Whatever Life Throws at You by Julie Cross

Summary: "Seventeen-year-old Annie Lucas is too young to remember her dad's glory days as a pitcher for the Yankees. So when her father is offered a coaching position with the Kansas City Royals, Annie is intrigued to see the baseball side of her dad. Of course, knowing he'll be a mentor to hot young rookie pitcher, Jason Brody, certainly makes it more enticing."

One of my favorite re-reads during the summer! And a good filler for missing sports. And a Missouri setting!

373 pages

MOBIUS | goodreads

Hiding Lies (Eleanor Ames #2) by Julie Cross

Summary: "Eleanor Ames has never been what she seems. Average high school student on the outside, but reformed con artist trying to break free of her past on the inside. When Eleanor receives startling news about someone from her previous criminal life, plans for a new operation coinciding with her school's upcoming field trip quickly consume her. But operations rarely go according to plan. And this is one her irresistible teen FBI agent boyfriend, Miles, would never approve of."

What.happened.to.Ellie.

Ellie seemed to have lost her wit, spunk and personality between the first book and this one. Unlike my experience reading the first book, I don't think I laughed once! Most of what I enjoyed from the first book was missing from this one: no high school antics, no Harper, no Aidan, minimal Miles. The plot was convoluted, confusing and unresolved. I had to force myself to finish it. Disappointing! :( T

295 pages

Breaking the Ice (Juniper Falls #2) by Julie Cross

Summary: "Haley Stevenson seems like she’s got it all together: cheer captain, “Princess” of Juniper Falls, and voted Most Likely to Get Things Done. But below the surface, she’s struggling with a less-than-stellar GPA and still reeling from the loss of her first love. Repeating her Civics class during summer school is her chance to Get Things Done, not angst over boys. In fact, she’s sworn them off completely until college.

Fletcher Scott is happy to keep a low profile around Juniper Falls. He’s always been the invisible guy, warming the bench on the hockey team and moonlighting at a job that would make his grandma blush. Suddenly, though, he’s finding he wants more: more time on the ice, and more time with his infuriatingly perfect summer-school study partner. 

But leave it to a girl who requires perfection to shake up a boy who’s ready to break all the rules."

I adored this second novel in the Juniper Falls series. Haley and Fletcher are well-rounded characters, with believable flaws and natural character development. Their romance is slow but still sizzling. 

 341 pages

Chasing Truth by Julie Cross

Summary: "When former con artist Eleanor Ames's homecoming date commits suicide, she's positive there's something more going on . The more questions she asks, though, the more she crosses paths with Miles Beckett. He's sexy, mysterious, arrogant...and he's asking all the same questions."

I am on a Julie Cross kick, and I'm not sorry. I was pleasantly surprised by Eleanor's wit, and I laughed out loud more than I expected. The plot's big mystery was a bit of a let-down, but all the other characters were fun and interesting.

How can you go wrong with a character and book that is partially inspired by Veronica Mars?! You just can't. 

I am hopeful that the series will continue to be a hit! The second installment is scheduled to come out April 17, 2018. 

400 pages

Off the Ice (Juniper Falls #1) by Julie Cross

A high-school love story that takes place in small-town, hockey-obsessed Minnesota? Sign me up!

When the author revealed that part of her inspiration for this series of novels is the All Hockey Hair team videos from the Minnesota State high School hockey tournament on YouTube, I was beyond sold. Those videos are some of my favorite on the Internet - please give them a watch! 

Off the Ice is a nice start to hopefully a long series about the community and culture surrounding high school hockey in Minnesota. At times, this particular story was a bit too serious and depressing for me. I know Julie Cross can write more compelling and humorous stories than what this one ultimately turned out to be. 

352 pages

Whatever Life Throws at You by Julie Cross

"Seventeen-year-old Annie Lucas is too young to remember her dad's glory days as a pitcher for the Yankees. So when her father is offered a coaching position with the Kansas City Royals, Annie is intrigued to see the baseball side of her dad. Of course, knowing he'll be a mentor to hot young rookie pitcher, Jason Brody, certainly makes it more enticing."

Whatever Life Throws at You was the perfect vacation/summer read! Annie is a sensible, yet fun heroine. It was a relief to read such a well-rounded young girl's perspective. I also enjoyed the Missouri setting (even if there were a few inaccuracies) and Royals references. Jason Brody is hot, fun and interesting. Brody and Annie's friendship was genuine and made me laugh, while also including some truly swoon-worthy romantic moments. I believe this novel is considered "New Adult."

373 pages