4/29/15

Recent Release #29: The Secrets We Keep, Magonia and two more!

Every Wednesday I share a recent release I’m excited to read. If you want to check out the previous ones, click here. These are all books I'm adding to my growing pile of tbr-books ;)

Little note: The ending of April is like a time of heaven for booklovers! A LOT of books are releasing in this short period and just needed to share a couple with you guys. That’s why I’m sharing not one, not two, not even three... but  FOUR brilliant books this week!

The Secrets We Keep by Trisha Leaver

Series: stand-alone
Genre: YA, contemporary, mystery
Release date: April 28 2015
Publisher:  BYR
Length: 304 pages

A girl takes over her twin sister's identity in this emotionally charged page-turner about the complicated bond between sisters.

Ella and Maddy Lawton are identical twins. Ella has spent her high school years living in popular Maddy's shadows, but she has never been envious of Maddy. In fact, she's chosen the quiet, safe confines of her sketchbook over the constant battle for attention that has defined Maddy's world.

When—after a heated argument—Maddy and Ella get into a tragic accident that leaves her sister dead, Ella wakes up in the hospital surrounded by loved ones who believe she is Maddy. Feeling responsible for Maddy's death and everyone's grief, Ella makes a split-second decision to pretend to be Maddy. Soon, Ella realizes that Maddy's life was full of secrets. Caught in a web of lies, Ella is faced with two options—confess her deception or live her sister's life.

Magonia by Maria Dagvana Headly

Series: stand-alone
Genre: YA, fantasy, romance
Release date: April 28 2015
Publisher:  Harper Collins
Length: 320 pages

Neil Gaiman’s Stardust meets John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars in this fantasy about a girl caught between two worlds... two races…and two destinies.

Aza Ray is drowning in thin air.
Since she was a baby, Aza has suffered from a mysterious lung disease that makes it ever harder for her to breathe, to speak—to live.
So when Aza catches a glimpse of a ship in the sky, her family chalks it up to a cruel side effect of her medication. But Aza doesn't think this is a hallucination. She can hear someone on the ship calling her name.
Only her best friend, Jason, listens. Jason, who’s always been there. Jason, for whom she might have more-than-friendly feelings. But before Aza can consider that thrilling idea, something goes terribly wrong. Aza is lost to our world—and found, by another. Magonia.
Above the clouds, in a land of trading ships, Aza is not the weak and dying thing she was. In Magonia, she can breathe for the first time. Better, she has immense power—and as she navigates her new life, she discovers that war is coming. Magonia and Earth are on the cusp of a reckoning. And in Aza’s hands lies the fate of the whole of humanity—including the boy who loves her. Where do her loyalties lie?

Invincible by Amy Reed

Series: stand-alone
Genre: YA, contemporary, romance
Release date: April 28 2015
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Length: 336 pages

The Fault in Our Stars meets Go Ask Alice in this dramatic romance about a teenage girl who survives a terminal cancer diagnosis, only to get trapped in the deadly spiral of addiction. Fans of Gayle Forman and Sara Zarr will be swept away by this gritty romance, the first in a duology.

Evie is living on borrowed time. She was diagnosed with terminal cancer several months ago and told that by now she'd be dead. Evie is grateful for every extra day she gets, but she knows that soon this disease will kill her. Until, miraculously, she may have a second chance to live.

All Evie had wanted was her life back, but now that she has it, she feels like there's no place for her in it--at least, not for the girl she is now. Her friends and her parents still see her as Cancer Girl, and her boyfriend's constant, doting attention is suddenly nothing short of suffocating.

Then Evie meets Marcus. She knows that he's trouble, but she can't help falling for him. Being near him makes her feel truly, fully alive. It's better than a drug. His kiss makes her feel invincible--but she may be at the beginning of the biggest free fall of her life.

