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Burn Before Reading
A girl meets a wolf.
And a wolf meets his match.
Beatrix Cruz - Bee for short - has exactly one goal; kick her dad's severe depression in the ass. She's got a foolproof plan;
1. Get into the elite high school Lakecrest Preparatory on a scholarship
2. Study like crazy
3. Graduate into NYU and become a shrink
Nothing can stand in her way - not even Lakecrest's rich, hot, and notorious Blackthorn brothers. Not Fitz Blackthorn, with his flirting and his elite computer hacking, not Burn Blackthorn, with his intimidating height and emotionless face, and certainly not sinfully handsome Wolf Blackthorn, who hands out 'red cards' to students who displease him, and expels the ones who keep doing it.
But when Bee stands up for a student, she pisses off Wolf, and he's suddenly itching to pull her scholarship from underneath her. To keep it, Bee strikes a deal with the devil - father Blackthorn himself; spy on Mr. Blackthorn's sons, become friends with them, and learn their secrets in exchange for staying at Lakecrest.
Betraying the Blackthorn brothers' trust is supposed to be easy.
Becoming friends with the Blackthorn boys makes it hard.
And falling in love with Wolf makes it impossible.
((This book contains language and situations that may be inappropriate for younger readers.))
And a wolf meets his match.
Beatrix Cruz - Bee for short - has exactly one goal; kick her dad's severe depression in the ass. She's got a foolproof plan;
1. Get into the elite high school Lakecrest Preparatory on a scholarship
2. Study like crazy
3. Graduate into NYU and become a shrink
Nothing can stand in her way - not even Lakecrest's rich, hot, and notorious Blackthorn brothers. Not Fitz Blackthorn, with his flirting and his elite computer hacking, not Burn Blackthorn, with his intimidating height and emotionless face, and certainly not sinfully handsome Wolf Blackthorn, who hands out 'red cards' to students who displease him, and expels the ones who keep doing it.
But when Bee stands up for a student, she pisses off Wolf, and he's suddenly itching to pull her scholarship from underneath her. To keep it, Bee strikes a deal with the devil - father Blackthorn himself; spy on Mr. Blackthorn's sons, become friends with them, and learn their secrets in exchange for staying at Lakecrest.
Betraying the Blackthorn brothers' trust is supposed to be easy.
Becoming friends with the Blackthorn boys makes it hard.
And falling in love with Wolf makes it impossible.
((This book contains language and situations that may be inappropriate for younger readers.))
626 pages, Unknown Binding
First published May 18, 2017
68 people are currently reading
830 people want to read
About the author
Sara Wolf
31 books3,770 followersSara Wolf adores baking, cats, and screaming helpfully at her own imagination. When she was a kid she was too busy eating dirt to write her first terrible book. Twenty years later she mashed her fists on a laptop and created the Lovely Vicious series. She lives in Portland, Oregon where the sun can't get her anymore.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews
December 23, 2017
Update:
Dec 8, 2017
I can't believe I enjoyed this book!!!!
Review to come...
___________________________
Update: Dec 5, 2017
"Currently reading"
THIS IS HAPPENING! Finally I can read it. :D
___________________________
Update: Sep 23, 2017
*Reading the synopsis*
Hmmm.. this sounds familiar.. HANA YORI DANGO aka my-favorite-manga-of-all-time.. ha?!!!!
Nonetheless, I am intrigued!!
Hope it is not just another copy of Hana Yori Danga . Some creativity please!
I can't believe I enjoyed this book!!!!
Review to come...
___________________________
Update: Dec 5, 2017
"Currently reading"
THIS IS HAPPENING! Finally I can read it. :D
___________________________
Update: Sep 23, 2017
*Reading the synopsis*
Hmmm.. this sounds familiar.. HANA YORI DANGO aka my-favorite-manga-of-all-time.. ha?!!!!
Nonetheless, I am intrigued!!
Hope it is not just another copy of Hana Yori Danga . Some creativity please!
December 25, 2017
If I was writing a summary what would I say about this book?
A story about a bisexual boy with a phobia (which kind of phobia is a spoiler) trying to overcome his past abusive relationship with another boy and, at the same time, fighting tragic memories of his mother's death, and a book loving girl who wants to help her father cure chronic depression by giving up her dream of becoming an author and instead becoming a doctor.
Add to that two sexy brothers of the hero: one is an addict and another one running from problems with reckless speed (literary, he is driving like crazy). The setting is a prestigious private school where (surprisingly) not every one is an asshole.
It seem like a lot of issues for one book, and, of course, when I started this book I didn't know all that. I just saw Sarah Wolf and new book and it was it. I was a huge fan of her Lovely Vicious series in all its silliness and absurdity managed to pull me in with not so trivial plot, humor and likable characters. Well, I don't know if I'd like that series now years later, but back then it was a thing for me.
Burn Before Reading in some ways similar to its predecessor, but in some it suppresses it. I found it more mature, more thoughtful, not so erratic. Maybe it was not the best written book I've read recently, but it managed to caught my attention and even days later I still remember my feelings while reading it.
If you are looking for something light - and it is a light and hopeful story despite the premise I gave you - to pass the holidays, you might consider reading this book.
Merry Christmas, my friends!
May 3, 2017
Note: Received an ARC in exchange for an honest book review.
Okay guys, please tell me I'm not the only one who thought of Dao Ming Si from Meteor Garden?? If you guys share the same sentiments with me and is familiar with this Taiwanese drama, well then, let's bond over books and amazing Asian dramas, soul sister!
So I'm not sure if our lovely author here got inspired by the said Taiwanese drama, but nonetheless, Burn Before Reading was still definitely a laugh-out-loud and very "Sara Wolf-ish" book if you ask me!
In a typical Sara Wolf fashion, Bee, our female MC, feels like she's cut out from the same cloth as our Isis firecracker, who we've all grown to love on Love Me Never. I love how Beatrix, much like all of Sara Wolf's heroines, is tough as nails and stands up for what she believes in. Beatrix, or Bee as everyone calls her, is probably the most selfless person, especially when it comes to her father who suffers severe depression. She basically mapped out her life in a direction that was all for the wellbeing of her father, even sacrificing all her personal interests. If that doesn't scream selfless daughter, I don't know what will.
Entering Lakecrest with a scholarship and a grab-the-bull-by-the-horns kind of attitude, Bee was bound to clash with the school's loved notorious Blackthorn brothers. There's 1) Burn; mega-tall and stoic, 2) Fitz; charming to the nth degree and master hacker, and of course 3) Wolfgang; drop-dead gorgeous and gets on Bee's nerves.
Of course, to spice up the story with a little love-hate relationship, we witness the endless clashing of Wolf and Bee. But come on, we all know what happens when you "hate" someone a little too much.
Being me, I'm all for the whole love-hate trope! I mean, who can resist a good friction between two characters, and ends up creating something much more different than what was intended?
And obviously, I'm a fan of the Blackthorn bromance. I just love how their personalities couldn't be more different, but they still manage to mix well. Sure, their bromance wasn't purely evident at first, but I'm glad we get to witness it.
I won't go and spoil all the good stuff, but I just love how we get to see each character's relationship with another. My favorite would have to be Bee's relationship with the three brothers, especially because we get to see how perspectives change and how old (and even new) wounds are put to healing. Personally, it was very painful to read Bee's moments with her father, and even her mother, but at the same time, it just helps in proving that mental health is a real thing and should never be overlooked.
Although I love this book, I had an issue with Mr. Blackthorn. He seemed like a very complex character, and I just wished I discovered all of those layers to better understand why he comes out as a certain way but acts differently. Also, I wish to get to know Mark better, as to why .
Apart from these issues, I still loved this book. Also, I think I smell a separate story for Burn and Kristin...hmmm...WELL I HOPE SO!
4.5 stars!
...and certainly not sinfully handsome Wolf Blackthorn, who hands out 'red cards' to students who displease him, and expels the ones who keep doing it.
Okay guys, please tell me I'm not the only one who thought of Dao Ming Si from Meteor Garden?? If you guys share the same sentiments with me and is familiar with this Taiwanese drama, well then, let's bond over books and amazing Asian dramas, soul sister!
So I'm not sure if our lovely author here got inspired by the said Taiwanese drama, but nonetheless, Burn Before Reading was still definitely a laugh-out-loud and very "Sara Wolf-ish" book if you ask me!
In a typical Sara Wolf fashion, Bee, our female MC, feels like she's cut out from the same cloth as our Isis firecracker, who we've all grown to love on Love Me Never. I love how Beatrix, much like all of Sara Wolf's heroines, is tough as nails and stands up for what she believes in. Beatrix, or Bee as everyone calls her, is probably the most selfless person, especially when it comes to her father who suffers severe depression. She basically mapped out her life in a direction that was all for the wellbeing of her father, even sacrificing all her personal interests. If that doesn't scream selfless daughter, I don't know what will.
"I think that’s what hope is – not a fancy light, or a bright, positive feeling like they make it out to be in the Disney movies. It’s not some noble trait only heroes and Good People™ have. I think it’s just moving forward when all hope is lost. Hope isn’t some grand and mysterious motivation like love; it’s just never giving up in the face of hopelessness. When everything is lost, when you can’t physically go on one step further, but you choose to keep moving forward anyway? That’s hope. Hope isn’t a thing. It’s something you do when you can’t do anything else.
So I’ll keep on hoping."
Entering Lakecrest with a scholarship and a grab-the-bull-by-the-horns kind of attitude, Bee was bound to clash with the school's loved notorious Blackthorn brothers. There's 1) Burn; mega-tall and stoic, 2) Fitz; charming to the nth degree and master hacker, and of course 3) Wolfgang; drop-dead gorgeous and gets on Bee's nerves.
Of course, to spice up the story with a little love-hate relationship, we witness the endless clashing of Wolf and Bee. But come on, we all know what happens when you "hate" someone a little too much.
His hand started to close, and I darted out and met his palm with mine. Wolf’s face looked shocked, completely thrown off.
“Just one last time,” I repeated, hard, like it would make it real and final. He grinned.
“One last time.”
