adult, ARC, mystery, review, three star book, thriller

🤫 Deny Me ARC Review 🤫

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You

🤫 Title: Deny Me
🤫 Author: Karen Cole
🤫 Publisher: Quercus
🤫 Publish Date: April 2, 2020
🤫 Book Form: E-ARC
🤫 Pages: 368
🤫 Genre: Thriller, Adult
🤫 Dates Read: Apr 11 – Apr 14
🤫 Rating: 🤫🤫🤫.5

Thank you to Netgalley and Quercus for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and feelings are my own.

Thirty-two-year-old Jessica is newly divorced and has returned home to live with her parents whilst she puts the pieces of her life back together. But Jessica isn’t the only one with problems, as her mother, Jean, has recently been diagnosed with dementia.

Shortly after Jessica’s arrival, one of the neighbours falls to her death, in what appears to be a terrible accident. However, Jean claims that the woman was murdered by her husband and that she witnessed the whole thing.

With Jean’s memory rapidly deteriorating, her family dismiss her story, believing Jean is confused. But when Jessica learns that the couple next door’s marriage may have been in trouble, she begins to wonder if her mother did see something after all.

Jessica is determined to discover the truth, but soon uncovers much more than she bargained for…

– Goodreads

I was super interested to read this book. My grandfather had Alzheimer’s, so I was excited to read about an MC with it. It’s an awful disease, but I wanted to see how Karen Cole would spin the character. I thought Jean was very believable. I saw parallels to what my grandpa went though. You never know what to believe in those early to mid stages. Sometimes they seem fine, and sometimes they aren’t. It was heartbreaking.

Jessica was a great protagonist. She was smart, questioned everything, trusted the wrong people. It made for a very compelling story. I was gripping my seat at the end! There’s a surprise hero and a ton of action.

I was a little disappointed that the beginning mystery ended up not being the mystery that was investigated. The one that was investigated was compelling, but I wanted closure on the first mystery! I was left with questions and was a little disappointed.

The mystery that was investigated was full of family drama and secrets, one of my favorite things in a thriller. You were left questioning everyone and everything. The ending shocked me! I think I audibly gasped when I realized who the villain was! I did not see it coming.

I would definitely recommend if you are a thriller lover! I was invested from the get-go.

Is Deny Me on your TBR? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time…

adult, book meme, book tag, dystopian, fantasy, ya

#5OnMyTBR

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You

I’m so excited to be taking part in this meme! I originally saw this over at KBBookReviews and it was created by Local Bee Hunter’s Nook!

This is a post where you show 5 books on your TBR! It happens every Monday. This week’s prompt is Hype From the Past!

Interview With the Vampire by Anne Rice

So, I’ve never read an Anne Rice book. Shame, I know! After reading Crave by Tracy Wolff, I need more vampires!

Release date: April 12, 1976

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

This was a series that I missed back in the day. I have heard such good things about it recently. I need to move it up the list!

Release date: March 10, 2009

No Safety in Numbers by Dayna Lorentz

I actually had copies of this book back in the day but never read them! The covers always intrigued me, so I still want to give them a try!

Release date: May 29, 2012

Everless by Sara Holland

This is another one I keep hearing good things about! This came out during my reading break, so I need to see what the hype is about!

Release date: December 4, 2018

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

I cannot wait for the prequel to my favorite series! The Hunger Games is what got me back into reading and ignited by love for YA. I am very impatiently waiting!

Release date: May 19, 2020

There you have it! My top 5 Hype from the Past books! What are yours? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time…

adult, book meme, book tag, contemporary, Romance

Down the TBR Part 20

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You

Ah! Part 20 of my down the TBR! I’ve reviewed way more than 200 books, but this is really helping me get a true TBR. Today we will go through 20 more books that I added on July 15, 2015. I feel like this is gonna be a good one. Plus, I will finally get below 1800 books! Woooo!

✔ What I Kept ✔

Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult
This has everything I usually hate! Chick lit, Amish, adult fiction. But for some reason this just sounds so good! I have to give it a try.

Mercy by Jodi Picoult
Mercy killings are a hot topic, one I love to discuss. I can’t turn a book away with that topic!

About Face by Fern Michaels
Super cute cover. Doctor MC. Memory loss and a mystery. I’m all about it.

The Third Circle by Amanda Quick
I’m pretty sure I added the other books in this series.

