Before You Go by Ella James

 Book Description:

Margo Ford just became an heiress. Not the Paris Hilton kind. Her billions came after her father died and her insanely wealthy, insanely absent mother officially claimed her. Unfortunately, some terrorists noticed, and they hatched a plot to kidnap her. After a news report goes awry, reporting that Margo *has* been kidnapped, and her mother offers the humiliating sum of $500,000 for her return, Margo doesn't want anything to do with her *#$!@ of an egg donor. Then she is sentenced to a summer of "protection" on her mother's private island. Not the Oprah Winfrey kind. This one has an astronomical observatory filled with scientists, including Logan Greer, a super hot, super infuriating planet-hunter. Hiding out from kidnappers has never been so boring... until suddenly it isn't anymore.

Christina's BookReview

Margo is sent to Isis to be protected from a threat of kidnapping. After her fathers death she is hoping to have that time to get to know the mother that had abandoned her. Unfortunately, Cindy, Margo's mother, isn't looking for any mother/daughter time. When Margo has no one to turn to on Isis she seeks the company of Logan Greer. When Logan seems to treat her like crap she decides to ignore him. But ignoring him isn't the easiest thing when they are constantly thrown together. What happens when trying to avoid each other seems hopeless? Read to find out. 

This book had a good plot line but fell a little flat for me. I thought the characters could have a little more depth and that the secondary ones should have been more in the book. The book mainly consisted of Margo getting mad at Logan and Logan avoiding her, that's it. The most difficult thing was trying to bypass all the mistakes in the book. Unfortunately this book didn't seem to be edited in anyway. I gave this book 3 stars because it had great promise and I was intrigued with the plot. If the author had spent a little more time editing and developing the characters as well as adding more depth to the storyline, this would have been a 5 star book.

Gabriel's Inferno by Sylvain Reynard

Book Description:

Enigmatic and sexy, Professor Gabriel Emerson is a well respected Dante specialist by day, but by night he devotes himself to an uninhibited life of pleasure. He uses his notorious good looks and sophisticated charm to gratify his every whim, but is secretly tortured by his dark past and consumed by the profound belief that he is beyond all hope of redemption.

When the sweet and innocent Julia Mitchell enrolls as his graduate student, his attraction and mysterious connection to her not only jeopardizes his career, but sends him on a journey in which his past and his present collide.

An intriguing and sinful exploration of seduction, forbidden love and redemption, “Gabriel's Inferno” is a captivating and wildly passionate tale of one man's escape from his own personal hell as he tries to earn the impossible...forgiveness and love.

Christina's BookReview

 

 “Then you haven't lost your soul. Only a creature with a soul can tell the difference between right and wrong. Yes, you've made mistakes, but you feel guilt. You feel remorse. And if you still have your soul, you haven't lost your chance at redemption.”

I cannot express how much I enjoyed reading Gabriel's Inferno. It truly was a great story of love, trust, and redemption.

As the book starts off we meet Julianne Mitchell. A college student writing her thesis on Dante and taking a seminar under one of the best Dante specialist, Professor Gabriel Emerson. Julianne didn't want to go to The University of Toronto to study under Professor Emerson but fate had other plans for her. As Julia starts his class, Professor Emerson is an arrogant, pompous, and insensitive jerk. He automatically dislikes Julia and goes as far as asking her to drop his class. Julia is extremely innocent so when she is belittled by the Professor she takes it. To her he isn't the man she thought he was.

The truth is that Julianne knows who Professor Emerson is, or was. He was the tortured soul she met 6 years earlier and spent an amazing night with. Only to wake up and not hear from him anymore. Six years of loving a man that isn't the same anymore puts Julia in a terrible predicament. And the worse part? Professor Emerson has no idea who she is. That is until his sister, Rachel, comes to visit and sets off a series of events that leads Gabriel to remember the events of his night with Julianne (his Beatrice). But is it to late to ask for forgiveness? Is Julia finally ready to accept that her night with Gabriel was just that, one night? Will these two souls be able to forget about the past and look toward the future? Pick up Gabriel's Inferno and find out!

After we finally understand the story behind both of their past, especially Gabriel's, you can't help but fall in love with these characters. This book will make you cry one minute and smile the next. And there was alot of smiling. I found it hard to put this book down and truly loved the relationship between Julianne and Gabriel. It shows readers how difficult it can be to forgive yourself for your past mistakes and what it truly is to love someone and look past their lowest times. With a whole slue of interesting characters, two great protagonist, romance, real life events, and lots of history, Gabriel's Inferno is one AMAZING book!Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of this!