The sun said its final goodbye and the moon said its first hello. Wolf curled his fingers, hesitantly, slowly, between mine, the two of us fitting together like the pieces of a puzzle. It was cliché. It wasn’t right for enemies to do this. There was a hundred things wrong with it, and yet it felt absolutely perfect.
Being me, I'm all for the whole love-hate trope! I mean, who can resist a good friction between two characters, and ends up creating something much more different than what was intended?
“This time I’m the one who gets to ask if it’s alright to touch you,” He says, voice rumbling in my chest.
I can’t help my laugh. It bubbles up from me fast and true and bright. I lean up, his mouth tantalizingly close, our fingers and breaths intertwining.
“It’s more than alright.”
And obviously, I'm a fan of the Blackthorn bromance. I just love how their personalities couldn't be more different, but they still manage to mix well. Sure, their bromance wasn't purely evident at first, but I'm glad we get to witness it.
I won't go and spoil all the good stuff, but I just love how we get to see each character's relationship with another. My favorite would have to be Bee's relationship with the three brothers, especially because we get to see how perspectives change and how old (and even new) wounds are put to healing. Personally, it was very painful to read Bee's moments with her father, and even her mother, but at the same time, it just helps in proving that mental health is a real thing and should never be overlooked.
"He taught me it’s alright to burn. He taught me that fire doesn’t only destroy – it reveals the new, tiny sprouts lying in wait to grow; sprouts you would’ve ignored, sprouts that would’ve died otherwise."
Although I love this book, I had an issue with Mr. Blackthorn. He seemed like a very complex character, and I just wished I discovered all of those layers to better understand why he comes out as a certain way but acts differently. Also, I wish to get to know Mark better, as to why .
Apart from these issues, I still loved this book. Also, I think I smell a separate story for Burn and Kristin...hmmm...WELL I HOPE SO!
4.5 stars!
May 19, 2018
Una muy agradable sorpresa.
La historia es muy simple y predecible, pero me gusto mucho como manejaron el tema de la depresión, traumas post-traumaticos, adicciones , etc.
La historia es muy simple y predecible, pero me gusto mucho como manejaron el tema de la depresión, traumas post-traumaticos, adicciones , etc.
April 8, 2018
¡Qué cosa más bonita de libro!
Me gustó demasiado. El hecho de que el amor no fuera la parte central de la historia... ¡me encantó!
Fitz es un amor. Burn lo amé. Y Wolf... bueno... ¡es mío!
Y Bee es sumamente divertida, elocuente y loca.
Tiene todo este libro; desde risas, ataques... hasta el corazón arrugadito.
¡100% recomendado!
Me gustó demasiado. El hecho de que el amor no fuera la parte central de la historia... ¡me encantó!
Fitz es un amor. Burn lo amé. Y Wolf... bueno... ¡es mío!
Y Bee es sumamente divertida, elocuente y loca.
Tiene todo este libro; desde risas, ataques... hasta el corazón arrugadito.
¡100% recomendado!
May 21, 2017
What the HELL happened?
Cause I don't know. I really don't.
I thought this was gonna be funny. I thought this was gonna be sexy. I also thought I would fall in love with not only the hero but mostly the heroine, because that is what happened when I read 'Lovely Vicious'.
But noooo.
Let me introduce you to Hana Yori Dango. Except with ridiculous characters, whiny heroines and no kissing.
This could've been SO GOOD. Except the author decided to make the characters one dimensional and they are all very speshul yet they're all so tragic and shit. Ugh. If you can't tell I'm rolling my eyes.
Fuck My LIfe.
Cause I don't know. I really don't.
I thought this was gonna be funny. I thought this was gonna be sexy. I also thought I would fall in love with not only the hero but mostly the heroine, because that is what happened when I read 'Lovely Vicious'.
But noooo.
Let me introduce you to Hana Yori Dango. Except with ridiculous characters, whiny heroines and no kissing.
This could've been SO GOOD. Except the author decided to make the characters one dimensional and they are all very speshul yet they're all so tragic and shit. Ugh. If you can't tell I'm rolling my eyes.
Fuck My LIfe.
May 19, 2018
3.25 estrellas
.... no sé fue algo extraño el protagonista.... eso que le gustaran tanto los chicos como las chicas no me cuadró mucho, es como si no estuviera definido.
Y el enamoramiento de Wolf fue muy poco creíble.... creo que por lo mismo de arriba. Además hubieron cosas que no se terminaron de explicar. Lo de su padre no lo entendí mucho y no dieron mayor explicación de eso.
Y creo que para el final le faltó un poquito más....
Eso fue lo que no me gustó.
Pero a la vez me pareció entretenido y tuvo sus momentos buenos. De los personajes Beatrix fue la mejor, me gustó como trataba de afrontar sus problemas aunque no siempre fuera la mejor manera. El como intentaba ayudar a su padre me pareció muy enternecedor.
Fue una lectura agradable y fácil de leer. Narrada desde el POV de los protas.
Frase que me gustó:
"La esperanza no es una misteriosa y espectacular motivación como el amor; es solo nunca darte por vencido cuando te sientes desamparado. Cuando todo esté perdido, cuando no puedes físicamente seguir adelante, pero eliges seguir delante de todos modos, eso es la esperanza. La esperanza no es una cosa. Es algo que haces cuando no puedes hacer nada más."
SINOPSIS
Una chica conoce un lobo.
El lobo conoce a su igual.
Beatrix Cruz, Bee abreviado, tiene exactamente un objetivo: darle una patada en el culo a la depresión de su padre. Tiene un plan a prueba de errores:
1. Conseguir entrar a la escuela de élite Preparatoria Lakecrest con una beca.
2. Estudiar como loca.
3. Graduarse en NYU y convertirse en psicóloga.
Nada puede interponerse en su camino, ni siquiera los famosos y ricos hermanos Blackthorn de Lakecrest. No Fitz Blackthorn, con su flirteo y sus habilidades de élite para hackear, tampoco Burn Blackthorn con su altura intimidante y rostro sin emociones, y ciertamente tampoco el pecaminosamente apuesto Wolf Blackthorn, que entrega “tarjetas rojas” a los estudiantes que le desagraden, y expulsa a los que siguen haciéndolo.
Pero cuando Bee se alza en defensa de un estudiante, enfada a Wolf, y de repente este está impaciente por quitarle la beca. Para mantenerla, Bee hace un trato con el diablo, el mismísimo padre Blackthorn; espiar a los hijos del señor Blackthorn, hacerse amiga de ellos, y descubrir sus secretos a cambio de quedarse en Lakecrest.
Se supone que traicionar la confianza de los hermanos Blackthorn va a ser fácil.
Hacerse amiga de los chicos Blackthorn hace que sea difícil.
Y enamorarse de Wolf hace que sea imposible.
.... no sé fue algo extraño el protagonista.... eso que le gustaran tanto los chicos como las chicas no me cuadró mucho, es como si no estuviera definido.
Y el enamoramiento de Wolf fue muy poco creíble.... creo que por lo mismo de arriba. Además hubieron cosas que no se terminaron de explicar. Lo de su padre no lo entendí mucho y no dieron mayor explicación de eso.
Y creo que para el final le faltó un poquito más....
Eso fue lo que no me gustó.
Pero a la vez me pareció entretenido y tuvo sus momentos buenos. De los personajes Beatrix fue la mejor, me gustó como trataba de afrontar sus problemas aunque no siempre fuera la mejor manera. El como intentaba ayudar a su padre me pareció muy enternecedor.
Fue una lectura agradable y fácil de leer. Narrada desde el POV de los protas.
Frase que me gustó:
"La esperanza no es una misteriosa y espectacular motivación como el amor; es solo nunca darte por vencido cuando te sientes desamparado. Cuando todo esté perdido, cuando no puedes físicamente seguir adelante, pero eliges seguir delante de todos modos, eso es la esperanza. La esperanza no es una cosa. Es algo que haces cuando no puedes hacer nada más."
April 9, 2019
http://www.my-bo0ks.com/2019/04/la-vi...
Après avoir dévoré la trilogie Je te hais... et lu Les leçons d'amour d'Alice Wells, j'avais vraiment hâte de découvrir La vie secrète de Bee. Il faut dire que chaque roman de Sara Wolf est l'assurance de passer un bon moment. J'espérais, tout au fond de moi, ressentir les émotions aussi fortes que pour Je te hais... passionnément sans vraiment y arriver. Il faut dire que ses autres romans étaient très bons, même excellents, mais n'avaient pas atteint le niveau d'excellence du premier (ce qui m'arrive 90% du temps avec tous les romans). Je suis d'une exigence hors-normes lorsque j'ai un coup de coeur avec le premier roman d'un auteur.
Bref, vous l'aurez compris, j'étais sûre de passer un excellent moment de lecture mais ne me faisait pas trop d'espoir pour le coup de coeur puisque jusqu'à hier, je n'en avais eu qu'un seul en 2019. Comme quoi, parfois la surprise est tellement grande qu'elle vous chamboule totalement.
Avant d'entrer dans le vif du sujet, l'histoire de La vie secrète de Bee est plus profonde qu'on ne pourrait le penser mais voici ce que vous devez savoir. Nous suivons Bee, une jeune fille qui a mis de côté ses rêves pour devenir psy et aider son père, dépressif. Boursière dans un lycée prestigieux, elle ne pense qu'à ses études et ses notes. Pourtant, quand elle va prendre la défense d'un élève qui a reçu un carton rouge des frères Blackthorn c'est tout son monde qui va basculer. Elle va devoir mettre de côté ses préjugés et espionner ceux dont tout le monde a peur pour garder sa bourse...
Si vous me suivez sur les réseaux sociaux, vous savez déjà que La vie secrète de Bee m'a procuré les émotions tant recherchées. J'ai arrêté de compter le nombre de fois où les larmes ont brouillé ma vue. J'avais l'impression que mon coeur de guimauve ne tiendrait pas jusqu'au bout de ma lecture. Les larmes me venaient toutes les deux pages et je savais, dès le début que les vannes finiraient par lâcher, ce qui est arrivé.
