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BOOK REVIEW: The Sweetest Oblivion (Made #1) by Danielle Lori

BOOK REVIEW: The Sweetest Oblivion (Made #1) by Danielle LoriThe Sweetest Oblivion (Made #1)
by Danielle Lori
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

She’s a romantic at heart, living in the most unromantic of worlds . . .

Nicknamed Sweet Abelli for her docile nature, Elena smiles on cue and has a charming response for everything. She’s the favored daughter, the perfect mafia principessa . . . or was.

Now, all she can see in the mirror’s reflection is blood staining her hands like crimson paint.

They say first impressions are everything . . .

In the murky waters of New York’s underworld, Elena’s sister is arranged to marry Nicolas Russo. A Made Man, a boss, a cheat—even measured against mafia standards. His reputation stretches far and wide and is darker than his black suits and ties. After his and Elena’s first encounter ends with an accidental glare on her part, she realizes he’s just as rude as he is handsome.

She doesn’t like the man or anything he stands for, though that doesn’t stop her heart from pattering like rain against glass when he’s near, nor the shiver that ghosts down her spine at the sound of his voice.

And he’s always near. Telling her what to do. Making her feel hotter than any future brother-in-law should. Elena may be the Sweet Abelli on the outside, but she’s beginning to learn she has a taste for the darkness, for rough hands, cigarettes, and whiskey-colored eyes. Having already escaped one scandal, however, she can hardly afford to be swept up in another.

Besides, even if he were hers, everyone knows you don’t fall in love with a Made Man . . . right?

This is a standalone forbidden romance.

Review:

The Sweetest Oblivion was the most wonderful surprise ever!  It was addicting, seductive and had some of the best sexual tension I’ve ever read.  The characters and story felt so real that the world around me disappeared each time I picked up this story.  I was completely enraptured by this forbidden tale and I can’t recommend it enough!

He took a small step forward.
As if we were the same poles of a magnet, I took one back.
He dropped his hand to his side, the slightest bit of amusement coming to life in his eyes as if I’d just done a trick that entertained him. I suddenly had the distinct feeling I didn’t want to be his entertainment. And an even stronger feeling that I already was.

Elena Abelli could be considered a princess in the mafia.  Her Italian family was deeply embedded and their marriages weren’t for love, they were arranged.  But because of an enormous past mistake, that left blood on her hands, she was passed over to be wed.  Her younger sister was to take her place and marry Nicholas Russo, aka Nico, one of the most notorious men in the mafia.

“For thinking I’m a psychopath, you don’t seem to fear being alone with me.”
“I can scream. Loudly.”
He glanced at me, like my words had an entirely different meaning— like he might like to hear me scream. My breathing became shallow.

From the moment that Elena and Nico met, sparks ignited and exploded.  Sexual tension seeped into every single instance they were near each other.  Even when they were surrounded by others, there was always this charge between them.  It didn’t matter if they were at a family gathering or if it was just a moment in passing, any time they were near one another it felt bigger than life.  But he was engaged to her sister. They shouldn’t feel that way, yet there was no way either of them could deny it.

His palm ran from my hip to my lower stomach. Heat curled inside me with the smallest amount of pressure from his hand. Each finger burned through the fabric while his lips brushed the nape of my neck. My insides were melting, dissolving into nothing but memory as he softly bit down and then licked the skin. I gripped the edge of the countertop, a moan crawling up my throat.

As the days passed, Elena and Nico started to push the limits for what was acceptable.  And things that seemed so simple were made beyond erotic.  I was left hanging onto every single breath, touch and look they had towards one another.  I was completely enraptured to see what would happen between them.  I found myself wanting to push them together, just so they could touch or be near each other again.

I wanted to fuck her and ruin her for anyone else. I wanted to crush her wings and then put them back together again so she’d become dependent on me. I wanted her to need me. That dark, possessive, and dangerous feeling crawled through me every time she crossed my path.
Elena Abelli was my vice, and fuck if I’d let it kill me. – Nico

The characters in this story added to my addiction.  Elena was always such a people pleaser, but from the moment she met Nico she was herself.  She had no problem pushing his buttons, being brutally honest with him and also letting her deepest desires rule her.  Even though Elena had her insecurities, she was a strong woman who I absolutely loved. And as for her interest in Nico?  I so got it. Nico was seductive but dangerous. He had a traumatic past, but he was a smart business man and got further than anyone else his age.  He was respected, feared and lusted after. And I found myself completely engrossed in everything that was Nico and his alpha ways. Especially when I read some of the chapters in his pov!  But those moments when Elena and Nico were together, they made me laugh, smile, swoon and fall deeply in love.  

