The Crown (The Selection #5)- A Review

Hey, everyone! Two reviews in less than 24 hours. Who knew? Today, I'm reviewing The Crown which is book five (and the final installment) in The Selection series by Kiera Cass. I binged on these books last month thinking that The Crown was already out in stores. When I got closer to the end of the books I already had, and found out it wasn't being released until May 3rd, I was beyond mad at myself. I had to wait a few weeks on a cliffhanger to find out what the fate of Eadlyn, her family, and their kingdom would be. Needless to say, when Amazon dropped this puppy off at my house on release day, I couldn't wait to dive in, so, here we are! To read my compiled review on books #1-4 along with their novellas, you can go here.

I was very pleased once I had gotten to the last page in The Crown. I'm so glad Eadlyn finally matured beyond what she was in The Heir. Between books four and five, she blossomed and opened her eyes to her people and to a love like the one her parents shared.

I have to admit, after five books and four novellas, I got a bit teary saying goodbye to these characters. We parted on fantastic terms, but coming to the end was bittersweet.

I couldn't decide which man would be best suited to the future queen of Illéa out of the Elite in the Selection. I liked each individual of the final six for different reasons and at points, I wanted her to choose all of them because I hated seeing them go. Ean and Hale were charming and protective, Kile became the most unlikely of friends and companions, Fox was a gentleman, Gunner was a constant source of support, and Henri was too precious for words. Eric (aka Eikko), Henri's translator also served a level of importance. I adored each and every one of these boys and what they each brought to the table when it came to their queen.

However, when it became obvious where her heart was directing her, I wanted to scream at her to start breaking rules and tradition, otherwise there may not be a happily ever after. I'm glad other voices in her circle felt the same.

Having to choose between true love and duty or obligation was absolutely nerve-wracking. I devoured this book so I could get answers for my own sanity and know where both Eadlyn's future and the fate of Illéa would lie. What a ride it was! I was unsure about picking up this series in the beginning, but I'm not only glad that I did, but I'm thrilled I saw it through and got to experience such a charming story.

My Final Rating: four out of five stars

Honeymoon in Paris & The Girl You Left Behind- A Review

Happy Monday, everyone! My apologies for being a bit MIA. One, my reading has slacked big time. Adulthood has been kicking my butt lately so regrettably, my books have been a bit on the back-burner. Two, I had a minor hand injury last week (well, thumb) and that halted a lot of my writing/typing for a couple of days. You never realize how important thumbs are to that process until your dominant one is out of commission. It's actually going to take me several weeks to heal up, but it feels better than it did last week, so, forward I go! 

I digress. Tonight, I'm finally going to be reviewing another novel (and bonus novella) from Jojo Moyes. Call it a gearing up for Me Before You movie release if you will. A few weeks back, a friend and I had a Barnes & Noble outing to just browse. My TBR is honestly endless, but as I wandered, nothing was quite speaking to me, until it hit me. I just had this feeling I needed to finally binge and stock up on every Moyes story they had on their shelves (I apologize here and now if I cleaned them out of their inventory). Although I have a love/hate relationship with MBY, I admired and adored Jojo's work, so I had to go through every book she's ever written and just read read read. With the following stories, I got a few more of her literary adventures under my belt. 

Honeymoon in Paris was the prequel to The Girl You Left Behind, which I actually read after the main story. I had no idea these 60 pages were hiding in the back of my novel, so I didn't get to it until I had already read the book that was meant to be second in line. 

This was a bit heartbreaking to read. I guess this is usual with a Moyes story. Two couples, decades apart, tell their stories of life after marriage during the lune de miel, also known as the honeymoon. 

In 2002, Liv is left to wander the streets of Paris alone while her new husband, David, spends three of their five days in meetings with prospective partners in order to launch his reputation in the world of architecture. In 1912, Sophie must learn of her husband, Edouard's passionate past as an artist. 

Both couples are in new and unknown territory, and the honeymoon phase is not going quite how they hoped or dreamed. Just goes to show that weddings and marriage aren't all they're always cracked up to be, you just have to wonder if they'll endure, or let their demons get the best of them. To have things end before they can start would be thoroughly heartbreaking.

