Sometimes it Happens by Lauren Barnholdt and Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Not so long ago, I reviewed TWO WAY STREET by Lauren Barnholdt. I enjoyed her writing very much, so I was delighted to have the chance to read the ARC (advanced reader copy) of her new book SOMETIMES IT HAPPENS. This book begins on the last day of school and ends on the first day of school the next year, so what could be a better summer read?
The books begins when our dear protagonist, Hannah, finds her boyfriend making out with someone else at the end of school party. Things only worsen when her best friend, Ava, suddenly decides to leave town for the entire summer. Ava sends her boyfriend, Noah, over to make sure Hannah is okay and helps Hannah get a job at the same diner where he works. Ah...you can see where this is going, eh? It's an age old story of inconvenient love, but it's told in a fresh, new way with lots of tension and interesting subplots. A great summer read for the late teen/early college set although there is some mature subject matter, as in most YA books. Lauren Barnholdt has a great voice and a good way with the sexual tension of teen-agers, as she showed in TWO-WAY STREET. Both books would be well-worth their extra weight in your beach bag. Now that I've enticed you, I am sorry to say that you'll have to wait until JULY! So here's another book to read in the meantime.

I recently read (and you can get NOW!) DELIRIUM by Lauren Oliver. If you haven't seen or heard about this book, you will. It is a fascinating dystopian novel about society's desire to destroy the horrible, destructive disease called LOVE. Scientists had determined, in this society, that LOVE was the horrible cause of countless bad decisions, examples of destructive behavior, crimes, and a general lack of productivity. So every citizen must, on his or her 18th birthday, have a surgical procedure that innoculates you from love. And guess what? Our protag doesn't want to do it. It's a fascinating journey that will leave you wanting more at the end, and I am certain there WILL be more, dear Lauren Oliver, now won't there?
So after reading this awesome book, I went to the author's website to basically gush and embarrass myself about this brilliant story. While there, I discovered two exciting things: 1. Lauren Oliver has two new MG novels coming out! and
2. She is giving away free copies on her blog! So go and check it out for yourself, and maybe YOU will be a lucky winner. Go to www.laurenoliverbooks.blogspot.com . Check out the MG novels, but do NOT forget to pick up Delirium. It is a MUST READ for anyone who has done anything foolish for love.

Summer reading is cranking up, and I can't wait to share all the juicy details with you! Have a terrific week!