Category: Review (Page 168 of 297)

BOOK REVIEW: Love, Life, and the List by Kasie West

February 26, 2018 / Chelsea / 0 Comments

Love, Life, and the List by Kasie West
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Everyone knows Abby Turner is in love with her best friend, Cooper Wells. Including Cooper Wells. But despite what people tell her, it doesn’t affect their friendship. And she’s practically over it, anyway. What she really can’t get over is when her boss at the local museum tells her that her paintings lack heart.

Art is Abby’s passion and she hopes her future as well. She is determined to change his mind and earn her way into the upcoming exhibit at the gallery. So along with her family’s help, she compiles “The Heart List,” a series of soulstretching experiences that are sure to make her a deeper person and better artist in six weeks or less. When Cooper decides to complete the list along with her, she realizes this list is expanding her heart in more ways than one. Maybe she needs to start another project.

I really don’t know that I counted this as a romance…and if you go into it expecting a grand one, it will be painful. Like it was for me. Oh yes, you heard me correctly. Yeah, this is labeled a contemporary romance, but it really was, I don’t know, more about finding out who you are as a person and learning to love yourself enough to do what’s best for YOU. Learning that life isn’t always perfect. That there’s so much more to learn than what you realize. It’s a story of personal growth…even when its painful to do so.

Grandpa went straight to the kitchen sink when he walked in the door and began scrubbing his hands with soap and water. “Is everything all right?”
Okay, maybe I needed to work on my tone when making announcements. “Well, there wasn’t an earthquake,” I said.
“Am I supposed to get that reference? Is that a young-person phrase for something earthmoving? Has your earth moved, Abby?” He turned off the water and dried his hands on the towel hanging on the oven.

This story bothered me if only because I felt like it was too breezy. Too easygoing. Our MC was essentially a doormat and it bothered me on a personal level. But, really, I’m lying. She wasn’t even a doormat. She was a young girl who thought she loved her best friend and maybe-hopefully-one day he’d return her feelings.

On the bright side, this wasn’t a feeling I purposefully had very often. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d felt this amount of sheer panic. Or this amount of hatred toward Cooper. So maybe this would help me paint emotion.

It was painful to read-PAINFUL. And not the good kind of pain, the kind that makes you cringe. Everything felt short, the list too contrived, the list moments almost a backdrop…

But to get through these painfully awkward moments, there was sarcasm. I always LOVED the sarcasm. It was cute, it was witty, and it was right up my alley. I actually even laughed through the whole book, to be honest. I love when I can identify with the main character in this way. But, sadly, it wasn’t enough. I’d close the book and I’d be happy at that moment, but then I’d realize I was bored. I wanted to be done. I wanted my new release (Come ooonnnnn, Cruel Prince) to come out (it just popped on my iPad (when I was reading this FOREVER AGO) EEK!). And I wanted more. But then, out of nowhere, our spineless heroine grew a pair and became my own personal version of a female YA contemporary hero.

“Come in.”
The door opened wider with a squeak. “Hey, you feeling better?”
“Physically? Yes.” I could tell my fever was gone and the headache I’d had for the last couple of days was gone with it. But anger still glowed in my chest like an evil that needed to be exorcised.

I choose to believe this isn’t hot. Lol.

And this is when it crashed and burned-And it wasn’t just because of some plot device or only to further the ‘romance’ (even though the week leading up to said crashing and burning was painfully obvious it would not go according to plan), it was because everything built up to this moment in a huge tidal wave and we got hurled in the side of the head with a crushing crescendo of feels that all crashed down at once….we were in the middle of a hurricane (sorry for all the water analogies????).

Then there was true pain-out of nowhere. It was real. It was raw. It broke my fucking heart-because I felt it. I felt every emotion she felt. And frankly? I didn’t know what I wanted to happen. Did I want a HEA? Did I really??? I have never felt this emotion. Ever. My stomach was in knots-HUGE knots. My heart twisted beyond comprehension and I couldn’t get the bitter bus to go away. I just…I felt like this book, out of nowhere, grew its spine, right alongside our sappy, lovesick, clueless MC.