My Final Rating: four out of five stars

The Girl You Left Behind comes after the honeymoon period is long over. I adored this book. I knew it was a story of war and long, lost love, but I had no idea of the direction it would take me. 

It's 1916 and Sophie is left in the French countryside with her brother, sister, and all of their respective children while her husband, Edouard and her brother in-law, Jean Michele, fight at the front in the First World War. 

While that isn't hard enough, their village and home are occupied by enemy Germans. The hardships this family goes through is absolutely heart-wrenching. 

In the 2000s, Liv is trying to navigate life as a young widow. Her husband, David, has suddenly passed a few years prior, and she's been lost and wandering ever since.

Both Sophie and Liv are connected by a particular painting that seems to have traveled through time, and they both fight their own wars to defend the priceless work of art. It's sentiment is worth more than any punishment or legal action they may endure. While I didn't necessarily agree with how they always handled situations presented to them, it was nice to see strong women holding their ground in variations of adversity. I loved being in Paris at the turn of the century and in current-day London in order to partake in the adventures these ladies embarked on in order to survive and truly endure. 

My Final Rating: four out of five stars 

Stella's Awakening- A Review

Good evening, bookworms! Happy (almost) Friday! It's a rainy Thursday evening my way and it's actually matching my mood because my latest read has positively destroyed me. I figured, why not share a review and make all of you suffer with me? I think it's pretty brilliant. 

On a quick side note, I have a few projects in the works, and plan to make some announcements soon, but for now, you can find The Blabbing Bibliophile is officially on Twitter! If you have interest in anything literary, give me a follow here. 

Anyway, back to the book on deck. It's a debut novel from up-and-coming author R.K. Ryde and I am so beyond blown away, I'm sure this review won't make any sense. I love my romance novels and I adore a solid book boyfriend, but I think I have to say, if there are any sexy and steamy reads that are a MUST for 2016, Stella's Awakening is absolutely the number one for the year (on my list anyway). 

I am left absolutely shattered by this story. Conrad and Stella have thoroughly ruined any heart I thought I may have! I can't tell you how close I am to hopping a plane from the States out to Australia to beg and plead Ryde for book two right this very instant because I'm so distraught!! I need answers, and I absolutely need more of this couple! She could write twenty plus books about these two and I'll still need more. 

I tried as best as I could to savor the pages of this stunning tale, but I wound up having zero control and wound up devouring all 495 pages in less than a 48 hour period. 

Stella Welsch is a thriving name in the interior design world. Her business and client list is ever-expanding, but her success came at a price. Being raised as a sheltered Jehovah's Witness, her education and independence aren't necessarily looked upon with unwavering pride. 

Conrad Adams is a mogul and one of Australia's most eligible bachelors. When he spots Miss Welsch window-shopping at Tiffany's with her usual morning coffee, he knows instantly that he wants her in any way he can possess her. Striking up a business deal for an office makeover, the two become friendly on a professional level, but before it can cross a line into any gray areas, Stella takes a step back and cuts ties with the Adonis. Her devout beliefs frown on much of what Conrad is looking for; true love and a soul mate. It doesn't seem like too much to ask, but for Stella, she could lose everything she's ever known.

In a moment of weakness, Stella finds herself contacting Conrad for help. Her head and her heart are conflicted and it's all down (or up) hill from here on out. The pair have a walk and a heart-to-heart and become inseparable. Conrad is patient and attentive with Stella while she teaches him about her past and the demons she's been hiding for years. Through mutual respect and time spent understanding one another's boundaries, their feelings escalate relatively quickly, and life becomes a fairy tale for the two. 

Unfortunately, the other shoe has to drop. I had a feeling something was lurking in the depths, but all Hell broke loose and I was left wanting to scream in the middle of my office. Hence my heart going bye-bye. 

