so I was surprised at how much I liked this book
348777
I'm not  LGB or T,  have never been to St. Louis, and only know of the author from Facebook, so I was surprised at how much I liked this book.  Chris Andoe has an open, honest style that just pulls you in and won't let go.  It is sinfully delicious.  Like a chocolate cake, I couldn't ingest it all at once, but didn't want anything else till it was finished.  And I will be looking for more...
2124958
I was underwhelmed with Leblanc's 'A House Divided' and didn't have very high hopes going into 'Water Witch.' I was surprised and actually glad to have underestimated the experience I would have with this book. I picked it up yesterday and just a few short hours later, I was closing the back cover and recommending it to my husband. It had an interesting premise with unique elements that aren't overdone and haven't been seen a dozen times before. There are certain core concepts and elements of alchemy, dowsing, magic, and energy that are repeated from one story to another, but the author found a way to incorporate a few small details that changed the story enough to hold my interest and wonder how the ending would unfold. The characters were developed to an above average level, and I could picture the characters easily. This is a good, quick read for anyone looking for a short escape, lovers of magic, suspense, and those with an appreciation for character development.
3312688
I wasn't expecting much from this book, it was three bucks and not my typical read. I was totally impressed. First of all- the world building was interesting. Not too much to bog me down but more then enough to be excited. The characters  were realistic, none of them flat, all of them had a past that affected their personalities and choices. I read a lot of teen fantasy and get so sick of the one dimensional, cereal box girls/boys/parents. This was a refreshing change. Totally worth my time and gave me a new world to play with in my head. Also- I can't believe how thought provoking it was. I mean come on, a book that actually makes me think afterwards? Not what I expected from this genre, I'm looking forward to the next.
2575200
I was pleasantly surprised by this book.  Not because of the subject matter, that was rather dark and heavy, but because I really had no idea what to expect.  I heard about this book through BookRooster.com, and although I wasn't able to get a review copy, I read the Kindle sample and liked what I read.  And because it was only $.99, I went ahead and purchased it.  I'm glad I did!

This is the story of what comes from poor decisions made by two best friends: one drunken party, risque photos changing hands at the speed of the internet, and the fall out.

I enjoyed the style of writing that the author used (first-person, present tense) and was impressed that she was able to keep it so consistent throughout the whole book.  Although the style, which is told from Beckett's point of view, seemed kind of choppy, it worked well for the subject matter, and it was well written.

The subject matter itself is very realistic, and very heavy.  These poor girls went through the whole school year dealing with the fallout of that one night with no relief, and I have to admit that at one point it seemed to almost be too much.  And I guess that works too, because from Beckett's point of view, it WAS too much.

I thought Beckett and Chloe were well-developed characters, although the other characters (family members and other friends) seemed rather flat.  Of course, because we see the world through one set of eyes, and those eyes are very self-absorbed in their own drama, it all makes sense.  I also like the addition of the Troll, the "modern art" sculpture at the base of the bridge.  It's almost a whole additional character.  Of course, there is another character, a homeless man who lives at the base of the bridge, and he interacts with the girls several times throughout the story.  He ends up playing a critical role, adding heart where it was needed.

The climax of the book came with a couple of surprises that really added suspense and excitement in an otherwise almost monotonous pace.  I knew Chloe was eventually going to self-destruct, but the author added some real depth to her pain with the addition of the help of the homeless man.  The nicest surprise for me came at the end when Beckett went back to the bridge one last time, and what she found out really lifted the entire story for me.  It gave me hope that things really would eventually work out for the girls, and that we are never really alone in our troubles.
3824492
I had no idea what to expect when first choosing this book. I was happily surprised.
1767189
Wow. I was pleasantly surprised how much I liked this book. Very well done. I like books that once I start reading, I want to keep reading until I'm done. This was one of those books. A very touchy subject. The author did a great job creating a book that was interesting and not morbid for a basically taboo subject. I don't like cussing in books or movies, but I understood that it represented part of the characters age and persona. It was nice to follow the character and see her growth and find out what happened to her and her dad in the end. I also was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I would have gladly paid for this book and will definitely be following this author for more books in the future.
2057149
If we're being completely honest, I didn't think that I was going to like this book. I have had friends go to rehab to deal with drug abuse, and I was really concerned about reading a book where the initial plot is a girl faking her way in to save a boy from himself. But no matter how much I concerned myself, I couldn't resist giving it a read. I'm so glad I did: there is way more to this book than meets the eye.

I would still categorize this novel as a young adult romance. Lola fakes her way into an amazing "spa like" rehab center to get the scoop on a boy she's had a crush on for forever. But she gets tangled up in a complicated string of emotions concerning him as well as the young man who is supposed to be in charge of her case. I loved watching their feelings get explored in their love/hate relationship.

I didn't initially care for Lola too much. She's shallow and moody and concerned with trivial things like designer sunglasses. But the more I got to learn about her, her experiences, and her bizarre family situations, the more I grew to like her and as cheesy as it sounds, the more she liked herself too. She ends up having a road to self-discovery even though she fights it every step of the way. Some things come into perspective for her and it shapes her in ways I didn't anticipate. She easily became my favorite character by the end of the book (though Adam is a very dreamy second place).

I also really enjoyed the unique cast of characters that to me each had a distinct function and personality. From Adam, the counselor of sorts who is driving Lola insane, to her possibly actually insane roommate who may want to injure Lola, to the little-too-charming owner of the facility, and even to Lola's paparazzi and image obsessed mother, there was never really a dull moment for me. Even though some of the side characters irritated me, I'm fairly certain they were written that way on purpose- and it worked.

There were also quite a few moments that made me snicker aloud, which I always appreciate in a book, especially in one that takes place in such a serious place.

