Book Review: Waterfall by Lisa Tawn Bergren

Waterfall (Book 1 River of Time) by Lisa Tawn Bergren
Date of Publication: 1st February, 2011
Publishers: David C Cook
Source: Bought


Lisa Tawn Bergren's new YA series, River of Time, is romantic, historical fiction in which the plucky heroine doesn't have to fear a vampire's bite but must still fight for her life.

In Waterfall, American teenager Gabi Betarrini accidently finds herself in Fourteenth-Century Italy . . . Knights. Swords. Horses. Armor. And Italian hotties. Most American teens want an Italian vacation, but the Betarrini sisters have spent every summer of their lives there with their archaeologist parents. Stuck on yet another hot, dusty dig, they are bored out of their minds... until they place their hands atop handprints in an ancient tomb and find themselves catapulted into the Fourteenth Century and in the middle of a fierce battle between knights bent on killing one another.

My Review:

My Favourite Quote:  We froze.  Neither of us moving, simply staring at each other if the other was going to move first.  
"You are," he whispered, "uncommonly stirring."
He closed his eyes then, as if he had to in order to break the bond between us, then lifted me to the saddle and stare at the ground as he guided my feet into the stirrups.

AWESOME!  I am not usually a fan of anything that slightly resembles historical fiction and well this is time travel back to Fourteenth-Century Italy.  But I love everything about this book the setting, the characters, the history, the romance.  It has to be one of my favourite series of 2011.

Bergen prose is elegant and magnetic while the plot is fast paced and addicting. Often with historical fiction I feel overloaded with information and sometimes a little bored but Waterfall was effortless read that had me on the edge of my seat.  I was completely captivated by this story.   Immediately when I finished it I looked up how long I would have to wait for the next one.  It is one of those books that you just don't want to end thanks to the amazing writing of Bergren.  

The characters are fantastic.  And not just this main ones.  The secondary character are just as strong and entertaining and I admit it is hard to pick a favourite.  Gabi is a compelling character.  Strong, mature and caring.  She showed a lot of courage and I don't think I could have handle myself as well as she did if got sent back to Fourteenth-Century Italy and lost my sister.  Then there is Marcello.  My first thoughts was WOW.  A  fierce fighter, smart, loyal and kind.  Gabi and Marcello has chemistry from page one.   There is loads of tension and obstacles as their relationship builds slowly.

Overall, Waterfall is an electrifying and enthralling tale.  Do not miss out on this awesome new series.


Overall Rating: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Plot: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Romance: 4.5/5
Cover:4/5


For more info:  Visit Lisa Tawn Bergren website.
For more reviews:  Small Review

The second book in the series Cascade has just been released!

Book Review: Sixteenth Summer by Michelle Dalton

Sixteenth Summer by Michelle Dalton
Publication Date: 3rd May, 2011
Source: S&S Galley Grab

Anna is dreading another tourist-filled summer on Dune Island that follows the same routine: beach, ice cream, friends, repeat. That is, until she locks eyes with Will, the gorgeous and sweet guy visiting from New York. Soon, her summer is filled with flirtatious fun as Anna falls head over heels in love.
But with every perfect afternoon, sweet kiss, and walk on the beach, Anna can’t ignore that the days are quickly growing shorter, and Will has to leave at the end of August. Anna’s never felt anything like this before, but when forever isn’t even a possibility, one summer doesn’t feel worth the promise of her heart breaking….

My Review:


Wow! What an awesome debut.  This book if full of things I love - ice cream, sweet yet delicious kisses, hot summer days, ice cream, the beach and did I mention ice cream!

Sixteenth Summer is a feel good read from start to finish.  The kind of book you devour in a couple of hours and grin the whole way through.  The writing is a style that makes for an effortless read.  Dalton also had great eye for detail when it came to describing the beautiful beach side setting and obviously the delicious ice cream since I keep mentioning it.  Seriously there is a lot of ice cream in this book!  It also has great characterization.   Anna is the type of character who reminds you how wonderful it was to be sixteen.  And Will he is just gorgeous and so sweet.

