With the Winston Brothers series, Penny Reid has skillfully introduced characters in each of her books, giving us glimpses of personalities and made us hope for that character to have a separate book. In all honesty, I wondered how she would make Beau interesting. And she did it again with abandon. I had no regrets reading about Beau. We get a glimpse of Beau and Shelly's chemistry in Beard Science but it is very vague. I totally wondered how Shelly and Beau would work it out. Not only did Penny Reid showcase how beautiful Beau is on the inside, but she made Shelly an powerful character too. I didn't find Shelly to carry a baggage or draining. She was simply who she was. I love how Penny Reid doesn't shy away from writing characters that are flawed at best. We all are flawed in our own way. There is so much to learn from her stories and so many new things to learn from. Shelly and her OCD were eye-opening. This book, like all other Penny Reid books is going to carve a place in your heart, mind and soul. A place from where these stories and characters will never let you go. I loved every word, every sentence and every part of it. Thank you so much Penny Reid for writing such as wonderful story. To find out more about Penny Reid and Buy her books, go to http://pennyreid.ninja/
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The Orphans is a heartbreaking read that left me feeling extremely sad and sorry for these characters. I didn't pity them. My feelings were just somewhere in between.
Both characters are fragile and flawed. It was very different to what grief-loss books are these days. My sadness also came from a place where Ro thought his sister has moved on. Whereas, in reality, Jess was still the eight-year-old on the beach. She had just put a mask on of moving on which slipped from time to time throughout the book. She was right there with Ro, only she masked it. Ro was a fresh, deep and his unpredictability gave me a glimpse at how his mind worked. It was thrilling to read his POVs as much as it was heartbreaking to feel his pain. I didn't expect the story to end the way it did which left me in unexpected tears and sadness. The Orphans is a book you will cherish if ever abandonment and grief has accompanied you. Get your copy of The Orphans by Annemarie Neary now.
The characters of Mark and Anna were well-developed and their intricate narratives offered me the right amount of insight I needed to know where their actions and decisions were coming from. Nothing was too much. Every word had a meaning which made me bawl on instances.
Usually, the endings in a book are meant to make you bawl your eyes out. But in The Man I Thought You Were, I teared up right from the beginning. It was a smacked-in-your-face kind of emotions that made me cry and feel so much dread. The initial premise is cleverly written from Anna's perspective making the reader take sides with her. But when Mark's narrative began, I bawled like a baby. Through this book, Leah Mercer made me realize that there is so much more to the characters than their mere names in the black and white ink. The sub-plots made of their pasts are so much like us, the people in real life. Marks's guilt crashed through me making bullet holes through my heart. So much guilt and suffering that was so real I could almost touch it. THE MAN I THOUGHT YOU WERE is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of a book for sure. While I insist you buy The Man I Thought You Were, buy a box to tissues as well. Don't complain I didn't warn you!
Shane. Shane. Shane.
The man had the patience of a saint. I felt so bad for Whitney for how she was wronged on so many levels. Best of all, the supporting characters were vibrant and equally intriguing for me to want to know more about their stories. It was a beautiful, shattering read. Get your copy of More than Memories right now!
The prose of I Give You My Heart does have a certain level of sadness to it because the writing made me think how soon my son will grow up. Seeing Yuto move through the phases of his life and learning from his experiences is charismatic. Every word and device used in writing is symbolic and you have to dig deeper and think "Why was this added here? What does this signify?"
I did stare at the illustrations with awe, trying to relate them to words and believe me, this book will make you dive deeper into your conscience. I Give You My Heart will be available for purchase this month. Received this book through NetGalley.
language changes to sentence structures and word formations, this collection of heart-pumping stories are going to leave you feel like a completely different person in the end.
