Not So Nice Guy by R.S. Grey | Review

Title: Not So Nice Guy
Author: R.S. Grey
Pages:
Publisher: Self/CreateSpace
Goodreads Rating: 4.36 stars
Published: August 9th, 2018
Source: ebook/from author

Description:

"Oh my god. Who that?"
I get asked this question a lot.
"Oh him?" I reply. "That's just Ian."

Just Ian is the biggest understatement of the century.
Just the Mona Lisa. Just the Taj Mahal. Just Ian, with his boring ol' washboard abs and dime-a-dozen dimpled smile.

Just Ian is... just my best friend.

We're extremely close, stuck so deep inside a Jim-and-Pam-style friendzone everyone at works assumes we're a couple - that is until one day, word spreads through the teacher's lounge that he's single. Fair game. Suddenly, it's open season on Ian.

He should be reveling in all the newfound attention, but to our mutual surprise, the only attention he seems to want is mine.

He's turning our formerly innocent nightly chats into x-rated phone calls. Our playful banter sports a new, dangerous edge.

I want to assume he's playing a prank on me, just pushing my buttons like always - but when Ian lifts me onto the desk in my classroom and slides his hands up my skirt, he doesn't leave a lot of room for confusion.

I'm a little scared of things going south, of losing my best friend because I can't keep my hands to myself. So, I'm just going to back away and not return this earth-shattering kiss - oh who am I kidding?!

Goodbye Ian, ol' buddy, ol' pal!

Helloooo mister not so nice guy. 


My Thoughts:

While I love all of R.S. Grey's RomComs pretty equally, I think this one is my new favorite.  Adam & Madeline {The Foxe and The Hound} have been a steady favorite since I first discovered Rachel's books a year or so ago {has it really only bee that long??}, but I think Ian & Sam are my new favorites.  Sorry, Adam & Madeline - I will always love you guys too!

It takes a really fantastic writer to create two characters who are believably just friends, while both secretly wanting to be more.  Almost all the stories I've read of friends to lovers there is something that happens that makes one or both characters suddenly become attracted to each other.  Rachel gives us two amazing characters who are basically head over heels for each other within a few months, but remain very good friends for years.  All without the other having any clue about their mutual feelings.

And, in true Rachel fashion, she is the absolute QUEEN of Rom Coms.  I was cracking up within the first 10 pages, and found myself constantly laughing at Sam and Ian's antics and banter.  Oh, the banter was superb!  They are very clearly the best of friends, and it shows in the way the talk and their attitudes towards each other.  I think I might just live a little for the banter in each of her books {the rest of my living goes to my husband and kids}.

I am so sad to be done with this book - its been one of the highlights of my summer reading and I just really wanted it to go on forever {or maybe more than 24 hours}!  No matter what I have going on, if I find myself picking up one of R.S. Grey's books, I usually finish it within a couple days {and any of her books would have totally been one day reads back when I didn't have kids!}, then immediately regretting my binging because why didn't I make it last??  You would think I've learned my lesson by now, but nope.  I'm the fat kid, and Grey's books are my cake after crash dieting - I eat them up as soon as I get them!

*I received a copy of this ebook from the author in exchange for an honest review*

Fawkes by Nadine Brandes | Review

Title: Fawkes
Author: Nadine Brandes
Pages: 448
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Goodreads Rating: 4.03 stars
Published: July 10th, 2018
Source: Hardcover/bought

Description:

Thomas Fawkes is turning to stone, and the only cure to the Stone Plague is to join his father’s plot to assassinate the king of England.

Silent wars leave the most carnage. The wars that are never declared, but are carried out in dark alleys with masks and hidden knives. Wars where color power alters the natural rhythm of 17th century London. And when the king calls for peace, no one listens until he finally calls for death.

But what if death finds him first?

Keepers think the Igniters caused the plague. Igniters think the Keepers did. But all Thomas knows is that the Stone Plague infecting his eye is spreading. And if he doesn’t do something soon, he’ll be a lifeless statue. So when his Keeper father, Guy Fawkes, invites him to join the Gunpowder Plot—claiming it will put an end to the plague—Thomas is in.

The plan: use 36 barrels of gunpowder to blow up the Igniter King.

The problem: Doing so will destroy the family of the girl Thomas loves. But backing out of the plot will send his father and the other plotters to the gallows. To save one, Thomas will lose the other.

No matter Thomas’s choice, one thing is clear: once the decision is made and the color masks have been put on, there’s no turning back. 


My Thoughts: 

Historical fiction is my first love.  And historical fiction with some fantastical, magical elements is quite possibly my first love, returned and looking like something I could have never imagined.  You know when you see a character in a movie reminiscing about their first love from childhood, and suddenly that person shows up and its like WHOA, this person is more than they could have even dreamed of!

Nadine Brandes is a word wizard, and her novel Fawkes is a spell she's cast over all of us lucky enough to read it.  I love how she takes things from history, twists them up so tightly and perfectly with her fictional world, and presents them in the bindings of this book.  While I have her Out Of Time trilogy, this is actually the first book of hers I've read.  I plan on rectifying that soon.

Thomas Fawkes is such a complex character with so many things going against him... but one thing that ends up being the best thing for him {don't worry, no spoilers as to what that is!}.  Thomas does all he can think to do to help rid himself of the Stone Plague and get his color power.  He befriends an Igniter, and slowly starts to question everything he's known was true and right.

I love the Lutheran twist this story takes with the color powers.  I don't want to give too much away, but its fun to read through and know some of the history that Nadine ties in with her magical fantasy.

Arrogant Devil by R.S. Grey | Review

Title: Arrogant Devil
Author: R.S. Grey
Pages: Unknown
Publisher: Self-published
Goodreads Rating: 4.73 stars
Published: March 10th, 2018
Source: eARC/from author

Description:

Everyone in Cedar Creek, Texas, knows Jack McNight is an arrogant devil. Physically, I get it: he’s tan and fit, with coal-black hair that’s clearly been scorched by hellfire. Oh, and his personality? It burns just as hot.

When I show up on the doorstep of Blue Stone Ranch, I’m run-down and rockin’ my last pair of underwear. I’m hoping for a savior, but instead, I find him.

My opinion of Jack is marred by a dismal first impression, but his opinion of me is tainted even before I arrive. He’s heard I’m a spoiled princess there to take advantage of his goodwill. To him, I’m more trouble than I’m worth.

Our button-pushing banter should get under my skin. His arrogance should be a major turn-off. Problem is, devils are known to offer their own form of temptation.

Every one of his steely glares sends a shiver down my spine.

Every steamy encounter leaves me reeling.

Sure, it could be the Texas heat messing with my head, but there’s no way I’ll survive the summer without silencing him with a kiss and wrestling him out of those Wranglers.

Who knows…going to bed with the devil might just be the salvation I’ve been looking for all along. 

My Thoughts:

She's done it again! R.S. Grey is definitely the queen of Rom Com, and I tip my hat to her.  Arrogant Devil has a bit more drama than her other books, and I just want to throw out a bit of a trigger warning with this one because of the verbal abuse flashbacks.

Meredith looks like she has the perfect life, and most everyone in her life sees it through Instagram-tinted glasses.  So everyone in her life is stunned when she up and leaves her husband of five years in the middle of the night with nothing but the designer clothes on her back.  But she knew she couldn't pack or plan it without chickening out at the last minute.

Jack is married to his ranch, and that's the way he likes it.  He doesn't want to trust anyone {other than his grandmother, Edith} and he won't love anyone and he sure as hades doesn't want a spoiled California princess as a housekeeper, especially if she's going to be running back to her husband after her tantrum subsides.  At least, that's what he thinks.

I'll admit I was a little wary of this book, only because Rachel writes the romance part of Rom Com so well, and Meredith, while having been checked out of her marriage for quite a long time, is still married in the eyes of the law.  I found myself both wanting to see Meredith and Jack get together and not wanting it to happen.  And while Rachel is also the queen of Slow Burn, she did a great job building up the relationship between Jack and Meredith without concentrating on the sexual aspect.  There are steamy bits, but most of that waits until what I would consider a decent time for both of them.

Watching the relationship between Meredith and Jack grow was brilliant and beautiful.  And along with gaining a friend in Jack, she gains family with Edith, something she never really had, despite having both her parents living and well and a older half sister too.  To see Meredith gain a family after not having had one for so long and being trapped in a horrible marriage made my heart so happy.  R.S. Grey always gives her couples their happily ever after, but the journeys are always so different and great to go on with some amazing characters.  Arrogant Devil fits that bill, and was a very entertaining read!

Reclaiming Shilo Snow by Mary Weber | Review

Title: Reclaiming Shilo Snow
Author: Mary Weber
Pages: 352
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Goodreads Rating: 4.31 stars
Published: March 6th, 2018
Source: Physical ARC/from publisher

Description:

Trapped on the ice-planet of Delon, gamer girl Sofi and Ambassador Miguel have discovered that nothing is what it seems, including their friends. On a quest to rescue her brother, Shilo, a boy everyone believes is dead, they must now escape and warn Earth of Delon’s designs on humanity. Except the more they unearth of the planet and Sofi’s past, the more they feel themselves unraveling, as each new revelation has Sofi questioning the very existence of reality.

