Mar 29, 2013

Flat Out Matt by Jessica Park

Flat-Out Matt
Book Description:

Matt is a junior at MIT. He’s geeky, he's witty, he's brilliant.

And he’s also very, very stupid.

When beautiful, cool, insightful Julie moves in with Matt’s family, why (oh why!) does he pretend to be his absent brother Finn for her alleged benefit?

It seems harmless enough until her short-term stay becomes permanent. And until it snowballs into heart-squeezing insanity. And until he falls in love with Julie, and Julie falls in love with Finn.

But … Matt is the right one for her. If only he can make Julie see it. Without telling her the truth, without shattering them all. Particularly his fragile sister Celeste, who may need Julie the most.

You saw Matt through Julie’s eyes in FLAT-OUT LOVE. Now go deeper into Matt’s world in this FLAT-OUT MATT novella. Live his side of the story, break when his heart breaks, and fall for the unlikely hero all over again.

Take an emotional skydive for two prequel chapters and seven Flat-Out Love chapters retold from his perspective, and then land with a brand-new steamy finale chapter from Julie.

Christina's BookReview
"For a few brief moments, Matt got to hold Julie in his arms. And that gift? That would stay with him forever."


"I did it, Finn. I did it. I was ready to jump, and now she’s jumping with me."

RECAP

In Flat Out Love we followed Julie's journey with the Watkins. In this companion piece we finally get to see our favorite FOL scenes in Matt's point of view. 

What happened before Julie arrived in Boston? What was Matt thinking throughout Julie's journey? Read and find out!

MY TAKE

Do you know that totally in love review I did for Flat Out Love last year? Yes, well expect the same here. When Flat Out Matt was announced I squealed. Yes squealed and please note that I hardly ever do that. So, as I waited for the release I reread FOL and stalked Jessica's page for updates. :D And when it was released I quickly bought my copy. Hours later I was sadly finished and I have to say I am so freaking in LOVE with Flat out Matt that I'm looking forward to reading it over and over again and owning the paperback version.

In Flat Out Love we met Julie and the Watkins and followed Julie's journey in discovering the secrets her new family held. Those of you who have read FOL know how gut wrenchingly sad, how fantastically hilarious and achingly romantic it was! Well, Jessica and her SUPER FANTASTIC self decided that her fans should get a Matt POV, and Flat Out Matt was born!

The first chapters in FOM were incredible! It was so wonderful to see Matt's life before Julie. We all heard about Finn in FOL but in this book we finally get to see just how amazing he truly was. The big brother everyone wants. Matt's relationship with Finn was so hilarious, loving and special. 

The next chapter was the aftermath of the incident and the creation of Flat Finn. I have to say that I shed many tears in this one. Matty's pain at the loss and the responsibility of having to care for his family had my heart aching for him. This is something that didn't change throughout the whole book. I think I teared every time Celeste or his mother lashed out at him and every time he struggled through hiding his feelings for Julie. 

As we see his journey with Julie through his eyes and his constant struggle you finally understand why. Why he did what he did, why he enabled Celeste to create Flat Finn and so on. And as we get our answers we fall more deeply in love with our geeky book boyfriend!  We also see more of Celeste and get two GREAT epilogue chapters!! Two pretty HOT chapters. Let's just say our geek excels in EVERYTHING. :D

I can't express how perfect this book was. It was for the fans and it was a beautiful companion piece to FOL. We saw all of our favorite FOL chapters come to life in Matt's POV and I was incredibly satisfied. I laughed, I cried, my heart ached and I smiled throughout this whole novella! I can't say it enough! If you are a fan of  Flat Out Love, READ THIS!

I'm going to miss all of these characters and will continue to recommend and read this entire story over and over again. 

BUY IT. READ IT. LOVE IT. 

HAPPY READING!!  


Mar 27, 2013

Streamline by Jennifer Lane: Review and Birthday Bash Giveaway!

