"Waiting On" Wednesday #14

“Waiting on” Wednesday is a weekly event hosted at Breaking the Spine that spotlights an upcoming release (or releases) that we’re eagerly anticipating.

My picks this week are all spring 2012 contemporary releases, which I know is mean because that’s sooooo far away, but I just can’t help it, they look too awesome. The anticipation makes it sweeter, right? ;)

In Honor

By: Jessi Kirby

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing

Release Date: May 8, 2012

Add it on Goodreads!

From Goodreads:

Honor receives her brother’s last letter from Iraq three days after learning that he died, and opens it the day his fellow Marines lay the flag over his casket. Its contents are a complete shock: concert tickets to see Kyra Kelly, her favorite pop star and Finn’s celebrity crush. In his letter, he jokingly charged Honor with the task of telling Kyra Kelly that he was in love with her.

Grief-stricken and determined to grant Finn’s last request, she rushes to leave immediately. But she only gets as far as the driveway before running into Rusty, Finn’s best friend since third grade and his polar opposite. She hasn’t seen him in ages, thanks to a falling out between the two guys, but Rusty is much the same as Honor remembers him: arrogant, stubborn… and ruggedly good looking. Neither one is what the other would ever look for in a road trip partner, but the two of them set off together, on a voyage that makes sense only because it doesn’t. Along the way, they find small and sometimes surprising ways to ease their shared loss and honor Finn – but when shocking truths are revealed at the end of the road, will either of them be able to cope with the consequences?

Roadtriiiiip!! Arrogant stubborn gorgeous boy who you just know is going to be sweet on the inside! Two people who haven’t seen each other for ages forced to be in a car together! Also, I am a glutton for punishment, I know, but I just love the emotional heartbreak aspect of her brother’s death and his last wish. This one is going to be SO GOOD. I can’t wait.

Second Chance Summer

By: Morgan Matson

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing

Release Date: May 8, 2012

Add it on Goodreads!

From Goodreads:

Taylor’s family might not be the closest-knit – everyone is a little too busy and overscheduled – but for the most part, they get along fine. Then they get news that changes everything: Her father has pancreatic cancer, and it’s stage four – meaning that there is basically nothing to be done. Her parents decide that the family will spend his last months together at their old summerhouse in the Pocono Mountains.

Crammed into a place much smaller and more rustic than they are used to, they begin to get to know each other again. And Taylor discovers that the people she thought she had left behind haven’t actually gone anywhere. Her former summer best friend is suddenly around, as is her first boyfriend… and he’s much cuter at seventeen than he was at twelve.

As the summer progresses, the Edwards become more of a family, and closer than they’ve ever been before. But all of them are very aware that they’re battling a ticking clock. Sometimes, though, there is just enough time to get a second chance – with family, with friends, and with love.

So speaking of roadtrips, this one is written by the fantastic Morgan Matson, who also wrote Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour, which is an AWESOME roadtrip novel. And she loves writing about heartbreak, doesn’t she? Again, so many things I love in this novel: a mountain summer home, a family reconnecting, seeing old friends (and boyfriends!!) again… Hurry up, May!

The Story of Us

By: Deb Caletti

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Release Date: April 24, 2012

Add it on Goodreads!

From Goodreads:

Cricket’s on a self-imposed break from her longtime boyfriend, trying to figure out whether she’s in it for the right reasons. But this is a bad week to try to figure it all out. After ditching two previous husbands-to-be at the airport, Cricket’s mother Daisy is finally getting married, to Dan Jax. Cricket loves Dan, but as the families and friends start to arrive for Wedding Week at the beautiful guest house on Bishop Rock, run by old hippies Ted and Rebecca Rose and their sweet, sexy son Ash, things start getting complicated.

There’s no airport on Bishop Rock, as far as anyone knows, but Cricket fears that Dan is in danger of becoming ditched husband-to-be number three, and Cricket’s own desires have chosen now to have a mind of their own. Because even though her boyfriend looms large in her mind, Ash is right in front of her…

Am I the only one who now has Taylor Swift stuck in my head? The story of us looks a lot like a tragedy now… anyone? Ahem. ANYWAY, I am SO excited for this one, it looks awesome. It kind of reminds me of Mamma Mia, because I’m picturing a huge wedding and Bishop Rock looks just like the Greek island in the movie (which probably is totally wrong, but whatever). Also, how much do you love the names Cricket and Ash? SO CUTE. I love it.

What is everyone else waiting on this Wednesday? This meme is so excellent for adding to my already huge wishlist. :D