Review: Reckless by Priscilla West

My rating: ★★★★
Genre: new adult, romance, music, contemporary.
Series: Reckless #1

Blurb from Goodreads:

Everything about him warned me to stay away.
I’d seen bad boys before, but he had it all and more. The rippling muscles covered in tatts, the piercing eyes hiding dark secrets, the silky voice that could make a girl come with just a whisper . . .
He was exactly the type of guy that would get me in trouble, but when he jumped off the stage, inked skin glistening with sweat and breathed his seductive words into my ear, I couldn’t resist the temptation.
It was supposed to be the best one-night stand of my life, but fate didn’t let it play out that way. Things happened. I got upset. I got hasty. And worst of all, I got reckless.
After that disaster, I thought it was the last I’d see of him. But what I didn’t know was that I’d started something.
Something that could shatter the very thing I had worked so hard to protect.
I should have known back then that the most seductive things in life are also the most dangerous.

My review:

*ARC provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

I actually found this book because of the models on the cover. They are on the books from Tammara Webber (Easy and Breakable). And then I read the plot: I’m a sucker for bad boys in books, so this one is a perfect fit for me.

This is also the first book I read from Priscilla West and it certainly won’t be the last. I really love her writing style. It’s very easy and quick to read. I basically read this book in two sittings!

The story is about Riley, an accountant, that ends up working for a band. She needs to go on tour with them during 2 weeks and check their financial budged. You would think she’s a prude or anything like that. But she wasn’t. She’s a total bad ass girl, who likes partying. That’s how she meets Jax, the lead singer of the bad she will be working for. Those two together was amazing to read. They have an amazing connection. The way they teased each other was so funny! And yes, the making out scenes were pretty hot! ;)

I didn’t think the ending was predictable. In contrary, I was totally not expecting it. I thought it was going to be a cute happy ending, but it was so much more! I cannot wait for the sequel!!

So personally this new adult book has everything my heart desires: a bad boy, a bad ass female character, a romance, dark secrets, great side characters and a surprising ending!

PS: Dear Priscilla West, have you ever thought about making a soundtrack for this book?? Because oh my goodness! The lyrics in this book are so good! It would be such a good companion to this book!

View this on Goodreads here. 

August Wrap Up!

I managed to read 13 books this month! Hell yes, I'm so proud of myself! :D

These are the books I read with the rating I gave them:

1. Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma: ★★★★+0.5
2. Attachments by Rainbow Rowell: ★★★★ 
3. Changing Forever by Lisa De Jong: ★★★+0.5
4. Lola And The Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins: ★★★★ 
5. Obsessions by Jennifer L. Armentrout: ★★★★★ 
6. Making Faces by Amy Harmon: ★★★★★ 
7. Opposition by Jennifer L. Armentrout: ★★★★★
8. Day 21 by Kass Morgan (ARC NetGalley): ★★★★ 
9. The Real Thing by Cassie Mae (ARC NetGalley): ★★★★★
10. The Selection by Kiera Cass: ★★★★★
11. We Were Liars by E. Lockheart: ★★
12. Defect: Part One by Autumn Kalquist (ARC from author):  ★★★★
13. Reckless by Priscilla West (ARC NetGalley): ★★★★

I read so many great books this month. But my absolute favorites are definitely the ones by Jennifer L. Armentrout. 

For all of these books you can find a review, so make sure you check those out.
If you want to request a review, feel free to ask me ;)

Review: The Selection by Kiera Cass

My rating: ★★★★★

Genre: young adult, dystopia, romance, chick-lit.

Series: The Selection #1

Blurb from Goodreads:

In a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels the Selection is the chance of a lifetime: to compete for gorgeous Prince Maxon's ear. But for America Singer it means turning her back on her secret love, and leaving home for a prize she doesn't want.
Then America meets Maxon and all her plans start to crumble. Can the life she's always dreamed of compare to a future she never imagined?

 

My review:

“True love is usually the most inconvenient kind.”
This series is one of the most popular on my Goodreads feed. I knew I would like this book, but I ended up LOVING this book and reading it in two sittings. I have to admit: I was a little scared this was going to be a very girly book. But I was so wrong.

“Do you think, that I could still call you 'my dear'?”

Immediately from the start you are introduced to the world where the main character, America Singer, lives in. How the city works, the ranks between the people, … is amazing. I love it! I didn’t expected this book to be a little dystopian. The combination of the romance and the dystopian aspect of this book is very refreshing and surprisingly good. It kind of reminded me of The Hunger Games, only without all the deaths and with more royalty. There is also a little mystery in this book and I liked it a lot! It makes me so curious for the next books!

“It's always the fear of looking stupid that stops you from being awesome.”

America Singer is an amazing character. I could immediately connect with her and I was completely sucked into her world. She’s kind, funny and very brave. I admired her when she had to make big decisions (especially in the end). She’s very down to earth and I liked that a lot about her.

“I hit your thigh!”
“Oh, please. A man doesn't need that long to recover from a knee to the thigh.”

This brings me to the boys (there is a love triangle yes, but a good one!). Aspen is such a cutie! I like him, but I love Maxon even more. He is so elegant, a little awkward, sweet, funny and … agh I just love him *swoon*. Prince Maxon is definitely my favorite character of this book. I couldn't get enough of him. Whenever Maxon and America were together I was grinning like an idiot! :D I just couldn't help myself. I think I even squealed a few times haha! :D

“You get confused by crying women, I get confused by walks with princes.”

Anyway, the storyline of this book is amazing. It’s very royal, swoon-worthy and mysterious. I hope I’ll be able to purchase the next books soon, because that ending was not enough for me. I want more!!

 View this on Goodreads here.

Review: We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

My rating: ★★

Genre: young adult, mystery, romance, contemporary.

