99 Days - Katie Cotugno

Summary from Goodreads:

Day 1: Julia Donnelly eggs my house my first night back in Star Lake, and that’s how I know everyone still remembers everything—how I destroyed my relationship with Patrick the night everything happened with his brother, Gabe. How I wrecked their whole family. Now I’m serving out my summer like a jail sentence: Just ninety-nine days till I can leave for college, and be done.

Day 4: A nasty note on my windshield makes it clear Julia isn’t finished. I’m expecting a fight when someone taps me on the shoulder, but it’s just Gabe, home from college and actually happy to see me. “For what it’s worth, Molly Barlow,” he says, “I’m really glad you’re back.”

Day 12: Gabe got me to come to this party, and I’m actually having fun. I think he’s about to kiss me—and that’s when I see Patrick. My Patrick, who’s supposed to be clear across the country. My Patrick, who’s never going to forgive me.

I'm really not sure where to start. I really liked 99 Days. It's my first book by Katie Cotugno (I've had How to Love sitting on my Nook forever but haven't read it yet), but I wonder if I should've started with that one first because while I really liked this one, I feel like I'm not getting the whole fascination with Cotugno (even though I 100% stand by my 4 star rating). Like, I feel like I'm going to be pondering 99 Days for days to come because I feel like I'm missing something and I feel sad that I'm done with the book and I feel sad about how the characters treated each other. The writing was fun and easy and I loved the imagery that Katie provided with the words. I felt like I was able to visually see what was happening so well! I thought the characters were really well done - even though I really hate all of them because they all did mean things, but there's something sooo likable about each one (Molly was too selfish for me most of the time though!). I think this book is perfect to read during the summer and I wish I would've read each "Day" during each day of the summer because it would've been fun to be like "Let's see what's going on with Molly today." I was disappointed with the lack of focus on Molly and her mother, and I'm bummed about the ending but in a way, I know it's like real life! I'll keep the ending if Katie could just give us more with the mother/daughter situation. Overall, I'm glad I read this book (I'm obsessed with the cover!), and I do think it's a good book that showed what girls go through in cheating situations.

Rating: 4/5

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Days Like This - Danielle Ellison

Summary from Goodreads:

Sometimes the only thing standing between fear and hope is you.

Almost a year ago, nineteen-year-old Cassie Harlen had a lot to deal with. A stack of college acceptance letters waiting for answers, a proposal from the boy next door, and a mother whose most recent bipolar episode left Cassie hurt and confused. Tired of cleaning up the messes caused by her mother's disorder, of resenting her mother for not being there, and scared of being trapped by an inevitable future—which included marrying Graham Tucker—Cassie did the only thing she could think of to keep from ending up like her mother: she left.

Graham never knew why Cassie walked away. He woke up one morning and she was gone—along with the life that he’d created around her. After eleven months, Graham has a new plan for his future. One that doesn't involve Cassie Harlen.

When Cassie's mom nearly burns down her house, Cassie’s forced to return home. Back to a mother she’s tried to ignore and the guy she’s been unable to forget. Graham doesn't know how he's going to spend the whole summer living next door to the person who broke his heart without letting those old feelings push through to the surface.

Neither does Cassie.

I became a fan of Danielle Ellison when I read Salt and while I DNF'd one of her other books, I was excited to get approved to read Days Like This! I thought this book was going to be more of a fluff read but I found it to actually be an emotional read for me that brought up thoughts of my own family and things I've said to them and of how I've always wanted to live my life and I just found certain parts of Cassie and her story to be very relatable for me! I felt like there was a dark undertone to this story and then there was the light at the end of the tunnel. I liked that there was more depth and that the story dealt with a mental illness (although it wasn't the main storyline). I enjoyed seeing Cassie come to terms with why she leaves people and I just keep thinking about myself a lot. I say give Days Like This a read - I think it's a good one for Danielle Ellison and I can't wait to see what else she comes up with next! I hope she continues in this direction!

Rating: 3.5/5

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Paradise City - C.J. Duggan

Summary from Goodreads:

There's bound to be trouble in Paradise...

When her parents decide a change will be good for her, seventeen-year-old Lexie Atkinson never expected they'd send her all the way to Paradise City. Coming from a predictable life of home schooling on a rural Australian property, she's sure that Paradise will be amazing. But when she's thrust into a public school without a friendly face in sight, and forced to share a room with her insipid, hateful cousin Amanda, Lexie's not so sure.

Hanging out with the self-proclaimed beach bums of the city, sneaking out, late night parties and parking with boys are all things Lexie's never experienced, but all that's about to change. It's new, terrifying . . . and exciting. But when she meets Luke Ballantine, exciting doesn't even come close to describing her new life. Trouble with a capital T, Luke is impulsive, charming and answers to no one. The resident bad-boy leader of the group, he's sexier than any boy Lexie has ever known.

Amidst the stolen moments of knowing looks and heated touches, Lexie can't help but wonder if Luke is going to be good for her . . . or very, very bad?

