Review: The Ideal Wife by Mary Balogh

The Ideal Wife (The Ideal Wife #1)

by Mary Balogh

In this classic tale, New York Times bestselling author Mary Balogh introduces a hero like no other: Miles Ripley, London’s most irresistible bachelor, who’s about to lose his heart to the last person he ever expected to love—his wife.

When Abigail Gardiner knocks at the door of Miles Ripley, Earl of Severn, the last thing she expects is a marriage proposal. Desperate, she’d come to this charismatic stranger’s home to plead for her future. Instead she shocks them both by saying yes. Her impulsive decision will have consequences neither she nor her new husband can foresee. For Miles has his own reasons for marrying her. And Abigail is harboring a secret of her own. As distrust gives way to desire . . . as, together, they give in to the pleasures of the marriage bed, a devastating scandal threatens their future. Now these two wary hearts will risk ruin and disgrace for a love that has changed them both forever—the kind all seek, but few ever find.

Genre: Adult, Historical Romance

Publication Date: June 24th 2008

Publisher: Dell

Format: Mass Market Paperback, 339 pages 

Series: yes, but can be read as a stand-alone

Source: used book store

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My Review:

So... the minute I read that blurb (and saw this beautiful and brightly blue cover -the three Bs this cover whore absolutely loves-), I decided to go ahead and ignore the surprisingly low ratings for this book and see things for myself.

I had a lot of fun reading The Ideal Wife. Sure, some of the dialogues and actions of the characters were not perfectly 'agreeable' with the time period, nor was the ease with which Miles quickly accepted and fell for Abigail (it was almost insta-love, and it came from the guy first, a surprise in itself) and her oddities, and constantly stood by her side even when Society stated that he 'correct' her bizarre behavior. Yes, like I said, it wasn't very believable... but it does not mean it wasn't enjoyable. It's not always you see the hero falling for the heroine before SHE falls for him, nor is it very often that he turns out to be such an understanding, dear of a husband. The Ideal Wife was the kind of book that really brings out the meaning of 'romance' to mind: something sweet, a little bit too-perfect and, so, very unrealistic. What is better than THAT for when you need to escape real life? It was a great help during my finals. Something light, quick and easy to read that makes your brain relax a bit.

Abigail was a surprisingly strong and amusing heroine from the very start. I was quick to like her... only to almost hate her enough to want to give up finishing the book. I didn't give it up, but I simply could NOT believe some of her ridiculous decisions. How can someone be so smart and so freaking STUPID at the same time? Very annoying. There was no need for all that secrecy and drama and running around behind her husband's back when it was SO VERY OBVIOUS that he would gladly help with the (painfully simple) issue at hand. But then again, the story needed something more to the plot... it just seems to me that the author could have thought of a better way to write it. There was a (grave) surprise, that we never could have seen coming, unveiled at the end. THAT surprise should have been better hinted at, better developed, to make the seriousness of the book come through. 

Regardless of those problems, I liked the characters and the lightness of the story, the strength of their relationship. It was cute and funny. And that's pretty much it.

Review: A Breath of Magic by Teresa Medeiros

Breath of Magic (Lennox Family Magic #1)

by Teresa Medeiros

Published February 1st 1996 by Bantam

Precocious Puritan and aspiring witch Arian Whitewood spends her lonely nights dreaming of magic and excitement. She gets more excitement than she bargains for when she crash lands straight out of a witch hunt into the 20th century and the arms of Tristan Lennox, a reclusive billionaire. Arian blows through Tristan's climate-controlled existence like a breath of magic, only to discover that the spell he weaves around her heart is more compelling than any enchantment.

Genre: Adult, Romance

Publication Date: Feb 1st 1996

Publisher: Bantam

Format: Mass Market Paperback, 400 pages 

Series: sort of, but not really

Source: My own copy

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My Review

It's been forever since the last Teresa Medeiros book I've read. I forgot how much I enjoyed her storytelling and her characters. :)

A Breath of Magic felt more like a breath of FRESH AIR after so many 'bad' or simply 'ok' adult books I tried this week... I laughed SO hard with it! Really, I can't stress how much fun I had reading it. :) It really came at the best possible moment for me.

