ARC Review: Love and Other Unknown Variables by Shannon Lee Alexander

Title: Love and Other Unkown Variables
Author: Shannon Lee Alexander
Release Date: 7th October 2014
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Find on: Goodreads

Quick Review: Charlie Hanson has a clear vision of his future. A senior at Brighton School of Mathematics and Science, he knows he’ll graduate, go to MIT, and inevitably discover solutions to the universe’s greatest unanswered questions. He’s that smart. But Charlie’s future blurs the moment he reaches out to touch the tattoo on a beautiful girl’s neck. 

The future has never seemed very kind to Charlotte Finch, so she’s counting on the present. She’s not impressed by the strange boy at the donut shop—until she learns he’s a student at Brighton where her sister has just taken a job as the English teacher. With her encouragement, Charlie orchestrates the most effective prank campaign in Brighton history. But, in doing so, he puts his own future in jeopardy. 

By the time he learns she's ill—and that the pranks were a way to distract Ms. Finch from Charlotte’s illness—Charlotte’s gravitational pull is too great to overcome. Soon he must choose between the familiar formulas he’s always relied on or the girl he’s falling for (at far more than 32 feet per second squared).

Detailed Review: Detailed Review: <<I received an ARC copy of this book via NetGalley from the publisher in exchange for my honest feedback>>

Sorry for the really delayed review! Apologies to the publisher and author. I've been so busy nowadays that I can hardly find time to blog! 

Love and Other Unknown Variables was pretty much a book for John Green fans. It was a cross between The Fault in our Stars and Looking for Alaska. And a bit of Am Abundance of Katherines as well. And if you're wondering, I have read every John Green book except Let It Snow.

So you have this really smart and logical guy and this mysterious girl who is terminally ill? Instant sparks and then a love story. And considerably very John Green-ish. 

Oh, but it's so much more than that. It's not JUST a love story, it's a story of a logical person's perception of love. It tells a story about love shaking your world to its very core, causing you to lose certainty of your life and future. In the end, it doesn't even matter.

I didn't even realise the effect this book had on me until one particular part that linked to the very first chapter. Here's an idea of how it was like. The chapter headers weren't common ones like Chapter 1. It was more of a logical idea, like Charlie's personality. 

I will give you a taste of the first chapter.

1.0

Beginnings are tricky things. I've been staring at this blank page for forty-seven minutes. It is infinite with possibilities. Once I begin, they diminish.

Scientifically, I know beginnings don't exist. The world is made of energy, which is neither created nor destroyed. Everything she is was here before me. Everything she was will always remain. Her existence touches both my past and future at one point- infinity.

Lifelines aren't lines at all. They're more like circles.

It's safe to start anywhere and the story will curve its way back to the starting point. Eventually.

In other words, it doesn't matter where I begin. It doesn't change the end.

And so it begins, from 1.0 on the circle up to 1.0 again. It really does happen in the book, when the circle reaches 0.0. I just lost it then. And no, it wasn't the beginning. Is there really any real beginning in a circle? You won't understand, but if you read this book, you will. 

My favourite character wasn't Charlie or Charlotte; it was a character who, although didn't appear as often as the main characters, played a vital role in the book and liven it up. She is Mrs Dunwitty, whose garden Charlie ran over in his car when he was daydreaming about Charlotte. This means that he has to come back every afternoon after school to repair the garden until its whole again. The old woman was like a reminder to me that it was ok to stand out in the crowd, with her house door painted flamingo-ass pink, and her own species of roses, the Harvest Moon. She definitely wins an award for best supporting character. Greta comes a close second. Friendship is as important as romance in this book.

The plot, was not how John Green would have structured it, so it did have a sense of originality I liked. It was ordinary, primarily, but it didn't play down the love Charlie and Charlotte had for each other. I believe it did the exact opposite. The story instead augmented their love. I liked the fact that it showed the power of first love, and how it was its own force, independent of any variables- except for Charlotte's sickness, of course, but does it even matter if she's sick? I don't think so. I believe it would be the same thing even if Charlotte wasn't sick.

Finally, the pairing couldn't have been more perfect. Charlie is a logical person, anchored by his planned future. Charlotte was more like drifter, drifting from one place to another and finding solace and herself in art. And as they say, opposites attract.

