Review: Beautiful Stranger by Christina Lauren

Beautiful Stranger by Christina Lauren
Published April 16, 2013 by Gallery Books
Amazon / Barnes & Noble 

About the book:
Escaping a cheating ex, finance whiz Sara Dillon’s moved to New York City and is looking for excitement and passion without a lot of strings attached. So meeting the irresistible, sexy Brit at a dance club should have meant nothing more than a night’s fun. But the manner—and speed—with which he melts her inhibitions turns him from a one-time hookup and into her Beautiful Stranger.
The whole city knows that Max Stella loves women, not that he’s ever found one he particularly wants to keep around. Despite pulling in plenty with his Wall Street bad boy charm, it’s not until Sara—and the wild photos she lets him take of her—that he starts wondering if there’s someone for him outside of the bedroom.
Hooking up in places where anybody could catch them, the only thing scarier for Sara than getting caught in public is having Max get too close in private.

My Review:

I freaking loved this book so much! MAX STELLA. Everyone who has read this book will understand that every reason this book was so perfect was because of Max Stella. I read a lot of books, a lot of erotica and romance. I also have a lot of favorite couples. Max & Sara definitely went to the top of my list and I'm kicking myself for not reading this book a lot sooner than I did! Sara is rightfully hesitant to be in any kind of relationship after her previous one ended in such disappointment and I freaking loved this book so much! I'm so late to the game on this series, but I'm glad I finally picked this one up! MAX STELLA. Everyone who has read this book will understand that every reason this book was so perfect was because of Max Stella. I read a lot of books, a lot of erotica and romance. I also have a lot of favorite couples. Max & Sara definitely went to the top of my list and I'm kicking myself for not reading this book a lot sooner than I did! Sara is rightfully hesitant to be in any kind of relationship after her previous one ended in such disappointment and heartbreak. She moves to New York City to start over and just wants to have fun and live a little. I loved Sara - she was bad ass! She was the perfect heroine, never once annoying me and completely relatable. One night at a club, she hooks up with Max, a total stranger, and has every intention of leaving it as just a one night stand. But Max has other things in mind. Max is a well-known womanizer. Charming, gorgeous, smart, and did I mention British?! In all his encounters with women, he just hadn't met one that he felt he could connect with and that understood his desires and needs, until he meets Sara. Although they decide to continue their secret affair, feelings start to develop and they have to decide if they can both overcome their pasts in order to have a future together. Oh how I loved Max Stella. The way he adored Sara and how incredibly sweet he was with her, but also so sexy and confident. He is definitely one of my favorite male characters ever. This book was funny, steamy and just fantastic - I loved every minute of it! If you haven't read this series, go get it now! ARC kindly provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. 5 Suns

New Release & Review: The Raven by Sylvain Reynard

Amazon | Goodreads

Expected Publication: February 3, 2015 by Berkley

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Goodreads Synopsis:
Raven Wood spends her days at Florence’s Uffizi gallery restoring Renaissance art. But an innocent walk home after an evening with friends changes her life forever. When she intervenes in the senseless beating of a homeless man, his attackers turn on her, dragging her into an alley. Raven is only semiconscious when their assault is interrupted by a cacophony of growls followed by her attackers’ screams. Mercifully, she blacks out, but not before catching a glimpse of a shadowy figure who whispers to her . . .
Cassita vulneratus.
When Raven awakes, she is inexplicably changed. Upon returning to the Uffizi, no one recognizes her. More disturbingly, she discovers that she’s been absent an entire week. With no recollection of her disappearance, Raven learns that her absence coincides with one of the largest robberies in Uffizi history—the theft of a set of priceless Botticelli illustrations. When the police identify her as their prime suspect, Raven is desperate to clear her name. She seeks out one of Florence’s wealthiest and most elusive men in an attempt to uncover the truth. Their encounter leads Raven to a dark underworld whose inhabitants kill to keep their secrets . . .

My Review:
I’m finding it really difficult to express how much I loved this book, and to give it the proper review. This is absolutely one of the most beautiful books I’ve ever read.

A few years ago, I discovered the wonder that is Sylvain Reynard’s writing when I began reading the Gabriel’s Inferno series. To this day, it is one of my favorite series, and possibly some of the most beautiful writing I’ve ever experienced. I was really excited, but admittedly a little hesitant, about this new series. My concerns were whether it would live up to my high expectations.

Sylvain Reynard proved with this book, why he is and will always be one of my favorite authors. Not only was The Raven absolutely beautiful and brilliant, it blew all of my expectations out of the water. With flawless prose, this book was simply stunning, and I struggled with wanting to devour it in one sitting, and forcing myself to read slower, because I didn’t want it to end.

