Review: When Life Gives You Demons by Jennifer Honeybourn

When Life Gives You Demons by Jennifer Honeybourn

Publisher: Swoon Reads

Publication Date: July 17, 2018

Rating: 4 stars

Source: ARC received via exchange

Summary (from Goodreads):

Sixteen-year-old Shelby Black has spent the past year training to be an exorcist. Her great-uncle Roy—a Catholic priest and Shelby’s guardian—believes she has a gift for expelling demons, and he’s put her through exorcist boot camp hell, but he still doesn’t trust her to do an exorcism on her own.

High school is hard enough without having to explain that you fight demons for a living, so Shelby keeps her extracurricular activity quiet, especially from Spencer, her cute math tutor. Secrets run in Shelby’s family, though: her mother has been missing ever since an exorcism went horribly wrong, and Uncle Roy is tight-lipped about it. But Shelby’s hell-bent on finding her mom, no matter what—even if what it ends up costing her her soul AND a date with Spencer.

What I Liked:

I adored Jennifer Honeybourn's debut novel, Wesley James Ruined My Life, and I've been pretty excited about her next standalone, When Life Gives You Demons. First - can we take a moment to appreciate the cover? I think it is fantastic. Simple, yet eye-catching and it makes you giggle a little. I breezed through this book and I really enjoyed it as I was reading it. If you are looking for a quick, hilarious read, this is one for you!

This book is centered around exorcisms, which is a rare topic in YA lit. Shelby's uncle is a priest, and a very skilled exorcist. He has been training Shelby to be an exorcist, but Shelby isn't all that great. Shelby hides this "hobby" of hers from everyone, including her best friend Vanessa, and her cute math tutor Spencer. What would her friends think if they found how she exorcised demons? Shelby might not have to wonder for long, because something dangerous is happening in the demon world, and it could affect her family, her friends, and her budding relationship with Spencer.

I love the light tone of this book. It deals with exorcisms, which can get pretty heavy and/or pretty horrific, pretty quickly. Exorcisms are usually the topic of horror films, and I don't do horror - no thank you. There wasn't anything terrifying or scary about this book - for the most part, the tone was light and funny, though the climax got a little more intense.

This book is set in modern times but with a definite paranormal touch to it, what with all the demons and exorcisms. Of course, it depends on what you believe in, these things could be supernatural to you. The concept of Catholicism and religion is important in this book, but not overwhelming, if that makes sense. Religion isn't forced upon the reader.

Shelby is such a funny heroine to follow. She really wants to do an exorcisms by herself, but her uncle doesn't trust her. She really wants to express her interest in Spencer Callaghan, but doesn't want to get rejected. One thing that Shelby is dealing with is the disappearance of her mother - nobody knows where she is (though Uncle Roy has been telling people that she is visiting relatives in Italy). Shelby is a fun person, persistent and a little vulnerable too.

Spencer is a secondary character but a very important one. He isn't just a love interest - he plays a big role in the rising action of the book. He's a good guy, and a cute love interest too. He's one of those sweet, nice boys, not a dominant alpha male (nothing wrong with either type of guy). I adored Spencer.

I liked Shelby and Spencer's quiet friendship (though it budded into something more, which was adorable.) I also liked Shelby's friendship with Vanessa, which was very positive and healthy. Shelby's parents weren't in the picture, but she had a strong relationship with her uncle. Positive relationships were a very good part of this story.

The romance was sweet! Shelby was crushing on her math tutor (Spencer), and he was crushing on her, and it's so adorable. Both of them are hiding things from each other, but both of them really care about the other. So cute!

The ending gets really intense, though still light in terms of the mood. This book was really fun and light to read, a quick read that had me smiling and laughing and occasionally swooning. The ending is sweet and a HEA for everyone. Very satisfying!

What I Did Not Like:

More swoons! I wanted more swoons for sure. This is a Swoon Reads novel, after all. More swoons is never a bad thing!

Would I Recommend It:

Contemporary romance fans will like this one! You don't need to be a PNR fan to enjoy it. And it's not super religious so if you're not into books with religion, don't be put off. The religious aspects are there, and it was cool to see that (so many YA books avoid the topic of religion), but it wasn't a Big Thing in this book (like a statement type of thing, or a theme). Exorcisms were definitely there, but not in a horror kind of way. I liked the book!

Rating:

4 stars. I have to commend Jennifer Honeybourn for her unique story and creativity! I'm not sure I would have picked up this book had I not read and loved the author's previous (unrelated) book. When Life Gives You Demons was funny, swoony, creative. I'm excited to read what Honeybourn comes up with next!

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | The Ivy Bookshop

Was this review helpful? Please let me know in the comments section!

