The Corridor by A.N. Willis | Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5)

As a note, an e-galley of this novel was sent to me via NetGalley by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinions in any way.

THE CORRIDOR by A.N. Willis has been on my most anticipated list for quite a while now and thankfully, it didn’t disappoint me. Within the first chapters, I knew that it was on the track to becoming one of the best young adult sci-fy releases in 2015 with its engaging plot that centers around one girls ability to travel within various parallel universes.

Readers who aren’t used to sci-fy stories could easily lose themselves in this, it could be the first real experience of the genre for them, because it’s simple and thrilling and has an excellent leading lady in Estele. There’s something undeniably smart and suspenseful about the entire story that makes it engaging in the manner that you don’t want to put it down.

Needless to say, the plot is as fascinating as the description would lead you to believe and it keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time. It’s easy to imagine the colours of each world passing us by as Estelle explores and reads quite a bit like a movie or television series; which is awesome. I can certainly see this novel being adapted sooner rather than later and frankly, I need it NOW! I just need more of these worlds.

Take A Chance On Me (GG: The Carlyles #3) created by Cecily von Ziegesar and written by Annabelle Vestry | Rating: ★★★★★

In the third installment of Gossip Girl: The Carlyles, things continue heating up on the Upper East Side and these new scandalous teenagers just won’t quit. Everything has been up in flames since the arrival of The Carlyle triplets and Take A Chance on Me is quite possibly the best in this spin off and dishes us a hefty helping of drama, betrayal, romance and power struggles.

Say hello to your next best beach read, ladies and gentlemen. Although this next generation of kids don’t quite reach the level of awesomeness that our original group did, this installment certainly takes things to a whole new level and is classic Gossip Girl. It’s stylish, witty, light and will have you glued to the pages until the final chapter.

As for the kids…

Owen has officially snagged the girlfriend of his ex best friend, and with this betrayal and the entire UES teenage population knowing this, he no longer has to hide his attraction to Kelsey. No matter who he hurts, he flaunts this relationship and finds himself blissfully at ease. Love is a powerful thing, my friends. Powerful and brutal.

But is it love that two share or is it just lust? Was their romance a classic case of “you want what you can’t have”? Owen soon can’t help but wonder how well he really knows Kelsey. Now that he is friendless and in a relationship, Owen begins to have second thoughts. Kelsey doesn’t seem to ever want to just talk to him and after Rhys quits the team; he becomes captain to a group of guys who seemed to have picked sides.

Girls on Film (The A-List #2) by Zoey Dean | Rating: ★★★★★

The A-List crew is back for seconds in this installment of the best selling series. It’s hard for me to believe it’s as old as it is, but in spit of its age it is still hilarious and oozes shallow rich-kid-plots goodness. Zoey Dean ups her game for this number and doesn’t disappoint fans with where she takes this glamorous series.

Often hailed as Gossip Girl for California teens, The A-List is one of the most popular young adult chick lit series and proves time and time again that sometimes it’s fun to be bad. Girls on Film is just as funny, luxurious, fashionable and scandalous as the previous book and we watch the delightful batch of characters as they cook up more drama in their final semester of high school.

Anna Percy moved to California to live with her father and start over. Always in the shadow of her dear best friend, Anna thought it was about time for an adventure of her own and a personality overhaul. With her new found confidence and new zip code, Anna has found herself in love with one boy, dating another, new friends and new enemies.

Anna has certainly sealed her place on The A-List without so much of a struggle. She hasn’t come too far out of her shell but she does have a level of intrigue that her new classmates have found. Her arrival has brought a new mix to the lives of these teenagers; a friendship has quickly formed between herself and the always entertaining Sam Sharpe. And this friendship takes the main stage in Girls on Film, as the two girls work together on a film for school – a retelling of The Great Gatsby.

All I Want Is Everything (GG #3) by Cecily von Ziegesar | Rating: ★★★★★

Following the events of You Know You Love Me, everyone’s favorite group of partying, reckless, intriguing teenagers are still the hot topic on the infamous Gossip Girl blog.

