REVIEW: The Boy Next Door by Ella James

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The boy next door. That’s what he was. Dash Frasier—my hero from the day we met, when I was six and he was nine. His sister was my best friend, the three of us one happy crew. Then one sweaty summer night changed everything. 

No one understood me like Dash. No one made me feel so loved. That’s why, when he skipped town, it wrecked me.

Now I’m older. Wiser. I’ve just snagged my dream job, writing at a film studio. The lead animator on my project? You guessed it.

He’s not the boy next door. Not anymore.

I’m guarding my heart this time. 

But Dash has secrets that could break us both.

 

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Review 

RATING:

Before this, it feels like I haven’t read an Ella book in a long while, which was a shame because I’m a fan of hers. Last one read was Sloth which gave me such a #bookhangover. If I take pause, even now, I can still clearly remember how Sloth made me feel. On that note, I hate to say this but I think that kinda’ tinged how I feel about this one.

I’ll just lay it out there. I think some people will still really enjoy this one, but sadly, not so much for me *sad face*

The 2^nd standalone book in the series, it’s, um *reads blurb again*… yes, Dash and Amelia’s 2^nd chance story. They grew up together, were friends, but something happened, lost touch, and eventually found out that they’ll be working together.

While I don’t have complaints about Dash and Amelie, individually and together, I had a hard time matching the pace that Ella put these characters through. Just when I think Amelie has decided to pull away, her actions said otherwise. Then it made me question Dash’ actions. He almost became this passive participant. Just when I think Dash has decided to let go, he actually held back. Waah… And the ending just felt lackluster (see, I can hardly remember and I just read it a day or so ago only at the time of writing this, yikes)… And for some odd reason, for the first time ever, I noticed the tense used. Could that have been it?

A real shame as I thought they had good chemistry even when things were not going right.

Not a fave Ella read… (sad sigh)... 

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Ella James is the USA Today bestselling author of sixteen teen and adult love stories. She's an angst-a-holic who loves exploring difficult situations and the emotions of the people caught up in them. Also, smut. But always, always romance.

Ella's obsessions include vanilla cream soda, hiking, other weird, crunchy things like rock collecting, and the antics of her three little monsters.

To find out more about her projects, follow her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ellajamesbooks, tweet her at author_ellaj or follow her on Instagram (authorellajames).

Interested in the foreign rights for one of Ella’s books? Contact her agent, Rebecca Friedman, at rebecca@rfliterary.com.

 

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Thanks for dropping by!

~Leftie

REVIEW: Off Base (Out of Uniform, Book 1) by Annabeth Albert

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Blurb

After trading the barracks for a fixer-upper rental, navy SEAL Zack Nelson wants peace, not a roommate—especially not Pike, who sees things about Zack he most wants to hide. Pike's flirting puts virgin Zack on edge. And the questions Pike's arrival would spark from Zack's teammates about his own sexuality? Nope. Not going there. But Zack can't refuse.

Pike Reynolds knows there won't be a warm welcome in his new home. What can he say? He's an acquired taste. But he needs this chance to get his life together. Also, teasing the uptight SEAL will be hella fun. Still, Pike has to tread carefully; he's had his fill of tourists in the past, and he can't risk his heart on another, not even one as hot, as built—and, okay, yeah, as adorable—as Zack.

Living with Pike crumbles Zack's restraint and fuels his curiosity. He discovers how well they fit together in bed…in the shower…in the hallway… He needs Pike more than he could have imagined, yet he doesn't know how to be the man Pike deserves.

Review

RATING:

This somehow got buried in my TBR, not sure why. New fan of Annabeth here and knowing how gooey she makes me feel with her stories, I don’t know why I didn't jump at this asap. #prioritizingfail

The beginning of a new series, it’s a spinoff from the Gaymer series. This is delving some more in the world of Ryan and his likes, men in uniform, sweeeet! It’s the story of Zack, a new SEAL, and Pike, the man who would change his world.

