[Blog Tour: Review + Giveaway] Playing Hooky by Rita Webb

 

 

Title: Playing Hooky (Paranormal Investigations #1)

Author: Rita Webb
Release Date: January 21, 2013

Goodreads

Valentine’s Day.

And my 21st birthday.

Whoop-de-doo.

Just another college day full of classes and more homework than is humanly possible.

…until Jason, my best-friend-since-kindergarten, shows up to take me out for the day.

Like old times: the two of us on a wacky adventure, playing hooky from real life. With his lopsided grin and tickets to a circus full of misfits and monsters, he introduces me to a whole new world—one full of magic and mystery—and turns my reality upside down.

Except nothing goes as planned, and we end up running through the city to find a missing siren before someone brews a love potion with her blood.

Sirens and love potions, witches and elves, and Valentine kisses. Nothing will be the same for me again.

THOUGHTS:

Since most books falling under the New Adult genre these days are all about romance with that  gasp! oh-so-shocking twists that come from nowhere (and wow I seriously need a break from those), the paranormal aspect of Playing Hooky had me enthralled from the blurb alone, and other than that, I've always been a sucker for stories about best friends, so this whole set-off-in-an-adventure storyline really appealed to me as well. Anyway, it's always refreshing to see more authors tackling other sub-genres of New Adult, after all, because there is so much more to this genre than relationships.

In a nutshell, I certainly enjoyed reading Playing Hooky, and I finished it well under an hour and in one sitting. Despite the fact that this book is relatively short, Webb did a bang-up job with her world-building. I was immersed with the beings and creatures that appeared in her book, and I found myself wanting to know more about them. Moreover, this story is set in Alaska, and this is something new to me. I really loved the parts wherein both characters had to ski off to their next location instead of riding a car or something. Emma is a pretty fun character to read about as well.

Because this is a novella, however, I did have some problems with it, mainly because of the length. I feel that Playing Hooky is a wee bit too short, and I felt like I didn't learn enough about the characters, most especially the male MC, Jason. I honestly believe that his POV didn't contribute anything to the story, mainly because he himself is still rather confused with who/what he really is. Though I'm usually fond of dual POVs, but I think that Playing Hooky would have benefited more from a sole POV - Emma's. It would have been more amazing to see this magical world unfold before her eyes and her eyes only.

I don't know about the rest of you, but I had a relatively easy time solving the mystery of the missing siren. It was just plain obvious to me who the culprit was, and I'm a bit disappointed that the whole revelation was rushed. The culprit's motive was a little too petty for me to take seriously as well.

A fun start to a New Adult paranormal series, Playing Hooky is a light read that you won't regret delving into. Hopefully the sequel would deal more with the characters' backgrounds, and I would want to see more of this fascinating world.

Rating: 3 Stars

 

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[Blog Tour: Guest Post + Giveaway] Suddenly Royal by Nichole Chase

 

Title: Suddenly Royal
Author: Nichole Chase
Release Date: April 23, 2013
Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble

Samantha Rousseau is used to getting her hands dirty. Working toward a master’s degree in wildlife biology while helping take care of her sick father, she has no time for celebrity gossip, designer clothes, or lazy vacations. So when a duchess from the small country of Lilaria invites her to dinner, Samantha assumes it’s to discuss a donation for the program. The truth will change the course of her life in ways she never dreamed.

Alex D’Lynsal is trying to keep his name clean. As crown prince of Lilaria, he’s had his share of scandalous headlines, but the latest pictures have sent him packing to America and forced him to swear off women—especially women in the public eye. That is, until he meets Samantha Rousseau. She’s stubborn, feisty, and incredibly sexy. Not to mention heiress to an estate in his country, which makes her everyone’s front-page news.

While Sam tries to navigate the new world of politics and wealth, she will also have to dodge her growing feelings for Alex. Giving in to them means more than just falling in love; it would mean accepting the weight of an entire country on her shoulders.

Guest Post by Nichole Chase: The Do’s and Don’ts of Dating a Royal

Do: Read up on their protocols and customs.
Don’t: Call the Queen Mother Granny or Home Dawg.

Do: Respect that royal’s privacy.
Don’t: Change your Facebook relationship status to boning Prince Yummy and don’t post that his kisses catch your panties on fire. (Even if he knocks your socks off.)

Do: Ask how much they want the public to know.
Don’t: Purchase shirts that say, “I’m dating Prince Yummy” with an arrow pointing next to you.

Do: Avoid answering media questions when at all possible.
Don’t: Have a gab fest with the editor of a gossip magazine, where you dish about how your new huggy-bear likes to brush his teeth in the buff.

Do: Always act appropriate in public.
Don’t: Never get drunk and call the paparazzi horn toads, Frankenstein, Jean Claude Van Dam Idiots, or anything else belligerent. (Even if they deserve it.)

Do: Dress appropriately.
Don’t: Wear cut off shorts for tea with the Queen or a mini skirt to a state function.

