Wanderlove (Wanderlove, #1)

Nov 13, 2011 Krista (CubicleBlindness Reviews) rated it 3 of 5 stars

When I started reading this book I was so excited to jump into something different. It begins with a very fast paced runaway scene, stealing cars, visions and gypsies. The first section of the book kept me really engaged. I liked meeting the characters and the different twist of adding gypsies and their powers and politics. The second section of the book, although still written very well I had a harder time getting through. It revolved heavily around the characters relationships with each other...more

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Jan 08, 2012 Stephenie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to Stephenie by: Debbie (at) I Heart YA Books

Shelves: favorites-2011

Wow! Just not what I expected. I've never read of gypsies and I am so glad that I heard of this one! Thank you Debbie (at) I Heart YA Books for the lovely review. You were spot on!

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Feb 01, 2012 Stephanie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed

Wow! I was blown away by what a awesome read Wanderlove was. I was so fascinated by the gypsy world Belle created that I started reading and before I knew it on was on the last page screaming, "No! It can't be over already!"
I loved that there were no vampires or werewolves, just reincarnated gypsies that have the gift of remembering their past lives. However, Lola is unlike any other gypsy, she doesn't have the ability to remember anything from her past lives. So when gypsy traditions force Lol...more

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Aug 30, 2012 Grace rated it 3 of 5 stars

really not what i expected from this book, i expected it to be about 1 girl who has this underlying feeling of love for one boy while falling in love for another...the most boring and typical type of book you can find these days..but this book wasn't about that all, in fact it was different, very different.
Lola is running away from home because of her father choices he made father, she ends up back to her grandmothers were she finds a man called Gabe of which she seems to have this pull towards...more

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Jun 03, 2012 Cathy Givans rated it 5 of 5 stars

Wanderlove was one of those books that I seemed to have a hard time getting into, mostly because it just wasn’t what I had wanted to read at the moment. It really had nothing to do with the book itself; I just wasn’t interested in the kind of story it promised to tell at the time. So, it sat on my Kindle for months. Finally, I sunk my teeth into it.

At first, I was horribly frustrated. The Kindle app on my phone wouldn’t read the formatting completely. Words in the margins were cut off. And I ke...more Wanderlove was one of those books that I seemed to have a hard time getting into, mostly because it just wasn’t what I had wanted to read at the moment. It really had nothing to do with the book itself; I just wasn’t interested in the kind of story it promised to tell at the time. So, it sat on my Kindle for months. Finally, I sunk my teeth into it.

At first, I was horribly frustrated. The Kindle app on my phone wouldn’t read the formatting completely. Words in the margins were cut off. And I kept thinking that it had something to do with the formatting of the book and it made me horribly mad because I really wanted to like this story. Then I got this crazy idea to try and read it on my regular Kindle. As soon as I moved over to my regular Kindle, the problem was resolved and I found a story that was both captivating and beautiful!

First off, I love the name Lola. It just sounds like a gypsy name: light, exotic, airy and beautiful. Then of course, there is the wandering spirit; I could so relate! So Wanderlove already had the potential to steal my heart, even before I opened the pages. I did find the beginning to be a little slower than I would have liked for a non-reflective piece, but that’s just personal preference. Once I got to the meat and potatoes though, oh how the pages turned!

Once I really dug in, I felt that Greg was a little too handsome for me. I don’t know what my deal is but I just can’t get into the all-too-perfectly built guys. I did, however, adore his character. Cam was another character that I fell in love with quickly. Secretly, I spent about half the book wishing that Cam would win Lo’s heart because he just seemed so intriguing to me, but then Greg finally won me over with his well-placed displays of testosterone.

All of these things made a great story, but what really stood out in this book compared to so many that I’ve read is that it really plays on gypsy history – or at least you would assume that by how well the author created the history. The author also used the reincarnation solely for gypsies, which I found very interesting.

The writing was beautifully descriptive. The castle in Romania really existed to me; the entire camp existed. Belle Malory really painted the pictures for me with her words. I found myself utterly lost and enveloped into the gypsy world. What I really enjoyed most though was that descriptive scenery wasn’t overused to the point that it interfered with the story. I’ve read a few of those lately, you know, the ones that make you want to scream, “I don’t CARE what the buildings look like on every street! I just want a story!” It wasn’t like that at all. She used description where it was needed and left it out when it wasn’t.

I do have to say, though, that for a book about gypsies, not a lot of traveling took place. I definitely would have liked to have seen more traveling in the book, which was, of course, one of the reasons that I knew the story would captivate me. But maybe it was exactly what I needed right now, being stuck in one place right now and myself. I fully sympathized with Lo when she was trapped in one place too long and knew, firsthand, that excitement of being on the move again.

All in all, definitely a read I loved. The second installment comes out in just two weeks(!), which I am very excited about because the ending of Wanderlove definitely left me on the edge of my seat, wanting to know more. I was worried it was a trick at first, because I didn’t KNOW if there was another book. I would have ranted for hours if there hadn’t been because the story isn’t complete. Although, there aren’t any “lose ends” that left me feeling unsatisfied; I had a knowledge with that ending that there’s more story to be told. I hate books, shows and movies that end with open ends. They always make me so stinking mad. Thankfully, that wasn’t the case with Wanderlove.

