Blog Tour: Things I Can't Forget

Things I Can't Forget
(Hundred Oaks #3)

Author: Miranda Kenneally

Publication Date: March 1st 2013

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Genre: Contemporary

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Synopsis:

Kate has always been the good girl. Too good, according to some people at school—although they have no idea the guilty secret she carries. But this summer, everything is different…

This summer she’s a counselor at Cumberland Creek summer camp, and she wants to put the past behind her. This summer Matt is back as a counselor too. He’s the first guy she ever kissed, and he’s gone from a geeky songwriter who loved The Hardy Boys to a buff lifeguard who loves to flirt…with her.

Kate used to think the world was black and white, right and wrong. Turns out, life isn’t that easy…

My Thoughts: Once again, Miranda Kenneally does a wonderful job creating an emotional story that you can't help but get even a bit teary eyed at. Well at least I can't. I was happy to finally pick up Things I Can't Forget, after really loving Stealing Parker. You might be happy to note that Parker and Will are involved in Things I Can't Forget. Even Jordan makes an appearance. As a companion novel, you don't really have to read the other novels for this story to make sense to you, but it helps to know why certain people are who they are. Like Stealing Parker, Things I Can't Forget deals with a lot of religion and very controversial topics. I didn't mind, even though I'm not very religious because it wasn't in an overbearing way.  

This time we are out of high school, it's the summer before Kate, the protagonist starts college and she is feeling completely alone in the world. Kate is a good Christian girl who never does anything wrong, that was until her best friend came to her for help. Kate feels guilty for helping Emily and they have a falling out, leaving Kate to work at the summer camp that they were both supposed to be at, alone. Kate somewhat bothered me a tiny bit because she was, like everyone else thought, a tiny bit judgemental. Her best friend had to make this agonizing decision that completely changed her life and beliefs, but Kate was acting like it had happened to her. She wasn't there for her friend in her time of need, so they fell apart. She is a nice person, and I liked her overall, but she is just a bit naive. She has strong beliefs and doesn't like when one of those beliefs is broken by someone close to her.

There is romance of course. Matt was Kate's first kiss back when they were younger and going to summer camp. He's also a counselor this year and he's hot! He's in a fraternity, which Kate isn't really sure she can get over, but she really likes him. He's a really nice guy and writes his own music and is very outgoing. Very different from the shy geek she knew and kissed. She is very much interested but isn't sure what to expect as she's never dated before. I liked Matt a lot and think he is a great guy.

So there is romance, ups and downs. Girl drama. Christianity, premarital sex and abortion all touched in Things I Can't Forget. Real issues that real people deal with. Miranda has woven it all together in an amazing story, one that I personally couldn't put down. I was reading and my husband just turned off the lights when it got too late, so I didn't even realize how fast time had gone. I really like the Hundred Oaks books and am looking forward to reading more. I like that these issues are touched in a way that shouldn't bother anyone. Both sides are there and sometimes you just have to agree to disagree for the sake of a friendship. People change as Kate learns. There is a really great message in all of these books and I'm hoping for another one in the next book. I highly recommend this one!

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Review: Stealing Parker by Miranda Kenneally

Stealing Parker
(Catching Jordan #2)

Author: Miranda Kenneally

Publication Date: October 1st, 2012

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Genre: Contemporary / Realistic Fiction

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Synopsis:

After a scandal rocks their conservative small town, 17-year-old Parker Shelton goes overboard trying to prove that she won't turn out like her mother: a lesbian. The all-star third-baseman quits the softball team, drops 20 pounds and starts making out with guys--a lot. But hitting on the hot new assistant baseball coach might be taking it a step too far...especially when he starts flirting back.

My Thoughts: So good!! I absolutely loved this book! It was even better than Catching Jordan for me. I'm not going to lie, towards the end of Stealing Parker I was an emotional wreck, I just connected so well with Parker. She is an easy character to like and love. Miranda Kenneally does a wonderful job making you fall in love with her characters. With this one being even better than the first, I can't wait for the next one!

