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.

Book Review- The Heir

I finished reading The Heir (The Selection #4) by Kiera Cass last week.

From Goodreads:

Princess Eadlyn has grown up hearing endless stories about how her mother and father met. Twenty years ago, America Singer entered the Selection and won the heart of Prince Maxon—and they lived happily ever after. Eadlyn has always found their fairy-tale story romantic, but she has no interest in trying to repeat it. If it were up to her, she'd put off marriage for as long as possible.

But a princess's life is never entirely her own, and Eadlyn can't escape her very own Selection—no matter how fervently she protests.

Eadlyn doesn't expect her story to end in romance. But as the competition begins, one entry may just capture Eadlyn's heart, showing her all the possibilities that lie in front of her . . . and proving that finding her own happily ever after isn't as impossible as she's always thought.

Yup--once again this show reminds me of one of my favorite reality TV shows, except this time it's the Bachelorette since it's told from the lady's point of view.  So of course I dug in.  And loved every bit of it!

I was a little thrown off that Prince Maxon's child was a teenager at first.  But I absolutely loved Eadlyn.  She was spunky and independent and knew her faults.  But she also wasn't afraid to admit when she was wrong.  I loved the family dynamics between her and her parents along with her twin brother and two younger brothers.

And it was fun to read about how a bunch of guys trying to win her heart would act.  I fell in love with several of them.  And I definitely have my 2 favorites.  I'm going with Kile, who she grew up with, and Erik, the translator.

My one complaint--we don't find out who she chooses!  I have to wait until the next book to find out! And I don't want to!  This was one of my favorite books of the year!

I gave this book a rating of 4.5/5.  

*FTC Disclosure: I traded this book with a friend.

Book Review- Walk on Earth a Stranger

I finished Walk on Earth a Stranger by Rae Carson last week for an Around the World ARC Tour.

From Goodreads:

Lee Westfall has a secret. She can sense the presence of gold in the world around her. Veins deep beneath the earth, pebbles in the river, nuggets dug up from the forest floor. The buzz of gold means warmth and life and home—until everything is ripped away by a man who wants to control her. Left with nothing, Lee disguises herself as a boy and takes to the trail across the country. Gold was discovered in California, and where else could such a magical girl find herself, find safety?

Walk on Earth a Stranger, the first book in this new trilogy, introduces—as only Rae Carson can—a strong heroine, a perilous road, a fantastical twist, and a slow-burning romance. Includes a map and author’s note on historical research.

I don't really do historical books.  They tend to bore me.  So I almost passed this one up.  Luckily the owner of the blog tours I participated in told me I needed to read it, and I'm so glad she did!

Reading this book was like reading about the real life Oregon Trail game (which I loved when I was in elementary school!).  Seriously--illness, and hunger, and oxen, and covered wagons!  Life back then was so hard and reading about the trials of going across the country for the gold rush really interested me.  

I know that Leah had a secret power of being able to sense gold but I don't feel like it was a huge part of the story.  I mean, it was a huge part in the reason she was going across country in the first place, but I don't feel like her power was a major force in the book.

I really enjoyed all of the characters.  I loved how strong Leah was yet she still had a bit of girly-ness to her.  And all of the side characters on her journey kept me interested as well.

I'm glad to see that this is going to be a trilogy.  I'll definitely be picking up the next one.  Now excuse me while I go play Oregon Trail.

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.

Book Review- The Lies About Truth

I finished reading The Lies About Truth by Courtney C. Stevens last night for an Around the World ARC Tour.

From Goodreads:

Sadie Kingston, is a girl living in the aftermath. A year after surviving a car accident that killed her friend Trent and left her body and face scarred, she can’t move forward. The only person who seems to understand her is Trent’s brother, Max.

As Sadie begins to fall for Max, she's unsure if she is truly healed enough to be with him — even if Max is able to look at her scars and not shy away. But when the truth about the accident and subsequent events comes to light, Sadie has to decide if she can embrace the future or if she'll always be trapped in the past.

Wow I really got sucked into this book!  It's been quite a while since I've had to make myself put down a book and go to bed.

