Review|The Library of the Unwritten by A.J. Hackwith

February 10, 2020

I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

48408361. SY475 - Review|The Library of the Unwritten by A.J. Hackwith

The Library of the Unwritten by A. J. Hackwith
Published by titan Books on October 1, 2019
ISBN: 9781984806383
Genres: Fiction, Fantasy, Action & Adventure, Contemporary, Humorous
Pages: 384
Format: Paperback
Source: Publisher
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four stars - Review|The Library of the Unwritten by A.J. Hackwith

In the first book in a brilliant new fantasy series, books that aren't finished by their authors reside in the Library of the Unwritten in Hell, and it is up to the Librarian to track down any restless characters who emerge from those unfinished stories.
Many years ago, Claire was named Head Librarian of the Unwritten Wing-- a neutral space in Hell where all the stories unfinished by their authors reside. Her job consists mainly of repairing and organizing books, but also of keeping an eye on restless stories that risk materializing as characters and escaping the library. When a Hero escapes from his book and goes in search of his author, Claire must track and capture him with the help of former muse and current assistant Brevity and nervous demon courier Leto.
But what should have been a simple retrieval goes horrifyingly wrong when the terrifyingly angelic Ramiel attacks them, convinced that they hold the Devil's Bible. The text of the Devil's Bible is a powerful weapon in the power struggle between Heaven and Hell, so it falls to the librarians to find a book with the power to reshape the boundaries between Heaven, Hell….and Earth.

What do you get when you have a sassy librarian, a muse, a hero, Arcanist and a demon walk into Valhalla? Well a whole heap of action, hilarity and a story that just wont quit. The story is literally on fire. The pages sear your fingers and your eyes, it’s too hot to handle. With the first chapter you just know you are going to fall in love with the sublime writing style and the characterisation that literally smacks you in the genitals – it is that vivid in its fantastical realism. The story dances in front of your vision threatening to consume itself into your very soul.

I was very excited to discover that this is the first book in a brand-new series. Oh, my giddy aunt, this book is was beyond every expectation. My mind was conjuring up an evil darkness that hell threatens but so absolutely delivers. I could almost feel the heat within the library, getting me hot under the collar, my blood boiling, the sweat dripping down my spine. It’s a heady mix somewhere between the realms of fear and anticipation. This book gave me chills! It was fully immersive, and I loved team HELL!

The library of the Unwritten is immersed in the pits of hell. It contains the unwritten books, the characters of which trapped in their unfinished works. They are desperate to become reconnected with their authors, to the point that they have often tried to escape. In charge of this wing of the library is Claire. The non-stereotypical sexy, prim and proper type. What we have instead is a badass, no bowing down to Lucifer and she is tough as old boots! She has a tragic backstory which made me fall in love with her even more. The POV’s were split into Claire, Leto our friendly demon and Ramiel the fallen angel. Each one offered more emotion, more insight and blasted me with such an extreme sense of urgency that I kept willing myself to read more…I was never fast enough, and my appetite was well and truly whetted.

Now the book of hell is on the loose and it is a race against time to recover it before the fallen angel Ramiel catches up with it and takes it to his divine leader. Will the book take the highway to hell or the stairway to heaven? Only time will tell. The sense of foreboding is magnificent and the trials and tribulations that the team encounter is out of this world. This story was quite simply addictive, I found myself reading the pages faster and faster, nothing was stopping me finding out the ending to this story.

I loved the compassion, the ruthlessness, the take no prisoners aspect of some characters. It all just moulded into a titanium structured plot. I await with baited breath for the next instalment. Ah Angels Vs. Demons the oldest battle of all time. It couldn’t have been sweeter.

The Library of the Unwritten will hook you in with its atmospheric storytelling. The author ratchets up the tension with its palpable heat. A.J. Hackwith writes with great power and the book pumps with a great power force that draws you in, time and time again.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

image asset - Review|The Library of the Unwritten by A.J. Hackwith

Amanda is a magpie of plots, bad ideas, and spite. She is a queer speculative fiction writer who writes contemporary fantasy as A. J. Hackwith and sci-fi romance as Ada Harper. Her writing has appeared in Uncanny Magazine and various anthologies, and she’s an alumni of Viable Paradise workshop. She’s represented by Caitlin McDonald of Donald Maass Literary Agency.

