Please enable JavaScript
All Books | Page 31 | LitPick Book Reviews
All Books
Raisin Rodriguez and the Big-Time Smooch
Synopsis: Sequel to The Secret Blog of Raisin Rodriguez - wittier, sillier and even more lovable than the first book!
Publication Date:
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Romance
Emerald Witch
Leona O'Neill
Synopsis: If Amelia Morgan’s life were a colour it would be positively beige. Her love life is as real as the cheap plastic heart her boyfriend gave her for Valentine’s Day, nothing of note has ever happened in the sleepy seaside town where she lives with her eccentric grandmother and she is a level-seven hypochondriac.
Things pick up though, before her 18th birthday, when her boyfriend drops off the face of the earth, the rate of human combustion in the town goes stellar and a maniacal stranger purporting to be her long-lost father starts hanging around town melting people.
It turns out Amelia Morgan is a witch, hidden in wild and windy Donegal by her mother’s people when she was just a baby. She is daughter to a mad man and granddaughter to the ancient Celtic Goddess of war, death and destruction ­­– the Morrigan.
As she comes of age the magical ties that bind the powers within her unravel, along with deep, dark family secrets. As her world implodes a war erupts within her between good and very, very bad. She leaves the beige-coloured existence behind to fight a battle of epic proportions - encountering headless horsemen, dark angels, power-crazed goddesses and her deadbeat Dad who requires her blood to raise his corpse mother from the grave.
She discovers magical worlds - under the streets of Dublin, under the Emerald Lake, beneath the Emerald Forest and races of ancient Irish people who she must lead out of the darkness the Morrigan spreads across the land.
No one said being a teenager was easy.
Publication Date:
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Romance
The Heroines: A Novel
Eileen Favorite
Synopsis: Although a true lover of books, Anne-Marie Entwhistle prefers not to read to her spirited daughter, Penny, especially from the likes of Madame Bovary, Gone With the Wind, or The Scarlet Letter. These novels, devoted to the lives of the Heroines that make them so irresistible, have a way of hitting too close to home -- well, to the Homestead actually, where Anne-Marie runs the quaint family-owned bed and breakfast.

In this enchanting debut novel, Penny and her mother encounter great women from classic works of literature who make the Homestead their destination of choice just as the plots of their tumultuous, unforgettable stories begin to unravel. They appear at all hours of the day and in all manners of distress. A lovesick Madame Bovary languishes in their hammock after Rodolphe has abandoned her, and Scarlett O'Hara's emotions are not easily tempered by tea and eiderdowns. These visitors long for comfort, consolation, and sometimes for more attention than the adolescent Penny wants her mother to give.

Knowing that to interfere with their stories would cause mayhem in literature, Anne-Marie does her best to make each Heroine feel at home, with a roof over her head and a shoulder to cry on. But when Penny begins to feel overshadowed by her mother's indulgence of each and every Heroine, havoc ensues, and the thirteen-year-old embarks on her own memorable tale.

Eileen Favorite's lively, fresh, and enormously entertaining novel gives readers a chance to experience their favorite Heroines all over again, or introduces these fictional women so beguilingly that further acquaintance will surely follow. Narrated by the courageous and irreverent Penny, The Heroines will make book lovers rejoice.

Publication Date:
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Romance
Revenge Of A Band Geek Gone Bad
Synopsis: Love. Lust. Blackmail. Romance. Revenge. Is finding love worth getting even?

Shy, overweight Melinda Rhodes' sophomore year of high school isn't going so well. Her mother mocks her weight. She spends her weekends holed up in her room making what her friend calls "Freaky eyeball paintings." Her pants split in the middle of school, earning her the nickname, "Moolinda." She then loses first chair flute in band to Kathy Meadows, the pretty and popular mean girl who's tormented Mel for years.

Her luck changes when she catches the eye of Josh Kowalski, a rebellious trumpet prodigy and class clown. Josh has also been hurt by Kathy and asks Melinda to help take Kathy down. Mel figures that she has nothing to lose ... and Josh is adorable with gorgeous blue eyes and a winning smile. She agrees to team up with him and looks forward to finally getting back at her rival.

At first, the pair's pranks against Kathy are silly, and as they work together, Mel comes out of her shell. Wild, impulsive Josh gets her to do things she'd never done before and Mel enjoys being a bad girl. Even better, she and Josh fall in love and their teen romance blossoms.

However, as their schemes become more involved and dangerous, Mel begins to question her loyalty to Josh -- and is surprised to find how dark her dark side really is. Just how far will she be willing to go to get what she wants -- and is keepng Josh really worth the risk of going against her beliefs?

This is a coming of age tale about finding love, staying on top and staying true to yourself. Is it really possible for Melinda to have it all?