I was immediately drawn to Paradise City because of the cover (hello beach and summer), the title, and the fact that it takes place in Australia! What I didn't understand was why this is considered New Adult when the MC is still in high school but oh well. Paradise City had me definitely laughing at parts (like Lexie's entrance into the school assembly in the beginning of the book - it reminded me of an embarrassing moment I had at a school assembly in high school when I tripped down the stairs in front of everyone!) and then had me feeling super embarrassed for Lexie when she realized she was in the wrong class (yikes!). I loved when she got detention and got herself into so many other mishaps. I thought Lexie was so cool when she was able to stand up for herself and she had some witty remarks but then enter Luke Ballantine (THE HOTTEST GUY EVER FYI) and I swear she has two personalities. What kept me from giving Paradise City a higher rating was the fact that Lexie wants to have all of these experiences and the second she shows up in Paradise City, she has them all within a couple of months. Maybe for some people things happen that fast but it didn't feel totally believable sometimes and I just felt like Duggan was trying to make Lexie different people instead of just Lexie. What I also didn't like was the ending! I personally don't think there was any reason to make a sequel because the "cliffhanger" was pretty stupid. Honestly, I never seem to have the best experiences with Australian anything - books, movies, tv shows... But what completely saved this book for me was LUKE. GOOD LORD WHAT A BABE. Like literally my notes are just page numbers with OMG written next to that page number because everything Luke said or did killed me! I can still here Luke in my head saying one of my favorite lines. I love him. And I picture him to look like Luke Hemmings from 5 Seconds of Summer (even though in the book Luke is a surfer). And I probably picture Luke Hemmings because he is Australian.

Here he is :)

Rating: 3/5

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Closed Set by Julia Harlow

Summary from Goodreads:

Cassandra Carlson is working on her five-year plan. A professional dancer, she moved to Los Angeles to work at her best friend's Hollywood dance studio. She decides she can put up with the glitterati for the time being until she saves enough to open her own studio back home in Cincinnati. When soon-to-be A-list British actor, Christopher Edwards, comes to her for dance lessons for his new film, the attraction is instantaneous and intense. Both are young, available and strikingly beautiful, but while she finds Hollywood garish and superficial, he's on the brink of realizing his life's ambition with no inclination for a serious relationship. Or so he thinks. Just when their white-hot desire can no longer be denied, a jealous actress targets Cassandra in an insidious scheme, and a powerful studio head poses a formidable threat to them both. Cassandra puts herself in jeopardy in order to protect Christopher, but will she lose him in the process?

MY REVIEW:

Unfortunately, Closed Set is another DNF for me. I read the first few chapters but found it to be completely ridiculous! I was so excited about the idea of a dancer and a celebrity coming together and obviously having a romance but the beginning was so soap opera-y to me. I was liking Cassandra but then Christopher was so panicked about Kyle (I think that's his name...I forget already) and I felt like he was practically forcing Cassandra to spend the night. And I'm sure if I had kept reading, I would find that they were going to have sex. The story just wasn't believable to me because of how rushed it starts out and it turned me off right away.

Rating: DNF

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Snark & Circumstance/Charm & Consequence - Stephanie Wardrop

 Summary from Goodreads:

One superior smirk from Michael Endicott convinces sixteen-year-old Georgia Barrett that the Devil wears Polo. His family may have founded the postcard-perfect New England town they live in, but Georgia’s not impressed. Even if he is smart, good looking, and can return Georgia’s barbs as deftly as he returns serves on his family’s tennis courts. After all, if Michael actually thinks she refuses to participate in lab dissections just to mess with his grade, he’s a little too sure that he’s the center of the universe. Could there be more to Michael Endicott than smirks and sarcasm? If Georgia can cut the snark long enough, she just might find out.

Snark and Circumstance had me hooked from the very first sentence: "I’m not one to judge, but the new kid is a stuck-up asswaffle." I love every moment between Michael and Georgia! There were soooo many funny moments and the commentary by Georgia was HILARIOUS. I picture Michael to look like Thomas McDonell (picture below....HOT RIGHT). Here are some quotes I liked:

"It's Michael Endicott," says the Seat Freak, exactly the way I would imagine the Queen of England would respond if you called her "Lizzie."
"...Maybe I induced some kind of episode in him, and now he's home, frothing at the mouth..."
"Unless I do one on 'Pompous Snobholes descended from British Colonials.' Are you available for an interview?"
But sometimes galaxies collide. Hard.

Summary from Goodreads:

Sixteen-year-old Georgia Barrett is no expert on guys, but her bio-class partner is harder to dissect than anything in their lab tray. He’s smart, almost as sarcastic as she is, and cute in that preppie way. Things are great . . . until he decides her vegan activism is ridiculous and suddenly can’t refuse a date with her fast enough. So why does he show up at her door, interested in learning how to make tofu ricotta? And why does he seem so upset that a senior hottie has taken an interest in her? Could he be interested in Georgia after all?

You guys, I just love Michael so much! Honestly I can't think of a guy - in book character form or in real life, that I've liked that is actually SMART. Like I honestly don't pay too much attention to smarts because I usually look for humor and sarcasm but in Charm and Consequence, I found Michael to be soooo SEXY because of his smarts! I really don't even know what else to say except I need to get the rest of these short stories because I need to see what happens next!

"So they basically pledge their hymens to their fathers?"
"Oh! We've ruined the perfect snow!"   "Can't be helped."

