Friday, August 30, 2013

Review: A Taylor Made Life By Kary Rader

A Taylor Made Life
By: Kary Rader
Release Date: July 18, 2013

Description:
They lived the life they were given; they loved the life they made.

Cheerleader Taylor Smith doesn’t want to die a virgin. Unfortunately, if the terminally-ill leukemia patient doesn't find a lover or a stem-cell match within months, her fear will become reality. When her cancer mentor is revealed to be a hottie entrepreneur from California, it seems fate might finally be on her side.

Tech-geek Gavin Taylor has everything he ever wanted, except someone to grieve for him when he's gone. With his melanoma cancer beyond the help of his riches, he agrees to participate in a cancer patient mentoring program where he's matched with a dying teen from Texas. Despite his immediate attraction, the Silicon Valley whiz intends only to provide friendship and happy memories to the beautiful, young woman who is determined to win his love.

When it's discovered that his frozen sperm and her harvested eggs could lead to a cure, Taylor's mother offers to be a surrogate. And Gavin must decide if he can risk the heart he has never given and a child he'll never know to a girl he just met.


Review:

A complete tear jerker, and I'm talking about the slobbery kind, because if you read this there will not be a dry tear in the house.  Kary Reader captured your heart with these two characters and the trials and tribulations they face each day both having cancer and trying to find someone to spend their last moments with.  Absolutely sweet and heartbreaking love story that will make you want to know more.

We meet Taylor as she has Leukemia and knows she will be gone soon as she can't find a bone marrow match but her biggest goal is not to die a virgin, so she asks her mom to help her out.  Time passes by and still she is discouraged and that's when she gets into the cancer mentor help program and is assigned to Gavin Taylor.  He of course was suspecting some geeky kid who loved video games but when he first meets Taylor there is no denying it that they are a match for each other.

The relationship doesn't grow too much in the beginning because even though Taylor is quite persistent with her feelings for him, Gavin is still in denial. He just believes he can't have feelings for her because she is so young and it wouldn't work out.  But really he's just afraid to let someone in.  Finally little by little Taylor breaks down his barrios and they form a beautiful friendship and relationship with one another.

It's hard to review this book because there are so many things that happened but I don't want to ruin the experience for you, it's something you should truly experience for the first time while you read this book.  There is heartache, struggle and so much emotion in this book that it will literally leave you crying very soberly (is that a word?) by the end of it.  And then right when you least expect it, it juts hits you again and I'm crossing my fingers for that ending that is just what the story needs, because after all maybe just maybe you can be meant for more than one thing in life or one person and it be okay. 

I really love the cover, she really does look beautiful and that's how Taylor is described in the book.  Great overall book, quick read, very emotional don't read if you're not ready for the waterworks lol.  I would recommend this to anyone because we all need to cry sometimes.  The story was very well told and written and I can completely believe the characters and their situations.  I will say this though because they never mentioned it in the book but I think it's funny ... you do know the main character is now called Taylor Taylor lol.  Good stuff!



Disclaimer:
I received this book from YA Books club on goodreads and the author, so that I may give my honest opinion and a review. Whether it is good or not please do not let it discourage you from purchasing/reading the book yourself and forming your own opinion. What might be good for me may not be good for you and vice versa. With that said, Happy Reading Everyone!!!

Cover Reveal: Liar, Liar by Dawn Pendleton






Hazel is a freshman at Coastal Carolina and looking forward to making new friends. When she meets Roman, she’s head over heels for him. There’s one problem, though: he’s still hung up on Hazel’s roommate, Cheyanne. But Cheyanne has a secret, one that has the potential to ruin her life in college. When Hazel learns the secret, she’s determined to use it against Cheyanne to win over Roman. She never imagines her plan could backfire, leaving her as a pariah among her new circle of friends.

The BFF series follows the lives of new adults, Hazel, Miranda, Cheyanne, Destiny, Audric, Nolan, Andre, and Roman. Follow their stories as the first season of novellas are released once a week from September to March.



Release date: September 17, 2013







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Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Review: Secrets & Lies by Kody Keplinger

Secrets & Lies
By Kody Keplinger
Release Date: June 1, 2013
Series: Novella's for Duff and Midsummer's Nightmare

Description:
Kody Keplinger both returns to the halls of Hamilton High and explores new territory in her collection of two e-book exclusive novellas. In these short stories, the author revisits a familiar cast of characters from THE DUFF (Designated Ugly Fat Friend) and A Midsummer's Nightmare. Explore the uniquely teen world of high school drama, secrets, and romantic entanglements from completely fresh perspectives that will intrigue fans of Kody Keplinger and new readers alike.

Review:
Abbreviations

This is a novella for The Duff, which is by far one of my favorite I'd say top 3 young adult books.  but this time instead of focusing on Bianca it was focused on Casey, who is supposed to be the perfect one and loves to speak in abbreviations, such as OMG.

We meet the three girls as they are back from college on winter break and ready to spend some quality time together.  It's so much fun to see them interacting again, and I still love Bianca and her sassiness.  First night back and they are already getting into trouble, at least that's how Casey feels because she hooks up with one of Bianca's exes.  Girl code! That's her main problem right now, does she tell Bianca or not because this would dictate breaking girl code of going out with friend's exes.  So we visit them as she secretly dates Toby and doesn't tell Bianca until she doesn't have a choice to.  Find out her reaction by reading the book of course I'm not going to tell you.  Bianca is a loose cannon you never know what she's going to do.