It is dizzying and haunting at the same time. A common themes runs through all these stories and that is love. Through these stories, you will be taken to different parts of the world and experience emotions that are bound to make you question some or rather a lot of choices in your life. These stories are also bound to make you feel a little better about yourselves, because we are not perfect creatures. We're all flawed in our own way and it is heart-breaking to actually feel connected to the uncertainties and open questions with which Orlando Ortega-Medina ends each story. Such a beautiful read which I will be reading again, and until the end of time! Buy your copy of Jerusalem Ablaze: Stories of Love & Other Obsessions by Orlando Ortega-Medina.
fooled into reading any one because you'll be confused as hell. Be sure to read the first book to understand what exactly is going on in Rowan Wood Legends.
I didn't see a couple of twists and turns coming my way. I can't say more because there were a couple of things I was seriously hoping for to happen, which did happen and it made me immensely happy. I won't be giving away any spoilers out here. In Rowan Wood Legends, you'll see a more mature side to Catoriwhere she is learning and adapting. Again, I don't want to give out any spoilers, but this book pleased me immensely. Olivia's writing is magnetic. Catori's monologues will not bore you to death. They are direct, eloquent and will make you feel everything. I love how this book had 'the' overall feels. There were times I shuddered, times I flew (hypothetically) and times I actually cheered for Catori for being such a strong female protagonist. I will be definitely looking forward to reading the third installment because I simply can't get enough of this urban fantasy. This story is different. It is unique. And I am hooked. Buy your copy of Rowan Wood Legends now!
age' story would be an understatement and an insult.
The Red is so much more. Through Mona's perspective you can live, breathe and experience everything that is going around. The Red is either going to leave you mortified (RED in the face and all *WINK*) or you will actually see a deeper meaning in it. I prefer to believe in the latter because every woman, like Mona, behaves and carries herself within the limitations that the society has set for her. But, in the back room, like a switch gets flipped inside of her that Malcolm teaches her and unleashes a very carnal part of hers. I loved every role-play, every dialogue, every detail and everything that brought Mona to fully accept not who she was, but what she was capable of. It also made me appreciate how she tried, yet chose not to settle for anything less when her experience with Sebastian. I loved how her meekness turned to full-blown confidence and she finally accepted who she was and wanted to be. Which made me think - Why sacrifice something so innate, so carnal to human nature within us only because the society thinks its a taboo? I simply couldn't see this book as a mockery of arts. Through Tiffany Reisz's writing, I saw something in those paintings that I never chose to see or rather had a limited perspective. I know, it's fiction and all, but there is no harm imagining the purpose of those paintings otherwise. Aren't we all dreamers? Hell, I am. No shame in that. Tiffany Reisz has a flair for word play, but there were some words which could've been replaced with better versions to make the prose less repetitive. There are some serious panty-combustion moments and you will not regret even if a mewl leaves your lips. I felt so much throughout this book that it's unbelievable that I'm even daring to write it in my review. Call it the Mona-effect/Malcolm-effect, if you please. The Red is definitely going to be one of the most erotic books I'll read in this lifetime. God help me!!!!! I've fallen in love with Malcolm, Mona & ahem! You can buy your copy The Red now!
One of the Boys by Daniel Magariel is a raw and naked version of what many authors have glamorized and dressed-up to soften the blows of domestic abuse, child abuse (which is psychological and physical). It is rightly done because the narrator is a twelve-year-old boy who's speaking his mind through the prose of One of the Boys.
