Kasie West books in a row! Wow!

Booklove?

Hell, yeah!

Loner Loserdom - Fate of Clairvoyants

"One little choice can make all the difference."

One day Addie has to face her parents' decision of separating. She's confronted two different choices of life either of which will alter her future in an irreversible way. But what's the right alternative? Boldly leaving the Compound heading to Normville full of dull, normal people or staying in the well-known comfort zone stuffed with mind-blowing Paranormals just like her? It'd be too much to ask for decision-making from a teenager suffering from post-divorce epidemic satisfied with her life just as it is, let alone a non-average teenage girl who uses her remaining 97 per cent of her brain to tell the upcoming events, which she does once in a blue moon. Sometimes future is overwhelming.

There's no way left but Search for the two paths so as to decide which road she should take. Only a sneak-peak in the great unknown would tell her which direction to follow from the cross-road where she momentarily got stucked. Her answer should be easy. But is that so? One Search six weeks into the future proves it’s not. It turns out on whatever passage she move along she loses someone she cares about. The real question is whom is she able to let go?

PAR•A•dise: n. a place of extreme happiness (???)

In one potential future Addie stays with her mother (masterhead of her misfortune) relaxing in her daily routine because Heaven forbids she should taste new flavours of exotic dishes. She's stuck with scrumbled eggs while she could try chocolate pencake with maple syrup. What a waste! But no regrets since there's Duke (Telekinetic) the charming talented football player (a title which can't be really hard to achieve if you've got superpowers) who bustle up just to draw Addie's attention. Regardless of their opposite personalities they seem to get along perfectly. Addie starts to think she's in love. On the other side, I find rather suspicious that he suddenly becomes interested in her after three years of attending the same high school. Big loves need time for sure (Lizzy and Darcy for a whole year you see), but three years come on! Anyway, I rooted for them putting my disbelieves on a landing-place. For a while.

"You know we’re nothing alike, right?"
"Isn’t there a reason for the saying ‘opposites attract’?"
"Yes—magnets."

NOR•Mal•ization: v. reduced to a normal state

"The ghost of Charles Dickens told me that after he turned over in his grave, he couldn’t go back to sleep. The ghost of Charles Dickens told me that after he turned over in his grave, he couldn’t go back to sleep." - Addie

"Wanted: good zombie hunter. Call 555–3681. Be prepared to provide references and past experience." - Trevor

In this alternative future Addie and Trevor are back on track to best-friend-land. They're pretty much alike owning to their mutual enthusiasm for comic books, even though he's rather keen on drawing them than reading. They' both feel like they'reclooking for something to grab on to, so they don’t lose themselves. Concerning Addie, without her ability defining her, she doesn't feel grounded. As for Trevor, he's pondering about constant 'would've beens' due to the fact that his football career is gone forever because of his shoulder injury. He's pretty much the kind of guy she's Normally attracted to. And because they don't exactly follow the rules of the friendship handbook also means she has to tell where she comes from. But who would believe her completely inconceivable illusion of Crazyland? Well, Trevor, my darling, does apparently.

Feasable destinies and 'What if?'s

"Sometimes perfection reveals the lie, Addie, not the truth."

Trevor is a cute, caring, sensitive...(I won't list all his superlative qualities though I could do that) angel whom she loves without artificiality of her old world. On the contrary, Dukes is a Mood Controller prick who used her in hope of getting from her the right hint which university he has to go. Which univesity! The lamest excuse ever. From now on there's no way she'd pick Duke over Trevor, you'd think.

The somber reality is she must choose the douchebag version because Laila's (best Memory Eraser friend) life is at stake. Addie's unwittingly drawn into a dangerous game that threatens everything she holds dear. Thus she has to make herself forget what she has lived through with Trevor in her almost cried out in frustration. How could she? How?

One way or another

I loved the tension between the two separate storylines that let me hanging in the swirling thoughts of doubts having no idea which life she'll pick. (And no, I did not read the ending beforehand...it took all my willpower to resist though. Yeah. I'm proud of myself enough.) Altough the author doesn't really unknot the details of the Paraworld (I would like to be more involved), she does know pretty much about relationships. Love you guys!

