Veiled Rose by Anne Elisabeth Stengl

Rose Red trusts no one with her secret. She hides in the forest, her face veiled in rags, shunning the company of all save her old father and her nanny goat. Her life is bleak and lonely.
Until she meets a privileged young man sent to spend his summer in the mountains. Leo, a lonely lad, befriends Rose Red, and together they begin hunting for the Mountain Monster which, rumor says, stalks these lands.
But the hunt which began as a game holds greater risk than Leo supposes. Rose Red can scarcely guess at the consequences should he insist on continuing his search. Dare she trust him with her secret? Or tell him what dwells at the top of the mountain in the cave only she can find?
Above all, when Leo asks Rose Red to leave the mountain and follow him to the low country, dare she agree and risk the wrath of a Monster that is all too real?

Goodreads Summary

This is a perfect novel for a long airplane or train ride, it has the ability to distract the reader and take him/her into the novel's fantasy world.  Leo is a young boy who desires adventure, as young boys are prone to do.  He is slightly impulsive, caring, and daring.  Whilst on his version of an adventure, Leo runs into Rose Red.  At first, he is scared-especially by her goat.  Soon her realizes that she is kind and they become fast friends.  Leo wonders about a monster he heard about, he wants to go after the monster.  Rose Red has an idea of where the monster might be found and together the two set off.  The book really takes off from this point. 

Rose Red is an interesting character, the reader doesn't really know the true her until the middle to end of the novel.  She hides her secrets well.  Leo is the perfect foil to her calm exterior.  The reader will enjoy these two.  There are not too many secondary characters, but the reader will still get to meet a few.  The plot is fun and adventurous.  The events are fast-paced.  This book is recommended to young adults/teens who enjoy fantasy and adventure novels.

4 Stars

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Summer Friends by Holly Chamberlin

In this compelling novel set against the beautiful backdrop of Ogunquit, Maine, the bestselling author of Tuscan Holiday and One Week in December portrays an unexpected friendship, and its consequences for two very different women as time inevitably sweeps them into adulthood. . .
Over the course of one eventful summer, nine-year-old native Mainer Delphine Crandall and Maggie Weldon, a privileged girl "from away," become best friends. Despite the social gulf between them, their bond is strengthened during vacations spent rambling around Ogunquit's beaches and quiet country lanes, and lasts throughout their college years in Boston. It seems nothing can separate them, yet after graduation, Delphine and Maggie slowly drift in different directions. . .
With her MBA, Maggie acquires a lucrative career, and eventually marries. Delphine is drawn back home, her life steeped in family and the Maine community she loves. Twenty years pass, until one summer, Maggie announces she's returning to Ogunquit to pay an extended visit. And for the first time, the friends are drawn to reflect on their choices and compromises, the girls they were and the women they've become, the promises kept and broken—and the deep, lasting ties that even time can never quite wash away. . .
"An honest, forceful novel about love, family, and sacrifice."—Booklist on One Week in December
"It does the trick as a beach book and provides a touristy taste of Maine's seasonal attractions." —Publishers Weekly on The Family Beach House

Goodreads Summary

This is a beautiful book on female friendship.  Maggie and Delphine are completely different with regards to their social and economic status; even so, they become fast friends when they are younger.  Delphine is the one who takes the time to smell the roses; she is kind, thoughtful, and sweet.  Maggie lives life a little bit in the fast lane.  She is more impulsive, a bit of a spendthrift, and chaotic.  They are perfect foils for each other, balancing out each other's characters.

As with many friendships, the two drift apart after graduation.  Maggie and Delphine lead very separate lives; for a gap of two decades, they do not acknowledge their friendship.  The reader will find their lives in between interesting, the events are fast-paced and fun to read about.  Eventually, they meet again at a time when their lives have calmed down and they both have time for long chats and reacquainting themselves with the other. 

The reader will find this book funny, somewhat dramatic, cute, and sweet.  The plot is nothing special, but perfect for the book's purposes.  The characters are fun to read about-even the secondary characters.  This book is recommended to young adults/adults who enjoy novels like Sarah Addison Allen's containing female friendship.

4 Stars

My Dearest Rose by Jessie McClain

"My Dearest Rose" is a 400 word count fictional drama based off the life of a 24 year old girl named Iris. Iris lives in the small town of Falls City Oregon where she works at a small shop and plays music on the side at a local coffeeshop. She raises her 3 year old brother and is on bad terms with her mom whom she has never been able to get along with. Her boyfriend (who was also her best friend) had died 4 years earlier and she is still haunted by the memory. She then meets a guy named Jason (who is a roamer from Georgia) as she is performing one day at the coffeeshop and the story evolves. There are many twists and turns in the book. It's based on someones life that could be mine, your own, or a strangers. It shows that when you think there is nothing or no one left to save you, that your true salvation can come fromt he most unexpected place and that sometimes all is takes is a stranger. When all hope is lost who is it that you cling to?

Taken from author's website: http://bookblogs.ning.com/profile/JessieMcClain

Iris has not led the easiest life.  She lost her love at a young age, raises her younger brother, has deadbeat parents, and no real opportunities to escape.  She meets Jason quite by accident.  They hit it off from the beginning.  The reader will follow their relationship through the novel and believe that they truly love each other.  Jason offers Iris a reprieve from her chaotic life. 

The story is certainly interesting.  The reader will be rooting for Iris during the novel.  There really are quite a few twists that the reader will not be able to guess at.  The events are fairly fast-paced, the love scenes are sweet, and the characters are intriguing.  Iris is hard-working, brave, and kind.  Jason is caring, protective, and appears to really love Iris.  It is also fun to note that the author gives the characters a particular accent, one that never falters throughout the novel.  This book is recommended to young adults/adults who enjoy "second chances" and realistic fiction with a hint of love.

4 Stars