Blog Tour Review + Giveaway: Things I Can't Forget by Miranda Kenneally

 

Be sure to check out the rest of the stops on this tour for more reviews as well as guest posts, giveaways, and more!

Things I Can’t Forget by Miranda Kenneally 

Series: Hundred Oaks, book #3

Published: March 1st, 2013

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

320 pages (e-ARC)

Genre: Contemporary young adult

Acquired this book: From the publisher as part of blog tour

Warning: May contain spoilers

{GoodReads || Buy this book: Book Depository || Amazon || Chapters/Indigo}

 

{Read my review of Catching Jordan || Read my review of Stealing Parker}

Companion to Catching Jordan and Stealing Parker 

Kate has always been the good girl. Too good, according to some people at school—although they have no idea the guilty secret she carries. But this summer, everything is different…

This summer she’s a counselor at Cumberland Creek summer camp, and she wants to put the past behind her. This summer Matt is back as a counselor too. He’s the first guy she ever kissed, and he’s gone from a geeky songwriter who loved The Hardy Boys to a buff lifeguard who loves to flirt…with her.

Kate used to think the world was black and white, right and wrong. Turns out, life isn’t that easy…

Most of the people who have read Catching Jordan and Stealing Parker will likely agree that Miranda Kenneally is quickly becoming one of the queens of contemporary young adult. She’s got a knack for writing stories that touch you, make you laugh, make you fall in love, and make you think.

I’m not the first person to say this, but I was a little wary going into Things I Can’t Forget. There was quite a strong theme of religion in Stealing Parker, but it didn’t bother me because Parker was questioning her beliefs and the hypocrisy that often runs rampant in religion, which is something I can relate to. In Things I Can’t Forget, the religion aspect was a major part of the book, and that worried me.

I won’t lie - when I finished reading this book, I was a jumble of emotions and thoughts. The heavy religious themes made me slightly uncomfortable at times, but I also understood it in a way. Kate comes off as very judgmental, but this is how she grew up - religion for her was very black and white, and she believed what the Bible told her and what her ministers preached to her. For Kate, there was right and there was no wrong, and there was no in between.

I really liked Kate. Despite her faults and her zealous religious beliefs (that’s not a reason not to like someone, it’s just for the purposes of this book, it was hard to swallow at times), I thought she was a great character. She held onto her beliefs, no matter what - even when people called her a Jesus Freak at school, even when her faith was tested, and even when people found her hard to handle because they thought she was judgmental, she held onto her faith, and I admired and respected her for that. There were times it was hard to believe she was eighteen because she was so naïve and sheltered, but it was nice to see her changing, developing, and growing as a character. She realized that not everyone has the same beliefs, and while in the beginning that was a major point of contention for her when it came to making friends, she slowly begins to realize that her truth doesn’t have to be everyone else’s truth. We don’t all have to believe the same things, and I think that will resonate with people, even if it has nothing to do with religion.

I loved seeing Parker and Jordan again, and I’m glad Parker was a big part of the book, and that she had a role in Kate’s growth. I also liked Matt, and enjoyed his and Kate’s relationship. 

A big part of the reason I love Kenneally’s books is because they’re completely different. There are no cookie cutter stories for her. Kate’s struggles were very real, and although they were regular teenage struggles on one hand, they were completely different in many other ways, usually because of her strong beliefs. It’s not something you come across in many YA books. Kenneally has a way of writing characters you can connect to and feel for, even if they’re the complete opposite of you - there’s just something about her writing that makes you feel like you can relate to the characters.

I give Miranda Kenneally huge kudos for being such a brave author. She’s not afraid to take chances; I thought that when I read Catching Jordan and Stealing Parker, and after reading Things I Can’t Forget, I have even more respect for her. This book won’t be for everyone. There are people who will be turned off by the religious aspect (I very rarely read books with religious themes, but I made an exception because I love Miranda’s books so much), but that didn’t stop her from writing this book, and I really admire that. I like authors who are willing to take chances and maybe even force some readers to step outside their comfort zone. 

