Friday, December 30, 2016

Top 5 Most Disappointing Books of 2016

Let's talk about some of the most disappointing books of the year for me. I read a lot of great books this year, but there were some that I was excited about that just...fell flat. Books that had potential and just let me down. This doesn't mean that I hated all of them, just that I thought these could have been a lot better...let's talk about them...

The Heart of Betrayal
by Mary E. Pearson
Now, just because I was disappointed by this book didn't mean I disliked it. I liked it just fine, but I didn't absolutely love it. There were times when I had to force myself to keep reading. I enjoyed reading more about the characters and the world, but this installment definitely had the second book slump. It wasn't as good as the first. This one seemed to drag on and on but never actually go anywhere until the last 50 or so pages. I didn't hate it, but it definitely didn't live up to my expectations. 

The Love that Split the World
by Emily Henry
I was pretty excited to go into this book, but in the end I kind of regretted reading it. The premise was cool, but it was not what I was expecting. I was disappointed by this book in almost every way possible. I'll link my review here so you can see more of my thoughts. 

Etiquette & Espionage
by Adriana Mather
I was excited to read this as it sounded like such a cool book. And then I read it. I had to force myself to read most of it, which lowered my enjoyment of this book even more. I can't even remember most of the story, just that I had high hopes and I didn't like it very much. 

How to Hang a Witch
by Adriana Mather
I enjoyed this book quite a bit, but not as much as I expected. My OTP was split up at the end and I was kind of disappointed by that. I think that everything was resolved just a little too easily for all of the panic it was causing. I did enjoy it, but I just thought it fell a little flat. 

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne, & John Tiffany
I loved this book. Of course I loved this book. It was a new Harry Potter book. I loved it simply because it was more adventures with HP and his son. But it was also extremely disappointing. Yes, J.K. Rowling's name is on the front cover because it was based on her story, but she didn't really write the play. I think that sometimes the characterization was off, the writing style seemed off, and everything seemed a little off. I loved it though. I just wish it had been more of J.K.'s writing. That was the main reason why this was such a big disappointment to me.

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Thanks for reading
xoxo
Lauren

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Most Anticipated Releases of 2017

2017 is going to be a great (and also sad) year in terms of book releases. Great because we are getting so many sequels to fantastic books in series as well as new stories to immerse ourselves in. Sad because there are some great series coming to an end this year...possibly 6 of the books I mention in this post will be the final books in a series. As excited as I am, I am scared for my favorite characters and to see how everything turns out for them. I also don't want to let a lot of these stories go. But of course the moment I get them in my hands I will DEVOUR them. So without further ado, here are my most anticipated releases of 2017 (as well as some books I'm excited to read in this upcoming year).

*Some discussions may contain mild spoilers*

Early 2017

Long Way Home by Katie McGarry
"Thunder Road" Book 3
Release Date: January 31, 2017
I fell in love with this series when I read the first two books back during the summer. I cannot wait to get this book in my grabby hands in a little over 1 month (the hype is building!). Especially considering that this installment focuses on two characters we've seen in each of the previous books and have seen the tension and relationship between them growing and evolving. Plus, this cover is GORGEOUS! 

The Dark Days Pact by Alison Goodman
"Lady Helen" Book #2
Release Date: January 31, 2017
I really enjoyed the first installment. I absolutely loved Lord Carlston and Lady Helen's relationship arc. I am even more intrigued to see what happens between the two of them in the second installment. I'm not sure I like the new cover changes, but I guess I'll have to get behind them eventually. Only a little over one month away!

One Hundred Breaths Later by Hayley Stumbo
Release Date: February 8, 2017
Even though I have an ARC of this book, I'm still very excited for its release. It's not a novel, but rather, a chapbook of poetic memoirs that Hayley wrote years ago and recently compiled into a novel. I'm very excited to read all of it (I've read a few so far) and from what I've read, I love it. The writing is so raw and emotional and I'm kind of in love. I'm excited for this release and for others to be able to experience these words.

Dragonwatch by Brandon Mull
"Dragonwatch" Book #1
Release Date: March 7, 2017
I have loved the Fablehaven series since I was in elementary school and the author came to talk to all the students. I fell in love with the characters and the story not long after. So when I heard there was going to be a sequel series (that was supposed to have released in Fall 2016), I freaked out in excitement. I am so freaking excited for this release. It's like a piece of my childhood coming back and giving me a big warm hug. 

When The Dead Come A Knockin' by B.L. Brunnemer
"The Veil Diaries" Book #2
Release Date: January/February 2017
*No cover reveal yet*
I just recently read the first book [it was my 100th book of the year actually :)] and I adored it. It was amazing and so much better than I expected. It was creepy and spooky but still fluffy and I loved it. I was so excited to hear that not only was it going to be a 15-book series (with a second series after the main character graduates high school), but that the second book was coming out so soon! If the author continues publishing every 2-3 months I will be so freaking happy! 

A Portrait of Pain by Jane Washington
"Seraph Black" Book #4
Release Date: Early 2017
I binge-read the first three books in this series so fast that I fell in love with the story in a matter of two days. I love all the characters so much and I really really really need the next one to see how everything pans out. I'm planning a reread of the first three books soon so that I can be freshly reminded of the happenings of the first three books when I go into this one. 

Loving My Pack by Lane Whitt
"My Pack" Book #3
Release Date: Winter 2017, unknown if early or late
*No cover reveal yet*
I believe that is the title of the upcoming novel, but I am not 100% sure. This was one of my favorite series of this year and I am so freaking excited for the third book (as the second one left off on a HUGE cliffhanger). I loved the first two books and I need the third in my grabby little hands already! I just about cried when I read last night that she doesn't plan on having it coming out until WINTER!! I immediately thought of the winter as in December but I'm not sure if she means winter as in January or winter as in December...hopefully it's sooner rather than later because I don't know if I can handle it being so far away. 

Black and Green by C.L. Stone
"Ghost Bird" Book #11
Release Date: Early 2017 (hopefully)
*No cover reveal yet*
The last book left my feels for this series at the highest they'd been in a while. I LOVED the 10th book and I've been anxiously awaiting this installment. There was a cliffhanger (AHH) and there was so many developments and feels in the 10th book. I really hope this is Dr. Green/Mr. Blackbourne's book (I kinda need some Blackbourne/Sang feels). We shall see. Hopefully the release doesn't get pushed back any longer! 

Just Married by Nikki Bolvair
"Faith" Book #5
Release Date: Early-Mid 2017
*No cover reveal yet*
I binge-read the first four books in the series and I thought that was that. There was a "The End" at the end of the fourth book...followed by a "or is it?". I got so excited when I heard she was writing an epilogue-type book revolving around Daniels and her boys. The author has been posting teasers in her Facebook group and I am just dying to get this book in my library so I can consume even more fluffiness. 

Mid 2017

A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas
"ACOTAR" Book #3
Release Date: May 2, 2017
Don't even get me started on my feels for the 2nd book. That book left me in pieces (not as much as Empire of Storms but a close second place). I am so freaking excited for the next book (so close!). There were many unanswered questions at the end of ACOMAF. My babies! I need them all to be 100% okay (mentally and physically) at the end of this final book!

Lord of Shadows by Cassandra Clare
"The Dark Artifices" Book #2
Release Date: May 23, 2017
The very last page of Lady Midnight left me speechless and needing the second book. Waiting a year and 2 months? No thanks! But I will do it if it means that I eventually get this book in my hands. The first book was by far my favorite Cassandra Clare novel and I can't wait to see what happens in the second installment. Especially after the huge info dumps and the cliffhanger at the end of book 1. 

Throne of Glass Novella by Sarah J. Maas
"Throne of Glass" Book #5.1
Release Date: June 27, 2017
Sarah J. Maas is releasing a novella. How could I not be super duper excited? This is a novella all about Chaol, our favorite captain of the guard. Now, throughout this series my feelings for Chaol have been up and down due to a lot of his poor choices, but I still love him. I am excited to see his adventures in this novella, which I'm assuming takes place at/around the same time as EoS. 

ACOTAR Coloring Book by Sarah J. Maas + Various Artists
Companion to "ACOTAR" 
Release Date: June 27, 2017
*No cover reveal yet*
I love the TOG coloring book (hello shirtless Rowan!) and I am excited to see all my favorite ACOTAR characters brought to life in the ACOTAR coloring book (hello shirtless Rhysand!). 

Lose Her Reap Her by H.B. Stumbo
"H.A.S.H" Book #3
Release Date: Unknown, hopefully early-mid 2017
*No cover reveal yet*
The second book in this series destroyed me. I sobbed so many times in that book. It played with my emotions and made me happy just to rip it all away. I'm eagerly awaiting the last book to see how my favorite characters turn out. What is going to happen?! I'm so scared but so excited at the same time!

Late 2017

Hunting Prince Dracula by Kerri Mansicalco
"Stalking Jack the Ripper" Book #2
Release Date: September 19, 2017
*No cover/title reveal yet*
I fell in love with the characters in book 1. The plot was great and I really enjoyed it, but I loved the characters even more. To be honest, this book could just be them sitting around a dead body exchanging stories and jokes and I'd be perfectly content. I'm excited to see what happens between the two main characters in this second installment, especially with where they're headed. I'm eagerly anticipating the second book and I hope it's just as gory and funny as the first. 

A Shadow Bright and Burning 2 by Jessica Cluess
"Kingdom on Fire" Book #2
Release Date: September 2017 (hopefully)
*No cover/title reveal yet*
I finally read book one this past month and I really liked it. There were plot twists I didn't see coming and excellent foreshadowing. I want to know how the characters deal with everything in the second book and I'm even more excited to see the main character develop further relationships with the other characters.

Throne of Glass 6 by Sarah J. Maas
"Throne of Glass" Book #6
Release Date: October 5, 2017
I thought we were getting this in September, but I have to wait until October! Be still my heart! I'm not sure if I can handle the wait. But I will perservere if it means that the last book is the best book I've ever read (fingers crossed). Book 5 left me in tears and I really really really really really (too many?) need the last book. My babies better all end up happy and together and SJM better not pull some Veronica Roth shit (because my feels won't be able to take that). 

Illuminae 3 by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff
"Illuminae Files_03"
Release Date: October 2017 (hopefully)
*No cover/title reveal yet*
I thought for sure at the end of Gemina that all my favorite characters were goners. But no! Now I know I need the third book in my hands, just to see all the adventures of my favorite characters. I'm so excited to see who the main pair is in the next book and I can't wait to get to know them and see more of AIDAN. 

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Thanks for reading. What are some of your most anticipated releases of the new year?
xoxo
Lauren

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Thursday, December 29, 2016

Let's Talk: Trying To Live With The Dead

Title: Trying To Live With The Dead
Author: B.L. Brunnemer
Series: "The Veil Diaries" #1
Genre: RH Paranormal Romance
Page Length: 351 pages
Publication Date: December 6, 2016
Date Started: December 28, 2016
Date Finished: December 29, 2016
Rating: 5/5 stars 

*May contain mild spoilers*

The moment I read the synopsis for this book, I knew I needed it in my life. Sadly, I had to wait until after buying Christmas presents for my family and friends. But the moment after, I bought this book so fast, I didn't even think about the purchase. I started reading it and by the middle of the next day, I had finished it. One of the most climactic scenes of the whole book happened right as I had to go to a dentist appointment, meaning I had to lay there for a half hour wondering what was going to happen next. It was pretty close to agony. 

