ARC Book Review: Welcome, Caller, This Is Chloe by Shelley Coriell

Title: Welcome, Caller, This Is Chloe
Author: Shelley Coriell
Publisher: Amulet Books
Expected Publication Date: May 1, 2012
Author Info: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Format: Arc/ Netgalley
Pages: 299
Summary from Goodreads;
Big-hearted Chloe Camden is the queen of her universe until her best friend shreds her reputation and her school counselor axes her junior independent study project. Chloe is forced to take on a meaningful project in order to pass, and so she joins her school's struggling radio station, where the other students don't find her too queenly. Ostracized by her former BFs and struggling with her beloved Grams's mental deterioration, lonely Chloe ends up hosting a call-in show that gets the station much-needed publicity and, in the end, trouble. She also befriends radio techie and loner Duncan Moore, a quiet soul with a romantic heart. On and off the air, Chloe faces her loneliness and helps others find the fun and joy in everyday life. Readers will fall in love with Chloe as she falls in love with the radio station and the misfits who call it home. 
Review;
Four stars, enjoyable.

Welcome, Caller, This Is Chloe's first line is now one of my favorite lines; I saw it and laughed, knowing I would enjoy the rest of the book, and I did.

Okay, the plot was great. It was as Ms. Lungren, Chloe's school counseler, would say, purrrrfect.
It has everything people want in a book, realistic plot, relatable characters, and a sarcastic yet hilarious main character. Chloe is a hilarious, fun, yet strong character. If I could choose a character in a book to be my best friend, Chloe would be one of my options, for sure.Chloe has so many problems in her high school life but manages to breeze through them in her amazing, vintage shoes like the Queen of the Universe. She's one of those souls who are free and love to be as they were meant to, which of course leads into a bit of trouble at times. After Chloe's friends ditch her and ruin what used to be her reputation, she's thrown into a load of work and just plain high school along with a touch of drama.

Then there's the staff in the radio, they all have their own personalities and problems.
Chloe's soon-to-be love interest is the stone-like mysterious yet awesome, at least in my mind, Duncan. He unlike Chloe is a quiet, mysterious, stone-like guy who doesn't wear his heart on his sleeve. But hey, opposites attract right? The romance is adorable yet realistic in Coriell's book. The romance in this book is also swoon-worthy, which in my book... I don't have a book, but that's not the point.. which in my non-existing book needs to be so.
All the characters grow throughout the book in a way that satisfies you and makes you want to, harry potter reference, obliviate yourself and pick up the book up again and read it again.

Shelley's Welcome, Caller, this is Chloe is a romantic comedy book filled with the truths of high school and a girl with a love for vintage shoes.

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

Title: The Statistical Probability Of Love At First Sight
Author: Jennifer E. Smith
Author Links: Website | Twitter
Publisher: Poppy/Little Brown
Publication Date: January 2nd 2012
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. She's stuck at JFK, late to her father's second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon to be step-mother that 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 in seat 18C. Hadley's in 18A. 
Twists of fate and quirks of timing play out in this thoughtful novel about family connections, second chances and first loves. Set over a 24-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver's story will make you believe that true love finds you when you're least expecting it.
Book Review;
4 stars, really enjoyed it
I was quite hesitant to read this because I don't usually enjoy books about love at first sight. They're usually fast paced, unrealistic, and not for me. This book however, managed to surprise me.

When I first picked up this book, I thought it would at least be a light, fast read considering how many pages it had, and it was but it also held some elements that made the characters become closer and easier to relate to. The statistical probability of love at first sight had the perfect pacing. It was a short & sweet book. One of the things I'd seen more of was the romance. Hadley always seemed to be worrying about her father and his future wife and not enough about the British guy beside her. The romance was adorable when it came up and Oliver was hilarious and sarcastic.  I really liked how after they got off the plane, the story continued.

The Statistical Probability of Love At First Sight was a short and quick read filled with an adorable romance and realistic events that readers can relate to.
Trailer(s); I really like the animations in this videos, it's so cute ^.^

               “Love is the strangest, most illogical thing in the world.” 
  ― Jennifer E. Smith, The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight

Book Review: The Catastrophic History Of You And Me by Jess Rothenberg

Title: The Catastrophic History Of You And Me
Author: Jess Rothenberg
Author Links: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication Date: February 21st 2012
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 400
Summary from Goodreads;
Dying of a broken heart is just the beginning.... Welcome to forever. 
BRIE'S LIFE ENDS AT SIXTEEN: Her boyfriend tells her he doesn't love her, and the news breaks her heart—literally. 
But now that she's D&G (dead and gone), Brie is about to discover that love is way more complicated than she ever imagined. Back in Half Moon Bay, her family has begun to unravel. Her best friend has been keeping a secret about Jacob, the boy she loved and lost—and the truth behind his shattering betrayal. And then there's Patrick, Brie's mysterious new guide and resident Lost Soul . . . who just might hold the key to her forever after. 
With Patrick's help, Brie will have to pass through the five stages of grief before she's ready to move on. But how do you begin again, when your heart is still in pieces?
Review:
4 stars, really enjoyed it.
I love the cover, the title and the story in general. The Catastrophic History Of You And Me caught my attention in the first few pages. I have to say, I was skeptical about this book because well, she dies of a heart break. It's the same with love at first sight stories, not realistic enough for me, but  gave it a try and bam, I loved it.

The characters are great, Brie is sarcastic and Patrick is just .. Patrick. He's hilarious and always has to comment on what he sees. He somewhat reminded me of Puck from Kagawa's Iron Fey series. I did wish I'd gotten to know Brie's best friends and boyfrie-- well, ex-boyfriend a tad more. Brie was a wonderful main character although I was on the brink of not liking her. The reason was because she wouldn't let go of her past and it sort of irritated me, but thankfully the author managed to use that to her advantage. The ending was what got me, such a good twist! The romance was a teeny weenie bit too fast but then the twist towards the end sorts that.