Sweet by Tammara Webber

Series: Contours of the Heart #3
Genre: NA, romance, contemporary
Release date:  April 27 2015
Publisher: /
Length: /

He’s the love of her life, but he doesn’t know it. She’s his one moment of sacrifice in a lifetime of survival.
He was damaged and wild, but resilient.
She’s always been obedient. Now she’s restless.
Home for the summer between college and med school, Pearl Torres Frank knows two things: Boyce Wynn is the embodiment of everything she should run from, and everything she wants to run to. Rebellious and loud. Unconcerned with society’s opinion of him. Passionate. Strong. Dangerous.
And one more trait he hides from everyone but her: Sweet.

4/25/15

*Blog under construction!*

This weekend I'm devoting myself to rearrange all my posts and theme.
So I apologize if you see some weird lay-outs :p

4/22/15

Recent Release #28: Legend, Finding Paris and two more!

Every Wednesday I share a recent release I’m excited to read. If you want to check out the previous ones, click here. These are all books I'm adding to my growing pile of tbr-books ;)

Little note: The ending of April is like a time of heaven for booklovers! A LOT of books are releasing in this short period and just needed to share a couple with you guys. That’s why I’m sharing not one, not two, not even three... but  FOUR brilliant books this week!

Legend, the graphic novel by Marie Lu

Series: Legend #1
Genre: Graphic novel, YA, dystopia, sci-fy
Release date: April 21st 2015
Publisher:  GP Putnam’s Sons Books
Length: 160 pages

Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a military prodigy. Born into the slums of the Republic’s Lake Sector, fifteen-year-old Day is the country’s most wanted criminal. But his motives are not as sinister as they often seem. One day June’s brother is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Now, Day is in a race for his family’s survival, while June tries desperately to avenge her brother’s death. And the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together and the lengths their country will go to in order to keep its secrets. 

Finding Paris by Joy Preble

Series: stand-alone
Genre: YA, romance, road trip, mystery/thriller
Release date: April 21st 2015
Publisher: Balzer & Bray/Harper Teen
Length: 272 pages

An evocative and compelling story of two sisters who would do anything for each other--perfect for fans of Thirteen Reasons Why and Speak. Joy Preble's stirring new novel explores the lengths to which sisters go to protect each other, and the winding road that brings two strangers into each other's lives.

Sisters Leo and Paris Hollings have only ever had each other to rely on. They can't trust their mother, who hops from city to city and from guy to guy, or their gambler stepfather, who's moved them all to Las Vegas. It's just the two of them: Paris, who's always been the dreamer, and Leo, who has a real future in mind--going to Stanford, becoming a doctor, falling in love. But Leo isn't going anywhere right now, except driving around Vegas all night with her sister.

Until Paris ditches Leo at the Heartbreak Hotel Diner, where moments before they had been talking with physics student Max Sullivan. Outside, Leo finds a cryptic note from Paris--a clue. Is it some kind of game? Where is Paris, and why has she disappeared? When Leo reluctantly accepts Max's offer of help, the two find themselves following a string of clues through Vegas and beyond. But the search for the truth is not a straight line. And neither is the path to secrets Leo and Max hold inside.

Every Last Promise by Kristin Halbrook

Series: stand-alone
Genre: YA, contemporary, romance, suspense
Release date: April 21st 2015
Publisher: HarperTeen
Length: 288 pages

Perfect for fans of Laurie Halse Anderson and Gayle Forman, Every Last Promise is a provocative and emotional novel about a girl who must decide between keeping quiet and speaking up after witnessing a classmate's sexual assault.

Kayla saw something at the party that she wasn't supposed to. But she hasn't told anyone. No one knows the real story about what happened that night--about why Kayla was driving the car that ran into a ditch after the party, about what she saw in the hours leading up to the accident, and about the promise she made to her friend Bean before she left for the summer.

Now Kayla's coming home for her senior year. If Kayla keeps quiet, she might be able to get her old life back. If she tells the truth, she risks losing everything--and everyone--she ever cared about.


