Book Review - Pretty in Punxsutawney by Laurie Boyle Crompton + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Andie is addicted to movies, especially romance movies. She is the type of person who has the perfect thing to say, only after the moment has passed. However, she is yet to experience her first kiss but, she wants it to be special. When her family moved to Punxsutawney, PA, for her senior year, she hopes that will meet her true love. Her plans are abandoned when she is caught in an endless loop of her first day at her new school. She keeps reliving the day over and over until she can find a way to break the loop. As she continues on her search for her true love, she spends time with the various cliques and learns that not everything is what it seems. Will Andie be able to find her true love?

Ever read the saying "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results"? I thought this novel was going to be repetitive to the point of tears and boredom. I was pleasantly surprised how fun it was to read especially when Andie kept trying different combinations to find her "perfect ending". I did cringe on a few things that she did because she knew that the day would be repeated. However, it was a fun and delightful read. I can't wait to read more from the author.

 **Disclosure - I received a free  copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Pretty In Punxsutawney

by Laurie Boyle Crompton

Publisher: Blink

Release date: January 22, 2019

Genre: Young Adult -- Contemporary, Romance

A mashup of Groundhog Day and Pretty in Pink, the book stars a senior who is forced to relive the first day at her new school in an endless loop. Andie is convinced she needs true love's kiss to break the curse, but instead discovers how a high school filled with cliques and misfits can find common ground despite everyone's differences.

BOOK LINKS

Goodreads

Amazon

Barnes& Noble

Book Depository

IndieBound

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Laurie Boyle Crompton is the YA author of the upcoming PRETTY IN PUNXSUTAWNEY (Blink/HarperCollins 2019) as well as ADRENALINE CRUSH (Macmillan/2014, Square Fish/2016), BLAZE (or Love in the Time of Supervillains), THE REAL PROM QUEENS OF WESTFIELD HIGH and LOVE AND VANDALISM (Sourcebooks/2013, 2014, 2017). Growing up in ‘Pennsyltucky’ in the 1980s, Laurie couldn't wait to escape rural life. After saving up her tips from waitressing at a local greasy spoon at 18 she packed up her acid wash jeans and moved to NY. Where everyone else had stopped wearing acid wash.

She graduated first in her class from St. John’s University with a BA in English and Journalism. Since then she’s written for national magazines like ALLURE, survived a teaching stint at an all-boy high school, and appeared on Good Day New York several times as a Toy Expert. And yes, ‘toy expert’ is an actual profession. Really.

She has lived in places like Orlando, Florida where she and her husband spent all of their spare time and money visiting theme parks before moving to the Cotswolds in England for six months, which was every bit as cool as that sounds. The Cromptons are now back in New York where their two children resent never going to Disney.

Laurie occasionally enjoys hanging out in fields of blooming flowers and also refering to herself in the third person.

Links:

Website: https://www.lboylecrompton.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lbcrompton

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lbcrompton/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laurie.b.crompton

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Book Review - The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena

Photo Credit - Amazon

Anne and Marco Conti seem to have it all from the outside. They have a loving relationship, a beautiful home, and their adoring baby, Cora. The couple decides to leave Cora at home while they attend a dinner party next door. They arrive home, they realize something is wrong and their daughter is missing. When the cops are called in, the detectives are suspicious of the couple. The pair realizes that they both have deadly secrets that they have been keeping from each for years.



I found the novel to be a very interesting read but, halfway through the novel, I figured out the basic premise of the ending. A few things were a surprise but, not enough to say this book was a suspenseful or a thrilling read. I wish some of the characters and the side stories were more detailed. For example, the detectives felt that something was off by the whole kidnapping but, they never really went into much detail on why they felt that way. Overall, it was a decent read and I look forward to reading other books by the author.

**Disclosure - This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - Good Neighbors by Ryan David Jahn

Photo Credit - Amazon

In the early morning of March 13, 1964, a young woman is assaulted in the courtyard of her Queens apartment building. She cries for help and while her neighbors hear her pleas; no one calls the police. The story unfolds over the course of two hours, showing the woman's night along with the stories of her neighbors. Each of the stories intersects with each other weaving a larger story.