This book may have been about a list of firsts…but I think it accomplished more firsts with me:
-The Cooper/Ris deal (I can’t explain what I mean until you read it)
-Abby/Elliot’s relationship-adorable. Come on, now.
-CRYING DURING A KASIE WEST NOVEL (THREE TIMES!)
-Hurt in my heart in a way I didn’t think possible for Kasie West
-True, raw pain from Kasie West
-Definitive no nonsense ending (for a KW)

And for once, and I won’t say how, this wasn’t a HFN. It was a real deal definitive end. And I loved it. But, hey. Still a short end…but I kinda tend to like those rather than long drawn out endings that prolong what’s supposed to be a short story…much like my long-winded reviews. 😉

He sat down on the yellow-and-white-striped towel on my right side and handed me the bottle of water.
“What’s this garbage? I want caffeine.”
“Just yesterday you told me you were giving up soda. You said it quite dramatically, in fact. And then you said, keep me honest, Cooper.”
“What?” Rachel asked from my left side.
“You had forty-four ounces of Mountain Dew at my house last night.”
“Shhhhh.” I pressed my finger against her lips. “We’re not talking about that.”
Cooper scoffed and Rachel pushed my hand away.

I read somewhere in one of my friend’s reviews before starting this that the person was kind of like me, over Kasie West, only because it’s been hard to relate lately when her first books were so lovable and the last few have been so underwhelming-I kept thinking l know…why even bother? And I regretted starting this book…But then THISSSSS.

“And it’s not even the Fourth of July,” I said, quieter this time.
“Barely two weeks. Imagine how booked they are for that day.”
“Would you rather have to listen to only quartets for the rest of your life or screeching cats?”
“That’s a hard one. But quartets, I think. Unless they can only sing patriotic songs. Then the cats.”

I’m happy to say this one is my personal favorite by her, and I don’t know why, because I felt it was so weak the whole time-but my heart is a fickle fellow. And I never ignore what my heart’s praises sing. I made myself swear (I did, I kept repeating to myself in a mantra, ‘no matter how cute this ending is, do NOT pull a Chelsea and give it a quick, hot, and dirty 5 star’)

Four thirty in the morning. You owe me.
That’s why I brought you doughnuts. I owe you nothing.
He sent me back the pile of poop emoji and I laughed.

Eh…I folded. I folded like a cheap hooker the minute my heart melted-and that’s all there is to it. Everything came together all of a sudden in a harmonious melody and it was kind of like Kasie West actually intended for us to feel this way…Like she wanted us to be pissed so she could say, ‘ha, you doubted me, you buttholes (I have since edited this part (and it wasn’t a-holes either…) now that a month has almost passed and I can calm my tits lol), well here you go-take THAT. RIGHT IN THE FEELS. BOOM.

I smiled and stole one of his fries.
His face went serious. “Don’t eat my fries, Abby. You said you didn’t want any fries, and I said, you’re going to steal mine if you don’t get your own, and you said, no I won’t.”
“Are you reenacting a conversation that happened five minutes ago?”
“Yes, because you seem to have forgotten it.”

I feel played. I feel very played…but, I don’t care. I lost. My heart won and Kasie West stole my heart [again] after a couple years of waiting for her to reappear like her old self. I thought she and I were parting ways, but alas-She is here to stay.

And I don’t mind that one bit.

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BOOK REVIEW- Tempests and Slaughter (Numair Chronicles #1) by Tamora Pierce

February 24, 2018 / Arielle / 2 Comments

Tempests and Slaughter (The Numair Chronicles #1)
by Tamora Pierce
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Arram. Varice. Ozorne. In the first book in the Numair Chronicles, three student mages are bound by fate . . . fated for trouble.

Arram Draper is a boy on the path to becoming one of the realm’s most powerful mages. The youngest student in his class at the Imperial University of Carthak, he has a Gift with unlimited potential for greatness–and for attracting danger. At his side are his two best friends: Varice, a clever girl with an often-overlooked talent, and Ozorne, the “leftover prince” with secret ambitions. Together, these three friends forge a bond that will one day shape kingdoms. And as Ozorne gets closer to the throne and Varice gets closer to Arram’s heart, Arram begins to realize that one day soon he will have to decide where his loyalties truly lie.

