Book Review: Wasted Words

Title: Wasted Words
Author: Staci Hart
Publication Date: May 19, 2016
Genres: New Adult, Contemporary
Add to: Goodreads / Amazon

Some universal truths refuse to be ignored.

Peanut butter and jelly are a match made in heaven. Spaghetti and meatballs are best friends forever. And guys like Tyler Knight don’t go for girls like Cam Emerson.

She knew from the second she met him that he didn’t belong on her bookshelf, the six-foot-six ex-tight end with a face so all-American, it could have sold apple pie. So she shelved him next to the supermodels and rock stars and took her place on her own shelf — the one with the flannel-clad, pasty-faced comic book nerds. Most of her boyfriends have existed between the pages of books, but rather than worrying over her own lacking love life, she puts all her energy into playing Cupid, using her job at the book bar, Wasted Words, as her stomping ground.

Tyler Knight always looks on the bright side. His career-ending injury turned into a job as a sports agent. A horrible breakup led him to Cam, his quirky, smart roommate who is far more beautiful than she realizes. She’s made it perfectly clear she’s not interested in him — not like that at least — but if she ever changes her mind, he won’t hesitate. Because he doesn’t see the lines she’s drawn between them, as much as she insists that they’re there. Deep down he knows that despite their differences, they’re a match well made.

MY THOUGHTS
Wasted Words is the typical "girl is a nerd, guy is a hot stud, and they fall in love" trope. Although I don't mind  because every protagonist has their own strengths and weaknesses, this was just a let down for me--and it's not even about the classic trope in romance books.

Cam is a strong girl who's passionate about her work and comic books and wants to see people happy BUT her tendency to make two people fall in love with each other according to her was upsetting and frustrating to read. She was just pulling the matchmaking card here and there and it was making me sad that she's hurting other people's feelings because things weren't going according to her plan (e.g. Martin.. poor guy). Tyler was knocking some sense into her but it took her a while... she was that hard to crack and stop. She did share her reason why she was doing this but I just find it lame because it's not your business to step in someone's love life just because yours did a wrong turn. I'm just upset and sad because she's adorable whenever she's not doing any of that stuff.

Tyler's friend was also annoying... and I don't even have the heart to remember his name and I wish Tyler did too because it was obvious that the guy isn't the same good guy as before so I don't see the reason why he's still sticking around. Same dude also caused Tyler and Cam's relationship to bend and break--though both are neither faultless anyway.

I did enjoy the story when Tyler and Cam finally mend their relationship and admit to their faults. I also love Tyler's family, they're a great bunch to be around. Even though this book wasn't something I fully enjoyed, I still like how I enjoy how Tyler and Cam went from best friends to lovers--if I put aside the things that I didn't like. Also, Martin and Bayleigh made my reading time worth it.

MY RATING

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Book Review: Shameless

Title: Shameless
Author: Lex Martin
Publication Date: April 26, 2016
Genres: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Add to: Goodreads / Amazon

Brady…

What the hell do I know about raising a baby? Nothing. Not a goddamn thing.

Yet here I am, the sole guardian of my niece. I’d be lost if it weren’t for Katherine, the beautiful girl who seems to have all the answers. Katherine, who’s slowly finding her way into my cynical heart.

I keep reminding myself that I can’t fall for someone when we don’t have a future. But telling myself this lie and believing it are two different things.

Katherine…

When Brady shows up on a Harley, looking like an avenging angel—six feet, three inches of chiseled muscle, eyes the color of wild sage, and sun-kissed skin emblazoned with tattoos—I’m not sure if I should fall at his feet or run like hell. Because if I tell him what happened the night his family died, he might hate me.

What I don’t count on are the nights we spend together trying to forget the heartache that brought us here. I promise him it won’t mean anything, that I won’t fall in love.

I shouldn’t make promises I can’t keep.

MY THOUGHTS
Lex Martin made me so happy with this one. Before Shameless, I read two books that made me emotionally exhausted (in a good way) so I needed something that could stop my book hangover and pick up my mood: Shameless did just that. Although this was also an emotional roller-coaster, but it was definitely what I needed at the moment and I'm so glad I picked it up. This book had enough fluff and sweetness to make me swoon. It also had enough hotness to make me melt. Props also for the humor.

I roll my eyes. "I know I look young but I'm not that young." I already told him my age.

"No, twenty-three is old enough."

"Old enough for what?" I ask innocently as I stare up at him. Old enough for you?

He clears his throat. "Old enough to vote."

Brady just received a shocking news that caused him to pack his bags and stay in Texas. There, he was met with a realization that made him wish things were different and if only he could've have been a little more understanding and open. Taking care of a baby was never on his list of expectations. And he has no idea where to start. Even though he's clueless of what to do, Katherine was there to help.

Brady and Katherine make a really good tag-team. Brady's patient and a good listener everytime Katherine explains something to him and I love it whenever Kat inserts a little bit of Spanish here and there... or when she's pissed so she goes on full rambling/cursing. I love their chemistry, it's one of the things I enjoyed reading. And they're not only raising a little girl, they also got crops and animals to take care of plus some things in the house needed fixing. I want to take about the animals though. There are A LOT. For someone who loves animals, I want to live in this farm and adopt them all. I suddenly want a raccoon (Brady and Bandit are so cute... and hilarious).