Do: Make sure your friends don’t feel neglected.
Don’t: Send out emails telling your friends that you’re too good for them now that you’re dating a prince.

Do: Make time for just the two of you. Watch movies, picnic, or go cook together. Keep it real.
Don’t: Schedule every date in the public eye.

Do: Make sure they know you’re thinking about them when gone on business trips.
Don’t: Show up at their hotel in nothing but a bow. (Unless you’re safely secured in their room before donning the bow!)

Do: Take the time to get to know their family, not just their public personas.
Don’t: Send them chain letters asking their favorite color.

Do: Be yourself.
Don’t: Forget why he/she fell for you.

Do: Let them know that you would be with them even if they weren’t royalty.
Don’t: Date them just because you want to be a princess.

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[Blog Tour: Review + Giveaway] Twisted Perfection by Abbi Glines

 

(Check out the rest of the tour stops HERE)

 
Title: Twisted Perfection (Perfection #1)
Author: Abbi Glines
Release Date: April 20, 2013
Goodreads

Life outside of her house was a new experience for Della Sloane. The dark secrets of her past weren’t something she ever intended to share with anyone. They would never understand. No one would ever get close enough to find out. There was always a chance she’d go crazy sooner than they expected…

Woods Kerrington had never been one to be attracted to fragile females. They seemed like too much work. He wasn’t in it for the work just the pleasure. A night full of naughty fun had been exactly what was on his mind when he’d laid eyes on the hot little number that didn’t know how to pump gas and needed some help.

What he didn’t know was she was as fragile as they came.
The carefree girl who spoke her mind and didn’t care what the world thought of her was more breakable than he could ever imagine…

THOUGHTS:

I love Woods. I don't think I've expounded on it enough when I reviewed Never Too Far, but I really do. He's protective, a gentleman, and a good guy to boot. Through reading about Blaire and Rush's story, a part of me just wanted to scream at Blaire to give Woods a chance because he was that amazing. He cared about Blaire without expecting anything in return, and he was the best friend he could be to her when she need one. In hindsight, I remember wishing for Abbi Glines to write Woods his own book, because wow, this is a character I would love to read more about (and I'm sure I'm not the only one!). So yeah, I bet most of you can imagine my reaction when I got an advance review copy of Twisted Perfection...

My god, just when I thought I couldn't love Woods more, Glines proved me wrong. We were already privy to some aspects of Woods' character with the way he interacted with Blaire in the past, but given the fact that we're inside his head this time around, you just learn a lot about him. And to be honest, I loved what I learned. Woods seems like your typical good-looking, rich snob but there's so much more to him that meets the eye. His life may seem perfect, but it's not. His father has been controlling him all his life, and in order for Woods to assume a higher role in the family company, he must continue to let his father pull the strings. Initially, Woods is content to do so, but this all changes when he meets Della. Now, Woods is in a constant state of indecision - should he abide by his father's wishes, or should he actually do what he wants?

That's what makes Della so different from the other girls Woods has dated. She challenges Woods to stand up for himself, to fight for the things he believes in. On the flipside, it is because of meeting Woods that Della finally figures out how to live, after having been cooped up all her life. At first, I wasn't that convinced that Woods and Della's relationship would be anything but physical, but they were quick to make me believe otherwise. The instant connection was there - it was apparent from the getgo that they could talk to each other about anything, and it was soon made clear to me that both Woods and Della wanted each other irregardless of all the baggage from the past and the obstacles of the future .

Truth be told, I didn't quite like Della as much as I liked Blaire. It was difficult for me to fully grasp her character - at times she seemed like a strong, independent woman, but there were moments when she acknowledges that she was starting to be dependent on Woods. Though she is not afraid to speak her mind, sometimes she is just fragile and scared beyond relief. However, I have to admit, because I couldn't quite understand Della, that just makes me want to read about her more.

I thought that this novel would be a stand-alone, but after that major cliffhanger, I'm obviously wrong. I'm actually glad that Glines is continuing Woods and Della's story because there's so much more to explore. While both characters have already come to terms with their past, their future is in no way secure because there's still a lot they both have to figure out. Moreover, given Della's background, her character development is in no way complete. As early now, I'm already salivating for the sequel!

Rating: 4 Stars

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[Blog Tour: Review] The Love Game by Emma Hart

 

Title: The Love Game

Author: Emma Hart

Release Date: March 29, 2013

Goodreads / Amazon / Kobo

His challenge? Make her fall in love with him.
Her challenge? Play the player.
Until life changes the rules of the game.

Maddie Stevens hated Braden Carter on sight. Arrogant, egotistical, and the playboy of the University of California, Berkeley, he's everything her brother Pearce has taught her to despise. So why, when the girls challenge her to play the player, doesn't she say no? She doesn't know either.

Braden wanted fiery little Maddie the second he laid eyes on her - and he'd do anything to have her, hence why he's agreed to make her fall in love with him. After all, it's the only way he'll get what he wants. Sex.

