Black Iris by Leah Raeder

Black Iris by Leah Raeder
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Release Date: April 28th 2015


Black Iris reminds me of every Noir film I've adored.

It's brutal, vengeful and beautiful. It's a battle zone, sanctuary and something close to home for many.
High on imagery and emotion, you're put into situations that are basically montages of obvious elements that point to an obvious conclusion, but the beauty of it all is that space of interpretation, where the book you're reading becomes the book you're loving.

The narrator is as unreliable as she states and not. She's mysterious and also, not. She's got this darkness in her which is incomprehensible until she opens up all her cards, methodically and that's good because it made the book highly engrossing and quite frankly, addictive.
It begs to be held and read.
The seduction is paramount both above and behind the covers. The seduction of destruction is something which only some writers get right, because if handled incorrectly, it might as well piss readers off. But Leah Raeder clearly knows what she's doing. I've always been a huge fan of her descriptive writing style, but adding the tang of queer romance and vulnerability of vengeance was in my eyes, a homerun.

Yes it deals with matters of sexuality and sexual identity, but it wasn't treated like it was something sensitive...it just was.
Plus, it was sexy as hell. (Remember, Noir.)

If you thought a forbidden romance between a teacher and his student was risky? Try dealing with this you all.

Never Never by Colleen Hoover and Tarryn Fisher

Never Never by Colleen Hoover, Tarryn Fisher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Release Date: January 7, 2015


Right, so this book.

Going into this book, I was well acquainted to a lot of things:

1)I knew what was going to happen because I'd already asked my friend about it and she 'ranted' that the book consisted of not more than a hundred and twenty pages and was basically the first part of a series.
So I bought the kindle edition and not an actual paperbook, so that I don't have to be super pissed about finding a fucking cliffhanger after 100 pages of introduction. *pats self on the back.*

2)I knew that there were mixed reviews and mostly, negative.

3)It was a Tarryn Fisher and Colleen Hoover book. Both authors are great in there own sphere with their own lengths of strengths and limitations, but I've always believed that too many cooks spoil the broth. So obviously, I was almost dreading the worst.

After, I was done reading the book, I felt two things:

1)WHAT? WHAT? WHAT?
Duude. That end was all kinds of epic. It was something like looking over a hole because you're curious about its death and hurtling down it because you lost your balance. It's crazy because you can't do anything about it,as much as you'd like something to come and save you from turning into nothing but a puddle of blood, flesh and bones.
I don't mind the cliffhanger all that much, except that it got me really excited for the next part. I mean I guess I would have been pissed off if I had read it earlier and had to wait for long.
It's perfect because right now, I just want to know what happens next, but also don't want to because I need the data to settle down.

2)PRIDE.
Because I'm such a smart cookie. *pats kindle*

AND IS IT JUST ME OR DOES THIS NOT TELL YOU THAT WHAT YOU'LL READ NEXT WILL ABSOFUCKINGLUTELY SLAY YOU?

                                                                                                                         

With This Heart by R.S Grey

With This Heart
Author: R.S Grey
Releasing Date: April 6th, 2014
Publisher: Createspace
My ratings: 4 out of 5 stars.

synopsis:
If someone had told me a year ago that I was about to fall in love, go on an epic road trip, ride a Triceratops, sing on a bar, and lose my virginity, I would have assumed they were on drugs. 

Well, that is, until I met Beckham. 

Beck was mostly to blame for my recklessness. Gorgeous, clever, undeniably charming Beck barreled into my life as if it were his mission to make sure I never took living for granted. He showed me that there were no boundaries, rules were for the spineless, and a kiss was supposed to happen when I least expected. 

Beck was the plot twist that took me by surprise. Two months before I met him, death was knocking at my door. I'd all but given up my last scrap of hope when suddenly, I was given a second chance at life. This time around, I wasn't going to let it slip through my fingers. 

We set out on a road trip with nothing to lose and no guarantees of tomorrow. 

Our road trip was about young, reckless love. 

