My Book and My Coffee: Book reviews

Title: The Upside of Unrequited

Author: Becky Albertalli

Young Adult

Form: Paperback

Book Description: The Upside of Unrequited

The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli

Kindle | Paperback | Hardcover

Seventeen-year-old Molly Peskin-Suso knows all about unrequited love. No matter how many times her twin sister, Cassie, tells her to woman up, Molly can’t stomach the idea of rejection. So she’s careful. Fat girls always have to be careful.

Then a cute new girl enters Cassie’s orbit, and for the first time ever, Molly’s cynical twin is a lovesick mess. Meanwhile, Molly's totally not dying of loneliness—except for the part where she is. Luckily, Cassie's new girlfriend comes with a cute hipster-boy sidekick. If Molly can win him over, she'll get her first kiss and she'll get her twin back.

There's only one problem: Molly's coworker, Reid. He's a chubby Tolkien superfan with a season pass to the Ren Faire, and there's absolutely no way Molly could fall for him.

Right?

Book Review ~ The Upside of Unrequited

This book is my favorite right now. Oh my. It is just so incredibly cute and heart-warming. heart emoji. - Ara @ My Book and My Coffee

The book is about Molly Peskin-Suso's seventeen-year-old life which includes feelings and actually, lots of it. It explores a seventeen-year-old's take on feeling something special for a boy or boys but could not say anything about it because of several things to consider. Or maybe it is just not the time.

What does a teen know about unrequited love? I guess, a lot. Just from the title of this book, I got really interested already. I mean, what is the upside of unrequited? I would like to know what this book will make me realize!

Young love. It is meant to be enjoyed... And also learned from. (One of the things I've learned in life and what this book is reminding us all.)

The Upside of Unrequited is definitely well-written. It explored a lot of openness, which is refreshing. I really liked everything about it.

My favorite character is Reid. He's dedicated and one of a kind. I definitely will date a 'Reid' in real life if someone like that exists! 😇

My favorite scenario is Chapter 23. I know it's a whole chapter but you'll know what I mean when you do read this book. And I highly recommend that you do!

So, back to my question above: What is the upside of unrequited based in this book? Well, this is my take on it. Based on what I've read, the upside of it is that you get to actually treasure when it is not unrequited anymore. You get to really enjoy and appreciate the situation when love is not unrequited anymore.

Thanks for reading! Have you read this book yet? What did you think about it? Feel free to comment below or send a tweet!

No Dazzling Comments

Title: P.S. I Still Love You

Author: Jenny Han

Young Adult

Form: Paperback

Book Description: P.S. I Still Love You

P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han

Kindle | Paperback | Hardcover

Lara Jean didn’t expect to really fall for Peter.

She and Peter were just pretending. Except suddenly they weren’t. Now Lara Jean is more confused than ever.

When another boy from her past returns to her life, Lara Jean’s feelings for him return too. Can a girl be in love with two boys at once?

In this charming and heartfelt sequel to the New York Times bestseller To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, we see first love through the eyes of the unforgettable Lara Jean. Love is never easy, but maybe that’s part of makes it so amazing.

Book Review ~ P.S. I Still Love You

*A little spoiler. You’ve been warned.*

Good twist and a worthy (dare I say, needed) continuation of the first book. This book continues the relatability factor that already exists in To All The Boys I've Loved Before. The story reminded me that love is not plain and simple. It never is. - Ara @ My Book and My Coffee

P.S. I Still Love You continues Lara Jean's story from To All the Boys I've Loved Before. The first book ended perfectly as what TATBILB #TeamPeter fans (including me) have hoped for. However, we are reminded in this book that not all happy, giddy, and lovely relationships won't face any problem along the way. Even though they started really magical, they are bound to get some zits and zaps.

Did we really expect that those love letters that were sent accidentally won't have any other positive 'responses'? In this book, Lara Jean will find out more about one of the boys she loved before. Can she handle him and his charm? It is pretty exciting, really.

Lots of things to like about TATBILB 2 though. I extremely liked the part where Peter gave Lara Jean her necklace back. And what he said there was really sweet for a 17-year old like him.

One thing here, it felt a bit looooong during the first half of the book. I think that is just because I would like to know more about the new boy. And I would like for the Genevieve thing to be done already. But I guess she is a needed twist in the story.

Overall, I would still highly recommend reading this one, too, because if you're #TeamPeter it will definitely be worth your time.

My favorite character: John Ambrose McClaren. I realllly like him. He is thoughtful, charming, and OMG cool!

My favorite scenario: After the USO party, that scene outside the front entrance. That was legit 👌👌👌

Thanks for reading! Have you read this book yet? What did you think about it? Feel free to comment below or send a tweet!