When we meet Zack, he’s fully in the closet and this is about him learning about himself, admitting who he is, and dealing with his coming out to his family, his friends and his work. Pike is expanding his wings, so to speak. He knows who he is and what he wants but also in a way this is him learning about himself because of how his past experience shaped him.

How the relationship built between these 2 just built so naturally that like Zack, I find myself caught off guard when it hit me at that point when they realized how deeply they feel for each other. There is such authenticity to their interaction that lulls you then sucks you right in. These are 2 are so sweet! Le sigh… How Pike truly did his best to be what Zack needed, how Zack sincerely did his best to be the man that Pike deserves… Le sigh…

I swear I was with them every step of the way that when that critical time came, I was teary eyed before I even realized it. I felt every ounce of their hurt, doubts and fear. These young ‘uns totally squished my heart. To get to their happy ending just made it feel 10x more rewarding…

Oh, and seeing Ryan and Josiah was also a nice added treat… definitely a bonus…

There’s just something to Annabeth’s writing that seems all light and sweet but the depth she gives her characters adds gravity in a way that catches you off guard emotionally. So while you may think you’ll be in for a nice easy read, which you will be, you’ll get all kinds of feels as well, trust me. In other words, she’ll take you on this ride with ups and downs but she’ll get you through it ever so smoothly. So I guess what I’m trying to say is Annabeth’s got skillz!

 

Thanks for dropping by!

~Leftie

REVIEW: Furious Rush by SC Stephens

Amazon

Blurb

Too fast, too furious-and way too hot to handle . . .

Mackenzie Cox has a lot to prove. Daughter of a racing legend, she is eager to show the world that she has inherited her father's talent in the male-dominated sport of professional motorcycle racing. The last thing Kenzie needs is to be antagonized by her rival team's newest rider, Hayden Hayes. Plucked from the world of illegal street racing, Hayden immediately gets under Kenzie's skin. His insinuations that Kenzie is a spoiled princess who was handed her career fuels her desire to win, and much to her surprise, Kenzie soon learns she performs better when she's racing against Hayden.

As Kenzie and Hayden push each other on the track, the electric energy between them off the track shifts into an intense--and strictly forbidden--attraction. The only rule between their two ultra-competitive teams is zero contact. Kenzie always does her best to play by the rules, but when her team slips into a financial crisis, she has no choice but to turn to Hayden for help. The tension simmers during their secret, late-night rendezvous, but Kenzie has too much to lose to give in to her desires. Especially when she begins to doubt that Hayden has completely left his street life behind...

Review

RATING:
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Hmmm… this is my first SC Stephens read…

Ummm… I think this is going on my deferred-shelf… Hmmm…

Sadly, this is one book that is barely capturing my attention. I’ve started and stopped a few times already, and I seem to be struggling to finish it. I got stuck at 58%... After the most recent decision by the h, I said to myself, ok, that’s it… for now… I think…

Completely my fault, let me be super clear about that. When the generous offer for a copy came my way, I got curious. I’ve never read SC before. Goodreads friends love her Thoughtless series. But as much as I hear so much love for that series, I didn’t, or still don’t, feel inclined to read it, don’t ask me why. But this book came along, so I thought, what the hey!

Now comes the uncomfortable part. I’m having real issues with the characters. Off the bat, the h’s friend rubbed me off the wrong way. Then as the story started opening up, I can barely care for Kenzie and Hayden. I can’t seem to bring myself to see past their immature thoughts and actions. I don’t understand Kenzie’s family’s first world problems or Kenzie’s source of angst. I can’t even find any sympathy for Hayden and his back story.

Consequently, I’ve become less and less engaged with the story to a point where it just started to drag…

I wanted to say it caught me at an off moment. Maybe? I’d like to think I will eventually go back to this when I’m in a more forgiving frame of mind. I even think that this may ultimately surprise me when I do get back to it. Maybe?

I seem to be in the minority so clearly it's just me...


Thanks for dropping by!

