Winter White (Belles #2) by Jen Calonita

Winter White (Belles #2)

Author: Jen Calonita

Published: October 9th, 2012

Publisher: Poppy

 

Goodreads Summary: "Isabelle Scott and Mirabelle Monroe are still reeling from the revelation that they share more than just the roof over their heads. The media has pounced on their story and the girls are caught up in a flurry of talk-show appearances and newspaper interviews. They've put on a happy public face, but someone is leaking their true feelings to the press, and while it seems like the world is watching their every move, at least they have each other.
But with cotillion season right around the corner, Izzie and Mira have barely had time to process their newfound sisterhood. Mira has dreamed of making her debut in a gorgeous white gown forever-now, if only she could find an escort. Izzie, meanwhile, is still struggling to find her place in Emerald Cove and it's seeming ever more impossible with EC mean-girls, young and old, doing their best to keep her down. As cotillion preparations heat up, though, there are dance steps to learn, manners to perfect... and secret initiations to complete? As if sophomore year wasn't hard enough!
It's time for the gowns to go on and the gloves to come off."

 

Concept/Ideas: 4/5
Storyline/Plot: 3.5/5
Characters: 4/5
Writing Style: 4/5

The second installment in the Belles series was overall a great sequel to the first. I found myself drawn to the cover especially, since it's simply so beautiful! The book started off fast-paced, and as it usually does with Calonita's writing. I was pulled in. and I found the characters a lot more likeable in this one, especially Mira. She seemed to mature just a bit more, and have a voice of her own, which I liked a lot. In Winter White, she is not the same follower she was in Belles... I actually found Izzie to be a bit annoying. I can't put my finger on it, but Izzie seems to be too "All-American, 'can do no wrong' type of girl, who easily is starting to get on my nerves. Why? I'm not too sure. I'm not a huge fan of the secondary characters though either. I find it hard to connect with them, and they seem a bit... shallow? Cookie-cutter? Although I did thoroughly enjoy this book, it did get slow toward the end. It picked back up eventually, but I didn't find myself as pulled in as I did with Belles. I loved the concept Calonita created for this book with the ball, and it was fun, light, and elegant. I loved all the challenges they had to go through, and that Savannah finally got what she deserved. But again, just like Belles, the author leaves you with a huge revelation that just leaves you hanging for more. I find this to be somewhat annoying (doesn't anyone else know what I mean?!?!). In this series, I feel like a lot of the intense action always happens in the last... PAGE. Which leaves me a bit annoyed. Of course, it always leaves you excited to pick up the next one, to see what's going to happen. Overall, a fun, light, girly read! If you liked Belles, you will not be disappointed with Winter White!




52 Reasons To Hate My Father by Jessica Brody

52 Reasons To Hate My Father

Author: Jessica Brody

Published: July 3rd, 2012

Publisher: Farrar, Straus & Giroux

 

Goodreads Summary: "Being America’s favorite heiress is a dirty job, but someone’s gotta do it.Lexington Larrabee has never to work a day in her life. After all, she’s the heiress to the multi-billion-dollar Larrabee Media empire. And heiresses are not supposed to work. But then again, they’re not supposed to crash brand new Mercedes convertibles into convenience stores on Sunset Blvd either.

Which is why, on Lexi’s eighteen birthday, her ever-absent, tycoon father decides to take a more proactive approach to her wayward life. Every week for the next year, she will have to take on a different low-wage job if she ever wants to receive her beloved trust fund. But if there’s anything worse than working as a maid, a dishwasher, and a fast-food restaurant employee, it’s dealing with Luke, the arrogant, albeit moderately attractive, college intern her father has assigned to keep tabs on her.

In a hilarious “comedy of heiress” about family, forgiveness, good intentions, and best of all, second chances, Lexi learns that love can be unconditional, money can be immaterial, and, regardless of age, everyone needs a little saving. And although she might have 52 reasons to hate her father, she only needs one reason to love him."

 

Concept/Ideas: 5/5
Storyline/Plot: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
Writing Style: 4/5
Overall Rating: 4/5

52 Reasons to Hate My Father was an awesome book! It took your typical rich, Paris Hilton type socialite, and threw a twist right along with it.

The writing for this book was great. It was easy, light, and fast-paced. Definitely a fun read. The storyline was fast, and there were no slow parts whatsoever.

I found the concept for this book beyond interesting. It definitely made the book stand out. I loved the concept of Lexi having to do 52 different, low-wage jobs in order to get her trust fund. Whether rich or not, you can learn a lot from the book. It really teaches you the value of money, family, friends, and shows you that not everything is as it seems. Although Lexi's dad seems like the bad guy during the novel, by the end you'll quickly think differently. I loved that the book really gave great development and depth to the characters, who otherwise you wouldn't think would have when beginning to read the novel. Lexi may seem like the spoiled, rich brat, but I promise you that your in for a surprise by the end.

Overall, a great read.

Burn for Burn (Burn for Burn #1) by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian

Burn for Burn (Burn for Burn #1)

   Authors: Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian

Published: September 18th, 2012

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

 

Goodreads Summary: "BIG GIRLS DON'T CRY...
THEY GET EVEN.

Lillia has never had any problems dealing with boys who like her. Not until this summer, when one went too far. No way will she let the same thing happen to her little sister.

Kat is tired of the rumours, the insults, the cruel jokes. It all goes back to one person– her ex-best friend– and she's ready to make her pay.

Four years ago, Mary left Jar Island because of a boy. But she's not the same girl anymore. And she's ready to prove it to him.

Three very different girls who want the same thing: sweet, sweet revenge. And they won't stop until they each had a taste"

 

First of all, I must say that the cover for this book is simply beautiful. It's mysterious, feminine, and enticing.

 

Concept/Ideas: 4/5
Storyline/Plot: 4/5
Characters: 4.5/5
Writing Style: 4.5/5
Overall Rating: 4/5

The concept for this book was not too original, when you first read the summary. Girls getting back at enemies? How many times has that been done? Wrong. The two authors managed to take a common, simple concept and turn it into something unique and put their own spin onto it.

Burn for Burn follows three girls, Lillia, Mary, and Kat. These three girls are all somehow intertwined, whether it be from the past, or through mutual social circles. All three band together through circumstances that drive them to make a pact to get revenge on certain people who have hurt them, their family, friends, or simply because.

I love that the authors incoperated three very different girls, which always makes the storyline more interesting.

The book was extremely fast paced, and I found myself devouring the book. I constantly wanted to know what was going to happen next, and it was exciting at suspenseful, especially at the end...

Good character development and a great writing style. It was witty, light, girly, and catty.

I can't give too much away without spoiling, but this is a great read for anyone interested in girly, light, reads with an evil twist mixed into it. Very similar to The Pretty Little Liars series by Sara Shepard.

The ending will leave you begging for more. Oh, why... Why must authors do this to us? I can't wait for the second book!

Go out and pick it up! I reccommend it!