I got this idea from Danielle at Love at First Page. I read a lot of books that I don't review so I thought I would give a super short review of some books and let you know whether I recommend them or not.
The One Thing by Marci Lyn Curtis. Loved this! Maggie is sarcastic and snarky and entirely believable as a teen who has recently gone blind. She's pushed all of her friends away and basically feels sorry for herself. I could totally see that happening. And Ben, the 10 year old boy with the biggest heart…I absolutely fell in love with him. You have to suspend your disbelief when it comes to how Maggie can see Ben, but if you do that, you will fall in love with this book. Highly recommend!
The Heir by Kiera Cass. Fun and entertaining. I actually really liked Eadlyn. Yeah, she's spoiled and keeps people at a distance, but that's sort of the whole point. She thinks she knows how she's going to run the country, but she has a lot to learn and the selection process forces her to let her guard down. I enjoyed reading about her growth. I'm also surprised that there are multiple guys that appear to truly be in the running. To be honest, I can't tell who will win. I will definitely continue with the series. Recommend!
Posted by: Pam
I got this idea from Danielle at Love at First Page. I read a lot of books that I don't review so I thought I would give a super short review of some books and let you know whether I recommend them or not.
The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things by Ann Aguirre. I really enjoyed this story about a girl with a dark past (it's one of those books in which her past is hinted at but not revealed for a long time) who has started over and leaves post-it notes on lockers of her classmates to make them feel better if they've had a bad day. Then along comes Shane, who has such a sad and heartbreaking past. Such a cute romance. Some may think it's cheesy, but it made me smile. If you're in the mood for a happy and uplifting romantic contemporary, read this one. Recommend!
Emmy & Oliver by Robin Benway. This book deserves all of the rave reviews it's been getting. Adorable and at the same time, HEARTBREAKING. I felt so bad for Oliver, who doesn't deserve what happened to him at all. I fell in love with this book, it has ALL THE FEELS! Definitely recommend.
The Night We Said Yes by Lauren Gibaldi. Sweet story about second chances, but I didn't necessarily think Matt deserved a second chance because I didn't get his story. And then it's not really dealt with in a satisfactory way, it doesn't go as deep as it should. I really wanted to ship this romance, but I just didn't. It's good and I liked it, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it.
Posted by: Pam
I got this idea from Danielle at Love at First Page. I read a lot of books that I don't review so I thought I would give a super short review of some books and let you know whether I recommend them or not.
Hidden Huntress by Danielle L. Jensen. I LOVE THIS SERIES SO MUCH. A 500 hundred year old curse. A human-troll love story. Game of Thrones political machinations. Although it's so obvious who Anushka is and Cecile, while fierce, gets many people killed with her stupidity, this book (and series) is AMAZING. Yes yes yes recommend! Go read it right now.
Heart of Betrayal by Mary E. Pearson. Words cannot adequately express how much I love this series. Lia and Rafe…OTP, I have to say. There's intrigue and deception (they have to pretend to hate each other to stay safe from the Komizar, who is a piece of work). And toward the end? I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. So much action! Intense. How will I survive until the next book???? A million times recommend!
Crimson Bound by Rosamund Hodge. Unique, dark, and intense, I loved this book. The whole bloodbound aspect fascinated me. Rachelle was the best heroine, fighting her transition to pure evil, fighting the lure of the forest. Rosamund Hodge's writing is beautiful and this book was MESMERIZING. Yes, recommend!
Posted by: Pam
I got this idea from Danielle at Love at First Page. I read a lot of books that I don't review so I thought I would give a super short review of some books and let you know whether I recommend them or not.
End of Days by Susan Ee. I loved every single word. Penryn and Raffe. Best. Banter. Ever. Such an emotional book, I found myself cheering, then tearing up, then laughing. An amazing end to a phenomenal series. A million times recommend!
Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen. A wonderful coming-of-age novel about a girl who has always lived in her brother's shadow, but she comes into her own after he goes to jail. Family and friendship are front and center and of course there's an amazing guy (she's a master at creating perfect love interests). Sarah Dessen realistically captures the highs and lows of being a teenager…definitely recommend.
Rook by Sharon Cameron. Brilliant. I LOVED this Scarlet Pimpernel inspired story. Smart and tough heroine, charming, charismatic guy (but can we trust him?), hate-to-love romance with banter (they have to pretend to love each other when they don't), amazing world-building, and plenty of deception, action, and intrigue. Yes, recommend!
Posted by: Pam
I got this idea from Danielle at Love at First Page. I read a lot of books that I don't review so I thought I would give a super short review of some books and let you know whether I recommend them or not.
The Orphan Queen by Jodi Meadows. Loved this one! Wil is a fantastic heroine, a queen who goes undercover in order to take back her country. Loved this world, where magic is forbidden because when it's used, it leads to wraith, a physical manifestation of magic that's destroying the world. There's also a masked vigilante, Black Knife, who keeps the citizens safe but also captures magic users. Loved Wil and Black Knife's relationship. Evil cliffhanger!! Definitely recommend.
I Was Here by Gayle Forman. Such a sad book. It's powerful, emotional, raw, hopeful. Even though Cody and Ben's relationship is complicated and somewhat messed up in the way that they meet, it's actually quite perfect and I loved it. This book makes you think. And feel. It's part mystery, part coming-of-age story. Recommend.
Salt & Stone by Victoria Scott. Still love Tella's voice. Fast-paced, full of action, I really enjoyed it. Still have questions that haven't been answered and hated that Tella and Guy have so many issues working as a team. Also not thrilled that a third book is not a sure thing. If the author only has a two-book deal, why doesn't she finish the story in the second book?? Recommend with the caveat that we may only ever get 2/3 of the story.