But, as Braden discovers, there's more to the girl from Brooklyn than he ever imagined - and he can't help but care about the broken girl behind those pretty green eyes.

Maddie finds Braden isn't just a walking erection - he actually has feelings. He can be sweet, funny and his good looks don't exactly hurt. That means trouble - but when her brother Pearce turns up in Berkeley begging for her help, she realises Braden and Pearce aren't so alike anymore.

And maybe, just maybe, they're exactly what each other needs.

THOUGHTS:

The plot of The Love Game reminded me somewhat of John Tucker Must Die (which I consider a favorite - yes, I am rather passionate towards chick flicks, don't judge!) so upon seeing the blurb, I knew I had to give this one a shot. It's not that I have no idea what will ultimately happen to the characters (because you just know that the heroine will fall in love with the jerk of a hero), but I was curious to see how this particular story would unfold. I wanted a quick read - nothing too serious, but not too shallow and superficial either - and I think The Love Game fits that description to a T. It's not without faults by any means, but I'm pretty sure that a lot of people would love this one.

So yes, let me begin with the plot. After seeing and hearing too much about Braden Carter's douchey womanizing ways, three girls decide to do something about it... and they enlist the help of Maddie. Maddie accepts her friends' issued challenge to play the player - Maddie has to make Braden fall in love with her, and at the end of the day, toss him to the curb. It's not a wholly original storyline, but I still find it interesting in the sense that there are just so many things that can go wrong with the three girls' plan of teaching Braden a lesson, and yet they somehow don't give a damn about that. They're blase, carefree, and I don't know... so young. (I know, I know, I'm not old by any means but college was practically a lifetime ago.) The way they approached their lives - guns blazing and everything - made me a little wistful, I guess. Anyway,  unbeknownst to the girls, the guys issued a challenge to Braden of their own, and of course that complicates things. (I'm talking about Maddie's friends throughout this paragraph, just to be clear.)

It's not that I didn't enjoy the novel, because I mostly did, but I wasn't really fond of certain plot points - a major one of which is the storyline revolving around Maddie's relationship with her brother Pearce. Her whole dilemma with her brother (which stemmed her desire to teach Braden a lesson) was a bit weak, and it most definitely wasn't explored enough. As a matter of fact, it felt out of place. Maddie kept on comparing Braden and Pearce even though they were not the least bit alike, and this whole notion just felt forced. When the time came for Maddie to come clean to Braden about Pearce and her family, I just couldn't make myself feel anything - in my opinion, it would have been better if Maddie's past was revealed bit by bit and not in just one outburst. Readers would be able to empathize with her more then.

Another peeve of mine was how it was Braden's best friend, Megan, who concocted the plan in the first place. I don't know about you guys, but I would never set up my best friend to get his heart broken. That's just wrong in so many levels, despite how good your intention might be. Here we have Braden making it known to everyone how much he adored and respected Megan, and on the other hand, we have Megan who made a game of Braden. I couldn't get past this development no matter how hard I tried, because setting up to intentionally hurt someone is just... evil in my book.

Up to this point, you may be asking me if I truly liked this novel because I have a bunch of qualms about it, but I truly liked the parts wherein we get to see just how strong Maddie's friendships with the rest of the girls are, and I also enjoyed reading about Braden and his friends. I loved reading about the big group's trip to Vegas too. In short, I enjoyed reading the 'fun' parts, if you may, where things weren't too serious, and the bets were just that - bets, and there were no deep back stories in tow. I can't help but this book was trying too hard to be dark, and a lot of character and plot development were rushed because of that. Why not just play the player because the Maddie simply felt like it or something, and have her character grow from that? Maddie's reasoning behind agreeing to the challenge just felt off-kilter.

As I have mentioned, this novel isn't without its faults, but I can truly see a lot of people enjoying reading it. While I would have preferred The Love Game to be a bit more fun (I really should find another synonym for fun), hey, everyone has his or her own opinion, right? Overall, this is still an intriguing beginning to a series, and I think the next book would probably be about Megan, which I will most definitely read because I want to get inside her head. The last passage of The Love Game is a favorite too, so make sure to look out for that!

Rating: 3 Stars

[Blog Tour: Review + Giveaway] The Kings of Charleston by Kat H. Clayton

 

(Check out the rest of the stops HERE)

 

 

Title: The Kings of Charleston (The Kings of Charleston #1)

Author: Kat H. Clayton
Release Date: July 10, 2012

Goodreads

Casper Whitley is forced to move to Charleston, South Carolina where she’ll be the new kid her senior year of high school. Casper’s upset about the move until she meets the Roman family’s gorgeous son, Cal, but there’s a problem. A mystery surrounds him which can be summed up in one word…Kythera. Never heard of it? Neither has Casper until she finds the word tattooed on cars, paintings and all her new friends.

After Casper’s life is threatened, someone is forced to tell the truth about her parents, the Romans and Kythera’s motives for her being in Charleston. Once the truth is revealed, she must decide whether to protect her family and Kythera’s secrets or walk away from everything she has ever known.

