Bookish Related Stuff {1}

Posted in Book News by Lacey

Hi everyone! I’m a bit bored right now (actually I’m supposed to be studying, ahem, but oh well), so I decided, Why not make a new post? But about what, exactly? Yeah, I’m not really sure either. Well, I guess this post is going to be more of a compilation of random book-related things rather than a typical book review. SO. What should I start off first with…

OH!! If you didn’t already know from a previous post about the incredible Colleen Hoover, Cathy, Shirley and I LOVE her. We absolutely ADORE ~~WIll and Holder~~ her books. And this morning, Cathy told me that Colleen had a new post up on her blog, and OH MY GOD it’s a deleted scene!!!! AAAAHHHHH!!! It’s acutally PRETTY SPOILERY, so if you haven’t read Slammed yet, you probably shouldn’t read it. But for those who have finished Slammed (WOOT YOU ROCK) then go check it out and read it HERE!!! It’s such a heart-wrenching scene, and Colleen does such an amazing job of portraying all the emotions, so I’m pretty sad this didn’t actually turn up in the book.

Yesterday (5/28/13), so many new books were released! But the ones I’m SO FREAKING EXCITED to read are:
(Click the covers to go read the summaries!)

Guys, guys, you seriously have no idea how unbelievably excited I am to read Dare You To. Like, holy mackeral. I’ve been waiting for it since I finished the first book, Pushing the Limits, which is one of my all-time FAVORITE books ever. GOD, I’m just anxiously waiting for my copy to arrive in the mail so I can finally read it! Oh, and The Forever of Ella and Micha is an eagerly awaited sequel, even though I thought the first book, The Secret of Ella and Micha, was only okay and not very impressive. And Spirit is book #3 in the Elemental series, which is a fantastic series about a family of 4 boys with awesome powers, and just really fun to read. I’ve already read Book #1 and #2, so if cute boys and magic powers are your thing, check that series out!

I’m in a huge dilemma. I don’t know what book I’m going to start reading. DUN DUN DUN. But seriously, I have SO many books to read that I don’t know where to start. And it’s killing me! I recently was recommended by a friend a book called Crash, and she LOVED it, so I might start that. Or Prodigy by Marie Lu. GAH I DON’T KNOW WHICH TO CHOOSE THERE’S TOO MANY GOOD ONES!!

And speaking of Crash, the author, Nicole Williams, has a new series, and it sounds like something I would love to read. Lost and Found is the first book, and the second book, Near and Far, just had its cover revealed. Lookie! Both covers so pretty!

And oh my gosh, a dear friend of mine recently wrote a review for an incredible book called Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys, and I just wanted to share it with you because both the review and the book are so heartfelt and amazing! Read her review here!

Susan Ee, author of one of my absolute favorites books ever, just announced that the sequel to Angelfall has a name and description!!!

World After (Penryn & the End of Days, Book 2)

In this sequel to the bestselling fantasy thriller, Angelfall, the survivors of the angel apocalypse begin to scrape back together what’s left of the modern world.

When a group of people capture Penryn’s sister Paige, thinking she’s a monster, the situation ends in a massacre. Paige disappears. Humans are terrified. Mom is heartbroken.

Penryn drives through the streets of San Francisco looking for Paige. Why are the streets so empty? Where is everybody? Her search leads her into the heart of the angels’ secret plans where she catches a glimpse of their motivations, and learns the horrifying extent to which the angels are willing to go.

Meanwhile, Raffe hunts for his wings. Without them, he can’t rejoin the angels, can’t take his rightful place as one of their leaders. When faced with recapturing his wings or helping Penryn survive, which will he choose?

And to wrap this up, here are some upcoming books I’m DYING to read…

❤ Holder ❤ Camden ❤ Four ❤ Noah ❤ Jared ❤ Hector ❤ (LOL sorry I just had to squeeze that in there before I ended things…)

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29May2013

Review: Tangled by Emma Chase

Posted in 5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Tangled by Emma Chase
Series: Tangled #1 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: May 20th 2013
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

Drew Evans is a winner. Handsome and arrogant, he makes multimillion dollar business deals and seduces New York’s most beautiful women with just a smile. He has loyal friends and an indulgent family. So why has he been shuttered in his apartment for seven days, miserable and depressed?

