Book: All Fall Down (Embassy Row 1) by Ally Carter

★★★/★★★★★

“No, Grace. You don’t get to be stubborn this time. This time you have to be safe. Okay?”

Gallagher Series was the reason why I love spy movies. I know the books didn't have much of guns and jumping off buildings and killing but I loved how Ally Carter has written it. And besides, Cammie was a bad ass and so her bestfriends.

Anyway, this first book of her third series is not what I expected it to be. I wanted more. I wanted more action. I wanted more spy stuff. And I didn't really connect with the characters. That's the reason why I only give it 3-stars. 

The story is basically about Grace and the Scarred Man who she thought killed her mother. She was thirteen when she saw her mom died in front of a scarred man. Then there was a fire that burned down her mom's antique shop. She witnessed and remembers it all. Only not exactly the way it really happened. Now she sees the Scarred Man again and this time she's convinced it's really him. Though there were other four times she thought it was that Scarred Man, or not. She wasn't really sure then but now, she's very certain. So when she hears that the Scarred Man is going to kill again, she makes a move. Only this time, she's wrong again.

"I am the Girl Who Cried Wolf. And now I am the only one who can save the lambs."

From the moment I started reading I've been thinking of possible ways it could end and somehow I got it right. Grace remembered it all wrong. Her memories were playing her and eventually she realized it.

And I'm not sure about Alexei, btw.

CHARLIE PUTH LIVE IN MANILA 2015

Let's Marvin Gaye and get it on! 

American singer, songwriter and record producer, Charlie Puth is finally coming to Manila. He, together with Whiz Khalifa, has written and sang the song See You Again from the Furious 7 soundtrack. He then released Marvine Gaye feat. Meghan Trainor which became an instant hit.Now he's set to have a show here in Manila at Eastwood Mall Open Park on October 3rd 2015. 

Visit Philippine Concerts for more details.

See You Again ♫♪

Marvin Gaye (ft. Meghan Trainor) ♫♪

THE VAMPS LIVE IN MANILA 2016

Baby can we dance, again? Of course! 
Because The Vamps is coming back to give us yet another awesome show and this time they're bringing Before You Exit and The Tide with them! :D
They are set to come back on January 30th 2016 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Vamps will be releasing their second album Wake Up on November and I know everyone is excited to hear it! :)

LAWSON LIVE IN MANILA 2015

Oh. My. God. I've been praying for them to come back but I didn't expect it to be this year! I was hoping for next year but since they already announced it, yaaaaaaaaassss! Finally after two freakin' years, Lawson is back to give us another awesome show! They're scheduled to have a show at The Block Atrium on October 4th at 5PM. See you there! :D

Roads ♫♪

And my ever favorite Standing In The Dark Acoustic ♫♪

Birthday Plans

1. Be HAPPY and CONTENTED.

2. SHARE my BLESSINGS.

3. CELEBRATE with LOVE.

4. APPRECIATE what I RECEIVE.

5. Be THANKFUL!

HAPPIEST BIRTHDAY TO ME and MY MOM!! :)

092515

Book Review: Liars, Inc. by Paula Stokes

★★★/★★★★★

“When you care about someone, you can’t just turn that off because you learn they betrayed you.”

------

 I don't usually read books like this and the only reason why I read this one was because of a review I saw on Goodreads.

I think the closer I got to this kind of book was We Were Liars and Gallagher Girl Series.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Max Cantrell has never been a big fan of the truth, so when the opportunity arises to sell forged permission slips and cover stories to his classmates, it sounds like a good way to make a little money and liven up a boring senior year. With the help of his friends Preston and Parvati, Max starts Liars, Inc. Suddenly everybody needs something and the cash starts pouring in. Who knew lying could be so lucrative?

When Preston wants his own cover story to go visit a girl he met online, Max doesn’t think twice about hooking him up. Until Preston never comes home. Then the evidence starts to pile up—terrifying clues that lead the cops to Preston’s body. Terrifying clues that point to Max as the murderer.

