Wentworth Hall by Abbey Grahame

Published: May 1^st, 2012

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Pages: 276

Rating: 4/5

Eighteen-year-old Maggie Darlington has turned into an entirely different person. The once spirited teen is now passive and reserved. A change Lord and Lady Darlington can’t help but be grateful for.

It’s 1912, and the Darlingtons of Wentworth Hall have more than just the extensive grounds to maintain. As one of Britain’s most elite families, they need to keep up appearances that things are as they have always been… even as their carefully constructed façade rapidly comes undone.

Maggie has a secret. And she’s not the only one… the handsome groom Michael, the beautiful new French nanny Therese, the Darlingtons’ teenage houseguests Teddy and Jessica, and even Maggie’s younger sister Lila are all hiding something. Passion, betrayal, heartache, and whispered declarations of love take place under the Darlingtons’ massive roof. And one of these secrets has the power to ruin the Darlingtons forever.

When scandalous satires start appearing in the newspaper with details that closely mirror the lives of the Darlingtons, everyone is looking over their shoulder, worrying their scandal will be next. Because at Wentworth Hall, nothing stays secret for long. [Book Description from Goodreads]

Review:

“And you thought there were secrets at the Abbey…”

For those of you who are still in the dark after reading that sentence (which appears on the front of Wentworth Hall), it’s a reference to Downton Abbey, the much-talked about British TV show (which I’m sad to say I’ve seen little of, and won’t be seeing too much more of due to, um, inappropriate content *coughcough*). Point is, that sentence, which implies this is a book filled with juicy gossip and whispered secrets, along with the short summary I read, hooked me almost immediately. Not to mention the cover (I fell in cover love yet again!). I just adore it- the four people, who are most likely Therese (or Nora), Maggie, Lila, and Michael, all staring off in different directions. And the girls wearing those gorgeous vintage gowns! Sorry for the gushing, but I’m still fresh with emotion from this book. I’m still kind of inwardly freaking out that someone actually (finally!) took the initiative to add to the unfortunately measly pile which is young adult historical fiction. And I am quite pleased with this new addition.

As with any well-off family in the early 1900s, the Darlingtons are the talk of the town. Well, at least they are for now. Financial trouble rumbles on the horizon, and Wentworth Hall, the centuries-old mansion, is in desperate need of repair, but the family is far more concerned with other issues. Like getting Maggie married off. And entertaining the soon-to-be millionaire Fitzhugh twins. Then there’s this irksome business with the scandalous newspaper articles. Oh, the list goes on and on. As scandal soars, rumors are whispered and secrets are divulged, and much more is at stake than meets the eye.

One thing I loved about this book was that it wasn’t modernized. I’ve read what I call “attempts” at YA historical fiction, and they reek. Badly. Mostly because the author seems to think no one will be interested if she/he writes the historical facts accurately, like they’re supposed to be. So she/he tweaks. And tweaks again. And tweaks some more. Until you don’t have a historical fiction, but a new genre: modernized historical fiction (um, isn’t that an oxymoron?). My point being: Abby doesn’t do this. She may have slipped up now and then with the facts, but she didn’t twist them to make the story more appealing. Besides, who needs more appeal when you have all this lovely, juicy gossip floating around? *grins*

Which leads me to my next point- I simply love Nora. She’s the backbone of the gossip mill at Wentworth Hall, the frontrunner of the grapevine. Her curiosity and the way she thrives on gossip had me chuckling the whole time. Especially at the end, when Therese leaves her the letter: “Dear Nora, if you are reading this, then you have already snooped in my things…” I also like Lila. Yes; silly, naïve, somewhat-childish Lila. The most endearing thing about her was that she reminded me of Lydia from Pride and Prejudice. I felt I didn’t get as much engagement into Maggie’s character, but that’s alright. Michael, the lovesick puppy, was adorable at times, but in other places his dialogue seemed a bit overdramatic and unrealistic. Too flowery and Shakespeare-y. But it didn’t bother me too much; I brush it off as this being Abby’s first novel. The author definitely has potential in writing YA historical fictions, and I can’t wait to see what she’ll bring to the table next! I thoroughly enjoyed Wentworth Hall and recommend it to anyone who’s just beginning to explore this genre, or anyone who’s been dying for another decent YA historical fiction just like I was.

