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.

Book Review 

Sharing You by Molly McAdams

 

Twenty-three year old, Kamryn Cunningham has left all she’s ever known and moved to a small town where no one knows her name, who her parents are, or her social status in the horseracing world. Months after opening her own bakery and evading attempts of being set up by her new best friend, she meets Brody. Kamryn fights the instant pull between them because there’s a detail she can’t dismiss. Brody’s married.

To say that twenty-six year old, Brody Saco has had a rough marriage would be an understatement. After marrying his pregnant girlfriend, he spends the next six years in a relationship filled with hatred, manipulation and guilt involving a tragedy that happened five years earlier. When he keeps running into his sister-in-law’s best friend, Kamryn, he can’t ignore that she makes him feel more with just one look than his wife ever has; and soon he can’t continue fight his feelings for her.

When staying apart proves to be too difficult, Brody and Kamryn enter a relationship full of stolen moments and nights that end too soon while they wait for Brody to file for divorce. But the guilt that comes with their relationship may prove to be too much for Kamryn, and Brody might not be strong enough to face the tragedy from his past in order to leave his conniving wife.

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Spoiler Warning:

I must say I was extremely disappointed reading this book. I loved Taking Chances and From Ashes and I liked both Forgiving Lies so I was really excited to read this one. In past posts I've talked about how much I hate cheating but I gave a pass for McAdams latest book, and I was extremely let down. I'm most disappointed about the relationship between Kamryn and Brody, they meet and it's insta-love. They meet and everything makes sense in their lives and yet Brody still waits months to leave his wife. At least in other books the characters develop a relationship and then the cheating occurs but not this time they just fall in love. I do believe in love at first sight but even then they start dating first they don't just jump in together. 

Also I feel like the characterization of the wife was a cop out. She was diabolical and nasty. And all Brody's struggles in his marriage were here fault, and she was doing it all on purpose. What I don't understand is why she stayed in the relationship if she wasn't happy. I mean she was dating other guys, Brody wasn't rich enough for her, she didn't want their baby, and she spent most of her time outside of their house. Why would she make Brody's life hell when they could have split right after Tate's death and be done with it? And I know Brody wants to get Olivia help because he did once care about her but once he found Kamryn and realized his feelings toward her he should have ended his marriage right away. 

I had really high hopes for this book and I was let down in a large way. Because I loved Taking Chances and From Ashes so much I'll give McAdams the benefit of the doubt. But because I was so disappointed with this one I'm not as excited for Letting Go to come out in November but when it comes out I will give it a try.

A.B.

Book Review 

Untouchable by Lindsay Delagair 

 

Picking a boyfriend can be murder, but for Annalisa Winslett, it might end up being the literal death of her.

No one at Pensacola High School suspects the girl they know as Annalisa McKinnis to be a wealthy heiress in hiding, but things begin to unravel when two new guys enroll. Both guys are gorgeous, and both are trying to win her over. The only problem is that one of them has a million dollar contract to put a bullet in her.

When her pure and innocent heart is offered to him, will this cold and empty hitman fall, or will he remain untouchable?

This book is the beginning of a wild ride in a trilogy that will make you wonder if the power of love can truly conquer all. Book one builds the tension for the passion and erotic connection that blooms in book two (Unforgivable), and book three (Untraceable) brings you to the astonishing conclusion of the star-crossed lovers.

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Spoiler Warning:

This plot was interesting and original but I had a few major problems the first being all the strong Christian undertones. I don't have anything religion but it was a little much throughout the novel. Annalisa all but forces Evan to go to church with her. I also couldn't get over the idea that Annalisa could fall in love with a killer. Not just any killer, but the guy who is sent to kill her. Let's be real he was willing to befriend a random innocent girl make her trust him and then turn around and kill her. Only a person with a serious lack in morals would be okay with that; not someone I would want to date. Also her reaction to the fact she has a death sentence is nonresistant she's like, "well, if you have to kill me, okay, just make sure you kiss me first. And make it quick." Oh Hell No! Who reacts that way?!? Evan was also a little pushy; it's rather creepy that he told her he wanted to sleep with her before he killed her. Annalisa has some serious flaws in her personality she should be running to the police protecting her own life.