There was one part where there was a painting in Charlotte's house of a barn with holes. A girl was looking through it. The girl was Charlotte's sister, Jo and the barn was Charlotte. 

Get it ? GET IT? 

Oh lord, another book of metaphors. Another person has risen up to continue John Green's legacy. But I don't mind. I really don't mind.

Brief Review: In Love And Other Unknown Variables, we see Charlie's perspective of love firsthand, mixed in with biological references of reactions to love. With characters like Charlie and Charlotte, sparks will instantly fly between the both of them. This book shows the power of first love and how it defies even science and logic, mixed in with new friendships and life lessons. It certainly shines as bright as a John Green book, or possibly even brighter!

Final Rating: 5/5 'Totally Amazing!'

QUOTE:

 I'm going to use a quote featured in the book, which I believe highlights the theme in the book so well,

How on earth are you ever going to explain in terms of chemistry and physics so important a biological phenomenon as first love?--- Albert Einstein

Your Reviewer:

ARC Review: Before You by Amber Hart

Title: Before You (Before & After #2)

Author: Amber Hart

Release Date: 29th July 2014 

Publisher: K-Teen

Find on: Goodreads

Quick Review: Some say love is deadly. Some say love is beautiful. I say it is both.

Faith Watters spent her junior year traveling the world, studying in exquisite places, before returning to Oviedo High School. From the outside her life is picture-perfect. Captain of the dance team. Popular. Happy. Too bad it’s all a lie.

It will haunt me. It will claim me. It will shatter me. And I don't care.

Eighteen-year-old Diego Alvarez hates his new life in the States, but staying in Cuba is not an option. Covered in tattoos and scars, Diego doesn't stand a chance of fitting in. Nor does he want to. His only concern is staying hidden from his past—a past, which if it were to surface, would cost him everything. Including his life.

At Oviedo High School, it seems that Faith Watters and Diego Alvarez do not belong together. But fate is as tricky as it is lovely. Freedom with no restraint is what they long for. What they get is something different entirely.

Love—it will ruin you and save you, both.

Detailed Review: *I received an ARC copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Many YA contemporary romance books I've read so far have been __________ (fill in the blank with positive adjectives)

Before You was phenomenal. 

I don't think I've ever been able to read a contemporary romance with as much enthusiasm and excitement as I did Before You.

I guess I just hadn't actually stumbled upon a book with a story as good as Before You's. 

Diego was one of my all-time favourite characters. I admired his strength and independence. I was really getting tired of stereotypes in books like this, where the boy is a nerd or person who people think is a freak or loser.

Amber Hart breaks all stereotypes.

I repeat, ALL stereotypes. Instead, she brings in issues to do with racism, violence, poverty, etc. into the story, which I thought was no easy task, yet Hart managed to deliver everything in one explosive debut.

Faith Watters is not the perfect girl she is either. She maintains her perfect facade, one only her best friend Melissa can see through, and Diego. She has to set an example for everyone, being the pastor's daughter and live up to everyone's expectations. She feels trapped within the image she's created for herself.

Again, the girl is the perfect one, leader of the dance team, but has a secret. 

But she doesn't exactly follow the stereotype. She isn't exactly perfect.  People just think she's perfect. See the difference? It's people's perception of you that contributes to your personality.

One lesson we all have to learn in the end is: people will always judge us wherever we go. 

Who would have also thought that this book would have a scare factor? I cried in the last few chapters. I didn't see that coming. 

This is my reaction through the last few chapters:

Gasp-cry-cry-cry-cry-double gasp-cry-sob-cry-cry

BUT.

This book has the most beautiful and heart-breaking ending ever. Just saying.

Brief Review: You want a contemporary that packs a punch? This is the one. Amber Hart  challenges society at a whole, challenges its views on racism, interracial relationships, violence, and so much more. When reading this book, expect ANYTHING. It's so easy to be caught up in her descriptive writing that goes to the heart, whether it's painful or beautiful to read. I really want to see what Hart brings up in After Us next!!!

Final Rating: 5/5 'Totally Amazing!'

