Tag: Young Adult (Page 1 of 151)

REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Rise of the Snake Goddess (Samantha Knox #2) by Jenny Elder Moke

June 15, 2022 / Jen / 1 Comment

I'm so excited to be on the Rise of the Snake Goddess tour! Check out my review below and enter a fabulous giveaway! Enjoy♥

REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Rise of the Snake Goddess (Samantha Knox #2) by Jenny Elder Moke

Rise of the Snake Goddess (Samantha Knox #2)
by Jenny Elder Moke
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks,
Book Depository
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
The beautiful island of Crete, an archaeological find for the ages, and one seriously pissed-off Greek goddess. It’s just another day for Samantha Knox.

After being snubbed by her college’s archaeology department for an honor she rightfully earned, Sam is hell-bent on proving her worth to her misogynistic department head. So when an opportunity presents itself to solve the hidden meaning behind a symbol found inside a cave in Greece, Sam is all over it, and she’s bringing Bennett and Jo with her for the cross-Atlantic trip. Once on the island of Crete, Sam finds a treasure she never expected―the golden girdle of an ancient and powerful goddess, and she can’t resist its siren call, or the accolades she would win for discovering it. But before she can take credit for the find, the girdle is stolen and the island is hit with a series of earthquakes that don’t feel quite coincidental.

Soon Sam, Bennett, and Jo are embroiled in a wild hunt―one that takes them to tiny island shops, a glamorous high-stakes auction, and a fiery near-death experience―to find the girdle before someone can use it to raise the ancient goddess from her slumber. An unexpected heist, a terrifying trek through a labyrinth, and a fight to the death with the Minotaur itself lead to a final standoff she and her friends won’t soon forget―one that might just break up Sam and Bennett for good.

Set against the gorgeous backdrop and ancient ruins of the Greek islands, the pulse-pounding action in this twisting mystery will appeal to action-adventure fans, romance die-hards, and mythology buffs alike.

Review:

Rise of the Snake Goddess was an action packed adventure! With mythology, treasure hunts and even a goddess, this book was a lot of fun. Fans of National Treasure and The Mummy should have a blast reading this book!

“Isn’t that what drew us to this course of study in the first place? The promise of a discovery that would change the world?”
“Last time we discovered something, it nearly ended the world,” Bennett pointed out.
“Are you going to let that keep you from ever seeking adventure again?” Sam asked.

Our favorites Sam, Jo, and Bennett were together at college. When they intercepted a letter for Bennett’s professor, who we met in Curse of the Specter Queen, it led them on an adventure of a lifetime. They ended up of traveling to Crete, yet not everything was at it seemed. Caves, treasure hunters, relics, mythology and puzzles filled the story making this a fascinating read!

“It’s a secret passage,” she breathed in wonder.

The characters made this story for me! Jo continued to crack me up with her antics and do what she wanted to do attitude. I loved how she could be so clever! But most of all I loved her and Sam’s mended friendship and how they worked together as a team. They were the truest of best friends! Sam continued to impress me with her ability to not quit and her wits! Sam was so clever and smart, the adventure she led us on was one I won’t forget!

“Just once in this whole business, Bennett, I do wish you’d understand what I’m trying to do. I wish you’d understand me.”
Bennett looked down in surprise. “Why do you think I don’t understand you?”
“Because if you did, you’d help me, instead of constantly trying to stop me.”

Shockingly I felt like Bennett was the one who needed to grow the most in this story. He always tried to see the best in others. And while that was an admirable trait, it also led him to put that trust in others blindly that didn’t deserve it. I was so happy to see how far he had come from that first page to the last. Plus I loved seeing how much he cared for Sam and his sister, and the lengths he would go to to protect them.

These walls weren’t built to keep something out; they were built to keep something in.

The cast also included characters I absolutely loathed like Theo and one of the other professors, Professor Atchinson. There were others who I didn’t know if we should trust or not. It kept me guessing and I loved that each one stood out and felt unique. Finishing that last page, I felt like the message in this book was only you can find your true self-worth. You can’t let it be dictated by others and their expectations of you. Only you can forge your own path and love yourself truly. I was so happy that Sam, Bennett and even Jo encompassed those feelings on their journey!

The Snake Goddess had risen.

Stories were told, lies were spun and Sam, Jo and Bennett did everything possible to keep themselves not only out of trouble but alive too! There was a secret that came out from the first book that left me dying laughing! It was so perfect lol! So with a smidgen of romance and a ton of adventure, Rise of the Snake Goddess was a story not to be missed!