He cupped me between the legs. “This is also the nicest puss—”
“Nico,” I cut him off, every inch of my skin warming.
He chuckled.
I loved the sound of his laugh, the way the warm timbre ghosted down my spine.
I shivered.

The Sweetest Oblivion was crazy hot and I loved every minute of it!  The world they lived in could be so dark at times, and while there were some twisted moments, I was completely fascinated by it all.  On top of being addicted to their world, Elena and Nico, I loved so many of the side characters. The meddling Grandma, her sister and cousins and even some of Nico’s relatives too.  The people in their lives filled up their world and it was all so colorful and emotional.  I was left hoping to catch many glances of them in the next book that’s supposed to be about a different couple.  I can’t wait to read everything else this author writes and I can’t recommend The Sweetest Oblivion enough!

*I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book, provided by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

BLOGIVERSARY + GIVEAWAY – Our Fiercest BBFs

the fiercest

The month of August marks our 4 year anniversary! And we’re celebrating…a little bit late cause life has been crazy…. by talking about some of our newer book boyfriends and we’re giving away books that we absolutely love! Our posts will be about our Fiercest BBfs, our Kindest BBFs, our Favorite Female Heroines, our Darkest BBFs and our Most Tortured BBFs……are you so excited?! Because we are!

Today we’re talking about Our Fiercest BBFs! If you haven’t met any of them, we highly recommend you do! And don’t forget to enter our fabulous giveaway below where we’re giving away 7 books that we love!


The Star-Crossed Ladies

 

Connor Cobalt from Kiss the Sky (Calloway Sisters #1) by Krista Ritchie & Becca Ritchie
* Amazon * Goodreads *

Connor Cobalt is hands down the fiercest BBFs that I have ever read about.  He went from believing that is was impossible to love anyone to loving his wife, his children, and Lo. He went so far as to give scandalous pictures to the paparazzi to take the spotlight off of his best friend, sister-in-law, and their son.  You can’t really get fiercer than that.

 
 

Han from The Demon King (Seven Realms #1) by Cinda Williams Chima
*Review * Amazon * Goodreads *

From gang member, to student, to wizard, Han was basically destined to be one of the fiercest characters in the Seven Realms.  He also loved fiercely. “I want to breathe you in for the rest of my life.” Watching his relationship with Raissa progress from the first time they met to the last page of Crimson Crown was a beautiful roller coaster of a thing.

 
 

Elian from To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo
* Amazon * Goodreads *

Elian is a reluctant prince but a confident and skilled sea siren hunter. He is incredibly loyal to his amazing crew, but can turn on his princely charm when he needs to. And no matter who he is fighting (and it’s a lot of people and creatures!), you always feel like he’s got a great chance of winning the fight.

 
 

fiercest_chelsea

Elian from To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo
*Review * Amazon * Goodreads *

By far one of the strongest bbfs this year, Elian is my free-spirited, determined pirate prince. He would do anything to save a damsel in distress…until that damsel is Lira, the Prince Killer. They hate each other at first, but then, as they realize their souls are more alike than they ever imagined, their love becomes so palpable it leaps off the page—-and rips your soul apart when he realizes just who he has fallen for. Can I re-read this yet??!!

“Gods.” Kye recoils as I slash open Lira’s dress. “Is she going to live?” 
“Do you care?” I snap back. It isn’t his fault, but yelling at Kye feels a little like yelling at myself, and I need to be yelled at right now. Because this is on me. If Lira dies, then it’s on me. 
I can’t believe you came back for me.
But I left her first.

 

Nikolai from Amour Amour (Aerial Ethereal #1) by Krista Ritchie & Becca Ritchie
*Review * Amazon * Goodreads *

Talented, true, and just the most loyal guy-he does everything in his power to train Thora so she doesn’t have to go home with her tail between her legs…and falls in love with her in the process. This book, guys, it’s so underrated yet it deserves so much more. The passion, the love…it’s all plain as day on the page-And I need more of it.

“I’m in love with you,” I whisper. 
He tries to smile but his eyes flood instead. “Don’t love me more than your dreams, myshka. Because I love you too much to let you give them up for me.”

