Petals on the Wind (Dollanganger #2) by V.C. Andrews

Petals in the Wind is the second installment in the Dollanganger series. Ever notice how it's similar to Doppelganger? Is this a coincidence or done on purpose especially since Chris and Cathy are described as looking like replicas of their parents. 

Chris, Cathy and Carrie have escaped the attic and Foxworth Mansion. As luck will have it they meet a woman on the bus who takes them to her  Doctor-Son, Paul. Paul quickly takes them in and makes them part of this family. Despite being free, they are emotionally trapped. Cathy and Chris's relationship increases in the creep factor while Carrie gets lost in the suffel. Chris works on his mission to become a Doctor while Cathy dedicates herself to her dream becoming a ballerina.  Cathy finds herself in new relationships and they aren't exactly healthy. 

Their lives are complicated by love, lust, revenge, anger and determination. There remains a lot of controversial behaviors in the story line. This book has a big focus on relationships and the emotional pain and happiness associated with them.

Flowers in the Attic (Dollanganger #1) by V.C. Andrews

 I first read Flowers in the Attic at a young age. I was way too young to be reading it. I must admit at the time I didn't understand some of what was going on. I read it in secret. I was embarrassed and ashamed and thought that I was reading something "dirty". I pilfered it from my aunt along with quite a few more VC Andrews books. I always returned them and I am pretty sure she knew it was me borrowing books I was way too young to read. We were both the readers in the family and since I was being raised by my grandparents, it's likely she saw me as the little sister who was born 23 years later. Re-reading it has brought back a lot of memories and a deeper understanding of what was going on. 

If you are not familiar with Flowers in the Attic, where have you been? There are two movies based on it! There are 4 more movies on the rest of the series. Badly done movies, but movies! 

Flowers in the Attic is about a family in peril.  A family whom outwardly appeared perfect. A beautiful mother, handsome father and four lovely children. After a tragic accident takes the life of the father, the family is left with no financial means to support themselves. The mother, Corrine writes letters to her parents who long ago disinherited her. She begs for permission to return to the family home. Permission is given and Corrine and her four children, Cathy, Chris, Carrie and Cory head out in the darkness of the night to the mansion. Upon arrival the four children and sequestered to a room and told they must stay there for a few days. Eventually, the days turn to weeks, months and years. 

Time locked up together causes the children to bond. A bond that will change the course of their lives forever. 

This book isn't a masterpiece. It never was but it a guilty pleasure read. It is still creepy but as an adult so much sadder than in my youth. 

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

Sam and Sadie have been friends since childhood. They bonded over video games and became quick friends. A fallout leads to a break in their friendship but they rekindle it many years later. They both still love games and creating them. 

Their friendship is rare, complicated and has a degree of sweetness. There are other characters that play pivotal roles that and push the story along. Expect a lot of video game talk and descriptions. There is quite a bit of pop culture thrown giving you nostalgia for the 80s and 90s.  Gen Xers and Millennials will understand it best.  

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed book. There are some rather slow parts but if you push through it you will be rewarded with a good read. The characters are well developed and real. This is a book about so many things, coming of age, friendships, love, making dreams coming true and tragedies. 

The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

 

Avery Grambs, does well in school.  She's smart and works hard but life has not been kind to her. She's in Orphan and she's sleeping in her car. She's doing everything she can to get into a good school and improve here life then the unexpected happens and it is life changing. A man she does not know, Tobias Hawthorne has left her his fortune.  He is a billionaire. Avery is stumped and confused on why this man has left her all his money but she soon finds out that in order to receive it she has to meet the requirements set forth in the will.

One of them required that, Avery  live in, The Hawthorne mansion for one year with the family that has been disinherited. It seems simple yet peculiar however Avery soon finds out that it's rather complicated. She will have to play a game along with, Tobias's four grandsons to uncover the clues he left behind. 

I had quite a bit of fun reading this book, which was unexpected. The book isn't nearly as dark as I assumed it would be. The ending felt flat however that doesn't mean I won't read the sequel because Barnes 
knows how to tell a story and develop characters. 

This Is Not the Real World (Book #2 in the This Is Not the Jess Show Series) by Anna Carey

 This is Not the Real World is the sequel to This is Not the Jess Show and it picks up right where This is Not the Jess Show left off. 

Life-Like Productions has hunted down Jess and Kipps (her boyfriend). Kipps has been forced to return to the TV set and in an effort to get Kipps back, Jess makes a deal to return to the show. What the production does not  know is that Jess is in cahoots with a source and revenge is going to be so so sweet.

