Wendy ToliverReseñas

It was not bad but I was hoping for more.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book in any way.

Ok, so you may not know this about me, but I am a H U G E OUAT fan. I just love everything about the show, especially the characters! So, of course, when I heard about this book I knew I HAD to read it, especially since I always thought that Red should have been given more space in the show.

[image]

I was very happy with how Red was portrayed in this book. She's 16, so of course she behaves like a normal teenager most of the time, but at the same time, she is fierce and loyal and brave. She has big dreams for her future, and she works hard to achieve them. However, she is living through some though times, and of course that creates tension with her grandmother. I liked the way the author dealt with this situation: Granny isn't portrayed as "the mean adult who won't let me have any fun". Red understands why her grandmother behaves the way she does and knows that she is only concerned about Red's safety, but she still struggles with it because she's a teenager who wants to live like her supposed friends do. The relationship between Red and Granny is complicated, yes, but their love for one another is never in doubt. Each of these incredibly strong women would do (and does) anything to ensure that the other is safe and happy.

I also liked how the story touched on delicate issues like bullying. As in any self-respecting YA novel, the resident popular girls make our heroine's life very difficult, often picking on her and making fun of her because she is different. I really felt sorry for Red, but I also really liked how she dealt with the situation, escaping from her role of victim. And oh! Red's budding romance with Peter is TOO CUTE for words! I ship them too much to be reasonable and objective about this, so please ignore me as I squeal in delight at this wondrous display of young love.

I do have a few complaints, though (and, let's face it, you'd be worried if I didn't). The actual magical side of Red basically never emerges, if not through her dreams.

[image]

I was expecting a whole lot more background on her wolf side, and the effects it has on her, but it never arrived. The wolves themselves appear a few times throughout the book, but mostly move in the background, and even when they do appear, they aren't all that different from normal wolves.

And then, there's the wizard. So, ok, I can understand why Red would decide to obtain a magical item from a wizard to help her grandmother. But KNUBBIN?

[image]

After all that wizard talk, I was totally expecting a Rumpelstiltskin cameo by that point, and so ended up being very, very disappointed.

[image]

Overall, I really enjoyed reading more about Red, and the book kept me pleasantly entertained. I think fans of the show will definitely enjoy it more than non-fans, but it is independent enough that you could easily like it even if you've never seen OUAT before (I'm only not sure that we could be friends then...).

This was a nice book, but I expected a little more from it. I like that it built up her small community and her desire for adventure as well as her romance with Peter; however knowing how it ends makes it bitter sweet.

Simon Pulse Romantic Comedies are always a fun read. These books are not necessarily the best written novels but the stories are always fun and you know you will get a happy ending. I think some adult romances could take a note from these books b/c they are characterized well which is much of the battle in writing any novel since you want your characters, for the most part, to be endearing and relatable.

Simon Pulse Romantic Comedies are always a fun read. These books are not necessarily the best written novels but the stories are always fun and you know you will get a happy ending. I think some adult romances could take a note from these books b/c they are characterized well which is much of the battle in writing any novel since you want your characters, for the most part, to be endearing and relatable.

ABC’s Once Upon a Time was and still is one of my favorite shows. When I heard about the tie-in books coming out, I could not wait to read them. The first one I read in this series was Red’s Untold Tale, written by the same author. I enjoyed it so much; I snagged this one as soon as it came out. With both Red and Regina being my top favorite characters (why did we not get a Zelena tie-in? Hello ABC! Another favorite character), I was skeptical. This book did not disappoint. I have been wanting to read this book for a while, but got distracted by other shiny books lol.

This takes place 2 to 3 years before Regina officially meets young Snow White. Putting this in the show timeline, Regina is sixteen. As a viewer, we do not know a lot about Regina’s childhood. We know her love for horses came from her riding time with her father as a child, and we see this love throughout the book. This book adds to the dimension and development of the character. We learn about an unknown innocent crush, before Regina’s love for Daniel, Regina having a friend name Claire and what had happened to the relationship explaining why it was not addressed in the show, and more. What I enjoyed about this book was how it made Regina’s character richer and keeping Regina’s personality equal to the show. Regina is one of the best developed character in the show.

Claire is another major character in this book. She is the niece to Regina’s father’s friend and neighbor. I thought the author wrote the character well and was a well-rounded character. She was interesting and a good friend to Regina. I felt Claire helped Regina’s character develop in a lot of ways in reflection in both the book and show.

As a show viewer, you only thought you knew the abusive (mental and magical) relationship Cora and Regina had as mother and daughter. This book adds to this toxic relationship. Cora was not a favorite character, and this book made her even worse. She pushes her daughter to hate her, her husband to bend to her will, and thinks she is doing right. She insists on making Regina Queen, not caring or listening to what Regina herself wants. The book explains partly why Cora is the way she is, but in order to understand fully, you would need to see the show.