I sped through this book. I stayed up until 1 am reading this book. I neglected my chores, eating, and my poor bank account (I found the paperback edition and bought it immediately before writing this review) due to this book, and I would do it all again. This book was fantastic.

At first, I was a little apprehensive. When I first opened the book on my phone, there was just one big page of text. Apart from dialogue, there were no paragraph breaks. I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to read it, but I persevered and the problem was either remedied quickly or I was so caught up in the story that I didn't notice it anymore. There were quite a few punctuation errors, but I didn't care--I was just too engrossed in the plot and characters. Those were my few and only qualms with this book.

I loved the characters. As this is a reverse harem story, things can get a little cliche sometimes. There were some cliches here, like the hot, young guys welcoming the new, lonely girl into their group the first day they meet, or the occasional damsel in distress moments. But this book was also unique and set apart from other RH stories I've read. Most of my favorites are nothing alike, and that is a good thing!

The main character sometimes needs supporting and help, but she's also pretty freaking badass and isn't afraid to stand up for herself. She also talks to ghosts! So freaking cool! Lexie is just one of those main characters you can't help but fall in love with. She's witty and sarcastic, protective of her friends, kind and caring, and a total badass main character. She had been through hell and back before the beginning of the book and still wasn't broken. I loved her character so much.

Then we have the guys, aka Ethan and Isaac (the twins), Zeke, Miles, and Asher. Each of them have their own backstories (not that we got to see them all in this beginning novel), their own problems, and their own different personalities. Sometimes with RH novels, it's easy to let all the guys have the same personalities with only slightly differentiating features. That was not the case here.

Each and every one of them had something different about them that really stood out. Zeke was overprotective and caring (he reminded me of North from the Ghost Bird series by C.L. Stone). Miles was sometimes blunt but he was caring and would go out of his way to try and figure out how to help his friends. Isaac was pretty funny but also protective and didn't take anybody's shit. Ethan was always there to support his friends and he always seemed to know what was going on. Asher always stuck by Lexie when it came to dealing with his bullying sister or Lexie's cousin. Each of the guys was there for Lexie (and she was there for them) even in situations that weren't dangerous. They had problems they were dealing with and things they were trying to overcome just like Lexie had, and that was one of the main reasons why these characters were so fantastic.

Not only were the characters fantastic, but the plot was too. Most of the time it focused either on the guys and Lexie or on dealing with this particularly nasty ghost. There were times when it was just Lexie and the guys hanging out and eating soup. There were other times when Lexie was fighting off an evil ghost. I loved how this book balanced the light, fluffy scenes with the suspenseful and slightly scary ghost scenes. To be completely honest, there were times I was a little scared. I don't do scary books, but this one was so amazing I had to keep reading (even though it was one am and pitch black)! I couldn't help but need to know what was going to happen next. 

Between the characters and the fantastic plot, I'm hooked. I can't wait for the next book (which is coming out so soon!). I am excited to see how Lexie grows as a person and as someone who can see ghosts. I'm even more excited to see how the guys and her's relationship continues on (as there wasn't any romance between any of them in this book, even though it's RH). I also am hoping that sometime in the next few books Rory finds someone nice. It would be great if Tara and Lexie could settle their differences and become really close; maybe then Lexie could have a non-guy friend. Whatever happens next, I'm excited and eager! 

All in all, this was a marvelously spooky yet fluffy book perfect for fans of C.L. Stone, Jane Washington, and Lane Whitt. It is quite a nice length and definitely worth the price (especially with such a gorgeous cover). The characters will have you falling in love and the plot will have you coming back for more. It's hard to find a book that's quite like it and I have the giant urge to go reread my favorite scenes as this review comes to a close. I think I'll go do that.

Book Links
Author's website
Goodreads
Amazon


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Thanks for reading
xoxo
Lauren :)

P.S. This was my 100th book of the year! I made my goal!


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Sunday, December 25, 2016

Reading Goals for 2017

Out of all the goals I set in 2016, I succeeded at most of them. But it's a new year, and that means a whole new set of goals. So, let's just jump right in to my goals for this upcoming year. 

1. Read 80 Books
(I lowered it 20 books from this year as I will be working more and heading off to college in the Fall)

2. Read More Historical Fiction
(I read maybe 3 H.F. novels this year that were strictly H.F. I need to read more...)


3. Read Thick Books
(I have many thick books in my TBR and I need to start reading them. Most of them are high fantasy or historical fiction, which are two pretty intimidating genres.)

4. Post On YouTube
(A crappy camera shouldn't stop me if I really want to vlog.)

5. Read Some Classics

6. Reread Books

7. Write More
(This applies to both novels and Fanfiction, as I have severely neglected my Fanfic.net stories during 2016) 

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Alright, there's my shorter list of goals. I didn't feel the need to go super-in-depth for these as most of them are pretty self-explanatory.
Thanks for reading
xoxo
Lauren

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Sunday, December 11, 2016

Favorite Book Recommendations

Hello everyone! Today I am going to be recommending all of you some of my favorite books! I have a lot of books I could tell you about and I could spend all day writing about them...but I narrowed it down to a few from many different genres (and only one from each, which really made this hard!) I hope you all enjoy!

