Tag Archives: 5 hearts

Review: Lost and Found by Nicole Williams

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Lost and Found by Nicole Williams

Lost and Found by Nicole Williams
Series: Lost and Found #1 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: May 7th 2013
Purchase: Ebook • Paperback

There’s complicated. And there’s Rowen Sterling.

After numbing pain for the past five years with boys, alcohol, and all-around apathy, she finds herself on a Greyhound bus to nowhere Montana the summer after she graduates high school. Her mom agreed to front the bill to Rowen’s dream art school only if Rowen proves she can work hard and stay out of trouble at Willow Springs Ranch. Cooking breakfast at the crack of dawn for a couple dozen ranch hands and mucking out horse stalls are the last things in the world Rowen wants to spend her summer doing.

Until Jesse Walker saunters into her life wearing a pair of painted-on jeans, a cowboy hat, and a grin that makes something in her chest she’d thought was frozen go boom-boom. Jesse’s like no one else, and certainly nothing like her. He’s the bright and shiny to her dark and jaded.

Rowen knows there’s no happily-ever-after for the golden boy and the rebel girl—happily-right-now is a stretch—so she tries to forget and ignore the boy who makes her feel things she’s not sure she’s ready to feel. But the more she pushes him away, the closer he seems to get. The more she convinces herself she doesn’t care, the harder she falls.

When her dark secrets refuse to stay locked behind the walls she’s kept up for years, Rowen realizes it’s not just everyone else she needs to be honest with. It’s herself.

Nicole Williams, I love you. You are one of my absolute favorite authors ever. I fell completely in love with your Crash series (Jude!!! <3) and when I found out about your new book, Lost and Found, I absolutely had to read it! And goodness gracious, it did not disappoint! I wholeheartedly loved every bit of Lost and Found. It’s got incredible characters who you can’t help but love and care for. My heart just went out to Rowen and Jesse, the Walker family, and even Garth. Nicole Williams writes characters that are just so well-written, and a story that is sure to entertain.

Rowen is who you would consider a bad girl. She’s slept with tons of guys, done drugs, gets into tons of trouble, etc. But she’s funny as hell, and I love her every time she cracks a joke. She’s just graduated high school, and is sent to work at a ranch by her mother (who is a total bitch and hag-bleh) to what she calls “Hicksville, USA.” Really, it’s just Montana, but there’s pretty much no difference to a city girl like Rowen. And she doesn’t expect to meet the one and only Jesse Walker, hottie and cowboy extraordinaire.

The fantastic thing about Rowen is that she’s easily relatable. Even though she’s what some would call “bad,” she’s still real and down to earth. She’s blunt and honest, and even a little lost. She doesn’t know who she is, what her purpose is in the world, and during her time at the ranch, she discovers parts of herself she never knew existed. Her self-discovery and self-awareness are what make Lost and Found so much more than just a bad girl meets a good guy (I’ll talk more about this yummy good guy later ;)). Rowen’s a teen just like any other who is struggling to find her place in the world. And she gets the chance to change her bad girl ways thanks to a heartwarming and welcoming family who shows her what it means to love and be loved.

Ahem. So. What do you get when you have a gorgeous blond, blue-eyed boy who’s also an all-around nice guy, and is a cowboy? Jesse Walker. *fangirls* I honestly can’t think of another book who has a guy as nice and good-natured as Jesse is. And I LOVE him for that. It’s endearing and sweet and wonderful how good he is. He has a heart of gold, but don’t worry, he’s not entirely perfect either. He’s got some secrets of his own, but they’ve done nothing but make him into the incredible man that he is. He’s the type of guy you wish existed, because he’d make the world a better place with his optimism and goodness. Not to mention the hot bod he’s got going on. *sighs* He’s a cowboy-so it’s muscles galore! 😉 Rowen falls for him so hard (how can you not?), and it’s the sweetest thing to see them growing to love each other more and more, to see Jesse break down that tough-girl wall Rowen has erected around her heart.