A dire vrai, j'ai senti dès les premières pages que La vie secrète de Bee serait similaire à Je te hais... passionnément. Pas dans le sens, copier/coller, mais plutôt dans le ressenti, l'attachement aux personnages. Ici, j'ai retrouvé ce qui m'avait tant plu dans le premier roman de Sara Wolf que j'avais lu. L’additivité et l'excitation de savoir que cette lecture serait merveilleuse. Il y a des choses comme ça qui se sentent, c'est plus fort que nous.
Bee, ou Beatrix, est une héroïne comme je les aime. Timide, certes, mais intelligente et courageuse. Elle se démène pour sa famille et être la plus facile à vivre possible. Elle n'hésite pas à prendre la défense des autres quand elle le juge nécessaire et surtout, elle sait ouvrir sa grande bouche pour remettre à sa place son Altesse. Ce que j'ai aussi apprécié c'est le fait qu'elle sait se remettre en cause et avouer ses tords.
De l'autre côté, nous avons les trois frères Blackthorn. Burn, l’aîné, que tout semble laisser de marbre, Fitz le plus jeune, hacker de génie et enfin Wolf , le "méchant". Je ne m'attendais pas à cela mais, je me suis attachée à ses trois garçons avec énormément de facilité. Si au début ils ont le mauvais rôle et effraient tout le monde, on découvre au fil des pages que les apparences sont trompeuses. J'ai apprécié chacun d'entre eux avec leurs forces mais aussi leurs faiblesses. Wolf, s'est bien sûr démarqué de ses frères. Et je dois dire que j'ai bien craqué pour lui. Derrière cette carapace de méchant, intouchable se cache bien plus que ça. Son histoire personnelle m'a ému et énormément touchée.
La vie secrète de Bee est difficile à chroniquer dans le sens où dire se qui m'a tant plu serait révéler les éléments cruciaux de l'histoire, ce que je ne ferais pas. En revanche, ce que je peux vous dire c'est que si vous aimez les romances contemporaines qui abordent des sujets difficiles tels que la maladie, le deuil, la violence ou encore les problèmes familiaux, La vie secrète de Bee est pour vous.
Sara Wolf a réussi à me surprendre quand je m'y attendais le moins. Elle a réussi à me faire sourire, aux blagues débiles de nos personnages, espérer tout au long de ma lecture, craindre que le pire était à venir, pleurer à de multiples reprises mais surtout, m'émouvoir comme jamais.
J'en étais venue à me dire que plus jamais je ne ressentirais autant d'émotions dans une lecture puisque mes coups de cœur sont de plus en plus rares pour moi et qu'il serait difficile de me marquer. Mais avec La vie secrète de Bee c'est toutes mes certitudes qui ont volé en éclats. Bee et Wolf sont touchants, sincères et tellement complémentaires que j'aurais voulu que l'histoire dure toujours.
En conclusion, si vous connaissez déjà l'auteure, foncez, La vie secrète de Bee est une véritable pépite et ne vous laissera pas indemne. Et si vous ne connaissez pas encore Sara Wolf , alors foncez aussi parc que ce roman mérite d'être lu !
Après avoir dévoré la trilogie Je te hais... et lu Les leçons d'amour d'Alice Wells, j'avais vraiment hâte de découvrir La vie secrète de Bee. Il faut dire que chaque roman de Sara Wolf est l'assurance de passer un bon moment. J'espérais, tout au fond de moi, ressentir les émotions aussi fortes que pour Je te hais... passionnément sans vraiment y arriver. Il faut dire que ses autres romans étaient très bons, même excellents, mais n'avaient pas atteint le niveau d'excellence du premier (ce qui m'arrive 90% du temps avec tous les romans). Je suis d'une exigence hors-normes lorsque j'ai un coup de coeur avec le premier roman d'un auteur.
Bref, vous l'aurez compris, j'étais sûre de passer un excellent moment de lecture mais ne me faisait pas trop d'espoir pour le coup de coeur puisque jusqu'à hier, je n'en avais eu qu'un seul en 2019. Comme quoi, parfois la surprise est tellement grande qu'elle vous chamboule totalement.
Avant d'entrer dans le vif du sujet, l'histoire de La vie secrète de Bee est plus profonde qu'on ne pourrait le penser mais voici ce que vous devez savoir. Nous suivons Bee, une jeune fille qui a mis de côté ses rêves pour devenir psy et aider son père, dépressif. Boursière dans un lycée prestigieux, elle ne pense qu'à ses études et ses notes. Pourtant, quand elle va prendre la défense d'un élève qui a reçu un carton rouge des frères Blackthorn c'est tout son monde qui va basculer. Elle va devoir mettre de côté ses préjugés et espionner ceux dont tout le monde a peur pour garder sa bourse...
Si vous me suivez sur les réseaux sociaux, vous savez déjà que La vie secrète de Bee m'a procuré les émotions tant recherchées. J'ai arrêté de compter le nombre de fois où les larmes ont brouillé ma vue. J'avais l'impression que mon coeur de guimauve ne tiendrait pas jusqu'au bout de ma lecture. Les larmes me venaient toutes les deux pages et je savais, dès le début que les vannes finiraient par lâcher, ce qui est arrivé.
A dire vrai, j'ai senti dès les premières pages que La vie secrète de Bee serait similaire à Je te hais... passionnément. Pas dans le sens, copier/coller, mais plutôt dans le ressenti, l'attachement aux personnages. Ici, j'ai retrouvé ce qui m'avait tant plu dans le premier roman de Sara Wolf que j'avais lu. L’additivité et l'excitation de savoir que cette lecture serait merveilleuse. Il y a des choses comme ça qui se sentent, c'est plus fort que nous.
Bee, ou Beatrix, est une héroïne comme je les aime. Timide, certes, mais intelligente et courageuse. Elle se démène pour sa famille et être la plus facile à vivre possible. Elle n'hésite pas à prendre la défense des autres quand elle le juge nécessaire et surtout, elle sait ouvrir sa grande bouche pour remettre à sa place son Altesse. Ce que j'ai aussi apprécié c'est le fait qu'elle sait se remettre en cause et avouer ses tords.
De l'autre côté, nous avons les trois frères Blackthorn. Burn, l’aîné, que tout semble laisser de marbre, Fitz le plus jeune, hacker de génie et enfin Wolf , le "méchant". Je ne m'attendais pas à cela mais, je me suis attachée à ses trois garçons avec énormément de facilité. Si au début ils ont le mauvais rôle et effraient tout le monde, on découvre au fil des pages que les apparences sont trompeuses. J'ai apprécié chacun d'entre eux avec leurs forces mais aussi leurs faiblesses. Wolf, s'est bien sûr démarqué de ses frères. Et je dois dire que j'ai bien craqué pour lui. Derrière cette carapace de méchant, intouchable se cache bien plus que ça. Son histoire personnelle m'a ému et énormément touchée.
La vie secrète de Bee est difficile à chroniquer dans le sens où dire se qui m'a tant plu serait révéler les éléments cruciaux de l'histoire, ce que je ne ferais pas. En revanche, ce que je peux vous dire c'est que si vous aimez les romances contemporaines qui abordent des sujets difficiles tels que la maladie, le deuil, la violence ou encore les problèmes familiaux, La vie secrète de Bee est pour vous.
Sara Wolf a réussi à me surprendre quand je m'y attendais le moins. Elle a réussi à me faire sourire, aux blagues débiles de nos personnages, espérer tout au long de ma lecture, craindre que le pire était à venir, pleurer à de multiples reprises mais surtout, m'émouvoir comme jamais.
J'en étais venue à me dire que plus jamais je ne ressentirais autant d'émotions dans une lecture puisque mes coups de cœur sont de plus en plus rares pour moi et qu'il serait difficile de me marquer. Mais avec La vie secrète de Bee c'est toutes mes certitudes qui ont volé en éclats. Bee et Wolf sont touchants, sincères et tellement complémentaires que j'aurais voulu que l'histoire dure toujours.
En conclusion, si vous connaissez déjà l'auteure, foncez, La vie secrète de Bee est une véritable pépite et ne vous laissera pas indemne. Et si vous ne connaissez pas encore Sara Wolf , alors foncez aussi parc que ce roman mérite d'être lu !
May 18, 2017
I received a free copy for an honest review.
It's more precisely 2 and a half stars.
I am so disappointed. I had such high hopes for this book! This book has one of my absolute favorite hate-love relationship scenarios. Popular boy v.s Normal girl, and school hierarchy. However, the author just sort of...fail to bring the story to its full potential. The first thing I notice that I HATE about the main protagonist, Beatrix is first off - for a girl who is supposedly a strong, independent girl who wants to get a degree in psychology she is surprisingly stupid, illogical and...annoying. Even without the perspectives of Wolf from the book, it would've taken me less than a quarter to figure out that he's actually kicking out and bullying the bullies, and not actually doing anything bad. And let's start off to the second point by saying: there's a thin line between bravery and stupidity. And I think our 'brave', 'courageous', and 'strong' protagonist not stepped, but wayyyy jumped over the line. The author is trying to make her like all the positive stuff I said, but instead she made her absolute and utterly, UNBEARABLELY annoying. Half the book I'm just rolling my eyes and banging my head on the table. And the other half of the time I'm trying to reach my hand into the book and strangle her. It was actually Physically painful to get through the book.
The writing was mediocre at best (maybe slightly better), personally I think Sara Wolf did a better job with her other series. But I think the horribleness of the main character actually made her writing seem bad.
And also, personally, I've never been a big fan of books with inappropriate context. Just Saying.
It's more precisely 2 and a half stars.
I am so disappointed. I had such high hopes for this book! This book has one of my absolute favorite hate-love relationship scenarios. Popular boy v.s Normal girl, and school hierarchy. However, the author just sort of...fail to bring the story to its full potential. The first thing I notice that I HATE about the main protagonist, Beatrix is first off - for a girl who is supposedly a strong, independent girl who wants to get a degree in psychology she is surprisingly stupid, illogical and...annoying. Even without the perspectives of Wolf from the book, it would've taken me less than a quarter to figure out that he's actually kicking out and bullying the bullies, and not actually doing anything bad. And let's start off to the second point by saying: there's a thin line between bravery and stupidity. And I think our 'brave', 'courageous', and 'strong' protagonist not stepped, but wayyyy jumped over the line. The author is trying to make her like all the positive stuff I said, but instead she made her absolute and utterly, UNBEARABLELY annoying. Half the book I'm just rolling my eyes and banging my head on the table. And the other half of the time I'm trying to reach my hand into the book and strangle her. It was actually Physically painful to get through the book.