Which is not at all shocking, given their lives are as entertaining and stressful as your favorite handy dandy soap opera. It’s just as dishy, catty and sarcastic as ever and once more an absolute delight to pick up where we left off in the wild happenings of this batch of characters. Yes, Gossip Girl is the ultimate trash favorite.

All I Want Is Everything is YA chick lit at its finest. Even all these years later, this series is still fun and enjoyable and cringe worthy, i.e: a total beach read. So grab your shades, that new bikini and your favorite drink – it’s time to dive back into this dishy world and gossip our cute little butts off. Who doesn’t love a good gossip?

Winter break is nearly here and with the end of the year drawing closer, there's plenty of room for these kids to ring in the new year with dramatic sparks. Some will stay in the city for the holidays while others will be jetting off for a vacation in the sun and the world at their feet.

Thankfully for us, and the entire Upper East Side, the loveable pair of best frenemies, Blair and Serena, have patched up their friendship. Now that both girls are single and BFFs again, they’re looking to spend their winter holidays in the sun and to enjoy themselves thoroughly. They’ve earned it, right? With Nate no longer in either girls romantic lives, they’ve retracted their claws and maybe, just maybe, their eyes will meet another special someone’s.

You Just Can’t Get Enough (G.G: The Carlyles #2) created by Cecily von Ziegesar, written by Annabelle Vestry | Rating: ★★★★☆

In You Just Can’t Get Enough, the second book of the Gossip Girl spin off, Gossip Girl: The Carlyles, readers see things heating up once more in the lives of this batch of wealthy teenage Upper East Siders. And it’s oh-so-obvious that the drama that blew into the city with the arrival of The Carlyle triplets is only just getting started. But how much drama can one set of siblings really bring to Manhattan?

We’re greeted once more by the familiar voice of Gossip Girl as she reports to us the scandalous happenings of this next generation of up-to-no-good kids – and things are certainly far more entertaining in this installment than the last one. Back are the same group of teenagers from this generation – Baby, Avery, Owen, Rhys, Jack and a variety of other side characters and as always, this second book picks up right where we left off.

Jack is losing heat – her home life, ballet, her social life and now her boyfriend have all seemingly fallen from her grasp. And she’s on the ultimate war path when it comes down to the Carlyles. What happens when she falls upon a piece of information that will certainly come in handy about Owen Carlyle and what – or who – he did last summer? And how can she use it to her advantage?

More importantly, what happens when it all backfires? And what sassy entries does Gossip Girl have planned for these kids?

About a Girl by Sarah McCarry | Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3.5)

As a note, an e-galley of this novel was sent to me via NetGalley by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinions in any way.

If there is one thing you must know before picking up a novel written by Sarah McCarry: it’s that her writing is extraordinarily unique and real. She makes sure that her descriptions are on point and that nothing is left out. Everything is well thought out and planned and while it shows promise in her writing it sometimes come off as cold and dull and there were more than a few parts in the story I had to sit it down because I got bored. In all the good qualities of her writing, it’s often at the back of your mind that it’s very ramble filled. I have a bit of mixed emotions on this book because as good as it was in its highlights, I felt like I wanted more from it by the ending.

As for her characters? They are intelligent and intense in all the right ways; so very realistic in terms of their personality. I promise you that upon reading her works, you will feel a great deal of emotions towards her characters (good and bad) and the plots that follow, even if the outcome of it all disappoints you in one way or another. About A Girl feeds on your curiosity and brings you into the story instantly. One thing I found particularly good about the story is how often it reminded what it’s like to be a teenager; so curious, so hormonal, so sure of yourself and unsure at the same time.

You Know You Love Me (GG #2) by Cecily von Ziegesar | Rating: ★★★★★

You Know You Love Me serves as the second installment of the original Gossip Girl series and comes with the return of fan favorites Blair, Serena, Nate, Dan, Jenny, Vanessa and Chuck. After the excellent start to the series, one can tell instantly that these scandalous teenagers and their lives are only just getting started. Get ready for more sex, more betrayal and more fun.

The title of this book is, perhaps, the most iconic of the series due to the phrase “you know you love me” that frequents the ever mysterious Gossip Girl’s blog and also makes its appearance in dialogue for both Blair Waldorf and Serena van der Woodsen. You don’t think of Gossip Girl without this phrase.