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Finding Harry Styles by G.B. Hope

Finding Harry Styles by G.B. Hope 

Publication date: June 23rd 2014
Genres: Dystopia, New Adult

Goodreads

Synopsis:
When a total power black-out hits the world – planes falling from the sky, cars crashing, cell phones and computers dying – two Englishmen are stranded, separately, on the East Coast of the US. They both try to make their way to their girlfriend and sister, respectively, who is trapped in New York. As society turns quickly to chaos, the two men encounter violence, tragedy, friendships and adventure, joined along the way by several different characters. Meanwhile, the girl they are working their way towards is surviving as best she can, all the while terribly worried for her idol; Harry Styles, of the band One Direction, who were performing in New York at the time of the unexplained apocalyptic event.

Finding Harry Styles is a major DNF for me. I seriously only made it like three chapters and then gave up because I just couldn't. There were so many characters and I didn't get what was going on and I just was so bored! Honestly, of course I got this one for review because helloooo Harry Styles but I really didn't pay attention to the fact that it was dystopian and I didn't think it was going to be like this. I know I didn't get this book as fair of a shot as other people probably would but it just wasn't for me!

Rating: DNF

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Hooked by Christine Manzari - BLOG TOUR!

Hooked by Christine Manzari 

Publication date: February 3rd 2015
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Goodreads

Synopsis:
If you ask the confident and snarky skater girl, and she’s in the mood to share, she’ll tell you her name is Cat. She might even tell you that she’s hooked on graffiti, 80s movies, and having fun—the riskier the better. Cat will share a good time with you, but she won’t ever trust you enough to share her heart. It’s protected by secrets and she’d like to keep it that way.

Cat knows one thing for certain: Love isn’t really her thing.

If you ask the confident and rich pretty boy, he might tell you his name is Huck. He might even tell you he loves a challenge and is used to getting his way. He won’t tell you that his life is a mess because he risked his heart by trusting the wrong girl. Huck is ready for a change, he just wasn’t ready to get hooked on someone like Cat.

Huck knows one thing for certain: Love hasn’t done him any favors, but Cat just might be worth the risk.

Cat and Huck think a one-night stand seems harmless, but when all the little secrets they didn’t share turn out to be toxic truths, they realize how easily a one-night stand (or a few) could ruin everything.

The thing is, you can be ruined in more than one way. Once you’re HOOKED, what wouldn’t you risk for the chance at more?

MY REVIEW:

Hooked is one steamy read! OMG. That's first thing I think of when I think of this book. I was dying during every sexy scene between Huck and Cat. But besides that, what I really loved was all of the characters! I think it's the first time where I actually liked all of the characters and everyone had really good chemistry with each other! Cat is edgy and independent and a very private person and we get to see her try to learn how to let love in and not run away from it even when times get tough! I thought Cat and her mom would have a hate relationship and I expected a lot more cliches as well but I was actually surprised by a lot that happened in here! Overall, Hooked had me hooked and I feel like I already miss Huck and Cat!

Rating: 3.5/5

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Just One Night - Gayle Forman

Summary from Goodreads:

After spending one life-changing day in Paris with laid-back Dutch actor Willem De Ruiter, sheltered American good girl Allyson “Lulu” Healey discovered her new lover had disappeared without a trace. Just One Day followed Allyson’s quest to reunite with Willem; Just One Year chronicled the pair’s year apart from Willem’s perspective. Now, back together at last, this delectable e-novella reveals the couple’s final chapter.

So I am struggling to enjoy anything from Gayle Forman now. I really hated If I Stay/Where She Went and Just One Year. After reading Just One Day, I have been continuously reading other books by Gayle in hopes that I will find something else of hers that makes me feel what Just One Day did. I haven't yet but I have finally completed the Just One Day books by reading the Just One Night novella. I'm glad that we saw what happened after Just One Year but I felt a disconnect and did not like the writing style at all. I skimmed over a lot of it because it all seemed pretty pointless to me honestly. However, the very last couple of sentences reminded me of Just One Day so I will have to re-read that one! I do have Gayle's new book I Was Here but I'm really worried about reading it!

Rating: 2/5

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Whispers in the Dark - Chase J. Jackson

Summary from Goodreads:

College graduate Adrian Ramirez has finally landed his first job, and it's the opportunity of a lifetime: teaching at the elite Finley Academy in his hometown of Newnan, Georgia. Life is on the upswing, and Adrian returns home with girlfriend Lea and high hopes - but the Academy is not the idyll he imagined.

Along with the new pressures of adulthood, and a rising anxiety disorder he's having trouble hiding, Adrian discovers there's been a string of unexplained dropouts at the school. He suspects something is amiss with two of his students, identical twins Raven and Robin. One outgoing, one withdrawn, both keeping a secret.

When Adrian is accused of being at the center of a student's breakdown, he is forced to dig deeper to unravel the mystery, finding influences of the paranormal along the way. Will Adrian be able to unlock the dark secrets of Finley Academy - and his own past - in time?

Whispers in the Dark is a fun short read - although not strong in the writing. However, I liked the plot concept and still found myself enjoying the story (by skimming over some of the cheesy dialogue). I liked the pacing and was constantly wondering what was happening next. My predictability skills are way off so I was not able to predict what I thought I should have which made the story more fun. I usually don't like male POVs either, but for this short story I liked having Adrian as the MC (his gf was super annoying though). The ending wrapped up too quick for my liking as well.

Rating: 3/5

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Books, Blogs, & Reality by Ryan Ringbloom

Books, Blogs, & Reality by Ryan Ringbloom
Publication date: October 24th 2014
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Goodreads

Synopsis:
Life can suck…

When reality becomes overwhelming, seeking comfort in fictional fantasies keeps hope alive. And while this escape may be a little delusional, it’s also therapeutic.

