Teaser Tuesday: The Next Forever by Lisa Burstein

Here is a little peek at a novella I recently read. (Review coming soon.) I really liked this line, so I wanted to share it here for Teaser Tuesday.

"I was pausing him, pausing myself. Trying to keep us in the perfect place we had been in before we got to college.

When he was my hero and I was a girl who needed one."

From The Next Forever by Lisa Burstein. 

Teaser Tuesdays is hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Dear Cassie by Lisa Burstein: Review

Dear Cassie by Lisa Burstein
Expected publication: March 5, 2013
Entangled Teen

What if the last place you should fall in love is the first place that you do?

You’d think getting sent to Turning Pines Wilderness Camp for a month-long rehabilitation “retreat” and being forced to re-live it in this journal would be the worst thing that’s ever happened to me.

You’d be wrong.

There’s the reason I was sent to Turning Pines in the first place: I got arrested. On prom night. With my two best friends, who I haven’t talked to since and probably never will again. And then there’s the real reason I was sent here. The thing I can’t talk about with the guy I can’t even think about.

What if the moment you’ve closed yourself off is the moment you start to break open?

But there’s this guy here. Ben. And the more I swear he won’t—he can’t—the deeper under my skin he’s getting. After the thing that happened, I promised I’d never fall for another boy’s lies.

And yet I can’t help but wonder…what if?

Add on Goodreads.

My Review:
We first met Cassie in Pretty Amy as part of the trio of friends that broke into a guy's house after they were stood up for prom night, stole his pot, and managed to get themselves arrested with it. Cassie was the "tough guy" of the group, never showing emotion and never really letting anyone in. In Dear Cassie, we find out why she is so closed off from relationships and so guarded with her emotions. Besides Cassie's tough childhood and getting arrested with a crap load of pot on prom night, she is also trying to figure out how to deal with a life altering decision she was forced to make after the arrest. Now Cassie is being sent to rehab to try to keep herself out of jail, but she wonders if this will be enough? Will it really help her?
 
I have developed a love/hate relationship with Lisa Burstein. And I use the word "hate" in a very loose sense because I don't really mean hate. This is the third book I've read by this author. (Well, two books and one novella. Review on the novella coming soon.) I must say that I have been pleasantly surprised that I have enjoyed them so much. On the surface, Dear Cassie may look like a typical YA book with a whiny "oh poor me" main character where everything pretty much turns out perfectly even though they complain about their hard life the whole time, but you get so much more than that. Lisa Burstein manages to capture the raw emotions and effectively portray them so that the reader can relate to the character and the situation. Both Pretty Amy and Dear Cassie take real situations and show how hard it can be to deal with the consequences. I enjoy this type of YA/NA book and wish that I had been able to find these when I was that age. Now for the "hate" part. I rarely find myself so drawn into a character's world that I am disappointed at the end of the book. Not disappointed in the story but disappointed that it was over because I was so drawn into Cassie's world that I want to know what happens next. What is Cassie's next step? I am really hoping we find out in a follow up. Is Lila's story up next? I hope so.

A copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Read my review of Pretty Amy.

About the author:
Lisa Burstein received her MFA in Fiction from the Inland Northwest Center for Writers at Eastern Washington University. She lives in Portland, OR, with her very patient husband, a neurotic dog and two cats. Dear Cassie is her second novel.

According to her twitter profile: "I write to help girls like me turn into girls not like me."

Find out more at LisaBurstein.com, on Twitter, and Facebook.     

Pretty Amy by Lisa Burstein - Review

Pretty Amy by Lisa Burstein

May 8, 2012 
by Entangled Publishing

Amy is fine living in the shadows of beautiful Lila and uber-cool Cassie, because at least she’s somewhat beautiful and uber-cool by association. But when their dates stand them up for prom, and the girls take matters into their own hands—earning them a night in jail outfitted in satin, stilettos, and Spanx—Amy discovers even a prom spent in handcuffs might be better than the humiliating “rehabilitation techniques” now filling up her summer. Worse, with Lila and Cassie parentally banned, Amy feels like she has nothing—like she is nothing.

