Waiting on Wednesday - Beautiful Sacrifice by Jamie McGuire

"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 I can't wait for...

Beautiful Sacrifice (The Maddox Brothers, #3) 

by Jamie McGuire

Expected Publication: 31st May 2015

Synopsis:
Falyn Fairchild can walk away from anything. Having already left her car, her education, and even her parents, the daughter of the next governor of Colorado is back in her hometown, broke and waiting tables for the Bucksaw Café. After every shift, Falyn adds to her shoebox of cash, hoping to one day save enough to buy her a plane ticket to the only place she can find forgiveness: Eakins, Illinois.
The moment Taylor Maddox is seated in Falyn’s section at the Bucksaw, she knows he’s trouble. Taylor is charming, breaks promises, and gorgeous even when covered in filth—making him everything Falyn believes a hotshot firefighter to be. Falyn isn’t interested in becoming another statistic, and for a Maddox boy, a disinterested girl is the ultimate challenge.
Once Falyn learns where Taylor calls home, everything changes. In the end, Maddox persistence is met with Falyn’s talent for leaving, and for the first time, Taylor may be the one to get burned.

I have still got Beautiful Redemption to read but even so I am so excited about this book as I have loved the Maddox brothers. I'm especially excited about Taylor's story as I don't feel like we have got to know enough about them as of yet.




What are you waiting on? 

Book Review: The Duff: Designated Ugly Fat Friend by Kody Keplinger

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Buy: Amazon UK | Amazon US | Book Depository

Format: Paperback

Publishers: Hodder Children's Books 

Published: 5th April 2012

Pages: 343

Genre: YA, Contemporary Romance, 

Main Characters: Bianca, Wesley,   
Date Read: 11th April - 16th April 2015

Rating Given:

Synopsis:

Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn't think she's the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She's also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her "the Duff," she throws her Coke in his face. But things aren't so great at home right now, and Bianca is desperate for a distraction. She ends up kissing Wesley. Worse, she likes it. Eager for escape, Bianca throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with him. Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out Wesley isn't such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she's falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone. And eventually, through this realization, Bianca begins to see how harmful her unhealthy way of dealing with her problems has been, and finds a way to confront them head on.

I've had this book for a while now and now with the film is out now I thought I would finally give it a try and I'm glad I did as it was an enjoyable read. 

I kind of liked this particular version of the cover as the title takes the main focus which it should with the title being what the whole book is about. I also like that the title is yellow which also makes it stand out.

I wasn't sure that I was going to like this when I first started this book as I thought it was going to be shallow and for part of the book it was but I didn't mind in the end as I felt it was a good issue to have tackled which was done very well. What I really enjoyed about this book was even though there was some very serious and dark subject matters issued it still felt like a light hearted book as it was a very funny read. For me it was the romance side of the story that I didn't quite believe in their feelings especially when more often than not Bianca would say she hates him. The other part of the book that I wasn't a fan of was the ending as it felt rushed plus with it being a stand alone book I was expecting there to be a believable happy ever after but I don't believe in this happy ever after, the one thing that I am happy about is that there will be a companion novel so maybe there will be more from them.

With this bunch of characters I had a bit of a love/hate feelings about them as they all had moments that annoyed me but they all had moments when they shined. Bianca was very cynical but I felt that this made her a more real. I did like Bianca but there was times when she was very hypocritical making her annoy me quite a few times. I never thought I would even warm to Wesley especially as it was him that was the one that told Bianca that she was the DUFF but by the end I really did like him and I felt that Bianca brought out the best in him. 

Overall a very enjoyable read that I could be able to re-read over and over again without getting bored.

Waiting on Wednesday - End of Days by Susan Ee

"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 I can't wait for...

End of Days (Penryn & the End of Days, #3) by Susan Ee

Expected Publication: 12th May 2015

Synopsis:
End of Days is the explosive conclusion to Susan Ee’s bestselling Penryn & the End of Days trilogy.
After a daring escape from the angels, Penryn and Raffe are on the run. They’re both desperate to find a doctor who can reverse the twisted changes inflicted by the angels on Raffe and Penryn’s sister. As they set off in search of answers, a startling revelation about Raffe’s past unleashes dark forces that threaten them all.
When the angels release an apocalyptic nightmare onto humans, both sides are set on a path toward war. As unlikely alliances form and strategies shift, who will emerge victorious? Forced to pick sides in the fight for control of the earthly realm, Raffe and Penryn must choose: Their own kind, or each other?

