Book Review: The Art of Feeling by Laura Tims

The Art of Feeling
by Laura Tims
Published on: August 15th 2017
Published by: HarperTeen
Purchase links: Amazon | Book Depository

Synopsis:

Perfect for fans of Jennifer Niven’s New York Times bestseller All the Bright Places, this contemporary YA novel explores the friendship between a girl in constant pain and a boy who feels nothing at all.

Since the car accident, Samantha Herring has been in pain, not only from her leg injury, but also from her mother’s death, which has devastated her family. After pushing away her friends, Sam has receded into a fog of depression. But then Sam meets Eliot, a reckless loner with an attitude and an amazing secret—he can’t feel any pain. At first, Sam is jealous.

But then she learns more about his medical condition…and his self-destructive tendencies. In fact, Eliot doesn’t seem to care about anything at all—except maybe Sam. As they grow closer, they begin to confront Sam’s painful memories of the accident—memories that may hold a startling truth about what really happened that day.

Review

I'm going to sound exaggerated in this review but what the heck! This book has me blown away! Everything about this The Art of Feeling is love, love, love! I adore the characters and Sam and Eliot's relationship is the kind of romance that is to die for!

Eliot and Sam started out as just schoolmates who didn't really like each other but then became unlikely friends and then later became best friends. I feel like it's rare for main characters in YA standalone books to have such slow development romance-wise who, from not knowing each other, became best friends before being romantically involved. Needless to say, their relationship is the most natural thing in this book.

The Art of Feeling delves into so many topics; grief, familial relationships, friendships, (animal relationships!), and Eliot's illness. Romance isn't actually the main focus. In fact, the romance only became apparent during the last chapters of the book, but I'll be damned if Eliot and Sam doesn't make you all gooey on the inside even when they were just best friends. 

The Art of Feeling is cute, sad, and funny. It has all the good stuff rolled into one, it's perfect! The blurb says its perfect for fans of All the Bright Places, maybe because there's a LITTLE similarity between the two but really, it's almost negligible that I think it's unfair to compare this book to AtBP. But frankly speaking, without actually comparing comparing the two, I enjoyed this more than AtBP.

Disclaimer: A advance review copy was provided by HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 4.5/5 stars!

Book Review: Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley

Words in Deep Blue
by Cath Crowley
Published August 30th 2016
Published by Pan Australia
Purchase: Pan MacMillan Australia

Summary:

This is a love story.

It's the story of Howling Books, where readers write letters to strangers, to lovers, to poets.

It's the story of Henry Jones and Rachel Sweetie. They were best friends once, before Rachel moved to the sea.

Now, she's back, working at the bookstore, grieving for her brother Cal and looking for the future in the books people love, and the words they leave behind.

Review:

Cath Crowley doesn't disappoint with her beautiful writing. And oh, the story of best friends turned lovers in a bookstore romance is probably every bookworm's dream. Love, love, love this book a lot and I love Cath Crowley a lot. Her Graffiti Moon will forever be one of my most favorite books in the universe but while I can't say the same for Words in Deep Blue, it's still the kind of book that I'll be recommending to friends in the years to come. It's sweet and tragic and beautiful all at the same time.

It has been months since I've read a YA book because I've been focused on reading classics and books about religion, science and morality, and the reason for that was because I lost interest in YA. I couldn't finish the YA books I was reading at the time. It felt like everything I read, I've already a thousand times and characters were just unbearable. I honestly feared that I have already outgrown YA but turns out, I was just reading the wrong books.

Thank you Cath Crowley for returning my faith to YA. Henry and Rachel are lovable characters. Henry is an idiot but extremely adorable and Rachel is a difficult character but nevertheless understandable. And I love them both to pieces. And oh goodlords, George and Martin! They are both funny and their interactions were to die for! And mygods, Cal too! It was so difficult to read Cal's letters - literally - because my tears would just flow spontaneously everytime and it was hard to read through tears!

The only downside of this book is Amy. Cath didn't even try to make her likable. She was already repulsive the moment she was introduced. If anything, I felt sorry for Amy that she was made into a plot device who has no character development whatsoever but in the big scheme of things, so to speak, her role in the book works really well for someone like me who abhors love triangles because this would've been more heartbreaking to read than it already is.

I've adored Cath Crowley for a long time and I'm so happy that she finally has a new release and that I got a hold of this book. it's really difficult for me to get physical books published only in Australia and I'm hoping that Knopf moves the US release sooner so that more people can read the beauty that is Words in Deep Blue in the soonest time possible!

Disclaimer: A review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 4.5/5 stars!

Book Review: Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda 
by Becky Albertalli
Release date: April 7th 2015
Published by: Balzer + Bray
Purchase on: Amazon


Synopsis:

Sixteen-year-old and not-so-openly gay Simon Spier prefers to save his drama for the school musical. But when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight. Now Simon is actually being blackmailed: if he doesn’t play wingman for class clown Martin, his sexual identity will become everyone’s business. Worse, the privacy of Blue, the pen name of the boy he’s been emailing, will be compromised.

With some messy dynamics emerging in his once tight-knit group of friends, and his email correspondence with Blue growing more flirtatious every day, Simon’s junior year has suddenly gotten all kinds of complicated. Now, change-averse Simon has to find a way to step out of his comfort zone before he’s pushed out—without alienating his friends, compromising himself, or fumbling a shot at happiness with the most confusing, adorable guy he’s never met.

Review

It took me 7 1/2 days to finish Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda. 7 days to get to the middle but just half a day to finish the rest. I really struggled with the first half. I know this is a popular book that is well-loved by many, but I just couldn't get into it. I liked the idea of the anonymous email exchanges. It reminded me somewhat of Tell Me Three Things, but compared to TMTT, I found this book to be lacking. If it wasn't for the fact that I only have access to my Kindle cloud reader for the whole week with no other tempting titles to read, I would've flat-out abandoned this.

With the way things were going (read: cliché) in the first half, I thought that I had it all figured out for the rest of story, but I was so glad that I was no Becky Albertalli because this proved to be not as predictable as I thought. It exceeded my expectations and then delivered some more.

I didn’t think I would get so invested into these characters because I found them really bland in the beginning. I felt equally nervous as Simon did whenever he planned about coming out to his friends or family. And I felt like my whole world just crumbled the same time his did when his secret came out. But there were also the moments when I’d get so absorbed into the story that I would forget that reality still exists like I’d randomly catch myself curling my toes giddily or grinning widely or sighing contentedly or three of those at the same time.

Pretty much all characters in this book are either easily likable or the kind that gradually grows on you. I loved the relationship within Simon’s family although I felt like it was too perfect to be real. His friends, Abby, Leah, and Nick, are very supportive friends but I didn’t really think that there’s anything remarkable about them. I even enjoyed Martin’s character more though I liked them all the same. And there’s also the matter with Blue. Ohmygod Blue. I lived for their subtle flirtatious emails. I probably would’ve read the second half faster had I not been squealing at their every conversation especially when they finally met! Even though it was totally obvious who Blue was, it never made the story less exciting instead I was even more hyped about their inevitable meeting.

