Tag: New Adult (Page 11 of 47)

BOOK REVIEW: My Clarity (My Clarity #1) by M. Clarke

BOOK REVIEW: My Clarity (My Clarity #1) by M. ClarkeMy Clarity (My Clarity #1)
by M. Clarke
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Still reeling from the death of her father, Alexandria hopes to find both independence and reprieve from her grief by heading off to college. However, life throws her a serious curveball when she discovers that her roommate isn’t quite the person she imagined.Smoking, tattoos, and street racing for fast cash are Elijah’s only interests. A harsh life has made him apathetic and indifferent, until Alexandria enters his life. When their paths cross, turmoil abounds.An inevitable encounter, an undeniable attraction, and an unexpected chance at love-will it be enough?

Review:

My Clarity was an emotional tale of love, friendship and perseverance.  The story unfolded so seamlessly and I loved that we got to hear both of their voices.  If you’re a fan of new adult romance that is sexy and sweet, then take a look at adding this one to your tbr!

Gasping for air, tears filled my hands and I couldn’t stop them from flowing. My body trembled, and I reached for something to lean on, but there was nothing there. – Alex
Death had punctured a hole that couldn’t be mended. How do you get past this? – Elijah

The prologue drew me in right from the start.  And before I knew it, I had tears streaming down my face.  Alexandria’s past was heartbreaking and it gutted me to the core.  It was amazing how within a few pages, her pain became mine.  Thankfully we then jumped ahead three months, when Alex was heading off to college.  She was taking over her cousin Jimmy’s room but her roommate was not what she expected.  With a play on names, she ended up with a tall, dark, gorgeous, tattooed guy that had a vast sea of secrets.

I’d known he didn’t like me when we first met, but I thought he would at least have the decency to be nice to me. My heart twisted painfully at his words. What a great start.

I absolutely loved Alex.  While she could be so innocent, she was also kind and had the hugest heart ever.  She was still drowning in her grief and it pained me that even her relationship with her mom was strained.  But even when she was emotional, her thoughts still held logic.  She had such a good head on her shoulders…..well except when it came to Liam. They were dating and I wasn’t the hugest fan of him. I got why she kept him around, and you’ll find out too, but I wanted more for her.  So when she found out her roommate was a guy, and one who partied and went through women like water, I was just as nervous as she was.  But I loved watching her grow and stand up for herself, and a lot of that had to do with Elijah.

I didn’t understand the hold she had on me. And I didn’t like it one bit.

I was infatuated with Elijah!  He had the highest walls ever, so of course he came across as a total douchebag.  It didn’t help that he could run hot and cold with Alex.  But he had a tragic past and was haunted, jaded and everything in between because of it.  Tortured doesn’t even begin to describe Elijah.  But there was this other side to him too, where he could be seductive or oh so funny when he was playing dirty.  He also listened to Alex and understood her grief.  So as he become protective of her I couldn’t stop smiling!  He had this soft side to him that the majority of the world couldn’t see.  But we got to, and it was everything.

Lowering his head and brushing his lips against my ear, accentuating one word at a time, he murmured, “You. Are. Better.”

Elijah and Alex were definitely attracted to each other, but they were roommates and didn’t want to ruin that.  So as they figured out how to live with one another, so many of their moments were beyond adorable.  But there were also moments that held pain, heartache and secrets.  And they both made mistakes, they each had so much to learn and grow as the story unfolded.  But you guys, the moments Alex got Elijah or Elijah was nice to Alex my heart soared.  They didn’t have an easy path, but I loved watching every minute of it.

I couldn’t look at her. If her eyes gave me permission to do what I wanted to do, I wouldn’t stop. Walking away was the only way I could maintain control, but she stopped me.
“Elijah, did you ever love anyone like that before?” she asked softly, still looking overcome, still planted against the cabinet as if glued there.
“No. Goodnight, Freckles,” I said and went to my room.