Not even halfway through Angelfall but I'm enjoying it so much that I already can't wait to see how it's all going to end.




What are you waiting on?

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

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Buy: Amazon UK | Amazon US | Book Depository

Format: Paperback 

Publishers: HQN Books

Published: 31st March 2015

Pages: 400

Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance, 

Main Characters: Brooke Lynne, Jase
Date Read: 4th April - 11th April 2015

Rating Given:

Synopsis:
New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter introduces the Original Heartbreakers, where three not-quite-reformed bad boys are about to meet the women who will bring them to their knees.
Just released from prison, Jase Hollister has a dark and twisted past. And now, he has only one goal: stay out of trouble. Strawberry Valley, Oklahoma, sounds like the perfect place for him and his two brothers-by-circumstance to settle down and live a nice, simple life. But model citizen isn’t exactly this rugged bachelor’s default setting—especially when it comes to a certain hot-blooded Southern beauty…
Brook Lynn Dillon has always been responsible. Not that it’s done her much good. The down-on-her-luck waitress is broke, single and fun-deprived. Until Jase comes along. He is dangerous, stunningly protective, breathtakingly sexy and as tempting as sin, and the passion sizzling between them is undeniable. But can it melt her resistance? After all, the right kind of trouble might be just what they both need.

As soon as I saw Gena Showalter was doing a contemporary romance series I was excited and had to read it as soon as I got it, I'm glad I did as I loved it.

When I first saw this cover I wasn't sure about it as it seemed a little cheesy but once I started the story I soon started to picture these two models as Brooke Lynne and Jase so liked the cover more and more.

The minute I started this book I knew I was going to love it and I wasn't wrong as I loved it more and more the further I went into the story. There was a couple of moments when I was a little worried and I would think to myself that there would be a misunderstanding but that wasn't the case those things did actually happen but for some reason I was able to forgive and understand and I think this has to do with alternating points of views between the two main characters. I found that this book felt realistic especially with the hard time that Jase was having after his jail time as usually books and even the TV glamourise prison but not in this case you could tell he had a hard time of it. I loved the relationship between Brooke Lynne and Jase as there was some great banter between them both that had me laughing as well as thinking oh no he didn't just do that. As well as great banter there was also chemistry between them that you could feel coming through the pages from the very first moment they met. What I loved about this book was the way their feelings for one another grew through out the book even when they didn't want those said feelings. The ending was great as their story felt finished as answers where told but it also left it open for the next two books with Beck and Lincoln plus knowing that those two where in Jase and Brooke Lynne's story makes me excited to see how Brooke Lynne and Jase are doing in their books.

I loved the two main characters in this book but there was a couple of characters that I wasn't a huge fan of which does make me scared for the next two books as they are the female leads in those but hopefully I will change my mind about them when it comes to their books. Brooke Lynne was such a strong female character that would do ANYTHING to protect her sister. There was times when I would mistake her for the older sister when she is in fact the younger sister. Brook Lynne did show more of her vulnerable side through out the book which was much needed as I don't think she would've been as likeable as what she ended up being. I loved Jase but in the beginning there was times when he annoyed me but through out the book we get a better understanding at why he is the way he is. I did love his softer side it made him such a great character. Apart from Jase, Beck was my favourite character as he was so funny and I am so looking forward to his book. Lincoln started off as a great character but the more we went into the book the more we get to see a darker side to him so I am intrigued by his book.

Overall I loved this book and I am even more excited about the up and coming books in this series.

Book Review: The Hook Up (Game On, #1) by Kristen Callihan

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Buy: Amazon UK | Amazon US | 

Format: Kindle

Publishers: Indie 

Published: 7th September 2014

Pages: 352

Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance, 

Main Characters: Anna, Drew   
Date Read: 5th April - 9th April 2015

Rating Given:

Synopsis:
The rules: no kissing on the mouth, no staying the night, no telling anyone, and above all… No falling in love.
Anna Jones just wants to finish college and figure out her life. Falling for star quarterback Drew Baylor is certainly not on her to do list. Confident and charming, he lives in the limelight and is way too gorgeous for his own good. If only she could ignore his heated stares and stop thinking about doing hot and dirty things with him. Easy right?
Too bad he’s committed to making her break every rule…
Football has been good to Drew. It’s given him recognition, two National Championships, and the Heisman. But what he really craves is sexy yet prickly Anna Jones. Her cutting humor and blatant disregard for his fame turns him on like nothing else. But there’s one problem: she's shut him down. Completely.
That is until a chance encounter leads to the hottest sex of their lives, along with the possibility of something great. Unfortunately, Anna wants it to remain a hook up. Now it’s up to Drew to tempt her with more: more sex, more satisfaction, more time with him. Until she’s truly hooked. It's a good thing Drew knows all about winning.
All’s fair in love and football…Game on.
New Adult/Contemporary Romance with a HEA - Recommended for readers 17 and older.