I fell in love with both Raven and The Prince. Raven, though we don’t know at first what kind of suffering she has endured in her life, you know immediately that she is a strong, independent woman. But she’s also extremely compassionate and has a heart of gold, which is so endearing. And The Prince – I loved his take charge, bad ass attitude. But more than that, I loved how romantic and soft he could be with Raven. His need to protect her and win her over was so sweet, and I fell in love with every word that came out of his mouth. This was probably one of the most romantic books I have ever read, full of incredible sexual tension, but also many sweet and tender moments that had me swooning non-stop.

The Prince is ruler of the Florence underworld and with that comes great responsibility, but also great risk. He’s secretive because he has to be to survive. Past demons haunt him daily and prevent him from the thought of getting close to anyone, or ever wanting to. Until the moment he decides to save Raven, and he feels an unexpected connection to her. Wanting to keep her safe, he finds himself drawn to her more and more, feeling things he hasn’t felt in a very long time.

There is so much suspense between what is going on with the underworld and the relationship between The Prince and Raven that I couldn’t put the book down. I was drawn in by SR’s gorgeous writing and found myself immersed in a new beautiful world, one I never wanted to leave. SR also takes his love of art and Italy to a whole new level in this novel, which makes the book even more fantastic.

What you get when you read a Sylvain Reynard novel is impeccable writing and a beautiful story that will stay with you forever. I fell completely in love with The Prince, and loved every single page of this book from beginning to end. A perfect combination of romance and paranormal suspense, this book is a must read.

ARC kindly provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

5 Suns

Other Must Read Novels by Sylvain Reynard

      

Review: Don't Let Go by Sharla Lovelace

Don't Let Go by Sharla Lovelace

Published April 12, 2014

Amazon / B&N

About the book:
Noah Ryan and Jules Doucette spent every moment together, first as best friends and later as young lovers. The two had planned a life together—until one unspeakable decision tore them apart for good.
Twenty-six years later, Jules is still carefully living the life her mother planned out for her. She’s running her mother’s store, living in her mother’s house, following her mother’s rules, and keeping the secrets her mother made her bury.
Then Noah comes home and any sense of an ordered life flies out the window. Noah’s return does more than just stir up old memories—it forces Jules to see her life in a whole new way and uncovers secrets even she didn’t know were buried. Secrets that could easily destroy her world once more.

My Thoughts:

This book had been sitting on my Kindle for a while. I had noticed it on Netgalley and thought the synopsis sounded really good. But, I always hesitate reading books by authors I’m not familiar with. Then a few bloggers that I follow had reviewed the book and raved about it, including several comparisons to The Sweet Gum Tree, which is a favorite book of mine. That was the push I needed to pick this one up. And what an emotional and wonderful read! I am SO glad I gave this book a chance, and now I have a new favorite author to get excited about.

There is no doubt this book is full of drama. It’s pretty much never ending throughout the entire book, but it’s the kind of drama I love. The kind that makes it impossible to put the book down. The flow and writing of the book was beautiful and I fell in love with each and every character. I love second chance romance stories, especially ones as emotional and intense as this one. I seriously could not put this book down and loved every minute.

Noah and Jules were best friends turned lovers as kids, but it’s been 26 years since they’ve last seen each other. They had planned to be together forever, but a horrible, heartbreaking event separated them all of those years ago, and neither one has fully healed from the pain of that time. Jules is now a single mom of a rebellious teenager and runs her deceased mother’s bookstore in the town she grew up. Noah had left town and joined the Navy, but has unexpectedly returned to town, turning Jules world upside down and unleashing all of the secrets and the pain she’s kept hidden for so many years.

This book is written so beautifully that I felt every single emotion, every heartbreak from Jules and Noah. Several times their story made me tear up. But there are wonderful, joyous moments, too. I was on an emotional roller coaster the entire time and I loved it!

It was clear that these two were meant to be together, but there were many obstacles standing in their way. It was one tense situation after another – and that’s what made it impossible to stop reading, to see where they would end up after all of this.

The one quote I highlighted on my Kindle because it had the most impact on me:
“Sometimes the harder, complicated relationships that you have to fight for are the ones worth something.”

I can’t express enough how much I adored this book, and I can’t wait to read more books by this author. If you are in the mood for a very emotionally charged book that you will devour in one sitting – this is the book for you!

ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. 

