Book Review: Just One Day by Gayle Forman

Title: Just One Day
Author: Gayle Forman
Publisher: Puffin

Summary: Allyson Healey's life is exactly like her suitcase—packed, planned, ordered. Then on the last day of her three-week post-graduation European tour, she meets Willem. A free-spirited, roving actor, Willem is everything she’s not, and when he invites her to abandon her plans and come to Paris with him, Allyson says yes. This uncharacteristic decision leads to a day of risk and romance, liberation and intimacy: 24 hours that will transform Allyson’s life.A book about love, heartbreak, travel, identity, and the “accidents” of fate, Just One Day shows us how sometimes in order to get found, you first have to get lost. . . and how often the people we are seeking are much closer than we know.

Review: I should know that whenever I have a Gayle Forman book that I've added to my TBR that I should read it immediately. After reading If I Stay and its companion novel Where She Went a few years ago I fell in love with Gayle Forman's writing. She has a wonderful writing style and I just adore the way that she  narrates, and she has such unique stories to tell... it just sucks me in so completely. The stories that she writes while they generally deal with a vast audience of emotions they deal in personal growth so much.

So well over a year after being on my list to read I finally picked up Just One Day and you guys, for me this one had ALL the feels. I've read mixed reviews: people that loved it, people that hated it. Those bloggers and reviewers who share similar tastes to my own like Ginger over at GReads! loved it. I'm so glad I finally read this. Enough about my ramblings about loving the book, let me tell you a little bit more about it.

Just One Day is a story about good-girl Allyson Healey who goes on a three-week European tour with her extrovert best friend. Allyson is the kind of girl that you don't have to worry about getting into unnecessary trouble. That is, until she meets European free-spirited Willem and he makes her an absurd offer: come to Paris with him for one day. Allyson makes a decision that is incredibly uncharacteristic for her and takes him up on his offer. This is a decision that changes Allyson's life. While I know that realistically this isn't the best move... a young girl going off with a man that she doesn't even know should send up a ton of red flags. But I loved both Allyson and completely against what my head was telling me, I loved Willem too. There was just something about him that melted my heart and kept me wondering about his past. He was a wanderer who seems to have been everywhere in Europe... and never seemingly goes home.

Part of my attraction to this book was the setting and I don't feel like the setting has been such a big part of the story for me since Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard or Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins (which I will admit are two of my favorites EVER). And in a way, I think that I compare myself to Allyson in that I'd probably be that girl to go on the European tour and not wander off the beaten path. Unless there was someone, like Willem, to show me what Paris or Europe as a whole is really about. 

While reading this I laughed and I cried. I have to admit, I swooned just a little bit over Willem. I felt so many things while reading this. I haven't felt this involved in a story in a really, really long time. Contemporary NA at it's best. I cannot state this any more simply: go read this book now. It is, quite simply, one of my favorite books that I've read in 2014.

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A Guest Post from Choc Lit's Liz Harris

As you may well remember I devoured Liz's A Western Heart I was well and truly blown away by the novella and if you haven't already read my review you can read it here I look forward to reading A Bargain Struck next...so many books so little time haha.

Liz agreed to pen something for us here at Dark Readers I hope you enjoy it as much as we did...