I need more of them though but was so happy to have this novella to tide me over until the next Kody Keplinger book comes out. 

People Worth Knowing

This novella is of course for Midsummer's Nightmare.  But it focused on the sister's time as a freshman in high school.  Which is never easy because it's either good or bad.  For her it started out great but then she got in with the wrong person.  But how could she not as she was attracted to the girls brother and also knew that this was the most popular girl in the freshman class.  If she was in with her then everyone would like her, and that's all she really wanted was to be liked by everyone.

One thing lead to another and a horrible practical joke was played and Bailey completely felt responsible for it.  The guilt was eating her up inside until finally she gets the nerve to tell someone about it.  It worked out in the end for everyone sort of, you'll have to read it to find out.  But basically this book was about harassment and bullying which is another great story line that seems to be everywhere nowadays, but even with all the acknowledgement of this, there is still constantly some type of bullying or harassment in the world.  It's a very sad thing and if you witness it you should definitely do something about it.  Don't shy away.

I can say that it took me a minute to remember just who this main character was but once Whitley and Nathan came in I felt like I was right back with them..

Overall the two short novella's were sweet and a quick read and really just made me want more of all the characters involved.  I can't wait to read Goldfish when it comes out because I know it will be amazing. 

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Review: Keep Holding on By Susane Colasanti

Keep Holding On
By:
Release Date: May 31, 2012

Description:
A romantic and empowering book about bullying

Noelle's life is all about survival. Even her best friend doesn't know how much she gets bullied, or the ways her mom neglects her. Noelle's kept so much about her life a secret for so long that when her longtime crush Julian Porter starts paying attention to her, she's terrified. Surely it's safer to stay hidden than to risk the pain of a broken heart. But when the antagonism of her classmates takes a dramatic turn, Noelle realizes it's time to stand up for herself--and for the love that keeps her holding on.


Review:

This book definitely bought a whole new light to people who get bullied, there are different ways to be bullied and to be neglected but overall it is still just that.  Being Bullied and being neglected!.  Susane Colassanti did a great job describing this in her book and really how to deal with it the right way.

We meet Noelle who is constantly being bullied in school by other people, whether it’s about her clothes, her food or just her in general someone is always saying something.  Except for her best friend Sherae.  It all boils down to her being neglected in the first place by her mother of all people, it’s very sad to see the way she is treated in this book.  But I have to say it’s true that some people who don’t need to have kids do have them when people who deserve to have kids, can’t.  It’s sad, but true and just a tragedy.

There is a love interest in this book but Noelle seems to push him away the second he shows interest.  She doesn't believe she deserves him, which is just silly.  But again this book isn't really about the love interest, in fact that plays a barely there minimal part in this whole story.  It's all about the bullying, and I've read a lot worse in other books, but any form of bullying is bad.  When a person is constantly terrorized every day there comes a time where they will break, either the bad will happen or they will be stronger and conquer it. 

Overall this was a good quick easy read with a lot of heart and acknowledgement in it.  I hope you take the time to read it.  And the cover doesn't do this book justice because you look at the cover and think one thing when it's completely something else.
I had to share this little bit of the book to everyone, and I was going to say it's a quote but it's so much more than just a quote (and too long).  I think it's something everyone should read even if they don't read the book and I think it's something everyone should follow, take  control of your life! This mantra can be for any person, any race, any gender, any age at all, this is something we should all live by.  Well put Suasane Colasanti, well put!

Excerpt:
Because I am DONE.

I am done being afraid to say the things that need to be said.

I am done letting a bunch of idiots I won’t ever see again after next year affect my emotions.

I am done being humiliated by things that aren’t my fault.

I am done feeling like I can’t do anything to improve my life.

My life is happening right now. And whether it remains a complete disaster or starts getting better is up to me. I can’t control everything, but there are some things I can change.

We’re products of our choices. I can make a choice to do more than just survive. Which is why I’m going to start shaping my life into the one I want.

(Kindle Locations 1826-1832). .

Monday, August 26, 2013

Amazing! - The Mortal Instruments - City of Bones - movie!


Ok this movie did the book some justice and then some.  I would definitely watch it over and over again.  if only to see the moment that Jace and Clary finally kiss after all those almost moments.  It was epic to say the least, and you definitely felt a major connection between the two characters.  I went with a close friend and my boyfriend who was a little hesitant as he thought it may be a girly movie, but he was so excited by the end of the movie that he loved it so much.  See it appealed to the masses, not just the female population (as in other movies that will not be mentioned) and it had excitement, action and just greatness.  He loved it, I loved it, she loved it, we all loved it lol.

So I purposefully did not look at any reviews, any characters, actors, or anything about this movie before I went to go see it.  So the only thing I was going by was of course the books, and the movie trailer that I saw, that's it.  So I was pleasantly surprised when I saw Jonathan Rhys Myers as Valentine, because I absolutely adore him.  I think whoever cast this movie did a really amazing job and got a very diversified group of people together.  I love who they picked for everyone, too good. 

Here are some movie stills from my favorite parts, especially that epic kiss. So good!

this stole my breath away!

I love who they chose for her bff.  He's dorky but not but is, I like it.

yum. even though he's bad, still yum!

