The Game Plan (Neighbor from Hell #5) - R.L. Mathewson

Spend the next 40 years in prison or break her lease early? 
Normally she’d be able to say that this one was a no-brainer, but things have definitely changed since she was forced to move in across the hall from Danny Bradford. 
A lot of things…… 
She wanted to get through one day, just ONE day without Danny Bradford doing something to test the limits to her control, but with that damn smile of his and his habit of leaving her contemplating manslaughter, she didn’t see that happening anytime soon. 
He loved his family, but some days……. 
It was too much, but that was okay, because his small neighbor living across the hallway provided him with endless hours of entertainment. Not on purpose of course, but did it really matter as long she made him smile?

As some of you may know, I am a huge R.L. Mathewson fan. I couldn't wait for this book.

The book follows Jodi (Tinkerbelle), a cute, short, blonde librarian with an aversion to antihistamines and Danny, a Bradford and ex-Marine with a strong inclination to tease his neighbour.

Tinkerbelle, I would have to say, had me laughing the most. It is usually the male characters, but this book was different. I felt like there was a lot more going on in this book compared to the others. The relationship between Danny and his father had a key role in this book.

I am running out of adjectives to describe these books.

I would love to know what happens in these restaurants, we got a little insight, now I need more. I also want a whole book based on Trevor and Zoe's' kids. their scenes are awesome. The only bad things I have to say about this book, is that I want a little more Jason and I have to wait a while or the next book.



Overall, a funny, heartwarming and all-round amazing read. A definite recommendation.

5/5 stars.

Bad Romeo - Leisa Rayven

When Cassie Taylor met Ethan Holt at acting school, sparks flew. She was the good girl actress. He was the bad boy about campus. But one fated casting choice for Romeo and Juliet changed it all. Like the characters they were playing, Cassie and Ethan's romance seemed destined. Until he broke her heart and betrayed her trust. Now the A-list heartthrob is back in her life and turning her world around. One touch at a time. 

Cast as romantic leads once again, they're forced to confront raw memories of the heartbreaking lows and pulse-pounding highs of their secret college affair. But they'll also discover that people who rub each other the wrong way often make the best sparks 

I was expecting very good things from this book. It had amazing advanced reviews and there was a big hype over the release. I was seriously disappointed. 

The writing was very good. I really did enjoy the style in which it was written, and for the first quarter of the book, I enjoyed the plot and the story. Then it all went downhill. The main characters were so aggravating. You just wanted to shake them. They really needed to get their act together. 

I like many others, enjoy a story where there is a dysfunctional male protagonist. It makes us girls rally happy when they sort their ish out.  Ethan, however, didn't have an excuse to act the way he did and Cassie just took it. No self respecting woman would. He was like a doormat to his dirty foot. 

Cassie has to be one of the most annoying female protagonists I have ever read. The premise for her character wasn't bad, but the execution was. She just turned out to be a horny virgin with a penchant for letting Ethan walk all over her. You don't even get the reason for their first break-up, and the ending was an abrupt cliffhanger. ANNOYING. I guess that will get some readers excited for the next book, but to me it was a giant tease. 

Overall, I love the cover and the writing, but the execution (the chapters were choppy and did not flow) and the protagonists let the book down. 

2.5/5

ARC provided by St. Martin's Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Eyes Turned Skyward - Rebecca Yarros

Since her sister's death, twenty-year-old Paisley Donovan, who shares her sister’s heart condition, is treated like delicate glass by her parents. But nothing will stop her from completing her Bucket List—even if it kills her. And it almost does, until Jagger Bateman pulls her from the ocean and breathes more than air into her lungs—he sets her soul on fire.
Jagger is enrolled in the country's toughest flight school. He's wickedly hot, reckless, and perfect for a girl looking to live life to the fullest. Except that Paisley is the commanding general's daughter, and her boyfriend is Jagger's biggest rival. Now Paisley must decide just how much to risk for a guy who makes her heart pound a little too hard.
They're flying through dangerous territory—and one wrong move could make them crash and burn...

This book was incredible. I was hooked from the very start. Paisley is very sweet, yet strong. Stronger than she, and most of those around her believe. Jagger is so cute, hot, but still very cute and swoon-worthy.

