Burning by @ElanaKArnold ~Review&Giveaway!

Goodreads Synopsis- Ben: Having just graduated from high school, Ben is set to leave Gypsum, Nevada. It's good timing since the gypsum mine that is the lifeblood of the area is closing, shutting the whole town down with it. Ben is lucky: he's headed to San Diego, where he's got a track scholarship at the University of California. But his best friends, Pete and Hog Boy, don't have college to look forward to, so to make them happy, Ben goes with them to check out the hot chick parked on the side of Highway 447.

Lala: She and her Gypsy family earn money by telling fortunes. Some customers choose Tarot cards; others have their palms read. The thousands of people attending the nearby Burning Man festival spend lots of cash--especially as Lala gives uncanny readings. But lately Lala's been questioning whether there might be more to life than her upcoming arranged marriage. And the day she reads Ben's cards is the day that everything changes for her. . . and for him.

My Thoughts & Ramblings...

Burning was definitely a book I am not used to reading. Sure, vampires and bad boys are fun but it can get old after awhile. But a book about a gypsy girl and a regular boy? Now that's something I wasn't expecting.

The gypsy culture isn't one I am familiar with, so it was interesting reading from Lala's  pov. Her character is not like most. She is wise beyond her years, friendly , exotic, and loyal. I liked her immediately. She has been arranged to marry her sister's husband's brother. Get all that?:)

His name is Romeo but he is anything but. 

I love how Lala's culture is all about family unity. Everyone has a place in their community. A woman's job is to stay at home and cook, clean, and take care of babies. While a man is expected to work. Now I understand many of you would probably balk at this since in modern day times, men and women both work and do house duties together. I am a working woman and a mother too. But there is something about wanting to be able to be at home with my children and taking care of my husband by having a clean house and a hot meal on the table for him at the end of the day. For many of us it doesn't always work that way. That is what I find so fascinating about the gypsy ways. 

We also get Ben's pov as well. His family, along with the whole town, are all packing and getting ready to move out of the small town of Gypsum. Ben will be moving to San Diego while his family will be moving to Reno.

So Ben...

He is beautiful, athletic, and kind. That might sound like a dud, but it works for him. He is also loyal and is a leader in the eyes of his friends. 

When Ben and Lala meet it is instant attraction for both of them, although Lala does not show it. I loved reading their story, it was kind of like Romeo and Juliet! Forbidden love is the best kind, am i right? 

Burning was a bit slow moving in the beginning but the end result was worth it. The characters felt real and their problems were something I could identify with. Some things I couldn't. 

What does freedom mean to you? Freedom plays a big part in the story. Maybe not so much with Ben but with Lala. After all, she is the one who craves to be let out and to experience the outside world. 

If you are looking for a book filled with forbidden romance, families, friendships, a unique gypsy girl, a gorgeous guy, and some heartbreak...then this is for you!

*ARC provided by Random House Children's Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

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http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5772357.Elana_K_Arnold <===Elana's Goodreads page

Http://www.goodreads.com/jessybabe14 <==== Mine!

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