Arian is the French daughter of an unmarried woman in the 17th century and never met her father. She's sent to live with a stepfather in the middle of a bunch of Puritans.... which would be okay, if not for the small fact that, uhm, she's a witch. A WHITE witch, sure, but a witch nonetheless. And all is evil in the eyes of the Puritans. Arian finds herself in the middle of an Inquisition, just about to drown when she utters a last-minute spell to try and make time stop, but that actually sends her 300 years in the future, in her flying broom.

Tristan doesn't believe in magic, but, ironically still has some inner hope to find it in the world. Which is part of the reason why he promises a million dollars to whoever proves to him that there is such a thing as real magic out there. Tristan is getting fed up with all the charlatans when, out of freaking nowhere, a girl dressed as a nun appears flying/crashing a broom up in the sky. When she falls/lands right into the middle of the contest. He saves her, and sends her broom for examination, certain that it must had some gadget that made it fly. But while his team of researchers find themselves busy trying to prove it was NOT just a broom, Tristan is about to find himself believing in magic again... and also in love.

Tristan could be very bossy and demanding and rude sometimes, but he constantly made up for it, so all was well. He wore his past wounds as an armor around his heart, but it was very satisfying to see Arian slowly melt it away.

Speaking of Arian, she had everything that could have made me dislike her as heroine, but, surprisingly, did not. I actually LIKED her. And you guys must know by now how bitchy I can be. :P She was smart, but kind and pure in a way that was BELIEVABLE and fitting, not coming out as stupid or over-the-head as they usually do in romance books these days. She was genuinely good and naive. But still strong-willed and determined. Authors, take note of this. Your characters don't need to be total losers/pushovers in order to be good/kind-hearted. 

Their romance was also pure and so, so adorable. There were very few sex scenes, only a couple, as a matter of fact, but they were so... gentle and nonexplicit and just, well, romantic. (I'm very eloquent today). They were heart-warming in their simplicity and candor, and very much perfect in their context. This was a real love story. I liked it immensely. And I'm most certainly NOT a romantic. Yes, I am slightly astonished myself. O.o

I was also charmed by the lovely secondary characters! Copperfield, Tristan's (only) best friend and Indian lawyer. Sven, the poor bodyguard, former manicurist/hairdresser, turned goat. Hilarious! I wish they had books of their own. XD

Miss Medeiros, you managed to write a real gem! One that still remains modern, even after sixteen years!!! I congratulate and thank you for such a feat/treat. :) It will come out a bit cheesy, but it was simply... magical. Really, just enchanting.

Mini-Review: Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Anna and the French Kiss
by Stephanie Perkins

Published December 2nd 2010 by Dutton

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 Etienne St. Clair: perfect, Parisian (and English and American, which makes for a swoon-worthy accent), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home. As winter melts into spring, will a year of romantic near - misses end with the French kiss Anna - and readers - have long awaited?

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

Publication Date: Dec 2nd, 2012

Publisher: Dutton

Format: e-book, 372 pages 

Series: no

Source: My Kindle

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My Review

I started this book a couple of weeks ago. It didn't instantly grab my attention, so I put it aside and read a handful of other books until I finally came back to it.

For the first 1/3 of this book I honestly had trouble figuring out what people saw in it. Really. So much fuss for this? >.> Until I realized that I had fallen for Etienne without even noticing.

Yup. I read this one right after finishing Twenties Girl, which means I still had some feelings remaining in my heart due to the PMS and all that (LOL), so I sort of cried while reading this one, too. Embarrassing enough, I even felt my heart tightening when Anna and Etienne kept hurting each other.... very emo, believe me, I am aware. Damn you, hormones!

But I digress. Oh, Paris. Your magic got to me. Suddenly I could relate to Anna (and started to crave a trip to those lovely tourist attractions) and wanted Etienne for myself.

This one was a lovely, light read that, at the same time, managed to approach some very serious issues, such as divorces, controlling and unloving parents, the tale of first love, the difficulty in ending a relationship because it's 'safe', how to forgive your friends and accept your flaws/admit your mistakes, and, of course, trying to find your place in the world. See, I told you my PMS made me sentimental. It apparently also makes me philosophical. But don't get used it to it.