It reminds me of middle and high school; the way you feel when you're just discovering the world for yourself and how odd and intriguing life can really be. It reminds me of the autumn and the very first pair of heels I'd purchased as a teenager; it reminds me of the thrill of doing things you shouldn't be and the exploration of it all. Plot wise, it picks up right where the first of the series left off and throws us right into the mix of these teenagers scandal filled lives.

Blair and Nate are back together, Nate is as fickle as ever, Serena is kind-of-sort-of with Dan (but for how long?), Vanessa has an older boyfriend and Jenny is looking for a way in as usual. And Chuck Bass is still a dirt bag dressed up with a pinky ring and scarf.

Mireille by Molly Cochran | Rating: ★★★★★

As a note, an e-galley of this novel was sent to me via NetGalley by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinions in any way.

There’s just something about the leading lady in Molly Cochran’s unique, scandalous and intriguing new novel Mireille. I’m fairly certain that it is my favorite release of the year so far and I cannot wait to get my hands on a physical copy of my own. Mireille is my latest favorite and hands down the most deliciously tragic novel of 2015.

Readers will know exactly what I’m talking about within the first few chapters of such an incredibly written story, it blew me away instantly. I’ll note now, though, that there are many moments in this novel that will be triggering for many that count sexual abuse, mental illness and suicide, and violence as their triggers. Please, please, keep this in mind before reading.

Back to the review…

We get to know Mireille from a very intimate outlook of her life and know almost instantly there is something captivating about her even at such a young age. It is a quality you cannot miss. Our story starts with an idea of what becomes of this beautiful woman at some point in her future and then watch briefly as she grows up in an environment so toxic, it’s a wonder she’d made it out alive.

Those Girls by Lauren Saft | Rating: ★☆☆☆☆

As a note, an e-galley of this novel was sent to me via NetGalley by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinions in any way.

For years, the Poppy imprint over at Little Brown has provided us with many a shallow and fluffy rich-kids-go-wild novels and series. Typically, what makes these stories such a hit with the teens is because it seems equally obtainable and unrealistic. Young readers get their fill of fictional lives that seem different from their own but often parallel their lives or someone they knows. They’re light, they’re fun, they’re OMG worthy and overall something to lose themselves in. You just can’t look away.

Which is exactly why I was thrilled to see one of their latest publish works by Lauren Saft, titled Those Girl, listed on Net Galley. I’m such a sucker for the latest trashy young adult oriented chick lit (even now in my early twenties) so it’s no surprise I requested it with the highest hopes and a tasty Cosmo on the side. Here I was, ready for the latest from one of my go-to publishers.

After all, how could one go wrong? Growing up, I owned a great deal of novels published through the Poppy imprint. Most notable being Gossip Girl, The A-List and The Clique. Poppy is a pro when it comes to drawing readers in, but in the case of Those Girls it was one of their rare misses. I can’t actually recall a time when I didn’t like one of their prints until this moments. I've never been so damn disappointed. What went wrong?

Beautiful Surrender by Priscilla West | Rating: ★★★★☆

As a note, an e-galley of this novel was sent to me via NetGalley by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinions in any way.

After a killer cliffhanger and a relationship in turmoil, to say that Kristen and Vincent’s romance is intense and thrilling would be an understatement. When I picked up this series, I was positive I wouldn’t find myself enjoying it and shocked when I fell in love with it. And now, in the conclusion, I hate to say goodbye to these two.

Final installments can border on overly cheesy and melodramatic and at times Beautiful Surrender does the same. Much like the previous installments, it’s steamy and has its soap opera moments, but it only leads to the charm of it all. Beautiful Surrender is sexy and mysterious and action packed. This series depends greatly on all types of emotions but it doesn't always cloud our opinions on it: it just makes reading it all the more intense. Priscilla continues to hit all the right marks with this piece of erotic romance and I’ve got to say, she’s made a fan out of me in the process.

Seriously. Shout out to Priscilla West. Can I get a high five?

Secret Surrender by Priscilla West | Rating: ★★★★☆

As a note, an e-galley of this novel was sent to me via NetGalley by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinions in any way.