The writing was mediocre at best (maybe slightly better), personally I think Sara Wolf did a better job with her other series. But I think the horribleness of the main character actually made her writing seem bad.
And also, personally, I've never been a big fan of books with inappropriate context. Just Saying.
June 27, 2017
Burn Before Reading
I liked Beatrix. The book's ending felt a little bit rushed considering all the subplots going on and I still don't know how they tied up because it was never written. Wolf is still a confusing person for me to truly love. I still don't know the essence of him as much as I do Fitz and Burn.
I'm glad Beatrix's dad decided to leave because depression is something that affects everybody and he saw it so that means he wants to get better if possible. I think the writing of this book should have either tied things up a little bit better or segued into a book 2. I don't think I would have purchased this book had I known how the ending was going to be. It's a decent read but it's very convoluted at the same time. Bisexuality and domestic violence was skimmed across by the author. Either one of those subjects is a heavy topic to address. The author did not. Don't buy it unless you want to feel let down at the end. Happy reading!
I liked Beatrix. The book's ending felt a little bit rushed considering all the subplots going on and I still don't know how they tied up because it was never written. Wolf is still a confusing person for me to truly love. I still don't know the essence of him as much as I do Fitz and Burn.
I'm glad Beatrix's dad decided to leave because depression is something that affects everybody and he saw it so that means he wants to get better if possible. I think the writing of this book should have either tied things up a little bit better or segued into a book 2. I don't think I would have purchased this book had I known how the ending was going to be. It's a decent read but it's very convoluted at the same time. Bisexuality and domestic violence was skimmed across by the author. Either one of those subjects is a heavy topic to address. The author did not. Don't buy it unless you want to feel let down at the end. Happy reading!
April 26, 2017
First and foremost I have to say I loved reading this book, But is a Sara wolf book. I love her books so me loving this book is not a rare thing. Her writing style is just amazing. This book was just up my alley.
I have to start by saying that this reminded me of a Japanese manga and its drama adaptation Hana Yori Dango. The whole boys rule the school, they are handsome and most admired and feared guys in school. If you get in their bad side you gets a card in your locker. They will make your life living hell, and people won't step in to help you because they fear what they guys would do to them. But than one day this scholarship girl comes in and challenges the lead guy and boom he falls for her hahah
This book is different in many ways Wolf did things because at the end of the day he wanted to do good. Wolf background story was so sad and depressing. His brothers story too. Burn and Fitz were amazing I seriously I loved them, even more than Wolf.
Our lead girl Beatriz,Bee for short was a great lead girl but did somethings that weren't acceptable. She was blinded by the necessity to help her dad. I'm glad she was help by certain events to see you don't have to lose yourself to help your love ones.
I don't know if I am going to be the only one to say and think this but I shipped Burn more with Bee. I love to read about leads who fall in love and they are so different. Burn was older and quieter which I loved , bee was a chatterbox and will speaker her mind when she need it too. Both were like day and night and I loved their scenes together.
I love the build up towards Bee and Wolfs romance. The excitement of him not being to touch but when he did, I got chills all over my body.
The reason I didn't give this five stars was that the finale felt to rushed. I don't know if this means we are getting more of our boys on future books. But if this is the case I can't wait to read about my one true love Burn hahah please pair him with a shy girl who turns out to be this sassy chatterbox when you really meet her. Someone that will suprise my baby burn.
"I received a ARC from the author in exchange of a fair honest review"
I have to start by saying that this reminded me of a Japanese manga and its drama adaptation Hana Yori Dango. The whole boys rule the school, they are handsome and most admired and feared guys in school. If you get in their bad side you gets a card in your locker. They will make your life living hell, and people won't step in to help you because they fear what they guys would do to them. But than one day this scholarship girl comes in and challenges the lead guy and boom he falls for her hahah
This book is different in many ways Wolf did things because at the end of the day he wanted to do good. Wolf background story was so sad and depressing. His brothers story too. Burn and Fitz were amazing I seriously I loved them, even more than Wolf.
Our lead girl Beatriz,Bee for short was a great lead girl but did somethings that weren't acceptable. She was blinded by the necessity to help her dad. I'm glad she was help by certain events to see you don't have to lose yourself to help your love ones.
I don't know if I am going to be the only one to say and think this but I shipped Burn more with Bee. I love to read about leads who fall in love and they are so different. Burn was older and quieter which I loved , bee was a chatterbox and will speaker her mind when she need it too. Both were like day and night and I loved their scenes together.
I love the build up towards Bee and Wolfs romance. The excitement of him not being to touch but when he did, I got chills all over my body.
The reason I didn't give this five stars was that the finale felt to rushed. I don't know if this means we are getting more of our boys on future books. But if this is the case I can't wait to read about my one true love Burn hahah please pair him with a shy girl who turns out to be this sassy chatterbox when you really meet her. Someone that will suprise my baby burn.
"I received a ARC from the author in exchange of a fair honest review"
October 8, 2018
Me encaaaaaaantó!!!!!!!! Amo a los hermanos Blackthron
July 29, 2019
Always a fun reading when I read a Sara Wolf's book.
May 17, 2017
When it comes to books featuring multiple characters, it's easy to pick favorites. There are always ones you love more than others. The ones you connect with tend to stand out, while others fade into the background. In this case, I absolutely loved Beatrix/Bee. I mean she's uber focused on her goals and finds herself standing up for those who seem to be cowed and terrified of the Blackthorn brothers. I, like her, wasn't very impressed with them in the beginning. However it didn't take very long for me and Bee to realize there was more than met the eye when it came to them. The Blackthorn brothers are complex. They're handling things in their own ways, separately yet still somewhat together. While I learned about Wolf, Burn, and Fitz and what made them who they are, I couldn't help but fall in love with them, and I think Bee did too.
Bee not only had chemistry with Wolf, but also with Fitz an Burn. It was easier for her to form a bond with Fitz and Burn, but watching Wolf and Bee try and figure out what it was about the other that drew them was entertaining and fraught with tension. I mean the pull between them was almost palpable. And I loved being in Wolf's head. I really feel like that made the story all the more powerful and special.
I devoured this book in a couple of hours and want more! I would to love to read more about Burn and Fitz Blackthorn, and especially more Bee and Wolf! However, I find this typical of all the Sara Wolf books I read. She has this way of writing characters that are complex and flawed, yet so likable and easy to relate to. I haven't read many books still set in high school lately, but there is something in this book that transcends the ages of the characters. I know in today's current environment there will even be some middle-schoolers who can relate, but as an adult, this book had a lot of themes that resonated with me.
Besides the themes this book deals with, I loved how caught up in it I got. The book pulled me in from the very first page and I didn't put it down until I was done. And how I was not only eager to read every word, but how I was on the edge of my seat with my heart pounding for a lot of the book. I can't really describe how much of an experience reading Burn Before Reading was. There is going to be nothing like picking up this book and reading it for yourself.
I do want to give Sara Wolf kudos. She wrote this amazing story with elements that will touch everyone. And I hope you have the same wonderful reading experience with laughter, tears, and heart pounding adrenaline I did. I really do need more. I need to know how the Blackthorn brothers handle the changes Bee (Beatrix) brings into their lives. I need to know how Bee handles being herself and not so-giving of herself and if things at home change. I need to know what if anything happens between Keri and Fitz and Burn and Kristin. While I loved this book, I am hoping the sort of open-ish ending leaves room for all of the burning questions I have to be answered. Regardless of what Sara Wolf writes next, I know I'll be reading it. She doesn't just write stories, she writes unforgettable experiences.
Bee not only had chemistry with Wolf, but also with Fitz an Burn. It was easier for her to form a bond with Fitz and Burn, but watching Wolf and Bee try and figure out what it was about the other that drew them was entertaining and fraught with tension. I mean the pull between them was almost palpable. And I loved being in Wolf's head. I really feel like that made the story all the more powerful and special.
I devoured this book in a couple of hours and want more! I would to love to read more about Burn and Fitz Blackthorn, and especially more Bee and Wolf! However, I find this typical of all the Sara Wolf books I read. She has this way of writing characters that are complex and flawed, yet so likable and easy to relate to. I haven't read many books still set in high school lately, but there is something in this book that transcends the ages of the characters. I know in today's current environment there will even be some middle-schoolers who can relate, but as an adult, this book had a lot of themes that resonated with me.
Besides the themes this book deals with, I loved how caught up in it I got. The book pulled me in from the very first page and I didn't put it down until I was done. And how I was not only eager to read every word, but how I was on the edge of my seat with my heart pounding for a lot of the book. I can't really describe how much of an experience reading Burn Before Reading was. There is going to be nothing like picking up this book and reading it for yourself.
I do want to give Sara Wolf kudos. She wrote this amazing story with elements that will touch everyone. And I hope you have the same wonderful reading experience with laughter, tears, and heart pounding adrenaline I did. I really do need more. I need to know how the Blackthorn brothers handle the changes Bee (Beatrix) brings into their lives. I need to know how Bee handles being herself and not so-giving of herself and if things at home change. I need to know what if anything happens between Keri and Fitz and Burn and Kristin. While I loved this book, I am hoping the sort of open-ish ending leaves room for all of the burning questions I have to be answered. Regardless of what Sara Wolf writes next, I know I'll be reading it. She doesn't just write stories, she writes unforgettable experiences.
November 7, 2020
"But what if that’s not enough?" Wolf pressed. "What if your best isn't enough to save them? Then what? What if you try desperately, every day, to give them a reason to stay alive, even if it means you cut off parts of yourself like a sacrificial offering?"
Burn Before Reading by Sara Wolf was a fantastic read that I enjoyed late at night for a simple relaxing read to get my mind off of the day to day routines.
