Blog Tour Review with Giveaway: Jane Anonymous by Laurie Faria Stolarz

Book info:

Title: Jane Anonymous
Author:  Laurie Faria Stolarz
Genre: YA contemporary
Release Date:  January 7th, 2020
Publisher:  Wednesday Books
Source:  E-galley from FFBC Tours which did not influence my opinion
My rating:  4.5 stars


Synopsis:
Bestselling author Laurie Faria Stolarz returns with Jane Anonymous, a gripping tale of a seventeen-year-old girl’s kidnapping and her struggle to fit back into her life after she escapes.

Then, “Jane” was just your typical 17-year-old in a typical New England suburb getting ready to start her senior year. She had a part-time job she enjoyed, an awesome best friend, overbearing but loving parents, and a crush on a boy who was taking her to see her favorite band. She never would’ve imagined that in her town where nothing ever happens, a series of small coincidences would lead to a devastating turn of events that would forever change her life.

Now, it’s been three months since “Jane” escaped captivity and returned home. Three months of being that girl who was kidnapped, the girl who was held by a “monster.” Three months of writing down everything she remembered from those seven months locked up in that stark white room. But, what if everything you thought you knew―everything you thought you experienced―turned out to be a lie?

BOOK LINKS

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My Review:

This book was really intense.  I could barely put it down.  We got what happened through Jane's eyes, but in flashbacks mixed with "Now" entries into her diary or journal that she felt would help her with the therapy everyone said she needed.  I wondered if she had a bit of Stockholm Syndrome, if that was what the story was going to be about.  But instead it seems that she falls in love or finds a connection with a fellow prisoner named Mason.  Honestly, I had a feeling about the whole situation from really early on, and my hunch was correct.  However the way the story went kept me guessing and thinking I must be wrong.  Seeing how it all went for Jane after she got home and how hard it was just to even get back to normal in any little way was very interesting.  How her friends and those around her dealt with it was also intriguing and made me wonder how it would be in real life.  I did get that she had trouble working with different psychologists and therapists, until she finally found one that she was able to connect with.  I know that for my own depression and anxiety I didn't click with the first person I was sent to, so I think it is a very important bit for people to realize that getting help isn't as simple as just talking to any person.

I only docked a half a star because some things were left unexplained or unanswered for me that I wanted to know.  But it makes me feel like one of the people that Jane hated talking to if I ask those questions.

About the Author:

Laurie Faria Stolarz grew up in Salem, MA, attended Merrimack College, and received an MFA in Creative Writing from Emerson College in Boston.

Laurie Faria Stolarz is an American author of young adult fiction novels, best known for her Blue is for Nightmares series. Her works, which feature teenage protagonists, blend elements found in mystery and romance novels.

Stolarz found sales success with her first novel, Blue is for Nightmares, and followed it up with three more titles in the series, White is for Magic, Silver is for Secrets, and Red is for Remembrance, as well as a companion graphic novel, Black is for Beginnings. Stolarz is also the author of the Touch series (Deadly Little Secret, Deadly Little Lies, Deadly Little Games, Deadly Little Voices, and Deadly Little Lessons), as well as Bleed and Project 17. With more than two million books sold worldwide, Stolarz's titles have been named on various awards list.

AUTHOR LINKS

Website: http://www.lauriestolarz.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/58846.Laurie_Faria_Stolarz

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lauriestolarz

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauriestolarz/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Laurie-faria-Stolarz-104028522980753/

Tour Schedule:
https://fantasticflyingbookclub.blogspot.com/2019/11/tour-schedule-jane-anonymous-by-laurie.html


Giveaway:
 

• Prize: Win (1) of (2) copies of JANE ANONYMOUS by Laurie Faria Stolarz (US/CAN Only)

• Starts: 7^th January 2020

• Ends: 21^st January 2020

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Blog Tour Review with Giveaway: You Too? - 25 Voices Share Their #MeToo Stories - Edited by Janet Gurtler

Book info:

Title: You Too?
Author:  Various Authors
Genre: Young Adult
Release Date:  January 7th, 2020
Publisher:  Inkyard Press
Source: E-galley from YA Bound Book Tours which did not influence my opinion
My rating:  4 stars


Synopsis: 
A timely and heartfelt collection of essays inspired by the #MeToo movement, edited by acclaimed young adult and middle-grade author Janet Gurtler. Featuring Beth Revis, Mackenzi Lee, Ellen Hopkins, Saundra Mitchell, Jennifer Brown, Cheryl Rainfield and many more.

When #MeToo went viral, Janet Gurtler was among the millions of people who began to reflect on her past experiences. Things she had reluctantly accepted—male classmates groping her at recess, harassment at work—came back to her in startling clarity. She needed teens to know what she had not: that no young person should be subject to sexual assault, or made to feel unsafe, less than or degraded.

