Review: Remembrance by Meg Cabot

Series: Mediator Book #7

Format: Trade Paperback

Pages: 388

Rating: 4 Stars

How I Got It: Christmas Gift

Genre: Romance, Mystery

Publisher: Harper Collins

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

You can take the boy out of the darkness. But you can’t take the darkness out of the boy.

All Susannah Simon wants is to make a good impression at her first job since graduating from college (and since becoming engaged to Dr. Jesse de Silva). But when she’s hired as a guidance counselor at her alma mater, she stumbles across a decade-old murder, and soon ancient history isn’t all that’s coming back to haunt her. Old ghosts as well as new ones are coming out of the woodwork, some to test her, some to vex her, and it isn’t only because she’s a mediator, gifted with second sight. 

What happens when old ghosts come back to haunt you?

If you’re a mediator, you might have to kick a little ass.

From a sophomore haunted by the murderous specter of a child to ghosts of a very different kind—including Paul Slater, Suze’s ex, who shows up to make a bargain Suze is certain must have come from the Devil himself—Suze isn’t sure she’ll make it through the semester, let alone to her wedding night. Suze is used to striking first and asking questions later. But what happens when ghosts from her past—including one she found nearly impossible to resist—strike first?

Review

I enjoyed the original series and this was a good addition. It was a little more adult which felt more real for Suze-especially her language. And it was interesting to see how Jesse's values and religion impacts their relationship.

The mystery/ghost story was a real adventure. It started as a traditional one for these books, but then it got deeper. And it felt much more serious then the others.

Of course I love Suze and Jesse. It's nice to see their relationship grow. Although there could've been less Suze keeping things from Jesse as a source of conflict. She should know better than that at this point.

I could've done without Paul because he sucks, but it was a great book other than that.

Trigger Warning for child abuse. It was handled tastefully but is still there.

Thanks for reading!

Holly

Review: The Proposal by Meg Cabot

Series: The Mediator Book 6.5

Format: Ebook

Rating: 3 Stars

How I Got It: Borrowed from Library (Overdrive)

Genre: Romance, Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Avon Impulse

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

The last place Suze Simon expects to find herself during Valentine’s Day is a cemetery. But that’s what happens when you’re a mediator – cursed with the “gift” of communicating with the dead.

That’s how Suze has ended up at the graves of a pair of NCDPs - Non-Compliant Deceased Persons – whose drama didn’t end with death. It’s Suze’s job to make sure they move on—for good.

But the NCDPs aren’t the only ones with problems. The reason Suze is spending her Valentine’s Day with the undead instead of her boyfriend, Jesse, is because he’s having so much trouble adjusting to life after death . . . not surprising, considering the fact that he used to be an NCDP himself, and now his girlfriend busts his former kind for a living, while he tries to cure his kind of what used to ail him.

Can Suze use her mediating skills to propose a mutual resolution, and bring all these young lovers together - including Jesse and herself - especially on the night Saint Valentine declared sacred to romance?

Or will she end up alone—and possibly undead—herself?

Review

This was a cute little novella and it definitely got me excited to read Remembrance. It was nice to see Suze a little more grown up. And it is always a pleasure to see Jesse. Suze's voice had the same humor-although there was a little more sex under it. I hope that continues as their relationship grows/evolves.

The ghost story line felt a little thrown together. This was especially so at the end. It was like Ms. Cabot realized this was a novella instead of a full-length book so everything had to be tied up real fast.

But I'm still glad I read it, because these are fun characters.

Thanks for reading!

Holly

Review: Twilight by Meg Cabot

Series: The Mediator Book #6

Format: Mass Market Paperback

Pages: 312

Rating:4 Stars

How I Got It: Purchased

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal

Publisher: Avon

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

Suze has gotten used to ghosts. She's a mediator, after all, and communicating with the dead is all in a day's work. So she certainly never expected to fall in love with one: Jesse, a nineteenth-century hottie. But when she discovers that she has the power to determine who becomes a ghost in the first place, Suze begins to freak. It means she can alter the course of history... and prevent Jesse's murder, keeping him from ever becoming a ghost - and from ever meeting Suze.

