*This book was sent to me by Harper Collins Australia in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.


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Contact: erenabennett@hotmail.com
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Bonjour!

I understand we are more than half way through May but I know you guys can't resist a good ol' book haul (or maybe that's just me?!) April was a spectacular month for gaining books, I had received some money for my birthday from my partner's parents and decided I needed some new books despite the ever growing TBR. I also received four books from the ever generous Harper Collins Australia in exchange for honest reviews (you can read my review for The Yearbook Committee here!).

Here are the following books I bought/received:


1. The Winner's Curse - Marie Rutkoski
I have heard so many good things about this series and finally decided to make it mine. I seriously hope to get to it in the next couple of months.

2. Me Before You - Jojo Moyes
Another book I've seen all around the Bookstagram community and even more since the movie trailer came out. I'm aiming to get to it before watching the movie. I'll get my tissues ready!

3. An Ember in the Ashes - Sabaa Tahir
I've already read this one and is definitely one of the best books I've read this year so far. I am now so damn excited for book two: A Torch Against the Night. You can find my mini review here.

4. We Were Liars - E. Lockhart
Another one I've already read (mini review here!) I started reading this soon after I bought it as I wanted something small to take to uni and I finished it pretty quickly, and loved it.

From Harper Collins:

5. Demon Road - Derek Landy
The first in the series (book two below). I've always wanted to read something from Derek Landy so I picked this one up and should hopefully be starting this one soon. Look out for a review!

6. Desolation - Derek Landy
This one was released in.... April I think? So will more than likely jump straight into this one after Demon Road!

7. The Yearbook Committee - Sarah Ayoub
This one I've recently read and reviewed, I would say a really good read for teenagers and young adults (younger than me!) Good sized chapters which is very appealing for me.


8. Flawed - Cecelia Ahern
Recently released is Cecelia Ahern's first YA novel, Flawed. What I get from the blurb is that the main character lives a perfect life until she breaks a rule and becomes...Flawed! Something along those lines. The cover looks good too.

Can't say I usually get 8 books in one month. I should really read a few more until I buy another (but that ain't gonna happen).

This is where I leave you, I always intended for this to be a short post. I hope you enjoyed though! See you soon for something a little different (still about books though!)

Byeee!
x


Where you can find me:

Contact: erenabennett@hotmail.com
Bookstagram: @erenareads
Instagram: @erena_b
Goodreads: @erenareads
SnapChat: erena_b

"Five teenagers. Five lives. One final year. 
The loner: At school, nobody really notices Matty. But at home, Matty is everything. He's been single-handedly holding things together since his mum's breakdown, and he's never felt so alone. 
The school captain: Ryan has it all... or at least he did, until an accident snatched his dreams away. How will he rebuild his life and what does the future hold for him now? 
The popular girl: Well. the popular girl's nest friend... cool by association. Tammi's always bowed to peer pressure, but when the expectations become too much to handle, will she finally stand up for herself?
The newcomer: Charlie's just moved interstate and she's determined not to fit in. She's just biding her time until Year 12 is over and she can head back to her real life and her real friends...
The MP's daughter: Gillian's dad is one of the most recognisable people in the state and she's learning the hard way that life in the spotlight comes at a very heavy price.
Five unlikely teammates thrust together against their will. Can they find a way to make their final year a memorable one or will their differences tear their world apart?"
- Sarah Ayoub



Set in Sydney, Australia and written by Australian author, Sarah Ayoub, this YA novel revolves around five teenagers who must band together to create the school yearbook for their final year of high school at Holy Family private school. If you didn't catch it, these five teenagers couldn't be more different. You get to know each character very well, delving a little into their past - though I felt that Ryan's past wasn't looked into enough, his 'accident' was mentioned often and you only get a brief story of what happened.

From the start, Gillian (the politician's daughter) was my favourite, Charlie was my least. Gillian is kind hearted and so easy to love, her life isn't easy but she does well to cope. Charlie, has no interest in making friends and goes out of her way to make sure she doesn't; while at first I don't like her, I understand that's what the author was going for. You get introduced to a few other characters whom have a lot of impact on the main characters - Tammi's douchebag boyfriend David and her mean, stuck up best friend Lauren, both who I hated immensely and you will too.

As you can expect, the characters develop some kind of friendship with each other throughout the story - though not really how I first predicted. I enjoyed the easy character development and it flowed nicely. Ayoub not only makes it easy to read but really captured some of the issues that occur during high school years. Some of this is real life and whilst reading it reminded me of my high school years and how cruel some people can be, especially people that are meant to be your friends.

