Belly Up

[asphaltcowgrrl]

While Troy's recuperating, I've been trying to get through some of my Netgalley books. Good news: I only have one left that publishes in April (tomorrow, actually, oops) and then the next doesn't publish until May 21st. Score! I'm almost caught up.

Anyway, what I've been reading is this:



I don't read too much YA, but this appealed to me because something like 75% of my female friends in high school had babies. I was not one of them, but even so, the subject hit close to home. (Side note: a party for a pregnant friend is what actually got Troy and I together in the first place so...)

Blurb:


There’s a first time for everything.

First time playing quarters.

First time spinning the bottle.

First totally hot consensual truck hookup with a superhot boy whose digits I forgot to get.

First time getting pregnant.

Surprised you with that one, didn’t I?

Surprised me, too. I’d planned to spend senior year with my bestie-slash-wifey, Devi Abrams, graduating at the top of my class and getting into an Ivy League college. Instead, Mom and I are moving in with my battle-ax of a grandmother and I’m about to start a new school and a whole new life.

Know what’s more fun than being the new girl for your senior year? Being the pregnant new girl. It isn’t awesome. There is one upside, though—a boy named Leaf Leon. He’s cute, an amazing cook and he’s flirting me up, hard-core. Too bad I’m knocked up with a stranger’s baby. I should probably mention that to him at some point.

But how?

It seems I’ve got a lot more firsts to go.

The best part about this book is that it's written in a very light-hearted style, even when Sara is dealing with heavy issues. Things like telling her mom she's pregnant and whether she wants to keep the baby or not. I love Sara's voice and her whole attitude. She's scared, she's freaking out, but she knows her family has her back, so it'll be okay in the end.

Now, the reason why I'm even here right now is Leaf. Sara is half Swedish, half Spanish, and feels like the poster child for diversity living in the suburbs of Connecticut. So, when she meets Leaf that first time, she's drawn to him - his dark hair, his dark skin, his big smile. But even better? He's not what you'd think - he's not Hispanic.

HE'S FREAKING ROMANI.



I about tossed my Kindle when I read that, I kid you not. Even better is that when he introduced himself, he said "Leaf, like a leaf on the wind" and Sara immediately responded with, LIKE ON FIREFLY? Hah. Total geek out right now.

(And now I desperately want to finish this so I can read The Princess and the Fangirl - the sequel to Geekerella. But I digress. Rapidly and often.)

Okay, okay, I'm going back to my book now. BUT I HAD TO SHARE THAT. I don't often run into Roma in any of the novels I read (and I read across most genres), so this was a pleasant surprise. Leaf's nothing like Andy but I LOVE HIM ALREADY.

Oh - and if you like dark fiction with a mystery mixed in, you have got to read Little Darlings by Melanie Golding. SO DAMN GOOD GUYS. I can't even express myself right now. And I don't generally get this worked up over something I've read. Hahaha.

Um, as you were?

Comments

[shanachie-quill.livejournal.com]

I need that book!

[asphaltcowgrrl.livejournal.com]

Which one? Both have been great. Started Belly Up last night and am already halfway through. Had a hard time putting Little Darlings down because I HAD TO KNOW.

[shanachie-quill.livejournal.com]

Belly Up

[asphaltcowgrrl.livejournal.com]

Gotcha - I forgot I mentioned the other here too. Both go on sale tomorrow. :D

[shanachie-quill.livejournal.com]

Added to my list. It's kinda expensive for a kindle.

[asphaltcowgrrl.livejournal.com]

Yeah, well, I think it's published by Harlequin so that explains the price. One of the reasons I love Netgalley. LOL

[shanachie-quill.livejournal.com]

Yes that does indeed. And also means it probably won't be at my library.

[asphaltcowgrrl.livejournal.com]

Why not? They're a major publisher, well-liked and often requested. Plus, it's a young adult novel.

[shanachie-quill.livejournal.com]

Because they order weirdly.

But I looked and they have it! So requesting!

[asphaltcowgrrl.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I can understand that. A few years ago, I wanted a book and all they had was the audio, which was odd. Book was better in audio, actually. LOL

Awesome! I hope you enjoy it!

[shanachie-quill.livejournal.com]

Awesome. It's a little high for me right now, but I put it on my list.

[asphaltcowgrrl.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I won't pay that for an ebook either.

[shanachie-quill.livejournal.com]

I tend to not pay more than 3.99 for an ebook. Although I will admit I will pay 7.99 for one particular author.

[asphaltcowgrrl.livejournal.com]

I agree. Sometimes you splurge, because it's good to treat yourself. But for the most part, I will add whatever to my wishlist and Amazon sends me emails when there's a price drop. LOL A couple months ago, I bought 4 really popular new releases for $1.99 or $2.99 because the publisher was being generous. LOL

[shanachie-quill.livejournal.com]

Yes exactly. Niiice on the publisher being generous. I tend to wait until they're free if I don't know them. And yeah I do the same thing... I put them on my wishlist and wait.

[haldoor.livejournal.com]

Ha!  Love it. Both sound fun.  I have too many books to read already, but... you never know!

[asphaltcowgrrl.livejournal.com]

Tell me about it. I have so many books. UGH.

[haldoor.livejournal.com]

In Japanese it's called Tsundoku - having piles of unread books lying about! I love that (just learned this word today and thought you'd like it too!)

[asphaltcowgrrl.livejournal.com]

That sounds accurate. LOL And I do, I can really relate to that word. :D

[kaige68.livejournal.com]

SOUNDS AWESOME!!!

[asphaltcowgrrl.livejournal.com]

Thanks - it's been good. :D

[severina2001.livejournal.com]

Aaaah, and now a more detailed post about "Belly Up". (Yes, I realize this came before your recap post. I'm workin' my way backwards on my flist.) Definitely gonna check this one out, and have now made a note on "Geekeralla" too. :)

[asphaltcowgrrl.livejournal.com]

Hahaha! It's all good. I read my email 'backwards' (meaning newest to oldest) most of the time so I get it.

My official review for Belly Up is here if you want to read it. :D

Do you do audiobooks? I think I can gift you a copy of Geekerella via Audible. Let me know, I'd be happy to do it. But even if you don't, anyone who loves sci-fi fandom and cons will get a kick out of Geekerella. :D

[severina2001.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the offer, but no I don't use audiobooks.

Have you read "Fangirl"? It's about a fanfic writer who is starting college. It's the first time I've ever read what it's like to be in fandom done accurately. I cannot rave about it enough.

[asphaltcowgrrl.livejournal.com]

No worries, it's taken me a long time to get into them.

It's funny - I have both a hardcover and ebook copy, but I've not read it yet. Both of my kids have - I bought it for one to read on a trip to California a few years ago and the other read it on the way back. I've not read any Rainbow Rowell yet, which is a shame. Thanks for the rec though - I'll see if I can get to it this month!