March wrap up & haul!

I cannot believe March is already over! I say this with every month that passes by, but this year is going to fast :o In my head it's still January or February! Oh well... maybe it's the weather that's confusing me :) Belgium is known for its horrible weather, but this year it totally deserves a medal! So much wind and rain! Makes me want to cuddle up and read all day with a steaming mug of tea... too bad I have to work.

Which brings me to the fact I've had the most horrible reading month since... ever!?
I've only read 5 books! I know it's still a good number, but I wanted to read at least 8 or 9... oh well. Maybe it's due to the fact I've been very tired lately and also because I couldn't decide what to read... Anyways, I did read 5 books:

1. Confess by Colleen Hoover: 5/5 stars
2. The Collectors' Society by Heather Lyons (ebook): 4.5/5 stars
3. The Hidden Library by Heather Lyons (ebook): 5/5 stars
4. Shadow Kiss, the graphic novel by Richelle Mead: 5/5 stars
5. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by JK Rowling: 5/5 stars

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Oh and I also bought some new books! Only three though because I have my "max 5/month" rule ;)

1. Slammed by Colleen Hoover (on my tbr of April)
2. Confess by Colleen Hoover (see above)
3. In The Afterlight by Alexandra Bracken

I actually bought In The Afterlight by Alexandra Bracken thinking I would read it immediately whenever I finished Never Fade (the second book), but I haven't even finished that one...  I guess you could say I bought it so quick for nothing (now I'm stuck with two paperbacks and one hardcover...), because I'm stuck with Never Fade :( I restarted it 2 times and I read 50ish pages so far! I don't know what's happening to me! I loooooooooved The Darkest Minds and the novella, so I don't get why I can't get into Never Fade.


So, what have you read this month? :) Let me know in the comments!!

Review: The Hidden Library by Heather Lyons

Genre: NA, romance, fantasy, retelling
Series: The Collectors’ Society #2
Release date: February 26th 2015

Sometimes, the rabbit hole is deeper than expected . . .

Alice Reeve and Finn Van Brunt have tumbled into a life of secrets. Some secrets they share, such as their employment by the clandestine organization known as The Collectors’ Society. Other secrets they carry within them, fighting to keep buried the things that could change everything they think they know.

On the hunt for an elusive villain who is hell-bent on destroying legacies, Alice, Finn, and the rest of the Society are desperate to unravel the mysteries surrounding them. But the farther they spiral down this rabbit hole, the deeper they fall into secrets that will test their loyalties and pit them against enemies both new and old.
Secrets, they come to find, can reveal the deadliest of truths.

My review: ★★★★★

“You,” Finn tells me, “are a welcome sight.”

As is he. My heart flutters as I take his handsome visage. Tall, sandy-haired, and with the most lovely blue-gray eyes I’ve ever seen, I have been painfully attracted to Finn Van Brunt since the day I arrived at the Institute.”

I’ve never, never, never EVER read a book with such extraordinary characters in the fantasy the genre. They were familiar and unique at the same time. I fell in love with every single one of them, but the bigger part of my heart belongs to Mr. Finn Van Brunt. I was more than happy when I found out that this book was written in two points of view: Alice & Finn.

Alice was again amazing. There were less chapters in her POV, but I didn’t mind that. When I saw her through Finn’s eyes I could see her like I saw her in the first book. Badass, determinate, loyal and loving. She’s such an interesting character! Whenever she stood up for herself or her friend, I was so stunned about her courage and nerve.

“Talk to me, my star” I murmur. Quiet seconds tick by; his fingers have tightened around mine. I lean in and press my mouth against the curve of his jaw, just below his ear.

Finn… well like I said, I love him so, so, so, so much! The chapters in his POV were more than amazing. I loved his little mysterious side and whenever we found out more about his past, the more I fell in love with him. He’s so perfect for Alice and oh my god, the little moments he had whenever he was with Alice were just PERFFFF.

