Let's Talk Finals

Today marks the start of finals for 95% of college students. In my opinion the semester should have been down two weeks ago when we left for Thanksgiving break. I mean seriously who left for a four day weekend and was prepared to learn for two more weeks and then take six tests? Not me that's who! And did we even get taught anything in the last two weeks, because I sure didn't learn anything that's for sure. So to commiserate with all my fellow college students here is how I feel about finals weeks in memes. 

Let's face it I spent the weekend doing anything but actually getting anything productive done. I cleaned the toilet and shower for Christ's sake. And trust me I'm not the only one, you know who you are!

But if you have been studying like a good little college student I'm sure your brain feels like mush. Mine does and I spent over half the weekend procrastinating. We've been forcing unwanted and uninteresting information in our brains for three and a half months come on professors give us a break! Remember when the last day of classes were reserved for parties and movies? Yeah I miss middle school too, even if we all looked gross.

Sleep isn't a thing during finals weeks. You have the all-nighters who stay awake finishing all the work they didn't get done earlier. Or the parties who just don't care. And then you have my subcategory the restless sleeper, I'm not actually nervous for my speech final but let me have a nightmare about it and get a horrible night sleep. Because that'll make me do better on my finals. Good plan body, way to betray me now!

Why didn't we go to that stupid speaker worth ten points of extra credit??? I mean we could get ten more questions wrong and our grade wouldn't suffer! But next time it's offered we won't go because we don't think we'll ever be in this position come the end of the semester. We're always wrong.

Even if you study your heart out the chances of studying the correct material is slim to none. The professor says the test is based solely on the class lectures, turns out it's all based on the chapters in the text book propping up your dresser. Ever look at a test and think, "What does that even mean?" Don't worry you're not the only one.

Here's to passing grades to you all! 
Then sleeping all winter break and coming back for more!

A.B.

Have you ever had a book rip you’re heart in two? And you know if you discussed this with any sane non booking loving person all they’d say is the characters aren't real and they wouldn't understand how much your heart hurts at that exact moment. I could compare it to having your heartbroken by a loved one but in some part of your mind you know it’s not actually happening to you, but the pain doesn't fade away. At least not until you pick up your next commitment and lose yourself all over again in another time, in another place.

Call me a hopeless romantic but I do believe there is someone out there for everyone. True love; I've read about it all my life. I've even seen movies where the happy ending always finds its way to light. Because that’s what love is light, it helps you fight the darkness that would otherwise consume you, if only we could bottle it up and take a sip when we have those offal days that only real life can bring. Maybe that’s why I like books so much. I can lose myself in a place and forget about the world around me even if everything around me is crumbling.

I had a friend recently tell me that she doesn't believe in one true love. She said you have to work to love. You must consistently put effort in a relationship to make it work; love doesn't concur all. I didn't tell she was wrong to her face because in some ways I believe she’s right. When you get married you have to work on staying on the same path, it must always be on your mind what your other half wants and how your choices will affect them. With that being said I’m not giving up hope for my one true love. That on person who consumes your ever thought or never stops giving you butterfly’s. There has to be a person out there for everyone, a person who sets your skin on fire with just a touch or who can calm you when you get a little crazy. I don’t think we’re only meant for one person because I think every relationship that touches us has a way of getting us to wear we’re meant to be. But I still believe that all-consuming love exists. Maybe I’m naive, but that’s how I want to feel when I eventually settle down and get married, and I don’t think anyone should settle for less.

Alright, that’s my rant. It’s taken me four months to find something worth talking about and sharing with all of you. Okay that’s a lie, I've had things to talk about, opinions to share, but with school and work it’s been hard to find anytime to breathe let alone write down my thoughts and share them with you. So this post is to the start of getting back to Book Sense, and preparing to deliver all my lovely opinions to the world.

Releasing Kate by D. Kelly is what brought on my heart ache if you wanted to join in the emotional roller coaster.  

To all my fellow hopeless romantics. I believe it’s really out there,

A.B.