In the Numair Chronicles, readers will be rewarded with the never-before-told story of how Numair Salmalín came to Tortall. Newcomers will discover an unforgettable fantasy adventure where a kingdom’s future rests on the shoulders of a talented young man with a knack for making vicious enemies.

Ugh you guys I am so ashamed that this book took me so long to read. Tamora Pierce has been my favorite author ever since I picked up Trickster’s Choice many years ago. Of course I was pissed to find out that I had basically ruined a lot of things for myself for picking up that duology first but I had no idea at the time! I spend the next few years DEVOURING every other book written by this gem of a lady. Alanna, Kel, Daine, Aly….all of these women have come to mean so much to me. I still to this day think about them when I’m going through something hard or scary and need a bit of bravery. I honestly think I took my sweet time because this book has been A LONG TIME COMING. Seriously. Her last actual full-length novel set in Tortall came out in 2011. SEVEN YEARS AGO. And I mean… she’s been planning a Numair series since then so it’s been a pretty excruciating wait if you ask me.

The most important thing to know about this book is that you will appreciate it 100x more if you’ve read her other series set in Tortall, first. There are little teasers for what is to come in the Immortals series and you get to see characters that pop up again later as well which is one of my favorite parts of her books. I think that the pacing would be a little slow if this was the first book of hers that you were picking up and I also think that even with my love for her and Numair, that the title really didn’t fit with the more..it more or less seems to be setting up for what is to come on the horizon (which is totally fine but I think some people might be misled).

Arram Draper a.k.a. Numair for those of you who have read Pierce’s other series, was a damn treat in this book. He starts out the book as an eleven-year-old who has just started his studies at the Imperial University of Carthak and by the end of it grows into a young man of 14. I LOVED HIM SO MUCHHHHHHHHHHH. Just by reading this first book I have come to realize that we barely get to know him at all in the Immortals series. He is kind, he is thoughtful, he is fiercely loyal, and powerful. Like really, really powerful. I enjoyed watching him come into this gift and loved every single one of his Masters that helped him explore different aspects of his power. They all cared so deeply for him that even if you didn’t know he was going to become one of the most powerful mages in the world, you’d know there was *something* special about him.

It was also so very interesting to see a young and not-yet-so-complicated Ozorne and Varice. It kills me just wondering what that breaking point will be to send Numair over to Tortall and completely sever ties with these two young people that came to be his best friends in this book. Quite heartbreaking if I’m being honest. Reading this makes me want to go read the other books ASAP to see what kinds of things I pick up from this book. The part where Ozorne gave him a book on shape shifters had me dying. I just whispered to the book *yes, that is a book about your future wife—-pay attention* bahaha (and no that’s not a spoiler if you’ve read any of her other books that were published YEARS ago). AND one of his Masters talked about giving him a book about wild magic too (even though at that time they thought it was nothing but a wives tale). Can you said ~*FoRsHaDoWiNg*~ TOO GOOD. Sigh. If you’re a Tamora Pierce fan I HIGHLY RECOMMEND and if you haven’t been introduced, I say start at the very beginning with the Song of the Lioness series. You will not regret it.

*side note: if you previously loved how each of her series had one sassy animal that hung around with the main character and just kind of *made* the book, there’s one in this one, too. 🙂

BOOK REVIEW: Immortal Reign (Falling Kingdoms #6) by Morgan Rhodes

February 23, 2018 / Chelsea / 10 Comments

Immortal Reign (Falling Kingdoms #6)
by Morgan Rhodes
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
As two lethal elemental gods set out to destroy Mytica, sworn enemies must become allies in the final fight to save the kingdoms.

Jonas continues to willfully defy his destiny, but the consequences of plotting his own course are drastic. As the fight for Mytica rages on, he must decide just how much more he's willing to sacrifice.

Lucia knows there's something special about her daughter and she'll do anything to protect her, even if that means facing Kyan alone.

