The Revised Life of Ellie Sweet: A Book Review

 Two book reviews in a row! I hope you guys like them. There are so many interesting stories to be reviewed out there! Hopefully I'll have something different for you tomorrow. Today, however, I have the great pleasure of reviewing The Revised Life of Ellie Sweet by Stephanie Morrill. I received this book as a member of Playlist Street Team, so it gives me the opportunity to be a part of this Team Novel Team tour.

From the back cover:  Ellie Sweet is a lot of things—good girl, novelist, silent adorer of the new boy at school, Palmer. But when “outcast” gets added to the list, she decides it’s time to take reality into her own hands … and tweak it as needed.

In the pages of her book, she’s Lady Gabrielle, favorite of the medieval Italian court. Her once-friends are reduced to catty ladies-in-waiting, and the too-charming Palmer—who in real life never spares her a second word—gets to be nothing more than a rake wracked by unrequited love for her. She even has a perfect real-life villain in the brooding Chase, who hails from the wrong side of town.

But just when she’s getting along great in her fictional world, the real one throws her a few curves. With Chase pursuing her, Palmer wanting to date her—but in secret—and the details of her manuscript going public, Ellie suddenly receives more attention than she ever really wanted. And when her former-friends discover what she’s been writing, they’re determined to teach Ellie a lesson about the severe consequences of using her pen as her sword.

 My thoughts: Ellie Sweet was a really neat character. As a young writer I could really connect with her desire to be published, and all the little writing related things in the story. She used her life as a template for a story, using writing as a way figure out her feelings on different issues. She was a fun person to read about. Stephanie Morrill did a wonderful job getting Ellie's voice down, and drawing me into the story. Unlike some books, I found it hard to stop reading. The other characters in the book all achieved their different goals well. There were some we're meant to dislike, and they pull it off quite effortlessly. Others can be a bit harder to decode. There's Palmer, the gorgeous guy who cares a little too much about his image. There's Chase, the typical bad boy who has so much more to him. I seriously had no idea who Ellie was going to choose through most of the book. You just have to read it to see! 

 I can't say I agree with Ellie's choices. I probably wouldn't want to be involved with either of the boys because of their differing beliefs. I didn't like how Ellie deceived her parents throughout the book, and other little things. 

 Over all, I really liked this book. The characters were very real, and it was just interesting to read about, especially with the added concept of Ellie's writing journey. Also, I make a slight cameo. What's not to like? ;P

 Now, if you'd like to buy your own copy, just visit this link, and you'll be set!

 Also, the author has graciously offered an ebook giveaway of Ellie Sweet! Check out the rafflecopter below to enter! :)

About Stephanie Morrill: Stephanie writes young adult contemporary novels and is the creator of GoTeenWriters.com. Her novels include The Reinvention of Skylar Hoyt series (Revell) and the newly released The Revised Life of Ellie Sweet (Playlist). You can connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and check out samples of her work on her author website.

Check out other stops along the tour to learn more about the book, and catch some more giveaways of the book!

Blooming with Books • Colorimetry • Gillian Adams • Jill Williamson • The Life of a Teenage Writer • Once Upon an Inkling • Pages from My Journal • Rachelle Rea • The Ramblings of a Young Author • Shadow Writer World • Who YA Reading? • The Writings of Rosie • Worthy2Read

a Rafflecopter giveaway

It's Complicated: A Book Review

Hello everyone! Today you get another review! Today I'm reviewing It's Complicated by the sweet author Laura L. Smith.

Book description:

Follow four college roommates, Claire, Palmer, Hannah and Kat as they maneuver crushes, confusion, and the crisis when pushy boys go too far. Complicated as it is, these four friends will pull through, guided by the strength of their friendship and the power of God’s love.

  There's a reason Facebook has the status, It's Complicated.

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 I enjoyed this book. Laura has a very engrossing style of writing that kept me reading, wondering what was going to happen to the characters. Since the story is split up between four girls, sometimes it would jerk you out of a tense moment in one character's life, and put you in another girl's. I would want to see what was going to happen to the first girl, but pretty soon I'd be taken in with the second girl's world.

 Mrs. Smith writes very real, truthful, hard-hitting books. She puts these girls in real life situations, with real life emotions. Though I may not approve of some of the girl's dating decisions, or other decisions they make in the book, she's woven a story that is very true to most teenagers these days.

 I appreciated the faith element in the story, and how God was telling the girl's to lean on Him. Sometimes we have to be strong enough to let things go, and let God have His way.

 This book is under Young Adult as far as I'm aware, though I will warn younger readers: There is some very mature issues addressed, things that some girls have had to go through. If I had to pick an age group for this book, I would actually say fifteen and up. Maybe it's just because I never read anything with such mature issues when I was fourteen and younger, or something else. I just feel that this is a story for older teens who aren't uncomfortable getting into the nitty gritty part of life that many girls have to navigate.

 In the end, I thought It's Complicated was a well written book. It's a good story, with characters girls can relate to. I also loved the references in the novel, like Les Miserables. I can't wait to get my hands on the sequel.
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I received this book from the author as a member of the Playlist Street Team. Playlist is a new line of ebook novels for young adults. There are many talented author's involved, and I encourage you to check it out!

About the author:

Laura L. Smith is the author of the new Status Updates series. Her first book in this series is It's Complicated. She loves God, her husband, her four children, writing and speaking. She writes real stories for real young women. Her previous books include Skinny, Hot, and Angry. She is a featured columnist at Choose Now Ministries  http://nicoleodell.com/laura-l-smith-on-true-beauty/ and speaks at schools, churches and campuses around the country. Smith lives in the college town of Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. www.laurasmithauthor.com