I feel like I flew through this book--which means the story was good that I didn't have the heart to put it down. Kat and Brady's relationship isn't also insta-love. It had a good build-up and it was one of the book relationships I had a good time reading because of its adorableness, sweetness, hilarity and hotness (the sexual tension was just *fans self*) and the two had this understanding and respect where they don't push the other when one doesn't want to open up just yet. And when it comes to family relationships, I'm glad there's no "evil one" here because lately, I wanted to read something with a good family dynamic. There were some issues, yes, but they don't take away the meaning of "family". They're a good bunch to be around.

I already plan on rereading this. Can't get enough of Kat and Brady, and little Isabella just pulls your heartstrings with her cuteness.

MY RATING

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Book Review: Listen To Me

Title: Listen To Me
Series: Fusion, #1
Author: Kristen Proby
Publication Date: April 12, 2016
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
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Seduction is quickly becoming the hottest new restaurant in Portland, and Addison Wade is proud to claim 1/5 of the credit. She’s determined to make it a success and can’t think of a better way to bring in new customers than live music. But when former rock star Jake Keller swaggers through the doors to apply for the weekend gig, she knows she’s in trouble. Addie instantly recognizes him—his posters were plastered all over her bedroom walls in high school—he’s all bad boy...exactly her type and exactly what she doesn’t need.

Jake Keller walked away from the limelight five years ago and yearns to return to what’s always driven him: the music. If he gets to work for a smart-mouthed, funny-as-hell bombshell, all the better. But talking Addie into giving him the job is far easier than persuading her that he wants more than a romp in her bed. Just when she begins to drop her walls, Jake’s past finally catches up with him.

Will Addie be torn apart once again or will Jake be able to convince her to drown out her doubts and listen to her heart?

MY THOUGHTS
I love (yes, present tense) Kristen Proby's With Me in Seattle series and I'm not surprised that I love this one as well. Her writing when it comes to romance, friendships and family relationships (blood-related or not) makes me sigh happily because there's always this strong bond the characters have and it makes you want to be a part of them (I want the Montgomery family to adopt me.... but at the same time I don't because I wanna marry Will).

"It's our song," she says softly.

"No, baby. It's your song. We don't need a song. We are a song."

Addie and Jake make me want to cry.

I felt all warm and fuzzy on the inside reading Listen To Me and then I was on a ride down Emotional Street. This was funny and sweet but also heartbreaking at the same time. One of the many things I love about this is the music. It somehow takes me back to Play With Me and Rock With Me (from the With Me in Seattle series). Jake Keller singing his heart out was beautiful to read considering what he'd been through-something that I won't spoil. And Addie's got the hots for musicians so I don't blame her falling for him. Same goes for Jake because Addie's one amazing woman and I admire her determination and passion even though she's been betrayed and left many times already. Loved reading that they took their time in getting to know each other at the same time being honest that they are also attracted to each other. One of the things I love about Kristen Proby's writing because even if the attraction and tension are there, there's always this build-up in the characters' relationship which I approve of.

There were times where I want to shake the main characters back to their senses (more on Addie) because they're sometimes not thinking clearly and are stubborn. But sometimes it was understandable and it just made me flip the pages more because the story's pretty interesting. I love the angst. And not only did Jake and Addie made my feelings whirl in a crazy ride, so did the minor characters. I wouldn't call them minor characters for long though because this book is a part of the series and they will definitely be getting their own books and the thought of reading them gets me so excited.

This is my first full review of an Adult book. I read Adult books but only post little snippets of my thoughts in Goodreads and not in my blog. This one felt like it deserves its own review simply because I love Kristen Proby's works and this one just caught my attention and sparked my interest for the series.

MY RATING

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Book Review: November 9

Title: November 9
Author: Colleen Hoover
Publication Date: November 10, 2015
Genres: New Adult, Contemporary
Add to: Goodreads / Amazon

Fallon meets Ben, an aspiring novelist, the day before her scheduled cross-country move. Their untimely attraction leads them to spend Fallon’s last day in L.A. together, and her eventful life becomes the creative inspiration Ben has always sought for his novel. Over time and amidst the various relationships and tribulations of their own separate lives, they continue to meet on the same date every year. Until one day Fallon becomes unsure if Ben has been telling her the truth or fabricating a perfect reality for the sake of the ultimate plot twist.

MY THOUGHTS
Colleen Hoover did another great job in surprising me with a twist and making me go through an emotional whirlwind. I still feel the aftermath of Maybe Someday, the last book of hers that I read, and I was both excited and scared to read this one. Excited because the plot sounded good, scared because Colleen Hoover knows how to deliver a great amount of angst in her books.

“What’s it called?” she asks.

“What’s what called?”

“Our book. What’s the title going to be?”

“November Nine.”

Fallon and Ben are the kind of characters you want to get to know deeper. It’s like peeling an onion and going through its layers. I hope that’s not a bad metaphor because it’s quite fitting for some reason. They got their own family issues, aspirations in life, insecurities and secrets. Their agreement to meet on every 9th of November without contact made the book and title interesting. But November 9 wasn’t just a date, it was more than that. It held a big part of both Ben and Fallon’s lives.

