How to get your girlfriend back?

<This post has been edited with writers permission to allow better understanding and censorship. Story and events are all true.>

Hey this is James,

I'm 17 and my girlfriend, Nicole, is 16. We've been together for six months. We loved each other; everything was fine until last week.

I go to her house and of course her sister Sam is there. She's in my grade and she's **  *** crazy.



"Hey Sam where's Nicole?" I asked

"Why the hell would I tell you?"

And then she walks off.

See. Crazy.

"Because she's my girlfriend!" I screamed as she went to the bathroom. Dumbass.

I'm not surprised by her attitude, she's physco. One time she asked if I can beat up a guy in school for her. Hell no.

Eventually I found Nicole sitting outside alone.

I walked toward her and she jumped when she saw me. She always got easily scared.

"What's wrong?" I asked her. She was crying, I could tell.

"Nothing's I'm just tired" she smiled but she wasn't looking at me.

"You sure? why were you crying?" I asked

"I wasn't" she laughed

"Yes you were Nicole. Tell me. Don't worry I wont do anything stupid" If I found out someone made her cry I will do something very stupid.

"I promise it's nothing. I'm just so happy"

What?

I didn't push it and instead grabbed Nicole from behind and wrapped my arms around her waist. She smiled again and I kissed her on the cheek.

"Love you" I said

"yeah" she said

What?

I turned her around to kiss her but she was crying again.

"I know something is wrong what is it?" I demanded

"No, it's nothing, I'm crying cause I'm happy."

"No your not. What's wrong?" I asked again

"Tears of happiness" she smiled "I'm so happy with you but..."

"but...?"

"I love you James but I'm so confused. My sister told me something..."

That's when I almost lost it "What the hell are you talking about?"

The most surreal thing happened then. Sam marched outside and got in my face.

"Everyone knows you cheated on her James so **  *** admit it already!!"

"What the **  ** are you talking about you trash bitch!"

She held up a video of me making out with Karen. That was a year ago.

I looked at Nicole. Her hands covered her mouth and she cried even more.

"She's lying Nicole you know she is" I laughed. I shouldn't have been laughing but I can't believe Sam was jealous this whole time.

Nicole just stared at me. No emotion.

I grabbed her hands and kissed them "Babe that was before I met you!"

"Karen said it was two months ago!!" Sam yelled

"Sam get the hell out of my face or I will drop my fist on your face by accident." I wasn't really going to punch her but I needed to scare her off.

"James just go home. I need to think and you disrespecting my sister is not helping." Nicole said

I stormed out before I did anything I'd regret. Who took that damn video?

And that's my story. It's been a few days and she has ignored my calls and texts. I try to go over her house but her parents tell me that it's not a good time.

I have no idea why the hell all this happened. I'm gonna try to go over her house again tomorrow I guess.

Ttyla,James

The Broken Lake by Shelena Shorts (mini review)

Published: August 19th 2010 by Lands Atlantic Publishing, LLC
Paperback, 304 pages
Book Series: The Pace, Book 2
Click here for Book 1, The Pace Review

Summary:

In the aftermath of Sophie's ordeal, Weston will make some uncharacteristic decisions to distance himself from the past in an attempt to change the future.
But, while venturing into the improbable, the present sneaks up in a chilling way that will lead to Wes' unexpected submission. Suddenly, Sophie will find herself watching as both his immortal secret and his own existence are threatened.
Continuously intriguing, The Broken Lake takes readers to a place where eternal bonds confront a division that is sure to leave everyone wondering whom they can trust.

Review:

Well this was a disappointment. The book was pointless if not painfully repetitive. It was like one long chapter with none or too many boring details.

I did like a few parts of the book thou, some scenes and dialog reminded me of how much I loved Book one, The Pace by author Shelena Shorts but...

I wish I hadn't disliked it so much because honestly, I couldn't find a reason to like the constant fluff-kisses and typical conversations this book offered. There was barely any "wow" to it.