There's so much more I can say about this movie but it is just too good that you have to see it for yourself.  Even if you haven't read the books, although it's good to know what's going to happen next because that anticipation is the best part.  I can't wait to see how they portray the next books.  Ahhh

Friday, August 23, 2013

Review: Where the Stars Still Shine by Trish Doller

Where the Stars Still Shine
By: Trish Doller
Release Date: September 24, 2013
 
Description:
Happily-ever-after is never quite what you expect in this hot and gritty romance.Stolen as a child from her large and loving family, and on the run with her mom for more than ten years, Callie has only the barest idea of what normal life might be like. She’s never had a home, never gone to school, and has gotten most of her meals from Laundromat vending machines. Her dreams are haunted by memories she’d like to forget completely. But when Callie’s mom is finally arrested for kidnapping her, and Callie’s real dad whisks her back to what would have been her life, in a small town in Florida, Callie must find a way to leave the past behind. She must learn to be part of a family. And she must believe that love—even with someone who seems an improbable choice—is more than just a possibility.

Trish Doller writes incredibly real teens, and this searing story of love, betrayal, and how not to lose your mind will resonate with readers who want their stories gritty and utterly true.
 
Review:


You should definitely check this book out because it had so many different elements to it that you just have to read, and maybe even reread it to get all the tiny facts together.  It was amazingly written by Trish Doller (I’ve read her other book and thought it was wonderful as well) and it just flowed nicely.  The writing kept you addicted wanting to know what the characters were going to do next and it was all new and refreshing.

We meet Callie and her mother as they are on the run from being caught, because Callie’s mother kidnapped her and they have been trying to hide for the past ten years, until they get pulled over for a stupid tail light.  I’m not kidding when I say; people make sure you take care of those tail lights because it will get you every time.  Anyway so they return Callie back to her father’s custody and after being on her own with her mother for the past ten years it’s a difficult thing to get used to, stability.  It’s all very foreign to her and we go through her journey of learning to cope, making friends again, learning more about her family, and a very special relationship between two broken people.

Greg is Callie’s father and he tries his hardest to make her feel welcomed and give her all the things he couldn’t give her while she was with her mother and it’s sweet to see him try so hard, more fathers should be like that.  But let’s get to the new guy in her life – Alex.  He sounds like a true Greek God and a dreamboat that everyone wants, but for some reason he only has eyes for Callie.  She’s used to men treating her a certain way and only feeling certain things with them so she is definitely learning to cope with what seems to be an interesting relationship between the two.  But again this isn’t just about a boy; it’s about her relationship with everyone around her.

Throughout the book she is trying to adjust to her new lifestyle, her mother is released on bail from prison and goes looking for her.  Callie is torn between her new life and her old life not wanting to let anyone down.  Again I have to say you really do have to make yourself happy first.  Keeping the secret from her father that her mother has been visiting her is hard.  He trusts in her so much and she still continues to be torn in half.  Little things here and there tip Greg off but still she denies it that is until she can deny it no longer.  You would think things would blow up but they don’t because Greg is very understanding and Callie is just trying to find her way.

This was a very sweet, endearing story about someone that overcame her past and is moving on to a brighter future that she realizes she does deserve.  With new close family members and relationships on the horizon Callie learns to finally be free.

I really love the cover of this book too because the twinkle lights and her new dress just seem so refreshing from the typical covers that are out there today and I can’t give this book enough praise all around.

About the Author:
 
Trish Doller's debut novel, Something Like Normal, was one of the most anticipated titles of 2012, named an IndieBound New Voices Pick and a finalist for NPR’s Best Teen Books of All Time. She has been a newspaper reporter, radio personality and bookseller, and lives with her family in Fort Myers, Florida. www.trishdoller.com
 
Links - author site

Review: Chassing Nikki by Lacey Weatherford

Chasing Nikki
By
Release Date: February 29, 2012
Series: Chasing Nikki

Description:
Chase Walker used to be a good kid-charming, athletic, and with a bright future ahead, but that was before travesty struck his life, sinking him into deep despair. Caught up in a world of drugs and alcohol, he doesn't notice time slipping away until he's arrested for underage drinking one night. Fed up with watching her son destroy his life, Chase's mom relocates him to live in a small ranching community with his ex-military grandfather. Chase is far from happy about the situation until he meets, Nikki, the cute cheerleader who won't give football players like him the time of day. Chase enjoys a good challenge though and sets out to claim Nikki for his own. He soon discovers she's more than a pretty face-she's a balm to his troubled spirit also. But when tragedy strikes Nikki's life too, suddenly Chase finds himself put to the ultimate test. Can he trust Nikki, and all that she's taught him? Will it be enough?

Review:

Okay so we meet Chase as he's recently turned into quite the problem child after his father died (on Chase's birthday might I add, tragedy).  His mother doesn't know how to get through to him anymore so she moves him back to her hometown with her parents hoping this move and structure will help her son move on. While starting a new school he meets this girl that he just has to have, but everyone tells him she won't give him the time of day, Nikki.  She seems like a very innocent formal type of person, and I don't know if that is part of the attraction but she puts me off as a goody goody and the conversations they have together sound very cliché.  For example:

“Well, you’re wrong. I know there’s got to be a God somewhere, because he sent you to me, right when I needed you most.”
(Kindle Locations 2253-2254)

So he finally breaks down her barriers and worms his way into her heart and her into his heart and their relationship blossoms from there.  But I don't know what it is but I just can't seem to feel any connection to the characters at all and this is more than halfway through the book and I still don't feel anything. The overall story is good; I just haven't connected with the characters.  I think it's their conversation. It doesn't seem to flow freely but rehearsed.  They seem to be doing well; I can imagine them like being the golden couple in school.  They just had their homecoming dance when tragedy strikes. 

