All Good Things

I've have always been a voracious reader, making time for books during good times and bad. There's nothing books haven't gotten me through (and some of those bad times were extraordinarily difficult). Books are my refuge, and I love that they take up so much space in my tiny life.

Unfortunately, for the foreseeable future, I'm putting this blog and reviewing books on hold. Reading is something that has always been fun for me, and sometimes blogging about the books, and the pressure to keep up with the reviews, has felt more like work than fun, especially as some of the authors I have come to love have let me down in some pretty big ways.

I'm taking a break from reading romance in order to read more nonfiction, and this blog wasn't really meant to review books that are at times of the utmost seriousness. I'm also taking a break from romance because there are times when reading about people falling in love, their great lives, and unimaginable joy, make my anxiety and depression worse. I love reading a happily ever after, but when you feel and HEA may not really be in your future, reading about them stir up all my worse emotions. I have loved spending time with amazing characters who rule over amazing worlds.

Now, I'd like to possible write some characters of my own. Spend some time in my own head instead of someone else's. For now, that means putting down someone else's books and picking up my pen. I hope you've enjoyed reading along with me. I hope you found out about some great books. Hopefully in the future you'll be able to pick up one of mine.

-Jessie

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas ♡♡♡♡♡

I preordered The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas pretty soon after hearing about it. There are a few reasons I bought it. First, I think it is so so important to support writers of color, especially when they are writing about the black experience. I always thought #ownvoices was important, but after reading a book, written by a white author, that didn’t take into consideration what people of color experience, I’ve felt it's more important than I realized.  Second, I wanted to support a book that delved into the very real world of how black communities deal with the fallout of police shooting of unarmed black people. The premise of the story sounded great, and the writing was getting praise well before the book was released; I couldn’t resist.

Let me offer some background on a few things. I don’t normally review books here that aren’t more focused on the romance in the story. While there is some romance, it is not the focal point of the story. But this story is too important not to review. There are lots of books that deal with what it means to grow up black in America, but this is the first contemporary novel I’ve read dealing with this experience. Some other suggestions of books to read if you’re interested in reading about experiences then read You Can’t Touch My Hair by Phoebe Robinson and Between the World and Me by Ta Nehisi Coates. Listen to NPR’s Code Switch podcast, and read their articles (which delve into the experiences of minorities in general, not just the black community). In other words, get woke. There is so much out there about different communities, and it would do the world some good if people learned about people other than themselves.

I’m also going to offer some personal background, because I think my feelings about this book are informed by experiences. I’m mixed, half black and half white. I grew up in Virginia with a black dad who was a law enforcement officer, and a white mother who often felt the need to deny the fact that I was black (she said I was white on all my school forms even though no one who sees me would ever say I was white). While my dad was a law enforcement officer, he was/is not a good person. As a kid, I knew lots of other police officers (many of them good people), and I was never scared of them. I think my parents never really wanted me to see the reality of why so many people were afraid of police officers. And it wasn’t until I was older that I not only understood why people would be afraid of police/law enforcement, but that I started to see that people who, not really look like me, but look like my family would be afraid would be afraid. And subsequently, I have some fear regarding them myself. Now, even though I grew up with someone who is a bad person and a law enforcement officer, I know that all law enforcement officers aren’t bad. I know many of them want to make a difference in their communities; I know that many of them really do want to serve and protect. And I know that it is the bad ones who get most of the coverage in the media. But I also know the reason the bad ones get the attention is because people are literally being murdered by the bad ones. And when you can’t tell just by looking at them if your life is worthy of being protected or if they want to kill you, it’s easier just to be scared of them all; you’re life is on the line if you make the wrong decision with your trust. I try my best to think that police officers are here to protect me, but I also have the luxury of living somewhere with few incidents of police brutality issues. I have the luxury of being black, but also not. People look at me, and they don’t know what I am. I get a lot of questions about where I’m from, my background, and a lot of wrong assumptions. I code switch, often without realizing it. I spend time living in two worlds and wondering about my place in the world as a whole. So, that’s where I’m coming from reading this book.

So, back the book.

