Tag Archives: standalone

ARC Review: Sincerely, Carter by Whitney G.

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Sincerely, Carter by Whitney Gracia Williams

Sincerely, Carter by Whitney G.
Series: Standalone
Publication Date: April 30th 2015
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review

Just friends.
We’re just friends.
No, really. She’s just my best friend…

Arizona Turner has been my best friend since fourth grade, even when we “hated” each other. We’ve been there for one another through first kisses, first “times,” and we’ve been each other’s constant when good relationships turned bad. (We even went to colleges that were minutes away from each other…)

Throughout the years, and despite what anyone says, we’ve never crossed the line.

Never thought about it.
Never wanted to.

Until one night changed everything.
At least, it should’ve …

Just friends.
We’re just friends.
I’m only saying this until I figure out if she’s still “just” my best friend…

First thoughts upon finished this book: Awwww!!!!! *goofy smile*

Let me tell you, I had been eagerly looking forward to Sincerely, Carter. First, it’s a friends-to-lovers romance, which I’m a total SUCKER for. And second, it’s Whitney Gracia Williams! I really enjoyed her Reasonable Doubt series so I had high expectations about Sincerely, Carter… and I adored it! I literally couldn’t stop smiling for most of the book. It’s a heartwarming, sweet, humorous friends-to-lovers romance that fans of the trope are sure to enjoy. I was addicted to Ari and Carter’s story!

“Some people come into your life for a reason, some a season, and some a lifetime.“

Whitney completely NAILED the friendship between Carter and Ari. They’ve been best friends since they were in fourth grade and they’ve been attached at the hip ever since. They’ve been through everything together and they know each other so well. I could just feel the strength of that bond of friendship between them. Everyone they know always questions whether or not they’re actually “just friends”, but Ari and Carter have honestly never thought about each other in a non-platonic way. But when Ari and Carter begin a new chapter of their lives after graduating college – Carter is off to law school and Ari is going to a culinary arts school – things start to change between them…

I turned to my left to look at Ari again, hoping that the past few minutes were a mistake–that I was in the middle of a strange daydream. That there was no way I could be this attracted to her right now–no way I could want to tell her to pull over so I could taste her lips. Both sets of them.
Holy fucking shit….

I love that it completely baffles both Ari and Carter that they feel an intense attraction towards one another. One minute they think of each other as platonic best friends, and the next… they can’t stop thinking about the other person. What they’re like naked. In bed. God, I couldn’t stop smiling and giggling at how much they realized they wanted each other. Lines are crossed and hearts are on the line and they soon come to realize that the best thing that ever happened to them has been standing next to them all along.

“I’ve loved you since fourth grade. Since fourth fucking grade. … I just didn’t know it. You’ve been there for every moment of my life and I’ve been there for yours, too. I do love you, I am in love with you, and I also know you better than you know yourself.”

I absolutely loved the banter between Carter and Ari. They send each other texts and emails that are so freaking adorable. And the flashbacks of their younger years together adds such great depth and humor to the story. The author did a fantastic job balancing the sweetness of their friendship and the sexiness of their newfound desire for each other. My only complaint is that I felt it was too abrupt when Carter and Ari started getting together. It felt a bit rushed – their friendship I connected with from the start, but the love between them took a little more time to feel. Still, this was a fantastic friends-to-lovers romance that put me in such a great mood while reading. I definitely recommend it!

4 hearts
lacey

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

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Review: Confess by Colleen Hoover

Posted in 4.5 hearts, Reviews by

Confess by Colleen Hoover

Confess by Colleen Hoover
Series: Standalone
Publication Date: March 10th 2015
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover, a new novel about risking everything for love—and finding your heart somewhere between the truth and lies.

Auburn Reed has her entire life mapped out. Her goals are in sight and there’s no room for mistakes. But when she walks into a Dallas art studio in search of a job, she doesn’t expect to find a deep attraction to the enigmatic artist who works there, Owen Gentry.

