Review:Bound Together

Title:Bound Together
Author:Eliza Jane

Seventeen-year-old Zoey needs an escape from some personal drama, like her mom’s depression and taking care of her four younger siblings. She finds the perfect distraction in a frenemies-with-benefits arrangement with irritatingly hot football captain, Matt, during their class trip to Paris. There’s no chance of falling for someone whose only ambition in life is to stay in their hick town and one day take over his parent’s tire store. But far from home and personal responsibilities, his cocky grin and easy attitude start to grow on her as they explore the seductive city of Paris together.

Once they’re back at home, Zoey finds herself texting him for a secret rendezvous whenever she needs an escape. Though she’s been explicitly clear she’s using him for one thing, whenever Matt picks her up, he acts more like it’s a date-date rather than a backseat playdate –making sure she has eaten, or stopping to color with her little sister before they go out. Despite her best efforts at keeping their arrangement physical only, Zoey begins to realize – with fear and disgust – that she’s falling for him. When things fall apart with her mom, letting Matt see her real life takes more courage than she has – but if she’s brave enough to let him, he might be just the one person who can help. 

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So I have just reread bound together and I'm glad i did.I forgot how much I enjoyed this book. Zoey has it tough from school work to taking care of the house and her younger siblings.Deciding she needs space and to see if her family can survive without here just in case she goes to college she goes abroad to Paris for a class trip.That's were things get interesting starting with Matt as her partner.

The characters were well written and I liked that Matt and Zoey seemed so real.There was no insta-love it was gradual and adorable filled with plenty of snark.I enjoyed the character development a lot and i liked how the character from the main ones o secondary stood out and seem genuine.

The cover is lovely and sums up Zoey &Matt nicely. Occasionally the plot dragged but eventually you were pulled back in to the book.I'd definitely recommend this to someone needing a calm ya romance type book.3/5

Waiting on Wednesday(51):Queen Of Shadows

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine, and specifically spotlights upcoming novels we can't wait to read. As always, there are some amazing upcoming books, but this week I'm particularly excited for..

Title: Queen of Shadows

Author: Sarah J Mass

Release Date: September 1,2015

Publisher:Bloomsbury USA Childrens

Everyone Celaena Sardothien loves has been taken from her. But she's at last returned to the empire—for vengeance, to rescue her once-glorious kingdom, and to confront the shadows of her past . . .

She will fight for her cousin, a warrior prepared to die just to see her again. She will fight for her friend, a young man trapped in an unspeakable prison. And she will fight for her people, enslaved to a brutal king and awaiting their lost queen's triumphant return.

Celaena’s epic journey has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions across the globe. This fourth volume will hold readers rapt as Celaena’s story builds to a passionate, agonizing crescendo that might just shatter her world.

So that's what I'm waiting. So how about you? Leave a link and let me know. :)

Review:Between Us and The Moon

Title: Between Us and The Moon

Author: Rebecca Maizel

A luminous young adult novel that evokes Judy Blume’s Forever for a new generation.

Ever since Sarah was born, she’s lived in the shadow of her beautiful older sister, Scarlett. But this summer on Cape Cod, she’s determined to finally grow up. Then she meets gorgeous college boy Andrew. He sees her as the girl she wants to be. A girl who’s older than she is. A girl like Scarlett.

Before she knows what’s happened, one little lie has transformed into something real. And by the end of August, she might have to choose between falling in love, and finding herself.

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Between us and the moon is the perfect book about summer romance and discovering who you are. I plan to reread this book again on the beach while I soak up some sun. What I really enjoyed about the book was how much the plot and characters kept you hooked. Bean/Sarah is a young teen aged girl just trying to find her self and while a few of her lies made me cringe when I thought about the possible consequences  I couldn't fault her for them. Realistically who hasn't lied about themselves at least once.

Bean/Sarah she was the type of main character that made me think back to my own awkward teen years. Rebecca M created perfectly relate-able characters that I just wanted to learn more about. From Scarlet and her ballerina bitchiness, to yes even Curtis who faced his own demons. Then there was sweet Andrew who I just wanted to hug at the end there.


That ending  killed me I want to dislike it but it was perfect in it's believability and just a bit bittersweet. Not going to lie I'm kind of wising there ends up being a random sequel,novella or fringe companion book just so I can get more of Sarah and Andrew's story. The cover seems life it embodies a summer night on the beach. If you want a light but sincerely touching summer read look no further than Between Us and The Moon.5/5

Armchair BEA Day 3: Character Chatter

Armchair BEA is for those people who cannot visit Book Expo America but still want to join in the fun. 

Day 3 Character Chatter

Character Chatter!! Todays Armchair BEA topic is all about the book characters.So I'm going to talk/write about some of my favorite types of book character. I like my book characters like I like my life lessons awkward,bitter sweet and makes me feel all the feels.

It's not just about a good plot and setting if I can't relate to a character in the first couple chapters then I’m DNFing whatever book I’m reading. Sometimes I’ll stick it out think the character will change for the better but it's always a let down when that doesn't happens. I'm a huge fan of the whole redemption thing so give me a character with some angst that turns their s**t around and I’m happy. However what I dislike is when a character has no type of growth. You know the type the character starts out awful ie: selfish,whinny,a liar,or etc and then the climax/life alternating thing happens and boom nothing maybe the character is slightly less awful but you finish the book and are just like that's it...what was that why..??Stuff like that bugs the hell out of me.

Another thing I enjoy in relation to book characters is when there's snark in abundance a well written snarky character is the best. For examples see Puck from The Iron Fey Series,Adrian from the Vampire Academy books and the Bloodline spin off series ,as well as Bianca from the DUFF. Snarky slightly bitchy characters and people in IRL make my soul happy,the reason for this is I always enjoy meeting/reading about kindred spirits.

Basically the type of character I enjoy reading about no matter the genre or if it's a main character or secondary second has to be relate-able. I have to feel like every thing that that characters going though is similar to my issues. Me feeling this way all comes down to a lot of different variables that I’d rather not get in to mainly because I like keeping my post short and sweet. Comment and let me know what you think?

What is your favorite type of character? Brooding?Male or Female?Let me know in the comment section along with the link to your Armchair BEA post on Characters or Blogging Q&A

Have a Happy Armchair BEA 2015!!Thnks for stopping by.

Armchair BEA Day 2:Social Media

Armchair BEA is for those people who cannot visit Book Expo America but still want to join in the fun. 

Day 2 Social Media 

Okay so the topic of the days are social media or Visual expressions. I thought about doing both but decided on social media. So in this day and age there's a lot of sites for social media Twitter, Facebook,Google+ and if your feeling nostalgic and out dated there's good ole MySpace plus a bunch more that I have no clue about.

When it comes to using social media to expand my blogging/writing horizon I am seriously lacking. I know blogging and life in general is all about making connection and networking but I'm just an awkward turtle all around. The only social media sites I use in relation to my blog are blogger and twitter. I have a Facebook but I keep that separate from my blogging world I do this mainly because Fb is more personal and I’m a bit shy/awkward when it come to sharing my blog with people I know. 

Strangers no prob people I know every day..mehh not as cool with it. 

I like using twitter a lot when it come to interacting with author and fellow bloggers verses comments on blogger mainly because it more of an instant  interaction. 

 I think social media and the whole instant  interaction is great but also when misused can be pretty awful. What makes it awful is sometimes people for get that the are sending these mean comments toward a real person not just  a little picture icon. Also what you post online stays online even if you think it doesn't. I recently read a blog post talking about how bloggers  interact with them authors on social media and the person brought up a lot of good points.(If I can find the blog/post I’ll link it to give her credit where credits due) 

Her post got me thinking about when I should and shouldn't link/tag/etc an author. I tend to do so only if the review is 4 or up and on occasion a 3.The whole sending mean comment online can go both ways authors to blogger to bloggers to authors and etc. So with all that being said I tend to be causes with my online presence. I like to  make more connection with others though any tips would be appreciated. Find me on Twitter @talamelis 

Hope you enjoyed my rambling slightly non cohesive post on social media. Thanks for stopping by and have a great Armchair BEA 2015!! :D 

Armchair BEA Day 1:Introduction

Armchair BEA is for those people who cannot visit Book Expo America but still want to join in the fun. I really wish I was in NYC with my fellow bloggers who are attending BEA (Book Expo America), but sadly I can't. It all good though I’m more than happy to be a part of Armchair BEA!

