This month we are discussing the contemporary romance “A Little Something Different” by Sandy Hall, the first book published by Macmillan’s new crowd-sourced imprint, Swoon Reads. The book is a multiple perspective take on a meant-to-be romance that everyone else can see forming except for perhaps the super smitten but super shy couple themselves. Everyone…
Selective Collective: Casting On the Fence by Kasie West
This month our Selective Collective book is “On the Fence” by Kasie West. Diana and I both loved it. It’s so refreshing to read a book about a strong, athletic girl who loves her brothers and hangs out like just one of the guys. An empowering story line about finding someone who loves you for…
Selective Collective: “#scandal” and Unrequited Love
Last month our Selective Collective book was Sarah Ockler’s latest novel “#scandal.” Ockler explores the idea of unrequited love. Lucy has a crush on Cole, but she can’t do anything about it, because he’s her best friend Ellie’s boyfriend. When you have a deep and abiding crush on your BFF’s guy, all you can do…
Selective Collective: “We Were Liars” by e. lockhart – Review
This month our Selective Collective book is “We Were Liars,” a much-hyped new novel by author e. lockhart. It’s our turn to write the review, which was hard, considering saying too much about this book could ruin it for some readers. Hope we are spoiler free enough to pique your interest without giving too much…
Selective Collective: The Chapel Wars Author Q&A & Giveaway
This month our Selective Collective book is “The Chapel Wars” by Lindsey Leavitt, an author our group profiled last year when she published “Going Vintage.” It’s our turn to highlight our selection’s author, and we couldn’t be more pleased, because Leavitt is such a sweet, funny author who clearly wants to shed a light on…
Selective Collective: The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski Roundtable
This month the Selective Collective book read “The Winner’s Curse” by Marie Rutkoski together. For me, it was an unputdownable novel with an original storyline and a unique central romance. Diana had a harder time getting into it at first, but eventually she got immersed in the sociopolitical drama. We asked our friends what they…
Selective Collective: Casting Call “Better off Friends” by Elizabeth Eulberg
This month our Selective Collective book is “Better off Friends” by Elizabeth Eulberg. Like a “When Harry Met Sally” for teens, the book follows young Levi and Macallan who first meet as middle schoolers, bond over an obscure British sitcom, and quickly become best friends. Over time, their friendship evolves and begins to test the…
Selective Collective: “Being Sloane Jacobs” and Identity Swapping
This month our Selective Collective book is Lauren Morrill’s “Being Sloane Jacobs.” We really enjoyed her adorable opposites-attract debut novel “Meant to Be,” so we were looking forward to reading this book as well. “Being Sloane Jacobs” was also very entertaining and actually read like a movie, considering the theme. Morrill offers up an identity…
Selective Collective: Secret Santas Revealed 2013
For the second year in a row, the seven bloggers in the Selective Collective participated in a Secret Santa exchange. We’ve had another great year collaborating together and have read a wide variety of books together. Once again, we jumped at the chance to be one another’s Secret Santas, particularly since the older we get,…
Selective Collective: “The Promise of Amazing” by Robin Constantine – Review
This month our Selective Collective book is “The Promise of Amazing,” a debut novel by author Robin Constantine. Constantine has penned a story about two unlikely teens whose lives intersect one fateful night. Wren and Grayson are opposites in every way. She’s a sweet, studious girl who always follows the rules and tends to be…