Sunday 3 May 2015

(ARC) Book Review (472): A Shattered Moment (Fractured Lives #1) - Tiffany King


A Shattered Moment (Fractured Lives #1)

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Appropriate: New Adult
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n the new series by Tiffany King, the USA Today bestselling author of the Woodfalls Girls novels, six friends—fresh from high school graduation—discover that the future can come at you from out of nowhere.
This is Mackenzie’s story…

Mackenzie Wilson once had hope for what life had to offer, but everything changed on the night of her graduation. A year later, the only way she can find comfort is by keeping her head down and hoping she remains unnoticed at college.

When Bentley James discovered Mac in that twisted SUV, he was just a newbie EMT on his first call. It was a gut-wrenching moment that made him realize not everyone can be saved—and sometimes they don’t want to be.
A chance encounter on campus brings Bentley back into Mac’s life. Despite her initial resistance, he sets out to discover the girl hiding beneath a shield of seclusion. He evokes painful memories in Mac—but also feelings. As the spark between them grows, Mac must decide if she can let go of the past and believe in something as fragile as love…

My Thoughts.
Just from reading the synopsis of A Shattered Moment I knew I was going to love this book, having previously read and thoroughly enjoyed Tiffany's Woodfalls Girls series, I knew I was going to in for a treat.

What I find refreshing about this new adult book was that there were no secrets between our two main protagonists, usually we have to wait to discover the big reveal but not in this story, after a car accident that killed her friends and left her with a crippling leg injury that leaves her dependant on a cane, Mackenzie 'Mac' has shut herself off from interaction from everyone besides her parents, spending her time alone in her dorm room or venturing out to the campus library, that's where she runs into Bentley, but you see Bentley is no stranger to Mac, on his first job as a EMT he responded to the car acident that Mac was involved in, staying with her while she was trapped in the wreckage never leaving her side until she arrived at the hospital.

While initially shocked and taken aback by being face to face with a reminder of that tragic night where she lost so much and desperately wants to forget, Mac will find that Bentley will her bring her back to life, to start living again, and to help her come to terms with the accident that destroyed so many lives.

I liked the snippets of the night of the car accident interspersed throughot the story, as well as the alternate POV's of Mac and Bentley.

After the ending in this book I'm desperate for the second one, talk about leaving a person hanging.

Tiffany has written an enotionally heartbreaking yet uplifting story that is sure to touch you and leave an impact, well after you've turned the last page.

Another great addition to the new adult genre.

I give this 5/5 stars.


Meet the Author:
Tiffany KingUSA Today Bestselling author Tiffany King is a lifelong reading fanatic who is now living her dream as a writer, weaving Young Adult and New Adult romance tales for others to enjoy. She has a loving husband and two wonderful kids. (Five, if you count her three spoiled cats). Her addictions include: Her iPhone and iPad, chocolate, Diet Coke, chocolate, Harry Potter, chocolate, zombies and her favorite TV shows. Want to know what they are? Just ask.
For information on any of Author Tiffany’s titles, visit her blog at www.authortiffanyjking.blogspot.com
“Dreams do come true…Dream big.”
Where to connect with Tiffany
Twitter- @AuthorTiffany





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Saturday 2 May 2015

(ARC) Book Review (471): A Court Of Thorns And Roses (A Court Of Thorns And Roses #1) - Sarah J. Maas


A Court of Thorns and Roses (A Court of Thorns and Roses #1)

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A thrilling, seductive new series from New York Timesbestselling author Sarah J. Maas, blending Beauty and the Beast with faerie lore.

When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.

As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.Perfect for fans of Kristin Cashore and George R. R. Martin, this first book in a sexy and action-packed new series is impossible to put down!

My Thoughts.
Sarah has a gift for creating kick-ass heroines from Caelena of the Throne Of Glass series to her newest creation Feyre of the all new A Court Of Thorns And Roses series.

Based on my favorite fairytale Beauty And the Beast, the tale has been twisted so that Feyre our human heroine is sent to live in Prythian a land inhabited with fairies, and that is just what our Beast is, a fairy who can change from a Beast into a man.

