{Blog Tour} The Truth about Us by Janet Gurtler

Posted by Donna
Release Date: April 7th, 2015
Finished Date: 
Publishers: Sourcebooks Fire

Genre: YA, Contemporary, Romance
Source: For Review
Format: eARC

Pages: 304

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

A powerful and gripping contemporary YA from the author of I'm Not Her that's "Just right for fans of Sarah Dessen and Jodi Picoult."-Booklist

The truth is that Jess knows she screwed up.
She's made mistakes, betrayed her best friend, and now she's paying for it. Her dad is making her spend the whole summer volunteering at the local soup kitchen.

The truth is she wishes she was the care-free party-girl everyone thinks she is.
She pretends it's all fine. That her "perfect" family is fine. But it's not. And no one notices the lie...until she meets Flynn. He's the only one who really sees her. The only one who listens.

The truth is that Jess is falling apart – and no one seems to care. 
But Flynn is the definition of "the wrong side of the tracks." When Jess's parents look at him they only see the differences-not how much they need each other. They don't get that the person who shouldn't fit in your world... might just be the one to make you feel like you belong.

The Review: The Truth above Us is a story about Jess whose life seems to be crashing around her. Her mother stays in her room all day, her father is a controlling workaholic and her older sister spends more time at her boyfriend’s house than at home. The only person Jess has to rely on is her best friend who really isn’t that great of a friend. But now, after making too many mistakes, Jess’s father is making her volunteer in a soup kitchen and it is there that she means Flynn – the boy from the wrong side of town. As Jess and Flynn start a relationship, it seems there is more than one person who doesn’t want them together. So can they beat the odds? 

I’ve really enjoyed Janet Gurtler’s books so far. My favourite being Who I Kissed and so I’m always waiting impatiently for a new release from her. I enjoyed The Truth about Us but it wasn’t a favourite. The reason for that is because I’ve read a lot of these types of stories – ones about girls dating guys from the wrong side of the tracks. And while I enjoyed this one, it didn’t really stand out compared to the other stories I’ve read. I’m not saying this is a bad story because it’s not. It’s a quick and easy read, one that’s enjoyable but it’s one that didn’t wow but as much as I hoped because I didn’t find it very memorable. 

Jess was a likable character. Even though she had her moments to start with as the story progresses she becomes more open and honest with herself and starts to really grow. The troubles she faces at home are troubling and I really felt for situation and could understand the reasons for why she acted out. But then I liked it when Jess started working at the soup kitchen because it’s there she changes. I really liked that the author added the issues because she’s famous for writing about real life issues. 

The romance of the story is a very strong aspect of the story and I didn’t really connect with it as much as I would have liked. The characters relationship develops too quickly, almost an insta-love connection and it just all felt too rushed. 

In all, while I enjoyed The Truth about Us it isn’t a favourite of mine but if you’re looking for an easy read that easy to fly through, then you’re in the right place. 

Thank you to Sourcebooks Fire for giving me the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review. 

Why it's important to tell the truth:

by Janet Gurtler

I believe in telling the truth. That’s not to say I’ve never lied to anyone, or never told a few white lies in my time.  I have however been accused of being the kind of person who “tells it like it is.” This is accurate to some degree, though I don’t go out of my way to say mean things or point out mean things about other people. Yes, your haircut looks great, no those pants don’t make your butt look big. I’d never have to be totally honest to hurt someone’s feelings.

I’m attracted to friends who are sarcastic and funny and direct.  It’s a quality I admire in other people and I think it stems from the fact that I’m a fan of telling the truth to yourself. I’m not the kind of person who likes pretending that everything is perfect when everything is not.  I don’t want to be the negative nelly all the time either, but I’m not faking things so that the surface looks shiny.

I hate sweeping things under the carpet. I’d rather talk about things. Real things. I don’t like pretenses. I don’t like beating around the bush. I don’t like it when people tell others something only because they think that’s what they think that person wants to hear. I’m not good at those kind of games and it irritates me when others play them.

I actually had a talk with my son recently about this exact topic. He struggles with a friend who is always boasting, making things up and outright lying. We talked about different family values. How maybe this friend has other good qualities, but might not turn out to be the kind of person my son wants to associate with long term.  I told him my view on honesty and how that filters to him and we talked about how different family’s value different things and it doesn’t necessarily make us right, but it shapes our behavior and what we value in others.

