Title: Anatomy of a Single Girl
Author: Daria Snadowsky (Twitter)
Publisher: Delacorte BYR
Publish Date: January 8, 2013
Genre: YA/NA, Contemporary
Pages: 277
Source: Author

After everything that happened — my first boyfriend, my first time, my first breakup—jumping back into the dating game seemed like the least healthy thing I could do. It’s not that I didn’t want to fall in love again, since that’s about the best feeling ever. But as a busy college premed still raw from heartbreak, which is the worst feeling ever, I figured I’d lie low for a while. Of course, as soon as I stopped looking for someone, an impossibly amazing—and devastatingly cute—guy came along, and I learned that having a new boyfriend is the quickest way to recover from losing your old one.

The moment we got together, all my preconceptions about romance and sex were turned upside down. I discovered physical and emotional firsts I never knew existed. I learned to let go of my past by living in the present. It was thrilling. It was hot. It was just what the doctor ordered. But I couldn’t avoid my future forever.

After a brief, hot, fantastic and fleeting relationship with her very first boyfriend, Dominique is now single (and ready to mingle). But it's so much easier said than done. Now that she's had a taste of first love, that rush and all the fun and excitement that comes with it, Dom is hooked and she wants more. To complicate things, Dom is now a pre-med student, and her life is busy, but Dom finds the perfect solution with Guy, a studious guy who, like herself, is looking for all the fun but none of the hassle. But a no-strings-attached relationship isn't as cut and dried as she might hope. Complications abound and, well, being single is often just as tricky as being in a relationship.

In the interest of full disclosure, I feel it's necessary to state that I did not actually read the first book in this series, as the author informed me that the books can read well as stand-alone novels. Anatomy of a Single Girl is a witty, humourous and engaging take on the rebound from a failed first love. Author, Daria Snadowsky, has crafted a novel that is sure to ring true, giving many a reader a chuckle reminiscing about their youth, their naivety and that overwhelming desire to find "the one." Often times heartfelt and sweet, other times serious and true, Anatomy of a Single Girl has a little bit of something for everyone.

I have to admit that I'm not entirely certain where I stand on Anatomy of a Single Girl though. There were a good many times in the novel that I found myself making note of Ms. Snadowsky's exemplary ability to paint a realistic and somewhat educational take on intimate relationships. Then, however, I would have pause, remembering that this is an actual novel - not a textbook. In the same breath though, I love that the book is written clearly and decisively with fully-fleshed out characters with whom you can empathize and relate. It seems to me that there were two stark contrasts in this novel. One the one hand, we're given a sweet and engaging tale of a girl navigating a series of firsts in her relationship and finding a guy (no pun intended) who is willing to share in these experiences and teach her along the way. On the other hand though, there was a part of me that couldn't help but think that this novel was erring on the side of a safe-sex handbook. That's not to say that I didn't enjoy the laugh-out-loud moments in which Dom interacted with her parents, the shedding of the black-and-white images of relationships today and the super sexy Guy that we get to see as Dom's rebound. I guess I'd simply gone into the novel expecting more of a syrupy sweet story of a girl looking to overcome being single again and find a guy who is willing to be more than just a friend with benefits. Colour me a prude, but I  feel as though the sexual situations were just too frank in this novel, and it almost marred the fact that this is actually a sweet, realistic and believable coming-of-age tale. In truth, with a host of great characters, an accessible writing style and a great premise, this book should have been a slam-dunk for me, but I was left a bit...well, wanting.

Overall, Anatomy of a Single Girl wasn't a bad book, but it wasn't exactly what I was expecting either. Though it's marketing to a fairly YA audience, I don't think it's necessarily appropriate as such. I would say this is much more of an upper YA and NA tale. I give it a 3 out of 5 for the engaging writing, and I recommend it to the aforementioned age markets and those who enjoy contemporary stories.

I received this book free of charge from the author in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Title: The Infinite Moment of Us
Author: Lauren Myracle (Twitter)
Publisher: Amulet Books
Publish Date: August 20, 2013
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Pages: 336
Source: Publisher

For as long as she can remember, Wren Gray’s goal has been to please her parents. But as high school graduation nears, so does an uncomfortable realization: Pleasing her parents once overlapped with pleasing herself, but now... not so much. Wren needs to honor her own desires, but how can she if she doesn’t even know what they are?