I’m so glad Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda didn’t turn out to be the usual school bullying book where the formula is almost always protagonist + bff vs. the whole student population which eventually evolves to protagonist + love interest – bff vs. the whole school population. In Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, more than half of the school population are non-bigot and they actually have common sense. There’s even a teacher who stands up to her students’ bullies!

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda is a fantastic take on a coming of age (and a coming out) story with lovable characters and an inexplicably sweet romance. It doesn’t sport heavy drama but at the same time it doesn’t take matters too lightly.

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Book Review: Sula's Voyage by Catherine Torres

Sula's Voyage
by Catherine Torres
Release date: May 2016
Published by: Scholastic

Synopsis:

Fifteen-year-old Sula has always known she is different. Even though her parents have shown her nothing but love and acceptance, she sees her dark skin as a reminder of how she doesn’t fit in with the rest of her family.

What’s worse is she also feels that her parents are hiding something from her. After getting expelled from school, Sula reluctantly goes to stay with her mother’s friends. There she unexpectedly finds herself on a journey of self-discovery — a journey that keeps drawing her to the sea. Sula must not only figure our her parents’ secret, but also just how different, and possibly magical, she really is.

Review:

I was so excited to read Sula’s Voyage because:

     1. The author is a Filipino and Sula’s Voyage was a finalist in the 2014 Asian Book Award.

     2. The setting of Sula’s Voyage is in the Philippines (!!) and most of the events that happened in the book are inspired by real life events that happened in the Philippines (!!).

     3. Sula’s Voyage features Filipino mythology – one that I’ve never heard of before!

Needless to say, I was really hyped about Sula’s Voyage. And the fact that the book is actually a really engrossing read helped me to devour it.

Sula's Voyage revolves around our protagonist, Sula, but as the book is set in the Philippines, it also spotlights the Filipino culture. And part of our culture is our obsession with white skin, so Sula getting ridiculed by her classmates about her dark skin is not uncommon, though it doesn’t make it justifiable.

Sula's different skin coloring was given emphasis in the beginning of the book that I feared that it will be the sole focus that made Sula different compared to others. I guess I just didn’t want this to be another book about racism and I’m glad that it was just the tip of the iceberg, so to speak, and that this subject became less and less relevant as the story progressed in regards to how other people see Sula physically and eventually, it paved way to the more important aspects of what ultimately makes her different from others. As well, Sula is the kind of character that grows on you. In the beginning, I was hesitant whether I’d fall in love with her or not but I did. I admired her unpredictability the most. Mira, Pedro, and Pablo are also the kinds of characters that will slowly creep up on you. I really didn’t like them at first what with how Sula portrayed them but as Sula grew and she became able to see through things, I was able to see through the three of them as well.

Sula’s Voyage also has romance but the plot doesn’t revolve around it. Sula’s love interest isn’t even around for the most part of the book, yet it doesn’t make the romance instant or forced as even though he’s absent pretty much over all, he still plays a big role in Sula’s self-discovery. His physical absence merely gives the readers time to focus on Sula’s growth as an individual.

Other things I love about this book are: Sula’s parents! They’re not the perfect parents and their family has issues of their own, but damn, are her parents savage! Also, Sula’s dreams. She tends to dream laughably weird dreams and Sula lampshading their weirdness but still getting scared by them is just so hilarious. With the kind of tone the book set in the beginning, I didn’t think it has the ability to have such ridiculously funny moments, but there they were and I am so pleased. But now that I’ve said it, still, don’t be fooled. Because Sula’s Voyage also has the power to make you weep like a little kid! As well, I can relate soooo hard with this book. Granted, the setting is the Philippines and I’ve been to some of the places the author mentioned in the book like the University of the Philippines Diliman. It’s a 15-min ride away from my place and we used to jog in the Oval and have taho or dirty ice cream. There is also the iconic Sunken Garden which is said to sink some millimetres every year.

Also, GUYS YOU SHOULD TOTALLY READ THIS WHEN YOUR STOMACH IS FULL BECAUSE THIS BOOK IS GONNA STARVE YOU WITH ALL ITS VIVID AND MOUTH-WATERING DESCRIPTION OF FILIPINO FOODS. I had to urge to take a jeepney to Antipolo to get a taste of that Antipolo suman and then fly to Puerto Galera just for the kinilaw na talaba, lechon de leche, and champorado. I’ve had lechon de leche and champorado, but I got a bit depressed because all those times my mother’s friends gave us talaba (oysters) and I didn’t take one bite because they all looked slimy and ew. Alas, this book was too good I couldn't stop reading to get myself out of bed even if I wanted to. But I did ask my mom to buy suman for breakfast the next morning so all was well. ;)

Sula’s Voyage delves deep into familial relationships, tragedy, and self-discovery. Those, combined with Catherine Torres’ beautiful writing style that flows so smoothly makes Sula’s Voyage a captivating read. And if you want to get a taste of what Filipino culture is like (because I swear this book is so spot-on in that part) then you really need to read this book.

Disclaimer: I received a review copy from Scholastic PH and Catherine Torres for free in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 4.5/5 stars!

About the Author

Catherine Torres (Catherine Rose Torres) is a diplomat and writer from Manila. Her work has taken her to postings in New Delhi, Singapore, and now, Berlin. When foreign affairs, as well as domestic ones, permit, Catherine travels around the world on boats made of words. Occasionally, as with these books, she even builds the boat herself.

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Manga Mondays (6): My Hero Academia, vol. 01

Manga Mondays is a weekly meme hosted by Alison @ Alison Can Read

My Hero Academia, Vol. 01 (My Hero Academia #1)
by Horikoshi Kohei
Original Title: 僕のヒーローアカデミア (Boku no Hero Academia)
ISBN:1421582694 (ISBN13: 9781421582696)
Demographic: Shonen
Genre: Action, comedy, school life
Published by: Shueisha (Japanese), VIZ Media (English)
Purchase from: VIZ Media

Synopsis:

What would the world be like if 80 percent of the population manifested superpowers called “Quirks” at age four? Heroes and villains would be battling it out everywhere! Being a hero would mean learning to use your power, but where would you go to study? The Hero Academy of course! But what would you do if you were one of the 20 percent who were born Quirkless?

Middle school student Izuku Midoriya wants to be a hero more than anything, but he hasn’t got an ounce of power in him. With no chance of ever getting into the prestigious U.A. High School for budding heroes, his life is looking more and more like a dead end. Then an encounter with All Might, the greatest hero of them all, gives him a chance to change his destiny…

Review

My Hero Academia is set in present Japan where having super powers brought upon by “Quirk” is so common that it’s literally rare to not have it. The strength of one’s quirk varies from person to person. Some people — Villains— use their powers to do evil but there are others—Heroes— who have taken it upon themselves to save humanity from evil. Everyone can become a hero, so to speak, but to be a “professional” Hero isn’t an easy task. First, you need to get into the hero academy, U.A. High School, where the entrance exam’s passing stats is less than 1 out of 300 and then after graduating will a person only become a Professional Hero.

