Category: Review (Page 221 of 295)

BOOK REVIEW: Frisk Me (New York’s Finest #1) by Lauren Layne

July 24, 2015 / Chelsea / 0 Comments

Frisk Me (New York's Finest #1)
by Lauren Layne
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Officer Luc Moretti had no idea that his dive into the East River would have him drowning in a media frenzy. No matter how many times he tells reporters he was just doing his job, they're determined to make him into NYC's newest hero. Coming from a long line of NYPD's finest, Luc knows that being a cop has nothing to do with headlines and viral videos, and he's more than ready to get back to life away from the cameras—until he meets the gorgeous but jaded journalist assigned to film a TV special on him.

Ava Sims may be the only woman in NYC who isn't in love with Officer Moretti. That's why she's going after the real story—to find out about the man behind the badge. Ava's determined to keep things strictly professional, but the more time she spends around Luc, even she has to admit there's something about a man in uniform . . . and she can't wait to get him out of his.

*ARC provided by Publisher in exchange for an honest review*

“I love being a cop, but I love you more. I’d give up being everybody else’s hero, if you’ll just let me be yours.”

It doesn’t take much for a book to make me happy these days-I’m much pickier and have fifty times the rules I used to. But, in doing so, I’ve found what works. It’s not enough to have a cute boy and a lonely girl and some raunchy love scenes-I need essence. I need a beating heart between each and every page and I want that pulse to continue all the way through the end….Okay, maybe it does take a lot for me to be happy.

But the point in all of this is simple: I am much pickier-therefore, I find more books I enjoy because I sift past the bullshit that used to please me. My tastes have evolved and I have learned what makes a true author. Again, it’s not about making lovable characters, though that is tantamount to the essence of a great plot, but making them come alive-making you live and breathe with them, become them, feel each heart break and quarrel as if you are right there living it with them. Just as I mentioned above-the author has to be able to give the characters a pulse-and Lauren Layne is the QUEEN of all these things.

Luc’s eyebrows lifted. “Old? You’re what, twenty-five?”
“Twenty-eight. And don’t start in on me about how I’m a spring chicken with my whole life ahead of me, because time and age work differently in TV.”
“If I look like the type of guy that would use the phrase ‘spring chicken,’ I need to do some serious reevaluating of my manliness.”

I had mentioned earlier that I skip over tons of books these days, but not once have I thought to evade a Layne novel. It’s not often you find a favorite author who, despite the odds, never disappoints you. Many times you wait and wait and wait for that third book in a trilogy, only to be disappointed when your high expectations are crushed after such a long journey. I’m not going to lie-I have a ‘phobia’ (I say this loosely) of third books in my fantasy/dystopian/sci-fi series-I am so picky and they almost never hold up to my standards and I walk away with a heavy heart. But my favorite author here, she never lets me down. I don’t sit and stew about whether it will work, won’t work, will disappoint me…I just wait.

I sit and wait for netgalley, or whomever, to release the request for a LL novel and I immediately click that beautiful green ‘request’ button. Haven’t read the blurb yet? Who cares. I know, without a doubt, she could write about towelie and the return of Mr. Hankey, the Christmas Poo, and I wouldn’t bat an eyelash before I requested/read it (though, that would certainly create a lot of trademark problems, I would imagine).

“Not really,” Sawyer said, giving her an apologetic pat on the hand. “So. Who wants to tell me? Are we talking accidental boob brush?”
Ava gave him a glare.
Sawyer’s eyebrow lifted. “Full on cop-a-feel? Duuude.” He reached over to fist-bump Luc, who batted his hand out of the way.
Luc’s partner grinned and drained his beer. “This is nice. Me, Superman, Lois Lane, and unfilled lust.”

I always fangirl over Ms. Layne, but until she gives me a reason not to, I won’t stop. I was skeptical, I’ll admit, about this story. It might be the cover (sorry sorrryyyy!!!! (hides face)), seeing as I am a cover whore, but I dunno, I just always wonder how she will tackle a new story line. In this new series we have Luc Moretti, officer in NYC, and Ava Sims, reporter (AKA his worst nightmare).

