ARC Review: It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover
Series: Standalone
Publication Date: August 2nd 2016
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Sometimes it is the one who loves you who hurts you the most.

Lily hasn’t always had it easy, but that’s never stopped her from working hard for the life she wants. She’s come a long way from the small town in Maine where she grew up—she graduated from college, moved to Boston, and started her own business. So when she feels a spark with a gorgeous neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid, everything in Lily’s life suddenly seems almost too good to be true.

Ryle is assertive, stubborn, maybe even a little arrogant. He’s also sensitive, brilliant, and has a total soft spot for Lily. And the way he looks in scrubs certainly doesn’t hurt. Lily can’t get him out of her head. But Ryle’s complete aversion to relationships is disturbing. Even as Lily finds herself becoming the exception to his “no dating” rule, she can’t help but wonder what made him that way in the first place.

As questions about her new relationship overwhelm her, so do thoughts of Atlas Corrigan—her first love and a link to the past she left behind. He was her kindred spirit, her protector. When Atlas suddenly reappears, everything Lily has built with Ryle is threatened.

With this bold and deeply personal novel, Colleen Hoover delivers a heart-wrenching story that breaks exciting new ground for her as a writer. Combining a captivating romance with a cast of all-too-human characters, It Ends With Us is an unforgettable tale of love that comes at the ultimate price.

“Life is a funny thing. We only get so many years to live if, so we have to do everything we can to make sure those years are as full as they can be. We shouldn’t waste time on things that might happen someday, or maybe even never.”

It Ends with Us is probably Colleen Hoover’s most important book to date. It’s got such a powerful message within its pages – one everyone needs to hear. I’m keeping this review short and sweet, but I do want to stress that the theme of this novel deals with a heavy subject that may be a trigger to some people. That being said, I would still definitely recommend this book to everyone because the meaning behind the story is such an important one. This isn’t your typical love story – it’s so much more than that. I wouldn’t even say this is a romance at all – it’s just about love. It’s about all kinds of relationships and love and the loss of both. I really don’t have the words to describe this book justice – just read it for yourself!

Imagine all the people you meet in your life. There are so many. They come in like waves, trickling in and out with the tide. Some waves are much bigger and make more of an impact than others. Sometimes the waves bring with them things from deep in the bottom of the sea and they leave those things tossed onto the shore. Imprints against the grains of sand that prove the waves had once been there, long after the tide recedes.

The first half of the book, I’ll admit, bored me to tears. I didn’t connect with the main characters (the only ones I liked were two of the secondary characters) and I wasn’t that into their blooming romance. But literally right at the halfway mark was when things EXPLODED, emotionally and psychologically. I could sort of see it coming, but the impact of it was something I couldn’t have predicted. The second half of the book left me raw and aching – I’d give this section of the book 5 stars alone. It was incredibly written and told, despite the delicate topic. Colleen Hoover’s writing seems to get better and better with each new release, and you can see that so clearly in It Ends with Us.

Did I love this book? Yes and no. I really don’t know how I feel about this – but I will say that I’d still highly recommend everyone read it. It Ends with Us is not a book to be missed – it’s like nothing CoHo has has written before, but it’s still got her kind of heart and humor that’s present in all her books. And if you’re worried about the slow pacing of the first half, just keep reading like I did! I promise, the end of the book will be so worth it (though a tear or two might be shed!).

Quotes are taken from the arc and are subject to change in the final version.

Also by Colleen Hoover

Slammed: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Hopeless: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Maybe Someday: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Ugly Love: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Confess: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
November 9: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

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2Aug2016

Review: Defending Taylor by Miranda Kenneally

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Shirley

Defending Taylor by Miranda Kenneally
Series: Hundred Oaks #7 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: July 5th 2016
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads

There are no mistakes in love.