The Hate U Give tells the story of Starr, a black girl, who witnesses one of her friends, Khalil, who is also black, get shot by a white police officer. Khalil is unarmed when he is murdered. Starr deals with the aftermath of the murder and being a witness. We also see her deal with the experiences of so many people who are living in two different worlds. She’s black, living in the the bad part of town. Starr attends a mostly white, private school, where she often feels she has to change who she is and how she speaks (code switching) so she doesn’t get pegged as “ghetto” or as the “angry black girl.” We get to see so much of everything that Starr lives with on a regular basis.

I’m not sure anyone could have written this book better than Angie Thomas. For some people, the book gives insight to what black communities go through when one of their own is unjustifiably killed by the people who are supposed to protect them. For me, all the code switching and living in two worlds felt so relatable, and I enjoyed reading something that I felt I had experienced. And I hope it will help people understand that a broken tail light, speeding, selling illegal cigarettes, and playing with toy guns do not carry a death sentence in court, and they shouldn’t carry a death sentence by the people who enforce the law.

The book was beautifully written. All the characters feel like people I have met in real life. There’s just something about them; if you were to tell me these were all real people, I would believe it. The characters, side characters included, are so well rounded. The dialogue sounds like things people say. The depiction of everything just jumps off the page.

This book was inspired by the #BlackLivesMatter movement, and I’m not sure it could have come at a better time. I hope this book inspires people to get involved in their communities. Over the past few years, in particular, we have seen police officers kill unarmed black men and women without facing any punishment in court. The victims’ lives end up on trial more so than the person who actually murdered someone. The Hate U Give sheds light on why that is so problematic.

“A hairbrush is not a gun.”

I’m not sure what the answer is on how to fix what is obviously a systemic problem. I have lots of ideas, but some of it comes down to people realizing that people are trying to survive within the confines of the community they were born in to. There’s a lack of empathy when seeing black bodies gunned down by society’s protectors, and in the words of Ta Nehisi Coates, the people in the black community are expected to be “twice as good” if we want to see justice. Even Tamir Rice, a little boy playing with a toy gun. I saw people saying he should not have been playing with a toy gun. But I also see my white nephew playing with them in public. No one is gunning him down. No one is saying he can’t play. Tamir Rice was a child, and still, there was a lack of empathy. I hope this book will help those who don’t understand what it’s like living in these communities. I hope it will help people gain some empathy. Black lives matter, too. And I hope this book helps people see that.

The Hate U Give on Goodreads

P.S. to the editors who say books about POCs don’t sell, you might want to check yourself on that. I hope this book will show publishers that people want to hear our voices.

Havoc by Jamie Shaw ♡♡♡♡♡

What can I say? Jamie Shaw has found my weakness for rock stars, and she writes them beautifully.

Havoc is final book in the Mayhem series, which I am super bummed about. I have loved the entire series, and I seriously loved Mike (even though Joel will always be my favorite).

Mike has been waiting for his perfect girl. He doesn't hook up with the groupies, he's a good guy, and he makes sure when he finds the right girl, he won't have a long list of conquests. He's waiting for his perfect when his ex, Danica, walks back into his life looking for a second chance. But with Danica, Hailey also walks into his life. Hailey wants Mike, Danica wants Mike, and Mike has a bit of a quandary deciding between the two.

Mike is really the good guy in The Last Ones to Know, and I was ecstatic he got his happily ever after with the perfect girl for him. Havoc completely wrecked me. I laughed, I cried, my heart was broken and mended back together again. I think I'll have a book hangover from this one for a long time to come.

I'm looking forward to seeing what Jamie Shaw has in store next. I've loved the Mayhem series, and I'm sure her future projects will be just as awesome!

Havoc on Goodreads

Riveted by Jay Crownover ♡

I should start by saying a few things. First, I usually really like Jay Crownover. She is the only author I have ever taken the time to go meet, I’ve bought all of her books regardless of whether the premise actually sounded good to me, and, for the most part, I have enjoyed them all. Second, I am from the south; not the deep south of Mississippi, but from a place where confederate flags flying are not unusual (on trucks, in front yards, and on as many articles of clothing as you can think of).

Lastly, I am mixed. Half black and half white. My heritage will go a long way in explaining all the problems I have with this book. And I should state up front, that I obviously do not speak for all mixed people (there isn't even agreement in our community on what to call ourselves; many don't even like the word mixed. I like mixed because it includes those who are more than just biracial, although I see why people don't like the term), nor do I speak for all black people. I speak for myself and my frustrations are based on my experiences.

