The Year We Fell Apart by Emily Martin

The Year We Fell Apart by Emily Martin
Published by Simon Pulse in January 2016.
Debut Author, 2016

"Few things come as naturally to Harper as epic mistakes. In the past year she was kicked off the swim team, earned a reputation as Carson High’s easiest hook-up, and officially became the black sheep of her family. But her worst mistake was destroying her relationship with her best friend, Declan.

Now, after two semesters of silence, Declan is home from boarding school for the summer. Everything about him is different—he’s taller, stronger…more handsome. Harper has changed, too, especially in the wake of her mom’s cancer diagnosis.

While Declan wants nothing to do with Harper, he’s still Declan, her Declan, and the only person she wants to talk to about what’s really going on. But he’s also the one person she’s lost the right to seek comfort from.

As their mutual friends and shared histories draw them together again, Harper and Declan must decide which parts of their past are still salvageable, and which parts they’ll have to let go of once and for all."

Will you like it?
I had a hard time with this book.  It was messy, but almost too messy.  I was also underwhelmed.  It felt like another book where the girl is having a hard time and turns to drugs and alcohol.  The parents in this one.  Sheesh.  They should have seen that their child was struggling.  Overall, this book reminds me that life is messy, and everyone needs to heal at their own pace.

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

New Lately // 1

Have you added any new books to your TBR pile lately?  

Here are two books that I'm really excited to dive into...

Boys of Summer by Jessica Brody

Publication date: April 5, 2016

"Best friends since they were kids, Grayson, Mike, and Ian were hoping for another epic summer on “The Locks”, filled with clam bakes, bonfires, and late-night swims in the ocean.

But that was before Ian’s dad never returned home from his last deployment. Before Mike had to take on more responsibility in order to help provide for his family. Before Grayson’s accident left him with an injured throwing arm and an uncertain future.

It’s clear this summer on the island is shaping up to be very different from those Grayson, Mike, and Ian have come to rely on. And when the sacred code of dating a friend’s sister or ex is broken, it will push their friendship to the absolute limit, testing their loyalties in a way that could either break them—or save them." -- From Goodreads

First Comes Love by Emily Giffin
Publication Date: June 28, 2016

"Growing up, opposites Josie and Meredith Garland shared a loving, if sometimes contentious relationship. When tragedy strikes their family, their different responses to the event splinter their delicate bond.  Fifteen years later, Josie and Meredith are in their late thirties, following very different paths.

As the anniversary of their tragedy looms and painful secrets from the past begin to surface, Josie and Meredith must not only confront the issues that divide them, but also come to terms with their own choices. In their journey toward understanding and forgiveness, both sisters discover they need each other more than they knew . . . and that in the recipe for true happiness, love always comes first." -- Goodreads

Anything you've added lately?  
Leave a list or link in the comments!

Waiting on Wednesday: The Crown

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, which shines a light on eagerly anticipated upcoming releases.  This week, my pick is:

The Crown by Kiera Cass

Publisher: HarperTeen

Date: May 3, 2016

From Goodreads: "Twenty years have passed since the events of The One, and America and Maxon’s daughter is the first princess to hold a Selection of her own. Princess Eadlyn didn’t think she would find a real partner among the Selection’s thirty-five suitors, let alone true love. But sometimes the heart has a way of surprising you...and now Eadlyn must make a choice that feels more difficult—and more important—than she ever expected."

The ending of the last book crushed my soul.  I need to know how the series ends.  Like now.

Max the Brave by Ed Vere

Max the Brave written and illustrated by Ed Vere
Published by Puffin Books in June 2014

Why do I love it?
I have a weird soft spot with books that feature cats as main characters (my family calls me a crazy cat lady).  I also have a family member named Max, and that makes this book special as well.  Plus it's really funny to watch Max figure out what a mouse is.

Age Range
This book lends itself well for ages 2 and up.  There is not a lot of writing per page, and the vivid color illustrations will keep your child's interest.

Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard

Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard
Published by HarperTeen in February 2016.
Red Queen #2

"Mare Barrow’s blood is red—the color of common folk—but her Silver ability, the power to control lightning, has turned her into a weapon that the royal court tries to control. The crown calls her an impossibility, a fake, but as she makes her escape from Maven, the prince—the friend—who betrayed her, Mare uncovers something startling: she is not the only one of her kind.

Pursued by Maven, now a vindictive king, Mare sets out to find and recruit other Red-and-Silver fighters to join in the struggle against her oppressors. But Mare finds herself on a deadly path, at risk of becoming exactly the kind of monster she is trying to defeat.

Will she shatter under the weight of the lives that are the cost of rebellion? Or have treachery and betrayal hardened her forever?" -- From Goodreads

Will you like it?
This book was very good, but not as great as the first book in the series.  It had classic second book syndrome.  A lot of stuff happened, but the real firepower was saved for the third book.  Of course it ended on a cliffhanger (what second books don't?).  Mare and Cal's characters grew a lot, and I am truly excited to read the last book.

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