Sharing secrets is daunting, but virtual friends don’t often judge and they are always ready to share a glass of wine…or three…while typing out life’s latest endeavors.

Brooke believes obstacles only add to romance, not detract. Rachael longs for a more intense relationship, or so she thinks. Lizzie misses the excitement in her life, but sometimes new situations find you when you’re not even looking. And Jess believes a tiger can change his stripes. It can’t.

Bound by a shared passion for blogging about happily ever afters, these four young women use keyboard therapy to work through their expectations, anxieties, and inadequacies, all with the hopes of achieving the perfection found in romance novels.

Completely blinded by what they think life should be, they navigate their unique paths in search of what they envision is right. But when reality taunts them with persistent curve balls, will they be strong enough to choose wisely? Or will their happy endings escape them?

MY REVIEW:

I wasn't sure what to expect with this book but I ended up really enjoying it! I liked the use of chat, blogging, and regular chapters. There are four main character's which I thought would be difficult and I wouldn't be able to keep track of them. But what I found was that once I read about each character once, I could just read and automatically know who was talking without looking. I enjoyed seeing what the girls went through like when Rachel started finding books untrustworthy. Each girl found in their own way that you can't believe everything you read and that guys are not going to be like what you read in books. Books are meant for escape, not for trying to match your real life, too. Jess, one of the MC's talked about how we all focus on the guy in the book but we never look at how many people he actually hurt - we just like that he's the bad boy who is trying to become good, etc... So much talk about how books have affected the way these girls view romance. Very interesting points to think about after reading this book. 

Rating: 4/5

Quotes/moments I liked:

"Lizzie1214: Yes, of course we have pubes in the UK. LOL. And yes… I agree, ew to pube talk. 

Rachael-XXOO: I just thought maybe you guys called them something different over there, like Prince “Hairies” or “Hairy Potters” or some weird shit like that. 

Lizzie1214: Rachael, for the millionth time, we don’t reference Harry Potter or The Royal Family here in the UK quite as often as you seem to think."

(p. 50)

"But it was okay. 

Everybody gets one big fuck up."

(p. 134)

"In books it only takes a few pages to fix the difficulties in a relationship. But real life is a whole other ball game. What happens between the pages? After the pages end?" 

(p. 135)

"Life is never boring in books, but that’s only because they skip over those parts. No author ever writes about the day the washing machine broke down and the couple had to wait all day for the repairman to come. Or how long the line at the grocery store is, and how the heroine waited forty minutes in line reading a gossip magazine only to realize when it came time to pay that she had left her wallet at home.

Every person, every couple, every relationship is vulnerable to a little boredom every now and then. Ebbs and flows. They ride high, they roll low. Real life is learning how to deal with them. Find balance and never cower from difficult situations. Be brave and attack them head on.

If life becomes a tad tedious, turn to a book for drama. Never go searching for it in your real life."

(p. 137)

"When you’re reading about the latest bad boy with the amazing body and string of bad behavior, what makes you fall for him is the change in those bad boy ways. And there isn’t one fictional bad boy who hasn’t changed his ways by the end of the book. He may make a few mistakes along the way, but he fights hard to make up for them.

Now enter real life. That bad boy you fall for, how many chances does he get before realizing that good inside may be staying buried for an awful long time? ...Sometimes it’s hard when you finally realize that you’re not the heroine, and the guy you thought was the hero couldn’t be farther from it.

...maybe sometimes it’s best to start off looking for the good guy instead of waiting for a bad one to 'change.'"

(p. 138)

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Stupid Boy by Cindy Miles

Stupid Boy by Cindy Miles
(Stupid in Love #2)
Publication date: February 17th 2015
Genres: New Adult, Romance

Goodreads

Synopsis:
From Cindy Miles, bestselling new adult author of STUPID GIRL, comes the next installment of her blockbuster Stupid in Love series – STUPID BOY.

Brax Jenkins and Olivia Beaumont are the most envied couple at Winston University—but the so-called “virginity dare,” orchestrated by Brax’s old fraternity, almost tore them apart. Now, a new dare is taking shape, and it’s sure to set emotions ablaze–more than ever before.

Winston’s “It Girl” Harper Belle isn’t just president of the Deltas–she’s also a master at keeping her ugly past a secret. So, when the Kappas’ dare hits closer to home for her more than anyone realizes, she devises a competition of her own as payback. Three sorority sisters will seek out a notorious womanizer on campus and–unbeknownst their “mark”–secretly train him to be the perfect boyfriend. Always up for a challenge, Harper targets the biggest player she can find: Brax’s wickedly handsome foster brother Kane McCarthy.

But, Harper discovers there’s much more to Kane than girls, games, and partying. His easy smile belies the quiet, old soul reflected in his deep brown eyes. All it takes is one night, one secret laid bare, and one kiss from Kane to shift Harper’s world on its axis. Suddenly, the girl who’s always walked a straight and narrow path can’t think of anything else except losing control.