Anna and the French kiss was an adorable read, and now I have to go and look for 'Lola and the Boy Next Door'. I hear it's just as cute. :P

P.S: Totally out of topic here, but don't you LOVE Perkins' blue highlights in this picture??? *-* I so wish I could pull it off.

Quickie Review: Losing It by Cora Carmack

Losing It
by Cora Carmack

Published October 12th 2012

Virginity.

Bliss Edwards is about to graduate from college and still has hers. Sick of being the only virgin among her friends, she decides the best way to deal with the problem is to lose it as quickly and simply as possible-- a one-night stand. But her plan turns out to be anything but simple when she freaks out and leaves a gorgeous guy alone and naked in her bed with an excuse that no one with half-a-brain would ever believe. And as if if that weren't embarrassing enough, when she arrives for her first class of her last college semester, she recognizes her new theatre professor. She'd left him naked in her bed about 8 hours earlier.

Genre: New Adult, Adult, Contemporary

Publication Date: Oct 12th 2012

Publisher: the author

Format: ebook, 204 pages 

Series: no

Source: My Kindle

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My Review

With a title and cover like these, how could I possibly stay away from this book? Day-am. I got it as quickly as I could and, ignoring my pile of TBR books waiting in line to be read this year, set up to read it. Because I just couldn't wait.

Losing It was a lovely read. *-*

And, strangely enough, I don't know what much else to say about it. Wait, yes I can. It all comes down to this:

Garrick.

Tall, yummy, sexy, youngish, deliciously built, kind-hearted, blue-eyed, British-accented Garrick. 

I loved that guy. And so did the main character, Bliss, aka, the sacrificing Virgin.

My main issue with this book was that, after the first couple of chapters, things just became sort of unbelievable to me.

They met at the bar, had a lovely discussion about Shakespeare (be still my heart), and we could instantly see that they clicked, that the chemistry was there and was more than right, that they had so much in common, that things were starting to fall into place, that here was no love at first sight, but that it was obviously right around the corner, and that if only they gave it a try... but BAM. Bliss puts a stop to things right before she gives up her V-card to the perfect guy, Garrick. Even after promising she would give it up as soon as possible, regardless of the taker. 

I could not get past that. How could she not go through with it? She was comfortable in her skin, with what they were doing, she was comfortable with HIM and he was a perfect gentleman. What else could she want? So, okay, he was, technically, still a stranger. I just feel that a lot of trouble and unnecessary drama could have been avoided... but then again, if she had gone through with it, there would have been no book. :P

Bliss was sweet, but felt very immature and whiny to me, especially for someone just about to graduate from college. I liked her name, though. It wasn't overly common, nor was it too cheesy nor weird. Her friends were all very interesting characters, but the rest of the story could not hold my interest. I found myself flipping the pages on my Kindle to see what would happen after, and did not stop very often on my way to the ending, to be honest.

Well, what else can I say about this book that I read in fastforward mode? The hot scenes were pretty hot, I have nothing to complain about those AT ALL. There were some stereotypes from YA in the book that pissed me off, even if this is what people are now calling new Adult (I guess it's just a sort of grown-up, sexualized YA). The couple spent most of their time avoiding each other, then getting stuck in misunderstandings and hurting each other, then getting together again... that was annoying. Oh, and they didn't talk much, ergo, the misunderstandings. Also, the ending was almost too perfect, I think.

All in all, it was worth it for the steamy parts, but the rest really didn't work for me. But if you're looking for something fresh and light, this might be perfect for you.

Review: Everything and the Moon by Julia Quinn

Everything and the Moon
by Julia Quinn

Published March 1st 1997 by Avon Books

Seven years ago she broke his heart...

When Robert Kemble stumbles across Victoria Lyndon in hedgerow maze, he can't believe his eyes. The girl who'd torn him in two, who let him plan on elopement and then left him standing by the side of the road, was suddenly within arm's reach, and even though his fury still knew no bounds, she was impossible to resist...

Seven years ago he left her all but ruined...

Victoria's father had told her an earl would never marry a vicar's daughter, and he was right. Robert had promised her marriage, then danced off to London while she suffered the shame of a foiled elopement. But even though Victoria doesn't particularly enjoy her new life as a governess, when Robert offers her a job of a different sort—his mistress—she refuses, unable to sacrifice her honor, even for him.

