Discover New Releases Audiobooks in Teens, Romance & Friendship

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Title: Now and Zen

Subtitle: Students Across the Seven Seas

Author: Linda Gerber

Narrator: Jill Apple

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 hrs and 15 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-14-08

Publisher: Penguin Group USA and Audible

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 4 votes

Genres: Teens, Romance & Friendship

Publisher's Summary:

Nori Tanaka is thrilled to be studying abroad in Tokyo, Japan, but it isn't exactly what she had imagined. She expected tranquil gardens and swoopy-roofed houses, not concrete and neon. And everyone assumes that, with her traditional Japanese features, she's a native instead of the naive Japanese-American that she really is. Even Erik, a gorgeous German student, mistakes Nori for Japanese, and treats her like a personal tour guide. Nori is sure that he'll like her for who she is once he gets to know her, so what harm can come of temporarily pretending to be Japanese? It doesn't take long to realize that she has a lot to learn about Japan, and about herself, before she can pass for a native. But after exploring the karaoke clubs in Tokyo, the peaceful temples in Kyoto, and the tranquil heights of Mt. Fuji, Nori knows she has a good chance of finding the hidden Japanese spirit and Zen mindset within herself.

©2006 Linda Gerber; (P)2008 Penguin

Members Reviews:

Thoughtful AND Fun!

Series fiction can be hit or miss, but Now and Zen is definitely a hit! Yes, we have the teenage girl on the adventure overseas, a hallmark of the SASS books. Yes, there's a bit of romance. But Gerber takes this genre to a new level with her well-rounded characters, some unusual dilemmas, a fresh look at Japan, and a touch of sincerely moving spirituality (or at least personal growth)--all this without being didactic! Main character Nori isn't perfect, yet she's perfectly likable. After all, who hasn't put on a bit of a mask at some point to impress someone of the opposite sex? Also, the ending is hopeful without being too easily wrapped up. This book is all the more impressive considering it's by a newcomer. Linda Gerber definitely needs to keep writing!

It's a Pass...

Iâve previously read âThe Great Call of Chinaâ by Cynthea Liu in the SASS (Students Across the Seven Seas) series and found that book to appeal to various demographics (e.g. age, genders, and racial backgrounds). Liu offered an engaging story that combined romance, family values, with Asian culture. Unfortunately, âNow and Zenâ by Lisa Gerber seems to do everything opposite the Liu book. For example, there is inconsistent pacing, a female lead that doesnât mature or grow by the end of the book, no charismatic or appealing Asian male characters, and â for the most part - uninteresting supporting characters.

Gerber seems to have her Asian female lead Nori Tanaka surrounded by primarily Caucasians and seems to push the idea that European standards of beauty should be admired, especially by this Asian female. Early in the novel, Nori calls a group of Caucasian males âhottiesâ â particularly one who is blonde.

American media tends to push the white male/Asian female relationships as ânormalâ and have other relationships (e.g. usually a black individual opposite a non-black individual) as controversial or a time to discuss race. Itâs interesting on Noriâs trip to Japan, she doesnât notice any Asian males or any other men of color. Granted, she âcanâ have a liking for white males, but we are not told why.

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Title: Sound of Munich

Subtitle: Students Across the Seven Seas

Author: Suzanne Nelson

Narrator: Alyson Silverman

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 hrs

Language: English

Release date: 02-14-08

Publisher: Penguin Group USA and Audible

Ratings: 2 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Teens, Romance & Friendship

Publisher's Summary:

Siena Bernstein is leaving her yoga mat behind for a semester of study abroad in Munich. She's thrilled with the prospect of a German adventure (her horoscope is encouraging as well), but she hopes to make more than just her dreams come true while she's there. Siena's dad, who passed away when she was a baby, kept a "Carpe Diem" list - sort of his top-ten adventurous things to do. He completed all but one of the tasks - going to Germany to thank the man who helped smuggle his family past the Berlin Wall. Amidst her adventures in biergartens, Alpine skiing, and a rigorous course load, Siena is on a quest to complete her father's list. But she's also set on having the best possible time while she tries. With the help of two new best buds and a handsome RA in her dorm, she'll surely succeed.