The narrative is simple yet powerful; moving and desperate and everything in between. Even when the main characters in the book had no names, the story caught my attention from the very first sentence. I could only compare the anonymity of the characters to those people in video recordings whose faces are blurred or they sit in darkness and narrate their heart-wrenching story. This anonymity had the same effect on me. I did feel connected even when there was no mention of names. It was a high-risk play by the author, but the story left me feeling too much of everything and had my heart beating with anxiety. I could connect to the boys on every level. With the straight-forward narrative, there was no place left for the reader and observer in me to comment or offer a suggestion. As a twelve-year-old boy and his fourteen-year-old brother, they did come up with possibilities and solutions on their own. How do you cope up with a lying, manipulative, drug-addict father? How do you seek help from a mother who you've abandoned to be with your father? How do the boys overcome the psychological and physical abuse suffered by the hands of both their parents? I have no idea. I swear to God, One of the Boys made me cry for all those children tangled in this chaotic mess of a life. They're helpless at the hands of their abusers, whom they trust the most. There were disturbing excerpts throughout the book which made me re-read the passages even when they disgusted me to the bone. These passages also made feel grateful for having parents who are such wonderful human beings. Coming back to the feelings of the boys suffering at the hands of their narcissistic father. Daniel Magariel did a spectacular job of showing the feelings of the two brothers. The angst, the helplessness, isolation, feelings of denial and confusion, and the fear of the unpredictable behavior and punishment at the hands of their father kept the boys on their toes and me on edge. I reserved my pity for the parents who being adults couldn't get a handle on their own problems and how the boys suffered at their incompetence. The family was dysfunctional at best from all angles, but I rooted for the brothers till the end. The style in which the epilogue was written was a massive risk, a kind of jerky portrayal of 'what could've been' and it brought tears to my eyes. We don't know what happened to the boys or their father or their mother in the end. It kept me up all night thinking about the possibilities. Oh. The. Possibilities. I'm open for discussion because this story/reality really stirred my soul. Order you copy of One of the Boys by Daniel Magariel now!
While reading Making Faces, I laughed, cried, cheered, swayed and even clutched the kindle to my heart with overflowing feelings. If you want to feel, read Making Face. Oh, I felt every word, every sentence, every thought and every character.
I specially loved Fern because readers like me are in a continuous search for (mentally) strong female protagonists. Fern in Making Faces in unforgettable and you will love her for her straight-forward, sometimes blunt and otherwise beautiful perspective of life and those around her. Making Faces is filled with so much love, appreciation, grief, loss, admiration and is truly inspiring without even trying to sound like an inspirational novel. Amy Harmon did justice to highlight each and every character with beautiful narratives and interlinked stories and sequences. It was a touching read and Making Faces will stay with me forever. Tip: Sit with this book with a box of tissues. You're going to need lots of them for all the right reasons. Love you so much, Amy Harmon! You have a beautiful soul! Buy your copy of Making Faces right now! Received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Rose Petal Graves starts with a rapt and freshening perspective of Cat, a 19-years-old medical student. Needless to say, I loved Cat. She is no damsel in distress and I've been really looking forward to novels where the female protagonist as a backbone. Cat sure does have one and I was amazed by her strength and right-mindedness. Of course, there were glimpses of her 19-year-old self because, hey, she's got have flaws. Don't we all have them as well?
But, I didn't care about her flaws as much as I admired her strength, courage and the honest perspective of the situations handled to her. Cat is one of those protagonists who knows when to use her brain and what to put her heart in. I don't want to divulge more into Cat because Cruz, Ace, Lily, Kajika and Gwen had equally captured my attention and had unique personalities of their own. What I purely admire about Olivia's writing is the concept of blurring the lines. She is one of those authors who can keep you tangled in your thoughts and in your bed sheets with restlessness because of the uncertainties that we feel as a reader just by imagining what the protagonist must be going through. Apart from the psychological thrillers from Olivia , it was really refreshing to see her divulge my attention into the world of fantasy and paranormal romance. Her writing is flawless and captivating. Thank God this is not another vampire story or I would've burst a vein. The mysteries of Rowan, the Woods and everything in and beyond Rose Petal Graves made my jaw drop on the floor. Every new detail was engaging and made my heart beat faster. I won't be writing this review in detail because I hate to give away spoilers. You need to read the book to find out the mystery yourself. I can't wait to read what the next book would entail, but it surely is going to be mind-blowing. That I can tell. Get your copy of Rose Petal Graves by Olivia Wildenstein. I'm buying mine.
George (through dialogues), Caitlin's husband and his insightful and wholesome character.
