Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Anna and the French Kiss

Author: Stephanie Perkins

Publisher: Dutton

Pages: 337

Rating: 5 FABULOUS FRENCH STARS!

Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris - until she meets Etienne St. Clair: perfect, Parisian (and English and American, which makes for a swoon-worthy accent), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home.

As winter melts into spring, will a year of romantic near - misses end with the French kiss Anna - and readers - have long awaited?~Goodreads 

Why in the BLOODY HELL did it take me so long to pick this book up!?!? It was so amazingly fantastic!

First things first: Can someone please tell me how I can enroll in SOAP? HOW?!  I want to see the Eiffel Tower! I want to make a wish at Point Zéro Des Routes De France! I want to eat French soup! And crepes! And macaroons! And I want to drink real French coffee! And and and PARIS! Dead. I am dead. I WANT TO GO THERE SOOO BAD.

Second: Where can I get my own Étienne? WHERE?! He is gorgeous and funny and passionate and cocky and brilliantly smart and British. As soon as Anna (literally) ran into him I was hooked. I was flipping and flyin’ through the pages because I NEEDED more St. Clair! I mean come on! He. has. an. accent! What’s not to EFFING LOVE?! Oh yeah—Ellie—his girlfriend. *record scratch* *breaks screech* *crickets chirp*

Why, oh why did he have to have a girlfriend while Anna was so painfully (sorta) single?! UGH! Anyway, it’s not all bad though because Anna & St. Clair develop an AH-FREAKIN’-DORABLE friendship! They hang out (angst), go to the movies (angst), tour the city (angst), exchange witty banter (angst), dance (ANNNGST!), and snuggle with each other...GAAAAH! All I wanted them to do was kiss!! WAS THAT SO MUCH TO ASK!?

Why couldn’t they just stop being ridiculous and become a couple!? Thanksgiving would have been the perfect time for that! Oh, you don’t know what happened during Thanksgiving? Well, GO GET A COPY OF THIS BOOK AND FIND OUT!

Annnnnyway fast forward multiple e-mails (SO CUTE), phone calls (PAINFULLY CUTE), relationship issues, family drama and rumors later, and everyone could see how perfect they were for each other—everyone except for....Anna & St. Clair.

But don’t you worry! All this torture leads to the most magical, swoon-tastic, perfectest ending EVER!! THIS BOOK. I loved it SO HARD...SQUEEE! If you haven’t read it yet, YOU MUST! YOU MUST! YOU MUST!!

Anna and Étienne FOREVERRR!! (Also! Be sure to catch them in the companion novel, Lola and The Boy Next Door!) 

Teaser Tuesday: Lola and The Boy Next Door

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by MizB over at Should Be Reading!

To participate all you have to do is:

•Grab your current read

•Open to a random page

•Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page

•BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!) 

 Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

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Lola and The Boy Next door was funny and amazing and brilliant! I wanted to quote the whole damn book because it was THAT. GOOD. SQUEEEEEEEEE! 

“I cut a pathetic figure undressed,” he continues. “Dressed too, for that matter. Or half dressed. One sock on, one sock off. Just a hat. No hat. You can stop me at any time, you know. Feel free to tell me to shut up.” 

“Shut up, Cricket.” I say. ~ARC p. 50

HER DADS OMGGGG! I LOVED THEM SOOO MUCH!! <3

“Dad! I’m serious.” My panic rapidly intensifies. “I can’t go to the dance like this, it’s too much. Way too much.”

“Honey,” he shouts to Nathan. “You’d better get in here. Lola is using new words.”

Nathan appears in my doorway, and he grins when he sees me.

“Our daughter said”—Andy pauses for dramatic effect— “it’s too much.” ~ARC p. 320

Annnnnnd of course I can’t leave you with out a little (okay a lot!) of Anna & St. Clair!