This book is a good blend of young adult, contemporary, and romance. It touches on some tough stuff from the other clients (who are actually admitted for real addictions), such as sex, alcohol, and drugs, but the story never becomes graphic. All in all, I think that if you're a fan of all three of those genres that you should give this book a shot. Because of the romance and the warm California settings that are described in the book, I think this will make a great poolside or beachy read for the summer of 2015.

Thanks to Entangled Teen for my copy in exchange for my honest review.
325006
I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. Not that much into politics but this was really interesting. I liked the characters very much.
1475937
I was actually really surprised by this book. I didn't think I'd like it, but I really did!
3304286
This little jewel of a book was a great surprise.  I enjoy young adult literature, but I couldn't seem to muster much enthusiasm for it at first.  My wife read it and thought it was exciting and well written, so I decided to give it a go as well.  I am excited that I did.  Vampires and monsters are very much the rage right now in YA lit, but faeries have certainly received their due as well.  Still, this re-take on some of the characters from Shakespeare was surprisingly original, the prose crisp and exciting.  The heroine is really likable--strong but not obnoxious, noble without being stuck up.  This is the kind of person that makes it a pleasure to read even the most fanciful turns, and you find yourself willingly suspending disbelief carried along in the sure arms of the story.

I think that this story would appeal to young women who enjoy fantasy, and is exotic enough to draw in adults as well.  As an adult male, it isn't my favorite book ever, but I still read it cover to cover and was a little sad when it was over.  Nice job.
3812491
To be honest, I didn't know if I would like or finish this book!  I downloaded a sample.  I was quickly drawn in.  The idea of a parent/teacher relationship intrigued me.  But the author also got into teaching methods and classroom interactions.  I enjoyed the back and forth with Tyler and Easton.  My complaints, no outcome for Easton's brother, I never liked the other teacher Kristen or the other woman Tessa.  But it felt unfinished with no  further discussion of any of the three of them.  Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised by this book.
2209092
I wasn't expecting to enjoy this book as much as I did, but I finished it in one long reading. I really liked the charming,witty, and resilient protagonist
2844395
I was surprised with this book. I thought it was going to young adult by the synopsis, but its not, defiantly not. Once you start reading, you realise that its not actually for anyone under the age of 16 at the least. In saying that I did enjoy the book.

Whos Afraid follows protagonist, Tommi who is stubborn, sarcastic, troublesome however also slightly breakable. After her mothers death, she travels to New Zealand to find out more about her father and instead find thats she comes from a line of very powerful and dangerous werewolves and well that she is a werewolf herself.

As she struggles with her new self, she finds out the world she knew wasn't as it seemed and that her life wasn't sunshine and daisies.

I am not too sure how I feel about Whos Afraid. I enjoyed it, it was a good read, but I didn't love it. I enjoyed the writing style on the other hand I didn't love how it was changing perspectives. It went from first person to third back to first, I wouldnt have a problem with it, if I knew that it was happening. I could be reading a scene in first person and then it changed to third person and it confused me.

I actually enjoyed the plot, it was engaging and interesting. There was many twists and turns and things happened that I wasn't expecting at all. It was a real book, nothing was hidden. Gruesome, hideous things happened.

Tommi is one strong girl. She has gone through hell and back. Having to deal with the death of her mother was hard enough, but then she finds out that comes from a powerful line of werewolves, everything else seems to fall apart.

Then there is her dark and mysterious guardian who also happens to be very attractive. Lorcan MacCarthy. He is pretty amazing and perfect to Tommis outgoing nature. He is calm, but fierce that fights with swords.

The world building in Whos Afraid was well written. It was well thought out and it kept on drawing me in. especially with the Praetorian Guard. It was something different and very fascinating. There was a lot going on and somethings that was a bit heavy, it was overwhelming, trying to remember everything and everyone.

I liked the writing style of Maria Lewis, it was engaging and easy to read. There were certain words that were hard to pronounce, but that was easy to go over. Lewis keeps the reader captivated until the end, she makes the reader go in circles.

Whos Afraid is not for the faint hearted, its gruesome and there are deaths all over the place, but its an enthralling unban fantasy novel that takes you on a flight of the supernatural, death and romance.

Overall, I really enjoyed Whos Afraid. It was something different from what I have read before. I am used to Fantasy in Young Adult, this is one of the New Adult novels that I have read that isn't contemporary. I truly enjoyed and cannot wait to read the rest of the books in the series.
1304446
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book.  Sure, it's similar to a lot of the other teem post-apocalyptic books out there, but it was enjoyable. I though it ended a little abruptly, or maybe just not quite in the right place, but overall I'd recommend it to anybody who is a fan of that genre in general.
381035
I read this for my book club and was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it! It's not my usual style, but the narrative was great and the writing very engaging.

The book bounced between the past and present, and it did drag a bit at points when the story returned to the present, but overall a great read. I didn't see the plot twist coming at the end, and loved the surprise.
117314
This book really surprised me. I wasn't quite sure what to expect when it popped up in my recommended reading list, but I decided to give it a try and I'm glad I did!  It had everything I was looking for - well-developed characters, a interesting plot with some unexpected twists, and a sense of drama and fun. I look forward to reading more by this author!
4661347
I admit I too was skeptical at the premise of this - a shipwreck on an island, a 16 year old and a 30 year old? Etc. But I was surprised at how much I just loved this book. Yes, the writing wasn't particularly complicated - Dostoyevsky it's not - but it was a fun read that sucked me in completely, to the point that I went back and re-read some parts after I had finished. Which I basically never do, because that's a pain in the ass to do on the Kindle. But there I was. I even liked the differing points of view, written from Anna's perspective then also from T.J.'s. All in all really a great little book.