Review: Everything for Us by M. Leighton

Everything For Us by M. Leighton

Everything for Us by M. Leighton
Series: The Bad Boys #3 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: September 3rd 2013
Purchase: Ebook • Paperback

When it comes to passion this hot, it’s all or nothing. 

Olivia Townsend’s wealthy cousin Marissa had everything a girl could ask for—a great job, a privileged life, and all the friends she wanted. Or, at least, all the friends money could buy. But one case of mistaken identity has turned her privileged world upside down.

An abduction gone wrong lands her right in the lap of the sexiest, most dangerous man she’s ever met. To Marissa, he’s an enigma, but one to whom she’s irresistibly, inexplicably drawn.

With him comes a new world of freedom and passion, of dark shadows and dangerous secrets, a world where nothing is what it seems—except for the blind passion that Marissa can’t escape—or maybe even survive.

Even though I don’t spoil anything for Everything For Us, there WILL be spoilers for the previous two books, so be forewarned!

I’d been eagerly awaiting this new release because I’m a huge fan of the series. I mean, come on, it’s called The Bad Boys series, so how could I not love it? The romance in the previous two books is so thrilling and exciting, and Everything For Us is no different, even though it focuses on a different couple. So it’s goodbye to Cash (!!) and Olivia, and hello to Nash and Marissa.

As much as I adored Cash and his bad boy-ness, I had even higher expectations for Nash. He seemed to be even more bad, dark, intense, and might I even say, sexyAnd in Everything For Us, he absolutely lived up to my expectations. *Sigh* Nash. I loved him. He’s just so totally Alpha-male and in complete control of everything that you can’t help but fall for him. And you also can’t help but feel for him once you find out how he came to be such harsh, dark person. He went through such hell during his exile for seven years, and he was only a teenager when everything went bad for him! He was dealt with horrible circumstances, and tried his best to do what he had to do to survive, even if it turned him into a not-so-good man. It was sad though, seeing how beneath all his revenge for his dead mother, he was just a lonely man. He doesn’t trust anybody, not even his twin, and he has no one he can really count on. And it’s so gratifying and satisfying to see him finally falling for a woman he can trust his heart to.

Of course, it’s not that easy for Nash, the stubborn man he is. He really, really resists letting his heart get anywhere near Marissa. Which was a bit frustrating. A lot of the time, I was just thinking, Just admit your feelings already, Nash! Grrr. But despite all this, he’s still one delish man. He’s protective of those he loves, and knows how to be deadly enough to protect them. And he’s so determined! When he wants something, there’s absolutely no stopping him from going after it. *Swoon*

Marissa turned out to be someone that I really, really liked. She was a horrible bitch in the other books in the series, but an abduction is sure to change anybody, including Marissa. Throughout the book, I started liking her more and more, every time she’d stand up for herself against her father. I felt for her when she realized that because of who she’d been in the past, just like Nash, she really has no one to be herself with. So of course these two scarred, lonely people would gravitate towards one another to try to find a little bit of happiness.

Everything For Us didn’t disappoint. There was sweet and tender, there was sexy and thrilling, and there was action and suspense. Everything connected so smoothly, and the characters stand out so well. The romance was a bit slow,though, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I highly recommend this series, and I’m really hoping for a book for Gavin! *fingers crossed*

4-hearts
lacey

Reading Order: The Bad Boys series

Down to You by M. Leighton Up to Me by M. Leighton Everything For Us by M. Leighton

#1 ~ Down to You: Ebook • PaperbackGoodreads
#2 ~ Up to Me: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ Everything for Us: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads

Early Review: Breaking Nova by Jessica Sorensen

Breaking Nova by Jessica Sorensen

Breaking Nova by Jessica Sorensen
Series: Nova #1 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: September 3rd 2013
Purchase: Ebook • Paperback
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher (Forever) in exchange for an honest review

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 chest 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?

This story was sad, heartbreaking, and yet, in the end, so full of hope. My thoughts are, to be honest, quite jumbled over this book. There was so much angst and sadness and desolation for these two seemingly hopeless characters, but I still held on to the hope that there would be some sort of happy end for them. Breaking Nova could be categorized as a romance, I suppose, but for me, it was less of a romance and more of a story of two people coming together at the very lowest points of their lives. And they connect with one another in a powerful way, one they’ve never had with anyone else. They may or may not end up together at the end of this series, but I’d be perfectly happy with either way, as long as Nova and Quinton each find a way to have a happy future. (The romantic in me wishes they’ll have a HEA though!)