But hey, bright side…at least now she knew what an ID was in cop-speak: Indecent exposure.
It also explained why Luc Moretti had changed his mind about letting her tag along. He thought she’d be scared off.
Please. It would take a hell of a lot more than a flaccid penis on a disorderly drunk to scare her off the story.

As the blurb touts, Luc isn’t a cop for the fame, the viral videos, the glory…he just wants to help others-to save and protect them at any cost. But one day his need to be anonymous is obliterated when a video of him risking his life to save a little girl goes viral and CBC sends a reporter to do an ‘American Hero’ story on him.

“Nope.” He moved closer, shifting so that his upper body leaned into hers. “We start with interrogations.”
“And then?” Her voice was flirty and light, but her eyes were pure heat.
His gaze dropped to his hand, which had found its way to her knee somehow.
“Depends. If the cop’s skilled at interrogation, things generally progress to handcuffs…and other things. If the cop’s unsuccessful…”
Luc broke off and shrugged.
Ava looked at him over the top of her wineglass. “Which one are you? The skilled interrogator or the other?”
“Depends.”
“On.”
He leaned in and pressed his lips to her ear. “Whether or not you like handcuffs.”

The animosity that ensues when sexy reporter Ava Sims steps on the scene is palpable, even as officer Luc Moretti pleads to his boss not to let this happen. But, more than that, not only does Luc and Ava’s hateful banter ring somewhat false, there are sparks, there is heat, there is chemistry, there is….recognition?

He would do his duty. He always did his duty. With pride.

Luc was absolute perfection (see my profile, section 3, BBF list, seventh down), but aren’t her male leads ALWAYS? His inner turmoil and broken torment are hid beneath a thin veil of sarcastic remarks and well-placed smirks that keep people content and distracted from what’s really there. His mind and soul aren’t at peace and his heart is heavy-there are darker sides to being a cop, but he is still the sweetest and kindest of his brothers-always the peace maker, always the one people want to talk to….Enter Ava.

“Sims, we’ve spent every day of the past week together. You’re practically my second partner on the job, even if you’re in the way more often than not.”
“Hey!”
He held up a hand to stop the protest. “No. You are, and you know it.”
She huffed. “I just wanted to turn on the siren once. Just to try it.”
“Uh huh. You’re telling me it had nothing to do with the fact that it was rush hour and you had to pee?”

Ava Sims gets on every last one of Luc’s nerves-history has them bickering constantly and snarky towards one another every chance they get. But then we get to see little bits and pieces of Ava that the world doesn’t get to see-her slightly skewed, too large glasses, her yoga pants, her damp ponytail and general lack of productiveness on the weekends-and that’s when I started to warm up to her. There was never anything wrong with her per se, but I also didn’t connect with her much at first. Then we began to see this sloppy Ava who, for all of the above reasons, reminds me of my little sister-slop extraordinaire. I swear to god, that is my sister down to a tee, and I LOVED THAT about Ava. I felt this tiny little connection that made me smile as I imagined my sister like this every Friday night after a long work week of dressing up and playing a part.

“Did I mention Miss Sims and I have a history?” he said, knowing it would be exactly the kind of topic change that she would latch on to.
Nonna’s gray eyebrows lifted. “Did you fornicate?”
Luc choked on his beer. “Jesus, no. And there should be a ban against that word.”
“Don’t be prudish, Luca.”

So, yeah, this isn’t my favorite LL novel (I think Blurred Lines might be (maybe?) There are too many-maybe After the Kiss or Broken or The Trouble with Love), but that doesn’t mean I didn’t reach my happy place-because I did. And with a Grandma like Nonna-Oh my GAHD did I laugh out loud with this woman when she and Luc had their hilarious conversations-how could you not laugh and smile constantly? I swear, even if you aren’t prone to laughing out loud like myself, you will-It’s an inevitability because….yoga. Anyway, I can only hope that everyone finds as much happiness out of this book as I did. The tears were falling and my heart was soaring-I was in heaven.