Meanwhile, back on Earth, Sofi’s mom, Inola, is battling a different kind of unraveling: a political one that could cost lives, positions, and a barely-rebuilt society, should they discover the deal made with the Delonese.

But there’s a secret deeper than all that. One locked away inside Sofi and ticking away with the beginnings, endings, and answers to everything. Including how to save humanity.

My Thoughts:

How can I review this book and not have spoilers everywhere?  I'm not entirely sure I can, honestly, but I will give it a try!

Picking up right where The Evaporation of Sofi Snow left off, Reclaiming Shilo Snow dives more into the family relationships while taking you on the ride of your life.  While I felt like Sofi Snow had left me with more questions than anything, Shilo rapid-fire answered a lot of those questions and left me reeling.  Some of the answers were not what I wanted, and left me with a bit of an ache in my chest.

One of the most defining moments {for me} in this book was one I thought I was ready for in the first book.  Nay, not even just ready for, but almost even wanting.  By a third of the way through the second book, I knew I wanted that moment to happen.  But, oh man, Mary practically said "Kari, I know you want this.  I know many of my readers want this.  But *pauses* *writes more*... there.  Sorry, but it just had to be done.  And I know you still might not want your original desire, but I'm going to give it to you anyway."  To which I just said "noooooooooo!!!"

Mary has been very open about using this book to shine a giant light on human trafficking, and if you've read it you can see that just screaming from the pages.  It's a eerie, haunting fictional representation of how that takes place, with people high up in society not just turning a blind eye, but helping those who would take our young ones and use them however they see fit.  This book had me holding my kids close and wanting to be there for them for every little aspect of their lives.

This last year Mary Weber has cemented herself as one of my auto-buy authors, this book just confirming how I feel about her writing style.

*disclaimer: I recieved an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for posting an original photo on Intagram and an honest review*

The Beau & The Belle by R.S. Grey | Review

Title: The Beau & The Belle
Author: R.S. Grey
Pages:
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Goodreads Rating: 4.44 stars
Published: February 2nd, 2018
Source: eARC/from author

Description:
Beau Fortier starred in most of my cringe-worthy teenage fantasies.

I met him when I was a junior in high school, a time that revolved exclusively around bad hair, failed forays into flirting, and scientific inquiries into which brand of toilet paper worked best for stuffing bras.

That is, until Beau moved into the small guest house just beyond my bedroom window. 

A 24-year-old law student at Tulane, Beau was as mysterious to me as second base (both in baseball and in the bedroom). He was older. Intimidating. Hot. Boys my age had chicken legs and chubby cheeks. Beau had calloused hands and a jaw cut from steel. Our interactions were scarce—mostly involving slight stalking on my end—and yet deep down, I desperately hoped he saw me as more of a potential lover than a lovesick loser.

Turns out, I was fooling myself. My fragile ego learned that lesson the hard way.

Now, ten years later, we’re both back in New Orleans, and guess who suddenly can’t take his eyes off little ol’ me.

My old friend, Mr. Fortier.

But things have changed. I’m older now—poised and confident. My ego wears a bulletproof vest. The butterflies that once filled my stomach have all perished.

When I was a teenager, Beau warned me to guard my heart.

Let’s hope he knows how to guard his.


My Thoughts:

You've read the blurb, so I'm not going to tell you what The Beau & The Belle is about.  I will tell you it'll rock your socks off, and possibly make you cringe as you remember any embarrassing teenage crushes you had in the past {oh lord, I'm just glad none of mine ever lived with my family, even in a guest house out back!}.

I love Lauren, both the past version and the present one.  In the beginning she has the upbringing many people could only wish for, and even though she resents some of it {cotillion}, she knows its ridiculous to slap a gift horse in the face {this mainly pertains to her schooling, which she almost wants to toss for her crush}.  Thankfully she doesn't, she goes to school and becomes an amazing career woman, who uses her knowledge and a lot of trust money to start a new business after working for a very prestigious company for a few years out of college.

And Beau... poor, handsome, thoughtful Beau.  First falling for her innocence and trying to protect it from stupid high school boys, their paths cross again 10 years later and he's struck with the woman she's become, as well as how much of Lauren's younger self he still sees in her.

The romance between the two is sizzling, so much so that I think my tablet got a little on the hot side.  I might have had to fan myself off a bit.  I love that this can't be classified quite as friends-to-lovers, but at the same time its not enemies-to-lovers.  I think Lauren would call it the later and Beau would call it the former!  Maybe it's more of a made-for-each-other romance?  They both compliment each other so well, as soon as they come back into each other's lives after 10 years apart.

