Review: ROSEBUSH by Michele Jaffe

Jane is found, near death in a rose bush, a victim of hit-and-run. She couldn’t move at all, and the memory of the night of the accident was lost to her. But when a threat was written in the bathroom mirror, she finds her voice and scream. She believes that someone was trying to kill her on that night, but failed to do so. And the killer is still trying to murder her. But who would want to kill her? After all, she’s  one of the popular girls in school, has a sweet boyfriend, and two awesome BFFs. Sometimes the truth is a very thorny thing.

Michele Jaffe brings us a powerful psychological and sexy thriller. Fast paced and in a smooth flow, Rosebush will have you hooked right from the beginning.

     Jane is a beautiful and popular girl in her school. At first she seems shallow, but as the story unfolds, she seems to gain more dept. Except for Jane, the other characters are pretty two dimensional and boring. Jaffe didn’t write her side characters well enough, though the boys are hawt.

     The novel is full of suspense, and Jaffe write the psychological part very well. The writing keeps you on edge, and there’s none awkward scenes in the novel. Still, some minimal parts of the novel appears shallower than it seems.

     Although the synopsis just look like another novel about a popular girl caught up in mystery, Rosebush is none of the ordinary. Jaffe puts a lot of new twists in the novel and keeps you guessing on every page, no matter the murderer or love interests. Yes, there are love interests, but the thriller is even better, although I find the reason of murder a little forced. Also, I love how the way Jane's relationship with her mother and step-father mend and build throughout the novel.

     A twisted psychological killer written by a new voice, Rosebush is one novel you ought not to miss. Jaffe show readers that she has the potential to be Stephen King in the YA world.

     Cover: A little boring for me. Maybe less rose. Or maybe a huge rose dripping with blood would be nice.

Ratings: 4 stars

For more info about the book or author, please click here

Review : THE CARRIE DIARIES by Candace Bushnell

This is Carrie Bradshaw pre Sex and the City. Living in Castlebury, Carrie has ambition - she always knew she wanted more. Yet, before reaching her goal of become a famous author, she has to navigate her way through senior year. With people haters like Donna LaDonna and Cynthia Viande around, surviving high school seems tough, until Sebastian Kydd came into the picture. Life becomes bearable, yet a best friend seemed to be jealous, and a betrayal is about to surface.

Overall, the novel is fast and light, with a storyline which eventually leads to Carrie arriving in New York. Interesting plot line with betrayals and romance and strong friendships keeps reeling you in. In Carrie's perspective, the novel is in a witty, humorous insight of the main character, sometimes dropping a few lines of wisdom. It doesn't hurt that Carries is so lovable, along with her loyal friends and nutty family. Looking past the sex talks, The Carrie Diaries is a piece to love. You'll get hooked watching Carrie developing into a woman while dealing with her family and her own emotions.

The cover is simple and pretty. I loved it at first sight!

Ratings : 4 stars

For more info about the book or author, please click here

Review : LEGACY by Kate Brian

Billings girl, Cheyenne Martin is dead, everyone, especially the Billings girls are struggling to recover. With Cheyenne dead, Noelle expelled and Ariana institutionalized, Reed Brennan is selected as the new Billings president, and she's delighted with the newfound power. Cheyenne's father is the one who's paying the bills for the biggest party in the coast - the Legacy. But devastated by the death of his precious daughter, he cancels the party. When news of students and ex-students of other exclusive boarding schools getting invites to the Legacy, Reed  finds a way to get the Easton students invites, but not before the academy is shocked by the return of Noelle. Will Reed find a way to get the guys into the Legacy, or will she be remembered as the worst president of Billings Hall?

As usual, Brian did a great work with Legacy. Fast and witty, Legacy keeps you on edge. It is filled with suspense, and -why not?- drama. One highlight of the novel is Reed's struggle with the power she'd found, when it causes stress with her best friend, Sabina and her boyfriend Josh Hollis, who loathes the Billings girls. You might also wanna see some scenes between Reed and Noelle's ex, Dash, who's totally hot and gorgeous. a cliff hanger at the end, Legacy is a wonderful masterpiece.

I have to say that I don't love the covers of this series, but I like this more than Confessions. Besides, I have no idea who the cover model's supposed to be. I don't know, maybe it was just me.

Ratings : 4.5 stars

For more info about the author or book, please click here

Review : CONFESSIONS by Kate Brian

Reed Brennan is the new Billings girl in superposh Easton Academy. There, she tries to make a new image of herself as a popular and outgoing student. She gets closer to her goal when Thomas Pearson starts hitting on her. But when Thomas turns up dead, Reed's new boyfriend, Josh Hollis is taken away as a murderer. Reed's gut instinct tells her that Josh is not a killer, and that the real murderer is still out on the lose. But with everyone worrying about the trips on Thanksgiving, or whether the cashmere is warm enough, finding the killer without any help seems impossible. 

This 200 pages plus novel is an installment of a Private series. Gripping and face paced, it will keep you reading non stop. The plot is interesting, filled with suspense (there's murder involved!) with an unexpected outcome, making total sense, even if it's a little different from what ordinary boarding school students might experience. Every reader will relate to the main characters needs of  fitting in desperately, no matter the costs. The side characters are a little annoying though playing perfect roles in the plot. One thing I don't like is not getting to read the whole series, but it's hardly the authors fault in writing!

To me  the cover is only so-so. I don't love it, only like it.

Ratings : 4 stars

For more info about the author or book, please click here

Review: LUXE by Anna Godberson

The story was set in the Old New York, where Elizabeth Holland fell for Will Keller. And young Miss Diana Holland has a heart for future brother in law, Henry Schoonmaker. But when Penelope Hayes has a word for it, nobody except her is getting things they want.

Beautifully crafted, Luxe has me yearning for more. With a few surpising scenes and a (not so) surprising ending, I have only one word for it : Scandalous!

With a cover like that, who doesn't want to be in the middle of the sandal?

Ratings : 4 stars

For more info about the book or author, please click here