 

Ivan from From Lukov with Love by Mariana Zapata
*Review * Amazon * Goodreads *

Ivan is a Mariana guy…therefore he is everything. The hate-to-love relationship with Jasmine was just ohhh soooo satisfying-and his determination both on and off the ice skating rink stole my breath away. Every little thing he did, I wanted to live in the moment forever. As with all Mariana Zapata books, I certainly tried to. But, alas, it’s never enough.

 

“Because I’m okay with you having ten other people be your favorite. But you’re always going to be my favorite person,” he finished. “Always. No matter what.”

 


fiercest_jen

Prince Lucien from Bring Me Their Hearts (Bring Me Their Hearts #1) by Sara Wolf
*Review * Amazon * Goodreads *

Prince Lucien was such a complex man who easily stole my heart.  And when we learned what he secretly does and how brave he truly was, I was a goner.  He was caring, thoughtful, passionate and fierce!  He was still haughty, he is a Prince after all, but you could see all of his emotions he kept hidden swirling under the surface. Zara brought it all out of him and I loved every single moment of their slow burn romance!

“I will never consider meeting you a mistake,” Lucien says, his midnight eyes flashing.

 

 

Joe Malone from About That Kiss (Heartbreaker Bay #5) by Jill Shalvis
*Review * Amazon * Goodreads *

Joe worked for a security company and ended up on a case for Kylie.  I loved how he wanted to keep her safe and how protective he was.  He was loyal, brave and his trust in others was absolutely beautiful.  Together their moments were explosive and fireworks were definitely guaranteed!

She was an irresistible dichotomy of sweet charm and heart-stopping sexy, and she threw him off guard with every look, be it a smile or a glare. In fact, he kinda liked when she gave him dirty looks, which meant he was seriously losing his shit. And he never lost his shit.
Never.
Yeah. He was royally screwed and the thing was even knowing that, he didn’t want to walk away because he enjoyed her so much. How crazy was that?

 

 

Rylen Fite from Unknown (Unknown #1) by Wendy Higgins
*Review * Amazon * Goodreads *

We actually got to witness the demise of the world. And I had no clue the depths my heart would ache watching this tale unfold.  But thankfully we have Rylen to mend our hearts.  He was protective, loyal, passionate, seductive and always in control.  He will always be one of my favorite book boyfriends ever! 

 

A lump filled my throat as Rylen pulled me aside and pressed his forehead to mine. We didn’t kiss. No hugs either. We just stood there, foreheads touching, eyes closed, breathing each other in, letting the urgency of our hope rise up and twirl between us, spinning until it was a powerful cyclone of unspoken words, holding us together.
Be safe.
Stay alert.
I love you more than life.
Don’t you dare die. – Amber & Rylen

 

 

Giveaway:

***There will be 5 winners, and prizes will be sent via Amazon Kindle. The first winner drawn will get to chose which book they want first, and so on.  Prizes are ebooks of:
*An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
*Illuminae by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff
*Adorkable by Cookie O’Gorman
*Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
*Angelfall, World After & End of Days (YES the whole trilogy!) by Susan Ee***

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

BLOG TOUR+REVIEW: Seafire (Seafire #1) by Natalie C. Parker

BLOG TOUR+REVIEW: Seafire (Seafire #1) by Natalie C. Parker

I won't lie-I NEEDED this book the moment I saw it. I mean...LOOK at it! And I'm happy to report that the beauty within matches the absolutely stunning cover. Rarely does the beauty of a cover match what's inside, so it's a rarity and I'm ecstatic that's the case. Soooo many thanks to Penguin Teen for sending me an early copy and for letting me participate in this amazing tour for this amazing book. See below to follow the tour, learn about the author, and to read my 5 star review. Enjoy!

BLOG TOUR+REVIEW: Seafire (Seafire #1) by Natalie C. ParkerSeafire (Seafire #1)
by Natalie C. Parker
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

After her family is killed by corrupt warlord Aric Athair and his bloodthirsty army of Bullets, Caledonia Styx is left to chart her own course on the dangerous and deadly seas. She captains her ship, the Mors Navis, with a crew of girls and women just like her, whose lives have been turned upside down by Aric and his men. The crew has one misson: stay alive, and take down Aric's armed and armored fleet.

