Book Review: This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith

 

Goodreads Synopsis: If fate sent you an email, would you answer?

When teenage movie star Graham Larkin accidentally sends small town girl Ellie O'Neill an email about his pet pig, the two seventeen-year-olds strike up a witty and unforgettable correspondence, discussing everything under the sun, except for their names or backgrounds.

Then Graham finds out that Ellie's Maine hometown is the perfect location for his latest film, and he decides to take their relationship from online to in-person. But can a star as famous as Graham really start a relationship with an ordinary girl like Ellie? And why does Ellie want to avoid the media's spotlight at all costs?

'There are different kinds of happy,' she said. 'Some kinds don't need any proof.' 

This Is What Happy Looks Like is the second book I've read written by Jennifer E. Smith. The first one was The Statistical Probability Of Love At First Sight. Jennifer writes really good stories about fate and destiny. The first thing that had drawn me to read this book was the cover because it's gorgeous. The first thing I thought about when I read the synopsis was Starstruck (the Disney movie starring Sterling Knight where he plays a famous pop star and falls in love with an ordinary girl who is not an obsessive fan of him)

This book made me want to visit Maine. (I first read about Maine in The Probability of Miracle by Wendy Wunder) I can see Ellie's house in my head and it's like the perfect summer house. I liked the fact that she works at an ice cream shop and that her mother runs a souvenir shop. I was picturing the souvenir shops at Seal Beach in California. Oh and I love the name Ellie!! When I was in high school I made a list of happy things so this book made me remember that. Here are some of the things I included in my list: Good music, A nice read, Balloons, The Beach and Thrift shopping.

I love reading stories like this. It's a really simple summer romance story that will leave a smile on your face. Definitely worth the read.


- Alex x

Book Review: Opal (Lux Series, #3) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

 

Goodreads Synopsis: No one is like Daemon Black.

When he set out to prove his feelings for me, he wasn’t fooling around. Doubting him isn’t something I’ll do again, and now that we’ve made it through the rough patches, well... There’s a lot of spontaneous combustion going on.

But even he can’t protect his family from the danger of trying to free those they love.

After everything, I’m no longer the same Katy. I’m different... And I’m not sure what that will mean in the end. When each step we take in discovering the truth puts us in the path of the secret organization responsible for torturing and testing hybrids, the more I realize there is no end to what I’m capable of. The death of someone close still lingers, help comes from the most unlikely source, and friends will become the deadliest of enemies, but we won’t turn back. Even if the outcome will shatter our worlds forever.

Together we’re stronger... and they know it.

The Lux Series goes straight to my favorites. It has an amazing storyline. The well-developed characters makes it even more fun to read.

It was a bit hard for me to write this review because I really didn't know how to put my feelings for this book into words other than that it was AMAZING! Many have said that it has less action but it didn't ruin the book for me. Daemon and Katy took their relationship to the next level *wink wink* I'm happy to read more of Daemon's sweet side. There may be a lot of problems that is sometimes keeping them apart but when they're together it all fades away and it always seems that they're the only people in the world. Daemon is protective and sensitive more than ever. Dawson is back but he is not in the state that his siblings expected. Blake is also back and he has an offer that will put the Luxens and Katy at risk. Opal made me love Katy even more because she has shown her bravery and she has proven that she is not just a weak human that everybody needs to protect. I had a lot of fun reading Opal and I can't wait for Origin (Lux Series, #4)

And yup I also thought I was missing pages after that devastating cliffhanger. All I did was freak out. I couldn't stop from freaking out. It was so brilliant I can't even ahhhh!! The promise of a 4th book is the only thing keeping me alive right now.. Hahaha. Just kidding. No.. seriously. Thank you Jennifer for the Lux Series!!

- Alex