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

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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

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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

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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?

Book Review: The Natural History of Us (The Fine Art of Pretending, #2) by Rachel Harris

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Buy: Amazon UK | Amazon US | Book Depository

Format: Kindle

Publishers: Spencer Hill Press

Published: 5th April 2016

Pages: 297

Genre: YA, Contemporary Romance

Main Characters: Peyton, Justin
Date Read: 24th May - 31st May 2016

Rating Given:

Synopsis: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.

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

I like the cute feeling for the cover as it matches the story but that's all it is as there's nothing that stands out and a bit plain. I love the font of the title as that's the only part of the cover that does stand out.

I was so excited about reading this book as I had read and adored the first book however this one fell flat as it didn't really capture my attention from the get go. It did take a long while to get going and really the only thing that kept me going was the hope in which something would actually happen. This book went back and forth in time so that we could understand what happened to the two main characters but it did take pretty much most of the book until everything was out in the open. The romance was cute in the past but a bit annoying at times as it all came across as a bit too secretive. Once everything was out in the open I liked this book a lot more than I had done in the beginning although not to the high standards of the previous book. I was a little bit disappointed with the ending as I felt yes it was cute but there wasn't much closure for my liking.

I liked the characters to a point but they all had they're annoying moments. Peyton was a nice enough character but I don't feel as though she was the best character I've ever read about I think that maybe she wasn't developed as much as what she could've been. I wasn't too sure about Justin in the previous book but for the most part he was a likeable character but then there was some moments when I felt like he needed slapping.

Overall, I was disappointed in this book but it wasn't all bad it was just okay.

Excerpt Blitz - A Fine Mess (Over the Top, #2) by Kelly Siskind

BOOK DETAILS

Title: A Fine Mess

Author: Kelly Siskind

Series: Over The Top, #2

On Sale: August 2, 2016

Publisher: Forever

Format: eBook

Price: $3.99 USD 

Synopsis:Some guys should come with a warning label…

Sawyer West is Mr. One-Night Stand. He doesn't do relationships or promises or feelings. He's never cared enough to get involved. Until Lily Roberts. She's sweet and shy and sexy as sin, and resisting her is testing his self-control. She believes Sawyer can be a better man, and for the first time in his life, he wants to be. But change isn't easy, and Sawyer would do anything to protect Lily from his past self. Even break his own heart…

THE OVER THE TOP SERIES

My Perfect Mistake, #1

A Fine Mess, #2

Series page on Goodreads

PREORDER THE BOOK HERE

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Google Play | iBooks | Kobo

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A small-town girl at heart, Kelly moved from the city to open a cheese shop with her husband in Northern Ontario. When she's not neck deep in cheese or out hiking, you can find her, notepad in hand, scribbling down one of the many plot bunnies bouncing around in her head.

She laughs at her own jokes and has been known to eat her feelings-Gummy Bears heal all. She's also an incurable romantic, devouring romance novels into the wee hours of the morning.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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Excerpt:

Sawyer steps close and waits for me to make eye contact. Slowly, I lift my gaze to his gold-flecked brown eyes, but I can’t find my voice. It’s like I don’t know how to talk to him anymore.

He grins. “Hi.”

From my angle it’s easy to see the scar running down his neck, the remnant of a fall he took through a coffee table while wrestling with his brother. I’ve always wanted to touch it, feel the puckered skin under my fingers. I drop my gaze, but it doesn’t help. The cuffs of his gray button-down are rolled to his elbows, roped muscle exposed below. Something else I’d like to touch.

I blink hard. “Hi,” I say to my feet.

“Look at me, Lil.” I rock on my heels, then do as asked. He raises an eyebrow. “How fucking weird is this?”

My giggle surprises me, and I loosen my grip on my wineglass. “Totally weird.”

Thank God for Sawyer’s candid nature.

He sips his drink, probably Scotch, and a sheen of liquid clings to his bottom lip.

Touch that arm. Kiss that scar. Taste those lips. None of these urges are new, but they’re heightened. Magnified. He watches me watching him, his gaze as probing as mine. What is he thinking?

Then the music changes.

A remix of Madonna’s “Holiday” plays, and Sawyer does Sawyer. He tips his head to the right, his shoulders following, then he pushes out his hip and rolls his torso through. The guy does body waves, alternating from side to side, like he’s in an eighties music video.

People stop. People look. People laugh.

I snort, an unattractive sound I make when my laughter takes over. Sawyer says it sounds like a hyena with sleep apnea. When I snort a second time, he dances harder, and I crack up. My belly aches as he gets into it, the entire room watching now.

I suck in a breath, place my empty glass on the table behind me, then clasp his shoulders. “What are you doing?”

He stops dancing. “Making things less weird.”

“Less? What about you channeling Paula Abdul is less weird?”

“Did you laugh?”

I grin.

Then he says, “I’m sorry.”

The music vibrates in my chest, or maybe it’s his proximity. “Sorry about what?”

“Last week, when you called, I was a dick. You caught me by surprise, and I didn’t handle it well. So, I’m sorry.”

His admission pumps through my core like helium, my body nearly weightless. The confession shouldn’t be surprising, not with how he speaks his mind, but it’s been a week of silence. I was losing hope things could return to the way they were, or progress past it. I step closer, so he can hear me over the noise. “Apology accepted, but do I get an explanation?”

He drags his gaze down my body. It’s a thorough perusal—intimate, penetrating—flames sparking along my skin. His eyes linger on me, but he doesn’t speak. He rolls the pinky ring on his left hand the way he does when he’s puzzling something out. An ache travels up my thighs, heat expanding below my ribs. The longer he stays quiet, the more my skin tingles.

Finally, he releases his ring and slides his hand over my lower back. He leans forward and whispers, “I’ve wanted to do very dirty things to you and with you since Aspen, but I care about you too much to act on it. Hence my dickishness and the weirdness.”