Showing posts with label Jamie McGuire LLC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jamie McGuire LLC. Show all posts

Book Review: Apolonia by Jamie McGuire

Apolonia
Author: Jamie McGuire
Reading Level: New Adult
Genre: Sci-Fi | Romance | Dark | Thriller
Published: October 6th 2014
Review Source: Purchased

“They’d killed me, but I survived.”

Three years after Rory Riordan foiled her own murder, she still trusts no one—not Dr. Z, the eccentric college professor who has taken her under his wing; not Benji, the endearing, attractive classmate who insists on following her around; and certainly not Cy, the beautifully dark and mysterious boy who sits in the first row in Dr. Z’s Astrobiology class and asks far too many questions.

When Rory witnesses Cy being abducted by soldiers in the middle of the night, she finds herself immersed in a world that holds more secrets than she could imagine, even darker secrets than her own.

From #1 New York Times Bestseller Jamie McGuire, experience the perfect combination of her bestselling books Providence and Beautiful Disaster. This New Adult Sci-Fi Romance is an action-packed, whiplash-inducing roller-coaster ride. Page after page, this unpredictable, dark, and sexy nail-biter will keep readers guessing until the very end!


I really do admire when authors step out of their comfort zones. When they take a leap of faith into a territory they are strangers in. I applaud McGuire once again for writing a book that stands out from her typical contemporary romance genre. Last year McGuire did this similar move with the book Red Hill, which I loved immensely. No romance, just survival and hope against the zombies. Well McGuire did it again with Apolonia. Now this time, she did incorporate some romance but it was not the forefront of the story. Apolonia takes you on a roller coaster that's out of this world.

Before chatting about the story, I want to take a few moments to gush over the book cover. Isn't it fantastic? I knew as soon as I saw it, I had to read it. The colors and graphics just draw you in. So kudos to the mastermind(s) behind the creation of the cover.

Now on to the story inside the pages of Apolonia. This story follows the recent life of Rory, college student that survived something so horrible and tragic, that its hard to believe. Her parents and sister did not survived this same attack and were brutally murder. And when I say Rory survived, don't think it was your typical survival story either. Rory died but did come back and now believes she can't die. So Rory is left with huge trust issues and resentment towards everyone. How she works around her issues is that she is dedicated to her studies and one professor in particular Dr. Z. Rory helps Dr. Z alongside another student on a special top secret project that only Rory and Cy know what exactly they are doing.

Rory you can say has one friend (sort of), remember those trust issues, yea they are in full affect all the time. So friend might be exaggerating a bit but its the closet person she has left. This boy that follows Rory around like a sad puppy is called, Benji. He is madly infatuated with Rory, and tells her he will wait for her to be able to be more with him. When all these feelings and doubts begin to take shape with Rory, Cy the quiet mysterious guy she has been working with, finally decides to start speaking to Rory. This clouds Rory even more that what she has been. Does she go with the safe choice which is Benji or does she venture towards the unknown which is Cy. Regardless they are both mouth watering (FYI). 

Now if you think the romance and angst is the focal point here, no not even close. Believe me when I say the romance is a part of the main picture. Secrets and mysteries begin to unravel and Rory, Cy and Benji are all involved in this circle. The world Rory thought she lived in, will open a new window to something else. And this will put Rory in the center of something supernatural-out-of-this-world that is happening around her. Who will Rory trust after everything is revealed, you have to read to find out. 

Highly recommend for the Sci-Fi junkie and of course any fan of McGuire will approve.


Waiting on Wednesday: Apolonia by Jamie McGuire


Waiting on Wednesday
"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.



Apolonia
Author: Jamie McGuire
Release Date: October 6th 2014
Publisher: Jamie McGuire LLC


“They killed me, but I survived.”

Three years after Rory Riordan foiled her own murder, she still trusts no one. Not Dr. Z, the eccentric college professor who has taken her under his wing, not Benji, the endearing, attractive classmate who insists on following her around, and certainly not Cy, the beautifully dark and mysterious boy who sits on the first row in Dr. Z’s Astrobiology class and asks far too many questions.

When Rory witnesses Cy being abducted by soldiers in the middle of the night, she finds herself submersed in a world that holds even more secrets than she could imagine--even darker secrets than her own.

From #1 New York Times Bestseller Jamie McGuire, experience the perfect combination of her bestselling books Providence & Beautiful Disaster. This New Adult Sci-Fi Romance is an action-packed, whiplash-inducing roller coaster ride. Page after page, this unpredictable, dark and sexy nail biter will keep readers guessing until the very end!


--Apolonia is just what New Adult needed!— Jennifer Armentrout, #1 New York Times and International best selling author

Book Review: Happenstance 2 by Jamie McGuire


Happenstance 2
Happenstance: A Novella Series
Author: Jamie McGuire
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Romance
Released: September 9th 2014
Review Source: Purchased

Erin Easter was now Erin Alderman, because Erin Alderman was dead.

In the second installment of this USA Today bestselling series, follow protagonist Erin, a high school senior in tiny Blackwell, Oklahoma. After a terrible accident leaves two classmates dead, Erin learns that she was switched at birth. Shortly after, she moves into the home of her true parents, Sam and Julianne Alderman, transforming Erin over night from pariah of Blackwell High School, to the only child of one of the most affluent couples in town.

Also being pursued by her childhood crush, Weston Gates, the dream she once had is now reality. But when Erin stumbles upon secrets that gives her the answers she’s been searching for, she also finds a truth she never wanted to know.


