Eight Keys by Suzanne LaFleur

Title: Eight Key


Author: Suzanne LaFleur

Length: 224 pages

Blurb: Elise and Franklin have always been best friends. Elise has always lived in the big house with her loving Aunt and Uncle, because Elise's parents died when she was too young to remember them. There's a;always been a barn behind the house with eight locked doors on the second floor.  When Elise and Franklin start middle school, things feel all wrong. bullying. Not fitting in. Franklin suddenly seems babyish. Then, soon after her 12th birthday, Elise receives a mysterious key left for her by her father. A key that unlocks one of the eight doors upstairs in the bar........ 

                                                                       
Ok, I'm going to be a mess by the time this review is over. I think I need some tissues right now.

                                                  


Cue in main character, Elise. Her mom died during pregnancy, and her dad died of cancer when she was little. She lives with her Uncle Hugh, and her Aunt Bessie. Her little cousin and her other aunt move in with them for a while. I connected this book to other books that have really touched my heart. Before her father died, he wrote letters to Elise to open on her birthdays, to ensure that he was still with her. OS,ll on her 12th birthday she opens one of the letters. The LAST letter, ever. In the letter, there are small messages that Elise doesn't notice. However, a key does appear in her barn, and it opens the doors to 1 of the 8 rooms upstairs. Now, I can't tell you what is in the rooms, but I sure can say that these rooms have messages we should always keep close to our heart, and these rooms just really make you WONDER.

Her best friend, Franklin is a nerd (in the good way). Like, Stuart Minkus from Boy Meets World

      

Her new friend Caroline is super nice. But there's a problem. Franklin doesn't like Elise hanging out with Caroline for reasons that will be told later. I mean, she's not bad, WOMEN UP!!

                           

                                           Yeah, what she said. 


This book also showed the struggles of middle school. Her locker partner, Amanda, has bullied Elise all year. And, so, well, Caroline was one of Amanda's closest friend, until she realized Amanda has changed.

Overall, this book was a beautifully worded novel that has many realistic points. 

Amazing!!

*Sobbing Really Bad*

Peeled by Joan Bauer

Title: Peeled


Author: Joan Bauer


Length: 256 pages


Blurb: Hildy Biddle wants something monumental to happen so she can finally prove herself to be more than a high school journalist. The problem? her town's biggest story stars a ghost, which is not an easy interview. But while the local paper is playing up people's fears with shocking headlines of creepy happenings, Hildy is determined to figure out what's really going on. Unfortunately, her desire to uncover the truth is starting to cause a stir. With rumors swirling and tensions high, can Hildy push past all the hype and find out the real truth?



I got this book because I've read MANY of Joan Bauer's books (as ya know), and have enjoyed them thoroughly them all. 

She didn't disappoint me :)

I think this gif represents the whole book!

There are so many little details that really made the come together.  Their town, the ghost, and, of course, the spirit of friendship. I especially loved that the main character, Hildy, was a writer. Major points in my book! (Pun intended!) So was her cousin! 

Ahh... and Hildy's love story. Both of her former boyfriends had cheated on her. But, the worst part for Hildy is that one of them was on the school newspaper with her. I definitely sympathized her situation. 

Apparently, Hildy is exactly like her father, reporting wise. He seemed like a wonderful man, so I was sad that we didn't get to meet him. 

Now, the story of the ghost is some-what scrambled. From what I can recollect, there is a haunted house where some died, a local girl get visions (I think) , and a terrible accident happens. The neighbors of that house are being threatened (as far as I could make out), and they were being told to leave. 

The Verdict?

5 hearts!

Did any of you guys read this book? if so, what did you think?

Finding Ruby Starling by Karen Rivers

 Title: Finding Ruby Starling


Author: Karen Rivers



Length: 288 pages




Blurb: When Ruth Quayle used a special app to find pictures of herself online, she found dozens of images of "Ruth Quayle"-- and one of "Ruby Starling." When Ruby Starling gets a message from Ruth Quayle proclaiming to be long-lost twin sisters, she doesn't know what to do with it -- until another message arrives the day after,  and another one. It could be a crazy stalker ... but she and Ruth do share a birthday, and a very distinctive ear... Ruth is an extroverted American girl. Ruby is a shy English one. As they investigate the truth of their birth, and the circumstances of their separation, they also share lives full of friends, family, and possible romances -- they realize they each may be the sister the other knew she needed. 

I had gotten this book from the library after realizing it was based off of one of my favorite movies: The Parent Trap. Fun Fact: Did you know that the movie was based off a book? Anyways, I loved the movie, and I felt like I should give the book a chance.

I especially loved their witty comments, and emails. Even the poems and letters had me gripping the book for more. The Ruth-Deliah moments were really sad, but created that Parent Trap vibe. Jedgar, Tink, Fiona, and Clophie (Chloe and Sophie; don't ask) were amazing friends. Honestly, Karen Rivers has made a great book!

                                                   

Though, there was one part I just didn't understand. Ruby's crush on Nate from the band STOP. It was like, he was part of something, but he wasn't. 

                                  

I just want to add that when both of them email each other in the beginning, it was a some-what river of denial. I understand that, but not that much. I'd be shocked, but I think I would come to accept it a little quicker. 

The Verdict?

5 Hearts!

                      I would certainly read this book again.

Forever Trisha <3

One For The Murphys by Lynda Mullay Hunt

Title: One For The Murphys


Author: Lynda Mullay Hunt


Length: 256 pages


Blurb (From the back of the book): Twelve-year-old Carley Connors can take a lot. Growing up in Las Vega with her fun-loving mother, she's learned to be tough. But she never expected a betrayal that would land her in foster care. When she's placed with the Murphys, a lively family with three boys, she's blindsided. Mrs. Murphy makes her feel seen and heard for the first time. Then, just when she starts to believe she could truly be one of the Murphys, news from her mother shakes her world. 

I got this book because, well, it looked good. I must say, this book has many good messages coming through:

- Unconditional Love
- Family and Friends = Everything
- You can't live without loved ones

I love the family dynamic in this book. Mrs. Murphy seems like a hero. Mr. Murphy and all of the other boys have Carley's back no matter what. I especially love her best friend Toni. Toni is, dare I say, sorta like me. She is crazy cool, loves Wicked the musical, and is an absolute rebel. 

This book even had me crying at one point. I know, crazy! I couldn't put this book down, no matter how hard I tried. Books about friendship, family, and home have unique perspectives and back stories. 

But, there was on part that I'm still wondering about. Who is Rainer really? He was explained, but not thoroughly in my opinion. And, I didn't really understand his part in the book.

The Verdict?

5 hearts!

If you've read One for the Murphys, what did you think?

Forever Trisha <3

Hope Was Here

Do I have a book for you! Hope Was Here by Joan Bauer is an amazing book that captures the beauty of a girl named Hope, and here life working as a waitress in the town she and her aunt moved to in Wisconsin. G.T., the owners there is running for a campaign to be mayor against a wealthy candidate. Hope gets busy with the campaign, and diner, and most of all the friends she makes, and her aunt. Oh, by the way, G.T. has leukemia, which makes it even harder for home to get elected. Read this book!
   

This book deserves more than 5 stars, and will appeal to anyone.

                                       Doesn't the cover look amazing?


                                                 Forever Trisha <3