Alma Underwood is Not a Kleptomaniac - by Lacey Dailey: Book Review

Title: Alma Underwood Is NOT a Kleptomaniac
Author: Lacey Dailey
Pages: 264
Publisher: Lacey Dailey Books
Publishing Date: September 30th 2019
Genre: Young Adult, Romance

Format: Kindle

I enjoyed this YA novel, but you have to be in the right frame of mind for a YA romance.

I liked how there were no two characters alike. The Underwood family is quirky and fun and downright funny! Alma's friend, Arthur, and her brother, Jackson had the funnies lines and attitudes. It was so fun to see the dynamic of the family and how well each character stayed true to their nature. As for Alma, she's a sweetheart, at times way too good, almost perfect, but I'd like to have her as a loyal friend.

As all well done YAs, this one deals with serious topics such as home runaway, grief, death, first love. I liked how the author threaded these and how she approached them.

There are a few things I didn't like. The first one is the language. There were a few instances where I frowned upon the words used in conversation by Rumor and his Josh. It didn't read authentic and it made Rumor, the male main character, seem shallow. Speaking of language, I wonder if this is the way people aged 17-18 speak like, all mature and deep and I-have-lived-and-seen-things wise.

Then there's a scene towards the end {Spoilers!} where Rumor learns some news and he and Alma have a fight. Actually, he yells and Alma takes the punches. Keep in mind these two kids know they love each other, but boy here, enraged as he is, spews cruel words at her. I did not appreciate that, and no matter the reason, I don't think that's normal. Honestly, that was the point where I really hoped this would not be a happy ever after. Had I been Alma, I would have packed the boys' duffel bag and send him to his grandpa in a heart beat. Don't come at me with love and stuff!

And now the thing that really bothered me - all.the.physical.touching. I get this is a YA novel and this is how they show their love. But people, these two kids don't know if they are girlfriend and boyfriend by the 85% of the novel! YET they can't keep their hands off each other. That bothered me so much! It made their relationship look like infatuation, not real love, and that is a shame because it started out cute and nice.

Disclaimer: I received a free e-book copy from the publisher via Net Galley. All thoughts expressed in these reviews are mine.

Six Goodbyes We Never Said - by Candace Ganger: Book Review

Title: Six Goodbyes We Never Said
Author: Candace Ganger
Pages: 416
Publisher: St Martin's Press
Release Date: September 24th 2019
Genre: YA, Teens
Format: Kindle

Over two months ago I finished reading this novel and I still think about how little I liked Naima, one of the main characters.

Before I proceed with this review, let me just say that that cover is on point. Kuddos & well done, person responsible!

I wanted to read this book because the premise was that it dealt with mental illness and I wanted to read more about that. It made me feel uncomfortable at times, but books should make you feel & see things outside your reading zone.

What made the novel scattered at times is that we find important information about Naima so far apart that it kept reconstructing the character for me. That's usually fun, but this time it was confusing. 

The characters' relationship felt unnatural. I am talking about Naima's family. Through throwbacks we learn about her father and mother, but the present day family of JJ, Kam, and Nell is not something to be desired. Naima is cruel to Nell, despite having been raised by her for years! I understand that Naima is keeping her at a distance, but that mean attitude and that tone were not necessary. I understand this does happen in real life, but it was uncomfortable and unpleasant to read about it. Also, Nell as a step mom was made to seem frail and an extra, as if always OK to overlook. For all she's done for Naima, that's unfair.

Dew is a darling and so are the Brickmans. I rooted for Dew and Faith, and especially for Stella and Thomas in their openness to help the two kids grow roots and feel safe. 

Overall the story was just OK for me. I liked it as I was reading it, but still have that feeling of not liking Naima, though. At times it was confusing to understand where the time line was and to piece the story parts together, but it's doable. Maybe it'd work better if read on paperback, not on Kindle as I did. 

I am sure this would appeal more to younger readers, someone who could relate more to the confusing feelings Naima and Dew have. 

I received a free e-book copy from the publisher via Net Galley. All thoughts expressed here are my own.