Basically Evan's selfish he makes this girl fall in love with him only so he can get close enough to kill her. But he wants to sleep with her before he kills her, like that's not depressing for everyone involved. Annalisa loves this guy (killer) so much that she doesn't even care if he kills her. She is also rich so she could pay for someone to protect her and yet doesn't. It was all just unbelievable.

A.B.

Book Recommendation 

Providence by Jamie McGuire

 

This book continuously popped up in my recommended for you shelf but I kept putting off reading it. Once again this happened to be a book I never read the description before I started reading, luckily it turned out that I loved it. 

Struggling with her father's death, Nina meets Jared Ryel, presumably by chance. However it soon becomes clear that he knows more about her than even close friends. When her father's former associates begin following her in the dark, Nina learns that her father was not the man she thought he was, but a thief who stole from demons. In searching for the truth behind her father's death, she stumbles upon something she never expected, and something Hell wants, that only she holds the key for. Jared risks everything to keep the women he was born to save, by sharing the secret he was sworn to protect. 

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Spoilers Ahead:

I didn't really know what to expect out of this book but I must admit I liked it even more than Beautiful Disaster. I guess you could say Jarad was a little stalkerish by following Nina around but it was also his job and I found that so sweet that he fell in love with her from afar. Nina was a tad annoying but was also feisty and strong and you can't go wrong with that combo. She won me points when she wanted to give up being with Jarad if it meant keeping their families and friends safe. She took it a little far by dating Ryan, that was just unnecessary but also realistic. In life people tend to do that, date someone to try to get over someone else, that's more of a character flaw that you can't be mad at because it's human nature.  The supporting characters were also well thought out and helped the plot instead of hindering it. I think McGuire did an excellent job at creating a paranormal romance novel. This book also sets up the second and third book well without being a starter book. This book is good within its own right. All three novels have elements that connect and nothing happens that is just filler, which is important for any good novel.

A.B.

Book Review 

Always You by Kirsty Moseley

Riley Tanner has a best friend, the best friend a girl could ask for. He’s supportive, loyal, honest, trustworthy, kind, and thoughtful. He’s also the biggest player in school.

Their relationship has always been easy and affectionate, but after Riley’s month long vacation, things become a little strange. She starts to look at him in ways that go way beyond the ‘friend zone’. Add in her best friend’s rival, and things become a whole lot more complicated.

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Spoiler Warning:

From the first page I thought, oh great Riley is going to realize she loves her best friend and he doesn't love her back, but that wasn't the case. Turns out Clay has loved her this whole time, which is pretty cute, I like that part of the plot, he really loves and cares about Riley and he does everything to make sure she's happy. He's every girls dream guy he's sweet and he knows everything important about Riley. For god's sake he buys both kinds of her favorite desserts so they can switch half way through. How sweet is that? They struggle to find their way to each other but in the end they make it work. 

One thing I didn't like is that they got married. Seriously!?! They weren't even legal and yet they move out. I have to say I understand how their parents freaked I know mine would have if I came home married at 17; they also wouldn't have let me move out. Then again my parents never let me have guys sleep over at any age. I also can't believe they let them be alone together let alone go to Vegas with a bunch of friends. The lack of parents in these Young Adult novels is laughable. Teens shouldn't be reading about people who have the freedom to do whatever they want. It's just not realistic. 

I think I would have loved this book if it wasn't for a few key points, the teenage marriage being one of them, and the lack of parents. I would have been okay if they had gotten married right out high school but that and that their parents were never around and allowed them to get away with rather sketchy things made the plot unrealistic.


A.B.

