Juniper Limits (The Juniper Series, #2) - Lora Richardson

Synopsis:

Celia has spent her life waiting for the next crisis. When the tension at home begins to ease, she wonders if she’ll finally be able to relax. Her father has stopped drinking, her cousin Fay has moved back to Juniper, and it seems like Paul might really care about her. But trust is an uphill battle for Celia, fighting against doubt the whole way.

Paul has been drawn to Celia for as long as he can remember, and she is finally giving him a chance to show her how he feels. But when Celia can’t stop worrying everything will fall apart, and when things in Paul’s own life take a turn for the worse, can they learn to rely on each other?

Review:

Having read and reviewed Lora's work which is the first book of The Junpier Series called The Edge Of Junpier and fell in love I was more than happy and honoured to read Junpier Limits. This time we follow Paul and Celia throughout the book, watching their friendship strengthen and blossom.

I was so happy to be back in Juniper and seeing who felt like old friends, this story takes place so close to where The Edge Of Junpier ended and it all fitted so well. Celia's father Tedd is staying sober after being within the hold of alcohol for so long which we got to see in the previous book. it was ice to finally have faith in Tedd and wish he would follow the sobriety all the way through. At the end of the previous book we find out that after leaving Junpier, Fay is moving back and the trio she left behind are excited for her to return. All the while Paul is trying hard to show Celia how much he cares for her and he means it all but Celia doubts him all the way having struggled with trust for a long time.

It's beautiful to watch them both blossom with each other, I knew in the previous book that Paul cared and he was being true. Paul is a breath of fresh air. He isn't a bad boy, just a funny and cheery guy who is persistent in his pursuit of the only girl he's set on getting, but much like Celia his life isn't perfect and my heart really goes out to him, he's caring and sympathetic and yet he's strong and way beyond his years.

What struck me (yet again) about Juniper Limits is how realistic it feels. The dialogue and humor shared between Celia and Paul was so true and relalistic. When it came to how Celia dealt with the stress at home, her reactions felt so believable. Between the sadly true to life situations Celia and Paul were dealing with, Celia's reluctance to trust not only Paul but anyone, and Paul's conflicted feelings about his mother, there was a feeling of authenticity that ran throughout the book. Richardson perfectly captured Celia's tough outer shell, her constant worry, her fear to hope for better, and the shred of hope she allowed herself to feel anyway.

I don't think I can score any lower than 5/5 here, Lora has blown me away again and it was incredible to be able to see their faces and Juniper once again. I went through so many emotions whilst reading this book, all of them with the characters and that just shows you how great Lora writes. It was sad to have to leave them behind when I closed the eBook but I hope ill be seeing them again sometime.

Top Ten Tuesday - Ten Of The Most Unique Books I've Read

Let There Be Linda - Rich Leder

Summary Justice - John Fairfax

The Dry - Jane Harper

More Than This - Patrick Ness

SweetPea - CJ Skuse

Risen - M.T Miller

Raven's Peak - Lincoln Cole

Everyday - David Levithan

The Sign Of One - Eugene Lambert

The Edge Of Juniper - Lora Richardson

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted weekly by The Broke And The Bookish

Top Ten Tuesday - Ten Best Books Of 2016

I've read 49 books this year give or take, each and everyone has been their best and my best in their own way yet I couldn't exactly fit all of them in this post, well I could fit 14 at least.

The Food Of Love - Amanda Prowse

Caraval - Stephanie Garber

The Easy Way Out - Steven Amsterdam

The Two O'clock Boy - Mark Hill

 

Ravens Peak and Ravens Fall -  Lincoln Cole

          

    

  Risen, Ascent and A Strange Chemistry - M.T.Miller

 

The Edge of Juniper - Lora Richardson

 

The Art Of Being Normal - Lisa Williamson

Just Juliet - Charlotte Reagan

 

The Sign of One - Eugene Lambert

 

Geek Girl Head Over Heels - Holly Smale

Gravedigger - Michael Israel Jarvis

 

 Reasons To Stay Alive - Matt Haig

 

The Flight Of The Pickerings - John Grayson Heide

                       Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and The Bookish

The Edge Of Juniper - Lora Richardson

Synopsis:

“You’re off-limits, so why can’t I stop thinking about you?”

Fay Whitaker, sixteen years old and yearning for adventure, is excited to spend the summer with her fearless cousin Celia in small-town Juniper, Indiana.

But Fay soon discovers that her summer home is not what she expected. She is alarmed by her uncle’s temper, and learns of the grudge he holds against the Dearing family. Celia handles the tension at home by escaping with her boyfriend, leaving Fay with time on her hands—time that leads her straight to Malcolm Dearing, off-limits because of his last name. Fay is captivated by Malcolm’s warmth and intensity. She finds that trying to stay away from him only makes her think of him more.

