Thursday, August 29, 2013

Review | Take Me Now (Take Me Now, #1) by Faith Sullivan

18132823 Series: Take Me Now

Pages: 111

Date Released: July 16, 2013

synopsis

How do you survive the internship from hell?
Don't fall in love.
Ivy thought being a reporter-in-training at the Independent Gazette would be her dream summer job. Little did she know, interviewing Eric, a landscaper with a heart of gold, would derail her plans. It turns out Ivy's boss, Lauren, has been eying his chiseled physique for quite some time.
But at twenty-four, Eric already has a tragic past, one that he is still reeling from. Even though his ordeal turned him into some sort of local celebrity, it's been a while since he's shared his bed with anyone. When he comes to Ivy's rescue out of the blue, it's not long before the two of them start seeing each other behind Lauren's back. When they get caught, Ivy's journey toward a college degree is jeopardized and her relationship with Eric is severely put to the test.
Career versus love? In the end, a shocking turn of events provides Ivy with a revelation she never saw coming.

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     Take Me Now was certainly not what I expected. It was…..unique. First off, the characters. I couldn't make up my mind whether or not I loved them or hated them. It was probably both. I hated Ivy because she acted like a child at certain times, like letting a cute boy fuddle her mind like she was in middle school and taking all the crap that she did from Lauren. I loved her because she was so realistic for the same reasons. Sometimes boys do happen to make you act crazy even when you know that you are being stupid and Ivy acknowledged it. Also standing up to someone who had so much power over her career would not be so easy. Sometimes she dealt with stuff in ways that would make me frown, but all in all I could appreciate her naivety and her determination to grow up and learn from her mistakes.
     Eric was an awesome love interest. He had a hard life and was more mature than Ivy in a good way, but not in all ways. Sometimes, he blew stuff way out of proportion and overreacted. I still loved him because of his honesty and realistic qualities.
     Take Me Now’s aforementioned uniqueness came from its startling pace within the book and all the twists and turns. The supporting characters were truly psychotic and crazy in ways that were weirdly appealing. They brought drama to the book like I've never read and kept me on my toes while I was reading. This was the icing on the cake and led to a delightful ending and new beginning for Ivy and Eric.



*This book was provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

WoW | Nearly Gone by Elle Cosimano

Nearly Gone
Waiting on Wednesday
Hosted by Breaking the Spine

Date Released/Releasing: March 25, 2014



Nearly Boswell knows how to keep secrets. Living in a DC trailer park, she knows better than to share anything that would make her a target with her classmates. Like her mother's job as an exotic dancer, her obsession with the personal ads, and especially the emotions she can taste when she brushes against someone's skin. But when a serial killer goes on a killing spree and starts attacking students, leaving cryptic ads in the newspaper that only Nearly can decipher, she confides in the one person she shouldn't trust: the new guy at school—a reformed bad boy working undercover for the police, doing surveillance. . . on her.

Nearly might be the one person who can put all the clues together, and if she doesn't figure it all out soon—she'll be next.

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Review | Article 5 (Article 5, #1) by Kristen Simmons

10677277Series: Article 5
Pages: 364
Date released: January 31, 2012

synopsis

New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., have been abandoned.
   The Bill of Rights has been revoked, and replaced with the Moral Statutes. There are no more police—instead, there are soldiers. There are no more fines for bad behavior—instead, there are arrests, trials, and maybe worse.    People who get arrested usually don't come back.
   Seventeen-year-old Ember Miller is old enough to remember that things weren't always this way. Living with her rebellious single mother, it's hard for her to forget that people weren't always arrested for reading the wrong books or staying out after dark. It's hard to forget that life in the United States used to be different.
   Ember has perfected the art of keeping a low profile. She knows how to get the things she needs, like food stamps and hand-me-down clothes, and how to pass the random home inspections by the military. Her life is as close to peaceful as circumstances allow.
   That is, until her mother is arrested for noncompliance with Article 5 of the Moral Statutes. And one of the arresting officers is none other than Chase Jennings—the only boy Ember has ever loved.

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     Article 5 was book written for all the action lovers out there. It’s Mission Impossible on paper! It reminded me very much of Shatter Me. The characters, setting, and plot were all very similar, but uniquely executed. Ember was awesome. She was strong in her own way, but she valued the place that others had in her life. She was logical and reasonable, but when she was taken she never stopped fighting to get away. Her spirit was continuously going even when things were at rock bottom.
     Chase was nice, too. He was the strong but silent type and he sacrificed everything for Ember. She really was his everything. I liked his smart mouth and how he had some sarcasm behind his silence. His golden brown skin and 6”2’ stature certainly didn’t hurt either. He is still kind of a mystery right now though since this book doesn’t delve into much about him being a soldier. I wonder if any of the other books will as the series continues.
     By the time I flipped Article 5 closed I felt a deep-set satisfaction of them being okay and putting their talents to use. Because of this, I don’t know if I will read the next books in fear of ruining my happy ending. But…(Levar Burton voice) you don’t have to take my word for it.

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

WoW | The Edge of Falling by Rebecca Serle

The Edge of Falling
Waiting on Wednesday
Hosted by Breaking the Spine

Date Released/Releasing: March 18, 2014



Growing up in privileged, Manhattan social circles, Caggie’s life should be perfect, and it almost was until the day that her younger sister drowned when Caggie was supposed to be watching her. Stricken by grief, Caggie pulls away from her friends and family, only to have everyone misinterpret a crucial moment when she supposedly saves a fellow classmate from suicide. Now she’s famous for something she didn’t do and everyone lauds her as a hero. But inside she still blames herself for the death of her sister and continues to pull away from everything in her life, best friend and perfect boyfriend included. Then Caggie meets Astor, the new boy at school, about whom rumours are swirling and known facts are few. In Astor she finds someone who just might understand her pain, because he has an inner pain of his own. But the more Caggie pulls away from her former life to be with Astor, the more she realises that his pain might be darker, and deeper, than anything she’s ever felt. His pain might be enough to end his life…and Caggie’s as well.

