The Edge of Juniper

                Hello happy readers!  So last year I read and reviewed Outspoken by Lora Richardson (review) and really enjoyed it.  When I was asked about reviewing her next book The Edge of Juniper I was more than happy to do so.  Things got a bit crazy and I’m more than a bit behind but I was finally able to read this book in pretty much one sitting.  Would have been one but I got off work and hard to drive home to finish it ;)  So here are my thoughts and feels on it.

Rating:  5 Stars

                Sixteen-year-old Fay is spending the whole summer with her Aunt, Uncle, and cousins in the small little town of Juniper, Indiana.  She is excited for the adventure having been close and loving her week long visits to spend with her cousin Celia.  Though she quickly discovers that things are not what they seem and far from the perfect way she imagined.  Her Uncle has a grudge with the Dearing family in town and no one is supposed to speak with them, off limits.  Not a problem.  Until Fay is left with lots of free time as Celia has a boyfriend keeping her busy most of the time.  Enter Malcolm, the sweet, warm, and attractive boy who caught her eye.  Only one problem, he’s Malcolm Dearing and off limits.  This only makes her think of him even more as the summer and all the happenings going on in Juniper.

                I really enjoyed this one.  It was super sweet in so many ways.  I just adore Malcolm.  Seriously book boyfriend material of the highest quality!  The story was also very real.  It tackled so much in handling so many issues from alcoholism, first love, and all types of relationships and loves both healthy and not so healthy.  Still while some items really tugged at your heart or upset you there was so many other funny or lighthearted scenes that all flowed so wonderfully together.  The story as a whole really came together and I just had such a good time reading it.

                I enjoyed being with Fay as she stayed with her family for eight months and learned so much but mostly about herself.  She came to really know who she is as a person and the self discovery was wonderful.  While I didn't always agree with Fay she had he reasons for things and she was willing to admit when she was wrong.  Malcolm was just wonderful in so many ways and what I think most would adore in a boyfriend.   Celia is so much different from Fay in many ways but at the same time you see the similarities as well.  Their relationship also had me turning the pages to see what would happen. The Edge of Juniper is a beautiful contemporary that you can fly through on a nice lazy day but that might also tear at your heart as well.  I know I got teary in parts.  Falling in and out of love, first love, and family love are just a few of the loves to love about this book.  I highly recommend it. 

                Until next time…

We Were Liars

                Welcome back to another review.  Today we have We Were Liars by E. Lockhart.  I bought this book because I was hearing about this book everywhere.  It was on a ton of lists and booktube, everywhere I look at book news it was there.  So clearly I wanted to be in the know.  I figured it was a stand-alone I could read and be caught up with everyone.  It’s a short book and I read it in an afternoon.

                The basic story is that of a distinguished family who owns a private island.  It centers on a group of friends, known as the Liars, and their friendship full of lies and secrets and eventually the truth.  This is going to be a very short review because you can’t say much without giving it away and it’s best feature is it’s quick suspense.

               

                Following the Liars, Cadence, Johnny, Mirren, and Gat around the island and seeing into the lives of the private island owning.  The style of writing was different from what I was used to but I easily fell into the rhythm.  Our narrator, Cadence, talks about the importance of the Liars and their connection as a group during their time, when they are all there, how close they are but sometimes it didn’t come across.  And I would have liked a bit more development on some of the Liars as a whole but given how short it is I can easily forgive that.

                Overall I give it 4 stars.  It was an interesting story and it kept me reading until the surprising end.  It’s a story you don’t necessarily see coming.  Following rich families around and how they interact and how it affects the children.  I do feel this book was a bit overhyped.  Again I enjoyed it and don’t regret reading it by any means, 4 stars remember, but I think the level of hype I heard for it had me expecting something a bit…more.  I do recommend this as a short read but I warn that you ignore the hype and just go in expecting a semi-dark and suspenseful story and go from there. 

                Also side note I have to point out on the description of the book it says:

Read it.

And if anyone asks you how it ends, just LIE.

                Okay that I do love.  Because first, don’t spoil the book for people.  And it fits with the story itself, with the Liars.  Anywho that is it for today’s review.  I should have another one up in the next day or two.  I’m trying to post regularly again, look for my review of the Legend series Monday.