Review - Instructions for a Broken Heart by Kim Culbertson

She walked around like an exposed nerve, her skin alive with millions of tiny little antennae, when he just walked around, fully armored, ensconced in his own singular world.

So, I've finished Instructions for a Broken Heart by Kim Culbertson and I was very pleased with the book.

Jessa, the main character, has caught her boyfriend cheating on her. Her best friend Carissa has hatched a plan to help her get over him while she's on spring break in Italy.

I like Jessa. She's like any normal teenager trying to get over a bad breakup. Something I can relate to, even though I'm not even close to teenage anymore. And she's got an absent best friend (who can't go to Italy because she's babysitting) who plays a big part in her trip anyway. Tyler was one of my favorite characters. He's protective but not in a creepy stalker way. And I loved Dylan Thomas too. He was interesting and funny and smart.

The conflict between their group and "Cruella" was humorous and frustrating. Made me want to tell her off. And even though I've never personally been to Italy, the way things were described made me feel like if I just closed my eyes I could see them.

One thing I DIDN'T agree with though. Jessa said:

It's hard not to heap pity on people who just kept electing to be miserable.

Those are exACTLY the people you should NOT feel sorry for. The ones who CHOOSE to be miserable. Because after a while they need to hold themselves accountable for the choices they've made. They are making themselves miserable. Feeling sorry for them fuels the fire.

Despite the reason for the "Instructions" the book was incredibly lighthearted and it was a great read. I almost wished there was another so I could find out what happened with Jessa and......

I would recommend this book to anyone. Teenage, young adult, and .... not as young adults like me. :-)

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Click Here for some Bookworm-y Christmas Gift ideas.
And click here for an author interview with A.M. Hudson and her giveaway of two SIGNED copies of Tears of the Broken!

In My Mailbox #22

Thank you to Kristi, The Story Siren for hosting In My Mailbox every week!

I've got some really cool stuff to share with you all this week!!

For Review:

Instructions for a Broken Heart by Kim Kulbertson. I'm actually almost done with this one and I've loved it so far. Completely loved it.

Bought (all of them for a total of 35 cents I might add):

Beauty and the Beast by Taylor Ryan

The Fire King by Marjorie M. Liu
A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin
The Black Unicorn by Terry Brooks
The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman (an old unfinished proof)
No Mercy by Sherrilyn Kenyon

How sweet is that. Each book was only 5 cents.

What did you guys get in your mailbox this week?

Oh, and don't forget to go check out my interview with author A.M. Hudson and the giveaway of TWO signed copies of her new novel Tears of the Broken!

RAK - August



So I did not participate in RAK last month or the month before, but am glad to say I am now. Here's what ya do:

Rules:

• Sign up each month you'd like to participate in.
• Show off your participation! Grab one of the buttons available :)
• Create a wishlist and post it in the Google Doc located in each R.A.K post for the month.
{Post on your blog, Amazon, where ever as long as there's a link to it.}
• If you choose to do a R.A.K for someone, check out their wishlist and contact that blogger for their address.
•NEW REQUEST: Please, once you receive a RAK, email or tweet me {Vanessa} so that I can update the Google doc. There are a lot of requests for this!

• At the end of the month, SHOW US YOUR R.A.K!
{Make a post saying 'Thank You' to whoever granted one of your wishes :)

OPEN TO EVERYONE!

Lets's keep our International bloggers in mind and in our hearts.
Remember, there's always the Book Depository and they offer FREE shipping!
FYI: One RAK will be chosen and showcased! Yayyy!

That's it!
Easy peasy huh??
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Vanessa at :



Twerd413 [at] gmail DOT com

My RAK list for August:

• Tiger's Curse - Colleen Houck
• Tiger's Quest - Colleen Houck
• Luthiel's Song: War of Mists - Robert Fanney
• Wolfsbane - Andrea Cremer
• Iron King - Julie Kagawa
• Iron Daughter - Julie Kagawa
• Iron Queen - Julie Kagawa
• Iron Knight - Julie Kagawa
• Everdark - Elle Jasper
• Forever - Maggie Stiefvater
• Scorpio Races - Maggie Stiefvater
• The Girl in the Steel Corset - Kady Cross
• Wrapped - Jennifer Bradbury
• Instructions for a Broken Heart - Kim Culbertson
• My Life as a White Trash Zombie - Diana Rowland
• Eye of the Tempest - Nicole Peeler
• The Iron Witch - Karen Mahoney
• Entwined - Heather Dixon
• The Noble Pirates - Rima Jean
• Sisters Red - Jackson Pearce
• The Water Wars - Cameron Stracher
• A Touch Mortal - Leah Clifford
• Ink Death - Cornelia Funke

That's my list for now! Nothing has to be new! I love ARCS, used/dogeared/torn/worn books. As long as the pages are all where they're supposed to be and nothing is missing! I'm an equal opportunity book lover! And I will love you forever if you send me something!!