This review will contain spoilers if you haven’t read the first novella in the Happenstance trilogy. Happenstance Part 2 picks right back up where Happenstance Part 1 leaves off, Erin Easter, who turned out to actually be Erin Alderman, has moved in with the Alderman’s. So to make things clear, in the first book we are introduced to three Erin’s, Erin Alderman, Erin Masterson, and Erin Easter. After an untimely accident where it took the lives of Alderman and Masterson, we discovered that there was an unfortunate mix up in the hospital and Erin Easter went home with the wrong family. Easter had a terrible upbringing so this change of events has totally shaken her entire life, one major rollercoaster ride. So Erin Easter was actually the real Erin Alderman and when the Alderman’s (Sam and Julianne) they had asked Erin to move in with them. And that’s where we pick up, Erin getting adjusted to a new life style, a new life, and a family that is ready and willing to try to make up for lost time. Erin has built tall and thick walls around her emotions that are hard to knock down and become adjusted to her new life. She was bullied her entire life by the two other Erins and kids in school, and even with the new revelation none of it has come to stop.

The second novella gives us lots of Weston, who I totally crush on, and a lot more of Julianne and Sam. Getting to know the Alderman’s was one of my favorite parts in this installment, it wasn’t only Erin’s world that got turned upside down, but the Alderman’s as well, they lost and gained a daughter at the same time. Watching them try and knock down Erin’s walls was great to watch, it was hard for Erin having people that actually cared around. We also get a look into Erin Alderman’s life as well in this novella, getting to know why they hated Erin Easter so much, what had changed when they were little that made both the Erin’s turn so cold towards her.

I love this novella collection and I am completely in awe with the strength Erin has. She survives, she’s brave, but she also letting people in slowly. She isn’t the only one in her life now; she’s not the only one taking care of herself. Erin is learning a lot, and changing slowly but surely. I can’t wait for the final novella. I want me some more Weston.

These are great quick reads, and I totally recommended it to anyone. Happenstance has it all when it comes to romance and tragedy, and Weston, it definitely has Weston.


Book Review: Happenstance by Jamie McGuire




Happenstance
Author: Jamie McGuire
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: May 9th 2014
Review Source: Wordsmith Publicity
 

#1 New York Times Bestseller Jamie McGuire returns to self-publishing with this page-turning YA account of Erin Easter, one of three Erins in the small senior class of rural Blackwell High School who not only share a first name, but also their birthday. Erin Easter, raised by a neglectful single mom, keeps to herself and admires Weston Gates from afar. The other Erins, Erin A. and Erin M. are the darlings of the community: daughters of the two wealthiest families in town, best friends, cheerleaders, and everything Erin Easter isn't--and they never let her forget it. Erin A. has even claimed Weston since the 8th grade.

Weston is a well-liked star athlete, and the son of two prominent attorneys. He struggles daily with the pressures of living up to his family name and secretly empathizes with Erin Easter's feeling that she belongs somewhere else; in a different life. Not until he begins sneaking nights out with Erin does he gain the courage to buck expectations and acknowledge his feelings ... both for his future, and for her.

But when a shocking tragedy rocks the tiny town, Erin's life is turned upside down in the best way possible. But when the truth is revealed and everything Erin thinks she wanted falls into her lap, life only becomes more complicated.


Right from the start I immediately knew I would like Erin Easter. For someone to endure as much bullying as she does and push onward and never let them see her cry, that's a superpower in my book. She doesn't need a cape or or tights to show how strong she is. She proves that with her actions and words. Not everyone understand how tough it is when you get bullied when your young but Erin proves you can overcome it with your head held high.

Happenstance warms your heart and reminds you that even in a short novella why we love McGuire's writing. She was able to deliver so much in with fewer words and I loved every single part. At one point I thought I knew what would happen in the story and what do you know, McGuire went somewhere else I didn't expect. Kuddos to that!

You guys will love Weston, I have nothing bad to say about him except it was about time he woke up!  These two together go like peanut butter and jelly (cue peanut butter & jelly sound in my head now). Not sure why he didn't man up earlier and let those year waste with Easter, but in Happenstance he corrected that.

I strongly suggest that YOU read Happenstance on May 9th. You won't regret it. This novella contains passion, sorrow, pain and happiness all bottled up under that beautiful book cover.  You will read it in one sitting, so make sure to not have anything pending or waiting on you when you begin reading it. Happy Reading!!!



Happenstance will be LIVE on May 9th! Check out what some of the most trusted Indie book bloggers have to say about the first in a brand new novella series (via Jamie McGuire's Blog):

"My head is spinning. My emotions are twisted into knots. My eyes are still wet from the spill of tears burning down my cheeks. My heart is overfreakingjoyed." -- Kim Parker Easton

"Erin Easter captured my heart with her resilience and determination. Her story is not only one of coincidence, but of significance. Jamie McGuire made Erin's story relatable to readers across the board. It carries a strong message of hope, survival and ... love. Don't miss out on your chance to experience HAPPENSTANCE. " -- The Autumn Review

"A softer, sweeter side of Jamie McGuire. It's fate, love and life converging in a touching tale that lingers long after you're done." -- Vilma's Book Blog

"McGuire fulfilled everything I look for in a book to be amazing when she penned Happenstance." -- Yara, Once Upon a Twilight (That's ME!!!! So Honored)

"I cannot wait to see how the Erin's story plays out. You can bet I will be there every step of the way." -- Andrea, The Bookish Babe

"Make room on your Favorite Books I've Ever Read shelf, because Jamie McGuire has done it again! All the things we love and expect from one of her novels, with the addition of an amazing curveball that will knock you off your seat. I'm desperate for more!" -- Amber, Me, My Shelf, and I

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