Captain of the soccer team, president of the Debate Club, contender for valedictorian: Taylor’s always pushed herself to be perfect. After all, that’s what is expected of a senator’s daughter. But one impulsive decision—one lie to cover for her boyfriend—and Taylor’s kicked out of private school. Everything she’s worked so hard for is gone, and now she’s starting over at Hundred Oaks High.

Soccer has always been Taylor’s escape from the pressures of school and family, but it’s hard to fit in and play on a team that used to be her rival. The only person who seems to understand all that she’s going through is her older brother’s best friend, Ezra. Taylor’s had a crush on him for as long as she can remember. But it’s hard to trust after having been betrayed. Will Taylor repeat her past mistakes or can she score a fresh start?

Can I first just say that I am a huge fan of Miranda Kenneally and it’s always inevitable that I end up falling in love with the main male character. Defending Taylor was no different, although the beginning was a bit too slow for my taste. However, the book was definitely nostalgic for me since it took place during the heroine’s senior year of high school as she goes through the process of applying to college.

Taylor is the perfect well-rounded student that all colleges want. She has straight A’s, is the captain of the soccer team, and is the daughter of a politician. Then she messes up and gets expelled. With her dad running a campaign at the same time, news of her expulsion makes a huge impact on his career. Already feeling guilty, Taylor doesn’t want to tell her parents the real cause of her expulsion. In comes Ezra, a total heartthrob, her childhood crush, and also her brother’s best friend, who helps her put her own life and decisions into perspective.

I’m a sucker for books like these, where the main character goes through a period of self-discovery and has no idea what she wants in life because HELLO *points at self*. I loved following Taylor through this journey of hers and literally reading about how she grows and accepts who she really is. When she discovers what she’s passionate about and what she actually wants to major in, I was there screaming “YESSS GIRL.” I had flashbacks of when I was applying to college… although I haven’t figured out the whole “what I want to do in life” part yet.

To be quite honest, I wanted to read this book because it seemed light and fun (like most of Kenneally’s books), so I didn’t think that I would actually learn so much about passion and self-love. I’d definitely recommend this book to anyone who’s going through something similar or if you’re just looking for a light read for the summer.

Reading Order: Hundred Oaks series

#1 ~ Catching Jordan: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Stealing Parker: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Things I Can’t Forget: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ Racing Savannah: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#5 ~ Breathe, Annie, Breathe: Lacey’s Review • Ebook • Hardcover • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#6 ~ Jesse’s Girl: Lacey’s Review • Ebook • Hardcover • Paperback • Goodreads
#7 ~ Defending Taylor: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads

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2Aug2016

ARC Review: Worked Up by Tessa Bailey

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Worked Up by Tessa Bailey
Series: Made in Jersey #3 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: August 1st 2016
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Factory mechanic Duke Crawford just wants to watch SportsCenter in peace. Unfortunately, living with four divorcee sisters doesn’t provide much silence, nor does it change his stance on relationships. But when a fellow commitment-phobe stumbles into his life, getting him good and worked up, he can’t deny his protective instincts.

Samantha Waverly’s brother just put her in an impossible situation. The only way out? Marry huge, gruff, gladiator look-alike Duke—for show, of course. She doesn’t make promises—she knows too well how easily they can be broken—and this is no exception.

As the blistering attraction between them grows, the lines around the no-strings relationship blur. But Duke and Samantha’s marriage is only for show…or is it?

Does Tessa Bailey ever disappoint!? Since Worked Up is another fabulous read from her, that would be a resounding no. Tessa is the queen of dirty talk and alpha males, but this time she’s introduced us to the Pouty Man Bear (PMB) known as Duke Crawford. He’s big, burly, hairy, sexy, and likes to keep to himself… that is, until Samantha Waverly enters his life. I loved seeing this giant of a man turn to mush for a woman – and his dirty mouth was a plus too. If you’re a fan of Tessa Bailey, I don’t need to tell you to read this, because you probably will, but for those who haven’t experience the wonder that is a TB book, Worked Up will seriously get you worked. up.

