Book Review - One-Third Nerd by Gennifer Choldenko and Églantine Ceulemans + Giveaway

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Liam knows that fifth grade is not for beginners and being more than one-third nerd is not cool. Liam and his family live in the Bay area in San Franciso with his mom and two sisters. Dakota has a big personality and loves science but, has a hard time making friends. Izzy has Down syndrome, loves giving hugs and can make friends easily. Their dad works in insurance and lives across town but, stops by with food often. And Cupcake is their lovable German shepherd that guards their apartment.

Lately, Cupcake has a problem. She has been peeing all over the apartment. The family wants to take her to the vet before their landlord can find out. Their parents have said if Cupcake doesn't stop, they will have to find her a new home. However, the kids can't give their beloved pet away. Will they be able to save Cupcake in time?

The novel was a fun and quick read. I like how each of the characters had their own well developed and distinct personality. Liam being the caring, protective older brother, Izzy being the intuitive friendly sister and Dakota was caring but a bit brash. I am disheartened to say, that I found Dakota to be a bit too much and I felt her character was a bit over the top, even if she meant well. Overall, it was a fun read.

 **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 any extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**   

Title: ONE-THIRD NERD

Author: Gennifer Choldenko, Églantine Ceulemans (Illustrations)

Pub. Date: January 29, 2019

Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook

Pages: 224

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Audible, B&N, iBooks, TBD

A funny, fast-paced, and heartfelt story from the Newbery Honor-winning author of the Al Capone series.

Fifth grade is not for amateurs, according to Liam. Luckily, he knows that being more than one-third nerd is not cool. Liam lives in the Bay area near San Francisco with his mom and two younger sisters. Dakota is fascinated by science and has a big personality but struggles to make friends; Izzy, a child with Down syndrome, makes friends easily and notices things that go past everyone else. Dad lives across town, but he's over a lot. And then there's Cupcake, their lovable German shepherd, who guards their basement apartment.

Recently, Cupcake has a problem--she's peeing in the house. The kids need to make enough money to take her to the vet before their landlord upstairs finds out. And Mom and Dad have said if Cupcake doesn't stop, they will find her a new home. But the kids will never let Cupcake go. Can they save her? 

About Gennifer:

Choldenko is best known for her Tales from Alcatraz series, which has sold more than 2 million copies. Book #1: Al Capone Does My Shirts was a Newbery Honor Book and the recipient of twenty other awards. Book #4: Al Capone Throws Me a Curve is due out in 2018. BookPage said of her most recent novel, Chasing Secrets: “Choldenko’s ability to research obscure yet intriguing topics is uncanny, and as she did with the popular Al Capone trilogy she turns a tough topic into a high interest read … a compelling work of historical fiction.” Gennifer lives with her loyal husband and naughty dog in the San Francisco Bay Area.

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Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a finished copy of ONE-THIRD NERD, US Only.

Rafflecopter Link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba2883/?

Tour Schedule:

Week Two:

1/28/2019- BookHounds YA- Review

1/28/2019- Ogitchida Kwe's Book Blog- Excerpt

1/29/2019- Feed Your Fiction Addiction- Review

1/29/2019- Wonder Struck- Review

1/30/2019- Nerdophiles- Review

1/30/2019- Texan Holly Reads- Review

1/31/2019- Such A Novel Idea- Review

1/31/2019- For the Love of KidLit- Interview

2/1/2019- Owl Always Be Reading- Excerpt

2/1/2019- Two Points of Interest- Review

Book Review - The Broken Girls by Simone St. James

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In 1950, Idlewild Hall is the place for girls that no one wants. It is home to troublemakers, the outspoken, and illegitimate girls. In the small town, the boarding school  is rumored to be haunted and when one of the young boarders suddenly mysteriously disappears nothing will be the same again.  

In 2014, it has been twenty years since journalist Fiona Sheridan's older sister's death, but Fiona is having a hard time letting it go. She makes frequent trips to the overgrown fields where the ruins of Idlewild Hall sit. When Fiona hears that someone is buying Idlewild Hall and reopening the school, against her better judgement Fiona decides to take on the story. While researching her story, Fiona comes across a shocking discovery that someone would do anything to keep buried. Who is behind the murders of the two young women?