MY REVIEW:

I sometimes get this feeling when I read certain books, like I feel "cool" in the "I'm so popular" sense. This book made me feel that way. I have been really enjoying the review books I have been reading that have been featuring MC's in college. There was something about Harper, the MC in Stupid Boy, that I really liked. It was interesting reading about a girl in a sorority, the president of this sorority, who deep inside is not a sorority girl. I felt a certain feeling of comfort and I think it was because I could find certain things about Harper (and Kane) that I could relate to! Harper and Kane both come from rough backgrounds and have traumatic events that happened to them and their families. Kane's storyline was very interesting to me while Harper's was a little more difficult because we didn't find out til pretty much the end what little bit had happened to her that caused her to be the way she is. I wish we got more of her living with her evil grandmother because I was picturing something from the South with rich people and snobby people and things like that and we barely got anything. I especially thought we'd get more of her grandmother because she was all about making sure Harper didn't "shame the Belles good name." What I've noticed about New Adult books is how repetitive they are! It really frustrates me! Murphy, her best friend, was super annoying with the British that she was speaking in every sentence, too! It was not believable and constantly took me out of my reading flow. Kane was so sweet and different from how Brax was in Stupid Girl! And I loved that we got to have Brax and Olivia featured in this book as well! I would love to get a book just about Harper and Olivia going on a road trip or traveling together somewhere. Kane and Harper were soooo cute and I trusted him so much more than I ever did Brax! A certain moment with Harper reminded me a lot of something I had with a guy and I LOVED IT. I was so giddy and loved thinking back to what happened to me! Overall, I really enjoyed Stupid Boy and I already miss reading about Harper, Kane, Brax, and Olivia!

Rating: 4/5

Quotes I liked:

"If I pay a hundred will that ensure me a place beside you?" 

(p. 65)(Kane)

"You can breathe now Harper." 

(p. 70)(Kane)

"I might be fast with the numbers, Harper, but I don’t swindle hearts. It’s not my MO.” 

(p. 82)(Kane)

“Fear is our common factor, Harper. Broken recognizes broken. It’s also what sets us apart.” (p. 85)(Kane)

“New experiences, Ms. Belle. There’s a million of them, just waiting for you.” 

(p. 137)(Kane)

“See, I don’t know why Kane stays in the numbers. He’s wicked smart. But I do know one thing about my brother. He’s strong. And he’s honorable. And when he’s got your back, he’s got it for life. So what I’m sayin’ is, he’s got your back. Make sure you have his, too." 

(p. 144)(Brax)

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Stupid Girl - Cindy Miles

Summary from Goodreads:

After her senior year of high school leaves behind nothing but heartache, Olivia Beaumont is sure of this: She’s no stupid girl. She sets out for Winston University, promising herself that she will remain focused on her first and only love – astronomy. But all it takes is cocky sophomore Brax Jenkins and an accidental collision with a football, to throw her entire year off course.

A quick-tempered Southie who escaped the inner city streets of Boston to pitch for Winston, Brax is known to play way more fields than just the baseball diamond. So, when his name is drawn to take part in his fraternity’s hazing dare, Brax eagerly accepts the mission to take Olivia’s virginity. But he doesn’t plan on falling hard for the sweet and sassy Texas girl who sees right through his bad-boy persona.

As Olivia and Brax battle their feelings for each other, echoes of the past year begin to surface. A boy who once turned Olivia’s whole world upside down reappears, and “harmless” pranks wreak havoc. Pretty soon the aspiring astronomer is on the verge of revealing her most difficult, heartbreaking secret. All the while, Brax must wrestle with the irrevocable dare, and Olivia struggles against all logic as she does the one thing only a stupid girl would do: fall in love.

I read this book awhile ago so this is also one that I can't remember much about...I think I gave it 4 out of 5 because of Brax. I mean he really really won me over! I was thrown off at the beginning of the book because in the beginning of the book, he literally kisses Olivia on her first day of arriving at Winston. I was just like WTF WHO DOES THIS GUY THINK HE IS?! But then he ended up being so charming - but very untrustworthy. Honestly, it scared me a little that I found him attractive especially because his bad boy persona (fights, cussing, etc...) was a lot more intense then what I would probably ever go for. And their texting conversations were pretty entertaining. I loved hearing in my head exactly how Brax talked with his accent! But I thought Olivia was just plain stupid. I mean, she had this big traumatic event happen to her and she doesn't trust boys but yet, here is Brax who should really actually terrify her, and she's acting like nothing ever happened! It made me very frustrated. But by the end, I couldn't deny that I was rooting for them!

Rating: 4/5

Quote I liked:

“Forever is for fuckin’ sissies. Pardon my French, but let’s go for eternity, yeah?” 

(Brax)

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Love Aced/Love Strung - Jamie W. Matlock

Summary from Goodreads:

Kole Masters has a problem. Well, problems actually. After injuring her knee at the French Open, she flees from a hospital in Paris to Marbella, Spain to escape the pressures of her manager father and the indecisions about her career – specifically, the future of it. What makes untangling her chaotic mess of a life on the shores of a Spanish beach undesirable? The fact that her now, ex-best friend Selene (she planned to announce her demotion the next time they saw each other), failed to mention the parts of the plan that involved the fiery, outspoken, anti-American tennis player Santiago Martinez.

So with a bum knee, an uncomfortable living situation and uncertainties about her future, her life isn’t exactly going as peachy as she’d planned.

