Monday, February 26, 2018

Mini-Reviews: Cream of the Crop, Too Far to Care, and Second Chance

A collection of mini-reviews, quick thoughts, and books worth mentioning. Check them out!




CREAM OF THE CROP by Alice Clayton
Publication Date: July 12, 2016
Pages: 320
Source: Purchased
Rating: 4 of 5





My Thoughts

This book makes me want to visit a dairy farm. Thank goodness there's one just down the road.

Alice Clayton is an author whose books I turn to when I need a book that will make my laugh and get my heartbeat racing. Cream of the Crop is a book that did just that. I loved Natalie and how much she cracked me up. And I love a girl who enjoys her cheese. "Brie?" "Oh, yes."

Such a fun read!





TOO FAR TO CARE by Jen Luerssen
Publication Date: January 6, 2016
Pages: 178
Source: Purchased
Rating: 4 of 5






My Thoughts

A cute debut by my friend Jen Luerssen. I loved the wit and hilarious characters - Jane is a lady full of sass! And Niall - he's definitely easy to fall for. Their story is full of ups and downs proving to that long distance love is difficult, but if it's worth it, you make it work.




SECOND CHANCE by Katie Kacvinsky
Publication Date: September 7, 2012
Pages: 239
Source: Purchased
Rating: 5 of 5






My Thoughts

While these characters fall in and out of love while the try to figure out who they are are and what they mean to each other, you can't help but experience their journey with them. Dylan and Gray are and always will be two of my favorite characters. Their story is special - one I'll always remember.

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Cover Reveal: KISS COLLECTOR by Wendy Higgins

We finally get to see the cover of the new book by Wendy Higgins. I added this book to my TBR list last MAY when Wendy announced KISS COLLECTOR and it doesn't even publish until December, but I don't care, it'll be worth the wait.

Check out this cover!!



KISS COLLECTOR 
by Wendy Higgins
Published by HarperTeen
YA Contemporary Romance
Coming December 18, 2018

Blurb: 
When seventeen-year-old Zae Monroe gets cheated on by the only guy she’s ever loved, then watches her parents' marriage crumble, she decides to forget about relationships and turn the tables on the boys of the world. It’s time to take what she wants, and what she wants are kisses. Athletes, musicians, poets, and bad boys—their lips are all on her agenda, and it's time to collect. 
Zae proposes a contest with her friends to see who can kiss the most boys during spring break. But what starts as a harmless competition leads to a downward spiral she can’t seem to break free of. As family, academic, friend, and guy drama come to a head, Zae is forced to face the reasons behind her boy angst, and starts to wonder if she was wrong about the male race...or at least some of them.

Add to Goodreads: 

Super Fun Giveaway 
hosted by Wendy Higgins

Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Review: IT HAPPENED OF LOVE STREET by Lia Riley





IT HAPPENED ON LOVE STREET
Series: Everland Georgia
by Lia Riley
Publication Date: April 25, 2017
Published by Forever
Pages: 368
Source: Publisher







Synopsis
In the tradition of New York Times bestselling authors Kristan Higgins, Jill Shalvis, and Marina Adair, comes the first in a new series by Lia Riley about two city sisters finding love in a small town.

The most romantic place she never wanted to be . . .

Pepper Knight moved to Everland, Georgia, as step one in her plan for a successful legal career. But after this big-city gal's plans go awry, going home with her tail between her legs isn't an option. So when the town vet—

and her sexy new neighbor—offers Pepper a temporary dog-walking job, she jumps at the chance. No one needs to know that man's best friend is her worst nightmare . . . or that Everland's hot animal whisperer leaves her panting.

The last thing Rhett Valentine wants is to be the center of small-town gossip. After his first love left him at the altar, he's been there, done that. These days, life is simple, just the way he likes it. But sultry southern nights get complicated once sparks fly between him and the knockout next door. When she proposes a sexy, secret fling—all the deliciousness and none of the prying neighbors-it seems too good to be true. And it is. Because Pepper's determined to leave Love Street, and when she goes, she just might take his heart with her . . .


