Torn by K.A. Robinson

Release Date: Out now!

Publisher: Atria Books

Pages: 272pgs

The Story

Chloe hasn't had the best life. With a mother who is gone more often than not, she has had to raise herself. After graduating high school, she leaves to start a new life away at West Virginia University with her best friends Amber and Logan, determined to leave her demons in the past. 

On her first day, she meets a stranger who takes her breath away at first sight. Until she met Drake, no one had ever sparked her interest. Now this tattooed and pierced bad boy is all she can think about, no matter how hard she fights it.

Falling for Drake was never part of her plans, but when it happens, things seem to do anything but fall into place.

Dealing with a tragic past, Drake has never cared about anyone else but himself and his band. But when Chloe takes the empty seat next to him in class, things start to change. Instantly drawn to her, he begins to wonder if one girl can take a cold hearted womanizer and change every part of him?

Long hidden feelings are revealed and friendships tested to the brink.

The Review

A big thanks to the publisher for sending me a review copy of this book!

Ugh. This is going to be a hard review to write but for starters, I really like the new adult genre (I think it's an awesome genre no matter what some people say), however lately some stories seem to become the same old, same old thing. Bad boys. Good girls. Cliche romances. Sex. More sex. And most importantly . . . more sex but with less of a storyline. While this particular book does fall into the same categories as I mentioned before and while it wasn't necessary a bad book per se (which it is not), but I found this book doesn't present anything new and exciting for me to read about, so it would only be a pretty average read for me to say the least. A book that has it's good and bad things.

The good things straight-up would definitely be the ages of the characters because I can somehow relate to them (at least a little bit) and the fact that they present some pretty heavy issues in the book, I actually believe some readers can relate those things also. However, with the lack of connection to the characters is probably the main reason why I'm rating this book lower than I planned to. The characters, much like with the storyline itself, were only 'just okay' characters for me, but again I stress that I found it was very hard to connect and believe in the character's stories, especially with Drake who, I find, is yet another stereotype the new adult genre brings up constantly in books. The rebel without a cause. The playboy who changes his 'ways'. Chloe, the main character, may have gotten on my nerves at times, but I think Drake annoyed me more because I don't believe he is a great guy and I'm slowly getting tired of bad boy guys or at least people pretending to be one of them. Yeah . . . the characters let this book down for me unfortunately not to mention the sex etc.

Overall, TORN has made me torn myself. It's still a decent book all round, but with the lack of connection is what failed me to like this book more. But if you like the likes of Beautiful Disaster or something along those lines, then you may like this book!

The Rating

2/5 stars

Keeping Her by Cora Carmack

Release Date: Out now!

Publisher: Ebury Digital

Pages: 176pgs

The Story

What happens after the happy ending?

Garrick is over the moon that his girlfriend, Bliss, said yes. He's finally found the love of his life. That means his worries are over, right?

But when he invites her to visit London and meet his family, he is presented with a whole new set of problems. How will his privileged and wealthy family react to Bliss's unique brand of awkwardness?

The Review

A big thanks to the publisher on netGalley for providing me a review copy!

This book is a novella that gives us a short story about what happens after the events  of Cora Carmack's Losing It book and what goes beyond with Garrick and Bliss's relationship.

I quite enjoyed the story of Losing It as I'm sure many others have also. So when I saw there was going to be a small short story to continue on with the two main characters of Losing It, I decided to go ahead and read this short story, mostly just to see what the main characters, Garrick and Bliss, are mainly up to now and to see how their relationship is going whether it was stronger than ever or merely the same. Now while I wished the novella focused on more important things and such, but readers do get to see Bliss finally meeting Garrick's family and friends which is troublesome for Bliss, at times, considering how hers and Garrick's relationship first started as a teacher-student thing. In that certain aspect, I think many readers will find it very entertaining in seeing how Garrick's family - mostly his mother - react to the news of Garrick's engagement to Bliss (slight spoiler here). But as for and what I thought of the novella, I didn't mind it so much because we saw more of these two main characters together, but as far as the story goes I didn't really see the point of it really . . . only that we met Garrick's family briefly and learned that there was slight troubles for the newly engaged couple . . . but that was about it. It was fun to read, of course and don't get me wrong here, but I wished for more to happen even for a short story. But that's just me being picky.

Overall, KEEPING HER will definitely be a great short story for those wanting more of Garrick and Bliss. It was nothing ground-breaking or anything like that, but I enjoyed it regardless.

The Rating

3/5 stars

This Girl by Colleen Hoover

Release Date: Out now!

Publisher: Atria Books

Pages: 304pgs

The Story

There are two sides to every love story. Now hear Will’s.