The story of Violet and Finn had me turning pages at a slower pace. I didn't want to miss out on tiny details. Jessica Strawser's writing is descriptive, yet captivating. I have come across books where descriptions have bored me to death. Almost Missed You is certainly not one of those books. The long passages of descriptions are perfectly detailed and inquisitive at the same time. The chapter endings were a delight because I kept looking forward to a new reveal. There is a deeper meaning to Almost Missed You and you need to read it yourself to get acquainted with the characters and their minds. This story blurs the lines between womens' fiction and mystery-thrillers of our times. I feel lucky to have received a copy of Almost Missed You by Jessica Strawser's through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Get your copy from Amazon.com
Sugar is sexless and the best part about it that it focuses on career, relationships, and a drive to reach at the top that most of the millennial are after. It does focus on fame, recognition, and the sacrifices Charlie actually makes to get what she wants. However, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't see Charlie as a greedy, attention-grabbing protagonist. I saw a realistic portrayed of career-oriented women today and didn't think there was anything wrong in the way she was focused on her career.
Sugar is also a story about how people around us get affected because we're so focused on our way to the top that we sometimes neglect or take our loved ones for granted. This novel is also about how sometimes we get drafted into unfavourable situations. Through Charlie, I could see myself (when I was focussed on a high-paying career), the consequences and the price you have to pay. Charlie is a super-strong female protagonist who I'll remember forever. She portrays all of us. I loved how Kimberly Stuart didn't make her a damsel in distress, waiting eagerly for a man to come and save her. On the other hand, she finds Kai, who not only supports her through her tedious schedule, but is also not offended or rattled by her success. Do such men really exist? They do. My husband is one of them and it was so amazing to watch Charlie and Kai figure it out in the end. Other characters in the book like Manda, Jack and their kids, Avery, Margot and the others were equally engaging and not just fillers to the plot. They had a purpose. I know a few women like Margot, so I totally know they exist. Final touchdown on Kimberly's writing. IT IS SENSATIONAL. Her storytelling is beyond imagination and her attention to details is engaging and doesn't bore you to death. If I'm prophesying, this could be one of those books that the upcoming generations might study in their curriculum maybe a hundred years from now like we've studied Austen to know what life and society was like in those days. Sugar is definitely a feminist novel. I'm. A. New. Fan. Will definitely look forward to reading more of her works. Get your copy of Sugar by Kimberly Stuart from Amazon.com
When I read the blurb, I thought Who We Were Before was something similar to Rabbit Hole; you know the Nicole Kidman-Aaron Eckhart movie about a couple trying to move on after their four-year-old son dies in an accident.
I’ve seen the movie and wanted to see what made this book stand apart from the theme of grief-stricken parents Edward and Zoe who’ve lost their two-year-old son as well. Who We Were Before blew me away. I couldn’t put it away because no matter how hard it was getting to read and breathe at the same time, I pushed on to finish it. My throat closed up reading their experiences and how they were drifting apart. Leah Mercer’s writing was beautiful. Who We Were Before is told through two perspectives - Edward and Zoe; switching between past and present. I can’t even begin to explain how bare and honest their story was because my family has gone through grief as such - twice. I can’t even begin to explain what grief of losing a child does to parents, because time and again I could see my cousin and his wife in Zoe and Edward. Losing a child is an irreplaceable loss that nothing or no one else can fill. It forever remains and open wound; sometimes it throbs till you can’t breathe anymore and sometimes it becomes numb. Through their past and present narrations, I got to know what each of their actions meant and how the better-half interpreted it. There were many instances of misunderstanding because both Edward and Zoe were not willing to talk about their pain and kept running away from each other. When Edward escaped to work, Zoe’s plans were only getting drunk to numb her pain. Yeah, you might think why didn’t they just talk it out-and-out? Well, it’s not that easy. “But how can you help someone who won’t just let you in, but who is also lying to you?” You can’t. Truth is, whatever Edward and Zoe were going through was real. Grief changes people/parents in so many different ways and I’ve seen it changing people in real life. I loved how Leah Mercer traced this subject with right amount of delicateness and honesty. As much as I loved reading about their past, I dreaded reading about their present because nothing was hearts and flowers. A harsh truth they both had to live. Overall, this is a beautiful book and sadly, not everyone will understand the deep-rooted sentiments and pain of Edward and Zoe. It is a story for mature readers who will appreciate the efforts, sensitivity, and Leah Mercer’s willingness for writing a book about loss and grief. Get your copy from Amazon.com
love with Cletus, but I seriously loved Jennifer too. Usually, it so happens that I remember the male protagonist and forget the female protagonist altogether because she is lack-luster or is not enough. A princess-in-distress kind to be precise and I don’t appreciate those stories much; unless the guy has stolen my heart.
