All The Wrong Chords by Christine Hurley Deriso

Title: All The Wrong Chords
Author: Christine Hurley Deriso
Author's Page:HERE
This galley was generously provided for by NetGalley in exchange for an honest Review. Thanks!
Synopsis:

Scarlett Stiles is desperate for a change of scenery after her older brother, Liam, dies of a drug overdose. But spending the summer with her grandfather wasn't exactly what she had in mind. Luckily, Scarlett finds something to keep her busy--a local rock band looking for a guitarist. Even though playing guitar has been hard since Liam died, Scarlett can't pass on an opportunity like this, and she can't take her eyes off the band's hot lead singer either. Is real happiness just around the corner? Or will she always be haunted by her brother's death? 

Review:
*Possible SPOILERS ahead, you've been warned!*

This is a nice fluffy read perfect for lounging outside in the sun soaking up some rays or just spending the day in the bed being lazy.

this was more of a nice clean read with only a little steam coming from those make out sessions that fogged the car windows.

This book touches lightly on the topic of suicide, Scarlett spends the summer with her grandfather after her brother over doses on pills.

The two of them were musicians and in her grief she feels like she has lost her way and cannot play her instrument anymore. It brings up to many memories that are to painful for her to deal with since she is not ready. 

That is until she almost runs over a boy and finds out that said boy (Zach) Is in a band and his grandparents are her grandfathers friends. 

I likes that it brought up how easy it is to get hooked on prescription medication after you have been given them by a doctor for an injury. I also liked that Scarlett falls for the wrong guy in the beginning and even reasons away all of his douche bag tendencies. A lot like most women do when they are in a bad relationship. 

Rating:

Carry Me Home by Jessica Therrien

    

Title: Carry Me Home

Author: Jessica Therrien

Author's Page: HERE

This galley was generously provided for by NetGalley in exchange for an honest Review

Synopsis:
Lucy and Ruth are country girls from a broken home. When they move to the city with their mother, leaving behind their family ranch and dead-beat father, Lucy unravels.

They run to their grandparents’ place, a trailer park mobile home in the barrio of San Jose. Lucy’s barrio friends have changed since her last visit. They’ve joined a gang called VC. They teach her to fight, to shank, to beat a person unconscious and play with guns. When things get too heavy, and lives are at stake, the three girls head for LA seeking a better life.

But trouble always follows Lucy. She befriends the wrong people, members of another gang, and every bad choice she makes drags the family into her dangerous world.

Told from three points of view, the story follows Lucy down the rabbit hole, along with her mother and sister as they sacrifice dreams and happiness, friendships and futures. Love is waiting for all of them in LA, but pursuing a life without Lucy could mean losing her forever.

Ultimately it’s their bond with each other that holds them together, in a true test of love, loss and survival..

Review:
When I was in high school...or middle school, I forget which one, I came across a book by Omar Tyree called Flyy Girl. It was a favorite of mine growing up and to this day I still pull off the shelf or pull up on my reader, this book, ' Carry Me Home', Reminded me a lot of this book.

Carry Me Home is a book that gives you a glimpse into the gritty world of what can happen when you don't keep a close eye on your children. It is so easy to become lost when you are a teenager, especially when your parents suddenly split and you are thrust into a new environment.

Lucy (Guera) finds herself in situation after situation that pushes her down a dark path. She finds herself being initiated into a gang as she seeks acceptance and a false sense of belonging and familiarity.

I will warn that this book has a possibility for triggers. There are some graphic scene's that include rape, drugs and violence.

This book goes back and forth between the three women in the family. The Mother, Ruth and Lucy.
The author hints at the mothers gambling addiction and it starts off with the fathers drinking problems, and towards the end explains that it contributes to Lucy's addiction issues.

Growing up I wasn't as squeaky clean as most kids my age was. My parents were divorced, my mom worked a lot and a lot of responsibility was on my shoulders the same way they were Ruth's. I think that is why I enjoy these books, because of how relatable they are and a reminder that things can always go from bad to worse.

Rating:

4 Stars!

Notable Quotable's:
-" Here is the rooth of the root and the bud of the bud and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows higher then soul can hope or mind can hide and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart..." - E.E. Cummings

- " It'll always be the three of us, underneath it all, the tight knot of roots baring the weight of our tree." - (99%)

I'm Not in the Band by Amber Garza

Title: I'm Not in the Band

Author: Amber Garza

More about the Author: HERE

Published June 12th 2017 by Entangled Teen (Crush)

I received a copy of this book courtesy of NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis:

I like Kassidy Milton. There, I said it. She’s funny, beautiful—even though she doesn’t know it—and my favorite kind of weird. But I can’t tell if she’s into me or just trying to get close to me for a chance with my famous twin brother instead. I mean, it has to be me. I am the better-looking one.

But Kassidy has some demons, and she’s not good at letting people in. That happens when you’ve been hurt by someone close to you. I can relate. Trust is a funny thing; it’s hard to gain but easy to lose. I might just learn that the hard way. Disclaimer: This Entangled Teen Crush book includes a snarky heroine, a swoon-worthy hero, crazy best friends, your favorite music, and lots of feels.

