Man, this series! I can't say a lot that hasn't already been said. The first half of the book was a little drawn out...some world dumping and a few luMan, this series! I can't say a lot that hasn't already been said. The first half of the book was a little drawn out...some world dumping and a few lulls. The second half was a wild ride. Not for the faint of heart, and it dragged this magical YA story into gritty adult fantasy territory. The end is a giant cliffie that leaves you guessing. The hero is dreamy at first, gutless after that. The secondary characters, specifically Lucien and Rhys, are what makes this story....more
2.5 Maybe intrigued enough to read the next book, but really I started this series just to get to the Tristan and Danika series. This is just so clich2.5 Maybe intrigued enough to read the next book, but really I started this series just to get to the Tristan and Danika series. This is just so cliche billionaire BDSM, it's not even funny. The thing that makes it stand out a bit is the fact that the heroine truly is not looking for a relationship, and the hero eventually crawls. I liked that part :D...more
I'm writing one review for this book "duo". Mainly for myself, so I can remember why the lower rating. I enjoyed the story...however, the execution waI'm writing one review for this book "duo". Mainly for myself, so I can remember why the lower rating. I enjoyed the story...however, the execution was awkward, the plot was riddled with glaring and uncomfortable holes (view spoiler)[ The heroine is stabbed twice in the leg...to the bone, but the wound is never mentioned again, she is raped but has no aftereffects and goes on to have sex within days (hide spoiler)], and the violence was extreme. Rape of important people (view spoiler)[ the heroine is raped, King's childhood friend is raped in a flashback, and another of King's friends is raped by a gang with a stick of some sort (hide spoiler)] constant blood and gore, the death of many likeable characters, and King's over the top high-handed bossiness wore me the eff out. Each book was around 200 pages, the first of which ends on a major cliffhanger. I think this could have either been pared down into one book with less drama or lengthened and strengthened by some hard core beta reads and editing. As is, it felt thrown out there and unfinished. It was a good bare bones plot, and I think I'm more bummed at the lost potential than anything else. ...more
Not as much a fave as Undeniably You but still okay. This had a great storyline, but it dragged on for a little too long, and the sex scenes were beyoNot as much a fave as Undeniably You but still okay. This had a great storyline, but it dragged on for a little too long, and the sex scenes were beyond redundant. Upwards of twenty or more, no exaggeration. I know a lot of my hussy friends like that, but for me sometimes less is more :D :D :D A definite cliffie on the ending. Huge. So be prepared. I liked how the heroine was very different with regards to her lifestyle, but it got to be waaaay overdone. We know, we know...she's vegan, she's compassionate, she's rich but lives poor, she's vegan, she gives to charities, she's utterly quirky and cute...and oh, yeah...she's vegan. Vegan. Ve-gan!
Still, I moved right on to the next book. I'm trying to understand why in the world she's keeping her past such a secret from Quinny the sexy Latin Lover....more
This was good, but it was most definitely half a book. The heroine has almost no character growth whatsoever. She's been throAudiobook review 2.5 stars
This was good, but it was most definitely half a book. The heroine has almost no character growth whatsoever. She's been through a lot in the last year or so. Her brother dies and her parents emotional desertion is complete. She's had a special "relationship" with Jesse, her brother's best friend since his death...but only on days that were special to the brother. Jesse is quite the dick, and he ends the book being the same kind of dick as he was in the beginning. His "no relationship" stance is at odds with his emotional vomit, and it's frustrating.
One thing that kind of bothered me was how this rides the line between NA and YA. The kids are all drinking and having sex, and it's not that I am unaware that these things go on for many high school age kids, but I also don't really want to read about underage lust and debauchery. I'm a product of my environment, because since the next book has all of the characters of legal age and in college, I'm more excited to read it.
The narrator did a fantastic job, and I was grateful that her voice was age appropriate for the characters. I found it interesting that there was almost no adult influence in Broken and Screwed. It contrubuted to a somewhat flat, one-dimensional feel. There was just very little going on outside of Alex' little bubble. And a lot of things didn't make sense to me...what was the deal with Ethan's old group of friends? Why did they make Alex freak out so bad? I must have missed something, which sometimes I do with audio.
