Review: Torn by Jennifer L. Armentrout

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

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, 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.

Publishes in US: July 19th 2016 by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Genre: NA paranormal
Source: bought
Series? Yes
my review of #1 Wicked

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Author stalk away: Site Blog Twitter Facebook

  

     I wanted to read Torn because I love JLA, the author, and I also liked the first one in this series. 

     It does not disappoint, the main character was fiesty and determined. She is also keeping a secret about herself, and trying to ward off the prince of the fae who wants to impregnate her, and uses all sorts of trickery to try to make his goal of opening the gates and starting what Ivy calls the apocalypse. 

    The romance is hot too, I liked Ren in the last one and same is still true. They are good for each other, and their chemistry and sex life is certainly never boring or tamed down. 

    There were good twists, and turns that I didn't see coming, and had me on the edge of my seat wanting to know what would happen next and how Ivy would overcome. 

   I liked the ending and how characters came together and really fought for one another and it gave a unity to them and I will be following this series, and happy with this book. 

Bottom Line: Good second book, love the author and romance.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Ever been to New Orleans?

Waiting on Wednesday, WoW

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. I also feature books that may have already released, but I am anxiously waiting to read.

This week, I'm featuring:

How to Keep Rolling After a Fall

Cozzo, Karole

After a cyber bullying incident turns her life upside down, a handsome wheelchair rugby player shows a former mean girl that everyone deserves a second chance in this swoonworthy new novel from the author of How to Say I Love You Out Loud.

The party was at her house. The photos were posted to her Facebook account. That's all the evidence anyone needed to condemn Nikki Baylor for a cyberbullying incident that humiliated a classmate and nearly resulted in the girl's suicide. Now Nikki's been expelled from her old school, her friends have abandoned her, and even her own parents can't look her in the eye. With her plans for the future all but destroyed, Nikki resigns herself to being the girl everyone hates - almost as much as she hates herself. But then Nikki meets Pax, a spirited wheelchair rugby player who knows what it's like when one mistake completely shatters your life. Refusing to judge her because of her past, he shows her that everyone deserves a second chance... and everyone deserves to be loved.

Releases: August 2nd 2016 by Swoon Reads

What are you waiting on?

Review: Because I Love You by Tori Rigby

Because I Love You by Tori Rigby



Publishes in US: May 17th 2016 by Blaze Publishing, LLC
Genre: ya contemp
Source: earc from Blaze via Netgalley
Disclaimer: I received this book as an ARC (advanced review copy). I am not paid for this review, and my opinions in this review are mine, and are not effected by the book being free.
Series? no

Buy it: Amazon IndieBound Book Depository Barnes and Noble

Author stalk away: ~site ~twitter ~facebook ~blog

    I wanted to read Because I Love You because I am drawn to books about teenage pregnancy and I haven't read one lately, besides the one that was written in prose and I can't remember the name right now. 

    

    I feel for Andie of course, because we always think especially as teens that we are immune, that things like an unplanned pregnancy is something that happens to other people. What makes it worse for her is that the father is Carter, part of a three way best friendship. They had vowed to not ever date one another because they didn't want to mess things up. Andie lies to Heather, the third best friend because she doesn't want her to know that she slept with Carter, and things go downhill from there. Of course the truth comes out and Carter even denies sleeping with her much less being the father, and things become even tougher for Andie. 

    Luckily, an old friend- actually ex-boyfriend Neil is able to be there for her when Heather and Carter turn on her. I like Neil, he has depth, and he truly cares for Andie, and now has a second chance to prove it to her. They become close, and I enjoyed the evolution of that. Neil has a tough life too, and he opens up some to Andie about it, and that makes them closer. But he hides behind a bad boy reputation and his collection of wit, and humor. 

  

    Neil is so mature and accepting, I loved him hard. He is a spectacular book boyfriend. 

   I also liked the other friendship that formed in this one, with a quiet nerd named Jill, that Andie never really noticed before in the cheerleading glory and what she'd thought was a solid friendship with Heather and Carter. 

    Andie is part of a religious family, with part of them even in the missionary. She doesn't want to tell them and feels like getting pregnant is punishment for the sin of premarital sex. But this actually only plays a role at the beginning. There was a lot of talk between Andie and her mom, and I liked seeing that relationship strengthen as well after the initial shock. But Andie's mom hid a lot from her, and one thing I can understand but it did add a twist to the story. The other thing, I think was unfair to hide and once again, for me, it came out of nowhere and I think that at that point the plot was just going in too many directions. 