While out hunting for food for her family and herself, Feyre kills a fairy in disguise as a wolf, a Beast comes knocking on her door and demands as payment that she is to spend the rest of her life living in his house with him, while at first she lets her hatred of fairies be known it's not long before she realises most of them aren't as bad as she was led to believe, and it's not too long before Feyre finds herself developing feelings for Tamlin her captor who once transformed from the Beast is extremely attractive, except for the mask that covers his upper face from a curse that has left him and everybody that belongs to his Spring Court unable to ever remove it.

Feyre will find herself caught up in the curse which will affect her more than she realises.

Filled with all the magic and excitement that Sarah brings to her writing, there is never a dull moment, with a cast of characters that are sure to entertain and amuse, Tamlin, Feyre and Lucian are sure to be revered up there with Sarah's most famous protagonist Caelena Sardothien, I'm anxiously awaiting the next book, I've found another new favorite series that I've fallen in love with.

This also happens to be one of the best Beauty And The Beast interpretations that I've ever read, and I've read quite a few.

Sarah J. Maas would have to be one of the best YA fantasy authors around today, it seems there's nothing that she writes that I don't fall in love with.

Everybody needs to pick this one up, it's nothing short of amazing.

I give this 5/5 stars.



Sarah J. Maas is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Throne of Glass series (Heir of Fire, Book 3, will be out in September 2014). Starting in Spring 2015, her New Adult Fantasy series, A Court of Thorns and Roses, will be published by Bloomsbury as well. 

Sarah lives in Southern California, and over the years, she has developed an unhealthy appreciation for Disney movies and bad pop music. She adores fairy tales and ballet, drinks too much coffee, and watches absolutely rubbish TV shows. When she's not busy writing, she can be found exploring the California coastline with her husband.

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Tuesday 28 April 2015

(ARC) Book Review (470): Trouble From The Start - Rachel Hawthorne


Trouble from the Start

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One of two companion novels from beach-read favorite Rachel Hawthorne, this cute, romantic paperback original is about a good girl who falls for a bad guy.

Avery knows better than to fall for Fletcher, the local bad boy who can’t seem to outrun his reputation. Fletcher knows he shouldn’t bother with college-bound, daughter-of-a-cop Avery. But when their paths cross, neither can deny the spark. Are they willing to go against everything and let their hearts lead the way? Or are they just flirting with disaster? Trouble from the Start releases simultaneously with companion novel The Boyfriend Project. These heartwarming paperback originals are the perfect summer reads, great for fans of Jennifer Echols, Lauren Barnholdt, and Susane Colasanti.

My Thoughts.
After coming of off reading some dark and depressing books I needed something light, funny and cute, and I got that in spades with Trouble From The Start.

So while I found this book to be your typical cliched and cheesy YA contemporary romance, I adored it, I couldn't seem to get enough, I found myself desperately eager to pick it up again once I'd put it down (damn you work), I had flown through it in no time, I just loved everything about it, I would have even reread it again straight away but since I have a tbr pile the size of Mount Everest I don't get the luxury to do that.

The bad boy Fletcher, the extremely smart good girl Avery and the romance they never saw coming, Fletcher has a reputation for endless hook ups with girls, fighting, stealing and generally not giving a damn, Avery is about to graduate high school without having had a real first kiss, first date or a boyfriend, when she gets drunk at a party she's beyond shocked when it's Fletcher who takes care of her and takes her home, neither were expecting the sparks and attraction they shared between them, but Avery is looking for a commited relationship not just a hook-up no matter how hot Fletcher is, and well with Fletcher a girl is lucky if she gets more than one date.

When circumstances have Fletcher staying in the apartment above the garage at Avery's house, they can't deny the chemistry between them, but Fletcher is hiding a secret that stops him from getting too close to anyone, a secret that has to do with the reputation he's famous for, one he's ashamed of, Fletcher will soon find that what he's needed all along is the one person he's denied himself getting close too Avery.

I wish there was more than one book for Fletcher and Avery, I know that there is a companion novel to this book which focus' on Avery's best friend Kendall and her boyfriend Jeremy but it's not the same and I really enjoyed the romance in this story, it just needed to be a lot longer.

