Review: The Boys Next Door & Endless Summer by Jennifer Echols

Lori lives for summertime on the lake. She spends all season wakeboarding, swimming, and hanging with her friends—including the two hotties in the house next door. With the Vader brothers, Lori's always been one of the guys.

But while Lori and the "baby" brother, Adam, are inseparable friends, she can't deny a secret crush on Sean, the older Vader boy. This year Sean's been paying Lori a lot of attention, and not in a brotherly way.

But just as Lori decides to prove to Sean she's girlfriend material, she realizes that her role as girl friend to Adam may be even more important. And by trying so hard for the perfect summer romance, she could be going way overboard....

The Boys Next Door by Jennifer Echols

Published: June 26, 2007
Source: Bought

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes and Nobles

My Thoughts:

This was the perfect summer read, the story was light, heartwarming and funny. The author did such a great job of portraying teenagers that I felt like I was in the awkward stages of my teen years all over again.

I loved the dynamic of the relationship between the Vader brothers, Adam and Sean. The fighting between them and the jokes were all part of what made the book great, the characters were real and you could easily identify with them.

Lori was such a great main character; she was really sweet and just had this way of taking something and turning it into the most complicated thing ever. It’s almost as if chaos found her which made for a hilarious read. This book was a short read as I flew through the book in one sitting. I felt a connection with each of the characters and although at times the story was predictable I was still able to enjoy it. The writing was engaging and flowed well.

I now see what all the hype about Jennifer Echol’s books are about and I am definitely going to read the rest of her books. This was definitely a fun read!




Endless Summer by Jennifer Echols

Published: May 25, 2010
Source: Bought

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes and Nobles

My Thoughts:

This is the sequel to the Boys Next door. I can’t say I enjoyed this as much as the first because the characters  really didn’t learn from their mistakes in the first book that things don’t always work out the way you want them to. There were too many games being played and I just kind of got annoyed. But, maybe this is just me and because I’m nowhere near the age of 16 anymore maybe I just can’t relate to the retarded games that they were playing to capture the attention of the one they love.

I have to say this I was okay with the way the first book ended, it felt complete to me. I didn’t really see the need for a sequel and it actually ruined the story for me.

In My Mailbox (11)

In My Mailbox is hosted weekly by The Story Siren.  We highlight books we have received  for review, purchased, borrowed, or Won. You can find out more here.

I got a few really great review books and I had to go shopping for another book although I can't seem to find the time to read them all.

FOR REVIEW:

When Calla Tor wakes up in the lair of the Searchers, her sworn enemies, she’s certain her days are numbered. But then the Searchers make her an offer—one that gives her the chance to destroy her former masters and save the pack—and the man—she left behind. Is Ren worth the price of her freedom? And will Shay stand by her side no matter what? Now in control of her own destiny, Calla must decide which battles are worth fighting and how many trials true love can endure and still survive.

Twenty-eight-year-old Andrea returns home from a business trip to find Alex, her boyfriend of fourteen years, nervously waiting for her. Assuming he's finally going to propose, Andrea's instead horrified to learn he's been cheating on her and is leaving to be with the other woman, who he calls Andrea's opposite.

At first Andrea's paralyzed by shock and sadness, but the business analyst soon forms a plan: change every last detail of her life and become her opposite so Alex will come back to her.

It's a challenge at first, but soon Andrea's loving the changes she's making, the new activities she's doing, and the new people in her life. But will she change enough to get Alex back? And if she does, will he fit into the wonderful new life she's creating for herself?

Ash, former prince of the Winter Court, gave up everything. His title, his home, even his vow of loyalty. All for a girl… and all for nothing.

Unless he can earn a soul.

To cold, emotionless faery prince Ash, love was a weakness for mortals and fools. His own love had died a horrible death, killing any gentler feelings the Winter prince might have had. Or so he thought.

Then Meghan Chase—a half human, half fey slip of a girl— smashed through his barricades, binding him to her irrevocably with his oath to be her knight. And when all of Faery nearly fell to the Iron fey, she severed their bond to save his life. Meghan is now the Iron Queen, ruler of a realm where no Winter or Summer fey can survive.

With the (unwelcome) company of his archrival, Summer Court prankster Puck, and the infuriating cait sith Grimalkin, Ash begins a journey he is bound to see through to its end— a quest to find a way to honor his solemn vow to stand by Meghan’s side.

To survive in the Iron realm, Ash must have a soul and a mortal body. But the tests he must face to earn these things are impossible. At least, no one has ever passed to tell the tale.

And then Ash learns something that changes everything. A truth that turns reality upside down, challenges his darkest beliefs and shows him that, sometimes, it takes more than courage to make the ultimate sacrifice.

BOUGHT:

Cute, available, and one cabin over....

Lori lives for summertime on the lake. She spends all season wakeboarding, swimming, and hanging with her friends—including the two hotties in the house next door. With the Vader brothers, Lori's always been one of the guys.

But while Lori and the "baby" brother, Adam, are inseparable friends, she can't deny a secret crush on Sean, the older Vader boy. This year Sean's been paying Lori a lot of attention, and not in a brotherly way.

But just as Lori decides to prove to Sean she's girlfriend material, she realizes that her role as girl friend to Adam may be even more important. And by trying so hard for the perfect summer romance, she could be going way overboard....

So what do you get this week? Anything that you were super excited to get?