99 days by Katie  Cotugno 

Series: stand-alone
Genre: YA/NA, romance, contemporary
Release date:  April 21st 2015
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Length: 384 pages

Day 1: Julia Donnelly eggs my house my first night back in Star Lake, and that’s how I know everyone still remembers everything—how I destroyed my relationship with Patrick the night everything happened with his brother, Gabe. How I wrecked their whole family. Now I’m serving out my summer like a jail sentence: Just ninety-nine days till I can leave for college, and be done.

Day 4: A nasty note on my windshield makes it clear Julia isn’t finished. I’m expecting a fight when someone taps me on the shoulder, but it’s just Gabe, home from college and actually happy to see me. “For what it’s worth, Molly Barlow,” he says, “I’m really glad you’re back.”

Day 12: Gabe got me to come to this party, and I’m actually having fun. I think he’s about to kiss me—and that’s when I see Patrick. My Patrick, who’s supposed to be clear across the country. My Patrick, who’s never going to forgive me. 

4/20/15

Pre-release Promo Tour: Under the Influence by L. B. Simmons (Excerpt + GIVEAWAY!)


Today I'm very pleased to introduce to you an upcoming NA Romance. This book is very promising and I cannot wait for this book! May please be here soon!

Synopsis

Dalton,

I loved you once. A love I thought irrevocable. A love I mistakenly believed could transcend both time and circumstance. Under the influence of my dimwitted, naïve, traitorous heart, I became intoxicated with what I now know was simply a figment of my self-indulgent imagination. So drunk on the feeling, I couldn’t see what was right in front of my face. So foolishly enamored, I blindly followed my heart into the depths of an emotion that would ravage me.
Years later, I know now what I wish I knew then. I am stronger. Smarter. Tougher. I will not allow myself to be broken again.
I loved you. I raged for you. I wept for you. And now, I’m letting you go.


Author’s Note: Under the Influence is the journey of two childhood friends that spans the course of five pivotal years in their lives. It is a story about their discovery of true friendship as it blossoms into first love, their experience of crucial sacrifice and ultimate betrayal, and their endurance of agonizing heartbreak on the way to finding lasting redemption.

Excerpt


None of them truly know me. Because the truth is, there’s nothing more frightening in my world than those who know you—who really know you. The ones who know your deepest, darkest secrets. The ones who know what you’re going to do before you do it. The ones who know not only what buttons to push when they seek your attention, but also the ones that can be used to completely incapacitate you. They can be your strength. But they can also be your weakness. And just as a chameleon changes color to blend for protection, I’ve learned to evolve into the person I need to be in order to survive the situation at hand, all while keeping people at arm’s length. Yet sometimes I can’t help but wonder what my true colors would have been had I not been subjected to this life. I question what it would be like to just let someone in, to tell them all of your unforgivable truths and discover they still love you in return.
I find myself utterly fascinated, awe-struck even, that there are people actually capable of truly loving someone without wondering when and how they will be betrayed. However, the knowledge of their existence also saddens me because the cold reality is I will never know that type of love. I will never know the freedom to just be with someone, without pretense or fabrication, without the endless lies and untruths.
Maybe that’s why I keep holding onto Spencer when I know I shouldn’t. When all my instincts scream for me to let her go, to cut those ties and just let her be. I can’t. I’m too selfish.

About the author

L.B. Simmons is a graduate of Texas A&M University and holds a degree in Biomedical Science.  She has been a practicing Chemist for the last 11 years.  She lives with her husband and three daughters in Texas and writes every chance she gets.


Newsletter * Facebook * Twitter * TSU * Website * Goodreads * Amazon Author Page

Giveaway

4/19/15

Book Of The Week #29: The Dead List by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Every Sunday I share a book I discovered during the week. I think it's a good idea for you guys if you're looking for random recommendations ;)
If you want to see the previous ones, just click here.

Series: stand-alone
Genre: YA, romance, suspense
Release date: April 15, 2015

From Jennifer L. Armentrout's blog posted on April 15, 2015:
“The Dead List is a full standalone novel, coming in at roughly 93,000 words. It’s a Young Adult Romantic Suspense Yes. Lots of Romance. Sort of like Don’t Look Back, but a throwback to movies like Scream and the sort of campy fun ones. Think I Know What You Did Last Summer meets Scream. But with more romance.