Pandora Box Set book blast

 

20 exciting, bestselling, and award-winning authors for $0.99 

Twenty Full-Length Novels and Novellas by twenty outstanding authors!

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Pulitzer Prize Nominee

The Water Wolf by Thomas Sullivan

A global quest by a cynical adventurer searching for links in a colossal subterranean network he has
stumbled upon lead him from the ancient fortress at Cuzco, Peru, to the Pyramids of Giza to a dangerous churchyard in Connemara, Ireland, where he falls in love with a woman of more than mortal roots and encounters the strange magic of a small village.

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Amazon Best-Selling Author 

What Truly Knows by Louise Caiola

She was born with the Magical Knowing – a gift, some said. A curse, said others.
But for Truly, it was the very thing meant to save her life. If it didn’t kill her first.

 Enjoy!

A.B.

Book Review

With This Heart by R.S. Grey

 

 

If someone had told me a year ago that I was about to fall in love, go on an epic road trip, ride a Triceratops, sing on a bar, and lose my virginity, I would have assumed they were on drugs.

Well, that is, until I met Beckham.

Beck was mostly to blame for my recklessness. Gorgeous, clever, undeniably charming Beck barreled into my life as if it were his mission to make sure I never took living for granted. He showed me that there were no boundaries, rules were for the spineless, and a kiss was supposed to happen when I least expected.

Beck was the plot twist that took me by surprise. Two months before I met him, death was knocking at my door. I'd all but given up my last scrap of hope when suddenly, I was given a second chance at life. This time around, I wasn't going to let it slip through my fingers.

We set out on a road trip with nothing to lose and no guarantees of tomorrow.

Our road trip was about young, reckless love.

The kind of love that burns bright.

The kind of love that no road-map could bring me back from.

**Recommended for ages 17+ due to language and sexual situations.**

 

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I have a new favorite book y'all! Serious though I'm in love with a boy named Beck and a a book called With This Heart, and I recommend it to everyone!! So I'm guilty of buying a book without reading the cover....oops. This time it paid off! I'm currently in day 3 of my 30 day free trial of the Amazon Kindle Unlimited, so if this book shows what my next 27 days will be like I can not wait!

I struggled through the first few pages, I wasn't into the young girl searching for urns in a funeral home. It also felt a little similar to The Edge of Never, two strangers meeting decide to go on a rode trip, one terminally ill, then they fall in love. But as I flipped pages I found that I was more and more intrigued and I wanted to know where the story and characters would end up. And boy am I glad I did.

This story was heart wrenching and emotional and yet heart warming and funny at the most important of times. I found myself laughing on one page and on the next I would break out in a giant smile. Abby has every right to be cynical about life after living in a hospital and on borrowed time. But while on her trip Beck changes something in her, he helps her live her new lease on life to the fullest.

Although I can't relate to having a major health problem I can relate to not feeling as though you have truly lived you're life to the fullest, not knowing what life will bring, being unsure of yourself with the opposite sex, or knowing what I want to do for the remainder of my life. As the story progresses Abby opens up to Beck and they both experience life together. This book has serious plot contents with the best quirky comic relief. Beckham Dilan Prescott has gone to my top five book boyfriends.

Seriously this book contained the best qualities a book requires. You will not be disappointed.

A.B.

Movie Trailer

Mockingjay Part 1

 

There are officially 114 days until the Mockingjay Part 1 premiere. I seriously cannot wait. To be honest I could watch The Hunger Games and Catching Fire every day until Mockingjay comes out. Although the camera work on The Hunger Games was rather shaky they raised the bar during Catching Fire. Because of that I am more than excited to see what Mockingjay Part 1 and 2 has to offer. The casting was phenomenal throughout the movie series, and each actor plays their part perfectly. I am glad to see Phillip Seymour Hoffman was in the teaser trailer after his untimely death. I hope they have enough footage to keep him in the next two movies as Plutarch Heavensbee. So many great things to come and this teaser just shows it. 

Have you seen it??

A.B. 

