Book Review: Pucked (Pucked, #1) by Helena Hunting

(Click image to take you to Goodreads)

Buy: Amazon UK | Amazon US | Book Depository

Format: Kindle

Publishers: Indie

Published: 3rd May 2015

Pages: 380

Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance, Sport Romance

Main Characters: Violet, Alex
Date Read: 15th June - 19th June 2016

Rating Given:

Synopsis:With a famous NHL player for a step-brother, Violet Hall is well acquainted with the playboy reputation many hockey stars come with. She’s smart enough to steer clear of those hot, well-built boys with unparalleled stamina. That is until she meets the legendary team captain—Alex Waters.
Violet isn’t interested in his pretty, beat-up face, or his rock-hard six-pack abs. But when Alex inadvertently obliterates Violet’s previous misapprehension regarding the inferior intellect of hockey players, he becomes more than just a hot body with a face to match.
In what can only be considered a complete lapse in judgment, Violet finds out just how good Alex is with the hockey stick in his pants. But what starts out as a one-night stand, quickly turns into something more. Post-night of orgasmic magic, Alex starts to call, and text, and e-mail and send extravagant—and quirky—gifts, making him difficult to ignore, and even more difficult not to like.
The problem is, the media portrays Alex as a total player, and Violet doesn’t want to be part of the game.

I had to read this one as I heard some good things about this book which I kind of agree with it's just not as good as what I thought it would have been...

This is a smoking hot cover that body looks like it could be Alex. I love the use of colours but maybe too dark for this book as there isn't anything dark about this book it's more of a light relief book.

When I first started reading this I was finding myself agreeing with all the positive reviews as I was really enjoying it, however the further I went into the book the more I got fed up with things being said as well as what people where doing. It was a really funny book that had me laughing out loud nearly all the way through although somethings that was meant to be funny had me rolling my eyes. I kind of liked the romance between Alex and Violet as they could had smoking hot chemistry but there was times when I couldn't see them lasting. I felt there was a bit too much sex involved in the story which sometimes had me cringing. The ending was okay everything was cleared up but I did felt it was a little bit rushed.

I had a love/hate relationship with most of the characters except for Alex. I liked Alex's character as he was different to the kind of guys I read in my books as he's a nice guy and not a player however most of the characters don't know about this so he does get called out a lot. Violet could be really funny but then there was times when she really annoyed me to the point when I thought she wasn't good enough for Alex.

Overall, it was a really funny book but it did grate on me at times. I'm not sure I will be able to continue on with this series as even though I didn't hate it I didn't like enough of the characters enough to want to read on.

Waiting on Wednesday - Honor (The Breaking Point, #1) by Jay Crownover

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Here's this week's book that I can't wait for...

Honor (The Breaking Point, #1) by Jay Crownover

Expected Publication: 18th October 2016

Synopsis:Don't be fooled.
Don't make excuses for me.
I am not a good man.
I've seen things no one should, done things no one should talk about. Honor and conscience have no place in my life. But I've fought and I've survived. I've had to.
The first time I saw her dancing on that seedy stage in that second rate club, I felt my heart pulse for the first time. Keelyn Foster was too young, too vibrant for this place, and I knew in an instant that I would make her mine. But first I had to climb my way to the top. I had to have something more to offer her.
I'm here now, money is no object and I have no equal. Except for her. She's disappeared. But don't worry, I will find her and claim her. She will be mine.
Like I said, don't be fooled. I am not the devil in disguise… I'm the one front and center.

Not sure it's my kind of book but as soon as I saw it was written by Jay Cownover I got very excited.



What are you waiting on?

Book Review: Built (Saints of Denver, #1) by Jay Crownover

(Click image to take you to Goodreads)

Buy: Amazon UK | Amazon US | Book Depository

Format: Kindle

Publishers: Harper

Published: 5th January 2016

Pages: 352

Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance, 

Main Characters: Sayer, Zeb
Date Read: 8th June - 15th June 2016

Rating Given:

Synopsis:
From the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men books comes an electrifying new spin-off series,Saints of Denver, featuring all the characters fans have been dying to read about.
Sayer Cole and Zeb Fuller couldn’t be more different. She’s country club and fine-dining, he’s cell-block and sawdust. Sayer spends her days in litigation, while Zeb spends his working with his hands. She’s French silk, he’s all denim and flannel.
Zeb’s wanted the stunning blonde since the moment he laid eyes on her. It doesn't matter how many smooth moves he makes, the reserved lawyer seems determinedly oblivious to his interest—either that or she doesn't return it. Sayer is certain the rough, hard, hot-as-hell Zeb could never want someone as closed off and restrained as she is, which is a shame because something tells her he might be the guy to finally melt her icy exterior.
But just as things start to heat up, Zeb is blindsided by a life altering moment from his past. He needs Sayer’s professional help to right a wrong and to save more than himself. He can’t risk what’s at stake just because his attraction to Sayer feels all consuming. But as these opposites dig in for the fight of their lives, battling together to save a family, the steam created when fire and ice collide can no longer be ignored.Sayer Cole and Zeb Fuller are as different as two people can be. She’s country club and fine-dining, he’s cell-block and kill it and grill it. Sayer spends her days in litigation, while Zeb spends his working with his hands. She’s French silk while he’s denim and flannel.The differences between the two of them don’t stop Zeb from dropping every hint he can think of that he would like to get to know her on a more personal level, but Sayer seems oblivious to his interest or is just too nice to tell him to take a hike. To Sayer, a guy like Zeb could never be interested in someone as reserved and boring as she is. She’s never been with anyone that was hot enough to melt the icy exterior she’s had wrapped around hera since her awful childhood. But what if Zeb is the one who might finally thaw her out…?

