Sherrilyn Kenyon

I have gotten really behind on reading (becoming part of a book club has really slow me down). So, instead of reviewing a book I want to talk about an author.

The author who got me started reading adult romance (as opposed to YA) is Sherrilyn Kenyon. When I was reading more YA, I was obsessed with anything paranormal. Harry Potter got me started reading about witches and wizards and I never wanted it to end. I started reading the Dark Hunters series in college and I gobbled them up. But she doesn't just write paranormal, but also science fiction, and if you read under her pen name, historical romance.

I love how she is able to take characters from the pits of hell, bring them out of their shell, and teach them how to love. And without Sherrilyn Kenyon, I never would have even started reading new adult books.

If if you haven't read any of her books, I urge you to check them out. I read them out of order in the beginning, but I wouldn't recommend it if you want to be able to keep all those characters straight.

What's your favorite Sherrilyn Kenyon book? Mine is Acheron!

****I'm thinking about writing more blogs where I do more than review the books, but talk about authors, themes, or the book industry. What do you think? Shoot me an email, or leave a comment below.

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J Maas ♡♡♡♡♡

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J Maas is the second book in the Throne of Glass series. If you have not read Throne of Glass, you need to go do that right now! But you also shouldn't read this review because it will contain SPOILERS for the first book.

Crown of Midnight starts after Celaena has healed from her battle to become the King's Champion, and she has started her new job of killing the people he believes are traitors to the crown. We watch as she deals with her duties and struggles with her feelings for Chaol.

This book was even more action packed than the first. Since I had some time in between reading the two books, there were a few things I had forgotten (like Celaena telling Dorian they couldn't be together). So I would brush up on book one before starting the second. The pace was faster in Crown of Midnight (I couldn't put it down because I needed to know what happened next!), and the story was darker. I loved every second of it.

I am starting Heir of Fire right away. Crown of Midnight ended on a bit of a cliffhanger, and now I need to know what happens next. If you're not reading this series, then you should be. It is beautifully written, and has a bit of a darker element.

Are you reading these books? What have you been thinking so far? Let me know in the comments or send me an email.

Crown of Midnight on Goodreads

Bully by Penelope Douglas ♡♡♡.5

Bully by Penelope Douglas has been sitting on my Nook for some time now. I thought the premise sounded enticing when I bought it, but when I needed something new to read, I wasn't really interested. I've never read anything by Penelope Douglas before, and I was a bit on the fence about this book.

Bully tells the story of Tate. She was off in France for a year, and now she's back home for senior year, and her tormentor, Jared, didn't just forget about her while she was away. We watch as Tate attempts to figure out why Jared started hating her before high school, and if she can ever trust him again.

There are some pretty great reviews of this book on Goodreads, and I'm glad I'm not the only one who can't decide of they like this book. It's easy to sympathize with Tate as she deals with rumors and pranks at the hand of Jared; he pretty much controls her life. And once you know Jared’s back story, you can't help but feel sorry for him. But people with bad childhoods do not always become bad people, and people with bad childhoods don't have the right to take out their anger on the people who love them.

It took me some time to really get into the story. The writing included a lot of unwanted details, and it was slow moving at first. Maybe the moral of the story was that everyone deserves forgiveness, but I can't get on board with that.

I was also disappointed that this book took place in high school. It was a YA book in that the characters live at home and have a different kind of school setting that high school offers. But it was new adult in that both sets of parents were gone (so some of the thing we see in NA books like house parties, drinking, bad decision making are included), and the story deals with more adult themes. Overall, I wanted the setting to be college, because it would have added more to the story than a high school can, and it would have shown that bullying doesn't stop when high school ends.

In the end, I would say this book was middle of the road for me. I liked the characters, but seeing them do a 180 all of a sudden was not my cup of tea. I also wish the writing had been tighter; I think it would have held my interest more.

Thoughts? Do you think bullies should just be forgiven?

