The Hazards of Skinny Dipping by Alyssa Rose Ivy Book Review
The Hazards of Skinny Dipping by Alyssa Rose Ivy is a fun, brand-new NA release. It’s about freshman year, sorority life, and coming to terms with the fact that your crush is not the guy of your dreams after all.
This isn’t a deep book about first loves or self-discovery. If you want a book like that, I’d be happy to recommend one, but I don’t have that kind of story to tell. Instead my story is about rash decisions and finding out that your dream guy is bad in bed. It’s the story of when I finally went skinny dipping, and how my life was never the same again. Oh, and it’s also the story of my freshman year of college and realizing Mr. Right might have been there all along.
I like light, beach-y summer reads and this one was a fun surprise. It’s a fast read that you could read poolside and finish before your sunscreen wears off.
Juliet has always had a crush on Dylan, but when she does finally get him alone things don’t go the way she always dreamed. What’s worse is that they now go to the same college and she can’t seem to shake him. Juliet starts freshman year, bonds with her new sorority sisters,gets a job at a pizza place, and meets someone new. Reed is a frat guy from a different house than Dylan, and he becomes a friend who watches out for her. Reed’s scenes with Juliet are some of my favorites.
I never had the sorority experience so I thought the rush scenes, hazing and pledge experiences were entertaining. It makes me think I’d really hate that life though! There are some stereotypical mean girls, and lots of leering, drunk frat guys, but there are some characters that are really nice too that defy stereotypes. Juliet is a spunky freethinking girl that doesn’t seem the type to go for the sorority life, but she has a cousin that used to be in the sorority so she decides to try it out. Juliet is warned off of Dylan, but it takes her some time to figure that out for herself.
The story is written in a light and conversational tone, with little asides to the reader. Part of the story is told through email exchange as well. There is a little twist to the plot that took me by surprise too.
I think Hazards will appeal to fans of NA romance books such as Losing It or True. Hazards is a light and breezy read that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s an engaging, fast read, and a standalone to boot!
About the Author:
Alyssa Rose Ivy is a New Adult and Young Adult author who loves to weave stories with romance and a southern setting. Although raised in the New York area, she fell in love with the South after moving to New Orleans for college. After years as a perpetual student, she turned back to her creative side and decided to write. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and two young children, and she can usually be found with a cup of coffee in her hand.
Visit her here: Blog | Pinterest | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook
The Hazards of Skinny Dipping is available now in e-book format: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Giveaway! Enter the rafflecopter giveaway for a chance to win a signed copy of a Hazards beach essentials kit, including a signed book.
Thanks to InkSlinger PR for hosting the blog tour and providing a review copy of Hazards.
Top Ten Book Cover Faves by Author
Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature from The Broke and the Bookish. Book covers have been a hot button topic lately with Maureen Johnson’s Cover Flip bringing lots of attention to book marketing. I definitely judge books by their covers, especially with debut authors. It was fun looking at covers this week and seeing the consistencies within an author’s body of work, and the changes with a paperback release.
This week I’m looking at book covers by author since generally I’m a fan of these authors, and it makes me wonder if I’d feel differently about any of these books if they had different covers. Hmm…
Top Ten Favorite Covers by Author:
1. Rainbow Rowell - I hate to pick favorites, but I just adore all of Rainbow Rowell’s book covers. I know authors don’t usually get any input into their cover art, but it seems like Rowell does get to collaborate her cover designs with her publisher, and they have all done a fantastic job. I wouldn’t mind owning prints of all these covers.
2. Sara Zarr – Zarr’s books are simple and pretty, with nice typography and the cover matches the tone of the book. Once Was Lost was recently released with a new title/cover. It’s nice, but I think the original is lovely too.
3. Colleen Hoover – Hoover’s books recently had a re-design, and they are striking and colorful and I wouldn’t mind owning this new set. But there is still something charming about the simplicity of the original Slammed and Point of Retreat covers.
4. David Levithan - Levithan’s covers are attractive and creative and match up well to the story within.
5. Jessi Kirby – All of Kirby’s covers appeal to me and really evoke a summer mood. Just realized I own hardcovers of all of these.
6. Robin Benway – I like the pop of color and vibe of all of Benway’s covers. The bright colors are consistent throughout even though stylistically they are so different. AKA is my favorite.