No Dazzling Comments

Title: To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before

Author: Jenny Han

Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Form: Paperback

Book Description: To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han

Kindle | Paperback | Hardcover

What if all the crushes you ever had found out how you felt about them…all at once?

Sixteen-year-old Lara Jean Song keeps her love letters in a hatbox her mother gave her. They aren’t love letters that anyone else wrote for her; these are ones she’s written. One for every boy she’s ever loved—five in all. When she writes, she pours out her heart and soul and says all the things she would never say in real life, because her letters are for her eyes only. Until the day her secret letters are mailed, and suddenly, Lara Jean’s love life goes from imaginary to out of control.

Book Review ~ To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before

*A little spoiler. You’ve been warned.*

Get ready to fall in love again with Jenny Han’s To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. This was a really fascinating read. It made me remember how it feels to not have an idea about love and then realizing it all of a sudden. I loooooooooove this book and can’t wait to read the next one. - Ara @ My Book and My Coffee

Keeping love letters (she doesn’t intend to send) in a teal hatbox her mother gave her? That’s Lara Jean Song. It’s kind of amazing, what this teal hatbox is for, really, and you’ll find that out once you read it (or maybe you know it already if you’ve read this one).

Personally, handwritten letters are underrated especially nowadays. I read about a girl who kept writing to her pen pal even with the technology today and I’ve always admired her for that. It keeps things personal and with effort. I was like that once, you know. I’ve handwritten love letters, diaries and more. I’ve kept them but there were circumstances were these also got me into trouble.

Anyway ... let’s go back to Lara Jean. I told you, it made me remember things.

I soooo love this story. No dull moment in this story at all. It’s so nice to see Lara Jean’s character to actually explore and find out things for herself. That’s an important aspect of growing up, I believe. To learn on your own. To be responsible for your own actions and most of all, to know what’s true and what’s probably not. You cannot be perfect but that’s life. You decide what’s perfect for you and what’s not going to work out.

I didn’t read any reviews or watch the Netflix film so I didn’t know that I will also like Peter Kavinsky’s character. At first I was annoyed but this character will grow on you -- you will love him, too. I like that he’s someone that you can belong with. Could it be?

Josh. Joshy. One would think that he’s perfect for any Song girl but he only fits that way with the first one. Hint. Hint. I like his character but there are some lines that you don’t cross. Any time. For those of you who have read this book, you know what I mean. :)

Margot and Katherine are Lara Jean’s sisters. They are supportive in their own way. I love their bond. I also like that Katherine’s wise and mind you, way beyond her age.

I wasn’t that much happy with the ending simply because I wanted moooooore. And I think that just shows how this book was so effective for me. It made me want more. I certainly want to know what happens next. Now.

Great job.

I gotta go buy the next book in this series. Bye.

Thanks for reading! Have you read this book yet? What did you think about it? Feel free to comment below or send a tweet!

No Dazzling Comments

Title: Love & Gelato

Author: Jenna Evans Welch

Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Form: Paperback

Book Description: Love & Gelato

Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch

Kindle | Paperback | Hardcover

A summer in Italy turns into a road trip across Tuscany in this sweeping debut novel filled with romance, mystery, and adventure.

Lina is spending the summer in Tuscany, but she isn’t in the mood for Italy’s famous sunshine and fairy-tale landscape. She’s only there because it was her mother’s dying wish that she get to know her father. But what kind of father isn’t around for sixteen years? All Lina wants to do is get back home.

But then Lina is given a journal that her mom had kept when she lived in Italy. Suddenly Lina’s uncovering a magical world of secret romances, art, and hidden bakeries. A world that inspires Lina, along with the ever-so-charming Ren, to follow in her mother’s footsteps and unearth a secret that has been kept for far too long. It’s a secret that will change everything Lina knew about her mother, her father—and even herself.

People come to Italy for love and gelato, someone tells her, but sometimes they discover much more.

Book Review ~ Love & Gelato

*Spoilers (a bit)*

You'll want to know more about Carolina's adventures in this book. Mixed feelings and more from this book. I am soooo happy to have read this! - Ara @ My Book and My Coffee

Stracciatella, please? 10 scoops. Too much?

Carolina just lost her mom and now, her grandma sends her to Florence, Italy to go live with her father (who lives in a cemetery). Real father or not? Is he a father because he loved her mother? Or is he the mysterious X? Find out for yourself.

Awkward, awkward, awkward situation, I know.