Although Finn & Alice are my OTP, I still have to admit I liked the White King (Jace) a lot! I don’t even have the right words to describe him. Loyal, honest, selfless and perfect just doesn’t cover it. The scenes he had with Finn were SO GOOD. I can see a time where he was perfect for Alice, because what he does for her is just unbelievable selfless. I hope he will find a true love soon and I really really really hope to see him in the next books, because I want more of him!! Now that I think of it... a little novella in his point of view would be kind of awesome too! Heather...? :D

“I’ve fallen in love with you how you make the worst places incredibly romantic. And with the fact that, even though it doesn’t seem like it, we’re so damn alike. You get me when most people don’t.”

The plot of this book is full of action, mystery and romance. They were parts that were very fast paced and where a LOT was happening.  This book has a lot of little storylines that came together at the ending. I could never have imagined the ending. It was SO good! I’m in desperate need of book three. I just want it RIGHT NOW!

Oh by the way, you know the curse of trilogies/longer series? Where the first book is brilliant and then the next books become dull, boring, predictable, …? Heather is certainly not going that way. I feel like she has still a huge surprise that will blow us away completely. She absolutely has the potential to be even more brilliant. Aaaahhhh, this series is epic!!! If you haven’t read the first book: DO IT!

“True love does not have limits or restrictions. True love allows a person to love deeply and unconditionally. True love does not ask you to let go of life. True love encourages you to live.”

Book Of The Week #26: Between The Notes by Sharon Huss Roat

Every Sunday I share a book I discovered during the week. I think it's a good idea for you guys if you're looking for random recommendations ;)
If you want to see the previous ones, just click here.

Series: stand-alone

Genre: YA, romance, music, fiction

Release date: June 16^th 2015

When Ivy Emerson’s family loses their house—complete with her beloved piano—the fear of what’s to come seizes her like a bad case of stage fright. Only this isn’t one of her single, terrifying performances. It’s her life.
And it isn’t pretty.
Ivy is forced to move with her family out of their affluent neighborhood to Lakeside, also known as “the wrong side of the tracks.” Hiding the truth from her friends—and the cute new guy in school, who may have secrets of his own—seems like a good idea at first. But when a bad boy next door threatens to ruin everything, Ivy’s carefully crafted lies begin to unravel . . . and there is no way to stop them.
As things get to the breaking point, Ivy turns to her music, some unlikely new friends, and the trusting heart of her disabled little brother. She may be surprised that not everyone is who she thought they were . . . including herself.

Debut author Sharon Huss Roat crafts a charming and timely story of what happens when life as you know it flips completely upside down.

Thoughts?

I just loooooooooove the cover!!!! And the plot sounds so good! I cannot wait for this book!JUST ADD THIS TO YOUR TBR!

Friday Finds #6: Lots of new releases!

FRIDAY FINDS showcases the books you ‘found’ and added to your TBR list… whether you found them online, or in a bookstore, or in the library — wherever! (they aren’t necessarily books you purchased). This is hosted by ShouldBeReading!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After 3 weeks of adding NO books to my tbr, I’m finally back with a small list of 5 books. I told you, I’m determinate to get my tbr down this year! :D So far I’ve been having the WORST reading month ever (March is almost over, whaatttt??!!), so I added some new books to my tbr. You know… to compensate, haha :D All the books (except Duff) I added have to be released yet, so I guess that gives me time to catch up, right? ;)

 

Recent Release #24: Liars, INC. by Paula Stokes

Every Wednesday I share a recent release I’m excited to read. If you want to check out the previous ones, click here. These are all books I'm adding to my growing pile of tbr-books ;) 

Series: stand-alone

Genre: YA, contemporary, thriller, crime, murder

Release date: March 24^th 2015

For fans of Gone Girl, I Hunt Killers, and TV's How to Get Away with Murder.

Max Cantrell has never been a big fan of the truth, so when the opportunity arises to sell forged permission slips and cover stories to his classmates, it sounds like a good way to make a little money and liven up a boring senior year. With the help of his friends Preston and Parvati, Max starts Liars, Inc. Suddenly everybody needs something and the cash starts pouring in. Who knew lying could be so lucrative?

When Preston wants his own cover story to go visit a girl he met online, Max doesn’t think twice about hooking him up. Until Preston never comes home. Then the evidence starts to pile up—terrifying clues that lead the cops to Preston’s body. Terrifying clues that point to Max as the murderer.