Charlie Parker, on the other hand, is painfully aware of his heart’s desire. A gentle boy with a troubled past, Charlie has loved Wren since the day he first saw her. But a girl like Wren would never fall for a guy like Charlie—at least not the sort of guy Charlie believes himself to be.

And yet certain things are written in the stars. And in the summer after high school, Wren and Charlie’s souls will collide. But souls are complicated, as are the bodies that house them...

Wren has lived her entire life by a certain code. She did her very best to always abide by her parents' wishes, make them proud and, by doing so, make herself proud, as well. But the code isn't so black and white anymore. She still plays by the rules, and she does her best to always be perfect, but something is missing, and she's not sure what exactly it is. Charlie, however, knows what he wants from life. He's sweet, kind and lives with the constant shadow of his past clouding his future. But can Charlie help awaken something in Wren that makes her see what she really wants from life?

I've had a tedious history with Lauren Myracle's books in the past. That's not to say I don't love her writing, but her work tends to simple ooze syrupy-sweet love and affection, and there is a part of me that just craves the anxiety that a dramatic tale brings. The Infinite Moment of Us promises readers the best of both worlds. Artfully weaving a story of two lost souls coming to together to heal each other and prove their own individual worth, the author provides us with a reason to believe in not only these characters, but ourselves as well. Oft times dreamy; other times heart-breakingly painful, The Infinite Moment of Us is sure to leave its mark on you, as well.

Because I went into this novel with fairly low expectations, I think that the book really did work for me, despite a few quirks. There was a tangible, affected air to Wren's character that made her undeniably relatable to me, as a reader. She had this little-girl-lost vibe to her, as well as a wide-eyed-innocence, but underneath this vulnerable exterior, there was a girl with power, strength and the desire to do great things with her life. The Infinite Moment of Us spends a good deal of time offering us an insight into Wren's internal dilemma, which clashes painfully against her parents' wishes for her to go to college, secure a job and maintain that straight and narrow line she's always followed. In this sense, I really, really disliked her parents. So long as Wren played by their rules, everything was kosher. The second she strayed and made a move to secure a future for herself, they demeaned her, belittled her and did everything they could to sway her decision. As someone who hopes to be a parent someday, I can't think of anything more mentally damaging that a parent can do than that. Charlie, on the other hand, was somewhat of an enigma for me. He had a rich, tortured soul, and he gave off a frail, damaged vibe that made it difficult for me to dislike him, even when he acted like a childish and petty. I could forgive a lot of his shortcomings because his past was artfully fleshed out though, at times, they still managed to grate on my nerves. I will say that Wren's immaturity was rather jarring at times, too. There is a definitive insta-connection (I hate to say love, though I'm sure many will), as there is a physical attraction that rides right alongside the emotional connection, as well, and the way Wren handled it, at times, was a bit baffling and annoying. I will say that there are some intimate sexual situations that, while well-written, kind of irked me, simply because I would have been for more invested in Charlie and Wren as a couple had they not immediately leaped to the physical aspect of a relationship. However, it's the ending that lowered my rating of the book. I almost wanted that subtle closure that kept you guessing on whether the connection lasts, but Wren acts childish and petty and, somehow, Charlie and his family break through the mold they've been in through the story to simply tie it up in ribbons and bows. 

Overall, I liked The Infinite Moment of Us, but I can't say that I completely loved it. And, I think it should be mentioned that because of the sexual situations in this book (and there are a good many), I don't think this is for the younger YA audience. Rather, it's more suitable for upper YA and even NA. I give it a 3 out of 5, and I recommend this to fans of both genres, as well as those who enjoy contemporary fiction.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

As you all know, I had the great privilege and honour of attending BookExpo America in May, and I'm still swimming in a huge sea of books (many of which are duplicates). So, what better way to celebrate our shared love of reading than to offer some books in a giveaway to all you lovely people, eh?! In that spirit, we're onto giveaway number 3...here's what's up for grabs:

The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney

February 8, 2001 - Flux

Freak. That's what her classmates call seventeen-year-old Donna Underwood. When she was seven, a horrific fey attack killed her father and drove her mother mad. Donna's own nearly fatal injuries from the assault were fixed by magic—the iron tattoos branding her hands and arms. The child of alchemists, Donna feels cursed by the magical heritage that destroyed her parents and any chance she had for a normal life. The only thing that keeps her sane and grounded is her relationship with her best friend, Navin Sharma.

