Mini Reviews: Take Control!

Time to review some of my Take Control of your TBR challenge books!

 
Where the Road Takes Me by Jay McLean

Chloe has one plan for the future, and one plan only: the road. She’s made a promise to herself: don’t let anyone in, and don’t let anyone love her. She’s learned the hard way what happens if she breaks her rules. So she’s focused on being invisible and waiting until she can set out on the road—her dream of freedom, at least for a little while.Blake Hunter is a basketball star who has it all—everything about him looks perfect to those on the other side of his protective walls. He can’t let anyone see the shattered pieces behind the flawless facade or else all his hopes and dreams will disappear.One dark night throws Chloe and Blake together, changing everything for Blake. For Chloe, nothing changes: she has the road, and she’s focused on it. But when the so-called perfect boy starts to notice the invisible girl, they discover that sometimes with love, no one knows where the road may lead.

What I Loved!
Concept- I liked the idea of a road trip with no destination or timeframe. In fact I think if the road trip had been the story with the extra cast fitting in along the way I would have enjoyed the story more.
Side Cast~ Clayton, although ultimately replaced by Blake in Chloe's life I loved this character! He was mysterious in a good way and kept me questioning until the end.  Mary and Joe, such lovely parents and good people, loved reading their scenes. I love Josh's banter with Chloe and Blake at work and his general demeanour. I was intrigued by his story with Tommy and I would love to read more from his point of view.
What I Didn't!
Main Characters~ I normally don't mind instalove but this time I found Blake and Chloe irritating together! Their meeting was cute but it was extended into a random breakfast at Clayton's house and some very cringy conversation. I enjoyed their characters separately and together sometimes but mostly Chloe was mysterious and Blake was head over heels.
Plot points~ Just a few annoying points! Blake cheats on his girlfriend who was cheating on him with his best friend but this is never resolved. Hannah and Oliver are never mentioned again except for an episode with Chloe which again never resolved.
I get that Chloe is invisible but there are two young female characters, slutty Hannah and virtuous Chloe.. So many issues are briefly visited and then never explored!
 

Where the Road Takes Me did keep me reading until the end but I wasn't engaged by the main characters or their romance. If the book had focussed one issue I would have enjoyed it more.

 
Tall, Tatted and Tempting by Tammy Falker.

She’s locked up tight. But he might be the key.Logan Reed is tall, tatted and tempting. Kit’s a woman with a mean right hook and a secret.Kit wants a tattoo, but Logan sees more than she intends to share in the drawing of the tat she wants. He sees her in ways no one ever has.Logan’s not disabled; but he hasn’t spoken in eight years. He hasn’t needed to. Until he meets Kit.Logan doesn’t know everything about Kit. Kit doesn’t know anything about herself, until she has to sacrifice all she ever wanted to save what’s most important to him.

 

What I Loved
Reed Family- I loved all of them! Paul was such a good but funny older brother and I liked how he'd stepped up and never complained. Matt, typical 'gentle' brother but I did enjoy reading his interactions with Kit and his determination to live a good life. (?) and Seth (?) were a bit too playboyesque at times but very witty and balanced out the family. I loved how they all adopted Kit but equally warned her not to hurt Logan.
Sign Language- The way they were all so proficient with sign language and teaching Hayley to sign was heart warming and I loved how they translated Logan when he signed in front of Kit especially when it was rude!
What I Didn't!
Cliches- At times the clichés were just too much, like assuming Logan had a daughter and Logan being just so attractive despite the fact he seemed very aloft and rude to outsiders. It also annoyed me that Logan hadn't bothered to speak to his family why? They would have been supportive.
Kit's secret- It was really built up and was anti-climatic! I felt it made Kit seem like a sulky child acting out and I lost some of the respect I initially had for her.

I love when the lead characters have an uncliche 'issue' like Logan did and it's just woven in to the narrative. The side cast and details really made this book. I've read a few of the novellas (out of sequence!) so it's safe to say I am a Reed fan!


Have you read either of those authors? What do you think? Are you a Reed fan?
Let me know!
Much Love!
Lettie
Xxx

April Mini Reviews!

Mini reviews for a couple of NetGalley reads leftover from Review Copy Cleanup!
 

Southbound Surrender

Five days. Fifty square feet. One last shot at love.
Cash Rowland first laid eyes on the tenacious and irresistible Piper Sullivan when they were both seventeen. He falls for her hard and just when he thinks she's doing the same, Piper is torn from his life without warning. She leaves no contact information but only a vague promise of fate. 
Five years later, their paths unexpectedly cross. When he shows up with his eighteen-wheeler unannounced, Cash persuades Piper to head out on the open road to give him one last shot at love. But what should be a routine delivery across six states suddenly becomes an unforgettable journey when they save a woman with a broken past and discover that second chances are only for the lucky ones.

