Friday Finds #2

Friday Finds is a weekly post the tells you lovelies about some of the books I've found this week. Whether it be an ARC, a classic or anything in between; these are books I've discovered over the past 7 days.

Blue Notes

by Carrie Lofty

"For fans of Jamie McGuire and S.C. Stephens, a sizzling new adult novel featuring the tumultuous relationship between a young piano prodigy and a reluctant billionaire playboy—set against the vibrant backdrop of a New Orleans college campus.

After being bounced from foster family to foster family, Keeley, a talented pianist, is ready to start over as a junior at Tulane. But when she plays a small concert that attracts the attention of Jude, a brooding playboy and heir to an enormous fortune in the wake of his parents’ tragic death, suddenly Keeley’s life is thrown off balance once again.

Jude is the first person to confront her about the pain behind her music, and she struggles with whether or not to let him into her life, or to keep protecting herself from the hurt that relationships have caused her in the past. But Keeley’s about to learn that the melancholy young billionaire who appears to have everything he wants can open her eyes to exactly what she needs…"

Always Emily by Michaela MacColl

"Emily and Charlotte Brontë are about as opposite as two sisters can be. Charlotte is practical and cautious; Emily is headstrong and imaginative. But they do have one thing in common: a love of writing. This shared passion will lead them to be two of the first published female novelists and authors of several enduring works of classic literature. But they’re not there yet. First, they have to figure out if there is a connection between a string of local burglaries, rumors that a neighbor’s death may not have been accidental, and the appearance on the moors of a mysterious and handsome stranger. The girls have a lot of knots to untangle—before someone else gets killed"

Jane Eyre 

by Charlotte Brontë

"Orphaned into the household of her Aunt Reed at Gateshead, subject to the cruel regime at Lowood charity school, Jane Eyre nonetheless emerges unbroken in spirit and integrity. She takes up the post of governess at Thornfield, falls in love with Mr. Rochester, and discovers the impediment to their lawful marriage in a story that transcends melodrama to portray a woman's passionate search for a wider and richer life than Victorian society traditionally allowed. With a heroine full of yearning, the dangerous secrets she encounters, and the choices she finally makes, Charlotte Bronte's innovative and enduring romantic novel continues to engage and provoke readers."

Dangerous Creatures

by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

"Ridley Duchannes will be the first to tell you that she's a bad girl. She's Dark. She's a Siren. You can never trust her, or even yourself when she's around. Lucky for her, Wesley "Link" Lincoln can never seem to remember that; quarter Incubus or not, his heart is Mortal when it comes to Ridley. When Link heads to New York City to start a music career, Ridley goes along for the ride-and she has her own reasons. As if leaving small-town Gatlin for the big city, trying to form a band, and surviving life with a partially reformed Siren isn't hard enough already, Link soon learns he has a price on his head that no Caster or Mortal can ever pay."

Thoughts

Okay, so I actually heard about Blue Notes a little while ago, although I only recently got my hands on a copy and I am currently delving into it's story! It's dangerously mesmerising and has your attention from the very beginning. I will post a review NEXT WEEK so keep an eye out for that!!

Always Emily is a sweet little YA period book that I read this week. Check out the review on the link bellow... It's one of my favourite historical novels so I'm really excited to share it with you. 

ALWAYS EMILY

NOW, I didn't discover Jane Eyre this week, obviously! I'm actually a massive fan - well of the movie adaptation anyways - although after reading Always Emily I've had a sudden urge to read it. So this week it got added to my wish list.

And lastly - this is where I start fangirling - is Dangerous Creatures! EEK! I'm a ridiculously big fan of the Beautiful Creatures books and this new series has got me all excited. What's got me more excited is the fact that I got my hands on an ARC! But for all you muggles it's out May 20th. 

Always Emily

Always Emily by Michaela MacColl

Rating: 4 out of 5

About the Book

Title: Always Emily

Author: Michaela MacColl

Publishing Date: April 8th 2014

Publisher: Chronicle Books

ISBN: 9781408331569

Provided by: Chronicle Books & Edelweiss

Summary (via GoodReads)

Emily and Charlotte Brontë are about as opposite as two sisters can be. Charlotte is practical and cautious; Emily is headstrong and imaginative. But they do have one thing in common: a love of writing. This shared passion will leas them to be two of the first published female novelists and authors of several enduring works of classic literature. But they're not there yet. First, they have to figure out if there is a connection between a string of burglaries, rumours that a neighbour's death may not have been accidental, and the appearance on the moors of a mysterious and handsome stranger. The girls have a lot of knots to untangle - before someone else gets killed. 

Review

'For once, she couldn't control the direction of a story with the stroke of a pen.'

I'm ashamed to admit it but I am one of those people who has a love for Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights - well, all things Brontë if I'm being honest - but has only ever watched the film. As much as I enjoy the stories I've never had the chance to sit down and read the Brontë sister's classic novels! However, I know enough to know that Always Emily is a very cleverly written and brilliantly told story that transports you into the past and sparks the imagination. Making you, as a reader, wonder what these two historic women were really like. 

I'm not going to sit here and say that it was perfect, it wasn't, but it had a kind of charm about it that made reading Always Emily really enjoyable. The story itself swaps between the two sisters as they uncover things in their local town aren't quite as they seem. Charlotte's approach being - in most parts - thought through and meticulous, where as Emily runs head first into trouble. But the question throughout the book is whether or not they can find a way to work together? Despite they're differences can they stop another 'accident' from happening. 

The story has a very strong Brontë feel too it. It's been ridiculously well researched and there's no denying the period in which the tale is set. And for those of you that struggle with the classics - not because of their stories but the text - this is the perfect compromise, as it's easy to follow and get lost in. Lost, in a good way that is. 

The thing I liked the most about this was the comparisons between the sisters and their famous literary heroines. Emily has this unfaltering connection to the moors and a ruthlessness that reminds me of Cathy. Charlottes similarities to Jane are a lot more obvious and at time I found it hard to tell where Charlotte stopped and Jane began. The book teases with the inspirations behind some of our most beloved literary women.  

As for the 'mysterious and handsome stranger'? I don't want to give anything away - so I won't - just keep an eye out for him. He's kind of important! 

There isn't a huge love story in this, which is strange for a YA novel. However, that doesn't take away from it's charm. I'm a big believer in epic romances but the bond between the two sisters is more than enough to melt your hearts and have you smiling - without the need for some tall dark and handsome hottie with rippling muscles and... wait I'm going off track. 

Overall it's a good read, that has a lot of different things going for it. I truly believe that it will entertain not just the usual YA readers but also an older audience. So, give this one a go lovelies. It has my wax-seal of approval! 

Ooh! Almost forgot... Character to watch out for: Tabby! She's the house maid? If that's the right term. If this book was the human body then Tabby would be it's funny bone. 

'"You're impossible! Must you disagree with me about everything?"
Emily nodded. "Probably."'

These are a few notes I made while reading Always Emily. All notes where made on my GoodReads page.

**I received this book as an ARC from Edelweiss to read & review. This is a 100% honest review.**