Ink by Holly Hood

Book Description:

Hope didn’t ask for so much change in her life. She was happy living in Georgia for the rest of her life. Focusing on the things she loved the most: singing, dancing, and her best friend Karsen. This was effortless, she had no worries.

But all that changed when her mother decided to leave her dad for Pete, the Tae Kwon do instructor. And now Hope had to choose between staying where she belonged or moving far away to Cherry California with her dad.

After making the choice to move far away, to protect her father, Hope realizes Cherry is nothing like the hometown she’s used to. Everyone is rude, high class and she doesn’t fit in. Not until Slade comes along. He has never fit in and he is okay with that. And Hope is fascinated by everything that Slade is. All the way down to his tattoos and bat wielding rescue the first time they meet.

She knows she should stay far away from him, but it proves tricky as she discovers dark secrets about the town and people in Cherry, California. Hope doesn’t know who to trust as her life takes a turn from ordinary and depressing to dangerous and wild.

Christina's BookReview

After reading the synopsis to this book I figured I would give it a try and I have to say that I liked the book.

Hope Zigler is about to experience a whole new side to the world. Born and raised in Georgia, Hope is used to nice and caring people. When her mother and father split up, Hope is California bound with her dad and twin brothers. The people of Cherry CA aren't like the southern sweethearts. They are mean, cruel and have secrets. When the only person that doesn't make Cali so terrible is the towns "trouble" guy what is a girl to do?

Slade is a rock band "bad" boy. With his lip ring, black hair, blue eyes and tattooed body, Hope at first can't stay far enough from him. When he starts showing a very subtle amount of his good side Hope can't seem to stay way. Slade, is grouchy, cold at times, and emotionally disconnected. But when he lets his guard down Hope see's the good in him. He turns out to be much more then Hope could handle and as the story progresses you learn about his secrets.

On another hand there is Tucker. "The player that doesn't want to be portrayed that way". But we quickly learn that if it barks like a dog and acts like a dog then it is a dog. No matter how many times he tries to be the nice guy there is something so off about him. When Hope does find out the truth, after a terrible incident at his house, she tries to stay far away from him. Nonetheless she fails.

To learn more about Cherry and its residents pick up Ink and check it out. I will not spoil the book for you. 

The only reason this book was only 3.5 stars is because I was tired of Hope's back and forth between two guys. When she wasn't happy with one she would quickly jump to the next. Also, there wasn't as much character depth as I would have liked.We barely get to know much about characters before Hope either made out with them or slept with them. I just wished there was more.

Overall, a good and light read.

Overprotected by Jennifer Laurens

Book Description: 

Obsessed with keeping his society-princess daughter safe--and his--Charles hires his daughter's childhood enemy to be her bodyguard. He never imagines that Ashlyn would fall in love with Colin.

Christina's BookReview

 

When I read the synopsis to this book I was quickly intrigued. About halfway I was rushing to finish it, but only because I got bored.

Ashlyn is sick of the life she has as a prisoner in her own home. Everywhere she goes there is a bodyguard next to her. She only has one friend, Felicity, that her father okayed. She has never had a boyfriend because it is not allowed. The only men are her companions, or bodyguards. After 17 years, almost 18, or living under the scrutiny of her father she is fed up. After getting her recent bodyguard, Stuart, fired because of his obsession with her, Ashyln is finally happy to be rid of the security. Little does she know that he wasn't her last "companion".

When her dad hires the one person in the world that has tortured her and he despises Ashlyn in infuriated. Colin, is tall, gorgeous and all about work. Little does Ashlyn know that Colin isn't the little boy that used to tease her and terrify her. He's grown, mature and very serious about keeping her safe. As Ashyln gets closer to Colin and starts to see the new side of him she can't help but be attracted to him. And all although he starts to fight it, Colin feels the same.

Although the plot was great I just couldn't get into Ashyln and her childish ways. I felt like she was a spoil brat, as was everyone around her. All she did was obsess over Colin and be rude to her parents. Don't get me wrong, her parents were very suffocating and very pompous. I understood that she wanted to live a little but when she got the chance to try and do so she would run away and force Colin to rein her in as much as her other guards. It just kept going between her playing her piano, trying to get away, and her obsession with Colin. I wished we got to read and learn more about Colin. I didn't feel any which way about him, except that he was nice and very protective of Ashlyn.

