Heather Demetrios : I'LL MEET YOU THERE

Warning!! Buy yourself a tub of Ben & Jerry's - the more chocolatey, the better. It will be needed.

I'LL MEET YOU THERE is a contemporary YA novel written by the sweet and extremely talented writer - Heather Demetrios.


This is my first encounter with this author. I have seen many reviews and recommendations all over blogs and accounts dedicated to books. This book has been only published earlier this year, but soon enough, It became book worms' favourite. And after reading this book, I can understand why. I have been no exception and I fell in love with this book deeply.

*****

If Skylar Evans were a typical Creek View girl, her future would involve a double-wide trailer, a baby, and the graveyard shift at Taco Bell. But after graduation, the only thing separating Skylar from art school is three months of summer... until Skylar's mother loses her job, and Skylar realises her dreams may be slipping out of reach. Josh had a different escape route: the Marines. But after losing his leg in Afganistan, he returned home, a shell of the cocksure boy he used to be. What brings Skylar and Josh together is working at the Paradise - a quirky motel off California's Highway 99. Despite their differences, their shared isolation turns into a friendship and, son, something deeper.

*****

As I mentioned, this book has been released only earlier this year. I actually had it on pre-order ever since I read the synopsis on one of the blogs I follow. My copy is a hardback. 379 pages divided into 34 chapters written from Skylar's point of view. Every couple of chapters, there is a page from Josh's diary which gives us a glimpse into what is going through his mind. The sleeve of the book is beautiful. On the front, there is a collage of the title of the book and the author's name. It's designed with the style of lomography and good all american motel signs. Nice touch.

The writing is absolutely fantastic. Easy to read. Modern. Filled with wonderful, at times hilarious dialogues. Talk about slow burn and sexual tension. I swear, Marc Guggenheim (The producer of my favourite show on TV at the moment - ARROW) must have read this book. Because that's the only way I can understand how similar are the relationships of the main characters. Viewers of Arrow have been watching Oliver & Felicity aka #Olicity fighting feelings for another for 3 seasons. Talk about  patience. Skylar & Josh are the same in so many ways. One step forward, two steps back. Although I enjoy the tension and the relationship, it's frustrating at times and I just want to shake some sense into the characters. But that's what makes a great relationship and writing (and TV show). It lures you in and keeps you on your toes with many hardships and tests. And at the end you are rewarded with a satisfaction of a great ending.


The story itself is brilliant, smart and life-changing. It's a wonderful love story of two people who went through hell and fought their way back to normality and possible happy ending. Josh's part is absolutely mesmerising. I do appreciate the author approaching the subject of soldiers in Afghanistan or Iraq. I admired the way the author described post-traumatic stress disorder and the way of copying with what the soldiers seen and went through. We all think about it and have our own ideas of what is happening out there, but the writer managed to described it perfectly and to the point without making it more colourful or appealing. It's written in truth, describing all the feelings Josh goes through. The whole story is one of a kind. It's cleverly written and you cannot help but keep on reading. It's exciting and you will fall in love with it straight from the start. It won't let you stop reading. And after you are done, it will leave a mark on you and makes you think about it for quite some time. 

Skylar is a wonderful character so many of us can relate to. He grew up in a sleepy town where the prospect of your future is teenage pregnancy and your own trailer in massive trailer park. Your dream job is a graveyard shift at Taco Bell. So she does everything in her power to not end up like every other Creek View girl. She wants more for herself. She is strong, beautiful and has her head firmly on her shoulders. She is real. I love her humour. Josh is a strong, very charismatic player who had a great potential. He run away from Creek View and found his true calling in Marines. But then the explosion happen and Josh lost his leg and best friend. He is hurting and needs to find a way to cope with the new reality. Both of these characters are so inspiring and so real. I love and admire them both.


So all in all, I give this book 5 stars without any hesitation. It was a wonderful, thrilling ride and I cannot wait to re-read the book as soon as I can. I would recommend to anyone, regardless if you love YA contemporary genre or not, you should give it a go. You won't regret it. 

Well done Ms Demetrios. You found yourself a new, but very loyal fan. I cannot wait to read your other novel SOMETHING REAL.

