Author: Chelsea (Page 81 of 111)

BOOK REVIEW – The Edge of Never (The Edge of Never #1) by J.A. Redmerski

BOOK REVIEW – The Edge of Never (The Edge of Never #1) by J.A. RedmerskiThe Edge of Never (The Edge of Never #1)
by J.A. Redmerski
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

I, for lack of better words, WAS IN A GLASS CASE OF EMOTION near the end of this book. The world dropped from beneath my feet and I thought I was going to die-yes, literally die.


Words cannot express how much I loved, no..wait, hold on-LOVE Andrew Parrish. He was the sweetest, most endearing guy I have read about in a long time.

His passion for life was so refreshing and I found myself drawn deeper and deeper into his story. Never one to hold back on the things he wanted to do with his life, he pushes Cam into uncharted territory where she can explore her innermost passions and desires. What Andrew doesn’t know is that Cam will do the same for him, in ways he never imagined possible.

I really enjoyed the journey from when they first met, ummmmmm buy me a bus ticket please…., to the finale of their road trip. The whole novel I just couldn’t put my finger on what Andrew’s secret was, and the closer we got to finding it out, I was getting increasingly anxious- rightfully so, I might add. I never even saw it coming. Shame on me.

Anyone who picks up this novel will be drawn to the path of self discovery Camryn and Andrew face, bringing out the best of each other. I absolutely adore and fall in love with climactic endings with a bang, and while it isn’t an action filled bang, it is a large bang indeed and I couldn’t help but to be pushed over the edge of loving this book.

BOOK REVIEW – Sweet Evil (The Sweet Trilogy #1) by Wendy Higgins

BOOK REVIEW – Sweet Evil (The Sweet Trilogy #1) by Wendy HigginsSweet Evil (The Sweet Trilogy #1)
by Wendy Higgins
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

****I don’t think there is a spoiler, but after reading the synopsis some might disagree-Don’t want to ruin anyone’s perception of the story****

I was skeptical when I first started this novel. Even as I began reading, I had my guard up-I haven’t had the best luck with the whole Angels and Demons thing. I will admit I wasn’t sure how I felt about Anna, the main character. She was pure and clearly never did anything wrong…*yawn*

But then she stumbles upon Kaidan Rowe…the best thing to ever happen to an angel based story. He is the opposite of her in every way, and I couldn’t love him more. Even though he is on the darker side of the story, he is hard to dislike, even harder not to love. And no-before anyone assumes, it isn’t the over-used, tired plot where all of a sudden Anna wants to be bad so she can allure Kaidan. Nerp. Maybe it’s just me who thinks that is an overused storyline, maybe not-but the point is, Wendy Higgins did not feel the need to take it that way and I love that.

I thought I knew where Sweet Evil was leading, but I really had no idea. The farther the story progressed, the darker it became. Surprisingly, though, there’s a tenderness to the story that I never expected, and it’s those sweet, tortured moments that made me fall in love with the story and wish it never ended. Yes-I could have read many more pages to get more snippets of the glorious Kaidan Rowe. There isn’t a climactic battle scene that tests the strengths of Anna and her friends as they fight to the death, dang-it, but there’s still a foreboding sense of dread that hooks you and draws you in, and it makes you happy with what you receive. The build-up to what might or might not happen is satisfying, and can only be a catalyst to what will happen in book 2, Sweet Peril. I just hope I am able to fill the reading abyss of madness until then-I can’t wait for the end of April!

Reading Order & Links:
Amazon (click on covers), iBooks (click on titles) & Book Depository (click on book #)
sweet evil wendy higgins
Sweet Evil #1
Reviews:

Jen
Chelsea

sweet peril wendy higgins
Sweet Peril #2
Reviews:

Jen
Chelsea

sweet reckoning wendy higgins
Sweet Reckoning #3
Reviews:

Jen
Sweet Temptation wendy higgins
Sweet Temptation #4

BOOK REVIEW – Frigid (Frigid #1) by J. Lynn

BOOK REVIEW – Frigid (Frigid #1) by J. LynnFrigid (Frigid #1)
by J. Lynn
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

I’ve loved you my entire life,” he said, eyes locked on mine. “And I would love you for the rest of my life if you’d let me, Syd.”

Anyone who takes the time to talk to me knows that I have been waiting anxiously for the release of this novel. It’s no secret, I’ve been somewhat obnoxious in waiting for it’s impending introduction to the book world. With me, this happens frequently; I highly anticipate an upcoming book, and then when I get it, it doesn’t live up to my expectations. I don’t think I ever doubted how much I would like Frigid, but I did find myself wondering if it would even come close to her other works and if there was even room in my heart for another favorite. Apparently I have no qualms about pushing other favorites aside to make room, because from chapter 1, this book stole a piece of my heart. I loved it, undoubtedly.

“I was Kyler’s best friend.
And because of that, he would never love me the way I loved him.”

Sydney and Kyler have been best friends since they were little and met on the playground. He pushed her down, and in turn, she made him eat a mudpie the next day. They were best friends from that day on. We get a sweet incite to their childhood lives in little snippets at the beginning, and while they weren’t flashbacks per se, they were little memories put in place when either Kyler or Sydney had inner dialogue. I don’t always love past tense situations in a current story, but in this case it helped build these characters into people we truly care about.

