Review: Between Here And Forever by Elizabeth Scott

Between Here And Forever by Elizabeth Scott

Pages: 256
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Published: May 24th, 2011
IBSN: 9781416994848

Abby accepted that she can’t measure up to her beautiful, magnetic sister Tess a long time ago, and knows exactly what she is: Second best. Invisible.

Until the accident.

Now Tess is in a coma, and Abby’s life is on hold. It may have been hard living with Tess, but it's nothing compared to living without her.

She's got a plan to bring Tess back though, involving the gorgeous and mysterious Eli, but then Abby learns something about Tess, something that was always there, but that she’d never seen.

Abby is about to find out that truth isn't always what you think it is, and that life holds more than she ever thought it could...

[Synopsis by Goodreads]

My new favorite of Elizabeth Scott's books, it features a protagonist really unlike the others from Scott's contemporaries. Abby is very strong, and is also insecure in a totally different way to the others: she genuinely believes she's inferior to her sister, and is resigned to being comparatively worthless.

My favorite thing about Elizabeth Scott's books is how she creates likeable but ultimately flawed characters. Abby had so many problems but I really connected with her, and wanted to comfort her through them all.

Eli was a fantastic love interest. He wasn't perfect either, but there was so much chemistry between him and Abby. Though I really wanted to shake Abby at the start and tell her to stop trying to make Eli like Tess, I'm glad she eventually realised.

The writing style was as emotive and beautiful as usual. My English teacher once said that authors never waste words, and Elizabeth Scott is one of the few authors I know of that really don't.

Overall, it was a really touching story of family, love, and loss.

I give Between Here And Forever a 5 out of 5.

Review: Grace by Elizabeth Scott

Grace by Elizabeth Scott

Pages: 200
Publisher: Dutton
Published: September 16th, 2010
IBSN: 9780525422068

Grace was raised to be an Angel, a herald of death by suicide bomb. But she refuses to die for the cause, and now Grace is on the run, daring to dream of freedom. In search of a border she may never reach, she travels among malevolent soldiers on a decrepit train crawling through the desert. Accompanied by the mysterious Kerr, Grace struggles to be invisible, but the fear of discovery looms large as she recalls the history and events that delivered her uncertain fate.

[Synopsis by Goodreads]

Grace was certainly different to anything I've read before, and I say that as a good thing.

Grace was raised to be a suicide bomber, but realised she didn't want to die and refused to go through with the bombing. She's on the run, accompanied by 'Kerr', as the book opens, and she slowly reveals how she got to that point through flashbacks.

The book wasn't as action-packed as the synopsis led me to believe it'd be, but was still very intense. The premise was incredibly unique and engaging.

After the flashbacks were over and the twist past, the rest of the story was told primarily through conversations between Grace and Kerr, where they basically smack you repeatedly over the face with the moral of the story.

Grace and Kerr were both dynamic characters. They had their obvious faults, but had realistic personalities, given their setting. I can't say I really connected with Grace, because of how different we are, but I did feel and hope for her.

Together, they realise things about the value of life and what they'll do to survive. The ending is hopeful, if a little sad, but entirely satisfying.

Elizabeth Scott's prose was heart-wrenching and beautiful, as always. This book perfectly demonstrates the way she can write a novel that's emotion-driven - rather than plot-driven - and still have it extremely engaging.

I give Grace around a 3.5-4 out of 5.

Review: The Unwritten Rule by Elizabeth Scott

The Unwritten Rule by Elizabeth Scott

Pages: 224
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Published: March 16th, 2010
IBSN: 9781416978916

Sarah and Brianna have always been friends, and it's always gone like this: guys talk to Sarah in order to get closer to Brianna. So even though Sarah met Ryan first, she's not surprised that he ends up with Brianna (even though Sarah has a massive crush on him). The three of them hang out, and Sarah and Ryan's friendship grows until one night an innocent exchange between them leads to a moment that makes Sarah realize that Ryan might be interested in her after all. But if there's one unwritten rule, it's this: you don't mess around with a friend's boyfriend. So Sarah tries to resist temptation. But with the three of them thrown together more and more, tension builds between Sarah and Ryan, and when they find themselves alone together at one point, they realize they just can't fight how they feel anymore...


[Synopsis by Goodreads]

In The Unwritten Rule, Elizabeth Scott took a new take on an old trope: girl likes best friend's boyfriend.

Sarah was a likeable enough character, and also relatable. She's insecure, loyal, and kind (perhaps even too kind). Her voice was clear through the text, and had realistic and well-written emotions.

Her relationship with her best friend, Brianna, wasn't perfect but it was perfectly written and described. The selfish foundations that the friendship was built upon was subtly referred to, leaving us to figure the pairing out.

You'll notice that in my reviews for Elizabeth Scott's books that I use the word 'realistic' a lot. Because that's what really appeals to me in her books: the realism. Her narrators are just normal girls, with crushes and family problems and questionable friends. You can get invested in her books like you can't in paranormals or dystopias because the characters are just like you are or were or knew someone else to be.

I liked the ending. It was happy, but had repercussions from the complication of the novel. I like how not every character gets out unscathed, like it would happen in real life.