But Robert won't take no for an answer, and he vows to make her his, through any means possible. Can these star-crossed lovers learn to trust again? And is love really sweeter the second time around?

Genre: Adult, Historical

Publication Date: March 1st 1997

Publisher: Avon Books

Format: Pocket book, 384 pages 

Series: yes

Source: Bought

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My Review

The minute Robert Kemble, Earl of Macclesfield, set eyes on the raven-haired beaty that was Victoria Lyndon, it was love at first sight.

She was everything he never knew he had always wanted. And she would be his.

As soon as he let her know, that is.

Victoria couldn't be more suprised when the owner of the lands and the pond she was swimming in suddenly accosted her. That is, until he started to shamelessly flirt and kiss her. And promise her everything she could ever want. AND the moon.

Robert proposed and Victoria wants nothing more than to marry this wonderful, charming man she is rapidly falling for... but their fathers think differently on the matter. And thanks to them, a most horrid misunderstanding takes place, pushing the loving couple apart.

Seven years later, they meet again. Now they need to learn to forgive each other, and start accepting the old feelings that are now resurfacing. If only Robert can convince Victoria that this time he will, indeed, give her everything and the moon.

I just love Julia Quinn. It's very rare for me not to like the things she write... but when I read her introductory letter for this book, I somehow knew this would be one of those rare occasions.

How can an author expect us to believe in something she doesn't believe herself?

I've never been one for love-at-first-sight stories, but thinking this one would be like the others Quinn had so perfectly penned, I gave it a try. I don't know. Maybe if I hadn't read her letter saying she was writing about something she didn't believe, I would have enjoyed the story more. Maybe I still wouldn't have enjoyed it.  My point is: I couldn't finish it.

Yup, that's right. I abandoned this book. The beginning was super cute, I'll admit it. And there were some great (and awfully characteristic of Quinn's works) amusing moments... but I just stopped caring for the characters around the middle of the book. I didn't even care enough to jump to the ending. I simply gave it up. They were juvenile. Plain silly. And not believable.

However, I am enjoying the second book in the series immensely. But Brighter Than The Sun is very much in line with my other Quinn's favorites. :P I still love Quinn, we just had a bad moment.

If you do like love-at-first-sight stories in a historical setting, then this will most likely be a hit for you. I hope you enjoy it!

Review: The Art of Seducing a Naked Werewolf (Naked Werewolf #2) by Molly Harper

The Art of Seducing a Naked Werewolf (Naked Werewolf #2)

by Molly Harper

Baring It All

Generations of werewolves have been secretly residing in a secluded valley a stone’s throw from Grundy, Alaska. So when a snooping Outsider comes to Grundy to investigate rumors of lycanthropic shenanigans in the area, the valley’s pack alpha, Maggie Graham, resolves to chase him away, even if doing so takes a quick bite on the butt. What a pity that researcher Nick Thatcher turns out to be so drool-worthy, and that his kisses make Maggie want to sit up and beg. Maggie just can’t seem to convince Nick to leave . . . and even worse, she can’t convince herself to stay away from him. Cross-species dating is problem enough for a harried alpha female, but on top of that, a rival group of werewolves is trying to move into the valley. With interpack war threatening, Maggie can’t afford to be distracted. Combining romance and a career can be tough for anyone; for a werewolf in love with a human, it may be disastrous. . . .

Genre: Adult

Publication Date: March 2011

Publisher: Pocket Books

Format: paperback, 336 pages 

Series: yes

Acquisition: bought

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Maggie Graham lives with her family in a very isolated and peculiar comunity in Alaska. What's so special about them? They are werewolves. 


She became the pack leader when her brother turned down the job. She's very good at it, being strong, fierce. She takes her duty as Alpha (pack leader) very seriously and always makes sure everyone is OK and everything is running smoothly. Her relationship with her family and friends is one of trust, animosity and closeness. She's never been a "girly" kind of girl and usually makes fun of her mother and sister-in-law for trying to tame her. Maggie is being pressured into marrying a were to try and keep the genes of her family going, but all of her suitors are really not worth it. They are either too weak or just want to become alpha and take over her. None of them like her for real. 


Everything changes when Dr. Nick, PhDs (yup, he has two), a very hot foklore professor, comes to town convinced that werewolves exist and he will be the one to prove it to the world.

