ARC Review: I’ll Meet You There

 

Title/Author: I’ll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios

Publication Date/Publisher: February 3, 2015/Henry Holt & Co.

Series: No

Source and Format:
I received this book for free from the publisher via Netgalley. This in no way affected my opinion of the book, or the content of my review.

Rating: 4 stars

 

From Goodreads:

If seventeen-year-old Skylar Evans were a typical Creek View girl, her future would involve a double-wide trailer, a baby on her hip, and the graveyard shift at Taco Bell. But after graduation, the only thing standing between straightedge Skylar and art school are three minimum-wage months of summer. Skylar can taste the freedom—that is, until her mother loses her job and everything starts coming apart. Torn between her dreams and the people she loves, Skylar realizes everything she’s ever worked for is on the line.

Nineteen-year-old Josh Mitchell had a different ticket out of Creek View: the Marines. But after his leg is blown off in Afghanistan, he returns home, a shell of the cocksure boy he used to be. What brings Skylar and Josh together is working at the Paradise—a quirky motel off California’s dusty Highway 99. Despite their differences, their shared isolation turns into an unexpected friendship and soon, something deeper.

Do I even read what books are about because I WAS NOT EXPECTING THAT.

I finally read…well, finished…a book by Heather Demetrios and I am not disappointed! Exquisite Captive was a miss for me and I’ve owned Something Real for what seems like my whole life but still haven’t read it.

I really felt for Skylar and her tough life – she becomes the sole provider for her family after her mom is fired from Taco Bell and can’t find another job in their tiny town. Like, Bakersfield is their big city, is how tiny Creek View is. Bakersfield may be the 9th largest city in California, but it’s wikipedia page boasts that it has “5 multi-screen movie theaters” as if that’s an accomplishment, so.

Anyway. Skylar. She really had me feeling sorry for her until she started flip-flopping on whether or not she would take the full-ride scholarship that would get her out of her one horse town. All she’s ever wanted is to leave, but with her mom’s situation and Josh’s return, she starts thinking about giving it all up. The mom thing is understandable to a point, but it’s not like Skylar’s mom ever took care of Skylar! And why would you stay for a guy who also wants to get the hell out of dodge – he could move closer to where you are (which isn’t even THAT far away)!

Sometimes it’s frustrating to read about 18 year olds making life decisions as someone who is verrrrry close to 30. It’s so easy to see the solution from this point in my life, but I can at least kind of remember how dire and impossible everything seemed. And I know this review seems pretty complain-y for 4 stars, but I read I’ll Meet You There about a month ago and didn’t take the greatest notes (oops). Contemporary lovers and especially fans of Something Like Normal are sure to count this one among their favorites of the year.

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten 2015 Releases

This week, The Broke and the Bookish is asking for the Top Ten Books I’m excited for in 2015. Ummm I have a feeling I won’t be able to contain this to a top ten…

 

1. Trigger Warning by Neil Gaiman
2. I’ll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios
3. FAIREST by Marissa Meyer
4. The Last Time We Say Goodbye by Cynthia Hand
5. Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
6. I Was Here by Gayle Forman
7. WINTER by Marissa Meyer
8. Winds of Winter by George R.R. Martin
9. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
10. The Winner’s Crime by Marie Rutkoski
11. THE RAVEN CYCLE #4 by Maggie Stiefvater
12. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
13. The Fill-In Boyfriend by Kasie West
14. A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab
15. Golden Son by Pierce Brown
16. Salt and Stone by Victoria Scott
17. Lair of Dreams by Libba Bray
18. The Vanishing Throne by Elizabeth May
19. Black Dove, White Raven by Elizabeth Wein
20. The Boy Who Lost Fairyland by Catherynne M. Valente
21. The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness
22. Radiance by Catherynne M. Valente
23. We All Looked Up by Tommy Wallach
24. Tonight the Streets are Ours by Leila Sales
25. Armada by Ernest Cline

 

I had to stop looking at 2015 releases once I got to 33 books and then edited the list down even more from there – and it was super hard! Basically, if these were the only books I read in 2015 I would call it a success because they are all extremely important sequels or standalones/starts of new series from authors I love or debuts that sound amazing or just plain ol’ GIVE IT TO ME NOW books.