Fay and Celia are launched on a journey, and each must attempt to navigate the thrilling and unpredictable world of love. Everything Fay thinks she knows about love is put to the test, as relationships unfold and reveal themselves in ways she never before dreamed.

Review:

I have to declare that Lora contacted me and asked if I was interested in reading her new book if it was something id like to read. This came after she had contacted me what seems like a long time ago offering a copy of her first book Outspoken for a honest review. I said yes to reading her second book The Edge Of Juniper, and this is what I have to say.

First off I have to say once I saw the book cover and then matched it to the characters actual ages I felt like they were written either 2 years too young or pictured 2 years older.

Fay was almost instantly attached to me, or me to her, whichever way you choose to say it. at the age of 16 she had a really strong  mind set and sense of independence. I really enjoyed the fact that when around her cousin Celia, and talking deep conversations she doesn't hold back with how she really feels and that kind of goes all the way through the book and it was great to see her not lose any part of herself.

Celia alone poked at my heart, she was blinded to some things going on and it only took her cousin to stay longer than 1 week to gain clarity, she is the big sister to Abe and although declare she hates him, to me she screams she adores him and would give anything for him to not have witnessed all she and he have.

Malcolm was not the cliché character I first thought he would be and I liked that a lot, he was very much all I ever wanted in a guy yet alone what good old fictional Fay wanted in a boyfriend. He was very understanding and caring. His best friend Paul didn't have a lot of time in the book compared to the other characters but when he was involved, it always helped the story progress that little bit more. Don't get me started on Ronan...please don't.

Unfortunately we don't see much of Freya or Finn who are the twin best friend's of Faye, id of liked to have seen more of them to get an even tighter grip on the strength of their friendship than what I had when they were first introduced and each time they made an appearance.

The development of Malcolm and Faye as well as Celia was so perfect I think I could cry if I had any tears to actually cry, I believe it was that good.

Yet again Lora has produced a book focused on problems that are really happening around the world, parent issues like separation and violence. What I also adore about this book is the fact it also talks about how the children involved in those relationships also feel like they have to carry the weight of the issue and fix it by themselves.

Throughout the eight weeks that Fay stays with her cousins, she slowly learns about herself and what she always believed love and family to be. Her view on them is changes, only for the better.

The book also covers the topic of losing your virginity, now this is an important topic in young relationships yet alone older relationships. Lora takes this opportunity to go down both paths of a virgin teenager, the 1st, being prepared and losing your virginity with your partner as well as the 2nd path where you aren't ready to engage in that level of intimacy and how to approach that topic of conversation with your partner. I love this because it lets readers know that if you are ready and your partner is too then that's okay and if you aren't ready and your partner is accepting of that, that is also okay.

The book gets a 5 frome me, there's no doubt about it, the book is easy to get into a read and isn't too long either, a definite recommendation to anyone.

Lora teaches me a lesson or a few through her writing and I'm wishing her all the luck in the world with all of her writing. I feel very fortunate to have been able to read both of Lora's work and I can not thank her enough for trusting me enough to allow me to.

Refreshing, heartwarming and a pinch of well timed sarcasm

Top Ten Tuesday - Ten Things Books Have Made Me Want To Do/Learn About After Reading Them

1. Become a Apprentice (Spooks Apprentice - Joseph Delaney)
2. Model and travel to several countries and experience new friendships, I know, big chance... (Geek Girl Series - Holly Smale)
3. Ride the train, make friends and learn magic and play Quidditch (Harry Potter Series - J.K.Rowling)
4. Become a Vampire or live in a vampire town ( True Blood/ Sookie Stackhouse Series - Charlaine Harris)
5. Fight to die or survive the Hunger Games (The Hunger Games Series - Suzanne Collins)
6. Visit the Children at an Orphanage (The Unwanted from The Black Water Tales - Jean Nicole Rivers)
7. Move away from home and become independent (Outspoken - Lora Richardson)
8. Become allergic to literally everything?!?! (Everything, Everything - Nicola Yoon.)
9. Fall in love with a band member (The Heartbreakers - Ali Novak)
10. Morph into a better, prettier, popular version of me. (Being Layla Hart - Amanda McKelt)

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke And The Bookish

Top Ten Tuesday - Best Books I Read In 2015

Most books I have read this year have been the best, but here are 10 off the top of my head.

