Book Review: Let's Get Lost by Adi Alsaid

Goodreads Description:

 

Five strangers. Countless adventures. One epic way to get lost.

Four teens across the country have only one thing in common: a girl named LEILA. She crashes into their lives in her absurdly red car at the moment they need someone the most.

There's HUDSON, a small-town mechanic who is willing to throw away his dreams for true love.

And BREE, a runaway who seizes every Tuesday—and a few stolen goods along the way.

ELLIOT believes in happy endings…until his own life goes off-script.

And SONIA worries that when she lost her boyfriend, she also lost the ability to love.
Hudson, Bree, Elliot and Sonia find a friend in Leila. And when Leila leaves them, their lives are forever changed. But it is during Leila's own 4,268-mile journey that she discovers the most important truth— sometimes, what you need most is right where you started. And maybe the only way to find what you're looking for is to get lost along the way.  

 

Title: Let's Get Lost
Author: Adi Alsaid
Genre: Contemporary, Coming Of Age, YA
Format: Paperback

Pages: 352 pages
Publisher:  Harlequin Teen
Source: Purchased at Target

 

 

 

Lately I’ve been seeing a lot of ‘road trip contemporary’ popping around the bookstores and with the hype of John Green’s Paper towns being made into a movie, I’m expecting more coming my way.

The book follows Leila who is on a road trip to Alaska to see the Northern Lights. Along the way she drives by Hudson, Bree, Elliot and Sonia lives and helps them with their problems.

Following the 5 characters, the book is told in ‘short stories’ from each characters POV.

 

Husdon

Hudson, a small town boy who works at his dad’s workshop, we follow him on the eve of his big college interview when Leila drives into his life.

I was not a fan of Hudson’s story. While I did like the ‘treasure adventure’ part, I was not a fan of his characters, the decision he made or even the instant love.

I especially hated the ending on how he acted and treated Leila.

It was kind of cringing reading about Husdon. So yah… not a great start to the book for me.

2.5/5 stars

 

Bree

Bree is a teen runaway who has been on the streets for months since a falling out with her sister. She shoplifts to survive and indulge in a thing called ‘Seize the Tuesday’.

I enjoyed Bree story and it was trilling and nerve wrecking reading about her and Leila on their shoplifting spree.

I like how her story was played out and we get to know more about her past along with her relationship with her sister and the events that led her to run.

I also like how Bree realises her wrong doing and her miscommunication with her sister.

It was a great family oriented story as well as well as a coming of age. I wanted to read more about Bree and a sister and won’t mind a full book on that.

4.5/5 stars

 

Elliot

Hopeless in romance and obsess with movies (especially good 80’s rom-com movies) Elliot has his senior prom scripted out on how he’s gonna confess his love to his best friend. However he didn’t see the plot twist and now his prom night is going off script.

I adored Elliot’s character and I was laughing and cheering for him as he and Leila goes on a mad goose chase around the small town of Minnesota to get the girl

Yah I had that 1989 Taylor Swift song stuck in my head trough the story.

Elliot started out as clingy and whiny but that’s kind of because he was upset that the girl he likes rejected him. Once you get to know him, you’ll learn what a sweet guy he is!

It was fun watching Leila being the ‘cheerleader’ for Elliot, motivating and pushing him to win heart.

This was one of my more favourite stories in the book!

Laugh out loud hilarious, cute and entertaining as we watch Elliot get the girl, I don’t mind a longer story or even a full book of Elliot as well.

5/5 stars

Sonia

Sonia’s boyfriend Sam recently passed away and she is not over him.

In British Colombia as the bridesmaid at Sam sister’s wedding and secretly seeing the Groom’s brother, Jeremiah who is also the best man of the wedding. She’s not ready to tell Sam’s family who is like family to her that she has moved on, afraid of betraying them.

This story talks about moving on from losing a love one but also moving on in a relationship.

It was very bitter sweet to read about and I keep thinking of a friend of mine who recently loss her boyfriend in a motorbike accident.

Even though I like Sonia and felt bad for her, the story was kind of strange in a way that will only work in stories like this.

On the eve of the wedding, Sonia leave Jeremiah's Room after an argument with his jacket (which has the rings in it) and runs into Leila in a convenient shop. The two of them drives back to America and haves to get back to Canada since Sonia has the rings. However it is not an easy task as they side track into a situation that includes a missing passport, custom officers and Tim Horton doughnuts. 

