Review: Something, Maybe by Elizabeth Scott

Something, Maybe by Elizabeth Scott
Release Date: March 13th, 2009
Details: 217 pages, paperback
Source: Bought from Amazon.com
Summary (goodreads):
Everyone thinks their parents are embarrassing, but Hannah knows she's got them all beat. Her dad made a fortune showing pretty girls--and his "party" lifestyle--all over the Internet, and her mom, who was once one of her dad's girlfriends, is now the star of her own website. After getting the wrong kind of attention for far too long, Hannah has learned how to stay out of sight...and that's how she likes it. 

Of course, being unknown isn't helping her get noticed by gorgeous, confident Josh, who Hannah knows is her soul mate. Between trying to figure out a way to get him to notice her, dealing with her parents, and wondering why she can't stop thinking about another guy, Finn, Hannah feels like she's going crazy. She's determined to make things work out the way she wants....only what she wants may not be what she needs.

Hannah is your average girl with no so average parents. Her father lives in a playboy type of mansion surrounded by playgirls (but they're called something else in this book). He hasn't talked to Hannah in a number of years and she would like to keep it that way. Her mother runs a site where she chats with men in her underwear and her husband died a bit recently. Not to mention that they live in a small town and everyone knows who her parents are. That's gotta be tough. She works at BurgerTown with the boy she's swooning over, Josh and her annoying friend Finn.

I read a review somewhere where someone complained that this book was repetitive and boring. I agree, the book is repetitive but you have to remember, Hannah is in high school. She works and goes to school... there isn't much excitement when you're living that life. I kind of liked the repetitive, I was constantly looking forward for school to be over and for her to go to work since that's where most of the entertainment happens!

The thing I like most about Elizabeth Scott's books is that you feel like you're the character. The way it's written makes you feel like Hannah's thoughts are your thoughts. You feel her anxiety with her, her excitement, her emotions. I wasn't too crazy about  Josh every time he was in a scene, but I did love Finn's character. I loved how simple and observant he was and how he'd always butt in Hannah and Josh's conversations! I loved the relationship between Hannah and her mom, it seems that a lot of Elizabeth Scott books have that strong mother-daughter bond thing going. I also loved Hannah's sense of humor, if she were a real person, I'd make an effort to be her best friend!

This was a nice, cute and relaxing read. Perfect for summer!

Favorite Line:

I wonder what would have happened if Finn hadn't come back when Josh gave me the cookies, or better yet, if he'd gotten crushed by one of the vending machines and I never had to see him again. - PG 16

"Shut up," I say. "One word, one remotely teasing word, and I swear I will jab something painful int your eye. Repeatedly." - PG 184

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Review: Bloom by Elizabeth Scott

Bloom by Elizabeth Scott
Published: April 24, 2007
Details: Paperback, 231 pages
Disclosure: Bought on Amazon.com
Summery (Goodreads):
There's a difference between falling and letting go.

Lauren has a good life: decent grades, great friends, and a boyfriend every girl lusts after. So why is she so unhappy?

It takes the arrival of Evan Kirkland for Lauren to figure out the answer: She's been holding back. She's been denying herself a bunch of things (like sex) because staying with her loyal and gorgeous boyfriend, Dave, is the "right" thing to do. After all, who would give up the perfect boyfriend?

But as Dave starts talking more and more about their life together, planning a future Lauren simply can't see herself in -- and as Lauren's craving for Evan, and moreover, who she is with Evan becomes all the more fierce -- Lauren realizes she needs to make a choice...before one is made for her.

I had a hard time relating to any of the characters in this book. Which I find strange considering the thing I love most about Elizabeth Scott's books is how easy it is to relate to her characters.

Lauren has the cutest guy in school as her boyfriend (I mean, people go Edward Cullen when he passes by), she's semi popular because of her boyfriend, she gets decent grades... her mother walked out on her and her father when she was a child leaving her with just her father who works too much and is obsessed with "starting a new family" with other women. Lauren's boyfriend Dave is cookie cutter perfect. Perfect family, perfect grades, popular and in my opinion had no personality. He was just so... good. It really actually annoyed the hell out of me!

Then there's Evan, a friend from her childhood who comes back into her life. He's got that badass look going on and he doesn't talk. She's attracted to him but it doesn't really say why. It's like one day he comes back into her life and *poof* attraction. No reason to how or why or anything it just is. A reason would had been nice. Then things get complicated between her and Evan and her and Dave. And it just... it was awkward.

It was a cute read and there were a few scenes that really grabbed me but for the majority of the book, it wasn't really like that. 

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Review: The Unwritten Rule by Elizabeth Scott

The Unwritten Rule by Elizabeth Scott
Published: March 16, 2010
Details: Hardcover, 224 pages
Disclosure: Bought from Borders
Summery (goodreads):
Everyone knows the unwritten rule: You don't like your best friend's boyfriend. 