The romance is how you imagine the perfect summer love.  Seriously I don't think first love gets any sweeter than this book.  It is the kind of love most girls dream of.   It might be a little unrealistic but it didn't stop me from going awwwwww the whole way through.

Overall, Sixteenth Summer is the perfect summer read.  So for those of you in the northern hemisphere this is a must have for your beach bag this summer.  And for us over here in the southern hemisphere this is a must have to make you feel all warm and fuzzy this winter.

Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Writing: 5/5
Plot: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
Romance: 5/5
Cover: 5/5

For more info:  Visit Simon & Schuster

Book Review: Playing Hurt by Holly Schindler

Playing Hurt by Holly Schindler
Release date: 8th March, 2011
Source: Bought


Star basketball player Chelsea "Nitro" Keyes had the promise of a full ride to college—and everyone's admiration back home. Then she took a horrible fall during senior year. Now a metal plate holds her together and she feels like a stranger in her own family.
That summer, Chelsea's dad hires Clint, a nineteen-year-old ex-hockey player and "boot camp" trainer, to work with her at a northern Minnesota lake resort. As they grow close, Chelsea finds that Clint's haunted by his own tragedy. Will their romance end up hurting them all over again—or finally heal their heartbreak?

My Review:

Favourite Quote: "Funny thing about fear, I guess, is that if you just look away from it, toward something else - like dark eyes in a beautiful face, a lock of black hair hanging over a sweaty forehead - you realize you've turned a full hundred-and eighty degrees away from fear.
You're staring straight into your own strength."

I have been dying to read Playing Hurt even since I heard about it back in June last year.  I love a good YA contemp romance (which it is) especially one with a gorgeous cover like this and while overall I enjoyed it I am left feeling a little teeny bit disappointed.   

First up, I love the premise.  Two broken ex athletes meet over the summer, fall for each and learn to face their fears.   It was romantic, touching and leaves you feeling all warm and fuzzy.  It is written in dual narration switching from Chelsea to Clint in each chapter giving us a good insight into each character head and heart.

Chelsea and Clint were both well rounded characters that are easy to empathize with.  I think you could feel both their guilt, pain and angst.  The secondary characters were pretty standard and nobody stood out.  It was pretty much all about Chelsea and Clint which I didn't mind at all.

They had a great connection and loads and loads of chemistry.  The pages were sizzling!  I felt it was realistic portrayal of how older teens act especially how sometimes your hormones take over.  There are some make out and sex scenes in this book that are quite steamy for young adult book but I thought they were well done.

What stop this book from being a 5 star read for me was the writing.  Now it wasn't bad at all, it was pretty and thoughtful kind of prose but it was way too wordy for my liking.  I felt like I could skim parts and still know what is going on.  It just seem to drag the plot out too much.    It took me 4 days to read this when normal it would be 2 days.

Overall, despite the couple of things that bothered me Playing Hurt was a good solid read that I am glad I read.  It is a story about not being afraid to live your life and to take chances for something you love no matter how much it scares  you.

Overall: A high 3.5/5
Writing: 3/5
Plot: 4/5
Characters: 5/5
Romance: 5/5
Cover: 5/5

For more info:  Visit Holly Schindler's website.

For more reviews: Visit Goodreads.

My favourite love stories

In honour of Valentine's Day and also because I am a romantic sap, I thought I would post my top 5 favourite love stories.

Anna and The French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins - I loved how Anna and St Clair's relationship developed from friendship to something else.  They had some sizzling chemistry even when they would accidentially touch knees there was sparks flying.

Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley - Lucy's & Ed's romance will make you reminisce your teen days.  So much fun yet so much heart. 

Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson - This is another one of those slowing building relationships filled with sweet yet real moments.

Thrill Ride by Rachel Hawthorne -  This book is the perfect escape for a few hours.  A quick, funny, sweet read with absolutely swoon worthy crush.

Beatle Meets Destiny by Gabrielle Williams -  The romance in this book is kind of like an adventure as Beatle's and Destiny's romance never went smoothly but was always entertaining.

I would love to know your picks for best love story.  So leave a comment of any great books that you would recommend.