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If you like high fantasy...try the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas.
ToG is my favorite book series and the author is my favorite author of all time. Every day I grow more and more in love with these characters and their stories. Here is the synopsis for book 1:

After serving out a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin.

Her opponents are men-thieves and assassins and warriors from across the empire, each sponsored by a member of the king's council. If she beats her opponents in a series of eliminations, she'll serve the kingdom for four years and then be granted her freedom. Celaena finds her training sessions with the captain of the guard, Westfall, challenging and exhilarating. But she's bored stiff by court life. Things get a little more interesting when the prince starts to show interest in her ... but it's the gruff Captain Westfall who seems to understand her best.

Then one of the other contestants turns up dead ... quickly followed by another. Can Celaena figure out who the killer is before she becomes a victim? As the young assassin investigates, her search leads her to discover a greater destiny than she could possibly have imagined.

I absolutely adored the way the first book set the rest of the series up. There is so much character development and world building in the following novels. It is honestly an amazing series that I think has a little something to appeal to everyone.

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If you like historical fiction...try Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco.
I read through this book so fast. It enraptured me and left me gasping for more whenever I had to put it down for adult responsibilities. I fell in love with the characters especially. The main character, Audrey, was humorous, adventurous, and all around amazing. I thought the supporting characters were great. There were plot twists and I was constantly stuck guessing what was going to happen next. Here is the synopsis for book 1:

Seventeen-year-old Audrey Rose Wadsworth was born a lord's daughter, with a life of wealth and privilege stretched out before her. But between the social teas and silk dress fittings, she leads a forbidden secret life.

Against her stern father's wishes and society's expectations, Audrey often slips away to her uncle's laboratory to study the gruesome practice of forensic medicine. When her work on a string of savagely killed corpses drags Audrey into the investigation of a serial murderer, her search for answers brings her close to her own sheltered world.

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If you like romance with a hint of adrenaline...try the Thunder Road novels by Katie McGarry.
I had these books on my wish list for a very long time and when I finally got them in my hands I binge-read them. They were amazing. Each book tells a different story focusing on a different pair of characters from the series. The main female characters were different from each other but both were strong, both were kind, and both were amazing. The male characters were different and each amazing in their own way. I can't wait for the third book coming out next month! Synopsis for book 1:

Seventeen-year-old Emily likes her life the way it is: doting parents, good friends, good school in a safe neighborhood. Sure, she's curious about her biological father—the one who chose life in a motorcycle club, the Reign of Terror, over being a parent—but that doesn't mean she wants to be a part of his world. But when a reluctant visit turns to an extended summer vacation among relatives she never knew she had, one thing becomes clear: nothing is what it seems. Not the club, not her secret-keeping father and not Oz, a guy with suck-me-in blue eyes who can help her understand them both. 

Oz wants one thing: to join the Reign of Terror. They're the good guys. They protect people. They're…family. And while Emily—the gorgeous and sheltered daughter of the club's most respected member—is in town, he's gonna prove it to her. So when her father asks him to keep her safe from a rival club with a score to settle, Oz knows it's his shot at his dream. What he doesn't count on is that Emily just might turn that dream upside down. 

No one wants them to be together. But sometimes the right person is the one you least expect, and the road you fear the most is the one that leads you home.

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If you like science fiction and romance...try The Host by Stephenie Meyer.
It may be a longer book, but I flew through it. The writing was phenomenal and so different from Meyer's other books. The characters were so layered and realistic. They all had different flaws and problems, but they were all amazing. The relationships between characters grew in a way that was realistic and had my starving for more. The plot was great. The planning was beyond fantastic. The Host is one of my favorite books of all time and a definite must-read for romance/science fiction lovers. Here's the synopsis:

Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. The earth has been invaded by a species that take over the minds of human hosts while leaving their bodies intact. Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, didn't expect to find its former tenant refusing to relinquish possession of her mind.

As Melanie fills Wanderer's thoughts with visions of Jared, a human who still lives in hiding, Wanderer begins to yearn for a man she's never met. Reluctant allies, Wanderer and Melanie set off to search for the man they both love.

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If you like paranormal...try the Lux series by Jennifer L. Armentrout. 
I loved this series. I binge-read it so fast and I constantly find myself randomly picking it up off my shelf just to re-read favorite scenes of mine. I love the characters and the relationships they have. Katy and Daemon are a pairing that stands out in my mind and I love it. To balance off their love/hate relationship there is plenty of action and side characters to hold your interest. Synopsis for book 1:

Starting over sucks.

When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I’d pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring… until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.

And then he opened his mouth.

Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something… unexpected happens. 

The hot alien living next door marks me.

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon’s touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I’m getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades. 

If I don’t kill him first, that is.

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If you like mystery/thriller-esque with some romance...try Hide and Seek Her by H.B. Stumbo.
This story is so thrilling and amazing. When you first start reading it, you may wonder where the mystery and suspense is. And then it all starts falling into place. This story is one of my favorites. Charlotte and Vance are two broken souls finding each other in the shit-storm created by Jackson and I loved every second of it. Book two destroyed me in the best way possible and I am eagerly awaiting book three. Synopsis for book 1:

Jackson Greene was the dark. If there was a place in the world where all of the light had been sucked out of, Jackson Greene would be what was left standing. Charlotte Lyons had let Jackson Greene take all of the light from her world and after his mysterious disappearance and her near death experience she worries that she will spend the rest of her life trying to find the light again. 

