August wrap up & haul

Summer is almost over aaaahhh!!!  I just hope the weather will still be a little nice, because I want more sun as I'm not ready for winter yet :D I hope you all had an amazing summer! I did at least. I went to Punta Cana for a week and it was amazing. That's also the reason why I read so much. Vacation is perfect for me to catch up with my tbr. I managed to read 10 books and I hope next month I'll be able to keep it up.

To all of you who start school tomorrow: GOOD LUCK!! 

Here's what I read in August:

1. Stone Cold Touch by JLA: ★★★★

2. HP The Making Off: ★★★★

3. Magonia by Maria Headley: ★★★

4. The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins: ★★

5. Every Last Breath by JLA: ★★★+0.5

6. Doing it for Love by Cassie Mae (ARC): ★★★★

7. Scorched by JLA: ★★★+0.5

8. Yes, Please by Amy Poehler: ★★+0.5

9. Left Drowning by Jessica Parker: ★★★★★

10. Yours Truly/Ketchup Clouds by Annabel Pitcher: ★★★+0.5

 My haul

I've been incredibly lucky to win two gorgeous signed copies this month! I was super excited when I received them. I mean, seriously, I rarely win something!
I've also bought some (e)books because I couldn't resist to not read the next in series asap :D

Here's what I bought in August:

1. Yours Truly/Ketchup Clouds by Annabel Pitcher

2. The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

3. Every Last Breath by JLA (ebook)

4. Scorched by JLA (ebook)

5. Restless Waters by Jessica Park (ebook)

And here's what I won:

1. Ricochet by Keri Lake (signed)

2. Charmed by Michelle Krys (signed)

 What did you read/bought this month?? ;)

Review: The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

Series: standalone
Genre: adult, thriller, contemporary
Release date: January 13th 2015
Length: 323 pages

Rachel takes the same commuter train every morning. Every day she rattles down the track, flashes past a stretch of cozy suburban homes, and stops at the signal that allows her to daily watch the same couple breakfasting on their deck. She’s even started to feel like she knows them. “Jess and Jason,” she calls them. Their life—as she sees it—is perfect. Not unlike the life she recently lost.

And then she sees something shocking. It’s only a minute until the train moves on, but it’s enough. Now everything’s changed. Unable to keep it to herself, Rachel offers what she knows to the police, and becomes inextricably entwined in what happens next, as well as in the lives of everyone involved. Has she done more harm than good?

My rating: ★★+0.5

Oh god, where do I start? I hope I won't be too harsh...
Okay well first of all: why the hell is this a bestselling? I saw this book everywhere! I thought that if it appeared here on the shelves of the unknown bookshops in Belgium, that it must be damn good. And it's so damn not. I mean, sure, it would have been awesome if 80% of this book doesn't resembles to Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. Seriously WHY?! And even if it didn't had so many similarities, I definitely read MUCH better! I did not have that exciting thrill I'm supposed to get while reading this kind of genre and that was very disappointing.
I was unimpressed by the ending too as it was a little predictable...
The writing itself was okay and it's definitely a quick read, but still... I just don't recommend this book, sorry!

Blog Tour (excerpt & giveaway!): Secrets Don't Keep by Elora Ramirez

Today I'm very pleased to present you a little excerpt about SECRETS DON'T KEEP!

I've been overexcited about this book, especially when I received an ARC to review. Make sure to keep an eye out for a review soon!

SECRETS DON'T KEEP, a YA mystery novel, is the first book in The Grove Series. It has been released on August 10th 2015. If you haven't added this book to your tbr and this is the perfect time. Discover more about this book and the author in this post. By the way, make you sure you enter the giveaway at the end of the post to win a 50$ Amazon card!

About Secrets Don't Keep

My name is Kera Collins, and I would do anything for a golden nod.

At first glance, my life appears perfect: the best friends, the best school, the attention of Dex Albright, the deliciously irresistible grandson to the Headmaster. All I need is the prestige behind La Boheme, an elite secret society formed within the walls of my school, and my life would be complete. Once I’m in, I’ll be the one with all of the secrets.

It’s just…no one told me these secrets could kill.

Buy it on Amazon now!

