Category: Reviews by Maddie

Review: Where You’ll Find Me by Natasha Friend

Published on by Heart Full Of Books1 Comment

25666024Where You’ll Find Me by Natasha Friend
Genre: Contemporary
Published by: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Pages: 270
Format: ARC e-book
Rating: ★★.5

I received a copy of this book from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.

P  L  O  T
The story focuses on Anna, a girl who’s mother has been hospitalised with bipolar disorder, so she’s had to go and live with her dad, his young wife and new baby daughter. As well as that family fiasco, her best friend, Danielle, has decided she doesn’t want to be Anna’s friend anymore. With family and friendships falling down around her, Anna feels completely lost, and like no one understands her. That is until she stops getting mad at the world and realises there are other people, besides her mother, who care about her.  Continue reading “Review: Where You’ll Find Me by Natasha Friend” →

Review: Cold Spell by Jackson Pearce

Published on by Heart Full Of BooksLeave a comment

16039122Cold Spell by Jackson Pearce
Genre: Fairy Tale Retelling
Published by: Little, Brown Books
Pages: 330
Format: Hardback
Rating: ★★★

I finally got to finish the Retellings series! I read Sisters Red, Sweetly and Fathomless so long ago, I was wondering if Cold Spell would make sense to me! Especially because the Snow Queen fairy tale is one I’m not familiar with, but it’s safe to say, Jackson Pierce made the story her own and it was extremely enjoyable!  Continue reading “Review: Cold Spell by Jackson Pearce” →

Review: Billy and Me by Giovanna Fletcher

Published on by Heart Full Of Books3 Comments

16112830Billy and Me by Giovanna Fletcher
Genre: Romance
Published by: Penguin
Pages: 397
Format: Paperback
Rating: ★★.5

I’ve been looking for Billy and Me in stores ever since I read You’re The One That I Want in December 2014. When I finally saw it, I literally jumped to get it, and read it the same day, in one sitting. I love Gi, her videos on YouTube are so quirky and chatty, and she seems like a really lovely person. After reading her debut, I was a little disappointed… Continue reading “Review: Billy and Me by Giovanna Fletcher” →

Review: See How They Run by Ally Carter

Published on by Heart Full Of Books2 Comments

See How They Run by Ally Carter24644814Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Published by: Orchard Books
Pages: 320
Format: ARC e-book
Rating: ★★

I received a copy of this book from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.

After placing All Fall Down in my Top 15 Books of 2015 list, See How They Run has been one of my most anticipated reads of 2016. Because of this, I partly put the blame on myself for hyping this book up so much. The reality was bound not to meet my expectations. Normally, Ally Carter’s books are a definite fave for me, but See How They Run wasn’t what I thought, or wanted, it to be. Here’s why…

Continue reading “Review: See How They Run by Ally Carter” →

Review: The Golden Braid by Melanie Dickerson

Published on by Heart Full Of BooksLeave a comment

25290956The Golden Braid by Melanie Dickerson
Genre: Fairy-tale retelling
Published by: Thomas Nelson (HarperCollins)
Pages: 320
Format: e-book
Rating: ★★★

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I was immediately drawn to The Golden Braid because of its genre. Fairy tale retellings are some of my favourite things, and Rapunzel has such a great story to adapt. As this was set in 15th century Germany, rather than a contemporary or futuristic setting, it reminded me a lot of Shannon Hale’s The Goose Girl. I really like seeing fairy tales in their natural habitat, and I think understanding the context of the time really helped make this retelling special.  Continue reading “Review: The Golden Braid by Melanie Dickerson” →

Review: Truly, Madly, Famously by Rebecca Serle

Published on by Heart Full Of Books2 Comments

25859289Truly, Madly, Famously by Rebecca Serle
Genre: Romance
Published by: Macmillan Children’s Books
Pages: 294
Format: Paperback
Series: Famous in Love (#1)
Rating: ★★

After reading Famous in Love, I definitely wasn’t expecting a sequel. After reading the sequel, I can’t believe this is going to be a trilogy! Where can it go from here?? I’m literally confused at how another book is going to be written when the love triangle has been sorted, Paige has chosen who she prefers and there’s no more scandal. Truly, Madly, Famously was a cute end to the books, so to think there’s another to come makes me roll my eyes. Love triangles officially need to be put to rest. Not all of them are worthy of a trilogy! Argh, love triangle rant, here I come.  Continue reading “Review: Truly, Madly, Famously by Rebecca Serle” →

Review: Cruel Summer by James Dawson

Published on by Heart Full Of Books2 Comments

16275049Cruel Summer by James Dawson
Genre: Murder Mystery
Published by: Indigo
Pages: 320
Format: Paperback
Rating: ★★★.5

2016, I’ve decided, is going to be the year of James Dawson. I don’t care how I get hold of his books, but I must read them all. Like, immediately. I don’t know how I haven’t picked something of his up before. Over the last year, I’ve become much more open to the genres of his first novels, and after the release of All of the Above, a coming of age (my fave) I feel the need to chart his writing genesis. My local library had his second book, Cruel Summer, and so, here are my thoughts! Continue reading “Review: Cruel Summer by James Dawson” →

Review: Unmarked by Kami Garcia

Published on by Heart Full Of Books3 Comments

12371865Unmarked by Kami Garcia
Genre: Paranormal
Published by: Little, Brown
Pages: 384
Format: Library Book
Rating: ★★

The title pretty much gives away the plot twist if you’ve read the first book, Unbreakable, and are aware what needs to happen for you to become part of the Legion. BUT, aside from that, this book was…well, maybe I should have just re-read The Mortal Instruments? Continue reading “Review: Unmarked by Kami Garcia” →

Review: Unbreakable by Kami Garcia

Published on by Heart Full Of BooksLeave a comment

Kami Garcia/Unbreakable

Unbreakable by Kami Garcia
Genre: Paranormal
Published by: Little, Brown
Pages: 384
Format: Paperback
Rating: ★★.5

After reading the sequel, Unmarked, I realised I hadn’t written a review for Unbreakable, the first in The Legion trilogy. Unmarked brought the plot flooding back, which I think is a really successful element of a second book, but bare with me if this review is a little sparse…it has been over a year since I read this! Still, it’s worth mentioning what a fun and fast paced beginning of a series it was, and it deserves credit that Unmarked doesn’t match.

Continue reading “Review: Unbreakable by Kami Garcia” →

Review: Asking For It by Louise O’Neill

Published on by Heart Full Of BooksLeave a comment

Asking-for-It-by-Louise-ONeill1Asking For It by Louise O’Neill
Genre: Contemporary
Published by: Quercus
Pages: 341
Format: Library Book
Rating: ★★★★

After reading Only Ever Yours and not really understanding the message behind the piece, I thought I’d try Louise O’Neill’s latest book, Asking For It, with a very clear message about sexual consent and abuse. I knew from just looking at the book that it was going to be difficult to read, but I’m so pleased I did. Here’s why… Continue reading “Review: Asking For It by Louise O’Neill” →