   I liked the ending, and the self realization and realizing that being a good parent can look a multitude of different ways. 

Bottom Line: Liked the characters, quick but emotional read.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Know anyone who's adopted?

Waiting on Wednesday, WoW

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. I also feature books that may have already released, but I am anxiously waiting to read.

This week, I'm featuring:

P.S. I Like You

West, Kasie *

What if the person you were falling for was a total mystery?

While Lily is spacing out in Chemistry one day, she picks up her pencil and scribbles a line from one of her favorite songs on the desk. The next day, someone else has written back to her on the desk! Soon enough Lily and the mystery student are exchanging notes, and lyrics, and even sharing secrets. When Lily finds out that her anonymous pen pal is a guy, she's flustered -- and kind of feels like she's falling for him. She and her best friend set out to unravel the identity of the letter writer -- but when the truth is revealed, the guy is the LAST person Lily could have ever imagined it to be. Now that Lily knows the truth, can she untangle her feelings and gather the courage to listen to her heart?

From beloved author Kasie West (The Distance Between Us) comes an utterly charming story about mixed messages, missed connections, and the magic of good old-fashioned secret admirer notes.


Releases: July 26th 2016 by Point

What are you waiting on?

Review: Chasing Stars by Helen Douglas

Chasing Stars (After Eden #2) by Helen Douglas

The boy Eden loves just saved her life. Now she must save his. To do so she must make a huge sacrifice. Eden can never see her friends or family again, as she travels a hundred years into the future. But the dangerous risk Ryan took to rescue Eden has been uncovered, and now Ryan faces an exile ...which will leave Eden separated from him - the one person she can't live without - and stuck in the future. She must fight to save both of them.
The mesmerising sequel to the author's wonderful debut, After Eden.

Publishes in US: June 5th 2014 by Bloomsbury Childrens Books
Genre: ya sci-fi time travel
Source: bloomsbury via netgalley
Disclaimer: I received this book as an ARC (advanced review copy). I am not paid for this review, and my opinions in this review are mine, and are not effected by the book being free.
Series? After Eden #2

Buy it:  Barnes and Noble Amazon

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    I didn't remember the first one so I was very confused until about 4% in. Then I slowly started to get a handle on things... But I knew that I enjoyed the romance and the characters in the first book, so I wanted to stick with it. 

   Side note: I am also very confused because I got this on netgalley, but goodreads says it was published two years ago...

    I was glad that I stuck with it because I got very into the story at about 20%. I liked meeting Ryan's friends in the future. Eden's transition was hard to watch because suddenly she was in the spotlight, in a new time, knowing hardly no one, and they had Ryan locked up awaiting trial. 

   Peg was my favorite of Ryan's friends, and he was a good friend to Eden, helping her adjust and helping her plan for her and Ryan to be back together. 

   The love story was still present, but it took a backseat to her planning, adjustment and the action of trying to free Ryan after he's sentenced to work in the moon mines for the rest of this life. 

    The ending was interesting and fit, but not sure if they will have more of a story, or if that was the final piece. I think I am okay either way... 

Bottom Line: Slow to start but became a nice

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Would you time travel to be with your boy/girlfriend?

Review: Detached by Christina Kilbourne

Detached by Christina Kilbourne

Anna has always been so level-headed, so easy-going, so talented and funny. How could anyone have guessed she wanted to die?
Anna is not like other people. For one thing, she’s been an accomplished artist since she was a preschooler. For another, she’s always felt like she didn’t belong: not with other kids, not with her family, not in her body. It isn’t until her grandparents are killed in a tragic accident, however, that Anna starts to feel untethered. She begins to wonder what it would be like if she didn’t exist and the thought of escaping the aimless dhttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26257689-detached" target="_blank">

Publishes in US: August 13th 2016 by Dundurn Press
Genre: ya contemp
Source: earc from Dundern via netgalley
Disclaimer: I received this book as an ARC (advanced review copy). I am not paid for this review, and my opinions in this review are mine, and are not effected by the book being free.
Series? no

Buy it: Amazon IndieBound Book Depository Barnes and Noble

Author stalk away: ~site

    I wanted to read Detached because I am drawn to stories that deal with mental illness and it sounded like one that would deal with the issue as well as suicide in a realistic way. 