Our main character Beatrix "Bee" Cruz attends a pretentious private school through a scholarship in order for her to get into a good university and then get a good job all to aid in her father's illness. She's feisty, independent, and hardworking and when the time is needed, speaks her mind and does it well.
When she meets the scary Blackburn brothers, Burn, Fitz, and Wolf, the tough rulers of Lakecrest Preparatory High School, she goes against what everyone says to not do and talks back at them.
Bee is headstrong and throughout the whole book she evaluates her actions and questions her beliefs. When she is forced into a deal to keep her scholarship, you can see that her wheels continuously turn when she fights for her friendship with the Blackburn brothers further along the story.
I felt that this book was like a Wattpad story. I found this slow to read and the plot, while good, was just very familiar to me and rather... Predictable. The plot didn't have as much twists that I was hoping for even if this was a romance I didn't find very well developed. Perhaps it was the familiarity I found while reading this.
I think that this book had some depth to it that I found was just not suited for me while reading it. However, if you did enjoy it that is great. I do think that this was a good read but not my type.
In the end, however, I actually ended up coming to really enjoy reading this book. The character development was there and I think the way the Blackburn brothers came to terms their hardships and conflicts with themselves was very important to read. Even Bee’s conflict of her scholarship and lying and being tough on herself was such an important role.
I quite enjoyed reading this book and loved every second of it. It wasn’t romance heavy but there was some parts with Wolf and Bee that was fantastic and the way they grew with each other was amazing. Each and every character was well developed and thought out and I really enjoyed this.
Burn Before Reading by Sara Wolf is a fantastic read and I would recommend it to anyone considering reading this.
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March 16, 2020
Esta es una historia de una chica que trata de hacer lo correcto por las razones incorrectas, está orientando su vida y su futuro hacia lo que cree que podrá ayudar a su padre y salvar a su familia y no hacia dónde realmente quiere estar. Esto la lleva a tomar decisiones incluso aún más incorrectas.
Es una historia interesante que te atrapa desde el principio. La disfrute demasiado.
Es una historia interesante que te atrapa desde el principio. La disfrute demasiado.
November 11, 2017
god sara wolf makes me love every fucking character she writes and feel as much pain as they do i fucking hate her
June 4, 2017
★3 Stars★
This book mostly caught my eye because of the funky cover and the title (which reminded me of the similarly titled film Burn After Reading). I was also drawn to it because it sounded like a mix of several other high school books I have read, which for the most part it was, but there were definitely things that made this book unique.
Thumbs UP
I expected this story to be very YA, and though it was more YA than anything else, there were some serious themes in this story I didn't expect. Bisexuality and homophobia were also featured in the story, which I don't recall coming across in similar stories before. Also, blackmail, drugs, drinking, date rape, and an entire school of snobby bullies. This book was not short on drama.
I liked the relationships that grew between Bea and each of the brothers. Well... 'relationship' may be a stretch when it comes to Bea and one particular brother, but there was something else growing between them entirely (I'll bet you can't guess what?!)
I really liked each of the brothers. They were all very different from one another and each were dealing with their individual issues, but together they were a unit. They had each others backs and they knew each other inside out, but their relationship felt more real than many others I have read about. These were guys who needed their space and weren't immune to fighting, but cared for each other in their own ways.
Thumbs DOWN
I thought the 'red slip' thing was all a bit ridiculous and laughable.
The guys father blackmailing Bea was also ridiculous to me. Just... everything about it. But it also made the story predictable, because it was obvious what the fallout from that was going to be!
I am not homophobic - AT ALL - but I was definitely taken aback by Wolf's bisexuality. For me it took away some of his appeal.
Final Thoughts
This wasn't a story I would go back and re-read, but I am happy I gave it a chance. It was an entertaining read, I just didn't love it.
This book mostly caught my eye because of the funky cover and the title (which reminded me of the similarly titled film Burn After Reading). I was also drawn to it because it sounded like a mix of several other high school books I have read, which for the most part it was, but there were definitely things that made this book unique.
Thumbs UP
I expected this story to be very YA, and though it was more YA than anything else, there were some serious themes in this story I didn't expect. Bisexuality and homophobia were also featured in the story, which I don't recall coming across in similar stories before. Also, blackmail, drugs, drinking, date rape, and an entire school of snobby bullies. This book was not short on drama.
I liked the relationships that grew between Bea and each of the brothers. Well... 'relationship' may be a stretch when it comes to Bea and one particular brother, but there was something else growing between them entirely (I'll bet you can't guess what?!)
I really liked each of the brothers. They were all very different from one another and each were dealing with their individual issues, but together they were a unit. They had each others backs and they knew each other inside out, but their relationship felt more real than many others I have read about. These were guys who needed their space and weren't immune to fighting, but cared for each other in their own ways.
Thumbs DOWN
I thought the 'red slip' thing was all a bit ridiculous and laughable.
The guys father blackmailing Bea was also ridiculous to me. Just... everything about it. But it also made the story predictable, because it was obvious what the fallout from that was going to be!
I am not homophobic - AT ALL - but I was definitely taken aback by Wolf's bisexuality. For me it took away some of his appeal.
Final Thoughts
This wasn't a story I would go back and re-read, but I am happy I gave it a chance. It was an entertaining read, I just didn't love it.
May 31, 2017
Originally posted at Booklovers For Life
I loved Sara Wolf’s Lovely Vicious series, so when I heard she was releasing a new book, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. Her writing is meaningful yet infused with so much humor – I don’t know how she does it, but I hope she never stops writing! Her books always make my heart ache while laughing my butt off at the same time. Burn Before Reading was no different – it’s an excellent enemies-to-lovers romance. It’s more YA than NA, which isn’t something that I generally read anymore, but I adored it all the same.
Beatrix “Bee” Cruz is set in her goal of graduating from the elite Lakecrest so she can go to NYU and become a psychologist, one that can help with her father’s depression. Her scholarship to Lakecrest means everything, and she’s not going to let anything jeopardize it – especially not the Blackthorn boys, who rule the school. The oldest, Burn, is big and intimidating; the youngest, Fitz, is charming and sly; and the middle one, the one that gives her the biggest trouble and makes her feel things she has no business feeling, is Wolf. With his father on the school board, Wolf can have him revoke Bee’s scholarship in a snap. But Bee protects herself by making a deal with their father to spy on the boys for him.
What starts off as playing pretend for Bee turns into so much more as she delves deeper into the Blackthorn boys’ lives – and she finds out that despite their being rich, they have just as many problems as she does. They’re human, just like her, and they grow to be people she cares about deeply. But what happens when they find out that she’s been spying on them since the beginning?
I adored Bee so hard. I love feisty heroines, and Bee was that in spades. She’s lovable and flawed – she does the right things for the wrong reasons. She makes snappy judgments about the Blackthorn boys, especially about Wolf, but they end up teaching her so much about life and love. She is HILARIOUS – I don’t think Sara Wolf can write a heroine who isn’t funny. Bee and Wolf were great together too – I loved the fiery tension between them, though it was a little tamer than I’m used to.
If you’re looking for an addicting read that will have your heart invested in the characters, I highly recommend you give Burn Before Reading a try. It was hilarious yet heartbreaking – two words that don’t usually go together, but Sara Wolf made it work. I seriously enjoyed reading this book!
Thanks to the author for generously providing me an ARC to review.
Quotes are taken from the ARC and are subject to change in the final version.
Amazon Ebook: http://amzn.to/2qH4izu
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I loved Sara Wolf’s Lovely Vicious series, so when I heard she was releasing a new book, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. Her writing is meaningful yet infused with so much humor – I don’t know how she does it, but I hope she never stops writing! Her books always make my heart ache while laughing my butt off at the same time. Burn Before Reading was no different – it’s an excellent enemies-to-lovers romance. It’s more YA than NA, which isn’t something that I generally read anymore, but I adored it all the same.
My name is Beatrix Cruz, and no matter what anyone says, no matter what happens tomorrow, this was the story of how it went down.
This is how Lakecrest ruined my life.
This is how Wolfgang Blackthorn destroyed me.
Beatrix “Bee” Cruz is set in her goal of graduating from the elite Lakecrest so she can go to NYU and become a psychologist, one that can help with her father’s depression. Her scholarship to Lakecrest means everything, and she’s not going to let anything jeopardize it – especially not the Blackthorn boys, who rule the school. The oldest, Burn, is big and intimidating; the youngest, Fitz, is charming and sly; and the middle one, the one that gives her the biggest trouble and makes her feel things she has no business feeling, is Wolf. With his father on the school board, Wolf can have him revoke Bee’s scholarship in a snap. But Bee protects herself by making a deal with their father to spy on the boys for him.
What starts off as playing pretend for Bee turns into so much more as she delves deeper into the Blackthorn boys’ lives – and she finds out that despite their being rich, they have just as many problems as she does. They’re human, just like her, and they grow to be people she cares about deeply. But what happens when they find out that she’s been spying on them since the beginning?
The only girl I’ve ever wanted.
The only girl who will never want me.
I adored Bee so hard. I love feisty heroines, and Bee was that in spades. She’s lovable and flawed – she does the right things for the wrong reasons. She makes snappy judgments about the Blackthorn boys, especially about Wolf, but they end up teaching her so much about life and love. She is HILARIOUS – I don’t think Sara Wolf can write a heroine who isn’t funny. Bee and Wolf were great together too – I loved the fiery tension between them, though it was a little tamer than I’m used to.
If you’re looking for an addicting read that will have your heart invested in the characters, I highly recommend you give Burn Before Reading a try. It was hilarious yet heartbreaking – two words that don’t usually go together, but Sara Wolf made it work. I seriously enjoyed reading this book!
Thanks to the author for generously providing me an ARC to review.
Quotes are taken from the ARC and are subject to change in the final version.
