Title: Forever
Author: Karen Ann Hopkins (Twitter)
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publish Date: January 28, 2014
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Romance
Pages: 336
Source: Publisher

All I want is my happily-ever-after. That's all I've wanted since meeting Noah Miller.

From the day we met, the world has tried to keep Noah and me from being together, but now that I'm carrying his child, no one will be able to tear us apart. Or so I hope. But Noah and I have made some mistakes along the way, and the consequences are impacting the people we love. Worse, there's a storm on the horizon, and it's sure to cause serious devastation.

If we can get through this, we'll finally be Rose and Noah; a family, forever. But first we have to survive the road ahead. And happily-ever-after is a long way off.

This is the third novel in Karen Ann Hopkin's Temptation series, and I must admit that from the start, this has been a guilty-pleasure series for me. I'm generally the type of reader that wants rough, tough and gruff contemporary fiction, and I have a penchant for quickly discarding what might otherwise be considered sappy romance. However, Forever earned a spot on my review pile, simply because there is something inherently alluring about a forbidden romance - especially one that crosses cultures and beliefs. Forever, once again, brings us back to Meadow View with Rose and Noah as they attempt to navigate new obstacles blocking their paths to happiness, yet again. 

For those of you unfamiliar with the series, Forever and its predecessors are the tales of an Amish boy, Noah, who falls in love with an English (non-Amish) girl, Rose. While much of the setup for the previous novels felt a bit trite and cliche, this third and final installment in the series offered a surprising amount of new depth  to a pretty dramatic tale. Noah and Rose were rather reckless with their love for one another in the previous novels and, while they knew that their love would have consequences, they gave it little to no thought at all before. This time, however, we see Noah step up and mature, which I found really helpful for a series such as this. It would have been so easy for the author to simply settle for the drama of an unplanned pregnancy, but we actually get to see Noah take ownership of his actions and their subsequent repercussions. I was, however, still frustrated with Rose. There are serious strings attached to their relationship at this point, yet she still felt the need to hide it from her disapproving father. Colour me mad, but I would have loved to see the same level of maturity and growth from her as I did from Noah.

In terms of writing, Ms. Hopkins doesn't disappoint. Her prose is simple but sweet, and it has a delicate nature that doesn't feel overtly flowery or pretentious, but it weighs lightly on our hearts while it pulls us into this web of a story. Like I said before, this is not the type of series that I'd normally love, but it's engaging, and you can't help but root for two such characters. The ending was a bit neater than I might have liked. I like a bit of an open end, if only to keep me thinking about the story long after I close the book on the final page, but Forever gives readers what it's promises from the start - a happily ever after. I do wish we could see Rose and Noah grow a bit more together as friends, rather than just lovers, but I suppose that's asking a bit much of such a series.

Overall though, Forever is a fitting conclusion to a romantic forbidden love story. It was an interesting take on cross-culture relationships and, while often a bit cheesy, it was sweet, and it's a fast-paced read you can easily finish in a night. I give it a high 3.5 out of 5, and I recommend it to all fans of YA and contemporary romance novels.

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.

Title: I'll Be There
Author: Holly Goldberg Sloan (Twitter)
Publisher: Little, Brown BYR
Publish Date: May 17, 2011
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Pages: 392
Source: Personal Copy

Emily Bell believes in destiny. To her, being forced to sing a solo in the church choir--despite her average voice--is fate: because it's while she's singing that she first sees Sam. At first sight, they are connected.

Sam Border wishes he could escape, but there's nowhere for him to run. He and his little brother, Riddle, have spent their entire lives constantly uprooted by their unstable father. That is, until Sam sees Emily. That's when everything changes.

As Sam and Riddle are welcomed into the Bells' lives, they witness the warmth and protection of a family for the first time. But when tragedy strikes, they're left fighting for survival in the desolate wilderness, and wondering if they'll ever find a place where they can belong.

The beauty of contemporary fiction, regardless of the age range for which it's written, is that when it's done well, it has the innate power to evoke true, raw emotion from readers. It's a power that, in the vast scheme of literature, very few novels possess, but it's a true gem when we find one that does. I'll Be There is a novel that speaks volumes to readers but does so in sweet, melodic tones that resonate, gently prompting to look within ourselves and challenge the depths of our own humanity and compassion.