Charming Lily by Fern Michaels
I went back and forth, and at the last minute decided to give this one a chance. It’s set in Mississippi and seems like it might have a good mystery.

✘ What I Deleted ✘

Salem Falls by Jodi Picoult
This one just didn’t grab my attention the way Plain Truth did. It doesn’t seem like something I’d enjoy.

Songs of the Humpback Whale by Jodi Picoult
This one seems way too romance-y, chick-lit for me.

Snow Angels by Fern Michaels
This is a book of four novellas. The reviews weren’t great and it didn’t really grab my attention, so I’ll pass.

Weekend Warriors by Fern Michaels
#1 in the Sisterhood series. Something about these books just makes me cringe and makes me feel so uneasy.

Lethal Justice by Fern Michaels
Again, #6 in the Sisterhood series

Fast Track by Fern Michaels
#10 in the Sisterhood series, and I remember deleting others in this series.

Razor Sharp by Fern Michaels
#14 in the Sisterhood Series.

Texas Fury by Fern Michaels
#3 in Texas series. The synopsis did not make me want to go and read the first two.

What You Wish For by Fern Michaels
I don’t know why I have so many by Fern, but most of her works just do not entice me.

The Scoop by Fern Michaels
Another very chick lit book. This just screams something that my mom would read. Or my Meme.

My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult
Removing this ONLY because I have read it before. It was before the movie came out. I remember seeing the movie and being SO pissed at the ending. This is a great book, though.

Pretty Woman by Fern Michaels
The synopsis just didn’t call to me. Very chick lit.

Kentucky Heat by Fern Michaels
#2 in the Kentucky series, and I’m pretty sure I deleted the first one.

Fool Me Once by Fern Michaels
Another very chick lit read.

Serendipity by Fern Michaels
I just couldn’t even get into reading the synopsis.

This was a pretty good turnout! I deleted 15 books, bringing my TBR to 1785! I have deleted so many since starting this. I still have a long way to go, but it is still so satisfying. I only have 35 books left from July 15, 2015, so I’ll probably cover all those in the next post! I’m ready to move on from this day. I think it’s taken the whole month!

What do you think of my choices? Were there any that you would have kept or deleted? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time…

ARC, Historical Fiction, three star book, ya

💣 Open Fire ARC Review 💣

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You

💣 Title: Open Fire
💣 Author: Amber Lough
💣 Publisher: Carolrhoda Lab
💣 Publish Date: March 3, 2020
💣 Book Form: E-ARC
💣 Pages: 264
💣 Genre: Historical Fiction, YA
💣 Dates Read: Apr 9 – Apr 11
💣 Rating: 💣💣💣.5

Thank you to Netgalley and Carolrhoda Lab for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and feelings are my own.

A dramatic page-turner that captures the devastating toll of war and the impact of women’s struggles and solidarity, through the lens of a little-known slice of history.

In 1917, Russia is losing the war with Germany, soldiers are deserting in droves, and food shortages on the home front are pushing people to the brink of revolution. Seventeen-year-old Katya is politically conflicted, but she wants Russia to win the war. Working at a munitions factory seems like the most she can do to serve her country―until the government begins recruiting an all-female army battalion. Inspired, Katya enlists. Training with other brave women, she finds camaraderie and a deep sense of purpose. But when the women’s battalion heads to the front, Katya has to confront the horrifying realities of war. Faced with heartbreak and disillusionment, she must reevaluate her commitment and decide where she stands.

– Goodreads

I’m gonna be honest with you guys. I requested this book for the cover. It is creepy as hell and I kind of love it!

I was excited to see this was a historical fiction. I’ve read a lot of historical fiction based in Paris during WW2. A LOT. I have never read one based in Russia during WW1, so that was a very pleasant surprise.

Katya’s father has been in the Russian military forever. He aligns with the Tsars and supports them. Katya does, too. Then one day she gets pulled to a rally with her friend. Katya ends up joining an all-woman regiment for a war she’s not even sure she agrees with.

What I loved most about this book were the female friendships. The girls in the battalion had to stick together to survive – literally. Not all of them make it out of the war alive, and you can tell how much it pains the ones who do. They have become closer than sisters and always have each other’s backs.

I also loved that it was set in Russia during WW1! Like I said, I have never read a book with that setting. I loved learning about the all-female battalion and it led me to research more!

The only thing that kept me from a 4 star rating was the pacing. Parts of it were packed with action, and parts seemed to move super slowly. It’s not a long book, so I wasn’t expecting parts quite that slow.