©2006 Suzanne Nelson; (P)2008 Penguin

Members Reviews:

Best S.A.S.S. so far!

This is by far the BEST S.A.S.S. book yet!

Instead of the old- Go to foreign country, make friends, have a blast, fail a test, find love, ace test- this book had more depth. It told the tale of Sienna, a girl who's half German, but feels completely American. She wants to discover more about her German culture and perhaps complete her father's Carpe Diem list while she's at it. She discovers the trauma of WWII first hand and learns the rich and bold history of those who risked their lives to save others during hard times. And, she even meets a cute guy along the way.

I really loved this, and all S.A.S.S. and non-S.A.S.S. readers should pick up a copy today! :)

best of SASS

I thought this was the best SASS book so far. I like these books, but almost all the storylines are too similar-- that is, you go to this foreign country shallow and naive, and then you come back totally changed and totally better, plus, you get a hot guy and a bright future.

There is more depth to this book. Siena is half-German, and wants to find that someone who had helped smuggle her dad across the Berlin Wall. This gives it an interesting twist, as you learn a part of Germany's past through Siena's eyes, seeing it more personally.

Don't worry, she DID get a hot German guy, in case you're worrying.

Sehr gut! (Very good!)

This book is the best of the S.A.S.S. series. In this book, readers will enjoy Siena's eccentric personality, along with her love of astrology and "flakiness." She is a great protagonist and this book depicts Germany very well. If you take German, be sure to read this book - you'll really enjoy it!

Have a great read!

What a treat!

I enjoyed this book so much. It was my treat for the day for as long as I could stretch it out. It is the perfect read after a long, tiresome day. Nothing like a good book and a hot bath (preferably together!)to make you feel good. Suzanne Nelson is a very talented writer with a wonderful gift for humour and insight.

A 14 Year Old's Review

The Sound of Munich was by far the best book I have read in a looong time. It was the perfect mix of fun, free-spirited, and fantastic! Romance, humor, and characters you can personally relate to were all blened together into a perfect mix. If this book was a cake... all I could say is... YUM!!

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Title: Spain or Shine

Subtitle: Students Across the Seven Seas

Author: Michelle Jellen

Narrator: Allyson Johnson

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 hrs and 14 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-14-08

Publisher: Penguin Group USA and Audible

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 5 votes

Genres: Teens, Romance & Friendship

Publisher's Summary:

Elena is lost in the shuffle between her three overachieving siblings. But now that she's on her own for a whole semester, she intends to keep the spotlight on herself - and Spain is just the place to do it. Once she starts living it up in tapas bars, lying out on the beach (even though it's November), and having a nice, long siesta smack-dab in the middle of every day, Elena finds that Spain is everything she hoped it would be. She's even met a to-fawn-over Spaniard, Miguel. But Elena has always been more comfortable writing plays than starring in them, and she's beginning to realize that keeping out of the spotlight has its perks too.

©2005 Michelle Jellen; (P)2008 Penguin

Members Reviews:

Translation

I liked the book, but actually I think that you mispronounced some words on Spanish.

I actually live there so I founded strange words, like proxto, what the hell is that?!

At the beginning, when Elena meets Señora Cruz at the airport, alita tells her BIENVENIDO which actually refers to men, the proper way is BIENVENIDA who, as you can see, end with an A.

In Spanish most words referring to girls end with A, and monsters ending in O refers to boys.

RATING = three stars

I love this book

I love this book. I am going to Spain this semester to study abroad and this book was so relatable. I thought the author did a fantastic job describing the feelings of Elena as she was going through the semester and her hopes and desires. The ending was really cute and I thoroughly enjoyed learning about her journey. It made me look forward to my experience and gave me hope.

Five Stars

Thank you

A pleasant story and a safe alternative (to some other things) for young girls

A high school student decides she needs to emerge from the shadows created by her over-achieving older siblings and uses a study abroad program to accomplish her goal since that's the one experience none of her siblings have ever had. She chooses Spain as her destination and there gets to indulge in her love of playwriting. When she meets a cute boy, she's all agog, but her friend in the exchange program helps bring her out of her shell in the lightweight YA novel Spain or Shine by Michelle Jellen.