In MHA, heroes are treated like celebrities. The most famous and also hailed as the strongest is All Might. Kids and adults alike look up to him including our protagonist, Midoriya Izuku or Deku for short. Even at age 4, Deku was already set on becoming a hero like his idol, All Might, probably more than anyone in the world ever wanted. However, in the sea of people with quirks/super powers, Deku is one of the rare type—the quirkless one. So this story revolves around how Deku becomes the greatest hero ever without his own quirk.

When I started reading MHA, I thought that it was going to be just another shonen manga. This isn’t the first time I’ve read about a useless and weak underdog protagonist that ascended to greatness because of perseverance and hard work. Besides, I wasn’t really into super heroes or xmen-ish stuff, but there’s another hero manga called One-Punch Man that I really enjoyed so I gave this one a shot.

Kohei Hirokoshi’s art looks great. His character style for Deku is spot on. Kohei made Deku look ordinary and unhero-like, but his expressive wide eyes that give him a perpetual look of innocence set him apart from other characters in the series. His personality also sets him apart from other Shonen Jump protagonists. He’s not as hot-headed like Naruto nor is he as jolly as Luffy. He is fully aware of his weaknesses. He doesn’t try to deny them and he doesn’t act tough, instead he acknowledges them yet he never loses his sight on his goal. He’s the type of guy who’d probably lose to anyone in a physical fight and he knows it. But it never stopped him from wanting to help.

In a way, Deku reminds me of David from Steelheart because they are both Hero/Epic geeks! Since Deku doesn’t have superpowers, he has taken to analysing heroes’ superpowers much like what David did in order to defeat Epics although for Deku it really was just a hobby that later on became an important weapon against his enemies. David has this obsession on wanting to join the Reckoners much like Deku wants to become a Hero.

I find Deku to be extremely relatable. He is the character that every person who has ever been a fan wants to be. Deku’s being a hero otaku/geek never sat well with his classmates and he was oftentimes bullied by it. In Japan, the term Otaku translates to geek but it has a very negative connotation that could be synonymous to pervert. He was often shun for loving the things he loved and laughed at because this thing he loved the most is the very thing that he wants to be, but has been decided from the day he was born that he could never be. But he was given a chance.

Kohei did really well in portraying Deku's emotions through the art. I could feel his desires, his hope, and sadness very palpably. I cried when he cried, and I smiled when he laughed. Honestly, I felt like a mother to him. I just want him to reach his goals and be happy.

Overall, I think I'm obsessed with this series now. It is so good! And Kohei Hirokoshi is a great artist and story teller. The characters are so diversed. It's impressive that there could be so many mainstay characters and not have their personalities overlapping each other while still being natural and noncontrived. 

You all need to read this whether you’re into manga or not because the story and the characters are just so perfect!

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

[Blog Tour] Review + Excerpt: The Natural History of Us by Rachel Harris & Giveaway

The Natural History of Us (The Fine Art of Pretending #2)

by Rachel Harris
Release date: April 5th 2016
Published by: Spencer Hill Press
Purchase Links: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | IndieBound | Order Personalized Copy until April 8th Here

Synopsis:

One class assignment. One second chance at love. The school player is all in. Now he needs to win back the sweet commitment girl who's forever owned his heart.

Justin Carter has a secret. He's not the total player Fairfield Academy believes him to be. Not really. In fact, he used to be a one-woman guy...and his feelings for her never went away. Too bad he broke her heart three years ago and made sure to ruin any chance she'd ever forgive him.

Peyton Williams is a liar. She pretends to be whole, counting down the days until graduation and helping her parents at the family ranch. But the truth is, she's done everything she can to get over Justin, and salvation is just around the corner. With graduation one short month away, she'll soon break free from the painful memories and start her life fresh. Of course, she has to get through working with him on one last assignment first.

For Justin, nothing ever felt as right as being with Peyton, and now that fate's given him a shot at redemption, he's determined to make the most of it. And for Peyton...well, Justin Carter has always been her kryptonite.

Review

“It’s not hate or anger pooling in my gut – God, I wish it were. More like humiliation, hurt, and intense regret. Also a dash of loneliness and stupid longing.”

Oh, this book. I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t hooked by the first chapter! I tend to avoid second-chance romances because I can’t bear to see the characters relive the past that hurt them. I sympathize too much, not to mention my heart is seriously weak against fictional heartaches. I mean, no matter how light the book is supposed to be, there’s still always that tinge of heartache that gets to me. But Rachel Harris is one of those authors whose books have yet to fail me. As well, I liked Justin from The Fine Art of Pretending a lot so reading The Natural History of Us is just simply inevitable.

But as expected, The Natural History of Us was a little difficult to read for me. Not because it’s a horrible book but because of the emotions! It’s told from dual POV’s of Justin and Peyton in two alternating timelines: (1) freshman year before the “disaster” and; (2) senior year before graduation. That said, I got to really relive the time when Peyton got her heart broken by Justin. I was so nervous while reading the past because their freshman year romance was so cute, so sweet, and so natural—it was the kind that gave even me, as a reader, butterflies in the stomach—and I kept dreading the moment where everything would turn upside down. And lo, because when it did, it almost gave me a heart attack. I didn’t expect *that* to be in this book. Really, why did you do that, Rachel Harris?? These poor kids! And my poor heart!

If you’ve read The Fine Art of Pretending, chances are you already love Justin Carter. He is the catcher of the school’s baseball team and also the resident player, but we’ve all guessed from the first book that there’s more to him than just a guy who hooked up with random women. Justin grew up with his father, stepmother, and a younger half-brother. Not really feeling what it means to be part of a family nor how to be loved by a parent. They even leave him in their huge house when the three of them go on vacations. His brother is the only person in the family who seemed to actually love him, but he’s too young to catch on with the family’s issues. This truly broke my heart and I felt so much for Justin. Even when Peyton’s parents treated Justin as their son it wasn’t the same because they weren’t real family.

Peyton Williams, however, is the quiet girl who lives on a ranch and loves baseball and rodeo. She has Guillian Barre Syndrome but this never stopped her from chasing her dreams. Even if Peyton was only mentioned a couple of times in the first book, it was enough to make me curious about her and my curiosity has been well paid because I love her as a character. Her family is struggling to make the ends meet because of her illness that forced her to stay in a hospital for a long time. Peyton may be quiet but she’s bold, headstrong, and doesn’t back down from any challenge.

Harris’ The Natural History of Us perfectly captured the sweetness and the troubles of a teenage romance. It’s honest and it doesn’t hold back from telling events that are usually taboo in the usual light YA because such things do happen in real life even at a young age. Justin and Peyton are genuine characters. They aren’t flawless. At 15, they were reckless and confused but it doesn’t mean they will stay like that forever. The experience they gained helped in order to fix their mistakes from the past. I know I said that I tend to avoid second-chance romance books but after reading this book, I’m really craving for more of its kind!

Further, the format of the storytelling also brought out the best of the plot. It’s like reading two different stories at once because both have the kind of beginning that will set off your curiosity, a middle whose secrets will keep you second guessing, and an end which ultimately connect the two stories together. I don’t consider this book a light read–semi-light, maybe, but it doesn’t change the fact that The Natural History of Us is one enthralling read that demands to be finished in one sit.