Amanda lives in Seattle, WA with her husband and her ghosts. She’s a Slytherin girl, a Ravenclaw nerd, and she always takes the renegade interrupts. And really, isn’t that the important things to know?

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A.J. Hackwith Website

Review: Harry Potter & The Prisoner of Azkaban

January 26, 2020

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Published by Pottermore Publishing on December 8, 2015
ISBN: 9781781100516
Genres: Fiction, Action & Adventure, Fantasy, Contemporary, Young Adult, General, Fantasy & Magic, Young Adult Fiction, Wizards & Witches, School & Education, Boarding School & Prep School
Pages: 448
Format: Paperback
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Goodreads

five stars - Review: Harry Potter & The Prisoner of Azkaban

'Welcome to the Knight Bus, emergency transport for the stranded witch or wizard. Just stick out your wand hand, step on board and we can take you anywhere you want to go.'
When the Knight Bus crashes through the darkness and screeches to a halt in front of him, it's the start of another far from ordinary year at Hogwarts for Harry Potter. Sirius Black, escaped mass-murderer and follower of Lord Voldemort, is on the run - and they say he is coming after Harry. In his first ever Divination class, Professor Trelawney sees an omen of death in Harry's tea leaves... But perhaps most terrifying of all are the Dementors patrolling the school grounds, with their soul-sucking kiss...

I Solemnly swear I am up to no good.

Sirius Black is officially my favourite in the series. Anyone that can exist in Azkaban without having his soul dwindle into an empty pit deserves his happily ever after. Harry Potter is embroiled deeper and deeper into the dark workings of Voldemort. Each year his connection to him is a tangled web of mystery and suffering. Deceit and lies threaten to tear him down- loss of potential, loss of love and a deep ache that just festers. The only two anchors he has is Hogwarts and his best friends, Ron and Hermione.

The summer at the Dursleys has been as terrible as all the rest. The scene with Aunt Marge was particularly satisfying. I’m sure we all wish we could inflate and magic our annoying relatives away at a mere thought. I really wish there had been somewhere else for Harry to go for the summer break…they are beyond abusive and quite frankly I’d love to give one straight into Vernon’s fat mouth.

Harry is back for his third year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardly and boy is this year taking a dark turn. Relationships weaken with the pressures of every day schooling with Hermione taking on too much, losing control and distancing herself from Harry and Ron. It was a great relatable and realistic event…plus, plus, she smacked Malfoy in the gob.

Harry is pretty much on lockdown around the school. A convicted murderer who is known to want to get to Harry due to his servitude to Lord Voldemort is on the run. Sirius Black. He betrayed Harry’s parents and led Voldemort right to his parents. He also killed Peter Pettigrew and killed twelve other people. He has been in Azkaban ever since. Oh, and those Dementors would scare the crap out of anyone. Soul sucking guards…No Thank You!

The Marauders map was my favourite storyline and the connection to his father was just a sigh out loud moment. This was most definitely my favourite book in the series so far. I can’t wait to make memories with my young children and reading these books with them for many years to come.

Review: Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

January 11, 2020

by J. K. Rowling
Published by Pottermore Publishing Genres: Action & Adventure, Boarding School & Prep School, Contemporary, Fantasy, Fantasy & Magic, Fiction, General, School & Education, Wizards & Witches, Young Adult, Young Adult Fiction
Format: Paperback

four stars - Review: Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

The Dursleys were so mean and hideous that summer that all Harry Potter wanted was to get back to the Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. But just as he's packing his bags, Harry receives a warning from a strange, impish creature named Dobby who says that if Harry Potter returns to Hogwarts, disaster will strike

And strike it does. For in Harry's second year at Hogwarts, fresh torments and horrors arise, including an outrageously stuck-up new professor, Gilderoy Lockhart, a spirit named Moaning Myrtle who haunts the girls' bathroom, and the unwanted attentions of Ron Weasley's younger sister, Ginny.

But each of these seem minor annoyances when the real trouble begins, and someone -- or something -- starts turning Hogwarts students to stone. Could it be Draco Malfoy, a more poisonous rival than ever? Could it possibly be Hagrid, whose mysterious past is finally told? Or could it be the one everyone at Hogwarts most suspects . . . Harry Potter himself?

Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets is the second instalment in the hugely successful Harry Potter franchise. The book opens up during the summer break, therefore, Harry is back with his mother’s sister, Petunia and his uncle Vernon and their disgusting son, Dudley. The abuse of Harry is still very much apparent, and he is longing for summer break to be over, so that he can be back with his friends. The friends that haven’t bothered to write to him all summer. No communication. Nothing. He needs to be back with his own people not with family that don’t treat him like family at all, but, how will he get there?

Harry’s first year brought shocks and anguish after discovering that the wizard that killed his parents and tried to kill him is still alive, although in more of a half-life. He has been using others to drain the energy from – finding a way to regain his power. The man who must not be named – Lord Voldemort. This book really opens the door into Voldemort. Harry discovers an enchanted diary that gives him an unadulterated view into the memories of Voldemort. What happened in his school years to turn him into the monster he is now? What kind of power does he have over people? Is he just as smooth as it is believed he was?

Ron’s younger sister, Ginny, becomes entranced by him. He reaches out to her through the diary. Ginny is his perfect target. She pours her heart out to the diary and he is an understanding, attentive ear. She tells him her deepest secrets and fears, including, for her wish to have Harry Potter notice her. This goes on months and all the while Voldemort uses her as a vessel to get stronger. He’s becoming stronger and as a result of this manages to get Ginny to unleash a monster that petrifies the victim. This runs alongside Harry hearing a voice that apparently only he can hear – it is discovered that this is because he is a parselmouth – the ability to talk to snakes. This is an extremely worrying development as the founder of Slytherin was also one.

Ominous messages appear in the school threatening that non-full-blood student will die. This seriously concerns Harry and Ron as their best friend, Hermione is one such student. It also signals the point when the Chamber of Secrets has been reopened. The last time was fifty years ago. The trio investigate and discover that Hagrid was expelled during that time for harbouring a dangerous, man-eating spider. Will they find out who opened the chamber before the monster kills someone?

Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets was one of real intrigue. The writing was captivating, and I read it all within one sitting. Rowling incorporates themes of child naivety and the teenage horror, therefore, discovering that the adults can’t always protect you. I would have enjoyed reading more about Lord Voldemort and his past. I’m looking forward to getting immersed into the next book. The strength of the main character base is still hugely enjoyable with some new characters adding complexity and human emotions into the mix.

Check out my review to book one Here

Million Dollar Marriage (Million Dollar #2) by Katy Evans

July 29, 2019

Million Dollar Marriage by Katy Evans
Published by Amazon Publishing on July 23, 2019
ISBN: 9781542007252
Genres: Fiction, Romance, Contemporary, Billionaires, Workplace
Pages: 272
Format: ARC, eBook
Source: NetGalley, Publisher
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four stars - Million Dollar Marriage (Million Dollar #2) by Katy Evans

From New York Times bestselling author Katy Evans comes a hot romance about two strangers and their race to fall in love.
If someone had bet Nell a million dollars that she would be saying "I do" to a complete stranger on national television, she'd have called them crazy, but with her crushing student loan payments sending her deep into the red, she's out of options. This should be nothing more than a business transaction--until she sets eyes on her groom, and everything changes.
The game is on the instant Luke spots Penelope "Nell" Carpenter. He's out for the money, yes, but getting a little dirty with Nell doesn't sound too bad either. Everyone knows he's not the marrying kind, so it's a good thing it's just for show. God knows he's the worst guy his pretty wife should pick for real.
They have nothing in common, but if they want the grand prize, they'll have to beat out eight other couples. Proving that total opposites attract should be easy enough...as long as they don't fall in love in the process.

I received a free copy of this book courtesy of the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

When I saw a Katy Evans book up on Netgalley for review my trigger finger just couldn’t resist (even though I was getting so much closer to that Nirvana point of 85%). Katy Evans always produces the best romance stories and the best heroes. This is my second adventure with her books- the first being REAL. The title really had my attention – who doesn’t love the thought of A Million Dollars and in this day and age she has capitalised on the reality TV concept…Genius.

