Tag: Young Adult (Page 1 of 158)

BOOK REVIEWS: Kiss Now, Lie Later (Rival Love #1) & For Now, Not Forever (Rival Love #2) by C.W. Farnsworth

February 12, 2025 / Jen / 0 Comments

Kiss Now, Lie Later Not Forever (Rival Love #1)
by C.W. Farnsworth
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
She’s from one town…

I've heard a lot of things about Alleghany’s quarterback. Weston Cole is popular, conceited, and arrogant. Most importantly, he’s spent the past three years steadily dismantling my family’s football legacy. I should hate him. And I did. Until I ran into him freshman year and discovered he’s also complicated. Considerate. Captivating. When our paths cross again senior year, that awareness becomes more dangerous than his suggestive smirk. Hating him was easy…before I knew him.

…and he’s from the other.

No girl in Glenmont is more untouchable than Maeve Stevens. She lives across enemy lines. Her father is their head football coach. Her twin brother is their quarterback. But one conversation with Maeve makes me forget about the bitter, decades-long rivalry between our two towns. Makes me forget there’s a team of guys relying on me to lead them to another victory. A few forbidden kisses, and there’s only one thing I want to fight for. Her.

Review:

Kiss Now, Lie Later was a forbidden young adult sports romance that captured my heart. With town rivalry, friendships, first love, and fabulous angst, this book was impossible to put down. Maeve and Weston’s meet cute at the party was adorable, and I loved how they could be themselves around each other. What started off as a very slow, tentative friendship turned into something so much more.

Only one thought crosses my mind as I make the short journey through the rapidly falling drops of water.
That I hope the possibilities between Wes and me always feel this limitless.

Maeve and Weston had so many beautiful moments, and underneath it all was this fabulous tension. So with trust, practicing together, and pushing each other to be better, I fell in love right along with them. Be prepared to have your heart hurt, but the epilogue at the end jumped years into the future and I closed this book so happy!

For Now, Not Forever (Rival Love #2)
by C.W. Farnsworth
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
One boy. One girl. Two feuding towns.

LIAM

At some point, summer became my least favorite season. It begins the build toward the inevitable highs and lows of football. Losing isn’t a trait anyone looks for in a quarterback, and I never won when it mattered. Arlington University was supposed to be a fresh start. But infamy isn’t easily forgotten— especially when everyone knows my twin sister is dating my biggest rival. Constant reminders of their relationship have me just as on edge about Alleghany as I was in high school. Spending a weekend sleeping across the hall from Natalie Jacobs doesn’t help. The popular, pretty blonde didn’t just celebrate each of my defeats—she literally led the cheer against me. Just my luck the last girl who should pique my interest is also the only one who ever has.

NATALIE

Spending the summer back in Alleghany, dealing with my parents’ problems, is the last place I want to be. I jump at the chance to spend a weekend away, visiting a college friend. I’m not expecting to know anyone else visiting her cottage on the Cape, much less come face-to-face with Glenmont’s infamous former quarterback. Not-so affectionately known as Sergeant Stevens on my side of the lake, Liam is still every bit the stoic, serious rule-follower I watched bark orders on the field for four years. Sure, he’s nice to look at—especially shirtless—but that’s where any interest begins and ends. The one thing Liam and I agree on is the rivalry between our hometowns isn’t a surpassable boundary. And if we did allow ourselves to cross it, it would only be for now…not forever.

Review:

For Now, Not Forever was a new adult sports romance that was so easy to get lost in. And you definitely want to read Kiss Now, Lie Later before this one. We get introduced to Liam and Natalie, plus we get to see the couple from that book in this story too! This is my second book by C.W. Farnsworth, and I will definitely be bingeing the rest of her backlist!

Maybe there’s only so long you can be consumed by something before you risk letting it consume you.

Liam had so much resentment and bitterness eating away at his heart. For always playing second fiddle to his twin sister’s boyfriend, Weston Cole. And then there was Natalie, who seemed to be drowning at times from her home life. From an almost meet cute to the most awkward meet cute, I never knew what was going to happen next. These two people definitely kept me on my toes. With banter that had barbs, jealousy that will have you screaming and clapping, hope that shined brightly, and beautiful confessions, I devoured this story. That angst was done so well. The sexual tension had me wanting to push them together. And the happily ever after left me smiling!

“You’re perfect,” he tells me. “Fucking perfect.” He sounds annoyed about it. Angry, almost.
“I’m the furthest thing from perfect.”
“Not to me.”

BOOK REVIEWS: Beneath His Stars & In Her Space (The Stars Duet #1 & #2) by Amie Knight

January 23, 2025 / Jen / 0 Comments

Beneath His Stars (The Stars Duet #1)
by Amie Knight
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
I met Adam Nova under the twinkling lights of a nighttime sky.
He was hiding, but that gorgeous boy didn’t belong in the dark.
Nevertheless it was where he lived; a different world than mine.
I was Livingston Montgomery, Southern debutante.
With the world at my fingertips, I was well on my way to being another spoiled socialite.
But I didn’t want money.
I didn’t want social status.
I wanted him; tattoos, sarcastic smirk, bad boy reputation and all.
It didn’t matter that he was from the wrong side of the tracks.
It didn’t matter that my family forbade me from seeing him.
I just wanted to be Beneath His Stars.