The characters and the story are just incredible, and I could go on and on about how much I loved this book, but I won’t! Just read this book!

5 hearts!
5-hearts

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

Review: The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen

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The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen

Series: Standalone
Publication Date: June 4th 2013
Purchase: Ebook • Hardcover

Luke is the perfect boyfriend: handsome, kind, fun. He and Emaline have been together all through high school in Colby, the beach town where they both grew up. But now, in the summer before college, Emaline wonders if perfect is good enough.Enter Theo, a super-ambitious outsider, a New Yorker assisting on a documentary film about a reclusive local artist. Theo’s sophisticated, exciting, and, best of all, he thinks Emaline is much too smart for Colby.Emaline’s mostly-absentee father, too, thinks Emaline should have a bigger life, and he’s convinced that an Ivy League education is the only route to realizing her potential. Emaline is attracted to the bright future that Theo and her father promise. But she also clings to the deep roots of her loving mother, stepfather, and sisters. Can she ignore the pull of the happily familiar world of Colby?

Emaline wants the moon and more, but how can she balance where she comes from with where she’s going?

Sarah Dessen’s devoted fans will welcome this story of romance, yearning, and, finally, empowerment. It could only happen in the summer.

OHMYGOODNESS YA’LL. I DONT KNOW IF YOU GUYS KNOW OF MY OBSESSION WITH SARAH DESSEN’S BOOKS????? BUT YOU’RE ABOUT TO FIND OUT.

So throughout my reading career (hehehhhh), I have religiously read all of Sarah Dessens’ books thoroughly. Ever since 8th grade, I have been in L O V E and hooked. HOOKED. LIKE A WORM HOOKED ON A…HOOK.

Obviously, I expected this book to be absolutely amazing. AND IT WAS. Although I didn’t cry, which is really weird for me since I cried in every single Sarah Dessen book, it was an amazing book and I’d definitely categorize it as a chick-lit.

OKAY TIME TO GET INTO THE NITTY GRITTY STUFF (do people even say this, what does it mean).

Sooooo. Personally, I think Luke and Emaline are SO CUTE TOGETHER OMG. CAUSE LIKE THEO IS PRETTY CLINGY AND ANNOYING. SERIOUSLY. At first it was like Awwww he’s such a cute romantic! but afterwards it was just like, boy. PUH-LEEEAASE. LUKE IS LIKE AWAAHHAHHHH<3 HE’S SO CUTE OMG. LIKE HIS ABS OHMYYY. but what he did was like mmM. nope, bye.

Emaline’s name is so pretty too like HOW DO YOU COME UP WITH THAT? And her step-brother is possibly the cutest thing that has ever walked on this planet. I’m glad that the book ended the way it did, and for SOME WEIRD REASON, as I am typing this review, I keep thinking about Second Chance Summer. Is that weird? Like I keep thinking about The Moon and More, but it’s actually Second Chance Summer. I’M GETTING ALL OF MY FACTS MIXED UP.

If you guys love Dessen too, this is a MUST READ.

And also, I love how Sarah Dessen always finds a way to put the title in the book. “I LOVE YOU TO THE MOON AND MORE” she’s amazing guys.

10/10 would recommend.

5-hearts

shirley

Review: Just One Day by Gayle Forman

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Just One Day by Gayle Forman

Just One Day by Gayle Forman
Series: Just One Day #1 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: January 8th 2013
Purchase: Ebook • Hardcover • Paperback

A breathtaking journey toward self-discovery and true love, from the author of If I Stay

When sheltered American good girl Allyson “LuLu” Healey first meets laid-back Dutch actor Willem De Ruiter at an underground performance ofTwelfth Night in England, there’s an undeniable spark. After just one day together, that spark bursts into a flame, or so it seems to Allyson, until the following morning, when she wakes up after a whirlwind day in Paris to discover that Willem has left. Over the next year, Allyson embarks on a journey to come to terms with the narrow confines of her life, and through Shakespeare, travel, and a quest for her almost-true-love, to break free of those confines.