Book Review

Reason to Breathe by Rebecca Donovan

 

"No one tried to get involved with me, and I kept to myself. This was the place where everything was supposed to be safe and easy. How could Evan Mathews unravel my constant universe in just one day?"

In the affluent town of Weslyn, Connecticut, where most people worry about what to be seen in and who to be seen with, Emma Thomas would rather not be seen at all. She’s more concerned with feigning perfection while pulling down her sleeves to conceal the bruises - not wanting anyone to know how far from perfect her life truly is. Without expecting it, she finds love. It challenges her to recognize her own worth - but at the risk of revealing the terrible secret she’s desperate to hide.

Reason to Breathe is an electrifying page turner from start to finish, a unique tale of life-changing love, unspeakable cruelty, and one girl’s fragile grasp of hope.

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Spoilers Ahead:

Heed my warning now, this book will rip your heart out. This book is filled with abuse, love, friendship, unspeakable action, and loyalty. Powerful and emotion evoking, it's a captivating read. 

I think the worst part was how Emma's Aunt's cruelty was directed solely at her. She was a great mother to her own two children but Emma was abused. In no case is abuse justifiable, but in Emma's Aunts case it's was random acts of cruelty for no other reason than she resented and hated her niece. 

I don't personally agree with Emma's rationalization for why she stayed but at the same time not being in her situation I can't pass judgment. I understand she wanted to keep her cousins lives as normal as possible but I don't believe living in an environment where your mother is abusing your cousin is a healthy place to grow up. In any case Emma's actions were brave and selfless. She forced herself to live a lonely life waiting until the day she can leave for college. Until she meets Evan. 

This book isn't all pain and sadness, it's not. Evan was a ray of sunshine in Emma's painful life and he fought to save her even when things got hard. They didn't fall instantly in love, Emma pushed Evan away with all her might but Evan kept working to bring down the walls Emma put up. Emma and Evan's relationship slowly builds from distant acquaintances, to friendship, to love, they struggle to get through a lot of tough situations and in the end they become closer. To be honest Evan is my dream guy, he doesn't care his parents have money he rather they didn't. He's a gorgeous, kind, endearing guy who clearly thinks the world of Emma, and is willing to do anything for her. Even when Emma did everything to keep him away he kept fighting. He truly understood what Emma needed without being told. He's an amazing guy.

As the story progressed a giant cliffhanger loomed over. The closer I got to the end, the dread and anticipation that built inside makes your heart bleed. At the end of the book I couldn't wait to start the second and see where Emma and Evans relationship would take them. I have finished all the books and I must say the second and third are just as emotional and powerful as the first. This trilogy is definitely a gripping page turner that you want to continue reading until you've come to the conclusion. Donovan's writing style is perfect; the descriptions and flow of the story suck you right in. This is story that makes you emotionally involved with the characters' lives and makes you need to know what happens next.


A.B.

Book Review

Driven by K. Bromberg

 

Rylee Thomas is used to being in control. But she’s about to meet the one man that just might make her enjoy losing it…

I am the exception to the rule.

In a world full of willing women, I’m a challenge to the roguish and achingly handsome Colton Donavan. A man used to getting exactly what he wants in all aspects of life. He’s the reckless bad boy constantly skating that razor thin edge toward out of control, on and off of the track.

Colton crashes into my life like a tornado: sapping my control, testing my vulnerabilities beyond their limits, and unintentionally penetrating the protective wall around my healing heart. Tearing apart the world I rebuilt so carefully with structure, predictability, and discipline.

I can’t give him what he wants and he can’t give me what I need. But after a glimpse beneath his refined exterior into the dark secrets of his damaged soul, can I bring myself to walk away?

Our sexual chemistry is undeniable. Our individual need for complete control is irrefutable. But when our worlds collide, is the chemistry enough to bring us together or will our untold secrets and battle of wills force us apart?

