Book Review: Runaway Groom



Runaway Groom by Sally Clements
June 7, 2013
185 pages
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Source: NetGalley for honest review

Book Blurb:

Seven years ago, Matthew Logan ran out on his wedding to June Leigh.

Life is good for fledgling dress-designer April Leigh. She couldn’t be happier that her sister has found a new love, and is excited about her very first commission, June’s wedding dress. 

When April discovers June has invited runaway groom Matthew Logan to the wedding, she has to intervene. Matthew’s presence will ruin everything – her father hates him, and just the sight of him in the church might give her mother a heart attack.

Matthew Logan has no intention of going to June’s wedding, but when intriguing April arrives on his doorstep, he can’t resist getting to know her better. When a disaster forces them together neither can deny the passion that combusts into a red-hot affair.

Discovering the truth about the past shifts April’s feelings from lust to love, but bitter experience has taught Matthew to guard his heart.

When it looks as though Matthew will lose her forever, will he fight or flee?

My Review:

I was attracted to the premise of this book: June is getting married after being run out on by her previous fiancé seven years ago, but decides to invite him to her wedding. April, June's sister, thinks this is a very bad idea since her entire family hates him and have never forgiven him. April decides to track him down and persuade him against attending this wedding. But circumstances, and attraction, bring April and Matthew closer than had been intended. And when people get closer, secrets tend to be revealed.

I was definitely entertained by this book and wanted to see how everything would play out. What kind of relationship would develop between April and Matthew? What was the real deal with June? When the truth was revealed, how would everyone react? Would April and Matthew be able to get past their previous hurts and fears? All these questions and more were answered and I enjoyed how they came about. There was steady movement in the plot, and the book is a quick read and never left me bored.

The main characters of April and Matthew were interesting to me and I liked their backstories. I liked the little bits of insight we got at their personal world with work projects, etc, without getting too bogged down with the details. I would have liked more development with them, however, particularly along the lines of their relationship with each other. Their physical attraction and chemistry was obvious. We even get snippets on what they like about the other. But there wasn't enough dialogue and interaction between them in the usual get-to-know-you way that I think a seven year absence from each other's life would have called for. Because I liked them, I just wanted more.

The secondary characters were dropped in here and there, though outside of June we don't get too much detail from them. I understand that more books are planned that will follow some of these characters. I am especially intrigued to learn more about Matthew's siblings (particularly since I don't even know how many there are - they just kept popping up) and I would be interested in reading stories about them.

Bottomline: This was a very enjoyable read for me, light and fast, with likable main characters, an entertaining story, and a satisfactory conclusion. If more books are intended as a series, I'd like to continue on with any of these characters and their stories.

3-1/2 STARS

Book Links:

AMAZON   *   GOODREADS

Book Review: Losing Hope



Losing Hope by Colleen Hoover
(Hopeless #2)
July 8, 2013
Atria Books
336 pages
Genre: New Adult
Contains: Mature language, sexual situations, tragic events
Source: NetGalley for honest review
(but I did preorder the paperback)

Book Blurb:

In the follow-up to Colleen Hoover’s #1 New York Times bestseller Hopeless, the charming and irresistible Dean Holder tells the passionate story that has melted thousands of hearts.

In Hopeless, Sky left no secret unearthed, no feeling unshared, and no memory forgotten, but Holder’s past remained a mystery.

Still haunted by the little girl he let walk away, Holder has spent his entire life searching for her in an attempt to finally rid himself of the crushing guilt he has felt for years. But he could not have anticipated that the moment they reconnect, even greater remorse would overwhelm him…

Sometimes in life, if we wish to move forward, we must first dig deep into our past and make amends. In Losing Hope, bestselling author Colleen Hoover reveals what was going on inside Holder’s head during all those hopeless moments—and whether he can gain the peace he desperately needs.

My Review:

I realize that retellings from an alternate POV are not for everyone. I, however, am one of those people who loves a good retelling that gives me not only a new perspective, but also new content. Cutting and pasting scenes and making minor changes is not a retelling for me. Give me something I didn't know, offer me new emotions, provide a new perspective, and make me fall for the characters all over again and I'm yours. Fortunately for me Colleen Hoover did just that!

I purposely did not reread Hopeless before Losing Hope. I'm very glad I didn't. While I was tempted a couple of times to pull out my Hopeless copy and do a side-by-side comparison of a couple of scenes, I decided not to. But that wasn't because I thought it was just a copy-cat scene; it was because the scene actually felt different. But to me that was a good thing, because the scene should feel different because it was from Holder's POV, not Sky's. So I kept on reading and kept on loving this story.