I’m not going to get much into the premise of this book, other than to say it involves a wounded soldier who thinks he’s a fault for all the hurt in the lives of those around him, and a girl who thinks she can fix everything and everyone.

So, I have not yet finished this book, and I am already reviewing it, because I am more frustrated than I thought would be possible reading a book. I am a huge proponent of included people of color (POCs) in books. I think this is so very important for some many different reasons, and I even believe that people who are not POCs should include them in their work. But I think two things need to happen if you are not part of a group and want to write from their perspective. One, you need to do research, and two, you need quite a few people to do a sensitivity reading. Let me use this book as an example as to why that needs to happen.

The main character of Riveted is named Dashel Churchill, and he goes by Church or Dash. The character complains about the issues of growing up in the south with an “unusual” name. Neither Dashel, Dash, or Church would be considered that strange of a name. Kids with “ordinary” names get picked on all the time. And in the south “unusual” names are a dime a dozen.

POCs don’t normally refer to themselves as such in their heads. I have met lots of them. I am one of them. As a group, we are POCs, but individually, we are what we are. It is weird that the main character would refer to himself as a person of color in his own head instead of thinking about his own heritage. Also, it’s weird for other people to say it, too. There shouldn’t be anything wrong with calling a character what he is instead of mentioning it once and then referring to him as a POC for the rest of the time.

What is going on with the stereotypes!? Church’s dad (the POC in an interracial relationship with a white woman) leaves before he’s even born? It may have worked for the storyline, but considering all the other points against this book, this one was still egregious. I think the author may have felt it was okay because the person who steps up to father Church is black, but I still think depending on the stereotype of black man leaving their children was a bad move.

Finally, how is the main character, Dixie, who is in love with this wonderful guy, the opposite of woke? I imagine, any minute, she’s going to say something idiotic along the lines of “I don’t see color.” How does she not understand that a black/middle eastern/white man will be afraid to go into a bar when there are a bunch of trucks outside flying confederate flags? And what was the point of mentioning it if nothing was going to happen in that bar? Was the point to say that just because someone flies a confederate flag, they aren’t going to start trouble with every POC they see? Was the point to say that flying a confederate flag doesn’t make you racist? Was the point to say that a POC should not be afraid of trouble just because they see a confederate flag? Because let me just say, I grew up around those flags, I grew up around plantations, and I grew up around reminders that my family members were, not too long ago, enslaved. Then, following that enslavement they were considered second class citizen. It some places, and in too many cases, we still are. Dixie is the epitome of white privilege. And what is even more concerning is the thought that, possibly, Jay Crownover believes these things as well. Sure, some may make the argument that the confederate flag is a reminder of states’ rights, but the right they wanted to hold on to was the right to keep people enslaved for free labor.

I am furious about how this book has portrayed not only the south, but also what it means to be a POC in America. If an author who is not part of a group wants to write about the experience of those in that group, then a lot of research needs to happen. This book is an example of why so many people ask that white authors not write about our experiences. If the book had stayed solely in Dixie’s perspective, I would have just thought the character was ignorant of those experiences, but adding Church’s POV really made it necessary that their was research done, and his perspective should have been handled with so much more sensitivity.

I'm not actually sure I'll finish this book. I know it will end with a happily ever after, as most romance novels do, but I imagine Dixie will remain unaware of what she has so far ignored other than on a very surface level.

I am extremely disappointed, and I'm not sure I will be reading another Jay Crownover book due to the lack of sensitivity with which she handled a very serious issue.

What's Happening During the Hiatus

As you know, I am on a hiatus until the new year. But I thought I would drop in and let you know what's been happening during that time.

First, I haven't gone crazy. I'm still ready books. I've been rereading a bunch of books (Cate Tiernan and Sarah J. Maas). I've also been reading some books that don't really fit into the scope of what this blog is all about.

In other news, I've started a new job (which I love), I've moved, I'm getting my health back on track, and I'm spending some quality time with my cat.

I plan to start reading more romance soon, so after the holidays everything will be up and running on a weekly review schedule again. I'm open to book suggestions if you have them!

A Bit of a Slow Down

Recently, due to many different reasons, I have been unable to keep up with my usual once a week posts. I've moved, got a new job, and I'm getting ready to move again! This summer has been hectic! On top of all that I've been dealing with some health issues. So, for now, the book reviews will have to take a bit of a back seat as I prepare to move again and get my health back on track. I'll post reviews when I can, and I'll keep everything updated via Twitter when there's a new review. If your interested in guest posting a review, have a book you really want me to read/review, or would like me to be part of a release day blitz, send me an email, or contact me via the contact form.