For once, Auburn takes a risk and puts her heart in control, only to discover Owen is keeping major secrets from coming out. The magnitude of his past threatens to destroy everything important to Auburn, and the only way to get her life back on track is to cut Owen out of it.

The last thing Owen wants is to lose Auburn, but he can’t seem to convince her that truth is sometimes as subjective as art. All he would have to do to save their relationship is confess. But in this case, the confession could be much more destructive than the actual sin…

Colleen Hoover is, without a doubt, my top favorite author of all time. I’ve loved every book she’s ever published. She just has this way of writing these unique, heartfelt, romantic, utterly captivating novels that rip your heart out and stomp on it and then mend it back together. So yeah, her books aren’t exactly easy on the heart to read, but that’s why I love them. She creates characters that are so achingly flawed but real, who you can’t help but love and adore. Her writing is impeccable as always. And I’m happy to say Confess is another win from Colleen Hoover! I honestly don’t think there’s a book she can write that I won’t love. Confess is a beautiful, heartwarming, magical book I wholeheartedly enjoyed.

“They’re all confessions,” I say in awe. “Are these from actual people? People you know?”
He shakes his head and motions toward the front door. “They’re all anonymous. People leave their confessions in the slot over there, and I use some of them as inspiration for my art.”

Okay, first off, I am just so in awe of how Colleen Hoover is able to think up such unique, mind-blowing, twist-y storylines. Every time I pick up a CoHo book, I finish thinking, “This is why she’s the author and I’m the reader.” With Confess, we have a hero who creates art based on confessions. The confessions themselves take a life of their own in this book. Some are gut-wrenching, others are heartwarming, but each and every one of them is painstakingly real, because they ARE real. Right before the prologue, the author notes that the confessions are “true confessions, submitted anonymously by readers.” Basically, before the book even starts, Colleen Hoover already has me intrigued, and she manages to keep me hooked throughout the rest of the book.

I could tell her how I know her. Make her realize why I have this overwhelming urge to protect her. But some secrets I’ll take to my grave, and this is definitely one of them.

Auburn Reed has just moved to Texas and is in desperate need of a job. Coincidently, she sees a “Help Wanted” sign at a place called Confess. It’s there she meets Confess’s owner Owen Mason Gentry (OMG – is that not the cutest thing ever?) for the first time, though we know from Owen’s POV that it’s not the first time Owen has met Auburn. I loved how multi-faceted Auburn and Owen are. On the surface, Auburn is the kind of girl who is introverted and doesn’t open up to people. Owen is funny, sweet, and a little boyish and charming. But as we read more, we also delve deeper into their characters, and they become all the more interesting. Both are holding secrets, Owen more so than Auburn, and I was absolutely riveted to this book as they open up and their secrets are slowly revealed.

Some secrets should never turn into confessions. I know that better than anyone.

There’s a fierce, undeniable connection Auburn and Owen both feel and can’t deny, but as much as they want a relationship, it’s too complicated as they get caught up in between the truth and lies. Hearts get broken and it gets even more difficult for them to be together, no matter how PERFECT they are for each other. And they really are meant to be together. This book was a roller coaster of emotions – I was giggly and so happy for Owen and Auburn when they’re together, because they make the sweetest and most adorable couple ever; and then I was so heartbroken over the unfavorable circumstances they were in. God, Colleen Hoover really made my heart hurt for the both of them.

“Sometimes we don’t get second chances, Owen. Sometime things just end.”

I confess (hehe) that this isn’t my new favorite of Colleen Hoover’s – the plot does drag on for a bit in the middle of the book, which was frustrating – but nonetheless, it was an absolute delight to read. It is gorgeously written, and the characters are portrayed so honestly and endearingly. And as many heartbreaking moments there are in this book, there are also so many beautiful, tender moments between Owen and Auburn that make you sigh and go Aawwww. I freaking adored this book! Reading Confess has only cemented my love for Colleen Hoover – she really can write anything and I won’t hesitate to read it. Everyone needs to read Confess!

My mother says there are people you meet and get to know, and then there are people you meet and already know. I feel like Owen is the latter.

4.5 (OMG I love this book) hearts!

