Review: Perfect You by Elizabeth Scott

Perfect You by Elizabeth Scott

Paperback: 282 pages

Release date: March 25th 2008

Publisher: Simon Pulse
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Goodreads Summary: Kate Brown's life has gone downhill fast. 

Her father has quit his job to sell vitamins at the mall, and Kate is forced to work with him. Her best friend has become popular, and now she acts like Kate's invisible.

And then there's Will. Gorgeous, unattainable Will, whom Kate acts like she can't stand even though she can't stop thinking about him. When Will starts acting interested, Kate hates herself for wanting him when she's sure she's just his latest conquest.

Kate figures that the only way things will ever stop hurting so much is if she keeps to herself and stops caring about anyone or anything. What she doesn't realize is that while life may not always be perfect, good things can happen -- but only if she lets them...

This book is a big disappointment for me. I don’t remember how many times I had to roll my eyes because of the main character’s stupidity. Yes, I said it. Kate is probably the most unlikeable protagonist I’ve ever known. She tops Bella and Luce on my list and left a huge space in between. 

What I liked: WILL. This book earned another star from me because of this guy. He’s mistaken for a jerk who’d hooked up with half of the student body. In reality, he’s an amazing guy who helps her single mom to pay for the rent and puts up with the shallowness of the girl he likes. 

The banter. I liked the parts wherein Kate is bantering with Will and his older brother Todd. Those few exchanges were the only times I find Kate witty and bearable. 

The cover and sometimes her grandmother. I really think the cover’s cute and it’s one of the reasons why I picked it up in the first place. Her grandmother is annoying at times but her words were sometimes philosophical and right. True enough, her character makes sense to me. I know mother-in-laws in real life that’s so much like her.

There are a bunch of things I didn't like about this book. Kate is pretty much the main reason why. She’s book smart but dumb when it comes to interpersonal relationships, she thinks her life is doomed and constantly whines about how it couldn't get any worse, and is always rude to Will when they’re in school or not making out. There were several times that I wanted to shake and wake her up from thinking that Anna will be her best friend again. I kept hoping for her to start seeing Anna is not worth it and how much Will likes her. Speaking of Anna… I HATE HER. So much for a bad person who dumps her best friend because she finally lost weight and her social rank drastically went up. Seriously, who would choose Plastics over the person you practically grown up with?? Her dad on the other hand needs to grow up.

The last thing is the ending. My first thought was “What? That’s it? *SMH*”. I think it’s one of the most unsatisfactory ever. The story just wrapped up and sounded like the author is sick of it so might as well just end it and move on to another book with another main character who’s much likable than this one’s. 

So overall, this is not the book for me. 

The Secret of Spicy Jalapeno by Charlie Courtland

Paperback: 230 pages

Released Date: March 7, 2011

Publisher: BB Books Original Paperback Trade Co

Source: Review Copy

Goodreads Summary: Beyond the urban sprawl of a Pacific Northwest city lurks the peculiar little town of Providence and in it, an organic farmer named Joe Parker. Joe’s lurid story, or rather this particular piece of it, begins when Sheriff Caine fashions the big idea to grow jalapenos, albeit with questionable methods. The gritty scheme is plucked from the undercurrent of the sheriff’s self-righteous mind and carried out with the help of Joe’s skill, two local agents, and a coroner. Everything is progressing as planned. That is, until Vera Cruz, a prostitute and girlfriend of a drug dealer, is delivered late one night on Joe’s doorstep. The new houseguest suddenly complicates his routine. The woman bunking on the rear porch not only threatens to upset the jalapeno operation, but also Joe’s conviction about what is rightly just and intrinsically wrong. Will Vera save Joe or lure him further into depravity? 

The creation of The Secret of A Spicy Jalapeno derives from the unequivocal influence of acclaimed Southern gothic writer, Flannery O’Connor. 

Thoughts:

First I’d love to thank Ms. Charlie Courtland for letting me have her book. I never imagine the story to be this noteworthy! At first I thought the book was some kind of a recipe book, really, because of its title with jalapeno. I never even peek on its synopsis so it’s a whole mystery for me to find out the story. And when the book finally came to my own hands, my first thought was, “what’s with the feet (on the cover)?”, then “Okay...I think this will be very interesting ;)”

So...

The first words that caught my attention was the words of Joe Parker, ‘if they knew what I did’ , then it all get on like a house on fire that there is something hideous in the story, which answers the question, what’s the secret? When I was reading the book I feel like I was watching a movie actually, because of my affection for horror movies I think this book will be great in the screen. The characters were benevolently written. Joe Parker’s a tranquil and cunning person; he’s laid back, more of an observer than a reactor. He only bank on one person, Sheriff Caine. Then of course, there are the secondary characters which feel as engaging and three dimensional as Joe. Sheriff Caine, the mind for the growing jalapeños, he is tough and meticulous when it comes to growing the jalapeños, his wife Nan, the two local agents and the Coroner. Everything seems in the perfect place when all of a sudden Vera Cruz came in to the picture. She’s a prostitute and a girlfriend of a drug dealer, who wants to escape from her world. Joe became uptight with her in his house, not because she’s a prostitute but because of the sudden feeling he felt for Vera. He’s now in a dilemma on where he will chose if he will push Vera away from him or let his feelings fall and soon let her discover his biggest secret. The romance is built up adeptly, and in an unforeseen way.

I admired how Charlie convey the story painstakingly and leave you some information on which even me didn’t knew until I read the book. The way how Joe, the Skinner, does his fertilizer (the secret) will grab hold of your breath. The notion of the story was pretty sharp-witted in a horrific way and still keeps you turning every page. ;) I don’t know if others will love the story the way I do ‘coz I’m the kind of person that the more the story gets ghoulish the more I pine for it. I highly recommend you to grab a copy of “The Secret of a Spicy Jalapeno”, and for Mr. Carl Banks, good luck on your journey on figuring out the secret that skulk around the farm of Joe Parker ;)

Review: Matched by Ally Condie

Matchedl by Ally Condie

Hardcover: 366 pages

Release date: November 30th 2010 (Firts published November 13th    2010)

Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
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Goodreads Summary: Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows he is her ideal mate . . . until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.

Thoughts

  

This was the second time I’ve read such novel that evinced another dystopian story that will purely rivet the minds of its readers. If you have read "The Hunger Games Trilogy" and was enthralled to its unique plot then you have to add "Matched" on your list of must read books this 2011. The book is enveloped of characters with fascinating personalities that comes from different approach. Honestly, I can't wait for the Rebellion to develop because thst will definitely ignite an incredible plot. So to the extent of this review I'm looking forward to read its sequel "Crossed" which will be release this year too!