We all have choices to make. Some make wise, smart choices. Others make terrible choices.

**SPOLIERS abound and as always you can find us on itunes, just search “girlsinthestacks.com”**

What’s a teenager to do? Thom asks himself that very question each and every day. His dad is a washed-up superhero carrying the weight of blame on his shoulders. His mom is nowhere to be found. His friends are shunning him because he’s different. But day in and day out, Thom doesn’t give up and he realizes that you can’t run away from your problems – no matter what they are.

I felt like I had been on an extraordinary journey by the time I finished reading this book. At a hefty four hundred and twenty eight pages, I saw the world through Thom’s eyes as he was taunted by his peers, ignored by his father, and lost everything he felt was important. I laughed at his attempts to use his superpower (he knows what it is but not how to channel its use) and cheered as he and the group of misfits he is thrown together with try to fit in. I cried as some of the answers to his questions were revealed and felt like I was losing a friend when his story was finished. In the end, Thom was my hero.

caution: offensive language and mature theme

I give this book 4 STACKS

See you in the STACKS,
Valerie – the new GIRL in town

Ever since Bronwen’s father died she never felt like her family was a “real family.” Her mother, brother and step-dad loved her, but topics of discussion were always superficial and they never talked about the accident or her dad. Plus she felt like she and her mom were completely different, they don’t look or act alike. Everything changes when Bronwen meets and falls in love with Jared and his wonderful caring family. Are those wedding bells I hear?

I was hesitant to read this book. The cover as well as the blurb on the back of the book had me shaking my head no. Color me happy when I picked the book up one day and found the book pleasantly enjoyable.

McCahan creates an interesting situation with Bronwen and fills the book with an array of characters to keep the pace moving. It’s a sweet coming of age story about a girl trying to figure who she is, where she belongs and what she wants.

Bronwen’s relationship with her mom is pretty standard flare, they aren’t close. So she does the only thing she knows to do; mom wants a perfect daughter so daughter acquiesces. While the scenes with her mom are not intense they do leave you feeling a bit sorry for Bronwen.

The relationship Bronwen forges with Jared and his family is understandable. Jared is older, mature and deeply cares for and loves her. Their relationship is never trite, okay maybe sometimes it is a bit corny and maybe a bit rushed, but their love is real. As for Jared’s family, they are exactly what Bronwen wishes her family were more like. They are supportive, caring, expressive and treat her like part of the family.

Like I said, I enjoyed the book. McCahan writing style is clear and clean (as in flow), which makes it an easy read. I literally read this book in one sitting. Although it has a pretty predictable ending, I was happy.

I give this book 3 STACKS

See you in the STACKS,
Stacy – who is very glad she didn’t marry right out of high school, not that it was an option…just sayin.

Ryan Christensen is a famous movie star thanks to the Seaside Book Trilogy that is being made into movies (think Twilight).  He has lost his privacy, has a greedy representative team to help him make decisions about projects, and being the good ole’ boy that he is, it is hard for him to cope with all the attention of the overly obsessive fans.  He needs a little peace.  Just some privacy from the life that comes with being a mega celebrity.

Taryn Mitchell has had her heart broken and  isn’t ready to date anyone, even though she is attractive and gets asked out by men all the time.  Her parents have passed away and she has claimed her best friends as family.  While she owns a bar in the small town of Seaport, Rhode Island, Ryan comes in one afternoon to hide from the hysterical fans with a torn shirt and feeling anxious.  An intense relationship ensues but life isn’t perfect.  Jealousy, heart-ache, and rumors cause these two to question if they have a future together.

What did I love about Love Unscripted?  Well, I love the characters!  I want Ryan, Taryn, Marie, Pete, Tammy, and Mike to be MY friends.  I want to play poker with them and have a drink in Mitchell’s Pub.  They seem so believable and loving.  Just real people who I could totally relate to.  I also love the realtionship between Ryan and Taryn. Oh, the love scenes are hot!  It’s definitely an adult novel.  Which makes me love it even more.  It’s adult chick-lit.

 The way Reber explains the loneliness that comes with the life of a celebrity seems spot on.  I loved the story line, the lake, the fishing, the angst, the stalking, and the ending.  I wish I could go in depth in this review, but I don’t want to spoil anything.  I am just going to say this.  There is a part toward the ending that had me crying hysterically.  The loss that is felt is still in my gut.  I think a book has got to be good to make you feel like that for the characters.  I truly love them and this book! 

There are also several parts of this book that make me LAUGH OUT LOUD! I loved the sarcasm on pg. 479 and the cute sink comment on Pg. 535.  Guess you have to read it to see what I mean. 

What didn’t I care for?  Well, I have a problem with nicknames like baby, honey, and sweetheart early on in relationships.  Ugh!  It just doesn’t seem real and heartfelt.  I suppose to some couples it could be real, but I don’t see it.  Although, my husband and I call each other babe all the time now.  I remember one time I was babysitting for a family that I was really close to and my boyfriend (now husband) was there with me.  We kept talking to each other and one of the little girls turned to us and yelled “Stop calling her BABE!  Her name is Shannan”.  HA HA  I feel the same way.  Does that mean I am turning back into a 5 year old? 

The book is a tad long and needs some minor editing, however you love the characters so much, you don’t mind the extra dialog once it is over. 

Order Love Unscripted HERE.  You won’t be sorry!  Ugh!  I can’t wait until the next book comes out.  I need it.  I need it now!

I give Love Unscripted 4.5 STACKS!

Love, STACKGirl Shannan who is making Tina Reber a honorary STACKGirl but expects some sneak peeks into the next book if she wants to keep her status as one.  ha ha

Oh, we also had a special guest with us today to ‘talk book,’ Kelley Vitollo from Kelley’s Korner. She is one of our newest BFFs, and you know that we don’t just hand out those titles!

Dylan Dawson, adolescent teen who has found himself on the wrong side of the law too many times. Tired of living on the edge of life, Dylan along with his friend Wade try to start over and live clean. However, after a life full of bad choices and bad acquaintances trouble keeps finding them…This is the story of Dylan Dawson, the story of his hope and determination and his quest for truth.

This is by far one of the best realistic fiction books that I have read in a long time. It is not pretty, and is quite sad at times. The book is told honestly and truthfully, while broaching topics like the death penalty, gang violence, dysfunctional families and learning differences. You come away feeling that what you read was real and it sticks with you.

I also enjoyed the way the story was told, going from past to present with sprinkles of his fathers story in between. You get some of the back story to understand the present.

This book is full of well developed, fleshed out characters. From best friend Wade, to Gomez, to Jesse to Dylan Sr. They all are so well written and weaved together perfectly to tell a believable story. Main character Dylan Dawson is about as real and gritty as it gets. He’s made bad choices in the past, yet he has owned up to them and tries to make up for them by turning his life around by staying out of trouble. His determination is inspiring.

Dylan Sr. (Dylan’s dad) is one those characters that I did not fully understand till the very end. Despite his being on death row he is honorable, making him an endearing character. He is the light and hope which Dylan seeks, and Dylan Sr offers those things in a very surprising way.

While this book does not offer any answers other than hope, it can be life changing and alter people’s perception of kids with learning differences.

I give this book 5 STACKS

See you in the STACKS,
Stacy – who thinks not only should teens read this book, but also all school administrators, teachers and parents.