7. Katie Kacvinsky - I like the symbols used in Katie’s covers and how they relate to the books. It’s refreshing to see books with romance in them without kissing or couples used on the covers, so I was glad that the First Comes Love cover was redesigned with the pb release.
8. Gayle Forman – I’ve always been drawn to the original cover of If I Stay, and I’m not a fan of the later covers of If I Stay/Where She Went. I do like the Just One Day/Just One Year covers though and think they fit the book. I prefer the original cover of Just One Day rather than the pb, but it’s not too bad.
9. Ruta Sepetys – Between Shades of Gray is the rare exception that I like both in hardcover and paperback, though both covers are so different. Love the colors in Out of the Easy and how the style fits the theme of the book so well.
10. Jennifer E. Smith – The typography and style of these covers just make me happy, and these are books I definitely buy in hardcover.
What are your favorite book covers?
Mailbox Monday #49
Mailbox Monday is a weekly event where we share our latest book arrivals. Join in to share your book loot and discover some new book blogs. Drop by 4 the Love of Books to link up for May.
School’s out this week, it’s almost Memorial Day- how time flies! Hope your May is going great so far.
Books Received:
Looking for Me by Beth Hoffman from Penguin Audio
A Conspiracy of Faith by Jussi Adler-Olson from Penguin Audio
Dear Cassie by Lisa Burstein ordered from Grass Roots Books (signed!)
First Comes Love and Second Chance by Katie Kacvinsky ordered from Grass Roots Books (signed!)
The Lucy Variations by Sara Zarr won from DEBtastic Reads and signed! Thanks so much Debbi!
Winger by Andrew Smith purchase
Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt from the library
Dr. Bird’s Advice for Sad Poets by Evan Roskos from the library
Digital e-books and audiobooks:
Ten Tiny Breaths by K.A. Tucker audiobook for review from Simon & Schuster Audio
Wallbanger by Alice Clayton audiobook for review from Simon & Schuster Audio
The Sweet Dead Life by Joy Preble audiobook for review from Audiobook Jukebox and AudioGo
Leap of Faith by Jamie Blair for review from Simon & Schuster via Edelweiss
To Be Perfectly Honest by Sonya Sones for review from Simon & Schuster via Edelweiss
Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight – Purchased on my sister’s recommendation. She says this is a good Gone Girl type book and it does sound awesome.
Kindle Deals:
The Madman’s Daughter by Megan Shepherd – kindle daily deal for $1.99
Let the Sky Fall by Shannon Messenger – kindle deal for $2.99, still on sale
The Story of Us by Deb Caletti – kindle deal for $3.79
Where I Belong by Gwendolyn Heasley – kindle deal for $1.99, still on sale
Smart Girls Get What They Want by Sarah Strohmeyer – kindle deal for $1.99, still on sale
Let me know what you’re reading in the comments. Have a good week!
The Movie Date: The Great Gatsby
The Movie Date is a weekly feature where we discuss movies that may appeal to YA readers. Andrew is The Reading Date’s resident movie critic and this week he discusses The Great Gatsby 3D directed by Baz Luhrmann.
A Wall Street hopeful rents a Long Island home next to Gatsby, a millionaire with a shadowy background; Gatsby longs for a lost love who is now married and living nearby.
Disclosure: Unlike most or all of you, I’ve never read the famous Fitzgerald novel that the film is based on. My interest in the film came from curiosity about the book as much as love for the visual splendor that director Baz Luhrmann (Moulin Rouge) is known for. So bear in mind that in viewing the film, I was reacting to what was to me a new story.
It’s always risky adapting a beloved novel (let alone a Great American one); for every satisfying Lord of the Rings there are a dozen disastrous Bonfire of the Vanities. Though this is not a well-reviewed film, I think the critics were sharpening their knives long before Luhrmann’s vision hit the screen, perhaps thinking of his outrageous revisionist take on Romeo and Juliet from many years ago. Fitzgerald with hip-hop music? In 3D, no less? Outrage!
For me, I found this film tremendously enjoyable and quite successful. Rather than a crass corruption of the work, this turns out to be an extremely faithful adaptation of the novel, adhering closely to the original plot. It also owns up to its roots as a novel, using original text at great length. Throughout we see bond salesman Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire) relating the tale, first in person, then through a handwritten journal, and finally via a typed manuscript. He narrates transitions and establishing shots with F. Scott’s own gorgeous and heartbreaking language, giving us great insight into the characters and times. As Lucy pointed out, an eye-doctor’s billboard featured throughout draws subtly from the original novel’s cover art. (It’s hard for me to imagine a loyalist being appalled at this film, though I look forward to hearing your thoughts.)
