ARC Review – Hearts Made for Breaking By Jen Klein

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Happy Monday Lovelies! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and read some fun books. Today, I’ll be sharing my review for this sweet, heartfelt and fun teen romance and some of my favorite quotes from the book. I really enjoyed reading Hearts Made for Breaking and cannot wait for you to meet Lark and Ardy and all their adorkable chemistry when this book releases tomorrow. divider3

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aboutbook

Expected Publication: April 30, 2019

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers

Genre(s): Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Format: Hardcover, 320 Pages

 purchaselinks

AMAZONBARNES AND NOBLEGOOGLE PLAY – BOOK DEPOSITORY 

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From the author of SHUFFLE, REPEAT and SUMMER UNSCRIPTED comes a new novel about mysterious boys, first-time love, heartbreak, and the incredible bonds of friendship.

17-year old Lark knows how to survive high school dating: date boys briefly, let them down gently, remain friends, and move on. Her best friends, Copper and Katie, think that Lark is denying herself the opportunity for true love because she does not want to be hurt. They challenge her to break her pattern by staying in a relationship long enough for Lark — or the boy — to fall in love. Intrigued by the challenge, Lark sets her sights on the mysterious new boy, Ardy, who has been labeled “undateable” by the other girls in school. Lark is curious about, and then completely intrigued by, the enigmatic Ardy — so much so that she finds herself falling for him, only to risk having her own heart completely broken.

Jen Klein has once again crafted a funny, contemporary story sure to resonate with teen readers.

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mythoughts

A Delightfully Cute, Wonderfully Entertaining and Heartwarming Story

4halfhearts

This book is a YA contemporary gem! It was utterly charming and so ridiculously adorable. I was completely enamored with how cute and fluffy and wonderfully entertaining it was and cannot stop thinking about that swoony ending that left me smiling and wanting more.

I read Shuffle, Repeat a few years ago and absolutely enjoyed the chemistry between Oliver and June. I smiled, laughed, and even teared up a bit in the end. I knew then that Jen Klein would be one of my go to YA contemporary authors when I want something lighthearted, fun, and cute. I haven’t gotten the chance to read Summer Unscripted since I’ve been playing catch up with my TBR, but when I saw this book and the cover on Netgalley, I just couldn’t resist. My feedback ratio is still around the 50ish percent, so I didn’t really set my hopes up too high. BUT, to my surprise, I actually got it! I squealed (internally of course since I was at work when I was checking my inbox) and was super excited when I received the approval email. I had to get through a few more books for reviews, but when I finally started reading Hearts Made for Breaking, I was completely smitten!

This book had everything… and I mean EVERYTHING I love in YA romances. It was interesting, nostalgic, heartfelt, funny, swoony, and realistic. There were a few cheesy moments that may make other readers cringe, but to me, they were actually kind of fun. If I’m being totally honest, sometimes cheesy works and I’m a hopeless romantic, so I like them more than I don’t. I thought the pacing was good and if I didn’t have work or adulting to do, I easily could have finished this in one sitting. The romance was one of the cutest I’ve ever read. I liked the twist with the prom, the tag scene, the texts between Lark and Ardy, the meet-cute in Ikea, and all the other adorable and amusing moments in the story. The ending may have seemed a tad bit rushed, but it was absolutely gooey, sweet, and adorkable. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I was really looking forward to an epilogue (because I wanted more Lark and Ardy moments), but I was quite happy with the conclusion.

I loved that both Lark and Ardy were perfectly weird, relatable, and likeable characters. I liked that there was something offbeat about them which I thought made them even more interesting and lovable. I also liked their easy-going chemistry and just how effortless and real it felt. Sure, they were a bit awkward at times, but the fact that both of them seemed to be acting that way together was super adorable. Nothing felt forced between them and I liked the way their relationship developed. They had so many cute and deliciously swoony moments that made my heart melt over and over. Of course they also had their own drama, tension, doubts and heartbreak, but they’re all part of what made their relationship so realistic for me. I totally shipped them so hard and to me, they were really great together.

