You- A Series Review

Greetings, fellow bibliophiles! Long time, no chat! I finally finished my latest series and it's a doozy! I've been meaning to get to these books for awhile so I'm excited to share my thoughts! On a random outing to my local B&N for the latest book haul, I finally came across the complete series of You by Caroline Kepnes. I did, however, do a bad thing. I totally judged these books by the covers. I was absolutely intrigued when I saw both You and Hidden Bodies popping up in my Instagram timeline with readers going berserk for these stories. After grabbing the basic info, I popped on to my goodreads app to get the description and overall rating before adding these puppies to my ever-expanding TBR pile/shelf/bookcase. Now that I've read them both, I'm awaiting more story, the option for the TV adaptation, and coping with my Joe withdrawal. Let's get to it so that you can all run to your closest bookstores and swipe up copies of these novels.  

Book one is the title of the series, You. This might be the least comprehensive review I've written to date because I'm simply flabbergasted, gob smacked, speechless, stunned, so on and so on.

This book grabbed me from page one, hell, from the first freaking sentence. I could NOT put it down. I really and truly mean that with every ounce of sincerity I could muster. I finished this book in the parking lot of a Panera because I just had to have this book with me and had to know how it ended right then and there while I waited for my Pick Two combo to be made.

For me, there's not a single character I this book I could empathize with, but for once, I found that part of the appeal to keep going. Usually, when I'm disgusted with a character or find them unrelatable, I wind up disconnected from the whole story and don't invest my attention, mind, and heart the way I properly should. The opposite happened with this story. Joe is fishy right from the start, but I'm fascinated by how he thinks. I immediately despised Peach and Benji, and once the layers started peeling away (which happens pretty early on), I wound up loathing Beck as well.

In all honesty, I can't say too much because it's very easy for me to say enough to give away major  (and I mean MAJOR) plot points with this story, but just.... Read it, now, no.... Yesterday. I'm absolutely blown away. Despite the fact I couldn't wrap my mind around the lives of Nantucket bred, pretentious Brown kids and their designer drugs and first world problems (I even had to look up the word solipsistic.. I don't work in a used and rare book store.. ugh, I WISH) I gobbled this book up. It's so dark and disturbing that even though there was a sense of an end in book one, I know we're not done with this adventure yet.

If you're a fan of Dexter, Norman Bates, Paul Spector, or the Investigation Discovery channel, pick up this book and get to the page-turning as soon as possible! You won't have nails left, but you sure as hell will have your heart pumping!

My Final Rating: five out of five stars

Hidden Bodies is the sequel to You, and boy, is it ever a sequel. Every time I attempted to write a proper review of this book, words simply failed me. All I can say is that I'm glad this series is in progress with ShowTime because I'm beyond anxious to see how Joe's story plays out on the small screen. Now all I need is to call my cable company and add ShowTime to my monthly bill because I know I'll NEED this show when it debuts.

I'm a massive fan of Norman Bates, Paul Spector, Dexter, and now, Joe Goldberg. I know I mentioned that when reviewing You. The inner workings of Joe's mind absolutely boggle me and I find myself routing for him even though I know he shouldn't be out and about among what we deem "regular" society.

Leaving the streets of New York and his dark past behind him, Joe is on a mission in Los Angeles, and seems to meet all the right people along the way. It's when the past mingles with the present to ruin the future that Joe has a problem and needs to become even more determined in his life's path.

I had numerous interruptions while reading this book, and I almost wanted to pull a Joe of my very own because this story was so utterly full-to-the-brim of suspense, that it drove me crazy to put it down even for a single second! Kepnes may have just shot to the top of my list of favorite writers. Her story-telling is phenomenal and so thorough. I need more Joe in my life ASAP. I must know where his story takes us next! I'm pretty sure there has to be a book three somewhere, but I'm going to keep my fingers crossed just incase.

My Final Rating: five out of five stars

 

The Slam (ARC)- A Review

Happy Monday, bibliophiles! Yes, I'm bringing you another review already! Get excited! I received was recently contacted by a follower on my Facebook page to read and review her latest book. Obviously, I jumped at the chance! The darling Haleigh Lovell gifted me an ARC and even without much of a description or giveaway as to what I was in for, I was excited to dive in as fast as I could! It's called, The Slam, and I'm just going to get right to the review because I'm too jittery over this read!

