Junk Miles (Brenna Blixen, #2) in The Indie Bookshelf

Nov 18, 2011 Calia rated it it was amazing

Shelves: mature-young-adult-reads

23,956,432 reasons why I love this book.....
But I'm really only going to write out a few of my favorite things.(I think I just quoted Julie Andrews from Sound of Music. Maybe I was humming that song when I saw this book was released.)
If I actually attempted to write all my reasons my hands would be disfigured; like misshapen claws....

And so, lets go to yesterday, when something magical happened to me.
I live in Germany, where time stands still, so this doesn’t happen often. But the Heavens pa 23,956,432 reasons why I love this book.....
But I'm really only going to write out a few of my favorite things.(I think I just quoted Julie Andrews from Sound of Music. Maybe I was humming that song when I saw this book was released.)
If I actually attempted to write all my reasons my hands would be disfigured; like misshapen claws....

And so, lets go to yesterday, when something magical happened to me.
I live in Germany, where time stands still, so this doesn’t happen often. But the Heavens parted, and little Cherub angels came floating down.

And voilà!! Junk Miles was released.

WILLST DU MICH VERARSCHEN?!?!

I knew it was coming out soon, and by “Soon” I thought in a few months. So I stored it away in my mind as to not drive myself crazy....

Here is kudos #1 to Liz. This book wasn’t released a year after the first book, so when the second book DOES come out you have to basically skim through the first to refresh your mind. I read book 1 a few weeks ago. I had no moments of, “oh yeah! I forgot that happened!”

In Junk Miles we quickly catch up with Brenna’s life. It’s now Christmas time, and things with her and Jake (ah, sweet Jake) are perfect. Couldn’t be better.

And then she receives a ticket to go to Paris with her mom.....

Ah, Paris where everything is romance and perfection. But in Brenna’s case its where a lot of confusion and growing occurs for her.

The rest of the book deals with her choices in Paris. She is left with a lot of decisions.

Insert kudos #2. Liz doesn’t hold back. It’s something I enjoy about this writer. She doesn’t placate the reader into what we want or think should really happen. (If that was the case, then Bella Swan,IMO, would have been killed by James in Twilight, and then I could have swooped in and been like "Oh Edward, I'm not stupid and clumsy. And I promise my blood won't drive you insane." (insert lame wink) ...or... Calla would have turned all she-wolf in Nightshade and ate Shay for breakfast or something.....)
Liz writes realistically, and shows that none of her characters are perfect. Again, this series is truest to life.

I had hoped to see more of Saxon in Junk Miles, and I did! We learn so much about Saxon. You understand more about his life, and it give you the “Ah-hah” moment as to why Saxon acts the way he does.
I was torn with my favorite bad boy in this novel.
Well, my personality was more bi-polar like.
One minute I would get excited when he opened up and showed his true side to Brenna. Because, just like Double Clutch, you can see that he holds a lot in and brushes so much off by sarcasm or smoking. And then I wanted to drop kick him, when he shut her back out. But if it was any other way it would have been false and not realistic.

I thought I liked Jake in Double Clutch. Such a sweet, and loyal guy...
I take it all back people! I loved him in Junk Miles.
In DC he is more low key. This book shows a more dangerous, and the retribution side of him. Am I jacked up for loving the bad side of him?

When Brenna comes back from Paris, I anxiously waited for her to see Jake again, and I secretly relished in any scene him and Brenna had. I think their scenes, no matter where they are fly by for me, because they are amazing together.

Brenna meshes with both Saxon and Jake in different ways. But in the spark wise department, her and Jake are one of my top couples!!

I have no idea what it is about Brenna, that I like so much!
Wait a tick.... Yes, I do! She is strong and holds her own. That is something I love so much, because it's rare to find in heroines (Especially in YA)
*And, again, I’m the pickiest reader out there*
I am the first to chuck a book when something goes ire, but I felt sympathy and sorrow right along with her. She makes mistakes, but I found that reading through her mistakes, they didn’t irritate me. She’s learning through them!
But it doesn’t make the book a happy, running through a prairie field feeling. I think thats what gives this book the final 5th star; not everything is perfect in life. I think the things that occur to her needed to happen.

I know a lot of people are complaining that this book was different from the first OR they didn't like Brenna in this one when she couldn't decide between which boy to choose from. Ummm, thats a good thing! Why do I say that? Because it's so COMPLETELY REFRESHING
How many times have we all seen some girl run around with mascara tears running down her face, giving her a striking resemblance to a raccoon as she wails about a guy that crushed her when he dumped her, used her, or was just a McDouche?
How many times have you quickly ushered a friend into the restroom, and told them, "He's such a jerk! You deserve better!" ??
Even if you don't want to admit it, you've witnessed it!
And so NOW, here we have a character that is making her own choices, living her life, deciding what's best and people are upset.
PFT!
I say keep it coming!
I loved that she didn't sigh annoyingly, stare dreamily into Jake or Saxon's eyes whenever they spoke, or followed them around like a lost puppy... Instead, it was the opposite... These TWO, not one, but TWO boys wanted her attention, they actively sought HER out.
I know, I know, this is hard for some people to comprehend... but..(thoughtful pause) shouldn't that be the way its supposed to be???

And to note: The ending made my heart drop just a little. I now I have conjure up all these scenarios as to what will happen to Jake and Brenna.

I wonder how hard it would be to ask Liz Reinhardt to write this series to Volume 26?? It could be titled, Brenna Blixen: College Days.
I’d donate my kidney to read that Volume. Okay... lets just be honest. I’m more curious to see Jake in “older version”.

You’re wondering now too...

...more

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Jun 06, 2012 Madison rated it it was amazing

Read this and other reviews at Madison Says.

Ok if you loved Double Clutch, but felt like there just wasn't enough conflict - order up some Junk Miles. So. much. conflict. I absolutely love this book. I have read this series a few times now, and know I could read it again. Liz Reinhardt is nothing, if not a complete genius when it comes to writing high school teen angst. Her story lines are heartbreakingly realistic, and it's so possible to understand the characters and really be in their heads.

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Apr 11, 2012 Lindsay rated it really liked it

Great book. Excellent drool worthy new cover! Only reason it got 4 instead of 5 is because I was sad most of the book. Can't wait to read the next but need to sneak a quick HEA book in there first. ...more

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