I don't remember the last time I met a man as enamored as Conrad was with Stella. He is gentle, kind, patient, and fiercely protective of her delicate innocence and I couldn't help but swoon over him for looking out for her. It made me glad to know how instantly devoted she was to him as well. When it came to their partnership, she was united with him and never questioned her morals. Yes, her inner voices battled it out on occasion, but never to the point she ran scared or frightened from his presence. She was bold, brave, and inquisitive about how worldly people like Conrad dealt with relationships. Her willingness to learn made it so easy for them to fall head-over-heels so quickly. 

I also learned a great deal about her Witness lifestyle, and knew that would be the couples main obstacle. I knew little about the belief but knew it was a strict practice. The intricate politics behind the scenes were uncomfortable to deal with since I felt protective of Stella as well. I just wanted to see her and Conrad happy, but with her family and church community having such strong convictions, the pair knew an attempt at bliss would come at a price neither of them wanted to pay. 

My heart aches for them both individually, and as a couple. I'm scrambling for book two because I have so many unanswered questions! Ryde did a fantastic job of tearing my heart out  and leaving splinters when it came to these two, both in their good moments as bad. I'm left speechless as to convey my emotions properly. I'm clouded, and in an absolute funk until I get book two in my hands. 

My Final Rating: five out of five stars

My Favorite Shoppe- A Literary Adventure!

Hey hey out there to all of you book lovers! Happy Sunday to you (if it's still Sunday where you are). Today, I had a bit of an adventure and I felt I just had to get on here when I got the chance and tell you all about what happened! This is book related, I promise!

With the weekend comes down time (if I'm lucky), and sometimes, one of my friends and I take "Sunday Funday drives". We simply get in the car with a few destinations in mind, and head out on a spontaneous trip and see what the day brings. Somehow, we almost always find outdoor festivals, art shows, and random events. Today was no different. After some deliberation, we decided we would trek an hour from the good, old garden state and head across the river to Pennsylvania. Normally, we wander into New Hope and take a gander at the antique and art boutiques before grabbing a cafe lunch and whatnot.

Today was not much different. We headed in that general direction, but into another portion of New Hope called Lahaska and we found Peddler's Village. If you're ever in the area and need something fun do do on a quiet Sunday, I urge you to take a stroll around this place! It's so quaint and lovely to just lose yourself in some shopping, good food, and scenery for a bit.  It's like stepping back in time and it couldn't have been more needed at the time by yours truly. I could NOT get enough!

Anyway, my friend and I popped into some shops and enjoyed a window view at brunch to people watch. It's when we wandered into My Favorite Shoppe that I felt I truly hit the jackpot. Inside this mini-paradise were assorted gifts ranging from jewelry to household essentials, antiques, and contemporary trinkets. 

What caught my eye, however, were the cases and stacks of books. Old and new, for adults and children, the shelves and cases were packed and I didn't know where to look first! Luckily for me, there was a gentleman there who was so informative and helpful, and needless to say, I was in utter heaven. 

I stayed lost among the shelves for quite awhile (I wish I had gotten more pictures of the cases, because they were enchanting). What I loved most was the amount of rare and first editions that were on hand. Not only did I get to look through the information provided by the card written in each book, but the man who helped me was just as in love with literature as I was. Aside from a few university professors I had the privilege of studying with, this gentleman was extremely knowledgable on the books I happened to pick up and peruse. Obviously, I couldn't leave empty-handed, and it was nearly impossible to depart with just a few titles, but rare books are a bit pricey, so I decided to build up my collection slowly in that regard. The ones I left with this afternoon were The Haunted Grange of Goresthorpe, The Seven Seas, and The Call of the Wild. 

The Call of the Wild: 

As the card states, this was a very rare and early 1906 printing of the famous Jack London novel. There is an inscription inside dated September 1st of that year to Frank Masou from Uncle Sam. That personal touch gave this one just a touch of personal sentiment. Also, shortly after this edition was printed, they stopped putting portraits on the covers. 

The Haunted Grange of Goresthorpe: 

While this short story was published in 2000, it's still considered rare. It is a first publication of an otherwise known ghost story written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. It's a collector because there are only 500 copies circulating in the world and it is no longer in print. Even though it's new(er), I still find this one my favorite among the treasures I purchased today. 