The book’s summary about the ultimate plot twist wasn’t lying though. For me, it was a dark kind of twist and other readers will probably put this book down and not continue it but it didn’t work on me. It got more intriguing that I had to continue. That was the reason why I grabbed on to the pages until the ending. I had a WHAT?! reaction, no kidding. Props so much to the author for tugging my emotions and for surprising me the most. When you thought things are going smooth but then it’s like, “Nah, not yet”. For that and for the engaging story, thank you to the author for another swoon-worthy yet heartbreaking book.

MY RATING

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Book Review: One More Chance

Title: One More Chance
Series: Rosemary Beach, #8; Chance, #2
Author: Abbi Glines
Publication Date: September 02, 2014
Genres: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Add to: Goodreads / Amazon

Grant Carter did everything in his power to convince Harlow Manning that he was a good guy. More than a smooth-talker and someone she could trust. He had to overcome his reputation as a playboy, and his history with Harlow’s half-sister, Nan, a woman with a reputation of her own.

Harlow had taken the chance, falling hard and fast for the guy who thrilled her with his all-consuming desire. After a lifetime of avoiding bad boys like Grant, she had opened herself to the possibilities of love…

But a life-changing secret has torn them apart, and now Grant and Harlow must decide if they have enough fight to make it work - or if the pain of betrayal has permanently destroyed their future.

MY THOUGHTS
I’ve read a lot of Abbi Glines’ books but I’m not going to lie that One More Chance is definitely my favorite of them all. Grant and Harlow’s story snatched my interest since they met in Forever Too Far. Honestly, the first book (Take A Chance) didn’t really leave me some sparks due to the whole Nan situation that there’s a constant conflict in Grant and Harlow’s progressing relationship. The trust issue was somehow hard to deal with even though I understand the reason for holding back the trust. I just wasn’t much into it. And then this happened.

I shed some tears reading this and I was honestly on the edge of my seat the whole time reading the letters because I was concerned over Harlow’s situation. I know she’s one strong girl and I definitely love her as a character… STILL I WAS WORRIED. Harlow is so loved and she deserves every bit of it and it makes me happy that she loves Grant and he loves her back just as much. Grant is also making me emotional in this book that I had to read his chapters oh-so-thoroughly because he’s changed so much for the better. It was beautiful and heartwarming to read.

“Nothing in this world has ever shone as brightly as you do or made me want to be a better person like you do.”

That’s one of my favorite lines in this book. I love reading where a character gets inspired and made him/her want to be a better person for themselves and for the person they want to be with. Grant and Harlow’s relationship took such a big step and… I’m just honestly so happy to read it (happy where tears are involved).

Nan, on the other hand, I feel like I’m the only one or one of the very few who doesn’t hate her. I know the girl’s been through a rough upbringing thanks to bad and absent parenting. She just needed a hug and I’m a firm believer she’ll let out that nice girl inside her once again. The one that she did at the hospital was a touching thing to read, and so is her POV in this book. I want to hug her and tell her that she deserves love and she will find it. Her past actions are no excuse but things could still be fixed. The only thing that made me sad was that she returned to her nasty self but it’s still a long way ahead for her book so things could still smooth out.

I’m incredibly late with this book but I’m so glad that I made the decision to continue the Rosemary Beach books after Forever Too Far. One More Chance is definitely a must-read even if you fell off from the story in the last book. It’s such a good read about sacrifice, overcoming your fears, thinking about the good instead of the bad for your future, being strong despite what life brings you, and love. Love that isn’t just between two lovers but also between friends and family, blood-related or not.

“You’re our beginning. It’s time we live without fear. You’re the most wonderful chance I ever took.”

I love this one. A LOT.

MY RATING

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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
Add to: Goodreads / Amazon / Book Depository

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
Add to: Goodreads / Amazon / Book Depository

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.

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: Addicted for Now

Title: Addicted for Now
Series: Addicted, #2
Authors: Krista & Becca Ritchie
Publication Date: November 29, 2013
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Dark
Add to: Goodreads / Amazon / Book Depository

Those are the three words Lily Calloway fears the most. But Loren Hale is determined to be with Lily without enabling her dangerous compulsions. With their new living situation—sleeping in the same bed, for real, together—Lily has new battles. Like not jumping Lo’s bones every night. Not being consumed by sex and his body.

Loren plans to stay sober, to right all of his wrongs. So when someone threatens to expose Lily’s secret to her family and the public, he promises that he’ll do anything to protect her. But with old enemies surfacing, Lo has more at stake than his sobriety.

They will torment Lily until Lo breaks.

And his worst fear isn’t relapsing. He hears the end. He sees it. The one thing that could change everything. Just three words.

My Thoughts:

When I thought the first book was painful, oh was I wrong. This book made me cry for the characters, in a good way. A very good way because I feel proud towards the characters. Especially for Lily and Lo. They’ve come so far and I’m just so happy for them. As a couple and as individuals.