Underrated in so many ways, I'll Be There soars because of this, and the emotion leaps from the pages from the start. Sam embodies loneliness. If loneliness had a face, it would be his, and the aching sadness of it would grip you in its vice-like hooks because of its depths. Sam is a genuine character in whom I could see shades of myself; vestiges of a lost youth, though his circumstances were undeniably more difficult. Emily, on the other hand, wanted for nothing. At the same time though, she didn't fall prey to the stereotypes of young adult good girls. There was a sweetness about her - almost a achingly so - and a trust that makes her truly accessible.

The connection between Emily and Sam surpassed much of what romance presents to the genre today. Rather than offering us lust, I'll Be There offers us a connection. Rather than playing to a hyper-sexualized society, we're offered sweet, powerful and pure friendship and compassion, which makes the plot and events within the novel all the more powerful. The novel embraces pain and hardship throughout, making it a difficult read at times, but in the best possible way. I found that it challenged me to feel everything I didn't necessarily want to feel and, in the end, put me in the characters' exact shoes at exactly the right place and time.

Holly Goldberg Sloan spun a masterpiece with I'll Be There. Equal parts character-driven and plot driven, there is a delicate and precarious balance throughout - the art of which simply cannot be ignored. The writing is melodic and heartfelt, but it never felt cloying or overtly so. Instead, it simply felt as though I was watching two lives intersect, blossom and evolve into something different entirely. It was beautiful, heart-wrenching and completely surprising from start to finish.

Overall, I'm unable to fully express just how poignant and powerful this novel is. The manner in which characters and relationships are explored is absolutely impeccable, and if you're looking for a book that embraces humanity in its truest potential, this is it. I give I'll Be There a 5 out of 5, and I highly recommend to all fans of YA, especially those who enjoy contemporary fiction.

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine, and specifically spotlights upcoming novels we can't wait to read. As always, there are some amazing upcoming books, but this week I'm particularly excited for...

Title: The Apollo Academy
Author: Kimberly P. Chase (Twitter)
Publisher: Independent
Publish Date: August 8, 2013
Genre: NA, Sci-Fi, Romance
Pages: 340

As the heiress to Titon Technologies, eighteen-year-old Aurora Titon can have whatever she wants—clothes, expensive gadgets, anything money can buy. All she really wants is to escape her pampered, paparazzi-prone life for the stars.

Becoming the first female pilot to train as an astronaut for the Apollo Academy is exactly the chance for which she has been waiting. Everything would be perfect if it weren't for her unreciprocated crush on a fellow student, the sexy astronaut bent on making her life hell, and the fact that someone keeps trying to kill her.

Guys, I love me some sic-fi. This is no secret. It's also no secret that I have an insatiable lust for literary men. Is that too much? Oh well...the secret's out. Regardless, it sounds to me like The Apollo Academy might just offer all I could ever want from a book, plus a kick-ass cover to boot. I mean, seriously, guys. Tell me that isn't absolutely gorgeous. Here's to hoping this book is as perfect as I think it could be because this could be my first foray into new adult...What do you think, and what are you waiting on this week?

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because they are particularly fond of lists over at The Broke and the Bookish. They'd love to share their lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Each week they will post a new top ten list that one of our bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join. All they ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists! If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Have fun with it! It's a fun way to get to know your fellow bloggers.

Top Ten Book Romances That I Think Would Make It In The Real World:

1. Mr. Darcy & Elizabeth from Pride & Prejudice - These two are a given. They're so wrong that they're right. Their chemistry, their simplicity and the beautiful nature of their sweet relationship. Can I have it? But seriously. They'd totally last!

2. Mara & Noah from The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer - Ok, it's the classic combination of elusive and exclusive bad boy with the equally dark and mysterious bad girl. These two are a match made in...offbeat romance land. Plus, in my mind, they're both perfect.

3. Noah & Echo from Pushing the Limits - If you see my review yesterday, you'll totally understand it. These two characters go together like peanut butter and jelly. They're both a little bit damaged, but together they're whole.

