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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series throwing your morals out of the window (at least I did).
It's not a hidden fact that Malachi and I is about reincarnation. Again, a concept many have read about. I could totally understand the concept because in India (where I am from), this concept is the core of every living being existence in Hindus and Buddhists. I can tell that J.J. McAvoywent through a lot of research and the stories she's added as flashbacks have actually taken place, because again, I've read a few of them. I am a sucker for tragic love stories and torture myself from time to time. But, thank J.J. McAvoy, this book didn't end like one. With Malachi and I, J.J. McAvoy has definitely tapped into an uncharacteristically unknown genre which you'll have to explore to understand. This is the first time she's executed concepts of spirituality or spiritual being that may sit well with some and can get totally ignored by others. It's a major risk to write something so unique and different without deviating from the plot. I personally felt that the story ended too soon. I didn't want to stretch, but I did have questions when I finished reading it. Let me know if you have them too. I'll be happy to discuss. Malachi & I by J.J. McAvoy is releasing today. Get your copies now!
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! Received a copy of this book from Goodreads New Adult Book Club in exchange for an honest review.
Needless to say, I loved both Tensley and Molly.
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS! If you're looking for a comeback, Body of the Crime is seriously it. R. Scarlett's writing has been engaging and the proof is that I finished reading the second book in less than 24 hours. It was beautiful, eloquent, captivating and I really loved how Molly stepped it up. The factors that I didn't like in Tensley in Vein of Love were also taken care of in Body of the Crime. Their dialogues also showcased huge improvement. Don't take this review to be vague because I'm seriously trying not to give away any spoilers. You need to read it all for yourself. I just had one issue with the action scenes. Call me an unsatisfied reader, but I believe the action scenes could've been better because they ended within the blink of an eye. I didn't feel terrified for Tensley or Molly. Overall, it was a much, much better read than the prequel. I can't wait to get my hands on A Vow of Thorns (Blackest Gold, #3). Get your copy of Body of the Crime right NOW!
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
Few readers might call it insta-love, which would have come across as boring had Ms. Miller not worked her charm throughout the story. Her writing was spectacular. It flowed, literally.
Caleb is charming, witty and I loved him till the end. So was Brook memorable and it has nothing to do with her abrupt bouts of crying. It’s a neuro-psychological condition people. Read the book and find out why the heroine is one balloon filled with tears, ready to burst. I sympathized with her pain and how Caleb had been by her side throughout. One thing that I simply loved about Caleb and Brook was the fact that they didn’t let petty insecurities or jealousy drive them into madness or cause them to behave irrationally like toddlers. Brook was the first one to surprise me when she doesn’t throw the napkin on their first dinner date and walk-out on Caleb when he declares he’s a Blackstone. Both have been mature individuals throughout the series. Their discussions are not petty or unwanted. It gave me a deeper look into who Caleb and Brook truly were. I don’t even want to start writing about the swoon-worthy, heart palpitating, steamy scenes between Caleb and Brook. There were moments when I was happy, sad, and worked-up and seriously thinking about various aspects of the book. To be honest, the story has nothing new to add. I’ve read some of the same instances occurring in other books and could find connections with other novels that I’ve read in the same genre. The overall story is more of an ‘old-wine-in-a-new-bottle’ kind of story. But, the characters and their depths make it one unique and hard-to-put-down read. I finished it in a day. I was not very happy when the book ended because I wanted more. I know, I’m one greedy reader.
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
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
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 |
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