Tag Archives: new adult

ARC Review: Between Shadows by Chanel Cleeton

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Between Shadows by Chanel Cleeton

Between Shadows by Chanel Cleeton
Series: Assassins #1
Publication Date: January 19th 2016
Links: Ebook • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review

A sexy new thriller about love and revenge from the author of the Capital Confessions and International School series…

X lives by three rules: Show no weakness. Trust no one. Don’t get caught. She lives by the rules they gave her.

The Academy—set in London, shrouded in secrecy—it trains spies, computer experts, and assassins. Their mission? Dispensing justice and altering the course of world politics. Or so they think. In a world where secrets are weapons and some kills are impossible to forget, everything X thought she knew about her life is about to change.

They taught her to fight. To blend into the shadows like a ghost, to operate on the fringes of society, to change her identity with ease. They taught her to kill.

She’ll need every skill they taught her, to stay alive.

What a thrilling, heart-pounding read! I love books that take me to the edge of my seat, and Between Shadows did exactly that. It’s suspenseful, fast-paced, and filled with action. There’s also a swoon-worthy romance with a dreamy hero, so what’s not to love about this book?

X is an assassin for the Academy – she’s been trained since a young age to be a deadly weapon. The most important thing in her life is her sister Grace, but even her love for Grace can’t bring X out of her cold heart ever since she killed the one friend she had. But everything in her life is turned upside down when Luke is still very much alive and comes back into her life to handle a mission together to bring to light the truths that the Academy has been lying to them about.

We were always together, and then one day I looked at him and I couldn’t look away anymore.

As X and Luke travel around the world to find out the Academy’s secrets, they’re constantly looking behind their backs. Chanel Cleeton did a fantastic job writing the suspense – every moment of the book is a nail-biter, and I kept wondering about what would happen and whether X and Luke would survive. Between Shadows is definitely a page turner, so if you’re a fan of thrillers, you should definitely pick this book up.

X and Luke were both fantastic, well-written characters. X is fierce, brave, and badass, yet she still has vulnerabilities that make her likable and relatable. Luke was X’s first everything – but the years Luke was away have turned him harder, more dangerous, and infinitely more sexy. I loved the two of them together after they reconciled the past. Luke is so sweet and patient with X, and I seriously fell for the way he cares so much for her.

“There’s a lightness about you despite everything else going on. How do you keep that lightness with you?”
He’s silent for a long time.
“Because there’s something I love more than I hate myself.”
Every muscle in my body stills. I can’t breathe. I can’t think. I feel like I’m having a strange out-of-body experience, one I have no idea how to handle. He can’t mean–
“I love you, X. Always.”

I thoroughly enjoyed Between Shadows. It’s well-written, unique, and action-packed. I would’ve loved a bit more romance, but I could appreciate the book being focused on X and Luke’s goal, rather than their relationship. This was a great first book to a new series, and I can’t wait to see what the author has in store for us next!

4 hearts
lacey

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

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ARC Review: The Baller by Vi Keeland

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The Baller by Vi Keeland

The Baller by Vi Keeland
Series: Standalone
Publication Date: January 18th 2016
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review

The first time I met Brody Easton was in the men’s locker room.
It was my first interview as a professional sportscaster.
The famed quarterback decided to bare all.
And by all, I don’t mean he told me any of his secrets.
No. The arrogant ass decided to drop his towel, just as I asked the first question. On camera.
The Super Bowl MVP quickly adopted a new hobby—screwing with me.
When I pushed back, he shifted from wanting to screw with me, to wanting to screw me.
But I don’t date players.
And it’s not because I’m one of the few women working in the world of professional football.
I’d date an athlete.
It’s the other kind of player I don’t date.
You know the type. Good looking, strong, cocky, always looking to get laid.

Brody Easton was the ultimate player.
Every woman wanted to be the one to change him.
But the truth was, all he needed was a girl worth changing for.
Turned out, I was that girl.
Simple right?
Let’s face it. It never is.
There’s a story between once upon a time and happily ever after…
And this one is ours.

I was so looking forward to reading The Baller not only because of the smokin’ hot cover, but also the awesome blurb that totally hooked me in. Unfortunately, I didn’t love it the way I expected to. I usually adore sports romances, but The Baller missed the mark for me. The writing and characters were flat, and I had zero connection with any part of the book. I tried really hard to enjoy this, I really did, and I’m probably in the minority for this, but I was disappointed with The Baller.

