BOOK REVIEW: TELL ME THREE THINGS BY JULIE BUXBAUM

Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum 
Published by Delacorte Press, Random House Kids on April 2016 
Genres: Romance, Young Adult 
Format: hardcover 
Source: bought
Purchase Links: Amazon US | Barnes and Noble 
Goodreads 
 

What if the person you need the most is someone you’ve never met?
Everything about Jessie is wrong. At least, that’s what it feels like during her first week of junior year at her new ultra-intimidating prep school in Los Angeles. Just when she’s thinking about hightailing it back to Chicago, she gets an email from a person calling themselves Somebody/Nobody (SN for short), offering to help her navigate the wilds of Wood Valley High School. Is it an elaborate hoax? Or can she rely on SN for some much-needed help?

It’s been barely two years since her mother’s death, and because her father eloped with a woman he met online, Jessie has been forced to move across the country to live with her stepmonster and her pretentious teenage son.

In a leap of faith—or an act of complete desperation—Jessie begins to rely on SN, and SN quickly becomes her lifeline and closest ally. Jessie can’t help wanting to meet SN in person. But are some mysteries better left unsolved?

REVIEW:  I love all the characters in the book. Buxbaum has done a beautiful job at giving all her characters substance. Even supporting characters are rounded and given enough detail to make them real. Many characters have moments of growth, which just adds a more realistic aspect to the novel. Jessie is strong, independent, brave, funny, and most importantly she knows who she is and doesn’t let others define her. She doesn’t pretend to be someone else or conform to the likes of her peers (In this case, rich private school kids). For a sixteen-year-old she is extremely mature, an old soul as her dad says.

This book is sad at times, laugh out loud funny, thoughtful, and sweet. Beyond dealing with her family life, Jessie also experiences her first crush. While watching Jessie engage in the trials of high school romance, I couldn’t help but think of my own awkward experiences.

I loved how this book started. The idea of a random student emailing her to offer help navigating her new environment was so cute, especially since you know at some point they will develop feelings for each other. The anonymity allowed them to reveal more about themselves than they probably would have face to face.

Tell Me Three Things is truly memorable novel. Buxbaum writes a beautiful note at the end of the story, detailing her inspiration to write this piece and I have to say that I am thankful that she wrote this. I’m so glad I bought this book. I truly loved every minute of it, especially the ending. So with that being said, I recommend this book as your top summer reads. HAPPY READING J

Too Hot to Handle (Romancing the Clarksons #1) by Tessa Bailey: New Reads

Too Hot to Handle (Romancing the Clarksons #1) by Tessa Bailey 

The first book in a brand new contemporary romance series from New York Times bestselling author Tessa Bailey!

When Rita Clarkson's Suburban takes its last breath on a New Mexico roadside, rescue roars up on a Harley in the form of smooth-talking honkey tonk owner, Jasper Ellis, a man as mysterious as he is charming. Rita's cross-country journey to New York City--with her three estranged siblings in tow--is only beginning, but now that Jasper has found Rita, his plans do not include her leaving. 

Expected publication: May 17th 2016 by Forever

A Perfect Disaster by Amanda Maciel

A Perfect Disaster

by Amanda Maciel

Boys have always liked Rosie Fuller, and she has always liked them back. Which is how she has developed a reputation as being the most beautiful - but also easy - girl in her small town in Tornado Valley. Now at the start of her senior year, her best friends Madelyn and Ryan are acting more judgmental of her 'easy' ways. Rosie doesn't let it get to her, though - she's just having a good time.

Then Alex, the cousin of her most recent fling, moves to town. Last year Alex earned hero status by stopping one of his classmates from carrying out a shooting rampage at his old high school. Rosie is immediately drawn to Alex - in a way she's never experienced for a boy before - and he has no pre-conceived notions about her and for once a boy is treating her with respect.

Things are looking brighter . . . until a party turns disastrous in more ways than one, throwing her life into a tailspin. Forced to face uncomfortable truths about herself and high school culture, Rosie is set on a journey to discover the type of person she is - and who she wants to be.

Amanda Maciel, the author of the acclaimed Tease, unflinchingly explores ideas of beauty and reputation, as well as issues of slut-shaming and homophobia, in this story of a teen girl learning to truly see herself and her world.




'An emotional, deftly paced and heartbreaking first novel.' Kirkus Reviews on TEASE 

Hardcover

Expected publication: January 1st 2017 by Balzer & Bray

A List of Cages by Robin Roe

A List of Cages

by Robin Roe 

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When Adam Blake lands the best elective ever in his senior year, serving as an aide to the school psychologist, he thinks he's got it made. Sure, it means a lot of sitting around, which isn't easy for a guy with ADHD, but he can't complain, since he gets to spend the period texting all his friends. Then the doctor asks him to track down the troubled freshman who keeps dodging her, and Adam discovers that the boy is Julian--the foster brother he hasn't seen in five years.