   It's told in multiple narratives from Anna, perfectly normal and middle class from the outside, she even has her looks and talent with art to boost that. But it also shows that depression does not discriminate. She's never felt like she fit in, and she has an obsession with a bridge that is known as a suicide spot. She thinks that she's suffering too much, especially since the death of her grandparents, like it opened her eyes that death is an ending, and in her mind- a sweet release and escape. It's tough to get inside that mindset and the hopelessness... but it is true to life. I deal with these thoughts and bipolar--so the author has done her research. 

   The other point of view is her close friend Aliya. She's moved a lot and transferred schools a ton, and she was drawn to Anna from the first time she saw her. She said it was her beauty, but also that she looked distracted and she wanted to know what was on her mind. 

   We also heard from Anna's mom, where we got a picture of the family dynamics. Anna's grandmother was close since they shared the love of art. We also got to see some of Anna's actions--skipping school, the party where she ended up in the river freezing cold, and such from another perspective, and how worried she was. 

   The ending where we saw her go through treatment was such a transformation. To see her not numb and actually feeling was wonderful. She still had a hard time don't get me wrong, but seeing the difference that meds can  make and transform the way she sees the world, feels things and sees herself was a beautiful thing to see. 

Bottom Line: Realistic look at depression, suicidal thoughts, how mental illness can effect everyone around the person.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Are you at all artistically inclined?

Waiting on Wednesday, WoW

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. I also feature books that may have already released, but I am anxiously waiting to read.

This week, I'm featuring:

Speed of Life

Kelly, J.M. *

Twins Crystal and Amber have the same goal: to be the first in their family to graduate high school and make something of their lives. When one gets pregnant during their junior year, they promise to raise the baby together. It’s not easy, but between their after-school jobs, they’re scraping by.

Crystal’s grades catch the attention of the new guidance counselor, who tells her about a college that offers a degree in automotive restoration, perfect for the car buff she is. When she secretly applies—and gets in—new opportunities threaten their once-certain plans, and Crystal must make a choice: follow her dreams or stay behind and honor the promise she made to her sister. 

Releases: October 11th 2016 by HMH Books for Young Readers

What are you waiting on?

Waiting on Wednesday, WoW

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. I also feature books that may have already released, but I am anxiously waiting to read.

This week, I'm featuring:

The Struggle (Titan, #3)

Armentrout, Jennifer L. *

Releases: March 2017 by Jennifer L. Armentrout

What are you waiting on?

Review: Into the Abyss by Stefanie Gaither

 Into the Abyss (Falls the Shadow #2) by Stefanie Gaither

Violet has lost her memory, and her sense of self—but can she decide who she wants to be in time to save the world? Find out in this sequel to Falls the Shadow, which Kirkus Reviews called perfect “for fans of Divergent and The Hunger Games.”
Violet Benson used to know who she was: a dead girl’s clone, with a dead girl’s memories. But after Huxley’s attempt to take over the government left her memories and personality wiped, all she has left is a mission: help the CCA fight back against the rest of Huxley’s deadly clones that are still at large.
But when a group of clones infiltrate CCA headquarters, Violet is blamed. Already unsure of where her loyalties should lie, Violet finds herself running away with an unlikely ally: Seth, Jaxon’s unpredictable foster brother. With Seth at her side, Violet begins to learn about a whole new side of her city’s history—and her own.
But when she learns the shocking truth about cloning, Violet will have to make a choice—and it may be one that takes her away from everyone she ever loved.

Publishes in US: August 30th 2016 by Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
Genre: ya dystopia
Source: earc via Edelweiss from Simon teen
Disclaimer: I received this book as an ARC (advanced review copy). I am not paid for this review, and my opinions in this review are mine, and are not effected by the book being free.
Series? Falls the Shadow #2

Buy it: Amazon IndieBound Book Depository Barnes and Noble

Author stalk away: ~site
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Karen at For What It's Worth and Mary at The Book Swarm occasionally post twitter-style reviews. Karen calls hers Short and Tweet, and I am going to borrow that review style here.

My short and tweet review: 

Couldn't remember 1st book plot--was confused. Slower start, but then picked up.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
What do you think about cloning?