I ended the story feeling like I just "read" a book in which nothing really happens. Even the dramatic parts were kind of meh, because nothing ever really comes from them. Alex just goes on with her emo life, living in a gray gray world. It's just weird.
It sounds as if I didn't enjoy the book at all, and that's not true. I just feel like I'm reviewing a book that's only half told, and it's virtually impossible. This felt like an introduction to the story. I'm definitely going to read the next installment. I hope we get some answers, some massive character development, and I hope that there is some closure with regards to parental failures and tacky friends. ...more
She's baaack! This second installment of the Tangled Ivy Trilogy by Tiffany Snow reminded me of why so many of us readers fell in love with h4.5 Stars
She's baaack! This second installment of the Tangled Ivy Trilogy by Tiffany Snow reminded me of why so many of us readers fell in love with her. As with a few others, In His Shadow somewhat missed the mark for me. Ivy was hard to feel a connection with, and Devon was nearly equally as elusive a character.
But in Shadow of a Doubt, Snow shows her ability to expand on her character's fundamental qualities. She takes a beautiful and fragile woman and gives her some backbone, relaying more of her past so that readers will understand her better. There's more to Ivy than her need for her mystery man Devon. There's more to her than the tragedy of her past. She now feels much more grounded to me than she did before. That's not to say that she doesn't have more room for growth. But it's that character development that Snow excels at...that peeling away of the layers that pulls me in.
Devon...yeah, he's still elusive as hell, but at least we get a lot more of him, and we eventually get more of his past. Tortured hero? Of course he is, and I find myself aching to get even more Devon-unwrapping. What we got here was enough for the moment. I felt the intensity of his emotions toward Ivy...they're so caught up in each other when they're together, but with everything that's going on around them, there is precious little time to spend delving into matters of the heart.
This book was full of action and excitement, revelations and hints of things to come. It opens with a nighttime visit from Devon and a morning without him. Ivy rightfully begins to question the direction that their relationship has taken. Occasional booty calls aren't exactly what every girl dreams about...especially when there are so many other wanting and willing fish in the sea. Ivy's detective Scott Lane is more than willing to protect her and befriend her and to be even more than friends if she'll let him. Her best friend Logan is loyal as ever as well, and men can't seem to resist a damsel in distress. What with Devon running so hot and cold, Ivy has a lot of soul searching to do. And now that the bad guys all want to get hold of her, she's also got a lot more to worry about.
We get to spend some time with Ivy's grandparents, and we get to see Devon and Ivy go through some intense emotions, reliving bits of their past and timidly enjoying stolen moments of the present.
"Beautiful Ivy. You're turning me inside out."
SWOON!!!
The last half of Shadow of Doubt is fierce and fiery and absolutely stuffed with action and intrigue. I love when a book starts of sort of low key and then builds and builds and before you realize it, you're in the middle of some kind of Bond film and you have no idea what's coming next. These villains are pure sociopathic evil, and even friends loyalties are questioned. Yet the focus remains on Ivy and Devon and the obvious devotion they feel toward each other. There will be no easy end for these two! One more book to go...how in the world will Snow wrap this one up? I can't wait to find out.
This story just got so much more in depth with this second installment. I'm officially impressed! The romance between these two is inevitable, but theThis story just got so much more in depth with this second installment. I'm officially impressed! The romance between these two is inevitable, but the way they are going about it is completely endearing. I love that Zeth is so obviously confused as to what is so different about the good doctor. Nothing is swoonier than a tough badass guy losing it for his girl. This ended on a big cliffie :( but I guess I expect every installment in the series to. ...more
Here is the back story to Mick and Alice's relationship. What's fascinating to me about Hart is how much she can make me feel with so few pages. And iHere is the back story to Mick and Alice's relationship. What's fascinating to me about Hart is how much she can make me feel with so few pages. And it's not as if Mick and Alice had a hugely dramatic affair OR breakup. In fact, both were very typical and real-life. Maybe that's why it was so easy to connect with them both. This could have been me fifteen years ago. For me, the standout about this story is just how common their relationship is. This is not an angsty read, and in my opinion, it's all the better for it.
