Come Back to Me (Come Back to Me #1)
by Mila Gray
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Release Date: December 8th 2015
Genre: Young Adult, New Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Drama, War, Fiction, Death
Rate: 5.0!!!

Synopsis:

In this heart-wrenching tale of love and loss, a young Marine and his best friend’s sister plunge into a forbidden love affair while he’s home on leave.

When a Marine Chaplain knocks on her door, Jessa’s heart breaks—someone she loves is dead. Killed in action, but is it Riley or Kit? Her brother or her boyfriend…

Three months earlier, Marine Kit Ryan finds himself back home on leave and dangerously drawn to his best friend Riley’s sister, Jessa—the one girl he can’t have. Exhausted from fighting his feelings, Kit finally gives in, and Jessa isn’t strong enough to resist diving headfirst into a passionate relationship.

But what was just supposed to be a summer romance develops into something far greater than either of them expected. Jessa’s finally found the man of her dreams and Kit’s finally discovered there’s someone he’d sacrifice everything for.

When it’s time for Kit to redeploy, neither one is ready to say goodbye. Jessa vows to wait for him and Kit promises to come home to her. No matter what.

But as Jessa stands waiting for the Marine Chaplain to break her heart, she can’t help but feel that Kit has broken his promise…

Riley or Kit? Kit or Riley? Her brother or her boyfriend? Who’s coming home to her?

OMG this book guys! First of all let me just say that this book has something that I haven't experienced in a long time. A first chapter that just keeps you hooked from the first page. There is something to be said about a great introduction that grabs your attention from the very first page and keeps your turning the pages to find out what is going to happen next. 

I have to come to realize that I have a soft spot for books about marines. But this book? This book is a on a league of its own. Yes it has a similar formula; boy meet girl, they fall in love, boy goes to war. But it was so much more than that. In addition to the love story between Kit and Jessa, we also have a beautiful coming of age story for Jessa who had struggled between what her family wants of her and her desire to be an actress. We also see a family struggle between a war-stricken father who struggles from his own days in the Iraq war. 

But the love story is one that truly tugged on my heart strings. Kit is not only a bad ass marine, but a sweet gentle romantic. There were also some really funny scenes in this book that had to do with Riley's ignorance of his sister's and best friend's romance. 

So keep your tissues near by and prepare your heart for a new book boyfriend! This is definitely a book I will be picking up in the future and can't wait to hear about the next book in the series. 

Follow the Come Back To Me by Mila Gray Blog Tour and don't miss anything! Click on the banner to see the tour schedule.

Mila Gray is the pen name for Sarah Alderson, author of Hunting Lila, Losing Lila, The Sound, Fated and Out of Control.

Originally from London she has lived in Bali for the last four years with her husband and daughter.

As well as writing young adult fiction under the name Sarah Alderson and adult fiction under the name Mila Gray, she also writes screenplays.

You can find out more at www.milagray.com and on facebook: www.facebook.com/sarahjalderson.

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Title: Meg Cabot

Series: The Princess Diaries #11

Published: 06.02.15

Pages: 435

Acquired: Purchased Barnes & Noble

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

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Synopsis:

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Princess Diaries series, comes the very first adult installment, which follows Princess Mia and her Prince Charming as they plan their fairy tale wedding—but a few poisoned apples could turn this happily-ever-after into a royal nightmare.

For Princess Mia, the past five years since college graduation have been a whirlwind of activity, what with living in New York City, running her new teen community center, being madly in love, and attending royal engagements. And speaking of engagements. Mia's gorgeous longtime boyfriend Michael managed to clear both their schedules just long enough for an exotic (and very private) Caribbean island interlude where he popped the question! Of course Mia didn't need to consult her diary to know that her answer was a royal oui.

But now Mia has a scandal of majestic proportions to contend with: Her grandmother's leaked "fake" wedding plans to the press that could cause even normally calm Michael to become a runaway groom. Worse, a scheming politico is trying to force Mia's father from the throne, all because of a royal secret that could leave Genovia without a monarch. Can Mia prove to everyone—especially herself—that she's not only ready to wed, but ready to rule as well?