Okay, that’s it! I’m going to give away spoilers if I say anymore! I would recommend this read to anyone with a case of wanderlust, definitely, as well as anyone that simply enjoys a good story with reincarnations and interesting characters. Definitely a five star book for me and I am insanely excited for the upcoming release of the second installment – Foretell.
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Apr 30, 2012 Jennifer rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya, paranormal, romance

Here was a novel I took a chance on when I saw the price and the cover. A cover really makes the difference for me and yet ironically enough, I was taken by total surprise when I discovered the story within painted a different picture entirely.
Wanderlove is a perfectly crafted example of "what-to-do" for any fellow authors out there. This novel has it all, from mystery to magic, it is both gritty and gorgeous through its characters, settings and mythos. Not to mention a sexy as all get out antih...more

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Apr 23, 2012 Joyce rated it 4 of 5 stars

The biggest thing that caught my eye about this book was definitely the amazing cover. It drew me in. I know that you are not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but a great one never hurts in drawing the eye!
I loved that this book jumped right into the action, and you were just along for the ride. Most books warm you up to the plot while providing back story while this book jumps right in and keeps going and leaves you to figure out whats going on. I was completely drawn in to the gypsy worl...more The biggest thing that caught my eye about this book was definitely the amazing cover. It drew me in. I know that you are not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but a great one never hurts in drawing the eye!
I loved that this book jumped right into the action, and you were just along for the ride. Most books warm you up to the plot while providing back story while this book jumps right in and keeps going and leaves you to figure out whats going on. I was completely drawn in to the gypsy world that was created by their customs, beliefs and their natural "super natural" abilities. I loved that the main character had her own opinion and did not always do what you expected. I also liked that she was slightly flawed by the kind of past she lead and not a picture of perfection like most YA females leads are these days. I feel it made her more likable and easier to relate to. There was a constant puzzle within the book where I was constantly questioning what was going on and dying to find out what was going to happen. And when one question was answered, you had two new ones in its place. When I wasn't reading the book, I was thinking about it and couldn't wait to get back to find out what happened.
The reason I didn't give this book five stars is because I felt that the character's relationships were a little under-developed. I would have loved to see more of a relationship between some of the main characters. It was almost like you were just supposed to accept the relationship as it was but not actually get to see it play out between the characters. I just didn't "feel" it. Also there is a story with in a story right in the middle of the book. In my very non professional opinion, I just feel like everything would have gone together better if this story was broken up in to flashbacks or dreams throughout the book instead of interupting the first storyline completely to tell the second.
Overall, I very much liked this book. There were definitely many questions left unanswered at the end of the book, and now I am dying for a second to see how everything plays out. I hope that the sequel is on the horizon very soon. (less)

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Apr 14, 2012 FicTalk Blog rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed-in-2012

Reviewed by Meg (given 3.5 at Fic Talk)

I’m one of those readers that tends to dive head first into Amazon’s “recommendations” list, and obsessively edit it based on what I own, and have read and have liked. Unfortunately, for Amazon, the recommendations list never seems to satisfy me. I find that many of the books it recommends to me are strictly based on similar cover art, or some bizarre love triangle, or some weird paranormal twist. I find that my tastes in books tends to just fit the mood I’...more Reviewed by Meg (given 3.5 at Fic Talk)

I’m one of those readers that tends to dive head first into Amazon’s “recommendations” list, and obsessively edit it based on what I own, and have read and have liked. Unfortunately, for Amazon, the recommendations list never seems to satisfy me. I find that many of the books it recommends to me are strictly based on similar cover art, or some bizarre love triangle, or some weird paranormal twist. I find that my tastes in books tends to just fit the mood I’m in. I’m not a fan of warped triangles, and I’m not a fan of weak female characters, so I spend my free time tweaking the recommends list to fit what I want to read in the future. And as I said, it just depends on what mood I’m in!

For this, I was in the mood for something new. Or at least, what I thought would be something new. The premise of Wanderlove is is that Lola is trying to escape from her past. Her father is a modern day gypsy, but he’s the type of man who gives gypsies a bad name. Early on the reader is introduced to the dark lifestyle of thievery and deception that Lola was raised within. When her father makes a decision for her that will essentially ruin the rest of her life (and grant him a hefty sum of money) Lola makes a break for it and runs away to her grandmother’s home in Florida, hoping to escape the life that’s been planned out for her.

Once in good old sunny Florida, Lola’s history begins to unfold for the reader. I can credit the author with slowly revealing the plot, and the histories within this book and creating a very intense air of mystery. All the gypsies are granted memories of their past lives, giving them a great deal of “life experience,” that wasn’t really demonstrated within the context of the book. For people who have lived dozens of lives and remember all of it, you’d think they’d make wiser choices then they did. The only person who has an excuse for poor decisions is Lola, who strangely enough doesn’t remember any of her previous lives.