How I feel now

Arghhh. Duke is on top of my Who-I-want-to-strangle-first list. I'd better start the next book so that I can make sure Addie would find her way back to Trevor. I mean she should have found a better way. Seeing the future involves that you are able to change it right? And don't come with the shit that one tiny alteration may cause crack of doom. Make a difference. *bewildered sigh*

Rating

4 out of 5

How I put my hands on it

Katie West, you are the best! Seriously, you're a genius.

“Who are you talking to?”
“Myself.”
“You do that a lot.”
“I know. I’m the only one who understands me.”

Lily is so crazy. And I love crazy! Earth would have stopped spinning if she hadn't been part of my life. Being a real weirdo doesn't ease her every days but it's better than being a bore. I could really use a friend like her possessing all that creativity and songwriting skills which I'm undeniably void of. Not to mention, her snappy remarks and talking-to-herself ability. All of them can be found in a surprise packet, never knowing what will pop out. :)

"Be open or you might miss something right in front of you.”

Is out there more romantic expression of feelings than handwritten letters during Chemistry lesson? Neither email, nor text or (god forbid) facebook chat! Good gracious no. *shivering*
I have always hoped in an anonymous love letter but this way it is so much more fun. Even if it's predictable who the writer is. Not a poem book has ever seen such beautiful words that Lily and Cade write via out-of-fashion papers. Okay, apparently I freaked out by the means of transportation of words. Did you not?

“You are adorable. I want to kiss you. I can do that now, right?”

Cade, sweet Cade. Like the gods have dropped you straight from heaven in bit jerk-but-looking-good outfit. I'm glad you wandered to our drab piece of land: the Earth.
We can say that the relationship of Cade+Lily (Caly/Lide/Deli—what is their shipname supposed to be?) is not love at first sight. That's beyond doubt. And it is exactly what makes things more than heated. A brawl here and a witty banter there? I'm your girl. Cheesy lines and cheap beer? Let me be.

I guess 'only a thread separates hate from love' saying proves to be true this time too as Cade and Lily can't stand each other. At first. But it's fine since hate is also a passionate feeling, isn't it? ;) And the transformation from the obvious loathing to maybe-we're-good-together is so delicate and sweet, it's beyond belief. Yet, that's the beauty of it. Magic and unicorns exist, right? I eagerly believe so.

"We could balance each other out."

And when someone is as blind as a bat (namely Lilly), you can't blame her. I'm only left to shout at the e-book demanding the story to kick her in the ass. Which finally does. Nice job! Our little love birds totally opposite of each other are getting a happily ever after. Who see that coming? The paths of life are unfathomable. And so shall it be.

How I feel now

I'm dizzy with happiness and enthusiastic to write a song, which is doomed to fail eventually. But who knows? I might go worldwide on youtube next year. :)

Rating

A big fat 5 out of 5. Not a surprise actually. I predetermined its place in the rating charts at the moment I opened the book. Katie West books are snugly sitting in the VIP quarters of mine. Lucky them!

P.S.
I like you. ;)


I wouldn't miss a Kasie West book for the world.

"Feelings can be the most costly thing in the universe."

Note to myself: china dolls freak me out.

Conclusion: Caymen is quite a piece of work with her omnipresent dry humour. At least we have something in common. It's good to know I'm not the only one ;)

Footnote: sarcasm (noun)

• The use of words that mean the opposite of what you really want to say especially in order to insult someone, to show irritation, or to be funny - that only one percent of population tolerates. (personal experience)

So unless you're a master of it, I advise you not to use it in everyday conversations, otherwise there's a high possibility that you expose yourself to ridicule and ever-lasting humiliation in front of human species. Again. Personal experience. People could be so damn boring sometimes.

Dolls & More

Life is not a piece of creamy peanut-butter cupcake for Caymen who is named after her mother's favourite holiday destination...you took the hook, right? Actually she's only christened pretty poorly which should be the second special giveaway right after her trait of pulling everyone's leg in a five-meter range.

She put up with creepy china dolls with whiny expression freezed on their meticulously polished faces looking at Caymen from every angle of the boutique, which is already too much sacrifice. Beyond that she's ready to resign herself to the inevitable of working for eternity so as to make ends meet, which would result in missing a year or two at university, if it wasn't for Xander, one of the upper ten thousand. Out of his right mind, he dares meander to the shop acting like a spoiled brat. Luckily he is not to buy a doll for himself. That would be weird...