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

Find it:
Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD, Bookshop.org

About Jenny Elder Moke:

Jenny Elder Moke writes young adult fiction in an attempt to recapture the shining infinity of youth. Her debut novel, Hood, was a Junior Library Guild Selection, a Mayor’s Book Club selection, and received critical acclaim.

When she is not writing, she’s gathering story ideas from her daily adventures with her two irredeemable rapscallions and honing her ninja skills as a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Jenny lives in Denver, CO with her husband and two children.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

6/1/2022	YABooksCentral	Excerpt
6/2/2022	@simplybeccamee	IG Review
6/3/2022	Just Another Teen Reading Books	Review/IG Post
6/4/2022	Review Thick And Thin	Review/IG Post

Week Two:

6/5/2022	A Court of Coffee and Books	Review/IG Post
6/6/2022	Karen Dee’s Book Reviews	Review/IG Post
6/7/2022	Book-Keeping	Review/IG Post
6/8/2022	More Books Please blog	Review/IG Post
6/9/2022	Lisa Loves Literature	Review/IG Post
6/10/2022	@wraithreads	TikTok Review/IG Post
6/11/2022	DB’S Guide to the Galaxy	Review

Week Three:

6/12/2022	@drewsim12	IG Review/TikTiok Review
6/13/2022	Read With Serena	Review/IG Post
6/14/2022	@ReadsReaders	YouTube Review/IG Post/TikTok Post
6/15/2022	Star-Crossed Book Blog	Review/IG Post
6/16/2022	popthebutterfly	Review/IG Post/TikTok Post
6/17/2022	Fire and Ice	Review/IG Post
6/18/2022	@coffeesipsandreads	Review/IG Post

Week Four:

6/19/2022	beersbooksandboos	Review/IG Post/TikTok Post
6/20/2022	The Real World According To Sam	Review/IG Post
6/21/2022	@jacleomik33 The Page Ladies	IG Post Review
6/22/2022	The Reading Devil	Review/IG Post
6/23/2022	Emmiepooh2	IG Review
6/24/2022	The Girl Who Reads	Review/IG Post
6/25/2022	Lifestyle of Me	Review

Week Five:

6/26/2022	Two Points of Interest	Review
6/27/2022	The Momma Spot	Review/IG Post
6/28/2022	BookBriefs	Review/IG Post
6/29/2022	Library of Alexandria Archives	Review/IG Post
6/30/2022	onemused	Review/IG Post

BOOK REVIEW: The Bad Boy’s Good Girl by Cookie O’Gorman & Michelle Pennington

June 10, 2022 / Jen / 2 Comments

The Bad Boy's Good Girl by Cookie O'Gorman, Michelle Pennington
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Logan King was trouble.

I knew it from the moment I laid eyes on him. But when I challenged him, I had no idea he'd take his revenge so far.

To make up for his inexcusable behavior, his parents gave me a scholarship to King's Prep Academy. My mom insisted that I accept. Now, I'm the poor, public school girl attending an elite academy for the rich.

Even worse, Logan is here. He rules the school, and he wants me gone.

But I have a dream to chase, and no one, not even a King, will stop me.

Review:

The Bad Boy’s Good Girl was an enemies to lovers that was addictive, swoon worthy and beyond intoxicating! From that very first page I was hooked! This story took place at an academy and I loved being lost in their world and lives. Deals were made. Secrets took place. And it all made this book impossible to put down! If you love young adult romance or academy books then you definitely need this one on your tbr!

In a sea of perfection, she strode confidently in her scuffed checkered Vans with her head held high—messy, falling-down bun and all.

Ava Deluca ended up in a twisted situation that landed her at King’s Prep Academy. It was a dream school to attend and would help her reach the stars with her love of art. Yet, there was one huge hiccup. She got a scholarship there to make up for Logan King’s actions to her mother, and her. Logan was not one to be messed with. He could be the devil, and Ava found herself right in his cross-hairs.

I knew I should’ve been sorry or scared— or both.
But I wasn’t.
Justice had been served, and I couldn’t regret it.

Logan came across as beyond conceited, spoiled and he seemed to see the worst in certain people. So when Ava landed in Logan’s world, she gave it right back to him as good as he gave it. While that made him pause, it set off a chain reaction for their enemies to lovers relationship. Logan always got what he wanted, and unfortunately he wanted Ava gone from his school. But I held out all the hope. Because there were tiny flickers of another Logan, or maybe it was a side of him I wanted him to be. I wasn’t sure. Regardless, I held out hope that he had a heart buried underneath it all. And as we slowly got to witness who Logan truly was, I fell hard!