Reading Order & Links: Amazon (click on covers), iBooks (click on titles) & Book Depository (click on book #) *Each book can be read as a standalone, but best enjoyed in order.*
Frisk Me #1 Reviews: Chelsea Jen	Steal Me #2 Reviews: Chelsea	Cuff Me #3 Reviews: Chelsea

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“I love being a cop, but I love you more. I’d give up being everybody else’s hero, if you’ll just let me be yours.”

I mean…how could I not give it 5 stars? Come on.

Review to come

ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review 😀 😀

BOOK REVIEW: Turning Point (Kathleen Turner #3) by Tiffany Snow

July 22, 2015 / Chelsea / 0 Comments

Turning Point (Kathleen Turner #3)
by Tiffany Snow
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
After her promotion from law firm Runner to Investigator, Kathleen Turner is learning the ropes of her new job from none other than assassin-for-hire Kade Dennon, a situation her boyfriend Blane Kirk is none too happy about. But the lessons with Kathleen take a back seat when Kade becomes a target. Previously untouchable, his enemies now know of the chink in his armor – his brother’s girlfriend.

And Kade’s not the only thing coming between Kathleen and Blane. From Blane's inexplicable defense of a man guilty of a horrible crime, to a mysterious stranger from Kathleen's past, to Kathleen' risky investigation into human traffickers, the obstacles mount against a relationship that's just begun to find trust again.

While Blane considers a job offer that would take him back to the front lines in the war on terror, Kathleen is determined to pursue her new career, with or without his approval. Unfortunately, her current case is far more dangerous than anyone knows. Someone close to Blane will go to extreme lengths to split them up, lengths that may prove worse than death for Kathleen.

Kathleen, Blane and Kade must atone for the sins of the past and the present. The fallout will force Kathleen to a turning point...in her career, and her life.

His body blocked mine where I stood. Tipping my head back, I looked up at him. His eyes burned a path down my body.
“Fuck bullets,” he rasped. “You’re going to be the death of me.”

Well, well, well….here we are at that beautiful four solid star rating….but it’s still not enough to be above a true 3.5. I’m not sure it will ever be above that, seeing as I hear it only becomes worse (The love traingle, the unbelievable action, the solution to aforementioned triangle..). But, as I’ve said many times before, this series is a release. I’m not rushing to the next books to immediately move on and I’m only reading it during the week when I’m a little busier-This series is an escape-a moronic, albeit addicting, escape.

“Tell me you don’t want me,” he demanded. “Look at me in the eye and say you don’t feel the heat between us. Do that, and I’ll stop.”

Maybe since I’m not reading them in a row I won’t become as disillusioned as many readers did, and not rushing through them makes them a getaway, of sorts, when I do come back into this wonderful world of 9 lives for Kat and crazy, out of this world situations.

“Neither Blane nor I are your happily-ever-after, princess. Blane will break your heart, and I’m the guy your mom warned you about. Don’t kid yourself about that.”

I won’t say much, seeing as this is a long series and I’m sure I will just be repeating myself, but I will say that with each passing book, I feel worse and worse for the boys. For one? They are in love with a total fruitcake. I don’t hate Kathleen, per se, but I also don’t admire her. She is strong in her convictions to not hurt Blane, and she does love him, but she sure is all up on Kade a lot….which then makes me feel bad for Kade…who does it to himself

“You make me want things,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “Impossible things.”

I mean, holy fuck, boys, she’s not a siren. She’s just a ditz that fell into the lap of someone who has forever changed her world.

I understand it’s a romance…but there is no reason this chick is worth ruining a brother relationship over. I just…Okay, I’ll stop. Secondly, they obviously both want a future with a girl who can’t think past dinner. Thirdly, I feel a tad like she’s a bit self-righteous when she has no right to be (And then a lot of times she does have the right-I’m not kidding-there are a ton of scenarios zipping through here). And lastly, they continually risk their lives for her. That shit ain’t easy.

I snorted in derision. I was so not worth coming between them. Not that I thought I wasn’t a decent catch-I was pretty enough, and intelligent.