Can Max find the real killer before he goes to prison for a crime he didn’t commit? In a story that Kirkus Reviews called "Captivating to the very end," Paula Stokes starts with one single white lie and weaves a twisted tale that will have readers guessing until the explosive final chapters.

Discuss: Tips concerning your book budget

For booklovers nothing is better than buying books (besides reading them of course). But we've all had a period where we just used up our whole book budget. And that period just sucks. Especially when you planned to buy that new release you've been waiting for months. So I thought, why not share some tips to avoid this problem? Not everyone has a big budget and I hope these little tips will help you!

1. Sell books

You may be thinking "NO WAY" right now. But think about it. It can't be that you love every single book that's on your shelf. You know I'm right. Sell books you didn't particularly liked and save up the money for new books. There are plenty of ways to sell books these days: online, markets, in second handed bookshops,  etc. You can also try to sell them to friends or family. Just keep in mind to be reasonable with your prizes ;)

2. Go to the library

If you're lucky enough to have a good and updated library near your work/home/school, use it!! Instead of immediately buying a book, go grab it at the library. And if you really liked it, just buy it afterwards. This tip is really handy if you're not 100% sure about the book. This is the best way to try out new authors, genres etc.

3. Invest in a kindle / e-reader

I'm sure a lot of people already know this, but most of them intent to forget this, but ebooks are (usually) way cheaper than books! This tip is very handy if some books are not available in your country. Also for the same reasons as in tip 2. I really recommend the kindles from Amazon by the way. They last very long and are extremely good investments. I had my previous one (one of the first model with the keyboard) for at least 5 years and it still works fine! Now I have a Kindle Paperwhite and I love it. The battery last so freaking long. I bought it 3 months ago and I've charged it only 2 (!!) times.

And let's not forget the millions of FREE ebooks that are available! 

4. Buy online

Yes, I know, browsing in an actual bookshop is way more fun. But it is also more expensive!

Online sites like Amazon and bookdepository (both free shipping btw!) sell books way cheaper than in bookstores. I don't know if this is the same in every country, but for me I can buy two books online for the same price as one in a bookshop... 

Extra tip for Amazon: compare prizes on http://www.cheapriver.com/ ! Extremely handy tip especially for European booklovers ;)

By the way, it’s not because you buy books online that you can’t browse in bookstores anymore. You can go touch/smell the books there and then go home and buy the books you fell in love with in the store online :D

5. Use a limit on your purchases and avoid buying bans

Buying books can be addictive! I used to be a major bookhauler. I bought at least 3-5 books at the same time (at least 2 times in the same month) and although it was fun in the beginning (because your personal library grows way faster like this), after a while my wallet started to be exhausted.

I tried buying bans, but that made me want to buy books even more. That's why I have a limit of max 5 books I'm allowed to buy per month. It also helped me to enjoy the books I bought more. I also think using a limit is better than a strict buying ban. When you’re actually allowed to buy books, so you don’t have the urge to say ‘oh f*uck it’ and buy 10 books in the nearest store. That’s how you learn how to control everything more.

Do you have extra tips?

These 5 little tips are from my own book-experiences. Do you have more? Share them in the comments and help other booklovers!

Book Of The Week: The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things by Ann Aguirre

Every Sunday I share a book I discovered during the week. I think it's a good idea for you guys if you're looking for random recommendations ;)
If you want to see the previous ones, just click here.

Series: stand-alone

Genre: YA, romance, contemporary

Release date: April 7^th 2015

Sage Czinski is trying really hard to be perfect. If she manages it, people won't peer beyond the surface, or ask hard questions about her past. She's learned to substitute causes for relationships, and it's working just fine . . . until Shane Cavendish strolls into her math class. He's a little antisocial, a lot beautiful, and everything she never knew she always wanted.

Shane Cavendish just wants to be left alone to play guitar and work on his music. He's got heartbreak and loneliness in his rearview mirror, and this new school represents his last chance. He doesn't expect to be happy; he only wants to graduate and move on. He never counted on a girl like Sage.

But love doesn't mend all broken things, and sometimes life has to fall apart before it can be put back together again. . . .

Thoughts?