5 Suns

Blog Tour & Review: Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover

Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover

Expected Publication: August 5, 2014 by Atria Books

Preorder: Amazon / B&N

About the book:
When Tate Collins meets airline pilot Miles Archer, she knows it isn’t love at first sight. They wouldn’t even go so far as to consider themselves friends. The only thing Tate and Miles have in common is an undeniable mutual attraction. Once their desires are out in the open, they realize they have the perfect set-up. He doesn’t want love, she doesn’t have time for love, so that just leaves the sex. Their arrangement could be surprisingly seamless, as long as Tate can stick to the only two rules Miles has for her.
Never ask about the past.Don’t expect a future.
They think they can handle it, but realize almost immediately they can’t handle it at all.
Hearts get infiltrated.Promises get broken.Rules get shattered.Love gets ugly.

My Thoughts:

Perfection. Absolutely amazing and there aren't enough stars to rate this book. It was an honor to get the chance to read an advanced copy, and I'm still thinking about Miles and Tate's story days after finishing.

I always have really high expectations when I pick up a new Colleen Hoover book. She hasn’t let me down once, and it’s no exception with the perfection that is Ugly Love. This book wrecked me and amazed me all at once. It is powerful, sexy, mysterious, emotional & heart-wrenching. I have always said that Colleen Hoover has the best way of pulling you into her stories with her poetic writing, and once again I felt like I was in this book, living this story, with Miles and Tate. The book is told in dual POV’s with most of Mile’s chapters being flashbacks to his past. I love how the story went back and forth, because it made for a suspenseful read that was hard to put down.

I also love that she continues to write unique story lines. I have been finding it a challenge to enjoy the NA genre lately, and have been chalking it up to just a phase I’m going through. But, I think my problem is that I needed a book like this to remind me why I fell in love with this genre in the first place. It is books like this that make me love to read and want to recommend her books to EVERYONE I KNOW. The beauty that is this book just solidifies why Colleen is my absolute favorite author.

We first meet Tate, who is moving in with her brother with plans to get a new start on life – get her masters, work her butt off as a nurse, and eventually get her own place. And it’s the day she moves into her brother’s place that she has her first encounter with Miles, who is passed out drunk in front of her door. First impressions are sometimes very deceiving and Tate immediately saw there was something painful and sad about Miles.

Miles is a pilot – sexy, brooding, and mysterious. He’s suffered something horrible in his past, and we’re given little glimpses of this in each of Mile’s chapters. The build up to figuring out what happened to cause this man so much suffering is intense, and it kept me wanting more, wanting to just finish so I could find out what broke this man. I loved his intensity. It made me want to know more about him, figure out what was going on in his head.

Miles is friends with Tate’s brother (who’s also a pilot), and lives across the hall from them, so naturally they start seeing each other more. They can’t deny there’s an attraction between them. But Miles makes it clear that he’s not willing to have any kind of relationship. So, they agree on a sex only arrangement, and he sets two rules: don’t ever ask about my past and don’t ever expect a future. Now, what woman in her right mind would go for that, right? Well, Tate wasn’t looking for a relationship because she was focused on her career and getting her life together. She initially thinks this is a perfect agreement. But things get complicated and Tate finds it’s impossible not to fall head over heels for this man.

Because of Miles past, he’s unwilling to move on and refuses any hope for a future that won’t cause him more pain. But Tate starts to get under his skin and makes it harder for him to keep his walls up. It’s all of the subtle moments they have together that melted me. His looks, his rare smiles, the way he was so protective of her. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention how hot they were together. Their chemistry was powerful and when they were together, it was scorching.

This book was so emotional and intense (but in the best way possible). ‘Intense’ seems to be my theme for the book but I don’t know of any other more perfect word to describe how it felt to me. And not a lot of books can move me to tears, but this one most definitely made me cry. My heart broke for Miles and then in the next minute it was bursting with love and hope for him and Tate. The heartache is worth every single minute of reading. Although I did love Tate, it’s clear that Miles made this book for me. An incredible and beautiful story – I am blown away once again by Colleen Hoover and her ability to write the perfect novel. If you haven't preordered this book - I recommend you do so immediately!

Some of my favorite quotes:
”If you love me more today than you loved me yesterday, then I can’t wait for tomorrow.”

”God gives us the ugliness so we don’t take the beautiful things in life for granted.” 

ARC kindly provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

5 Suns

Review: Snow-Kissed by Laura Florand

Snow-Kissed by Laura Florand

Published September 1, 2013

Purchase: Amazon / B&N

About the book:
Florand takes us to a snow-kissed Christmas cabin for this heart-wrenching tale of love, loss, forgiveness—and hope. After the utter destruction of her marriage and her happiness, Kai knew it was better to shut herself away from the world than to hurt and be hurt. Holed up in her mountain cabin, she planned to spend her Christmas alone. Until her not-quite-ex-husband shows up as the first flakes start to fall. Now should she send him back out into the cold? Or can she be brave enough to let this winter snow bind them back together?

