Category: Review (Page 138 of 297)

BOOK REVIEW: The Risk (Briar U #2) by Elle Kennedy

February 16, 2019 / Arielle / 6 Comments

The Risk (Briar U #2)
by Elle Kennedy
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Everyone says I’m a bad girl. They’re only partly right—I don’t let fear rule me, and I certainly don’t care what people think. But I draw the line at sleeping with the enemy. As the daughter of Briar’s head hockey coach, I’d be vilified if I hooked up with a player from a rival team.

And that’s who Jake Connelly is. Harvard’s star forward is arrogant, annoying, and too attractive for his own good. But fate is cruel—I require his help to secure a much-coveted internship, and the sexy jerk isn’t making it easy for me.

I need Connelly to be my fake boyfriend.

For every fake date…he wants a real one.

Which means this bad girl is in big trouble. Nothing good can come from sneaking around with Jake Connelly. My father would kill me, my friends will revolt, and my post-college career is on the line. But while it’s getting harder and harder to resist Jake’s oozing sex appeal and cocky grin, I refuse to fall for him.

That’s the one risk I’m not willing to take.

This was everything I wanted it to be AND MORE. Guys. At this point I could literally read Elle Kennedy’s grocery list and probably fall in love with it. She is the queen of hilarious banter and steam and I am all here for it. I had been so bummed when The Chase fell a little short for me last year so when I found out this was going to be Brenna and Connelly’s book, I was ecstatic. Enemies to lovers and a fake relationship? What could be better?!?!?!!!??!? Really, not much.

I loved Brenna and Jake’s relationship from the very beginning. They are both have such alpha personalities that I knew their clashes were going to be deliciously fun.

”You traumatized her for life with your filthy sex fantasies,” he informs me before digging into his pie.
“Sorry, Daddy.”
He snickers mid-bite, a few crumbs flying out of his mouth. He picks up his napkin. “You’re not allowed to call me that in public.” Mischief dances in his green eyes. “Save it for later.”

Basically these two are constantly at each other’s throats because Brenna’s dad is the coach of Briar. Connelly is the captain of Harvard’s team and is rivals with Briar. While they can’t deny they find each other attractive, they spend the first bit at each other’s throats for obvious reasons. Then, as Brenna is trying (and sadly failing) to land an internship at HockeyNet, she learns that her douchey/ misogynistic would-be boss basically is in love with Connelly and his hockey talent. She decides to try to up her game and lets it “slip” that she and this rival of hers are dating. Girls gotta do what a girls gotta do to get ahead, especially in the world of sports where they are constantly being overlooked. Connelly agrees to go along with this charade but only if he can snag a real date for every fake one they have.

Muahaha how great is that?! Their freaking chemistry was off the charts the entire time. Like I said, there was great banter, as always, and the writing was just so addicting.

I think what I really like about Kennedy’s books is that there is always that kernel of realism. Let’s face it, romance novels usually push the bounds of what is true and believable. Not every guy out there is going to be a 6’4” hockey god with an eight pack AND a great personality. No, but then she’ll add that certain relatable thing (Summer’s learning disability, Brenna’s View Spoiler », Garrett’s abusive dad, etc. They are real and true things that people have experienced and can relate to. It adds to the depth of the story and makes it just a little more than a hot piece of NA trash (and when I say trash I mean trash in the sense that I would still gobble it up in one sitting lol).

I just love them, okay?! These books are the reason that I have an unhealthy obsession with sports romances. ALSO, can we just talk about how I hope book three is about Hunter???????????!?!!!!??!?! I can’t freaking wait. Once again, I HIGHLY recommend this book and this author.

Huge thanks to Elle Kennedy Inc. for allowing me to read an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!♥

BOOK REVIEW: Darker Water (Once and Forever #1) by Lauren Stewart

February 15, 2019 / Jen / 4 Comments

Darker Water (Once and Forever #1)
by Lauren Stewart
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Some fairytales begin with a kiss...

Laney
I finally get it. And to think, it only took my heart being pried out of my chest and stomped on five separate times by men who claimed they loved me. That’s got to be a record, right?
Let me put it as simply as I can.
Fairy tales aren’t real. Love is a lie. And, at least in my experience, sex never comes with a happy ending.
Fortunately, I still have a battery-operated boyfriend who’ll never fall out of love with me. I won’t walk in on him in bed with another woman either. Nope. As long as I keep supplying him with fresh batteries, B.O.B’s only purpose in life is to make me happy.
And, damn it, I deserve to be happy. I’m a nice person. I work hard. And, most importantly, I've learned my lesson:
I will never, ever let a man near my heart again.