FROM THE HEART OF THE WEST

With your permission, I’d like to turn the clock back a few months and begin by mentioning A Bargain Struck, my full-length novel set in Wyoming 1887. In the story, widower Conn Maguire (yes, strong, tanned and handsome) is looking for a wife to help with his homestead, look after his eight year-old daughter, Bridget, and provide him with an heir. Ellen O’Sullivan is looking for somewhere to call home after a tragedy in her life, and she sees this as her only hope.
When Ellen arrives, it's clear she hasn’t been entirely honest with Connor (No, she is NOT pregnant. No, she does NOT already have a child – I thought I’d just get that out of the way!), but for reasons of his own, he goes ahead with what is a business agreement - one that was pretty commonplace at that time – and marries her.
The novel tells of their struggle to overcome the effects of Ellen’s deception, Bridget’s hostility and intervention from the outside as they try to build a life together in the harsh farming conditions of the 1880s. It’s a struggle that I set against an authentic historical background. In fact, I was so keen to get it right that I ended up going to Wyoming to find out everything I could about the life of second generation homesteaders.
There can be no greater thrill than walking in the footsteps of one’s characters, and it was the trip of a lifetime. I started off on a working ranch, and then moved on to the museums across Wyoming. I don’t think there was a single museum I hadn’t visited by the end of my stay, and I found out everything I wanted to know.
Long after I’d finished writing A Bargain Struck, the American West was still at the fore of my mind, so when I decided to write a novella between my full-length novels, it was a no-brainer that I went back to Wyoming, the heart of the American West.
But I didn’t go back to the same setting, nor to the same year.
I don’t like returning to the sort of locations I’ve already described – it’s more fun to try to capture the essence of somewhere entirely new. A Bargain Struck is set a hundred miles south of the Overland Trail in a beautiful green area that lies in the shadow of the Sierra Madre Mountains, but A Western Heart is set north of the Overland Trail in what is very much ranching country, and it’s the story not of homesteaders, but of the son and daughter of two successful neighbouring ranches, Will Hyde and Rose McKinley.
And I don’t like going back to a year I’ve previously explored. I set A Bargain Struck in 1887 because that was a transitional year in Wyoming history, marking as it did the end of the Open Range and of the long cattle drives, and I could see the story potential for homesteaders of what happened in that particular year.
I wanted a different year for A Western Heart, one that would enhance the story that was taking shape in my mind, so I sat down to look further into the 1870s and 1880s. In no time at all, I had found the perfect year for my needs - 1880.
1880 is perfect in four ways, but I’m going to be very careful how I describe those ways to you as I’d hate to give you a spoiler. Firstly, conditions for cattle grazing had never been better than in 1880 – the grass was lush and green, and it was there for the taking. Secondly, history offered me a very good reason for why lean, good-looking Nate Galloway might have left his Rock Springs home at that time.
Thirdly and fourthly, I was able to use true events in 1879 and 1883 to motivate Nate Galloway’s journey across Wyoming from one wealthy ranch to another. I don’t know whether anyone actually did what Nate did, but they might well have done.

Well, I think it’s time to say over and out. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed talking to you, Dark-Readers, and I’m very grateful to have been given this opportunity to do so. A HUGE thank you to you all.




You can find Liz on Twitter @lizharrisauthor she is one of the awesome @ChocLituk authors. Go check them out you WILL not be disappointed.

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BOOK REVIEW: Famous In Love By Rebecca Serle

Book: Famous In Love
Author: Rebecca Serle
Publisher: Macmillan UK
Release date (UK & US): OUT NOW

Summary: She fell in love with him in the books - now she has the chance to star opposite him in the film . . .Paige doesn't think she's particularly special, but after getting the starring role in a massive film adaptation of the bestselling Locked trilogy, the rest of the world would disagree. Now she's thrown into the spotlight, and into a world of gossip, rumour and deceit. The only people who know what she's going through are her two male co-stars, and they can't stand the sight of each other. Paige knows it's a mistake to fall in love on the set of a movie, but days of on-screen romance and intensity start to change her mind. The question is, can she keep what happens behind the scenes a secret when the world is watching her every move?

Review:  So when I first heard the premise of this book it sounded excitingly original and I wanted to read it straight away.

I was sucked in from the get go. A 17 year old girl living a normal life goes into an open audition, to become the lead in one of the most famous YA books in the world at the time and she gets the part, But not only does she get the part she has sexy male leads fighting over her.

No you may be thinking "Oh no this sounds cheesy" but my god was it not. If you're a fan of a steamy romance's tipped in with Hawaii, sun, sea and fun times then this is a book for you. While reading this I could tell Rebecca had done her research on how this movie making game works. It was actually really insightful to read about behind the scenes of a movie making process.

What was so fantastic about this book too was this is every YA readers dream, Especially of you're a fan of YA being turned into films. Many fans (including myself not gonna lie) fantasise about being the lead in your fav YA to movie adaption, and through this book you can do it, thanks to Rebeccas amazing writing skills of course. 

The sexual tension between all the lead characters had me wanting to jump into the ocean at points. The set was on fire. I have to say the characters were not at all two dimensional. You really felt them coming off the page so perfectly. Their personalities stood out very well and made the book very enjoyable.

Overall if you're a YA fan that loves contemporary romances set in scenario's you've never come across before then you'll love this one! Hip, fun, romantic and down right addicting!  

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Doctor Who: The Ripple Effect by Malroie Blackman Short story review

Title: Doctor Who: The Ripple Effect
Author: Malorie Blackman
Publisher: Puffin
Release date: Ebook: 23 July 2013
Boxset paperback: 13/11/2014 (UK)
11/18/2014 (US)

Synopsis: When the TARDIS lands on Skaro, the Seventh Doctor and Ace are shocked to discover the planet has become the universal centre of learning, populated by a race of peace-loving Daleks. Ever suspicious of his archenemies' motives, the Doctor learns of a threat that could literally tear the universe apart...