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Spoiler Warning:

I always wondered if opposites attract really works with relationships, and in the case of Cotlon and Rylee it does. Colton and Rylee are polar opposites but who are repeatedly drawn together. I liked both Colton and Rylee and Bromberg did a great job developing the characters as the plot progressed. Right away Colton seems like an arrogant, cocky manwhore, while Rylee is a feisty, unintimidated, kind hearted woman. Rylee meant more to Cotlon more than anyone had before and Rylee brought out a new side of him. What I loved about Colton was that he wanted to change and he wanted to be better. He may have made mistakes and his actions may not have always lead the reader to believe he wanted to change but Rylee made him want to act differently. 

Rylee was a good person over all but she also started an organization whose goal was to help orphaned children. I found this really cool and I'm glad Bromberg added this; it was interesting how The House and the boys helped Cotlon change his behavior. He connected to the boys and as he helped them the boys showed him the away to letting go of his past and looking to the future. 

What I liked about this story was it was never slow moving; there were no dull spots to the plot. Every situation contributes to overall situation. Colton's and Rylee's story moves along at break-neck speed only to come crashing to a stop with a cliff-hanger ending. The plot ends with loose ends and unanswered questions which allows the reader to move straight on to book two in the Trilogy Fueled. Fans of Fifty Shades of Grey, and The Crossfire Series will enjoy this book. Although there are similarities in the plots there are great differences to the overall tones and characters of the stories.

A.B.

Official Trailer

Fifty Shades of Grey

I'm still  not sure how I feel about Dakota Johnson as Ana but if anything the trailer is promising! I shake the chills watching the trailer left me with. Jamie Dornan was an excellent choice for Christian. I've read some spoilers and I'm excited to hear that the story focuses on the love story between Christian and Ana with the added details of the Kinky Fuckery. To me that's what I love about the trilogy. Ana heals Christian and helps him find peace with his past. She also allows him to open up, and that's what he needs. Judging by the trailer the soundtrack will be fantastic. I must say this trailer made me extremely excited for February 13, 2015.

Here you go, the official trailer. Enjoy!

A.B.

Book Review

Kiss This by Hadley Quinn

 

 

(This book includes mature content, including sex and language)

22-year-old Camryn Jacobs lost the love of her life once and vows to never kiss another guy unless she's in love with him. When she meets Teague, their attraction to one another is off the charts, and for the first time in two years, she wants to disregard her rule.

But Camryn makes a bet that he can't go just one week without kissing her. She's protecting her own fragile heart, but her wit and smart mouth end up driving Teague crazy.

When Teague is equally skilled at her challenge, their friendship turns complicated. He's not at all what she assumed, and he makes her feel things she never expected to feel. But sharing her true reasons for the no-kiss bet hurts too much and she keeps him in the dark.

Teague has his own secrets to hide, starting with his last name. It's the reason he left town--to lick his wounds until he can piece his life back together. His time with Camryn proves that it might actually be possible, but with the threat of his family and his past ruining all that he's finally gained, can he really take that risk again?

Loving might be easy; learning to trust again could be too difficult to achieve...

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Spoiler Warning:

Family drama means nothing until you read this book. Teague is such a good guy and he keeps getting the worst out of the people who should love him. Camryn and Teague help each other heal from the pain their lives have brought upon them, and they up the on another find happiness again. 

Although I liked this story I didn't like that Teague kept stuff from Camryn. I understand why he has trust issues with the family he grew up in but any relationship has to start with honesty and Teague went about it the wrong way. It was stupid how long Camryn was left in the dark when Teague's family constantly brings up what she doesn't know by name. I feel like we missed out on things Teague would confront his family or say he was buys doing something but we wouldn't know what was truly going on. Readers are given the general idea of what was going on but I wish we could have seen it all. 

I enjoyed this story it was fresh and romantic. It had intriguing and realistic characters and a good plot even if there were minor character flaws.

A.B.

Book Review

Article 5 by Kristen Simmons  

 

 

New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., have been abandoned.

The Bill of Rights has been revoked, and replaced with the Moral Statutes.

There are no more police—instead, there are soldiers. There are no more fines for bad behavior—instead, there are arrests, trials, and maybe worse. People who get arrested usually don't come back.

