Heartbeat by Elizabeth Scott

Heartbeat by Elizabeth Scott

Release Date: January 28, 2014
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Rated: YA 14+
Format: eGalley
Source: NetGalley
Buy: Amazon ● The Book Depository
Goodreads ● Website

Life. Death. And...Love?

Emma would give anything to talk to her mother one last time. Tell her about her slipping grades, her anger with her stepfather, and the boy with the bad reputation who might be the only one Emma can be herself with.

But Emma can't tell her mother anything. Because her mother is brain-dead and being kept alive by machines for the baby growing inside her.

Meeting bad-boy Caleb Harrison wouldn't have interested Old Emma. But New Emma-the one who exists in a fog of grief, who no longer cares about school, whose only social outlet is her best friend Olivia-New Emma is startled by the connection she and Caleb forge.

Feeling her own heart beat again wakes Emma from the grief that has grayed her existence. Is there hope for life after death-and maybe, for love?

When it comes to Elizabeth Scott's books, I would read any of them in a heartbeat (pun intended). I've already read so many of them – The Unwritten Rule, Stealing Heaven, Between Here and Forever, Living Dead Girl and Something, Maybe. I'm so glad that I got the chance to read Heartbeat, because it was amazing. I loved it. It was so honest, and an emotional roller-coaster from start to finish.

Okay, I understand why people didn't enjoy the book because of Emma's character. I thought she was a bit too harsh towards her step-father. However, I thought that the emotions that her character goes through are so believable, and really epitomizes the true essence of young adult fiction, because I could see why she would be that upset and why she would say those things. I mean, sure, it was sad how she treated her step-father and it may get a little over-the-top at some parts, but it's still understandable. 
Dan: definitely one of the sweetest father figures EVER. While I did like Emma's character, I felt so sorry for him with her yelling at him constantly and pushing at him that he never loved her mother. It was really sad to see him have to deal with a step-daughter who hated him. 
I don't think I've ever talked about the love interest second to another character (other than the MC). Oh well, what can I say? I have faith in Elizabeth Scott's love interests (HELLO, Finn from Something, Maybe), and Caleb did not let me down. Reminded me of so many of the bad boys in young adult fiction with good hearts, and I loved his story and how much he could realte to Emma. I felt really bad for him because his parents were AWFUL people, and I knew there was more to his angry exterior. Olivia was another really cute character, and I love how close she is to Emma, and how our main character could always rely on her.

Heartbeat kind of reminded me of Between Here and Forever, because of the mother and where the main character meets the love interest– it's quite similar in that respect. Otherwise, I thought this was an original read. I loved the Q & A at the end of the book with the author, and thought that it was interesting how Scott came about writing this book and it's topic – I've never heard of it happening in real life (she does say it's rare for this to happen), but I'm glad i got the chance to read it. To be able to put oneself in a character's shoes in a situation that's you've never previously experienced is the main reason why I love reading, and Elizabeth Scott's writing captures the feelings and the actions of the characters so realistically.

I know I've said this before, but I'll say it again: Elizabeth Scott is definitely a Queen of Teen Fiction. I love everything she writes, and pretty sure I will with her future works as well, because she puts so much heart into her words. I was so moved by Heartbeat. It's lyrical and heartbreaking, having the right amount of everything. I'm eagerly anticipating her next work!

If you like this, try...

• Between Here and Forever by Elizabeth Scott ● Goodreads
• Never Enough by Denise Jaden ● Goodreads

Waiting on Wednesday – Week 54

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. It's to spotlight on upcoming reads which I'm DYING to get my hands on.

This week's WoW is:

Miracle by Elizabeth Scott

Megan survived the plane crash—but can she survive the aftermath? An intense, emotional novel from the author ofThe Unwritten Rule and Between Here and Forever.

Megan is a miracle. At least, that’s what everyone says. Having survived a plane crash that killed everyone else on board, Megan knows she should be grateful just to be alive. But the truth is, she doesn’t feel like a miracle. In fact, she doesn’t feel anything at all. Then memories from the crash start coming back.

Scared and alone, Megan doesn’t know whom to turn to. Her entire community seems unable—or maybe unwilling—to see her as anything but Miracle Megan. Everyone except for Joe, the beautiful boy next door with a tragic past and secrets of his own. All Megan wants is for her life to get back to normal, but the harder she tries to live up to everyone’s expectations, the worse she feels. And this time, she may be falling too fast to be saved...

Goodreads

Release Date: June 5, 2012

As a huge fan of Elizabeth Scott, I cannot WAIT for this one. I loved The Unwritten Rule, Something, Maybe, Between Here and Forever, Living Dead Girl and Stealing Heaven– all were amazing, and I'm sure this one is no exception.

