Book Review: This Girl by Colleen Hoover

Title: This Girl
Series: Slammed, #3
Author: Colleen Hoover
Publication Date: April 30, 2013
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary
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Layken and Will’s love has managed to withstand the toughest of circumstances and the young lovers, now married, are beginning to feel safe and secure in their union. As much as Layken relishes their new life together, she finds herself wanting to know everything there is to know about her husband, even though Will makes it clear he prefers to keep the painful memories of the past where they belong. Still, he can’t resist his wife’s pleas and so he begins to untangle his side of the story, revealing for the first time his most intimate feelings and thoughts, retelling both the good and bad moments, and sharing a few shocking confessions of his own from the time when they first met.

In This Girl, Will tells the story of their complicated relationship from his point of view. Their future rests on how well they deal with the past in this final installment of the beloved Slammed series

My Thoughts

I BUTTERFLYING LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH! No wait, not just this book but the entire trilogy. Slammed was my second Colleen Hoover book and I know I'm late since a lot probably have read it but I did plan on reading the books. I just had Maybe Someday first in my hands and weeks later, I was finally able to own all the books in this trilogy so I flew through the pages and dive right into the story. Everything was just well done and I wasn't disappointed by a bit. In Slammed, I felt my heart break a hundred times; in Point of Retreat, my heart broke and shed both happy and sad tears; in This Girl, I've laughed, smiled and shed tears again, but this time they're happy tears. Just thinking about the epilogue makes me cry.

Slam poetry is one thing you cannot not love when you're reading the books. It's one of the reasons strong feelings are evoked from the reader because the characters also pour out their strongest feelings, whether bad or good, when doing a slam poetry.

Very beautiful trilogy and I couldn't ask for a better ending. Every teardrop was worth it.

My Rating

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Book Review: Dearest Clementine by Lex Martin

Title: Dearest Clementine
Series: Dearest, #1
Author: Lex Martin
Publication Date: May 25, 2014
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary
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Twenty-year-old Clementine Avery doesn't mind being called bitchy and closed off. It's safe, and after being burned by her high school sweetheart and stalked by a professor her freshman year of college, safe sounds pretty damn good.

Her number one rule for survival? No dating. That is until she accidentally signs up for a romance writing class and needs material for her latest assignment. Sexy RA Gavin Murphy is more than happy to play the part of book boyfriend to help Clem find some inspiration, even if that means making out...in the name of research, of course.

As Gavin and Clem grow closer, they get entangled in the mystery surrounding a missing Boston University student, and Clem unwittingly becomes a possible target. Gavin tries to show Clem she can handle falling in love again, but she knows she has to be careful because her heart’s at stake…and maybe even her life.

My Thoughts

One word for this books: adorable. It's many things other than adorable actually, but the whole time Gavin and Clementine are together, I can't help but feel mush all over even though romance wasn't over the top, which is good. There's humor and drama but it still comes in full circle on the word, adorable. Clementine and her friends were fun to read and you can't help but want to have friends like hers.

I like Clementine's character and her passion for writing. I love whenever she talks about it and when she also talks about her book and how she's one successful young author under another name. Though she's keeping that one a secret. With all the writing, book stuff and other things going on her life, she doesn't want to get involved with someone. Until Gavin stepped in and just in time that she needs an inspiration. They're fun together and they're both smart. But when their relationship turned into a different route, I can't help but feel sad for Clementine. I wanted to get angry at Gavin, but when he explained, everything made sense. I love them and I love that they share their laughs, it's beautiful to read.

Dearest Clementine brought me warm fuzzy feelings because of friendship and the sibling relationship between Jax and Clementine. It also brought a big smile on my face every time there's a Gavin-Clementine moment going on, and I can't stop it. I like the fact that I was unable to predict what was going to happen next and how things slowly unwraps. Great read and I'm all too happy with the satisfying ending.

And yay to the FRIENDS reference, the mention of Ross and Rachel's "we were on a break" phase was hilarious.


My Rating:

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Book Review: These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner

Title: These Broken Stars
Series: Starbound, #1
Author: Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner
Publication Date: December 10, 2013
Genre: Young Adult, Sci-Fi, Dystopia
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It's a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone.

Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they’re worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help.

Then, against all odds, Lilac and Tarver find a strange blessing in the tragedy that has thrown them into each other’s arms. Without the hope of a future together in their own world, they begin to wonder—would they be better off staying here forever?
Everything changes when they uncover the truth behind the chilling whispers that haunt their every step. Lilac and Tarver may find a way off this planet. But they won’t be the same people who landed on it.

My Thoughts

Ever since this book's cover was revealed, I was eager to read it for two reasons: the cover (of course) and the synopsis. I was anticipating to finally read this last December 2013, however, I got distracted by other books that I somehow ended up reading this last March. I like the writing but there were things that the book didn't quite answered my questions. Although, I enjoyed reading this very much and I think it was really a good read and adventurous fictional world to be in.

Plot

The story started with a party with Tarver's POV and by the looks of it, he's not the kind of guy who's into these kind of events but was simply forced to because of his achieved status. The idea of the Icarus though had me quite awed and picturing it in my head over and over. Thinking how cool it would be to be on board, yet at the same time it would also be dangerous in case some things happen..and something did. When Lilac and Tarver's pod landed on some strange world or planet, they were forced to help each other in order to survive..even if they don't like to be in the same room or distance. The planet or world was never mentioned WHAT or WHERE (or if that was mentioned, I probably didn't notice) You're left to wondering what or where it is although I strongly think they landed on earth because of the rain and grass and other living thing. Then the spirit-like lights or things that Lilac seemed to be hallucinating and then Tarver. Those things made me confuse and they do play a part in a scene with Lilac..which was also confusing but it was explained. Still, I was very confused at that time.

Characters

There weren't enough characters to discuss aside from Lilac and Tarver because it happens that they were the only survivors after Icarus crashed. Lilac's a strong girl but sometimes her "strong" personality gets irritating when she refused help from Tarver even when it's so obvious she needs help. But she's really smart and I was surprised that she knows how to connect wires and fix this and that despite the status in life she's in. Tarver's a headstrong character but I think he quickly assumes things like with Lilac while they were still on board the Icarus and kind of think that she's some snob rich girl. His cold attitude while they were trying to survive was just rude. And he and Lilac fight a lot which was frustrating but later on they got adorable and sweet and romantic. Not that I mind much because it was nice having the two of them together happy and understanding.

