Annaberry Reads: Travel Abroad

Review: One Paris Summer by Denise Grover Swank

Title: One Paris Summer
Series: a standalone
Author: Denise Grover Swank
Publisher: Blink
Date Published: June 7, 2016

Most teens dream of visiting the City of Lights, but it feels more like a nightmare for Sophie Brooks. She and her brother are sent to Paris to spend the summer with their father, who left home a year ago without any explanation. As if his sudden abandonment weren't betrayal enough, he's about to remarry, and they’re expected to play nice with his soon-to-be wife and stepdaughter. The stepdaughter, Camille, agrees to show them around the city, but she makes it clear that she will do everything in her power to make Sophie miserable.

Sophie could deal with all the pain and humiliation if only she could practice piano. Her dream is to become a pianist, and she was supposed to spend the summer preparing for a scholarship competition. Even though her father moved to Paris to pursue his own dream, he clearly doesn't support hers. His promise to provide her with a piano goes unfulfilled.

Still, no one is immune to Paris’s charm.

Title: Love & Gelato
Series: (standalone)
Author: Jenna Evans Welch
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Date Published: May 3, 2016

Lina is spending the summer in Tuscany, but she isn’t in the mood for Italy’s famous sunshine and fairy-tale landscape. She’s only there because it was her mother’s dying wish that she get to know her father. But what kind of father isn’t around for sixteen years? All Lina wants to do is get back home.

But then Lina is given a journal that her mom had kept when she lived in Italy. Suddenly Lina’s uncovering a magical world of secret romances, art, and hidden bakeries. A world that inspires Lina, along with the ever-so-charming Ren, to follow in her mother’s footsteps and unearth a secret that has been kept from Lina for far too long. It’s a secret that will change everything she knew about her mother, her father—and even herself.

People come to Italy for love and gelato, someone tells her, but sometimes they discover much more.

Just One Year
Author: Gayle Forman
Publisher: Dutton Children's
Date Published: October 13, 2013
Kindle version

Just One Day. Just One Year. Just One Read.

Before you find out how their story ends, remember how it began....

When he opens his eyes, Willem doesn’t know where in the world he is—Prague or Dubrovnik or back in Amsterdam. All he knows is that he is once again alone, and that he needs to find a girl named Lulu. They shared one magical day in Paris, and something about that day—that girl—makes Willem wonder if they aren’t fated to be together. He travels all over the world, from Mexico to India, hoping to reconnect with her. But as months go by and Lulu remains elusive, Willem starts to question if the hand of fate is as strong as he’d thought. . . .

The romantic, emotional companion to Just One Day, this is a story of the choices we make and the accidents that happen—and the happiness we can find when the two intersect.

My Thoughts:

As I mentioned previously, I did not love Just One Day, however, there was so much build-up in it. And with that cliffhanger? Well, I had to find out what was going to happen next.

I was a little leery when I discovered that Just One Year was told from Willem's point of view. I'm not really a Willem fan, however, he really had some explaining to do, and I wanted to hear it. Plus, I wanted to know who this guy really was! On a side note: I really enjoyed Gayle Forman's book, Where She Went, which was told from a guy's point of view, and she has a real talent for that, so I thought I would keep going and read Willem's story.

While Gayle Forman still did a great job writing from a guys point of view, I still wasn't sure what to think about Willem. I did like him a little more once I found out what he had gone through. I don't know that it warranted being so secretive with Allyson, especially since he had felt such a deep connection with her. Deep enough that he still thought about her for months afterwards. A fair part of this book was about his, uh..."activities", and that didn't make me love him either. At the same time, I enjoyed reading about his adventures abroad, as well as learning a little bit about The Netherlands. I was also happy to see his personal growth.

I felt like this book seemed to stretch and I kept waiting until the part where book one left off. I just kept wanting to get to that part, and was getting really anxious. When we finally did, the book just...ended. It was shocking to be honest. I know some authors want part of the story to be left to the imagination of the reader, but in this case, I cannot understand why this author did that? To build all of this tension and suspense, and then just stop, without a resolution? It felt incomplete. If I did not know that there was a short story waiting to be read, I would have been so disappointed and pissed off!