REVIEWS

"I liked the characters and found them to be real." -- Teena In Toronto Book Blog (www.teenaintoronto.com)

"Reading this was pure bliss. I had this smile plastered on my face the entire time." -- Jenny, via Goodreads
Publication Date:
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Romance
The Brown House
Christy Sloat, Melissa Ringsted
Synopsis: Some secrets should never be revealed…

Brylee Branson begrudgingly made the excruciating move with her family from the warm sandy beaches of California to small town living in New Jersey. As if she wasn’t miserable enough, they’ve moved into a creepy old house that everyone in the area claims is haunted. Brylee dismisses the idea of ghosts and hauntings, until she begins to see and hear things that can’t be explained…

Brylee has no choice but to seek the help of new friends to unlock the secrets of this place she now calls home. But some secrets should never be revealed. Can the teens find a way to release the spirits imprisoned within the walls? Or will the curse claim them, too?
Publication Date:
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Romance
Wishing You Were Here
Catherine Chant
Synopsis: Finalist for the Romance Writers of America Golden Heart® Award in Young Adult Romance.

She's out of place.

He's out of time.

When an accidental wish sends a college bound radio intern back in time to 1957 to save a teen idol from death, she finds her well-intentioned meddling just may leave him better off dead.

Callie Reinard thought rock music pioneer Joey Tempo deserved a chance to show the world he was more than a footnote in music history, but her attempt to give him a new future causes one catastrophe after another. The worst disaster of all -- she's falling for this charismatic musician, who's fifty years out of her league, and at risk of losing her own carefully-planned future in the process.

WISHING YOU WERE HERE is a sweet young adult rock 'n' roll time travel romance, appropriate for ages 12 and up.

~*~

From the Back Cover:

She's out of place.

He's out of time.

In 1956, clever spin doctoring and a string of pre-fab hits turn Joseph Temporelli into Joey Tempo, the biggest sensation to hit the Memphis music scene since Elvis Presley. Within twelve months he's gone-killed in a transatlantic plane crash.

55 years later, Callie Reinard diligently plans for college and a career in radio. When she discovers Joey Tempo's iconic first album, her desire to change his fate opens a doorway through time to 1957.

She stops Joey from boarding the plane that will take his life, but then finds herself trapped in the 1950s, where equal rights are as foreign a concept as missions to the moon. The future she so tirelessly worked toward now seems out of reach, and her liberated attitude jeopardizes the second chance she envisioned for Joey and his music career.

Worst of all, if Callie can't find a way back to her own time soon, she may lose more than a college education and the career she's always wanted. She may lose her heart to a boy she can't have.
Publication Date:
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Romance
Maid for Me, Too
Eve Lieu, Kat Lieu
Synopsis: Two years ago, Jaiden Daniels, son of a billionaire, fell hard for spunky spit fire Mina Lin. Jaiden could have anything or anyone he wanted. And yet he couldn't have Mina's heart. After Mina rejected him, Jaiden thought that the pain of his broken heart would eventually be nothing but a faint whisper.

Oh how wrong he was.

Two years later, Jaiden attends prestigious Kingston University as a medical student and dates a gorgeous and intelligent girl named Ivy Blackwood. One day, he bumps into Mina again on campus and pretends he doesn’t know her. Has he lost his memory? Or is he playing a game and seeking revenge against her for breaking his heart?

Mina discovers that she always had feelings for Jaiden. A series of sweet events draw Mina into Jaiden’s arms. Does he still love her? Or is he toying with her heart?

And what about his girlfriend Ivy?

Lurking in the shadows is someone more dangerous than a jealous girlfriend. Mina has a secret admirer, a shadowy and terrifying creep who would do anything to have her, including taking Jaiden’s life.

Will true love prevail this time around for Mina and Jaiden or will it all be too late for our star-crossed lovers? Find out in this exciting conclusion to the Maid for Me series, Maid for Me, Too!

This book is intended for older teens. There are some scary situations and sexual innuendos. It is appropriate for readers ages 13 and up.