Enter Vance Wait, the mysterious yet intriguing man who pulls Charlotte from the darkness of the shadows of her past and out of the world she has spent years hiding in. As Charlotte attempts to rebuild her life and learns what it is like to let someone new in, she finds that the things she thought were gone are hiding just out of her line of sight. The lingering thought that she should always look over her shoulder is like a burn that will never fade. Where Jackson is the flame still inflicting the wounds, unbeknownst to Charlotte, Vance is the gasoline used to ignite those flames. 

Sometimes the things we think we see are mirages, hallucinations even. Our imagination is usually what haunts us more than the actual vision our eyes process. It's the things we don't see, the things that we feel but cannot ever point out that are the real threat in our lives. Seeing isn't believing, believing is seeing and you wouldn't believe the things you miss seeing when you're searching for something else.

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Thanks for reading everybody! I hope you found a book that interests you! All of these books are special to me and I love them all. Stay tuned for more posts and more recommendations!
xoxo
Lauren

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Thursday, December 1, 2016

November 2016 Wrap-Up

This was a pretty good reading month for me. I read quite a few books on my Kindle as well as some books from my TBR. I did buy a lot of kindle books (more than I'm willing to admit--my bank account is crying) and I read all of them this month. Whew. Let's just dive in.

1.
Title: Finding My Pack
Author: Lane Whitt
Rating: 5/5 stars
Book Talk: Finding My Pack

2. 
Title: Keeping My Pack
Author: Lane Whitt
Rating: 5/5 stars
Book Talk: Keeping My Pack

3. 
Title: Love Is Not Lost
Author: Nikki Bolvair
Rating: 4/5 stars
This book drew me in so quickly and before I knew it, I had read the whole thing. I immediately bought the rest of the series. The characters just made me feel warm and fuzzy and I loved how this book was such a nice introduction of what else was to come.

4.
Title: Brokenly Found
Author: Nikki Bolvair
Rating: 4/5 stars
The characters really grew in this book, and so did the romance. I enjoyed every single scene with Faith and the boys. It was so fun reading and it even got a little steamy at some points (um, yes please!). The drama of this series started to get more intense, which I really liked. All in all, I loved this book.

5.
Title: Gaining Ground
Author: Nikki Bolvair
Rating: 5/5 stars
This book raised this whole series up to another level. The boys and Faith got even closer in this one, and the drama amplified. I loved how the boys were able to help Faith and I loved every scene where they were with her and helping her (and getting steamy with her). The supporting characters in this installment also grew and I really enjoyed them. 

6.
Title: Silent Secrets
Author: Nikki Bolvair
Rating: 5/5 stars
This book blew me away. I cried, I laughed, and I am eagerly anticipating the next novel (hopefully there is one). I was a little disappointed that we didn't get the scene with her and all three guys that had been building up. I (and other readers) were really anticipating that steamy scene but it didn't happen in the book. I hope that the next book has more steamy scenes. However, this book also took the series another direction that I really enjoyed. I loved how it ended (and that plot twist!). I loved this book and this series and I am seriously hoping that there is another book added. 

7.
Title: Spearwood
Author: A.S. Oren
Rating: 2/5 stars
This book fell a little flat for me. I was so excited for it because it was about dragon shifters and reverse harem! But I didn't enjoy it as much as I could have. I didn't really feel a connection with the characters and the whole thing seemed like a really rushed storytelling. I barely even know what the main purpose of everyone was. The ending was slightly abrupt and I wish that I could have had more. Maybe if there was a little bit more to the story and more to the characters and their relationships. I ended up returning this book to Amazon for a refund as it fell flat and I did not enjoy it as much as I had hoped. 

8. 
Title: Captured by Cowboys
Author: Chloe Lang
Rating: 4/5 stars
This was a spur of the moment buy and I loved it! There was action and mystery and steamy hot romance (the exact kind I like). It was amazing and I absolutely loved it. I do plan on reading the companion books in this series. But there's over 11 books in this series so it might take me a while. I loved the main character and the three men, who were all different yet so amazing. I loved how the story ended and I can't wait to read the next book in this series (the beginning was set up at the end of this first book). This definitely isn't a book to be reading at school, though. It was very, very hot and steamy. 

9. 
Title: Charcoal Tears
Author: Jane Washington
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
I enjoyed this book from the first page. It went a completely different direction than I thought, but I loved it. I love all of the guys in their own way and I really hope that things turn out for the main character. There were times when my heart literally hurt from events happening in this novel and I already bought the second one (despite my bank account getting dangerously low with Christmas coming up). I am excited to continue with the rest of the series and see how everything turns out for Seph and her boys. 

10. 
Title: Watercolour Smile
Author: Jane Washington
Rating: 5/5 stars
Oh lord this book f*cked with my feelings so hard. Below is an accurate depiction of me at the end of this book (while I was sitting in class):
Things got bad in this book, and then they got slightly better, raising my hopes up. And then it go worse, so much worse. My hopes were shot down, trampled over by a taxi, dragged through horse manure, dropped in a fire, incinerated then drowned, and finally shoved in a box to be buried deep underground. I loved it. It was an amazing book. The ending perfectly set up the next one and I just about cried in the middle of class. I was getting weird looks and everything. I loved everything that happened with the boys and the ending just slayed me. It was a Sarah-J.-Maas-in-Empire-of-Storms level ending. I needed the next book immediately, and I bought it despite not having ANY money. And I read it in one day. It was fabulous. 

11. 
Title: Lead Heart
Author: Jane Washington
Rating: 5/5 stars
How can a book have so many bloody plot twists and feels? Argh!!!! I loved it, don't get me wrong, but I was mindf*cked at every turn. This book blew my freaking mind. I'm sure if it was possible for a book to actually kill you, this book would join the ranks of others who would have killed me previously. I loved the characters, I loved the feels, I loved everything that happened in this book. I love how there wasn't a cliffhanger to make me need the next book more than I already do, but there were plenty of unanswered questions and unresolved issues to set up the next book quite nicely. I'm hoping it comes super early in 2017 as I can't wait! I just want more of Seraph and these boys! Ahhh so good! Definitely one of my fave series of all time after this book.