Carolina's character is easily relatable because her being a teenager, losing someone important in her life, and taking on new adventures are something most of us have or had experienced in our own personal lives. And to be with a stranger at a certain time like that, and in a different country would be too much to handle - teenager or adult. I think she's brave for even doing the things that she did.

Italy is a magical place, so I'm told. Haven't been but I've been to some parts of Europe already. The author made sure that we can also visualize what Carolina's seeing while she's there whether it's a Piazza or a secret bakery somewhere.

Lorenzo or Ren - maybe it's fate that brought him and Carolina together but all I can say is that it must have been sooooo nice to have someone that you can be comfortable with almost right away, given her situation.

The journal. Oh yes, there's a journal. Too many emotions. Sadness, joy, awe, anger, frustration, and more. Sometimes, the truth hurts (we all know this) but Carolina did what she had to do to find out more about where she came from. For me, it is better to know than to fantasize something that you don't have any idea about. To know is to fill the void, to answer questions that matter to you. To help you decide what will matter and what will not in the end. I understand this completely.

I like the ending very much. Well, I do like happy endings. Hint hint.

If you like romance with a little bit of mystery and adventure, don't hesitate to go and get this book.

Thanks for reading! Have you read this book yet? What did you think about it? Feel free to comment below or send a tweet!

No Dazzling Comments

Title: Turtles All the Way Down

Author: John Green

Young Adult

Form: Hardcover

Book Description: Turtles All the Way Down

Turtles All the Way Down by John Green

Kindle | Paperback | Hardcover

Sixteen-year-old Aza never intended to pursue the mystery of fugitive billionaire Russell Pickett, but there’s a hundred-thousand-dollar reward at stake and her Best and Most Fearless Friend, Daisy, is eager to investigate. So together, they navigate the short distance and broad divides that separate them from Russell Pickett’s son, Davis.

Aza is trying. She is trying to be a good daughter, a good friend, a good student, and maybe even a good detective, while also living within the ever-tightening spiral of her own thoughts.

In his long-awaited return, John Green, the acclaimed, award-winning author of Looking for Alaska and The Fault in Our Stars, shares Aza’s story with shattering, unflinching clarity in this brilliant novel of love, resilience, and the power of lifelong friendship.

Book Review ~ Turtles All the Way Down

John Green made me cry again! Another great book from him, and this one’s packed with interesting conversations, and more. - Ara @ My Book and My Coffee

Aza is a very brave girl. She just doesn’t know it yet. This is my personal opinion. Reading this book, you have to keep an open mind. There may be some parts that you don’t or won’t understand but it will make sense as you continue reading.

I understood Aza’s character 1) because anxiety is something that I believe we all endure from time to time 2) and because the author really made it sure that any reader will understand what is going on. Mental health should be taken seriously, people.

There were times when I got so frustrated about Aza’s situation. I just like for everything to be okay with her. I badly wanted to be her friend most of the time in that book. It's funny to think that one would want to be friends with a fictional character but this book is that effective. And you know, I would listen to her non-stop because she needs that. She would need someone to listen to her and not judge her in the process. Someone that will actually hear her. I am not a professional and so I cannot really get her the help that she needs but I'll be that friend who'll stick around. She needs one of those.

I love how the story was written overall. I love that I was reminded that happiness or being happy in general is some sort of progress. And that it’s okay to be clueless sometimes of what’s going to happen next. I, ‘a singular proper noun’ will go on. This book is inspiring. Go read it.

Thanks for reading! Have you read this book yet? What did you think about it? Feel free to comment below or send a tweet!

No Dazzling Comments

Title: Paper Towns

Author: John Green

Young Adult, Coming of Age

Form: Paperback

Book Description: Paper Towns

Paper Towns by John Green

Kindle | Paperback | Hardcover

Quentin Jacobsen has spent a lifetime loving the magnificent Margo Roth Spiegelman from afar. So when she cracks open a window and climbs back into his life—summoning him for an ingenious campaign of revenge—he follows. When their all-nighter ends and a new day breaks, Margo has disappeared. But Q soon learns that there are clues—and they’re for him. Embarking on an exhilarating adventure to find her, the closer Q gets, the less he sees the girl he thought he knew.

Book Review ~ Paper Towns

Reading Paper Towns was an adventure. It is fun and sad at the same time. It is a great coming of age novel! - Ara @ My Book and My Coffee

The story revolves around Quentin and his fascination towards Margo Roth Spiegelman. She is literally the girl next door. They were neighbors and were friends since they were kids. But time changed and one of them became the popular one. She is popular, he is not. They haven’t talked for a long time until that one he-thought-was-a-normal night.

I love Quentin’s character. He may not be the cool one according to high school but he is relatable and in real life, I think he would be a good, cool friend.