The kind of love that burns bright. 

The kind of love that no road-map could bring me back from. 


Road Trip, unbelievable but delicious boys, believable protagonists, crazy experiences, dreamy nights and drum rolls, you have a phenomenally surprising winner.

I've always wondered. Are books a haven of reality mixed with magic or are they magic mixed with a teaspoon of reality? I wonder because most of the times I find myself trying to identify with the protagonist and his or her experiences and on some days, with some books, I find that I can't. But that doesn't mean that my venture isn't fruitful. Maybe on most days, books balance both it's fictional and non-fictional elements in mysterious methods and when that balance goes in sync with my emotions and opinions, I find myself happy and satisfied.

It happened with this one.

There are so many things that are so hard for me to believe. Yet I found myself agreeing with it and just let it be. 
I was so taken with the journey that Abby Mae and Beckham found themselves on that I found myself needing to go on a roadtrip myself. But of course, a guy like Beck is never going to turn up out of thin air and ask me randomly, if he could go on a roadtrip with me. Reality and its woes. 

Or could it? Could it happen? 
Uncertainty and the unknown are such happy fuckers and I love them.

For me, With This Heart, is a very light-ish read in comparison to some heavy topics it's dealing with. It was fun,very romantic and happy. Although there were sad elements, they didn't affect me the way they should have, but yet again, I was okay with that too. I would have loved to eliminate the last chapter but then again, I guess I'm just nitpicking. Great protagonists, fun story which read like a journey and the reminder that really, you live only once.

Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover

Book: Ugly Love
Author: Colleen Hoover
File type: Kindle edition
Releasing Date: August 5th 2014
Publisher: Atria Books
My ratings: four out of five

synopsis:
When Tate Collins meets airline pilot Miles Archer, she knows it isn’t love at first sight. They wouldn’t even go so far as to consider themselves friends. The only thing Tate and Miles have in common is an undeniable mutual attraction. Once their desires are out in the open, they realize they have the perfect set-up. He doesn’t want love, she doesn’t have time for love, so that just leaves the sex. Their arrangement could be surprisingly seamless, as long as Tate can stick to the only two rules Miles has for her.
Never ask about the past.
Don’t expect a future.
They think they can handle it, but realize almost immediately they can’t handle it at all.
Hearts get infiltrated.
Promises get broken.
Rules get shattered.
Love gets ugly.


If only you all could see my face when I finally finished the book.

It wasn't one which screamed ecstasy.
It wasn't a face which resounded heartbreak.
It was nothing but mind-boggling, ground-shaking, wind-blowing utter shock and surprise. 

This is a novel about a girl and boy who meet each other, are sexually and physically attracted to each other and decide that they're going to stick with a friends with benefits arrangement because they have no time for love.

We all know how that ends.

But. This. was. actually. quite. surprising. 
There I was, ready to be not so impressed because I've always been presumptuous and judgemental but then suddenly I realised that I'm actually quite into it and that I don't...hate it.
How nice.

This is divided into sections which give you a backstory and simultaneously show you what's going on in the real world. So it's a gradual succession, until you reach a point where you finally get to know what the entire fuss is about. the fuss being the question and its answer to why Miles doesn't want to give into a future with Tate. 
Honestly, such situations annoy the crap out of me. The characters may understand what they're doing but I certainly don't. Also, such situations make donkeys and potatoes of even the best characters. 
But here's me re-establishing my point. I was surprised.

Individually, I don't mind the characters. They may have had stupid reasons for carrying on with their 'arrangement' even if both of them were aware about its obvious consequences, but what can I say? They were horny. Case closed. 

Otherwise, I loved the balance created by the author. Miles past brings into the fore another character and his relationship with that character and even THAT was pretty appealing to me. IF the present got too weird, it was soon followed by the past which countered its weirdness and vice versa. 

I was listening to this while reading the book and it may or may not have influenced my opinion. It's a fantastic song either way. 
Overall, a nice, entertaining novel which keeps you engrossed, and like me, even happy. 

