Showing posts with label drama. Show all posts
Showing posts with label drama. Show all posts

4/25/2015

Review: The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schneider

The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schneider
★★★☆☆
Release Date: 2013
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Age: YA
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Tragedy, Love, Coming of Age, High School
Format: ebook
Source: Library
Buy it: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Golden boy Ezra Faulkner believes everyone has a tragedy waiting for them—a single encounter after which everything that really matters will happen. His particular tragedy waited until he was primed to lose it all: in one spectacular night, a reckless driver shatters Ezra’s knee, his athletic career, and his social life.
No longer a front-runner for Homecoming King, Ezra finds himself at the table of misfits, where he encounters new girl Cassidy Thorpe. Cassidy is unlike anyone Ezra’s ever met, achingly effortless, fiercely intelligent, and determined to bring Ezra along on her endless adventures.
But as Ezra dives into his new studies, new friendships, and new love, he learns that some people, like books, are easy to misread. And now he must consider: if one’s singular tragedy has already hit and everything after it has mattered quite a bit, what happens when more misfortune strikes?
This is a good book, with great writing, that is mysterious enough to make you want to read to the last page and it had everything I needed in a story right now, because my one year old keeps me more entertained than a lot of the books I've sat down to read. But, this one kept me hooked because I had to know how it ended!

The Beginning of Everything is a good coming of age story about a boy who loses everything he thought he was made of only to gain perspective and become more of who he really is. It's funny, yet not mindless, and filled with witty quotes and kids who talk like adults. It's a YA novel that adults can appreciate as well and I found Robyn Schneider's writing style similar to John Green's. It takes place mostly over the beginning of Ezra's (OMG I love that name, Vampire Weekend anybody?) senior year when he becomes reunited with his past and realizes things are different from the outside. The reflective nature of this book is something I always love, characters who change and grow. Cassidy brings a puzzling nature to the story as the reader and Ezra try to figure her out. She's straight forward when it comes to speaking her mind but not her heart. Toby was by far my favorite character. He's Ezra's best childhood friend and they rekindle their friendship as if they've never parted. I think we all have friends like Toby and can relate to their relationship.

I will say, and nothing to do with the writing, but after reading the story I'm just not crazy about the title or cover of this book. I love them, but not for this story. Severed Heads, Broken Hearts is the UK title and I love that so much more for this story.

3/04/2014

Review and Giveaway: In This Moment by Autumn Doughton

In This Moment by Autumn Doughton
★★★★☆
Release Date: August 2013
Age: New Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance, College, Drama, Tragedy
Format: ebook
Source: Purchased
Buy it: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Every moment possesses its own kind of magic...
Aimee Spencer learned the hard way that for some moments, there are no take-backs, no rewinds, no do-overs. A year ago her world imploded and Aimee has been running ever since. She doesn't want to feel. She doesn't want to remember. To bury the ghosts that haunt her, she is living a life that has become unrecognizable.

Cole Everly is a golden boy with a cocky smile and an attitude to match. He's grown accustomed to girls throwing themselves at his feet, but when Aimee trips and literally lands in his lap one afternoon, she's not at all what he expects. Difficult, damaged, closed-off. If Cole needed to make a list of qualities to avoid in a girl, Aimee would probably match up with every single one of them. He knows that he should stay away but he's drawn to her in a way that he can't exactly explain.
In this honest and absorbing story, Aimee and Cole struggle to sort out the thin spaces between loss and love. Ultimately, they will need to learn how to navigate through the pieces of the past if they want to hold on to the future and each other.
I kept hearing about this author, Autumn Doughton, and was recommended her books a few times by trusted sources. I was browsing Amazon and In This Moment was only $.99 for Kindle so I snatched it up, read it through, and quickly became a fan of Autumn's myself.

Here's the thing about this book, it is nothing that stands out in the New Adult category. I spent the first half of the story thinking I had read it before (I hadn't) but it's so familiar and similar to the other books out there. There's the popular college jock, emotionally damaged loner girl, their friendship, their romance, rocky times, love, you know. For me, that was a good thing. I needed something to get me back into the reading mood; and Cole and Aimee's relationship pulled me in until I finished their story.

Cole Everly is all strength and charm, with a past full of girls that he doesn't care about. Aimee has had a difficult couple of years and isn't looking for romance and certainly isn't looking in the direction of Cole. She's guarded and locked away inside of herself. Full of blame and depression that's eating away at her, but meeting Cole was a great thing for Aimee. Slowly throughout the book the reader has the opportunity to watch her grow, trust, forgive and eventually love.

The mystery aspect of Aimee's past is enough to keep anyone intrigued and hooked. Autumn does a great job building up to the details of her past and the tragedy she had faced. She's a weak character, full of flaws; but those flaws and weakness make her the admirable survivor. I can't imagine the will it takes to make some of the decisions (good and bad) that she did. But I can appreciate how multidimensional she is.

This book features some tough issues, drama, and sadness. But, it's a book full of tomorrows and possibilities, it's uplifting and challenging and one to not overlook. It's not all dark clouds and sad eyes and it is very well written, lacking the cliches and unsympathetic nature that some books of this genre possess. I say read it! Especially if you enjoy New Adult romances, Cole does not disappoint ;)

GIVEAWAY
Enter to win a kindle copy of In This Moment!


9/02/2013

Series Review: Darkness by Claire Contreras

 There is No Light in Darkness (Darkness #1) by Claire Contreras
★★★★★
Release Date: January 10, 2013
Age: Mature New Adult, Adult, 17+
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Best Friends, Orphans, Family, Drama, Crime, Love, Suspense, Drama, Famous
Format: ebook
Source: Purchased
Buy it: Amazon | Barnes and Noble Currently only $.99!!
A past hidden in darkness. Her present cloaked in secrets. The future holds the only truth that cannot be escaped.
After the mysterious and violent death of her parents, Blake Brennan finds comfort with an unconventional family. As the dramatic loss of her parents continues to haunt her—and hinders her from reciprocating love that others give freely—Blake embarks on a harrowing journey in search for the truth.
Living in a constant state of fear and need for control, vivid nightmares reveal details that lead to perilous situations. The past begins to collide with the present, and Blake must decide if the truth is worth losing the ones she loves.

Can love conquer all as her past comes to light? Or will Blake realize that there is no light in darkness?

Darkness Before Dawn (Darkness #2) by Claire Contreras
Plus Epilogue (which is amazing!)
★★★★★
Release Date: June 2013
Age: Mature New Adult, Adult, 17+
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Best Friends, Orphans, Family, Drama, Crime, Love, Suspense, Drama, Famous
Format: ebook
Source: Purchased
Buy it: Amazon | Barnes and Noble Currently only $.99!!
Is love ever enough?
Faced with obstacles she could have never imagined, Blake is brought to darkness and back by forces in her past she never knew existed.
Desperate to stay connected to the only thing he loves, Cole is forced to revisit his past and align himself with the people who knew about Blake’s disappearance.
Separation has forced both Blake and Cole to learn how to live under the worst circumstances, each of them alone in their own hell.
When they reunite, can they be the same two people they were before darkness swept upon them?
Told in separate points of view, Darkness Before Dawn is the continuation of Blake and Cole’s fight to make it to the light
I started and finished this series yesterday, I know. And, I'm still speechless and in awe of how much emotion I felt for these fictional characters. Claire Contreras BLEW MY MIND. I knew this would be a good read because of all of the recommendations I'd received for it from fellow book lovers, but I wasn't prepared for how much it would take over my life! I am consumed with thoughts about the books, I can't pick up another book, I can't sleep, I had to come into my office sit down (bang my head on the desk a little, and it's a glass desk!) and get it all out before moving on with my life (which really guys, it somehow seems impossible right now to continue living as I did before). I'm going to attempt to turn this into something productive and not just a gushy mushy love-fest on how you just need to skip everything I say AND GO BUY THE BOOKS YOURSELF. 

