Tuesday 14 July 2015

The Fault in our Stars by John Green

Mates, Dates series by Cathy Hopkins books 7-8

301030

Mates, Dates and Sequin Smiles
Cathy Hopkins
★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆


Izzie, Lucy, and T. J. crowded round and stared at me, like they were waiting for a circus freak to begin her act. I shook my head. "You're going to have to open your mouth some time," said Lucy. "Come on, put your hand down." I shook my head. "It's horrible. I look like a can opener."
Nesta is devastated. She has to wear braces. She thinks that no boy will ever look at her again without thinking of the killer shark in Jaws. And practicing a smile that doesn't show her teeth isn't helping. There's only one option: to become a recluse.
Lucy, Izzie, and T. J. try to help Nesta understand that her looks haven't changed, but Nesta's not convinced. Things change, however, when she meets Luke, who not only restores her confidence in her ability to attract boys, but also introduces her to a whole new side of her personality.
 


These books are draining my will to live. This book just proves how vain and idiotic Nesta is. This was also the slowest book, and all the backstory with Luke and Nesta's families was just added to make conflict. The characters were just as dumb as ever, and it looks like next book will be another round of Lucy and Tony kiss, he pressures her to have sex, and she dumps him. Greeaaaat.
These girls are so annoying. If I met any of them in real life- especially Nesta and TJ- I'd slap them.

They not only treat guys like trash, they treat each other awfully too.




301033

Mates, Dates, and Tempting Trouble
Cathy Hopkins
★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
Synopsis from Goodreads-

""I wonder what would have happened if I'd met you before Nesta," said Luke as he took my hand and looked deeply into my eyes. A bolt of electricity shot through me and I snatched my hand back as if it had been burnt. This can't be happening, I thought."
When Luke, the boy that Nesta has been dating, declares passionate love for T.J., she doesn't know what has hit her. She does her best to avoid him, but when the local schools are asked to work together on a project, Luke is chosen as the overall coordinator and T.J. has no choice but to report back to him on a regular basis. Misunderstandings and miscommunications threaten the girls' friendship and split them into two camps: Lucy and Nesta, Izzie and T.J. Will their friendship survive? And what will T.J.'s steady boyfriend, Steve, make of it all?


This book absolutely DISGUSTED ME. I think cheating, for any reason, is NEVER okay. TJ is a pathetic excuse for a human being. She keeps trying to make the reader feel bad for her. GUESS WHAT? I'm not going to fall for it. These books are the definition of anti-feminism.

Wow, these books are great for girls to read. Then they will think it's okay to treat boys like rubbish, date their friends boyfriends, and backstab their friends. Perfect!

Why am I even continuing this series?

Mates, Dates series by Cathy Hopkins books 5-6

301040

Mates, Dates and Sole Survivors
Cathy Hopkins
★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
Synopsis from Goodreads-

After a missed connection with Tony, Lucy takes the advice of her best pals and decides to instead focus on other boys and on herself. She and Izzie attend a spa/self-help retreat for the weekend, but Lucy is surprised when a run-in (literally) with a guy turns out to be more than she expected. Ah, Daniel seems so sweet at first: attentive to her, generous, into fashion...but then Lucy gets word that his past relationships have fizzled because of his overbearing behavior. Read that: He has a history of being a control freak -- but is that just history, or will it happen with Lucy, too? Never fear, for Lucy's good sense and her friends' sage advice put her on the path of being true to herself.

It's official. I AM ADDICTED TO THESE BOOKS. I HATE THEM, BUT I CAN'T STOP READING THEM!!

This one, though, I actually liked. I don't like how these girls go through boys like tissues and then blame them for being fickle, however.

Sole Survivors actually made me laugh in places- it was significantly more tolerable.


301029

Mates, Dates and Mad Mistakes
Cathy Hopkins
★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
Synopsis from Goodreads-


As soon as Mum dropped me off, I made a dive for the ladies room, where I trashed the sandwich she'd made me and reapplied my makeup. Mum really didn't understand. I couldn't possibly get up on stage in front of everyone looking like I was dressed for afternoon tea with my grandma.
Izzie is restless, and eager to be treated like an adult. So she decides it's time to make some changes. But the new Izzie comes with new problems. First there is Josh Harper, an older, cute-but-wild boy. Then there is her mother, who is opposed to every part of the "new Izzie."
How can Izzie learn about herself and what it means to be grown up -- without upsetting everyone along the way?