“Did you need something?” I asked . “Or are you here to annoy me as usual?”
“Funny, isn’t it?” he said. “That’s the same word I associate with you. An annoyance I just can’t seem to get rid of.”

I loved Ava right away! She had so much fire and sass. She also had a ton of heart too, and I loved her relationship with her mom! But at King’s Prep Academy, Ava quickly realized she was in over her head. The girls there were beyond mean and viscous. The bullying Ava experienced broke my heart! It seemed that she was trying to be wrecked at every single turn. But regardless, Ava kept her head up and still had her kindness. Which turned her situation around in a way I didn’t expect, yet entirely loved! That moment of kindness transformed her future and I couldn’t read this book fast enough to see what happened next!

“You know what?” she asked softly. When I didn’t answer, she blazed ahead anyway. “I don’t think you’re as bad as you try to be.”

Ava and Logan together were like a storm that you never knew which way it would blow. I loved their banter and that Ava wouldn’t back down. She would go head to head with Logan and wasn’t afraid of his games. And even when they hurt each other, I still loved every single one of their moments on the pages! The passion between them was so intense. While they definitely wanted to hate the other, they couldn’t not be attracted to each other too. So when help coming from unlikely sources, and the lengths those went to protect others, it just made this book that much more addictive! And payback?! Eeps, I can’t even! It was all so perfect!

How do you get close to a girl when there are a million reasons she should stay as far away from you as she possibly can?

The Bad Boy’s Good Girl was an addictive, young adult romance that many will absolutely love! With friendships, romance and family laced throughout the pages it made this book an instant favorite! And with a strong enemies to lovers vibe set at an academy, I was obsessed! Now I’m just needing more stories from this world please! Could Logan’s sister or Chris be next? I hope!

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

BOOK REVIEW: Daughter of the Pirate King (Daughter of the Pirate King #1) by Tricia Levenseller

May 6, 2022 / Chelsea (Peril Please) / 4 Comments

Daughter of the Pirate King (Daughter of the Pirate King #1)
by Tricia Levenseller
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks,
Book Depository
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
There will be plenty of time for me to beat him soundly once I’ve gotten what I came for.

Sent on a mission to retrieve an ancient hidden map—the key to a legendary treasure trove—seventeen-year-old pirate captain Alosa deliberately allows herself to be captured by her enemies, giving her the perfect opportunity to search their ship.

More than a match for the ruthless pirate crew, Alosa has only one thing standing between her and the map: her captor, the unexpectedly clever and unfairly attractive first mate, Riden. But not to worry, for Alosa has a few tricks up her sleeve, and no lone pirate can stop the Daughter of the Pirate King.

“This would be the key I so carelessly dropped,” he says.
“Strange, that.”
He sighs. “Alosa, what are you even doing out here?”
“You’ve kidnapped me. What do you think I’m doing out here?”
“The rowboats are over there.” He points to the opposite side of the ship. “So why would you be lollygagging around my door?”
“I wanted to kill my captors before I left.”
“How’d that work out for you?”
“Still working on it.”

Here’s the thing: Not every book has to be transcendent to be addictive to you, to make you love it and think about it tirelessly. This book was just that. I have been wanting to read DOTPK for years and just never could commit. Turns out, I just love a good ‘pirate’ romance. They are legit (the good ones) so far and few between. I have yet to find the level of obsession I found with Fable and To Kill a Kingdom, but I’d like to think that’s simply because those books are virtually impossible to copy or do better. I know one friend (the best, actually) didn’t care for TKAK as I did, but such is life and she can

*her*

The more you know, eh? Well, either way, these books are hard to mimic and I found this to be a lighter (until it’s not (book two ew, wtf)) version with variations of those favorites. I’m picky and I like what I like.

“I am me because I choose to be me. I am what I want. Some people say you have to find yourself. Not I. I believe we create ourselves to be what we want. Any aspect of ourselves that we do not like can be altered if we make an effort.”

I’ll admit I feel clinical, atm, about reviewing. I want to do it-I want justice for these books I’m reading, but I am having a very rough time and I find it hard to produce anything other than what is required, and for that I’m sorry. But here are some of the things I loved about this one:

-The Male Lead (obviously)
-The Banter
-The way our heroine was just a little shit but I loved it
-The scene at the end involving the bad guys and our two mains (okay, probably the main reason this got a five-I am nothing if not consistent with loving terrible things happening)
-The Slow-Burn with little payoffs
-The day to day feel. I just love that. I always have. Not overly rushed.