If you looking for a light read then I recommend this book.

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

Book Description:

Set on the island of Nantucket, STARCROSSED tells the tale of Helen Hamilton, a young woman whose destiny is forever altered when she meets Lucas Delos and tries to kill him in front of her entire high school. Which is terribly inconvenient, not only because Lucas is the most beautiful boy on the island, but also because Helen is so achingly shy she suffers physical pain whenever she is given too much attention.

Making matters worse, Helen is beginning to suspect she’s going crazy. Whenever she’s near Lucas or any member of his family she sees the ghostly apparitions of three women weeping bloody tears, and suffers the burden of an intense and irrational hate. She soon learns that she and Lucas are destined to play the leading roles in a Greek tragedy that the Three Fates insist on repeating over and over again throughout history. Like her namesake, Helen of Troy, she’s destined to start a war by falling in love. But even though Lucas and Helen can see their own star-crossed destiny, they’re still powerfully attracted to each other. Will they give up their personal happiness for the greater good, or risk it all to be together?

Christina's BookReview

“So, what can't you take? Decide which of the two options is harder, and do the other. That way, no matter how hard your choice turns out to be, at least you can find comfort in knowing you're avoiding something even worse.”

An incredible love story centered around Greek mythology.

When we start off we meet Helen Hamilton and are suddenly thrust into her world. Helen likes to stay in the shadow and when she is around people she suddenly feels very sick. Growing up that way Helen has learned to just stay away from people in general. Except her best friend Claire, who surprisingly doesn't evoke those sick feelings. She shrugs this off as just any normal teen insecurity. That is until Lucas Delos walks into her life.

As soon as Helen see's Lucas she feels the instinct to kill him. The thing is Lucas feels the same way. When Helen attacks him the story takes off to a whole new place. When Helen learns that the three furies she is seeing, are coercing her to kill Lucas, and vice versa, she tries her best to stay away from Lucas and the rest of the Delos clan. That proves to be impossible when they continue to "bump" into each other, though. After a life changing event the furies are suddenly gone. Lucas and Helen can finally be around each other, but why? As we continue to read on we learn more about the world Helen and Lucas are from.We learn just how powerful Helen is and what is connection between her and Lucas. We also learn why Lucas and Helen cannot be together. They are, as the title portrays, Starcrossed.

I enjoyed reading about everyone from Helen and Lucas to Claire and Jason. The story was filled with great characters and I cannot wait to see where the author takes this. I have to say that the ending found me very sad for both Helen and Lucas. I really hope they can overcome the obstacles that are being thrown their way.

I cannot say how much I loved this story! It had everything you could ask for in a book. Romance, Action, Greek Mythology, an incredible male protagonist, loving family(the Delos clan is awesome) and most of all the angst of forbidden love.

In Dreams by J. Sterling

Book Description:

When Katherine Johns starts dreaming about a boy she doesn't know, her college roommate Taylor is determined to find him. Convinced he must exist, Taylor is relentless... until she finds out exactly WHO the mysterious stranger really is.

The realization rocks the girls to their core and sends them down a path of unimaginable heartbreak as they learn to navigate their new reality.

Follow Katherine & Taylor's journey through love, friendship and tragedy in the first book of this emotionally captivating series.

Christina's BookReview

 

In Dreams we meet Katherine Jones. She is a college student that is about to discovery that dreams are a little more real then she bargained for. The book starts off with her first dream of a mysterious guy that she is instantly attracted to. When she tells her friend Taylor about the mysterious guy she decides to keep a look out for him. Little do they know that he is closer then they think. Then they meet Danny and Cooper and suddenly things heat up between Katherine and Cooper. But Katherine won't give up the guy in her dreams. Even after she finds out who he is she won't give him up, not even for Cooper. Until her friends and fate steps in.

I really wanted to love this book. I was excited about the plot and dove right in. Unfortunately I had to force myself to finish the book. Good plot. Bad execution. Things were repetitive, the protagonist was petty and kind of a brat, and there was no character development. As soon as I finished this book I forgot the names of the characters. I found myself liking Taylor and Danny's relationship more then the love triangle.

If you are looking for a quick and easy read this is the book for you. If you like character development and depth this is not the book for you.

Ascend by Amanda Hocking

Book Description:

The final book in the Trylle Trilogy..

With a war looming on the horizon, Wendy's fate seems sealed.But everything she sacrificed might be in vain if she can't save the ones she loves. Her whole life has been leading up to this, and it's all coming to an end.

