Aperçu is a feature on The Wednesday Issue where I post mini-reviews of books I read.
Hello, Hello! I haven’t been posting a lot for the past month or so due to work and also working on the new website. Lame excuse, I know. Thankfully, between all the craziness, I managed to find the time to sit down and write. Finally. Don’t you just love it when it happens?
Despite not writing, it doesn’t mean I stop reading. I read a few books and I’m excited to share my thoughts on them with all of you. I admit that I read fewer books than I usually do because I’ve been listening to podcasts more – especially during commute and work. With that being said, I finally got to read some books that I’ve wanted to read! October was a good month.
Majority of the books I wanted to read was young adult novels, so I was excited when I got to read a few books from my YA tbr.
Aperçu: Young Adult – Book Review
Mischief & Magnolias (Magnolia Branch #2) by Kristi Cook
Mischief & Magnolias is a novella in the Magnolia Branch series by Kristi Cook. It is a companion to the first novel in the series called Magnolia. For those of you who haven’t read the book, Magnolia told a story about Jemma Cafferty and Ryder Marsden, whose families are friends and basically the Southern Royalty. They hate each other and their families want them to be together. SPOILER ALERT. By the end of the first book they were together and this novella is the continuation to it.
The two haven’t told their families yet that they were together. They both moved to NYC for universities so it was easy for both of them to hide their relationship from their overbearing mothers. They are now back together in their hometown and have to continue hiding their relationship because they don’t want their parents to find out yet.
For me, I only focus in their relationship with each other. Since they hated each other in the first book, there weren’t enough swoony moments for me. This novella though is a different story because I FINALLY GET TO SEE THEM BEING A COUPLE. I loved every second of it. They are so adorable and this book is definitely the perfect conclusion to their story. Although I won’t complain if Kristi Cook decides to write more stories about these two.
I See London, I See France by Sara Mlynowski
Another quick read, this book tells a story about Sydney who is travelling with her childhood best friend, Leela. However, what she thought was going to be the perfect holiday got interrupted by Leela’s cheating ex-boyfriend and his really hot friend. DUN DUN DUN.
I love Sydney. I love her enthusiasm and she is a character that I’m sure many people can relate to. Jackson is another character I really like. While he was being introduced to the story as the wild friend of Leela’s ex, he was a different person when he was with Sydney. Sure, there are some moments but he is not as bad as Leela painted him to be.
Now, Leela is the character I have problem with. I understand that she just got out of a relationship and she really liked the guy, but the way she acted throughout the whole book was very selfish. I think what made me dislike her is how she treated Sydney because SYDNEY DESERVED BETTER.
I’m wondering if there will be continuation to the story because the ending wasn’t satisfying for me. I need more of Sydney and Jackson!
Also, I was surprised when some people said that this book was categorized as a YA book because it feels a little too adult at some parts of the story. So just keep that in mind if you expect this book to be a YA novel.
After Hours by Claire Kennedy
This was one of the books I really wanted to read. The synopsis really intrigued me and I’m glad I picked this up because it’s really enjoyable to read!
The story is written from four different POVs and they are very well written. These POVs allow us to get to know these characters and understand their motives. Each of them deals with heavy issues and I like how these issues were tackled.
Among these four characters, Xavi is my favourite and I’ve been rooting for her since the beginning. Finn is another character I really like. He’s one of those characters that are flawed but he acknowledges it and learned from it. Each of them is very different and that really enhanced the story. Character development is very well done in this book and I really like how Claire Kennedy ended the book. Definitely a fun read!
A Quiet Kind of Thunder by Sara Barnard
I was a big fan of Sara Barnard’s debut young adult novel, Beautiful Broken Things. So it was a no-brainer decision to pick up this book when I came across it. The synopsis was also very intriguing; it’s about a girl who is a selective mute and a deaf boy. It’s an absolutely adorable story! Both characters, Steffi and Rhys are instantly likable. There was nothing particularly obnoxious about the two of them. The overall theme of this book is definitely about first love – the excitement, the innocence, and the fear of it all. This was one great first love story.
Zenn Diagram by Wendy Bryant
Zenn Diagram’s synopsis caught my attention right away. Eva was the character I was most intrigued about. It’s not every day that we get a female math genius as our heroine. And bad boy as her love interest? I’m in. However, I was surprised at the turn and twist in the book. Zenn is not necessarily a bad boy – he is just lost. I love how their relationship developed. I’m a sucker for the friends-to-lovers storyline so this is definitely right up my alley. There is also an element of discoveries and acceptance. Eva’s fear limit her life but once she accepts it and let things be, she found new lights. Be warned though, this book is sugary as hell.
Just Friends by Tiffany Pitcock
This was one my most anticipated book in 2017. Again, friends-to-lovers? HELL YES. However, I had to admit that I was a little disappointed. Not that it’s not a great book but I think my hope was too high (the one lesson I never learned, to be honest).
The beginning of their story was cute. You need a shitload of chemistry for it to happen and these two found it right away. Right from the beginning, you can also tell that there is nothing wrong or annoying about these two. They have their own struggle. I think what I wish I got to see more is their relationship being developed. I find that we only get to see the surface of their relationship.
The one character I really didn’t like is Jenny’s ex. I don’t like how he handled the end of their relationship and how much it pained Jenny. Thank God for Chance.
Another thing that I’m quite unsatisfied about is the ending. I’m not one for open ending and this one has quite open ending. It makes me wanting more.
Kissing Max Holden by Katy Upperman
Another much anticipated release is Kissing Max Holden. I know that this is one of the most hyped young adult book in 2017 so I couldn’t help but grab it to see what the hype is all about.
These two are really likeable characters despite the many things that happened in their life. I like how Katy Upperman doesn’t villainize the guy. They are both the way they are due to circumstances.
Becky gets on my nerve. I don’t understand why Max stayed with her. Ivy is another character I couldn’t understand. It’s like “what is her problem with Max?”. However, Max and Jilly’s cuteness made up for all the annoyingness that come from Becky and Ivy. The way their relationships being portrayed is realistic and the chemistry was ridiculous.
If you are not a fan of push and pull in a relationship, this book may annoy you because they do it a lot. However, I’m glad that Jilly never back down because if she does we won’t have any story to read.
This book is also heavily character-driven. So the way you view your character will influence how you read the story.
Have you read any of these books? What do you think? Also, if you have any book recommendations throw it my way. I would gladly catch it!
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