I have loved writing and working on this blog, and I hope to have things back to their normal speed by the end of the year!

The Pact by Karina Halle ♡♡.5

The Pact by Karina Halle is the second book I've read by this author. I read one of her books before (Sins and Needles), and I decided to give her another shot since I didn't really enjoy the first book.

The Pact tells the story of Stephanie and Linden. In their twenties, they make a pact to marry each other if neither of them is married or in a serious relationship by the time they're thirty.

We see the two go through various relationships through their twenties and eventually come together. But things aren't easy once they do.

First, I should say I listened to the audiobook, and while the author may not have had much say, the voice of Stephanie's POV was not great. Her Scottish accent was awful when she was speaking as Linden. That has absolutely nothing to with the story, but I thought I would let all the audiobook listeners know.

Focusing on the actual story, for me it was just meh. I didn't really feel any kind of connection to the characters, and the actual story was a bit predictable. I'm not sure I'll be reading any more books by Karina Halle in the future. Thoughts?

I should point out that for some reason, I thought this would be a new adult book, but it was most definitely contemporary, which I tend to not be a huge fan of. I'm not sure if it was marketed as new adult or contemporary, but I thought it was new adult. And while on that topic, I think some books are marked as new adult if the characters are angsty, start out young, or they're trying to figure out their lives. But a this book in particular, ending when they characters where in their thirties (and not just as an epilogue). And a thirty year old can still be trying to figure out their lives (aren't we all), but new adult should have characters experiencing things for the first time, and actually being new to adulthood. This is not a critique of this book, but on how books are sometimes marketed (again, I'm not sure if this one actually said it was new adult or if I just thought it was).

The Pact on Goodreads

RoomHate by Penelope Ward ♡♡

RoomHate by Penelope Ward is maybe the first book I've read by this author. Although, I can't remember, I may have read another one (After initially writing this post, I went and check, I have read another book by Penelope Ward, and I did enjoy Jake Undone). I listened to RoomHate on audio book, and it was a good reading.

RoomHate tells the story of Amelia and Justin. Amelia abandoned her best friend, Justin, 10 years ago, and Justin won't let her forget it.

This book just didn't do it for me. I read other reviews that spoke of plot twists, but nothing happened that really surprised me. Also, something came up during the story, that I wasn't expecting (although I'm not sure I would call it much of a plot twist. AND it's one of the biggest thing I hate in stories.

Overall, I was just waiting for this story to end. I was bored, and I didn't feel any connection to the characters. Now realizing this is the second book I've read by Penelope Ward, and seeing that I enjoyed the first, I may give her another shot.

Have you read this book? What did you think?

RoomHate on Goodreads

Sweet Nothing by Jamie McGuire and Teresa Mummert ♡♡

Sweet Nothing by is a book the two authors, Jamie McGuire and Teresa Mummert, wrote together. I said I was done reading books by Jamie McGuire any more, but I took a chance any way.

The book tells the story of Avery, a hospital nurse, and Josh, an EMT which has a reputation for hooking up with all the nurses, we watch as they come together after a bad car accident.

So, there's not much I can really say about this book without spoiling, because what I really didn't like was the ending. It was very unexpected, but felt like such a cop out. I was very disappointed, and there was just no explanation.

Has anyone else read this book? What did you think?

Sweet Nothing on Goodreads

Idol by Kristen Callihan ♡♡♡

Idol by Kristen Callihan is the first book in the VIP series. I've read her Game On series, and I loved it, and I love a good rock star story.

Idol tells the story of Libby, who is living as a hermit in North Carolina, and Killian, a rock star who literally shows, drunk, up on her lawn. We watch as the two grow close and go off on a whirlwind adventure full of music, fun, and tons of drama.

I liked the book, but it just wasn't as good as the Game On, and it doesn't hold a torch to Jamie Shaw’s Mayhem series. I didn't feel connected to the characters, and again, just like with Charged, I felt like there were so many sex scenes, and they weren't all necessary. I think the writing was good, but

The last two new adult books I've read have had a lot of sex, and not for the sake of the plot. It might be time for a new adult break.

What do you think? Has new adult become sexier? If you think it has, do you think that's a good thing?