But when Caledonia's best friend and second-in-command just barely survives an attack thanks to help from a Bullet looking to defect, Caledonia finds herself questioning whether or not to let him join their crew. Is this boy the key to taking down Aric Athair once and for all...or will he threaten everything the women of the Mors Navis have worked for?

“Take your ship, take your crew, and prove to that man that he has not quelled all of us. Prove that there is a fire on these seas he cannot contain.”


Image result for beautiful stormy sea gif
So vivid in detail, you can practically taste the salt from the sea. So engrossing, it’s as if you can feel the wind in your hair. So mind blowing and addicting, you might as well sign your soul over to the Mors Navis crew-because once you start this story….you might as well say goodbye, because you’re done for. Dead. Dying. You’re addicted like any old Bullet to the most powerful Silt Aric Athair can offer. Say hello to your newest obsession.

Image result for girl pirate gif

I’ll admit I was scared when I started this story-well, that’s a lie. From the minute I started, I was ADDICTED-that prologue may be one of the saddest, harshest beginnings to a story EVER. And, let me tell you up front-Parker isn’t afraid to kill people off. JUST SAYIN’.

He smiled in return, saying, “I might not be quite the hammer Redtooth is, but I’ll do my best.”
Redtooth leaned in to answer, “Don’t feel too bad about it. The way you take a beating, you make one helluva nail.”

But no, it’s more than that. It started off so great-it truly pulled me in. But then I found it hard to find and buoy to a connection (har). I don’t know why, honestly, other than the fact that perhaps it has to do with me moving and not feeling wholly myself that first week when I was reading this beauty. But I also wonder if I needed more of a mix of men and women for longer throughout the story-but, like with many things, that’s a personal preference.

Redtooth pushed a finger into his face. “Damn dirty Bullets don’t touch my ship. Try it and I’ll put you down.” Then, as an afterthought, she added, “Unless the captain says otherwise.”

 But, fear not, because a true beauty this is indeed, for I was a total goner not long after that minor lapse in judgement. How can you resist the piratey pirateness that comes with a sea-filled read, full of action and adventure, friendship and heartbreak, loyalty so strong you almost choke on the palpable tension when things aren’t going just as they should be, and an addictive beginning to a slow burn, but [enemies-to-lovers] oh so tiny and fresh, romance. Tell me-HOW. HOW DO YOU RESIST THIS?!

The thought didn’t give Caledonia as much pleasure as she’d expected. It left an uncomfortable crook in its wake, a sea snake disturbing the flow of water. Ceepa was right to call him poison. There was something truly insidious about him. So insidious, Caledonia had stopped wishing for his immediate demise.

 Alas, I did not, could not, and would not resist. And though my not-so-adorably stubborn self did my best to find flaws…there really weren’t any. Truly. Well. I don’t understand boat talk, so there’s that. But I’m going to GUESS that falls under the ‘it’s me, not you’ category.

Masterfully written with a style so smooth and oh-so-wonderfully fluid that you get pulled into its seamless story line and feel as if you’re being lulled to sleep with the beauty of it-I can’t explain it right, but it’s almost like-okay-it’s style of writing drew me in because it was so captivating and had so much action and adventure, but while doing so, it captured the subtle depth of feather-light writing that somehow RELAXED me …just because it was THAT good [that’s not even to mention the excellent, amazing, alluring, vivid world building]. There’s just something about peril mixed with beauty that makes my masochistic self feel, well, self-actualized.

Hm. Wonder what that says about me. I don’t care to analyze that tonight [as I write this], though. So I’ll move on.

But world-building and soothing writing hardly make for a complete book-you need relationships to root for. To ride and die for. To make it worth coming back for after detaching yourself from the story every night when you have to catch up on a pesky thing called ‘sleep.’ What IS sleep, anyway? And why do we need it? Pesky pesky sleep…interfering with my reading every night-sigh. I digress. ANYWAY. There are just so many relationships to root for here-friendships, family bonds…and a hate-to-love between a Bullet and the captain who swore to never trust a Bullet.

“Thank you.”
Her eyes snapped open. She turned to find Oran still watching her. Had he been watching her this whole time? She scowled.
“For saving my life today. I know you didn’t have to, and I’m grateful.”
“I’m not concerned with your thanks. Or your gratitude.” She thought she detected the hint of a smile on his mouth, and she wanted to hit it. Hard.

