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Ways to Improve Bailey by Cori Cooper – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Ways to Improve BaileyWays to Improve Bailey by Cori Cooper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ways to Improve Bailey is a slow burn, wholesome, and clean romance story with some elements of humor and witty banter. It is clever, original, and has an intriguing storyline that will have you reading until the end. There are many moments when you might find yourself giggling out loud as well. The characters are quirky, brilliantly written, and lovable.
Bailey is a typical teenager who is tired of hearing how her brother thinks that she needs to improve herself. Being as sassy and smart as she is, she feels that she has no imperfections that need to be worked on. Her brother, on the other hand, has a list of the improvements that he feels that she needs. Then her brother has the nerve to set her up with the weird guy Tanner from the yogurt shop and that might be the final straw. But, as luck, or fate, would have it, the more time she spends with Tanner, the more that Bailey starts to like him. Now, she must decide if her brother has actually been right, and she does need some improvements after all.

I loved this unique and wholesome Rom Com and found the story interesting. I loved the family element and how the siblings interacted with one another. I adored Bailey’s feisty attitude and how she was okay with who she was and did not feel she needed to change. It was amusing that her brother had an entire list of what he felt her imperfections were. A cute and entertaining read.

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The Boys of Alpha Block by Nancy Nau Sullivan – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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The Boys of Alpha BlockThe Boys of Alpha Block by Nancy Nau Sullivan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Boys of Alpha Block is a heart-wrenching tale about a group of teenage boys who plan to try to escape Alpha Correctional Center, a juvenile detention center. The boys have been subjected to humiliation, degradation, and abuse at the hands of the correctional officers working within the correctional center. They feel that life on the outside would be better and as a group try to devise a plan to escape.

This was a beautifully written and fast paced story, but I will admit that it was hard for me to read at times because of the horrid abuse and neglect that was taking place within the correctional center. The author did a fantastic job of inciting raw emotions through detailed writing and vivid scene descriptions. The characters are ones that you can love, hate, or feel indifferent about. The boys needed a second chance, which could have been possible with the right guidance. Instead, those that could have helped them either mistreated or abused them or turned a blind eye. The correctional officers were deplorable, and it is hard to imagine that someone in a position of authority could treat another person so inhumanely. Those such as the teachers and counsellors that were there to guide and help were ultimately just as guilty for allowing the abuse and mistreatment of the boys to continue. A riveting read that was a rollercoaster ride of emotions for me.

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Cecily in the City (The Cecily Taylor Series Book 3) by Krysten Lindsay Hager – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Cecily in the CityCecily in the City by Krysten Lindsay Hager
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Cecily in the City is Book Three in The Cecily Taylor Series. It is a beautifully written YA Romance story centering around Cecily Taylor who has been relentlessly pursuing her dream of becoming an actress. Cecily has finally landed a role in a daytime soap opera, is living in the city, and has a pop star boyfriend so life should be perfect. The only problem is that her life in the limelight comes with a price and a whole lot of drama. Will Cecily be able to cope with her new life being so out in the open for others to judge and gossip about?

This was a great read that gives you a bit of an eye-opener about what life can be like for someone who is in the spotlight. Life behind the scenes may not be all sunshine and lollipops, which Cecily quickly learned. The story flowed nicely, the storyline was intriguing, and the characters are lovable and relatable. Cecily is smart, determined, genuine and down-to-earth so she is easy to root for. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.

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