Thursday, September 27, 2012

Stealing Parker Tour Stop: Review & Giveaway

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Stealing Parker
Miranda Kenneally
Publication date: October 1st 2012
by Sourcebooks Fire

 

Red-hot author Miranda Kenneally hits one out of the park in this return to Catching Jordan’s Hundred Oaks High.

After a scandal rocks their conservative small town, 17-year-old Parker Shelton goes overboard trying to prove that she won’t turn out like her mother: a lesbian. The all-star third-baseman quits the softball team, drops 20 pounds and starts making out with guys–a lot. But hitting on the hot new assistant baseball coach might be taking it a step too far…especially when he starts flirting back.

*A copy was provided by Miranda Kenneally for review purposes*

Catching Jordan was one of my favourite books of last year, so when I heard of another novel by Miranda I had really high hopes for it, especially after learning that it was a companion to Jordan – different characters but the same setting. I was happy to find another incredibly sweet, heartfelt romance in Stealing Parker, with characters that are just as charismatic, and a story that keeps you up for just one more chapter.

With Jordan, we were thrown into the word of Football, and now with Parker, it’s baseball. Sports are a big player in Miranda’s novels, and as someone who has never been much into sports, I was surprised by how much I enjoy it in books, or at least in Miranda’s books. We get characters who develop deeply rooted friendships from being on sports teams together, this gives us a great mix of personalities, amusing banter, and all with a girl who can become one of the boys as much as any other. The characters are, as expected, a great part of this novel, we have Parker who is a very well rounded protagonist with a fun, down to earth attitude. She’s incredibly smart, she’s well spoken, but she has had a few issues since her mom left them. To prove she’s not a lesbian like her mother, Parker becomes a bit… boy-friendly. Then enters Brian, baseball coach, completely gorgeous, but he’s 6 years older. While it’s not a huge difference, the age gap does put a damper on their relationship since they have to keep it in the down low. And like all things forbidden, it instantly draws you in; you can’t help but feel a rush from the constant risk of being found out. But we can’t forget the best friend now, can we? Drew is Parker’s best and closest friend, he always has her back and will always be on her side, then you have to wonder: is there more to this friendship? And what about Corndog? (Yep. Corndog!) He seems to live to annoy, but we get glimpses of his (often hidden) charm. This is what I love about these books, you can never tell who the main character will end up with, and, likewise, who you’re hoping she ends up with.

Romance is the heart and soul of Miranda’s novels. I loved it in Catching Jordan, and she brings it to its fabulous glory again in Stealing Parker. Heart meltingly sweet and incredibly genuine, the romance is easily my favourite part of this novel. It gave me goosebumps, it made my heart flutter; it absolutely makes you feel every single emotion that you crave when reading about young love. I literally read the last 50 pages with my heart in my throat! It’s become clear that Miranda is a romantic goddess mastermind of sorts.

Let’s talk about religion for a moment. (Uh oh!) I’m not a very religious person, I grew up in a small town where religion was not a very big topic among our community, so it wasn’t really a part of my upbringing. So when I met Parker with her very religiously devoted town, where people have church cliques, and some are shunned for religious reasons–in this case: her lesbian mother–I had difficulty related to that lifestyle. It isn’t commonplace around these parts, making it feel very foreign or old-fashioned to me. It wasn’t overbearing by any means, the letters to god were actually a great opportunity to get a glimpse inside Parker’s most personal thoughts, but it was still simply hard for me to identify with her situation a little.

I’m certain you will laugh, and I guarantee you will swoon, Sealing Parker is a fantastic companion to Catching Jordan with its own set of wonderful characters, and even a cameo or two from our old beloved Jordan and Henry – who of course, leave a lasting impression.

4 Hot Espressos
This post is a part of the Home Run Blog Tour
 Giveaway
 Sourcebooks Fire has generously offered up a copy of Stealing Parker for giveaway to one lucky duck!
Open to US & Canadian addresses
Giveaway ends October 8th, 2012
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Giselle

Canadian blogger, wife, mother, coffee lover, and sarcastic at heart! She has had a love for all things bookish since before Amazon and eReaders existed *le gasp*. You can also find her organizing tours and other fun things at Xpresso Book Tours.