He’ll tell you he has the flu.

But we all know that’s not really true.

Katherine Brooks is brilliant, beautiful and ambitious. She refuses to let anything – or anyone – derail her path to success. When Kate is hired as the new associate at Drew’s father’s investment banking firm, every aspect of the dashing playboy’s life is thrown into a tailspin. The professional competition she brings is unnerving, his attraction to her is distracting, his failure to entice her into his bed is exasperating.

Then, just when Drew is on the cusp of having everything he wants, his overblown confidence threatens to ruin it all. Will he be able untangle his feelings of lust and tenderness, frustration and fulfillment? Will he rise to the most important challenge of his life?

Can Drew Evans win at love?

Tangled is not your mother’s romance novel. It is an outrageous, passionate, witty narrative about a man who knows a lot about women…just not as much as he thinks he knows. As he tells his story, Drew learns the one thing he never wanted in life, is the only thing he can’t live without.

This book. Was. Hilarious. I seriously COULD NOT stop laughing while reading it! And you know what happens when a book makes me laugh out loud constantly? I end up loving everything-the characters, the story, the entire book. Tangled was such a great read. It’s fun, light-hearted, dorky at times, and all told by a male-POV. It’s romance at its finest.

I love Drew Evans. Yep, I just gotta say it. I love Drew Evans. He’s funny, sarcastic, hot, smart, and sexy, so what’s not to love about him? Oh, except… he’s a manwhore. Yup, Drew is a manwhore, and it takes a special woman named Katherine Brooks to change his manwhoring (is that even a word?) ways. At the start of the book, Drew is a mess. Katherine has dumped him, and he doesn’t know what to do with himself anymore. But instead of making it cheesy and sappy, Drew narrates in such a way where he sucks you into the story and you just can’t stop reading-or laughing! And you can’t help but root for Drew and hope he gets his HEA.

It was so entertaining to see Drew slowly falling in love, and freaking out about it. He’s never felt that way before for any woman, and it’s just the funniest thing to see him to falling in love with a woman who takes no crap from him. Their relationship actually starts off as a hate-at-first-sight thing. Enemies to lovers! But when Drew realizes Katherine is IT for him, he goes all out to win the love of his life, and hilarity ensues. Honestly, the things Drew does are insane and would drive anybody crazy. But at the same time, he’s just so sweet and adorable.

I had such a fun time reading this book. It’s a perfect read for romance lovers, although, fair warning, Drew holds nothing back in his narration. He tells it like it is from a man’s POV. And oh my god, it’s freaking hilarious.

Reading Order: Tangled series

#1 ~ Tangled: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#1.5 ~ Holy Frigging Matrimony: My Review • Ebook • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Twisted: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Tamed: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ Tied: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

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28May2013

Review: The Elite by Kiera Cass

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Shirley

The Elite by Kiera Cass
Series: The Selection #2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: April 23rd 2013
Purchase: Ebook • Hardcover • Paperback

The hotly-anticipated sequel to the New York Times bestseller The Selection.

Thirty-five girls came to the palace to compete in the Selection. All but six have been sent home. And only one will get to marry Prince Maxon and be crowned princess of Iléa.

America still isn’t sure where her heart lies. When she’s with Maxon, she’s swept up in their new and breathless romance, and can’t dream of being with anyone else. But whenever she sees Aspen standing guard around the palace, and is overcome with memories of the life they planned to share. With the group narrowed down to the Elite, the other girls are even more determined to win Maxon over—and time is running out for America to decide.

Just when America is sure she’s made her choice, a devastating loss makes her question everything again. And while she’s struggling to imagine her future, the violent rebels that are determined to overthrow the monarchy are growing stronger and their plans could destroy her chance at any kind of happy ending.

