Book Review ~ Perfect Scoundrels

Perfect Scoundrels (Heist Society #3)

by Ally Carter
published by Hyperion Books
genre: YA, Contemporary,

Summary (Goodreads): Katarina Bishop and W.W. Hale the fifth were born to lead completely different lives: Kat comes from a long, proud line of loveable criminal masterminds, while Hale is the scion of one of the most seemingly perfect dynasties in the world. If their families have one thing in common, it's that they both know how to stay under the radar while getting-or stealing-whatever they want. No matter the risk, the Bishops can always be counted on, but in Hale's family, all bets are off when money is on the line. When Hale unexpectedly inherits his grandmother's billion dollar corporation, he quickly learns that there's no place for Kat and their old heists in his new role. But Kat won't let him go that easily, especially after she gets tipped off that his grandmother's will might have been altered in an elaborate con to steal the company's fortune. So instead of being the heir-this time, Hale might be the mark. Forced to keep a level head as she and her crew fight for one of their own, Kat comes up with an ambitious and far-reaching plan that only the Bishop family would dare attempt. To pull it off, Kat is prepared to do the impossible, but first, she has to decide if she's willing to save her boyfriend's company if it means losing the boy.

My Thoughts: I really liked how this seemed much more personal on a lot of levels. Everything was very close to home even when they were rushing off across the world.
The usual cast of characters are present in this as in the first two with some interesting additions. We meet most of both Kat and Hale's extended families. It was nice seeing glimpses of Hale's relationship with his grandmother and how it shaped him. Also, the first meeting between Kat and Hale where she went in to steal a painting and ended up leaving with the boy instead.
Overall, I've really enjoyed this series and this was my favorite so far. It had everything you've come to expect from this series. It had plenty of action and intrigue with that one moment where you're holding your breath hoping it's just another con.

Rating: 4

Book Review ~ The Perfect Hope

The Perfect Hope (Inn Boonsboro #3)
by Nora Roberts
published by Berkley Trade
genre: Romance, Contemporary, Supernatural

Summary (Goodreads): The Montgomery brothers and their eccentric mother are breathing new life into the town of Boonsboro, Maryland, by restoring its historic hotel. And they’re finding their own lives revamped by love. This is Ryder’s story... Ryder is the hardest Montgomery brother to figure out — with a tough-as-nails outside and possibly nothing too soft underneath. He’s surly and unsociable, but when he straps on a tool belt, no woman can resist his sexy swagger. Except apparently Hope Beaumont, the innkeeper of his own Inn BoonsBoro. And though the Inn is running smoothly, thanks to Hope’s experience and unerring instincts, her big-city past is about to make an unwelcome — and embarrassing — appearance. Seeing Hope vulnerable stirs up Ryder’s emotions and makes him realize that while Hope may not be perfect, she just might be perfect for him...

My Thoughts: The main draw of this book was finally finding out the full story behind Eliza (the ghost) and her missing love. She was also my favorite character in this one. There was the usual locking the main couple in a room until they kissed and she would let them out but there was also the little antics like stand over the snobby guest and giving her a good scare in the middle of the night. The flashback/dream of Billy's final moments were also well done.
Overall, the rest of the story went as expected. You know going in there is going to be an HEA and who it's going to be between. There's going to be drama to make you pause and wonder if they actually are going to get together. Then there is the big moment of declaration. This book had all of that but I still enjoyed it. Ryder was my favorite brother of the three and I liked reading his POV more than Hope's.
Nora Robert's is one of my go to author's. I love her paranormal/ supernatural books the best but will always find the time to read her newest romance.

Rating: 3.5

Book Review ~ Belles

Belles (Belles #1)
by Jen Calonita
published by Poppy
genre: YA, Contemporary

Summary (Goodreads):  Fifteen-year-old Isabelle Scott loves her life by the boardwalk on the supposed wrong side of the tracks in North Carolina. But when tragedy strikes, a social worker sends her to live with a long-lost uncle and his preppy privileged family. Isabelle is taken away from everything she's ever known, and, unfortunately, inserting her into the glamorous lifestyle of Emerald Cove doesn't go so well. Her cousin Mirabelle Monroe isn't thrilled to share her life with an outsider, and, in addition to dealing with all the rumors and backstabbing that lurk beneath their classmates' Southern charm, a secret is unfolding that will change both girls' lives forever.

My Thoughts: I'll start with saying that contemporary reads make up only 5-10 % of my reading for a year. That being said I was grabbed by this cover and then the blurb was interesting enough to make me check it out from the library.
The characters were what you would expect in this type of book just by reading what it's about. Isabelle fits into the rags to riches role, Savannah is your classic mean girl and Mira is the mean girl with guilt who isn't sure where she fits in.
The writing is what made this book for me. I started reading and looked up and I was already 200 pgs in. The fact that the author grabbed and kept me for that long was the most impressive thing for me. The writing was very smooth and made for an easy read. There was also enough in the story line to keep me going even when I thought I knew what was going to happen.
I will definitely  take the time to read the second book in this series to see what happens next (kind of hoping someone knocks Savannah down a bit).

Rating: 3.5

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill over at Breaking The Spine. It's a weekly event that spotlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating.

Perfect Scoundrels (Heist Society #3)
by Ally Carter
published by Hyperion Books
expected release date: February 5, 2013
genre: YA, Contemporary, Mystery

Summary (Goodreads): Katarina Bishop and W.W. Hale the fifth were born to lead completely different lives: Kat comes from a long, proud line of lovable criminal masterminds, while Hale is the scion of one of the most seemingly perfect dynasties in the world. If their families have one thing in common, it’s that they both know how to stay under the radar while getting-or stealing-whatever they want.

No matter the risk, the Bishops can always be counted on, but in Hale’s family, all bets are off when money is on the line. When Hale unexpectedly inherits his grandmother’s billion dollar corporation, he quickly learns that there’s no place for Kat and their old heists in his new role. But Kat won’t let him go that easily, especially after she gets tipped off that his grandmother’s will might have been altered in an elaborate con to steal the company’s fortune. So instead of being the heir-this time, Hale might be the mark.

Forced to keep a level head as she and her crew fight for one of their own, Kat comes up with an ambitious and far-reaching plan that only the Bishop family would dare attempt. To pull it off, Kat is prepared to do the impossible, but first, she has to decide if she’s willing to save her boyfriend’s company if it means losing the boy.

**This is one of the few contemporary YA series that I will take the time to read. I've enjoyed the first two and cannot wait to read this one.