Second Chance By Liliana Rhodes: A Review

*I haven't read anything for a long time but took the challenge of reviewing books from Love's a Beach bundle from Mina cause really, I want to refresh my brain from the stress of reviewing for boards. Nevertheless, here's my honest review of one of the books:

I picked up Second Chance by Liliana Rhodes, aside from it's the first book in the bundle, I thought I could start from something I'm quite familiar to (*ahem* reading-wise I mean). Writing about second chance to love is really complicated as getting into it as in relationship. No joke. First you have to write their history, how they met and became together, why they broke up and most especially DO THEY NEED TO BE BACK TOGETHER AND WHY? You have to convince the reader of that. Especially if it took a lot of years for you to make up for the lost time. When I wrote a novella in-line with it, I regret it. It was really hard and if you don't convince the reader, your story won't just make sense til the end.

So did this book convince me? I do believe from the writer that they are really meant to be and it really was a waste of 15 years of time for them to realize that. At first third of the book the writer kept my interest. The setting was refreshing (I don't read much stories around billionaire's mansion and horses and whatnot), the plot's stable and convincing. The thing I would like to nitpick even from the start is the main character, Tara. She's in her late 20s but she can be naive and immature at times, the writer didn't even bother making her grow from what she had been when she was a young adult falling in love with a hot, cocky billionaire guy like Mason. Not to mention  the Cinderella-like situation with Mason's mother. Oh she's poor and not good for my son blah blah. Please we had enough of that in teleseryes.

The story has promising start but it end up revealing to be a cliche with lots of plot holes and characters I thought have a big roles in the conflict of the story but ended up to be just distractions. I don't think Tara and Mason breaking up cause Mason's mother threaten her, not keeping the conversation because of the evil mother again and waiting for 'fate' to bring them back made sense. Yes it's the 90s but if you love the person across the other-half of the world then do something about it. What's more disappointing is how they easily make up by just one phone call.

The story doesn't just make sense as a whole. The writer might thought readers will going to buy the plot but sadly it ended up being a flop. Shame that I was getting excited at first.

Two stars.

Finding X: A Review

"Only, rubber erasers don't work on ink."

Way to start my #romanceclass marathon. Picked this novella as the curiosity got into me (clever title). The story was about Carlisle struggle in moving on (after a 7 years relationship) and trying again in love. And true to itself, second chance in love only happens for those who are willing to put the past behind.

I love how the author plays the story, with no red herring and in a straightforward path since page one. Love the cheesy, toe-curling scenes between the MC and LI. Love the geographical puns (even if sometimes it's too much). Love the hair. and most especially love the awkward nerd yet hot guy with a passion in Science named Mateo (heehee). This is a novella worth reading. Thumbs up!

Queen of the Clueless: A Review

Cliffhanger! Couldn't wait to find out who will Hannah choose Quin (is she the one for him? Or is he really toying with that young teacher?), the Son of God (and wet blankets)? Robbie (he totally deserve Hannah. She need someone like him!), the super cute, romantic human? Or maybe Diego (what the hell was the kiss supposed to mean? That was a surprise!), the God of Sea (and fistfight) has a chance. I don't know with the rest but I'm 100% Team Robbie, woohoo! Plus what will happen about her being an Interim Goddess of Love (and where the hell is the original goddess?). I couldn't wait to grab a paperback of Icon of the Indecisive eeep.

3.5 stars actually. The chess code in the end was very clever(although I didn't 'totally' get how it works.haha). Tho there were parts in the story that I thought weren't necessary to the main plot. Plus I only got excited on the last part. And still, I don't get the meaning of Hannah's dreams (or dreams were not suppose to be discern?)

Nevertheless, I think this is one of the best books of Ms. Mina. A break through for her as a fantasy-paranormal writer. *clap clap*

Where She Went: A Review

As soon as I finished 'If I Stay', I couldn't wait to get my hands on the next book. Although nothing like this was the sequel that I was expecting for it. If you haven't read the book then you should definitely stop reading any reviews or this mere book. It would definitely spoil the fun of reading 'If I Stay' (which is one of the few YA novels that I really enjoyed).