Waiting on Wednesday (#262): When Life Gives You Demons by Jennifer Honeybourn

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week, I'm featuring:

When Life Gives You Demons by Jennifer Honeybourn

Publisher: Swoon Reads

Publication Date: July 17, 2018

Summary (from Goodreads):

Sixteen-year-old Shelby Black has spent the past year training to be an exorcist. Her great-uncle Roy—a Catholic priest and Shelby’s guardian—believes she has a gift for expelling demons, and he’s put her through exorcist boot camp hell, but he still doesn’t trust her to do an exorcism on her own.

High school is hard enough without having to explain that you fight demons for a living, so Shelby keeps her extracurricular activity quiet, especially from Spencer, her cute math tutor. Secrets run in Shelby’s family, though: her mother has been missing ever since an exorcism went horribly wrong, and Uncle Roy is tight-lipped about it. But Shelby’s hell-bent on finding her mom, no matter what—even if what it ends up costing her her soul AND a date with Spencer.

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | The Ivy Bookshop

I loved Jennifer Honeybourn's debut, Wesley James Ruined My Life! I can't wait to read this new standalone novel. =)

2017 Debut Authors Bash, Featuring Jennifer Honeybourn (and GIVEAWAY!)

Hi bibliovores! Welcome to the 2017 Debut Authors Bash. Today, I'll be hosting Jennifer Honeybourn, author of Wesley James Ruined My Life! I loved this book and I'm excited to share my interview with this amazing author.

My review | Swoon Thursday

Meet Jennifer Honeybourn!

Alyssa: Hi and welcome to The Eater of Books! So glad you could join me today. =) Congratulations on the publication of Wesley James Ruined My Life! I read this book and absolutely adored it. What was the inspiration (or inspirations!) behind this book?

Jennifer: Thanks Alyssa! The inspiration for Wesley James Ruined My Life comes from a renaissance faire I attended back in 2012. I wanted to write an enemies to lovers stories but set in a unique place, so I took the idea of the renaissance faire and transformed it into a theme restaurant. The first character that came to me was King Henry VIII, but Quinn and Wesley followed shortly after that.   

Alyssa: What made you decided to submit to Swoon Reads?

Jennifer: I first learned of Swoon Reads when I saw an announcement for Katy Upperman’s book, Kissing Max Holden, on Twitter. I looked into what Swoon Reads was all about and I really liked the crowdsourcing aspect and the fact that I could get feedback from readers on my manuscript. I felt like Wesley James Ruined My Life might be a good fit for them, so I uploaded my book the next day.  

Alyssa: I adored the medieval restaurant theme! Have you been to a themed restaurant like that?

Jennifer: I have not been to a medieval-themed restaurant, but I am DYING to go to one. It’s the kind of thing that is right up my alley (along with renaissance fairs).  

Alyssa: What was the most difficult thing about writing this book? Did you get stuck somewhere?

Jennifer: The most difficult thing for me with any book is always writing the first draft. I tend to get stuck in the weeds, trying to make a sentence or a paragraph perfect, when I really should just be worrying about the plot and character development. I can focus on smoothing out the language in a later draft, once the story itself has been nailed down. I much prefer the revision process, when I have some guidance from an editor. I like the process of working together to make the book the best it can be.  

Alyssa: How did you come up with the title of this book?

Jennifer: The title is a gift from the creative minds at Swoon Reads. I’m not great at titles, so I’m thankful that they are!

Alyssa: I adoooooooore the cover. What were your thoughts when you first saw the final design?

Jennifer: I adore the cover too! Swoon Reads does cover voting, which is really fun and a great way to engage readers, so Wesley James Ruined My Life originally had three different cover options. I was so happy when the food truck cover won because the expression on Quinn’s face perfectly captures how I think she feels about the situation she finds herself in.   

Alyssa: What’s your favorite line or scene from this book? With as little spoiler-y content as possible, of course!

Jennifer: My favorite scene comes right at the end of the book, when Wesley brings Quinn home after their shift and she lets him into the house for the first time since they were kids. I also like the scenes with Quinn and her grandmother, mostly because they remind me a little bit of me and my grandmother. 

Alyssa: What are some other swoony YA contemporary romance novels that you would recommend to readers of Wesley James Ruined My Life?

Jennifer: Some of my recent favorites are The Only Thing Worse Than Me Is You by Lily Anderson, The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli, Alex Approximately by Jenn Bennett, It’s Not Me, It’s You by Stephanie Kate Strohm, and I’ll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios.

Alyssa: Do you have plans for writing more books in this world? Direct sequel, or maybe a companion novel?

Jennifer: I don’t have a sequel to this story in mind, but I have thought about writing a companion novel. We’ll see how it goes! 

