Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller

Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller
Published by Feiwel & Friends in February 2017
Debut Author 2017

"A 17-year-old pirate captain intentionally allows herself to get captured by enemy pirates in this thrilling YA adventure.

Sent on a mission to retrieve an ancient hidden map—the key to a legendary treasure trove—seventeen-year-old pirate captain Alosa deliberately allows herself to be captured by her enemies, giving her the perfect opportunity to search their ship.

More than a match for the ruthless pirate crew, Alosa has only one thing standing between her and the map: her captor, the unexpectedly clever and unfairly attractive first mate, Riden. But not to worry, for Alosa has a few tricks up her sleeve, and no lone pirate can stop the Daughter of the Pirate King." - From Goodreads

Will you like it?
I wasn't entirely sure how to feel about this book.  There was a lot of telling vs. showing about the background of Alosa, and I'm not entirely sure it's my favorite way of finding out the backstory.

The action was awesome!  The last 1/3 of the book made up for the dancing Riden and Alosa do.  I loved how smart and strong Alosa was to get out of all of her scrapes.  She never let anything get in the way of what she wanted.

Overall, this book would be perfect for someone who likes a lot of action mixed with their romance.

Disclosure: I received an electronic galley of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

How to Break a Boy by Laurie Devore

How to Break a Boy by Laurie Devore
Published by Imprint in January 2017
2017 Debut Author Challenge

"Olivia Clayton has mastered the art of tearing others down to stay on top. She and her best friend, Adrienne, rule their small southern town like all good mean girls do--through intimidation and manipulation.

After Olivia suffers a family tragedy and catches Adrienne sleeping with her boyfriend, Olivia is over it. She decides to make a change--but it's impossible to resist taking Adrienne down one last time. Up to her old tricks, Olivia convinces golden boy Whit DuRant to be her SAT tutor and her fake boyfriend. But when it starts to feel real, Whit gets caught up in Olivia and Adrienne's war.

Olivia may ruin everything she touches, but this time she won't go down without a fight--not if it means losing Whit.

And definitely not if it means losing what's left of herself." - From Goodreads

Will you like it?
I loved this book.  I struggled with this book.  Olivia and Adrienne are total mean girls.  They enjoy breaking down other people, and take pleasure in humiliating others.  Until Olivia's brother dies, and that event gives Olivia a wake-up call.  She knows wants to go away to college, but without a great SAT score that's not going to happen.  Whit DuRant comes in and helps her, but then becomes the focus of Adrienne's wrath.

I was astounded by the lengths that each girl would go to one-up the other.  I was flabbergasted by the lengths they would go to to get back at people.  Everything that happens in the book is because of grief.

I would recommend this book to anyone that loves contemporary.  I can't wait to devour anything else Laurie Devore writes.

Disclosure: I received an electronic galley of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett by Chelsea Sedoti

The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett by Chelsea Sedoti
Published by Sourcebooks Fire in January 2017
2017 Debut Author Challenge

"Hawthorn wasn't trying to insert herself into a missing person's investigation. Or maybe she was. But that's only because Lizzie Lovett's disappearance is the one fascinating mystery their sleepy town has ever had. Bad things don't happen to popular girls like Lizzie Lovett, and Hawthorn is convinced she'll turn up at any moment-which means the time for speculation is now.

So Hawthorn comes up with her own theory for Lizzie's disappearance. A theory way too absurd to take seriously...at first. The more Hawthorn talks, the more she believes. And what better way to collect evidence than to immerse herself in Lizzie's life? Like getting a job at the diner where Lizzie worked and hanging out with Lizzie's boyfriend. After all, it's not as if he killed her-or did he?" - From Goodreads

Will you like it?
This book was definitely a weird book for me to read.  Hawthorn was a very weird girl.  She struggled with high school (who doesn't?).  After the news of Lizzie Lovett's disappearance came out, Hawthorne becomes so obsessed with Lizzie.  Hawthorne wants to know everything about her.  Eventually she ends up working Lizzie's old job, dating Lizzie's old boyfriend, and even searching her apartment.

Lizzie Lovett's disappearance is the catalyst that Hawthorne needs to finally figure her life out.  I loved the ending.  As the author puts it, "the story doesn't end, another one simply begins".  If you love character driven stories, then you need to read this book.

Disclosure: I received an electronic galley of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.