Well, it happened. Some hot new guy has replaced Darko (from MAKE ME) and Draven (from MOONDREAMER: The Sowing) as my favorite leading man, and his naWell, it happened. Some hot new guy has replaced Darko (from MAKE ME) and Draven (from MOONDREAMER: The Sowing) as my favorite leading man, and his name is MATTHEW MERCY.
Tamara has NAILED IT with BEGGING FOR MERCY, and I thoroughly enjoyed the chemistry between Andy and Matt. But this isn't just a book about a sexy love interest or blazing hot sex scenes--there's a pretty intense story line that carries you along on a wild ride from beginning to end. Add to that Tamara's wicked sense of humor and her ability to write a badass female lead, and BEGGING FOR MERCY is absolute perfection.
If you're looking for a wild ride with a strong female lead and a smoking hot love interest, then BEGGING FOR MERCY will leave you begging for more.
As Uncle Jesse would say, "HAVE MERCY." And then have him again and again. ;-)...more
I LOVED this book. LOVED it. I read it in one day and immediately watched the movie the following day because I needed more of Maddy and Olly! I just I LOVED this book. LOVED it. I read it in one day and immediately watched the movie the following day because I needed more of Maddy and Olly! I just wish I'd read this book years ago.
I am honestly a bit disappointed by the negative reviews, specifically the reviews that question Maddy's behavior and choices. Unpopular opinion: I often wish adults weren't allowed to review teen fiction. So often I find that they have forgotten what it is like to be a teen. Sometimes I want to ask reviewers if they've ever even MET a teen.
But, I am not going to dive down that rabbit hole, so instead I will say this:
Maddy was not the average teen girl due to the circumstances surrounding her health, but she was completely relatable because, regardless of her limitations, she had the very common desires for love and companionship and touch and sex and FEELING and experience and every other thing that teen girls long for. She based decisions on feelings and desires, rather than logic and risk--which, if you've ever been a teen or met a teen, or ARE a teen, you'll know this is par for the course. She made a rash decision, yes, but is it really so far-fetched to think that somewhere in this vast world there's a person (teen or otherwise) who would actively choose a moment of freedom/LIVING over a lifetime of isolation? No matter the cost? I don't feel that this concept is that far-fetched, especially when we're talking about a teenager who--like most teenagers--takes risks. They act now and think later. They live for instant gratification, not because they are inherently selfish or stupid or lack the ability to think, but because this is the gift of being a teenager.
Anyway, to finish my review (rant?) EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING was a beautiful first love story with an upsetting twist--that yes, you'll probably see coming--and a bittersweet ending. I loved everything about it, and I will continue to read anything Nicola Yoon puts into the world....more
It took me a minute to know how to rate this, but honestly, even though the pacing was slow and I would have loved a bit more feeling and depth, I reaIt took me a minute to know how to rate this, but honestly, even though the pacing was slow and I would have loved a bit more feeling and depth, I really enjoyed this book.
LaCour was able to bring me to tears on more than one occasion, and not just from sadness but from a range of feelings, and that says something about this book and its author. I felt everything right alongside Emi, but I would have loved a bit more feeling. I'm a passionate self-proclaimed teen-at-heart, who also happens to be raising a teen daughter, and let me tell you, they feel things DEEPLY. So much deeper than we even remember sometimes. So, I wish there'd been a bit more of that throughout this story because it would have made EVERYTHING LEADS TO YOU perfect,in my opinion, and would have addressed some of the instances where Emi TOLD us she was in love rather than LaCour fully showing us through the words on the page.
But, even without the added depth to these characters' feelings, I felt everything and fell hard right along with Emi. This book was easily a four-star read, and I will be buying more of LaCour's books....more
I'm not sure how to review this book. I was so excited to read TELL ME AGAIN HOW A CRUSH SHOULD FEEL, but sadly, this one really missed the mark for mI'm not sure how to review this book. I was so excited to read TELL ME AGAIN HOW A CRUSH SHOULD FEEL, but sadly, this one really missed the mark for me.
The premise was promising enough, and I think the love story between two of the characters was sweet, but didn't deliver quite the emotional punch that it could have. We also saw no closure with the villain, which made me feel like my Kindle version might be missing half the book. I kept scrolling after the last scene and was shocked to find myself at the end.