I love a good comedy and a slow burn romance, and TB&TB brings both.  After being immersed in the world of New Orleans, I have now put it on my bucket list {much to my husband's chagrin}.  Rachel is so detailed in her writing, I felt like I was actually there.  It's currently about 55 degrees or cooler where I live, but I found myself sipping lemonade while reading {and thankful it wasn't Mrs. LeBlanc's acid-like lemonade!}.
Rachel has done it again. As far as I'm concerned, she is the queen of Rom-Com, and I'm not sure she will ever be replaced.  I've read 4 {or 5?} of her books, and each one has been at least a solid 4 star read for me, more often then not landing in the 5 star rating.  The Beau & The Belle might be my favorite so far, though The Foxe & The Hound is a very close second!

The Evaporation of Sofi Snow by Mary Weber | Review

Title: The Evaporation of Sofi Snow
Author: Mary Weber
Pages: 352
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Goodreads Rating: 3.51 stars
Published: June 6th, 2017
Source: Hardcover//Bought

Description:

Ever since the Delonese ice-planet arrived eleven years ago, Sofi's dreams have been vivid. Alien. In a system where Earth's corporations rule in place of governments and the humanoid race orbiting the moon are allies, her only constant has been her younger brother, Shilo. As an online gamer, Sofi battles behind the scenes of Earth's Fantasy Fighting arena where Shilo is forced to compete in a mix of real and virtual blood sport. But when a bomb takes out a quarter of the arena, Sofi's the only one who believes Shilo survived. She has dreams of him. And she's convinced he's been taken to the ice-planet.

Except no one but ambassadors are allowed there.

For Miguel, Earth's charming young playboy, the games are of a different sort. As Ambassador to the Delonese, his career has been built on trading secrets and seduction. Until the Fantasy Fight's bomb goes off. Now the tables have turned and he's a target for blackmail. The game is simple: Help the blackmailers, or lose more than anyone can fathom, or Earth can afford. 


My Thoughts:

Set in the future after the Earth has gone through two more World Wars and all but destroyed itself, The Evaporation of Sofi Snow begins with the sudden arrival of an alien planet next to the moon at the end of the fourth World War.  People called it Planet Delon, The Delonese Death, and Sofi called it as "the blasted planet from the pit of you know where".

Years after the arrival of Planet Delon and Earth has received helped in more ways than one: the aliens, being eons ahead of Earth and humanity, gave them medical and technological assistance in return for a safe place to keep their planet. Humanity itself divided up into Corporations instead of countries, totalling 30 in all, with Sofi's mother as the CEO of Corp 30.

Sofi and her brother Shilo are both part of a gamer team who represent their Corp at the FanFight III games, a fast ticket to fame.  Or to lost freedom.  Sofi and her coding team are the best of the best, and on track to win the third FanFight games when the games are targeted and attacked by forces unknown.  With Sofi barely escaping with her life and Shilo who knows where, the games are replaced with a quest for answers and finding her brother as Sofi must also ask for help from the one person on all of earth so loathes the most: Miguel, the young Ambassador to the Delonese.

Miguel plays the part of a playboy very well, but he also has bigger fish to fry than those offering one night stands.  Being blackmailed by some unknowns, he has to figure out who's trying to use him and why they need Corp 24 to go down in flames.


Sofi and Miguel are an unlikely pairing, but they work so well together in this book.  Sofi has all the tech knowledge Miguel needs to figure out what's going on, and Miguel has access to the Delonese, which Sofi is in desperate need of.  The speed at which things happen in this book will leave your mind reeling and have your heart hammering along with the characters as they discover twist upon twist involving the Corps and the Delonese.  I was shocked and stunned with where this story went, and am dying to read the next book to see what happens {seriously, that was a huge cliffhanger!}.

Mary Weber has quickly become one of my favorite authors, and this book did not disappoint.  While her Storm Siren trilogy was amazing, The Evaporation of Sofi Snow sheds light on something that is going on in our world today: human trafficking.  While we don't have to face off with aliens, we still have humans who are being kidnapped and sold into slavery, here in our very cities, towns, states.  There are over 25,000 people enslaved, and we need to protect ourselves and others against this and help fight for the freedom of those being oppressed.  I'm so grateful for authors who bring to light different causes and needs that we're facing in our own world through their writing.  Mary proves that it doesn't matter what you write about, you can always share your other passions and the world's needs through your stories.  Without being preachy or pushy; with compassion and a heart on fire.

The Wrath and The Dawn by by Renee Ahdieh | Review

Title: The Wrath and The Dawn
Author: Renee Ahdieh
Pages: 404
Publisher:  G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Goodreads Rating: 4.18 stars
Published: May 12th, 2015
Source: Hardcover//Bought

Description:

One Life to One Dawn.