Conclusion

The ending was edgy for me. To think that this is a trilogy but every book has different main characters. These Broken Stars ended unsatisfying for me because of the heated talk between Lilac and her father and Tarver trying to do something. I wish the POVs will be like Marissa Meyer's Lunar Chronicles that even with different main characters in every book in the series, the previous characters still gets their own POV and appearance. I still like this and I do plan on rereading too.

My Rating:

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Book Review: Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover

Title: Maybe Someday
Author: Colleen Hoover
Publication Date: March 18, 2014
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary
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At twenty-two years old, aspiring musician Sydney Blake has a great life: She’s in college, working a steady job, in love with her wonderful boyfriend, Hunter, and rooming with her good friend, Tori. But everything changes when she discovers Hunter cheating on her with Tori—and she is left trying to decide what to do next.

Sydney becomes captivated by her mysterious neighbor, Ridge Lawson. She can’t take her eyes off him or stop listening to the daily guitar playing he does out on his balcony. She can feel the harmony and vibrations in his music. And there’s something about Sydney that Ridge can’t ignore, either: He seems to have finally found his muse. When their inevitable encounter happens, they soon find themselves needing each other in more ways than one..

My Thoughts

My first Colleen Hoover book and it's so beautiful. This was one of my anticipated releases of 2014. I had Hopeless in my TBR first but it was a series so I decided to give this one first a try since it's only a stand-alone. And I just fell in love with it.

Plot

I love how music was a big part of this book and how it was emphasized by the two main characters. It was like it's the connection they use since Ridge is deaf and it's hard for him to communicate with other people, especially when writing songs with Sydney. Whenever he listens to her heartbeat though, it's sweet and emotional at the same time. The angst was so heavy as well that it made me put the book down time after time to regain myself. But it's good, really good and you can feel the pain of the characters that it's almost impossible to stop reading, despite the hurt. The ending was really sweet and I cried (not that I didn't cry at some moments in this book).

Characters

I like Sydney and all throughout I feel bad for her, but I do love her determination and her love for music. Ridge was a bit complicated to understand because he's this sweet and nice guy but he's just so in love with his girlfriend, Maggie, that the love in their relationship is getting too much. Maggie's a wonderful girl and I like the fact that she's mature to think about her and Ridge's relationship and made him open his eyes because Ridge seemed to think that he's so in love with her yet it's like she's trapped in some kind of love cage and she wants to be free. I didn't like Warren and Bridgette at first, Ridge's friends, because they seem to treat Sydney as if she's disabled and the reason for the problems  Maggie and Ridge were facing. But in the end, they did realize they were wrong and were there for Sydney when no one was there for her and that was something I like about how a friendship grew between them.

Conclusion

A heartwarming book yet at the same time, it made my heart ache. I'd reread it though. Even if with the heavy angst and the painful moments and the tears, I'd read it again. Beautiful book and I'm now looking forward to read and enjoy Colleen Hoover's other books. I just can't wholeheartedly give this book 5 stars because Ridge's love for Maggie was a bit too much for my taste. Even if he did it because he's concerned for her but at some point, I think he needs to let her breathe. But overall, I still love the book.

My Rating:

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Book Review: This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith

Title: This Is What Happy Looks Like
Author: Jennifer E. Smith
Publication Date: April 02, 2013
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
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When teenage movie star Graham Larkin accidentally sends small town girl Ellie O'Neill an email about his pet pig, the two seventeen-year-olds strike up a witty and unforgettable correspondence, discussing everything under the sun, except for their names or backgrounds.

Then Graham finds out that Ellie's Maine hometown is the perfect location for his latest film, and he decides to take their relationship from online to in-person. But can a star as famous as Graham really start a relationship with an ordinary girl like Ellie? And why does Ellie want to avoid the media's spotlight at all costs?

My Thoughts

This was my first Jennifer E. Smith book even though I picked up The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight first. This, somehow, got my attention more than TSPOLAFS and I must say that I found this really adorable with all the e-mail conversations.

Plot

One word: adorable. I like the "accidentally sent e-mail" concept and as their e-mail conversation goes on, the two characters have built something close to friendship and the more they exchange e-mails, they got to know each other without revealing their real selves but felt a bit of comfort in each other's presence through technology. The relationships in this book was a bit complicated because Ellie's mom hides a secret regarding Ellie's dad and her pride seemed to rule over her because she doesn't want help from him, even though he very much liked to get in touch with his daughter and spend time with her. Quinn and Ellie's friendship was..unstable. There wasn't much of it and at the beginning of the book, you can tell that these two share a deep bond as friends. But due to some misunderstanding, it got shattered and even if they were trying to mend their broken friendship, it wasn't talked much and I think it's sad. They hardly had interaction until the book ended. And Ellie's relationship with her dad was just sad. She was so close to meeting her but nothing. Nothing happened. It would have been nice if they got to talk because that was what Ellie tried hard to do, even if her mom forbid it.

Characters

It's as if holding a secret is a trend between the characters. Ellie and her secret father that she never knew and Graham with his secret identity as an actor that Ellie also never knew, until they met. Graham is a sweet guy and I wished there was more depth of him as a son because his relationship with his parents wasn't highlighted much after everything he described about them. I think his parents are nice, just wished there was more of them. I'm struggling to like Ellie's mom because of her "we don't need your father and we don't need his money, we can stand on our own and we just don't need him and you're not allowed to see or know him" attitude. Ellie's nice but I don't have much to say about her. Though I like how she wants to patch things up with people she has problems with and tries hard to make it work. And her understanding nature when it comes to Graham's job.

Conclusion

I love the book but I don't consider it as a favorite because there were things that weren't polished enough. But I do love reading Graham and Ellie's e-mails over and over and their adventures.


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Book Review: This Time Around by Ellie Grace

Title: This Time Around
Author: Ellie Grace
Publication Date: July 15, 2013
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary
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Nora Montgomery left home and heartbreak behind in South Carolina when she moved to New York City after her high school graduation. Now, four years later, she returns home and is forced to confront the past she left behind and the reckless boy who broke her heart. It’s not long before the pieces of her past begin to blur with the present and she realizes that the feelings she had for her first love never really went away. As old dreams resurface and new truths come to light, she begins to question the future she's always planned on.

Jake Harris has spent four years regretting the night he let her get away. When she finally reappears in his life, he is determined to win her back and prove how much he’s changed. She might never forgive him for that night, but if he tells her the truth about what really happened it will shatter the world she thought she knew. If he doesn’t, he might not get a second chance. He’s already lost her once and he won’t lose her again.

They come from two different worlds that are threatening to tear them apart…can they make it this time around?

My Thoughts

Short but really sweet and cute..and hot. I love the fact that I've read another friends-to-lovers couple in the NA category. Not the abrupt kind of love at first sight but the 'friends first' kind and to the next level.

