She's So Dead to Us by Kieran Scott

Hello friends! I am back again today with ANOTHER review. Crazy, right? Today's book comes with an interesting (or, maybe not) story.
Do you guys remember me going to the NYC Teen Author Fest? (If you don't, a post about it is here). Well, Kieran Scott was there. At the time, I didn't think I read anything she had written, so I didn't go up to her. After the author fest, though, Susane Colasanti stated on her blog that Kieran Scott was also the author of The Private Series under then Pen name, Kate Brian. I was so mad when I heard this! I've been reading the private series since it first came out and had NO IDEA Kate Brian was a Pen name. I own about 9 of her books! I totally could have met with her and had her sign some stuff. I guess I'll have to go back next year, right? Hopefully she'll be there!
Okay, so back to the review. Here's the description:

When having money is all that matters, what happens when you lose it all?
Perfect, picturesque Orchard Hill. It was the last thing Ally Ryan saw in the rear-view mirror as her mother drove them out of town and away from the shame of the scandal her father caused when his hedge fund went south and practically bankrupted all their friends -- friends that liked having trust funds and new cars, and that didn't like constant reminders that they had been swindled. So it was adios, Orchard Hill. Thanks for nothing.
Now, two years later, Ally's mother has landed a job back at the site of their downfall. So instead of Ally's new low-key, happy life, it'll be back into the snake pit with the likes of Shannen Moore and Hammond Ross.
But then there's Jake Graydon. Handsome, wealthy, bored Jake Graydon. He moved to town after Ally left and knows nothing of her scandal, but does know that he likes her. And she likes him. So off into the sunset they can go, right? Too bad Jake's friends have a problem with his new crush since it would make Ally happy. And if anyone deserves to be unhappy, it's Ally Ryan.
Ally was hoping to have left all the drama in the past, but some things just can't be forgotten. Isn't there more to life than money?

When I first picked up this book, I didn't really think it was something I'd like. I picked it up and put it back down on the shelf a few times, actually. But then, I figured, why not? So I got it from the library.
The book started off pretty interestingly. It starts as Ally Ryan first comes to town after moving away almost 2 years ago. It's told in alternating points of view, which I really liked. It is told in Ally's POV and Jake Graydon's POV.
At first, I did not like Jake at all. I thought he was an arrogant jerk. But as the story moved on, I got to see more of him and why he said/did the things he did. After that, I started to like him more.
I really love Ally's character, though. She's spunky, tough, and won't take anyone's crap. Not even her ex-bestfriends'. This story is pretty fast paced and is not completely predictable, but not unpredictable either. It was definitely different than stories I've read in the past, but overall I thought it was a great book. What I didn't realize, though, until the last few pages, was that it was a series! I got to the end and was like, whaaatttt?! That said, the ending will definitely leave you wanting more.
You'll love to hate the cresties, thrive on Jake and Ally's growing relationship and then find yourself waiting for book 2! If you love YA, romance, and drama, this book is for you. Once again, I found this book at my library, so make sure you check yours! Hope you enjoy and Happy Reading :)

Elixir by Hilary Duff

Hey everyone! Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving! I know I am thankful for all authors out there, and of course, you guys for reading this blog even though I've been a poor host lately!
Today I have a review for you guys! You're shocked, I know. But anyway, today's book is Elixir by Hilary Duff. I know what you're thinking. You're probably all like, Hilary Duff wrote a book?! That has to be awful. I doubt I'd read that. But guys, you'd be surprised at how good this book is. I mean, read this description:

As the daughter of a renowned surgeon and a prominent Washington D.C. politician, Clea Raymond has felt the glare of the spotlight her entire life. And though she dreads the paparazzi who track her every move, she herself is a talented photojournalist who takes refuge in a career that allows her to travel to the most exotic parts of the world.
But after Clea’s father disappears while on a humanitarian mission, eerie, shadowy images of a strange and beautiful young man begin to appear in Clea’s photos—a man she has never seen in her life.
When Clea suddenly encounters this man in person she is stunned—and feels an immediate and powerful connection. As they grow closer, they are drawn deep into the mystery behind her father’s disappearance and discover the centuries-old truth behind their intense bond.
Torn by a dangerous love triangle and haunted by a powerful secret that holds their fate, together they race against time to unravel their past in order to save their future—and their lives.