I wish there'd been more of an actual story arc, as well as more detailed character arcs for Leila and Lisa. There was a LOT of room for emotional depth which was quite lacking from all characters, leaving them all a bit flat, and me a bit detached.
TELL ME AGAIN HOW A CRUSH SHOULD FEEL had a great premise, and I enjoyed the cultural references, the awkwardness of first love and finding oneself, but as a whole, this story fell short for me.
Not having to do with the author or the storyline itself, I am really disappointed in the lack of editing in this traditionally published book. Telling vs showing, short sentence structure usually reserved for building tension but used constantly in this book, miscellaneous punctuation mistakes, lack of character development, etc.; these are all things that a good editor should have caught. Ms. Farizan was done a disservice in this aspect of the process.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE Blake!!! Oh, and Mel's great, too, I guess. (LOL!) BUT BLAKE!! BLAKE BLAKE BLAKE!
But man oh man DID I MENTION BLAKE?
I think this booI LOVE LOVE LOVE Blake!!! Oh, and Mel's great, too, I guess. (LOL!) BUT BLAKE!! BLAKE BLAKE BLAKE!
But man oh man DID I MENTION BLAKE?
I think this book, more than any others Tamara Mataya has written, elicited the most emotion from me. I laughed, cried, warmed with pride... the whole nine. Oh, and I blushed like crazy at times. I really loved Blake and Mel's relationship and their easy connection.
And the sex. HOT F*CKING DAMN Mataya's sex scenes just keep getting better and better....more
Written beautifully, in a writing style that makes you connect easily and instantly with the main character, UNDER ROSE HOLY WOW, YOU GUYS. THIS BOOK.
Written beautifully, in a writing style that makes you connect easily and instantly with the main character, UNDER ROSE TAINTED SKIES is honest and raw, unflinching in its ability to really dig deep and present the reader with an inside look at an often misunderstood illness(es).
Norah's story is heartbreaking, yet hopeful, and from Day One the reader knows this is a girl who will not give up, who will not let her mind destroy her. She's strong, and sarcastic, and somehow independent even when needing help. She's a breath of fresh air in young adult literature, an imperfect character who messes up but doesn't give up.
Louise Gornall is a genius storyteller, and I'll be hungrily waiting for more of her words. ...more
This is one of those books you just can't put down (though I did a few times because all that other stuff--FIVE STARS! Beautiful. Broken. Believable.
This is one of those books you just can't put down (though I did a few times because all that other stuff--like parenting--got in the way). The author's style of writing was so perfect for this story, almost disjointed in parts, giving us little glimpses, bits and pieces of the main character and her history. GIRL IN PIECES isn't about romance, by any means, but must add that I truly loved the tragic love story happening as a secondary plot line.
I don't know how to sum up this book in a quick and easy way, so I will leave you with this: GIRL IN PIECES is all at once tragic and hopeful, heartbreaking and revitalizing, depressing and uplifting. It combines all of these emotions and more into one HELL of a story and one HELL of a main character. Charlie is the girl next door. She's the little girl you keep tucked deep down inside. She's the girl who sits next to you in class, quiet and invisible, but wanting so much to be loved, to find her voice and reach out. She's the woman you know down the street. Her secrets may not be the same as yours, but you know her, and you instantly connect with her.
Our scars may not all be the same, many of them not even visible, but we all have them, and we will always be united in that, no matter our differences.
Charlie's story is inspiring, as is Kathleen Glasgow. I can't wait to read more of her work. ...more
I'm embarrassed to admit this, especially as a fellow romance author, but IT ENDS WITH US is my first Colleen Hoover book. I have others on my Kindle,I'm embarrassed to admit this, especially as a fellow romance author, but IT ENDS WITH US is my first Colleen Hoover book. I have others on my Kindle, but as you all surely know, TBRs are a funny thing, and I'll likely die with thousands of books I still plan to read.
But, holy hell am I glad I made time for this one.
FIVE CRAZY EMOTIONAL STARS!
This book had me in a mess of emotion. I laughed. I cried. A few times I even set the book down and swiped at my tears thinking, "I can't read this." Or, "So, THIS is what being triggered feels like."
But I kept on, because I don't DNF amazing books, and something inside me KNEW I needed to read this.