I'm sad real life got in the way a bit, but once I started reading this one last night, I couldn't put it down. I've never read a romance novel that made our leading lady one with a condition. I found Adelaide fascinating. She was too cute for words, and I adored Ender even more for how much he doted on and cared for her without letting her condition affect their friendship. I'd love to say more about it, but I'd be giving too much away, so I'm going to let you all find out for yourselves once you grab a copy of this book!

Not only did I get a fun and budding love story, but Adelaide made me learn new things too, which was interesting and gave the story another layer. I'm glad she explained so much throughout the journey and allowed me inside her head, otherwise, I'm not sure I would've related to her quite as much. In her detailed explanations and brutal honesty, I was able to put myself in her shoes and see the world through her eyes instead of my own.

Seriously, Ender could not have been better. He's always been Adelaide's best buddy even from the time they were little children, so I'm glad that even though he became this tennis star and big-man-on-campus, his opinion of her never changes. In fact, she becomes even more endearing and loveable to him. That's unreal to me how awesome they were together both as friends, and even as something more.

This was a really fast read, so I hope to see more from these two. I was just getting into the whole boat idea and the ridiculous level of adorable of "many many many more dates" and it ended... so I think this is where I beg for a sequel. Pretty please!

PS- Thank you a million times over for this gift of a story, Haleigh! I appreciate you thinking of me to get an advanced copy so I could tell you (and everyone else) how much I loved it! xx         

My Final Rating: four out of five stars

 

 

 

 

 

9 Letters- A Review

Good evening, bibliophiles! I'm spending a quiet evening at home and after a bookstore run, decided to bring everyone my latest book review! It's called 9 Letters by Blake Austin. I finished it late last night, but decided to think on it a bit before I posted what I was feeling.  I have to say, I'm still not entirely sure how I feel now that it's over.

I just came off of reading a heavy World War II novel, so I figured a romance might be up my alley for something quick and light-hearted. Obviously I was wrong. Why is that?

Meet Luke Cawley. He's a young widower trying to wade through life without his beloved wife, Emily. He lost her to cancer a year prior to the audience meeting him. Through a mix of flashbacks, and a series of letters he receives on the anniversary of her death that she had written days before her passing, we're with him as he tries to lick his wounds and heal.

In her letters, Emily gives Luke closure. She comes to terms with her condition, and offers him words of encouragement to keep living even after she's gone. She also gives him a series of tasks and challenges in order to get her husband out of his funk and back among the land of the living.

Death is easy when you're the one who's gone. For the rest of us left on earth, it's something else entirely. Luke isolates himself from friends and family, and gives up on a lot of who he was when he was happily married. Losing his wife when they were barely into their twenties was not in his plans, and now, he doesn't know how to cope.

I enjoyed the lessons offered throughout this story, and found the characters quite relatable. As someone who has encountered quite a bit of death throughout my own (youngish) life, I was able to really understand where Luke was coming from when it feels like the world is ending.

I'm thrilled Luke began to come around the more he read the letters. He knows he'll never be the same again, but that doesn't mean he's not allowed another chance at happiness. Thanks to King, Rae, some of his old friends, Morris, Heartland Habitat, his sister in-law, Natalie, and his own family, I have hope that he'll return to some level of normalcy the more the days go on, without letting Emily's memory fade.

It seems silly, but, the only reason I gave this three stars instead of anything more was because of a bit of back-speak and double negatives. Maybe it had to do with the southern, country lives of the characters, but some of it made me cringe.

Overall though, an enjoyable, but bit of a sad and tragic read, so, approach with caution.

My Final Rating: three out of five stars

 

The Nightingale- A Review

Good morning, bibliophiles! Today, I'm going to dive right in to this latest review because it's the day after I closed the book and I'm still absolutely stunned by what I've read. It's a book I've had sitting on my shelf for awhile, and I'm really sad it took as long as it did to get to it! However, I'm really glad I did, and I can't wait to tell you what I thought! The book I'm discussing is The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. It's been on several Best Seller lists, and with good reason. You should read this review and then go pick up a copy if you haven't already!

This was a gorgeous yet heartbreaking book. Anything else I say will not properly express my sentiments towards the power of this story. Regardless, I'll do what I can to explain and convey my experience in the French countryside the best I can.

