Review: Beyond a Darkened Shore by Jessica Leake

Beyond a Darkened Shore by Jessica Leake 

Release Date: April 10, 2018

Publisher: HarperTeen

Genre: YA Fantasy

Source: ARC provided by the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review

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Vikings meets Frostblood in this romantic historical fantasy stand-alone from author Jessica Leake.

The ancient land of Éirinn is mired in war. Ciara, princess of Mide, has never known a time when Éirinn’s kingdoms were not battling for power, or Northmen were not plundering their shores.

The people of Mide have always been safe because of Ciara’s unearthly ability to control her enemies’ minds and actions. But lately a mysterious crow has been appearing to Ciara, whispering warnings of an even darker threat. Although her clansmen dismiss her visions as pagan nonsense, Ciara fears this coming evil will destroy not just Éirinn but the entire world.

Then the crow leads Ciara to Leif, a young Northman leader. Leif should be Ciara’s enemy, but when Ciara discovers that he, too, shares her prophetic visions, she knows he’s something more. Leif is mounting an impressive army, and with Ciara’s strength in battle, the two might have a chance to save their world.

With evil rising around them, they’ll do what it takes to defend the land they love...even if it means making the greatest sacrifice of all.

Review:

Beyond a Darkened Shore was one of my most anticipated releases of April. Anything described as "Vikings meets Frostblood" automatically gains my attention, and I still can't get over how gorgeous the cover is. Now that I've read the book, I can say it fits the story perfectly. 

So did Beyond a Darkened Shore live up to my expectations? Unfortunately, the answer to this is somewhere between yes and no. Some parts of this book, especially the beginning, I downright loved; however, as the story progressed and the characters developed, I became less and less enchanted with the overall picture. 

The beginning of this story is honestly the best part. We're quickly thrown into action, as enemy troops are slowly approaching Ciara's kingdom. Ciara is quick to first get her sisters to safety and then her men ready for battle. The tensions are high, and I was on the edge of my seat, dying to know what would happen next. Would Ciara's sisters be okay? What did the incoming troops hope to accomplish? What exactly was Ciara's power and how was the crow involved? Additionally, it's easy to get a feel for Ciara's character in this scene. You can feel her fear - fear for her sisters, mother, father, and men - as well as her determination and ferocity. She loves her kingdom, and nothing, no army or outer force, will take it away from her. As the battle develops, it sets important events into motion - Ciara's first encounter with Leif and the omen she receives from the crow. 

After this scene, I couldn't wait to see what would come next, and for a while, I was relatively satisfied with everything. Ciara continued to be a character that was easy to like as well as root for. I gave her props for standing up for what she believed in, no matter the cost. The scene with her father, in particular, was a strong one. I also enjoyed the mythology included. It's what originally attracted me to this story, and I thought Jessica did a decent job of expanding upon it. 

But then the story fizzled out...

One of the biggest problems with Beyond a Darkened Shore was the pacing. As I've mentioned before, it started off bang, but then it slowed down considerably. I was okay with this at first. I figured some backstory and character development had to be established, but then the pace never picked up. The story continued to drag, and I became less and less invested. I wanted excitement, thrill, something to keep me glued to the page, but the energy associated with the first part never seemed to come back. It was underwhelming and even disappointing. 

The other problem I had involved Leif and Ciara's relationship. When the story first began I was willing to overlook the predictability of it - enemies that become something more and must also save the world together - but I couldn't overlook the fact that I felt that Leif served no real purpose but to be Ciara's right-hand man. I never could get a good sense of Leif. I couldn't get a feel for his personality, his wants and desires, and the book suffered because of it. I also didn't feel a true chemistry between Ciara and him. Yes, on the surface they were similar, but it never dove deeper than that, in my opinion. At the end of the day, how could I be invested in a bond and a relationship when I felt that I barely knew the male lead? Plus, I didn't like how this relationship affected Ciara's personality. She went from being this strong, fearless leader to someone who over thought everything and jumped to conclusions. 

Overall, Beyond a Darkened Shore is a solid 3-star read. The premise here is fantastic, the opening even better, but the middle and end are what turn this story from something special to something that's hard to get through. 

3 stars!! 

Review: As She Fades by Abbi Glines

As She Fades by Abbi Glines

Release Date: April 3, 2018 

Publisher:  Feiwel & Friends

Genre: YA, Contemporary 

Source: ARC provided by publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
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From the #1 New York Times- and USA Today-bestselling author of the Rosemary Beach and The Vincent Boys series, Abbi Glines delivers another smoldering, compulsively readable YA romance with As She Fades.

On the night of her high school graduation, Vale McKinley and her boyfriend Crawford are in a terrible car accident that leaves Crawford in a coma. They were supposed to spend the summer planning for college, for a bright future full of possibility. Together. Instead, Vale spends long days in the hospital, hoping Crawford will awaken.

Slate Allen, a college friend of Vale’s brother, has been visiting his dying uncle at the same hospital. When he and Vale meet, she can’t deny the flutter of an illicit attraction. She tries to ignore her feelings, but she's not immune to Slate's charm. Slowly, they form a cautious friendship.