Things I Can’t Forget is about friendship, love, heartache, life lessons, and so much more. It packs an emotional punch while still managing to be fun and funny. I can’t wait to see what Miranda Kenneally comes up with next!

  Have you read Things I Can’t Forget? What did you think? Have you read the companion novels, Catching Jordan and Stealing Parker? Which is your favourite so far?

Be sure to enter for the amazing grand prize - a grab bag of Miranda’s favourite books! 

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Book Haul - Stacking the Shelves - Birthday Edition #2 + Christmas!

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Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews

Bought:

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han {GoodReads}

The Princess Bride by William Goldman {GoodReads}

The Vincent Brothers by Abbi Glines {GoodReads}

Darker Still by Leanna Rennee Hieber {GoodReads}

GIFTS:

U2: The Illustrated Biography by Martin Andersen {GoodReads}
Will & Kate: Fairy-Tale Romance by Alice Hudson {GoodReads}
Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini {GoodReads}
Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl {GoodReads}
Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier {GoodReads}
Signed Hemlock bookmark, bookplate, and stickers from Kathleen Peacock

FOR REVIEW:

Mind Games by Kiersten White {GoodReads}

Things I Can't Forget by Miranda Kenneally {GoodReads}

KINDLE/KOBO FREEBIES:

Witch Born by Amber Argyle {GoodReads}
Promise by Kristie Cook {GoodReads}

***Huge thank you to Kathleen Peacock, HarperTeen, Sourcebooks, NetGalley, Edelweiss, and my mum!***

What books did you get this week? Tell me in the comments below or post a link to your Stacking the Shelves/Book Haul/In My Mailbox/Showcase Sunday, etc. Happy reading, and Happy New Year! <3

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Update Thursday #11

I got the idea for Update Thursday from the amazingly wonderful Jessica from Thoughts at One in the Morning. Every Thursday, I’ll be posting an update on my reading, writing, what’s going on at the blog, and anything else I think is worth mentioning. 

READING

FINISHED READING:

Catching Jordan and Stealing Parker were ah-maze-ing. My reviews for both are below. Velveteen...well, I'm putting it under 'finished' because I'M finished with it, but it's technically dnf (did not finish). I read about 1/3 of it and just couldn't carry on. The first chapter was grab-you-by-the-throat amazing, and I had really high hopes, but then it got really bogged down and not much happened. At 149 pages I couldn't imagine it going on for several hundred more pages, so I stopped. I'm a slow reader and there are so many books I want to read, so I'm trying to learn to stop reading books and move on if they don't interest me.

CURRENTLY READING:

ON THE BLOG

I reviewed Switched by Amanda Hocking, and gave it 3.5 stars 

I shared all the awesome books I bought and got at the library last week in my latest book haul vlog

This week's Music Monday song was Feel by Robbie Williams 

I reviewed Catching Jordan and its companion novel, Stealing Parker by Miranda Kenneally. Both were amazing, and both got 5 stars and a place on my favourites shelf! 

WRITING

Again, not a whole lot to report here. Every day I say I'm going to start the next round of revisions on The Game Changer, but I keep putting it off because my head's not really in it. I have less than five weeks to get it done, and I really want to send it out to a few reviewers to get some pre-release reviews, but I'm currently having beta reader issues. eshrinrfieyntqbtrqtbir04yt982y <--- That's kind of how I feel right now x 1,000,000.

In other writing news, I've made a big decision about my fourth novel (big for me, anyway) - I'm going to write it in first person present tense. I've never done present tense...well, not purposely anyway, sometimes I accidentally write like that and then have to go back and change it. I think it'll fit this story, and I like it because it seems a bit more informal somehow, and since my MC is a 17-year-old girl - my youngest main character to date - it feels right. One thing I need to decide is the type of boy I want...I have his name, and I know his story, but I'm foggy on his...personality? I want him to be a little rough around the edges, and I'm trying to decide between him being Irish (yum) or a southern urban cowboy type. Random, I know. Which one would you like to read about?