In a land ruled by a murderous boy-king, each dawn brings heartache to a new family. Khalid, the eighteen-year-old Caliph of Khorasan, is a monster. Each night he takes a new bride only to have a silk cord wrapped around her throat come morning. When sixteen-year-old Shahrzad's dearest friend falls victim to Khalid, Shahrzad vows vengeance and volunteers to be his next bride. Shahrzad is determined not only to stay alive, but to end the caliph's reign of terror once and for all.

Night after night, Shahrzad beguiles Khalid, weaving stories that enchant, ensuring her survival, though she knows each dawn could be her last. But something she never expected begins to happen: Khalid is nothing like what she'd imagined him to be. This monster is a boy with a tormented heart. Incredibly, Shahrzad finds herself falling in love. How is this possible? It's an unforgivable betrayal. Still, Shahrzad has come to understand all is not as it seems in this palace of marble and stone. She resolves to uncover whatever secrets lurk and, despite her love, be ready to take Khalid's life as retribution for the many lives he's stolen. Can their love survive this world of stories and secrets?


My Thoughts:

I'd seen this book floating around the blogsphere for a while, and then a few people had posted photos of the new covers on their Instagram pages.  But the real push to get this book and read it was when I saw my bookish soulmate gave it a 5 star review on Goodreads.  I've yet to read a book recommended by her that wasn't at least a 4 star read, and this did not disappoint.

Shahrzad is such a well written character - she has courage and guts; courage to do what she knows she needs to do and guts to actually get it done.  Although, she learns after a while that what she thought needed to be done isn't actually the case anymore.  She begins to have feelings for Khalid, and, while she doesn't let that blind her {well, not too much}, she does let it make her hesitate just enough {for what you'll have to read and find out!}.

There is so much to Khalid, and I feel like he didn't get much of the story he deserved.  Yes, I realize he's a secondary character, but, as Ariel in The Little Mermaid says "I want more!"  Maybe I'll get that in the second book; I guess I'll just have to wait and see.  His character was well written, and we as readers do get a great insight into him and his struggle with what he's been cursed to do {as well as those around him who know of the curse and are trying to make sure the worse of it does not come to pass}.

The setting of a desert land in need of water to keep the people healthy and thriving is just perfect, and I love diving into a bit of a different culture {even if a good deal of it is fictional}.  For her first novel, Renee Ahdieh did a subperb job bringing these characters to life and creating a world so alive you get sucked into it every time you open the pages!  I'm excited to read the sequel and see what happens to my beloved Shazi and Khalid!

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff | Review

Title: Illuminae
Author: Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
Pages: 608
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Goodreads Rating: 4.32 stars
Published: October 20th, 2015
Soure: Handcover/from a friend

Description:

This morning, Kady thought breaking up with Ezra was the hardest thing she’d have to do. This afternoon, her planet was invaded.

The year is 2575, and two rival megacorporations are at war over a planet that’s little more than an ice-covered speck at the edge of the universe. Too bad nobody thought to warn the people living on it. With enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra—who are barely even talking to each other—are forced to fight their way onto an evacuating fleet, with an enemy warship in hot pursuit.

But their problems are just getting started. A deadly plague has broken out and is mutating, with terrifying results; the fleet's AI, which should be protecting them, may actually be their enemy; and nobody in charge will say what’s really going on. As Kady hacks into a tangled web of data to find the truth, it's clear only one person can help her bring it all to light: the ex-boyfriend she swore she'd never speak to again.

BRIEFING NOTE: Told through a fascinating dossier of hacked documents—including emails, schematics, military files, IMs, medical reports, interviews, and more—Illuminae is the first book in a heart-stopping, high-octane trilogy about lives interrupted, the price of truth, and the courage of everyday heroes. 



My Thoughts:

Oh my lands.  My thoughts are all over the place on this one!  I have yet to be disappointed by a book by Amie Kaufman... in fact, I think all the ones I've read by her I've given at least 4 stars.  The funny thing is I avoided reading this one because I wasnt' sure how I would feel about the layout and formatting of the story.  It didn't matter, because once I got into the story I was hooked.

Kady and Ezra are a typical young couple fresh from a breakup... who find themselves in a not-so-typical situation when their planet is attacked by a corporation wanting to wipe out the colony they're a part of and destroy any evidence of what that colony was {illegally} doing.

Honestly, I really don't think I can give a decent review of this book without spoilers!  Kaufman and Kristoff take the readers for an intense ride, with twists and turns.  Quite literally, actually, as certain parts of the book read in curves and swirls.  I have learned with all of the books I've read by Amie Kaufman, never take anything for face value and always keep reading.  I think that's the one bit of advice I would give any reader tackling on of her books: just keep reading.

