Review: Lost to You by A. L. Jackson

Lost to You
By: A.L. Jackson
Release Date: January 29, 2013
Series: Take This Regret 0.5

Description:
People come into our lives. Some stay, and many go. Some build us up, while most tear us down. They become our friends, our enemies, our lovers, our tormentors.

Christian Davison came into mine, and I knew I’d never be the same.

To Elizabeth Ayers, New York City had always been a dream. She’s worked her entire young life to make it here.

Groomed to one day take over his father’s law firm, attending Columbia University was Christian Davison’s only option.

Neither wanted anything more until they sat across from each other at a café table after being paired as study partners.

Christian wants her, but Elizabeth knows better than to give into their intense attraction. Yet there is little she can do to stay away.

Lost to You, the prequel to the bestselling romance, Take This Regret. A New Adult novella, recommended for readers 17+. It’s unnecessary to have read Take This Regret to enjoy Lost to You.

Review:
This was a sweet story, I haven't read the next one yet because I'm a complete believer of reading things in order so I had to read this one first.  We meet the two main characters and follow them through their love story.

We meet Christian and Elizabeth as they are starting out in college going to be prelaw and somehow end up being study partners.  There's an instant attraction on both sides but they continue to be friends and only friends.  There are minor bumps in the road mostly caused by their own insecurities or past experiences but they get past that and little by little they realize just how much they care for each other.

It was a short book and definitely a happy love story with a great ending.  But I hear so much about the next book that I really have to read it to get the gist of what's going to happen now.

Review: Crash into You by Katie McGurry

Crash into You
By: Katie McGurry
Release Date: November 26, 2013
Series: Pushing the Limits #3

Description:
From acclaimed author Katie McGarry comes an explosive new tale of a good girl with a reckless streak, a street-smart guy with nothing to lose, and a romance forged in the fast lane

The girl with straight As, designer clothes and the perfect life—that's who people expect Rachel Young to be. So the private-school junior keeps secrets from her wealthy parents and overbearing brothers…and she's just added two more to the list. One involves racing strangers down dark country roads in her Mustang GT. The other? Seventeen-year-old Isaiah Walker—a guy she has no business even talking to. But when the foster kid with the tattoos and intense gray eyes comes to her rescue, she can't get him out of her mind.

Isaiah has secrets, too. About where he lives, and how he really feels about Rachel. The last thing he needs is to get tangled up with a rich girl who wants to slum it on the south side for kicks—no matter how angelic she might look.

But when their shared love of street racing puts both their lives in jeopardy, they have six weeks to come up with a way out. Six weeks to discover just how far they'll go to save each other.

Links

• Harlequin's Website

• Author's Website

Review:
This by far has been one of my favorite books in this series.  The two characters couldn't be any different but you couldn't help but love them the same.  Katie McGarry is doing an amazing job with this series and it just keeps getting better and better the more I read into them.  Although I will say that I was hoping the next book would be about someone else but it's all good just the same.  I will definitely be all over that one as well.

Isaiah is a tough kid and best friends with Noah, his recent love interest found someone else in the last book, Beth, but he found someone better in Crash into You.  We meet Rachel who is so out of left field to be in their little group but she absolutely loves cars and one thing leads to another and now she's in debt to someone street thug for drag racing and getting caught with the wrong people.  It's a hot mess but Isaiah and Rachel have to work together to get Eric off their backs for good. 

There are a lot of underlying problems with both characters in terms of their families and I love how completely different the issues are but how very similar they are.  The overprotectiveness of Rachel's brother when it comes to her and their mother and the connection Isaiah's mother is trying to make with him after leaving him for so long.  This books main focus was definitely on protection of each other and taking care of your own.  It was sweet at moments and adrenaline rushing at others.  I didn't really expect the ending that happened but I think it was all for the best.  Sometimes we don't all get the bubbly happy ending we all wish for sometimes it gets hard and you have to go through these hard things before you get to the good stuff.

I love the cover of this book because it's just adorable and I love the people representing the characters.  Everyone in this book had a certain part to play and I thoroughly enjoyed that everyone throughout the series was a part of this book as well.  There was Noah and Echo, Beth and Ryan and of course Isaiah with the introduction of new characters such as Rachel, her four brothers, Abby and Logan.  There are so many possible story lines and plots to go to with the introduction of these new characters that I can't wait to see what Katie McGarry will come up next.  All I know is Rachel's brother West's story is next but I was secretly hoping for her twin Ethan. 