Ohmygoodness, I was SO excited to read this book! First off, whose team are you guys on!? Team Maxon for me because Aspen is just like…LIKE GET OVER HER OKAY JUST STOP PLEASE YOU ARE SO ANNOYING. But anyways, if you guys haven’t already read The Selection, I highly recommend it! & also if you haven’t, this review MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS FROM THE 1ST BOOK.

I was super ecstatic to start The Elite because I got such great VIIBES (omg why am I using this word so much idek) from The Selection so I was expecting The Elite to be similar, if not better. well, I’m going to be straight up with you guys-it wasn’t. America was so annoying in this one and her indecisiveness between Maxon and Aspen was just SO FRUSTRATING I JUST WANTED TO SLAP HER FACE. I hated how she tells Maxon that she chooses him, and then THAT NIGHT, she sneaks out to Aspen. LIKE UH GIRL WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU NO WONDER WHAT HAPPENED AT THE END HAPPENED.

However although I was quite frustrated throughout the entire novel, I do have to say that I did enjoy many parts of it!

Okay guys I guess my reviews are just going to be short and sweet. Or in this cause since it is a slightly negative review, short and bitter.

Reading Order: The Selection series

#0.5 ~ The Prince • Ebook • Goodreads
#1 ~ The Selection: Ebook • Hardcover • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ The Elite: Ebook • Hardcover • Paperback • Goodreads
#2.5 ~ The Guard: Ebook • Goodreads
#3 ~ The One: Ebook • Hardcover • Paperback • Goodreads
The Selection Stories (The Prince & The Guard): Paperback • Goodreads

27May2013

Review: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Posted in 5 hearts, Reviews by Catherine

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Series: Standalone
Publication Date: January 10th 2012
Purchase: Ebook • Hardcover • Paperback

Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 13, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumours in her lungs… for now.

Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too; post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumours tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault.

Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind.

The Fault in Our Stars is one of my top three favorite books! (Right after Harry Potter and before Divergent.) (:

I’ve read this book 1.5 times, and it is amazing! (I read it halfway through the second time because it was just SO INCREDIBLY SAD that I could not handle it. But I will reread it again one day!) (=

So TFiOS is about two star-crossed lovers, Hazel Grace and Augustus Waters, who both have to deal with this terrible disease we all know and hate called cancer. Now, if you really don’t know anything about TFiOS, don’t brush this book off as merely, “another cancer book.” It’s incredibly touching, deep, and unique from any other “cancer” book you have read or will ever read, I personally guarantee it! (=

TFiOS is narrated by Hazel, whose dark sense of humor and oddities make her immediately likeable to the reader. Well, that’s an understatement. All the characters in TFiOS, Hazel, Gus, Isaac (Gus and Hazel’s friend), even the parents, are extremely loveable! Gus’ pretentious, grandiose personality is a perfect compliment to Hazel’s sarcastic and witty personality as well. Their conversations in themselves are interesting, and a lot of the times, even eye-opening, although they seem to not make sense half the time. While reading the book, I formed an extreme (maybe a bit excessive) emotional attachment to the characters.

Another reason why I love this book so much, is that John Green was able to expose a side to cancer that most of us (as long as we’re fortunate enough to not have to experience cancer ourselves or through loved ones) don’t get to see. As discussed in the book, when most cancer victims pass away, we always say, “They fought a brave battle against cancer, and never wavered in spirit.” But John Green also revealed the dark side to cancer, when it exposes vulnerability within the family to the cancer patients themselves. Of course those with cancer fight the disease with everything within their power, because what other way would you fight it? Yet it’s nearly impossible to be strong all the time, so I believe John Green balanced the good and bad times that cancer patients must go through well.

Overall, The Fault in Our Stars is an incredible book because it tugs at your heart throughout the story. The characters are so funny and instantly loveable. Even after reading the book, the story itself sticks in your head, causing you to rethink what life in general is about. And to quote from the book, “Live your best life today.” ❤

OF COURSE THIS BOOK IS FIVE HEARTS!