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo | Review

Title: Shadow and Bone
Author: Leigh Bardugo
Pages: 358
Publisher: Henry Holt & Company
Goodreads Rating: 4.05 stars
Published: June 5th, 2012
Source: Paperback/bought

Description:

Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.

Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling.

Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha . . . and the secrets of her heart.


My Thoughts:

I was a little blindsided by this book.  Honestly, at first I had a little trouble getting sucked into it {books that seem to just be about fantasy war don't tend to hold my attention}.  However, I needed a break between a a couple books in the same genre, and this was the only one I had with me on vacation.  Plus, I was doing a read-along with a group of bookstagrammers, so I thought it would be the perfect time to give this trilogy a try.  I'm so, so glad I joined that read-along!

Alina is very much what you would imagine an impoverished apprentice mapmaker might be like.  Skinny, dark circles under her eyes, and none of the boys or men she travels with give her a second look, especially her friend Mal, whom she's loved almost as long as they've known each other.  But they're ripped apart when a power she doesn't even know she has comes roaring to life.  Taken to the Darkling and to be trained in the Grisha ways, Alina finds herself floundering in this unknown world, with few friends and many enemies.

Leigh Bardugo has an amazing writing style and it seems like a knack for getting the reader to become entirely immersed in the worlds she creates.  It did take me a little bit to get into the book, but once I did, I was hooked!  I needed to know more about Alina, how her power worked, who the Darkling even is {that is a whole can of worms that is barely even opened yet} and what the bleep was going to happen.  This books leaves the reader with more questions than answers, but I guess that's okay considering it's the first in a trilogy.  I can't wait to get my hands on the next one!

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas | Review

Title: A Court of Mist and Fury
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Pages: 626
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Goodread rating: 4.71 stars
Published: May 3rd, 2016
Source: Hardcover/bought

Description:

Feyre survived Amarantha's clutches to return to the Spring Court—but at a steep cost. Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can't forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin's people.

Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates its dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms—and she might be key to stopping it. But only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future—and the future of a world cleaved in two.


My Thoughts:

Whoa.  Just... whoa.  Okay, first off, I'm not sure I can write this without spoilers.  So much happens in this book, I'm not sure where I can go with this review and not spoil something.  So, here I go...

Feyre was something special as a human, but as an immortal, she has Become something phenomenal.  Being Made High Fae by all seven of the High Lords of Prythian has left her with some of their power, and she soon learns its not just a little residual power.  Wanting to train and hone that power, she asks her soon-to-be husband if he or Lucien will teach her.  Scared of losing her if any of the other High Lords discover she has any of their powers, Tamlin puts her on lock down.  Triggering one of her unknown powers, she is then rescued by Morrigan and Rhysand, bringing her to the Night Court.

Rhysand is a complex character.  There are so many things the fae {and mortals} believe he is - cruel, uncaring, merciless, cold, Amarantha's whore.  Most of his Court {other than the Court of Dreamers} believe this is him - cold and calculating.  The Rhys we get to know in this book cares so much, it will make your heart ache.  He is beautiful and deep, and cares so much for his people, his true people in the hidden  city of Velaris.

The chemistry between Rhys and Feyre is a simmering creature in the background of the whole story, coming to quite an explosive apex.  About halfway through the book, I was rooting for them and their future together.  While Tamiln was good in his own way, no one likes the one they love suffocating them under the guise of protection.  Rhys was freedom, at the very least, and was exactly what Feyre needed when she needed it.

Watching Feyre come into her powers and seeing how strong she was becoming was one of my favorite parts throughout the book.  Her spirit was so strong as a human, and as an immortal High Fae, her body is beginning to match it.  While Tamlin wanted to stifle that, Rhys helped her hone them, teaching her as much as he could so she could defend herself, fight for herself.

Oh, and Tamlin... I just want to throttle his handsome neck.  He is so blinded by what he wants, he will do anything, anything to get it.  And Lucien's loyalty might just get him killed {but, please, no, not after the revelation at the end of the book!}, but I can't help but still love him!

While ACOTAR was amazing, I definitely enjoyed ACOMAF much, much more!  Tamlin was maybe a little too "vanilla" in the first book, but he went overboard with his alpha-male protective stance when it comes to Feyre.  If you are a fan of Maas' Throne of Glass series, you'll love this one {or so I'm told - I've only read ToG, but I'm planning on remedying that in the next few months!}.

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas | Review

Title: A Court of Thorns and Roses
Author: Sarah J Maas
Pages: 421
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Goodread Rating: 4.29 stars
Published: May 5, 2015
Source: Hardcover/bought

Description:

Feyre's survival rests upon her ability to hunt and kill – the forest where she lives is a cold, bleak place in the long winter months. So when she spots a deer in the forest being pursued by a wolf, she cannot resist fighting it for the flesh. But to do so, she must kill the predator and killing something so precious comes at a price ...