“When I come back, the club is packed. There’s hardly standing room. Anna has snagged a wooden bar stool, one of the few seats here. St. Clair stands close to her, and he smoothes the platinum stripe in her hair. She pulls him even closer by the top of his jeans, one finger tucked inside. It’s an intimate gesture. I’m embarrassed to watch, but I can’t look away.” ~ARC p. 147

I COULDN'T LOOK AWAY EITHER! Anna and Étienne are basically my FAVORITE thing EVERRRR! And the rest of this scene is SO ADROABLE and gaaaah! Get this boook! You NEED it in your life!

Music Monday ♫

Okay....*deep breath* here it goes...the artists i'm about to post songs from are going to ruin my street cred as being one of the "cool kids." But i don't even care. These songs are so bomb that I WANT TO SHARE 'EM WITH THE WORRRRLD! Seriously, they are super catchy songs! Check 'em out! 

See, the beebs ain't all bad! :P

Fateful by Claudia Gray

Fateful

Author: Claudia Gray

Publisher: HarperTeen

Pages: 328

Rating: 3.5 Stars! 

In Fateful, eighteen-year-old maid Tess Davies is determined to escape the wealthy, overbearing family she works for. Once the ship they’re sailing on reaches the United States, she’ll strike out on her own. Then she meets Alec, a handsome first-class passenger who captivates her instantly. But Alec has secrets....

Soon Tess will learn just how dark Alec’s past truly is. The danger they face is no ordinary enemy: werewolves are real and they’re stalking him—and now Tess, too. Her growing love for Alec will put Tess in mortal peril, and fate will do the same before their journey on the Titanic is over.

Featuring the opulent backdrop of the Titanic, Fateful’s publication is poised to coincide with the 100-year anniversary of the ship’s doomed maiden voyage. It is sure to be a hit among Titanic buffs and fans of paranormal romance alike.~Goodreads

Ah, the Titanic...who doesn’t like the Titanic!? FOR REALZZ!?! The movie basically owns my heart annnnd I was super excited when I found out about this book! 

Although the actual ship itself took a back seat to all the other drama that went down on board, the book still left me breathless! The Titanic was the perfect back drop for the story! Totally unique! So when werewolves ran rampant (well, just a couple times), third class passengers got rowdy and servants got lippy... there was bound to be a few issues. Oh! And on top of all of that...add a sinking ship to the list! Talk about insanity!

As for the characters, Tess and Alec were absolutely darling together! They had this instant spark and I was rooting for them the whole time! Alec...*sighs* he has some of the best hair I have ever read about. I just wanted to run my fingers through it! GAH! He was super, super sexy and kind and didn’t care that Tess was a servant even though he was wealthy as eff! The boy was something else. Literally. DUN DUN DUN...

The secondary characters were fantastic as well! I loved the old ladies who shared a cabin with Tess! They were so adorable! And I also really liked her other cabin mate Myriam! (Once she met George and became less of a snot!) George! Oh, how I wish there was more of him! But alas, something major happened and we didn’t get nearly as much George as I wanted. What was that thing again? Hmmmm....oh, right! The Titanic hits an iceberg! How could I forget!? :P

I thought that the ending was the best part! Not knowing who would survive and what would happen after the ship went down....safe to say I WAS FREAKIN’ OUT!  

My only complaints are that I wish there would’ve been more wolf action and more information on The Brotherhood! I feel like the story was more focused on Tess being a servant than on the wolves.

But all in all Fateful was an amazing twist on the Titanic! With a sassy heroine, a handsome hero and a villain who was around every corner, it was suspenseful and thrilling!

Waiting On Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine! And this week i am waiting on:

The noise between Patch and Nora is gone. They've overcome the secrets riddled in Patch's dark past...bridged two irreconcilable worlds...faced heart-wrenching tests of betrayal, loyalty and trust...and all for a love that will transcend the boundary between heaven and earth. Armed with nothing but their absolute faith in one another, Patch and Nora enter a desperate fight to stop a villain who holds the power to shatter everything they've worked for—and their love—forever.~Goodreads

HuZzAH! A little less than 2 weeks until the third installment in the Hush, Hush Saga comes out! (OMG DOES THAT MEAN THERE WILL BE MORE THAN 3?!?! I WILL DIE OF HAPPINESS!!)  Hush, Hush was my favoritest book for the LONGEST time. I used to literally carry it EVERYWHERE with me. I’ve reread Patch’s lines so many times I could recite them to you by heart. He made me fall for bad boys, made me love angels annnnnnd made me forget about my previous fictional love, Edward Cullen. If it wasn’t for Patch, I don’t know if I would’ve come to love YA boys as much as I do!