Then, Crawford wakes up . . . with no memory of Vale or their relationship. Heartbroken, Vale opts to leave for college and move on with her life. Except now, she’s in Slate’s territory, and their story is about to take a very strange turn.

Glines’ millions of fans will adore As She Fades, a novel as romantic as it is full of twists and unexpected turns.

Review:

Abbi Glines is one of my guilty pleasure authors. Her books are fun, fast paced, and incredibly romantic, and I devour them as quickly as I would a box of my favorite chocolates. Her Rosemary Beach series is actually one of the only series I've read from start-to-finish. Therefore, when my wish for As She Fades, Abbi's latest YA, was granted on Netgalley, I was beyond excited. It was the best pre-Valentine's gift ever, and despite the April release date I dove right in.

The verdict? I'm torn. On one side, I did enjoy As She Fades. It was sweet as well as romantic, and I enjoyed following the characters on their journey. On the other side, however, it wasn't nearly as attention grabbing or well done as Abbi's Sea Breeze or Rosemary Beach series. The romance wasn't nearly as swoony and the hero wasn't as drool-worthy as past ones.

I liked Vale. She's a quiet, go-with-the-flow kind of girl. She's sweet, passionate, and caring, especially when it comes to taking care of Crawford. Not many people would sit by a loved one's bedside day after day with no progress, but Val never wavers. I felt that showed how selfless she was; however, at the same time, I could understand why her parents and brothers weren't the happiest about it. Yes, she should be able to grieve and visit, but she shouldn't put her life on hold, especially when she was given a second chance. Over the course of the book, I hoped she would give in to her family's wishes. I also enjoyed seeing Vale's bounds with her brothers. They added an extra layer to the book. 

Now for the two love interests: Crawford and Slate. 

I'll admit it: I never liked Crawford all that much. There was something about him that just didn't sit right for me from the get-go. From Vale's memories he seemed very controlling as well as selfish, and some parts of me couldn't quite understand why Vale would be so willing to give up her life to be by his side. I think in some ways their relationship was based more on convenience and routine than on deep love and commitment. Plus it was easy to see how that romance was going to end as soon as Slate entered the picture. Both of which affected my overall feelings toward the book and its plot. Don't get me wrong, I give Vale props for helping and being there but how could I be 100% behind her choices and decisions when the big "love" wasn't all that likable or even believable? 

Slate, on the other hand, I did like. He's the typical Glines hero - a bad boy on the path to redemption. He's had a questionable past, especially when it comes to his girls. However, he also has a surprisingly soft side. His relationship with his uncle warmed my heart and broke it all at the same time, and I liked how he was with Vale - so willing to be there for her but also not being scared to voice his opinions, no matter how unpopular they may be. My only problem here? I could never truly feel the spark between him and Vale. Yes, I liked them together, but their romance never came to life. I wanted more of a Rush & Blair feel here. 

The plot in As She Fades builds slowly. The first chunk mainly focuses on Vale's visits to the hospital, and in some respects that got old fast. I wanted more action. The middle part brought more action and adventure. I enjoyed the college setting as well as seeing Vale thrive in a new setting. Then came the twist. I won't go too deep into it, because I don't want to spoil anything. I will say, though, that I could see it coming so when it finally did I wasn't all that surprised. Additionally, I felt like it once again altered the pace. Suddenly, things slowed down, and what bothered me the most was all that development and growth that occurs was seemingly gone. It made me wonder what the point was. 

Last but not least: the writing. There was so much telling rather than showing, and it drove me slightly crazy at times. Some of the scenes, especially at the beginning were tough to get through. It was very I did this, then I did that, and then I felt that. 

Overall, As She Fades is a solid three star read. As a long-term fan of Glines, I'm glad I gave it a try. There are some redeeming qualities. However, for readers who haven't read anything by Glines before, I would suggest reading The Vincent Boys, Rosemary Beach or Sea Breeze series instead.  I feel that they're stronger books. 

3 stars!!

Review & Giveaway: Hello Stranger (The Ravenels, #4) by Lisa Kleypas

Hello Stranger by Lisa Kleypas
Release Date: February 27, 2018
Series: The Ravenels, Book #4
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Adult, Romance, Historical Fiction
Source: ARC provided by publicist in exchange for an honest review
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New York Times bestselling author Lisa Kleypas delivers a scintillating tale of an unconventional beauty who finds passion with the spy who can’t resist her

A woman who defies her time

Dr. Garrett Gibson, the only female physician in England, is as daring and independent as any man—why not take her pleasures like one? Yet she has never been tempted to embark on an affair, until now. Ethan Ransom, a former detective for Scotland Yard, is as gallant as he is secretive, a rumored assassin whose true loyalties are a mystery. For one exhilarating night, they give in to their potent attraction before becoming strangers again.

A man who breaks every rule

As a Ravenel by-blow spurned by his father, Ethan has little interest in polite society, yet he is captivated by the bold and beautiful Garrett. Despite their vow to resist each other after that sublime night, she is soon drawn into his most dangerous assignment yet. When the mission goes wrong, it will take all of Garrett’s skill and courage to save him. As they face the menace of a treacherous government plot, Ethan is willing to take any risk for the love of the most extraordinary woman he’s ever known.