What are you waiting on?

Dream Cast: Something, Maybe

Since I love both books and movies, I thought "wouldn't be it cool to have a crossover?" and BOOM! Dream Casting began. It's a ton of fun, I must say, matching up book characters to their potential actors and actresses.

Today's movie dream cast is for:

Something, Maybe by Elizabeth Scott

Hannah

AnnaSophia Robb

(Because of Winn-Dixie, Bridge to Terabithia, Race to Witch Mountain, Soul Surfer)

Wow...she's definitely changed! I haven't seen her in anything since Race to Witch Mountain, but she really has grown. None the less, I think she'd be an amazing Hannah, got that down-to-earth look, not exactly like popular-girl pretty but still stunning in the most friendly and normal way, if you know what I mean.

OR

Meaghan Jette

(10 Things I Hate About You [TV], Camp Rock 1 & 2)

She kinda looks like the girl hiding her face in the cover! Or at least... I can imagine her doing so. Same with Robb, she looks stunning but in a normal way, and out of the two, I would say that Jette fits the part better than her. She can totally play a loner! Even though, she was a meanie in Camp Rock and trying to be popular in the TV show, I think she can achieve that.

Finn

Asher Book

(Fame, Zoey 101 [TV])

I know Finn in the book has blonde hair, but com'mon! The shade of Book's hair isn't too off. And he totally looks like the jock who is really friendly. He might be a bit too old. Meh, he's still a pretty good fit :)

OR

Chord Overstreet

(Glee [TV])

I personally LOVE his character on Glee. Best character EVER. And I think he'd totally be a great Finn 'cause a) he's got the look, b) he's cute and funny and c) he can totally "accidently" injure someone when they mess with Hannah, after all he plays a jock (somewhat) on Glee. Out of the two, Overstreet would be my top choice.

Josh

Logan Lerman

(Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief, My One and Only, Hoot)

This guy totally makes me feel all gushy inside. Which is why he is PERFECT for Josh. Even though Josh *SPOILER ALERT* isnt' a really good character in the book, I think he'd be a great, and of course, needs to be attractive, cute and artsy looking. Otherwise, why else does Hannah keep staring at him?

Taegan

Emma Roberts

(Nancy Drew, Wild Child, Unfabulous [TV], Valentine's Day, Hotel for Dogs)

Taegan is a dark haired pretty girl who is sorta friends with Hannah. She's said to have brown locks, and when I thought of that, the first person to jump into my head was Emma Roberts. She played a brat in Wild Child, but she can be a sweet-natured character as well

Jackson James (Hannah's Dad)

George Clooney

(Up in the Air, The Descendants, Ocean's Eleven, The Men Who Stare at Goats)

I saw his picture up somewhere and it clicked. He looks kinda old (in a good way) because of the hair and "smile wrinkles" apparent in the 2nd photo, but he's got that charm that Hannah's dad is supposed to have, and attractiveness. You know, to attract all those women on his TV show :P

Candy Madison (Hannah's Mom)

Bianca Kajlich

(Rules of Engagement [TV])

I have never seen or heard of this actress before, but when I saw her picture it just FIT. Hannah's mom was the hardest to cast and took a lot of picture surfing. Gladly, I found this gorgeous actress who fits the bill: of being both mom and not-mom like (as Candy Madison has a pretty explicit job). I think she'd be perfect for the part :)

SO there you have it, my dream cast for Something, Maybe by Elizabeth Scott which I just recently read. Review coming soon! I don't think that this would become a movie (being not one of the most popular E. Scott books :P) but still, maybe in the future...who knows?

Previous Dream Casts:

A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray

Between Here and Forever by Elizabeth Scott

Between Here and Forever by Elizabeth Scott


Published: May 24th, 2011
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Rating: YA 14+
Format: eGalley
Source: Simon & Schuster's Galley Grab
Amazon ❘ Goodreads ❘ Website


Abby accepted that she can’t measure up to her beautiful, magnetic sister Tess a long time ago, and knows exactly what she is: Second best. Invisible.

Until the accident.

Now Tess is in a coma, and Abby’s life is on hold. It may have been hard living with Tess, but it's nothing compared to living without her.
She's got a plan to bring Tess back though, involving the gorgeous and mysterious Eli, but then Abby learns something about Tess, something that was always there, but that she’d never seen.
Abby is about to find out that truth isn't always what you think it is, and that life holds more than she ever thought it could...