Plot

The romance was filled with cheese but the kind of cheese that I'd go for. I love reading childhood friends love stories although they met in high school but that was still a long way back for the characters. The mid-plot was a bit..chaotic (not in a bad way!) but the situation was saved and it was all good in the end. Very good, actually.

Characters

I love the characters especially Nora. And her BFF, Susie with darling boyfriend Ethan. Of course, Jake's also a sweetheart and his parents are such heart-warming people. Gotta admit, I love Nora's grandma. She's cool and as sweet as her granddaughter. Nora's parents though, I somehow wished they had more screentime. I didn't like her dad at first but he totally did a 180 and, I kind of teared up during Nora's confrontation with him. I didn't have major problems with the characters, which I'm thankful for. Although Ethan's cousin was such a pain, Nora was very good at handling her. Claps for you, my dear.

Conclusion

I wish there was more! The ending was really romantic and, overall it's good. Totally a recommend to the ones who love to read romance and are fond of childhood friends turned to lovers stories.

My Rating:

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Book Review: The Forever Song by Julie Kagawa (ARC)

Title: The Forever Song
Series: Blood of Eden, #3
Author: Julie Kagawa
Publication Date: April 15, 2014
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal
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VENGEANCE WILL BE HERS

Allison Sekemoto once struggled with the question: human or monster?

With the death of her love, Zeke, she has her answer.

MONSTER

Allie will embrace her cold vampire side to hunt down and end Sarren, the psychopathic vampire who murdered Zeke. But the trail is bloody and long, and Sarren has left many surprises for Allie and her companions—her creator, Kanin, and her blood brother, Jackal. The trail is leading straight to the one place they must protect at any cost—the last vampire-free zone on Earth, Eden. And Sarren has one final, brutal shock in store for Allie.

In a ruined world where no life is sacred and former allies can turn on you in one heartbeat, Allie will face her darkest days. And if she succeeds, triumph is short-lived in the face of surviving forever alone.

*I received this ARC for free from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

My Thoughts

The final installment of the Blood of Edent trilogy is packed with action that makes every page exciting to read. I was very excited to read this and when I finally did, Julie Kagawa didn't let my hopes and excitement down.

Plot

The start was really good and full of the trio (Allie, Kanin and Jackal) kicking butt and..drinking blood. The mysteries and thrilling parts were wonderfully executed that sometimes it made me surprised because I didn't see it coming. Until the end, the action didn't stop. Although there was a certain scene about the curing that had me a bit puzzled. Also the graphic images and bloodshed were kind of gruesome but ever since the first book, it had that already so I wasn't fazed a hundred percent. Even though this time around, it has lots of it compared to the first two books.

Characters

I could never be more proud of Allison, on how she grew up as a character and how she handled the 'monster' in her. I'd give this girl a standing ovation over and over. Kanin is still the stoic Master vampire but the moment he showed his soft side in this book makes you want to melt and love him..and cry for him. The book's all dark and angst-filled but thanks to Jackal because he brings out the humor in the air. He became the voice of reason lately and his sarcastic side just makes you laugh. These three make one badass, vampire family. Let me also put the fact that their teamwork was so good. Hands down. Zeke makes you want to hug him at first, punch him the next (you'll know why) and hug him again and keep him forever. What happened to him was devastating but I'm also proud of him that he's fighting and he has hope, and thanks to Allie for helping him. I agree with his given nickname, thanks to Jackal, 'puppy'.

Conclusion

I'm sad that this is the last book but Julie Kagawa did a good closure for the trilogy's finale. If you loved The Immortal Rules and The Eternity Cure, you'll love this one as much as the two. Precaution, it will bring you tears.

My Rating:

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Book Review: Dirty Little Secret by Jennifer Echols

Title: Dirty Little Secret
Author: Jennifer Echols
Publication Date: July 06, 2013
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
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Bailey wasn’t always a wild child and the black sheep of her family. She used to play fiddle and tour the music circuit with her sister, Julie, who sang and played guitar. That ended when country music execs swooped in and signed Julie to a solo deal. Never mind that Julie and Bailey were a duet, or that Bailey was their songwriter. The music scouts wanted only Julie, and their parents were content to sit by and let her fulfill her dreams while Bailey’s were hushed away.

Bailey has tried to numb the pain and disappointment over what could have been. And as Julie’s debut album is set to hit the charts, her parents get fed up with Bailey’s antics and ship her off to granddad’s house in Nashville. Playing fiddle in washed-up tribute groups at the mall, Bailey meets Sam, a handsome and oh-so-persuasive guitarist with his own band. He knows Bailey’s fiddle playing is just the thing his band needs to break into the industry. But this life has broken Bailey’s heart once before. She isn’t sure she’s ready to let Sam take her there again.

My Thoughts

This was my first Jennifer Echols' book and I did have a bit of a high expectation for this, but sadly, it drained down. There were so many things that went wrong in the story and I absolutely found it hard to like it, even though I didn't lose my hope when the book was about to end. Hope that something will happen and change things but, no. Nothing did.

Plot

The music was a really good addition to the story and it's the only one that lightened my mood. I'm not a big country music fan but I very much enjoyed whenever the characters perform and get lost in the music. But the fighting and Bailey's family were such turn-offs that the story wasn't enjoyable anymore. I didn't like how Bailey was all "okay I'll be there" the moment her mom called that her sister can't go onstage and they need her there to reassure her. Like, what? They (her parents and sister) ignored Bailey, shut her out and the moment things got wrong, they called her? If I was Bailey though, I wouldn't have run there. It was so..stupid. And the romance..was a mess. Such a mess that I wouldn't go into further details because I'm not spoiling.

Characters

I didn't like a single character. Sam was all "we need to get on this gig" and will do anything to do that even if there's a cold war between the band members. Bailey, I don't know about her but she annoyed me and how she just ran to her little sister to help her in the spotlight and said little sister didn't apologize for ignoring her and needing her at the last hour. I hate her parents, her granddad was also a disappointment. Ace and Charlotte, Sam's band members, were complicated and I struggled to like Charlotte because she was a stuck-up jealous ex-girlfriend and kept on saying rude things to Bailey even though she knew full well that Sam was never into her.

Conclusion

A disappointing mess. This could have been so much better if Sam wasn't an overachiever who kept on persisting Bailey to join their band and for once, just asked her what she wanted. I'm sad because these characters could have a bright future in the music industry but the story just ruined them. Plus they could really work on their attitudes.

