99 Days by Katie Cotugno

99 Days by Katie Cotugno
Published by Balzer + Bray on April 21, 2015

Summary: "Day 1: Julia Donnelly eggs my house my first night back in Star Lake, and that’s how I know everyone still remembers everything—how I destroyed my relationship with Patrick the night everything happened with his brother, Gabe. How I wrecked their whole family. Now I’m serving out my summer like a jail sentence: Just ninety-nine days till I can leave for college, and be done.

Day 4: A nasty note on my windshield makes it clear Julia isn’t finished. I’m expecting a fight when someone taps me on the shoulder, but it’s just Gabe, home from college and actually happy to see me. “For what it’s worth, Molly Barlow,” he says, “I’m really glad you’re back.”

Day 12: Gabe got me to come to this party, and I’m actually having fun. I think he’s about to kiss me—and that’s when I see Patrick. My Patrick, who’s supposed to be clear across the country. My Patrick, who’s never going to forgive me." -- From Goodreads

There were so many messy feels in this book.  I loved it for that fact alone.  Molly is caught between two guys, and they just happen to be brothers.  Molly and Patrick are first loves.  Then Molly gets scouted to run track for a boarding school across the U.S.  That does Patrick and Molly's relationship no good, and she ends up sleeping with Gabe.  

Honestly, cheating is a huge part of this story, but it's not the entire story.  Yes, Molly does cheat, but ultimately most women are treated differently when it's found out that they cheat.  Even Gabe claims to be in the same position Molly is, much more "slut shaming" happens to Molly.

I loved this book for what it was.  The book told me that some relationships are messy.  It is important when to know that a relationship is completely broken, so you can start new.

Disclosure: I borrowed this book from my local library.

The Secrets We Keep by Trisha Leaver

The Secrets We Keep by Trisha Leaver
Published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) on April 28, 2015

Summary: "Ella and Maddy Lawton are identical twins. Ella has spent her high school years living in popular Maddy's shadows, but she has never been envious of Maddy. In fact, she's chosen the quiet, safe confines of her sketchbook over the constant battle for attention that has defined Maddy's world.

When—after a heated argument—Maddy and Ella get into a tragic accident that leaves her sister dead, Ella wakes up in the hospital surrounded by loved ones who believe she is Maddy. Feeling responsible for Maddy's death and everyone's grief, Ella makes a split-second decision to pretend to be Maddy. Soon, Ella realizes that Maddy's life was full of secrets. Caught in a web of lies, Ella is faced with two options—confess her deception or live her sister's life." -- From Goodreads

I can't even begin to describe this book.  It was totally predictable.   Maddy's secrets turned out to be fairly easy to guess.  Ella was very dense, almost like she wanted to only see her sister in the best light.

I wish the author would have gone into more detail about Maddy's best friend.  She was a very shallow character and could have benefited from more of a back story.

Disclosure: I borrowed this book from my local library.

Eden West by Pete Hautman

Eden West by Pete Hautman
Published by Candlewick Press on April 14, 2015

Summary: "Twelve square miles of paradise, surrounded by an eight-foot-high chain-link fence: this is Nodd, the land of the Grace. It is all Jacob knows. Beyond the fence lies the World, a wicked, terrible place, doomed to destruction. Only the Grace will be spared.

But something is rotten in paradise. A wolf invades Nodd, slaughtering the Grace's sheep. A new boy arrives from outside, and his scorn and disdain threaten to tarnish Jacob's contentment. Then, while patrolling the borders of Nodd, Jacob meets Lynna, a girl who tempts him to sample forbidden Worldly pleasures.

Jacob’s faith, his devotion, and his grip on reality are tested as his feelings for Lynna blossom into something greater and the End Days grow ever closer."  --From Goodreads

This book is really well done.  I like how it talks about the cult aspects of things, but also doesn't condemn them either.  People make choices (like Jacob's parents) and then others have to live with them.  This also goes in reverse as well, because Jacob makes a choice at the end of the book that everyone will have to live with.  

While the author doesn't come out and explicitly say it, there does seem to be some allegations of abuse within the cult.  I like how Hautman deals with the investigation by the outside world.

Overall, if you like realistic fiction that has to do with some religion or cults, you'll like this book.

Disclosure: I borrowed a copy from my local library.