Sounds intense right? Well, it is. I didn't even notice Hilary Duff wrote it before I read the description. Then, after I realized she wrote it, I got skeptical (Sorry Hilary!). As I started reading, though, I was delightfully surprised. This book was very, very good! It's just like any other amazing YA Paranormal Romance. It's very intense like I said before, and also mysterious, breathtaking, romantic, and fast-paced. I finished this all in one night because I just HAD to know what happened. And trust me, if you guys read this, you are going to be dying for the next book in the series once it ends! I'm so mad we have to wait another year for the next one! This book is full of surprises and is so different than any other book I've read. It makes you think one thing, and then something else happens, and then something else happens that makes you question what happened before! It's a wild read and is very refreshing in the fact that it's very unpredictable. Props to Hilary for her first novel debut.
If you guys like a drama, romance, mystery, and suspense in a book then this one is for you! This book is still available to read on the Simon and Schuster Pulse It website, but you only have 4 more days including today. They had it at my library though so I would check there too. Hope you guys enjoy and happy reading!

PS: Even though I haven't been posting, I have been reading a lot. I read 10 books just in the past two weeks so you guys will definitely have some more awesome reviews! Some books that are coming up: Wild Roses by Deb Caletti, Mostly Good Girls by Leila Sales, The Midnighters series by Scott Westerfeld, The Awakening series by Kelly Armstrong, One Night That Changes everything and Aces Up by Lauren Barnholdt, and many more!

Author Interview: Stephanie Perkins!

Hey everyone! I finally got a handle on my computer issues, and I have been really sick lately so that's why there hasn't been many posts lately! But it's all better now, so we can finally get back on schedule! Today I've got an awesome author interview with you guys because I know I haven't posted one in a long time. Her name is Stephanie Perkins and she's the author of the phenomenal book, Anna and the French Kiss. Hope you enjoy the interview!

1. Where did you get the idea for Anna and the French Kiss?

"The idea arrived in a dream. I saw a beautiful boy sitting on the steps of the Panthéon in Paris, and I knew that I was deeply in love with him. It was impossible to resist! Or, more accurately, the boy was impossible to resist."

2. If you could work with any other author, who would it be?

"I'd love to do a project with either of my critique partners, Laini Taylor or Kiersten White. Amazing ladies, amazing writers."

3. Are there any parts of your books that are based on events in your own life?

"Sure! None of the big events are mine (for instance, unlike Anna, I've never been to boarding school in Paris), but a sizable chunk of the everyday situations are inspired by things that have happened to me or acquaintances of mine. It's difficult for me to imagine an author making EVERYTHING up!"

4. How long did it take to find an agent/publish your first book after finishing the manuscript?

"I was lucky. Once my manuscript was out in the world, things moved quickly. But I spent a LOT a LOT a LOT of time revising before submitting it to my future agent! I queried in the best fighting shape possible, and it paid off. After signing with my agent, I did one more revision that took about a month, and then she sent it out to two editors. I received offers from both of them that same month. I truly believe that things moved fast because I put in the hard work and time BEFORE sending it out into the world. (But I was also really darn lucky!)"

5. What advice would you give to people who "run out of creativity" when writing?

"It happens to everyone. It sucks, but you have to work through it. Try writing a different section of the book, interviewing a character, revising an old scene, ANYTHING. If you stop working, guess what? The book doesn't get written. And the longer you stay away from a project, the harder it is to go back. The sucky truth is that most writers have more difficult days than easy days. As much as I love my job, it's still work. Work isn't always fun. And it's unfair to yourself to pretend that every day of writing will be fun, just because it's creative. Work is work, no matter what field you're in. It won't always feel magical, but it WILL get better. So keep going!"

Make sure to head on over to Steph's official website, www.stephanieperkins.com
And don't forget to buy her book when it comes out in December!