I have to talk a bit ARDY because I absolutely loved him with all my heart and soul. I never understood why he was being labeled “undateable” or why him being a little different or weird makes him that. He was irresistibly sweet, caring, kind, loving, honest and just a really good person. I loved how he introduced himself to Lark’s mother and what he said to her. I loved that he respected boundaries and never pushed. He was a true gentleman and I adored him so much.

The other characters were interesting and entertaining enough. I wasn’t too fond of Katie or Cooper in the beginning, but I definitely liked Cooper more. I did really like Hope and thought she was sweet and such a great friend to Ardy. All in all, none of the side characters really stood out for me, but they made the story a bit more fun with their personalities, quirks, and drama.

Hearts Made for Breaking was just too charming and adorable! I swooned more than I expected and smiled like a dork who’s falling in love for the first time. With lovable characters, an addictively engaging storyline, and meaningful coming of age lessons, this book was a truly delightful, fun, and heartwarming story. I can’t wait to read Summer Unscripted and whatever else Jen Klein comes out with next.

If you love reading sweet, swoony, and lighthearted teen romance stories, then this book might just be perfect for you.

I received an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts, opinions and swoons are my own.

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(These were taken from the ARC. Final publication may be different. Please don’t read if you don’t want spoilers).

 

“You’re shivering,” he says, and I don’t correct him, although it’s not the cold anymore but him that’s the cause. It’s less a shiver than an ongoing tremble, an electric current just below the surface of my skin. Vibrating everywhere, everything. Like I’m more alive than I ever have been, like I’m powered by his nearness.

The thing about falling in love is that, no matter how you rail against it, a fall is involved. And you can’t control the world around you when you’re in free fall. You have to let the wind and the sky and the air take you where you’re going to go.

And then Ardy’s mouth is on mine. It’s warm and delicious and perfect. It’s better than every other kiss that’s ever happened, because this time nothing is blurry. Everything is crystal clear. Finally.

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(Mini bio and photo taken from author’s website)

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Hi! I’m Jen Klein. I write YA romance, both contemporary and paranormal. I’m also an Emmy-nominated TV writer who worked on Grey’s Anatomy and Star, and am now a writer and producer on The Resident.  I live in the City of Angels with my husband, two sons, and several animals, all of whom are unruly and ill-behaved.

Originally from North Carolina, I eventually ended up in L.A. where I live-tweeted celebrity events (for money) and wrote all kinds of craziness, including: logic puzzles, a movie for Lifetime, oodles of great cartoons and things you may or may not have seen on television. Then I simultaneously landed my dream job and returned to my first love: writing novels. And here we are. 

authorlinks

WEBSITEGOODREADS –  TWITTER – FACEBOOK – INSTAGRAM

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Hope you enjoyed reading my review. Don’t forget to grab your copy tomorrow!

Have you read this book? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below. I’d love to hear from you.

sincerelykjologo

ARC Review – Pretty in Punxsutawney by Laurie Boyle Crompton

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Hello lovelies and happy Wednesday. Today, I’ll be sharing my review for this charming and fun book! If you love Groundhog Day, I think you’ll really enjoy this story.

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Pretty in Punxsatawney_RD3

aboutbook

Published:  January 15th 2019

Publisher: Blink

Genre(s): Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Format: Hardcover, 301 Pages

 purchaselinks

AMAZONBARNES AND NOBLE 

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A Groundhog Day meets Pretty in Pink mashup from author Laurie Boyle Crompton, Pretty in Punxsutawney tells the tale of a girl willing to look beneath the surface to see people for who they really are.

Andie is the type of girl who always comes up with the perfect thing to say…after it’s too late to say it. She’s addicted to romance movies—okay, all movies—but has yet to experience her first kiss. After a move to Punxsutawney, PA, for her senior year, she gets caught in an endless loop of her first day at her new school, reliving those 24 hours again and again.

Convinced the curse will be broken when she meets her true love, Andie embarks on a mission: infiltrating the various cliques to find the one boy who can break the spell. What she discovers along the way is that people who seem completely different can often share the very same hopes, dreams, and hang-ups. And that even a day that has been lived over and over can be filled with unexpected connections and plenty of happy endings.