<spoiler> Yes, it was refreshing to read Adam's POV this time but I have to admit that the first-half was as slow and cliche as it could get. The story, for the most part, was about the reality of being well known (well in the case of Adam, of being a rock star). A gloomy reality of loneliness, panic attacks and invasive paparazzi. I kept having this question in my mind, 'What happened?'. I was getting frustrated until finally Mia showed up in the story. It was disappointing that they broke up (Why???) because I really thought they had a connection in the first book so strong, even Mia's family was closed to Adam. Did the connection ceases when her family died? I couldn't seem to understand why they have to separate just because Mia was going to pursue her dreams in Julliard while Adam was left behind. Then Mia dropped the bomb by saying he hated Adam because he made him stay and that he made a promise he didn't live. That seems unfair for Adam.

They they finally talked about it. About the past they left behind I knew how hard it is to left something behind without a proper good bye then opened it again like some unhealed wound.

As Adam said it 'Closure. I loathe that word.' Yup Adam, I loathe that word too. For what it seem something easy for most to say good bye to a relationship, it turns out that sometimes it is not. Especially if you were left behind clueless. If you were still clutching to some frail thread of hope that someday she/he would come back. That's how I understood Adam's grief.

The last-half of the story gave Mia and Adam the opportunity to explain their sides. It was the most frustrating part of the book. I mean, from their words, I knew that the connection was still there but they kept on cutting it with all the excuses they could get to defend their own side. Then finally, rekindle romance and all, they kept their guard down and practically ran back to each other's arms. 

So it was all about pride! They started to adjust their time for each other and do everything they could even if it means flying halfway across the globe just to made up for the lost time. Why didn't realize it in the first place? Why did they had to sunk in the otherworldly of fame before realizing what was really important? 

Oh right, this book was written with 'reality' all over it. And I praised the author for putting up with it without losing the creativity of the story. Gayle Forman is such a good storyteller and I couldn't wait to read her other works. 

As much as I'd wanted to pull my hair in frustration, I still bitterly realized and admitted a lot of things. Thanks to the bittersweet love story of Adam and Mia.</spoiler>

If I Stay: A Review

Before I read any book, I tried for the most part to avoid reading any reviews for the fear of getting spoiled or losing any will to even bother out of someone's negative view. But there were also times when I scrolled down the page after reading the premise just to see what other readers think about it. Thank goodness most of the goodreads people gave this book thumbs ups. So I gave it a chance.

And I didn't regret it.

I've been reading a lot of YA novels but this one is special. Why? Put music and medical in one book then you surely got my attention. It's been months since I read a book so good, I didn't care if I would go to school, sleepless. I was almost done with it by morning but then I had to fix some papers, go to my dentist blah blah. By the time I had a free time, I was so restless. I finished it the next day, reading the half-end in a salon while my hair was being snipped and rebonded. Which was a bit bad idea because I nearly cry there. Nearly.

Anyway, I love the book. From start to end. I totally enjoyed it.

It was a story about love and grief, set between life and death, but it was miraculously not burden with a lot of heavy emotions and cliches. Yes, it was tearjerky but it was lite, too easy to read, just enough details to take in.

And the characters? Given the brevity of it, the author managed to put the limelight not just to the main characters but also to the secondary ones, one at a time. And I think Mia's parents were the coolest fictional parents ever.

Mia and Adam's love story was ordinary which made it more achievable for those who wish to have their own rockstar for a boyfriend, founded around the magic of music. And oh, was there any sexier than their sole love scene in the story? I nearly melt you know.

The author wisely interchange the story between present happenings and flashbacks which made it less slow and more interesting.

I don't have anything left to say that was not told by anyone who read it but all I can say is it's YA novel for a change. Just read the book to see for yourself.

Testing

It's on! My first novella, 'Backstage Pass to Love', is in Figment! Read and comment ;)

http://figment.com/books/655919-Backstage-Pass-to-Love

'Backstage Pass to Love': My First Novella Now in Wattpad!

Hey people! If you're a fan girl (just like me!) and loves dreaming (and somehow making that fantasy real ;)) about the celebrity you like--- whether he is a musician, writer or actor--- then my story may appeal to you!

It was the novella I wrote the whole summer with the help of the romance class formed by Ms. Mina V. Esguerra (author of My Imaginary Ex and Interim Goddess of Love). So if you're up for it, read it here in wattpad and I promise to update the story in a regular basis. ;)

http://www.wattpad.com/story/6185973-backstage-pass-to-love

Cover photo:

Synopsis: 

Ashley was all about finding her dream job. At twenty-four, settling for a blah career wasn't even an option. She may have gotten her wish when a series of (fortunate?) events lead her to a new job -- working with The Labyrinth, hottest band in the country, and right alongside with rock demigod Red Rodrigo. How will this regular girl survive the ups and downs of life in the spotlight?

I would love to hear comments from YOU. <3