~Leftie

REVIEW: Harry Potter and The Cursed Child by J.K.Rowling, John Tiffany & Jack Thorne

Blurb

Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, a new play by Jack Thorne, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the eighth story in the Harry Potter series and the first official Harry Potter story to be presented on stage. The play will receive its world premiere in London’s West End on July 30, 2016.

It was always difficult being Harry Potter and it isn’t much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband and father of three school-age children.

While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places.

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Review

RATING:

So, were you able to get your hands on your copy and finished reading it?

This book was a quick read, mainly being it written as the script of the play now showing in London. Thus, most of the events that would have taken chapters to describe in a novel were written succinctly and very fast-paced. (I find it hilarious that people didn't know this before buying the book! Wuttt?!?! It was clearly stated in the description that it's the SCRIPT!)



Did I love the book? Yes and no.


Yes, because the story was great. There was a lot of action, a lot of funny moments (mostly with Ron) and a lot of poignant ones as well. Yes....certain parts made me cry. I didn't think a Harry Potter book could still touch me the same way as reading the original seven books did, but I think this just shows how this script lived up to the whole spirit of Harry Potter universe. The ending of Part One: brilliant!



No, for the reasons that it was quick read. I would have loved for The Cursed Child to be an actual full-blown book, filled with details and description of the characters and the events. It could have been a 5000-page book...fans would've been happy! Being bound by the short time line of a play, there really was no chance to fully delve into the main characters Albus and Scorpius, and show in great details the shenanigans they got into. This book is what the HP movies are for me: a great interpretation but not the complete package. (Don't get me wrong. I loved the movies, but we all know that many aspects of the books were omitted in films due to time constraints.)

I do understand how lucky we are as HP fans to even have this book, and indeed, I am grateful for that. Alas, it saddens me that this is truly the end for Harry and his gang, as JK Rowling stated she is done with Harry Potter after this:'( I will be re-reading these books as long as I can, to hold on to the magical world of Hogwarts and Harry, Ron and Hermione.


-Rightie

REVIEW: The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer

RATING: 

Not gonna lie...I've been out of the loop when it comes to Young-Adult (YA) novels. I blame the Divergent series by Veronica Roth. As much as I loved that trilogy, the ending of that third really did bring my reading of that genre into a halt... sigh...

Anyhoo, it wasn't until recently that I got interested in reading YA again. My sister-in-law has been recommending Cinder to me for the longest time, so I bought it and have had the book for more than a year. It wasn't only until recently that I had the chance to finally read it, and guess what? I basically bought the rest of the series after about reading half of Cinder in one day.

The Lunar Chronicles begins with Cinder, followed by Scarlet, Cress and then Winter as the final book.  Each book is an interpretation of a fairy tale:

Cinder: Cinderella

Scarlet: Little Red Riding Hood

Cress: Rapunzel

Winter: Snow White

Marissa Meyer's take on these tales, and how she tied everything together is seriously one of the most creative takes I've seen or read in a long time.

Each book just got better and better, and the ending is just right...there is a definite end but not too sappy. 

I feel a bit of a disservice trying to sum up how much I love these books into one blog post, but I don't think a number of them would be enough to convey how much I really did enjoy all the books! There is just the right amount of action, love story and suspense to keep the reader interested.

The first book, Lunar, deals with the main heroine of the series: Cinder, a part-human, part-cyborg girl living with her legal guardian Adri and her two daughters. Cinder, because of what she has to accomplish, ends up being connected with Scarlett (second book), Cress (third book) and Winter (fourth book). The way their stories intertwined, considering they are all based on fairy tale stories, really is quite brilliant. Very imaginative and yet plausible enough that you won't think, "Whu? No way!"

Of course, romance plays a large part in all the books. However, unlike in many fairy tales where it's the prince who saves the girl in distress, it is the strength, courage and wit and of the female characters that saves the day.

Marissa Meyer has really written a great YA series in Lunar Chronicles, and I highly recommend all the four books.

Amazon

Amazon

Amazon

Amazon

~Rightie