Review: Dizzy

Title: Dizzy

Series: Stand-Alone
Genre: Young Adult-Contemporary
Author: Nyrae Dawn & Jolene Perry
Publisher: Next Door Books
Release Date: November 15, 2012
Book: Bought

"Dylan doesn’t do relationships. He and his older brother watched their dad go through hell and back, so they made a pact years ago—no girl would come between the Gibson boys. But his brother sells out. He's getting married anyway. To the sister of a chick Dylan met at a party, who's probably the angriest girl he's ever met. Unfortunately, she happens to be hot, too.
Ziah’s life is upside down—her safe boyfriend turns out to be not-so-safe, and now her sister is getting married before college is over to the older brother of a spoiled, party boy who drives her crazy. And also makes her heart beat too fast.
There’s no denying the attraction, but there's also no denying how much they irritate each other. When they’re thrown together as forced wedding planners, they find an ally in each other--neither wants this wedding to happen.
But instead of putting a stop to the crazy nuptials they find themselves at fittings and cake testing. And maybe even…a few dates?
Dizzy is a novel about what happens when two people who are determined not to fall in love, maybe do anyway. Maybe."

Review: Charade

Title: Charade

Series: Games # 1
Genre: New Adult-Contemporary
Author: Nyrae Dawn
Publisher: Self-Pub
Release Date: October 22, 2012
Book: Bought

"Nineteen-year-old Cheyenne tries to portray the perfect life to mask the memories of her past. Walking in on her boyfriend with another woman her freshman year in college threatens that picture of perfection.
Twenty-one-year-old Colt never wanted college and never expected to amount to anything, but when his mom's dying wish is for him to get his degree, he has no choice but to pretend it's what he wants too.
Cheyenne needs a fake boyfriend to get back at her ex and Colt needs cash to take care of his mom, so they strike a deal that helps them both. But what if Cheyenne’s past isn’t what she thought? Soon they’re trading one charade for another—losing themselves in each other to forget about their pain. The more they play their game, the more it becomes the only thing they have that feels real.
Both Cheyenne and Colt know life is never easy, but neither of them expect the tragedy that threatens to end their charade and rip them apart forever."

Review: Measuring Up

Title: Measuring Up

Series: No

Genre: Young Adult-Contemporary

Author: Nyrae Dawn

Publisher: Self-Pub

Release Date: August 2012

Book: E-copy sent by author

"Seventeen-year-old Annabel Conway is tired of the Hillcrest High School elite making her life miserable because she’s not a size two. This summer, she's hiring a personal trainer to help her lose weight.
Annabel doesn’t expect her trainer to be a gorgeous guy around her age. Boys like Tegan are jerks. They pretend to like girls like her so they can make an idiot out of them. Been there, done that. Totally not going there again. She kind of hates him on principal. Blond. Muscular. Funny. It doesn’t help that he knows her measurements!
Soon, Tegan's so much more than that. He’s the boy who teaches her to box when she has a bad day. Who jogs with her and lets her set the pace. Who kisses her until she melts. He makes her feel beautiful regardless of what the scale says. Unlike her mom, he doesn’t expect perfection, and he doesn't try to shield her from the world like her dad and best friend. Tegan likes her the way she is.
But what happens when he’s not there? He can’t always be there…
Will Annabel be able to stand on her own and learn that she already measures up? That her worth doesn’t lie in what the world thinks, the scale says, or even what Tegan tells her—but in herself?"

We all have issues with our body. If you don't then you are not human. I know with girls, we are always trying to loose weight. We always compare ourselves to other women no matter what. 

What I adored about this book is the main purpose of being happy with yourself. Annabel has dealt with being overweight for a long time. She's dealt with the name calling and even dealing with her mother's comment. I really loved how Ms. Dawn capture emotions so well. Once in Annbel's shoes I felt her desperation of wanting to loose weight, of just for once, wanting to be accepted and not ridiculed. 

The love interest in the book is exactly what I wanted. A guy who knows all about be name called or made fun of. He like Annabel for her heart and not her image. He gave her strength and encouragement when she needed it the most. And Annbel did the same. When she found him turning away from her, she fought for him just as hard. I adored watching them truly love each other.

