~REVIEW~ Left Drowning by Jessica Park

Synopsis

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

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

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

Note: due to mature content recommended for Ages 17+

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~MY REVIEW~

Left Drowning is a story of love, sacrifice and fate. It is a story of finding yourself and the strength deep inside of you.

Blythe has lived the past four years in a state of "shock". Her life is empty and lonely. After losing her parents in a tragic way she spends her life blaming and punishing herself.  But one day, after an encounter with a crazy but sweet stranger, she decides that she should try and give life another chance. That chance leads her to Christopher Shepherd.

Chris has a past that haunts him and his siblings everyday of their lives. No matter how hard he tries his past catches up to him. But he will continue to live for the future. He refuses to open up that box that holds his past. He is content with staying to himself and taking care of his siblings. But when he meets Blythe all he wants to do is help her through her pain. Help her "breathe".

They quickly develop a friendship that eventually makes them all a family. Blythe learns to live and love life with the help of the Shepherd family and her new friends. Reconnecting with her brother and past friends, she is on the road to recovery. All of it thanks to Chris, who she falls in love with.

The problem is that although she conquered her pain Chris still drowns in his. And Blythe can't help him. This is where Blythe wins mad points with me. Realizing she is the only one willing to open up she steps back and lets him come to her.

When she finally realizes that fate does exist and she and Chris are connected more than they ever imagined she finds a way to make him see it.

While these two find their way to each other we are taken on a journey that will leave us breathless. Chris and Blythe are a pair that will frustrate you to the point where you want to reach in the book and shake some damn sense into them. But when they are together their dynamic will have you wishing for their HEA.

And I can't forget the Shepherd family because I freaking adored them! They are one of the best things about this book. Eric, Estelle and Sabin are AMAZING characters. Their pain and their personality will capture your heart and make you want to place them in a protective bubble.

I adored this book! I never doubted that it would be great. Do yourself a favor and pick this up!

FAVORITE QUOTES:

"If you believe in fate and some kind of meaning and sense in this fucked-up world, then believe with abandon, love. Enjoy it."

  "There is no set pattern to grief, despite what every stupid psych text has told me. There is no time frame that dictates when and how you’ll feel what you feel. You just get to deal with hell however, and whenever, it hits you."

“I am overwhelmingly in love with you,” Chris says as he matches my steps. “I’ve spent most of my life thinking that my father never gave me anything but pain. But that’s not true. He did give me something. Someone. You. He gave me you. Last summer, you asked me to believe in us. I don’t believe in much, as you know, but I do damn well believe in us. Forever.”

“How can I possibly say good-bye to the person I am so hopelessly, deeply, and permanently in love with? Because I love you, Chris. I do. I will always be in love with you, even though you’ll never love me back. You have been my sanctuary this year. You saved me. Do you know that? You saved me. And I wish that you would let me save you.” 

“You are the great love of my life that I’m never going to have.”

HAPPY READING!!

~REVIEW~ Beautiful Monster by Bella Forrest

Synopsis

Liam Swift is a young man Amy has always admired from afar. She's seen his face a thousand times; on the screen and in magazines. He seems unstoppable as his talent and beauty send him hurtling toward becoming a Hollywood legend...

Until one day - in what appears to be a fit of madness - he stuns the world by throwing it all away. Not even the most persistent reporter can fathom the reason behind Liam's decision.

Never in Amy's wildest dreams could she have imagined this God of acting would go on to accept employment at her local boarding school. Or that he'd personally start teaching her drama lessons.

It seems life can't get much better for Amy... until the sound of tortured weeping starts echoing through the thin walls of her dorm room each night, leading her to stumble upon a horrifying secret Liam had hoped to keep hidden forever.

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~MY REVIEW~

Amy has always lived secluded from the outside world. She has been living with HIV since her birth. But the days that her father isn't hovering over her Amy finds her way to the school of Arts close to her home. When she gets the chance to be apart of the school she has always loved, she is ecstatic. After being given a full ride scholarship she moves into her new dorm and begins working on her acting career.This is all the Amy has dreamed of. Spreading her wings and flying.

And all that is because of  Liam. When she wows Liam at her audition of Beauty and Beast he quickly offers the opened position at the school to her. With a little help from the heartthrob, she quickly catches up to others that have been there longer. They both quickly fall for each other and begin dating in secret.

But when she discovers that Liam has a very dark secret, Amy must choose between following her dreams or running away as fast as she can.