My Clarity was an emotional tale that pulled at my heart.  There is so much I’m not even touching on…..karaoke, street racing, milk and cookies, school, work and so much in-between.  This story was so full of life and the side characters rounded out this story perfectly, I loved their friends Seth and Lexy.  And with an epilogue that jumped 5 years into the future, oh my heart was so happy to see where characters ended up.  I’m so thankful I picked this book up, it’s exactly what I needed.

“I’m going to give you a hug now since friends hug after they make up.”
He embraced me before I had time to register what he had said. I sucked in air when my body pressed against his. God he felt so good. I needed him off me.

PS I loved how he called her freckles.

BOOK REVIEW: The Darkest Temptation (Made #3) by Danielle Lori

BOOK REVIEW: The Darkest Temptation (Made #3) by Danielle LoriThe Darkest Temptation (Made #3)
by Danielle Lori
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

A fortune teller once told Mila she’d find a man who would take her breath away. She refrained from telling her it would be literally while Mila ran for her life.

Having always done what is expected of her, Mila dresses the part, only dates college boys with exemplary backgrounds, and doesn’t ask questions. Not about her papa’s absences or his refusal to let her set foot in her birthplace—Russia.

Suffocated by the rules and unanswered questions, Mila does what she’s always wanted to. She boards a plane to Moscow.

She never expected to fall for a man on the way. One with unexplained wealth, tattoos on his hands, and secrets in his eyes. But it doesn’t take long for his caress to become a rough grasp muffling her screams.

Revenge is a dish best served cold. Unfortunately, a Russian winter is the coldest of them all, and Mila soon learns the only way to escape intact is to do the impossible and thaw her captor’s heart.

Review:

Inked fingers may be holding my wrists captive, but they’d also saved and avenged me.

The Darkest Temptation was hypnotic, sexy and impossible to put down.  If you aren’t familiar with Danielle Lori’s writing, it’s intoxicating and uniquely beautiful at times.  Her words wrap themselves around your heart and soul and the story refuses to let you go.  And for a book that could be so dark at times, I laughed a lot.  But I also cried tears while my heart broke.  So if you’re a fan of romance that is dark, then definitely add this book to your tbr!

He stared at me for what felt like a long time. And then I watched something violent sweep away the lust in his eyes. Stepping back, his shoulders tense, he left me cold while I struggled to catch my breath.

Mila lived a life of luxury, but had a father who wasn’t around a lot.  With his current business trip, her father had been gone for three months.  He even missed her birthday. With a sense of dread, Mila flew to Russia to figure out what was going on. Upon arrival, she was left with even more questions. And before she could figure out what was truly going on, Mila’s life turned horrific in the blink of an eye.

Heart racing against my ribcage, I held his gaze.
“No.”
He watched me for a second, and then he was on me so fast a scream rose up my throat.

I loved Mila!  She was brave and fearless at times.  She stood up for what she believed in and spoke her mind.  So when she crashed into a dark and seductive man, I was captivated too.  Ronan was a mystery.  We were both unsure of what to think of him at first, especially since he seemed to have a wealth of secrets.  And even though there was a coldness to him, that didn’t feel like it would ever thaw.  He pulled Mila deep into his spell.  But the next thing she knew, she was a hostage.  Life was nothing like it was before.

Resentment expanded in my chest. I needed to see a human response from him. I needed to know I had a chance at surviving him.

There were so many clues Mila missed or pushed aside throughout her life.  So when they started to come together, I was as shocked as Mila.  I felt her confusion, anger, grief and sadness.  And when we got to the second part of this story, a lot of those feelings got shoved onto Ronan.  That’s because we got to see ALL of him and he could be dark as fuck.  He used her.  He hurt her.  And how he could flip from being so cold, deathly calm or compassionate in the matter of a second terrified me.  Ronan was a constant contrast and he went from charming to the devil in disguise.

I didn’t want this.
But my body wasn’t convinced as he kissed a path down my neck and ran his mouth between my breasts. He was surprisingly gentle. So gentle, I resented it.
I wanted him to hurt me.
I wanted pain.
Because then, I could feel only hatred.