I also love the relationships between the siblings and how the situations that happened somehow strengthens those relationships: the Hale brothers and the Calloway sisters. It was so great to read that Lily and Lo were never alone, that they have these people who are always there for them. I’m just in awe, really. So much happened and a lot of them seemed to be like nightmares but they all have each other and they got through it. Connor was there as well and speaking of Connor, I just admire him even more in this book because he’s this calm, quiet and smart guy but when you hit a nerve, you definitely don’t want to hit another because you definitely won’t stand a chance. And he’s been such a good friend to them which I’m so happy that he didn’t turn into a bad guy. My heart aches for Ryke, so much especially at the last remaining chapters but Loren was there. His family. Another scene that I cried upon because of the Hale brothers. I’m weak when guys get sincere for their bros/friends and gets all teary. It would’ve been also nice for the Calloway sisters if Poppy made an appearance. I loved her "Please don’t shut us out" talk with Lily in the first book (which also had me in tears).

This book dealt with Loren out of rehab, Lily trying to control her addiction and an Unknown person who happens to know Lily’s secret. I never guessed who was this Unknown until the moment he/she was revealed. I had my suspects and whenever I read with someone labeled as Unknown, I would usually guessed it. But this one had me surprised, no lie. I like how the situation was handled when they found out. I definitely wanted to strangled that person. He/she had no right and not only hurt Lily, but damaged also another. Let’s just say that that person’s plan didn’t went well.

I would’ve given this 5 stars if I wasn’t bummed with the ending. I thought there was more but then I reached the Prologue for the next book which happens to say, "No, this is the end for book 2" and I was sad. I wanted to read a proper conversation between Lily and her parents (esp her mom, I hate her mom). More about Jonathan Hale because I’m conflicted on what to feel for him. He loves his sons (yes he does love Ryke too, I believe) but then, it’s in some kind of Jonathan-Hale-way that I’m too confused to understand. I really did wish Poppy made an appearance. I think she’s also the kind of sister who would be there with her siblings throughout.

Oh and I just also realized that the Calloway sisters’ names are derived from flowers’ names. Yes, I was slow to figure that out.

I still love this book. I really do love it and I’m excited for Addicted After All!

My Rating:

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Book Review: Addicted to You

Title: Addicted to You
Series: Addicted, #1
Authors: Krista & Becca Ritchie
Publication Date: June 13, 2013
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Dark
Add to: Goodreads / Amazon / Book Depository

No one would suspect shy Lily Calloway’s biggest secret. While everyone is dancing at college bars, Lily stays in the bathroom. To get laid. Her compulsion leads her to one-night stands, steamy hookups and events she shamefully regrets. The only person who knows her secret happens to have one of his own.

Loren Hale’s best friend is his bottle of bourbon. Lily comes at a close second. For three years, they’ve pretended to be in a real relationship, hiding their addictions from their families. They’ve mastered the art of concealing flasks and random guys that filter in and out of their apartment.

But as they sink beneath the weight of their addictions, they cling harder to their destructive relationship and wonder if a life together, for real, is better than a lie. Strangers and family begin to infiltrate their guarded lives, and with new challenges, they realize they may not just be addicted to alcohol and sex. Their real vice may be each other.

My Thoughts

This book was recommended to me by Sue and Aishah and I did plan on reading more New Adult books this year since there actually have been quite some that have been successful in capturing my heart and attention.

Addicted to You was dark, hot, funny, emotional and surprising. The book deals with main protagonists going on their personal addictions: Lily is addicted to sex while Loren is addicted to booze. Two of the many addictions in life that are hard to control and with no help, might just result to something dangerous that can harm the subject. Reading this makes me feel the need to help the characters, even knowing I can’t because they’re fiction. There’s just this part of you when you read it that you want to step into the book and offer your help.

I love how this also dealt with family relationships and friendships. I love the Calloway sisters but Rose and Lily’s relationship just managed to pluck my heartstrings (reminds me of Elsa and Anna from Disney’s Frozen, in a different world and scenario that is). And even if Jonathan, Lo’s father, was kind of harsh towards him, there’s still this father figure in him that really cares deeply for Lo. I don’t want to spoil because you can feel this towards the end of the book. Fathers (and mothers) with attitudes like that yet is actually someone who cares and loves on the inside is something I don’t read very much often in NA. And with Lily and Lo’s addictions, they have their friends who are such wonderful characters because they’re actually willing to help. One of the things that I absolutely appreciate while reading Addicted to You. Sometimes, you really just need someone to talk to and just let everything out when you had enough of the hiding.

The romance wasn’t heavy on angst but quite filled with worry and fear due to secrets and addictions. It’s perfectly flawed in a way one would think that their relationship won’t work but I admire the Lily and Lo because later on, they decided to help themselves in order to be better and to make the relationship work. I also like the fact that they’re best friends before they entered the boyfriend-girlfriend situation. And the bantering mixed with flirting is just sexy and funny that I couldn’t help but let out a Cheshire cat-like grin.

The ending was filled with hope and a promise and I am definitely starting the second book now.