There were so many things I liked about this book.  It was such a sad and tragic story yet there was an underlying of Hope.  Sadie life was flipped upside down and she's grieving but going about it in the right way.  I loved her.  She was funny and sweet.  I loved her relationships with people--her parents were amazingly supportive, her relationship with Max was real and deep, her relationship with her friends--yes she had to learn how to forgive them but she knew she wanted to and took the steps to do it, even her relationship with her psychologist was real, not your typical misery and hate.  And I thought her outlook on her scars were refreshing too.  She's a teenager--she's going to try to hide them.  But I liked how she named them and embraced them privately and then slowly in public.

There were definitely some secrets that came on in the book.  A few that I had an idea about but a few that totally threw me for a loop.  

I enjoyed reading this book of Saide's journey to healing.  It was real and emotional and leaves you feeling hopeful.

I gave this book a rating of 4.5/5.

The Lies About Truth will be released on November 3, 2015.

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

Book Review--Jesse's Girl

A few days ago, I started AND finished Jesse's Girl by Miranda Kenneally all in one day!

From Goodreads:

Everyone at Hundred Oaks High knows that career mentoring day is a joke. So when Maya Henry

But spending the day with Jesse is far from a dream come true. He’s as gorgeous as his music, but seeing all that he’s accomplished is just a reminder of everything Maya’s lost: her trust, her boyfriend, their band, and any chance to play the music she craves. Not to mention that Jesse’s pushy and opinionated. He made it on his own, and he thinks Maya’s playing back up to other people’s dreams. Does she have what it takes to follow her heart—and go solo?
said she wanted to be a rock star, she never imagined she’d get to shadow *the* Jesse Scott, Nashville’s teen idol.

It's been a long time since I've sat down and finished a book in one sitting.  I thought I liked Miranda Kenneally's books because of the sports aspect, but this one didn't have anything to do with sports so it's gotta be her writing style.

I loved Maya.  I loved that she had a rock star side, which I don't normally like, but with a girly touch.  And I liked Jesse, once you got past his tough guy front.  They were an unlikely pair but it worked.

I found myself just as intrigued in this music world as I was in the sports world of Hundred Oaks.  And I love how all of the characters in this series (well, it's not a series but a set of books with related characters) and related back to one another just slightly.  I can't wait to see what the next books will be about!

I gave this book a rating of 4.5/5.

Jesse's Girl will be released on July 7, 2015.

*FTC Disclosure: I borrowed this book from a friend.

Book Review- The Secrets We Keep

I started AND finished The Secrets We Keep by Trisha Leaver for an Around the World ARC Tour.

From Goodreads:

A girl takes over her twin sister's identity in this emotionally charged page-turner about the complicated bond between sisters.

Ella and Maddy Lawton are identical twins. Ella has spent her high school years living in popular Maddy's shadows, but she has never been envious of Maddy. In fact, she's chosen the quiet, safe confines of her sketchbook over the constant battle for attention that has defined Maddy's world.

When—after a heated argument—Maddy and Ella get into a tragic accident that leaves her sister dead, Ella wakes up in the hospital surrounded by loved ones who believe she is Maddy. Feeling responsible for Maddy's death and everyone's grief, Ella makes a split-second decision to pretend to be Maddy. Soon, Ella realizes that Maddy's life was full of secrets. Caught in a web of lies, Ella is faced with two options—confess her deception or live her sister's life.

I know I've said it before, but I've always been fascinated by twins (and even married one) so I knew I had to read this story.  And it didn't let me down.

I was instantly hooked reading this story and finished it in about 2 hours--all without getting off the couch.  I was so drawn in to Ella's world.  I could FEEL her pain.  And I could understand why she decided to be Maddy but I can't even imagine how hard that must have been.

There was a little twist in the story, with Maddy's secret but it wasn't the main point of the book.  It was more about the pain of losing your other half and coming to understand just who she really was.

As for the boys, I really liked them both.  I didn't want to like Alex since it seemed like Maddy's choice of friends was questionable but he fully and completely loved Maddy.  And then Josh.  How oblivious were both he and Ella not to see that there was something there from the beginning?!?!

And while the story does wrap up quite nicely, I would eagerly read a story about what happens next!

One of my favs of the year!

I gave this book a rating of 4.5/5.

The Secrets We Keep will be released on April 28, 2014.

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

Book Review- Whatever Life Throws at You

I finished reading Whatever Life Throws at You by Julie Cross yesterday.