Can Max find the real killer before he goes to prison for a crime he didn’t commit?

------ 

 I enjoy thriller/suspense/action but I don't know what to feel about this book. I won't say I didn't like it, because I did, but I had a hard time connecting with the book and I'm not sure why. Maybe it was the characters or the ideas of what the ending might be or something else but it surely exhausted my brain. Overall it was a 50-50 but still I liked it. And maybe I should read more books like this one. 

September 2015 Music Vidoes

Never Giving Up - Of Mice & Men (Sep 12, 2015)

One Call Away - Charlie Puth (Sep 14, 2015)
 

Angels Fall - Breaking Benjamin (Sep 14, 2015)

Gone - coldrain (Sep 16, 2015)

Let You Go - Secret Someones (Sep 18, 2015)

On My Mind - Ellie Goulding (Sep 21, 2015)

I Am Invincible - Cassadee Pope (Sep 23, 2015)

Wild Wild World - Set It Off (Sep 23, 2015)

Zero - Chris Brown (Sep 25, 2015)

When Love Hurts - Jojo (Sep 28, 2015)

 Roots - Imagine Dragons (Sep 29, 2015)

Music To Watch Boys To - Lana Del Rey (Sep 30, 2015)

MICHAEL LEARNS TO ROCK LIVE IN MANILA 2015

I still remember listening and loving their songs because of my parents. We still listen to them and now they're here in Manila for a show happening on September 19th at Smart Araneta Coliseum. My sisters and I really want to see them but too bad we don't have tickets. :( Anyone? :))

25 Minutes ♫♪

Paint My Love ♫♪

 

Sleeping Child ♫♪

 

Tickets please?! :)

 

091815 

Book Review: Confess by Colleen Hoover

★★★★★/★★★★★

“There are people you meet that you get to know, and then there are people you meet that you already know.”

5 Reasons why I read this book:

1. I love Colleen Hoover.

2. Title is intriguing.

 3. Book cover is amazing.

 4. The name Auburn is beautiful.

5. I love Colleen Hoover. 

I know it took me so long to read this book and now that I finally did, I want to just read it again and again. Maybe I'm just a sucker for a we-love-each-other-but-we-can't-be-together story. Anyway, like any other Colleen Hoover book, this one is amazing. And I know I'm not a fan of insta-love but hey, they did meet five years ago. :)

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Auburn Reed has her entire life mapped out. Her goals are in sight and there’s no room for mistakes. But when she walks into a Dallas art studio in search of a job, she doesn’t expect to find a deep attraction to the enigmatic artist who works there, Owen Gentry.

For once, Auburn takes a risk and puts her heart in control, only to discover Owen is keeping major secrets from coming out. The magnitude of his past threatens to destroy everything important to Auburn, and the only way to get her life back on track is to cut Owen out of it.

The last thing Owen wants is to lose Auburn, but he can’t seem to convince her that truth is sometimes as subjective as art. All he would have to do to save their relationship is confess. But in this case, the confession could be much more destructive than the actual sin…

 --------

Right from the start I thought I'll bee crying most of the time reading it but it didn't actually make me cry until that moment when Owen's father told him that he'll be going away for some time. That was when my tears started to cloud my eyes. I don't know why but maybe because I hate family drama and thinking that Callahan finally decided to get rehab made me feel like from then on everything is going to be okay between him and his son. And It will be. 

------------

“I’m sorry, Owen. For so many things,” he says. His hold around me tightens and I can feel the apology in his embrace. When he pulls back, he ruffles my hair like I’m a child.

Like I’m his son.
Like he’s my dad.

----

"Callahan Gentry and his son are going to be okay."

- Owen Gentry 

------------

Another part that I love was when Owen and Adam talked for first and last time at the hospital. It was heartbreaking. It was fate, I guess.

----

"When I turn the painting around to face me again, I run my fingers over it. I touch the space between the two hands, and I think about everything between the two of them that is pulling them apart.

And I hope, for her sake, that Adam is right. I hope she does have a second fate.

Because she deserves it."