Young Adult Contemporary: YA Romantic Comedy, Action, Suspense, Thriller

To learn more about Kat Lieu, visit http://www.nummyz.com
Publication Date:
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Romance
Softly Say Goodbye [Kindle Edition]
Synopsis: Erin Sellers, an eighteen-year-old high school senior, hates teen drinking. She and her three friends – Bill, her guy, Shari and Jake - decide to use Twitter to stop a group, the Kewl Krew, from using their high school as the local bar. But the members of this group are just as determined to stop anyone from messing up their fun. Despite veiled threats to her safety, Erin continues her crusade.
To make matters worse for her, the stress of school and extra curricular work mounts and suddenly, shockingly, booze-fuelled tragedy strikes. Erin is now under greater pressure as she spends all hours to produce a mural and other work to commemorate the death of a teen friend. Bill, Jake and Shari support her in all this...
But more tragedy lurks nearby… until it’s time to softly say goodbye.
Publication Date:
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Romance
Disconnect: The Divided Worlds Trilogy #1
Synopsis: Dirtying fingernails in sewers is fast approaching worthlessness for Zachary, a 16-year old Underworld scavenger. When footage of an Overworld girl, Rosa, is discovered, his intrigue heightens at why she expresses sadness with a lavish lifestyle.

In meeting Rosa, Zachary is scorned by her opinion of the deprived. She pities him and provides a means for them to communicate. With time, friendship and something he’s never felt grows; love for another human. Knowing Rosa calls him when it suits her isn’t enough; he wants to meet her, but how? Relationships in Underworld are few, let alone the impossibility with those above the ceiling.

Underworld will suffer when plans to conquer Jupiter’s moon, Europa move ahead. Worse is Rosa’s father, a disgraced Overworld ambassador, approving the plan.

Zachary must defeat the prejudice of the worlds, sneak within opposing forces, lose friends and challenge Rosa’s sadness. In doing so, a twisted secret is uncovered that may devour the reason he lives; Rosa.

In space, love has boundaries.

About the Author
Imran Siddiq may have tried to leave Leicester a few times, but its become his place to wake up to two cats, freeze when the heating’s off and most of all, get down to writing. During a night in the jungle (2007), the bug inside awakened, and since then he’s been sacrificing every second that he can to write. A veteran of writing festivals, a presence on Twitter and always reading to find new worlds. His preferred genre is Science Fiction in YA, though will meddle with fantasy. He has a tendency to throw a droid in every novel – literally.
Publication Date:
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Romance
Majestica; First Glimpse
Synopsis: There’s a small clearing up in the mountains, in the cold, dark woods of Alaska, where a warm, bright light shines. Anyone that comes upon this light is pulled into it, by its exquisite beauty and wonder. Once you pass through this light, you are taken into another world, the world of Majestica. Lacey Grayson had no idea other worlds like this existed until she met Jace, and her world was changed forever.

Lacey was the typical teenage girl. Her life revolved around school, friends, and boys. She was in love with the concept of love. All she wanted was to find her prince charming, her knight in shining armor, the one boy that would love her unconditionally. No one ever knows exactly how and when they’ll find their true love, and for Lacey, well, she found her true love in the most unusual of places, in a situation she never expected to find herself in, and fell in love with him right then and there. And he was perfect. Jace was the definition of perfect; from his gorgeous looks to his endearing demeanor. He was the man she had been longing for.

She was ready to live a happy, fairytale life with him by her side. However, it didn’t quite work out that easily. Lacey finds herself dealing with the sneers from her classmates about dating the “dangerous” guy that lives up on the mountain, and dealing with threats from the boy at school that had tried to attack her. Fate had brought Lacey and Jace together. Jace had saved her life, and had protected her time and time again. He was the one true love she had been waiting for. When Jace reveals that he has to leave her to go to Majestica to avenge his father’s death, Lacey must try and find a way to stop him before he, himself, is killed. He saved her before, now will she be able to save him? How far would you go to save the person you love?

Majestica; First Glimpse is the story of love, courage, determination, and hope. Through all the joy, torment, and wonder, watch as the love between Lacey and Jace is challenged and threatened time and time again, and yet somehow continues to thrive.

This is the first book in the Majestica trilogy. Majestica; First Glimpse is a passionate and suspenseful love story, with an interesting fantasy twist, not just for the young adult crowd, but for romance fans of every age.
Publication Date:
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Romance
The Iron Traitor
Julie Kagawa
Synopsis: From the limitless imagination of New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Julie Kagawa, The Iron Fey series continues.



WHEN WE MET, I HAD NO IDEA HE WOULD BE THE CATALYST...FOR THE END OF EVERYTHING

After his unexpected journey into the lands of the fey, Ethan Chase just wants to get back to normal. Well, as “normal” as you can be when you see faeries every day of your life. Suddenly the former loner with the bad reputation has someone to try for—his girlfriend, Kenzie. Never mind that he’s forbidden to see her again.

But when your name is Ethan Chase and your sister is one of the most powerful faeries in the Nevernever, “normal” simply isn’t to be. Ethan’s nephew, Keirran, is missing, and may be on the verge of doing something unthinkable in the name of saving his own love. Something that will fracture the human and faery worlds forever, and give rise to the dangerous fey known as the Forgotten.