There are a couple of moments in the book where you do get annoyed at the characters for not getting their ish sorted out, but I feel like that when I read a lot of New Adult books. This book has the very cliched story line that we all love. Boy has broken family or past, girl needs saving in some form.

Although it is very cliche, it totally works. It is very well written and the story does keep you want to carry on reading.

I don't want to give too much away since this book hasn't come out yet, but, I feel like I need to warn you. There is a very annoying, yet totally compelling, triangle. If any of you watch The Vampire Diaries, it is like the Stephen, Elena and Damon triangle. She is with one but belongs with the other. It makes for a very good will they, won't they, kind of twist.

It is a HEA (Happily Ever After), so don't fret.

4.5/5 stars and a definite recommendation.

A Little Something Different - Sandy Hall

The creative writing teacher, the delivery guy, the local Starbucks baristas, his best friend, her roommate, and the squirrel in the park all have one thing in common—they believe that Gabe and Lea should get together. Lea and Gabe are in the same creative writing class. They get the same pop culture references, order the same Chinese food, and hang out in the same places. Unfortunately, Lea is reserved, Gabe has issues, and despite their initial mutual crush, it looks like they are never going to work things out.  But somehow even when nothing is going on, something is happening between them, and everyone can see it. Their creative writing teacher pushes them together. The baristas at Starbucks watch their relationship like a TV show. Their bus driver tells his wife about them. The waitress at the diner automatically seats them together. Even the squirrel who lives on the college green believes in their relationship. 
Surely Gabe and Lea will figure out that they are meant to be together....

This book was incredible. I had it on TBR list for a long time, but never got to it. I finally did and I was blown away. 

I am not usually a fan of multiple POV type books, but this one worked incredibly well. The humour was spot on and the chemistry was the best.
The book follows, through the perspectives of many people, the coming together of, a very shy and very cut boy and a sweet girl. 
It is very hard to get the type of humor and very good writing style when you are writing so many POV's. I have only read one other authors work, R.L. Mathewson, who does it perfectly and seamlessly.

My favourite characters have to be the bench and the squirrel. Never thought I would ever say those words. Seriously. Amazing.

5/5 stars for a short but brilliant read. Highly recommended.

Sugar Rush (Friend-Zoned #3) - Belle Aurora

Max Leokov has watched the people around him find love.

At one point in life, he not only wanted that, but lived for it.

He loved once. He loved with all his heart.

His heart broken, he was left to care for his young daughter.

He deserves a second chance.

Helena Kovac has spent years studying.

She has worked her ass off to get her degree.

She doesn't have time for love. Hell, she doesn't have time to mess around, even.

Books and work are her life. Everything else comes second.

When Max and Helena join forces to help his daughter, Ceecee, they are shocked at the spark between them.

A cynic.

A workaholic.

When love hits, it hits hard.

And sometimes, love hurts.

I am a huge fan of belle aurora. I love her writing and her easy humor. The way she structures her books and the fact I fall in love with all the characters makes me very happy. It is very important that I feel the emotions of the characters.  If I can't sympathise or empathise with the character, it is not a very good book in my opinion.  This book, all of her books really, make me laugh and smile without realising I'm doing it. Max's parts made me want to hug him and tell him that its all going to be Ok. Max had always been a favourite character of mine and I couldn't wait to read his story. This book did him justice. I loved Helena and CeeCee to bits. I would have liked the part where CeeCee met her mother to be a little more detailed, but all in all, it was a cute funny and just plain amazing read. Asher is still my favourite. I need another book with him and Nat as the protagonists. Please. He is amazing. The overprotective brother, but insanely cute. LOVE LOVE LOVE. 5/5 stars with a huge recommendation for the whole series.

Books that Bring Me Out of a Reading Rut

I, like most of you, have days when I don't fancy reading anything on my TBR list. I have hundreds of books on there, but none of them tickle my fancy.

There are a few books which help me get back in the reading mood. These aren't in any particular order. I just have 6 (ish) books which I always go to.