My Thoughts

I just loved IT HAPPENED ON LOVE STREET. This book is so fun! I love the small town setting and the people who Pepper meets are hilarious. They are silly and in her business as soon as she steps foot into town. 

This book has a lot of charm, what some may even call cheesy or cute, but that's one of the reasons I liked it.

A Favorite Quote:


"Call me peanut butter and jealous." pg. 224

This book kept a smile on my face and laughing throughout.  If you need a good laugh, IT HAPPENED ON LOVE STREET is the book for you! The skinny dipping to save a hat moment is one of my favorite scenes, and reason enough to pick up this book! Yes, she goes there! LOL


Disclaimer:  I received this ARC from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.  I was not compensated in any way other than the ARC provided. Thoughts and opinions are my own.

Monday, February 12, 2018

Review: WITHOUT MERIT by Colleen Hoover





WITHOUT MERIT
by Colleen Hoover
Publication Date: October 3, 2017
Published by Atria Books
Pages: 384
Source: Purchased







Synopsis

Not every mistake deserves a consequence. Sometimes the only thing it deserves is forgiveness.

The Voss family is anything but normal. They live in a repurposed church, newly baptized Dollar Voss. The once cancer-stricken mother lives in the basement, the father is married to the mother’s former nurse, the little half-brother isn’t allowed to do or eat anything fun, and the eldest siblings are irritatingly perfect. Then, there’s Merit.

Merit Voss collects trophies she hasn’t earned and secrets her family forces her to keep. While browsing the local antiques shop for her next trophy, she finds Sagan. His wit and unapologetic idealism disarm and spark renewed life into her—until she discovers that he’s completely unavailable. Merit retreats deeper into herself, watching her family from the sidelines when she learns a secret that no trophy in the world can fix.

Fed up with the lies, Merit decides to shatter the happy family illusion that she’s never been a part of before leaving them behind for good. When her escape plan fails, Merit is forced to deal with the staggering consequences of telling the truth and losing the one boy she loves.


My Thoughts


Two chapters. Two chapters - that's all she needs. And if I'm honest, she didn't need the two complete chapters to draw me in. Colleen Hoover has set the stage for a hurt your heart, then heal your heart story. I like the tone of WITHOUT MERIT and that she's written a story with younger characters in a complicated family.
Merit and Sagan story is one of friendship and confusion. But this book isn't just about them, it's not the romance that most readers expect in a book by Colleen Hoover.  It's about the people in Dollar Voss, a family, and their roles within the family.

Favorite Quotes:

"Your anger is valid, Merit."

"Maybe that's the root of a lot of family issues. It isn't actually the issues people are hung up about for so long. It's that no one has the courage to take the first step in talking about the issues."

This story about family and forgiveness and understanding really spoke to me. It's a perfect example of another book that is exactly what I needed when I read it.

Without Merit is a really special book. Definitely another favorite. 



Disclaimer:  I purchased a copy of this title for my personal library and am providing my honest review.  I was not compensated in any way for providing this review. Thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thursday, February 8, 2018

Review: SHATTERED FEAR by Tara Thomas




SHATTERED FEAR
A Sons of Broad Novella
by Tara Thomas
Publication Date: February 6, 2018
Published by St. Martin's Press
Pages: 86
Source: Publisher | Netgalley
Purchase Amazon | B&N | Kobo






Synopsis


Welcome to the sultry streets of Charleston, where simmering desire and dark danger rule...
Forbidden love never felt so good...
She’s got a killer to catch.
He just might be it. 
Undercover detective Janie Roberts needs to find out for sure if Brent Taylor is a murderer.
Handsome, wealthy, and sexy-as-sin Brent Taylor. 
She’s got to get close enough to learn his secrets.