Overall, this was an enjoyable book that taught me things! I love books that make me thing and encourage me to learn more!

Have you read Open Fire? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below.

Until next time…

ARC, Five Star Book, Romance, ya

🧛 Crave ARC Review! 🧛

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You

🧛 Title: Crave
🧛 Author: Tracy Wolff
🧛 Publisher: Entangled: Teen
🧛Publish Date: April 7, 2020
🧛 Book Form: Physical ARC
🧛 Pages: 592
🧛 Genre: Fantasy, YA, Paranormal
🧛 Dates Read: Apr 5 – Apr 9
🧛 Rating: 🧛🧛🧛🧛🧛

Thank you to Entangled: Teen for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and feelings are my own.

My whole world changed when I stepped inside the academy. Nothing is right about this place or the other students in it. Here I am, a mere mortal among gods…or monsters. I still can’t decide which of these warring factions I belong to, if I belong at all. I only know the one thing that unites them is their hatred of me.

Then there’s Jaxon Vega. A vampire with deadly secrets who hasn’t felt anything for a hundred years. But there’s something about him that calls to me, something broken in him that somehow fits with what’s broken in me.

Which could spell death for us all.

Because Jaxon walled himself off for a reason. And now someone wants to wake a sleeping monster, and I’m wondering if I was brought here intentionally—as the bait.

– Goodreads

Let me tell you guys. I am HERE for the return of sexy vampy romance! YES YES YES!

The story followed Grace. Her parents died in a freak accident, so she is sent to live with her only surviving family, her uncle and cousin. At a boarding school. In rural Alaska. Grace is from California. Major change there. Turns out, this is a boarding school for vampires, shifters, witches, and things that go bump in the night. Will Grace come out on the other side alive?

I hear a lot of people say this is a Twilight ripoff. Like, ok. I guess. Girl meets vampire in school. Inexplicably drawn to him. Falls in love. Finds out hes a vampire. But this is so much more than that. Also, isn’t that the plot of most/all teen vampire romances?

I loved all the characters. Grace was interesting and down to earth. She seems like someone I would definitely hang out with. Jaxon was Mr. Tall, Dark and Sexy Vampire like he should be. Plus he seemed to actually care about Grace. Grace’s cousin was fun and I couldn’t tell if the dragon was good or bad!

Crave was also funny. Grace keeps comparing herself to a ya heroine or a ya love story which made me laugh. There’s a throwback to Twilight. It was also a super fast read. I could not believe I read almost 600 pages in four days! That shows what I can really do if I am loving a story!

The book ended on a great cliffhanger and I cannot wait for book #2! I need it like, yesterday.

Is Crave on your TBR? Have you read it? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time…

adult, book meme, book tag, contemporary, Memoir, Romance

Down the TBR Part 19!

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You

Sheeeeeesh have I been in a funk this week! Zero motivation to do anything blog related. However, I have finished 5 books this week! You’ve seen reviews for We Didn’t Ask For This, Girls with Razor Hearts, and Ghosted in LA. This week be on the look out for reviews for Crave and Open Fire!

This will probably be a short one. Like I said, just in a blah mood. I also just started Red Hood by Elana K Arnold and Deny Me by Karen Cole and I can’t wait to dive further into them! I’m reading Red Hood for a book discussion over at Words & Whimsy!

We are starting the TBR at 1811. Let’s see where we end!

✔ What I Kept ✔

Chinese Cinderella by Adeline Yen Mah
I know I am going to sob while reading this, but it sounds so good and heartbreaking. Plus, I love memoirs.

✘ What I Deleted ✘

The Pact by Jodi Picoult
I just can’t with kids dying – even if they are teenagers.

The Prodigal by Beverly Lewis
Number 4 in an Amish series…

Picture Perfect by Fern Michaels
This was listed as romantic suspense, so I thought I’d be here for it. However, the reviews were awful so I think I’ll pass.

Irresistible by Susan Mallery
Number 2 in a series and also serious chick lit.

Vendetta by Fern Michaels
Number 2 in a series about a group of women who get revenge on those who have wronged them. I mean, normally I’d be up for trying, but something about it is just off-putting to me.

Dream of Me by Fern Michaels
A book of two contemporary adult romances. Just not my style.

Kentucky Sunrise by Fern Michaels
Book 3 in a series. I’m just not interested in reading about a romance based around the Kentucky Derby.