Excerpt

I bite my lip. Heights are my favorite. The skin of my palm begins to tickle at the anticipation of feeling weightless in midair. I look below us and see the water waiting for us like a warm embrace. It’s deep enough here. I’ve jumped off cliffs into lakes shallower than this. “Okay.” My voice surprises me and Dex breaks into a grin. “Okay,” he repeats, and then walks toward the bridge. The group on the other side begins cheering for us as we step onto the first wooden panel. The bridge sways and we reach for either side of the railing, waiting for it to steady before taking the next step. “Do you see where the railing dips in the middle?” I nod. “There’s a break in the mesh at the bottom and the railing actually separates — the society built this bridge specifically for challenges and parties back in the 50s. All we have to do is lean against it and the railing will break apart like velcro.” “That sounds safe.” He laughs. “It’s a good deterrent for those who happen upon the bridge because of their own exploring. Keeps the thrill seekers away.” He winks. “Well. Obviously it’s working,” I whisper sarcastically. He squeezes my hand. “Are you ready?” I nod and we turn sideways. The cheering slows and Dex looks at me. “You may want to take off your shoes.” I shake my head. “And risk someone else taking them? Never. They go down with me.” Boy with a fake accent is shouting something now, and out of the corner of my eye I see someone else pushing through the crowd. “Dex…,” I whisper, realizing this person is about to run out on the bridge to stop us. He’s about to run out on the bridge, and I’m not sure if it can hold three humans at once. Dex turns and looks at me. “Count of three?” We face forward and he feels for the groove that turns the railing into a gate. “One….” The bridge lurches with the lumbering foot-falls of the guy running to stop us. “Two…” I suck in my breath and close my eyes. “Three!” I let out a whoop! and open my eyes at the same time Dex jumps. I follow him, the weightlessness hitting me instantly as we pause mid-air before free-falling. And for a moment, I know what it feels like to fly under the blanket of black velvet poked with stars.

About the author

Elora Ramirez has been telling stories her whole life.

It started when she was four, when she taught herself how to read and write as a way to entertain herself while her grandmother kicked and danced in aerobics class. She cut her teeth on books from Dr. Seuss and writing anywhere she could find the space -- including her Fischer Price kitchenette, the pages of picture books, and Highlights Magazines.

She's matured a bit since then, now choosing to write in the margins of her books and on the mirrors of her apartment ideas and thoughts surrounding story and what makes us human.

Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Author Goodreads

 

Giveaway

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Review: Stone Cold Touch by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Series: The Dark Elements #2
Genre: NA, romance, urban fantasy, demons, angels
Release date: October 21st 2014
Length: 464 pages

Every touch has its price.

Layla Shaw is trying to pick up the pieces of her shattered life—no easy task for a seventeen-year-old who’s pretty sure things can’t get worse. Her impossibly gorgeous best friend, Zayne, is forever off-limits thanks to the mysterious powers of her soul-stealing kiss. The Warden clan that has always protected her is suddenly keeping dangerous secrets. And she can barely think about Roth, the wickedly hot demon prince who understood her in ways no one else could.

But sometimes rock bottom is only the beginning. Because suddenly Layla’s powers begin to evolve, and she’s offered a tantalizing taste of what has always been forbidden. Then, when she least expects it, Roth returns, bringing news that could change her world forever. She’s finally getting what she always wanted, but with hell literally breaking loose and the body count adding up, the price may be higher than Layla is willing to pay…

My rating: ★★★★

I'm going to keep this review short because most of it has already been said in my review of the first book. There was one mayor bonus though: plenty of Supernatural references, which I loved!

“You’re an ass,” I spat, picking up the shirt.
He chuckled. “And it’s a fine ass, I’m told.”  

But yep, Jennifer did it again. And she's the only one who's able to make me question my OTP. In White Hot Kiss I was TOTALLY Team Roth. I barely liked Zayne.. But oh god, I can't believe I'm saying this... Zayne wasn't that bad in this one... was he? Of course Roth is still hot AF, but... just... UGH. She made me hesitate a few times, and I wanted to punch myself for that. I can now say, with absolutely no hesitation at all, that I'm truly in love with Roth. I knew there was so much we didn't know from him and I loved that.

“I know exactly how he looks at you and you do, too … Because it’s the way I look at you.”