From the moment I saw the cover I fell in love with it. I’ve signed up for Blog Tour/ARC via Inkslinger, but I got rejected due to high requests. I was so bummed because I really want to read it! But then the publisher contacted me and provided me an ARC. I AM SO FREAKING HAPPY!! I’m planning to read it before the release to get all of YOU excited :D

Bookish news: Paper Towns trailer!

It is finally here! I bet most of you have seen the trailer already, but just in case, watch it here: 

I haven't read the book yet, but that doesn't stop me for being so excited about the movie! Hopefully I'll have the chance to read it before the movie comes out though ;)

The combination of Cara Delevingne and Nat Wolff is perfectttttt!!! I've always loved Cara (seriously, she makes me question my sexuality) and Nat is amazing. I loved him in TFIOS so I cannot wait to see more of him.

What are your thoughts? Have you read the book? Are you excited?? ;)

Recent Release #23: Everything That Makes You by Moriah McStay

Every Wednesday I share a recent release I’m excited to read. If you want to check out the previous ones, click here. These are all books I'm adding to my growing pile of tbr-books ;) 

Series: stand-alone

Genre: YA, fiction, contemporary

Release date: March 17h 2015

One girl. Two stories. Meet Fiona Doyle. The thick ridges of scar tissue on her face are from an accident twelve years ago. Fiona has notebooks full of songs she’s written about her frustrations, her dreams, and about her massive crush on beautiful uber-jock Trent McKinnon. If she can’t even find the courage to look Trent straight in his beautiful blue eyes, she sure isn’t brave enough to play or sing any of her songs in public. But something’s changing in Fiona. She can’t be defined by her scars anymore.

And what if there hadn’t been an accident? Meet Fi Doyle. Fi is the top-rated female high school lacrosse player in the state, heading straight to Northwestern on a full ride. She’s got more important things to deal with than her best friend Trent McKinnon, who’s been different ever since the kiss. When her luck goes south, even lacrosse can’t define her anymore. When you’ve always been the best at something, one dumb move can screw everything up. Can Fi fight back?

Hasn’t everyone wondered what if? In this daring debut novel, Moriah McStay gives us the rare opportunity to see what might have happened if things were different. Maybe luck determines our paths. But maybe it’s who we are that determines our luck.

Review: The Collectors' Society by Heather Lyons

Genre: NA, romance, fantasy, retelling
Series: The Collectors’ Society #1

After years in Wonderland, Alice has returned to England as an adult, desperate to reclaim sanity and control over her life. An enigmatic gentleman with an intriguing job offer too tempting to resist changes her plans for a calm existence, though. Soon, she’s whisked to New York and initiated into the Collectors’ Society, a secret organization whose members confirm that famous stories are anything but straightforward and that what she knows about the world is only a fraction of the truth.

It’s there she discovers villains are afoot—ones who want to shelve the lives of countless beings. Assigned to work with the mysterious and alluring Finn, Alice and the rest of the Collectors’ Society race against a doomsday clock in order to prevent further destruction . . . but will they make it before all their endings are erased?

My review: ★★★★+0.5

‘‘The book isn’t how Wonderland really is. The people there, the animals, the sights…None are silly and cartoonish, Finn. Wonderland has its mysteries and beauty, but there’s a lot of darkness there, too.’’

First of all, I want to thank Yvonne (from A World Between Folded Pages, also known as my best friend) for recommending me this book! I have a challenge with Yvonne where we recommend 10 books to each other. We basically challenged ourselves to read the list of books we got before the end of the year. The Collectors’ Society is the first book I read of this list and I AM SO GLAD I DID!!!

I have to admit, at first I was a bit suspicious about this book because I’ve never read a retelling before. But now that I devoured this book, I want more!

“Knowledge is always one of the fiercest of advantages a lady can have.”

Alice is so badass and certainly not the little girl I remembered from the children story. She’s independent and determinate. She fights as a pro and is ready for every challenge that comes into her path. She’s truly amazing. Heather made me connect with her immediately.

“AF. Alice/Finn. Goddamn my knees for being useless body parts. Why is it always my knees to go first? Don’t they know a lady needs to stand?”