Nell -the beautiful but intelligent girl that prefers her own company to that of others. Socially awkward and with more brains than most of us have in our little fingers, she exudes class and poise. Meet Luke, our hero, drop dead gorgeous and the confidence that just falls from him in waves. Both have one thing in common and that is their lack of money. Nell’s father refused to support her through college if she chose not to go to Harvard. Therefore, she has accumulated 500k in student fees. Luke owns his family’s bar – it was his grandfathers’ baby. However, there is several mortgages out on the bar and it has also accumulated a serious amount of debt. Both of them hear about this reality tv show and get through – only one catch….why is it called Million Dollar Marriage. The book is told in dual POV and it reads and flows beautifully. It’s interesting hearing Nells awkward and scared thoughts against contrasting Luke’s uber confidence.

Can the duo complete all the tasks and walk away with the Million dollars? The money is needed by both of them -can they get past their differences and make the short experience work? Will they develop feelings for one another and make a real marriage or will they annul as soon as they possibly can.

I loved both the characters and their arcs were completely perfect. I enjoyed the yang and Yang component of the main characters. Sometimes life throws you a lemon but sometimes darling, you have to make the most fabulous lemonade from next to nothing. You don’t get a dress rehearsal in life, so you just got to lace that fucker up and go with it. Million Dollar Marriage is a fierce romance story with beautifully written broken characters. Your heart beats fast, your stomach clenches. Katy Evans is the master of the Alpha Male. Tack sharp writing as per.

ARC Review: The Seventh Life of Aline Lloyd by Robert Davies.

July 12, 2019

The Seventh Life of Aline Lloyd by Robert Davies
Published by BHC Press on July 11, 2019
ISBN: 9781947727946
Genres: Fiction, Fantasy, Contemporary, Romantic, General
Pages: 352
Format: ARC, eBook
Source: NetGalley, Publisher
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three stars - ARC Review: The Seventh Life of Aline Lloyd by Robert Davies.

From two-time IPPY-award-winning author Robert Davies comes a genre-defying tale of mind control and reincarnation.

When Evan Morgan’s brother dies, it sets off a chain of events that will alter his life forever…

Evan Morgan is an NTSB crash investigator living in northern Virginia. When he learns his elder brother, Damon, has died suddenly and left all assets and possessions to Evan and their sister Vienne, he’s shocked. Traveling to North Wales seems to be a formality: pick up and dispose of any valuables and head back home. But when Evan arrives in Denbighshire and meets his new neighbor, the alluring and mysterious Aline Lloyd, he dismisses the rumors she’s mentally unstable and decides to stay.

Aline has a secret, but it’s not as it seems. Her secret crosses centuries and requires no doctors or treatments. And when she shows Evan, it will change everything he knows…but not without cost.

The seventh Life of Aline Lloyd is a standalone novel from Robert Davies, who has penned several award-winning fantasy and Sci-Fi books. It takes place in the present day, but several different centuries span the entirety of the book.

Evan (our main character) has been contacted by his sister because their brother, Damon has died unexpectedly. He dies from natural causes, but his age makes you question the circumstances around his death. Damon’s solicitor is in contact with the sister and it is arranged that they both will attend the Will and Testament reading. During the reading they discover that Evan leaves an unexpected amount of wealth to Evan and his sister, one of which is an estate in North Wales to Evan. This is where the tale takes a twisted turn.

I was pleased to discover that the author included a map of the area at the beginning of the book. Personally, it is an absolute must in any fantasy tale to have a map in which to imagine the area the story is based upon. There were several Welsh place names included in the story and it helped greatly to picture where in the country they were as, well, I’m not native to Wales.

Anyway, back on course. The estate agent Evan deals with in Wales warns him about his neighbour, Aline. He must stay away, she apparently likes to keep herself to herself. He is informed about apparent troubles during her time in Scotland. She had an emotional breakdown and was committed to a mental institution until she was deemed fit enough for discharge.

Taking on board the estate agent’s advice he leaves his neighbour well along, but he meets her in the adjoining field. For all intents and purposes the estate agent seems wrong about her but she seems mysterious and seems to know a lot more than she’s letting on. “I am History.” She also seems to know Evan’s decisions before he is aware he has made them. Odd.

Aline is forced into admitting some things to Evan after a detective turns up in Wales from Belgium asking some very confusing questions. Evan understandably has questions of his own. Aline has done things that science can’t explain. Can she shed any light on the accusations? What does the future hold for Aline and Evan now that he knows some very uncomfortable secrets.