This book is rather entertaining but not nearly as fun as the first book however it has expected twist and turns.
It ends on a cliffhanger and I am anxiously awaiting the next book. 

This Is Not the Jess Show (Book #1 in the This Is Not the Jess Show Series) by Anna Carey

Jess Flynn is a teen living in 1998. Life seems ordinary and normal until an unidentified metal device with an apple on it falls out of her friends pocket. Her dog is no longer her dog. He looks different but he is an imposter. Her friends are acting weird, her parents are overprotective and her  little sister is really sick. A mysterious Flu is going around and it seems as though half the town is sick. 

Jess discovers she's been living on a set since she was born and her life has been broadcast since then. Everyone around her are paid actors. It's also not the 1998. Jess flees and is being hunted down by the producers of the show.

I absolutely loved this book. I was able to experience the nostalgia of the 1990s and watch someone discover and be introduced to technology such as cell phones. There are twist and turns to this clever little book. 

If you enjoyed The Truman show you will find this book to be just as much fun. If you haven't watched The Truman Show go watch it,  now!

The Black Key (The Lone City, #3) by Amy Ewing

The third installment in the Lone City series doesn't disappoint. Violet returns to the Jewel to find and save her sister. In an effort to save her sister, Violet takes a back seat approach to the rebellion. The mission is to destroy the Jewel. 

The twists and turns are entertaining and the conclusion is perfect. 

The White Rose (The Lone City, #2) by Amy Ewing

 The White Rose picks up where The Jewel ended. Ash, Raven and Violet are now safe and living in The White Rose. We learn more background information on Ash and Violet and get a better understanding  of them as characters. Secrets are revealed making this read impossible to put down. 

A rebellion is brewing, characters are being developed, the story line and magic, that I usually don't care for blend together to form a great read and another cliffhanger ending. 

Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult & Jennifer Finney Boylan

Expected Publication Date: 10/04/2022

Jodi Picoult is back! I missed the style, taste and feel of her older books and this one brings that back. Jodi Picoult is one of those authors who's books I read without knowing what they are about. I just sink my teeth into them and expect to read a book that is well researched and full of well crafted characters. Mad Honey meets this criteria and also tackles a controversial subject with care and finesse and court room drama (how I have missed these from her books).

The story is told from the perspectives on Olivia, Asher and Lily. Olivia is a single mom raising her son Asher in her hometown. Asher is a teenager and in a relationship with Lily. Lily is found dead and Asher is the prime suspect. Lily is new to the town and has a secret past which complicates that case against Asher however Asher has secrets of his own. 

The story is told in present and past tense so that we get important background information about about characters. This is a story about love. The love between parents and children. Young love and the love we have for ourselves.   This story is one that needs to be told. One that people can learn from. There are twists and turns and heartbreaking moments. This book will be a sensitive topic especially for those who don't have an open mind.  Those of us who do will be thankful that writers like, Picoult exist  and write stories that are important to social issues of our time. 

* I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Picture Perfect: The Jodi Arias Story by Shanna Hogan

 Picture Perfect is the story of Jodi Arias and the tragic death of Travis Alexander. Arias murdered, Travis in a brutal and horrific manner. This book covers the relationship Travis and Jodi had. It's obviously from Jodi's view as Travis isn't around to give his perspective. 

Hogan tells us how they met and how the relationship rose and fell. We learn the opinion of Travis's friends in regards to Jodi. None are favorable.  The days leading up to the murder, the day of and after are covered. The court proceedings make for a small but important part of the book. 

I didn't learn anything new from this book but the read was interesting and very organized. 

The Jewel (The Lone City, #1) by Amy Ewing

If you are a fan of The Selection Series by Kiera Cass,  The Bumped Series by Megan McCafferty, The Eve Series by Anna Carey and The Chemical Garden Series by Lauren DeStefano, than this book is for you. 

Violet has been identified as a surrogate. This means that she will be forced to bear a child to a member of the Jewel Society. She will be auctioned off to the highest bidder and become their property. She and other women have been trained for this and when Violet is purchased by the Duchess of the Lake she is put into a world very different from the one she grew up in. A world of balls, fancy dresses, make up, parties and abuse. 

Violet and others like her have to be able to manipulate three Auguries, color, shape and growth. Learning and using them causes pain and when Violet finds out what they want her to use her Auguries for she learns that things in the Jewel are a lot more sinister than she imagined. 

I didn't expect to like this book as much as I do! It exceeded my expectations. The characters are well developed, the plot line is intriguing and of course there is romance, which I could do without but understand why it is part of the storyline.