That’s all I’m going to say about the book. I think a blind read is something different. A little fun.
There are no plans at this time to sell it or put it in print soon. I probably will one day, but the point of this is that it’s free for you guys.

The Dead List is a raw novel, meaning it hasn’t been through copy editing. You’ll going to see typos and some strange things. You’re actually going to see what a book of mine looks like before copy editors get their hands on it. Hopefully there are no random ‘shits’ where there is supposed to be ‘shirts’.

I will be posting a chapter or a couple of chapters at a time, as one does on Wattpad. Chapters will be added every Wednesday, Friday and then Sunday as long as I’m not traveling or, you know, acts of God clause. You can find me on Wattpad by going HERE.”

My thoughts

Saying I’m excited for this is a serious understatement. Jennifer is one of my ALL TIME fav supernatural romance authors. She blew me away with the LUX series and her other books written under the name of J Lynn. She’s extraordinary and I cannot wait to start reading this book!!!

4/18/15

Review: Slammed by Colleen Hoover

Genre: NA, romance, contemporary, poetry
Series: Slammed #1
Release date: January 5th 2012

Following the unexpected death of her father, 18-year-old Layken is forced to be the rock for both her mother and younger brother. Outwardly, she appears resilient and tenacious, but inwardly, she's losing hope.

Enter Will Cooper: The attractive, 21-year-old new neighbor with an intriguing passion for slam poetry and a unique sense of humor. Within days of their introduction, Will and Layken form an intense emotional connection, leaving Layken with a renewed sense of hope.

Not long after an intense, heart-stopping first date, they are slammed to the core when a shocking revelation forces their new relationship to a sudden halt. Daily interactions become impossibly painful as they struggle to find a balance between the feelings that pull them together, and the secret that keeps them apart.

My review: ★★

*Note: Please don’t hate me for not liking this book. I really tried. Please read until the end of my review. It’s not all that bad :)*


Oh. My. God. I am so disappointed… I’ve read all Colleen’s books and I loved them all. I mean, seriously, you should have seen me after reading Ugly Love or Maybe Someday. I was a complete mess! The Slammed trilogy were the last books I hadn’t read by CoHo. I had pretty high expectations because a LOT of people told me Slammed was her best book. But oh man, what did I read?... Saying I’m confused is a serious understanding. I’ve been scrolling through the 5 stars reviews on Goodreads and I just don’t get it! I feel like I read a completely different book than them!

This book was just one big “NO”. Colleen is known for her epic romances, lots of drama and happy endings. This book had no romance. The plot was horrible and the ending is a big “what the hell?”. Most of the events that happened in this book to add more “drama” were a little exaggerated and unnecessary. The epilogue was a bit weird... I just don't get it.

I couldn’t relate to the characters at all. Layken is so whiny and immature for her age. Don’t even let me start on Will… he’s just stupid. I’ve read ‘bad’ books before, but with 90% of these cases I was still kind of interested in the guy. Now I couldn’t even care less about him… Their relationship (if you can even call it “relationship”…) was awkward, weird, and definitely insta-love-ish (with no build up whatsoever).

The writing itself was good. I’m not a big fan of poetry but the slams were okay. I expected a bit more of them though. Besides that it reads pretty easy and quick. And I think the minor characters were way more better than the main ones. I mean, Eddie? She was the best part of this book!! She had way more potential than Layken or Will.

So yes, overall I was very disappointed, but I will not make this change my opinion about Colleen. Slammed was her first (or second?) book and I’m very pleased to see she got way better at plotting her books. Although I decided that I won’t be reading the two other book in this trilogy, I still see her as an amazing author. Even one of my top favorites. Her writing style became epic and she managed to keep that easiness in her books. So I’m still very excited for her future books!