----->Don't go into this hoping for a comfy romance with lots of swooning. <-----
I mean, don't get me wrong, Ryle and Atlas are HOT HOT HOT, but that's not what this book is about. Go into this knowing you might gain some perspective. Go into this knowing you might feel some things you don't want to feel. Go into this knowing you might be forced to take a deep look at yourself and acknowledge some things you don't want to acknowledge. Be prepared to go through the ringer with this book, but don't avoid it because of that reason. Sometimes it's okay to feel all of those emotions we try not to, or to rehash all those past feelings.
This is a VERY necessary read for EVERYONE. Especially if you've even ONCE thought, "Why doesn't she just leave him?" Please, please, please, from someone who's both been in an abusive relationship and at one time even looked down upon others for not leaving their abuser, PLEASE READ THIS BOOK. It is so absolutely ESSENTIAL. ...more
Once again, Mataya has hit it out of the park. She has such a way with words, and her storytelling is always beautiful and from the heart. Her couples Once again, Mataya has hit it out of the park. She has such a way with words, and her storytelling is always beautiful and from the heart. Her couples are realistic and believable (which can be so hard to find!), as are their story arcs, and Sara's story is no exception. Everything she deals with and goes through on a daily basis, from crazy bosses to struggles in love, are RELATABLE. This was definitely not a missed connection for me. ...more
I think we can all agree that Tamara Mataya knows how to write a damn good sex scene, but, more than that, she knows how to weave emotions and flaws into the sexual encounters between her characters, bringing so much more to the erotic romance she writes.
This book won't disappoint. I can not wait to see the cover, and how Leila and Ryan are represented! I just know the cover will be as steamy as Ryan. *waits impatiently*...more
Well, I pretty much summed it up with that one line I wrote before. Because, MMMMMMMMMMMM*review to come*
But I can say, MMMMMMMMMM Malcolm. <3
*Update*
Well, I pretty much summed it up with that one line I wrote before. Because, MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM, Malcolm.
Holy hotness, he's quite the leading man. Mataya blends words and imagery so perfectly that the characters come to life in your mind so vividly that I can SEE Malcolm--the way he looks across the crowd at Jayne, the way his fingers caress the strings of his guitar . . . he's just delectable. *nods*
What I love about TBLOP, however, isn't just Malcolm's epic hotness, but that both characters are amazingly flawed. In a perfect, natural and believable way. They both have their strengths, their maturity, yet they're equally still hindered by their insecurities and the traumas of youth. They've carried these issues with them all these years, their personal burdens, their crosses to bare, like so many of us have, making them completely relatable. These are two MC's that you can and will want to root for.
Reading their story, and watching it unfold is both an escape from reality and a look into your own reality. Because I don't care who you are--someone in your past broke you, even if only a little bit--seeing these two individuals deal with those past mishaps is a wonderful bit of therapy.
I felt this book was too short, which made it seem a bit rushed. Had the author chosen to write a more full-length novel, I think this story and its cI felt this book was too short, which made it seem a bit rushed. Had the author chosen to write a more full-length novel, I think this story and its characters would have been so much more fleshed out and I would have been even more invested. I think that would have upped the rating for me.
The bottom line: I would have loved a longer, more developed story, more interaction between the two MC's (building up to the BDSM, specifically, and *especially* in the very beginning. I mean, the shower scene? WAY too early on to be even remotely believable). I also found myself wishing for more from Master Z's POV.
BUT, with those small issues aside, I loved CLUB SHADOWLANDS!
Also, um, not for kids. Or teens. Or sensitive types. ;-)...more
First of all, C&HC was a very quick read, and I liked that about it. I'm becoming a huge fan of dual POV Move over, Phoenix, a NEW River has my heart!
First of all, C&HC was a very quick read, and I liked that about it. I'm becoming a huge fan of dual POV and I think that each MC was given their own voice in this book which can be very hard to do.
For the most part, I loved C&HC. I loved River from Day One. His slightly awkward persona was relatable and lovable, and I couldn't get enough of him! Honestly, I think I could really get into a spin-off in just River's POV. He was my favorite part of this book. The author's physical descriptions of him were so well done, and I love a hot body with a brain and--bonus!--he has a passion for art. It appeals to the creative in me, and the fact that I can be shallow at times (thus, my love for his body. I'm not even sorry.) Who, me? Shallow? Nevah!