A great YA contemporary, highly recommended.

I give this 5/5 stars.


Rachel Hawthorne, who also writes as Lorraine Heath and Jade Parker, is the daughter of a British beauty (her mother won second place in a beauty contest sponsored by Max Factor® during which she received a kiss from Caesar Romero-who played the Joker on the old Batman TV series) and a Texan who was stationed at Bovingdon while serving in the air force. Lorraine was born in Watford, Herts, England, but soon after moved to Texas. Her "dual" nationality has given her a love for all things British and Texan. She enjoys weaving both heritages through her stories.


When she received her BA degree in psychology from the University of Texas, she had no idea she had gained a foundation that would help her to create believable characters—characters that are often described as “real people.” She writes for both adult and young adult readers. She received a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for Americana historicals. Her novels have been recognized with a RITA, Romance Writers of America’s most prestigious award for excellence, a HOLT medallion award honoring outstanding literary fiction, a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award, five Texas Gold Awards, the Golden Quill Award, the Rising Star Award as well as other awards and recognitions. Her novels have been selections of the Doubleday and Rhapsody Book Club. Her novels have appeared on bestseller lists, including USA Today, Waldenbooks, and most recently, the New York Times. 

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Sunday 26 April 2015

(ARC) Book Review (469): Nova And Quinton: No Regrets (Nova #3) - Jessica Sorensen


Nova and Quinton: No Regrets (Nova #3)

Buy It: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Today is the first day of Quinton Carter's new life. The toxic guilt of his past left him in pieces-but one girl unexpectedly put him back together. Thanks to Nova Reed, Quinton can finally see the world with clear eyes. She's the reason his heart is still kicking behind the jagged scar on his chest. And he would love to have her in his arms every minute of the day . . . but he's not ready yet.
Playing drums in a band and living with her best friends are just some of the highlights of Nova's life. But the best new development? Talking to Quinton on the phone each night. She wishes she could touch him, kiss him, though she knows he needs time to heal. Yet shocking news is on the way-a reminder of life's dark side-and Nova will need Quinton like he once needed her. Is he strong enough to take the final leap out of his broken past . . . and into Nova's heart?
My Thoughts.
Nova And Quinton: No Regrets brings to a close the story of Nova and Quinton, with this book focusing mostly on Quinton and his release from rehab, his struggle with sobriety, avoiding the temptation of drugs and the underlying fear of a relapse.

Whilst the previous two books were quite dark and depressing, this book shows light at the end of the tunnel, not only for Quinton but Tristan too, faced with the outside world sober and having to deal with problems instead of getting high to forget them.

The one thing I didn't like with this book was that Nova and Quinton didn't come face to face until towards the end of the book, and while I understand why that was, it was none the less disappointing, but when they did it was well worth the long wait.

With Quinton just geting released from rehab and having to deal with emotions and life without dulling them down with drugs, he will need to overcome the guilt he has been feeling ever since the accident, the amount of blame he has placed on himself and to finally realise it wasn't his fault, having to also finally let go so he can move on with his life and possibly his future with Nova.

Nova who is living in an apartment with Tristan and her best-friend Lea is having to deal with the more than friendly feelings that Tristan is feeling towards her, knowing and hoping that things will work out with Quinton and having her heart set on him and their future, she needs to find a way to let him down gently, not wanting him to fall back on his drug habit by the news.

There is a sad and tragic death of a character that's been in the series right from the start, while it was shocking I can't say that I was surprised, and Nova finds herself to blame for not doing anything when she had the chance.

All in all I really enjoyed the closure the book brought to Nova and Quinton's story arc, while these books were quite hard to get through at some points I'm glad I did read them, Jessica had found herself a new fan who will definitely be picking up her other books.

I give this 4/5 stars.


Jessica Sorensen
The New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Jessica Sorensen, lives in the snowy mountains of Wyoming. When she's not writing, she spends her time reading and hanging out with her family.
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Saturday 25 April 2015

Book Review (468): Saving Quinton (Nova #2) - Jessica Sorensen


Saving Quinton (Nova #2)

Publication: 3rd February 2015
Publisher: Forever
Pages: 416
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Appropriate: New Adult
Buy It: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Nova Reed can't forget him-Quinton Carter, the boy with the honey-brown eyes who made her realize she deserved more than an empty life. His pain was so similar to her own. But Nova has been coming to terms with her past and healing, while Quinton is out there somewhere, sinking deeper. She's determined to find him and help him . . . before it's too late.