1. Reason to Breathe - Rebecca Donovan

This book is just incredible. I cannot sing (or write) its praises enough. It makes me laugh, smile and cry. It is extremely well written, and it doesn't hurt that Evan is awesome. It is one of those books, which gives you moments of unknown smiles. You know, when you read a book and you start smiling without knowing, unless someone points it out. LOVE. I would read anything written by her.

The chemistry between Emma and Evan is torture to read. If any of you watch Arrow or The Vampire Diaries, it is like waiting for Oliver and Felicity to kiss, or waiting for Delena to happen. Pure torture.

2. Beautiful Disaster - Jamie McGuire

Travis Maddox. That is all.

3. Any book by - Jennifer L. Armentrout

I could have picked any book by this author. All of them are amazing. She has a formula for her protagonists and it works a charm. Her male characters are hot, sexy, sarcastic and just swoon-worthy. Her female characters are very strong willed and can hold their own, which is one of my favourite things about her books.

It is difficult to choose one favourite male so I would go for a mixture of Cam and Daemon. I'm greedy like that.

4. Any book by - R.L. Mathewson

Very much like JLA, this author has a formula that is the best. Her male protagonists are very funny and hot. They are so annoying but so so hot. Her female protagonists are cute. I have no other words to describe them. thy're just cute.

The books are a great pick-me-up. They are really funny and sweet. A must read.

6. Starcrossed - Josephine Angelini

This is my favourite Greek Mythology book. It is very well written and the chemistry between Helen and Lucas is agonising. I will never tire of reading this book.

There are a few more books, but these are the ones that I will go to first.

There are links to Goodreads pages for the books, and website links for the Authors.

Mara Dyer Series - Michelle Hodkin

So I finished the books....

This is going to be very short. Some of you may have read my review to the first book. This is an extension to that.

The second book was good, not as good as the first but still enjoyable.

The twists and turns did catch me off guard, but some you could just see coming and I was not that impressed.

I did not enjoy the ending of the third book. The cliffhanger in the second book did not leave me as distressed as I usually would be, since I knew I had the last book.

I felt as though the series just ended without giving any explanation into what happened next. In some cases it is okay. For example, the last book in the Breathing Series did have somewhat of an abrupt ending, but we knew that everything would be okay. With this book that did not happen. We were told bad things would happen, but that was never explored.

Overall, I did enjoy the story and the writing was very good. However, I feel as though the story was unfinished, therefore, making my experience less enjoyable. I would recommend these books, as I did like the series as a whole.

3.5/5 stars for the series as a whole.

Below are links to the Goodreads pages for each book.

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer

The Evolution of Mara Dyer

The Retribution of Mara Dyer

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer - Michelle Hodkin

Mara Dyer believes life can't get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there.It can. 
She believes there must be more to the accident she can't remember that killed her friends and left her strangely unharmed. There is.
She doesn't believe that after everything she's been through, she can fall in love. She's wrong.

 I am very late reading this book. It has been on my TBR shelf for years, but I wanted the whole series to be out before I started. I have only started the book series today, reading the first book, and I LOVE IT. It is weird and wonderful. Mysterious and very entertaining. 

Mara Dyer is a very complex character. I love her strength but it also annoyed me at times. Her decisions were stupid, and you wanted to scream at her to listen, but she didn't. Instead of putting me off, it only fueled my hunger to read on. 

Noah, English, sexy, playboy. Classic male protagonist and I loved it. With a twist you don't see coming, his character is awesome. I have to say, not my favourite male ever, but he is up there. 

WARNING!?! THERE IS A CLIFFHANGER AT THE END OF THIS BOOK. 

I seem to be a sucker for books with cliffhangers. Most of the books that I read are series books, so the pain that comes it having to wait for a book to come out, is one I am familiar with.  Luckily I waited for all of the books in this series so I can start The Evolution of Mara Dyer.

4.5/5 stars.

Forgive Me - Eliza Freed

Forgive Me

The thing he loves most in the world will kill him. It's only a matter of time . . . "
College student Charlotte O'Brien is lost and she can't find her way home. Devastated by her parents' tragic deaths, she aches for any kind of connection…and finds it in a man who is all wrong for her. Jason Leer is a rough-hewn steer wrestler from Oklahoma-and the hottest thing Charlotte has ever laid eyes on. Yet he has his own dark secrets…
Burying herself in Jason, Charlotte soon discovers that life doesn't have to be so painful. When they're together their passion eclipses everything-and Charlotte can finally begin to see a way out of the darkness of her past. Fighting for a future with Jason won't be easy, but for the first time since her parents' deaths, this lost soul might have finally found a place that feels like home.