The Wrong Side of Right by Jenn Marie Thorne

The Wrong Side of Right by Jenn Marie Thorne
Published by Dial on March 17, 2015

Summary: "Kate Quinn’s mom died last year, leaving Kate parentless and reeling. So when the unexpected shows up in her living room, Kate must confront another reality she never thought possible—or thought of at all. Kate does have a father. He’s a powerful politician. And he’s running for U.S. President. Suddenly, Kate’s moving in with a family she never knew she had, joining a campaign in support of a man she hardly knows, and falling for a rebellious boy who may not have the purest motives. This is Kate’s new life. But who is Kate? When what she truly believes flies in the face of the campaign’s talking points, she must decide. Does she turn to the family she barely knows, the boy she knows but doesn’t necessarily trust, or face a third, even scarier option?" --From Goodreads

I really appreciated how messy the relationships in this book were.  Kate's mother dies, and awhile after going to live with her aunt and uncle, finds out that her father is running for POTUS.  Which is a big deal.  She goes to live with her new family for the summer, helping her father out on his campaign.

Kate's relationship with her father is messy.  He didn't know she existed until a piece by The New York Times was published.  Supposedly he has this perfect family, and Kate does fit well into that mold.  The Wrong Side of Right also plays heavily into the theme of the book.  How do you know if something is right or wrong?  This is especially important when we think about our parents.  How do we know if they are wrong or right?

Andy was also a great male lead.  I loved that he was part of the plot, but did not become the entire plot.  There were other things going on that made this novel more than a romance novel.  If you're looking for a novel that would be a great contemporary novel, look no further!

Disclosure: I borrowed a copy from my local library.

The Start of Me and You by Emery Lord

The Start of Me and You by Emery Lord
Published by Bloomsbury on March 31, 2015

Summary: "It’s been a year since it happened—when Paige Hancock’s first boyfriend died in an accident. After shutting out the world for two years, Paige is finally ready for a second chance at high school . . . and she has a plan. First: Get her old crush, Ryan Chase, to date her—the perfect way to convince everyone she’s back to normal. Next: Join a club—simple, it’s high school after all. But when Ryan’s sweet, nerdy cousin, Max, moves to town and recruits Paige for the Quiz Bowl team (of all things!) her perfect plan is thrown for a serious loop. Will Paige be able to face her fears and finally open herself up to the life she was meant to live?" -- From Goodreads

Can you imagine how awkward it would be if you got branded "the girl whose boyfriend died"?  Emery Lord gracefully tackles this sticky subject in The Start of Me and You.  

I really liked Paige.  She was finally coming back to life after her boyfriend died in a freak swimming accident.  Paige struggled with the pity that came with being "the girl whose boyfriend died".  She had only been together with her old boyfriend for about four months, and his death impacted her for far longer.  

And Max.  LOVED HIM.  Any boy that loves Firefly already owns a piece of my heart.  I also loved how Lord incorporated geeky things into the story.  Why don't girls already know that geeky boys make the best boyfriends?

Overall, this is a great contemporary story.  I loved Paige and Max's story.

Disclosure: I borrowed a copy of this book from my local library.

Reading Challenge Update- April

Unfortunately, my reading funk transitioned into April.  I only read a total of 8 books in April, which is about half of what I normally read in a given month.  I can blame the fact that Spring is finally here, right?

The Wrong Side of Right by Jenn Marie Thorne

The Kane Chronicles by Rick Riordan

#2 Throne of Fire

I added 8 books to my Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge.  I'm about 40% done with this challenge.  If I keep up this pace, I'll be done with this challenge around the end of September.

Liars Inc. by Paula Stokes

The Start of Me and You by Emery Lord

Eden West by Pete Hautman

The Wrong Side of Right by Jenn Marie Thorne

How was April for you reading wise?  Read anything interesting?  Leave me a comment!

Things We Know By Heart by Jessi Kirby

Things We Know by Heart by Jessi Kirby
Published by HarperTeen on April 21, 2015

Summary: "When Quinn Sullivan meets the recipient of her boyfriend’s donated heart, the two form an unexpected connection.

After Quinn loses her boyfriend, Trent, in an accident their junior year, she reaches out to the recipients of his donated organs in hopes of picking up the pieces of her now-unrecognizable life. She hears back from some of them, but the person who received Trent’s heart has remained silent. The essence of a person, she has always believed, is in the heart. If she finds Trent’s, then maybe she can have peace once and for all.

