The Fragile Ordinary by Samantha Young

 

 I am Comet Caldwell.
And I sort of, kind of, absolutely hate my name.
People expect extraordinary things from a girl named Comet. That she’ll be effortlessly cool and light up a room the way a comet blazes across the sky.
But from the shyness that makes her book-character friends more appealing than real people to the parents whose indifference hurts more than an open wound, Comet has never wanted to be the center of attention. She can’t wait to graduate from her high school in Edinburgh, Scotland, where the only place she ever feels truly herself is on her anonymous poetry blog. But surely that will change once she leaves to attend university somewhere far, far away.
When new student Tobias King blazes in from America and shakes up the school, Comet thinks she’s got the bad boy figured out. Until they’re thrown together for a class assignment and begin to form an unlikely connection. Everything shifts in Comet’s ordinary world. Tobias has a dark past and runs with a tough crowd—and none of them are happy about his interest in Comet. Targeted by bullies and thrown into the spotlight, Comet and Tobias can go their separate ways…or take a risk on something extraordinary.

The Fragile Ordinary, a new young adult novel by Samantha Young - is everything it promises to be.  Set in Edinburgh, Scotland, this is a one of a kind coming of age - young adult contemporary romance with heart-wrenching moments that will leave you teary one moment & full of joy the next.  A story about taking the leap to realizing your dreams & finding your place. "...and now I was awake. Really, truly, awake for the first time."  Spanning everything teenagers might face - around the globe.  From angst & uncertainty in young love, "...deeper connection...formed out of the already thriving friendship..." to growing into a deeper understanding of their parents & friends held most dear, bullying, the dangers of drug use & the impact of being intimate for the first time - or not.  All the way to dealing with grief & finding closure.  Learning the true impact & importance of relationships in this life - "...ordinary people had wounds that sometimes never healed."

This was a book that absolutely "...made me feel giddy with anticipation..."  I enjoyed the uniqueness of the characters & their intriguing family backgrounds, as well as the similarities within.  I loved that "...the boy made Shakespeare hot." & how Comet could seem so mysterious, but ultimately that these characters made up "The Fragile Ordinary" just like all of us.

ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

Amazon US/UK

The Consort (The Ascension Series Book #3) by K.A. Linde

BLURB

After the loss of a friend and false imprisonment in an Eleysian dungeon, Cyrene has no interest in destiny. Her heart was shattered, friends scattered, and her home is nothing but a pretty illusion. Even her magic won’t cooperate. When all seems lost, she turns to the one person she never thought that she would trust:

Prince Kael.

His darkness mirrors a growing force lurking within her. A struggle she never imagined threatens to consume her. And as friends and foes begin to show their true colors, she starts questioning whether anyone is who they seem. Even herself.

 

The Consort is book three of K.A. Linde's The Ascension Series.  Far from a standalone, you will need to read the first two books before diving into this epic tale.  Follow this heroine after my own heart…”It smelled like fresh parchment and ink, and Cyrene loved the place on sight. It was like stepping into the library, knowing the worlds she could venture into were limitless.”  And this is a series of limitless worlds…

Told in third person from multiple points of view, the dialogue flows remarkably well in spite of the complexity of the story line & movement from one characters perspective to the next.  Expect multiple journeys, taking you to “…worlds beyond our own,”.  Characters are pushed to the brink & face unrelenting obstacles between dark & light, good & evil.  “Broken and hopeless and never able to be put back together.”  So many defining moments “You choose your destiny.”.  The introduction of new twists, new allies, friends & foes, along with unexpected reunions.  Love triangles leaving you torn between who should be with whom. “I do love her. Desperately, unequivocally, maddeningly so…”  “He could never have enough of this woman. Not ever.”  Betrayal upon betrayal & oh my gosh, SO MUCH DEATH – take care who you get attached to!  One step closer to revealing the truth & uncertain futures.  An epic tale, be prepared for a dedication of time to this lengthy read that will leave you ready for more!  “Time was a wily beast. It stole. It destroyed. It healed.”

So well written, I love the way Linde works in mini recaps to refresh our memories regarding important background.    I love the truly fierce friendships that have been developing throughout the series.  And how the characters themselves have grown into their own – “…you can make your own destiny. Your life is not predetermined.”  I’m simply addicted to this world of magic, power & love… “A love story that broke the world,” 

“In times of hardship, the world needs a dreamer with their gaze cast to the stars to right the wrongs of this limited existence.”

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

AMAZON US/UK

 

When It's Real by Erin Watt

BLURB

Meet Oakley Ford-teen celebrity, renowned pop star, child of famous movie stars, hottie with millions of fangirls… and restless troublemaker. On the surface he has it all, but with his home life disintegrating, his music well suddenly running dry, and the tabloids having a field day over his outrageous exploits, Oakley's team decides it's time for an intervention. The result: an image overhaul, complete with a fake girlfriend meant to show the world he's settled down.

Enter seventeen-year-old Vaughn Bennett-devoted sister, part-time waitress, the definition of "normal." Under ordinary circumstances she'd never have taken this gig, but with her family strapped for cash, she doesn't have much of a choice. And for the money Oakley's team is paying her, she figures she can put up with outlandish Hollywood parties and a team of publicists watching her every move. So what if she thinks Oakley's a shallow, self-centered jerk? It's not like they're going to fall for each other in real life…right?

MY REVIEW

When It’s Real is a Young Adult Contemporary Romance by dynamic author duo Erin Watt.  Oakley & Vaughn are just a couple of California kids – who have problems that need solving in their worlds where they’ve had to grow up way to fast.  Who would have guessed that this bad-boy rocker & little miss normal could actually be each other’s perfect solution.

 

Told in first person, from dual perspectives, this romance is fun, witty, sarcastic, will they, won’t they, sweet, sexy, big -nothing's beyond your reach- dream making magic, all with a Hollywood scandalous twist.  Super heartfelt emotions running throughout, these characters are mature beyond their years in so many ways; I almost forgot how young they really are.  Full of great unfiltered, honest dialog & real life themes of ‘life is hard, but together we can conquer the world’ makes you feel good enough to
“want a messy, exciting, happy, sad, emotion-filled, loud life…”

I haven’t read YA in a while & I’ve been missing out!  I really enjoyed this real life feel-good, funny, sweet & sexy book! 

 

“Stop being afraid of life. Go out and let love take you on a journey”

READ IT!!!! 

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review

Amazon US/UK