Yet, he seems to abide her sarcasm and dedicate himself to be her everyday to-school escort after popping out one of his fancy cost-more-than-a-year-long-salary racing car and sporting designer clothes. The ravine between them couldn't be more broad in every walks of life. She's the penniless Lizzy for her loaded Darcy. Only in this case, it is unlikely to work. That's why it has to be stopped. Right now.

Career days—what is your destiny?

"To stop worrying about what’s expected of us and try to find out what we want for ourselves."

They set up a day each time testing new things in order to savvy what the hell they should do with their lives that have already been decided without their blessing.

That's how she's initiated in his push, super-rich, red-carpet everydays that contrast her miserable surviving day by day. However it still not enough to blend in. The fact that Xander seems reluctant to introduce her to his father is an apparent justification of it. He may find her killing humour flat-out amusing at the moment, he'll find another shiny new toy soon enough. These playboys have too much time at their disposal. Or so I've been told.

The perfect reason to get the gallant's delicate, un-callused hands dirty : time to go grave-digging! Xander's taking a sip of the coffee before handing it to Caymen is just another strange habits of theirs. Love is universal but probably every couple has its oddities.

His taste of excitement

Xader's snobby friends give countenance to the doubt of hers which specifically is that the two of them don't fit. His expectations proved to be out of her reach. Hence she'd better get away as far as she can from his blinding spotlight.

Calm after the storm

Like a lightning strike : what if your long-lost grandparents emerge out of the blue and shed some light on your well-to-do identity after 17 years? Congrats, would you feel that youcwon the lottery? Or you'd feel like tearing your winning coupon into bits and pieces because after 17 years of waiting you got fed up. It depends on the point of view.

Caymen unfortunately falls into the afore cathegory. Though it's nice to have someone to care about her. At least it would have been nice if her relatives had looked after her from the beginning. Forgiveness is good but she shouldn't let it fade her memories. God forgives, she shouldn't.

Breaking news : The pauper's fate has turned upside down. She may now has a chance to win the prince's heart with a crown on her head.

Note to you

Appreciate the witty-sarcastic dialogue. Worth it.

How I feel now

Glad that I get rid of the china dolls. Can't put up with them any longer.

Starring

Someone who looks totally self-absord with a stick-up smug smile on his face. Robert Pattinson will do.

Songs

Lord - Royals
https://youtu.be/nlcIKh6sBtc

Rating

5 out of 5

To be continued...

"Most of my regrets have to do with things I didn’t do versus things I did.”

Addison's trust is broken once and for all by the treacherous betrayal of Duke and her best friend Laila who were making out behind her back. She doesn't know what to do especially after her turning point of almost-to-die. Still she's gathering her scattered pieces. Nor she's in favour of searching her future again which does more harm physically than good. It does look like she's able to slow down time on top of everything. Despite her gift, she hasn't foreseen that coming. Does it mean her ability goes wrong without recognition? Is her mind irreversibly damaged?

Unfinished business

Addie spends her winter holiday at her dad in the 'Norm' world so as to leave her messy fake-and-finite-relationships behind for a while. Then bumm! As life gives the green light Addie and Trevor's way comes to a cross-road or more likely a round-about as they're circling around each other non-stop, uncapable to hit the highway together. The good news are that they're stuck together in this new life as well, even though they don't remember what they have gone through in their other lifes theoretically. Wow that's pretty confusing!

Obviously what's meant to be always find a way...

"Trevor had some kind of hold on me, and I couldn’t figure out what."
"Why was I having such a strong reaction to him?"

Addie can feel a tangible bond between the two of them, something inexplicable feeling is gnawing on the edge of her mind as though she knew him from somewhere...it's as clear as daylight that love tends to overstep sheer logic and is capable of existing beyond space and time. It doesn't matter that she doesn't have a single memory about him but she has already lived this love once. Lack of memories don't erase feelings apparently.

"As I watched him drive away, I stood wishing I would’ve taken the other path."

Trevor is being suspicious concerning Addie's superpower. As a matter of fact, that's what makes a wedge between them. I wish she didn't wallow in the sea of would-have-beens and do-overs and actually take action to win her well-deserved shiny award. In the past she may have chosen to save Laila's life but she has to bear the consequences. The consequences of not being able to repeat the past.

I have to admit the knowledge of certain future events isn't as cool as it sounds. But oblivion is much worse.

