The Perfect Game by:J. Sterling

He's a game she never intended to play. 
And she's the game changer he never knew he needed.

The Perfect Game tells the story of college juniors, Cassie Andrews & Jack Carter. When Cassie meets rising baseball hopeful Jack, she is determined to steer clear of him and his typical cocky attitude. But Jack has other things on his mind... like getting Cassie to give him the time of day. 


They're both damaged, filled with mistrust and guarded before they find one another (and themselves) in this emotional journey about love and forgiveness. Strap yourselves for a ride that will not only break your heart, but put it back together. 

Oh no, not this story again

4 Stars (but she made me earn it)

When I first started this book a lot of elements sounded very familiar....Pretty girl (who doesn't think she's pretty) with daddy issues, Hot guy who sleeps with everything in a skirt (but only once) with Mommy and Daddy issues, and two supporting characters that are completely normal and the voice of reason that is never listened to.  I am pretty sure I have read this before.  The hot guy everyone chases only wants the girl that doesn't fall for his bullshit.  But, what can I say, it is a formula I enjoy.  I am just glad no one was a virgin in this one.  That might have been too much to take.

After a rough start to the story, and then a rough start to the dating of Jack and Callie, things started to move forward in a pretty normal relationship pace.    This is where the story starts to become it's own creature sucking you in.  You get to see the sweet, protective side of Jack, and how he is with Cassie.  Except for a small hiccup at his first away game things are wonderful.  Jack's baseball career goes pro, and they are still in love.....

Everything is all cute, happy, and wonderful.  Every one's dreams are coming true.  It almost lulls you into a sense of security, which makes me brace for the impact. (I know these stories all to well).

And then it happens.  I am not going to tell you,  and ruin the story for you, but it goes something like this


First I was all.....

                                                               Then I was like                             My life is over!

This stage lasted for quite a while.  I went back and forth between these two for quite a while.  When the book was finally over I had been through the emotional ringer, and loved every minute of it.  I was yelling at the book, crying, laughing....I looked like a basket case.  Good thing it was in the middle of the night and no one was awake to see me!

I highly recommend this book to all lovers of angst and books that make you feel.

My Sweet Sixteenth Century by:Rachel Harris

On the precipice of her sixteenth birthday, the last thing lone wolf Cat Crawford wants is an extravagant gala thrown by her bubbly stepmother-to-be and well-meaning father. So even though Cat knows the family’s trip to Florence, Italy, is a peace offering, she embraces the magical city and all it offers. But when her curiosity leads her to an unusual gypsy tent, she exits . . . right into Renaissance Firenze. 

Thrust into the sixteenth century armed with only a backpack full of contraband future items, Cat joins up with her ancestors, the sweet Alessandra and protective Cipriano, and soon falls for the gorgeous aspiring artist Lorenzo. But when the much-older Niccolo starts sniffing around, Cat realizes that an unwanted birthday party is nothing compared to an unwanted suitor full of creeptastic amore. Can she find her way back to modern times before her Italian adventure turns into an Italian forever?

Cover:          4/5

Plot:             4/5

Characters: 3/5

Ending:        2/5

How would you feel if you stepped into a Gypsy tent to get your tea leaves read, and walk out to 16th century Italy?  The author handles most of the obvious pit falls of having no family, and not speaking Italian by having her immediately recognized by her aunt and uncle, and spontaneously understanding Italian.  Normally this would annoy me, but it was written in a way that made sense. It is also a true YA book.  There are few chaste kisses, and some cheesy pick up lines (which I am sure sound sexy as hell in Italian), but it is completely appropriate for young readers.  That being said, it was still sophisticated enough to hold my attention.

There were some 90's television show references that made me laugh.  When Cat first realizes she has been transported to 16th century Italy she thinks about the show Quantum Leap.  I have seen every episode, at least twice, so I started to imagine Sam and his handy calculator of destiny.  I, personally, love books written for teens that still appeal to adults.

The ending did bug me a little, don't worry I won't give it away.  There was a little bit of a cliffhanger, and the issue with the devastatingly handsome Lorenzo was only partially wrapped up.  It left room for a sequel, but I am not sure the author has plans for one.

Update: The author just informed me the sequel will be out in August and is titled "A Tale of Two Centuries"

Wanted by: Kelly Elliot

3.5 Stars

The main character Ellie is from a house with a drunk, and verbally abusive mother.  Despite all of this turmoil she manages to turn into a smart, and mostly adjusted, young lady.  She has good friends, a crappy boyfriend, and an amazing brother.  This story takes us through her journey of graduating from High School, falling in love, and coming to terms with what her life is all about.
This was a great first book from Kelly Elliot.  The characters made me laugh and think back to my high school days.  I enjoyed the different POV's that were given, and how they gave you two views of the same event without being redundant.  I can't wait to see more from this author in the future.

The draw backs keeping it from a solid 4 stars

It was a tad long.  If the story had been broken up into two books, one for Arianna and Jefferson, and one for Ellie and Gunner it would have flowed better

There were a few editing hickups and the sentences where a little choppy at times.  It wasn't enough to be distracting, just needs a little work and polishing.

Update:  The book as been re-edited and updated to get rid of a lot of the errors. There is also a second book in the works.