My Rating:

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Book Review: The Sky Is Everywhere

Title: The Sky Is Everywhere
Author: Jandy Nelson
Publication Date: March 09, 2010
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
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Seventeen-year-old Lennie Walker, bookworm and band geek, plays second clarinet and spends her time tucked safely and happily in the shadow of her fiery older sister, Bailey. But when Bailey dies abruptly, Lennie is catapulted to center stage of her own life - and, despite her nonexistent history with boys, suddenly finds herself struggling to balance two. Toby was Bailey's boyfriend; his grief mirrors Lennie's own. Joe is the new boy in town, a transplant from Paris whose nearly magical grin is matched only by his musical talent. For Lennie, they're the sun and the moon; one boy takes her out of her sorrow, the other comforts her in it. But just like their celestial counterparts, they can't collide without the whole wide world exploding.

My Thoughts:

When Lennie's older sister, Bailey, died she felt like things are impossible to continue and the world is also impossible with the thought of Bailey gone forever. Lennie shared a very close bond with her sister and she's gotten her feelings confused between Toby, Bailey's boyfriend, and Joe, a new guy in school and town. She's also trying to patch things up with her grandma and uncle because all the while, she felt selfish at times and forgets that she's not the only one who has lost someone special. And with their mother gone in God-knows-where, she starts to think as to why their mom left them for sixteen years.

Funny, heartbreaking and romantic. I fought between giving this 4.5 stars or 5 stars but then I settled for the 5 because the last chapter gave off a proper closure of Lennie's pain of her sister's death and everyone seemed happy. Even the epilogue which didn't really needed words, added a wonderful thought to the story. I'm in love with this book and with Joe and their (his and Lennie's) love for music and Paris. I love Paris. Their verbal exchange was something I find amusing and kind of gives you the tension (due to some events) and sometimes it hurts. I felt like this story's realistic. Every character has their flaws and worked their ways to be a better person. One of the aspects I loved about this book. The little poems give me thug in the heart every time. I felt Lennie's pain and all I wanna do is hug this character and everyone, really. But I'm so happy with how the story ended.

I tell myself to stop reading these kind of books, the painful ones, but I can't. They seem to have this hold on me. Totally recommending this if you haven't read it yet!

My Rating:

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Book Review: Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan

Title: Dash & Lily's Book of Dares
Authors: Rachel Cohn & David Levithan
Publication Date: October 26, 2010
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Add to: Goodreads / Amazon / Book Depository

“I’ve left some clues for you.
If you want them, turn the page.
If you don’t, put the book back on the shelf, please.”

So begins the latest whirlwind romance from the bestselling authors of Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist. Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash that right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York? Could their in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions? Or will they be a comic mismatch of disastrous proportions?

My Thoughts:

An early Christmas read in which I actually ditched my Halloween reads because of this (and because I was busy during the last few days of October hence my inactiveness). Very short, cute and funny read that left me saying, "No more?" at the end. And this made me want Christmas to come sooner (I love Christmas, favorite time of the year).

When adorable and so-called nerdy, soccer player Lily decided to leave a red notebook with clues in a bookstore's certain bookshelf, nobody expected the good-looking, hipster-ish yet snarky Dash to pick it up and dared to complete the clues or task that was asked in the notebook. So it begins the exchanging of dares and getting to know without seeing each other through the certain notebook during the holiday season.

I didn't regret ditching my Halloween reads for this and to think that this book was bargained and it took me a very long time to actually pick it from my shelf and read it. Now I'm asking myself what took me so long to read this one when in fact it's very short and the synopsis is something I would read in the contemporary genre. I had fun reading their dares (or games and certain confessions) that some ended up in a hilarious scene, some in an exciting one and lastly, ended up to Dash finding Lily..in some state that was absolutely unpredictable. It was sweet for one notebook to bring two people together and share New Year's Eve and I've been smiling time to time while flipping the pages. Recommended if you're eager for Christmas and you're someone like me who's fond of adorable stories like this.

My Rating:

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Novella Review: Trust in Me

Title: Trust in Me
Series: Wait for You, #1.5
Author: J. Lynn
Publication Date: October 22, 2013
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Cameron Hamilton is used to getting what he wants, especially when it comes to women. But when Avery Morgansten comes crashing into his life – literally – he finally meets the one person who can resist his soulful baby blues. But Cam’s not ready to give up. He can’t get the feisty and intriguing girl out of his head.

Avery has secrets, secrets that keep her from admitting the feelings Cam knows she has for him. Will persistence (and some delicious homemade cookies) help him break down her barriers and gain her trust? Or will he be shut out of Avery's life, losing his first real shot at the kind of love that lasts forever?


My Thoughts:

I wasn't expecting this one to be a sequel like what other people did and they ended up disappointed. I still loved this as much as I loved Wait for You. It was nice to get into Cam's head while he was separated with Avery and this one's a pretty quick read as well. Cam's one heck of a nice guy but the overly perfect kind of character some books depict on their male protagonists which sometimes get irritating because they hardly have flaws.

In his POV, we get to see more of Jase and Ollie. They're Cam's friends and Ollie's his roommate. These two grew on me like Brit and Jacob did in Wait for You. They're the kind of friends you want to hang out and keep forever. They also made me laugh and I'm really liking Jase. Ollie's the funny one while Jase is the understanding one. I also like Cam's family and he's one protective yet a very sweet big brother. His relationship with his little sister was adorable.