Day 1 Introductions.

Tell us a bit about yourself: How long have you been blogging? Where are you from? How did you get into blogging?

Hello fellow bloggers/blog readers my name is Melissa and I've been blogging for the last 5 yrs give or take since 2011.I'm from Chicago and I got into blogging after discovering one of my friends blog. From there I started reading different book blogs and decided to start my own.So far I have 3 blogs two for personal uses and on for a college class. I really only keep my book blog up to date and the other personal on only every now and then.

Why do you loving reading and blogging?

I love to read because it gets me out of my own head and I can just explore the mind of someone else s for a little bit. I I enjoy blogging because I like giving my opinions on something I love be it mainly books,music,or something else entirely

What is your theme song?

Okay so in an awesome world my theme song would be the opening music for the Harry Potter movies but alas while the world is awesome it is not that awesome.*Le sigh* I can dream though.

What is one book everyone should read?

One book everyone should read especially if your interested in becoming a educator is Educating Esme:Diary of A Teacher's First Year by Esmé Raji Codell. I loved this book on so many levels its not even funny. If your not into memoirs than the next must read is The Realm of Possibilities by David Levithan.

What is your favorite genre and why?

I like a bit of every genre but if I had to chose a favorite it would be fantasy followed closely by YA/NA contemporary.

What book are you reading right now?

As of right now I’m rereading Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn.

What book are you most looking forward to reading this summer?

The Summer of Chasing Mermaids Sarah Ockler. I adore Sarah's books!!!

If you were stranded on a deserted island, what author would you want to bring with you? Why?

Tough question I’m really tempted to say J.K Rowling just so i can pick her brain about all things Harry potter  but my pick would be Maureen Johnson because based of her twitter she seems like a fun time.

*Apparently we were only supposed to pick/answer  5 questions...I was so excited that i skimmed the instructions. Oh well enjoy my Armchair BEA intro.

Waiting on Wednesday(50):The Summer Of Chasing Mermaids

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine, and specifically spotlights upcoming novels we can't wait to read. As always, there are some amazing upcoming books, but this week I'm particularly excited for..

Title:The Summer Of Chasing Mermaids 
Author:Sarah Ockler
Release Date: June 2,2015
Publisher:Simon Pulse
The youngest of six talented sisters, Elyse d’Abreau was destined for stardom—until a boating accident took everything from her. Now, the most beautiful singer in Tobago can’t sing. She can’t even speak.

Seeking quiet solitude, Elyse accepts a friend’s invitation to Atargatis Cove. Named for the mythical first mermaid, the Oregon seaside town is everything Elyse’s home in the Caribbean isn’t: An ocean too cold for swimming, parties too tame for singing, and people too polite to pry—except for one.

Christian Kane is a notorious playboy—insolent, arrogant, and completely charming. He’s also the only person in Atargatis Cove who doesn’t treat Elyse like a glass statue. He challenges her to express herself, and he admires the way she treats his younger brother Sebastian, who believes Elyse is the legendary mermaid come to life. 

When Christian needs a first mate for the Cove’s high-stakes Pirate Regatta, Elyse reluctantly stows her fear of the sea and climbs aboard. The ocean isn’t the only thing making waves, though—swept up in Christian’s seductive tide and entranced by the Cove’s charms, Elyse begins to wonder if a life of solitude isn’t what she needs. But changing course again means facing her past. It means finding her inner voice. And scariest of all, it means opening her heart to a boy who’s best known for breaking them . . .

Sarah Ockler is one of my favorite authors and i'm looking forward to reading this new book.Check out my reviews of a few of her other books if you want. Here!

So that's what I'm waiting. So how about you? Leave a link and let me know. :)