Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon
Series: No
Publisher: Corgi Childrens
Publication Date: September 3rd 2015
Source: Publisher [Netgalley]

My disease is as rare as it is famous. Basically, I’m allergic to the world. I don’t leave my house, have not left my house in seventeen years. The only people I ever see are my mom and my nurse, Carla.

But then one day, a moving truck arrives next door. I look out my window, and I see him. He’s tall, lean and wearing all black—black T-shirt, black jeans, black sneakers, and a black knit cap that covers his hair completely. He catches me looking and stares at me. I stare right back. His name is Olly.

Maybe we can’t predict the future, but we can predict some things. For example, I am certainly going to fall in love with Olly. It’s almost certainly going to be a disaster.

I hadn't planned on picking up Everything, Everything for another month at least, but there's been so much buzz surrounding this book lately that I caved and read it a lot sooner than I'd planned to. Everything, Everything follows Madeline Whittier who has SCID which basically means she's allergic to a lot of things, and can't leave the house in case of a severe allergic reaction. But then a new family moves in next door, and Madeline catches Olly's eye and their relationship goes from there. They communicate through IM until Madeline finally convinces Carla to allow them to meet face to face.

Maddy is a very sheltered character. She's been stuck inside all of her life because of SCID, and the only people she has contact with are her mother and her nurse, Carla. But Maddy was a brilliant main character. She's impulsive when she wants to be, but she's also very reserved and naive at times due to her upbringing. But she's a very likeable and relatable character.

Everything, Everything revolves around Maddy and her illness. It was a major part of the book because she constantly had to be monitored and have tests done to make sure she hadn't gotten ill. Maddy hates that she can't go outside or experience things that normal teenagers do. That is, until Olly moves in next door.

Olly is a breath of fresh air in Maddy's life. After a bit of instant messaging, Maddy finally convinces Carla to allow Olly into the house. Their interactions were super adorable, and I found myself feeling so bad for Maddy because she couldn't experience a proper relationship. But Olly was adorable and funny, but he had family problems going on that he couldn't control, no matter how much he wanted to. 

The storyline of Everything, Everything takes a very dramatic turn around 50-60% of the way through and it added so much more to the story. There are a lot of tough subjects dealt with in Everything, Everything, but Nicola Yoon does a fantastic job with them. The ending was left open, but it's kind of obvious how everything is going to play out and I adored it.

Overall, Everything, Everything was a brilliant book that definitely lives up to the hype. It's an emotional and stunning read that I would recommend to everyone. 

Wrap Up: JUNE

It's July, which means we are officially half way through the year already! This year is going by so fast! June has been a pretty great month for me. I finished up working at the library and I got a new job. I'll be starting at Thomas Cook on Monday and I honestly can't wait. I'm really looking forward to it. I went out for dinner quite a bit this month, with my fiancé, my family and someone I used to work with. 

I saw 6 movies in the cinema this month (technically 7, but one of those was a second watch). Spy was pretty funny, I've kind of gone off of McCarthy movies, but it was alright. Jason Statham really made it for me. Insidious Chapter 3 was terrifying. I couldn't even look at the screen for most of the movie. Jurassic World was the best movie I saw this month, so much so I actually saw it twice. The dinosaurs, the park, the fight scenes... everything was amazing. It was everything I could have asked for. The wait was worth it, The Longest Ride was super cute and reduced me to tears more than once. Also, Scott Eastwood is super hot. The Minions Movie was actually a bit of a let down. It was funny and I enjoyed it, but it just wasn't as good as the Despicable Me movies. Entourage was my second favourite movie this month. I binge watched the TV series this month and I loved it, and the movie was a perfect way to wrap things up, but I already miss Vince, Turtle, Drama, E, and especially Ari!

I also met E. Lockhart this month. She did a book signing at Waterstones in Glasgow and I had to go. She's such a lovely person, really funny, and she had some pretty great advice for aspiring writers. I also loved the story of how her, Myracle and Mylnowski came to write a book together.

Bookwise, in June I read 12 books (one re-read). Honestly, I'm surprised I even made it to 12. I hit such a terrible slump in June and I just couldn't be bothered reading. I've honestly spent most of the month re-watching Pretty Little Liars or watching Entourage. TV seemed more appealing than reading. But anyways, I'm happy that I managed to make it into double digits.

My favourite in June was Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson. It was such an emotional read, and I just adored the characters and their story - no matter how much it made me cry. It was an amazing book.

What was your favourite book you read in June?

Because You'll Never Meet Me by Leah Thomas

Because You'll Never Meet Me by Leah Thomas
Series: No
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Publication Date: July 2nd 2015
Source: Publisher [Netgalley]

Ollie and Moritz are best friends, but they can never meet. Ollie has a life-threatening allergy to electricity, and Moritz's weak heart requires a pacemaker. If they ever did meet, they could both die.

Living as recluses from society, the boys develop a fierce bond through letters that become a lifeline during dark times-as Ollie loses his only friend, Liz, to the normalcy of high school and Moritz deals with a bully set on destroying him. But when Moritz reveals the key to their shared, sinister past that began years ago in a mysterious German laboratory, their friendship faces a test neither one of them expected. 