Margo’s character was confusing to me at first but I got where she was and what she was thinking. I was like Quentin, while reading this novel. This is in the sense that I actually want to know her, the real her, how she thinks and all. She was a mystery and I just really liked to understand her because maybe I am a paper girl, too. I didn’t exactly think like her. Yes, adventure and travelling - I both love. But the way she saw life and living is something that I didn't experience but maybe because we just think differently. But I’ve come to understand her in the end. Just like Quentin. So, okay. This is you, you feel that you need to do this, okay. This is you. And she’s not me. He's not her. He's not Margo Roth Spiegelman.

Quentin’s friends: Ben, Radar and Lacey. I like how they’ve supported Q. Lacey’s a new friend and I thought she will be playing a really bad part in the novel but yeah, she surprised me. Ben and Radar are fun. For me, they feel (and give) comfort from each other more than they care to admit.

The meaning of Paper Towns from the novel is really not new to me. I mean, I know the concept of finding one's self. And the situation where you're lost that you need to get away from it all to find yourself. Or just thinking about the 'way things and life are supposed to be'.

Paper Towns is a great read. I cried while reading the last 5 to 6 paragraphs of the book. Partly because it is not the ending that I wanted but I didn’t really know how I want it to end. But also because the scenario of knowing what you want to do versus what you heart makes you feel. And that the ‘knowing’ part of the scenario is winning.

If you like Young Adult/ coming of age novels, I suggest you add this to your reading list. As I said, it is an adventure. A mystery of some sort.

Thanks for reading! Have you read Paper Towns yet? What did you think about it? Feel free to comment below or send a tweet!

No Dazzling Comments

Title: Me Before You

Author: Jojo Moyes

Romance

Form: Paperback

Book Description: Me Before You

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

Kindle | Hardcover | Paperback

They had nothing in common until love gave them everything to lose . . .

Louisa Clark is an ordinary girl living an exceedingly ordinary life—steady boyfriend, close family—who has barely been farther afield than their tiny village. She takes a badly needed job working for ex–Master of the Universe Will Traynor, who is wheelchair bound after an accident. Will has always lived a huge life—big deals, extreme sports, worldwide travel—and now he’s pretty sure he cannot live the way he is.

Will is acerbic, moody, bossy—but Lou refuses to treat him with kid gloves, and soon his happiness means more to her than she expected. When she learns that Will has shocking plans of his own, she sets out to show him that life is still worth living.

Book Review ~ Me Before You

It was very moving. It made me cry a lot. As a person, it will remind you that sometimes, people you encounter in life will change you. In the future, I will read this again. It’s worth it. – Ara of My Book and My Coffee

The story is about love and how it can affect you and the person you love. And the people around you.

I still want to cry even though I’ve finished the book already, and now I’m writing the review. Really emotional right now.

This book is about two people, Lou Clark and Will Traynor, who will meet as if it was destiny. Maybe it was. Actually, I believe it is. The story was that effective. It was written really well.

Lou Clark’s character is simple and colorful. She’s relatable and I love her fashion sense. :) Will Traynor’s character’s is anything but simple. But he had a motorcycle accident and the aftermath took away his desire to live. He has an adventurous soul, which makes it harder for him to be happy after the accident. Meeting Lou as his carer/companion will definitely change him. His outlook? Maybe. His endgame? Maybe, maybe not. You’ll have to read. Note: You’ll need lots and lots of tissues. There's a movie already so if you'd like to watch it, you may. As a book lover, I advise you to read the book first. I haven’t seen the movie yet and I don’t think I can. At least not for now. Too emotional.

I am impressed because the story really captivated my attention. Reading it was a journey and you’ll never want to stop; you’ll want to see what’s going to happen next. What’s next for Lou? For Will? Will he change his mind? Will there be a ‘happy ever after’? You won’t really know. You’ll have an idea but you will want to find out for yourself.

All I can say right now is I was devastated to learn about the ending. You'll wish that it's the other way around but it is what it is and as a reader, you'll understand, too, that it's probably something one of the main character has to experience. There’s a ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ thing but still, I was very emotional the moment I knew what’s going to happen with the two main characters. I recommend this book to anyone who loves to read romance novels. It’s a book that you need to read. I assure you; it’s going to make you love this book, too.

Thank you for reading! Have you read this book yet? Please share what you think in the comments below. Thanks!

2 Dazzling Comments

Title: Dead Run

Author: Erica Spindler

Mystery & Suspense

Form: Hardcover

Book Description: Dead Run

Dead Run by Erica Spindler

Paperback | Hardcover | Kindle edition

"I'm in trouble, Liz. I've uncovered something.… They're watching.…"

That panicked message on her answering machine is the last time Liz Ames hears from her sister Rachel, pastor of Paradise Christian Church in Key West, Florida.