Streamline
Book Description:

Seems like Leo Scott has it all: looks, brains, and athletic talent. He's captain of his high school swim team with a bright future in college and beyond. But Leo has secrets. His mother's crippling car accident has devastated his family and left Leo to deal with his father's abuse, battered and alone.

Leo's girlfriend Audrey Rose is poised for her own share of success. As one of Florida's top high school swimmers, Audrey dreams of college swimming stardom. But there's an obstacle to her glorious rise to the top. Her number-one supporter--her father--is in prison for murder.

Part murder mystery, part tale of young love in a military family, this gripping story takes readers on a journey from Pensacola to Annapolis. Leo and Audrey must band together to rise above the adversity they encounter and find their true selves in the process. When everything's on the line . . . streamline.
Christina's BookReview
RECAP

Leo Scott is your average poster boy athlete. He has the look, the drive, the brain and the girl. But at home Leo's life is far from perfect. Dealing with a hard ass Navy Commander is just the beginning of his very complicated life. Leo must deal with the constant abuse, his new addiction and the twists and turns his life takes.

Audrey also has the picture perfect life. Except that her Navy father is in prison for murder. A murder that he doesn't remember committing.

Together Leo and Audrey must deal with the hurdles thrown their way, staying on top of their swimming careers, and the horror of their home life. 

Will they both rise above the current or sink and drown?

MY TAKE

When I heard about the Streamline Birthday Book Bash I signed up and was given an ARC by the wonderful author! Now, I've read another Jennifer Lane book so I didn't mind picking this one up and joining the celebration. All in all Streamline was a good read. 

Going into this book you expect for Leo to be this teenage guy with a teenage guy life and...he is. But then he goes home and all hell breaks loose. His father is TERRIBLE. He treats his family like he treats any one below his league. There isn't one redeeming quality about that man. And although Leo is sweet at times I felt like he had a long way to go to get away from his fathers influence. Leo struggles with a slew of things during the book and I felt bad most times but other times I thought he was irrational and hotheaded. Which okay maybe its realistic for a teenage boy now and days but I just expected more from him. This was the first male character that I just didn't swoon for. Don't get me wrong he was nice and he loved his family and Audrey but at the end of the day I thought that he had a long way to go to "grow" up.

Then there is his relationship with Audrey. I think they made the perfect couple because they balanced each other. She was sweet and levelheaded and kept him grounded. She was his anchor throughout the book. I felt bad for her circumstances and also teared up a little when she had to go through one particular event by herself.There wasn't anything I didn't like about her but unfortunately I felt no real connection with her character. It would be interesting to see where this couple is five/ten years later and see if they make it.

Now, I did enjoy the secondary characters in this book, I think much more than the primary. Each one had an impact in Leo and Audrey's lives and in the unfolding of the events at the end. I adored Jase, Leo's brother, the most and was happy to see the change in him throughout the book.  When the events at the end unfolded and caused him to lose his sanity I was so sad but was then happy things worked out. 

The twist and turns in this book were what made this an enjoyable read. It was interesting to have the view of the abuser as well as the abused and everyone involved in helping the victim(s) heal. Some of the swimming aspects were good but throughout the first half of the book I was kind of bored with it. Which is why I think I liked the last 40% of the book the most.

All in all Streamline was a good book. A really slow and detailed beginning but an action packed ending. Don't let the 3 stars deter you from reading it because the suspense was really good and the author does a wonderful job immersing you in the story. I enjoy the way she keeps you guessing throughout her storytelling and then shocks the hell out of you. 

Buy it. Read it. Enjoy it.


HAPPY READING!

_____________________________________________________________________________
Happy 1st Birthday to Streamline!  And Thanks to Jennifer for including Christina's BookReview on the blog tour!

Jennifer Lane's website: http://jenniferlanebooks.com 
Buy Streamline:
Amazon for $2.99
Barnes & Noble for $2.99
To WIN Streamline see below!!
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Mar 14, 2013

Flat out Matt and Vigilant Cover Reveal!


