The Game Can't Love You Back by Karole Cozzo

Title: The Game Can't Love You Back
Author: Karole Cozzo
Genre: Romance, Teen/YA
Rating: 5 out of 5




Bitter sports rivalries and swoon-worthy romance intertwine, in Karole Cozzo’s classic enemies to lovers story where two former nemeses blur the lines between love and hate.

Eve is used to being the odd woman out. As the only girl on her school's baseball team, she knows exactly how to put sweaty, macho baseball players in their place, and she's learned to focus on one thing and one thing only—being the best pitcher she can be.

But when a freak accident forces her school to be absorbed by the neighboring town, Eve has to contend with a new group of guys who aren't used to having a woman on their team. And the new team's star pitcher, Jamie, has no interest in being ousted from his throne. He can't afford to give up his starting slot to a new pitcher—especially to a girl.

As the competition between Jamie and Eve starts to heat up, so does their attraction to each other. Can they keep their heads in the game, or will they end up getting played?

Chosen by readers like you for Macmillan’s young adult imprint Swoon Reads, The Game Can’t Love You Back follows Eve as she is forced to join a new baseball team and contend with the insufferable (and cute) rival pitcher.

The Game Can't Love You Back is a perfect book that combines sports, romance, and competition. I love the characters in this book. Especially the two main ones, Eve and Jamie. 
Starting with Eve. I love how she doesn't play baseball instead of softball to prove that girls are just as good as boys or that she has what it takes. She plays because her brothers played and that's what she grew up with. Of course she has to prove herself to the boys on the team but so does every single new player that joins. Maybe her a little more then the others but she doesn't complain and she never backs down from a challenge. She's strong and fierce and not afraid to play a little dirty. Despite being fierce, on and off the field, she's not afraid to admit she needs help.

Now Jamie is your stereotypical jock, arrogant and narcissistic. Except that's only a front. There's so much more to him then what meets the eye. He's actually quite caring, sensitive, and kind. He does whatever it takes to protect those he cares about. Even if it means getting in a bit of trouble.
When you put them together you get some hilarious banter. Their back and forth has to be my favorite part of the book. Their both witty and clever and can crack a joke is even the most uncomfortable of situations.
The title fits the book perfectly. It's a major concept throughout the book although it's not necessarily said or mentioned until you get toward the end.

This is such an amazing and heartwarming book. It's easily one of my favorites.

Warcross by Marie Lu Book Review

Title: Warcross
Author: Marie Lu
Genre: Sci-fy, Fantasy, Young Adult
Rating: 5 out of 5

I have to say I was a little wary about this book. Don't get me wrong I love Marie Lu's writing. Legend is one of my favorite book series of all time. But the ending to the series tore me apart. I swore up and down after that book that I'd never read another of her books again. Then Young Elites came out and I said sure why not. It wasn't my favorite book and I never finished the series (although it had nothing to do with the writing and everything to do with lingering resentment for Legend). Then Warcross came out with it's beautiful cover and stunning description and stellar reviews... I couldn't just pass it up! So here I am admitting defeat. Now lets get on with the actual review. Just a forewarning the end of this post will include me ranting about the end of the book so I will be giving a spoiler alert warning before that.

The characterization in this book is amazing. The main character, Emika, is an incredible hacker and technology wiz. Throughout the book she learns what it means to be connected to other people in a way she hasn't experienced since she was eleven. Then you have Hideo, who I have to say is my favorite. He's mysterious, and smart, and charming. His past is littered with secrets and he's definitely a puzzle that needs to be solved. Most of my opinions on Hideo, however, will be in the spoiler section of this post.

I have to say that my favorite part of this book was the technology. It reminds me a lot of the tech Antarctica used in Legend. I have a felling (I can't be sure but) I feel like she took the idea from Legend and worked a whole new plot line around it, which is amazing. I loved this technology when it was in Legend and this book delve into and develops it even further. It's creative and innovative. It's original, and nowadays it's hard to find something that you haven't read a million times.

I could rave about so many other amazing things in this book but the last one I'm going to talk about before rant time is the ending. No spoilers yet. I promise. The end of this book is surprising. It's so unexpected. With how many books I read it's hard to catch me off guard but... wow. This ending threw me for a loop.

Now the moment I've been waiting for.... caution SPOILERS ahead.
I love the conundrum the author presents at the end. The moral dissonance. The huge controversy revolves around Hideo controlling peoples minds to not break the law. There's two sides to this. One, he's keeping people safe. With this tech in place people won't get murdered, or steal, or kidnap children like what happened to Hideo's brother Sasuke. Two, is it wrong to make someones mind up for them? Where do you draw the line between control and protection? While Hideo's intentions are good he could potentially be stripping people of their free will. Although should someones free will mean the death or harm of someone else. Again I love that Marie Lu is facing down this morale conundrum.
And by the way I totally called the Zero is Hideo's brother, Sasuke.

SPOILER ALERT OVER

Now that I'm done with my rant I just have to say that I can't wait for the next book in this series. Hopefully this series will end a lot better then Legend. And yes I'M STILL BITTER!
I might be bitter but I wont let it turn me away from a good book.