The world building was decent enough and was fit for purpose, but I would have liked the author to give us more in the way of history of Aline. I felt for such an apparently powerful character such as Aline we needed more strength portrayed in her character arc. I felt at different points she came across as quite wooden. Aspects of the story also seemed to be skimmed over but at the same time there just wasn’t enough action in the book. It was slow and just didn’t feel connected in the story.

Although it was an OK read it wasn’t a book I felt connected to and there wasn’t really a point where I thought “yes I need to keep reading”. I’ve actually struggled to rate this book, but I am going to stick with three stars. Although I didn’t dislike it, it really was just OK. I really enjoy the Fantasy Genre, but this just failed to hit the mark for me.

Review: Learning to Live (Learning #1) by R.D. Cole

June 19, 2019

This book may be unsuitable for people under 17 years of age due to its use of sexual content, drug and alcohol use, and/or violence.

learning to live by r d cole - Review: Learning to Live (Learning #1) by R.D. Cole

Learning to Live by R. D. Cole
Published by Createspace Independent Pub on August 29, 2013
ISBN: 9781491038352
Genres: Fiction, Romance, Contemporary
Pages: 294
Format: eBook
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three half stars - Review: Learning to Live (Learning #1) by R.D. Cole

Due to strong sexual Content and language this book is not suitable for readers under 17 Being alive and living are not always the same. Trudy Love is used to being on her own and has rarely been shown affection. Between growing up in foster care and her abusive boyfriend she has no idea what life can be. At 19 she goes through something no one should ever experience and is left alone once again. Six months later she moves to Mobile, Alabama where she meets someone whose eyes bring back memories of the one person she misses everyday. Too late she finds herself caught in a storm of emotions that are unwanted, but she's determined to fight them off. Jaxon Coleman has a good life, and for him to attend one of the finest Med schools in the country and follow in his dad's foot steps is a dream come true. However, dreams can change in life and when he meets Trudy he knows his will never be the same. Jax knows she has secrets she is unwilling to share, but he's never given up on something he wants and he wants Tru. Can Trudy stop resisting her feelings and welcome the chance to live a different life than she pictured or will her defiance and haunted past eventually take her out of Jax's reach? After tragedy living is not easy, but with the right person it can be learned.

This is a sweet coming of age story. It’s about letting go of the past without forgetting the important lessons it has taught you along the way. It’s about finding yourself through trauma, despair and tragic loss. The main storyline evoked emotion in me firstly as a mother but also a fellow woman. The sadness of it will tear you open.

Tru Love is the heroine to beat ALL heroines.

Trudy Love is an imperfectly perfect character. She has been dealt a shitty set of cards – firstly being put into the care system at the age of 6 after her parents were more interested in where their next hit was coming from. Drugs were their priority, not their precious child. This moved on to having the WORST boyfriend any girl could ever have. Brad. Shitty shitty Brad. He was an extremely abusive character who appeared to get off on Tru’s fear and often capatilsed on it. I loathed him. He shared her around, he beat her, he demoralised him and finally she took the only thing she held dear to her…I hated him.

Tru brought herself back from the brink. She was back to having no-one again. She knew she needed to rediscover herself again, be her own person, not owned by someone. She learned that part of living life is being able to move on past the raw and open wounds but also being able to say “I deserve to live a happy life.” I LOVED that she learned from her abusers and now could take some of the biggest guys down…She was now defending other girls honor as well as her own. Tru Love is by far my absolute favourite heroine because she didn’t just drown in her grief and the feelings that life wasn’t fair – she actively worked her ass off to change and become a stronger version of herself.

The Complex family of Jazz & Jax

Wow…what a multi-diverse family they are. Jax’s parents couldn’t conceive again after he was born so they adopted children, one being a wheelchair bound beautiful girl – loved the inclusion of disabilities. This was a family that truly loved one another and would do anything to support the others. Their interaction was cute and playful and they all seemed to have an unbreakable bond. Jazz was a lovely girl but she would end up getting slapped a few times with how cheery and awake she was in the morning. Jax – gawd, how pleasing is it just to come across a guy that knows exactly what he wants and just goes for it. No games, no tricks just pure tru Love.