I wasn't sure how to rate Just One Year, and debated it for awhile. While I liked hearing about Willem's growth and adventures, the ending just killed it for me. I am so grateful for Just One Night, but feel it should have already been a part of Just One Year, as and epilogue.

3-3.5 Stars

Just One Night
Author: Gayle Forman
Publisher: Viking Children's Books
Date Published: May 29, 2014

(I decided not to add the synopsis here, because it was very spoilery, and I don't want to ruin anything, folks).

I just want to say, Thank You, Gayle Forman. Thank you, thank you, and thank you. I really feel for the people who read this in 2013, and didn't have this little gem. I don't want to give anything away, but I just wanted to say that the author did a great job wrapping everything up, and it was all that I could hope for. Well, I did want to see Dee again, but hey. ;)

4 Stars

Review: Just One Day by Gayle Forman

During the end of last year, I binge read the Just One Day series by Gayle Forman. I really enjoyed her If I Stay series, so it was time that I gave her other series a try.

If I Stay
Author: Gayle Forman
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Date Published: January 8, 2013

From the New York Times bestselling author of If I Stay

Allyson Healey's life is exactly like her suitcase—packed, planned, ordered. Then on the last day of her three-week post-graduation European tour, she meets Willem. A free-spirited, roving actor, Willem is everything she’s not, and when he invites her to abandon her plans and come to Paris with him, Allyson says yes. This uncharacteristic decision leads to a day of risk and romance, liberation and intimacy: 24 hours that will transform Allyson’s life.

A book about love, heartbreak, travel, identity, and the “accidents” of fate, Just One Day shows us how sometimes in order to get found, you first have to get lost. . . and how often the people we are seeking are much closer than we know.

The first in a sweepingly romantic duet of novels. Willem’s story—Just One Year—is coming soon!

My Thoughts:

One of my dreams is to backpack through Europe someday, so I was thrilled when I discovered that Just One Day took place over there. I couldn't wait to read about Allyson's thoughts and adventures, as well as moments where she experienced the self growth that often comes with traveling abroad.

I have to say that while I enjoyed this book, I didn't love it like so many of my friends do. I just had a really hard time relating to the main characters- Allyson and Willem, especially in the first half of the book. As I said, I would absolutely love the opportunity to travel to Europe someday, so I couldn't understand why Allyson was so pissed off about going. She seemed to complain about a lot of things though. I don't want to give away any spoilers, but Allyson did a couple of things that absolutely baffled me, and it wasn't just because she did something a teen might do. These were common sense things!

I also wasn't a big fan of Willem, and cannot put him on my list of book boyfriends. He just seemed so shady and revealed so little about himself, and it surprised me that Allyson was so willing to trust him and would travel in a foreign country with him. He also came up as kind of a jerk, if you ask me. I just didn't understand their connection or believe it, especially as a lot of it seemed based on looks. He didn't even ask for her real name?

Strangely, I preferred the second half of Just One Day, to the first half. It was nice to see Allyson in a different setting, and I admired her personal growth. I also loved her best friend, Dee! I loved that he gave it to her straight, and he was the friend that she needed.

3 Stars

Mistletoe and Mr. Right by Lyla Payne

Title: Mistletoe and Mr. Right
Author: Lyla Payne
Date Published: November 20, 2014
Publisher: Bloomsbury

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring…but lust refused to settle in for a long winter's nap.
She might be all nestled, snug in her bed, by why, oh why, do visions of the wrong guy dance in her head?

Jessica, (not Jessie), figures that nothing could be better than a trip to the Emerald Isle for Christmas break. So she takes a flying leap and follows her boyfriend home for the holidays, not only sure that he will finally agree they're destined for each other, but also that Ireland will provide the perfect backdrop to the beginning of their happily-ever-after.

But it turns out his family--and his gorgeous ex-girlfriend--don't feel the same way, and even the family goat seems to be conspiring against her well-laid plans. The only person making the trip worthwhile is the very last one she should be thinking about, but Grady, the local farmhand, has a way of showing up when Jessica needs him most...and least.

USA Today bestselling author Lyla Payne wraps up the perfect holiday novella, ties it with a ribbon of romance, and tops it with a light dusting of snow. Perfect to curl up with under the tree. Just add hot cocoa!

