Now in My Bookbag: Drops of Rain (The Beach Bag Boxed Set, Book #4), by Kathryn Andrews

I really like this book. It is a great choice for older YA (or NA) readers. In addition to being in the Beach Bag Boxed Set, Drops of Rain is also Book #1 in the Hale Brothers Series.

This book contains a lot of symbolism. Also, it tastefully explores serious topics such as grief, loneliness, self esteem issues, bullying, and domestic violence. I find this story well thought out, yet there are several grammatical errors that hurt the flow of it.

I like the characters very much. They are well developed and relatable. The “bad guys” are truly vile. The “good guys” are loveable. In Drew, Ali, and Beau, author Kathryn Andrews gives me characters that I can figuratively wrap my arms around.

This story gives me a rollercoaster of emotions, and I freely admit that I was brought to tears at times. I recommend this book for readers who are sixteen years old and older. 4 1/4 stars

Now in My Bookbag: The Hazards of a One Night Stand, by Alyssa Rose Ivy

The Hazards Series is built around friends, and sorority sisters, at Harrison College in Charleston, SC. Each book includes the circle of friends. The books are also about college life, and the revelations that those experiences bring.

“One small town boy, one girl who wants more, one roll in the hay…”

This story features Mallory. When reading her story, I first thought her to be rather superficial. Rather than follow her heart, she worries what others will think. Embarrassed by her humble upbringing, she wants to be more than some nobody from a small town. However, there is so much more to her than that.

Mallory’s ideas are skewed by a father who ran away to the city and a boyfriend who shattered her heart. She feels an unworthiness that she associates with her hometown. How can she possibly fall for her high school crush who just started college at her school? Impossible, right?

During her sophomore year of college, Mallory learns a great deal about the whos and whats that are important in her life. She needs to see herself for who she is, not as some people think she should be.

I like this story. It speaks to believing in your own self-worth, living your own life, finding your own happiness, and then holding onto it. Author Alyssa Rose Ivy delivers all these lessons in the form of great storytelling. I didn’t even grasp all of this until I finished reading and then reflected on what I’d read. 5 stars

In My Bookbag: Unlovable by Sherry Gammon

This magnificent book deals with some serious issues in such a real way. It shines a light on the effects of growing up as the child of an alcoholic. The ensuing self esteem and trust issues become such a real part of Maggie. She feels completely unlovable.

Gammon weaves into this story a rumored heroin problem that is growing, a serial killer, and menacing, upper-level, drug dealers. Although this seems like a lot of topics for one book, she truly creates a well-balanced, compelling story.

The final chapter, titled One Month Later, is a rather odd ending to this story and feels a bit disjointed.

However, I really love this book and am looking forward to the remainder of the series, and the movie as well. 5 stars

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now in My Bookbag: The Guardian (The Guardians 1) by Katie Klein

The Guardian is a good read for young teens. The story follows a nice, paranormal concept with young love romance as a bonus. It is written with loose structuring, and it is difficult to track the passage of time within the story. 

The book has most of the elements needed to create a tightly woven world with complex characters. However, The Guardian never reaches that potential. It remains a bare bones story that refuses to grow up.

After reading through the book twice, I am, as yet, unsure about reading the final two books of the trilogy.

With so much missed opportunity, The Guardian gets 3 stars from me.