So as many of you might have seen Jessica Park and Angel Lawson have had cover releases within the last 24 hours! I've read wonderful books by both of these ladies and am looking forward to what they have coming out next! 

Flat out Matt by Jessica Park is a companion piece to Flat Out Love but in Matt's POV! Yes let the squeals begin!! :-D I for one CANNOT wait for this to come out and to have it on my bookshelf never to FOL! Jessica is hoping for an early April release!



Flat-Out Matt


Flat out Matt
is not a sequel, and it's NOT a full book with a full story arc. It's about ten chapters (still figuring that out) from Matt's POV. Two prequel chapters, then retelling of some fan-favorite scenes, and then a bonus "jump" chapter with Matt and Julie. Not sure if that last chapter will be from his POV or Julie's, but it'll be steamy and fun. It is a "companion piece" for fans who know FOL really well."


   



Vigilant by Angel Lawson is a completely different from her Wraith series and I for one am looking forward to reading this! Read the synopsis below to understand what I mean! 


 
Ari Grant spends her days helping the troubled youth of Glory City, and her nights trying to feel something other than the cold numbness that has settled in her bones. For years, she satisfies this urge with trips to the tattoo parlor or late night clubbing, but everything changes when she becomes a victim of an armed robbery.

She manages to escape notice from the gunman, a former client, but only because she’s saved by Glory City’s own Vigilante. A hooded man who has impeccable timing when it comes to those in need.

It seems Ari isn’t the only one trying to save lost souls or looking for a life outside their job. She’s caught the attention of Nick Sanders, a handsome attorney at juvenile court. Solid and steady, he seems the perfect fit, but Ari has developed an obsession with Davis, the mysterious and sexy director of a local fight club that rehabilitates delinquent boys.

Each of these men fight for the less fortunate, but not everyone has altruistic motives. When Ari’s female clients begin to disappear, she can’t figure out who to trust. Soon enough it becomes obvious that while Ari watches over the kids of Glory City, someone else has taken to watching over her.

Are you excited as I am to read these? I hope so! Keep a look out for these two coming to you soon!

Mar 13, 2013

Cornerstone by Misty Provencher

Cornerstone (Cornerstone, #1)
Book Review: 

Nalena Maxwell has been branded ‘The Waste’ at her new school, due to her mom's obsessive paper hoarding. Nalena desperately wants something to change in her life, but when she receives a sign (and it's the wrong dang one) inviting her into a mysterious, ancient community, too much changes. What she knew of her family, what she thought of her life and what she believed about her future, is no longer applicable. Seventeen years worth of family skeletons come crashing into Nalena's life and it is the boy...the one that smiles at her like he wants to hear everything she'll ever say...that already knows her powerful secrets. But it is only Nalena that can choose between protecting the life that is already crumbling beneath her feet and the one that might sacrifice everything she could ever have.

Christina's BookReview
"I let myself think, I hope he loves me, and then I wonder if I’ve said it out loud. I try hard to remember if I’d formed the words with my lips. No. I didn’t. I’m sure I didn’t. I’m convinced of it, until he murmurs back, “Don’t worry. He does.”
RECAP

Nalena Maxwell is used to being called "The Waste" at her high school because of her mothers obsession with paper. Every week Nali is obligated to lug home reams of paper for her mother to fill up and clutter her home with. Nali is ready for a change and for answers. Why doesn't her mother ever get passed one line of a story plot? Why can't she stop writing? And why is the hottest guy in school now paying attention to her?


When Garret Reese pushes into her life, Nali doesn't understand why he's paying her any mind and being so kind. After he saved her from a viscous attack Nali realizes that maybe he does care. But more importantly the question is how do his parents and her mother know each other? 

When she finally gets answers to her questions Nali is about to realize that maybe some answers aren't meant to be revealed. Now she must make a choice... 

