Aces Up by Lauren Barnholdt

After Shannon Card's dad gets laid off from his job, Shannon realizes she needs to make money in order to go to college next year. She's already been accepted to Wellesley, the school she's wanted to go to, through Early Admission, but now she doesn't have the funds to pay for it.

In order to remedy that problem, Shannon gets a fake ID so she can work at the casino serving drinks to get $10 an hour plus tips. She realizes, though, that she might not make enough in time for school.

Shannon meets Cole through an anonymous letter Cole sent her to ask her if she wanted to join his club, Aces Up, by playing poker using math skills. Shannon is very good at math which is why Cole singled her out.

At first, Shannon says no because she doesn't want to do anything illegal (even though she's underaged and working in a casino) but after she sees more and more of her parents's items being sold (car, boat, etc.) she gives in to make the cash for school faster.

Throughout this secrecy of working at the casino, playing at the poker tables, and school, Shannon also got wrangled into tutoring her old friend and crush, Max. After months without talking, Shannon realizes that she still might have feelings for Max even though she's "kinda" with Cole while they aren't playing poker.

Seems Shannon has a lot on her plate. Can she juggle it all without getting caught?

My Thoughts/Reflections
This was a great read! I've read Lauren Barnholdt's other book, Two Way Street, but I think I liked this story better!

I will admit, though, it seemed that Barnholdt was trying to make Shannon act like she was in high school to remind the readers of that. Shannon said, "like", "totally", and "omg" a lot throughout the novel which was a little annoying at times.

The struggle Shannon has with juggling so many things is enough to make a grown woman start pulling her hair out, so I admire Shannon trying to do all of those events. The illegal gambling and working? Gutsy, sure, but not the best role model for 17 year old either.

At the end, Shannon made a decision that, I think, was very mature and showed that Shannon grew up throughout the story. I would definitely recommend this book to teens who feel stressed and out of control.

Dreamland Social Club by Tara Altebrando

Luna Jane Dryden, more known as Jane, has moved around all of her life. Her dad is an "engineer builder" but he is more known for building roller coasters.

When Jane's grandfather, a man she's never met, passes away and gives his house to his two grandkids (Jane and her older brother, Marcus), Jane's family moves to Coney Island - a town of amusement parks, ghosts of what used to be, and an unusual tourist place in New York.

Upon arrival there, Jane and her family kept saying, "It's just for one year. Just for one year." After meeting some of the Coney Islanders and going to school with a variety of classmates, Jane starts to connect with people and places throughout the amusement park.

Jane's mom was raised on Coney Island during the prime of it's life - where she was part of the "carny" family, but ran away to have a  normal life. Jane is finding clues of her mother's life since she passed away when Jane was 6 years old.

Another thing at her new home that Jane is getting used to is the variations of people at school. There are midgets, giants, tattooed students, and normal high school students. Jane is unsure where she fits in and what clubs to join, even though she's curious about the Dreamland Social Club that is very mysterious at school.

With a new official in town talking about remaking the amusement parks of Coney Island, there are rough times between Jane and her new obtained friends - her dad wants to be a park of Loki's group whereas her friends don't want Coney Island to change with Loki's  plans.

My Thoughts/Reflections
I really enjoyed this book. I didn't know before hand that there was a place called Coney Island until I read the Author's Notes at the end of the book, so it was interesting to find out that some of the rides actually do/did exist.

And Leo. I loved Leo! Beautiful tattooed boy and Jane's attraction to one another was not very obvious (well on Leo's side that is) but Leo was the mysterious boy who would talk and sometimes hangout with Jane, but never talk about what he was feeling.

The awkwardness and confusion that Jane felt when she got to Coney Island is what every new student feels. That's how I felt, anyway, so I think this could be very relatable.

The part about living practically on a tourist site? Might not be as relatable.

I think teens would like this story - even guys despite the fact that there isn't a guy narrator. Who wouldn't want to read about living and roaming through an amusement park?