FORGIVE ME by Eliza Freed (November 4, 2014; Forever Yours E-Book; $3.99/£1.99) 

A little excerpt from the book:

And so it goes. The days are blurs of Sean, Jenn, and Margo helping me with the administration of my life. There’s a will, a house, cars, belongings. Too much to comprehend. And my nights are Jason Leer.

He comes when the others leave; always here within minutes of loneliness setting in. He saves me from my thoughts and my memories. Two days ago I showed him the key under the turtle rock and now he no longer knocks. Knocking would imply asking permission to come in and he’s already here.

Something’s different about tonight, though. Sean and Michelle brought dinner over and drove Dad’s tractor back to their house. They left an hour ago, later than expected, and he’s still not here. I haven’t slept without him since the funeral and now that he’s absent, the depth to which I need him scares me.

I look in the mirror as I brush my teeth and my face is distraught. I refuse to let myself consider why. Too afraid it has more to do with Jason’s absence than with my parents. That’s impossible, though. Did he say he had something to do tonight? Did he say anything? Do we ever say anything? I thought I understood. Until tonight. Now that he’s not here the last week no longer makes sense.

I button the last button on my favorite nightshirt and climb into bed. It’s enormous and cold without him. The silent darkness allows the memories to seep in. The moonlight invades my room and everything is gray and sad. Why?

Why did you die?

Why aren’t you here?

Where the hell is Jason Leer?

Tears fill my eyes, and I roll onto my stomach and bury my face in my pillow. I can’t be without them. They have to come back. I hear the truck tires on the gravel of my driveway and hurry out of bed. His truck door moans as he closes it and I go to the back door to meet him. I open it just as he’s fitting the key into the lock.

His smile fades as the look on my face registers. He steps to me and wipes the tears from my face, which makes me cry a little more.

“I’m sorry I’m late,” he whispers, so as to not disturb the quiet that’s descended on the house. He smells of cigarettes and dirt. Actual dirt. And I’m so thankful he’s here.

“I was worried.”

“Worried I wasn’t coming?” Jason moves closer to me and I lose my breath as he pins me up against the wall. I nod my head slowly, my eyes never leaving his.

“I came as soon as the rodeo ended.”

“The rodeo.”

“Did you forget the rodeo?”

“No. I know the rodeo is on Saturday.” Jason’s face turns to confusion. “I didn’t know today is Saturday,” I say, and my complete disconnection from the living makes me start to cry again. If my parents were alive, I would know what fucking day it is.

Jason pulls me close to him and kisses the side of my head as he runs his fingers through my hair.

“I need a shower,” he says, but I can’t be concerned with what he needs.

“I need you.”

I lay my soul bare; Jason’s, to do with what he wants because I can’t seem to care about it anymore. He forces me back to the wall and presses his body against mine until I can feel him. Until I can feel something.

Buy Links:

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About the author:

Eliza Freed graduated from Rutgers University and returned to her hometown in rural South Jersey. Her mother encouraged her to take some time and find herself. After three months of searching, she began to bounce checks and her neighbors began to talk; her mother told her to find a job.

She settled into Corporate America, learning systems and practices and the bureaucracy that slows them. Eliza quickly discovered her creativity and gift for story telling as a corporate trainer and spent years perfecting her presentation skills and studying diversity. It's during this time she became an avid observer of the characters we meet and the heartaches we endure. Her years of study have taught her laughter is the key to survival, even when it's completely inappropriate.

She currently lives in New Jersey with her family and a misbehaving beagle named Odin. An avid swimmer, if Eliza is not with her family and friends, she'd rather be underwater. While she enjoys many genres, she has always been a sucker for a love story...the more screwed up the better.