Amy's dream might just change as she discovers that there are things more important then acting...

Sadly, what starts off as a good story quickly begins to fade. I have to say that being a fan of Beauty and the Beast, I was looking forward to reading something close to it. And although we do get it, it just wasn't anything to enjoy reading. I quickly found myself bored and the story became very predictable. There wasn't a connection to the characters and their interaction. There were many times I wanted to just put the book down. In the end I decided to give it a try.

And when we got to the end and I saw it was a cliffhanger I practically flung my Kindle. A warning that this was a series would have been good. The story was practically wrapped up in the book 1 so I don't know why we have to read another book.

This wasn't my type of book but maybe it will appeal to others.

~REVIEW~ Unmaking Hunter Kennedy by Anne Eliot

Synopsis

After a car accident--an event he considers a prank gone bad--pop star, Hunter Kennedy is forced to hide out with his aunt in small-town Colorado. He’s supposed to rest, heal his scars and attend high school in disguise until the press dies down. But he only wants to get back to work.

Worse, the girl who’s been assigned to make him over into a geek is a major geek herself. Vere Roth is a chattering pixie, a blushing tornado and a complete social disaster. He’s never met a girl who’s never-been-kissed, believes in romance and thinks Hunter’s a 'nice' guy.

Funny thing is...Hunter is nice around Vere because she’s his first real friend. He also can’t seem to stop sharing his secrets or keep her out of his heart. Knowing he’d never deserve a girl as sweet as Vere, he resigns himself to the friend zone, and helps his new bestie with her own makeover.

She tortures him daily for ridiculous guy advice on how to snag her life-long crush. A guy Hunter thinks is totally wrong for Vere, and sadly, one who has taken note of Vere’s transformation.

When Vere asks her best friend for some kissing advice, Hunter can’t resist...

And that’s when things get out of control...

High School Romance, first love, sweet romance.

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~MY REVIEW~

“But what if the promises means life and death? What about bliss? Saving your soul? If all that is at stake, then promises need to be broken.”

This was such a wonderful and sweet romance! Hunter was a great character who was misunderstood and lonely. My heart cried out for him and his feeling of being unloved. He grew up in the spotlight and everything centered around that. He was a child star and had the burden of being others puppet. So when his recklessness goes to far his mother FINALLY decides to intervene. So off to Colorado he was shipped. Hunter was under strict orders. No more music, no more reckless behavior and no more being Hunter Kennedy. 

Vere is the opposite of Hunter. She has a great family and pretty much enjoys her life. She is the shy quiet girl that wishes to help anyone in need. Having a crush on her brothers best friend is both the best part of her life and the most traumatizing part. But Vere insist that one day he will notice her and she will not make a fool of herself. 

The moment that Vere and the Roth family came into his life I was so excited for him because he was finally able to experience what having a family was. After getting over the shock of who he was they treated him like any normal teenager. Vere's family and his aunt showed him love that he never knew existed. 

As Vere befriends Hunter and shows him how to become his new persona they both enter into a friendship that they never expected. While Vere unmakes Hunter, he remakes her. Because Hunter just can't say no to the frumpy but fierce girl that makes his day better.

And then there is the romance...

“You’re the luckiest person in the whole world to have already figured out what you love. And you’ll be, quite possibly, the stupidest person in the world—if you don’t hold on to it.”

The relationship build up was my favorite part of this book. It wasn't an insta-love and the characters had friendship before anything else. Although Vere was a little pushy at times and so naive I did enjoy her dedication to everyone in her life, primarily Hunter. And when we finally hit the climax in their relationship what a frakking HOT kiss!! I saw many reviewers mentioned that kiss and thought that they were exaggerating, but HECK NO. That kiss was so AWESOME! Hats off to Anne for that wonderful scene. 

I won't say anything else but GO READ IT! :) Its pretty cute and sweet and funny!

Happy Reading!

~REVIEW~ Reborn by Sara Mack

Synopsis

You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone.


When Emma Donohue wakes to find her world turned upside down, she wants nothing more than to return to the life she knew. To a life filled with a loving family, close friends, and college classes. To a normal life that didn’t involve the supernatural, odd bracelets, or three strangers who refuse to leave her side.

Unsure of what truly happened during The Allegiant’s attack, Emma tries to reconcile her past with her growing feelings for James, Garrett, and Dane. They remain steadfast in her protection, awaiting the arrival of the only people who hold the answers.