Review:

I've seen Lisa Kleypas' books in passing for years now, and while I've always heard good things, I've never taken the time to actually read one. However, when I read the synopsis for Hello Stranger, the latest addition to The Ravenels series, I decided to finally cut to the chase and read one. I mean, a female doctor AND a spy AND romance?! Hello Stranger sounded like the perfect read.

The result? I found Hello Stranger to be an enjoyable read. I'll admit that it wasn't my favorite read; however, it still was a great way to spend a weekend afternoon.

What I Liked: 

• The Strong, Smart, and Sassy Heroine - There's so much to love about Dr. Garrett Gibson. For one, she's the only female physician in England, and if that's not incredible enough, she's also excellent at what she does. She's the type of doctor you'd want on your side, especially if you were facing a tough diagnosis. What I loved the most about Garrett, however, was her gutsiness. She's in a world that's afraid of women taking control let alone being a doctor, but she doesn't let it get her down. She's quick witted. She fights her own battles. She does anything for the ones she loves even if she knows she shouldn't be involved with them. There was just so much girl power to be found within her character, and I couldn't have been happier! 
• The Broody Alpha Hero - Ethan quickly wormed his way into my heart as soon as he was introduced. I love a hero that comes to a women's rescue, especially when there as dashing and charming as Ethan. Over the course of the book, Ethan struggles with his inner demons. He feels as if he's not worthy of anyone, especially Garrett. It broke my heart to see him feel this way because Ethan did have so much to offer. I just wanted him to be happy. 
• The Romantic Pairing - Banter? Check! Chemistry? Check! A will-they-or-won't-they feeling? Check! Ethan and Garrett were perfect together. Sure, they had the tendency to fight like cats and dogs given how headstrong they were, but at the end of the day, they had such a respect and love for each other, and nothing could beat that. 
• West - Is it bad to admit that my favorite character wasn't Garrett or Ethan but actually West? West was a firecracker. He was funny as well as wickedly sarcastic, and even though he didn't have many scenes, he always managed to steal the show when he did appear. If Garrett had been so prefect with Ethan, I definitely would've loved to have seen her with West. 

What I Didn't Like: 

• The Pacing - Hello Stranger had one of two extremes: rapid fire pacing or turtle like pacing. Throughout I wish the pacing had been more even. I loved the times at which the tension was strong and stakes were high; however, I wish some of it would've been transferred to the slower times. 
• The Mystery - Over the course of the book, Ethan deals with a mystery/conspiracy within his line of work. As someone who loves both, I was all over this from the get-go, but I wasn't exactly happy with how it panned out. At first, it was such a big portion of the book, the reason why Ethan was so reluctant to involve himself with Garret, but it never became as well fleshed out as it could've been, in my opinion. By the end everything was so quickly resolved it gave me whiplash like feeling. 
• The Lack of "Hook" - As mentioned before, I enjoyed Hello Stranger but I never loved it. It never possessed an unputdownable feeling. I was never racing through, dying to know what would happen next. Yes, I was curious to see how it end, and yes, I hoped that Ethan and Garrett would end up together, but there was something that didn't make it truly stick out to me. 

Overall, Hello Stranger has its ups and downs. The characters are what saved the day, in my opinion. Will I be reading more by Lisa? Definitely! I'm happy enough to continue, and it doesn't hurt that I can't wait to see what trouble West gets himself into within the next book. 

3 stars!! 

About the Author: 

New York Times bestselling author Lisa Kleypas graduated from Wellesley College with a political science degree. She is a RITA award winning author of both historical romance and contemporary women’s fiction. Her novels are published in fourteen different languages and are bestsellers all over the world. She lives in Washington State with her husband Gregory and their two children.

Connect with Lisa Kleypas
Facebook: @LisaKleypas
Twitter: @LisaKleypas
Instagram: @lisakleypas

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Blog Tour: The Big Bad Wolf by Jus Accardo (Review, Excerpt, & Giveaway!)

The Big Bad Wolf by Jus Accardo 
Release Date: March 5, 2018
Publisher: Entangled Crave
Genre: YA Paranormal
Source: ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
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Kensey Deaton comes from an elite werewolf lineage, but just because her family is royalty, doesn't mean she'll fall in line like some perfect little princess. She has plans and they don't include an arranged marriage!

Slade McAlister has his own family drama. His Alpha father happens to be the most reviled wolf on the eastern seaboard, and it's a stigma he can't escape. So when his neighbor Kensey--the girl of his dreams and his nightmares--proposes a solution to solve *both* of their problems, he sees an opportunity he can’t ignore.

Kensey and Slade aren't only from opposite sides of the tracks, they're from opposite sides of the war. But if they can sell their 'relationship', they might just make it out of this with their freedom.

You know, as long as all that fake PDA doesn't turn into more...

Review: 

I've been on a mission to read more werewolf books this year so when I heard about Jus Accardo's The Big Bad Wolf I needed it and pronto. I mean, elite werewolf lineage, a fake relationship, and a broody, hot next door neighbor? It sounded like things were about to get interesting and dramatic. 

The result? The Big Bad Wolf is suspenseful, charming, and romantic. If you love a good enemies-to-lovers romance as much as I do, you're sure to enjoy it! 