Maggie gets imediately attracted to him, but when she finds out who he is, she tries to make sure everybody knows how much she automaticaly hates him. No matter how hard she tries, Maggie just keeps getting more and more into Nick until they have a truck accident and she realizes how dangerous it is to be around him, not for her safety, but because she can barely control her primal instincts when he's around..  

Even though Nick eventually finds out that they are real werewolves, he's willing to keep it to himselp so he can win Maggie over, now that he's fallen in love with her. But, since Nick's only human, she needs to think about the pack and how much they need to find other werewolves to mate, otherwise the pack will become smaller and smaller and eventually die out. Of course, she could just have a little bit of fun with him, but unfortunatelly, werewolves mate for life, so she had to be very careful of who she'd choose to have babies with, since Nick wouldn't be able to make her bear werechildren.

Decided to get over Nick, Maggie starts going out with Clay, a werewolf from another pack, who came to town with his sister Alice and her two young children to take care of their grandmother Billie, who's got dementia. Maggie had blamed herself for the accident on the old truck, but as she has her office burned down and was then attacked by another werewolf on the mountains (only to be saved by Nick), she realizes that someone has been trying very hard to either to kill or frighten her. 

The book ends with a (not very) surprising revelation about who's behind those attacks, and Clay and Alice's true identities. And, of course, Maggie finally admits she can't live without Nick and agrees to marry him in the most traditional way, despite all her previous efforts against it.

The book was a very light, since the author writes in a easy and captivating way. You imediately feel sympathy for the main character, Maggie, who's funny and unconventional. The way the author describes the community gives you such a homey feeling that makes you wish it were real and that you could meet them. Also, the way Maggie describes to feel when she's in wolf form makes it sound SO fun and liberating! The whole book is filled with great quotes, that surprise you with how clever and fun they are. Nick was so cute! *-* I wanted a viking look-alike like him for myself. ;) Samson, Maggie's cousin sounded really great, too!

This book is a sequel of "How to flirt with a naked werewolf", which I loved! (Mo and Cooper made for such a nice story) and hopefully there'll be a third one, because Molly's writing and imaginative storytelling sure makes us wanting more!

Reviewed by:

Amebugi and Kah_cherub

Review: Twice Tempted by a Rogue by Tessa Dare / Reading Romances February Challenge

This month I chose a book that happened to fulfill a couple of the options given:

-Read a book that has a predominantly color “red” cover, that has a kissing/embracing couple on its cover, or whose title has either the following words: kiss, heart or love.

and:
-Read a Historical Fiction (not limited to Historical Romance) – read a book that takes place in some notable period of history.

Twice Tempted by a Rogue

(Stud Club #2)
Tessa Dare
  
The daring members of the Stud Club are reckless gamblers and no strangers to risk—until love raises the stakes in Twice Tempted by a Rogue.

Luck is a double-edged sword for brooding war hero Rhys St. Maur. His death wish went unanswered on the battlefield, while fate allowed the murder of his good friend in the elite gentlemen’s society known as the Stud Club. Out of options, Rhys returns to his ancestral home on the moors of Devonshire, expecting anything but a chance at redemption in the arms of a beautiful innkeeper who dares him to take on the demons of his past—and the sweet temptation of a woman’s love.

Meredith Maddox believes in hard work, not fate, and romance isn’t part of her plan. But when Rhys returns, battle-scarred, world-weary, and more dangerously attractive than ever, the lovely widow is torn between determination and desire. As a deep mystery and dangerous smugglers threaten much more than their passionate reckoning, Meredith discovers that she must trust everything to a wager her heart placed long ago.

Genre: Adult, Historical

Publication Date: June 2010

Publisher: Random House Publishing Group

Format: paperback, 363 pages 

Series: yes

Source: bought

Heroine: Slim, dark hair, gray eyes

Hero: Tall, muscled, dark hair and eyes

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My Review

I really enjoyed One Dance With a Duke, so I went back to the book store and got Twice Tempted by a Rogue, hoping it would be just as good, but it was even better! It's surprising (and a bit disappointing) that this author is still not very famous, because her writing is just fantastic. :)

Rhys St. Maur has survived every disgrace thrown his way in life by Fate. His luck is a thing of wonder. After spending years away from home, he returns to the moor of Devonshire as a war hero with an infinite number of scars, inside and out. He hopes to redeem himself by making the village profitable again, giving work and a way to survive to everyone who still lives there. After all, that is his job as the new Lord of Ashworth. Problem is, nobody wants him there, and they make it very clear, with angry mobs, threats and just plain trouble.