I love how interesting and thrilling this story was. It was a modern day ghost story and the fact that two young women lost their lives around a school that should serve as sanctuary made this gruesome tale even more delicious. I love the strong female friendship along with the many plot twists. A highly recommended read for anyone who loves thrillers. Also, if you are reading this at night, be sure to keep a flashlight handy. ;)

**Disclosure - I won a free unedited copy of this book and was not requested or required to leave a review**

Book Review - Anatomy of a Scandal by Sarah Vaughan

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James is the perfect husband; he's a loving father, caring husband, and has a successful career in the government. However, when he is accused of a heinous crime, Sophie is determined that James is innocent and she will protect her family at any cost. Kate is the lawyer prosecuting the case and she is determined that James is guilty and will stop at nothing to bring him down. Is James innocent or is something larger at play?

When I first came across this book, it reminded me of the TV show, "How to Get Away with Murder". The book was interesting for the first few chapters when we were being introduced to the characters and their backstory. However, the plot seem was a bit predictable and was filled with filler. An interesting story, but I wish more was done with it, but I would be opened to reading more novels by the author.

Book Review - Imperfect Justice (Hidden Justice #2) by Cara C. Putman

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It seemed like an easy open and closed case - Kaylene Adams kills her daughter only to be killed by the police. Kaylene's attorney, Emilie Wesley, questions the validity of the highly publicized story. She knows that Kaylene would never hurt her daughters and she was looking to leave an abusive marriage. Emilie is consumed by self-doubt and it affects her ability to help other women in violent relationships. Will Emilie be able to find out what really happened to her client?

The novel had an interesting story, but I felt the main character was lacking. She is a person from money and it seems like a lot of things that she does is motivated by money. She mentioned that she would use her trust fund to furnish her lifestyle but not her work. However, she kept mentioning how her work is how she identifies herself and without it, she is lost. She also claims that Kaylene was a good friend and she was torn about the deaths but when Kaylene's brother requested her help, she was hesitant to help saying how it would cut into her personal time (which she also claims she is always working and barely spends time with her friends). But if you think your friend was wrongly accused, I wouldn't worry about my free time (which she still manages to hang out with her other friends). I also think it was petty, that she keeps mentioning her salary at the women's center. And when news of Kaylene's death shook Emilie, she tries to remember  all the good she has done, but when another client comes in to escape with her 10 month old, she seems to be more concerned that she can't write an article for her side job. Overall, it's an interesting book, but it just wasn't for me.

**Disclosure - I received a free unedited copy of the book in exchange for an honest opinion**

Book Review - Deadly Proof (Atlanta Justice #1) by Rachel Dylan

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Kate Sullivan is tapped as lead counsel to take on the pharmaceutical giant MPC. In what can be her biggest case of her career, things become more daunting when a whistleblower dies and someone seems to be targeting Kate. Kate turns to ex-Army Ranger, Landon James for his private investigator skills, but after someone makes numerous attempts on her life, she realizes she would need his formidable bodyguard skills as well. As Kate investigates further into the case, it becomes apparent that someone is willing to risk everything to make sure MPC wins the trial.  Who is behind the attacks on Kate? Is Landon willing to forgive his past mistakes and follow his heart?

The novel started off interesting and then immediately went downhill. I felt it was really slow with very predictable story lines. Some of the characters and the story felt like an afterthought. Kate became lead counsel working with other lawyers, but we never hear about them, nor do we actually find out about the "trial" only the conclusion. And then when Kate was being harassed, it seemed very mild compared to the death of an MPC employee. Not a terrible novel, but not very fast paced or suspenseful of a novel.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

Book Review - A Time to Stand by Robert Whitlow

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Adisa Johnson, a young African American woman is living her dream. She is an aspiring lawyer in a prestigious firm in downtown Atlanta with a promising career.  However, a simple makes changes the trajectory of her career and causes her to lose the job she loves. Around the same time, her dearly beloved aunt became ill and Adisa to move to be closer to her aunt and looks for a new job. A few days earlier a Caucasian police offer had shot an unarmed African American team who is fighting for his life in the hospital. With racial tensions high, Adisa wants to be bought on as a special prosecutor on the case. Although, when she speaks with a fellow mentor and victim's grandmother, she is left with conflicting feelings on the case. Which side will Adisa choose? What happened during that faithful of the shooting?

I like that the novel took on racial topics that are very prevalent this day. However, I felt the story lacked depth and suspense. The story seemed to drag on and on, filled with details that just cloud the story. Sadly, I also couldn't find myself liking the any of the characters. As a WOC, I loved seeing a fellow WOC in charge, smart and engaging. But I felt like Adisa fell flat and act impulsively/emotional. For example, when she was let go of her job she didn't want to steal her former employer's clients. But when she asked her mentor for a job, she had no problem becoming a special prosecutor on the same case her mentor was defending on.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**