Mini Reviews: In Honor, Bittersweet and Someone Else's Life

It's mini review time again, in which I gush about some books I've read and loved, but that don't come out for awhile... you'll get the full review closer to release but for now, let the gushfest commence!

In Honor by Jessi Kirby: I loved Jessi's debut, Moonglass, and let me say, In Honor does not disappoint. Once again, she's got absolutely stellar characters that you will fall in love with. With the perfect blend of grief and fun, this book is one of those that is emotional without being a constant kick in the gut, yet gets all the points across. I loved Honor's character, from the rough truths she has to face to watching her try to figure out what to do now that her brother, and the main person to really be there for and take care for her, is gone. And then there's Rusty, who is, in a lot of ways, your typical cocky playboy jock, yet he's got this softer side that peeks through at the right moment to make. A girl. Melt. He's that boy who's broken and a mess, who you want to fix, yet you can tell he's got some of his crap together, and when he finally gets it all together, he'll be amazing, even if crude and maybe even cruel sometimes. I loved the banter between Rusty and Honor, and their shared pain over losing Finn. Then there's the roadtrip aspect, which was fun and well done, without stealing too much of the focus of the book. Seriously. This book is awesome, so make sure you add it to your must read list.

Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler: Hockey boys! Cupcakes! Wintertime romance! This book is so fun in so many ways, yet has plenty of rougher elements to it too. And every chapter title is the name and description of some kind of cupcake, which are so original and sound absolutely delicious. I am pretty sure Sarah has a fallback in cupcakery if writing somehow goes south for her, but considering how awesome this book is, I just don't see that happening. But seriously, I loved Hudson, loved seeing all the crap she was dealing with and really, even if she was maybe bratty at times, it made sense, and I got it, and I understood her. Then there's Josh, who is charming and sweet and just the right amount of gushy softness despite being a hockey boy... yeah, he will make you swoon, trust me. So whether you're a Sarah Ockler fangirl or not, you do not want to miss this book. And even better? Now that the pub date has been moved up, instead of waiting till August 2012, you just gotta last till January 3.

Someone Else's Life by Katie Dale: This is one of those books that you just can't put down, even when it seems almost like a soap opera. And okay, so a few of the characters were brats in their own way and yet, when I try to imagine myself in their situations, I think a little selfishness and frustration is allowed. There are a few story lines twisted together in this one, and some hard truth questions thrust into the limelight, and overall, Katie does it very well. I loved the blending of England and America, seeing Rosie's first visit to the States, yet also getting plenty of her life and culture from England in there too. And the writing of this one is so great, very easy to read and understand even for an American, despite the English MC, yet holding plenty of obvious notes to remind you that Rosie is, in fact, British. Add in the emotional air that is palpable throughout, and Katie has definitely nailed it with this one.