Top Ten Tuesday: Autumn 2015 TBR

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by: The Broke and the Bookish.

This week's topic: Autumn TBR.

 

 

Hello! Long time no post! But I love these TBR topics almost as much as I love Autumn!

 

 

The Lost and the Found by Cat Clarke

Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen.

The Boy Most Likely To by Huntley Fitzpatrick.

P.S I Still Love You by Jenny Han.

Spinning Starlight by R.C. Lewis.

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas.

The Heir by Kiera Cass.

Court of Fives by Kate Elliott.

Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas.

Gates of Thread and Stone by Lori M. Lee.

 

I've been off my reading game this year so my TBR is mainly books I already own and need to read! Spinning Starlight is my only new release which I am really looking forward to.

 

Let me know which book is top of your TBR this Autumn!

Much Love!

Lettie

Xxx.

P.S I am planning a full blog return for October so stay tuned!

Twitter Reviews: Back List

I'm trying out a different review format to switch up the blog, some reviews will be 'twitter' style others will be pros and cons!

This first edition of Twitter Reviews will be double reviews aka twice as long as I adjust to Twitter style!

All Lined Up by Cora Carmack, read May 2014 

 

In Texas, two things are cherished above all else—football and gossip. My life has always been ruled by both.
Dallas Cole loathes football. That's what happens when you spend your whole childhood coming in second to a sport. College is her time to step out of the bleachers, and put the playing field (and the players) in her past.
But life doesn't always go as planned. As if going to the same college as her football star ex wasn’t bad enough, her father, a Texas high school coaching phenom, has decided to make the jump to college ball… as the new head coach at Rusk University. Dallas finds herself in the shadows of her father and football all over again.
Carson McClain is determined to go from second-string quarterback to the starting line-up. He needs the scholarship and the future that football provides. But when a beautiful redhead literally falls into his life, his focus is more than tested. It's obliterated.
Dallas doesn't know Carson is on the team. Carson doesn't know that Dallas is his new coach's daughter.
And neither of them know how to walk away from the attraction they feel.

Why?

•  Compared to Friday Night Lights- one of my favourite programmes!
• Love Cora’s Losing It series.

Thoughts

I loved the FNL vibe with the American Football 'family' and the insane enthusiasm for the game. I loved Cora's characterisation yet again, her characters are unique and well written. Most importantly All Lined Up never reads like a cliché New Adult book with the ‘typical dramas’.  I’m slowly reading my way through this series and loving it!

Rating

 

 

Shatter by Erin McCarthy , read August 2014

Kylie Warner prides herself on being optimistic, but after finding her best friend in bed with her boyfriend and flunking chemistry, her upbeat attitude has taken a dive. Even an impromptu hook-up with her sexy new chemistry tutor only brightens her mood slightly. After all, it’s not like she’ll ever see the tattooed scholar again…
While he’s a whiz at complex equations, Jonathon Kadisch has trouble when it comes to figuring out women. So when Kylie tells him that she’s pregnant after their night of passion, he’s at a complete loss. He’s prepared to be a good father—unlike his own deadbeat dad—but he’s less prepared to fall for the genuine and alluring blonde bearing his child.
With emotions running high, Kylie wonders if Jonathon’s devotion is out of growing love or looming obligation. And when heartbreak threatens to tear them apart, Jonathon will have to fight for the only girl who’s ever made him feel whole…

Why?

•  I really enjoyed the other instalments of this series.  
• Not sure about Kylie as a character.

Thoughts

Again I found the plot circumvented being cliché by adding twists and well developed characters. Kylie despite her ‘dumb blonde’ facade actually proved herself as resilient and independent. Jonathan was a great male lead with an interesting backstory. I enjoyed catching up with the cast at the end, tying up loose ends. It was a good end to a fab series!