Protect the people you love or turn your back on your destiny...

MY TAKE 

So when I read this book as a bookclub read for this month and at first was hesitant. Honestly, the cover looked plain to me and so I wasn't too interested. I know...you shouldn't base a book by its cover. Sue me. :-) At the end I'm glad I gave this book a try. I was looking for a book that wasn't so predictable and this was just that. 


Nali is kept in the dark about her mothers obsessive behavior and grows frustrated. She is constantly left in the dark throughout the book so I understood why she would be upset and why she would complain. I, however, thought that she jumped to conclusions too much and that she didn't take things seriously. She made irrational decisions without thinking things through. Especially when her decision was crucial. That was what frustrated me about her. And the consequences to her behavior were brutal. 

Now the relationship between  her and Garrett was almost non existence in this book. Not that there wasn't any but that its the friendship stage of any relationship. Nali is oblivious to Garrett's feelings and her own throughout the book. But don't get me wrong Garrett was a sweetheart! I enjoyed his parts in this and his kindness towards both Nali and her mother. I liked that he knew that he wanted to be a Contego (a warrior) in life and that just made him hot. :-)  As well as I liked his relationship with his brothers and sister.

I have to mention the Reese family because they were incredible! The Reese family are all Contego (minus one) and they protect the other members of their "community". I won't go into details about this part because it will ruin the book. Any who,  I enjoyed meeting them in this book and look forward to learning more about them...especially Sean. :-) I enjoyed the "system" they had for girl callers since the household was filled with four teenage guys. 

Also present was the Addo and I liked his sense of humor and charismatic attitude. I can't wait to read more about this society that they live in and hopefully get some answers to some of MY questions about the other fractions in the society.

The action in this book really shows up at the end and it what I'm thinking the lead in to the other books in this series. The good guys underestimate the bad ones in this book but after the end of the book 1 they realize that they shouldn't have. It ends in sadness and I can' wait to read more. 

BUY (I believe its free) this. READ it. ENJOY it!

HAPPY READING!

Mar 9, 2013

Saving Grace by Christine Zolendz

Saving Grace (Mad World, #2) 
Book Description:
After spending over 2,000 years being a lost soul looking for the angel I was forbidden to fall in love with, I finally found him. Lucky for me he has taken up residence inside the hot body of NYC’s local bad boy, tattooed rock star, Shane Maxton. Turns out, not only is he absolutely perfect, so is the whole Grace Taylor life that I’m stuck in. The only problem is Gabriel. An archangel who wants me all to himself so he kind of kidnaps me. Now I have to find my way back and hope everything works out…

Christina's BookReview
“Then let me in, because I promise you, I will pick up every little broken piece of you, every single fucking piece, Grace, and for the rest of my fucking life, I will put you back together… I’ll make you whole again.”

RECAP


In this continuation of the Fall from Grace series, Grace is coming to terms with discovering that the angel she has been waiting 2,000 years for is none other then the man that has been after her.
She must learn to finally open up to the hot rock star that wants her for himself. As she finally lets go of her old ambitions she is finally able to live her life as Grace Taylor, the human. 

But when old evils come back to haunt her Grace must make a decision...run away from her life or continue to fight for what she loves?

MY TAKE

In the sequel of the Fall From Grace series we pick up right where we left off. And although it was still filled with some intensity between Shane and Grace, it sadly wasn't the same. :-(

In this book I felt like Grace became the complete opposite of what she was in the first book. She let go of everything and just became a girl in complete lust/love with a guy. Her internal dialogue became so annoying that I huffed in frustration alot. I was all about her giving Shane a "chance" but oh my gosh everything she said was just nauseating.  One minute she wants to jump right into bed with Shane and the next she hates him. I sort of felt lost because she suddenly doesn't care about this angel she has spent 2,000 years looking for. It was weird. It was also weird understanding the concept between his soul being in Shane. I wasn't sure if he was or wasn't at certain points. 