Sydney has always loved Kyler-even through all of the girls and partying. He is her best friend, and she his. They can truly be themselves around each other and would do anything for the other person. But Sydney secretly loves him, which makes it even harder when his parade of girls grows even larger. She continues to bite her tongue, and they continue to be each other’s [though they don’t know it] everything.

Sydney Bell had always been, and would always be, a few pedestals too high for me.”

And then we have Kyler…ooooh, sweet Kyler. He too, has always had a thing for Sydney. Whenever a guy attempts to hit on Sydney, Kyler enters to be her savior and overprotective…friend? Forever parading around with tactless girls for senseless one night stands, he continues to hide his feelings for Syd, because he believes she will always deserve better than him.

“I thought about the time I’d climbed the tree to get into her bedroom. She’d been sick with mono and our parents had been keeping us apart for obvious reasons, but I’d been worried about her. Syd had always been small and I’d felt like I needed to take care of her.
I’d fallen out of the damn tree and nearly broken my leg.”
“Even as sick as she’d been, when she saw me her smile lit up her face and her blue eyes sparkled and shit.
I’d always been a sucker for her eyes.”

Finally, finally, they get snowed in while at a cabin in Snowshoe. They are forced to truly look at each other and see what the other person wants…to an extent. What would a romance novel be without a little misunderstanding, grovelling, and angst? Inevitably, Kyler and Sydney begin to scratch the surface of how much they mean to one another, and when they do, sparks fly. I can’t even begin to explain what makes me tick, but when I read a love scene, this is a prime example of what grips me. A love scene doesn’t have to be done perfectly, but you have to fall in love with the characters. If you truly connect with them, you’re on an emotional roller coaster ride just like they are-you feel so deeply what they feel that you get swept into their personal moment like it’s your own. Do you know how many times I have read a love scene and just been like…oh okay, movin’ on. Not with Kyler and Syd- I felt it to my core. All because of the characters and the snowy, romantic world she built around them. I loved these two people so much, even more so together; I cared deeply what happened to them.

“You think I’m beautiful?” His gaze roamed over my face like he was committing every freckle to memory.
“I’ve always thought you were beautiful, Syd.”

I don’t know that I have ever been more content with a couple…this is a bold statement, because wasn’t it inevitable that they get together? Yes, a little. But what got to me was how strong their roots were. Let me explain. They go back to ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. They know everything about each other. They like [love] each other no matter their flaws. They do everything together. When one has problems, the other considers it their problem as well. There are so many more instances, but the point is, I truly felt complete with these two. AND THAT TATTOO. GAH! It has the sweetest, deepest saying, and it made me love Kyler more than I already did. Overall a fun, light read…and well worth the wait.

*****

Oh…My Gosh. This book was just…SO adorable. JUST what I needed- a fun, light read with a friends-lovers romance. *review to come tomorrow* sigh. I just..can’t. Kyler…welcome to Chelsea’s Book BF club 😛

BOOK REVIEW – Wallbanger (Cocktail #1) by Alice Clayton

BOOK REVIEW – Wallbanger (Cocktail #1) by Alice ClaytonWallbanger (Cocktail #1)
by Alice Clayton
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

“OH GOD.”
Thump.
“Oh, God”
Thump thump.
What the…
“Oh God, that’s so good!”

And so begins this utterly goofy, maddening, and, surprisingly, adorable story. When the opening line is as such, you never really know what to expect for the rest, do you?

I have had this on my TBR shelf for almost a year, and finally, on one fateful day in Target, I saw it was available in paperback, so I took a chance and bought it. And while I’m still a little giddy about Wallbanger himself, I can’t ignore the fact that there was also a lot that annoyed me as I read. There was a lot of good, though, don’t get me wrong-so much so, that I was smiling like an idiot and clapping my hands together whenever something swoon-worthy would happen-which was a lot. So, as you can see, I am a mixed up mess on this particular story.

Caroline is a single interior designer, not decorator, don’t get that wrong, who has recently moved into a new apartment owned by her boss. Everything is grand until the ‘wallbanging’ starts. See, this is even more of a problem, because, let’s face it, she hasn’t had an orgasm in forever. Tension is at an all time high for Caroline when the lights go out every night-she grits her teeth and ignores it, though-for now.

“The first thing I saw was blue. Blue sweater, blue eyes. Blue. Beautifully blue. Then I saw red as I recognized who belonged to the blue.
“Fucking Wallbanger,” I hissed, frozen on the spot.
His grin slid off as well as he played place-the-face for a moment.
“Fucking Pink Nightie Girl,” he finally concluded. He grimaced.

Then one fateful night, enough is enough and she storms over and interrupts one of his sex-capades, resulting in an embarrassing first encounter and heated words…but mutual attraction.