The understanding up to this point is that Mick had somehow messed up...bigtime enough for Alice to call it quits. And though their relationship wasn't as long as I initially thought it would be, the strong emotions were still there. Mick is a typical man in that he has a hard time expressing his emotions, and I love that it wasn't labeled as a "fear" of a relationship so much as just an inexperience with strong emotions. Mick simply didn't know how to handle what was happening. Alice knew what she wanted, and regardless of the fact that she was falling so hard for this guy, she walked away when he made it obvious she wasn't a priority for him. They both may have regrets, but it's certainly Mick who stands out as the biggest loser here.
Now let's see if he can get his head on right. I'm moving right on to the last installment. I'm really enjoying this serial.
A whole lot happens in this book. It's the most exciting part of the series yet, and still I can't help but feel a little cheated. Even though so muchA whole lot happens in this book. It's the most exciting part of the series yet, and still I can't help but feel a little cheated. Even though so much goes on, I still put the book down feeling like I was right on the edge of a breakthrough...same as with the last two books, so much happens, and yet...still a cliffie. I'm ready to see the end, if only because I need some retribution so badly at this point. Lavana needs to die. But not before she is exposed and humiliated in front of the galaxy she's so set on ruling.
The author doesn't have a whole lot of character loyalty...I got a bit weepy a couple of times during this book. (Reminds me a little bit of James Dashner's Maze Runner series in that respect.) It's a good thing, I think, in that I truly have no idea what to expect any more. One thing will happen to renew my faith in the "good guys" and then BAM! Bad guys score again.
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Audiobook narration for this is perfect! Starting a new shelf for fave audiobooks/narrators. ...more
"There was confidence...and then there was Devon, who put a whole new level of meaning to the word arrogant..."
A new series by Tiffany Snow! If anyon "There was confidence...and then there was Devon, who put a whole new level of meaning to the word arrogant..."
A new series by Tiffany Snow! If anyone has been following me for awhile, they'd know that Ms. Snow's Kathleen Turner series is an all-time favorite of mine. When I saw that not only was she coming out with another series, but that her new hero was a dark and mysterious assassin-type, I was over the moon! No one does bad boy quite like Tiffany Snow.
Ivy is a bank teller, and Devon...the mysterious, quiet, sexy man who comes to see her on occasion. Despite his attractiveness, Ivy doesn't really like him. She can sense the danger around him, and the fact that he won't go to any other teller's line but hers is a little scary and frustrating. Even more frustrating is how she seems to react to his very presence, and how his arrogant smile says that he knows the effect he has on her.
One thing leads to another, and holy hotness, Devon's intimidating and overly confident advances are the perfect mix to have me panting for more. Only problem is that Ivy has some demons in her closet...and a male roomie/best friend who is understandably overprotective. When she's suddenly thrown into the middle of a very scary predicament, Devon lets his instincts rule him more than he probably should. The two are enmeshed in a scary game of cat and mouse, and Ivy's not sure who the good guys or the bad guys are.
"Don't fight it, luv. You were mine from the moment I laid eyes on you."
DEVON... Devon is an interesting character. I think I expected him to be a little more hard core than he ended up being. He's quite the badass, and he's definitely got the intensity level rising to the top for quite some time. But he also came across as less decisive and solid than I wanted him to be. On the other hand, his character was dead sexy, bossy, and just cocky enough to really put your faith in. The guy knows what he wants and knows how to get it.
IVY... It's hard not to compare Ivy to Kathleen, and I really couldn't help myself. Kathleen was such a strong character, and she really MADE the Kathleen Turner series. Ivy was less likeable for me. The way she was continually described as model-like in looks and form, how her appearance was constantly alluded to kind of turned me off. I would rather her have been less perfect and more relateable. I just didn't find her as dynamic of a character as I wanted. She was just a tad too helpless, made a few too many bad decisions, and was way too clueless about certain issues.
CHARACTERS AND PLOT... I loved Ivy's roommate and could easily relate to him most of the time. He's the best kind of bestie, because he gave Ivy a sense of security along with all the other friendly feelings. He had been her friend since they were young, knew everything about her, and loved her platonically the entire time.