LIFE AND STUFF

It's been another crazy week here at Casa Landry. We've had Logan Saturday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. We thought we were going to have him Sunday but didn't, and then Monday was Thanksgiving day so we were off. It was just Mum and me for Thanksgiving - I cooked a huge turkey dinner with all the trimmings...it was a lot of work, but I love doing it, and it saves me from having to cook for the next week + while we eat leftovers. We have Logan later today, then have tomorrow off, but have him Saturday and Sunday. He was amazing on Tuesday and Wednesday - so good, so sweet, so agreeable - an absolute pleasure to have, which was nice since a couple days last week I was ready to sell him to a gypsy. I wasn't feeling great on Tuesday and he let me lie on the couch and sleep off and on while he played with Nana...he looked so concerned and kept saying 'your tummy hurt?' and kissing my tummy and having me say 'ahh' while he took his 'flashlight' (a pen) and checked my throat. It was so sweet I wanted to cry...oh, and have I mentioned he's only two? Yeah, he's a genius. I take a lot of credit for that. ;-)

Saturday afternoon. He had to go for a walk (he's obsessed), but it was freezing out and we didn't have a hat for him, so I improvised...and he actually let me lol

As for TV land, I particularly loved this week's episode of Castle (Castle to Kate: "Best handshake ever" - I squeed and giggled and swooned); I was seriously pissed about the Dancing With the Stars elimination (stupid Bristol Palin needs to go home!); and I managed to squeeze in a few episodes of season 5 of Angel...one of which was one that made me bawl like a baby. Joss Whedon is evil for killing off beloved characters!!! I'm considering watching Nashville (I'm writing this Wednesday afternoon, and the series premier is tonight). I wasn't going to because I got sick of seeing the same bloody commercial all summer long, but they've started showing new ads for it and I'm intrigued...especially now that I know Jonathan Jackson is in it!

Ok, I should sign off since this post is already super-long. Sorry guys! And I suppose since I actually have some free time (a rarity lately) I should work on The Game Changer. This is me going....

How has your week been so far? What's new?

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Book Review: Stealing Parker by Miranda Kenneally

Stealing Parker by Miranda Kenneally

Series: Hundred Oaks High, Book #2 (companion to Catching Jordan - could technically be read as a standalone)

Published: October 1st, 2012

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

242 pages (paperback)

Genre: Contemporary young adult

Acquired this book: Bought

Warning: May contain spoilers

Read my review of Catching Jordan

{GoodReads || Purchase this book: Book Depository || Amazon}

After her family's scandal rocks their conservative small town, 17-year-old Parker Shelton goes overboard trying to prove that she won't turn out like her mother: a lesbian. The all-star third-baseman quits the softball team, drops 20 pounds and starts making out with guys--a lot. But hitting on the hot new assistant baseball coach might be taking it a step too far...especially when he starts flirting back.

 

Stealing Parker had all the charm, humour, and originality of its companion, Catching Jordan. Miranda Kenneally has a knack for telling stories that are honest and real, and that evoke a wide array of emotions.  

I absolutely adored Parker. She was one of the most relatable, authentic characters I’ve come across, and at times, my heart absolutely broke for her. She thought that being a good Christian meant being perfect and never sinning. Then when she did something wrong she was wracked with guilt, even though most of the time it was just normal teenager stuff. She wanted so badly to be a good person, and she was, but all she could see was how the church and God would see her. I just wanted to wrap my arms around her and hug her tight and tell her everything was going to be okay.

I was aware of the religious aspect of this book going in, and I was worried it might affect my overall impression of the book. I’m not a religious person, and I tend to avoid books with religious themes, but after reading Catching Jordan, nothing would have stopped me from reading Stealing Parker. Parker’s Christianity is a big part of the book, but it was done in a way that didn’t bother me. Her letters to God, her questions, doubts, and anger were so achingly real it didn’t matter that I don’t have the same beliefs - I believed in her. I was angry at the hypocrisy around her, but thrilled and even proud when she learned to rise above it and realized that Christianity doesn’t have to be black and white, and it doesn’t have to be practiced in a strict, specific way. I give Kenneally huge kudos for taking a subject I normally stay away from and making it something that was enjoyable to read about.