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

The Scorpio Race - a race on an island where water horses exist. Horses that are more beast than animals, smell like rotten meat, salt, fish, and eat raw meat and blood. Horses that are so brutal, they fight each other just to have a meal for fun. The horses come out of the sea and onto land the closer it gets to October, hunting and looking for food.

The island, Thisby, is known for their Scorpio Race every November 1. Men die. Horses die. On the beach are blood stains from the loses of this race, but every year, this race is looked upon as a chance to beat the odds.

Sean Kindrick, 19 years old, has won 4 of the 6 races he's raced in. This is to the fact that he has his water horse, his capaill uisce as they are called, Corr. He has trained this horse for years to know what Corr wants and how to keep Corr away from the urge to join the sea.

Kate Connelly, known as Puck, was never supposed to ride in the Scorpio Races. With money problems and her older brother leaving the island, Puck had no choice but to enter, hoping to win to save herself and her younger brother, Finn, from losing their house and money.

Puck's parents were killed in the sea by capaill uisce, though, making it hard for Puck to ride a capaill uisce. After attempting to get near a water horse, Puck decides to ride her mare, Dove. A normal horse with no special attributes, just a love for Puck.

Everyone is vouching for Sean Kindrick to win for his 5th year in a row, whereas Puck is the horse and rider that will lose right away, and probably won't even survive the race.

As Puck starts training Dove to race and not run away from the capaill uisce, Sean finds himself drawn to her and helps her train for the upcoming race. Sean has always been alone, not connecting well with people but rather horses, knowing exactly what to do and say to horses to calm them down. However, after spending time with Puck, Sean is finding himself fascinated with Puck, making him wonder what will happen in the Scorpio Races.

Will Puck survive the race? Will Sean win his 5th race, gaining Corr as his own and starting his own life? Read The Scorpio Races to find out!

My Thoughts/Reflections
This was an amazing read! I've read Maggie Stiefvater's other books, The Wolves of Mercy Falls, but I think this novel is far and beyond her first trilogy.

The storyline behind this novel is very different than what I've read before, which is why I think I like it so much. It's about horses that come out of the water and are man-slaughtering beasts that it's hard for humans to catch them, and racing them is not only about the race, but also about surviving.

Both Sean and Puck seem older than they are. The island is a rough place to live, which is why many people from the island decide to go to the mainland. Sean and Puck are both island lovers, though, and have very big reasons to race, and win, the Scorpio Races.

The connection between Sean and Puck is more mature as well. There are times when they are together, but don't say a word. They just enjoy each other's company, without needing to talk to fill the silence.

Now, the storyline might be a little...morbid.

But-But!

The strength both Puck and Sean have to even go through in order to get to the Scorpio Races is inspiring and makes the reader cheer for both characters.

I would definitely recommend this book to everyone! Guys, girls, teens, adults. It's a great read. A different story and even the characters are more serious and mature than a lot of YA novels. So far I think it's a stand alone book, although the author did leave room for a follow-up, so there is no cliff hanger ending! :-)

Whatcha waiting for? Go get this book and enjoy this great story now!

We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han

*Note: This is the last book in the Summer Series by Jenny Han. I've reviewed both the first and second books here: The Summer I Turned Pretty and It's Not Summer Without You.

 **Second Note: I've been able to keep these reviews non spoilery, but since this is the last book in the series, THERE WILL BE SPOILERS! So, read further at your own risk.

Belly is in college now, and she's been dating Jeremiah for 2 years. They are going to school together and everything is working out well for them. That is, until Belly finds out about a secret that Jeremiah kept from her, ruining all chances of a happy ever ending.

When Belly and Jeremiah decide to work things out, Jeremiah pulls out a ring and PROPOSES to Belly!! Where she then said yes!!! (As I'm having a major heartattack right about now!)