Most of the book, unlike the first one, is focused on the relationship between Layla and Zayne. There were lots of swoon-worthy moments and that's why I hesitated a few times. But in the end, I can't imagine a healthy relationship between those two. The whole kissing thing is definitely a problem (although.... there are some other areas to kiss *grins*) and I just couldn't imagine a good future for them. I most definitely ship Zayne and Stacey!! Now, that would be one hell of a couple!

“I don’t deserve you.”
“See, that’s where you’re wrong … That’s where you’ve always been wrong. You deserve everything.”

Anyway, like the first book, this one was funny and addictive!  It definitely a bit darker than the first book and it's a bit more fast-paced. They were plenty plot twists, but again, some of the were predictable. Especially the ending. I kind of guessed the biggest plot twist so I wasn't that impressed. Nevertheless, it still made me excited to read the third and final (!!) book of this trilogy!
I mean, I would have read it anyway, cause you know: ROTH! (duhh :D)

“I want you so badly it’s like a hunger that gnaws at me endlessly. It doesn’t go away … You have no fucking clue.”
“Then do something about it,” I whispered.”

Review: White Hot Kiss by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Series: The Dark Elements #1
Genre: NA, romance, urban fantasy, demons, angels
Release date: February 25th 2014
Length: 400 pages
One kiss could be the last.

Seventeen-year-old Layla just wants to be normal. But with a kiss that kills anything with a soul, she's anything but normal. Half demon, half gargoyle, Layla has abilities no one else possesses.

Raised among the Wardens—a race of gargoyles tasked with hunting demons and keeping humanity safe—Layla tries to fit in, but that means hiding her own dark side from those she loves the most. Especially Zayne, the swoon-worthy, incredibly gorgeous and completely off-limits Warden she's crushed on since forever.

Then she meets Roth—a tattooed, sinfully hot demon who claims to know all her secrets. Layla knows she should stay away, but she's not sure she wants to—especially when that whole no-kissing thing isn't an issue, considering Roth has no soul.

But when Layla discovers she's the reason for the violent demon uprising, trusting Roth could not only ruin her chances with Zayne… it could brand her a traitor to her family. Worse yet, it could become a one-way ticket to the end of the world.

My rating: ★★★★+0.5 

“Free will, huh? Damn. It is a bitch.’ And then he smiled at me, a real smile, revealing those deep dimples. ‘I lost myself the moment I found you.” 

My voice broke, and my heart...

Everyone who knows me a little, knows I'm obsessed with JLA's books. And again, she managed to suck me into one of her words with no problem. You barely need your imagination because everything is so detailed and awesome. I basically flew over the pages and I loved every single part of it!

Layla was a very likable main character! I liked reading in her POV. Some of her thoughts were hilarious and she definitely made me laugh out loud a few times. She's exactly how I imagined her to be before I started. Knowing JLA, I didn't not expect less than a strong female character who can defend herself like a badass. And the supernatural twist to her was amazing.

“People with the purest souls are capable of the greatest evils. No one is perfect, no matter what they are or what side they fight for.”

In the very beginning we meet Roth, but he's that big unknown guy and tbh I was unsure about him. Oh yeah, he was mysterious and all, but still. Then we meet Zayne and I was completely captured by him. I thought immediately "YES, that's my guy". He was super sweet with Layla and the fact that they couldn't kiss (you know, deathly kiss and all) made their relationship so interesting and exciting. I couldn't wait to have more scenes between them.

But then Roth barges in again and I'm like "Zayne who?". CAUSE HOLY SHIT THAT GUY IS HOT. Zayne completely vanished from my mind. Can you imagine a mix of Warner (of the Shatter Me series) and Daemon (from the LUX series)? Well, that's Roth. Freaking perfect if you ask me. Roth and Layla became my OTP instantly. Because... just ...

His lips caressed mine again, nibbling and clinging to them until they parted on a gasp. He deepened the kiss with a thrust of is tongue [...] The kiss - it was everything I could've imagined a kiss to be and then some. Sublime. Explosive [...]

"See,' he murmured in a  thick voice, and he let go, this fingers trailing over my cheeks. "Your life isn't about all you can't do. It's about what you can do."

"Your tongue is pierced," I say dumbly.

A wicked gleam filled his gaze. "That's not the only thing pierced."