The Big Bad Wolf introduces Kensey and Slade, former best friends turned enemies. While Kensey comes from an elite family, she's never left their prim and proper ways stop her from speaking her mind. Kensey is gutsy, fierce, and true to her word, but she also possess a tiny bit of vulnerability, especially when it comes to teens her own age. She's never had a close group of friends. The vulnerability made her more relatable, in my opinion, and I enjoyed seeing her let loose over time, fully embracing Slade and his friends. Slade, on the other hand, is best described as a bad boy. He has a big reputation, but at the end of the day, all he wants is a simple life, specifically one far away from his father. I loved Slade's cockiness. He was full of himself for sure and he knew exactly how to push Kensey's buttons. It was just so much fun to read about it. The banter between these two always had me laughing and smiling. 

Now for the plot. Jus has a lot going on here. There's Kensey and Slade's enemies-to-lovers romance/fake relationship, tension between the packs, and family drama. I found the romance to be satisfying. There was plenty of chemistry and swoon. The tension between the packs also made things the perfect amount of dramatic, but I wish there had been more development/background given. We received a very small glimpse into their world, and I didn't always follow how everything worked. I wanted more about the different packs...How was the power divided? What powers did each pack posses? What was the rest of the werwolf community like? Why didn't anyone address the unhappiness of the women in the community? I had a lot of question, but little answers unfortunately. I also would've liked more background on the families. For instance, I liked Slade's sister a lot but she was barely around, and Kensey's siblings were almost nonexistent. 

If you can overlook the lack of development and focus on the main characters instead, I think you'll find The Big Bad Wolf an enjoyable read. 

3 stars!! 

About the Author:

JUS ACCARDO spent her childhood reading and learning to cook. Determined to follow in her grandfather’s footsteps as a chef, she applied and was accepted to the Culinary Institute of America. At the last minute, she realized her true path lay with fiction, not food. A native New Yorker, she lives in the middle of nowhere with her husband, three dogs, and twelve angry chickens. 

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Goodreads 

Giveaway:

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Excerpt: 

He took a sip of water and nodded. He eyed the new plate as the girl set it down in front of him. “Raw fish? You’re buying me a burger as soon as we’re done here.”
            “It’s Japanese,” I whispered. “Odori don. When you pour—”

The maid leaned across him and poured soy sauce over his plate. The squid in the center twitched once, then started to squirm with spastic enthusiasm. 

“What the—” Slade flinched and jumped back, falling out of his chair and taking the maid—and the soy sauce—with him. She let out a squeak as the gravy bowl flew from her hands and hit the wall behind us. The ceramic shattered, splintering into a thousand tiny pieces as salty brown liquid splattered in all directions.

I managed to extract myself from my chair as Slade was helping the maid to her feet. Once she was up, she scurried into the kitchen, mumbling something about towels, and he turned back to the table. “My apologies,” he said with a bow toward our out of town guests. “I wasn’t expecting my dinner to dance.”

My father stood, the look on his face anything but forgiving, but I didn’t stick around. I grabbed Slade by the wrist and led him up the stairs to my bathroom to clean up.

“Haven’t been in here in years,” he said as we passed through my room. “Your décor hasn’t gotten any better.”

I rolled my eyes and shoved him through the bathroom door. Once inside, I clasped his shoulder and pushed him on to the edge of the tub. “Neither have your manners.”

“How was I supposed to know the damn thing was still alive?”

“It wasn’t.” I ran a towel under the water, then rang it out. “It was dead.”

“Beg to differ. It moved. It fucking started moshing on my plate.”

I knelt in front of him then paused. This wasn’t going to work while he was still wearing the shirt. “It was the salt in the soy sauce. The muscles in the squid were reacting to it. Take your shirt off.”

            He waggled his brows. “Finally.”

            I sighed and grabbed the back of his collar then gave a hard yank. The material caught on his chin for a second before coming over his head. “Says the guy who insisted I was a horrible kisser.”

            He snorted. “That was years ago.Like I said, you’ve gotten a little bit better.” 

He leaned back and I didn’t miss the way he flexed, the hard planes of his chest moving in an almost mesmerizing way. I also didn’t—couldn’t—miss the scattered assortment of marks and scars.

“They’re not pretty, are they?” His voice was low calm, but the look in his eyes was anything but. 

“Gavin?” The scars were a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, and left very little skin unmarred.

“For the most part.” He shifted, almost like he was uncomfortable with my scrutiny. 

I cleared my throat and turned away. “Ya know, scars are a sign of honor in the wolf community.”

“Yeah?” There was a twinge of amusement in his voice and I was glad. “Then pick one. I’ll let you honor it with a kiss.”

Reviews: Straight Up Irish & Cinderella and the Geek

Straight Up Irish by Magan Vernon
Release Date: February 19, 2018
Publisher: Entangled: Embrace
Genre: New Adult, Romance
Source: ARC provided by publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
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I need a wife if I want to help save my family’s billion-dollar pub empire. There’s just one problem: I never plan on marrying. So, I need someone who understands that this is just another business deal. I don’t do commitments. And my brother’s executive assistant, Fallon Smith, fits that bill. 

