Book Review: Sweetly

Author: Jackson Pearce

Publication Date: August 23, 2011
Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers

As a child, Gretchen's twin sister was taken by a witch in the woods. Ever since, Gretchen and her brother, Ansel, have felt the long branches of the witch's forest threatening to make them disappear, too.

Years later, when their stepmother casts Gretchen and Ansel out, they find themselves in sleepy Live Oak, South Carolina. They're invited to stay with Sophia Kelly, a beautiful candy maker who molds sugary magic: coveted treats that create confidence, bravery, and passion.

Life seems idyllic and Gretchen and Ansel gradually forget their haunted past -- until Gretchen meets handsome local outcast Samuel. He tells her the witch isn't gone -- it's lurking in the forest, preying on girls every year after Live Oak's infamous chocolate festival, and looking to make Gretchen its next victim. Gretchen is determined to stop running and start fighting back. Yet the further she investigates the mystery of what the witch is and how it chooses its victims, the more she wonders who the real monster is.

Gretchen is certain of only one thing: a monster is coming, and it will never go away hungry.

Sisters Red was one of my favorite books, so when I saw this book I immediately wanted to give it a try. First off, I love fairytale retellings and the cover of this book is like the opening to a wonderland! I knew right away that this book would have to do with Hansel and Gretel. The way that the limbs wind and cover stand out in front of the mystic purple background let you know that a story is about to unwind at this little cottage in the woods. The cottage itself is very cozy and welcoming. The lights are on and the gigantic, alluring eyes overhead give it that eerie feel that you know will end up giving you the goose bumps later, but you just have to explore through the dark forest anyway!

The plot within Sweetly is just as alluring as the wispy branches on the front cover of the book. There were times, while reading, that I could look down and see the hair standing up on my arms. I was literally freaked out!!! Pearce’s writing has just enough gothic edge to give the forest and the characters within it a tantalizing coldness that makes you close your eyes before turning the next page. I wanted to pull my favorite zebra print blanket over my eyes! (: But seriously, if you are looking for a chill up your spine, Jackson Pearce does not disappoint.

I must go ahead and say that I did enjoy Sisters Red more simply because I loved the sister/sister relationship better, whereas here we are given a brother/sister relationship that I did not feel was as strong. I loved Gretchen and Ansel, but they were lacking some gumption that I felt Rosie and Scarlet, on the other hand, had an abundance of. Ansel’s character was not as deep and heartfelt as I would have liked him to be. He did love his sister but I felt a lack of compassion for her at times. Gretchen was the weaker character at first. As the novel progressed, I can say that she did break free from the nightmares that she often hid behind.

Sam, as a character, I fell in love with. I am always drawn to the outcasts and the people that no one in the town wants to associate with. Sam is that person in this book. He takes a chance in telling the townspeople what he really knows to be in the woods and in return he is deemed the exile. I can admire him for that simple reason and because he helps Gretchen to do the same. He sees something in her that she has tried to keep hidden for years and years. He is such an admirable character just because he is so real and masculine. He defends Gretchen with a chivalric quality that I wish we saw more of in reality.

Jackson Pearce’s writing was eloquent and complete with a gothic twist at times. The descriptions of the Chocolatier and of Sophia Kelly kept me hanging on for more. Who doesn’t want to read about a cozy, sweet cottage that smells like cinnamon and hazelnut all the time? I only wish that Gretchen and Ansel would have been stronger characters. Instead, I felt that it was Sophia Kelly and Sam who kept me hanging around. They were such a stronger lead than the two main characters. Sophia and Sam each share a uniqueness and a secret that sets them apart from the rest!

Stacking The Shelves (3)

Stacking The Shelves is a weekly feature hosted by Tynga at Tynga’s Reviews, in which we share the books that we have bought, received, or borrowed from the previous week!

Goodreads

Goodreads

Goodreads  |  Provided by Author

Goodreads  |  Provided by Publisher

Goodreads  |  Provided by Publisher

I am so excited to see what everyone else got! May has been a great month in books :)

Book Review: The Summer of No Regrets

Author: Katherine Grace Bond

Publication Date: May 1, 2012
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

The day Brigitta accidentally flings herself into the lap of a guy she's never met, her friend Natalie is convinced he's Trent Yves, egotistical heartthrob-in-hiding. When the boy, who calls himself Luke, is nearly eaten by a cougar, Brigitta finds herself saving his life, being swept into his spectacular embrace and wondering if she wants Natalie's fantasy to be true.

As the two spend the summer together raising orphaned cougar cubs, Brigitta still can't be sure of his true identity. But then again, since her grandparents' death, her father's sudden urge to give away all their possessions and become a shaman, and her own awkward transition from girlhood into a young woman, she isn't sure of anything. What is the truth? More importantly, can she accept it?

I am drawn to the majesty of crashing ocean waves. The ocean has always felt like such a magical place to me where romance and adventure were just waiting to take place. When I saw the cover of this book I thought back to every summer vacation that I have ever spent at the beach, and wondered how many summer loves did I miss out on? I was enticed by the two young lovers on the cover because they looked like they have a fabulous story to tell. The orange and pink hues in the background alluded to the perfect sunset and I immediately added this book to my wishlist!

After reading so many reviews of this book online I had to tear into the pages myself and see what all the fuss was about over the baby cougars! I found it. The story line immediately captured my heart and all day today, I literally DID NOT put the book down. I was so wrapped up in this story that is unlike any other young adult romance novel that I have read thus far. The lines, characters, and plot were not predictable and with the turn of each page I was sitting on the edge of my seat dying to know what would take place next.

The cougar cubs were just an added spark to this firework show! They made the story complete and reading about Brigitta and Luke and how they were so determined to nurture and care for them just warmed my heart. I have such a soft spot for animals and Brigitta is just like me in that aspect. She was kind, soft spoken, and had such a genuine nature. The cubs were so drawn to her and that made the story even better to read. The cubs really helped Brigitta see who she was becoming as a person.

I loved watching Brigitta develop into a mature young lady. She was on a path for self discovery throughout the entire book, and by the end I, as the reader, felt that by allowing herself to open up the world around that she had somewhat came to a better understanding about herself and who she wanted to be. Her relationship with Luke allowed her to open up more and to share who she really was with someone that she actually cared about. I did not understand her relationship with her parents at times and sometimes found myself feeling sorry for Brigitta because I felt, just like she did, that she was all alone.

What made this story so special you may ask? The love and romance that developed between our two leading characters in this story was not superficial, but yet they bonded over something that they each cared about and something that had the power to hold and bind them together. I believe that their passion and dedication to one another and to those cubs helped them to be able to rely on and trust each other wholeheartedly. When reading and purchasing this book be prepared to feel several emotions all at once and I cannot promise that you will not cry, but, my sweet readers, I can promise that it is all worth it! With much pride and admiration I comment Katherine Bond for a job well done and a story well written; I am looking forward to many more from her.

This book was provided to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. 

Follow Me Friday (5)

Q: Summer Break is upon us! What would be the perfect vacation spot for you to catch up on your reading & relax?

My Answer: I can think of two places that I would love to be right now in order to relax and catch up on a ton of reading….

1. The City of Love: Paris

Paris is filled with so much culture and romance. I could easily pull up a chair near the Eiffel Tower and read all day, while enjoying a nice glass of wine of course!

2. Sailing anywhere tropical: A Cruise

Who couldn’t enjoy a nice cocktail while soaking up the sun on a nice boat ride to a beautiful tropical destination such as Jamaica or The Virgin Islands? I would love to be there right now!