But when Alice meets Finn Van Brunt, well… we both are completely awestruck of this beautiful human being. I immediately fell in love with Finn (my book boyfriend list is seriously starting to be VERY big), I mean how couldn’t I? He’s so handsome, kind, smart… He’s perfect for Alice and the way they connected to each other is so beautiful. Gosh. I just love him. Hell, I even caught myself daydreaming about him a few times!! The little romantic moments are so effortless and I just love it! I SHIP THEM SO MUCH!

“In pages, we find words. In words, we find life.”

Aaah, I don’t even know how to express my feelings about this book. It’s BRILLIANT! Heather based her story on Alice in Wonderland, but she created something even better with it. The secret community, Wonderland, the (AMAZING!!) characters, …. Heather developed everything in details. I had absolutely no problems imagining the sceneries and the characters. A few times I caught myself being stunned about the fact that everything seemed so … logic and real. I did not have the feeling I was reading a retelling or a fantasy book (except when we were in Wonderland of course). The storyline is full of emotions and action. I'm extremely impressed about Heather's writing!

“Your happiness is my happiness, even if it means your heart is held in another’s hands.”

I’m not going into the plot of this book, because I don’t want to spoil anything and I think you should definitely start this book without knowing too much about the plot. So please, please, please, GO READ THIS BOOK! You will end up fangirling like me, I’m 100% sure of that! I'm really surprised about the fact that not a lot of people have read this book. The Collectors' Society deserves soooo much more attention!

“The most truthful answers are found through observation. Words allow lies.”

PS 1: In case you were wondering why I gave this book 4.5 instead of 5 stars: I don’t even know myself. 4 is too less, but I want to save my full 5 stars for one of the next books in the series. Does this make sense? Probably not… whatever haha :D

PS 2: Here’s one of the most accurate quotes EVER:

“There are multiple ways to label people, as you may well know. In the literate world, we can simplify this in that there are readers and non-readers. Within the readers category, we can further label people by how passionate they are with the books they choose. Some people escape into the stories they read. Some read for purpose or information. Some read out of resentment or necessity. But let us, in this moment, focus on those who find books to be an escape or an extension of their imagination. These readers see, within their mind’s eye, the characters and settings in the pages below their fingers. They feel the emotions woven between the words. They live through every heartache, every embrace, every terror. Books, to these people, become tangible, living things. The characters they read become genuine souls.” A half smile curves his lips. “People like this are often accused of living within their fantasies. They’re said to have their noses stuck in books. But the reality is that some of these people actually do escape into books.”

Book Of The Week #24: A Matter Of Fate by Heather Lyons

Every Sunday I share a book I discovered during the week. I think it's a good idea for you guys if you're looking for random recommendations ;)
If you want to see the previous ones, just click here.

Series: Fate #1

Genre: YA, romance, fantasy

Release date: August 25, 2012

Chloe Lilywhite struggles with all the normal problems of a typical seventeen-year-old high school student. Only, Chloe isn't a normal teenage girl. She's a Magical, part of a secret race of beings who influence the universe. More importantly, she's a Creator, which means Fate mapped out her destiny long ago, from her college choice, to where she will live, to even her job. While her friends and relatives relish their future roles, Chloe resents the lack of say in her life, especially when she learns she's to be guarded against a vengeful group of beings bent on wiping out her kind. Their number one target? Chloe, of course.

That's nothing compared to the boy trouble she's gotten herself into. Because a guy she's literally dreamed of and loved her entire life, one she never knew truly existed, shows up in her math class, and with him comes a twin brother she finds herself inexplicably drawn to. Chloe's once unyielding path now has a lot more choices than she ever thought possible.

Thoughts?

This week I read The Collectors’ Society by Heather and I loooooooved it ! I cannot wait to read more of her works and this book just sound perfect! Can’t wait to read it!!

Trailer reveal: Fall With Me by Jennifer L. Armentrout!

I am even more excited (who thought that was possible?) about Jennifer L. Armentrout's FALL WITH ME after watching this trailer!

Fall With Me is a New Adult Contemporary Romance being published by Avon (William Morrow), an imprint of HarperCollins, and is a part of Jennifer L. Armentrout’s With You Saga. It is being released on March 31st, 2015!! So check it out and pre-order your copy today!

