Love Hurts (Malorie Blackman)

Synopsis:  
Have you ever fallen for someone the rest of the world thought you shouldn't have? Malorie Blackman brings together the very best young adult authors writing today in a stunningly romantic collection of love against the odds.
Featuring stories and extracts about modern star-crossed lovers, Love Hurts looks at every kind of relationship, from first kiss to final heartbreak.

Review:
I got this ebook from Netgalley in return of an honest review. 
I had great expectations for this book, mostly because of the authors featured in it. Although I didn't hate it, at all, I feel obliged to separate it into two parts: excerpts and original stories.
While requesting 'Love Hurts' I was expecting it to consist, for the most part, of original stories by acclaimed Young Adult authors, but that wasn't the case. In this book, we find only a few stories, mixed in with innumerous extracts from pre-existing books. That's not exactly a bad thing, it just kept me from connecting fully with some of the characters and their stories.I really enjoyed getting to read these YA books I had hear of before, even if just a small bit. And they were wonderful to experience, as they left me even more excited to read the full books. However, there were some that seemed out of place, as there were various references I didn't understand, characters that I didn't know, and allusions to previous events, necessary to understand the present situation, or the character's decisions. This lead to a bit of confusion, especially in the first few pages.
I'm not saying that's the book's problem, I'm just acknowledging that it definitely hurt my reading experience.
Despite not completely loving some of the excerpts featured, I'm incredibly curious to read every book they came from, and get to know more of the author's writing.
Now, what really enhanced my rating for this anthology were the original stories. I can't think of one I wouldn't give five stars to or read a full book about. I would say, though, that my favourites were Malorie Blackman's and James Dawson's stories, as they show different and unconventional characters and their amazing relationships through beautiful and poignant writing.
Overall, 'Love Hurts' was, despite all its flaws, a beautiful book, showing all kinds of love, from heartbreaking breakups to painfully powerful love, LGBT relationships set in unique surroundings and romance that can spark even for those considered disabled.
I would absolutely recommend this to people who love love and/or understand how it can hurt to love too much or not enough.

The Fade Out, Vol. 1 (Ed Brubaker, Sean Phillips - Illustrations)

Synopsis:  
Brubaker and Phillips' newest hit series, The Fade Out, is an epic noir set in the world of noir itself, the backlots and bars of Hollywood at the end of its Golden Era. A movie stuck in endless reshoots, a writer damaged from the war and lost in the bottle, a dead movie star and the lookalike hired to replace her. Nothing is what it seems in the place where only lies are true. The Fade Out is Brubaker and Phillips' most ambitious project yet!
Collects THE FADE OUT issues #1 to #4

Review:
I got this ebook from Netgalley in return of an honest review. 
Entering this book is going through film History in a whole other way, like a room we are pulled into and come out on the other side with a completely new vision of Old Hollywood,  seeing the darkness behind the glitter.
As always, I will start by saying that the art was absolutely exquisite, completely different from anything I had ever experienced. It was definitely one of the main factors that lead to why I found myself entirely submerged in the story. It set the tone for the plot and its twists and turns, and remained consistent in its somber beauty and enchantment.
The story itself was almost impossible to predict, keeping us guessing until the very last page.
If there is something else to say about 'The Fade Out', is that it shows a reality mixed with the fiction of what happens backstage, when the cameras stop rolling. There's nothing better than to be able to believe what we are reading a true story disguised as fiction, especially when there are references to real actors and events. It adds to the ambience of what has the potential to become one of the best graphic novels of the year.
The characters and their lives will stay with us, and keep us guessing until the authors finally decide to yell 'Cut!'

My Best Everything (Sarah Tomp)

Synopsis:  
You say it was all meant to be. You and me. The way we met. Our secrets in the woods. Even the way it all exploded. It was simply a matter of fate.
Maybe if you were here to tell me again, to explain it one more time, then maybe I wouldn’t feel so uncertain. But I’m going back to the beginning on my own. To see what happened and why.
Luisa “Lulu” Mendez has just finished her final year of high school in a small Virginia town, determined to move on and leave her job at the local junkyard behind. So when her father loses her college tuition money, Lulu needs a new ticket out.
Desperate for funds, she cooks up the (definitely illegal) plan to make and sell moonshine with her friends, Roni and Bucky. Quickly realizing they’re out of their depth, Lulu turns to Mason: a local boy who’s always seemed like a dead end. As Mason guides Lulu through the secret world of moonshine, it looks like her plan might actually work. But can she leave town before she loses everything – including her heart?
The summer walks the line between toxic and intoxicating. My Best Everything is Lulu’s letter to Mason – though is it an apology, a good-bye, or a love letter?

