Honey, Baby, Sweetheart by: Deb Caletti

Summary: It is summer in the Northwest town of Nine Mile Falls, and sixteen-year-old Ruby McQueen, ordinarily dubbed The Quiet Girl, finds herself hanging out with gorgeous, rich, thrill-seeking Travis Becker. But Ruby is in over her head, and finds she is risking more and more when she's with him.
In an effort to keep Ruby occupied, Ruby's mother Ann drags Ruby to the weekly book club she runs. When it is discovered that one of the group's own members is the subject of the tragic love story they are reading, Ann and Ruby spearhead a reunion between the long-ago lovers. But for Ruby, this mission turns out to be much more than just a road trip....

Review: Honestly, this book took me a while to get into. Once I kept reading, I enjoyed it. The book is about a girl who is ordinary and is considered the "Quiet Girl". She meets this rich, bad boy and she discovers her fearless side. For a while it is a freeing experience and turns into what Ruby thinks is love.

The characters in this book kept me interested and wondering what was going to happen next. I loved how the author portrayed all of the different characters. The way Caletti used the Casserole Queens past experiences to teach lessons was an amazing way of going about the story line. Characters who you would consider to be boring and not interesting were funny, sincere, and caring. These were the people who helped Ruby discover who she wanted to be. Caletti wrote in such a way, that the characters grabbed your heart and grew on you. You will root for people to overcome their obstacles. It took me a while to get used to the style of writing, but it was worth the persistence. I am excited to read more books by Deb Caletti.

Someone Like You by: Sarah Dessen

Summary: Halley has always followed in the wake of her best friend, Scarlett. But when Scarlett learns that her boyfriend has been killed in a motorcycle accident, and that she's carrying his baby, she's devastated. For the first time ever, Scarlett really needs Halley. Though their friendship may be tested by the strain, like a true friendship, it will endure. (Summary by Amazon)

Review: This was my first Sarah Dessen book and I loved it. It was easy for me to follow. The book was a good illustration of how friends are important. I liked how Scarlett made her decision about the baby. She had her whole life ahead of her, but she decided life was more important. It was interesting to see Halley's and Macon's relationship go through twists and turns. This book will remain one of my favorites for a long time. I look forward to reading many more Sarah Dessen books.

3 Willows: The Sisterhood Grows By: Ann Brashares

Summary: By Amazon

Summer is a time to grow.

Seeds

Polly has an idea that she can't stop thinking about, one that involves changing a few things about herself. She's setting her sights on a more glamorous life, but it's going to take all of her focus. At least that way she won't have to watch her friends moving so far ahead.

Roots

Jo is spending the summer at her family's beach house, working as a busgirl and bonding with the older, cooler girls she'll see at high school come September. She didn't count on a brief fling with a cute boy changing her entire summer. Or feeling embarrassed by her middle school friends. And she didn't count on her family at all. . .

Leaves

Ama is not an outdoorsy girl. She wanted to be at an academic camp, doing research in an air-conditioned library, earning A's. Instead her summer scholarship lands her on a wilderness trip full of flirting teenagers, blisters, impossible hiking trails, and a sad lack of hair products. It is a new summer. And a new sisterhood. Come grow with them.

Review:

This was a cute book. It shows how as we grow older our lives change, but the one thing we can count on is our friends. We may go our separate ways, but we can't forget where we came from. In my opinion, the book would be enjoyed by those who are of the younger reading audience. I liked this book because it was cute, funny, and it showed the real issues that young girls have to deal with.

Kate

When It Happens By: Susane Colasanti

Summary: By Amazon

Sara and Tobey couldn't be more different. She is focused on getting into her first-choice college; he wants to win Battle of the Bands. Sara's other goal is to find true love, so when Dave, a popular jock, asks her out, she's thrilled. But then there's Tobey. His amazing blue eyes and quirky wit always creep into her thoughts. It just so happens that one of Tobey's goals is also to make Sara fall in love with him. Told in alternating points of view, Sara and Tobey's real connection will have everyone rooting for them from the minute they meet!

Review:

This book was very enjoyable. It shows that it is true that sometimes opposites can attract. Sara was dating a jock, who did not treat her with the respect that she deserved. Then she got to know Tobey, and things began to change. It was a cute book about friends, loves, and finding yourself. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good read. It gives great perspective into a teens life.

Kate