It takes us quite a while to meet Gatsby, in fact. Instead, we get to know Nick’s lovely cousin Daisy Buchanan (Carey Mulligan), her scoundrel husband Tom (Joel Edgerton), and even Tom’s mistress Myrtle (Isla Fisher). By the time we do meet the reclusive Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio) and learn of his long-suppressed love, we hate Tom so much that we’re “shipping” Gatsby and Daisy, big time. As we get to know the truth about the expansive Gatsby’s unglamorous past, we actually feel for the guy. And you know the story from there, right?
Though the tale is told calmly and clearly (I never experienced a moment’s confusion, unusual for me!), the main attraction is the Jazz Age splendor, which as noted is what drew me to the film. We view the glamour of 20s Long Island and Manhattan and the grimy, industrial Valley of Ashes that lies between them with a highly artistic eye. Luhrmann’s visuals and camera movements are gorgeous in the extreme, and the parties and celebrations we experience are almost overwhelming. So satiated was I with the visual overload I was actually grateful when Luhrmann settled into more conventional storytelling in the second half.
When Nick confronts Gatsby about his obsession with times gone by, the tycoon answers, “Can’t repeat the past? Why of course you can!” Though Gatsby’s desire to reprise his history is seen as his fatal flaw, I find it amusing that this is the film’s great strength: its ability to dig into the past with great accuracy and make it relevant to a new audience, even to a viewer as non-literate as me.
A note about the 3D version: Most 3D films available these days are post-processed, which means the “deep” images are faked digitally from 2D originals, leading to fairly crude results. However, Luhrmann actually shot this film in 3D and the images are well-rounded, authentic, and gorgeous. I’ve been waiting a long time for a non-action picture to be made in 3D and I’m really pleased with this one. Instead of cheap thrills, the result here is intense beauty, which is certainly a thrill of its own.
The Great Gatsby opened May 10 and is rated PG-13. Running time: 142 min.
Karice Bolton Blog Tour: New Adult Paranormal Guest Post
I’m excited to welcome author Karice Bolton to the blog today. Karice is the author of a New Adult paranormal series centered around witches called Witch Avenue, and she also has a current YA book out called The Camp. I’m a big fan of NA, but haven’t read a lot of Paranormal NA, so I asked if she could talk a little about the genre with us.
And hey, don’t forget to pick up an ebook of Lonely Souls, the first book in the Witch Avenue series. It’s FREE for kindle right now! And The Camp is Karice’s newest YA release, and it’s only $0.99.
Witch Avenue #1: Lonely Souls
Devastated by the loss of her mother, Triss throws herself into uncovering clues surrounding her mother’s disappearance. When the Witch Avenue Coven turns their back on Triss, she realizes she’s caught in a world that is ruled by Lonely Souls. But who is controlling them?
Recognizing the herbal lore she grew up learning will do little to fight against the underworld, she is relieved when her best friend from childhood, Logan, returns to help her find answers. When they begin uncovering secrets from her family’s past, she learns her mother might not have been the only target.
But as Triss falls deeply for Logan, she discovers her family isn’t the only one with secrets and his may be deadly.
The Camp
Emma has always tried to be perfect in her almost eighteen years of existence, but it has never been good enough. As she finds herself counting the days until she’s officially free from her parents’ reins, her stepfather hands her a plane ticket explaining that she must attend the Re-Boot Camp in the wilds of Alaska.
Once she lands in the middle of nowhere, she realizes the camp is nothing like she imagined, and she wants out immediately. That is until she meets Liam.
The camp is full of teens with dark pasts, but she finds herself drawn to Liam’s ability to see who she really is and who she wants to become. While Emma and Liam begin adjusting to a place neither wants to be, frightening events begin to unfold. When people begin disappearing, it becomes apparent they can only trust one another as they fight for survival.
Welcome, Karice! Thanks for talking to us about the world of Paranormal NA today!
