Nikki reviews: UNLIT STAR by Lindy Zart

Title: UNLIT STAR
Author: LINDY ZART


We are not guaranteed anything, not even this life.

Rivers Young is the popular guy untouchable by reality. He is like a star—bright, consuming, otherworldly. The thing about stars, though, is that they eventually fall, and he is no different.

He falls far and he falls hard.

Delilah Bana is the outcast enshrouded in all of life's ironies. Alone, in the dark, like dusk as it falls on the world. When Rivers hits the ground, she is the night that catches him. In the darkness, they meld into something beautiful that shines like the sun.

Only, the greater the star is, the shorter its lifespan.

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~REVIEW~

I’ve lived for 27 years, been a bookworm since I was in grade school hooked to Sweet Valley High. Can you tell that I was a sucker for romance since my age was only a single digit? You bet, I was.

I’ve read almost a thousand fiction books but, there are only a few in this world that had made me stop for a while to catch my breath, because if I didn’t, I would have lost it. And despite that momentarily pause, I lost it anyway. UNLIT STAR is one of those books.

When I read the blurb, I didn’t know what I brought myself into. Sure, the blurb is like a burst of pretty words, why not give it a try? And boy, did I give it a try.

And it killed me. It was like someone speared me straight into the heart and twisted it a million times. It was pretty painful I tell you. How can a single book literally put you in agony? I was a crying mess at five in the morning. I wasn’t prepared, I didn’t have tissues within arms reach. I had no choice but to wipe the river of tears on my fucking shirt while my breaths hitched. It was an ugly sight. Good thing was, the lights were out.

Honestly, I don’t know how to review this book without spoiling anything. But, one thing is certain: this book is beautifully written. If you think the blurb is something, wait until you are reading the actual story. Zart is a gifted bitch. Her words are just… extraordinarily woven into something that actually make you feel. Like you belong to the book; like you are there witnessing everything right in front of your very eyes. The emotions of the characters are so palpable it was like they are physically touching you. UNLIT STAR is a powerful experience. The story is not profound, or enlightening. It’s a relatable story and I think that’s what made it more engaging.

Rivers and Delilah… Ahhh, these two are match made in the night sky. Their love story is one of the most heart-warming stories I have ever read. They were young, yes. But they were each other’s destiny. Insta love? I’ve known people in the literary world who don’t dig this shit, but this shit right here is real; their shit endured; their shit was for keeps. They were each other’s night and day. They were two very different people from different worlds. But, I guess when your heart tells you that it’s in love, then you can’t really do anything even if you try to fight it. Delilah tried, but she failed. And I’m happy she did, because that failure was what really brought them together. Two broken souls that have met, and made each other whole.

~PLAYLIST~

Here's my UNLIT STAR playlist:

A Sky Full of Stars - Coldplay
The One You Love - Passenger feat. Kate Miller Heidke
In Loving Memory - Alter Bridge
In the Shallows - Daughter

Did I tell you I loved this book? Oh, I didn’t. But, have you read what I wrote? If yes, then probably you get the idea. I was in a book funk for almost eight months now, only reading the ones that I’ve really been waiting for and not trying to find anything new. I haven't even reviewed a book for six months!!! But, I came across Unlit Star and I am glad I did. Because this book actually, is my best read this year. I’m not sure yet, but there’s this little fluttery feeling in my heart that tells me to acknowledge the thought that this may actually be my most favourite book now. I’ll let you know who wins the struggle: the loyalty to the author of the book sitting in my #1 spot, or UNLIT STAR that’s calling to my soul.

Rating:

DIAMOND RECORD

Connect with the Author

Basically she just likes to make stuff up and put it down on paper. I.E. She's an author.

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Sy reviews: BEFORE JAMAICA LANE by Samantha Young

Title: Before Jamaica Lane
Series: On Dublin Street #3
Author: Samantha Young

One simple lesson in seduction between two friends can turn into so much more…

Despite her outgoing demeanor, Olivia is painfully insecure around the opposite sex—usually, she can’t get up the nerve to approach guys she’s interested in. But moving to Edinburgh has given her a new start, and, after she develops a crush on a sexy postgrad, she decides it’s time to push past her fears and go after what she wants.

Nate Sawyer is a gorgeous player who never commits, but to his close friends, he’s as loyal as they come. So when Olivia turns to him with her relationship woes, he offers to instruct her in the art of flirting and to help her become more sexually confident.