My Thoughts

I read A LOT of contemporary romance, it's nice to mix it up with some suspense and danger. That's why I wanted to start reading this new series by Tara Thomas. SHATTERED FEAR offered just enough of that desired suspense and danger to freak me out and make the hair stand up on the back of my neck. Talk about creepy. AND it has just enough romance and heat which I like in my contemporary reads. I mean WHAT is happening between Janie and Brent??!! This went somewhere fast and I wasn't expecting it at all.

The Sons of Broad series is sure to keep me on the edge of my seat. And I'm looking forward to reading more!




Disclaimer: I received this e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. I was not compensated in any way other than the e-ARC provided. Thoughts and opinions are my own.

Tuesday, February 6, 2018

Release Day Review: BROKEN BEAUTIFUL HEARTS by Kami Garcia

 

From the #1 New York Times bestselling coauthor of BEAUTIFUL CREATURES, comes BROKEN BEAUTIFUL HEARTS—a red-hot romance that will break your heart and put it back together again! Don’t miss this stunning new title from Kami Garcia!

   



BROKEN BEAUTIFUL HEARTS

by Kami Garcia

Publication Date: February 6, 2018
Published by Macmillan Imprint
Pages: 416
Source: InkslingerPR | Netgalley






Synopsis

Her heart has to break before it can open.

When star soccer player Peyton Rios receives an offer from her first-choice college, senior year starts off exactly as planned. But when Peyton uncovers her boyfriend’s dark secret, she confronts him—and finds herself falling down a flight of stairs. Peyton’s knee—and maybe her dream of going pro—is shattered. Everyone is talking: Was she pushed, or did she fall? Peyton knows the truth, even if no one believes her.

He has to let someone in before it’s too late.

With her future on the line, Peyton goes to stay with her uncle in a small Tennessee town to focus on her recovery. Dating is the last thing on her mind—until she meets sweet, sexy Owen Law.

But Peyton doesn’t trust her heart, especially when she senses that Owen is hiding something. When their secrets are finally exposed, Peyton has to decide if love is worth fighting for.


MY THOUGHTS

BROKEN BEAUTIFUL HEARTS has captured my heart and has a tight grasp on it right now. I'm still savoring the emotions felt from reading this book. I loved it!

BROKEN BEAUTIFUL HEARTS - this title was all I needed to decide to read this book. I didn't know much about this book going in. I knew that it was a young adult contemporary by an author whose books I've enjoyed in the past, but that is pretty much it. And I'm glad that I didn't read the synopsis and went in not knowing what to expect.

Wow!! I loved everything about this book. I enjoyed the experience of reading it, especially  Peyton and Owen's friendship, and yes, their attraction to each other. And then falling in love with each other - especially when it is the one thing Peyton's not ready for.

I couldn't get enough of "The Twins" - their brotherly banter, playfulness, and protectiveness - and the need to be put in the places more than a time or two. Having Peyton in their lives is good for them too. I looked forward to finding out what kind of trouble they were going to get into next.


I've read number of books about dating violence and it never gets any easier. But with BROKEN BEAUTIFUL HEARTS, it was important to see Peyton (and her mother) take immediate action which in life and in books is rarely the case. She spoke up for herself and stood up for herself - even when she had everything to lose. Peyton is fierce - it's who she was before and who she is after. 

Favorite Moments:

That First Kiss. 

Favorite Quotes:

"Barn party isn't a term I heard a lot in DC."

" . . when a boy looks at you like he's drowning and you're the only person who saw him fall in, it feels like forever."

"A ring is for fighting, not quitting. Sometimes you fight with your fists and other times, with your will." 

BROKEN BEAUTIFUL HEARTS is a new favorite - a book I plan to read over and over again. I would recommend this book to fans of Katie McGarry's books and fans of young adult contemporary, in general.


Disclaimer:  I received this e-ARC from InkslingerPR via Netgalley. I was not compensated in any way other than the e-ARC provided. Quotes taken from this e-ARC may differ from the final published version. Thoughts and opinions are my own.

