First Comes Love by Katie Kacvinsky

First Comes Love

by Katie Kacvinsky

Published by Houghton Mifflin Books for Children

Publication Date May 8, 2012

Pages: 198

Sources: Southern Book Bloggers ARC Tours

Like his name, Gray is dark and stormy. Dylan, a girl always searching for what's next, seemingly unable to settle down, is the exact opposite: full of light and life. On the outside, they seem like an unlikely couple. But looks can be deceiving and besides, opposites attract.

What starts as friendship, turns into admiration, respect and caring, until finally these two lone souls find they are truly in love with each other.

But staying in love is not as easy as falling in love. If Dylan and Gray want their love to last, they're going to have to work at it. And learn that sometimes love means having to say you're sorry. (from Goodreads)

My Thoughts

It's strange when you know that you are going to love a book after reading just the first few sentences, but that is exactly how I felt when I started reading First Comes Love. Honestly, the opening line had me hooked. Out of the corner of my eye, I'm watching a girl. That is all that it took for me to become committed to this story and to these characters I was about to meet. And after a few chapters in, I could tell that it was becoming one of my favorite stories of friendship and love. 

The synopsis really does tell a lot about what happens - an unlikely couple meets, becomes friends and that friendship grows into a romantic relationship, but it's the emotions I felt while reading the story that made me recognize the complexity of their relationship. Everything wasn't perfect and the characters had to grow and share and were honest with each other in a way that is so rare and so real.

I loved Dylan and Gray so, so much. Dylan had a way about her that was free and spontaneous and silly. She wants to experience the most from life that she can. But I think that she was so hopeful that made me like her so much. And Gray - he was so lonely and guarded. But when he did start to open up, it was so easy for me (the reader) to fall in love with him. I wanted to know him and what he was all about.

Another wonderful thing about First Comes Love is that it is told from alternating points of view so you knew what both characters where thinking about the same situations. You got to learn what they both thought when they first met each other, their first time spending time together, and their first kiss.

There were so many fantastic moments - some sweet and romantic. Some serious and some sexy. Some thoughtful and insightful. While I was reading, I kept bookmarking everything that I loved until there was almost something on every page. It is that good! Here are some of my favorite lines (which all happen to be spoken or thought by Dylan):

"It's amazing the truth people expose when they think no one is watching." (page 6)

"On the surface he might be callused, but looking through a creative lens, I see layers and textures. He reminds me of a folding chair, closed in and waiting to be shoved in a storage closet. I'm determined to see him unfold." (page 9)

"People become pieces inside of you. They can fill you up and make you whole." (page 68)

"He wrapped his arms around me and held me so close our ribs were connecting. He kept breathing me in. I could feel my heart rise and sink, rise and sink with every breath." (page 160)

"It's strange how people tell you things at the exact moment you need to hear them. Words can be the most comforting of all. They can pick you up and keep you moving." (page 173)

These could go on and on and I could keep going on and on about this book, I think that it is that terrific. I can't wait to get a copy of my own to read again and again!!

Disclaimer: I received the book for review as part of the Southern Book Bloggers ARC Tours. Thoughts and opinions are my own and I was not compensated in any way for providing a review. Quotes are taken from the Advance Reading Copy and may differ from the final published version.

Review: Purity by Jackson Pearce

Purity

by Jackson Pearce

Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Publication Date: April 24, 2012

Pages: 224

Source:Southern Book Bloggers ARC Tour

A novel about love, loss, and sex -- but not necessarily in that order.

Before her mother died, Shelby promised three things: to listen to her father, to love as much as possible, and to live without restraint. Those Promises become harder to keep when Shelby's father joins the planning committee for the Princess Ball, an annual dance that ends with a ceremonial vow to live pure lives -- in other words, no "bad behavior," no breaking the rules, and definitely no sex.

Torn between Promises One and Three, Shelby makes a decision -- to exploit a loophole and lose her virginity before taking the vow. But somewhere between failed hookup attempts and helping her dad plan the ball, Shelby starts to understand what her mother really meant, what her father really needs, and who really has the right to her purity. (from Goodreads)

My Thoughts

Funny, charming, endearing. Awkward, confusing, and oh so misguided. Words that describe Shelby Crewe of Jackson Pearce's Purity.

I liked this book a whole lot - I mean bunches and bunches. I've already recommended it to friends and I would read it again and definitely want other people to read it. Yet there was something that just didn't sit well with me. It didn't stop me from finishing the story or even savoring the last words. So what was it - the little hang-up that I couldn't get over? Just the overall lack of communication between Shelby and her father. As I was reading Purity I kept thinking to myself - tell him what you are thinking - he wants to listen to what you have to say. It is so obvious. Instead she devises a plan, rather impulsively, to lose her virginity so she doesn't have to take a pledge to be "pure" and then lie to her father.  Seriously?! Really?! Couldn't she thought of something else?

It may sound like I thought this book was ridiculous but I don't. I just read it from a different perspective. Dare I admit it, an "older" perspective. But I completely get it, not a lot of teenage girls feel like they can speak openly with their dad especially when there has been so much silence between them for a long time.