091815

Magic by Super Junior ♫♪

Celebrating their 10th Year Anniversary, Super Junior releases a Special Album for their beloved fans/elfs. Out from the said album is the song Magic with a new music video just released yesterday.

MAGIC - SUPER JUNIOR OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO

(c) SMTown

Among their music videos, I can say that this is my favorite so far! I like the concept and the song is really good and catchy. :")

"she's so hot... she's on fire... ♫♪"

CONGRATULATIONS SUPER JUNIOR for your 10th YEAR ANNIVERSARY!!! :)

#SuperJuniorMagic

September Reading List

Confess by Colleen Hoover

Auburn Reed has her entire life mapped out. Her goals are in sight and there’s no room for mistakes. But when she walks into a Dallas art studio in search of a job, she doesn’t expect to find a deep attraction to the enigmatic artist who works there, Owen Gentry.

For once, Auburn takes a risk and puts her heart in control, only to discover Owen is keeping major secrets from coming out. The magnitude of his past threatens to destroy everything important to Auburn, and the only way to get her life back on track is to cut Owen out of it.

The last thing Owen wants is to lose Auburn, but he can’t seem to convince her that truth is sometimes as subjective as art. All he would have to do to save their relationship is confess. But in this case, the confession could be much more destructive than the actual sin…

(Goodreads)

 

All Fall Down by Ally Carter

Grace Blakely is absolutely certain of three things:
1. She is not crazy. 

2. Her mother was murdered.
3. Someday she is going to find the killer and make him pay.

As certain as Grace is about these facts, nobody else believes her -- so there's no one she can completely trust. Not her grandfather, a powerful ambassador. Not her new friends, who all live on Embassy Row. Not Alexei, the Russian boy next door, who is keeping his eye on Grace for reasons she neither likes nor understands.

Everybody wants Grace to put on a pretty dress and a pretty smile, blocking out all her unpretty thoughts. But they can't control Grace -- no more than Grace can control what she knows or what she needs to do. Her past has come back to hunt her . . . and if she doesn't stop it, Grace isn't the only one who will get hurt. Because on Embassy Row, the countries of the world stand like dominoes, and one wrong move can make them all fall down.

(Goodreads)

 

When by Victoria Laurie

Maddie Fynn is a shy high school junior, cursed with an eerie intuitive ability: she sees a series of unique digits hovering above the foreheads of each person she encounters. Her earliest memories are marked by these numbers, but it takes her father’s premature death for Maddie and her family to realize that these mysterious digits are actually death dates, and just like birthdays, everyone has one.

Forced by her alcoholic mother to use her ability to make extra money, Maddie identifies the quickly approaching death date of one client's young son, but because her ability only allows her to see the when and not the how, she’s unable to offer any more insight. When the boy goes missing on that exact date, law enforcement turns to Maddie.

Soon, Maddie is entangled in a homicide investigation, and more young people disappear and are later found murdered. A suspect for the investigation, a target for the murderer, and attracting the attentions of a mysterious young admirer who may be connected to it all, Maddie's whole existence is about to be turned upside down. Can she right things before it's too late?

(Goodreads)

Playlist For The Dead by Michelle Falkoff

A teenage boy tries to understand his best friend's suicide by listening to the playlist of songs he left behind in this smart, voice-driven debut novel.

Here's what Sam knows: There was a party. There was a fight. The next morning, his best friend, Hayden, was dead. And all he left Sam was a playlist of songs, and a suicide note: For Sam—listen and you'll understand.

As he listens to song after song, Sam tries to face up to what happened the night Hayden killed himself. But it's only by taking out his earbuds and opening his eyes to the people around him that he will finally be able to piece together his best friend’s story. And maybe have a chance to change his own.

(Goodreads)

Liars, Inc by  Paula Stokes

Max Cantrell has never been a big fan of the truth, so when the opportunity arises to sell forged permission slips and cover stories to his classmates, it sounds like a good way to make a little money and liven up a boring senior year. With the help of his friends Preston and Parvati, Max starts Liars, Inc. Suddenly everybody needs something and the cash starts pouring in. Who knew lying could be so lucrative?