The pace was a bit slow in places for me, but overall it was nice, quick and sweet read. It wasn’t a 5 star read for me because the plot was predictable. I had worked out the person responsible pretty early on. I would have liked more twists and turns, maybe a bit more angst (I LOVE a book that makes me cry).

Cake by Nicole Reed

May 20, 2019

Cake by Nicole Reed
Published by Createspace Independent Pub on 2013-08
ISBN: 9781491068113
Genres: Fiction, Romance, Contemporary
Pages: 248
Format: eBook
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Would you be willing to make a mess of your life to get exactly what you want?Kylie Lord has known Trent Moss and Dray Savage since college. Trent, the smart and kind-hearted humanitarian has had her heart from the moment they met, but someone else always had his. Dray is an arrogant professional football player who happens to be Trent's best friend and Kylie's nemesis “with benefits.”Three years after graduation, Kylie is commanding the world with a successful business; however, she lacks the one thing she wants and the one thing she can never have. That is, until one fateful day when Kylie decides to go after all of her forbidden fantasies and risk everything.Two men, completely different and poles apart, but together they are her idea of perfection. One can only offer her tonight and the other forever, but can Kylie settle for just one man, or can she have her cake and eat it too?

Kylie Lord has known adoptive brother’s, Trent and Dray for a long time. Nearly as long as she has been in love with Trent. Drey, however, has been nothing short of an asshole to her. Drey lays on thick the sexual innuendos and just triggers her rage. They tolerate each other for the sake of Trent. She can’t imagine a time where Drey would ever treat her with respect. That all changes when Drey suffers a serious concussion and Trent encourages Kylie to be by his side, seeing as he can’t. Trent is the humanitarian that is currently in Africa, improving water supplies for impoverished communities.

Whilst Kylie helps Drey back to full health and fitness, things seem to irrevocably change between them. Her feelings alter, develop and then Trent returns home. She still loves Trent but can she have them both. Can she have her cake and eat it too?

I have read a few other love triangle novels and more often than not I’m hard to please because the female character usually fustrates me no end with their indecision. Kylie Lord, owns a boutique and is financially stable and responsible. It was good to read about a slightly more mature female character that hasn’t needed to rely on a boyfriend. The one sticking point for me in regards to her character was, how long until this point that she waited around for a guy that essentially seen her as a sister. Like, why? Live your life have fun, You can’t make someone want you. Drey, was a nice guy that disguised his feelings in banter that Kylie took as meanness. He didn’t tell her that he was interested, due to two reasons. 1- That she was waiting for Trent and 2 – because both the brothers had no idea how to engage in a healthy romantic relationship, having never experienced it as children, being passed from foster family to foster family. Brilliant complimentary characters, Kylie’s best friend Madison had a whole lot of Drama herself but the bond between them was heartwarming. My favourite character had to be Kylie’s aunt who was dying of breast cancer, who not only imparted little pearls of wisdom and some awesome witty comebacks. I CRIED. (That’s all I’m saying.)

“I once heard that love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend”

The book is set in Atlanta and you get a feel from the dialogue and descriptions of the area what it is like to live there. It set up the story nicely.

I really hate to bring this one up, but for me it really is a big one. I don’t know if I had an earlier edition of the book or not bad I did find some of the writing was poor. Grammar was all over the shop at times and sometimes I had to go back over a passage as some of it didn’t initially make sense. I don’t like bashing authors, I really don’t, I know how much hardwork goes into producing it but I do feel editing services would have greatly helped.

Apart from the spelling and grammar issue there wasn’t anything really that I hated about the story. The only knit picky things are, how Kylie was happy to wait around for a man that he himself stated, loved like a sister. I also didn’t really feel an emotional connection to Trent. His emergence into the story was very late on so didn’t really see the amazing connection that they apparently had. Also what was the end story between Madison and Nick Andrews, that really seemed to be a loose end that was tied up at the end.

The book was fun, would I recommend it to friends, not sure. The humor and the angst was enough to keep me entertained. Lots of people seemed to love this so maybe its just me.