Compelled to uncover the truth about her sister's disappearance, she heads to Key West. Within hours of her arrival a successful banker jumps to his death. Then a teenage girl whom Rachel was counseling is found brutally murdered. The ritualistic style of the killing is hauntingly similar to that used by the notorious "New Testament" serial killer—now on death row.

Could the teen's murder be related to Rachel's disappearance? Is a copycat killer at work? And why do the police refuse to help?

For answers, Liz turns to Rick Wells, a former Miami cop who worked the fringes of the "New Testament" investigation. Together they peel away layers of deception to reveal a terrifying adversary—and the unspeakable evil at the heart of this island paradise.

Dead Run ~ Book Review

This is a wonderful read, truly. Erica Spindler is one of my favorite authors. Great ending for this story and I couldn’t ask for more. – Ara of My Book and My Coffee

A pastor missing. A sister ready to know what really happened. An ex-cop with a quintessential Key West bar. And the Paradise of Christian Church in Key West. These are the only things you need to know to get really interested with this book.

I love the characters except for the ‘nasty’ ones – although they are very effective. Especially the two nasty ones that you will discover in the last few chapters. I love that the author was able to surprise me with these two.

Liz Ames is the sister, ready to know what really happened. After her sister went missing, no leads but some BS thing that the police came up with, she decided to move to Key West and try and prove what she’s been feeling – that her sister didn’t have a breakdown and just ran off. Not her sister, the most stable person she knows.

Aside from the above aspect of the story, there will be other storylines that will prove to be connected to what / who Liz is looking for.

There’s also a romantic path here so be ready to feel a lot of emotions.

The ending is sweet and just right. I couldn’t have asked for more.

Thanks for reading!

No Dazzling Comments

Title: Always the Baker, Never the Bride

Author: Sandra D. Bricker

Contemporary Romance

Form: Kindle edition

Book Description: Always the Baker, Never the Bride

Always the Baker, Never the Bride by Sandra D. Bricker

Paperback | Hardcover | Kindle edition

They say you can’t have your cake and eat it too. But who would want a cake they couldn’t eat?Just ask Emma Rae Travis about that. A baker of confections who is diabetic and can’t enjoy them. When Emma meets Jackson Drake, the escapee from Corporate America who is starting a wedding destination hotel to fulfill a dream that belonged to someone else, this twosome and their crazy family ties bring new meaning to the term "family circus." The Atlanta social scene will never be the same.

Always the Baker, Never the Bride ~ Book Review

I love the recipes - just delicious! Unique set of characters. The story is alright, simple and entertaining in a way. – Ara of My Book and My Coffee

Welcome to Emma Rae Travis’ world. Emma Rae is a diabetic master baker. Yes. It’s a bit sad, right? But you know, it’s also inspiring.

Jackson Drake is an interesting ex-Corporate guy who’s starting a wedding destination hotel. The ‘craziness’ begins right after their worlds meet.

The story, as I’ve mentioned above, is just alright. It’s wonderful in its own way and I find it to be entertaining. There were a few scenarios where I got confused but after re-reading, I did get what was happening or who said what.

[Spoiler Alert] When Emma Rae started working for Jackson, I knew already that it will start something special. And it eventually did. But since Jackson is still undergoing something painful, their ‘something special’ had to wait for a little bit. One of the things that I can say I’m not that thrilled of is how the story kind of took a long time to head to the direction it should be going. Maybe because of how the story was created but I feel like it could have been better. For me, the story got really exciting when that ‘something special’ finally started between the two main characters.

This book has a unique set of characters and I appreciated them all. Of course, my favorite character is Emma Rae, our main character, because she did inspire me. I am not diabetic but what her character does is just inspiring. Imagine this: You’re a baker. Oh wait, not just a baker, an award-winning baker and yet you’re diabetic. So you cannot really have cake and eat it, too. Maybe just a taste though. A tiny bite. It’s just cruel, right? But this character proved that it doesn’t matter. If you’re passionate enough with something, do it. Even though you cannot really enjoy the outcome. That’s inspiring… and brave, don’t you think?

Jackson’s character is also quite lovely. He is lucky to have his sisters and Emma. Jackson’s sisters are also entertaining. I can almost hear their accent and I love, love it! I also like Fee’s character because she's unique and dependable.

There’s a wedding at the end so I’ll leave you to guess.

Whose wedding is it? You’ll have to find out for yourself. :)