Review : A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks

*Warning: This review may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.

Publisher: Warner Books

Publication date: 1999

Pages: 224

Source: Own

The Story:

Every April, when the wind blows in from the sea and mingles with the scent of lilacs, Landon Carter remembers his last year at Beaufort High.

It was 1958, and Landon had already dated a girl or two. He even swore that he had once been in love. Certainly the last person in town he thought he'd fall for was Jamie Sullivan, the daughter of the town's Baptist minister.

A quiet girl who always carried a Bible with her schoolbooks, Jamie seemed content living in a world apart from the other teens. She took care of her widowed father, rescued hurt animals, and helped out at the local orphanage. No boy had ever asked her out.

Landon would never have dreamed of it. Then a twist of fate made Jamie his partner for the homecoming dance, and Landon Carter's life would never be the same. Being with Jamie would show him the depths of the human heart and lead him to a decision so stunning it would send him irrevocably on the road to manhood…

No other author today touches our emotions more deeply than Nicholas Sparks. In A Walk To Remember, he tells a truly unforgettable story, one that glimmers with all of his magic, holding us spellbound - and reminding us that in life each of us may find one great loved, the kind that changes everything…

- Barnes and Noble
 

Rating: FOUR GOLD STARS!!!!!

My Review: One Word: UNFORGETTABLE

A Walk to Remember was the first book I read authored by Nicholas Sparks. I was a goner from then on. I read A Walk to Remember back when I was a baby teen and it remains one of my favorites.

The story takes place in Beaufort, North Carolina. The year is 1958, when women wear dresses and men don hats. To add the icing on the cake, the town is as religious as it gets. There is no getting around going to church on Sundays (Hint hint: there reason why I mention this is because it ties in heavily to the overall story.)

Landon Carter is the narrator of the story. He is in his senior year at Beaufort High. He is not much of a jock but made fun of people if they are different from him and his crew of popularish friends. For the most part, he is an average teenage boy who gets into the run of the mill trouble -- Daddy issues can do that to a child. And doesn't know what he wants to do with his life . . . until his eyes are forced open and standing in his vision is Jamie Sullivan.

Jamie Sullivan is as good and kind as it gets. And friendless, spending her lunch period sitting alone. Being the town's Baptist minister's daughter and wearing the same sweater everyday has encouraged several of her classmates taunting of her -- Landon's crew included. But being the gracious girl she is she doesn't let it get to her. I suppose maybe because sometimes there are worse things than being teased . . . such as your mother dying during childbirth. She has a strong belief and trust in God and spends her free time helping children at an orphanage which helps her get through her dilemmas. And even through everything, she is at peace and generally happy. Jamie has plans and goals, knows how she wants to spend the rest of her life. And she Landon's complete and total opposite in every sense of the word.

Insert the high school play.

Against his wishes, Landon is casts as the lead and has absolutely no interest or experience in acting. With no other choice, Landon's begrudgingly seeks Jamie's help. Reluctantly, they team up to prepare for the play. And destiny takes the lead from there . . .

A Walk to Remember is a good southern romance. The story is believable, it's wholesome and heartbreaking. Readers are able to embark on a journey of self-discovery with Landon, one filled with real, honest to God (*Pun intended :)*) love, tearjerker moments and more. I would definitely recommend A Walk to Remember to anyone who is a sap for a genuine young adult romance. is an amazingly unforgettable story that will make you smile, swoon and cry. Nicholas Sparks is a phenomenal storyteller who makes readers feel as if they are in the story alongside the characters.

*** Check out Nicholas Spark's website for more information about his and A Walk to Remember: HERE 

*My review on Goodreads

Happy Reading!

Review : Magnolia by Kristi Cook

*Warning: This review may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Publication date: 8/5/2014

Pages: 336

Source: Own

The Story:

Jenna and Ryder are far from friends—until a storm stirs up their passion in this contemporary southern romance fromNew York Times bestselling author Kristi Cook.