But, there’s always a but isn’t there.  From the beginning, there was an attraction between Mila and Ronan.  Their banter was fabulous too.  You could feel it radiating from the pages.  It was intoxicating and sexy.  And while Mila was captive, none of that went away.  Now I need to mention that this book touches on dubcon – dubious consent.  There was no rape.  I can’t handle that at all.  But in this book, yes he kissed her when she was tied up.  He touched her too.  But it felt different because they had already hooked up before she became his captive.  When he touched her, mentally she wanted to stab him, but physically her body betrayed her.  And when she was at her limit or emotionally checked out, he’d stop.  Walk away.  So this felt like a huge grey area to me.

“You’re trying to Stockholm syndrome me.”
I thought he wanted to laugh. “I don’t think that’s a verb.”
“Like I need grammar advice from someone who uses ‘fuck’ as a noun, verb, and adverb in a single sentence.”
“Fuck is versatile.”
“Not that versatile.”

Did I hate Ronan during a few of the scenes?  Hell yes!  I wanted to stab him at times.  But Danielle is beyond talented with twisting my emotions around.  I fell in love with Ronan as the story progressed further and further.  Especially since we got quite a few chapters in his voice.  Hearing his thoughts humanized him.  We got to see all of his sides.  I loved those moments the best, but my lips are zipped to what they entail.  You’ll have to discover them yourselves.

Consumed by fire and ice, I arched against him, desperate for contact, for friction, for absolution.
But hell had brought me here.
And hell would get me out.

If you’ve read the other books in this series, you’re going to love seeing Christian and Gianna again!  There are surprises, lips zipped again.  All I can say is that I laughed so hard with Gianna in a scene, that I had tears pouring down my face.  Plus I really liked Yulia, I don’t know what that says about me lol.  You’ll see what I mean *covers face*.  And Khaos was my third favorite character in this book, I heart him so much!

Disaster loomed in the distance, but the heat of his body washed away the coldness inside me. I used to despise his size and strength; now I leaned into it knowing he wouldn’t let me fall. Yet.

The Darkest Temptation was seductively mesmerizing and dark.  It was a mixture or yellows and grays splashed across the pages.  And I got pulled down deep into their twisted world.  It was impossible for my emotions not to consume me.  So if you’re looking for a book that’ll keep you turning the pages, and your heart on the line, then definitely look at putting this one on your tbr!

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

BOOK REVIEW: Always Be My Baby by Mary Ting

BOOK REVIEW: Always Be My Baby by Mary TingAlways Be My Baby by Mary Ting
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Cammy is so furious when she catches her boyfriend kissing another girl at a frat party that she storms out of her own apartment. Letting go of your first love is not an easy thing to do, and he makes it harder by swearing he’s innocent and trying to win her back. But when Cammy meets Grayson Parker, he shows her how different some guys can be. Can Cammy trust her boyfriend and give him another chance? Or will she allow Grayson to heal her wounds and erase the scars?

Review:

Always Be My Baby was absolutely adorable and an enjoyable quick read!   This story took place in the 90s and from dating, to first love, to waiting for someone to page you lol, I felt like I was back in time!  Even the songs had me humming while reading.  I kept finding myself smiling with all of the nostalgia and charming story line.  So if you’re looking for a cute, quick romance then definitely add this one on your list!

I suddenly forgot his name. I forgot how to breathe. I forgot who and where I was. – Cammy

Right away I liked Cammy and felt all the sympathy in the world for her.  The story started in college with Cammy breaking up with her boyfriend, Lucas.  She had walked into a party and saw him kissing another girl.  But there was so much more to her then a girl with a wounded heart.  As we got to know her, I loved that she was kind, smart, unsure at times, stumbled over her words and even made silly little mistakes.  She was so relatable and I could easily see myself doing those things when I was her age.

He left, leaving me breathless and my heart soaring to the sky.