Brody Easton is the quintessential star quarterback – he’s gorgeous, arrogant, and a total player on and off the field. Delilah Maddox, a sports journalist, needs to interview him, but right after she fires off one of her questions, he drops his towel right in front of her and screws up her whole interview. This part was probably one of the few in the book I enjoyed – Brody’s attempt to throw Delilah off is hilarious, but Delilah isn’t a girl easily intimidated. She can hold her own against Brody, and she continues to do so even when wants to pursue a relationship with her.

I’ve read one other book by Vi Keeland and really enjoyed it, so it’s hard for me to give The Baller a low rating. I honestly thought I would love it – I enjoyed Delilah and Brody’s amusing first interview, but everything after that fell completely flat. It felt like there was no depth to Brody’s character, and Delilah’s wasn’t much better. Brody is boring and tediously crude – all he talks to Delilah about is sex. They were two cliched new adult sports romance characters, and it didn’t feel like I really got to know them. Their romance also didn’t feel believable, at least on Brody’s part. Most of the chapters in his POV had NOTHING to do with Delilah, so I didn’t understand how or why he fell in love with her.

One thing that really bothered me about the book was the way the dialogue was written. As in, any time there was dialogue, there was ONLY dialogue, not even a ‘he/she said.’ The conversations between characters grew tiring to read, so I found myself skimming more of the book. And then, when Brody’s past reappears in the form of an ex-girlfriend, and that ex-gf ALSO gets chapters in her POV, I found myself not wanting to continue reading at all.

It’s more than likely that this is an ‘it’s me, not you’ kind of read. I’m sad I couldn’t like this more, especially since I had high expectations. If you’re a fan of sports romances, hopefully you’ll enjoy this one more than I did!

2 hearts
lacey

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Early Review: Loud is How I Love You by Mercy Brown

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Loud is How I Love You by Mercy Brown

Loud is How I Love You by Mercy Brown
Series: Hub City #1 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: January 19th 2016
Links: Ebook • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

One girl’s heart gets rocked to the core in the first novel in this sexy New Adult series.

Twenty-one-year-old front girl Emmylou knows that getting her band noticed in the ‘90s indie rock scene will be no easy task. She definitely knows better than to break the number one rule of the band: Don’t sleep with your bandmates! But after she ends up having the best sex of her life with her guitarist, Travis, she finds following that rule is a lot harder than it sounds.

When the band gets the gig of their dreams, making it big seems just within reach. But Emmy’s inability to keep her hands off Travis threatens everything they’ve worked for. Can Emmy find a way to break the rules and not blow the chance of a lifetime?

Loud is how I love you,
Loud is how I know you’re there.
Loud so I don’t lose you,
Because I’d know the sound of you anywhere.

This book was on my radar because of some heavy praise from one of my all-time favorite authors, so of course I had to give it a try! Add in the ‘90’s indie rock scene and I was totally sold. Loud is How I Love You is a fantastic new adult romance – it wasn’t anything like I expected, but I enjoyed every bit of its quirkiness. It’s heartwarming, fun, hilarious, and a really sweet read. If you’re looking for something memorable and different from your typical NA read, you need to read this book!

Emmy’s dream is to get her band, Stars on the Floor (aka Soft), noticed, and she and her bandmates have worked their butts off to get to where they are. But it’s all threatened when Emmy ends up having the best sex of her life… with her guitarist Travis. Because the number one rule of being in a band? Don’t sleep with your bandmate. If you do, you’ll only create drama that will screw things up and eventually break up the band.

But ever since that one crazy hot night with Travis, Emmy can’t stop thinking about or wanting him. Not only is Travis a bandmate, he’s also her best friend. They have an amazing connection that they’ve built over the years and a chemistry that’s off the charts, but is their relationship worth the risk of losing their dreams of making it in the music industry? Or will them being together be the downfall of Soft?

“What is this thing we’re doing?” I whisper. I’m not sure I mean to say it out loud, because I am pretty nervous to put an actual label to it. “I don’t even know what to call it.”
He touches his lips to mine again, all soft and sweet.
“Just call it awesome,” he says. “We’ll figure the rest out as we go.”