THOUGHTS:

It's been quite a while since I've read something so laced with suspense yet doesn't fall under the genres of paranormal or dystopia. I wasn't exactly sure what to expect when I picked up this book, but suffice to say I was more than impressed and overwhelmed by what I read. The mystery element thoroughly enriched the novel, and helped set it apart from other YA reads - quite frankly, I don't think I'll be forgetting this novel any time soon. I finished it in one sitting, and the reason is simple, really - the first few pages had me hooked right from the beginning, and Clayton's writing is just tremendous!

I enjoyed reading about our MC, Casper. It took me a while before I warmed to her character though - I know that she isn't comfortable with her lifestyle, but all the complaints about wearing expensive dresses and having her pictures taken all the time got a bit annoying, to say the least. Thankfully, this impression of mine didn't last. After reading more about Casper, it was hard not to notice how lonely she was in reality, and how she wasn't comfortable with throwing her wealth around. Moreover, her love for horses made it difficult to not like her, and I couldn't help but feel sorry for her when she was uprooted from the life she has always know at the blink of an eye.

The mystery of Kythera makes itself known pretty early in the novel. It made the novel thoroughly engrossing, and it is the reason why I couldn't read this particular novel quick enough. Kythera is everywhere  in the town of Charleston, and Casper is bombarded by it - the name is on her friends' cars, on paintings, and even tattooed on her friends' bodies. Not only that, this very word also managed to inspire terror from the other people who live in Charleston, and Casper somehow finds herself in the middle of the mystery of Kythera - just what is it, and what does it have to do with Casper and her family?

While the mystery of Kythera had me on the edge of my seat and tearing through the pages of The Kings of Charleston  like a madwoman, I wasn't that thrilled with the romance aspect of this novel. It came out of nowhere - Casper sets foot on the town of the Charleston for the very first time, and next thing we know, the neighbors' son, Cal, is spewing out all these lines how Casper is so beautiful and all that. Truth be told, the romance felt out of place, and as much as I tried to like Cal's character, I couldn't. He's too smooth, too slick, and basically an enigma. Not to mention, he's something of a liar as well. Lastly, he says he loves Casper, but I can't fathom how he came to that feeling in the first place.

From the middle of the novel, the action picks up, and it doesn't relent until the very end. Casper is thrown into hazardous situations one after the other, and it soon becomes clear that Kythera isn't your average organization. All in all, this is one heck of an exciting read, and I definitely recommend it!

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[Blog Tour: Review] I Am Alive by Cameron Jace (I Am Alive #1)

 

(Check out the rest of the tour stops HERE!)

 

Title: I Am Alive (I Am Alive #1)

Author: Cameron Jace
Release Date: December 1, 2012 (Edited Version)

Goodreads / Amazon

Sixteen-year-old Decca Tenderstone feels captivated when she meets Leo, who is arrogant, silent, beautiful, and shoots almost every one he meets.

the usual boring girl meets badboy story... hmm... with a twist ...

They live in a dystopian future in Los Angeles where every sixteen-year-old is ranked on a scale from one to ten to determine their future. Outranks, who are considered a danger to society, are forced to attend the Monster Show, a brutal sacrificing ritual that is broadcasted worldwide on live TV, where rebellious teens are labelled Bad Kidz or Monsters and get to fight for their lives in deadly games.

To prove that you're still alive you have to scream I Am Alive every six hours. Lower your voice, and you're dead.

Decca doesn't need Leo's company. She has secrets of her own. While they both can't stand each other, she will find out why she doesn't fit into any rank.

Nothing will stand in her way as she has to make choices concerning love, life, staying alive, growing up, and finding out who she really is.

THOUGHTS:

This book isn't exactly short, but it was a quick read for me. I finished it in one sitting, and the reason is simple, really - I found myself engrossed in the story early on. (I almost didn't want to give this book a shot because of the very unflattering cover, but I'm glad I did. Never judge a book by its cover, right? And besides, I think there' a newer - and infinitely much better - cover floating around!) The general plot, the characters, and the storylines were intriguing, to say the least, and my interest was also highly piqued by the dystopian world that served as a backdrop to this novel. And to be fair, the first chapter really surprised me too! (I was warned that I ought to prepare for a shock, but I honestly didn't expect what happened!

I'm sure that a lot of people will compare this novel to either Battle Royale or The Hunger Games trilogy, but as the author himself points out, the entire 'trying to escape death while the whole world watches' is a concept we see in literature time and time again. (And didn't Roman prisoners fight to their death for the amusement of the general public ages ago?) Moreover, to tell the truth, other than the original premise, I see no similarity between The Hunger Games and I Am Alive. This is just a little something to take note of, because I'm sure there would be readers who would be immediately jumping to conclusions on how this particular novel is a copycat or the like.