 

Thoughts

I almost didn't finish this one as I disliked the flashback beginning but I perceived as I did like the male narrative- it made a welcome change in New Adult! Cash was a great narrator, his life outlook was so positive and honest it was easy to get swept up with his impulsive decisions! I loved his witty character and how he got Piper to open up so easily. Piper was a more conflicting character and it took me awhile to warm up to her as she was obviously concealing a lot from Cash which made her behaviour through his narrative seem rude and confused.
I loved the supporting cast of Hudson and Big Dave. They were both such big personalities and had great influence over Cash. Hudson was such a supportive friend especially as a lot of Cash's ideas were out side of the box! Big Dave had interesting perspectives on life and dealing with issues but he was a great father to Cash.

 The whole road trip aspect was interesting and filled with different characters and coincidences which made this book stand out.

I loved the characters and Cash's narrative just not a fan of the beginning!

 

Saving Quinton by Jessica Sorensen

Nova Reed can't forget him-Quinton Carter, the boy with the honey-brown eyes who made her realize she deserved more than an empty life. His pain was so similar to her own. But Nova has been coming to terms with her past and healing, while Quinton is out there somewhere, sinking deeper. She's determined to find him and help him . . . before it's too late.
Nova has haunted his dreams for nearly a year-but Quinton never thought a sweet, kind person like her would care enough about a person like him. To Quinton, a dark, dangerous life is exactly what he deserves. And Nova has no place in it. But Nova has followed him to Las Vegas, and now he must do whatever it takes to keep her away, to maintain his self-imposed punishment for the unforgivable things he's done. But there's one flaw in his plan: Nova isn't going anywhere . .

Thoughts

I'm a huge fan of Jessica's Secret series so I was thrilled to get approved for Saving Quinton!
Firstly I highly recommend reading this series in order- I very rarely read series out of order and I wish I had read Breaking Nova first as it (obviously) set the foundations for Quinton.
I was expecting a complicated New Adult romance with Jessica's trademark gritty issues but Saving Quinton is a journey to recovery. Nova and Quinton had an obvious connection and chemistry but the story was based more on Nova trying to reach Quinton and help him. I found the portrayal of drug abuse very harrowing and realistic.  The way Quinton and Tristan lived was awful and the way they, especially Tristan, didn't realise and continued to make such risky decisions was realistic but at times hard to understand, Jessica's characterisation was brilliant as usual, making me love the side characters and their stories almost as much as the main story. I liked the dual point of view as it gave an insight into Quinton's downward spiral and how it had all began. I found his backstory full of misplaced guilt and it really explained how he had fall so far and why no one had made the same efforts as Nova had. I found Nova very dedicated and quite naïve. I admired how she stuck with her plan to help Quinton despite all the obstacles and objections. As for the side characters, I liked Lea from the start. I loved that she accompanied Nova to Las Vegas and tried to help her, I was also so intrigued by her life and her issues. Tristan was hard to like but he grew on me, he was an ugly addict but realistic. I look forward to more of his story.  The pacing and issues made Saving Quinton very easy to read and hard to put down! As always I was left with lots of questions but I look forward to more from the Nova series!

 

Have you read Breaking Nova? Have I spoiled it by skipping ahead to Saving Quinton?
Let me know!
Much Love!
Lettie
Xxx

Mini Reviews: Reveiw Copy Cleanup Edition!

 

The Only Exception by Magan Vernon

 
Fiercely liberal Monica Remy prefers to blend in. Despite her tattoos, piercings, and outspoken personality, she transferred to Central to escape—before she finds out that her next door neighbour is the uber conservative governor's son, Trey Chapman.
No matter how hard she tries to avoid Trey, he still finds a way to get under her skin. Monica can’t stand his crisp white shirts or his staunch views on women. But she can’t help counting every freckle on his face and wondering what it would feel like to have him stop talking politics and kiss her.
A class debate project forces the unlikely pair to work together, and the political lines are blurred in late-night make out sessions. But despite their fiery chemistry, Trey’s politics threatens to smother their relationship for good.

Thoughts!

I really enjoyed the political aspects of this book. Although as I'm British I did find it hard to follow at times and the issues surrounding contraception completely went over my head. I liked Monica and how direct she was with her thoughts and actions especially with her roommate at the very beginning! I also found her very brave and resilient despite the circumstances. I really liked Trey as a character, he was such gentleman and respectful of Monica with their political difference. I think sometime his politics clouded his actions. Trey's family were refreshingly uncliched despite their political beliefs they were welcoming and friendly towards Monica. I really enjoyed the epilogue and how it wrapped up loose ends and showed how Monica fitted into the Republican family!

Rating!

I enjoyed the politics and the chemistry between Monica and Trey!

 

 Hearbeat by Elizabeth Scott.

Life. Death. And...Love?
Emma would give anything to talk to her mother one last time. Tell her about her slipping grades, her anger with her stepfather, and the boy with the bad reputation who might be the only one Emma can be herself with.
But Emma can't tell her mother anything. Because her mother is brain-dead and being kept alive by machines for the baby growing inside her.
Meeting bad-boy Caleb Harrison wouldn't have interested Old Emma. But New Emma-the one who exists in a fog of grief, who no longer cares about school, whose only social outlet is her best friend Olivia-New Emma is startled by the connection she and Caleb forge.
Feeling her own heart beat again wakes Emma from the grief that has grayed her existence. Is there hope for life after death-and maybe, for love?

