Book Review: xo, Zach by Kendall Ryan

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xo, Zach
Author: Kendall Ryan
Reading Level: New Adult
Genres: College | Contemporary Romance
Released: January 23, 2018
Review Link: Purchased

The first time we met was at a party.

Your ex arrived to show off the person he'd left you for last month, and you asked me to pretend to be your date.

I was more than happy to help. You were attractive, smart and witty--and that kiss we shared? It left me wanting you for days.

The second time we met was in my office on campus where we were both surprised to discover you were the new master’s degree student in poetry that I would be working with. You promised to be professional. I did no such thing.

The late nights and intense study sessions spent alongside you majorly throw me off my game. I want you, and I fight with myself daily over this fact.

I know I'm crass, that my sexual innuendos and dirty mouth annoy you, but I live for those two bright spots of color in your cheeks. If that's the only reaction I can get out of you, I'll gladly take it.

You hate Mondays so every Monday I slip an anonymous poem into your bag and your smile gets me through the week.

I think I'm falling for you, and I know it's wrong. I know that I'm only supposed to be the adviser to your program and nothing more, but here's the thing. I think you're falling for me too.

xo, Zach

 xo, Zach is a very cute story about an adviser and his student in college. The two meet previously one night before finding out they would be paired up at school. So it comes as a shock to them both when they have their first meeting at school. Now how awkward is it, VERY! Zach is very into Poppy, and Poppy is too, but she is more reserved about it. Then add the situation, that they are adviser and student, and its probably not allowed in the school policy. So this has Poppy a bit freaked out. She keeps turning down Zach, but their is only so much she can take. Zach does not give up easily.

The push and pull from these two, is so thick, you can slice it with a knife. They both petty much can't stop thinking (dreaming) about each other, and the more days pass, the stronger the connection. And when Zach starts fighting with poems, how does a girl resist that. Poppy was a goner! Yes, you read that right, he started writing her poems and she could not resit a man, that could write such beautiful words.

So after the push and pull, they finally give in. Well, I should say, Poppy does. Zach was giving up already and about to move on. Poppy finally came to her senses, and gave it a shot. Zach wasn't prepared for Poppy's big surprise. How did he take it? Guess you'll have to find out and read the book to know.

This book is another great one by Kendall Ryan. I love all her stories. She doesn't fail at giving us guys we can't help failing for. This story is cute and a fast read. If you love HEA, then grab xo, Zach today. Forgot to mention, how much I love that title.

Book News: Rooke by Callie Hart

Rooke by Callie Hart

Release: March 14

Available: Amazon and Kindle Unlimited

Watchmaker. Car thief. Heartbreaker extraordinaire.

Rooke Blackheath has spent enough time in juvie to know that he really doesn’t want to go to jail. The food sucks, the clothes itch, and there are absolutely no women in sight. Well…none he wants to fuck, anyway.

He should probably stop boosting cars, but the money is stellar and the high is out of this world. And why should he turn his back on something that sets his soul on fire anyway?

The answer to that question comes in an unexpected form—a petite five-foot-three firecracker named Sasha, who refuses to give him the time of day no matter how thick he lays on the charm.

Rooke’s not easily deterred, though. Just like the watches he builds from scratch, Rooke knows all too well how women tick.

Women are a game to him. A game he always wins.

Sasha doesn’t stand a chance.

***

Sasha Connor’s life has been permanently derailed since her son died five years ago. You wouldn’t know it to look at her, of course. She has a great job, a beautiful house, and caring friends. Every week, she hosts a book club featuring the sexiest, most romantic stories on the planet, and every week she falls for a new fictional knight in shining armor.

Fictional men are perfect. They don’t hurt you. They don’t break your heart. They don’t cheat on you after your child dies, and they rarely ever leave the toilet seat up.

When Rooke Blackheath shows up at Sasha’s workplace, it’s clear he’s nothing like the men who grace the pages of her favorite books. Dangerous, arrogant, sharp-tongued and sarcastic, Rooke’s not the kind of guy she needs in her life. Not to mention the fact that he’s eleven years her junior.

As far as Sasha is concerned, Rooke doesn’t just live in a different world. He lives in a different galaxy altogether. She’d like to keep it that way, but fate appears to have other plans.

When Cinderella lost her shoe, Prince Charming showed up at her door.

When Sasha Connor loses her book, an entirely different kind of rogue comes a-knocking.