The next day as I continued to read the book I started to feel a little something for Chase, he’s been dealt a bad hand over and over and I feel bad for him.  It’s as if nothing seems to go his way or the way it should.  He’ll have a little bit of happiness and then bam something goes wrong.  So finally I had a connection with him.  It’s very sad what happens in the book but these things make you a stronger person, even if you don’t want to be.  It’s crazy how life can seriously be short and unexpected things can happen, and for that I have to say that you have to live your life to the fullest.  Don’t waste a single moment with nonsense and just try to be happy.

Overall the book was good, and a quick read with emotion in it towards the end.  This has to be one of my favorite things about this book though, the lines are perfect and something everyone should really live by:

So stop looking at the past and all the things you can’t change. They’re done and over with. Now is the time for you to look to the future, grasp it by the hand, and decide where you want to go. I told you once before, and I’ll say it again—this is your life, Chase. Only you can decide what it’s going to be like. Don’t let outside forces dictate it for you.
(Kindle Locations 3808-3811)

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Random Ramblings

So right now I am trying VERY hard not to look at reviews of the Mortal Instruments because I want to go in there with a fresh perspective and form my own opinion because I love the series so much.  But let me tell you when bloggers are out there posting their reviews on the movie, it's soooooo HARD not to take a peek and even though it's still only 7 something in the morning I will hold strong and not take a peek.  I will be seeing it this weekend and I definitely can't wait. 

So hard.

Super hard.

But I won't Peek.

I will have to stay away from blogs or something lol.



On another note.  I've been reading a lot of New Adult books lately and I have to say they are addicting because they just bring that extra something that young adult books don't have, they aren't as innocent.  It's comforting remembering the days of college, those were the best of times for sure. 

This weekend I'm planning on doing something I've never done before also, I'm going hiking, sort of, well hopefully it's not too strenuous because I'm taking my 3yr old and 7yr old.  Time to show them what nature is all about.  Really I just want to see some of the waterfalls and get some good pictures.  Something like this, it's small but still it's beauty and it's peaceful and I need a little of that in my life right now.

It looks pretty right?  But I'm pretty sure that picture had to have been taken in the fall because look at the leaves, right now they are still green.  But fall is quickly coming upon us.  Soon the kids will be back to school, then there will be long nights of homework and school conferences and back to school night and apple picking and pumpkin picking and costume getting.  Lots to do in the fall, I think besides summer (because I can wear flip flops all day long and go to the beach) is one of my favorite seasons.  Winter and Spring are just blah, either too much snow or too much rain.  Let's hope the kids actually have Halloween this year because last year hurricane Sandy got in the way so let's hope for a good one this year!

Review: Facade by Nyrae Dawn

Façade
By: Nyrae Dawn
Release Date: July 2, 2013
Series: Games #2

Description:
Can love save them? After her father commits a crime that shatters her family, eighteen-year-old Delaney Cross is tired of pretending everything is alright. Packing up her car, she sets out to find the people her father hurt. Her search leads her to places she's never been--and into the arms of Adrian Westfall.

To the outside world, Adrian is a sexy, charming ladies man. But his playboy persona is just an act. Secretly his soul is tortured by a memory too painful to share. Only Delaney seems to see through his façade to the real man underneath. And for the first time in his life, Adrian feels he can begin to open up about his past.

Together, Adrian and Delaney share a passionate, carefree love they never expected to find. Yet both still harbor their own secrets. When the dark truth is finally revealed, will it bring them closer together, or tear them apart forever?

Review:

I didn’t think it was possible, but it has succeeded, this book was better than the first one and I can only imagine how much better it will be as the series continues.  Sometimes playing games aren’t all it’s cracked up to be, people get hurt, emotions run high and things tend to get out of control.  But sometimes, you just can’t help but play along.  Nyrae Dawn has won my dedication to reading whatever she has out there, seriously amazing writing.  I’m completely addicted to all the characters and everything that is going on.

Secrets and lies are the game we are playing today with this book, and they are disastrous if and when the truth finally emerges.  Delaney has moved her and her brother to find someone who was close to the person her father killed in a car accident, she wants his forgiveness.  Little does she know she meets him right away and she just can’t find the right time to tell him and ask for his forgiveness? Adrian sees this girl and is automatically infatuated with her, he just wants her and he knows it and he’s going to go for it.  This is where their story begins.  He wants her but she has secrets and he has secrets and things get complicated before they explode.

Throughout most of the book you see the other being the other’s salvation, even without knowing it but they are.  The façade they both have up only brings them closer together.  Adrian turns out to be quite the poet in this book and his words even if some might be cliché as others have mentioned in reviews they are perfect for them two and are perfect for the moment they are in.  They struggle with the ghosts of their pasts but still find a way to connect with one another, a bond that is hopefully stronger then everything they have gone through, are going through and will be going through, they’ve found love.  Love for one another and it’s not something either one of them is used to.  But the big question is after everything goes crazy can that love survive?  You’ll have to read the book to find out of course.

I will say this though; a much unexpected twist at the end just completely breaks your heart.  I feel for these characters and I root for them the whole way through and I just know the next book will be just as amazing as this one.  This author really has a great way of holding your attention and I really enjoyed it.  Even though there were a lot of emotions running throughout this book, the pain, the anguish, the love, the rawness, it was just all such an addicting roller coaster ride.  You know, when you know something is bad and you know it’s about to get crazy but you do it anyway, that’s how I felt about the characters.  Live for the moment because life is too short. 