Thoughts

This book had such a deep and controversial core issue, it definitely humanised an issue and situation that is often showcased in the media with little attention to the people involved! I admired Emma as she was at the centre of this difficult situation and I think I identified with her as an only child of a single mother. I think she struggled to remember how things had truly been before the accident and also to have faith in Dan. It was hard for her to move on as her mother though technically dead was still there so she'd had no closure through a funeral or anything. It also made her a spectacle  at school, people were confused with how to deal with her. Olivia however was such a supportive and open friend who tried her best to be there for Emma which at times couldn't have been easy! I loved her side story with Roger and her techy parents! Caleb had his own background which I enjoyed learning about and understanding. I liked how he and Emma related to each other and how their friendship/relationship grew throughout the book

I wasn't too keen on Dan, I felt like he and Emma didn't really take an time to figure out their relationship without Emma's mum and he didn't quite understand how to reassure or relate to Emma after the accident.

I loved the journey Emma went on during the book as she dealt with her grief, anger and confusion and struggled with her relationships but ultimately started to repair her relationships, express herself better and say goodbye.

 Rating

 

Believe by Erin McCarthy

 Robin used to be a party girl… until she got black out drunk and woke up in bed with her best friend's boyfriend. Now she's faced with being THAT girl, and couldn't be more disgusted with herself. She can't even tell her friends the reason for her sudden sobriety and she avoids everyone until she meets Phoenix—quiet, tattooed, and different in every way that's good and oh, so bad…
Phoenix is two days out of jail when he meets Robin at his cousin's house, and he knows that he has no business talking to her, but he's drawn to her quiet demeanour, sweet smile, and artistic talent. She doesn't care that he's done time, or that he only has five bucks to his name, and she supports his goal to be a tattoo artist.
But Phoenix knows Robin has a secret, and that it's a naïve dream to believe that his record won't catch up with them at some point. Though neither is prepared for the explosive result when the past collides with the present…

 Thoughts

I really enjoy this series but I wasn't too keen on Robin before I read Believe. In less than a chapter I was completely taken in by Robin and Phoenix! Robin was a lot less confident than she had seemed through Jessica and Rory's eyes especially after the incident. It was refreshing to read about 'THAT girl' from a different perspective and to see  how Robin reacted and felt in regards to it. I think at times she blamed alcohol to heavily for the incident. I loved Phoenix, he seemed like such a cliché bad boy but turned out to be a sweet boy who lived a clean life according to his convictions. I admired how hard he worked and I enjoyed his banter with his cousins. The way he pursued Robin and saw the real her was just what they both needed! Once again great chemistry and a fresh relationship. I also enjoyed seeing how the group's dynamic changed and grew in this instalment and seeing them from the more outsider view of Phoenix. I'm looking forward to next book already!

 Rating

I love this series and each book is just an fresh and passionate as the last!

 

Related reviews:

The Only One by Magan Vernon.

True by Erin McCarthy.

Sweet by Erin McCarthy.

 

Three great books- thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read them!

 

Have you read any of them?

Can you recommend any other Elizabeth Scott books?

Much Love!

Lettie

Xxx

 

 

Festive Mini Reviews!

Mini reviews~ Sometimes I love a book but I just can't do a full review or I just back log reviews!

So many Christmas novellas around at the moment! They are perfect for getting you in the Christmas mood.

Christmas Catch

 

Two years ago, when Ivy Emerson bailed from the tiny fishing village she’d grown up in to go to Columbia, Sawyer McCallister was the only thing she was sad to leave behind, and she still didn’t look back. But when her mother guilts her into coming home for Christmas, she crashes headfirst into Sawyer, who’s also returned after being away.
Now that they’ve both been dragged back to Saltwater, Maine, they might just realize it’s where they belong. Together. 

Thoughts!

Christmas Catch is such a perfect festive read. Ivy has finally headed back home for Christmas after avoiding it for years and who does she bump into but her high school sweetheart! I loved the familiarity between Sawyer and Ivy and how they were forced together by coincidence and family. I liked Ivy's family, her siblings seemed very different from her and her mum was so witty. I especially enjoyed the end!

 

 

A Season for Hope

Being dumped just before the holidays was my worst nightmare. I’d spent so many years thinking Preston Wright was the one for me that when he told me it was over, I thought I’d rather die than face the future.
I never expected someone like Judd Kohler to come crashing into my life. Literally. He was coming out. I was going in. My face got in the way. You get the picture. It was an accident. Running into him twice in one day, though? It started to feel like fate.
My mother always says Christmas is a magical time of year. A season for hope. All I know is that just when I thought I’d lost mine, hope somehow found its way back to me.
Just in time for Christmas.

