Crash Into Me Baby...

Published: January 5th, 2012

Slammed (Slammed # 1)

By: Colleen Hoover

Self Published

ISBN-13: 2940014187602

Following the unexpected death of her father, 18-year-old Layken is forced to be the rock for both her mother and younger brother. Outwardly, she appears resilient and tenacious, but inwardly, she's losing hope.

Enter Will Cooper: The attractive, 21-year-old new neighbor with an intriguing passion for slam poetry and a unique sense of humor. Within days of their introduction, Will and Layken form an intense emotional connection, leaving Layken with a renewed sense of hope.

Not long after an intense, heart-stopping first date, they are slammed to the core when a shocking revelation forces their new relationship to a sudden halt. Daily interactions become impossibly painful as they struggle to find a balance between the feelings that pull them together, and the secret that keeps them apart.

Review

     So I got schooled this year, by this novel.  This one was what I consider to be my first true introduction to the New Adult Contemporary genre that has popped up over the last few years and expanded like mad in the writing community.  This book in particular seems to be one most people either really dislike, or really love.  I saw an article about New Adult fiction in Romantic Times magazine and figured I'd give one of the spotlighted books a shot.  Boy am I seriously grateful that I chose this one (which won the draw mostly because it's set in my home state of Michigan!).  Layken was a relatable main character, who although she was mature and good-hearted was far from perfect.  In fact there were times when she was a downright brat to everyone who loves her.  And that made this more real to me than a million perfect heroines with true 'speshul' loves ever could.  We are never our best selves 100 % of the time - EVER.  I loved the way that she and Will met and while the source of their angst and the thing keeping them apart was very cliched, for the most part it was handled extremely well by the author and never delved into the realm of lurid fantasy that it could have easily hijacked.  Layken and Will's little brothers were hilarious and heartbreaking, especially with the tragedy that they're going through with Layken's one remaining parent.  Their Halloween costume made me cry and laugh both.  This book was so sincere and gripping in its emotions that I couldn't put it down, reading it straight through in one sitting!  I can't say much more without giving major spoilers, so all I will say is that if you love romance and reading characters that are people you could actually know, this is the one for you.  But have the sequel within close reach or you'll be dying for the next fix! 

VERDICT:  5/5  Stars

**No money or favors were exchanged for this review. This book is now available in stores, online, or maybe even at your local library.**

Presently Imperfectly Perfect

Published: October 4th, 2011
Past Perfect
By: Leila Sales
Simon Pulse
ISBN-13: 9781442406827


All Chelsea wants to do this summer is hang out with her best friend, hone her talents as an ice cream connoisseur, and finally get over Ezra, the boy who broke her heart. But when Chelsea shows up for her summer job at Essex Historical Colonial Village (yes, really), it turns out Ezra’s working there too. Which makes moving on and forgetting Ezra a lot more complicated…even when Chelsea starts falling for someone new.
Maybe Chelsea should have known better than to think that a historical reenactment village could help her escape her past. But with Ezra all too present, and her new crush seeming all too off limits, all Chelsea knows is that she’s got a lot to figure out about love. Because those who don’t learn from the past are doomed to repeat it….

Review

   Chelsea Glaser (known as Elizabeth Connelly when re-enacting) has been a part of the Essex Historical Colonial village re-enactment since she was a child.  Her father is the silversmith and her mother is just as involved in it.  Every summer the middle/high school employees have a war with the Civil War  ReenactmentLand kids across the street.  This year Chelsea is working with her best friend Fiona, her ex-boyfriend Ezra who she still isn't over, and she has been voted the lieutenant.  Also, she has growing feelings for one of the Civil Warriors, Dan.  Will Chelsea be able to work things out with Dan, or is she doomed to repeat her past mistakes with Ezra all over again?  Who will win the war and will it even matter by the time it's over.  I loved the snarkiness of the main characters in this book.  Their whole obsession with ice cream made me laugh out loud, especially when Fiona and Chelsea expound on their ratings system at length.  I adored Chelsea in general because she reminded me a lot of Mia in The Princess Diaries.  This whole book has a Meg Cabot feel, with the historical reenactment lending it's own brand of special awesomeness.  I loved the moments between Dan and Chelsea, especially the scene on the trampoline.  The last 'war council' in the book was laugh out loud funny.  I would recommend this to fans of light-hearted books with romance and historical elements. 

VERDICT:  4/5  Stars, plus hugs for Chelsea and Fiona

*No money or favors were exchanged for this review. This book is now available in stores and online.*