Layken and Will’s love has managed to withstand the toughest of circumstances and the young lovers, now married, are beginning to feel safe and secure in their union. As much as Layken relishes their new life together, she finds herself wanting to know everything there is to know about her husband, even though Will makes it clear he prefers to keep the painful memories of the past where they belong. Still, he can’t resist his wife’s pleas and so he begins to untangle his side of the story, revealing for the first time his most intimate feelings and thoughts, retelling both the good and bad moments, and sharing a few shocking confessions of his own from the time when they first met.

In This Girl, Will tells the story of their complicated relationship from his point of view. Their future rests on how well they deal with the past in this final installment of the beloved Slammed series.

The Review

A big thanks to the publisher for sending me a review copy of this book!

Like most of us readers, I'm a really huge fan of Colleen Hoover and her Slammed series. If you read her books you will know why I love her so much as author because she writes up some pretty great characters and has some great romantic stories to tell. So, like any other fan of hers, when I heard she was going to write a third book in her Slammed series, I couldn't help myself to read it because it means more of Layken and Will which is fine by me.

All in all, I thought THIS GIRL was a great read, especially for those readers like myself that have loved Colleen Hoover's series from the get-go. But in saying that, while getting to see more from Layken and Will was awesome because they are now a (mostly) happy married couple and getting Will's point-of-view was another added bonus, but compared to the other two books in the series, I thought this book was only an average read for me and that's because there were way too many flashbacks for my liking and that the character dialogue was way too cheesy for my taste, even though I love Layken and Will to death as characters. But when you add too much cheese, I'm not going to bite. It's just . . . too much for me. But regardless of what I thought, it was still a nice little continuation of the story and gave us some insight to what Will and Layken were up to as a married couple and what happens to happily ever after.

Overall, despite the cheesy dialogue, THIS GIRL is a must read for all Colleen Hoover fans and should not be missed out if you love Will and Layken as much as I do despite their up-and-down dramas.

The Rating

3/5 stars

Frigid by J. Lynn

Release Date: Out now!

Publisher: Spencer Hill

Pages: 240pgs

The Story

For twenty-one-year-old Sydney, being in love with Kyler isn't anything new. They'd been best friends ever since he pushed her down on the playground and she made him eat a mud pie. Somewhere over the years, she fell for him and fell hard. The big problem with that? Kyler puts the 'man' in man-whore. He's never stayed with a girl longer than a few nights, and with it being their last year in college, Syd doesn't want to risk their friendship by declaring her love. 

Kyler has always put Syd on a pedestal that was too high for him to reach. To him, she's perfect and she's everything. But the feelings he has for her, he's always hidden away or focused on any other female. After all, Kyler will always be the poor boy from the wrong side of tracks, and Syd will always be the one girl he can never have. 

But when they're stranded together at a posh ski resort due to a massive Nor'easter, there's nothing stopping their red-hot feelings for each other from coming to the surface. Can their friendship survive the attraction? Better yet, can they survive at all? Because as the snow falls, someone is stalking them, and this ski trip may be a life-changer in more ways than one.

The Review

I really liked this book. But then again, this fact doesn't come as a total shock for me really because much like with any other of J. Lynn's previous work or as she is sometimes known as, Jennifer L. Armentrout, a young adult author, this particular author really knows how to really hit the mark properly with her readers and she does that by writing emotionally deep characters, sexy romances, page-turning twists and not to mention she writes great plot lines as well that will make any type of girl swoon by the end of the book. She is really that good at writing that stuff my friends and again she has hit that mark once more for me.

In my opinion, FRIGID may not have been my favourite of all favourites coming from J. Lynn, young adult or not, but I still thoroughly enjoyed it as did many other readers from what reviews I have seen and read lately. Whether it was because the story was about best friends turning into something more (my favourite!) or it was because the story was much more dangerous than I had first imagined (which is always a plus in my books) or it was because of the sexy moments occurring between the two main characters, I still do not know why but it was just so good, but in the end of it all, I think you can thank the characters for all of that enjoyment that I had received because they were the shining stars in this one.

Sydney, for one, was a great main character and I could definitely identify with her on several levels, especially with her confidence because like her I had found it very hard to come out of my shell (and I still do). But as Sydney slowly develops into this very strong and very determined young woman, in the end you do really become proud of her, even when she did make some pretty silly decisions now and again in the book. Especially with her relationships. This includes Kyler, Sydney's best friend and the one person she has always loved however she has never been seen in that light by her BFF.