When Preston wants his own cover story to go visit a girl he met online, Max doesn’t think twice about hooking him up. Until Preston never comes home. Then the evidence starts to pile up—terrifying clues that lead the cops to Preston’s body. Terrifying clues that point to Max as the murderer.

Can Max find the real killer before he goes to prison for a crime he didn’t commit? In a story that Kirkus Reviews called "Captivating to the very end," Paula Stokes starts with one single white lie and weaves a twisted tale that will have readers guessing until the explosive final chapters.

(Goodreads)

091415

Book: Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen

 ★★★★/★★★★★

 I honestly don't know what to feel about this book. Don't get me wrong, it's good and I love it but there's a part of me that wanted more. 

 ----

 Sydney has never been the star of her family but his brother, Peyton. But when Peyton took a wrong turn on his life, Sydney's life is affected too. Now Sydney feels guilty about what her brother had done and all she wants is for her family to realize that her brother actually did something wrong. Her mother cares so much about Peyton that she sees it like Peyton is only in school not in prison. Enters the Chatham family, who Sydney becomes close with after spending a day in their pizza parlor. Next thing she knows, she's bestfriends with Lyla, the youngest daughter of Mr. Chatham who owns the pizza parlor. And then things gets easier for Sydney with Lyla and his brother, Mac, after all the transferring of school and what happened to her bother. She feels like she can tell them everything and eventually she falls for Mac during those times they deliver pizza everywhere. Her parents, on the other hand, slowly realize that Peyton needs to serve his time for what he'd done. That what happened to him may not happen to Sydney if they become strict to her but then Sydney is not her brother. And her parents just need to trust her. 

It's a really good story of moving on and healing with the help of the people in your life. Because sometimes it's the people who really care that can help you move on. 

“You only really fall apart in front of the people you know can piece you back together.”

I also understand why Sydney's mother wants to reach out to Peyton every chance she gets because he's her son. And it's really hard for any mother to see her son in prison but then he did something wrong so he needs to pay for it. I think Peyton realizes it too. What I don't get is the character of Ames. I think he's there for Sydney's parents to realize that they don't actually pay much attention to Sydney that even though Sydney keeps on telling them that she doesn't need Ames to accompany her at their home when they're away (and that he's creepy) still they don't listen. But I'm happy Ames gets what he deserves in the end.

 

Overall I love the book! Sarah Dessen never disappoints. And I love how Sydney believes in Saint Anything that Mac gave her. :") 

“Who is it?” I asked.

“No idea. I found it in a jar my mom has full of them,” he said. “I was looking for one like mine, then just someone I recognized. But then I thought maybe it was cooler to have it be a mystery, you know? So it’s not just about one thing, but anything. That way, it can be about what you want it to be.”

I turned it over in my hand. Like the image on the front, the back was well-worn, the few words there unreadable. “Saint Anything.” I looked up at him. “I love it. Thank you.”

 091215

To the guy who left then came back

When you thought you've already gotten over him, he will prove you wrong. 

God, I hate this feeling! When you're finally over him but then all of a sudden, surprise surprise, he comes back confusing your heart again! It's like you just got your heart repaired and now he has ripped it open once again. And it hurts. 

It's been forever since the last time we talked and I hate it that he has to talk to me again. Why now after all those years? Why now when I've finally moved on? Why now when I'm trying to be happy again? I won't lie and say it didn't make me happy, hell I was very happy, but when I realized it didn't mean anything to him, it hurt. I know I shouldn't give any meaning to why he pm-ed me but I can't help but wonder, Why now? Why again after all those years? Maybe I just wanted it to have any meaning that's why I'm feeling like this or maybe he was just being friendly but either way it hurts. Because it took me four damn years to get over him and now that I've finally accepted that he's gone, that's when he chose to come back in my life. Isn't it unfair?! Maybe all I really wanted is a closure because we didn't even have a formal break up. One day we were in a relationship, the next day we were strangers. And I hate to admit it but I still miss him once in a while. God, I miss him once in a while. 