Come Back to Me by Mila Gray

Book: Come Back to Me
Author: Mila Gray
File type: Ebook
Releasing date: June 19th 2014
Publisher: Pan Macmillan

synopsis:
Home on leave in sunny California, Marine and local lothario Kit Ryan finds himself dangerously drawn to his best friend's sister, Jessa - the one girl he can't have.

But Kit's not about to let a few obstacles stand in his way and soon Jessa's falling for his irresistible charms.

What starts out as a summer romance of secret hook-ups and magical first times quickly develops into a passionate love affair that turns both their worlds upside down.

When summer's over and it's time for Kit to redeploy, neither Kit nor Jessa are ready to say goodbye. Jessa's finally following her dreams and Kit's discovered there's someone he'd sacrifice everything for.

Jessa's prepared to wait for Kit no matter what. But when something more than distance and time rips them apart they're forced to decide whether what they have is really worth fighting for.

A breathtaking, scorchingly hot story about love, friendship, family and finding your way back from the edge of heartbreak.


This book reminds me of a cupcake with lots of frosting on it.
On the first bite, it tastes divine. On the second, it's excellent but by the time you're ready to take the third bite, you ask yourself 'Is it just me or is this cupcake a little too sweet?'

There's a lot to like about this love. The romance is genuine and sweet, if not cheesy..which it was on many occasions. The writing was simple, understandable and fluid and that worked well for the novel which was paced well. There was never a dull moment and nothing could take me away from the book until I had finished it. 

I've always loved beginnings. The promise of young love or love of any kind, the uncertain future and what lies ahead. The tentative first glances and stares. The first few steps into the real world. Beginnings are always magical. 
But here, I found myself gravitating towards the journey undertaken by both Jessa and Kit. I was stuck in the middle and I wanted to stay there forever. I didn't care about their past or future, I was living the present through them. This is what I ask of NA. I want love and not some overly tortured characters who want to sex each other up, all the time. But that worked for some novels, so I'm going to stay mum about that now. 

But here's the thing, to add complexity, there were several different elements that ran from Army boys to psychological desires to lusty thoughts and finally, back stories among many back stories. (yes, I'm exaggerating and not exaggerating)
All of this added together was a little too much. The cupcake was dense and the frosting sweet.
There were some tiny unnecessary bits, like that epilogue which I believe we could have lived without and the characters individually weren't as appealing as they were when they were together. 

On the whole, Come back to Me, is an entertaining read. If you're in need of some cupcakes and sweetness, then this is it guys.

Flat-Out Celeste by Jessica Park

Flat-Out Celeste by Jessica Park     

Publication date: May 22nd 2014
My rating: 2 stars

For high-school senior Celeste Watkins, every day is a brutal test of bravery. And Celeste is scared. Alienated because she’s too smart, her speech too affected, her social skills too far outside the norm, she seems to have no choice but to retreat into isolation.
But college could set her free, right? If she can make it through this grueling senior year, then maybe. If she can just find that one person to throw her a lifeline, then maybe, just maybe.
Justin Milano, a college sophomore with his own set of quirks, could be that person to pull her from a world of solitude. To rescue her—that is, if she’ll let him.
Together, they may work. Together, they may save each other. And together they may also save another couple—two people Celeste knows are absolutely, positively flat-out in love.

Eeeehhhhh.... *Insert biggest and loudest sigh in the world*

When I first started reading this book I was ready to fall in love with Celeste. I still remember Flat-Out Love and how much it was 'my type of book'. And then the novella, Flat-Out Matt which was SMOKIN'! What could possibly go wrong? Well, as it turns out, so many things. 

First off I had problems with Celeste. She's a bit different from other people. She's a socially awkward genius in her senior year of high school. All Ivy-League collages are dying for her. She also talks like jumped out of an old novel. I usually love to read about 'different' characters but couldn't connect with her even though I tried. 