Kole begins to understand that in order to figure out her future, she must sort through, and come to terms with, her past. Easy right? Not hardly. And the fact that her feelings towards Santiago – somehow and most certainly against her will – have progressed past snide remarks, heated conversations and death threats to longing for caresses that she can’t understand, jealousy that won’t go away and, eventually, the most incredible sexual experiences of her life…Well, she’s in it up to her elbows.

I LOVED THIS BOOK. For starters, it's about tennis, which is my favorite sport of all time and I am always on the lookout for anything about this world that I feel I know so little about - even if it is a story that is fiction. Also, Santiago...OH MY GOD. HE IS SO HOT. And I loved that it took place in Spain even though Kole didn't actually get to go out and explore the new location she was staying in. But she got to live with a hot Spaniard so she was still lucky! I liked seeing her battle the big secret she was holding and to see how everything played out in the end! She really grew up and started standing up for herself and then was able to accept the happiness that she deserved which is the way to go in my eyes. The only parts I didn't like were these weird moments with her mom that I feel like came out of nowhere. I'm not sure if I figured out whether they actually helped the story or not. Just like with my review of Positively Beautiful, I think there could've been some more editing and it wouldn't have impacted the story in a negative way.

Rating: 4/5

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

Summary from Goodreads:

Country music hopeful, Kennedy Masters is a leap-before-you-look type of woman. Live in the moment, the here and now. That's her policy - anything other than that is boring, and she's never been particularly interested in boring. So, when she makes the erratic decision to join country music's reigning star, Mick Callahan, on his tour bus after a show, she's just living right up to her life's motto.

The only problem? Her snap decision making lands her on the front page news and it's for less than desirable reasons. Even worse is the fact that Mick decides she's his next conquest, sporadically announcing to the public that they're engaged.

Her only option? Hiding out at the Callahan Ranch until the storm blows over - a decision that she's not altogether pleased with, but one that she must follow considering the circumstances. When unexpected sparks fly upon meeting Mick's mysterious older brother, Griff Callahan, Kennedy's left sorting through matters of the heart - something that's not exactly her forte.

Oh,and her career? Well, it's been labeled TBD.

Kennedy must figure out a way to deal with her heart and her career, all while fighting her own feelings and fending off someone else's.

I was so excited to read this one after I read Love Aced because the first one was so good that I thought this spinoff would be as well. But I found that after the excitement of the tennis world, I just didn't care enough to get invested in Kennedy and her attempt at music stardom. I thought this book was so ridiculous and honestly I couldn't even finish it. I am always surprised at New Adult books because I'm just like "Is this what it's really like in the real world?" I mean, seriously, Mick announcing that he and Kennedy are engaged (it's in the summary) even though she's busy hooking up with the other brother, just to keep up appearances. I just didn't buy it. And that's the point of the book that I stopped. The only plus that would make me want to keep reading and try it again is the dialogue between Kennedy and Griff!

Rating: DNF

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Positively Beautiful - Wendy Mills

Summary from Goodreads:

16-year-old Erin is a smart if slightly dorky teenager, her life taken up with her best friend Trina, her major crush on smoky-eyed, unattainable Michael, and fending off Faith, the vision of perfection who’s somehow always had the knife in for Erin. Her dad, a pilot, died when she was very young, but Erin and her mom are just fine on their own.

Then everything changes forever one day after school when Erin’s mom announces she has breast cancer. And there’s even worse news to come. Horrified, Erin discovers that her grandmother’s death from cancer is almost certainly linked, the common denominator a rare gene mutation that makes cancer almost inevitable. And if two generations of women in the family had this mutation, what does that mean for Erin? The chances she’s inherited it are frighteningly high. Would it be better to know now and have major preemptive surgery or spend as much life as she has left in blissful ignorance?

As Erin grapples with her terrible dilemma, her life starts to spiral downwards, alleviated only by the flying lessons she starts taking with grumpy Stew and his little yellow plane, Tweetie Bird. Up in the sky, following in her dad’s footsteps, Erin finds freedom chasing the horizon. Down on the ground it’s a different story, and facing betrayal from Trina, humiliation from Faith, and a world of disappointment with Michael, Erin knows she must discover the truth about herself. Sure enough, she’s positive for the gene that’s slowly killing her mom.

Suddenly, Erin’s life has turned into a nightmare, and the only person she can truly talk to is a girl called Ashley who she meets online. But when, in a moment of madness, Erin flies away with Tweetie Pie to find her new friend, she finds herself on a journey that will take her through not only shock and despair - but ultimately to a new understanding of the true meaning of beauty, meaning, and love.

So I read this book way back at the beginning of March and forgot to write a review...so honestly I don't remember much. What I do remember is that I really didn't enjoy the book, except for the ending which had me crying sooooo much! I remember even calling my sister afterwards and just being like "This book is reminding me to go out and live life, we have to go live life!" I love books that remind me of that even though they make me really sad and scared at the same time. I think I just didn't find the overall story believable (how Erin flew the plane to go find "Ashley" for starters). And how Erin was all "Michael, Michael, Michael" but really I don't think we saw enough of that storyline to warrant her to like him so much. I just needed a lot more focus on the cancer aspect instead of all of these other random storylines that did nothing but leave me feeling disconnected. I think the book needed some re-working! I would say it's worth the read for the ending alone but it's a struggle to get there!