Amara is called back home to Kraeshia. Grandma Cortas has her own plans for Mytica's future. She promises Amara power, revenge, and dominance if she agrees to be part of her scheme.

Magnus and Cleo's love will be put to the ultimate test. Dark magic is causing widespread destruction throughout the kingdom. Enemies across the sea are advancing. And unrest is stirring throughout the land. Is their love strong enough to withstand the outside forces tearing them apart?

ARC provided by Penguin Teen (Yes, I read this forever ago….it took me forever to get my review on here, SORRY!)

“So the rumors about you are true,” he said solemnly.
She swallowed past the lump that had suddenly formed in her throat. “Most of them, I’m afraid.”
“Good.” He continued to hold her gaze when she wished she could look away. “Then be a demon, my beautiful daughter. Be whatever you need to be to put an end to the Kindred once and for all.”

It goes without saying that I’m a rabid fangirl when it comes to the Falling Kingdoms series. It started out with a ‘meh, I don’t know if I should continue after this first book’, and now it has [not so] slowly eased its way onto my favorite series of all time list. I’m not kidding when I say that I haven’t added a book to that sucker since 2014 or so. Maybe longer! So, you KNOW it’s a big deal when I choose to add onto it.

“Why did you choose Nic?” Magnus asked, hoping to distract Kyan somehow. “Wasn’t there anyone better?”
Kyan laughed. “Nicolo has a soul of fire.”
“Because of his hair? More the color of carrots thrown into a horse’s trough than fire, if you ask me.”

I’ll admit that it wasn’t a love at first sight type deal, either-besides Magnus (Yeah. More on that morsel later), I just didn’t wholly identify with anyone and not enough happened to satiate my thirst for peril and all things action and violence. If you didn’t know, I can be quite the violent sort when it comes to my books. Ahem…moving on. But, that’s all beside the point, because what have I continually said since I started heavily reviewing on GR?

Gaius’s eyebrows drew together. He looked pained. “Magnus loved you. He fought for you. He defied me again and again in order to save you, even if it meant his own destruction. He was worthy of you in a way that I was never worthy of Elena. I see that now. And for that alone, you must survive this, Cleiona Bellos.” Then he scowled at her. “But know this. I would personally kill you in an instant if it meant that my son could live again.”

All. I. Need. Is. SOMETHING. To keep me hooked in a book or series. Whether it be something as simple as a tortured look from the male lead, a beautifully written story that keeps my interest if only because it has descriptions that continually draw me in, or so much heart-breaking action that I couldn’t dare to put it down for a moment. It needn’t be huge, but it must be something. In this case? It was all about that dark, hate-to-love, practically forbidden, enemies to lovers romance, baby.

…
Of a beautiful golden princess who rightfully despised him. Whose blue-green eyes held only hate for so long that he didn’t remember precisely when her gaze had softened.
This princess who didn’t push him away when he kissed her. Instead, she kissed him back with a passion that very nearly matched his own.
Perhaps I’m only fantasizing all of it, he thought.

Sign. Me. UP. I loved my darling Magnus from page one of book one, mmkayyyy? But, unfortunately, there were dual POVs (not a huge fan of this) and I can’t commit to a story that is dull without something to give me hope. And, also unfortunately, it didn’t look like there was going to be any HOPE for my boy…There was just a wee lil smidge of incestual thoughts goin’ on there-and I didn’t see how this was something I could endorse, no matter how much I adored my main man.

He’d also heard of burying a victim in the ground up to their neck, then covering them with tree syrup and allowing a nest of hungry beetles to consume them slowly.
That would be nice.
Or perhaps Magnus would remove Kurtis’s remaining hand. Saw it off slowly with a dull knife. Or a spoon.
Yes, a spoon.

But then…THEN. This beautiful unicorn of a girl (You know who you are, Bones (LOLZ)) said-’Oh no. No no no. You mustn’t give up. There is a glorious ship. And BOY does it sail. And its not at all like it is now.’ So, I persevered-I picked up book two. And, while it certainly wasn’t perfect…far from it…my eyes lit up and my grin went from ear to ear-because there shone a glimmer of hope, right before my moonstruck, rabid fangirly eyes. It wasn’t going to be half bad if this ship sailed.

