Uses for Boys by Erica Lorraine Scheidt

Anna remembers a time before boys, when she was little and everything made sense. When she and her mom were a family, just the two of them against the world. But now her mom is gone most of the time, chasing the next marriage, bringing home the next stepfather. Anna is left on her own—until she discovers that she can make boys her family. From Desmond to Joey, Todd to Sam, Anna learns that if you give boys what they want, you can get what you need. But the price is high—the other kids make fun of her; the girls call her a slut. Anna's new friend, Toy, seems to have found a way around the loneliness, but Toy has her own secrets that even Anna can't know.

Then comes Sam. When Anna actually meets a boy who is more than just useful, whose family eats dinner together, laughs, and tells stories, the truth about love becomes clear. And she finally learns how it feels to have something to lose—and something to offer. Real, shocking, uplifting, and stunningly lyrical,  Uses for Boys  is a story of breaking down and growing up.

3 Stars 

I received a copy of Uses for Boys courtesy of NetGalley in exchange for a review. I enjoyed Uses for Boys, even tho it scared the crap out of me! Not for myself, mind you, but because I am a mother to girls! It is so easy for girls to lack self worth and self confidence, and like Anna, get caught up in the emotions of when a boy likes you. Anna didn't have a proper role model in her mother of course, and if she had, then maybe her story would be a little different. I just found her sad, and having the damaged reputation she did, it was no wonder she acted out.  Toy was a little easy for me to figure out, maybe because it just seemed too convenient that she was so desirable, but she was another sad case. I was happy that Anna found Sam and his family, and was worried she would corrupt him, but it all worked out in the end. I just pray my girls come to me when they reach that age! ~Mandy

Stealing Harper by Molly Mcadams

Chase Grayson has never been interested in having a relationship that lasts longer than it takes for him and his date to get dressed again. But then he stumbles into a gray-eyed girl whose innocence pours off her, and everything changes. From the minute Harper opens her mouth to let him know just how much he disgusts her, he's hooked.

But a princess deserves a Prince Charming who can make her dreams come true. Not a guy who can turn her life into a nightmare.

All good intentions go out the window when Harper starts to fall for the guy Chase has come to view as a brother. He wanted to protect her by keeping her away, but he can’t stand to see her with anyone else, and he’ll do anything to make her his. But when it comes down to Harper choosing between the two, will Chase have the strength to step back from the girl who has become his whole world if it means she’ll be happy?

Lines will be crossed. Friendships will be put to the test. And hearts will be shattered.

3 Stars

I received a copy of Stealing Harper in exchange for a review.

For some reason, I didn't realize Stealing Harper was the POV of Chase, from Taking Chances. So I read Taking Chances first, so I was in the know. Let's just say, I enjoyed Chase telling the story a little better. Maybe it was because I was a bit in love with Chase (yep, my book boyfriends are awesome) or maybe it was the fact that he was simple compared to Harper. The female mind is a confusing thing, I should know! Harper was a little too whiny, made things more complicated, and I felt like she could've told her 'side' in half the time it took. Chase did an excellent job in Stealing Harper! Of course, his ending was different from Harper's, but still. I really like Molly Mcadams, and think she does an excellent job at the love triangle thing!

~Mandy 

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

Lou Clark knows lots of things. She knows how many footsteps there are between the bus stop and home. She knows she likes working in The Buttered Bun tea shop and she knows she might not love her boyfriend Patrick.

What Lou doesn't know is she's about to lose her job or that knowing what's coming is what keeps her sane.

Will Traynor knows his motorcycle accident took away his desire to live. He knows everything feels very small and rather joyless now and he knows exactly how he's going to put a stop to that.

What Will doesn't know is that Lou is about to burst into his world in a riot of colour. And neither of them knows they're going to change the other for all time.

5 Stars
Jojo Moyes is now one of my favorite authors. Although the subject matter isn't conventional, it sure touches you where it counts! In Me Before You, Will is a quadriplegic, stuck in his chair and in pain for the last 2 years, after someone on a motorcycle ran him over. He is utterly miserable, a shell of the man he once was. His mother hires Louisa as a sort of caretaker/companion for Will, to try to cheer him up. The two form a friendship, and end up helping each other thru some heavy stuff. I sort of knew what I was getting into when I started this book, but I sure didn't expect to get the ugly cry going! There were a few parts in the book that had a profound effect on me, one being from Will's mothers POV. She mentions her son as a broken man, but that she didn't see him as just the man he had become, instead she saw his whole life when she looked at him. From the moment he entered the world, the toddler, then adolescent, teenager, and grown up, it was all of him she saw when looking at him. Before being a mom, I'm not sure I ever would've been as affected by that particular part, but boy did it hit home now. I haven't been this impacted by a book in awhile! It will probably remain one of my favorites, and will definitely stay with me.

~Mandy

Walking Disaster (Beautiful #2) by Jamie McGuire

Finally, the highly anticipated follow-up to the New York Times bestseller Beautiful Disaster. Can you love someone too much?
Travis Maddox learned two things from his mother before she died: Love hard. Fight harder.

In Walking Disaster, the life of Travis is full of fast women, underground gambling, and violence. But just when he thinks he is invincible, Abby Abernathy brings him to his knees.

Every story has two sides. In Beautiful Disaster, Abby had her say. Now it’s time to see the story through Travis’s eyes.

4 Stars
I received a copy of Walking Disaster courtesy of Netgalley and the publisher.

I read Beautiful Disaster awhile ago, and I'm not sure if it was the other books I'd read before/after, or just my state of mind at the time, but Walking Disaster totally redeemed any misgivings I had! Maybe it was because we got to see everything from Travis' view, I don't know, but it was pretty hot! I didn't understand his rage, or why he was such a man whore, but lord did I still want him as my fictional boyfriend! Travis may be a walking disaster, but good hell, this romance sure is beautiful.