 Let’s start with that last one, shall we? Actually, ARGH, ya know-sometimes it’s just best to leave it to the imagination, so I will. Just know THIS-Oran was adorable. Their relationship was something that blossomed slowly, like a flower-it didn’t happen overnight and, frankly, I was DYING for it to develop-but when it did…that tentative bond they share-it was ELECTRIFYING. So short, sweet…and well worth the wait. That’s all. (He’s so cute, thoughhhh). Shh, Chelsea, just shhh.

One of us needs to lead, Pisces had said. You need to lead us.
Why not you? Caledonia asked.
Because, Pisces began. One of us also needs to follow.

 I suppose I should focus on my favorite bond of all, and that was between Cal and Pi. Best friends. Both mourning the loss of their families-sworn to be by each other’s side until the end, even in the toughest moments. I ADORED them and their sisterly friendship-the loyalty, understanding, and the push that each needed when things got tough-but, I have to say, Pi stole the show for me. Wow, was she a great, strong, and empathetic person. She saw reason when Cal only saw fire and revenge…and I really connected with her as a person. One act of kindness can start a whole new cycle, and one act of trust can save a life. It can easily go the other way around, but you can’t know until you try, and Pi was so inspirational in that way, standing against her best friend because she knew what was right. I just…I loved her.

Image result for crying best friends hug gif

Cal? She was a little stubborn and hard to connect with sometimes, for me, honestly, because I’m a bit fluffier on the inside, like Pi-however, I know that pain Cal feels, we FELT it from the depths of our soul (damn you, Parker *shakes fist at sky*) because of that poignant and jarring prologue-we know the pain Caledonia hides…and we can’t help but understand that sorrow. So no, I can’t (and didn’t) judge her harshly, which is why I ended up loving her, in the end. Plus, she was a flawed MC-and I dig that.

Image result for girl pirate gif

But, most importantly, probably, is the fact that this book is fueled by the strongest bond of all-family. Even when they aren’t around, we can draw strength from them….and, apparently, drive us to bloody and just revenge.

Related image

(Lol, legit pictured this voice/scene in my head, so naturally I needed the GIF to send my point home)

He hopped to the ground at Redtooth’s feet. “You wanted the gear snapped in, right? No chance for movement.”
Alarm showed on Redtooth’s face. “Snapped in? No, I didn’t want it snapped in! I-“ Her teeth crashed together. “You’re joking. You’re a damn dirty Bullet and you’re joking.” 

In the end, this story was a big punch in the feels that gave me a lot to think about. And it had an epic end I won’t likely forget (UGH COME ONNN) any time soon. I felt every sad moment, even when I wasn’t all in, and that’s saying something about this author’s ability to write. It got me where it hurts, even in the face of doubt, and that’s where the biggest punch in the feels comes from.

“She’s right,” Oran said from beside her. “If anyone could lead a fleet, it’s you.”
In spite of the cold, Caledonia felt a small warmth bloom in her chest.Redtooth groaned. “Things have gone very wrong when a Bullet agrees with you. Quick, say something terrible. Shouldn’t be hard. Just open your mouth.”
“Red, you’re faithful and strong, and if I die tomorrow, I hope you remember I considered you a friend,” Oran said brightly.

 A strong story about friendship, bravery, and a ship of girls all loyal to a fault-but, mostly, it’s a story that centers around love…and that’s what made my heart beat, my soul soar, and my head spin with possibilities. I was lost in the clouds when I read this, and I am SO ready for anything that comes next. Sign me up-I’m a loyal fan. And more Oran, please. Yum.

Pre-order HERE!

Amazon l iTunes l Book Depository

Bookstagram Picture:

(I’m in the process of moving so it is NOT what I normally can do…but it’s the best I could do with no props and no light!)

AUTHOR BIO:

Natalie C. Parker is the author of the Beware the Wild duology, the Seafire trilogy, and the editor of Three Sides of a Heart. She earned her BA in English literature from the University of Southern Mississippi and her MA in gender studies from the University of Cincinnati. She grew up in a Navy family finding home in coastal cities from Virginia to Japan. Now, she lives surprisingly far from any ocean on the Kansas prairie where she runs Madcap Retreats with her wife. She tweets @nataliecparker.

 

Follow the tour below!