2/5

How to ruin my Teenage Life by Simone Elkeles Review

Published: June 1st 2007 by Flux
Paperback, 281 pages
Book Series: How to Ruin, Book 2

{Review for Book 1: How to ruin my Summer Vacation}

EVERYTHING in sixteen-year-old Amy Nelson Barak's life is going wrong! Her mom got married and moved to the suburbs, and now they are going to have a baby. Amy moves in with her dad in Chicago and signs him up for an online dating service. His first four dates are that night . . .

What else? Her dog Mutt impregnated her grumpy neighbor's prized poodle, so Amy will actually have to get a part-time job to pay for half the veterinary bill. And there's this totally annoying boy, Nathan Rubin, who just moved into her apartment building. Luckily, Amy has a cute boyfriend named Avi. Only he's more like a non-boyfriend considering Avi is in the Israeli army for the next three years.

What's a girl to do when everyone is conspiring to ruin her life?

Favor' Quote...

"You know what your problem is?" I ask him.

"Yes. I have a daughter who insists she knows everything."

"That's not your problem, Aba. That's your blessing."

Review:

This is the second book to the ruin series by Simone Elkeles. Now, I'm gonna be honest, this book was a little frustrating in the beginning...

Come on, Avi was no where in sight! Can ya blame me? Anyway, towards the middle and especially the end of the book, it got really hot. However, prior to Avi's return, I got a lot of laughs and fists in the air so surely, it was worth it from beginning to end.

Amy, who's back home in Chicago, is feeling more strained than ever. As if Avi's non presence until the summer isn't enough, her friends and family seem the least bit helpful in her love-sick situation. And Nathan, the dorky but mysterious new neighbor, seems to not only remind Amy of her "non-boyfriend" Avi, but might be intriguing enough to make her do something stupid. For reasons she doesn't know.

Hmm, what should Amy do indeed.

I'll admit, parts of the books were predictable but it was those kind of scenes I rooted for most. In general this book was really fun and entertaining. So thanks again Simone. Having such a unique way with words and ideas for young adult fans, it makes it hard, for me atleast, to dislike any of Elkeles books.

4/5

Other books from the "how to Ruin" series:

~How to ruin my Summer Vacation (Book 1)
~How to ruin my Boyfriends Reputation(Book 3)

*Ruined (Book 1,2, and 3)

How to Ruin a Summer Vacation by Simone Elkeles Review

Published: October 1st 2006 by Flux
Paperback, 234 pages
Book Series: How to Ruin, Book 1

Book Description:

Moshav? What’s a moshav? Is it “shopping mall” in Hebrew? I mean, from what Jessica was telling me, Israeli stores have the latest fashions from Europe. That black dress Jessica has is really awesome. I know I’d be selling out if I go with the Sperm Donor to a mall, but I keep thinking about all the great stuff I could bring back home.

Unfortunately for 16-year-old Amy Nelson, “moshav” is not Hebrew for “shopping mall.” Not even close. Think goats, not Gucci.

Going to Israel with her estranged Israeli father is the last thing Amy wants to do this summer. She’s got a serious grudge against her dad, a.k.a. “Sperm Donor,” for showing up so rarely in her life. Now he’s dragging her to a war zone to meet a family she’s never known, where she’ll probably be drafted into the army. At the very least, she’ll be stuck in a house with no AC and only one bathroom for seven people all summer—no best friend, no boyfriend, no shopping, no cell phone…

Goodbye pride—hello Israel.

Review:

I'm giving this book a "don't judge a book by it's cover" stamp. Nice and bold so everyone can see.

The setting of this book is Jerusalem, which for me makes this an even more interesting read because I'm Palestinian and know the country and it's people fairly well. The characters are, as usual in Elkeles books, fascinating! Amy, who's 16, isn't so much in control as she'd like to be. Her dad is living in Israel and so when she is sent there by her mom, away from her best friend and "boyfriend",stubbornness gets the best of her.