12. 
Title: Just Her Luck
Author: Jeanette Lynn
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
I really really liked this book. It was long (over 600 pages), but I sped through it. I loved all of the characters and this was a light, easy read despite being so long. There were some steamy scenes and the epilogue at the end just made me so happy. 

13. 
Title: The First Time in Forever
Author: J.C. Amato
Rating: 3/5 stars
I was somewhat excited to go into this book. I like it (despite the terrible cover), but there was nothing special about it. It had the feel of the One Direction fanfictions that I used to read when I was obsessed with them. There wasn't much character development, plot development, or action. It was a rather short book to begin with and nothing much happened. There was some insta-love, which I'm not a huge fan of. The book ended on a cliffhanger (and book 2 isn't out yet) but I have no urge to know what happens next. I enjoyed it, but I didn't love it. 

14.
Title: The Marked Girl
Author: Lindsey Klingele
Rating: 4/5 stars
I liked this book quite a bit. Going in, I thought it was going to be a light, easy, quick read with a happy ending and I'd be able to leave it at that. But no, my ship is not together and there was a cliffhanger! I want the next book now! It doesn't come out until August, I believe. So sad. I loved the characters, the action, and the plot. I can't wait for the next one :)

15.
Title: Weekend Surrender
Author: Lori King
Rating: 4/5 stars
What can I say? This book was free + menage. I couldn't resist. It was short, it was steamy, it was wonderful. I read it in two hours, maximum. I enjoyed the characters, I enjoyed the plot, and I enjoyed the ending. 

16. 
Title: Kara's Wolves
Author: Becca Jameson
Rating: 4/5 stars
Wolves? Steamy scenes? Stalker? Reverse harem? HECK YES! I enjoyed this book from start to finish and I am going to enjoy continuing on with the next book in this companion series. 

17.
Title: The Heart of Falcon Ridge 
Author: D.L. Roan
Rating: 4/5 stars
Basic, but I enjoyed it. 

18.
Title: Le Petit Prince
Author: Antoine De Saint-Exupéry
Rating: 4/5 stars
This was one of the books I was required to read with my French class. It was awesome and a serious allegory for human life. I enjoyed it but that ending! Ah!  

~

Thanks for reading
xoxo
Lauren

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Monday, November 28, 2016

Top 5 Books I Want to Reread

Lately, I have been staring at my shelf and looking at books or series I have previously read and had a sudden urge to pick them up and reread them. There's not many, but there's still so many pulling at my willpower. So, without further ado, here are a few books I am dying to reread.

~

Number 1 is Falling Kingdoms (books 1-4) by Morgan Rhodes.
I rushed through this series because I wanted to 1) add to the number of books I had read in that month and 2) wanted to know what the hype was about. I didn't sit and enjoy them as much as I wished I had. I forced myself to speed read them and they deserve so much more. I am excited to reread them and I want to, but I have so many books on my plate. Hopefully I'll be able to reread them all before I am able to buy Crystal Storm which doesn't come out for 2 more weeks. 


Number 2 is Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
I, again, forced myself to read this book and I didn't enjoy as much as I know I could have. Looking back, this book has many elements and things that I know I would love, but I just have to reread it first. Plus, I have book 2 and I want to read that soon.


Number 3 is The Host by Stephenie Meyer
I love this book so much. It's a big one at over 600 pages, and each time I've read it I've sped through it. The characters are amazing, the writing is phenomenal, and I love everything about it. I love the movie, too. Everything about this book is amazing and I find myself discovering new things and falling even more in love every time I read it.


Number 4 is White Hot Kiss by Jennifer L. Armentrout
A few days ago I found myself seriously missing Roth (and all the other characters). This book is kind of everything I love and I really really really want to reread this trilogy (I actually read this book about this time last year). 


Number 5 is Winter by Marissa Meyer
Cinder and the gang are calling to me. This was my favorite of the series and I loved the number of action events that happened in this one book. It was a clunker, but I loved it. I loved the friendships and pairings and *gasp* lack of love triangles! Everything was awesome and I have had the sudden urge to rip it off the shelf and devour it again.

~

Thanks for reading about my top 5 books i want to reread
xoxo
Lauren


Sunday, November 20, 2016

Upcoming Books I'm Excited For

There are so many upcoming books that I'm super excited for. I've read new series this month and there's more books to come, and I just can't wait for them! I'm not necessarily gonna talk about releases that are coming during the summer, or super well-known books, but I am going to talk about a few lesser-known books that I am personally invested in (emotionally and financially).

First we have One Hundred Breaths Later by H.B. Stumbo. Many people might know that H.B. Stumbo is one of my favorite authors. I've read all of the books she currently has released and I'd like to think of her as an author friend. This upcoming book is a collection of poetic memoirs, raw and true in their original form. I've read snippets and teasers and am so freaking excited for these. Also, Hayley revealed the cover today and it is STUNNING. Just look:
So. Freaking. Gorgeous. 

I'm also super excited for Lose Her Reap Her by H.B. Stumbo. This is the third and final book in the H.A.S.H. series and I NEED it, especially after that cliffhanger. There is no cover (yet) or official synopsis, but I'm super excited anyway.