ATTEMPT #1:

WOW...

UMMM...

UNABLE TO FORM COHERENT SENTENCES AT THE MOMENT...

K...

ALMOST READY...

PROCESSING...

When I began book one, There is No Light in Darkness, initially I was confused and flipping back and forth between new and old pages. I was rereading passages and trying to A. Figure out who was who and B. Figure out the whole story (because that's what I do). Umm.. Yeah. Claire Contreras is a SUPER SECRET SPY and you can't crack her code. No really. The way she unfolds events is on a mastery level that even I, avid reader and code cracker, was unable to pick. She shocks and overwhelms and then beats you on the head with the emotions pouring out of your chest! Just to do it all over again. The beginning was confusing, trying to figure out who was who, because Blake is a girl and Aubry is a guy and.. the way Claire constructs the introductions of everyone (or lack thereof, in the beginning) was mind boggling. Don't misread my feelings, I loved this and it was a fun start, diverse and kept me on my toes. Who needs to be spoon fed? We're all adults here. I went into the story blind, I feel like I'd read the synopsis before (like when I purchased book 1) but seeing as I don't know when I bought it, it could have been months ago. So, I didn't really know what I was getting into, just that I wanted to get into it. This book owns me right now, no exaggeration. I am pwned (no that's not a typo, it's a joke).

 This series is dark and deep and a messy messy emotional battle. It's not a light and easy read; it's intense and real, so empty some space out of your heart because you will need it. These books will hold you prisoner until the very last page. It's heartbreaking, earth shattering, and a paranoid little disaster of a story with broken pieces that throughout the story find their place among the rubble. I can't put down in words how deep this book ran in me and I can only try to express my love for the darkness that emits from the pages and buried into me. These characters are now part of me, this phenomenal writer has written her words directly onto my mess of a heart.

Blake and Cole. Blake and Cole. Blake and Cole... Oh Goodness. I have this thing for best friends turned lovers. I mean seriously guys, I married my best friend. And, this is just the type of romance that I ADORE. This book is by far MY NEW FAVORITE love story. The beginning whole book gives me butterflies just thinking about it. Their easy banter, teasing, and sexual chemistry was enough to hook me until the very end. The jealousy that rivets and the make up sex that follows, ahh, so much awesomeness. This is romance done 100% right. The best!

Blake has this family, the people she loves that she can count on one hand. And, I loved them too. Through everything they're there for her and each other. They all drop everything and come together constantly. Stemming from broken homes and meeting in the life and loving arms of a woman with the biggest heart ever, they build their own unit and prosper greatly. There is no shortage of secondary characters and each one is just as important as the leads.

Surrounding this series, especially in book 2, is major drama. Like, criminal drama. Crazy stuff. Crazy bloodlines and suspense and just so much intense action and sadness. I cried big fat crazy person tears all alone while my husband would walk by and wonder what in the world was wrong with me. Then he'd walk by and see my laughing hysterically; and know I'd gone off the deep end. Oh man. I was a big huge mess.

I'm giving this series 5 million stars and I'm placing it on my favorite, reread and will never forget shelves in my head. I was, am, and will always be blown away by this series created by Claire Contreras and I am DEFINITELY going to be stalking/following/reading everything she writes-from now on.

9/01/2013

Stay With Me Review

Stay With Me by Elyssa Patrick
★★★★☆
Release Date: August 2013
Age: New Adult, 17+
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Drama, Love, College, Famous, Rock Star, Actor
Format: ebook
Source: Author via Netgalley
Buy it: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
With one look, I’m his . . .
With one touch, he’s mine . . .
With one kiss, it changes everything between us . . .
I’ve been famous since I can remember. Singing, acting, dancing—I’ve done it all. The tabloids cover my every move, but I don’t want that anymore. I want to be normal, whatever that is.
When I leave Hollywood for college in Vermont, I’m on my own for the first time in my life. This is my chance to figure out who I am and what I want in life.
But it’s a lot harder than I expected. I can’t escape my image. Classes are difficult, and I’m struggling. And then there’s Caleb Fox.
Sexy, intriguing Caleb Fox.
Caleb is the one man who doesn’t want to use me. He breaks down my walls. He challenges me. He wants me. And I just don’t know if I can give him the same—or if he’ll stick around when he finds out my shameful secret that the tabloids haven’t managed to uncover.
Dating him is risky enough, but loving him could break me.
This book melted my freaking heart to the core! Caleb Fox is one considerate and down to earth sweet heart who completely knocked Hailey (and me) off her feet. Even as she fights it she can't help but let him into her heart. When things get crazy, he's there, comforting and supporting her. He is dreamy and so are his friends!

Plenty of times I've read books about the guy rock star and the normal every day girl. But, Stay With Me is about the girl rock star and the normal every day guy! Elyssa has mixed it up and what a phenomenal surprise it is! Thrown into the spotlight as a child and held there by a controlling parent, Hailey struggles to find herself in adulthood as she branches out on her own and finally does whatever she wants; which in this case is attend college.

Hailey's mother is crazy! She's a horrible person and parent and I can't believe the crap she continues to put poor Hailey through. The only good thing her mother does is build up her strength to shut her out completely!

On the opposite of the spectrum we have Caleb's family. A caring and strong unit that Hailey blends right into. His sisters were adorable and star struck, Elyssa couldn't have painted a better picture of them! My favorite member of the Fox household (besides Caleb) was Daphne (Hailey's new best friend and Caleb's younger sister) she was spunky and held her own secrets. Her relationship with one of Caleb's friends was an added bonus to the already great story!

 Stay With Me is a terrific terrific read, one that I couldn't put down until the end. I felt so many feelings throughout the book, so many emotions, and so much to love! The words flow easily from page to page and the love story is powerful and consumed me completely!

8/20/2013

Shooting Scars Review

Shooting Scars (The Artists Trilogy #2) by Karina Halle
★★★★★
Release Date: August 20, 2013
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Age: Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Dark, Suspense, Drama, Con Artist
Format: eBook
Source: Publisher via Netgalley
Buy it: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Sometimes the right choice can be the deadliest.

When Ellie Watt made the ultimate sacrifice for Camden McQueen, she never thought it would be easy. But walking away with her ex-lover, Javier Bernal, in order to ensure Camden’s safety has brought a whole new set of dangers. With Javier’s plans for Ellie growing more secretive by the moment, Ellie must find a way to stay ahead of the game before her past swallows her whole.