My heart definitely went out to Adrian the most because he is and was my favorite character since the last book.  I love the cover but I can almost imagine Adrian a little scruffier if you will, manly man who tries to be tough but is all broken inside.  Really great read!

Quote:
"She's the rapid pulse in my neck and the welcomed ache in my chest and I want to talk to her and make love to her until there's nothing else there but us."


Disclaimer:
I received this book from NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing), so that I may give my honest opinion and a review. Whether it is good or not please do not let it discourage you from purchasing/reading the book yourself and forming your own opinion. What might be good for me may not be good for you and vice versa. With that said, Happy Reading Everyone!!!

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Cover Reveal: Pulling me Under by Rebecca Berto


Title: Pulling Me Under
Author: Rebecca Berto
Series: Pulling Me Under #1
Age group: Adult
Genre: Women’s Fiction with crossover with Suspense
Publication date: October 2013


Paul was Katie’s rock for thirteen years, but then she watched him die.

By day, she is left with her daughter Ella’s questions about where Daddy went, and at night she's consumed with nightmares of the moment he died. It isn’t long before Katie’s mother hints that her volatile lifestyle and developing drinking habits are no way to raise a little girl.

Through it all, her and Paul’s best friend, Liam is there. Grieving the death of both husband and friend, the time they spend together seems more intimate these days, and Katie soon stumbles into taboo territory: Liam might be in love with her.

Torn between Liam’s feelings and losing Ella, one night Katie runs.

Air. Space. Thinking time. That's what she thinks she's getting when she stumbles upon that party. In the morning, in a strange bed, she can’t remember the night before.

Pulling Me Under is raw in its brutality of love and pain, with slow-building suspense to a heart-stopping conclusion.





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Teasers





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About the Author


Rebecca Berto is an Amazon bestselling author. She is also a freelance editor.
She writes stories that are full of heart. She gets a thrill when her readers are emotional reading her stories, and gets even more of a kick when they tell her so. She’s strangely imaginative, spends too much time on her computer, and is certifiably crazy when she works on her fiction.
Rebecca Berto lives in Melbourne, Australia with her boyfriend and their doggy.

You can find Rebecca at:


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Monday, August 19, 2013

Review: Catching Liam by Sophia Bleu

Catching Liam
By: Sophia Bleu
Release Date: July 8, 2013
Series: Good Girls Don't #1

Description:
Twenty-one year-old Jillian Nichols only has one rule when it comes to boys: catch and release. Boy-catching isn't just a game for Jillian and her friends, it's a lifestyle. After all, boys might be good for a dance or a drink and certainly a little under-cover action of the scandalous variety, but expect much else and you're bound for heart ache.

So when her best friends and fellow boy catchers start dropping like flies junior year, Jillian is determined to keep boys in her bedroom and out of her heart. Until she meets Liam McAvoy, the kind of guy that sticks around to make waffles and who can't—or perhaps won't—take a hint.

Study abroad student Liam doesn't want to be another notch on Jillian's bedpost. Actually he has much more interesting ideas for Jillian and her bedposts, but his student visa's set expiration date means he can't promise her forever. That doesn't mean he's going to walk away from the challenge of discovering why Jillian is hell-bent at keeping people at a distance.

Before long, neither is sure who is catching who—or if they're playing for keeps. Jillian knows one thing though: falling in love will not only break the only rule of boy-catching, it could also break her heart.


Review:

This book was HOT! This is what a new adult book should be like; you have more adult situations, consequences, insecurities, reality and just some very steaminess thrown in there.  This book was great I know I've been waiting to read it for quite a while so I was too happy when I was able to read and review it.  Amazing author loved her style of writing and the situations she put us in throughout the book were very realistic and believable. 

After reading the first line in the prologue I knew this book was going to be good and right up my alley. 

Monday was boy catching night. A fact we’d established about two weeks into our freshman year.
(Kindle Locations 22-23)

Jillian and her two best friends are about to embark on another semester at Olympic Falls and they are ready to conquer the world.  For years the three have been friends and this is the first time two out of the three have been paired off with boyfriends.  Jillian being her normal self and very much believes in the whole catch and release method when dealing with men finally meets her match.  The catch she bought home is still there in the morning and making her waffles.  After a night of debauchery the guy usually leaves so this is all new to Jillian and she’s not sure how she feels about it.  At first it’s all fine because eventually he will leave, that is until the next day when she finds out he is in one of his classes and will now be her partner for the entire semester. 
Liam is an exchange student from Scotland (who doesn’t love a sexy accent, I know I do) and he has fallen head over heels for Jillian and is on a mission to break down her barriers.  The two really seem to hit it off and even though Jillian is still fighting it throughout the book she knows that she can’t be without him.  But she still doesn’t feel comfortable completely letting him in because she does have a secret that she’s not willing to share, that is until she can no longer hold it back.  I’m not going to say what it is but you should definitely read it to find out what’s wrong with Jillian because she seems like a very strong girl but she can’t control everything.