Series: stand-alone.

Blurb from Goodreads:

A beautiful and distinguished family.
A private island.
A brilliant, damaged girl; a passionate, political boy.
A group of four friends—the Liars—whose friendship turns destructive.
A revolution. An accident. A secret.
Lies upon lies.
True love.
The truth.
We Were Liars is a modern, sophisticated suspense novel from National Book Award finalist and Printz Award honoree E. Lockhart.
Read it.
And if anyone asks you how it ends, just LIE.

My review:

I tried to love it, but to be honest, it just didn’t work for me.
I was so excited for this book, but sadly I just couldn’t get into it. I couldn’t relate with the characters and I didn’t liked the writing style a lot.
But I can see why a lot of people like it so much. There’s a mystery mixed with a story about love, family, friends and illness. Maybe I’m too old to really connect with this book? I guess I will never know.

PS: Don’t be influenced by my review and think immediately 'Ugh, no, I'm never reading that!'. If you are younger than me (I’m 20), I really recommend you give this book a chance. Maybe you will end up loving it? I really hope you do! ;) 

View this on Goodreads here.

Review: The Real Thing by Cassie Mae

My rating: ★★★★★
Genre: new adult, romance, contemporary, chick-lit.
Series: stand-alone

Blurb from Goodreads:

Eric Matua has one friend—his best friend and childhood sweetheart, who needs a place to stay for the summer. Mia Johnson has thousands of friends—who live in her computer. Along with her email chats and Facebook notifications, Mia also devours romance novels, spending countless hours with fictional characters, dreaming of her own Romeo to sweep her off her feet. When she starts receiving supersweet messages from a stranger who thinks she’s someone else, Mia begins to believe that real love is possible outside her virtual world.

When the two friends become roommates, Mia finds herself falling harder than she ever thought she could. But Eric keeps his desires locked away, unsure of himself and his ability to give his best friend what she deserves in a boyfriend. As her advances are continually spurned, Mia splits her time between Eric and her computer. But she soon realizes she’s about to lose the only real thing she’s ever had.

My review:

*ARC received through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
Original release date: August 19th,  2014.

"I think only bookworms understand the kind of power stories can have on a person," she says.

I finally made time to read this book and oh man, it was so worth it. I loved it so much. In most of the contemporary books the girl has the problem and the guy is the bad boy who changes completely when he meets the girl. This book was very refreshing because for once it was the boy and the girl who were struggling with something and they both didn't change for each other. They stayed true to their selves and adapt their lives to be able to live more comfortably. To be able to connect with each other without forgetting who they really are. That's what I loved about this book.

"People change, you know. They grow, they shrink, they bald, they get zits, they wrinkle. But each person is attractive in their own way, and they're attractive to someone else."

I loved both characters, so the switch between the two POV's was very nice.
Eric struggles with anxiety and Mia (also a booknerd) with a social media obsession. They are best friends and they are both in love with each other, but without knowing it. The storyline feels very real and Cassie did an amazing job at describing how they felt. I was completely sucked into their world and felt everything they did. I couldn't put this book down.

"I don't understand love completely but I know as I stare at his broken and hungry eyes, it's not lust that drives me. It's love."

This is also the first book I read from Cassie Mae and it certainly won't be the last! I love her writing style and I can't wait to read more from her!

"I can't tell if I hear your heart beating, or if it's mine," I say against his skin. His fingers glide over my shoulder, then trail down to my elbow.
"Aren't they the same thing?" he says.


View this on Goodreads here.

Review: Day 21 by Kass Morgan

My rating: ★★★★
Genre: young adult, sci-fi, dystopia
Series: The 100 #2

Blurb from Goodreads:

No one has set foot on Earth in centuries -- until now.
It's been 21 days since the hundred landed on Earth. They're the only humans to set foot on the planet in centuries...or so they thought. Facing an unknown enemy, Wells attempts to keep the group together. Clarke strikes out for Mount Weather, in search of other Colonists, while Bellamy is determined to rescue his sister, no matter the cost. And back on the ship, Glass faces an unthinkable choice between the love of her life and life itself.
In this pulse-pounding sequel to Kass Morgan's The 100, secrets are revealed, beliefs are challenged, and relationships are tested. And the hundred will struggle to survive the only way they can -- together.

My review:

*ARC received through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
Original release date: September 16th,  2014.

When the show on the CW started, I immediately bought the book and read it. I liked it a lot, so I was overexcited when I found out I could read this sequel in advance!

Day 21 picks up where The 100 finished. They are again four POV's in this book: Clarke, Bellamy, Wells and Glass.
To be honest, I only liked the chapters from Bellamy and Clarke. Only near the end I started to like the two others more.
I really like Bellamy and Clarke working together. They fit so well together.
Same with Luc and Glass. I am so happy how they turned out in the ending.

The storyline of this book is pretty good. Especially the ending is very good.
However there weren't unexpected plot twists for me, because of the show I already new most of the things we found out in the book. But it was still pretty good.
I think, if you don't watch the show, that this series is amazing and so unexpected.
Still, I'm very curious about what happens after the ending of this book!
There must be a third book, because I have soooooo many questions left!
(view spoiler)

Anyway, if you haven't read this book yet: I really recommend it!! (especially for Bellarke shippers! :D)

View this on Goodreads here.

Review: Opposition by Jennifer L. Armentrout

My rating: ★★★★★
Genre: aliens, sci-fi, romance, ya, paranormal.
Series: Lux #5

Blurb from Goodreads:

Katy knows the world changed the night the Luxen came.
She can't believe Daemon welcomed his race or stood by as his kind threatened to obliterate every last human and hybrid on Earth. But the lines between good and bad have blurred, and love has become an emotion that could destroy her—could destroy them all.
Daemon will do anything to save those he loves, even if it means betrayal.
They must team with an unlikely enemy if there is any chance of surviving the invasion. But when it quickly becomes impossible to tell friend from foe, and the world is crumbling around them, they may lose everything— even what they cherish most—to ensure the survival of their friends…and mankind.
War has come to Earth. And no matter the outcome, the future will never be the same for those left standing.