So, I thought: "The love interest is going to change my mind!" Wrong! At first Justin was adorable with his awkwardness. He reminded me of Cricket Bell, from Lola and the Boy Next Door and you know how much I LOVE that book! However, he started getting on my nerves with his constant babbling and running into things. He even said not a lot of people like him for those exact reasons! Hah! No kidding?! Since Justin and Celeste lived far away for a huge chunk of the book they kept in touch via email, texts and phone calls. Their conversations wasn't all that interesting. I found myself skimming most of it because I just don't care to know more about the food in some fictional restaurant o whatever else they were talking about. Didn't feel the connection there. They were already smitten with each other from the start so I didn't their feelings progressing throughout the book. 

Things were perfect for a while then Celeste had a breakdown or whatever you want to call it after Matt revealed he stayed to take care of her instead of going with Julie, his girlfriend, which ultimately resulted into them breaking up(?!).She even destroyed the precious Flat Finn. How dare she?!  haha oh,boy! At that point, I was SO ready to be done with this book. Skimming was essential once again. I skimmed to the part where she got her shit sorted right after she got Matt and Julie back together and everybody got a HEA. And what the hell was that scene where she barged in and interrupted Matt and Julie while they were doing it just so she could get the keys of the car?! :SSS 

The best part of the book were Matt and Julie and even that was a stretch because they didn't have any (cute) scenes right up until the very end. All in all, I really didn't care about this book. It was cute at the beginning but I got tired of it fast. 

Finally, Forever by Katie Kacvinsky

Finally, Forever by Katie Kacvinsky      

Publication date: May 9th 2014
My rating: 5 stars

College baseball player, Gray Thomas, had to go far out into left field to find a girl like Dylan, the ex-love-of-his-life. More than a year later, literally at a crossroads, they find each other together on a journey that is a pause between a painful past and an uncertain future. In this sexy and offbeat summer read, Gray and Dylan discover that a destination isn't always a place. More often, it's a person. Now it's time for them to finally decide, is this forever?

What a perfect book! I admire Katie Kacvinsky and must check her dystopian novels as soon as possible because there's no way they something other that great as well. 

It's been year and a half since Gray said goodbye to Dylan and released her. Now they meet again and of course nothing is going the way they planned. He's helping her find her pregnant sister which ran away from home with her older, stand up comedian boyfriend. On the way they had to deal with tornadoes, driving a robber, getting arrested, misunderstanding about people they're 'dating', undeniable sexual tension and a sore crotch(haha). It all sounds insane but it worked, trust me. 

I found this book funnier than both First Comes Love and Second Chance combined. First Comes Love was about letting go of the past, moving on and Second Chance was about allowing yourself to try even when it's hard and accepting the inedible. Finally, Forever didn't take itself to serious. In a way it was a beginning of a romance and growing up. It was cuter as well. It's hard to describe how I felt reading this book without spoiling it. 

Even though I love Dylan just the was she is I wanted to yell at her for not doing more about their relationship. I love her optimism, her gentle spirit and creativity but at times she could be a coward. I really can't explain it any other way. When you love someone, you should be able to do everything possible to stay by their side, not just think about yourself. She does refer Gray as the love of her life even to her parents. Gray was the real star in this book. He developed into this great guy. Hell, I'd love to date someone like him. 

In the end I do think Gray sacrificed more. It's hard to explain without spoiling everything but whoever picks the book will know what I mean. 

I'm satisfied with the ending but I  do think there could be at least one more book. We did get 3 books already. What's one more, am I right? Nothing for Katie. She can write another one, at least so I know how things are going for Lenny, if not because of Gray and Dylan. I'd gladly beg. I want to read more books with interesting, unique characters. No one's writing these book, except Katie Kacvinsky. 

