Marlene Perez

Having read the first book, I knew the book would be cheesy and campy. But that's why I love it! It's like what Twilight was but takes itself less serious. It was hella predictable, how Daisy didn't realize that Ryan was a shifter way before it dawned on here is still a mystery. And of course Duke was not what he said he was! A murder happens soon as he shows up? Really lol?

I also find a kindred spirit in Daisy. Awkward but smart. Romantic but not a guy's pushover. Sam is becoming less and show more less bitchy but can still get a zinger in when she needs to! Penny is still annoying but becoming more tolerable. Ryan is such a sweetheart. Poppy got more "screen" time this time and that was what I was hoping for in the second book. Still need more of Rose and Nicholas. Hopefully we can get more about Chief Mendez and the mom in the next book. Either way, this book gave me quite a few chuckles so I'm excited about the rest of the series and the spinoff series. show less

The Comeback by Marlene Perez is a Mean Girls styled novel aimed at the teenage demographic.

This book was not made for me, but I was determined to read this book since I was given an ARC copy of the book. That being said, I have no idea if the book has changed since this ARC was made!

I found The Comeback to be a book that I would have loved back in my pre-teen years. It was overly dramatic, full of mean girls and gossip, and showcases drama class (*insert teenage 'oooooohs' here*). The show more popular girl, Sophie, is suddenly not so popular anymore when a new girl comes to town. When her boyfriend breaks her heart, a not so new boy grabs her attention and the drama club spin her in a tornado like fashion, what will she do?! Well, she goes Regina George/Mean Girls on the high school, obviously.

I wish I would have read this years ago because I would have loved it back in my youth. These days, adult me found it a little bit kiddish. Luckily, it wasn't made with my demographic in mind so it's not a major negative for the novel. I think it would be grade for those Grade 6 girls to read a fun, goofy book like this that's full of the angst pre-teens have. It literally felt like a day in the life of 12 year old me (minus the high school shenanigans, but it is how I imagined high school would have been back in the day).

If you're looking for a teenage soap opera novel, this book is perfect for you! It is really well written, but it's full of high school drama so it won't sit well with every adult. Just know what you're getting into and make sure you research before you pick up this book (if you're an adult). Remember, it's YA! It's supposed to be fun and full of drama and insanity!

To point out the things I DID like:
1. Monet. What a gem! I wish I had a friend like that growing up! She's seriously the bomb and an awesome side character!
2. Dev. What a hottie! He has his flaws, but he's a fun romantic interest for the book!
3. Sophie's ending was well deserved - she tried her best and that's enough!

Two out of five stars - solely on the fact that it wasn't a book for ME. For pre-teen me, it probably would have been a solid 4. show less

I like the book but it was definitely aimed at the teen crowd, but our heroine, Daisy, acted like a teenage girl, with friends, interests, older sisters, busy Moms, everything. Not only that, but Daisy reminded me a lot my myself when I was in highschool, even including the ex-best friend who ran in the popular crowd :) The author, Marlene Perez, knows small town schools and the kids who go there.

As for the plot, It was a bit predictable. There was a few week spots, namely the romance show more between Daisy and the next door neighbor. It read like Nancy Drew Meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Also, there was so many plot elements introduced that the main story, pretty girls getting sick and dying for no reason, sometimes got lost. And, since this is a start of a brand new series, those side plot elements were never closed.

Overall, I think teen girls are going to love this. The book is sweet but not cloy. Daisy's love for Ryan is described as how a real teenager feels, with doubts, and Oh My God I'm so happy, and jealousies that every very first love has. Even the preppy cheerleader is more than just a cardboard character with lots of money. I think this is a very appropriate book for that junior or highschool girl who has read Twilight one two many times. show less

With a fun dance between magic, vampires, bffs, romance, and a pinch of quirkiness, this is a light read with a dark beat.

After being dragged to a party she never wanted to go to in the first place, this teenage girl finds herself heading against a band of vampires, who leave death and blood in their wake. Unfortunately, her best friend is on her way to become their super-groupie with more than a few bite marks to show for it. Add a strange past, a witch grandmother, a hot guy, and a pair of show more very strange paranormal agents, and this girl is in for the strangest moments the afterlife can offer.

If you're looking for a refreshing story which packs tons of subtle humor into a furious vampire hunt, this might be what you're looking for. I'd shove this one into the direction of a 'wild and crazy ride' category. The mix is quite original as it take very violent scenes, hits upon sexual abuse, slams groupies and cliches, nests with hot guys and romance, and weaves in a wild chase which borders on the edge of humor. And it was fun.

I did read this one in one sitting simply because it was an easy read and did have me wondering what in the world would happen next. And yet, the writing wasn't nearly as tight or smooth or flowing as it could have been. There are tons of sudden revelations, scenes which are raced over without depth or enough set-up time, and beats in the plot which just drop away and leave gaping holes. It many ways, it resembled the vampire band's music—not the best but for some reason, still hypnotizing. For all of the technical issues, I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy the read.

So, I'm finding this one very hard to rate and will simply go at it as fast and furious and ridiculous as the read itself. Because sometimes this is exactly the kind of read a person needs.

I received an ARC copy and got a read I would have never suspected. show less