Sadness. Angst. Depression. Anguish. Pain. These are only a few of the things that Nova and Quinton are going through from the beginning of the book. My heart broke so much for them both. I can’t even imagine the heartache and grief each of them go through in their situations. Already from the get-go, the story goes straight downhill. It went so downhill, in fact, that I became very worried about whether it was possible for either Nova or Quinton to get back up. For both of them, death is sadly a huge part of their lives. From the beginning of the book, they lose people they love in horrifying ways, and those losses shape their very souls: who they are, what they are, how they act, etc. Unfortunately, both turn to drugs to get away from the pain. It was difficult for me to read, since I’m not a fan of reading about drug abuse, but while I didn’t like it, I could understand how they wanted a way to forget the pain and the memories that continue to haunt them.

I honestly loved the writing. The words are almost lyrical in a way, flowing so smoothly. Sometimes, I’d come across a sentence or paragraph that would stick out to me, and it would make me think about myself and about others, and that’s such a powerful thing for books to do. Make you re-evaulate yourself and others, re-evaluate life. I applaud Jessica Sorensen for writing a book that had so much raw, gritty emotion and made me feel so much. Just thinking about the book again makes my heart hurt a little.

I am SO glad for the last 20-25% of the book, because honestly, if I had to read an ENTIRE book that only had pain and suffering, I would not enjoy it at all. So thank goodness for the last part. Because as devastating and heartbreaking the rest of the book was, there was still hope. Breaking Nova is not a happy book, but the end left me feeling like Nova and Quinton might possibly have a better future for themselves. Maybe not right then, but like they’d eventually find a way to pull themselves out of that deep, dark place they are in. Quinton, who has so much more shame and guilt, would have a harder time with this, but I have no doubt that he’ll find a way, or else Nova will for him, to heal.

And I love that the story played out almost like a movie. All of Jessica Sorensen’s books that I’ve read have an almost cinematic quality to them, at least more than the usual imagining the story inside your head thing. Her books would make perfect movies.

I really, really enjoyed Breaking Nova. It was moving and powerful and bittersweet. I didn’t love it, but I’d definitely recommend it to those who like angst to the max in their books. SO looking forward to the sequel. (Fingers crossed for a happier book!)

4 hearts for this difficult, heartbreaking, captivating read.

4 hearts
lacey

Reading Order: Nova series

Breaking Nova by Jessica Sorensen Saving Quinton by Jessica Sorensen Nova and Quinton No Regrets by Jessica Sorensen
Wreck Me by Jessica Sorensen Ruin Me by Jessica Sorensen Taking Chances by Jessica Sorensen

#1 ~ Breaking Nova: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ Saving Quinton: Ebook • Goodreads
#3 ~ Nova and Quinton: No Regrets: Ebook • Goodreads
#4 ~ Wreck Me: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#5 ~ Ruin Me: Ebook (Jan. 19, 2015)
#2.5 & #3.5 ~ Taking Chances: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads

Review: Near and Far by Nicole Williams

Near and Far by Nicole Williams

Near and Far by Nicole Williams
Series: Lost and Found #2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: July 28th 2013
Purchase: Ebook • Paperback

There’s optimistic. And there’s Jesse Walker.

If he wasn’t so charming, his sunny disposition and incessant grin would get old. Fast.

Falling in love with the broken girl who had at first seemed immune to anything resembling love was the best thing to happen to Jesse since the Walkers adopted him when he was five.

As Jesse’s life continues at the ranch and Rowen begins making her mark in the Seattle art community, they wonder where the middle ground is. Or if there even is one.

As push comes to shove, they’re forced to make choices neither are eager to make, and Jesse and Rowen have to face what their lives might look like without the other.

Can two people with such tragic pasts and different presents expect a promising future together? Whatever the answer, they’ll need a lot more than love to make it.