Duke has no time for women when he’s got his four divorced sisters living in his home. He’s committed to being single for life, but when Samantha walks into the same bar he’s at, he suddenly can’t seem to focus on SportsCenter or his beer anymore. He feels the strange urge to protect her, to be around her more, but she’s a fellow commitment-phobe herself. Can the two of them ever have a relationship when neither of them imagined ever being in one?

“I see you, sweetheart. Now see the only man who’s going to give you everything in return.”

Samantha is utterly adorable, quirky, and awkward. She can’t help but make the corniest jokes and puns every time she opens her mouth, but luckily Duke likes that about her. She’s hilarious and endearing… and she’s got a problem only Duke can fix. Will Sam be able to keep her heart out of the equation when they’re forced in close proximity, or will this sexy PMB be able to change her stance on relationships?

“I was your warrior our first night, wasn’t I, Sam?”
“Yes.”
“That’s what I’m going to be for the rest of my life. For you. Until you’re sure of me, I’ll go to battle and win my woman.”

Worked Up was so much FUN to read. The sweet, funny moments between Sam and Duke stole my heart and had me smiling like crazy. The chemistry between them had me on fire (obviously, it’s Tessa Bailey). Tessa’s dirty talk seems to only get dirtier and better (or is that the same thing?) with each book – I can’t even imagine what she’ll come up with in future books. Duke and Sam were a total win in this book – but what I’m excited for now is the next Made in Jersey, which will be Tessa’s first M/M romance. I can’t WAIT to get my hands on it!

Quotes are taken from the arc and are subject to change in the final version.

Reading Order: Made in Jersey series

#1 ~ Crashed Out: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#1.5 ~ Rough Rhythm: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ Thrown Down: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ Worked Up: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#4 ~ Wound Tight: Goodreads (Dec. 5, 2016)

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2Aug2016

Release Day Review: Just What I Needed by Lorelei James

Posted in 4.5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Just What I Needed by Lorelei James
Series: Need You #2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: August 2nd 2016
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

The second sexy novel in the Need You series, from the New York Times bestselling author of the Mastered Series and the Blacktop Cowboys® Series.

Trinity Carlson might be having the worst day ever. And that was before she started drinking in a dive bar, right across from her ex and his new girlfriend. So when she finally decides enough is enough, she grabs hold of a hot, blond stranger and gives him the kiss of his life.

Walker Lund never expected that a chance at love would hit him right on the mouth. Since the moment his brother decided to settle down, Walker has been dodging his family’s hopes that he’ll do the same. He’s never been interested in following in anyone’s footsteps. But when he discovers his sexy assailant has given him a fake name and number he suddenly finds himself in the mood for a little hot pursuit…

Oh my gosh!!! I loved this book. LOVED! I was in the mood for a light-hearted, fun contemporary romance, and Lorelei James delivered perfectly. I really enjoyed the first book in the Need You series, but Just What I Needed is definitely my favorite of the series so far. The hero is swoony and perfect, the heroine is down-to-earth and quirky, and the romance between them is so freaking sweet! My heart was seriously so happy with this book. I highly recommend this one for those who love contemporary romances!

“From the moment I saw you, I felt that same unexplainable pull.”

Artist Trinity Carlson has just lost a commission and she’s turned to a dive bar to drown out her misery. But even there she can’t catch a break, because she spots her ex and the girl he was cheating on with. Things turn around when Trinity catches the eye of a gorgeous, bearded man – and she literally walks up to him to give this stranger a kiss. But once they sit down and start a conversation, they find out their connection isn’t just on a physical level, and she leaves him her number with hope for more.

I thought I was totally over the lumbersexual thing, but Lorelei James has proved me wrong with Walker Lund. This man is just… perfect! He’s sweet, patient, considerate – all things that mesh perfectly with an artist who has her ups and downs and will sometimes spend days in her artist zone. Walker considers himself the black sheep of the family since he doesn’t work at the Lunds’ billion-dollar company, even though he co-owns a construction company. He’s that rare type of hero who wants to find love, and he has hopes of creating a family of his own. He’s sexy as hell and very much determined to win over Trinity, the woman he wants to build a family with – I loved how single-minded he was about her!