Fall With Me Synopsis:

Eleven months ago, bartender and weird-shirt-wearing extraordinaire Roxy and Officer Reece Anders had a one night stand. Well, kind of. She’s been in love with him since she was fifteen, and he wishes that night they shared never happened. She’s sworn him off forever, but the past and future collide, forcing her to rely on the one man who broke her heart not once, but twice.

Her best friend since birth has been in a long-term care facility since he became a victim of a hate crime years ago, and the person who put him in there is out of prison and wanting to make amends with him and Roxy. She’s not sure she has room for forgiveness in her and when she begins to receive frightening messages and is on the receiving end of escalating violence, she thinks she knows who is to blame. The man who already destroyed one life already. But Reece isn’t convinced. The threats are too personal, and even if Roxy doesn’t believe him, he’s not willing to let anyone hurt her. Including himself. He’s already messed up more than once when it comes to Roxy and he’s not going to let history repeat itself.

Trailer:

 About Jennifer L. Armentrout: 

# 1 NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki. Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math.
Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV. She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.   

Website ** Facebook ** Twitter ** Novel Goodreads ** Author Goodreads

Amazon ** Barnes and Noble **iBooks ** Kobo

Recent Release #22: Confess by Colleen Hoover

Every Wednesday I share a recent release I’m excited to read. If you want to check out the previous ones, click here. These are all books I'm adding to my growing pile of tbr-books ;) PS: The cover is linked to Goodreads!

Series: stand-alone

Genre: NA, romance, art, contemporary

Release date: March 10th 2015

Auburn Reed has her entire life mapped out. Her goals are in sight and there’s no room for mistakes. But when she walks into a Dallas art studio in search of a job, she doesn’t expect to find a deep attraction to the enigmatic artist who works there, Owen Gentry.

For once, Auburn takes a risk and puts her heart in control, only to discover Owen is keeping major secrets from coming out. The magnitude of his past threatens to destroy everything important to Auburn, and the only way to get her life back on track is to cut Owen out of it.

The last thing Owen wants is to lose Auburn, but he can’t seem to convince her that truth is sometimes as subjective as art. All he would have to do to save their relationship is confess. But in this case, the confession could be much more destructive than the actual sin…

Read my review here!

Promo post: Crave The Rose by Karen Kincy (+ Excerpt)

If you're into (steamy) New Adult romances then this is definitely something for you! This novel, Crave The Rose, came out earlier this year and it's just waiting for you to read it ;)

Series: stand-alone

Genre: NA, romance, contemporary

While studying abroad at Oxford, Cassia loses her boyfriend in an accident--the night after she catches him screwing another girl.

Only Bram, an Irish charmer whose wolfish smile hides his darkest secrets, makes her feel anything but numb. Cassia refuses to be hurt again. This is sex, nothing more, with three little rules: No cheating. No lies. No falling in love. But rules are made to be broken...

Excerpt

Back at the Audi, I drag my clothes over my damp skin. Wind drives rain into my eyes.
Shivering, I hop into the car. Bram starts the engine and presses a button under my seat. The leather warms beneath my butt.
“Oh my God,” I say. “I love your car. Can I marry you and steal it?”
He snorts. “Prenup.”
I lean across and cling to his arm. “Baby, buy me a giant diamond and my own Audi.”
He shakes me free with feigned disgust. “Back, woman!” He crosses himself.
“Too late.” I laugh. “I seduced your sexy ass.”
“My ass?” he says delicately.
“Okay, so I seduced all of you.”
He meets my gaze, half of a smirk on his face. “What are your evil plans?”
“Besides the diamonds and cars? I haven’t decided.”
“Since when did one diamond become plural?”
I grin. “Bitches love diamonds. Buy me some of that shit to win my undying love.”
He clears his throat, his cheeks red. “I’d rather not buy your love.”
My heart soars heavenward, but I drag it back to earth. “That’s so romantic,” I say, as sarcastically as possible.
He flashes me a smile. “Isn’t it?” He shifts to drive and hits the road.

Update on The Selection series by Kiera Cass!