Dragged to a magical kingdom for the murder of a faerie, Feyre discovers that her captor, his face obscured by a jewelled mask, is hiding far more than his piercing green eyes would suggest. Feyre's presence at the court is closely guarded, and as she begins to learn why, her feelings for him turn from hostility to passion and the faerie lands become an even more dangerous place. Feyre must fight to break an ancient curse, or she will lose him forever.


My Thoughts:

I was  a little reluctant picking up this book.  Everyone was raving about how amazing it was {for quite a while now}.  And while I'd read Sarah J Maas' Throne of Glass when it was published about 5 years ago {and really loved it}, I was hesitant to pick this one up.  I remember loving Maas' ToG, but for some reason I never actually picked up any of the others in that series, and that's kind of stuck with me as far as reading A Court of Thorns and Roses.  That being said, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I got sucked into this book!

Maas gives us a pretty vivid description of Feyre's life, and it's rough.  Her sisters act entitled, even though they are lucky to survive through each winter with whatever Feyre can find to provide for them.  Her father, at best, is absent.  After being forced to flee, they've settled outside a small town, where Feyre can hunt to provide for them and try to keep them safe from they faeries over the wall.

Hunting one day leads Feyre to be taken by over the wall to the world of faerie as retribution for killing a wolf in order to spare the lives of her family.  But, instead of being treated as a prisoner, Feyre is taken in as more like a guest.  She has a fae lady's maid, charming chambers and free roam of most the mansion and grounds, and tends to dine with two very interesting fae gentlemen, Tamlin and Lucien.  Even though that means setting aside her hunting garb for dresses at times, Feyre still has her simmering wit and hunter's mind.

While Lucien seems to be more someone Feyre can converse with {only because he's as guarded as she is}, Tamlin sneaks into her thoughts more and more often, and after time Feyre discovers her curiosity of him has turned into interest in him {of course, like any good hate-to-love story it had to start out with the hate first!}.

While this book is advertised as young adult, it read more like New Adult with some of the steaminess and the gore.  And the steaminess {oh, did I already mention that?}.  I got back and forth between my like of books dealing with Fae, but this is definitely a book I like!  Since I purchased this knowing full well there are two more books out in the series {and I believe plans for at least a few more!}, I was expecting a massive cliffhanger.  Color me pink with pleasant surprise, because there wasn't!  While I'm excited to see where this story goes, I'm happy I didn't feel like I was hanging on a ledge, desperate for the next book.

Checkmate: This is Dangerous by Kennedy Fox | Review

Title: Checkmate: This is Dangerous
Author: Kennedy Fox
Pages: Unknown {Kindle Edition}
Publisher: CreateSpace
Goodreads Rating: 4.82 stars
Published: July 6th, 2017
Soure: EBook/From Author

Description:

Logan Knight is a real life knight in shining armor. A detective godsend in a sleek black suit has me thinking less than secretive thoughts. Brooding and mysterious, he’s the kind of guy every girl instantly notices. Between his seductive smirk and charming good looks, it’s no wonder I can’t help the way he makes me feel whenever I’m near him. Too bad he’s unavailable—or so he says.

He thinks I’m a do-gooder who shouldn’t get involved with a guy like him. His past is messy and relationships just add to that. He insists the timing is all wrong and he’s devoted to his career, but I don’t buy that excuse for a second. I see the way his body tenses and his jaw ticks every time another guy is around me. He just won’t admit it, but I’m more determined than ever to show him what he’s missing. 

I’m a devoted animal rescuer and I’ll risk everything to save them, but when a dramatic turn of events puts both our lives at risk, I’m positive Logan will write me off for good. But when he asks for my help with a personal crisis, I know it’s my last chance to finally show him I can handle anything he throws my way—messy past and all.

He might think he has me all figured out, but I’ll prove him wrong no matter what he thinks. This game of push and pull has me running in circles. One wrong move and we could both lose.

Checkmate, Knight.



My Thoughts:

Whew!!  Well, this was definitely one of the steamier reads I've picked up in a while!  That being said, I really enjoyed every bit of it!

Kayla Sinclair is a sweetheart with a rough past that just made her even more kind towards others {4-legged and 2-legged}.  She's an amazing interior designer, dog mom and shelter volunteer.  Her three dogs are her family and she adopted them from the local shelter she helps at.  While she has no prince charming in her life, she did name all of her fur babies after Disney princes, which pretty hilarious and sweet {a lot like Kayla!}!