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

WoW | All That Glows by Ryan Graudin

All That Glows
Waiting on Wednesday
Hosted by Breaking the Spine

Date Released/Releasing: February 11, 2014



Emrys—a fiery, red-headed Fae—always embraced her life in the Highlands, far from the city’s draining technology, until she’s sent to London to rejoin the Faery Guard. But this isn’t any normal assignment—she’s sent to guard Prince Richard: Britain’s notorious, partying bad boy and soon-to-be King. The prince’s careless ways and royal blood make him the irresistible for the dark spirits that feed on mortals. Sweet, disheveled, and alive with adventure—Richard is one charge who will put Emrys’s magic and heart to the test.

When an ancient force begins preying on the monarchy, Emrys must hunt through the London’s magical underworld, facing down Banshees, Black Dogs and Green Women to find the one who threatens Richard’s life. In this chaos of dark magic, palace murders and paparazzi, Emrys finds herself facing an impossible choice. For despite all her powers, Emrys has discovered a force that burns brighter than magic: love.

Review | Aurelia (Aurelia, #1) by Anne Osterlund

2420340Series: Aurelia
Pages: 246
Date Released: April 17, 2008

synopsis
   An impressive debut, equal parts commercial appeal and literary prowess.Princess Aurelia is next in line to rule the kingdom of Tyralt, but she would rather be one of the common folk, free to learn and roam and . . . not marry the next tyrannical prince that comes courting. Naturally, the king wants Aurelia to marry for political power. Aurelia wants to marry for love. And someone in the kingdom wants her . . . dead. Assigned to investigate and protect Aurelia is Robert, the son of the king's former royal spy and one of Aurelia's oldest friends. As Aurelia and Robert slowly uncover clues as to who is threatening her, their friendship turns to romance. With everything possible on the line, her life, her kingdom, her heart, Aurelia is forced to take matters into her own hands, no matter the cost.
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    Aurelia was a wonderful historical masterpiece. I loved the time and how it was described. Aurelia was very headstrong and feisty. I liked her from the start. She spoke her mind and didn't let anyone walk all over her. She really loved her kingdom and the people loved her as well. Robert was a great love interest because he did not seek to bury Aurelia’s independent qualities. He let her flourish and she loved him for it.

     I absolutely hated her father. He was so neglectful and didn’t even seek to bring punishment on the one who was trying to off Aurelia! He truly chose someone else over Aurelia. I was so angry at him for hurting Aurelia like that, but happy when she handled it gracefully and carried on like the Queen she was.
     Aurelia held a great mystery and an even greater group of characters. It truly put me right beside Aurelia as she went through her days and I cannot wait until I am able to see her again.


Wednesday, August 7, 2013

WoW | Minders by Michele Jaffe

Minders
Waiting on Wednesday
Hosted by Breaking the Spine

Date Released/Releasing: January 30, 2014



A high concept, cinematic read with a surprising twist,MINDERS asks the question: who is really watching who?

Q: If the boy you love commits a crime, would you turn him in?

Sadie Ames is a type-A teenager from the wealthy suburbs. She's been accepted to the prestigious Mind Corps Fellowship program, where she'll spend six weeks as an observer inside the head of Ford, a troubled boy with a passion for the crumbling architecture of the inner city. There's just one problem: Sadie's fallen in love with him.

Q: What if the crime is murder?

Ford Winters is haunted by the murder of his older brother, James. As Sadie falls deeper into his world, dazzled by the shimmering pinpricks of color that form images in his mind, she begins to think she knows him. Then Ford does something unthinkable.

Q: What if you saw it happen from inside his mind?

Back in her own body, Sadie is faced with the ultimate dilemma. With Ford's life in her hands, she must decide what is right and what is wrong. And how well she can really ever know someone, even someone she loves.

Review | The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg


The Catastrophic History of You and Me

Series: N/A
Pages: 375
Date Released: February 21, 2012

Summary: Dying of a broken heart is just the beginning.... Welcome to forever. 

    BRIE'S LIFE ENDS AT SIXTEEN: Her boyfriend tells her he doesn't love her, and the news breaks her heart—literally. But now that she's D&G (dead and gone), Brie is about to discover that love is way more complicated than she ever imagined. Back in Half Moon Bay, her family has begun to unravel. Her best friend has been keeping a secret about Jacob, the boy she loved and lost—and the truth behind his shattering betrayal. And then there's Patrick, Brie's mysterious new guide and resident Lost Soul . . . who just might hold the key to her forever after.      With Patrick's help, Brie will have to pass through the five stages of grief before she's ready to move on. But how do you begin again, when your heart is still in pieces?


The Catastrophic History of You And Me

     THE CATASTROPHIC HISTORY OF YOU AND ME was a uniquely written story of a girl and her journey through death. The main character was Brie, who supposedly died of a broken heart (literally), but unfortunately, I din't like her too much. She was wishy-washy and quick to fling her problems with others onto people who were just trying to help her. She went way overboard with her revenge and didn't seem to know when to stop. She was really out to ruin people's lives. My favorite character was Patrick. He was
  very well-developed and funny. He was always coming up with new nicknames to call Brie and his story was very mysterious and made me want to read more. In my opinion TCHOYAM could have been a five star book, but I felt it could have done without all the drama and the drama queen of a protagonist. I could have felt sorrier for Brie if she wasn't such a mean person. All in all, it was a decent, somewhat lighthearted read about the most unknown thing in life: death.

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