There's something about World War II novels that always draw me in hook, line, and sinker. Maybe it's so I never forget what our universe has dealt with in history, maybe it's because the sheer terror of what happened on such a grand scale that borders on unreal when we discuss it these days, maybe it's the tales of the survivors that make me feel empowered as a human being. Who knows, but this one had me savoring pages as if I would never read again.

My heart was in my throat for Vianne and Isabelle the entire story. Living in Nazi-occupied France was an absolute nightmare. These women would wake up each day and not know what to expect. Their tremendous will to survive and live through everything they experienced puts society today into perspective. When these women and their families had to go without things like coffee, bread, a coat, or fitted shoes, my heart shattered for them to have so little. The sacrifices they made, and how they endured for years was nothing short of unreal. The fact they could both call themselves heroes at the end of it all made it so much better and allowed me the opportunity to smile for them and what they achieved. I would go into detail about their contributions to the war efforts, but I'd honestly rather you be surprised and experience their courageous acts on your own.

The ending was powerful and tied past & present together so perfectly. I had a feeling as to who a few mystery characters were, and when their identities were revealed, I was misty-eyed. Although much of the story was sad, and to recall such a horrific time in World History, it also had its triumphant moments as well. That's all we want in tales of darkness, to see a bit of light at the end of the tunnel and hope that it will all wind up okay.

I could not be more elated that I picked this book up in my travels. It deserves the goodreads award for a reason. Do not hesitate in giving this a read!

My Final Rating: five out of five stars

P*rn Star- A Review

Good evening, all! It's pretty late by me and I'm dragging after a long day, but I had to pop on here real quick to gush and fangirl about my latest read. I know some may judge this immediately due to cover or title, but seriously, read it. If you enjoy indulging in a badass romance, this is the story for you! 

I'm talking about a book that's hot off the presses (seriously, it came out the middle of this week), and by hot, I mean SCORCHING. What sexy read am I discussing on this lovely Friday-almost-Saturday? It's simply called Porn Star, a collaboration project that comes from the lovely (and albeit filthy minds) of Sierra Simone and Laurelin Paige. I love anything these two ladies do independently, so when I found out they were working on a project together, I all but combusted with enthusiasm. Porn Star did NOT disappoint, either! 

Logan O'Toole is nothing short of amazing. I really can't come up with much better to describe all the butterflies this man gave me all throughout the story. He's witty, hilarious, sexy, and brilliant. He may be in the industry he adores, but I loved learning more about him as a person off camera as well. It was something to learn about his heartbreak from a breakup he never saw coming, or finding out about his passion for poetry or film and cinematography. I got to not only enjoy him and how his mind worked,  but I also discovered the behind-the-scenes of the taboo and clichés that come with the porn industry. 

When Logan meets Devi Dare, all bets are off. They had an opportunity to work together once before, and their attraction was instant, yet fleeting. It's when they cross paths at an industry party that they become something explosive and essentially experience love-at-first-sight. I received more satisfaction, new knowledge, in-depth discussion and ideas from these two than I did in half of my college courses. Yes, they were a vibrant couple, but what I really loved were their theories on mythology and astronomy. It added a whole new layer to this story. 

On top of it all, there was steam.. and lots of it... more than you'd get from a sauna, and it's totally worth it. With a novel like this, you have to expect it, so just sit back, relax, and ENJOY. Simone and Paige could write ten more books on these two and I would never tire of them. Absolutely love love LOVED this story!

My Final Rating: five out of five stars

 

Holton Woods- A Series Review

Hey all! Happy hump day evening! I bring you good tidings annnnnnnd a new book (series) review! I apologize in advance because I went through a slight ordeal with this trilogy and, well, you'll see below when I'm reviewing and explaining the journey start-to-finish. 

The books I'm discussing tonight are the Holton Woods trilogy by Helenkay Dimon. Each story is really well written and thorough, but I had a bit of a bumpy road, and, well, my experience with them suffered because of my silly self. 

The first installment is called Mercy. It's hard for me to come up with words about this story. Let me start by saying I read book two first (seriously, just bear with me). When I found this book on the shelf of B&N... It wasn't this book, it was Only, which is the sequel. However, when I looked it up on goodreads, I didn't see anything about it being a trilogy, so I just grabbed the book I saw (two) and got started. See? Ridiculous, right?