The Seven Seas: 

This is one of the most famous collections of poetry by Rudyard Kipling. You may know him as the author of The Jungle Book. With the popularity soaring due to the new Disney movie, the prices matched the mini-hysteria. There was a rare (and stunning) copy of those stories on the shelf as well, but I wanted to get something a little less known, even to me. I had no idea Kipling published poetry! This is a First American Edition from 1897 and also includes an inscription from July 4th of the publication year. 

Needless to say, I am over-the-moon that I found this shop and such a helpful and informative man to geek out with regarding my love of books. I learned so much that I should have taken notes. There are facts I had been told about these books that I don't even remember. While they did put a tiny dent in my bank account, they were 110% worth the money. My classics section of my shelves are vast and I do own quite a bit (not to toot my own horn), but I have never had the privilege of owning such pieces. I can only hope to visit my new literary friends at this store one day soon and see what else they have (They get new novels on a weekly basis)! 

Like I said, if you are in the area and need a bookish place to go and visit, this store is an absolute MUST! You will NOT regret the pieces you are guaranteed to come across. 

I think it's time I go give these books a sniff (yes, they smell divine), and give them a proper home on my shelves. Until next time, bibliophiles... happy reading! 

Crossfire- A Series Review

Good evening, bibliophiles! Two posts in one day? What is happening? It's me trying to catch up on the blog posts I want to bring to all of you. I've been slacking, so here's hoping I can start to get back on schedule. 

Tonight, I'm pretty excited because I'm finally bringing you one of my favorite series I've ever read! The books tonight were some of my first real glimpses at the romance genre, and I basically got sucked in afterwards. I'm talking about the Crossfire series by the one and only, Sylvia Day. I read the trilogy over three years ago, and waited for books four and five to be released before properly reviewing the complete set. Needless to say, that day is finally here! Let's delve into the world of Crossfire Industries, shall we? 

Bared to You is where we first encounter the force that is Gideon Geoffrey Cross. He's brooding, isolated, and the master of his own universe, but little does he know, an encounter with a feisty blonde is going to change everything he's ever known. 

Eva Tramell is a recent transplant to New York City from San Diego, California. Gideon Cross is the mogul of majority of Manhattan, one of the most eligible bachelors, and owner of Cross Industries. One day, when Eva takes a jog and visits where she'll be working as an administrative assistant to a massive advertising firm, she winds up in the lobby of the Crossfire, and in the path of one Gideon Cross. When they literally slam into each other, the ground shifts, and both of their worlds are forever turned upside down. 


I just need to say that I am SO glad I met these two! To say I was obsessed with Gideon's intensity and Eva's strength right from the beginning is a total understatement. I had times when I wanted to keep Gideon in my own bed and other times, I was so angry with him that my heart broke...because I still loved him anyway. I can NOT get enough of this man  or this couple! 


If you want a sexy read similar to Fifty Shades but actually written well, I highly suggest this series!

My Final Rating: five out of five stars

Reflected in You means more Gideon, and more heartbreak! Mine was in my throat for such a chunk of this book and although I had faith in Eva and Gideon, I still worried nonstop. 

When most couples are just starting out, their lives are like a fairy tale and everything is perfect. Gideon and Eva are not most couples, and I kind of admire them for it, because I just had a feeling in my gut that they'd fight for each other. Both of them have pasts consisting of abuse, and as two survivors, they must learn to navigate and build a life together, while also trying to banish their demons once and for all. It's when those pasts come back to haunt them, that all hell breaks loose, and they wind up on the brink of losing everything they've created as a couple. 

What a sexy sequel. I couldn't put it down yet struggled with trying to pace myself just so I could spend more time with this amazing pair.

My Final Rating: five out of five stars

I love love loved the third installment in this series, Entwined With You!! I know some other reviews felt it was dragging when it didn't need to, but personally, I adored every second! With book two being the emotional rollercoaster that it was, it seemed like book three and their attempt at a happy ending wasn't possible. I'm so glad that us readers got something worthwhile after everything this couple had been through in their short time together. 