My Rating:

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Book Review: The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schneider

Title: The Beginning of Everything
Author: Robyn Schneider
Publication Date: August 27, 2013
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
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Golden boy Ezra Faulkner believes everyone has a tragedy waiting for them—a single encounter after which everything that really matters will happen. His particular tragedy waited until he was primed to lose it all: In one spectacular night, a reckless driver shatters Ezra’s knee, his athletic career, and his social life.

No longer a front-runner for Homecoming King, Ezra finds himself at the table of misfits, where he encounters new girl Cassidy Thorpe. Cassidy is unlike anyone Ezra’s ever met—achingly effortless and fiercely intelligent.

Together, Ezra and Cassidy discover flash mobs, buried treasure, and a poodle that might just be the reincarnation of Jay Gatsby. But as Ezra dives into his new studies, new friendships, and new love, he learns that some people, like books, are easy to misread. And now he must consider: If one’s singular tragedy has already hit, what happens when more misfortune strikes?

My Thoughts

I haven't heard about this book but I saw this from the Booktube Community. The moment I read the premise, it grabbed my attention. Knowing it's YA, contemporary, and from the guy's perspective. I hardly read from the opposite sex's POV when it comes to contemporary so this was somehow fresh for me. But it staled, the moment I finished it and tried absorbing everything that happened. I ended up very unhappy and angry.

Plot

The very common love story, that is even found in fanfictions: Cool and popular guy falls in love with the weird and nerdy girl. It's also another one of those YAs where either of the love interest is "mysterious". Most of the time it's the boy, but this time, it's the girl. After Ezra got cheated on and broke his leg after an accident, I was happy and in hopes he'd find a wonderful future the moment he met Cassidy. They seem to click and they were sweet together. I just don't understand how in one night, things between them went down so fast that my brain didn't even followed up directly. It was like a flash of lightning that turned their happy world upside down and I seriously did not understand at all. The story just didn't work with me. And the premise sounded good and somehow, hopeful.

Characters

Toby, Ezra's best friend or former, was the only one that I find pretty fine. I feel bad for him though, separating from Ezra and being like the laughing stock of his circle of new-and-popular friends. Ezra, the narrator, made me like and dislike him. I don't know how to describe him but as a reader, I can't connect with him at times and some of his choices or decisions rather ended up so poorly that he hurts others and he doesn't notice it (I'm really talking about Toby). But he somehow grew on me and I'm relieved he didn't kiss and gave in to his ex-girlfriend, whom I want to slap, when she tried clawing him with her nails of seduction and flirtation. Cassidy, oh Cassidy, I'm disappointed and annoyed with you the most. She came into Ezra's life, tried befriending him, falls for him, like a darn switch she just rudely left him and when he found her, she told him their relationship was a mistake. And that leaves Ezra being confused because she didn't even explain. She disappeared and when she came back, they talked yet she still gives out another WE-CAN'T-BE-TOGETHER speech again and ended up being a total question mark and simply mean. Oh and yeah, she disappeared. Again. For good. Did I mention question mark?

Conclusion

I don't even have a conclusion. I didn't even expect myself to give this 2 stars. Just that I would like to imagine they had their happy ending or that they'll see each other again because they're really good together and they're both smart and funny when they're within their little love nest. I felt so strongly that they're not over yet. They had to have a beginning after that ending.

My Rating:

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Book Review: Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by April Genevieve Tucholke

Title: Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
Series: Between, #01
Author: April Genevieve Tucholke
Publication Date: August 15, 2013
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Horror
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Nothing much exciting rolls through Violet White’s sleepy, seaside town…until River West comes along. River rents the guest house behind Violet’s crumbling estate, and as eerie, grim things start to happen, Violet begins to wonder about the boy living in her backyard.

Is River just a crooked-smiling liar with pretty eyes and a mysterious past? Or could he be something more?
Violet’s grandmother always warned her about the Devil, but she never said he could be a dark-haired boy who takes naps in the sun, who likes coffee, who kisses you in a cemetery... who makes you want to kiss back.

Violet’s already so knee-deep in love, she can’t see straight. And that’s just how River likes it.

My Thoughts

The premise gives off an interesting love story told within a creepy and mysterious theme, giving the book a very promising expectation for a reader who's into reading paranormal stuff mixed with paranormal romance. Picked this up because of two things: the very wonderful cover and the premise. I haven't read any review about it but I've been seeing this in my Goodreads Homepage last year. The cover snagged my attention, then came the title that tells you it's going to be horrifying, and the premise that has you intrigued. It met my expectation but as the story progressed, it went plummeted.

Plot

It started really good and hair-raising talks that makes you want to continue. I read this book fast but I took everything in. Although it was a good start, the middle parts were getting annoying and you can't help but question a lot of things. It got confusing (talking about the family ties, backgrounds and how things got connected and why it happened) and it just went downhill the moment the villain appeared. It seemed rushed and the horror suddenly took a step back and let the cheesiness in. Very typical for the villain to tell his background, his intentions, detailed information of his powers and how he came across his victims. I forgot if the year they live in was mentioned because the characters could really use a cellphone or some electricity to turn on the lights. Or maybe a job because they need to pay for bills.

Characters

Violet, the narrator, and I have a very complicated relationship. One moment I like her because she's waking up from the things she did or didn't do, the next I find her really hard to connect because who on earth would just accept some guest and sleeps with them without knowing their background and their personality first? River annoyed me as well. He's that mysterious boy you want to feel bad for but in the end, you have no idea if he deserved it. Neely's probably the only character I liked in this book. He seemed to be the only sane one and does what's right. Luke, Vi's twin brother, as well. He may start off as a prick but as the story goes on, he cares deeply.

Conclusion

It was a bit creepy but it died down at the last few chapters because I felt it was rushed. There were conflicting and disturbing scenes and if you're uncomfortable reading a book that deals with demons and blood, I would not recommend this. I'd still read the next book. I'm just hoping it won't be as upsetting as this, and I'm not entirely getting my hopes up.

My Rating:

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Book Review: Stroke of Fear by Alla Kar

Title: Stroke of Fear
Author: Alla Kar
Publication Date: November 07, 2013
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary
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Sometimes the things you love are the things you fear the most …

Aubrey Depp has already faced death and escaped it once. Now it's back to get her. Once a swimming champion at her high school, Aubrey’s life was taken away when a former swimmer and boyfriend tosses her over a bridge, leaving her for dead.

Now a senior in college, she takes a summer job as a camp counselor with her best friend Cassie and her it’s complicated boyfriend Jake. Then she meets southern heartthrob Tanner Young and her entire summer is flipped upside down. He’s damaged, has a sexy southern drawl and has his eyes set on Aubrey.