Book Review

Crash by Nicole Wiliams

 

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

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

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

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Spoiler Warning:

This was an easy read to get through but it wasn't my favorite. Lucy meets Jude and you can feel the sexual tension between them but Jude makes a lot of mistakes aka he steals a car and things really don't work out between them and they decide to be friends. On her first day at her knew school Lucy is branded a slut because she knows Jude. I find it hard to believe that everyone knows they're friends on the first day and no one gives her a chance. The real problem I have is that in one chapter Lucy goes from the school slut to Homecoming Queen and a cheerleader a little anticlimactic...probably. There were things I liked about this plot and a few questioning situations or choices the characters made. Overall I'm on the fence about liking the book or not. I didn't hate it but I didn't love it either, I did like it enough to read the following two which I can tell you were a lot like this one. Its pace is frenetic and its overall tones is a bit dodgy, while the plot is very melodramatic. Although the two part ways in the end there is promise they'll get back together when they end up at colleges a few hours apart.

A.B.

Book Review 

Everything I've Never Had by Lynetta Halat

 

Celeste Hebert appears to have it all, but there are many things she's never had, been forbidden from having.

One night. One song. One kiss. The perfect trifecta to unleash the floodgates of a forbidden attraction between the widow and her husband’s bad boy cousin, Adrian.

Celeste endeavors to rebury the feelings that surface after this one night since her powerful family despises him. Kindred spirits, best of friends they attempt to douse their attraction; however, Adrian always seems to know exactly how to push her buttons and may prove too much to resist.

Having defied his family by making his way on his own terms, Adrian struggles to regain their acceptance. When he meets his cousin’s wife and wants her for his own, he feels he’s finally lived down to the title—black sheep. But, when his cousin dies unexpectedly, Adrian fights his attraction and swears to honor them both by helping her raise her boys.

Finding himself enveloped in a cocoon of love and acceptance, Adrian knows it’s more than just physical attraction. However, unforeseen events threaten to destroy those he now holds dear and his new found peace.

Will the ties that bind them be their undoing?

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Spoilers Ahead:

I enjoyed Everything I Never Had it was a different take on a romantic drama between a single mother and her new lover. What I didn't anticipate was the struggles they would face in the form of their own family. What I didn't get was why their family felt they had the power to keep them apart. Also why did the family want Celeste to get together with her deceased husbands creepy brother, instead of the cousin. Why were they all in favor of that? But that was also a twist that I never saw coming. What I didn't like was that it took forever for Celeste and Adrian to get together when there is no real obstacles but each other keeping them apart. Why don't they just get together and be happy?!?!? To me there's nothing more frustrating than when characters continuously make the same mistakes, or when no real obstetrical is keep them from being together. Without the part where the main characters get in their own way for a lot of the novel I think this book would have been perfect. It was romantic and yet a little bit dark.
  

A.B. 

Book Review

Fallen Crest High by Tijan

 

 

Mason and Logan Kade are two brothers who did their own thing. They were rich and expected to attend her school, Fallen Crest Academy. They chose public school and now Samantha has to live with them. The problem is that she doesn't care at all: about them, about her friends, about her cheating boyfriend, or even about her parent's divorce. But maybe that's a good thing. Maybe change is a good thing.

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Spoilers  Ahead:

I've never understood books, shows, or movies where the parents are never around. Is that a thing? Do people actually live their lives with no adult supervision whatsoever? But such is the life Mason, Logan, and Nate lead. They constantly throw house parties that often go late into the night. A major problem I had with the book is all of the characters in this are angry and bitter, and they all have an axe to grind with everyone else. One point I didn't understand was how Mason and Logan were treated like Gods because they were rich. The majority of people who thought they walked on water were private school students who should be impressed by money. They were also impressed by the numerous illegal acts performed by the brothers. 

I did like how real the Tijan made the new home life situation. Samantha move into this house with Mason and Logan and Sam's mom expects it to be a fairy tale, in reality life isn't so perfect. They all dislike each other and spend a lot of time in the beginning ignoring each other. I really hated how Samantha didn't advocate for herself. She spends a lot of time living a life she hates and doing nothing to change the situation. 

The point that I detested the most was when Mason, Logan and Nate, physically attacked Sam's mom by forcing a whole bottle of booze down her throat while Sam stood by and watched. Her mother was an unpleasant character but what teenagers attack and adult, and who stands by and watches? Honestly this book confused me more than anything else. I wanted to like this book I really did but I never really got the point or meaning behind it. It was full of spoiled and bitchy high school students who had no morals are redeeming qualities. Maybe the second and third books are better....