I admit that I loved reading the interactions between Shelby and her friends Ruby and Jonas as they plan her future hook-ups. But it was more so for the contemplation than all of the scheming they were doing. In her more thoughtful moments, Shelby says to Jonas,

"I never really pictured how I wanted my first time to be, you know? But now that I'm trying to have it, I feel like I'm giving up some fantasy that never even existed to begin with." 

Even though the conversation before and after wasn't all too serious, her having said this made me feel really sad for Shelby. She was a character that I wanted to shake some sense into, but also give her a big hug and be a friend to.

This book poses a lot of ideas on love and loss, friendship, family, and faith. It makes for a great book to discuss with friends or even a book club. I'm sure that it may even contribute to some heated discussions depending on the reader's perspective. I've already shared it with some friends and I'm looking forward to talking about it with them.

I received the ARC for review as part of the Southern Book Bloggers ARC Tours.

In My Mailbox (65)

 

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme run by Kristi at The Story Siren which showcases the books that have been delivered to our mailbox or doorstep or directly into our hot little hands.

Purchased:

By The Time You Read This, I'll Be Dead by Julie Anne Peters
Dead to You by Lisa McMann

Review:

The List by Siobhan Vivian
Purity by Jackson Pearce

both for Southern Book Bloggers ARC Tour

What did you get in your mailbox?

In My Mailbox (63)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme run by Kristi at The Story Siren which showcases the books that have been delivered to our mailbox or doorstep or directly into our hot little hands.

Purchased:

Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard
The Rivals by Daisy Whitney
Ordinary Beauty by Laura Wiess (my review)
On The Fringe by Courtney King Walker e-book
 

For Review:

Never Enough by Denise Jaden

ARC tour hosted by the author

Borrowed:

Hallowed by Cynthia Hand
from Lisa at Lisa's Gadget 'n Book World

I must say this was another great week in books. I'm so happy to have a finished copy of Ordinary Beauty by Laura Wiess. I received an ARC last year, but I had to have a finished copy. I was also excited to receive my copy of Wanderlove which came out this week. I started reading the review copy from NetGalley, but I like the feel of holding an actual book so I decided just to wait until my copy came to read it. I think I will read it after I finish my current read (Perfect by Ellen Hopkins). 

I'm so happy that Lisa let me borrow Hallowed. I was anxious to find out what happened with Clara, Tucker, and Christian. I was definitely more interested in reading this story than Unearthly which was a previous book club pick. Maybe because I had too many unanswered questions. I hope that the rest of the ladies will read Hallowed too so we can dish on everything that happened. Until then, there I'll have some of my thoughts about the book posted on here tomorrow.

I've had two great weeks in books. So good that I think I need to hold off on purchasing any more this month. I have to save up for all of the ones I want that are released next month! And there are a few!

The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour

The Disenchantments
by Nina LaCour
Published by Dutton Juvenile
Publication Date February 16, 2012











Colby and Bev have a long-standing pact: graduate, hit the road with Bev's band, and then spend the year wandering around Europe. But moments after the tour kicks off, Bev makes a shocking announcement: she's abandoning their plans - and Colby - to start college in the fall.

But the show must go on and The Disenchantments weave through the Pacific Northwest, playing in small towns and dingy venues, while roadie- Colby struggles to deal with Bev's already-growing distance and the most important question of all: what's next? (from Goodreads)

Why do I read young adult books? The Disenchantments IS WHY I read young adult. It is the reason I read contemporary. It was like hanging out with my best friends.

Nina LaCour’s sophomore novel, The Disenchantments, is the story of four friends having one last hurrah before going their separate ways after graduating high school. Well that’s the simple, uncomplicated description. But in one moment, Bev’s decision to go her own away, complicates everything.

I felt like I was there with Colby, Bev, Meg and Alexa in the VW bus singing along with them. Hanging out with them before their shows and all of their late night adventures.  I was in the moment. I was there for all of the fun - eating at the diners, stopping at neighborhood lemonade stands, looking for sea glass and other treasures on the beach -but I was there for all of the awkward silences too. Some many things just waiting to be said, that needed to be said. I think this is what I loved most about reading The Disenchantments - really being in the story.

I loved the camaraderie of the characters. It was obvious that they all cared for each other. There were so many tender moments between them to be savored. Sisters spending their last week together before older sister Meg moved away for college. Best friends trying to understand what they really mean to each other. All of them scared that they will become different and their friendships may never be the same. But also, they were hopeful of all of the potential and possibilities of their future.

I’m realizing that I read this book from such a nostalgic perspective that, just maybe, I haven’t really expressed what a fun and adventurous book The Disenchantments really is. And oh boy (or girl) IT IS!! There are late nights spent dancing, a tattoo (or few), music you just want to belt out to - Heart, The Runaways, and always (thanks to Meg) The Supremes, and there’s even a hot tub scene! And the concerts, well, just read this book because there are no words, really.

I loved this book and can’t wait until it comes out so I can get my own copy to read over and over again. It will be like spending time with some old friends.

I received the ARC for review as part of the Southern Book Bloggers ARC Tours.