Mundie Moms

Monday, June 1, 2015

99 Days by Katie Cotugno | Book Review



By: Katie Cotugno
Published by: Balzer & Bray
Released on: 4/21/15
Source: arc/book from publisher to review in exchange for my honest review
Add it to Goodreads
Rating: This Book Wasn't For Me

Day 1: Julia Donnelly eggs my house my first night back in Star Lake, and that’s how I know everyone still remembers everything—how I destroyed my relationship with Patrick the night everything happened with his brother, Gabe. How I wrecked their whole family. Now I’m serving out my summer like a jail sentence: Just ninety-nine days till I can leave for college, and be done.

Day 4: A nasty note on my windshield makes it clear Julia isn’t finished. I’m expecting a fight when someone taps me on the shoulder, but it’s just Gabe, home from college and actually happy to see me. “For what it’s worth, Molly Barlow,” he says, “I’m really glad you’re back.”

Day 12: Gabe got me to come to this party, and I’m actually having fun. I think he’s about to kiss me—and that’s when I see Patrick. My Patrick, who’s supposed to be clear across the country. My Patrick, who’s never going to forgive me.



Dear 99 Days,

I'm not sure what just happened, but it wasn't good. I'm writing you to let you know that, "It wasn't you, it was me.", doesn't apply to our relationship. This time around, it was all you. I wanted to like you. I tried to like you. I kept reading you in hopes I would like you, but the more I read you, the most I disliked you. Even though I tried, in the end, I realized you just weren't for me. Which wasn't the case for your author, Katie Cotugno's debut last year. I liked How To Love. This time around, the writing just wasn't, I don't even know. I hate to say this, but your writing didn't work for me. But my biggest factor in not liking you as a book, was your characters.

I felt like I was reading a soap opera gone wrong. Like really wrong. As in, I don't even know what I'm reading right now. I'm not sure if I should laugh, throw the book, or keep reading you. Let's talk about your first character Molly. Where do I start? She was not a likable character at all. She makes a lot of selfish choices, hurts a lot of people, and is surprised by the way people treat her. I had some issues with her. It's been awhile since I read a book where I literally didn't care for a character one bit, but Molly, well she's not someone that I liked, or cared for at all. 

It's not just Molly. Your two love interests were just as bad. As you might have guessed it, I didn't care for Patrick and Gabe either. These two brothers weren't much better than Molly. Like Molly, they showed little regard for other people's feelings as well. I sort of got the getting back at each other since Molly slept with the one brother while dating the other. *Insert the eye roll and parental sigh, which we all know isn't good*. You're really turning into a comedy right now, only I'm not laughing. Now I'm at the point in the story where I literally don't care what happens anymore. The more I read you in hopes you got better, the more I really couldn't stand the characters, let alone their story, and I wish I had stopped reading you after the first page. 

One thing I did like, was clearly seeing that not one character was in the right in this book. Everyone, from Molly, Gabe, Patrick, to their sister, Molly's friends, Molly's mom, and so on, made bad choices. At least in the end, a couple of characters own up to their mistakes, but by then I just didn't care enough, though I'm glad they at least grew up. I'll admit it, I'm frustrated with you as a story. I saw some potential with your storyline, but I just didn't get it. I also didn't care for the sleeping around, and all the drama. I really wanted to like you in some fashion, but I didn't. Sadly I can't even recommend you. I know, I'm sorry, but I can't.  

I feel bad I'm being frank, but sometimes that's for the best. While I know some readers will totally enjoy reading you, I didn't. When it comes to reading, there's one thing I don't like, and that is when I don't like a book. I get it. I know that not every reader will like every book they read. That's completely understandable. One of the great things about books, is that there is at least one book out there for everyone. Which is why I'm going out of the norm here on Mundie Moms, and sharing my thoughts, or lack there of, because maybe someone else enjoy reading you. 

I'm sorry, you just weren't the book for me. 

Signed,
Not A Fan

*This book contains sexual content and language.

Shadowhunters TV Series News: Set Pictures May Have Missed This Weekend

If you were away from your computer this weekend, which I know many of us here in Texas were, since the sun finally came out, and we enjoyed a day rain free, then you may have missed a few pictures that McG tweeted out. Check out these teaser pictures McG shared yesterday on Twitter.


McG shared this picture of Clary with the caption, "Clary and the point of no return."


He also shared this picture of Magnus with the caption, "Harry's ride to work."

Too bad that's not a picture of Magnus on a Llama.... hahaha


Ed was also on Twitter this weekend, and shared this picture of MALEC!


Check out this tweet from Alan Van Sprang (Valentine). A fan made this awesome graphic of Luke and Valentine, to which Maxim Roy (Jocelyn) and Isaiah Mustafa (Luke) replied to. Alan, who by the looks of this tweet, has got Valentine down, replied, "This isn't funny at all, what are you laughing at ?? ". Although I'm pretty Valentine would send some sort of demon after anyone who thought this tweet was hilarious, which it is.  

One of the things I love about the Shadowhunters cast, is their banter on Twitter. They seem to have a great chemistry together, and I'm looking forward to seeing that when the TV series airs. If you're not already doing so, you have got to follow the cast on Twitter! They are hilarious together. Today officially kicks off week 2 of filming! I'm looking forward to seeing the pictures the cast and crew share with fans this week. 

Shadowhunters TV Series News: Filming, Week #1 Picture Re-Cap | Mundane Monday #244



Happy Mundane Monday! Today officially kicks off week 2 of filming for ABC Family's THE SHADOWHUNTERS. I'm looking forward to seeing the cast and crew's pictures from this week's adventures on set. Last week the cast and crew shared a variety of pictures from the set. You can check out the pictures from filming, Day 1.

Below,  I've included a recap of the pictures from the first week 1 of filming Shadowhunters, as well as linked back to the source of who shared the picture. If you are not following the cast and crew of the Shadowhunters, I highly recommend that you are. They are awesome with keeping fans in the loop in regards to how filming is going.

Week 1 Filming Recap:

Day 2



From Cassandra Clare


Shadowhunters TVSneak peek photos from week 1 of shooting ! Are you excited?
Maxim RayIt's coming to life... Thank you 4 writing such strong female characters. ...

Day 3




Alan Van Sprang: Like mother, like daughter and  meanwhile Daddy Valentine ”YA


From Ed Decter



Pic #1 discovers her long lost twin while filming day three of

Pic #2: Who do these shoes belong to?


From McG

 Pic #1If you behave... Maybe
Pic #2Warlock...








Day 4


Ed Decter tweets:

Pic #1: Finally, no photobomb, just and on day 4


McG shared: Malec.......



Maxim RoyDay 4. Set. Shadowhunters. Keeping an eye on & .

Maxim RoyIt's coming to life... Thank you 4 writing such strong female characters. ...


Day 5





Pic #2Valentine and Jocelyn.




Maxim Roy: Day #5  aka Valentine's1st day... Should be interesting...

Maxim RoyLate night or early morning Day 5. Set. shadowhunterstv with this guy

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