Say Anything by Madeleine Labitan

My edition: Kindle Unlimited
Pages: 128
Standalone
Genre: YA, High School, Romance
Published: Feb. 14, 2019
Rating 2.5 stars

Synopsis:

Falling for him wasn’t part of the plan…

“I heart Lincoln Evans.”

Riley Ellison has been writing those words in her journal for months, pouring her teenage daydreams within its pages.

Because the cutest boy in school isn’t aware of her feelings for him and it’s going to stay that way. She wouldn’t be able to live it down if he ever finds out and rejects her. That would be downright mortifying.

So when Noah Pritchett—Lincoln’s best friend and Riley’s next-door neighbor—finds out the truth, Riley’s world turns upside down. What will she do? Will he say anything?

But instead of outing her, Noah is suddenly offering to help her get Lincoln. It seems to be working…until Noah starts acting like he doesn’t want to play cupid anymore. Did he lose interest or is there something more going on?

Review:

I wasn’t a big fan of the writing. I also don’t like that the two moms of the main characters were so caviler about their kids having sex. Especially, while they were home. No, the MCs don’t have sex but the moms hint at it and even joke about it.

This is a boy next-door romance. Riley really likes Lincoln. Noah finds out when he sees Riley’s journal which is filled with creepy middle school girl crush kind of things about Lincoln. (She has names for their future kids) Noah says he is going to help Riley get Lincoln.

This had potential. The plot wasn’t developed all the way. I’m still wondering why Noah offers to help Riley. The love between these two felt insta and I wasn’t fully bought on it. I have read another book by this author before though I had no memory of the said book. I looked at the review I wrote on it. I had DNF it on page 6 due to the writing being too immature and not well thought out. I kind of had that problem with this book but not bad enough that I DNF. I have a couple other books of hers on my TBR. I think if the next book I read of hers is too immature, I will just take her other books off and put her on my do not read.

Serial Hottie by Kelly Oram

My edition: Kindle Unlimited
Pages: 375
Stand alone
Genre: YA, Romance, Mystery
Published: July 10, 2012
Rating: 4 stars

Synopsis:

Hockey-obsessed tomboy Eleanor Westley has never been the object of a guy’s affection before. So when the hottest boy she’s ever seen moves in across the street and starts treating her like she’s the center of his universe, naturally she’s going to be a little skeptical. But everything starts to make sense when girls who look just like Ellie start dying all around the city. Obviously the new guy is the killer, and of course he only likes her because he wants to slice her into tiny pieces. Right? The more Ellie gets to know Seth the more she’s convinced he’s a psychopathic killer. Problem is, he’s the sweetest psychopathic killer she’s ever met. Not to mention he’s brutally hot. No matter how hard she tries, she can’t help but fall for him. Will Ellie find true love, or will her summer of firsts turn out to be a summer of lasts?

Review:

The more Ellie gets to know Seth the more she’s convinced he’s a psychopathic killer. Problem is, he’s the sweetest psychopathic killer she’s ever met. Not to mention he’s brutally hot.

This is from the synopsis. After reading the synopsis, I start to wonder why did I put this on my TBR. I didn’t want to get rid of it even though I know that this will be a problem, but I have read Kelly before so maybe it’s just me trusting in Kelly’s writing.

I should probably warn you. SPOILERS! Also, a trigger warning if you are thinking of reading this book. This book features sexual harrassment and nonconsentually touching.

The story takes place in Canton, a suburb of Detriot. Ellie is sad and bored due to her three best friends going to hockey camp without her. She is not allowed to go because she is a girl. That’s the only explanation we get. A moving van parks at the house across the street from her along with a BMW. This is important because she focuses on the BMW for a weird, horrible reason.

At first, I wasn’t a fan of Ellie due to her being judgmental. To include some of her thoughts she hated on the fact that a BMW is a foreign car. (Someone tell her that American-made cars just mean all the parts were put together in America. The parts are *gasp* foreign.) She also body-shamed the moms on her block in the same paragraph as the BMW incident.

Again, I have no idea why I read this. I had anxiety when Seth hurt Bruno the neighbor’s boxer dog. Speaking of I should say Seth is the creepiest guy I have read about in a while. I’m glad the author made him hot because it shows not all creepy guys are ugly and old. *cough, cough, Armie Hammer cough*

There is no build-up relationship. Seth is straight 100 from the get-go. Which is another thing I liked that the author did. He knows way too much about Ellie before she even talks to him. He gets into her personal space, and he sexually harasses her. I loved Ellie fought against him until the 50% mark. Then she goes stupid because Seth plays mind tricks with her and she falls for it.

What is with parents in YA? Like, are none of them critical thinkers? The mom seriously made me angry.

You are a smart, strong, beautiful young woman, Ellie,” she said. “It was only a matter of time before boys started realizing that. And now that they are, you’re going to have to learn how to deal with it.”

Really? Ellie is uncomfortable around this dude and you are making her go on a forced date. You are a mommy dearest nominee in my book. Her mom makes her feel guilty for not wanting to go with Seth to go buy her first car instead of waiting for her dad to come back. I don’t know about y’all, but buying my first car is a big experience and I wouldn’t want so random guy who just moved in across the street to go with me instead of one of my parents. Not to mention a guy who has been harassing me. I completely feel for Ellie.

I must admit at the 50% mark I didn’t know what to fully think of Seth but I still knew he had one too many red flags for me to forgive easily. Though I love the story and it was entertaining. Seth is not to be romanticized because him being possessive and he’s just not a good guy.

The reason I rated this high is due to the fact that Kelly had me on my seat. I had no idea who the killer is, and for the most part, I really did think it was Seth. The reason it didn’t get the full five stars is that it is putting a bad picture into the heads of young girls about guys like Seth. I really wish she ended up with one of the J’s.