To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

Summary from Goodreads

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is the story of Lara Jean, who has never openly admitted her crushes, but instead wrote each boy a letter about how she felt, sealed it, and hid it in a box under her bed. But one day Lara Jean discovers that somehow her secret box of letters has been mailed, causing all her crushes from her past to confront her about the letters: her first kiss, the boy from summer camp, even her sister's ex-boyfriend, Josh. As she learns to deal with her past loves face to face, Lara Jean discovers that something good may come out of these letters after all. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15749186-to-all-the-boys-i-ve-loved-before

My Review

Refreshing and very entertaining story. It has just the right mix of family, love, comedy and drama. But I guess what hooked me up is not knowing who will Lara Jean really end up with. 

From the title, I was expecting to read all about the boys Lara Jean fell in love. But the story focused mainly on Josh and Peter. I'm not complaining though, this two guys has both fully consumed my heart. No more space for anyone else. 

It's a light story that I have finished in one day without even noticing I've been reading it the whole day. The story and the style of the writing is so enjoyable that there's no bits of boredom in this book. It's a story that will make you laugh, makes you think and makes you reminisce of how were you during those times that you were in love when you were in high school.

Though there are certain parts in the book that I feel lacking. First, as what I've mentioned, I haven't hear much of the other boys. Then, I feel like there are some unfinished business and some unexplained issues that were not elaborated. But as a whole, it's a good story that when I was on my last page, I was begging for more. Could there be a book 2 of this? I really need it badly.

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

Summary from Goodreads

Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?

Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan's life. Having missed her flight, she's stuck at JFK airport and late to her father's second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon-to-be stepmother Hadley's never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport's cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he's British, and he's sitting in her row.

A long night on the plane passes in the blink of an eye, and Hadley and Oliver lose track of each other in the airport chaos upon arrival. Can fate intervene to bring them together once more?

Quirks of timing play out in this romantic and cinematic novel about family connections, second chances, and first loves. Set over a twenty-four-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver's story will make you believe that true love finds you when you're least expecting it. 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10798416-the-statistical-probability-of-love-at-first-sight

My Review

There's this magic of having experience something for a short time. Something that you wish could have been longer. But that's just it. It would be forever embedded in you as something so great but short-lived. But when you think of it, if this experience became longer, to the point that you are fully satisfied,you wouldn't feel the same thing after. It won't be that great anymore because you already had it all. Maybe it's the longingness or the mystery of "what could have been." This is what I think happened to Hadley and Oliver. It's something to cute and fun that when it's time to part ways, they find their meeting so extraordinary. Or maybe, it's the statistical probability of love at first sight.

I like the narrative way the story was written. It's like Fault in the stars meet The perks of being a wallflower style of writing. I felt that there's a depth in the story, something that is more than meets the eye. And actually it is. I was expecting of a love story here that started from the moment they saw each other (which it really is) but other than that, it's a story of the relationship between parents, it subtly tells the children to cherish the moments they have now, whether they are very close to their parents or not, it's also a story of forgiveness, of moving on, of new like and taking chances.

As for the characters, I adore Hadley and Oliver. Hadley is very young to experience a broken family but she coped with it the way she knows how. I can't blame her for getting angry. She has all the rights to be. She's the daughter who was left picking up the pieces when her father left. And now, she needs to endure the pain of watching her father weds to another woman. I totally agree with her for not wanting to come and I hated her mother a bit for forcing her to. But I guess mothers know best still huh? :D But I find Hadley very brave for handling everything and being mature until the end. And as for Oliver, what I only saw is what Hadley is seeing from her. But that's enough for me to fall in love with his character. 

It's just a 24-hour love story, but it was like a story of forever. I love how it's became an instant love but it seems like they have known each other their whole life. An ideal love story, a fairy tale if I must say, but still, who wouldn't fall for this kind of story?

Unmaking Hunter Kennedy by Anne Eliot

 Summary from Goodreads

After a car accident--an event he considers a prank gone bad--pop star, Hunter Kennedy is forced to hide out with his aunt in small-town Colorado. He’s supposed to rest, heal his scars and attend high school in disguise until the press dies down. But he only wants to get back to work.