What doesn't change is Shane. He is still his holy hot self and makes you swoon. In this one he continues to try and get Grace to see that he is in love with her and that he has changed. He is still hot and cold at certain parts. There is alot of misunderstanding and alot of jealousy in this one too. Shane tries to contain his temper but it just doesn't work. Everyone knows how the bad the "bad" boys are at this. :-) These two have one complicated relationship going on. 

The secondary characters are back and more prominent in this one. I still can't wait for the band members to have their own books. Hopefully that will happen. There were new ones that were put in as obstacle for Grace and Shane and although there were just that they did make the story more enjoyable. Gabriel is back and is very annoying and mean in this one. I want to strangle him and just tell him to take a hint.I felt like his character wasn't fully developed so at the end was confused with his role.

The action wasn't much in this book. Its just filled with alot of lustful moments between Grace and Shane and alot of hilarious moments with the secondary characters. 

This book only went down a star because I felt like it was the same as the first, minus Grace's spunk. I missed the banter between Shane and Grace and then at times thought "Oh my goodness just get it over with!". Shane made this book worth the read and he is def up there with Travis (Beautiful Disaster) and my other bad boys. 

All in all this book was a great ending to the story! I look forward to reading more from this author. 

BUY it. READ it. ENJOY it!  


HAPPY READING!
  

Mar 7, 2013

Fall From Grace by Christine Zolendz

Fall From Grace (Mad World, #1)
Book Description: I'm finally home after struggling through my brother's illness and death. But, home is definitely a bit different. My best friend (the only person alive now that knows my secret) has a new boyfriend; and he has a friend. Shane Maxton: bad boy, tattooed rock god, eye candy extraordinaire. He is also New York City's most arrogant, self-serving, son of a, well, a definite one-night stand kind of a guy.

But, it doesn't matter to me because I've spent my existence looking for the love of my life, my angel. And, there is nothing that Shane Maxton can do to change that. 


A paranormal romance.
Christina's BookReview
“She is a mortal danger to all men. She is beautiful without knowing it, and possesses charms that she's not even aware of. She is like a trap set by nature - a sweet perfumed rose in whose petals Cupid lurks in ambush! Anyone who has seen her smile has known perfection. She instills grace in every common thing and divinity in every careless gesture. Venus in her shell was never so lovely, and Diana in the forest never so graceful as you.”

RECAP

Grace has been living in a state of aloofness. She was condemned to eh life she is living and it tired of being so human. As she struggles through the lost of another loved one Grace focuses on just finding the one that will make this hell on earth worth it. Her angel. What she didn't count on was her best friends new boyfriends friend, Shane Maxton. He is infuriatingly sexy with a smile that will melt any girl.. He is a bad boy extraordinaire that just might be break Grace's objective. Or maybe not.


MY TAKE 

So I saw this book on amazon and just loved the cover instantly. Love the intensity of it! And this book is just that...Intense!

From the very beginning Grace is perfect. Perfect in that she isn't a shy and wimpy girl. She has standards, she doesn't put up with shit, and she stands her ground. Yes she complains alot and is apathetic to her life but she doesn't let anyone push her around. What I loved the most was that her love for her angel does not falter. No matter how much Shane tests those boundaries. And he tests them ALOT... :-) She has made it to the top of my list of fave female protags because of her spunk. 

And holy hot hell there is Shane!!I'm going to give you a quote from book two because it just about sums up Shane to me, "I could have had an orgasm from the mind fuck he was giving me right there”. Shane Maxton sets fire to every damn page he is in during this book. He will have you melting throughout. Don't get me wrong he messes up alot and has no filter but then he says things like, "Please Grace, whatever it is you're going after, please try to find it here in me. I will try my best to be the man that you need me to be.” and you can't help but fall a little bit more. He is broken, just like Grace so seeing them interact and try to keep clear of each other is a wonderful journey. Their attraction towards each other was so damn passionate that I felt my kindle would burst into flames at any moment. The author does not disappoint in that aspect.