~Mandy

From Ashes by Molly McAdams

When Cassidy Jameson's best friend Tyler took her to Texas with him when he left for college, she was expecting his cousin, their new roommate, to be a Stetson-wearing cowboy since his family owned a ranch; not this incredibly gorgeous guy with a husky Southern drawl that seemed to make the world stop whenever she looked at him. Because of her past, she's only ever trusted two men in her life, Tyler and her dad whom passed away when she was six. But there's something about Gage that draws her to him in a way she can't explain, only problem? He's always telling Tyler that he doesn't want Cassidy living there and sees her as nothing more than his little sister.

Gage Carson was excited his cousin Tyler was coming to live with, and go to college with him. When he'd called to ask if he could bring his friend Cassi with him, Gage didn't care. Gage had heard about this mysterious friend since they were kids and felt like he already knew her. Nothing would prepare him for watching her jump out of Ty's Jeep though. Not only was Cassi the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen, but there was something about her that within seconds of meeting her, made Gage want to protect her, and make her his. Too bad Tyler made it a point to remind Gage on a daily basis that he was dating her and she was completely off limits.

For a year and a half, Gage and Cassidy dance around their feelings for each other as Tyler continues to keep them apart; until one day Tyler unknowingly pushes her right into Gage's arms. With Tyler unable to keep lying to them, they finally start a relationship both have been craving since their first meeting. But when an accident and disaster sends her back to Tyler and California, will Cassidy be able to come face to face with the demons from her past to live a life she and Gage deserve; or will the fact that she once again ran to Tyler be the final push that ends Cassidy and Gage for good?

Recommended for ages 17+ due to sexual situations and language.

3 Stars
I received a copy of From Ashes courtesy of the publisher in exchange of a review.

Cassidy has a screwed up home life, and wouldn't be able to function had it not been for her best friend and life line Tyler. He has saved her in more ways than he probably knows, and decides to take her to Texas with him, when he goes to college. They end up moving in with Gage, and the sparks between Cassi and Gage are instantaneous. The problem? Tyler is in love with Cassidy, and is waiting for her to see that she feels the same towards him.

I really liked From Ashes, but often times felt the story was a little unbelievable. Not that I'm an expert on child abuse, but the extreme levels that Cassidy experienced, even coming into contact with a doctor and teachers, I just can't believe she made it as long as she did in her house, and didn't turn out completely inept with dealing in reality. That aside, the romance was spicy between Cassidy and Gage! I couldn't get enough of him, maybe because he was a true southern boy, or just because he was so hot! The main flaw he had, communication issues, seems to be a general thing between males and females. At the end of the day tho, we ended up with a happy ending, and I do love a fairy tale romance.

~Mandy

Blaze (or Love in the Time of Supervillians) by Laurie Boyle Crompton

Blaze is tired of spending her life on the sidelines, drawing comics and feeling invisible. She's desperate for soccer star Mark to notice her. And when her BFF texts Mark a photo of Blaze in sexy lingerie, it definitely gets his attention. After a hot date in the back of her minivan, Blaze is flying high, but suddenly Mark's feelings seem to have been blasted by a freeze-ray gun, and he dumps her. Blaze gets her revenge by posting a comic strip featuring uber-villain Mark the Shark. Mark then retaliates by posting her "sext" photo, and, overnight, Blaze goes from Super Virgin Girl to Super Slut. That life on the sidelines is looking pretty good right about now...

4 Stars
I received a copy of Blaze courtesy of the publisher in exchange for a review.

BAM! I LOVED Blaze! I'm not one for comics, aside from the Marvel and DC comic cartoons, but damn! Blaze was fun and sassy and unique! POW! I read this book in one sitting, and was laughing several times throughout. The idea of a chick doing comic books based on her experience with a boy, Mark the Shark, was genius! What better way to get back at a man whore? Had one of my friends done something to shame me the way Amanda had done to Blaze, I probably would've shanked the bitch, but I guess it all worked out in the end. Blaze was a true super hero, and some of the girls could learn a thing or two from her. I will definitely look forward to more from Laurie Boyle Crompton!

~Mandy

City of Glass (The Mortal Instruments #3) by Cassandra Clare

To save her mother's life, Clary must travel to the City of Glass, the ancestral home of the Shadowhunters - never mind that entering the city without permission is against the Law, and breaking the Law could mean death. To make things worse, she learns that Jace does not want her there, and Simon has been thrown in prison by the Shadowhunters, who are deeply suspicious of a vampire who can withstand sunlight.

As Clary uncovers more about her family's past, she finds an ally in mysterious Shadowhunter Sebastian. With Valentine mustering the full force of his power to destroy all Shadowhunters forever, their only chance to defeat him is to fight alongside their eternal enemies. But can Downworlders and Shadowhunters put aside their hatred to work together? While Jace realizes exactly how much he's willing to risk for Clary, can she harness her newfound powers to help save the Glass City - whatever the cost?

Love is a mortal sin and the secrets of the past prove deadly as Clary and Jace face down Valentine in the final installment of the New York Times bestselling trilogy The Mortal Instruments.

4 Stars

In the third book in this series, the story comes to a head with a huge battle between Valentine and the Shadowhunters and Downworlders. More information about Jace and Clarissa's past comes to light. Yay! No more incest! The book ends with literally everyone living happily ever after, so why are there books 4 and 5? I am going to find out!

~Kat