Cam and Avery's love story still makes me smile and sigh happily even if it's only a repeat of events but in another person's POV. I was hoping to read more of their future though but sadly, my hopes kinda died down. But I'm still happy with this one and it was good to have me laughing at their bantering moments again.

My Rating:

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Book Review: The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend

Title: The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend
Author: Kody Keplinger
Publication Date: September 07, 2010
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Add to: Goodreads / Amazon / Book Depository

Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn’t think she’s the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She’s also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her “the Duff,” she throws her Coke in his face.

But things aren’t so great at home right now, and Bianca is desperate for a distraction. She ends up kissing Wesley. Worse, she likes it. Eager for escape, Bianca throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with him.

Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out Wesley isn’t such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she’s falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone.

My Thoughts:

I absolutely am in love with this book. The story's events felt so real and I think, so far, this is the only book where I feel bad for every character because they happen to have their own stories to share and flaws that made you feel like you can actually connect with them and care about them. This book was so hard to put down that I have no idea how I managed to finish this in three hours or probably less.

Bianca  was a character I could honestly relate because of her self-consciousness after being called a DUFF and her relationship with her family and to keeping secrets from her friends. She wasn't the annoying kind in my opinion even though she's afraid to open up to her friends and she kept on denying her feelings for Wesley because she wasn't sure what she really feels. Her behavior wasn't irritating, it wasn't frustrating, rather it was actually understanding because I felt like every one has their moments like Bianca. Wesley, on the other hand whom I thought was going to be a difficult character to like because of his reputation, ended up on my favorite fictional swoon-worthy male characters. His verbal banter with Bianca was so amusing to read and when he apologized to her, oh gosh, that really did it for me and he showed off how sweet and sincere he was towards her. There are moments when you need a Wesley Rush in life.

Bianca's friends and family, I ended up loving them as well because they're the kind of people who wouldn't leave you despite everything. Even if her parents are having their issue, they still managed to be there for her as individuals. But Bianca's connection with her dad was the one that had me all in tears (and the moment where Wesley apologized after Bianca told him about what she felt with all the DUFF-calling also had me in tears) especially after what he did and said to Bianca, which was something unexpected.

I highly recommend this book (if you haven't read it yet) and I feel so grateful to a friend of mine for telling me how good this book is and when I finally had the chance to read it, it was so much better. A new-found contemporary love that really speaks to me.

My Rating:

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Book Review: Fall From Love

Title: Fall From Love
Author: Heather London
Publication Date: May 21, 2013
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance
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Struggling to put her life back together after a tragic mountaineering accident kills her college sweetheart, twenty-one-year-old Holly Treadwell is trying to set aside her grief, forge ahead in school, and find herself again.

When Carter Hansen, a guy who brings back horrible memories from the night of the accident, finds his way back into her life, Holly’s unsure if she should let him in. He terrifies her in more ways than one and invokes feelings in her that she thought were buried forever. Regardless of her fears, she knows she must face him in order for her heart to heal.

Everyone tells Carter that what happened on the mountain that night was just a terrible accident, but even then, he can’t help but carry around the guilt and is unable to forgive himself. He’s drawn to Holly and being near her helps ease his conscience and gives him the release he needs.

As Holly and Carter’s relationship grows, they begin to realize that the more time they spend with one another, the more their wounds begin to heal—her grief and his guilt. But when Holly learns the details about the night of the accident—what everyone has been keeping from her—it will rip open old wounds and tear apart what they’ve both worked so hard to overcome…

My Thoughts:

I never thought I'd end up loving this book in which it terribly moved me. It's about dealing with keeping secrets, losing someone you love, friendship, opening your heart for love again and forgiveness. It really touched me in a way I couldn't explain. I think I've read a ton of stories already (fictional ones) which involved someone moving on because his/her other half died but this one has got to be my favorite. It didn't revolve in so much angst, which I'm really thankful for, it made the characters find happiness amongst everything and everyone around them despite everything that happened.

Holly, who lost her boyfriend from an accident in the mountains, was honestly likable for me. Her moping didn't bother me because it was only during the first few chapters in the book and it didn't last long. I'm also thankful for the existence of her BFF, Jenna, because she's so caring and loyal and she's a great help. And Holly, thank goodness, was finally willing to come out and do stuff to keep her mind occupied with things that make her happy. She's the character with a heart. Bless the author for not having the sulking and moping last for an eternity. Josh and Carter are also wonderful characters in this book. Josh happens to be a great boyfriend and best friend whom you could count on and he's a great cook! I have a weak spot for men who could cook. Really. Carter is a sweet guy and just a loving person towards the people he really cares about. And he's not just smart in school, he's also smart enough on how to handle his feelings for Holly during the moment he knew he's in love with her and thinks thoroughly about the consequences of it to their friendship.

What I really love about this book, with romance being its centered genre, was that the love between Holly and Carter wasn't what we call, "insta-love". It took a long while for love, like real love and not the kind where most of the times I've read in New Adult books are accompanied with lust. They started as friends and reading their friendship was one of the great things in this book. And here's one quote that I want to share:

“I think that friendship is the foundation of every healthy relationship, but you just can’t be too scared to take the next step if you want something more.”