Decca, the main character, is not difficult to like. While I wish we could have explored her thoughts and feelings more, I still reckon that I understood her character enough. I fully understood why she chose to make some decisions that seem rash and and a bit reckless; and I couldn't blame her for leaving no stone unturned in her quest for answers. I admired her loyalty to her family; her friendship - which was definitely out of a place in her wold - with someone ranked higher than her; and I admire her sheer tenacity and her strong will. Decca is an excellent character to read about.

While I did find this novel an easy read, the pacing was a bit off at times for me. It was as if things were moving too fast, and events that should have been explored further were largely ignored. Generally, I like novels that are paced quickly, but sometimes reading I Am Alive gave me something like a whiplash. The quick pacing skipped out on some essential character development (with regards to Leo, the guy Decca suddenly finds at her side, most especially), and I feel like the novel could have been much better if the pacing was toned down a bit.

Also, the love story angle felt like a bit of a stretch to me. For me, I don't think the romance brought anything to the story. Moreover, I really don't think the relationship - or love, or whatever - between Decca and Leo was even developed properly, and I couldn't help but wish that it could have just been left out of the novel. Hopefully we get to see more character development in the next book in the series. Also, I did have some difficulty understanding some of the reasons why this world came to be in the first place.

All in all, while I did have some misgivings with it, I still consider I Am Alive a strong beginning to a series, and I can't wait to find out what happens next! I enjoyed the pop culture references, as well as Decca's sassiness when it comes to mouthing off with Leo. Leo's quite fun to read about when's he's exasperated too!

Rating: 3.5 Stars

[Book Blitz + Giveaway] The Boys of Summer by C.J. Duggan

Here's a novel I'm sure that summer romances aficionados will enjoy - I've been eyeing this one myself!

Title: The Boys of Summer
Author: C.J. Duggan
Release Date: December 17, 2012
Goodreads
Purchase: Amazon (ebook) / Amazon (paperback) / Barnes & Noble / iTunes

It seemed only natural to nickname them the ‘Onslow Boys’. Every time they swaggered in the front door of the Onslow Hotel after a hard week’s work, their laughter was loud and genuine as they settled onto their bar stools. I peeked through the restaurant partition, a flimsy divider between my world and theirs. I couldn’t help but smile whenever I saw them, saw him ... Toby Morrison.

Quiet seventeen-year-old Tess doesn’t relish the thought of a summertime job. She wants nothing more than to forget the past haunts of high school and have fun with her best friends before the dreaded Year Twelve begins.
To Tess, summer is when everything happens: riding bikes down to the lake, watching the fireworks at the Onslow Show and water bomb fights at the sweltering Sunday markets.

How did she let her friends talk her into working?

After first-shift disasters, rude, wealthy tourists and a taunting ex-boyfriend, Tess is convinced nothing good can come of working her summer away. However, Tess finds unlikely allies in a group of locals dubbed ‘The Onslow Boys’, who are old enough to drive cars, drink beer and not worry about curfews. Tess’s summer of working expands her world with a series of first times with new friends, forbidden love and heartbreaking chaos.

All with the one boy she has never been able to forget.

It will be a summer she will always remember.

EXCERPT:

“Don’t you dare.” I grabbed his arm, pulling him backwards. His eyes darted to where
my hand rested on him. I didn’t move my hand, I couldn’t physically bring myself to break
the contact; all of a sudden there were no smiles, no jokes, just him and me and our space on
the couch. I could only hear the music and be aware of the heat of his skin and the rapid rise
and fall of my chest in this moment.
The only thing that snapped me out of my daze was Toby’s words which seemed low
and raspy.
“Is Adam your boyfriend?” His gaze flicked over my face as he waited for my answer.
My mouth gaped open; I couldn’t hide the fact I was dumbfounded by the question.
I blinked quickly and took my hand from his arm. I struggled to construct a legible
sentence.
“Oh – um, no, we’re just friends, it’s not like that.”
His stony expression didn’t falter, didn’t reveal any kind of emotion. He was so hard to
read, and I wanted to read him so badly. He gave a small nod and handed me the CD cover.
“Better go and make sure these guys aren’t cheating.” And without another word, he got up
and headed towards the pool table.

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[Blog Tour: Review] Veer by Alyssa Rose Ivy

 

Title: Veer
Author: Alyssa Rose Ivy
Release Date: November 9, 2012

Only when you let go can you learn to live.

Between the death of her mother and pushing through law school without her best friend, it's been a tough year for Becca. Needing a break from Boston, she moves to a tiny coastal North Carolina town for a relaxing summer. After bumping heads repeatedly with a local cop, she realizes her summer will be anything but quiet.

Three years after a career ending injury ruins his chance to play Major League Baseball, Gavin has a distrust of northerners and lately girls in general. He wants nothing to do with a girl who is only in town for the summer.

When the two give in to their impossible attraction, they realize that they may just have found the key to freeing themselves from the ghosts of their pasts.