It’s not long before the reader is introduced to a few diverse characters; a health conscious grandmother who loves to be right, two cousins who are as different as they come, but still intriguing in their own way (one of which is a jealous twit through half the book), and a quarky best friend who really comes across as a genuinely caring character. Oh, and then there’s Gabe…the love interest. Oh yes, there’s just one little love interest. No twisted love triangle here, just one love interest.

Gabe is where the book became interesting. He’s an enigma, and he knows all of Lola’s little secrets, all except for one which she herself doesn’t even know. Gabe refrains from any attraction to her at all, yet breaks off his engagement to Annika when Lola comes into the picture. Family members want them to stay apart, but Lola has no clue why, and no one will give her any hints. It makes for an entertaining introduction to the love story.

Plot wise, I think Wanderlove has some amazing twists. I love the way the book is basically broken up into three parts, and that the plot is revealed to the reader as it is revealed to Lola. It really helped me to relate to the characters. I did have some issues with the age difference between Lola and Gabe, as well as his profession. Gabe’s a cop, and Lola’s still in highschool? I know it’s fiction, but it did just kinda irk me. I’m also put off by some of the unneeded Lola-hate from Gabe’s little sister. Once again, for gypsies who recall their previous lives and should have some level of maturity, the actions of Gabe’s younger sister just struck me as juvenile, and practically unneeded within the context of the novel.

I do have to admit that I did thoroughly enjoy Lola’s character though. She’s smart, witty, pretty in-your-face when she wants to be, and willing to do what is necessarily to get by. By no means is she a powerful force to be reckoned with, but she is relatable and strong in her own way. She makes mistakes, she follows her heart more than she follows her common sense, but it’s refreshingly real from the typical perfect girl we see in so many YA novels today. I have a feeling there will be an abundance of character development with her in the future installments, and I look forward to seeing where she goes.

There’s a good deal of stereotypical YA romance novel drivel in this book, enough to detract from the freshness of the plot and the entertaining characters, but yet it was still enjoyable. I don’t feel like I read something totally unique, but I feel like I read something that was good.

Crazy credit given to the author for the epilogue of this first installment in the trilogy. She makes a crazy jump forward into the future, granting the reader a sweet little preview of the goodness to come, and then brings it all crashing down with the cliffhangers to end all cliffhangers. I was on the fence about whether or not to pick up the next book when it’s released, but the ending of Wanderlove was enough to seal the deal. I will be returning for the second installment!(less)

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Mar 30, 2012 BookHookup rated it 5 of 5 stars

Celeste’s review: *throws indie gem shaped confetti* a 4.5 star review!

We’ve read books about vampires, wolves, fairies, angels and witches…..but how about gypsies? Stunningly beautiful people who are reincarnated over and over again, have a love of traveling, and many times have a special magical talent. This book was so refreshing and so well done, with a way about it that entranced me and drew me in.

The beginning: In order to avoid being betrothed Lola Moori runs away from her father and clan...more Celeste’s review: *throws indie gem shaped confetti* a 4.5 star review!

We’ve read books about vampires, wolves, fairies, angels and witches…..but how about gypsies? Stunningly beautiful people who are reincarnated over and over again, have a love of traveling, and many times have a special magical talent. This book was so refreshing and so well done, with a way about it that entranced me and drew me in.

The beginning: In order to avoid being betrothed Lola Moori runs away from her father and clan that she has been traveling with. (I at first thought her father would be a cruel heartless man, but after reading the novel maybe he is just old fashioned since he has been reincarnated so many times, maybe we’ll see more in the next book). All gypsies have many past lives, but for some reason Lola can’t remember any of hers. Maybe it’s because she isn’t 100% gypsy, but either way she keeps this secret to herself…although she suspects some may know it.

Secondary characters: There were some fabulous secondary characters that had just enough face time but didn’t take the stage from Lola and Gabe. When Lola leaves her father and clan to move in with her grandmother, she meets two of her cousins: Dakota and Annika. Dakota is very welcoming to Lola (someone you would just love to be friends with in real life), but Annika seems quite cold towards her (hmmmm). Lola’s grandmother makes her attend school where she is befriended by Cam, who seems like a great guy, and is one of Gabe’s brothers. (Ahhhhh, Gabe, the male lead in the story, see the next section). I also hope to see more of her best friend Lina in the next book. They have been best friends many lives over and seem to have a fabulous relationship.

Swoontime: Lola finally meets Gabe and for some reason he is terribly rude to her. Of course he is totally gorgeous, chiseled, and amazingly sexy, not to mention brooding. He has dark thick hair and gray eyes. *heart fluttering* Even with his awful behavior Lola still has some type of pull towards him, as well as a strong possessive feeling she can’t explain. She knows it doesn’t make any sense, but she still feels that he is hers. Yes, this chemistry totally worked for me. I loved it!