I love that line. I love this book. I love the characters and the story. This is honestly what I love about reading books with romance. We'd get to go on a journey along the friendship between two people and witness how love starts to develop. Also there was forgiveness which seemed to be another reason I happened to love. I don't make big deals about it most of the time when I read books but in this one, it was such a nice thing to read because the characters seemed to forgive each other for everything that happened and it was just touching. They made mistakes but it wasn't the intentional kind and after everything, they learned to forgive. Such a very great read for me and now I look forward to reading more books by this author.

My Rating:

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Book Review: Wild Cards by Simone Elkeles

Title: Wild Cards
Series: Wild Cards, #1
Author: Simone Elkeles
Publication Date: October 01, 2013
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Add to: Goodreads / Amazon / Book Depository

After getting kicked out of boarding school, bad boy Derek Fitzpatrick has no choice but to live with his ditzy stepmother while his military dad is deployed. Things quickly go from bad to worse when he finds out she plans to move them back to her childhood home in Illinois. Derek’s counting the days before he can be on his own, and the last thing he needs is to get involved with someone else’s family drama.

Ashtyn Parker knows one thing for certain--people you care about leave without a backward glance. A football scholarship would finally give her the chance to leave. So she pours everything into winning a state championship, until her boyfriend and star quarterback betrays them all by joining their rival team. Ashtyn needs a new game plan, but it requires trusting Derek—someone she barely knows, someone born to break the rules. Is she willing to put her heart on the line to try and win it all?

My Thoughts:

This reminded me of Perfect Chemistry (book 1), a bit. Not because it's by the same author, but because the two lead characters were kind of alike the ones in PC. Although I have to admit that I liked this one better because this one focused more on family and football, not heavy on drugs and gangs, which weren't really mentioned and not put on topic in the story. The only similarities I could point out was the part where girl has boyfriend, who is a jerk, then she starts to develop feelings for a guy she thought she wouldn't want to.

I don't have much say for the story because I like the plot. It's the characters that were kind of giving me a hard time reading. I love Derek and Ashtyn together but as individuals, Ashtyn makes me want to pull my hair out. I love how determined she is on something she's passionate about and she proves to the guys that she's not a weak girl but she's really blind when it comes to her boyfriend, Landon. And when there were times Derek wanted to help her, she just shut him down because she thinks that he's helping her because she's weak. Now, whenever that happens in the book, I really get angry because she's mistaking his kindness as something like an insult. The other characters, I wished there were more about them. Especially Ashtyn's teammates/friends because they seem to be nice and caring for her. But the romance between Derek and Ashtyn really won me over. They're cute together and the ending was so sweet!

I was looking forward to this book a lot. I liked the Perfect Chemistry books (but I'm kind of biased on the second one) and when I heard about this, I can't help not to squeal. The synopsis sounded good and this is the first contemporary book that had me intriguing because the female lead plays football. And to think that she's the only girl in their team. It's just sad that the story ends in just one book and I think another pair will star in the next book. I badly want more Derek and Ashtyn and I was hoping to see a game where they would kick Landon's ass :(

My Rating:

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Book Review: Fangirl

Title: Fangirl
Author: Rainbow Rowell
Publication Date: September 10, 2013
Genre: Young Adult/New Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Coming Of Age
Add to: Goodreads / Amazon / Book Depository

A coming-of-age tale of fan fiction, family and first love.

Cath is a Simon Snow fan.

Okay, the whole world is a Simon Snow fan . . .

But for Cath, being a fan is her life — and she’s really good at it. She and her twin sister, Wren, ensconced themselves in the Simon Snow series when they were just kids; it’s what got them through their mother leaving.

Reading. Rereading. Hanging out in Simon Snow forums, writing Simon Snow fan fiction, dressing up like the characters for every movie premiere.

Cath’s sister has mostly grown away from fandom, but Cath can’t let go. She doesn’t want to.

Now that they’re going to college, Wren has told Cath she doesn’t want to be roommates. Cath is on her own, completely outside of her comfort zone. She’s got a surly roommate with a charming, always-around boyfriend, a fiction-writing professor who thinks fan fiction is the end of the civilized world, a handsome classmate who only wants to talk about words . . . And she can’t stop worrying about her dad, who’s loving and fragile and has never really been alone.

For Cath, the question is: Can she do this?

Can she make it without Wren holding her hand? Is she ready to start living her own life? Writing her own stories?

And does she even want to move on if it means leaving Simon Snow behind?

My Thoughts

I've been waiting for this book and was looking forward to it after probably because I read and loved her other book: Eleanor and Park. And I might read Attachments some time this year. Now for Fangirl, this book was a slow read for me but it wasn't the kind of slow reading where I had to put the book down because it's bad, it's the kind where I had to take time to reread some lines to understand the characters. Especially Cath.

Cath is a college freshman and just moved in since it's her first day, and her twin's named Wren, but she's not used to doing things without her sister by her side. She's one big Simon Snow fangirl, hence, she writes fanfiction and she gets absorbed into this fictional world like any big-time fangirl (or just simply put as someone who really loves the characters and the world-building behind it). Now she's away and in college: she tries not to cling to her twin that much, constantly worries about their dad back home, seems to feel uneasy around people (or in her words: strangers), still continues to be Simon Snow's biggest fan. And then this guy, Levi, just happened to appear.