Coming back to Cletus. He is no alpha-male. Thank-effing-God for that! Because I’ve been sick and tired (read nauseated) with the thoughts of reading books that star an alpha-male. The brooding kinds and the works. Cletus is a man on a mission. He is remarkable force to be stayed away from. He is meticulous, detailed, and passive-aggressive and oh man, he’s got amazing skills that I admired throughout the book. Kudos Ms. Reid for developing such a strong man, who is no alpha, but is sneaky and dangerous on a whole new level. I’ve always been afraid and suspicious of ‘the quiet ones’ and you surely cemented my thoughts by introducing me to Cletus. GAH! I LOVE CLETUS! I kept reading about him with admiration and awe with an undercurrent of fear. It was thrilling! I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED CLETUS. Looks like Penny Reid heard my prayers and gifted womankind Jennifer. She doesn’t come across as the alpha-kind in the beginning. But, wait till you find out how she strikes a deal with the revengeful, calculative, never-forgive-never-forget Cletus. What I loved most aboutJennifer was the fact that she never came across as a self-loathing, pity-me kind of character even when she knew others were treating her unfair. But, I believe she just needed a nudge from Cletus from being mere a kitten to becoming a tigress. WOAH! Her change was not just profound but she commanded attention. I loved that! I’ve read Penny Reid’s Elements of Chemistry series which also had a strong and unique female protagonist and I still remember her name - Kaitlyn. That is the best part about her writing. Her female protagonists’ are memorable. Cletus on the other hand was brilliant. You do not want to cross with him. EVER. He is the best passive-aggressive avenger I’ve ever read about and he thrilled me to the core. I loved his bluntness, those solemn nods, and the way he spoke. I love a man who knows where to apply the right amount of sarcasm. Furthermore, I wanted to strangle Jennifer's father, shove a dirty rag down her mother’s throat and I don’t even want to begin how I wanted to torture her brother. You see, I love it when my emotions are out of control when I’m reading. It does showcase how profound Ms. Reid’s writing is that Beard Science has drawn such emotions out of me. My emotional investment was worth every second of it and I’m going to re-read this book countless times. Plus, Penny Reid understands WEIRD. I know WEIRD, because I am WEIRD. That is what makes her writing unique for me because whenever I’ve read her books, I keep nodding and grinning in affirmation with all the little details she puts that I have noticed on quite a few occasions myself. There are so many nuggets of lessons Penny Reid’s weaved throughout Beard Science, and whenever I’m reading her work, I’m on high-alert to spot all the details and observations she puts into her writing. She is by far one of the best author’s I’ve read in the scene today. She does not come up with forgettable characters and storylines. She knows where to mock, joke or throw in sarcasm without over-throwing the plot or the seriousness of it. She is the Wise Yoda in the writing smart romance. She tackled serious topics such as isolation, OCD, emotional abuse and physical/child abuse in all fairness without making me question the characters. I recommend this book to everyone who’s looking for something different to read, other than the same-old yada-yada love stories. You will get a love story in Penny Reid’swriting alright, but you will also get to know so much about the ‘other’ kind of people. Buy your copies from: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | iBooks | Kobo | Nook | Googleplay | Smashwords | Goodreads
I was spooked by so many facts so intricately woven in the story-line. The descriptions were much needed to understand the world of puppets and puppeteers. There was not a dull moment.