I also wanted to see if this would be a book you could read before Hopeless instead of afterwards. While technically you could do it, as there is enough information and story to make it have its own story, I still wouldn't suggest it. What I loved about reading Hopeless was the mystery element of trying to figure out Holder's deal and Sky's past. If you've never read Hopeless, you still get the mystery element of Sky's past, but not Holder's, and I feel like the impact would be so much greater if you read Hopeless first. So that is my opinion: read Hopeless first.

What's new in Losing Hope that's not in Hopeless, you ask? Holder! Lots and lot of Holder! He is such a fantastic character, with such depth to his character, but also such humor, compassion, and love that it was a real pleasure reading from his POV. One thing I really enjoyed about Holder's POV was learning more about Lesslie, his relationship with her, and how he handled all that tragedy on his own. There was so much for me to learn, and what he expressed to Less were among my favorite, and emotional, bits of the book. I teared-up twice that I recall, and both involved Holder and Less. We also get more about Holder's friendships, his family, and then, of course, his feelings about Sky. Learning why he reacted to her the way he did, what was behind his actions and motivations, what his true feelings were toward her - all of that I loved and gobbled up. Having Sky's feelings in the back of my head from Hopeless, and then gaining Holder's perspective here, truly rounded out this relationship for me. Holder and Sky are truly a beautiful couple inside and out.

Was there anything I didn't like? Honestly, not much. I did miss a couple of secondary characters at the end, and wanted to know more about them, but I realize that this wasn't their story, so I wasn't overly disappointed. Beyond that I have no complaints except, like a greedy child on Halloween who wants to continue to trick-or-treat despite my overflowing bag of candy, I just want more.

Bottomline: I loved this retelling from Holder's POV and fell in love with these characters and their heart-breaking but heart-lifting story all over again. Thank you, Colleen Hoover, for giving us more Holder and making this story come alive even more than it already was.

5 STARS

AMAZON Links:

KINDLE   *   PAPERBACK (preorder)

 

Quickie Review: School Spirits

I find that I'm not always able to give a full-blown, in-depth review of all the books I read. But that doesn't mean they aren't worthy of a proper review or shout-out. It just means my time is limited. So I will be doing the occasional QUICKIE REVIEW, providing my thoughts in a few short but sweet sentences on some of my reads, because I still want to honor these books in some way. I hope you find these helpful.



School Spirits by Rachel Hawkins
May 14, 2013
Disney-Hyperion publisher
297 pages
Genre: Young Adult
Source: Personal purchase

Book Blurb:

Fifteen-year-old Izzy Brannick was trained to fight monsters. For centuries, her family has hunted magical creatures. But when Izzy’s older sister vanishes without a trace while on a job, Izzy's mom decides they need to take a break.

Izzy and her mom move to a new town, but they soon discover it’s not as normal as it appears. A series of hauntings has been plaguing the local high school, and Izzy is determined to prove her worth and investigate. But assuming the guise of an average teenager is easier said than done. For a tough girl who's always been on her own, it’s strange to suddenly make friends and maybe even have a crush.

Can Izzy trust her new friends to help find the secret behind the hauntings before more people get hurt?

Rachel Hawkins' delightful spin-off brings the same wit and charm as the New York Times best-selling Hex Hall series. Get ready for more magic, mystery and romance!

My Review:

I absolutely loved the Hex Hall series, so I was really looking forward to School Spirits. I was also under the impression initially that this would be a spin-off trilogy. Sadly, it is only a spin-off book, and according to Rachel at her book signing I attended, there are no other novels planned at this time. I say "sadly" because, while I enjoyed this book, the ending left me wanting. Not only do I want to read more about these characters, but I also have a few unresolved issues that I would love to be addressed in another book. I will say that Rachel did a nice job walking us through what it must have really been like for Izzy to attend public school after growing up away from society the way she has. I loved her social awkwardness and her inability to always control the "extra" powers she had. I particularly liked her new group of friends, especially Dex. I loved Dex! I need more Dex! He was the real cream of the crop here and would be worthy of his own book. This was a solidly enjoyable read that kept me fully engaged, with its great characters and enticing action and mystery, and you don't necessarily have to have read the Hex Hall series to enjoy it.