The Catastrophic History of You and Me is a heart felt story that will have you laughing at one point and tearing up in others. This engrossing story will pull on your heartstrings and have you turning the pages to find out what happens next.

Trailer: Um, well this is rather awkward. I usually like or love book trailers but this one just didn't feel right for this book. I mean, it was okay, but not mind-blowing.

 “The trouble is, sometimes words are like arrows. Once you shoot them, there's no going back.”                                             
                             -The Catastrophic History of You and Me, Jess Rothenberg

Book Review: The Alchemy of Forever by Avery Williams

Title: The Alchemy of Forever
Author: Avery Williams
Series: Incarnation #1
Author Links: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Publication Date: January 3rd 2012
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 253
Summary from Goodreads;
Seraphina has been alive since the 1300's, made immortal when the boy she was beginning to love back then, Cyrus, saved her from death with a strange liquid - a method of alchemy that lets them swap bodies with any human being. But now, in modern day America, Sera has decided that she can no longer bear the weight of stealing people's lives so she can keep living on. So she decides to run away from Cyrus and end her stolen existence once and for all. Her plan goes awry when she accidentally takes the body of a dying teenager and feels forced to take over her life. When the lines between Sera and Kailey's identity begin to blur, Sera finds a reason to desire to live once more. But she can't shake the guilt of having taken Kailey's life, even if she was dying. And what if Cyrus finds her?
Review:
5+ stars, new favorite.
I love the cover. The girl has gorgeous eyes and it shines, sort of. It has this purple-ish shine to it and the girl faces into the background. I mean, it's like shadows and the back has this shimmery look to it, so pretty! I spent like a whole minute turning it around to see the shine and cover, yup.

Onto the actual book itself, this is a debut novel. I wasn't expecting this book to blow me away as much as it did and I now flipping love this book. It's flamazing! I want my own Noah, lol. :) I hated Cyrus from the moment Williams introduced him, honest. He was an arrogant, cocky, self-centered guy who tried to control Seraphina. Sera, in other words, was funny yet wise. In the beginning all Sera wants is to save Kailey, but then she gets stuck being her. Intense. The pace was perfect although the details were on the verge of being ehh. There is a major cliffhanger at the end of the book which had me glaring at the book and then checking Goodreads to see when the next book would come out.
One year, one whole year of torture. I was mad until I realised that the paperback would contain an extra five chapters,  then I was fine.

Did I mention how much I dislike Cyrus? In a good way of course, I mean, he is the reason this book is intense and flamazing! But if we were to do the same as with Twilight, I'd be Team Noah. :)
Avery actually posted the cover for the paperback version which is to be released on July. It's on her Facebook. I personally like the hardback version but, this ones fine too, I like the title design.

Trailer: Her eyes glow in this, how cool is that. I mean, the color they glow is the same as on the hardcover which is gorgeous.

The Alchemy of Forever is a fast-paced book with loads of suspense, romance, and a wicked cliffhanger. The detail is well done and readers will have a hard time putting it down.

Follow Friday ( 4 )

To join the fun and make new book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

• (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Hosts {Parajunkee & Alison Can Read}
• (Required) Follow the Featured Bloggers
• Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. You can also grab the code if you would like to insert it into your posts.
• Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say “hi” in your comments and that they are now following you.
• If you are using WordPress or another CMS that doesn’t have GFC (Google Friends Connect) state in your posts how you would like to be followed
• Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don’t just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don’t say “HI”
• If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love…and the followers.

Have you ever bought a book BECAUSE of a bad review?

Um I don't remember if I have. Usually I buy a book based on how much I want to read it. Sometimes though, I can't help reading a review and changing where the book is on on my TBR list. 

Book Review: Gone By Michael Grant

Title: Gone
Series: "Gone" series, book #1
Author: Michael Grant
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication date: June 24, 2008
Author Links: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Youtube
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 558
Summary from Goodreads;
From the co-creator of the bestselling "Animorphs" comes a gripping new series in which everyone disappears in an flash on their 14th birthday. It's a terrifying new world, and time is running out. 
Review;
4.5 stars, recommend it.
What would you do if all the people under the age of fifteen just disappeared?
Why, oh why haven't I read this before? I should have listened to everyone and bought it when it came out, but no.

Where should I start? Well the plot was fantastic. It got straight into the point from the first pages. I loved the characters, even though I wish that in the next books in the series, Grant will introduce the extra characters a bit more. I really like how Michael wrote this book in a way where you can experience what each character is feeling and doing. I have to admit I felt like some parts were a bit slow and repeated from before. Overall though, I felt a tad like TheBookTuber, who loves these books. He was one of the reasons I picked up this series. I figured if he loved the series, I would at least like them and I was right! I loved this series, I can't wait to read the rest of the series.

Gone is a dystopian, suspense-filled book that will capture your attention from the first few pages. It will have you on the edge of your seat, anticipating the character's next move.


Trailer;

 “Welcome to Perdido beach, where our motto is: Radiation, what radiation?”
                                                                                        ― Michael Grant, Gone

Top Ten Tuesday ( 3 )

The folks at The Broke and the Bookish are quite fond on lists so they made this meme and this week's is;
April 3: Top Ten Books To Read In A Day; I read all the following books in a day or less because well, they were fast paced and beautifully written.

Welcome, Caller, This is Chloe

The Fault in Our Stars

Anna and the French Kiss

Legend

Boy in Boyland

The Alchemy of Forever

The Immortal Rules

The Maze Runner

Tiger's Curse

The Probability of Miracles

What's on your list?