In Magnolia Branch, Mississippi, The Cafferty and Marsden families are practically royalty. Neighbors since the Civil War, the families have shared vacations, holidays, backyard barbecues, and the overwhelming desire to unite their two clans by marriage. So when the families finally have a baby boy and girl at the same time, the perfect opportunity seems to have arrived.

Except Jemma Cafferty and Ryder Marsden have no intention of giving in to their parents’ wishes. They’re only seventeen—oh, and also? They hate each other. Jemma can’t stand Ryder’s nauseating golden-boy persona, and Ryder would prefer it if stubborn-headed Jemma didn’t exist. And their communication is not exactly effective: even a casual hello turns into a yelling match.

But when a violent Mississippi storm ravages through Magnolia Branch, it unearths feelings Jemma and Ryder didn’t know they had. And the line between love and hate just might be thin enough to cross…

- Barnes & Noble
 

Rating: THREE GOLD STARS!!!!!

My Review: One word: CHARMING

As you Bookies well know, I am not much for Contemporaries but! have you read The Story (blurb) above? How could I resist? Not only that but I am trying to broaden my horizon that usually entails Paranormal Romance and I took the time to read the Sample of Magnolia and I was pleased.

A red-head Jemma Cafferty sticks true to the saying, with the fiery attitude to go along with it. Jemma is the second and youngest child who doesn't think she shines much -- in comparison to her athletically gifted older sister -- and isn't one much for breaking the rules. Jemma is a mostly likable character who does not entirely get on my nerves which is a plus but there were times when her unnecessary temper tantrums got on my nerves -- but I have a sneaking suspicion that may have been Kristi Cook's intention. On that note, I like that, although her mother as well as her mother's best friend basically mapped out her entire life, Jemma is not completely weak and docile. Holding the title for the best shot in Magnolia Branch county (including among men) and how she progressively comes into her independence throughout the novel are two more pluses.

Moving on, insert plot twist! Ryder Marsden. Honestly, I don't have much -- if anything -- against Ryder; simply put, he didn't do anything to piss me off. Anywho, Ryder is Magnolia Branch's golden boy, the all-star quarterback with his pick of colleges vying for him, the best grades in school, and family wealth. Not to mention is mouthwatering hot. Any girl would love to hang on his arm right? Wrong. Well at least wrong for Jemma.

"I exhale sharply. The answer is boxer briefs, heather-gray ones. And right now they're clinging to him wetly, leaving absolutely nothing to the imagination. He looks like a god. A six-foot-four, football-playing god, and I am staring at him with my mouth hanging open like some kind of pathetic freak" [page 144].

To make the story interesting, Jemma and Ryder absolutely loath each other. Living on the same property, having Sunday dinner together every week, spending vacations together and knowing your mothers are unabashedly and enthusiastically planning your marriage since the womb can have that affect. Besides when your has been forcing a match on you so the families can finally be tied by marriage, she must be wrong ... right?

"'Go. I hate you, Ryder Marsden!'

'Yeah, well . . . the feeling's mutual,' he throws back over one shoulder" [page 28].

Having said all of that, let us delve into my overall thoughts of Magnolia. I enjoyed the book. I even finished it in one day. The characters were likable, the leading guy was hot, the story takes place in the South (and for some reason, lately I have been drawn to Contemporary Romances set in the South) and there is character growth. Alas, my only complaint is that there were a lot of cliches used in the writing. Believe me, I am not dead set against cliches at all but ... in Magnolia they stood out, nagged at me. Ending on a good note, there were some humorous quotes, which is always an asset that I appreciate when I read. All in all, Magnolia is a quick, enjoyable piece worth it's reading time.

"... That boy's got a stick up his ass, if you ask me.'

'A very attractive one at that.'

'What, the stick or his ass?'" [page 83].

*** Check out Kristi Cook's website for more information about her and Magnolia: HERE 

Happy Reading!