Meanwhile, Camden’s new life is short-lived. Fueled by revenge and pursued by authorities, he teams up with an unlikely partner in order to save Ellie. But as Camden toes the line between love and retribution, he realizes that in order to get back the woman he loves, he may have to lose himself in the process. He might just turn into the very man he’s hunting.

Told in dual POV from Camden and Ellie.
Shooting Scars is the follow-up novel to Karina Halle's Sins & Needles. If you've read Sins & Needles you already know that Karina had some big freaking shoes to fill with Shooting Scars. How do you improve upon perfection? Well, if you're Karina Halle that's pretty easy; just do what you normally do and then shake everything up!

Shooting Scars is in one word, INTENSE. It's filled with nail biting twists, anxiety creating adrenaline, and CAMDEN MCQUEEN. Karina is not afraid to be raw and real; she's also not afraid to do what you least expect and I'm pretty sure she doesn't care if you like it or not because in the end YOU WILL LOVE IT! I'm a huge Experiment in Terror fan and a huge fan of Karina's in general and this book simply rocked; it's a great sequel and I'm now anxiously awaiting book 3, Bold Tricks!

We follow Ellie and Camden's POVs in alternating chapters. We see where each of them are in this sequel that takes place right after the end of Sins & Needles that jumps right back into the story. In SS we really get to know Gus, and I must say I am a Gus fan! We also really get to know Javier and get inside Javier and Ellie's past and I must say I'm not okay he's growing on me entirely a Javier fan. I KNOW I KNOW, I'm having mixed emotions. Damn you Karina and your mind bogglingly (is that a word?) excellent writing, I SO DO NOT WANT TO LIKE HIM! I'm still rooting for Cam, and that won't change, but I'm... I don't even want to finish that sentence.

I found myself glued to the pages in the second half of the book and I was unable to look away. I was full on engaged in the story and am just a huge fan of Karina's writing style and these characters. Dex and Perry are awesome but I don't know; there's something about Ellie and Cam too. Karina is just fantastic, people; she is a writing Goddess and I promise she will suck you into this story and into the worlds of these characters and you will become an addict (like the rest of us)! So read EiT, read Sins & Needles, read Shooting Scars, and Keep Calm and wait patiently for the release of Bold Tricks! Haha, calm! Never!


7/28/2013

The Truth About You and Me Review

The Truth About You and Me by Amanda Grace
★★★☆☆
Release Date: September 8, 2013
Publisher: Flux
Age: Young Adult
Genre: Coming of Age, Contemporary Romance, Drama, Teacher, Love, High School, College
Format: ebook
Source: Publisher via Netgalley
Preorder it: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Smart girls aren't supposed to do stupid things.
Madelyn Hawkins is super smart. At sixteen, she's so gifted that she can attend college through a special program at her high school. On her first day, she meets Bennet. He's cute, funny, and kind. He understands Madelyn and what she's endured - and missed out on - in order to excel academically and please her parents. Now, for the first time in her life, she's falling in love.
There's only one problem. Bennet is Madelyn's college professor, and he thinks she's eighteen - because she hasn't told him the truth.
The story of their forbidden romance is told in letters that Madelyn writes to Bennet - both a heart-searing ode to their ill-fated love and an apology.
For me, this book was an okay read. It is a story that treads the water but never dives in. I wanted to be pulled under, but it never happened. My feelings for the characters never went beyond my initial takes, I didn't feel connected to their development and I really wasn't feeling their love. I'd say this is a coming of age book, a finding oneself book, more than a love story.

Maddie is a liar. Point blank. It's hard to even want to like someone who is supposed to be a genius but is, in all ways that count, quite the average person. The girl lacks common sense. What's that phrase, book smart but not street smart. Maddie's not life smart. She lures a teacher into a relationship built up on false pretenses and while she constantly thinks about the thing, her age, that separates them; she never once thinks about him (honestly). Their relationship is short lived and the way in which they fall out was sad, for him. He ends up losing so much more than she does. The ending of the book was by far my favorite part. Amanda Grace couldn't have concluded their story better.

The Truth About You and Me is told in the form of a letter. Maddie is writing a letter to help Bennett. Maddie is naive and young, it's hard to blame her for the way she acts because really; she's just a kid. As I got into the book I couldn't stop reading, I wanted to know what happened. I wanted to know why Maddie was writing these letters and I wanted to know how their story panned out. I was hooked in from the beginning and easily blew through the story. If you're looking for something light (even with the dense subject matter) and easy to get into, I recommend this one.

6/19/2013

Blog Tour: The Art of Love Review

The Art of Love by Anne Whitney
★★★★★
Release Date: June 17, 2013
Age: New Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Drama, Abuse, Art
Format: ebook
Source: Book Brats
Buy it: Amazon | Smashwords | Kobo
Marina Phillips has spent her entire life as her father’s victim. But enough is enough. All it took was one moment of realization to send her fleeing across the country into the unknown of New York City with no plans and no money. A new life without the constant torture is all she wants, but what she finds waiting is something she never expected.

Fitz is New York’s premiere playboy artist. Sexy, tattooed, and coveted by women and men alike, his performances are heralded as the coming of a new god of modern art. But when Marina wanders into his show, she becomes the inadvertent piece he’s always waited for – a girl to sculpt, to change, and to craft in his own image.

She never expects to fall head over heels into the world of parties, drag queens, agents, and artists craving for her and her benefactor. She didn’t even expect to begin falling in love with someone like Fitz, the sexy, pretentious man of her nightmares.

Above all, Marina never expects her father to stage a cross-country mission to paint her as a kidnapped girl taken by a psychopath.

With her life on the line, Marina has no choice but to accept Fitz’s proposal – change everything she is, inside and out, for the chance to start anew. But Marina has plans of her own. Plans that will rock her world forever.
This book.. Oh man, this book! It turned my world upside down for the 2 days I spent trapped in its pages and then it took another 2 days to recover from it! The Art of Love is raw and real, it's brutally honest and a thousand times broken. I am a fan, a huge fan!

Marina has had an upbringing that is unimaginably horrifying, and it affects her everyday. She picks up and leaves after an especially awful night and puts her old life behind her as she enters New York City without so much as a second thought or money. Once there she becomes a fixture in the lives of 3 artists who take her in and transform her into something new, something she doesn't recognize and hopefully neither will her past.

The first and most important of these artists is Fitz. He is eccentric and endearing, he's this crazy naked beautiful tattooed man with a history of secrets all his own, and he may know a thing or two about transformations. As a nude performance artist his work thrives when he gains a muse of his own, only Marina won't let herself open up completely and feels unworthy of love. Their relationship is tested throughout the book and I found myself screaming and yelling at these characters, who I wanted desperately to be together, to work it out. Fitz is a character that you can't help wishing he was real.

Derek is another performance artist, only not the nude kind. He wears clothes to his performances. Virdian is a painter, a Cuban painter! I never read about Cubans, which is crazy because we're AWESOME! As a Cuban myself I couldn't help but appreciate her goals of leading her own life and not succumbing to the future her family has laid out for her. She's kind of badass and protective of Marina, she rounds out the 4-some perfectly. The best part about this book is the family that these 4 characters make together. When Marina gets thrown into the mix it's like she's been living in NY all along. When her confidence builds it's like watching a baby bird learn to fly.