On top of hearing Cammy’s thoughts, we also got two different POVs.  To say I didn’t expect to get Lucas’ POV would be the hugest understatement ever lol.  My mind was shocked and I was so nervous.  Lucas swore he didn’t kiss her back, and the girl had kissed him first.  Were we supposed to believe him?  Like him?  Forgive him?  I didn’t know what to feel.  But we also got another POV, Grayson.  And Grayson was such a surprise.  He could be so cold and cocky.  But he seemed to know exactly what he wanted.  And that was Cammie.  So of course my heart was nervous with how this was all going to unfold.

“I-I tend to bite my pencil during tests or when I get nervous,” I confessed.
His eyebrows lifted and his lips spread wickedly. Leaning closer, his shoulder touched mine and his leg brushed my knee, and he whispered, “I think we’d go well together. I like to bite, too. I’d like to see what else you can do with your teeth.”

I loved how the romance played out in this story!  I can’t say much, but it was about finding confidence in yourself and figuring out what you truly want.  Learning to trust your instincts and relying on those that have your back and heart’s best interest.  From first kisses, to figuring out people’s feelings, to being nervous of the unknown, I enjoyed every minute of this story!

You deserve someone that cares about you when you’re sick. You deserve someone that walks you home.
Leah’s words echoed in my mind.

And I just have to say that this is the second Mary Ting book where female relationships were such a gem!  I loved the friendship between Cammy and Leah. They were the truest of beasties who loved each other with their whole hearts.  They took care of each other and were thoughtful and loving to one another.  They reminded me of the type of relationship I have with my bestest of friends.  It was such a breath of fresh air seeing this type of relationship portrayed in a college aged story!

“…I’m just a guy hoping maybe one day we can be more than friends.” I should have punched myself, or I should have let her punch me. I was an ass. She was hurting and I sprung my words on her as if she didn’t have anything else to worry about. – Grayson

Always Be My Baby warmed my heart!  And I saw so many parallels to my college experience – the chicken noodle soup, walking me places, someone showing you how people can truly be, having your heart on the line and being nervous to take a step, I saw my college years in Cammy’s life!  I even found myself clapping out loud for something Cammy did later on in the story.  While this was a novella, it sure didn’t feel like one.  I had become attached to her and was proud of what she had done!  So with 90s nostalgia, feelings of first love, and friendship, this book was so much fun to read! 

BOOK TOUR: Playing With Fire by L.J. Shen

BOOK TOUR: Playing With Fire by L.J. ShenPlaying With Fire by L.J. Shen
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads
Synopsis:

A broken boy on the path to destruction.
A scarred girl without direction.
A love story carved in secrets, inked with pain and sealed with a lie.

Grace Shaw and West St. Claire are arctic opposites.
She is the strange girl from the food truck.
He is the mysterious underground fighter who stormed into her sleepy Texan college town on his motorcycle one day, and has been wreaking havoc since.
She is invisible to the world.
He is the town’s beloved bad boy.
She is a reject.
He is trouble.
When West thrusts himself into Grace’s quiet life, she scrambles to figure out if he is her happily-ever-after or tragic ending.
But the harder she pushes him away, the more he pulls her out of her shell.
Grace doesn’t know much about anything beyond her town’s limits, but she does know this:
She is falling in love with the hottest guy in Sheridan U.
And when you play with fire—you ought to get burned.

“A flawless story of redemption and salvation, Playing With Fire will consume you entirely.” – Amali Rose, USA Today Bestselling Author

Playing With Fire, an all-new heartbreaking and intensely beautiful small town standalone romance from USA Today bestselling author L.J. Shen is available now!

A broken boy on the path to destruction.

A scarred girl without direction.

A love story carved in secrets, inked with pain and sealed with a lie.

Grace Shaw and West St. Claire are arctic opposites.

She is the strange girl from the food truck.

He is the mysterious underground fighter who stormed into her sleepy Texan college town on his motorcycle one day, and has been wreaking havoc since.

She is invisible to the world.