Risking everything in order to finally lay her memories to rest, Quinn goes outside the system to track down nineteen-year-old Colton Thomas—a guy whose life has been forever changed by this priceless gift. But what starts as an accidental run-in quickly develops into more, sparking an undeniable attraction. She doesn't want to give in to it—especially since he has no idea how they're connected—but their time together has made Quinn feel alive again. No matter how hard she’s falling for Colton, each beat of his heart reminds her of all she’s lost…and all that remains at stake."  -- From Goodreads

This book knocked me on my butt.  I knew that this book was going to be difficult to read for many reasons, but I was surprised at how potent Quinn's grief was.  I could feel her pain, and how paralyzed she becomes because she is unable to deal with her emotions after losing her boyfriend.  She does call herself "an eighteen-year-old widow".

I love reading books by Jessi Kirby.  Her characters come to life on the page.  Overall, I really liked this book.  I really liked Colton and Quinn, and how they grew together.  They were imperfect people who fit together perfectly.

Disclosure: I received a digital copy for a fair and honest review.

   If you're looking for a movie similar to this book, check out Return to Me. It's lovely!

Liars, Inc. by Paula Stokes

Liars, Inc. by Paula Stokes
Published by HarperTeen on March 24, 2015

Summary: "Max Cantrell has never been a big fan of the truth, so when the opportunity arises to sell forged permission slips and cover stories to his classmates, it sounds like a good way to make a little money and liven up a boring senior year. With the help of his friends Preston and Parvati, Max starts Liars, Inc. Suddenly everybody needs something and the cash starts pouring in. Who knew lying could be so lucrative?

When Preston wants his own cover story to go visit a girl he met online, Max doesn’t think twice about hooking him up. Until Preston never comes home. Then the evidence starts to pile up—terrifying clues that lead the cops to Preston’s body. Terrifying clues that point to Max as the murderer.

Can Max find the real killer before he goes to prison for a crime he didn’t commit?" --From Goodreads

Liars Inc. is a pretty good mystery.  I thought the author did really well laying out the mystery for the reader, even if the pieces of the puzzle were a little too easy to put together.  There were a few "red herrings" but their motives were not as strong as the actual killer.

Max, Parvati, and Preston's relationships with each other are a bit weird.  Honestly, I could have done with less of their love triangle crap.  When the story involved the FBI, it seemed like Max wasn't in enough trouble.

Overall, this book was an entertaining mystery.  It brought me out of my reading slump.

Disclosure: I borrowed a copy from my local library.

Confessions: The Paris Mysteries by James Patterson

Confessions: The Paris Mysteries by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
Confessions #3
Published by Little, Brown and Company on October 6, 2014

Summary: "The City of Lights sets the stage for romance, drama and intrigue in the latest Confessions novel from the world's bestselling mystery writer!

After investigating multiple homicides and her family's decades-old skeletons in the closet, Tandy Angel is finally reunited with her lost love in Paris. But as he grows increasingly distant, Tandy is confronted with disturbing questions about him, as well as what really happened to her long-dead sister. With no way to tell anymore who in her life she can trust, how will Tandy ever get to the bottom of the countless secrets her parents kept from her? James Patterson leads this brilliant teenage detective through Paris on a trail of lies years in the making, with shocking revelations around every corner." -- From Goodreads

I really struggled with this book.  I truly like this series, but Tandy seemed very whiny in this book to me.  She has a hard time trusting anyone, and with good reason.  I think the problem this book had was that there were too many "explosive" parts, so they all fell flat.   I will be finishing the rest of this series because I do want to know how it ends.

Disclosure: I borrowed the audiobook from my local library.

Magnolia by Kristi Cook

Magnolia by Krisi Cook
Published by Simon & Schuster on August 5, 2014

Summary: "In Magnolia Branch, Mississippi, the Cafferty and Marsden families are southern royalty. Neighbors since the Civil War, the families have shared vacations, holidays, backyard barbecues, and the overwhelming desire to unite their two clans by marriage. So when a baby boy and girl were born to the families at the same time, the perfect opportunity seemed to have finally arrived.

Jemma Cafferty and Ryder Marsden have no intention of giving in to their parents’ wishes. They’re only seventeen, for goodness’ sake, not to mention that one little problem: They hate each other! Jemma can’t stand Ryder’s nauseating golden-boy persona, and Ryder would like nothing better than to pretend stubborn Jemma doesn’t exist.