She's half Jewish but doesn't consider that side of her heritage or appreciate much until she truly sees Israel and meets Avi, an Israel hunk who I'd love to meet. Amy struggles with her misfortune and it doesn't help when a few people close by can't stand her as much as she can't stand the smell of goats in the air. For one, Avi and Amy can't stand one another but as much as this sounds cliche, they soon start to fall for each other. For reasons that are inspiring. Something else that was a general inspiration was the relationship between Avi and a Muslim boy, Tarik. I loved how that scene went.

I can't stress the admiration I have for Simone's stories enough. Her style in writing is so readable and unforgettable. I could never compare Elkeles or her books because they're so different, she always does her own thing.

Although not my favorite from this author because of the few times I rolled my eyes at Amy's obnoxiousness, I definitely recommend this book.

It's fun, loving, smile-to-yourself brilliant!

4/5







Other books from the "how to Ruin" series:

~How to Ruin My Teenage Life (Book 2)
~How to Ruin Your Boyfriend's Reputation (Book 3)

*Ruined (Book 1,2, and 3)

Masks by Patricia Caviglia Review

Published: July 8th 2010 by iUniverse
Paperback, 128 pages

Masks tells the story of two teenagers struggling to be normal together, despite their dysfunctional families.

Rebecca Jacobs is an unremarkable teenage girl-at least, that is what she wants the world to believe. But her private life is made public when her verbally abusive father embarrasses her at a school dance, and soon gossip and whispers buzz throughout the school.

One of the witnesses to Rebecca's public humiliation is David Miller, the high school bad boy. Unsure about how to help her, he settles for becoming her friend. Rebecca and David grow closer with each passing day, eventually falling in love.

Rebecca's main priority is keeping her relationship with David a secret from her overprotective parents, but there are other problems she must also confront. First, Rebecca's best friend tries to steal David away. Then, Rebecca is forced to face David's violent behavior, which closely resembles her father's temper. Rebecca's worst enemy, though, is herself. In her desperate need to keep her home life separate from her love life, she lies to her parents and to David. When the truth is exposed, she must confront reality-alone. She quickly learns that sometimes secrets are harder to live with than the truth.

This reminded me so much of Junior High, but I have to admit, David is a better memory than I ever had with any of the boys in my tween years...he sweet, determined and sexy. At first I thought he was a walking cliche, I mean the girls claimed he was "so romantic"...I didn't see it that way but as read on I learned his side in the story and grown to really like him. Rebecca, whom David soon falls in love with, is not too aware of the cruel world of JHS. As she begins to realize and have a new take on her surroundings, David supports her with as much control as he can steady.

The book was a breath of fresh air but a few things I disliked about the story was the constant cigarette smoking, ranting teens, and their lives in general that seemed pointless.

But hey, I'm a teen myself and I know that's how we get sometimes at are early teen years. (Excluding the cigarettes...never smoked a day in my life)

Having said that, I wish the vocabulary was more colorful. I still have hope for Patricia Caviglia because I've seen the brilliance in her work...parts of Masks had my eyes glued to the page...

In all, it was okay...I'm curious to see what she comes up with next.

2.5/5

Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma Review

Published: May 27th 2010 by Definitions
Paperback, 418 pages

Sixteen-year-old Maya and seventeen-year-old Lochan have never had the chance to be 'normal' teenagers. Having pulled together for years to take care of their younger siblings while their wayward, drunken mother leaves them to fend alone, they have become much more than brother and sister. And now, they have fallen in love. But this is a love that can never be allowed, a love that will have devastating consequences ...

How can something so wrong feel so right?

FYI, This Book is not Suitable for Younger Readers. As said on the back of the book itself.