The Natural History of Us maybe a sequel to The Fine Art of Pretending but it can also be read as a standalone.

A review copy was received for a blog tour in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 4.5/5 stars!

Excerpt

Planting my feet on the floor, I grab the assignment packet. I thumb through the long list of group dates, taking note of all the partner-time required (a lot), and a rush of endorphins floods my bloodstream. My heart pounds just like it did when I tagged out Jefferson to win last night’s game, and when a relieved exhale parts my lips, I hear Carlos say, “Uh oh.”

“What?” I ask distractedly.

“You’ve got that psycho look in your eyes.” I raise my eyes and he waves a finger back and forth in front of my face. “The same one you had before we egged Crestmont High last week. You’re planning something.”

Adrenaline bounces my knee. “Maybe I am.”

My hand beats out a rhythm on my thigh as I realize that this is exactly what I’d been waiting for. The answer to the itch under my skin. My extreme restlessness. It’s not a new feeling—if I were honest, it’s been on a low simmer for years. Being with Aly just brought it to a boil. I’ve been numb ever since I lost Peyton, and this… this insane marriage project is my chance to finally make things right.

“Tell Abuelita I’ll be there,” I say, returning my gaze to the back of Peyton’s head. “And that I’ll be bringing a girl even she can’t complain about.” From the corner of my eye, I see him stare at me in confusion. “I’m bringing my wife.”

Carlos’s mouth opens in a mix of shock and doubt and I don’t blame him. I saw Peyton’s reaction, too. But I have three whole weeks between now and then, and a plan taking shape in my mind.
Peyton may think she hates me, but that’s only because she doesn’t know the total truth. Soon, that’ll change—but I can’t rush it. I have to start small. Ease into it. Use these dates and outings to show her how much I’ve changed since I was fifteen and screwed everything up.

But I will do it.

“Mark my words, Carlos,” I say, feeling excited about a girl for the first time in a very long time. But then, that’s because it’s not just any girl; it’s my girl. She just doesn’t know it yet. “I’m gonna be the best damn husband in this entire class.”

He looks at me uncertainly, but that doesn’t faze me. I won’t let it. I know I don’t deserve it. Hell, I never deserved her. But I’m not letting anything stop me. Not this time. Thanks to Coach Stasi, I’m going to remind Peyton of all the reasons she fell for me in the first place.

And then I’m going to make her do it again.

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author

New York Times bestselling author Rachel Harris writes humorous love stories about sassy girls-next-door and the hot guys that make them swoon. Vibrant settings, witty banter, and strong relationships are a staple in each of her books…and kissing. Lots of kissing.

An admitted Diet Mountain Dew addict and homeschool mom, she gets through each day by laughing at herself, hugging her kids, and watching way too much Food Network with her husband. She writes young adult, new adult, and adult romances, and LOVES talking with readers!

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Book Review: The Winner's Curse & The Winner's Crime (The Winner's Trilogy, #1 & #2) by Marie Rutkoski + The Winner's Kiss Giveaway

The Winner's Curse & The Winner's Crime (The Winner's Trilogy, #1 & #2)

by Marie Rutkoski

Release date: March 4th 2014 | March 3rd 2015

Published by: Farrar Straus Giroux

Buy on Amazon: The Winner's Curse | The Winner's Crime

Synopsis:

Winning what you want may cost you everything you love...

As a general’s daughter in a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers, seventeen-year-old Kestrel has two choices: she can join the military or get married. But Kestrel has other intentions.

One day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in a young slave up for auction. Arin’s eyes seem to defy everything and everyone. Following her instinct, Kestrel buys him—with unexpected consequences. It’s not long before she has to hide her growing love for Arin.

But he, too, has a secret, and Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid for a fellow human is much higher than she ever could have imagined.

Set in a richly imagined new world, The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski is a story of deadly games where everything is at stake, and the gamble is whether you will keep your head or lose your heart.

---------

Book two of the dazzling Winner's Trilogy is a fight to the death as Kestrel risks betrayal of country for love.

The engagement of Lady Kestrel to Valoria’s crown prince means one celebration after another. But to Kestrel it means living in a cage of her own making. As the wedding approaches, she aches to tell Arin the truth about her engagement... if she could only trust him. Yet can she even trust herself? For—unknown to Arin—Kestrel is becoming a skilled practitioner of deceit: an anonymous spy passing information to Herran, and close to uncovering a shocking secret.

As Arin enlists dangerous allies in the struggle to keep his country’s freedom, he can’t fight the suspicion that Kestrel knows more than she shows. In the end, it might not be a dagger in the dark that cuts him open, but the truth. And when that happens, Kestrel and Arin learn just how much their crimes will cost them.

Review

I cannot even begin to describe just how good The Winner’s Curse and The Winner’s Crime are. Both were such fantastic reads and both left me completely speechless. The Winner’s Curse has been on my TBR list for so long now, but I’m so lucky to have only picked it up now when The Winner’s Crime has already been released and with The Winner’s Kiss being just around the corner, I don’t have to wait for a year to read it (but still, March 29th, please come sooner!!).

I clamored to get a copy of Crime after reading Curse because the ending broke me! Little did I know that Crime would’ve full-on destroyed me. The emotions I got from reading these two were all over the place intense—sorrow, joy, disgust, hope, distress, frustration, longing, anger. Sometimes either, sometimes mix, and sometimes all of them at the same time. It was maddening! And it felt so, so, so good to know that these events and characters could illicit such a number of emotions from me regardless whether it’s a positive or a negative emotion. I loved feeling all of it! And the fact I could connect so well with the characters thrilled me.

Kestrel was quite the interesting character. Actually, her trope is one of my most favourites. Kestrel may not be physically talented in a battle, but she is a genius schemer and that’s about as dangerous if not more. The book already had me transfixed to it from the beginning till end but I always find myself even more enthralled whenever Kestrel is in one of her mind games. Seeing the cogs turn in her head was a joy to read!

I find it interesting that Kestrel’s father would rather she join the army than to marry. The lack of discrimination against women was a breath of fresh air. I mean, in most stories the parents worry a lot about their daughters but in The Winner’s Curse, Kestrel’s father is willing to pitch his daughter in a war because he has so much conviction in her even though she’s not an exceptional fighter because he knows his daughter has a good head between her shoulders. I find it even more interesting though that Kestrel wants neither to join the army nor to marry. She loved playing the piano, but music is frowned upon in her society and is regarded as lowly—something only slaves do. It’s why she bought Arin, albeit on impulse, because he sings though he refuses to.

I really liked the master x slave relationship here. It’s another breath of fresh air that the master is a girl and the slave is a guy because mostly, in other books, the slave always tends to be a girl and the master, a guy with the slave being an impulsive sarc and the master, an overprotective rake. In The Winner’s Crime, Marie’s approach to the master x slave dynamic is different. Kestrel is brilliant and cautious, and Arin is quite and full of hatred. There were no funny banters involved. These books mean serious business. Kestrel and Arin genuinely didn’t want anything to do with each other and at first I was skeptic at the notion of these two being in a romantic relationship. But while I think Rutkoski handled this development quite well, I also think that the romance could have been reduced in some parts in Curse and maybe transferred to the second book because gods I craved it so much In The Winner’s Crime! That said, The Winner’s Trilogy doesn’t focus much on the romance. It’s more about war and politics and I love that it doesn’t shy away from character deaths.