Carson
My secret to happiness is to be completely upfront with what I want and, trust me, it has nothing to do with Laney’s heart. Her lips? Hell yeah. A few other parts of her body? You better f*cking believe it. But her heart? Nope. Not even a little.
Until it does…a lot.
Forget I said that. I don’t have feelings for anyone. They were all ripped out of me when I was a kid.
This thing between Laney and me could be great. But we have to follow certain rules. We have a good time—no dates, no sleepovers, no expectations. When one of us is ready for something new or if she starts getting too attached, we move on with no hard feelings. Win-win, and everybody’s happy.
I came into this thinking it would be the same thing as it had always been and that she was like any other woman.
It isn’t. She isn’t.
But how do I tell her she deserves someone better, someone who can love her, someone who’s not broken, if I can’t seem to let her go?

Review:

Darker Water was a steamy, heart-felt story that constantly had me smiling. Just within those first few pages, I was already laughing and obsessed with our two main characters. It all flowed so seamlessly and I devoured it in no time at all. Darker Water became an instant favorite and I’m kicking myself that I didn’t pick it up sooner. Especially since I bought this book four years ago.

He was ten times more wicked than anyone I’d ever dated, the complete opposite of everything I used to look for in a man. Untamed, irreverent, demanding. Exactly what I needed. I wouldn’t fall in fake-love with a guy like this in a million years.

Laney Temple had sworn off guys, after having her heart stomped on again and again. So when Carson Bennett barged into her life, she told him to go away. Their first conversation had me cracking up so hard and it’s going down as one of my favorite meet cutes! You see, Carson knew what he wanted and it was Laney in his bed. He didn’t do relationships and he was completely upfront with Laney. It seemed crazy at first, but then it started to sound like the perfect situation. But something got in their way and they parted, which left me begging for more!

“Do you ever think us spending time with each other is one big, drawn out lapse of good judgment?”
“All the fucking time,” he muttered, his lips grazing my forehead before he walked away.

From there, Carson and Laney started to meet for coffee which lead to them hanging out. They weren’t dating, they weren’t having sex, they were actually getting to know one another. So while a friendship and trust started to form, they struck a deal. Laney wanted to learn how to not mix sex and love. And Carson had never been friends with someone he slept with. And while neither of them wanted to get attached, it’s funny how life doesn’t always work out how you want it too.

“If I get you drunk, will you let me take advantage of you?” I teased.
“Alright, that’s it,” he growled. He took the dress box from me, picked me up, plopped my ass on a display of jeans, and nudged my knees apart so he could stand between them. “I tried to be patient. I really did, but this friend thing sucks.”
“Umm…” I took a quick breath when he put his hands on my thighs. “You know we’re in public, right?”

I. Loved. Carson. If you love alpha males then you have to meet Carson. He was addictive, seductive, powerful and charming without any effort at all. His words and actions had me melting into a puddle. Even if he was kind of an ass at times, but that didn’t matter because I loved how kind he was to Laney. I was so obsessed with him that I’ve already gone back and re-read so many of the scenes where he shows exactly who he was and what he could do. Sigh.

“If I turn around now things are going to escalate, Lane.” I spoke with my eyes closed, my hands clutching the countertop. “So what would you say if I asked you how far you wanted to go with this?”
“I’d say, ‘Why are you asking me questions when you should be fucking me?’”

I loved Laney too! She was brave, outspoken and I loved how she stood up for herself. I had so much respect for her and her sharp mouth. So when Laney and Carson were together? Be prepared to laugh, they were hilarious! They were so perfect together, especially when they crossed that physical line. Those moments were toe curling and would leave the hugest smile on my face. I loved how steamy and exhilarating they were *fans face*.

“Being with you makes me feel like I’m more of a man, because I know without a doubt that I would do whatever it took to protect you.” My voice caught. “So that’s what I’m finally doing. I’m telling you to go away.”
She lifted her head to say one word: “No.”

This book also had a strong emotional side and I kept hoping they’d see what I saw. How much they deserved one another. So looking back, this book was a ton of fun. Darker Water made me laugh, smile, sigh and even tugged on my heart which made tears spill from my eyes. Now I’m looking forward to picking up the second book. It’s about Carson’s brother and just from the few glances we got of him, I can’t wait to learn all there is about Hayden!

BOOK REVIEW: The Girl in the Tower (Winternight #2) by Katherine Arden

February 13, 2019 / Chelsea / 2 Comments

The Girl in the Tower by Katherine Arden
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
The magical adventure begun in The Bear and the Nightingale continues as brave Vasya, now a young woman, is forced to choose between marriage or life in a convent and instead flees her home—but soon finds herself called upon to help defend the city of Moscow when it comes under siege.