In the meantime, Laila, choked by compunction, resolves to learn how to expand her ability and restore Addie's memory. She owes her that much. It's time to bury the hatchet. Easier said than done. She invokes the aid of a supplier of illegal enhancing devices, Connor who's resistance to Laila's charm is quite surprising. She always get what she wants. In case she doesn't, she is used to erase memories and start over till she carries out her plan. It's not working with Connor however. His mind is impregnable. This out of the ordinary catches Laila off guard.

How come she is prone to show her vulnerability in his presence? She's the formidable-Laila-McMemoryEraser-who-doesn't-care-other's-feelings. Connor is no exception. Same rules apply. But do they if she can't help thinking about him all the time? Beyond comprehensable.

Life isn't about do-overs

Laila successfully restored Addie's memories which instantly brought a full-on, Trevor-delivered knockout. Now that she's fully aware of the One specifically put together for her, letting him drift any inch further is out of question.

She launches the “Operation Win Trevor Back" at full speed but while she's totally and irrevocably in love, Trevor just starts to get to know her. It doesn't happen the same way it did last time. To make things worse during her stay three meters above skies, the Compound is going after them not being sure how much Addie told Trevor about her world. To eliminate the smallest threat they take control over events. This time however she can't depend on a paternal warning but a complete swipe of Trevor from her life which she can concededly hardly bare, let alone accept it.

Fantastic Four

The Clairvoyant, the Memory Eraser, the Healer and the Mood Controler form a league against the once-upon-a-time-believed-to-be-good Compound and prevent (their) world from falling into chaos. It's more like an action film really. Exept for car races, there is the trinity of handcuffs, Matrix-stunts and kick-butts I assure you. Even I lost following tracks sometimes. You'd better read that part thoroughly.

Happy endings

To be frank, I favored the blooming romance of Laila and Connor over the bumpy relationship of Addison and Trevor. I justify myself with the reason of having lived their love with them in the previous book. (Like a crazy invisible third wheel) Besides, it sucks that Trevor simply likes Addie. Where's the oath of till-the-end-of-time,  the delicate words of eternal love plus the warm whispers of passion as the icing on the cake?...well, I could not find any of them, that's why my attention had to turn to the other Cute Couple (taking them on pedestal) whose backstory is full of loss, regrets and the desperate need of each other. What else do we need really? They have earned their number one place.

“Can I come in?”
“Why?”
“Because I want to talk.”
He rolled his eyes and started to shut the door. I put my hand on the edge. “Because you need me, and I’ve never needed anyone more than I need you.”

Take it or leave it

The plot made me think of the choices we are confronted in life. It doesn't worth to mull over the chances we may or may not miss. We should probably make our best at choosing. Period.

“Thanks for choosing me, Addison.” - Trevor

How I feel now

Butterflies in the stomach. It rarely happens to me I can follow two love stories crammed in one book. It duplicates the exitement!

Rating

4 out of 5

Kasie West books in a row!

Booklove

Hell, yeah!

Loner Loserdom - Fate of Clairvoyants

'One little choice can make all the difference.'

One day Addie has to face her parents' decision of separating. She's confronted two different choices of life either of which will alter her future in an irreversible way. But what's the right alternative? Boldly leaving the Compound heading to Normville full of dull, normal people or staying in the well-known comfort zone stuffed with mind-blowing Paranormals just like her? It'd be too much to ask for decision-making from a teenager suffering from post-divorce epidemic satisfied with her life just as it is, let alone a non-average teenage girl who uses her remaining 97 per cent of her brain to tell the upcoming events, which she does once in a blue moon. Sometimes future is overwhelming.

There's no way left but Search for the two paths so as to decide which road she should take. Only a sneak-peak in the great unknown would tell her which direction to follow from the cross-road where she momentarily got stucked. Her answer should be easy. But is that so? One Search six weeks into the future proves it’s not. It turns out on whatever passage she move along she loses someone she cares about. The real question is whom is she able to let go?

PAR•A•dise: n. a place of extreme happiness (???)

