but I really truly loved it. All of the characters were genuine and ...
585809
This book certainly won't develop into a literary classic, but I really truly loved it. All of the characters were genuine and multifaceted. It made for a nice, light, easy read, without being too fluffy or cloyingly sweet. I look forward to reading the next one!
4848375
This was such a wonderful book! I loved the characters: the main human ones are real cutiepies, Perle is a jewel, both strong and funny, and you have a great antagonist with Kian. Besides that, I was amazed with how real the sirens looked as a fantastic species. Also, great representation for LGBTQ+ and disabled people. It felt very natural (not forced, just so you could say that there was a LGBTQ+ or disabled character in the story) and was woven very well into the narrative.

Definitively recommend it.
1863451
This is the first book by this author that I have read, and I read a LOT of contemporary romance novels. Melanie Moreland is now one of my favourites.
This is such a lovely, heart-warming story. Perfect for a rainy weekend wrapped up indoors. I loved it, and even though I finished this book a little while ago, the characters and their story have lingered with me, like the memory of a sweet dream.
Not the usual alpha hero but a stronger, more well-rounded character who is likeable and authentic; someone I could actually imagine knowing. However, it was Kourtney, the heroine of this book, who left an indelible impression on me; her gorgeous personality, genuine humanity and intense struggle to grow out of her abusive past. I cried for her, wanted to leap to her defence, cheered her on and wished she were real so I could write to her and tell her "You go girlfriend!",
A HEA was never more deserved than in this story.
I would give it five stars but (and this is a personal preference only) I also like a lot of "laugh out loud" humour in the books I read. Over The Fence was gently humorous and chock-full of emotion.
4967922
Why I Loved It:  I really, truly loved this book.  I found it on my bookshelf yesterday and remembered that it was being released this month.  I knew that the book had to be great if only because the author shares my love of chocolate pudding.  So I sat down to read it, using it as a break from studying.  Well then it started to overwhelm the study time until I finally gave in and stopped pretending to study.  Midnight comes around, and I reached the last page.  I am eternally grateful to Ms. Schwab for not leaving me with some awful cliffhanger.  My brain wouldn't have been able to handle it after that reading experience.  I was already on edge.  (In the best possible way mind you.)

Reading this book brought back the wonderful feelings that Starters had given me months before.  I was relishing every word and page, turning faster and faster until I had to will myself to slow down.  The two worlds in which Mackenzie lives would have quickly overwhelmed me.  Luckily for her, she has some special talents and the wisdom of her grandfather residing within her.  The fact that she is pretty dang tough is also a pretty big plus.  Mackenzie is such a relatable character with her fierce loyalty and her "take-no-crap" attitude with a touch of empathy that creates such a well-rounded and well-loved character.

In all honesty, I have nothing but wonderful things to say about this book.  The plot was different and unique and full of just enough winding turns to keep me reading *and to yell at anyone who interrupted me* without completely overwhelming me.  The character development was incredibly strong from Mackenzie and the people in the world around her to the the people residing in the Archives.  The Librarian Roland was probably my favorite character.  He had the whole smart guy thing going, complete with a pair of red Chucks.  Can you ask for more?

 I wouldn't be me if I didn't mention THE BOY.  I don't normally go for "guyliner" and black fingernails.  In Wesley's case, I will make an exception.  He was all charm and brains and with the right touch of bad boy.  Yep.  I have found another fictional boyfriend to add to the list.  He literally oozed charm without being completely obnoxious.  That is a hard feat.

The world that Ms. Schwab created makes for a very fun and edge of your seat reading experience.  And it has just the right amount of creepy.

Who Should Read It:  Everyone.  Seriously.  If you read Starters and loved it more than you thought you would, this needs to be added to the TBR pile.  It's worth it.
894519
This was an extremely engaging tale with seven unique characters that I came to love almost equally.

Though this was told from seven different perspectives, the characters were all fantastically crafted and had their own issues and personalities. They all melded together well, and it was easy to keep track of who played what role at various points in the story. Each felt real, as if this was a series of memoirs instead of a novel.