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books on my Winter TBR

 

This week, The Broke and the Bookish is asking for the Top Ten Books on my Winter TBR. I try to pick books I know I’ll 100% FOR SURE read, but I almost never finish the whole list. This time I’m picking any 10 books still on my TBR – not just Winter releases, but ones I know I’m going to read early or are auto-buys.

1. The Rosie Project and The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion
2. All the Bright Places by Jennifer Nivens
3. Trigger Warning by Neil Gaiman
4. The Hemlock Grove trilogy by Kathleen Peacock
5. The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson
6. Alex as Well by Alyssa Brugman
7. I’ll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios (and hopefully – finally – Something Real)
8. The Last Time We Say Goodbye by Cynthia Hand
9. Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
10. Things We Know by Heart by Jessi Kirby
11. I was Here by Gayle Forman
12. Fairest by Marissa Meyer\
13. This Shattered World by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

 

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books on My Summer TBR

This week, The Broke and the Bookish is asking for the Top Ten Books on My Summer TBR.

1. Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson – I know it’s basically a joke by this point, but I actually put it on my reading schedule and everything!
2. The Sea of Trnaquility by Katja Millay: I’ve wanted to read this one for a looong time, but everyone has started raving about it again recently which has renewed my interest.
3. RUIN AND RISING by Leigh Bardugo: It’s been over 100 degrees here, so it’s already summer. I’ve managed to avoid spoilers so far (I hope that is still true at the time of posting) because this is out today and I’m running to B&N after work to pick up my copy.
4. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas: I’m really nervous after seeing all of Nikki’s tweets and yelling on Goodreads, but I signed up for the summer readalong.
5. Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson: Why did I wait until so late in life to get into fantasy?! I just want to read all the huge fantasy books, okay?
6. Exquisite Captive by Heather Demetrios: I have but have not read Something Real (so add that to this list too), but I know everyone loved it so it makes me even more excited for this one.
7. Blackbird by Anna Carey: I don’t think I’ve ever read a book that uses this narrative device before, so I’m excited to see how it goes.
8. Rooms by Lauren Oliver: GHOSTS! Ghost stories don’t always work for me, but it’s Lauren Oliver.
9. Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch: FANTASYYY
10. Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins: the entire world has exhaled a breath we didn’t realize we were holding once we realized the pub date was too close to change again and we’re finally getting it!

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books in My Beach Bag

This week, The Broke and the Bookish is asking for the Top Ten Books in my Beach bag this Summer. I recently posed about recent releases YOU need for summer, but here’s what I’ll have in my beach bag…or, on my kindle in my beach bag. I’m going for a little bit of everything: NA, fantasy series, re-tellings.

• Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo: I ordered a special edition that won’t ship until 6/17 but BN ALREADY CHARGED ME FOR IT even though they say they won’t charge until it ships. Liars. Anywaaaay, I have big plans for me, Sturmhond, and the puppy pool on my patio.
• Boomerang by Noelle August: Veronica Rossi + internet dating! I’m there!
• Get Even by Gretchen McNeil: I think this is going to be the hit I need from Gretchen McNeil – prep school and secret societys are practically a home run in my mind.
• Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard: series binge! A good series binge is one of my favorite things in life. I love it so much I’ll do it at least twice this summer…
• The Courier’s Daughter by CJ Redwine: series binge!
• Wild by Alex Mallory: I can’t even form coherent thoughts about how excited I am for this Tarzan retelling.
• Kiss Kill Vanish by Jessica Martinez: Murder mysteries are perfect for summer!
• Falling Into Place by Amy Zhang: Early reviews are in and I CAN’T WAIT to be emotionally destroyed.
• Messenger of Fear by Michael Grant: “He offers the wicked a game. If they win, they go free. If they lose, they will live their greatest fear. Either way, their sanity will be challenged.” YESSSSSSS
• Exquisite Captive by Heather Demetrios: The Art of Wishing fell flat for me, so I’m ready for a jinni book that will sweep me off my feet.