Alice Oseman : SOLITAIRE

Warning! I hope you are armed with a lot of patience.

SOLITAIRE is a debut novel written by the very new author on the scene - Alice Oseman.


Alice used to be, well actually still is, quite a famous rambling, pessimistic and sarcastic blogger on Tumblr. Her ramblings and posts won hearts of millions followers around the world and Alice was offered a lifetime opportunity to write a novel which would be published and sold by many booksellers all over the world. And Solitaire was born. I came across Solitaire on one of my book haul in Waterstones. The cover immediately caught my attention, and so did the blur on the back.

*****

'I don't ever remember not being serious. As far as I'm concerned, I came out of the womb spouting cynicism and wishing for rain.'

My name is Tori Spring. I like to sleep and I like to blog. Last year I had friends. Things were very different. I guess, but that's all over now. Now there's Solitaire. And Michael Holden. I don't know what Solitaire are trying to do. And I don't care about Michael Holden. I really don't.

*****

Let's talk about the edition first. It's a very cool paperback. I absolutely adore the design. Black covers with neon orange and neon colours which create a heart. A solitaire heart. I wish they would decide to dye the pages in neon orange too as I think it would add the extra coolness. 392 pages. The book is divided into 2 parts.


The writing. Modern. Smart. Packed with pop culture references every one is familiar with. Funny at times, but very dark and pessimistic. Which I understand serves the purpose of the main character being always the serious, sarcastic person.

The story. Well... To be honest.. I have been very disappointed with the story. I was expecting more. Instead I was left baffled. I don't honestly know the point of this novel. Yes, Tori is very sad person who likes to isolate herself from others. She doesn't make friends and when someone wants to get to know her, she doesn't take it well. If this story would more focus on that issue, I might quite enjoy it. Instead, the author throws in the issue and movement of Solitaire and this whole story becomes a hot mess. I know I shouldn't be so harsh. This is Oseman's debut novel. But unfortunately, I didn't like it.


The character development was no-existent. The plot was a little bit boring and failed at times. The characters weren't likeable. For first 200 pages I didn't have a clue where this author and story is heading. And that didn't improve. All this book did manage, is to piss me off. Literally. The sarcasm and pessimism in this book feels forced. It's hard to read because all you do is shake your head at the non-existing story development. And I am really sorry about it. I was so looking forward to read this book, but I ended up not liking it at all.

I am sorry Alice. I know it's your first novel. I think you have tried really hard to make your story relate able. I think you wanted to capture the life of teenage girl who doesn't know where she belongs in this world. She forgot how to live her life. But unfortunately, you failed to write a memorable story. Instead I was happy to put the book down and I won't come back to it for a very long time, if ever.

Waiting On Wednesday #9: THE GIRL AT MIDNIGHT by Melissa Grey

THE GIRL AT MIDNIGHT 
by Melissa Grey




Publication Date : April 28th 2015
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy
Available To Pre-Order : Amazon UK



For readers of Cassandra Clare's City of Bones and Leigh Bardugo's Shadow and Bone, The Girl at Midnight is the story of a modern girl caught in an ancient war.

Beneath the streets of New York City live the Avicen, an ancient race of people with feathers for hair and magic running through their veins. Age-old enchantments keep them hidden from humans. All but one. Echo is a runaway pickpocket who survives by selling stolen treasures on the black market, and the Avicen are the only family she's ever known.

Echo is clever and daring, and at times she can be brash, but above all else she's fiercely loyal. So when a centuries-old war crests on the borders of her home, she decides it's time to act.

Legend has it that there is a way to end the conflict once and for all: find the Firebird, a mythical entity believed to possess power the likes of which the world has never seen. It will be no easy task, but if life as a thief has taught Echo anything, it's how to hunt down what she wants . . . and how to take it.

But some jobs aren't as straightforward as they seem. And this one might just set the world on fire. 

*****

In recent months, I found myself falling in love with the YA fantasy genre. And I have been purchasing more and more books to expand my collection. I admire the thought and imagination going into these books and I certainly cannot wait to read this one. Sounds promising. 

What are you waiting for this Wednesday? 

**"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine, 

that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.**