Second Chance by Katie Kacvinsky

Second Chance by Katie Kacvinsky 

Publisher: Create Space      

Publication date: October 31st 2014
My rating: 5 stars

Can two drastically different, imperfect people be perfect for each other?
It’s been four months since Gray and Dylan have seen each other. Dylan’s been traveling in Europe, while Gray has college, baseball, and a life rooted in one place. Gray’s determined to forget Dylan, the girl he fell in love with in First Comes Love. Besides, how do you make a relationship work with an independent loner?
Just when he decides he’s over her, Dylan makes an unexpected entrance back into his life, hoping their steamy romance can start right where it left off. Gray realizes you can tell your mind to do one thing, but you can’t always convince your heart to follow. Dylan realizes she finally has to make a choice between freedom and her relationship with Gray.
Hilarious, intense, inspiring, and emotional, Second Chance shows that love is a journey, and there are never clear road signs or maps to guide you along. You can only navigate with your heart.

It's been over a year since I last read First Comes Love. It left a lasting impression on me.  I wasn't expecting much. Just another contemporary story I'll forget soon enough. Boy I was wrong. It was a breath of fresh air among other new adult novels with insufferable characters and stupid, pointless drama. Don't you want to read a real story for a change? Why bring up obnoxious players with six packs and insecure, beautiful virgins in the picture? Read something genuine instead! 

Katie Kacvinsky knows how write characters. They're real. They make us feel things. They are us. As far as I'm concerned, she can do no wrong. I really have nothing remotely negative to say about Second Chance which sucks for me because I love to complain about all sort of things. Everything was perfect! 

Gray's back in college, playing baseball which Dylan's backpacking through Europe. They haven't seen each other in four months. Then Dylan comes back into Gray's life. He did try to stay away from her claiming he wants to be friends with her. Since that didn't work out well, they slowly start dating again. They are perfect for each other but that doesn't mean everything works out perfectly. Dylan's trying to change herself completely so she could stay with Gray. She stopped wearing baggy jeans, found a job, started dressing like a girl and so on. I knew what was going to happen next. Gray saw Dylan lost the spark and he sets her free. I really have no idea how's Katie going to work everything out in the end. Both of these characters have different goals in life-Gray wants to have a steady future while Dylan feels at home while she's roaming the world. I still want them to be together because I love both characters so much. 

Another home run for Katie Kacvinsky. No pun intended. I can't wait to see how this all plays out. I'd love if everyone ended up reading these incredible books but I'm a realist and I know no one's going to read it if I start nagging so I'm just going to stop. Don't read it! Miss out Gray and Dylan! Go ahead! I dare you! 

The Summer I Found You by Jolene Perry

The Summer I Found You by Jolene Perry

Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company     
Publication date: March 1st 2014
My rating: 2.5 stars

Kate's dream boyfriend has just broken up with her and she's still reeling from her diagnosis of type 1 diabetes.Aidan planned on being a 'lifer' in the army and went to Iraq straight out of high school. Now he's a disabled young veteran struggling to embrace his new life.When Kate and Aidan find each other neither one wants to get attached. But could they be right for each other after all?

What to say about the book which doesn't have a correct information the blurb? Aidan was not in Iraq but in Afghanistan. If I did make a mistake, please feel free to correct me. 

Based on the cover and title you would say it's about a summer romance between two wounded souls. Well, that's not completely correct. The characters are in fact going to school and there is no summer in this book (except for the title). And the cover is a fail cause it doesn't match the book, at all. Don't get me wrong, I like the colors and the picture itself it just doesn't batch with anything I read. 

Kate's still hung up on her preppy ex when she meets Aiden, a nineteen year-old 'veteran'. Together they try to use each other to forget their problems. Kate's struggling with type 1 diabetes and Aidan losing his right arm and PTSD. Thrown in there's some family drama I won't bore you with. Nothing significant. 

Can't say I was disappointed with TSIFY. That would mean having some expectations. This is the second J.Perry book I read and I think it will be the last. It just wasn't for me. I didn't think it was raw enough for me consider the heavy themes in the book. It was too light for my taste. 