Review:

I cannot begin to imagine the stress that would come with being a twin of a super star.  As the oldest of four, two of my siblings being boys, there were plenty of girls who were just friends with me to get close to my brothers. It is annoying and the source of a lot of my trust issues when it comes to friends. I cannot imagine how bad it would be with someone who was famous in the family.

It is hard enough being famous but being mistaken for your twin who is famous and not being able to have any privacy has to be a special type of torture. You didn't sign up for it but you are gonna get it.

The angst in this book was very relatable. As I said before I had my own trust issues because of people only being friends to get close to my brothers and the author nailed it with Archer's insecurities.

I liked how realistic the uncertainty of dating in high school and all the questions that came with it. Does she like me? Is this flirting?  Is this a date or are we just friends?

As a mom and a married woman I don't have to deal with these problems anymore so it is a nice reminder of what single life use to be. I read this book in one setting, it was the perfect bit of cute summer read that made laying out in the yard soaking up the rays bearable.

Rating:

Savaged Dreams by Jennifer Lyon Review

Title: Savaged Dreams

Author:Jennifer Lyon

Authors Page:HERE
Synopsis:

Going away to college gives LIZA GLASNER a chance to escape her painful and dangerous past…or so she thinks. At fourteen years old, she survived an attack by a famous musician. After that, the media, groupies and crazies hounded her with a merciless cruelty that ruined her life. But now she’s thriving—until an internship brings her face to face with the sizzling hot lead singer of a rock band, and she finds herself drawn to the very thing that once destroyed her. Justice is a temptation she can’t resist…and one that could get her killed.

Sexy rock star JUSTICE CADE is determined to take his band, Savaged Illusions, to the top by winning the Court of Rock T.V. show. Tortured by guilt for failing his family, he believes fame is his only path to redemption. But when the fiery college-intern hiding her beauty beneath baggy sweaters and a snarky attitude bursts into his life, Justice is forced to choose between the woman he loves and the stardom he craves. The wrong choice will cost him more than he can bear.

**This is book one in a trilogy and ends on a cliffhanger. However the next two books are being released in July and September so readers won’t be stranded on the cliff for long!

This ARC was generously provided for through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Review:

The end of this book is probably what saved this book for me and pushed it to 3 stars vs. 2. That ending is also the reason I know that I will be looking for the next book so I can find out what happens to Liza and Justice.

I think the main reason I am not the biggest fan of this book is because I am never a fan of love at first sight. The type of love that automatically over looks all the flaws and problems. Lust at first sight I can understand. A WHAM BAM thank you ma'am can happen in an instant but it doesn't mean you are going to get married and have kids one day.

If you are looking for some steamy sex scenes, this book is for you.

Are you looking for a sex scandal involving rock stars and an under aged kid, this is for you.

I actually want to learn more about the supporting characters then  I do the main characters oddly enough. I am more interested in their back story then Liza and Justice. It just felt to superficial to me.

Follow Me Back by A.V. Geiger

Title: Follow Me Back

Author: A.V. Geiger

Authors Website: HERE

Synopsis:

          Tessa Hart’s world feels very small. Confined to her bedroom with agoraphobia, her one escape is the online fandom for pop sensation Eric Thorn. When he tweets to his fans, it’s like his speaking directly to her…

Eric Thorn is frightened by his obsessive fans. They take their devotion way too far. It doesn’t help that his PR team keeps posting to encourage their fantasies.

When a fellow pop star is murdered at the hands of a fan, Eric knows he has to do something to shatter his online image fast—like take down one of his top Twitter followers. But Eric’s plan to troll @TessaHeartsEric unexpectedly evolves into an online relationship deeper than either could have imagined. And when the two arrange to meet IRL, what should have made for the world’s best episode of Catfish takes a deadly turn…Told through tweets, direct messages, and police transcripts. 

I received my copy through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Review:

    I was hooked on this book from the very first page.  How can you not become interested and invested in a book when it starts out with the transcripts of an investigation. I immediately thought, what is going on?! I need to figure out what happened.  Was Tessa going to get over her agoraphobia? Would Eric reveal the truth. I needed to know!

I honestly was not expecting to enjoy this book as much as I did. I won't lie, I chose this book mainly because of the gorgeous cover. I am always guilty about picking a book based on it's cover sadly, but it is not always my deciding factor. It just catches my attention and I have to see what it is about.

Part of the appeal of this book was the characters. They had realistic flaws that made it easier to connect and bond with their personalities.

It wasn't love at first sight either, it wasn't even a friendship at first sight. It starts out with the anonymity that comes through twitter and being hidden behind a screen.

This book touches on the topics of stalking, fangirling, and the dangers of not knowing who it really could be behind that screen.

The only thing I really wasn't a fan of, was the ending, simply because I needed to know more. That teaser at the end was not fair at all. I am beyond ready for the 2nd book.