The love affair they share with one another was funny, adorable and very hard on Jillian to come to realization with but it was fun to watch them together and their interactions with one another.  It’s hard to finally break down and trust other people but she showed courage in finally trying to let someone into her small bubble of a life, especially with everything that is going on with her.  All I can say is that Liam (which I love the name by the way really love it) can make me waffles any morning he wants!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and I can only imagine how wonderful the next book will be because I just had a feeling something fishy was going on with Jessie and I can’t wait to read all about it.  Luckily I don’t have to wait too long because it comes out next month! This was a really great fun light sometimes serious read and I would recommend this to anyone who loves the new adult genre and just a good book in general.  I will say this though, my opinion only – I wasn’t too fond of the cover.  They don’t look like the people I imagined in my mind but the cover is growing on me.

Friday, August 16, 2013

The Summer I Became a Nerd by Leah Rae Miller

The Summer I Became a Nerd
By: Leah Rae Miller
Release Date: May 7, 2013

Description:
On the outside, seventeen-year-old Madelyne Summers looks like your typical blond cheerleader—perky, popular, and dating the star quarterback. But inside, Maddie spends more time agonizing over what will happen in the next issue of her favorite comic book than planning pep rallies with her squad. That she’s a nerd hiding in a popular girl's body isn’t just unknown, it's anti-known. And she needs to keep it that way.

Summer is the only time Maddie lets her real self out to play, but when she slips up and the adorkable guy behind the local comic shop’s counter uncovers her secret, she’s busted. Before she can shake a pom-pom, Maddie’s whisked into Logan’s world of comic conventions, live-action role-playing, and first-person-shooter video games. And she loves it. But the more she denies who she really is, the deeper her lies become…and the more she risks losing Logan forever.


Review:
This was the most adorkable book ever!  I don't know why I waited so long to read it and I almost passed it up.  I'm super glad I picked this book up because again it was just too cute.  The characters were fun and funny and the situations, some of them were just too good.  Its hard being in high school and it's especially hard trying to please everyone but secretly wanting to be another way and I think this author portrayed that in her book quite nicely. 

 We meet Maddie, as she is on the verge of getting the last book in the comic series she secretly loves, well she secretly loves comics in general but again it's a secret.  Why?  Because she's a cheerleader and dating the quarterback of the football team and she doesn't want her social standing to drop, yes it's definitely superficial, but it's high school.  The only way to get this final book is to actually go to the store and purchase it, luckily for her there is a comic book store in town, but unluckily for her, it’s in town.  Putting on the best disguise she can find she sneaks into the comic book store and gets a copy of the book only to find out that there is someone she knows who works there. 

Logan knows that it’s Maddie under her horrendous disguise, but that’s only because he’s been watching her in class, and Maddie knows Logan only because she too has been watching him, secretly of course.  Something clicks in both of them as they share this last copy of the comic book and things take off from there.  Although need I say it again, secretly.  As time goes on and Maddie starts to become more comfortable with the whole situation she has to wonder if this should be a secret at all, after all she’s finally happy and trying to be herself.  There are some really, really sweet moments in this book where something is about to happen and you’re all geared up for them and they are interrupted but amazing almost moments.  Sometimes it’s all about the anticipation though.

This book was a must read, especially a really great quick and easy summer read that will just have you smiling from ear to ear.  The characters are lovable and relatable and the scenes throughout the book are an experience to be had, especially if you’ve never done the whole LARP thing, which I haven’t but was interesting none the less.  Absolutely Adorkable!

I also really love the cover, because I can totally picture that being Maddie hiding against the wall in the back of the comic book store or the side waiting to sneak in and see Logan.  Fabulous cover!

Review: The Redemption of Callie & Kayden by Jessica Sorensen

The Redemption of Callie & Kayden
by Jessica Sorensen
Release Date: July 30, 2013

Description:
The dark secret Kayden has kept hidden for years is finally out. Worse, he's facing charges for battery. The only way to clear his name is for Callie to speak up-something he'll never ask her to do. Instead, he'll do whatever he must to protect her . . . even if it means letting go of the only girl he's ever loved.

Callie knows Kayden is going back to his dark place and desperately wants to save him. But that means facing her greatest fear and admitting her own painful secrets aloud. The thought of breaking her silence terrifies her-but not as much as the thought of losing Kayden forever.

Deep in her heart, Callie knows the time has come for her and Kayden to forget the pain of the past. With the help of her friends Seth and Luke she makes a plan to show Kayden the life they could have. But can she convince him they can make a fresh start together-or is she already too late?

Review:

Definition of redemption (n)
re·demp·tion
1.improving of something: the act of saving something or somebody from a declined, dilapidated, or corrupted state and restoring it, him, or her to a better condition
2.redeemed state: the improved state of somebody or something saved from apparently irreversible decline
Let me just start off by saying that I really really enjoyed the first book in the series, but honestly this book just didn’t do it for me.  It felt redundant and dragged quite a bit.  The back and forth and back and forth and back and forth was just killing me and I’m not talking about going from character to character and back because I’ve always loved that aspect in books.  It was the whole you don’t deserve me you deserve better but I can’t be without you and the back and forth.  It was annoying because they obviously belong together, especially because they are both so broken and can help the other heal.

We are back with Kayden currently in the hospital after being stabbed; Callie isn’t allowed to see him at all.  She eventually has to go back to school but when its break and she does come back she tries so hard to see him and the few times she does run into him, thanks just don’t go as well as she hoped because he’s completely closed off.  He keeps avoiding her because he just can’t deal with everything and doesn’t want her more involved but on the other hand Callie feels that everything that is happening to him is because of her.  If Kayden didn’t get into a fight with Caleb over her then none of this would have happened.
I honestly think that everything happens for a reason.  You have to go through the tough to come out on the other side on a better note.  Maybe if Kayden hadn’t gotten into a fight with Caleb then he would never have finally admitted the truth about himself and his family to Callie.  See, everything happens for a reason.  I know that the issues these two characters are going through are very serious issues and I sympathize and never wish that on anyone and it must be hard to finally let go or let someone in, maybe in real life it really is a back and forth situation. 