I'm not going to talk about Only in this space, but I'll say, I found it enjoyable considering I read these out of order, and I wasn't sure if because of that, I felt a disconnect to the plot, but now that I read book one as well, I know that is not the case.

Overall, and on a technical note, Mercy was a good story. There was a plot and a lot going on. Paragraphs and pages flowed together beautifully. So on that note, I adored it and gave it full credit, I just couldn't connect with anyone and that put a distance between me and the text.

Questions I had after finishing book two were made clear having read book one, however, I didn't get to know these characters except for the time they spent together. Jarrett and Becca were involved and serious pretty quickly, and their jobs led to a massive falling out and even jail time for him. Now, she needs his help and as much as they want to hate each other and keep their interaction to strictly business, there's more there that they left unfinished when they parted ways the first time.

Aside from some insight to what happened that caused this pair to split in the first place, and a sliver of a glimpse as to Jarrett's childhood, I didn't know enough about this couple to really cheer them on the way I wanted to all throughout the text. 

My Final Rating: three out of five stars 

Okay, now on to book two, entitled, Only. This second installment revolves around Jarrett's lawyer, Sebastian Jameson, and the little sister of one of Jarrett's colleagues, Kyra. I enjoyed Bast and Kyra. They're a lovely dynamic. I did, however, feel they rushed they're feelings for each other a bit. 

Sebastian, or Bast, as he's called, recently settled a nasty divorce with his ex-wife who has since published a tell-all book about her ex-husband's habits in the bedroom. He's notorious in the Washington D.C. area, and that has attracted young Kyra's attention greatly. Now a grown working woman, she sees the man she wants, and isn't shy about pursuing him. Their relationship borders on taboo, but when they're together, they're quite explosive. 

I may have been too busy with life, but it may have been because I made the mistake of not reading Mercy first, but I finished this book and still had questions to a few unresolved issues in the plot. Due to these factors, I couldn't give this story more than three stars.

My Final Rating: three out of five stars

Without fail, I loved this book, entitled Mine, the most in the series! Gabe and Natalie are an absolute handful and both stubborn as mules, but they mirror each other quite well. I met these two briefly while I made my way through the first two books, so I'm glad I got more of their story. 

Thrown together for a CIA investigation, Gabe is hired to protect Natalie while there's a price on her head. They're flown off into no-man's-land to a teeny tiny cabin in Montana, and with very little else to do, these fiercely independent individuals have to find a way to become fast friends. 

While that's not necessarily how it goes, as a reader, I was thrilled I met characters I could connect with in some way. In their seclusion, they did some talking and were able to peel back the layers to reveal more of themselves with each other than they ever have with anyone else. 

When their location is forced to move elsewhere, the pair wind up at Gabe's house, and Natalie gets a final glimpse about any secrets Gabe had left for himself. She meets his son and brothers, and lines are crossed into a territory that is terrifying for the both of them. 

It's when more about Gabe's past comes into the spotlight that Natalie makes a life-altering decision for him. Going against Gabe's wishes, she does what she has to in order to ensure the future of his son, even if it causes her to lose Gabe in the process. 

Out of all three books in this series, these two won hands down. They're intense, sassy, and the chemistry is absolutely off-the-charts when they play their cards right. I saw more of the real them than I did with any of the other couples who came prior. They may have moved a bit quickly in their process of trying to become a couple, but I can see how it worked for them. Absolutely adored them as a couple and how much they adapted to make each other fit into a potential future as one! They may have a lot to learn, but I'm going to keep my fingers crossed for what comes down the road for the two of them. 

My Final Rating: four out of five stars

 

Beautiful Bastard- A Series Review

Hey all! Happy Thursday evening (at least in my neck of the woods). The weekend is upon us, and with it, I'm bringing you all a new book (series) review. So here's the deal, I picked up and read a book that's actually number 4.5 in its series, and when I went to review it on goodreads, I noticed that I haven't posted my past reviews for a single book in this series on my blog. I apologize because I LOVE all of these books and you guys all need to pick up copies if you haven't already, and read them right now. I'm talking about the Beautiful Bastard series by power team authors, Christina Lauren. The more installments of this batch that I read, the less I'm able to choose a favorite man or favorite couple. As we move on, you'll understand why. Let's dive right into book one. 

