Review - Nothing Left to Burn by Patty Blount

Title: Nothing Left to Burn

Author: Patty Blount

Pages: 368

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Release date: 4th August 2015

 

Blurb from Goodreads:  

 

Dear Dad, I promised Matt I'd do this-become a Junior Cadet. That I wouldn't let you break me down. I know you hate me. Blame me for everything you lost. But that day I lost my brother and my dad. You could never be proud of me, could you? I was too "different." So, just in case you haven't figured it out yet, I'm saying goodbye. Maybe someday, you'll miss me.
Reece
 
Reece's words make her ache. Amanda understands wanting to belong. As a foster kid, the firehouse where she volunteers is the only place that feels like home. She wants to help Reece, but his dad is her boss. And she won't risk her place as a Junior Cadet-it's all that she has. But when a string of arsons suddenly point to Amanda, her whole world is about to go up in flames. And the only way to save themselves is to risk getting burned.

Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon US

My Review:

 

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to Sourcebooks Fire and NetGalley*

3/5 stars

Ever since Reece's brother Matt was killed in a car accident with Reece behind the wheel, he has been attempting to write a letter to his father to fulfil Matt's dying wish - that Reece improves his relationship with him. Reece was always on the outside growing up, always wishing he could join in with Matt and their dad.

Reece signs up as a junior cadet at the fire station where his dad, who has left him and his mum, is a Lieutenant. The angst between them is noticed by Amanda, a foster child who needs to stay away from drama if she's got a chance at staying with her current foster parents, the best home she's had since her mother went to prison when she was nine.

Amanda finds herself falling for Reece but one of the rules she has to follow is 'no boys'. Can she stay away from him?

Who is the arsonist that is burning down homes?

Will Reece repair his relationship with his dad?

Nothing Left to Burn was an enjoyable read.

I liked Reece and Amanda and felt sorry for them both. I found them relatable and wanted them to have happy endings.

The romance wasn't a huge part of the book which I liked as it was quite sweet and not over the top.

The plot was interesting and you could tell that the author had really done her research.

The writing style was easy to follow and I wanted to keep on reading but I wasn't gripped.

I did guess the identity of the arsonist early on.

Overall this was an enjoyable read that I would recommend.

  

Review - Some Boys by Patty Blount

Title: Some Boys

Author: Patty Blount

Pages: 352

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Release date: 5th August 2014

Blurb from Goodreads:

Some girls say no. Some boys don't listen.
 
When Grace meets Ian, she's afraid. Afraid he'll reject her like the rest of the school, like her own family. After she accuses Zac, the town golden boy, of rape, everyone turns against her. Ian wouldn't be the first to call her a slut and a liar.

Except Ian doesn't reject her. He's the one person who looks past the taunts and the names and the tough-girl act to see the real Grace. He's the one who gives her the courage to fight back.

He's also Zac's best friend.

Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon US 

My Review:

*I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to Sourcebooks Fire and NetGalley*

3/5 stars

Everyone is calling Grace a slut because she accused Zac, the school golden boy, of raping her. Grace tries to put on a brave face but every day is a struggle.

Ian, one of Zac's friends, has a crush on Grace but after her accusation he has to take Zac's side because he's his friend.

But as Grace and Ian grow closer, Ian starts questioning whether Grace is the liar everyone thinks she is.

This book is about a tough subject but I thought the author handled it well.

I enjoyed the writing style and found it easy to read.

I really liked the characters in this book, even the secondary ones, and found them easy to relate to.

I felt so sorry for Grace as people called her names and thought that she'd made the rape up. She was so strong and I was glad she got a happy ending.

It was interesting to read from Ian's point of view as he started off believing Zac but then started having doubts.

While I enjoyed this it didn't grip me.

Overall this was an enjoyable and emotional read about a difficult subject.