Genesis Girl by Jennifer Bardsley Book Review

received a free advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review from month 9 books*

Technology is addictive. I have a hard time drawing myself away from my phone or my iPad. Genesis Girl contains a world where technology has caused ruin; cell phones caused a sweep of brain cancer which killed a great number of people and made others wary of any form of technology. It is a rather stark, but realistic picture of the future we could someday face. This movement is called the Vestals. They are free from all forms of technology, raised to lead very sheltered lives until they are chosen by bidders to become the face for various campaigns and sell the products they are told, leading lives they really have no control over.

Any novel that starts with someone getting kicked in the balls is going to be awesome. This book truly does begin this way. It is action packed and fast paced throughout. I never felt like there was a time when I was bored or not dying to see what was going to happen next. The main character Blanca sells for the highest amount during the ceremony the Vestals undergo when they turn old enough. In a moment, her life is changed forever. She goes from living among her own kind to living in a world she was taught to manipulate in subtle ways and do whatever she can to please her bidder. She doesn't believe she has any free will or choice of her own. Blanca craves to be told what to do, how to act, and who to be. When Cal, her bidder, tells her to make her own choices--  such as becoming a part of his family as a daughter-- Blanca struggles. She has a hard time processing not being controlled by other people because it's what she has been taught her whole life.

Blanca surprised me by how strong she is. In the beginning,  she wants to lose herself in being told what to do and not imagine a world where she is able to make choices. As chance and opportunities are presented to her, she begins to see the world in a whole new way. Although Blanca has a hard time, she learns to embrace the new world she is living in.

Jennifer Bardsley did an amazing job with Genesis Girl. I was hooked the whole time I was reading it. Blanca has such a great voice and she is always herself. I appreciated the reality of the novel, hoe dangerous technology and social media can be if used the wrong way. This book also teaches it can be a positive tool, as long as it doesn't overtake your entire being. I couldn't stop reading this book and was already dying for the sequel before it was even over. Genesis Girl is an amazing and addictive read. Check it out!

Love Me Never by Sara Wolf Book Review

*Received a free copy from Chapter by Chapter blog for the upcoming book tour , which constitutes I must provide an honest review*

 I can't lie. I loved this book right away. I wanted to just lose myself in it because it was just so fantastic. I was lucky to have been given the chance to read this book, thank to Chapter to Chapter.

But for real, this is such a great book that I don't even have the words to really tell you why I love it so much. It could have been the story or maybe just Isis herself. Either way, I love this book so much and I'm hoping to use my magic as a book reviewer to get my hands on the other books sooner than later. It was that good. I was so hooked that I couldn't stop reading. I started reading it while I was working, and it was impossible to stop. I was cursing the clock and even reading in between waiting on customers.

This book is one you won't be able to put down. I read this book in a matter of less than a day. I just couldn't get enough. Maybe it was because I couldn't relate to Isis and her self esteem issues. To put it simply, Isis moves to a new town with her mother to escape her mother's abusive ex boyfriend. Isis used to be the fat girl who was made fun of and not wanted. She fell in love with the wrong guy, and he caused her to swear off love altogether. Isis had such an awesome voice. She is never afraid to be herself at any time. She is funny, strong, and confident. Isis is even string enough to be her mom's strength because of the hard time her mom has faced.

But Isis doesn't love herself at all. She thinks no one will ever want to love her, and she only sees herself as Ugly. The word has seered itself so deeply into her being, she doesn't have the capability to believe she is pretty or worthy of being loved. But she is not afraid to be there for her friends. When she befriends Kayla, she becomes a fierce and loyal friend immediately. Although she doesn't exactly claim being her friend, she wants Kayla to be happy. Even if the ice Prince of their town, Jack, is the one who thinks Kayla will make her happy. Isis and Jack butt heads and it's fun to see them face off with each other.

Jack has his own reasons for keeping people at arms length and Isis doesn't want to be involved with him or any guy. Isis is focused on making everyone around her happy, no caring about herself too much. She I cares about her mom and her friends, even making sure she does all she can to ruin Jack's day when she is able.

 But still, Isis is fixated on being ugly and unworthy of love. She is such an amazing character and it's sad to see that she can't see her worth. The journey for her trying to be told she is worth it is very, very interesting. I couldn't put this book down and I'm dying for the rest.

 Highly recommended. 5 stars across the board. I loved it.