Navigating unlikely alliances with her new coworker, two very different boys, and possibly even her parents, Amy struggles to decide if it’s worth being a best friend when it makes you a public enemy. Bringing readers along on an often hilarious and heartwarming journey, Amy finds that maybe getting a life only happens once you think your life is over.

My Review:
Amy and her friends get stood up for their prom. So now that they are all dressed up with no place to go, what are they going to do? Her friend, Lila, breaks into the house of her boyfriend to see if their dates are in there and steals a huge bag of pot. The girls drive around, getting high, and then decide to go to the prom on their own. Only the two students taking tickets won't let them in because they don't have their tickets with them. After they leave the school, they get pulled over and arrested for having the pot. Amy is now suspended from school, has to get a job to pay for her lawyer, and is banned from seeing Lila and Cassie. But they define who Amy is, and without them, she has to find herself again. 

Pretty Amy is a step away from the majority of YA books. Many YA books have teens who are doing drugs, but you don't usually read about them having any repercussions from doing it, except maybe being grounded. Lisa Burstein has given us a realistic look into the life of a teenager who has to face the consequences of being caught. Amy's entire life is turned upside down and changed in one night. Now Amy has to try to put her life back in order, do things she doesn't want to do, and figure out who she is.

You can easily relate to Amy and understand her because Lisa Burstein has perfectly described the feelings of an insecure teenager who only defines herself by her friends. She has also captured the emotions of anyone, regardless of age, who has found themselves at the worst point in their life. Pretty Amy is easy to read and engaging. I really enjoyed it, and I would recommend it to others. (I would recommend this to older YA readers due to drug use and language.)  

A copy was provided by the publisher for review.

About the author:
Lisa Burstein is a tea seller by day and a writer by night. She received her MFA in Creative Writing from the Inland Northwest Center for Writers at Eastern Washington University and is glad to finally have it be worth more than the paper it was printed on. She lives in Portland, Oregon with her very patient husband, a neurotic dog and two cats. Pretty Amy is her first novel. She never went to her senior prom.

She wrote her first story when she was in second grade. It was a Thanksgiving tale from the point of view of the turkey from freezer to oven to plate. It was scandalous.

She was a lot like Amy when she was in high school.

She is still a lot like Amy.

Find out more about Lisa Burstein.     

Pretty Amy by Lisa Burstein - Interview & Giveaway

Pretty Amy by Lisa Burstein

Expected publication: May 15, 2012 

Publisher: Entangled Publishing

Amy is fine living in the shadows of beautiful Lila and uber-cool Cassie, because at least she’s somewhat beautiful and uber-cool by association. But when their dates stand them up for prom, and the girls take matters into their own hands—earning them a night in jail outfitted in satin, stilettos, and Spanx—Amy discovers even a prom spent in handcuffs might be better than the humiliating “rehabilitation techniques” now filling up her summer. Worse, with Lila and Cassie parentally banned, Amy feels like she has nothing—like she is nothing.

Navigating unlikely alliances with her new coworker, two very different boys, and possibly even her parents, Amy struggles to decide if it’s worth being a best friend when it makes you a public enemy. Bringing readers along on an often hilarious and heartwarming journey, Amy finds that maybe getting a life only happens once you think your life is over.

Interview with Lisa Burstein:

1. What was your favorite book when you were younger?

I loved Nancy Drew books. I would stay up all night reading them. My grandmother had a huge collection of hardcovers and gave me all of them. I really loved the way the books kept my interest. I am a sucker for a good mystery to this day.

2. Who are your favorite authors?

Margaret Atwood is my ultimate favorite. I also like Courtney Summers, Sara Zarr, John Green and Deb Caletti.