The story itself: This novel tells the story of Lola getting her memories back, why they were lost in the first place, and what it all means. It was written so well that I flew through the pages savoring the of clues along the way, not just one lump at the end-it was a marvelous progression. As Lola’s memories come back to her in bits, she also grows more confident as she sees there is a reason she can’t remember her pasts, which helps her embraces who she is in this lifetime. I loved the way Lola seemed to mature given her circumstances, she is truly a heroine I could love.

Flashback: There is a section in the middle that goes into the history of Lola and Gabe…..at first I thought it was a different story line to learn, but it really completed their relationship for me. I ended up loving it! I swooned over that part as much as I did the present. Here though, is my only tiny criticism of the book: the different names some of the characters had in past lives versus today….I couldn’t keep track of who was who, especially when we returned to the present. However, it didn’t take away from the story, it just made me feel a little frustrated since I’m a lazy reader and don’t like to have to think too hard to remember facts. Regardless, I loved this section and the book wouldn’t be the same without it.

Title: The title was perfect. Perfect! I absolutely squee a little when a title is worked in so perfectly with the book. Ms. Malory does that.

The ending: WOW! What an interesting direction the story is going to go! *zips lips*

Final Thoughts: Loved it. If you are looking for something different than your vampires or faeries, this is a fresh take on the paranormal. I love where the story ended, and now that I know the characters I can’t wait to see how they tackle “the situation” together. I wish there had been a bigger reunion at the end….while I love paranormal I absolutely must have romance….I’m a sucker for it every time. Still, I was very happy with how it wrapped up.

I would totally recommend this book and can’t wait for the next one, Foretell, which Ms. Malory says should be out soon. Stay tuned too for an up coming author interview too. (less)

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Jan 26, 2012 Raven rated it 4 of 5 stars

A great read if you enjoy the paranormal genre but are not so into vamps and weres. The story line was tight and inventive. At some points it was predictable, but that is to be expected with this being a YA book. I will definitely be waiting for the sequel, the cliff hanger was a good one and I can't wait to see where Ms. Malory takes the next book.

Now for the part I didn't like about my copy of Wanderlove that I bought through Amazon for my Fire Kindle, and it has nothing to do about the story...more

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Jan 01, 2012 Sara rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-i-own

This book was so different than anything I've read lately. There were certainly similarities in this story with others out there regarding prophecies or knowing of doomed futures and such, but the gypsy aspect of it was so interesting I wanted to keep reading and learning as much as possible! I LOVED the gypsy history, it was so unique!

I very much liked all the characters in the book. Lola was a strong female MC and she had a good head on her shoulders. When it came to Gabe even though she knew...more

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Nov 18, 2011 Miranda Wheeler rated it 5 of 5 stars

I'm writing this on 4-AM, last-page adrenline, but I'll try to form this into something more than the giant, screaming "OH MY GOD" that is flickering across the inner mind's eye like rolling credits. As I labor to harbor and control my internal, eternal fangirldom, I'm going to say straight up, this this book is nothing short of amazing. It's the kind of book one wants to have at the top of their shelf - in addition to the fact that this cover is absolutely beautiful, it will be armed and ready-...more

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Oct 12, 2011 Donna rated it 5 of 5 stars

Gypsies, not vampires, are the paranormal characters in this original novel. Gypsies are reincarnated and have the ability to remember all their past lives. Sound good?

Lola and Gabe are two gypsies bound together through time and lives. Here's the catch. Lola cannot remember her past lives. A curse has been placed upon her by a powerful gypsy to make her forget her past.

This book is written in sections. The first section deals with Lola escaping her father and their 'unconventional' lifestyle....more

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Jan 30, 2012 Crystal (Books Are Sanity!!!) rated it 4 of 5 stars

I had no preconceived ideas of this book. I downloaded it onto my kindle and started to read. For once, a book with no vampires! Thank you! I LOVED this book! Meet Lola, a gypsy who wants to escape her father, Christo, but can not accomplish that unless he is put in prison. She decides she has to do this and escapes from him and heads to Florida to live with her Grandma Miriam. Lola meets two cousins she didn't know she had and the very interesting Constantin family that lives next door.

Lola me...more

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Jan 09, 2012 Brittany Rehage rated it 3 of 5 stars

I was looking for something a little different than my normal reads when I decided to pick this book up. I'm feeling a little mixed on it. I feel like parts were well-written and engaging, and other parts left me wanting more.

Part 2 of the book was my favorite section. I loved the way it was written and the story within it and I was left wishing there was more to that part of the story. I couldn't put the book down during that section and was sad to see it end. I could have read an entire novel...more

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Feb 19, 2012 Megsly rated it 3 of 5 stars

Original reviewed for fic-talk.com.

I’m one of those readers that tends to dive head first into Amazon’s “recommendations” list, and obsessively edit it based on what I own, and have read and have liked. Unfortunately, for Amazon, the recommendations list never seems to satisfy me. I find that many of the books it recommends to me are strictly based on similar cover art, or some bizarre love triangle, or some weird paranormal twist. I find that my tastes in books tends to just fit the mood I’m in...more Original reviewed for fic-talk.com.