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mythoughts

Charmingly Creative, Wonderfully Moving and Thoroughly Entertaining 

4halfhearts

Pretty in Punxsutawney by Laurie Boyle Crompton was an absolutely delightful story about a rom-com obsessed teenage girl stuck on reliving her first day in a new school over and over until she can figure out a way to break free. I thought it was charmingly creative, hilarious, and utterly heartwarming.

I honestly could not devour this book fast enough! I finished it in less than half a day and was left wanting MORE! I mean that literally cause there wasn’t any epilogue and I really wanted to know what would happen after that super adorable ending. I was bummed out, but at the same time I was happy with how everything turned out for Andie. I just really wish there was more…

I loved the concept of this book and thought Laurie created an addictively unique and amusing story that kept me entertained the entire time. The writing was fantastic and the characters were intriguing, likable and easily relatable. I enjoyed Andie’s version of A Groundhog Day and I loved seeing her discover something new not only about herself, but also about the people she overlooked and judged. I loved her character growth and just being part of her journey to becoming the kind of heroine that could make a difference (and she did genuinely try to do just that). It was inspiring to see Andie challenge the norm, break barriers, and free herself from trying fitting in a group… cause sometimes you just have to stand out and “embrace the strange and unusual.” I thought it was wonderful how Laurie incorporated and explored plenty of thought-provoking themes and still managed to keep the story lighthearted, fun and hilarious. It really made this book an absolute joy to read.

There were so many things to love about this book and I could rave about them all, but I’ll just mention a few more so I don’t ruin all the fun for you. I loved the cute cover. I loved the movie references. I loved Andie’s parents and thought they were amazing. They were quirky and funny and their interactions with Andie were so endearing. I also really liked that they were very supportive and understanding of their daughter. I LOVED Tom and I wanted more moments with him… especially those with his adorable grandmother, Meemaw. I loved that they had one of my favorite arcade games, Rampage. That brought back so many happy memories when my brother and I would play that together. I loved the humor and I found myself smiling quite a lot. I loved loved loved this book so much! It just really made me so darn happy.

With an irresistibly captivating storyline, a cast of quirky and lovable characters, and a charming blend of humor, nostalgia, silly antics, friendship and romance, Pretty in Punxsutawney was a thoroughly entertaining and lovely read. I laughed, I smiled, I swooned, and I was inspired. This book was not only amusing, but also really meaningful and touching. I think both young and adult readers will enjoy this and also walk away with something more than they expect. Truly a fantastic book and I can’t wait to read more books from this author!

I received an advance reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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(Mini bio and photo taken from author’s website)

Laurie Boyle Crompton is the YA author of PRETTY IN PUNXSUTAWNEY (Blink/HarperCollins 2019) as well as ADRENALINE CRUSH (Macmillan/2014, Square Fish/2016), BLAZE (or Love in the Time of Supervillains), THE REAL PROM QUEENS OF WESTFIELD HIGH and LOVE AND VANDALISM (Sourcebooks/2013, 2014, 2017). Growing up in ‘Pennsyltucky’ in the 1980s, Laurie couldn’t wait to escape rural life. After saving up her tips from waitressing at a local greasy spoon at 18 she packed up her acid wash jeans and moved to NY. Where everyone else had stopped wearing acid wash.

She graduated first in her class from St. John’s University with a BA in English and Journalism. Since then she’s written for national magazines like ALLURE, survived a teaching stint at an all-boy high school, and appeared on Good Day New York several times as a Toy Expert. And yes, ‘toy expert’ is an actual profession. Really.

She has lived in places like Orlando, Florida where she and her husband spent all of their spare time and money visiting theme parks before moving to the Cotswolds in England for six months, which was every bit as cool as that sounds. The Cromptons are now back in New York where their two children resent never going to Disney.

Laurie occasionally enjoys hanging out in fields of blooming flowers and also refering to herself in the third person

authorlinks

WEBSITEGOODREADS –  TWITTER – FACEBOOKINSTAGRAM

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Hope you enjoyed reading my review!

Have you read this book? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below. I’d love to hear from you.

sincerelykjologo