I have wanted to read this book for awhile and nearly bought it for my kindle, when I looked through my emails and found that I had it already for review so obviously I had to read it straight away.

I'm not sure I see the model as Drew he seems too thin for Drew as he is supposed to be this huge guy and that's not what I get from this model. I do like the colours used but that's about it. I do prefer the new cover for this book as every detail suits the book.

I wasn't sure I was going to like this book when I first started it as the prologue kind of annoyed me for reasons I still don't know why but once I got over that first hurdle I fell in love with the whole story. What I loved the most about this story was that it was written in alternating points of views which I always love because then I can get a better understanding of both the parties especially the male characters as usually it's the female that we know everything about but not the guy but not this time. What I found different about this book to other New Adult Contemporary Romance novel was that it wasn't the girl that was obsessed and immediately in love it was Drew who seemed to be in love straight away. I loved the chemistry between Anna and Drew as it was smoking and even if Anna didn't realise it they made such a cute couple. Things took a huge turn around at the end which made me fall in love with this book even more and if it wasn't for the way Anna treated Drew halfway through the book this would definitely have been a five star book. I loved the ending as we got to see Anna and Drew a couple of years later which is always a plus for me.

I was never 100% sure about all of the characters as there was moments all of them had bad moments. Anna started off as an ok character who stood up for herself and had bite but under all that there was a very vulnerable girl who had some issues that she hadn't dealt with. She did annoy me at times especially the way she treated Drew but by the end she seemed to change for the better. Drew I pretty much loved straight away as he was so sweet. There was a moment near the end when we saw a completely different side to him which wasn't a good side but I could kind of forgive him for that considering what he was going through.

Overall this was a great read and I now can't wait to read more from this series even if it isn't involving Anna and Drew.

Waiting on Wednesday - Racing the Sun by Karina Halle

"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 I can't wait for...

Racing the Sun by Karina Halle

Expected Publication: 28th July 2015

Synopsis:
From the USA TODAY bestselling author of Where Sea Meets Sky comes a new adult novel about a young woman who becomes a nanny in Capri and falls for her charges’ bad-boy brother.
It’s time for twenty-four-year-old Amber MacLean to face the music. After a frivolous six months of backpacking through New Zealand, Australia, and Southeast Asia, she finds herself broke on the Mediterranean without enough money for a plane ticket home to California. There are worse places to be stuck than the gorgeous coastline of southern Italy, but the only job she manages to secure involves teaching English to two of the brattiest children she’s ever met.
It doesn’t help that the children are under the care of their brooding older brother, Italian ex-motorcycle racer Desiderio Larosa. Darkly handsome and oh-so-mysterious, Derio tests Amber’s patience and will at every turn—not to mention her hormones.
But when her position as teacher turns into one as full-time nanny at the crumbling old villa, Amber finds herself growing closer to the enigmatic recluse and soon has to choose between the safety of her life back in the States and the uncertainty of Derio’s closely guarded heart.

Not read anything by this author as of yet (even if I have a few of her books on my kindle, I just haven't gotten around to reading them) but this sounds so good I can't wait to give one of her books a go and this one seems like it would be a good start.




What are you waiting on? 

Book Review: The Impostor (The Alaskan Heart, #1) by Tiffany Carmouche

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Buy: Amazon UK | Amazon US | Book Depository

Format: Kindle 

Publishers: C & C Legacy

Published: 1st October 2012

Pages: 354

Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance, 

Main Characters: Erin, Tim
Date Read: 2nd April - 5th April 2015

Rating Given:

Synopsis:
“Alaska? Who goes to Alaska?” Escaping an abusive ex boyfriend, Nicole, a struggling young single-mother, convinces her best friend to travel to a place she knows little about, in search of better life.
Nicole is scared of getting hurt again, but Dylan’s chiseled body and chocolate brown eyes captivate her. And soon she finds herself in the arms of the sexy lead singer.
In Alaska, she discovers the power of friendship and true love and begins to let down her guard. But is her security a facade? Soon Nicole’s innocent beauty taunts a sinister man, and she is caught in a web of deception and danger. She realizes someone she trusts has been stalking her. Petrified, she wonders, how can she escape? Miles of wilderness surround her. She hears something. Someone is there. Should she cry for help or stay silent?
Will she be saved or will she be hunted?