Fallon needs help with her grandmother’s expenses, and her pretending to be my fake wife is a way we can make that happen. She’s not my biggest fan, but we can help each other and then go our separate ways. That she’s beautiful and I enjoy spending time with her–doesn’t matter. When all of this is done, she’s heading home to America, and I’ve got a company to run.

A fake wedding and a whole lot of whiskey. What could go wrong?

Review:

I've been dying to read Straight Up Irish ever since I first heard about it! I mean, a billion-dollar pub empire, a marriage clause, and a fake wedding? My interest was one hundred percent piqued. 

The result? Straight Up Irish is so good! It's laugh-out-loud funny and sexy enough to make you melt. I was swooning all the way through. 

There are so many aspects that made this book lovable; however, my favorite is the characters. 

Connor is the ultimate player. He flirts like there's no tomorrow; his only worry is about having a good time; and the only thing dirtier than his mouth is his mind. One part of me felt like I shouldn't like him. I mean, he went through women like someone goes through paper towels, but I loved him nonetheless. There was just something so charming about him - I could definitely see why all the girls would be hot after him. The most surprising thing about Connor, however, was how generous he was. He went so far to help Fallon out - buying her a new cell phone, furnishing her apartment, sending his grandma gifts. I couldn't believe how big his heart was. Plus, it was always fun to see how much his heart came out when Fallon was involved. 

Fallon is sassy, determined, and beyond kind. Her dedication to her family, particularly her grandmother, was so incredibly sweet yet heartbreaking. I couldn't believe how much she would put on the line so that her grandmother would be comfortable and happy. Additionally, I liked that Fallon didn't take trash from anyone. She called Connor out better than anyone else - some of the lines she used were beyond perfect! Connor definitely met his match with Fallon, and let me tell you nothing was the same after that. 

The romance is smokin' hot. There's not much I love more than a fake romance and that definitely applied here. It was fun to see Connor and Fallon come together - unwilling on Fallon's part yet willing on Connor's. It also didn't hurt that Magan did a fantastic job of building up the sexual tension. Gosh, there were so many times I thought they were FINALLY going to get together only to be proven wrong. I wasn't even mad because when it finally did happen it made my heart leap. 

Additionally, I loved the addition of the secondary characters. Fallan's grandmother and best friend as well as Connor's brothers were so lovable, and I enjoyed what they brought to the table. I'm hoping for a Fallon's best friend and one of Connor's brothers to hook up next....I don't know if it will happen, but a girl can dream, right? 

Last but not least: the setting! I didn't realize that Straight Up Irish was set in Ireland at first, but I was so happy when I pieced it together. Magan's descriptions were vivid and drool-worthy. My desire to go to Ireland is at all time high. 

Overall, Straight Up Irish is straight up excellent (sorry I couldn't resist!). I was so sad to see it end, but knowing that we have two more books to look forward to made it hurt a little less. 

4 stars!!

Cinderella and the Geek by Christina Phillips
Release Date: February 19, 2018
Publisher: Entangled: Embrace
Genre: New Adult, Romance
Source: ARC provided by publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
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From Christina Phillips a sexy, new romance with a hero you won’t forget…

I'm not looking for love or a Happily-Ever-After because I know how that ends. I just need to concentrate on my degree and look after myself. But there's something about my boss, Harry, I can't resist. It's crazy since he's so hot and smart it should be illegal. 

And then, just like Cinderella, I have my night at the ball and a midnight kiss, and for a week all my sexy daydreams come true. That fake date changes my life in a way I could never imagine. It turns out, Harry wants me too. 

But I’m off to pursue my dreams, and he’s taking his business to the next level. There’s no way this fairytale has a happy ending, but that doesn’t keep me from wishing for it.

Review:

Cinderella and the Geek wasn't on my radar until I stumbled upon it in an Entangled email, but as soon as I saw the tagline and read the synopsis, I knew it was the book for me. I love Cinderella-esque books, especially when they involve a fake date turned real. Luckily, Cinderella and the Geek was a charming romance, perfect for anyone who has ever dreamed of a picture perfect evening. 

Cinderella and the Geek introduces Alice and Harry. They're co-workers and friends, but they each have one big secret: they wish they could be more than just friends. Alice is sweet, nerdy, and a hopeless romantic. I loved how awkward she could be, especially when it came to flirting and boys and relationships in general, because not only did it give me a been-there-done-that feeling but it also brought out the determined side of Alice, one that was gun-ho about getting what she wanted no matter how cringe-worthy it may be. Harry, on the other hand, is slightly clueless yet oh-so-adorable. I loved how passionate he was about his company. I also liked how close he was to his family. Yes, they had their troubles, but at the end of the day they were a good bunch. Out of the two, Harry is the more timid. He knows he likes Alice, but he's so nervous when it comes to pursuing her. There were so many times I was thinking, come on, Harry, just admit your feelings already. 