4.5 hearts
lacey

Also by Colleen Hoover

Slammed by Colleen Hoover Hopeless by Colleen Hoover Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover
Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover November Nine by Colleen Hoover It Ends With Us 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
November 9: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
It Ends with Us: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

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Release Day Review: The Last Time We Say Goodbye by Cynthia Hand

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The Last Time We Say Goodbye by Cynthia Hand

The Last Time We Say Goodbye by Cynthia Hand
Series: Standalone
Publication Date: February 10th 2015
Purchase: Ebook • Hardcover
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

From New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Hand comes a gorgeous and heart-wrenching story of love, loss, and letting go.

Since her brother, Tyler, committed suicide, Lex has been trying to keep her grief locked away, and to forget about what happened that night. But as she starts putting her life, her family, and her friendships back together, Lex is haunted by a secret she hasn’t told anyone—a text Tyler sent, that could have changed everything.

In the tradition of Jay Asher’s Thirteen Reasons Why, Gayle Forman’s If I Stay, and Lauren Oliver’s Before I Fall, The Last Time We Say Goodbye is a thoughtful and deeply affecting novel that will change the way you look at life and death.

There’s death all around us. Everywhere we look. 1.8 people kill themselves every second.
We just don’t pay attention. Until we do.

The Last Time We Say Goodbye is a heartfelt, thought-provoking, emotional read from Cynthia Hand. I knew once I finished this book that I wouldn’t be forgetting it any time soon. It’s the type of book that stays with you – I may not have necessarily LOVED it, but it’s a gut-wrenching read with a powerful story that should not be missed!

This is going to sound trite, I suppose, but you never know when it’s going to be the last time. That you hug someone. That you kiss. That you say goodbye.

Alexis Riggs is numb. Ever since her brother, Tyler, committed suicide, Lex has bottled up her emotions – especially her grief – and is going through the motions of her senior year of high school. She’s haunted by the night Ty committed suicide, questioning herself and feeling guilty about whether there was something she could have done to prevent it. Cynthia Hand portrayed her character fantastically – I could feel Lex’s heartache, how much she loved her brother, how much she misses him every day. I could also feel how angry Lex was at Ty for leaving her and her mother alone, leaving them to become shells of themselves.

Lex tries to keep her emotions bottled up, but she’s asked by her therapist to write in a journal. She’s reluctant and not at all impressed by this method of coping, but she does manage to write. She vents her feelings, some flashbacks of her and her brother, and anything else on her mind. Lex dreams of Ty almost every night, and each dream ends with Ty’s death. It’s through these dreams and the occasional flashback that we get to know the kind of person Ty was. He was the kind of person no one ever expected to kill himself – no one ever knew the pain he hid within himself. I loved how Cynthia Hand was able to create such presence in Ty’s character. Even though he’s no longer alive, he’s still very much a part of the story.

Lex struggles day to day, not knowing if the hole in her heart from Ty’s death will ever heal. Her friends are there for her, but she isolates herself. But when she becomes reacquainted with an old childhood friend, Sadie, and Lex finds a letter from her brother to his ex-girlfriend Ashley, things slowly start to change. Lex has a goal now, to find Ashley and give her the letter. And through this goal, Lex pieces together Ty’s life – the struggles he had – right before he passed. And Lex starts to forgive – herself and Ty – and accept that her brother is gone.

The Last Time We Say Goodbye is a story about loss, grief, and acceptance. At its heart, it’s a story of family and friends, about accepting help when it’s offered, and not having to go through grief alone. Lex is surrounded by people who care and comes to realize that even though the hole in her heart from Ty’s death will always be there, she doesn’t have to let it consume her life. I adored this novel, how heartbreaking yet eye-opening it was. It’s not an easy read, but a deeply emotional, stunning one that I highly recommend.

4 hearts
lacey

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

Release Day Review: Tight by Alessandra Torre

Posted in 4.5 hearts, Reviews by

Tight by Alessandra Torre

Tight by Alessandra Torre
Series: Standalone
Publication Date: February 7th 2015
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review

I was happy in my small town. In my life as a single, thirty-two year old woman. I had a good job, wonderful friends, my independence.