When I first picked up this novel, I thought it was going to be a revenge novel. However, I was pleasantly surprised when  I realized it wasn't. I found the story to be engaging and kept me on the edge of the seat. The novel was a bit grim but, overall a worthwhile read. I can't wait to read more by the author.

**Disclosure - This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no any extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - Tarnish by Katherine Longshore

Photo Credit - Amazon

Anne Boleyn arrives at the court of King Henry VIII feeling out of place. From her French-style clothing to her outspoken mannerisms; Anne doesn't quite fit in. When the beautiful poet Thomas Wyatt offers to coach Anne to help her find a place in the court, Anne jumps at the chance.  Together they concoct a plan where they try to convince the whole court they are lovers. Anne becomes popular but, she realizes she wants to be in love and keep her voice. However, when Anne finds herself in a tough position, she is forced to make a choice that will change her life forever.

Anne Boleyn is probably one of the most famous women in history. The novels take on a fresh new approach of describing Anne when she is younger and the beginning stages of her relationship with King Henry VIII. It shows Anne as a young woman managing what her heart and what her mind wants. I thought the novel was beautifully written and look forward to reading more by the author.

**Disclosure - This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no any extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - When Summer Ends by Jessica Pennington + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

 Aiden Emerson has it all; he is the school's star pitcher and the golden boy of Riverton. However, all that changes when he has to quit the team because he is losing his vision. Olivia has her entire summer planned out but, when her dream internship falls apart and her dreamy boyfriend decides he wants a break, she has no idea what to do anymore. To make matters worse, her estranged mother wants to bond and reconnect. Aiden and Olivia are thrown together by chance but, can they make the best out of their situation? 

The book is a perfect cozy romance read with minimal drama. The two main characters felt realistic but, I wished at times, they would just communicate! (I believe most drama in life can be avoided by communication.) One thing I didn't enjoy was how "fast" time was moving as the summer was over in a few chapters which made the relationship seem to be moving quickly even if it wasn't. Overall, it was an enjoyable read.

 **Disclosure - I received a free unedited copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: Tor Teen (April 9, 2019)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1250187338
ISBN-13: 978-1250187338

Praise for WHEN SUMMER ENDS

“Bringing the small-town Michigan setting evocatively to the forefront, Pennington’s sophomore novel captures the pleasures of new love.” ―Kirkus Reviews

Praise for LOVE SONGS & OTHER LIES

“A captivating read and a great pick for fans of Morgan Matson and Emery Lord!” ―RT Book Reviews

“Filled with lyrics, love, and late nights, Pennington's debut novel will appeal to romance fans of Sarah Dessen and Susane Colasanti.” ―School Library Journal

“Pennington’s debut is a light road-tripping romance about redemption and the love of music.” ―Publishers Weekly

“Reading Cam & Vee's past and present romance reminds me of This is Us! This is going on my keeper shelf.” ―Simone Elkeles, New York Times & USA Today bestselling author

Love Songs & Other Lies is a music-infused romance about a pair of perfectly imperfect teenagers who will have readers rooting for their happily ever after.” ―Katy Upperman, author of Kissing Max Holden

“Boys in bands, second chance romance, and pitch-perfect chemistry. Love Songs & Other Lies hits all the right notes!” ―Gina Ciocca, author of Last Year's Mistake

“Fun and full of heart, with a hero who stole my heart!” ―Katie McGarry, author of Pushing the Limits

Aiden Emerson is an all-star pitcher and the all-around golden boy of Riverton. Or at least he was, before he quit the team the last day of junior year without any explanation. How could he tell people he's losing his vision at seventeen?

Straight-laced Olivia thought she had life all figured out. But when her dream internship falls apart, her estranged mother comes back into her life, and her long-time boyfriend ghosts her right before summer break, she's starting to think fate has a weird sense of humor.

Each struggling to find a new direction, Aiden and Olivia decide to live summer by chance. Every fleeting adventure and stolen kiss is as fragile as a coin flip in this heartfelt journey to love and self-discovery from the author of Love Songs & Other Lies.

