Top 10 of 2016 - Best Book Covers

I've decided to join Two Chicks On Books again this year to count down my favourite books. Throughout the week there will be different list, so without further ado let's get started!

Best Book Covers of 2016 (MUST be a book released in 2016. Would be best if it's a book you've READ in 2016, but it's not required)

10.

To Love and to Cherish (The Wedding Belles, #3)

by Lauren Layne

9.

The Glittering Court (The Glittering Court, #1)

by Richelle Mead

8.

My Perfect Mistake (Over the Top, #1) by Kelly Siskind

7.

The Other Side of Gravity (Oxygen, #1) by Shelly Crane

6.

The Prophecy of Shadows (Elementals, #1) by Michelle Madow

5.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by J.K. Rowling

4.

Lady Midnight (The Dark Artifices, #1) by Cassandra Clare

3.

Balance (Balance Series, #1) by Janelle Stalder

2.

Frostblood (Frostblood Saga, #1) by Elly Blake

1.

Glitter (Glitter Duology,  #1)by Aprilynne Pike

All stunning covers in their own right. It was so hard to put them in order of preference but in the end none of the other covers look as good as my number one pick.

What is your book cover of the year?

Book Review: The Other Side of Gravity (Oxygen, #1) by Shelly Crane

(Click image to take you to Goodreads)

Buy: Amazon UK | Amazon US | Book Depository

Format: Kindle

Publishers: Kiss Me Publications LLC

Published: 15th March 2016

Pages: 262

Genre: YA, Romance, Sci-fi

Main Characters: Sophelia, Maxton
Date Read: 28th March - 3rd  April 2016

Rating Given:

Synopsis:My name is Maxton and I’m a trader. 
I live on a soulless planet where gravity, oxygen, and everything else are sold to the highest bidder on the black market. People are sold on the black market, too. You have to work really hard not to become one of those people. Pay your taxes, keep your friends and family close, and more than anything else—don’t get caught by the Militia. But all the rules changed for me the day I found her. 
My name is Sophelia and I’m a stowaway. 
I’ve been a slave for almost as long as I can remember. Waiting for the one day, one second, for my proprietor to turn his head so I could run and never look back. Now I'm on the run. And on a planet where no one is on your side and people would turn you in for a good meal or a piece of a silver, being on the run on Landu is the last place you want to be. Until he found me. 
I won't survive without him. 
I can't breathe without her.

 I received a review copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

As soon as I saw this cover I fell in love with it, it's stunning, eye catching and one of the reasons why I wanted to read it. There's not one thing that I don't like about this cover it all works well with the actual storyline.

To begin with this was a hard one to get into but the further I went into the story the more I got into it but during the book there was moments when I started to not like it again. What I really liked about this book was how different it was to what I've ever read before so it was a nice change to not know what's going to happen with the storyline plus it kept me guessing through out. I liked the slow building romance between the two characters. They had good chemistry throughout most of the book apart from the very beginning which considering the circumstances they are living in as well as how they actually met it's understanding that they didn't hit it off straight away. I really enjoyed the ending as it was left on a cliff hanger that I can't wait to find out how everything is going to unfold.

I liked the two main characters as well as some of the secondary characters even if there was some that I wasn't a fan of. Sophelia is the character that goes through more than most and yet she still comes across strong even if there was times when she  came across weak but that makes her what she becomes in the end. Maxton was a good male character and even though there was times when I wasn't quite sure whether he could be trusted he was still a likeable character.

Overall, I was expecting more from this book but it slowly became a very interesting read and I can't wait to find out what's going to happen next.

Book of the Month - March 2016

I've read quite a few books this month although not all of them was great books but there was a couple that hit the spot.

Here's what I read in March:

• Fate (My Blood Approves, #2) by Amanda Hocking - 3.5/5
• The Hurricane (The Hurricane, #1) by R.J. Prescott - 5/5
• The Prophecy of Shadows (Elementals, #1) by Michelle Madow - 2/5
• A Thousand Pieces of You (Firebird, #1) by Claudia Gray - 3/5
• I Wish You Were Mine (Oxford, #2) by Lauren Layne - 4/5
• My Perfect Mistake (Over the Top, #1) by Kelly Siskind - 4/5
• My Soul to Save (Soul Screamers, #2) by Rachel Vincent - 2.5/5
• The Other Side of Gravity (Oxygen, #1) by Shelly Crane - 3.5/5 

And the book of the month goes to...