Overall this book was amazing in every way.  It was sweet, adorable, macho at times but very family oriented and gave you a new point of view on different ways that family can tie you down.  You need to be stronger for yourself and brave to be out in this world because you just have to be yourself and sometimes that's the hardest thing to be.  Amazing!

Disclaimer:
I received this book from NetGalley and Harlequin TEEN, 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!!!

Book Highlight: The Saving of Benjamin Chambers by Anna Bloom

The Saving of Benjamin Chambers by Anna Bloom
New Adult Contemporary Romance
Published December 4th, 2013

Benjamin Chambers needs saving, he just does not know it yet. Bored of his life of repetitive gigs with a band going nowhere fast and one night stands with girls who are only interested in his role as a lead singer, something has got to change. It’s just what do you do when the only life you know involves messing around with guitars and attempting to run away from any female attention that comes your way.

Ben has a New Year’s resolution and one that he is determined to keep, quit the band and get a life of his own. Little does Ben realise that on his last night with his band Sound Box he is going to meet a girl who will turn everything he knows upside down.

As Ben sets himself the challenge to find ‘The Girl’ again, he may be about to learn that in an effort to rescue her, he himself will be the one to be saved.

Amazon

       Delilah, Lilah or whatever she is called is, standing over on the far side of the room, her back against the wall wearing a figure-hugging red, floor-length dress. Her dark hair and eyes stand out in contrast. She looks like a Forties movie star, all curves and perfect poise, watching everyone with a critical eye. She hates this place and she hates the people that are here, that is clear to me straight away.
       I want to jump off the stage to get to her. I can’t tear my eyes away, even though Dave has picked up my guitar and shoved it back into my hands, hissing, “play, you idiot.”
       I am walking to the front of the stage still staring when I notice that I am being watched but not by her.
       Some guy who looks like a pretentious arsehole is watching me watch her and then he starts to move across the floor to get to her before I can leave the stage. I am stuck like a rabbit in headlights, rooted to the spot as I watch him clearly move towards her like he is proving he has ownership.
       When he gets to her he pulls her in close and winds his hands around her waist. I have to physically restrain myself from leaping off the stage and punching him. That’s what I want to do, a deep urge burning inside me. Jump from the stage, bop him on the nose, hopefully causing significant blood loss, and then throw her over my shoulder and march her off with her someplace. Someplace where I can kiss her and talk to her, in no particular order. Then I may well ask her to marry me because I am pretty sure that I want to.
       I don’t though, I don’t move from my spot on the edge of the stage. I start to play my guitar instead but not the song the rest of the band are expecting. Luckily it has a long intro so they are able to catch up.
       As I start to sing ‘Wonderwall’ I watch as the banker wanker twirls her onto the dance floor.
       It’s not a song for twirling, what is he doing the bloody arse?
      She has her hands on his shoulders and her back to me but I can clearly see an enormous diamond ring sitting on her left hand from my spot quite a distance away on stage.
       Damn it to hell.
     I nearly stop singing, but I hold it together and as I head into the second verse my choice of song becomes even more appropriate.
      The banker wanker pulls her in even tighter and I get a nasty taste in the back of my mouth. I am just in the middle of the chorus when they take a turn and I catch a glimpse of her face.
      That’s what does it. That very moment gives me something completely different to live for.
       Her.
      She is biting her lower lip and the beautiful eyes are staring far away in the distance, framed by a frown. She looks like she would rather be anywhere then where she is right now. She looks lost, but on top of that she looks lonely and I feel a bubble of something well up inside me, something like joy. Joy at the fact that this guy holding her, who’s obviously bought her the ring, has no idea what she is feeling. I don’t think he has looked at her face once, not to read it the way that I am. This is good. It means that if I can get to talk to her again then I can make sure my words are the right ones, the ones to make her notice me, the ones to make her want to at least talk to me. And, well, if that fails then I will just crinkle my freckles at her, pick her up and throw her over my shoulder and march off with her hoping for the best.
       I know that I will do anything to save her from whatever is causing her sadness and by doing that I have a feeling she will save me.

Anna Bloom is a contemporary romance writer who writes about life as it happens. Combining a busy schedule of looking after two small children whilst working in a local school and completing The Uni Files series she also spends a lot of time imagining kissing hot guys – all in the name of her art.