Belly and Jeremiah decide to get married in August, before her second year of college and at the end of the summer. When both tell their families the good news, they were met with disapprovement and anger. Belly's mom thought they were too young and Jeremiah's dad didn't understand why they had to get married right away.

Oh, and Conrad. He was surprised by this news and very upset because he still loves Belly - always had.

The day before Belly and Jeremiah's wedding, Conrad tells Belly that he loves her and doesn't want her to marry Jeremiah - that he wants to be with her instead. Will Belly go through with the wedding? Will she pick Conrad over Jeremiah?

My Thoughts/Reflections
Oh, oh, oh!! This book!! I really had a heartattack when Belly said yes to Jeremiah! I've made it quite known which team I'm on (Conrad's) so when she said yes, my brain was screaming, "No! No! NO!"

I was not a happy camper.

However, after that drama was initiated, I was hoping and praying things would turn out for the best for Belly. She deserved to be happy and with Conrad's track record, he did not have a good streak, so I was happy if she was happy.

I was also excited because, like the second book of the series, one of the brothers narrated a few chapters and it WAS Conrad, so I got to see what he was thinking and feeling - something very hard to do because Conrad is very hard to read.

I'm very, very glad that I waited for this series to be concluded because I would have been a mess waiting to see what happens every new summer. I absolutely adored this series and I might have to make them a part of my personal collection.

They are fast reads and keep you on the edge of your seat - I would say it's a must read for any teen girl confused by life and love. I think that pretty much covers all teenage girls :-) Now, go get all 3 to see what happens between the trio!!

It's Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han

This is the second book in the Summer Series by Jenny Han. I've reviewed the first book in the series at this link: The Summer I Turned Pretty. There may be some spoilers in this review from the first novel of this series.

It's a year since Belly has "turned pretty" and gained the attention of both Jeremiah and Conrad. However, things have dramatically changed. 

For instance, no one is going to the beach house at Cousins Beach. Susannah, Jeremiah and Conrad's mother, passed away from cancer. There is a piece missing in everyone's heart and it wouldn't be the same to go back to the beach house without it's main link: Susannah. 

This is Belly's first summer without going to the beach house and she feels lost. She doesn't know what to do with herself and is just wishing for the summer to be over - a first for her because she usually wants summer to never end. 

When Belly gets a call from Jeremiah that Conrad is missing and asks for her help to find him, she's unsure what will happen or whether she should see either brother after what happened with their mother. She goes, though, and reconnects with both Jeremiah and Conrad, but in a way that was not how Belly foresaw. 

My Thoughts/Reflections

Again, a great book to the first in the series. I'm still team Conrad, I will admit, even if I don't like some of the things he does in this book. 

I was so sad to find out about Susannah. I really wanted her to be able to go to the beach house again and enjoy summer, so I was devasted to find out that she didn't make it. Reading the emotions through Belly and Jeremiah were heartwrenching, but seeing them overcome their heartbreak to help Conrad was true dedication. 

This book was told mainly through Belly's viewpoint, but some rare chapters were told through Jeremiah's thoughts, which I enjoyed and appreciated Jenny Han doing. It's nice to get into one of the brother's thoughts and see what they are thinking. Maybe it will be Conrad's turn in the next and final book!

One thing I do want to mention though is Belly. It might seem like she complains and whines a lot (at least according to the boys) but I really like her as a narrative. She says it like it is and she seems a lot more mature than 16 years old. I can't wait to see what happens in the final book!

My thoughts about recommendation are the same: go read it! I love these books and the hardships the "kids" have to go through with Susannah and heartbreak from boys is very relatable, so I think there are many readers who would understand the rollercoaster Belly is going through. 

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

Summer is Belly's favorite time of the year. It's the time where she gets to go to Cousins Beach, to the beach house with her mom, older brother, and her mom's best friend Susannah and her two sons: Conrad and Jeremiah.

Summer is the time that Belly can hangout with her other family, and fall even more in love with Conrad, who she's loved since she was 10 years old. 

