YA Book #Review: Last Summer With Maizon (Maizon 1) by Jacqueline Woodson

Book Title: Last Summer with Maizon (Maizon 1)
Author: Jacqueline Woodson  |Website| Twitter| Facebook| Instagram

Publisher:  Puffin Books
Genre: Young Adult, Social Situations
Series/Standalone: Book 1
Format: Trade paperback, Trade Hardcover

Cost: $7.99

Pages: 144

How I got it: Purchased

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound
Publication Date: May 27, 2002
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Synopsis:

Margaret loves her parents and hanging out with her best friend, Maizon. Then it happens, like a one-two punch, during the summer she turns eleven: first, Margaret's father dies of a heart attack, and then Maizon is accepted at an expensive boarding school, far away from the city they call home. For the first time in her life, Margaret has to turn to someone who isn't Maizon, who doesn't know her heart and her dreams. . . .

Whew Chile, I was not prepared for this very emotional story and considering its size it packs quite a punch. I can totally see why Jacqueline Woodson has so many awards because she conveyed so much in so few pages and made it all relatable.  This is the story of two young girls who are in the summer right before 6th grade, and the changes their lives are about to face. Can they survive with their friendship intact or will the coming changes push them too far apart??

I do wish we had gotten more though but my gosh this was impactful. I felt Margaret's hurt about the changes in her life and the upheaval it caused.  After reading this I learned that the book is actually part of a series so I will be picking those up as well

Maizon's changes as well hurt my heart because I knew it was coming. She was so happy and hopeful and I knew the world is cruel to little black girls so I knew especially here in CT where I'm from that this wasn't going to end well for her. Even if it was an amazing opportunity. The world isn't the kindest to young smart black girls.

Margeret is an extremely inciteful child to be able to see what some adults would have missed. I'm glad Margeret and Marizon had each other for these changes and could rely on each other.

I loved the portrayal of friendships in this story. All the different friendships the girls experience and how they help them get through all the changes that happen.  I loved the glimpses of grief and how each person deals with it. A great read for any grade level to be sure.

 ★★★★★

Be prepared for some tough questions if you read this to the kiddos. And bring tissues. 
Happy Reading my loves, 

Snippet Book #Review: Revealed: A Prince and a Pregnancy by Kelly Hunter

Book Title: Revealed: A Prince and A Pregnancy
Author:  Kelly Hunter |Website| Twitter| Facebook|

Publisher: Harlequin Presents
Genre: Romance
Series/Standalone:  Series
Format: Mass Market 

Cost: $4.50

Pages: 184

How I got it: Purchased 

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date: April 2010
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Synopsis:

When heiress Simone Duvalier sashays back into Rafael Alexander's life, Rafe can't wait for her to head back home and leave him to his empire-building in Australia. They once shared so much, but all that remains are memories and the desire to bed her....

Simone has never forgotten fiercely ambitious, achingly sexy Rafael--and neither has her traitorous body! But when a princely secret and an unplanned pregnancy threaten to change everything...can this dark-hearted bad boy become a prince and a father?

I've been on a kick of reading the smaller romance books in my collection this month, and this is the second book I've read that was a second chance romance with fun, and strong female characters.  Normally when you read these even if they are fun romances, the woman is at some sort of disadvantage to the man, even if it's just financial or social class. This time they are on even footing, they grew up together and fell in love and when faced with moving into a new part of their relationship fears ruled and they broke up.

Now there is a wedding and their siblings are getting married and they have to be civil with each other.  Simone would like to make amends and either get back with Rafael as friends, she misses the companionship they always had.  Rafael hasn't quite healed from their break years ago and can't be int eh same room as her much less be friends again.  And as their meddling siblings, time and circumstances work together Rafael and Simone find themselves fighting to discover if they can make another go of it.

I loved this second chance romance. I loved that they both were successful in their own right, but in this one place, and for the first time in a long time the man isn't a manwhore 9nothing wrong with it but sometimes it would be nice to have a nice guy and we got him here).   I loved that they could admire each other and their successes and that when they tried to get back together they had a few kinks to work out but they had a common goal.  I loved their conversations and their journey to their HEA. I loved that even if it meant losing him Simone was willing to stand in and defend him, even if he repaid that loyalty with his foolish attitude. 

 ★★★★☆

This was a great story even with the crazy reveal that leads them to come together. I really enjoyed their adventures and am going to read their siblings' story as well. 