In one potential future Addie stays with her mother (masterhead of her misfortune) relaxing in her daily routine because Heaven forbids she should taste new flavours of exotic dishes. She's stuck with scrumbled eggs while she could try chocolate pencake with maple syrup. What a waste! But no regrets since there's Duke (Telekinetic) the charming talented football player (a title which can't be really hard to achieve if you've got superpowers) who bustle up just to draw Addie's attention. Regardless of their opposite personalities they seem to get along perfectly. Addie starts to think she's in love. On the other side, I find rather suspicious that he suddenly becomes interested in her after three years of attending the same high school. Big loves need time for sure (Lizzy and Darcy for a whole year you see), but three years come on! Anyway, I rooted for them putting my disbelieves on a landing-place. For a while.

'You know we’re nothing alike, right?'
'Isn’t there a reason for the saying ‘opposites attract’?'
'Yes—magnets.'

NOR•Mal•ization: v. reduced to a normal state

'The ghost of Charles Dickens told me that after he turned over in his grave, he couldn’t go back to sleep. The ghost of Charles Dickens told me that after he turned over in his grave, he couldn’t go back to sleep.' - Addie

'Wanted: good zombie hunter. Call 555–3681. Be prepared to provide references and past experience.' - Trevor

In this alternative future Addie and Trevor are back on track to best-friend-land. They're pretty much alike owning to their mutual enthusiasm for comic books, even though he's rather keen on drawing them than reading. They' both feel like they'reclooking for something to grab on to, so they don’t lose themselves. Concerning Addie, without her ability defining her, she doesn't feel grounded. As for Trevor, he's pondering about constant 'would've beens' due to the fact that his football career is gone forever because of his shoulder injury. He's pretty much the kind of guy she's Normally attracted to. And because they don't exactly follow the rules of the friendship handbook also means she has to tell where she comes from. But who would believe her completely inconceivable illusion of Crazyland? Well, Trevor, my darling, does apparently.

Feasable destinies and 'What if?'s

'Sometimes perfection reveals the lie, Addie, not the truth.'

Trevor is a cute, caring, sensitive...(I won't list all his superlative qualities though I could do that) angel whom she loves without artificiality of her old world. On the contrary, Dukes is a Mood Controller prick who used her in hope of getting from her the right hint which university he has to go. Which univesity! The lamest excuse ever. From now on there's no way she'd pick Duke over Trevor, you'd think.

The somber reality is she must choose the douchebag version because Laila's (best Memory Eraser friend) life is at stake. Addie's unwittingly drawn into a dangerous game that threatens everything she holds dear. Thus she has to make herself forget what she has lived through with Trevor in her almost cried out in frustration. How could she? How?

One way or another

I loved the tension between the two separate storylines that let me hanging in the swirling thoughts of doubts having no idea which life she'll pick. (And no, I did not read the ending beforehand...it took all my willpower to resist though. Yeah. I'm proud of myself enough.) Altough the author doesn't really unknot the details of the Paraworld (I would like to be more involved), she does know pretty much about relationships. Love you guys!

How I feel now

Arghhh. Duke is on top of my Who-I-want-to-strangle-first list. I'd better start the next book so that I can make sure Addie would find her way back to Trevor. I mean she should have found a better way. Seeing the future involves that you are able to change it right? And don't come with the shit that one tiny alteration may cause crack of doom. Make a difference. *bewildered sigh*

Rating

4 out of 5

Crossing paths

As I've mentioned before I'm digging up Kasie West books. And it is totally worth it! She's the best! Always is there when needed.

My booklove

We're bounded.

On the count of three

'On the count of three, everyone jump in the pool. On the count of three, everyone yell, “I’m a loser,” in the middle of the mall. On the count of three, everyone lick the person to your right.' It was a game of bluff. If one person did it, the rest had to do something stupid as a punishment. If nobody did it, everyone was safe.

Charlie (Charlotte) Reynolds is not like other girls. And I'm not implying she'd be gay. Nope. What I'm referring to is that with three older brothers, all-masculine nextdoor guy and a dad who's a cop, life doesn't orbit around laces, bras or lipsticks. Let alone hot, datable guys who always get the intimidating don't-you-dare-give-our-babysister-goggling-eyes-otherwise-we-peg-your-tires speech. Formidable, I'd rather say. Under those circumstances she's facing sixteen years of oversized sweaters, baggy jeans not to mention sneakers. Yep. Not exactly a Barbie dressed up in all pink rather a hooded, aproned, smudged Cinderella in her working hours until Prince Charming came around. But happy to announce that she's blissful and her family is splended. Hands down. I wouldn't mind three athletic, gorgeous brothers either who beat anyone up on my personal request. That would be so awesome...returning back to the subject. Their favourit leisure time is wrestling in mud, laying silly wagers and organizing belching competitions. Well, they could be however the latter was not particularly mentioned in the book but who knows? Maybe she does that, too. Gross.