The Sacrifice by Beverly Lewis
Book 3 in another Amish series.

Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer
I know I’ve read this. And I’m not deleting it because it’s Twilight. I’m removing it because I have fond memories of this series and want them to stay that way. I’m afraid of a reread.

Wow, this one ended up being pretty good! I deleted 9/10, bringing my TBR to 1802! So close!

What do you think of my selections? Did I make a mistake? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time…

ARC, graphic novel, LGBT, ya

👻 Ghosted in LA Vol 1 ARC Review 👻

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You

👻 Title: Ghosted in LA
👻 Author: Sina Grace
👻 Illustrator: Siobhan Keenan
👻 Colorist: Cathy Le
👻 Publisher: BOOM! Box
👻 Publish Date: May 14, 2020
👻 Book Form: E-ARC
👻 Pages: 112
👻 Genre: Graphic Novels, LGBT
👻 Dates Read: Apr 5, 2020
👻 Rating: 👻👻👻👻👻

Thank you to Netgalley and BOOM! Box for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and feelings are my own.

Daphne Walters moves to Los Angeles and finds that the only ones who can help her find love and live life to the fullest are the ghosts of her new home!

In Los Angeles, finding an apartment is killer—unless you live with the dead. Daphne Walters moves to Los Angeles for her boyfriend Ronnie, ready to live her happily ever after. But when happily ever after turns into happily for a month, she’s stuck in a strange city with no friends, family, or prospects for fun. Desperate to escape the lingering ghost of Ronnie’s presence everywhere, Daphne sets out to explore the city—and ends up encountering ghosts of a more literal kind! Rycroft Manor is abandoned, beautiful, and haunted. Will the dead be able to help Daphne find the life she’s been missing in the big city? From GLAAD Award-nominated Sina Grace (Iceman) and illustrator Siobhan Keenan (Jem and the Holograms) comes a story about learning how to make friends, find love, and live life to the fullest with a little help from some friends whose lives didn’t end at death. Collects Ghosted In L.A #1-4

– Goodreads

Ahhhhh! THIS GRAPHIC NOVEL WAS SO ADORABLE OMGGGGG! Okay, so I don’t normally read graphic novels. They just aren’t really my thing, I guess? But I am SO GLAD I ended up requesting this one from Netgalley. I loved it!

The story follows Daphne, who moved to LA with her boyfriend. Only to be dumped. She is wandering around LA one night, and comes across this beautiful house. The only downside is it is filled with ghosts. THey agree to let her live there, as long as she brings no other humans to the house. Of course, things go awry!

I loved seeing all the backstories of the ghosts that live in the home. We only saw three in the first collection, but they were so interesting! It was a perfect mix of past and present.

The art in this book is amazing! I love the illustrations and coloring. It really brought the story to life. When I read graphic novels, I usually just focus on the words and skim over the pictures, but this one I found myself gazing at the art and how great it was! Plus, Daphne had THE BEST style. Like, I want her closet for myself. I was drooling over those outfits!

I would recommend Ghosted in LA to anyone who loves a fun contemporary. I would usually pass since it’s a graphic novel, but I am SO GLAD I didn’t! I can’t wait for Volume 2!

Is Ghosted in LA on your radar? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time…

book meme, book tag

🍷 Reading Habits Book Tag 🍷

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You

Hey everyone! I hope you are all staying safe, healthy, and social distancing! We are slowly settling into our new normal and getting a routine down! I’m reading a lot more than last month. I even finished two books in a day! I hope that I will be able to bring you guys more reviews and thoughts about upcoming books!

But for today, I saw this tag over at Lala’s Book Reviews and it looked fun so I decided to try it! The creator of this tag is The Book Jazz!

🍷 Do you have a certain place at home for reading?

I usually read in bed or in the chair in the living room! But I basically read where ever and when ever my kid will let me!

🍷 Bookmark or random piece of paper?

I read mostly e-books, but I would use anything as a bookmark.

🍷 Can you just stop reading or do you have to stop after a chapter/a certain amount of pages?

I hate not ending on a chapter. I will do whatever I can to end at either a break in the chapter or the end of a chapter. However, I do read while on hold at work, so then I have to end whenever who I’m holding for comes to the phone.

🍷 Do you eat or drink while reading?

I will usually drink coffee or wine if it’s night time, but nothing specific.

🍷 Multitasking: Music or TV while reading?

