In a Nutshell Reviews are my version of mini-reviews, because sometimes, you just want the highlights. Last week I was searching for books on the lighter side, because my life seems to be playing out like a dystopian novel. I was happy to pull both of these oldies, but goodies, from my shelves, and both were hits!
Darcy Woods
Age/Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: Crown Books
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Goodreads
"Whether or not you believe in fate or reading the stars, if you believe in happiness and love to laugh, read Summer of Supernovas."--Jay Asher, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Thirteen Reasons WhyWil thought all the answers were written in the stars, but maybe the stars aren't always right.
Fans of Jennifer E. Smith and Jenny Han will fall in love with this heartfelt and humor-laced debut following one zodiac-obsessed teen as she struggles to find the guy of her cosmic dreams.
As the daughter of an expert astrologer, Wilamena Carlisle knows that truth lies within the stars. So when she discovers a planetary alignment that won’t repeat for a decade, she’s forced to tackle her greatest astrological fear: The Fifth House—relationships and love. But Wil must decide whether to trust her heart or her chart when she falls for a sensitive guitar player whose zodiac sign points to cosmic disaster.
If Wil’s fate is truly written in the stars, then this summer is about to go supernova . . .
- Pro: Wil was fantastic! I loved every single quirk and cranny of this girl. She won me over with her passion for the stars, love of retro fashion, and her undying affection for her grandmother and her best friend. She was quickly wormed her way into my heart, and I was more than eager for her to get her fifth house in order.
- Pro: I swear every page is packed with fun. If they are not doing something fun, they are swapping witty banter. No lie, I eagerly inhaled every page with a huge smile on my face.
- Pro: Wil had a small circle, but they were the best. Between grandma and Irina, I knew Wil was in good hands.
- Con: The dreaded love triangle, and one of my least favorite configurations. It didn't play out in the worst way, though, and I am grateful for that.
- Pro: But, if I have to deal with a triangle, at least Woods assembled it with two great heroes. I found both Grant and Seth possessed many charms, though, I did lean more one way than the other.
- Pro: This story was, by all means, a full-fledged romance, but it was also a journey for Wil. She learned a lot about herself, and worked through some of those complicated emotions associated with her mother. It was wonderful to see her not only find love, but find herself.
This book was all about a girl, who believed the stars held all her life's answers. I thought I would take a look at the attributes associated with my sign, Libra, and see how accurate they are.
✓ Trustworthy
✓ Diplomatic
✓ Gullible
✓ Passive aggressive
I don't know if anyone, who really knows me would call me optimistic, charming, or polished. I am easy-going about things I cannot control, but I am rather rigid in general. I do feel like the overall nature of finding balance is something I hold dear, so maybe I do have a little libra in me.
How do you match up with your astrological sign?
Leah Rae Miller
Series: Nerd, #1
Age/Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: Entangled
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Goodreads
On the outside, seventeen-year-old Madelyne Summers looks like your typical blond cheerleader—perky, popular, and dating the star quarterback. But inside, Maddie spends more time agonizing over what will happen in the next issue of her favorite comic book than planning pep rallies with her squad. That she’s a nerd hiding in a popular girl's body isn’t just unknown, it's anti-known. And she needs to keep it that way.Maddie has spent years curating her image. Her middle school mistake finally forgotten, she is able to keep her nerd side under wraps, and project the "Maddie" she wants people to see. That is until Logan pulls her into his world, and she begins to wonder why she is hiding the best parts of herself.
Summer is the only time Maddie lets her real self out to play, but when she slips up and the adorkable guy behind the local comic shop’s counter uncovers her secret, she’s busted. Before she can shake a pom-pom, Maddie’s whisked into Logan’s world of comic conventions, live-action role-playing, and first-person-shooter video games. And she loves it. But the more she denies who she really is, the deeper her lies become…and the more she risks losing Logan forever.
- Pro: The number one reason to read this book is because it is just so darn fun and cute. It's a good time from the beginning to end.
- Pro: The author uses the term "nerd", but I believe this book leans more "geek". So much fantastic geekiness for that matter. Comics, action figures, sci-fi, LARPing - it's all in there, and I loved it!
- Pro: Speaking of LARPing, it was fantastic the way it was incorporated into the story. Of all the geeky goodness, they spent the most time doing this activity. It's actually something that fascinates and impresses me, and I throughly enjoyed these outings with Logan and Maddie.
- Pro: I cannot forget to mention the fantastic families in this book. Both Logan and Maddie had great families, and they were featured quite well, especially Logan's. His mom and his little sister added a little something special, when they were on page, and I utterly adored them.
- Pro: The more I read about Logan, the more I treasured him. He was a phenomenal book boyfriend. Sweet, considerate, and obviously really in "like" with Maddie. He ticked just about every box I could think of, and it's no wonder Maddie couldn't resist him. He also had a stupendous ride-or-die friend, Dan, who won my heart.
- Pro: The book is super fluffy, but it also has a beautiful message. I appreciated Maddie embracing her inner nerd, and learning to love all the parts of herself.
**Special shout out to Mandy for putting this book on my radar, and pushing it hard on me. She thought I would love it, and I did. XOXO
Have you read any of these books?
Let us know in the comments!
Let us know in the comments!