Social Media Links:

Website

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Aamzy’s Book Wonders Q&A w/ Eliza Freed

1.      Which came first: the story, the characters, or the setting?

This should be a lot easier to answer, but the story came as a part of the setting. I moved back to my rural hometown a decade after leaving it and as I was driving the country roads I thought to myself, “What if someone moved home humiliated? What if this wasn’t a happy homecoming? What if they were broken? This is where Book 2, Redeem Me, began. Forgive Me was actually written second, as a prequel.

2.      How important are names to you in your books? Do you choose the names based on liking the way they sound or the meaning? 

I completely obsess over names. Each one’s meaning is researched.  I have the hardest time naming unlikeable characters because I feel bad for real life people with those names. The names in the Lost Souls Series have changed several times throughout the process, even up to the final editing round.

Charlotte was Kathryn, then Ariana, and finally Charlotte. I dressed as a spider for Halloween and my friend kept yelling, “Charlotte” across the room at me, and I thought it’s perfect.

3.      What song(s) would be on the soundtrack to FORGIVE ME?

Rihanna’s Stay, featuring Mikky Ekko. I must have listened to this song three thousand times on repeat while writing a lot of the book. Definitely during every heart-wrenching fight between Charlotte and Jason.

4.      What topics did you want to explore when you started writing the Lost Souls series?

Betrayal, Forgiveness, and Faith

5.      What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I would love to say read, travel, and swim, but the reality is I barely have time to write. Like so many other women, I’m part of an active family and when I’m not writing I’m happy just to be a passenger as they travel through life.

Tall, Silent & Lethal (Pyte/Sentinel 4) - R.L. MAthewson

This is the book that will change it all…….

Never again……

Christofer lives by those words while Cloe would rather die by them……..

Too many years living on the run, of always being seen as nothing more than a monster and a freak, has left Christofer cold and distant. He hates his life, his fate, but he’s made promises and nothing on earth will stop him from keeping them….

Except for the woman that invades his world, takes him by surprise, aggravates him, gives him hope and makes him wish that things could be different, but they can’t…….

Not unless he’s willing to risk everything.

Cloe doesn’t need anyone, doesn’t want any complications, but things quickly change when she accepts a job that destroys her world and brings her the one thing that she never thought she’d find again….

Peace. 

I am a huge fan of R.L. Mathewson's writing, especially her male characters. Christofer did not disappoint. Although he is not my favourite in this series (that has to go to Ephraim), he was everything you expect in a Mathewson male. 

There was a lot more going on in this book than the others and I loved that. Kale had a larger role to play and so did the other Shifters. I felt sorry for Chris. He was everyone's punching bag in this book. 

The reason that this book is not getting 5/5, is because I found it hard to like 
Chloe. She did annoy me at some points of the book. AND THE ENDING!?! What on earth?????????

I would totally recommend this book to everyone. PLEASE READ THIS. IT IS AMAZING.

4/5 stars

Made - J.M. Darhower

Corrado Moretti.

The world knows the notorious Kevlar Killer, but few have ever seen what lies beneath his armor. The abused child. The neglected teenager. The broken man. He always did whatever he had to do in order to survive.

It's kill or be killed.

Throughout his life, he has been there in the shadows, a witness to everything from beginning to end. Bound by loyalty and honor, there's only one thing he would sacrifice it all for: family.

Never get close. Never get attached. It's a lesson that has been brutally pounded into him since childhood, but they're words the DeMarcos make it difficult for him to follow. Through them he finds love and grieves loss, realizing the world isn't quite as black and white as it's made out to be.

Made. 

This book can be read as a prequel to Semper (Forever).

Corrado was, by far, my favourite character in the Sempre (Forever) and Sempre: Redemption. There was just something about him that attracted you to him. This book did him justice. 

Finding out where Corrado came from was heartbreaking. You truly understand why he is the way he is and you love him for it. The fact that he is a killer, The Kevlar Killer, is shadowed by his reasoning. Like I said before, you understand. Some may not like it, but you understand it. 

You meet Antonio Dominic DeMarco, The Boss. Antonio was a hard character to have feelings for. I didn't know whether to like him or hate him. I do know that he was annoying at some stages of the book and awesome in others. 

The story with Maura and Vincent is so cute. Your heart breaks for the two of them.You really see the personality of Vincent, a true Demarco, like Carmine. 

