Romancing YA - Philip Siegel

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Welcome to Romancing YA!

Big massive humongous shoutout to Hannah Reads Books for helping me organise such an amazing event! Unfortunately she is having blog problems and couldn't be a part!


Our first stop for the Romancing YA event, on this blog, is Philip Siegel!

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This Valentine’s Day won’t be sunshine, rainbows, and a heart-shaped box of chocolate for everyone. Some people will be dealing with break-ups and stuck reading everyone’s V-Day Facebook statuses. No matter if break-ups are mutual decisions or all-out war – or a complex, yet entertaining scheme manufactured by a clever, sharp-witted Break-Up Artist perhaps – they suck. And they all deserve to be set to music.

I’ve created a Spotify playlist called “Break-Up Schmake-Up” which should be listened to by any broken-hearted readers out there. (Note: It doesn’t include any Adele because I’m assuming you’ve already listened to her albums before you’ve put this on.)The playlist isn’t just a collection of typical break-up songs. It’s a musical journey tracing the 5 stages of grief in break-ups: “I’m so better off” to “I hate you” to “I’m really depressed” to “This sucks, but life will go on” to “I actually am better off.”

I’m so better off: This is when you’re still in shock, and you keep telling yourself that you’re better off and you’re actually taking this a lot better than you thought. You want to blast the feel-good, I’m awesome/you suck break-up music.
We are never ever getting back together – Taylor Swift
So What – Pink
Hate On Me – Jill Scott

I Hate You: The post-break up high has worn off, and it hits you just how hurt you are. There are things left unsaid. Your clean break-up is messier than you thought. Now you’re angry. Not Taylor Swift angry. You need songs that are emotional.
F**k It (I don’t want you back) - Eamon
My Blood – Ellie Goulding
White Blank Page – Mumford & Sons

I'm Really Depressed: You’re down in the dumps for who knows how long. You’ve lost track of time. But in your depressed state, you start to gain clarity on the relationship. You recognize the warning signs that you previously ignored. You see how this happened, and that provides glimmers of light at the end of the tunnel. You’re going to take these broken wings and learn to fly again.
Walking on Broken Glass – Annie Lennox
Troubled by the way we came together – Natalie Imbruglia
Broken Wings – Mr. Mister

This sucks, but life will go on: You’ve turned a corner. You’ve begun to build yourself back up. You’re smiling again. You know that you can move on. You believe it. Here’s where you need songs that are hopeful. As Ellie Goulding sings for nearly half of Halcyon, it’s gonna be better.
Ooh Child – The Five Stairsteps
Don’t Dream It’s Over – Crowded House
Halcyon – Ellie Goulding

I’m actually better off: Your break-up has left scars, but you realize that we all have battle scars. You’re ready to have fun and kick some ass again. You’ve healed, you’ve grown, and it’s made you a better person. You’re ready to go out into the world because anything could happen. If this break-up were a movie, these would be the songs that play as we fade to black and the credits roll, sending the audience out with a smile on their faces. (And you get an extra song because you rock!)
Crown on the Ground – Sleigh Bells
Roar – Katy Perry
The Remedy – Jason Mraz
Anything Could Happen – Ellie Goulding*
*I know this is my third Ellie Goulding song on here, but her whole album is so good so just trust me.



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The Break-Up Artist - Philip Siegel

Released: April 29, 2014
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
SynopsisSome sixteen-year-olds babysit for extra cash. Some work at the Gap. Becca Williamson breaks up couples. 



After watching her sister get left at the altar, Becca knows the true damage that comes when people utter the dreaded L-word. For just $100 via paypal, she can trick and manipulate any couple into smithereens. With relationship zombies overrunning her school, and treating single girls like second class citizens, business is unfortunately booming. Even her best friend Val has resorted to outright lies to snag a boyfriend.

One night, she receives a mysterious offer to break up the homecoming king and queen, the one zombie couple to rule them all: Steve and Huxley. They are a JFK and Jackie O in training, masters of sweeping faux-mantic gestures, but if Becca can split them up, then school will be safe again for singletons. To succeed, she'll have to plan her most elaborate scheme to date and wiggle her way back into her former BFF Huxley’s life – not to mention start a few rumors, sabotage some cell phones, break into a car, and fend off the inappropriate feelings she’s having about Val’s new boyfriend. All while avoiding a past victim out to expose her true identity.

No one said being the Break-Up Artist was easy


~ Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ The Book Depository ~

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The Author...



Philip Siegel grew up in New Jersey, which he insists is much nicer than certain TV shows would have you believe. He graduated from Northwestern University and promptly moved out to Los Angeles, where he became an NBC Page (proof below). He likes to think that the character of Kenneth on 30 Rock is loosely based on his life rights. Currently, he lives in Chicago and does his best writing sandwiched in between colorful characters on the El.

~ Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

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Mad Claire
xo

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Reader, Blogger

Twenty-something | book-blogger | tea-drinker | procrastinator | wannabe-writer | student

12 comments:

  1. I wouldn't know where to begin with a playlist. Sounds like a fun book though.

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  2. Life will go on - Chris Isaac
    Someone like you - Adele
    I know they are not really " I don't love you" songs but " I still love you " songs .. I'm not really in a mood for a break up :)
    Thank you for the giveaway!

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  3. LOVE this list. It makes me want to get a divorce. Er...you know what I mean ;)

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  4. LOVE THIS PLAYLIST!!!!!!! It's so perfect for your book Phil! EVERYONE: go read this book the minute it comes out! You won't be disappointed...*pinky swear* :) *cranks Mumford & Sons* :)

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  5. James Blunt! His songs are so sad.

    Thank you:)

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  6. Fuck You by Lily Allen, Too Close by Alex Clare, Love Song by Sarah Bareilles, and Wrecking Ball by Miley Cyrus would be mine.

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  7. Probably Forget You by Cee Lo Green.

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  8. Haha, Taylor Swift's Last Kiss would be on there for sure haha. Wreckingball by Miley Cyrus. Then maybe Fallout by Mariana's Trench. After a while I'd add We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together by Taylor Swift.
    This book sounds like a very cute read and I'm excited to add it to my TBR. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  9. Say Something by A Great Big World

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  10. (This is Darith L)

    FU by Miley Cyrus :D

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  11. Before He Cheats by Carrie Underwood. Awesome list!!

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  12. Before He Cheats by Carrie Underwood. Awesome list!!

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Ooh yes, comments puh-leaaase :D