It's already know for a while that The Selection trilogy became an actual series.
Two more books were announced. The Heir, the fourth book, is expected on May 5th. However the publication date for the 5th book is still unannounced. But we still have some other things to look forward to in the mean time!

The novella The Selection Stories: The Queen and The Favorite has been cancelled, but for an amazing reason. I'm already excited!!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is what Kiera announced on her blog:

Yes, your preorder has been cancelled because the e-book of The Favorite and the paperback bind up of The Queen and The Favorite are no longer happening. At least, not in March. Why? Good question. One of the great things about the world of The Selection is that the more time I spend with it, the better it gets. It was amazing (if not a little weird) to see a young Clarkson through Amberly’s eyes, and it was a special opportunity for me to show you just how hard Aspen was fighting for America in his own words. America, Marlee, Maxon, Aspen, and Amberly have all gotten to take a turn sharing their voice, but recently, I felt there was one more character I wanted to give just a tiny, itty bitty, little moment to: Celeste.

With the timing of everything, a few things had to be rethought, and my hope was that you’d be able to have all the stories, in print, in one place. So, instead of simply getting The Favorite in March, in OCTOBER you will be getting a HARDBACK bind up with the following:

• The extended version of The Prince 
• The Guard 
• The Queen 
• The Favorite 
• Three scenes with Celeste (that I still need to name... hmm.) 
• The second epilogue to The One 
• Some other stuff 
• Oh, and did I mention that this will be illustrated? 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Isn't this GREAT??? I'm already SO excited! Especially for the scenes of Celeste and the fact that it's illustrated. October 6th can't come faster ;)

What are your thoughts on this? Please share it in the comments!!

Book Of The Week #23: November 9 by Colleen Hoover

Every Sunday I share a book I discovered during the week. I think it's a good idea for you guys if you're looking for random recommendations ;)
If you want to see the previous ones, just click here.

Series: stand-alone

Genre: NA, romance, contemporary

Release date: November 10th, 2015

This is a love story between a guy (me) and a girl (Fallon). I think.
Can it even be considered a love story if it doesn’t end with love?
Mysteries end when the mystery is solved.
Biographies end when the life story has been told.
Love stories should end with love, right?
Maybe I’m wrong, then. Maybe this isn’t a love story. If you ask me…I’d say this might even be considered a tragedy.
Whatever it is—however it ends—I promised I would tell it. So without further ado.
Once upon a time…I met a girl.
The girl.

Thoughts?

I’m so freaking exited for this book! I can’t believe we have to wait so long ughhhhh. I have 3 unread books by CoHo and then I have to wait for the new releases. And I hope there will be a LOT because she’s one of my fav author!
Oh and the cover is beautiful!!!

PRE-ORDER HERE!

Review: Confess by Colleen Hoover (=MUST READ)

My rating: ★★★★★

Genre: NA, romance, art, contemporay
Series: stand-alone

Blurb from Goodreads:

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover, a new novel about risking everything for love—and finding your heart somewhere between the truth and lies. 

Auburn Reed has her entire life mapped out. Her goals are in sight and there’s no room for mistakes. But when she walks into a Dallas art studio in search of a job, she doesn’t expect to find a deep attraction to the enigmatic artist who works there, Owen Gentry.

For once, Auburn takes a risk and puts her heart in control, only to discover Owen is keeping major secrets from coming out. The magnitude of his past threatens to destroy everything important to Auburn, and the only way to get her life back on track is to cut Owen out of it.

The last thing Owen wants is to lose Auburn, but he can’t seem to convince her that truth is sometimes as subjective as art. All he would have to do to save their relationship is confess. But in this case, the confession could be much more destructive than the actual sin…

My review:

Whenever I start reading a new release from an author I love, I just can’t dislike the book. It’s never automatically a favorite but … oh hell, what am I even trying to deny? With a CoHo book I’m always hooked after the first chapter (if not even the first paragraph!). I could even read her grocery list and still be fascinated. Seriously, I mean it. I don’t know how she does it. Colleen always writes books that read very easy and quick. But the thing is, she always manages to combine this ‘easiness’ with a shitload of emotions. After reading almost all her books, it still blows my mind. Saying I’m a wreck every single time I finish a book of her, is an understatement.