Narrated in letter form by Ollie and Moritz-two extraordinary new voices-this story of impossible friendship and hope under strange circumstances blends elements of science fiction with coming of age themes, in a humorous, dark, and ultimately inspiring tale is completely unforgettable.

Because You'll Never Meet Me was an... odd read. Very, very different and strange. It follows two boys - Ollie and Moritz - who are both recluses due to their differences. I went into this book expecting a contemporary about two boys who find a friend in each other, but it was so much more.

The book is told in letters. Ollie and Moritz begin writing to each other after Ollie's doctor - Auburn-Stache - gives Ollie Moritz's address, hoping that they'll be able to help each other. Ollie lives out in the middle of the woods with his mother because he has an allergy to electricity. Being in the presence of something electrical causes him to have severe fits. Moritz has a weak heart and requires a pacemaker, along with something else that's unique about him that I don't want to mention because it'd spoil the book. The boys cannot meet each other because there's a chance both of them would die.

Because You'll Never Meet Me took me a while to get into. It took me almost a week to read, and most of that time was spent getting to the 50% mark. Honestly, to begin with, I had no idea what to think about the story. I wasn't particularly invested in either of the boys and the only reason I kept reading was to find out what had happened to the both of them. Around the 50% mark I finally felt myself being drawn in and starting to care about the characters. Their stories started to inter-twine and become more interesting, and I was looking forward to finding out what was really going on.

Parts of the story were hard to believe. Moritz uses echolocation to "see" things and people, and honestly, it was pretty hard to wrap my head around how much he could "see" just by clicking his tongue. But there was a pretty big plot twist that Mortiz was keeping back from Ollie, and I was pretty shocked when it was revealed. There'd been talk of labs and whatnot, but when Moritz revealed the truth, I was actually pretty shocked.

Both Ollie and Moritz go through a lot throughout the book, and they both help each other. They grew and changed with each letter, and it was lovely to see. The ending - even though it was kind of sad - was my favourite part. I had so much hope for Ollie at the end and I hope that one day he and Moritz will finally meet.

Overall, Because You'll Never Meet Me was a strange and unique read that I ended up enjoying by the end. It took me a while to get into, but I'd say it was worth it because I've never read a story quite like this before.

Heart & Soul by Nicole Williams

Heart & Soul by Nicole Williams
Series: Lost and Found #5
Publisher: 
Publication Date: June 15th 2015
Source: Bought

Love is what makes us. It’s also what breaks us.

If this is true, Rowen just became the proverbial wrecking ball to Jesse’s life.

Upon discovering Rowen is pregnant after taking every precaution to ensure otherwise due to a life-threatening heart condition, Jesse is forced to face too many harsh realities and they send him into a desperate, dark place. To consider the possibility that he might lose his wife and unborn child is too much for Jesse to bear.

The situation is out of his control, so he gloms on to the few things he can control. Like noting Rowen’s every move, or dialing the doctor whenever her face goes a shade pale, or even acknowledging the fact he’d be willing to make a deal with the devil in exchange for his wife’s and child’s lives. There’s nothing he wouldn’t do or give or sacrifice to keep them from harm.

But what happens when the devil takes that deal Jesse struck, and the tables turn? A life for a life. A soul for a soul. A heart for a heart. His life for theirs.

Love is what makes us. It’s also what breaks us.

Love’s made Jesse and Rowen. Love’s about to break them too.

I binge read the first four books in Nicole William's Lost and Found series back in February not realizing that there was a fifth book that hadn't been released yet. So I was super upset when I finished Losers Weepers and had to wait four months for Heart & Soul to be released. 

Heart & Soul is the final book in the Lost and Found series and it wraps up Jesse and Rowen's story. Jesse and Rowen have been through a lot since the beginning of their relationship, but life isn't done with them yet. Rowen has a heart condition and her and Jesse have been taking every precaution possible to prevent her from straining herself. But when Rowen finds out she's pregnant, Jesse doesn't know what to do. He can't feel happy about the pregnancy because he's scared he'll lost both Rowen and the baby. 

Jesse & Rowen are still my favourite couple in this series (even though Losers Weepers was my favourite book and it was about Garth & Josie). Jesse and Rowen are just so in love with each other. They make a perfect team even though they're really different, but that's what makes them perfect for each other.

Rowen is a super strong character. She's feisty and stubborn. She always fights for what she wants and doesn't give in very easily. Rowen tries to cover up when she's feeling weak because she likes to put on a strong front. 

Jesse is generally an easy going character. He works hard, but he's usually pretty laid back. But because of Rowen's situation, Jesse is extremely wound up. He's having trouble sleeping; he isn't eating and he's constantly worrying about Rowen. 

Heart & Soul was an emotional read. Seeing the way Rowen's pregnancy was affecting both her and Jesse was heartbreaking. They were so different from the couple I was used to because of all the added pressure. Garth and Josie were a big part this book. They helped Jesse & Rowen a lot and they were always there for them. I also really loved getting to see Jesse's sister Lily and Colt again. 