3 1/2 STARS

Book Links:

AMAZON   *   GOODREADS

Quickie Review: Wait For You

I find that I'm not always able to give a full-blown, in-depth review of all the books I read. But that doesn't mean they aren't worthy of a proper review or shout-out. It just means my time is limited. So I will be doing the occasional QUICKIE REVIEW, providing my thoughts in a few short but sweet sentences on some of my reads, because I still want to honor these books in some way. I hope you find these helpful.



Wait For You by J. Lynn (Jennifer L. Armentrout)
February 16, 2013
Harper Collins publisher
332 pages
Genre: New Adult Contemporary
Contains: mature language, sexual situations, alcohol
Source: Personal purchase

Book Blurb:

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…

Quickie Review:

Wait For You is another enjoyable New Adult read, similar but different to all the other NA contemporary romance books that are inundating the market. The story grabbed me from the start and kept my full attention throughout. Avery has a traumatic past that she must come to terms with. Cam is the hot boy who breaks through her shell... eventually... and has a bit of a past himself. This book is full of the snarky characters and witty dialogue I've come to enjoy in JLA's books. While I liked Avery enough, Cam was the real scene stealer of the novel. He saved this book from being just another NA novel. JLA really broke the mold creating Cam and I hope he does many cameos in the upcoming companion novel(s) of this series.

4 STARS

 

Book Links:

AMAZON  *  GOODREADS

Book Review: Out of Breath



Out of Breath by Rebecca Donovan
(Book #3 of the Breathing Series)
July 2, 2013
Skyscape Publishing
Genre: New Adult
Source: Personal Purchase

Book Blurb:

Emma leaves Weslyn and everyone in it behind to attend Stanford University, just as she always intended. A shell of her former self, she is not the same girl. She is broken, and the only way that she’ll be whole again is through forgiveness. Emma must find a way to forgive herself and recognize her own worth before she can receive the love she deserves. This final installment will have readers holding their breath until the very last page.

 
My Review:

I had huge amounts of anxiety going into reading this final book of the Breathing series. I absolutely loved the first two books (gave them both 5 Stars) and have been desperately awaiting the conclusion, and if the conclusion would be what I'd been hoping for. Oddly enough, it wasn't as emotional a read for me as the first two books, but more of a soul-searching journey. Here are my thoughts:
 
FIRST THIRD OF BOOK: I found this to be very stressful to read. I didn't like where EMMA was, who she was, and I was really frustrated that after two years she still wasn't in any therapy. She had red flags all over the place and her so-called friends kept putting her in ridiculous situations and ignoring the obvious instead of really helping her and pushing past her walls. SARA and all the roommates could obviously see that Emma had problems that were not going away, but getting worse, and babysitting her was not going to be enough. When you can't leave someone by themselves without them falling off the deep end or making stupid choices, that's a problem.
 
SECOND THIRD OF BOOK: I had mixed feelings about Emma's choices, particularly with a new character named COLE. While Emma made her intentions clear to him, I still didn't love what happened and how much focus it received. I did not appreciate their casualness. I also didn't understand his attraction to her, outside of the physical. Because the reality of it is: Emma is not that pleasant of a person much of the time. She's a victim, yes, but she's also self-centered, self-deprecating, and self-destructive. Then when the past and present come together after a certain tragedy, I didn't appreciate the choices Emma made - more selfish choices. But I did like Cole and wouldn't mind a spin-off series or book about him; He has an interesting background and personality.

LAST THIRD OF BOOK: My favorite. Trying not to be spoilery, I'll just say that I actually enjoyed watching the past and present come together and work toward some closure, resolution, etc. It was difficult to read and frustrating at times because these characters knew what they needed to do but their stubbornness and selfishness at times would prevent them from moving forward. Emma was truly exasperating at times, but having not personally been through the amount of personal trauma that she's been through, I don't want to overly judge her, because I have not walked in her shoes. But I am glad that she had people in her life who were finally real with her, and I also liked it when people would stand up to her and not let her constantly be the victim and the martyr. She needed to be accountable for her actions with steps toward forgiveness and not just wallowing in guilt. EVAN, I loved, as always. I'm so glad we got to know more about him and his reactions to things. I hate doormat male characters who let women walk over them. I felt like Evan was able to stand up for himself, decide what he wanted, and expect to be treated a certain way. I could read about Evan all day long.