The friendly education in seduction soon grows into an intense and hot romance. But then Nate’s past and commitment issues rear their ugly heads, and Olivia is left broken-hearted. When Nate realizes he’s made the biggest mistake of his life, he will have to work harder than he ever has before to entice his best friend into falling back in love with him—or he may lose her forever…

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~Review~

A certified manwhore and a girl with insecurities. Put them together and you got a recipe for a sweet love story with just enough heart ache.

I have started to read this series last year but only got to pick up Before Jamaica Lane today to get me out of a book slump. I almost forgot how in love I have been with this series and reading Before Jamaica Lane and being reunited with these characters reminded me of that.

Lately, I have been dreaming (okay fine fantasizing) about book characters with alpha male badassery attitude. And believe me, I always find that hot. Now Nate, he may not be the alpha male I've been reading lately but boy that man still managed to sweep me off my feet with his wits and charm and well, his handsome and hotness glory. There's just something about his character that makes you want to cheer for him even if he's a manwhore. I guess it's because he's also sweet and kind when it matters.

Olivia, I guess every girl can relate to her. I think at one point in every girl's life she struggles with insecurities to the point of almost breaking her. And I think Olivia is also every girl's hero. I admire how she's brave enough to do something about battling these insecurities and I think girls would pick up a thing or two from her.

Before Jamaica Lane is that kind of love story that slowly builds up and blooms in the end. It's not even just the story of the main characters. I love how every story from these series have all these great sideline stories excellently and strongly written to prepare you for the next one.

~Playlist~

Here's my Knight playlist:

Taylor Swift - Sparks Fly
Ed Sheeran - I'm A Mess
Casey James - Don't

Rating:

DIAMOND RECORD

About the Author

Samantha Young is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author from Stirlingshire, Scotland. She's been nominated for the Goodreads Choice Award 2012 for Best Author and Best Romance for her international bestseller ON DUBLIN STREET. ON DUBLIN STREET is Samantha's first adult contemporary romance series and has sold in twenty-seven countries.

For more info on Samantha's adult fiction visit http://www.ondublinstreet.com. For info on her young adult fiction visit www.samanthayoungbooks.com

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Sy reviews: MAYBE SOMEDAY by COLLEEN HOOVER

Title: MAYBE SOMEDAY
Author: COLLEEN HOOVER

~Synopsis~

At twenty-two years old, aspiring musician Sydney Blake has a great life: She’s in college, working a steady job, in love with her wonderful boyfriend, Hunter, and rooming with her good friend, Tori. But everything changes when she discovers Hunter cheating on her with Tori—and she is left trying to decide what to do next.

Sydney becomes captivated by her mysterious neighbor, Ridge Lawson. She can’t take her eyes off him or stop listening to the daily guitar playing he does out on his balcony. She can feel the harmony and vibrations in his music. And there’s something about Sydney that Ridge can’t ignore, either: He seems to have finally found his muse. When their inevitable encounter happens, they soon find themselves needing each other in more ways than one…

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover, a passionate tale of friendship, betrayal, and romance—and the enchanting music that inspires one young woman to put her life back together.

From the author of the New York Times bestsellers Slammed, Point of Retreat, Hopeless, This Girl, and Losing Hope, Maybe Someday is destined to become another bestseller and long-lasting fan favorite.

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~Review~

No amount of emotional or mental preparation has really prepared me when I started reading this book. This has been the only Colleen Hoover book I've stalled reading because of the mixed reviews I've seen. I was so paranoid and scared to even get started on it especially with how people have reviewed this story that I even thought someone died in this book. At some point, I even questioned if Colleen Hoover would even disappoint me with Maybe Someday. 

I won't bore you with details of what Maybe Someday is all about because that's what blurbs are for. I do have a lot of things to say though about this book.

I have been under an extreme amount of emotional stress almost 80% of the time while reading this. Love triangle and cheating are two of the four things I do not want to ever read in a book (in case you're curious, the other two are death and rape). And it happened to me before that I didn't finish a book because the cheating was just so frustrating and just got the best of me but Maybe Someday isn't like that. The reason why I powered through reading this book was because I wanted to see if there was even a happy ending for these characters. 

This story made me questioned myself whether why something that started so wrong and was still wrong most of the time felt so damn right. It made me question myself why I was rooting for the wrong. But then again when two people who are obviously in love but can't be together because sometimes life sucks will make you cheer for them. Cliche as it may sound but people in love deserve a damn break, you know? 

This book is filled with just enough humor and a whole lot of heartache that I think when people read it their favorite things in life should always be at arms reach to comfort them a little. I'm serious. This story is also filled with so much love, selfless love, painful love.