But most troublesome, for me, is the look of torment on Kade’s face when he sees her and Blane schmoozing it up. Just…wow. It hurts, but I love it. Sick, I know, blah blah. I hate rooting against a relationship, and I hate even more knowing whom she ends up with (yes yes, bad Chelsea, BAD!), but I can’t help it-I love both boys and I am not ashamed of it. If I had to choose right now, though, just had to, it would be Kade. Ugh. I feel bad.

He glanced at me. I was already shaking my head. “But I know you won’t go. So someone needs to keep an eye on you tonight.”
“I volunteer,” Kade piped in. “Especially if she’s going to wear that.”
I shot him a glare. The last thing I needed, or wanted, was him antagonizing Blane.
Kade feigned innocence. “What? Hey, it’s better than what you wore in Denver.”
In my peripheral vision, I saw Blane’s hands tighten on the steering wheel. If I could have climbed over the seat and strangled Kade, I gladly would have.

I’m still waiting, though. I’m waiting for this dark knight that breaks even more out of his shell, because, at the moment, Kade isn’t being what I need him to be….but I’m hoping book four will rectify this. I hope hope hope we get to see a different side of Kade we’re only seeing in bits and pieces-because now? Blane is the only fully developed male lead, in my opinion.

“Don’t get your panties in a twist,” Kade said. “Oh wait, I forgot.” He leaned across the table. “You’re not wearing any.”
He took another swallow of his beer, his eyes glittering with mischief as he watched me.
“Thought I wasn’t supposed to remind you about that,” I said archly.
Kade shrugged. “Doesn’t matter. It’s all I can think about anyway.”

So eh. I dunno. Definitely an improvement on the boys in this one, but Kathleen continues to not shock me lol. I swear, with all this fighting over her, you’d think she had…hmm…no…I won’t say it lest you all become disgusted. I am still waiting for something to really wow me with this series…and I’m hoping it’s book four because I have NOT heard great things about five. Sigh. Guess we’ll see.

BOOK REVIEW – Addicted to You (Addicted #1) by Krista Ritchie & Becca Ritchie

July 21, 2015 / Jen / 0 Comments

Addicted to You (Addicted #1)
by Becca Ritchie, Krista Ritchie
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
She's addicted to sex. He's addicted to booze...the only way out is rock bottom.

No one would suspect shy Lily Calloway's biggest secret. While everyone is dancing at college bars, Lily stays in the bathroom. To get laid. Her compulsion leads her to one-night stands, steamy hookups and events she shamefully regrets. The only person who knows her secret happens to have one of his own.

Loren Hale's best friend is his bottle of bourbon. Lily comes at a close second. For three years, they've pretended to be in a real relationship, hiding their addictions from their families. They've mastered the art of concealing flasks and random guys that filter in and out of their apartment.

But as they sink beneath the weight of their addictions, they cling harder to their destructive relationship and wonder if a life together, for real, is better than a lie. Strangers and family begin to infiltrate their guarded lives, and with new challenges, they realize they may not just be addicted to alcohol and sex.

Their real vice may be each other.

Review:

Our selfishness wedges between us. Neither of us is willing to give up what we love for each other. Not yet. And I’m not sure what it’s going to take to let go of our addictions. – Lily

The premise of this book sounded utterly fascinating. A sex addict (Lily Calloway) and alcoholic (Loren Hale) who have been best friends since childhood and pretend to be in a relationship to keep their addictions a secret from their families? Intrigued! Add in fact that the characters opulence is floated throughout the pages and I was sold! In the beginning, I was enamored with their lifestyle, decisions and struggles. It honestly felt as though I was devouring a book that would be a perfect fit as a reality show on TV. Wealth, addiction, lies, sex, alcohol, family. Flawless, right? But while all of these features initially drew me in, they started to drain me. I felt as though I was drowning in their ill choices and hardships. And in the end, it took too large of a toll on me.