Cinderella and the Geek's plot mainly focuses on Alice and Harry's developing romance, Harry's company, and Alice's college plans. I found all story lines to be interesting. The romance was probably my favorite out of the bunch to follow. It was sweet yet awkward. Sometimes I cringed (but not in a bad way, in an oh-my-god-this-is-so-real-it-hurts way) and sometimes I swooned. I especially appreciated that Christina made Alice and Harry's first romantic encounter not perfect. So many times in romance books we see these flawless romance scenes - no one does or says anything embarrassing, everything flows perfectly - but here we got the awkwardness on full blast, and it was so refreshing! I want more "realness" in my romance! I did have one problem with Alice and Harry, however, and that was their lack of communication. Yes, it was a romance, and yes, there's always some miscommunication to be found, but there were so many times where one's feelings were hurt in an instance where all they had to do was ask a simple question. It got to be a bit much. Going along with this, I also thought Alice was a bit immature at times, especially at first. I'm all for being a hopeless romantic, but sometimes life isn't like the movies. 

Regardless, I still found Cinderella and the Geek to be yet another great romance by Entangled. I look forward to seeing what British Bad boy is featured next! 

3.5 stars!!

Review: Glass Town by Steven Savile

Synopsis/Cover Image from Publisher's Website:

There's always been magic in our world We just needed to know where to look for it

In 1924, two brothers both loved Eleanor Raines, a promising young actress from the East End of London. She disappeared during the filming of Alfred Hitchcock’s debut, Number 13, which itself is now lost. It was the crime of the age, capturing the imagination of the city: the beautiful actress never seen again, and the gangster who disappeared the same day.

Generations have passed. Everyone involved is long dead. But even now their dark, twisted secret threatens to tear the city apart.

Joshua Raines is about to enter a world of macabre beauty, of glittering celluloid and the silver screen, of illusion and deception, of impossibly old gangsters and the fiendish creatures they command, and most frighteningly of all, of genuine magic.

He is about to enter Glass Town.

The generations-old obsession with Eleanor Raines’s unsolved case is about to become his obsession, handed down father-to-son through his bloodline like some unwanted inheritance. But first he needs to bury his grandfather and absorb the implications of the confession in his hand, a letter from one of the brothers, Isaiah, claiming to have seen the missing actress. The woman in the red dress hadn’t aged a day, no matter that it was 1994 and she’d been gone seventy years.

Long buried secrets cannot stay secrets forever. Hidden places cannot stay hidden forever.

The magic that destroyed one of the most brutal families in London’s dark history is finally failing, and Joshua Raines is about to discover that everything he dared dream of, everything he has ever feared, is waiting for him in Glass Town.

Review:

When Steven Savile's Glass Town appeared on my doorstep it was my first time hearing about it; however, as soon as I read the synopsis, I decided it may be the book for me and dove right in. 

The Result? Glass Town has left me feeling incredibly torn. On one side I enjoyed it. I found the premise unique, the mystery multilayered and suspenseful, and the characters complex. On the other side, however, it was too odd for my liking. Some parts left me flabbergasted and even churned my stomach. 

Eleanor Raines.
That was her name.
My obsession.
The object of my desire. I was going to say affection, but there was nothing remotely affectionate about it. Desire is a much better word. Less wholesome. Desire speaks of dark places, of yearning, sweat. - pg. 1 

Glass Town is built upon obsession as well as desire. 

Obsession can be a dangerous thing - it can cause you to lose your grip on reality as well as your friends and family. There's something about it, however. Something you just can't resist. That's what Isaiah and his brother Seth discovered over 90 years ago in their respective quests for Eleanor Raines's love and attention. With obsession there's a winner as well as a loser, and Isaiah unfortunately lost; however, he never gave up and passed that obsession - that compulsion - to find Eleanor to generation after generation. 

It amazed me how much Steven Saville could build upon two men's desires. He brought along mystery, the supernatural, and magic with it. The later of the three truly managed to fascinate me. I've also been curious about magic and the illusions a magician creates. The illusion in Glass Town is more complex than you'd ever imagine, and it shocked me how deep it ran. Additionally, throughout Glass Town I had so many questions: Where had they hidden Eleanor? How does one get into Glass Town? What was Seth's end game? Would Josh survive? These questions kept me hooked, turning page after page in search of answers. At sometimes I couldn't believe that so many events could be based on one person - someone who "existed" over 100 years ago. Was she really worth it? However, I guess, that's the crazy thing about obsession - it doesn't depend on worth but desire. 

Glass Town never settles on one POV. Over the course of the book a variety of POVs are introduced -  Seth, Josh, Damiola, Julie, Taff, and Gideon. While each character comes from different backgrounds each are connected through obsession. For Seth, the man who started it all, his obsession with Eleanor may just break him. Seth is the ultimate villain. He's frightening as well as chilling and he always plays dirty. Josh, the great-grandson of Isaiah, is obsessed with solving the case, no matter at what cost. Josh's obsession was almost as large as Seth's, which I found surprising at time given the short timeline. I will say, however, that no character was incredibly well developed, nor did I ever truly forge a connection with any of them. 

Overall, Glass Town is a book I liked but didn't love. Some parts just didn't appeal to me; however, there was something about it that kept me reading. I suggest this to fans of magic and illusion. 

3 stars!! 

Glass Town is now available!

Source: Hardcover provided by publisher for review

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Blog Tour: You Will Be Mine by Natasha Preston (Review!)

Title: You Will Be Mine

Author: Natasha Preston

Release Date: February 6, 2018

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Synopsis:

Love turns deadly in a new, heart-pounding thriller from Natasha Preston, author of the runaway bestsellers The Cellar and The Cabin.