She doesn’t mind.

Tanner is damaged, broken and for the first time in a year, feels like he can love again. Aubrey Depp is the one he wants, and he won’t stop until he gets her.

When Aubrey's past comes back to haunt her, Tanner vows to protect Aubrey. Showing her it’s okay to take that Stroke of Fear.

My Thoughts

Aubrey is scared of the water ever since a past incident that even lead her to stay away from something she loved: swimming. When her boyfriend 'teasingly' pushed her off into the water during summer camp, fear bubbled up inside her. To her rescue comes Southern boy, Tanner, who seemed to be first one to know her secrets and the fact that she is capable of swimming and is good at it. What Aubrey doesn't know, someone from her past is stalking and lurking around her in camp.

Fans of romance books, like myself, will enjoy Stroke Of Fear with its mysterious and hot theme but not guaranteed a hundred perfect. As much as I liked Tanner and Aubrey's scenes and their own love story, the way she ended things with Jake was very upsetting which lead me to give this book three stars. It seemed unfair for Jake's part because he wanted to talk to her, he wanted to know what's been bothering her but she doesn't tell him anything and she kept saying their relationship's complicated and they're distant. They've been together for four years yet the moment Tanner appeared, Aubrey somehow fell for him and was willing to tell him everything. Jake's no excuse for a douche like guy, after pushing Aubrey off as a joke, but he did deserve some explanation and a talk with her. Especially after everything that happened in the book, he actually did care for her a lot. Even Tanner noticed it.

I did enjoy the book, aside from that part that put me off. One scene gave me the goosebumps and the story did deliver a bit of mysteriousness. Love the cover, though. It's relevant to the characters, their clothing and the setting.

My Rating:

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Book Review: Be With Me by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: Be With Me
Series: Wait For You, #2 (companion)
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Publication Date: February 04, 2014
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary
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Teresa Hamilton is having a rough year—she’s in love with her big brother’s best friend, but he hasn’t spoken to her since they shared a truly amazing, mind-blowing, change-your-life kiss. She got out of a terrible relationship. And now an injury is threatening to end her dance career for good. It’s time for Plan B – college. And maybe a chance to convince Jase that what they have together is real.

Jase Winstead has a huge secret that he’s not telling anyone. Especially not his best friend’s incredibly beautiful sister. Even though he and Teresa shared the hottest kiss of his life, he knows that his responsibilities must take priority. He certainly doesn’t have time for a relationship. But it doesn’t help that all he can think about kissing the one girl who could ruin everything for him.

As they’re thrown together more and more, Jase and Tess can’t keep denying their feelings for each other. But a familiar danger looms and tragedy strikes. As the campus recovers, the star-crossed couple must decide what they’re willing to risk to be together, and what they’re willing to lose if they’re not…

My Thoughts

When Cam's best friend, Jase, and little sister, Teresa, shared the most passionate and intensifying kiss they ever had, things got a bit awkward and different after that. College was another option Teresa had after an injury that caused her to take a break from the thing she loved most: dancing. However, college wasn't as easy as it seems knowing Jase is just around. Ever since their kiss, Teresa had been feeling something for her big brother's best friend. But to Jase, he can't have her no matter how much he wanted to. He's persistent to look at her as "Cam's little sister" and nothing more.

The romance between Jase and Teresa was a bit frustrating because they have this on and off kind relationship. But they're not in a relationship just yet. That's the issue. I love Teresa's character, though. She's brave, understanding and she's the kind of friend you'd want to have. Jase, whoever, put me off a bit. I feel bad for Tess whenever she deals with him. He did have his secrets and heartbreaks but it was definitely not nice to have Tess live up for the love she thinks he might return because he's just like a switch. On and Off settings. But when they're together, they were definitely cute and hot. Though there was the absence of the spark I had when I read Cam and Avery's. Bonus points for the cupcake. Jase is a sweetheart though, despite how much the "put off" thing he made me feel. Other scenes were pretty dark. If you're uncomfortable and sensitive towards dark themes like violence and suicide, I wouldn't recommend you to read this.

Be With Me breathes a very different atmosphere than Wait for You, and I can't help comparing the two no matter how much I find it unfair because these are two different books, different stories and different characters despite the same setting. I enjoyed reading this but I had to admit that it can't ever top Wait for You for me. In Wait for You, I savored every moment but in Be With Me, the moments I like are very selective and not really that memorable. I'm even surprised that even if they're not the main characters anymore, Cam and Avery's moments were the ones I look forward to the most. And my favorite scene? Something between Cam and Avery that I'm sure the readers who love them, including me, would burst in tears mentally due to happiness. One of the few reasons why I gave this book four stars.

I don't know if I would look forward to the next book because it's gonna be Calla's, Teresa's friend. I was hoping for Ollie and Brit because there were definite signs between the two since the first book. Though it was very nice to have a story with them in the Fifty First Times anthology but sadly, so sadly, it's very short. I hope they'd get their own book. Ollie's POV was fun and he's got this softness in him that he shows to Brit.

My Rating:

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Book Review: Trouble by Samantha Towle

Title: Trouble
Author: Samantha Towle
Publication Date: November 18, 2013
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary
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Mia Monroe is running. Running from a person she doesn’t ever want to find her. Running from a past she doesn’t ever want anyone to know. Desperate to find a future, that yesterday, she could only dream of having.

Jordan Matthews likes easy. Easy women. Easy life.

Then he meets Mia.

She’s damaged, troubled and has more baggage than any person can carry. But the more Jordan gets to know Mia-for the first time in his life-he finds himself wanting to try hard for something … for someone … for her.

And then life isn’t so easy anymore.

Jordan is everything Mia shouldn’t want. A whole bunch of dirty hotness, tattooed, cocky bad boy, who made his money at poker tables and picked his women up in bars. Yet, Mia finds herself falling for him. Then the past Mia was running from, quickly starts to catch up with her. Because that’s the problem with running … you have to stop sometime.

And when you stop, you get caught.

My Thoughts

Damaged by her past and running away from a man she doesn't want to have any more relationship with, Mia finds herself staying in a hotel far away from home with a determination of finding her mother. Along her stay, she meets Jordan, the son of the hotel's owner and is currently responsible as the receptionist. Secrets revealed, a shocking discovery and love met Mia as she takes on the road to finding the person who left her in the hands of cruelty with the help of a boy who's got quite a reputation.