Pre-Orders available now:

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Double Book Review: The Problem With Crazy and Eleven Weeks by Lauren K. McKellar

The Problem With Crazy
Crazy In Love #1
Author: Lauren K. McKellar
Reading Level: New Adult
Genre: Contemporary
Released: December 28, 2014
Review Source: Amazon Digital Services

The problem with crazy is that crazy, by itself, has no context. It can be good crazy, bad crazy ... or crazy crazy—like it was when my ex-boyfriend sung about me on the radio.

Eighteen-year-old Kate couldn’t be more excited about finishing high school and spending the summer on tour with her boyfriend’s band. Her dad showing up drunk at graduation, however, is not exactly kicking things off on the right foot—and that’s before she finds out about his mystery illness, certain to end in death.
A mystery illness that she could inherit.
Kate has to convince everyone around her that her father is sick, not crazy. But who will be harder to convince? Her friends? Or herself?

The Problem With Crazy is a story about love and life; about overcoming obstacles, choosing to trust, and learning how to make the choices that will change your life forever.

Kate has just graduated high school and has the entire summer looking bright and fun while heading out with her boyfriend on the tour she organized for his band. But, then her drunk dad shows up and her plans do a complete 180. He's sick...and it's hereditary.

While The Problem With Crazy didn't win me over entirely, it definitely gently tugged at my heartstrings during several scenes. The plot is great! I couldn't put the book down because there were so many questions asked towards the beginning of the book that I needed answers to.

The strong suit of this book is definitely it's characters. McKellar did an outstanding job creating these characters! First, Kate- man, oh man she is such a raw character. The way she handled each obstacle throughout the story was very real and believable. Not once did she annoy me. Dave, on the other hand..I never thought it possible to hate a fictional character so much. He is the king of jerks! No, he is definitely not the swoon-worthy bad boy type. He is the definition of ignorance. My blood is still boiling. The "other guy" that becomes the love interest is a sweet heart! The only reason I will not say his name is because McKellar definitely builds up the reveal of his name in the book! But, he is the cutest, philosophical, dorky glasses wearing heartthrob!

There were so many twists and turns in this book that you wouldn't expect. I felt all the emotions! Happiness, anger, sadness, and joy.

The next installment in the Crazy In Love series, Eleven Weeks, focuses on Stacy, Kate's best friend.

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Eleven Weeks
Crazy In Love #2
Author: Lauren K. McKellar
Reading Level: New Adult
Genre: Contemporary
Released: January 28, 2015

Seven shots

Five siblings

Two boys

One heartbeat …

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Stacey is good at pretending.

She pretends that the boy she's in love with doesn't exist.

She pretends that she's happy to live and die in this small town.

She pretends that her life is carefree while her best friend's world crumbles before her very eyes.

But Stacey's got a secret ...

And it's going to ruin everything.

Eleven Weeks takes place during the same time The Problem With Crazy took place, only it's in Stacy's point of view. We get to go through her drama this time, and boy is it a ride!

I definitely found myself enjoying Eleven Weeks more. I found Stacy's voice more fun and easier to read. I loved her quick wit in The Problem With Crazy and I couldn't wait to get into her head with this book.

There were so many things wrong with this book that were so right! I don't mean wrong in a bad way. I mean Stacy is a hot mess and hot mess Stacy had my heart. She's so good at pretending she almost had me fooled at times. She's labeled as the blonde bimbo and is seen as being very sexually active. But, homegirl brings that upon herself. I was cheering her throughout the whole book. If she could hear me this is what I was saying "Stacy stop tearing yourself down!"

The only character I was worried about in this book, other than Stacy, was Michael. I fell for him immediately! He was a breath of fresh air every time he came around. I knew when he was mentioned that I'd enjoy the particular scene very much.

Overall I loved Eleven Weeks and I loved the way McKellar intertwined these two books! Genius! Now I can't wait to pick up the third installment of this series, The Problem With Heartache!

Book Review: Beautiful Redemption by Jamie McGuire

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Beautiful Redemption
The Maddox Brothers #2
Author: Jamie McGuire
Reading Level: New Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: January 27th 2015
Review Source: Wordsmith Publicity

If A Maddox boy falls in love, he loves forever. But what if he didn't love you, first?

No-nonsense Liis Lindy is an agent of the FBI. Deciding she is married only to her job, she breaks off her engagement and transfers from Chicago to the field office in San Diego. She loves her desk. She is committed to her laptop. She dreams of promotions and shaking hands with the director after cracking an impossible case.