Why can’t I have an addiction that people understand? It’s a vile thought—to wish for an addiction many die with. I’d rather have none at all, but for some reason, I never allow myself that option. – Lily

This stories portrayal of their addictions felt real. And while I’ve read stories with addictions before, none have ever felt as though the addiction is as huge as the main character. Where it is a constant state that never stops breathing. Watching Lo (Loren) be a functioning alcoholic and start drinking from the moment he woke up from passing out hurt. It pained me to watch someone struggle with such a strong addiction. Maybe I’m more sensitive since I watched one of my good friends father’s be a functioning alcoholic. Happy and present, until it killed him. With pages upon pages of Lo constantly having a drink in his hand, of saying and doing hurtful things because of his drunkenness, my god it devastated me. Every second of his day pained me except for the moments where he would say something beautiful and sweet to Lily. They did truly love each other, but it never felt as though it was enough to outweigh their addictions. Now Lily’s sex addiction? It was depressing also. Instead of being hot (not sure why I thought it would be that way because hellllllllo, it’s an addiction!), I wanted to cry for this girl who couldn’t control her sex addiction. Who ended up in potentially hazardous situations all to get her next fix. Can I go in the corner and sob now please?

I can’t do this again. “I’ll stop, not the sex, but the motels, the unknown texts, Craigslist—”
“Craigslist?!” he yells. “What the fuck, Lily? You know who solicits for sex on those things? Child molesters and perverts, not to mention it’s fucking illegal.”
“I didn’t use it!” I shout back, my cheeks flaming. “I was just looking.” – Lily

Even though I could feel their pain radiating off of the pages, I couldn’t make myself connect to either Lo or Lily. Ironically, the one I did connect with showed up a little later in the story and his name was Connor. He was rude, presumptuous, and hilarious. I loved the moments that he was around Lily and Lo because it helped add humor and scenes that didn’t have me wanting to curl into the fetal position and just cry. So unfortunately, Addicted to You was too depressing for me. I knew going into the book that it dealt with addictions, but I didn’t expect to be drowning in their sorrows and hearth-aches on what felt like every page. I wasn’t ale to find many slivers of hope, besides Connor. So no, I won’t be continuing on with this series.

BOOK REVIEW: Turn to Me (Kathleen Turner #2) by Tiffany Snow

July 17, 2015 / Chelsea / 0 Comments

Turn to Me (Kathleen Turner #2)
by Tiffany Snow
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
When Kathleen Turner, office runner for the prestigious Indianapolis law firm of Kirk & Trent, started dating the boss she knew the risks. Senior Partner Blane Kirk is known for being a notorious player - the Baskin Robbins of dating with a different flavor every month. Kathleen is the happiest she’s been in a long time, especially as Christmas approaches, but she’s always known there was a termination date on her relationship with Blane.

She just didn’t expect that termination to be her funeral.

A festive afternoon of Christmas tree shopping turns life-threatening when Kathleen and Blane become targets for an unknown gunman. They make it home alive, but Kathleen realizes her boyfriend has been keeping secrets. The deadly kind.

Blane’s current case is drawing heated debate and stirring the pot of public fury. Kathleen is horrified by the threats – and worse – being directed at him. A former Navy SEAL stands accused of the wrongful death of an American citizen during a military operation overseas. The case has far-reaching political and military implications. Someone with a lot of money, and even more clout, wants Blane to lose.

As dead bodies of people connected to the defense start piling up, it becomes painfully obvious that disappearing witnesses and altered testimony are no longer enough for whoever is intent on guaranteeing the SEAL gets convicted. Kathleen and Kade, Blane’s brother and ex-FBI-agent-turned-assassin-for-hire, are on the trail of the killer.

Unfortunately for Kathleen, he’s already moved for the end-game – by painting a target on her...and pulling the trigger.

“Someone watched us have sex?” I asked in disbelief, my voice a high screech that I immediately regretted as my head throbbed. I felt violated and humiliated. What sick pervert would do that?
“I don’t think you’re focusing on the important part,” Blane said, his voice flat. “Someone tried to kill you.”

Gahd, these books will be the end of me. I mean…there are just so many wonderful things and ideas, but then for every wonderful thing or idea there’s a retarded counterpart you just can’t help but to scoff at-and then it totally ruins EVERYTHING. So then why, you must be asking, would I choose to continue to book three? And my answer would be…

I have No. Fucking. Idea.