I'm a total sucker for having all loose ends tied up and this did it and I STILL crave more of this couple. I know it seems pointless to keep going with this story to make books four and five, but I think since this series has been bought to be adapted for television, I could see it still going. Oh goodness, Gideon on my tv every week.. Now that makes a girl all warm and fuzzy inside. I can't wait! 

My Final Rating: five out of five stars

I've waited over a year for more Gideon, and I finally got that with Captivated by You. Sylvia Day does NOT disappoint! I couldn't form words for this installment once I was done with it.  

Gideon and Eva.. Will this couple ever catch a break? They really do get hit from all angles in this book, but I love how fiercely they hold onto each other to try and get through every obstacle. After book three was done, I breathed a sigh of relief thinking that they got their happily ever after and were in the clear from turmoil, and I was 110% wrong on all counts. 

After a private vacation, the couple have a massive secret they're trying to keep under wraps and enjoy for a little while, but once they get back to Manhattan, it seems the world has turned against them, and their bubble of happiness bursts. 

Gideon is a dream, as usual. I totally need one of my very own. He's fantastic, despite how shattered he has been throughout his life. Eva is such a good match for him, so I wish people would stop trying to destroy what they're trying to build together. I would personally enjoy some Cross babies next but who knows! 

I could NOT imagine what book five would bring, nor the television series! Sylvia could honestly write 20 books about Mr. Cross and I'd never tire of him, or his life with Eva. Now there's an idea!

My Final Rating: five out of five stars

The other day, book five, the last in the series, One With You was finally released. Despite a million interruptions, I finished it, and along with the bittersweet feeling of saying goodbye to this series, I'm also split in two on how I felt once I was finished. I'm sure most of you who have already read it may be wondering what I'm thinking once you see my final rating, but just hear me out. Honestly, I'll do my best to try to explain how my head is compartmentalizing aspects of this last installment. 

I've adored this series since I first met Gideon and Eva back in 2013. These characters were absolute forces to be reckoned with, complete and total storms brewing, and I loved every tortured, agonizing, whiplash minute of their journey. From Bared To You all the way through to One With You, I've enjoyed  seeing how this couple was able to grow and defeat not only their demons, but also every outside. 

For roughly 80-85% of this book, I loved where it was going. I was so excited for everything the pair had coming their way for once. Loose ends were being settled and all the people who tried to tear these two apart were being put in their place. Gideon and Eva were waiting so long for their happily ever after, and I was thrilled they were finally on the same page and ready for the next chapter.

It was towards the end when a random situation with Monica (Eva's mother) happened that everything turned negative for me, and I wound up disappointed. It caused the ending to feel rushed and left too much up in the air and not quite as happy as one would imagine if you were Gideon or Eva. 

Maybe it's because I hate endings (hello, guilty American here.. our shows and books go on for way too long), but if all that nonsense was going down out of the blue, the book could have ended there and then there could have been just one more story in the works. Having to crunch an ending into 50ish pages wasn't the way to go for me, and I was left a bit gobsmacked that after everything I went through with these two, that was all I would get as a way of tying everything up in a neat little bow. I'm trying to be okay with it, but for now, that ending along with the awareness of never having more Gideon and Eva in my life just leaves me feeling sad. If that makes sense. 

The four stars I decided on at the end are because when it comes to the couple themselves, they were perfection as always. I just love their dynamic, and I always have. I refuse to absolutely pan one of my favorite love stories just because of a choppy ending that I didn't picture in my head. No, I'm not happy with it, but I was immensely satisfied for so much of the overall series that I just don't have the heart to feel entirely crushed beyond repair. 

I suppose I'll just wait and see what licensing brings to the tv series (whenever that hits the small screen), and in the meantime, I'll keep my fingers crossed for at least a novella of some sort, because I just need more of these two, even if it's only a sliver.

My Final Rating: four out of five stars

 

**COMING SOON** Updates and Giveaways!

Hello and good evening, bibliophiles!! I hope everyone is having a lovely (and book-filled) weekend! It's Friday evening in my neck of the woods, and since I'm super popular and social, I thought I'd spend a moment to announce some ideas I'm bringing to the blog and also give you all your first chance at a giveaway! Get excited!