Then there were the boys in the book - Parker’s best friend Drew, her rival-turned-friend Corndog aka Will, and Parker’s crush Brian, who also happens to be the new coach at school. I loved Parker’s interactions with all three guys - they were alternately hilarious, touching, maddening, sweet, and heartbreaking. I honestly couldn’t imagine how things were going to turn out, but I liked that. In the end, the romance didn’t come easy, it wasn’t insta-love, and I loved that Parker learned who she was and what it meant to be herself before she ended up with a boy.

Refreshingly original, bold, laugh-out-loud funny, sexy, and touching, with stand-out characters that won’t soon be forgotten, Stealing Parker has bumped Miranda Kenneally to the top of my ‘new favourite authors’ list. 

 Have you read Stealing Parker or Catching Jordan? What did you think?

How do you feel about books with religious themes?

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Book Review: Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally

Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally

Series: Standalone

Published: December 1st, 2011

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

252 pages (ebook)

Genre: Contemporary young adult

Acquired this book: Bought

Warning: May contain spoilers

{GoodReads || Purchase this book: Book Depository || Amazon}

ONE OF THE BOYS

What girl doesn't want to be surrounded by gorgeous jocks day in and day out? Jordan Woods isn't just surrounded by hot guys, though-she leads them as the captain and quarterback of her high school football team. They all see her as one of the guys and that's just fine. As long as she gets her athletic scholarship to a powerhouse university.

But everything she's ever worked for is threatened when Ty Green moves to her school. Not only is he an amazing QB, but he's also amazingly hot. And for the first time, Jordan's feeling vulnerable. Can she keep her head in the game while her heart's on the line?

Catching Jordan is unlike anything I’ve ever read - for that reason alone, it gets major bonus points. And Jordan isn’t your typical leading lady - she’s the captain of her school’s football team, a tomboy, and her best friends are all guys.

Jordan is strong, independent, and focused. She works hard and goes after what she wants. She has her flaws - she can be a bit short-sighted - but it makes her even more believable as a character. I think it’s those flaws and her secret insecurities that make her relatable since it’s likely that the majority of girls who read this book might not necessarily relate to her on the athlete/tomboy level.

One of the things I really love about Jordan is her progression as a character. She learned so much, not only about herself, but also about life in general. Growing up is hard and sometimes painful, and you don’t always get what you want or what you thought you wanted, but sometimes it’s because there’s something even better out there. Jordan overcame a lot of obstacles and never gave up, and I love that she was a tough, fierce character with a lot of heart.

Jordan’s friends are also amazing. Books with standout secondary characters are quickly becoming my favourites. This book has made that list - not only is Jordan a terrific, multi-dimensional character, we also get to know her best friend Henry, her other best friends/teammates JJ and Carter, her love interest Ty, a couple of newfound girl friends, as well as her family. I love that her mom is always there, but in a quiet, understated way - she’s the type of mom most people dream of having. Her dad is made out to be a bit of a villain at first, but as Jordan develops and grows, she sees that he always had her best interests at heart, even if he had a funny way of showing it.

Another fantastic element of this book is the humour. Jordan’s inner dialogue and her conversations with family and friends had me cracking up. Because Jordan isn’t your ‘typical girl’, it’s hard for her to do girly things - wear dresses, fix her hair and makeup, act ladylike, come to terms with having feelings for guys. There was a perfect mixture of humour and genuine relatable emotion. But despite being funny, the story had a surprising amount of depth too, and more than once I actually got teary-eyed.

And finally, I thought the romance was extremely well done. It’s not instalove and it’s definitely not easy - but it’s sweet and funny and different. It’s not all hearts and roses and sunshine, because Jordan’s not that type of girl. It kept me guessing, and also kept me grinning. 

If you’re looking for something that’s funny, cute, heartwarming, and real, with well-developed characters, a sweet romance, and a plot that’s different from the usual YA contemporary, Catching Jordan is a must read.

 Have you read Catching Jordan? What did you think?