A Little Too Far by Lisa Desrochers

A Little Too Far by Lisa Desrochers

Publisher: HarperCollins     
Publication date: September 17th 2013
My rating: 3.5 stars

Have you ever gone just a little too far?
Lexie Banks has.
Yep. She just had mind-blowing sex with her stepbrother. In her defense, she was on the rebound, and it’s more of a my-dad-happened-to-marry-a-woman-with-a-super-hot-son situation. But still, he’s been her best friend and confidant for the better part of the last few years … and is so off limits. It’s a good thing she’s leaving in two days for a year abroad in Rome.
But even thousands of miles away, Lexie can’t seem to escape trouble. Raised Catholic, she goes to confession in hopes of alleviating some of her guilt … and maybe not burning in hell. Instead, she stumbles out of the confessional and right into Alessandro Moretti, a young and very easy-on-the-eyes deacon … only eight months away from becoming a priest. Lexie and Alessandro grow closer, and when Alessandro’s signals start changing despite his vow of celibacy, she doesn’t know what to think. She’s torn between falling in love with the man she shouldn’t want and the man she can’t have. And she isn’t sure how she can live with herself either way.

Everyone who's talked with me about books knows I love to read about the twisted side of romance. Anything forbidden-I'm in! It doesn't take much to make the blood flow faster in my veins. When I saw Lisa was writing a new adult novel and it was about a girl getting it on with her stepbrother and a soon-to-be-priest I was like Whaaat?  She was writing young adult novels! I wasn't the huge fan of her Personal Demons trilogy. Sorry. But she can write for an older audience! Especially bedroom scenes. 

A Little Too Far is more on the adult side of new adult with detailed parts with sex. I can't stop grinning while I'm writing this. I'm truly surprised Desrochers made the switch to the blooming NA market. 

Book starts of with Lexie complaining about her cheating ex to her hot stepbrother, Trent. They end up having sex so my perverse mind was enjoying the hell out of if. After the act they're not sure how to proceed with their relationship. Lexie leaves for Rome shortly after and meets Alessandro after her confession in the church. Alessandro is a deacon and has a soft spot for Lexie. 

I was rooting for Trent from the start cause in my opinion they were the better match and my sick brain ships it so hard. Alessandro was a small distraction. I'm sure Desrochers can find him someone else to be with. After getting a glimpse in the end of the book I'm happy with the choice she made. 

It wouldn't hurt to have more diverse sex scenes. Sure the book was ridiculous, but which NA book doesn't have a couple of mishaps? It was still far better than most. So, if you're in the mood for some sexy times, pick this book up. It will be a fun ride! 

Book Review: Golden by Jessi Kirby

Book:Golden
Author: Jessi Kirby
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
File type: Ebook
Release Date: May 14th 2013

Love, tragedy, and mystery converge in this compelling novel from “an author to watch” (Booklist).

Seventeen-year-old Parker Frost has never taken the road less traveled. Valedictorian and quintessential good girl, she’s about to graduate high school without ever having kissed her crush or broken the rules. So when fate drops a clue in her lap—one that might be the key to unraveling a town mystery—she decides to take a chance.

Julianna Farnetti and Shane Cruz are remembered as the golden couple of Summit Lakes High—perfect in every way, meant to be together forever. But Julianna’s journal tells a different story—one of doubts about Shane and a forbidden romance with an older, artistic guy. These are the secrets that were swept away with her the night that Shane’s jeep plunged into an icy river, leaving behind a grieving town and no bodies to bury.

Reading Julianna’s journal gives Parker the courage to start to really live—and it also gives her reasons to question what really happened the night of the accident. Armed with clues from the past, Parker enlists the help of her best friend, Kat, and Trevor, her longtime crush, to track down some leads. The mystery ends up taking Parker places that she never could have imagined. And she soon finds that taking the road less traveled makes all the difference.

The Road Not Taken is the only poem that I have read by Robert Frost and never have I loved and understood the meaning of it better than today.