 

Christina's BookReview

 

After Re-reading

“Princess." He smiled up at me, but it was weak. "If I'd known that this is what it would take to get you to hold me, I would've collapsed a long time ago.”

“I don't want only one night. I want all the nights. I want all of you, forever.” 

After re-reading Ascend and the whole Trylle Trilogy I have to say I had forgotten how much I enjoyed this series! I would recommend it nonstop and knew I loved it but when reading again I forgot just how much!

Ascend picks up a few months after Torn finished. Wendy is now slowly taking over the responsibilities of a Queen. The people of Trylle are giving Wendy a hard time because of her being a mix of Vittra and Trylle but she is adamant of showing them that she will be a good ruler. On top of that she is battling her growing feelings for Loki, trying to push away her feelings for Finn, and planning her wedding to someone she likes but doesn't love. It is much more then any 18 yr old girl can handle. 

In Ascend we not only see Wendy grow up but we see her finally become the Queen that everyone knew she would be. She fights for her people, wants change for them in the form of equality, she would sacrifice herself for them. We see a lot of devastation in Ascend but we also see a lot of unity. We see how Wendy and Tove both as Prince and Princess/Queen and King start to make changes little by little. 

I loved the dynamic of Tove/Wendy, not a romantic dynamic but as rulers and leaders. Both were strong and both wanted the same for their kingdom. I believed that they did the right thing in uniting for the kingdom but was sad because they both didn't love each other. Which leads me to Finn and Loki. In Ascend Wendy finally gets fed up with Finns aloofness and decides that its time to move on. After breaking things with Finn she is surprised to realize that she cares about Loki much more then she realized. When he shows up at her stairs, beat to an inch of his death and asking for Amnesty, Wendy quickly takes care of him and grows protective of him. During the time that Loki is staying in the palace Wendy and he spend more time together and as their love blossoms we see another side of Loki that makes us root for them to be together and have their happily ever after.

In Ascend there is a lot of character development and alot of loss but it is what makes the series so great. I loved this series and hope that others enjoy it as much. If you haven't tried this do yourself a favor a pick it up!

Review of Book #1- Switched HERE

Review of Book #2-Torn HERE  

Torn by Amanda Hocking

Book Description:

When Wendy Everly first discovers the truth about herself—that she’s a changeling switched at birth—she knows her life will never be the same. Now she’s about to learn that there’s more to the story…

She shares a closer connection to her Vittra rivals than she ever imagined—and they’ll stop at nothing to lure her to their side. With the threat of war looming, her only hope of saving the Trylle is to master her magical powers—and marry an equally powerful royal. But that means walking away from Finn, her handsome bodyguard who’s strictly off limits…and Loki, a Vittra prince with whom she shares a growing attraction.

Torn between her heart and her people, between love and duty, Wendy must decide her fate. If she makes the wrong choice, she could lose everything, and everybody, she’s ever wanted…in both worlds.

As a special gift to readers, this book contains a new, never-before-published bonus story, “One Day, Three Ways,” set in the magical world of the Trylle.

Christina's BookReview

 

Review after Re-reading:

“What I told you before is still true. I want to know that when you're with me, it's because you want to be, not because you have to be.” 

I finished re-reading Torn and I enjoyed just as much as the first time around. I loved getting to know more about the Trylle people as well at the Vittra. 

In Torn Wendy is finally told about her destiny and has a huge decision to make. Not only is the Vittra after her because she is the Trylle Princess but because she is there Princess as well. With the option of ruling over one of the kingdoms she is in a tough predicament. Add on top of that the fact that she is to be married to someone she doesn't love, her mother is falling ill and acting weird, the man she loves is being a jerk, and there is one devilishly handsome Vittra Markis that is confusing the heck out of her. In Torn Wendy learns not only about her parentage but also about her own strengths. Throughout Torn we see her struggle with just wanting to be a teenager but having to learn how to grow up fast.

In Switched we were introduced to the secondary characters and in Torn they are just as part of the story as in Switched. We get to learn more about Tove, Willa, Rhys, Elora and even get more of Matt. 

And what about a Mr. Finn Holmes? Well Finn is Finn in Torn. He is still dedicated to his job and put it above everyone. There are times in the story where he slips but only doubles his distance as a result. The relationship between Finn and Wendy is essentially non-existence but during the book we are still wanting to root for it to work. That is until you meet a Mr. Loki Staad.