My Thoughts:

I'm still thinking about this book - that is how much it affected me. It is the first book I've ever read by this author, but it definitely won't be my last.

Snow-kissed is about a married couple, Kurt and Kai, who are going through a heartbreaking crisis in their marriage. The issues they are facing are such a common and sad reality for a lot of marriages. After everything falls apart, Kai leaves Kurt, hiding out in her mother-in-laws cabin. A year has gone by, and Kai is starting to finally move past her grief and suffering when Kurt shows up at the cabin.

This story is told in both points of view, and that was so important to the story. To understand how broken they both felt, but how much they still loved each other so deeply. It absolutely broke my heart and brought me to tears. And the tender, intimate moments that they shared were breathtaking and gut-wrenching. I felt everything these two were feeling - it was the most emotional book I've read in a long time and packed quite a punch in 122 pages. Never did the story feel rushed or that I was reading a novella because of the authors ability to tell a story so completely and emotionally. I was totally blown away and left weeping at the end.

Will they be able to forgive each other and move forward? This is a must read and after thinking about it days later - it's one for my favorites shelf. If you're someone who's turned off by novellas or shorter novels (as I used to be) - please don't let that stop you from reading this amazing book. 

5 Suns

Reviews & Giveaway: Waves of Fiction 2013 Favorites

Wow! Can you believe how quickly 2013 came and went?!? This year has been a fantastic reading adventure for us here at Waves of Fiction, so we wanted to take a moment to share some of our favorite reads for 2013. 

Several of us on The Waves Team decided to get together to share our favorite book of 2013. But that’s not all!! One lucky winner will get the chance to win one of the books we’ve spotlight here, so take a look and be sure to review the giveaway details below!

Cut & Run by Abigail Roux and Madeleine Urban

I have to say that in 2013 my biggest obsession was the Cut & Run Series. I love.love.love the dynamic duo of Ty Grady and Zane Garrett. They are by far my favorite fictional couple at the moment. I've given every installment FIVE EXPLOSIVE STARS and the series continues to get better and better as each story unfolds. 

Cut & Run is the first installment to this fast and furious series of mystery, intrigue and a special brand of FBI romance. To meet these two characters is to fall in love at first pass. They are an explosive force as a pair, but most importantly their stand-alone presence is just as powerful. They command each page and there is no downtime when you take their journey. I say again… absolutely fast and furious!

Truly suspenseful, addicting and AMAZING!! 

No Attachments by Tiffany King

One of the best NA books I've read - absolutely loved this one. I loved every single minute of this book. The story unfolded so beautifully and sucked me in immediately that I didn’t want to put it down. I felt so many different emotions while reading it – especially at the point in the book where it threw me for a loop. Not only was it a wonderful romance with enough steam thrown in – there were some serious laugh-out-loud moments. The banter between Ashton and Nathan was perfect and so realistic. And the tender and serious moments were a total surprise that I was not expecting going into reading this book – but made it all the more wonderful! I wanted to weep at times because these two were so PERFECT together and I was cheering them on to get their HEA. This is a new favorite author to me and I will be anxiously awaiting her next book!

The Chocolate Touch by Laura Florand

The Amour et Chocolat series has completely bewitched and seduced me! Paris, chocolate, and decadent desserts coupled with some of the most sensual romances I have ever read, how could I not fall in love?!!

I highly recommend all the books in the series, but my absolute FAVORITE was The ChocolateTouch. It’s my top romance read for 2013!  Oh, my stars, the romance was so utterly HOT and sensual!  Dominique and Jaime’s story was a bit darker and emotional than the other stories, but that made me love it even more.  I dare you not to swoon with knees buckling in weakness over Dominique Richard: dark, broody, big and gorgeous, with a soft marshmallow heart! Each of the stories are companions, so you don’t have to read the others to enjoy any one, but I’d recommend reading The Chocolate Thief before this one, because it gives a little history on the main characters, and because it's amazing as well!

Stars & Stripes by Abigail Roux

I really tried to think of another book to post as my favorite of the year, but I just can't not chose the Cut & Sun series!  Arlene picked it above and I have to agree with her.  This series is definitely my favorite of the year and I know without a doubt it will be my favorite next year as well with the upcoming release of Ball & Chain.
This series has it all and so much more that I never knew I was missing!  Ty and Zane are prefect together and their stories never disappoint.  Stars & Stripes is my favorite in the series so far because in this one we get to see their relationship take that extra step.  With Stetson's and tigers galore this story flew off the pages and I have been picking it up continually throughout the holiday season to reread my favorite parts.  Which by the way is basically the whole book!  Love love love this series!!