There is a TON of back and forth from Emmy. She wants Travis bad, but she also wants her band to succeed, and to her, she can’t have both. As much as she frustrated and annoyed me, I can’t say that I ever hated Emmy. It was admirable how much her music career meant to her and how she wasn’t willing to give it up for anything or anyone. It’s just that Travis is so lovable that I wanted to shake her for not trying to work things out with him sooner. Travis is some serious swoon-worthy material – he’s sweet, funny, sexy as hell, and incredibly patient with Emmy. I loved him for how he never gives up on her, even when she drove him (and me) crazy.

Stay loud so I don’t lose you.
I will follow the sound of you anywhere. -T

My favorite part of Loud is definitely Mercy Brown’s writing. She has a brilliant, fresh voice that is so unique and enjoyable to read – I loved it! And you can tell the author knows a lot about the music industry. I will absolutely be reading more of her upcoming books. I’m very impressed that Loud is her first published book, actually.

Loud is How I Love You is a satisfying, well-written NA book you don’t want to miss. The characters felt real and were so much fun to read about. I can’t wait to read the next Hub City book!

4 hearts
lacey

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

Reading Order: Hub City series

Loud is How I Love You by Mercy Brown Stay Until We Break by Mercy Brown

#1 ~ Loud is How I Love You: Ebook • Goodreads (Jan. 19, 2016)
#2 ~ Stay Until We Break: Ebook • Goodreads (June 21, 2016)

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Early Review: Outside the Lines by Lisa Desrochers

Posted in 3.5 hearts, Reviews by

Outside the Lines by Lisa Desrochers

Outside the Lines by Lisa Desrochers
Series: On the Run #1 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: January 19th 2016
Links: Ebook • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

As the oldest son of a Chicago crime lord, Robert Delgado always knew how dangerous life could be. With his mother dead and his father in prison, he’s taking charge of his family’s safety—putting himself and his siblings in witness protection to hide out in a backwater Florida town.

Fourth grade teacher Adri Wilson is worried about the new boy in her class. Sherm is quiet and evasive, especially when he’s around his even cagier older brother. Adri can’t help her attraction to Rob, or the urge to help them both in whatever way she can.

But the Delgados have enemies on two sides of the mob—their father’s former crew and the rival family he helped take down. It’s only a matter of time before someone finds them. And if Rob isn’t careful, Adri could end up in the crossfire…

I was a huge fan of Lisa Desrochers’ A Little Too Far series, so when I heard she was writing a new series, I couldn’t wait to read it! Outside the Lines is the first book in the On the Run series, and even though I didn’t fully love it, it’s an entertaining read with lots of potential for the series to get better. After the slow beginning, I found myself liking the book much better once the story picked up and I became invested in Rob and Adri’s romance. If you like your romances sweet but slow, with a little mafia thrown in, then Outside the Lines is for you.

Rob Delgado and his four younger siblings are on the run. With their father, a Chicago crime lord, locked up in prison, and enemies out to get them, Rob had to get his family away from Chicago. Under the Witness Protection program, they’ve moved to Port St. Mary, Florida and are now known as the Davidsons. It’s a small town for them to lie low in, at least until Rob can get back to Chicago and destroy his enemies. What he doesn’t expect is to fall for his youngest brother’s fourth grade teacher, Adri, who is sweet, pure, innocent… and has no idea who he really is.

“You are so fucking beautiful in every way, and all I can do is ruin you,” he finally says, his voice a raw wound. “I will ruin you, Adri, and then I’ll leave. You deserve so much better than that.”

Adri Wilson is concerned about her new student and grows to care for him… and his older brother. She finds herself captivated by the enigma that is Rob Davidson. But when things don’t add up about their family, Adri is determined to find out what the Davidsons are hiding. Along the way, she finds herself falling for Rob, even when he pushes her away. There’s a bit of back and forth between them, but the chemistry between them is hot, so even though it took a while for their relationship to move forward, I was invested in their romance.

“I don’t deserve your love, but I’m going to do everything in my power to earn it every single day for the rest of my life.”

I liked this book. It’s well-written, the characters were interesting and likable… but the beginning dragged. It took a while to become fully immersed in the story, so that took a little away from my enjoyment. But by the halfway mark I was more than invested in the story and the heart-warming romance. This book is a promising start to the On the Run series, and I’m definitely looking forward to the rest of the Delgado siblings’ stories.

