Monday, May 30, 2016

Book Review- The Lovely Reckless

I just finished reading The Lovely Reckless by Kami Garcia for an Around the World ARC Tour.

From Goodreads:

I’ve become an expert at avoiding things that could hurt me—which means I will figure out how to stay away from Marco Leone.

Seventeen-year-old Frankie Devereux would do anything to forget the past. Haunted by the memory of her boyfriend’s death, she lives her life by one dangerous rule: Nothing matters. At least, that’s what Frankie tells herself after a reckless mistake forces her to leave her privileged life in the Heights to move in with her dad—an undercover cop. She transfers to a public high school in the Downs, where fistfights don’t faze anyone and illegal street racing is more popular than football.

Marco Leone is the fastest street racer in the Downs. Tough, sexy, and hypnotic, he makes it impossible for Frankie to ignore him—and how he makes her feel. But the risks Marco takes for his family could have devastating consequences for them both. When Frankie discovers his secret, she has to make a choice. Will she let the pain of the past determine her future? Or will she risk what little she has left to follow her heart?


This book reminded me a lot of the books by Katie McGarry. I love those books and loved this one just as much!

I think I must love stories that have rich girls crossing over to the other side of the tracks.  Kinda like a backwards Cinderella story, if that makes sense.  The perfect girl with the perfect life that falls in love or becomes friends with people who don't have it so easy.

I really liked Frankie.  For the most part, I thought that she was so real and I felt bad for her.  I do think the romance between her and Marco was way too quick, especially since it had only been a few months since she watched her boyfriend being killed and still had PTSD about it.  But it is what it is.

I liked all the secondary characters too--Lex, Cruz, Abel, even the positive adults in the story.  They all had depth to them and I liked that.  

I do have to say that there is mystery in Frankie's boyfriend's murder.  And I did not see it coming.  

I really flew through this one.  Read most of it in one sitting and only put it down because I had to!

I gave this book a rating of 4.5/5.

*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Around the World Tours.


In My Mailbox- May 30, 2016


In My Mailbox: Here's what I got in my mailbox in the last 2 weeks: 

The Lovely Reckless-Kami Garcia--review for an Around the World ARC Tour











Chasing Stars (After Eden #2)- Helen Douglas--received from a friend












Walk the Edge- Katie McGarry--received from a friend












Unrivaled- Alyson Noel--from publisher for review

Monday, May 16, 2016

In My Mailbox- May 16, 2016


In My Mailbox: Here's what I got in my mailbox last week: 

MONDAY
My Lady Jane- Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, Jodi Meadows--review for an Around the World ARC Tour










TUESDAY
Sing- Vivi Greene--from publisher for review

Sunday, May 8, 2016

The Sunday Salon- May 8, 2016


The Sunday Salon

I finished and reviewed the following books last week:
The Orphan Queen by Jodi Meadows











I am waiting on a tour book to get here, and then I'll try to read In The Shadows by Kiersten White & Jim Di Bartolo again!

Book Review- The Orphan Queen

I finished reading The Orphan Queen by Jodi Meadows last week.

From Goodreads:

Wilhelmina has a hundred identities.

She is a princess. When the Indigo Kingdom conquered her homeland, Wilhelmina and other orphaned children of nobility were taken to Skyvale, the Indigo Kingdom’s capital. Ten years later, they are the Ospreys, experts at stealth and theft. With them, Wilhelmina means to take back her throne.

She is a spy. Wil and her best friend, Melanie, infiltrate Skyvale Palace to study their foes. They assume the identities of nobles from a wraith-fallen kingdom, but enemies fill the palace, and Melanie’s behavior grows suspicious. With Osprey missions becoming increasingly dangerous and their leader more unstable, Wil can’t trust anyone.

She is a threat. Wraith is the toxic by-product of magic, and for a century using magic has been forbidden. Still the wraith pours across the continent, reshaping the land and animals into fresh horrors. Soon it will reach the Indigo Kingdom. Wilhelmina’s magic might be the key to stopping the wraith, but if the vigilante Black Knife discovers Wil’s magic, she will vanish like all the others.

Jodi Meadows introduces a vivid new fantasy full of intrigue, romance, dangerous magic, and one girl’s battle to reclaim her place in the world.


It took me a few chapters to get into this book.  But once I did, I didn't want to put it down!

I loved Will.  I loved that she was a Princess and would do whatever it took to get her kingdom back.  She was strong.  But vulnerable too.  The perfect mix.  And I loved Black Knife.  I expected him to be mean and tough, but quickly learned how sweet he could be.  I thought I had his identity pegged, but I was so wrong.  Didn't see that one coming.  But it fit!

There was lots of action in this story, but not too much.  Enough to keep me hanging on and not turn away.  The ending with the wraith left me questioning things.  And then the very end was such a big cliffhanger!  I need to get my hands on the second book, The Mirror King!

I gave this book a rating of 4/5.

*FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Sunday, May 1, 2016

Book Sale!!



I'm moving and have to get rid of most of my books!  The books are for sale plus shipping (ARCs are 1 free for each book bought). I'm doing 2 shelves at a time, so I'll be updating every weekend!  Email belle2211@yahoo.com to purchase!

Check out what I have for sale--Book Sale

The Sunday Salon- May 1, 2016


The Sunday Salon

I finished and reviewed the following books in the last 2 weeks:
Unbreakable (The Legion #1) by Kami Garcia











I am currently reading The Orphan Queen by Jodi Meadows and up next is In the Shadows by Kiersten White & Jim Di Bartolo.