Order BROKEN BEAUTIFUL HEARTS here!

   

READ AN EXCERPT

April narrows her eyes. “I’d be careful if I were you.” “Or what? You’ll throw lip gloss at me?” I almost laugh. I’m done here.

Grace stifles a smile as I pass her on my way out, and I stop. This girl deserves a break. “By the way, your friend, and I use that term loosely”— I gesture at April—“didn’t dump Christian. He dumped her. She was whining about it before you walked in.”

“You bi—” April shouts at me as the door closes.

That was fun.

Sticking up for Grace cheered me up a little.

The stadium has emptied out for the most part, and the sight of the green field makes me feel like running. As a striker, it was my job to move the ball down the soccer field and score goals. The team relied on my speed.

I can’t remember a time when I didn’t play soccer. Dad spent hours dribbling alongside me—him with a standard soccer ball and me with a toddler-sized version. He stood in front of a flimsy net we’d made out of PVC pipes, and played goalkeeper for hours so I could practice my corner shots. I lose myself in the memories.

“Hey! Watch—”

I look up in time to see a guy’s broad chest before I walk right into him. My knee gives out, but he catches my arm.

“Nice save,” he says, as if I’m the one who kept him from falling instead of the other way around.

I jerk away from him. The combination of hearing Reed’s voice a few minutes ago and feeling a guy grab me from out of nowhere . . . it’s too much.

“You okay?” Brown eyes that look even darker against his pale skin.

It’s Owen, the mystery guy from the parking lot. “I’m fine.”

“You sure?”

Why won’t my pulse slow down?

“Yeah. I have to go.” I take off in the opposite direction, embarrassed.

I bumped into a guy and almost jumped out of my skin? This isn’t me. I’m the person who never flinches during horror movies.

The leg brace makes me feel helpless. What if a stranger had grabbed me instead of Owen? Knowing I couldn’t run or fight someone off terrifies me.

Or if someone tries to hurt me again.

Mom and Hawk are exactly where I left them. The Twins have returned from the locker room, freshly showered, and they swapped their football uniforms for jeans and T-shirts. The four of them are huddled together talking. They’re probably discussing my fragile state. They think I’m too traumatized to hang out at a stupid party. But I’m not the damaged person everyone thinks.

I refuse to be that girl.

I walk up behind the Twins and squeeze between them. “So when are we going to that party you were telling me about?”

   

Something wonderful happened to me as I read this—I fell in love. Genuine, shattering, deep, heart-pounding love. Thank you, Kami Garcia, for Peyton and Owen. We need their story." —Jennifer Niven, New York Times bestselling author of All the Bright Places and Holding Up the Universe

     
HEAR IT FIRST

Order a digital or print edition of BROKEN BEAUTIFUL HEARTS by #1 New York Times bestselling author Kami Garcia and be the first to hear an exclusive announcement from Kami about her next book--a secret project her publisher is keeping under wraps! Fans of Beautiful Creatures, Dangerous Creatures, and The Legion series won't want to miss this exciting news!

This is a limited time offer! So hurry! Registration ends on February 28, 2018! You must register your preorder to receive the exclusive announcement from Kami!

https://a.pgtb.me/J61sNg

   


 

Kami Garcia is a #1 New York Times–bestselling and Bram Stoker–nominated author and the coauthor of the Beautiful Creatures and Dangerous Creatures novels. Her solo series, the Legion, includes the instant New York Times bestseller Unbreakable and its sequel, Unmarked. Kami is also the author of The X-Files Origins: Agent of Chaos and The Lovely Reckless. Kami was a teacher for seventeen years and coauthored her first novel on a dare from seven of her students. If she isn’t busy watching Supernatural, Kami can teach you how to escape from a pair of handcuffs or bake a Coca-Cola cake. Kami lives in Maryland with her family and their dogs, Spike and Oz.    







           

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