Overall, I loved this book. This was amazing. I read it in one sitting as I'm sure you will. There is only one point of view here, Corrado.

5/5 stars.

P.S. You will hate the last part of the book. 

Shadow of the Wolf - Tim Hall

A world of gods and monsters. An elemental power, rising. This is Robin Hood, reborn, as he has never been seen before… 
Robin Loxley is seven years old when his parents disappear without trace. Years later the great love of his life, Marian, is also taken from him. Driven by these mysteries, and this anguish, Robin follows a darkening path into the ancient heart of Sherwood Forest. What he encounters there will leave him transformed, and will alter forever the legend of Robin Hood.

First, I have to take a moment to talk about how beautiful the book cover is. I bought this on my Kindle, but I want to buy the hard copy, just for the amazing cover.

This is a book which is hard to put into a category.  I will call it a historical supernatural fantasy OR high fantasy. It follows a boy - Robin Loxley - over a series of about 8-10 yrs of his life. I am not sure about how much time has lapsed in this book, so that is an estimate. The other main Protagonist is Marian Delbosque. She is a hard girl to like in my opinion. 

The supernatural elements in this book were very unique. I have not read anything like it. I do feel as though they were a little confusing, and we do not fully know what the special power is. I hope that this will be straightened out in the next book. 

Like most YA fantasy book that I have read, there is one main enemy figure, but there are also others which are evil and cruel. The Sheriff was the main enemy and he really is evil and twisted. This, again, i hope will be taken further in the next book because there is so much more that can be done with this character and there is so much that is unknown about him. Edric, if The Sheriff is evil, this guy is truly psychotic. I loved the way this character was portrayed. It was just right. I sometimes find that characters like Edric are over dramatised, but here it was not. 

The writing in this book was second to none. I had never read anything by Tim Hall, so I didn't know what to expect and I LOVED THIS BOOK. Definitely one of my favourite YA books of all time. Please read it. 

5/5 stars.

P.S. If you do not like cliffhangers, do not read this book. It is not a WHAT ON EARTH type of cliffhanger, but it is still there.

Stone Cold Touch (Dark Elements Series 2) - Jennifer L. Armentrout

Every touch has its price

Layla Shaw is trying to pick up the pieces of her shattered life—no easy task for a seventeen-year-old who’s pretty sure things can’t get worse. Her impossibly gorgeous best friend, Zayne, is forever off-limits thanks to the mysterious powers of her soul-stealing kiss. The Warden clan that has always protected her is suddenly keeping dangerous secrets. And she can barely think about Roth, the wickedly hot demon prince who understood her in ways no one else could.

But sometimes rock bottom is only the beginning. Because suddenly Layla’s powers begin to evolve, and she’s offered a tantalizing taste of what has always been forbidden. Then, when she least expects it, Roth returns, bringing news that could change her world forever. She’s finally getting what she always wanted, but with hell literally breaking loose and the body count adding up, the price may be higher than Layla is willing to pay…

This book was one of my most anticipated books of October and it did not disappoint. I read it in one sitting (which is not unusual when I am reading a JLA book).

If you have not read the first one, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? If you do not want to read any spoilers for the 2nd book, do not read any further. Just know that I give this book and the series so far 5/5 stars.

The book starts a few weeks after the whole bruhaha in the school gym. Roth has gone and Layla is left with only a necklace, Bambi (who is my favourite character out of the whole book) and a broken heart. We find out, pretty early on in the book, that, dun dun duun, a Lilin had been born, and this book is about finding this creature.

I have to be honest and say that I fell for the trap. I, and most probably you too, thought that we knew who the Lilin was. 

The writing in this book is very similar to JLA's other books. The female characters are awesome and the male characters are obnoxious and totally swoon worthy. I did feel the need to punch Roth a couple of times throughout the book and Layla too. I was like get your ish together already.

I have to spend a little time talking about Bambi. That snake is amazing. The scenes with Bambi made me laugh and I ended up loving her more near the end of the book.

Abbot... needs to die. Me and my friends, when watching shows like TVD or The Originals, say that characters need to die when they are evil or try killing our favourite characters. I believe that he is evil. Not in the sense that he is a murderer and psychopath, but I hate him. I am sure many of you feel the same way.