WEEK ONE

August 20 – Bibliobakes – Review

August 21 – My Friends are Fiction – Creative Instagram Picture

August 22 – Gladiatorglory – Moodboard

August 23 – YA Books Central – Author Guest Post: What gave you the inspiration for this book?
August 24 – Starcrossed Book Blogger – Review

WEEK TWO

August 27 – Here’s to Happy Endings – Creative Instagram Picture

August 28 – NovelKnight – Review

August 29 – Utopia State of Mind – Author Guest Post: Who would be in your pirate crew and why?

August 30 – @Darkfaerietales – Creative Instagram Picture

August 31 – The Fandom – Author Guest Post: Natalie C. Parker’s favorite stories of sisterhood and survival.

WEEK THREE

September 3 – IceyBooks – Quote Candy

September 4 – Novel Novice – Styled by the Books

September 5 – The Young Folks – Author Guest Post: What was the world building process like? What type of research was involved in creating the world/learning about ships or sailing and what was the inspiration of the world and story?

September 6 – Lindseyybooks – Review + Creative Instagram Picture

September 7 – Brittany’s Book Rambles – Spotlight + Listicle

WEEK FOUR

September 10 – Cayla Reads – Review + Playlist

September 11 – Herbookstacks – Review + Book Aesthetic

September 12 – Swoony Boys – Character Interview

September 13 – Book Is Glee – Creative Instagram Picture

September 14 – Sarah June – Review + Creative Instagram Picture 

BOOK REVIEW: The Darkest Legacy (The Darkest Minds #4) by Alexandra Bracken

BOOK REVIEW: The Darkest Legacy (The Darkest Minds #4) by Alexandra BrackenThe Darkest Legacy (The Darkest Minds #4)
by Alexandra Bracken
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Five years after the destruction of the so-called rehabilitation camps that imprisoned her and countless other Psi kids, seventeen-year-old Suzume "Zu" Kimura has assumed the role of spokesperson for the interim government, fighting for the rights of Psi kids against a growing tide of misinformation and prejudice. But when she is accused of committing a horrifying act, she is forced to go on the run once more in order to stay alive.

Determined to clear her name, Zu finds herself in an uncomfortable alliance with Roman and Priyanka, two mysterious Psi who could either help her prove her innocence or betray her before she gets the chance. But as they travel in search of safety and answers, and Zu grows closer to the people she knows she shouldn't trust, they uncover even darker things roiling beneath the veneer of the country's recovery. With her future-and the future of all Psi-on the line, Zu must use her powerful voice to fight back against forces that seek to drive the Psi into the shadows and save the friends who were once her protectors.

From #1 New York Times best-selling author Alexandra Bracken comes a harrowing story of resilience, resistance, and reckoning that will thrill loyal fans and new readers alike.

You can get up.
You have to get back up.

I could get back up. I could do it myself. Again, and again, and again. As long as there was breath in my body, I could get back up.

WHATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT?!?!?!?!? Alright, people. It had been a LONG time since a book has made me ~feel~ this way so you better believe this review is going to be a jumbled mess of thoughts and feelings. First off, this was obviously SO GOOD. Like, a billion stars to Alexandra Bracken for this entire series. I’m angry with myself, though, because I was reading this on an app that didn’t allow highlights and I was only smart enough to actually write one measly quote down so I’ll have to add more the next time around—just know there were so many great ones. SO MANY. (This review might also be half in caps too, we’ll see, I’m just really pumped up about how good it was.)

I started reading this a few days but didn’t actually get into it until I had some time to myself yesterday morning. Once I started, I was COMPLETELY hooked. See, that’s the thing about these books and Bracken’s writing. I become so immersed that I have to drag my eyes away from the writing and when I do, it takes me a few seconds to come back to the real world. That’s when you know you’re reading something amazing. This book gave me the butterflies, it made me shake with rage, and it made me buzz with anticipation. It left me out of breath and has me hoping that even though it wasn’t ended on a cliffhanger, that we will get more from this world—especially Zu’s perspective.

She was always a character that I loved in The Darkest Minds series but getting this entire book from her perspective was amazing. We may not have actually heard her speak until Into the Afterlight but you can tell that once she started, there was no going back. I LOVED when she was in Moore’s facility and was basically having PTSD flashbacks to her time in Caledonia that she finally came to the conclusion that she was not alright and that that was okay. She wasn’t alright because horrible things had been done to her, and were still being done but she could do whatever it took to help turn things around for the Psi kids. She has grown SO much since we were first introduced to her that it gives me the shivers thinking about it. I am so proud of her.