Quote(s): "...Her face glows like an old fashioned streetlamp, lit from the inside, and everything else in the room disappears as if into a dark fog" -pg 120

This book was, well, let's just say I have never in my life been so emotional distraught...and amazed. At first, I couldn't believe the praise this book got because lets be honest...rarely does a person relate to a book about incest but to my astonishment, I haven't related to a book as much as I did this one.

Forbidden stole my heart on November 26, 2010 in which I couldn't think anything more important to do than to learn as much about the characters lives as possible. Every part of me felt for them to the point where I officially believed they were real, the writing is that good.

I couldn't sleep well that night and on the day after I'd tear up now and then as I helped my 9 year old brother with his homework, or hung out with my big sister at Starbucks. Tabitha Suzuma writes a compelling story about every kind of love there is.

Officially my second favorite author and second favorite book. After Stolen by Lucy Christopher.

5/5







Goodreads link: Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma
Amazon link: Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma

Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles Review

Title/Series: Leaving Paradise (Leaving Paradise, Book 1)

Published: April 1st 2007 by Flux
Paperback, 303 pages

Nothing has been the same since Caleb Becker left a party drunk, got behind the wheel, and hit Maggie Armstrong. Even after months of painful physical therapy, Maggie walks with a limp. Her social life is nil and a scholarship to study abroad—her chance to escape everyone and their pitying stares—has been canceled.
After a year in juvenile jail, Caleb’s free . . . if freedom means endless nagging from a transition coach and the prying eyes of the entire town. Coming home should feel good, but his family and ex-girlfriend seem like strangers.
Caleb and Maggie are outsiders, pigeon-holed as "criminal" and "freak." Then the truth emerges about what really happened the night of the accident and, once again, everything changes. It’s a bleak and tortuous journey for Caleb and Maggie, yet they end up finding comfort and strength from a surprising source: each other.

So as you may already now, I love this author. To me, Simone Elkeles never disappoints. Leaving Paradise was actually the first I've read from her books and so this is how the glorious discovery of this super spectacular author started...

I began reading this book in Barnes and Noble, my back lay against the teen favorites book shelf and when I saw that I couldn't stop reading I had to run to the cash register because whether I finished there or in my bedroom, I wanted
Leaving Paradise in my possession.

For Simone Elkeles, it's all about the characters and how they live. She works with the idea of confused and/or troubled teens who need a some positive energy to get them thinking of their life's worth and what better positive than love and forgiveness.

Caleb Becker for one isn't feeling to good about himself, he not sure if he wants to live life portraying a boy who physically impairs teen girl, Maggie Armstrong by crashing into her while driving drunk. He's done his time in jail but things just don't feel how they should be.

Maggie is trying to live as best she could with her permanent limp but she can't help her fury from being mad at the world...and Caleb. She finds no use in crying over the past but when she grows a curious relationship with Caleb she can't help but feel a number of emotions, ones that shouldn't even be worth a thought.

This story was the first and certainly not my last by this author. I can never fully tell the ways of how Simone Elkeles stories have this amazing affect on me...it's all life, love, raw emotions, and humor...it's some of the best ya fiction out there...

I strongly recommend Simone's books, you might hate it, you might love it, you might just think they're okay...but at least try them because one can never fully explain all the ways why her books are so likable.

5/5




Sequel: Return to Paradise (Book 2)

Finding You by Kristen Kehoe Review

Published : April 30th 2010 by FriesenPress
Paperback, 176 pages

Sloan Sawyer's family began to dissolve the day her father died. Fifteen then, Sloan had turned to her mother for comfort, and had been turned away. Now, at eighteen, a senior in high school, Sloan is alone and playing the role of guardian for her fifteen-year-old younger sister, who appears to be set on ruining her own life. Along with trying to save her sister from her destructive decisions,, Sloan is working day and night to get into a prestigious art program, while working out twice a day to try and clinch a state title in swimming-the same state title that her mother had won when she had been Sloan's age. When an incident at school brings her into contact with the new kid, who also happens to be the principal's son, Sloan finds herself beginning one more relationship that she isn't sure she knows how to handle.


