If You Could See Me Now: A Review

I love it! Love the magic, almost children's-book-like twist. Love all the characters (except Saoirse and Grainne). Love every moment shared between Ivan and Elizabeth. Love every word of it. I.Just.Love.It!

I was lucky to got the hard bound edition of this in book sale. The cover got my attention and it wasn't the typical pink-violet color of chic-lit so I thought this was something different.

They story was about a woman name Elizabeth--- who was a control freak, has a miserable past and a more miserable family--- and an invisible, Mr.Optimistic guy name Ivan--- whose job was to gave hope and happiness to children in need. Yup as in he was an imaginary friend. Cool right? I mean yes the story was a bit childish but i absolutely learned a lot from it. The words were just raw and straight-forward honest that would prick directly into your heart.

One of the writer's challenge in this kind of story was how to manage humor out of a sensitive situation. Ahern truly knows how to captivate readers with her choice of words and the characters she made. She had manage to make me laugh and cry at the same story and that makes this one into my 'favorite shelf'.

The main character, Elizabeth Egan, was really relatable. And oh my God! I know Ivan was a work of fiction but gees you gotta fall in love with this guy by his humor and character. He was a total ideal guy!

And I don't care if the story was a make believe (or if Ivan's place as it is; the words spelled backward was hilarious btw) but heck I had so fun reading the book. Plus the POV wasn't a one-sided and that made the story even fair and reliable.

The ending was satisfying even if Ivan and Elizabeth didn't get together (that's reality for you). It wasn't just a happy ending coined to love stories but an ending that would make you sigh and nod gravely. Twas like facing reality with a big, new hope in your heart. And I couldn't help myself but to say 'I believe' in the end.

Obsidian: A Review

What's up with the name Daemon really? Hot, bad guys with 'trouble' stamped all over them, that's what. I'm actually referring to Damon of Vampire Diaries too, btw. When I read the first part I couldn't help thinking about The Vampire Diaries. Same Daemon-character, same place (Virginia, really that makes that place double creepy with all the myths/writings around it), and the aliens, Luxen i mean, have almost the same power, though way cooler, with the vampires. Obsidian, in some ways, was like a fan fiction of TVD for me, wasn't it? Though that didn't make me hurl the book, obviously more than most of the fan fictions made me do.

And yes, aliens that are god and goddess- looking? Insane right? We all have grown up in to thinking that aliens are green, slimy creatures with large head and slender extremities. But with this novel, the author made aliens look like magical creatures from other galaxies. That made me read this novel, it's originality. And I love that it didn't bore me by second. The book was a thrilling, fast-pace, page-turner that I simply couldn't resist (in fact, I've given up reviewing for a compre exam just to finished this lol). And even after I lay down the book, despite some flaws on the writing, my curiosity over the Luxens especially *ehem* Daemon hadn't fade. 

This was the first novel that I've read that has alien protagonists in it and i couldn't help being fascinated by the idea when a friend recommended this. If I am younger, I would have gone mad, fan-girling about Daemon (though yes, I should admit he's one of the freaking hottest fiction guys I've read) and eventually would give this a rating of 5 stars but anyway, I will surely read the 2nd installment!

Anna and The French Kiss: A Review

First book to finished during the very hectic schooldays. Twas actually a miracle that I had to manage to pull off reading in between clinic works and subjects. I am finding books this time that are easy-reads. Something that would take the stress out of my system.

Anyway, I read this out of recommendation from YA and NA Romance group that's why I was confident enough that this would be a good book. And yes it is. Though I still wonder how such a chic-lit YA novel obtains a 4.20 ave.rating here. To put it bluntly, it's an overrated book. Yes, it was a fun read for me and I enjoyed a few giggles and rushes to Anna and Etiene's love story (not to mention that Etienne St.Clair is such a perfect guy and I am so going to name my future baby Etienne) but it wasn't that the story holds an unique characteristic at all. It's a typical chic-lit that any college student will enjoy. I actually thought that their attractiveness towards each other is purely physical. They are both good-looking and they are almost always their for each other. Maybe it is the fact that the setting was held in the most romantic city in the world that made the readers sigh and fall in love with their story.

Still. I love it like a guilty pleasure book for its shallowness and straight-forward style.

Something Borrowed: A Review

I'm torn on how i am going to rate or even review this book. First, i was fairly disappointed with Emily Giffin's writing style. There were so many unnecessary (or red herring as they called it) scenes that should have been eliminated. Then the characters. I think Rachel is one of the worst fictional characters I've ever read, second to Anastasia Steele. She's definitely a spineless woman in her age. Then Dexter. At first it was very unbelievable that Dex had fell in love with Rachel in compromise to his seven years relationship with Darcy. What kind of guy would put with a woman he's not in love for that long? Same with Darcy's and Rachel's friendship. To be honest, sometimes I wished Darcy was the main character. How did Rachel ever stick up with Darcy forever if she's envious and mad on her all along? There were just so many unreliable sides in this novel. Plus, it was only on the last part that Dex and Rachel's affair had me thrill. 

If there was one thing that made me love this book then it was its brutal honesty. The way the author narrate the story was beyond the frankness I've expected. Plus I like the originality of the theme.

I think this was one of the rare novels wherein the movie was way better than the book itself.

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

The Notebook: A Review

If you want a book that tells 'Happy Ending' in bold, capital letters then read this. Well, there were some conflicts, yes but as I read the story, I felt like Allie and Noah is the luckiest (fictional) couple I know.

The story started with them sharing a childhood, puppy love that didn't last long(well only a summer) and the inevitable happened as they separate apart. Then they met again. After 14 years. I couldn't help relating to the story on that part and twas actually hard for me to read it as I relived my own memories. Twas like swallowing a bitter medicine to me. I knew from that point that I need it. I need to read this and decide for myself.

And then during the mid part, when the story was running smoothly and quite predictable, the author suddenly shifted the steering wheel to an abrupt, hard turn, making me felt flummoxed for a moment. One chapter they were young and Allie was about to choose between Noah, her childhood love, and Lon, her lawyer fiance, and then the next they were old. A bad fast forward. twas like two standalone stories entwined into one. Sparks should have explained further the part after Ellie chose so that it didn't looked like Noah and Allie got their happy ending in a snap.

Then the last part, there were already old and sick with two different disease. Noah had arthritis and Allie had an Alzheimer's disease and she kept on forgetting Noah la la la. That made me think that there were two different stories in one. Sparks could have produce two stories out of this one if he had extended the novel. Twas both a good and a bad thing. Good because it spare the reader from boredom and let them have the happy ending they want sooner. Bad because it felt more of a summary rather than storytelling. The reason why I only give 4 instead of 5 stars.

Nevertheless, the story is beautiful as expected from Sparks. If I couldn't had relate to it, I would be so neutral. But it struck me. And I couldn't help crying and mustering a bittersweet smile as I finished it.