3.5 hearts
lacey

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

Reading Order: On the Run series

Outside the Lines by Lisa Desrochers Over the Line by Lisa Desrochers

#1 ~ Outside the Lines: Ebook • Goodreads
#2 ~ Over the Line: My Review • Ebook • Goodreads

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ARC Review: Waiting for Wyatt by S.D. Hendrickson

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Waiting for Wyatt by S.D. Hendrickson

Waiting for Wyatt by S.D. Hendrickson
Series: Standalone
Publication Date: January 12th 2016
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review

“The dogs that deserved a chance, the guy who needed a second, and the girl determined to save him.”

My name is Emma Sawyer.

I met Charlie and Wyatt on the same sultry, summer day. It was unexpected, leaving a feeling in the pit of my stomach like the time I drove too fast over Beckett Hill. The moment happened out of nowhere, all fast and quick and a little strange. Or maybe that was just Wyatt’s personality.

It was Charlie that brought us together. Little Charlie with those ridiculous ears. I found the dog, waiting in a pool of his own blood. Waiting for someone. Waiting for me.

Now Wyatt, he wasn’t waiting for anyone. At least that’s what he said, except I saw something different in the broken guy all alone out in the woods. I knew he needed me before he knew it himself.

Wyatt with his hidden dimples. Wyatt with his warnings to stay away. He was a hard lump of coal, ready to burn everything around him. The more he burned, the more it pulled me into the pain I saw etched on his troubled face.

I wanted to help Wyatt. I wanted to save him like he had saved all the Charlies in the world. He told me not to fall for him, but I did anyway. I fell hard and fast and deeply in love with Wyatt Caulfield.

But that was before I knew his secret.

Last year, I loved S.D. Hendrickson’s fantastic debut, The Mason List, so I couldn’t wait to read more from this author. The way Ms. Hendrickson writes is so brilliantly filled with emotion and heartbreak, so I had high expectations for Waiting for Wyatt, and she didn’t disappoint. This is a powerfully written romance about love and redemption. It’s a slow-paced but moving novel that I highly recommend to readers who love emotional books.

Wyatt Caulfield just might be the strangest and most haunting person I’d ever met.

When Emma Sawyer needs help with a dog she’s stolen from its abusive owner, she comes across the mysterious and broody Wyatt Caulfield. Wyatt is a gorgeous-looking boy her age, but he lives out in the middle of nowhere in a small trailer with a kennel full of abused and abandoned dogs. Emma is fascinated by Wyatt and his secretive, lonely life, and sets about to discover the pain and guilt he’s holding within himself.

I wanted to save him form the depths of whatever was making Wyatt this way. I wanted to pull him from the dark pit that made his eyes ache in pain. The guy needed me whether he wanted to admit it or not.

Emma is a strong, incredibly compassionate girl. The second she meets Wyatt, she’s determined not only to help him, but the dogs he cares for as well. She holds so much love in her that every time she discovers the tragic past of each dog, her heart breaks. She’s the type of person who can’t not help others, so of course she’s drawn to Wyatt and troubled past. But the more Emma spends time with him, the more she can’t help her heart becoming invested until she’s falling for him.

I was so curious about Wyatt. He’s a bit of a jerk to Emma in the beginning, but it’s so clear that something tragic has happened in his past that you can’t help but want to know more about him. Thankfully, the author doesn’t make you wait too long to discover what Wyatt’s past is, and when you do, your heart will more than likely break for him. And the worst part of it all is that Wyatt feels he deserves all the pain, regret, self-hatred, and guilt he feels because of what he did. But with Emma’s help and compassion, can he find forgiveness, redemption, and best of all, love?

“I love you. Whether I deserve you or not. I love you. Don’t ever forget that.”

I really enjoyed Waiting for Wyatt. It was a little too slow-paced for my taste, but it’s still a worthwhile read that will tug at your heartstrings. You’ll fall for Emma’s beautiful soul, Wyatt’s tragic yet hopeful heart, and all the wonderful dogs they care for. I loved how S.D. Hendrickson incorporated the animals into Waiting for Wyatt – it was perfect the way their healing paralleled Wyatt’s own healing heart.

I highly recommend this unique, wonderfully written, emotional book. You really get to feel everything while you read this! Even with all the heartache, the author leaves you with hope and joy. It’s a heart-warming read that fans of the author don’t want to miss.

4 hearts
lacey

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

Also by S.D. Hendrickson

The Mason List by S.D. Hendrickson

The Mason List: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads

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