Cover Reveal: Revolution by Jessica Frances

Let's Say It's a... Book Event! is a feature where I publish book-related events under. Find everything from blog tours, book spotlights to cover reveals here!

REVOLUTION by Jessica Frances

Pub. Date: January 26, 2016 
Genres: New Adult, Dystopia
Add to Goodreads

Synopsis

I was raised in a world where humans no longer rule.

In the past, we made a terrible mistake by creating a new species we thought would serve us as our army, which led to our downfall.
There was a war, we lost, and many lives were massacred. It was the end of life as we knew it and the beginning of a hell we were now trapped in. We became enslaved to what we now called Superiors, becoming pets to them, simply there to entertain.
In a world so miserable, I managed to do the unthinkable: I fell in love. But even that was doomed, because to love a Superior was forbidden.
What the rest of the Superiors didn’t know was how deeply a human could love or how resilient we became when we were hurt.
The Superiors never could have imagined an uprising, which was why they never saw it coming.
Humans deserved to be free, and I would stop at nothing to deliver that promise.
My name is Tilly, and I am still alive with one sole purpose: to begin a revolution.

I had been raised to believe humans were worthless. We owned them and controlled them, and when we were done with them, we threw them away. Therefore, I never thought I would ever feel more for Tilly than disinterest. I never expected to want to save her.
It was forbidden for a Superior to love a human. No one had ever crossed that line, but I did. I fell madly in love with her, so it was no surprise how we ended up.

I was raised to be a soldier, and that was what I was always going to be. However, I was not a soldier for the Superiors, not anymore.

I became a soldier for humans, and I would stop at nothing to help them. They deserved to be free, and I would die protecting them.

My name is Johnny, and I am here with one sole purpose: to finish a revolution.

Author Bio:
Jessica lives in Adelaide, South Australia. When she is not writing, you can find her reading, napping or watching excessive amounts of TV. Connect with her on Facebook and Goodreads.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook

Hosted by:

Read More

Review: This Song Is (Not) For You by Laura Nowlin

Book and ARC reviews are posted under this feature!

This Song Is (Not) for You by Laura Nowlin
Rating: 4 of 5 stars

*Digital ARC was received from Sourcebooks Fire through Netgalley*

Genre: YA (Contemporary)
Pub. Date: January 5, 2016

Get a copy here!
AMAZON | BOOK DEPOSITORY

“Have you ever met someone, and you could feel that they were going to be important to you? It’s like you never knew it, but you’ve been waiting your whole life to meet this person…”
The gripping opening line narrated by Ramona above starts this unique story of how in love everything is possible in this latest YA contemporary by Laura Nowlin. Having read her heart-wrenchingly amazing book If He Had Been with Me before, I was beyond excited to pick this up as my closing read last year. Laura wrote a very, very good romance and I was giddy to devour another one from her in this book. She did give me what I expected, but in the most unexpected way.

Synopsis

When Ramona met Sam for the first time on the first day of school, she already knew that Sam would have the name Sam. And it would be the name that she’d etch in heart for years after. It was.

But Sam was her best-friend, like her best-friend with capital best. Ramona knew better than taking the risk of ruining their friendship of years by admitting her feeling to him. They’d been best-friends for too long and been making awesome music together. What else could she want more than that? And it’s not like he felt the same way to her.

Yet he did.

Sam could not not look at Ramona whenever she’s on her element―the drum. And he knew that it’s more than just a casual admiration for her. It’s more. Way more. 

But Ramona was his best-friend. That kind of friend that you’d been way too comfortable with you could care less about keeping image around them. And though she’s the reason he played music, Sam realized that being in a band with Ramona was everything. Together they made a perfect band; but a perfect couple? Cool girl like Ramona would probably tell him from the start if she ever thought of making a perfect couple with him. But she didn’t. 

So she wasn’t, he thought.

Then came Tom to the frame. And like what music did to them, Tom’s appearance made an invisible bridge that connects Ramona and Sam in a way that they could only imagine before. If Sam and Ramona made a perfect band together before; with Tom, they made a stellar one―both as band and best-friends.

The problem? 

Ramona might fall for him, too. While her love for Sam didn’t lessen one bit.