Logan Knight is a great guy and an amzing friend of Kayla's, who just so happens to be the exact kiind of man she's looking for.  While he's always there for her, he's bbeen friend--zoned, but not by Kayla!  Not looking for any romantic relationships, Logan is incredibly drawn to Kayla but refuses to pursue her because of his past and how he's trying to shape his future.  But fate made them perfectly for each other, and its just a matter of time until they give in and accept what has been lined up for them.

Kayla and Logan have a chemistry that explodes off the page and just consumes the reader!  It's amazing, and completely captivating, and I just can't get enough.  I was wondering how long it would take Logan to give in to his need to be there for Kayla, more than just the friend he'd delagated himself as.  I love that they are such amazing friends, bbut I felt for Kayla every time Logan pushed her away.  And I felt for Kayla every time Logan kindled that spark into a flame, then walked away.  Most stories that are similar have the female lead acting clueless and in the dark, but Kayla knew Logan more than liked her, and was biding her time.

There are ssome amazing twists and turns this story takes, but the ending has me waiting on pins and needles foor September and the connclusion of Kayla and Logan's duet.  Because, KFox, how could you leave all of us hanging like that??  Probably one of the best endings I've read in a while that left the reader completely flabergasted and needing more now.  Thankfully, I've yet to read the first two duets in this series, and have books one and two ready and waiting on my Kindle!

The Foxe & the Hound by R.S. Grey | Review

Title: The Foxe & the Hound
Author: R.S. Grey
Pages: Unknown {Kindle Edition}
Publisher: CreateSpace
Goodreads Rating: 4.71 stars
Published: June 1st, 2017
Soure: EBook/From Author

Description:

When your life is a hot mess at twenty, it’s cute. At twenty-seven…well, not so much.

It’s just that my lofty dreams—making it as a real estate agent, paying rent on time, showering daily—have stayed just that: dreams. Oh, and love? I’ve decided love might be a little ambitious for me at the moment. Instead, I’ve settled for the two guys who will never leave me: Ben & Jerry.

That is, until Dr. Adam Foxe takes up residence as the town’s new vet.

With his strong jaw, easy confidence, and form-fitting scrubs, it’s not long before every housewife in Hamilton is dragging neglected tomcats in for weekly checkups.

Like everyone else, I’m intrigued. Even after I spoil my chance at a good first impression, he still offers me a proposition I can’t refuse: play his girlfriend at a family function and he’ll hire me as his real estate agent. Welcome to love in the 21st century.

It’s too bad I underestimated Adam’s irresistible charm and the undeniable attraction that burns between us. The day he pins me to the wall and silences me with a kiss, the line between reality and ruse begins to blur. Every teasing touch brings me to my knees. Every kiss promises more. 

It looks like my hot mess of a life is about to get a little hotter.



My Thoughts:

*I received an eBook ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review*

Pretty much as soon as this book showed up on my kindle app, I was so in need of a RomCom.  I'd just finished a mini-marathon of a few heavier books {well, as marathon-ish as I can get, being a mom to two young kids!}, and this is basically just what the doctor ordered!

Madeleine Thatcher is a small town girl.  She has lived in a  little Texas town for her whole life, rotating through jobs every few years.  She has a small apartment that she shares with her massive puppy, Mouse.  Barely making her rent {sarcasm and wit don't quite bring the money rolling in}, she refuses to swathe jobs yet again, because she loves working in real estate and helping people find their dream homes.

Enter Adam Foxe: handsome Chicago transplant who moved to Hamilton to be closer to his parents and his brother's family.  Taking the job as the local vet, he runs into Madeleine and her giant Mouse his first day {er, Mouse runs into - and tackles - Adam}, causing a stunned silence from Madeleine.  

I really love how this story unfolds and all the hilarity that just overflows from it {Adam's mom is quite the schemer}.  I had a blast reading it, and I just couldn't put it down!  If you like RomComs, this would be right up your alley.  With writing that just flows, R.S. Grey is a fantastic author who gets you engrossed in the story - I swear, I thought I was in Texas for a while {and it wasn't because we went from 65 degree weather to 80 degrees overnight}.  I'm


While this is technically a standalone, I would suggest reading Grey's book Anything You Can Do before picking this one up.  A couple of the key supportive characters' stories are in that book, and if you're like me, you probably would want to dive into that one first.  It's an engrossing story, and you'll probably read it in no time!

Add THE FOXE & THE HOUND on Goodreads.

Get your hands on THE FOXE & THE HOUND now: http://amzn.to/2rcGu8F 

About R.S. Grey:

R.S. Grey is the USA Today bestselling author of thirteen novels, including THE FOXE & THE HOUND. She lives in Texas with her husband and two dogs, and can be found reading, binge-watching reality TV, or practicing yoga! Visit her at rsgrey.com

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