No. My husband will have the tv on while I’m reading and I try to tune it out, but I like it silent.

🍷 One book at a time or several at once?

Depends. It is usually one, unless I’m listening to an audiobook at work. I’m normally listening to true crime podcasts though.

🍷 Reading at home or everywhere?

Everywhere. As I said, I read while I’m on hold at work, I read while I’m eating, I read on the way home. I will read any second I can.

🍷 Reading out loud or silently in your head?

Silently. I loathe reading out loud. I was the kid in school who counted ahead to see what paragraph I’d have to read and recite it.

🍷 Do you read ahead or even skip pages?

I have been known to read ahead because I couldn’t wait to see what happened, but it’s not something I normally do.

🍷 Breaking the spine or keeping it new?

I try to keep it new. But really my physical books are just for show.

🍷 Do you write in your books?

Nope. But I love highlighting on my kindle!

🍷 Readabits Questions 🍷

🍷 When do you find yourself reading?

Mostly when putting my kid to bed and at night. Lately with my reduced hours I’m getting a good amount of reading in in the morning!

🍷 What is your favorite setting to read?

In my chair, blinds open, blanket and fuzzy socks, coffee or wine, and raining or storming outside.

🍷 What do you do first – read or watch?

I try to always read first!

🍷 What form do you prefer? Audiobook, e-book, or physical?

E-book because I can pull it up anywhere on my phone!

🍷 Do you have a unique habit when you read?

I always read reviews before I start a book. It never makes me not read it or sways my opinion. I’ll usually read 1-2 five star and one star reviews then 2-3 three star reviews.

🍷 Do book series have to match?

I like them to match! Like I said, physical books are just to look pretty.

What are your reading habits? Do any of yours match mine? If you decide to do this tag, link me so I can see your answers!

Until next time…

ARC, dystopian, Five Star Book, LGBT, review, Sci-Fi, ya

🪒 Girls With Razor Hearts ARC Review 🪒

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You

🪒 Title: Girls With Sharp Sticks
🪒 Author: Suzanne Young
🪒 Publisher: Simon & Schuster
🪒 Publish Date: March 17, 2020
🪒 Book Form: E-ARC
🪒 Pages: 400
🪒 Genre: YA, Sci-Fi, Dystopian
🪒 Dates Read: Apr 4 – Apr 5
🪒 Rating: 🪒🪒🪒🪒🪒

Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

It’s time to fight back in this second novel in a thrilling, subversive near future series from New York Times bestselling author Suzanne Young about a girls-only private high school that is far more than it appears to be.

Make me a girl with a razor heart…

It’s been weeks since Mena and the other girls of Innovations Academy escaped their elite boarding school. Although traumatized by the violence and experimentations that occurred there, Mena quickly discovers that the outside world can be just as unwelcoming and cruel. With no one else to turn to, the girls only have each other—and the revenge-fueled desire to shut down the corporation that imprisoned them.

The girls enroll in Stoneridge Prep, a private school with suspect connections to Innovations, to identify the son of an investor and take down the corporation from the inside. But with pressure from Leandra, who revealed herself to be a double-agent, and Winston Weeks, an academy investor gone rogue, Mena wonders if she and her friends are simply trading one form of control for another. Not to mention the woman who is quite literally invading Mena’s thoughts—a woman with extreme ideas that both frighten and intrigue Mena.

And as the girls fight for freedom from their past—and freedom for the girls still at Innovations—they must also face new questions about their existence…and what it means to be girls with razor hearts.

– Goodreads

I adored jumping back into the world where Innovations Academy is real. Guess what? It’s still just as scary as before.

Mena and the rest of the girls are trying to figure out how to stop the corporation – without knowing who is actually on their side. The book is over and honestly, I still don’t know who is good and evil.

The girl friendship and love was still very forefront in this book. I don’t think this series would work any other way. The girls disagree, yes, but they have a friendship and bond that cannot and will not be broken. While reading this novel, I kept envisioning me and my friends. I think it is so important, especially in times like these, for girls to see other girls loving, lifting each other up, and fighting back.

Another huge theme in this book was misogyny. Mena and Sydney enroll in a prep school where they think one of the investors has a child. The boys at this school are disgusting. Always touching without permission. Getting in personal space. They should be GLAD they are doing this. They never face any repercussions. It’s horrible and unfortunately true. It was great to see how the girls fought back against this type of behavior. The book also shows that there ARE good guys out there – and encourages them not to stand idly by.