The only thing I can compare this book to is to a tree. Unmoving and just...there.

The title of this story, Finding You, already gives away the moral of the story and so as any reader would hope from a book description such as this, it's disappointing in the end to find the read to be nothing but dim characters living their typical, all too heard of lives.

However I was interested to see how the story would play out did after reading the first few pages but too quickly did the story seem to fade into nothingness. Sloan, who is meant to portray a mature eighteen year old with overwhelming responsibilities, turns out to have a messy personality instead...she has the thirteen year old complaints and the occasional eighteen year old ignorance...which for me doesn't mix well. Grady, whose the son of the principle where he and Sloan go to school, is a classic boy mixed in with a bland story. I did liked him more than Sloan but at the same time felt pity for him and his love life. I expected the romance to be a bit more original than it was but it came out as an attempt rather than the actual thing.

Something that bothered be the most though was change of point of views chapter after chapter. I felt like there should have been the names on the beginning of each chapter depending on who was telling the story...Sloan or Grady. Basically this book had a lot of cliches and not enough pizazz.

2/5

The Duff by Kody Keplinger Review

Published: September 7th 2010 by Little Brown/Poppy

Hardcover, 288 pages

Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn’t think she’s the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She’s also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her “the Duff,” she throws her Coke in his face.

But things aren’t so great at home right now, and Bianca is desperate for a distraction. She ends up kissing Wesley. Worse, she likes it. Eager for escape, Bianca throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with him.

Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out Wesley isn’t such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she’s falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone.

I thought I'd at least like this book but I think I might just hate it. Hmm. Let's see....

At first the author gives the impression that Bianca Piper( The Duff) is a down to earth, smart, retro fun kinda girl. The brute honesty in the writing was funny and surprisingly, I was able to relate to The Duff from her distaste in grinding in the clubs to her love for the movie Atonement.

But the book didn't hold my interest long enough to even say it was okay.

Just as the climax appears, the books sinks like an anchor. Even from the beginning Bianca's relationship with Wesley Rush was odd and it got even more preposterous as I read on. The side characters are typical enough...not much to say about the obvious...I mean, is this really how highschoolers are. I'm nineteen and I don't remember it being like how it was in the story.

As for the writing, all that was exciting in the beginning of the book repeated itself but just in different words as it went on. I had faith in Kody Keplinger, I was hoping to be blown away by an author my age who had made headlines for her story. But if I wanted to read a story such as this I'd visit sites such as quizilla and wattpad...not that those websites aren't any fun, they have good stories written by amateurs but I think The Duff, published, could have been much much better.

Good heavens...what a disappointment. But do give it a try, you never know. I'd recommend this to someone in JHS who likes ranting teens and a big twist in his/her books.

P.S I'm out in a hunt to find a good book by a young writer because I know it's out there...
So if you know any good young writers, let me know.

Favorite Quote(s)...

""Oh, come on," I fumed, "The guy is a man-whore. I can't stand him. He sleeps with everything that moves, and his brain is located in his pants-which means it's microscopic.""


2/5

Just One Wish by Janette Rallison Review

Note: Photos will lead to GoodReads

Seventeen-year-old Annika Truman knows about the power of positive thinking. With a little brother who has cancer, it’s all she ever hears about. And in order to help Jeremy, she will go to the ends of the earth (or at least as far as Hollywood) to help him believe he can survive his upcoming surgery.

But Annika’s plan to convince Jeremy that a magic genie will grant him any wish throws her a curveball when he unexpectedly wishes that his television idol would visit him. Annika suddenly finds herself in the desperate predicament of getting access to a hunky star actor and convincing him to come home with her. Piece of cake, right?

I bought this Hardcover for $5.38(bargain price) at Barnes and Noble a little while back...let me just say this book is definitely worth more than a little over 5 dollars.