But then like most of my harebrained ideas, I never make much sense. I’m sure y’all are used to it by now, right? Welp, if not, get used to it. This series has 5 books-I’ve read two-and I still am all over the place on my feels. I’ve always tried to not be a total fickle piece of work, but some series just bring out your inner brat, ya know?

“I lied, you know,” he said casually.
My hand froze and my entire body went still beneath his.
“I did look.”

Speaking of brats…no, no I’m just kidding. But really….Kathleen is a total brat. How many times, for real, HOW MANY FUCKING TIMES must someone ask you to Just. Stay. Put?!

“Stay, Kathleen. Stay! Good girl, Kat. Good girl. You’re a good girl, aren’t you widdle, Kathleen? Who’s a good girl? Stay, Kat. Just…stay. Okay, I’m leaving now so why don’t you just totally disobey my wishes for you to live past the night and go start investigating this highly dangerous case?? Aw. That’s my girl. But really…stay.”

I mean….someone is stalking your ass and you choose to disobey not only your own personal protector, Kade, and your damned boyfriend, Blane…..but your own personal sense of preservation!!!! Why would you choose to walk out the door when you damn well know that you’ve found cigarette butts from your stalker outside your apartment???

Roses are red,
Violets are blue.
Bet you don’t see me,
But I can see you.

And oh man, guys, I am not naïve-I realize people make stupid mistakes and I know that I read books to escape reality, but when does unbelievability during Every. Damn. Scene. become too much? Well that’s subjective, ain’t it? So I’ll just tell you when enough is enough for me-When you almost:

-Get mugged
-Sliced and diced
-Shot at (more than once, I might add)
-Abducted

and omg that’s just off the top of my head!!! I swear to god this totally happened more than once:

I. Swear. To. God. And it’s so fucking funny, honestly, I’m sitting here giggling like a loser because the sickest damn part is that I am actually STILL thinking about this stupid, infuriating, annoying book because in a deep, deep, deep, dark and even darker place…I love this series. Kind of. Maybe?? God I don’t even know!!! I read it, I roll my eyes, and then I long to read more about Kade after I put it down. I long to see Blane and he go head to head for her-for what fucking reason, I’ve no clue-She’s just….ugh!!!!! This chick WORKS that nine lives shit. I mean, something is ALWAYS happening to this clumsy bitch!!

“Enough,” he ordered.
“Fuck you,” I snarled.
His lips twitched at my defiance. He moved his face even nearer to mine, our lips inches apart.
“You feel that?” he nearly whispered, his voice low and intent. “You feel that rage inside? Burning hot in the pit of your stomach?”
Confused, I hesitantly nodded. What was he doing?
“That’s what’s going to keep you alive,” he said. “Hold on to it. Fear will only sign your death warrant. Stay mad, princess.”

And don’t even get me started on the writing-‘I walked to my car. I saw that a window was cracked so I assumed that I had left it open. I gently cracked open the door and peered inside-I wanted to be sure I was right and that my stalker hadn’t been in my car. It looked safe.’ Dudes….I wrote that myself, but I swear on my life that is what the writing is like (SOMETIMES). When we are stuck in her head for extended periods of time, it’s all ‘I I I I I’ and it breaks down everything. But when we actually have a conversation going with Kade or Blane? It’s perfection. I mean, okay, it’s cheesy as fuck, but that’s beside the point. Those parts are actually interesting.

“Protecting Blane,” I said softly, a rueful smile on my lips. “You’re a good brother, Kade.”
He studied me for a moment before murmuring, “I don’t know if that’s true anymore.”

Hmmm…but while we’re on the dialogue subject? Cheese. Total cheese. And with the boys, it’s the best kind of cheese. I would totally snort it like Chester the cheetah does with his Cheetos. But then other times? Pick a cheese, any cheese-Swiss, Gouda, American, Bleu (should the cheeses be capitalized? Errr)…oh, and is there a motherfucking cheating cheese? Because there is certainly some, ahem, cheating cheese in this one-Oops.