Happy Reading my loves, 

Snippet Book #Review: The Billionaire's Pregnant Mistress by Lucy Monroe

Book Title: The Billionaire's Pregnant Mistress
Author:  Lucy Monroe |Website| Twitter| Facebook|

Publisher:  Harlequin Presents
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series/Standalone:   Series
Format: Mass Market

Cost: $4.50

Pages: 184

How I got it: Purchased

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble |
Publication Date: December 2004
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Synopsis:

When Greek billionaire Dimitri Petronides is forced to give up Xandra Fortune, his beautiful mistress, he's certain she won't be too distraught. For all the intense passion they've shared, she's never let him into her heart, and such a commitment-shy woman could never be his wife....

But after their split Dimitri discovers that Xandra Fortune is not who he thought she was--and she is also pregnant with his child. Now he has to track her down and claim his mistress as his wife!

This was a re-read for me and I enjoyed it this time around just as much as I did the first time. Xandra was a famous model who was dating Dimitri and when he is called home she continues to work not knowing her world is about to crumble around her.

My favorite parts are when they challenge each other. When they break up its done in such a hard way that hurts them both because Dimitri wants to please his favorite relative instead of standing up for himself and what he wants.  When Dimitri realizes his mistake he id devasted to learn that Xandra is gone and not even the best detectives he's hired can find her.

Invited to a private party he's given some seriously devastating news and is left to decide who he wants to be now. Due to stubbornness, these two are at odds and they struggle to find the comfortable ground they once inhabited. They each have someone they were working to protect and in doing so they end up facing off. Dimitri is playing catch up and is hoping his actions now will speak louder than his words then did.

I loved how they came back together and that they were both so wary but trying to get to a happy place.  Personally, I would have taken my family to task even if it made them mad at me, you're not talking to me like that but enjoying the fruits of my labor. Just not going to happen.  I loved the friendships and other familial relationships that we got to see in the book and I loved how great they were as siblings.  As a couple, they worked well and they were so sensual together. I loved how Xandra would take him to task at times when he said something so side-eye worthy.

Fantastic romance, well-written characters, a great second chance romance.  I say it's a great read for being poolside.

 ★★★☆☆

Enjoy poolside or ar the beach, heck even on the back porch, 

Happy Reading my loves, 

My Summer 2018 Reading List

Happy Summer Solstice my loves.

I can't believe it's the official first day of Summer, here in CT it was a breezy balmy day a great beginning to the Summer months.  I spent most of the afternoon in the garden and communing with the elements. With summer comes the urge to eat lighter, to stress less, to relax more and have some good fun.  And that also means for me to read light fun books especially books about the beach and summer vacation.  With that, I decided to create a list of books to read from my shelves that should be entertaining but not bog me down in series or sequels.  Let's take a look :

Sarah Dessen. She's mentioned a lot when it comes to summer books and since I own a good majority of her books and have only read one I need to remedy that. For my summer reading list I have picked:

• That Summer
• Keeping the Moon
• Someone Like You
• Dreamland
• The Truth About Forever
• Along For the Ride
• The Moon and more
• Whatever Happened to Goodbye

Deep Blue by Jennifer Donnelly 

Breaking Butterflies by M Anjelais

Riptide by Lindsey Scheibe

Tonight The Streets Are Ours by Leila Sales

The Heartbreakers Ali Novak

I have a few from Simone Elkeles 

I also have Susane Colasanti who I adore, I have a few of her books to complete as well including:

• City Love
• Take ME there
• Waiting For You

I want to completely catch up on Katie McGarry's books including

• Walk the Edge
• Long Way Home
• Say You'll Remember Me

Miranda Kennealy's books which I have on my shelves. I'm saving closer to the end of summer as most are about going back to school.  Or being in school.  

Who I Kissed by Janet Gurtler

Kissing In Italian by Lauren Henderson

I recently hauled this one which seems like a fun read about summer camp and two interesting people When Dimple Met Rishi

Morgan Madsen is considered the summer young adult queen and I have Since You've Been Gone by her to complete as well.

I wish to re-read Forever by Judy Bloome

Marrying Up by Wendy Holdem. No idea what it's about but I know it looks awesome and it's so bright and summery I can't wait to dive in. 

Swapping Lives by Jane Green or any of her other works I have on my shelves because she's great for chick lit and romantic comedy.

Island For Two by Beverly Jenkins

Endless Summer Nights by Donna Hill Anthology

Sultry Nights by Donna Hill

Sweet Southern Nights by Donna Hill

Plus any of the romantic comedies I have on hand from any number of authors. Well, that's all I have for now. Share in the comments whichever ones you think I should move up the list.

I'll share when I have read and what I'm thinking as the month flows along.

Thanks for stopping by my loves and happy Summer Reading