Appropriately titled, Beautiful Bastard, book one draws you in instantly. Bennett Ryan and Chloe Mills are a pair that can go at it in the worst (and BEST) ways. Bennett is rude as anything, but Chloe knows how to handle him and gives him back better than he gets. When things finally heat up and their tempers explode, so do their passions. No time or place is off-limits for these two and it makes for one sexy read! When work and play intermingle, Chloe and Bennett need to navigate waters that are foreign to them and decide the best way to handle their budding relationship. 

This book had me up until 6am and in finishing it, tore my heart out.. Giving me chest pains. I survived it though and I officially LOVE Bennett and Chloe. What a sassy couple! What a wonderful read that went by way too quickly. 

My Final Rating: four out of five stars

I stated with book one that I LOVE Bennett and Chloe, but in Beautiful Bitch (#1.5), my obsession grew! What a challenging and fun couple! These little novellas are just enough "extra" to help complete their story continued from Beautiful Bastard. 

I don't want to give too much away, but the premise has to do with Chloe getting accolades and a budding career. Her powerhouse man, Bennett, doesn't handle the time apart very well, and does everything he can to get his woman to himself for awhile. 

Needless to say, this couple goes toe-to-toe again, and all we get as an audience is fireworks.... explosive fireworks. 

My Final Rating: four out of five stars

Okay... I know Chloe and Bennett are our main couple, but having met Max Stella, the star of Beautiful Stranger, I'm going to pick him for myself. If someone could find me one of my very own, it would be GREATLY appreciated. 

There's really not much to say about this installment of BB but what it says on the cover. It's a perfect blend of sex, sass, and heart! Max is ridiculously charming (is it a British thing?) and I'm so glad Sara got to experience her own "happy". While I envy her and this man she's snatched up, I adore the world these two have created!

Sara was wounded from a long-term relationship, and I didn't blame her for building walls around herself, but I'm also really glad she encountered Max on a random night out. He might be a bit crazy compared to everything Sara has been used to, but he's also the best thing to happen to her. 

Together, they navigate her insecurities and past hurt. She makes Max want to commit to something long-term, and he makes her feel cherished and beautiful in her own skin.  

My Final Rating: four out of five stars

The gang is back in this interlude, Beautiful Bombshell. Bennett and the boys are in Vegas for a bachelor weekend, so obviously, chaos will ensue. 

With a bachelor weekend, comes a bachelorette weekend of sorts. The girls aren't too far away, and eventually need the guys to come to their rescue. With so many personalities in Sin City, this little story becomes something insane, yet totally amazing for a little getaway! 

This was just an all-around entertaining read! Super fun and sexy too! I loved the addition of Max's POV!

My Final Rating: four out of five stars

In book three, Beautiful Player, we meet Will Sumner, who is a total sweetheart and turns every girl around into a big pile of useless mush. 

I love this series and I love these men! Will... You sweet player... Your heart is in the right place. It made me love you even more, even if you didn't always know the best way to navigate a relationship. 

Hanna on the other hand, is the first girl in this trio that I wasn't super crazy about at first. She's so clueless and not in a super adorable way (please don't hate me). When she finally gets some sense knocked into her, she acts in the most juvenile way. Maybe because she's only 24 with lessons to learn? I have no idea, but I wrinkled my nose at her a few times. 

Thankfully, she comes to her senses, but geez Louise, at one point I was really ready to burn this book. It tore my heart out!

The end... The last page or so... Absolutely perfect and so adorable! I melted. Will gave Max a run for his money in my heart. 

My Final Rating: four out of five stars

Beautiful Beginning is the third novella in this batch of books. What a cute way to wrap up the Beautiful series with our original couple, and I'm not the least bit surprised. Bennett and Chloe are the sassiest couple I've ever met and it was nice to finally arrive at their wedding day. I was curious as to whether it would be full of sweet romance, or if it would have some of our trademark Bennett and Chloe attitude thrown into the mix as well. 

I did want a bit more closure with the last few pages, but it was a fun read. I knew more was in store for our batch of bastard friends.