Perhaps I am biased, but I knew who I liked in book one. Yes, my girls had me already thinking of the dark knight before I even started-The boy who seems to always be there for in the shadows. Shhh. Don’t judge, just love, accept.

”Sometimes knights wear black.”

And I guess part of my anger with this series is that I didn’t get why 90% of my friends loved Mr. K over beautiful B. Like…why? But now I see why everyone began to switch-if they weren’t already leaning that way already. And it makes me sad because how fucking manipulative-I don’t know. I just don’t. I love both dudes and they are clearly the only reason I’m reading this series (duh). But don’t insult my intelligence-if I hadn’t known who she ended up with already, I sure as shit would have figured it out with this one. How manipulative.

And the tree farm. Okay, I’ll admit it-I’m an Indiana chick and omg it is SO badass that they went to my tree farm! We go EVERY YEAR. But then…hmm….did I mention that…like…nothing was right? Lmao, how in the hell did that bitch get lost? No, for real, come on-How did she get lost in the woods? WHAT WOODS?! Oh gosh, just…no, I’ll stop there-it was ALL wrong. Don’t even get me started.

I smiled tiredly. “You have to tell him ‘Go toodles, Bits. Go toodles for Momma,’” I said, pitching my voice high in imitation. “Or else he won’t go.”
-I mean…I just. I can’t even.

So yeah. I love the boys. I love the sexy. I love the turmoil. I do. Otherwise I wouldn’t be reading it. I do enjoy it-but at times it becomes too much. I love it in bits and pieces (namely, every time the boys are involved). It makes me happy, for whatever GD reason. I do think people could love this. My friends do. Hell, I even do for most parts (Kathleen notwithstanding). In the end? It’s:

Manipulative, moronic, and utterly pushy on who we should love…..

And I’m starting book three next week.

The irony isn’t lost on me.

Shut up.

AGH. THAT FELT GOOOOOD (To quote Dale in Horrible Bosses…)

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

Soooooo yeah. Here we are. Again I am sucked in by Kade and Blane and their tsunami like love for Kathleen (which I STILL don’t get, by the way). And it’s still just as unbelievable and hilarious in it’s attempts to be clever. Yet..I will go on >.< lol

Sigh. Review to come tomorrow 😀

BOOK REVIEW: Ink and Bone (The Great Library #1) by Rachel Caine

July 14, 2015 / Chelsea / 2 Comments

Ink and Bone (The Great Library #1)
by Rachel Caine
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
In an exhilarating new series, New York Times bestselling author Rachel Caine rewrites history, creating a dangerous world where the Great Library of Alexandria has survived the test of time.…

Ruthless and supremely powerful, the Great Library is now a presence in every major city, governing the flow of knowledge to the masses. Alchemy allows the Library to deliver the content of the greatest works of history instantly—but the personal ownership of books is expressly forbidden.

Jess Brightwell believes in the value of the Library, but the majority of his knowledge comes from illegal books obtained by his family, who are involved in the thriving black market. Jess has been sent to be his family’s spy, but his loyalties are tested in the final months of his training to enter the Library’s service.

When he inadvertently commits heresy by creating a device that could change the world, Jess discovers that those who control the Great Library believe that knowledge is more valuable than any human life—and soon both heretics and books will burn.…

Give in. Give up.
Survive.

Beautiful. Mesmerizing. Addictive. So many words come to mind when I think of this story. I have many regrets as of late, and not being able to read my dystopian/sci-fi/fantasy is one of them. But perhaps the larger crime is that when I do attempt to stick one of these stories in my reading schedule I’m either:

A) too tired
B) too tired
C) too tired

Oh, and did I mention my time has been severely limited? I’ve always been that girl that scoffs when people say they are ‘too tired’ or ‘don’t have time’. I mean, we have the time we make, ya know? And believe me, I still live by this. I set aside adequate time to read this story, only to realize that after about 10 pages (at times while reading) I wouldn’t even know what had happened. That was when I decided it was time to set this story down and pick it up when I had time.