From Goodreads:

Life loves a good curveball…

Seventeen-year-old Annie Lucas's life is completely upended the moment her dad returns to the major leagues as the new pitching coach for the Kansas City Royals. Now she's living in Missouri (too cold), attending an all-girls school (no boys), and navigating the strange world of professional sports. But Annie has dreams of her own—most of which involve placing first at every track meet…and one starring the Royals' super-hot rookie pitcher.

But nineteen-year-old Jason Brody is completely, utterly, and totally off-limits. Besides, her dad would kill them both several times over. Not to mention Brody has something of a past, and his fan club is filled with C-cupped models, not smart-mouthed high school “brats” who can run the pants off every player on the team. Annie has enough on her plate without taking their friendship to the next level. The last thing she should be doing is falling in love.

But baseball isn't just a game. It's life. And sometimes, it can break your heart…

I am so thankful that a friend of mine recommended this book because I normally would have passed right over it.  But she knows I love sports books AND this book had running in it so I followed her advice and gave it a shot.  And I loved it!

I loved Annie and Brody together.  Their relationship just worked so well.  I loved how they played off each other and were sarcastic with each other.  So true to life (at least with me!)  

I loved reading about the sports aspect.  I have to say how hilarious I find it that this book was about the Kansas City Royals and how their team is horrible, which is true in real life....EXCEPT this year!  Just like in the book, the Royals are currently in the World Series this year!  Hmm..maybe the author can see the future?!?!  I also loved reading about the running.  I related to so much of it (especially the weird cravings for hot dogs!)  

And the ending---happily ever after, of course!

I gave this book a rating of 4.5/5.

*FTC Disclosure: I borrowed this book from a friend.

Book Review- White Hot Kiss

I just finished reading White Hot Kiss (The Dark Elements #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout.

From Goodreads:

One kiss could be the last.

Seventeen-year-old Layla just wants to be normal. But with a kiss that kills anything with a soul, she's anything but normal. Half demon, half gargoyle, Layla has abilities no one else possesses.

Raised among the Wardens—a race of gargoyles tasked with hunting demons and keeping humanity safe—Layla tries to fit in, but that means hiding her own dark side from those she loves the most. Especially Zayne, the swoon-worthy, incredibly gorgeous and completely off-limits Warden she's crushed on since forever.

Then she meets Roth—a tattooed, sinfully hot demon who claims to know all her secrets. Layla knows she should stay away, but she's not sure she wants to—especially when that whole no-kissing thing isn't an issue, considering Roth has no soul.

But when Layla discovers she's the reason for the violent demon uprising, trusting Roth could not only ruin her chances with Zayne… it could brand her a traitor to her family. Worse yet, it could become a one-way ticket to the end of the world.

After reading the prequel, I couldn't wait to start this book.  And it didn't disappoint!  I loved reading about the girl who was half demon, half gargoyle/Warden.  I found it so intriguing to read about both sides of her.

And speaking of both sides..the boys from both sides are H-O-T.  I've said it before, but I'm not usually the girl that goes for the bad boy.  But Roth just had something in him that didn't scream bad boy to me.  And the ending proved this.  Then wholesome Zayne is totally my type.  If I were Layla, I wouldn't have had a clue who to pick!  And the scenes between her and Roth are scorching!

There were some nice little twists and turns in the book and the ending made me feel sad.  I have the next book, Stone Cold Touch to read next but I haven't even let myself read the synopsis.  I don't want anything to be spoiled.  I can only hope it's as good as this one is!

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.

Book Review- After I Do

Yesterday, I finished After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid for a BookSparks Summer Reading Blog Tour.


About the book:

 When Lauren and Ryan’s marriage reaches the breaking point, they come up with an unconventional plan. They decide to take a year off in the hopes of finding a way to fall in love again. One year apart, and only one rule: they cannot contact each other. Aside from that, anything goes.

 Lauren embarks on a journey of self-discovery, quickly finding that her friends and family have their own ideas about the meaning of marriage. These influences, as well as her own healing process and the challenges of living apart from Ryan, begin to change Lauren’s ideas about monogamy and marriage. She starts to question: When you can have romance without loyalty and commitment without marriage, when love and lust are no longer tied together, what do you value? What are you willing to fight for?