Nicole William's had a double whammy of an emotional punch towards the end of the book where I had no idea what was going to happened to Jesse, Rowen or the baby. I was so close to tears because the future of the characters was uncertain, and I didn't know what I would do if anything had happened to them. 

Heart & Soul was a brilliant wrap up to the Lost and Found series. It was emotional and heartbreaking, but I adored every minute of it and I'm sad to say goodbye to these character. It's been a fantastic series and I can't recommend it enough.

Showcase Sunday #101

Showcase Sunday is a weekly meme hosted by Vicky at Books, Biscuits and Tea. This meme allows book bloggers to show off the books they collected over the last week!

Hello everyone! This week has been a very busy week. I did my last shifts at the library, which was pretty sad; I also went out with one of the girls who used to work in the library with me to see Jurassic World (which was even more awesome the second time!); I went out for lunch with my fiancé (the food wasn't that great) and I also went out to dinner on Friday with my family. 

Bookwise, I bought a few kindle books this week and I also got approved for a book on Netgalley!

Bought

• kindle

Scorched (Frigid #2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Heart & Soul (Lost & Found #5) by Nicole Williams

Return to Bluebell Hill by Rebecca Pugh

Netgalley

Dark Vision (Dark Vision #1) by Debbie Johnson

What books did you get this week?

How to Be Bad by E. Lockhart, Lauren Myracle & Sarah Mlynowski

How to Be Bad by E. Lockhart, Lauren Myracle & Sarah Mlynowski
Series: No
Publisher: Hot Key Books
Publication Date: June 4th 2015
Source: Bought

When you're tired of being good, sometimes you gotta be a little bad...

Jesse, Vicks and Mel couldn't be more different. Jesse, a righteous Southern gal who's as thoughtful as she is uptight, is keeping a secret that she knows will change her life forever. Vicks is a wild child: seemingly cool, calm and collected on the outside, but inside she's furious at herself for being so anxious about her neglectful boyfriend. And Mel is the new girl in town. She's already been dismissed as just another rich kid, but all she wants is to get over some of her fears and find some true friends.

But for all their differences, the girls discover they've got one thing in common - they're desperate to escape. Desperate to get the heck out of Niceville and discover their true 'badass' selves! Even if it's just for the weekend ... One 'borrowed' car later, it's time to hit the road and head for Miami. Hearts will be broken, friendships will be tested, and a ridiculously hot stranger could change the course of everything.

How to Be Bad follows three girls - Jesse, Vicks and Mel - who jump in the car one weekend and decided to take a road trip out of Niceville to Miami.

How to Be Bad was a good summery road trip book, I enjoyed it. The characters weren't all that great, which was kind of a let down. Jesse was my least favourite character, mainly because of how over-exaggerated she was. Jesse is a Christian and I just couldn't like her character because she was constantly ramming her beliefs down everyone else's throats. Honestly, Mel and Vicks couldn't do anything without her screaming at them that it was a sin. She really got on my nerves. Also, I didn't like the way she treated Mel to begin with. Vicks is the wild one and she's always up for an adventure, but ever since her boyfriend moved away to go to school, Vicks has been furious because he's basically been ignoring her. Mel is the new girl in town. She's lonely and wants to make some friends, and she gets friendly with Vicks. So when Jesse suggests a road trip, Mel agrees to go and Jesse says she can come if she pays for everything (just because her family is rich). None of the characters were really fleshed out, so it was kind of hard to get attached to any of them.

Other than the less than great character, the story wasn't that bad. I really enjoyed the girls road trip. They visited the worlds smallest police station; broke into a museum to visit an alligator; let loose at a party; almost got eaten by an alligator and eventually wound up at Disneyland after driving through a hurricane. They definitely had an adventure! But I loved the bonding between the girls. Sure, each of them had their own problems to overcome and sometimes lashed out at each other, but they grew so close over that weekend and they really helped each other.

Overall, How to Be Bad was an enjoyable summer read about friendship. I did enjoy it and I'd recommend it if you're looking for something quick to read.

Top Ten Books On My TBR For Summer 2015

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

This weeks topic is:

Top Ten Books On My TBR For Summer 2015

So, these first 5 books are definitely on my Summer TBR because I'll hopefully be going to events/signing for them. E. Lockhart is signing in Glasgow next Monday, and the other 4 authors have events at the Edinburgh Book Festival, which I hope to be able to go to.

1. How to Be Bad by E. Lockhart, Lauren Myracle & Sarah Mlynowski

2. Blackfin Sky by Kat Ellis

3. The Lost and the Found by Cat Clarke

4. Unspeakable by Abbie Rushton

5. One by Sarah Crossan

And these last 5 are just books that I love the sound of and want to read ASAP.

6. Dream a Little Dream by Giovanna Fletcher

7. Scorched (Frigid #2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

8. Two Way Street by Lauren Barnholdt

9. Between Us and the Moon by Rebecca Maizel

10. I'll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios

What books are on your Summer TBR?