Quick Content Review: *may contain spoilers*

Language: Mild (Only one or two words)

Violence: None- Mild (Lord and Lady Darlington have a heated argument towards the end of the book; Lord D. handles Lady D. a bit roughly and Lady D. slaps him in return.)

Sexual: Mild- Moderate (It’s revealed that Michael and Maggie have a torrid love affair and a child results from a night they spent in the hayloft of the stables. Also, it’s discovered that Lord D. had an affair with a maid and got her pregnant. No details or description.)

In Honor by Jessi Kirby

Published: May 8^th, 2012            

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Pages: 240

Rating: 2/5

Hours after her brother’s military funeral, Honor opens the last letter Finn ever sent. In her grief, she interprets his note as a final request and spontaneously decides to go to California to fulfill it.

Honor gets as far as the driveway before running into Rusty, Finn’s best friend since third grade and his polar opposite. She hasn’t seen Rusty in ages, but it’s obvious he is as arrogant and stubborn as ever—not to mention drop-dead gorgeous. Despite Honor’s better judgment, the two set off together on a voyage from Texas to California. Along the way, they find small and sometimes surprising ways to ease their shared loss and honor Finn’s memory—but when shocking truths are revealed at the end of the road, will either of them be able to cope with the consequences? [Book Description from Goodreads]

Review:

            To be honest, I really wished I could have liked this book more than I do. I absolutely love the concept of grieving baby sister going on a road trip to fulfill her late brother’s last wish (and her brother’s buddy tagging along). It could have been so much more enjoyable if it weren’t for…the language. Yes, the language. There was too much of it. Period. And it was unnecessary. *sigh* And it bothered me enough to taint my perspective of this novel.

            I’m not a big fan of contemporaries, but I do pick one up ever so often. And sometimes I enjoy it. And sometimes I don’t. I usually enjoy them more when they’re clean. Sadly, a lot of them aren’t. This was one of those. Honestly. It seemed like Rusty cussed nearly every time he opened his mouth. Yeah, I get it. He’s a bad boy. But all that language was unnecessary. As were some of the other dirty insinuations and implications. I really hate it when authors stuff all that cussing into their books, because it means they aren’t going to get good reviews from ME. Others might be able to overlook it, or it may not bother them, but it did me.

            So, I’m sorry to say I can’t recommend In Honor. The language really bugged me, if you haven’t gotten that point yet (hehe). I probably should have stopped reading it once I realized all the cussing there was, but it was like a bad car accident- you know you should look away, but you have this curious desire to see more. Again, I loved the concept, but in my opinion, the author butchered the idea with all the bad content. Such a shame.

Quick Content Review: *may contain spoilers*

Language: Heavy (Rusty has a mouth on him, and swear words fly around like crazy.)

Violence: None-Mild (Honor’s brother is killed in Iraq)

Sexual: Moderate (one or two kisses and several dirty insinuations- not going to list them here, just take my word for it.)

Other: Rusty’s mom, Celia, is really into New Age stuff. Bru, Celia’s boyfriend, takes people up to “vortexes”, or places where the universe speaks to people through vibrations (or something like that…*rolls eyes*). My opinion: craziness.

Belles by Jen Calonita

Published: April 10, 2012

Publisher: Poppy

Pages: 356

Rating: 4/5

Fifteen-year-old Isabelle Scott loves her life by the boardwalk on the supposed wrong side of the tracks in North Carolina. But when tragedy strikes, a social worker sends her to live with a long-lost uncle and his preppy privileged family. Isabelle is taken away from everything she’s ever known, and, unfortunately, inserting her into the glamorous lifestyle of Emerald Cove doesn’t go so well. Her cousin Mirabelle Monroe isn’t thrilled to share her life with an outsider, and, in addition to dealing with all the rumors and backstabbing that lurk beneath their classmates’ Southern charm, a secret is unfolding that will change both girls’ lives forever. [Book Description from Goodreads]

Review:

            Isabelle Scott and Mirabelle Monroe couldn’t be more different. While Izzie grew up in sketchy Harborside with responsibility laid on her shoulders at a young age, Mira grew up in the lap of luxury in refined Emerald Cove. Both are happy and satisfied with their lives; that is, until the Izzie’s grandmother takes a turn for the worse and Mira’s family adopts their long lost cousin, who happens to be Izzie. Izzie struggles with the glamor and prep of Emerald Cove while Mira is divided between welcoming her less-than-trendy cousin and keeping her snotty friends pleased. As the tension builds, the mean girls at Emerald Cove put everything they’ve got into patronizing Izzie, who must learn to not be ashamed of her upbringing, but Mira must also make a decision- between her backstabbing friends and her homesick cousin.  