Bully on Goodreads

Untamed by S.C Stephens ♡

Untamed by S.C Stephens is the fourth book in the Thoughtless series. It was my least favorite so far, and probably one of the worst books I've read this year.

Untamed follows a character we met in previously in the series, Griffin. He is the least likeable member of the band D-Bags, and we get to watch as he makes a fool of himself and attempt to become a redeemable character.

The main reason I finished this book is I thought I thought it might turn around pretty quickly and actually turn into a story that would be interesting to read. But it was almost 400 pages of reading about a selfish guy try and get everything he wants, fail, become unselfish, and the get pretty much everything he ever wanted. I don't think Griffin is redeemable, and he was extremely annoying and overly explicit about so many things.

I think writing another book for this series was overkill. I would have been much happier if the story was left with Kiera and Kellan. Untamed left a bad taste in my mouth, and I'm not sure I would read books by S.C Stephens again.

Have you read the Thoughtless series? What did you think of Untamed?

Untamed on Goodreads

Riot by Jamie Shaw ♡♡♡♡♡ Go Read it Right Now!!!

With the holiday season upon us, especially with Thanksgiving this week, I wanted to talk a little bit about the things I’m thankful for. In particular, I want to talk about Jamie Shaw, author extraordinaire!

I am part of Jamie’s Facebook group, Jamie’s Rock Stars, and this week she talked about how not many people read the second book in her Mayhem series, Riot. I was shocked! It was my favorite book of the series! So, this week, in light of the holidays (and a super busy schedule) I am reposting my review of Riot. If you you have not read this series, then you should, but don’t skip over Riot. It was the most emotional, heart wrenching, wonderful book in the series. Just talking about it makes me want to read it again! Maybe I will avoid all responsibility for this week and dive back into the the world of Mayhem :)

Riot  by Jamie Shaw ♡♡♡♡♡

Riot by Jamie Shaw is the second book in the Mayhem series. If you haven’t read Mayhem, then you need to as soon as possible, because these books are amazing. Thank you Jay Crownover for suggesting them.

We met Joel and Dee in Mayhem, and now we are getting their full story in Riot. Joel and Dee are all about hooking up with who they want when they want. When they start hooking up with each other, they seem to be with only each other. They like each other, but neither wants to take the next step, until one of them does.

I can hardly put into words how much I enjoyed Riot. The story was amazing. I loved the premise. And now I want a Joel of my own. I laughed and cried right along with the characters. The sign of the best books is when you can literally feel what the characters are feeling. That’s what I look for in books, and Jamie Shaw knows how to deliver.

You should read the Mayhem series as soon as you can. You are going to fall in love with these guys. And you are going to wish the girls were your best friends.

Like I said, it was an amazing book, now stop what you're doing and go read!

Touch Me Not by Apryl Baker ♡♡♡♡.5

Touch Me Not by Apryl Baker is the first book I've read by this author, even though she's has a bunch that I may be checking out now. I'm pretty lucky because the last few books I've read have been pretty great. And Touch Me Not was no exception.

Touch Me Not tells the story of Lily. She experienced a traumatic experience as a teenager, and now she can't stand to have anyone touch her, to the point of full on panic attacks. She's in her senior year of college when she encounters Boston University’s biggest player, Nikoli. He wants her, but he also wants to help her with her phobia. And that's where this story takes place.

This is one of very few New Adult books where the story takes place in third person, which I have to say, was a bit distracting at first. But I think it can be difficult to go from so many first person narratives to third person, so no fault on the author for that. I really enjoyed this story though. The writing was great, and I loved the premise. This story reminded me a bit of Beautiful Disaster (maybe a little too similar; I was a bit distracted in the beginning by the similarities), and if you liked that story, then you'll like this one, too!

It's the first in a series, and I'm looking forward to see what's coming next in the series.

Touch Me Not on Goodreads

Slow Play by Monica Murphy ♡♡♡♡.5

Slow Play by Monica Murphy is the third book in the Rules series. I'm pretty sure it's also the last book as there are no more characters to focus on, and I'm disappointed to see this series end.

