January is Walk Your Dog Month and what better way to kick start your New Years Resolutions by reading some great YA books that feature dogs? If you are like me, you love dogs and want to spend more time with them because they just get you. This awareness month is a great way to help dust off the January blues, read a few good books, maybe go out and adopt a new dog, or if you already have one start taking him/her out for more walks. It's a fun way to get out of the house and your dog will love you for it! Here is a list of YA books that will have you begging for more! Last Chance by Norah McClintock In this charming YA novel by Norah McClintock, the main character Robyn is scared of dogs—like, really scared. But she agrees to spend her summer working at an animal shelter anyway. (It's a long story.) Robyn soon discovers that many juvenile offenders also volunteer at the shelter—including Nick D'Angelo, a boy from Robyn's past. A boy she hoped to never see again. Ni...
Published by: Simon Pulse
Released on: October 2nd, 2018 - TODAY!
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Rating: 5 stars
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for my honest review
In this romantic road trip story perfect for fans of Sarah Dessen and Morgan Matson, a teen girl discovers the value of ordinary objects while learning to forgive her absent father.
After Ali’s father passes away, he leaves his one and only prized possession—a 1968 Firebird convertible—to his daughter. But Ali doesn’t plan on keeping it. Not when it reminds her too much of all her father’s unfulfilled promises. So when she finds a buyer three hundred miles up the Pacific coast willing to pay enough money for the car to save her childhood home, Ali can’t wait to get going. Except Ali has no idea how to drive a stick shift. But guess who does?
Ali’s ex-boyfriend, Nico. And Nico has other plans.
He persuades Ali that instead of selling the car, they should “trade up” the items they collect on their trip to eventually reach the monetary amount Ali needs. Agreeing with Nico’s crazy plan, Ali sets off on a unique adventure that is unlike anything she ever could have expected.
And it’s through Ali’s travels, through the strangers she meets and the things that they value—and why they value them—that Ali eventually comes to understand her father and how his life may not have been as easy and carefree as she previously thought. Because just like the seemingly insignificant objects Ali collects, not everything is exactly as it appears.
If this cover wasn't indication enough that I would fall in love with this book, I knew Brody's story would hook me. I am a sucker for her contemporaries. I loved the multilayered storyline, and the characters Brody introduced me to in this story. There was realism to their characters, and their self discoveries while on their road trip. Not to mention their road trip made me feel like I was riding shotgun in Ali's firebird, driving along the roads of my home state, right along with them.
I completely fell in love with the road trip aspect of this book. Part of it had to do with the Northwest setting, and the other part had to do with the symbolism, and the character growth that takes place on this trip. Not to mention the meaningful things Ali and Nico find along the way. Okay, and maybe the Goonies mentions had something else to do with it too. Their road trip was one of discoveries, and introductions to some interesting characters who gave them insights along the way.
For Ali, this trip started out as a means of getting rid of the one thing she didn't want to have any reminders of. In the end, she not only had to face some ugly truths, she learned to forgive, and ask for forgiveness. There's so much wrapped up into that, that I won't mention for the sake of spoilers. I loved the natural process it took her to realize what this road trip really was about. It was about Ali realizing she's been running from herself. In realizing that she let go of what she was holding onto, and was able to see that the best things in her life have been in front of her/beside her the whole time.
I couldn't help but love Nico for all he offers Ali, and the real purpose for this going on this trip with Ali. Trust me, you'll be swooning over him. Nico and Ali's chemistry is the kind of chemistry I love. It's a slow burning one with history, and it makes you wish you could force these two to stop being so stubborn, and figure it out. If I'm being honest, Ali is definitely more of the stubborn one. Nico already knows what he wants, hence his reasoning for being on the trip in the first place.
Their relationship is a bit complicated though. It doesn't really need to be that way. It took Ali realizing a few things, to change that. What this road trip offered both Ali and Nico, was the truth. Individually and together, they had face truths they were both running from. In the end, the roads they travel, and the adventures they have, lead them both back to not just finding themselves, but rediscovering each other.
This is another Brody classic. It's fun, romantic, clean cut contemporary that will make you laugh out loud, and swoon in the best possible way. It will emotionally connect you to this story, and it's characters when you least except it to. It's a story that will leave you happy with it's ending, while wanting more of the story, all at the same time. This quick read is definitely worth picking up!
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