Amazon Ebook: http://amzn.to/2qH4izu
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May 27, 2017
Same Review Also Posted In My Blog: Dreamy Addictions
This was quite an entertaining read. I always enjoy reading Sara Wolf's books and when I saw the blurb of this book, I was over the moon. I loved the enemies to lovers trope in this book and it's also one of my top favorite tropes. I'm actually not a fan of the cover and this book really deserves a better cover. The plot is pretty much enjoyable. Some parts of the story kinda reminded me of my favorite taiwanese drama Meteor Garden aka Boys over Flowers in Korean version but they are totally different plots. The characters are so much fun to read especially the main female lead Beatrix Cruz and I enjoyed the Bromance between the three Blackthorn Brothers.
Beatrix Cruz joins the Elite Preparatory High School and she's the only scholarship student in the entire school for the rich kids. Her main goal is to study hard and graduate from NYU to become a shrink so that she could help her dad who is fighting with depression. During her first week, her path crosses with the notorious Blackthorn Brothers. Wolf Blackthorn is the handsome leader of the group who gives red cards to whoever displeases him. When Beatrix sees him giving a red card to a sweet guy, she interferes by standing up for him and calls him a bully which instantly makes her a social pariah in the whole school. Later Wolf warns her to pull off her scholarship if she doesn't stop interfering with his business which makes her worried. Luckily, she meets Mr. Blackthorn, the father of the blackthorn brothers who offers her a unresistable deal. In order to save her scholarship, she needs to work for Mr. Blackthorn by spying on his three sons. In desperation, Beatrix agrees to the deal. She knows Fitz Blackthorn and Burn Blackthorn are easy to approach but getting close to her nemesis Wolf Blackthorn is pretty much impossible. With each day, she's getting closer to the brothers her guilt for betraying them is killing her inside. She finally understands the three brothers and realizes they aren't as bad as they seem. She never thought that she would get attracted to her enemy. When Beatrix's betrayal is finally revealed, it's going to be a pretty much disaster.
All the characters in this book are flawed and complex. I loved Beatrix! Though her actions might seem stupid sometimes, I really enjoyed her character. She's fiesty, stubborn, clever and so much fun. I felt very sympathetic towards her situation and I admired her love for her father. It's one of the best things that I loved about her. She's willing to sacrifice her own dreams in order to save her father. Wolf Blackthorn is a intriguing, swoon worthy and also a bisexual character. I really loved the diverse aspect of this book and I haven't read any books with a bisexual male lead so this was very refreshing to read. Wolf is kinda jerk towards Beatrix at the beginning but after learning what he has gone through in his previous relationship, I felt sad for him. The hate to love relationship between Beatrix and Wolf reminded me of Isis and Jack from Lovely Vicious series. I enjoyed the chemistry between Bee and Wolf but I was little bit disappointed that there's not even a single kiss in the entire book. Still, I enjoyed their slow burn romance, the banters and the sexual tension between them. If you're fearing there's going to be a triangle in this plot then rest assured there is isn't any love triangle in the story. As for the other characters, I also liked Fitz Blackthorn and Burn Blackthorn. Each Blackthorn brother has their own individual personalities. After losing their mother in a car accident, each of the blackthorn brothers are coping with the loss in their own way. Fitz Blackthorn is a genius hacker and also a fun character who likes to flirt, hack and doing drugs. Burn is the oldest of the three brothers who has a thing for adrenaline rush. He is bit strange though, he barely shows any emotion, doesn't talk much and always keeps to himself. Mr. Blackthorn is a pretty hateful guy and one hell of a S.O.B.
I loved the plot! It was fun, emotional and very addictive. I was hooked to the story from the start and it was hard for me to put this down. The pacing is perfect and I enjoyed every aspect of this book. This book is not your typical YA contemporary romance. It also deals with so many things like family, friendship and love. All the characters in this book are well written and well developed. I enjoyed the friendship between Bee and the blackthorn brothers. The relationship between Bee and her mentally ill father really tug at my heart strings. I loved the witty and addictive writing style of the author. I'm fan of First Person POV and I'm so glad it was told in dual first person POV's.
Overall, I loved it! It doesn't have a perfect ending but I'm not complaining either. It's a stand-alone book but I'm hoping there's going to be another separate book with Burn and Kristin as the main leads.
This was quite an entertaining read. I always enjoy reading Sara Wolf's books and when I saw the blurb of this book, I was over the moon. I loved the enemies to lovers trope in this book and it's also one of my top favorite tropes. I'm actually not a fan of the cover and this book really deserves a better cover. The plot is pretty much enjoyable. Some parts of the story kinda reminded me of my favorite taiwanese drama Meteor Garden aka Boys over Flowers in Korean version but they are totally different plots. The characters are so much fun to read especially the main female lead Beatrix Cruz and I enjoyed the Bromance between the three Blackthorn Brothers.
Beatrix Cruz joins the Elite Preparatory High School and she's the only scholarship student in the entire school for the rich kids. Her main goal is to study hard and graduate from NYU to become a shrink so that she could help her dad who is fighting with depression. During her first week, her path crosses with the notorious Blackthorn Brothers. Wolf Blackthorn is the handsome leader of the group who gives red cards to whoever displeases him. When Beatrix sees him giving a red card to a sweet guy, she interferes by standing up for him and calls him a bully which instantly makes her a social pariah in the whole school. Later Wolf warns her to pull off her scholarship if she doesn't stop interfering with his business which makes her worried. Luckily, she meets Mr. Blackthorn, the father of the blackthorn brothers who offers her a unresistable deal. In order to save her scholarship, she needs to work for Mr. Blackthorn by spying on his three sons. In desperation, Beatrix agrees to the deal. She knows Fitz Blackthorn and Burn Blackthorn are easy to approach but getting close to her nemesis Wolf Blackthorn is pretty much impossible. With each day, she's getting closer to the brothers her guilt for betraying them is killing her inside. She finally understands the three brothers and realizes they aren't as bad as they seem. She never thought that she would get attracted to her enemy. When Beatrix's betrayal is finally revealed, it's going to be a pretty much disaster.
All the characters in this book are flawed and complex. I loved Beatrix! Though her actions might seem stupid sometimes, I really enjoyed her character. She's fiesty, stubborn, clever and so much fun. I felt very sympathetic towards her situation and I admired her love for her father. It's one of the best things that I loved about her. She's willing to sacrifice her own dreams in order to save her father. Wolf Blackthorn is a intriguing, swoon worthy and also a bisexual character. I really loved the diverse aspect of this book and I haven't read any books with a bisexual male lead so this was very refreshing to read. Wolf is kinda jerk towards Beatrix at the beginning but after learning what he has gone through in his previous relationship, I felt sad for him. The hate to love relationship between Beatrix and Wolf reminded me of Isis and Jack from Lovely Vicious series. I enjoyed the chemistry between Bee and Wolf but I was little bit disappointed that there's not even a single kiss in the entire book. Still, I enjoyed their slow burn romance, the banters and the sexual tension between them. If you're fearing there's going to be a triangle in this plot then rest assured there is isn't any love triangle in the story. As for the other characters, I also liked Fitz Blackthorn and Burn Blackthorn. Each Blackthorn brother has their own individual personalities. After losing their mother in a car accident, each of the blackthorn brothers are coping with the loss in their own way. Fitz Blackthorn is a genius hacker and also a fun character who likes to flirt, hack and doing drugs. Burn is the oldest of the three brothers who has a thing for adrenaline rush. He is bit strange though, he barely shows any emotion, doesn't talk much and always keeps to himself. Mr. Blackthorn is a pretty hateful guy and one hell of a S.O.B.
I loved the plot! It was fun, emotional and very addictive. I was hooked to the story from the start and it was hard for me to put this down. The pacing is perfect and I enjoyed every aspect of this book. This book is not your typical YA contemporary romance. It also deals with so many things like family, friendship and love. All the characters in this book are well written and well developed. I enjoyed the friendship between Bee and the blackthorn brothers. The relationship between Bee and her mentally ill father really tug at my heart strings. I loved the witty and addictive writing style of the author. I'm fan of First Person POV and I'm so glad it was told in dual first person POV's.
Overall, I loved it! It doesn't have a perfect ending but I'm not complaining either. It's a stand-alone book but I'm hoping there's going to be another separate book with Burn and Kristin as the main leads.
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May 29, 2017DNF @ 10%. This is like really bad fanfic of Erin Watt's The Royals series. Really bad. Fanfic. Crappy dialogue, no depth, inconsistencies and discrepancies. So disappointing.
September 21, 2017
3,5/5 stars
May 19, 2017
Find This and Other Reviews At Craves The Angst.
I received this eARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
5 Blackthorn Brother Stars!
Addicting and emotional! It brought all the feels!
The Review:
This book! This book had all the feels! From start to finish, I was spellbound! Wolf, Burn and Fitz were unique, layered, complicated and complete bad-boys to the core. Bee was a fresh dose of awesome! Her character was the perfect mix of quirky, beautiful and determined.
Burn Before Reading is a spirited, unique look at teen angsts, love and life. It held the best kind of heartache with one delicious, tension filled moment after another. Coupled with smart, lively writing, this is a must read!
Story/Characters...
Beatrix Cruz is in over her head. Deciding that her father's illness is all on her to make better, she gives up her dreams of becoming a writer to join the elite and over privileged populace at Lakecrest Preparatory, in hopes it will appeal to NYU, where she’s set on getting her psychiatry degree. Making excellent grades and towing a straight line are just two of the things she needs to do in order to keep her scholarship. The other? Don’t get on the bad side of the Blackthorn brothers, which is hard not to do when she sees Wolf bullying her new friend, Eric.
Burn, Wolf and Fritz Blackthorn rule Lakecrest. They walk the halls, passing down judgment to those they think need it. But not all is what it seems, especially when one scholarshipper butts in and puts Wolf in his place.
Oh these characters! Where do I even start in describing how much I loved each and every one of them!
Let’s start with the boys. Burn, Wolf and Fritz were so incredibly amazing. Each brother stood out and was unique with their own set of qualities and traumas. Each one handled the pain of their past a little differently. Burn masked his pain with avoidance. Fritz masked his pain with good times and sarcasm. And Wolf... oh my precious Wolf. He masked his pain and trauma with asserting control where he previously had none. They were flawed, damaged, a little bitter, too old for their young age and absolutely beautiful, both inside and out.