Orphaned and cast out as a witch by her village, Vasya’s options are few: resign herself to life in a convent, or allow her older sister to make her a match with a Moscovite prince. Both doom her to life in a tower, cut off from the vast world she longs to explore. So instead she chooses adventure, disguising herself as a boy and riding her horse into the woods. When a battle with some bandits who have been terrorizing the countryside earns her the admiration of the Grand Prince of Moscow, she must carefully guard the secret of her gender to remain in his good graces—even as she realizes his kingdom is under threat from mysterious forces only she will be able to stop.

You cannot love and be immortal.

First, let me say that I found MUCH enjoyment out of this series. There were some definite highs and lows-more on that later-but this book, mostly, brought me immense joy. After the first, I truly didn’t think this series was redeemable-and, in a way, it isn’t. It’s perhaps my fault that I can’t stomach babies dying (I mean, WTF?) and horses being burned alive (whether on a broader scope of attack and war, or not), but I’m sorry: These things will never be okay with me. But, besides those two transgressions, ie extreme triggers for me, this book was by far the strongest of the three (I’ve finished the third in ARC form).

Morozko remains the high point of this series, followed shortly by my baby horse, Solovey. They added heat when the book was growing cold, and humor when things got too dark. And, as anyone who has read this series knows, apparently horses can communicate with certain people? And, can I just say, they are snarky little turds and I was totally here for it.

But, back to Morozko. This book just…it catapulted a character I was already fond of into obsession mode. He was witty. Sharp. Dark. Protective. Seductive. And, I dare say, a bit tortured? I was absolutely head over heels for this very anti-hero, and he is Vasya’s perfect match.

The mare stood quietly, chewing at her hay. Morozko was staring into the fire and did not turn his head when she rose. Vasya thought of the long featureless years of his life, wondered how many nights he sat alone by a fire, or if he wandered the wild instead and made his dwelling seem to have a roof and walls and a fire only to please her.

THAT BEING SAID. Vasya irritated me many times-especially the end. This one part totally made me rage, and I find it wholly unforgivable. It was sick. It was weird. And I want NO FING PART OF IT. If not for this one part, this book would be an absolutely unforgettable favorite-and now, it’s honestly memorable (in some good ways, yes, OBVIOUSLY-it was by far my favorite of the series!) for all the wrong reasons, if I’m being honest.

But as though her words were a summoning, a door among the firs—a door she hadn’t seen—opened with the crack of breaking ice. A swath of firelight bloodied the virgin snow. Now, quite plainly, a house stood in this fir-grove. Long, curling eaves capped its wooden walls, and in the snow-torn firelight, the house seemed to lie breathing, crouched in the thicket.

This story is full of so much passion. Heart. Explosive action-it was honestly an amazing book that had me swooning so hard I scarcely found it easy to breathe-but that does NOT mean I forgive it’s transgressions-no matter how beautiful the covers are.

BOOK REVIEW: Fireblood (Frostblood Saga #2) by Elly Blake

February 11, 2019 / Chelsea / 4 Comments

Fireblood (Frostblood Saga #2)
by Elly Blake
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
All hail the Fire Queen.

Against all odds, Ruby has defeated the villainous Frost King and melted his throne of ice. But the bloodthirsty Minax that was trapped inside is now haunting her kingdom and everyone she loves. The answers to its demise may lie to the south in Sudesia, the land of the Firebloods, and a country that holds the secrets to Ruby’s powers and past…

Despite warnings from her beloved Arcus, Ruby accompanies a roguish Fireblood named Kai to Sudesia, where she must master her control of fire in a series of trials to gain the trust of the suspicious Fire Queen. Only then can she hope to access the knowledge that could defeat the rampaging Minax—which grows closer every moment. But as sparks fly in her moments alone with Kai, Ruby no longer knows whom to trust. The fates of two kingdoms are now in her hands.

He nodded, lips twisting in a slight grimace. “It frustrates Lord Ustathius to no end to find me here instead of in the council chambers. I told him this helps me think.”
“And does it?”
“Yes. It helps me think of you.”

It’s never my intention to belittle a book series on the second book (which I genuinely generally hate), or any of the books, really, if I love it with my whole heart. But, no, this was not a satisfying novel, no matter how much I wish it was so. I can’t love a book solely for the male lead, much as I want to, sometimes.

His lips twitched, the scar pulling taut in that way I found endlessly endearing. “And then there’s the matter of me having to duel with anyone who dared to stare at you. Which would be every man here.”
“They’d only stare because they’re afraid of me. They’re all waiting for me to melt something.”
“Ah, but, Lady Ruby, you already have,” he said, letting go of my waist to spin me in a quick circle. As I came back around, his hand returned to steady me. “You’ve melted my icy heart.”