I’m one of those readers that tends to dive head first into Amazon’s “recommendations” list, and obsessively edit it based on what I own, and have read and have liked. Unfortunately, for Amazon, the recommendations list never seems to satisfy me. I find that many of the books it recommends to me are strictly based on similar cover art, or some bizarre love triangle, or some weird paranormal twist. I find that my tastes in books tends to just fit the mood I’m in. I’m not a fan of warped triangles, and I’m not a fan of weak female characters, so I spend my free time tweaking the recommends list to fit what I want to read in the future. And as I said, it just depends on what mood I’m in!

For this, I was in the mood for something new. Or at least, what I thought would be something new. The premise of Wanderlove is is that Lola is trying to escape from her past. Her father is a modern day gypsy, but he’s the type of man who gives gypsies a bad name. Early on the reader is introduced to the dark lifestyle of thievery and deception that Lola was raised within. When her father makes a decision for her that will essentially ruin the rest of her life (and grant him a hefty sum of money) Lola makes a break for it and runs away to her grandmother’s home in Florida, hoping to escape the life that’s been planned out for her.

Once in good old sunny Florida, Lola’s history begins to unfold for the reader. I can credit the author with slowly revealing the plot, and the histories within this book and creating a very intense air of mystery. All the gypsies are granted memories of their past lives, giving them a great deal of “life experience,” that wasn’t really demonstrated within the context of the book. For people who have lived dozens of lives and remember all of it, you’d think they’d make wiser choices then they did. The only person who has an excuse for poor decisions is Lola, who strangely enough doesn’t remember any of her previous lives.

It’s not long before the reader is introduced to a few diverse characters; a health conscious grandmother who loves to be right, two cousins who are as different as they come, but still intriguing in their own way (one of which is a jealous twit through half the book), and a quarky best friend who really comes across as a genuinely caring character. Oh, and then there’s Gabe...the love interest. Oh yes, there’s just one little love interest. No twisted love triangle here, just one love interest.

Gabe is where the book became interesting. He’s an enigma, and he knows all of Lola’s little secrets, all except for one which she herself doesn’t even know. Gabe refrains from any attraction to her at all, yet breaks off his engagement to Annika when Lola comes into the picture. Family members want them to stay apart, but Lola has no clue why, and no one will give her any hints. It makes for an entertaining introduction to the love story.

Plot wise, I think Wanderlove has some amazing twists. I love the way the book is basically broken up into three parts, and that the plot is revealed to the reader as it is revealed to Lola. It really helped me to relate to the characters. I did have some issues with the age difference between Lola and Gabe, as well as his profession. Gabe’s a cop, and Lola’s still in highschool? I know it’s fiction, but it did just kinda irk me. I’m also put off by some of the unneeded Lola-hate from Gabe’s little sister. Once again, for gypsies who recall their previous lives and should have some level of maturity, the actions of Gabe’s younger sister just struck me as juvenile, and practically unneeded within the context of the novel.

I do have to admit that I did thoroughly enjoy Lola’s character though. She’s smart, witty, pretty in-your-face when she wants to be, and willing to do what is necessarily to get by. By no means is she a powerful force to be reckoned with, but she is relatable and strong in her own way. She makes mistakes, she follows her heart more than she follows her common sense, but it’s refreshingly real from the typical perfect girl we see in so many YA novels today. I have a feeling there will be an abundance of character development with her in the future installments, and I look forward to seeing where she goes.

There’s a good deal of stereotypical YA romance novel drivel in this book, enough to detract from the freshness of the plot and the entertaining characters, but yet it was still enjoyable. I don’t feel like I read something totally unique, but I feel like I read something that was good. Crazy credit given to the author for the epilogue of this first installment in the trilogy. She makes a crazy jump forward into the future, granting the reader a sweet little preview of the goodness to come, and then brings it all crashing down with the cliffhangers to end all cliffhangers. I was on the fence about whether or not to pick up the next book when it’s released, but the ending of Wanderlove was enough to seal the deal. I will be returning for the second installment!(less)

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Feb 14, 2013 Kate rated it 4 of 5 stars

This was an impulse buy, I was initially attracted by the pretty cover and when I read the intriguing details of the story I just had to buy it!

Car theft and Lola running away made the start to this book very exciting, it also raised the question of ‘why?’ and I was looking forward to finding out the answer. Despite this high-action start it took me a while to really feel involved with the storyline but once I did, I was hooked.

I have to admit that I didn’t expect this book to be so gritty – the...more

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Feb 11, 2012 Kayla rated it 4 of 5 stars

SPOILER ALERT!!!
Imagine you were a gypsy and all of your people could remember all of their past lives, well except for you. This story is written in 3 parts, which I kind of appreciated. First part starts off with Lola and her best friend stealing a car from her dad's batch of stolen vehicles. Her father is a very controlling man and tried to sell her to a Madame to be a high priced prostitute. She runs away to her grandmas house but along the way gets hurt very badly and is saved by what she...more

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Nov 18, 2011 Holly rated it 3 of 5 stars

Reviewed for In-Interest

Lola is meant to remember her past lives — all of them — only she can't. It's not until she flees from her controlling father and ends up meeting Gabe she finds out why; there just something about the boy that seems familiar. She's always wanted to know what her past lives are; not anymore as she learns that her memory may not just harm her but others too.