 
SEE WHAT I MEAN?! How the hell can you resist him? So yeah, obviously after that mind-blowing kiss I was basically craving for more of Roth! And there's plenty of him in this book! I loved every moment he had with Layla. The chemistry between them is so good. I. Just. Love. Him. So. Freaking. Much. And oh hell, don't even get me started on his abs and tattoos *swoons forever*

"You undo me. You have no idea how you undo me."

Like I said, the book is funny and addictive. It has its slow and fast-paced moments, amazing side-characters (Stacy is the BEST), plus a good amount of plot twists. I'm not going to say that all the plot twists are unexpected, but generally the plot is well-thought. And the ending? Geez, it almost killed me. BECAUSE JUST NO. NO. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Ugh, god. Why do I always end up like a mess after books like this? The ending is terribly good and made me cry and slam my face into my book. In a way, I expected something big to happen, but NOT THIS. So, mayor tip: make sure you have the second book ready. You'll need to know what will happen. Really. I'm serious. Deadly serious.

“At some point, Roth had gotten hold of my cell and replaced Zayne's name with Stony and listed his own number under Sexy Beast. What a tool.”

Friday Finds #14: Blueish covers

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!

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The fact that these covers are all blueish is a total coincidence. I kind of like how they look together! :D And I really hope the book "Bookishly Ever After" is good because I'm so excited for it!

What did you add to your tbr this week?

Recent Release #43: Before We Were Strangers

Every Wednesday I share a recent release I'm excited to read. If you want to check out the previous releases, click here.

Before We Were Strangers by Renee Carlino

Series: standalone

Genre: NA, romance, contemporary, chick-lit

Release Date: August 18th 2015

Publisher: Atria Books

Length: 320 pages

From the USA TODAY bestselling author of Sweet Thing and Nowhere But Here comes a love story about a Craigslist “missed connection” post that gives two people a second chance at love fifteen years after they were separated in New York City.

To the Green-eyed Lovebird:
We met fifteen years ago, almost to the day, when I moved my stuff into the NYU dorm room next to yours at Senior House.
You called us fast friends. I like to think it was more.
We lived on nothing but the excitement of finding ourselves through music (you were obsessed with Jeff Buckley), photography (I couldn’t stop taking pictures of you), hanging out in Washington Square Park, and all the weird things we did to make money. I learned more about myself that year than any other.
Yet, somehow, it all fell apart. We lost touch the summer after graduation when I went to South America to work for National Geographic. When I came back, you were gone. A part of me still wonders if I pushed you too hard after the wedding…
I didn’t see you again until a month ago. It was a Wednesday. You were rocking back on your heels, balancing on that thick yellow line that runs along the subway platform, waiting for the F train. I didn’t know it was you until it was too late, and then you were gone. Again. You said my name; I saw it on your lips. I tried to will the train to stop, just so I could say hello.
After seeing you, all of the youthful feelings and memories came flooding back to me, and now I’ve spent the better part of a month wondering what your life is like. I might be totally out of my mind, but would you like to get a drink with me and catch up on the last decade and a half?

Review: The Assassin's Blade by Sarah J. Maas

Series: Throne of Glass #0.1-0.5
Genre: YA, fantasy, magic, short stories
Release date: March 4th 2014
Length: 448 pages

Celaena Sardothien is Adarlan's most feared assassin. As part of the Assassin's Guild, her allegiance is to her master, Arobynn Hamel, yet Celaena listens to no one and trusts only her fellow killer-for-hire, Sam. In these action-packed novellas - together in one edition for the first time - Celaena embarks on five daring missions.
They take her from remote islands to hostile deserts, where she fights to liberate slaves and seeks to avenge the tyrannous. But she is acting against Arobynn's orders and could suffer an unimaginable punishment for such treachery. Will Celaena ever be truly free? Explore the dark underworld of this kick-ass heroine to find out.

My rating: ★★★★★

“I love you,” he repeated, shaking her again. “I have for years. But if I asked you to pick, you’d choose Arobynn, and I. Can’t. Take. It.” 

“You’re a damned idiot,” she breathed grabbing the front of his tunic. “You’re a moron and an ass and a damned idiot." He looked like she had hit him. But she went on, and grasped both sides of his face. “Because I’d pick you.”

 

I'm going to try to keep this short. Basically this book almost killed me of feels... Maas is a brilliant author and she managed to portray Celeana just like I imagined her while reading ToG.