You can purchase When Summer Ends at the following Retailers:

        

Photo Credit: Sheena Pearce

Jessica Pennington is no stranger to the combination of love and drama. She’s a wedding planner, after all. A writer since the age of ten—when she sought publication for her poem about a tree—Jessica likes the challenge of finding the humor in a sad situation or highlighting the awkwardness in a romantic one. She lives in a Michigan beach town suspiciously similar to the one in her novel, with her husband Josh and their son, Rory. Love Songs & Other Lies is her debut novel.

        

WEEK ONE

JULY 22nd MONDAY JeanBookNerd GUEST POST
JULY 22nd MONDAY A Court of Coffee and Books REVIEW
JULY 23rd TUESDAY A Dream Within A Dream EXCERPT
JULY 23rd TUESDAY Nay's Pink Bookshelf REVIEW
JULY 24th WEDNESDAY Kait Plus Books EXCERPT
JULY 24th WEDNESDAY Two Points of Interest REVIEW
JULY 25th THURSDAY Cover2CoverBlog REVIEW
JULY 25th THURSDAY Bookish Kali REVIEW
JULY 26th FRIDAY Movies, Shows, & Books EXCERPT
JULY 26th FRIDAY A Bella Fairy Tale REVIEW

WEEK TWO
JULY 29th MONDAY Twirling Book Princess EXCERPT
JULY 29th MONDAY Insane About Books REVIEW
JULY 30th TUESDAY Casia's Corner REVIEW
JULY 30th TUESDAY Pages and Pugs REVIEW
JULY 31st WEDNESDAY Gwendalyn's Books REVIEW
JULY 31st WEDNESDAY A Bookish Dream REVIEW
AUGUST 1st THURSDAY Sabrina's Paranormal Palace REVIEW
AUGUST 1st THURSDAY Starlight Reads REVIEW
AUGUST 1st THURSDAY TTC Books and More EXCERPT
AUGUST 2nd FRIDAY Crossroad Reviews REVIEW
AUGUST 2nd FRIDAY BookHounds YA REVIEW

*JBN is not responsible for Lost or Damaged Books in your Nerdy Mail Box*

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Book Spotlight - A Murder on Jane Street by Cathy Cash Spellman + Giveaway

Print Length: 410 pages
Publisher: The Wild Harp & Company, Inc. (July 16, 2019)
Publication Date: July 16, 2019
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B07QSC84TF

Praise for A MURDER ON JANE STREET

"Family ties tighten and bonds of affection grow stronger as a family is trapped between ruthless forces struggling for the highest stakes: control of a world to be subjected to unimaginable evil. As.parents, children and loved ones risk all to protect one another, events accelerate towards a conclusion that is in doubt until the last page is turned. A terrific read!" ―Richard Gid Powers author of The Mystery of the Trinity

"A MURDER ON JANE STREET is a gripping summer thriller filled with history, adventure, and an intriguing mystery. Cathy Cash Spellman will keep readers on the edge of their seat" ―Charles Brokaw, New York Times Bestselling author of The Atlantis Code

Cathy paints a picture with the most radiant phrasing and colorful words! I’m a fan of her books and have read every one of them, always wishing that she’ll write more! That hope was answered with A MURDER ON JANE STREET. This compelling gem of a mystery is also a history, a conspiracy, and a modern-day morality tale rolled into one. Yes there is a murder, deadly secrets and treachery, but at its heart, it’s also about family, friendship and having the courage to do the right thing in the face of nearly insurmountable odds. This brilliant author has created yet another home run! Her narrative, coupled with an edge-of-your-seat contemporary mystery thriller, have characters that warmed my heart and an unexpected ending that I absolutely LOVED! ―Adria de Haume, author of Cross Purpose

"Do NOT read this book unless you are willing to be seduced by a dozen incredibly keen people without whom the world as we know it might cease to exist." ―K.T. Maclay author of Beginners Guide to Death and Dying in Oaxaca

A brutal murder.
A heinous secret
A deadly conspiracy.

