Book: Tone Deaf by Olivia Rivers

★★★/★★★★★

“She’s probably wondering what just happened, but I’m too rattled to stop and explain things: The more I get to know her, the more I like her. And the more I like her, the more I want her to like me.”  

Okay, so I'll be totally honest with this one because Tone Deaf by Olivia Rivers is one of those books I really wanted to love because it has music, romance, interesting plot line but sadly the characters were a bit disappointing. I was all excited when I picked this up thinking it'll be a great one but it somehow failed to impress me. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it but there were things that I found lacking and the romance felt rushed which sucked! 

The book tells the story of Ali who at a young age lost her hearing due to a brain tumor. It took away Ali's chance of being a great musician and around the same time, she also lost her mother, leaving her to her abusive father. Now seventeen, Ali wants to escape the hands of her father so when an opportunity presents itself, who is she not to grab it? Then there's Jace Beckett, lead singer of Tone Deaf. Jace has his own issues but when Ali suddenly comes into his life, or band, he realizes that some pain are worth feeling.

“You're the best kind of pain I've ever felt. I've always avoided pain but as much as you hurt, I don't want to leave you.”

 I expected so much from this book and I won't say it didn't live up but the characters irked me a bit especially Jace! Yes, he has his issues but it didn't grant him a pass to be a class A jerk. I initially didn't like him and all through out the book he kept annoying me. He's arrogant and I hated that he can switch character in an instant like one second he's this cold person and the next he's all sweet and what-not. Maybe it was my first impression of him when he first met Ali. But despite Jace, I liked his band mates! Killer is probably my most favorite just because he's hilarious and Arrow, well, he's also my favorite! Ali is a so-so. I liked her at times but sometimes I didn't understand her actions.

The romance between Ali and Jace was sweet. Another insta-love but it was okay, I think, when you meet a rock star and he kinda saved you from a hell-hole that is your life. I loved the music and though I was expecting more of concert scenes and music writing session, I guess what the book had was enough. The ending was fine but it felt rushed! Like I was around 95% but it felt like there were a lot more that could've happened.

Overall, the book was good and I liked that Ali is different from the typical YA characters. It has complex characters and a promising story line but if you don't like insta-love and cheesy romance, well, this has both.

Poem: I Love You Most

21 ❤️ #1st

J ❤ D

Book: Leave This Song Behind by John Meyer, Stephanie Meyer, Adam Halwitz, Cindy Spertner

★★¹⁄₂/★★★★★ 

"Poetry is language at its most distilled and most powerful."

*Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing me with a copy of this book.*

Another poetry book I finished last week this time a collection of entries submitted by teenagers to Teen Ink. Some of the best were chosen and put together to create this book.

I admit that I found this one different from the other poetry books I've read but this is as lovely just the same. Sometimes I forgot that teenagers actually wrote these poems and while I liked some, the others just didn't make sense to me which I think was okay. It's divided into sections, each with style and impact of its own. 

I can't say that I loved this one since there where times when I skipped pages especially when I can't connect with the words. Don't get me wrong, there are some which I really liked but I think the book as a whole isn't just for me.

August 2017 Music Videos

Instructions - Jax Jones ft. Demi Lovato (Aug 2)

Rainbow - Kesha (Aug 11)

Versace on the Floor - Bruno Mars (Aug 13)

Human Diary - Danielle Bradbery (Aug 11)

Book: Alex, Approximately by Jenn Bennett

★★★/★★★★★

He leans close and whispers into my ear, “You belong here with me.”
And for that moment, I believe that I do.

Alex, Approximately has been on my TBR for months now and I was only able to get around it a couple of weeks ago. It's my first Jenn Bennett book, a lighthearted contemporary with fun characters and classic movie references which are also cute! It's a good book but not good enough for me to give it a higher rating than 3 stars.

The book tells the story of Bailey Rydell who goes to live with her dad at the beginning of summer in California after things got bad with her mom and her mom's new husband. Living with her dad is actually what Bailey really wanted for she gets along better with her dad. And besides, she's excited to be in the same city as Alex, an online friend who is also a classic movie fanatic and who constantly tells her to come and visit. Now, being in the same city as Alex, all Bailey has to do is find him, and maybe stalk him a little, before she decides if she actually wants to meet him in person because what if he's not what he tells her online or what if she's a bad guy or something. Enters Porter Roth, the hot quiz-obsessed/weather geek security guard at the museum Bailey is having her summer job at. Bailey and Porter can't stand each other at first but as they spend time together at the museum, they realize that spending time with each other is not as bad as they thought it would be. Distracted by Porter, Bailey almost forgets about her other plan for the summer until her other plan finds her instead.

He holds his hand up, and I slap it, but instead of it being a simple high five, he laces his fingers between mine, squeezing. It’s probably only for a second, but it feels longer. When he releases my hand, I’m a ball of chaos: fingers tingling from where his just were, mind trying to make sense of it. Is he just being friendly, or is this maybe some sort of surfer handshake?

Honestly, I didn't like Bailey in the first few chapters. I don't know *shrugs* but I didn't connect with her right away and found her a bit frustrating and pretentious. She keeps telling us that she's an evader, that she's a pro when evading situations she doesn't like or not prepared for, but I didn't buy that at all. Also, she's clueless! For someone who is supposed to be a great detective, she fails to figure out one of the important things for her. Because I knew who Porter was the moment he was introduced. I mean, sure, at first Bailey wouldn't know it but come on! Even her dad figures it out eventually.

The characters are fine, but like I said, it took me a while to finally warm up with Bailey. Porter is adorable but I didn't like that he was an ass to Bailey in the beginning for no reason at all and then next thing we knew he and Bailey were all lovey-dovey with each other and that's not okay! I understand that this books is mainly about the romance between them (and believe me it's cute) but I would prefer it if the author explored other things too like Davy's character or Bailey's family issue. Despite that, I did love Porter's mom and Bailey's dad because they're both super cool.

I didn't have any problem with the writing style and actually loved the film references at the beginning of every chapter. I haven't seen some of the films mentioned but I still think it's cute. Overall, this book is good with swoon-worthy romance. A bit predictable but I get why many loved it. I guess the romance between Bailey and Porter is just too cute to resist.