Review: Poison Princess by Kresley Cole

Poison Princess by Kresley Cole
Release Date: October 1st 2012
Series: Arcana Chronicles #1
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Format: Paperback ARC
Source: Publisher for review purposes

My Rating: 4/5 Stars

Thank you, thank you, thank you to the lovely people at Simon and Schuster for sending me an ARC of Poison Princess. Though I was sent a copy, all opinions and views that are expressed are my own!

The first book in a new series revolving around the cards of a Tarot Deck. Sounds interesting right? I don't know a whole lot about the cards of a Tarot deck but it has always intrigued me!

Let's start with this cover. GORGEOUS. It's all dark and mysterious, somewhat dystopian looking location. Is it weird that the thing I most enjoy about this cover is the jaw line of the guy? Seriously though, look at it! I know the picture above isn't the best quality and even still you can see it!

Review: Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson

Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson
Release Date: June 7th 2012
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Source: Received for review from Publisher
Collins | Dymocks | Book Depository

My Rating: 5/5 Stars.

From Goodreads: "Taylor Edwards’ family might not be the closest-knit—everyone is a little too busy and overscheduled—but for the most part, they get along just fine. Then Taylor’s dad gets devastating news, and her parents decide that the family will spend one last summer all together at their old lake house in the Pocono Mountains.

Crammed into a place much smaller and more rustic than they are used to, they begin to get to know each other again. And Taylor discovers that the people she thought she had left behind haven’t actually gone anywhere. Her former best friend is still around, as is her first boyfriend…and he’s much cuter at seventeen than he was at twelve.

As the summer progresses and the Edwards become more of a family, they’re more aware than ever that they’re battling a ticking clock. Sometimes, though, there is just enough time to get a second chance—with family, with friends, and with love."

Firstly I would like to say a massive thank you to the lovely people at Simon and Schuster for sending me a copy of this book for review purposes. This does not in any way alter my review or opinion of this book. 

I absolutely LOVED this book, I mean all caps LOVED. Morgan Matson is fast becoming one of my favourite YA contemporary authors. I adored Amy and Roger's Epic Detour, click the link to check out that review. After reading her first book I was seriously excited for Second Chance Summer, and it did not disappoint! 

Review: Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire
Release Date: August 14th 2012
Series: Beautiful #1
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Australia
Source: Copy supplied by publisher
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Quick thoughts: Must read! Edge of your seat good.

From Goodreads: "The new Abby Abernathy is a good girl. She doesn’t drink or swear, and she has the appropriate number of cardigans in her wardrobe. Abby believes she has enough distance from the darkness of her past, but when she arrives at college with her best friend, her path to a new beginning is quickly challenged by Eastern University's Walking One-Night Stand.

Travis Maddox, lean, cut, and covered in tattoos, is exactly what Abby needs—and wants—to avoid. He spends his nights winning money in a floating fight ring, and his days as the ultimate college campus charmer. Intrigued by Abby’s resistance to his appeal, Travis tricks her into his daily life with a simple bet. If he loses, he must remain abstinent for a month. If Abby loses, she must live in Travis’s apartment for the same amount of time. Either way, Travis has no idea that he has met his match."

Before I get into the review I would like to thank Simon and Schuster for supplying me with a copy of Beautiful Disaster for review. This does not in any way alter my review of this book. All opinions expressed are my honest thoughts.

I hadn't heard a lot about this prior to receiving it, I have been a bit absent from the book world. I was also on a book buying ban for a while so I didn't want to discover to many books that I needed or my purse would complain! Anyway onto the review.

I seriously could not put this book down. I didn't want to answer the phone, I didn't want to go to sleep, I didn't want to leave the house, not until I had finished this wonderful book.

Abby Abernathy. Where do I start. She is a good girl, but she hasn't always been. She moves towns and changes college to get away from her father and her past. She tries her best to keep her past a secret from everyone except her best friend, who not only witnessed her past but was part of the events that made Abby want to escape. I don't want to give too much away, but you know you're best friends when they up and leave with you to help get your Dad out of debt... And this is exactly what Abby's best friend does. Countless times. (I cannot for the life of me remember her name, but I have a feeling it's Maddie.... Could be wrong though).

Then there is Travis. The lean-mean-fighting machine. Oh and he tends to sleep around... A lot. All the girls on campus knows who he is, and most of them have spent one night with him. Only one. He has issues. lots of them. He is a fighter, 'the first rule of fight club: you don't talk about fight club' kind of fighter. I wasn't Travis' biggest fan in the start, but I sure did learn to love him!!

When Travis and Abby meet for the first time, she is at one of his fights, finding her self splattered with blood and way to close for comfort to the fight. This isn't her usual scene, but she was talked into it by her best friend and her boyfriend (Who so happens to be Travis' best friend!). The second time they meet Travis tries to work his charm on Abby and she shuts him down, Intriguing him even further.

Love is just around the corner for these too, but they keep making wrong turns and doing u-turns and 8 point turns.. I think you get the picture. It ends up being somewhat of a beautiful disaster.

Jamie McGuire has done an excellent job of creating characters with such depth and passion. There are twists and turns that I didn't see coming, particularly about Abby's past. I just couldn't figure out what had happened. I love being surprised by books and not being able to predict what's going to happen next. Beautiful Disaster had me on the edge of my seat the entire time that I am surprised I didn't fall off. If you haven't already, I highly suggest you read it!

I don't want to wait for the second book in this series. I am very curious about how Jamie McGuire will go about it. According to the media release the second book, Walking Disaster will be release in 2013 and the story will be continued from a 'different and surprising point of view.' So excited!!!

Have you read Beautiful Disaster? If so, what did you think?

Happy reading!
- Amy