Book Review: The Fill-In Boyfriend by Kasie West

Title: The Fill-In Boyfriend
Author: Kasie West
Publishing info: May  5th, 2015 by HarperTeen
Genre's: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Contemporary Romance,
My rating: 5/5
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Provided by: Bought ebook on Kindle
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Synopsis: When Gia Montgomery's boyfriend, Bradley, dumps her in the parking lot of her high school prom, she has to think fast. After all, she'd been telling her friends about him for months now. This was supposed to be the night she proved he existed. So when she sees a cute guy waiting to pick up his sister, she enlists his help. The task is simple: be her fill-in boyfriend—two hours, zero commitment, a few white lies. After that, she can win back the real Bradley.

The problem is that days after prom, it's not the real Bradley she's thinking about, but the stand-in. The one whose name she doesn't even know. But tracking him down doesn't mean they're done faking a relationship. Gia owes him a favor and his sister intends to see that he collects: his ex-girlfriend's graduation party—three hours, zero commitment, a few white lies.

Just when Gia begins to wonder if she could turn her fake boyfriend into a real one, Bradley comes waltzing back into her life, exposing her lie, and threatening to destroy her friendships and her new-found relationship. 

“We rarely find a depth by looking inside of ourselves for it. Depth is found in what we can learn from the people and things around us. Everyone, everything, has a story, Gia. When you learn those stories, you learn experiences that fill you up, that expand your understanding. You add layers to your soul.”

My Thought's

★★★★★

Sometimes I love to read a fun, light, & cute romance read and Kasie West's The Fill-In Boyfriend was the perfect fit. It's like the cute cuddly teddy bear of books. I enjoyed every minute of it. Kasie West has become my go to author for cute, and fun contemporary romance's.

In the Fill-In Boyfriend Gia Montgomery gets dumped in the parking lot before prom, and not only is that bad enough but most of her friends hadn't met him yet nor even believed he existed. Specially the new girl to her group Jules whom Gia doesn't exactly get along with. Desperate and just wanting to have the perfect prom, she does the only thinkable thing right?! She pleads with some random dude in the parking lot who witnessed her humiliation to please pretend to be her now ex, Bradley, and show her friends she wasn't lying, even though now she kind of is. It seems like such a little white lie to Gia though and after the prom she plans on having fake Bradley break up with her anyway and it will no longer be a lie. No biggie right? Wrong! Soon she finds fake Bradley, who's real name is Hayden, intertwined with her life, as well as her sister. To make things even worse she may be actually falling in love with Hayden but that's terrifies her as she is scared of being truthful to her friends whom have slowly been taken away from her by Jules.

I think Hayden aka Fake Bradley and Gia were all kinds of adorable. They had the kind of chemistry and relationship that just brings smiles to your face. When I was in the mood for something fun and cute, this was defiantly my go to. At first I actually thought Gia was kind of annoying and I couldn't really relate to her but throughout the story she grew on me. Her character really developed and matured through the book.

Kasie West takes an aspect on Social Media life that I have seen playing a big part in the world as of the last ten years. It seems more and more, specially our youth have found they care more about their followers, likes, and shares than actually being who they truly are and doing what they truly like. I would be lying if I said I hadn't ever felt the pull of it myself. Who doesn't like to be popular. Takes being Popular in high school and your teen years to a whole new level, and it's scary. I have a five year old & seven year old, and it terrifies me for them to get older. For them to ever feel insecurities or trying to be someone else to fit in, rather than be the beautiful original people they are.

Besides being a beyond adorable romance Kasie West's The Fill-In Boyfriend is about a young girl finding depth within herself and coming to terms with who
 she really wants to be in this world, personality wise! I loved every second of this books and I highly recommend for fans of young adult contemporary romance!

-Amanda Margaret

Book Review: Cress by Marissa Meyer

Title: Cress ( The Lunar Chronicles #3)
Author: Marissa Meyer
Publishing info: February  4th, 2014 by Feiwel and Friends
Genre's: Young Adult, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Retelling, Dystopian
My rating: 5/5
Add to Goodreads: click here
Provided by: Bought paperback copy from Barnes & Noble
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Synopsis: In this third book in the Lunar Chronicles, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, now with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they're plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army.

Their best hope lies with Cress, a girl imprisoned on a satellite since childhood who's only ever had her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker. Unfortunately, she's just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice.

When a daring rescue of Cress goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a higher price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing prevent her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only hope the world has. 

“Maybe there isn’t such a thing as fate. Maybe it’s just the opportunities we’re given, and what we do with them. I’m beginning to think that maybe great, epic romances don’t just happen. We have to make them ourselves.”  