But when a violent storm ravages Magnolia Branch, it unearths Jemma’s and Ryder’s true feelings for each other as the two discover that the line between love and hate may be thin enough to risk crossing over." -- From Goodreads

I thought this book was a cute, summer beach read.  Jemma and Ryder have this adorable love/hate relationship going on.  The storm adds more depth to the story, with Jemma and Ryder working together to make it through.  Magnolia is one of those books I'd recommend for anyone looking for a cute contemporary.

Disclosure: I borrowed this book from my local library.

Reading Challenge Update- March

I know I said this back in February, but I can't believe that March is over!  It's time to start planning summer programs at my library, and we have almost no snow!  

I took a week off from blogging/ reviewing/ reading in March, and I'm glad I did.  I needed that time to recharge my batteries, and get out of my reading funk.  

So now on to what I actually read for March!

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

In the Garden by Nora Roberts

#3 Red Lily

The Winner's Trilogy Marie Rutkoski

#2 The Winner's Crime

The Kane Chronicles by Rick Riordan

#1 Red Pyramid

Nightmares by Jason Segel and Kirsten White

#1 Nightmares

Platypus Police Squad by Jarrett Krosoczka

#1 The Frog Who Croaked

#2 The Ostrich Conspiracy

Flavia de Luce Series by Alan Bradley

#7 As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust

Fool's Gold series by Susan Mallery

#16 Hold Me

Confessions series by James Patterson

#3 Confessions: The Paris Mysteries

Shelter in a Soldier's Arms by Susan Mallery

I added 12 books to my Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge.  I'm 33% done with this challenge.  If I keep up this pace, I'll be done with this challenge around the end of September.

Love, Lucy by April Lindner

Silent Alarm by Jennifer Banash

Magnolia by Kristi Cook

How was March for you reading wise?  Read anything interesting?  Leave me a comment!

Silent Alarm by Jennifer Banash

Silent Alarm by Jennifer Banash
Published by Putnam Juvenile on March 10, 2015

Summary: "Alys’s whole world was comprised of the history project that was due, her upcoming violin audition, being held tightly in the arms of her boyfriend, Ben, and laughing with her best friend, Delilah. At least it was—until she found herself on the wrong end of a shotgun in the school library. Her suburban high school had become one of those places you hear about on the news—a place where some disaffected youth decided to end it all and take as many of his teachers and classmates with him as he could. Except, in this story, that youth was Alys’s own brother, Luke. He killed fifteen others and himself, but spared her—though she’ll never know why.  Alys’s downward spiral begins instantly, and there seems to be no bottom." --From Goodreads

This is a book that will stay with me for a long time.  In the current climate, books about mass shootings are needed.  These events happen frequently, and kids are just as affected by those events that are across the country, not to mention the ones that happen in their own backyard.

Alys's story is different though.  Her brother is the one who walked through their school, killing 15 innocent classmates and teachers.  Silent Alarm is her story, and how she copes with the aftermath.  I would recommend this book to any and all students.  

Disclosure: I borrowed a copy of this book from my local library.

Love, Lucy by April Lindner

Love, Lucy by April Lindner
Published by Poppy on January 27, 2015

Summary: "While backpacking through Florence, Italy, during the summer before she heads off to college, Lucy Sommersworth finds herself falling in love with the culture, the architecture, the food...and Jesse Palladino, a handsome street musician. After a whirlwind romance, Lucy returns home, determined to move on from her "vacation flirtation." But just because summer is over doesn't mean Lucy and Jesse are over, too." --From Goodreads

I thought this was a great, lighthearted read.  The setting was perfect, and the author described the streets of Italy to perfection.  I felt like I was right beside Jesse and Lucy as they discovered Italy and each other.  

If you're a fan of contemporary romances, traveling, or need a summer beach read, I would suggest you pick this book up.  

Disclosure: I picked up this book from my local library.

Vanishing Girls by Lauren Oliver

Vanishing Girls by Lauren Oliver
Published by HarperCollins on March 10, 2015

Summary: "Dara and Nick used to be inseparable, but that was before the accident that left Dara's beautiful face scarred and the two sisters totally estranged. When Dara vanishes on her birthday, Nick thinks Dara is just playing around. But another girl, nine-year-old Madeline Snow, has vanished, too, and Nick becomes increasingly convinced that the two disappearances are linked. Now Nick has to find her sister, before it's too late."  -- From Goodreads

Oh my goodness.  Where do I even begin to explain my feelings for this book?  First we have Nick (Nicole), who finally goes to her mom's house after an accident.  We find out that Nick and her sister Dara have been at odds since the accident, although the details surrounding the fight are not revealed until later.  

