Faking Perfect DRC

Title: Faking Perfect

Author: Rebecca Phillips

Release Date: June 30th 2015
Publisher: Kensington

Pages: 272

Genre(s): YA, Realistic Fiction, Romance. Contemporary

Source: Netgalley

***I received this book in exchange for an honest review***

Synopsis:

"When Lexi Shaw seduced Oakfield High's resident bad boy Tyler Flynn at the beginning of senior year, he seemed perfectly okay with her rules:1. Avoid her at school.2. Keep his mouth shut about what they do together.3. Never tease her about her friend (and unrequited crush) Ben.Because with his integrity and values and golden boy looks, Ben can never find out about what she’s been doing behind closed doors with Tyler. Or that her mom’s too busy drinking and chasing losers to pay the bills. Or that Lexi’s dad hasn’t been a part of her life for the last thirteen years. But with Tyler suddenly breaking the rules, Ben asking her out, and her dad back in the picture, how long will she be able to go on faking perfect?" (Taken from; Good Reads)

Review:

Lexi is a stranger in her own life. She pretends to be the opposite of what she really is to impress Ben, the boy she thinks she will never deserve. At school, she is the definition of a perfect student and a perfect friend but at her house everything is different. Her mom is a drunk who has different men every single week, her dad isn't in the picture, and she is letting Oakfield High's bad boy and drug dealer, Tyler Flynn, sneak into her room so she can distract herself from her problems and have a little fun. For her, everything seemed to be going perfectly find until she finds her dad, Ben decides to ask her out, and Tyler starts breaking the rules they established. Can she manage to keep her charade?

I only had two problems with this book; the underdevelopment of Tyler and Lexi's relationship and how the story line seemed a little bit forced.

With that being said, Lexi's character surprised me for good. She is not your typical "good girl" cliché. The author deals with the topic of teenagers pretending to be someone they are not just to please others, fit in, or try to feel important and how it takes us apart from who we are. I'm grateful that there authors out there that are trying to help us deal with this everyday experiences and it's consequences.

"Faking Perfect" is one of those books that will surely take you out of a reading slump.

Favorite Quote(s):

"I liked numbers. They were steady and reliable. Not like letters and words, which could be misread and twisted and designed to hurt."

Rating:
3/5

Aristotle And Dante Discover The Secrets Of The Universe

Title: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

Author: Benjamin Alire Saenz

Release Date: February 21, 2012

Pages: 368

Genre(s): YA, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, GLBT

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Source: Bought

Synopsis:

"A lyrical novel about family and friendship from critically acclaimed author Benjamin Alire Sáenz.

Aristotle is an angry teen with a brother in prison. Dante is a know-it-all who has an unusual way of looking at the world. When the two meet at the swimming pool, they seem to have nothing in common. But as the loners start spending time together, they discover that they share a special friendship—the kind that changes lives and lasts a lifetime. And it is through this friendship that Ari and Dante will learn the most important truths about themselves and the kind of people they want to be." (Taken from;Good Reads)

Review:

"Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe" is a book not only about the self exploration of identity and sexuality, but a smart, compelling, and deep story that employs the different aspects of life.

The elements on this book are shown in such a rough and realistic way, written with a perfect combination of skill and care for the story, that increases, even more, the essence of the book.  

What can I say? This was a unique and poetic read. It was entertaining, well written, and mind blowing, as well. I love the way it deals with controversial and important topics. In my opinion,  this is what every book should be like.

Favorite Quote(s):

"I don't understand how you could live in a mean world and not have any of that meanness rub off on you."

"Sometimes pain was like a storm that came out of nowhere. The clearest morning could end in a downpour. Could end in lightning and thunder." 

“Why do we smile? Why do we laugh? Why do we feel alone? Why are we sad and confused? Why do we read poetry? Why do we cry when we see a painting? Why is there a riot in the heart when we love? Why do we feel shame? What is that thing in the pit of your stomach called desire?”

Rating:

4/5

Waiting on Wednesday #2: Emmy & Oliver

Information: 

Title: 

Emmy & Oliver

Author: 

Robin Benway

Publisher: 

HarperCollins Publishers

Publication Date: 

June 23rd, 2015

Synopsis: 

"Emmy’s best friend, Oliver, reappears after being kidnapped by his father ten years ago. Emmy hopes to pick up their relationship right where it left off. Are they destined to be together? Or has fate irreparably driven them apart?Emmy just wants to be in charge of her own life.She wants to stay out late, surf her favorite beach—go anywhere without her parents’ relentless worrying. But Emmy’s parents can’t seem to let her grow up—not since the day Oliver disappeared.Oliver needs a moment to figure out his heart.He’d thought, all these years, that his dad was the good guy. He never knew that it was his father who kidnapped him and kept him on the run. Discovering it, and finding himself returned to his old hometown, all at once, has his heart racing and his thoughts swirling.Emmy and Oliver were going to be best friends forever, or maybe even more, before their futures were ripped apart. In Emmy’s soul, despite the space and time between them, their connection has never been severed. But is their story still written in the stars? Or are their hearts like the pieces of two different puzzles—impossible to fit together?Readers who love Sarah Dessen will tear through these pages with hearts in throats as Emmy and Oliver struggle to face the messy, confusing consequences of Oliver’s father’s crime. Full of romance, coming-of-age emotion, and heartache, these two equally compelling characters create an unforgettable story"  (Taken from;Good Reads)

Thoughts:

When I first read the synopsis for this book I was really intrigued, the idea behind the story sounds pretty amazing. I hope that it is as good as it sounds.

Waiting on Wednesday 

is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.