But Meredith Maddox may just be the only exception. When he meets little ol' Merry Lane again, a girl was once nothing more than freckles and bone, but is now a beautiful and independent widowed innkeeper, he suddenly decides to marry her.

Meredith believes Rhys wants to try and make things right for the village, but she's also sure that he'll leave just as abruptly as he appeared. She's been in love with him ever since they were just teens and she used to help her father out in old Lord Ashworth's stables. Now she has the chance to seduce him... but he comes up with this marriage nonsense and how he wants to wait until their wedding night! (even if itkills him).

In this second volume of the Stud Club mystery, we see more of the still unsolved murder of Leo Chatwick. Julian Bellamy has located the only witness, the whore Cora, who ends up staying at The Three Hounds, Meredith's inn, for protection. The girl turns out to be more helpful than Merry expected her to be.

The funniest thing about the book is the title. 'Twice Tempted by a Rogue'. Sure, here Meredith has her second chance with Rhys, but it's actually her who does most of the tempting during the first half of the book. LOL. The poor guy was doing his best to save themselves until theit wedding night, but the girl sure made things harder. Quite literally. LOL!!! Sorry, sorry...

I'm not really that big a fan of historicals, but once in a while I find a wonderful gem like this one. Rhys is such a dear character, he makes you want to take him in his arms and try to cure all his wounds... he's now one of my favorite characters ever. And Meredith is so, so strong. She's done everything she had to do to survive, and never depended on anyone else but herself. It was lovely to see how the two of them came to be together, accept each other's dreams and plans and just... be happy.

 If you like heart-touching romance, pure fun, mystery and lots tension (of all kinds), then try Twice Tempted by a Rogue. You'll enjoy it, I'm sure.

Review: A Match Made in High School by Kristin Walker

A Match Made in High School

by Kristin Walker 

When the principal announces that every senior must participate in a mandatory year-long Marriage Education program, Fiona Sheehan believes that her life can't get any worse. Then she marries her "husband": jerky jock Todd, whose cheerleader girlfriend, Amanda, has had it in for Fiona since day one of second grade. Even worse? Amanda is paired with Fiona's long-term crush, Gabe. At least Fiona is doing better than her best friend, Marcie, who is paired up with the very quiet, very mysterious Johnny Mercer.

Pranks, fights, misunderstandings, and reconciliations ensue in an almost Shakespearean comedy of errors about mistaken first impressions, convoluted coupling, and hidden crushes.

Genre: Young Adult

Publication Date: February 2010

Publisher: Razorbill

Format: paperback, 278 pages 

Series: no

Source: bought

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My Review

Fiona Sheehan is sure she is the unluckiest girl on Earth.

It's the first day of school and things couldn't be going worse. That is, until she gets to school and finds out that this year, in order to graduate, all seniors have to be part of a new mandatory course. Trying the Knot. This course is supposed to train the teenagers on how to act in a marriage and learn how to deal with many kinds of problems, and so, trying to aviod divorce. Names would be randomly selected, and the so-called couples would have to earn real cash in order to have a mock budget and mock possessions. Half of the total amount of real money would be divided between the couple that had the best evaluation and the other half would be donated to whatever charity the couple chose.

Fiona though it was all BS, but secretly she goped this would be her chance to get closer to her all-time crush, Gabe Webber. But, of course, she wasn't so lucky. He ended up being paired with her childhood arch enemy, Amanda Lowell. A pretty, blond, brainless cheerleader. And Fiona, the poor thing, got stuck with Amanda's "no-necked Neanderthal" of a boyfriend, Todd Harding.

Her new 'husband', Todd, is a real a-hole, fighting with her all the time, being downright mean and rude... but as they get used to each other, Fiona starts to enjoy their bickerings more and more. Even if he forced her to join the Cheerleading squad as one of their stupid mandatory activities for their mock marriage.