I neither like nor didn’t like this story but I enjoyed how Sonia’s story came to be.

4/5 stars

 

Leila

I was excited to read about Leila’s story as trough the book she had this air of mystery that got my brain churning conspiracy theories about her character and her reason on making her trip to the Northern Lights.

Trough the book there were some hints that something bad happened to her and once I got the answer to the mystery of her past, I felt like a rock hit the inside of me as its freaking sad and emotional. Leila seemed like this free spirit and happy go lucky girl who is intelligent, compassionate and quirk but once you get to know the real her, she’s currently in a position where she’s just very loss with herself.

I’m not going to get into spoiler territory (like all my reviews) as reading all the short stories leading up to Leila’s story is worth the journey to finding out about her.

All I can say is that Leila is on a self-discovery road trip hoping to feel whole and complete. In this story she meets a family who helps her see the Northern Lights.

Once again this story is very emotional and bitter sweet especially when we learn the truth about Leila. While I found part of the ending a bit cliché, I still enjoyed how her story and the book ended.

5/5 stars

 

I enjoyed Let’s get Lost and it reminds me of a bit of Since You’ve Been Gone and Paper Towns. I like the different narrations and characters and how their stories intertwined. I also love the small town atmospheres in the book.

My favourite thing about this book is the element of friendship. When Leila coincidently meet this 4 strangers on her trip, she became something important to them, she was their friend, voice of reason, supporter and listener and a good one too. She did all of this and left this impression and effect on them and the readers and we don't know anything about her till the end!

This is a great coming of age story and road trip themed book!

Leila and her story is my favourite in the book. She is one of those breath of fresh air characters that you’ll never forget and like the other characters in the book, Leila had the same effect on me when I was done with her story.

I also like reading the post cards that Leila sends out through the book as ‘dividers’ in between stories.

Fun, entertaining and adventurous, I was hooked to each characters and their stories and didn’t want to put it down! If any of this characters get a full book I'll read it as I want to read more about them! This was a unique twist to the 'fun summer road trip' genre!

I really enjoyed Adi Alsaid’s writing and the book leaves me with a big smile and wanting more!

Seize the Tuesday and have an epic adventure with this book (legally!!! lolz)!!!

 

 

I’m looking forward to his next book Never Always Sometimes coming out in August and this is one of those 'bucket list' stories!

 

Book Review: Love, Lies and Lemon Pies by Katy Cannon

Goodreads Description:

Love, Lies and Lemon Pies, the debut YA novel from Katy Cannon, is the perfect summer read for fans of Sarah Dessen and Louise Rennison. With a Bake Club recipe at the start of each chapter, this book perfectly captures the current appetite for all things baking!

Lottie, our narrator, captures the experience of a young teenage girl navigating the world of school cliques, difficult teachers and new romance, creating a world that young readers are sure to recognize. Since her dad died, life hasn't been the same for Lottie - it was easier to push her friends away than cope with their awkwardness. But when the school suggest she joins Bake Club to get her back on track, Lottie reluctantly agrees. But Lottie's uncertainty about Bake Club melts away as she rekindles her love of baking and gets caught up with Mac, the school rebel and another unwilling Bake Club member.

Both Lottie and Mac have secrets to keep, and as Bake Club progresses towards an end-of-year competition, the tension rises between the Bake Club members.

Can Lottie keep up the facade of her perfect life without the others finding out what's really going on at home? Can Mac keep his demanding, heavy-handed father off his back - not to mention the school counsellor who's written him off as a no-hoper? And can their bubbling romance survive the pressure?

Title: Love, Lies and Lemon Pies
Author: Katy Cannon
Genre: Contemporary,
Format: Paperback

Pages: 329 Pages
Publisher: Stripes Publishing
Source: Purchased from Dymocks

I devoured this book in two sitting (well I was on a bus and a plane so what do you expect me to do for 2 + 4 hours)! In a nutshell, 'Love, Lies and Lemon Pie' is like a mash up of devouring blueberry muffins, an addictive BBC drama, the breakfast club and a marathon of Nigella Lawson cooking show.

As the title says love lies and lemon pie, expect great friendship, romances, lots of drama and mouth watering recipes.

I picked this up randomly at Dymocks with no clue about the book a part from the title and cover screaming foodie YA, this major foodie (the prove is on the instagram on the side bar *hint *nudge *wink) had to get it!

Set in the UK, each chapter starts out with a recipe of the food they are making and trough the story we follow Lolita and her friends as they work out baking skills for a baking competition and a chance to win an internship in Paris at a French bakery.