I give The Unwritten Rule a 4 out of 5.

Review: Something, Maybe by Elizabeth Scott

Something, Maybe by Elizabeth Scott


Pages: 217
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Published: May 24th, 2009
IBSN: 9781416978657

Everyone thinks their parents are embarrassing, but Hannah knows she's got them all beat.

Her dad made a fortune showcasing photos of pretty girls and his party lifestyle all over the Internet, and her mom was once one of her dad's 'girlfriends' and is now the star of her own website.

After getting the wrong kind of attention for way too long, Hannah has mastered the art of staying under the radar . . . and that's just how she likes it. Of course, that doesn't help her get noticed by her crush. Hannah's sure that gorgeous, sensitive Josh is her soul mate. But trying to get him to notice her; wondering why she suddenly can't stop thinking about another guy, Finn; and dealing with her parents make Hannah feel like she's going crazy. Yet she's determined to make things work out the way she wants only what she wants may not be what she needs. . . . 


[Synopsis by Goodreads]

Something, Maybe was engaging from the very first line, "Everyone's seen my mother naked." Unconventional but interesting, it captured my attention.

Elizabeth Scott's style is so light and easy to read. Her books are quick and can be read in just a few hours; their fluffy and funny tone picking you up from a bad mood, or just putting you in a better one.

The premise was definitely unique to anything I've read before. Hannah's dad was basically Hugh Heffner, and her mother was an ex-girlfriend of his. The dynamic felt realistic, despite her parent's outlandish situation.

Hannah's character was easy to identify with. Everyone can relate to being embarrassed by their parents, but Hannah's parents are on a whole other level. I felt sympathetic for her while reading, cringing at every awkward moment.

The romance in Something, Maybe was incredibly sweet. The love interest (I feel like telling you who the love interest really is spoils it somewhat) was so adorable, funny, and swoon-worthy. It felt like there'd be an imminent love triangle, and I was so, so happy to be wrong.

The plot was entertaining, sometimes light and sometimes more serious. Though, I felt like I could guess the result of every sub-plot about halfway into it.

I give Something, Maybe a 4 out of 5.

Review: Stealing Heaven by Elizabeth Scott

Stealing Heaven by Elizabeth Scott

Pages: 320
Publisher: HarperTeen
Published: June 1st, 2008
IBSN: 9780061122804

My name is Danielle. I'm eighteen. I've been stealing things for as long as I can remember.

Dani has been trained as a thief by the best there is—her mother. They never stay in one place long enough for Dani to have real connections, real friends—a real life.

But in the town of Heaven, everything changes. Suddenly, Dani must question where her loyalties lie: with the life she's always known—or the one she's always wanted.

[Synopsis by Goodreads]

Stealing Heaven's unique premise caught my attention. Danielle and her mother are thieves. They make their living by taking others'. They pick a target, research them, burgle them, and then skip town. Danielle will do anything for her mother, but at the same time, all she wants is to settle down somewhere.

Danielle was a relatable, likeable, three-dimensional character. She was constantly conflicted between doing what her mother wanted and what she wanted. She was also wry and sarcastic, and kind of standoffish. I liked how realistic she was.

Her love interest, Greg, is now one of my favorite guys from a book ever. He was funny, not-perfect-looking (does anyone else get turned off by guys in books who are perfect?), and sweet.

Elizabeth Scott's writing was, as always, a pleasure to read. Her style is light, humorous, and sweet. Her books have their serious moments, sure, but the bantering scenes between the protagonist and the love interest always steal the show.

I give Stealing Heaven a 4 out of 5.

Review: Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott

Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott

Pages: 170
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Published: September 2nd, 2009
IBSN: 9781416960591

Once upon a time, I was a little girl who disappeared.
Once upon a time, my name was not Alice.
Once upon a time, I didn’t know how lucky I was.

When Alice was ten, Ray took her away from her family, her friends her life. She learned to give up all power, to endure all pain. She waited for the nightmare to be over.
Now Alice is fifteen and Ray still has her, but he speaks more and more of her death. He does not know it is what she longs for. She does not know he has something more terrifying than death in mind for her.

[Synopsis by Goodreads]

Alice (or Kyla - I don't know what to call her) was taken by Ray when she was just 8, on a school trip to the aquarium. Before, her biggest concern was that her friends ditched her because she won't share her lip gloss. Now she's been moulded into Ray's perfect little girl. Waxed smooth, starved down to a little girl's size, and on pills so that she doesn't get her period.

Living Dead Girl is an incredibly sad and scary book. I was constantly putting it down, sick with the story I was reading. Worse was the thought that things like this actually happen. 

Scott's writing style evoked the tormented voice of Alice. She narration pulled at my heartstrings. I wanted to help her. I understood her fear and hate and sadness, and I could even understand her being so frivolous about other little girls' lives. I can't say I'd be a better person under her circumstances.

Though Jake? I didn't at all understand Jake.

The ending was bittersweet, to me. I spoke to a friend about this book, and apparently we got completely different things out of the ending. Either way, it was extremely emotional.