3. If you could have a signed copy of any novel what would it be and why?

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood. It is my favorite book and I would argue one of the best dystopian novels ever written.

4. What is one book you wish you had written?

Youth In Revolt by C.D. Payne. This is one of the funniest, most addictive books I've ever read. I love Nick Twisp!

5. Tell us your most rewarding experience since being published.

Probably seeing my book. Seeing my name on the cover and then on every other page was incredible! Like the day I got married, the first time someone told me I was a talented writer, the first time a boy told me I was pretty and the stomach flu all wrapped into one. Oh and surreal… completely crazy that something I wrote was in my hands and will be available for others to read.

6. How did you celebrate the sale of Pretty Amy?

As soon as I got off the phone with my agent, I called my mom and drank a glass of wine. Not very glamorous! :)

7. In one sentence only, please tell us why we should read your book.

PRETTY AMY is the book I wished I had when I was in high school.

About the author:

Lisa Burstein is a tea seller by day and a writer by night. She received her MFA in Creative Writing from the Inland Northwest Center for Writers at Eastern Washington University and is glad to finally have it be worth more than the paper it was printed on. She lives in Portland, Oregon with her very patient husband, a neurotic dog and two cats. Pretty Amy is her first novel. She never went to her senior prom.

She wrote her first story when she was in second grade. It was a Thanksgiving tale from the point of view of the turkey from freezer to oven to plate. It was scandalous.

She was a lot like Amy when she was in high school.

She is still a lot like Amy.

You can find out more about Lisa Burstein on her website.

Giveaway:

One winner will receive an eBook of Pretty Amy by Lisa Burstein.

How to enter:

Just be a follower of Krazy Book Lady in whatever way you choose. Then fill out the form below.

Additional optional entries:

+1 Follow Lisa Burstein on Twitter.

+1 Like Lisa Burstein on Facebook.

+1 Like Entangled Publishing on Twitter or like on Facebook.

Giveaway details:

Giveaway is open internationally. This giveaway will run until midnight EST on May 7. Must be 13 or older to enter. Winner will be chosen using Random.org. Winner will be emailed, and this blog post will be updated to include the name of the winner. Winner has 3 days to contact me, or a new winner will be selected.

Sorry! This giveaway is now over.

Winner: Tayte H.

Cover Reveal: Pretty Amy by Lisa Burstein

This is my first cover reveal! Isn't it pretty? Love the shoes!

Pretty Amy by Lisa Burstein

Expected publication: May 15, 2012 by Entangled Publishing

Amy is fine living in the shadows of beautiful Lila and uber-cool Cassie, because at least she’s somewhat beautiful and uber-cool by association. But when their dates stand them up for prom, and the girls take matters into their own hands—earning them a night in jail outfitted in satin, stilettos, and Spanx—Amy discovers even a prom spent in handcuffs might be better than the humiliating “rehabilitation techniques” now filling up her summer. Worse, with Lila and Cassie parentally banned, Amy feels like she has nothing—like she is nothing.

Navigating unlikely alliances with her new coworker, two very different boys, and possibly even her parents, Amy struggles to decide if it’s worth being a best friend when it makes you a public enemy. Bringing readers along on an often hilarious and heartwarming journey, Amy finds that maybe getting a life only happens once you think your life is over.

Pre-order at Barnes & Noble or Amazon and add on Goodreads.

About the author:

Lisa Burstein is a tea seller by day and a writer by night. She received her MFA in Creative Writing from the Inland Northwest Center for Writers at Eastern Washington University and is glad to finally have it be worth more than the paper it was printed on. She lives in Portland, Oregon with her very patient husband, a neurotic dog and two cats. Pretty Amy is her first novel. She never went to her senior prom.

She wrote her first story when she was in second grade. It was a Thanksgiving tale from the point of view of the turkey from freezer to oven to plate. It was scandalous.

She was a lot like Amy when she was in high school.

She is still a lot like Amy.

You can find Lisa on her website, Twitter, and Facebook.