This book is just a phenomenal read, filled with cheeky moments and quite a bit of male nudity (who doesn't love that). We see everything in Marina's eye, as she is the narrator, but it would've been fun to have a looksie into Fitz's mind! It's a sweet and emotional story that is deep at times but quite funny at others. I'm head over heels for these characters and their daily lives and it makes me want to up and move and follow my dreams. Holding nothing back Anne Whitney delivers an exciting New Adult romance and coming of age that is leagues ahead of others in the category and features a dynamic set of characters in a new favorite story. If you're looking for a sweet and sexy romance, built around a deep and inviting plot this book is definitely for you!!

6/15/2013

Dirty Little Secret ARC Review

Dirty Little Secret by Jennifer Echols
★★★☆☆
Expected Release Date: July 16, 2013
Publisher: MTV Books
Age: Mature YA, New Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Music, Drama, Family
Format: ebook
Source: Publisher via Edelweiss
Preorder it: Amazon
Bailey wasn’t always a wild child and the black sheep of her family. She used to play fiddle and tour the music circuit with her sister, Julie, who sang and played guitar. That ended when country music execs swooped in and signed Julie to a solo deal. Never mind that Julie and Bailey were a duet, or that Bailey was their songwriter. The music scouts wanted only Julie, and their parents were content to sit by and let her fulfill her dreams while Bailey’s were hushed away.

Bailey has tried to numb the pain and disappointment over what could have been. And as Julie’s debut album is set to hit the charts, her parents get fed up with Bailey’s antics and ship her off to granddad’s house in Nashville. Playing fiddle in washed-up tribute groups at the mall, Bailey meets Sam, a handsome and oh-so-persuasive guitarist with his own band. He knows Bailey’s fiddle playing is just the thing his band needs to break into the industry. But this life has broken Bailey’s heart once before. She isn’t sure she’s ready to let Sam take her there again…
Jennifer Echols books have always been an escape for me, she has an uncanny ability to create likable characters and page turning plots. Dirty Little Secret, while a good read, wasn't quite what I was expecting. It is a novel filled with music, romance, and family drama. There were parts I loved, like when Bailey shows her raw talent, and parts that I didn't enjoy as much.

Bailey made me think of Rowen from Nicole Williams' Lost and Found. She's in a dark place in her life and she's hiding behind a mask, a shell of the girl she once was. She's left feeling betrayed by those closest to her and betrayed, in a way, by herself. In the book she is secretly pursuing her love of music in any way she can and trying to stay out of the publics eye as her sister chases fame and hits it big. She's given up on the life-long dream she's had, but is awoken by a chance encounter. The opportunity she gets when she meets Sam is all it takes to help her follow her dreams again.

Sam is one of those characters that is fun and endearing, easy to fall in love with. But, just when I thought I had him figured out he became this heartless mess. In his defense he makes his intentions to get stardom in anyway he can clear, but he ends up hurting Bailey in the process. When he turns back into his charming self I had myself doing double-takes, like, what just happened? I don't know what it was about him, but I found myself wishing Bailey would move on. He adds a great element to the story but I wish his character was a little different.

Bailey, from the beginning, was hard for me to reach and identify with. Her parents are awful and have no regard for her happiness or well being. She's not a strong character or a likable one. She's dark and moody, and really has every right to be.

I don't listen to country music, at all, but Jennifer left me fascinated. Her musical knowledge and obvious research (or experience) made her an expert on guitar chords and pitch. The book is very well rounded and well put together, fueled by family drama and enhanced by an interesting background rags to riches story, it is a book I couldn't put down and had to know the ending.

The thing that this book lacked for me, don't throw anything at me, was heart. I didn't connect with these characters like I wanted to, the plot was not executed like I was expecting; it's a Jennifer Echol's novel and I was looking for more. I am still a huge fan of hers but this one book fell a little flat for me. That's not to say that it isn't good, but it wasn't all-that for me, maybe for the next person.

The next Echols book on my list is Such a Rush. I purchased a copy a few months back and I plan on picking it up soon and checking it out!

6/14/2013

Left Drowning ARC Review

Left Drowning by Jessica Park
★★★★★
Expected Release Date: July 16, 2013
Publisher: Amazon Children's Publishing
Age: New Adult, 17+
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Drama, Family, Friends, College, Death, Depression
Format: ebook
Source: Publisher via Netgalley
Preorder it: Amazon
What does it take to rise from life’s depths, swim against the current, and breathe?
Weighted down by the loss of her parents, Blythe McGuire struggles to keep her head above water as she trudges through her last year at Matthews College. Then a chance meeting sends Blythe crashing into something she doesn’t expect—an undeniable attraction to a dark-haired senior named Chris Shepherd, whose past may be even more complicated than her own. As their relationship deepens, Chris pulls Blythe out of the stupor she’s been in since the night a fire took half her family. She begins to heal, and even, haltingly, to love this guy who helps her find new paths to pleasure and self-discovery. But as Blythe moves into calmer waters, she realizes Chris is the one still strangled by his family’s traumatic history. As dark currents threaten to pull him under, Blythe may be the only person who can keep him from drowning.
Ever since I read Jessica's Flat-Out Love, see my review here, I've been a stalker blog and facebook follower of hers. When I was on Netgalley and saw this title up for review I jumped for joy and thanked my lucky stars that I'm auto-approved for Amazon titles because I don't think I would've survived waiting for approval!

Just a heads up, this book is an all consuming ball of fire that will light up your life, and darken it too. Throughout this story you'll want to drink, you'll want to cry, and then you will cry. You will laugh, smile, and grow to respect and appreciate the loved ones in your own life. You will become a Jessica Park obsessee like myself and you will spend so much time going over the occurrences of this story that you will know each day by heart. You will rant, rave and recommend it endlessly and then you will want to email me so that we can compare notes. I'm not joking. I'm in love with unperfected perfection, I'm in love with faults, and I see beauty in excess baggage; lucky for me this one has it all. Left Drowning is one of those books that you read and it never leaves you, and you don't want it to. It's unforgettable.

My initial reaction after closing this book was pure sorrow. Only because I seriously missed these characters after barely finishing the last page. I didn't want it to end. From the very beginning when Sabin crashes into Blythe's life I knew I was going to love him. Then when we meet Chris I knew this book was going to be an all-time favorite, and it is. It is re-read worthy and every bit as fabulous as one would expect a Jessica Park novel to be. She takes fictional families and makes the reader feel every ounce of emotion she pours into the pages, it was an extraordinary experience to be introduced to these characters and I'm having a hard time letting go.

Blythe and Chris share one of those truly epic love stories. One built up from the beginning and all consuming, that have readers grinding their teeth and blushing at the same time. I would compare it to the feelings from Tarryn Fisher's novel The Opportunist, the early Liv and Caleb when they're in college. I loved Chris, he's beautifully broken with a painful past that mirrors and shadows Blythe's own horrors. Then I found myself waning to punch Chris in the nose. Then I couldn't stop crying and I had to put the book down to compose myself before diving back in. The connection that is clearly drawn between these two reaches farther than I ever thought it would. Way to go Jessica Park, I'm a mess.