Book Review: Thoughtless by S.C Stephens

May 16, 2019

Thoughtless by S.C. Stephens
Published by Simon and Schuster on August 16, 2012
ISBN: 9781476717494
Genres: Fiction, Romance, New Adult, Contemporary, Women, General
Pages: 608
Format: Paperback
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five stars - Book Review: Thoughtless by S.C Stephens

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author S.C. Stephens comes a powerful and emotional contemporary romance featuring a young woman in a new city who finds herself torn between her handsome, reliable boyfriend and a sexy local rock star.
For almost two years now, Kiera’s boyfriend, Denny, has been everything she’s ever wanted: loving, tender, and endlessly devoted to her. When they head off to a new city to start their lives together—Denny at his dream job and Kiera at a top-notch university—everything seems perfect. Then an unforeseen obligation forces the happy couple apart. Feeling lonely, confused, and in need of comfort, Kiera turns to an unexpected source—a local rock star named Kellan Kyle. At first, he’s purely a friend she can lean on, but as her loneliness grows, so does their relationship. And then one night everything changes…and none of them will ever be the same.

S.C Stephens is the leader in making you feel happy, deeply sad and down- right rage inducing angry!

The story basically starts off with Kiera moving to Seattle to be with her boyfriend Denny, who has recently accepted an internship in the city. This is where she meets the Rock god, Kellan.

Denny is unexpectedly forced away for 2 months for work, which leaves Kiera upset and distraught at being left in a strange city all alone. Her “friendship” with Kellan turns into something more with “ innocent” flirting, that one night leads to a sexual drunken encounter with Kellan.

Kellan goes through the emotions of cold, sarcastic and back to loving again after their encounter. Denny is now home and Kiera falls back into his arms. This is the first place I wanted to scream at her! I mean seriously! Even at this point you all knew that Kellan felt more for her than his usual one nighters.

Kellan is heartbroken and decides to leave as he just can’t watch Denny and Kiera together. She begs him to stay selfishly. This leads to an explosive sex scene in the espresso stand. The chemistry is palpable between them, but Kiera leaves him cold, when she leaves him for Denny, AGAIN!

Do You Want me Inside you again?
Kellan Kyle

The back and forth friendly flirting takes up a large chunk of the book until Anna, Kiera’s sister turns up for the weekend.

Anna is attracted to Kellan and Kiera fizzles with silent rage. She doesn’t know why? Seriously, uh I don’t know?? Maybe because you are in love with him, you stupid girl! They all go out clubbing, Denny leaves her alone on the dancefloor and she is approached by Kellan. Dirty Dancing doesn’t have a look in. Sexy gyrating leads to Kiera trying to strip the clothing off him. This was so fucking hot!! Kellan escapes away from her as Denny re-emerges.

Kiera made a huge mistake here in my opinion. She went home and had sex with Denny but mentally it was Kellan she was with. Does this not tell her something?? Jeeee-Whizz that girl can be thick!

This all blows everything to a head where Kellan calls it off, but in Kiera’s mind Kellan slept with her sister that night. Talk about a cluster fuck? Kellan starts “dating” again. Yeah, ok if your idea of dating is sleeping with a different girl every night.

Everything comes to a head when Keira can take no more and blows at him at Pete’s bar. She slaps him very hard after a crude comment. Kellan finally breaks down in the back room after an intense exchanging of words.

“I’m so in love with you, Kiera. I’ve missed you so much. I’m so sorry. I’m sorry i say awful thing to you. I’m sorry I lied about your sister. I never touched her. I promised you I wouldn’t. I couldn’t let you know..how much I adore you…how much you hurt me”

You think it’s a happy ever after there, right? WRONG!! She goes between the two still back and forth. I really felt every emotion that Kellan felt. I bawled like a little girl for him, I felt pure rage for him. I wanted to smack the living daylights out of her.

She picked Kellan. Then she picked Denny. GOD GIRL GET IT TOGETHER!! Until finally Denny found out. Not from Keira telling him either. The showdown led to Keira protecting Kellan from a blow from Denny which she took, this led her to a stay in hospital.

Denny leaves her. Kellan leaves her. Although, I felt she deserved it, I was sad for Kellan, you could obviously see that Keira was his world.

Anyway, Keira moves into a new flat. She’s lost without Kellan. She is the depths of depression. She finally realises she loves him. Only took you how long?? Anna takes her to a show and her heart breaks at the melancholy of Kellan’s singing. She finally convinces him that its him she wants, forever.