I felt so bad for Theo on countless occasions. I could understand the parallel-shift that Kay was experiencing because what had happened to her. Read the book to find out. I would not be giving out any spoilers in this review. Keith Donohue’s writing beautifully covered the concept of the ‘fear of the unknown’ throughout the story. I kept reading it page after page just to find out what would the end entail. Believe me, the end did not disappoint me. It rather hurt me and ripped me into a thousand pieces. It was not what I expected, neither did I see it coming. Some of my favorite quotes from the book are: The story starts with She fell in love with a puppet. Because he was beautiful, because he was rare, because he could not be hers. And believe, me when I say this, you will ponder upon this quote when you finish reading it, because I certainly am and the killer part is, I know what it means! Never enter a toyshop after midnight. I took this as a clear warning when I was 40% done with the book. I swear on my life! Sometimes the puppets return, sometimes they never come back. Sometimes they last forever. Lesson Learnt: I’m never stepping a foot inside a puppet store. EVER. You can order your copy from Amazon.com
“Maybe I was destined to forever fall in love with people I couldn’t have. Maybe there’s a whole assortment of impossible people waiting for me to find them. Waiting to make me feel the same impossibility over and over again.”
Believe me, I did not expect this book to be so gripping and enriching. I can somewhere relate to June because she is one of those 14 year-olds who is too mature for her age. Her thoughts are on a completely different level. Through June, Carol Rifka-Brunt has shown a very unique side of love that is not bound by or dependent on physical intimacy. “I thought of all the different kinds of love in the world. I could think of ten without even trying. The way parents love their kids, the way you love a puppy or chocolate ice cream or home or your favorite book or your sister. Or your uncle. There's those kinds of love and then there's the other kind. The falling kind.” I have experienced love that's 'the falling kind' and Carol Rifka Brunt has just worked her magic in explaining why it is so right. From the blurb, no one would realize what a miracle and outstanding this book actually is. On the other hand, the author has touched a very delicate subject. AIDS. Although this book is set in 1987, the AIDS-related taboos are still masking out society. This is one book I'd press upon people in years to come. Order a copy of this evergreen story from Amazon.com
something as dominant as The Masterminds comes along the way, I believe I’m converted; and I haven’t even read the first book, yet.
The Masterminds is told from the perspective of Brook and Josh. Josh is trying to nail the Discoli family down which leads him to Brook, who fronts as a judge of a famous competition while behind the scenes, he is doing things he’s not supposed to. Both of them are trying to save who they love the most. Ivy and Aster, the twins from the first novel are tangled in this mess and the story moves forward with a pace that had me biting my nails till I didn't have any left. Olivia Wildenstein is a fine craftswoman of words. She weaved a story so gripping and profoundly moving, giving each and every character a powerful motive to make The Mastermindswhole. What surprised me even more is how she didn’t usedetailed sex scenes as a common literary device I’ve come across these days that many authors use to shove the plot forward and stretch the words count to a painful extent. She knows which genre she’s writing for and how to present it well. Her writing is simple because the complexities lie in her characters and the dense plot. She is a true mastermind in devising crisp sentences that don’t come across robotic. In addition to this, I liked that Olivia Wildenstein didn’t overdo the descriptions of settings and places because I tend to skip those paragraphs altogether. I hate reading about the color of the drapes and the cracks on the wall unless it's coming from Agatha Christie. Do you catch my drift? Descriptions can be poetic, but can also ruin the story if the writing is sloppy. That's where some readers like me struggle to connect with the characters. I agree, some of the readers might disagree with me on this. But, give The Masterminds a chance and see for yourself how clever Olivia Wildenstein’s writing actually is. Even without the flowery descriptions, I could relate to the characters, their stories, fears and insecurities. I also appreciate her writing more because every time I tried guessing the mystery of the missing diamonds, I was proved wrong. I loved the fact how Olivia Wildenstein didn’t describe Diana’s physical attributes at first when she talks to Brook and carefully unwraps her in another scene in the future when I kept racking my head wondering who is the woman Josh is describing, using her physical attributes. The way this author created doubt in my mind in every chapter and scene was spectacular. The ending was gut-wrenching and I did not see that coming. Olivia Wildenstein, you knocked the wind out of me using a sledgehammer. How could you? Although, I do believe it was not easy for you to write it as well. Maybe that’s why the chapter was short and a tough one. I went back to reading it twice before I could grasp what happened and what I read was actually what it meant. Before I forget, here are my favorite quotes from the book: Unfortunately, I’ve learned that sometimes you’ll love people who won’t love you back, and there’s nothing you can do about it. & My other half. My sweeter half. My shattered half. & one more…. To me, Ivy and Aster are two parts of the same person. In the womb, a person’s right arm doesn’t grow sooner than the left. I’m a fan and am looking forward to read more of Olivia Wildenstein’s works of art. Order your copy for Kindle and Paperback.
