The September Sisters by Jillian Cantor

Abigail Reed and Becky are exactly two years and a day apart, and are often referred as the September Sisters by their mother. However, despite their close proximity of age they constantly squabble with one another and compete for their parents’ attention. But after the sudden disappearance of Becky, Abby’s whole life changes. Her mom grows more and more distant and her dad become overbearing and obsessed with the investigation. Abby in officially, no longer an ignorant child anymore, as she desperately trying to keep her family together.


Abby, has no one to confide until, Tommy moves in next door and she finds her self expressing her all emotions, pain, guilt and resentment towards Becky and her disappearance to him. And along the way Abigail falls in love with him even when everything is in her world is less than perfect.


Jillian Cantor’s debut novel, was unforgettable with the perfect mixture of realism, great character development, and plot. She did a clever job at crafting the opening scene, because I was hooked from the very first page. The moment I started reading it, I seriously could not put it down until I learned more about the disappearance of Becky.


On top of the great overall plot (which initially drew me in), the main character, Abby was extremely well developed, and strong heroine, even given her tragic situation. One of the things that I thought was especially, memorable was how contrasting emotions Abby endured throughout the book. In one point of the book she was frustrated and even jealous of how much her sister got attention even after she disappeared.


Her relationship with Tommy was a perfect depiction of first love and it’s exploring nature. It was interesting to see how their relationship developed because when they first initially met they were hesitant to become friends but as they were forced to talk during lunch when it was Tommy's first day.


I absolutely loved it. Definitely recommended, worth adding to your wish list on Amazon.

WANT TO READ THE BOOK BEFORE RELEASE DATE (February 24, 2009)?

Enter the contest here, to win a ARC of The September Sisters by Jillian Cantor.



(Review can also be found at TRT.)

Stealing Heaven by Elizabeth Scott

Dani, 18 is not your ordinary girl. She did not attend high school, she had no friends, she never had any prospect boyfriends and she has a different name everywhere she goes. Because Dani and her mother are thieves. She and her mother moving from one town to another in search of silver (something that would not make headlines on newspapers or prompt further police investigation).

Dani and her mother come across Heaven, an ‘out of the way place’ near a beach, filled with the houses that are just their type- luxurious and sure to have plenty of silver for them to be set with a bundle of money for months. But there’s something different about Heaven. Dani actually feels at home in the town. She begins to befriend Allie, a girl she met in the beach and starts developing feelings for Greg, a cute guy she seems to be constantly bumping into. Her attempt to having a “normal life” comes crashing down when she discovers that her mother targeted Allie’s house for the next heist and Greg is a certified cop.

If you haven’t read any of Scott’s previous work, ‘Stealing Heaven’ will definitely make you want to. Her writing was how nicely it flowed in a nice consistent pace. It was not rushed in any parts or slow in others. I was impressed how Elizabeth Scott did an amazing job at portraying the inner workings of a thief really well. Especially in one particular scene when Dani was talking to Greg in the supermarket. (read to find out ;) )

Speaking of Greg, I adored his character. From his crooked bottom teeth to his weird (but cute) hair. He was charismatic, witty, and intriguing especially, because of his slightly dark past, before he became a cop. It's no wonder Dani could not help, but keep talking to him whenever they were together. The end of the book reveals a big surprise that I haven’t seen coming. But Scott did a very nice job at wrapping the book up.

Has all the great qualities in a book romance, amazing characters, and an interesting plot!