THOUGHTS:

Veer, the second book in the Clayton Falls series, tells the story of Gavin (the cop who fell in love with Molly in the first book) and Becca (Molly's friend from law school) this time around. While it really isn't necessary to read Derailed, the previous book in the series, I would recommend that you read just so you have some background on the town and all the characters. Set a year after the happenings of Derailed, Veer not only allows us to get to know more about Gavin and Becca, we also get to check up on the main characters we have come to love from the previous book.

What I loved most about this book is how realistic it was - the plot is concise and straight to the point with no room for irrelevant scenes in the novel. It isn't overwrought with overdone drama and nothing ias exaggerated - as a matter of fact, I'm pretty sure that there are a lot people out there who would be able to relate to both Gavin and Becca and as well as their story. I also love that Veer spotlighted enough attention on the main characters - there are novels wherein the secondary characters tend to hijack the plot but that simply isn't the case for Veer - this truly is Gavin and Becca's story through and through.

Just like Molly a year ago, Becca escapes to Clayton Falls after she discovers that her life is falling apart. Becca is a character that readers will have no problem relating to - there comes a time in every person's life when he or she feels lost, after all. Alternatively, I never quite liked Gavin from the first book. I found it weird that he just fell hard for Molly for no reason whatsoever, but I'm happy to say that I came to like his character this time around. Ivy explored enough of his past to explain just why he acts the way he does, and I also enjoyed that we were privy to his thoughts and feelings through his POV. 

However, I did feel like Gavin's character was a bit inconsistent at times though. As I previously mentioned, Gavin fell in love with Molly, but Veer paints him as someone who is very wary of girls. I intially deduced this certain wariness due to Molly's rejection of Gavin's love, but suddenly, we find out that the reason why he was so wary of girls - which of course ultimately includes Becca - is because of how an ex-girlfriend (a Northerner) treated him three years ago, years before he moved to Clayton Falls. This part really cofused me. If Gavin does indeed have a grudge against girls because of his ex, then why on earth did he fall in love with Molly so easily a year ago? Despite the whole 'Northerner' issue (Gavin's ex was a Northerner, same as Becca, hence his aloofness towards Becca), this whole plotline just didn't make sense and have that much substance for me.

I did enjoy reading about Becca and Gavin's relationship. Nothing felt forced - the it's pretty obvious to me that the two are meant for each other, and I love how they slowly but surely made things work out for the two of them. All in all, Veer is an easy read and I can't wait for the next installment in this series. The alternating POVs was a nice touch, and I really got to know both main characters because of it.

Rating: 3.5 Stars

One Week Girlfriend by Monica Murphy

Title: One Week Girlfriend
Author: Monica Murphy
Release Date: January 11, 2013
Source: An e-copy was sent by the author in exchange of an honest review

Temporary. That one single word best describes my life these last few years. I’m working at a temporary job until I can finally break free. I’m my little brother’s temporary mother since our mom doesn’t give a crap about either of us. And I’m that temporary girl all the guys want to get with because I give it up so easily. According to the rumors, at least.

But now I’m the temporary girlfriend of Drew Callahan, college football legend and all around golden guy. He’s beautiful, sweet—and he’s hiding way more secrets than I am. He’s brought me into this fake life where everyone seems to hate me. And everyone seems to want something from him. The only thing he seems to want though is…

Me.

I don’t know what to believe anymore. All I know is, I think Drew needs me. And I want to be there for him.

Forever.

THOUGHTS:

From the blurb alone, it's rather obvious that the plot of One Week Girlfriend will revolve around a secret. Truth be told, this novel's premise doesn't seem wholly unique either. Within the first few chapters, based from the words and actions of both Drew and another character, I had a pretty solid guess on just what he was hiding, and why he had Fable pretend to be his girlfriend. Moreover, I also had an inkling on what - if there was indeed another one - another plot twist may be. I have no idea if I was simply too perceptive, or maybe there were too many clues for me to put together, but I did guess Drew's secret early on. Irregardless however, I read this novel in one sitting. I didn't come up for air, and I just sat in my chair with my laptop in front of me and read the novel like there was no tomorrow. Why would I do that, you may ask. Why on earth would I still continue reading a novel that pretty much had no surprises left in store for me? Simple. The characters.

Both Fable and Drew left their marks on me. I thought that a novel with a plot we've all seen before wouldn't bring forth gripping characters, but I couldn't be more wrong. Every word, every look, every action - every single thing Fable and Drew do, simply put - served as windows to their souls, windows to their true selves that both of them were just too keen on keeping secret. Every page was filled with their raw emotions - emotions they were too afraid to share; and yet they were practically begging for each other to take notice, and I couldn't find myself looking away. I wanted to know more about them. I had to know how their story ended, I had to know whether or not they can help fix each other.

I do wish I could have gotten to know Fable better. Readers do get to know her plenty, but this character has so much depth, and I feel that I've barely scratched the surface. She's so strong, being the only one keeping her family intact, yet at the same time it's so obvious that she needs time for herself and that she needs someone to lean on. Fable is a character that I would have no problem reading about again and again - I want to know more about her relationships with those around her, and most especially, I want to see her continued journey of finding herself.