You Too? was born out of that need. By turns thoughtful and explosive, these personal stories encompass a wide range of experiences and will resonate with every reader who has wondered, “Why is this happening to me?” or secretly felt that their own mistreatment or abuse is somehow their fault—it’s not. Candid and empowering, You Too? is written for teens, but also an essential resource for the adults in their lives—an urgent, compassionate call to listen and create change.

Add to Goodreads

Purchase Links:

IndieBound - Harlequin - Amazon - Barnes and Noble - Chapters
 

My Review:
Because I have my own #MeToo story, I was definitely interested in reading this book and being able to recommend it to others.  While I didn't completely finish the book, it's not because it wasn't worthwhile to read.  It's because after a while the stories started to depress me a bit.  Yes, I definitely connected with and felt so much about the stories and authors was true for me as well.  And I do think it is an important book to have and for others to read.  But for me I couldn't keep going because in the end, I just was getting more and more depressed. However I still will try to purchase it for my school library, because I think it is helpful to read and know that other people have dealt with situations that still today we don't always feel we can talk about or actually confront those who have done these things to us.  There was even something in one of the stories that was very much that thought, that she wondered if she had only spoken up sooner or even done more if she could have saved others who might have had to go through what she did. There was also in one story something that really stuck out to me because it is something I have struggled with as well.  There was a guy I who was a part of a group of friends I had from my part time job about 10 or so years ago. He said something that really stuck out to me, about how a girl only thinks a guy flirting is creepy when she is not attracted to him.  In the one story that made me think of this comment, the author talked about how her boss, a boy that was like 19 when she was still 16 or 17, who was her boyfriend, did treat her special at work because she flirted back with him and let him touch her.  Gave her extra time off, better jobs to do, etc.  She quit when they broke up because it was too hard to see him every day.  Her next job she found and was told shortly after that she'd only been hired because of her large chest.  She was also told by those same fellow female coworkers if she would just flirt back and play along with the much older male manager's flirting and advances, she would again get lots of special privileges like easy tasks, more weekend days off, and the like.  But with this much older man, it was creepier to her and unwanted.  And in the end, when she did not give in, she ended up losing her job, and the other women who did use those tactics to their advantage were not happy with her putting up the resistance and causing problems.

Another big topic that came across and really stuck with me was about how we are taught as women not to be rude or make a big deal out of things.  I currently work with a man who is about 20 years older than me, and he has always done things or said things that kind of are creepy in a sexually forward manner at times. But because it isn't anything major, no touching or any threats because he's not in a role of power to me, and other than those occasional comments he's really a pretty nice guy, I don't do anything.  Even though other girls, younger than me, making him at least 40 years older than them, have expressed similar feelings about it.  I should say something, I should, right?  But is it worth it?  That's the way our society works.  And I hate it.  But am I still a part of the problem not saying anything myself?  So those are the things that made me not finish the book for myself. Although I did read through a few of the stories of authors that I have read before and wanted to support them as well.  

I do highly recommend it.  Just know that it will be a hard read for a lot of it, but worth it, and these stories deserve to be heard.

About the Editor:

Janet Gurtler's young adult books have been chosen for the JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD SELECTION and as BEST BOOKS FOR TEENS from the Canadian Children’s Book Center. Janet lives in Alberta, Canada with her husband, son, a chubby black Chihuahua named Bruce and a Golden Retriever named Betty White.

Website - http://www.janet-gurtler.com/

Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4147574.Janet_Gurtler

Twitter - https://twitter.com/janetgurtler

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/janet.gurtler

GIVEAWAY:

We are giving away two copies of YOU TOO, signed by each author, entries are automatically entered with a donation to RAINN on our YOUTOO Fundraising Page.  

https://fundraise.rainn.org/team/273355

 

Blog Tour Organized By:

YA Bound Book Tours

Lisa's Looking Forward To #44 - January 14th, 2020

Back to joining up with the Waiting on Wednesday Posts, and the Can't Wait Wednesday posts hosted by Wishful Endings.  I only have four compared to the ton of books last week.

From my ARC list for January 14th, 2020:

Sounds like it could be a good one.  A little bit of The Matrix type of story?

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:

Seventeen-year-old Lake spends her days searching a strange, post-apocalyptic landscape for people who have forgotten one very important thing: this isn’t reality. Everyone she meets is a passenger aboard a ship that’s been orbiting Earth since a nuclear event. The simulation that was supposed to prepare them all for life after the apocalypse has trapped their minds in a shared virtual reality and their bodies in stasis chambers.

No one can get off the ship until all of the passengers are out of the sim, and no one can get out of the sim unless they believe it's a simulation. It's up to Lake to help them remember.