Just as steamy as the previous installment, Secret Surrender dishes out the sex and the drama in a way that is very soapy and entertaining. If ever you’re looking for what one may call a “guilty pleasure”, I promise you: this series is it. I can’t tell you how much I want to put on my best silks and lace and just relax while reading this series. There’s something about it that just screams me-time followed by a glass of wine and something sweet.

Priscilla West truly outdoes herself as we follow the romance of Kristen and Vincent; leaving us in a hazy and intriguing twist of love that readers are quite familiar with. But what else would you expect? Secret Surrender picks up right where we left off in Forbidden Surrender, barely giving us a chance to breathe before picking up with the flirtation and chemistry that follows our lead pairing and Kristen’s day-to-day life.

I enjoyed the more vulnerable side to this one. While it retains something dramatic and smoking hot, it also has a sweet edge to it.

Forbidden Surrender by Priscilla West | Rating: ★★★★☆

As a note, an e-galley of this novel was sent to me via NetGalley by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinions in any way.

Forbidden Surrender is yet another take on a stereotypical erotic romance (instalust!) and is quick, steamy and to the point. It’s the perfect little guilty pleasure to read between breaks in your day and lose yourself in the fantasy of flames. While it isn’t anything new or unique, it is perhaps one of the best pieces of erotic fiction that I’ve read in recent years and by the last chapter, it left me swooning for Vincent Sorenson.

Which in all honesty, is rare for someone like myself.

We open with the knowledge that our leading lady probably has her job on the line if they don’t score the delicious and dangerously sexy Vincent Sorenson’s account. After the introduction of an insufferable boss and a disastrous first meeting, it doesn’t seem likely that they’ll be working together. Even so, there’s a spark of chemistry that borders on adorably awkward and painfully hot that leaves us with an idea of the steamy story we’re about to be told. And where it goes from then on out isn't disappointing and proves to be one of the steamiest romances in recent times.

Gossip Girl: The Carlyles created by Cecily von Ziegesar and written by Annabelle Vestry | Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3.5)

I'll be honest here, guys. I am complete and utter Gossip Girl trash and always will be, but it took me years to actually pick up this spinoff and give it a go. The Carlyles came out not too long after the television adaption of the original series was running and at the time, I just wasn't feeling the idea of it. Gossip Girl already had a killer spinoff in Jenny's adventures at boarding school called The It-Girl and I saw no real point in introducing a batch of new characters.

So for years, I procrastinated reading this series. And by chance, a couple of weeks ago while thrifting, I found all four of The Carlyles books in perfect condition and for a wicked $3. How could I pass that up? Short answer: I couldn't. At least, I found myself giving this next generation a chance and while it doesn't quite live up to the original series, I was pleasantly surprised.

Although Cecily wasn't the author of this spinoff, Annabelle Vestry provides the same snarky voice to Gossip Girl and the world of Manhattans elite perfectly. Just as the original series, it's cringe worthy and has just the right amount of teen angst that it feels undeniably teenager. If you didn't notice that this spinoff wasn't written by Cecily, you honestly wouldn't be able to tell -- she has a very similar vibe in her writing and it's all in good fun. Vestry captures the scandal and intrigue and fashionable adventures we came to know in the original series and builds onto it perfectly without interrupting what we already knew.

Ali's Pretty Little Lies (PLL prequel) by Sara Shepard | Rating: ★★★★☆

"Sometimes, a family is like an ear of summer corn: It might look perfect on the outside, but when you peel the husk away. every kernel is rotten.”

I'm the first to admit that I'm very, very skeptical about prequels. They can often be wonderful and informative and keep the same magic of the original series while providing us with a history. And then there's the ones that are bland and provide us nothing but frustration and even taint the original series. Ali's Pretty Little Lies fortunately is one of the good seeds and is just as spooky and entertaining as Pretty Little Liars.

The story takes place primarily before and during the summer which Alison DiLaurentis goes missing. Although the characters are in middle school when this prequel takes place, the story doesn't make us feel too ridiculous for reading about these girls in their younger years. Not much has changed and there's still a certain mature air to them that doesn't make us feel too awkward about the age difference between us and them. My biggest twitchy concern is the fact that a certain older boy takes to spending time chasing Ali and clearly lusting after her. I mean, gross, right? She's practically a child.