Feelings of happiness and sadness were emitted from me while reading Trouble. At first, Mia was a bit confusing to understand since she hates her boyfriend and then she doesn't want to leave him. She kept saying the opposite of what's inside her mind. She finds her boyfriend cheating on her, she was relieved because finally she's got an excuse to break up with him, but then she cried. I don't understand her..at first. And that's when everything went down when her boyfriend's true nature came out. I feel in that moment that she was scared. She's living in fear and she wants to get away but she's afraid she can't do it without him hurting her. The scene seemed so real that it was hard not to feel hurt towards Mia. And I'm glad to read the confusing character was just in the first few chapters because it I feel like it'll affect the story and regress Mia's character since she grew some spine in the later chapters.

It was fun reading the book knowing that Mia's safe and she's finally opening up, and she found a friend in Jordan, Beth and even Jordan's dog, Dozer. Although with Jordan, she found love and a family which made me a happy reader. I'm also glad that there's a side to Jordan that cares and understands Mia as he was in lust at first sight at her. The twist (or that wasn't really a twist) was good although at some point I have a minor issue that won't be discussed further because there are possible answers in my head and it's going to spoil. This is a spoiler-free review.

I'd recommend this to readers who enjoy New Adult books and are into those romantic type of setting. Main characters aren't annoying, for me, so it's good. And if you love dogs, you're going to love Dozer or more especially, Jordan and Dozer.

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Novella Review: Flirting With Maybe

Title: Flirting With Maybe
Author: Wendy Higgins
Publication Date: March 05, 2013
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
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He was fifteen and she was seventeen.

When sophomore Ryan "The Kid" McPhearson makes the Varsity baseball team, he finds himself submersed into the life of upperclassmen, and falling in love with senior Brooke Bennet. To Ryan she's his dream girl, perfect. Maybe to the outside world a two-year age difference doesn't matter, but this is high school. Everything matters.

Ryan soon realizes Brooke's life is not so perfect. He becomes her closest friend, her safe place to fall when she needs to escape. Ryan seems to be benched in the friend zone with no chance to bat.

Time is both a curse and a blessing. It ushers Brooke away to college, and Ryan into the arms of his first girlfriend. It alters Ryan from a kid to a high school graduate, ready to venture to college himself. But when Ryan sees Brooke again he realizes there are some things even time can't touch.

Though much has changed, one question still remains. Will the things that mattered in high school always stand between them?

My Thoughts

Short, sweet, and love that's filled with hope and a promise. I was excited to start this because it's by Wendy Higgins and I've been in love with her Sweet Trilogy work so I was ecstatic to know that she's got a contemporary novel. Although, my excitement somehow got washed down when I read that it's a novella. Still, it was really good and I enjoyed every bit of it.

Ryan and Brooke have a two-year age gap that made Ryan think that having a relationship with her is far too gone to be a reality. The age gap in this story is something rare to me as a reader with the fact that the girl is the one who's older than the guy. I haven't read much stories with 'older girl' and 'younger boy' as the theme or if I had, then it probably wasn't much a matter in the books because I can't remember one but this. Two years wasn't all that bad but I get what Ryan's feeling. It's not that simple and easy. I loved reading it from his POV (in third person) and how he's just so serious about her that it's not something you'll label as having a crush anymore. It's something deeper than that.

It was so short that I thought this could have been a great if it was longer: from novella to a full-length contemporary book. There's so much more I wanted to know about Brooke's past and how she's going to deal with her parents (mom, stepfather and her dad) because I felt like there's just something hidden in their family that I want to know. How college went out for her and I did wish that she and Ryan talked more after the party. As for Ryan, I was eager to know where life would take him and if things with him and Brooke are going to be great. I still had yet to read the epilogue that the author posted in her site, though I know I'm going to be happy with it. I can already tell. I'm happy with the novella but still, a tiny bit of feeling that's pulling me back because this could've been a greater story if it was longer.

Bottom line, this was a quick read but it's the kind of quick read that really makes you happy especially if you're one hopeless romantic like myself.

My Rating:

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Book Review: Kiss the Sky

Title: Kiss the Sky
Series: Addicted Series (spin-off)
Author: Krista & Becca Ritchie
Publication Date: January 24, 2014
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance
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Rose Calloway thought she had everything under control. At twenty-three, she’s a Princeton graduate, an Academic Bowl champion, a fashion designer and the daughter of a Fortune 500 mogul. But with a sex addict as a sister and roommate, nothing comes easy.

After accepting help from a producer, Rose agrees to have her life filmed for a reality television show. The Hollywood exec is her last chance to revive her struggling fashion line, and boundaries begin to blur as she’s forced to make nice with a man who always has his way.

Twenty-four-year-old Connor Cobalt is a guy who bulldozes weak men. He’s confident, smart-as-hell and lives with his equally ambitious girlfriend, Rose Calloway. Connor has to find a way to protect Rose without ruining the show. Or else the producer will get what Connor has always wanted—Rose’s virginity.

My Thoughts

Kiss the Sky pulled out so many emotions out of me that I don't know how and where to start. All I know is that I'm crying, really crying, for Lily Calloway and I know that this book is about Rose and Connor but there's no escape of what Lily's been going through. Also, this book had me in such a predicament of secondhand embarrassment yet at the same time, it was hysterical.

My love for Rose Calloway has reached its peak to a whole new level. I love her even more and her smart mind is one of the many beautiful assets I find so endearing. Now that I've read the book with her POV, I'm now forgetting why she's labeled as a cold person because being inside Rose's head is one of the many great encounters I had as a reader. She's the kind of girl that doesn't let men who walks on her. She fights and she's a headstrong character with a heart that cares so deeply for the people around her especially her sisters. Now this is the part where I cried that's connected to Lily.

In the first two books, Addicted to You and Addicted for Now, we've been inside Lily's head (and Lo's) and we've seen her in her worst and in the state of getting better and trying to get stronger to get past her addiction and how hard it was to witness her falling into the dark. But with another person's POV (aside from Lo's), it seemed to be harder because I feel Rose's pain when it comes to Lily and how she was treated the most differently from the family. And I'm thankful for Rose as a sister because she's the greatest. It's so perceptible that she loves Lily and how much she wants to protect her. I'd be the happiest if I have a sister like Rose.

Connor Cobalt is one sexy and smart human being that has a wonderful heart and I'm delighted that he and Rose found and have each other. I loved Connor ever since he made his first appearance. Though in Kiss the Sky, he's surprised me with some attitude that wasn't shown in the first two books. He is the reason for the secondhand embarrassment I feel so strongly that I had to take a pause from continuing because it was impractical to do so even if he was doing it in such a sexy way that made me want to fan and hide myself at the same time.