Will Jesse choose to live without her, or die to love her? 

Review

I finally finished my re-read of this series. This isn’t perfect or my favorite series, but it is enjoyable and I would read it again.

The tension didn’t feel as high in this book. But I did like the romance and even got a little teary-eyed at the end. I would’ve liked to see Suze grow up a little more, but she did develop a bit especially when it comes to her relationship with Jesse.

In the next couple months I plan on reading The Proposal and Remembrance. Both I’ll be reading for the first time.

Thanks for reading!

Holly

Review: Haunted by Meg Cabot

Series: Mediator Book #5
Format: Mass Market Paperback
Pages: 263
Rating: 4 Stars
How I Got It: Gift from family
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal
Publisher: Avon

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

Suze is used to trouble, but this time she's in deep: Ghostly Jesse has her heart, but Paul Slater, a real flesh-and-blood guy, is warm for her form. And mediator Paul knows how to send Jesse to the Great Beyond. For good.

Paul claims he won't do anything to Jesse as long as Suze will go out with him. Fearing she'll lose Jesse forever, Suze agrees. But even if Suze can get Jesse to admit his true feelings for her, what kind of future can she have with a guy who's already dead?

 
Review

This book stressed me out. That's not a bad thing, just a fact. The whole Paul story line makes me so anxious. And that's a good thing. I know how this series ultimately ends, but still get wrapped up in this story.

And there was finaly some real movement in the Jesse/Suze story line! It's a good thing these are fast-paced books, because the romance is so slow. It's not slow in a bad way, but the anticipation is killing me.

I'm so excited to read the next/final book in this series.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

April Wrap-Up (2017)

April is kind of a blur to me. I don't really remember what happened in my life or reading. I read a decent amount of books and a nice blend of genres. I also read quite a few books I've read before.

Below are the books I read this month along with their ratings.

Just for Now-2 Stars

The Viscount and the Vixen-5 Stars

Scandal in Spring-4 Stars

Darkest Hour-4 Stars

Good Boy-4 Stars

The Understatement of the Year-4 Stars

When Beauty Tamed the Beast-4 Stars

Every Girl's Dream-3 Stars


What did you read?

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Review: Reunion by Meg Cabot

Series: Mediator Book #3
Format: Paperback
Pages: 289
Rating: 4 Stars
How I Got It: Gift from family
Genre: Young Adult
Publisher: Harper Teen

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

The RLS Angels are out for blood, and only Suze can stop them - since she's the only one who can see them. The four ghostly teenagers died in a terrible car accident, for which they blame Suze's classmate Michael... and they'll stop at nothing until he's joined them in the realm of the dead.

As Suze desperately fends off each attempt on Michael's life, she finds she can relate to the Angels' fury. Because their deaths turn out not to have been accidental at all. And their killer is only too willing to strike again.

Review

I remembered exactly nothing about this book. That actually made it kind of suspenseful and let me get in the mystery. That doesn't always happen with a re-read.

Suze still has a good amount of humor, but there was a more serious tone to this book. The stakes were certainly higher and more life or death Suze also had to deal with some moral dilemmas. I love seeing her challenge that way.

Jesse is becoming more of a fully fledged character. He doesn't show up a lot, but when he does he is a presence. And you know I love me some Jesse.

I read most of this in a day. That's one of the reasons I love these books so much. They are fast-paced and really hook you. The plan is to read the fourth book next month.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Review: Ninth Key by Meg Cabot

Series: Mediator Book #2 
Format: Paperback
Pages: 287
Rating: 4 Stars
How I Got It: Purchased
Genre: Young Adult, paranormal
Publisher: Avon Books

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

Everything is going great for Suze. Her new life in California is a whirlwind of parties and excellent hair days. Tad Beaumont, the hottest boy in town, has even asked Suze out on her very first date. Suze is so excited that she's willing to ignore her misgivings about Tad... particularly the fact that he's not Jesse, whose ghostly status - not to mention apparent disinterest in her - make him unattainable.

