Book Review / Tonight the Streets are Ours by Leila Sales

Recklessly loyal.

That’s how seventeen-year-old Arden Huntley has always thought of herself. Caring for her loved ones is what gives Arden purpose in her life and makes her feel like she matters. But lately she’s grown resentful of everyone—including her needy best friend and her absent mom—taking her loyalty for granted.

Then Arden stumbles upon a website called Tonight the Streets Are Ours, the musings of a young New York City writer named Peter, who gives voice to feelings that Arden has never known how to express. He seems to get her in a way that no one else does, and he hasn’t even met her.

Until Arden sets out on a road trip to find him.

During one crazy night out in New York City filled with parties, dancing, and music—the type of night when anything can happen, and nearly everything does—Arden discovers that Peter isn’t exactly who she thought he was. And maybe she isn’t exactly who she thought she was, either.

Published:     15th September 2015
Goodreads :  Click here
Series or Stand-Alone:  Stand-Alone
Source:  Library

MY REVIEW

After reading a few thrillers I thought it was about time I picked up something a bit more fun and light.  I had read Past Perfect by Leila Sales quite a while ago now and recently read This Song will Save Your Life and thought it was about time to pick up something else by this author.  
  
Despite the fact that this book was very predictable, I enjoyed following Arden as she goes in search of Peter after following his online story.  The message I took from this story is that  you should not always believe what you read online and, in this case, there is always more to the story than what you find out from someone else.

Both Arden and Peter were characters that were pretty ordinary and interesting to follow.  Unfortunately, I could not say the same for Arden's best friend Lindsey who is a character that I did not like at all.  She came across to me as very selfish and not at all what a best friend should be. 

All in all, this was a fun read.  Exactly what I was looking for.  Although I have seen this described as a love story, I wouldn't call it that.  I would call it more of a fun adventure story.  

Book Review / This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales

Making friends has never been Elise Dembowski’s strong suit. All throughout her life, she’s been the butt of every joke and the outsider in every conversation. When a final attempt at popularity fails, Elise nearly gives up. Then she stumbles upon a warehouse party where she meets Vicky, a girl in a band who accepts her; Char, a cute, yet mysterious disc jockey; Pippa, a carefree spirit from England; and most importantly, a love for DJing.

Told in a refreshingly genuine and laugh-out-loud funny voice, This Song Will Save Your Life is an exuberant novel about identity, friendship, and the power of music to bring people together.

Published:     17th September 2013
Goodreads :  Click here
Series or Stand-Alone:  Stand-Alone
Source:  Library
 

MY REVIEW

What I liked about this story...  We follow Elise in this story where at the beginning she is very depressed and contemplates (and nearly succeeds) in committing suicide.  As the story goes along, we see Elise discover her love for DJing and see her learning to love herself and to live her life.


What I didn't like about this story...   Elise is 16 years old.  She is clearly depressed to the point of suicide yet none of her family seem aware of how unhappy she is. That said, she may have been good at hiding how she feels but I found it odd that none of her family noticed anything.  Elise then turns to sneaking out of the house every night once everyone has gone to sleep and that is when she discovers the nightclub where she starts to be a DJ.  Again, surely she would have got caught out sooner or later for sneaking out?  Lastly, at the point in the story where the parents find out what she has been doing, yes there is a slight punishment but that was soon waived to allow her to continue what she has been sneaking behind their backs to do all along and everyone lives happy ever after. 

I am afraid that I have to put this book in the category of 'this book was not for me but I might have liked it more if I had read it when I was younger'.

Book Review - Past Perfect by Leila Sales

ll Chelsea wants to do this summer is hang out with her best friend, hone her talents as an ice cream connoisseur, and finally get over Ezra, the boy who broke her heart. But when Chelsea shows up for her summer job at Essex Historical Colonial Village (yes, really), it turns out Ezra’s working there too. Which makes moving on and forgetting Ezra a lot more complicated…even when Chelsea starts falling for someone new.    

Maybe Chelsea should have known better than to think that a historical reenactment village could help her escape her past. But with Ezra all too present, and her new crush seeming all too off limits, all Chelsea knows is that she’s got a lot to figure out about love. Because those who don’t learn from the past are doomed to repeat it….

My Review



Best wishes

Debs