Then we have A Portrait of Pain by Jane Washington. This is the 4th book in the Seraph Black series (which I discovered this month, binge read, and absolutely fell in love with). While the 3rd book didn't leave off on a cliffhanger, per say, I am super super excited to read this next one. I read a teaser, and I'm dying for the book to be in my hands already.

Tied with the previous book in my level of excitement is Loving My Pack by Lane Whitt (I believe that will be the title of it). I also discovered this series this month and binge-read the first two books so quick. I absolutely loved them so much and I can't wait for this third book to come out because CLIFFHANGERS HAPPENED. The covers are gorgeous, the writing is amazing, and the boys in it are FLAWLESS. We don't currently have a cover for the third book (sad face) but I'm super excited nonetheless.

Then we have Just Married by Nikki Bolvair. This is the 5th and final book in the Faith series and I'm so excited. It is not a true installment, but rather, a nice little ending book to wrap things up. Most of the plot stuff was finished in the 4th, but I'm super excited for this one. Just more scenes with Faith and her three boys will make me happy. We don't have a cover or a release date (just 2017). Still, I'm super excited and will probably reread the whole series in preparation for the 5th.

Lastly for this post, we have Black and Green by C.L. Stone. This is the 11th (wow) book in the Ghost Bird series and I am so excited. I've been waiting on this book for MONTHS and I've read 2 teaser chapters and I just can't wait. We don't have a cover yet but I am so freaking excited for this next book. There was a cliffhanger at the end of the last and I really need more of Sang and her guys. Plus, I think this is either Owen or Sean's book. I've been waiting for this! AHHH!

Alright, I think that wraps this up. These are just a few underrated books that I'm really looking forward to. 

~

As always, thanks for reading
xoxo
Lauren

Thursday, November 10, 2016

Let's Talk: Empire of Storms

Title: Empire of Storms
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Series: "Throne of Glass" #5
Genre: YA High Fantasy
Page Length: 689 pages
Publication Date: September 6, 2016
Date Started: September 5, 2016
Date Finished: September 9, 2016
Rating: Infinity Squared

I'm not even sure how I'm going to be able to write this review...

*NON-SPOILER SECTION*

Okay, let's just get into this. I can really only sum this up by saying that I loved this book. Words cannot describe my love for it. There's not much I can say without spoiling the other books in the series, but I can say that this book blew me away. All of these books get better and better as the series continues. In this installment, the world expands quite a bit. We see new places and go on new adventures as well as revisit some. It was a little mind blowing if I'm being truthful.

When I first read Heir of Fire, I wasn't a big fan of multiple POV books. But I started loving them last book and I was addicted to them in this novel. There was never once a time when I was bored reading from someone's perspective. I loved reading from everybody's POV and getting to experience not only their adventure but also their thoughts. The characters matured and grew in this book and it's interesting to go back and read the first book and see how far they've come.

That's all I'm gonna say in this section so if you haven't read EoS or the other books in the series, turn away now or forever hold your peace.

*SEMI-SPOILER SECTION*

Alright. Wow. This book. This f*cking book.

I bawled in this book. There were multiple times that I cried. Multiple times where I was reading in class and freaking out internally and having to grip my friend's hand so that I wouldn't yell at the book. I loved it.

We got to see 3 different storylines but there were sometimes multiple perspectives in each storyline. I thought that was excellent and I absolutely loved that I got to read from both sides of a pairing (*cough* Rowaelin *cough*)

I think that the world building was excellent. I loved revisiting places from past books and I loved seeing new places. I feel like such an experienced traveler just from reading about Aelin's travels. I loved it.

That's all I'm gonna say for now before I jump into the spoilers.

*SPOILERS*

Oh my god, I bawled like a baby at the ending of this novel. I just needed to get that out before I went in order of the stuff I need to talk about.

First of all, the opening scene with Elena and Gavin was amazing. In the first book we meet Elena, but not Gavin. She's different in the two books and we got to see the contrast of an older Elena and a younger Elena. I was awed by the fact that we got a chapter from her perspective. I loved it.

Something that surprised me was Lorcan and Elide. I didn't expect them to be meeting up and actually working together (seeing as Lorcan is kinda a giant raging douche). What I definitely didn't expect was to start shipping them together. Elide was able to make Lorcan open up and start caring for someone. He defends her. He essentially sacrifices himself so that she can live. And that just shows how good Elide is for him and I pray to the gods that Lorcan is able to make it up to her in the next book. I really really want them to work things out and be together.

Next, Manon. OH MY LORD YES. She finally turned against her Grandmother (I hate that b*tch). I love how in the past three books she has slowly been developing into a person that cares and she finally did something to prove it. Just yes. And she saved Dorian's life (#shipit) by killing a witch and then she ends up with Aelin and Rowan and Dorian and all of them when she fights her grandmother and is injured. I was so excited and so happy.

Dorian, oh, Dorian. He is a freaking beast in this book. In the first book, he's a player prince. In the second book he's not as much of a player prince but there's nothing too special about him. In the third book he develops a relationship and finally defies his father (only for his love to get murdered and him get enslaved). In the fourth book, he's enslaved and when he gets free, he takes out his father and his castle and it was amazing. In this book, he's a kinky amazing beast. He kills enemies with a wave of his hand. He gets Manon, Manon freaking Blackbeak to submit to him. He's got that kinky domineering power in the bedroom that was just amazing to read. I loved everything about him. He's just so freaking amazing in this book that it hurts.

Onto Chaol. Not much to say, as Chaol wasn't in this book. To be perfectly honest, I'm not too angry about that. Chaol pissed me off in the last book (I still love him, though), and in the previous two. He's a great, flawed character and I love him. However, his storyline would not have fit with what was going on in this novel. He's on his way to the Southern Continent to get healers to fix him, and that had NOTHING to do with what was going on with everyone else. Plus, he's getting his own novella (which I've already preordered) in June. So I'm okay with him not being in this book. He will most definitely be in the next one, I hope.

