A Short History of the Girl Next Door by Jared Reck (Arc Review)

My Thoughts:
When I first started this book, I was not sure if I would like it, it really reminded me of friend I have and what he went through a few years ago. This story is one every person has felt at one time in their life. The crush that only sees them as a friend and nothing more. The book felt a little juvenile to me, but definitely a good read that I couldn’t put down. Especially after *spoiler* tabby dies in a car accident. The book was well written with good dialogue that a 12+ year old would enjoy, there are a few mentions of sexual content but nothing that isn’t mentioned in a high school health class. It had an aspect that I could relate to it, even as a twenty-four year old. It felt more like if the characters were in college rather than high school, but regardless an early teenager and up would enjoy the book.

Reincarnation Blues by Michael Poore

  

“First we live, then we die. And then...we get another try?”

Blurb from Goodreads:

A wildly imaginative novel about a man who is reincarnated over ten thousand lifetimes to be with his one true love: Death herself."

I got this ARC from book con and I was so beyond excited to start reading it. Like every other ARC I received I always check out other people's reviews to see how they’re being received.

This book completely took away any expectations I may have had.

It absolutely floored me, the concept, the imagery, and especially the serenity of the book. It kept me thinking about how I need more internal peace and should strive to help others selflessly.

Poore's vision of what the afterlife, “up there”, is nothing that I've ever read or seen of before. This book was full of humor, love, the cruel reality of human kind, how one may take life for granted, the ability to change, and the overwhelming necessity to learn from our own and others past mistakes.

This book is beyond amazing. I will definitely be re-reading it again when it is published on August 22nd.

A Map for Wrecked Girls by Jessica Taylor

This is an ARC I picked up from Bookcon last month and I was so excited to get it...it truly was just as good as I hoped it would be.

I finished this book in a day, it just kept you wanting to read more and on the edge of your seat. These children were stranded on an island after witnessing one of their friends die and then have to deal with the repercussions of being stranded- learning and adapting to survive on a tropical island- as well as their past issues with themselves and each other.

When reading other reviews on Goodreads, I know there are a lot of people who are unsure of the probability of a 17 and 16 year old going out every night to party, but trust me it happens...I was one of those kids. It’s exactly how the author portrays it, it’s dirty, crude, and not at all glamourous. I feel like the party scene outlined and described in the book was necessary, it gave more depth to the entire story and background of Henri and Emma.

This book hit on so many issues teens are having, the dangers of not seeking help and spiraling out of control, and the overall anxiety of being a teenager in this day and age.

What I absolutely loved was the sister relationship. It’s truly my relationship with my younger sister and I found myself reading out loud passages from the book and her just saying, “Why is this actually us?”. It showed the true complexities of a sister relationship, and even if one is angry/upset with the other, the love you have for one another will never die or change. It is truly a deep and rooted love.

I just whole heartedly hope that the novel does not change that much from the ARC. Regardless, I’ll be buying the final version when it hits the stores.

The Walking Land by Callie Bates

“Lady Elanna Valtai is fiercely devoted to the King who raised her like a daughter, but when he dies under mysterious circumstances, Elanna is accused of his murder and must flee for her life.

Returning to the homeland of magical legends she has forsaken, Elanna is forced to reconcile with her despised, estranged father, branded a traitor long ago. Feeling a strange connection to the natural world, she also must face the truth about the forces she has always denied as superstition powers that suddenly stir within her.

Elanna has no choice but to lead a rebellion against the kingdom to which she once gave her allegiance. Trapped between divided loyalties, she must summon the courage to confront a destiny that could tear her apart.”

I got this book as a part of an ARC giveaway at bookcon. I didn’t know anything about the book or the author, I simply looked at the cover and I knew it was something I would like. I have to say the cover did the book complete justice.

  

I’m hoping that the final edited and printed version of this novel does not change all that much. When I first started reading the book it reminded me of a Court of Thorns and Roses. A girl with hidden potential kept away and taken by the enemy. I wasn’t sure if I was going to like it and then I found myself unable to put it down. It reminds me of the Pixar movie “Brave”, full of folklore and old world history and magic. It was a fast read and I’m really hoping there is another book in the series, but if there isn’t then I’d be content as well. I just love the characters, their development, and the hidden secrets and plot twists along the way. Definitely a good summer read that can be devoured in about two days at the beach.