Bee was so much fun! I just loved her. She was quick witted, intelligent and I loved her one-liners. Her altruistic motives pulled my heartstrings in every direction. I could feel her desperation and her loneliness pouring off the pages. She wanted so desperately to help her dad, that she lost sight of who she was. Wolf, through his own traumatic past, could see that and though he went about it the wrong way, he tried to pull her from that self sacrificing ledge.
Mistakes were made, on both sides. Emotions were explored. And we got a close look at the damage words and actions can cause, when careless. Everyone was dealing with their own pain and some were smart enough to see that, learn from it and grow.
The Wrap Up:
This story didn’t wrap up with a pretty little bow, spelling out everyone's HEA. It wasn’t perfect, but it was life. And that pretty much sums up this story as a whole. It was about... life... and everything that can get in the way of living it, if you let it. Or how you can find your own kind of happy if you cherish yourself and those around you and just let yourself ... be.
I’m aching to reread this one! I loved it. And like I said, these characters were damaged, a little bit broken and with the excellent and entertaining writing, this book brought the feels. If you read only one young adult novel this year, it HAS to be this one!
I received this eARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
5 Blackthorn Brother Stars!
Addicting and emotional! It brought all the feels!
The Review:
This book! This book had all the feels! From start to finish, I was spellbound! Wolf, Burn and Fitz were unique, layered, complicated and complete bad-boys to the core. Bee was a fresh dose of awesome! Her character was the perfect mix of quirky, beautiful and determined.
Burn Before Reading is a spirited, unique look at teen angsts, love and life. It held the best kind of heartache with one delicious, tension filled moment after another. Coupled with smart, lively writing, this is a must read!
Story/Characters...
Beatrix Cruz is in over her head. Deciding that her father's illness is all on her to make better, she gives up her dreams of becoming a writer to join the elite and over privileged populace at Lakecrest Preparatory, in hopes it will appeal to NYU, where she’s set on getting her psychiatry degree. Making excellent grades and towing a straight line are just two of the things she needs to do in order to keep her scholarship. The other? Don’t get on the bad side of the Blackthorn brothers, which is hard not to do when she sees Wolf bullying her new friend, Eric.
Burn, Wolf and Fritz Blackthorn rule Lakecrest. They walk the halls, passing down judgment to those they think need it. But not all is what it seems, especially when one scholarshipper butts in and puts Wolf in his place.
Oh these characters! Where do I even start in describing how much I loved each and every one of them!
Let’s start with the boys. Burn, Wolf and Fritz were so incredibly amazing. Each brother stood out and was unique with their own set of qualities and traumas. Each one handled the pain of their past a little differently. Burn masked his pain with avoidance. Fritz masked his pain with good times and sarcasm. And Wolf... oh my precious Wolf. He masked his pain and trauma with asserting control where he previously had none. They were flawed, damaged, a little bitter, too old for their young age and absolutely beautiful, both inside and out.
Bee was so much fun! I just loved her. She was quick witted, intelligent and I loved her one-liners. Her altruistic motives pulled my heartstrings in every direction. I could feel her desperation and her loneliness pouring off the pages. She wanted so desperately to help her dad, that she lost sight of who she was. Wolf, through his own traumatic past, could see that and though he went about it the wrong way, he tried to pull her from that self sacrificing ledge.
Mistakes were made, on both sides. Emotions were explored. And we got a close look at the damage words and actions can cause, when careless. Everyone was dealing with their own pain and some were smart enough to see that, learn from it and grow.
The Wrap Up:
This story didn’t wrap up with a pretty little bow, spelling out everyone's HEA. It wasn’t perfect, but it was life. And that pretty much sums up this story as a whole. It was about... life... and everything that can get in the way of living it, if you let it. Or how you can find your own kind of happy if you cherish yourself and those around you and just let yourself ... be.
I’m aching to reread this one! I loved it. And like I said, these characters were damaged, a little bit broken and with the excellent and entertaining writing, this book brought the feels. If you read only one young adult novel this year, it HAS to be this one!
June 22, 2022
Bueno, que puedo decir de este libro? No sé si encuentre las palabras exactas para describirlo, pero voy a intentar hacerlo.
ATENCIÓN: Puede o no haber algunos spoilers a continuación. Lea bajo su responsabilidad.
Me pareció una historia genial.
Amé los personajes.
Bee una adolescente que carga con todo el peso del mundo sobre sus hombros, siempre dispuesta a ayudar a todo el que lo necesite.
Wolf un chico completamente dañado que tiene miedo a sentir cosas por alguien y se oculta a través de su fría fachada. Pero que que siente mucho y a su manera trata de ayudar a los demás.
Fitz un chico que a pesar de tener un montón de problemas trata de disimularlo con una sonrisa y apaga el dolor refugiandose en las drogas.
Y Burn el mayor de los tres hermanos, callado, inteligente y muy observador, que ama un buen golpe de adrenalina.
Todos completamente especiales y geniales a su manera.
Amé que se mostraran tan crudos los personajes, tan imperfectos y reales.
Me identifiqué tanto con Bee y a su vez también fue mi heroína. Tan fuerte valiente y madura para ser tan joven. Maduró de prisa, tomó el camino difícil tratando de ayudar a su papá, luchando por encontrar una solución a sus problemas.
No culpo a su papá por sus actitudes. La depresión es una jodida perra que a veces se puede llevar lo mejor de uno.
Creo que en este caso, la que tomo el camino más fácil fue la mamá de Bee, tratando de alejarse de los problemas. No la culpo tampoco, no creo que sea fácil estar en su lugar, ni de cerca. Pero me parece que tendría que haber estado más para su hija. No me voy a extender mucho con eso. Volvamos a lo demás...
Me encantó como la autora fue atravesando la historia, contandotela a través de los protagonistas. Desnudando sus sentimientos y demostrando como fueron capaces de luchar por su felicidad.
Me gustó mucho como los hermanos eran tan unidos y se apoyaban unos a otros. Siempre ahí para dar todo por los demás.
Tambien me divertí, con los comentarios ingeniosos de todos los personajes y sobre todo con Bee. Fue genial.
Por último, me fascinó que este libro mostrara que a veces no está mal ser un poco egoístas, poner un poco tus deseos por encima de los delos demas. Sí uno no se pone primero quién más lo va a hacer?
Bueno, podría seguis escribiendo durante mucho rato más de esta historia. Así de mucho me gustó. Pero lo voy a dejar acá.
Sólo voy a agregar que lo recomiendo. Pero si leyeron todo lo demás se deben haber dado cuenta, sobre todo por todos los "me encantó" , "amé" y "me gusto mucho" que escribí.
ATENCIÓN: Puede o no haber algunos spoilers a continuación. Lea bajo su responsabilidad.
Me pareció una historia genial.
Amé los personajes.
Bee una adolescente que carga con todo el peso del mundo sobre sus hombros, siempre dispuesta a ayudar a todo el que lo necesite.
Wolf un chico completamente dañado que tiene miedo a sentir cosas por alguien y se oculta a través de su fría fachada. Pero que que siente mucho y a su manera trata de ayudar a los demás.
Fitz un chico que a pesar de tener un montón de problemas trata de disimularlo con una sonrisa y apaga el dolor refugiandose en las drogas.
Y Burn el mayor de los tres hermanos, callado, inteligente y muy observador, que ama un buen golpe de adrenalina.
Todos completamente especiales y geniales a su manera.
Amé que se mostraran tan crudos los personajes, tan imperfectos y reales.
Me identifiqué tanto con Bee y a su vez también fue mi heroína. Tan fuerte valiente y madura para ser tan joven. Maduró de prisa, tomó el camino difícil tratando de ayudar a su papá, luchando por encontrar una solución a sus problemas.
No culpo a su papá por sus actitudes. La depresión es una jodida perra que a veces se puede llevar lo mejor de uno.
Creo que en este caso, la que tomo el camino más fácil fue la mamá de Bee, tratando de alejarse de los problemas. No la culpo tampoco, no creo que sea fácil estar en su lugar, ni de cerca. Pero me parece que tendría que haber estado más para su hija. No me voy a extender mucho con eso. Volvamos a lo demás...
Me encantó como la autora fue atravesando la historia, contandotela a través de los protagonistas. Desnudando sus sentimientos y demostrando como fueron capaces de luchar por su felicidad.
Me gustó mucho como los hermanos eran tan unidos y se apoyaban unos a otros. Siempre ahí para dar todo por los demás.
Tambien me divertí, con los comentarios ingeniosos de todos los personajes y sobre todo con Bee. Fue genial.
Por último, me fascinó que este libro mostrara que a veces no está mal ser un poco egoístas, poner un poco tus deseos por encima de los delos demas. Sí uno no se pone primero quién más lo va a hacer?
Bueno, podría seguis escribiendo durante mucho rato más de esta historia. Así de mucho me gustó. Pero lo voy a dejar acá.
Sólo voy a agregar que lo recomiendo. Pero si leyeron todo lo demás se deben haber dado cuenta, sobre todo por todos los "me encantó" , "amé" y "me gusto mucho" que escribí.
August 3, 2019
i didn’t like the ‘lovely vicious’ trilogy but this book tempted me so i decided to give sara wolf another chance. unfortunately, i’m really disappointed.
this book was so long, nothing happened, i felt like i could have just read the first pages and the last ones. plus, the characters are SO cliché : M. Blackthorn is a crazy bastard who can do whatever he wants thanks to his money and the Blackthorn brothers are also respected thanks to their power. Bee is a young girl, a scholarship, who is the only one in the entire school that fights them. WOW, she just arrives there and then she does what no one does because she is fearless hahahahaha.
plus, sara wolf talked about many themes like depression, traumas but she flied over those. that’s one of the reasons why the book wasn’t interesting. also, the relationships between the characters were so funny (not in the good sense), i mean, they talked two three times and then WOW they love each other, they are soulmates, they have never felt that with anyone//since a long time.
the only good point i found was that the book was fast to read, but that’s all. sara wolf is definitely not an author i like to read, i’ll not try her other books, sorry... 🤷🏻♀️
this book was so long, nothing happened, i felt like i could have just read the first pages and the last ones. plus, the characters are SO cliché : M. Blackthorn is a crazy bastard who can do whatever he wants thanks to his money and the Blackthorn brothers are also respected thanks to their power. Bee is a young girl, a scholarship, who is the only one in the entire school that fights them. WOW, she just arrives there and then she does what no one does because she is fearless hahahahaha.
plus, sara wolf talked about many themes like depression, traumas but she flied over those. that’s one of the reasons why the book wasn’t interesting. also, the relationships between the characters were so funny (not in the good sense), i mean, they talked two three times and then WOW they love each other, they are soulmates, they have never felt that with anyone//since a long time.
the only good point i found was that the book was fast to read, but that’s all. sara wolf is definitely not an author i like to read, i’ll not try her other books, sorry... 🤷🏻♀️
June 6, 2017
I liked this book.