Thoughts!

I quietly enjoyed the first instalment of the Fairhope series but I did not like Bailey! However she was much more understandable and likeable in this novella. To begin with I found her very naïve towards Preston, she seemed to hopelessly have faith in their relationship. Preston himself came off even worse, he seemed like a guy who had cheated on the girl he loved with Bailey and then just strung her along for years with no intention of the relationship really progressing allowing her to centre her whole world on him. This made Bailey's very dramatic reaction to their break up partially understandable although she was quite pathetic! I loved Judd I thought the way he pursued Bailey despite her obvious rebound issues was very well done. He seemed to be exactly what Bailey needed, he allowed her to be herself but was firm when she started to faltered. I really enjoyed this novella- in fact I ended up buying the next Fairhope book straight away!

I love Festive novellas, they are perfect for getting you in the Christmas mood!

Have you read any of the NA Christmas novellas?

 

Much Love!

Lettie

Xxx



Callum and Harper by Fisher Amelie.

Life sucks for orphans Callum Tate and Harper Bailey.
Kicked out of their foster homes because they suffer the 'eighteen disease' with nothing but a hundred dollar check from the government and a pat on the back, they're forced to rely on a system that failed them miserably.
So they sit. They sit inside Social Services, waiting for their social workers to call their names and offer them the miracle they know will never come but they sit anyway because they have nowhere else to go, no other options on their very literal and figurative empty plates.
But as they sit, they notice the other. Although captivated, they each come to the conclusion that life is complicated enough without throwing in a boiling tension that can't ever be acted upon because they're both too busy thinking about where their next meal will come from but when their names are called and both are placed on a year long waiting list for permanent housing, suddenly relying on each other seems like a very viable plan B.
And, oh, how lovely Plan B's can be.
Well, except for the psycho from Harper's past that haunts her and, oh, yeah, there's the little issue that neither of them knows they're in love with the other.
Needless to say, Callum & Harper's life just got a bit more complicated.
“One day, you and I are gonna’ wake up and be alright. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow but one day. One day. I promise you.” - Callum Tate
Why?
I have been meaning to read Callum and Harper since I loved Thomas and January last year!

Five Things about Callum and Harper!
Coincidences- Callum and Harper is a sweet story of coincidences! I loved that they were both unlucky enough to need emergency Foster care that that coincidental meeting led down such a complex path!
Callum - Callum is a sweet and clever guy who had an unlucky start in life. I loved how he took Harper under his wing and really looked out for her!
Harper- Harper was sweet and naïve especially for a foster child. I liked how much
Side Cast- Great side cast! I knew I'd love Cherry, she was just as bubbly and welcoming as she was Thomas and January. Charlie was a great guy, I would love to read more on him and Cherry! It was great to read Tom before Thomas and January, I could really see the change in his personality. All of the side cast were warm and welcoming people, I loved how they just accepted Harper into their group and made her feel accepted especially how they helped her out with so many different aspects of her life.
Miscommunication- Callum and Harper were so awful at communicating with each other! It started to annoy me towards the end because they knew each toerh so well but just never discussed important things! 

I really liked learning all the backstory and Callum and Harper had such a sweet story!

Are you a Fisher Amelie fan?
Come back later for a Greed teaser!
Much Love!
Lettie
Xxx

New Adult Week Mini Reviews Part 2!

Mini reviews~ Sometimes I love a book but I just can't do a full review or I just back log reviews!

This edition is books I should of reviewed ages ago!
 
  The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden.

There are those who don’t get luck handed to them on a shiny platter, who end up in the wrong place at the wrong time, who don’t get saved.
Luck was not on Callie’s side the day of her twelfth birthday when everything was stolen from her. After it’s all over, she locks up her feelings and vows never to tell anyone what happened. Six years later her painful past consumes her life and most days it’s a struggle just to breathe.
For as long as Kayden can remember, suffering in silence was the only way to survive life. As long as he did what he was told, everything was okay. One night, after making a terrible mistake, it seems like his life might be over. Luck was on his side, though, when Callie coincidentally is in the right place at the right time and saves him.
Now he can’t stop thinking about the girl he saw at school, but never really knew. When he ends up at the same college as Callie, he does everything he can to try to get to know her. But Callie is reserved and closed off. The more he tries to be part of her life, the more he realizes Callie might need to be saved.
After Ella and Micha I was excited to read more of Jessica Sorensen-

Thoughts

The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden has such a unique plot, I liked that they were trying to save each other. Callie and Kayden were two very broken people although Kayden seemed to have hidden it better than Callie. I couldn't believe their families! Kayden's family must have been aware of how volatile the Dad was, his Mum seemed quite pathetic and his brothers didn't seem to think twice about leaving Kayden behind. Callie's brother seemed to lack any empathy and was apparently aware of how horrible Caleb was. No wonder Kayden and Callie ended up as two very broken people!
I loved Seth and Luke. Luke really intrigued me, he was such a good support to Kayden but definitely had his own background which is why he's getting his own story! I loved Seth! I guessed he would be gay as it explained how he got so close to Callie. I really liked how he dealt with Callie so gently but still pushed her out of her shell! I think Luke and Seth made an amazing team for Callie and Kayden.

