Book Review: More than Just a Pretty Face by Syed M. Masood

Title: More than Just a Pretty Face

Author: Syed M. Masood

Genre: YA, Romance, Contemporary

About the book: Danyal Jilani doesn't lack confidence. He may not be the smartest guy in the room, but he's funny, gorgeous, and going to make a great chef one day. His father doesn't approve of his career choice, but that hardly matters. What does matter is the opinion of Danyal's longtime crush, the perfect-in-all-ways Kaval, and her family, who consider him a less than ideal arranged marriage prospect.

When Danyal gets selected for Renaissance Man--a school-wide academic championship--it's the perfect opportunity to show everyone he's smarter than they think. He recruits the brilliant, totally-uninterested-in-him Bisma to help with the competition, but the more time Danyal spends with her...the more he learns from her...the more he cooks for her...the more he realizes that happiness may be staring him right in his pretty face. (from Goodreads)

My thoughts: I thoroughly enjoyed this rom-com and loved that it was told from the male pov for a change. It was a nice change to read from the perspective of a genuinely kind and caring young man, even if everyone around him thought he was not academically bright.  He stuck to his love of cooking even when others could not see the value in it - and it was this love that helped him to discover that there was more to him than just cooking.  I look forward to reading more from this author!

Book Review: To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

Title: To All the Boys I've Loved Before

Series: To All the Boys I've Loved Before #1

Author: Jenny Han

Genre: YA, Romance

About the Book: Lara Jean keeps her love letters in a hatbox her mother gave her. 

They aren’t love letters that anyone else wrote for her; these are ones she’s written. One for every boy she’s ever loved—five in all. When she writes, she can pour out her heart and soul and say all the things she would never say in real life, because her letters are for her eyes only. Until the day her secret letters are mailed, and suddenly Lara Jean’s love life goes from imaginary to out of control. (from Goodreads)

My thoughts: This was a fun YA romance to read.  I had seen the movie, but it has been a while so I can't make any comparisons at this point.  It was definitely a rom-com book and I loved the way that Lara Jean's friendship with Peter developed. I liked it because it was easy to read and quick-paced.  I plan on reading the rest of the series and will be picking up the next book from the library tomorrow (because they are finally reopening!  Yay!).  If you are in the mood for a fun romance, pick this one up. 

Book Review: You Have a Match by Emma Lord

 

Title: You Have a Match

Author: Emma Lord

Genre: YA, Contemporary

About the book: When Abby signs up for a DNA service, it’s mainly to give her friend and secret love interest, Leo, a nudge. After all, she knows who she is already: Avid photographer. Injury-prone tree climber. Best friend to Leo and Connie…although ever since the B.E.I. (Big Embarrassing Incident) with Leo, things have been awkward on that front.

But she didn’t know she’s a younger sister.

When the DNA service reveals Abby has a secret sister, shimmery-haired Instagram star Savannah Tully, it’s hard to believe they’re from the same planet, never mind the same parents — especially considering Savannah, queen of green smoothies, is only a year and a half older than Abby herself.

The logical course of action? Meet up at summer camp (obviously) and figure out why Abby’s parents gave Savvy up for adoption. But there are complications: Savvy is a rigid rule-follower and total narc. Leo is the camp’s co-chef, putting Abby's growing feelings for him on blast. And her parents have a secret that threatens to unravel everything.

But part of life is showing up, leaning in, and learning to fit all your awkward pieces together. Because sometimes, the hardest things can also be the best ones. (from Goodreads)

My thoughts: I really enjoyed this young adult book.  It wasn't the syrupy everything is fine sibling story or love story.  The girls, Abby and Savannah, had problems, they ran into obstacles, they had separate lives, but discovered they also had things in common (besides parents).  Trying to wade through their respective issues with their love lives and figure out why Savannah was given up for adoption to friends, who are no longer friends, made for an entertaining twist to a contemporary YA book.  Learning to trust and believe in yourself also played a part.  I would recommend this book to young adults dealing with trying to figure out who they are and how they fit in this world. 

Book Review: Again Again by E. Lockhart

 

Title: Again Again

Author: E. Lockhart

Genre: YA, Contemporary

About the book: If you could live your life again, what would you do differently?

After a near-fatal family catastrophe and an unexpected romantic upheaval, Adelaide Buchwald finds herself catapulted into a summer of wild possibility, during which she will fall in and out of love a thousand times--while finally confronting the secrets she keeps, her ideas about love, and the weird grandiosity of the human mind.

A raw, funny story that will surprise you over and over, Again Again gives us an indelible heroine grappling with the terrible and wonderful problem of loving other people. 

My thoughts: I requested this book from Net Galley as I really enjoyed We Were Liars, but this book was nothing like that.  It was sort of a multiple universe story as Adelaide's story was told in different scenarios depending on what/how she or someone else reacted in different situations.  It was hard to read in the beginning, but once you grasped the format it became much easier.  It sort of reminded me of myself as a teenager, when I would replay a scene in my head by how I wished it had gone. . .   

The important part of the story was Adelaide's relationship with her brother, and this almost gets lost in this format.  I wish that there had been more attention paid to that storyline and not so much on Adelaide's love life - or lack of one.  Overall, it wasn't bad and introduced me to a new format of storytelling. 

Book Review: We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

 Title: We Were Liars

Author: E. Lockhart

Genre: YA, Realistic Fiction

For some reason, the more I like a book, the harder it is for me to write a review for it.  I am not sure whether it is because I am afraid I will say too much and give something away - or if I feel I won't be able to give it justice.  This is one of those books. 

I know that we just started 2021, but I think this will go on the best books I read in 2021 list.  

The setting of this book is a private island off the coast of Massachusetts.  There are four houses on the island - the grandparents, and one for each of their daughters' families.  The families all come every summer and bring with them all the familial drama.  

The three oldest grandchildren and a family friend comprise the "liars".  I didn't get a clear picture as to why they were called that by the adults, but it kind of plays into the storyline.  The story really centers around the oldest granddaughter, Cady, and an event that happened on the island the summer she was 15, which has left her with amnesia.  We learn about that summer through her relationships with the other liars on the island a couple of years later.  

For me this book was heart-breaking and I wish that I could have the experience of going back and reading it again for the first time.