Anyway, these guys make more fun than I've ever done in my life so I admittedly envy their full of life-ness. In case you call the phenomenon of cuddling six people on one couch (apparently made for max three) shouting at TV during a game chips and soda cans all over the place just like heaven. Unless they pull me in a headlock which can't be really heavenish. It all gives me the warm, smile-on-my-face feeling that is so cute. I immediately got to love these guys ;)

Ice Cold Queen straight from the North (or South?) Whatever Pole

'Find your center. Feel your aura,'
'Uh . . . I don’t know that my aura is ready to jump right in with flowers.'

Charlie spends most of her summer time chasing a baskettball, running and watching A's baseball, in short all activities girl usually do, until the very day her dad makes her get a job to pay for her hundreds of dollars of speeding ticket charge. To much of her disappointment she's nor a Forma1 pilot but neither could she talk her out of these situations even if her dad is a cop. Should be a shame for him at the office, I guess.

Thus she ends up at Linda Bazarre a goofy but nice lady's shop where she gets familiar all the chick stuff. Tank top, straight jeans, flower patterns are her compulsory uniform at her workplace, which I come to think of it, should be legalized everywhere on the planet unless you work in mines or whatever. She's even induced to be model for make-up sessions which is an entirely different univers she's got previously used to. As if she lived a double life : ugly sweat pants and aggressive soccer with the boys, catwalk and nice chit-chat with the members of Girls' Planet on the contrary. What a mess. It's most likely she missed woman influence in the last one and a half decade. As if her father has no clue what the opposite sex is like. Please. He could've done a better investigation. Hire some detectives or something. Police has the resources I hope.

'Not many can put up with your awesomeness.' - I should probably print it as a motto of my life on a T-shirt. Right after:

On the fence

'It seem it took place in a different reality.'

Charlie's having nightmares on her mother's car accident when she was six provided that she's working and cannot exhaust herself enough with running eight miles every day to fall asleep dreamless. Considering tha fact that she's having troubles with sleeping, she and Braden the neighbour and bestie, are hooking up at the fence not only talking about her dreams and his jerk father but playing I-know-you-better game.

Favorite Things diary entries. His: color—blue, subject—history, food—steak, and day—Saturday. Mine: red, PE, pizza, and Friday (previously Saturday until work butted)

'It doesn't have to be real. It's like our subconscious minds are talking.'

Life couldn't be more beautiful in their alternate reality when the truth is said out loud in the dark and the next day they pretend it never happened.

'He was just a disembodied voice, I told myself. I could talk to a disembodied voice. Or the moon. I could always talk to the moon. I found it in the sky, minding its own business, only half lit.'

Destined

There's something definitely going on between them. But after Braden rejects her she's looking for greener pastures and starts dating a guy which drives Braden crazy without any plausible explanations. He claims Evan is just not right for her. Jealousy is knocking on the door as I've heard. But why does he care anyway? Finally there's a guy who doesn't see Charlie as a big and burly teamate. So given that they're dating Evan is ruthlessly tested by the BigTrio. Jees. Those brothers are intimidating while they're slamming him to the ground theoretically. A drawn eyebrow here and a warning there, but the outcome in the end : he's a nice guy.

But it's not use denying it. She's all over Braden who apparently doesn't want her. Vicious circle. Who saw that coming? It's never about who is Mr. Right but the way they realise they can't live without each other. So sweet.

I keep wondering that guys like Braden exists in reality. Who knows everything about you. Who says always the right thing to cheer you up or be the right partner to do something crazy and stupid with. Let alone he knows you for your entire life and God knows how long he has a crush on you and that's what makes a relationship a strong and which last probably forever. Well, maybe not. I mean I'm not totally wrong if I assume my own sister doesn't know every little details about me even if we live under the same roof. *grumpy face*

Truth comes to light of day

There's a surging secret under the surface we can all sense in Charlie's dreams. Why does she remember every meticulous details of her mum's the accident? Why doesn't she have any memories about her? It keeps bothering her but her family is not willing to talk about the subject at all. From time to time her father looks at her heavy-heartedly because she resembles of his wife too well. On the whole, Charlie has missed her mother all her life with whom she could go shopping and hold late night chat about boy issues. However, I do not think she can miss a fanthom just the idea of her. Unless she happened to be in the car with her on that dreadful night. And she did. The worst of all is that her mother was sick and ended her own life on purpose. Which proves she didn't really want to be their mum. So depressing. Yet it's part of the personality evolution she goes through. Getting to know who she really is not living in lies and stuff like that.