As much as I enjoyed and somehow devoured this book, I got a bit iffy about the whole 'reality tv' thing. I understand that Rose agreed to it for the sake of her company, her family and the Calloway name but I honestly didn't think it was a good idea. Their lives have been filled with such gossip and their privacy has been scrutinized by the media and other people and reality tv is probably not the right thing. There could've been another way to save their sake just not exposing their daily lives on television for the whole world to see knowing how much of a hell hole being in the in the public eye is and considering how disgusting their producer is, just NO. I was also waiting for them to have Scott beaten to a bloody pulp because he deserves it so much. I hated him and I hated seeing him win.

Another is Daisy. I love Daisy, she's one of the characters I would definitely save from the horrible pressure and unwanted stuff out there but sometimes I want to shake her senses? I get the fact that she's young and she's been dragged around by their mom in such a young age for modeling and other stuff where a girl in her age would be scribbling notes in school and mingling with friends instead of posing in front of cameras and being like a Barbie doll. I dislike the fact that she seemed to be such an easy target for men who ogles her body and she seemed to be fine with it and makes the excuse of saying that she's used to it because she's posed with lesser clothes in front of cameras. And she tags along a guy who simply wants to get in her pants and when they offered to beat the shit out of him, she defends him by saying he's her boyfriend. It's ridiculous. But I'm glad that she doesn't let them touch her because that would absolutely disgust me and I'm sure, her family and friends (the circle of friendship in these books) would definitely kill that guy.

Bottom line, I enjoyed the book like the first two but I still don't think I could love this series no matter how much the characters are wonderful unless I get the easy atmosphere between Lily and her mother. It just pains me how Samantha Calloway loves her three daughters: Poppy, Rose and Daisy so dearly yet Lily gets nothing but a cold shoulder and a tightly forced smile. I can't stand reading when one parent has that kind of attitude and is the reason for a daughter's suffering. I'm hoping to read some apology from her to Lily in Addicted After All.

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Book Review: Nobody But Us

Title: Nobody But Us
Author: Kristin Halbrook
Publication Date: January 29, 2013
Genre: Young/New Adult, Contemporary
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Will - Maybe I’m too late. Maybe Zoe’s dad stole all her fifteen years and taught her to be scared. I’ll undo it. Help her learn to be strong again, and brave. Not that I’m any kind of example, but we can learn together.

When the whole world is after you, sometimes it seems like you can’t run fast enough.

Zoe - Maybe it’ll take Will years to come to terms with being abandoned. Maybe it’ll take forever. I’ll stay with him no matter how long it takes to prove that people don’t always leave, don’t always give up on you.

My Thoughts

I thought this book was gonna be good but as the story progressed, it keeps on getting worse. I was hoping for something to save it from being a huge disappointment but no, nothing did. The synopsis sounded good but the whole story seemed to betray that flicker of expectation.

I didn't like the characters, I didn't like their relationship, I didn't like their plan to run away as far as they can and to think they're students and Zoe's what, 15? 16? And Will was 19? I forgot. Clearly not worth remembering for me because I just didn't feel it at all. Zoe's got a rough life living with her dad, but Will was there for her. There to protect her, rescue her and love her. I thought he'd be there to keep her safe, which he did, but somehow along the road trip, life somehow took a wrong turn and it went downhill after that.

Despite the sweet 'I love you's, kisses, hugs and whispered words of love, their relationship scares me and it's unhealthy. They're so young. Will doesn't want to pursue college because his 'priority' is to get Zoe safe and far away from her dad and he wants to work to keep them both alive. Zoe, on the other hand, I feel bad for this girl. I feel bad for what she's been through but most of the time I want to shake her awake. These two are so in love with each other. So invested in that love that they hardly seem to care about their future as long as they're together. That's not something you want to have with your partner. They're young and and irresponsible, well Zoe was a bit hesitant at times but it's just so wrong. Everything was so wrong.

The ending was tragic but I didn't feel sad. I feel relief that I'm done reading it. Characters are messed up, choices are even more messed up. This book could've been good and even better if the characters planned things thoroughly while they were on the road and thought about the consequences life would bring.

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Book Review: Cress

Title: Cress
Series: Lunar Chronicles, #3
Author: Marissa Meyer
Publication Date: February 04, 2014
Genre: Young Adult, Science-Fiction, Fantasy, Retelling
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In this third book in the bestselling Lunar Chronicles series, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army.

Their best hope lies with Cress, who has been trapped on a satellite since childhood with only her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker—unfortunately, she’s just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice.

When a daring rescue goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing stop her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only ones who can.

My Thoughts

Marissa Meyer has done it again. Another read from the Lunar Chronicles series, another great journey to this futuristic fairytale retelling and new characters to have a thrilling adventure with. Cress introduces us to a few new characters and we get a glimpse of someone for the next and last book in the quartet, Winter. I have once again loved the third installation and the events during the last few chapters made me want the next book ASAP.

Cress was a lovable main character just like Cinder and Scarlet. She's awkward and oblivious that I find it funny and cute. And one can't help not to fall for Captain Carswell Thorne. In this book, we get a new side of him that we haven't seen in Scarlet. In book two, he's usually the sarcastic and charming one, here, he's still that but there's more of him that I didn't expect to see. The rest of the characters still amaze me with their determination to stop Levana and fight her and the evil Lunars. It's just sad that there were so many traps and some of the characters got harmed and kidnapped. Ever since the first book, I can't seem to stop worrying for them. They've already been through so much that I can't wait for the last book so that there's finally an end to Levana's cruelty.

There was never a dull moment when I read Cress, same goes for the books before it, and I've been enjoying every moment. Except for the sad parts, they weren't enjoyable, they were worth the tears. Very good book, loved it and I'm very much excited for Winter.

My Rating:

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Book Review: Scarlet

Title: Scarlet
Series: Lunar Chronicles, #2
Author: Marissa Meyer
Publication Date: February 05, 2013
Genre: Young Adult, Science-Fiction, Fantasy, Retelling
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Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She’s trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she’ll be the Commonwealth’s most wanted fugitive.

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit’s grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn’t know about her grandmother or the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother’s whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner.

My Thoughts:

I am so in love with this book and I regret that I didn’t plan on reading this right after I read Cinder. I wasn’t sure at first what to feel for this (before I read it) because it’s from another character’s POV and I’m not used to changing POVs in fantasy books. I’m used to them when I’m reading contemporary but fantasy (or any other genre aside from contemporary)? No. I wanted to remain in Cinder’s head (even with Emperor Kai) and I wasn’t ready to let go just yet. To my utter surprise, Scarlet sure had me wrapped around its pages. The POV? Different POVs which I’m thankful for because there’s enough screen time for the characters and the events circling around them. It’s not also written in a messy way because I’ve encountered books with multiply POVs, and in third person, that ends up having their readers confused with the flow.