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books I Just Had To Buy

This week, The Broke and the Bookish is asking for the Top Ten Books About Friendship, but I’m going to roll with Top Ten Books I Just Had to Buy That Are Still Sitting on My Shelf.

Since ALL OF THEM probably isn’t an option (though it is close to the truth), I will share my shame.

1. Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein: After Code Name Verity, how could I not immediately purchase, possibly even pre-order, Rose Under Fire? Now I just have to actually READ it.
2. Something Real by Heather Demetrios: I was approved for this on Netgalley, somehow accidentally didn’t download it time, and completely missed it. Then the amazing reviews started rolling in, so I went and bought a copy…only to leave it on my shelf for months.
3. Dreams of Gods and Monsters by Laini Taylor: This isn’t so bad, it’s only been a month and a halfish. I think at this point I’m just afraid for the series to end.
4. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas: I think I need a few more series to end before I get invested in new ones? Can I just keep telling myself that?
5. Perfect Ruin by Lauren DeStefano: Another pre-order sitting unread. Fun fact: I prefer the new cover.
6. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin: At this point, I’m waiting for the last book to come out before I start the series.
7. The Legend Trilogy by Marie Lu: Let’s not talk about this.
8. Series Enders: I’ve had Sever and Requiem since they came out. I haven’t even peeked at them. I’m planning on a full re-read for both series this summer though, just so I can finally finish them.
9. In the Shadow of Blackbirds by Cat Winters: I don’t even know. I still WANT to read it all the time, I just…don’t do it.
10. The DUFF by Kody Keplinger: Well at least there’s a movie coming out, so I know I’ll read it eventually.

But wait! There’s more! Recently, I’ve bought two books and read them WITHIN ONE DAY OF PURCHASE. They are two very different books, but both were AMAZING and I highly recommend them if you still haven’t read them.

• Pointe by Brandy Gilbert
• Open Road Summer by Emery Lord

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten 2014 Debuts I’m Excited For

This week, The Broke and the Bookish is asking for the Top Ten Debuts I’m excited for in 2014.

1. Red Rising by Pierce Brown (1/28): I read this towards the end of December and WOW. This is going to be one of the ones I recommend the most this year. I seriously loved it so much I want to never stop talking about it.
2. The Falconer by Elizabeth May (5/6): I have heard tremendous things about this, and since it doesn’t strike me as a JUSTINE book, it obviously is.
3. The Murder Complex by Lindsey Cummings (6/10): Apparently murderous teenagers are my favorite thing ever (see: Red Rising) so I’m so excited for this one.
4. Side Effects May Vary by Julie Murphy (3/18): I love bucket lists and the cancer element of the story guarantees tears. Which, for me, is great because I love to have my soul crushed.
5. Half Bad by Sally Green (3/4): WITCHES. I love a story with real magic, so I’m hoping this one is amaaaazing.
6. Prisoner of Night and Fog by Anne Blankman (4/22): I am still a little wary this this could go either way, based on the subject matter, but early reviews have said it’s fantastic.
7. Wild by Alex Mallory (7/8): YES
8. Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige (4/1): YESSSS
9. Something Real by Heather Demetrios (2/4): I had this one, and then I missed the archive date so I didn’t get to read it. Reality TV YA Contemporary has gone badly for me, but it’s also been great. I firmly believe Something Real will fall into the GREAT camp.
10. The First Fifteen Lives of Henry August by Claire North (4/8): This sounds so extremely interesting. I can’t wait!