Nova has haunted his dreams for nearly a year-but Quinton never thought a sweet, kind person like her would care enough about a person like him. To Quinton, a dark, dangerous life is exactly what he deserves. And Nova has no place in it. But Nova has followed him to Las Vegas, and now he must do whatever it takes to keep her away, to maintain his self-imposed punishment for the unforgivable things he's done. But there's one flaw in his plan: Nova isn't going anywhere . . .
My Thoughts.
Saving Quinton was I would say more heart-wrenching than the first book Breaking Nova, the sense of devastation and defeat is at times so depressing, but sometimes you have to hit rock bottom to realise that things need to change, and in this book things definitely get really bad.

This book is sometimes hard to get through, the look into a life of drug users/dealers is far from pretty, not only the psychological but the physical effects the drugs take on your mind and body is extreme, until you're nothing but a shell of the person you used to be, some people don't want to be helped and believe in their minds that going down this road is what they deserve, this could not be more true for the characters in this book.

I'm not going to go too much into this story because I don't want to spoil anything for anybody who hasn't yet picked up any of the books, just know that drug use has spiraled completely out of control with Quinton and some other characters from the previous book, even moving onto the heavier drugs, just to be able to forget and not to feel anything, Nova who has gotten herself on the right path is determined to track down Quinton and convince him to go to rehab and that his life is worth living.

I shed a few tears throughout Saving Quinton, not only for Nova and Quinton but for Tristan and even Delilah whom I've come to immensely dislike, it's a life that I could only imagine and dread, the worthlessness these characters feel is just distressing and the realisation that this is their life and they are probably going to die from it makes for a story that's dark, depressing and heart-breaking.

I can't wait for the next book, I really need to know what's going to happen next, these books whilst focusing on a difficult subject are just so addictive and I find myself flying through them once I pick them up.

For people looking for a new adult series that's a whole lot more darker than your average contemporary romance then definitely give the Nova series a go.

I give this 4/5 stars.



The New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Jessica Sorensen, lives with her husband and three kids. When she’s not writing, she spends her time reading and hanging out with her family.
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Book Review (467): Breaking Nova (Nova #1) - Jessica Sorensen


Breaking Nova (Nova #1)

Publication: 7th October 2014
Publisher: Forever
Pages: 368
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Appropriate: New Adult
Buy It: Amazon  Barnes & Noble 
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Ella and Micha series comes a powerful story of love, healing, and impossible choices . . . 

BREAKING NOVA

Nova Reed used to have dreams-of becoming a famous drummer, of marrying her true love. But all of that was taken away in an instant. Now she's getting by as best she can, though sometimes that means doing things the old Nova would never do. Things that are slowly eating away at her spirit. Every day blends into the next . . . until she meets Quinton Carter. His intense, honey brown eyes instantly draw her in, and he looks just about as broken as she feels inside.

Quinton once got a second chance at life-but he doesn't want it. The tattoos on his arm are a constant reminder of what he's done, what he's lost. He's sworn to never allow happiness into his life . . . but then beautiful, sweet Nova makes him smile. He knows he's too damaged to get close to her, yet she's the only one who can make him feel alive again. Quinton will have to decide: does he deserve to start over? Or should he pay for his past forever?
My Thoughts.
Breaking Nova had me hooked from the first page, the prologue was an insight into the way Jessica set the tone for this story.

Letting the readers in on the tragedies that befell Nova and Quinton early on which turned them into the people we meet in the first chapter gives us an insight into why they have become so withdrawn, grief-stricken and prone to addiction, neither are coping with the tragedies that have defined them, both have in a way given up, Quinton especially who is on a downward spiral to nowhere.