My Thought's

★★★★★

Stars above! This series has really captivated me! Marissa Meyer is back again with yet another addictive read in The Lunar Chronicles Series, and it is just as adventurous, witty, and romancey! Cress, book 3 picks up after book 2 left off. The gang is gonna go rescue the girl in the satellite. Like with Cinder and Scarlet, our girl Cress will represent a Disney princess. This time it is Rapunzel. She has been locked away in a space satellite most of her life. Now Cinder, Thorne, Iko, Scarlet, and Wolf are going to rescue her as she can help with their plan to overthrow queen Levana. With these guys though things never seem to go exactly as planned and they soon find their group split up and things not looking good for their revolution.


I think one of my absolute favorite things about this series besides all the action, twists, and witty dialogue(specially THORNE!)  would be the romance and princess/prince retelling spin it has. With book one it was Cinder and Kia who I adored and represented Cinderella and Prince Charming, then in book 2 it was Scarlet and Wolf who represented Beauty and the Beast and whom quickly grew on me. In Cress, our princess is of course Cress and she represents Rapunzel and like the other gets her own love interest. Cress is paired with Thorne and at first I was honestly kind of bummed because I was secretly shipping him with Iko but after these two spend most of the book together I found I adored them almost as much as Cinder and Kia. Plus I can totally see it now after thinking of Tangled. Rapunzel's love interest was a thief ;) I am really rooting for these two by the end. Marissa Meyer has a way of writing couples you can't help but fall in love with!


The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer has been a really fun ride I don't ever want to end!!! I am so sad to know the next book will be the last! I know there's a novella book, Stars Above which I will read, but Winter is the last actually book in the series *sigh* I will be sad to see these amazing character's go. They have quickly become apart of me. If you haven't read The Lunar Chronicles yet then you really should! I highly recommend it! It's a epic mixture of scifi, dystopian, romance, and action! A total Star Wars/Terminator/Disney Princess badass story!

-Amanda Margaret

Book Review: Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Title: Cinder ( The Lunar Chronicles #1)
Author: Marissa Meyer
Publishing info: January 3rd, 2012 by Feiwel and Friends
Genre's: Young Adult, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Retelling, Dystopian
My rating: 5/5
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Provided by: Bought paperback copy from Barnes & Noble
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Synopsis: Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl.

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

“Even in the Future the Story Begins with Once Upon a Time.”  

My Thought's

★★★★★

The Lunar Chronicles series has been recommended to me for over a year now actually. I have even owned them for about 6 months now too I just never really got around to them. It wasn't until I read Marissa Meyer's Heartless and fell in love with her writing and characters, that I decided it was time to finally read The Lunar Chronicles. I am really glad I did. Now I just keep asking myself why I waited so long to be lost in this magnificent world of Cinderella meet Star Wars! Cinder actually reminded me of young Anakin, before he becomes a Jedi and slowly starts to change. Marissa Meyer's may have gotten her influence a bit from Cinderella and Star Wars but Cinder is it's own unique story that will quickly have you lost in it!

The whole concept of Cinderella being a cyborg was really cool. As a scifi geek who has a inner Disney princess love, it really made me all giddy. Her version of Prince Charming aka Prince Kai was just dreamy too! My love for shipping really had me cheering for these to from the start. The romance wasn't over the top and in no way the focus either which is what I love the most about it. I like my romance to be more of a side action, but still defiantly a lot of chemistry and Cinder and Kai didn't lack that!

Iko was probably my favorite character. What happens really breaks my heart. They way Humans always seem to think they are better than others really gets under my skin. We walk around like we are the kings of the world and all the while we destroy it. I would have totally been a cyborg supporter in this world! So many times when Cinder's stepmother was being cruel I just wanted to go inside this book and slap the shit out of her. Give her a real good talking to about compassion and true humanity. Cinder deserved so much better than what she got, specially when you find out who she is! I absolutely loved that twist!

Marissa Meyer's stories are some adventures! She really knows how to take some of our favorite childhood fairytales and twist them into something spectacular for our olderselfs! I can not wait to continue on with The Lunar Chronicles. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves young adult scifi and retellings!

Amanda Margaret

Book Review: A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J Maas

Title: A Court of Mist and Fury ( A Court of Thorns and Roses #2)
Author: Sarah J Maas
Publishing info: May 3rd, 2016 by Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Genre's: New Adult, Fantasy, Romance
My rating: 5/5
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Provided by: Bought hardback copy from Barnes & Noble
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Synopsis: Feyre survived Amarantha's clutches to return to the Spring Court—but at a steep cost. Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can't forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin's people.

Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates its dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms—and she might be key to stopping it. But only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future—and the future of a world cleaved in two.

With more than a million copies sold of her beloved Throne of Glass series, Sarah J. Maas's masterful storytelling brings this second book in her seductive and action-packed series to new heights.

“The issue isn’t whether he loved you, it’s how much. Too much. Love can be a poison.”

My Thought's

★★★★★

Yea it's official I will buy any book with Sarah J Maas's name on it from now on! That women can create some epic characters and worlds! I absolutely loved A Court of Mist and Fury, and even more than the first, which is so rare! I can't wait to get my hands on book 3. By far one of my favorite series and top 5 books I read in 2016!

Sarah J Maas's writing is profoundly beautiful. She has a way of just sweeping you into her world and character's from page one until the last page which usually leaves you desperately wanting more. I am really glad I pushed this book back on my read list. If I had read it when it came out, it would have been pure torture waiting a year for the next installment. As it is, waiting the 5 months till May is horrific.

When we last left Feyre in book one, A Court of Thorns and Roses, she was madly in love with Tamlin and had just done an unthinkable act to save him and his people. Feyre will never be the same, nor will Tamlin. That unthinkable act under the mountain is about to drive a wedge between Feyre and Tamlin and pushes her right into the arms of High Lord of The Night Court, Rhysand. Believe it or not, but Tamlin's love for Feyre becomes toxic. Watching her die has broken something in him and the thought of her ever getting hurt again terrifies him so much he is willing to lock her up in the house, literally to keep her out of harms reach. His intentions may be honorable but he fails to see that keeping her sheltered is slowly killing her. Feyre deep at heart is a fighter, that's why she was able to do what she did under the mountain for those she loves. She can't just be sheltered as a damsel in distress. Rhysand sees that and so he rescues her from slowly dying and helps bring her back to life by showing her the badass she can be! I absolutely loved Rhys and Feyre's relationship in this book! In book one I really loved Tamlin and Feyre and didn't really want a love triangle but after this book I am totally ok with it and totally on board the Rhys and Feyre ship! I actually kind of liked the too much love can be a poison concept. It's one that isn't explored much in books but totally realistic.
We also get to see a bunch of new character's in this book. Rhysands squad is what I call them: Morrigan, Cassian, Raziel, and Amren. They were awesome sauce!!! I enjoyed them immensely and can't wait to see them in book 3! I am really really hoping for a Cassian/Nesta(Feyre's sister) ship! I can totally see it!

The one disappointment I had with this book was not enough Lucien. I really enjoyed his and Feyre's friendship and book one and I didn't see why he had to be so cold and distant in this book. After his events with Feyre's sister in this book though, which by the way totally took me by surprise, I am really hoping to see more of him in book 3.


Have you read this one yet? What are your thoughts? If you haven't yet, or book one, A Court of Thorns and Roses then pick it up now! You won't regret it! I highly recommend to all fans of YA Fantasy with epic romance twists!

Amanda Margaret

Book Review: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas

Title: A Court of Thorns and Roses ( A Court of Thorns and Roses #1)
Author: Sarah J Maas
Publishing info: May 5th, 2015 by Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Genre's: New Adult, Fantasy, Romance
My rating: 5/5
Add to Goodreads: click here
Provided by: Bought hardback copy from Barnes & Noble
Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible
Synopsis: When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.

As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.

"Be glad of your human heart, Feyre. Pity those who don't feel anything at all.”  

My Thought's

★★★★★

After reading so many raving reviews on this book I just knew I had to get my hands on it.I am ecstatic I did! it was FABULOUS! This was honestly my first ever book by Sarah J Maas and after devouring it very quickly I can see why she has such a huge fan base!

For me what makes a book the greatest is the character's. If you can make me love them so much I would read about their everyday lives forever, well than you are my new bestie author, and Sarah J Mass accomplished just that. I need more Freya, Tamlin, Lucien, and Rhysand now!!!!

Maas created a world I will never forget in A Court of Thorns and Roses. She took one of my favorite fairy tales, Beauty and the Beast, and changed it into something alluring, yet dark, and mesmerizing. Also her take on Faeries was epic. I haven't read a book centered on the Fey this great since The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa!

I'm not one for comparing stories, and I'm not with this, but in the beginning the story starts off with a Hunger Games/Katniss feeling. Freya is on the hunt, trying to provide for her family, whom she swore to protect. I think that's why I loved Freya's character so much. She reminded me a bit of Katniss but even more tough. Freya experiences fear like everyone but she doesn't show it.