Unique Romance

This Song Is (Not) For You is a unique story of teenagers of three who got tangled in love and friendship. In this book, Laura Nowlin brings up a quite fresh concept of love between three friends without necessarily messing it up into a sickening love triangle. While some people might find this concept odd and slightly inept, I’m sure more people would say it’s something possible and even think of it as sweet arrangement because Laura did a great job building the romance between each character. I, personally, still did not know where my opinion stands about this kind notion of romance in this book. I somehow still couldn’t get my mind around it since I’m a firm believer of love as an exclusive tie between two hearts. But part of me honestly thought that This Song Is (Not) For You has a really well-written romance and friendship.

Amazing Characterizations

Told in three different perspectives, this book clearly shows that each character, the three of them, all play the same important roles to the story. Ramona is a quirky girl with deep passion in music. She plays drum and piano, and she loves both instruments equally. What are the odds though that she would love people in the same way she did her music? When usually I feel weird of people who could love more than one person at the same time, Ramona’s character didn’t bother me when she did exactly that. The feeling she had for Sam was built very deeply that we could feel it stays strong even when she grew another one for Tom.

Sam is probably my most favorite character of all. He’s pretty cool with his feeling I might say. That he loved Ramona, yet didn’t want to say it in case it’d ruin their friendship. But when another man came to the picture, he didn’t do some alpha-male drama boys usually do in romance book to claim Ramona as his considering he’d known her first and longer. He’s clear with his own wants. Yes he played music because of Ramona. But he wasn’t blind of the fact that music isn’t everything he wants to do in life. So he pursued his own passion while enjoyed making music with his best-friends. I liked that about him a lot. His non-judgmental personality is really sweet and that’s the very thing that made me love him the most. The way he let Ramona did things her way sometimes, the way he accepted Tom to the group, the way his opinion shifted from indifferent to slightly jealous to actually coming up with the idea that becomes the whole point of this book shows that Sam is one of those rare people with a very good heart and open mind. And that scene when he confessed his feeling, quick and simple and has a bit spur-of-the-moment feel…goodness, I loved it so much!

Free Soul: Discovery! 

Meanwhile, Tom’s character is what I would call a free soul. His love for music, art, and freedom, and the way his do-gooder personality often slipped into his works are genuine. I was surprised when I read the part saying he’s actually an asexual person because honestly it’s the first time I hear about such type. It only made this book even more unique in my eyes. And the asexuality layer just strengthened his whole free persona even more. Tom’s character kind of reminded me on a particular quote that I really love. I found it years ago and had taken a liking of it right away but honestly didn’t quite know what it truly means. Until now.

Tom’s character made me realize just how exactly a free soul would be like. I mean, they don’t have to be exactly like Tom. But they could be someone who could make people feel like Ramona and Sam when they’re near Tom. I’m really glad that I read this book because I’ve been searching for the meaning of this quote for a long time now and here, Laura, made me understand it in one easy way through Tom. What an experience I had here!

Final Thought(s)

This Song Is (Not) For You presents a picture perfect of how a girl and two boys could build love and friendship without abandoning any of them out of the group. It’s definitely not a shallow young romance and I personally think people needs to be open minded to really get the point of this story. Guess I kind of failed to do it but I think I’ll read it again and will probably change my mind later. For now, though, I’m still enjoying the friendship more than the romance.

I don’t really have any book comparison with this one but those who enjoy David Levithan and John Green’s books might find this book endearing.

Read More

Monday BooQuote #1

Let's Say It's a... Booquote! is one of new features here in my blog where I post all of beautiful quotes taken from books. Thus, BooQuote! :)

Happy late Monday! 
Uh, I supposed to post this in the morning, you know, kind of quote-to-start-your-day thing but I forgot though I had this on my draft already...

Today's quote is taken from one of my favorite YA paranormal, Halton Cray, by N.B. Roberts. It's the first book of the Shadows of the World series and is inspired by Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontё! You guys should read it if you haven't because it's insanely good (you can check my review here!) and has so many quotable phrases that you'd surely love. Just like this one...

Awww... isn't it true and darn beautiful?