In reverse to Cora, Regina’s father Henry is the positive light in her life. He allows Regina to do things behind Cora’s back, and it remains a hidden gem between the two. One secret is Regina riding full saddle instead of sidesaddle, which is what Cora insists and full run instead of trotting. Instead of treating her like a Queen in training, Henry treat’s Regina like a daughter, a child, and someone who is coming into her own. We do not see this relationship between father and daughter in the show as much as I would have liked, and this was one of my favorite arcs.

If you have seen the show, the setting is in the Enchanted Forest and needed brief explanation and development. If you have not, then I believe there was enough development to understand this world without bogging the book down. This book takes off and was a quick read that if there would have been anymore than what the author described, I believe it would have slowed the book down.

I recommend this book to anyone who is a Oncer, loves retellings of fairy tales, fantasy, and fun quick reads. You do not have to watch the show in order to understand the book. This could classify as a prequel to the show, but it would add more perspective and knowledge. I know there is this trope of “villains are not always born but created” and some people are tired of it, but Regina or Snow White’s Evil Queen, started this trope or at least it was the first time I have seen this from the Fairy Tail perspective.

My spoiler-y book talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjjpI7HcGk8

My feelings are very mixed. In many ways this did not have the same 'feel' OUaT and the other books have, but it gave many backstories to Regina I never knew I missed. I loved those very much. Many things, like Jesse and Jastper, made me wonder if the either has ever watched the TV show, yet things like how she captured Cora made me think she was a super fan.

Thoroughly enjoyed the tale of Red, living with her granny and trying to get by selling her baked goods. I also liked the animosity between Red and Violet and her minions. Have not watched the TV show so this book wasn't ruined for me in a way that it might have been had I seen the show first. Didn't realize this was book four. I might look for the others.

Ruby has always been my second favorite character on the Once Upon a Time TV show. Only Regina ahead of her. And I always wished that there had been more stories around Ruby. So when I saw this book that was going to be only and all about Red I was very excited.

Once I started the book it seemed that there were sort of two sides to the story. On one side I really liked how she portrayed Ruby and Granny. They and their relationship seemed very like the TV show. The other characters were cool (or infuriating if needed for the story) too.

On the other side it was way longer than it had to be. And the teen parts of the book on occasion just got a little too angsty.

On the whole though, I hope that they make more of these more in depth books about the non-main characters on Once Upon a Time.

I got this advanced galley through Netgalley on behalf of Disney Book Group.

Sometimes you just want to read something fun that doesn’t require a lot of complicated thinking. Sometimes you just wanted to zip through a book, or maybe not. I love having the “chick lit” books on my shelf as an option for the quick and easy read. You need to mix it up every once in a while.

Sasha was an interesting character or rather her money-making hobby was interesting. I don’t remember being boy-crazy in high school and it wasn’t so long ago that I might be remembering things incorrectly. Therefore, I don’t think I would’ve had much use for a match maker, but I think a lot of us could use it now that we’re adults.

Part of me despises the idea that you have to be in a relationship to truly be happy, but then the “Disney brain-washed” part of me loves the idea that there’s someone for everyone. I did have an issue with the fact that all of this was taking place in high school. I understand having a high school sweetheart, but don’t push that crap on kids. They’re young and should be having fun, not settling down.

Derek was just okay. I was fairly unimpressed with him as the heart-throb though. He didn’t really do anything for the story. It was actually the perfect example of an author telling you something versus showing you. I felt like I was being told that Derek was an amazing guy and he had intense chemistry with Sasha, but I wasn’t seeing any of that come through in the story itself.

Overall I did enjoy Miss Match. It was a fun, quick read that gave me a much needed break from the many serious books I’ve been reading. I would recommend Miss Match more for the middle grade, high school crowd or for someone specifically looking for a light read that takes place in high school.

For more reviews, check out http://reviewsinapinch.com/ today!

This book had a great way of showing two important lessons: 1) People aren't always as nice or mean as they might seem to be; and 2) Trying something just once, even if on accident, can lead to a spiraling addiction. I absolutely loved this book. Poppy seemed like someone I would get along with great, minus the shop lifting, of course. It just goes to show how easily someone can be influenced by peer pressure when they're trying to fit in in a new place. Watching Poppy get into shoplifting and then becoming fully addicted to it was interesting and eye-opening. It's amazing how quickly something that seems innocent at first can escalate into a huge problem.

The fact that Poppy attended a Baptist school threw me off at first. Until the shoplifting started, I was wondering how in the world that would be incorporated into a book that seemed so pure otherwise. But everyone at Calvary High seemed to have their own little secrets, which was really interesting and made me think twice about my view of religiously oriented schools. Addiction and peer pressure can influence anyone, no matter how "pure".