If you haven't read the rest of the books, then you seriously should, but this review will contain no spoilers for the others.

Slow Play tells the story of Alexandria and Tristan. Tristan's the last unattached guy in his friend group, and he's perfectly fine with hooking up with any girl he wants, until he meets the one girl who says no. Alexandria. He respects her answer, but that doesn't stop him from trying to get to know her.

This was a great last book with a tear worthy ending. I was glad to have a book with a good back story and more dialogue than the previous book. I loved both Tristan and Alexandria by the end of the book.

My only issues was that some of the sex scenes were too mature for me. I'm an adult woman who loves romance books, but I'm also easily and quickly grossed out by some things. But I'm will to admit that, and I think the writing was still great, and those things I didn't enjoy fit for the characters. So, it's more a problem with me than the book.

Either way, read the books! They're amazing, and my favorite series by Monica Murphy so far.

Slow Play on Goodreads

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell ♡♡♡♡.5

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell is a book that has been on my radar for some time now. How could it not be with the success of Eleanor & Park? Someone finally said I had to read it, so I did.

Fangirl tells the story of Cath. She's starting her freshman year of college with her twin sister Wren, but they are separating for the first time. Living in different dorms. Taking different classes. Making different friends.

Cath is also an award winning fanfic author. She loves all things Simon Snow (a Harry Potter like story). And, of course, she meets a boy, two boys, and she tries to work through her feelings for both of them during the story.

There are so many different things going on during Fangirl other than first love and all the drama that comes along with it. There are family problems, mental issues, and all the things that come along with being an introvert going to college.

I loved the way this story dealt with so many different things. It can sometimes be monotonous reading stories that are just about first love. But this story talked about writing, creativity, and being part of a fandom, about being dedicated to a particular fandom. I thought that was a great part of the story; it felt more like real life.

My only real qualm is it took me a while to get into this story. The Simon Snow parts of the story were so reminiscent of Harry Potter that I often felt pulled out of the story finding the similarities. But once I got used to the oddities of the Simon Snow story, I couldn't put the book down. It wasn't your usual love triangle story, and I was glad for something different.

On a side note, I wish this book was not considered YA. The material is almost too mature for YA, but I think a publisher wouldn't want to put it in NA due to lack of sex scenes. Not every NA has sex scenes, and this story was a college, coming of age story. If you like them both, this book has some of the innocence of YA with the emotional depth of NA.

Which category do you think this book should be in? Do you think it matters?

Fangirl on Goodreads

Throne of Glass by Sarah J Mass ♡♡♡♡.5

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Mass is the first YA book I've read in quite some time. I have been wandering the world of New Adult for almost two years now, but when Throne of Glass kept a coming up on my twitter news feed, I figured it was time to take a break from NA and return to my roots.

This book is about three years old now, but for people who live YA this is a fantastical story that is Game of Thrones meets Hunger Games.

Throne of Glass tells the story of Celaena. A trained assassin who has been imprisoned for the last year. But she's getting a chance at freedom, as long as she wins a competition to become an assassin for the king.

This story is filled with magic, secrets, and conflicted feelings. This book has the classic love triangle, but similar to Hunger Games, it's not the most important aspect of the story.

My two complaints about the book are minor in the grand scheme of things. Like Game of Thrones, Throne of Glass takes place in a world with magic but in a medieval sort of time, and there were a few instances where the dialog felt too modern. There was also a book in the story called The Walking Dead, and that was enough to bring the story down for me. It pulled me out of the story and had me wondering if the author were a fan of the comic/TV show, and my biggest pet peeve is being pulled out of the story for something that is easily remedied.

This story takes place in a wonderful world, and I can't wait to read the next one. I also read this book is being made into a TV show, so I plan to finish the series before that starts.