We hope you enjoyed our Waves of Fiction 2013 Favorites. And now for the giveaway!! Be sure to enter the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win one of the eBooks we've spotlighted above. This giveaway is open to all entrants who can receive an eBook from US Amazon or US Barnes & Noble. Just fill out the Rafflecopter and share with us through a comment below what your favorite 2013 book was this year. Good luck and Happy New Year!

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Review: Isn't She Lovely by Lauren Layne

Isn't She Lovely by Lauren Layne
Published October 28th 2013 by Flirt
ARC provided by Netgalley
Buy Links: Amazon / B&N

About the book:
The rules are clear—until they're broken. Lauren Layne puts a New Adult spin on Pygmalion, also the inspiration for Pretty Woman, and gives the classic love story its edgiest twist yet.

"Who knew that pretending you're not falling for someone would be so much more difficult than pretending that you are?"
Stephanie Kendrick gave up her whole summer to ace her NYU film school screenwriting course, so she's pissed to be stuck with a preppy, spoiled frat boy as her writing partner. Then again, with her piercings, black-rimmed eyes, and Goth wardrobe, Stephanie isn't exactly Ethan Price's type, either. He's probably got his eye on some leggy blonde with a trust fund... or does he?

As the summer scene kicks off in the Hamptons, Ethan is desperate to make his snobbish mother forget the pedigreed girl who broke his heart. While Stephanie's a stretch as a decoy, the right makeover and a pastel cardigan just might do the trick. She may not love the idea of playing Ethan's brainless Barbie girlfriend, but the free rent and luxurious digs make a tempting offer. So does the promise of a ready-made screenplay idea inspired by their charade.

But when Stephanie steps into Ethan's privileged world, the "acting" begins to feel all too real. The kissing and touching that were intended to fool the Hamptons crowd wind up manipulating "them." And Stephanie faces a question she's too afraid to ask: Is Ethan falling for the real her or for the dolled-up princess he wants to see?

My Thoughts

I have a new favorite author to add to my list. I absolutely loved this book!

They say opposites attract and boy do they ever! Stephanie is attending a summer college class to avoid going back home and Ethan is attending the same class to avoid working for his dad's firm all summer. They couldn't be more opposites - her as a goth and him as a preppy jock. And as fate would have it - they get paired up as partners for the class project.

Full of witty banter so hilarious I was chuckling out loud and tons of sexual tension - this was a page turner I didn't want to put down! As Stephanie and Ethan start to get to know each other (grudgingly), Ethan proposes that she helps him out by pretending to be his girlfriend for a few weeks, just to get his parents off his back. What they didn't bargain for was the fact they may actually end up liking each other, let alone falling in love.

Stephanie is snarky and bitchy and I LOVED HER. I could relate to her and she was awesome. And Ethan was not the preppy frat boy she pegs him as in the beginning. He was so sweet and swoony and I absolutely adored him. There were a few sizzling hot moments between them that had me holding my breath with my heart racing! This book has everything I love in a story - humor, sex, romance, friendship. A must read!

Definitely going to read more of this author's work asap!

5 Suns

Review: No Romance Required by Cari Quinn

No Romance Required by Cari Quinn

Published August 12th 2013 by Entangled: Brazen

About the book:

Faking it never felt so good… 

Cory Santangelo is used to getting his way, both in the boardroom and the bedroom. Lately he hasn’t had much opportunity to do anything but work, but one unexpectedly sexy night in a gazebo with Victoria, his gorgeous and feisty interior designer, changes all that—especially when they’re caught on camera. Suddenly Cory’s sterling reputation is no longer above reproach. Since his impromptu encounter coincides nicely with his need for a girlfriend to get his well-meaning, meddling parents off his back, he decides to ask his lifelong frenemy for a favor.

To pretend to be his girlfriend for a month. No strings attached. 

The only problem? Vicky Townsend wants those strings tied all around her. She’s battled a long-suppressed crush on Cory, and their combative work relationship has only fanned the flames. When he suggests his needs are more than she can handle, she’s ready to up the ante. And her bargaining chip is lots of delicious, inventive sex.

Until they discover nothing feels as good as making it real…

My Thoughts:

Last year I picked up No Flowers Required and was blown away by the authors writing style and ability to suck me into her book. It was sweet, it was hot, and I loved it. One of my favorite reads of 2012. So imagine how excited I was when a rep for the author offered me an ARC of the next book in the series!

