble across a copy of The Art of War. With just one glance, they're sure they can use the book to lure Jason back into Lainey’s arms. So Lainey channels her inner warlord, recruiting spies to gather intel and persuading her coworker Micah to pose as her new boyfriend to make Jason jealous. After a few "dates", it looks like her plan is going to work! But now her relationship with Micah is starting to feel like more than just a game.

What's a girl to do when what she wants is totally different from what she needs? How do you figure out the person you're meant to be with, if you're still figuring out the person you're meant to be?

We all can relate to this story where the girl gets dumped and then tries to win her love back by trying to create jealousy and ends up find out that what she really wants might not be what she originally though she did. This coming of age story is a wonderful reminder that self-discovery is always there and we just have to be open to change and seeing ourselves not as who we think we should be but who we really are in our hearts.

This story is well written and so rich that you can really see it play out as a movie. I was hooked instantly by the story and could not put it down until 2am. The characters are real and believable and you really begin to root for them each so rich and unique and yet we all know people like each of the characters. I can't even begin to tell you the FEELS that will come along with this book...soooo good! The banter back and forth was witty and hilarous and really had me giggling out loud while reading.

This book should not be missed. It's not going to change your life but it's one of those reads that will help make life more enjoyable! Make sure to add this one to your TBR pile today!

Deception's Princess

Wow! I completely devoured this novel in one sitting! What a story! Talk about a story that really has it all! Esther Friesner does it again and captivates audiences with Deception's Princess! If you're looking of an excellent period piece with a headstrong, determined, sharp-tongued, strong-willed, intelligent and quick-witted heroine, than this is the book for you! Maeve is all that and more!

Summary Courtesy of Goodreads:

Maeve, princess of Connacht, was born with her fists clenched. And it's her spirit and courage that make Maeve her father's favorite daughter. But once he becomes the High King, powerful men begin to circle—it's easy to love the girl who brings her husband a kingdom.

Yet Maeve is more than a prize to be won, and she's determined to win the right to decide her own fate. In the court's deadly game of intrigue, she uses her wits to keep her father's friends and enemies close—but not too close. When she strikes up an unlikely friendship with the son of a visiting druid, Maeve faces a brutal decision between her loyalty to her family and to her own heart.

Award-winning author Esther Friesner has a remarkable gift for combining exciting myth and richly researched history. This fiery heroine's fight for independence in first-century Ireland is truly worthy of a bard's tale. Hand Deception's Princess to fans of Tamora Pierce, Shannon Hale, and Malinda Lo. If you're a lover of Irish Mythology or event if you're not, Friesner will quench your thirst for rich world building and excellent character building. I will warn that you might start to actually believe that you are living in the bustling Irish castle or running in the tall grasses of the pasture or even find yourself within the walls of a smelly cabin. This transportation into Friesner's world is so gloriously vivid that you will want to visit again and again!

Deception's Princess follows Maeve which is based on Queen Maeve (Medb) of Connacht who has many legends about her character but as portrayed in the novel, who can really know what is truth and what is exaggeration. Maeve however, is very true to herself and continually shows her intelligence and strong-will throughout the novel. She knows how to read people and how to play people but also isn't into playing games and in that vein remains true to her virtues and make (if but few) lifelong friendships.


This was an excellent coming of age/legend/historical story that really depicted the woman we all strive to be; determined, virtuous, intelligent, beautiful, funny, etc. Who can't help but love her?!