Loki is a Vittra Markis that is sent to convince Wendy to run away with him and become the Princess of Vittra. But unbeknownst to both of them he falls head over heels for Wendy and unlike Finn is up for the challenge of getting what he wants. And what he wants is Wendy. With his good looks, charming ways, and wicked personality he is 100% swoon-worthy. You can't help but split your opinions on both these guys. I for one found myself enjoying every part with Loki and wanting more of him in Torn. 

If you enjoyed Switched you will enjoy Torn. The only reason I gave this 4.5 is because it was a little repetitive in some parts.

Review of Book #1- Switched HERE

Review of Book #3-Ascend HERE

Switched by Amanda Hocking

Book Description:

When Wendy Everly was six years old, her mother was convinced she was a monster and tried to kill her. Eleven years later, Wendy discovers her mother might have been right. She’s not the person she’s always believed herself to be, and her whole life begins to unravel—all because of Finn Holmes.

Finn is a mysterious guy who always seems to be watching her. Every encounter leaves her deeply shaken…though it has more to do with her fierce attraction to him than she’d ever admit. But it isn’t long before he reveals the truth: Wendy is a changeling who was switched at birth—and he’s come to take her home.

Now Wendy’s about to journey to a magical world she never knew existed, one that’s both beautiful and frightening. And where she must leave her old life behind to discover who she’s meant to become…

Christina's BookReview

 Review after Re-reading:

“Did you think you could treat me like shit at a dance, then sneak into my room in the middle of the night and tell me that I'm a troll with magical powers, and I'd just be like, yeah, that sounds right.” 

When I first purchased Switched to read in 2011 I was a little hesitant because it was the first time I had read anything about trolls. I expected ugly creatures and weird things to happen because just like the main character, Wendy, you think of trolls as little ugly creatures with pink hair. Low and Behold, Amanda Hocking shows you a different perspective. I was quickly delving into the world of the Trylle, which is another name for trolls. This is my third time rereading this series and my opinion has not changed.

In the beginning of the book you catch on quickly to the troll characteristics that Wendy possess and are still a little hesitant. But then when Finn, a Trylle Tracker, appears and informs Wendy of what she is, we learn much more about Trylle and the magical world Wendy comes from. But as we know all the glitters isn't gold.

Wendy has grown up without any parents. One died when she was 5yrs old and the other tried to murder her. Raised by her loving big brother Matt and aunt Maggie, Wendy has always felt different. She knows she isn't normal and when she begins to be able to "persuade" people to do things by just chanting in her head, it further confirms her suspicions. The final and definite confirmation comes in the form of Finn Holmes, a tracker the Trylle community, sent to eventually bring Wendy home. When the Trylle enemy, The Vittra, attack Wendy, Finn is forced to take Wendy home sooner then planned.

In Forening we discover that not only is Wendy a Trylle but also the Princess of Forening. Wendy learns what it means to be a Princess and that unlike her "other" life in this one she is forced to accept what her title is and learn to accept the rules of the kingdom. One being that the attraction she has toward Finn Holmes, is frowned upon and will never turn into anything else. With a cold mother in this life as well as her former life she is miserable. Being the Princess of a place that doesn't believe in equality is not what Wendy wants.The only good part of her new life? Rhys, Willa, Tove, and Finn.

The secondary characters are AMAZING! You can't help but fall in love with them just as quickly as Wendy does. We have Rhys, Wendy's mankslig, which is the human child Wendy was exchanged with. He is so adorable and so warm and loving, you can't help but feel sad about the life he lives. Then there is Willa, a Markisinna, which is like a Duchess in the Trylle world. Willa is a grade A spoiled brat with a warm heart inside. She easily becomes Wendy's friend but it doesn't mean she isn't as snobbish as the rest of the Trylle hierarchy.Then there's Tove, a Markis, that seems bored with his life and all those around him, but really is very unique and once you get to know him, is pretty sweet and cool.

And finally, of course, there is Finn, he is stubborn, infuriating and distant but so loyal, loveable and swoon worthy at times. Finn has a job to do and the laws, rules and future of Trylle will not be put in jeopardy for anything. Not even his growing affection for Wendy. He is there to protect her and that's it. So, although, you want to root for Wendy and Finn to be together you can't help but just be upset that as far as him and his beliefs goes you won't be able to see that happen.

I LOVED LOVED this book and easily delved right into Torn, Book 2, the series! If you haven't read this do yourself and favor and purchase a copy! 

 Review of Book #2-Torn HERE