The Celeana that we know from Throne of Glass (and after) was very different in The Assassin's Blade. But absolutely not in a bad way. She was forced to change and grow up faster (I always forget how young she actually is :o ) due to betrayal and pain. She went through a mayor character development, but it doesn't feel rushed at all. Every novella tells one "story", but they connect each other perfectly which I loved a lot. And I'm so thankful for this book because now I feel like I understand more of her decisions that she made in 'the present'.

I'm not going into the plot of this book because if you read Throne of Glass, you'll understand why. It's not necessary for me to try to convince you to read this book. Once you read ToG and you loved it, then you'll want to know everything about the world Celeana lives in. You'll want to know about her past and about her dear Sam.

 "She would tuck Sam into her heart, a bright light for her to take out whenever things were darkest." 

Oh Sam... Although you already ship Celeana with either Chaol or Dorian, you won't be able to resist loving Sam. He's even better than I imagined him. I love him so much, despite the fact you know what will happen to him. And it hurts so freaking much when it comes to it. It crushed me and I felt my heart broke for him ♥ I cried... SO MUCH. I didn't want to grow so attached to him, but I couldn't help myself. And now I'm left her with all those feels.... ugh *cries some more*

To conclude everything: this book is brilliant. The side-characters, the world, the romance, the writing .... is perfect. It's probably everything you want it to be and more. If you loved ToG than you certainly should read this book! It's so worth it. And don't forget keeping some tissues close to you.

"My name is Sam Cortland, and I will not be afraid." 

Review: Magonia by Maria Dahvana Headley

Series: Magonia #1

Genre: YA, fantasy, romance

Release date: April 28th 2015 

Length:  320 pages

Maria Dahvana Headley's soaring YA debut is a fiercely intelligent, multilayered fantasy where Neil Gaiman's Stardust meets John Green's The Fault in Our Stars in a story about a girl caught between two worlds . . . two races . . . and two destinies.

Aza Ray Boyle is drowning in thin air. Since she was a baby, Aza has suffered from a mysterious lung disease that makes it ever harder for her to breathe, to speak—to live. So when Aza catches a glimpse of a ship in the sky, her family chalks it up to a cruel side effect of her medication. But Aza doesn't think this is a hallucination. She can hear someone on the ship calling her name.

Only her best friend, Jason, listens. Jason, who's always been there. Jason, for whom she might have more-than-friendly feelings. But before Aza can consider that thrilling idea, something goes terribly wrong. Aza is lost to our world—and found, by another. Magonia.

Above the clouds, in a land of trading ships, Aza is not the weak and dying thing she was. In Magonia, she can breathe for the first time. Better, she has immense power—but as she navigates her new life, she discovers that war between Magonia and Earth is coming. In Aza's hands lies fate of the whole of humanity—including the boy who loves her. Where do her loyalties lie?

My rating: ★★★

DNF: 60%

It's very rare that I don't finish books.  But sadly sometimes it happens. And it's such a shame it happened with this one. It has a gorgeous cover and it started so so so good...

I listened the audiobook and the narrator is amazing by the way. She voiced everything perfectly (or from what I read). Even the singing was perfectly done. But it's actually the plot I had a "problem" with. Let me explain:

The book can actually be split in two parts. The first part is where Aza is still on earth. This part is actually pretty similar to The Fault In Our Stars. It has a contemporary theme and is very emotional, hopeful and just beautiful. I was completely into it and I was so curious about her and Jason. They are a perfect combination and I couldn't wait to find out what happens with their relationship/friendship. Aza was also amazing. I could connect easily with her character and it was so beautifully written that I already imagined myself putting this book on my favorites shelve.

But then something big happened and the genre of this book switched to fantasy. The level of Headley's fantasy was something I've never seen before. I'm sure that a lot of people would think it's brilliant, but to me if felt just weird. The world where Aza is magically cured is just.... yeah weird. I don't have another word for it. So much things didn't make sense and I couldn't relate with Aza at all anymore.  I actually couldn't imagine what was happening in my head. It was that foreign to me... So weird, because that never happened to me before...