As Ethan’s and Keirran’s fates entwine and Keirran slips further into darkness, Ethan’s next choice may decide the fate of them all.

Don’t miss the first book in Julie Kagawa’s highly anticipated new series, SHADOW OF THE FOX, AVAILABLE OCTOBER 2, 2018

“Julie Kagawa is one killer storyteller.”
—MTV’s Hollywood Crush blog

“The Iron King has the…enchantment, imagination and adventure of… Alice in Wonderland, Narnia and The Lord of the Rings, but with lots more romance.”
—Justine magazine

“Fans of the first 'Iron Fey’ series will be interested in seeing Meghan and her family again, while new readers will find enough detail to help them jump right in and enjoy the magic, adventure, and touch of romance.”
—School Library Journal on The Lost Prince
Publication Date:
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Romance
The Grave Winner
Lindsey R Loucks
Synopsis: ONLY $4.99 FOR A LIMITED TIME!


Leigh Baxton is terrified her mom will come back from the dead -- just like the prom queen did.

While the town goes beehive over the news, Leigh bikes to the local cemetery and buries some of her mom's things in her grave to keep her there. When the hot and mysterious caretaker warns her not to give gifts to the dead, Leigh cranks up her punk music and keeps digging.

She should have listened.

Two dead sorceresses evicted the prom queen from her grave to bury someone who offered certain gifts. Bury them alive, that is, then resurrect them to create a trio of undead powerful enough to free the darkest sorceress ever from her prison inside the earth.

With help from the caretaker and the dead prom queen, Leigh must find out what's so special about the gifts she gave, and why the sorceresses are stalking her and her little sister. If she doesn't, she'll either lose another loved one or have to give the ultimate gift to the dead - herself.
Publication Date:
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Romance
Stormbringer
Shannon Delany
Synopsis:

In the intrigue-filled follow up to Weather Witch, Jordan Astraea, once a young Philadelphia lady of good social standing, is now in the final stages of her brutal training to become a Conductor—the Weather Witch who serves as a living battery to keep the massive airliner Artemesia aloft. Meanwhile, Rowen, determined to rescue her after losing his only other true friend and being wanted for murder, has found himself forced aboard a much different air vessel, this one manned by a dangerous crew and carrying a cargo so treasonous, that, if finding its destination, will herald a storm of revolution for the still young United States.

With a spirit for adventure, romance, fantastic world building and cunning imagination, Shannon Delany delivers the sensational follow up to Weather Witch in Stormbringer, the second book of the trilogy.

“Readers who liked the first novel will enjoy the fleshed-out world.” - Kirkus Reviews

Publication Date:
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Romance
My Date From Hell (The Blooming Goddess Trilogy Book Two)
Synopsis:

Breaking up is easy. Dating is deadly. 


Sophie has to unlock Persephone’s memories if she has any hope uncovering the ritual to stop Zeus and Hades from taking over the world.


Even if it means striking a deal with the Goddess of Love. What choice does she have?


The mission: stop Hermes from turning mean girl Bethany into a global mega-celebrity.


The catch? Work with the Prince of the Underworld.


With the Goddess of Love involved, and being forced to work with her ex, Sophie has her hands full.


How hard could it be?


Get it now. 

Publication Date:
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Romance
Stepping Off a Cliff: The St. Augustine Trilogy, Book II
Synopsis: An otherworldly, evil and dangerous force infests America’s oldest and most haunted city, St. Augustine, Florida. Everyone living there, or visiting, is at risk in ways too horrible to imagine.
Standing between this invader and the people of St. Augustine are teenagers Jeff and Carla, the mysterious Native American shaman, Lobo, and Lyle, the homeless guy.
In their quest to save themselves and all the inhabitants of this ancient Florida city, Jeff and Carla uncover lost parts of St. Augustine history, push past the limits of space and time, and come face-to-face with what they come to realize are the true walking dead.
Publication Date:
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Romance
Sliding Beneath the Surface:St. Augustine Trilogy,Book I
Synopsis: In America’s oldest and most haunted city, St. Augustine, Florida, teenager Jeff Golden is in trouble. Horrible dreams won’t let him sleep, and he is up to his eyeballs in terrifying, paranormal experiences.

Finally, Jeff turns to his girlfriend Carla, and Lobo, the mysterious Native American shaman, for help. But what he discovers is a lot more than he bargained for.

A ghostly presence linked to a local historic cemetery is not only threatening Jeff’s sanity but his life as well. And before he knows what’s happening, Jeff finds both himself and Carla pulled into one of the nastiest and most bloody events in Florida history. It is a place from which they may never escape.
Publication Date:
Age Level: 12 and up
Genre: Romance

Pages



RECENT BOOK REVIEWS