I loved the transformation of the main characters, especially Ellie. Watching her grow, though frustrating at times, was a wonderful part of this journey.
Which brings me to my next thought . . . I had mixed feelings while reading C&HC--for the first half of the book, only--because I had some small issues with Ellie's behavior and her back and forth, hot and cold treatment of River. (Maybe because I liked him so much and wanted her to get with the program?)
Like Ellie, I'm at times brave and at times insecure, and most of the time a hot mess, and I really wanted to connect with her . . . I wish I had just a tiny bit more. BUT, I've never really been shy--my insecurities rear their ugly heads in a loud-mouthed, overly-confident and opinionated sort of way--so it could just be that I was unable to connect with Ellie fully because of how different she and I are. And frankly, my small issues with Ellie's behavior did not create any detachment from the story. Well, maybe a little, but I still fully invested in the relationships between Ellie and River, Ellie and her friends . . . even Ellie and her parents (ugh, what nightmares they were!) But I have to admit that had I been a bit more capable of connecting to Ellie, I would have probably been even more invested than I was. With that said, not every reader will connect with every character. It happens.
All in all, C&HC was an enjoyable read, complete with laughter, tears, and sexy times (yes, you read that correctly, SEXY TIMES). It is a great contemporary new adult read, and a fantastic debut....more
Oh, what to say! I cried at the end, and there was a moment when I laughed out loud, which can be really troublesome when your husband is sleeping nexOh, what to say! I cried at the end, and there was a moment when I laughed out loud, which can be really troublesome when your husband is sleeping next to you!
Lil and Marty felt like two halves of me. I love the way Rebekah was able to do that - bring two such opposite girls together and make them both better because of it.
WOW. What an emotionally charged, spiritual, profound journey that was!!!
I knew going into 18 THINGS that it would read like a contemporary until verWOW. What an emotionally charged, spiritual, profound journey that was!!!
I knew going into 18 THINGS that it would read like a contemporary until very close to the end, and honestly I NEVER missed the paranormal aspect. I was completely content in this cozy, coming-of-age story of immense love, devastating grief and the power of forgiveness/redemption. And then when that paranormal twist showed up at the end, holy moly . . . I set the book down, almost refusing to go further because though I didn't have even the SLIGHTEST idea what was about to happen, I knew my world would be rocked.
I cried a little, gathered my strength, grabbed the book, opened it back up, and proceeded to the end with tears streaming down my face the entire time.
BRAVO, Jamie Ayres. This book is one amazing journey.
I am so excited to read 18 TRUTHS to see where this goes!! ...more
In a nutshell? I have no words to properly convey how much I loved this book. It was a one-sitting read for me, and I would recommend it to every womaIn a nutshell? I have no words to properly convey how much I loved this book. It was a one-sitting read for me, and I would recommend it to every woman I know.
Which is saying a lot - I don't even read contemporary fiction! lol
This was a one-sitting read for me, and is by far one of the most gripping books I've ever read. I was sucked in immediately, as Webber artfully starts with action instead of build-up, and I could not put this book down!
My initial thought after finishing? After the usual "Holy Crap" and "Mind = Blown" thoughts?
"Does anyone NOT like this book?"
Honestly, I couldn't imagine it. So I went to GoodReads.
Well, after looking through reviews, I see there are some people who didn't like this book. Happily, I see that they are far outnumbered, and not in my circle of friends lol. In reading their issues with the book, I can see what they're saying, but I have to disagree.
One reviewer claimed there wasn't enough background as far as scenery and what university this book takes place at - visual world-building, basically. Honestly? I was so sucked into the story that I never even questioned this, but on that note, who cares? Who cares if Jacqueline is at Harvard or ASU? Does it change anything? No. Does it affect the story at all? Absolutely not. This story was focused on people, and the relationships we form - what those relationships can to do harm us or heal us, and ultimately help us grow. This book was about redemption and loss, letting go, moving forward, and learning to love again. I don't care if this story was at a university on Mars. Because it really doesn't matter. Instead of faulting the author for this, I applaud her because her story was so important to me that I didn't care about the outside world. I didn't care about the setting. I cared about the story, the people.
