Review: The Revenge Playbook (Don't punch the wall, don't punch the wall, don't punch the wall.)

The Revenge Playbook
Author: Rachael Allen
Publication Date: June 16th 2015
Publisher: HarperTeen
~A copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review~

In this poignant and hilarious novel, Rachael Allen brilliantly explores the nuances of high school hierarchies, the traumas sustained on the path to finding true love, and the joy of discovering a friend where you least expect.

Don’t get mad, get even!

In the small town of Ranburne, high school football rules and the players are treated like kings. How they treat the girls they go to school with? That’s a completely different story. Liv, Peyton, Melanie Jane, and Ana each have their own reason for wanting to teach the team a lesson—but it’s only when circumstances bring them together that they come up with the plan to steal the one thing the boys hold sacred. All they have to do is beat them at their own game.

Brimming with sharp observations and pitch-perfect teen voices, fans of Jenny Han and Sarah Mlynowski are sure to fall head-over-heels for this sharp tale—by the author of 17 First Kisses—about the unexpected roads that can lead you to finding yourself.

It took me a while to write this review, usually, I like writing them not long after I finish a book so it's still fresh and really, just to get it done. This one? Nope. Because I honestly couldn't put into words how amazing and important and empowering The Revenge Playbook is, and here's me trying now (but you know it's going to be a rambling review, right?) 

Review: Tease

Tease
Author:  Amanda Maciel

Publication Date: May 1st, 2014      

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From debut author Amanda Maciel comes a provocative and unforgettable novel, inspired by real-life incidents, about a teenage girl who faces criminal charges for bullying after a classmate commits suicide.

Emma Putnam is dead, and it's all Sara Wharton's fault. At least, that's what everyone seems to think. Sara, along with her best friend and three other classmates, has been criminally charged for the bullying and harassment that led to Emma's shocking suicide. Now Sara is the one who's ostracized, already guilty according to her peers, the community, and the media. In the summer before her senior year, in between meetings with lawyers and a court-recommended therapist, Sara is forced to reflect on the events that brought her to this moment—and ultimately consider her own role in an undeniable tragedy. And she'll have to find a way to move forward, even when it feels like her own life is over.

With its powerful narrative, unconventional point of view, and strong anti-bullying theme, this coming-of-age story offers smart, insightful, and nuanced views on high school society, toxic friendships, and family relationships.

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I knew Tease was going to be a hard one to review as soon as I read the synopsis. I usually avoid books with these topics, I think the only other strong one I've read was Thirteen Reasons Why. Bullying in general is more of a taboo subject, and no matter how much campaigning and bringing things to light on bullying, I honestly don't think it makes a difference. Bullying isn't an issue. It's a human issue. It's not just a thing that kids don't understand, it's not just kids on a playground or teenagers in high school, it's adults and work places just alike. But, I do think all that campaigning and bringing to life highlights the fine line between what we think is teasing to bullying. And Tease highlights that perfectly.