4. Caleb and Maggie from Leaving Paradise - Let's just forget for a moment that there is a book two because (honestly) it never needed to be written. Caleb and Maggie went through so much, and they came out of it with a newfound respect for one another...and a new love.

5. Susan Chilmark and Timothy Collier from The Last Silk Dress - She was a diehard Confederate. He was a diehard Yankee. They should have hated one another, but they were both so passionate about their causes that they found a mutual respect...and a sweet, beautiful love.

6. Katniss Everdeen & Peeta Mellark from The Hunger Games - Again with the damaged and brokenness. These two both have these humble beginnings, and they have to go through hell and back just to survive. Who better to love than one another because they've known each other at their weakest and most vulnerable.

7. Carly & Ryan from Raw Blue - Colour me utterly jealous of the connection these two characters have. It's flawless, tangible, beautiful, heartbreaking and totally real. They have to learn to love one another for their baggage in order to make it through.

8. Harry Potter & Ginny Weasley from Harry Potter - I remember being utterly delighted when these two got together. I also remember the fierce protection that Harry had for Ginny, but the respect he had to let her be the strong witch she was. Perfection.

9. Ron Weasley & Hermione Granger from Harry Potter - These two have such a perfect dynamic. He's a bit of a buffoon, and she's a know-it-all, but they have hearts of gold, and their friendship actually took the time to grow into something more.

10. Elena Gilbert & Damon Salvatore from The Vampire Diaries - I know, I know. They're NOT actually together, however, I believe these two would last far longer than she and Stefan would. I think that love would bore her over time, but Damon would certainly keep her on her toes.

Title: Pushing the Limits
Author: Katie McGarry
Publisher: HarlequinTeen
Publish Date: July 31, 2012
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Pages: 384
Source: Publisher

No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with "freaky" scars on her arms. Even Echo can't remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal.

But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo's world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible.

Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she'll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again.

Echo was the IT girl. She had it all plus the world at her feet. Popular and pretty, Echo lived in the thick of it until the one night when everything changed and the entire facade was ripped away. Left with horrible scars on her arms and a nearly no memory of what happened, Echo just wants to go back to normal. Noah, however, changes things again. He's bad news, and Echo knows it, but there's this attraction and chemistry between them that she just can't deny. It might just be enough to bring a little bit of hope back.

Hey, remember when I said I hated contemporary fiction? I reserved the right to change my mind and...holy HELL...Pushing the Limits slapped me in the face with one heck of a wakeup call. Author, Katie McGarry, has crafted a fine work of fiction, seamlessly weaving the complexities of the teenage experience, internal drama, external turmoil and vivid characters into one mesmerizing story. Better yet, the drama, though intense, is real and alive, inviting you into the characters' worlds for a firsthand glimpse at their transformations. With an overriding theme of love and the ability to change, Pushing the Limits brings the genre into a new light for me.

When you think about it honestly, Pushing the Limits features everything I hate about contemporary fiction. The drama, the romance, the seemingly endless emotional turmoil - all of it usually deters me from reading contemporary novels. With Pushing the Limits, however, the story somehow toes the line from start to finish, never overstepping into the realm of being cloying. Echo (LOVE her name, by the way) was a fantastic character, lending an air of depth to what could have been a very shallow and boring plot. She's multi-layered, rich and dynamic, and the turmoil that simmers below the surface makes her easy to relate to while giving her an air of vulnerability. Then there's Noah. Good Lord. What is it with bad boys named Noah?! In all honesty though, Noah seemed every bit the bad boy, but there was this gentle sweetness to him, despite the rough edges. It was almost as though it was a little shell of protection for him, too, as he desperately wants to put the remnants of his shattered family back together. And when Noah and Echo are together, the chemistry is electric. Honestly, the dynamic between the two characters simply leaps from the pages. Pushing the Limits is alive. It's painful, heartbreaking, soulful, sweet and utterly romantic. It's one of those books that will break your heart and put it back together again.

There aren't too many books on my shelf that I will read time and time again, but I can guarantee that this will be one of them. I give it a flawless 5 out of 5, and I highly recommend it to all fans of YA, especially those who enjoy contemporary fiction and romance.

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.