Worse, the girl who’s been assigned to make him over into a geek is a major geek herself. Vere Roth is a chattering pixie, a blushing tornado and a complete social disaster. He’s never met a girl who’s never-been-kissed, believes in romance and thinks Hunter’s a 'nice' guy.

Funny thing is...Hunter is nice around Vere because she’s his first real friend. He also can’t seem to stop sharing his secrets or keep her out of his heart. Knowing he’d never deserve a girl as sweet as Vere, he resigns himself to the friend zone, and helps his new bestie with her own makeover. 

She tortures him daily for ridiculous guy advice on how to snag her life-long crush. A guy Hunter thinks is totally wrong for Vere, and sadly, one who has taken note of Vere’s transformation.

When Vere asks her best friend for some kissing advice, Hunter can’t resist...
And that’s when things get out of control...

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15783623-unmaking-hunter-kennedy?from_search=true

My Review

If you're looking for a light book that will make you smile, put butterflies in you stomach and gush over some so hot rock star and a super geeky "not so hot" guy at the same time, this is your book.

The title and the plot got me intrigued. I'm thinking this would be like "Love Unscripted" by Tina Weber. But this one is totally different. The only thing they share is that a super famous star fell in love with an ordinary girl. And this time, the girl turned out to be not so famous at first. 

I kind of like the irony of the story. While the story is focused on "unmaking" Hunter Kennedy into Dustin Mchugh, on the sideline, the story is "making" Vere Roth. Hunter, from being the super hot and famous rock star, Vere made him his geeky BGF Dustin whom no one pays attention. On the other hand, Hunter made Vere come out of her shell and becomes the confident and beautiful girl to get the love of her life. Unmaking Hunter made him belong to Vere but making Vere took him away from Dustin.
I love Vere's innocence which ends up being funny. Her stuttering, shyness and bloopers are so amusing that I find myself laughing along with Hunter. It's something that I agree to help Hunter escapes from the grim and dark life he has. Though Hunter's story is kind of confusing at first and really heavy, Vere's brightness took that all away. 

For the other characters, I so love Jenna. Her character is so real as the best friend. The best friend who's always there and knows what you're thinking even before you say it out loud. (I suddenly miss my besties.) As for Charlie, I always love brothers who are protective of their sisters, but this time, I didn't like charlie that much. 

Though I could sense that the disguise and falling in love with an ordinary girl could cause a dramatic scene afterwards, I couldn't help but continue reading and see how they will pass through this. Along with the othercharacters that I have started to love, I believe that this two would go a long way. I am expecting a sequel for this one :D 

Thing I Can't Forget by Miranda Kenneally

Summary from Goodreads

Companion to Catching Jordan and Stealing Parker. 

Kate has always been the good girl. Too good, according to some people at school—although they have no idea the guilty secret she carries. But this summer, everything is different…

This summer she’s a counselor at Cumberland Creek summer camp, and she wants to put the past behind her. This summer Matt is back as a counselor too. He’s the first guy she ever kissed, and he’s gone from a geeky songwriter who loved The Hardy Boys to a buff lifeguard who loves to flirt--with her.

Kate used to think the world was black and white, right and wrong. Turns out, life isn’t that easy…

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12551082-things-i-can-t-forget?from_search=true

My Review

The title suit this story best. Kate has a lot going in her mind that she can't forget and forgive herself. 

It took me awhile to love this story. Well, you can't blame me. I first known Kate as the judgmental b*tch in the previous book. I just can't stop myself from agreeing more and more with this adjective as I read the book. Kate is so close minded and so idealist. She thinks too much, analyze every actions and words. I'm getting tired just reading her thoughts. Maybe that's why I didn't enjoy the first part so much. 

But it got exciting when Kate started hanging out with Parker and Matt. Just hearing Parker and Will once again got me excited. It's nice to know that they are getting stronger. And with Matt, Kate at first started doubting everything, but when she started to finally realize how to organize her thoughts and beliefs, I started to like her. 