 Geek Girl Picture Perfect - Holly Smale

Geek Girl All That Glitters- Holly Smale

Geek Girl Geek Drama - Holly Smale

Geek Girl Model Misfit - Model Misfit

All I Know Now - Carrie Hope Fletcher

The One Thing - Marci Lyn Curtis

Everyday - David Levithan

Come Sit By Me - Thomas Hoobler

Memphis Hoodoo Murders - Kathryn Rogers

Outspoken - Lora Richardson

 Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted over on The Broke And The Bookish

Top Ten Tuesday - New-To-Me Favorite Authors I Read For The First Time In 2015

Well this topic isn't hard for me, I just could only find reasons for 5 authors, But I will say I've enjoyed the works of all of the authors works that I have read this year in one way or another and that there is nothing against you that left your name off the list I just didn't want to repeat my reasons over and over. There have been many new authors I've read works of in 2015 that I've thoroughly enjoyed and I will hopefully stay up to date with those authors way into 2016.

1. Holly Smale - Even though I only begun reading her books in 2015 I don't regret it and I have an overwhelming sense of love for the woman. She's such a wonderful author and human being. I cant wait for more of her work to well, work its way to my shelves.

2. David Levithan - Everyday had been sitting on my shelf for a long time and I hadn't had time to read it until 2015 when I fully started to stay regular with my posts on this blog. I would often find myself in book stores staring at his work but then realising I cant afford to binge buy book. (ooh look alliteration.) But hopefully in 2016 I will get to read more of his work.

3.Kathryn Rogers - Memphis Hoodoo Murders was such a great read I would really love to read more of her work when she has any. I think I've fallen in love with Memphis Hoodoo Murders, that much so I may revisit it before the end of the year.

4.Lora Richardson - Lora is a very realistic situation author. Outspoken was very relatable with me when it came to it. I hope that she has a new book in the works that I can enjoy some time in the future.

5. Peter Monn - Even though I read Peters work the end of 2014 I wanted to add him to this list. He is a great author and a very great human, his work kicked off this blog and I cant thank him enough. I cant wait for Peters new work in 2016.


Top Ten Tuesday Is a weekly meme hosted over on The Broke And The Bookish

Outspoken - Lora Richardson

Title: Outspoken
Author: Lora Richardson
Publication Date: August 16th/18th 2015
Publisher:  Createspace
Available Editions: EBook, Paperback





Book Synopsis
Penny Beck is a girl who says yes when she means no.  She keeps to herself, follows the rules, and does what she’s told.  After a disastrous experience with her boyfriend, she's determined to change from the spineless person she’s always been into the strong woman she wants to become.  All she needs is a little practice.

On a cross-country trip to check on her grandpa, she strives to become bolder and more outspoken with the strangers she meets.  Penny's plan is to practice saying and doing what she wants without worrying about what anyone else thinks.

Then she meets Archer, an introspective loner to whom she finds herself drawn.  She realizes she does care what he thinks, very much. Will Penny be able to stick to her plan, or will she revert back to her people-pleasing ways?

Review:

Lora emailed me earlier this month about possibly being interested in reading her book and featuring it here on my blog, of course I said yes and soon I received my EBook copy and got to reading. It took me around two days all together to read the whole book and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The main character Penny is used to saying yes to everything she's asked to do, yes here yes there but she travels across the country to finally say no. I felt a large connection with Penny as soon as I learned about her, she seemed like me quite a lot. Loving sleep, always saying yes when she meant no amongst other things. Unlike me however she makes friends a lot easier, like Gwen and Marissa and Archer amongst others. Gwen is full of energy and very much someone I'd love to have in my life but I never got sick of any of the characters they were all so important in Penny's journey especially her Grandad Cal and Archer.

Penny and Archer were great characters on their own, but they were even better together. I loved how slowly but surely the bond between them strengthened. Archer's story was extremely sad for me to read but his honesty and how he opened up to Penny was fascinating. He grandfather has a sad story to tell too, he lost his wife Ruby years ago but he is now suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Throughout the story I was really sad when it came to Cal, as I just didn't want him to forget Ruby, it just got me. Also Id love to know where he keeps his stash of chocolate.

Penny's job in the super market  where Archer and Marissa also work, where she delivers customer orders leads her to meet a range of weirdly wonderful people who all shape her experience as she find a new self.

The book of course comes to a satisfying end having taught me lessons and left me with a few questions. The book is incredibly well written and an awesome go at a coming of age/Y.A/Romance book.
I give it a 5/5 and I recommend it to everyone who has ever suffered from saying yes and doing everything you've meant to do, it will open your eyes and hopefully teach you some of the lessons it has taught me.
This book is also Lora's first YA novel and I wish her all the best with the success of it and of future works. This has been a great book to read and I hope you feel like Outspoken is an experience you need to have.