Anyway, I hope you guys have a great first Monday in this 2016 and of course, more great Mondays to come! xoxo

Read More

Sunday Special: Book&Song #1 with Aflame by Penelope Douglas

Let's Say It's a... Book&Song! is one of new features here in my blog. Inspired by my habit of interpreting (too much) on any song-lyric and matching it with any story come across in my mind, LSIa-Book&Song! is a weekly feature where I match book(s) with song(s) that make perfect fit!

This is actually my most favorite feature of all 'cause God knows how much I love books and music! Like what the note said above, I will match a book to a song that I think perfectly suits the whole story. In this very first post, I will go with one of my favorite books on NA genre (since, honestly, it's much easier to get an idea from this genre). Book that I will find its song-match today is:

The tables have turned. Now I have the power—and it’s his turn to beg…
Everyone wants to be me.
Maybe it’s the sway of my skirt or the way I flip my hair, but I don’t care. Even though their attention is the last thing I crave, I just can’t stop. I dominate the track, the speed rattles my bones, and the wind and the crowd screams my name.
I’m her. The girl driver. The queen of the race. And I’m surviving—something he thought I’d never do.
They all still talk about him. Did you see Jared Trent on T.V? What did you think of his last race, Tate? When is he coming back to town, Tate?
But I refuse to care too much. Because when Jared does come home, I won’t be here.
Tatum Brandt is gone. I’m someone new.

AMAZON | BOOK DEPOSITORY | ADD TO GR | MY REVIEW

YEP! It's Aflame from Fall Away series by Penelope Douglas. It's my #1 favorite book from the series, which also made it to my Top 2015 Reads! I really love the couple, Jared and Tate with all the ups and downs between them. Used to be childhood best-friends, growing up became nemesis-for-life, then ended up with being lovers. I loved the dynamic of their relationship! And though I felt a little indifferent to Jared on Bully, Penelope succeeded in making me fall for him in this book. Ahh.. talking about it makes me want to reread this book again soon! >.<

Anyway, what song I would match this amazing book with?
Well, it should be what songs. Yes, I have two songs that I think perfectly suits Aflame. Both are from the same singer, even same album, and of course, both are my favorites! What are they? 

  

Go Sam Hunt, go! Sam Hunt Go!

He he, I really love this guy. His voice is so good! It makes me oh-so-melting every time I listen to him. Both songs above are from his album Montevallo and oh boy... these songs just perfectly fit Aflame plot! 

First reason,

Aflame starts with Jared and Tate caught up in bad circumstance that caused them to go separate ways. Jared made a quite fatal mistake and Tate, being Tate, had enough of it and decided to make the table turns. Tate is a badass heroine and girl like her is not one for crying over stupid (sorry, but Jared was that at first) boyfriend. There are scenes of them that perfectly captured by Break Up In A Small Town. I'm not going to say more but if you read the lyric, I could exactly imagine how Jared felt so frustrated seeing Tate, from afar, with the other... I actually laughed when I listened to this song because it's just so them! 

And the second song exactly portrays the second-half of the book! Jared, the sexy, rough, far-from-sweet, and badboy material had to give up his badass label to win Tate's heart back. How it went? Make You Miss Me is exactly how I imagine what's on Jared's mind the entire time he conducted his mission about Tate.

I ain't gonna be that easy to leave

and 
Girl, I'm gonna make you miss me

are so Jared; so full of himself but I'm not even complaining...

Also,

You're cold and hot
You burn out like a match

these lines are perfect descriptions of Tate!

Second reason,

I don't know but everytime I listen to Sam Hunt's song, it would always bring me to scenes on New Adult books. Maybe it's because his songs seems to always revolve around college life's romance (my opinion), like his Cop Car song which narrates certain scene that often being used on NA books.

Third reason,

I don't know about you, but for me Sam Hunt is Jared Trent. You know, built muscled body, sharp jaw, toned abs, seemingly-bad-boy but actually possesses a really sweet heart... He's a real life NA hero and isn't he also definitely a boyfriend material? 