Sigh. I just love Jesse. He’s my favorite nice boy/cowboy (okay, so he’s the only nice boy/cowboy I know, but whatevs). I had just finished reading book 1, Lost and Found, when luck would have it that Near and Far was released! I was so, so glad that Jesse and Rowen’s story wasn’t quite over yet. And I love that in Near and Far, we get alternating chapters of Rowen and Jesse’s POVs. WE GET TO BE IN JESSE WALKER’S HEAD!!! AHHH!!! *SWOONS*

Ahem, where was I… yes, so you can be sure that I was SO excited to be reading Lost and Found’s sequel, because I LOVED that book, and I needed more Jesse! And I knew that I wouldn’t wouldn’t be disappointed, because it’s Nicole Williams (whom I adore) and hello, Jesse! I am definitely not one to turn down a sweet and sexy cowboy. And while I can’t say that I LOVED Near and Far (at least as much as the first book), I absolutely enjoyed reading it and thought it was a great way to end Rowen and Jesse’s story.

So summer is over and Rowen has to leave the ranch and Jesse, and has to start college. Jesse is still working at the ranch, and rarely has time to visit Rowen, so they have to deal with having a long distance relationship. Throw in a TA who might have a thing for Rowen from her art class and a new working girl at the ranch who definitely has her eyes on Jesse, and the drama unfolds.

Most of the book is about the main couple dealing with their long distance relationship. It’s not easy. As much as they love each other, and they do, very much, time away from each other takes its toll on both of them. Both Jesse and Rowen become a little insecure about themselves and about their relationship. Neither of them thinks they are good enough for the other. They don’t see that they are perfect for each other, and their relationship gets a little strained. It was mostly because of this that I couldn’t put my full attention to Near and Far. It’s not that I was bored-more like the book just couldn’t hold my attention. And because of that, I couldn’t love the book fully.

The best thing about Near and Far, besides Jesse of course, is seeing how much love Jesse and Rowen have for each other. No matter how much their relationship gets battered, their love for each other is strong and unwavering. I was swooning so hard every time Jesse talked about Rowen, because you just know that that girl is everything to him. And the same goes for Rowen.

We never really got to read about Jesse’s past in full detail in Lost and Found, but it’s all out there in Near and Far. And it was horrendous. We finally find out the full extent of how neglected and abused Jesse was during his childhood, and my heart went out to him. But it just makes it all the more incredible that despite Jesse’s terrible upbringing, he has found the ability to love and is loved in return, and he has such a heart of gold. He tries to see the good in everyone even knowing that some people are so bad they are unredeemable.

The second best thing in the book was GARTH! I totally fell for this dark, bad boy, his sarcasm and his inner goodness. Because underneath his bad boy facade lies a good guy underneath. He cares about Jesse and Rowen, as much as he pretends he doesn’t, and I absolutely CANNOT WAIT for his book, Finders Keepers.

I loved the ending of Near and Far. It was so sweet and heartfelt, and even a bit sad since Rowen and Jesse’s story has come to its end. But I’m hoping we get to see glimpses of them in Garth’s book! I highly recommend reading this series, or anything by Nicole Williams. Her books are just fantastic, and never disappointing!

4 hearts!
4-hearts

Ladies, I present to you, Jesse Walker (or his back at least):

Jesse Walker

Just LOOK at that sexylicious back. Like, hot damn. I can’t even handle it. *fans self*

lacey

Reading Order: Lost and Found series

Lost and Found by Nicole Williams Near and Far by Nicole Williams
Finders Keepers by Nicole Williams Losers Weepers by Nicole Williams Heart & Soul by Nicole Williams

#1 ~ Lost and Found: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ Near and Far: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ Finders Keepers: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#4 ~ Losers Weepers: My Review • EbookPaperbackGoodreads
#5 ~ Heart and Soul: Goodreads (June 16, 2015)

Review: The Elite by Kiera Cass

The Elite by Kiera Cass

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.

4 hearts
shirley

Reading Order: The Selection series

The Prince by Kiera Cass The Selection by Kiera Cass The Elite by Kiera Cass
The Guard by Kiera Cass The One by Kiera Cass The Selection Stories by Kiera Cass

#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

Early Review: Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

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!

4 hearts
lacey

Reading Order: The Grisha series

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo

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