When I was in 11th grade, I had three subject streams to choose from. And the whole situation was very crucial because whatever decision I took, it would directly affect and shape my path and choice of profession. There was the science stream which basically consisted of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, English and an additional elective subject. There was the maths and commerce stream, which had business studies and accounts in it. It was basically for those who wanted to pursuit a career in the world of business and management, which wasn't for me. And then finally there was arts which consisted of Political science, History, media studies and psychology along with English, which was for me, all the way. I easily took arts, but I knew that my well wishers wanted me to take a more 'logical' approach by taking the either of the other two. And THAT was very stressful. Later, when I decided that I was taking arts, there was an option between mathematics and psychology. Many people advised me to take Mathematics because that would mean a wider spectrum of job opportunities and that it opened many doors. I understood very well what they meant, but I never was good at maths and eleventh and twelfth grade maths was a totally different ball game. My parents have always been supportive but when it came to this, they urged me to take maths into consideration and ditch psychology. But I loved psychology and it was pretty interesting. And when the final day came, I decided.

There have been people around me who've told me that even after getting a good result in my tenth grade finals, my decision of taking arts was stupid. I don't know whether they were trying to help me by telling me what was right or whether they were trying to set me straight because honestly, it was all very stressful and I was afraid. I was afraid of my future. I was afraid of my decision. I started doubting myself. I had many sleepless nights because of this and like I said, it just got more weird. There was this one question that always lingered in my mind, which quite frankly plagues my mind even today, that by ditching the other subjects did I just run away from the hard stuff? Did I choose what I chose not because I love it but because they're much easier than the others?

And this is where Parker's story comes in. Parker has always been a rule follower. She's the quintessential good girl with a perfect record and set future. High school is at it's end and she has a speech to work on, yet there is something that keeps poking her. There SOMETHING which isn't right. Something that isn't satisfying. Something that leaves her restless. And that's when she stumbles across Julianna Farnetti's journal which was almost ten years ago. The catch? Julianna Farnetti and her boyfriend, Shane Cruz died ten years ago in an unfortunate accident where even their body couldn't be recovered. They were the 'it' couple. They were the GOLDEN COUPLE. And their death was felt by the whole town. Parker, then starts reading Julianna's journal and she realizes that things are never as they seem. And with a mystery embedded amidst the pages of the journal, Parker is on her way to find herself.

Parker's insecurities, fear and doubts brought back the memories of my past. Frankly, it hasn't been that long but the state of confusion, indecision and insecurity was one that struck home. While Parker didn't want to let her mother down, I didn't want to let my parents down. In a way, this was like a walk down the memory lane for me. And I loved every bit of it. Sometimes you just look back in life and remember several decisions that you've had to make and how they've affected your life. While there are some that you regret, there will always be the ones that have made all the difference and you just never realize. Do I regret my decision? No, I don't. Am I unsure? Of course I am. Do I doubt myself? There's actually no point. I've already done what I had to do and nothing can change that, but ma I satisfied and happy? Yes. I am. Life is unexpected and it's all about taking chances. Who knows where I'll be and what I'll be in the coming ten years. All I know, is that right now? I'm doing what I'm doing and I'm content. In life, I'll come across several forks where I'd have no choice but to make a decision, and from what I've learned and will continue to learn is that when the time comes, I'll be facing all of it head on.

And this is what I love about Golden. I love that it managed to make an impact. Jessi Kirby's writing has always been poetic and I've found myself drooling over her writing style, which just flows. But from what I experienced in Moonglass and from what I've experienced now? I think Ms. Kirby has come a long way.

I won't say much about the other characters because I don't really know what to say. All I can say is that, they were all memorable.

Golden is a story about friendship, family, first love, sacrifice, growing up, self-satisfaction and self-realization. It's about hope. It's about looking forward to life. It's about enjoying it. It's about understanding that in life, there will be those phases of ultimate gloom but also of those with immense sunshine and light. It's about taking chances and learning from your mistakes. It's about living. It's about letting go. It's about life.

And I loved every bit of it.

"I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence.
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less travelled by,
And that has made all the difference." -The Road Not Taken,Robert Frost.