ANNNYWAY! I’ve missed Je-I mean... Patch like crazy! And after the horrific cliffy that was Crescendo, I can’t wait to find out what him and Nora have been up to! (hopefully, LOTS of kissing!) :P

"BRIDGE" Will Enthrall You

FINALLY!! ENTHRALLED IS HERE! (well, not officially until tomorrow... but still!)

That means we can all stare and pet the pretty cover in real life! Because seriously, how freakin' gorgeous is it?!?! SEEEE ---> ----> ----> ---->

ANNNNND! You can read the most incredible short story ever written in the history of ever! "BRIDGE" by the fantabulous Jeri Smith-Ready! FER REAL YOU GUYS!! You do NOT even understand the PHENOMNESS that is this story. LOGAN'S STORY! It broke my heart into a million thousand pieces and punched me in the gut sixty-five hundred times. It will BLOW. YOU. AWAY.  You will laugh, swoon, cry, hurt, think, sob, and ultimately die of a broken heart. (Maybe that was just me?) I'm not even going to lie, besides "Bridge," i've only read like 2 other stories in Enthralled! They were really good, but they don't even come close to the amazeness that is "Bridge!"

So, what better way to celebrate the release of Logan's story than to throw a PARTY! Umm, check out this freakin' mind-blowing graphic Fictitious Delicious made:

Yeah, amazing right!?

To find out all the deets about the party, including when the #SHADEboys chats will go down, how to win a SIGNED Hardcover of Enthralled annnnnd how to win some other awesome swagage, head on over to Jeri's blog post!

GUYSSSSS DON'T YOU JUST LOVE LOGAN!?! Wait, what do you mean you're not sure? Oh, you haven't read "Bridge" yet? Well, okay! It's your lucky day!! Enter to win your very own copy HERE!!
Ends 9/24! 


Check out my previous Teaser Tuesday featuring "Bridge" and my mini review of the story HERE!

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on HaperCollins. HAHA! Just kidding. But sometimes it seems like that! WHY DO THEY PUBLISH SO MANY AMAZING BOOKS!?! I just do not understand their amazeness! But really  Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine! And this week I’m waiting on this goodie from Harper:

Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever.

She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen.

As Nikki's time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she's forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's...

ZEEEEEEEEEP! That cover is so fluppin’ gorgeous and a tad eerie and a whole lotta sexy! Dannng! And that synopsis!? HOLY CRAP! Me wants to find out everything about the Everneath NOWzz! Also, is it too soon to pick teams? Cuz I’m already on Team Cole! <3

Can we fast forward January, please!? 

Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsey

Shattered Souls

Author: Mary Lindsey

Publisher: Philomel/Penguin

Pages: 336

Rating: 5 Stunning Stars!

Team: Alden Thomas! <3

A thrilling debut story of death, love, destiny and danger.

Lenzi hears voices and has visions - gravestones, floods, a boy with steel gray eyes. Her boyfriend, Zak, can't help, and everything keeps getting louder and more intense. Then Lenzi meets Alden, the boy from her dreams, who reveals that she's a reincarnated Speaker - someone who can talk to and help lost souls - and that he has been her Protector for centuries.

Now Lenzi must choose between her life with Zak and the life she is destined to lead with Alden. But time is running out: a malevolent spirit is out to destroy Lenzi, and he will kill her if she doesn't make a decision soon.~Goodreads

The concept of this book was simply incredible and I was mesmerized from page one!

I may be a tad biased because ghost stories are my absolute favorite, but this book was soo much more than that! It had everything; the creeps, action, danger, romance, sadness, and humor. I seriously can’t praise it enough! 