Some other reviewers complained about the main character - Jacqueline - and her reaction(s) to her assault(s). I've never been assaulted in *that* way, but I thought she reacted the way I would have reacted. Though I don't know from experience, I do know without a doubt that every person reacts to things differently. Some people are very outspoken about their pain, posting "poor m, blah blah blah" on Facebook and wanting the world to know, whereas others of us would die before we posted our deepest pain on a social networking site. Some people are very introverted with their pain, hiding it away, keeping distance from even their closest of friends. People are all unique, and their coping mechanisms are as such. I think if it were me, back when I was that age, I would have drowned my sorrows in alcohol and ran from the problem. I wouldn't have had even half the strength this character displayed, and I sure don't fault Webber for creating a character who isn't completely annihilated by a trauma.
Some reviewers complained about Jacqueline's obsession with her ex and the break up, combined with her attraction to Lucas. I have to say, in Webber's defense as well as my own - because, let's be honest, people have had similar issues with my main character - I was as boy crazy as they come. I was pretty much boy-obsessed from a very early age. I have NO IDEA why. I attended church and church camps most of my life, even having parents that were youth pastors when I was a child. I wasn't raised in a broken home - I had a mom and dad who were still together until the day my dad died. (I am NOT saying a broken home equals boy-crazy, I'm just trying to give you some insight into the fairly normal home I grew up in.) I can't pinpoint what it was about me, or my upbringing, or my life, whatever, that made me so boy crazy, just that I was. It's a simple as that. And when I fell for a guy, I fell hard. It wasn't just a cute little high school crush. I was in love every single time. And every time I swore I'd never heal from the heartbreak - every break up crushed me. But I also bounced back relatively easily, which probably made my poor parents nuts. And if you'd been reading about me, if I was one of these MC's, I would have been the main character so many reviewers don't understand or relate to - except for the few like us. Basically, after all that rambling, my point is that maybe in Jacqueline's situation, you wouldn't have been so hung up on your ex. Maybe in this situation you wouldn't have wanted to move forward with Lucas so quickly and with such little restraint. Maybe you wouldn't have so easily pushed the assault out of your head.
Or maybe you would have, if that's what your coping mechanism was.
The bottom line is that we can relate to some characters, and others we can't, but that doesn't mean that their actions, in-actions or re-actions are wrong. It just means they are different from yours. I could completely relate to Jacqueline, and her story compelled me to stay up way past my bed time so I could see where it went. (If you know me - I'm looking at you, Feaks - you've probably made fun of me for how early I go to sleep. So knowing I stayed up past midnight to devour this book is saying A LOT.)
Lucas as a love interest was so perfectly flawed, that he reminded me of half the guys I've cared for in my life. I loved his quiet strength and the pain that lurked just beneath the surface. I didn't see him as a bad boy at all - more like someone who was different than Jacqueline's normal "type," but not bad. I imagine that reviewers that peg him as such were probably going into this story wanting to dislike it.
Tammara Webber crafted a beautiful story full of heartbreak and healing, and I know it will stick with me for a very long time.
And man oh man. After reading WARM BODIES (my review can be found HERE) and now EASY, I'm scared to pick up another book for fear they won't live up to my first two reads of 2013!
PS. This is NEW ADULT and should be treated as such. (And they said there was no niche for New Adult. HA!)...more
FIRST OF ALL, this book is NOT YOUNG ADULT. Though the main character acts like a very immature 14yo at best, her REACTIONS to sexual activities are FFIRST OF ALL, this book is NOT YOUNG ADULT. Though the main character acts like a very immature 14yo at best, her REACTIONS to sexual activities are FAR from what is realistic in YA.
There is a fine line between girls exploring their sexuality in YA books, or even being completely promiscuous and confident sexually, and girls acting out of character for their age. The sexual situations in STALK ME were what I imagine the author dreams about, NOT what any teen girl actually experiences. There were none of the insecurities or awkwardness that come with discovering your sexuality, or being intimate with boys for the first time. Keatyn handled each situation like a PRO, and I had a very hard time believing anything in this book.
UPDATE 4/28: I rarely leave a book unfinished, so I forced myself to finish this one in hopes that the only likable character would win in the end. Poor Cush.
I'm sorry, but I can't rate this book. PLEASE do not let your young adult daughters read this book....more
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