Just One Day is the first in a sweepingly romantic duet of novels. Willem’s story—Just One Year—is coming soon!

This book was absolutely AMAZING. I can’t believe I haven’t read any of Gayle Forman’s content before! (actually I’m pretty sure I did, but I don’t remember at all…) I love this book because it takes place in one of my favorite places; England. (P.S. GOING TO EUROPE THIS SUMMER HOLLAH) The journey that Allyson goes through is literally ah-freaking-mazing and I kind of wish it happened to me too, except not really. ANYWAYS.

The guys she meets is Willem and whew girl. The adventures that they both go on like OHMYGOODNESS CAN THAT PLEASE HAPPEN TO ME. WHY DON’T BRITISH GUYS APPROACH ME.

But anyways, Allyson is on a school trip, and she doesn’t want to go to a Shakespearian play with the rest of her class because she already saw it, so her friend and her go out and walk around the streets, WHICH IS WHERE THEY MEET WILLEM. And that is when sparks f l y. They decide to go to Paris together, and this is completely out of Allyson’s character because she’s that typical goody-two-shoes. So when they’re in Paris, they have amazing adventures, and she begins to fall in love with him. & he’s so so sweet to her toooooo (‘: And then they sleep and when she wakes up he’s gone. SO she goes back home, and thinks about it like FOREVER.

Eventually she goes back to Paris and tries to track him down. SO YEAH AND THEN THINGS HAPPEN; I DON’T WANT TO SPOIL IT FOR YOU ALL

BOTTOM LINE: READ. IT.

Ya’ll already know.

5-hearts

shirley

P.S. I’m sorry for my lack of reviews! I’ve actually kind of taken a hiatus on reading (brb sobbing) because of SAT boot camp. sigh I thought I would have more time because of summer vacation, but I actually have less time than I did DURING school. Anyways, I’ll try to get more reviews up though!

Reading Order: Just One Day series

Just One Day by Gayle Forman Just One Year by Gayle Forman Just One Night by Gayle Forman

#1 ~ Just One Day: Ebook • Hardcover • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ Just One Year: Ebook • Hardcover • Paperback • Goodreads
#2.5 ~ Just One Night • Ebook • Goodreads

Review: Crush by Nicole Williams

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Clash by Nicole Williams

Crush by Nicole Williams
Series: Crash #3 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: April 23rd 2013
Purchase: Ebook • Paperback

Football glory. A giant diamond. A wandering eye.

Jude and Lucy are happily engaged . . . but that doesn’t mean life’s a bed of roses.

Once again, Jude and Lucy are torn apart by football training and a summer job that creates new tensions. This time Jude’s the one with trust issues. Will Lucy’s life-changing news bring them back together or end their relationship for good? Can love triumph forever?

God, Nicole Williams. I love you so much. Not only for writing one of my favorite series ever, but for giving me Jude Ryder. I seriously love that boy so, so much. I keep falling in love with him again and again each time I read a book in this series. And alas, Crush is the third and final book in this incredible series featuring Luce and Jude and their sweet, heartwarming romance.

I don’t really like how Goodreads gives the summary for Crush, so here’s my take: Luce and Jude still have problems in their relationship, but hey, not every relationship is perfect, right? Jude is on his way to becoming an all-star football player, and the money he’s making is getting to his head. Luce wants everything to stay the same because she’s happy with their relationship, so she’s getting pretty worried with how money will affect Jude and their relationship.

AH! Nicole Williams does an incredible job bringing the Crash series to its conclusion. Though Crush isn’t my favorite book in this series (Clash is), I still loved it. It was so nice to see how Luce and Jude deal with life in college, and how they decide on what they want in the future. I love that they’re taking their relationship seriously, questioning how they can make their relationship work and last forever. Because Luce and Jude are definitely a forever thing. They’re one of my absolute favorite couples ever, because their relationship is just so sweet, loving, passionate, and just down-to-earth and genuine. Throughout the entire series, I was just waiting for Luce and Jude to finally have the happily-ever-after they’ve been waiting for since they first met in high school, and Crush did not disappoint me. I was smiling so hard in the end, because Crush ends beautifully, leaving no doubt that the happy couple finally got their HEA.