“Beneath the sheet-which was already lower on his hips than should be legal-
He
Was
Still
Hard”

There were so many many moments where I had to take a step back and laugh-just enjoy the ridiculous banter between these two. It was hilarious. They are obviously attracted to each other, but things have to build, there have to be multiple hot close encounters where the sexual tension is amped up a few notches, making us wait until the oh-so-beautiful build up is to the brink, where things will explode if they get any hotter. I loved that aspect of the story. The writing is much like my personality, so I found myself relating to it. Goofy dialogue in Caroline’s head, stupid comebacks that could never be labeled witty-It ALL reminded me of how I would write a story. Fun and flirty.

“I wanted to level him with my eyes, make him beg for mercy. But no…Not Simon, Director of the International House Of Orgasms.
He
Was
Still
Smirking.”

What I couldn’t relate to, however, is the constant “O” factor, the dialogue that just a moment ago I called funny, and not-so-witty-but-it-kind-of-is-witty banter becoming corny, Caroline’s attitude towards Wallbanger-all of that was more than I could handle or relate to. How many times is she going to talk about the damn “O”? It was okay at first, sure, it was in the damn blurb for God’s sake, but when you can predict that she is getting ready to talk about it everytime, it is being overused. I think I read somewhere that this is fanfiction-I think I have a feeling I know what it’s based off of….much like Ana and her ‘inner goddess’, I wanted to strangle Caroline and throw her ‘perked up’ “O” out the GD window.

Last, but not least, I have to bring up the character development. Caroline was supposed to be the mature, working girl, while Wallbanger was supposed to be the man-whore who travels for work never to call again jerk, right? Well I felt these roles reversed somewhere along the way. While Caroline was not an unlikeable character, I still wanted to slap her across the face and tell her to figure her shit out-someone *wink wink* *nudge nudge* obviously has feelings for you-quit frikkin’ running away or disbelieving what people tell you. Wallbanger became sweet, helpful, funny, irresistable…he became so mature within a matter of pages, while I found Caroline to be a tad immature and scared of her own shadow-running from all of her problems when things don’t go as planned. Now, she was also strong in some aspects, but when it came to WB, she got quite flighty.

All in all a very fun read. It was most definitely not what I was expecting, and it grew sweeter with every passing page. I was searching for a fun, light read, and I couldn’t have picked better. Simon was a really great guy who had so much to offer, and I fell in love with him more and more with each passing page. I laughed out loud, I rolled my eyes, and I became engrossed with these two characters. I am very happy I finally gave this book a try-because it was hilarious.

Things I forgot to mention that made me laugh:

Their text exchanges
Wallbanger’s love for bread/food
Music through the walls
Her sassy, know-it-all cat, Clive
Her nicknames for Wallbanger’s Harem

These are what made the book so good, and if I didn’t say it before, I’ll say it now-give this book a chance. If nothing else, you’ll get a good guy and a good laugh out of it. 🙂

BOOK REVIEW – Unearthly (Unearthly #1) by Cynthia Hand

BOOK REVIEW – Unearthly (Unearthly #1) by Cynthia HandUnearthly (Unearthly #1)
by Cynthia Hand
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Damn it. I just finished and I don’t know what to think. It was good-most definitely. But cleary, CLEARLY I must read on to see what will become of this now convoluted mess. It’s definitely what I feared-a love triangle. Or is it? I’m not quite sure what to make of the ending. I’m thoroughly confused with what I’m feeling.

Clara is on this Earth for a purpose, a destiny if you will, and she has to put together every piece of the puzzle to be able to fulfill it. There’s a fire, a boy, and a forest. She and her family find themselves moving to Wyoming where Clara is to fulfill the almighty prophecy, the purpose of her being. From there we are thrown into her world as a high school student struggling to fit in and ultimately get closer to the boy she is meant to save.

I found this novel to be a very well rounded story with very little room to become boring. In fact, I was fully engrossed in the story and devoured it in 24 hours. I started reading so quickly near the end that I swear I read over some important information (a bad habit of mine) that I should have probably grasped hold of-oops.

However, my largest gripe is that there are two incredibly attractive, sweet boys. I hate this. I hate when there are two viable boys to choose from. It nags at me as I read, no matter how strong a connection is between the two people who seem to really care for each other. I always find it hard to get attached to one, because alas, all of a sudden something catastrophic happens and all of a sudden the lead heroine is in love with the other guy. So, of course I’m skeptical at this point, and I hate that unsure feeling. But I must say I do love one boy in particular, and he seems to be running in the forefront at this moment, so for now, that is fine with me. But be warned, I guarantee it will be heartbreak city if something happens, and there are still at least two more books as far as my knowledge goes.

Overall, this was a fun story that didn’t go as dark as it could have (except for a certain furry creature whom we have no idea if he lives or not-she kind of left us hanging there-tune in for that update…), and I thoroughly enjoyed that aspect-for now. Personally, I like a litte climactic suspense. I’m sure the author is saving that for the rest of the series…I just hope there isn’t a massive amount of heartbreak. I don’t handle that well lol. So as I finish this review, I find my fingers itching to purchase the next in the series, oh wait, just did ;). With that, I will start Hallowed and attempt to gain a sense of what will come of this angel-blood, Clara.

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