Idol on Goodreads

Charged by Jay Crownover ♡♡♡

Charged by Jay Crownover is the second book in the Saints of Denver series. I have to say, it was not really what I was expecting, and I was a bit disappointed.

Charged tells the story of Avett, who just can't seem to get her act together, and Quaid, the guy who thinks they have it all figured out. This book had crime, a love story, and lots of sex. We watch as the two try and figure out if and how to make each other fit in their lives.

Let's start with the bad. First, I thought the story worked too hard to introduce characters who will likely have books of their own in the future. Also, this book may have been the most sex filled yet! I have nothing against sex in books, but this almost felt like erotica with extra story. I'm not sure if Jay Crownover is making a move toward more contemporary books, but I enjoyed the Marked Men series so much more than The Saints of Denver. Perhaps my own expectations were too high. I'll probably give the series two more books before I give it up.

I do have to say, for the most part, I liked the character of Avett. Once she starts to figure things out, you can see, she's a good person, even if she can be a bit misguided.

What do you think? Do you think Jay Crownover’s books feel different?

Charged on Goodreads

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah Jessica. Maas ♡♡♡♡♡

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas is the second book in the A Court of Thorns and Roses series. I loved the first book, A Court of Thorns and Roses, but it was nothing compared to this one.

A Court of Mist and Fury picks up pretty much right where the last book left off. If you haven't read it, you should do that now. I don't want to spoil anything for those who haven't read it, so this will be a fairly brief review.

What I will say is this, I did not think there was any way I would love Rhysand so much. I was not expecting one thing that happened in this book. And, if I could, I would give this book infinite hearts, that's how much I loved it.

Now, I just need to time jump to when the next book comes out so I can find out what is going to happen next! If you were on the fence about sticking with this series, I suggest you read A Court of Mist and Fury. It was incredible.

A Court of Mist and Fury on Goodreads.

Sass by Laramie Briscoe ♡♡

Sass by Laramie Briscoe is I book I picked up through BookBub. I was a little disappointed since it was marked as new adult, and then the first page of the book said contemporary romance. But all the same, it was a fairly quick, entertaining read.

Sass tells the story of Sass and Reed. Reed is getting over his breakup with his cheating fiancé, and Sass agrees to pretend to be Reed’s girlfriend to case jealousy. I love the pretend girlfriend stories, so I was looking forward to this.

Overall, the story was OK. At 150 pages, the story moved fairly quickly, and there wasn't much depth to the characters or story. Everything was pretty surface level (having just finished Me Before You, that may have been for the best).

I did almost give up up the book after reading the prologue. The main character, Reed, threatens to force himself on his fiancé after he finds her cheating. While it was said in anger and in a moment of vulnerability, I couldn't like him much after that. I don't care how angry you are, that's no idle threat, and it was unnecessary.

I'm not sure if I would read another book by Laramie Briscoe; for the most part, I prefer longer books where there's more than romance going on; this book was more like a story written around romantic scenes. But maybe another of her books with catch my eye in the future. I'm not ruling it out.

Sass on Goodreads

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes ♡♡♡♡♡

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes was, and I don't say this lightly, probably the best book I've read all year, if not the best book I've read since Easy by Tammara Weber. I wasn't going to review this book initially, because it has already been so popular, but then I loved it so much, I thought I would let people who may be on the fence know, it's worth it!

Me Before You tells the story of Lou, who gets a job taking care of quadriplegic named Will. It is probably the slowest building love story, and I loved every second of it.

One of the reasons I love this story is that it's not just a love story, but it also explored some very serious moral implications and life choices. I picked this book up because I wanted to read it before I saw the movie, but I am so glad I read it. It was a beautifully written, heart wrenching story.

If you haven't read it yet, go read it now!

Me Before You on Goodreads

The Year We Fell Down by Sarina Bowen ♡♡♡♡.5

The Year We Fell Down by Sarina Bowen is the first book I've read by this author. I found out about it like I do with a lot of books, through BookBub.

The Year We Fell Down tells the story of Corey and Hartley. Corey had an accident before starting college that caused a spinal injury and paralysis, crushing her dreams of playing hockey. Hartley is healing from an accident that's keeping him from hockey, too, but only for the season. We watch as Corey tries to reconcile who is is after the accident, and, of course, we watch Corey and Hartley fall for each other.