This summer is different. Belly got rid of her glasses and is actually growing up. Both Conrad and Jeremiah are starting to notice, but Belly only has eyes for Conrad. 

However, Conrad is acting strange, distant. He's drinking and smoking, acting sullen and moody. Belly doesn't know why, but when she gets attention from another summer boy, Cam, she decides to make Conrad jealous. 

Another thing Belly loves about summer is hanging out with her "second mother", Susannah. It's the time where Belly can be girly around Susannah and talk girl shop. 

When Belly finds out some awful and sad news toward the end of summer, though, Belly realizes that everything is going to change before next summer can come. It might not be the same as Belly remembers and she's not sure if she wants to deal with that change. 

My Thoughts/Reflections

I've been wanting to read this book for awhile, but I decided to wait until all 3 books in the series (The Summer I Turned Pretty, It's Not Summer Without You, and We'll Always Have Summer) were out and available. And boy am I sure glad I did!

I'm just going to say it. I love Conrad. Ever since Belly described both Jeremiah (golden, jester, happy, go lucky) and Conrad (dark, unattainable, unavailable, wears a smirk, quiet), I knew Conrad was going to be the main guy. The mood swings that boy puts Belly through is enough to intrigue any reader. 

Belly has two lives, but her real life starts in the summer. Summer defines Belly and she is always looking forward to the trip to Cousins Beach. 

Their is even a little bit of mystery in this novel. Belly is being left out of a secret. She doesn't realize it at first, but it becomes clear that everyone knows something that they aren't telling Belly, and once she finds out, she almost wishes that she was left in the dark. 

I loved this book. It's a light summer read full of romance and growing up, taking chances and risks, and learning that not everything turns out well for the people she loves. I can't wait to read the next installment to see what next summer brings for Belly!

The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff

Mackie Doyle is not a normal teenage boy. In fact, he might not even be human, but everyone in his small town, Gentry, kindly avoids any conversation dealing with Mackie's biological background.

See, Mackie replaced a human boy when he was a baby. His older sister, Emma, who was 4, saw Mackie and stayed with him all night, just looking at him and trying to touch him, knowing he wasn't her real brother.

No other "kidnapping" has happened for 7 years, until one day, a classmate of Mackie, Tate, finds her baby sister dead in her crib. Except it's not her sister (Natalie). Instead, it's one of the creatures.

In the town of Gentry, the townspeople pretend nothing happens. They pretend that when their children die at a young age, it is really their children and not a creature from  underground. That's they way it's always been. When Mackie has to go underground for medicine to stay alive, he meets his kinspeople - the creatures he should have grown up with.

The things that make Mackie different from normal, human people is that he has a no tolerance for iron or steel. You could say he's allergic to them and gets a bad reaction, even to blood. Otherwise, Mackie tries to live a normal, human life with his human family.

When Natalie was stolen from her home and Tate was trying to find answers, Mackie decided to try and find out why the creatures take children and where Natalie was. After he found the answers, he had to decide if he should take action, or pretend everything was alright like he usually does.

My Thoughts/Reflections
This is a different novel. I've read paranormal and supernatural books, but this topic is one I've never read before. I liked it. It wasn't my favorite novel, but Brenna Yovanoff created a world where ignorance and oblivion was necessary to survive.

There were times where I yelled at the book, "Just TELL her!! Stop ignoring the problem!" But then there were other times where I cheered on Mackie when he was doing the right thing. I did enjoy the storyline and Mackie's bravery at the end of the novel.

One thing that did frustrate me at first was the nameless group that lives underground - the nameless group that technically Mackie was from. I like having labels so not having a label to call them was a bit disconcerting for me. I got over it though :-)

Overall, I enjoyed this novel. It was different and interesting - another world that I was introduced to from a new author I've never read before. I would recommend this to both teen guys and girls (since it's a guy that was the narrator) and to anyone who feels out of place in school or the small town they live in.