You make me happier than anyone I’ve ever met. When I’m with you, for the first time in my life I know I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.

Trinity and Walker’s romance was heart-warming and had me entertained from start to finish. It’s a total feel-good read – I adored the main characters and the Lund family is such a hoot. I’m really hoping that we’ll get stories for the rest of the family (especially Jaxson!) because I don’t want to let go of them just yet! The only thing I wish there was more of? Steam. It’s pretty light in this book, even less than I feel like there was in the previous one. Still, the chemistry between the main characters is fantastically written, and I’d still recommend this book even if you like steamy reads like I do. It’s such a great romance – I loved it!

Quotes are taken from the arc and are subject to change in the final version.

Reading Order: Need You series

#1 ~ What You Need: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Just What I Needed: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

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2Aug2016

Release Day Review: The Right Kind of Trouble by Shiloh Walker

Posted in 3 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

The Right Kind of Trouble by Shiloh Walker
Series: The McKays #3 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: August 2nd 2016
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Desire won’t take no for an answer in The Right Kind of Trouble by Shiloh Walker

In the small Southern town of McKay’s Treasure, everybody knows that the handsome local police chief, Gideon Marshall, has been carrying a torch for Moira McKay. It’s also no secret that Moira has been rejecting Gideon since…forever. But after an attack from a mysterious stranger bent on taking down the McKay family, Moira becomes filled with distrust toward most men. Now she wonders whether she’s been wrong about Gideon all along—and if it’s not too late to admit him back into her life…and into her bed…

Gideon has finally convinced his wasted heart to give up on Moira, who he’s loved since he was sixteen years old. Moira’s attack changes everything, however—and he vows to protect her. But how much is he willing to risk for a woman who’s always kept him at bay…until now? And is it too late for Moira to tell him that her love for him has always been locked deep in her heart—and he holds the key?

I LOVED the second book in the McKays series, so when I had the chance to read the next book, I couldn’t wait to start it! I also adore second chance romances too, so Gideon and Moira’s story should’ve been perfect for me. But sadly, I just never grew invested in their romance and the suspense/mystery was a little tedious to read. It wasn’t a bad read, but I didn’t love it the way I hoped I would. If you’ve kept up with the series, then you probably want to give this a try, otherwise it’s a little hard to read The Right Kind of Trouble as a standalone.

Moira McKay was Gideon Marshall’s childhood sweetheart, before she ripped his heart out and threw him away. Now in their 30s, they’re still in love with each other, but the years have drifted them too far apart for Moira to ever try to make up for what she did. Gideon is trying to move on with another woman, but when Moira’s life becomes at risk, he’s back in her life once again, unable to resist the only woman he’s ever loved. Will Moira be able to earn his forgiveness – and will Gideon take her back?

Small town romances are usually so sweet, so it was a nice change to read one with a mystery. Unfortunately, the suspense didn’t really have me hooked, so I was mainly focused on Moira and Gideon’s romance, which was a little heartbreaking and angsty. I really liked the hero and was impressed with the way he never stopped loving the heroine, though I was glad he tried to move on after what she put him through. I wish Moira had taken action sooner than she did regarding Gideon – SO many years have gone by, and just now is she trying to win him back. If you haven’t read the previous books in the series, this story might be a little confusing, so I’d definitely recommend reading the books in order. If you have read the series, The Right Kind of Trouble is a fairly good conclusion to the McKay family. I didn’t love it, but I did enjoy seeing how everything ended up!

Quotes are taken from the arc and are subject to change in the final version.

Reading Order: The McKays series

#1 ~ Headed for Trouble: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ The Trouble with Temptation: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ The Right Kind of Trouble: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads

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