Now personally for me, I struggled quite a lot to come around to liking Kyler (even though I did eventually begin to like and understand him more towards the end of the book) and that's because I'm not particularly a fan of man-whores, which he is described often by others as, and the reason why I hate those kind of guys is because those ones rarely - if not at all - change their ways with sleeping around and not holding any form of 'attachments' with whatever relationship they are currently in. I'm just not a fan of those 'guys' at all. They're not the sort of people to get romantically involve with. But in Sydney's case it's a totally different situation (because she and Kyler are best friends) and somehow the two of them definitely had this strange kind of chemistry about them and I think readers will certainly love those two being together, but whether or not you find their sudden romance believable or not, I guess it's really up to you with that one. As for me though, while I do get their relationship from the get-go and love them as characters as well, but in real life circumstances I just didn't believe Kyler would ever stick to just that one girl, you know? Even Sydney. I feel bad for saying that (really I do!) but readers cannot deny that he was a jerk for the majority of this book and yet he is a great best friend. Haha. Go figure!

Overall, FRIGID was a great story and is one that will definitely - and eventually - grow on you as time passes, even when a character or two can get you so frustrated at times. But with plenty of sexy times for its readers and funny one-liners, I think this book will have you swooning all the way through, whether you like or love to hate Kyler along the way.

The Rating

4/5 stars

Wait for You by J. Lynn

Release Date: Out now!

Publisher: J. Lynn

Pages: 332pgs

The Story

Some things are worth waiting for…

Traveling thousands of miles from home to enter college is the only way nineteen-year-old Avery Morgansten can escape what happened at the Halloween party five years ago—an event that forever changed her life. All she needs to do is make it to her classes on time, make sure the bracelet on her left wrist stays in place, not draw any attention to herself, and maybe—please God—make a few friends, because surely that would be a nice change of pace. The one thing she didn't need and never planned on was capturing the attention of the one guy who could shatter the precarious future she’s building for herself.

Some things are worth experiencing…

Cameron Hamilton is six feet and three inches of swoon-worthy hotness, complete with a pair of striking blue eyes and a remarkable ability to make her want things she believed were irrevocably stolen from her. She knows she needs to stay away from him, but Cam is freaking everywhere, with his charm, his witty banter, and that damn dimple that’s just so… so lickable. Getting involved with him is dangerous, but when ignoring the simmering tension that sparks whenever they are around each other becomes impossible, he brings out a side of her she never knew existed.

Some things should never be kept quiet…

But when Avery starts receiving threatening emails and phone calls forcing her to face a past she wants silenced, she’s has no other choice but to acknowledge that someone is refusing to allow her to let go of that night when everything changed. When the devastating truth comes out, will she resurface this time with one less scar? And can Cam be there to help her or will he be dragged down with her?

And some things are worth fighting for…

The Review

After finishing this book, all I can say is the author J. Lynn (who also writes as the super-awesome Jennifer L. Armentrout) excels at only three things: 1) creating characters that aren't so perfect but rather flawed and you can still find them relatable in any sense, 2) creating swoon-worthy boys that will frustrate you on so many levels in their sexiness, and 3) writing stories that feel genuine and not pushed out of their own reality and despite the complications that comes with these stories can still make a reader's heart pulse go out of control and completely off the radar. Honestly, this book rocked for me! It totally rocked!

WAIT FOR YOU came out just about the right time for me because I've been looking for a positive and feel-good New Adult book lately and this was it for me! It was exactly what I needed to read. So while I do agree with some readers that the book may not be entirely original as others that follow similar storylines such as this one, but it was the way it was written and how the characters interacted with one another that won me over and boy did I love this book! All the angst, all the romance, all the tension, all the complications, all the characters . . . just wait until you read this book because it was so worth the wait!

Regarding the characters, I absolutely loved the supporting characters but personally Avery and Cam were my favourites and they were such a fine and lovely pair of main characters as well. And were very inspiring. So even though Cam wasn't necessarily a favourite of mine at the beginning (though he did woo me over eventually with his attempts to win Avery's heart) and while it's fairly obvious from the get-go that he and Avery were going to become a couple later on in the book (it was sooooo obvious really) but I loved the fact that they worked for their relationship - to become friends first - before pursuing a romantic relationship.  It's just something that always makes me smile because I love seeing characters grow before all of the mushy feelings come along to play . . . it just strengthens the book much more I find.

Overall, WAIT FOR YOU was a perfect read and I really wish this book wasn't over because I loved it so much and I loved the characters . . . I just loved everything about it! So next time you're looking for an addictive read be sure to pick up this book because I can't praise it enough!

The Rating

5/5 stars

Summer's Desire by Olivia Lynde

Release Date: Out now!

Publisher: Kindle Edition

Pages: 303pgs

The Story

A girl who's lost her voice, and a boy who carries a world of anger bottled up inside.