This book wasn't about vampires, ghosts or zombies which instantly gains points in my book. I cannot put a number on...more Reviewed for In-Interest

Lola is meant to remember her past lives — all of them — only she can't. It's not until she flees from her controlling father and ends up meeting Gabe she finds out why; there just something about the boy that seems familiar. She's always wanted to know what her past lives are; not anymore as she learns that her memory may not just harm her but others too.

This book wasn't about vampires, ghosts or zombies which instantly gains points in my book. I cannot put a number on how many books I've read that have the same concept, just different characters. The whole book is about Gypsies which is something new to me, and I absolutely loved it! The plot has a lot of potential and I'm glad to say Belle Malory did a pretty good job on exploiting that in her debut novel. I've kind of depicted the books in a — sort of — easy romantic type of book; there is, however, much action in the book. The opening scene is a the stealing of a sports car, is all I'll say!

There wasn't a character I unintentionally did not like; there was Annika but she does have a more then valid reason to be a little angry. I am a massive fan of Lola but sometimes I didn't get her, or she would just do things that I would - personally - question. One scene, in particular, had me puzzled when Gabe is chasing after her and she keeps on running. That said, she is a realistic protagonist and I loved the traditional values she keeps ahold of.

This isn't a major issue but I think I sure point it out: sometimes I didn't feel the emotion. Sometimes a reader can gage how the person is feeing by subtle hints but occasionally I felt the book was a bit like 'oh, I'm sad', sometimes its what the author doesn't say that is the most emotionally engaging. I'm not being negative about the book, I'm just trying to be constructive. I feel like I should mention that I am a fan of Malory and this book was such a refreshing read that I can't wait to read what she has next. I hate the way the ending made me want to keep on reading.

I would recommend the book for YA that enjoy romance, with a bit of depth. If your sick of the usual paranormal themes then I promise this book will not disappoint :).(less)

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Jul 16, 2012 Emmy Styles rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: irritating-as-hell-mc

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Apr 23, 2012 Catie Taylor rated it 3 of 5 stars

I don't know what it is about gypsies that just freaks me right out. Maybe it's because my grandma used to threaten to "sell me to the gypsies" when I misbehaved or maybe it's because in every movie ever made about gypsies some idiot messes with one and ends up with some horrible curse. I don't know, but whatever the reason, the whole idea just gives me the willies. So when I came across this self-published love story about gypsies I had my reservations. Luckily for me, the story wasn't all that...more I don't know what it is about gypsies that just freaks me right out. Maybe it's because my grandma used to threaten to "sell me to the gypsies" when I misbehaved or maybe it's because in every movie ever made about gypsies some idiot messes with one and ends up with some horrible curse. I don't know, but whatever the reason, the whole idea just gives me the willies. So when I came across this self-published love story about gypsies I had my reservations. Luckily for me, the story wasn't all that scary so I was able to read on and actually enjoyed this book!

The story centers around Lola, a gypsy girl on the run from her father who wants to sell her into prostitution (real nice dad!). She ends up at her grandmother's house in Florida where she meets the devastatingly handsome Gabe. She is inexplicably drawn to him and we find out this is because they were lovers in a past life (Lola has no memories of her past lives unlike other gypsies who remember everything). Gabe, remembering the love he has for Lola, tries and tries to get her to be with him again but she is resistant until she finds out that some of her memories could prove dangerous for them both.

Let me start off with what I liked about this book. The story was unique. I haven't read a ton of books about past lives but it is an interesting concept and the way that Mallory uses it in this story is charming. Lola's inability to remember anything about her past lives and Gabe's painful realization that she cannot feel the depths of what he does because she has not lived it like he has is truly a heartbreaking concept. I also like that Lola doesn't just drop everything and run headlong into his well-toned arms the second she finds out who he is. It adds a bit of realism to an otherwise fantastic tale. Lola is a very sympathetic character. She is not whiny, helpless or bratty. She is self-reliant and strong but has some depth and vulnerability as well.

Now, onto the not so great parts of the book. The grammar! This is a big one for me. There were times, while reading this, that the grammar was pretty poor. Now, I'm not accusing Mallory of having bad grammar throughout the book. On the contrary, most of it was very well-written, which made the parts that were bad puzzling. There was a lot of ending sentences in prepositions, spelling confusion and even some subject-verb agreement issues. Then again, maybe I'm just being a stick in the mud. Another thing I didn't like about this book was that there wasn't a great payoff with the relationship. Without giving anything away, I didn't feel like Lola and Gabe ever had the big, emotional talk or moment that I had been waiting to see. They sort of just went back and forth with the "I love you, but I can't love you" deal for most of the book. Along the same lines, I didn't feel like Mallory really explained how the relationship came to be during the past lives. I would have like for her to delve into that a little more. Finally, there was one conversation that really irked me. When Lola finally sees her dad again they have the obligatory conversation about the whole prostitution thing (yeah no big deal). The problem is that instead of a big dramatic confrontation, it plays out like an episode of a mid-90s sitcom. Basically she calls him out on trying to pimp his own daughter and he brushes it off like she's accusing him of leaving the milk out on the counter all night. She should respond by being furious and maybe beating him with a pipe or something. Instead she kind of shrugs her shoulders like "well, that's just dad!" (studio audience applauds, roll credits). I mean come on! We're talking about parental neglect and human trafficking here among other things! Then again, that's just my opinion.