My review:

If you are reading this review, it could only be for two reasons:

1. You finished Opposition already and you want to read some reviews to see what other people liked about it.
2. You are going to start with Opposition, because you loved the previous 4 books and you want to prep yourself a bit.
In either way, I don’t need to convince you to read this awesome book. So, I’m going to skip that part, because you probably already know this is a must read. You just do.

“We were supposed to have tonight and tomorrow, and many weeks and months, but we didn’t have even another minute.”

This book, ladies and gentlemen, nearly killed me with an overdose of emotions. It’s more than a ‘good book’ to finish a damn good series. It's even more incredible than I ever could have imagined. Jennifer did an amazing job (again!) with this book. I’m going to miss everything about it. Soooooo much!

Katy and Daemon are definitely my all-time OTP. They are perfect together. They both have imperfections, but they complete each other as a whole. I’m very glad how the story turned out for them, because holy shit. They went through A LOT.

“What the hell, man?” Dawson exploded, hands flying up.
“I was on lever sixty-nine of Candy Crush, you bastard. Do you know how hard that - ?”

I’m going to miss Dee, Dawson and Beth too. Especially Dawson. After reading Shadows, I basically fell in love with him. I wished he appeared more in this book, but he was in the ending, which compensated his absentee in the rest of the book.

And Archer….oh Archer, my baby. I’m going to miss him the most I think (after Daemon of course)! He is my absolute fav “minor” character in this series. He is very funny and he made me crack up every single time, especially with Daemon! He is kind of the best friend everyone wished for. Gosh, I love him!

“It’s like an apocalypse,” Archer murmured.
I swallowed hard. “All we’re missing are the zombies.”

The storyline of this book was a bit different from the previous ones. This time it had of a apocalyptic theme, but I liked it. The whole world became a bit terrifying (with Daedalus, the Luxen, the origins,…) and Jennifer did an amazing job at describing the scenery and fights.

Oh! And I was so excited about the Arum in this book! I read Obsession a few days ago and I LOVED IT. I couldn’t wait for Hunter appearing in this book. I’m sooooo glad how he turned out to be with Daemon, Katy and the rest. Hunter and Daemon is such a good sarcasm combo :D I only wish they were more conversations between them!

“We could really use the Avengers right about now."
"Screw that. We need Loki," Daemon retorted.
General Eaton arched a brow. "Well, unfortunately, the Marvel Universe isn't real, so...”

I want to thank Jennifer L. Armentrout for this series. You stole my heart since I first started with Obsidian. And I fell in love with your books and characters over and over again. You are the best ♥

PS: I need a spin-off about Luc. Please?

“In a low voice, I asked, "How are you doing?"
Luc shrugged. "You know, I'm doing my thing like a chicken wing."
My brow arched.
Daemon sounded like he choked. "Did you seriously just say that?”

 View this on Goodreads here.

August and birthday haul

Buying books is definitely my second favorite thing in the world. The first thing is obviously reading them ;) I got so many books this month and I'm so happy!

The books I received are:

• The Fault In Our Stars by John Green
• Frigid by J. Lynn/Jennifer L. Armentrout
• Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
• Attachments by Rainbow Rowell
• Harry Potter Signature Book Box (Collection of 7 books)

 The books I purchased myself are:

• Opposition by Jennifer L. Armentrout (Amazon)
• Making Faces by Amy Harmon (Amazon)
• Fangirl (Special Collectors Edition) by Rainbow Rowell (Amazon)
• The Selection by Kiera Cass (Waterstones)
• Lola and The Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins (Amazon)
• Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia (Standaard Boekhandel)
• Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson (Bol.com)
• We Were Liars by E. Lockhart (Bol.com)
• Bloodlines by Richelle Mead (Bol.com)

Which brings me to a total of TWENTY books. Oh my goodness!

Oops, I did it again.

Yesssssss, these beauties arrived today! Can't wait to read them.
Heard so many good things about them: especially Since You've Been Gone!

If you read any of these, comment me your thoughts! (but without spoiler please :D)

Review: Defect Part One by Autumn Kalquist

My rating: ★★★★
Genre: young adult, sci-fi, dystopia
Series: Defect #1, prequel of Legacy Code

Blurb from Goodreads:

Selene Hayes is one of the Protected, the first genetically-modified children to be born with superimmunity. In a time when world hunger has been vanquished, but drug-resistant diseases kill millions, she’s part of a lucky elite.
That is, until the truth comes out. Protecteds are Defective, and the ensuing public scandal endangers them all. Selene’s been forced to live off-grid for eight years, and so far, staying hidden has kept her safe.
But rumors of another failed experiment are spreading, of a fatal mistake that could destroy everything. And what’s been unleashed may be headed straight for Selene’s sanctuary.

My review:

*Free eBook provided by the author for an honest review*

This book is the fist part of the prequel of the Legacy Code series.
It's about a seriously badass character called Serena. She lives with her Nan and her 8 years old brother, Elias. The story is short but I can tell she's very protective towards her family and determinate when something needs to be done.

The storyline is very mysterious because Serena doesn't know all the secrets of the world she lives in. But it's really well written.
It's written in a way you want to find out more, but without making you frustrated about not knowing anything. And this makes me SO excited to read the next books in this series!

Oh and I am very curious about Anders! (A possible male crush?? :D)  

View this on Goodreads here.