I loved Arcus. I STILL love Arcus-even after Ruby’s typical heroine bullshit (yes, I cursed, which I have been trying not to do in my reviews anymore) where she feels the need to go against all reason, trust a complete stranger-a BOY stranger-and betray Arcus, in a manner. And yet, he still was an upstanding hero. He supports her-to an extent-because he loves her. And they still have their issues-their differences in powers and class-their worlds are different…yet he trusts her and would do anything for her, even when his whole court objects. To this, I say bravo, and I love him as a hero for it. Because, in the end, he let her do her thing, and that’s a beautiful sentiment.

“Home.” I sat trembling in the chair, his words and tone affecting me more than I wanted, making me want to curl up and weep in his arms. “I don’t even know where that is.“
“You’re my home,” Arcus said softly.

He was jealous, but not in a manner that held Ruby back from her dream. He was possessive, but only when he knew she wanted him-and only him-and he wanted the other male(s) to know it. And, finally, he would follow her anywhere. I just adore him….and I hope the final book does him justice, even as I found myself skimming this whole book because, alas, he was hardly in it (HOORAY FOR THAT SECOND BOOK PREDICTABILITY). Now, onto the copy of Nightblood I won in an Instagram giveaway-I am so excited! 😀

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

Eh. I knew this one wasn’t going to be a win because of the second book tropes: Distance from Hero, extra random hero, boring self-discovery blah blah. But she hurt Arcus-which is unforgivable. So, there it is.

Plus, my goodness. I am reading faster than I can review-I’m only, oh, SIX reviews behind?!

View all my reviews

BOOK REVIEW: King of Scars (Nikolai Duology #1) by Leigh Bardugo

February 9, 2019 / Arielle / 9 Comments

King of Scars (Nikolai Duology #1)
by Leigh Bardugo
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Nikolai Lantsov has always had a gift for the impossible. No one knows what he endured in his country’s bloody civil war—and he intends to keep it that way. Now, as enemies gather at his weakened borders, the young king must find a way to refill Ravka’s coffers, forge new alliances, and stop a rising threat to the once-great Grisha Army.

Yet with every day a dark magic within him grows stronger, threatening to destroy all he has built. With the help of a young monk and a legendary Grisha Squaller, Nikolai will journey to the places in Ravka where the deepest magic survives to vanquish the terrible legacy inside him. He will risk everything to save his country and himself. But some secrets aren’t meant to stay buried—and some wounds aren’t meant to heal.

“Drüsje,” Birgir hissed. Witch.
“I don’t like that word,” Nina said, advancing. “Call me Grisha. Call me zowa. Call me death, if you like.”

I literally have no idea how I’m going to review this. There I said it. This book was in my top five for new releases that I was DYING to get my hands on. I actually finished last night and honestly I’m a little torn on what to think. If I’m being completely honest, I’d say that I am even a tad ..disappointed(?) and that this book isn’t exactly what I thought it would be.

War hadn’t done it. Captivity. Torture. But loss was something different, because she saw no end to it, only the far horizon, stretching on and on.

I’m not saying that’s a bad thing though! No, not at all. The main reason this is different than expected is because instead of this book being entirely about Nikolai, we have a whole side plot featuring Nina on a mission in Fjerda. I actually really enjoyed those chapters for the first half of the book…maybe even a little more than Nikolai’s which seems like a sin which I type it lol. I love Nina so much and I sobbed during *that* particular scene. View Spoiler ». I am very sure that her journey and mission will end up tying into Nikolai’s in the next book in a very big way, but overall for this one I was left confused as to why she had such a big and separate part when the book is literally called King of Scars. Again, I did enjoy her chapters and OBVIOUSLY her in general, just a little confused.

Because Zoya was not kind and she was not easy. But she was already a queen.

Side note before I continue on: I really think you need to read/ re-read all of her previous books before getting into this one. I haven’t read the Grisha series in a LONG time and there were a few things and characters that I had questions about because it had been so long. Like Zoya….all I really had remembered about her was that she and Alina didn’t get along at first and that she was very intense and could be harsh with her words. I actually really loved her arc in this book. Seriously. We got to learn a LOT more about her like her past, why she is the way that she is and it did not disappoint in any way. Also…thoughts on her with Nikolai? By the end I think I want them together…maybe???? Yes.

On the other hand with Nikolai…..who I felt like we didn’t get nearly enough of *sobs*. We did get his usual loveable/ dramatic/ dashing/ quippy self but..just not enough. I loved the scene at the end View Spoiler ».

Finally, speaking of that ending twist/reveal…………………..lol. I did not see that coming. VERY interested to see how that all plays out and I bet there are either going to be some very happy or very unhappy people after reading it. WE SHALL SEE. Overall, this was a good start to the series, but not a great one. I’m expecting great things for book two and I’m sure Bardugo will deliver.

Each spine had been an open doorway whispering, Come in, come in. Here is a land you’ve never seen before. Here is a place to hide when you’re frightened, to play when you’re bored, to rest when the world seems unkind.