I think I may have a tad bit of a girl crush on Lenzi. Fer Realz! She’s so down to earth but like totally unique (umm...how freakin’ cool is it that she does origami!? Yeah, pretty freakin’ cool!) And she’s extremely compassionate and spunky and not afraid to kick a spirit's ass! She’s the perfect gal to be a Speaker!

I was in awe the whole time I was reading about the world of Speakers and Protectors! I don’t know how to explain the concept, but it was seriously mind-blowing! Especially when Lenzi would let another soul speak through her...ZEEP! It was spine tingling! Not knowing exactly what a hindered spirit wanted or needed in order to pass on was creepy and captivating and suspenseful and had me on. freakin’. edge! 

And of course, every Speaker needs a Protector, right?! Enter Alden! SQUEEEEE!  I am totally and completely in love with him! He’s witty and gorgeous and protective and just *sighs* perfect! Not to mention he can make one hell of a cup of hot chocolate, take away your anxiety with a simple touch, annnnd probably would like to be handcuffed. ---> *swoons* *drools* *dies*

"I feel your soul responding to your emotions. We're linked. It's how I found you. It's how I protect you." ARC Pg 37

He. responds. to. her. soul. GAH! How amazing is that?! Talk about taking “soul mates” to another level! *wistfully stares off into space daydreaming about Alden*

*10 minutes later*

Umm, right back to the review! Another character I really liked was Alden’s comrade, Race! First of all, that name is made of awesome. And second, he was just a good guy, always saying something funny or insightful. 

As for Zak, Lenzi’s “boyfriend” I liked him in the beginning but then he kept showing up when I didn’t want him to!! HUMPFF! and ugh! and just...he is no Alden!

AH! Back to Alden and Lenzi! Their banter was so hilariously cute! And the angst! Oh, man the angst! And all the...ehem...sexual tension between them, I was just like, “MAKE THE EFF OUT ALREADY!” They’re pretty much one of the most tantalizing couples I’ve ever read about! No Lie. I LOVE THEM!

I did not want this book to end! But alas it had to, and I was dying of suspense the last 10 pages! I almost had a heart attack, I was freaking out so much! And then some things went down that I was NOT expecting...AT all. And I was in shock!

This is an ABSOLUTE MUST READ. The cover is gorgeous, the story is gorgeous and I hope to goodness there is a sequel! I NEED MORE Alden & Lenzi, I NEED more soul sharing AND I NEED more eerie ghostly encounters. EEEEEP, I love this book, make sure you go buy it in December!

Favorite Quote:

“Old soul. Young man. Big difference.”

Find more of my favorite Shattered Souls quotes HERE! 

Back to the Books Winners

Thanks to everyone who gave me a hug on the giveaway form!! You are too nice! I started school yesterday and it was a success! 

Just kidding...I hate it =\

But enough about me! The winners of the Back to the Books Giveaway Hop arrrrre:

Rockee!

                             And....

Dani from Refracted Light!

Thanks to everyone who entered!! 

And to those of you who pushed me towards the bus....why? Just, why? I thought we were friends!?

Waiting on Wednesday

I think we should now call this meme  “Waiting on 2012” betuzz there are so many amazebatabulous books coming out next year! AND I CAN’T WAIT ANY LONGER!! But I mean...of course I am waiting...because I have too. Sadness. Anywhoooo! Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spin and this week I’m waiting on: 

Emma and her friend Chloe are spending vacation in Florida. When Emma (literally) runs into a hot guy named Galen on the beach, little does she know he’s a prince of the Syrena. Galen and Emma both feel something strange – is it attraction? – and Galen suspects that Emma might well be the girl he’s heard of – a human who can communicate with fish.

What follows is a deadly scene with a shark in which Galen witnesses Emma’s gifts. He must know more about her, and follows her back to New Jersey, and high school, to find out for sure if she’s the key to saving his kingdom. Soon, Emma can’t deny her feelings for him, but can’t explain them, either – and both she and Galen must learn more about where she comes from and what her powers are before they can trust one another and their feelings.~Goodreads

He’s. A. Prince. A prince. He lives in a kingdom. He’s hot. And his name’s Galen. Do I have to elaborate!?  Well, I will, because the synopsis sounds freakin’ fantastic! And the cover!? SO gorgeous!! I’m basically already in love with this book. I can’t wait until May!