The Winner’s Crime, though, was consistently a frustrating read from start to finish. There were moments when the frustration was too much to bear that I would just cry abruptly. It was torture but in the bestest way possible and I wouldn’t have it any other way!

It already goes without saying that I loved The Winner’s Curse but The Winner’s Crime is just WOW. Everything I loved about Curse all levelled up in Crime with the addition of some more awesome. The political mind games were set to an all-time high and the emotions, ohmyword, so genuine and so palpable. It was so difficult not to feel for these characters especially Kestrel because she suffers the most. And for Arin because he suffers too.

I know I’m lucky for just reading these two close to the final book’s release date but dang, if only I had a time machine!

Rating: 
The Winner's Curse: 4.5/5 stars!
The Winner's Crime: 5/5 stars!

Giveaway

My sister has just pointed out that March is my anniversary month. I keep forgetting that I have an anniversary so I've never done an anniversary giveaway but I'm doing one now so yay! 

Up for grabs is a copy of The Winner's Kiss, the third book in the The Winner's Trilogy, either from Amazon or Book Depository so yes, this is International.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You can also read a sneak peek of The Winner's Kiss here: https://t.co/gtJ28zdVqD

Book Review: Truthwitch by Susan Dennard

Truthwitch (Witchlands #1)

by Susan Dennard

Release date: January 5th 2016

Published by: Tor Teen

Purchase link: Amazon

Synopsis:

In a continent on the edge of war, two witches hold its fate in their hands.

Young witches Safiya and Iseult have a habit of finding trouble. After clashing with a powerful Guildmaster and his ruthless Bloodwitch bodyguard, the friends are forced to flee their home

Safi must avoid capture at all costs as she's a rare Truthwitch, able to discern truth from lies. Many would kill for her magic, so Safi must keep it hidden - lest she be used in the struggle between empires. And Iseult's true powers are hidden even from herself.

In a chance encounter at Court, Safi meets Prince Merik and makes him a reluctant ally. However, his help may not slow down the Bloodwitch now hot on the girls' heels. All Safi and Iseult want is their freedom, but danger lies ahead. With war coming, treaties breaking and a magical contagion sweeping the land, the friends will have to fight emperors and mercenaries alike. For some will stop at nothing to get their hands on a Truthwitch.

Review

Ohhlala Truthwitch~ It was a spur of the moment decision to pick this up from the bookstore, but I am so glad for that moment because Truthwitch turned out to be one hella fantastic read!

Truthwitch kicks off with a pretty action-packed first chapter. The kind of pilot chapter that will make you think, “Oh, this is about to be good.” We have two headstrong girls, Safi and Iz, and they scream girl power! They’ve been Threadsisters for the longest time and I love, love, love their bond. Their friendship is one of the highlights in this book for me. They complement each other’s personality just as well. Safi is impulsive and spontaneous while Iz plans and thinks things through. Safi tends to be spoiled and self-centrered at times when it comes to other people, but is very protective of Iz and both of them will go out of their ways to save the other.

I do love their relationship and I like Iz alright, but I gotta admit that Safi did get on my nerves though only for a short while. I love that she would do everything in her power to save Iz—and she did but in the process, endangered the lives of other people as well. She exploited Merik’s limitations and most of the time it wasn’t even for something important, but only because she can. I was as frustrated as her as Merik was. But then she had a change of heart and that was when I started to really love her as Safi. Dennard wrote her emotions quite well because I could totally feel her remorse making the change in her character feel even more precious to me.

Another thing that’s worth noting though is the romance. THERE IS NO INSTA-LOVE! Thank goodness for that. I enjoyed Merik and Safi’s banters not because they’re being cute together but because they just genuinely disliked each other, and also because they were cute. They went from enemies to ones who like each other more than friends, haha. That’s another thing I loved about the romance. Truthwitch doesn’t focus on the romance however it’s crystal clear that it’s going to be a big deal in the coming books. The slow burn of it also ensures that readers can see why and how these characters came to feel what they feel for the other. There’s no full on love between the two and it’s just making me crave for MerikxSafi even more.

As for the other characters— gosh, Merik, Safi and Iz aren’t the only interesting people here. I adored Kullen’s loyalty to Merik, but it also broke my heart. Aeduan, also, is not your conventional villain and I do believe that there is more to him than what he showed in this book. Polly as well came as a huge surprise for me. Dennard wrote characters that grow on you and characters that will keep you second-guessing, and then both.

Truthwitch was one hell of a ride for me. It started out good, then meh, then better, then “holy what?!” and then “oh my words please I want more!” It’s one of the most anticipated books of 2016 with tons of early rave reviews so naturally, I tread with it really carefully because me and popular books don’t get along well that much. I didn’t even know anything about the story except for what the title seems to mean, and that only makes me all the more thrilled about this book. So yes, it goes without saying that I am head over heels for Truthwitch. It has a lot of foreshadowing, too, and I cannot wait to see what Dennard will make of them and what more she has in store for us.

Overall, Truthwitch is a story with a fantastic premise, well-rounded characters, interesting villains, and awesome world-building with swoony romance.

Rating: 4.5 stars!

Book Review: Emmy & Oliver

Emmy & Oliver

by Robin Benway
Release date: June 23rd 2015
Published by: HarperTeen
Purchase: Amazon

Synopsis:

Emmy’s best friend, Oliver, reappears after being kidnapped by his father ten years ago. Emmy hopes to pick up their relationship right where it left off. Are they destined to be together? Or has fate irreparably driven them apart?

Emmy just wants to be in charge of her own life.

She wants to stay out late, surf her favorite beach—go anywhere without her parents’ relentless worrying. But Emmy’s parents can’t seem to let her grow up—not since the day Oliver disappeared.

Oliver needs a moment to figure out his heart.

He’d thought, all these years, that his dad was the good guy. He never knew that it was his father who kidnapped him and kept him on the run. Discovering it, and finding himself returned to his old hometown, all at once, has his heart racing and his thoughts swirling.

Emmy and Oliver were going to be best friends forever, or maybe even more, before their futures were ripped apart. In Emmy’s soul, despite the space and time between them, their connection has never been severed. But is their story still written in the stars? Or are their hearts like the pieces of two different puzzles—impossible to fit together?

Readers who love Sarah Dessen will tear through these pages with hearts in throats as Emmy and Oliver struggle to face the messy, confusing consequences of Oliver’s father’s crime. Full of romance, coming-of-age emotion, and heartache, these two equally compelling characters create an unforgettable story.

Emmy and Oliver were childhood bestfriends who got separated when Oliver was kidnapped by his father at seven years old. Ten years after, Oliver is finally found but his father is still on the loose. He started living with his mother again who, during Oliver’s absence married another man and had a twin. When Oliver came back, the whole town was abuzz again especially Emmy, who was the closest to Oliver, as well as Caro and Drew. The four were friends from childhood but after Oliver was kidnapped, it seemed like they didn’t know how to act around him anymore so he’s usually left alone at school. Except Emmy. She wants to continue where their friendship left off.