My Final Rating: four out of five stars

Guys! in Beautiful Beloved, we get more of Max Stella, and oh my gosh, how I missed him and Sara! It was amazing to get reacquainted with this couple and see them as parents (spoiler alert)! Life certainly isn't the same for these two with a little one around, but they know how to make it work! Disasters be damned! Max is hell-bent on keeping the romance alive with his lovely wife, no matter what. 

I'm already in love with Niall as well. I know there was only a little snippet of him so far, but it's a good thing he gets his own book!

My only (minor) complaint with this story is the fact it only seems to be available as an e-book. I own the rest of the series in paperback, so not having a copy of this on my shelf drives me crazy. I've scanned all of the inter web and have had zero luck so far, so if anyone knows where I can get my paws on a tangible copy, I'd be forever grateful! 

My Final Rating: five out of five stars

Niall Stella... Niall-effing-Stella. We're up to his story in book four, Beautiful Secret, and I'm so excited for you all to meet him! Lordy. There are not enough words. He may be my favorite of all the Beautiful series men.. Or he may tie with his big bro, Max. I'm a sucker for a man with an accent, especially a British one, so I'll take either one, if not both of them. 

Most romance writers enjoy the tough guy or the hard shell of a business mogul who can't be penetrated when it comes to his complicated emotions. It was super refreshing to discover not only a gentleman at heart, but a man who had made a massive mistake in his own way, yet remains hopeful when it comes to love. Sure, he's ridiculously reserved and needs to break out of his shell, but his past never made him cold, calculating, or even a pessimist about his future. 

Meeting the spark plug that is Ruby Miller, he never gives into his animal, primal, male instincts to push her. If anything, the roles are reversed. She's a ballsy and driven girl who seduces him (in her own way) but takes her time to coach him through his previous blunders in order for him to share his heart again and truly become intimate as a couple. 

I thoroughly enjoyed this read and I'm sad I went through it as quickly as I did. What girl doesn't want a man with a lovely accent who calls her names like "dove" or "darling"? Seriously? Swoon city.

My Final Rating: five out of five stars

Finally, we're at the final installment in this series (for now... I'm sure we're not done with the likes of this gang). This little novella, Beautiful Boss, brings more of Will, Hanna, and friends! I was beyond thrilled! This beautiful player got to marry his brilliant-but-weird science professor! It was such a cute and intimate wedding before they headed off into the sunset of marital bliss, or do they? 

Hanna is eyeballs deep in job-hunting for Ph.D. lab programs, and Will is ready to pack up and move wherever his beloved wife chooses she wants to settle down.. Even if it's not their NYC stomping grounds. However, they can't do anything until Hanna makes a decision, which she won't do. 

She's known to bury her head in the sand whereas Will wants her to lay her cards on the table and express her wants and desires so they can discuss things together. Their differing opinions on how to approach their future as a unit lead them to some catastrophic blow-ups just a week into their marriage. Luckily, Will and Hanna know how to remedy those situations in the closest way possible, and it seems to make their fighting worth it if it means they can be bonded even closer afterwards.

I loved reuniting with the newlyweds plus Max and Sara, their baby, Anna, and Bennett and Chloe. Their group is so fun and I've really enjoyed my time with every single couple. I can't seem to get enough, so here's hoping there's more from these guys down the road! Now that Will and Hanna have finally decided to pack up and move, I'm anxious to know how married life continues after their relocation!

My Final Rating: five out of five stars

Indebted- A Series Review

Helllooooo, bibliophiles! Long time, no see! I know I warned you all I was starting a bit of a lengthy series and I would be M.I.A. until it was finished, but I didn't know it would take this long. Let me explain. Aside from real life and the silliness of adulthood, I needed emotional and mental breaks from my current series. I knew going into it that it was a dark romance, but I wasn't prepared for how dark. It was consuming and wound up shattering my soul to the core. What book or series could possibly do such a thing? The Indebted series by Pepper Winters.

It all starts with book one, Debt Inheritance. I was not sure I know what to do with this story once I was done. How could only 200+ pages be so dark and twisted? As I kept forging ahead, I repeated, "this is so f*cked up". However, I couldn't let issues and conflict go unanswered, so for my own sanity, I plowed ahead and moved forward.

Nothing about this story is pleasant. It probably makes you wonder why I kept reading it at all, right? The writing is gorgeous despite the ominous mood throughout and some sick side of me needed to keep going with it to find out how the hell all this madness ends. Like I stated prior, I needed a sense of closure.