The Hurricane (The Hurricane, #1) by R.J. Prescott

This was my only five star read in March but even if there was ten five star books this would still be my favourite of the month as if I gave more than five stars this book would get it as I adored every moment of this book.

What is your book of the month?

Book Review: Accordance (Significance, #2) by Shelly Crane

(Click image to take you to Goodreads)

Buy: Amazon UK | Amazon US | Book Depository

Format: Kindle

Publishers: Kiss Me Publications

Published: 15th September 2011

Pages: 314

Genre: YA, Paranormal Romance,

Main Characters: Maggie, Caleb
Date Read: 17th February - 24th February 2016

Rating Given:

Synopsis:In the sequel, Maggie learns much more about all the strange things that happened to her, and has to face new ones. She rebels against it, but ultimately, must face it for her new families sake and maybe even her life. Bish went from being her biggest supporter to her biggest pain in the butt and Kyle's intentions to attract her interest may not be so innocent. Caleb and Maggie face many new obstacles together and fight to work through them but will one that should be a good thing be too much for Maggie to handle?

I loved the first book Significance so I just had to get book two and I'm glad I did as I really enjoyed it although maybe not as much as the first one...

I like the cover and that it ties in with book one which I always love when book covers in series are similar as then you know they are a part of the actual series.

The beginning starts off pretty much where Significance left off which is always a good thing as then I don't feel like there is something missing. I loved seeing the relationship between Caleb and Maggie grow which I didn't think was possible they could get any closer but they did and they was so cute together. It wasn't until further into the book that it was mentioned that they had only been together for two weeks which actually shocked me as the way they acted together you would've thought they had been together for year, and even though in most books this would annoy me but with this series it's different as I understand why they feel the way that they do. There wasn't much happening throughout the majority of the book but things did happen randomly but quickly over. I loved that some things that had happened I wasn't expecting which kept me guessing throughout. I liked the ending as it was a bit of a cliff hanger although not a one that made me think I must read the next book right now.

I loved getting to know the characters even more although some did annoy me. Maggie really grew in this book it was nice to see how much she changed for the better. Caleb I still love he is such a sweet character but showed more of his anger in this book which I actually liked seeing as it didn't make him too good to be true. Kyle was annoying me throughout most of the book but towards the end I started to like him. Bish really annoyed me and even though I could kind of see why he was acting the way he did I still didn't like the way he treated Maggie or even Caleb.

Overall, I really enjoyed the second book but I was a little disappointed that it wasn't as good as book one.

Book of the Month - February 2016

I had a pretty descent month of reading in February which was surprising considering it was a short month.

Here's what I read in February:

• Flesh (Flesh, #1) by Kylie Scott - 2.5/5
• Irrisistibly Yours (Oxford, #1) by Lauren Layne - 4.5/5
• Dirty (Dive Bar, #1) by Kylie Scott - 5/5
• Accordance (Significance, #2) by Shelly Crane - 4.5/5
• The Ruby Circle (Bloodlines, #6) by Richelle Mead - 4/5
• Ruined (The Eternal Balance, #1) by Jus Accardo - 3/5

And the book of the month goes to...

Dirty (Dive Bar, #1) by Kylie Scott

It was an easy choice this month as this one was my only five star book as none of them held my interest as much as this one did. 

What is you book of the month?

Top 10 of 2015 - Books I'm looking forward to in 2016

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Books I'm looking forward to in 2016 (This list should be comprised of books released ONLY in 2016).

10.

Other Lives by Jamie McGuire - ??

No image or synopsis on Goodreads as of yet but I love Jamie McGuires books so I'm looking forward to it.

9.

Riders (Riders, #1) by Veronica Rossi - 16th February

For eighteen-year-old Gideon Blake, nothing but death can keep him from achieving his goal of becoming a U.S. Army Ranger. As it turns out, it does.
Recovering from the accident that most definitely killed him, Gideon finds himself with strange new powers and a bizarre cuff he can't remove. His death has brought to life his real destiny. He has become War, one of the legendary four horsemen of the apocalypse.
Over the coming weeks, he and the other horsemen--Conquest, Famine, and Death--are brought together by a beautiful but frustratingly secretive girl to help save humanity from an ancient evil on the emergence.
They fail.
Now--bound, bloodied, and drugged--Gideon is interrogated by the authorities about his role in a battle that has become an international incident. If he stands any chance of saving his friends and the girl he's fallen for--not to mention all of humankind--he needs to convince the skeptical government officials the world is in imminent danger.
But will anyone believe him?

8.