Back on track. Ali's Pretty Little Lies takes us back to the lie that started it all. I'm talking the formation of these pretty little liars as well as the moment Courtney and Ali officially switch place. As we know, the Ali that the girls knew was actually Courtney DiLaurentis and Ali's twin sister. It's very soap opera and very deliciously creepy; getting an idea of the twins relationship we grow to pity Courtney and are thoroughly frightened by the real Ali's actions.

The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien | Rating: ★★★★★

"Advice is a dangerous gift, even from the wise to the wise, and all courses may run ill.”

It took me quite a while to see it, but in recent months I’ve finally seen the light when it comes to this delightful adventure that J.R.R. Tolkien provided for us. The middle-earth is a much beloved world of fantasy that will continue to delight generations to come and once again, reminds me what it’s like to believe in a world so magical and mysterious. There’s nothing quite like this world Tolkien created for us and it welcomes us back each time, embracing us like an old friend.

The Fellowship of the Ring, the first in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, naturally reads similar to The Hobbit and for me it feels as warm and comfortable as your favorite childhood bedtime story. There’s something about this world and these adventures that brings a fantasy to live and transport you to a childlike state of mind. It’s an absolute gift to literature and I can’t believe I went much of my life without getting into it.

My favorite part of The Hobbit was Bilbo and I was absolutely delighted by the character making appearances throughout this story as well. He’s such a fun character to read about and I loved his ‘last hurrah’ at the shire before handing over his home and more to Frodo. Fortunately for us, Frodo is just as loveable as Bilbo and really makes me love both hobbits all the more in his adventures and troubles. How awesome are hobbits?! C'mon!

Play With Me (Grover Beach Team #1) by Anna Katmore | Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1.5)

After reading a small blurb on a friends book blog, I was excited to see that Play With Me was free on Amazon. It seemed like the perfect freebee for a day spent sitting outside in the sunshine and reading a book filled with fluffy goodness. Nothing says Jessica’s Weakness like fluffy reading and sunshine.

Most of the people I’ve talked to had great things to say about this book and I was startled to find that I didn’t like it at all. In fact, it was so disappointing to me that I deleted it from my Kindle straight away. What is it that went wrong? I’m not entirely sure. I can’t place it off the top of my head.

There was just something missing from the story. It didn’t all mesh well. It was too fast, too lacking something that it made it impossible for me to want to finish it. Play With Me held a lot of promise but came through boring and not at all my cup of tea. There were moments when I thought it would pick up and showed me great promise but nada: even the cutesy, giggle and swoon worthy moments of romance couldn’t save this story for me personally.

I feel horrible saying all this, but it’s true.

The A-List by Zoey Dean | Rating: ★★★★★

Just a little over ten years ago, when readers where left in wait for the next installment of Gossip Girl they searched high and low for something equally as juicy to read in their spare time. Fortunately for them, Little Brown already had a selection in the Zoey Dean penned series called The A-List. Many readers flocked to this because of the similarities between the series and Gossip Girl – filthy rich teenagers acting like adults and the familiar light and soapy settings that makes reading quick and entertaining.

It is, or perhaps was, the most popular series in similar genres. There was a time when I was incredibly attached to this gem of a series and for many, this is going to serve as an ultimate throwback.

Where Gossip Girl focuses on the lifestyles of uber rich and wild Upper East Side teenagers, The A-List focuses on similar social settings on a different coast. GG is a take on New York’s youth, The A-list is California youths callback: adventures of beautiful, young and rich teenagers who try so hard to be adults tied together with a bit more beach setting promises all the dirty details that became many readers guilty pleasure through Gossip Girl and maybe more.

During this time, you'd almost never hear one series without the other amongst readers – where Gossip Girl went, The A-List went. Fans of Beverly Hills 90210 were drawn to the similarities between these books and the much-beloved teenage drama, given the setting and similar plot. So I don't really need to say: The A-List is a wild ride with soap opera plots, incredibly hilarious moments, glamor and is frankly a blast to read.