Nila Weaver is part of a long line that owes a tremendous debt. No one knows what the debt consists of or why, but the Hawk clan are sharks in the water, and they want blood. Weaver blood.. and LOTS of it. Just as Nila reaches a pinnacle in her successful fashion design career, she's all but swept away into Jethro Hawk's custody before madness ensues and her future tumbles out of her control.

The poor girl is essentially stripped of her identity, made to sleep with dogs in a kennel, is barely given clothes or food, and has to serve everyone in the house, in any way they request, no questions asked. For everything she does correctly, and without argument, she gets a sliver of her own family history. For everything she refuses, she is punished severely and her life is threatened.

I've been warned that once this series ends, I'm going to need recovery time. I want to say I'm ready for it, but I'm not sure I can be 100% honest on that front. As I move on, you'll see why.

My Final Rating: four out of five stars

 

Good gahhhhhh!!! Book two, First Debt, happens, and it's brutal. What the hell is up with this series?! I mean, congrats to Pepper Winters because she has my sanity off its freaking rocker with the Hawk family.

I mean, I essentially knew what to expect from them, but when it came to Nila, her emotions and reactions, I was with Jethro because I was forever surprised. The heart and the mind are getting all mixed up and I could see this building to a bloody mess (quite literally, not just the cheeky expression).

How does it sit properly in a reader's mind that the heroine of this saga is living in a massive English estate, among her family's enemy, while she pays back debts that are centuries old before they eventually kill her... and she knows it's coming? I know Nila was strictly in survival mode, but I did plenty of freaking out for her because as the story progresses, I kept thinking of what her end result was supposed to be and I was so uncomfortable knowing what was ahead for her.

Even accidentally stumbling across a few spoilers and knowing how some things would play out (I'm sorry, I couldn't help knowing just a little for my own comfort), didn't seem to help me sleep better at night for this poor girl. Holy Moses, what a roller coaster. I tried to plow through these books because they're of reasonable length, but I couldn't because the subject matter put me on overload.

 

My Final Rating: five out of five stars

 

 



I'm not kidding when I say these books might be the death of me. You think they can't get worse as they progress, but they absolutely do, and book three, Second Debt, proves just that. Each individual installment was so twisted that my heart got palpitations from the ridiculous good vs. evil of these stories.

Nila Weaver is still under the control of the Hawk family. Centuries have passed and they're above the law, so they get away with extracting debt from her against her will, as has been done for hundreds of years, only now, things are getting complicated and Nila is taking control.

One minute, I'm screaming at Nila to run from Jethro. Who sticks by the man who has been destined to torture and eventually kill you? While I understand the girl's mentality and the line of her thought process, it's still a LOT to wrap my brain around. I don't think it's something I'd be strong enough to do, but she's in survival mode, so I had to give her credit for her bravery.

One small sliver of hope in this series was Jethro's icy exterior FINALLY beginning to crack. I didn't think it would, however, it's scary to think that the more he begins to feel for Nila, the more danger he puts both of them in. They're sharing a house with a family who wouldn't hesitate to kill either of them. 

 Another thing, the cliffhangers made me cuckoo!

 

My Final Rating: five out of five stars

 

When it came to this series, and book four, Third Debt, especially, I wasn't sure how much more my heart could handle. Going into these books, I knew how rough it would be, and I was prepared for how brutal they really are, but I still felt blindsided every time I turned a page. Hell, I even came across some reviews with spoilers and knew (sort of) how it ended, and I was STILL beyond unsettled.

Nila and Jethro are playing with fire, and their lives are about to turn into a bloodbath. As much as they try to remain apart and fill their hearts with hate for one another, or just feel void of all emotions entirely, they can't deny their destiny. They can't deny each other anymore. Whether Jethro keeps popping pills and remaining secluded in his bachelor wing, or Nila spends time with his kinder brother, Kestrel, there's still an undeniable love between them that they can't hide from much longer, even if it would mean saving their own lives.

Nila's days are numbered the longer she remains imprisoned with the Hawks. She's coming to terms with her mortality, and it's starting to break her. She needs Jethro now more than ever, but because of their surnames, he must do what he can to remain her mortal enemy, her tormentor, and her executioner.

