Don't Even Think About It by Sarah Mlynowski

Release Date: March 2014

Genre:  Contemporary fiction with a paranormal twist

When and Where: Modern Day, New York

The Story:  When a group of high school students are unintentionally inoculated with a flu vaccine that has some unexpected results, all bets are off.  The strangest side effect?  Students can not only read people's minds, but have entire mental conversations with people who have the same ability.  Suddenly, no one's secrets are safe.  In some cases, having ESP is an incredible benefit, while in other situations, the results are downright devastating for the "listener."  Told from one point of view, while also following a specific set of students, Don't Even Think About It is full of laugh-out-loud and tear-inducing moments.

Reaction:  Let's face it - we have all wondered what someone else was thinking a time or two, and Don't Even Think About It explores these ideas in depth.  Exploring concepts of friendship, romance, and parent-teen interactions, Don't Even Think About It allows the reader to imagine what it would be like if you could know what other people think and how you would feel once you knew.  Thoroughly entertaining!

Rating:  4

Rival (Unholy Alliance #2) by Lacy Yager

Release Date:  November 2013

Genre:  Paranormal Romance

Protagonists:  Emily Santos and Brett Carson, teens

The Story:  As a fifth generation Chaser, Emily has trained in martial arts in the hopes of some day following the family tradition of tracking and eliminating vampires.  Perceived as poorly trained and weak by her family, Emily's determined to prove her strength and worth.  She doesn't have anything to prove to Brett Carson, her sparring partner.  Brett harbors a health issue he is determined to keep hidden, but when the pair join forces to fend of a vampire attack, both Brett and Emily find they will never be the same again.

Reaction: Slow to get moving, the plot in Rival was much more romance than paranormal.  I really liked how Emily was written as a strong female character with a study in martial arts, and I found it refreshing that the boy was more aware of the romance than Emily.  The perspective switches from back and forth, which gives deeper insight into each character's thoughts and feelings.  This one was a little too romance-heavy for me, but it was an interesting addition to the Unholy Alliance series.

Rating:  3