This book was everything I love - humor, romance, sex, angst - written so well that I could hardly put it down. I love when a book can suck me in like that and Cari Quinn hasn't disappointed me yet!

Cory is a workaholic in the worst way. Spending every waking minute taking care of the family business leaves him no time for a social life, let alone falling in love. It's so bad that his parents, who are retiring and moving south, have issued him an ultimatum - find a woman or you're out of a job.

Victoria is his interior designer/magazine co-editor. They've known each other since they were kids and have an unusual friendship that's mostly sarcastic and hostile. But they work well together, and there's an underlying attraction that neither one wants to address.

A situation presents itself where they end up in a compromising position that gets photographed and put in the paper, giving Cory the idea of asking Vic to be his pretend girlfriend, and get his parents off his back.

But what he didn't bargain for was how AWESOME she would be and how she'd make him feel things he never thought he could. Struggling to find a balance between work and the growing feelings he has for her, Cory and Victoria have to decide if what they are feeling for each other is worth risking their friendship over. 

I absolutely LOVED these two! I hate whiny, spineless women in books and Victoria never seemed that way to me. Of course she had her concerns with Cory that she didn't voice immediately - but that is part of the suspense that keeps you reading more. And I loved that! And Cory...all moody and brooding...and oh so swoon-worthy. I loved him. This book had my heart pounding every time these two had any contact with each other - it was that intense and hot! Not to mention their banter back and forth was hilarious and I love that in a book. 

An absolutely perfect addition to this series - Cari Quinn has done it again!

5 Suns

Review: Left Drowning by Jessica Park

Left Drowning by Jessica Park

Published July 16th 2013 by Skyscape

Purchase Links: Amazon / B&N

About the book:

What does it take to rise from life’s depths, swim against the current, and breathe?

Weighted down by the loss of her parents, Blythe McGuire struggles to keep her head above water as she trudges through her last year at Matthews College. Then a chance meeting sends Blythe crashing into something she doesn’t expect—an undeniable attraction to a dark-haired senior named Chris Shepherd, whose past may be even more complicated than her own. As their relationship deepens, Chris pulls Blythe out of the stupor she’s been in since the night a fire took half her family. She begins to heal, and even, haltingly, to love this guy who helps her find new paths to pleasure and self-discovery. But as Blythe moves into calmer waters, she realizes Chris is the one still strangled by his family’s traumatic history. As dark currents threaten to pull him under, Blythe may be the only person who can keep him from drowning.

This book is intended for mature audiences due to strong language and sexual content.

My Thoughts:

I read a lot of fantastic books throughout the year. But once in a while I will come across a book that is so fantastic that it renders me speechless. A book that works a number on my emotions and leaves me utterly drained – but in a blissfully happy way. A rare book that will keep me up late because I just can’t bare to put it down and have to finish it. And that is what Jessica Park did to me with Left Drowning. This was the first book I’ve ready by this author – but it will certainly not be the last.

We start the book meeting Blythe. She’s on her way home from a party in a drunken haze. This has been her coping mechanism for her first few years of college while she refuses to deal with her tragic past.

Then one day she meets the fun-loving siblings who will change everything in her world. Eric & Estelle, the twins. Sabin, the out-going and hilarious flirt. And the oldest, Chris, who she immediately connects with on a level deeper than anyone in her life. It’s the friendships of these awesome people that help Blythe to start healing and dealing with her past. In addition – her love and connection with Chris continues to grow the more time she spends with him, despite his constant reminders that she’s too good for him and more than he’s ready for.

Not to mention the sexual tension and steam between them is HOT! But no matter his growing feelings for her, Chris continues to hold back and keep his past from her. Everything isn’t exactly what it seems, and it’s clear these siblings have suffered their own tragic past – but have fought to get past it. Blythe knows there’s more to their story but doesn’t question them. She’s worked hard to make peace with her past, and she wants nothing more than to help Chris get past his – whatever it may be. But he’s determined to only move into the future, never thinking about or dealing with those demons that haunt him.

I was on a spectacular high through most of this book, loving every beautiful written word. To only come CRASHING down, my heart wrecked by a certain turn of events. I understood later the authors reasoning, and it was completely justified. My advice to readers is keep an open mind. My friend told me the same thing while reading this book, and she was right. It’s worth every gut-wrenching minute.

I also loved how the author wrapped everything up in the end – bringing all the pieces together to fit like a puzzle. I had figured out some of the pieces early in the book, but it was brilliant how it all came together in the end. This author knows how to write – her style is beautiful and riveting. She pulled me in immediately and I couldn’t get enough. My emotions were all over the place, and I’m still on a high from finishing it. It was refreshing to read such a different storyline from anything I’ve read lately, but it still had all of the elements I love in a book – love, friendship, humor, sex, suspense, angst. It’s a book that I won’t soon forget!