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29 Responses to “Stealing Parker Tour Stop: Review & Giveaway”

  1. Lauren

    You’ve officially made me 53883 times more excited about this one! I LOVED Catching Jordan so I’m so happy to hear that this one includes many of the awesome elements that one did. Oh, and I agree with you on your sports comment. I’m not a big fan of sports and for the most part never understand them, but with Miranda’s books they’re always a bunch of fun to read about. Great review! 🙂

  2. Jenea Whittington

    This one sounds great. Parker and Brian sound awesome and I am all for swoon worthy couples. 🙂 I would really like to Catching Jordan to. Fantastic review.

    Jenea @ Books Live Forever

  4. Amy

    I suck and Still haven’t read Catching Jordan even though I have it. I really want to read that and Stealing Parker too. It sounds like the type of book I can just fall in love with. Great review chick!

  5. Christina

    Awwwwww, yay! WHY DIDN’T I BRING THIS WITH ME ON VACATION? I am such a silly girl. That sounds wonderful and I want more sweet romantic awesomeness. You make it sound just about perfect, dear!

  7. Jenni @ Alluring Reads

    I totally agree about sports being a great element in these stories. It definitely adds to the deepening of the friendships and makes you feel how important they are to one another. I loved both of Miranda’s books! I want more!

  8. Candace

    I have this one on its way to me and I cant wait to read it! I grew up with lots of religion and judgement so I think I will be able to relate to that bit of the book. I can’t wait to read it!

  12. Jenn@OwlReadIt

    Haha, I wish my community was more like yours growing up. My brothers weren’t allowed to play with some of the more religious families kids because “they’ll catch my dad’s gay” Seriously, that’s what was said. I’d probably be able to relate to the book 😛

    I’ve been wanting to read both of those books for awhile now, and now I think I need to read it even more!

    Thanks for the review!

  15. Alexa

    I’m very eager to read this book, as I’ve heard from a few people I really trust (including you!) that it’s really great. I haven’t read Catching Jordan yet, but you can sure I’m planning on it 🙂

  17. Megan K.

    I have CATCHING JORDAN somewhere around, I know, and now I can’t wait to read it! Everyone’s been gushing about STEALING PARKER, and the hopeless romantic in me is just swooning! Awesome review, Giselle! It really makes me want to read it now!

  19. Jennifer Messerschmidt

    I really enjoyed this one! I am not religious so that part was a bit difficult for me to relate to as well. It wasn’t too preachy so it was just okay for me. I loved the romance. I felt the rush of Brian and the sweetness of Corndog. At times I was rooting for them both lol But the author does a great job in having the characters grow into who they should be and who they should be with.

  20. Vegan YA Nerds

    I’ve heard so much about Catching Jordan but I am still yet to read, but it makes me happy that there’s a follow up that is just as good. I understand your feelings regarding the religious aspects, but it’s good that it wasn’t too preachy.

  21. Rebecca

    I’ve yet to read Catching Jordan (I can’t wait to though, I just need to get a copy and READ) but Miranda’s stories sound amazing and I love that your such a big fan of her work. Stealing Parker sounds AMAZING and I love the sound of it, even more so after hearing your thoughts. Parker sounds like a great lead and I can’t wait to meet her, along with the others, especially the completely gorgeous, baseball coach ;D

    Fabulous review, Giselle! I LOVE. ♥

  23. Book Sp(l)ot

    This is sounding like a great book. I love that, like you said, you don’t have to be a sports person or love sports to like these books or the characters. I do think that – in certain areas – church or no church the reaction to Parker’s mother would still happen (though I’m just basing what it is on having read reviews, so I could still be wrong). For other areas, it’ll just seem crazy.

    Thanks for the review 🙂

  27. Lisa

    I’m happy to hear that you liked this book even though you are not into sports that much. I saw this book earlier and it looks fun but I’m not a huge sports person. I might have to give it a try now.

  28. Carina

    I really need to read this very soon, especially since I loved CATHING JORDAN and have heard quite a few amazing things about this companion novel. I usually don’t like religious aspects in novels, too, but if it’s not too overwhelming I can live with it. Really looking forward to find out how I’ll like this book (and actually, I’ll just be reading it for the forbidden relationship). 😀

    Carina
    Fictional Distraction