I loved the uniqueness of the plot and the strength of the characters but I did not enjoy the cliff hanger end!
 
Just For Now

 
Set in the steamy coastal Alabama town of Sea Breeze, an interconnected group of older teens hook up, break up . . . and much, much more.
Preston is one bad boy. And Amanda has harboured a crush on him for forever. When she finally makes her move on him, it does not end well. But still, she can't resist him. Especially now that he seems to be pursuing her, too.
No one wants them to be together. Not Amanda's brother, Marcus, who is on the verge of his marriage to Low, and definitely not any of Preston's buddies. They know way too much about Preston's dark side. Yet the dangerous attraction is there ... and neither Preston nor Amanda are going to deny it.
 

I love the Sea Breeze series so I downloaded and read it straight off the bat way back in November.
 
What I Loved:
Preston- I really liked Preston! I liked him in the other books so I was excited to read his story. He had such a good heart and good intentions! I admired how he dealt with his family situation and how he treated Amanda so well. I don't want to spoil his secret so I will leave it at that!
Jason- When I first heard the next Sea Breeze book would be about Jason I wasn't too interested as I hadn't read Breathe so Jason was an unknown! However I really enjoyed him in Just for Now, I loved how sweet he was and I am so intrigued by his shadow life!
Bromances- Preston was lucky to have such  a good group of friends but the bromances between him and Marcus and him and Rock were so good to read. Although Marcus didn't support Preston and Amanda to begin with he did remain loyal to Preston and knew him well enough to grow to trust him. Rock and Preston was an unexpected bromance, I think even Preston was surprised at how well Rock knew him and his apparent secrets! I loved how Rock went out of the way to help Preston in so many ways, he really helped Preston turn his life around. Both Marcus and Rock were such big parts of Preston's life, he was lucky to have them!
 Marcus and Low- I was so pleased to see more of them and hear how they were getting on!

What I Didn't Love as Much:
Amanda- I think she's the reason I didn't love this one as much as the rest of the series. I just didn't connect with her like I did with Low and Eva. She was just a bit bland to me!
Parents-Preston's mother was obviously just a very mean person! Amanda's Mum was highly judgemental for someone in her situation.

I loved the side cast and Preston just not an Amanda fan!

 
Have read either of these? Or the rest of the series?
Much Love!
Lettie.
Xxx

NetGalley Mini Reviews!

Mini reviews~ Sometimes I love a book but I just can't do a full review or I just back log reviews!

I think I'm definitely guilty of overindulging on NetGalley but who can resist such great titles! So this edition is dedicated to recent NetGalley reads :)

Virginity.
Bliss Edwards is about to graduate from college and still has hers. Sick of being the only virgin among her friends, she decides the best way to deal with the problem is to lose it as quickly and simply as possible-- a one-night stand. But her plan turns out to be anything but simple when she freaks out and leaves a gorgeous guy alone and naked in her bed with an excuse that no one with half-a-brain would ever believe. And as if that weren't embarrassing enough, when she arrives for her first class of her last college semester, she recognizes her new theatre professor. She'd left him naked in her bed about 8 hours earlier.



Thoughts!
I hadn't read the new blurb so I was surprised that Garrick was Bliss's professor. I'm not usually keen on student-teacher relationships but it's a lot different outside of the school environment and with older characters. Garrick and bliss were also amazingly well suited and the age gap really wasn't that big. I loved Bliss' friends, Kelsey and Cade they are so different to each other and her but they complimented each other well. Kelsey was so fun loving and free I enjoyed reading her and how she interacted with Bliss. Cade broke my heart! I knew he'd end up heartbroken so I'm looking forward to Faking It where he takes centre stage. The rest of the class had such different personalities and I loved how they played out with the play and performance. I think Hamlet stole the story though, I loved the circumstances surrounding the cat and how grumpy she was! I can see why this book is so popular, it's well written, the characters well developed and the plot comes across as unique in a new category.

I did enjoy this book, especially the characters and it changed my opinion towards student teacher relationships in a college setting!


When Rory Macintosh’s roommates find out that their studious and shy friend has never been with a guy, they decide that, as an act of kindness they’ll help her lose her virginity by hiring confident, tattooed bad boy Tyler Mann to do the job…unbeknownst to Rory.
Tyler knows he’s not good enough for Rory. She’s smart, doctor smart, while he’s barely scraping by at his EMT program, hoping to pull his younger brothers out of the hell their druggy mother has left them in. But he can’t resist taking up her roommates on an opportunity to get to know her better. There’s something about her honesty that keeps him coming back when he knows he shouldn’t…
Torn between common sense and desire, the two find themselves caught up in a passionate relationship. But when Tyler’s broken family threatens to destroy his future, and hers, Rory will need to decide whether to cut her ties to his risky world or follow her heart, no matter what the cost…

Thoughts! 