Review:

Beneath His Stars was a young adult, star-crossed romance that so sweet. I loved watching the tentative friendship blossom between Adam and Liv. But they were from different areas of life. No one from her world would accept him, even if those in his would. So as they grow closer, under the stars, I loved how their beautiful moments together were hidden away. For just the two of them. And watching this slow burn, first love blossom was so captivating. But make sure you have the next book in the duology on hand, because that ending was brutal.

A star was realized.
A dream was born.
But even stars and dreams die.

In Her Space (The Stars Duet #2)
by Amie Knight
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
I was reunited with Livingston Montgomery in the broad sunshine of a Carolina morning, right where she belonged; in the light.
It’d been too long since I’d seen her face.
She had changed, but so had I.
I was Adam Nova, reformed bad boy. Now, successful business man.
I had it all, except for the one person I’d always wanted, and now I was back to claim her.
She was living in the shadows, just a shell of the former girl I knew.
But it didn’t matter that she tried to hide from me in the dark.
I’d follow her into the deepest depths of hell.
I just wanted to be In Her Space.

Review:

In Her Space took us ten years into the future, and the emotions within these pages was intense. This was the final book in The Stars Duet, and it definitely can’t be read as a standalone. I loved watching Adam and Liv fight for their happily ever after. They hit so many road bumps along the way. Not only because of those that surrounded them, but also by keeping stuff from one another. Adam could be his own worst enemy at times. But with heartfelt tattoos, secrets, all of the drama, and a climatic ending, this book was a lot of fun to listen too. Especially since we got a look at the happily ever after down the road that was so beautiful!

“Close your eyes, Nova,” I whispered to her.
She looked over at me and grinned. “Why?”
“Because you can’t dream with your eyes open.”

BOOK REVIEW: Beneath These Cursed Stars by Lexi Ryan

January 16, 2025 / Jen / 0 Comments

Beneath These Cursed Stars by (These Hollow Vows #3)
by Lexi Ryan
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
#1 New York Times bestselling author Lexi Ryan brings us the first book in a new romantic fantasy set in the enchanting world of These Hollow Vows. When a human princess armed with death's kiss allies with a fae shifter on the run, their mission to assassinate an evil king collides with a fatal prophecy.

Princess Jasalyn has a secret. Armed with an enchanted ring that gives her death’s kiss, Jas has been sneaking away from the palace at night to assassinate her enemies.

Shape-shifter Felicity needs a miracle. Fated to kill her magical father, she’s been using her unique ability to evade a fatal prophecy.

When rumors of evil king Mordeus’s resurrection spread through the shadow court, Jasalyn decides to end him once and for all. Felicity agrees to take the form of the princess, allowing Jas to covertly hunt Mordeus—and starting Felicity on the path that could finally take her home.

While Jasalyn teams up with the charming and handsome Kendrick, Felicity sets out to get closer to the Wild Fae king, Misha. Kendrick helps Jasalyn feel something other than anger for the first time in three years, and Misha makes Felicity wish for a world where she’s free to be her true self. Soon, the girls’ missions are at risk right alongside their hearts.

The future of the human and fae realms hangs in the balance as fates intertwine. Between perilous tasks, grim secrets, and forbidden romances, Jasalyn and Felicity find that perhaps their stars are the most cursed of all.

Review:

Beneath These Cursed Stars was a young adult romantasy that was so much fun! While plans were made and political intrigue graced the pages, there was also foreshadowing, secrets, betrayal, friendship and love. I loved being back in this world!

Kendrick huffs out a breath and shakes his head. “What happened to that timid little girl from the dungeons?”
I know he means to be flippant, but I hold his gaze as I answer, “She didn’t make it.”

This story is set a few years in the future and alternated between Jasalyn, who we met in the two previous books and was the Queen’s sister, and Felicity. Felicity was a shapeshifter who took on Jas’ shape so she could stand in for her life. While the real Jas hunted down and killed Mordeus, since there was talk that he had come back from the dead.

“You’re next in line to the throne, sister.” Never was there a smile so sad when someone spoke of another inheriting such power. “Mordeus will come for me, and if he’s successful, the people of this court will depend on you.”

Jas and her past were more horrific than I ever realized. I knew that she had been held captive by Mordeus, but each time Felicity took Jas’ shape, she was given a memory from her past. And what we learned shattered my heart. I now understood why she was so withdrawn. I got her hatred for everything fae. And why her dreams haunted her. So as someone from Jas’ past stepped into her present, I had all of the hope for her. That she could find peace, happiness and even love. Yet dread kept pooling in my stomach, and it felt like I was waiting for the other shoe to drop.

My name rests on the tip of my tongue. Felicity. Call me Felicity. But I swallow it back like the painful truth that it is.

So, confession time, when this book started I only wanted to spend the chapters with Jas. I didn’t have any interest in spending time with Felicity, but she became my top favorite! As she pretended to be Jas hiding away at Misha’s, I fell for them. I loved watching how their friendship evolved. I loved how he pushed her to be a better person. I loved the tension between them so much too. And my heart hurt for her, because while Misha seemed to be falling for Felicity, she was in Jas’ body. It couldn’t be real. And it couldn’t last.