So, if you're into fantasy then you should totally go for it. It's the most unique book ever, that's for sure! I just couldn't continue with it because it isn't my type of book... This is probably the perfect example for a "It's not you, it's me..." situation. Oh well, I'll get over it :) Who knows? Maybe I'll try it again later!

Friday Finds #13: High expectations!

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!

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I have to admit, I have pretty HIGH expectations for The One Thing! :D Yvonne (my bestie from A World Between Folded Pages) read an ARC of this book and she added it to her all time fav list... So Yvonne, sweetie, you put the bar very high for this one haha :D I got an ARC for this book too, so I hope I'll love it as much as she does!

My expectations for the two other books are pretty high too! For some reason I feel like these are going to be epic :D ... or not... ?

Do you want to read one of these? Share which one in the comments! ;)

July wrap up & haul

You're probably thinking "seriously, it's almost mid-august and she's posting her wrap up NOW?".
Trust me, I'm thinking the same thing haha :D I actually completely forgot about it because the last weekend/beginning of August I was in London! And a horrible blogger that I am, I competently forgot about preparing my posts before hand... I'm extremely sorry for this!

But! Here it finally is! ;) I managed to read 6 books which is definitely less than I originally wanted... Although I read quite some thick books, I wanted to read at least 8... Maybe next month then ;)

Here's what I read in July:

1. Ricochet by Keri Lake: ★★★★

2. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince: ★★★★

3. The Heir by Kiera Cass: ★★★★

4. Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas: ★★★★+0.5 (review to come!)

5. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by JK Rowling: ★★★

6. White Hot Kiss by Jennifer L. Armentrout: ★★★★ (review to come!)

My haul

Of course, I didn't lack books for my haul of the month.
I have a haul of 14 books, but in my defense I only bought 5 of them :D The ARC's and Left Drowning I received ;)

Here's a little overview:

1-5. The complete LUX series by Jennifer L. Armentrout, 

6. Left Drowning 

7-14. ARC's by Sterling Books (read more here)

I hope you had a good reading month too!

What was your favorite book that you read in July?

Review: Ten Tiny Breaths by KA Tucker

Series: Ten Tiny Breaths #1
Genre: NA, romance, drama, contemporary
Release date: September 24th 2015
Length: 288 pages

Kacey Cleary’s whole life imploded four years ago in a drunk-driving accident. Now she’s working hard to bury the pieces left behind—all but one. Her little sister, Livie. Kacey can swallow the constant disapproval from her born-again aunt Darla over her self-destructive lifestyle; she can stop herself from going kick-boxer crazy on Uncle Raymond when he loses the girls’ college funds at a blackjack table. She just needs to keep it together until Livie is no longer a minor, and then they can get the hell out of Grand Rapids, Michigan. But when Uncle Raymond slides into bed next to Livie one night, Kacey decides it’s time to run. Armed with two bus tickets and dreams of living near the coast, Kacey and Livie start their new lives in a Miami apartment complex, complete with a grumpy landlord, a pervert upstairs, and a neighbor with a stage name perfectly matched to her chosen “profession.” But Kacey’s not worried. She can handle all of them. What she can’t handle is Trent Emerson in apartment 1D. Kacey doesn’t want to feel. She doesn’t. It’s safer that way. For everyone. But sexy Trent finds a way into her numb heart, reigniting her ability to love again. She starts to believe that maybe she can leave the past where it belongs and start over. Maybe she’s not beyond repair. But Kacey isn’t the only one who’s broken. Seemingly perfect Trent has an unforgiveable past of his own; one that, when discovered, will shatter Kacey’s newly constructed life and send her back into suffocating darkness.

My rating: ★★+0.5

For some reason, I expected to be blown away with this book. And sadly it didn't happen. It was partly my fault though. I expected way too much from it.

“Just breathe. Ten tiny breaths … Seize them. Feel them. Love them.”

It had a slow start and I couldn't connect with the main character, Kacey. She was so bitchy and full of anger. She was also way younger than I thought! She acted little kid, but acted like she wanted to punch basically everyone. I hated that. Her sister was nicer, but she also didn't acted like she should for age. I seriously thought she was ten or so! After realizing she was closer to 16, I felt kind of weirded out...

Trent was very intriguing in the beginning. But after a while he started to get a little boring. He's nice and all, but just... average. He had nothing special. He also felt a little predicable. Of course he was sexy and all that, but still... like I said, nothing special.