The cast of characters were amazing! Its interesting to see how the different characters mingle with each other and it works so well.

Lottie has a lot of issues with the fact she recently loss her dad in an accident. Cause of that her grades has been dropping and her mum has a problem with hording. Pestered by the school's principal to join an extra curriculum, she joins the bake club where she re discover her passion for baking, make new friends and finds love.

I enjoyed reading about Lottie. Caring and sweet, she is also intelligent and passionate with doing what she loves. Even so she is not a perfect person and have some flaws. Insecure with her mum's hording, she keeps it a secret and try's to hide it from her friends and teachers.

I adore her relationship with Mac through the book! I also love her courage of dating Mac even though all her teachers disapprove of their relationship as they don't want a 'good girl' fail in life cause she was dating a 'bad boy' situation in their hands and enjoy watching proving to them that she can 'change' Max. Also I love how as their relationship progresses,

On the outside, Mac looks like the typical 'Mysterious Bad Boy' who is always into trouble but once you get to know about him and his secrets and issues he's just a misunderstood guy. He is one of those complex characters as the book progresses we see many layers of him unfold.

Apart from Lottie And Mac I really enjoy the character Jasper and Ella and I really want a book bout those two.

Apparently there is a sequel coming out in February called 'Secrets, Schemes and Sewing Machines' based off Much Ado About Nothing following thecharacter Grace. I was not a fan of Grace in this book and I HATE SEWING but I'll still pick it up as the romance here one of those love-hate relationship (aka my favorite kind of romance). 

I like how its cute and fluffy yet it managed to deal with some serious issues in a light hearted way like getting over loosing a love one and mental illness.

This book is sweeter than fiction.

Check this book out this sweet book if you love foodie YA and cute fluffy romance with a hint of drama and lots of baking!

Also, have a book friendly snack (or a meal) with you you as you might get hungry when reading the chapter about chocolate chip cookies, apple pie or even ginger bread!

Book Review: Let It Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson, Lauren Myracle

Goodreads Description:

An ill-timed storm on Christmas Eve buries the residents of Gracetown under multiple feet of snow and causes quite a bit of chaos. One brave soul ventures out into the storm from her stranded train and sets off a chain of events that will change quite a few lives. Over the next three days one girl takes a risky shortcut with an adorable stranger, three friends set out to win a race to the Waffle House (and the hash brown spoils), and the fate of a teacup pig falls into the hands of a lovesick barista.

A trio of today's bestselling authors - John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle - bring all the magic of the holidays to life in three hilarious and charming interconnected tales of love, romance, and kisses that will steal your breath away. 

Title: Let It Snow
Author: John Green, Maureen Johnson, Lauren Myracle
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Romance,Christmas/Holiday Reads
Format: Paperback

Pages: 368 pages
Publisher: Penguin UK
Source: Purchased from Big W

Sweet, heart warming, laugh out loud and crazy, this book has everything you will want in a Christmas reads.

Set on Christmas Eve in Gracetown during the worst blizzard in fifty years, we follow Jubilee, Tobin and Addie story which intertwining to bring one big Christmas story.

1) The Jubilee Train

Jubilee is sent to her grandparents place on Christmas Eve by train as her parents are arrested over a shopping riot. Due to the biggest blizzard on fifty years, the train gets stuck and she gets off the train at Gracetown and finds herself in a Waffle House with her train companions Jeb and fourteen hyper cheerleaders. There she meets Stuart who can't get to his work at Target due to the storm and after chatting for a while he invites her home for Christmas.

I love this story! Quirky, cute, fun, fluffy with a hint of cheesiness (in a feel good way) I wiz trough this and enjoyed ever bit to the story. Jubilee is not only my favorite character in the story but also in the book! I feel like she is someone I can be friends with. Stuart is a sweetheart. I also enjoyed their relationship.

 2) A Cheertastic Christmas Miracle

We follow Tobin, JP and the Duke (real name Angie) are on a mission after being tip off by their friend Keun (who we meet in The Jubilee Train) that there are fourteen cheerleaders at the Waffle House stranded due to their train getting stuck and wanting to play a game of Twister. Trough the worse blizzard in fifty years, our brave trio are on for an adventure where they have to get to The Waffle House before Keun co-workers friends get there. 

This story had me laughing from the start, adrenaline rush the middle and warm and gooey in the inside (in a good way) at the end.