While I worried endlessly for Nila, I was also very aware of Jethro, because the more he denied her and what his heart felt for her, the closer he was coming to his own demise. His father is watching his son's every move, and he's not happy. Unlike most fathers, he's not afraid to kill, and now instead of one target, he has at least two.

I was petrified to move on, but move on to the next installment, I did!!

My Final Rating: five out of five stars

 

This series is absolutely unreal. My heart is shattered into a million pieces, my head is ready to explode, and I've been walking around in a funk since I began book one what feels like ages ago. Yet, still, I continue on because one, Pepper Winters has reeled me in hook, line, and sinker, and two, because I can't stop now and not know how this saga will end.

As I was about 90% done with this installment, Fourth Debt, I thought, "You know what? All the torture and abuse that has happened throughout this story have been obliterated because when something good happens, it's so unbelievable, that it just tramples over the darkness tenfold". Never let yourself think that with these books.. not one of them.

Jethro and his brother, Kes, are dead, Vaughn (Nila's twin brother) is in captivity, Jasmine, Jethro's sister, is hindered by her family and kept from being Nila's last hope, and Cut (Jethro's father), Bonnie (Jethro's grandmother), and Daniel (Jethro's youngest brother), have increased their method of torture on Ms. Weaver to the point she finally begins to crack. Not just crack really, but splinter apart entirely. She tries desperately to cling to a sliver of hope to kill them all and get revenge for everyone and everything they've taken from her, but as days turn to weeks, she becomes a ghost of herself, and loses her spark by the minute. Which was exactly the Hawks' goal.

Unbeknownst to her, help is on the way in the form of an army, but will they arrive too late to save her?

As usual, I was gobsmacked (yep.. went there). I had a feeling it would end the way it did, but I refuse to wrap my brain around it because it was too much to handle. I had nothing more to say than to just shut down and shut off the outside world until I could get through book six and the epilogue because the cliffhangers are shredded me apart, and I don't enjoy a lack of closure. Even though my heart is ready to burst from the suspense and the amount of evil Nila and her few alliances must endure in order to simply survive, I still insisted on pressing on so that I would know they must be okay when I hit the last page of the final book. My fingers were forever crossed and I'm struggled onward no matter how much it hurt!

 

 

My Final Rating: five out of five stars

 

 

My thoughts weren't even coherent by time I finished book six, Final Debt! What a ride! This story has gone so many different ways since I first began this journey, and almost everyone is completely changed compared to where they started.

The debts are coming due faster and in a much more brutal manner. Nila and Jethro are tested to their absolute limits. Honestly, the reason it took me so long to read this installment was because I had to keep taking breaks. Trying to understand the magnitude of the torture they were enduring both physically and mentally drove me insane to the point I found their story hard to handle and keep in the palm of my hand.

The entire concept behind this series is sick and twisted, but I couldn't help but remain intrigued and find out if either of their characters were capable of proper change and a chance at a true future. I won't spoil that aspect, but I will say this series has essentially rendered me speechless. What a powerful story. Told so brutally and in an absolutely stunning manner.

 

My Final Rating: five out of five stars

 

What a wonderful ending to a tale I wasn't so sure would achieve any level of happiness what-so-ever!
This journey was a long one, and frankly, one that wrecked my emotions to no end. All along the way, I had friends who had read the series encourage me to stick with it, but at points, I had to wonder if they were nuts. Whenever I thought, "things can't possibly get worse", they always did, and I couldn't see a light at the end of the tunnel for Nila or Jethro, and that broke my heart.

Reading the epilogue and finding out what happens after all the debts of the inheritance are repaid, brought immense closure to my mind and my heart. While it did go the way I thought it might, there were also a few surprises thrown into the mix which kept me on my toes as well. The epilogue did a fantastic job of giving me all I asked for and more as I trudged through the first six stories. That light I couldn't see, finally made its presence known, and it was blinding in radiance and happiness!

Needless to say, friends, you're not crazy for making me stick with this story. I'm insanely glad I saw it through to the end, and now, a messed up part of me is sad to leave these characters behind. My time at Hawksridge may have been terrifying at first, but eventually, it became a bit of a home, so I'm bummed to leave the hills and valleys of the English countryside with the Hawk family and find a new batch of characters to love.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need time to tend to my wounds and heal what's left of my heart.

My Final Rating: five out of five stars