When it did switch from character to character through I felt the redundancy a little because you would get a repeated scene by the others perspective.  I don’t remember if the first one was like that but it didn’t bother me if it was, but this time around it did.  Don’t get me wrong I love the characters and I think they have a lot of story to tell both individually and together but I think this book wasn’t really necessary, I think we could have ended it with the first book.

We do finally get to see some strength from both characters as they finally start the healing process and speak to the people they need to speak to, the truth is revealed and it’s refreshing that they could finally accomplish this.  I believe by the end of the book they have both redeemed themselves and have reached that redemption they both desired.

Overall I thought the book was good, but the first one really caught my heart.  Love the cover, you can tell the people on the cover look scared/broken/ and in need of each other and that's exactly how I felt about the characters in the book. 
 
Disclaimer:
I received this book from NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing), so that I may give my honest opinion and a review. Whether it is good or not please do not let it discourage you from purchasing/reading the book yourself and forming your own opinion. What might be good for me may not be good for you and vice versa. With that said, Happy Reading Everyone!!!

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Blog Tour: Keeping Her - Review/Giveaway

Keeping Her
By: Cora Carmack
Release Date: August 13, 2013
Series: Losing It #1.5

Description:
Garrick Taylor and Bliss Edwards managed to find their happily-ever-after despite a rather . . . ahem . . . complicated start. By comparison, meeting the parents should be an absolute breeze, right?

But from the moment the pair lands in London, new snags just keep cropping up: a disapproving mother-in-law-to-be, more than one (mostly) minor mishap, and the realization that perhaps they aren't quite as ready for their future as they thought.

As it turns out, the only thing harder than finding love is keeping it.


Review:
I love reading novella's because sometimes they bring things to the picture that you weren't expecting to begin with. Being able to go on an adventure with Garrick and Bliss to London so that she can meet his family is a beautiful thing. The author always knows how to bring different elements into her story and now there are even more likeable characters. This is a great continuation of this series and I hope to see a little more of them in the third book as well.

Bliss is absolutely terrified of meeting Garrick's family, especially his mother because all she can think about is how much his mother is not going to like her. To alleviate some of this stress Garick's friends from home decide to take them out for a drink, or two or too many before meeting with his family. This of course leads to some very funny and awkward first impressions. But I have to say the relationship between Garrick and Bliss is absolutely strong and the desire they each have for each other is just undeniable and extremely hot. Cora Carmack did an amazing job teasing us with their little escapades, or at least the mere thought of them.

They share a bit of a scare in this book and it's adorable to see how they handle a hard situation.  Especially while visiting his parents in London.  We do get to hear about their adventures visiting all the national monuments and it sounds like a fun time, makes me want to go to London for sure especially the Harry Potter location.  Sounds like too much fun.

This was a really great little novella that only left me wanting more of these two.  I loved that there is a sneak peak into the next book in this series and I can't wait to get my hands on it.  Cora Carmack always makes me want more, it's addicting. 

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If you want to read more about Garrick and his POV, please check out this link below, it also has the first chapter of this novella, not something you want to miss if you love this series:

Sneak Peak into Garrick's POV

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Also, Cora Carmack is planning to donate 20% of all her royalties from this book to the charity Planting Peace for the life of the book. You can find out more about Planting Peace here:  http://www.plantingpeace.org/. Planting Peace is a progressive nonprofit organization founded for the purpose of spreading peace in a hurting world. Although the organization operates on a global level, they emphasize the power of one; the ability that each person possesses to make a difference in the world.
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About the Author:
Cora Carmack is a twenty-something writer who likes to write about twenty-something characters. She's done a multitude of things in her life-- boring jobs (like working retail), Fun jobs (like working in a theatre), stressful jobs (like teaching), and dream jobs (like writing). She enjoys placing her characters in the most awkward situations possible, and then trying to help them get a boyfriend out of it. Awkward people need love, too. Her first book, LOSING IT, is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller.
 
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Monday, August 12, 2013

Review: Measuring Up by Nyrae Dawn

Measuring Up
By: Nyrae Dawn
Release Date: August 9, 2012

Description:
Seventeen-year-old Annabel Conway is tired of the Hillcrest High School elite making her life miserable because she’s not a size two. This summer, she's hiring a personal trainer to help her lose weight.

Annabel doesn’t expect her trainer to be a gorgeous guy around her age. Boys like Tegan are jerks. They pretend to like girls like her so they can make an idiot out of them. Been there, done that. Totally not going there again. She kind of hates him on principal. Blond. Muscular. Funny. It doesn’t help that he knows her measurements!

Soon, Tegan's so much more than that. He’s the boy who teaches her to box when she has a bad day. Who jogs with her and lets her set the pace. Who kisses her until she melts. He makes her feel beautiful regardless of what the scale says. Unlike her mom, he doesn’t expect perfection, and he doesn't try to shield her from the world like her dad and best friend. Tegan likes her the way she is.

But what happens when he’s not there? He can’t always be there…

Will Annabel be able to stand on her own and learn that she already measures up? That her worth doesn’t lie in what the world thinks, the scale says, or even what Tegan tells her—but in herself?