                  Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads 

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Review: Come What May by Faith Sullivan

Come What May
By: Faith Sullivan
Release Date: May 29, 2013
Series: Heartbeat #2

Description:
Adam is through with love.

He unravels blaming himself for what happened with Katie.

His final moments with her echo through his nightmares.

She owns him body and soul.

To dull the pain, Adam invites a string of women into his bed. Fueled by alcohol and desperation, his meaningless hook-ups provide little comfort. When he closes his eyes, it's Katie he sees.

The only one who helps to ease his guilt somewhat is Jada. But as his new ambulance partner, Adam considers her off limits. He doesn't want to get seriously involved with anyone, much less her. Yet he can't stop fantasizing about the feel of her caramel skin against his.

Despite his intentions, Adam's bond with Jada deepens as they respond to a series of emotional calls. Their mutual attraction becomes undeniable. But how can he give his heart to Jada when it still belongs to Katie?

Review:
So I definitely remember the first book and how at the end I was like huh because it completely flipped the script on us.  Well this book continues on from that moment.  But this is all about Adam as you know what happened in the end of the last book, if you didn't read it go check it out. 

So we meet Adam and he's still pretty beat up about what happened to Katie even though in his mind he didn't even know her, not technically anyway.  But there was a definite connection that was there.  But this Adam, he's not as loving as he was in the first book this is the real him, and he's just a player trying to get his mind off someone who for some strong reason he feels he loves but doesn't particularly know why.  Any who back to the story.  Adam is a paramedic and they changed his rotation and the amount of people per ambulance so that means he has a new partner.  Jada.  Can she calm down the player that he is?

Throughout the book while they get to know each other I definitely feel the pull towards one another and the little flirtations they have going on.  It's sweet and real.  They definitely have feelings for one another but something keeps holding them back from getting together. If it's not one thing it's another but still they continue to be partners because it's their job and at times they get closer to that almost moment without crossing over.

But even if this is all happening with his partner still Adam cannot get Katie out of his head, and the ending of the book.  Yeah you've guessed it another shocker and now I'm really lost haha.  It's great though because now it really leaves you wondering what is real and what isn't and is there such a thing as fate and all that good stuff.  I'm curious to see what happens next.  Is it going to be Jada or Katie. 

Disclaimer:
I received this book from the author, Faith Sullivan, 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!!!

Review: Crashing into You by B. D. Rowe

Crashing into You
By: B.D. Rowe
Release Date: October 3, 2013

Description:
Bookish college sophomore Sydney Baker wants Evan Taylor with every ounce of her being. The hottest stud on campus, Evan is six foot four, ripped, stacked with muscles. He's even easy to talk to.

There's just one problem: he's her roommate Melanie's boyfriend.

But when Melanie tragically dies after a night of wild partying, Sydney and Evan turn to each other in a time of intense grief. And it doesn't take long for their close friendship to blossom into something more.

Unfortunately for Sydney, secrets from the past soon put her relationship with Evan to the test. Especially when a sexy blonde freshman makes her way into Evan's life, and tries to rip away everything Sydney holds close to her heart.

Review:
So I am not one hundred percent sure how I felt about this book.  I thought the characters were a little one sided and I didn't really feel for them as much as I wanted to.  I think it could have been a great story and towards the end it could definitely have gone single white female but it just was. 

We meet Sydney who is now someone who doesn't drink because of what happened when she was in high school and drunk driving, not her but still she was involved.  Ok that's very honorable not wanting to drink and all but the way she went about it was slightly annoying.  She needed to respect other people's opinions a little more.  The tragedy with her roommate was weird all around because really why wouldn't you check on your roommate at all, just to be curious.  But any who it's all about the relationship she wants with Evan, who was dating her roommate.

Evan, sounds like a popular guy who isn't really sure what he wants or just likes to go with the flow as long as he gets something out of it.  They throw the word love out there a little too easy.  It just doesn't seem connected at all because one minute she's like I can't the next she's all like I love you.  Very confused girl that's for sure.

Overall it took me a while to get through it and it just wasn't believable.  I didn't enjoy or relate to the characters.  Not even the gay roommate as he seemed like a very forced characters.  I really like the cover but I just don't see Sydney and Evan in it. 

Disclaimer:
I received this book from NetGalley and B.D. Rowe 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!!!