All characters are well developed, even Nick's coworkers at FanLand.  The catalyst for the story comes in the form of a nine-year-old girl vanishing.  Dara also goes missing, and Nick ties the two incidents together.  The way that the story was weaved together was impressive.  I really didn't see the ending coming, and I was upset by it.  It almost made me feel cheated out of the ending that I wanted.

Overall, this is a great book!  Fans of Lauren Oliver's previous works will eat this right up.  Also, if you liked E. Lockhart's We Were Liars, you definitely need to read Vanishing Girls as well.  

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

Reading Challenge Update- February

I can't believe that February is over already!  Here's how I stand on my Reading Challenges:

I've read only one debut book so far in 2015.  

A Wicked Thing by Rhiannon Thomas

Finishing the Series Challenge hosted by Socrates' Book Reviews.

I'm still making good progress on the number of series I'm finishing.  
So far in 2015, I've finished 8 series!
Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins

Rebel Belle

Miss Mayhem

In the Garden by Nora Roberts
Blue Dahlia
Black Rose
Red Lily

Confessions by James Patterson
Confessions of a Murder Suspect
The Private School Murders
The Paris Mysteries

Land of Stories by Chris Colfer
The Wishing Spell
The Enchantress Returns
A Grimm Warning

Unremembered by Jessica Brody
Unremembered
Unforgotten
Unchanged

Point Last Seen by April Henry
Body in the Woods

Vivian Apple by Katie Coyle
Vivian Apple at the End of the World

The Syrena Legacy by Anna Banks
Of Poseidon
Of Triton
Of Neptune

Shades of London by Maureen Johnson
Name of the Star
The Madness Underneath
The Shadow Cabinet

2015 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge hosted by The Book Vixen

I'm up to 38 (big) books read so far this year.  I've got a long way to go before I hit my goal of 150!

 Contemporary Challenge hosted by The Book Belles

Books read in February

1. The Private School Murders by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro

2. Things We Know by Heart by Jessi Kirby

3. The Body in the Woods by April Henry
4. Vanishing Girls by Lauren Oliver

The Body in the Woods by April Henry

The Body in the Woods by April Henry
Point Last Seen #1
Published by Henry Holt and Co. on June 17, 2014

Summary: "Alexis, Nick, and Ruby have very different backgrounds: Alexis has spent her life covering for her mom’s mental illness, Nick’s bravado hides his fear of not being good enough, and Ruby just wants to pursue her eccentric interests in a world that doesn’t understand her. When the three teens join Portland County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue, they are teamed up to search for an autistic man lost in the woods. What they find instead is a dead body. In a friendship that will be forged in danger, fear, and courage, the three team up to find the girl’s killer—before he can strike one of their own." -- From Goodreads

I loved the unique premise of this book: the fact that teens could join a Search and Rescue group.  I really liked the character of Ruby, our amateur Nancy Drew-esque detective,  Alexis was also interesting, with her mom's mental illness to deal with.  I think Nick was the shallowest character of them all.  All he wanted to do was be a hero like his dad who was killed in Iraq.  That led him to doing things without thinking them all the way through.

Overall, the characters were good, the plot was okay, and the murders were not really detailed.  I know that will be a factor for some teens reading this book; they want the suspense but not the detailed gore.  I tend to love mysteries and suspense novels of any kind, and I definitely plan on adding the sequel to my TBR.

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

Confessions: The Private School Murders by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro

Confessions: The Private School Murders by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
Confessions #2
Published by Little, Brown and Company on October 7, 2013

Summary: "Wealthy young women are being murdered on Manhattan's exclusive Upper West Side, and the police aren't looking for answers in the right places. Enter Tandy Angel. The first case she cracked was the mystery of her parents' deaths. Now, while she's working to exonerate her brother of his glamorous girlfriend's homicide, she's driven to get involved in the West Side murder spree.

One of the recent victims was a student at Tandy's own elite school. She has a hunch it may be the work of a serial killer, but the NYPD isn't listening to her...and Tandy can't ignore the disturbing fact that she perfectly fits the profile of the killer's targets. Can she untangle the mysteries in time? Or will she be the next victim?"  -- From Goodreads

I do like James Patterson's novels, but the endless twists and turns of this novel were a bit tiring.  It's hard to relax while reading this because you know there's going to be another twist in another 50 pages.  Overall, this story was entertaining.  I do enjoy Tandy's relationship with her "boyfriend".  This is a good series if you like murder, mystery, and suspense.  