4/15/15

Recent Release #27: Forged by Erin Bowman

Every Wednesday I share a recent release I’m excited to read. If you want to check out the previous ones, click here. These are all books I'm adding to my growing pile of tbr-books ;) 

Series: Taken #3
Genre: YA, dystopia, sci-fy
Release date: April 14th 2015

Gray Weathersby and his group of rebels must make their final stand in the epic conclusion to the Taken trilogy, which New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu called "an action-packed thrill ride from beginning to end."

The Order is building an unstoppable army, with every generation of Forgeries harder to detect and deadlier than the one before. It’s time for Gray and his fellow rebels to end the Order's world of lies. But when the most familiar faces—and even the girl he loves—can’t be trusted, Gray will have to tread carefully if he wants to succeed. Or survive.

4/14/15

Review: DUFF: The Designated Ugly Fat Friend by Kody Keplinger

Genre: YA/NA, romance, contemporary, chick-lit
Series: stand-alone
Release date: September 7th 2010

Beauty really does lie in the eye of the beholder...

Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is smart, cynical, loyal - and well aware that she's not the hot one in her group of friends. But when high-school jock and all round moron Wesley Rush tells her she's a DUFF - a Designated, Ugly Fat Friend - Bianca does not the see funny side. She may not be a beauty but she'd never stoop so low as to go anywhere near the likes of Wesley ... Or would she? Bianca is about to find out that attraction defies looks and that sometimes your sworn enemies can become your best friends ... With a wry and tell-it-like-it-is voice, The Duff is a witty and poignant story of a teenager struggling with the rules of high school attraction, along with the breaking down of her relationships with family and friends. It is a novel about what it means to be sexy, in a world where we feel we have to be perfect!

My review: ★★★★+0.5

*ARC received through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

I must say, although I was very excited about receiving an ARC of this book, I was still a bit unsure about the plot. I saw the trailer of the movie based on this book and well… I don’t know… I’ll get to the trailer later, let me first shower this book with compliments :D

“You can lie to yourself if you want, but reality is going to catch up with you. I’ll be waiting when it does… whether you like it or not.”

When I started reading I immediately like Bianca. She’s funny, sarcastic and has a few flaws, but I felt an immediate and easy connection between her and me. And that’s weird, because I’m not like her at all. She’s just easy to connect with and I loved that.

"Wesley Rush doesn’t chase girls. They chase him.”

And then Wesley freaking Rush appears and I just fall in love… He’s a total womanizer who has some serious issues concerning his lifestyle, but even with all that, I completely fell in love with him. He’s handsome, funny, intelligent and makes you swoon in the most unexpected ways!

“The winter sky has already turned black, but I could still see Wesley's gray eyes in the darkness. They were exactly the color of the sky before a thunderstorm.”


The plot of this book is very different from what I thought. It’s sexy and funny, but it was also serious at some points. The book had more depth then what I thought after reading the blurb. It’s a story about family, friendship and loving yourself and others. The writing was also very nice. It wasn’t strong through the whole book, because it had some weaker points (his is why I’m giving it 4.5 stars), but it was still very easy and quick to read!
I really recommend this book and I seriously think this book is underrated! I want more of Wesley and Bianca!! The book ended way too soon! :D

“He was my perfect match. Unfortunately he wasn't aware of this fact.”

Now a little something about the trailer of the movie based on this book: WHAT THE HELL IS THAT PIECE OF CRAP????!!!

Based on what they show in the trailer it’s the COMPLETELY different from the book. I think only the character’s names and the term “DUFF” will match the book… I don’t think I’ll ever watch it. So PLEASE, do NOT judge this book by the trailer of the movie! It is SO much better!

4/13/15

Discuss: Tips on how to reduce your tbr-list!



Having a tbr-list is very handy, but it can also be very frustrating. I hope I'll be able to help you with these little tips!

1. Clean it up!

I'm assuming all of you have Goodreads. This social media is THE best way to keep up with your reading experiences, but that tbr list can be freaking long after a while.
Sort your tbr by date and set it from old to new. You're probably not interested in most of the books  at the bottom of your list. I even dare to bet you my whole personal library about this fact. Be strong and reduce your tbr with at least 1/4 and make you sure you reread the blurb of ALL the books one by one. Only the ones you REALLY see yourself reading in the future you can leave. It's just a matter of being honest will yourself ;)
So settle yourself with a nice cup of coffee/tea while doing this and try to do this once every few months.