The brutal murder of the little old lady next door puts FitzHugh Donovan on the case. A retired New York City Police Chief, he knows a cover-up when he sees one and his Irish Cop conscience can’t let that happen.

 
Now, Fitz, his family and his quirky band of Bleecker Street Irregulars are ensnared in the bizarre secret the woman died to protect.

Is this a 75-year-old cold case turned hot again, or an unspeakable crime-in-progress that could alter the course of the world?

Fitz doesn’t yet know how high the stakes are, that failure isn’t an option, and that the little old lady was so much more than she appeared. But he’s trying to keep everyone alive long enough to find out.

Characters you’ll care about, dark shocking secrets, and disturbing similarities to today’s political scene, will keep you turning pages to an ending you won’t see coming.

You can purchase A Murder on Jane Street at the following Retailers:

  

Photo Credit: Dakota Cash

Multiple New York Times and International Bestsellers, a Paramount Movie, book sales in 22 countries, Cathy Cash Spellman writes stories about love, friendship, adventure, and history. Known for her big sprawling sagas and memorable characters, Cathy writes the kind of stories women like to lose themselves in, and then remember long after the book is done.

Her books range through several genres: contemporary, historical, mystery, mystic and romance. Several take place in two time-frames, both current and historical.

Bless the Child was a Paramount movie in 2000, starring Kim Basinger and Jimmy Smits, and Paint The Wind has been optioned for film and TV.

Cathy is an Astrologer, Martial Artist (Black Belt Goju Ryu Karate) and has expertise in Chinese Medicine, several alternative healing modalities and many metaphysical disciplines.

She has written for Self, Harper’s Bazaar, Town & Country, Mademoiselle, Cosmo, Penthouse, Mode, Kung Fu and many other magazines about women, health, empowerment, sexuality, spiritual philosophy and Astrology. She blogs for The Huffington Post and The New York Times.

        

WEEK ONE
JULY 15th MONDAY JeanBookNerd INTERVIEW
JULY 16th TUESDAY BookHounds INTERVIEW
JULY 17th WEDNESDAY Casia's Corner EXCERPT
JULY 18th THURSDAY TTC Books and More GUEST POST
JULY 19th FRIDAY Movies, Shows, & Books EXCERPT 

WEEK TWO
JULY 22nd MONDAY On My Bookshelf REVIEW & INTERVIEW
JULY 22nd MONDAY Stephanie's Life of Determination REVIEW & GUEST POST
JULY 23rd TUESDAY J.R.'s Book Reviews REVIEW
JULY 24th WEDNESDAY Book Referees REVIEW & GUEST POST
JULY 24th WEDNESDAY Two Points of Interest REVIEW
JULY 25th THURSDAY For the Love of Fictional Worlds REVIEW
JULY 26th FRIDAY Gwendalyn's Books REVIEW 

WEEK THREE
JULY 29th MONDAY Book Queen Reviews REVIEW
JULY 29th MONDAY Sabrina's Paranormal Palace TENS LIST 
JULY 30th TUESDAY Wishful Endings FILL IN THE BLANKS
JULY 30th TUESDAY Crossroad Reviews REVIEW
JULY 31st WEDNESDAY A Bookish Dream REVIEW
AUGUST 1st THURSDAY Insane About Books REVIEW

*JBN is not responsible for Lost or Damaged Books in your Nerdy Mail Box*

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Book Review - A Good Neighborhood by Therese Anne Fowler

Photo Credit - Amazon

Valerie Alston-Holt is a single mother who is raising her talented biracial son in tight-knitted Oak Knoll, a North Carolina neighborhood. Xavier is headed to college on scholarship and Valerie is facing the prospect of becoming an empty nester. While Valerie is planning on how to spend her future, things take the turn for the worse, when a new affluent family moves next door.

The Whitmans is like every other family except, their teenage daughter has a few secrets. Brad Whitman is a local celebrity around town and he made a small fortune after selling his invention. He and his wife, Julia escaped their meager upbringing. Together they try to build a new life filled with privilege and wealth.