I also hadn’t got laid in three years. Hadn’t been on a date in two. Had stopped counting calories and wearing makeup… a while ago.

Then Brett Jacobs waltzed in. Caressed my thigh, dug rough fingers into my hair, lowered his soft mouth to my skin, took sexual control of my mind and stirred it all around with what he packed in his pants. He flipped my quiet life upside down and crawled into a place in my heart I thought was dead.

The issue is his secret.
The issue is her.
The issue is that I don’t even know she exists, and he thinks she’s dead.
The issue is that shit is about to hit the fan and I can’t hold on to him tight enough.

The word ‘tight’ has twenty-two definitions, but my favorite is Webster’s fifth – “a bond which cannot be broken.”

Oh. My. God!!! What a book! I stayed up all night reading Tight. It was surprising how fast I devoured this book – I honestly couldn’t put it down!

This is the first book I’ve read from Alessandra Torre, which I am totally ashamed about – I wish I read some of her books earlier because her writing rocks! Apparently Tight is a bit different than her previous books, but from what I’ve read, it was freaking awesome already. The storyline was one giant mindfuck, and I loved it. Tight is a deeply romantic book about strength and survival – it takes you on one wild ride from start to finish. I nearly couldn’t keep up with this book!

The issue is his secret.
The issue is her.
The issue is that I don’t even know she exists, and he thinks she’s dead.
The issue is that shit is about to hit the fan and I can’t hold on to him tight enough.

So… who the hell is her??? I had my suspicions about who ‘her’ was, but this book still kept me on the edge of my toes, kept me wondering and guessing. I’m still thinking about this book days later – Tight is definitely the kind of book that stays with you!

Our heroine, Riley, is a small-town girl from Florida. She’s a happy girl, content with her life, but everything changes when she meets Brett while on a trip for her friend’s bachelorette party. Brett is handsome, sexy, rich, and enigmatic – she knows pretty much nothing about him except how much he wants her and she wants him. What begins as a one-night-stand turns into so much more as Riley and Brett can’t keep their thoughts away from each other and decide to pursue an actual relationship. It’s a warm, blooming romance between these two as they fall in love – Brett spoils Riley and takes her on exotic trips. He’s pretty much the perfect guy… except he has some secrets.

Though Tight is told mostly in Riley’s POV, we also have the occasional chapter in Brett’s POV as well as the mysterious ‘her’ from the blurb. I don’t want to tell you more because it’s best to go in blind. Just know that nothing in this book is expected – my mind was going all over the place, trying to think up answers to all my questions about the story and the characters.

I applaud Alessandra Torre for her masterful storytelling. It was brilliant and wonderfully executed, and I was also a HUGE fan of the writing. Ms. Torre nails the suspense in this one – I read Tight in one sitting because I just couldn’t put it down! As I was nearing the climax of the book, my heart was pounding and I was nearly breathless. The ending was flawless and utterly satisfying. I highly recommend this book!

The only reason why I can’t give a full 5 hearts is because of how I didn’t connect with Riley or Brett. I liked them well enough, and I loved the story, but they just didn’t have that spark that would make me love a character. Still, I was too wrapped up in the story to mind too much.

If you’re a fan of books that perfectly balance romance and gripping, nail-biting suspense, Tight is for you!

4.5 hearts
lacey

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

Also by Alessandra Torre

Black Lies by Alessandra Torre
Hollywood Dirt by Alessandra Torre  

Black Lies: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Sex Love Repeat: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Hollywood Dirt: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Love, Chloe: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Moonshot: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads

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Early Review: Hero by Samantha Young

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Hero by Samantha Young

Hero by Samantha Young
Series: Standalone
Publication Date: February 3rd 2015
Purchase: Ebook • Paperback
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

The emotional and unforgettable new romance from the New York Times bestselling author of the On Dublin Street series.