In the last few months, this community has grown into something of its own. I am in no way "internet famous" or doing things on a grandiose scale, but some of the opportunities that have come my way have caused me to do some pondering and become stoked about ways I can expand this bookish little blog! These ideas have been festering for awhile, but now I'm ready to actually put a bit of extra time and bring these new creations into this literary world.

1) Reviews: Yes, they're going to continue. As I stated in a past blog post, if the book or series I'm reading has made the crossover into film or television, I hope to include my perspective, thoughts, and reviews on the screen adaptations as well. With that expansion, there should be some movie trailers, clips, and visuals of the sort coming your way. Just gives the book reviews that much more definition.

2) ARCs: Having this space and a platform on social media has allowed me opportunities to work with up-and-coming authors who are looking for people to read and review their books honestly. These stories are called ARCs (advanced reader copies). As an avid reader, blogger, writer, and reviewer, I can't tell you how thankful I am every time an author reaches out to me and looks for my input. Yeah, they say opinions are like assholes (pardon my french) and everyone has one. I am well aware that I'm no different from any other blogger/vlogger out there, but I hope I bring some sort of personality and unique voice to the literary world. Not only do I get advanced peaks at new material, but I'm also lucky enough to have a chat here and there with the authors and other reviewers and wind up forming friendships that stretch across states and continents. For a common love of reading, like I said, I'm thankful and can't wait to include more ARCs in the review process.

3) Book Hauls, Shelfies, and TBRs: I thought this would be a fun little aspect of my universe in the reading process, from the book-buying experience, to my ever-expanding reading piles, what my shelves are looking like these days, more of an idea of the genres I'm obsessing over at the moment, and more. Maybe this is me being straight-up geeky about my books, but I thought it would be fun to delve into.

4) Cover Reveals: This is new even for me. More authors are looking for bloggers to share covers when they are released in order to create hype for pre-order and eventual sales. I'm right there with them and for them. These are authors of all kinds of genres and I admire their stories and work, so I'm happy to help spread the love. Plus, we all adore a gorgeous cover, even if they tell us not to judge our books by them. They're still pretty to look at, right?

5) Miscellaneous Projects: From entires like My Ultimate Dream Library and A Bookish Rant, I enjoy getting any thoughts and feedback I can about their experiences with books. Whether I'm being contacted to come up with my fantasy shelves or we're talking about book shaming or what non-readers say to you when you choose books over a social life, I'd love to talk about it!

6) Giveaways: This is exactly how it sounds. I don't do these too often because I find it hard to get that creative in the giveaway aspect, but I do love giving out bookish treats when I can! Keep your eyes peeled.... because it starts now! Check it out!!

***Hey hey! Happy Friday! Anyone fancy a Christina Lauren ✨GIVEAWAY✨ this is entirely due to my stupidity. I forgot I had pre-ordered #BeautifulBoss via Amazon... And when I went to my local B&N before it was even released, I happened to spot it out on the shelves and grabbed one. Thanks to my silly jackrabbit skills.. You'll now benefit!! Who can resist a free book?! I know I can't! Here's what you have to do, follow me on Instagram, tag a friend, repost, and go like my Facebook page, The Blabbing Bibliophile, for a chance to win! I'll choose a winner on Monday (4/5/16)... So... Good luck!!***

~Beautiful Boss (#4.5 in the Beautiful Bastard Series by Christina Lauren!

The ninth work in the New York Times and #1 internationally bestselling series that started with Beautiful Bastard. In this e-novella, Will Sumner and Hanna Bergstrom (from Beautiful Player) find that a wedding and everlasting love were just the beginning.

One Player tamed. One nerd girl satisfied. And one more major life decision to make. When Will fell for Hanna, her quirky sense of humor and fierce dedication to her career were part of the attraction. (Not to mention her coy newbie attitude toward sex and her willingness to let him teach her everything.) But when the job offers start rolling in for her—and oh, they do—Hanna has trouble deciding what she wants, where they should live, and how much she should burden Will with the decision. Magic between the sheets is only one part of a relationship...getting on the same page is quite another altogether.

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

 

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