“I don't hate you. I could never hate you. Give me your heart, Kacey. I'll take everything that comes with it.”

The plot was slow and I kept waiting for the big moment. I felt less and less excited about the book and I couldn't wait for it to end. And then - idiot that I am - I read the blurb of the prequella and I just ruined it even more for myself. I knew the biggest spoiler (although I already had my suspicions) so the rest of the book felt boring and I wanted to roll my eyes constantly.
The only parts I really enjoyed were the ones with Storm. Because she's amazing and she's the perfect combination of sassy and badass.

Because I spoiled myself I will never know what I would actually have thought about this book. It's a pity, because now I'm also not motivated at all to continue with this series... I must say, the writing was good! KA Tucker did an amazing job. But yeah... the plot would have needed a bit more attention though...

The book has a gorgeous cover by the way!

Recent Release #42: Secrets Don't Keep & The Invisible: A Novel

Every Wednesday I share a recent release I'm excited to read. If you want to check out the previous releases, click here.

Secrets Don't Keep by Elora Nicole Ramirez

Series: The Grove #1

 Genre: YA

Release Date: August 10th 2015

Publisher: /

Length: 253 pages

My name is Kera Collins, and I would do anything for a golden nod.

At first glance, my life appears perfect: the best friends, the best school, the attention of Dex Albright, the deliciously irresistible grandson to the Headmaster. All I need is the prestige behind La Boheme, an elite secret society formed within the walls of my school, and my life would be complete. Once I’m in, I’ll be the one with all of the secrets.

It’s just…no one told me these secrets could kill.

The Invisible: A Novel by Cecilia Galante

Series: standalone

Genre: adult, fiction

Release Date: August 4th 2015

Publisher: William Morrow

Length: 400 pages

In the vein of Meg Donohue and Jennifer Close, comes Cecilia Galante's adult debut about the complicated and powerful bonds of female friendship--a compelling, moving novel that is told in both the present and the past.

Thrown together by chance as teenagers at Turning Winds Home for Girls, Nora, Ozzie, Monica, and Grace quickly bond over their troubled pasts and form their own family which they dub The Invisibles. But when tragedy strikes after graduation, Nora is left to deal with the horrifying aftermath alone as the other three girls leave home and don't look back.

Fourteen years later, Nora is living a quiet, single life working in the local library. She is content to focus on her collection of "first lines" (her favorite opening lines from novels) and her dog, Alice Walker, when out-of-the-blue Ozzie calls her on her thirty-second birthday. But after all these years, Ozzie hasn't called her to wish a happy birthday. Instead, she tells Nora that Grace attempted suicide and is pleading for The Invisibles to convene again. Nora is torn: she is thrilled at the thought of being in touch with her friends, and yet she is hesitant at seeing these women after such a long and silent period of time. Bolstered by her friends at the library, Nora joins The Invisibles in Chicago for a reunion that sets off an extraordinary chain of events that will change each of their lives forever.

The Invisibles is an unforgettable novel that asks the questions: How much of our pasts define our present selves? And what does it take to let go of some of our most painful wounds and move on?

A very Harry Potter birthday!

Some of you may know (or not) but my birthday was on the 31st of July. And since it's also the birthday of Harry Potter (and J.K. Rowling). I organized a little trip to London to visit the Warner Bros Studio Tour!

Guys, I had the best day ever!! I had the privilege to be able to open the doors of the Great Hall together with three other birthday-girls and it was the best feeling ever! I was shaking and feeling SO extremely happy! The whole studio is amazing and so much better than I expected (my expectations were extremely high). There's no way I saw every single thing because there's freaking much to see! They told us that the average time of the Tour is 3 hours... but geez, die-hard fans like me don't have enough with three hours! Me and my friend spend at 6 hours in it! Out feet hurt like hell, but you weren't able to knock of the smile off our faces. Every Harry Potter fan should definitely go there some day, because it's so worth it. I was celebrated my 21st birthday, but I was walking around and awing like a 5 year old.

Somewhere in the middle of the tour is a cafeteria. And of course, I drank butterbeer!  I think it's a combination of apple/caramel bubbly drink with on top a buttery/soft ice cream topping? Anyway, it's delicious. I bought the souvenir tank (obviously)!