Elena Holloway knows the only hope she has of distinguishing herself from everyone else in her large family is by accomplishing something no one else has. Hence her application for the "Students Across the Seven Seas Study Abroad Program." She wants to strike new territory for herself, and where better to do that than on another continent?

But while Elena has won the approval of the admissions committee with her politically-correct application, she knows Spain will be the place for her transformation. She'll go there the simple girl who loves writing plays, harbors a secret fantasy work to in films, and who always has her head in the clouds (according to her family,) but she'll come back confident, more assured of herself in her own personality, and several shades darker from her many days on the Spanish coast. She'll also, hopefully, find someone to like her--preferably someone with a cute Spanish accent and a great body.

Elena reaches Spain and begins to fumble her way around San Sebastian, the main city of her semester in Europe.

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Title: Westminster Abby

Subtitle: Students Across the Seven Seas

Author: Micol Ostow

Narrator: Jennifer Van Dyck

Format: Unabridged

Length: 3 hrs and 58 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-14-08

Publisher: Penguin Group USA and Audible

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Teens, Romance & Friendship

Publisher's Summary:

Abby has always considered herself to be a little vanilla - sweet, plain, but not very exciting. So when she finds herself flying across the ocean to London, trying to forget her problems with her cheating ex-boyfriend and her overprotective parents, she figures her semester abroad is her chance to become one big hot fudge sundae. And she isn't disappointed. London boasts a plethora of funky pubs and shops, drivers on the wrong side of the street, French fries called chips, and a very charming Brit named Ian. As Abby moves closer to the vision of her wild child self, she realizes that sometimes leaving what you know best actually brings you closer to what you best know - yourself.

©2005 Micol Ostow; (P)2008 Penguin

Members Reviews:

Eh...

I haven't even really gotten to far into it, because it's hard to read. The feelings of the character are very unrealistic and her personality is sketchy. I myself am going to be an exchange student, and know many others who currently are one, an this does not match any aspect of that life at all. It's a cute idea, but seems as though the author had no experience whatsoever with foreign exchange programs, or even life in London.

Review and Self valuation about " Westminster Abbey" by Micol Ostow

With this teen-drama, abroad, romance, book the main character (Abby) goes her way to london. In the book it starts with her on the plane to study aboard. She tells what kind o girl she is and why the real reason she going. I never read Micol Ostow stories before but after reading "Westminster Abbey", maybe ill read some more of his work. In the story there are 3 main character. One is Abby (The Girl), James ( a boy who see likes in usa), and Ian ( the guy she meet and staying while studying abroad). If i were to recommend this book to anyone, mostly young teenagers. Why is so while reading they can relate and understand where the main character is coming from and the author. Also the difficulty of the book is not very difficult. For my overall thoughts about the book is i like it, although not as much as other books i've read. But for a good 12 chapter book, i really wanted to know what was going to happen at the end.

I Read This Before Going to Europe/London. Such a Fun Book!!!

Other than the drama of teenage love, I enjoyed this adventure-filled book. Sites that Abby toured had enough detail for me to plan my itinerary in London. I am so glad that she talked about the Eye of London, that was one of my best stops in London. I would recommend the series based on this book alone.

Was it written from a teenage perspective? Yes, but I still enjoyed going to different sites vicariously through Abby, and then experiencing them for myself.

A Good YA Book

Westminster Abby is the first book in the S.A.S.S. Series. It follows a girl, Abby, who is struggling to find her independence. In search for it she travels to London as part of her school's foreign exchange program. I enjoyed the fact that this book mostly took place in England; however the author didn't describe the settings as well as I would have hoped. The contemporary plot wasn't necessarily a new idea, but the story progressed smoothly and the ending was surprisingly unpredictable. Previously I have read Girl Overboard by Aimee Ferris, which is another book in the S.A.S.S Series.

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Title: Brunettes Strike Back

Author: Kiernan Scott

Narrator: Jill Apple

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 hrs and 55 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-06-08

Publisher: Penguin Group USA and Audible

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 7 votes

Genres: Teens, Romance & Friendship

Publisher's Summary:

Torn between two worlds, and two hair colors, can one non-blonde cheerleader make it through the sea of highlights and rock Nationals her own way?

Members Reviews:

Let's stop the bullying NOW.