'I already told you to stop reading me.'
I can read you because I know you better.'
'In your dreams.'
'Yes, you’ve been there, too.'

But heads up! Of course Braden is in love with her forever. And the most exciting part doesn' t happen in their alternative world at the fence but in reality. Nicely done! *winks*

Favourite characters

The brothers Jerom, Nathan, Gage. When they push Charlie in a body of water. Hilarious.

How I feel know

Feel at home imagining lots of people making noise. Comfy.

Rating

5 out of 5

Crossing paths

All I'm saying good stories easily find me. Thanks universe!

My booklove

Explicitly.

Picture Perfect

We get immediately in the middle of the story without having to read unnecessary bullshit, which already gains me over. I'd like to thank you my dearest booklove.

Gia's just been dumped by her ex-boyfriend before her very first senior prom night in the parking lot. Then he drives away letting her alone decked out in all her finery in the dark parking lot. The perfect venue where you'd like to be dumped. Girls, you'd just got an insight of a life-size douchebag. Seriously, sometimes guys are in need of a thorough whack in the face or a huge kick in their butts.

But how could she possibly, the most popular girl of high school, the president of the school council plus the future Homecoming-queen enter alone? The answer is c'mon! a princess would never commit such an outrageous crime. Ever. It'd deprive her of the crown.

Never a misstep - is that so?

Hard times call for tough measures, that's why Gia picks up the first guy sitting in a truck and asks him to play her fill-in boyfriend. As incredible as it may sound the fill-in Bradley has no objection whatsoever so he agrees to the set-up. Although he doesn't save the world, he gallantly comes to the aid of the Empress of Social Media. Presumably she'd tweet facebook even tumbler the horid news of her break-up right away (Guess I’m single again. Let's party, bitches! #LOL) so that everyone can Like it if it wasn't for the Quarter Evil, Jules who's the appropriate personification of Cruella De Vil. She does her best to discredit Gia in any way she can. Her brand-new martial move is to convince all of Gia's friends that she's a pretty-little-liar about Bradley due to the fact that they have never met him before. (As if we were in the Mean Girls.) To prove her wrong, Gia's breezing in at the side of this anonymous boy. In your face, Jules!

If I were in Gia's shoes:

The mischievous plan works out well which means they don't get exposed after their fake-break up and both of them go back to their dull reality. Then why does Gia feel a twinge of conscience mixed with the unsettling urge to see Fill-In Bradley again? Why did he help a complete stranger in the first place? What were his motives? Despite the fact that he's not exactly her type she can't get him out of her head. There's mystery to be sold. Scherlock is on duty.

There's no more awkward when you can't even follow his babysister's car home to find out his adress and say hello seemingly under cover and you get busted. Watson isn't happy, as far as I can tell. Poor guy should be glad Gia doesn't spill her perfume on his pillow or smell his clothes. Just normal things common folks do. No, not in a creepy stalker way at all.

Time to pay up - even the $bill$

Sister of Nameless Boy, Becky arranges a fake-date for her brother to the birthday party of his ex-girlfriend. (For the record: either this ex-girlfriend tries to seduce him or wants to show him how happy she is after she cheated on him with his bestfriend. Nicely done. She can't be more cruel.)The perfect candidate for the mighty task to discourage fill-in boy from getting back together with his ex the Maleficent again is Gia who's already owe him. A lot. She can't back out of it now. And maybe she doesn't want to...

Twenty questions

'Hayden?'
'Yes, Gia?'
'Nothing. I just wanted to say your name.'

Hayden (yep! it's his name. I know, I know. Cute.) admits he deliberately stayed in the parking lot back then watching whether she needed a ride home because she seemed pretty lost after Bradley tactfully broke up with her. Guess it's another definition for heroism. Captin America should hide somewhere...wait it's not happening. He's too big.