Sarah has had a crush on Ryan for years. He's easy to talk to, supersmart, and totally gets her. Lately it even seems like he's paying extra attention to her. Everything would be perfect except for two things: Ryan is Brianna's boyfriend, and Brianna is Sarah's best friend.

Sarah forces herself to avoid Ryan and tries to convince herself not to like him. She feels so guilty for wanting him, and the last thing she wants is to hurt her best friend. But when she's thrown together with Ryan one night, something happens. It's wonderful...and awful.

Sarah is torn apart by guilt, but what she feels is nothing short of addiction, and she can't stop herself from wanting more...

I'm sure at one point we've all had that friend. You know the one who gets everything they want... cheerleader, all the boys chase them around, popular, you know the kind that made you feel like you were the ugly friend when you were with them? And the one that experienced things at home that only you knew about, only you have seen, heard and experienced with them on really rough days. The friend who's abusive towards you because they're abused and really they don't know how else to treat people (of course, at the time you don't realize this and for some reason beyond yourself, you stay and convince yourself you're a good friend and put up with their abuse). The one who says they'll "talk to the guy you like for you and hook you guys up" and the next thing you know she's spilling her feelings for him out (though she's never met him in person) and you're on 3-way with them on Christmas Eve and she's asking him out right in front of your face (or rather in your ear). Now you're bound by some unwritten rule and for some reason they completely forget that you liked them first. I mean HELLO! How did you MEET him?! And they claim they're only looking out for you. Oh, so were you looking out for me when you were sticking your tongue down... never mind. No? Was it just me? Oh.

Well, The Unwritten Rule is kinda like that. Sarah and Brianna have been best friends since they were in kindergarten and they've also been friends with Ryan for a very long time. Ryan had originally asked Sarah to the dance in the 8th grade, and from what I collected, is what started the whole Ryan/Sarah deal. And Brianna? Well she just gets every guy she wants. Brianna has trouble at home, a lot of dysfunctional trouble and it clearly explains why she acts the way she acts and why she treats people the way she does. Things between Brianna and Ryan start to fall apart, and with good reason. She treats him like crap! Then again, she treats everyone like crap.

You can't help but feel for Sarah and her torture. When I first started reading this book, I thought it would be another high school drama book but I suddenly found myself glued to it because you can easily relate to the characters. You can easily relate to Sarah and you're screaming for her to get a grip on herself through out the book... maybe that was just me, again. You can easily relate to Brianna in a sense, because the poor girl has been through enough as it is and you can relate to Ryan and how torn he must feel through out the whole thing. The characters were strong, and I don't say that often because I don't feel that way often. But I felt like I was right there with them. Watching all of this stuff happen.

I honestly think, that anyone in high school should read this book! The truth is, sometimes friendships will be broken and maybe those friendships weren't meant to be. Sometimes the boy you were looking for has been in front of you all along and sometimes you have to stand up for what you believe in even if it means hurting your "best friend" (who honestly, probably wasn't much of a best friend when you really look back on all of it).

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Review: Stealing Heaven by Elizabeth Scott

Stealing Heaven by Elizabeth Scott
Published: June 1, 2008
Details: Hardcover, 320 pages
Summery (Goodreads):
Eighteen-year-old Dani grows weary of her life as a thief when she and her mother move to a town where Dani feels like she can put down roots.
Disclosure: Bought on Amazon.com

Well that wasn't much of a summery. I've been putting off this review, I know. It was such a good book that I didn't think that I could write a review to do it justice. No, really, I'm being honest!

Stealing Heaven is about 18 year old Danielle who secretly wishes she could be called Dani. But she can't even use her own name since she lives a life of crime along with her mother. They bounce from place to place robbing peoples houses. But they don't steal cash or jewelry or your DVD players. They steal only silver. I know, weird right?

They end up in this small town called Heaven and suddenly, Dani's entire life changes. She finds out what it feels like to have a friend, a real friend who cares about you. To have a guy like you. And she hates her life of crime. Her mom fills her with empty promises, manipulates her (in my opinion) as well as everyone else around her. The messed up things her mom does really starts to show while they're in Heaven. How selfish and greedy she is. But yet, Dani clings on to her because she believes her mother is the only person who wants her around (were in the world did she get this idea from?!).

Dani wants to stop, but she doesn't want to disappoint her mom. The worst part? The guy she likes is a cop. A rather sweet and understanding cop. I enjoyed reading about him and it made me miss having crushes. So what will Dani do? Will she continue to be controlled by her mother or will she finally take a stand and branch off and do her own thing?

I have to admit, this book started off slow and boring (maybe because I'm not really into the whole robbing someone thing, did that statement sound stupid? Sorry, blame it on the place I grew up) but once they get into Heaven and the one day that Dani's life changes, everything is just a surprising roller coaster from there. I love Elizabeth Scott's writing as well. I highly recommend this book!

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