ROSES ARE RED
VIOLETS ARE BLUE
WATCH YOUR BACK
I’M COMING FOR YOU

Lylah and her friends can’t wait to spend a night out together. Partying is the perfect way to let loose from the stress of life and school, and Lylah hopes that hitting the dance floor with Chase, her best friend, will bring them closer together. She’s been crushing on him since they met. If only he thought of her the same way…

The girls are touching up their makeup and the guys are sliding on their coats when the doorbell rings. No one is there. An envelope sits on the doormat. It’s an anonymous note addressed to their friend Sonny. A secret admirer? Maybe. They all laugh it off.

Except Sonny never comes home. And a new note arrives:

YOUR TURN

Review: 

As soon as I heard that Natasha Preston's You Will Be Mine was a Valentine's Day murder mystery, I instantly added it to my TBR. I love thrillers in general, and I especially couldn't wait to see what bloody twist Natasha had in store for us this Valentine's Day. 

The result? You Will Be Mine packs in the thrills as well as the chills. Delightfully creepy, You Will Be Mine had me shook from the first page until the very last word. 

In some respects, You Will Be Mine is the standard slasher thriller. Natasha focuses more on building up the mystery as well as the suspense than than on character development and writing quality. While I do wish that the characters were more fleshed out (especially Lylah's roommates and best friends) and the writing a bit more tight, I took You Will Be Mine for what it was: a Scream Queens/Scream-like thriller. And honestly, I didn't regret picking it up one bit. 

As can be imagined, the mystery was my favorite aspect of You Will Be Mine. Six roommates, threatening letters, and horror around every corner. I was saying gimme more the whole way through! At first, I thought I had everything figured out. Luckily, Natasha had some surprising twists up her sleeve. I never knew who would be the next victim, and I could never exactly pinpoint the murderer. Lylah and her friends were the typical college students - who could they have possibly pissed off that much? There also was a certain gory aspect to You Will Be Mine, and while I don't normally like the gore, I liked it here. Also, I thought that Natasha did a great job of incorporating a Valentine's Day feel to it albeit a sick twisted one rather than a happy-go-lucky one. 

Overall, You Will Be Mine is an exciting, suspenseful thriller. Was it the best book I ever read? No, but it was still enjoyable! I look forward to seeing what Natasha has in store for us next, and after that crazy ending, I'm hoping it may be a You Will Be Mine sequel. A girl can wish, right? 

3.5 stars!!

Buy Links: 

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Author Info:

UK native Natasha Preston grew up in small villages and towns. She discovered her love of writing when she stumbled across an amateur writing site and uploaded her first story and hasn’t looked back since.

She enjoys writing contemporary romance, gritty Young Adult thrillers and, of course, the occasional serial killer.

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Blog Tour: One More Promise by Samantha Chase (Review & Excerpt!)

Title: One More Promise

Author: Samantha Chase

Release Date: February 6, 2018

Series: Band on the Run #2

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Synopsis: 

Dylan Anders is making amends
...to his family
...to the public
...for letting everyone down

Paige Walters has something to prove
...to her busy father
...to her bossy sister
...but mostly to herself

Ambitious Paige Walters is ecstatic when she's hired to recruit celebrities for a children's literacy campaign - it's her chance to prove she's got the chops to make it in the family business. She certainly isn't going to let some fallen idol screw it up. But as the work brings Paige and Dylan closer together, their attraction grows...and so do their challenges.

Review: 

Samantha Chase's Holiday Spice was one of my favorite holiday books of 2017! Holiday Spice had heart, swoony romance, and a drool worthy setting, and because of that, I couldn't wait to read more by Samantha. So when the chance came up to read and review One More Promise, Samantha's latest book, I instantly said yes! Romance, rock stars, and a literacy campaign?! I simply couldn't wait! 

The result? One More Promise offers up yet another swoony pairing as well as a heartwarming look at second chances and new beginnings. While I didn't love it nearly as much as Holiday Spice, reading it was still a wonderful way to spend a few hours. 

One More Promise focuses on Dylan Anders and Paige Walters, two twenty-somethings unwillingly brought together for a literacy campaign. 

Dylan is a former bad boy on the path to redemption. He's struggled with partying, alcohol, and drugs over the past few years; however, now that he's fresh out of rehab, he's determined to remain sober. From the first page, I was rooting for Dylan. It was easy to see how hard he was trying and why staying sober this time was so incredibly important to him. Going along with that, I thought Samantha did a great job of bringing Dylan's emotions and struggles to the surface. His recovery was never simple...sometimes he felt tempted and sometimes he faced the judgement and hate of people who thought he'd never change...but Dylan stayed resilient and I couldn't have been prouder of him. I also loved how determined he was to be part of the literacy campaign, especially since it brought him and Paige together. 

