Re-Read: Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins,
Weathered to Young by Marcia Lynn McClure
Mrs. Drew Plays her Hand by Carla Kelly,
The Selection by Kiera Cass
Hourglass by Myra Mcentire
Anna and the French Kiss
Genre: YA Contemporary
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Publication: December 2010
Source: Bought
From Goodreads: Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris--until she meets Étienne St. Clair. Smart, charming, beautiful, Étienne has it all...including a serious girlfriend.
But in the City of Light, wishes have a way of coming true. Will a year of romantic near-misses end with their long-awaited French kiss?
When I first Read
March 2011
What I Remember
Liking it so much I stayed up all night to read it. Blocking out that Etienne is shorter than Anna. I am five feet tall and have never really thought about dating someone shorter than me. So maybe that was why I blocked that part out.
Why I wanted to Re-Read
After reading a scary book, I needed a book that would make me laugh and smile.
How I felt after Re-Reading
Loved it just as much as the first time. Still believe Etienne is taller.
Would I Re-Read Again
Definitely!!! I can't believe I haven't re-read it before.
Weathered too Young
Genre: Western-historical
Publisher:Distractions Ink
Publication: March 28th, 2010
Source: Kindle
From Goodreads:
Lark Lawrence was alone. In all the world there was no one who cared for her. Still, there were worse things than independence -- and Lark had grown quite capable of providing for herself. Nevertheless, as winter loomed, she suddenly found herself with no means by which to afford food and shelter -- destitute.
Yet Tom Evans was a kind and compassionate man. When Lark Lawrence appeared on his porch, without pause he hired her to keep house and cook for himself and his cantankerous elder brother, Slater. And although Tom had befriended Lark first, it would be Slater Evans -- handsome, brooding and twelve years Lark's senior -- who would unknowingly abduct her heart.
Still, Lark's true age (which she concealed at first meeting the Evans brothers) was not the only truth she had kept from Slater and Tom Evans. Darker secrets lay imprisoned deep within her heart -- and her past. However, it is that secrets are made to be found out -- and Lark's secrets revealed would soon couple with the arrival of a woman from Slater's past to forever shatter her dreams of winning his love -- or so it seemed. Would truth and passion mingle to capture Lark the love she'd never dared to hope for?
When I first Read
March 2010 and December 2013
What I Remember
The first time I read it I was skeptical. My friend is a huge Marcia McClure fan and begged me to read one of her books. I am not one for westerns so I'm not sure why I picked this book. It is a little silly in some parts but I enjoyed the story. The second time I read it I just wanted to read a book I knew I liked and could read fast.
Why I wanted to Re-Read
I stopped reading Marcia McClure books because all her stories follow the same pattern. I felt I should revisit the one book I liked the most.
How I felt after Re-Reading
I still enjoyed the story. Slater is by far my favorite character in this book.
Would I Re-Read Again
Yes, it is a fast read and I like the story.
Mrs. Drew Play Her Hand
Genre: historical-romance
Publisher:Cedar Fort, Inc
Publication:December 11th, 2012
Source: Bought
From Goodreads:After her husband’s death, Roxanna Drew is faced with the daunting task of providing for her two small girls on her own. Pursued by her lecherous brother-in-law, Roxanna knows her only hope is to escape his grasp by moving into a derelict cottage, owned by Lord Winn—a man known to his tenants only by his checkered reputation.
But when fate brings Lord Winn to her door in the middle of a snowstorm, Roxanna’s not sure which to fear more: letting him into her home or into her heart.
A strong-willed heroine, perfectly paced plot, and plenty of humorous moments make this one of bestselling author Carla Kelly’s most beloved Regency romances. Discover the magic of a love story you’ll want to read again and again.
When I first Read
March 2013
What I Remember
How have I not run across this author before. I like reading historical fiction and this is the first book I read from Carla Kelly. Lord Winn is fantastic and I loved that he kept saying he never wanted children but gets along so well with Roxanna's.
Why I wanted to Re-Read
Since this challenge started I have been revisiting books I remember enjoying the first time around and I haven't read a Carla Kelly book in awhile.
How I felt after Re-Reading
I'm so happy I re-read this one. I enjoyed it better the second time around. Now I think I'll go re-read some of my other favorites from this author.
Would I Re-Read Again
Yes!!!!!
The Selection
Genre: YA Dystopian
Publisher: Harper Teen
Publication: April 24, 2012
Source: bought
From Goodreads:For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.
But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.
Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself--and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.
When I first Read
May 2012 and April 2013
What I Remember
The first time around I thought it was fun. Kind of like watching the Bachelor on T.V. The second time I read it because the second book was coming out and I wanted to remember everything.
Why I wanted to Re-Read
I picked up the second book and realized I didn't want to finish the second and have to re-read it again before the third. So I put off finishing this series until now. So this is my third time reading The Selection.
How I felt after Re-Reading
I actually decided to read my girls this series. They loved it. We read it in three days. We actually stayed up to midnight the third night just so we could finish. My daughters are split. One really likes Maxon and the other one adores Aspen. I edited the kissing scenes a little because my youngest daughter is only 11. They both think its funny when I skip a scene and just say they kissed.
Would I Re-Read Again
This is question I will have to answer when I am done with the series. If I hate the ending of the third book I will probably never read this book again.
Genre: paranormal
Publisher: Egmont
Publication: June 14, 2011
Source: bought
From Goodreads:For seventeen-year-old Emerson Cole, life is about seeing what isn't there: swooning Southern Belles; soldiers long forgotten; a haunting jazz trio that vanishes in an instant. Plagued by phantoms since her parents' death, she just wants the apparitions to stop so she can be normal. She's tried everything, but the visions keep coming back.
So when her well-meaning brother brings in a consultant from a secretive organization called the Hourglass, Emerson's willing to try one last cure. But meeting Michael Weaver may not only change her future, it may also change her past.
Who is this dark, mysterious, sympathetic guy, barely older than Emerson herself, who seems to believe every crazy word she says? Why does an electric charge seem to run through the room whenever he's around? And why is he so insistent that he needs her help to prevent a death that never should've happened?
When I first Read
July 2011
What I Remember
That it wasn't ghosts that she saw. Her brother was sympathetic and her sister-in-law was awesome. I didn't care for the love interest.
Why I wanted to Re-Read
This is another series I didn't finish and it's been so long since I read the first one. I know I didn't remember enough to go to the second book right away.
How I felt after Re-Reading
I'm glad I re-read it because I hardly remembered anything. I completely forgot about Kaleb. The sad thing is I don't think I'll finish the series. I did not like this book the second time around. The relationship she has with Michael is annoying. I found myself rolling my eyes a lot.
Would I Re-Read Again
No.