I think my attitude about truth telling comes out a lot in my writing. I am a big fan of giving my characters secrets and making them face those secrets one way or another. In The Truth About Us, most of the characters in the book have to look inward and face truths about themselves. Sometimes the truth isn’t pretty. None of us are perfect. I think in real life the key is to figure out how to make your own truth something you can live with.

AUTHOR BIO

A Rita Award Finalist and Crystal Kite Award Finalist, Janet Gurtler's young adult books have been chosen for the JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD SELECTION and as BEST BOOKS FOR TEENS from the Canadian Children’s Book Center. Janet lives in Okotoks Alberta, Canada with her husband, son, and a chubby black Chihuahua named Bruce.

WEBSITE: http://www.janet-gurtler.com/

TWITTER: @janetgurtler

GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4147574.Janet_Gurtler

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJanetGurtler

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Blog Tour for 16 Things I Thought Were True by Janet Gurtler; Review + Guest Post

Posted by Donna
Release Date: March 4th, 2013
Finished Date: March 5th, 2014

Publishers: Sourcefire books
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Source: For Review

Format: eARC
Pages: 304

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

Heart attacks happen to other people #thingsIthoughtweretrue

When Morgan's mom gets sick, it's hard not to panic. Without her mother, she would have no one—until she finds out the dad who walked out on her as a baby isn't as far away as she thought...

Adam is a stuck-up, uptight jerk #thingsIthoughtweretrue

Now that they have a summer job together, Morgan's getting to know the real Adam, and he's actually pretty sweet...in a nerdy-hot kind of way. He even offers to go with her to find her dad. Road trip, anyone?

5000 Twitter followers are all the friends I need #thingsIthoughtweretrue

With Adam in the back seat, a hyper chatterbox named Amy behind the wheel, and plenty of Cheetos to fuel their trip, Morgan feels ready for anything. She's not expecting a flat tire, a missed ferry, a fake girlfriend...and that these two people she barely knew before the summer started will become the people she can't imagine living without.

The Review: 16 Things I Thought Were True is another charming read by Janet Gurtler that is highly relatable!

Morgan is a sixteen year old girl who is completely obsessed with Twitter. She lives her life through Twitter, updated her status every five minutes and feels like the only friends she has are through the internet. Especially since her ex-best friend posted a video of her on line for the world to see. Since then, Morgan keeps to herself and tries to hide away from what everyone thinks about her. It’s not until Morgan’s mother is rushed to hospital that she finally accepts some help from her moody boss; Adam, when she needs a ride to the hospital. It’s then that Morgan’s mother finally tells her some information about her father – the guy who has had nothing to do with Morgan since she was born. Feeling like she needs to reach out to her him, Morgan finds herself in a car, on a road trip with two of the most unlikely people she ever thought she’d befriend, but she’s finding there are many surprises along the way!

I’ve only ever read on another book by Janet Gurtler – Who I Kissed – which I really enjoyed. Now she’s back with 16 Things I Thought Were True and I finished knowing that I really need to read some more of Janet’s other work, because each time I finish her book, her work leaves a very good impression on me. 16 Things I Thought Were Tue definitely has a little bit of everything, a good plot that was emotional and fun, many twists that keeps you guessing, great characters and great secondary characters, and a romance that is sweet and very tender.

Morgan was a likable and relatable character. Her obsessiveness over Twitter and Chap Stick made her an even more real character. People, even me, can really relate to things like that. Me, I’m addicted to lip balm. See, she’s relatable. I loved that. Not only that but she’s fun, especially when she having fun. And Adam, he was such a sweet guy. He’s what every girl’s needs, someone strong, loyal, kind and loving. Another character that stood out what Amy. I loved how she couldn't control the things popping out of her mouth and that she was there to support Morgan, when they had only just become friends. I though Amy's secret was very well done and definitely turned up the emotional feelings towards the end. I loved Amy, but more importantly, I really loved it when Morgan, Adam and Amy were all together. It was so much fun.

Overall, #16thingsithoughtweretrue is a great summer read. Mark it on your TBR lists guys! Enjoy!

Favourite Quote: "You make me want to be a better person," he says softly. "To deserve you. I want you to know how right you feel to me."

How did you come up with the idea behind 16 Things I Thought Were True? 

Sixteen Things evolved from an idea about a girl who is hiding from the world via social media while ironically being “overexposed” (by a viral video) by the Internet.  To me it’s about a girl discovering who she is and she goes about it in ways that are so different than when I grew up.  I find it interesting.  I would have LOVED social media as a shy teen. I know I would have been very addicted to it.