It was a big deal in town when Oliver vanished that most of the parents became overprotective of their kids. Emmy’s parents for example, became extreme worrywarts over her. It’s normal for parents to be protective of their children especially if they’re only seven, but Emmy’s parent’s protectiveness of her continued on even when she was 17. They don’t want her to pursue her surfing for fear that she might die from drowning and they want her to go to community college instead of enrolling to a university far from home.

Emmy’s far from being a bad kid. In fact, she has a really close relationship with her parents, one that I find interesting what with how she speaks to her parents because they all understand sarcasm. She is also obedient to a certain extent. They talk about a lot of things except about what Emmy really wants to do with her life because she knows that her parents won’t approve of it, so she ends up lying to them instead.

Oliver, on the other hand, has a lot of adjustments to do. People are awkward around him and even his mother doesn’t seem know what to do about him. Only Emmy has the nerve to stop giving him a “space” and soon, Caro and Drew joined in as well. Oliver’s mother also became very protective of him and she’s set to jailing his father once found, not taking into consideration what Oliver feels about it. But what angered me here is how Oliver just goes along with whatever his mother wants him to do. She buys him clothes, he wears. She tells him to sit for an interview about his kidnapping, he does. She wants to do a TV show to help locate his father faster, and he goes along with it. But it also made me sad because it’s like he has given up and just lets his mother do what she wants because somehow, he also feels bad for his mother. Oliver was constantly making amends for the things that were never his fault to begin with.

Emmy also has an interesting relationship with Caro and Drew. Most dialogues here drip with wit and sarcasm which makes the reading easy and absorbing. Add to that is that Caro and Drew really are just likeable people. Drew is gay and I love him. I ship him and his boyfriend as much as I ship Emmy and Oliver.

Emmy & Oliver is one novel I can relate to. My mother is somewhat overprotective too. I can’t count how many times I agreed with Emmy and Oliver about their parents no matter if what they’re doing is wrong. Even that thing about only telling your parents a decision you’ve made a day before actually doing it? Been there, done that and I’m about to do it again next week. I love my parents though, lol.

While Oliver’s disappearance is no doubt the key point in the story, the story actually focuses on familial relationships with friendship and romance only second to it. There’s no love triangle and the only school drama present is also tied to the familial conflict. I feel as if there’s no wasted element here because everything that happened is a necessary plot point. And in spite all the drama, the sarcasm adds lightness to the story. The romance, although not the focal point, is naturally swoon-worthy. The character development is superb! The only flaw to the plot that I can think of is what Oliver’s father did at the end because it’s just way too perfect and convenient for me, but overall, Emmy & Oliver is a relatable read with a captivating plot and characters that will grow on you.

Rating: 4.5 stars!

Book Review: To All the Boys I've Loved Before

To All the Boys I've Loved Before
by Jenny Han
Release date: April 15th 2014
Published by: Simon & Schuster
Source: Borrowed
Purchase: Amazon

Synopsis:

Lara Jean keeps her love letters in a hatbox her mother gave her.

They aren't love letters that anyone else wrote for her, these are ones she's written. One for every boy she's ever loved—five in all. When she writes, she can pour out her heart and soul and say all the things she would never say in real life, because her letters are for her eyes only. Until the day her secret letters are mailed, and suddenly Lara Jean's love life goes from imaginary to out of control.

I have been avoiding To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before for so, so long because I dislike love triangles and the blurb of this book doesn’t just scream love triangle, but love hexagon! I have to thank my friend for lending me a copy in spite the fact that I specifically told her that I didn’t want to read the title (she slipped the copy into the bag with the rest of the books I borrowed from her) because upon reading the book, I found myself unable to suppress the giggling, the aww’s and the satisfied sighs. I couldn’t even put the book down because it was so absorbing!

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is a very light read. It’s cute and fun, and Lara Jean is a main character that is easy to get attached to. Actually, almost all characters here are very lovable - the members of the Covey family – Lara Jean, Kitty, Margot, and Dad. And also Peter! And even Josh to an extent.

The Covey family dynamics, for me, is a special one. I loved the focus Jenny Han gave to this family. Without being overly dramatic, it was one of the most vital elements in the story apart from the romance. And I think the sisterhood between Lara Jean, Kitty and Margot is a riot! Kitty is easily my favorite character besides Lara Jean, however I think Kitty is the most interesting character overall. She’s the youngest of the sisters and her innocence is admirable but you can’t deny that she has some sense of maturity in her. I thought Margot needed a little more spotlight because she was the least present sister since she is studying abroad and only came back during the holidays. However, even with her being absent most of the time, Margot is still an important character in the fiasco that Lara Jean has put herself into.

Still, my most favorite part of the book is the relationship between Lara Jean and Peter. They are just so cute and I’m a HUUUUUGE sucker for cute romance! Well, I’m not a sucker for a girl and a boy pretending to be in a relationship to get at his/her ex or for whatever reason, BUT! It totally worked for both Lara Jean and Peter. I melt at every interaction between them. I don’t even mind the non-ending because while reading the book, I was also skimming the sequel so upon reaching the final page of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, I already knew who was going to end up with who.

One other reason why I was hesitant at first in reading this was because the blurb gives off the feeling that the plot would center around school bullying what with Lara Jean’s letters being mailed around. I’ve nothing against those kinds of plot, but I’m just not ready for that kind of drama. Thankfully, the boys who got the letters aren’t that kind of assholes and thankfully, while the letters are another important aspect that shaped the story, it is not entirely the focus of the book.

If you’re feeling sad or in a reading slump, I highly recommend reading To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. It’s short and sweet and a very absorbing read!

Rating: 4.5/5 stars!

[Blog Tour] Review: Ask Again Later by Liz Czukas + Giveaway

Ask Again Later
by Liz Czukas
Paperback, 336 pages
Expected publication: March 11th 2014 by Harper Teen
Source: Edelweiss
Purchase here: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:

Despite what her name might suggest, Heart has zero interest in complicated romance. So when her brilliant plan to go to prom with a group of friends is disrupted by two surprise invites, Heart knows there's only one drama-free solution: flip a coin.

Heads: The jock. He might spend all night staring at his ex or throw up in the limo, but how bad can her brother's best friend really be?

Tails: The theater geek...with a secret. What could be better than a guy who shares all Heart's interests--even if he wants to share all his feelings?

Heart's simple coin flip has somehow given her the chance to live out both dates. But where her prom night ends up might be the most surprising thing of all...

Review:

Ahhhhhhhh!!! This book you guys! It’s so much fun! I didn’t read the synopsis before reading the book, or before signing up for the blog tour. Oops. I seem to do that always when a fun-looking cover is involved. BUT I’d like to report that Ask Again Later didn’t give me much room to regret that decision because I loved every moment of it! Okay, not every moment. I’d still like to slap the hell out of Heart’s asshole of a brother, but other than that, Ask Again Later is just the right book for me right now.