Special Agent in Charge Thomas Maddox is arrogant, unforgiving, and ruthless. He is tasked with putting away some of the world’s toughest criminals, and he is one of the best the Bureau has to offer. Though, as many lives as he’s saved, there is one that is beyond his reach. Younger brother Travis is faced with prison time for his involvement in a basement fire that killed dozens of college students, and the media want a conviction. Travis’s only savior is his unusual tie to the mob. In a deal that will spare his brother, Thomas has agreed to recruit Travis into the FBI.

Liis is stubborn, defiant, and yet somehow softens Thomas’s rough edges, making her the perfect agent to accompany him to the ceremony. Posing as a couple, they must travel to Travis & Abby’s beach vow renewal and give him the news, but when the pretending ends, she finds herself wondering if they were pretending at all.

In the second installment of the Maddox Brothers books, experience firsthand the mysterious world of the elusive Thomas Maddox, and how good love can be when you’re not the first, but the last.

If a book contains anything about a Maddox brother, we read it. No questions asked, you just grab it and dive in. Their really isn't anything new I can say to add to everything that has been said, mentioned or written about Jamie McGuire and her books but in particular The Maddox Brothers. We know that everything penned by McGuire is FANTASTIC. Especially the Maddox Brothers, which all started with Travis (Beautiful Disaster series); the one who's guilty in creating this phenomenon, then Trenton (Beautiful Oblivion), Thomas a.k.a. T.J. (Beautiful Redemption), The Twins Tyler and Taylor with no specific book for them yet but they make an appearance in this book with Thomas. Actually all the brothers do. So just with that piece of information alone, you know you want to read this latest installment. 

I would recommend reading in order since this book brings up moments from Beautiful Oblivion and even from Walking Disaster. So if you are that 1% that hasn't read any of these books, you have to start from the beginning with Travis. You won't regret it. 

So lets talk a little about Thomas and his book. I enjoyed reading it, what I loved the most was all the brothers making cameos. That was the biggest highlight for me. As far as Thomas, he connected with me but Liis not as much. Just didn't feel like they were the right match, at one point I thought Thomas and Cami would get back together. But that would be a whole another set of books because then Trenton would be devastated. So I got over it as soon as I could and learn to accept Liis but I wasn't her number one cheerleader. Now Thomas, I wouldn't mind sharing gym time with him anyway. Follow these two work on their love life while trying to take down some bad guys that affect not just their work but also their families. 

I did enjoy though how Liis and Thomas met for the first time, such a Maddox thing to do. The storyline was entertaining and had a good flow throughout the book. Overall a great addition to this saga. Can't wait to see if McGuire will write a book about the twins!!! 

* Read my review of Beautiful Oblivion, Trenton's book!!!

Trailer Thursday: Here With Me by Heidi McLaughlin + Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb

Here With Me

The Archer Brothers Book 1

Author: Heidi McLaughlin

Released: October 23rd 2014

Read OUaT's Review of Here With Me

 

Ryley Clarke has grown up with the military in her blood, with both parents serving their country. Ryley knows the risks of being married to the military. But when the unthinkable happens, and her future husband is killed in action, Ryley can barely survive... until Evan's twin brother, Nate, helps her pick up the pieces. After serving on a special mission with the military for six years, Evan Archer returns home to find the unthinkable - the love of his life, Ryley Clarke - engaged to his brother, Nate. With Nate on deployment, Evan needs to figure out what happened in his absence, and more importantly, how to win Ryley back from the man he once considered his best friend, but now thinks of as his rival.

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Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb

Release Date: December 19th 2014

Produced and Directed by: Shawn Levy

Screenplay by: David Guion & Michael Handelman; Story by Mark Friedman and David Guion & Michael Handelman;
Based on characters created by Thomas Lennon & Robert Ben Garant

Produced by: Chris Columbus, Mark Radcliffe

Cast: Ben Stiller, Robin Williams, Owen Wilson, Dan Stevens, and Ben Kingsley. Also starring: Steve Coogan, Ricky Gervais, Rebel Wilson

Get ready for the wildest and most adventure-filled Night At the Museum ever as Larry (Ben Stiller) spans the globe, uniting favorite and new characters while embarking on an epic quest to save the magic before it is gone forever.