The connection between Drew and Fable was just so apparent - their chemistry was practically palpable! Their relationship may have started as an elaborate charade, but it was obvious early on that nothing about what they felt for each other was fake. For so long, they've been believing that they only had themselves to rely on, and that took its toll on them - on Drew especially - but they were what exactly each other needed. Moreover, I loved that Drew and Fable never judged each other throughout the course of the novel. Fable had this reputation preceding her while Drew was practically bursting from the seams with secrets, but they never let those get in the way of how they treated each other.

Let me just throw it out there - after several revelations, an especially intense scene between Drew and Fable, we get a cliffhanger. And my god, I swear that cliffhanger came out of nowhere! The last few pages had me on the edge of my seat, fervently hoping for a happy ending, but alas, a cliffhanger surprised me instead. After the initial shock, I did come to realize that it simply isn't possible for two characters with so much to tell to get it all done within one novel, so right now, I'm just counting down the days before I finally get my hands on the sequel. Monica Murphy, if by any chance you get to read this, Marshmallow! I need that sequel ASAP!

Rating: 4 Stars

Play with Me by Piper Shelly

Title: Play with Me
Author: Piper Shelly
Release Date: December 9, 2012

Ryan Hunter's parties are legend. And tonight she's going to be there.

Liza Matthews anticipates the return of her best friend and only love since kindergarten from soccer camp. But when Tony finally shows up, his mind is more focused on another girl. And worse, she's a soccer player. Fighting for the attention Liza craves, she's just a hairbreadth away from making a very stupid decision. But when extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures, she's prepared to play ball to get her man.

The tryouts are hell, the first match ends bloody, and the morning after the selection party she wakes up in the worst place possible—in the arms of the captain of the soccer team. The hottest guy in school. Ryan Hunter.

THOUGHTS:

Damn it, I can't stop smiling. It's been four days since I finished reading this story and I still can't stop smiling!  I know that Play with Me is rather short, but wow, it sure did hit the mark with only 30,000 words. I finished this novella in one sitting (I did have to pause sometimes to shut my eyes and squeal silently - don't judge!) and I had this huge cheshire cat grin on my face almost all throughout! This book is such an amazing fun read. Read it after you read those heavy Mature YA/ New Adult novels; heck, read it if you want a permanent grin tatooed on your face. Play with Me is the perfect feel-good book! If that's not enough to coax you into giving this one a shot, hey, I don't know what's wrong with you.

As I said before, the plotline's a little overused, but that's somehow part of this novella's charm. I knew from the get go that I would be reading a fun, light (sorry, I just can't use these adjectives enough) story, and that was indeed what I got. Despite this book's length, I found out that I was able to know everything that I needed to know about the characters - I love that Shelly was still able to provide a sufficient background to make everything about this novella enjoyable, and I truly enjoyed Play with Me from start to finish. Moreover, I was pleasantly surprised at how tightly edited the book was. I don't remember finding any grammatical errors; every word in the book contributed to the story - Shelly definitely didn't dilly-dally, and I loved that!

I adored the characters - I liked Liza from the very first page, and I'm pretty sure a lot of girls who have been largely ignored by their guy friends in a romantic sense would have no problem relating to her. And of course, we have Ryan Hunter. Good god how perfect is that name? As much as I liked Liza, what made this book such an amazing read would have to be this guy. He has such a way with words, and I love how he treated Liza. He never took her for granted, and he was always there to make her smile. The chemistry between these two was off-the-charts - their playful banter had me biting my lip while trying my hardest not to smile. (I still ended up grinning though!)

The lemon surprise. Man I've tried making this review as coherent as possible but I think I'm going to give that notion up. This part? Sizzling hot! My breath hitched, my heart started pounding quicker, and I ended up letting out this high-pitched squeal. Just writing about it right now has already caused my heart rate to increase! Also, I loved how Shelly hinted at Hunter's feelings for Liza through some choice words and little but obvious actions and reactions.

I did like Tony and Liza's friendship. How can you not like M&M even just a tiny bit? They've been friends since they were in kindergarten and they were so ridiculously comfortable with each other. I'm actually a bit envious of their friendship! However, while it was blatantly obvious that they adored and cherish each other, it was also apparent that Tony took Liza for granted, and I did kind of hate him for that. Though a part of me is satisfied by how this novella ended, I really wish it could have been just a little longer because I would have loved to see how Tony and Liza's friendship mature.

If it's still not obvious enough, I simply LOVED this book. I loved it so much that I'm actually seriously considering buying a paperback even though I've never bought one from Amazon and even though I already have an ebook copy. Also, I think that my blind adoration for this book is properly represented by all the 'grin', 'fun', 'perfect' and 'love' in this review. Initially, I rated this novella at 3.5 stars but because I've already reread it (after only four days of finishing it!) and because I can't stop thinking about it, I'm bumping up my rating to a well-deserved 5 stars. Seriously - this is the perfect fun, light read that you will love and make you grin non-stop! (Ha, see what I did there?)