I loved a lot of the characters, but my opinions of some of them were changed drastically by the end of the book. At times, it became almost like a mystery trying to figure out who was doing things with good intent and who wasn't. But of course in the end it all fell together, and I was happily satisfied with the ending. There was something about the style of Wendy Toliver's writing that I loved, and I can't wait to read more of it.

The Secret Life of a Teenage Siren had just enough of the paranormal element to keep me interested, and enough of the romantic comedy to keep it a light read.

Up to her sixteen birthday Roxy has been a geek with no social life, a crush on the most popular boy at school and very plain. Suddenly she has looks, guys, and attention from the in crowd and a magical flute. A great coming of age book that will help teenagers have more confidence in themselves.

Reviewed by Jennifer Rummel for TeensReadToo.com

When Sasha hits her neighbor's car, she begs her elderly neighbor to keep it a secret from her parents. She works out a payment plan and then must find a job. Her BFF suggests that she become a matchmaker.

Now she undertakes the hardest job of all, when her sister catches a new student's eye. Can she fix him up with her sister? As she tries to work her magic and spends more time with Derek, she finds out that he's the perfect match - for her.

Can she overcome her feelings and watch her sister and Derek date?

A wicked cute romance with an average girl looking for love mainly for others, but also finding it for herself.

What a cute book! I’d never read a Simon Romantic Comedy. And I’m not really sure why, because I love a good Romantic Comedy! Miss Match maybe just be the start of something....The characters were fun. Sasha's character was portrayed very realistically. I couldn’t think of a better leading man than Derek and I even liked Sasha’s sister Maddie, who I initially thought I would hate since she was the perfect cheerleader type.The relationships between the characters, while it may have been typical, was still very entertaining! Wendy did an awesome job creating such a fun novel! And I’m looking forward to more!If you’re looking for a cute, quick, fun read, look no further than Miss Match!

si•ren sī'rən n 1 : any of a group of female and partly human creatures in Greek mythology that lured mariners to destruction by their enchanting music 2 : a woman who makes bewitchingly beautiful music 3 : a temptingly beautiful woman.

On Roxy’s sixteenth birthday, she is somehow miraculously transformed from band geek to gorgeous seductress. Roxy’s grandmother explains that this is because Roxy is a Siren, the definition of which is above. At first, Roxy is skeptical, but then she starts to get used to charming boys to get what she wants. With the aid of her flute, Roxy snags her hot crush, passes her driving test, and becomes a model, among other things. But there are two rules; Roxy can’t tell anyone she’s a Siren, and she can’t fall in love either. If she breaks these rules, she loses her powers and the person she loves will die. Everything seems so simple at first – until Roxy starts falling in love.

The Secret Life of a Teenage Siren was a very fun and satisfying read. I really enjoyed how Wendy Toliver incorporated mythology into a funny modern story. The story was sweet yet predictable, but that didn’t make me like it any less. Anyone who loves the other Simon Pulse Romantic Comedies will also love this enjoyable novel.

reposted from http://thebookmuncher.blogspot.com½

Reviewed by Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen for TeensReadToo.com

Just before her sophomore year, Poppy Browne is taken from her normal life in Boulder and unwillingly put into a new town, Pleasant Acres. There, Poppy will be attending Calvary High, a Baptist school that has its fair share of sins and secrets.

Right off the bat, Poppy causes quite a stir with her nose piercing and a few snarky comments, which gets her noticed by the popular girls, Whitney and Mary Jane. She's never felt the need to fit in, as back in Colorado she hung out with the tats and pierced crowd. But now she faces a dilemma of which clique to befriend. Should she choose the ever-popular and extremely gorgeous girls, or the "Good News Choir" that features Bridgette Josephs, the all-around overachiever and Poppy's very own Calvary High tour guide?

Intrigued by Mary Jane and Whitney, Poppy finds herself getting friendly with the two, wondering how she climbed up the social ladder so quickly. Unfortunately, Poppy will soon discover that being friends with these two girls probably wasn't the best choice to make. Turns out they have an itch for shoplifting.

Before she knows it, Poppy is lifted into an entirely foreign world filled with an irresistible and charmingly arrogant preacher's son, old grudges, revenge schemes, and a whole new temptation complete with a rush that is full of expensive merchandise. Can Poppy handle such things as crushes, a best friend's boyfriend issues, and backstabbing, or will she need a quick prayer and some major forgiveness to get her through the year?

Wendy Toliver realistically portrays a girl swept into a world of stolen goods where the rush takes control and the actions become impulsive. Poppy, as the central character, gives the novel a lighter feel, with her hilarious outlook on life and love. LIFTED has all the important qualities that make it a good read: it's fun, smart, and extremely addictive, just like the main character and her frowned upon new habit.