Thank you so much for having me on the Reading Date to discuss NA paranormal!! A big hi *waves* to everyone! New Adult paranormal is a genre that is definitely finding its way in the reading world, and I’m excited to be a part of it as it grows.
The first New Adult paranormal romance series I wrote was The Watchers Trilogy (Awakening, Legions, and Cataclysm). Since the characters were a little older than typical YA, it allowed more freedom to explore emotions and situations that the 18+ crowd might experience. And if I wanted the characters to sit in a pub and have a beer, it wasn’t like the end of the world, which was nice!
I think what’s awesome about New Adult is that the stakes are often raised because the characters are free from the constraints that an existing parental unit creates. The age still provides ample opportunity for exploring new experiences and allowing the characters to evolve, which is really fun to write about. The freshness of Young Adult life can be captured during this age, while tackling a wide range of subject matter. Add in paranormal and the sky is the limit! Angels, Witches, or Fairies just make it even more magical.
These aren’t necessarily New Adult and/or paranormal, but some books that I’ve recently read and enjoyed are On Dublin Street by S. Young, Julie Kagawa’s The Immortal Rules, Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill, and Tempting the Best Man by J. Lynn. Super fun reads for the summer!
Oh, I loved Gone Girl and On Dublin Street. Thanks for the great recs! I agree that the 18+age range does allow more freedom and variety for NA characters. I have my kindle loaded up with a few of your books and I’m looking forward to checking them out!
Thanks again, Karice!
May 15 | http://www.memyshelfandi.com/ | @myshelfandi
May 19 | http://kaidansseduction.blogspot.com
The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey Audiobook Review
Book: The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey, Penguin Audio, May 7, 2013
Book Info: YA Sci-Fi/Dystopian, Audiobook received for review from Penguin Audio. Running time: 12 hrs, 41 mins. Read by: Phoebe Strole and Brandon Espinoza. Also available in HC, 457 pages (I bought it) from G.P. Putnam’s Sons.
Rating: 4 / 5 Stars
More Info: Goodreads | Audible | Amazon | Official Site
The 5th Wave is impossible to ignore right now, and arguably the hottest YA book of the summer. I don’t read a lot of science fiction so I was wary about an alien invasion book described as The Passage meets Ender’s Game. But, all the rave reviews and Hunger Games comparisons got to me and soon I had the 5th Wave fever. The 5th Wave is thrilling like a rollercoaster and fun like a summer popcorn movie. And I think it’s accessible enough for the casual sci-fi fan and very much a human story. It’s one I picked up in hardcover because I know it’s going to be a book I can loan out to a wide variety of readers.
In Rick Yancey’s The 5th Wave, civilization as we know it has been wiped out by alien invaders in four devastating waves. The aliens want to get rid of the humans but leave the earth in good shape for themselves. These aliens are smart and have done their homework on how to exterminate the human race. Cassie is a teen who miraculously survived the first four waves with most of her family intact. She gets separated from her younger brother Sammy though, and the goal to get him back is what’s keeping her alive. Meanwhile she’s dodging aliens (nicknamed “the Others”) and hoping there won’t be a fifth wave.
In addition to Cassie and her brother Sam, we meet a character referred to as “Zombie”, and the mysterious Evan Walker who gives shelter to Cassie when she’s on the run. The story kicks off with Cassie’s POV but changes setting and characters with Zombie’s perspective. I clicked more with Cassie’s story and preferred being in her head, but the dual POV does give the reader a wider view of all the happenings. One drawback for me is that with the change in perspective I felt a little detached from the characters. Ideally, I would prefer the book was only from Cassie’s POV even though I get it from a storytelling perspective.
The chapters are short and action packed. The story drew me in quickly and I could feel the hopelessness and desperation the characters faced. It’s a scary story; partly because it seemed so realistic I could buy into the terror of it all.
I mentioned there are two guys in the story, right? So, yes there is some romance and it’s not without its complications. I liked that the romance doesn’t take over the book but it is there to break up some of the tension of the alien attack. I wouldn’t call this an alien romance exactly in the vein of Jennifer L. Armentrout’s Lux series, but it is there and I’m curious to see where it goes.