One thing that surprised me the most about Ask Again Later is the Sliding Doors-ish concept. It’s implied in the summary but again, I didn’t read it before reading the book. Ouch. After reading Kasie West’s Pivot Point, I developed a slight obsession toward this concept so Ask Again Later was such a pleasant surprise. When Heart flipped the coin to decide who she should go to prom with, the readers are immediately thrown into a paralleling universe where Heart lived two scenarios, each told in alternating chapters: One where she had the jock, Troy, as her prom date, and the other, the theatre-geek, Ryan. 

I loved Heart the moment the book started. One can already say that she’s witty and funny and what I love about her is that she stayed that way all throughout the story. There were moments of naiveté and maybe some stereotyping but in such a way that it’s not too annoying. As well, I’m actually kinda glad that I didn’t read the synopsis of this beforehand because it gives the impression of a love triangle. I might have avoided this if that were the case. But worry not, my friends. Ask Again Later is free from love triangles. In fact, the end couple is pretty much predictable from the start. Predictable yet surprising. Apart from Heart, I also enjoyed the other characters. I may like Ryan a lot more than Troy, but Schroeder takes the trophy here. He’s a nice guy with an enough dose of jerk and his banters with Heart are to die for. I craved for their every interaction and I love how things ended up for them. 

Cute, fluffy, funny and a very easy contemporary read with a touch of supernatural. Ask Again Later is one of those books that should be taken only lightly. The characters present some views that I do not agree with but the book’s crazy fun atmosphere overrides the negative so in the end, I was left a happy reader. And because of Ask Again Later, I am now very eager to get my hands on Liz’s upcoming book Top Ten Clues You’re Clueless. *Grabby hands* 

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Disclosure: This e-galley was received from the publisher (HarperTeen via Edelweiss) for free in exchange for an honest review as part of the Ask Again Later blog tour. No compensation of any kind was received for this post.

Giveaway

US only
-One annotated ARC of Ask Again Later + Swag
-One finished copy of Ask Again Later + Swag

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About the Author

Liz Czukas is a freelance writer (on sometimes sad or boring topics), and also writes books for young adults (which are rarely sad and full of kissing). Before that, she was a nurse and she still kind of misses starting IVs.

She lives outside Milwaukee, WI with her husband, son and the world’s loudest cat. She types too loud (according to her husband), spends too much time on the Internet, and can’t get enough of disaster movies. There is *always* a song stuck in her head, and she once won a hula-hoop contest.

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TOUR SCHEDULE

[Blog Tour] Review: Deeper by Robin York + Giveaway

Deeper (Caroline & West #1)
by Robin York
Paperback, 400 pages
Expected publication: January 28th 2014 by Bantam
Source: ARC from InkSlinger PR
Purchase here: Amazon | B&N

Synopsis:

In this New Adult debut by Robin York, a college student is attacked online and must restore her name—and stay clear of a guy who’s wrong for her, but feels so right.

When Caroline Piasecki’s ex-boyfriend posts their sex pictures on the Internet, it destroys her reputation as a nice college girl. Suddenly her once-promising future doesn’t look so bright. Caroline tries to make the pictures disappear, hoping time will bury her shame. Then a guy she barely knows rises to her defense and punches her ex to the ground.

West Leavitt is the last person Caroline needs in her life. Everyone knows he’s shady. Still, Caroline is drawn to his confidence and swagger—even after promising her dad she’ll keep her distance. On late, sleepless nights, Caroline starts wandering into the bakery where West works.

They hang out, they talk, they listen. Though Caroline and West tell each other they’re “just friends,” their feelings intensify until it becomes impossible to pretend. The more complicated her relationship with West gets, the harder Caroline has to struggle to discover what she wants for herself—and the easier it becomes to find the courage she needs to fight back against the people who would judge her.

When all seems lost, sometimes the only place to go is deeper.

Review:

I was immediately intrigued by this book the instant I read its synopsis. I might have judged Caroline a bit instantly also after reading it though (shame on me!). With the recent influx of the same case here in my country, I can’t help but think: why would girls let guys, even if he’s a significant other, to take private pictures/videos of them together? If you don’t want others to see it, then why do it all? It was a simple but effective prevention to that. With that, I guess you can already assume my non-existent experience when it comes to this kind of relationship. That said, after reading Robin’s Deeper, I can proudly say that I have learned something and I am very thankful for Robin for making me realize what I didn’t understand by reading this book.

Caroline is a character that’s very easy to sympathize with. What happened to her is an unimaginably terrible thing to happen to anyone. She has an ambition in life. She wants to go to law school and be a judge, but after what happened, how can people possibly respect her anymore? One mistake and her dreams all came tumbling down. Her actions afterwards were all understandable and I can’t blame her for them but I couldn’t help but feel sad for her. I kept cheering her on. Nevermind that she couldn’t hear me. The girl needed all the support she could get! And this is where West enters the picture. West is not the most sanctimonious guy out there and if I were Caroline, I’d run the opposite way at the sight of him – or not. Actually, nevermind about his dirty record and drug pushing activities. The guy is extremely hot! And really, he’s not so bad. He is, in fact, a really good person. I love that there’s more to him than just a smexy guy. He has his own personal battles to fight and it’s really cute that he loves his sister so much.

Deeper is a thought-provoking novel that will take you in a roller coaster ride of emotions. Did I mention it’s hot? I am just so happy that Caroline finally opened up to West. West is such a wonderful guy and I know he’s going to take care of Caroline. I’m really rooting for these two. I love them so much! The intimate scenes between them are S-C-O-R-C-H-I-N-G! And the character development? Astounding. The romance is slow burn and it was a joy to watch them grow closer to each other. But really, what I love the most about their relationship is that they started off as friends. Heck, even their friendship started off on a rocky path. So you can really see the remarkable development in their characters and relationship alike. There is a slight cliffhanger but I have faith in these characters and I KNOW that everything is going to work out for them in the end.

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Disclosure: An advance reading copy was provided to me for an honest review as part of the Deeper Blog Tour. No compensation of any kind was received in exchange for this.

Giveaway

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About the Author

Robin York grew up at a college, went to college, signed on for some more college, and then married a university professor. She still isn’t sure why it didn’t occur to her to write New Adult sooner. Writing a
s Ruthie Knox, she is a USA TODAY bestselling author of contemporary romance, including RITA-finalists About Last Night and Room at the Inn. She moonlights as a mother, makes killer salted caramels, and sorts out thorny plot problems while running, hiking, or riding her bike.

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[Review Tour] A Little Too Hot by Lisa Desrochers + Excerpt + Giveaway

A Little Too Hot (A Little Too Far #3)
by Lisa Desrochers
ebook, 284 pages
Expected publication: January 21st 2014 by William Morrow Impulse
Source: Publicist/InkSlinger PR
Purchase here: Amazon | B&N | iBooks

Synopsis:

If you play with fire…

Tossed out of college and cut off by her parents, Samantha West is in pretty dire straits. So when her rocker best friend hooks her up with a job dancing at a gentlemen’s club, who is she to turn it down? Plus, there are rules to dancing at Benny’s: No touching, keep your clothes on at all times, and never get closer than three feet. Unfortunately for Sam, her first private client makes her want to break every single one of them.