So, this book grabbed my heart and pulled it clean out of my chest and stamped all over it. So far this is the only book to make me majorly cry and hurt for the characters. I love Kellan!! He is the man whore of all man whores. The hottest fictional rock god of all time. Keira, well I believe she was a naive girl who probably felt lost and confused in her feelings for both men. I could of given this book 10 stars. I need a minute!

One Week Girlfriend (#1) by Monica Murphy

May 12, 2019

One Week Girlfriend by Monica Murphy
Published by Random House Publishing Group on January 10, 2013
ISBN: 9780988369443
Genres: Fiction, Romance, Contemporary, Coming of Age, Women
Pages: 290
Format: eBook
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

four stars - One Week Girlfriend (#1) by Monica Murphy

Breakout sensation Monica Murphy takes the romance genre by storm with the deeply emotional, completely addicting story of Drew and Fable. Temporary. That’s the word I’d use to describe my life right now. I’m temporarily working double shifts—at least until I can break free. I’m temporarily raising my little brother—since apparently our actual mother doesn’t give a crap about either of us. And I always end up as nothing but the temporary girlfriend—the flavor of the week for every guy who’s heard the rumor that I give it up so easily. At least Drew Callahan, college football legend and local golden boy, is upfront about it. He needs someone to play the part of his girlfriend for one week. In exchange for cash. As if that’s not weird enough, ever since he brought me into his world, nothing really makes sense. Everyone hates me. Everyone wants something from him. And yet the only thing Drew seems to want is . . . me. I don’t know what to believe anymore. Drew is sweet, sexy, and hiding way more secrets than I am. All I know is, I want to be there for him—permanently.
Praise for One Week Girlfriend
“A sweet and sexy read with a dash of angst. It will hook you from page one!”—Under the Covers
“The author had me hooked within the opening pages. What a great debut novel by Monica Murphy! . . . All I have to say is pick up the book and be prepared for the roller coaster you are about to get on. . . . You will not want to miss this book and this author.”—Shh Moms Reading
“I chose this book to be the book. The perfect book that would make the world stop for a few hours and suck me into another universe completely. The perfect book that would make my heart race and stop all at the same time. This book is that book! This book is perfect!”—The Obsessive Reader
“A deep and thought provoking story . . . Be on the lookout for Monica Murphy because I’m sure you’ll be hearing more great things from her!”—Mostly YA Book Obsessed
“A delicious read, hot romance, complicated characters and intense drama.”—Literary Cravings
“An emotional and heartbreaking storyline . . . Monica Murphy pulls the reader in and won’t let go.”—The Reading Cafe
“An amazing read! . . . [I] can’t wait to continue the emotional journey of Drew and Fable.”—A Bookish Escape

Drew Callaghan is an obviously traumatised hero, Fabel has the weight of the world on shoulders, what with looking after her 13 year old brother, Owen and her alchoholic mother. She works every job she can to make ends meet. Drew on the other hand comes from a different life- doesn’t need to struggle, money comes easy, been able to attend school and play football and can have any woman he choses…or is he able to? Why is Drew so emotionally closed off? Why does Fabel have such a reputation as a whore, is it wholly accurate?

Thanksgiving is approaching and Drew is emotionally torn about going home for the holidays. He approaches Fabel and they come to an arrangement, she and he will pretend to be a couple for 7 days, for a price. Fabel can’t no afford to take Drew up on his offer, it would provide her family with a bit more security for a few months.

It’s pretty obvious from the get go that Drew has some pretty dark secrets. As a reader I think its pretty obvious what those secrets are, and when it comes out the level of cringe I felt was off the scales.

Honestly, I don’t quite know how we got to this point. I hated him on sight. I did this only for the money. I thought he was a fucked up mess. I still think he’s a fucked up mess. But so am I. And he’s so beautiful, so thoughtful, so vulnerable. We can be a mess together. I want to heal him. I know I can heal him.

I rated this 4/5 stars….wow, I felt every emotion under the sun- from turmoil, giddiness to absolute pure hatred. Why did I leave it so long to read this book, bravo Monica Murphy. I really couldn’t put this one down and look forward to reading the next installment. Character development was good, the secret was a little bit predictable – I had worked out what was troubling Drew but still loved the story and the chemistry between the two main characters. The ending had my screaming WHY over and over

“Like souls find each other, you know. As corny as it sounds, I’m starting to believe we were brought together for a reason.” ~ Fable