The romance was all consuming. Almost too much at times but Feyre and Tamlin had major chemistry. Plus what girl doesn't like an all consuming love sometimes. It's nice to get lost in the romance. The only thing I would wish was that Feyre wasn't so much the damsel and distress when she's with Tam. I see such this strong girl behind her but when she is with Tamlin she is so lost in him. The things she does for his love is scary. I am all for burning the world down to save the one you love (like Daemon threatened for Kat in Lux Series by Jennifer L Armentrout), but damn Feyre crosses a dark side.

Now, I don't know if that's the route Sarah J Maas will take, but there's another character, Rhysand who seems to show interest in Freya and at times they share some pretty heated moments. I'm not sure if there's gonna be a love Triangle. Part of me actually hopes so, If done right I am a huge fan. Will, Jem, and Tessa from Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare being an example. Rhys is just so damn alluring and sexy too so there's that and I just can't help it! Another part just hopes they don't though because Freya and Tamlin's love story was so perfect I don't want it ruined so if it is done, Sarah better do it right. Hopefully Maas gives Rhys his own love interest or hey Just write me into the story! I'll take him! He is defiantly on my top Book Boyfriends list! So all you Tamlin ladies I love him too but he's yours. I'll take Rhysand ;)

I was hooked on this book from the first page until the last. Sarah J Mass's writing makes you feel like you are apart of the story as you follow Freya on her adventure in Prythian. The character's are all consuming to, never leaving your thoughts. There's a kick ass heroine, tense romance, magic, epic battles, and hott book boyfriends! What's not to love! I highly recommend!

Amanda Margaret

Book Review: Heartless by Marissa Meyer

Title: Heartless

Author: Marissa Meyer
Publishing info: November 8th, 2016
Genre's: Young Adult, Retelling, Fantasy, Romance
My Rating: 5/5
Add to Goodreads: click here
Provided by: Received in November's Owlcrate box
Buy: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Audible
Synopsis: Catherine may be one of the most desired girls in Wonderland and a favorite of the unmarried King, but her interests lie elsewhere. A talented baker, she wants to open a shop and create delectable pastries. But for her mother, such a goal is unthinkable for a woman who could be a queen.

At a royal ball where Cath is expected to receive the King’s marriage proposal, she meets handsome and mysterious Jest. For the first time, she feels the pull of true attraction. At the risk of offending the King and infuriating her parents, she and Jest enter into a secret courtship.

Cath is determined to choose her own destiny. But in a land thriving with magic, madness, and monsters, fate has other plans.

“Now mine eyes see the heart that once we did search for, and I fear this heart shall be mended, nevermore.”

My Thought's

★★★★★

I received Heartless in the November Owlcate box, which is a monthly book box subscription. When I saw the beautiful cover and that is was a Alice in Wonderland retelling but of the Queen of Hearts, I just knew I had to read it. I quickly devoured the book every moment I could sneak and it only took me three days. It is books as this that make me love reading. You fall so hard into the story you feel completely lost to it. It takes up most of your thought's even when you aren't reading.

I think what I loved the most was how Marissa Meyer's makes you love and really feel for one of the greatest villains from our child hood fairytales. Villians are so much better when you can see the backstory on why they have become so evil. What are the hardships that strip them of their goodness. This book did not fail with the Queen of Hearts. She has always been one of my favorite villains ever since I first fell down the rabbit hole with the original Alice and Wonderland story. There was always something memorizing about her. I was so excited to see the story Marissa created, and I was not disappointed. I really enjoyed seeing Cath aka the Queen of Hearts transform from this kindhearted and innocent girl who just wanted to be happy, into the vengeful brokenhearted queen we all know with the famous quote "Off with your head!"

Marissa Meyer's other character's were equally amazing. I quite adored the Jest. He stole my heart from the beginning with his flirtations and jokes. He quickly was added to my book boyfriends list! I also really enjoyed the Hatta & Raven, aswell as all the other characters. It was so fun to see the caterpillar, rabbit, card guards, and such craziness in the original Wonderland still there in this story just in Marissa's own way. The setting is truly Wondrous. Marissa Meyers really does do a magnificent job on this retelling of the Queen of Hearts from Wonderland and she really makes you feel for her. I loved every bit of it! The ending did gut me, not gonna lie but I expected it not to be a happy ending since she does go evil and all. Part of me came up with my own happy ending and I tell myself all is alright :)

Overall I absolutely adored this book from page 1 and now I look even more forward to reading Marissa Meyer's Cinder series which I sadly have not yet. If it is anything wonderful like this then I am sure I will love it! I highly recommend Heartless to all fans of fairytale retellings and fans of the wonderful Wonderland!

-Amanda Margaret