Review: Magnolia by Kristi Cook

Summary:

In Magnolia Branch, Mississippi, the Cafferty and Marsden families are southern royalty. Neighbors since the Civil War, the families have shared vacations, holidays, backyard barbecues, and the overwhelming desire to unite their two clans by marriage. So when a baby boy and girl were born to the families at the same time, the perfect opportunity seemed to have finally arrived.

Jemma Cafferty and Ryder Marsden have no intention of giving in to their parents’ wishes. They’re only seventeen, for goodness’ sake, not to mention that one little problem: They hate each other! Jemma can’t stand Ryder’s nauseating golden-boy persona, and Ryder would like nothing better than to pretend stubborn Jemma doesn’t exist.

But when a violent storm ravages Magnolia Branch, it unearths Jemma’s and Ryder’s true feelings for each other as the two discover that the line between love and hate may be thin enough to risk crossing over.

Publication Date: August 5, 2104

After a run of disappointing YA contemporaries, I’m finally two for two this month. I love having renewed faith in a genre I almost have given up on. I loved Magnolia, especially since I’m a sucker for hate to love romance stories.

Magnolia is a very sweet story about a girl resisting who her family wants to be. Jemma can’t stand the guy her family wants her to one day marry. It’s not until a storm forces her to spend time with Ryder that things begin to change for her.

I loved Jemma’s narrative voice and felt like the story was told in a way that made me feel part of Jemma and Ryder’s world. There is plenty of drama between Jemma and Ryder and I appreciated their ever-changing feelings towards one another. I thought the way they communicated was wonderful and it made for a strong foundation in their relationship.

Later in the book, there were a few darker moments where I felt myself getting choked up. However, I was warmed by how the characters were able to pull through and really be there for one another.

Another must read for fans of YA contemporary romances!

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

Thanks to the publisher for a copy of the novel for review!       

Review: The Selection by Kiera Cass

Goodreads Summary:
For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself- and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

Publication Date: April 24, 2012

I love summertime books where you can get into the plot and even enjoy the book although there were a few major flaws.This is how I felt about The Selection. A couple of things didn't sit well with me, but I really got into the competition and who was going to win.

In the beginning, America Singer (she's named after America and sings well) is involved with a boy Aspen who's in a lower caste than her. They want to get married, but there are rules preventing them from being together. Despite his love, Aspen insists America enter the Selection in order to help her family move up in the caste system. When she's chosen, he breaks up with her.

Although heartbroken, America heads off to the castle to take part in the competition to win the prince's heart. She know she'll never love the prince, but goes because the palace pays her struggling family a stipend while she competes. A few awkward encounters with the prince ends up actually bringing the pair close and America starts to question who her heart belongs to.


Since I wasn't a big fan of the whole melodrama surrounding her relationship with Aspen, I was glad when he was out of the picture. It was much more entertaining reading about the girls trying to win over the prince. In my head, I kept adding my own cliched lines that have appeared on The Bachelor. "I believe in this process." "I'm ready to find love."


Maxon was a great character and I will definitely have a major meltdown if America doesn't end up with him. I'm embarrassed to admit I actually do enjoy stories where a handsome and rich prince falls in love with a girl because she has gumption. I also liked how America held onto her identity and wasn't afraid to be herself around the prince.


The weakest part of the novel was the world building. A few things sounded very far-fetched to me (i.e. China invades the United States because we owe them too much money). Plus, there was no clear explanation on how this history created the caste system.

And the ending just didn't work for me. It was open-ended and I feel the concept behind the book could have worked as a stand alone novel instead of a series. However, would I read the next novel? Absolutely.  

Rating: 3.5/5 Stars