Book Review: Wild Crush (Wild Cards, #2) by Simone Elkeles

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Buy: Amazon UK | Amazon US | Book Depository

Format: Kindle

Publishers: NLA Digital LLC

Published: 22nd September 2015

Pages: 304

Genre: YA, Contemporary Romance, Sport Romance

Main Characters: Vic, Monika,
Date Read: 4th May - 6th May 2016

Rating Given:

Synopsis:When the only girl you want is the one you can't have... 
Bad boy Vic Salazar breaks all the rules except one: Don't make a move on your best friend's girl. It’s a Guy Code that Vic lives by. It doesn't matter that he's had a crush on her for years. Monika Fox is off limits. 
Monika has a secret of her own and when a tragedy throws her and Vic together, the only boy she trusts is the one she shouldn’t confide in. Vic. 
As Vic struggles to keep his distance, and Monika struggles with her secrets, will their wild connection violate every rule both vowed never to break—about relationships, about friendship, about love?

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

I'm not a fan of this cover which is quite surprising as it has the aspects in the cover that I normally love but this cover just doesn't work for me. I think what it is that puts me off the cover is the composition of the bodies as it just looks weird. I also don't see these two as Vic and Monika either.

After loving the first book in the Wild Cards series I was very excited to read this one but in the end it was no where near as good as the first one in fact I nearly DNFed it but I held out because it's Simone Elkeles. I did think I was going to enjoy when I first started it but things slowly started to annoy me more and more. It felt far to predictable which I don't always mind but things that happened that would normally 'shock' I guessed would happen in the beginning. I didn't believe in any of the relationships especially Monika's and Vic's as they just didn't seem to gel plus it felt like it was one sided for pretty much most of the book. For me the ending felt rushed with no real closure I was expecting so much to happen yet it felt like it abruptly finished.

I didn't warm to many of the characters but I did like seeing the returning couple from the previous book plus some characters from her Perfect Chemistry series was great. Monika annoyed me the most as she was a bit of a pushover and just plain annoying. There was moments in the beginning where I actually loved Vic as he was sweet and selfless but then that all changed in the second half of the book and after that I couldn't stand him.

Overall, I was so disappointed with this book but it won't stop me reading this series or even any Simone Elkeles books as I know she has done amazing work so I will always hope that she writes another gem.

Cover Reveal: Bedmates by Nichole Chase

Bedmates (American Royalty, #1) by Nichols Chase

About BEDMATES 

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.

About Nichole Chase

Nichole Chase is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Suddenly Royal and Recklessly Royal. She lives in Georgia with her husband, toddler, superhero dog, Sulcata tortoise, and two cats. When not devouring novels by the dozens, you can find her writing, painting, crafting, or chasing her daughter around the house while making monster noises.

Book Review: Blurred Lines (Love Unexpectedly, #1) by Lauren Layne

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Buy: Amazon UK | Amazon US | 

Format: Kindle

Publishers: Loveswept

Published: 25th August 2015

Pages: 254

Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance, 

Main Characters: Parker, Ben
Date Read: 1st May - 3rd May 2016

Rating Given:

Synopsis:In a novel that's perfect for fans of Abbi Glines and Jessica Sorensen, USA Today bestselling author Lauren Layne delivers a sexy take on the timeless question: Can a guy and a girl really be “just friends”?
When Parker Blanton meets Ben Olsen during her freshman year of college, the connection is immediate—and platonic. Six years later, they're still best friends, sharing an apartment in Portland's trendy Northwest District as they happily settle into adult life. But when Parker's boyfriend dumps her out of the blue, she starts to wonder about Ben's no-strings-attached approach to dating. The trouble is, even with Ben as her wingman, Parker can't seem to get the hang of casual sex—until she tries it with him.
The arrangement works perfectly . . . at first. The sex is mind-blowing, and their friendship remains as solid as ever, without any of the usual messy romantic entanglements. But when Parker's ex decides he wants her back, Ben is shocked by a fierce stab of possessiveness. And when Ben starts seeing a girl from work, Parker finds herself plagued by unfamiliar jealousy. With their friendship on the rocks for the first time, Parker and Ben face an alarming truth: Maybe they can't go back. And maybe, deep down, they never want to.

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

I do love this cover and yes the reason why I love it is that the image is in black and white with a shot of colour in the title making it pop. I do like that the cover is romantic as it ties in with the story.