LAST CHAPTER: Slighly spoilery - I liked how things ended. I felt I had closure, and I've reread it a few times and I still feel great. I also felt like all the open-ended questions out there were answered. Of course I love Evan and Emma. But what is keeping my from giving this a full 5 Stars is that the end was just too short. For the length of this book, and the amount of time spent on other characters in this book and Emma's relationship with them, I really wanted more to this end. I was really worried when reading the last few pages because there was so much to resolve in the remaining pages, and I didn't know how she was going to do it. Well, she did it. Everything's resolved. But I wanted more. I spent so much time investing in Emma and Evan's relationship, that I wanted more of them. I wanted to read more about them together. Now I know that this series is really Emma's journey, not necessarily Evan's. But considering his importance in her life, again, I just wanted more.  

EPILOGUE: Be forewarned that it is only 2 pages long. This is probably the shortest epilogue I've ever read. Now I liked the focus of the epilogue. I feel like it was one more piece of Emma's life I could be happy about. So I do not want to dismiss this epilogue. What I would have really liked would have been a second epilogue again focused on the relationship I was really invested in. We get hints in the last chapter, but, again, I would have liked a little more. For those of us invested in these characters, it's hard to let them go.

BOTTOMLINE: A big thanks to Rebecca Donovan and this amazing series. Despite me wanting more at the end, I've loved this entire series and taking this journey with Emma. And if she ever wants to write another book about Emma and Evan, I'll be the first in line for it. But she did tell me she's going to writing a series with JONATHAN, so I'll look forward to that, and hope for Emma and Evan cameos.

4-1/2 STARS

 

Book Links:

AMAZON   *   GOODREADS

Teaser Tuesday (16): Neanderthal Seeks Human

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Neanderthal Seeks Human
by Penny Reid
Published March 13, 2013

This book was a hit for me from the very first page. Funny, quirky, and romantic are just a few descriptions. My teaser is from the first chapter, and you can see why I immediately loved the heroine and her quirkiness.

Teaser:

 

I could see it now: the building security team called in to extract me from the fifty-second floor ladies' room, decimated toilet paper cardboard flesh all around me, my panties still around my ankles as I point accusingly at my coworkers and scream, "Next time replace the roll! Replace the roll!"

 

(kindle loc 111)

 

 

Book Blurb:

There are three things you need to know about Janie Morris: 1) She is incapable of engaging in a conversation without volunteering TMTI (Too Much Trivial Information), especially when she is unnerved, 2) No one unnerves her more than Quinn Sullivan, and 3) She doesn't know how to knit.

After losing her boyfriend, apartment, and job in the same day, Janie Morris can't help wondering what new torment fate has in store. To her utter mortification, Quinn Sullivan- aka Sir McHotpants- witnesses it all then keeps turning up like a pair of shoes you lust after but can't afford. The last thing she expects is for Quinn- the focus of her slightly, albeit harmless, stalkerish tendencies- to make her an offer she can't refuse.

 

Book Links:

 

AMAZON  *  GOODREADS

 

Cover Reveal: ORIGIN by Jennifer L. Armentrout

If you are a LUX fan, like me, and have been loving Daemon and Katy's incredible alien journey, then you are more than excited about the upcoming fourth novel in the series, ORIGIN. Without further ado, here's the cover ...

 

This cover looks amazing! I love that Pepe is still the cover model and he's especially working his charm as Daemon on this cover in particular. This will look beautiful on my bookshelf next to the rest of my Lux books. I've even pre-ordered the paperback already :)

 

ORIGIN by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Set to release on August 27, 2013 from Entangled Teen.

 

Book BLURB:

Daemon will do anything to get Katy back.

After the successful but disastrous raid on Mount Weather, he’s facing the impossible. Katy is gone. Taken. Everything becomes about finding her. Taking out anyone who stands in his way? Done. Burning down the whole world to save her? Gladly. Exposing his alien race to the world? With pleasure.

All Katy can do is survive.

Surrounded by enemies, the only way she can come out of this is to adapt. After all, there are sides of Daedalus that don’t seem entirely crazy, but the group’s goals are frightening and the truths they speak even more disturbing. Who are the real bad guys? Daedalus? Mankind? Or the Luxen?

Together, they can face anything.

But the most dangerous foe has been there all along, and when the truths are exposed and the lies come crumbling down, which side will Daemon and Katy be standing on? And will they even be together?

ORIGIN Links:

GOODREADS  *  AMAZON  *  BARNES & NOBLE

 

 ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

# 1 NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer Armentrout lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell, Loki.

 

Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen.

She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.
Additional links to Jennifer’s pages:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JLArmentrout

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenniferLArmentrout

Website: http://www.jenniferarmentrout.com/