Aedion kinda annoyed me in this book. Not all the time, but a few instances just made me want to punch him. Whenever he got pissy at Aelin or started questioning her about her plans (because she makes secret plans), I got annoyed. He should just trust her and follow her lead and wait for her to open up to him. She spent years alone and has spent all that time making plans on her own, so he should have just waited a little for her to open up to him. If he needed to know, she would have told him.

Throughout the book, however, Aedion and Lysandra's relationship continued to grow. I loved it, especially when he said to her "one day I'm gonna marry you". I almost cried. It was beautiful. At the end, though, it all was tossed out the window when Lysandra agreed to impersonate Aelin until they found her and Aedion blew up.

Lysandra is such a badass in this book. She turns into a freaking sea dragon for crying out loud! That was such an intense and beautiful scene. I thought she was gonna die and I was gonna end up crying my eyes out. She didn't though! But honestly, she's such a badass and amazing friend for Aelin. I am so happy that she has evolved from the bitchy courtesan in the novellas. I love her to death and I can't wait to see her in the next book.

I'm so glad that in this book, Rowan and Aelin aren't denying their feelings anymore (*cough* Rowan *cough*). Every single time Rowan would jump in front of Aelin or do something to protect her I just got hit right in the feels. I would squeal in happiness every single time they did something cute together. And their smut scenes or undercurrents of sexual tension in conversations just made me flushed and happy. But more on that later.

After the ending, we learned that Rowan and Aelin were not only mates, but had secretly gotten married. And then they were separated because Maeve stole Aelin and Rowan was just so freaking heartbroken. I was nonstop crying...


Maeve made me hate her more than I hate Umbridge, and that is hard to do. If you put 12 Umbridges in a room it still wouldn't equal my hate for Maeve. She is such a sadistic manipulative b*tch (pardon my language). For thousands of years she has been playing with Rowan's feelings and then Aelin's when she arrives. She made Rowan think that he had a mate when it was all a lie. She kept Rowan from Aelin and beat him. And now, she had Aelin tortured in front of her friends by a sadistic bastard named Cairn and shoved in an iron coffin so that she couldn't heal and kidnapped her from her mate. If she does not die in the next book, I will flip out. I hate her so much, and whatever torture Cairn inflicts on Aelin, Maeve deserves so much more.

Especially because her actions split up literally ALL of my ships. Elide is furious at Lorcan for leading Maeve there and won't talk to him. I can't remember if Dorian goes with Manon in the end, but I don't believe so. They're split by distance in the end. Aedion and Lysandra is just a hot mess. Lysandra is impersonating Aelin (a deal the two had if anything happened to Aelin) and Aedion is mad and being a downright d*ck about it and saying he wants nothing to do with her. And then there's my babies, Rowan and Aelin. Aelin is on another continent being tortured, and Rowan doesn't know where she is. AHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

Okay, I'm calm...maybe. But let's be real, the smut scenes in this book gave me life. Not only did Rowan and Aelin (finally!) do it, but so did Manon and Dorian. Dorian transformed into this dominant kinky lover and it was amazing to see what he did to this cold-hearted witch. Rowan and Aelin had such an amazing scene on the beach. It was fabulous for me to read. I also think that because this book transitioned from YA to NA with the in-depth sex scenes, it opened the door for Sarah's characters to curse a little bit more. Which I noticed they did in this book. 

All of the side characters were amazing. We had the pirate lord Rolfe for most of the book, Fenrys and Gavriel (members of Maeve's cadre), Elena, and a few more at the end. I loved Aedion and Gavriel's meeting. I loved how that went down, and it happened exactly as I thought it would for Aedion. I was in love with Fenrys. He has this crush that's not a crush on Aelin and I'm so excited that he's one of the people going to find her and get her back from Maeve. I just am so excited. All of Elena's plans and past were revealed at the end and I am just too full of feels to even get into that. Ansel and Aelin's cousin and others also came to the aid of Aelin at the end (even though she had already been kidnapped) and that just brought me so much happiness. My thoughts about all the characters (except Maeve and Carin)...


But honestly, Sarah gets an A++++++ for her plot skills and foreshadowing. There were things foreshadowed in the first book or the prequels or even the last book that all made sense in this one. Like why Aelin used Ansel's name when she was fighting in QoS. Or foreshadowing from Assassin's Blade when she was dancing at that party and said she had no name to a man who wanted to dance with her. "Nameless is my price," and that was Aelin! Sarah actually blew my mind with how she brought everything together in this book. I was stunned for so long.

So my feels were pretty much destroyed at the end of this book (they still are). I actually finished the book, curled up in a ball while clutching it to my chest, and cried for a solid 7-8 minutes. Then I put it on my bookshelf and went to eat dinner, came back, saw the book, and cried some more. When I was laying in bed about to go to sleep, I thought of the ending and cried some more. I cried while writing this review because Rowaelin and ahhhh. Yeah...ahhh!

Words cannot describe how excited I am for the next book in the next year. I think the only thing tiding me over is knowing we get another ACOTAR book (and a coloring book) halfway through PLUS Chaol's novella in June! So excited for that one and to see a part of the world we haven't ventured to yet.

Well, there you have it. I finally posted my review for EoS. It took me forever, but at least I did it. Sorry if it's a bit long but with Sarah J. Maas books, I have a lot to talk about.


ONE MILLION OUT OF 5 STARS

~

Thanks for reading
xoxo
Lauren