Living Dead Girl is a chilling read, definitely not for the feint-hearted. I give it a 4 out of 5.

Review: Perfect You by Elizabeth Scott

Perfect You by Elizabeth Scott

Pages: 282
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Published: March 25th, 2008
IBSN: 9781416953555

Kate Brown's life has gone downhill fast. 
Her father has quit his job to sell vitamins at the mall, and Kate is forced to work with him. Her best friend has become popular, and now she acts like Kate's invisible. And then there's Will. Gorgeous, unattainable Will, whom Kate acts like she can't stand even though she can't stop thinking about him. When Will starts acting interested, Kate hates herself for wanting him when she's sure she's just his latest conquest. Kate figures that the only way things will ever stop hurting so much is if she keeps to herself and stops caring about anyone or anything. What she doesn't realize is that while life may not always be perfect, good things can happen -- but only if she lets them...

[Synopsis by Goodreads]

Scott's writing style in Perfect You was, as usual, amazing. She doesn't need to use excessive descriptions or internal dialogues to capture the voice of her characters perfectly. She creates naturally flawed characters that are immediately grab your attention.

The family dynamic was interesting to read about, though I felt her father's character was somewhat unrealistic.

Will was a great love interest. He was swoony, but not perfect. Though I didn't get what he saw in Kate - I mean, she was so rude to him for much of the book, and then gave off mixed signals for the rest - I really liked them together. They suited each other.

A negative about this book, though, for me, was Kate's attitude. She was so pessimistic, yet naive (especially when it came to Anna. I found what she was doing pretty obvious). Also, with how hormone-driven she was.

 Overall, though, Perfect You was a short, enjoyable read, just with a few annoying aspects of some of the characters.

I give Perfect You a 3 out of 5.

Guest Review: Bloom by Elizabeth Scott

Kicking off Elizabeth Scott Week, we have Paula from The Phantom Paragrapher reviewing Elizabeth Scott's first novel, Bloom!

Bloom by Elizabeth Scott

Pages: 231
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Published: April 24th, 2007
IBSN: 9781416926832

There's a difference between falling and letting go.

Lauren has a good life: decent grades, great friends, and a boyfriend every girl lusts after. So why is she so unhappy?

It takes the arrival of Evan Kirkland for Lauren to figure out the answer: She's been holding back. She's been denying herself a bunch of things (like sex) because staying with her loyal and gorgeous boyfriend, Dave, is the "right" thing to do. After all, who would give up the perfect boyfriend?

But as Dave starts talking more and more about their life together, planning a future Lauren simply can't see herself in -- and as Lauren's craving for Evan, and moreover, who she is with Evan becomes all the more fierce -- Lauren realizes she needs to make a choice...before one is made for her.


[Synopsis by Goodreads]

Lauren, it seems that over the past summer her life has gone from Miss Invisible to Miss Popular as when her friend Jane moves away , Lauren starts a library job with fellow Popular student Katie and soon the two girls are hanging out and being bff's for life. If that wasn't enough, Lauren has the perfect boyfriend , Dave who is on the football team, handsome , gets straight A's etc. Though of course, for Lauren life with Dave takes no risks as he comes from a strict Christian background. All is going well for Lauren , until on the first day of school she gets a blast from the past - Evan Kirkland. His mum Mary and Lauren's dad used to date when they were eight years old. Life is about to get a tad interesting for Lauren , as she soon discovers that she has no classes with Dave but plenty with Evan and soon we read as Lauren starts to contemplate whether her life is with Dave or not, especially when he starts to discuss their future life together - it seems the more Dave discusses their future, the more her thoughts wander towards Evan . Is Lauren ready to give up all that she has built for a life with Evan or will she stick to the status quo and stay Miss Popular with the All Mighty Dave ? Find out more in Bloom - which as the title suggests we see Lauren start to Bloom like a Flower Bud. A great read for all fans of Elizabeth Scott's.


Paula is a book reviewer and librarian. Check out her blog.

Waiting On Wednesday (25)

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine, in which we highlight an upcoming book release we're eagerly awaiting.

This week I'm waiting on As I Wake by Elizabeth Scott, because I love her other books, and I can't seem to get enough of books featuring amnesia and memory loss lately.

What if you woke up and didn't know where you were? 

What if you didn't know who you were?

And what if, when your memories started to come back--what if they didn't match the you that you're supposed to be?

Ava is welcomed home from the hospital by a doting mother, lively friends, and a crush finally beginning to show interest. There's only one problem: Ava can't remember any of them--and can't shake the eerie feeling that she's not who they say she is.

Ava struggles to break through her amnesiac haze as she goes through the motions of high-school life, but the memories that surface take place in a very different world, where Ava and familiar-faced friends are under constant scrutiny and no one can be trusted. Ava doesn't know what to make of these visions, or of the boy who is at the center of them all, until he reappears in her life and offers answers . . . but only in exchange for her trust.

[Synopsis by Goodreads]

As I Wake is due for release on the 15th of September.

Feel free to leave a link to your own Waiting On Wednesday post in the comments, and I'll be sure to have a look.