To me, Claire felt like the main character, though I'm not even sure if she was my favourite. I did get sick of her complaining about how insecure she was and how she used to have braces and acne, but my dislike of her kind of contributed to my enjoyment of the book overall--in real life, the odds of me liking seven people are low.

I loved how well one character's pansexual identity was played. There's another character who is likely asexual and I was disappointed by how that wasn't addressed; however, I highly respect that it was present if not explicitly so. Both identities felt very natural and very real, not at all as though they were forced.

The plot of this was multifaceted with main thread pulling together the various lines and providing a beginning and an end, but I like how all characters had issues that related to each other's issues and propelled the plot forward without having them all be caught up in the scandal.

This was a really well crafted and fun high school book, and I look forward to more from Redgate.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
415347
I adored the personalities and genuine emotions of each character. The plot was well planned and easy to follow very nice entrance to the love interest. Although it could use more character and scenery, a very well written book.
4720723
It completely brought the characters to life for me! Loved all of it.
950916
I read this book a while ago and found it oddly intriguing. The ending was singularly implausible, but by then I loved the characters so much I would excuse anything. Sachar creates a delightful world of accident, intrigue and hidden secrets, and peoples it with such recognizable, sympathetic characters in the boys that the reader suspends disbelief in favor of pure enjoyment. I really loved this book. I loved the insights into real people, blended into imaginary lives. And I loved the spirit of hope that makes the unreal real.
4661824
4.5 stars
This wasn't the book that I thought I would be reading, but it was written so beautifully, and everything was brought to life that I didn't mind. It was told from first person POV which I love, but Cyn Balog can write really well in first person. Ki's voice felt genuine and real, and she never said more than what needed to be said. Sometimes you get a writer who rambles in the first person which can be annoying. I felt everything wrapped up nicely so another book is not necessary to feel a sense of completion. Although if there is another book, I would read it in a heartbeat.

I thoroughly enjoyed this and will be picking up other books by Cyn Balog.
220562
Okay, so that title might be slightly catchy and a little bit exaggerated. However, it is indeed quite the wonderful read. While the plot is definitely nothing new, the way it's written in very touching. I inhaled the book all afternoon and I'll just say that I loved reading it. The characteres were lovable, the plot twists executed nicely and while it doesn't enlighten with any kind of epiphany,it leaves one a very nice, happy feeling. It made me giggle, laugh and cry. I figure that's what counts.
148922
I truly enjoyed this book! A wonderful change from some I have read lately.  The characters were real and became a part of you quickly. The story was very real and heart moving.  I didn't want it to end although the ending was perfect.
4424937
It took me a couple pages to get into this one, but pretty soon I realized I couldn't put it down.  I'm used my novels being a little heavier on conflict, but the characters in this were so adorable that I was totally won over.  Lighthearted and cheerful, this ended up being a really lovely read this summer.
3925679
These characters have all been through a lot collectively but the love and companionship they share makes me wish I could be part of their group of friends in real life... The dialogue felt so real like I could actually hear their voices. The story was well written with characters that made me laugh, cry, scream at the book and want so much more. Definitely a series I would recommend. Wish I could give more than five stars.
2958665
The characters were well developed and the story felt genuine. I couldn't put it down and felt sad to finish it.
3784673
I loved every bit of it. I could not put it down .  I was glued to it. Everything in the book was so engaging starting from the characters to the plot to the emotions .. I mean everything.
1016794
I read this twice within a month I loved it so much! I love the way Balogh gets inside the characters heads....and their inner dialogue. How they lie to themselves within their thoughts until their actions reveal their true feelings. I enjoyed Wulfric and his reaction to Christine laughing at him and herself. She is truly a lovable character, full of joy and good humour and she gets under his skin until he is helplessly in love with her. Watching him fall is a truly wonderful experience. Unlike some of the other reviewers, I LOVED Wulfric. He is honour bound, and a prisoner of his birth. I've watched him through 4 other books while his brothers and sisters are free to pursue their passions while he has the total responsiblity of caring for his family, taking care of them and the estate and the people bound to it. He acts reserved and cold,  but under his shell is a warm and caring man who has always been there to help his family realize their desires often at his own expense. Christine cracks the shell finally and we find two people that are perfect for eachother!
184293
It was absolutely beautifully written.  I loved it!