Review:

This book is the epitome of what it is to be insecure about you; I know that many people can absolutely relate to this book in one way or another.  Nyrae Dawn has a way of bringing her characters to life and you completely fall in love with them.  You are right there beside each character rooting them on all the way.  This book did not disappoint in that in the least and I will definitely be reading more books by Nyrae in the future. 

We meet Annabel as school is recently over and it’s the last summer before senior year begins and she finally feels the need to change, is she doing it for herself or someone else, well it’s a toss-up really.  She is just tired of being bullied and not seen for the great person she really is, plus I can only imagine how much it would suck for one of these bullies to be your mother.  Ouch! She seems so unbelievably insincere in this book but then I get the feeling this is just the way she is, some people just don’t know how to express themselves as much as they want.

So here is Annabel about to go to the gym and meet her trainer, little does she know it’s Tegan, the guy she met before finally going in and had a bit of a situation with.  Doesn’t matter though because it’s very obvious that he has his defenses up about his insecurities and she in turn does as well.  Again another character that is completely relatable because no one wants to be judged or pitied which is what Tegan’s major issue is all about.  But the two start getting along, and soon they have work outs outside the gym.  One thing leads to another and even though Annabel is still in disbelief about the whole situation they start going out.

There’s a bit of turmoil and still self-doubt in both characters but after their stubbornness and anxieties are finally realized all ends well.  I really felt for the characters though. Especially Annabel even though I was never bullied the way she was specific by certain people every now and then you get a little sense of what she went through.  It’s tough. Bullying should not be tolerated and it shouldn’t be done but people are always trying to make themselves feel better.

Overall this was a quick and easy read and just let my mind flow with the situation.  Great summer read, and glad I finally picked up this book.  I’m really enjoying this author’s work.
Quote:
He said he’s looking. Tegan’s looking at me and I’m trying to figure out what he sees. I know what I see. There’s little dimple in my thigh, resting under my rear. My arms are too big. Is that what he sees? If so, why is he looking?
(Kindle Locations 657-659).

Friday, August 9, 2013

Review: Charade by Nyrae Dawn

Charade
By:
Release Date: October 22, 2012
Series: Games #1

Description:
Nineteen-year-old Cheyenne tries to portray the perfect life to mask the memories of her past. Walking in on her boyfriend with another woman her freshman year in college threatens that picture of perfection.

Twenty-one-year-old Colt never wanted college and never expected to amount to anything, but when his mom's dying wish is for him to get his degree, he has no choice but to pretend it's what he wants too.

Cheyenne needs a fake boyfriend to get back at her ex and Colt needs cash to take care of his mom, so they strike a deal that helps them both. But what if Cheyenne’s past isn’t what she thought? Soon they’re trading one charade for another—losing themselves in each other to forget about their pain. The more they play their game, the more it becomes the only thing they have that feels real.

Both Cheyenne and Colt know life is never easy, but neither of them expect the tragedy that threatens to end their charade and rip them apart forever.


Review:

This book was the epitome of an amazing contemporary new adult book.  It had every element you could possibly want in a book and a little more because it truly made you feel for each and every character that was introduced to you.  There was loss, family, friends, exes, tear wrenching scenes, steamy hot ones and laugh out loud statements that you will remember for a good while.  Nyrae Dawn has a way of writing that captures your heart and mind and keeps you captivated and wanting more in the best way possible.  I’m totally going to gush right now because I have to echo the sentiment of another reviewer and say why did I wait this long to read this book!

We meet Cheyenne on the brink of a recent breakup as she has discovered her boyfriend in bed with another girl, if that’s not heart breaking enough she doesn’t have anyone else there in college that she can count on.  Gregory was it. being the strong person that is, or at least that’s what she pretends to be she has to go out and find someone to show Gregory that he doesn’t really matter to her.  That’s when she runs into Colton, and what a magical run in that was because even though he’s so stand offish at first he’s definitely intrigued.   They both have major things going on in their lives and it definitely involves their family but they both have a great way of pretending, or hiding and showing that everything is just fine, with this aspect they are perfect for each other and so begins the charade of pretend boyfriend.

You know this is a recipe for disaster and will definitely back fire on the both of them in one way shape or form.  And it does, but in the best way possible.  Because as their little charade continues, it no longer feels like a charade for either one of them and the turmoil and sweetness that they experience together is a beautiful thing to watch.  Both characters want to be strong in their own ways but life gets in the way and its okay to break down every once in a while and just lean on someone’s shoulder.  Gregory doesn’t really play that much of role in the book and with the whole thing but every time he does pop up you know trouble is afoot.  But this book really isn’t about the ex-boyfriend at all; it’s about two people learning to need each other.

I laughed, I cried and man did I cry way to bring out the super emotional stuff towards the end, if this was a movie and everyone was watching this there would not be a dry eye in the house.  Especially if you got so invested in the characters as you should because the author did an amazing job in making them so realistic, believable and just lovable.  I wanted to hug them both by the end of the book.  Amazing read and I can’t wait to read all about Adrian in the next book because there is just something about him that really makes you feel like he’s really special.

I love the cover.  I just wished we’d be able to see all those tribal tattoos on Colt that were talked about in the book.  Great read, great series, and really addicting writing. 


Quote:
I remember Mom telling me there’s something in a man’s voice…in the inflection or how he talks to you or about you that says a lot. I never thought about it until now and I can’t help but wonder what Colt’s voice meant.
(Kindle Locations 700-702)