I think Colleen Hoover has captured really well and put into words and music how difficult it is to fight and control your feelings, how hard letting go is and how some things and some people you want so bad stay in your life but just can't. And for that she didn't disappoint me. For all the frustration and emotional stress my heart has been up to the entire time I was reading this, I think the last 10 pages of the book more than made up for it. 

♥♥♥

~Playlist~

Here is my playlist!

Sam Smith - Make It To Me

Sam Smith - Leave Your Lover

Matthew Perryman Jones - Out Of Reach

I have been having a Sam Smith moment to the point that I was humming the songs from this book to Leave Your Lover. I don't think I can give enough justice to make a Maybe Someday playlist because Griffin Peterson already did that. I can always try though.

Rating:

PLATINUM RECORD

About the Author

She loves music. LOVE music. Namely The Avett Brothers, Lumineers, Pink, Eminem. She has eclectic taste? If you have any recommendations, send them her way! She's addicted to diet pepsi and could tell you in a taste-test which restaurant it came from. It's a serious addiction. She gets stoked whenever she gets a message from goodreads saying she has a new friend request... If you want to know when she has new books out or just want to be inundated by random, pointless blog posts, stalk her!

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Nikki reviews: PRINCE CHARMING by Sara Celi

Title: PRINCE CHARMING
Author: SARA CELI

School. Tests. Scholarships. Goals. 

Senior class overachiever Geoff Miller thought he had it all figured out. All he needed to do was make it through the next six months, graduate, and get on with his life. 

College at the University of Virginia beckoned him-- and he just wanted to put the last horrible four years at Heritage High School in the "done" folder. 

Geoff just didn't count on one thing: Laine Phillips. 

For years, Geoff crushed on Laine from afar. He didn't think she even knew he was alive. In fact, the obsession seemed to him like a distraction from an unhappy life in a snobby Greater Cincinnati suburb. 

Until the day that all changed. And when it did, this unlikely Prince Charming got a chance to make his move. 

This is a Mature Young Adult Romance. Not suitable for younger readers. Contains sexual references and profane language.

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~Review~

So I have been in a book and writing funk lately - okay fine, in a  life funk actually. Funking life. Lol. And I am really having a hard time finding books that would get me out of this crazy and not fun stage of being a bookworm. The sweet Mia Sheridan recommended this book on her page and so I gave it a chance...

Well, I shouldn't be less honest here right? When I saw the cover of Prince Charming I was like "Holy #^$#^%&*! Who is this guy?! Where does he live?! Why isn't he marrying me?! Wait, why isn't he my husband yet?!" I needed to get my butt into one-clicking mood. And so I did. Because of the recommendation. No really, because of the book cover. There's no one more perfect to be a prince charming but this guy on the cover. So very Geoff Miller.

Now, enough with the cover talk. I feel dehydrated because of all the drooling I'm doing every single time I see this cover. It's so damn perfect it should be illegal! Like seriously. 

PRINCE CHARMING - a nice, charming short read about a geeky guy. Did someone say GEEKY?! Oh boyyyy, I've always love me some geeky guys! They will always have a soft spot in my ever flirty heart. After I've seen the cover and found out on the blurb that this book is about a nerd and is solely told from the guys POV, the decision has been made: you can kiss my ass book funk.

Geoff Miller - our conflicted prince charming. Why do I say conflicted? It's not because he's a broken boy in this story - but it's mainly because of his character alone. When he's around his friends and step-brothers, he's all high and mighty, like everyone's below his IQ level. Maybe he's just conceited like that, or maybe he's just really tired of all the high school drama. But when he's around Laine, the insecurity switch is flipped on automatically, all confidence down the drain. At times Geoff was becoming a frustrating character, but a very believable one. I believe we've all gone through high school bullshit once in our lives and I for sure can say that there are more dramas in high school than we can ever imagine. Agree?

Another thing I loved about this book is the humor. I found myself literally laughing out loud in the middle of the night like I've gone nuts. I was actually afraid I'd wake up the neighborhood. I love the type of books that makes my heart flutter in a very light, teenage-ry way. With million of books released everyday since indie exploded, sometimes it could get tiring to read books with the same themes. Themes like let's-fuck-with-this-girl's-emotions-up or frustrate-the-hell-out-of-the-reader-until-she-throws-the-book-away or sometimes even themes where you actually question the existence of humanity. With me experiencing quarter-life crisis and all the shit that comes with it, I honestly don't need those types of book right now and I am so thankful I found PC. It was a breathe of fresh air! Hallelujah!

