Books and Cookies: YA Book Review #1—Phobic

Hi, everyone! Hope you are having a wonderful holiday season! And what is better during the holidays than to relax and catch up on that looming TBR pile?

Today, you are in for a treat. Literally. If you're like me, then you enjoy cozying up under a blanket, curling up on your bed, or settling into your favorite comfy chair to read your latest book pick. And what better way to do that than with a plate of cookies by your side. That's right. Cookies. So, obviously, I CAN'T make you a plate of cookies, but I CAN provide you with an awesome recipe. And a great book recommendation.

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Banana Cookies

This is a pic of the Peanut Butter Oatmeal Banana Cookies I made for the holidays, and they were dee-licious! To find the recipe and make these cookies, please visit Inside BruCrew Life.

And while you eat your scrumptious cookies, here's a book you might want to check out.

A YA Book Review: Phobic by Cortney Pearson

Fifteen-year-old Piper Crenshaw knows her house is anything but ordinary. The walls groan, doors slam on their own accord, and once, her room turned upside down. With a dead father and a mother in prison, Piper’s life has been torn apart by events that happened years earlier. Teased and tormented by the popular kids at school, Piper clings to her best friend Todd and her talent at playing the clarinet. But when things start to get incredibly creepy at her house, and Piper starts seeing the dead former inhabitants of the old home, she knows there’s a mystery that needs to be unraveled. A mystery that propels her into another reality and becomes a matter of life and death. 

I was pulled into this book from the first page. Cortney's writing is beautiful and descriptive while still maintaing that important young adult voice. Here are some of my favorite lines from the book:

“My best friend Todd’s red pickup appears at the curb, spewing exhaust like the truck has a cigarette up its backside. I jerk up. My pulse kicks at the sight of him. That’s been happening a lot more lately, my insides flaring up and doing some sort of spastic dance whenever I catch sight of his alluring smile and dark curls.” -Piper Crenshaw

In reference to high school:

“I don’t get how one place can offer Spectacular for some and then Suckfest for others.” 

-Piper Crenshaw

This book is a mixture of creepy, intriguing, mysterious, and romantic. As the reader, I felt for Piper and this crazy life she’s living devoid of parents to love and protect her. When the haunted aspects of her house intensified as did the ridicule from classmates, I wanted things to work out for Piper, including her “getting the guy.” Piper has a great teenage voice, especially when she talks about Pop-Tarts, the popular kids, and school in general. Cortney did a fabulous job of capturing the teenage mind and putting it onto paper. 

As a fan of romance, I loved the romantic elements of the story. Piper and Todd have been friends for years, but suddenly the heat kicks up between them. They are more “aware” of each other and yet, neither of them is willing to admit it. And of course, there’s feelings of jealousy and betrayal that only adds to the conflict of the story. 

Cortney weaves a tale rich in language and description with a full-blown mystery that needs to be solved. Add to that a teenage girl tormented by her peers and a romance blossoming between her and her best friend, and you have an enthralling read. Of course, there are those characters you love to hate, and without giving anything away, all I can say is they definitely get what they deserve. I would recommend Phobic for anyone who loves a good YA novel with a compelling story that makes you want to stay up way too late reading it. 

And here's a special offer for those who are interested in reading Phobic. But you better hurry, I think it only lasts through the holiday season! Happy Reading! 

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