From an unforgettable slew of characters to a beautifully damaged romance to discoveries and connections that will shock and surprise anyone, this book sits on the shelf among my favorites.

5/31/2013

Reason to Breathe Review

Reason to Breathe (Barely Breathing #1) by Rebecca Donovan
★★★★★
Release Date: June 2012
Age: Mature YA
Genre: Drama, Contemporary Romance, Abuse, Family, Friendship,
Format: Paperback
Source: Purchased
Buy it: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
"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?"

He knows there’s something more to the girl sitting in the back of the class the moment he sees her. She’s beautiful, intelligent, and athletic – but she slips quietly through the crowded halls, trying not to exist. Determined to get to know the elusive girl, Evan soon discovers… Emma Thomas is hiding a terrible a secret. 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.
I am still in awe with this story. I love everything about it. I think about it constantly and am slightly obsessed with the relationships in the book.

Reason to Breathe follows Emma through a traumatic and life changing junior year of High School. Suffering from an unimaginably brutal home life she keeps to herself wanting no attention because once people notice her they may notice the secrets she has hidden. She's smart yet quiet and best friends with one of the most popular girls at school who is one of the best friends a girl could have. When Emma opens her heart to the idea of being close with people she lets in a lot more than a normal high school life. Shaken and stirred Emma's invisible existence is turned upside when she's thrown into the spotlight at school which leaves her in the storm at home.

I was an emotional wreck throughout this book. Emma has got to be one of the strongest characters, I'd put her up there with Nastya from Katja Millay's Sea of Tranquility. She endures a lot and slowly begins to let people into her life.

Book 3 will be out in July, I'm almost done with book 2 and cannot wait until I get the chance to read the next book. I'm telling you now that if you read this book have the next book ready to read immediately after because you won't want to waste anytime. The cliffhanger is epic.

I love this book, Rebecca's writing and story is AMAZING. This breathtaking read will touch your heart and settle in deep. I highly recommend it to those looking for a drama filled contemporary romance set in a high school about a girl who is needing to be saved and a boy who is willing to only be her friend even when he wants so much more. I will definitely be checking out future Rebecca Donovan reads!

5/22/2013

Second Chance Boyfriend Review

Second Chance Boyfriend (Drew + Fable #2) by Monica Murphy
★★★★☆
Release Date: April 6, 2013
Age: New Adult 17+
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Drama, Love
Format: ebook
Source: Purchased
Buy it: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Lost. That one single word best describes my life at this very moment. I lost the last games of the season and both my team and my coach blame me. I lost the last two months because I drowned in my own despair like a complete loser. And I lost the only girl who ever mattered because I was afraid being with me would destroy her.

But now I realize how truly lost I am without her. She has become my story…and even though she acts like she’s moved on, I know she still thinks about me just as much as I think about her. She’s beautiful, sweet—and so damn vulnerable, all I want to do is help her. Be there for her.

Love her…

If only I could convince Fable to give me a second chance. Then I wouldn’t feel so lost anymore, and neither would she. We could be found together.

Forever.
With the way that One Week Girlfriend ended I anxiously awaited the release of this sequel. On the day it came out I purchased it, excited to get back into this love story. But like most books I buy, it got lost in my TBR pile. A month later I stumbled across the title in my kindle app and decided it was time to revisit Drew and Fable. Since it is the second book in the series I highly recommend reading book 1, especially before reading this review, but definitely before reading this book.

I loved One Week Girlfriend, the first book. I loved the sexual tension, the build up, the alternating POVs and most of all the friendship and love story that evolved between two wonderfully different but beautifully pieced together characters. The ending broke me, it had me screaming MARSHMALLOW in search of my own savior from the cliffhanger that was KILLING me. I think most who read One Week Girlfriend don't need to be persuaded to seek out this second book, for me it wasn't even a choice I had to know what happened next. This final book definitely sums up Drew and Fable's story for us. As a reader and fan of the first installment this sequel does not disappoint.

Second Chance Boyfriend begins two months after Drew leaves Fable. Fable begins working at a new restaurant and things are going great for her in that respect, but there's definitely a Texas sized hole in her chest whether she admits it to anyone or not. Drew's trying to help himself and is coping with everything in his life, but he still can't hear Fable's name without his body stiffening. As a reader you are dying for that moment when they see each other again as a firm believer in HEAs I was holding my breath for them.

Next to the lead characters, my next favorite is Owen, Fable's younger brother. I love Owen. I love the way he loves Fable like something fierce. He's strong and capable of anything if he keeps his head on straight. I'm looking forward to hearing his story! Like, really looking forward to it.

The villain of book 1, for me [and all of you I'm sure], was Adele. Woman is just wrong. In this book we're still dealing with the pain and emotional baggage Adele has caused and is causing, but I really came to hate, yes I said hate, Fable's mom. Her degree of carelessness and cruelty is unimaginable. Monica Murphy definitely pulls some strong feelings out of her readers and makes us experience the hurt with her characters.

Second Chance Boyfriend became a much darker story at the end. We see resolution and closure to a dark part of Drew's past. His secrets become revealed and repercussions occur. This along with the demons, or demon, of Fable's life build into a heart breaking yet uplifting concluding chapter. It was a rocky but beautifully constructed and executed love story. I recommend this series to anyone who will listen. If your looking for drama, romance, an unforgettable story, and well drawn characters then this one is a must read!
"Maybe it was a mistake leaving you.
 And I don’t know how to make it right.
 Regret fills me every single day.
 So much of it builds up I
 Hate myself for
 Missing you. Hurting you.
 And I want you to know i...
 Long for you
 Love you
 Others may come and go in our lives but...
 We belong together"

5/10/2013

Blog Tour: Lost and Found Review and Giveaway




Lost and Found by Nicole Williams
★★★★★
Release Date: May 7, 2013
Age: Mature YA/ New Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Drama, Family, Love
Format: eBook
Source: AToMR Tours
Buy it: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
There’s complicated. And there’s Rowen Sterling.
After numbing pain for the past five years with boys, alcohol, and all-around apathy, she finds herself on a Greyhound bus to nowhere Montana the summer after she graduates
high school. Her mom agreed to front the bill to Rowen’s dream art school only if Rowen proves she can work hard and stay out of trouble at Willow Springs Ranch. Cooking breakfast at the crack of dawn for a couple dozen ranch hands and mucking out horse stalls are the last things in the world Rowen wants to spend her summer doing.

Until Jesse Walker saunters into her life wearing a pair of painted-on jeans, a cowboy hat, and a grin that makes something in her chest she’d thought was frozen go boom-boom. Jesse’s like no one else, and certainly nothing like her. He’s the bright and shiny to her dark and jaded.

Rowen knows there’s no happily-ever-after for the golden boy and the rebel girl—happily-right-now is a stretch—so she tries to forget and ignore the boy who makes her feel things she’s not sure she’s ready to feel. But the more she pushes him away, the closer he seems to get. The more she convinces herself she doesn’t care, the harder she falls.