Parker is good girl, she really is. After her mother comes out and she is shunned and called names (snooty church people!!!!!) because she might be like her mother and be a lesbian (hey, it doesn't work that way!). So of course, she goes out of her way to prove that she likes boys. She takes it a bit too far when she flirts with Brian (the new 23 year-old coach) BUT Brian shouldn't have been encouraging her to continue! He's a teacher and she's under age, they both know it's wrong, but everyone likes a little forbidden romance once in awhile (right?!). That being said, I didn't really like Brian because of the way he leads her on. I didn't like Parker's church, they are a bunch of hypocrites (I have some personal issues going on right now with some chuch people who are acting the EXACT same way! They drive me crazy). Parker is a girl who always puts others needs and wants before herself and really doesn't deserve to be treated the way she is.

Overall, this is an emotional story that will get you wanting more for Parker. I was quite happy with the ending and basically couldn't put this book down. I was pretty disappointed when it came time to go to bed when I was reading, I wanted to keep reading, but my daughter gets up too early. It's a really quick read and like I said, I can't wait for the next one! I'm loving Miranda Kenneally's writing style and characters! If you haven't read these books yet and you like contemporary and realistic fiction, you should definitely give these a go! They're excellent and you will fall in love with the characters!

Review: Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally

Catching Jordan
(Catching Jordan #1)

Author: Miranda Kenneally

Publication Date: December 1st, 2011

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Genre: Contemporary / Realistic Fiction

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Synopsis:

ONE OF THE BOYS. What girl doesn't want to be surrounded by gorgeous jocks day in and day out? Jordan Woods isn't just surrounded by hot guys, though-she leads them as the captain and quarterback of her high school football team. They all see her as one of the guys and that's just fine. As long as she gets her athletic scholarship to a powerhouse university.

But everything she's ever worked for is threatened when Ty Greeen moves to her school. Not only is he an amazing QB, but he's also amazingly hot. And for the first time, Jordan's feeling vulnerable. Can she keep her head in the game while her heart's on the line?

My Thoughts: For not liking football, I really enjoyed Catching Jordan. I know, saying I don't like football is crazy but hey, I'm a Canadian. I actually don't really like hockey either.. BUT I do like soccer (or actual football ;) )! So I'm not completely anti-sports. Maybe it was the surplus of testosterone, or maybe the brilliant writing. Once I started reading, I couldn't stop. Miranda Kenneally is now one of my favourite contemporary authors.

I really liked Jordan, she wasn't afraid to go after what she wanted, even if nobody believed she could do it. Her father didn't believe in her or at least didn't want to see her get hurt. But she did have a few devoted supporters. Her mom, brother and best friend Sam Henry all believed in her. She really seemed to push herself more than it seemed she needed, but she was a girl on the football team and I guess she felt she needed to prove her worth. Which she did, considering she was the captain and the quarterback and the star player of the team. This may seem completely ignorant of me, but are there generally not girl football teams in high school? We didn't have football at my high school, but we did have a girls rugby team (which might be even rougher!). Regardless, Jordan fits in quite well with her team and is one of the guys, until Ty shows up. Not only is she instantly attracted to him (not love, lust! So no insta fall in love here) but he's after her position. Being in her final year, she needs to be able to concentrate on the game, there are recruiters coming to watch after all.

Miranda Kenneally does a great job writing an emotional story that pulls you in and doesn't let go. There were times when I laughed out loud, Jordan and the guys antics are great! There were other times when my heart broke for Jordan, I don't have the best relationship with my dad, so not having him there for the most important events for her was really relatable. I will say that I never really like Ty, I'm not really sure why, it seemed like he was using her for awhile, plus he's just so bossy and controlling. I was rooting for Henry the whole time! I love when the best friends realize that they love each other!

If you're looking for a great contemporary that is written well, has some first love and drama, you should check this one out. Even if you don't like football or any sports, you might still like it, I know I did! I'm looking forward to jumping into Stealing Parker, the companion book to Catching Jordan!