Fiona later finds out that her best (and only) friend, Marcie, was dating Gabe behind her back. She's furious and heart-broken, and ends up messing up her part in the cheering presentation and rudely turns down sweet Johnny Mercer's (Marcie's mock husband) declaration of affection.

In 'A Match Made in High-School' we watch as Fiona makes mistake after mistake, until she finally listens to her friends and see how selfish and self-centered she is. And changes for the best, finding happiness where she had never looked before.

This is a very cute, funny, quick and light story. An excellent read for younger audiences. Really, don't expect anything very deep and complex. Just quick fun.

Early Review: Welcome Caller, This is Chloe by Shelley Coriell

Welcome Caller, This is Chloe
Shelley Coriell

Expected publication: May 1st 2012 by Amulet Books

Big-hearted Chloe Camden is the queen of her universe until her best friend shreds her reputation and her school counselor axes her junior independent study project. Chloe is forced to take on a meaningful project in order to pass, and so she joins her school’s struggling radio station, where the other students don’t find her too queenly. Ostracized by her former BFs and struggling with her beloved Grams’s mental deterioration, lonely Chloe ends up hosting a call-in show that gets the station much-needed publicity and, in the end, trouble. She also befriends radio techie and loner Duncan Moore, a quiet soul with a romantic heart. On and off the air, Chloe faces her loneliness and helps others find the fun and joy in everyday life. Readers will fall in love with Chloe as she falls in love with the radio station and the misfits who call it home.

Genre: Young Adult

Publication Date: May 2012

Publisher: Amulet Books

Format: eARC, 320 pages 

Series: no

Acquisition: Netgalley

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My Review

I have to admit that after reading the first few pages I wasn't sure I'd like this book. Chloe was all "Oh, me and my BFs are so close!", "My BF's rock!" and then "Oh, my God, how will I possibly survive without my BFs?". I seriously wanted to slap that girl. But then it was like another writer finished the rest of the book, becuase the story got so much better.

Chloe works at the Dos Hermanas Mexican Cantina, has a grandmother with Parkinson and absolutely loves old vintage shoes. Her parents are both doctors, and her older five brothers also intend to be. But Chloe has no idea what she wants for the future. 

What she does know is that all of a sudden her BF Brie started to act weird and call her selfish, saying that she always talks too much and never listens to others, that it's always all about her. Chloe doesn't understand why Brie is being so mean, and, apparently following in her steps, so is her other BF, Mercedes. As a matter of fact, the whole school is acting weird, pointing fingers and whispering behind her back. There's no place for her to sit in the cafeteria. Nobody stops to gossip with her. Nobody invites her to parties or for a soda anymore. Her life is all messed-up. And she can't even figure out why.

What she does know is that A. Lungren, her new JISP (Junior Independent Study Project) counselor wants her to change the theme of her project from Villanous Vixens: The Not-So-Squeaky-Clean Women of Daytime Soap Operas to helping out at the school radio station. A radio that is literally fighting for air, because the scholl admin is denying to renew KDRS 88.8 The Edge funding for the next year, and without money for the equipments, maintenance, music, supplies and etc... they're done for. Chloe doesn't really care very deeply about it all, she really just wants to get her JISP done with, especially when all of the radio crew make it very clear they don't want her there. Well... most of them, because the maintenance guy, with his broad shoulders, dark messy hair and beautiful silver eyes has a way of making her feel more comfortable. And welcome.

When a show spot for the night period turns up, Mr. Tool-Belt, ahem, Duncan, announces that Chloe's voice and personality would be perfect for it. After quite a bit of (heated) discussion, Chloe officially becomes a radio star. Things start to get better for the station, but as Chloe tries to get closer to Duncan, she finds out that her life is not nearly as complicated when compared to his. 

After a bit of a bad start, I ended up enjoying this book profusely. Welcome, Caller, This Is Chloe is a very well-written book, approaching many difficult subjects, such as bullying, the impact of Parkinson disease and illegal drugs on families and even teenage pregnancy. They were all treated in a very light, open way, but that was also able to showcase the seriousness of these matters. It was very interesting to read more about them.

This a very, very good book for young audiences, but I'm sure even adults would have fun with it. :)

If you like creative, fast-paced Young Adults with clever, funny heroines, many complex characters and realistic issues, this is your book.

*I received an eARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*