↳ Suitable for people who have a large online tbr.


2. Set up book-buying limit

Are you one of those types of booklover that loves to haul tons of books in a short time? Then this is a perfect tip for you. Use a monthly limit on your book expenses! Do NOT use a book buying ban! When you’re actually allowed to buy books, you don’t have the urge to say ‘oh f*uck it’ and buy 10 books in the nearest store. That’s how you learn how to control everything more. For example: I have a limit of five books a month and it has been helping me a lot, because now I don't have this HUUUUGE tbr pile on my shelves!

↳ Suitable for people who have a large physical tbr.

3. Discover the magic of audiobooks

Yes, I know, actually reading the book yourself is fun, but if you haven't tried listening to a audiobook, you really should! It can give you so much more! It's also super handy when you're having a busy period. Listen to it while you're driving, on the train, working out, cooking... It will make every mundane task (that doesn't require too much thinking) extremely fun. You'll be saving up time like a pro and you'll see your tbr lowering in no time!

I, for example, listen to audiobooks when I'm too tired to read or when I'm cooking. It makes it so relaxing! I also love to listen to it when I'm walking in the streets. Switch your music for a nice audiobook some time to time and keep it refreshing ;)

4. Use monthly tbr's

My tbr for April
Making a little tbr at the beginning of the month really helps! I've been doing for quite some time now, and it make me read more and more. I don't always strictly follow it (not required by the way), but it helps me to have an overview about what I plan to do. It's like planning a vacation. You need to view you're possibilities and pick whatever suits you best in the period that's coming.

But don't forget to be reasonable! Set up a mini-tbr based on what you usually manage to read during a month. If you manage to read 10ish book, don't set up a tbr of 15 books. It won't be motivating!

5. Set up a challenge

I'm sure all of you guys are doing the standard Goodreads challenge. But you can be a little bit more creative with it. Pick some subjects or fun little tasks while you pick your books. It will make the experience much fun! And if you're a bit competitive (like me), you'll want to do your best and the challenges will definitely help you to get this tbr down faster.

For more inspiration on challenges, I'm referring to a post Yvonne posted about the challenges she's currently doing! Read more HERE.

6. Join some readathons

Readathons are the BEST way to get a few books down in a short period! A lot of people host them and I believe there's a big one during summer. Goodreads even has a National Readathon Day (read more here). And if you don't want to wait until the next big event, just organize one yourself. If you have few days off, just set up a little tbr, shut your computer down, install yourself in the most comfortable place in your home, make sure you have some snacks/drinks at arm-length and well... read! ;)

What do you recommend?

I really hope these will help you in some way! 
Do you have more tips to recommend? Share them in the comments!

4/12/15

Book Of The Week #28: Starflight by Melissa Landers




Every Sunday I share a book I discovered during the week. I think it's a good idea for you guys if you're looking for random recommendations ;)
If you want to see the previous ones, just click here.

Series: Starflight #1
Genre: YA, romance, sci-fy, dystopia
Release date: February 2nd 2016

Life in the outer realm is a lawless, dirty, hard existence, and Solara Brooks is hungry for it. Just out of the orphanage, she needs a fresh start in a place where nobody cares about the engine grease beneath her fingernails or the felony tattoos across her knuckles. She's so desperate to reach the realm that she's willing to indenture herself to Doran Spaulding, the rich and popular quarterback who made her life miserable all through high school, in exchange for passage aboard the spaceliner Zenith.

When a twist of fate lands them instead on the Banshee, a vessel of dubious repute, Doran learns he's been framed on Earth for conspiracy. As he pursues a set of mysterious coordinates rumored to hold the key to clearing his name, he and Solara must get past their enmity to work together and evade those out for their arrest. Life on the Banshee may be tumultuous, but as Solara and Doran are forced to question everything they once believed about their world--and each other--the ship becomes home, and the eccentric crew family. But what Solara and Doran discover on the mysterious Planet X has the power to not only alter their lives, but the existence of everyone in the universe...