Glad Summer of Supernovs was so good. This quote "She won me over with her passion for the stars, love of retro fashion, and her undying affection for her grandmother and her best friend" - sounds like a wonderful character. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm an Aries and I've always thought it matched, even though I don't put much stock in that sorta thing haha. Not to say I'm necessarily more courageous or confident or whatever more than anyone else, but just a lot of the traits- I'm generally a sunny side up kind of person, I do have an impatient streak- a lot of it seems to fit. :) It's fun to think about...
LARP'ing is pretty awesome, and there are so many variations of it! I remember seeing Vampire LARP's for the first time years ago at a gaming convention and being amazed at some of the costumes, and now I think there's probably a LARP for whatever fandom one is into!
Wait, Aries - did you have a birthday or is one coming up? At least you seem to possess more of the positive qualities associated with your sign, while I lean to the negative. 😂 The whole concept of LARPing is wild to me. Those people must be so committed, because it's pretty involved. I really enjoyed reading those parts.
DeleteI remember really wanting to read THE SUMMER I BECAME A NERD back in my early blogging days. It does sound so fun!! Plus, I like to think of myself as an undercover geek :)
ReplyDeleteI love your reviews... they always make me happy!! Keep writing them!!
I think Entangled was offering Nerd for free. Might still be free on Amazon. It was super fun, and a great way to take a "break" from all that's going on. Aw, shucks, glad you enjoy my reviews. 🥰
DeleteThe Summer I Became a Nerd sounds delightful. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteIt really was!
DeleteI knew you'd love Wil! Reading your review brought back all the same feelings I had when reading this. I also don't like love triangles, but this book never really felt like this trope was featured, just a girl wanting something so badly that she blinded herself to the truth in front of her. I'm a Sagitarius and agree with some of the description listed for me.
ReplyDeleteHow could I not love her? I never felt Wil was committed to Seth, other than she thought he was her destiny, so it was not a hard hit for me, but I still hate triangles with brothers or friends or anything like that. It's such a major complication for me.
DeleteI'm with you on needing lighter and happier reads right now. Hence my recent back to back reads from the Sea Breeze series. :) You're right, real life is too much like a dystopian right now. Ugh. Wil sounds so great! And I love that she had such a close relationship with her grandmother (I did, too, as a kid). I'm afraid the Virgo characteristic (both good and bad) describe me all too well. Not every single one... but most. *sigh*
ReplyDeleteThe Sea Breeze books definitely fit this category. They are a bit drama filled, but it's soapy drama, which I always find delightful, because it's so OTT. It's amazing that we find so many of these traits in ourselves based on the zodiac. At least Virgos have some great qualities.
Deletelarping...i've never done it. i am a gemini...if ya don't like one of me, check out the other. lol
ReplyDeletesherry @ fundinmental
I have never done any LARPing either, but I have encountered it in several books, and it sounds so fun.
DeleteI'm an Aries and pretty much none of those qualities apply to me!
ReplyDeleteYou defied the stars!!
DeleteI read The Summer I Became a Nerd when it came out and really enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteKevin is a Libra and has all but charming and polished for the positive (sorry Kevin lol) and is indecisive and passive aggressive.
I'm Aries and yes, I have strong opinions and tend to act on impulse but those profiles make me laugh because I hate attention and am not confident or a daredevil AT ALL.
Karen @ For What It's Worth
I think you are the third Aries I encountered today. Look at that! I feel like if they list enough attributes, one has to describe the person reading it.
DeleteThese both sound great, Sam! I am not a fan of love triangles but I can overlook them when the rest of the book is really good. I am so glad you enjoyed these.
ReplyDeleteI just do not like pitting family against each other, though, Wil was just trying to abide by the prophecy, so, maybe a little leeway there.
DeleteI don't really believe in zodiac signs, but it is fun to read my horoscope. Sometimes it relates to me, sometimes not. I'm a Capricorn and some of the adjectives in the chart above describe me well (practical, patient, reserved), others not at all (miserly, pessimistic, fatalistic).
ReplyDeleteAt least it's the positive attributes that fit you better.
DeleteThe Summer I Became a Nerd sounds super cute! Glad you enjoyed them both!!
ReplyDeleteSo cute, and a perfect type of escape
DeleteI'm all about the fun and fluffy reads right now so that second book is screaming at me. Excellent reviews!
ReplyDeleteBoth were delightful, with the second one being full of geeky goodness. They were perfect escapes.
DeleteThese are new to me, but sound like stories I would really enjoy! Especially The Summer I Became a Nerd! <3
ReplyDeleteLindsi @ Do You Dog-ear? 💬
Nerd was fun. Such a great pick for this difficult time. I totally endorse light, fluffy books to combat convid-19
DeleteWell I am a Leo and I'd say this seems pretty accurate to me LOL
ReplyDeleteMy sister is a Leo too, and she has always fit the description. Leos have great qualities.
DeleteI'm not sure I am going to be able to enjoy Summer of Supernovas because of the love triangle, but I am glad it wasn't the worst of love triangles and both interests had good things about them. It makes sense to lean one way more than the other! And The Summer I Became a Nerd sounds so cute and fun. I always love a family focus and with a title like that you already know it won't disappoint ;)
ReplyDeleteI think because of the set up, the triangle isn't as bad as it could have been. Nerd was exactly what I wanted and needed at the time. So glad I finally read both of these
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