Doing this pained me-I never put aside those I truly cherish, and this story was just magnificent. But when you can’t do it…you just can’t fucking do it. So, as I read 50% on Saturday, I decided to read the last 50% (the most action-packed, heart-wrenching parts of the story) when I had the chance. And oh man, did it kill me-what if when I picked it up, the characters/pace/plot were like strangers to me? But as I (surprisingly) gained a large amount of time yesterday, I picked this story up and it was like I’d never left.

“No, it’s alright,” he said, and tried to sit up, but the brief nap had stiffened his sore muscles, and it was a clumsy process. He grabbed at the robe to keep it more or less closed. It was mostly a failed attempt, and it exposed the livid black-and-blue of his side. She took in a breath and came to help him rise. He yanked the robe back together and tied it shut.
“Don’t apologize,” she said. “I’ve seen worse.”
“You mean the bruises, I hope.”

It speaks volumes to me when I can put a story down and come back to it with much (if not all) the same feels. Jess’s story intrigued and delighted me, making me feel like I was in this magical world that has long since been lost to me. Dare I say that this reminded me of a very twisted version of Harry Potter mixed with The Testing? Not one moment was dull and more than once I felt like I was trapped in a super psycho version of Hogwarts.

Reset the board and keep playing.

That’s not to say I felt the story was anything like Harry’s, naturally. No, what we have here is dark, sinister, and twisted-wrapped in a neat little package so people believe the Library is good, whole, looking out for the betterment of the world and those who wish to prosper in it. But what lies beneath is much more terrifying (Cue The Testing vibes) and unlike anything Jess could have imagined.

What if all you had ever worked for, everything you dreamed of, everything you put your whole life into turned out to be exactly what the underbelly of the world said it was? What if your life’s goal turned out to be like making a deal with the devil? And what happens when all of your newly found friends began to disappear in horrible and unimaginable ways…..and not just when they get sent home? What then?

What would that be like, to have that single, unshakable faith in the world, to not see all the shadows?

Jess was a truly remarkable character. I remember when my lovely friend Anna was talking about him-She got the vibe that he cared more about this futuristic world where books were coveted holier and more valuable than human lives. She wanted him to care, to fight for people. And in a way I see what she’s saying-He was kind of out for himself, ya know? But then here’s me, right where I always am: Team Boy. I mean, come on. He’s a book smuggler, brought up in an illegal business only to pass a test to be admitted for the chance to become a Library Scholar/Representative/Whatever. He is against other students and time and again proves how cunning he is….and yes, he rocks a ‘tude….and I fucking loved it.

Jess is smart and he knows it. He does what he has to to move onto the next round, doing what must be done to move on….but he begins to change. He starts to care. Those people he looked at with competition in his eyes start to become his family, these people who are standing in his way. And would you be so quick to befriend those who could possibly send you back to the horrible world you once lived in? I think not. But Jess…Hmm I loved Jess. Shocking, isn’t it?

You said stay.

And the romance. Daaawww I loved it. While not the main plot point, it still touched me deeply and ripped my heart in two. Morgan and Jess’s journey was a tremulous one, danger and secrets swirling around them like an unkempt tornado of peril and destruction. I think that was my favorite part about their romance-which is sick-but I’ve never said I’m sane, k? Desperation, despair, and longing convolute what is, making for an emotional vortex that you don’t realize you’re being sucked into….until a plea and raspy voice (Have I mentioned raspy voices in books are my downfall in an emotional scene?? Muaha) are staring you right in the face and you just know it’s going to haunt your dreams long after you’ve finished and gone to bed.

He wanted to laugh at himself for being so stupid. He wanted to scream until his throat bled.

I just…I can’t say why I loved this so much. And I can’t say I gave it my all-which breaks my heart. A 5 star book has been lowered because, again, I didn’t have the time to give to it, so I can assure you I will be re-reading this as soon as humanly possible. Jess’s turmoil touched something deep inside of me, and I longed for him to succeed, to break away from the horrible life he grew up living. I am a sucker for male POVs….and I’m more than certain I will be searching for more male POV books-they seem to be my favorites lately. Again, shocking, isn’t it?