The ending. WHAT THE HELL. If you have read The Lux series, you will know the pain of a JLA cliffhanger. Nothing will beat the end of Opal for me, in the worst cliffhanger ever, but this came close. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT. Please... ( pouty face).

I highly recommend this book and cannot sing its praises enough. 5/5 stars.

Drops of Rain - Kathryn Andrews

So this book was a total impulse buy. I have loads of books on my to-read list, but couldn't find one that I wanted to read when I came across this book. The synopsis really intrigued me and the book had some amazing reviews. I was excited...



The prologue really sucked me in and the rest of the book was just as good. The fact that both the characters are so eager to get their ideal place at College, isn't really the main focal point of the book. It is definitely a part of it, but the book mainly explores the healing and growth of the characters.

Both characters had been dealt a really bad hand in life, Drew more than Ali, but these two tortured souls found a way to live. Drew is a champion swimmer and Ali a dancer. I loved the fact that Ali wasn't the shy, easily intimidated kind of girl that you find in most books like this. She was strong. There was obviously a little insecurity, but what was different, was that it wasn't played out for most of the book. The problem was dealt with relatively quickly.

The character that i loved the most was Beau. I loved him and his protectiveness. You don't usually see brothers have many heart to hearts but there were some in this book and I found it refreshing.

I give this book 5/5 stars. It was a quick and easy read. It made me shed a tear, smile and it was well written. I cannot wait to read the next book.

Compulsion - Martina Boone

Compulsion by Martina Boone


My rating: 1 of 5 stars



First I have to say that I LOVE the cover. Whoever says that you do not judge a book by its' cover is wrong. The cover caught my attention then the blurb.

I had very high expectations for this book. The amazing reviews from some of my favorite authors made me want the book even more.

The book started off very average. Most books start off slow but get better as you progress. This book did not. The slow pace of this book was unbearable and I could not finish it. I got to Chapter 20 and stopped because it was not going anywhere.

The main character, Barrie, really got on my nerves. I could not connect with her and her decisions made me want to hit her. Seriously annoying. Eight was, however, very charming. Maybe a little too understanding but I did like him. I also love Pru. Her story was very well written.

It is very important to me that I am able to get engrossed into a book. I love reading everywhere and if that is not possible, even in a loud place, i know that the book is not for me. I was reading this in a quiet place and yet the smallest noise would distract me. I would find excuses not to read the book.

I would not recommend this book.



View all my reviews

Screwdrivered (Cocktail Series) - Alice Clayton

Readers back for a third round of the bestselling Cocktail series will enjoy a madcap romantic comedy about bodice ripping and chest heaving, fiery passion and love everlasting. Plus a dash of paperwork filing and horseshi—wait, what?

By day, Viv Franklin designs software programs. By night, Vivian’s a secret romance-novel junkie who longs for a knight in shining armor, or a cowboy on a wild stallion, or a strapping firefighter to sweep her off her feet. And she gets to wear the bodice—don’t forget the bodice.
When a phone call brings news that she’s inherited a beautiful old home in Mendocino, California from a long-forgotten aunt, she moves her entire life across the country to embark on what she sees as a great, romance-novel-worthy adventure. But romance novels always have a twist, don’t they?
There’s a cowboy, one that ignites her loins. Because Cowboy Hank is totally loin-ignition worthy. But there’s also a librarian, Clark Barrow. And he calls her Vivian. Can tweed jackets and elbow patches compete with chaps and spurs? You bet your sweet cow pie.
In Screwdrivered, Alice Clayton pits Superman against Clark in a hilarious and hot battle that delights a swooning Viv/Vivian. 
Also within this book, an answer to the question of the ages: Why ride a cowboy when you can ride a librarian?

This is the third book in the series and I was soooooo excited to read it. The first two books in the series were amazing  so I was expecting a lot from it. I was not disappointed.

I advise you to find a quiet space to read because you will laugh out loud whilst reading these books. They are funny, steamy and just plain swoonworthy. The first book in the series - Wallbanger -  is my favourite but this one was fresh and had a slightly different type of male/female relationship to the first and second. 