John Green you've done it again! Tobin is something I can easily picture after reading every John Green book existing and love his character to bits. Quirky, comical but also one of those guys who is intelligent and i will want as my best friend. 

I also love his friends JP, Duke and Keun and their interaction. JP and his melodramatic dialogs was hilarious! I also love the hint of diversity since JP and Keun are both Korean/Asian characters yet they are very different from the stereotypical Asian characters.

Its trilling reading the snow adventure and reminds me a bit of the road trip aspect of Paper Towns.

Also the romance I kinda predicted from the start how it was going to turn out and though its not his best it still left me with happy warm feels at the end.

                                              3) The Patron Saint of Pigs

We follow Addie is depress over the break up with her boyfriend Jeb prior to Christmas. We get to know a bit about their relationship back story and how Jeb (who we meet in the previous stories) is not a fan of PDA which was one of the main reason of the break up. 

One the morning after Christmas she agrees to help her friend pick up her pet teacup pig (squeal!!! cuteness!!!) from the pet store across the street from the Starbucks that she works at. Of cause plot twist things don't go as planned and now Addie has to put aside her own problems to help with her friends.

Addie was at first not a likeable character with the fact she was freaking self centered annoying! Though the book she shows determination of changing for the better. 

Overall

I love Let It Snow as we get to see three different writing style under the same scenario. 

My most favorite story has to be Maureen Johnson's followed by John Green and Lauren Myracle respectively. Even so I did enjoy all three stories as they were good in their own ways. I like how each authors managed to write a well developed story in 100+++ pages that does not feel too rush and that you are left satisfied with the ending for each characters.

The final scene in the book is my favourite on how the story all wrapped up! I literally was grinning like an idiot at the funny and adorable ending. 

Even though some of the scenarios in the book are not that realistic, its one of those books where it all falls together and just works!

Let It Snow is still a fun romantic comedy book that reminds me a bit of the movie Love Actually.

This is definitely a book you are looking for a cozy Christmas reads! 

Kinda ironic that I read Let It Snow in a Starbucks... and yes I told them my name is Ruth eventhough its not... sorry Starbucks people but I troll you :P advantage of  NOT having an English name!

Also I highly recommend reading this at a Starbucks with one of their Christmas drink (my favorite if the peppermint mocha) or with a nice hot drink on the side to set the mode :P

 

 

 What's you're favorite Starbucks drink??? 

I usually like a Skinny Cappuccino at any coffee place but at Starbucks I like to go fancy and get a Dark Mocha frappe or the Green Tea frappe with whipped cream!

Also if you love Christmas Romance check out Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan (Review Here)

Book Review: Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

Goodreads Synopsis:

"I've left some clues for you.
If you want them, turn the page.
If you don't, put the book back on the shelf, please."

So begins the latest whirlwind romance from the bestselling authors ofNick & Norah's Infinite Playlist. Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash that right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York? Could their in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions? Or will they be a cosmic mismatch of disastrous proportions?

Title: Dash & Lily's Book of Dares
Author: Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Romance,Christmas/Holiday Reads
Format: Paperback

Pages: 260 pages
Source: Purchased from Hill of Content bookshop

So I am one of those who don't care what time of the year the book is set in as long as its a goodreads and since I was in the mood for a Christmas in July book I decided to pick this up.

I really enjoy this! I have not read anything by Rachel Cohn but have read Will Grayson, Will Grayson which David Levithan has co-written and liked it so I kinda knew that I was gonna like this.

I like the concept of the book of Dare that Lily left in Strand bookshop and the mad exchanges of  dares between Dash and Lily across New York. I enjoyed how the book brought them together and what made it a page turner is to see when they will finally meet up. Its freaking witty but also cute and heartwarming. Also learning about each other trough the notebook was a really smart ideal of giving the back story of both characters.

Dash's a nerdy book worm who is snarky yet charming and hilarious! I liked him from page and fall for him trough out the book. Lily took a while to warm up but I eventually enjoyed reading from her POV (though I prefer Dash's more). Both characters were were very likable characters and same goes for the side characters especially Boomer (btw freaking love this guy! Heck they should write a sequel staring him!), Aunt Ida and Mark. Opposite in so many ways Dash and Lily both compliment each other very well.

Overall I DARE you to read this if you like fun adventurous storylines, cute yet sarcastic and witty dialogs which are at times LOL, an amazing cast of characters as well as a great heartwarming Christmas romance.