Well, let's just wait and see what will happen. 

"There comes a point, when it's not that you don't care anymore, you just can't."

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARTIN JOHNSON! 🎂 🎉 🎁

 (c) Martin Johnson

HAPPY BIRTHDAY,

Martin Johnson! :D

I really hope Boys Like Girls makes a new album!! Pleaaassseee?! It's been forever and I miss them!

TV Series: The Last Ship (2014) Season 2

 ★★★★★/★★★★★
 

 Main Characters:

Eric Dane as CDR Tom Chandler

Rhona Mitra as Dr. Rachel Scott

Adam Baldwin as CDR Mike Slattery 

The second season continues with Capt. Chandler teaming up with Thornwald in taking over the government facility in Baltimore under the direction of Granderson (Alicia's mom) after realizing what they are really doing to the people. Meanwhile, the crew of Nathan James fights to reclaim control of their ship after Granderson's men also took possession of it. The story gets better when Neils found a group of people who think they are "the chosen" ones because they are immune to the virus and they plan on taking over the world. 

The series is really getting better and better every season. I just hate the ending of season two. Such a cliffhanger! Now I have to wait til next year to find out what will happen to Dr. Scott. 

 My two favorite characters, Captain Tom Chandler and Lieutenant Danny Green :")

 Hi, Captain! :)

Book: The Fill-In Boyfriend by Kasie West

★★★★/★★★★★

I kinda had an idea how this book would be but somehow it proved me wrong. It was actually better than I thought and I liked it. And though I didn't really like some of the characters, like Gia's parents, still the story was good. It had some kilig moments and I-like-to-strangle-Jules moments but what I liked the most was the part where Gia and Bec were on Bec's room and they were exorcising their demons. Lol. I also liked it when they threw baseballs at Will's. I'm not sure but I think breaking things when you're mad or something really helps. 

 Synopsis from Goodreads:

When Gia Montgomery's boyfriend, Bradley, dumps her in the parking lot of her high school prom, she has to think fast. After all, she'd been telling her friends about him for months now. This was supposed to be the night she proved he existed. So when she sees a cute guy waiting to pick up his sister, she enlists his help. The task is simple: be her fill-in boyfriend—two hours, zero commitment, a few white lies. After that, she can win back the real Bradley.

The problem is that days after prom, it's not the real Bradley she's thinking about, but the stand-in. The one whose name she doesn't even know. But tracking him down doesn't mean they're done faking a relationship. Gia owes him a favor and his sister intends to see that he collects: his ex-girlfriend's graduation party—three hours, zero commitment, a few white lies.

Just when Gia begins to wonder if she could turn her fake boyfriend into a real one, Bradley comes waltzing back into her life, exposing her lie, and threatening to destroy her friendships and her new-found relationship. 

--------------------------------

“Hayden?"
"Yes,Gia?"
"Nothing I just wanted to say your name”

― Kasie West, The Fill-In Boyfriend 

-----

“I like it when you're not perfect.” 

Hayden to Gia  

--------------------------------

  

It's a cute and sweet story that's why I like it. :)

09052015

Playlist: Lawson 🎧

It was the song Standing In The Dark that made me fall in love with Lawson. I've heard a lot of acoustic versions of a song before but nothing makes me fall like Standing In The Dark can. I just love that song that I can listen to it over and over and over again. And it's not just that song but all the other songs of the band are good too.

LAWSON - STANDING IN THE DARK (LIVE ACOUSTIC VERSION)

(c) Lawson

They have a new song called Roads, out from their upcoming album and I'm really looking forward to it. I also hope they come back here for a new show for their new album!! :)

Roads ♫♪

And Adam Pitts is my crushie, btw. :")

September ♥

To all the months that passed by

We had to say goodbye,

Now another month is here

It'll be the best of the year...

Because it's my September

The days of adventure,

 We celebrate the twenty first

And I love the twenty fifth...