Blue Notes by Carrie Lofty ♥♥.5

Blue Notes by Carrie Lofty is a book that came up in my Goodreads recommendations. I really wanted to read it, partly because the book was compared to authors Jamie McGuire and S.C. Stephens (just the Thoughtless series, I didn't really enjoy the others I read), who I love. But I would have to say it did not really live up to such high standards.

Blue Notes is about piano prodigy and college student Keely. She’s starting her junior year at Tulane and she’s keeping a secret from everyone she knows. Especially from playboy billionaire Jude, who she meets at an open mic night.  They start a strange, tension filled relationship that may or may make it when Keely’s past, along with her close held secret, come back to haunt her.

Let’s talk about the good things first. Obviously, I really liked the idea of the story. Secrets that could ruin everything and a whirl wind romance are right up my alley. The book also had some really strong secondary characters, who I enjoyed spending time with.

But I had a really difficult time connecting with the main characters for most of the book. And being inside Keely’s head was a bit confusing at times. That may have been a stylistic choice since Keely herself is confused, but I found it unclear at times, which made it difficult to connect with Keely. And Jude was pretty much an arrogant ass for the first half of the book. He also felt the need to be in charge of everything, which made him feel overly domineering. I didn’t understand how someone with Keely’s past could be so attracted to someone with Jude’s personality. And then, halfway through the story, Jude becomes almost a completely different person. It was very strange.

Not connecting with the main characters is one of the hardest things for me to deal with when reading. I still wanted to know what was going to happen, but I didn’t fell their joy or pain. Carrie Lofty has a bunch of other books that aren’t New Adult, so I may give one of those a try. Let me know what you think!

Blue Notes on Goodreads

Dark Sacrifice by Angie Sandro ♥♥♥♥.5

Let me start by saying Dark Sacrifice by Angie Sandro was pretty amazing. She really seems to have found herself as a writer in this book. Dark Paradise, the first book in the Dark Paradise series, was good, but Dark Sacrifice was a full throttle thriller.

So, if you haven’t read Dark Paradise, then this review is not for you. A few things from the first book will be spoiled if you read any farther.

*************************Spoiler Alert ************************************

Dark Sacrifice picks up about where Dark Paradise left off. Mala’s still in the psych ward, soon to be released. And Landry’s in jail for a crime he didn’t commit. Mala’s still seeing ghosts, including her mother. And Landry has an overwhelming sense of guilt for putting Mala in danger; he’s willing to do anything to protect her. But Landry’s not sure he will be in Mala’s good graces if he ever gets out of jail.

And Mala still has a promise to keep to her Aunt Magnolia, one she knows may come at a price.

I don’t want to give too much away, but Angie Sandro takes us on an adventure packed with ghosts, curses, and magic as Mala tries to keep her promise to be trained by her dark magic loving aunt. Some pretty amazing stuff ensues.

If you enjoyed Dark Paradise then you will love Dark Sacrifice. It’s a face paced page turner. Let me know what you think.And if you're looking for book three, Dark Redemption is already available. 

Dark Sacrifice onGoodreads

Boomerang by Noelle August ♥♥♥

Boomerang by Noelle August (A pen name for Veronica Rossi and Lorin Oberweger writing together) is a book I found out about through emails from Harper Collins (who will send you emails about books of theirs on sale). It sounded like a cute and quick read, so I gave it a shot.

Boomerang is the story of Mia and Ethan who wake up from a hazy one night stand to find out they are sharing an internship where they will be competing for one job at the casual dating site Boomerang. Mia and Ethan have undeniable chemistry, but Boomerang has a policy against dating coworkers. So they try to keep to their work while trying to deny their feelings for each other.

We watch as both of them try to sort out their feelings and what they feel is more important, an opportunity for a job or for love. But they also have to deal with the past hurts from former lovers, who have jaded their hope for the future.

Just like I thought, this was a fairly fun quick read. I never really felt particularly close to either character. I usually really enjoy changes in point of view, but Ethan’s point of view seemed less genuine. I would have rather stay with Mia for the entirety of the book. There was nothing wrong with the story; I enjoyed the premise of the story itself. I just never felt close to the characters or really excited to keep reading. I’m glad I gave the book a chance, and I may read the rest of the trilogy when it’s released. Give it a try, and let me know what you think! 

Boomerang on Goodreads

Let Me Know by Stina Lindenblatt ♥♥♥♥♥

Let Me Know by Stina Lindenblatt is the second book in her Lost in You series. If you haven’t read the first book, Tell Me When, please go do that now. Tell Me When was absolutely amazing, and you need to read it before Let Me Know. There are spoilers ahead for those of you who haven’t read the first book.

********************************Spoiler Alert***************************

Let Me Know continues Marcus and Amber’s stories. Marcus is healing after being shot by his stepfather, Frank, and he’s figuring out how to make sure Frank can’t hurt anyone else. Amber’s case against Paul is about to go to trial, and she just wants to put everything that happened behind her. She thinks that’s a possibility until her life turns into a media frenzy.

People think that maybe Amber was never kidnapped; they think she was into the type of torture Paul preformed on her. Now Amber feels like she’s the one on trial. Her life is quickly falling apart at the hands of the media.

This story was amazing. I didn’t think it was possible for there to be as much tension in a second book about Amber and Marcus. But the stakes were high, and the story has it all. It made me laugh, it made me cry, and it made me furious.

The way the media was portrayed really added so much to the story. It’s too often victims are made to feel like criminals, and this story showed what the repercussions of that look like for the individual.

But that’s not all the story was about. It was also about fighting to keep the people you love in your life.

Let Me Know was perfect. I’m hoping for more stories from Stina Lindenblatt. Maybe about Chase next time :) Let me know what you think!

Let Me Know on Goodreads

Let Me Know Release! Review to Come

Let Me Know

This shouldn't be happening again…

Amber Scott thought her screaming nightmares would end now that her stalker is locked up and awaiting trial. But they return when her slam-dunk case starts to fall apart. Explicit letters she allegedly wrote surface, suggesting she was the mastermind behind her assault, a willing victim.

Amber only feels safe in the arms of her boyfriend Marcus, the one person she can lean on. Until damning evidence from Marcus's past collides with the case and the media circus drags them both down. To protect Amber's reputation, Marcus has only one option: end their relationship. He won't risk further damage to her case, even if it means breaking her heart.

Amber has to find the strength to step into the spotlight and bring awareness to victims' rights before she's convicted in the court of public opinion. And she's really not sure what's worse—that her kidnapper could walk free, or that the seemingly endless attention and speculation will drive Marcus away permanently…

See how it all began for Amber and Marcus in Tell Me When.

 

Stina Lindenblatt Bio

Born in England, Stina loves to travel, and has lived in England, the US, Canada, and Finland. She spent a semester in graduate school living in central Finland, and a summer during her undergrad degree working in Helsinki. She has a Master’s of Science degree in exercise physiology and has worked with elite athletes. In her free time, Stina is a photographer, mother of three adorable kids, and devoted wife. She currently lives in Calgary, Canada.

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