The cop who initially has very little influence on the story ended up being a favorite character of mine, too. He's solid and steady, and ultimately a nice character to give the story levity.
The plot was my favorite part about the book...the last thirty percent of this was intense and pretty freaking awesome! Snow does action so well, and I was glued to the pages. There was one big "AHA!" moment that snuck up on me, and a few more enlightening scenes that have me clamoring for more. I have to admit, the middle of the book lost some luster...it just dragged and felt a bit too New Adult angsty. But I can see where the series is headed. Sometimes you read a book and just know that there is so much more story to tell. That's what I'm holding out for here. Tiffany Snow knows how to grab my attention.
4.5 Stars This is a debut novel, folks, and I'm happy to say what a shocker that was for me. It's rare that I pick up a newbie author's ARC from[image]
4.5 Stars This is a debut novel, folks, and I'm happy to say what a shocker that was for me. It's rare that I pick up a newbie author's ARC from Netgalley and get this bowled over. It's purely chance that I clicked the synopsis and decided to request it. Not since Terri Osburn have I been this excited about a debut.
When I picked this up, I expected a love triangle. That's good. I enjoy love triangles. What I didn't expect was this multi-layered, in depth story that covers a few years in the lives of these people...all of them flawed but still fantastic characters.
Kerris has been an orphan since the day she was born. Left on the steps of an orphanage and raised by numerous foster homes, she craves stability and the constancy of family. Instead of using her life situation as an excuse to be held back by her lot in life, she takes the hard route and makes something of herself, doing well in school and catching the attention of the Bennett foundation, a family run organization dedicated to improving the lives of people just like Kerris. And when Kerris meets Cam and he persists in chasing her for six months, she believes she's finally found a man that loves her enough to give her the emotional security that she craves. Their relationship is strong and faithful, and if it's not explosively passionate and volatile, that may be just one more reason to stick with it.
Then she meets Walsh Bennett. The golden boy of the Bennett family, Walsh seems to have it all...money, power, looks, a heart kind enough to take on the task of helping those less privileged than himself, and the backing of not only his father's huge company behind him, but also his mother's old money as well. To put it mildly, Walsh is everything that Kerris is not. Kerris is a nobody, Walsh is and always will be a somebody. And the clencher...Walsh and Cam have been best friends since childhood. So this instant sizzling attraction that sparks between them is somewhat easy to ignore...for awhile. My Kerris and Walsh: [image] [image]
When Kerris and Walsh begin to run into each other at the hospital while each are intent on separate philanthropic undertakings, they realize that they have a few things in common. Both of them have a burning need to help people. It's what they live to do. Although Walsh does it with financial backing, he is just as hands on with underprivileged children as Kerris is.
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Now, it sounds contrived a bit in order to allow the love triangle to unfold. But at about the halfway point, more and more layers are peeled away and Kerris and Walsh especially start to undergo these fundamental shifts in their core. Cam is so good to Kerris. How can she even contemplate another man when everything she's ever dreamed of is finally within reach?
"Please don't let me hurt him..."
And Walsh knows that moving in on Cam's girl is completely out of the question. It would destroy not only his longest friendship, but his family is also Cam's family. They're more like brothers than friends.
And still...
And still, there is an undeniable pull between the two, and they can't ignore it forever. Life pushes them toward each other until even the somewhat cynical Walsh begins to think words like "fate" and "soulmates." At the same time, life feels as if it pulls them apart. Both are trying desperately to do the right thing. When tragedy strikes, it is each other that they want to lean on. Right or wrong, there is an indefinable something there. They know in their gut that the fire and pull that they feel for each other won't just go away. So now they have to decide whether to unleash a scandal and vast amount of heartbreak on not only their own lives, but also on everyone's lives around them.
Things I LOVED: I love the dynamic between Walsh and his parents. His mother is gentle and proud...a true matriarch of the family, and a wonderful woman. His father is hard, business minded, and seemingly without tender emotions. Walsh has mixed feelings about his father, but for the most part, he doesn't understand him and isn't much like him at all.
"Walsh strode to the door, eager to get out of his father's presence. His soul needed a shower..."