Rating

 

Slowly We Trust  by Chelsea M Cameron, read April 2014

Audrey Valdez didn’t mean to fall for Will Anders. He isn’t her type. At all. But his goofy smile, Star Wars quotes and athletic body make it impossible. She's lived so long in the darkness and Will is like the sun. He makes her laugh more than she has in years and cares for her more than her own family.

But there are things about Audrey that Will doesn't know, things he can't know. She tries to push him away, but he just ends up getting closer to her, and to her secret. Is the risk of losing him forever worth the chance a being with the only person she's ever loved who has loved her back?

 

 

 

  

 

Why?

•  I love Faster We Burn!
• Desperate to know Audrey's secret!

Thoughts

Audrey’s secret was predictable but so much more layered than I had expected! Without spoiling Audrey’s character was softened by her secret making her more likeable and allowing the story to flow easily. I loved Will and how determined he was to be the right guy for Audrey. Eddie was definitely my favourite new character, I hope to read his story later on!
 

Rating

 

 

What do you think of these Twitter style reviews?

Have you read any of these books?

 

Much Love!

Lettie

Xxx

Summer Bingo Challenge 2nd Edition!

I was inspired last year to do my own Summer Bookish Bingo Challenge and I loved the extra challenge during the Summer months!
As I mentioned in my update post my reading and blogging time has been hugely increased yay! So I should get a full house!

Rules

• One square per book! For example if I read a new release YA book it could go in either box so one square per book spreads it out!
• This challenge will run 1st July until 1st October.

Let me know if you want to join in or if you have your own challenge!
Much love
Lettie
xxx

Blog and Life Update!

 

So I survived my PGCE and I've got myself a job for next year!

Yay! I'm focussing these next few weeks on my blog as I've been reading my way through my massive haul of books! I feel like I've missed lots of releases and dramas so I'm looking forward to getting back in to it!

 



However in August I will be jetting down under to travel Australia with my best friend (who lives in Melbourne) for 3 weeks! I'm hoping to schedule at least ten posts and use the long lonely flight as reading time!

Stay tuned this week for my Summer Bingo Challenge and a few Twitter reviews!
If you have any Australian books to recommend please comment below!

Much Love!
Lettie
Xxx

Cover Love: Newly Revealed!

I have a goodreads shelf for TBR books awaiting covers and I love to check every now and then to see what cover reveals I've missed!

Charming Covers

First of all it makes me happy when sequels/series match <3.
Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas~ As always Sarah Maas' covers are on point! My love of the cover designs is well documented.
The Boy Most Likely To by Huntley Fitzpatrick~ I like this over not as much as I love My Life Next Door just because it's less eye catching.
P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han~ I love how this reflects the simple beauty of To All The Boys I Loved Before, just imagine them side by side!
Nowhere But Here by Katie McGarry~ I like the bold typography and the motorbike, subtle but effective. Not sure if the UK edition will have a different cover though...

Have you seen any new covers that have caught your eye?
Let me know!
Much Love!
Lettie
Xxx

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

Lettie Loves: TV!

I may not have read a lot in February but I did fall in love with a new TV show...

I started this on a whim last year as my Mum's a fan but it wasn't on UK Netflix or particularly easy to stream so I gave up..... Then a Lovefilm free trial made it oh so easy to watch 2 episodes at a time and return the discs!
I'm on Season 2 Disc 4 at the moment and relatively unspoilt due to 5 no longer airing OUAT in the UK!
Big fan of...
I love the ensemble cast and all the classic tales retold or reimagined.
Henry's character is so essential but so simple.
Mulan and Aurora, I love seeing the Enchanted Forest and getting a completely different perspective of the curse.
Hook, typical bad boy but so intriguing!
Not a fan of...
Rumplestilskin's romance..... I just don't get it!
The lack of August, what has happened to him since the curse was broken??
Shipping
Snow and Charming <3
Aurora and Philip <3
Emma and Hook, even though it seems so wrong!
Ruby and Gus... </3

Do you watch OUAT? Do you love it? Do more fairytales pop up?
Don't spoil me!
Much Love!
Lettie
Xxx