My current read: The 5th and final book of the Lux Series: OPPOSITION!

Review: Making Faces by Amy Harmon

My rating: ★★★★★
Genre: contemporary, romance, war, drama, new adult.
Series: stand-alone.

Blurb from Goodreads:

Ambrose Young was beautiful. He was tall and muscular, with hair that touched his shoulders and eyes that burned right through you. The kind of beautiful that graced the covers of romance novels, and Fern Taylor would know. She'd been reading them since she was thirteen. But maybe because he was so beautiful he was never someone Fern thought she could have...until he wasn't beautiful anymore.
Making Faces is the story of a small town where five young men go off to war, and only one comes back. It is the story of loss. Collective loss, individual loss, loss of beauty, loss of life, loss of identity. It is the tale of one girl's love for a broken boy, and a wounded warrior's love for an unremarkable girl. This is a story of friendship that overcomes heartache, heroism that defies the common definitions, and a modern tale of Beauty and the Beast, where we discover that there is a little beauty and a little beast in all of us.

My review:

“You loved ferris wheels more than roller coasters because life shouldn’t be lived at full speed, but in anticipation and appreciation.”

I follow AprilBrooks on YouTube. And we almost have the same taste in books, so when she mentioned this book in one of her haul video’s, I was like ‘I NEED THIS’. I ordered it immediately and started reading it. And ooooooooh man.

I think you should go into this book without knowing too much about it. But let me tell you, I expected it to be good, but it was even better! This book blew me away. 

“Victory is in the battle.”

The story covers different serious subjects: death, friendship, love, family, chronic diseases, war, abuse… And so many lessons can be learned while reading this book. I definitely consider this book as a must read for any kind of reader.

The love story between Fern and Ambrose is great and sweet, but damn. The ending was brilliant! I ended up crying for the last 50-60 pages! When you are reading this book you can of course predict a little what will happen during the ending. But there were little aspects I didn’t expected at all and that made everything even more perfect.  

“I would rather be lost with you than alone without you.”

The way the story is written is amazing too. They are some flashbacks from when Ambrose was in Iraq and some of when Fern/Bailey/Ambrose were kids. It makes the story very pleasant. Plus, it made me love a few characters even more.

I can go on and on about the great things of this book, because I can’t find a single negative thing to say. I just loved it. This book deserves a million stars! 

“If God made all our faces, did he laugh when he made me? 

Does he make the legs that cannot walk and eyes that cannot see? 

Does he curl the hair upon my head 'til it rebels in wild defiance? 

Does he close the ears of a deaf man to make him more reliant? 

Is the way I look a coincidence or just a twist of fate? 

If he made me this way, is it okay, to blame him for the things I hate? 

For the flaws that seem to worsen every time I see a mirror, 

For the ugliness I see in me, for the loathing and the fear. 

Does he sculpt us for his pleasure, for a reason I can't see? 

If God makes all our faces, did he laugh when he made me?”

View this on Goodreads here. 

 

Review: Obsession by Jennifer L. Armentrout

My rating: ★★★★★
Genre: aliens, sci-fi, romance, (new adut), paranormal.
Series: Lux series: spin-off / stand-alone

Blurb from Goodreads:

He’s arrogant, domineering, and... To. Die. For.
Hunter is a ruthless killer. And the Department of Defense has him firmly in their grasp, which usually doesn’t chafe too badly because he gets to kill bad guys. Most of the time he enjoys his job. That is, until he’s saddled with something he’s never had to do before: protect a human from his mortal enemy.
Serena Cross didn’t believe her best friend when she claimed to have seen the son of a powerful senator turn into something... unnatural. Who would? But then she witnesses her friend’s murder at the hands of what can only be an alien, thrusting her into a world that will kill to protect their secret.
Hunter stirs Serena’s temper and her lust despite their differences. Soon he’s doing the unthinkable—breaking the rules he’s lived by, going against the government to keep Serena safe. But are the aliens and the government the biggest threats to Serena’s life… or is it Hunter?

My review:

“Never in my life had I been more frustrated. Go figure it wouldn’t be with a human but a freaking alien. At least I now knew that the male species were asses no matter what planet they hailed from.”

If you love the Lux series, then this is a MUST READ. I mean, holy shit, I don’t even know which kind of alien I prefer anymore. Hot Luxen with green eyes (aka Daemon Black) or Hot Sex God Arum (aka Hunter)? Both? Yes. Probably both.

“Hunter’s stomach was perfection—each taut muscle tight and totally lickable. Not that I’d ever licked a man’s stomach before, but now I got why someone would want to. I was in six-pack heaven.”

Hunter is – and I quote Serena – a masculine perfection . Serena is a very lucky girl (relationship wise) and a badass. Loved them both a lot. Their making out scenes were HOT. Like really HOT. Geez, where can I find a Hunter in real life?

Finding out more about the whole alien-world was also amazing, because this time it was in the Arum-version. Super interesting!

I hope Hunter and Serena will appear in Opposition a few times, but I want more about them ♥

“I smiled then—a big, toothy idiotic smile— and Serena didn’t see it. Her eyes were closed, which was good, because I was turning into one big vagina.”



View this on Goodreads here.

Review: Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

My rating: ★★★★
Genre: romance, contemporary, young adult.
Series: Anna And the French Kiss #2

Blurb from Goodreads:

Lola Nolan is a budding costume designer, and for her, the more outrageous, sparkly, and fun the outfit, the better. And everything is pretty perfect in her life (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the negihborhood. When Cricket, a gifted inventor, steps out from his twin sister's shadow and back into Lola's life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.