Throne of Glass on Goodreads

One Life by A.J. Pine ♡♡♡♡.5

One Life by A.J. Pine is the second book in the Only You series. You don't need to have read the first book, One Night, but this book references some of the characters, and it was a great story. One Life was an even better story.

One Life tells the story of Zoe and Spock (whose name is Zach, but we meet as Spock). Zoe is going through a hard time after the death of her brother, and Spock/Zach is there to help her pick up the pieces.

I really enjoyed this story because it addresses addiction in an honest and real way. It was a powerful story of love, loss, and overcoming some of the hard things people go through. The story felt real and honest, and it was easy to relate to the characters.

If you're not reading A.J. Pine, then you definitely should start. She tells great stories that are about more than just falling in love and making it work. Her stories are about falling in love even when you don't want to while life continues around what is happening to the characters, and that makes the stories feel more real.

One Life on Goodreads

ONE LIFE blurb: 

In the latest from the author of One Night, tragedy causes a young woman to struggle to keep her head above water, and the only one who can help her is the guy who’s been in the friend zone for the past year . . .

 
Every time life throws Zoe Adler a curve ball, she changes her appearance. Freshmen year—after almost following in her mother’s alcoholic footsteps—she said good-bye to her blonde, girl-next-door image and opted for jet black hair and piercings galore. After her brother Wyatt’s death, she escapes to the city to teach a summer art program for kids. Her black hair goes blue, and she finds solace in the arms of a longtime friend, in his heart, and in his bed—but her guilt makes her unable to accept the love he wants to give.
 

Spock might be the guy to save Zoe. But when she learns the truth about his past, the edge she’s teetered on since losing Wyatt drops out from under her. The girl who kept it together for everyone finally falls apart. Now Zoe must choose between drowning in guilt about Wyatt or asking for help. But even if she gets the help she needs, Spock may not be waiting for her when she’s ready to let love in.  

ONE LIFE on Goodreads

ONE LIFE buy links: 

Amazon     BN     iBooks     Kobo     Google     Amazon UK     Amazon CA

___________________________________________________________________

When she lost it all, Jess decided to cope by living a lie. 
But you can't keep on pretending forever...

   

      

Twenty-one-year-old Jess used to have everything--a loyal best friend, a boyfriend she loved, and a future that was right on track. But in a single night, her whole world changed.

   

   

Now, Jess lives for the impersonal connection of drunken hook-ups and to-go coffee cups in the morning. All she needs is one night to pretend everything is fine...until she meets Adam.

   

   

Thanks to a sports injury, gorgeous, charming basketball star Adam Carson is stuck in physical therapy at the hospital where Jess interns--giving her the perfect opportunity to see his sweet, considerate nature and making her realize that maybe she does want something more.

   

   

But while Adam might be the best thing that's happened to Jess in a long time, letting him past  her carefully constructed walls means letting him know what happened...and why he'd never want her for more than one night.

ONE NIGHT on Goodreads

ONE NIGHT buy links:

Amazon     BN     iBooks     Kobo    Google     Amazon UK     Amazon CA

___________________________________________________________

Author Bio:

AJ Pine writes stories to break readers' hearts, but don't worry--she'll mend them with a happily ever after. As an English teacher and librarian, AJ has always surrounded herself with books. All her favorites have one big commonality--romance. Naturally, the books she writes have the same. When she's not writing, she's of course reading. Then there's online shopping (everything from groceries to shoes). And a tiny bit of TV where she nourishes her undying love of vampires and superheroes. You'll also find her hanging with her family in the Chicago 'burbs. 

The Finn Factor by Rachel Bailey ♡♡♡

The Finn Factor by Rachel Bailey is another book I discovered through BookBub, and the first book I've read by this author. It was a fast, easy read, but there was no spark for me.

The Finn Factor tells the story of Scarlett, who lives with her best friend Finn. Scarlett is going through a bit of a dry spell. She believes it must be due to her lack of kissing skills, but when someone points out that all her problems started when she met Finn, she believes he must have something to do with it.