It’s pretty easy to hide behind a keyboard in today’s world. I know I’m guilty of  social media addiction sometimes. I imagine it would be easy for many teens to get caught up in that world as well.  I know, having a teen of my own that phones are the most important thing a teenager owns. It’s kind of scary really.  I can’t imagine what life is going to be like for the kids of today’s teenagers when I think about how much things have changed in my lifetime.

Anyhow, at the risk of sounding like an old codger, I think that this book was inspired by the social media world. And finding yourself.

AUTHOR BIO

Janet lives near the Canadian Rockies with her husband and son and a little dog named Bruce. She does not live in an Igloo or play hockey, but she does love maple syrup and says “eh” a lot. 

Website: http://janetgurtler.blogspot.com/

I'm Not Her by Janet Gurtler is iBookstore's Book of the Week! Get it FREE!!

I’m Not Her by Janet Gurtler is currently featured on iTunes "iBookstore Book of the Week” as of  May 21st. 

The book is being offered FREE for this week, and we were hoping you will go and grab a copy, so you can discover the magic of Janet Gurtler’s characters and stories.

Buy: I'm Not Her on iTunes.com. *Available on iTunes.com

“For the first time in my life, I didn’t feel envy…” 

I’m Not Her is a journey of self-discovery for one teen who learns more about herself and her relationship with her sister and family when tragedy strikes. 

Tess is the exact opposite of her beautiful, athletic sister. And that’s okay. Kristina is the sporty one, Tess is the smart one, and they each have their place. 

Until Kristina is diagnosed with cancer. Suddenly Tess is the center of the popular crowd, everyone eager for updates. There are senior boys flirting with her. Yet the smiles of her picture-perfect family are cracking and her sister could be dying. Now Tess has to fill a new role: the strong one. Because if she doesn’t hold it together, who will?

Author Interview with Janet Gurtler

What inspired you to write I’m Not Her?

I wanted to look at what would happen when someone who is perfect and has everything (on the outside) suddenly has it drastically taken away. And what happens when family roles are suddenly altered or reversed. I remember envying others when I was a teen and wanted to look beneath the illusion of “perfect”.

I’m Not Her is about two sisters finding their way through a tragic event. Did you draw from experience with Tracey (your sister) the dynamic between Tess and Kristina?

I was kind of shy around Tracey when we were teens. She was three years older than me and so much more sophisticated back then. THAT changes drastically ha ha just kidding. Tracey was taller and thinner (still is) and I envied her. I did use some of our dynamics in the book sister relationship, but Tess and Kristina are more forced into growing intimacy while Tracey and I developed ours more naturally. Tracey and I also bonded over the weirdness of our parents (but don’t tell them that. ) 

Everyone deals tragedy differently. At what point did you know you were going to pair humor with hardship and how did you learn to balance the two?

I think dry humor is my intrinsic way of dealing and I passed this trait on to Tess. I like humor in sad situations if it is used appropriately. Tess’s humor is much like my own. Kind of self depreciating and okay maybe a little inappropriate at times, but it’s a way of coping. As Tess becomes stronger and is able to express herself more, she’s able to get the things she thinks outside of her head and it helps lighten some really dark moments with her sister.

Now for some fun stuff: What’s a typical day of writing like for you?

Write write. Facebook. Write write. Twitter. Write Write. Goodreads. Write write. Google. This goes on from 9-3 and then I pick my son up and take him to swim club. I may write again in the evening if I’m deep in a book, but usually that’s when I waste more time reading celebrity gossip or reading other people’s YA!

You say you’re addicted to the Internet, where can fans find you most?

In my living room? On the couch. Oh. Where on the INTERNET?? Tee hee. I am always on Twitter and Facebook. Every single day. Many thousands of times a day! I'd love to hear from anyone who read I'm Not Her and liked it! If you didn't like it, please take it up with my mother.

Janet's Other Books;
  

Blog Tour for How I Lost You by Janet Gutler; Spotlight + Int Giveaway

Posted by Donna
Release Date: April 23rd, 2013

Publishers: Sourcebooks Fire

Blog Tour Schedule: Jean Book Nerd 

There are a few things Grace Anderson knows for sure. 

One is that nothing will ever come between her and her best friend, Kya Kessler. 
They have a pact. 
Buds Before Studs. 
Sisters Before Misters. 