            Belles was a fun summer read. Very light and fluffy. Written simply. Full of drama, but not gut-wrenching intensity. I have to say, the plot was pretty good. Better than I expected. Well, at some parts. At points it was cliché (as were a lot of things in this book) and predictable, but other parts were pretty good. I wasn’t completely thrilled throughout, and I found myself rolling my eyes at some things, but it wasn’t bad. In fact, it was really enjoyable and fun.

I think your final perspective on the book depends on what you expect out of it. I’d heard of the author and her other series (Secrets of My Hollywood Life) so I knew I wasn’t signing up for something amazingly fantastic, because my opinion of her other books (from what I’d heard about them) was that they didn’t seem incredible. I knew Belles wasn’t going to be as dramatic as Gossip Girl or Pretty Little Liers and I was hoping it wasn’t going to be as middle-school as, say, The Clique series (yes, I had to do a Google search on middle-school books because I couldn’t think of a ridiculous juvenile series off the top of my head). Nonetheless, Belles was fun and charming, and honest made me thankful I don’t go to a preppy private school with a bunch of snubs.

            As a side note, to anyone who’s wondering what specifically annoyed me about Belles: first off, the names. This wasn’t a big issue, of course, but the author could have gotten more creative. Isabelle and Mirabelle? Hayden and Brayden? What’s with the rhyming names? Second, the cliché prep act. And the whole money-growing-on-trees mentality in Emerald Cove. I felt like it was a big overdone. Yes, there are people who live like that, but countless books and movies have used this kind of thing before, and it’s gotten old. Really old. Also, the characters are hard to connect with, but for a light book like this one, it’s not too much of an issue.

In conclusion, Belles isn’t extremely fabulous, mainly because it has some slightly irksome issues, but for a light summer read, it’s great. I think anyone can enjoy it if they get past the predictability and clichés.

*And now for my favorite part: the cover! Oh my word, this has to be one of the most gorgeous covers I’ve ever seen. Very eye-catching and girly. I absolutely adore it. It’s just what this book needs to draw people in.*

Quick Content Review: *may contain spoilers*

Language: None

Violence: None

Sexual: None-Mild (a kiss or two- very very tame)

Just Between You and Me by Jenny B. Jones

Published: September 1, 2009

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Pages: 316

Rating: 5/5

Maggie Montgomery lives a life of adventure. Her job as a cinematographer takes her from one exotic locale to the next. When Maggie's not working, she loves to rappel off cliffs or go skydiving. Nothing frightens her. Nothing, that is, except Ivy, Texas, where a family emergency pulls her back home to a town full of bad memories, painful secrets, and people Maggie left far behind . . . for a reason.

Forced to stay longer than she intended, Maggie finds her family a complete mess, including the niece her sister has abandoned. Ten-year-old Riley is struggling in school and out of control at home. The only person who can really handle the pint-sized troublemaker is Conner, the local vet and Ivy's most eligible bachelor. But Conner and Maggie keep butting heads--he's suspicious of her and, well, she doesn't rely on anyone but herself. As Maggie humorously fumbles her way from one mishap to another, she realizes she's going to need to ask for help from the one person who scares her the most.

To save one little girl--and herself--can Maggie let go of her fears and just trust God? [Book Description from Amazon]

Review:

            I had no doubt in my mind that I would enjoy this book. After reading Jenny’s YA novel, There You’ll Find Me, I knew I was lethally hooked. Her use of humor to offset the heavy issues she deals with delights me beyond words, but at the same time touches our souls with heart-felt stories of renewal and grace. I just can’t get enough of it!

            Maggie likes to think she escaped Ivy, Texas. She likes to think she loves her job, and that she’s not avoiding her father or her deranged sister. She likes to think she’s not afraid of anything. So when life calls her back to Ivy, back to her father and sister, back to the place her mother died, where memories haunt her and her past has yet to be forgotten, she’s anything but thrilled. And then there’s Riley, her wild and tough-on-the-outside-but-hurt-on-the-inside niece. Oh, and then Connor shows up. The kid (or one of them, at least) that she tormented in high school. But he’s no math nerd anymore. Nope. He’s Ivy’s number one (or only one) veterinarian. Not to mention, he’s hot and eligible. And he and Maggie hate each other’s guts, pretty much. Well, until they start to fall in love (that’s NOT a spoiler- you knew it would happen the minute you read “hot and eligible.” Don’t deny it. *wink*). Returning to Ivy forces Maggie to open her eyes to all the things she’s been running away from and makes her realize surrendering to God is the only way to true freedom.