The Natural History of Us (The Fine Art of Pretending, #2) by Rachel Harris - 5th April

One class assignment. One second chance at love. The school player is all in. Now he needs to win back the sweet commitment girl who's forever owned his heart. 
Justin Carter has a secret. He's not the total player Fairfield Academy believes him to be. Not really. In fact, he used to be a one-woman guy...and his feelings for her never went away. Too bad he broke her heart three years ago and made sure to ruin any chance she'd ever forgive him. 
Peyton Williams is a liar. She pretends to be whole, counting down the days until graduation and helping her parents at the family ranch. But the truth is, she's done everything she can to get over Justin, and salvation is just around the corner. With graduation one short month away, she'll soon break free from the painful memories and start her life fresh. Of course, she has to get through working with him on one last assignment first. 
For Justin, nothing ever felt as right as being with Peyton, and now that fate's given him a shot at redemption, he's determined to make the most of it. And for Peyton...well, Justin Carter has always been her kryptonite.

7.

Reign of Shadows (Reign of Shadows, #1) by Sophie Jordan - 9th February

Seventeen years ago, an eclipse cloaked the kingdom of Relhok in perpetual darkness. In the chaos, an evil chancellor murdered the king and queen and seized their throne. Luna, Relhok’s lost princess, has been hiding in a tower ever since. Luna’s survival depends on the world believing she is dead.
But that doesn’t stop Luna from wanting more. When she meets Fowler, a mysterious archer braving the woods outside her tower, Luna is drawn to him despite the risk. When the tower is attacked, Luna and Fowler escape together. But this world of darkness is more treacherous than Luna ever realized.
With every threat stacked against them, Luna and Fowler find solace in each other. But with secrets still unspoken between them, falling in love might be their most dangerous journey yet.
With lush writing and a star–crossed romance, Reign of Shadows is Sophie Jordan at her best.

6.

The Shadow Queen (Ravenspire, #1) by C.J. Redwine - 16th February

Lorelai Diederich, crown princess and fugitive at large, has one mission: kill the wicked queen who took both the Ravenspire throne and the life of her father. To do that, Lorelai needs to use the one weapon she and Queen Irina have in common—magic. She’ll have to be stronger, faster, and more powerful than Irina, the most dangerous sorceress Ravenspire has ever seen.
In the neighboring kingdom of Eldr, when Prince Kol’s father and older brother are killed by an invading army of magic-wielding ogres, the second-born prince is suddenly given the responsibility of saving his kingdom. To do that, Kol needs magic—and the only way to get it is to make a deal with the queen of Ravenspire, promise to become her personal huntsman…and bring her Lorelai’s heart.
But Lorelai is nothing like Kol expected—beautiful, fierce, and unstoppable—and despite dark magic, Lorelai is drawn in by the passionate and troubled king. Fighting to stay one step ahead of the dragon huntsman—who she likes far more than she should—Lorelai does everything in her power to ruin the wicked queen. But Irina isn’t going down without a fight, and her final move may cost the princess the one thing she still has left to lose.

5.

Bedmates: An American Royalty Novel - April

From the bestselling author of Suddenly Royal comes the first in a sparkling new series about America’s favorite royal—the First Daughter.
Everyone makes mistakes, especially in college. But when you’re the daughter of the President of the United States, any little slip up is a huge embarrassment. Maddie McGuire’s latest error in judgment lands her in police custody, giving the press a field day. Agreeing to do community service as penance and to restore her tattered reputation, Maddie never dreams incredibly good looking but extremely annoying vice president’s son, Jake Simmon, will be along for the ride.
Recently returning from Afghanistan with a life-altering injury, Jake is wrestling with his own demons. He doesn’t have the time or patience to deal with the likes of Maddie. They’re like oil and water and every time they’re together, it’s combustible. But there’s a thin line between love and hate, and it’s not long before their fiery arguments give way to infinitely sexier encounters.
When Jake receives devastating news about the last remaining member of his unit, the darkness he’s resisted for so long begins to overwhelm him. Scared to let anyone close, he pushes Maddie away. But she isn’t about to give up on Jake that easily. Maddie’s fallen for him, and she’ll do anything to keep him from the edge as they both discover that love is a battlefield and there are some fights you just can’t lose.

4.