But in the summer before senior year, life throws out challenges they never expected.

 And suddenly the person who's always been there starts to need the favor returned. 

Grace and Kya are forced to question how much a best friend can forgive. 

And the answer is not what they expected.

    

Author Spotlight!

Janet lives near the Canadian Rockies with her husband and son and a little dog named Bruce. She does not live in an Igloo or play hockey, but she does love maple syrup and says “eh” a lot. 

 Janet only gives 5 stars to the books she reviews because she is an author herself and knows that no book can appeal to everyone, but like a child, it is very special to the creator. 

I'M NOT HER was published by Sourcebooks Teen Fire in May 2011. 

 IF I TELL released Oct 1, 2011 from Sourcebooks Teen Fire.  

WHO I KISSED released by sourcebooks Fire 2012 and now, HOW I LOST YOU in April, 2013.

 Janet's work will also appear in the THE FIRST TIME anthology, DEAR TEEN ME anthology and WHO DONE IT anthology.

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A Review for Who I Kissed by Janet Gurtler

Posted by Donna
Release Date: October 1st, 2012

Finished Date: October 19th, 2012

Publishers: Sourcefire Books
Source: For Review 

Format: Kindle 

Pages: 312
Buy : Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

Samantha is new at school and just recently joined the swim team.  She’s been flirting with one of her teammates, Zee, who invites her to a party and just as quickly dumps her for another girl.  Hurt, but pretending not to care, she turns to his best friend, Alex, and gives him a kiss.  And he dies—right in her arms.  Alex was allergic to peanuts, and Samantha had eaten a peanut butter sandwich right before the party.  She didn’t know.  Overnight, Samantha turns into the school pariah and a media sensation explodes.  Consumed with guilt, abandoned by her friends, and in jeopardy of losing her swimming scholarship, she will have to find the inner-strength to forgive herself for the tragedy.  Critics are already applauding the author’s insight and her ability to make her “character breathe with life” (Kirkus Reviews). Skillfully capturing the raw, honest emotions of her teen protagonists, Janet paints them into a searing portrait of a tragedy that uproots the lives of everyone it touches.

The Review: Who I Kissed is a powerful and emotional story – one about life, loss, grief and hope. Samantha is a teenage girl who is dedicated to her prospective swimming career. She spends countless hours in the pool training and many hours trying to keep her school grades up. Sam’s not one for parties but she wants to let her hair down and hopefully can catch the eye of Zee – the guy she’s been attracted to for ages. While at the party, Sam ends up kissing another boy – to make Zee jealous, and unfortunately for her, it ends in a disastrous result and the boy, Alex ends up losing his life. 

Talk about the kiss of death huh? Wow, this story was such an eye opener for me. Food allergies aren’t really a priority for me. I don’t have any allergies nor do I know anyone with food allergies so, you can see why I don’t think about them often. However, while reading this book you can see why I’m so intrigued about it. I didn’t even realise food allergies could be so bad – having to watch what other kids eat at school in case something happens to your child. If my daughter had a serious allergy then I’d do anything I could to protect her and as a parent myself, I think we should help others who have allergies too. So I loved how much awareness this story brings to us as readers because I now know the lengths of how serious allergies can be. 

I have to admit, I was very hesitant to start this story because I wasn’t sure where the author could take it. It’s a very serious situation and a heart-breaking one at that. We see the characters struggle with grief that it almost consumes them and we see them trying to break free and move on with their lives. The author really takes you on a journey of surviving and it makes this story such a gripping and heart-wrenching read.

I really liked Sam. She’s a teenage girl with her whole life ahead of her and then something as simple as kissing a boy, turns her life upside down. My heart went out to her and I’m glad she had the support of her family there to help her. I also really liked Zee, I didn’t always agree with his choices but from the start you know there’s something about him that you just love. And then of course, there’s Alex – the boy who died. It was such a shame because Alex seemed like a really nice guy. Again he doesn’t always make the right choices but a nice guy nonetheless. 

My favourite part of Who I Kissed was definitely the ending and it honestly left me with tears in my eyes. I was praying for a happy ending and I wasn’t sure if that it could fit with the story, but Janet Gurtler really does it well. I take my hat off to her because this was definitely a difficult story to write but she really makes it work and I’d highly recommend this book to anyone.  

A big thank you Sourcefire Books for giving me the opportunity to review this book.