When her dark secrets refuse to stay locked behind the walls she’s kept up for years, Rowen realizes it’s not just everyone else she needs to be honest with. It’s herself.
Nicole Williams is an author that I sit on the edge of my seat when she announces new titles. I would stalk and follow her around like a lost puppy if I didn't have a job to get to and children to teach. And, the best part? This lady is INCREDIBLY sweet and easy to talk to! Meeting her last at RT was seriously the highlight of my year (and years to come).
"Rowen? Is something wrong?" He sounded like he was about to start snapping his fingers in front of my face. "Because your eyes are doing something kind of crazy right now."
That's because you're practically naked and were descended from gods.
Lost and Found is a story about a life changing move for Rowen Sterling. Relocated to a ranch in Montana Rowen agrees to work for the summer but has no idea what's in store for her. She trades in her fishnets and mini skirts for some jeans and boots and begins a journey of self discovery and ultimately finds herself and someone to love like she's never loved before. Shedding a negative skin and self image Rowen's transformation is uplifting and freeing, while she becomes better to and for herself she doesn't change who she is inside just makes herself a little better and adds some self worth.

Nicole does troubled boys right, we learned that with Jude Ryder; but what she does even better is troubled girls. Girls with secretive pasts, buried secrets, demons, problems, and mommy issues. Girls who wear their emotions in their makeup and hair color. Her characters in Lost and Found are immensely diverse from each other and the other characters of hers we're familiar with. The only similarities I found was that Garth made my skin crawl like Anton did. Nicole's writing and the way she builds up her characters around each other amazes me with each new book of hers I read, she is a GENIUS.
"That was one hell of a dance."
I loved the way Jesse and Rowen meet, I love the shock she receives when she finds out who he is, and I love the way their relationship forms. I also enjoyed his back story and his close relationship with his family. His mother, Rose, is amazing and one of my favorite characters in the book. Everything about this book screams masterpiece! Seriously. There isn't anything I'd change. Except maybe his inexperience, but that made the story just a little bit unexpected.
"I love you, and I'm sure, Rowen. Now why don't you help me figure out how thiat whole rocking-your-world thing works."
I'm no stranger to Nicole Williams writing and as a huge fan I can say that other fans will not be disappointed in this new love story. So, read on and share the book love! Then go read all of Nicole's other books (Up in Flames, Great Exploitations, Crash, and Eternal Eden[FREE]) you will thank me later!

ABOUT NICOLE
I'm a wife, a mom, a writer. I started writing because I loved it and I'm still writing because I love it. I write young adult because I still believe in true love, kindred spirits, and happy endings. Here's to staying young at heart *raises champagne glass* . . . care to join me?





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5/07/2013

This Girl Review

This Girl (Slammed #3) by Colleen Hoover
★★★★★
Release Date: April 30, 2013
Publisher: Atria Books
Age: Mature YA/New Adult
Genre: Realistic Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Drama, Love
Format: ebook
Source: Purchased
Buy it: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
There are two sides to every love story. Now hear Will’s.

Colleen Hoover’s New York Times bestselling Slammed series has brought countless readers to their knees with a whirlwind of love, passion, and heartache.

Layken and Will’s love has managed to withstand the toughest of circumstances and the young lovers, now married, are beginning to feel safe and secure in their union. As much as Layken relishes their new life together, she finds herself wanting to know everything there is to know about her husband, even though Will makes it clear he prefers to keep the painful memories of the past where they belong. Still, he can’t resist his wife’s pleas and so he begins to untangle his side of the story, revealing for the first time his most intimate feelings and thoughts, retelling both the good and bad moments, and sharing a few shocking confessions of his own from the time when they first met.

In This Girl, Will tells the story of their complicated relationship from his point of view. Their future rests on how well they deal with the past in this final installment of the beloved Slammed series.
This book is BUTTERFLYING PERFECT. It's everything a fan could ask for and everything we didn't think to ask for. This Girl is the third book in the Slammed series and I definitely recommend reading both book 1 and 2 before reading this review or this book. So go. Read them. Then email me so we can gush about how much we adore Will...

 Slammed and Point of Retreat were two of the most emotionally charged and inspiring books I've ever read. They sucked me in, held me, and consumed me wholly. This Girl is just about as perfect as a companion book to one of the greatest series could be. With all of the raw feelings and forbidden love seeping from the pages it's a book that I will be reading and rereading for a while to come.

In This Girl the reader has the opportunity to relive all of the happy and sad moment from Slammed in Will's point of view. We get inside his head and see what he was thinking when everything was going on. There's a little drama in the midst and some revelations leave Lake feeling insecure and hurt. This book ties up the series nicely as it flashes between the past and present as Lake and Will are on their honeymoon. Layken wants to know everything he'd been through when they fell in love and he expels all of his secrets for her. It's a beautiful and unforgettable story that ties into the other books well.

 Slammed was so fresh and deep and it stands out in the YA genre as something different. I love the poetry woven through out and I loved the poetry included in This Girl. Colleen Hoover, you wonderful author you, I just have to say that you have a gift, a real talent and I will definitely be reading anything and everything you write!

If you haven't seen them yet here are the new covers for Slammed and Point of Retreat!




MORE FROM COLLEEN
We know that I could go on and on about Slammed but let's talk about some other books by Colleen. Hopeless is one of my favorites (all of her books are my favorites) this one is truly a remarkable and unputdownable book and Losing Hope (from Holder's POV) is coming out in July! She's also got Maybe Someday, a New Adult stand alone coming out in 2014. Another title to expect from her in 2014 is Ugly Love. As soon as I hear or know more about these and other titles by Colleen I'll be sure to spread the news!

5/06/2013

Blog Tour: After Math Review and Giveaway


After Math (Off the Subject, #1) by Denise Grover Swank
★★★★☆
Release Date: March 12, 2013
Age: New Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Drama, College, Friendship
Format: ebook
Source: AToMR Tours
Buy it: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Scarlett Goodwin’s world is divided into Before and After.

Before she agreed to tutor Tucker price, college junior Scarlett was introvert, struggling with her social anxiety and determined to not end up living in a trailer park like her mother and her younger sister. A mathematics major, she goes to her classes, to her job in the tutoring lab, and then hides in the apartment she shares with her friend, Caroline.

After junior Tucker Price, Southern University’s star soccer player enters the equation, her carefully plotted life is thrown off its axis. Tucker’s failing his required College Algebra class. With his eligibility is at risk, the university chancellor dangles an expensive piece of computer software for the math department if Scarlett agrees to privately tutor him.Tucker’s bad boy, womanizer reputation makes Scarlett wary of any contact, let alone spending several hours a week in close proximity.

But from her first encounter, she realizes Tucker isn’t the person everyone else sees. He carries a mountain of secrets which she suspects hold the reason to his self-destructive behavior. But the deeper she delves into the cause of his pain, the deeper she gets sucked into his chaos. Will Scarlett find the happiness she’s looking for, or will she be caught in Tucker’s aftermath?
Scarlett had a very difficult life growing up and has resolved that her future will be better and completely in her control. She doesn't date much and doesn't put her self out there for rejection or in the public eye. When she tutors one of the Universities biggest playboys, Tucker, all of that changes.