 

QUOTE: 

I would have liked to say this to Faith at the beginning of the book,

It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not---André Gide

Your Reviewer:

ARC Review: One, Two, Three by Elodie Nowodazkij

Title: One, Two, Three
Author: Elodie Nowodazkij
Release Date: 26th June 2014
Publisher: -
Find on: Goodreads

Quick Review: When seventeen-year-old Natalya’s dreams of being a ballerina are killed in a car accident along with her father, she must choose: shut down—like her mother—or open up to love. 

Last year,seventeen-year-old Natalya Pushkaya was attending the School of Performing Arts in New York City. Last year, she was well on her way to becoming a professional ballerina. Last year, her father was still alive.

But a car crash changed all that—and Natalya can’t stop blaming herself. Now, she goes to a regular high school in New Jersey; lives with her onetime prima ballerina, now alcoholic mother; and has no hope of a dance career.

At her new school, however, sexy soccer player Antonio sees a brighter future for Natalya, or at least a more pleasant present. Keeping him an arabesque away proves to be a challenge for Natalya and his patient charms eventually draw her out of her shell. 

When upsetting secrets come to light and Tonio’s own problems draw her in, Natalya shuts down again, this time turning to alcohol herself.

Can Natalya learn to trust Antonio before she loses him—and destroys herself?

Detailed Review: <<I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review>>

This book isn't light. It's a lot to take in. It has exactly the same effect as Never Say Goodbye by Bethan Cooper, where everything builds up to an explosive climax that shatters everything you know about the characters into pieces.

The author is unforgiving when it comes to breaking your heart. She is merciless when doing so. If you ask the author to spare you the heartbreak, she'll probably add in more heartbreaking parts. Not saying she is mean or anything but all authors seem to be generally evil when it comes to this.

The characters in this book were really well thought-out, as all good books must have. Nata had lots of character development throughout the book, which I liked because it showed how she coped with her father's death, the fact that she may not dance professionally anymore and the secret and lies she unearths about the accident. You can see that through her a strong facade, is also a girl who's desperate for someone to help and protect her. 

Tonio made a great pairing with Nata. They complement each other so well; you could already see the chemistry brewing between both of them from their first meeting. The romance was scrumptious, that I can guarantee. He also has some secrets that he's never told anyone; not even his family. So both of them are on the same level, making their relationship...hotter.

Tonio's sister, Karina was a cute and bubbly character. It's not hard to imagine her in real life, really. I'd wish I had a sister like that! She's just the cutest and most adorable character I've ever read.

I'd absolutely love it if I had a best friend like Becca (well, I think I do). She is the best support mechanism when you're about to fall apart. Becca's talented, caring, kind and selfless when it comes to Nata and I admire her for being such a good friend, even when Nata had pushed her away.

The story was actually quite simple, but there are layers underneath waiting to be discovered as the pages turn. It's just that the secrets are unpleasant- which is what causes Nata to lose herself to the alcohol. The author's writing style also makes the story more realistic as she hits you with sudden thoughts about the accident and basically, life. 

I could also compare this book to Words And Their Meanings by Kate Bassett. Both the main characters have lost someone and something precious to them; they discover that the person who they lost is not who they seem to be. Both authors use the same concept, but their writing style is noticeably different. Nowodazkij opts for the straight-forward method where she slams something into your face and Bassett chooses to reveal the truth and secrets to you in origami cranes.

The ending was beautiful and unexpected; I totally loved that. It was an ending and also a new beginning *cries*

Brief Review: With compelling characters and sudden musings, this book is sure to break your heart and make you sing at the same time. I don't know how the author does it, but that's just talent. In One, Two, Three, the author weaves a story about the art of moving on, and to be wholly yourself to be happy and to not let something we love or do wholly define us. Overall, a very good start for Nowodazkij!

QUOTE: 

To show how important family is in this book:

Family is not an important thing. It's everything---Michael J. Fox

Final Rating: 4.5/5 'Really Liked It!'











Your Reviewer:

Review: If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Title: If I Stay
Author: Gayle Forman
Release Date: April 2, 2009
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Find On: Goodreads and Amazon.

Quick Review:

Just listen, Adam says with a voice that sounds like shrapnel.

I open my eyes wide now.
I sit up as much as I can.
And I listen.

Stay, he says.

Choices. Seventeen-year-old Mia is faced with some tough ones: Stay true to her first love—music—even if it means losing her boyfriend and leaving her family and friends behind?

