Sleepless by Cyn Balog

One word. Sandman. I was hooked when I saw that word. But I'll let you know a little more about it so you can be crazy hooked. Eron DeMarchelle died almost one hundred years ago in a milling accident. He is exactly as he was when he was human. A shy, sweet, dashing gentleman. He is finally able to turn back human to finish his "unfinished business" which he has no idea what it is. The deal was that he would spend a hundred years as a Sleepbringer and then get back to his life. He was able to have one of his charges his "beloved." Julia took her place after she died. He cares for her and would do anything to protect her.

Julia has always had people walking on egg shells when they were around her. At seven she had something happen to her. Something that left three marks on her cheek that she has always been self conscience of so when Griffin albeit not the nicest boyfriend ever accepts her she is happy. But then he dies. She doesn't show anything like he taught her. She doesn't even really know what she feels. And then there's Bret his best friend and he's like Griffin's twin. He starts acting weird as soon as Griffin dies. And so does her dreams.

I read this one slow on account of it was a group read that I suggested may I add. So the drama felt was even more because I had to wait. And I don't know how but the pages I had to read would always end perfectly with a cliffhanger. Duh duh duh! moments. Griffin was such a mystery to me. I had no idea if he cared about Julia or anything really. I still don't know if he cares about her. It was really weird but in a good way.

I HEART Eron. He's the type of guy that holds your door out for you and you just stare at in class dreamily. He basically made the book. I tried to picture him and the way he talked with the way he was described and my brain was all in a jumble. He's supposed to be this handsome Italian born guy who talks ridiculously proper. I just can't fathom it. Bret, Griffin's best friend, was an interesting mix to the plot. He kept me on my toes. Chimire, an Original, also provided me with questions to her character. Mostly who she liked and what was her deal? I seriously liked this book. It was well worth all that waiting.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. How do you know they're not going to get it on?

"Get it...?" I begin but shake my head. -LOLOL!

Don't forget me, he seemed to say. You belong to me.

Rating: 4 stars

Chasing Brooklyn by Lisa Schroeder

A year ago Brooklyn's boyfriend Lucca died in a car crash now his best friend Gabe committed what suicide? Or was it an accident? She doesn't even know because they grew apart after his death. He overdosed and she can't believe it. He was given a chance while her boyfriend was not. Now the pain is even more unbearable. Everyone keeps dying around her. People keep leaving even her mother left with her twin brothers leaving her alone with her father who can't do anything so she does it for him. Making dinner, cleaning the dishes, doing the laundry.

She writes in her journal well Lucca's journal everyday. Tells him how much she misses him. Tells him how much she loves him. She has changed after his death. She won't make art like she used to. Won't draw her flowers. Everything is grey now. And then her dreams turn gray and ugly too because Gabe comes in them and then she runs away fear gripping her. He won't leave her alone either. Why is she dreaming about him when she's supposed to be dreaming about Lucca? What does he want?

Nico is running faster than ever. Running from the pain of losing his brother. He may be all cheery on the outside but it's only a mask. Impenetrable. Not only did his brother die but his best friend and even though he feels that everyone rather have Lucca here than him he still misses him. Bad. And when Gabe dies he feels it again but more anger then pain. How could he do that when his brother is dead? Why did he have to create more pain. Now the school is up to three deaths the first being a boy named Jackson that died about 6 months before Lucca or something like that. Then Lucca comes to him. Telling him to help Brooklyn. How's he going to do that? He isn't him.

I have been waiting to read this over a year and when I finally open it I'm like "What the...?" It's all because

The book
is written
like this.
It's called
verse
which I
have no idea
what that is.

And I was like "Oh no!" Only because then I wouldn't be able to get to know the characters more. I liked it at times because some of the things said were powerful but other times I didn't especially towards the end because it was just too much. I wanted to get to know the characters. I wish there was only some verse. Or maybe it wasn't that. Maybe it was just that the characters didn't have much depth.

The whole thing with Gabe was really engaging me into the story. But then when he finally caught up to her I was disappointed. I thought it was just dumb. Why? It was just disappointing. Nico and Brooklyn's relationship was the good part of the book. Nico was sweet to her but then that's it. It wasn't as great as I hoped. It was just okay.

There were two sneak peeks of her other books and they sound exactly the same. Sorry but I don't think I'll be reading them.

 Rating: 2 stars