**This Review is based on an ARC (Advanced Reader's Copy). The final text/cover may be different.**

This book is so emotional. I couldn't help but feel so sorry for Abby, how she has to deal with a perfect older sister, and how she keeps visiting in the hospital, hoping she'll wake up. It's so sweet how she talks to her sister, tries to make her wake up, and deal with her parents as well. Everything seems to unfold onto Abby, and she's the one trying to find out about her sister, figure out what about her changed. I guessed the "big" surprise about her sister (I actually couldn't believe I was RIGHT!) and so I was pretty happy that I knew it would come around.


This is the 4th Elizabeth Scott novel I've read, and I have to say, this has the most emotion. It's not the most saddest (that goes to Living Dead Girl) but it's definitely one giant roller coaster full of melancholy, love and thought. I sometimes though wanted to shake Abby to stop complaining about her perfect sister. But I guess, it's pretty understandable from her standpoint.
LOVED Eli! Elizabeth Scott definitely knows how to craft the male characters into making them irresistible :) Claire was also a key character– without her, I have no idea how the story could ever be as dramatic!
I love the topics touched by Elizabeth Scott, it's not taken lightly, and it shows the true colors of real life. I found myself being pulled in by them and finding a much different outlook on them. I didn't know what some of the things were, example OCD, but this book really helped me look at life from a different perspective.
This book was short, and easy to dive into, but difficult to come back out to the surface again. Every character has sympathy for different reasons, and it's just such a overwhelming book with everything turning out in the end, with Abby's first boyfriend, Tess' secret, why Tess and Claire don't talk to one another, her parents trying to cope–there's definitely a LOT to this book.


Between Here and Forever is a story of acceptance, discrimination, and that somethings don't appear what they seem to. The ending was left with hope, but I really do hope there's a sequel or something, because I don't like where it's left off– I want it to continue! A sensitive, touching novel, Elizabeth Scott does not disappoint.

If you like this, try...

• Dreamland by Sarah Dessen (Review ❘ Amazon ❘ Goodreads)

WWW Wednesdays - Week 13

"WWW Wednesdays" is a weekly meme hosted by Should Be Reading. To participate, just answer the following 3 questions:


1. What are you currently reading?
2. What did you recently finish reading?
3. What do you think you'll read next?

What are you currently reading?

Right now I'm reading The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross. I know this one came out a few days ago [I have the eGalley], so I need to hurry up and finish it! I'm progressing kinda slowly through it, because of school work and stuff...it's really good though! Loving it :)

What did you recently finish reading?

I just finished The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff. A.MA.ZING! It's so dark and edgy, yet so intriguing! Review coming soon...if I'm still alive after my huge "To-Be-Reviewed" list :P. Love the cover of this one as well! So creepily awesome!

What do you think you'll read next?

Through amazing luck, I managed to get my hands on an eGalley of this Between Here and Forever by Elizabeth Scott! It came out on the same day as The Girl in the Steel Corset did, but I need to hurry up and finish this one so I can get a review in time for you all to enjoy :)

That was my WWW Wed of this week! What are you currently reading? Leave a link/comment!

Waiting on Wednesday – Week 14

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine. It's to spotlight upcoming releases which I can't WAIT to get my hands on :).

A Book I can't wait for is...

As I Wake
by Elizabeth Scott
Publication Date: September 15th, 2011
Amazon ❘ Goodreads


What if you woke up and didn't know where you were?

What if you didn't know who you were?

And what if, when your memories started to come back--what if they didn't match the you that you're supposed to be?

Ava is welcomed home from the hospital by a doting mother, lively friends, and a crush finally beginning to show interest. There's only one problem: Ava can't remember any of them--and can't shake the eerie feeling that she's not who they say she is.

Ava struggles to break through her amnesiac haze as she goes through the motions of high-school life, but the memories that surface take place in a very different world, where Ava and familiar-faced friends are under constant scrutiny and no one can be trusted. Ava doesn't know what to make of these visions, or of the boy who is at the center of them all, until he reappears in her life and offers answers . . . but only in exchange for her trust.

I LOVE Elizabeth's Scott's books (although I've only read The Unwritten Rule, Living Dead Girl and Stealing Heaven so far) and the cover of this one is GORGEOUS! It sounds very mysterious...I need to find out what happens! WHY is September so far away?!?


That's my WoW for this week...what are you "waiting on"? Leave a link/comment!

WWW Wednesdays - Week 3

"WWW Wednesdays" is a weekly meme hosted by Should Be Reading. 

To Play along, just do the following Three (3) things:

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?

My Answers:

What are you currently reading?

I'm currently reading Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen. I'm loving it so much, as I love her other books!

What did you recently finish reading?

I just finished reading Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott. SO GOOD! Read a review here.

What do you think you’ll read next?

I think I'll read The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han next. I've been hearing many good things about and have received an e-mail, recommending me to read it. It sounds good, so I'll give it a try :).