This is the first book that I've read by Lyla Payne, and I am now looking forward to reading more books written by her. Mistletoe and Mr. Right was a fun, quick read. I thought it was really interesting that this story took place in Ireland, as we got to experience an Irish Christmas, and I enjoyed learning about some of the customs.

To be honest, I could not relate to Jessie at first. She flew all the way to England to share Christmas with a guy who she had barely started dating. I thought that she was crazy at first! I was also baffled that, with the limited time she had, she barely seemed to spend any time with Brennan.

My favorite parts of the story was Jessie's banter with Grady. I really liked him, and appreciated that he didn't put up with much crap! It was super refreshing. I have to say, I wanted more at the end of this story. I would have liked to see how things played out in the future, as opposed to where it left off.

All in all, I definitely recommend Mistletoe and Mr. Right to anyone looking for a clean New Adult, Christmas story, filled with both humor and serious content.

Rating: 4 Stars

Review: Wish You Were Italian by Kristin Rae

Title: Wish You Were Italian
(If Only...#2) Can be read as a standalone
Author: Kristin Rae
Date Published: May 6, 2014
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Source: NetGalley

Pippa has always wanted to go to Italy … but not by herself. And certainly not to sit in art school the entire summer learning about dead guys’ paintings. When she steps off the plane in Rome, she realizes that traveling solo gives her the freedom to do whatever she wants. So it’s arrivederci, boring art program and ciao, hot Italian guys!

Charming, daring, and romantic, Bruno is just the Italian Pippa’s looking for—except she keeps running into cute American archeology student Darren everywhere she goes. Pippa may be determined to fall in love with an Italian guy … but the electricity she feels with Darren says her heart might have other plans. Can Pippa figure out her feelings before her parents discover she left the program and—even worse—she loses her chance at love?

My Thoughts:

I seek out books in which characters travel abroad and experience new places. It's a dream of mine to travel, and unfortunately I've only gone to one other country. When I read a book in which a person travels, I feel like I am living vicariously through them, and it thrills me to no end.

Pippa's parents have forced to spend a summer at an art school in Florence, Italy. Although she is an aspiring photographer, Pippa has no desire to attend art school or to follow the footsteps of her parents, who own an art gallery. When she arrives in Rome, she makes an impulsive decision that will change her summer entirely.

First off, I am so jealous of Pippa right now. Italy??

I loved how the author described the different places that Pippa visited. I sort of felt like I was there with her, because she described the colors, scents, and surroundings so vividly. I loved the interactions that Pippa experienced with the people she encountered, and thought it was nice that she was trying to learn how to speak Italian.

I really liked the journal that Pippa's best friend, Morgan, gave to her. In this journal, Morgan suggested new things for Pippa to do and to try and experience while she was away. I just thought this was a really really cute and fun idea! I think I just might make one of these journals if someone close to me ever decides to make a trip out of the country.

I really liked the guys- Bruno and Darren. Bruno was this cool, fun guy, even though he had some issues and what somewhat of a ladies man. My heart went out for him, as it seemed like he didn't really have anyone to help him through his difficult times. Darren was this friendly and sweet guy, who was like the boy next door. I thought it was really cute how nervous he'd get around Pippa. Chiara was another character who I was especially fond of. I don't think Pippa would have ever guessed that she would meet someone who would become like a sister to her, when she decided to go to Rome. Chiara was so nice and outgoing, and I loved how she had Pippa's back. She'd also talk sense into Pippa when she really needed it.

Pippa was really mature and independent, especially for seventeen. I have to say though, I was a bit surprised that she decided to go her own way right after arriving. Stunned even. While on the plane to Italy, she was so panicked and worried as she contemplated being alone to a foreign country that I found it surprising that she even changed her plans at the drop of a hat. As a parent, I would totally flip out if my daughter did this. My heart beats faster thinking about it (don't judge). I really did not fully understand why Pippa did what she did until the end of the book.

There were times in the Wish You Were Italian that I wondered about all of the coincidences that occurred. Were they likely or probable? Probably not. However, I chose to let them slide because I was having fun with the story. Would I recommend this book to those looking for a fun, Teen/YA, standalone book? Absolutely.

Rating: 4 Stars