Maybe it's hard to have a friend like Kate at first. But with the improved Kate, she's quite cool and thoughtful. Well, unlike Megan who I started to hate right from the start. I don't know what exactly her problem is. 

I love the development of Kate's character and her relationship with Matt. At first I was afraid that this story will follow the previous two books' trend where the girl didn't end up with her first love interest. But as the story goes, I find myself not caring anymore. The way Kate have matured and handles herself is the best thing that happened to her in the camp. Well, other than meeting Parker and Matt.

As for Matt, I love his character. He's sweet and cool for a frat boy. He had his heart broken but find himself again loving and trusting. I find him as the boy-next-door type who's super cute, adorable and handsome. His character wasn't explored much since it's Kate's story to tell, but his character perfectly complements Kate's. 

Angel Fever by L.A Weatherly

Summary from Goodreads

As half-angel Willow strives to save the world from her parasitic otherworldly kin, romance and tension heat up to a climactic finale.

In the devastated remains of the world, millions of people live in "refugee" camps provided by the angels who have all but enslaved humanity. As this angelic stranglehold tightens, Willow and Alex are recruiting and training new Angel Killers while struggling to hold ground on the celestial battlefield. But Willow continues to have feelings for Seb, and her love and resolve are tested as a shattering revelation sends Alex on a separate journey. Now that the final battle versus the angels is about to begin-and the fate of the world hangs in the balance-each of them must face the consequences of their own choices. Will love endure? Will the human race survive? https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10314229-angel-fever

My Review

Action-packed story right from the start. L.A Weatherly don't need a warm up to get right to the scenes. It's like the full story is going to the climatic event. The story seems so full of everything in a good way. It's not fast paced but it feels like it. Or maybe, it's just me trying to read fast due to my excitement and apprehension on what's going to happen next. Every page has something that makes the reader continue reading until you realize it's late at night and you can't sleep without finishing this book. It didn't even give me the break to breath. It's kind of stressful in a way with all that is happening but I can't help but love this book.

Once I started reading, there's no stopping. I didn't even paused to review the last books. It's like I've read the previous books yesterday as I  get familiar with the characters once again. I didn't expect much from the trilogy for I have read a lot of angel stories. And angel stories are not just stories, L.A Weatherly has to up her game to create a story with big competitions like the Hush Hush series. But this third book has made the Angel series included in the top list. 

I love how I get to get pieces of Seb, Alex and Willow's ( have I mentioned how much I love her name? No? Well now, I'm saying it.. I looovveee willow) thoughts. Though it's quite confusing some times, I 'm getting the whole picture with their alternating POV. Their love triangle isn't that much for me as we all know right from the start (and it was made clear thousand times) that Alex is Willow's love while Seb is the brother due to them being the only half angels in the world. But warning for readers, this doesn't mean it wouldn't make you confuse anymore. There are lots of happenings in this book (as I've mentioned before) that will make you doubt some of the things you are sure of. At first I thought this series is plottable, but it's not. 

With this book, it's like I am watching a movie. I could picture everything so clearly. The conversations, actions and even the heartbreaking scenes. It's just so perfectly fit for a movie.

Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi

Summary from Goodreads

Juliette now knows she may be the only one who can stop the Reestablishment. But to take them down, she'll need the help of the one person she never thought she could trust: Warner. And as they work together, Juliette will discover that everything she thought she knew - about Warner, her abilities, and even Adam - was wrong.  (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13188676-ignite-me)

My Review

OKAY... I didn't see that coming. Warner is now the good guy and Adam has somehow became a heartless and bitter ex-boyfriend. Honestly, I am a bit

disappointed. Book 1 and 2 was so good, everything is building up to a better story for Juliette and Adam when suddenly, boom! Everything changed. All I know from book 1 and book 2 turned upside down. It was not only Juliette who had hard time in believing all the revelations in this book, but me as well. I even had an "in denial" stage because I so love the first 2 books that book 3 has somehow destroyed them for me. 