Again in Girls With Razor Hearts, there were secrets, twists and turns. The story moved at a great pace and kept me guessing. I was so enthralled by the journey of these girls. I couldn’t put it down. I stayed up late reading and finished it in under 24 hours! That is a feat for me!

I definitely recommend the sequel to Girls With Sharp Sticks. If you haven’t picked that one up, I urge you to do so! You won’t be disappointed!

Have you read Girls with Razor Hearts? How did it stack up to Girls With Sharp Sticks? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time…

ARC, blog tour, contemporary, Four Star Book, LGBT, ya

We Didn’t Ask for This BLOG TOUR

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You
HUGE THANKS to Harlequin for inviting me to be a part of this blog tour!

🗝️ Title: We Didn’t Ask for This
🗝️ Author: Adi Alsaid
🗝️ Publisher: Inkyard Press
🗝️ Publish Date: April 7, 2020
🗝️ Book Form: E-ARC
🗝️ Pages: 352
🗝️ Genre: YA, Contemporary, LGBT
🗝️ Dates Read: Mar 30 – Apr 4
🗝️ Rating: 🗝️🗝️🗝️🗝️

Thank you to Inkyard Press for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

From Adi Alsaid, the acclaimed author of Let’s Get Lost, Never Sometimes Always, and North of Happy

Every year, lock-in night changes lives. This year, it might just change the world.

Central International School’s annual lock-in is legendary — and for six students, this year’s lock-in is the answer to their dreams. The chance to finally win the contest. Kiss the guy. Make a friend. Become the star of a story that will be passed down from student to student for years to come.

But then a group of students, led by Marisa Cuevas, stage an eco-protest and chain themselves to the doors, vowing to keep everyone trapped inside until their list of demands is met. While some students rally to the cause, others are devastated as they watch their plans fall apart. And Marisa, once so certain of her goals, must now decide just how far she’ll go to attain them.

– Inkyard Press

FIRST OFF! I want to share this awesome preorder incentive that goes along with the book’s theme of being environmentally friendly!

Preorder ends tonight at 11:59pm so be sure to preorder now!! Here are the links:

| Amazon | Barnes and Noble | IndieBound |

I wasn’t sure what to expect going into We Didn’t Ask for This. I was very pleasantly surprised. I read my first Adi book last month. After reading this, I know I need to read all of his works!

This story is told from one all-knowing POV, but has a huge cast of characters. Thankfully, they are all introduced slowly and with a great background, so I had no trouble keeping up with who was who. I loved the one POV. It gave you little hints or glimpses of what was to come after all of this was over. That really elevated the story for me.

These students go to a private school who has a lock in for high schoolers once a year. This year, Marisa decides to stage a protest during the lock in. She is an avid snorkler and diver, and hates seeing the coral reefs slowly dying off. The kids are stuck in the school for a whole week. Four of them are chained to doors.

Marisa has a list of 30 demands she wants met before she lets everyone out. All the kids have connections – parents are celebrities or ambassadors or huge sports stars. She is banking on one of them being linked to the Lokoloko resort – the main place she wants shut down.

We Didn’t Ask for This isn’t just about Marisa though. Like I said, there is a huge cast of characters – 10 or more. You see them form bonds, friendships, and relationships during tough times. That gives you hope these relationships will last well beyond when this is over. All of the characters had very distinctive voices and actions. This helped to tell them apart. I want to applaud Adi because I think it’s very hard to one, have that many characters in a novel, and two, have them all have distinct voices! He did it so well!

This was a quick read. I know my dates read doesn’t reflect that, but yall, my kid refused to let me read this week. The 30 mintues to an hour a day I got to read I read about 10%-20%. The pace was great and it kept me hooked! I had to see how they were going to get out and what demands ended up being met!

I highly recommend if you are a fan of YA contemporary or Adi. I’m definitely going back to read the rest of his works!

Adi Alsaid was born and raised in Mexico City. He attended college at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He’s now back in Mexico City, where he writes, coaches basketball, and makes every dish he eats as spicy as possible. In addition to Mexico, he’s lived in Tel Aviv, Las Vegas and Monterey, California. His books include Let’s Get Lost, Never Always Sometimes, and North of Happy. Visit Adi online at http://www.SomewhereOverTheSun.com, or on Twitter: @AdiAlsaid.

Is We Didn’t Ask for This on your tbr? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time…