Alexa Holland’s father was her hero—until her shocking discovery that she and her mother weren’t his only family. Ever since, Alexa has worked to turn her life in a different direction and forge her own identity outside of his terrible secrets,. But when she meets a man who’s as damaged by her father’s mistakes as she is, Alexa must help him.

Caine Carraway wants nothing to do with Alexa’s efforts at redemption, but it’s not so easy to push her away. Determined to make her hate him, he brings her to the edge of her patience and waits for her to walk away. But his actions only draw them together and, despite the odds, they begin an intense and explosive affair.

Only Caine knows he can never be the white knight that Alexa has always longed for. And when they’re on the precipice of danger, he finds he’ll do anything to protect either one of them from being hurt again…

I. Loved. Hero!!! Loved, loved, loved it! I simply adored this new (upcoming) release from Samantha Young. I was already a fan after the On Dublin Street series, but now I’m even more in love with her writing and storytelling. Hero had me hooked from start to finish, and I never wanted Caine and Alexa’s story to end! So if you’re a fan of Samantha Young, be excited for Hero because it’ll make you fall in love and sweep you away!

This book was pretty much the perfect read for me – it had a sassy heroine I genuinely liked and admired, and a hot-as-hell, alpha, rude, domineering hero in a suit. And the two of them together clash. Alexa Holland is an assistant to a photographer, and it’s at a photo shoot where she meets Caine Carraway. It’s lust at first sight, but when Alexa’s past comes to light and Caine finds out that it was Alexa’s father who ruined Caine’s family, he wants nothing to do with her, despite their attraction to one another. When Alexa loses her job, Caine offers one as his assistant, but only so that he can make life hell-on-earth for her.

“Oh, and, Alexa?”
I froze but my pulse sped up. He’d never said my name before.
It sounded nice on his lips. Very, very nice.
“Yeah?” I whispered.
“From now on you will refer to me as Mr. Carraway and only Mr. Carraway.”
Ouch.

Caine is definitely an ass to Alexa, but Alexa’s not the type of woman to let him run all over her. She gives as good as she gets, and she’s determined to prove to Caine that she doesn’t bear the sins of her father. My heart actually ached for her and life she’s had. She’s always been put second in the lives of those she loves, but she’s all the more stronger for it. She doesn’t let people, least of all Caine, bring her down.

Hero had me grinning so, so much. The flames between Caine and Alexa only get hotter as they spend more time together. I loved that Caine tries to make Alexa hate him and her job, all while lusting after her. He wants to hate her, but as he gets to know more of her, he can’t. All he wants is her.

“I fantasize about fucking you in this office a hundred times a day.”

And Alexa is just the most genuine, funny heroine ever! She knew exactly what Caine was trying to do, but she sees through his tough exterior to the warm heart he has. And he really does have a heart of gold underneath his harsh exterior, even though Caine himself believes otherwise.

“I’m not your white knight. I’m just the guy who wanted to fuck you.”

When Caine and Alexa give in to their need for each other, it’s explosive. The two of them have an intense, raw passion for each other, but while Alexa knows there’s more between them, Caine keeps her at a distance. He doesn’t believe he’s capable of love, and Alexa sets on to prove him otherwise.

It should have been frustrating that Caine was so hot and cold about his feelings – he’s protective and possessive of Alexa one moment, then cold and detached the next – but it just… wasn’t. There was an honest, genuine feel to Alexa and Caine’s growing romance. I was rooting for Caine to realize how perfect he and Alexa are together. They have some of the sweetest moments together that warmed my heart.

“For the longest time my company is what got me up in the morning. It was what motivated me every second of every day. Since the moment you started working for me, you are what has gotten me up in the morning. You are what motivates me every second of every day. And still I want more from you.”

*Dreamy sigh* Oh, Caine, how I love you ❤

The romance in Hero was simply brilliant. It’s an office romance but with a unique, fresh take. I adored everything about this book – the story, the characters, the writing. I fell in love with Alexa and Caine and I felt for them. If you haven’t preordered Hero, go do it now! I highly recommend this heartfelt, sexy, romantic read!

5 hearts
lacey

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