26May2013

Early Review: Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo
Series: The Grisha #2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: June 4th 2013
Purchase: Ebook • Hardcover • Paperback

Darkness never dies.

Hunted across the True Sea, haunted by the lives she took on the Fold, Alina must try to make a life with Mal in an unfamiliar land, all while keeping her identity as the Sun Summoner a secret. But she can’t outrun her past or her destiny for long.

The Darkling has emerged from the Shadow Fold with a terrifying new power and a dangerous plan that will test the very boundaries of the natural world. With the help of a notorious privateer, Alina returns to the country she abandoned, determined to fight the forces gathering against Ravka. But as her power grows, Alina slips deeper into the Darkling’s game of forbidden magic, and farther away from Mal. Somehow, she will have to choose between her country, her power, and the love she always thought would guide her–or risk losing everything to the oncoming storm.

It’s been a while since I’ve read a fantasy book. But let me tell you, fantasy is my THING. I know I can always enjoy myself with a fantasy book. Most of the books I read are actually not realistic fiction. And since I had such a hard time choosing a book to read next, I thought, Dude, it’s time for a fantasy book and Siege and Storm it was.

I received an advanced copy of Siege and Storm (which is so exciting) and ended up liking it much more than the first book. Shadow and Bone, the first book in the Grisha series, was a bit of a let down for me. I had expected it to be this amazing epic fantasy story, but to me, it fell a bit flat. I think it was mostly because I saw so much hype about Shadow and Bone that I had too high expectations for it. I still enjoyed reading it though, and would recommend it for big fantasy lovers.

Luckily, Siege and Storm turned out much better than Shadow and Bone. The plot was a lot more exciting and intense, and everything was more serious. The sequel focuses more on the consequences of Alina’s decisions from book one, and how Alina starts to grow, mature, and own up to her role as the powerful Sun Summoner. Oh, and of course, can’t forget how she has to save her world from the evil Darkling.

The Darkling is such an intriguing character, and I still don’t understand why. He’s terrible, evil, and cruel, yet I don’t hate him. And Alina doesn’t either, or at least not entirely, because he’s the only person in the world who understands her and her powers completely. So it kind of sucks that the person who connects with you the most turns out to be the most evil guy in the world. And I think that makes him the perfect villain.

My favorite part of the book is the new character that is introduced-Sturmhond! He’s hilarious, handsome, clever, annoying, and yet just a good guy at heart. He’s probably my favorite character of this series and the reason why I liked Siege and Storm as much as I did. But, ugh, the book started turning into a love square, with a Team Mal, a Team Darkling, and now a Team Sturmhond. I love choosing which team to root for, but when I don’t really think any of the love interests fit with the heroine, it turns out that I don’t really enjoy the book as much as I could. And even though I’m such a sucker for the best friends-to-lovers trope, I’m not a huge fan of Alina and Mal.

My biggest problem with Siege and Storm was the relationship strain between Alina and Mal. And it didn’t help that in some parts of the book, I wanted to throttle Alina. She kept being too indecisive and started keeping too many secrets to herself. If she had open up to Mal, I think a few, if not a lot, of their problems could have been worked out. But I hate it, absolutely hate it when the main characters’ relationship starts going downhill in the second book, especially after there was a (somewhat) happy ending in the first book. Gah, it makes me so angry sometimes when authors do this, because then I think, what was the point of them even having a HEA in the first book!?

I loved all the epic scenes in Siege and Storm, like when the Darkling goes all wacko or Alina becomes a badass and fights. Like the ending? SO. GOOD. And crazy. The book definitely ends with a bang. Hopefully, Leigh Bardugo will give us readers even more epic scenes in book #3, Ruin and Rising. Can’t say I’m dying to read it, but I’m definitely looking forward to it!

Reading Order: The Grisha series

#1 ~ Shadow and Bone: Ebook • Hardcover • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ Siege and Storm: Ebook • Hardcover • Paperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ Ruin and Rising: Ebook • Hardcover • Paperback • Goodreads

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Monthly Archives: May 2013

Bookish Related Stuff {1}