He is the town’s beloved bad boy.

She is a reject.

He is trouble.

When West thrusts himself into Grace’s quiet life, she scrambles to figure out if he is her happily-ever-after or tragic ending.

But the harder she pushes him away, the more he pulls her out of her shell.

Grace doesn’t know much about anything beyond her town’s limits, but she does know this:

She is falling in love with the hottest guy in Sheridan U.

And when you play with fire—you ought to get burned.

Download your copy today or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/35scdah

Amazon Universal: http://mybook.to/PWFLJShen

Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/3bDlzRh

Add to PLAYING WITH FIRE to Goodreads – https://bit.ly/MDVljgr

About L.J. Shen

L.J. Shen is a USA Today, Washington Post and Amazon #1 best-selling author of contemporary, New Adult and YA romance. Her books have been sold to twenty different countries. 

She lives in California with her husband, son, cat and eccentric fashion choices, and enjoys good wine, bad reality TV shows and catching sun rays with her lazy cat.

Connect with L.J. Shen

Facebook: http://bit.ly/2OhSvp1

Twitter: http://bit.ly/36ELHZc

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BOOK REVIEW: A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire (Blood and Ash #2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

BOOK REVIEW: A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire (Blood and Ash #2) by Jennifer L. ArmentroutA Kingdom of Flesh and Fire (Blood and Ash #2)
by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Is Love Stronger Than Vengeance?

A Betrayal…

Everything Poppy has ever believed in is a lie, including the man she was falling in love with. Thrust among those who see her as a symbol of a monstrous kingdom, she barely knows who she is without the veil of the Maiden. But what she does know is that nothing is as dangerous to her as him. The Dark One. The Prince of Atlantia. He wants her to fight him, and that’s one order she’s more than happy to obey. He may have taken her, but he will never have her.

A Choice….

Casteel Da’Neer is known by many names and many faces. His lies are as seductive as his touch. His truths as sensual as his bite. Poppy knows better than to trust him. He needs her alive, healthy, and whole to achieve his goals. But he’s the only way for her to get what she wants—to find her brother Ian and see for herself if he has become a soulless Ascended. Working with Casteel instead of against him presents its own risks. He still tempts her with every breath, offering up all she’s ever wanted. Casteel has plans for her. Ones that could expose her to unimaginable pleasure and unfathomable pain. Plans that will force her to look beyond everything she thought she knew about herself—about him. Plans that could bind their lives together in unexpected ways that neither kingdom is prepared for. And she’s far too reckless, too hungry, to resist the temptation.

A Secret…

But unrest has grown in Atlantia as they await the return of their Prince. Whispers of war have become stronger, and Poppy is at the very heart of it all. The King wants to use her to send a message. The Descenters want her dead. The wolven are growing more unpredictable. And as her abilities to feel pain and emotion begin to grow and strengthen, the Atlantians start to fear her. Dark secrets are at play, ones steeped in the blood-drenched sins of two kingdoms that would do anything to keep the truth hidden. But when the earth begins to shake, and the skies start to bleed, it may already be too late.


Review:

A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire was an epic continuation of the Blood and Ash Series. This story brought out all of my emotions! The laughter constantly floated out of me, I cried more tears then I could count, my smile was a permanent fixture on my face and at times uncertainty pooled in my chest. I loved every single minute of it! If you’re a fan of addictive fantasies, fearless heroines and the most enticing of book boyfriends, then you definitely need to add this one to your tbr!

He was both the villain and the hero, the monster and the monster-slayer.

This book picked up right where From Blood and Ash stopped. Deceit and lies swirled around Poppy. So much of what she thought was true wasn’t. Her Kingdom, Hawke, to even herself. My heart ached watching her come to terms with it all. But Poppy persevered. She was brave, fearless and faced challenged head on. She was someone that you could look up to and respect. And I loved listening to her voice as we traversed this new chapter of her life with her. Especially anytime she was near Casteel.