 This is a love story about what happens when the love fades. It’s about staying in love, seizing love, forsaking love, and committing to love with everything you’ve got. And above all, After I Do is the story of a couple caught up in an old game—and searching for a new road to happily ever after.

Wow.  Right from the beginning I completely felt for Lauren.  The backflashes of their relationship when they were still in love and the scenes in current day where you could feel how they'd grown apart.  And I got it.  It hit home in some ways.  I  miss the days where you get butterflies hearing you significant other's voice.  The days where he/she tried to impress you and make you happy.  The days where you'd primp for him/her instead of wearing pajamas for most of the days on weekends.  Luckily, we've never had the "I can't stand each other feelings" and I can't imagine being as okay as Lauren was when they split.  I know marriage takes a lot of work and I hope ours never reaches that point.

I liked that Lauren grew so much during their one year apart.  There are some things that happen during the separation that I think would bug me if it were happening to me and I'm not sure I'd ever get over it.  You'll have to find out for yourself if Ryan and Lauren do.  I'd definitely recommend this book.  I think everyone can relate in some way.

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 BookSparks Summer Reading Challenge Book Tour.


Praise for the book:

 “Moving, gorgeous and, at times, heart-wrenching. Taylor Jenkins Reid writes with wit and true emotion that you can feel. Read it, savor it, share it.” – Sarah Jio, New York Times bestselling author of The Violets of March


Buy the book
~Amazon Paperback
~Amazon Kindle


About the author:

 Taylor Jenkins Reid is an author and essayist from Acton, Massachusetts. She graduated from Emerson College with a degree in Media Studies. Her first novel, Forever, Interrupted, was named one of the “11 Debuts We Love” by Kirkus Reviews. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Alex, and her dog, Rabbit. Her forthcoming novel, After I Do , will be published July 1, 2014.


Connect with the author:

~Facebook
~Twitter
~Website
~ Goodreads

Book Review- The One

I finished reading The One (The Selection #3) by Kiera Cass yesterday.

From Goodreads:

The highly anticipated third book in Kiera Cass's #1 New York Times bestselling Selection series, The One will captivate readers who love dystopian YA fiction and fairy tales. The One is perfect for the fans who have followed America's whirlwind romance since it began—and a swoon-worthy read for teens who have devoured Veronica Roth's Divergent, Ally Condie's Matched, or Lauren Oliver's Delirium.

The Selection changed America Singer's life in ways she never could have imagined. Since she entered the competition to become the next princess of Illéa, America has struggled with her feelings for her first love, Aspen—and her growing attraction to Prince Maxon. Now she's made her choice . . . and she's prepared to fight for the future she wants.

Find out who America will choose in The One, the enchanting, beautifully romantic third book in the Selection series!

Once again, this book so reminded me of the Bachelor series!  And I'm a fan of the show, so that's a good thing!  I couldn't quite remember everything that happened in the previous two books but it didn't matter too much.

Looking back on my review, at the end of the Elite, I wasn't really fond of either Aspen or Maxon.  But in this book I really liked Maxon.  I thought he was so sweet to America and his intentions were well meant.  Aspen, however was still just okay.

There were definitely some twists in this book.  In fact, at one point, I was at work reading on break and I literally gasped out loud and covered my mouth.  Break was over right at the point and I was frustrated because I just wanted to keep reading!

I thought that this was a trilogy, but I see that a fourth book is coming out next year and a fifth book is in the works!  And there are a couple of novellas/short stories to keep me busy too!

I gave this book a rating of 4.5/5.

*FTC Disclosure: I received this copy of the book from a friend.

Book Review- Divergent

I finished reading Divergent by Veronica Roth early yesterday morning.

From Goodreads:

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue--Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is--she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are--and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, Tris also learns that her secret might help her save the ones she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

This is the first time I've ever seen a movie and then read the book right after.  Usually it's the other way around or there will be years in between.  So it felt a little weird to be reading the book and having the images in my mind already formed from the movie I'd seen.

In any case, I really enjoyed both book and movie.  I went into the movie not having any kind of idea what it was about--at all!  And after reading the book, I think the movie kept to it pretty well.

I got so engrossed in Tris's choices.  How she went from one extreme to the other and overcame so many odds against her.  I think I liked her relationship with Four better in the movie, maybe because you could actually see the connection.