Good for ALL high school students, their parents, teachers and administrators to read. I am a retired school superintendent and ALL students experience this type of treatment. This is definitely a type of school bullying and it has to stop. I feel it would make excellent MANDATORY reading for high school freshmen.

Good book to get disinterested readers involved

Again, I was happy with the condition of the book. I just wish the author did not feel the need to use cuss words.

love the book

Favorite book from back in high school, I had to get my own copy! Memories from highschool, and bringing a little piece with me to college :)

Great follow up

This was a great book to be a second in a series. This book could also be read without reading the first book also.

Brunnettes strike back

I enjoyed this book. It came on time and is a very good book. I'm very pleased. Thank you, can not wait to read the next one.

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Title: Grace's Turn

Author: Christy Carlson Romano

Narrator: Christy Carlson Romano

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 hrs and 6 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-04-06

Publisher: Listening Library

Ratings: 2.5 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: Teens, Romance & Friendship

Publisher's Summary:

Grace spent the summer at a performing-arts camp, practicing day and night. So when it's announced that Grease, Grace's all-time favorite, is this year's musical, she is determined to play Sandy, the lead. But Grace will have to beat out her more experienced rival, Terri, and impress a top Broadway director if she wants to be the one in the spotlight.

Members Reviews:

Good young teen book

Though a typical "high school girl teen" story, it was better than most. It had all the regular issues of wanting to be popular, maintaining girl friendships while having a first boyfriend, dealing with siblings and clueless parents. However, it also had the interesting twist of getting the lead role in the high production of Grease. And even though Grace had a boyfriend, they weren't having sex yet (and it wasn't a huge deal or a lot of pressure to.) Both my 13 and 17 year old girls liked this book.

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Title: Deliver Us from Evie

Author: M.E. Kerr

Narrator: Maxwell Glick

Format: Unabridged

Length: 4 hrs and 4 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-26-14

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Teens, Romance & Friendship

Publisher's Summary:

Even Parr admits that sometimes he thinks his sister looks a bit like a guy. His mother is always trying to get Evie to change and be more feminine. Then one day beautiful Patsy Duff befriends Evie, and she does begin to change - but not the way everyone had expected. With wry and compassionate strokes M.E. Kerr explores the dilemma of expressing one's sexual identity.

Members Reviews:

... read this many years ago and thought it was good back then

I read this many years ago and thought it was good back then. This time I bought it for a friend.

Five Stars

Awesome book

Great! Read it the minute it arrived

Great! Read it the minute it arrived. Terrific read, couldn't put it down.

Looks can be decieving!

Deliver us from Evie is a coming out of the closet book for teens. The book is about Evie Burrman and it is told through the eyes of her younger brother Parr. The Burrman family live on a farm typical of that area in Missouri. Evie has always been a unique girl. Out of the three children she was the one who knew how to fix many of the mechanic things though she was the girl. She dressed like a man and was a loner. Her parents especially her mother knew she was different but tried to change her. The mother thought that inviting over Cord (a boy who liked her) trying to get her to dress more womanly would change her. Everything comes full circle when the banker's daughter started befriended Evie. Parr from his narration conveys the feelings of the family especially how the mom and dad knew this was no ordinary girlfriend friendship. Parr discusses what happens when the relationship becomes known and how he and the family deal with the neighbors when rumors begin to flow. The book not only touches on Evie situation but Doug (the oldest son) going off to college and eventually deciding not taking up a life on the farm and Parr wrestling with guilt of not wanting the farm life and his coming of age with a relationship with a young lady name Angel. I think it is a great book for teens who may also be going through feelings like Evie or not sure of how they feel.

Interesting read.

I enjoyed this book for many reasons, and I think the biggest reason of all was the clearly depicted struggle of identity that everyone goes through. Yes, this book is about the main character's lesbian sister and the effects that it has on his family and the members of the small community that they live in, but it's also about much more than that. Throughout the story the main character and the members of his family struggle with who they are, who they want to be, and who they are expected to be. In that aspect, this is a very easy story to relate to no matter what your situation and is absolutely worth reading.