Seventeen-year-old Ember Miller is old enough to remember that things weren't always this way. Living with her rebellious single mother, it's hard for her to forget that people weren't always arrested for reading the wrong books or staying out after dark. It's hard to forget that life in the United States used to be different.

Ember has perfected the art of keeping a low profile. She knows how to get the things she needs, like food stamps and hand-me-down clothes, and how to pass the random home inspections by the military. Her life is as close to peaceful as circumstances allow.

That is, until her mother is arrested for noncompliance with Article 5 of the Moral Statutes. And one of the arresting officers is none other than Chase Jennings—the only boy Ember has ever loved.

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Spoiler Warning:

Imagine a world where it's against the law to hang out with the opposite sex after curfew unless you're married. A world where if you don't follow the right religion, you'll never be seen again. A world where being born from an unwed mother can get you killed - or worse. Simmons did a fantastic job creating this world and making it vivid for the reader. I love that you can step into this dystopian plot and get observed and overwhelmed with the emotions and characters. 

There is barely any room to step back and breathe during the story. I've read many dystopian novels but this story brought out a new twist to a very popular genera of novels. It's not a fun or light hearted plot like Divergent or Uglies it definitely learns toward the realistic dark side of a post-apocalyptic life. This story starts, and ends with the characters running for their lives. You are scared and intrigued from beginning to end. 

It's really hard to write a female heroine and do it right. But Ember matures tremendously throughout the novel. She starts off timid and blind to the cruel intentions of the world around her and is forced to grow into a strong woman who can survive on her won. She does tend to self-blame which is a little over the top. I enjoyed Ember's relationship with Chase. From the beginning you think you know how their relationship is going to play out, but you're wrong. Their relationship is awkward and rocky but that adds to the story. Chase is a fantastic character, he's been broken by what he has seen and been through during the war and Simmons did an incredible job writing his character. 

This book is intense, heart-pounding, and brilliantly written. The post-apocalyptic world Simmons created is original and well thought out. It had just the right balance of love, pain, sorrow and fear. I know there are two more books that piggyback this novel but I have yet to read them. I'm worried they won't be as good, plus this is a book you have to been in the mood for, it's not a light hearted anytime read.

A.B.

Book Review 

Invisibility by Andrea Cremer, David Levithan

 

Stephen has been invisible for practically his whole life — because of a curse his grandfather, a powerful cursecaster, bestowed on Stephen’s mother before Stephen was born. So when Elizabeth moves to Stephen’s NYC apartment building from Minnesota, no one is more surprised than he is that she can see him. A budding romance ensues, and when Stephen confides in Elizabeth about his predicament, the two of them decide to dive headfirst into the secret world of cursecasters and spellseekers to figure out a way to break the curse. But things don’t go as planned, especially when Stephen’s grandfather arrives in town, taking his anger out on everyone he sees. In the end, Elizabeth and Stephen must decide how big of a sacrifice they’re willing to make for Stephen to become visible — because the answer could mean the difference between life and death. At least for Elizabeth.

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Spoiler Warning:

I just didn't like this book. Too many plot holes. It started off alright. I didn't like the twist with the spellcasters and cursecastes and spells and curses plus the whole devil-spawn grandpa. I guess Stephen is invisible and what could you expect. And talk about disappointing endings they didn't even cure Stephen of his curse. I don't understand what the stupid caster thing was if not to cure him. Wasn't that the point of the book? 

And yet another novel with a bad case of insta-love. Stephen and Elizabeth kissed and they felt they belonged together. That's just a cop out, seriously why couldn't you just take the time to develop the characters and the relationship between them? It would make the novel much more enjoyable not to mention a more interesting plot.

The overall writing was rather bland and left me wanting. To me the real problem was the transition from the contemporary world to the paranormal world. Obviously any story about an invisible boy is going to have some undertones of paranormal writing. But this story wasn't thought out enough. At one point the only bit of paranormal plot was the fact Stephen was invisible, and then the major plot twist of curecasters and spellkeepers it was one extreme to another. What started off as a young adult romance turned into a sloppy paranormal novel. I thought the plot was going in a whole other direction when Stephen's evil grandfather Arbus, the most evil and powerful curescaster ever was factored in. 

