Cornerstone (The Cornerstone Series 1) by Misty Provencher

Title: Cornerstone (The Cornerstone Series 1)
Author: Misty Provencher
Published: November 7,2011
Number of Pages: 219

Blurb from Goodreads: Nalena Maxwell has been branded ‘The Waste’ at her new school, due to her mom's obsessive paper hoarding. Nalena desperately wants something to change in her life, but when she receives a sign (and it's the wrong dang one) inviting her into a mysterious, ancient community, too much changes. What she knew of her family, what she thought of her life and what she believed about her future, is no longer applicable. Seventeen years worth of family skeletons come crashing into Nalena's life and it is the boy...the one that smiles at her like he wants to hear everything she'll ever say...that already knows her powerful secrets. But it is only Nalena that can choose between protecting the life that is already crumbling beneath her feet and the one that might sacrifice everything she could ever have.

Review:  This book is definitely different from everything else out there. The idea behind Nalena's world is so different that it took me a while to start to understand the world and really get into the story, which definitely isn't a bad thing. This book is a much needed and amazing breath of fresh air.
    Nalena is a great character. I loved her relationship with her mom. Nalena's classmates believe her mom is a hoarder which  leads her to be nicknamed "The Waste." She is constantly mocked and bullied and made fun of. However, she never takes it out on her mom she is never even angry with her mom. Actually she never even mentions how her mom's behavior affects her. She loves her mom and does everything in her power to make her mom happy. It was really sweet how their relationship develops and how Nalena's decisions are directly related to her mom's well being. It was great to see a heroine so concerned about her mom. Besides that, Nalena is extremely loyal to those close to her. Even though at times she was a bit too obedient and jumped to quick conclusions, especially when it came to Garrett but I'll about that later.  I wouldn't say Nalena is total indenpendent, kick butt character but she is still pretty cool and great.
  Okay so now let's talk about the leading man, shall we? Garrett is the perfect gentleman and he is also pretty perfect. I mean he's hot, athletic, smart, nice...oh and he's a Classic, which basically means he likes those really expensive traditional cars from like the 60's. When he meets Nalena she can't believe he would even be interested. He's totally amazing and she's the waste, but then he saves her life and begins to show interest in her. However, their relationship takes a while to turn romantic. They become friends first and then things just fall into place. It was great to see a couple that doesn't become a couple in the five minutes after they met. When they get together though, it sooo  amazing. They are such a cute couple and Garrett is so protective and sweet that you just can't help but fall in love with him.
    The plot is definitely a roller-coaster ride once you  get into it. There where so many things I didn't see coming and well there were some that I was able to guess right away. So in short check out this book if you like a paranormal story with some romance and a good plot.

    I give this book