Measuring Up encompasses the true meaning of love. It gives hope to those who believe they are unworthy.  If your looking for a heart-moving, engrossing book Measuring Up is for you. The portraits of judgements and who you think you are all starts with YOU! As Nyrae Dawn says," This book is dedicated to anyone who has ever felt like they don't quite "measure up". YOU DO."

I give it 5 BITES!

Happy Reading!

Review: Freeing Carter

Title: Freeing Carter

Series: No

Genre: Young Adult-Contemporary

Author: Nyrae Dawn

Publisher: Self-Pub

Release Date: July 18, 2012

Book: E-copy sent by author

"His whole life Carter’s fought to hold it together: To help Mom run their store. To be there for his special needs sister, Sara, and be the perfect boyfriend Mel wants. To dominate on the basketball court—the only place he ever feels free. And to carry Mom up the stairs when she’s too smashed to make it on her own.
It isn't like she has a problem. Mom loves them. If she doesn't drink every day, she's not really an alcoholic, right?
Wrong.
Then Kira Dawson, a girl with a bipolar wardrobe and rotating hairstyles comes to town. Somehow, she sees the truths he hides from the world. “You have skeletons, too, Carter Shaw. Don’t think I don’t know it.” For the first time, he wants someone to see his inner scars—to really know him.
When his mom finally goes too far, will Carter be able to man-up, even if it means turning his back on her and stepping out from behind the façade he’s fought so hard to keep in place?"

Sometimes teenagers carry too much on their shoulders. Their forced to deal with burdens that are not theirs. It's make them grow up too fast and creates bitterness in their hearts for having something forced on them too fast, too young. This story is amazing!

What I loved about this story, is the plot. Carter is a faced with a home life that is starting to show. He can't fake his facade any more. And just when he is about to break down he meets Kira. A happy go-lucky gal who can without a doubt, see right through him. I loved that the plot never sways from the importantance of Carter finding the truth. He does his best to put it "out of sight,out of mind." But it  always comes back to haunt him.

The love interest is Carter's coping mechanism  It reminds Carter of who he is really is and what he should be doing. Kira touches his heart in ways the were never before. She brings peace to him when he needs an escape. And she is first and foremost his friend. Even though she knew from the beginning what Carter is hiding, she doesn't push him but slowly brings him to recognition of what he must do. It's like she was he guardian angel, bring him to the light. Beautiful yet, amazing.

Freeing Carter is another great debut that you can not miss. It's brings such a heart-breaking situation to light, slowly tearing down every wall that Carter created. Freeing Carter is an amazing yet true scenario of what some teens experiences. Teens are too busy trying to save others, when teens just need someone to saves them as well. Impossible to turn away, Freeing Carter is flawless.

I give it 5 BITES!

Happy Reading!

Review: What A Boy Needs

Title: What A Boy Needs
Series: What A Boy Wants # 2
Genre: Young Adult-Contemporary

Author: Nyrae Dawn
Publisher: Self-Published
Release Date: June 2012
Book: Bought

"Jaden Sinclair knows he'll never amount to anything...so why would he deserve a girl like Priscilla Mendoza? 
Since last summer, things have been screwed up between Jaden and Pris. He knows it's his fault, but that doesn’t stop him from wanting to go a few rounds with her new boyfriend. He also knows he’s the loser his dad calls him, but it doesn’t stop him from wanting her.
After getting a huge bomb dropped on him, Jaden lashes out and lands himself in jail. Everything in his chaotic life is turned upside down and to make it worse, his mom kicks him out in order to side with his dad. Yeah, he’s totally a prize for a girl like Pris. 
Sebastian, Aspen, and Pris are all going places in their lives...and he knows he can't keep tagging along for the ride.
The group has one last chance for The Epic Adventure they've been looking for: a road trip to New York, where Jaden's friends will be going to college. Unfortunately, the more time Jaden hangs around Pris, the harder it is to keep the carefully constructed walls between them so she doesn't find out what a train wreck he really is. 
When the trip ends, Jaden has to decide if he's ready to say goodbye to his friends, and the girl he loves. He knows what he needs, but will he be man enough to go for it?"