The ending was lackluster and extremely disappointing not to mention confusing. Laurie, Elizabeth, and Stephen were successful in vanquishing evil ideology, but failed to accomplish the main goal they set from the beginning. Make Stephen visible. It almost makes the whole novel a waste. The whole point was to allow Stephen to be seen and yet nothing. It also left readers wondering if there would be a follow up. Personally I'm way past caring, and there is no way I'll read a second novel.

A.B.

Book Review 

Metamorphosis by Erin Noelle

 

Scarlett MacGregor has lived a very sheltered life courtesy of her over-the-top controlling parents. Having never been to a co-ed party, much less on a date, Scarlett has relied on her books, her music, and living vicariously through her best friend Evie to keep her sanity as she's patiently awaited her freedom from their rule.

When Scarlett and Evie go away to college, Scarlett quickly meets Ashton, Dylan, and later, Mason, and is thrown into a crash course of like, love, and lust. With Evie's help, she must figure out the difference in the three and which one she wants before she ends up without any of them.

Metamorphosis is the story of Scarlett's transformation from a young, naive girl to a strong, mature young woman and her search for self-discovery and true love.

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Spoiler Warning:

I rather enjoyed this book the only problem I had with was how much they talked about books. I didn't have a problem when they mentioned Taking Chances or Beautiful Disaster, that was pretty cool but it was when they said things like "...ya’ll will end up together with a magical, fairy-tale, happily-ever-after. But you know as well as I do that it takes a bunch of other bullshit in between to get that point - a bunch of unnecessary angst, some preventable misunderstandings, and you both need to make some ill-advised and senseless decisions." That was just really annoying and unnecessary. Life isn't a book and no one is going to better understand that then book lovers.

It also bothered me that it was a story of insta-love. It happened with both boys, they met Scarlett and they were instantly in love with her, I understand they were attracted to her but there wasn't a need to mention soul mates. I also didn't like how Scarlett up and leaves with no warning and doesn't come back. That's just ridiculous.

The parts I did like were the unexpected plot twists, the death of Evie, Mason taking care of Scarlett, and the book boyfriend challenge. I wished that would have been played out more Scarlett never really got the full experience. I know that would happen, you could like one of the first few boys you meet but to experience the freedom college gives you the challenge is a great idea to figure out what you like in a guy. It also helps you get past the stereo type of bad boy, preppy boy or nerd. The ending also leaves you wanting more. I also like how the title is incorporated into the story I think that fit perfectly. 


A.B.

Book Review

Fixed on You by Laurelin Paige

 

Stalking and restraining orders are a thing of Alayna Wither’s past. With her MBA newly in hand, she has her future figured out—move up at the nightclub she works at and stay away from any guy who might trigger her obsessive love disorder. A perfect plan.

But what Alayna didn’t figure on is Hudson Pierce, the new owner of the nightclub. He’s smart, rich, and gorgeous—the kind of guy Alayna knows to stay away from if she wants to keep her past tendencies in check. Except, Hudson’s fixed his sights on her. He wants her in his bed and makes no secret of it.

Avoiding him isn’t an option after he offers a business proposition she can’t turn down and she’s drawn further into his universe, unable to resist his gravitational pull. When she learns Hudson has a dark history of his own, she realizes too late that she’s fallen for the worst man she could possibly get involved with. Or maybe their less than ideal pasts give them an opportunity to heal each other and finally find the love their lives have been missing.

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Spoiler Warning:

I have skipped over reading this many a time just because of the first sentence in the description "Stalking and restraining orders are a thing of Alayna Wither's past". It really didn't interest me to read about a girl who was going to stalk people, but once I gave it a chance I came to find that Paige wrote a story with a topic that no other author has yet touched. Both Alayna and Hudson are faced with mental challenges that are rooted from their past. When they come together they find they understand each other while helping the other stay healthy. Both were working through their issues. When the characters realized they were enabling each other they confronted the situation and their behaviors and changed them. Nothing is more annoying than characters enabling and repeating stupid and obnoxious behavior that isn't fixing the situation they have created for themselves. 