He steps back as if maybe he likes touching me too much.
Me or Jas? I need to stop trying to figure that out. At the end of the day, it won’t matter.

With death, lies, secrets, only one horse, and some fabulous twists and turns, Beneath These Cursed Stars was a mesmerizing read! I loved that we were given clues, yet it wasn’t clear how it was going to be put together. And while I did guess quite a few things correctly, there was still some twists I didn’t see coming. Plus, we got to see those from the previous two books in this one too! So, with an ending that has me desperately wanting that next book now, I can’t wait to see what happens next!

She frowns up at her uncle. “You’ll break her heart,” she whispers. “Be gentle. She’s scared, and she wouldn’t do this if she had a choice.”

BOOK REVIEW: Bully (Fall Away #1) by Penelope Douglas

November 27, 2024 / Jen / 0 Comments

Bully (Fall Away #1)
by Penelope Douglas
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
New York Times bestselling author Penelope Douglas delivers an unforgettable romance that toes the fine line between love and hate in Bully—the first novel in the Fall Away series.

My name is Tate. He doesn’t call me that, though. He would never refer to me by a friendly nickname. No, he’ll barely even speak to me. But he still won’t leave me alone.

We were best friends once. Then Jared turned on me and made it his mission to ruin my life. I was humiliated, shut out, and gossiped about all through high school. His pranks and rumors got worse as time wore on, and I made myself sick trying to stay out of his way. I even went away for a year just to avoid him.

But I’m done hiding from him now, and there’s no way I’ll allow him to ruin another year. Jared might not have changed, but I have. It’s time to fight back....

Review:

Bully was a steamy, young adult romance. With an enemies to lovers vibe, and lots of bullying going on in the pages, I couldn’t put this book down. As someone who has already read Punk 57, that’s still my favorite Penelope Douglas book! Yet this story was just as addictive, and I had so much fun listening to the audiobook!

“You were my tempest, my thunder cloud, my tree in the downpour. I loved all those things, and I loved you. But now? You’re a fucking drought. I thought that all the assholes drove German cars, but it turns out that pricks in Mustangs can still leave scars.”

Tate was so easy to connect to and adore. She had a strong head on her shoulders, was mature, and worked hard. Jared used to be her best friend, but she didn’t know where it all went wrong. Somehow, she became his enemy, and the games he would play with her were cruel and hurtful. So, I loved it when she stood up against him. When she would put him or his friends in their place! They deserved that and so much more!

“I want to touch you.” His words were against my lips now. “I want to feel what’s mine. What’s always been mine.”

Yet underneath it all, there used to be a friendship. You could see tiny, fleeting, hints of it here and there. How well they still knew certain things about each other. But years later, there a strong sexual tension between them, even with hate surrounding them. So when things turned steamy, it was fabulously done! If you’re looking for a bully romance that has all of the tension, angst, and steam, then definitely add this one to your tbr. I did have a hiccup with an issue about a friend, which is why this is a 4 instead of 5 star rating. But regardless, I can’t wait to binge the rest of this series!

BOOK REVIEW: If There’s No Tomorrow by Jennifer L Armentrout

November 4, 2024 / Jen / 0 Comments

If There's No Tomorrow by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Lena Wise is always looking forward to tomorrow, especially at the start of her senior year.

She’s ready to pack in as much friend time as possible, to finish college applications and to maybe let her childhood best friend Sebastian know how she really feels about him. The upcoming year is going to be epic—one of opportunities and chances. Until one choice, one moment, destroys everything.

Now Lena isn’t looking forward to tomorrow. Not when friend time may never be the same. Not when college applications feel all but impossible. Not when Sebastian might never forgive her for what happened.

For what she let happen.

Lena knows that her only hope is to move on. But how can she move on when her entire existence has been redefined? How can she move on when tomorrow isn’t even guaranteed?

Review:

Some books hit you hard and take you back to a certain time and place. This was that kind of book for me. It was emotionally powerful. And I cried all the tears, while also reliving memories from the past. I don’t want to say what of, because that’s a huge spoiler. But I feel like this should be a must read for those in their teens and twenties. Or for those that just went along with a situation like Lena did. Because so many do. I know I didn’t think twice until something horrific happened, and then we were all drowning too.

What would I have done differently that night if I’d known there was no tomorrow? Everything. I would’ve done everything differently.

While there is some steam on the pages, and a friends to lovers romance takes a lead at times, I desperately needed it. Sebastian was the light that Lena desperately needed. He added hope to her life. And could be someone she talked to. I absolutely adored him. But what this story was mainly about was healing. How guilt can eat you alive. How life can be so unfair. How one choice haunts you for the rest of your life. How things can change in the blink of an eye. This book will make you think. And these characters come alive from the pages, making it that more real. The friendship, the healing, the family, the love, even just the process, it was all so emotional. If There’s No Tomorrow is a must read if you love romance, books that will hit you hard, and leave you thinking long after you close that last page.