A girl haunted by soul-crushing guilt and regret, and a boy who knows he can't afford the weakness of feeling—not if he is to survive.

They meet by chance and are unwillingly fascinated with each other. They become unlikely friends, and in each other, they find redemption.
Until they are betrayed.

Can they ever regain their friendship? And if they do, can they trust each other enough to take the biggest risk of all: falling in love?

The Review

A big thanks to the amazing author herself for sending me a review copy of this book!

I don't know what is that drew me into this book (I didn't know what to expect from the very beginning of it) but I must say the author sure knows how to grip her readers with a powerful and heart-breaking tale about one girl's journey of self-discovery and the hardships she faces from first love. It was just something so addictive and something I couldn't get enough of!

SUMMER'S DESIRE is about an orphaned girl named Summer whom suffered - and still suffers - from night terrors (for reasons we do not know yet) and because of it she has been kicked out of a lot of foster homes which is easier said than done. Seth, on the other hand, a young boy with a neglectful, drug-addicted mother, has never had an easy life until his grandmother comes into the picture and takes him in. So when Summer and Seth meet, her at 5 and him at 7 years old, there's this undeniable connection they share, even for kids so young. But when this new-found bond and friendship is torn apart and when Summer moves away, Seth is left broken and missing his Summer. But when Summer returns several years later . . . things are about to change - for better and for worse - and so many unanswered questions will be revealed.

I've read quite a lot of interesting YA books lately, particularly those of best friends turned romance type of books, but wow oh wow, I was completely blow away by this book. The hot, hot, HOT chemistry between Summer and Seth's characters was just so overwhelming and incredibly intense . . . but in a good way of course and boy did I love it. Now I don't know how Olivia Lynde does it - how she can write so good - but she definitely knows her characters very well and knows how to make her readers go crazy with all of this maddening sexy chemistry! So well done to Olivia Lynde in making me want more and more from this book! Honestly it was a very exciting read - crazy for the most part - but so exciting indeed!

Overall, SUMMER'S DESIRE is something of a mystery but once you dive into the story and begin to understand the character's and their dark pasts, you'll definitely not want to miss out on this book because it was brilliant and totally gets a two thumbs up from me! Loved it . . . A LOT!

The Rating

5/5 stars

Losing It by Cora Carmack

Release Date: Out Now!

Publisher: Ebury

Pages: 288pgs

The Story

Love. Romance. Sex. There's a first time for everything...

As far as Bliss Edwards can tell, she's the last virgin standing, certainly amongst her friends. And she's determined to deal with the 'problem' as quickly and simply as possible.

But her plan for a no-strings one night stand turns out to be anything but simple. Especially when she arrives for her first class and recognizes her hot new British professor.

She'd left him naked in her bed just 8 hours earlier . . .

The Review

A big thanks to the publisher on netGalley for accepting my request in reading this book early!

Lately in the blogging world I've heard nothing but amazing things and all of this 'buzz' about Cora Carmack's debut book, LOSING IT, so I just knew I had to read it no matter what! And, after reading the book in one sitting, I definitely can see why so many enjoyed this particular title as I, myself, am really loving this New Adult genre as I can relate more to these kinds of books as they deal with much older teen themes. But in saying that, I'm quite torn about this book. Part of me really enjoyed it but another part of me just wished for more to actually happen in the book storyline-wise as the book focused much more on the romantic side of things rather than on an actual plot itself. Still, I quite enjoyed this book!

Bliss Edwards, the main character, was absolutely hilarious! She's strong, smart, painfully awkward for the most part (that's for damn sure) and she has her own set of flaws that show up now and then, but she's still hilarious and it was one of the main reasons why I liked this book. All because of her wit and the fact that she adopted a cat sooner after telling her soon-to-be love interest, Garrick, that she had a cat only she didn't actually have one in the first place. Yeah . . . she was quite a strange person our Bliss.

Garrick on the other hand was a little hard to like at first. For sure, I may have already had a big thing for British boys (I mean seriously who doesn't have a thing for British boys?) but Garrick for me was . . . something else entirely. While I did like how caring he was about Bliss and his own serious side, but I just couldn't quite feel the burning connection going on between him and Bliss (maybe that was just me not thinking it was believable enough) but . . . in the end I eventually came around and I just couldn't help but cheer for them both to get together (finally!). And honestly . . . I think any girl would fall hard for a Garrick person easily. Maybe it's the accent? I don't know.

Overall, with a nice little story about first love, growing up and becoming your own person, I thought LOSING IT was a great read and I can see its appeal with a variety of readers. It may not have WOW-ed me exactly nor in the sense of its storyline but the romance department is definitely something worth the while in reading about, and if you love British boys like I do then you're going to love this too!

The Rating

3/5 stars