On the outside Scarlett and Tucker are polar opposites. One thriving in the spotlight and one invisible in the shadows, but what the reader learns as the book continues is that they're more alike than anyone would've thought. Tucker opens up to Scarlett and while she slowly opens up to them their relationship then progresses quickly. While it wasn't insta-love it moved really fast for me once it got going. Scarlett moves from dating no one to talks of moving in together in what I felt was a very short amount of time.

Scarlett's dreams are ambitious and she's goal motivated to get somewhere in life, she questions Tucker's future and dreams and makes him think about what he wants from life. He's so good at faking happiness and Scarlett was great for him (and he was great for her). They didn't necessarily change one another but helped each other be the best that they could be.

As an anxiety ridden math nerd myself I could completely relate to Scarlett's moments of weakness, and I was extremely proud of the way she handled several situations (like when she's supposed to tutor Tucker and he's late). They compliment each other and Denise Grover Swank did a great job building on their characters and then building off of the other. They teach each other about loving another person, accepting that you can't change your past, and focusing on the road ahead.

After Math is a story about a roller coaster romance between a boy who feels guilty about his past and a girl trying to overcome hers. It's inspirational, sad, and easy to get into and lost in. Any fan of the new adult genre will enjoy the relationship between Scarlett and Tucker and appreciate the art of the heartbreak and chaos that ensue in their wake. It's a twisty, secretive, and a hard to put down read that I recommend to fans of Monica Murphy, Tammara Webber, Nicole Williams and Jamie McGuire.

ABOUT DENISE
website | facebook | twitter
Denise Grover Swank lives in Lee's Summit, Missouri. She’s a gypsy who can’t live in one place too long or stay in one genre. She writes contemporary romance, urban fantasies without vampires and werewolves, young adult science fiction, and romantic comedy mysteries set in the south. Denise has six children, three dogs, and an overactive imagination. She can be found dancing in her kitchen with her children, reading, or writing her next book. You will rarely find her cleaning. 

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5/01/2013

Crush by Nicole Williams Review

Crush (Crash #3) by Nicole Williams
★★★★★
Release Date: April 23, 2013
Publisher: HarperCollins
Age: New Adult/ Mature YA
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Football, Drama, Love,
Format: Paperback
Source: Purchased
Buy it: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Football glory. A giant diamond. A wandering eye.
Jude and Lucy are happily engaged . . . but that doesn't mean life's a bed of roses.
Once again, Jude and Lucy are torn apart by football training and a summer job that creates new tensions. This time Jude's the one with trust issues. Will Lucy's life-changing news bring them back together or end their relationship for good? Can love triumph forever?
I always find it extremely hard to: A. review a book that I love B. review a book that is part of a series and C. review a book that I LOVE. I guess I'll sit here and use shouty caps and attempt to explain why these books hold a special place in my heart and either you can sit there and listen to me rant OR you can go buy Crash and begin what is sure to be an unforgettable ride!

This is the third and final book of Jude and Lucy's trilogy, so, if you have yet to read Crash or Clash (WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!?) this may contain some spoilers for those books but I'll make sure not to spoil anything in Crush.

 Crush is without a doubt my favorite book of the Crash series. Nicole knows how to make her fans fall in love with her characters all over again. We have our fair share of Jude and Lucy drama (and then some), we have our "I'm going to be independent if it kills me" Luce, our "I'm going to take care of you" Jude, and all of the secondary characters that round out their crazy family! As far as sequels go, this is one excellent addition to an already phenomenal series.

Before I read Crush I reread Crash and Clash. Revisiting their senior year of High School in Crash and all the crazy drama that occurred, and then their first year of college in Clash, and finally ending with Crush was bliss. It reminded me all over again why I need a Jude Ryder jersey.

One thing I will say about Crush is that it is pretty predictable. Nicole gives us what we want and you can kind of see certain things coming, keep in mind these are things that I wanted and things I wouldn't change for anything in the world! She pulls at your heart strings, makes you a wreck, leaves you hanging, and then picks you back up. Ahh, I really loved it and can't wait to sit down and read it again. I love the way she concludes and nicely rounds out so much of the story and not just for Jude and Luce but Holly, Graham, and Little Jude as well. You're still left pondering some things but it's a nice even ending that is fulfilling and just plain perfect. There were so many times that I wanted to slap some sense into both of our main characters, Lucy over the whole admin thing and Jude, well read the book and you'll see.

I am a huge Nicole Williams fan and cannot wait to meet her Saturday at the RT book fair! I will no doubt be going crazy with anticipation! If your looking for an emotional and tear jerking series where the books get even better as the story progresses READ THIS ONE. I recommend it ALL the time and have yet to come across anyone who didn't like, love, or absolutely positively worship Nicole's wonderful story. Spread the book love!!

4/24/2013

Blog Tour: Twisted Perfection Review and Giveaway


Twisted Perfection (Perfection #1) by Abbi Glines
★★★★☆
Release Date: April 22, 2013
Age: New Adult/ Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Issues, drama, love, family issues
Format: ebook
Source: AToMR Tours
Buy it: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Life outside of her house was a new experience for Della Sloane. The dark secrets of her past weren’t something she ever intended to share with anyone. They would never understand. No one would ever get close enough to find out. There was always a chance she’d go crazy sooner than they expected…
Woods Kerrington had never been one to be attracted to fragile females. They seemed like too much work. He wasn’t in it for the work just the pleasure. A night full of naughty fun had been exactly what was on his mind when he’d laid eyes on the hot little number that didn’t know how to pump gas and needed some help.
What he didn’t know was she was as fragile as they came.
The carefree girl who spoke her mind and didn’t care what the world thought of her was more breakable than he could ever imagine…
Every time I read an Abbi Glines book I can't help but fall in love with the story, become immersed in the characters, and become obsessed with finishing the book. Twisted Perfection was no different, but it is a different kind of Abbi book. This book is darker and I found it to come just a little deeper than the others. If you thought you loved Rush and Blaire, well, Della and Woods will uproot and obsess you as well. A book about self discovery that winds up becoming about first love, changes, and facing your issues head first; Twisted Perfection is not only a must read for Abbi fans but New Adult fans in general. Plus, it's Abbi Glines so the steamy scenes are VERY steamy. ;)
"You're keeping these boots on. I want it all off but the boots,"
Della and Woods' story begins completely physical. And, we all know how well Abbi does the physical. Oh em gee, I'd lie if I said I wasn't almost panting myself. Yeah, that freaking good from the very beginning and only gets better as the book goes. But, as the book continues they get past (not really it's still there) the physical and move right into full on emotional upheaval in the form of their feelings, their pasts, and their baggage. It is an incredibly eye opening read that will not only have you smiling but crying too.

Della's on a mission to live, to discover life and where she fits into it. Woods is on a mission to secure his place in his fathers business at the Country Club, his plans don't include this sexy waitress but then he decides he wants her above everything else. And, DAMN does Woods do emotional and in love well! My only issue, his borderline obsessive behavior. Della makes a comment about not becoming co-dependent, but I found her to be exactly that. Does she need and want Woods? Yes. It works well in the story but stepping out of the bubble some of his actions are kind of crazy. He wants to protect her at all times and tries his hardest to make that happen. As the past is unraveled it becomes one of those books you will never forget.
"Baby, I'm so far gone you could tell me anything and I'd be okay with it. But, if it makes you feel better then tell me. I want to know everything. I want you to be able to tell me everything and have faith that I'm not going anywhere."
I grew to love with Woods in Abbi's Never too Far (Too Far #2) and was very excited to get the chance to read his story. And in true fashion when I read an Abbi book, I am floored. My heart can't take anymore, the ending was excellent, I can't wait to delve into the next book, and Woods is the guy I think a lot of women fall asleep dreaming about. Way to go Abbi, you still (and will forever) hold your literary rock star status!