Overall, though, I really did enjoy this book and I will probably read the next one "Fortell" when it comes out. This is a good rainy day book and you do feel connected to the characters. Especially for a first novel, this is a welcome addition to the bookshelf.

For more reviews check out my blog at http://catiesmoviesinmyhead.blogspot....(less)

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Jun 12, 2012 Charity rated it 3 of 5 stars

Wanderlove was a new twist in the whole paranormal YA genre. It is the first I have read that was based on gypsies and powers of the mind than angels, vampires and the sort. Some of the characters were a little underdeveloped in this book and it had quite a few grammatiical errors. It definitely could use better editing.ni would have liked to see the characters of Cam and Molly more developed, I think there is a whole new story line that could be created just from those two characters in relatio...more

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Oct 30, 2011 Kristan (Lost Amongst the Shelves) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebook

First off, a huge acknowledgement to Belle Malory and her debut novel, Wanderlove. Its a huge accomplishment and I was so excited to be a part of the reviewing process.

This book was amazing for quite a few reasons. The first one being that its not your typical read. The plot centers around gypsies, and personally, I've never read a book about gypsies, so its originality is superb. These modern gypsies have some traditional values, which is why the main character, Lola, runs away from her troupe...more First off, a huge acknowledgement to Belle Malory and her debut novel, Wanderlove. Its a huge accomplishment and I was so excited to be a part of the reviewing process.

This book was amazing for quite a few reasons. The first one being that its not your typical read. The plot centers around gypsies, and personally, I've never read a book about gypsies, so its originality is superb. These modern gypsies have some traditional values, which is why the main character, Lola, runs away from her troupe to live with her grandmother. Now Lola isn't a normal gypsy, she is unable to recall any of her past lives, an oddity for her kind. This leaves the reader with a lot of questions as to what is going on with poor Lola which I loved. A good mystery always grabs my attention.
and this one was addicting. For most of the book I was left guessing what was hidden in Lola's memories and why everyone was so set on keeping it hidden.

This book also had a huge heart throb. In walks Gabe, and boy did he get my heart pumping. Tall, dark, handsome and brooding---just my type. Gabe also holds a lot of mystery and makes you really question his relationship with Lola, how are they connected and what power does he hold over Lola's memories. I loved seeing the background of this relationship over the course of their many lifetimes, it really added depth to their bond. However, in present time the relationship between Lola and Gabe starts off rocky to say the least, which gave them some great dynamics. Every scene that involved Gabe's ex-fiance, Annika, just left me fired up! However, you can't help but root for Lola and Gabe to stay together. Their romance is palpable!

There is quite a bit of action interspersed in this book as well, which really gave it some spice. One scene in particular, involving a knife and fingernails, left me totally squeamish. However, what was even more perfect was how each of these scenes was resolved. You really can't blame a girl loving a knight in shining armor coming to the rescue!

Overall I really did enjoy this book and give it Four out of Five Stars! The writing style flows beautifully, especially between present day and Lola's memories. The story is very original; I really don't know a lot of books out there about modern day gypsies. I was surprised at several areas throughout the story and fell in love with Lola and Gabe's realtionship. The ending (epilogue) was killer and I'm so anxious to know what's going to happen next to Lola and Gabe!(less)

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Jul 05, 2012 Kyera rated it 3 of 5 stars

Fantastic concept! It could have been tighter in some areas and proofread better ("vulchers" rather than "vultures" among other misspelled words). It was still a fun read.
I feel like there wasn't a lot of world building for a story involving gypsies and the intricacies of their culture and mythology. So I definitely still have questions that I'm hoping will be answered in the next book. I guess that's why there's a sequel.

The shifting vocabulary for the characters was annoying at first because t...more

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Nov 22, 2011 Remarkable Reads rated it 5 of 5 stars

Read more book reviews and extras on my blog: http://remarkablereads-sandra.blogspo...

Lola has always dreamed of remembering her past lives but when her dream becomes a reality she'll wish she could forget.

As a gypsy Lola is used to constantly moving around its part of who she is, but when her father commits an unspeakable act she has no choice but to run from him and her troupe. Escaping to Florida to be with her grandmother seems like her only option and for once Lola is finally at peace until...more Read more book reviews and extras on my blog: http://remarkablereads-sandra.blogspo...

Lola has always dreamed of remembering her past lives but when her dream becomes a reality she'll wish she could forget.