Another plus for me is that this isn't a white cookie cutter romance. Kerris has no idea what her lineage is or what race she is, but it's definitely not white Anglo-Saxon! And let's face it...biracial people are just more beautiful. At least, I've always thought so. It was nice to get a mixed race heroine but not have the race card shoved into your face constantly either.
After the story settles in and you slowly realize just where everything is headed, it all just feels so full, for lack of a better word. The characters are all well rounded and nothing feels overdone. Their lives are a bit tumultuous, but it's because of their circumstances, not (for the most part) their choices. You don't often get this in a love triangle. There is angst, but it's not this teenage disquietude that generally permeates this type of story. There's a big question here, and it's a realistic one. Do you go with your head or your heart? Do you accept a marriage of security and stability, or do you chance a failure of a relationship on someone who evokes much stronger longings?
It's a question often brought up in romance, but this book stands out for me because of the author's voice, her evocative story that had me bawling like a damned baby, and her true to life flawed, lovely characters. This story goes where you just don't expect it to go! But I'm glad it did because it gave gravity to their actions and ended up feeling more fleshed out and thought out than other stories like it.
The story ends on a cliffie. And my friends probably know how averse to cliffies I am. However, I honestly can say that these characters needed a break at this moment in time. I put the book down with a big sigh and a heavy heart, but one that is also hopeful that the next book with be as fantastic as this one was.
Advance copy provided by Forever Grand Central Publishing via Netgalley for review. Quotes used with permission...more
"Walk away from Quintana, Froi. For her sake and yours. Fall in love with another girl and be a king in your own home."
Yeah, I feel a little speechles"Walk away from Quintana, Froi. For her sake and yours. Fall in love with another girl and be a king in your own home."
Yeah, I feel a little speechless right now. I knew that I'd enjoy this book after reading book one. I didn't expect for this part of the story to be so emotional. Sloppy tears time! The ending is a cliffie, but honestly, what a great cliffie! All the loose ends are still a-dangling, yet somehow, it felt right in the bigger scheme of things for both Charyn and Lumatere. This part of the book was really just a stepping stone to the last book. Scratch that...a giant boulder, full of cracks deep enough to fall into, scattered with shiny gems and fissures full of monsters/angels, sprinkled with gold dust. Ahem...yeah, it was that kind of story.
I was worried that Froi the attempted rapist wouldn't be able to win me over but I was happily wrong. He's just so haunted by what he almost did to Isaboe.
"I'm Abroi shit and Serker garbage, Lirah," he said, his eyes smarting. "Thank God I'm motherless, remember, because any woman would be ashamed to call me her son." (...) "What name do you go by?" "Froi," he shouted. "My name is Froi. Dafar of Abroi. A nothing name from a nothing place."
What happened in that barn has stayed with him and helped to shape who he is today. He is a staunch supporter of the Queen of Lumatere, and every action that he takes speaks of the admiration he has for Finnikin, Isaboe, Trevanion, and everyone he leaves behind when he travels to Charyn on a quest to assassinate the instigator of Lumatere's curse.
"Arjuro gave a short laugh of disbelief. "The gods have not forsaken Charyn. The Gods love Charyn. Where else can they shit, if not for Charyn? It's the purpose of this kingdom. To be the place where the gods shit."
Quintana is one crazy loon, but once again, as the story wore on, I found myself being led toward a different Quintana than is initially exposed. She's an extremely dynamic character who fills up the pages. If I was reading about Quintana in a room with Froi, Gargarin, and a slew of other characters, my mental eye was always drawn to Quintana. Every time, in every scene. Whereas for some reason, Froi was more of a background character, even though he was still a huge focal point of the story. The only thing I can chalk it up to is the amazing talent of Melina Marchetta. The woman can tell a story...an epic tale so full and flashy, yet slow and steady...a fantabulous mix of what the hell ever. Truly amazing.
A big thing that struck me about all of these characters is that even though there are clear cut good guys and bad guys, there is an ever present gray line between the black and white. Even the good guys made piss poor decisions. All the different aspects in someone's life make for tough choices sometimes, and they just have to pick the lesser of two evils. Froi is the perfect example.