My thoughts

I’ve never read a Melissa Landers’ book before, but when she posted the cover reveal of this book… well, I just fell in love with it. Apparently Disney Hyperion will use gold foiling on the final cover. It will be so gorgeous omg!

By the way, there is an INTERNATIONAL giveaway on Goodreads about this book! You can win an ARC. The giveaway is running until June 25, so make sure you add it to your tbr and enter!

Link to giveaway: https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/132225-starflight?hc_location=ufi

4/8/15

Recent Release #26: Where Sea Meets Sky by Karina Halle




Every Wednesday I share a recent release I’m excited to read. If you want to check out the previous ones, click here. These are all books I'm adding to my growing pile of tbr-books ;)

Series: stand-alone
Genre: NA, romance, drama, travel
Release date: March 31st 2015

A new adult novel that perfectly captures the existential angst of your early twenties with raw wit, fresh insight, and true feeling from a critically adored USA TODAY bestselling author.

Joshua Miles has spent his early twenties spinning his wheels. Working dead-end jobs and living at home has left him exhausted and uninspired, with little energy to pursue his passion for graphic art. Until he meets Gemma Henare, a vivacious out-of-towner from New Zealand. What begins as a one-night stand soon becomes a turning point for Josh. He can't get Gemma out of his head, even after she has left for home, and finds himself throwing caution to the wind for the first time in his life.

It's not long before Josh is headed to New Zealand with only a backpack, some cash, and Gemma's name to go on. But when he finally tracks her down, he finds his adventure is only just beginning. Equally infatuated, Gemma leads him on a whirlwind tour across the beautiful country, opening Josh up to life, lust, love, and all the messy heartache in between. Because, when love drags you somewhere, it might never let go even when you know you have to say goodbye.

4/5/15

Review: The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things by Ann Aguire


Genre: YA, romance, teens
Series: stand-alone

Sage Czinski is trying really hard to be perfect. If she manages it, people won’t peer beyond the surface, or ask hard questions about her past. She’s learned to substitute causes for relationships, and it’s working just fine… until Shane Cavendish strolls into her math class. He’s a little antisocial, a lot beautiful, and everything she never knew she always wanted.

Shane Cavendish just wants to be left alone to play guitar and work on his music. He’s got heartbreak and loneliness in his rearview mirror, and this new school represents his last chance. He doesn’t expect to be happy; he only wants to graduate and move on. He never counted on a girl like Sage.

But love doesn’t mend all broken things, and sometimes life has to fall apart before it can be put back together again…

My review: no rating, DNF 50%

*ARC received in exchange of an honest review*

*sighs* Where do I even start?
I received and ARC for this book and I was SO excited for this one. The blurb is amazing and the cover is so gorgeous. I couldn’t believe I had the chance to actually read this before the release and … then I started reading.

I’m not a fan of the writing style. At all… Maybe it’s because I’m not used to read YA anymore? It’s just wasn't my cup of tea… There were a lot of repetitions, this that were explained that were a bit unnecessary because of the context etc. But I only read like 20% at that time so I still decided to give this book a chance and keep reading.

But then the story starting to bother me too... I’m a fan of cheesy romances, but this one just went a bit too far. The cheesiness of the romance was just exploding everywhere (not in a good way in my opinion)! Like I said, I only read 50% of the book, but the romance went WAY too fast. Shane is portrayed as an introvert guy in the beginning. He doesn’t want to talk about his past, but then he just spills everything after the second or third time he’s with Sage…just weird… At times their “relationship” went extremely fast and a few moments later it was awkward and weird. I couldn’t relate with the characters and although I’m still slightly curious about Shane, it’s not enough to get me motivated to actually finish the book.

All this being said, I think I didn’t liked all of these things because I’m too old (and slightly critical when it comes to YA). I’m very into New Adult these past few months and although I still like YA books, this one just didn’t do it for me. This is why I won't rate this book.