Paige, on the other hand, is sick of being the good daughter, the good sister, and the good employee, because being good has gotten her nowhere lately. Her dad walks all over her, her sister walks all over her, and her entire company walks all over her. It doesn't help matters that her entire literacy campaign has been hijacked by her sister and father under the guise of "helping." I truly felt for Paige. It's hard sometimes to step up to people, especially those closest to you; however, given Paige's circumstances, I felt that it was only a matter of time until Paige lost it. I couldn't believe the moves Paige's sister and dad would pull. If I was in Paige's shoes, I would've lost it way sooner than her. What I liked the most about Paige, however, was how compassionate and hardworking she was. She knew what she wanted in life - to fight for causes and people that she valued - and this showed greatly through her actions and words. 

The plot in One More Promise primarily focused on Dylan and Paige's enemies-to-friends romance as well as Paige and Dylan taking on their respective demons. I felt the romance in One More Promise was well developed. It took a while to get the "juice;" however, I enjoyed the slow build of it. It was fun to see Paige and Dylan start off as enemies in some respects, and then slowly become unwilling friends. I loved how they brought out the best in each other as well as encouraged the other to ask for more in life. As I mentioned before, I thought Samantha did a great job of handing Dylan's recovery. While I wish the struggle with Paige and her family was a bit more developed, it was still an important part of the plot. So much of Paige's life as tied up into her family so it was interesting to see her slowly break free. 

Overall, One More Promise is a bittersweet yet romantic ride from start to finish, and for those of you who love epilogues, One More Promise's epilogue will have you oohing and awing. 

3 stars!!

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Author Info: 

Samantha Chase is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller of contemporary romance. She released her debut novel in 2011 and currently has more than forty titles under her belt! When she’s not working on a new story, she spends her time reading romances, playing way too many games of Scrabble or Solitaire on Facebook, wearing a tiara while playing with her sassy pug Maylene…oh, and spending time with her husband of 25 years and their two sons in North Carolina.

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Excerpt: 

Blog Tour: Sugar Lump by Megan Gaudino (Review & Giveaway!)

Follow the Tour! 

Sugar Lump 

Megan Gaudino

Published by: Evernight Teen

Publication date: January 17th 2018

Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult

Synopsis: 

Seventeen-year-old travel blogger CC is stuck on a never-ending road trip with her wanderlust-addicted father. When her dad lands the job of his dreams in Sugar Lump—wedding capital of the world—CC finally finds a place to call home. Complete with two quirky best friends and a quixotic guy to crush on, Sugar Lump is more shades of perfect than she can possibly count.
But when CC accidentally overhears the mayor complaining that she has to “take out” a rogue employee for not fulfilling the terms of his contract, the idyllic town’s facade crumbles. Devastated by the possibility of having to move yet again, CC discovers everyone has been keeping a massive secret from her—including her own father.

Review: 

A mystery AND a quirky small town?! I was 100% sold as soon as I read the synopsis - I couldn't wait to get my hands on a copy! 

What I Liked: 

1. The Setting - Sugar Lump (a.k.a the wedding capital of the world) is an interesting place to say the very least. Think The Stepford Wives meets Desperate Housewives - everything is perfectly manicured and on the surface the people seem flawless. However, like that show and movie, nothing is nearly as perfect as it seems. There's mystery, deceit, and possible murder hiding below the surface! 
2. The Mystery - While it wasn't the most suspenseful mystery ever, I still enjoyed seeing it unfold. CC put on her Veronica Mars hat in this one and dove right in - hunting through offices, asking the tough questions, and getting people to truly question what was going on. It made the book move at rapid speed. 
3. The Main Character - CC is sarcastic, determined, and 100% her own person. When the book first begins, CC is hoping and praying that Sugar Lump will finally become her home. After moving from city to city with her father over the years, CC craves normalcy in the form of a permeant address and longtime friends. I could really feel CC's emotions in this respect, and I wanted her to finally get her HEA in the form of Sugar Lump. As the book progresses, CC stars to find her place. She makes friends, finds a new outlet for her photography, and begins to feel at  home, and when all these things begin to fell threatened, CC doesn't stand still. Additionally, I liked the relationship between CC and her dad. They were a dynamic duo, and I always loved their back and forth banter - think Gilmore Girls. 

What I Didn't Like: 

1. The Ending - It was crazy...and not in a good kind of way. I don't want to say too much about it; however, I will say it wasn't what I was expecting and honestly I felt that it didn't really jive with the rest of the book. I was expecting something very different...something drastic and hard-hitting. Instead, I got something incredibly happy but so unbelievable. Don't get me wrong I love a happy, everything-works-out kind of ending, but it was just difficult to fully accept it. 
2. The Romance - The insta-love is on high here, and while I think insta-love can work in some cases if it's done well, it didn't work that well here. I didn't feel a connection between CC and her love interest. It felt like it was more based on the "forbidden aspect" than anything else. Plus it sometimes felt very superficial. More times than not it involved CC swooning over his good looks and bad boy feel than getting to truly know him.  

End result? While I had my issues with Sugar Lump, it was still a fast paced and enjoyable read overall. The setting and mystery is what made this book, in my opinion, and I look forward to seeing what Megan writes next. 

3 stars!!

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Author Bio: 

Megan Gaudino works in a high school library by day and on her own books by night. She’s made up of a mixture of black clothing, iced coffee, and a desire to go adventuring. Those things sort of come together naturally to form a writer. She lives in Pittsburgh where you can find her reading, writing, and Instagraming.

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