We do get to see Blaire, but briefly which I was perfectly fine with. This is about Della and Woods and I wouldn't have had it any other way. I'm still desperately needing that third Too Far book, though. ;)

I know this is an issue for some, but I honestly have no problem with books in series, I HATE waiting (because I'm impatient) but hey what can I do. I actually love reading and owning series; it's like a world to escape too. And, I love how you can go from one series, Too Far, to another, Perfection, and see some familiar faces. Abbi Glines definitely fills this one to its brim, and then some, stuffing it with drama, passion and more; it's not a first in a series that's lacking it's perfect the way it is.

Woods and Della's story is complicated and rough around the edges, just how I like them. Their future will be hard work and uncertainty floods every corner, but together I think they can do it and I can't wait to read more. There are a few authors that I always get their books as soon as they are released and Abbi is one of them! Make sure you not only check this one out, but all of her books!!


ABOUT ABBI
Abbi Glines was born in Birmingham, Alabama. She grew up in the small town of Sumiton, Alabama where she left the summer she turned eighteen. She didn’t get far… she chased her high school sweetheart down to the coast and she’s been there ever since.
Abbi now lives in the quaint southern town of Fairhope, Alabama with her three children and husband Keith (the high school sweetheart she chased after). Her life is never dull and Keith always makes sure there is another “experience” for them to explore.
Books published by Abbi include The Vincent Boys and the USA TODAY bestseller The Vincent Brothers, Breathe, Because of Low, the USA TODAY bestsellers While It Lasts and Just For Now, The Existence Trilogy that includes the USA Today Bestseller Ceaseless, and The New York Times bestseller and Wall Street Journal bestseller Fallen Too Far and Never Too Far.
When Abbi isn’t locked away in her office typing away she is hauling her kids to and from their many social activities. You could say her second job is the Glines Kids personal chauffeur. It’s a rather illustrious job.



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An iPad Mini
International

4/02/2013

Going Under by S. Walden Review

Going Under by S. Walden
★★★★★
Release Date: March 14, 2013
Publisher: Penny Press
Age: New Adult, 17+
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Drama, Suspense, Abuse, High School, Love, Rape
Format: ebook
Source: purchased
Buy it: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Brooke Wright has only two goals her senior year at Charity Run High School: stay out of trouble and learn to forgive herself for the past. Forgiveness proves elusive, and trouble finds her anyway when she discovers a secret club at school connected to the death of her best friend. She learns that swim team members participate in a “Fantasy Slut League,” scoring points for their sexual acts with unsuspecting girls.
Brooke, wracked with guilt over her friend’s death, decides to infiltrate the league by becoming one of the “unsuspecting girls,” and exact revenge on the boys who stole away her best friend. An unexpected romance complicates her plans, and her dogged pursuit of justice turns her reckless as she underestimates just how far the boys will go to keep their sex club a secret.
(This is a New Adult fiction book with mature themes. It contains graphic sex and language and a description of sexual violence.)
I give Going Under 5 huge, larger than life stars and I need a drink, like a really big one (with an umbrella or something) but like straight vodka. Yeah. But, before I indulge..

Every now and then I read a book that strikes a cord so deep that I have to get my review out as soon as the last word is read. Going Under was one of those books. I cannot eat, sleep, or pay my dogs any attention until I address what an AMAZING and thought provoking book this is. It has the power to change the way you look at books and S. Walden has the ability to make the outside world disappear and allow only her fictional story exist. I have to share this read with all of you before I can move on with my life. Truthfully. So here goes.

From the very beginning I knew this book would be emotional and raw. I knew from the heavy subject matter that things were about the get crazy. Brooke approaches her plan for revenge head-on and as a reader it was an unforgettable journey through her approach and her self discovery. The shift in beginning Brooke to end Brooke is massive. So much happens between the pages, some of which I still can't wrap my head around, it's jarring and heartbreaking but at the same time it was kind of perfect, especially in the end. It's the kind of book you find yourself mad at, screaming at and rereading to make sure you got it right; then you find yourself shell shocked and numb. I was a lunatic throughout this book, looney I tell you. Totally murmuring to myself and stuff. Yeah. It'll do that to you.

The complexity of the characters and their well thought through (on the authors part) their lives, flaws, and everything in between is what kept me going back in for more. I couldn't get enough of Ryan, I was intrigued and disgusted by the swimmers, and fascinated with this mission that Brooke was on. She was a firecracker determined to set things right. Her plight was a redeeming quality, even when in the beginning she didn't have many of those to me. Her strength and pure force was something I never saw coming. I liked Brooke, throughout the entire book I liked her (even when I didn't) but she really transforms before your eyes. What was sometimes a juvenile story becomes a lot more.

Ryan was without a doubt my favorite part of this book. He's mysterious and oh so adorable; he was this complicated puzzle that I tried desperately to figure out before Brooke had the chance but I had nothing, I was stumped. And, I'm so happy for that. The relationship he builds with Brooke is intense and they become cute and comfortable together. I was lost in the passion I had for this book, which ranged from every feeling known to man S. Walden's writing elicited them all. Her twisting and turning events also kept me focused on this book (and nothing else, no really, I don't think I've done anything around the house since I started reading it).
""You don't know me from Adam," I said to her. She reached for a paper towel. "But that guy you're with is bad news."
"Huh?"
"That guy you're with is-"
"No no," she interuped. "What you said before. What does that mean?"
"What are you talking about?"
"That thing you said about Adam. Does Adam like me?" she asked, her face flushing a rosy pink.
Dear God.
S. Walden is kind of hilarious, even in a non-hilarious setting. This book is drama-filled. But, it's well rounded in that we have plenty of opportunities to giggle and grin at her writing as we're allowing our tears to dry. I'd say she's an equal opportunity writer, in that she gives us all a reason to love her; so whether you want to laugh or become emotionally spent, she's your girl. And really, while the entire book has a serious undertone most of the actual suspense and drama occurs more towards the end, there's some deeply seeded things throughout but I fell apart at the end. :) Just sayin.

An emotionally jarring, discussion starting, thought provoking, tear jerking book that I believe is a must read. It will sucker punch and blind you, no lie, but in its craziness and brutal force it will open your eyes while breaking your heart. Here's my prediction, this book will rock the charts. It will be big, huge, gi-freaking-normous and you're all going to enjoy it, every bleeping second!

While I loved this book, I loved the tears I shed and the emotionally draining yet satisfying story; it is not a story for everyone. It is dark and rough, and it is a topic that not everyone is comfortable reading about. There are plenty of happy moments and some cute and hilarious ones but it handles some intense subjects. I do believe it sheds light in dark places and is overall a story of survival and standing up for oneself. It's a ray of sunshine in a dark corner, and S. Walden did a remarkable job!