When Lake reveals the truth to a fellow passenger, seventeen-year-old Taren, he joins her mission to find everyone, persuade them that they’ve forgotten reality, and wake them up. But time’s running out before the simulation completely deconstructs, and soon Taren’s deciding who’s worth saving and who must be sacrificed for the greater good. Now, Lake has no choice but to pit herself against Taren in a race to find the secret heart of the sim, where something waits that will either save them or destroy them all.

Sound good?  Add to Goodreads HERE. 

I got an ARC of this at AASL in November, but don't know how soon I'll get around to reading it.

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:
 
Echoes Between Us is bestselling author Katie McGarry’s breakout teen contemporary novel about a girl with everything to lose and the boy who will do anything to save her.

Veronica sees ghosts. More specifically, her mother's ghost. The afterimages of blinding migraines caused by the brain tumor that keeps her on the fringes and consumes her whole life haunt her, even as she wonders if it's something more...

Golden boy Sawyer is handsome and popular, a state champion swimmer, but his adrenaline addiction draws him to Veronica.

A girl with nothing to live for and a boy with everything to lose--can they conquer their demons together?

Sound good?  Add to Goodreads HERE. 

I'll be reading this one and reviewing it next week, I think on Thursday the 16th.

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:

Camryn has been dating Marc FOREVER—since freshman year! She dropped out of volleyball to go to all his games, switched her schedule around to be in his favorite class, and has been busting her butt to get into Columbia so they can go to the same college. So when Marc suddenly, and very publically, breaks up with her a week into their senior year so that he can date the new transfer student, she’s absolutely devastated.

But why be sad, when you can get even? Inspired by her favorite movies, Camryn decides that the best revenge is a Senior Year well lived, starring a boy who is ever so much better than her ex. With a little help from her friends, Cam is going to have the Best. Senior. Year. Ever.

Or else!

Sound good?  Add to Goodreads HERE.

Haven't heard a lot of buzz about this one, but it sounds like it could be good from the synopsis.

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:

The story of an African-American girl becoming a woman on her own terms against the backdrop of widespread social change in the early 1900s America. As a daughter of an upper class African American family in Washington D.C., Savannah is lucky. Feeling suffocated by the structure of society, Savannah meets a working-class girl named Nell who introduces her to the suffragette and socialist movements, inspiring her to fight for change.

Sound good?  Add to Goodreads HERE.

Final Thoughts:
Definitely more good books coming out this year.  Have you read any of these yet?  Are they on your TBR?  And hey, while you're here, you should go try to win some of my ARCs from Cleaning Up My TBR Post HERE.  The US only giveaway is open till Friday at midnight.

Blog Tour Review: Just Kidding (SWAT Generation 2.0 #1) by Lani Lynn Vale

Book info:

Title: Just Kidding
Author:  Lani Lynn Vale
Series: SWAT Generation 2.0 #1
Genre:  Adult contemporary romance
Release Date:  January 7th, 2020
Source: E-galley from Wildfire Marketing Solutions which did not influence my opinion
My rating:  5 stars


Synopsis: 
Let’s do a calendar, they said. It’ll be fun, they said.

Well, they—i.e. Kilgore Police Department’s public relations specialists—were wrong.

Now, every time Dax Tremaine walks around a corner, the women of Kilgore, Texas can’t help calling him Mr. January.

Mr. January, can you fix my flat tire? Mr. January, can you cuff me? Mr. January, can you sign my boob?

It goes from bad to worse when even on a SWAT call, the women won’t stay away.

***
It was the worst time of her life. Rowen Roberts had finally admitted to herself that the man she loved would never love her back. She was just fired from her job for violating client confidentiality, and to make matters worse, she’s held up at gunpoint in a convenience store where she only wanted some ice cream to help mask the pain.

The moment the gun is pressed to her forehead, she knows she has a decision to make. Follow the rules and maybe possibly live, or go down swinging where at least she can salvage just a little bit of her dignity.

And when Mr. January himself tells her to do what the gunman says, she’s had enough. Rowen has never really been a girl that does what she’s told. Mr. January won’t have to save her. She can dang well save herself.

 

Get Your Copy Here:  

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | Apple | Nook | Kobo

 

My Review:

I have read other books by this author and really enjoyed them, and this one was no different!  I loved so much about the main character, Rowen, so much about her was just like me!  Her attitude towards alcohol, as well as how she felt about having things on her head like hats, wigs, etc.  I loved the different headings in each chapter as well, although at one point I did have to go Google what it suggested in one of them.  Which was hilarious, even if it wasn't completely true.  Rowen and Dax were a great couple.  You felt so much for her after what she'd been through, and you totally wanted to punch both her bully as well as Dax's high school ex-girlfriend.  I loved the whole watching the scary movie together, and while I prefer to watch on a tv, I could see how a laptop might be a fun comfy and somewhat sexy experience as well!  I know that I want to read more in this series as well as maybe go back for some of the ones I haven't read from the original SWAT books!