Alyssa: Can you give us a teaser or something ~exclusive~ about your next book, When Life Gives You Demons? (Readers, this is a standalone, unrelated to Wesley James!)

Jennifer: When Life Gives You Demons, coming July 17, 2018:

Sixteen-year-old Shelby Black has spent the past year training to be an exorcist. Her great-uncle Roy—a Catholic priest and Shelby’s guardian—believes she has a gift for expelling demons, and he’s put her through exorcist boot camp hell, but he still doesn’t trust her to do an exorcism on her own.

High school is hard enough without having to explain that you fight demons for a living, so Shelby keeps her extracurricular activity quiet, especially from Spencer, her cute math tutor. Secrets run in Shelby’s family, though: her mother has been missing ever since an exorcism went horribly wrong, and Uncle Roy is tight-lipped about it. But Shelby’s hell-bent on finding her mom, no matter what—even if what it ends up costing her soul AND a date with Spencer.

Alyssa: Thank you so much, and best of luck with everything!

About the Author:

Jennifer Honeybourn works in corporate communications in Vancouver, British Columbia. She's a fan of British accents, Broadway musicals, and epic, happily-ever-after love stories. If she could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, she'd have high tea with Walt Disney, JK Rowling, and her nana. She lives with her husband, daughter and cat in a house filled with books. WESLEY JAMES RUINED MY LIFE is her first novel.

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

About the Book:

Wesley James Ruined My Life by Jennifer Honeybourn

Publisher: Swoon Reads

Publication Date: July 18, 2017

Summary (from Goodreads):

Sixteen-year-old Quinn Hardwick’s having a rough summer. Her beloved grandmother has been put into a home, her dad’s gambling addiction has flared back up and now her worst enemy is back in town: Wesley James, former childhood friend—until he ruined her life, that is.

So when Wesley is hired to work with her at Tudor Tymes, a medieval England themed restaurant, the last thing Quinn’s going to do is forgive and forget. She’s determined to remove him from her life and even the score all at once—by getting him fired.

But getting rid of Wesley isn’t as easy as she’d hoped. When Quinn finds herself falling for him, she has to decide what she wants more: to get even, or to just get over it.

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | The Book Depository | The Ivy Bookshop

Check out When Life Gives You Demons:

(Click on the cover for more information!)

The Giveaway:

Jennifer Honeybourn has generously offered a signed copy of Wesley James for a giveaway! This prize is open to USA/CA readers only. Blog giveaway rules apply. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Swoon Thursday (#231): Wesley James Ruined My Life by Jennifer Honeybourn

- From the book you’re currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering

- Try to make the swoon excerpt 140 characters (or less), if you are going to tweet about it. Use the hashtag #YABOUND when tweeting

This week, my swoon is from Wesley James Ruined My Life by Jennifer Honeybourn!

(I'm giving you all most of the scene because I love it SO MUCH!)

Wesley brushes past me. He sets the letters on my desk and picks up the balloon, a strange expression crossing his features. "You saved it?" he says.

My face is on fire. Saving that balloon, well, it's basically a declaration of my feelings for him. And I'm pretty sure he knows it. "Oh, um. Yeah. I did."

Wesley's staring at me intently. The air between us is so charged, the hair on my arms is standing is up. "Why?" He asks softly.

I swallow. This is it. The moment. I can continue to run. Or I can go for it. But here's the thing: I'm tired of running. And really, I've got nothing left to lose. So I take a deep breath, and then I take the leap. 

"Because you made it for me," I say.

Wesley covers the length of the room in less than a second. He pulls me toward him and kisses me, and he's such a crazy, blow-my-socks-right-off amazingly good kisser that I practically melt into the floor. 

I can't even believe this is happening.

I am kissing Wesley James. 

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The balloon falls to the floor and my hands find their way to his shaggy blond hair, which is even softer than I imagined it would be. Wesley's hands are sliding up my back, bringing me closer, until there's no space between us left. We are all over each other and there is nothing "nice" about it, no wondering if this is right or if I like him. There is no thinking at all, just fireworks. 

Everything - everything - about this moment is perfect. And, like all the best things in life, absolutely worth waiting for.

- Pages 221-222

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | The Ivy Bookshop

I adored this book, and the hate-to-love friends-to-lovers romance! This was a Swoon Reads winner. You can check out my review HERE. =)

Review: Wesley James Ruined My Life by Jennifer Honeybourn

Wesley James Ruined My Life by Jennifer Honeybourn

Publisher: Swoon Reads

Publication Date: July 18, 2017

Rating: 4 stars

Source: ARC sent by the publisher

Summary (from Goodreads):

Sixteen-year-old Quinn Hardwick’s having a rough summer. Her beloved grandmother has been put into a home, her dad’s gambling addiction has flared back up and now her worst enemy is back in town: Wesley James, former childhood friend—until he ruined her life, that is.