Pre-Release Event: Tell Me When by Stina Lindenblatt

 

Tell Me When

By: Stina Lindenblatt

Release date: January 20, 2014

Description:

Amber Scott should be enjoying life as a college freshman. She should be pursuing her dream of becoming a veterinarian. She should be working hard to make sense of her precalculus math class.          

She shouldn’t be waking up her college roommate with screaming nightmares. She shouldn’t be flashing back, reliving the three weeks of hell she barely survived last year. And she definitely shouldn’t be spending time with sexy player Marcus Reid.

But engineering student Marcus is the only one keeping Amber from failing her math course, so she grudgingly lets him into her life. She never expects the king of hookups will share his painful past. Or that she’ll tell him her secrets in return, opening up and trusting him in a way she thought she’d never be able to again.

When their fragile future together is threatened by a stalker Amber thought was locked away for good, Marcus is determined to protect her. And Amber is determined to protect Marcus…even if that means pushing him away.

Links to the book:
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes&Noble

Excerpt:

Amber

I glance back at Emma, who’s busy looking through a rack of fleecy pajama bottoms, then walk out the store and into the solid wall of a person.

“Kitten,” the wall says as I step back. Marcus’s gaze jumps to the store’s name and his mouth slides into an amused grin. “You don’t need to get sexy underwear for our tutoring sessions, but I won’t say I don’t appreciate it.”

“Ass,” I mutter, momentarily forgetting the ass helped me learn a math concept I’d been struggling with.

“Anything to make you happy, Kitten.”

I somehow manage not to roll my eyes at the name. Telling him not to call me that hasn’t helped. It’s only encouraged him to use the name more. I narrow my eyes instead. “I thought you said you weren’t stalking me.”

“I’m not.” He lifts a plastic bag from the bookstore, and removes a book with a teenage girl and a male angel on the cover. “I was buying a birthday present for my friend’s sister. And now that you mention it, how do I know you’re not stalking me?”

From the corner of my eye, I spot a guy checking me out. Marcus brushes a strand of hair from my face. I flinch when his fingers touch my cheek, but then I see the other guy scurry away.

I think of Marcus’s reputation for not getting attached, of the way he jumped between me and that guy at the party. I take a deep breath, almost positive that what I’m about to do is incredibly stupid. “What are you doing Friday night?” 

About the Author

Born in England, Stina loves to travel, and has lived in England, the US, Canada, and Finland. She spent a semester in graduate school living in central Finland, and a summer during her undergrad degree working in Helsinki. She has a Master’s of Science degree in exercise physiology and has worked with elite athletes. In her free time, Stina is a photographer, mother of three adorable kids, and devoted wife. She currently lives in Calgary, Canada.

Author social media links:

Website/blog | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads

Giveaway:

(1) $25 Amazon e-gift card, (1) eBook copy of Tell Me When gifted from Amazon (when it releases).

(3) eBook copies of Tell Me When gifted from Amazon (when it releases).

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Book Highlight: Shelf Life by Stephanie Lawton

Title: Shelf Life

Author: Stephanie Lawton
Genre: Contemporary New Adult
Publication date: December 3, 2013

*Mature situations and sexual content - recommended for ages 17+*

It’s impossible to focus on college biology when your family believes doomsday is imminent and the government is out to get you.

All Pete Wilson’s ever wanted is to become a veterinarian, but those dreams are going up in flames. Commuting to an urban college and helping his parents with their apocalyptic prepper crap is more than he can handle.

Worse, Pete’s asshole neighbor is stirring up trouble, his family’s stockpile has been destroyed and farm animals are turning up dead.

Lindsey Linger is the tomboy sister of his best friend. Now a sexy spitfire, she and Pete are liable to set the barn ablaze as their romance finally heats up. But she’s hiding a terrible secret, and rural life isn’t all bonfires and hayloft romps. That becomes clear one icy winter night when the survival of everyone Pete loves hangs in the balance.

Can Pete be the hero they need, or will this be the end of the world as he knows it?

Amazon Paperback | Amazon Kindle

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Join us all day TODAY on Facebook as we chat with Stephanie, as she celebrates Shelf Life's launch day with giveaways, excerpts, special content, free downloads, & more!

Always a misfit, Stephanie Lawton writes twisted romance that tugs the heart strings then punches you in the gut.

She has a tendency to psychoanalyze people, which comes in handy when creating character profiles. She has a fascination with teacher-student relationships, bullies, psychics, doomsday preppers and larger-than-life characters.

Making readers squirm is her greatest pleasure. 

Proceed with caution.

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