So if you’re 14-17 years, then you should definitely consider reading this book! Who knows, maybe it’s the perfect book for you!

Book Of The Week #27: Famous Last Words by Katie Alender

Every Sunday I share a book I discovered during the week. I think it's a good idea for you guys if you're looking for random recommendations ;)
If you want to see the previous ones, just click here.

Series: stand-alone
Genre: YA, mystery, thriller, contemporary, supernatural

Hollywood history, mystery, murder, mayhem, and delicious romance collide in this unputdownable thriller from master storyteller Katie Alender.

Willa is freaking out. It seems like she's seeing things. Like a dead body in her swimming pool. Frantic messages on her walls. A reflection that is not her own. It's almost as if someone -- or something -- is trying to send her a message.

Meanwhile, a killer is stalking Los Angeles -- a killer who reenacts famous movie murder scenes. Could Willa's strange visions have to do with these unsolved murders? Or is she going crazy? And who can she confide in? There's Marnie, her new friend who may not be totally trustworthy. And there's Reed, who's ridiculously handsome and seems to get Willa. There's also Wyatt, who's super smart but unhealthily obsessed with the Hollywood Killer.
All Willa knows is, she has to confront the possible-ghost in her house, or she just might lose her mind . . . or her life.
Acclaimed author Katie Alender puts an unforgettable twist on this spine-chilling tale of murder, mystery, mayhem -- and the movies.

Thoughts?

I don’t know why, but I’m very curious about this book! I rarely read mysteries/thrillers, but this one sounds pretty epic. Can’t wait to read it!

4/1/15

April #TBR

This month I'm extremely determinate to catch up with my tbr! There will be tons of new releases I REALLY want to read asap, so I'll have to reread some books too!
I have a horrible memory when it comes to books. It may sound very strange, but I mostly only remember the "big lines" and my feelings. I'm horribly with details. Whenever I  have a long written review, I usually remember everything, but yeah, otherwise... nope :p

1.Taken by Erin Bowman (reread)
2. Frozen by Erin Bowman
3. The Murder Complex  by Lindsay Cummings (reread)
4. Slammed by Colleen Hoover
5. The Queen of Bright & Shiny Things by Ann Aguirre (ARC)
6. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by JK Rowling
7. Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

If I could get my hands on the new release Fall With Me by J. Lynn, than I'm definitely going to read it too ;)

What are you planning to read this month? Let me know in the comments!

Recent Release #25: Fall With Me & Arrow

Every Wednesday I share a recent release I’m excited to read. If you want to check out the previous ones, click here. These are all books I'm adding to my growing pile of tbr-books ;) 



Fall With Me by J. Lynn

Series: Wait For You #4
Genre: NA, romance, contemporary
Release date: March 31st 2015

Jennifer L. Armentrout, New York Times bestselling author of the Wait for You series, delivers a new novel of first love, second chances, and scorching chemistry between an artistic bartender and the tough, sexy cop who's determined to win her Roxy's loved Reece Anders since she was fifteen, so when the straitlaced cop finally surrendered to a steamy encounter years later, Roxy hoped he'd fall for her, too. He didn't. Or that's what she's always believed. But then Reece storms back into her life when the man who injured her childhood friend is out of prison and wanting to make amends—something Roxy cannot do.

The last thing she wants is to go there with Reece again, but he's determined to prove to her that he's exactly what she needs. Especially when a sick creep starts messing with her. But what's more dangerous to Roxy—a psycho after her or the past that refuses to let go and allow her to open up her heart again?

Arrow: Vengeance by Oscar Balderrama & Lauren Certo

Series: Arrow
Genre: YA, based on TV show
Release date: March 31st 2015

The first novel based on the hit Warner Bros. TV show Arrow, currently airing its third season on The CW network. Based on the DC Comics character, the American TV series Arrow follows billionaire Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell - Heartland, Private Practice) who, after spending five years marooned on a remote island, returns home and secretly creates the persona of Arrow to right the wrongs of his family and fight the ills of society.