He needed food. Drink.
Vengeance.
But first and most importantly, he needed to know that Cleo was safe.

Then something else happened…and another…then another! The action became breathtaking because I actually cared for more than just one person. The romances began to fly (and die. Then fly again….rinse and repeat). The stories became very interesting. Everything began weaving together so intricately on each page that I couldn’t stop to take a breath. I had a whole new series to devour with endless possibilities…and I had almost put it down forever. Thank God for the power of friendship (and trust bones from Brittney).

And now, here I am, receiving (and having received) the last two books (FINISHED HARDBACKS!) from the lovely publishers for reviewing, and each time it has made my year. This was just the most wonderful start to 2018 (along with my other favorites so far: Everless, The Cruel Prince, Love, Life and the List…). When I received this book I jumped around, I screamed, I cried…I [attempted] to devour it immediately. I literally bought a book light, people. A BOOK LIGHT-so I could get this sucker done. And I truly wasn’t disappointed. Not by a long shot.

Paelsians burned their dead.
Auranians worshipped the goddess of fire and air, so one would think they would fsuavor the Paelsian burial ritual. But rich Auranians favored coffins chiseled from marble, while those of lower status chose wooden boxes.
“Kurtis had me buried like an Auranian peasant,” Magnus muttered.
Surely, this had to be the former kingsliege’s final insult.

More than once I couldn’t breathe. More than once I had to put the book down, take a breath, release it, and just try to breathe because my heart was furiously pounding out of my chest, my stomach was in knots…and I just couldn’t even stand it. I might be a bit of a loser when it comes to this series, but I have no regrets-NONE. Frankly, it’s all because of one couple. Let’s be real. And let’s just get down to it:

“I think I scared him.”
She nodded. “You can be very scary.”
“Yes. And I can also be scared. And I am, right now.” Magnus took her hands in his, his gaze locking with hers. “I want to help you.”
Tears welled in her eyes. “I know.”
“What do we do, Cleo?” He hated the weakness that had crept into his voice. “How am I supposed to save you from this?”

Magnus. Magnus and Cleo. I can’t. I truly can’t even. And I suppose I shouldn’t be able to say anything after that ambiguous end to the previous book (OMG I LOVED IT OMG SO EPIC-but perhaps I’m alone in this because, as I’ve stated many a time, I am a masochistic book nerd), but….Morgan Rhodes has released quotes about what we know can’t be the end….so I guess I’m clear??

“Ashur,” Magnus said with an impatient sigh. I’m going to the palace now. Are you going to join me, or do you wish to call out names while sacrificing random forest creatures?”
“You don’t believe,” Ashur said.
“What I believe is irrelevant. What I need is to get to Cleo.”

But I’ll be good. So…yeah…ummm….THE REUNION. IS. EVERYTHING. HA! I LIED. Hypothetically, it might have been in a certain jelly situation. Hypothetically it may have taken FOREVER for the two to be in the same damn space and connect and….hypothetically…it might have made my heart stop for a moment (No. For real. Ask my friend, Jen-I literally text her and was like yeah…I need to put this down because the feels have taken over my ability to BREATHE). Ha. But I may be alone here-I think that’s just the possessed fangirl talking again. WHAT. It’s been a YEAR. I’ve waited a YEAR. I can be as happy as I please, thank you very much.

He knew she was angry with him for scaring Bruno, for acting disrespectful and ungrateful toward Ashur. For wanting to crush anything that stood in the way of finding the answers he needed to save the girl standing before him.
To hell with the rest of the world; Cleo was all he cared about.

HE didn’t let me down. HE was a perfect husband. HE would do anything for the girl he loves. HE….he would come back from the grave for her-and he shows it tirelessly here. His love is endless and boundless and I adore him. Their love is insurmountable and they’d burn the world down for each other-I truly love this couple and I am going to miss them so so dearly. But isn’t that the best? When a series is large and you STILL didn’t want it to end? That’s only happened here, for me. So, for that, Morgan Rhodes will always be a Rockstar in my eyes. AND-honorable mention: I didn’t care about any of the other POVs before book 5, but in book 5 and this one, they all won me over and I didn’t feel the need for that incessant skimming I did throughout the others-that’s just…it’s amazing.