As a gypsy Lola is used to constantly moving around its part of who she is, but when her father commits an unspeakable act she has no choice but to run from him and her troupe. Escaping to Florida to be with her grandmother seems like her only option and for once Lola is finally at peace until she meets Gabe. He makes her remember things she never knew existed and a secret she never knew she had to protect, but with everyone's lives depending on this mystery Lola must fight to forget and risk loosing the love of her life forever and when you're a gypsy forever is a long time.

I can describe this book in one word Breathtaking it literally took my breath away and had me gasping for air. When I read the synopsis for this book request I though this book looks pretty good I'll give it a whirl. But I never expected to fall head over heels for this story and the characters and now all I keep thinking is where on earth has this been hiding? Well luckily for me it didn't stay hidden very long and I could not be more thrilled that it was brought to my attention. You know a book is good when all you can think about during the day is getting everything out of the way so you can read, and that was exactly the case. Every time I had to stop reading for whatever reason I immediately wanted to go back and find out what was happening and lock myself away from the rest of the world.

Wanderlove may seem like your typical reincarnation love story but I can assure you its anything but typical. This book is an artfully crafted masterpiece with enough mystery, suspense, not to mention love that's the most important part, to keep you n the edge of your seat the entire time. From the moment I started reading it I got swept into the world especially by the characters. Lola is my classical favorite type of heroine shes strong willed, and independent, but unlike most Lola is more of a criminal than a hero which is somewhat refreshing. Don't get me wrong its not like she goes around stabbing people she just has a tendency to steal things that don't necessarily belong to her but its not really her fault. She does see the error of her ways and her guilt is always there making her question herself constantly, I admire Lola for wanting to make up for her past sins it shows a great deal of character. Lola's grandma is also quite the comical character, her jokes don't always make sense but she's still pretty funny along with her low-carb lifestyle. And of course no story is complete without a dashing hunk of meat, ans there are plenty to go around Gabe along with all his brothers are a diverse group of people each with their own personalities and mood swings. Gabe is by far the hottest in my opinion and probably the most unpredictable especially when it comes to Lola. Their chemistry is through the roof and despite the age difference and Lola's unwillingness, they make an amazing match.

One of my favorite aspects of the story is the fact that its a bout Gypsy's, I have always been intrigued by Gypsy's and up until now I never read any books about them specifically so that was a major bonus. Their world is so unique and almost otherworldly that you can't help but be drawn into it and the culture. I congratulate author Belle Mallory for her first break out novel and what a break it is I suspect she will be writing many great novels and I can't wait to read them!

Needless to say this book gets two thumbs up from me, I highly recommend it to everyone young, old, boy, girl doesn't matter as soon as yous start you won't be able to stop.
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Aug 20, 2012 CrazyBrit99 rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance, gypsies, psycics

A great journey through Lola's life. Living as a gypsy is fine but when you know that all sort of physic abilities and witches are real, life suddenly seems to get worse. Especially when Lola manages to run away from her father (one of the best theifs), meets cousins she never knew she had and ruins one of their relationships with her fiancee without even knowing it, have her past life memories return and realises she has left a dangerous hole wide open and to close it she must overcome her love...more

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May 07, 2012 Sophia rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: kindle-loaned

~~I can't even bring myself to get past the first 2 pages. It's not holding an interest at all.~~ I decided to give it another chance. I got sucked right in. But I do admit skimming over some pages.

Ok so I do admit the story outline was very good, the execution was not. The characters seemed very flat to me no one stuck out even Lola was sort of boring. I did borrow it from someone on my kindle but when my 14 days ran out because I started it so late, I admit I did end up purchasing the book becau...more

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Feb 04, 2012 Jennifer rated it 5 of 5 stars

I've come to the conclusion that the mark of a great book is its ability to frustrate the hell out of me. When I want to jump inside the pages (or my iPad screen) and throttle the characters I should just resign myself to the cold, hard fact that I'm utterly captivated and rather than resist the overbearing urge to scream, just go along for the ride. That being said, I am completely and utterly in love with this book. Yeah, yeah, soul mates transcending through time, blah, blah. BTDT. But not li...more

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Dec 10, 2011 Vanessa Booke rated it 4 of 5 stars

Wanderlove by Belle Mallory is a unique story about a gypsy girl named Lola. Lola isn't your ordinary gypsy, she can't remember any of her past lives which makes an interesting twist within the storyline. It also does a great job keeping up the mystery revolving around Lola and why she can't remember. I really loved Gabe as the love interest for her. He was perfect! I loved his brooding attitude and I felt immediately drawn into their relationship. This book is wonderful and it has a refreshing...more

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Jul 11, 2012 Regina rated it 3 of 5 stars

I liked how unique the setting was. Gypsies with psychic abilities and the remembering of past lives is very interesting. The idea of reincarnated lover's has been done before but I like the gypsy touch to it along with curses. The story is not exactly a super thriller but a romance. Lola herself is a relateable character but I found Gabe is slightly bland sometimes because I didn't see a whole lot of character development from him. I did like the stories from thepast lives though. He had more o...more

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Wanderlove (Wanderlove #1)

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