            I loved this book to pieces. I think I’ll like every Jenny B. Jones book I ever read. I just love her use of humor and her unique style- it keeps you entertained but when you’re finished, you realize how touching the story was and how God reveals new truths to you through it. I highly recommend this book and all of Jenny’s others (even though I have yet to read her Charmed Life series…that’s coming soon, I promise! I’m sure it’s just as good as this one, though). Just Between You and Me will make you laugh, cry, and blush (yes, the romance is amazing! And Connor is just about as hot as they come). Its humor offsets its spiritual intensity, making for a perfect summer read.

Quick Content Review: *may contain spoilers*

Clean Read!!! (Though Just Between You and Me is an adult novel, it’s squeaky clean and in my opinion, is very suitable for young adults or any age group, in fact.)

Language- None

Violence- None

Sexual- Mild (a kiss or two).

Legend by Marie Lu

Published: November 29^th, 2011

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile

Pages: 304

Rating: 5/5

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic’s wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic’s highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country’s most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths—until the day June’s brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family’s survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias’s death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

Full of nonstop action, suspense, and romance, this novel is sure to move readers as much as it thrills

Review:

I was super excited to read Legend. I’ve been meaning to for months now and finally got around to it. And I’m so glad I did.

Hands down, this book was fantastic. The concept of infamous-criminal-teams-up-with-military-spy gave me goosebumps. According to the back cover, Les Miserables was the inspiration for this epic dystopian, which just made me love it even more.

Lu crafted her dystopian right- meaning, uniquely. I’ve read a vast amount of this genre recently, and I can’t begin to tell you how similar dystopian worlds become. But the Republic in Legend was different from any setting I’ve read. Post-apocalyptic, but not completely destroyed. And I loved how Lu picked Los Angles as her setting- somewhere the readers can relate to, imagine, and have a connection with. Though I’ve never been to LA, readers who have visited (or even live there) can get a better image of how this city has changed due to rough times and government control/oppression.

I have to say, June is now my favorite butt-kick heroine. She’s tough and independent, but not to the point of acting like she doesn’t need anyone or their help. She’s vulnerable at parts (Metias’s death, for example) and I like that about her. Day’s character was awesome, too, but didn’t stand out as much for me. First of all, he seemed to preoccupied with his family. I needed to be more convinced of him as a criminal rather than Robin Hood (playing harmless pranks, giving food and money to the poor, etc). But I can’t complain. Day was brave. He didn’t fear death, even when it looked him in the eye. Even when he didn’t deserve it.

An issue that must be address: I adore this book to pieces, but it has a bad case of insta-love, I’m afraid. June and Day just…fall for each other. Without much reason. That’s kind of what love is like, I suppose, but I reallllly wasn’t convinced in this case. Thankfully, the romance doesn’t dominate the whole book, and the relationship between Day and June does get better in the end, in my opinion, but their relationship while in the street together just doesn’t quite hit the mark.  

As a side note, the sacrifice that Day’s brother John makes for him at the end reminded me of the sacrifice made at the very end of A Tale of Two Cities. I love how Lu brought in that connection with classic literature into her very modern and futuristic dystopian thriller. It might just be what I love best about Legend.  I truly believe it is.

In conclusion, Legend was amazing. I give it five US quarter heart pendants out of five (readers of Legend will get this…for everyone else, don’t expect me to explain. Read the book yourself, silly.). The end is especially gripping, and doesn’t leave you too much of a cliffhanger, thankfully. This is definitely one I’ll remember for a while.

Quick Content Review: *may contain spoilers*

Language: Mild (two or three h-words, one or two d-words)

Violence: Heavy (Kind of reminded me of the violence in Divergent- not sugar coated in the least. The kind of violence in Legend, though, had a World War II feel to it- gassings, firing squad executions, etc. Anyhow, there is too much content to go into detail about, so I’ll just leave it at this: Lu, like Roth, doesn’t sugar coat it. She doesn’t insinuate. It’s right there on the page.)

Sexual: Mild (one or two kisses and nothing else that I can remember)