“Tonight, everyone's focus is on my art, but my focus is on her. She's the most interesting piece in this entire room.”

Now, let’s talk about another amazing talent of Colleen. To me, she is the Queen of originality! If you read other books by her, you probably already know this, but Colleen always adds something creative and interacting in her books. For example: the soundtrack to Maybe Someday and the poetry in Slammed.

In this book we have the original art from Danny O’Connor. And let me tell you, it is freaking beautiful. I never wanted to buy art so much in my life. I might even do if for real (go check out his site here)!! Oh, did I mention there are colored pictures of the artwork in the book? That’s right, you read it correct: there is FREAKING COLORED ART in the book.

“I’ll love you forever. Even when I can’t.”

The concept of this book is brilliant. Including confessions to the plot and combining these with art is just… brilliant. Some confessions made me smile, some broke my heart. And knowing these were real confessions submitted by readers made them even more sincere and beautiful.

“I'm scared I'll never feel this again with anyone else," I whisper.

He squeezes my hands. "I'm scared you will.”

In case I still haven’t convinced you to buy this book, let me tell you something about the characters. Auburn Reed is one of the realest characters ever. She’s is so strong, flawed and perfect at the same time. She’s a real fighter. I immediately felt a connection to her and if one day I have 10% of her strength, I would be more than happy.

Same thing for Owen Gentry. Owen’s handsome, caring, funny and selfless. I instantly fell in love with him. Oh god, I’m seriously developing a thing for painters!! I absolutely loved reading in his point of view. He’s a little mysterious and the more we find out about him, the more I was amazed by him. Can I please have him in real life??

Now, put these two beautiful people together and I’m in heaven. Their attraction to each other is sensible through the pages. I totally ship them and to me they are so meant to be. Ugh, I just love them.

“Sometimes I miss them so much, it hurts me right here. It feels like someone is squeezing my heart with the strength of the entire goddamn world.”

Ooooooh man, I don’t even know how to describe how I felt when I read the last chapter. My heart broke and built itself up again, piece by piece. I cried, I laughed and cried some more.

The moral of this book is truly beautiful. Of course, part of the story is not something you haven’t read before. But it still touched me deeply. There are some very unique elements in this book that you just can’t not love. I devoured this book in a day and a half and I wish there was more. I NEED more.

“He cradles my head between both of his hands and he kisses me slowly. Soft and deep and full of highs and lows and depth. He kisses me like I’m his canvas.”

March TBR!

Aaaah, I'm always a bit over-excited when I'm setting up a monthy-tbr :D And of course I did it again this time, but you know... just in case ;)

Okay, so last month I read 8 books, so I should be able to do the same again.. right? :D

Harry Potter 3 (reread)- Never Fade by Alexandra Bracken

Volition by Lily Paradis

Shadowkiss by Richelle Mead (the graphic novel)

The Archived by Victoria Schwab

The Collectors' Society by Heather Lyons (ebook)

Confess by Colleen Hoover (book should be delivered soon...)

What are you planning to read?? ;)

February Wrap Up

Wait what? It's already MARCH? Seems like February 1st was like... last week!
Time goes by so fast and I'm barely keeping up with my own tbr. But I still managed to read 8 books this month. Here it is:

Physical books I read:

- Harry Potter and The Chamber Of Secrets by JK Rowling: 5/5 stars

- My Heart & Other Black Holes by Jasmine Warga: 5/5 stars

- The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken: 5/5 stars

 - Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead (Graphic Novel): 4/5 stars

 - Frostbite by Richelle Mead (Graphic Novel): 5/5 stars

***

Ebooks I read:

- In Time (The Darkest Minds novella) by Alexandra Bracken: 5/5 stars

 - Weird Things Customers Say in Bookshops by Jen Campbell: 4/5 stars

- More Weird Things Customers Say in Bookshops by Jen Campbell: 4/5 stars

***

My favorite of all of these books are definitely the ones by Alexandra Bracken! She's is an insanely good writer and if you haven't read anything by her yet: DO IT! ;)

Which books did you love in February??