I don’t really have much more to say, other than repeating myself over and over again how amazing this series is. I am now a huge fan of Nicole Williams and am willing to read anything she writes. I highly recommend the Crash series. It’s sweet, it’s fun, it’s romantic, and it’s got the best couple ever! The Crash series is for sure a favorite of mine, so go and get started if you haven’t already!

Since I’ve ended my reviews for both Crash and Clash with quotes from my darling Jude, here is one final quote showing just how incredibly sweet and absolutely swoon-worthy he is:

“That it doesn’t matter why I ran,” he said, staring at me without blinking, “because I came back. I’ll always come back, Luce. No matter how many rip-roaring fights we have and no matter how many miscommunications we have. I’ll always come back because you’re where I belong.”

5 hearts!

5-hearts

lacey

Reading Order: Crash series

Crash 2 by Nicole Williams Clash by Nicole Williams Crush by Nicole Williams

#1 ~ Crash: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ Clash: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ Crush: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads

Review: Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

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scarlet

Series: The Lunar Chronicles #2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: February 5th 2013
Purchase: Ebook • Hardcover • Paperback

The fates of Cinder and Scarlet collide as a Lunar threat spreads across the Earth…

Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She’s trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she’ll be the Commonwealth’s most wanted fugitive.

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit’s grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn’t know about her grandmother or the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother’s whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner.

Hey guys! Sorry for not reviewing in a while, school and finals week just took over my life, but it’s summer now so I have all the time in the world to review and read(: {except for SAT school but let’s not talk about that}

I remember getting this book from Lacey and thinking that I probably wasn’t going to enjoy it as much as the first book, Cinder, because it had two different point of views (Cinder’s and Scarlet’s). Normally, I don’t enjoy books with many point of views because I just want to concentrate on ONE character and I start getting confused between what is happening in whose point of view because there’s just so many feels and information going through my head. SOOO, when I started reading Scarlet, I was kind of bored, but that was also probably because I was being bias with my only one POV thing and I really did not understand why we had to read Scarlet’s story. LITTLE DID I KNOW.

I honestly loved both point of views so so much and they were both very interesting! There wasn’t an imbalance, with one being more interesting that the other.

*ALSO, IS IT JUST ME, OR am I literally the last person on Earth to realize that Cinder = Cinderella & Scarlet = Red Riding Hood. like what is wrong with me I am literally the slowest person ever.*

Anyways, if you guys have that feeling too about too many povs, try checking this book out! You might like love it like I did! I JUST TOTALLY LOVED THIS BOOK AND I DON’T THINK I EVER WENT THROUGH A BOOK SO FAST BEFORE LIKE I FINISHED IT IN ONE DAY AND I STILL had homework but you know.

I honestly canNOT wait for the 3rd book to come out next year i AM SO EXCITED

DON’T WORRY GUYS I’M STILL TEAM KAI 5EVER, BUT I ALSO LOVE WOLF AND I ALSO FREAKING LOVE THE CAPTAIN/CADET HE IS LEGIT MY FAVORITE CHARACTER EVER AND HE BETTER NOT DIE OTHERWISE I’M GOING TO BE SO MAD AND SAD.

5-hearts

shirley

Reading Order: The Lunar Chronicles

Cinder by Marissa Meyer Scarlet by Marissa Meyer Cress by Marissa Meyer Winter by Marissa Meyer

#1 ~ Cinder: Ebook • Hardcover • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ Scarlet: Ebook • Hardcover • Paperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ Cress: Ebook • Hardcover • Paperback • Goodreads
#4 ~ Winter: Goodreads (Nov. 10, 2015)