My review:

“Just because something isn’t practical doesn’t mean it’s not worth creating. Sometimes beauty and real-life magic are enough.”
I loved this book a lot! Stephanie is an excellent contemporary writer. I read Anna and the French Kiss two weeks ago and I immediately ordered this one. I was very excited for this book and I heard a few times that the story of Lola was even better than Anna. I was certainly not disappointed.

“Perfect is overrated. Perfect is boring.”
I smile. “You don’t think I’m perfect?”
"No. You’re delightfully screwy, and I wouldn’t have you any other way.”
Lola is a very interesting character. First I didn’t really get why she would dress in this weird/very colorful costumes and I could relate to her. But towards the middle of the story I started to understand her more and more. Lola is very funny, down to earth and very creative. I loved her personality. I also liked her dads (as in gay dads). They were so funny and I especially liked Andy with his pies :D

“I know you aren’t perfect. But it’s a person’s imperfections that make them perfect for someone else.”
This brings me to Cricket… Man, characters like him are the reason why I’m so picky in guys. I mean, seriously. Cricket is gorgeous, tall, funny, caring and super sweet! All the things he did for her made me squeal :D Oh! I just love him!! The little story he told her in the end was per-fect! ♥

“He’s so into you,” Anna says.
“Cricket’s a nice guy. He’s always been like that.”
“Then he’s always been into you.”
I also savored all the appearances of Anna and Etienne. Gosh, I missed those two! And the way they helped Lola was so heartwarming. I loved the advice they gave Lola about making mistakes and being in a relationship. Excellent example of character development!! 

“Sometimes a mistake isn’t a what. It’s a who.”
Conclusion: this was an amazing book. The ending was perfect. I’m very pleased how everything turned out with all the characters. I totally recommend it! But I don’t suggest reading this book before Anna. There aren’t spoilers about Anna and the French Kiss, but it will make you like this book even more.

By the way: I love how Stephanie uses caps lock in her books. It made me laugh out loud a few times, because it gives a great aspect to dialogs and what Lola thinks in her head. Amazing job!

"OHMYGOD. HE’S ONLY WEARING BOXER BRIEFS.
DON’T STARE AT HIS BODY. DO NOT STARE AT HIS BODY.”



View this on Goodreads here.

Review: Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma

My rating: ★★★★+0.5
Genre: romance, contemporary, dark, family, young/new adult.
Series: stand-alone.

Blurb from Goodreads:

She is pretty and talented - sweet sixteen and never been kissed. He is seventeen; gorgeous and on the brink of a bright future. And now they have fallen in love. But... they are brother and sister.
Seventeen-year-old Lochan and sixteen-year-old Maya have always felt more like friends than siblings. Together they have stepped in for their alcoholic, wayward mother to take care of their three younger siblings. As defacto parents to the little ones, Lochan and Maya have had to grow up fast. And the stress of their lives—and the way they understand each other so completely—has also also brought them closer than two siblings would ordinarily be. So close, in fact, that they have fallen in love. Their clandestine romance quickly blooms into deep, desperate love. They know their relationship is wrong and cannot possibly continue. And yet, they cannot stop what feels so incredibly right. As the novel careens toward an explosive and shocking finale, only one thing is certain: a love this devastating has no happy ending.

My review:

“You can close your eyes to the things you do not want to see, but you cannot close your heart to the things you do not want to feel.” 

Oh my goodness. This book tore my heart apart.
I don’t even have the courage to write a decent review about it.
No, actually I don’t want to. Because I think you should read this book without knowing too much about it. Avoid reading detailed reviews before you read this book.
Make up your own thoughts about the subjects without being influenced by friends.
Make up your own thoughts about the characters.
And most important: discover this book on your own.
And think about it. This book will definitely make you think.

“At the end of the day it's about how much you can bear, how much you can endure. Being together, we harm nobody; being apart, we extinguish ourselves.”  


View this on Goodreads here.

Review: Attachments by Rainbow Rowell

My rating: ★★★★
Genre: romance, contemporary, (new) adult fiction, chick-lit.
Series: stand-alone.

Blurb from Goodreads:

By day, two young women spend their hours emailing each other, discussing every aspect of their lives. By night, Lincoln, a lonely IT guy, spends his hours reading every exchange. Soon Lincoln is drawn into their lives, and finds himself falling for one of them. Lincoln decides it's time to muster the courage to follow his heart.

My review:

“I didn’t knew love could leave the lights on all the time.”

Lincoln is a cute character. Very likeable and handsome. I don’t have much experience with reading books in a male POV, but I quite liked it. However, his story wasn’t that exciting. I didn’t really liked Sam. And during half of this book he was thinking about her soooo….

The way Rowell wrote the conversations between Jennifer and Beth was refreshing. It’s very original and I would love read another book written like this. I feel like I know them much better than Lincoln. I loved how they talked to each other. They were funny and I immediately liked them both a lot. I was very moved about what happened to Jennifer.

The storyline was nice, but I think my expectations were a bit too high. I read Eleanor & Park and Fangirl and I both loved them a lot. But this one… I don’t know how to explain myself, so I made a little chart thingy:


(Ignore my drawing skills haha :D)

As you can see I really liked the ending (the last 2 chapter convinced me to give it 4 stars instead of 3). But I was… unsatisfied? I feel like the story just started. I want another book! I want to know more about Beth and Lincoln.
So for me, this wasn’t the best book Rowell wrote, but I still liked it. I just think it wasn’t on the same level as E&P or Fangirl.

“I didn’t know someone could love me like this,” she said. “Could love me and love me and love me without… needing space.”
“There’s no air in space,” he said.