The story generally focuses on Iris Jaxson, the dying girl with a final wish to fulfill. Alec Sage is her best-friend in-denial and Arthur Quinn, the boy who has been in love with her ever since she walked into the place where he worked.
A twisted tale in which time has the ability to rob your loved ones away from you and you can't do anything about it. At times, I hated Alec but also understood what he must be going through, just imagining what his life would be without Iris. They're soul mate, best-friends, but not lovers. Surprise, surprise! Arthur Quinn was a revelation. You get to know all the characters in this book on a deep, moving level and can understand where they are coming from. I loved how everyone around Iris transformed and she is a bad-ass throughout this book to be honest. Nothing has stopped her from achieving whatever she wanted from her life. The mesmerizing details revolving around Iris, Alec and Arthur make you feel like you are right in the middle of this story. The narration was beautiful and deep. Unfinished is a story I'd remember for a long time. Order your copy from: Amazon.com E-book in various versions available on: Smashwords.com
Here is the reason why.
Pretty Wicked is a well-researched novel. The workings of a psychopath is detailed and through Ryann, I could acknowledge how she worked and justified her actions. For the world, she is perfect example of a good girl and ticks all boxes of social acceptance. But, underneath all that lies another layer of her personality. A personality that is intelligent, dark, egotistic, liar and a prime manipulator. She has everyone eating from her hands, except for Estevez, her father’s partner. I admired the graphical and sensory representation of each and every killing that Ryann undertakes. It made me feel like I was sitting in the front row to watch her work. No matter how she picks up her victims or the various ways she kills them, the clues add up and make her the focal point. I can only blame her fifteen-year-old age and the immaturity it entails. I enjoyed how the novel was written from the perspective of a psychopath and not from the viewpoint of the same-old-detective. I was thrilled, scared, happy and even sad withRyann and her experiences. When another psychopath came into the plot, I really hoped they’d work together. You must think I’m twisted, but I can’t help it. I was looking forward to it. I’d guessed who the other psychopath was because I seriously paid attention to the clues neatly placed in the writing. But, again, Kelly Charron threw my expectations out of the window with a major plot twist in the end. Kelly Charron’s writing is beautiful and I admire the way her simple way of writing actually made me excited. Pretty Wicked is a page-turner and a must read. Get your copy from: Amazon.com
just fall for the male protagonist, which in this case is Cooper MacKenzie, but you also go head-over-heels crazy for a female lead like Imogene Walsh.