Review: STOP THE PRESS!!!...The DALEKS ARE BACK...AND THEY'RE NICE!

Like many of you I'm probably more familiar with the more recent Doctors, so this was a great chance for me to explore a past version of someone I already knew. And since I was reading, rather than seeing him be as it were I had to pick up on all his traits from a short amount of text, where everything was almost subtle, but explicit. But I got him, and I liked him, and it's as Malorie Blackman says, he has this jovial mature about him that I liked and reminded me a little of a Matt smith-esq doctor, but like all doctors there is this darker side to him. We get to see both sides here and and I for one love when the doctor has these darker moments, because you get to understand his complexity so much more! 

The book has Blackamn written all over it, and there were some great perspectives thrown in, looking at changing attitudes toward people - which pitted the Doctor against his companion Ace, and made me think about 'If I could change history would I?' Check out her interview on the book here: 

And the Daleks are bacccccccccck. Gotta love a Dalek, they're like a doctor who staple, so I was so happy when they popped up...but wait! Whats this! They're being civil...no cry of EXTERMINATE! That in itself was very weird, so me and the doctor were on the same page with that one! But why? And what happens....you'll just have to red to find out! 

This series has stories by some of my favourite authors, and each new style and perspective really adds something to the world of Doctor Who, and is also a great introduction if you've never read any before, they're like short little bursts, almost like mini TV episodes, that you want to know so much more from! So read them allllll! 

I also just want to take a second to say how COOL the new paperback covers are in the slip box edition of all twelve stories. The cover for this one you can see above! They're tailored to each doctor, so I almost want to buy a set to frame because its really cool artwork! 

I hope you enjoy these books, I'd love to hear your thoughts on them, and as I hit publish I think its only right that I play the theme song really loud and hop off in my TARDIS to....well to work!  

Quick fire question round:

Do you have a favourite Doctor?    Matt Smith! (wait Does Donna count!?!)

Describe the Doctor in one word.   Enigmatic 

If you had a TARDIS where would you go?  I keep thinking to literal..so Another Galaxy! Though I still want to go and meet Anne Boleyn!  

Stephen #12doctors12stories

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Before We Fall by Courtney Cole Launch Day Blitz! Review & Giveaway

So today we are here to celebrate the print release of Courtney Cole's Before We Fall which is book # 3 in her Beautifully Broken series. I have to be quite honest - over the last week or two I have been introduced to Courtney Cole's adult contemporary books, especially those in this series and I am really enjoying her writing voice. On a whim I picked up one of the books in this series for my birthday, and now I'm slowly getting caught up on the whole series. So, a little about Before We Fall:

BEFORE WE FALL by Courtney Cole (November 4, 2014; Forever Trade Paperback; $12.00)

Sometimes before we fall . . . we fly.

One dark moment was all it took to turn twenty-four-year-old Dominic Kinkaide's world black. On the night of his high school graduation, a single incident changed him forever, and he became a hardened man-famous in the eyes of the world, but tortured inside. Now all he cares about is losing himself in the roles that he plays.

At twenty-three years old, Jacey Vincent doesn't realize how much her father's indifference has affected her. She is proof that sometimes it isn't one specific moment that wrecks a person, but an absence of moments. She tries to find acceptance in the arms of men to fill the void-a plan that has worked just fine for her, until she meets Dominic.

When jaded Dominic and strong-willed Jacey are thrown together, the combination of his secrets and her issues turns their attraction into the perfect storm. It could change their lives for good-if it doesn't tear them both apart . . .

Buy Links:

B&N 

BAM 

IndieBound 

iBooks 

Amazon 

About the author:

Courtney Cole is a New York Times and USA Todaybestselling author who lives near Lake Michigan with her family.  She's always working on her next project... or staring dreamily out her office window.

Social Media Links:

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Goodreads

There is an awesome rafflecopter giveaway being run for 5 signed sets of the series. Follow the link and enter to win: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/26635ce2124/

Also, over here at Dark Readers we are giving away one copy of this book to be mailed by Courtney's publicist, only open to the US and Canada. Enter by commenting below about a book you've read of Courtney's, or why you're looking forward to reading one of her books. Please be sure you leave a way for me to contact you such as your blog or e-mail address!