Adam is ecstatic to be reunited. At first, Julian seems like the boy he once knew. He's still kind hearted. He still writes stories and loves picture books meant for little kids. But as they spend more time together, Adam realizes that Julian is keeping secrets, like where he hides during the middle of the day, and what's really going on inside his house. Adam is determined to help him, but his involvement could cost both boys their lives.

Hardcover, 320 pages

Expected publication: January 10th 2017 by Disney-Hyperion

Our Own Private Universe by Robin Talley

Our Own Private Universe

by Robin Talley (Goodreads Author)

In Our Own Private Universe, fifteen-year-old Aki Hunter knows she’s bisexual, but up until now she’s only dated guys—and her best friend, Lori, is the only person she’s out to. When she and Lori set off on a four-week youth-group mission trip in a small Mexican town, it never crosses Aki’s mind that there might be anyone in the group she’d be interested in dating. But that all goes out the window when Aki meets Christa. 

Expected publication: January 31st 2017 by Harlequin Teen

The Edge of Everything by Jeff Giles

The Edge of Everything

by Jeff Giles

The debut YA novel by Jeff Giles, a former top editor at Entertainment Weekly. 

Still reeling from her dad’s shocking death, seventeen year old Zoe races to save her little brother from a blizzard—only to meet a handsome, mysterious stranger they call X who suddenly shows up at a cabin in the woods. X is a bounty hunter from Hell, here to claim his next victim. Hopelessness, punishment, and pain are all he’s ever known…until Zoe shows him what his heart is really for. But escaping his duty and the ties that bind him might mean the ultimate sacrifice for both of them in this star-crossed fantasy romance. (less)

Expected publication: January 2017 by Bloomsbury

Under Rose-Tainted Skies

by Louise Gornall 

Norah has agoraphobia and OCD. When groceries are left on the porch, she can’t step out to get them. Struggling to snag the bags with a stick, she meets Luke. He’s sweet and funny, and he just caught her fishing for groceries. Because of course he did.

Norah can’t leave the house, but can she let someone in? As their friendship grows deeper, Norah realizes Luke deserves a normal girl. One who can lie on the front lawn and look up at the stars. One who isn’t so screwed up. 

Hardcover, 320 pages

Expected publication: January 3rd 2017 by Clarion Books

seriously can't wait to read this book. the rest of the year cannot go by fast enough. :(

Wintersong by S. Jae-Jones

WHEN YOU HEAR OF A NEW BOOK COMING SOON....

                                                  Wintersong

                                                                          by S. Jae-Jones 

Beware the goblin men and the wares they sell.

All her life, nineteen-year-old Liesl has heard tales of the beautiful, mysterious Goblin King. He is the Lord of Mischief, the Ruler Underground, and the muse around which her music is composed. Yet, as Liesl helps shoulder the burden of running her family’s inn, her dreams of composition and childish fancies about the Goblin King must be set aside in favor of more practical concerns.

But when her sister Käthe is taken by the goblins, Liesl journeys to their realm to rescue her sister and return her to the world above. The Goblin King agrees to let Käthe go—for a price. The life of a maiden must be given to the land, in accordance with the old laws. A life for a life, he says. Without sacrifice, nothing good can grow. Without death, there can be no rebirth. In exchange for her sister’s freedom, Liesl offers her hand in marriage to the Goblin King. He accepts.

Down in the Underground, Liesl discovers that the Goblin King still inspires her—musically, physically, emotionally. Yet even as her talent blossoms, Liesl’s life is slowly fading away, the price she paid for becoming the Goblin King’s bride. As the two of them grow closer, they must learn just what it is they are each willing to sacrifice: her life, her music, or the end of the world. 

Hardcover, 400 pages

Expected publication: February 7th 2017 by Thomas Dunne

Wayfarer (Passenger #2) by Alexandra Bracken 

All Etta Spencer wanted was to make her violin debut when she was thrust into a treacherous world where the struggle for power could alter history. After losing the one thing that would have allowed her to protect the Timeline, and the one person worth fighting for, Etta awakens alone in an unknown place and time, exposed to the threat of the two groups who would rather see her dead than succeed. When help arrives, it comes from the last person Etta ever expected—Julian Ironwood, the Grand Master’s heir who has long been presumed dead, and whose dangerous alliance with a man from Etta’s past could put them both at risk.

Meanwhile, Nicholas and Sophia are racing through time in order to locate Etta and the missing astrolabe with Ironwood travelers hot on their trail. They cross paths with a mercenary-for-hire, a cheeky girl named Li Min who quickly develops a flirtation with Sophia. But as the three of them attempt to evade their pursuers, Nicholas soon realizes that one of his companions may have ulterior motives.

As Etta and Nicholas fight to make their way back to one another, from Imperial Russia to the Vatican catacombs, time is rapidly shifting and changing into something unrecognizable… and might just run out on both of them.

Expected publication: January 3rd 2017 by Disney-Hyperion

I REALLY CAN'T WAIT TILL THIS BOOK COMES OUT. THE FIRST ONE WAS REALLY GOOD, LET'S SEE IF THIS ONE WILL BE AS GOOD. SOMETIMES THE SEQUELS TEND TO FALL APART. IM EXCITED.