Rating: 5 Stars

(Oh, and here's a little extra for those who want to know more about Ryan!)

None of the Regular Rules by Erin Downing

Title: None of the Regular Rules
Author: Erin Downing
Release Date: November 20, 2012
Source: An e-copy was sent by the author in exchange of an honest review

Sometimes, a few dares can change lives…

The weekend before the start of senior year, Sophie Erickson and her best friends, Ella and Grace, discover a handwritten list of dares tucked away in the glove compartment of Sophie’s beat-up old Toyota. But this isn’t just any list; it’s a dead girl's bucket list.

Sophie's beloved aunt Suzy died as a teenager in a fatal fall, leaving Sophie with an overly cautious family, a few fading photographs, and a bucket of bolts that barely passes for a car. But now, Sophie has Suzy’s list of the things she wanted to do in her last year of high school. Sophie can't help but wonder: What would happen if she tried to fulfill Suzy’s last wishes, to live out the longed-for life of her aunt, her hero?

As Sophie and her friends attempt to knock off the things on Suzy's list of dares, love blossoms in unexpected places and Sophie begins to feel that her life is finally coming together...when in fact, everything is slowly unraveling around her. When the truth about a long-held family secret threatens to shatter everything she believed to be true, Sophie is forced to question everything she knew about the life and people she believed in, and ultimately herself.

THOUGHTS:

Bucket lists. We all have them. Sure, the may not be technically written, but they're there in the backs of our minds. After reading this book's blurb, I knew that I had to read it. I've just started writing a bucket list a few weeks ago, and almost immediately after, I chanced upon this jewel of a novel. It's almost like fate, huh?

Sophie is at a time in her life where every single thing she does had become part of a boring routine, and she can't quite shake the feeling she ought to be doing more in life. She's currently a senior in high school, yet somehow, she feels like she hasn't been able to do anything that would set her apart from her peers - anything that would make her feel that she was able to me something out of herself. When she finds the her dead aunt's list, she finds a purpose, and she embraces it whole-heartedly. Not only did the list serve as a way to both honor and get to know her late aunt better, it also serves as a method for her to step out of her shell.

I enjoyed reading about Sophie's journey - her desire to make something more of her life was palpable, almost tangible even. She was overjoyed at finding her dead aunt's bucket list, because she knew that dares it contained would push her out of her comfort zone, and would ultimately make her final year in high school memorable. Moreover, Sophie knew that she had to fulfill her late aunt's wishes, simply because this was her way to keep her aunt's memory intact, and also at the same time to bring honor to the aunt whom she truly loved. Like Sophie, I'd always found myself wishing for something more, hoping for something more, and truly being joyous whenever I get a little push towards the direction I want to see myself moving towards. We all need a little prodding - a little encouragement - in life sometimes, after all. Downing was able to portray Sophie in a way that readers would see bits of themselves through her, and ultimately connect and relate to the said character.

Honestly, however, I wasn't quite fond of Ella's and Grace's characters. I found them stereotypical - Ella was the in-your-face girl who was using her brashness as a means to hide her despair at her filial issues; Grace, meanwhile, was the shy and highly intelligent overachiever who somehow couldn't see that her boyfriend was practically controlling and manhandling her. Also, I felt like their characters were never explored enough - None of the Regular Rules is a rather short novel, and since most parts of it focused on Sophie, Ella and Grace often felt like afterthoughts. I know that they had their own problems, but I couldn't quite shake the feeling that everything about them was forced. I couldn't make myself care about their characters. Ultimately, I saw Ella and Grace as nothing but sidekicks, and I wasn't really able to dispel that notion.

The novel started out innocently enough - three friends find a list of dares and set out to do it, but midway though, Sophie was privy to a revelation that shocked her to her very core. Everything she believed in was a lie, and she had no idea how to go about her life now. She was at the lowest of the lows, and yet she didn't want to claw her way out. She was more than willing to wallow in the sallow depths of her misery. Moreover, at this time, Sophie, Ella and Grace had managed to alienate themselves from each other, and Sophie had no one to rely on. It was during this point that this novel proved to be memorable, and one of those literary works you will think about again some time in the future. Downing's writing - while already smooth, concise and overall good - at this part was phenomenal. You could truly feel Sophie's undoing - her resentment, her despair, her discontentment were like these tangible tendrils that wrapped at your wrists and wouldn't let go.

All in all, None of the Regular Rules surprised me - I delved into it expecting a light read, and it ended up tackling serious issues. While I wasn't particularly enamored with the characters of Ella and Grace, I did like Johnny Rush (what a tool of a name!) and what he brought to the novel. Also, as I've previously said, I also liked how the MC, Sophie, was portrayed. Most importantly, however, I really enjoyed reading about how Sophie tried to tread the line between living someone else's life and having it merely influence her own.

Rating: 3.5 Stars