The factions also really intrigued me.  As I was reading, I kept finding myself trying to figure out which one I would choose and couldn't figure it out.  So I went to the Divergent movie website to take the aptitude quiz...and my results sounded about right!

I would be a mix of all of them!

Anyways, I can't wait to read the next book in the series, Insurgent!  I have absolutely no clue what it's about and I intend to keep it that way!

I gave this book a rating of 4.5/5.

*FTC Disclosure: I borrowed this book from a friend.

Book Review- Better Off Friends

I finished reading Better Off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg today.

From Goodreads:

For Macallan and Levi, it was friends at first sight. Everyone says guys and girls can’t be just friends, but these two are. They hang out after school, share tons of inside jokes, their families are super close, and Levi even starts dating one of Macallan’s friends. They are platonic and happy that way.

Eventually they realize they’re best friends — which wouldn’t be so bad if they didn’t keep getting in each other’s way. Guys won’t ask Macallan out because they think she’s with Levi, and Levi spends too much time joking around with Macallan, and maybe not enough time with his date. They can’t help but wonder . . . are they more than friends or are they better off without making it even more complicated?

From romantic comedy superstar Elizabeth Eulberg comes a fresh, fun examination of a question for the ages: Can guys and girls ever really be just friends? Or are they always one fight away from not speaking again — and one kiss away from true love?

I so enjoyed this story.  It was told by Macallan and Levi in alternating chapters of their view of their friendship together.  And in between chapters is commentary from them in current day.  Yes, you can probably guess the ending, but the getting there made the story.

Both Macallan and Levi are such great characters.  They grew up during their friendship and faced challenges that all teens face (and then some).  Nothing was overly dramatic.  Just real.  And I loved their banter and the way they were together.  Whether they ended up as a couple or as just friends--one thing was obvious--they were soul mates (this was never said in the book but I just feel that sometimes best friends can be soul mates).

If I had one complaint, and that's minor, it would be that I wish that there was more current day happenings at the end of the story.  I wanted more (that's not a bad thing).  I just couldn't get enough of the two of them!  I wouldn't be mad if the idea of a sequel came about.  Definitely one of my favs of the year so far!

I gave this book a rating of 4.5/5.


*FTC Disclosure: This book was given to me for free by the publisher for a honest review.

Book Review- Hex Hall

I just finished reading Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins.

From Goodreads:

Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It's gotten her into a few scrapes.

Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie's estranged father--an elusive European warlock--only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it's her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters.
 
By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tagalong ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire student on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect.
 
As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her.

Cindy from Princess Bookie knows what's on my bookshelves and asked if she could pick what I read next.  I said sure and she picked Hex Hall for me since I love books about boarding schools.  And she was sooo right!  I loved this book!

This book was light and funny and I loved Sophie's sense of humor.  I also loved her sense of loyalty and her good heart.  I also enjoyed the side characters of Elodie and Archer.  I certainly didn't want to like Elodie but for some reason I did.  And Archer too!

This book was a fun way of looking at the life of witches, fairies, shapeshifters, werewolves, and vampires.  I loved how they all interacted and lived together. 

There were some surprises that I enjoyed and didn't see coming.  Always love when that happens!  I have the next book in the series, Demonglass, in my hands and I can't wait to start!

I gave this book a 4.5 out of 5 rating.

This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2013 150+ Reading Challenge: 52
2013 ARC Reading Challenge: 31
2013 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 41
2013 Embarrassment of Riches TBR Reading Challenge: 6

*FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher for a review. 



 

Book Review- Perfect Ruin

I just finished reading Perfect Ruin (The Internment Chronicles #1) by Lauren DeStefano for an Around the World ARC Tour.

From Goodreads:

On Internment, the floating island in the clouds where 16-year-old Morgan Stockhour lives, getting

too close to the edge can lead to madness. Even though Morgan's older brother, Lex, was a Jumper, Morgan vows never to end up like him. She tries her best not to mind that her life is orderly and boring, and if she ever wonders about the ground, and why it is forbidden, she takes solace in best friend Pen and her betrothed, Basil.

Then a murder, the first in a generation, rocks the city. With whispers swirling and fear on the wind, Morgan can no longer stop herself from investigating, especially when she meets Judas. He is the boy being blamed for the murder — betrothed to the victim — but Morgan is convinced of his innocence. Secrets lay at the heart of Internment, but nothing can prepare Morgan for what she will find — or who she will lose.