Nova is home on Summer break, through her friend Delilah she finds herself hanging around with the wrong crowd, drug users/dealers and it's not long before she finds herself partaking in the drugs that seem to be prevalent throughout the trailer where they spend most of their time, living there is Quinton who has been disowned by all of his family except Tristan who's trailer he's staying in, Quinton bears a strong resemblance to somebody named Landon that Nova is desperately trying to forget that and the reason why he's no longer around with the drugs leaving her hazy and out of it, letting her for a time whilst high to not think or care about anything.

Nova and Quinton are both drawn to one another, each of them feel guilty about their feelings for each other, they both need saving, both need redemption and to neither feel guilty for actions beyond their control.

Breaking Nova is a story that features heavy subject matters, it doesn't shy away and doesn't apologise for what it is, this is real life, this stuff really happens, it's a sad but true fact that not everybody's lives are perfect, people struggle, some can only feel relief from the guilt in certain ways, to escape they turn to whatever they can to just forget if only for a little while, it's heartbreaking but realistic and I applaud Jessica for that.

After the ending I'm anxious to get to the next book which I have sitting here next to me waiting to be picked up, I really enjoyed this book I just hope life picks up for Quinton especially in the next book.

I give this 4/5 stars.



The New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Jessica Sorensen, lives with her husband and three kids. When she’s not writing, she spends her time reading and hanging out with her family.
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Tuesday 21 April 2015

Book Review (466): Home To You - Robin Kaye


Home to You

Publication: 7th April 2015
Publisher: Signet
Pages: 384
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Appropriate: Adult
Buy It: Amazon + Barnes & Noble
From the award-winning author of the Bad Boys of Red Hook series, a new novel about finding love where you least expect it…

Jackson Sullivan III has always lived up to his uncle’s expectations, until his career is sidelined, leaving him lost and in need of a retreat to his family’s cabin. But his solitude is interrupted by a beautiful visitor whose combative feelings about the Sullivans lead Jax to a surprising declaration: he pretends to be someone else.

Though she hasn’t seen the privileged scion since she was a child, Kendall Watkins hates everything Jackson Sullivan represents. She should know: her parents have managed the Sullivan estate for years. In need of her own peace and quiet, she heads to the cabin, never expecting to come face to face with the most handsome man she’s ever met. Soon stranded by a violent nor’easter, Jax and Kendall end up sharing more than they dreamed. But Jax knows that when the storm clears, his true identity will be revealed, and Kendall will be left with a betrayal that may be too great to forgive…
My Thoughts.
Home To You is one of those books that draw you in from the very first page, the kind of book that has you losing track of time as you become absorbed in the story of Kendall and Jackson 'Jack'.

I really enjoy stories that feature two people shut away and isolated in a cabin, add in the fact that Jack hasn't exactly been honest about his identity to Kendall letting her think that he's just a roofer not the millionaire businessman he really is and whom Kendall seems to have a problem with referring to him as the Grand Pooh-Ba.

Kendall arrives at the cabin to get away after losing her job and fiancee in the same day, add to that her car is damaged on the drive up to the cabin, she's really not having a good time of it, Jack is hiding away after an accident that has left him with a brain injury that affects his ability with numbers, from telling the time to counting, seeing as his job is in finance he can't let this news get out lest he risk losing a lot of clients and a whole lot of money.

Being alone together the chemistry is intense and in no time at all they find themselves giving in to the attraction, but real life will come knocking when Kendall discovers Jack's true identity can she ever forgive him?

This was such an entertaining and fun read, the characters were really likeable and I'm hoping that the next book will focus on Jamie and Addie, and to discover the secret that Addie's hiding which I have an idea about.

A fantastic start to an all new series, I'm happy to have Robin on my radar.

I give this 4/5 stars.


Robin Kaye was born in Brooklyn, New York and grew up in the shadow of the Brooklyn Bridge next door to her Sicilian grandparents. Living with an extended family that’s a cross between Gilligan’s Island and The Sopranos, minus the desert isle and illegal activities, explains both her comedic timing and the cast of quirky characters in her books.

She’s lived in half a dozen states from Idaho to Florida, but the romance of Brooklyn has never left her heart. She currently resides in Maryland with her husband, three children, two dogs, and a three-legged cat with attitude.

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