Prince Charming isn't exactly a trip down the memory lane but I could actually consider it as something like that of a throwback Thursday or a flashback Friday stuff. ;) It is very relatable because once in our lives, if not been, then we've known a Geoff or a Laine or an Evan during high school.

♥♥♥

~Playlist~

Here is my playlist for Prince Charming (sorry we don't have Spotify here in the Philippines!):

Treasure - Bruno Mars
All I Ever Wanted - Brian Melo
Kiss Me Slowly - Parachute
Must Have Done Something Right - Resilient K
She's So High - Tal Bachman
Love Is A Verb - John Mayer

Days after I finished reading PC, Treasure played on my phone while I was sound trippin', and guess who popped up to my mind? Yep, Prince Geoff. So I had no choice but to put this on top of the list. ;) I chose All I Ever Wanted as Geoff's other song for Laine because of the lines below that remind me of the scene in the hotel. And everyone who have read this book, come tell me this isn't the perfect song for that scene. ;)

"Slow down, make it last,

I'm having the time of my life.

And take a photograph,

I don't wanna leave this behind.

What seems so out of reach........"

Rating:

PLATINUM RECORD (plus a dime)

About the Author

New Orleans born Sara Celi has lived all over the United States. She calls the Greater Cincinnati area and the Queen City home.  She has spent more than a decade working in journalism and broadcasting, with jobs both on-air and off-air at TV stations in Louisiana, Ohio, and Oklahoma. Her work has appeared in numerous online publications, magazines and newspapers, and she is a contributing author to Chicken Soup For The Soul: The Power of Positive. Sara graduated cum laude from Western Kentucky University in 2004. In her spare time, she likes to read, shop, write, travel, run long distances, volunteer with the Junior League, and fund raise for Cooperative for Education, a non-profit providing educational opportunities for Guatemalan kids.

Author links: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Sy reviews: THREE BROKEN PROMISES by Monica Murphy

Title: Three Broken Promises
Series: Drew + Fable #3
Author: Monica Murphy

Genre: NA/Contemporary Romance

~Synopsis~

Commitment. That’s what I really want from Colin. Ever since my brother, Danny, died in Iraq, Colin’s done so much to help me, including giving me a job at his popular restaurant so I can leave my crappy waitressing job at the strip joint. But lying in bed with him every night to comfort him from his horrible nightmares isn’t enough anymore. I know he feels guilty about Danny’s death, about not going to Iraq, but I can’t keep living this double life.

I love him desperately, but he’s got so many demons, and if he can’t open up to me now, then he’ll never be the real partner I need him to be. I gave him a month, and now I’m out of here. If he truly loves me like he says, he knows where to find me.

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~Review~

 

Greetings of peace and love and joy!

Are you weirded out by that greeting? Me too. I just remembered that's how our school letters always begin. Hehehe.

Anyway, here's my 3-star review of Monica Murphy's Three Broken Promises. And I'm so sad I couldn't rate it any higher than that. *sighs* Oh well.

I was pretty excited when I got an ARC of this book. I'm a huge fan of Monica Murphy's One Week Girlfriend series and when Jen & Colin were introduced in Second Chance Boyfriend, I was dying to hear their story.

If you are the happy ever after kind of reader then this book is for you. I am a happy ever after kind of reader too. It's just that this story fell short for me. I guess I was looking for a little more challenge and issue between Jen and Colin's love story. I think some of their fights here were not that necessary.

Let me tell you though that Monica Murphy did not disappoint when it comes to writing the sexy scenes. Hee hee. I'm just gonna come out and say here that those were some of my favorite parts of the book. Okay, no judging now. I'm sure you liked them too. Haha! Having said that, I think there were more sexy scenes in this book than deemed necessary. Hey, not that I'm complaining or anything. It's just that I think it was just more than what it should have been.

If there's anything I really love about this book, it's how I felt Jen's sadness and pain. I think the real story, and everything really started to get interesting for me was when Colin found out what Jen had done in the past. And I guess the masochist in me is rejoicing when I got to that part when Jen left. Like I said, I'm a masochist, I get my kicks at these things.

So again, if you're a happy ever after kind of reader that does not really want to be so stressed out with how the characters in the books they're reading are doing, then this book is for you. The ending of this book is so good, by the way, it left me feeling warm and fluffy with love. :)

Here's my Three Broken Promises playlist:

I Never Told You - Colbie Caillat
Impossible - James Arthur
Clarity (acoustic) - Zedd

~Playlist~

I Never Told You is my song for Jen and Colin. How they both are too stubborn (borderline stupid hehe) to not tell one another what they truly feel. Impossible is my song for Colin. This is because Jen can really break his heart without her knowing it. Clarity-when I first heard that Monica Murphy is writing a story about Jen & Colin and I heard this song, I told myself (and I think I tweeted her this too) that this is my Jen & Colin song. There are other books that I almost put this song to as part of my book playlist for reviews but I kinda have grown an attachment to pairing this song and this book. Plus, I think the chorus speaks to Jen and Colin too.