***

That is our first edition of LSIa... Book&Song feature! I hope you enjoy it and agree with my book-song match today. But if you have another song that fits the book better in your mind, I'd be more than thrilled to hear from you! Bye now! :)

Read More

TBR January

Let's Say It's a... TBR! is one of new features here in my blog. This monthly feature would be about the list of books that I wish, I would read this month. I know I'm not big of reading based on a list but I realize it would help me narrowing down the amount of my only-God-knows-how-many books on my lifetime TBR. I might stray once or twice along the way but well, that's why I said, let's say it's a TBR! *grinning*

This January I have EIGHT books that I plan to read! It's a big number for me but I'm sure I'll tackle the list *sayonara, sleep*  Anyway, they're all the books that I've been eyeing for weeks so I'm really excited for my first TBR this year! Here they are:

THE GIRLFRIEND REQUEST

Author: Jodie Andrefski

Pub. Date: January 11, 2016
Genre: YA (contemporary)
ADD TO GR

Got this ARC through Netgalley, yay! The blurb is super cute! A girl falls for the boy next door but rather than admitting her feeling out loud, she creates a fake facebook account and befriend the boy as the other girl. Turns out the boy is secretly in love with her too. But the highlight here is... well, the boy already knows that the other girl is his very neighbor.

TEN THOUSAND SKIES ABOVE YOU (FIREBIRD, #2)

Author: Claudia Gray

Pub. Date: November 3, 2015
Genre: YA (sci-fi) 
ADD TO GR

Again, super gorgeous cover from Firebird series!! Thought the first book is the most beautiful cover I've ever known... then the sequel comes out and I am like "HOLY...."

So excited of meeting Paul again! And traveling through dimension from New York to Paris sounds like heaven for me! 

HAUNTED LOVE

Author: Jessica Frances

Pub. Date: February 23, 2015

Genre: NA (paranormal) 

ADD TO GR

Jessica writes a very gripping sci-fi trilogy: The Invasion. I want to experience such beautiful romance again through her writing and this paranormal read sounds promising! The girl is a ghost while the guy is the detective who works on the girl's murder case. I've read the excerpt and it's so intriguing! And this last sentence on the blurb:

"Because love is rarely anything but trouble and I know this love will haunt me forever." 

Well, aren't you intrigued?

HAWTHORNE AND HEATHCLIFF

Author: R.K. Ryals
Pub. Date: August 2, 2015

Genre: YA (contemporary)
ADD TO GR

It seems like everyone who read it, loved it. And with such enchanting cover that breathes romance... I so hope to find a heartmelting love story in this book! Also the 'shoes' thingy that connects them! God...

ANY OTHER GIRL

Author: Rebecca Phillips

Pub. Date: January 26, 2016

Genre: YA (contemporary) 
ADD TO GR

Granted this ARC on Netgalley! The blurb smells love triangle, which usually I hate, but for some indescribable reason I couldn't skip this one. Also, Jessica Verdi says that this book is.. “A wise, heartfelt story about self-image, first love, and the burdens we carry for those most important to us. ...” Surely, we really couldn't skip this!

IN PLACE OF NEVER

Author: Julie Anne Lindsey
Pub. Date: February 2, 2016

Genre: YA (suspense)
ADD TO GR

I've started to build interest in suspense read since the past few months. Also I have weakness for sibling-issue reads so I was beyond excited when I was granted this ARC on Netgalley. Moreover there's a romance waiting somewhere between the mystery, yum, yum, yum, just count me in!

DID I MENTION I NEED YOU? (DIMILY, #2)

Author: Estelle Maskame

Pub. Date: March 1, 2016
Genre: YA (contemporary) 

ADD TO GR

I just finished the ARC of book one last month and the cliffhanger got me arghsdgsfskhjsalhcxn! Thanks God I got the ARC of the sequel too! It's a story of forbidden love between a girl with her step-brother. And it's a trilogy, which I suspect this book two would end up in another major cliffhanger...*sigh*, but it's okay! I love me some cliffhangers! Once in a while, I need a reason to put my fist to work! *kidding* *or not*

YOU WERE HERE

Author: Cori McCarthy
Pub. Date: March 1, 2016

Genre: YA (contemporary)
ADD TO GR

Another ARC copy! Well isn't the cover beautiful? And the blurb seems like hiding a big mystery within! Honestly, I'm not really sure when I put this book as contemporary subgenre. The blurb sounds a bit like thriller and mystery but who knows? (Me!) I'll let you know once I finish it...

***

So, how about you? Do you usually have a TBR, too? Or is there any book from the list above that you plan to read as well? Feel free to let me know! :)

Read More