Yes this plot follows a lot of the similar billionaire story but the details of Alayna and Hudson's personalities as well as the supporting characters is phenomenal. Book lovers often times can predict the outcome of an average thought out plot because they are so well versed in their reading. Paige set up her plot in a way where I did not see the ending coming. And at a time I did predict what would happen next it came to me as an epiphany, one minute I'm walking around my house thinking about the story and then next I realize what Celia's intentions for Alayna might be. The main shocker between Alayna and Hudson could not possibly be guessed and for that I applaud Paige for her creativity and writing ability.  

I'm rather excited to read Hudson's side of this novel. I'm interested to see how he came to believe he wasn't capable of love, and how his vindictive mind games started. That will be one novel that goes on my must read book list.

A.B. 

Book Review

Collide by Gail McHugh

 

 I do realize this is another book that does contain a infidelity but I have this bad impulse of buying books without reading the description. Which actually works out sometimes, but more times then not it works out dismally. This just happens to be one of the times it worked out. I liked this book quite a bit. 

A missed first encounter…

Colliding with a second chance…

On the heels of graduating college and trying to cope with her mother’s death, Emily Cooper moves to New York City for a fresh start.

While harboring secrets of his own, Dillon Parker takes care of Emily through her grief. Knowing he can’t live without her by his side, he’s sweet, thoughtful, and everything Emily has ever wanted in a man.

Until she meets Gavin Blake—a rich and notorious playboy who is dangerously sexy and charming as hell. Emily tries to deny the instant connection she feels, but Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome is not inclined to let go so easily. Recovering from his own painful past, Gavin will stop at nothing to win Emily over.

This unexpected encounter compels Emily to question her decisions, forcing her to make a choice that will destroy friendships, shatter hearts, and forever change her life.
 

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Spoilers Ahead:

Right away I was rooting for Emily to end up with Gavin. And I really hated Dillon, it's never good when your best friend hates your boyfriend, that should be since number one he's wrong for you, but it was hilarious all the names Olivia came up with for Dill Pickle himself. Emily and Dillon's relationship all started when Olivia's brother and friend (Dillon) come to visit Olivia and Emily at school. Emily and Dillon meet and they start dating. It broke my heart to learn that Gavin was originally supposed to visit instead of Dillon and it was fate that Gavin and Emily end up together but Dillon got in the way. 

A lot of books write about abusive relationships but Hugh explored the topic in a new way. Hugh showed the pain and struggle Emily goes through in her own life as well as her relationships with not only Gavin but her friends and family. The story also goes into detail about how Emily's past fits into her current emotional state. Although Dillon seems like the perfect person on the outside he isn't a nice guy and a though Emily and Dillon's relationship started off great it turned for the worse. Spousal abuse is an important topic; I think should be more commonly talked about. It's nice that writers like Hugh are bringing more awareness to such an important topic.  

One major thing I love is how much Gavin loves Emily right way. He doesn't let Dillon stop him he knows they are meant to be and he's going to fight for her until the very end. 

 "Then what do you want from me Gavin?" she asked, her voice an aggravated whisper.

He caught her by the chin and made her look at him, his eyes-that light, wild blue- blazing into hers. "Damn it, Emily. I want us! You belong with me, not him." he half snarled the declaration. "Every part of you was made for me. Your lips were made to kiss mine, your eyes were made to wake up to me looking at you in my bed every morning, and your fucking tongue was made to roll my name off it. I am more certain of us than I'm certain that I require oxygen to breathe."



This book kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time, it was heartbreaking and funny. Hugh is a fantastic writer this novel is articulate and graceful. Every part of this book has a meaning and a point, each page holds a plethora of emotions that make you want to continue reading. This makes me very excited to read Hugh's next book Amber to Ashes which comes out November.

A.B.