5 Suns

Review: Entwined with You by Sylvia Day

Entwined With You by Sylvia Day

Published June 4th 2013 by Berkley

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes and Noble

About the book:

The worldwide phenomenon continues as Eva and Gideon face the demons of their pasts, and accept the consequences of their obsessive desires…

From the moment I first met Gideon Cross, I recognized something in him that I needed. Something I couldn’t resist. I saw the dangerous and damaged soul inside–so much like my own. I was drawn to it. I needed him as surely as I needed my heart to beat.

No one knows how much he risked for me. How much I’d been threatened, or just how dark and desperate the shadow of our pasts would become.

Entwined by our secrets, we tried to defy the odds. We made our own rules and surrendered completely to the exquisite power of possession…

My Thoughts:

‘You own me, Eva. Wherever I am, whatever I’m doing, I belong to you.’

Oh, Gideon…swoon….

Fan-freaking-tastic! I don’t understand the negative reviews on this one because I absolutely LOVED it. I can’t get enough of Gideon and Eva. They are one of my favorite book couples and I feel like their story just keeps getting better and more addicting. If you have read the first two books – you already know the deal with these two and this book is just a continuation of their lives and the issues they are currently facing. They have such an all-consuming, incredible love that has grown and developed into something amazing throughout this series.

He was all things to me, everything I wanted and needed in one imperfect man.

‘I look at you, angel, and I want you so badly. I want to be with you, listen to you, talk to you. I want to hear you laugh and hold you when you cry. I want to sit next to you, breathe the same air, share the same life. I want to wake up to you like this every day forever. I want you.’

This author does such a good job of pulling you right back into their lives and giving you a perfect package of suspense, angst, drama, romance, and sex. I felt like I loved these two even more after finishing this book than I thought was possible when I finished book two!

Too many details can ruin the book/series, so I’m not going to go into a long review except to say – READ THIS SERIES. And of course every book ends with a small cliffhanger – enough to keep you coming back for more. And that’s okay with me because I want more! I can’t wait for the next book!

5 Suns

Review: Down London Road by Samantha Young

Down London Road by Samantha Young

Published May 7th 2013

Amazon

About the book:

Johanna Walker is used to taking charge. But she’s about to meet someone who will make her lose control....

It has always been up to Johanna to care for her family, particularly her younger brother, Cole. With an absent father and a useless mother, she’s been making decisions based on what’s best for Cole for as long as she can remember. She even determines what men to date by how much they can provide for her brother and her, not on whatever sparks may—or may not—fly.

But with Cameron MacCabe, the attraction is undeniable. The sexy new bartender at work gives her butterflies every time she looks at him. And for once, Jo is tempted to put her needs first. Cam is just as obsessed with getting to know Jo, but her walls are too solid to let him get close enough to even try.

Then Cam moves into the flat below Jo’s, and their blistering connection becomes impossible to ignore. Especially since Cam is determined to uncover all of Jo’s secrets even if it means taking apart her defenses piece by piece.

My Thoughts:

This book was so fantastic and perfect that I want to read it again! And I never re-read books. I just absolutely loved every single minute. It had everything I love – sweet and incredible love, major sexual chemistry and hot scenes, humor, suspense, friendship, perfect writing and AMAZING characters…I could go on and on because I loved this book SO much!

Thankfully you don’t have to remember anything from the first book of this series to dive into this book. Because I couldn’t remember anyone and the author does a great job of reacquainting you with all the important people you need to know.

Johanna Walker is responsible for taking care of her teenage brother, who is her entire world. With a dead beat dad long gone and an alcoholic mother, she’s always put her brother, Cole, first and has done everything to give him a happy life. Their relationship is so sweet! Although she comes across as a major gold-digger, she’s not at all who she seems. She has such deep-seeded insecurities that she battles every day and thinks the only thing she has to offer anyone is her looks – and that’s how she’ll score a wealthy guy who can take care of her and Cole. Because Cole always comes first and she wants to provide him a secure life, unlike the one she’s had.

Then she meets sexy, tattooed, Cameron MacCabe and she can’t get past the instant attraction she has to him. He’s not someone she’d typically date, but there is something about him that gives her butterflies and gets her heart pounding. When he ends up being the new bartender at the bar she works – tension flies off the charts. To complicate matters, he moves into the apartment directly below hers.