I had high expectations for this one and the result was pure entertainment; sweetness, humor, and intelligence...a pleasure to have read from start to finish. As for the plot, it seems impossible to have anything to do with "Hollywoods' Golden Boy" but Annika does just that. The story line seems typical...unrealistic probably but in truth it's so absorbing with all it's charms a young adult could ask for in a teen romance novel.

Janette Rallison has astonishing talent that takes the reader to full captivity as her story and characters draw you in with a promising flow. I appreciate the hard work put into Just One Wish.

This was Genius. I would recommend this to any twelve years and above.

5/5

Scribbler of Dreams by Mary E. Pearson Review

Note: Photos will lead to GoodReads

Romeo and Juliet had the right idea. About dating the enemy, that is. They were true to their hearts.
Kaitlin Malone knows what it’s like to date the enemy. She was raised to hate the Crutchfields, and absolutely does until she meets Bram Crutchfield. It turns out he’s a great guy, one she can talk to, share things with…even love. But when Kaitlin gives her heart to Bram, her world spins out of control. Soon the Crutchfields are her friends and she’s a traitor to her own family.

To make things worse, Bram was raised to hate the Malones, especially Kaitlin’s father who murdered Bram’s dad. Bram doesn’t know Kaitlin is a Malone. If he did, he’d hate her too.

What’s a star-crossed lover to do?

I have to say, I got this book out of chance and have to put out there that I feel bad I hadn't known about this title before.

This story is basically a modern day Romeo and Juliet but that hype of Shakespeares' master work never wore the story down for me. Kaitlin slowly falls for the one person her and her family have known to despise, however, as the reader starts to grasp the power of love in this novel...it gives judgment a whole new meaning.

Mary E. Pearson knows what she's doing. I love the surprise, twist'n turns and the balance of drama, romance, and mystery in this novel. I'd recommend this to any young adult who are looking for that classic love story that we all love with a guarantee of a soft, exciting, original teen love romance. This book will have you appreciate and be more hopeful for that special person that you may or may not have come across in life.

Scribbler of Dreams is what every young adult needs.

4/5

Masked by Norah McClintock Review

Note: Photos will lead to GoodReads

Rosie walks in on an armed robbery in her father's convenience store. Who is the masked man? And why does she think she knows him?

Everyone has something to hide.
------------------
There's a masked man in the store, and it isn't Halloween.
I duck down again—fast.
I hear someone say, "This is a stickup." It's the guy in the mask. He has a weird voice, like it's not a normal voice. He says, "Is there anyone else in the store?"
That tells me that the masked man hasn't seen me.
"No," my dad says without even a second's hesitation.

Excerpt:

...I feel her tremble, and I'm sorry about that. I'm sorry I have to scare her. But there's no other way. I watch the old man lower his hands to the cash cash register. I wonder how much money is in there...

Masked for me was envisioning with many unexpected turn of events. Norah McClintock has done a few Orca books as well as her popular novels published by Scholastic Canada. This is my second book by McClintock and although this one is placed on the pile for reluctant readers, I can't help but recommended this book to any YA books fanatic.

When I read, I like the feeling that I'm right by the characters side, (depending on who was telling the story from their point f view; Daniel, Rosie, or the masked man) feeling how they feel, thinking the way they think...it's real, so true.

Rosie, the daughter of the man whose store is getting robbed finds herself in a very sticky situation...maybe even more than Daniel, the boy who walks through the doors hoping for a grab and go rather than a stick up by a masked man. Corey (Rosie's boyfriend) who's somewhat a minor character in the story turns out to be quite essential himself...poor kid is waiting for Rosie to run off with but finds that people aren't always what they seem to be. Which brings me to story's' message...people aren't really honest with themselves, therefore dishonest with anyone in their path.

I was very impressed by McClintocks ability to write such as interesting story in a matter of 108 pages...the story came together really good too. This gets a 4/5 only because it's a little too short.

4/5