I loved Rory and her innocence mixed with common sense. Rory, Jen and Kylie went so well together despite their different personalities. I think they helped Rory come out of her shell and Rory grounded them.
I loved the dynamic between Rory, her Dad and Sarah. Sarah seemed to know the exact role she needed to take in order to fit in with Rory and her Dad. Rory and her Dad were so similar, it was scary, I liked their Skype calls and how close they remained!
Tyler and his family were my favourite aspect- I loved the individuality of all the brothers. As the eldest brother Riley had moved out due to his mother but I loved his snarky attitude and his interactions with Jen. U was so innocent, I loved how easily he got on with Rory. Easton was the most obviously troubled brother and I was intrigued by his sad quietness and reluctance to eat.
I didn't like the ending, I didn't feel I knew what would happen to Rory and Tyler after the end! It is the first in a series though so I imagine I'll find out!

I liked how this book mixed so many aspects together such as a bet, a troubled family, rich girl/bad boy etc and created a unique story full of surprises, heartache and hope!




Some things are worth waiting for…
Traveling thousands of miles from home to enter college is the only way nineteen-year-old Avery Morgansten can escape what happened at the Halloween party five years ago—an event that forever changed her life. All she needs to do is make it to her classes on time, make sure the bracelet on her left wrist stays in place, not draw any attention to herself, and maybe—please God—make a few friends, because surely that would be a nice change of pace. The one thing she didn’t need and never planned on was capturing the attention of the one guy who could shatter the precarious future she’s building for herself.
Some things are worth experiencing…
Cameron Hamilton is six feet and three inches of swoon-worthy hotness, complete with a pair of striking blue eyes and a remarkable ability to make her want things she believed were irrevocably stolen from her. She knows she needs to stay away from him, but Cam is freaking everywhere, with his charm, his witty banter, and that damn dimple that’s just so… so lickable. Getting involved with him is dangerous, but when ignoring the simmering tension that sparks whenever they are around each other becomes impossible, he brings out a side of her she never knew existed.
Some things should never be kept quiet…
But when Avery starts receiving threatening emails and phone calls forcing her to face a past she wants silenced, she’s has no other choice but to acknowledge that someone is refusing to allow her to let go of that night when everything changed. When the devastating truth comes out, will she resurface this time with one less scar? And can Cam be there to help her or will he be dragged down with her?
And some things are worth fighting for......

What I Loved:

Cameron- Perfect! I really admired his persistence from the start and how he was willing to wait for Avery but refused to let her play with his feelings. I liked that we got to see him with his family and the interactions and secrets between them. Cameron's backstory was surprising and a lot deeper than I was expecting. I also loved a lot of the smaller details, like his pet turtle, breakfast making skills and the little witty text conversations between him and Avery.

Side Cast- I loved Brit and Jason, both of them were really good best friends despite how different they all were and they were so accepting of Avery. I liked how supportive Brit was and how she didn't push Avery to tell her anything she didn't wait to. I loved how flamboyant Jason was. I really liked Ollie, especially how he accepted Avery and made an effort to get Cam and her together. I adored how funny and witty he was, definitely what to see more of him! I also loved Cam's family and their dynamics and secrets. I have a feeling Teresa will be popping up again later in the series...

What I didn't Love as much:

Avery's Mum- Avery's mum was a very selfish and manipulative person. It was clear that she was the driving force behind the way the issue was dealt with and that she viewed Avery as an inconvenience.

Molly- She was kind of a late comer to the book but I really disliked how she treated Avery. I can't say more with out spoiling!

 

 

I loved the characters and their unexpected backstories. Already looking forward to the next instalment!

What have you requested lately on NetGalley?
Much Love!
Lettie
Xxx

Blog Tour: Between Friends by Andrea Cowen.

The only way to have a friend is to be one..... especially between the sheets...

When neurotically challenged and unlucky in love Megan Daniels, is propositioned by her life-long friend Ben Romano with a coin toss (heads, they sleep together, tails they don’t) the night before they are about to attend a destination wedding, she drunkenly accepts his challenge. But when Megan wakes up the next morning with a bad hang-over and Ben in her bed, she is more than mortified. It isn’t until the tropical heat begins to ignite emotions Megan never ever believed she could possibly have, that she starts to question if risking their friendship is the answer to finding true love.

This book sound so light and fun that I knew it would make a good summer read!

What I Loved:
Megan- I really liked Megan as a character. She was such a realistic girl, not as wild as two of the girls, loyal to her best friend and unaware of the phenomenal chemistry between her and Ben!
Friendship- I loved that the whole group had stayed so close through school and college into the 'real world'. I liked how different they were. I loved Michelle and Matthew together despite the fact they needed to sort themselves out. Jessica was a bit over the top with the wedding and with Megan, she seemed to get more childish as the book went on! Stephanie was the only one I didn't really like because frankly she was just mean! I liked Eric, he was the most perceptive and I loved that he went against Jessica to reassure Megan about Ben.
Setting- I loved that Jessica's destination wedding meant they were all out of their comfort zone and forced together in the same small environment. I think it made Megan and Ben to spend more time together after sleeping together as otherwise Megan would have probably just avoided Ben!