About the Author:

Lani Lynn Vale is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestselling Author of over thirty titles. She is married with three children, two dogs, to cats, a donkey, and a couple (a couple meaning over twenty) chickens. She hails from the Great State of Texas. When she's not writing, you can find her curled up in her favorite chair reading.

Connect with Lani Lynn Vale

Website | Facebook | Twitter  

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Blog Tour Review: Always Mine (Roommate Duet #5, Liam and Madelyn #1) by Kennedy Fox

Book info:

Title: Always Mine
Author:  Kennedy Fox
Series:  Roommate Duet #5, Liam and Madelyn #1
Genre:  Adult contemporary romance
Release Date:  January 7th, 2020
Source: E-galley from Wildfire Marketing Solutions which did not influence my review
My rating: 5  stars


Synopsis:
College parties, beer, and one-night stands—that was my life.

Now, I hunt down criminals, ethically or not, but if no one’s asking, then I’m not telling. Drinking and women are still included, though I can’t seem to forget the girl who almost gave me her virginity. She would’ve until I realized she was too young, and I wasn’t looking to get thrown into jail. 

In a twist of fate, we’re reunited, except she’s no longer underage but still equally off-limits.
After ignoring her relentless advances, she starts to wear me down. I only have so much willpower when she’s around, running her smart mouth and showing off her impeccable dance moves. 

Just when my restraint starts to crumble, my poor choices finally catch up with me, putting us both in danger. 
 
There’s no easy way to explain why I betrayed her, but I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe—even if it means breaking her heart.

ALWAYS MINE is a slow-burn, intense romance wrapped up in a suspenseful beautiful love story. It's book 1 in the Liam and Madelyn duet and must be read first.

Get Your Copy HERE:

Amazon |  Apple | Kobo | Nook 

Google Play 

My Review:

I've loved all of the books in this series so far, so I was ready for this next duet.  I knew from the others that there would definitely be a major cliffhanger, and there was, but it so was not what I had guessed or seen coming as I read.  It was easy to figure out from the little hints and clues that Liam was going to end up with some kind of problem from gambling.  I did not see what happened though as what would be the way it went.  I love that there was a back story between Liam and Maddie that we didn't really know before this book.  It really made all the different events with them in the other books make so much more sense.  I totally was frustrated with Liam throughout the whole thing though because that whole "I'm not good enough for you, you deserve better, blah blah blah" thing irritates me to no end. Especially with how long Liam kept it up, even while still being into her and being such a good guy.  But I'm still loving the story and going to be very impatiently waiting for Always Yours.

Book info:

Title: Always Yours
Author:  Kennedy Fox
Series:  Roommate Duet #6, Liam and Madelyn #2
Genre: Adult contemporary romance
Release Date:  February 18th, 2020

Synopsis:
Rehearsals, leotards, and textbooks—that was my life. 

Dancing is all I’ve ever known, but when Liam’s problems turn everything upside down, I’m thrust into a world I know nothing about. Secrets and betrayal changed the man I’ve fallen for and he isn’t who I thought he was. Regardless, Liam is all I’ve ever wanted and though I’m struggling with my emotions, deep down I’d do anything for him. 


When Liam admitted his true feelings, things finally fell into place. Now they’re falling apart. Saving our relationship is his top priority, but keeping him alive is mine. Corruption and power are their game and Liam is nothing more than a pawn. Playing by the rules won’t end well, but I can’t let him fight alone this time. 



Our happily ever after is so close I can taste it, but then it quickly crashes and burns, threatening to destroy us. Giving up on the love of my life isn’t an option, but in the end I might not be able to save him. 


ALWAYS YOURS is a slow-burn, intense romance wrapped up in a suspenseful beautiful love story. It's book 2 in the Liam and Madelyn duet and must be read in order.

𝑨𝑳𝑾𝑨𝒀𝑺 𝒀𝑶𝑼𝑹𝑺 | Book 2

AmazonUS | AmazonWorldwide | AppleBooks | Kobo | Barnes and Noble | GooglePlay 

Add to your TBR

About the Author:

Brooke Cumberland and Lyra Parish are a duo of romance authors who teamed up under the USA Today pseudonym, Kennedy Fox. They share a love of Hallmark movies and overpriced coffee. When they aren’t bonding over romantic comedies, they like to brainstorm new book ideas. One day, they decided to collaborate under a pseudonym and have some fun creating new characters that’ll make you blush and your heart melt. If you enjoy romance stories with sexy, tattooed alpha males and smart, quirky, independent women, then a Kennedy Fox book is for you! They’re looking forward to bringing you many more stories to fall in love with!

Keep up with all their social media platforms for updates and info!

WEBSITE | NEWSLETTER | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM

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