Characters List (might contain spoilers):
Naima Rodriguez - main character - OCD, GAD, PTSD; biracial
Staff Sergeant Raymond Rodriguez - Naima's dad - US Marine Corps - died
Josephine - Naima's mother, died when Ima was born
Penelope/ Nell - Naima's step-mom
Joelle/ JJ - grandma
Kameron/ Kam - grandpa
Hiccup - JJ and Kam's dog
Christian - step-brother
Caroline - Christian's girlfriend
Andrew/ Dew - his parents died; social anxiety; panic attacks triggered by his parents' death
Faith - Dew's sister
Phillip and Alejandra Diaz - Dew and Faith's parents, they died in a car accident
Stella and Thomas Brickman - Dew and Faith's foster parents
Baked and Caffeinated - Dew's workplace
Liam "Big Foot" Thompson - manager
Violet - employee B&C
Dodge Teagarden - senior at East Clifton High
Dr. Rose - Ima's therapist in Ft. Hood
Dr. Tao - Ima's doctor
Dr. Peterson - Dew's therapist

You'd Be Mine - Erin Hahn: Book Review

Title: You'd Be Mine
Author: Erin Hahn
Pages: 256
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Release Date: 2nd April 2019
Genre: YA, Romance, Contemporary, Country Music
Format: Kindle

{Good Reads Synopsis} 

Annie Mathers is America’s sweetheart and heir to a country music legacy full of all the things her Gran warned her about. Superstar Clay Coolidge is most definitely going to end up one of those things.

But unfortunately for Clay, if he can’t convince Annie to join his summer tour, his music label is going to drop him. That’s what happens when your bad boy image turns into bad boy reality. Annie has been avoiding the spotlight after her parents’ tragic death, except on her skyrocketing YouTube channel. Clay’s label wants to land Annie, and Clay has to make it happen.

Swayed by Clay’s undeniable charm and good looks, Annie and her band agree to join the tour. From the start fans want them to be more than just tour mates, and Annie and Clay can’t help but wonder if the fans are right. But if there’s one part of fame Annie wants nothing to do with, it’s a high-profile relationship. She had a front row seat to her parents’ volatile marriage and isn’t interested in repeating history. If only she could convince her heart that Clay, with his painful past and head over heels inducing tenor, isn’t worth the risk.

Erin Hahn’s thrilling debut, You’d Be Mine, asks: can the right song and the perfect summer on the road make two broken hearts whole?

{My Thoughts}

It was cute, but not believable, not even for a YA novel. I am sure things don't work out so easily for young artists. I know too little about country music, except for what I learned from movies/ TV shows and books, but even I sense there is a bit more to getting into the high ranks of it. The fact that Clay's growl into the mic was pure art makes me raise an eyebrow and narrow my eyes. And question country music.

As for the love story, pure teenagehood. All about physical attraction and too little interest for each other's depth. The two main characters were so out of sync at times but then suddenly so engrossed in each other it was confusing. They acted immature, although that can be overlooked when thinking of 18 year-olds; but then don't act like you are mature and know what life is all about. I felt for their loss of family, but there could have been a bit more meat on the bones of this angle. 

The serious angle of drinking and drugs could have been treated more seriously. Clay too easily gets over his one-year long pattern of drinking, just to drop it of his own accord because he's on a farm, listens to the right songs on Annie's old iPod, and Annie's grandad has a talk with him. Highly unlikely. And speaking of the slim substance of the novel, there were episodes when the story read like a bunch of fragments written separately and then put together to make a novel. I didn't see the fluidity of the plot, which is pretty meager, if you think about it. And the constant repetition of "I'm not good for him/ her" or "I will be the destructive force for him/her" grew tiring after a while. Two kids pining after one another, but being kids, they need 250+ pages to end up together.

The mixing of religion into the story was the element that was needed to create a complete Southern image. Coming from a religious/ Christian background, I don't see a world in which God and Clay and Annie's choices could coexist. 

For readers into country music, for those looking for an easy read, or a road trip sort of novel, this is a nice choice. I watched A Star is Born not long ago and I am still listening to its soundtrack, so this novel came as a different perspective on the whole music industry.

PS. As I read the lyrics Annie and Clay wrote I kept thinking there would be so cool to listen to them or listen to a playlist that goes with the novel. Guys, there is a playlist! On the author's website there is one. Here it is. It would also be nice to see a film adaptation of this. I'd totally watch it.

I received a free e-book copy from the publisher via Net Galley. All thoughts expressed here are my own.