In this book we are introduced to a few new characters, mainly Roman and Priyanka. I LOVED THEM SO MUCHHHH. They became so much more than what I first thought they would when I started the book. Roman is so serious and so caring—he would literally take a bullet for you. Priya was hilarious. She has so much sass and so many good one liners she reminded me a lot of Vida but without the potty mouth lol. Speaking of Vida though—I was so glad that we still were able to see all of our old favorites. Ugh I love them all so much I think I need to drop the other books that I’m reading and go re-read all of those books next.

I don’t really feel like getting into the plot much because I fully enjoyed going into the book and not quite knowing what to expect. All you really need to know is that things are not all fine and dandy in America. Yes the camps had been shut down and Cruz had been trying to get more rights for the Psi kids, but that doesn’t mean that things turned into rainbows and puppies overnight. Not in the slightest. In fact, some parts were still so horrible that it made me sick to my stomach, thinking as if those things were happening in real life (and in some aspects of this world and this government I think that they are). This is why I need more out of this story. I need to know what happens with Zu and the gang. I need to know how she continues to fight for their rights. And most importantly, I need to know what happens with the stupid, slimy, manipulative prick that is Clancy Grey…

COVER REVEAL: Block Shot by Kennedy Ryan

COVER REVEAL: Block Shot by Kennedy Ryan

Here we have the long-awaited cover reveal for the newest addition to Kennedy Ryan's smash hit series, Hoops-Block Shot!! I don't know about you, but I am DYING for the next installment. If Jared is anything like August, I know I'll be OBSESSED! This beauty releases September 10 so you better get ready!! I can't wait!

COVER REVEAL: Block Shot by Kennedy RyanBlock Shot (Hoops #2)
by kennedy ryan
Add to: Goodreads
Synopsis:

JARED
If I had a dollar for every time Banner Morales made my heart skip a beat...
The heart everyone assumes is frozen over.
Her anger is...arousing.
Every glare from those fire-spitting eyes, every time she grits her teeth,
gets me...well, you know.
If I had a dollar for every time she's put me in my place, I'd be an even richer man.
I'm a successful sports agent because I assume "no" means you'll think about it.
I'm sure what you meant to say is "Coming right up.”
They say even rich men don't always get what they want,
but those men don't know how to play the game. The trick is to keep them guessing.
Take Banner. She assumes she's winning, but this game?
She doesn't even know how to play.

BANNER
If I had a dollar for every time Jared Foster broke my heart, I’d have exactly one dollar.
One night. One epic fail. One dollar...and I'm out.
I've moved on.
I’ve found success in a field ruled by men.
Anything they can do, I have done better.
They can keep the field while I call the shots, blocking them when I have to.
And Jared has the nerve to think he gets a second chance?
Boy, please. Go sit down. Have several seats.
I'll just be over here ignoring the man carved from my fantasies with a lust-tipped chisel.
Oh, I didn't say the struggle wasn't real.
But I've got that one dollar, and Jared won't have me.

Block Shot, a standalone enemies-to-lovers, second-chance romance from Kennedy Ryan is coming September 10th!

Block Shot by Kennedy Ryan

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publishing Date: September 10th, 2018

Cover Designer: Letitia Hasser, RBA Designs

Photographer: Nikki Ormerod

Model: Arsenii Savitckii

 

Add to Goodreads here

 

Enter the Giveaway! ($50 Gift Card + Signed BLOCK SHOT Paperback): http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/696a82ab43/?

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About Kennedy

A Top 30 Amazon Bestseller, Kennedy Ryan writes about women from all walks of life, empowering them and placing them firmly at the center of each story and in charge of their own destinies. Her heroes respect, cherish and lose their minds for the women who capture their hearts.

 

She is a wife to her lifetime lover and mother to an extraordinary son. She has always leveraged her journalism background to write for charity and non-profit organizations, but enjoys writing to raise Autism awareness most. A contributor for Modern Mom Magazine and Frolic, Kennedy’s writings have appeared in Chicken Soup for the Soul, USA Today and many others. The founder and executive director of a foundation serving Atlanta Autism families, she has appeared on Headline News, Montel Williams, NPR and other media outlets as an advocate for families living with autism.

 

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