Imogene is observant and cynical only because she’s been burnt quite a couple of times through failed relationships. She is extremely confident and does not comes across as a snob throughout the story. She knows what she wants from life. Her colorful language and spark was what kept me turning page after page and laughing till my cheeks hurt because she is one of the most fascinating female leads I’ve read this year! Cooper = THOR. Yes, he looks like the Norse God, THOR but is a man with a heart of gold. I swooned whenever he responded to Imogene’s jibes with equal, quirky comebacks and those killer, secretive smiles. He is stunning and the wayImogene’s brain misfires in some of the really awkward moments took their chemistry to the whole new level. I can’t even begin to talk about biology here. Imogene is size 10 people and she loves her curves. I loved this girl because she didn’t fret about being curvy. She loves her body and knows make-up is her arsenal! Plus, her insecurities are more intimate and as a reader, I could relate to them. There were countless moments in Faithful that made me laugh out loud till I had tears rolling down my face; I’m not exaggerating. S. A. Wolfe’s writing is effortless, deep, comical and witty which makes the story of Imogene and Cooper a memorable read for me. Her writing is flawless and it does not deviate to superficial grounds where the characters generally begin to lose their charm. I’m saying this because I didn’t skip reading a single line and the plot did not slow down. I felt like I was sitting right in the middle of action. My favorite quotes from Faithful are: It’s frightening because love is unpredictable, emotionally unstable, and uncontainable. & …real love leads to unintentional pain and loss. The story is about second chances with a twang of sarcasm; that is spot on and not overly done. Faithful is a story I’d press up on the world to read! Get your copy now from: Amazon.com
characters who I fell in love with. It was also because of the kick-ass narrator. Mila Rossi, I never thought I’d read something so exciting in this form of narrative. The narrator wins you right from the first page.
Although, I wanted to know more about Trent and Samantha, I understand it’s a novella and what a treat it was. Their conversations and jibes were so entertaining that makes the whole novel phenomenal. I couldn’t put it down. The books I’ve read generally feature guys as strong, badass characters. But, in Going the Distance , Samantha is one strong woman, mentally and physically. I really loved knowing her. Her words and thoughts made sense. She was a well-balance girl who knew what she wanted and where to put her feet down. The way she treated Trent, right from the beginning (I must add), was spectacular. Nowhere did the story drag on or become boring. I can’t wait to read the other two upcoming novellas because Mila Rossi has got me hooked.ARC received in exchange for an honest review. Buy your copy from: Amazon.com Release date: February 7, 2017
My gut twisted with the fact that her father was not an alcoholic or a drug abuser. I expected him to be the usual going-on-a-bender type. But, no, it was his daughter risking her life just for the sake of keeping up with the bills.
Noooooo, she doesn’t turn into a prostitute either. She uses her brain! Accept my apologies, if you’re disappointed! Chelsea is intelligent and finds a way to make some risky money. She is practical and the complete opposite of her laid back father. She knows her problems won’t go away unless she does something about it. She is not expecting anyone to take care of them and finds a way (dangerous way) to make sure her bills are getting paid. Chelsea is a normal teenager risking her life for something as basic as food. She also does commit silly mistakes that validates her as being a human being and acting her age. She is intelligent and witty. She doesn’t have answers to all her problems, but she sure is persistent to find the solutions. I really like that about her! Chelsea is not the generic teary-eyed teenager crying over a boy. However, there are still some slips she makes because of her young age that makes her even more appealing. Her motivation is practical and it broke my heart on countless occasions. Not once does Chelsea blame her father for not keeping up with the expenses (except in the final chapters). Through her, I could see what a normal teenager would hope her life to be and when it is not, how does the society look at her as well. I was on an emotional trip with her. Honestly, the narrative was so captivating that even if Nate, the probable love interest in Chelsea’s life didn’t make an appearance, I sure as hell would’ve finished reading her story anyway. She is that powerful. I love it when such strong female characters are written and I thank Julie Dill for developing Chelsea’s character so well. Chelsea also strikes an unlikely friendship with Miss Stella and it is beautiful. Both are missing something important in their lives and are filling it up by each other’s company. “Girl Power” for sure! The last page threw me off completely because I didn’t see it coming. Damn it! I have so many questions. Most important of all: Will there be a sequel? There has to be…..I hope….Dear, God! Pre-order your copy of from: Amazon.com | Barnes & Noble |
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