After gobbling up the first book, I need I had to read the second right after. Which, I did. LOL. This book is just as good as the first, even better, yet darker. Jaden intrigued with his quite nature in the first book. Sure he was there, but he wasn't there. You get what I mean? I could tell he is hiding something and I definitely needed to know what is up.

As much as I love Sebastain, I have to admit that Jaden is my favorite. Jaden has some deep demons that he is fighting. Broken and hurt, Jaden faces this trouble everyday. Have you or anyone you know, been verbally abused? To be told everyday that you are worthless. That you will own up to nothing. That your friends aren't really your friends. Jaden goes through that everyday. And it follows him. In his mind, Jaden is fighting a very hard battle that has kept secret for years. Jaden strenghth to stand up, to fight for himself, leaves me breathless. He is an amazing guy!!!

The love interest is worth the wait as well as enduring. After fighting for so long, Jaden feels like he doesn't deserve anyone. Even if it is right before his eyes. He is loosing time and must quickly decide if he is going to let this take over him or choose to go the other way. This part of the book is heartbreaking yet the best part. The battle happening right before the readers eyes, you can't help but get invested in the characters. You root him on. You chant," YES! Keep going. Ignore that thought." I don't even remember all the words I muttered under my breathe, but I was totally into the story and not coming out till Jaden won.

What A Boy Needs is an amazing companion! Nothing like the first book, Ms. Dawn takes the reader on a dark path that consumes your every thought. Beautifully woven into a tale of heart-break and love, What A Boys Needs is exhilarating!

I give it 5 BITES!

Happy Reading!

Review: What A Boy Wants

Title: What A Boy Wants
Series: What A Boy Wants # 1
Genre: Young Adult- Contemporary

Author: Nyrae Dawn
Publisher: Self-Published
Release Date: April 16, 2012
Book: Bought

"Courtesy of watching his mom’s relationships, Sebastian Hawkins knows what girls need to do to get a guy. He has what he considers a PHD in hooking up. When he needs extra cash for a car, Sebastian starts up an online venture as The Hook-up Doctor, to anonymously help girls land the guy of their dreams. Of course, his services don’t offer a happily-ever-after guarantee. He’s seen firsthand getting together never means staying together. 
And then he falls in love… 
With the last girl he would expect…
Totally not in his game plan. 
Suddenly, Sebastian finds himself muddled in the game he’s always prided himself on. He can’t even pick up girls at parties anymore! Why would anyone want to be in love when it turns you into a stuttering, screwed-up, mess with really lame stalker tendencies? Stalking? Totally not his gig. 
But the Hook-up Doctor won’t let himself go down easily. He’s always known how to give a girl what she wants and now it’s time to figure out what a boy wants… and he definitely plans on getting it."

One word. AMAZING! Holy crapola!! I bought this book off of Amazon because it was recommended to me by Amazon.  I clicked, read and liked the synopsis, for .99 cents, I figured why not? This has got to be one the best book choices I have made. Not only did it set a record for me, but it is soo good. The record. I was 5 pages in. F I V E pages, before I put my iphone down to get back on Amazon to purchase the second book. 5 PAGES! That's all it took.

The reason I loved this book so much is that this book has a great plot line. The reader meets Sebastian, a young boy who has been through a lot. He runs a blog anonymously as the "Hook-Up Doctor." From there, you can only imagine how deep he is in. I loved that with each chapter Sebastian becomes more aware of himself and who he thinks he is. He knows who he doesn't want to be, but doesn't realize he is acting that way. He faces many challenges and I admire him courage to fess up.

The love interest is so amazing. I like that Sebastian is able to open his eyes and see what has been in front of him the whole time. I love their flirtatious moments as well as the sweet enduring moments of falling in love. Their love is not built over night, but slowly builds before the reader, letting the reader fall in love as well. Thank you Ms. Dawn for writing their love strong yet slowly. I can't tell you how much I appreciate that! 

And of course their love is not perfect. Meddled with fears and expectations, Sebastian must learn that not all mistakes as his. And this part really touched my heart. Despite what you grow up with, you always have a choice.

What A Boy Wants is a fantastic story! Ms. Dawn moves this story with wonderful pace and great admiration. It's like a beautifully written love letter that everyone needs to read. Delivering a wonderful yet beautiful love story, What A Boy Wants is off the charts!

I give it 5 BITES!

Happy Reading!