Book Review: Amazon Burning by Victoria Griffith

Amazon Burning
Author: Victoria Griffith
Reading Level: New Adult
Genre: Murder Mystery
Released: October 1, 2014
Review Source: Astor + Blue Editions

When 22-year-old aspiring journalist, Emma Cohen, is forced to flee the comforts of her NYU student life, she maneuvers an internship from her father at his newspaper in Rio de Janeiro. There, Emma is immediately swept into a major news story--and a life-threatening situation--when a famous jungle environmentalist, Milton Silva, is mysteriously murdered.Emma must now enter the Amazon rainforest with her father to investigate; both awed by the enormity and beauty of the Amazon, and appalled by its reckless destruction. Not only will Emma have to brave the primal world of the Amazon, she must fight to survive the kidnappers, villains, corrupt activists, and indigenous tribes that lay in wait along the ever-twisting trail of the murder case. Stretched to the brink, it s up to Emma, her father and the dreamy news photographer, Jimmy, to unravel the mystery and live to tell the tale. Amazon Burning by Victoria Griffith is a spectacular debut Young Adult novel. Griffith's powerful rendering of the Amazon rainforest forms the perfect, wildly exotic backdrop for this extraordinary tale of a young urban woman coming of age in the midst of intense conflict.

I have to admit that this was a little hard for me to review. I really liked the idea and premise of the book and I wish I could say that the story caught me from the very beginning, but something just didn't quite fit for me.

I felt that some of the words were forced into it and I also felt like there were scenes that rushed a little and I would've liked to have stayed in them longer. Some of the chapters were cut off too short and I felt like I needed a little more to the story.

There were things that I did enjoy about the book. I had never read something where the setting took place in the Amazon. You can definitely tell that Griffith has spent some time there because it showed in her writing. I also liked the main character Emma because she reminded me of a friend of mine. She was easily likable and was complex.

Overall, I wasn't a huge fan of the book, but that doesn't mean you wont be. Again, I loved the setting and the character Emma, but the writing just wasn't there for me.

Book Review: Stronger by Lani Woodland

Stronger
Author: Lani Woodland
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Science Fiction
Released: August 24, 2014
Review Source: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.

It's been said, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. In the aftermath of an alien invasion, the old saying became literal.

When the aliens attacked Earth, their bombs changed our atmosphere. Through DNA manipulation, humanity survived, but exist now as two distinct classes of people: the Valudis who heal and gain strength from every hurt, and the weaker Debilii, for whom the slightest injury can be fatal. The Debilii are servants for the Valudis, who in turn act as warriors and protectors. And ruling over them all are the alien Orions who decided they liked Earth enough to stay.

Despite being born a Debilii, Lexie Hake bravely joined the resistance to free Earth from the Orions. When several run-ins with Bryant, a handsome Valudis, bring her secret activities to the aliens’ notice, the whole rebellion is put at risk. Lexie is forced to take a more active role in overthrowing the Orions. ‪She might be Earth’s last chance at freedom, and if she fails, the Orions’ ruthless reign may never end.

After reading Ender's Game last summer, I've been on the look out for a really good Young Adult Science-Fiction...and I think I've found it. Stronger had everything I was looking for in a novel where aliens have taken over the planet and only a strong character like Lexie could save everyone.

It was a little confusing at first remembering who the Debs, Vals, and Orions were. You're front loaded with a lot of information at once and it took me awhile to sort out who was who and I had a lot of questions on why Lexie was being treated the way she was. A few chapters in though, it was like second nature. You really became one of the rebels fighting with Lexie against the Orions. Valudis was another character that was well thought of and helped add to the suspense of the story. I think Woodland did a great job of characterization with all of her characters.

Woodland did a great job of not only character, but setting building too. It was easy to create an image of the world that she built. It wasn't too far out there for a Science-Fiction, which was was good, because it was easy to keep track of where everything was.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. Science-Fiction isn't my favorite genre to read for YA, but I think Woodland's writing and world building made it an easy read. I would recommend this to older and younger teens.

Book Review: World After by Susan Ee

World After
Penryn & the End of Days #2
Author: Susan Ee
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Paranormal | Supernatural | Dystopian
Released: November 19th 2013
Review Source: Purchased
 

In this sequel to the bestselling fantasy thriller, Angelfall, the survivors of the angel apocalypse begin to scrape back together what's left of the modern world. When a group of people capture Penryn's sister Paige, thinking she's a monster, the situation ends in a massacre. Paige disappears. Humans are terrified. Mom is heartbroken.

Penryn drives through the streets of San Francisco looking for Paige. Why are the streets so empty? Where is everybody? Her search leads her into the heart of the angels' secret plans, where she catches a glimpse of their motivations, and learns the horrifying extent to which the angels are willing to go.

Meanwhile, Raffe hunts for his wings. Without them, he can't rejoin the angels, can't take his rightful place as one of their leaders. When faced with recapturing his wings or helping Penryn survive, which will he choose?