"Most days, he feared that a monster of great baseness lived inside him, fighting to set itself free. Killing the traitors of Lumatere for Isaboe made sense. But killing also fed the monster."
Quintana even more so. There's no mistaking the fact that this chick is cra-zy. CRAZY. And she has every right to be...the reader will come to understand her and empathize with her.
All of the secondary characters and the extremely intricate plot made for a story stuffed full of movement. Lirah, Gargarin, Olivier, Tariq, Arjuro... no stagnation here. We get more of the Lumaterans....Lucien of the Monts and his Charyn wife Phaedra, Isaboe and Finnikin, Beatrice and Trevanion. So much going on, and I can't wait to read book three to see how it all pulls together....more
More like 2.5 stars...I didn't like it, but I'm interested enough to keep going.
Boy, I felt very differently about this book than book one. While boo
More like 2.5 stars...I didn't like it, but I'm interested enough to keep going.
Boy, I felt very differently about this book than book one. While book one seemed just more...reasonable and feasible, this one was stuffed full of melodrama and indecision. On America's part, on Maxon's part, and even on my part.
I thought I was leaning maybe a hair more toward Maxon's side but now, I'm not so sure. Events happen in this book that make me question his character. And although there is an explanation for what goes down, it wasn't enough to forgive his actions. I'm not talking about any punishments that he lays down. He is, after all, the prince in training to be king. Laying down the law can't always be daisies and rainbows, so I suggest you hang your fury until the end of the book with regards to that situation.
What I'm talking about is the way he acts with the other Elite. I felt like he was playing around with all of their emotions, and even though he has a sort of explanation for his wild ways, I wasn't buying it. On the other hand, Aspen makes some stupid, off the cuff statements that had me eye rolling as well, so at this point, I choose no one. Hell, I don't even choose America. I choose Marly, to be quite honest.
Looking forward to the end of the series, as I'm hoping that there is a lot of finality to her decisions and that we get a fabulous epilogue....more
This is hard to rate or review...I've read some serial novels before but this one is very, very short, and it really has the feeling of just being lefThis is hard to rate or review...I've read some serial novels before but this one is very, very short, and it really has the feeling of just being left open in the middle of something. You don't really get to know the characters really well...barely a hint. Enough to titillate, I suppose. I'm interested in the next installment but it had better be really attention grabbing or I may not continue with the third installment.
Simone is a bit forward for my taste, but I get the sense that this isn't the norm for her. She's sort of at this precipice in life...and she's decided to buck up and go for what she wants. What she wants is some playtime with the buttoned up sex god that she's been spying on for weeks, each time he takes a new even more buttoned up blonde goddess to his office to screw on his desk. Voyeurism...hehe. How can that not be intriguing?
Elliot is a bit stuffy. He's fastidious to a fault, and if he looked at me with those facial expressions he keeps throwing Simone's way, I'd want to throttle him. I sure wouldn't go back for more! However, Simone is quite the glutton for punishment, and Elliot seems to be drawn to her somehow. The end to this part of the story seems promising!
On to the next one. Fingers crossed it grabs me like Megan Hart usually does!...more
"When I was growing up my parents always told me never to talk to strangers, and here I am, about to sleep with one."
Call me a glutton for punishm
"When I was growing up my parents always told me never to talk to strangers, and here I am, about to sleep with one."
Call me a glutton for punishment, but despite numerous flaws, tropes, and myriad other things that should have turned me off of this story, I ended up really loving it! It's full of angst and drama, so please don't attempt it if you're not prepared for that. I was apparently in the mood because Sophia and Clayton's love story was thoroughly entertaining, and quite frankly...
I want more!
I'm so wishy washy because seriously, the last book I read that was this angsty bugged the hell out of me but somehow, this story was put together in such a way that it brought me back to my younger years, when something like this would have been the beginning and end of my entire universe.
~`*`~`*`~`*`~`*`~`*`~`*`~`*`~`*`~`*`~`*`~`*`~`*` SHORT SYNOPSIS: Sophie and her two best (gay) friends are on a spontaneous trip to the Maldives. Why? Because not only did Sophia just quit law school, where she was expected to follow her father's footsteps, but she also broke up with her lifelong friend and recent fiancee. She turned her world upside down and now she needs to forget. So she breaks her own bank and splurges on a relaxing trip to the exotic locale. [image]
Upon arriving at their destination, a marvelous hunk of man meat (Sorry, can't help it. Clayton's just man meat.) her eyeballs clash and hold with the mysterious, enigmatic, and rich as hell English/American playboy Clayton Sinclair. And he makes no apologies for making his interest known.