Feature Friday ARC Review : Made For You by Melissa Marr

*Feature Friday is a meme I came up with to feature YA books that have not yet been released by reviewing them on The Tattered Page.*

*Warning: This review may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Release Date: 9.16.2014
Pages: 368
Source: ARC

The Story:

When Eva Tilling wakes up in the hospital, she's confused—who in her sleepy little North Carolina town could have hit her with their car? And why?

It seems impossible that anyone would have it out for the town darling. Thanks to her family's distinguished history and her own unassailable reputation in old-money Jessup, Eva is universally liked. But she has little time to consider the question when she finds that she's awoken with a strange new skill: the ability to foresee people's deaths when they touch her.

Eva is struggling to understand just what these visions mean when a slew of murders takes place back home. The victims, all classmates, are discovered alongside eerie messages that tie the incidents to her. There is a killer on the loose, and he is after Eva.

While she is recovering from the hit-and-run, Nate, an old friend, reappears. The two traverse their rocky past as they figure out how to use Eva's power to keep her friends—and themselves—alive. But while Eva and Nate grow closer, the determined killer grows increasingly frantic in his attempt to get to Eva.

Chilling twists, unrequited obsession, and high-stakes romance drive Melissa Marr's racy thriller—a story of small-town oppression and salvation.

via -- Barnes and Noble

Rating: THREE Gold Stars!!!!

My Review: One word: EDGY

I think must start off by saying that Made For You is the first book I have read by Melissa Marr and my first thought is: Not bad. While I am not totally in love with it, Made For You is a book worth reading if you have the time. Do not get me wrong, I loved the storyline and the fact that there were chapters written from the killer-stalker's point of view (which was totally fun) but I felt the story lacked imagery. I don't know ... maybe I got stuck under Diana Gabaldon's weight of imagery that I am being unreasonable?

Anywho, Eva Tilling, as the main character and the character of obsession, I liked. She did not annoy me and she felt real -- like she could exist in the tangible world -- and that is always a plus. Though, I did felt bad for the way her parents neglected her but I think that added to the story. Not to mention, do I see a possible redemption in the making? *hint, hint*

Moving on, although Eva is the It Girl of the town who has to follow the southern social status rules of malarkey, she wants to break away from the mold. Not surprising is it then that her best friend, Grace Yeung, is a newbie to town who does not give a crap about the stiff, anal retentive way things are done in the south and Eva's childhood crush happens to be Nate Bouchet, "Jessup's Man-Slut."

"Hush." Offering him my most innocent look, I say, "I'm going to sleep. You're here. Ergo, sleeping with the man-slut."

"Jesus, Eva. You can't say things like that."

I put my hand over his mouth. "Shh. Sleeping now. I'll let you know if you live up to your reputation, although so far, I'm not seeing what all the fuss was about."  [page 101]

As for "Judge" -- as he so calls himself --, the killer-stalker who is obsessed with Eva, he was definitely believable. As I read his chapters, I honestly felt like the dude was off his rocker. But not to the point that Judge seemed fake. While there is no logic to crazy, there still seems to be some sort of system in place and Melissa Marr did a fabulous job and portraying that; Marr did not just throw a bunch of crazy bullshit into mix and hope for the best. If that makes any sense at all?

All in all, Made For You is a decent read if you have the time. What I absolutely appreciate the most about the book is that it is not abundantly easy to determine who the killer-stalker is. It sucks when you know who it is right away. Yes, the killer-stalker was a High Priority on my List of Suspects (out of 3) but it is not a dead giveaway. Made For You is a nicely spun tale of obsession, murder and unlikely love with a dash of suffocating southern charm. Nice job, Melissa Marr.

Also, I want to say thanks to HarperTeen for handing out copies of Made For You at BEA 2014!

*** Check out Melissa Marr's website for more information about her and Made For You: HERE

Happy Reading!