What I Didn't Love As Much:
Steven- I liked him as a character but I didn't see the point of him. I think he could of been taken out and the book would have better, much less drama with Jessica and less guilt for Megan!

A good solid read! I loved the setting and it was so easy to read!

 

 

Much Love!

Lettie



Xxx

Mini Reviews! Steph Campbell Edition!

Mini reviews~ Sometimes I love a book but I just can't do a full review or I just back log reviews!

*This is a new feature so the format isn't fully tested! I think I will post the cover, blurb, one thing I loved and one thing I didn't and a rating!*

This edition is dedicated to Steph Campbell- one of my favourite 'new' authors. Together with Liz Reinhardt she released her latest book, Depths, early this week and at 77p- how kind is that!

Delicate
Sydney Pierce has just met the guy of her dreams…just don’t tell her psycho boyfriend, Trevor.
With a gorgeous boyfriend, a thriving gymnastics career and a stellar academic record, anyone would assume that Sydney has it all. That's precisely what the seventeen-year-old perfectionist wants you to believe, and she works hard to keep up the pretense. Especially now that there are cameras following her for a documentary on Olympic hopefuls.
When Grant, the charming new student, disrupts her carefully crafted routine, the cracks beneath her perfect façade begin to rise to the surface and despite Trevor's objections to their friendship, she can't stay away from him.
As her connection to Grant pulls her closer to him, the once lighthearted relationship with Trevor takes an intense and dark turn, forcing her into a position in which not only her happiness, but her safety is at stake. Can Sydney learn to let go of everything she is clinging to in order to gain everything she has ever wanted, or will she realize her breaking point too late?

I had to read this one before Grounding Quinn as it's the prequel! As usual it was 77p!
What I Loved:
Quinn- Quinn definitely shone in this book! I enjoyed getting a sneak peek of her personality and her issues. It made me desperate to read Grounding Quinn.
Gymnastics- The inclusion of gymnastics was really different. Sydney's devotion, really set her apart from her friends and made her character much more engaging.The documentary, although intrusive, was a brilliant plot device!
Grant- I LOVED him! He was such a decent guy and so perceptive. I loved how he treated Sydney and how he built up a relationship with her.
What I Didn't Love as Much:
Depth- Delicate wasn't as 'deep' as Grounding Quinn despite the subject matter! It certainly suited the characters but I wanted more!

I loved the plot and the characters, it really set the scene for Grounding Quinn!

Lengths.

Nineteen-year-old Whit Conrad leaves her conservative Pennsylvania home for sunny California, looking for independence, a fresh start, and a place to stash her grief. She promptly finds a job at a tattoo parlour, a craptastic first apartment, and one friend—Ryan—who is a little less friend, a little more benefits.
Deo Beckett is a soulful surfer with a passion for tattoos and beautiful women. On the eve of his twenty-second birthday, he finds himself living with his grandfather, recently unemployed, and seriously adrift. He doesn’t know much about what he wants out of life, but he does know his current situation isn't cutting it.
When Deo meets Whit, she’s all sexy makeup and fierce, smart-ass fun. It doesn’t take him long to see past her tough shell. And when he gets a good look at what's under all the superficial stuff that usually gets his attention, it leaves Deo wondering if there might be more to life than living fast and free.
Too bad Whit has a past she doesn't plan on sharing—no matter how hot Deo is. She might want him, but she knows better than to let her guard down.
Deo falls for Whit, and falls hard. But everything about her, down to that mysterious tattoo and the way she thrashes in her sleep, tells him that the girl he loves is hiding something. And the more he pushes for answers, the more Whit pulls away.
Having your guard up is one thing, but are the lengths Whit goes to to protect her secret worth throwing away the second chance she has at happiness with Deo?

I was so excited when I found Lengths for 77p- at the time it was the only Steph Campbell book I hadn't read!
What I Loved:
Whit- I really felt for Whit- she made one rash and immature statement that most people in her situation would of and it led to the worst possible consequence! I admired how she had struck out on her own and worked so hard to make up for it. I loved how she 'tamed' Deo but she did frustrate me with her inability to let Deo in properly!
Side Characters- The side characters made this book so entertaining! Deo's Mum, Marigold, was such a hippie fun character! She was so good to Whit and I loved her relationship with Rocko. I liked how Rocko bonded with Whit and how good he was for Marigold. Deo's Grandad was the perfect old veteran- I loved how much he positively influenced Deo and all his sarcastic comments. I was also intrigued by Cohen, he was a really good friend to Deo seeing the best in him when he couldn't and giving him tough love when he needed it- Excited for his book!
What I Didn't Love as Much:

More- I just wanted to read more of Deo and Whit together! Maybe more of Whit reconnecting with her family. Maybe Deo's Dad to popping up! So glad that Cohen got his own book so I get more of him!