Rating: 2/5

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Rock & Release by Riley Edgewood - BLOG TOUR

Rock & Release by Riley Edgewood
Publication date: January 5th 2015
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Goodreads

Synopsis:
Formerly released as a three-act serial, Rock & Release contains all three acts (VIP, Starstruck, & Show Stopper) together in one complete novel.

Cassidy Evans is looking for an escape over her college summer break. And when one night with a few too many martinis leads her to sexy guitarist, Gage Logan, she may have found exactly what she needs.

He’s hot and he’s sweet, and in the bedroom he’s enough to make Cassidy forget her own name. Multiple times. But as her heart opens to Gage, feelings she’s been trying to avoid slip through, too. Regret over her rocky relationship with her parents. Pain from her brother’s recent death. Guilt over a fallout with her best friend… As much as she craves Gage, she can’t unlock her heart the way she feels he deserves.

Enter Luca James, international rock star and lead singer for Gold Rush Standard. Cassidy can’t stand his music. She can’t stand his arrogance. And, when he sets his sights on more than the drinks she serves him, she especially can’t stand how she’s drawn to his no-strings-attached flirting.

Soon Cassidy will have to make a choice: ignore her heart and go after the carefree life she covets, or stand strong to face a bittersweet reality.

Either way, she risks losing everything she truly wants.

MY REVIEW:

Rock & Release was so fun! I actually liked this New Adult book! I love that both of Cassidy's love interests are musicians because in my imaginary world, I'm totally with someone famous! I really liked Cassidy overall and I can definitely relate to her and how much she runs away from life all of the time. I liked that I got to read all three parts to this book because I was definitely hooked and did not want to stop reading! Some of the story was predictable but still very enjoyable and I just really liked the music aspect and the idea of working at a bar/concert venue for the Summer. Cassidy was a little annoying at times because she was self-absorbed but I liked seeing her grow and change and making new decisions with her life. I would've also liked to have seem Gage have more of a storyline with his music and learn more about that side of him...maybe another spinoff?! I think this book is perfect to read now as Summer is coming up and I'm super excited that Riley Edgewood has another spinoff coming out called Surf & Surrender! I'm not sure how I'll feel reading about Quinn (who is Cassidy's roommate in college) but I'm excited to at least try it.

Rating: 3.5/5

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Bitter Sweet Love by R.C. Stephens - Blog Tour

Bitter Sweet Love by R.C. Stephens
(Twisted Series #1)
Publication date: January 18th 2015
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance
Goodreads

Synopsis:
After enduring an abusive childhood and having her heart broken by the only boy she trusts, Alexis White vows to never let anyone hurt her again. She’s left her troubled past behind and starts a new life at college. For the past seven years, her social calendar has been filled with frat parties, drinking, and meaningless sexual hook-ups. Until one night she unexpectedly gets saved by a tall, dark, and handsome French foreigner, Luc Blanchard. He’s charming, sophisticated, and very interested in Lexi, who has presented herself as a challenge when she tells him relationships aren’t her thing.

She finds herself sucked in by his own intriguing past. But everything changes when Dylan Priestley, the gorgeous boy who broke her heart and shattered her faith in friendship and love, suddenly shows up in her life again while back home on a visit. Dylan doesn’t hide his feelings for Lexi, but she can’t forgive or forget being betrayed by the one person she ever truly loved.

Despite the pain Dylan’s caused her, Lexi is once again drawn to the blue-eyed-boy-next-door. Will Lexi choose the man who seems perfect but hides a dark side or the boy who smashed her heart into pieces so many years ago?

MY REVIEW:

I've been trying to branch out and start trying New Adult books and so far they aren't really great. I found Bitter Sweet Love to be too much like a soap opera for me. I liked Anna and Lex, the main characters, but had a hard time with the guys. Also, the writing wasn't great to me. I don't know of any guy who calls a girl his "Angel" over and over. And Dylan and Lex's storyline was pretty bad...I feel like Lex makes a big deal about what happened in the past with her and Dylan when it certainly doesn't seem like anything. I didn't find the writing of the guys and their POV's to be believable - at least from the experiences I've had. Even though I didn't like the writing, the abuse aspect still came through pretty strong and freaked me out. What I do like about reading New Adult, is getting the college experience that isn't normally in Young Adult and the characters are my age. But I still enjoy living in my teenage fantasy land more. Bitter Sweet Love is a trilogy and there is a cliffhanger but while I was so roped up in the story (which is a good thing), I didn't even realize when the book was over. I had to triple check because I was like "that's it?" I didn't get invested enough in the story or characters because the cliffhanger didn't even shock me. I think that I still need to get used to New Adult books though because I really think the writing style and the characters' voices in NA are what is throwing me off and not letting me connect.

Rating: 2/5

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Four: A Divergent Story Collection - Veronica Roth

Summary from Goodreads:

Two years before Beatrice Prior made her choice, the sixteen-year-old son of Abnegation’s faction leader did the same. Tobias’s transfer to Dauntless is a chance to begin again. Here, he will not be called the name his parents gave him. Here, he will not let fear turn him into a cowering child.

Newly christened “Four,” he discovers during initiation that he will succeed in Dauntless. Initiation is only the beginning, though; Four must claim his place in the Dauntless hierarchy. His decisions will affect future initiates as well as uncover secrets that could threaten his own future—and the future of the entire faction system.

Two years later, Four is poised to take action, but the course is still unclear. The first new initiate who jumps into the net might change all that. With her, the way to righting their world might become clear. With her, it might become possible to be Tobias once again.