I enjoyed certain aspects of this book; Rachel Bailey created great side characters who were full of life and jumped off the page. And the plot was different from the last few new adult books I read.

But the main characters, Finn and Scarlett, we're a bit cookie cutter as far as NA books go. Their decisions were sometimes made so quickly that the story lacked tension. Also, it was a while before I realized the story took place in Australia. I wish that would have been conveyed sooner, because I was left wondering why some words where unusual for a bit.

On a last note, I know J.K. Rowling does not own the word "Always," but when it is used, just the one word as a sentence, to say that a character will always love someone, all I can think about is Harry Potter. I would be hesitant to use it in that way if I were writing a story for that reason.

Overall, the story was pretty good, but the characters were lacking. But I would probably read more from this author is something caught my eye.

The Finn Factor on Goodreads

Beat by Amity Cross ♡♡♡

Beat by Amity Cross has been sitting in my eReader for quite some time. I got a deal from BookBub and thought it looked promising.

Beat tells the story of Ren and Ash. Ren's mom has just died, and her mom's dying wish is that Ren find her father. Ren finds him running an MMA training studio with a new family. And his best fighter, Ash, has just returned on the scene. They have some undeniable connection. Ren's not sure their relationship can survive the monster that lives inside Ash.

Beat was a bit of a surprise read for me. I liked the premise and how strong of a lead character Ren was. And the story was great (the story takes place in Australia, so some of the spellings and word usages were tough to get over, but I really have enjoyed books that take place in Australia. More and more of them are popping up lately.). But the content was much more "mature" than I expected it to be, and some of it came practically out of nowhere. I enjoy a bit of adult fun in my romance, but this was more than I wanted. I particularly did not enjoy Ash's possessive nature.

Warning, the book ends in a cliffhanger.

I might still read the second book, I haven't decided yet. Have you read any Amity Cross books? What did you think. Let me know in the comments.

Beat on Goodreads

Confess by Colleen Hoover ♡♡♡.5

Confess by Colleen Hoover is the second book I've read by this author, the first one being Slammed. I didn't love Slammed, but I loved the cover of this book, thought it sounded intriguing, and decided to read another book by her.

Confess is the story of Auburn and Owen. Their meeting is fate and they don't want to give each other up, no matter the consequences.

I don't really have very strong feeling about this book. I didn't connect with the characters, and there is something that comes as a surprise (I won't ruin it for you, but I don't really enjoy it when characters have this certain thing, so I wish I would have known before I started it). And I really think that "thing" was not so great as far as Auburn was concerned, but it was also what really drove the story, so the story would have been much different without it.

I did enjoy the premise of the story, it was a bit like if Postsecret was shrouded in a love story and great art. But overall, my lack of connection to the characters made the book suffer for me.

Have you read any books by Colleen Hoover? Let me know what you think in the comments.

Confess on Goodreads

Better When He's Brave by Jay Crownover ♡♡♡♡♡

Better When He's Brave by Jay Crownover is a book I have been waiting to come out for quite some time. I put off reading it for a while because I knew I would hate it when it was it was over. Well I couldn't wait any longer.

Better When He's Brave tells the story of Titus and Reeve. Titus is a cop set on protecting the Point no matter the costs, and Reeve is set on getting a chance to take down the guy who is destroying anything good left in the Point. They are in agreement on getting to the guy destroying everything.  Now they need to see if they can make it together.

Part of the reason I love the Welcome to the Point series is watch a story play out with bad guys with good intentions. I was wary of this story because until now, Titus had always seemed like such a good guy. But the story showed that hardly anyone is all good or all bad, something we explored with Reeve and Titus.

So far, there hasn't been a Jay Crownover book I haven't enjoyed. I hope that never changes. I am looking forward to getting Nassir's story and her new Saints of Denver series. If you're not reading Jay Crownover, you are seriously missing out. Get on it!

Better When He's Brave on Goodreads