This story is paranormal so be ready for some action as well. Grace isn't like any normal human. She is condemned to earth and is guided or tortured, whichever you want it to be, by Gabriel. Gabriel is an angel and is also the best friend of Grace's love. Throughout the book you see him but he is practically stoic. There are also others that want to kill Grace or capture her because she plays a more pivotal part in the angelic world. During this Grace is protected by her best friend, Lea. 

Lea is the only person that knows about Grace and is determined to keep her best friend sound and safe. She is the best friend everyone wants. There is also Connor, Lea's boyfriend, who instantly welcomes Grace into the fold. Then there is the band which I instantly loved! All of the guys are awesome and you can't help but hope to read their books in the near future.

So this is what I'm going to summarize this review to...

BUY this. READ this. LOVE it!


HAPPY READING!

Mar 4, 2013

The Reluctant King by Rachel Higginson

The Reluctant King (Star-Crossed #5)
Book Description:

Avalon St. Andrews has endured Hell and war in an attempt to secure freedom and immortality for his people. Raised and conditioned to be both warrior and leader, he now sits on a throne with his sister Eden, governing the Kingdom in peace. While his people enjoy the benefits of his struggle and loss, he is restless, bored and alone.

Avalon is summoned to fight to save his people once more as the Kingdom is threatened by a brand new evil. In addition to reigning in a kingship he doesn’t want, he is fighting against the very people he has fought so hard to protect. They are determined to throw away their newfound freedom and their newfound leaders.

In this war and in this kingship he feels alone. And for the first time he feels hollow. That is until Amelia Cartier shows up, invading his every thought and shaking up his carefully controlled world.

Now he faces yet another battle—making Amelia his queen.



Christina's BookReview
"We built this thing together, we shed blood, sweat and tears…. together. And we’ve mourned together. Yes, we have to risk losing those we love, but at least we don’t have to go through this alone.”

RECAP

Set two years after defeating Lucas, Avalon is King. But Avalon isn't happy with it. He doesn't want his people to be ruled over and doesn't understand why they insisted he be crowned. He struggles through it and completely whines about it. He's a warrior not a King. He is used to battle and protection not sitting around yelling orders out. But when his kingdom is threatened he would do anything to protect it. Eden and Kiran (who is co-king) are back so Avalon is free to fight to protect his kingdom from this new threat. And also protect the one girl that has ever caught his attention. Amelia Cartier.
  
He is now fighting two battles...the battle for his kingdom and the battle to make Amelia his queen. 
Will Avalon win?


MY TAKE:


Okay so anyone that has been following the blog knows how much I love the Star-crossed series by Rachel Higginson. This was one of my favorite series of 2012 and I still haven't stopped loving it. When I first heard that Avalon's book was coming out I literally squealed like a little girl. The lovers of this series could not in their right mind NOT want this book! All of the men in the series were incredible especially Avalon. I always wanted his story so Rachel became my favorite person when this was announced.  And she didn't let me down one bit. 

Avalon's story starts off two years after Endless Magic. There have been some issues but nothing big has happened. Eden and Kiran are living their HEA and are honeymooning while Avalon is taking over as King. But he's miserable and wants nothing more to be out in the field. Fans of this series HAVE to agree with how he feels.He is and always has been a warrior. It's in his blood. So for him to feel antsy and whine about being subjected to sitting on a throne isn't selfish on his part. At least I didn't think so. I felt bad about that and so when he finally is free to not have to be a full time King I felt the overwhelming feeling of freedom along with him. I kind of thought that Eden and Kiran were a little selfish to leave him to handle everything alone for two years just so they can honeymoon. How is that logical when you're suppose to rule a kingdom? But alas I don't hold a grudge against our star-crossed lovers. :-)