I LOVE FOUR. SO. MUCH. This book was really good and really gave me so much more insight into this guy. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I HATE BOOK FOUR SO MUCH. Theo James is the perfect Four to me and he's so much nicer in the movie. BUT now that I've read all the stories from Four's POV, I like him more and see why he acts the way he does. I even see little more bits of Four in the movie that stem from the book that I never noticed before. I do need even more of this POV though because I still haven't completely excused his awful behavior towards Tris. While I'm curious to see what else Veronica Roth writes, I feel like nothing is ever going to be as good the Divergent books and I miss reading and following these character all of the time!

Rating:

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One Wish Away - Kelley Lynn

Summary from Goodreads:

Be careful what you wish for…

Lyra has always been ahead of the curve. Top of her class in school, a budding astronomer, and with a best friend like Darren she barely has time to miss the mother who abandoned her family years ago. She's too busy planning to follow in her father's footsteps, and to become the youngest astronomer at Space Exploration and Discovery.

When a star goes missing Lyra is determined to get to the bottom of it only to discover her braniac dad is the mastermind of a top-secret government experiment. They promise to build a perfect world, one galaxy at a time, but with every tweak of the present, a bit more of the future starts to crumble.

Lyra has to go undercover to reveal the truth and let humanity decide if the consequences are worth more than wishing on a star.

One Wish Away was a disappointment for me. I liked the concept at first and the chapters were nice and short and I was able to read it fast, but then it just got too ridiculous for me. Everything was just weird for me. I wish I would've read Kelley Lynn's other book Road to Somewhere first because I think I would like that one but I'm nervous to now! Because of the way the storyline in One Wish Away changes all of the time, I just couldn't get connected. But then the ending was so frustrating because it's a cliffhanger and now I'm all like "I NEED THE SECOND BOOK NOW." I don't know if there is going to be a second one though :( Anyways, yes, so this book was not my cup of tea but now I'm invested so it would be great if Lynn put out a second one.

Rating:

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For Real - Alison Cherry

Summary from Goodreads:

No parents. No limits. No clue what they're in for.

Shy, cautious Claire has always been in her confident older sister's shadow. While Miranda's life is jam-packed with exciting people and whirlwind adventures, Claire gets her thrills vicariously by watching people live large on reality TV.

When Miranda discovers her boyfriend, Samir, cheating on her just before her college graduation, it's Claire who comes up with the perfect plan. They'll outshine Miranda's fame-obsessed ex while having an amazing summer by competing on Around the World, a race around the globe for a million bucks. Revenge + sisterly bonding = awesome.

But the show has a twist, and Claire is stunned to find herself in the middle of a reality-show romance that may or may not be just for the cameras. This summer could end up being the highlight of her life... or an epic fail forever captured on film. In a world where drama is currency and manipulation is standard, how can you tell what's for real?

First, I LOVE the cover to For Real! And I liked the book but I didn't love it. I loved the concept of being on a show like The Amazing Race and trying to take down an ex but once I found out what the "twist" was, I didn't like the book so much anymore. I wanted Miranda and Claire time, not them dividing their time. Miranda really made me mad even though her attitude was understandable and I was definitely rooting for Claire the whole time. Will was a plus to the story and if you look at my tweets and status updates on Goodreads, you will see how alls I did was freak out about Will and Claire talking about riding each other!!! And then the ending was just ajfkagkejf so FRUSTRATING. I definitely would've like a different outcome for every character. I felt like there was a slight disconnect between me and the characters and I couldn't get myself to fully care about any of them, either. But even though it sounds like I'm bashing the book, I do agree with my three star rating because 1) Will, 2) I love reality tv/traveling and 3) Will. For Real is worth a chance and I see other people have liked the story quite a bit. Just didn't up really being for me.

Rating:

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Fixing Delilah - Sarah Ockler

Summary from Goodreads:

Things in Delilah Hannaford's life have a tendency to fall apart.

She used to be a good student, but she can't seem to keep it together anymore. Her "boyfriend" isn't much of a boyfriend. And her mother refuses to discuss the fight that divided their family eight years ago. Falling apart, it seems, is a Hannaford tradition.

Over a summer of new friendships, unexpected romance, and moments that test the complex bonds between mothers and daughters, Delilah must face her family's painful past. Can even her most shattered relationships be pieced together again?

From the moment I read Twenty Boy Summer, I knew Sarah Ockler was forever going to be on my TBR list. That was confirmed again when I read The Book of Broken Hearts. Unfortunately, Fixing Delilah has let me down :( This bums me out so much because everyone seems to really, really love this book. Part of me thinks maybe I just read the book at the wrong time in my life, but the other part of knows that this one was always going to turn out not to be a favorite. Here is my problem: the book didn't flow for me and I just couldn't fully get connected. Delilah is set to change herself and find a way to make things better but I don't get how Delilah got there. The story just wasn't as believable to me and some of the things that were said (specifically by Delilah and her mom), seemed out of place. The pluses: PATRICK, PATRICK, PATRICK, and oh yeah, PATRICK. Also, once again, Sarah Ockler proves to be the most beautiful writer in existence. Every sentence is just magical. Even though Fixing Delilah wasn't a major hit for me, I will always continue to read whatever Ockler puts out and you all should, too!

Rating:

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