I've only read one book by Jay Crownover which I enjoyed so I had to read a new book from her and I wasn't disappointed.

I do like the cover especially the model used however I don't really see him as Zeb yes he has some similarities but for me he doesn't have the build or enough tattoo's to be my Zeb. I like the use of the pink as it makes the cover stand out even more for me.

I was a little worried about starting this one since it was a spin off series in which I've only read the first one so I thought that I might get lost and not understand what was going on, however, there was a little reminder of how Zeb and Sayer met before it got started which I was pleased about as I hadn't seen the moment that they met. After that little catch up it got straight into it and I was hooked. I loved the love story side to this book as I loved the way Sayer didn't just give in and it was a slow builder but when they where in the same room the sparks jumped out of the pages. What was different to what I've read before this book was also about different kinds of abuse whether it was mentally or physically they where both dealt with which I found was dealt with realistically and delicately. I loved the ending as it was cute and realistic and I hope we get to see them again in the future books in this series.

I loved all of the characters in this book even the secondary characters it was also nice to catch up of the Marked Men characters as even though I haven't got to know them in their own right it was still nice to know a part of their story. Zeb has to be one of my favourite ever male characters as even though his shell was hot he was just as hot on the inside, there was nothing that I didn't like about him. It was Sayer that stopped me from giving this book the full five stars that I wanted to as because of how she was treated in the past it made her a bit too stand offish and even though I understand why she was the way she was I still didn't like the way she treated Zeb. I loved what we saw of Quaid and I can't wait to read his story.

Overall, I loved this story and I am very excited about continuing on with this series and any other book Jay Crownover happens to write.

Book Review: Edge of Glory (Friendship, Texas, #1) by Magan Vernon

(Click image to take you to Goodreads)

Buy: Amazon UK | Amazon US | Book Depository

Format: Kindle

Publishers: Victory Editing

Published: 12th July 2016

Pages: 225

Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance, Sport Romance 

Main Characters: Lia, Jay
Date Read: 1st June - 7th June 2016

Rating Given:

Synopsis:"Welcome to Conti's. I'm Lia and I'll nguhhhhhhhhhhhhh". 
I froze. Directly facing me was Olympic swimmer, Jay Morningstar… and I just made an idiot of myself. 
The rest of the table looked up to see me standing there with my mouth practically gaping. His coach, who I recognised from TV interviews, and even two other swimmers from the Olympic team... they didn't say anything, they didn't even blink. 
"Uh… I mean…" 
I couldn't even put together my words and Jay Morningstar was just staring at me with that Wheaties box smile and those icy blue eyes. 
What was I supposed to say? "Sorry I just made a weird noise, it's just that I have a poster of you on my wall where you are wearing nothing more than your gold medals, a smile, and a pair of man panties?"

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

I fell in love with this cover before I even read the synopsis as it just drew me in. I love the use of colours as the blues are in keeping with the swimming theme however, I feel as though it's a bit too dark as I didn't feel as though this was a dark story it was actually quite a light read.

It wasn't just the cover that made me need to read this as that synopsis made me want to read this book even more as I'm a huge fan of the Olympics and swimming. The beginning was okay as it was funny but I felt it didn't draw me in like I thought it would. The romance side of the story was cute for the first half of the book even if it happened far too quickly but then there was some moments in the last half that really annoyed me especially the things that Jay did. For me a lot of the book was a little too juvenile for my liking as I was expecting them to act more older than what they had done especially with this being a new adult book. The relationship between Lia's family and friends was a bit annoying as I feel as though this was what made the characters feel a lot younger than what they are supposed to be. I loved the very end of this book as I always prefer a book to end awhile in to the future so I can see how the characters are getting on.

All the characters was annoying at times especially the secondary characters whereas the two main characters had there moments where they annoyed me to no end. Lia was a bit of a pushover which annoyed me to no end at times as I just wanted her to stand up for herself. She did come across as a nice person though so I was kind of able to forgive her for the pushover moments. For the most part Jay was my favourite character as he was so sweet but then things went to pot when he took Lia away.

Overall, I was expecting a lot more from this book but in the end it wasn't too bad as it had it's moments when I was enjoying it.

Waiting on Wednesday - Torn (A Wicked Saga, #2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Here's this week's book that I can't wait for...