Any who...onto the romance! Amelia Cartier is a shy girl with a fierce attitude. We only saw Amelia in previous books a little bit. we didn't get anything other then Lucan adored her and she was Sebastian's little sister. Finally getting to see her grow in this book and take such a prominent role was great. The way she acts towards Avalon is justifiable after he treats her so I wasn't upset with the time it took for her to open up to him. Her determination to be involved made her a good female protag. I only wished that some of the scenes were in her POV.  Because I love Avalon and she was there for him during this new threat I liked her. :-) 

The scenes where things got a little hot and heavy were GREAT! But don't worry readers the book is still YA. Their romance was sweet but I must say a little too quick which is the only reason I gave the book 4 stars.

Now the secondary characters of course should not be left out. I loved revisiting with everyone and being updated on what was going on. I liked that Kiran and Eden got their HEA but I really missed Jericho and unfortunately we don't get much of him in this. I can't wait for the The Relentless Warrior to release!!The ending was bittersweet to me and I can't wait to read more...soon. Rachel *hint hint*.


BUY it. READ it. LOVE it.

HAPPY READING!!

Mar 1, 2013

This Is How You Lose Her by Junot Diaz

This is How You Lose HerBook Description:

On a beach in the Dominican Republic, a doomed relationship flounders. In the heat of a hospital laundry room in New Jersey, a woman does her lover’s washing and thinks about his wife. In Boston, a man buys his love child, his only son, a first baseball bat and glove. At the heart of these stories is the irrepressible, irresistible Yunior, a young hardhead whose longing for love is equaled only by his recklessness--and by the extraordinary women he loves and loses: artistic Alma; the aging Miss Lora; Magdalena, who thinks all Dominican men are cheaters; and the love of his life, whose heartbreak ultimately becomes his own. In prose that is endlessly energetic, inventive, tender, and funny, the stories in This Is How You Lose Her lay bare the infinite longing and inevitable weakness of the human heart. They remind us that passion always triumphs over experience, and that “the half-life of love is forever.”
 Christina's BookReview
“Then you look at her and smile a smile your dissembling face will remember until the day you die. Baby, you say, baby, this is part of my novel.

This is how you lose her.”

RECAP:

Coming to the US from the Dominican Republic Yunior recounts his transition in the states and the heartbreaks that follow him as we grows up. He will share with us the loves and loses of Alma, Miss Lora, Magdelena, Nilda and others that impacted his life one way or another.  Through his recklessness Yunior shares with us the lessons he learns and lays bear the real facts about "losing someone you lose because of your recklessness". 

MY TAKE:

Okay so I had to read this as a book club read at work and have to say that because of the synopsis I was kind of looking forward to it. When I finally got to read it I could not put the book down. 

We start off the book with Yunior's relationship with Magdelena. Yunior lets the readers know right away that Magdelena believes that all Dominican men are cheaters. That one sentence sets the stage for the entire book. Yunior flashes from past to present and introduces us to the women in his life and his infidelity. And although I wanted to dislike Yunior and smack him upside his head it was hard. There were times where i felt bad for him and his suffering. When you shouldn't. He is a cheat and the cycle continues throughout the book. The last story in this book shows us that even though he is the way he is there is one women that he loved but betrayed as well. The women's name is never mentioned but you see the impact that she had in his life.

We also learn about his family life and you quickly see that Yunior hasn't had the best influences in life. With a father that is strict and detached, a brother who runs through women and mistreats him, and a mother who stays quiet, Yunior doesn't know anything else while growing up. 

I will not get into the stereotyping in this book because it would not suede you one way or the other. I will say that I have grown up around Dominican's so reading this book I was just laughing at the truth in most things and the language that was used.

I liked the book. I liked the realism behind it and you could actually hear the authors voice in it. Throughout the  book I felt like I was reading someones real life story. And that in itself makes this book wonderful. 

If you want romance this probably isn't your book. But if you want to read about the relationships you will like it.

I say BUY or BORROW it. READ it. ENJOY it.


HAPPY READING!