Another Lauren Layne book that I have very much enjoyed. I pretty much enjoyed two-thirds of the story as I loved the friendship to lovers part of the story as you could tell that both of these characters wanted each other. The was some great humour in this story which was down to the banter between Parker and Ben especially in the beginning whilst they where just friends. I loved that even though there was some moments that where a little sad this was a nice light hearted read. For me the reason why I could rate this book any higher was the last part of the book as I didn't like the way in which Parker and Ben treated each other especially Parker. The actual end of the story was back to being cute even if it was a little rushed it was still enjoyable.

I kind of had a bit of a love/hate feeling towards the main characters especially Parker. For the most part I actually liked Parker as she seemed like a real person but then towards the end I actually thought she was a bit of a hypocrite and I hated the way in which it came across as her using Ben. Ben was out typical player but even so he came across like any young guy but the way in which he was there for Parker was so cute although he did have his moments. 

Overall, it was an enjoyable read I just wished the end part of the story matched up to the beginning.

Book Review: Rush by Shae Ross

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Buy: Amazon UK | Amazon US | Book Depository

Format: Kindle

Publishers: Entangled: Embrace

Published: 9th May 2016

Pages: 240

Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance, Sport Romance

Main Characters: Priscilla, Preston
Date Read: 27th April - 30th April 2016

Rating Given:

Synopsis:Priscilla Winslow has a mouth that spits fiery sarcasm faster than I can throw a touchdown. But I’ve wanted her ever since I saw her in that Bo Peep outfit on Halloween. Yep, I’m a sheep who will follow that little hottie anywhere. There’s one problem…she hates me. Just because we ended up in jail and quite possibly ruined both our futures...
They’re changing the rules…
College Quarterback Preston Rush is living the dream. He’s leading his team to the National Championship and days away from earning a ‘first round draft pick’ label. When he meets Little Bo Peep at a Halloween party, he thinks he’s scored big. Instead, he wakes up in a jail cell with the corseted beauty. Because of him, she’s in trouble and when he discovers her true identity, he realizes, his nightmare is just beginning.
The always shooting-for-perfection Priscilla Winslow can’t believe her good deed has cost her a soccer career. Even though she knows it isn’t Preston’s fault, she can’t forgive him for the disaster that is her life. She just wishes her damn body would get the message. Every time she sees him, it’s all she can do not to kiss him.
When everything crashes down around him, Preston will have to decide if doing the right thing is worth losing it all.

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

I do love that body...oh I mean the cover silly me. I can imagine that being Preston which I always love when I can picture something. The colours are very eye catching and very much dramatic which is what this story involves a lot of.

From the very first chapter I knew I was going to love this book as it already had me laughing out loud but it also had me hooked and throughout the book I just couldn't get enough of it. What I really enjoyed about Rush is that it's different to any of the other sport romance novels that I have ever read before which was quite refreshing. The romance side of the story was a slow builder which I actually liked as it made it feel more real as they kind of started as friends before they where in a relationship, but once they got it together the sparks flew. There was a few surprises thrown in this story which kept me intrigued. What interested me the most was the whole booster side of the story as it's something that's completely new to me plus it made the book all the more entertaining. The ending was what pulled the rating down a bit as it felt like it wasn't the end and just a bit rushed.

The two main characters are two of my favourite characters ever. Priscilla has to be one of the most strongest female character that I have had the pleasure of reading about as she doesn't take any crap and will fight (literally) for what she believes in. She was also an athlete which was nice to see as usually it's the guy that's the athlete but this time it was both so for me she came across as the perfect role model for girls. As for Preston I loved him also. He was pretty much the male version of Priscilla plus what really made him stand out was he was willing to give up his dreams to do the right thing which made him all the more endearing.

Overall, this was my first Shae Ross book but after reading this amazing book I know it won't be my last.

Book Review: Unrivalled Beautiful Idols, #1) by Alyson Noel

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Buy: Amazon UK | Amazon US | Book Depository

Format: Kindle

Publishers: MIRA Ink

Published: 10th May 2016

Pages: 368

Genre: YA, Contemporary Romance, 

Main Characters: Layla, Aster, Tommy, Madison
Date Read: 23rd April - 26th April 2016

Rating Given:

Synopsis:From #1 New York Times bestselling author Alyson Noël comes the first book in the Beautiful Idols series. With mystery, suspense, and an insiders-only look at Los Angeles that echoes Gossip Girl’s racy and real New York, fans of Pretty Little Liars and readers who crave pulse-pounding romance will love Unrivalled.
EVERYONE wants to be someone.
Layla Harrison wants to be a reporter.
Aster Amirpour wants to be an actress.
Tommy Phillips wants to be a guitar hero.
But Madison Brooks took destiny and made it her own a long time ago.
She’s Hollywood’s hottest starlet, and the things she did to become the name on everyone’s lips are merely a stain on the pavement, ground beneath her Louboutin heel.
That is, until Layla, Aster, and Tommy find themselves with a VIP invite to the world of Los Angeles’s nightlife and are lured into a competition. The prize, or rather the target? Madison Brooks.
Just as their hopes begin to gleam like stars through the California smog, Madison Brooks goes missing. . . . And all of their hopes are blacked out in the haze of their lies.

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

I do love the simplicity of the cover I especially love the black background there is also a white background floating around and I actually don't know which I prefer as they both look good. What's really bee bugging me about all the covers is the spelling as I never know which to use as even the covers have different spellings with it being either Unrivalled or Unrivaled.

After reading that synopsis and add to that the fact that it's been written by Alyson Noel I was really excited about reading this book however, it fell short so I was left feeling disappointed. This was such a hard book to read especially with 4 different POV's which I felt was far too many for this particular book. There was a bit of romance in this story but I just didn't feel any of it was real there wasn't a moment when I believed in any of the relationships. For me this book took far too long for something to actually happen, yes we find out in the prologue that something major happens yet it isn't until the end when everything catches up to that particular scene. There was moments when I thought things was going to improve but not even the ending made me want to continue the series. 

I don't think there was one character that I loved all the way through and maybe that was why I couldn't get into the book. I thought I was going to like Layla but the further I went into the book the more she changed into not a nice person. Tommy I actually liked for most of the book but then like Layla he changed it just took longer for him to change. Aster I didn't like from the very beginning I felt she was a bit of a spoilt brat most of the times. Madison had moments when she was a little likeable but for the most part she was annoying. All of the characters where hypocrites and none of them gelled well.

Overall, I was expecting so much for this book but in the end it just wasn't for me. It says that it was for fans of Gossip Girl and Pretty Little Liars which I'm a huge fan of but in the this book didn't work as well as those particular TV shows. 

Book Review: Broken Juliet (Starcrossed, #2) by Leisa Rayven

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Buy: Amazon UK | Amazon US | Book Depository

Format: Kindle

Publishers: Pan Macmillan

Published: 22nd October 2015

Pages: 336

Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance, 

Main Characters: Cassie, Ethan
Date Read: 18th April - 23rd April 2016

Rating Given:

Synopsis:How do you fix a love that’s been broken beyond repair?
For years, Cassie Taylor tried to forget about Ethan Holt. He was the one great love of her life, and when he failed to return her love, a part of her died forever. Or so she thought. Now she and Ethan are sharing a Broadway stage, and he’s determined to win her back. Claiming to be a changed man, he’s finally able to say all the things she needed to hear years ago, but can she believe him? What makes this time different from all his other broken promises?
Ethan knows he can’t change their tumultuous past, but if he’s going to have any chance of being with the woman he loves, he’ll need to convince Cassie that her future belongs with him. 
Don’t miss this stunning conclusion to the unforgettable love story that captivated over two million fans online.

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

Like the first book this book also is different in the UK and like before I prefer the US version as it's more striking but these version do look more romantic which is more in keeping with the actual story. I just don't feel like the UK covers stand out.

I was a little apprehensive about reading this book as the first book took awhile to get into and when I did get into it didn't blow me away but I needn't have been worried as this book was better than the first as it grabbed my attention straight away. I was able to keep up with the swapping of past and present much better that I was able to in this first book which I think has to do with knowing what I was going to expect this time around. I preferred the present moments better as I liked the way things progressed plus we also got to know what Ethan was thinking as in the present we got to read his journals so we understood where his head was in the past. I do feel as though the ending was a bit too rushed for my liking but with the next book about his Sister I'm hoping we will get glimpses of Ethan and Cassie and how they are getting on.

With the past and present continuing in this book I don't feel that there wasn't much growth that we hadn't already seen in the previous book. What was new in this book was Cassie and how she got through her issues which I enjoyed as it made this book different to the first book. There didn't seem to be many other characters as the main focus was Cassie and Ethan but there was a few other secondary characters that we knew and loved from the first book I just wished they where more involved especially in the present time frame.

Overall, this was a better book than the first and I am very much looking forward to reading more in this series and anything new that Leisa Rayven may create.