I have loved Scarlet as much as I loved Cinder. I love how these heroines can be badass without kicking butts every single time. Sure they have kicked some but their badassery (not really a word) wasn’t determined on their physical strengths. It was more on the way they think and their determination to fight. I wish there was more about Scarlet’s grandma because she seemed to know a lot, especially on what happened to Princess Selene. Cinder and Carswell tag-team was so fun to read especially Carswell Thorne’s personality. And then we have Wolf who, from the start, already caught my interest from the start due to his shyness. In the end, he’s still managed to keep me interested. Wolf and Scarlet though, I love them so much together that right now, I’m wanting more of them!

I’m excited to start Cress but at the same time, I want to reread this and go on Scarlet’s journey again.

My Rating:

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Book Review: Isn't She Lovely

Title: Isn’t She Lovely
Author: Lauren Layne
Publication Date: October 23, 2013
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance
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Stephanie Kendrick gave up her whole summer to ace her NYU film school screenwriting course, so she’s pissed to be stuck with a preppy, spoiled frat boy as her writing partner. Then again, with her piercings, black-rimmed eyes, and Goth wardrobe, Stephanie isn’t exactly Ethan Price’s type, either. He’s probably got his eye on some leggy blonde with a trust fund… or does he?

As the summer scene kicks off in the Hamptons, Ethan is desperate to make his snobbish mother forget the pedigreed girl who broke his heart. While Stephanie’s a stretch as a decoy, the right makeover and a pastel cardigan just might do the trick. She may not love the idea of playing Ethan’s brainless Barbie girlfriend, but the free rent and luxurious digs make a tempting offer. So does the promise of a ready-made screenplay idea inspired by their charade.

But when Stephanie steps into Ethan’s privileged world, the “acting” begins to feel all too real. The kissing and touching that were intended to fool the Hamptons crowd wind up manipulating “them.” And Stephanie faces a question she’s too afraid to ask: Is Ethan falling for the real her or for the dolled-up princess he wants to see?

My Thoughts:

“That’s not how it ends, Kendrick. First he has to apologize. Then he tells her how wrong and stupid he was. He tells her that he doesn’t care if she decides to start wearing a velvet cape to dinner at his parents’ house. He doesn’t care that her boots belong in a Civil War museum. He doesn’t care if she wants to wear sweats to the opera or black to a wedding, or if she wants to draw black permanent marker around her eyes. And he tells her how wrong he was for saying that she lacked guts, because the truth is he wasn’t willing to meet her halfway.”

My heart flipped at that quote. Actually, my heart flipped so many times while reading this book. This is another one of those stories that I wouldn’t mind rereading from time to time.

Funny, sweet and the two main characters are smart and got this interesting banter. This book is one of those refreshing ones in the New Adult category. Ethan’s unlike the guys I’ve read in NA where they usually have this ‘bad boy’ vibe, who sleeps around with girls and has tattoos here and there. Although, he’s got his own vibe that seems to charm the ladies, not to mention his pearly white teeth. Stephanie’s the ‘goth’ (or dresses up like one), which is one of the things that really captured my interest because I hardly read books with the main female acting/dressing up like this one. Her sarcasm, when used in the right moment, never failed to make me grin. I’m into those characters who knows when to strike their sarcasm. Both are so flawed, and things between them weren’t all fluffy clouds and happy unicorns but so rough and like any other human, they messed up big time.

The other characters in the book were surprisingly likable. I didn’t expect to like the ex-girlfriend because I got this picture of her in my head that she’d go all clingy and jealous when she has no right to be. Even Ethan’s mom but then, she has to speak up for her actions. Something I won’t be spoiling. But the other characters like Ethan’s socialite friends, his dad, Chris (Stephanie’s stepbrother), and the rest were all good. Though for Chris, I did wish there was more about him and his relationship with Stephanie because I feel like he’s a nice brother.

Great story, I enjoyed it and when you’re in love and you’re not confident that the person who you’re about to give your love can’t accept you for who you are, especially when you dress, it’s really an eye opener because you definitely can’t waste your time and effort for someone who can’t understand that you’re being you. Or you’re acting/dressing up this way because this is who you are and this makes you happy and all you wanted is for this person to accept and/or love you back as you. Not someone you’re pretending to be, but you. There’s so much in this story and I really dig the friends-to-lovers situation.

My Rating:

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Book Review: Antigoddess by Kendare Blake

Title: Antigoddess
Series: Goddess War, #1
Author: Kendare Blake
Publication Date: September 10, 2013
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Mythology
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Cassandra and Aidan are just your average high-school couple. Blissfully unaware of her own power, Cassandra doesn’t even know that gods exist.

Until now.

Because the gods are dying - and Cassandra could hold the answer to their survival. But Aidan has a secret, and he will do anything to protect the girl he loves from the danger that’s coming for her. Even if it means war against his immortal family…

My Thoughts:

I was excited to start this book because from the blurb, I could feel that it’s gonna be dark and it talks about mythology, which is something I’m very interested in. I’ve been interested in mythology for so long. But somehow, I ended up feeling..a bit disappointed with this.

I was very confused at first with why the gods were dying, who they’re running from, and that feather with Athena thing which was kind of creepy. I even thought that this would only be focused on Cassandra and Aidan’s POVs and along their journey, they would just meet the gods but no, there’s also Hermes and Athena’s POVs. Both are told from third person. And if I remember, there was also a short POV of Hera, or maybe that was just part of some vision. Then the chapters were very unfair for the characters and their story. Cassandra and Aidan’s chapters would range around three to ten (less or more than) pages but most of the time, it’s cut so short that I find it annoying because they have such a short screentime and things were changing especially when Cassandra started seeing horrific stuff. While Hermes and Athena’s chapters were so long yet the longer they were, the more questions I have since their story (journey) has been dragging.

When things got interesting, I had this want to dislike Athena. And one of the reasons why I’m disappointed was because the gods weren’t acting like gods. They were dying but then it’s like a very new side to them. Especially Athena. I didn’t like the way she went around with Cassandra. It feels selfish and then at the end she just wants to leave Cassandra after everything that happened. I don’t want to get into spoilers. I’m not a spoiler-type of reviewer. And Aphrodite somehow surprised me, in a bad way.

Bottom line, I’m not happy with this book but I’m glad for the tiny bits of Cassanda and Apollo (even though I didn’t like the way things ended with them in the myth) and I still want to read the next book for some reason.

My Rating:

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