Now-even though this book is absolute perfection to me, I must mention some things that I [I guesss] weren’t perfect. Okay. I guess there were some things that happened that came off as repetitive. IE they happened a couple too many times? And, even though I loved said thing happening a few times, others might roll their eyes. And I DO think the, ahem, ‘escaping?’View Spoiler ». That’s not really a spoiler, but I don’t want to hinder anyone’s thoughts on the matter before they go in (I HATE WHEN THAT HAPPENS TO ME AND I ALWAYS COMPLAIN AFTER). I loved that it happened, and I know it couldn’t have happened any other way, but I do wish it would have View Spoiler »been more dramatic « Hide Spoiler. Though…I suppose if I read them back to back, it wouldn’t have mattered because hey, boy went through some Hell, am I right? Perhaps here I was too harsh. And finally, I think I wanted an even BIGGER bang of an end-but, honestly, I still adored it.

I think I’m still being a pissy pink elephant, though, because I wanted one tiny (it wasn’t tiny) thing to happen that didn’t. BUT it would have ruined the possible HEA so I need to shh.

OKAY. Now I’m just rambling. So I’ll end it here. Mags, Cleo, Jonas (my favs the whole time)…Amara, Lucia, Felix, etc. I really did like the end of it all. I really hate long series because, as they progress, they truly do lose something-But that never happened here. In fact, I only loved each installment more and more-so that is something truly special in my eyes. And yes, this is more of a fangirl review and not all poetic and pretty with the words like I know I can do…but sometimes you gotta let that freak flag fly-and if you can’t do it for one of your favorite characters and favorite series of all time…when CAN you do it? If you have read every book and are just waiting on this installment….have fun. I know you will love it, or at least really like it. Not everyone can love all the POVs. If you haven’t read this series? Shame on you. Shame shame shame. If you are considering it? I’ll forgive you. Just this once….but you MUST read it-or I’ll rescind my forgiveness and take all my kindness away lol. Go forth…and enjoy. <3

***************

Oh guys. This book. You know when it’s the final book and nothing can compare to your wild expectations? Well…this is me at work:

But inside….Inside THIS is me and WAS me the whole entirety of this beautiful novel:

Because frankly, Magnus has become close to a number one bbf in the span of less than a year. Because this book made it so I literally felt like I couldn’t breathe, like the butterflies MIGHT just take over my stomach and come out through my mouth. Because this book, aside from maybe ONE teensy thing I wanted to happen (because, again, I am a masochistic butthole), was everything I could possibly have hoped for. Because this book…it was perfection.

But like with all wonderful series…I’m sad to see it end. But I couldn’t be prouder of this author and how she managed to end with integrity and with a series that never lost steam, but actually GAINED more fans as it progressed. That is SO rare and I am OBSESSED with it. In fact, this might be a top 3 or 4 on my list-and nothing has broken onto that list since, like 2013. So. Yeah.

RTC.

*****************

Whooooo loves Penguin Teen? Chellllseeaaaa loves Penguin Teen. Is it truuuuuuue??? MMHHMMMMMMM.

I do I do I DO-ooooooooo

Did I mention I have ALL THE LUCK?! ALL OF IT.

***Sorry for 5 reposts. I coudn’t get my sharing photo site to work!!!!!!!!!!

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BOOK REVIEW – More Than We Can Tell by Brigid Kemmerer

February 20, 2018 / Jen / 10 Comments

More Than We Can Tell by Brigid Kemmerer
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
With loving adoptive parents by his side, Rev Fletcher has managed to keep the demons of his past at bay. . . until he gets a letter from his abusive father and the trauma of his childhood comes hurtling back.

Emma Blue's parents are constantly fighting, and her only escape is the computer game she built from scratch. But when a cruel online troll's harassment escalates, she not only loses confidence but starts to fear for her safety.