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Review: Changing Forever by Lisa De Jong

My rating: ★★★+0.5
Genre: romance, contemporary, new adult.
Series: Rain #2 (stand-alone series)

Blurb from Goodreads:

I've always let my past dictate my future, letting it paint a picture of exactly what I don’t want to be. Where I don’t want to end up.
Drake Chambers is as arrogant as I am stubborn. A college quarterback, a national star. I thought he was just another one of those guys … the type every girl should stay away from, but he’s carrying more than the weight of the football team on his shoulders.
He unravels the feelings and beliefs I’ve held onto for so long.
I thought we had it all figured out. Two people who’d finally found their happily ever after, but the past always has a way of sneaking into the present.
With one decision, everything changes … forever.

My review:

“Two different people. Two different worlds. Two different dreams.”

A handsome guy and an ‘innocent’ girl. I’m a sucker for these kind of books.
I loved When It Rains (it’s one of my all-time favs), so I had quite some high expectations for this one. And I loved the idea of this stand-alone series. The characters in this book were amazing. I love Lisa’s way of describing things, people and feelings.

“If all I wanted to do is look at a guy without a shit, I’d stay home and browse Pinterest. At least the guys on there can’t talk back.”

Emery (gorgeous name!) was a very likable character. She’s funny, smart, down to earth and a little emotionally broken because of her past. And Drake… * sighs* handsome Drake Chambers… I couldn’t get enough of him. He’s funny and caring. Yes, he made a few big mistakes in his life-choices, but that made me like him even more.
The two of them together were amazing. Sparks everywhere! God, the making-out scenes were extremely hot!

“I think a person can tell the minute they care about another person by how much they absorb the other person’s emotions – taking them as their own. I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t a twinge of pain in my chest right now. This girl, so sweet, so beautiful, is hurting, and I want to make it all go away.”

The storyline was good too. But… I expected more? (view spoiler)

“You changed my idea of perfect, and this version makes me happy. I can’t imagine ever going to bed without you by my side, or waking up and not seeing your face.”

By the way: Am I the only one who gets super excited when characters of the previous stand-alone appear? Because I almost screamed when I read that Kate was Em’s roommate!! :D Oh! And when Kate said ‘I love when it rains’ , I almost started crying!! Gosh. I’m never going to get over Asher and her ♥.

“They say you should dream like you’ll live forever, and live like you’ll die tomorrow. This is my life and my dream… it just took a while for me to see that in order to have them both, I had to change my idea of forever.”



View this on Goodreads here.

Review: Even & Adam by Michael Grant

My rating: ★★★★
Genre: young adult, sci-fi, romance, dystopia.
Series: Eve & Adam #1

Blurb from Goodreads:

In the beginning, there was an apple—
And then there was a car crash, a horrible injury, and a hospital. But before Evening Spiker’s head clears a strange boy named Solo is rushing her to her mother’s research facility. There, under the best care available, Eve is left alone to heal.
Just when Eve thinks she will die—not from her injuries, but from boredom—her mother gives her a special project: Create the perfect boy.
Using an amazingly detailed simulation, Eve starts building a boy from the ground up. Eve is creating Adam. And he will be just perfect... won’t he?

My review:

"I want you, Evening, to design the perfect boy."
"Am I doing this with crayons? Or will I be working with Play-Doy?"
My mother smiles tolerantly. "Oh, I think we can do a little better than that."

I didn't know what to expect of this book, because I saw so many different reviews (good and bad).
But I liked it!

I loved Eve immediately. She's funny, strong and very likable. But I hated Eve's mom (view spoiler)

Hmmm, Solo was just amazing! He was my favorite person of this book. Plus, I was so surprised when the second chapter was in his POV! I thought it was only in Eve's. I liked his chapters a lot (even more than the ones of Eve).
He's super sweet and funny and handsome and ugh... so much more!!

"But look at him!" Solo urges. "I'm totally straight and I'd do him."
Adam was perfect in the genetic way, but he was just weird! :D (view spoiler)

So, I liked the plot a lot! This is the first book I read of this genre (genetics and everything).
It was short and quick, but it didn't bothered me a lot. This is great to read between a long series ;)

My fav quote:
"Anyway, you're part of this because of who you are. It's just that before, I didn't know you. I mean, I knew you existed. I knew about you, but then you became a real person. A person I liked."
He looks down at his feet. " A person I like a lot." Pause. Shuffle. "A lot." 


View this on Goodreads here.

Review: Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

My rating: ★★★+0.5
Genre: new adult, romance, contemporary.
Series: Beautiful #1

Blurb from Goodreads:

GOOD GIRL
Abby Abernathy doesn't drink or swear and she works hard. Abby believes she has buried her dark past, but when she arrives at college, ger dreams of a new beginning are quickly challenged by the university's walking one-night stand.
BAD BOY
TRavis Maddox, sexy, built, and covered in tattoos, is exactly what Abby needs - and wants - to avoid. He spends his nights winning money in a floating fight club, and his days as the notorious college Lothario.
IMMINENT DISASTER?
Intrigued by Abby's resistance to his charms, Travis tricks her into his life with a simple bet. If he loses, he must remain celibate for a month. If Abby loses, she must live in travis's apartment of trh same amount of time.
OR THE START OF SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL?
Either way, TRavis has no idea that he has met his match. Or that this is the start of an obsessive, intense relationship that will lead them both into unimaginable territory

My review:

"You know why I want you? I didn’t know I was lost until you found me. I didn’t know what alone was until the first night I spent without you in my bed. You’re the one think I’ve got right. You’re what I’ve been waiting for, Pigeon."

 Okay, I don’t really know where to start, but I think my expectations were a bit too high.
I read soooo many good reviews and on my bookstagram many people recommended me this book.
I read the first 200-250 pages in one sitting and I just had to force myself to stop reading at 2AM. I just couldn’t get enough. But then I don’t know what happened. I liked the relationship between Travis and Abby, but the whole poker thing bothered me a little. I thought it didn’t really fit with Abby’s personality. And the fact that their relationship was on and off for a few times bothered me also a little.
I think that if the book was shorter that I would have liked it more.