I was originally asked to review this book by the author but couldn't find my copy so when it was 77p on Amazon I thought I would try again as it sounded interesting.

I'm not a huge fan of this cover as it reminds me of those cheesy romance novels and this book wasn't cheesy. I do like the colour but that's about all I like about this cover.

When I first started The Impostor I was a little distracted by things going on in the real world which tells me it wasn't interesting enough to keep me interested. It did start to get better as I continued reading it as more and more things kept happening to keep me intrigued. There was times when I felt like the things where happening was too much making it a little too unrealistic. I wasn't too sure about the romance side of the story as that also felt rushed but I feel like they where cute together and I have a feeling that things are going to be shaken up in the next books. The last few chapters things really took off to the point I kept having to continuing reading just to see what was going to happen next. The ending was left on a bit of a cliff hanger which has made me desperate to continue on with this series.

There was a few characters that I liked but a few of them felt too fake. I wasn't sure about Nicole as at times she seemed far to trusting especially with strangers. There was times when she came across better especially when her daughter was involved. Again I wasn't sure about Dylan as in the beginning he seemed like your typical bad-boy who likes to sleep around but then all of a sudden his character changed to someone completely different. Brad was definitely my favourite character in this book but I just wish he was in it more as there was a chunk in the middle when he wasn't even mentioned. As for the other characters I kind of liked some of them but others I wasn't quite sure about.

Overall a descent beginning to this series that I am looking forward to continuing to see where things go from here.

Book Review: Down London Road (On Dublin Street, #2) by Samantha Young

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Buy: Amazon UK | Amazon US | Book Depository

Format: Kindle 

Publishers: Penguin

Published: 9th May 2013

Pages: 464

Genre: New Adult/Adult, Contemporary Romance, 

Main Characters: Jo, Cam
Date Read: 29th March - 1st April 2015

Rating Given:

Synopsis:
Johanna Walker knows what she wants. And that's a strong, steady, financially secure man who will treat her well and look after her and her little brother, Cole - something her parents have never done.
But when she meets the gorgeous Cameron MacCabe, a new bartender at work, Jo can't deny the instant and undeniable attraction she feels. Cam doesn't fit into her strict specifications of her perfect partner at all - but for once she is tempted to let her heart rule her head.
And as their intense connection grows, Jo has to stop hiding the truth about herself and her family. Is Cam prepared to accept Jo for who she really is? And is Jo willing to let someone into her life for keeps?

 I was given a review copy of this book via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I'm not too sure about this cover as for me it doesn't stand out from the crowd. I do like the misty look of the cover and the colours but that's about it. 

I have to admit I made a mistake in reading this book as I thought I had clicked on book one and it wasn't until about 30% that I noticed I wasn't reading the first book. That being said it didn't matter that I hadn't read book one as it seems that this series can be read as a stand alone but I would have liked to see how things started with certain characters. I loved this book from the moment I started reading it as it was so addicting. There was definitely some insta-lust which for me is more realistic than the insta-love so I was happy with how things started. The chemistry between Jo and Cam jumped out of the pages and couldn't help but want everything to work out for them. I liked that it wasn't just the romance that took centre stage but also the love of friends and family. I even liked the darker side to the story as it kept me on the edge of my seat making it all the more entertaining. Loved the ending as it was so sweet and every question answered that involved Cam and Jo there was a few things that were set up for future books which has got me very excited, I just need to go back to the beginning of the series before I can fall in love with any other characters.

Loved pretty much all the characters and I also like that the main characters from book one are featured as it gives me hope that we will also get to see more from Cam and Jo as I wasn't ready to say goodbye to them. At first I didn't think I was going to like Jo as she seemed a bit too shallow for my liking but the more we found out about her the more I was able to understand where she was coming from and I was able to forgive the shallowness. Cam I loved from the moment he came into Jo's live as he was so sweet and caring, although there was a moment there when I thought he acted a bit out of character but in the end I didn't mind. I felt that Cam was good for Jo as he was able to make her a better person. I loved Cole and I'm so happy that he's going to get his own book.

Overall Down London Road was a great read and I can't wait to read more from this series.

Waiting on Wednesday - The Hotter You Burn by Gena Showalter

"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 I can't wait for...

