Live Through This by Mindi Scott

Release Date: October 2, 2012

Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 304
Buy The Book: Amazon

When a relationship trespasses the boundaries of trust, the consequences are complex in this nuanced page-turner from "a formidable talent" ("Booklist")

Sometimes hiding the truth requires more than a lie . . .

From the outside, Coley Sterling’s life seems pretty normal . . . whatever that means. It’s not perfect—her best friend is seriously mad at her and her dance team captains keep giving her a hard time—but Coley’s adorable, sweet crush Reece helps distract her from the annoying drama. Plus, she has a great family to fall back on—with a stepdad and mom who would stop at nothing to keep her and her siblings happy and safe.

But Coley has a lot of secrets. She won’t admit—not even to herself—that her almost-perfect life is her own carefully-crafted façade. That for years she’s been burying the shame and guilt over a relationship that crossed the line. Now, Coley and Reece are getting closer, and as Coley has the chance at her first real boyfriend, a decade’s worth of lies are on the verge of unraveling.

Mindi Scott offers an absorbing, layered glimpse into the life of an everygirl living a nightmare that no one would suspect in this unforgettable powerhouse of a novel.

I've been really excited about Live Through This since I first heard about it earlier this year. The wait was killing me! But this book totally lived up to all the hype I had built up in my own head! In fact, it actually surpassed all my expectations for it.

This review however, is somewhat hard to write. There is a HUGE plot twist to the story, in fact, I'd say the entire book centers around it. But it isn't mentioned in the synopsis, only very cleverly alluded to. I don't want to spoil it for any of you who haven't read this yet, so I won't mention it. But....holy cow!!! When you read this, come back and let me know so we can discuss! In the mean time, HOLY COW! lol

The story itself was really well done. I really liked the main character Cole, I sympathized with her, I cried with her and for her. The author, Mindi Scott, did an amazing job portraying the character's emotions and feelings. Her hopes and fears. I adored her boyfriend Reece, he was so sweet and patient and careful with Cole. I think in many ways he understood her in ways that no one else around her could. He had pateince with her, and a very strong bond of love held these two together. I think that's what made their story so beautiful.

This was such a fast read for me. Once I got into the story I wanted more and more. When the BIG issue happened I kept reading faster and faster to find out what would happen. How would Cole deal with this? Will she be okay? What will happen to her? I was dying to know and I tore through this book at lightening speed to find out. The ending I thought was simple, beautiful and totally perfect!

I never thought I would read a book dealing with this particular issue (again, don't want to spoil the book!). But I thought the author did a really amazing job writting about it. What really touched me even more than the story itself, was the letter in the beginning from the author herself, explaining that this actually happened to her. And then I understood, how she was able to convey all the emotions of this situation so clearly in her writting. Because she herself, had been through it too!

All in all I thought the story was amazingly well written! It was a quick read that haunted me and I couldn't put it down until I had read every last word.

Review: Blind Spot

Blind Spot by Laura Ellen

Release Date: October 23, 2012

Publisher: Harcourt
Pages: 356
Buy The Book: Amazon

There’s none so blind as they that won’t see.

Seventeen-year-old Tricia Farni’s body floated to the surface of Alaska’s Birch River six months after the night she disappeared. The night Roz Hart had a fight with her. The night Roz can’t remember. Roz, who struggles with macular degeneration, is used to assembling fragments to make sense of the world around her. But this time it’s her memory that needs piecing together—to clear her name . . . to find a murderer. This unflinchingly emotional novel is written in the powerful first-person voice of a legally blind teen who just wants to be like everyone else.

This is the second story I've read about a blind teen, and I have to say they have both been fantastic! In Blind Spot the main character Roz, was born with an eye condition which made her eye sight very poor. She was eventually diagnosed as being legally blind. She can see, but everything is blurry, and she can't quite make things out. Being diagnosed legally Blind, of course for Roz means she will never be able to drive and do things most teens can. But then again, Roz is no ordinary teen!

Because of her "disability" Roz is put in a special ed class, much to her horror! There she meets fellow class mate Tricia, cape wearing, dancing on tables Tricia, who will forever change Roz's life. Tricia's body is found floating on the surface of a river and Roz is convinced it was murder! She takes it upon herself to find out exactly what happened to Roz, sometimes putting herself straight in the path of danger!

I loved everything about this book. Starting with the cover, which is gorgeous and totally haunting! I liked the character's, from the main character Roz, to the victum Tricia, to the wheel bound Fritz ( love me some Fritz!) , Jonathan the popular hottie that you love to hate, and Greg *sighs* Greg! There is some romance going on in the book, but not too much! It's done perfectly! 

This book was a little bit of everything and I enjoyed it so much. It was suspenseful, mysterious, thrilling, with a healthy dose of laughs and a romance or two! All with an amazing cast of characters that I adored! The story itself was well done. The mystery element was great and not something I saw from the first few chapters. It took me quite a while to figure it out and there were still some things I hadn't figured out. The pacing was wonderful! I think if I hadn't had to work I probably would've devoured this one all in one day.

Overall, I really enjoyed this one but what stood out to me the most was the plucky cast of character's! They definitely made the story!