Rating:

  GOLD RECORD

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author 

Monica Murphy is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the One Week Girlfriend series. She writes new adult and contemporary romance for Bantam and Avon. She also writes romance as Karen Erickson. A native Californian, she lives in the foothills below Yosemite. I'm a wife, and a mom. A believer in kissing. A believer of love.

Find Monica online: Website | Twitter | Goodreads | Facebook

Sy reviews: BEAUTIFUL DISASTER by Jamie McGuire

Title: Beautiful Disaster
Series: Beautiful #1
Author: Jamie McGuire

Genre: NA/Contemporary Romance

~Synopsis~

Abby Abernathy is a good girl. She doesn’t drink or swear, and she has the appropriate number of cardigans in her wardrobe. Abby believes she has enough distance from the darkness of her past, but when she arrives at college with her best friend, her path to a new beginning is quickly challenged by Eastern University’s Walking One-Night Stand.

Travis Maddox, lean, cut, and covered in tattoos, is exactly what Abby wants—and needs—to avoid. He spends his nights winning money in a floating fight ring, and his days as the ultimate college campus charmer. Intrigued by Abby’s resistance to his appeal, Travis tricks her into his daily life with a simple bet. If he loses, he must remain abstinent for a month. If Abby loses, she must live in Travis’s apartment for the same amount of time. Either way, Travis has no idea that he has met his match.

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~Review~

I know I'm in the minority here when I say I didn't love BD as much as most readers did. Hell, my blog partner, Nikki, loved BD so much and she knows I've been stalling reading it for the longest time she practically gave me her copy and "semi-forced" me, actually, she, along with my other bookworm friends, ganged up on me to read it. So after 48 years of stalling, I finally did.

Here's what I think. I like the story. I like the plot. I like how the author was going as far as storyline is concerned. I love Travis! The only thing that spoiled me from giving this book a higher rating is Abby.

So BD, as I'm sure most of you know by now, is a story about this underground fighter, Travis, who happens to be a smart dude and a man whore too. :) On one of his fights, he saw Abby and to put it sweetly, he found his Home in her.

There are quite a few things I liked in this book. I liked Travis and Abby's friendship in the beginning. I love how playful they were, how they sort of become a unit without them realizing it. I'm a big fan of relationships that started as friendship. I love how the author was able to achieve a strong foundation of friendship for Travis and Abby. Theirs is a friendship that's beautiful. I like how Travis loved Abby in his own possessive way. I am a sucker for book boyfriends who were once a player but becomes this loyal and faithful guy once they meet the one for them.

I just didn't like Abby's character that much. I can understand if she tried to resist Travis but dude, you know you love the guy, whatever principle or reason you have, at least give the guy a chance. What did it for me was when she got jealous and all when Travis brought two girls home. Believe me, I hate it when guys in books cheat. Hate. It. But they were on a break, right? I mean they're not together. She practically shoved him away. And then she got mad when Travis fooled around? Girl, you brought it upon yourself so suck it up. I almost heard Ross (FRIENDS) shouting to Rachel, "We were on a break!" on that part of the book. :)

I love happy endings and even if this book (ehem Abby) frustrated the hell out of me, I'm glad Travis and Abby still got their happy ending.

Here's my Beautiful Disaster playlist:

A Fool To Love You (John Mayer)
Better Man (James Morrison)
Between The Lines (Sara Bareilles)

~Playlist~

Rating:

GOLD RECORD

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author 

Jamie McGuire was born in Tulsa, OK. She attended the Northern Oklahoma College, the University of Central Oklahoma, and Autry Technology Center where she graduated with a degree in Radiography. Her most recent novel, Walking Disaster debuted at #1 on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists. She has also written bestselling contemporary romance Beautiful Disaster, and the Providence series. Jamie now lives in Enid, OK with her three children and husband Jeff, who is a real, live cowboy. They share their 30 acres with six horses, three dogs, and Rooster the cat.
Find Jamie online: Website | Twitter | Goodreads

Sy reviews: TEARS OF TESS by Pepper Winters

Title: Tears of Tess
Series: Monsters in the Dark #1
Author: Pepper Winters

Genre: NA/Contemporary Romance

~Synopsis~

“My life was complete. Happy, content, everything neat and perfect.
Then it all changed.
I was sold.”