However there was missing connection so I could not get fully into it :(
However there was missing connection so I could not get fully into it :(
January 21, 2018
I am sara wolf trash!!!
May 24, 2017
The last book I read, I mentioned to never judge a book by its cover. Well, I am saying that again, but for a different a reason. The other book was more than its cover and this book, well the cover just doesn't do the book justice at all. The title is perfect, but the cover, it could use a do-over.
Anyway, I recently got to read Sara's Lovely Vicious series and really enjoyed it so when I saw she was releasing a new book, I jumped at the opportunity to read this one. Her books are YA and I feel she has a good niche in this genre. She writes some great characters and knows how to make them real - not acting too old or too young. I definitely sense a theme when it come to her heroines - strong yet a little mousy with a lot sarcasm splashed in. And I find them quite endearing.
On to the book - Burn Before Reading is about Bee who gets a scholarship to enter a Lakecrest - a high school Prep school for spoiled, rich brats. One thing that surprised me about this school was the lack of female degrading and cliques - not that I am complaining, but being the new scholarship kid at a snotty school, that tends to lead to said person being picked on the elite cool clique. But we avoided that altogether. Instead, we got the three brothers who ran the school - all the students feared them for different reasons and the teachers just ignored their antics. None of them were flat out bullies, they were just feared because if you stepped out of line, you got a red card and then you were pretty much ignored by everyone in the school.
I enjoyed the plot of this - I won't rehash it- you read the blurb so you get what goes down. Bee is quite the witty and sarcastic newbie and doesn't back down from either of the brothers, even when she knows it's probably the best idea to do so. It was interesting watching Bee get closer to each of these brothers in different ways. I did find it odd that one person, a newbie, was able to so easily whittle her way into these brothers lives so fast and none of the other students were able to even figure out how to talk to them. It could be because she was new and had no knowledge of them so it was easier for her to find niches that others would overlook, but the brothers never once batted an eye at how quickly she was inserting herself into their daily routines. Regardless, it did make for an interesting story.
I enjoyed Burn Before Reading - it was nice change of pace from the suspense and drama of the others book I have been reading. It's has a little bit of angst in it, but it's definitely more of a easy YA read. I can't really say that it's a romantic book either because the majority of the book is watching Bee form bonds with these brothers and also balance her home life. I enjoyed reading about Bee and her relationship with her parents. Her father was recently diagnosed with depression. Sara did a great job of intertwining this subplot into the book. It's a subject that is hard to discuss because it can affect everyone differently. Watching Bee go through everything, it added another layer to the book and to Bee as a person.
If you enjoy a good YA read with a really good story line, you will absolutely enjoy this book. The setting is set in high school, but the themes of this book are easily relatable as an adult. Sara knows how to write interesting characters and well written plots that leave you thinking a littler harder about life. Both young and older readers will enjoy this book.
Anyway, I recently got to read Sara's Lovely Vicious series and really enjoyed it so when I saw she was releasing a new book, I jumped at the opportunity to read this one. Her books are YA and I feel she has a good niche in this genre. She writes some great characters and knows how to make them real - not acting too old or too young. I definitely sense a theme when it come to her heroines - strong yet a little mousy with a lot sarcasm splashed in. And I find them quite endearing.
On to the book - Burn Before Reading is about Bee who gets a scholarship to enter a Lakecrest - a high school Prep school for spoiled, rich brats. One thing that surprised me about this school was the lack of female degrading and cliques - not that I am complaining, but being the new scholarship kid at a snotty school, that tends to lead to said person being picked on the elite cool clique. But we avoided that altogether. Instead, we got the three brothers who ran the school - all the students feared them for different reasons and the teachers just ignored their antics. None of them were flat out bullies, they were just feared because if you stepped out of line, you got a red card and then you were pretty much ignored by everyone in the school.
I enjoyed the plot of this - I won't rehash it- you read the blurb so you get what goes down. Bee is quite the witty and sarcastic newbie and doesn't back down from either of the brothers, even when she knows it's probably the best idea to do so. It was interesting watching Bee get closer to each of these brothers in different ways. I did find it odd that one person, a newbie, was able to so easily whittle her way into these brothers lives so fast and none of the other students were able to even figure out how to talk to them. It could be because she was new and had no knowledge of them so it was easier for her to find niches that others would overlook, but the brothers never once batted an eye at how quickly she was inserting herself into their daily routines. Regardless, it did make for an interesting story.
I enjoyed Burn Before Reading - it was nice change of pace from the suspense and drama of the others book I have been reading. It's has a little bit of angst in it, but it's definitely more of a easy YA read. I can't really say that it's a romantic book either because the majority of the book is watching Bee form bonds with these brothers and also balance her home life. I enjoyed reading about Bee and her relationship with her parents. Her father was recently diagnosed with depression. Sara did a great job of intertwining this subplot into the book. It's a subject that is hard to discuss because it can affect everyone differently. Watching Bee go through everything, it added another layer to the book and to Bee as a person.
If you enjoy a good YA read with a really good story line, you will absolutely enjoy this book. The setting is set in high school, but the themes of this book are easily relatable as an adult. Sara knows how to write interesting characters and well written plots that leave you thinking a littler harder about life. Both young and older readers will enjoy this book.
May 11, 2017
4-4.5 stars
Burn Before Reading by Author Sara Wolf is a Young Adult, enemies-to-lovers novel.
"My name is Beatrix Cruz, and no matter what anyone else says, this is how it went down."
Beatrix has just started attending Lakecrest Preparatory. She has no friends and, quite frankly, prefers staying to herself. The Blackthorns, the so-unreal-they-are-sexier-than-gods, are students who rule Lakecrest. They are the school's main attraction, and Beatrix is on their radar.
"Hope isn’t some grand and mysterious motivation like love; it’s just never giving up in the face of hopelessness. When everything is lost, when you can’t physically go on one step further, but you choose to keep moving forward anyway? That’s hope. Hope isn’t a thing. It’s something you do when you can’t do anything else. So I’ll keep on hoping."
There were many things about this novel that reminded of Author Sara Wolf's Lovely Vicious series. The snark, humor, and teenage angst were all writing qualities that I have come to treasure with this author. However, it was great to see that Bee had her own twist that was distinctly different from the heroine in the previously mentioned series. Her family dynamics and thought process were two things that intrigued me most. Her heart was also a unique universe to which not many were privileged to have journeyed. I felt such pride for Bee, but also sadness. Her life's plate was completely full to over-flowing. Yet she kept on, managing to balance all of the things and people in her life.
“I think…I think the most important things in life, the things worth doing, are always scary. At first.”
There is nothing like being able to sink into a great story line and feel like you're at home. The character interactions and layers of deception and reality in Burn Before Reading made me hang on every word. And the words. I LOVED the words. All of them! They made me feel sorrow and joy, pain and longing, regret and hope. I was taken by surprise in the way that this book challenged me to stop and listen, take note, be aware, be human.
"He taught me it’s alright to burn. He taught me that fire doesn’t only destroy –it reveals the new, tiny sprouts lying in wait to grow; sprouts you would’ve ignored, sprouts that would’ve died otherwise."
Author Sara Wolf once again sucked me into her YA world. Burn Before Reading wasn't just a story. It was a journey. A journey through pain, defeat, anger, hurt, affection, friendship, and family.
Burn Before Reading by Author Sara Wolf is a Young Adult, enemies-to-lovers novel.
"My name is Beatrix Cruz, and no matter what anyone else says, this is how it went down."
Beatrix has just started attending Lakecrest Preparatory. She has no friends and, quite frankly, prefers staying to herself. The Blackthorns, the so-unreal-they-are-sexier-than-gods, are students who rule Lakecrest. They are the school's main attraction, and Beatrix is on their radar.
"Hope isn’t some grand and mysterious motivation like love; it’s just never giving up in the face of hopelessness. When everything is lost, when you can’t physically go on one step further, but you choose to keep moving forward anyway? That’s hope. Hope isn’t a thing. It’s something you do when you can’t do anything else. So I’ll keep on hoping."
There were many things about this novel that reminded of Author Sara Wolf's Lovely Vicious series. The snark, humor, and teenage angst were all writing qualities that I have come to treasure with this author. However, it was great to see that Bee had her own twist that was distinctly different from the heroine in the previously mentioned series. Her family dynamics and thought process were two things that intrigued me most. Her heart was also a unique universe to which not many were privileged to have journeyed. I felt such pride for Bee, but also sadness. Her life's plate was completely full to over-flowing. Yet she kept on, managing to balance all of the things and people in her life.
“I think…I think the most important things in life, the things worth doing, are always scary. At first.”
There is nothing like being able to sink into a great story line and feel like you're at home. The character interactions and layers of deception and reality in Burn Before Reading made me hang on every word. And the words. I LOVED the words. All of them! They made me feel sorrow and joy, pain and longing, regret and hope. I was taken by surprise in the way that this book challenged me to stop and listen, take note, be aware, be human.
"He taught me it’s alright to burn. He taught me that fire doesn’t only destroy –it reveals the new, tiny sprouts lying in wait to grow; sprouts you would’ve ignored, sprouts that would’ve died otherwise."
Author Sara Wolf once again sucked me into her YA world. Burn Before Reading wasn't just a story. It was a journey. A journey through pain, defeat, anger, hurt, affection, friendship, and family.
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