It’s no secret that The A-List takes a bit more polished approach and has a cast of far more developed characters. Zoey Dean’s writing is more detailed and thoroughly better than Cecily von Ziegesar’s, although both are still entertaining and serve up a purpose of their own. If Gossip Girl wasn't for you, The A-List is probably the better option for those who are picky when reading fluffy tales.

Gossip Girl by Cecily von Ziegesar | Rating: ★★★★★

Gossip Girl was, and always will be, one of my favorite trashy young adult book series. I love that the novels are short and easy to devour and that they sound like actual conversations with teenagers. You get a glimpse into the lives of a group of shallow rich teenagers and the so-called-glamor of it all. I love that it doesn’t take itself seriously and at times is sincerely cringe worthy. How absurd are these characters, right? I’m delirious with love for this light and fluffy read.

I’d say that it is my guilty pleasure except I don’t believe in such a thing.

Needless to say Gossip Girl is my biggest weak point in young adult literature and frankly, I can’t explain why, it’s just so fun and the easiest way to blow off some steam after a long day. I feel like I grew up with everyone’s favorite Upper East Siders and really, there’s no going back from that.

From the moment I picked it up as a preteen exploring Barnes and Noble, I knew I was hooked. Over ten years later, there’s still no going back.

As I said before, the only way to enjoy this series is to understand it isn’t supposed to be serious. It’s soapy, it’s satirical, it’s dramatic and it’s steamy. And another thing you should do, is separate it from the television series of the same name.

There’s no real outstanding plot to the series, just sprinkles of teen angst, romance and fashion set all in a world that is virtually unobtainable to many of its target audiences. It’s easy to let your imagination take over and even without the television adaption, you can see it come to life as you’re reading.

From a Distant Star by Karen McQuestion | Rating: ★★★★☆

As a note, an e-galley of this novel was sent to me via NetGalley by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinions in any way.

From a Distant Star, from the looks of things, is gearing up to be one of the next great young adult books in the sci-fy genre and is sure to hit all the right marks with fans of The Host by Stephenie Meyer, Adaptation by Malinda Lo and the hit 90s television series The X-Files. As for readers who have yet to find something in the genre they like, or are looking for a stepping stone to this genre, From a Distant Star could very well be the book they were waiting for.

In all truthfulness, I wasn't expecting to like this novel as much as I did. Although it had its flaws and at times the dialogue felt off to me, it was absolutely impossible to walk away from -- I found myself lost in the pages and concerned for these characters and their fates. Karen writes her story in a fast paced way, keeping it simple and entertaining for its audience without watering down the plots or the action.

The story is unique in many ways and still maintains a certain air of naivety and youth to it. McQuestion navigates the teenage mind wonderfully and reminds us what it's like to be young, certain and in love -- so in love, that one girl is willing to risk a lot just to make sure her true love doesn't leave her. From a Distant Star starts in a very raw and heartbreaking place: Emma's boyfriend, Lucas, is fading away fast due to the horrifying disease that is cancer.

Killing Mr. Griffin by Lois Duncan | Rating: ★★★★☆

"It's only by facing things that you ever put them behind you."

The thing about losing a loved one, for me, is that I seem to want to dive into the past in any way possible. Grab that old sweater I loved when I was a teen, snuggle a stuffed animal I haven’t brought out of storage since childhood, skim through the pages of a once-beloved-novel. I suppose I revert back to comfortable memories and nostalgic tendencies just to avoid my own feelings, and that’s okay.

Because, eventually, I do embrace said feelings to move on. There’s no use dwelling on the past, but there’s no harm in a brief walk down memory lane so long as you come back from it quickly.

Today is just not that day. This is why I’ve decided to begin looking back at my oldest, dearest, most beat up pieces of literature to simply write about them and reminisce. Because, why not? This specific spring day is absolutely perfect for the memories.

Killing Mr. Griffin was one of the very first books I obsessed over (I’m not kidding, it stayed with me for years after the first read – I even loved the cheesy, made for television adaption of it) and as an early teen, no one’s writing took me on a frightening thrill ride quite like Lois Duncan.

She is, and always will be, one of the queens of suspense in the young adult genre - her work has aged incredibly well (with a few exceptions in phrases and names, which isn't anything to get riled up about if you recall the original print date) even now in the decades that have passed since publication.