Johanna has major issues letting anyone into her life and knowing her secrets, hiding her mother and their problems from everyone but her best friend, including the men she dates. To top it off, Cam immediately gets the wrong impression of her, thinking she’s just with her boyfriend for his money and not understanding the situation she’s in. I will tell you that I normally HATE cheating stories (both Jo and Cam have significant others in this book), but it’s important to know that what they have is an incredible friendship that built to something more. It was that slow buildup that made this book so AMAZING and perfect. You just have to read it to see what happens, but I assure you it’s worth every second.

I felt so many emotions while reading this book that I’m still thinking about the story a few days later. Not to mention it was one of those books that has a fantastic cast of supporting characters – all whom you’ll fall in love with. Just an absolutely fantastic book that was added to my favorites list!

5 Suns

Review: Jet by Jay Crownover

Jet by Jay Crownover

Published May 28th 2013

Amazon

About the book:

With his tight leather pants and a sharp edge that makes him dangerous, Jet Keller is every girl’s rock and roll fantasy. But Ayden Cross is done walking on the wild side with bad boys. She doesn’t want to give in to the heat she sees in Jet’s dark, haunted eyes. She’s afraid of getting burned from the sparks of their spontaneous combustion, even as his touch sets her on fire.

Jet can’t resist the Southern Belle with mile-long legs in cowboy boots who defies his every expectation. Yet the closer he feels to Ayden, the less he seems to know her. While he’s tempted to get under her skin and undo her in every way, he knows firsthand what happens to two people with very different ideas about relationships.

Will the blaze burn into an enduring love. . . or will it consume their dreams and turn them to ashes?

My Thoughts:

There is something about this author's writing that is so perfect to me. Her books flow seamlessly and I found it impossible to put this down - I loved every word. If I thought Rule was fantastic - Jet completely blew me away. And when I wanted to be angry at both Jet or Ayden at times, the author made me see their points of view so amazingly that I felt like I could relate to them and their circumstances. I fell in love with both of them and absolutely loved their story.

Jet is the lead singer in a local metal band, runs his own studio, and is dealing with family issues. He’s always been content with hooking up with random groupies and just living his life how he wants, as long as he always has his music. He wasn’t expecting one girl could change his entire view on love and relationships.

Ayden Cross was a puzzle, that every time I thought I was close to solving, proved to have five extra pieces and no corners.

Ayden is attending Denver University, determined to live a completely different life from the one she ran from in Kentucky. She knows she wants a stable career and relationship and has worked really hard to convince everyone she’s someone different then the girl she was in Kentucky, hiding all of her secrets from her closest friends. Her plan doesn’t include falling for the sexy, talented and panty-melting Jet, who doesn’t appear to have any goals or future planned.

Jet Keller was all kinds of temptation wrapped up in too-tight pants and with too many personal demons hidden in those dark, golden-rimmed eyes.

Both Jet and Ayden run around with the same group of friends (her best friend is dating one of his best friends) and they can’t deny the attraction they feel for each other. One night Ayden throws caution out the window and gives into her attraction for Jet, hitting on him – and he shoots her down, unwilling to corrupt the girl he thinks is too good for him.

Fast forward a year and Jet has become Ayden’s roommate, moving into the house she shares with her friend, Cora. Both Jet & Ayden try everything in their power to fight their feelings for each other and to remain friends, with no avail. Their constant resistance didn’t bother me because I loved the intense buildup of their relationship. I was able to understand and sympathize with the reasons they both had for fighting their growing attraction for each other.

This is definitely the type of book where the two main characters do a lot of denying and fighting their love when it’s obvious they are meant to be together. But it was that back and forth that made the book so good. You also had their friends helping them out along the way, giving them advice and guidance. Can’t help but adore every single person in this group of friends - I love them all!

What I loved most was the undeniable connection and chemistry that scorched between Jet & Ayden. It was clear to me from the beginning that these two were perfect for each other, they complimented each other and most importantly would understand each other so much, if they finally let their walls down and shared their secrets.

The suspense of whether they were ever going to be honest with each other about their pasts was intense and had me unable to put the book down. They both were holding so much back, afraid of getting really close to someone and letting them know the REAL them. But when they finally give in to each other – it was incredible!

This man, who was all metal and tattoos that bled out anger and frustration, really had the softest and kindest heart I had ever encountered in my life.

When you find someone, someone who gets you, who understands you, it’s worth fighting for.

'I could see forever with you, and could promise you every day that it’ll just be me and you.'

I’m absolutely in love with this author’s writing style and can’t wait for her next book about Rome! This one was easily added to my favorite list. A total roller coaster of emotions – but totally worth the ride!

5 Suns