So when Wesley is hired to work with her at Tudor Tymes, a medieval England themed restaurant, the last thing Quinn’s going to do is forgive and forget. She’s determined to remove him from her life and even the score all at once—by getting him fired.

But getting rid of Wesley isn’t as easy as she’d hoped. When Quinn finds herself falling for him, she has to decide what she wants more: to get even, or to just get over it.

What I Liked:

This book was adorable! Light, cute, and a quick read - exactly what I needed at this present time. I had a good feeling about this book and I'm glad it went my way. I'm not a huge YA contemporary fan, so I try to be as selective as possible when I read them. This book was worth it!

Quinn life is not so great at the moment. The one bright spot is that she's going to London with her high school's band over the summer, which is going to be awesome, since Quinn has been dreaming of going to London for years. She has to work often at Tudor Tymes restaurant to come up with the money for costs, but it's worth it. With everything else going on, she needs this. Her grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and the family had to put her in a home. Quinn's parents have been divorced for several years, and her father has not been able to get back on his feet since the divorce. He has no job and is constantly gambling. And then there is the source of all of Quinn's problems - Wesley James, who recently moved back to Seattle, after living elsewhere for five years. Quinn wants to exact her revenge on Wesley, but the more she schemes, the more she falls in love with him. Would it be so bad to fall for the guy whose life you're trying to ruin?

I'm not really big on second-chance romances so I was a tiny bit apprehensive about this one, at first. But it's not a second-chance romance at all. Quinn and Wesley were childhood friends for years, until they were eleven years old, when Quinn and his family moved to Portland. The going-away party was the night that everything changed - in which Quinn and Wesley fought, and then Wesley did the thing that Quinn thinks ruined her life forever. Five years later, Wesley is back, and Quinn still hasn't let go of that grudge.

Quinn is hilarious, even if her rationale was a little misguided. She likes doing things by the rules, which Wesley thinks makes her uptight, and she doesn't really play around. She is stubborn and really good at holding a grudge, which I found more impressive than anything else. I liked Quinn a lot, more than I thought I would. I could relate to her on some level, whether it was her annoyance with the customers in the restaurant, working at the restaurant in general, dealing with a boy she didn't want to see ever again, etc. 

Wesley is a charming sweetheart. Everyone likes him, and it's no surprising, since he is charismatic and fun. He tries very hard to have conversations with Quinn and get along, but she is never having it. Wesley is just as stubborn as Quinn, though in his case, it's persistence. He's a good guy, not a sleazy or douche-y character. I would have loved to meet and fall for a guy like him in high school (or college!).

The romance is kind of there, though there is only one kiss between these two (and it's at the end!). I loved seeing them reconnect in their own way (Wesley trying to make nice, Quinn stubbornly having none of it, circumstances forcing them together, etc.). They have a subtle chemistry that was fun to watch unfold. I wanted more actual swoon, but the romance was cute nonetheless.

The story doesn't just deal with Quinn trying to ruin Wesley's life and her falling for him instead. I like how the focus is also around Quinn's dad (who is broke and jobless and has a gambling problem), Quinn's grandmother (who both Quinn and Wesley loved), and really, Quinn's family in general. Family is an important part of this book, in a subtle way. And Quinn's friendship with her bestie Erin - I loved their relationship! Such a lovely friendship.

I liked the light, humorous tone of this book. So many funny times in Tudor Tymes, or with the band, or in a truck. Lots of serious times too, or moments filled with some yummy tension. But the overall tone of this book is humorous, and I liked that.

This book ended really well, exactly how I was hoping it would end. It's a great ending, one that Quinn deserved. I really enjoyed reading this book and would probably reread it in the future!

What I Did Not Like:

The thing I've noticed about Swoon Reads books is the lack of actual swoon. Where are the scorching kisses? Warm, tight hugs? Almost kisses? KISSES? There was only one kiss between Wesley and Quinn, and it was at the end, and it was very short. More swoon is needed, especially for a cute and chemistry-laden romance like this one!

Would I Recommend It:

I do recommend this book, despite the lack of kisses. If you're a YA contemporary fan, this is a good one to check out. I mean, even if you're not a YA contemporary fan, it's a good one to check out. I like that it was so dense for such a light and compact read. I breezed through it though - it's a very engaging and enjoyable read. So cute!

Rating:

4 stars. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for more books by Honeybourn in the future. Hopefully more Swoon Reads books, with more swoons. More kissing is always good!

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | The Ivy Bookshop

Was this review helpful? Please let me know in the comments section!