Ciao (Stories about Melissa 3) by Bethany Lopez Review & GIVEAWAY

Ciao (Stories about Melissa 3) by Bethany Lopez-YA Contemporary Romance

Kindle format given by author for review/blog tour

Melissa has had a fantastic summer hanging out with her friends and making new ones. Life as she knows it will change when they all come together to begin their sophomore year at Dearborn High. Connections will be made and friendships will be tested. Will Melissa’s family and friends be able to help her through the challenges she will face in the upcoming months?

My Take:

Ciao is the third book in the series. What I like about the series is that it is written like a journal. I used to keep journals, so it reminds me of myself in some ways. A few months ago, I went back and read through some old journals. While I was a little less naive and more experienced in some areas, I still had some of the same issues that Melissa faces with friends, boys, school, and family. 

Melissa takes us through her summer break between freshman and sophomore year, continuing through that year. I'll say without details, that I was a surprised in the direction the story went. After XOXO, I had certain expectations and found that nothing that I had anticipated happened. A major shock is delivered and changed the tone of the story. 

I was surprised to realize that I missed Ben. I liked the letters he wrote to Melissa and hope he will come back into the story in a more active role later. I also missed Jimmy. He's in the book, but more in the back ground of the story. 

Overall, I did enjoy seeing what happened with Melissa, her friends, and family. I almost feel like I'm watching a family member growing up. This is a great series for pre-teens and teens. I would definitely let my 11 year old niece read the series. At least up to this point. I imagine as Melissa gets older, her trials will undoubtedly become more mature in nature. If you're looking for a fast, easy read, or something to recommend to a teen, this is a great pick for you.

Amazon/Smashwords/Nook 

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