The One Real Thing (Hart's Boardwalk, #1) by Samantha Young - 6th September

Welcome to Hartwell, a quiet seaside escape where uncovering old secrets could lead one woman to discover the meaning of a love that lasts…
While Doctor Jessica Huntington engages with the inmates at the women’s correctional facility where she works, she’s always careful to avoid emotional attachments in her personal life. Loss and betrayal taught her that lesson long ago. But when she comes across a set of old love letters in the prison’s library and visits the picturesque town of Hartwell to deliver them to their intended recipient, she finds herself unable to resist the town’s charm—and her attraction to the sexy owner of a local bar proves equally hard to deny.
Since his divorce from his unfaithful ex-wife, Cooper Lawson has focused on what really matters: his family and the boardwalk pub they’ve owned for generations. But the first time Jessica steps into his bar, Cooper is beyond tempted to risk his heart on her. Yet as their attraction grows hotter and Jessica remains stubbornly closed off, he begins to realize it will take more than just passion to convince her there’s only one real thing in life worth fighting for….

3.

The Other Side of Gravity (Oxygen, #1) by Shelly Crane - 15th March

My name is Maxton and I’m a trader.
I live on a soulless planet where gravity, oxygen, and everything else are sold to the highest bidder on the black market. People are sold on the black market, too. You have to work really hard not to become one of those people. Pay your taxes, keep your friends and family close, and more than anything else—don’t get caught by the Militia. But all the rules changed for me the day I found her.
My name is Sophelia and I’m a stowaway.
I’ve been a slave for almost as long as I can remember. Waiting for the one day, one second, for my proprietor to turn his head so I could run and never look back. Now I'm on the run. And on a planet where no one is on your side and people would turn you in for a good meal or a piece of a silver, being on the run on Landu is the last place you want to be. Until he found me.
I won't survive without him.
I can't breathe without her.

2.

Lady Midnight (The Dark Artifices, #1) by Cassandra Clare - 8th March

Los Angeles. It’s been five years since the events of the Mortal Instruments when Nephilim stood poised on the brink of oblivion and Shadowhunter Emma Carstairs lost her parents. After the blood and violence she witnessed as a child, Emma has dedicated her life to to discovering exactly what it was that killed her parents and getting her revenge.

Raised in the Los Angeles Institute with the Blackthorn family, Emma is paired as a parabatai with her best friend, Julian Blackthorn. A series of murders in the city catch her attention — they seem to have the same characteristics as the deaths of her parents. Could the murderer be the same person? And her attention isn’t the only one caught: someone has been murdering Downworlders as well. The Fair Folk make a deal with the Institute: if the Blackthorns and Emma will investigate the killings, they’ll return Mark Blackthorn to his home. The catch: they have only two weeks to find the killers. Otherwise it’s open war between faeries and Nephilim.The Shadowhunters of the Institute must race against time to catch the killers, even as they begin to suspect the involvement of those closest to them. At the same time, Emma is falling in love with the one person in the world she’s absolutely forbidden by Shadowhunter Law to love. Set against the glittering backdrop of present-day Los Angeles, Emma must learn to trust her head and her heart as she investigates a demonic plot that stretches from the warlock-run nightclubs of the Sunset Strip to the enchanted sea that pounds the beaches of Santa Monica.

1.

Dirty (Dirty Dive Bar, #1) by Kylie Scott - 19th April

The last thing Vaughan Hewson expects to find when he returns to his childhood home is a broken hearted bride in his shower, let alone the drama and chaos that comes with her.

Lydia Green doesn't know whether to burn down the church or sit and cry in a corner. Discovering the love of your life is having an affair on your wedding day is bad enough. Finding out it's with his best man is another thing all together. She narrowly escapes tying the knot and meets Vaughan only hours later.Vaughan is the exact opposite of the picture perfect, respected businessman she thought she'd marry. This former musician-turned-bartender is rough around the edges and unsettled. But she already tried Mr. Right and discovered he's all wrong-maybe it's time to give Mr. Right Now a chance.After all, what's wrong with getting dirty?

What are you looking forward to reading in 2016?

Top 10 of 2015 - Best Books Read in 2015

I've decided to join Two Chicks On Books again this year to count down my favourite books. Throughout the week there will be different list, so without further ado let's get started!

Best books that I have read in 2015, it doesn't have to have been released in 2015, just a book that I've read in 2015.

10.

The Fine Art of Pretending (The Fine Art of Pretending, #1) by Rachel Harris

I read this at the beginning of the year and had to read the synopsis again to remind myself of what it was about. Once I reminded myself I remembered what a cute read it was and I can't wait to read more from this series.

9.

The Final Move (Hometown Players, #3) by Victoria Denault

This was a brilliant debut series but this one was better than the other two put together. I am really looking forward to reading more from Victoria Denault.

8.