I have been in such a reading slump lately.  I haven't been excited to pick up the books I've been reading.  And I couldn't really get into anything.  Until I picked up Perfect Ruin.  This book got my out of my slump, and quickly!

I absolutely love this story.  I loved the plot and the characters.  I loved the writing.  Just a great all-around book.

The plot is completely original.  A whole city up in the clouds.  The people who live in the city know about the ground but aren't allowed to try to get there.  In fact, those that do try, are called "Jumpers" and are almost disgraced.  It was so neat to read about this world and it's rules.  The whole idea of being betrothed seems archaic yet in this world there's something romantic about it.  How this person is perfect for you and you've known it since birth.

And then I loved all the characters.  Morgan is the perfect main character.  She's got her own dreams and notions yet down to earth.  (I just realized that might not be the perfect analogy for this book..lol).  And her best friend is the perfect sidekick.  Pen who is always there for her and strong yet slightly naïve when it comes to their world.  Basil is the perfect guy.  He is completely in tune with Morgan.  He knows her feelings and is completely there for her, even when others wouldn't be.

There were a couple of turns in this book but nothing drastic.  It just flowed so well and made me want not want to put the book down.  The ending leaves me wanting to know what is going to happen next--I don't want to wait.  This is definitely my favorite book of the year!!

I gave this book a rating of 4.5/5.

This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2013 150+ Reading Challenge: 50
2013 ARC Reading Challenge: 29
2013 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 39

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

Book Review- With All My Soul

I finished reading With All My Soul (Soul Screamers #7) by Rachel Vincent.

From Goodreads:

What does it mean when your school is voted the most dangerous in America?

It's time to kick some hellion butt...

After not really surviving her junior year (does "undead" count as survival?), Kaylee Cavanaugh has vowed to take back her school from the hellions causing all the trouble. She's going to find a way to turn the incarnations of Avarice, Envy and Vanity against one another in order to protect her friends and finish this war, once and forever.

But then she meets Wrath and understands that she's closer to the edge than she's ever been. And when one more person close to her is taken, Kaylee realizes she can't save everyone she loves without risking everything she has....

So bittersweet.  The Soul Screamers series is one my favorites.  I was so sad when I started reading this last installment.  I didn't want to say goodbye to Kaylee and everyone in the story.  But I'm very happy with how it all wrapped up!

My favorite characters were all there: Kaylee, Tod, Nash, Sabine, Emma and more.  As usual, I had a hard time remembering what happened in the last book, but thankfully, I was reminded pretty quickly and easily.  I was really eager to read this one.  Just how was Kaylee going to get the hellions off her back and away from her friends and family??  Will she survive it or is she going to die for real?

Without giving too much away, while the action at the end was happening, I was a little confused.  But then it was all explained and I loved it.  It ended well and I'm happy and satisfied!

Oh, I forgot!   Now I need to go back and read the novella that I missed.  Not time to say goodbye to this series just yet!

I gave this book a rating of 4.5/5.

This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2013 150+ Reading Challenge: 32
2013 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 27
2013 Quick Fix Challenge: 14

*FTC Disclosure: I borrowed this book from a friend.

Book Review- The Rules for Disappearing

I just finished reading The Rules for Disappearing by Ashley Elston for an Around the World ARC Tour.

From Goodreads:

She’s been six different people in six different places: Madeline in Ohio, Isabelle in Missouri, Olivia

in Kentucky . . . But now that she’s been transplanted to rural Louisiana, she has decided that this fake identity will be her last.

Witness Protection has taken nearly everything from her. But for now, they’ve given her a new name, Megan Rose Jones, and a horrible hair color. For the past eight months, Meg has begged her father to answer one question: What on earth did he do – or see – that landed them in this god-awful mess? Meg has just about had it with all the Suits’ rules — and her dad’s silence. If he won’t help, it’s time she got some answers for herself.

But Meg isn’t counting on Ethan Landry, an adorable Louisiana farm boy who’s too smart for his own good. He knows Meg is hiding something big. And it just might get both of them killed. As they embark on a perilous journey to free her family once and for all, Meg discovers that there’s only one rule that really matters — survival.