When Rev and Emma meet, they're both longing to lift the burden of their secrets. They connect instantly and deeply, promising to help each other no matter what. But soon Rev and Emma's secrets threaten to crush them, and they'll need more than a promise to find their way out.

From the author of Letters to the Lost comes a new compulsively readable story for fans of Nicola Yoon.

Review:

More Than We Can Tell was an emotional book that was the perfect mixture of heart-wrenching and oh so sweet. So I definitely wasn’t surprised that I had tears in my eyes, when I was only a few chapters into this story. It was a testament to how easily these characters captured my heart. And while this can be read as a standalone, I recommend picking up Letters to the Lost too. That story first introduced us to Rev, and it was one of my favorite books from last year.

I think of the girl beside the church.
You’re afraid.
I’ve spent years learning how not to be afraid. And now, with a few short sentences, my father has sliced through all my defenses. – Rev

Confession time – I had already fallen for Rev Fletcher in Letters to the Lost. He was Declan’s best friend, and we saw what an amazing man he was. He was always there for Declan, had so much compassion in his heart, and was such a good guy. Even though it was obvious that he suffered from his own personal demons. So to start off the book with his world exploding? Oh. My heart ached so badly for him. And it was all because he received a letter from his biological father. The man who raised him till he was eight, and who physically and mentally tortured Rev. All in the name of God. And from just that one letter, Rev started to spiral down into a dark abyss.

I keep worrying about my father, wondering when something is going to snap inside me. Wondering when I’m going to turn vicious and cruel, just like he did. – Rev

While Rev found himself sinking into a horrific darkness, he met someone who was suffering too. Emma Blue. Within that first interaction, they shared a tiny piece of what they were feeling. I loved that with just a few words, they felt that connection. They made each other not feel so alone in the world. And from there, each time they ran into one another or met up, they let each other in just a little bit more. It was such a beautiful progression to watch their friendship blossom. They listened, they offered advice, they confessed and they found solace in each other. But within it all, was butterflies and the possibility of a first love.

I block him.
Then I slam my laptop shut. I flip over in bed and scream into my pillow.
I scream so loud and so long that I forget what silence is like.
I scream until I run out of breath. – Emma

I was so thankful that Emma met Rev. Because it felt as though she had no one at times. She struggled in her relationships with her parents. They weren’t supportive of her, weren’t around, and they treated her like an inconvenience. On top of that, she seemed to be drifting away from her best friend. As if that wasn’t enough, she suffered from horrific online bullying. And while I loved how outspoken and tough Emma could be at times, I did struggle with her. She had a habit of pushing others away or saying hurtful things. And the few times she did that to Rev, well it hurt me too. Even though I saw where she learned that behavior from, and I got why she did it, I still didn’t like it at all. But thankfully Emma made up for it again and again.

“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For seeing me.”
Then he turns, jogs across the street, and disappears into the darkness beyond.

There were so many beautiful messages in this book, that I believe are extremely important. They ranged from bullying, to trusting the wrong people, to discovering solace in the ones you love and to also finding acceptance within yourself. And on top of the messages, there were other people that added so much heart to this story. Such as Declan, Rev’s adoptive parents and Matthew! Ahhh I can’t say anymore, but I’d love to read Matthew’s own book someday *fingers crossed*! So I found myself closing the book extremely happy with how it all ended. It’s a fabulous read, and I definitely recommend it!!

PS If you want to read my 5 Star Review of Letters to the Lost, the book the first introduces us to Rev, you can read it here.

*ARC kindly provided by Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

BOOK REVIEW – We Own Tonight by Corinne Michaels

February 15, 2018 / Arielle / 0 Comments

We Own Tonight by Corinne Michaels
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
From New York Times Bestseller, Corinne Michaels, comes a sexy new STANDALONE romance novel.

I’m not a one-night stand kind of woman. I’m especially not the woman who has a few drinks at a concert and ends up in bed with my childhood celebrity crush, Eli Walsh.

However, that’s exactly where I find myself.