Tess Snow has everything she ever wanted: one more semester before a career in property development, a loving boyfriend, and a future dazzling bright with possibility.

For their two year anniversary, Brax surprises Tess with a romantic trip to Mexico. Sandy beaches, delicious cocktails, and soul-connecting sex set the mood for a wonderful holiday. With a full heart, and looking forward to a passion filled week, Tess is on top of the world.

But lusty paradise is shattered.

Kidnapped. Drugged. Stolen. Tess is forced into a world full of darkness and terror.

Captive and alone with no savior, no lover, no faith, no future, Tess evolves from terrified girl to fierce fighter. But no matter her strength, it can’t save her from the horror of being sold.

Can Brax find Tess before she’s broken and ruined, or will Tess’s new owner change her life forever?

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Purchase from:

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~Review~

 

This book is not for the weak-hearted, let me tell you that. I wouldn't say I'm a big fan of books with dark stories or dark plots and I try to stay away from stories with rape in it. So going into this book, I can say I made a huge pep talk to my fragile heart to suck it up and read it. This is not the first time I read a dark story. I've read plenty as a matter of fact (see I'm not that weak after all). Tears of Tess though is the first dark novel I have truly enjoyed and did not leave me feeling like I needed major therapy and counseling session afterwards. :)

This came as a major shocker to me because the content in this book, the things that happened between Q and Tess were not at all easy to imagine and take. I think this even had the most outrageous and wild kind of Dom-Sub context. Surprisingly though I enjoyed it. I did not cringe on the rape scene. Q slapping Tess was a bit of a what the hell moment for me but even that wasn't really a big deal for me. *insert squealing-OMG Q is so hot!!!*

I guess the reason why I loved this story so much was because the characters have captured my heart from the beginning. I like Brax. I felt bad that he couldn't be what Tess wanted him to be, that he wasn't as
sensitive as a loving boyfriend should be, but I love his gentleness, his tenderness towards Tess. I like Tess for her fierceness. She's bold and she is just so badass I feel like standing up for her by shouting "you go girl!" so many times while reading this book. I love Q. Of course I love Q. He was so fucked up that I love him so much for that. I love how the author managed to make these characters so strong and so likeable that even if I was reading the rape scene I didn't stress myself too much and ended up having a migraine and asking the universe "Why? Why did this has to happen?"

Q is so mysterious and he may be damaged but you know and you believe deep inside there's a gentle monster in there (if there is such a thing as a gentle monster though).

I don't even know what more to say but I really love this story and this is the first dark story I gave 5 stars for. And for someone who loves a book with all sweet and happiness and fairy tale with swoon-worthy men (not that Q is not swoon-worthy, believe me, he is, more like swoon-worthy-drool-worthy-

panty-melting hot kind), for me to enjoy and love it this much, that's saying something.

Here's my Tears of Tess Playlist:

Bluebird (Sara Bareilles)
Sugar (Wanderhouse)
All This And Heaven Too (Florence and the Machine)
Between Two Lungs (Florence and the Machine)

~Playlist~

I picked these songs because they all have that air of dark and mystery in them. Also, some of the lines of these songs fit Q and Tess so beautifully. Plus, I love Florence and the Machine, they're my go-to music when I feel dark clouds hovering my heart. ;)

Rating:

DIAMOND RECORD

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author 

Pepper Winters wears many roles. Some of them include writer, reader, sometimes wife. She loves dark, taboo stories that twist with your head. The more tortured the hero, the better, and she constantly thinks up ways to break and fix her characters. Oh, and sex… her books have sex. She loves to travel and has an amazing, fabulous hubby who puts up with her love affair with her book boyfriends. Her debut book Tears of Tess will be followed with Quintessentially Q. You didn’t think Q could stop so soon, did you? Her other two titles, Last Shadow and Broken Chance will be coming soon. She loves mail of any kind: pepperwinters at gmail dot com

Find Pepper online: Website | Twitter | Goodreads

Sy reviews: PIECES FOR YOU by Genna Rulon

Title: Pieces For You
Series: For You #2
Author: Genna Rulon

Genre: NA/Contemporary Romance

~Synopsis~

"The phoenix hope, can wing her way through the desert skies,
and still defying fortune's spite; revive from ashes and rise.” -Miguel de Cervantes

Samantha Whitney survived unimaginable tragedy only to discover she had been betrayed by a man who claimed to love her. Shattered, Sam spends months at a safe haven trying to piece herself back together. Ready or not, the time has come for her to return home.