This book really had me hanging on.  For some reason, the idea of being in the Witness Protection Program really intrigued me.  And I've never read another book about it.  I can't imagine having to up and move your life around so quickly and so often.  I know if it were me, I would mess up and mention my old life in my new life.

I liked "Meg".  She was strong and determined to find out why her family was in the program. Yet she was still vulnerable.  And I liked Ethan.  A good ole boy.  I loved how protective he was of her so quickly (without being stalkerish) and his humor. 

One part of the mystery I kind of knew from the beginning.  But I didn't know how or why.  And the ending.   I was suspicious of him, but the note left me questioning things.  Yes, I'm not about to give everything away!

I had to check and it looks like there's an untitled second book.  Yay!  I can't wait to see just what's going to happen!

I gave this book a rating of 4.5/5.

The Rules for Disappearing will be released on May 14, 2013.

This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2013 150+ Reading Challenge: 22
2013 ARC Reading Challenge: 15
2013 Debut Author Challenge: 7
What's in a Name? 6 Challenge: Lost or Found
 2013 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 18

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

Book Review- The Rules

I just finished reading The Rules (Project Paper Doll #1) by Stacey Kade for an Around the World ARC Tour.

From Goodreads:

1. Never trust anyone.

2. Remember they are always searching.

3. Don’t get involved.

4. Keep your head down.

5. Don’t fall in love.

Five simple rules. Ariane Tucker has followed them since the night she escaped from the genetics lab where she was created, the result of combining human and extraterrestrial DNA. Ariane’s survival—and that of her adoptive father—depends on her ability to blend in among the full-blooded humans in a small Wisconsin town, to hide in plain sight at her high school from those who seek to recover their lost (and expensive) “project.”

But when a cruel prank at school goes awry, it puts her in the path of Zane Bradshaw, the police chief’s son and someone who sees too much. Someone who really sees her. After years of trying to be invisible, Ariane finds the attention frightening—and utterly intoxicating. Suddenly, nothing is simple anymore, especially not the rules…

Extraterrestrial??  Pass!  That's usually what I think.  While I like paranormal and dystopian, sci-fi isn't really my thing.  But for some reason I decided to try this book and I'm sooo glad that I did!

The Rules was so easy to get into.  A lot of it is character driven which is what made me like it so much, I think.  I loved Ariane.  I loved that she had such a heart, such a human quality, but realized her alien side as well (even if she subconsiously blocked it).  And Zane.  Yum!  Such a good guy.  He realized how wrong his past ways were and wanted to change.  I loved that he accepted Ariane for who she was, quirks and all.

The ending wasn't a horrible cliffhanger, but it left me wanting to know what was going to happen next.  When is the second book coming out???

I gave this book a rating of 4.5/5.

The Rules will be released on April 23, 2013.

This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2013 150+ Reading Challenge: 18
2013 ARC Reading Challenge: 12
2013 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 15

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

Book Review- Shadow and Bone

I just finished reading Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo.

From Goodreads:

Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.

Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling.

Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha…and the secrets of her heart.

I have to admit it..I am one of those readers who often judge a book by its cover.  And when I first saw this cover and then read the summary, I didn't think I'd enjoy it.  It seemed to dark for me.  But a friend suggest I read it so I did.  And I'm sooo glad!  It was really, really good!

At first it was a little difficult to remember some of the new terminology but it soon became second nature.  I was easily drawn into the world that the author created.  Yes, that world was dark but there was some lightness too (and no, for those of you who have read the book, that was not meant as a pun).  I could easily imagine the clothing that the Grisha wore and the foods.

I really liked Alina.  I liked how she grew into her power and was true to herself.  She stuck to her friends even when it wasn't conventional.  And yes, she could be trusting and naive but she soon learned her ways.  There was a little romance in the book and it intrigued me.  I couldn't decide if I trusted the boy or not.  I'm still not sure.

And so I'm left hanging on and waiting for the next book.  One I didn't think I cared to read but now can't wait to get my hands on.  I only hope that Siege and Storm is as good as this first book was!

I gave this book a rating of 4.5/5.

This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2013 150+ Reading Challenge: 11
2013 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 9

*FTC Disclosure: I traded this book with a friend.

Book Review- Unravel Me

I finished reading Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi last night for an Around the World ARC Tour.