The Whitmans and Alston-Holt have very little in common with each other. However, when Valerie's beloved oak tree starts dying and the two teenagers secretly starting dating; the two families find themselves at odds. Will the neighbors be able to look past each other's transgressions and live peacefully?

I wasn't sure what to expect when I started this book but, I will say that the ending certainly did stay with me. I kept thinking about what would I do if I was in the characters' shoes. The novel discussed many important topics such as racism, class, money, and power. I felt like this novel was very much relevant and really makes readers think.

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**Disclosure - This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no any extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - Never Let You Go by Chevy Stevens

Photo Credit - Amazon

Eleven years ago, Lindsey Nash fled her home in the middle of the night with her young daughter. She left her abusive husband, Andrew and is trying to start over with her daughter.  Lindsey has own business and seems to finally have her life under control. Until Andrew was released from prison and he tries to worm his way back into his ex-wife and daughters' lives. Lindsey feels like she is being followed and someone is watching her. Her boyfriend was threatened and her home was broken into. She believes Andrew is behind the taunts. However, he claims he is a changed man.

The novel was fast-paced with many twists. A few were predictable but, still added enough suspense to let readers guessing until the end. Although, I was expecting a bit more from the ending as there were a "few things" I thought would lead to more.   It wasn't a bad read but, I was just expecting something more and different.

**Disclosure - This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no any extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - The Furies by Katie Lowe

Photo Credit - Amazon

Violet is nervous on her first day at the all-girls Elm Hollow Academy boarding school. It's her second chance to have a fresh start in the midst of a family tragedy.  Desperate to fit in, Violet finds herself joining a group of girls who are considered outsiders. She soon finds herself in an advanced study group with the other girls, leads by her mysterious art teacher, Annabel.

The group studies mythology and Greek and Celtic legends but, also the school's own gruesome history.  Annabel tries to teach the girls that class is about learning history and mythology and not about magic. However, this doesn't stop the girls from trying to get their hands on some spells. 

Together, they try to harness the power of magic for themselves. They find themselves wrapped up in power they never had before. When a violent incident occurs, Violet finds herself feeling defenseless. When her friends' actions take a turn for the darker, Violet finds herself conflicted.

I thought this novel was going to be about a group of girls who were using magic to get their way. Instead, I am not sure what this novel is. I have a few mixed feelings about it and I am still not entirely sure if I enjoyed the novel. I was reminded of Emma Cline's "The Girls" (which I was also in-between with). I didn't really feel like the book came together in a cohesive and enjoyable way for me. I didn't really care for any of the main characters and thought they didn't really face any consequences. While I didn't really love this novel, I am open to reading other books by the author.

 **Disclosure -  This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - Mother Knows Best by Kira Peikoff

Photo Credit - Amazon

Claire Abram's is lived through every mother's worst nightmare. She passed on a genetic mutation that killed her son. Claire wants a second chance to be a mother but, she is afraid of passing on the gene mutation again. She finds hope when she meets Robert Nash who is a well-known fertility doctor. Robert Nash with his research assistant, Jillian Hendricks, is working on an experiment that can change the world; if it wasn't illegal.

Desperate for another child, Claire works with Nash and Jillian to create the world's first baby with three genetic parents. This will help erase Claire's fear of passing her gene mutation to her unborn child. However, their experiment is illegal and when word leaks to the wrong person, their lives are turned upside down. Claire, who is pregnant decides to run with Robert.  They left Jillian to serve a prison sentence alone that ruins her career and future.

Ten years later, Abigail realizes that her parents are keeping secrets from her. Her mother and father are reclusive and tend to keep to themselves unless it comes to their yearly tradition. When she tries to dig into a family's history, she realizes that not everything is what it seems.

I was really excited to read this novel as the premise is really interesting. However, I was a bit annoyed that this novel billed itself as a novel of suspense. I felt like there were a few twists but, many were very predictable. The novel wasn't a complete waste of time but, I wish it could have more suspense.

 **Disclosure - I received a free unedited copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**