My Review:

I have to admit that I have never read any of the other books in this series. But I was a fan of the movies when I was younger so I decided to give it a go. After reading some heavier books this last couple of weeks, I wanted to pick up something light and fun and quick read. This book definitely was light and fun, but I didn't realize it was 400 pages! Adult paperbacks can be misleading! 

Almost immediately when I started this book I was taken back to the Disney movie! Yes you shouldn't compare the movies to the book, but since it was my only form of reference to this story I couldn't help it. I couldn't help but picture a young Anne Hathaway and Dame Julie Andrews! But alas shortly after I was disappointed to find that some of the characters I really enjoyed from the movies either did not have as big of a part or their characters were completely differently. Book Clarice (Juile Andrews) character is not as warm and loving as she is in the movie. And Lily Mia's best friend doesn't have as big of a role as I would have liked. 

This story was told in the form on journal entries, text messages and e-mails. A from of writing that I am really starting to enjoy. Even though story telling through the form of journal entries was sometimes choppy I never felt like we were missing anything in the over-all story plot. 

There were three main plot-twists and two of were ones that I saw coming mile away and the predictability took some of the excitement away from the story. One of the plot twists was just blatantly thrown in there with a clue that was frankly so out of place that I doubt anyone reading this story missed it. 

Lastly the main aspect that made give this book only an average rating was the fact that even though the book is titled "Royal Wedding" the wedding in and out of its self for only a minor arch in the over-all story plot. This book was one I enjoyed but one that I will probably not-reread of have stand out in the long list of books involving a royal story line. 

So because I don't believe that this is a book I will ever re-read I am giving my copy of away! So enter away! 

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The Night We Said Yes
by Lauren Gibaldi
Publisher: Harper Teen
Release Date: June 16th 2015
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Music

Synopsis:

A fun, romantic read, perfect for fans of Sarah Dessen and Susane Colasanti!

Before Matt, Ella had a plan. Get over a no-good ex-boyfriend. Graduate from high school without any more distractions. Move away from Orlando, Florida, where she’s lived her entire life. 

But Matt—the cute, shy, bespectacled bass player who just moved to town—was never part of that plan.

And neither was attending a party that was crashed by the cops just minutes after they arrived. Or spending an entire night saying “yes” to every crazy, fun thing they could think of.

Then Matt abruptly left town, and he broke not only Ella’s heart but those of their best friends, too. So when he shows up a year later with a plan of his own—to relive the night that brought them together—Ella isn’t sure whether Matt’s worth a second chance. Or if re-creating the past can help them create a different future. 

In alternating then and now chapters, debut author Lauren Gibaldi crafts a charming, romantic story of first loves, lifelong friendships, uncovered secrets, and, ultimately, finding out how to be brave.


My Review:

First off I would like to thank Lauren for allowing us to host her in the FFBC. I had been excited for this book since the first time I read it's synopsis and when Lauren agreed to allow us to host her I was thrilled.

'The Night We Said Yes' is one of those books that grabs your attention from the start and keeps it to the very end.  We start off in the present day summer with Ella a recent high school graduate who is getting ready to move out of town for summer. Ella is quiet, unhappy and almost socially awkward. The story begins when she runs into Matt, her ex boyfriend from the summer before and we thrown back in time and watch as their story plays out.

The infamous night where Matt and Ella met was super fun to read about. There is just something about letting go of inhibitions and just saying "yes" to everything that sounds so thrilling. I also really enjoyed reading about the friendship between Ella and Meg. I am always a big fan of reading about friendships. Girl-Girl, Boy -Boy, Girl-Boy, this story had it all.

My only real complaint of this book, was I wanted more. More development, more story arc etc. I feel like once we learned the truth it was kind of anticlimactic and the ending left me wanting more. However that being said,  I still enjoyed reading it and would recommend it for anyone looking for a book that can be devoured in one sitting.

Follow the The Night We Said Yes by Lauren Gibaldi Blog Tour and don't miss anything! Click on the banner to see the tour schedule.

Public librarian and author of THE NIGHT WE SAID YES (HarperCollins / HarperTeen, June 16, 2015) and MATT'S STORY (a The Night We Said Yes Novella, out August 2015). Fan of dinosaurs and cheesy jokes. And you.

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