To be honest, I got so frustrated over Cath. I can relate to her during my first few days in college: scared to be around people that I ended up not leaving my room or just do homework and read a book to avoid human interaction. But the thing about Cath and this personality of hers is that she pushes away her newly-met people who wanted to offer her some help or encouragement. That's not nice and considering they're telling the truth and seemed to dislike the idea of seeing her lonely or not eating much. And she also seemed to be so attached to her twin that at times, her stubbornness is already bothering and irritating me. Her twin needed some shaking-her-senses out too. Cath worries too much for their dad as well and whenever I read how worried she is, it makes me want to blame their dad too. Not that he's a bad parent, he really just needed to get over his loneliness. I know that being lonely is never a good thing, it never is, but he can't expect his daughters to stay forever. I mean I know he's hurt from everything that happened in the family and he's dealing with other big things but still, it's affecting and more on Cath.

Levi is the character that I really like in this book. He's not the perfect handsome guy that every girl in school would melt into a puddle of hearts whenever he walks by. He's just simple and smiling. Too smiling. Sometimes his smile kind of weird me out but I handled it. He's a genuine kind of guy that I'm really glad he's part of the picture in Cath's frame of life. Bonus points for his sweetness and his cuteness when he's all nervous.

Overall, I still liked it. The progress was good for me and I'm happy to see Cath starting to really come out of her age. Realistic and imperfect flawed characters that I happen to enjoy reading and knowing despite all the frustrations they seemed to emit out of me. 



My Rating:

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Book Review: Crash Trilogy

(to be honest, I like the other edition's covers more but too bad there's no Crush cover for it)

Titles: Crash, #1; Clash, #2; Crush #3
Series: Crash Trilogy
Author: Nicole Williams
Publication Dates: July 19, 2012; September 01, 2012; April 23, 2013
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Add to: Goodreads / Amazon / Book Depository

Southpointe High is the last place Lucy wanted to wind up her senior year of school. Right up until she stumbles into Jude Ryder, a guy whose name has become its own verb, and synonymous with trouble. He's got a rap sheet that runs longer than a senior thesis, has had his name sighed, shouted, and cursed by more women than Lucy dares to ask, and lives at the local boys home where disturbed seems to be the status quo for the residents. Lucy had a stable at best, quirky at worst, upbringing. She lives for wearing the satin down on her ballet shoes, has her sights set on Juilliard, and has been careful to keep trouble out of her life. Up until now.

Jude's everything she needs to stay away from if she wants to separate her past from her future. Staying away, she's about to find out, is the only thing she's incapable of.

For Lucy Larson and Jude Ryder, love's about to become the thing that tears them apart.

My Thoughts

This is my first time reviewing a whole trilogy although I will just make it short and simple since this didn't caught my attention unlike her other work: Lost & Found (with its sequel, Near & Far). The reviews for the first book were really good though but it wasn't that enjoyable much because the two characters seem to fight a lot and it gets frustrating.

Lucy and Jude met at some beach until one night, Lucy was saved by Judge when his company (or friends or whoever they were in his life) tried to set her on fire. When the police arrived, Jude was arrested since he had this reputation and Lucy haven't heard a thing about him until school started. Likely, they go to the same school and add some events here and there (no, honestly I forgot how they fell in love) and they're in a relationship. But their relationship was lacking something: TRUST. 

I won't go into further detail because I might spoil. 

In Crash, the relationship between Lucy and Jude really needed to be shaped because it was just rough on the edge and they keep on fighting. Lucy's also someone who really gets jealous a lot and Jude's the type of person that needs to enroll in some anger management facility. The one thing I love in this book was the talk about The Beatles, hence their names are like from songs of the band. 

In the second book, Clash, their relationship's starting to shape when some cheerleader gets into the picture. And once again, they're starting to fall apart and for the same reason: the lack of trust. Lucy's all, "I trust you" but in the end, when Jude's not with her, she just doesn't. Which makes me want to pull my hair off because her man's doing everything to make her trust him. As for Jude, he really should have just told the cheerleader to back off. It was pretty obvious she's into him. The ending's good nonetheless.

Lastly, we have Crush. The last book. I have mixed feelings for the book. I think everything in their relationship went too way fast. Same issues, different scenarios. But what I loved a lot? Like a lot? The epilogue. It totally won me over. I just can't get enough of the fluff and how happy they are and how far they've gone through even if I still felt kind of uneasy. Still, I just loved it. Worth it anyway. I'm also glad that they have these friends who stuck with them until the end. Even Lucy's parents, in which I wasn't sure what to feel for her mom during the first book but in the end, I liked her.

Not the best. I've been upset at some parts but some moments made me want to sing songs from The Beatles. Especially when they go like, "Hey Jude" (calling Jude, not singing the song) and I just sing the lines at some point. I did enjoy some bits of the romance. Clearly, the last parts of the third book was just adorable.

My Ratings:

Crash & Clash

Crush

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