But despite all that, I can't stop reading the book. It came to a point that Warner grew on me, and finally, I learned to accept the good Warner. The Warner with a soft side, the gentle Warner and the thoughtful Warner. OK. I know... I'm having a love-hate relationship with Warner here. I guess that's what made Juliette fall for him. I saw how he was so good for Juliette. But if only Adam has not become what he became, I might still root for him. Did Ms. Mafi just had a changed of heart or did she plan it from the start? Because it's mean to do that. For me to wait for the book for more than a year just to break my heart in the end. :(

Still, I loved the story. Juliette has transformed to this whiny trapped girl to the hero she always needed to be. Though I find myself getting surprised on how much confidence she is showing in this book. But I guess, with everything that is happening, this is what Juliette should really do right from the start.

But more than the book, I fell in love with Kenji more. He became the balance of the story. The one who glued everyone together and the one who made Juliette keep going. I knew it, when I said in my last review that Kenji is not just a simple character that will pass by. If only Juliette and him ended up together, I would be exhilarated. hahahah!

I love the lines as well. Lines that will reach your heart. Either it's something I could relate with or just something beautiful. Let me leave by sharing some of them.

"No gun, no sword, no army or king will ever be more powerful than a sentence"

"Maybe we both fell in love with the illusion of something more"

"Fear will learn to fear me"

Into The Still Blue by Veronica Rossi

Summary from Goodreads

The earth-shattering conclusion to Veronica Rossi's "masterpiece" Under the Never Sky trilogy and sequel to the New York Timesbestselling Through the Ever Night (Examiner.com).
Their love and their leadership have been tested. Now it's time for Perry and Aria to unite the Dwellers and the Outsiders in one last desperate attempt to bring balance to their world.
The race to the Still Blue has reached a stalemate. Aria and Perry are determined to find this last safe-haven from the Aether storms before Sable and Hess do-and they are just as determined to stay together.
Meanwhile, time is running out to rescue Cinder, who was abducted by Hess and Sable for his unique abilities. And when Roar returns to camp, he is so furious

with Perry that he won't even look at him, and Perry begins to feel like they have already lost.
Out of options, Perry and Aria assemble a team to mount an impossible rescue mission-because Cinder isn't just the key to unlocking the Still Blue and their only hope for survival, he's also their friend. And in a dying world, the bonds between people are what matter most.
In this final book in her stunning Under the Never Sky trilogy, Veronica Rossi raises the stakes to their absolute limit and brings her epic love story to an unforgettable close.

My Summary

Worth-waiting for. It took me a long time worrying how will Aria, Perry and their families will survive their world. And now that "Still Blue" is out and I finally read the conclusion to this action-packed and breath-taking trilogy, all I could say is that it was worth my wait. Though I have to read few lines on book 1 and 2 to remind me how the story left Aria and Perry, it didn't took me a while to get familiar with the characters again. It was like meeting your old friends again after a long time of not seeing each other.

The excitement is never-ending, when I thought everything is going to its right place, a twist will suddenly happen. Ms. Rossi has never failed to surprise me with her plot. Something you wouldn't see coming is for sure will happen, when you thought you all figured it out, it will leave you shocked and surprise. 

I love how all the characters are alive in the story. Each of them has their own story to tell, and not just focused on Aria and Perry. You could feel each characters as if you're with them inside the story. You'll feel the loss when someone dies, and you'll feel the frustration and fear for their survival. I was almost at the end and I'm still worried if they'll make it to still blue. All of them have suffered so much that I can't help but pray hard for all of them to make it. For them to have the happy ending they all fought to have. In all of the stories, all these characters deserve the happy ending. Well, except for Sable and Hess of course! 

I once heard that a character is not good enough if he/she doesn't get in to your skin. I guess Sable is really a good character then. Because I really want to strangle him to death!!! I can't believe I can be so affected to an antagonist as much as Sable did!

I'm not in the mood for spoiler now, so I'll just end this review by saying that this book never disappointed me. When I thought that book 1 is so good that it will be difficult for Ms. Rossi to level up the next book, he did it twice with book 2 and 3.