A.B.

Book Review

Beautiful Oblivion by Jamie McGuire

 

The Beautiful Disaster and Walking Disaster phenomenon continues with the release of Jamie McGuire's newest Maddox Brother novel Beautiful Oblivion. 

Fiercely independent Camille "Cami" Camlin gladly moved on from her childhood before it was over. She has held down a job since before she could drive, and moved into her own apartment after her freshman year of college. Now tending bar at The Red Door, Cami doesn’t have time for much else besides work and classes, until a trip to see her boyfriend is cancelled, leaving her with a first weekend off in almost a year.

Trenton Maddox was the king of Eastern State University, dating co-eds before he even graduated high school. His friends wanted to be him, and women wanted to tame him, but after a tragic accident turned his world upside down, Trenton leaves campus to come to grips with the crushing guilt.

Eighteen months later, Trenton is living at home with his widower father, and works full-time at a local tattoo parlor to help with the bills. Just when he thinks his life is returning to normal, he notices Cami sitting alone at a table at The Red.

As the baby sister of four rowdy brothers, Cami believes she’ll have no problem keeping her new friendship with Trenton Maddox strictly platonic. But when a Maddox boy falls in love, he loves forever—even if she is the only reason their already broken family could fall apart.

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Spoiler Warning:

What is it about those Maddox brothers? I personally don't find the whole tattooed possessive bad boy thing attractive but a tough guy with a heart of god is another story. And that's what you gt when you get a Maddox brother tough on the outside and sweet and caring on the inside. Although at the start of the book I assumed the plot was headed toward a love triangle or a messy affair but I was happily surprised it didn't take that turn. Beautiful Oblivion takes place right before Beautiful Disaster and runs parallel to Travis and Abby's story. It's interesting to see Travis and Abby's story from others perspectives and realize another love story was taking place while reading Beautiful Disaster. Camille dates the mysterious T.J. in the beginning he's never really around and is portrayed to care more about his job than about Camille. Evan after Camille and T.J. split we're never really told why she can't be with Trenton, she just says it's complicated. And enough time goes by that we known she's not pregnant or married or hiding the fact T.J. is gay. The one thing I wish is that McGuire gave us a little bit more of a hint as to why they can't be together or what makes the situation more complicated. The way the book is the ending and the complication is actually pretty awesome and one I never saw coming. And it's rather hard to surprise me.


A.B.

Book Review 

Thoughtless by S.C. Stephens

 

 

For almost two years now, Kiera's boyfriend, Denny, has been everything she's ever wanted: loving, tender and endlessly devoted to her. When they head off to a new city to start their lives together, Denny at his dream job and Kiera at a top-notch university, everything seems perfect. Then an unforseen obligation forces the happy couple apart. 

Feeling lonely, confused, and in need of comfort, Kiera turns to an unexpected source - a local rock star named Kellan Kyle. At first, he's purely a friend that she can lean on, but as her loneliness grows, so does their relationship. And then one night everything changes...and none of them will ever be the same.  

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Spoilers Ahead:

I personally hate stories about cheating, I think it's the most disrespectful and evil act someone can commit. With that being said, I enjoyed this trilogy. Enjoyed isn't the right word for this particular book, because this book ripped my heart out. Although I just wanted to shake Kiera and tell her to pick a guy and stop going between Kellan and Denny, we all make mistakes, Kiera's mistakes are ones I hope to never make in my lifetime. Although a lot of the blame goes to Kiera many of the characters contribute to the mess that is developed throughout the novel. Denny was selfish when he took his promotion and up and left Kiera alone. Kellan needed to be honest with Denny about his feelings for Kiera and he should not have settled for Kiera using him.

This is the first book in the trilogy and it provides the majority of the sorrow and pain out of the three books.The following two books allow the characters to develop and the story to progress. The major thing I liked about this book other than Kellan was that all the characters are real. The readers can connect with the characters emotions, they experience real feelings, and situations people go through during their daily lives. This book provides a roller coaster of emotion, that you hate to love. Overall this is one of my favorite trilogies as a whole, even though this particular book broke my heart.

A.B.