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Sequels I'm DYING to Read

 

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created over at The Broke and the Bookish! And it's pretty much amazeballs!!

Each week they post a new Top Ten list that one of the bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. And everyone else is welcome to join too! So without further ado, here is this weeks Top Ten Tuesday picks!

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1. Angel Fire by L.A. Weatherly- Angel Burn was stunning and one of 

my favorite books that I read this year. There was so much sexiness and suspense and angst that all lead up to a big ole cliffy. I NEED to find out what Alex and Willow are going to do next! And I don’t think I can wait until December! (I might just have to buy a UK copy!)

2. Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake- The sequel to Anna Dressed In Blood. There are no words to describe the epicness that is Anna & Cas. Anna Dressed in Blood was such an incredible book and I really can’t wait to see what’s in store next for Cas! 

3. Hallowed by Cynthia Hand- With a love triangle on the horizon and shady angels about to spread their black wings…I will NOT be missing this installment in the Unearthly trilogy!

4. Outpost by Ann Agurrie- If Outpost is anywhere near as kick-ass as Enclave was,  then it will definitely be ending up on the favorites list! I want more Stalker and Deuce and Fade and FREAKS!!

5. Perception by Kim Harrington- Clare is my favoritest heroine of all time. She’s funny as hell, clever as eff and speaks fluent sarcasm. Oh, yeah and she also has the sweet ass power of pyschometry! With the creepy warning the rival psychic gave Clare at the end of Clarity, I’m dying to see where it will go!

6. Until I Die by Amy Plum- Jules. Do I even have to say anything else? Okay…how about Paris, Revenants, dirty dancing, kissing and sword fights? Which hopefully are all included in the sequel to Die For Me!


7. Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver- WHAT. THE. EFF. How was the ending to Delirium even legal? It caused me to have heart palpitations, shed multiple tears, and it ultimately caused my death. (slight exaggeration.) Alex. Lena. The Wilds. Spoils of a sexy shower scene…I’m in!

8. Insurgent by Veronica Roth- Four. Me needs more. That’s all. Nah, i'm just playing! I want more Tris too. :P

9. Stolen Nights by Rebecca Maizel- This is the only vampire series that doesn’t bore me to pieces with repetitiveness. The first book, Infinite Days, was bomb. And I want this sequel yesterday! 

10. Umm. . .is it too soon to ask for the sequel to Shatter Me? Yeah? Okay, then I pick Arise by Tara Hudson! I loved Hereafter, I loved Joshua, I loved Amelia annnd I’m curious to see how their relationship is going to work! (Lie- I really just want to see them kiss more. Fact.)
 

Music Monday ♫

Well, hello there! How’s your Monday going? Need a pick me up jam sesh!? Look NO further then the two songs below! 

 ♫ I REALLLY wanna be wit you baaabay!♫ Dude, doesn’t this song totally make you wanna groove!? Thanks to the amazeballness that is Jena, I am now pretty much obsessed with T. Mills! <3

   

Yeah....this song never gets old. Just ask Jena! :P

Hope you liked ‘em!

p dot s- I know you liked ‘em because I saw you dancing! You’re pretty dang good too! How much would you charge for lessons?

Back to the Books Giveaway Hop

Holy fudge nuts! I can’t believe it’s already September! Where did the Summer go!! WAAAH! *SOBS* Back to school! *sniffle* back to homework! AH! Back to getting up early!! But yay for Back to the Books Giveaway! WOOT!

 

 Hosted by: I Am A Reader, Not A Writer & Buried In Books!

All righty so.... one lucky winner can win an ARC of Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey and the OTHER lucky winner (that’s right! Two winners!) can win an ARC of Anna Dressed In Blood by Kendare Blake! Both are FANTASTICALLY AMAZING books and you need them in your life!! To enter just fill out THIS FORM! 

And make sure to go hop to all the other awesome giveaways going on!!