I enjoyed reading a new adult book where the characters had real life difficulties. So often, the stories biggest problems are about getting the characters together, and I was happy to read a book that was about something bigger. Corey was a great character because she was so strong, stubborn, and vulnerable all at the same time. And we got to see her deal with her injury, college, and love life in a way that was quite endearing.

I'm looking forward to reading more books by Sarina Bowen, and, hopefully, more books in this series.

The Year We Fell Down on Goodreads

My Soul to Keep by Kennedy Ryan ♡♡♡♡.5

My Soul to Keep by Kennedy Ryan is a book I found out about when it was on sale through BookBub. I've never read any of her other books, but this one caught my eye, and I'm so glad I picked it up.

My Soul to Keep tells the story of Kai, a small town, Georgia girl trying to make it in LA after the death of her mother. Her world starts spinning again when she meets world famous musician Rhyson. We watch as Kai tries to navigate life after losing her mother and the intricacies of being linked to a super star.

There were so many things I loved about this story. The writing was so poetic, I easily connected with the characters, and from the opening lines, Kai had such a distinct voice (when I read it, I could hear her accent, no dialect necessary!). The characters also felt realistic to what people in their positions might be like.

The story does end with a bit of a cliffhanger, but I cannot wait to read the next story.

My Soul to Keep on Goodreads

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas ♡♡♡♡.5

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas is a book I picked up because I love the Throne of Glass series. And this book doesn't disappoint.

The story takes place in a magical world where faeries live just across a wall. Feyre and her family are barely surviving the winter, and when she kills a faerie disguised as a wolf, she must pay the price by venturing across the wall with Tamlin to live out the rest of her days.

I love faerie stories, and Sarah J. Maas's writing is so detailed and wonderful, I couldn't help falling in love with this story.

A Court of Thorns and Roses straddles the border between YA and New Adult. Probably a bit too mature for most teen readers, but it doesn't necessarily follow many the tropes associated with New Adult. Although I think more stories like this one, where the plot is more than just about the romance, is an example of what New Adult needs if it wants to maintain its staying power.

I can't wait to read the next book in the series, A Court of Mist and Fury.

A Court of Thorns and Roses on Goodreads

Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas ♡♡♡♡

Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas us the third book in the Throne of Glass series. I loved the first and second book, but Heir of Fire was a tough one.

The story continues to tell Celaena’s story, and it chronicles her struggle of coming to terms with who she really is. In an attempt to remain spoiler free, that's all I'll really say of the plot for this one.

This book took me months to read, which was a surprise since the first two took me about a week, maybe less, to finish each of them. But this story was slow moving and followed some new characters who I didn't care for (and their stories are likely set up to come together with Celaena’s in books to come).

Once I got to about ¾ of the the way through, the story really picked up, and for me, that was its saving grace.

I am hoping Queen of Shadows will be a much faster read and a bit more action packed like the first two were. Either way, I can't wait to find out what happens with Celaena.

Heir of Fire on Goodreads

Beautiful Burn by Jamie McGuire ♡♡.5

Beautiful Burn by Jamie McGuire is the fourth and final book in The Maddox Brothers series. I loved Beautiful Disaster and Walking Disaster, but I have to say, I only really enjoyed Trent story from this new series. The rest, including this one, just weren't there for me.

This book is mostly about Ellie. She is a rich, alcoholic who is used to getting what she wants and hurting everyone in her path along the way. She hooks up with Tyler Maddox about 15 minutes into meeting him, pushes him away, and we watch as they try and make things work throughout the story.

Because I love Beautiful Disaster so much, I was hoping for the same with The Maddox Brothers series, but I have been very disappointed, and Beautiful Burn was no different. Ellie was a fairly unlikable character. Even when I was able to get on her side, the stakes weren't high enough. I understand that wealthy people have problems just like everyone else, but I never believed her parents really wouldn't take her back. The story felt rushed; there were big gaps in time and then Tyler would blurt things out which would quickly move the story along. It's like the story was trying to make sure we saw the whole cast of characters we had met in previous books, but it made the timeline of the book feel awkward.

I think I'm at the point where I say it's okay to love two books from an author, but not enjoy any of the rest. I don't think I will be reading any more books by Jamie McGuire; I loved two out of six books, and think I can be content with that.

Have you read anything by Jamie McGuire? What did you think?

Beautiful Burn on Goodreads