Disclosure: I borrowed the audiobook from my library.

Confessions series

Confessions of a Murder Suspect

The Private School Murders

The Paris Mysteries

Reading Challenge Update- January

The month of January has flown by so quickly!  It seems like just yesterday I was pledging my 2015 resolutions.  I've decided to do a monthly recap post of my reading challenges. Here's how they look now:

2015 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge hosted by The Book Vixen

I've read 16 books this year so far.  My goal is 150 books (not including picture books) and I'm currently ahead 7 books.

Finishing the Series Challenge hosted by Socrates' Book Reviews.

Popularity Papers by Amy Ignatow

Love and Other Fiascos

The Less-than-Hidden Secrets and Final Revelations

Flavia de Luce by Alan Bradley

The Dead in their Vaulted Arches

As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust

The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer
Fairest
Winter

His Fair Assassin by Robin LaFevers
Grave Mercy
Dark Triumph
Mortal Heart

Delirium by Lauren Oliver
Delirium
Pandemonium
Requiem
(Watch for a post at the beginning of February with my thoughts on this series!)

I've also made some progress on finishing some series, but I still have a long way to go.

 Contemporary Challenge hosted by The Book Belles

1. I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson

2. Even in Paradise by Chelsey Philpot

3. Made for You by Melissa Marr

4. All Fall Down by Ally Carter

I signed up to read 16-20 contemporary books, so I've made good progress.  

As for my other challenges, Romantic Suspense Challenge, Men in Uniform Challenge, and  Debut Author Challenge, I haven't made any progress on those.  I've still got plenty time though!  

Have you made any progress on your reading challenges?  Leave a list or link in the comments!

Made for You by Melissa Marr

Made for You by Melissa Marr
Published by HarperCollins on September 16, 2014

Summary: "When Eva Tilling wakes up in the hospital, she’s confused—who in her sleepy little North Carolina town could have hit her with their car? And why? But before she can consider the question, she finds that she’s awoken with a strange new skill: the ability to foresee people’s deaths when they touch her. While she is recovering from the hit-and-run, Nate, an old flame, reappears, and the two must traverse their rocky past as they figure out how to use Eva’s power to keep her friends—and themselves—alive. But while Eva and Nate grow closer, the killer grows increasingly frantic in his attempt to get to Eva."  -- From Goodreads

What I Loved:
The pacing.  I read this book in less than 24 hours.  When I wasn't reading, I was thinking about the story.  Marr kept the reader guessing until almost the end of the book.

Eva.  I thought that Eva was a strong and likeable main character.  She didn't fall apart when they finally figured out that the killer really was after her.  Eva dealt with the craziness and put together a plan of her own.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book.  It was a great, fast-paced read.  I did have a hunch who the killer was going to be, and I got it right.  I will be reading more of Melissa Marr's books in the future.

Disclosure: I borrowed a copy from my library.

All Fall Down by Ally Carter

All Fall Down by Ally Carter
Embassy Row #1
Published by Scholastic Press on January 20, 2015

Summary: "Grace can best be described as a daredevil, an Army brat, and a rebel. She is also the only granddaughter of perhaps the most powerful ambassador in the world and Grace has spent every summer of her childhood running across the roofs of Embassy Row.

Now, at age sixteen, she's come back to stay - in order to solve the mystery of her mother's death. In the process, she uncovers an international conspiracy of unsettling proportions, and must choose her friends and watch her foes carefully if she and the world are to be saved."  --From Goodreads

What I Loved:

The setting.  Adria.  I love how Ally Carter made Embassy Row come alive.  I could really picture the country, its King and Queen, and the tunnels that run under the city.  

The relationships.  The tensions between nations are realistic.  Iran is taboo, Russia and the United States have strained relations.  I really liked how Carter was able to translate those tensions into the relationships between the teens.

The ending.  While the ending was a bit of a cliffhanger, I'm going to guess MORE SPY STUFF?!?  I really hope so, as I miss Carter's Gallagher Girls series.

Overall, I really can't wait for the second book in this series.  I hope for it to be longer than a trilogy, but who knows?  The second book hasn't been announced yet, so I'm keeping my fingers (and toes) crossed.

Disclosure: I purchased my own copy.