From Goodreads:

tick, tick, tick, tick, tick
it's almost
time for war.

Juliette has escaped to Omega Point. It is a place for people like her—people with gifts—and it is also the headquarters of the rebel resistance.

She's finally free from The Reestablishment, free from their plan to use her as a weapon, and free to love Adam. But Juliette will never be free from her lethal touch.

Or from Warner, who wants Juliette more than she ever thought possible.

In this exhilarating sequel to Shatter Me, Juliette has to make life-changing decisions between what she wants and what she thinks is right. Decisions that might involve choosing between her heart—and Adam's life.

Unfortunately, I am horrible about remembering what has happened in previous books in a series.  So when I get the chance to review them close together, I always feel more relieved.  And luckily, I was able to do that with the first 2 books in the Shatter Me series.

Since I had just read Shatter Me less than a month ago, I remembered how unusual the writing was and was able to get absorbed into it right away.  And I loved it just as much this time around.

For some reason, this book reminds me of the X-Men.  Except I don't like that movie and I love these books!  I love how all of these superpowers are coming into play.  It has me on the edge of my seat.  And there are definitely some surprise twists and turns.  Especially with Juliette and Adam and his power. 

I didn't want to put this book down and I don't know how I'm going to wait until the third book comes out.  I did just discover that there is an e-book set between the first two books, Destroy Me, so I'll be downloading that one right away!

I gave this book a rating of 4.5/5.

Unravel Me will be released on February 5, 2013.

This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2012 Reading Challenge 150+: 89
 2012 ARC Reading Challenge: 72
2012 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 77
2012 Mammoth Book Challenge: 10

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

Book Review and Giveaway!- Easy

I just finished reading Easy by Tamarra Webber.

From Goodreads:

A girl who believes trust can be misplaced, promises are made to be broken, and loyalty is an illusion. A boy who believes truth is relative, lies can mask unbearable pain, and guilt is eternal. Will what they find in each other validate their conclusions, or disprove them all?

When Jacqueline follows her longtime boyfriend to the college of his choice, the last thing she expects is a breakup two months into sophomore year. After two weeks in shock, she wakes up to her new reality: she's single, attending a state university instead of a music conservatory, ignored by her former circle of friends, and failing a class for the first time in her life.

Leaving a party alone, Jacqueline is assaulted by her ex's frat brother. Rescued by a stranger who seems to be in the right place at the right time, she wants nothing more than to forget the attack and that night--but her savior, Lucas, sits on the back row of her econ class, sketching in a notebook and staring at her. Her friends nominate him to be the perfect rebound.

When her attacker turns stalker, Jacqueline has a choice: crumple in defeat or learn to fight back. Lucas remains protective, but he's hiding secrets of his own. Suddenly appearances are everything, and knowing who to trust is anything but easy.

I really really liked this book.  Because of its sensitive topic, I'm not sure if it's right to say that I enjoyed it.  But boy did I just get completely into it.  I'm not sure if its because its considred a "new adult" novel (I think that's what they're calling the stories that take place in college) so that it wasn't as juvenile as some of the YA books can be or if it's just that the writing was so great.  But yeah, it had me hooked.

Rape and attempted rape is such a serious topic.  I think this book handled it really well.  I think the author captured what I must imagine the victim must feel like and go through.  And I loved the idea of the self-defense class.  Such a great thing for college girls to do.

Jaqueline was a great character.  I could completely sympathize with her following a boyfriend and then getting dumped and feeling lost.  She just seemed completely real.  And then there was her roommate, Erin, who was a sorority girl.  She could so easily have been they stereotypical air-headed sorority girl, but thankfully the author decided not to portray her this way.  I loved how she was bubbly but smart and had a strong backbone and morals.  And Lucas.  Yum!  Bad boy with a fierce protective streak.  His story broke my heart.  I can't even imagine having to go through what he went through.  But he and Jacqueline's chemistry was hot!

I cannot reccommend this book enough!  This book had it all for me: an important topic, great characters, and a hot romance!

I gave this book a rating of 4.5/5.

This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2012 Reading Challenge 150+: 85
Completely Contemp Challenge 2012: 2012-16

*FTC Disclosure: This book was given to me for free by the publsiher for an honest review.


Now for the giveaway!!

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