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Stacking the Shelves October 7th

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

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LIBRARY:

The Dead Girls' Dance by Rachel Caine {GoodReads}

Frostbite by Richelle Mead {GoodReads}

50 Shades Darker by EL James {GoodReads}

The Hunger Games DVD {Amazon}

BOUGHT:

Stealing Parker by Miranda Kenneally {GoodReads}

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare {GoodReads}

City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare {GoodReads}

City of Glass by Cassandra Clare  {GoodReads}

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin {GoodReads}

Disney's Pocahontas DVD

What did you get this week?

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Book Haul - September 16th, 2012

Hi guys! I hope you've all had a fantastic week. I haven't had a chance to post a book haul for awhile so this is the last three or so weeks' worth of books.

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WON/GIFTS

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick {GoodReads}

In Honor by Jessi Kirby {GoodReads}

Kobo cover from my friend Laura

Signed Defiance bookmark from CJ Redwine

BOUGHT

Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally (ebook) {GoodReads}

Defiance by CJ Redwine {GoodReads}

LIBRARY

The Bungalow by Sarah Jio {GoodReads}

Glass Houses by Rachel Caine {GoodReads}

Wake by Amanda Hocking {GoodReads}

So Much Closer by Susane Colasanti {GoodReads}

Chocolat by Joann Harris {GoodReads}

NETGALLEY

Dante’s Girl by Courtney Cole {GoodReads}

Splintered by AG Howard {GoodReads}

Huge thank you to Amy from Book Goonie, Elemillia from Gone Bookserk, Laura, CJ Redwine, Lakehouse Press, Abrams, and NetGalley. 

What books did you get this week? Tell me in the comments below or post a link to your Book Haul/In My Mailbox, Showcase Sunday, Stacking the Shelves, etc. 

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Top Ten Books on my Fall TBR

 Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. 

 

Just now when I searched 'top 10 Tuesday' on my blog to copy my template, the first post that popped up was last fall's top 10 TBR - how weird! A year and a handful of days later, there are still some books from that list that I haven't read - oops! Here's what I hope to read this fall:

1. In Honor by Jessi Kirby - I was supposed to get an ARC of this one but it never came, so I was thrilled when I won a book of my choice last week, and finally picked this book. It should be here this week, and I can't wait to start it. I loved Jessi's Moonglass.

 

2. Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout - this is another book I won, and it should be here next week. I've heard nothing but good things about all of Jennifer's books, so I'm excited to finally see for myself what all the fuss is about.

 

3. Wake by Amanda Hocking - I've heard mixed things about this one; in fact, I don't think any of my blog friends have enjoyed it so far, but I like to make up my own mind about books.

 

4. Endlessly by Kiersten White - I read Paranormalcy and Supernaturally and loved them, so I can't wait to see how the trilogy ends, even though I'm sad this is the last book. 

 

5. Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally - this is one I've been wanting to read for a really long time, and it was the first book I bought for my new ereader week before last. 

 

6. Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins - this one is long overdue. I've owned it since just after it came out, and I loved Anna and the French Kiss, so I have no idea why I haven't read this one yet.  

7. Changeling by Philippa Gregory - I've never read any of Phillipa's books, although I'd like to, so I was curious when I saw that she'd written a YA book. It hasn't had good reviews on GoodReads, but, again, I like to see for myself. 

8. This Dark Endeavor by Kenneth Oppel - I won this one in July, and I keep hearing great things about it, and its sequel, Such Wicked Intent, which was just released last month.

 

9. The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith - I bought this one with a gift certificate early this summer, and still haven't read it. I've heard amazing things, and since YA contemp is my favourite genre, I'm eager to read it.

10. Glass Houses by Rachel Caine - I signed up for a Morganville Vampire reading challenge at the beginning of the year, and still haven't read any of the series - oops again! I'm hoping to read several paranormal books in October for my Spooktacular Paranormal Reading Challenge, and this will be one of them.

 

Have you read any of these? What do you think I should start with? What books are on your fall tbr? Let me know in the comments, or leave a link to your Top Ten Tuesday post and I'll come visit you!