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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Purchase from:

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