Harrison Yates is scorching hot, but he’s got a past that involves being left at the altar not too long ago. Sam is determined to make him forget about his ex, but when she makes her move, it flings her life into a spiral of chaos she never saw coming.

Because Harrison Yates isn’t who he seems to be. And his secret will probably get her killed.

Pre-order A LITTLE TOO HOT for an exclusive alternative chapter written in the hero's POV!

Link: http://avonromance.hc.com/althpreorder

Review:

Honestly, this book should be called Way Too Hot instead of A Little Too Hot because it’s more fitting that way. Sam works as an exotic dancer so it’s only natural that the book is filled with sexy but the second setting doesn’t really showcase a lot of them deliberate steamy scenes. The second part is so much tamed compared to the first part. However, the interactions between Harrison and Sam are always effortlessly sexy, be it when they’re flirting, arguing or talking seriously. The tension is so palpable and I loved it! Although it’s also quite annoying sometimes because I was rooting for them so much and I want them to just kiss and make up already!

At first, the story comes off as clichéd: An exotic dancer falling in lust with an incredibly hot and mysterious guy who always gives the girl the special attention. I felt like I already knew where the story was heading, but then Lisa drops this plot twist that left me with my jaw hanging. Mind you I was at a coffee shop while reading this and I could barely contain myself from grinning and bouncing on my seat out of excitement for fear that others might mistake me as crazy.

I fell in love with Sam the instant I met her. I read this first before A Little Too Far so I had no idea who the characters are, but even with that, Sam already exuded a likable aura. Sam’s breakup with Trent broke her. She partied constantly and eventually got kicked out not only in school but from her home as well. I love Sam’s feisty attitude. She is confident and independent even though she’s clearly lost. She compliments Harrison very well. Harrison is very masculine (read: HOOOOT!!!) and he gives off the impression that’s trustworthy. The secondary characters are also fun! I enjoyed them really well. I was a bit skeptic about Jonathan at first. He’s a womanizer who comes off as a jerk and he has a girlfriend but still flirts with other girls, but his loyalty to Sam gradually warmed up to me and I ended up liking him in the end.

A Little Too Hot is filled with pleasant surprises and a mystery that will keep you guessing until the end. It has an interesting set of characters that you will immediately get attached to. Not to mention the romance is H-O-T! I really love that the hotness here is not overdone so it doesn’t feel forced. It’s done with the right amount of touching and teasing! Also, guns. There are guns here and people shooting! I know I shouldn’t get excited at the thought of people gunning down each other but it’s been a long time since I read a purely contemporary novel with this kind of action so thank you, Lisa!

A Little Too Hot is part of a series of companion of novels so it’s alright whichever book in the series you read first since it’s a standalone. However, you’ll get more inkling of Sam’s background if you read book one before this.

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Disclosure: A review copy was provided by the publicist via InkSlinger PR as part of the A Little Too Hot blog tour for free in exchange for an honest review.

Excerpt

Exclusive Excerpt of A LITTLE TOO HOT by Lisa Desrochers by WilliamMorrowBooks

Giveaway

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About the Author

Lisa Desrochers is the USA Today bestselling author of A LITTLE TOO FAR, courtesy of A LITTLE TOO MUCH (Nov 12, 2013), and A LITTLE TOO HOT (Jan 21, 2014). Also in stores is her YA PERSONAL DEMONS trilogy (Macmillan).
HarperCollins, and companions,

She lives in central California with her husband and two very busy daughters. There is never a time that she can be found without a book in her hand, and she adores stories that take her to new places, and then take her by surprise.

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Book Review: Witch Finder (ARC)

Witch Finder (Witch Finder #1)
by Ruth Warburton
Paperback, 374 pages
Expected publication: January 2nd 2014 by Hodder Children's Books
Source: e-ARC from Publisher via NetGalley

London. 1880. In the slums of Spitalfields apprentice blacksmith Luke is facing initiation into the Malleus Maleficorum, the fearsome brotherhood dedicated to hunting and killing witches.

Luke’s final test is to pick a name at random from the Book of Witches, a name he must track down and kill within a month, or face death himself. Luke knows that tonight will change his life forever. But when he picks out sixteen-year-old Rosa Greenwood, Luke has no idea that his task will be harder than he could ever imagine.

Witch Finder is where humans and witches exist together. However, not many humans are aware of the other's existence as the only difference between humans and witches is the magic that flows within the latter. Magic that only those with the special ability can see.

The story begins with Luke Lexton signing up to be a member of the Malleus Maleficorum, those who have taken it upon themselves to rid the world from witches. The last requirement for joining the brotherhood is blindly choosing a witch and killing it within the span of one month. Having chosen Rosamund Greenwood, Luke sets off to live the life of a fake Luke Welling and work as a stable boy for the Greenwood household to fulfill his duty to the brotherhood.

Witch Finder is devoid of humor and so has that gloomy tone to it that perfectly suits its genre. Like with most fantasy with historical backdrop that I have read in the past, the book also starts off with a slow plot, initially focusing more on the world-building but it moves more steadily as it reaches the middle part. I found the characters intriguing despite them being too serious. Luke seems to me like the kind of character that's loyal and always gets his job done. He joined the brotherhood in the hopes of killing the Black Witch who killed his father and he probably would've stayed true to my perceived character of him were he able to choose this Black Witch. However, the fact that Luke chose a sixteen-year-old girl instead became a game changer.

My first impression of Rosa was that she was a really weak character - physically and mentally - with a mother and a brother who are more than ready to ship her off to marry a witch from an influencial family just to secure their family's wealth. Granted, Rosa was also attracted to Sebastian. Sebastian who's dark and alluring and who's also attracted to Rosa. He has this sort of bipolar-ish nature. One moment, he's the sweet and gentleman and the next, he's killing puppies by knocking them against boulders. But despite him being a manipulative and cruel character, I found him even more interesting than the protagonists and I'd love to see what insane things he's set off to do in the succeeding books. At first, I was worried that he would cause a love triangle but I'm glad that Ruth knows better than to incorporate one in this. As well, there is no insta-attraction between our Luke and Rosa. It took them a long time to finally fall for each other however, their lack of serious interactions prior to this point gave the impression like it was rushed.

I am also glad to report that Ruth delivers with protagonists that are both well-rounded. Weak as they are against their opponents, both stepped out and managed to give a good fight. I am really excited to see more growth in their strengths as Witch Finder shows us how much stronger the villains are compared to our protagonists and I am really intrigued as to how Rosa and Luke will overcome these obstacles together especially since their relationship is still new and fragile. I am also a sucker for the kind of plot Witch Finder has - that "I'm supposed to kill you but I fell in love with you and now it's us against the world" plot. But more importantly because Ruth did a wonderful job with this concept.

Witch Finder is a great start to a promising series. Even though it presents the readers a slow build-up in the beginning, Ruth's captivating writing will grab you and hold you to your seat until the last pages. Needless to say, I am very, very much looking forward to the second book in this series.

Rating: 4.5/5 stars!

Disclosure: An e-ARC was provided to me by the publisher (Hachette Children via NetGalley) for free in exchange for my honest opinion. No compensation of any kind was received for this review.