Viv is spunky and in the words of Clark an 'impossible woman'. She featured in the second book Rusty Nailed as Simon's high school friend. She is a lover of  Smutty Romance books and falls upon a chance to live her own romance story.

Then you have Hank. The hot cowboy she believes is the star of her romance novel. He is the first man she sees and falls into lust. Her loins want him.

Then she meets Clark, the hot librarian, slightly awkward and someone who irritates her immensely.

I loved Clark, maybe because he reminded me of Superman - who happens to be my favourite superhero- but also because he wasn't the dominant character that you see in books with plots like this. The roles between Hank and Clark are usually reversed. 

I am going to give this book 4.5/5 stars because it wasn't my favourite book of the series but it was an entertaining read. I cannot wait for the second one.

What If - Rebecca Donovan

A new novel by the USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Breathing Series . . . 

What if you had a second chance to meet someone for the first time?

Cal Logan is shocked to see Nicole Bentley sitting across from him at a coffee shop thousands of miles from their hometown. After all, no one has seen or heard from her since they graduated over a year ago.

Except this girl isn't Nicole.

She looks exactly like Cal's shy childhood crush, but her name is Nyelle Preston and she has no idea who he is. This girl is impulsive and daring, her passion for life infectious. The complete opposite of Nicole. Cal finds himself utterly fascinated-and falling hard. But Nyelle is also extremely secretive. And the closer he comes to finding out what she's hiding, the less he wants to know.

When the secrets from the past and present collide, one thing becomes clear: Nothing is what it seems.

 I have to admit that I was pretty scared before I started this book simply because I LOVE the Breathing series and I didn't want to be disappointed. I wasn't. This book had everything you need, chemistry, mystery, romance and an awesome best friend.

Nyelle was an eccentric character, and for me she was perfect. Cal isn't a bad boy and he reminded me a lot of Evan.

I usually find it hard to get into books which have many characters POV, because I find it hard to follow or unnecessary. In this book it was necessary. It gave you the perfect insight into the characters past and made you understand the characters in a way which you wouldn't without them.

I shed a tear which means that the book connected to me in some way. I hope that it does with you too.

5/5 stars.

Importance of Book Covers

I believe book covers are immensely important. It is the first thing that you see and it is the thing that draws you in. We all judge the book based on the cover and it is usually a good thing because it gives you an insight into what the book is going to be like.

For me, typography is really important. If the text on the page looks good an fits the genre and the book well, it is a job well done. If you look at this cover...

the typography is awesome. It is bright and was the thing that caught my eye. It tells you that it is a book for younger people and tells you that there is a twist in the story.

I am a huge Colleen Hoover fan. I Love her books. The American covers for her books are amazing.

                         

The UK covers, which are the one's that I own are not amazing. Frankly I hate them. They do not embody the genre or the feel of the books. The typography is bad and makes the books look like they are made for the older generation, when in fact they are New Adult books.

                         

For Maybe Someday and Ugly Love, the image, however beautiful it is, had nothing to do with the book itself. The font used for the authors name is usually used on Chick Lit Adult books.

The one that disappointed me the most was the cover for Hopeless. I looks like it is an adult books and the image on the front has nothing to do with the book itself.

However, there are are some UK covers which I prefer. An example of this is the cover for Graceling by Kristin Cashore.

             

Another think which is really important is consistency in book covers of, for example, trilogies. We all like the way books look on our shelves and when there is the odd book which doesn't fit, it aggravates me. The idea that book covers suddenly have to change on the last book is beyond me.

I understand that you need to update the covers but do it after the last book comes out. One example is the Lux series books. the first four books were these amazing covers that went do well on my shelves, then the covers changed before the last book came out and I do not like them.

I also understand that it is the publishers that have the say in these things to I do not blame the authors in any way, but it is a make or break thing. I have to be honest and say that if I saw the new book covers on Goodreads, I would not have clicked on it to look further into them. That would have been awful because they were the first JLA books I ever read and i may never have discovered her if were not for the amazingly good-looking guy and all round amazing cover.

 new                          old

I think that I have vented enough. Please leave a comment and tell me how you feel on these things.

There are links to all the books (Goodreads), and authors (Blogs) mentioned.