Review: Chain Reaction

Title: Chain Reaction
Series: Perfect Chemistry # 3
Genre: Young Adult - Contemporary
Author: Simon Elkeles
Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers
Release Date: August 16, 2011
Book: Bought

"Luis Fuentes has always been sheltered from the gang violence that nearly destroyed his brothers’ lives. But that didn’t stop him from taking risks—whether he’s scaling a mountain in the Rockies or dreaming of a future as an astronaut, Luis can’t stop looking for the next thrill.

Nikki Cruz lives her life by three rules—boys lie to get their way, don’t trust a boy who says “I love you,” and never date a boy from the south side of Fairfield. Her parents may be from Mexico, but as a doctor’s daughter, she has more in common with her north-side neighbors than the Latino Blood at her school. Then she meets Luis at Alex’s wedding, and suddenly, she’s tempted to break all her rules.

Getting Nikki to take a chance on a southsider is Luis’s biggest challenge, until he finds himself targeted by Chuy Soto, the new head of the Latino Blood. When Chuy reveals a disturbing secret about Luis’s family, the youngest Fuentes finds himself questioning everything he’s ever believed to be true. Will his feelings for Nikki be enough to stop Luis from entering a dark and violent world and permanently living on the edge?"

I have to say that I expected more of this book but still enjoyed nonetheless. I loved the Fuentes brothers and to see their futures come to life before my eyes is something I love to read!

What I enjoyed most about this book is that both characrters come from troubled back rounds. Though it is not the same but similar, they both fight constantly. Their brickering flirting left me snickering through out the book. I loved that they both had such a attraction to each other that left my heart swooning. Even the way they met, it left me smiling from ear to ear.

Both characters did a lot of growing up in this book. The life lessons they both had to learn left me happy that they finally found each other after all of that trouble. Both had to go on a life journey to find out who they are and who they are meant to be.

In the end, this book is great! I loved reading the obnoxious flirting as well as the love that grew before me. The Fuentes family stuck by each other and they're loyatly is divine. Luis fought who he was and came into the man he is meant to be. Secrets and a love that started with a knee-kick, Ms. Elkeles delighted me with her wonderful story!

I give it 4 BITES!

Happy Reading!

Review: Ruin Trilogy

Title: Ruined
Series: How to Ruin # 1-3
Genre: Young Adult- Contemporary

Author: Simone Elkeles
Publisher: Flux
Release Date: September 2010
Book: Bought

"One girl
Two guys
Three hot summers

'How to Ruin a Summer Vacation'
Leaving Chicago to go to Israel with her estranged father is the last thing sixteen-year-old Amy wants to do--until she meets handsome but aloof Avi, an eighteen-year-old soldier in the Israeli army.

'How to Ruin My Teenage Life'
Can a guy truly be your boyfriend if he lives in a different country? Avi might think it's possible, but Amy's edgy classmate Nathan wants a chance to prove him wrong...

'How to Ruin Your Boyfriend's Reputation'
Signing up for a ten-day boot camp at the Israeli military base where Avi is stationed might not have been Amy's greatest idea--especially since Nathan is there, too."

I really enjoyed reading this series. Though it took me a while to get through it, all the books were great. I loved reading about Amy and learning about her life.

In the first book, How to Ruin a Summer Vacation, Amy is dragged to Israel with her non-existent father and there she began to find herself. I loved Amy not discovering who she is but finding her place in this world. All the time she felt lost and insecure. She is one  heck of a feisty person. I loved her nicknames for the people for names she couldn't pronounce (O'snot she called Snotty! HA) around her. She always made me snicker with her sarcastic and being straight up. I loved that she spoke her mind and didn't let anyone tell her what to do. She finds love and friendship in an expectant place.

In the next book, How to Ruin My Teenage Life, Amy is separated from the one that she loves and find another. Love triangles...you got to love them! Amy comes upon some unexpected surprises in her life as well as her mothers. Amy is once again lost, but is sure to find herself in the line. The plot line of this book is full of drama, but very entertaining. Amy is still a feisty girl and needs to decide one and for all who she will choose.

In the last book, How to Ruin Your Boyfriend's Reputation, Amy is found once again in Israel proving to not only her father, herself, and her friends. Amy has made some mistakes and wants to show she can be Jewish. Amy has a better relationship now with her family in Israel as well as her mother and  father. You can really tell how much Amy has grown up in this book. There are again, problems in the relationship and some heart aches. Amy gets stronger in her psychical self as well as emotional. She is finally coming into her own and learning who she is. I love you Amy!

Overall, this is great read about love, life and relationship. We all struggle with who we are and who we want to be. But in the end, it what makes us happy that we see that we are content with where we are at. A great read and great story that I  can dive in over and over again!

I give it 5 BITES!

Happy Reading!

Review: Return to Paradise

Title: Return to Paradise
Series: Leaving Paradise # 2
Genre: Young Adult-Contemporary

Author: Simone Elkeles

Publisher: Flux

Release Date: September 1, 2010

Book: Bought

"Maggie and Caleb just went through the worst year of their lives. Hit by a car and starting life over with a limp, Maggie never thought she would forgive Caleb. But she did—and fell in love. What they shared was real. But Caleb wanted to be free from the past—and a terrible secret: he wasn't the one who hit Maggie. So he left Paradise—and Maggie—forever. When Maggie and Caleb run into each other in a different town, they can't deny their true feelings. Will Maggie let Caleb get away again? Or will Caleb face the truth and return to Paradise?"

Ok, I must say how much I loved this book, but also how it nerved me. Weird right? Well let me start off by saying that this book was written well, the plot was okay, the drama was major.

MAJOR TEENAGE ANGST!

Just when you think it over, it all comes came crashing right back down on you. Maggie is just trying to move on with her life when she volunteers to spread the word on wreckless driving by going to campuses, schools, etc. Little did she know Caleb is also on the trip.

This book I enjoyed because I love Maggie and Caleb and have been rooting for them since the very begining. There were some new characters added and it did get is somewhat refreshing pace. Through out the whole book there was nothing but stupid crude jokes, lots of cussing, drinking, sex, etc. What nerved me was how stupid the characters were being. Fighting over fart jokes? (Ok I admit, it made me laugh, but I am also easliy amused) fighting over bunk beds, snoring, you name it they fought over it.

What I did like about it was that well Simone did a rather great job capturing the teenage voice. I admit, that if I was teenager, and put in the same postion I act the same way. She did great putting a jokster in there as well as a queen bee and a quite person all mix in with Caleb and Maggie. I hated the Caleb did act. He acted like a jerk and at times I wanted to slap him. Maggie, I understood perfectly. She had every right to act the way she did and I would have done the same thing.

I am glad that at the end they were able to become friends and be there for each other. The ending for me was just right.

I give it 4 BITES!

Happy Reading!