I wished the author had spent more time on the ending, I almost felt cheated. Something I did not see coming happens closer to the end of the book and the build up of it was great however after that, I felt I didn't really have time to process it and therefore did not make too much of a connection with it. I also felt since it is based around the students creating a yearbook, that there would be some snippets of it in the back - well no, there is not.

Overall, this book was still a great read. I think it is more suited to teenagers and possibly younger adults than I but I have seen bookstagrammers only slightly younger than me, enjoy it immensely. I hope that high school students take a chance and read this one; I hope it shines a new light on life for those struggling and those who could be the cause of the struggling.

I gave this book 3/5 on Goodreads albeit, a high three.

If you've read this book, let me know in the comments below what you thought!


*This book was sent to me by Harper Collins Australia in exchange for an honest review.


Where you can find me:

Contact: erenabennett@hotmail.com
Bookstagram: @erenareads
Instagram: @erena_b
Goodreads: @erenareads

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BOOKS

1. End of Days - Susan Ee
The final book of the Angelfall trilogy was not a let down. Having Raffe back in my life (sorry, Penryn's life) made my heart beat a little faster! Whilst you may think the previous two books were pretty full on, this one was super intense with a lot more action and deaths and crazy humans & angels alike. I found the trilogy to be very easy to read and it's definitely not too long so if you're interested, check out the first one. 5/5


2. We Were Liars - E. Lockhart
Talk about pulling on the heartstrings, ripping them off completely and throwing them out to sea. I bought this one early April when I was felt like spending money (not always the best idea as a full time student) and I picked it up to read pretty quickly mainly because it was small and I didn't have a whole heap of time to read. I started reading this while waiting for the tram to university or back home, or if I was waiting for a lecture to start and I was completely hooked. This book has short chapters - this may appeal to some (it does to me!) which I feel makes it much easier to read. This is about four cousins/friends whom spend the summers together on their families island when an accident happens and Cadence (the main character) starts to feel separated from the others. I could feel some emotion coming on, but dear god I didn't see that twist. This story is very easy to read and I would recommend to many - especially those who have trouble keeping up with a book. If you're in Australia - $9 at Kmart! 5/5


 3. Glass Sword - Victoria Aveyard
Following on from Red Queen comes Glass Sword, book #2 in the series. After racing through Red Queen last year and absolutely loving it, my first initial thought when picking up Glass Sword was that I didn't like the way it looked - stupid I know. I didn't start reading straight away and when I eventually picked it up, it took me a long while to get into it. Eventually I kept reading and found myself really enjoying it, so if you're finding it hard - hang in there!
Some people haven't liked Mare's character development however, I'm half and half; there are parts where she just annoyed me and made me really dislike her and then times when I felt I would do some of the same things - though I don't think I'll be developing lightning powers any time soon.
Despite Maven being the douchebag he is, I still a have a soft spot for him. And then I love Cal too, I don't really like Kilorn though - sorry!
All in all, a somewhat enjoyable read for me. I'd say... a low 4/5


4. An Ember in the Ashes - Sabaa Tahir
Holy heck. This has definitely been one of my fave reads of the year so far. You get both main characters views (which I love!); Laia is a slave and Elias is a soldier. *How do you pronounce Laia? I say it like "liar" Tell me!* I pretty much fell in love with Elias straight away. This book had all the feels for all the characters - love, hate and "what the eff are you thinking?!" It's not a heartbreaking story but I fell so in love with this book that it kind of feels like I have no soul now (because I have to wait for book two). An Ember in the Ashes is kind of 'an ember in the ashes', this book will not disappoint. Can I give 6/5 ?


MAY TBR

1. The Yearbook Committee - Sarah Ayoub
2. Harry Potter & The Chamber of Secrets - JK Rowling (I already began my reread last month and didn't finish - oops!)
3. Cinder - Marissa Meyer
4. Demon Road - Derek Landy

I would love to also read A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J Maas (book two after A Court of Thorns and Roses) and The Crown by Kiera Cass (book five and final in The Selection series) which were both released today (May 3rd). I'm making myself read my May TBR first and be on top of my uni work before I get these books though (excellent motivation I think!)


And that is the end of this ride today my friends. I've got full reviews coming up for a few books, hopefully soon! I'm thinking of doing a quick little April book haul for you later this week too. Until then, happy reading!

x


Where you can find me:

Contact: erenabennett@hotmail.com
Bookstagram: @erenareads
Instagram: @erena_b
Goodreads: @erenareads


Follow me with Bloglovin'!