Please leave a comment with a link to your WWW Wednesdays or just post your answers in the comments itself :) and please feel free to email book recommendations to iliveforreading@hotmail.com!

Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott

Once upon a time, I was a little girl who disappeared.
Once upon a time, my name was not Alice.
Once upon a time, I didn’t know how lucky I was.

When Alice was ten, Ray took her away from her family, her friends her life. She learned to give up all power, to endure all pain. She waited for the nightmare to be over.
Now Alice is fifteen and Ray still has her, but he speaks more and more of her death. He does not know it is what she longs for. She does not know he has something more terrifying than death in mind for her.
This is Alice’s story. It is one you have never heard, and one you will never, ever forget.

Oh My Goodness. I think there are only a few books in this world that can make me feel shocked, scared and so moved.

This book is definitely one of them.

The blurb and the comments really reeled me into the story. I really love this praise by Lisa McMann. I totally agree with it!

"A haunting story of an abducted girl you'll be desperate and helpless to save; her captor so disturbing, so menacing, you'll want to claw the pages from this book and shred them. Brava to Elizabeth Scott for creating such an intense, real, and perfectly painful story of terror, not without hope. Living Dead Girl is impossible to ignore." 

-- Lisa McMann, New York Times bestselling author of Wake

I finished this book in less than an hour, and it left me feeling breathless. Short chapters, but it's so emotionally and mentally effecting that you'll be thinking about it for days. "Alice's" story is a horrifying one and with every chapter you'll feel like screaming or crying for her, wishing her out of her pain and misery. 

I found this book really different from the other two books I've read by Elizabeth Scott, The Unwritten Rule and Stealing Heaven. It's amazing how different, yet AMAZINGLY good this book is!

This book reminded me quite a lot of Wake by Lisa McMann, mainly because it was the same writing style, with short chapters, but ones that effect you the most. Books that you can read under or around an hour, yet they stick with you for days and days, keeping you awake at nights, clawing and wishing desperately that this never happens to you.

Ray is horrible. I feel so sad for Alice as she has to endure the torture he puts upon her each day since she was ten. It's all gasp-and-scream worthy when Ray's in the chapter. Horrible character, but amazingly crafted (imagined by Elizabeth Scott – not like, he's gifted or anything). He's definitely one of the most creepiest and horrible of the bad guys in books I've read. *Shudder*

*SPOILER ALERT* Yet, as Lisa McMann says, there is hope for Alice at the end. With those chapters, as she talks to the Policewoman, to that guy, and to other people besides Ray, it seems more hopeful every time. The ending made me (nearly) cry with tears of joy. She, at last, is free. But I'm not gonna tell you how...

I love the cover! That's another thing I loved about this book. The cover is really attractive, in that haunting ghostly way. It's Fabulous!

Overall, Living Dead Girl is a haunting, yet sad, beautiful book about a girl, who wishes for freedom by death, and shows us that even in the darkest of times, there is always room for hope.

Stealing Heaven by Elizabeth Scott

My name is Danielle. I'm eighteen. I've been stealing things for as long as I can remember.

Dani has been trained as a thief by the best there is—her mother. They never stay in one place long enough for Dani to have real connections, real friends—a real life.

But in the town of Heaven, everything changes. Suddenly, Dani must question where her loyalties lie: with the life she's always known—or the one she's always wanted.

I was thinking a lot about the title when I finished the book. I was like, hmm...there's a lot of meaning to the book title. One, it could mean the easiest and simple translation: Stealing stuff from the town of Heaven. Two, it could be that the town's a "Criminal's Paradise" i.e. Stealing Heaven, as the town is full of rich people. I dunno. Just curious about the title.


I love this book. It's seriously amazing and awesome and everything that a chick-lit book could have.


1) The weird parent (it's usually the mom...why? why is it ALWAYS the mom?)
2) The cute guy which everyone's rooting for in the end (mhmm)
3)  The deep dark secret which the girl cannot reveal to the guy (until the very end)


I feel so sorry for the guy and the friend in the end. The friend especially. All she wanted to do was to become friends with Dani, and she tells her everything about her self (seriously, she's adorable) and then Dani steals her house. I really felt sad at that part.


This book didn't have the same simplicity or "commonity" as The Unwritten Rule by Elizabeth Scott (Loved that Book sooo much). This one went really deep, and isn't your everyday example of what a book would be about. It's a really different topic, a different aspect of life, and I loved it. It's kinda sad how the mom makes her daughter steal things with her, and even sadder to learn that ever since she was like, 3, she's been stealing stuff with her parents.


When I read this book, for some reason, I kept on thinking of the song "Breakaway" by Kelly Clarkson. I guess it kinda does go with the book if you think about it.