I have picked this one back up time and time again- it is such an engaging story and the characters are so full of life!

A Toast to Good Times

It’s the eve before Christmas Eve, and all that twenty-three-year-old Landry has on the agenda for the holiday is moping in the bar that he left everything behind to open.
And he’s got plenty to mope about.
He found his girlfriend treating herself to a little holiday delight with his best friend;
He hasn’t seen his family in over a year- since he alienated them all and ended up spending a night in jail;
And he may have just ruined the perfect, uncomplicated thing he had going with his platonic hot roommate, Mila.
Drinks all around!
But when he gets a call from his sister, Paisley, begging him to make it home for a huge announcement, he tosses aside his better judgement, (or, what’s left of it after that last round of drinks) and hops on the first train back home to Jersey.
But home for the holidays isn’t all mugs of cocoa and fireside chats with his family.
Landry left the people he loves the most high and dry when he fled to Boston and spent all of his inheritance…the inheritance money that he was supposed to use to help save his family’s floundering bar.
His dad will hardly look at him, his ex is maybe stalking him, his sister has dropped a bombshell on the family, and a flame from the past catches his eye. When Landry’s present and near past collide, it only further complicates things.
Landry thought he was leaving all of his problems behind when he left his family in New Jersey. But he comes home to find out that problems, like family, never go away. And sometimes facing the past with the help of someone who’s fearless about the future is the only way to move on.
Cheers?

I was so excited for another Campbell and Reinhardt collab! It didn't let me down!
What I Loved:
Viewpoint- I loved the strong male viewpoint. Landry was hilarious and gave real insight into his thoughts and feelings especially surrounding his family issues and Mila. Which was good it made sure he came across properly as some of his actions would have seemed awful from another point of view!
Relationship- I loved how the relationship developed slowly and realistically especially as Mila and Landry were in different places emotionally. I liked how their roles weren't rigid and they adapted and changed to accommodate each other.
Family- Landry's family was so detailed and layered! I liked the issues that Landry had with them,they weren't over the top or too much just sadly realistic. I loved how they started resolving their issues and getting back to their old relationships.
Toni- Perfect secondary character! I loved how brilliant her advice was and how even though she still had feelings for Landry she knew they didn't belong together. She was so good to rise above what had happened between them and give him honest advice.
What I Didn't Love as Much:
Boston- I wanted more of Landry and Mila in Boston together- just because I loved them together!
Heather/Tyler- What a selfish and inappropriate couple!

I really enjoyed this collaboration- it was fast paced and full of surprises, great read!

Beautiful Things Never Last.

It’s been a year since Quinn's life was changed for good by that Christmas kiss from Ben.
A year spent getting her life together. No more crazy parents looking over her shoulder, no more self-destructive behavior or secrets. Now, she and Ben share everything— including a tiny apartment, and a beautiful love.
Since he met Quinn, Ben’s life has been full of change. After finally standing up to his mom, he’s cut ties with his family and moved across the country with the only girl he’s ever wanted. But there’s something to be said for feeling needed, and he’s not sure that he is anymore.
When Quinn’s accepted into a month long culinary program in Italy, she’s ecstatic. But while she’s in a gorgeous country learning gnocchi and pesto, Ben’s blowing off her calls and pulling back.
But someone from Ben’s past walks back into his life, and he finally feels like he has a purpose again. Someone to take care of... Someone to save.
When Quinn returns, and the who's and why's of Ben's behaviour are revealed, how does she have any choice but to walk away from the only guy she's ever loved?
And how can Ben ever learn to let her go?

I was so desperate to pick this one up that I got an American friend to buy it for me!

What I Loved:

Carter and Shayna- Shayna was so different from Grounding Quinn and I really wanted to read more about how she  had progressed to such a committed relationship. I loved how Shayna and Quinn had begrudgingly become friends! Carter was so well developed in this book- I liked how he took Ben under his wing and how supportive he was of Quinn.

Quinn- Quinn's evolution! I was worried she would start becoming overly dependent on Ben but instead she became stronger in herself! I loved how she realised and accepted that Ben and her weren't perfect so mistakes would happen and how she learnt to move on from those mistakes. It was a brilliant character evolution.

What I Didn't Love as Much:
Sydney- I wanted to hear more about Sydney and her life! As Quinn's best friend I expected to read more about her!

Ben's Family- Ben's family were so over the top and inappropriate especially his mother. I mean Quinn's family had obvious and clear issues but Ben's family were unnecessarily awkward and rude. Quinn wasn't that awful that they needed to cut their only child out of her life and undermine him constantly!

I loved catching up with Quinn and Ben and seeing how much they had grown as characters as well as seeing more of Carter and Shayna!

I love Steph Campbell's books- they never disappoint!

Have you read Steph Campbell?

What do you think of these Mini reviews?

Much Love!

Lettie

Xxx