I finally got the chance to read World After since it published and was sitting on my shelf. When your a book reviewer the books you don't get from publishers/Authors tend to stay to the side waiting for that free moment when you can read it. I finally had a small opening in my reading schedule and took advantage to reading the second book in Susan Ee's series. I LOVED Angelfall and just couldn't wait to know what happened next in book 2, especially with such an jaw-dropping ending in Angelfall.

Well I wasn't expecting what I read. World After was not the power-house book that Angelfall was. While Angelfall I read in one sitting, World After took me several nights of reading. It dragged for a while, something I didn't suffer from in Angelfall. The story in World After didn't advance, I felt like we were stuck in the same idea/place for more time that it call for. The lack of Raffe in almost ⅔ of the book, really deflated me. Raffe is just as important in the story as Penryn is, so to be reading along and have him out of the equation didn't sit well with me. World After wasn't bad even though I have said all that. But it wasn't enough to get a 5 star rating. What redeemed the book was when Raffe and Penryn finally sync up again, that felt like a rainy day when the clouds just part open and this beautiful sun and rainbow shine through.

I won't give up on this series, I know that this was the second book in the series that is looking to have a total of 3-5 books in the series. So obviously the author couldn't put everything out on the table when there is so much more to write about in the series. I just ask that Raffe be present most of the time. That's not to much to ask for right? Raffe makes everything better even with his demon wings. Again I did enjoy the book because even with the hiccups I still felt pleased. Ee has a way of balancing the good, bad and the downright gross perfectly. The end definitely takes you back to what you feel in love with in Angelfall.

I will sit patiently again until the release of book 3 in the series. I have a feeling since Penryn and Raffe are back together saving the world, book 3 will explode like Angelfall did.

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You can check my review of ANGELFALL (Penryn & the End of Days #1) HERE.

And if you have yet started on WORLD AFTER, you can read an excerpt of Susan Ee website.

Book Review: The Convenience of Lies by Kimberly Castillo

The Convenience of Lies
Author: Kimberly Castillo

Reading Level: Young Adult

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: October 16, 2013

Review Source: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform/Amazon

 

“It doesn't matter if it's right or wrong. All that matters is if you can. If you can do something, what difference does it make?"

Based on a true story, The Convenience of Lies is a novel that keeps readers up past midnight with its story of friendship, mystery, crime, sex, and betrayal. Set in a suburban town, this story is told through the eyes of a high school junior, Mackenzie, who describes her crush on a "bad boy," Ramon and her relationship with her best friend, Kira. During the course of the story, Mackenzie does her best to attract the affections of Ramon while her friendship with Kira evolves. Eventually, the different characters' property starts getting vandalized and a mystery develops as Mackenzie and Kira try to get to the bottom of who is behind the vandalism.

This is definitely a book that you need to remain focused on. There are a lot of ins and outs and I found myself having to re-read paragraphs again, to ensure that I was on the right track. This book is definitely something that was written quite a few years ago, as the kids interact though instant messenger on AOL and leaving voice messages on an answering machine. Talk about taking me back to the beginning of mainstream technology! :)

The main characters are high schoolers, Mackenzie, Kira and Ramon. The story starts off showing us how high strung her best friend Kira is, just before she is about to take off to Russia for the summer. According to Ramon, Kira is over the top, causing problems and Mackenzie is always the one to try and smooth things over.

Right before Kira goes off for the summer, she and Mackenzie have a huge blow out fight, which leaves them both questioning their friendship. While Kira is away, vandalism strikes. Windows are being smashed, cars being destroyed and no one can figure out who is to blame. Kira returns home and the girls immediately get to investigating. Mackenzie has her theory and Kira has hers ... Ramon. Ramon is one of Mackenzie's best friends and whom she is in love with. She can not fathom the fact that he could even be remotely responsible for vandalism.

Ramon has knowledge of the vandalism, although he is afraid to say, as he knows that there will be consequences for squealing. After some hard core pleading from Mackenzie, Ramon opens up and tells her who is behind the vandalism. He also knows that no one believes that "bad boy Ramon" has nothing to do with it, therefore just wants to drop the topic and move on. Meanwhile "The King", is giving orders on where and when to strike next. The King has his cronies and they do whatever he says, whenever he says. Who is The King? Why is he doing what he's doing? What is the reason behind these attacks?

The epilogue shocked me quite a bit, although I think that you will like it. It was probably my favorite part of this story. It was a nice and easy read and not excruciatingly long, a perfect length for my taste. I hope that you enjoyed my review and as always ... happy reading!