As Sam struggles to resume a life that no longer feels familiar, she finds unwavering support in an unexpected, familiar face. Confronting Sam’s raw emotions and open wounds head-on, Griffin manages to take two steps forward for every step she retreats.

But when Sam is once again threatened, Griffin must decide how far he is willing to go to protect the woman he wants…knowing the cost of her safety is the risk of losing her.

Pieces For You is a captivating journey of survival, healing, and sacrifice—teeming with honesty, humor, unexpected twists, and love’s unsurpassed endurance.begin to plague Sam, it is Griffin she is forced to turn to.

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Amazon

~Review~

 

I will start off by saying that Genna outdid herself on this book. I said it even before I read the book and I'm so so glad that my gut was right.

Pieces For You is the sequel to Only For You. This is Sam & Griffin's story and if you read OFY then you'd know that something dark and heartbreaking happened to Sam towards the end of that book. I will not say anything more about that because seriously you gotta read that, you wouldn't wanna miss out on Hunter I'm telling you. Anyway, back to PFY. This story is about Sam's healing and Griffin's chance.

If there is one word to describe this book, it's Unexpected. Going into the story of Sam I thought it'll be something dark. I even made a little pep talk to my self so I won't get so stressed out if a scene will be too much for me. Surprisingly, I found myself laughing more on this book. The story has its own sad and painful parts but I guess this book focused on the lesson of healing and moving on and letting go. And I loved how the author did that. There were so many things in this book I did not see coming. My guessing skills were truly tested here. I am not complaining by the way, I'm complimenting Genna, she's good on that keep-guessing-who-the-blank is stuff.

I love how all the characters came together and came out being better versions of themselves here. I think I even fell a little more in love with Hunter on this book. Ah, but Griffin is giving him a tough competition. I mean, how can you not fall in love with a musician who happens to be a barista and a bar owner and a psychologist too? Oh, did I fail to mention he's rocking an 8-pack too?! See? I told you it's hard to pick who the hottest alpha is.

There are also some very pleasant additions to the group which I will totally fangirl over in the coming days and weeks and months. Dear Genna, there might be some begging that will happen. Haha!

There are so many things I totally enjoyed and loved in this book. The banter, for starters, is still there and it's funnier than ever! Of course the 8-pack, how can I miss that? I love how the love and friendship between the characters are magnified in Pieces For You. Their friendship and love made me feel so good it kinda made me envy them too. Haha!

This is such a feel-good book. Yes it has its own heartbreaking parts but there are so much love and happiness pouring out of these characters you would feel like it has seeped into your pores. This book, it holds so much promise of many good, no, great things to come so for that alone I highly recommend this series.

Here's my Pieces For You playlist:

Now Is The Start - A Fine Frenzy
All Time Love - Will Young
Near To You - A Fine Frenzy
1000 Times - Sara Bareilles

~Playlist~

Now Is The Start is my song for Sam when she begins putting back the pieces of her life. All Time Love is my song for both Sam and Griff. Near To You is my Sam song. If you listen to the lyrics, almost every word screams Sam to me. 1000 Times is for Griffin. I can see him doing his own rendition of that song for his Little One.

Rating:

DIAMOND RECORD

 

About the Author 

During her 15 years in the corporate world, Genna, inspired by her love of reading, fantasized about penning her own stories. Encouraged by her favorite authors, many of whom are indie writers and self-published, she committed to pursuing her aspirations of writing her own novels.

Genna was raised in Long Island, New York, where she still resides, surrounded by the most amazing family and friends. Married to a wonderful man, who patiently tolerates her ramblings about whichever book she is currently working on, even feigning interest relatively convincingly! Genna is blessed with two little boys who do their best to thwart mommy's writing time with their hilarious antics and charming extrapolations.

Find Genna online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Pinterest

Sy reviews: UNATTAINABLE by Madeline Sheehan

Title: Unattainable

Series: Undeniable #3

Author: Madeline Sheehan

Genre: Contemporary Romance

~Synopsis~

Tegen Matthews is the daughter of Dorothy Kelley, a club whore in the Hell’s Horsemen. A plain little girl, Tegen falls into the gritty world of the motorcycle club. When she meets a sweet, caring boy, she embraces the warmth and affection he shows her. Cage West is the son of the president of the Hell’s Horsemen. Tall and blond with deep brown eyes, as he grows up Cage realizes the power of his dimpled smile and smooth drawl. With one chance encounter, Tegen becomes forever tied to Cage. Following is a wayward journey that is filled with regrets, mistakes, and heartache, pulling at the threads that hold them together. Cage and Tegen fight hard but love harder, and in the end, what matters is where the journey takes one girl and one boy, who have been twined with one another since the beginning.