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Title: Heart & Salsa

Subtitle: Students Across the Seven Seas

Author: Suzanne Nelson

Narrator: Jennifer Van Dyck

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 hrs and 9 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-14-08

Publisher: Penguin Group USA and Audible

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Teens, Romance & Friendship

Publisher's Summary:

Cat Wilcox has left chilly Boston for sunny Mexico and a summer of girl bonding with her best friend, Sabrina. But Sabrina has a surprise. She is accompanied by her boyfriend - a boyfriend Cat didn't even know existed. So rather than Sabrina and Cat spending their study-abroad semester working together at the orphan school building site, Cat expects she'll be hammering nails all by her lonesome. Then she meets Aidan. He's cute, he's smart, and he's paying her a lot of attention. Cat can't tell if he's flirting or friendly, but she's not sure it matters. Isn't it easier to be just friends? But this is enchanted Mexico and, between hiking in the rain forest, diving off waterfalls, and finishing the orphan center, it's going to take a little bit of salsa spirit, and a lot of heart, for Cat to make it through the summer unchanged.

©2006 Suzanne Nelson; (P)2008 Penguin

Members Reviews:

Cat dives into culture and romance in "Heart and Salsa"

Cat Wilcox ditches frozen Boston for tropical Oaxaca, Mexico in order to escape her new stepdad and her happier memories of her life in Arizona as a regional diving champ. There, she hopes to spend all summer bonding with her best friend Sabrina, but when she arrives at the airport, Sabrina has more than her luggage in tow: she's madly in love with her new boyfriend Brian, who's also in the S.A.S.S. (Students Across the Seven Seas) program.

Cat and the others work to build an orphanage for needy Oaxacan children, and they're also expected to pick up Spanish (there are no formal language classes) and Mexican culture and history through educational field trips. Cat's host family seems nice enough, if you discount the prickly teenage daughter Itzel, Cat's new roommate. Itzel seems determined to show up Cat as yet another spoiled rich American princess.

Cat's summer doesn't turn out quite like she'd planned; the timid Cat is terrified of boys, and when classmate Aiden (a successful competitive swimmer) approaches her, she's petrified. Through Aiden, Cat learns that change is inevitable; her life in Boston will never be the same as in Scottsdale, and she slowly opens up to the new possibilities that life in Boston with her new stepfather holds.

She embraces real Mexican culture (including some adventuresome, albeit unintentional, food choices) and her Spanish improves dramatically, as does her rocky relationship with Izzie. Her summer in Mexico changes her for the better, making her realize how lucky she is to have three great parents where the Oaxacan orphans, so grateful for a new home, have none.

Suzanne Nelson has filled the novel with many elements of Mexican culture, from historical tidbits about pre-Columbian and colonial cities to folk art, regional cuisine, and flora and fauna that really serve to immerse the reader into Oaxaca and Mexico in general (although some of the Spanish translations were a little suspect). This is a fun read that focuses on friendship, the meaning of family, and learning to see the world through new eyes.

Courtesy of Teens Read Too

This installment in the S.A.S.S. series features Caitlin Wilcox, a student who is spending her summer in Mexico with the Students Across the Seven Seas program.

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Title: The Story of You and Me

Author: Pamela DuMond

Narrator: Elizabeth Semida

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 35 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-26-14

Publisher: Pamela S. DuMond

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 7 votes

Genres: Teens, Romance & Friendship

Publisher's Summary:

A 2014 Amazon Breakout Novel Award Romance QUARTERFINALIST

My name's Sophie Priebe and Im nineteen-years-old. I planned on college, keggers and cute guysnot multiple sclerosis. Yes, my Nanas had it for decades, but it skipped over my mom. After my diagnosis people treated me differentlyso I stopped talking about it and kept it secret. Meanwhile I researched treatments, possible curesand now I have hope.

I traveled thousand of miles to L.A. to find healing: from stem cell studies to alternative medicine like acupuncture and shamanic vision quests. Some treatments could be dangerous: but Ill try anything because my stakes are highlife and death. I'll risk everythingexcept for love. I dont have time for love.

But my Nana always told me, Life, the fates, or God has a funny way of messing with ones best-laid plans"

My first night in L.A. I landed in the middle of a campus bar fight and a few beer bottle splinters cut my face. The most beautiful young man I've ever met, Alejandro, took me to the ER, chauffeured me to my new apartment and even washed my beer-drenched hair. He and his friends are Drivers: volunteers who drive students who've partied too hard.