All these things said, I still liked the book! It’s not that I was bored, it was lovely.
My fav moments were Abby’s birthday and when she cooked the Thanksgiving meal for Travis’ dad and brothers.
Also the ending was also super sweet! I’m very pleased with it. However, I’m not going to read the second book immediately. I’m probably going to read it during summer vacation.

(By the way, am I the only one who thought that the nickname ‘Pidge/Pigeon’ was weird?)

"It’s dangerous to need someone that much. You’re trying to save him, at he’s hoping you can. You two are a disaster."
"It doesn’t matter what or why it is. When it’s good, Kara… it’s beautiful."

 
View this on Goodreadshere.

Review: The Murder Complex by Lindsay Cummings

My rating: ★★★★★
Genre: young adult, mystery, dystopia, sci-fi, thriller.
Series: The Murder Complex #1

Blurb from Goodreads:

Meadow Woodson, a fifteen-year-old girl who has been trained by her father to fight, to kill, and to survive in any situation, lives with her family on a houseboat in Florida. The state is controlled by The Murder Complex, an organization that tracks the population with precision.
The plot starts to thicken when Meadow meets Zephyr James, who is—although he doesn’t know it—one of the MC’s programmed assassins. Is their meeting a coincidence? Destiny? Or part of a terrifying strategy? And will Zephyr keep Meadow from discovering the haunting truth about her family?

My review:

Lindsay Cummings, you are the Queen of plot twists! You deserve a throne and a crown!

"I dream of a meadow full of crushed white flowers."

This book was amazing. I could not put it down.
It was full of fights, serious conversations, humor, tons of mind-blowing this and love.
I was completely hooked from the beginning and I seriously love Meadow and Zephyr!
And the ending was just MIND-BLOWING!! I WANT BOOK TWO!!!

Seriously: read it! And I recommend starting this book without knowing too much about it.

"You’re perfect," he whispers, "No matter what you’ve done."



View this on Goodreads here

Review: Opal by Jennifer L. Armentrout

My rating: ★★★★★
Genre: aliens, sci-fi, romance, ya, paranormal.
Series: Lux #3

Blurb from Goodreads:

No one is like Daemon Black.
When he set out to prove his feelings for me, he wasn’t fooling around. Doubting him isn’t something I’ll do again, and now that we’ve made it through the rough patches, well... There’s a lot of spontaneous combustion going on.
But even he can’t protect his family from the danger of trying to free those they love.
After everything, I’m no longer the same Katy. I’m different... And I’m not sure what that will mean in the end. When each step we take in discovering the truth puts us in the path of the secret organization responsible for torturing and testing hybrids, the more I realize there is no end to what I’m capable of. The death of someone close still lingers, help comes from the most unlikely source, and friends will become the deadliest of enemies, but we won’t turn back. Even if the outcome will shatter our worlds forever.
Together we’re stronger... and they know it.


My review:

 Oh, for the love of blackwoods babies everywere, if I’m starting to have heart problems, I’m blaming this series!



Okay, first things first:
“He… he kisses like he’s dying of thirst, and I’m water.” I smacked my hands over my hot face. “I can’t believe I just said that out loud.”

Daemon and Katy are from now on my OTP because they are so perfect together! Daemon is so sweet with her. They fit so well together and their making out scenes are just HOT! Thank you Daemon for putting my boyfriend expectations so freaking high! So much swoon!!

My love for some other characters also grew with this series:
“What are you going to do when you see Beth?” Awe crept across Dawson’s features, and he shook his head slowly. “Oh man, I don’t know. Breathe – I’ll finally be able to breathe.”

I’m very happy about Dawson being back again. I liked the moments between him and Katy. I was a bit scared of what may happen with him, because he was so different, but after the plan was made for saving Beth, he became a bit more like he was before Beth was taken. (view spoiler)

I’m so happy Dee and Katy are doing better with each other. I was so glad they went shopping together. I was also surprised about Ash. Yes, most of the time she’s still a bitch but idk, I liked her more in this book. Same with Andrew. I’m so glad he and Dee build up a friendship. They fit well together. Also Katy’s mom is great! She didn’t deserve anything Will did to her and I really hope she will find someone who truly cares about her.

“Killing wasn’t the hard part. It was what came afterward – the guilt. It was too much."

Everyone in this series felt so real. They all struggle with death. And Katy being afraid of killing and having all this guilt was so well described. For a slight moment I was afraid she would be broken by all the things that happened with her (view spoiler), but I’m so grateful for Daemon talking to her and making her strong again. (view spoiler).

"It sucked - sucked worse than people who pirated books, sucked more than waiting a year for the next book in a series, and sucked more than a brutal cliffhanger ending."

But fucking Blake. I could seriously punch kill that guy. I felt excited when he appeared again in this book and I SO regret these feelings! WHAT. A. CREEP! I never trusted him but (view spoiler).

And this brings me to the ending of this book:
WHAT. THE. HELL!! I want to slap and hug Jennifer Armentrout at the same time (sorry) :D (view spoiler)



I already said this once, but I’m saying this again:
Jennifer Armentrout, you are one hell of a writer. This series is funny, heart breaking and shocking on all the right moments!

"Being this way with him was like tapping into the Source but more powerful. The roller-coaster feeling was there, but different and deeper, and he was right there with me. It was more than perfect and beautiful."


 View this on Goodreads here.

