Mini-Reviews: Camp Kiss; Unwrapping Liam; Hollow City

Title: Camp Kiss (Camp Boyfriend #0.5)
Author: J.K. Rock
Release Date: March 26th 2013
Publisher: Spencer Hill Contemporary
Age Group: Young Adult
Source: Free for a time period

Goodreads

The Camp Kiss That Started It All...

Lauren Carlson, a fourteen-year-old expert on the cosmos, superheroes, and science fiction trivia has a crush on her longtime camp friend, Seth. Last summer she’d dreamed about upgrading their relationship to BF/GF status and this year she has a plan... if only her well-meaning cabin mates wouldn’t interfere before she’s ready. She hasn’t even adjusted to her new braces yet, let alone imagined kissing Seth with them. When a dare pushes her out of her comfort zone, will she and Seth rocket out of the friendzone at last? There’s only one way to find out...

If I remember correctly, I got Camp Kiss when the publisher offered it for free to promote the release of Camp Boyfriend, but I only had the chance to read it a few months ago (yeah, that's how long this review is overdue) when I actually picked up the series. If you're new to the series, I really recommend starting it off with this novella because it sure provides a lot of insight that you'll need for the first book.

Lauren Carlson is back at summer camp, but this year she's excited to be there for a different reason. When before she only wanted to spend time with her closest friends, this time she's also looking forward to seeing Seth, her long-time friend and recently-developed crush. She's unsure whether to act on her feelings or not, afraid it will ruin their friendship, but when her cabinmates dare her to kiss him, she doesn't have much of a choice.

A cute, light, and fun read, I love how the writing in Camp Kiss reminded me of the butterflies and giddiness I felt whenever I saw a crush back in high school. It's that nostalgic.

MY FAVORITE PART was the kiss. Sigh :3

RATING:

Title: Unwrapping Liam (Good Girls Don't #1.5)
Author: Gennifer Albin
Release Date: April 22nd 2014
Publisher: Self-published
Age Group: New Adult
Source: Free for a time period
Goodreads

Jillian Nichols and Liam McAvoy finally got their happily ever after, but Christmas with Jillian's parents strains their new relationship. Will they ever get a minute alone?

Will Tara ever accept her daughter isn't broken?

And what will happen when Jillian finally unwraps Liam's Christmas present?

The holidays have never been so steamy.

This novella came out almost a year after the first book in the series, so by the time I read it I was practically jumping up and down in my seat with excitement. In Unwrapping Liam we see more of Jillian and Liam together, but made hilarious and tense because they are to spend the Christmas holidays with Jillian's parents.

Under the constant scrutiny of Tara, Jillian's easy-to-hate mother, her relationship with Liam is put to the test. Their interactions are more heated with desire because they need to sneak around like teenagers or risk being judged and reprimanded by Tara, but of course they get caught and of course it's amusing, haha. But as expected, Jillian grew tired of playing by her mom's rules soon enough, and let's just say I wasn't able to look at Christmas trees the same way for quite some time after reading this.

Overall, Unwrapping Liam did a swell job of getting me pumped up for Teaching Roman (which, spoiler alert, I also loved) and making me wish I had my own Liam. Now, where the heck is the third book in this series?!

MY FAVORITE PART was Liam making pies. Sweet Jesus.

RATING:

Title: Hollow City (Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children #2)

Author: Ransom Riggs

Release Date: January 17th 2014

Publisher: Quirk Books

Age Group: Young Adult

Source: Bought

Goodreads

September 3, 1940.

Ten peculiar children flee an army of deadly monsters.

And only one person can help them - but she's trapped in the body of a bird.

The extraordinary journey that began in Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children continues as Jacob Portman and his newfound friends journey to London, the peculiar capital of the world. There, they hope to find a cure for their beloved headmistress, Miss Peregrine. But in this war-torn city, hideous surprises lurk around every corner. And before Jacob can deliver the peculiar children to safety, he must make an important decision about his love for Emma Bloom.

Hollow City draws readers into a richly imagined world of telepathy and time loops, of sideshows and shapeshifters - a world populated with adult "peculiars", murderous wights, and a bizarre menagerie of uncanny animals. Like its predecessor, this second novel in the Peculiar Children series blends thrilling fantasy with never-before-published vintage photography to create a one-of-a-kind reading experience.

I was more disappointed than anyone when I read Miss Peregrine's and found it somehow... underwhelming, which is why cracking this sequel open came with a certain amount of hesitance. I think I finally picked it up when the book practically flew off my shelf and thumped me on the head (spoiler alert: it didn't, but wouldn't that be awesome.)

Anyway, reading Hollow City was definitely easier and more fun than the first book. Right off the bat, I could tell that it would be more exciting, with less dragging and more of what I love most about this series: action and adventure with a magical group of, uh, kids. We also learn that there is just so much more to the peculiarity of the world that Riggs has created, and I can't wait to see all of these in a Tim Burton film. Man, it's going to be awesome.

Strange, I thought, how you can be living your dreams and your nightmares at the very same time.

Another thing I liked about Hollow City is how it's more on the historical fiction side than the first book, and how there was just so much more going on in it. I don't know if you can tell by how many times I've used the word in this review but in a nutshell, this sequel is just that: more.

MY FAVORITE PART was that shocking, twisty ending. Definitely didn't see that one coming.

RATING: