Book Review: Forget-Her-Nots by Amy Brecount White

*This review contains some very mild spoilers*

When someone leaves three mystery flowers outside her dorm door, Laurel thinks that maybe the Avondale School isn't so awful after all — until her own body starts to freak out. In the middle of her English presentation on the Victorian Language of Flowers, strange words pop into her head, and her body seems to tingle and hum. Impulsively, Laurel gives the love bouquet she made to demonstrate the language to her spinster English teacher. When that teacher unexpectedly and immediately finds romance, Laurel suspects that something — something magical — is up. With her new friend, Kate, she sets out to discover the origins and breadth of her powers by experimenting on herself and others. But she can’t seem to find any living experts in the field of flower powers to guide her. And her bouquets don't always do her bidding, especially when it comes to her own crush, Justin. Rumors about Laurel and her flowers fly across campus, and she's soon besieged by requests from girls — both friends and enemies — who want their lives magically transformed — just in time for prom. (From Goodreads)

Forget-Her-Nots has been on my Debut Author Challenge list for quite some time. I couldn't wait to read it, but I was waiting for just the right time. That time came when I knew that I wanted a paranormal story with something more than vampires and werewolves.

Laurel has the ability to influence the emotions of people around her through flowers. This ability is shared with both her grandmother, and recently deceased mother. This gift, however, isn't one that comes easily. Laurel gets into quite a bit of trouble because she doesn't understand how powerful her abilities truly are. Of course, with numerous female classmates asking her to make them tussie-mussies, it's inevitable that emotions start running wild. What really made this book stand out was the use of the language of flowers, and creating a paranormal aspect to the story based on that language. In the Victorian era, flowers were used as a means of communication. When flowers were sent, they could convey love, friendship, gratitude, hatred, and more. So, I thought that tying this old custom into modern society, where flowers take a backseat to email, texts, and IM, was a really fresh idea.

While I didn't really connect with Laurel's grandmother, Cicely, there was a moment involving her that was particularly poignant. The reader finds out that Cicely having a hard time grieving for her daughter. In fact, she was so upset that she burned her entire garden to the ground. This was, for me, the most emotional part of the book. The reader doesn't even get to see it happen, but it was still heartbreaking.

I would have enjoyed a bit more interaction between Lauren and Justin. I had no problems with his character, but I really wanted to see their relationship develop more. I also wish that Laurel hand't fallen into the "ditching friends" category that's so common in YA literature. Yes, it does happen, but I didn't really think that it was necessary in the story.

Overall, it was a light, interesting read. No tired paranormal clichés here!I'm happy to know a bit more about the true meanings of flowers. I actually used the guide in the back of the book, and on the author's website to help build a gratitude bouquet for my advisor before I graduated from college.

Forget-Her-Nots
By Amy Brecount White
Published by Greenwillow Books
384 Pages
Rating: B

Forget-Her-Nots Swag Giveaway (Closed)

I've got some extra Forget-Her-Nots Swag sent to me by the awesome Amy Brecount White, and I thought I'd hold a short contest for those who want to enter. I'll be giving the swag away to three winners, and yes, those are temporary tattoos (really, who can say no to those).

Contest Closed!

This contest will be short, open until April 29, 2010
This contest is also open internationally!

In My Mailbox (April 18)

In my mailbox was created by Kristi of The Story Siren, who was inspired by Pop Culture Junkie. Here are the books I got this week...

Purchased:

Forget-Her-Nots by Amy Brecount White

When someone leaves three mystery flowers outside her dorm door, Laurel thinks that maybe the Avondale School isn't so awful after all — until her own body starts to freak out. In the middle of her English presentation on the Victorian Language of Flowers, strange words pop into her head, and her body seems to tingle and hum. Impulsively, Laurel gives the love bouquet she made to demonstrate the language to her spinster English teacher. When that teacher unexpectedly and immediately finds romance, Laurel suspects that something — something magical — is up. With her new friend, Kate, she sets out to discover the origins and breadth of her powers by experimenting on herself and others. But she can’t seem to find any living experts in the field of flower powers to guide her. And her bouquets don't always do her bidding, especially when it comes to her own crush, Justin. Rumors about Laurel and her flowers fly across campus, and she's soon besieged by requests from girls — both friends and enemies — who want their lives magically transformed — just in time for prom. (From Goodreads)

What did you get this week?

In My Mailbox (April 4)

Happy Easter!

In my mailbox was created by Kristi of The Story Siren, who was inspired by Pop Culture Junkie. Here are the books I got this week...

Won from Amy Brecount White's Spread the Flower Love Blog Tour:

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

When Sophie Mercer turned thirteen, she discovered that she was a witch. It's gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-Gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie's estranged father--an elusive European warlock--only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it's her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hecate Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward prodigium, a.k.a. witches, fae, and shapeshifters. By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard. Three powerful enemies who look like supermodels; a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock; a creepy, tag-along ghost; and a new roommate, who happens to be the most-hated person and only vampire on campus. Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her friend Jenna is the number one suspect. Meanwhile, Sophie has a more personal shock to grapple with. Not only is her father the head of the prodigium council, he's the most powerful warlock in the world, and Sophie is his heir. As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all prodigium, especially her.

A Match Made in High School by Kristin Walker

When the principal announces that every senior must participate in a mandatory year-long Marriage Education program, Fiona Sheehan believes that her life can’t get any worse. Then she marries her “husband”: Jerky jock Todd, whose cheerleader girlfriend, Amanda, has had it in for Fiona since day one of second grade. Even worse? Amanda is paired with Fiona’s long-term crush, Gabe. At least Fiona is doing better than her best friend, Marcie, who is paired up with the very quiet, very mysterious Johnny Mercer. Pranks, fights, misunderstandings, and reconciliations ensue in an almost Shakespearean comedy of errors about mistaken first impressions, convoluted coupling, and hidden crushes.


Dirty Little Secrets by C.J. Omololu

Everyone has secrets. Some are just bigger and dirtier than others. For sixteen years, Lucy has kept her mother's hoarding a secret. She's had to -- nobody would understand the stacks of newspapers and mounds of garbage so high they touch the ceiling and the rotting smell that she's always worried would follow her out the house. After years of keeping people at a distance, she finally has a best friend and maybe even a boyfriend if she can play it right. As long as she can make them think she's normal. When Lucy arrives home from a sleepover to find her mother dead under a stack of National Geographics, she starts to dial 911 in a panic, but pauses before she can connect. She barely notices the filth and trash anymore, but she knows the paramedics will. First the fire trucks, and then news cameras that will surely follow. No longer will they be remembered as the nice oncology nurse with the lovely children -- they'll turn into that garbage-hoarding freak family on Collier Avenue. With a normal life finally within reach, Lucy has only minutes to make a critical decision. How far will she go to keep the family secrets safe?

Some fun Forget-Her-Nots Swag:

Thanks again, Amy!

What did you get this week?

Waiting on Wednesday (November 25)

This was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine. Basically, these are books that haven't been released yet, but that I can't wait for.

Forget-Her-Nots by Amy Brecount White

When someone leaves three mystery flowers outside her dorm door, Laurel thinks that maybe the Avondale School isn't so awful after all — until her own body starts to freak out. In the middle of her English presentation on the Victorian Language of Flowers, strange words pop into her head, and her body seems to tingle and hum. Impulsively, Laurel gives the love bouquet she made to demonstrate the language to her spinster English teacher. When that teacher unexpectedly and immediately finds romance, Laurel suspects that something — something magical — is up. With her new friend, Kate, she sets out to discover the origins and breadth of her powers by experimenting on herself and others. But she can’t seem to find any living experts in the field of flower powers to guide her. And her bouquets don't always do her bidding, especially when it comes to her own crush, Justin. Rumors about Laurel and her flowers fly across campus, and she's soon besieged by requests from girls — both friends and enemies — who want their lives magically transformed — just in time for prom.

Published by Greenwillow Books
Release Date: March 2, 2010