I listened to the audiobook read by Phoebe Strole and Brandon Espinoza, both new-to-me narrators. I’m happy that I listened to the audiobook because it was easier to keep track of the different perspectives with different male and female narrators. Phoebe Strole’s voice reminds me of narrator Emma Galvin (Divergent) combined with Sarah Drew (Delirium). She sounds age appropriate for sixteen-year-old Cassie and conveys her toughness & sarcasm as well as her vulnerability. I liked her quite a lot. Brandon Espinoza also does a fine job with the male voices, and he in particular has to voice a variety of ages and personalities. Both read with a pace to my liking and increased the intensity as the story dictated. I’d recommend listening to the audiobook of this one to really let you escape into the story. I’m going to read it in print to get that experience as well.
I do think this book is a natural sell to Divergent and Hunger Games fans and has crossover appeal for any type of reader. The ending really makes me eager for the next book in the series, though we have a long wait on our hands. Bring on the movie!
Click to Subscribe by L.M. Augustine Book Review
Click to Subscribe by L.M. Augustine, published May 9, 2013
Genre: YA Contemporary Romance
Source: Review copy provided by the author
e-Book, 252 pages
Rating: 4/5 stars
Book Summary:
1,135,789. That’s how many subscribers sixteen-year-old West Ryder has on his web vlog series. But he only has eyes for one of them.
As one of the internet’s most prestigious video bloggers, West talks about high school relationships under the name “Sam Green.” As far as he knows, no one from school, not even his best friend, Cat, has seen his videos. But the highlight of the whole thing is Harper Knight, who comments every day at exactly 2:02 in the afternoon. He doesn’t know anything about her aside from the occasional deep philosophical messaging on why pizza tastes so delicious, but as stupid as it sounds, he might be falling for her. So when they finally agree to meet in real life, West’s hope for romance seems more and more in reach. But that all changes as soon as he arrives at their meeting spot and sees Cat walking toward him, wearing the same “I <3 Sam Green” T-shirt Harper promised she’d have on.
To his alarm, West realizes he is falling in love with the best friend who has always been a sister to him.
Click to Subscribe is such a fun comfort read, perfect when you’re looking for something light. What intrigued me about it first of all was that it’s about someone who has a vlog. I think that’s such a unique set up for the story. The vlog helps West when he’s having a tough time in his personal life and also is the catalyst for romance with one of his vlog followers.
This book has a male POV only, which is kind of refreshing when the trend is dual POV. West has a fresh voice and is an interesting character. I couldn’t imagine how someone who’s such a popular vlogger, even though he has a pseudonym (Sam Green), could be anonymous at school. It’s like he lives a double life. West is a nice guy, a little clueless at times, but endearing. And he bakes a mean birthday cake!
West has a best friend named Cat who totally gets him and has his back. She is fun-loving, snarky and awkward in a good way. They can be silly together, fight, laugh, eat ice cream and pizza endlessly and talk about the tough stuff. They call each other out on their bullshit, and converse like only best friends do. But what happens to the friendship when Cat wants to take it to the next level?
Though the tone of the book is overall quick and fluffy, there is some sorrow in West’s life. The vlog is therapeutic for West, who recently lost his mom. West’s family life is problematic; his dad is a mess and not really there for him. The vlog helps keep West busy and is a safe place to get his thoughts out there. West relies so much on Cat’s friendship I can understand his hesitation to add romance to the mix, even though the reader can see they’re perfect for each other.
Augustine inserts some fun into the story with haiku email exchanges, emoticons, and Harry Potter and Star Wars references. And the junk food! West and Cat are a pair of sugar addicts – best to keep some ice cream with rainbow sprinkles handy when you read this one.
This book is a quick read at just over 250 pages, but it doesn’t feel rushed at all. It’s a fun and relatable book about friendships and life. I could feel the chemistry between the characters and enjoyed watching the friendship evolve. Click to Subscribe gave me the warm fuzzies and is an entertaining debut.
About the Author:
L.M. Augustine is a YA romance author who is obsessed with writing about dorky teenagers, love, and happy endings. He currently lives in New England, where he spends far too much time reading books and screaming at his computer, and he believes that the solution to the world’s problems can be found in chocolate cake. Click To Subscribe is his first novel, but it won’t be his last.
Find L.M. on Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Blog
Click to Subscribe is on sale now for $2.99: Amazon | B&N | Smashwords
Giveaway! Enter the rafflecopter giveaway for a chance to win an e-book of your choice and a $10 Amazon gift card.
Read other reviews by following along on the Click to Subscribe blog tour!