Review:
I got this ebook from Netgalley in return of an honest review. 
Before requesting this book, I wasn't prepared for how different and interesting it was going to be.
First of all, I had never read a book that featured that moonshine element that was so prominent in this story. I felt like it turned it into a very unique story, opening windows to escape from the usual YA clichés. Besides that, you can read between the lines the work that went into creating that plotline, the research and time it took to understand such an unusual element in a YA book.The writing was also a pleasure to experience. Although it was a bit hard to get used to, like diving into a cold pool, once you were in it, you didn't want to get out. It honestly felt like I was swimming through the story, enjoying every bit.
The only problem I think I had with this book has to do with the characters, specifically the main character. I absolutely loved Mason. I felt like I got to know him and create serious bonds with him. He was a real boy and his story was incredibly fascinating. However, the other characters felt a bit two-dimensional, particularly Lulu's friends, Roni and Bucky. They got their story and it was interesting, but it wasn't enough to make me feel any kind of empathy for them, there wasn't enough for me to know who they were before the story started. The same goes for Lulu. Although I could definitely relate to her on many levels (like her longing for more than what her small town could give her), I couldn't exactly like her. Frankly, she was rather annoying at times and I couldn't force myself to understand her reasons for some decisions she made and some of her actions. I found myself roling my eyes at her thoughts at certain points, despite her many redeeming qualities: she was determined and, when she wasn't being stereotypical tenagery and a rebel, she was incredibly inteligent and even strong.
I really adored the relationship that grew between Mason and Lulu, as well as seeing all the other characters grow and their relationships transform into more meaningful things. I must give kudos to the author, Sarah Tomp, for her exceptional work at character development.
Lastly, I loved the scene where Lulu and Mason meet through Mason's perspective that I read during the Spring YA Scavenger Hunt. It was available during a short period of time, and it was an incredible deleted scene I loved reading.
With all that said, I must acknowledge that this was an immensely enjoyable and fascinating read and could become one of my favourites of this year. Sarah Tomp has a natural talent for storytelling, and that comes through in My Best Everything.

Bob's Burgers (Chad Brewster, Jeff Drake, Justin Hook, Rachel Hastings and Mike Olsen)

Release Date: April 7th 2015 

Synopsis:  
Now you can read about the Belcher family (parents Bob and Linda, and their children Tina, Gene and Louise) with brand-new in-canon stories created by the TV show's producers, writers, and animators!
That's right, all-original stories that expand upon the fan-favorite animated series, including hilarious installments of "Louise's Unsolved Mysteries", "Tina's Erotic Friend Fiction", "A Gene Belcher Original Musical", "Letters Written by Linda", "Bob's Burgers of the Day", and much more!

Review:
I got this ebook from Netgalley in return of an honest review. 
I need to point out, first and foremost, that I am a huge fan of the show. It's absolutely ridiculous, hilarious and kind of my life story in some twisted, horrific and absurd alternate universe. And that's exactly what this was, expect even more awesome because I could just go back and just admire those glorious and priceless panels.
Each character had their own little story and felt them every time, I could actually hear their voices, like they were telling me what was happening. They were so well portrayed - those illustrations were just stunning, almost moving like in the show. This entire volume is an explosion of color and rhythm that would appeal, in my opinion, to fans of the show and newbies alike.
I was laughing the entire time and I would, without hesitation, reread it anytime I felt sad or down, because the writers and animators of Bob's Burgers never fail to bring a smile on my face.
Absolutely recommend this to anyone who just wants to have a laugh and read something incredibly silly in the best way possible.

Hurt Patrol (Mary McKinley)

Release Date: March 31st 2015

Synopsis:

Give me your nerds, your freaks, your huddled outcasts yearning to breathe free. Stick them in Boy Scout uniforms and you’ll have the Hurt Patrol—a sorry bunch of teen rejects who will never make Eagle.

Welcome to the club

Beau has been scouting since first grade. Not because he loves it, but because his dad does. It’s the only thing they’ve ever bonded over, what with Beau’s dad being into sports, beer, and brawling. So when they move to yet another Midwest town, Beau expects the usual Boy Scout experience, filled with horribleness and insults. Instead he finds something else entirely. Kicked out of every other patrol, their little band of brothers is equal parts nuts and awesome. For the first time, people are watching Beau’s back instead of throwing things at it. Nice. Novel. And also necessary, when you’re dealing with parents splitting up, crushes, first love, and coming out.
The first—and only—rule of Hurt Patrol: We are never going to win—but if you’re outcast elsewhere, you’ll do just fine here.

Review:
I got this ebook from Netgalley in return of an honest review.
I requested this book as soon as I read the word 'Scout' in the synopsis. I don't think I have ever read a book about Scouts, at least not one that sticks with you as much as this one does.
From the very first page I was completely invested and in love with the characters. They felt so real to me, especially Beau, the main character whose story we follow. He is incredibly flawed and perfect in the best way, one of the most amazing and honest characters I have ever read about. His personality is so sweet and just the idea of him breaks your heart, but, by the end, glues it back into one piece (almost). I loved seeing his growth and development that was surprisingly grand given the size of this story. All the other characters had their own quirks and Mary Mckinley did an amazing job with each one, making us love them and loathe them in equal mesure. Not to mention that his relationship with his parents was one of the most heartbreaking parts of the book, right next to the one with Pete and Jewels, his best friends at the time of the narrative. These parts broke my heart over and over and I didn't even mind.
The story was beautiful and funny and writen with just the right amout of wit and humour to hook you until the end. Like I mentioned, the Scouts plot line was a pretty main one and was astonishingly dealt with. Not only did I learn a lot about the Boy Scouts of America, but also created an emotional connection with everything attached to them. It oppened the doors for wonderful character growth and internal change and discovery. This relates to Beau's realization of his true sexuality and what comes after that, which makes of The Hurt Patrol one of the best coming out books of my reading experiences.
I really adored Mary Mckinley's storytelling style, so I will absolutely try to get my hands on her other books, particularly Rusty Summer and Beau, Lee, The Bomb, and Me, as I reckon there is still a lot to this little story to be told - and I need to know it.
A must read for YA contemporary fans and Scouts all over the world.