Oh my god and the shop! I would have loved to buy everything! But I settled with: a Marauders Mug, a t-shirt, a Slytherin notebook, the souvenir book of the tour, postcards and a bag. You can see some items on a picture I posted on my Instagram here :)

Now, believe it or not, but during the whole tour I took 650 pictures. I'm not even kidding. And the blurry or bad ones were immediately deleted. So it's 650 pictures that were actually good! :D To share some of them with you guys I made a little collage with the best ones. I hope you enjoy them and from time to time I still post them on my IG, so make you sure you check them out too ;)

Hope you enjoyed this post! If you have already been to the tour, share me your stories! 

And if you haven't, share what you want to see the most! :) xoxo

*On vacation*

If you're reading this, I'm probably packing everything last minute or trying to catch up with Pretty Little Liars before I'm leaving. You guessed it, I'm going to travel again! This and the next week I'll be in Punta Cana (Dominican Republic).

Yep, this is where I'm going... Hmmm...

But don't worry,  I prepared some posts for you! I've been so unorganized lately that I just forced myself to put my shit together and catch up with my reviews :D

Here's the schedule for the next days:

Tuesday August 11th: A very Harry Potter Birthday (about my London trip)

Wednesday August 12th: Recent Release

Thursday August 13th: July wrap up & haul (better late than never right? :D)

Friday August 14th: Friday Finds

Saturday August 15th: Review of "Ten Tiny Breaths" by KA Tucker

Sunday August 16th: Review of "Magonia" by Maria Dahvana Headley

Monday August 17th: Review of "The Assassin's Blade" by Sarah J. Maas

Tuesday August 18th: Review of "White Hot Kiss" by Jennifer L. Armentrout (*)

Wednesday August 19th: Recent Release

Thursday August 20th: Review of "Heir of Fire" by Sarah J. Maas (*)

Friday August 21st: Friday Finds

Saturday August 22nd: Review of "Stone Cold Touch" by Jennifer L. Armentrout (*)

I hope you will like these reviews and make sure to comment your thoughts on them. I'll respond when I'll be back on Saturday 22nd (or Sunday 23th if I'm too tired :D).

In case you're interested: I'll be sharing some vacation pictures on Instagram.
You can follow me at @melissacuratolo (personal account) & @melissa_reads (bookish account)


Hope you're all enjoying your summer so far! See you! <3

(*) Hopefully they will be finished on time! If they're not posted, please bare with me :)

Recent Release #41: Before & After and Travelers

Every Wednesday I share a recent release I'm excited to read. If you want to check out the previous releases, click here.

Before & After by Nazarea Andrews

Series: standalone

 Genre: NA, romance

Release Date: July 30th 2015

Publisher: A&A Literary

Length: /

Rike and Peyton fell in love in college.

A boy from the wrong side of the tracks, covered in ink and crooning in a bar is the last person a straight laced girl with a art major should fall for, but his rough edges made her jagged, alive, shaving away the coddled southern princess and revealing a soul wild and brilliant.
They fell in love, despite her family and his past and all the reasons why it wouldn't work--and with their best friends, they made a life. Everyone was supposed to live happily ever after.
They, more than anyone, knows that life doesn't go according to plan.
Rike and Peyton fell in love in college. A boy with a guitar, and a poet's heart, and a girl with freckles dusted over her nose, a perfect fucking fairy tale.
But what happens when the fairy tale doesn't fall apart--but is forgotten?

Travelers by Meradeth Houston

Series: standalone

 Genre: YA, time traveling, sci-fy

Release Date: August 2nd 2015

Publisher: BookFishBooks

Length: /

Sienna Crenshaw knows the rules: 1) no time traveling beyond your natural lifetime, 2) no screwing with death, and 3) no changing the past. Ever. Sienna doesn’t love being stuck in the present, but she’s not the type to to break the rules. That is, she wasn’t the type until her best friend broke every one of those rules to keep Henry, her twin brother and Sienna’s ex-boyfriend, alive.

Suddenly, Sienna is caught in an unfamiliar reality. The upside? Henry is still alive. The downside? Sienna’s old life, including the people in it, has been erased. Now, Sienna and Henry must untangle the giant knot in time, or her parents and all the rest of the Travelers, will be lost forever. One problem: the only way to be successful is for Henry to die...