Torn (A Wicked Saga, #2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Expected Publication: 19th July 2016

Synopsis:Torn between duty and survival, nothing can be the same.
Everything Ivy Morgan thought she knew has been turned on its head. After being betrayed and then nearly killed by the Prince of the Fae, she’s left bruised and devastated—and with an earth-shattering secret that she must keep at all costs. And if the Order finds out her secret, they’ll kill her.
Then there’s Ren Owens, the sexy, tattooed Elite member of the Order who has been sharing Ivy’s bed and claiming her heart. Their chemistry is smoking hot, but Ivy knows that Ren has always valued his duty to the Order above all else—he could never touch her if he knew the truth. That is, if he let her live at all. Yet how can she live with herself if she lies to him?
But as the Fae Prince begins to close in on Ivy, intent on permanently opening the gates to the Otherworld, Ivy is running out of options. If she doesn’t figure out who she can trust—and fast—it’s not only her heart that will be torn apart, but civilization itself.

It's been awhile since I've read the first book so I'm even more excited although I may need a re-read of book 1.



What are you waiting on?

Book Review: Talon (Talon, #1) by Julie Kagawa

(Click image to take you to Goodreads)

Buy: Amazon UK | Amazon US | Book Depository

Format: Paperback

Publishers: MIRA Ink

Published: 15th January 2015

Pages: 445

Genre: YA, Paranormal Romance, Fantasy 

Main Characters: Ember, Garret
Date Read: 1st May - 1st June 2016

Rating Given:

Synopsis:‘There are a dozen soldiers hiding in that maze. All hunting you. All looking to kill you.’
To the outside world Ember Hill is an ordinary girl, but Ember has a deadly secret. A dragon hiding in human form, she is destined to fight the shadowy Order of St. George, a powerful society of dragonslayers.
St. George soldier Garret is determined to kill Ember and her kind. Until her bravery makes him question all he’s been taught about dragons.
Now a war is coming and Garret and Ember must choose their sides – fight to save their bond or fulfil their fate and destroy one another.
‘The first in a new series, Talon leaves readers perfectly balanced between satisfaction and anticipation’ – BookPage
‘Kagawa knows just how to end a first volume for maximum cliff-hanger drama’ – Booklist
‘A strong, promising start to the Talon Saga’ – Publishers Weekly

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

This cover is stunning it is so eye catching I just fell in love with it the moment I got my hands on my copy. The image of the cover is beautiful but let me tell you it still doesn't give the cover the justice that it deserves. The physical cover is matte and glossy in parts and then add to that the texture it gives off the look and feel of the dragons scales. There is nothing that I don't love about this cover.

I was a bit wary about reading this book as I haven't read one Julie Kagawa's books that I have loved yet but I was hopeful that this one would change that as it sounded so good however, it was another book of hers that I didn't love. Another thing that was putting me off reading this book was the length it was so long that it intimidated me. I was right to be intimidated as it was too long as a lot of the story dragged and not needed. The romance side of the story was a bit of a slow burner and I never quite got the connection between the characters but there was times when I thought they where cute together. I loved the dragon side of the story as I haven't read many books that have used them but this is different to the ones that I have read before and in some ways it was a good thing but other parts where too unbelievable. The ending was left on a huge cliff hanger that has left me wanting more.

I wasn't quite sure about most of the characters as a lot of them came across as untrustworthy. Ember was a sweet character for the most part but there was a couple of moments that she stood up for herself. Garret I wasn't too sure about for a lot of the book but because this book had alternating POV's it was a little easier to warm to him. Ember's brother Dante I liked for a part of the book but for the most part he wasn't as nice as what he came across. Riley, Embers other love interest I didn't really like but he did have his moments.

Overall, I was left disappointed as it just didn't live up to my expectations or the cover but because of the ending being left so open it has made me want to continue on with this series.

Book of the Month - June

A bit of a slow reading month and I'm so behind on my reviews but I'll get there in the end. It's been a bit of a hit and miss month with what I've read in June.

Here's what I read in June:

• Edge of Glory (Friendship, Texas, #1) by Magan Vernon - 3/5
• Built (Saints of Denver, #1) by Jay Crownover - 4.5/5
• Pucked (Pucked, #1) by Helena Hunting - 3.5/5
• Sunset in Central Park (From Manhattan With Love, #2) by Sarah Morgan - 3.5/5
• Frozen by L.A. Casey - 3/5

I did DNF another book which was The Orphan Queen by Jodi Meadows I had to stop it because it was taking awhile to get into then I bought a new book that I couldn't wait to read. I will most likely go back to this book so it's a DNF for now.

And the book of the month goes too...

Built (Saints of Denver, #1) by Jay Crownover

Another book that didn't have a five star read but this one was so close as I almost gave it five stars but there was a moment that annoyed me so I couldn't give it to in the end but it was a very good read that pulled me out of my reading slump even if it was for a little while.

What was your book of the month?