This is Tegen and Cage’s story.

Love doesn’t erase a broken heart, and it sure doesn’t change people. But no matter how old, how flimsy, how frayed the rope of love is, it keeps you tethered to the people you love.

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Purchase from:

Amazon | B&N | Kobo

~Review~

To be honest I'm a bit nervous doing a review for this book. This is a biker story and the badassness of this series is at a whole different level that I'm intimidated by it and I'm not even sure if I could give justice writing how kickass this series particulary this book is. But I will try.

Unattainable is the third book of the Undeniable series. I must say Madeline just outdid herself in every book from this series. Undeniable was a bit of a shock for my mental faculties. Unbeautifully was a really beautiful story written and Unattainable was like a the final perfect missing piece of a puzzle that when I finished reading it I was just filled with so much badass biker joy. Haha!

Just like other biker stories, Unattainable does not have those perfect and light story behind it. In fact, it's so far from it. The characters are imperfect that they've become too close to reality. Can I just say? I've blurted out more than once that this book is crazy. I mean that in a good way. I was so sucked in to the characters, to their problems, to their emotions that I was ready to crawl inside that book and yell at all of them to get their shit together. I was that hooked.

There are just some things I didn't like, like the drugs, the cheating and calling their women a bitch. I guess though that's really their way of life and I accept that but again I don't think I'll ever like it. :) Rape is also something I'm still traumatized when coming across in a book but thank God this did not have that. Well not really.

I love how this story revolved around Cage & Tegen and at the same time Ellie & Dirty. I also like that we still get more glimpses of Deuce here. I have like a love/hate relationship with that man since Undeniable.

Unattainable is definitely not a hearts & flowers and a swoon-worthy type of read. I'd say it is not for the faint-hearted too. I don't know, somehow I always felt the need to be brave and to brace myself when I read this series. There were plenty of ugly things that took place in and out of this motorcycle club but there were also beautiful things. And even if the beautiful stuff were rare and few, it still created an impact that it outweighs the bad and the ugly.

Like brotherhood and love. I love how these people fight hard but love just as hard too. Indeed, what Eva said was true:

"From chaos, the strongest sort of love is usually born."

Here's my Unattainable playlist:

Always You - Ingrid Michaelson
Mean - Pink
Falling Slowly - Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova

~Playlist~

Always You is my Cage & Tegen song since they have loved each other for forever. Tegen had always known he loved Cage but Cage took a long while before realizing it. Mean is also my song for both of them because those two fight fierce. Falling Slowly is my song for Dirty & Ellie. I wish to hear more from them. Theirs is a beautiful story about love too.

Rating:

DIAMOND RECORD

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

Madeline Sheehan, a Social Distortion enthusiast and devoted fan of body art, has been writing books since she was seven years old. She is the author of The Holy Trinity ebook trilogy and Best Selling Undeniable Series. Homegrown in Buffalo, New York, Madeline resides there with her husband and son.

Social media links: Website | Twitter | Facebook

Cover Reveal: FOUND IN YOU by Laurelin Paige

Title: Found in You

Series: Fixed #2

Author: Laurelin Paige

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Age group: Adult

Expected release date: October 1, 2013 

~Synopsis~

Alayna Withers has only had one kind of relationship: the kind that makes her obsessive and stalker-crazy. Now that Hudson Pierce has let her into his heart, she’s determined to break down the remaining walls between them so they can build a foundation that’s based on more than just amazing sex. Except Hudson’s not the only one with secrets.

With their pasts pulling them into a web of unfounded mistrust, Alayna turns to the one person who knows Hudson the best—Celia, the woman he almost married. Hoping for insight from someone who understands all sides of the story, Alayna forms a bond with Celia that goes too far—revealing things about Hudson that could end their love for good.

This is the first relationship where Alayna hasn’t spiraled out of control. And she might lose Hudson anyway...

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Cover design by:

Sophia Bleu

Cover reveal organized by:

About the Author:

Laurelin Paige is a sucker for a good romance and gets giddy anytime there’s kissing, much to the embarrassment of her three daughters. Her husband doesn’t seem to complain, however. When she isn’t reading or writing sexy stories, she’s probably singing, watching Mad Men and the Walking Dead, or dreaming of Adam Levine. She is represented by the wonderful Bob Diforio of D4EO Literary Agency. Author social media links: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest

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