When the darkest outcasts of Faerie—the vicious wood elves—abduct Navin, Donna finally has to accept her role in the centuries old war between the humans and the fey. Assisted by Xan, a gorgeous half-fey dropout with secrets of his own, Donna races to save her friend—even if it means betraying everything her parents and the alchemist community fought to the death to protect.

Awesome, right?! Here are the rules to enter: You do NOT have to be a follower but, as always, it's always appreciated. This giveaway is open internationally and will end promptly at midnight on Sunday, July 24th. Still interested?

Click HERE to enter!

As we all know, the book market (and the YA market in particular) is fast-becoming dominated by killer covers that rival the content of the books. I'm a self-professed cover slut, and I'm completely okay with that, but I think it's time we pay a little tribute to the fantastic covers on the market today. So, welcome to a brand new Friday feature at i swim for oceans!

Each week, I will feature a book with a cover that just blew my mind with its amazingness, and I invite you to join in. Simply post the cover, the author/publisher, the release date, why you love it and any other pertinent details you'd love to share with other cover-lovers out there. Want to join in? Simply link up and join the fun!

Title: Shatter Me

Author: Tahereh Mafi (Twitter...Facebook)

Publisher: HarperTeen

Publish Date: November 15, 2011

Genre: YA, Dystopian

Fun Fact: The "shatter" effect on the cover behind the model is not computer-generated, but rather a unique photography method called light painting by Aurora Crowley. Needless to say, it's gorgeous.

Why I Have Cover Lust: The contrast between dark and light + the fierce model + the unique font and the awesome title = perfection. Want.

What do you think? Are you dying of cover lust over a certain book? Link up and share the love with the rest of us!

Title: Clean
Author: Amy Reed
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Published: August 9, 2011
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Pages: 288
Source: Netgalley/Publisher

Olivia, Kelly, Christopher, Jason, and Eva have one thing in common: They’re addicts. Addicts who have hit rock bottom and been stuck together in rehab to face their problems, face sobriety, and face themselves. None of them wants to be there. None of them wants to confront the truths about their pasts. But they’ll all have to deal with themselves and one another if they want to learn how to live. Because when you get that high, there’s nowhere to go but down, down, down.

Olivia, Kelly, Christopher, Jason and Eva have next to nothing in common except their addictions, but even their addictions are nothing like each other's. Each facing emotional baggage, addiction and a desire to lose themselves, they're forced into rehab in Seattle to regain a handle on their lives and get back to the promising futures they once had. To change though, they must first admit their problems before they can take the necessary steps to get better. Some want to, but the others are in denial. One thing is certain - they have to learn to accept themselves, but they might just need each other to do so.

I don't read too many books about addiction. Disorders, yes. Diseases and death, yes. Addictions though...not so much, and I don't know why. Addiction is not something I'm really familiar with, but I know that it can grip one's life and never let go. Clean does a remarkable job of accurately portraying addiction, the effects it has on one's life and what might be behind a teen's addiction, as well. Amy Reed presents the reader with a no-holds-barred account of life in the grips of an addiction that's debilitating to the minds, bodies and souls of everyday teens. Filled with raw emotion, realistic situations and a powerful, resonant theme, Clean is tangible and powerful.

I think one of the most intriguing things about Clean was the style in which it was written. I have a fascination with books and authors that break the mold and dare to do something a little different. In the case of Clean, the book is told through a series of essays, narratives and sessions, lending the reader an insider perspective to the teens' lives in rehab. This could easily have been botched and felt false, but Clean presented it in a very real, believable manner, making the characters relatable and harrowing. I felt for them. I laughed for them, and I definitely teared up for them, as well. Though featuring a large cast of characters, Clean managed to fully flesh out each one, too, and each character had a specific impact on the book, which was great. The only issue I really had with Clean was the crass language that was so prominent throughout. Don't get me wrong...I know that teens swear. Hell, I swear. That said, I don't necessarily want to read it on every page to the extent that it actually makes me cringe. However, the positives did outweigh this negative for me in Clean.

All in all, Clean was a powerful and intriguing read that made me step out of my comfort zone and read about something new. I give it a strong 3.5 out of 5, and I'd recommend it to fans of YA, especially those who enjoy contemporary fiction and issue books. I also recommend it to an upper YA audience due to graphic language.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.