The Larvatus.

When Madeline and Ash appear, the revelations they bring not only rock Emma’s world, but everyone she touches. Her mind is twisted, caught up in new abilities and new desires. Her old self forgotten, she has never been more scared. She has never been more confused.

She has never been more empowered.

You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone.
But, sometimes, the absence leaves space for something better.

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~MY REVIEW~

Reborn is the third and final installment in the Guardian Trilogy!

In this installment we pick up right where we left off. Emma is now trying to get back to the life she left behind and come to terms with her new "gift". But with most of her memories gone things aren't so easy. Especially when two boys are in love with you and you can't remember anything about them.

First there is Dane that hasn't left her side since being on the island. He takes care of her and makes her laugh. His attention drives her crazy but his kisses and his personality engulfs her with happiness. But she can't remember loving him. 

There is also James. Who everyone tells her was the love of her life. And although she doesn't remember Emma knows that he is someone very spcial to her. 

And if that isn't enough Emma must now face the next step in her life. She is Charmed and part of The Lavartus. The moment someone close to her is taken away she must learn to harness her knew "gifts" and fight to rescue and protect her loved ones.

Reborn is filled with wonderful moments as well as those that will make you tear up. The plus being that for a "Team Dane" fan this book gives us what we have always wanted. MORE DANE. The scenes between Emma and he are so cute and made me smile throughout. Since the beginning he has been patient with her and has given her the choice. His devotion and love for Emma is what made me adore his character.

For you "Team James" fans do not worry because they also have their moments as well. James and Emma learn to become comfortable around each other and to work together to bring back their friends.

We also meet new characters in Reborn and old ones turn up again! One being Garrett, who I as well as many others have come to adore. He was still his wonderful self and I will definitely miss reading about him the most.

And of course Emma choses her side. I wont go into that much but will say that things all work out.

So I hope you pick this up and enjoy it!

HAPPY READING!

~REVIEW~ How To Date a Nerd by Cassie Mae

Synopsis

Zoe has a great pair of legs, perky boobs, and wears exactly what she needs to show it all off. She works hard for the easy sleazy ‘you only wish you were me’ reputation, burying who she really is—an all-out nerd.

The only time Zoe gets to be herself is when she hides under her comforter to read X-Men comics, sending jealousy stabs at everyone who attends Comic-Con. Keeping up her popular rep is too important, and she’s so damn insecure to care about the consequences. But when Zoe’s sister takes her car for a ‘crash and burn into a tree’ joyride, her parents get her a replacement. A manual. Something she doesn’t know how to operate, but her next door neighbor Zak sure as heck does.

Zak’s a geek to the core, shunned by everyone in school for playing Dungeons and Dragons at lunch and wearing “Use the Force” t-shirts. And Zoe’s got it bad for the boy. Only Zak doesn’t want Popular Zoe. He wants Geek Zoe.

She has to shove her insecurities and the fear of dropping a few rungs on the social ladder aside to prove to Zak who she really is and who she wants to be… if she can figure it out herself.

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~My Review~

 “Erase the parts that make me unhappy. I guess that means emphasizing the parts that do.”

Zoe has all she’s ever dreamed of. Being popular has always been something Zoe has craved and since entering high school she is in with the “IT” crowd. It doesn’t matter to her that she's in emotionless relationships, is considered stuck up, and is known around school as a slut. Being popular means she isn’t made fun of anymore and doesn’t have to be humiliated. So she portrays the New Zoe.

But when no one is watching, Zoe is snuggled up under the blankets reading her coveted X-men comic books. And recently she's been daydreaming about Zak, her gorgeous but nerdy neighbor.

It isn’t until Zoe comes face to face with the truth of her actions that she realizes that New Zoe isn’t who she wants to be. But the humiliation of middle school stops her from changing anything. Not even Zak with his unwavering patience, charm and adoration can make Old Zoe come back.

The moment Zak threatens to walk away she really considers what a mess she's made with her life. With her "not so nerdy" knight's help, Zoe finds the courage to fight for what she wants more than anything in the world. To just be Zoe.

Read How to Date a Nerd to find out how this story develops and ends. It is a very cute and wonderful read filled with references to Harry Potter, Star Wars, X-men and many more great references! The cherry on top is the cuteness that is Zak, and the relationship between he and Zoe. 

I hope you will give it a try and enjoy it!

Happy Reading!