And really, honestly, that is the sum of its parts, for me. And-my GOD-the way my two year old is CLANKING AROUND in the background with my already tired eyes is too much so I will end it here. This book was very good without taking itself too seriously. We got the funny, the dialogue, the more serious moments, and the author didn’t shy away from somewhat intense situations (I love that and I really need this attention to detail to like a lighter story). So, if you are looking for a fun read, this is it.

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BOOK REVIEW: Fauxmance by Cookie O’Gorman

April 27, 2022 / Jen / 4 Comments

Fauxmance by Cookie O'Gorman
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Fauxmance (foh-mans): Term for a romantic relationship that is fake. Real feelings, like love, are strictly prohibited. See also: Why would anyone enter a fake relationship?

Eighteen-year-old Magnolia believes in true love.

Or she did.

When her boyfriend dumps her the day before her sister's wedding, Maggie is devastated—but her broken heart is only part of the problem. Maggie is the maid of honor, and her sister insists: Every member of the bridal party must have an escort. No exceptions.

Thank goodness for Hayden Davenport.

Sarcastic, cocky, a surprisingly good listener and self-professed player, when Maggie gets stuck in an elevator with the handsome stranger, she thinks she's found the perfect wedding date. Unfortunately, Hayden hates weddings. Like really hates them.

But one soul-shattering kiss changes everything.

Maggie needs a fake boyfriend. Hayden wants to prove he's changed his playboy ways. Faking it should be easy. The hard part?

Remembering it's all pretend and not falling in love for real.

This book features two opposites with sizzling chemistry, a sweet, hopeless romantic and a cynical bad boy who'll steal your heart. Elevators, fake romance, and weddings, oh my! Get ready to swoon, laugh, and say 'I do' to this heartfelt YA romance.

Review:

Fauxmance was absolutely adorable and so much fun! With laugh out loud and sigh worthy moments, this heartwarming story became a quick favorite! And with a fun and flirty vibe, this was YA at its best! If you’re looking for a young adult romance that will keep you smiling and laughing, you definitely need this book in your life!

“Let me prove it to you.”
My brows pinched together. “How are you going to do that?”
“I’m going to kiss you,” he said.
Anything I was about to say left me. My brain went totally blank. What were words again?
“If you still think kissing’s overrated after that, okay. I’ll retire my player card for good.” Hayden’s eyes went to my lips, and they tingled in response. “That won’t happen, though.”
I swallowed to clear my throat. “How can you be sure?”
“Because I’m going to do my best to please you.”

After Magnolia got dumped by her longtime boyfriend, the day before her sister’s wedding, she was lost without an escort. And her sister was a stickler for how she wanted her wedding to run. Thankfully fate intervened and Magnolia found herself stuck in an elevator with Hayden. And while there was definitely a connection, and lots of chemistry with a swoon worthy kiss, Hayden was completely against weddings. Except Hayden needed to prove he was no longer a player and Magnolia desperately needed a date. What could be the harm of fake dating each other to get what they both wanted?

As he leaned back, Hayden gave me a soft smile. “Don’t sound so worried. I’m going to be the perfect fake boyfriend.”
I didn’t tell him then— but that was exactly what I was worried about.

You will passionately fall in love with Hayden! He was beyond sigh worthy. With a bad boy, cynical vibe, I loved his cocky ways! But he could also make me laugh so hard. Messing up names, comparing Magnolia to his grandma, honestly there was so much uniqueness to Hayden that I loved learning everything there was about him! Especially his sweet side, like how he would stand up for Magnolia or say wonderful things about her. He could be such a good guy. Cookie O’Gorman created another book boyfriend that I was completely obsessed with!

“I couldn’t stop thinking about you,” he said, and my heart tried to escape my chest— right up until he added, “Your strange fear of peeps and how you refuse to eat without a napkin really made an impression.”
“Ha ha,” I said.

I loved Magnolia with my whole heart! She was definitely someone you would want to be bff with. She was so honest, but at the same time she cracked me up. With always having her sister’s back and her heartfelt dreams of being a bridesmaid, Magnolia was so adorable! I loved the relationship she had with her mom, I loved that she went to therapy and I loved what a good, kindhearted person she was! So watching how far she grew from that first page to the last warmed my heart!

I caught myself staring at Hayden’s hands as he drove— the same hands that had gripped my waist and tucked my hair behind my ear. My gaze moved to his lips, and I shivered. I could still feel the imprint of them on my skin.