“Most people aren’t as insane as you,” I said in a throaty voice that wasn’t mine.
“That’s not a very nice thing to say.” He scraped harder with his sharp teeth, just below where he’d bitten me before, and I gasped as my body jerked. “And the truth is, you like my brand of insanity.”
My blood pounded through me in a dizzying push. “I don’t like anything about you.”
He laughed as his lips skimmed the side of my throat. “I love how you lie.”

Oh you guys, Casteel was the embodiment of intoxication. I am obsessed with him. I didn’t care that he could be cold and ruthless at times. I didn’t care that he could kill without a second thought. He did what he had to do to keep those he loved safe and to get what he wanted. So the way he protected and respected Poppy made my heart race. The way he spoke to her made me smile and laugh. And the way he looked or touched her set my soul on fire. Casteel is officially my favorite book boyfriend ever!

“Just pretend?” I trembled as the tips of his fingers skated down the side of my throat, around to the nape of my neck.
“Pretend.” His lips hovered above mine once more, right there, teasing.
I closed my eyes, my voice barely more than a whisper. “Yes.”

This story was filled with not only a physical, but an emotional journey. So I loved watching Poppy and Casteel figure out their way alone and together. There was the proposal, frightening creatures, horrific truths, obstacles that seemed impossible to breach and deals to be made. Trust, faith, and love shimmered across the pages but so did the uncertainty of their world, what was to come and their feelings for each other.

He claimed my lips as if he were staking a claim to my very soul. The possibility that he was already well on his way to doing so should’ve served as a dire warning, but I was far too immersed, far too gone at the feel of him, lost in how demanding his lips were.

Anytime Poppy and Casteel were together, I would find myself laughing, smiling or sighing. Well also tears a time or two orrrr more. But their relationship was so deep, so real. I loved how hard Poppy fought against Casteel. She tried her best to not cave, to not care for him. But he was Casteel, he was irresistible. So while they may fight, bicker, and wear masks around each other, at the end of the day they were perfectly imperfect together.

His forehead dropped to mine. “There is one more thing I need. Something that I’ve needed for days. Weeks. Months. Maybe forever.” The bridge of his nose brushed mine. “But I know you won’t allow it. Not like this.”
The pounding in my chest moved lower. “What…what have you needed for so long?”
You.”
I shuddered.

A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire was seductive, addictive and mesmerizing. There was a fierceness to this story that consumed me. It was impossible to put down and not to feel everything all these characters did. We got to know characters deeper….I love Kieran! And we got to dive into their world and see so many things unfold that I can’t talk about. It’s killing me to keep quiet! A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire was absolutely breathtaking and I can’t recommend it enough!

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

Other Favorite Quotes:

“You’re beautiful when you’re quiet and somber, but when you laugh? You rival the sunrise over the Skotos Mountains.” – Casteel
“I have a lot of blood on my hands, Poppy. Sometimes, so much that I don’t think they’ll ever be clean. So much that I don’t know if I ever want them to be.”
The next time I saw Casteel, I was going to shove the stupid knife so far into his chest, he would have to dig it out.
“You don’t smell like that to me,” he murmured, and a shiver curled its way down my spine. “You smell like honeydew.”
Oh, my gods….

Reading Order & Links:

Amazon (click on covers) & iBooks (click on titles)


From Blood and Ash (Blood and Ash Series) #1
Review:

Jen

A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire (Blood and Ash Series) #2
Review:

Jen

The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and Ash Series) #3
Review:
Jen

A Shadow in the Ember Ash (Flesh and Fire Series) 
#1
Review:

Jen

The War of Two Queens (Blood and Ash Series) #4
Review:
Jen

A Light in the Flame (Flesh and Fire Series ) #2

Review:
Jen

A Soul of Ash and Blood (Blood and Ash Series) 
#5
Review:

Jen

A Fire in the Flesh (Flesh and Fire Series) #3
Review:
Jen

Visions of Flesh and Blood (Blood and Ash Series) #5.5
Review:
Jen
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