Then one February morning Mia goes for a drive with her family, and in an instant, everything changes. Suddenly, all the choices are gone, except one. And it's the only one that matters.

If I Stay is a heartachingly beautiful book about the power of love, the true meaning of family, and the choices we all make.

Detailed Review:

There’s this lump in my throat every. single. time. I read this book.

Tears start prickling in my eyes and all I want to do is bawl up and cry until I can't cry anymore tears.

I first got a copy of this book in July (2013) after hearing that there would be a movie coming out later this year.

Believe it or not, it took me 5 months to read this book.

But it wasn’t because this book was dead-boring or because I didn’t have the time to.

It was quite the opposite actually.

I literally could not read this book because… well… I guess it was because I just knew this would be one of those books.

The ones that make you want to curl up in a ball and do nothing for days afterwards because you’re too sad to.

I guess I wanted to deal with the aftermath of this book on my own. When I had the time to.

First published in 2009, “If I Stay” by Gayle Forman is different. I’ve never read a book quite like this one.

… And I like that.

It also poses a very good question: What would you do if you had to choose?

For me, the main character is refreshing. It feels like she could be my best friend. I relate to her not because of the tragedy in her life or anything of that sort. It probably sounds incredibly stupid but I’ve always had a soft spot for main characters that play classical music – be it the cello or the piano. It just happens.

I guess it’s because I’m a pianist and all that jazz.

Stupid, right?

There’s this suddenness about how everything falls apart so quickly. It’s like those moments you hear about all the time – where if you blinked, you would have missed it.

I can’t imagine going through what Mia did.

I guess I’m lucky that way. I hope I never will.

One minute, everything is going magnificently – the whole world is at your feet and the next… your whole world has been flipped upside down.

”You wouldn’t expect the radio to work afterward. But it does.

The car is eviscerated. The impact of a four-ton pickup truck going sixty miles an hour plowing straight into the passenger side had the force of an atom bomb. It tore off the doors, sent the front-side passenger seat through the driver’s-side window. It flipped the chassis, bouncing it across the road and ripped the engine apart as if it were no stronger than a spider web. It tossed wheels and hubcaps deep into the forest. It ignited bits of the gas tank, so that now tiny flames lap at the wet road.

And there was so much noise. A symphony of grinding, a chorus of popping, an aria of exploding, and finally, the sad clapping of hard metal cutting into soft trees. Then it went quiet, except for this: Beethoven’s Cello Sonata no. 3, still playing. The car radio somehow still is attached to a battery and so Beethoven is broadcasting into the once-again tranquil February morning.

At first I figure everything is fine. For one, I can still hear the Beethoven. Then there’s the fact that I am standing here in a ditch on the side of the road. When I look down, the jean skirt, cardigan sweater, and the black boots I put on this morning all look the same as they did when we left the house.” 

Oh, but the fragility of life.

It is the reality of things.

The sad, bitter, harsh and incredibly cruel reality of things.

The author has this way with words. He’s so descriptive, but not overly so. He has that natural balance that so many of us could spend a lifetime trying to perfect, but without talent, we would probably never quite get there.

If you had to choose between living and dying what would you choose?

For many of us, the answer seems simple.

“I’d want to live, duh.”

But it isn’t always.

Imagine having lost your loved ones, your blood relatives, the people you have known your entire life.

Would you still choose life?

I know this sounds crazy stupid but I wouldn’t.

Dying is easy… It’s living that’s hard.

I’ll be honest. Brutally and totally honest.

My family means the world to me.

My friends do too.

I probably don’t tell them this enough but they are the most amazing people in the whole entire world.

And I feel blessed to have them in my life.

I would take a bullet for my family and my friends.

They are the support system that keeps my head above the water when I think I’m about to drown.

And to lose even part of that support system?

To lose my family?

I think I’d fall apart.

This is one of those books that make you cry and laugh. I've read this book over a hundred times and I swear, after I finish reading this, I hold onto my family so much tighter and remind myself just how blessed I am.

If you haven't read the book, you definitely should and you should also check out the trailer and consider going to see the movie when it comes out in August.

Final Rating: 5/5 'Totally Amazing!'

Your Reviewer:

The New Kid On The Block,

Linda AKA Inno.

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