Review: Onyx by Jennifer L. Armentrout

My rating: ★★★★★
Genre: aliens, sci-fi, romance, ya, paranormal.
Series: Lux #2

Blurb from Goodreads:

Being connected to Daemon Black sucks…
Thanks to his alien mojo, Daemon’s determined to prove what he feels for me is more than a product of our bizarro connection. So I’ve sworn him off, even though he’s running more hot than cold these days. But we’ve got bigger problems.
Something worse than the Arum has come to town…
The Department of Defense are here. If they ever find out what Daemon can do and that we're linked, I’m a goner. So is he. And there's this new boy in school who’s got a secret of his own. He knows what’s happened to me and he can help, but to do so, I have to lie to Daemon and stay away from him. Like that's possible. Against all common sense, I'm falling for Daemon. Hard.
But then everything changes…
I’ve seen someone who shouldn’t be alive. And I have to tell Daemon, even though I know he’s never going to stop searching until he gets the truth. What happened to his brother? Who betrayed him? And what does the DOD want from them—from me?
No one is who they seem. And not everyone will survive the lies…

My review:

"I understood books. I did not understand boys - especially alien boys."
I don't know how to start with this review! I have so many things to tell, but I'll probably forget half of it :D

About Katy & Daemon:
"You bookish people love teasers, don't you?"
I didn't think it was possible but I fell in love with Daemon all over again. He was so attentional and ugh... (view spoiler) I seriously thought my heart was going to explode of feelings. It was perfect! Plus, what he did for Katy during Thanksgiving and Christmas was sooooo sweet! ♥
But then... (view spoiler)

About freaking Blake:
"Jesus." Blake rubbed his throat. "You have anger management problems. It's like a disease."
"There's a cure and it's called kicking your ass."
First of: I seriously laughed so hard when Deamon said that hahaha :D But yes, I wanted to kick his ass too! (view spoiler)

About Dee:
I missed her a lot in this book! It was like the friendship between her and Katy wasn't important anymore. So yeah, that was a bit disappointing :( I was also a bit mad at Katy for not spending a lot of time with her. (view spoiler)

About the plot:
Words were the most powerful tool. Simple and so ofter underestimated. They could heal. They could destroy."
Oh man, this book was amazing!! SO MANY GOOD MOMENTS!! There are just too much to sum up.
The last quarter of the book was insane. (view spoiler).

I feel like this review is a whole mess of feelings. I still have plenty of thoughts, but I just can't find words to describe it perfectly. So yeah, you'll have to it with this crappy review haha :D Sorry!

By the way: I loved the bonus chapter in Daemon's POV. I was so glad about the scene Jennifer picked for it.

"That I'm lucky, because the person I can't get out of my head, the person who means more to me than I can stand, is still alive. She's still here. And that's you." *squeal*

And I finally found a good reason to buy more books:
"More books." His eyes went wide. "You have, like, then books you just said you haven't read."
"Doesn't mean I won't get more books." I smiled at is incredulous expression. "I haven't been able to read a lot lately, but I will, and then I won't be out of anything new to read."


View this on Goodreads here .

Review: Shadows by Jennifer L. Armentrout

My rating: ★★★★
Genre: aliens, sci-fi, romance, ya, paranormal, prequel.
Series: Lux #0.5

Blurb from Goodreads:

The last thing Dawson Black expected was Bethany Williams. As a Luxen, an alien life form on Earth, human girls are…well, fun. But since the Luxen have to keep their true identities a secret, falling for one would be insane.
Dangerous. Tempting. Undeniable.
Bethany can’t deny the immediate connection between her and Dawson. And even though boys aren’t a complication she wants, she can’t stay away from him. Still, whenever they lock eyes, she’s drawn in.
Captivated. Lured. Loved.
Dawson is keeping a secret that will change her existence...and put her life in jeopardy. But even he can’t stop risking everything for one human girl. Or from a fate that is as unavoidable as love itself.

My review:

"Okay. Say something or nod, you idiot. Definitely not making a good impression here. What eventually came out of my mouth was sort of horrifying. “Are your eyes real?”

Bethany was super funny! I liked her a lot. Dawson was even more amazing. He is a carbon copy of his brother Deamon and still he was completely different. Dawson was funny, charming, attentional, caring… Gosh, I think I love him even more than Deamon… no scratch that, I like him as much as Deamon, but in a totally different way. Does that make sense? Ha, probably not.

Anyway, the first half of the book completely cracked me up! I was grinning and laughing out loud when Deamon, Dee and Dawson talked together. They are so at ease with each other but they avoid the personal stuff about each other in the most funny way:

Dee’s hand fluttered around her as she spoke. ‘I was outside, and it looked as if a light show was going on in your bed. Deamon said you were mast-‘
And Dee also knew no boundaries.
'Ah, no, please don't finish that sentence.' He lowered his hands, eyes narrowing at his sister.
'Don't ever finish that sentence.'

&

They stared open-mouthed at him. ‘What?’ he demanded.
'Did you just… clean a dish?” Dee backed away slowly, blinking. She glanced at Deamon. “The world is going to end. And i'm still a vir-'.
'NO!' both the brothers yelled in unison. Deamon looked like he was actually going to vomit. 'Jesus, don't ever finish that statement. Actually don't ever change THAT. Thank you.'

And then the “serious’ stuff started. They fell in love, the big secret came out and I just loved the way the story was going (view spoiler).

However: I do NOT recommend that you start this series with Shadows. It’s a prequel yes, but start reading OBSIDIAN first! Otherwise some big moments in Obsidian won’t be… well big moments anymore.
The ending was quite mysterious because we don’t really know what happened with Bethany and Dawson (like you read in Obsidian) and that makes me even more excited to read Onyx!

"There was something magical in the way he kissed, because she swore she was seeing stars behind her lids. It was taking the air right of her lungs. Slow, heady warmth stole through her veins. Something buzzed, like a timer in her ears, but boy oh boy, she didn’t care."



View this on Goodreads here