Posted by: Pam
I got this idea from Danielle at Love at First Page. I read a lot of books that I don't review so I thought I would give a super short review of some books and let you know whether I recommend them or not.
The Shadow Cabinet (Shades of London #3) by Maureen Johnson. Loved it! London. Ghost police. Death cult. The romance…shipping this one so hard! Talk about slow burn. It backtracked a bit in this book, but I have hope…definitely recommend!
A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab. A unique and creative story about parallel Londons and magic. White London (where evil magical twins rule), Red London (where magic is just the way of life), Grey London (basically, our world…no magic), and Black London (where magic took over and destroyed the world). Amazing main characters with the potential for a swoony shippable romance. Highly recommend!
The Deal by Elle Kennedy. What a fun book, it made me laugh and smile. Plenty of sigh-worthy moments, I really loved this one. Sarcastic girl, swoony hockey player, fake dating trope, steamy sex. What more could you ask for? Yes, recommend!
Posted by: Pam
I got this idea from Danielle at Love at First Page. I read a lot of books that I don't review so I thought I would give a super short review of some books and let you know whether I recommend them or not.
The Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard. Loved this one. It has it all: political intrigue, class divisions, rebellion, special powers, girl pretending to be someone and something else (loved the undercover aspect of it), betrayal, and romance. Great villain, I can't wait to read the next one! Highly recommend!
The Piper's Son by Melina Marchetta. Gritty, raw, realistic, complicated, messy, emotional, smart, sad, funny, devastating, and hopeful. Loved the focus on family and friendship, especially how much his family and the girls meant to Thomas. I actually liked this one better than Saving Francesca. Recommend.
The Return by Jennifer L. Armentrout. I loved being back in this world!! I admit, I was not the biggest fan of Seth in the Covenant series (ok, I hated him), but I love Seth now! He feels such regret for the things he did so he's much more serious in this book (and less psycho, obviously). I loved the relationship between him and Josie. The mythology, the fast-paced plot, the steamy scenes…JLA can do no wrong! Definitely recommend!
Welcome to Shadowhunter Academy by Cassandra Clare and Sarah Rees Brennan. This was just ok. The focus is on Simon, which I loved, since I was a little dissatisfied with how things were left for his character in the Mortal Instruments. Simon doesn't remember much, and he can't stand being around the gang because he feels like he's not the person they want him to be. So he's off to the new academy that has been started to train shadowhunters. Two main problems with this novella: nothing really happens and it read a little young. I can't really recommend it, but I'm sure I'll be reading all of them because I do love this world.
Posted by: Pam
I got this idea from Danielle at Love at First Page. I read a lot of books that I don't review so I thought I would give a super short review of some books and let you know whether I recommend them or not.
Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta. Why did I wait so long to read this book? Jellicoe Road is a beautifully written book filled with mystery, romance, and tragedy. I loved every single word. This is one of those books that you will think about long after you've finished it. Highly highly recommend.
Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta. I loved the friendship aspect of the book and the fact that family was so important, but I wasn't shipping the romance that much. Plus a very open ending (granted, it's realistic, but still). I do know that there's a sequel set five years in the future that's focused on a secondary character and that we do get to see what happens with Francesca so that lessens my frustration with the ending. Recommend.
The Ruby Circle (Bloodlines #6) by Richelle Mead. I can't believe it's over!! Adrian and Sydney are one of my favorite couples. The ultimate slow burn romance that develops over time and feels so realistic and natural. Such sexual tension and chemistry between these two (although it's a bit lackluster in this book). The final book wraps everything up in a satisfying way, although it felt a little like things were being repeated, but at the same time, it was necessary to revisit old friends and enemies to tie up the loose ends. One big part of the plot of the series was not resolved, but according to Richelle Mead, "I don't think we've seen the last of these guys." Definitely recommend this series, even more than VA!
City of Savages by Lee Kelly. An interesting stand-alone dystopian about two sisters living as prisoners in New York City (the entire city is a POW camp). Liked the importance of family and amazingly, the mother is present and an integral part of the plot. Also liked that one of the "bad" guys was complex. However, I have mixed feelings about where the plot went and I was pretty meh about the love interest. Oh, and by the way, a love triangle, but with two girls and one guy. Not sure I can recommend this one.
Posted by: Pam
I got this idea from Danielle at Love at First Page. I read a lot of books that I don't review so I thought I would give a super short review of some books and let you know whether I recommend them or not.
Dead of Winter (The Arcana Chronicles #3) by Kresley Cole. The world-building and the plot are amazing and unique, I don't think I've ever read anything like it. This is the third book in a series that I think will be six books, and while I liked it, not a lot happens, I feel like the plot didn't progress at all. And for those of you who do not like love triangles, this whole book was about Evie trying to decide between the two guys. They actually both have their good points and bad points so it's a true love triangle and she really is quite torn between them. I do recommend the series, but this book was a bit frustrating.
Golden Son (Red Rising Trilogy #2) by Pierce Brown. What a great sequel! It's dark, filled with action action action. An insanely high kill count and a bloodydamn cliffhanger. My jaw was practically on the floor by the end of it. What??? Definitely recommend.
Endsinger (The Lotus War #3) by Jay Kristoff. One of the best series enders ever!!! Awersome. Amazing. Epic. You will not be disappointed. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time because I was so worried about how this one would turn out. There were happy moments and tearful moments. I have been put through the emotional wringer. Fell in love with the characters, the last one was my favorite. Yes, recommend!
Exquisite Captive (Dark Caravan Cycle #1) by Heather Demetrios. There were some things I liked in this book (the complexity of the characters and the world of Arjinna, although we didn't get to see much of it except in some flashbacks), but the pacing…it was soooo slow. Almost nothing happened until the very end. Do not recommend.
Posted by: Pam