Magnolia and Hayden were definitely opposites in quite a few ways. I loved how she tried her best to be positive whereas Hayden no problems putting it all out there and being realistic. But their interactions together had me laughing so hard at times I couldn’t breathe. So with gestures that were smile inducing, second hand embarrassment that made you feel everything, and moments that will make you gasp out loud, this is the type of book that you can easily devour in one sitting! And with fake dating laced throughout the pages, just try your hardest not to smile from beginning to end!

But what if it could’ve been more? my mind whispered.
Shaking the thought off, I got back to work.

Fauxmance was swoon worthy, giggle inducing and impossible to put down! I literally squeaked, gasped, laughed and screamed out loud while reading this story. It was entertaining, captivating and the epilogue was the cutest! If you adore young adult romance, or the fake dating trope, you definitely need to meet Magnolia and Hayden!

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

BOOK REVIEW: The Damned (The Beautiful #2) by Renee Ahdieh

March 29, 2022 / Chelsea (Peril Please) / 2 Comments

BOOK REVIEW: The Damned (The Beautiful #2) by Renee Ahdieh The Damned (The Beautiful #2)
by Renee Ahdieh
Purchase on: Amazon,
Book Depository
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

New York Times bestselling author Renée Ahdieh returns with the second installment of her new sumptuous, sultry and romantic series, The Beautiful.

Following the events of The Beautiful, Sébastien Saint Germain is now cursed and forever changed. The treaty between the Fallen and the Brotherhood has been broken, and war between the immortals seems imminent. The price of loving Celine was costly. But Celine has also paid a high price for loving Bastien.

Still recovering from injuries sustained during a night she can’t quite remember, her dreams are troubled. And she doesn’t know she has inadvertently set into motion a chain of events that could lead to her demise and unveil a truth about herself she’s not quite ready to learn.

Forces hiding in the shadows have been patiently waiting for this moment for centuries. And just as Bastien and Celine begin to uncover the danger around them, they learn their love could tear them apart.

“And real love may be a choice, but I plan to choose someone who steals the breath from my body and haunts my very dreams. That is the only kind of love worth having.”

Look, this is hard for me. I do NOT like bashing a book even remotely connected to another book I adore….let alone in the same series.

Yet here we are. Imagine how hard this is for me.  The easiest way I could think of to explain this abomination of a story is as simple as this:

This book, simply put, is the child to a mother who yearned for so much more world expansion so as to ‘have another child’ there wasn’t possibly any way to sustain the child that already existed, to possibly survive on its own. The lack of nourishment for our already conceived and existing child caused it to shrivel and die… all in the name of making sure there were enough nutrients for another child, another being that literally didn’t exist.

Ahdieh made it so we got another two books with other characters instead of taking care of the first book she had already written, made a lottt of people fall in love with, and let Bastien and Celine’s story just…what even happened? Celine legit was barely in this book. SHE WASN’T EVEN THE MAIN POV.

And here we go. HERE. WE. FUCKING. GO. Bastien. What the cinnamon toast FUCK did she to do my child?? That is NOT who we fell in love with in book one. Not a wink. I get it. I fucking get it. But to take this beloved character of mine and, like, massacre his soul like this-that is NOT okay.

And even more than that, she triggered the EFF out of me. Yes. I know. I KNOW I am sensitive and get mad at the stupidest shit…but I just felt like this was

What even. What EVEN was she doing here. Sloppy. Inconsistent. Unlike Bastien. And, I’m guna say it-COWARDLY. This was a pathetic attempt at a story and it was just…not good. I had read people said book two was different and, like, that’s okay? I don’t CARE. But this was just out of left field different.

New creatures. New storyline. No direction. I get what she was attempting here, but it fell flat, period. And to not even really do anything until the last bit of the book, to let things hang in such a manner, to throw so much in with so little payoff-especially for certain things (I WILL NOT SPOIL. I WILL NOT)-it was a slap in the face. I do not CARE about these next characters. If you cannot take care of the dog you have, you have literally zero-zip-right to get a new puppy.

Look, I sound bitter-and I AM bitter-but this was a dumpster fire of a book, and NOT in a complimentary way like the masterpiece that was You Deserve Each Other. I could go on. And on. And on. About this piece of trash but-as I said in review one-I don’t have time to pretend that such a sadistic piece of turd exists and I’ll continue to cherish book one as if it was a standalone-or, rather, a single, solitary fucking child. At least then it can learn to feed and take care of itself instead of living in the shadow of stink that this one exudes. And that…is all I have to say. Regardless of what else I want to rant about, it’s not worth it-period.

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