What Suze can't ignore, however, is the ghost of a murdered woman whose death seems directly connected to dark secrets hidden in none other than Tad Beaumont's past.

Review

It's probably been like a year but I'm back to my re-read of this series. I enjoyed this one just a little bit more than the first one. And I still don't remember a lot of what happened so it's like a first read.

Suze is still a bit impulsive for me, but she does seem a little more mature this time. She is still very funny. I love Jesse. He isn't much of a presence, but I loved every scene he was in. Father Dominic is another scene stealer.

The mystery elements kept me guessing and on my toes. I'm not a big fan of mystery moments in a way that makes me ok with it. And the pacing really works. It's fast but I don't feel like it went so fast that I miss things.

I'm definitely excited to continue on to the third book.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Review: Shadowland by Meg Cabot

Series: Mediator Book #1
Format: Paperback
Pages: 287
Rating: 4 Stars
How I Got It: Purchased
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal,
Publisher: Harper Teen

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

There's a hot guy in Susannah Simon's bedroom. Too bad he's a ghost.

Suze is a mediator - a liaison between the living and the dead. In other words, she sees dead people. And they won't leave her alone until she helps them resolve their unfinished business with the living. But Jesse, the hot ghost haunting her bedroom, doesn't seem to need her help. Which is a relief, because Suze has just moved to sunny California and plans to start fresh, with trips to the mall instead of the cemetery, and surfing instead of spectral visitations.

But the very first day at her new school, Suze realizes it's not that easy. There's a ghost with revenge on her mind... and Suze happens to be in the way.

 
Review

I really loved this series when I was younger, so I was super-excited to see a new book was being released. Naturally, I thought this would be a great time for a re-read. But I was afraid adult me wouldn't like it as much as teenage me. Fortunately, it was still enjoyable.

The writing is easy to read and fast-paced. It's pretty funny and isn't very dated. Contemporaries can always be odd when it comes to word choice or fashion that way. And Suze is a snappy narrator who talks directly to the reader which I love.

Suze is definitely a little stubborn and judgey. She's very strong which comes from that, but she also needs to be a little open-minded. Overall, I enjoy her and the other characters. Father Dom is an amazing foil to her. And her little step-brother Doc/David is adorable. Then, there's Jesse who is sweet and dreamy especially for a dead guy.

I don't remember a lot of what happens in this series so I am eager to go on a journey with Suze again. And Jesse. Always Jesse.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Insatiable by Meg Cabot

Series: Insatiable (Book 1)

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 451

Rating: 3 Stars

How I Got It: Purchased

                This was a re-read for me. I honestly don’t remember specifically what my feelings were the first time, but I do recall liking it enough to want to read the sequel. At the time the second book wasn’t released.

                I did enjoy it, but it was a slow read. And that’s different for a Meg Cabot book. Normally her books are quick for me-both YA and adult. And the pacing is consistent. Even when the action picks up the pace doesn’t seem to speed up the way you would expect.

                The story is compelling, but I don’t particularly like any of the characters. My favorites were probably the side characters like Meena’s neighbors because they had some spunk and personality.

                And the insta-love. It’s made worse by the fact that Meena had this appearance of being anti-falling in love so quickly. And I definitely think something is going to happen between Alaric and Meena in the next book. And that brings me to their relationship. I just don’t get it. Why was she trying to help him all the time? He threatened to kill her and basically held her hostage, but she was nice to him. Looking back on it-Meena’s a little cuckoo for cocoa puffs.

                I may have had some issues, but I do still want to read the sequel. I probably won’t read it right away though. The next one is about half the size so maybe it’ll be a faster pace.

                If you’ve never read a Meg Cabot book I wouldn’t recommend this as a good first read. Personally, I like Every Boy’s Got One for adult and Avalon High or All American Girl for Young Adult.

~Thanks for reading!

Holly