 

Alex and Zack (Cold Fury Hockey, #1 & 3) by Sawyer Bennett

Number 8 is a bit of a cheat as it's a tie but in my defence they are both from the series, I just couldn't pick a favourite out of these two they where both as amazing as each other.

7.

The Closer You Come (The Original Heartbreakers, #1) by Gena Showalter

I don't think there's been a Gena Showalter book that I haven't loved and this one is no different. This one felt different from other books that I read as the characters wasn't perfect and it was gritty.

6.

Ignite Me (Shatter Me, #3) by Tahereh Mafi

Another great end to another amazing series. This was one of those books that has everything in it that I always love in a book but it also had things in it that I never knew I was going to like. The ending was perfect for this story yet it has also left it open for maybe more if the author chooses to do so.

5.

Significance (Significance, #1) by Shelly Crane

I absolutely adored this book and found it so hard to decide over my top 5 and they would probably change if I was deciding on another day because they are all as amazing as each other.

4.

Hero by Samantha Young

I have to admit I had to remind myself about what this book was about but in my defence I did read this right at the beginning of the year, but because I've forgotten about it that was the reason why I couldn't put it any higher even after reading my rave review.

3.

The Substitute (The Wedding Pact, #1) by Denise Grover Swank

This is one of the most funniest read that I have ever read and I dare anyone not to fall in love with the Nan she is an amazing character. It's such a light hearted and feel good book that I just know I will be reading over and over again.

2.

Angelfall (Penryn & the End of Days, #1) by Susan Ee

I loved the writing style of this book as it was beautifully written and it had me enthralled into the world of Penryn. The way in which it was all descripted it had me feeling like I was watching a film rather than reading a book.

1.

 

 

Stage Dive Series by Kylie Scott

Another bit of a cheat (but in my defence as the previous time I cheated I feel like it's not completely cheating when they are from the same series/author) but I really couldn't pick a favourite as they where all as outstanding as each other. I loved every moment spent with the Stage Dive men and I for one can't wait to read more from Kylie Scott I just hope it's as good as this series.

What was your favourite read of 2015?

Book Review: Wide Awake (Wide Awake, #1) by Shelly Crane

(Click image to take you to Goodreads)

Buy: Amazon UK | Amazon US | Book Depository

Format: Kindle

Publishers: Indie

Published: 22nd March 2013

Pages: 202

Genre: YA, Contemporary Romance, Thriller

Main Characters: Emma, Mason
Date Read: 20th September - 27th September 2015

Rating Given:

Synopsis:A girl.A coma.A life she can't remember.
When Emma Walker wakes up in the hospital with no knowledge of how she got there, she learns that she's been in a coma for six months. Strangers show up and claim to be her parents, but she can't remember them. She can't remember anyone. Not her friends, not even her boyfriend. Even though she can't remember, everyone wants her to just pick up where she left off, but what she learns about the 'old her' makes her start to wish she'd never woken up. Her boyfriend breaks up with the new girl he's dating to be with her, her parents want her to start planning for college, her friends want their leader back, and her physical therapist with the hazel eyes keeps his distance to save his position at the hospital.
Will she ever feel like she recognizes the girl in the mirror?

I received a review copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The cover isn't a cover that stands out but after reading the book I feel like it's more of a fitting cover for this story. I do love the colours used on the title as I think they work well with the rest of the cover.

I've had this book sitting on my kindle for a long while now but after reading another Shelly Crane book and loving it I just couldn't keep away from Wide Awake. I really enjoyed this book and the only reason why I didn't give it the full five stars was I didn't love it as much as my previous Shelly Crane book. I don't know what it was about the book that made me not love it as much as there was nothing at all that I didn't enjoy. I have read a few books where there was something bad happened without knowing who did it but even though I have read similar books Wide Awake did have some differences that made it stand out over the other similar books. I enjoyed that this book focused more on the after effects of the accident and the road to recovery. The romance side of the story was so cute and I loved them both together, I especially liked their friendship as well as their chemistry. The ending was great as I felt everything was cleared up and ended with no loose ends but I am still looking forward to reading their novella to see more of them as a couple... well hopefully...

I really liked all the characters especially the main characters. I thought Emma was such a good character in the way in which she had to learn how to live as a person she wasn't before the accident. I hated the way all her friends and family treated her, I felt so sorry for her especially with some of the things that was said to her by her own father. Mason was a great character, he may have some of his own issues but that didn't stop him treating Emma in the way she deserved. 

Overall a very enjoyable read, and I can't wait to read more from this series as well as other books written by Shelly Crane.