*REVIEW* Alienated

Synopsis:

Two years ago, the aliens made contact. Now Cara Sweeney is going to be sharing a bathroom with one of them.

Handpicked to host the first-ever L’eihr exchange student, Cara thinks her future is set. Not only does she get a free ride to her dream college, she’ll have inside information about the mysterious L’eihrs that every journalist would kill for. Cara’s blog following is about to skyrocket.

Still, Cara isn’t sure what to think when she meets Aelyx. Humans and L’eihrs have nearly identical DNA, but cold, infuriatingly brilliant Aelyx couldn’t seem more alien. She’s certain about one thing, though: no human boy is this good-looking.

But when Cara's classmates get swept up by anti-L'eihr paranoia, Midtown High School suddenly isn't safe anymore. Threatening notes appear in Cara's locker, and a police officer has to escort her and Aelyx to class.

Cara finds support in the last person she expected. She realizes that Aelyx isn’t just her only friend; she's fallen hard for him. But Aelyx has been hiding the truth about the purpose of his exchange, and its potentially deadly consequences. Soon Cara will be in for the fight of her life—not just for herself and the boy she loves, but for the future of her planet.

Alienated by Melissa Landers was such a pleasant and fabulous surprise for me! I went into it not knowing what I would end up thinking and feeling about it but let me tell you-- this book is AMAZING. I can't wait until it releases so I can snag my own copy! And the best news? It's the first in a series... a series that is sure to captivate all who read it.

Alienated introduces us to Cara, future valedictorian of her high school who has been chosen to host the first L'eihr exhange student. While she's slightly apprehensive, and her boyfriend and best friend's reaction to the news definitely isn't helping matters, Cara knows this is a unique opportunity to skyrocket her career before she even sets foot on a college campus. What Cara wasn't counting on was forming an intense attraction to Aelyx, her exhange student. Aelyx is gorgeous and intelligent and the two end up forming a bond that shocks them both.

As the bond between Cara and Aelyx deepens, paranoia and anti-L'eihr emotions start plaguing the town. It soon becomes unsafe for Cara and Aelyx to go anywhere without police protection. A shocking confession from Aelyx throws Cara for a tailspin just as things are becoming more and more dangerous. Will Cara and Aelyx be able to survive the storm, or will their worlds separate to never collide again? All will be revealed in this magical tale by Melissa Landers.

This book is SOOOOOO amazing!!! I really wasn't expecting to love it the way that I did and don't you just love it when a book does that to you? I could NOT put it down and even after I was forced to sometimes (boo work!) the story stayed with me. I adore Cara and Aelyx, they are both wonderful characters. And the whole concept of the L'eihrs is fascinating. I can't wait to learn more about them in the next book!

For those who are leery due to the whole "alien" thing, rest assured: This book has WAY more than sci-fi going on. It's romantic, funny, entertaining, anxiety-provoking at times, and just plain awesome. I'm super sad it's not releasing until February because I want to read it again! As will you once you've read it the first time. This book? Total keeper. Enjoy! *XOXO*

Expected publication date: February 4, 2014 by Disney Hyperion