Much to Gia's disappointment, Eve seems to be odd and funny, no wonder Hayden wants her back even after her vicious betrayal. Seriously, people are not in their right minds when it comes to love. Cheating? She entered collusion with the Snake and can't expect good grace. Out of the Eden Garden. How ironic.
Anyway, it's still fun to make Eve jealous and act for the audience. It's a pitty though because Gia wish it was real.

Perfect Family Billboard - No. 1

'Chin up. There are other fish in the sea. It’s a big ocean. Sometimes we need to catch and release a few before we find the keeper. Just keep swimming.'

Her family must take part in the series of What to Say to Your Kids 101? reality show. They'd earn the award for the title of the most meticulous family of all time.

Step one: Have breakfast together every morning with your precious daughter is compulsory. It's a family occasion. Step two: Do not express emotions in case it means confrontation. Peace is safe. Step three: Take no notice if one of your children was a complete jerk to his little sister. Keep being cool about it and ground the victim.

The truth is Drew and Gia have never been close since he always manage to stir up trouble. What she expects from him that he's willing to protect his little sister from jackass ex-boyfriends by beating them for good which just doesn't happen. What happens though is when his bigbrother lurks behind Gia's back and shoots a humiliating-all-revealing video for a scool project targeting her as a subject for mocking. What's more, the film is available on social websites, it is played back before a whole bunch of people, plus Drew has won a prize for his explicit spit-the-truth criticism of society. I dunno who you can trust not other than your flesh and blood and he as well throws you in front of a group of predators like a piece of greasy meat. There's certainly something wrong with the world.

Reprogramming a Generation

'How is selfworth measured today? By the amount of likes a post gets, by how many friends we collect, by how many retweets we accumulate? Do we even know what we really think until we post our thoughts online and let others tell us if they are worthy?'

To put it bluntly, Gia's social media addiction reflects the problem of present genaration globally. Need for validation, collecting as many likes as possible defines us generally hoping 'friends are tweeting our post, otherwise it didn’t really happen, right?' I can tell, I'd definitely watch this video and post it everywhere unless I'd not be the protagonist. Stressing the importance of having virtual 'friends' over exsisting relationships only to justify your coolness sounds ludicrous. I'd most likely get hundreds of dislikes on this post by now....

It must be tough for her to realise she's a shallow snob measuring her worth in those terms. And she is. Or she used to be when her most serious problem of all was to unfollow her ex-boyfriend first. Since then she's trying to be a better person. Not to be a coward who only cares about what others think about her. Not to become her parents who don't express bad feelings because that would imply her family was less than perfect. Keeping everything inside. Well, it was high time to follow Hayden and Becca's lead who were anything but perfect, luckily.

Don't do repeats

'Tomorrow we are all going to be better people.'

Gia & Hayden go off the beaten track when Hayden doesn't consider Gia thrustworthy with a long history of lying. On top of that Jules secret agenda just came to the head when she conducted her vendetta against Gia. All of her friends get to know who the real Bradley was. Drama, drama, drama. Consequently Gia's lost his bestfriend so we can admit Jules just nailed it. Literally get away with her stealthiness.
She must have venom running in her blood really. Clearly Gia didn't manage to pull off her better-person dreams. On the grounds that she was lying to her friends took all the credits from her thrustworthiness. And why would she anyway be given another chance by Hayden while she's the one without doing repeats? The typical case of someone falling into her own trap. It must hurt badly.

Second chances - end of buildup

Likewise every true love throughout history was assisted by a chaperon or an unintentional but not quite accidental spin of fate. How on earth would Elizabeth have fallen for Darcy if it wasn't for the Gardners? What would have happened if the crazy friends in Failure to Launch didn't do their best to sheperd together Trip and Paula? It's superior force I tell you.

The best part of these stories when the guy owns up to his idiocy and begging for the girl's foregiveness. Best chapter. I couldn't express enough my gratitude to Becca the goth self-searching sister who pulled them together. I appreciate her mastermind. We are needed to be guarded in the right way sometimes, I suppose.

How I feel now

Giddy.

Next step

I'm goingt to dig up the other books of Kasie West for sure!

Starring

Hanna Marin the gorgeous, blond, Ms. President in charge. I'v grown into habit to listen Shawn Mendes and he's big hair and skinny enough for Hayden.

Songs

Imagine Dragons - Second Chances

Rating

5 out of 5