These books have the same formula. A new boy every book, conflict, drama.
This one got a bit darker, studying issues like drugs and drinking, but I wish it gave more of a message of how bad it is for you. But I suppose they had to keep it light and fluffy. I think I'd enjoy these books a bit more if they built up a plot between a few books, it's feeling a bit Glee at the moment. You know, how in an episode one drama pops up and is solved in the end? Then the next episode does the same.
Can't say I was disappointed, as I didn't expect much.

Mates, Dates series by Cathy Hopkins books 3-4

301037

Mates, Dates and Designer Divas
Cathy Hopkins
★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
Synopsis from Goodreads-

"Trust me to go and fall for someone who lives on the other side of the planet."
Nesta has met the perfect boy: good-looking, fun, sweet. But there are problems, too. Simon's from a rich, upper-class background -- with a lifestyle to match -- and it's difficult for Nesta to keep up. And then there's Simon's friend Cressida. What can Nesta do to compete with the ultimate Designer Diva?

Well, it seems all the MCs are clones. No individuality whatsoever. Pathetic. While easy to read and kill time with, it was immature and annoying and I just don't care about any of these characters. They're all exactly the same.


301038

Mates, Dates and Sleepover Secrets
Cathy Hopkins
★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
Synopsis from Goodreads-

"How can a new girl fit in?"
He talked, I listened. As I tried to appear interested, I thought that even Mojo was more interested in what I had to say. And he's a dog."

Theresa Joanne (T. J. to her friends) is having a difficult year. First her best friend moves away. Then there's the problem with boys: They never seem to notice that she's a girl. But when Lucy befriends T. J., things start to look up. But will Lucy's best friends Nesta and Izzie accept her and let her into their world of sleepovers, secrets, laughter, and advice?


WHY WOULD YOU ADD ANOTHER CHARACTER??

Not only did they add another clone to the pack of parrot girls, there was a disgusting homophobic slur used as a joke. TJ was a horrible, annoying person. I had absolutely no pity for her.

Mates, Dates series by Cathy Hopkins books 1-2

I hate these books so much. Here are my reviews for each book.

710969

Mates, Dates and Inflatable Bras
Cathy Hopkins
★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
Synopsis from Goodreads-

Everything is changing around Lucy Loverling, and a turning point is exactly what she does NOT need. Suddenly she has to make all sorts of decisions including what she wants to be. And it seems that everyone else knows who and what she wants to be except her. Izzie has become friends with the glamorous Nesta, and Lucy isn't certain she likes a threesome. Nesta and Izzie look sixteen, but Lucy, at fourteen, can still pass for a twelve-year-old.

But then one day Lucy sees the most wonderful boy crossing the street, and things do start to change -- in all areas of her life...


Girls actually like these books?


To be honest, Cathy Hopkin's writing is a bit immature for me. The books seem to be better for pre-teens, though they're supposed to be YA.
It was okay, but I hated Lucy, as she constantly whined. Izzie and Nesta were a bit dull, too. While it's quick, I wont be recommending it. Might as well read the rest though. How bad can they be, really?


710968

Mates, Dates, and Cosmic Kisses
Cathy Hopkins
★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
Synopsis from Goodreads-

This follow-up to Mate, Dates, and Inflatable Bras is told by cool and sassy Izzie Foster. Desperate to make sense of things after meeting the divine Mark, Izzie spends her time at home--waiting for his call. When she loses her perspective and sense of fun, Lucy and Nesta give her a reality check.

Yeah, Cathy's writing does nothing for me. Lucy and Izzy have the exact same voice. If I didn't know it was from Izzie's POV I would've just assumed it was still Lucy. She does the exact things- goes on about a  boy and complains about her friends.

I did like that Lucy dumped Tony because he was pressuring her, and EVENTUALLY Izzie stood up for herself around Mark. But the first 90% was awful.