Book Review: Two Way Street by Lauren Barnholdt

Title: Two Way Street
Author: Lauren Barnholdt

Pages: 288

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Source: Library

Summary: There are two sides to every breakup.

This is Jordan and Courtney, totally in love. Sure, they were an unlikely high school couple. But they clicked; it worked. They're even going to the same college, and driving cross-country together for orientation.

Then Jordan dumps Courtney -- for a girl he met on the Internet.

It's too late to change plans, so the road trip is on. Courtney's heartbroken, but figures she can tough it out for a few days. La la la -- this is Courtney pretending not to care.

But in a strange twist, Jordan cares. A lot.

Turns out, he's got a secret or two that he's not telling Courtney. And it has everything to do with why they broke up, why they can't get back together, and how, in spite of it all, this couple is destined for each other.

Review: In this book, the main girl, Courtney, is forced to go on a road trip with her ex, Jordan. Some parts were funny (as you can imagine, two people who hate each other going on a road trip!). There was a bit of character transformation, especially Jordan. I liked how the book ended, but I thought it was pretty predictable. I decided to read this book since I enjoyed Lauren Barnholdt's book, One Night That Changes Everything. I think this book was very realistic. I can see real teenagers going through the same scenario.

I hate giving books low ratings, but for this book I had to. The content really disappointed me. There was too much language and mature content. This book just wasn't as good as Lauren Barnholdt's other books (that I've read so far). It also wasn't very entertaining. I find it hard to relate to the characters in this book.

I wouldn't recommend reading this book because of the content. If you really don't mind a ton of language, then you could give this book a try. I gave this book 2 coffee cups.

Book Review: One Night That Changes Everything by Lauren Barnholdt

Title: One Night That Changes Everything
Author: Lauren Barnholdt
Pages: 288
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Source: Read online on Pulse It

Summary: Eliza is in a full-blown panic. Her notebook has been stolen—the one that lists everything she wants but is afraid to go after. And the absolute worst person in the world has it: her ex-boyfriend, Cooper.

Like it’s not enough Cooper was lying to Eliza for their entire relationship, now he and his friends are blackmailing her. They’re giving her just one night to complete the most humiliating tasks on her list or they’ll post her secrets online—including the ones that aren’t just about her.

Eliza’s sure of only one thing: she isn’t going down without a fight. Cooper may have what’s left of her dignity, but she’s not the only one with something to hide …

Review: This book was really entertaining. What drew me in was the plot. It sounded really funny. When I read it, I wasn't disappointed. I thought the author, Lauren Barnholdt, developed each of the characters very well. I read this book pretty fast because I was eager to find out what happened next. The main character, Eliza, had written down a list of things in a notebook that she is scared to do. When her ex-boyfriend and his group, the 318's, steal her notebook, they make her do some of the things on her list. If she doesn't listen to them, then they would post that list online. I would hate to be in her situation. Before this happens, she found out that her boyfriend Cooper, was dating her because of a dare. I won't give anything away, but I will say that the ending was really cute. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a good book. I didn't like that there was a lot of language, though. I gave this book four coffee cups. Great book!

"Waiting On" Wednesday (1)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

I am waiting for "Aces up" by Lauren Barnholdt.

Summary: Seventeen-year-old high school senior Shannon Card needs money. And lots of it. She's been admitted to Wellesley, but her dad just lost his job, and somehow she has to come up with a year of tuition herself. But Shannon's dream of making big bucks waitressing at the local casino, the Collosio, disappears faster than a gambler's lucky streak. Her boss is a tyrant, her coworker is nuts, and her chances of balancing a tray full of drinks while wearing high-heeled shoes are slim to none. Worse, time is running out, and Shannon hasn't made even half the money she'd hoped.

When Shannon receives a mysterious invitation to join Aces Up, a secret network of highly talented college poker players, at first she thinks No way. She has enough to worry about: keeping her job, winning the coveted math scholarship at school, and tutoring her secret crush, Max. But when Shannon musters up the nerve to kiss Max and he doesn't react at all, the allure of Aces Up and its sexy eighteen-year-old leader, Cole, is suddenly too powerful to ignore.

Soon Shannon's caught up in a web of lies and deceit that makes worrying about tuition money or a high school crush seem like kid stuff. Still, when the money's this good, is the fear of getting caught reason enough to fold?

This book looks really good! I can't wait to read it.