My second day I got lost in a dicey part of town and was attacked by gang-bangers. I was luckyI escapedthis time. While L.A.s filled with glamour, mansions and celebritiesits also infested with folks who would happily take advantage of a new girl.

So I hired Alejandro to drive me to my appointments. He became my un-official bodyguard. He took me to healers in beach towns, mountains and deserts. He invited me to BBQs, and included me with his family and friends. He made me laugh again. My heart started cracking open

I wish I had told him my secret. When I discoveredhe hadn't yet told me his...

A Story of Hope. A Story of Love. A Story of Redemption.

Members Reviews:

Ok story ...

The narrator is awful. I think it could've been a good story but I couldn't get past the narrator.

enjoyable story

good story but I couldn't get into the narrator. she was very clear but almost robotic

Save the credit - read the paperback if you must

The performance was awful. The reader had to precisely enunciate each word, it was really annoying. The first half of the book the premise and witty dialogue kept me interested enough to stand the "dictation" performance. The latter part of the book actually annoyed me. The situations went from cute to ridiculously contrived. By the end I thought the main character was stupid and selfish and it kind of annoyed me it ended well. I think it's a good light, mostly cute read on a kindle, avoid the audio version.

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Title: Vendetta

Author: Catherine Doyle

Narrator: Laurence Bouvard

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 18 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-07-15

Publisher: Jammer Audio

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: Teens, Romance & Friendship

Publisher's Summary:

When five brothers move into the abandoned mansion next door, Sophie Gracewell's life changes forever.

Irresistibly drawn to bad boy Nic, Sophie finds herself falling into an underworld governed by powerful families. When Sophie's own family skeletons come to life, she must choose between two warring dynasties - the one she was born into and the one she is falling in love with.

Members Reviews:

Brilliant book! The plot draws you in and you ...

Brilliant book! The plot draws you in and you are hooked by the third chapter. The main character is so likable and believable. When is the second book coming out???

I agree with another reviewer, this will make a hit movie with 5 brothers!

3.5 to 4* Surprisingly good

Having read some really good reviews on this and being in the mood for a Mafia romance (although let's face it when aren't I) I decided to grab myself a copy and have a go, now this book wasn't what I expected but it's difficult now to say exactly what it was I expecting but within a few pages I was hooked and loving it.

Persephone Gracewell or Sophie as she prefers to be known is sixteen and working at her family's restaurant along with her best/only friend Millie. Sophie is basically your average teenager expect for the fact that her father is in prison for murder and as a result she's been ostracised by her peers but as long as she's got Millie she's fine.

I have to stop here and just say that Millie is fabulous, she's everything a true friend should be more and she was one of the many strengths of this book.

Sophie's life changes irrevocably when a new family moves into the old Priestly house, five boys Valentino, Gianluca, Giorgino, Dominico and Nicoli, I mean seriously their names alone are so hot, what a collection.

This new family brings mystery with it, who exactly are these boys and what are they doing in Cedar Hill?

Sophie finds herself attracted to Nic but there's much more going on here than she realises, in fact she's no idea at all what's really going on.

It starts with a mysterious jar of honey left in the restaurant, uncle Jack making himself scarce and several dead bodies turning up.

What's the connection between Sophie and the new family, what's going on with uncle Jack and why won't anyone tell her anything?

I really enjoyed this book and I found the Falcone's intriguing especially Valentino and Luca, there's just something about Luca.

Straight onto book 2 for me now.

Romeo meets Godfather meets Twilight

I started this thinking I knew where it was heading. Girl with past meets a 'bad boy', smouldering, has the hots for her, for some reason his family forbid a relationship - very Edward Cullen and Bella.

Then it morphed into Shakespeare with fights, warring families and drama.

And then the final element kicked in. I've read the Mario Puzo classic, but the Mafia isn't a genre that you see much of for young adults. And I loved this!

Sophie Gracewell has issues of her own, a father in jail and an uncle who isn't around to help run the family diner as much as she'd like. A family of five sons one day moves into a notorious old house in the neighbourhood, and almost immediately she finds herself running into them at every turn.