The Hotter You Burn (The Original Heartbreakers, #2) 

by Gena Showalter

Expected Publication: 28th July 2015

Synopsis:
New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter is back with another sizzling Original Heartbreakers story about an irresistible charmer about to meet his match… 
Beck Ockley lives by a single rule: one and done. The millionaire playboy knows the pain of loss and will do anything to avoid another. He moved to the small town of Strawberry Valley, Oklahoma, expecting more of the same—time with the only two friends he trusts, work…and lots of pleasure. What he never could have predicted was that a vulnerable Southern beauty would sneak past his defenses. 
Harlow Glass is determined to rebuild her life. The reformed bully has lost everyone and thing she loved, and paid the ultimate price for her checkered past. Now she wants commitment, the only thing Beck refuses to give. As their chemistry blazes white-hot, he'll either have to break her heart…or surrender his own.

I haven't even finished the first book but already I am getting very excited about Beck's book!




What are you waiting on? 

Book Review: Wicked (A Wicked Saga, #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

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Buy: Amazon UK | Amazon US | Book Depository

Format: Kindle

Publishers: Indie 

Published: 8th December 2014

Pages: 300

Genre: New Adult, Paranormal Romance, 

Main Characters: Ivy, Ren   
Date Read: 26th March - 29th March 2015

Rating Given:

Synopsis:
Things are about to get Wicked in New Orleans.
Twenty-two year old Ivy Morgan isn’t your average college student. She, and others like her, know humans aren’t the only thing trolling the French Quarter for fun… and for food. Her duty to the Order is her life. After all, four years ago, she lost everything at the hands of the creatures she’d sworn to hunt, tearing her world and her heart apart.
Ren Owens is the last person Ivy expected to enter her rigidly controlled life. He’s six feet and three inches of temptation and swoon-inducing charm. With forest-green eyes and a smile that’s surely left a stream of broken hearts in its wake, he has an uncanny, almost unnatural ability to make her yearn for everything he has to offer. But letting him in is as dangerous as hunting the cold-blooded killers stalking the streets. Losing the boy she loved once before had nearly destroyed her, but the sparking tension that grows between them becomes impossible for Ivy to deny. Deep down, she wants… she needs more than what her duty demands of her, what her past has shaped for her.
But as Ivy grows closer to Ren, she realizes she’s not the only one carrying secrets that could shatter the frail bond between them. There’s something he’s not telling her, and one thing is for certain. She’s no longer sure what is more dangerous to her—the ancient beings threatening to take over the town or the man demanding to lay claim to her heart and her soul. 

This book sounded just as good as her previous books so I new I would be onto a winner with this one and I wasn't far wrong.

I kind of like the cover it was one of my favourites of new release books but for me there wasn't that many that I adored. I like the colours especially that red as it really does stand out. I can kind of see the characters in these models but I don't see that location in the book which I was a little disappointed at.

Fae books are a bit of a hit or miss for me and this was thankfully a hit. The beginning was a little hard to get into but it wasn't long before I started to enjoy this book. I think the reason why I found it hard to get into at the beginning was because it was a little confusing the way in which the fae sounded like they where vampires. The romance was a slow build up but I loved it that way and I loved Ivy and Ren together they where so cute. So much happened in during this book that it was easy to read it I did feel like the battle towards the end was a little rushed. I loved the twists and turns throughout the book with the biggest twist I didn't see coming to end the book with. I am really excited to continue on with this series especially with the way in which this ended.

The characters where well written as I was easily able to like them all. Ivy was a strong, independent female character which was surprising she was as strong as what she was after all the blows she was dealt throughout her life. She did have moments where I didn't want to like her but in the end it's hard not to like her and feel sorry for her. I loved Ren he was one of the funniest characters in this book but he also had a sensitive side to him making it hard not to love him. Tink was also one of the funniest characters I thought at times he stole the shine of the main characters.

Overall a great start to what I hope will be a great series, bring on Torn is all I can say.

Showcase Sunday #113

Showcase Sunday is a weekly Meme that I am taking part of. This weekly meme is hosted by Vicky over at Book, Biscuits and Tea.

Click images to take you to Goodreads.

I will only be doing a Showcase Sunday once a month.

Physical Books

My Mum brought me The Closer You Come for Easter which I am so excited to read. I won a signed copy of Night School in a giveaway over at Book Passion For Life.

Kindle Books Bought

I can't wait to read this book as I have loved the first two in this series.

Free Kindle Books

  

  

 

Kindle Review Books

  

  

  

What did you receive this week?