My review:
So if you are looking for a light and fluffy read with sweet and perfect heroines and heroes.... I can tell you right now, this is not the book or the series for you. Of the books in this series that I have read this is easily the darkest and most angsty book. The characters are very flawed, and very troubled. This book is about Dominic Kinkaide who is in his mid-twenties and is an actor. To say that he is emotionally closed off from the rest of the world could easily be the understatement of the year. He keeps himself at a distance when it comes to his relationships and throughout the book you learn the reasons why. Secrets come out and a whole past that was been hidden is brought to light. I feel like I should put it out there, because of Dom's wild party lifestyle there is some graphic content throughout.

I really, really wanted to LOVE this book. I'm not saying that I disliked it because I didn't. But it definitely wasn't my favorite that I've read in the series so far.  Dominic I had mixed feelings about through much of the book as he just... wasn't my kind of hero. And I get that they're supposed to be "beautifully broken" but I felt that he was well beyond that. Jacey wasn't my favorite female lead, either.  But they really had some steep competition when it comes to characters because I adored the characters in the first two books. I did love any of the scenes with Courtney's brother, Gabe and his best friend, Brand.  And I still loved Courtney Cole's writing voice. I feel like she has a really unique writing style. It isn't just reading about the story, it's told through the voice of the character. 

So, although this wasn't my favorite book in the series I still enjoyed it and would give it 3.5 stars. I will be continuing with the series and reading the fourth book in the series, Until We Fly.

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Book Review: A Place For Us Part Two By Harriet Evans

Name: A Place For Us
Author: Harriet Evans
Publisher: Headline

Summary: The SECOND of four exclusive part-serialisations of a A Place for Us by Harriet Evans will reunite you with the Winter family ...
The day Martha Winter decided to tear apart her family began like any other day.
So opens A Place for Us by Sunday Times bestselling author Harriet Evans, a book you'll dive into, featuring a family you'll fall in love with ... and never want to leave.
The house has soft, purple wisteria twining around the door. You step inside.
The hall is cool after the hot summer's day. The welcome is kind, and always warm.
Yet something makes you suspect life here can't be as perfect as it seems.
After all, the brightest smile can hide the darkest secret.
But wouldn't you pay any price to have a glorious place like this?
Welcome to Winterfold.
Martha Winter's family is finally coming home.

Review: When I finished reading Harriet Evan's truly gripping A Place For Us part one I was begging for part two. I started reading part two on my plane from New York to Florida, it is safe to say I didn't get any reading done whilst I was in Florida. Have you seen the amount of theme parks there are?

Anyway, I also kind of lost my reading mojo, now I have it back and as I had charged my lovely Kobo I dived back into the heart of the action at Winterfold. MY OH MY! What a treat and I can see why it has been split into parts. For the reader it has us constantly engaged and wanting to know more. Just like in part one you are getting each characters point of view or their story. Some in present, some in past. Throughout part one and in some of part two I had particular thoughts of certain characters including that of Daisy and as I read on I felt guilty and thought differently.

I love stories that challenge you as a reader and I love it when you think certain things and you are sometimes proved right and wrong. I think if I had read this as a full on book I would have stayed up all night to complete it. So in a way for my own sanity it is probably best I am reading these in parts haha!. Plus I would have needed a heck of a lot of coffee to function.

As I type this I have been accepted for part three so that means my lunch break will be back with Winterfold.  Part two saw the discovery of the secrets but how will the family cope.
I have really enjoyed reading these parts and I will be sad to see them go...

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NOCTE by Courtney Cole

Hey guys, Jen here. I've been anxiously awaiting the release of this one as there has been a lot of buzz going around. Nocte by Courtney Cole is released today... and I'd be a total liar if I said I wasn't intrigued. There are a lot of questions about the premise of the book, I know that it's supposed to be rather dark. I'll be picking this one up to read in the coming weeks and can't wait to share by review!

Here's the blurb on Amazon:

SAVE ME AND I'LL SAVE YOU.... 

My name is Calla Price. I’m eighteen years old, and I’m one half of a whole. 
My other half-- my twin brother, my Finn-- is crazy. 

I love him. More than life, more than anything. And even though I’m terrified he’ll suck me down with him, no one can save him but me. 

I’m doing all I can to stay afloat in a sea of insanity, but I’m drowning more and more each day. So I reach out for a lifeline. 

Dare DuBray. 

He’s my savior and my anti-Christ. His arms are where I feel safe, where I’m afraid, where I belong, where I’m lost. He will heal me, break me, love me and hate me. 
He has the power to destroy me. 

Maybe that’s ok. Because I can’t seem to save Finn and love Dare without everyone getting hurt. 

Why? Because of a secret. 

A secret I’m so busy trying to figure out, that I never see it coming. 

You won’t either. 

***

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