Review: The Sweetest Thing

Title: The Sweetest Thing
Author: Christina Mandelski
Source: Netgalley
Rating: 4 stars


Synopsis from Netgalley:
 In the world of Sheridan Wells, life is perfect when she's decorating a cake. Unfortunately, everything else is a complete mess: her mom ran off years ago, her dad is more interested in his restaurant, and the idea of a boyfriend is laughable.
But Sheridan is convinced finding her mom will solve all her problems-only her dad's about to get a cooking show in New York, which means her dream of a perfect family will be dashed.
Using just the right amount of romance, family drama, and cute boys, The Sweetest Thing will entice fans with its perfect mixture of girl-friendly ingredients.

My review:
I really enjoyed this book.  It was a light and fluffy, fast read.  It was well written, the characters were well formed and likable, and it wasn't too serious.  Parts of it were predictable, but overall, it was very good.

I received an electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

Review: Enter, Night

Title: Enter, Night
Author: Michael Rowe
Source: Netgalley
Rating:4/5

Synopsis from Amazon:
The year is 1972. Widowed Christina Parr, her daughter Morgan, and her brother-in-law Jeremy have returned to the remote northern Ontario mining town of Parr''s Landing, the place from which Christina fled before Morgan was born, seeking refuge. Dr. Billy Lightning has also returned in search of answers to the mystery of his father's brutal murder. All will find some part of what they seek-and more. Built on the site of a decimated 17th-century Jesuit mission to the Ojibwa, Parr''s Landing is a town with secrets of its own buried in the caves around Bradley Lake. A three-hundred-year-old horror slumbers there, calling out to the insane and the murderous for centuries, begging for release-an invitation that has finally been answered. One man is following that voice, cutting a swath of violence across the country, bent on a terrible resurrection of the ancient evil, plunging the town and all its people into an endless night. "Enter, Night is so rich and assured it''s hard to believe it''s Michael Rowe''s first novel. In its propulsive depictions of deeply sympathetic characters converging on a small town in the grip of gathering horrors, it skillfully brings to mind the classic works of Stephen King and Robert McCammon. But the novel''s breathtaking, wholly unexpected and surprisingly moving conclusion heralds the arrival of a major new talent. Michael Rowe is now on my must-read list.


My review:
I am not a fan of scary stories at all.  I thought this book sounded really good and interesting, so I requested it.  It did not disappoint.  It was not scary really, more just kind of creepy.  However, I did avoid reading it at night.  The book was well written.  I had a little bit of trouble following the storyline when it changed narrators and the year, but it was fine after you got to know the characters.  I wish the author had went a little bit more in depth about the "before" story and those characters.  I definitely recommend this book, even if you don't like scary or "creepy" books.

Review: Knits for Nerds

 Title: Knits for Nerds
Author:  Joan of Dark
Source: Netgalley
Rating: 5 stars!!

Synopsis from Netgalley:
The best of science fiction, manga, and animaguiri meets knit one, purl two as knit siren and part-time roller derby girl Joan of Dark offers up an out-of-this-world assortment of knitting nerdiness inside Knits for Nerds. The patterns for 30 iconic clothing and accessory items inspired by popular TV shows, books, films, comics, and more—including Star Trek, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and Firefly—are presented alongside full-color photographs showcasing completed projects, such as:

• Lieutenant Uhura's sexy Star Trek minidress
• Hobbit feet slippers
• Firefly-inspired scarf, socks, hat, and jacket
• Tank Girl socks
• Hermione Granger's secret beaded bag
• Manga-inspired leg warmers
• The Big Bang Theory-inspired his and hers sweater-vests
• Lord of the Rings-inspired shrug

In addition to a wardrobe of costume finery, hobbyists will also find instructions for practical projects such as an e-reader cover or a laptop bag crafted of checkered fabric that serves double-duty as a chessboard and carryall, as well as patterns for plush toys inspired by Star Trek, robots, and the comic book Squee! Wear (and knit!) your nerdiness on your sleeve with Knits for Nerds.

My review:
I (and my husband) are nerds.  So I was really excited when I saw this book on Netgalley and requested it right away.  There are so many things in here I want to make right away.  My favorite is probably the Hobbit socks.  My husband wanted me to make lots of things in here, especially the Star Trek mini dress.  I haven't actually knitted anything out of it yet, but all of the patterns and items look well done. 

I received an electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Review: The Way we fall

Title: The Way we fall
Author: Megan Crewe
Source:  Netgalley
Rating:  3 1/2 star

Synopsis from Netgalley:
When a deadly virus begins to sweep through sixteen-year-old Kaelyn's community, the government quarantines her island-no one can leave, and no one can come back.

Those still healthy must fight for dwindling supplies, or lose all chance of survival. As everything familiar comes crashing down, Kaelyn joins forces with a former rival and discovers a new love in the midst of heartbreak. When the virus starts to rob her of friends and family, she clings to the belief that there must be a way to save the people she holds dearest. 

Because how will she go on if there isn't?

My review:
I was really excited to read this book because it sounded exactly like something I would love.  However, I found that I was a little disappointed.  For me, it was just kind of "eh".  It was well written and I liked the characters, but I felt like the action never really picked up much.  I just kept waiting for something to happen.  It wasn't bad but it wasn't great either.   

I received an electronic copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. 

Review: You are my only

Title: You are my only
Author: Beth Kephart
Source: Netgalley
Rating: 3 stars

Synopsis from Netgalley:
Emmy Rane was married at nineteen and a mother by twenty. Trapped in a life with an abusive husband, Baby was her only joy. Until one day in September, when Emmy walked the sixty-three steps from the backyard to the upstairs closet, and returned to find Baby missing. All that was left behind was a yellow sock, which Emmy clings to as she's institutionalized for what she calls grief and others call mental instability.

In another town, fourteen years later, Sophie is a teenage girl living a reclusive life with her overbearing mother. They move from place to place with almost no notice, always outrunning the No Good. One afternoon, Sophie ventures outside and meets Joey and his two aunts. Their unconventional family opens up Sophie's eyes, giving her the courage to look into her past. And what she discovers changes her world forever. . .

The alternating narratives of Emmy and Sophie tell haunting tales of loss and freedom that complement one another, though set a decade and a half apart. 


My review:
This book was decent but forgettable.  Most of the plot was expected, and there was nothing new.  It was well written and the characters were well developed.  It was good enough that I wanted to keep reading, but I was disappointed overall.

January wrap up

I can't believe it is already February.  I started my last semester of grad school and I graduate in April! Here are the books I read in January. 

1. Saving June
2. These things hidden
3. Forgotten
4. THe Way we fall
5. The secret holocaust diaries- Nonna Bannister
6. The sweetest thing
7. The bad beginning
8. In the garden of beasts
9. Moon over manifest
10. Matched
11. The house at riverton
12. Bridge to terabithia
13. Will grayson, will grayson
14. A walk across the sun
15. The Paris Wife
16. Glow
17. Leisl and Po
18. City of falling angels
19. An uncommon reader
20. Wilderness tips