Clayton proceeds to bully his way into Sophie's life, throwing his money and influence around to put her exactly where he wants her. It is quickly apparent where these two stand with each other...Clayton is powerful and filthy rich, overly confident, and used to getting what he wants. Sophie is well off but far from rich, in a vulnerable position emotionally, a naive little virgin who is quickly overwhelmed and under extreme lust for the charismatic, sexy bully. How could she not be, when romance and sex are in the air...and on the beach? [image] Combining their lives may prove more than they can handle, however. When even Clayton begins to feel like he's in over his head with the lovely and innocent Sophia, it begs the question: will this Mad Love survive the real world? ~`*`~`*`~`*`~`*`~`*`~`*`~`*`~`*`~`*`~`*`~`*`~`*` MY THOUGHTS: Like I said, I shouldn't have liked this so much, but I did. I dug it. I dug the crap out of it. It was a complete and utter fantasy, escapism to the max...sexy and fast, rich and slightly unbelievable...soap opera worthy, but it's the kind that makes you want to keep watching.
I think what makes this story work for me is how likeable the author makes everyone. Sophie's not used to taking a hard stance about anything, really. She's been coddled and overprotected for her entire life, so it's as if she's taking these baby steps and is sort of wobbly with it all. Her innocence is a little endearing, if improbable for age 23.
Sophie's best friend, Erik and his boyfriend Orie...I LOVED THEM! They are my favorite part of the book. Not overtly rainbow pride...this didn't read like a plea for equality...they were just there, and they are gay, and they are so lovable, and so in love with each other, that I couldn't help but fall for them. They support her no matter what, they give it to her straight, they give Clayton a fair shot, and they made me crack up like crazy.
"Do you want to know what sacred is? Sacred is buying this bitch tampons at two a.m., because she's bleeding like a double homicide crime scene and can't make it to the pharmacy. Sacred is waxing her armpits and bikini line so she wouldn't look like a beast at the high school graduation beach party! Sacred is driving her ass to Jerry the Fairy's and waiting down the street, in a goddamn rose bush, with thorns in my ass, by the way, just so she wouldn't be alone when she dumped him..."
Clayton Sinclair...yeesh, what a hot mess of a man...richer than any man has a right to be, he's got so much power and charm, it's ridiculous. Just shameful. And he wants Sophie. It's every woman's dream. He's also got a bit of a dark side. His possessiveness and bossiness was waaaaaaay over the top. I'm talking eye-roll inducing stuff here.
<"No, you can't have shots tonight." and "Go change your dress right now." and "I'm not mad. I'm livid. Prepare for a punishment of spankings and doom, followed by the c#ck of your dreams when I make you beg for forgiveness!!!"
You get the idea....Over The Top. But still hot. **wink**
I keep picturing William Levy as Clayton...suave, sexy, and he knows it! [image] And Clayton shows a vulnerable side, but without the ever present tortured hero thing. This author actually makes him personable without any huge secrets and shady dealings! He's a nice guy under all that money and class. It just took falling for this little innocent bombshell to bring out the bewilderment in him. And it was really sweet. He's just a little freaked about these feelings he's got suddenly.
"I've never felt this miserable before. I just want you to know that. I want you to know that you're responsible for this feeling of discomfort I have. I'm not used to it. And honestly, I hate it."
~`*`~`*`~`*`~`*`~`*`~`*`~`*`~`*`~`*`~`*`~`*`~`*`
Poor Clayton. And poor Sophie. Like a said...massive cliffhanger but I'm crossing my fingers that the next book is right around the corner. I'm snatching it up ASAP.
** Recommended for lovers of Fifty Shades type of books, the New Adult genre, loads of angst, and pushy, possessive alphas.
Review copy provided by Bird Street Books via Net Galley ...more
Duchess Nicole
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