What’s a girl to do after a drunken mistake? Run. I grab my clothes and get away from the powerful, irresistible, and best-sex-of-my-life superstar as fast as I can. His gorgeous green eyes, rock-hard body, and cocky smile have no place in my world. My life is complicated enough.

Someone forgot to tell him that.

Eli is relentless. Pushing his way into my heart, wearing me down, proving he’s nothing like I assumed, and everything I need. But when my world shatters to pieces, he holds the broken bits together. Unwillingly, I fall desperately in love with him.

He made me think we’d have forever . . . I should’ve listened when he said we could only own tonight.

Review:

“It’s not a line. It’s you. I can’t explain it, but you’re all I think about. The way you hide your face from me when you’re unsure of yourself. How your smile makes my heart stop, and how even now, with speckles of paint on your face, you take my breath away. Don’t you see? I tried to stay away, but I keep finding myself back here.”

Mmm I am very torn on this book. I finished it last night and have since decided on rating it a 3.5. The tricky thing about these books and these characters is that while there were a lot of *different* aspects for me, there was also a lot of run-of-the-mill plot points and characteristics, too. There were times that I was tearing up and had giddiness fizzing up inside of me..but then other times were I found myself skimming through cheesy lines and the steamy scenes—which is never a good sign lol. It was in no way bad, but I wouldn’t say that I would consider it a great romance either by any means.

I tell myself, and everyone else, that there’s nothing here, but when he’s close, I can’t pretend. Eli breathes life into a heart that was deflated.

We start the generic plot line with there being a famous musician, Eli, who was/is still part of a boy band that was huge back in the day and who currently is doing a reunion tour with the rest of his band members. Other MC, Heather, is dragged to the concert by her best friend (thought it isn’t that much of a hardship because she’s had a HUGE crush on Eli since the band was first popular. Of course, the group of girl friends have front row tickets and OF COURSE the two lock eyes. She’s called on stage, serenaded by Eli, and is asked to join him backstage….we can all guess what happens. Sexy times and then she runs from him. WHICH NEVER HAPPENS TO THIS SEX PANTHER! Lol but really. Obviously the fact that she ran piqued his interest enough for him to chase after her and I think we all can guess what happens after….the pursuit.

As I’m typing this I realize I’m making it sound worse that it was but you know, it did take me an abnormally long time to finish so I guess there were some parts that really just didn’t rub me the right way *shrug*.

Being vulnerable is a scary thing. It’s hard to give anyone, let alone Eli, unfettered access to my biggest fear. I’ve been alone for a long time, and I’ve learned to handle it. This, though? I have no idea how to handle. Having a taste of Eli’s affection is enough to make me an addict.

The biggest part of this book that was different to me (based solely on the romances that I normally read) was their ages. Both of them were either late thirties or early forties and had obviously *lived* more than me. They had seen a divorce, a failed engagement, and just weren’t immature and dealing with issues that I normally see in the books that I read. There was also a pretty unique storyline about Heather taking care of a sister with Huntington’s and maybe another illness of some kind. I loved seeing how nurturing Heather was and it completely made sense why she was as vulnerable as she was. Other things going on with Eli, along with that older age also made it realistic that he was as sweet and as caring for her as he was. I mean, yeah it all happened so fast but they also weren’t in the beginnings of figuring out who they were as adults. Like I said, I understood it BUT there were also many times where their words of passion just kind of had me rolling my eyes. I love my husband with all of my heart and he is 100% my soul mate and I am a HUGE romantic BUTTTT there’s no way in hell I could imagine us having those conversations together lol. Too too much.

Now don’t go reading all of this and dismiss this book. It is good. It does touch on subjects like illness in the family and how hard and demanding being a caretaker can be. (I had an uncle who had Down Syndrome that lived with us for three years after my grandma died and I saw firsthand how much of a toll it took on my mom, even though we LOVED having him with us). The writing was good and the dialogue was well written, it just overall wasn’t my complete cup of tea!

“More. I want more.”
“And what if you realize I’m not worth more?”
He shakes his head. “What if you’re worth it all?”