Malia Ann Haberman

I purposely held this book to read this month because I love a good romantic read around this time of year. Let’s be honest, I am a sucker for a happy ending. This is the time of year that I surround myself with romantic comedies, and I felt like 100 Kisses fit snugly into that category. Happily, I can report out that I was correct!

Kylee is our protagonist, and my past self immediately identified with her. The girl who prefers to fade into the background, who has unrequited crushes, and whose friends lovingly, albeit obnoxiously, are trying to pull her out of her shell. This girl had my heart from page one, and I would be lying if I told you that I was not rooting for her to get her special kiss. I am a happy ending addict after all.

This book has a pretty good pace, as Kylee and her friends navigate the rocky terrain of school life and understanding the opposite sex. There were a few times that I felt things slow down a little much, but then they would pick right back up again. It was also nice to see things from both Kylee and Emerson’s points of view. I am not always a fan of dual POV books, but 100 Kisses does it well. Both characters have their own distinct personalities, and bring a different kind of humor to the overall story. It was especially good to slowly unravel Emerson’s back story from his memories. I liked that it wasn’t all laid out at the beginning, as it leant an extra intrigue to the story.

So why the three star rating? Like most of the romantic comedies that we love, this book was a fairly formulaic. It was simple to put together when funny scenes would be inserted, or where the point was that the two characters would get into a fight. I would have loved to have it mixed up a bit more. My other big issue falls into the same category, in that the characters felt like they were just filling a preset role. With the exception of Kylee and Emerson, most of them felt a bit like cardboard cutouts. It felt like they were there to simply fill space. I would have loved a little more vividness from them. I feel it would have filled in Kylee’s story even better.

Keep in mind that none of that kept me from devouring this book, or cheering at the ending. Happy endings are always cheer worthy after all. Bottom line? If you are looking for a read that it sweet, heartfelt, and full of that coming of age vibe? This is your next read.… (meer)

Ah, to live in a world filled with magic. The one escape that I'll never get too old for is one to a magical place! Trust me. Reading Chase Tinker and the House of Magic spoke to the little kid who still shelters inside me. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, I love Middle Grade books. Books with child heroes, perfectly evil villains, and just the right amount of whimsy tend to capture my heart. So I was very much looking forward to seeing where Chase Tinker's story would lead me.

Chase is a fabulous main character, and one that I see all readers warming to. He's this perfect mix of funny, awkward, and brave. Younger readers will probably see a little bit of themselves in Chase. He squabbles with his brother Andy, but is also fiercely protective of him. He's brave when he needs to be, but also makes rash decisions sometimes. In other words? Chase is a normal kid. With crazy emotions, adorable crushes, and the want to be a man before his time. He's relatable, and fun to follow.

In fact each and every character in Chase Tinker and the House of Magic comes alive on the page. I was introduced to the Tinker family a bit at a time, and I found myself adoring each and every person presented to me. Well, except for the villains of our story, of course. They were also well done, in that they came across as just what they were meant to be: undeniably evil. The Marlowes give the Tinkers something to fight against, and that's where all the magic really becomes a vital part of the story.

Oh, and the house! I could gush on and on about the titular home filled with magic. With rooms full of the most interesting powers imaginable, I'd be perfectly content to do nothing but read about Chase and his friends exploring this amazing place. I refuse to spoil even a minute of that for potential readers. I'll honestly say that it was my favorite part of the read. I loved getting lost in the Tinker's home, and I'll happily go back. That, and the ending absolutely has me wanting more.

So if you're looking for a book for your budding reader, or even a read for yourself to get lost in, I'd suggest picking up Chase Tinker and the House of Magic. It's definitely a fun place to spend a few hours getting lost in!… (meer)

Chase Tinker and the House of Secrets takes the reader back into the Tinker's world. A world filled with mystery and magic. A world where nothing is quite what it seems. I was so excited to head back to the Tinker home! With its rooms full of amazing powers, how could I resist making a return visit? I was looking forward to seeing what kind of mischief Chase and his cohorts would get up to this time.

Lucky for me, things took off at a brisk pace right from the beginning. Still recovering from the lies his father told him, and the attack they successfully thwarted, poor Chase is an understandable mess. He's trying to build his life back up around him, and patch up the holes in the trust he has for others. I felt for him. Imagine being lied to by the one person who you thought you knew the best and, moreover, loved as well. It would be tough. Little did I know that Chase would be soon be facing much bigger problems.

Yes, things take a dark turn in Chase Tinker and the House of Secrets. Where the first book had a bit of tension, but was mostly lighthearted, this story delves much deeper into the secrets and lies. There are betrayals among family members, deeply seated animosity that bubbles to the surface, and a fair share of twists that kept me reading on. What I liked about this particular installment, was that it showed the power of family. Despite it all, it was his newfond family that kept Chase moving on.

Daring rescue missions, epic (and slightly violent) battles, and cunning plans all make a debut in this installment of Chase Tinker's story. He also comes into his own much more, and I was wholly impressed by how much he's grown up in the span of this particular book. I was both thrilled, and saddened, at the ending. Will I be back for more? Most definitely. I can't wait to see where this story takes me next.… (meer)