Taylor Fenner's Blog, page 126

Book Review: The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black Blurb:Of course I want to be like them. They're beautiful as blades forged in some divine fire. They will live forever.
And Cardan is even more beautiful than the rest. I hate him more than all the others. I hate him so much that sometimes when I look at him, I can hardly breathe.
Jude was seven years old when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King.
To win a place at the Court, she must defy him--and face the consequences.
In doing so, she becomes embroiled in palace intrigues and deceptions, discovering her own capacity for bloodshed. But as civil war threatens to drown the Courts of Faerie in violence, Jude will need to risk her life in a dangerous alliance to save her sisters, and Faerie itself.
My Review:I wanted to love this book. I really did. The blurb sounded amazing, the cover is gorgeous, the genre is right on... so what's the problem?
The book started out well enough, although I'm used to fantasy novels set entirely in fantasy worlds, not set in the "normal" world them brought into the fantasy world. I really don't want to read about microwaves and tv shows and Target when I'm reading a fantasy novel, but I pushed past that. 
I got about sixty pages in and while the writing wasn't bad and the world building was decent, I just absolutely hated the characters and there is the problem. The story can be expertly crafted but if I hate the characters reading a book becomes torture. 
Jude whines, Taryn is weak, Vivi is an obnoxious, spoiled brat type trying to get back at her dad, and Cardan is the textbook example of romanticizing relationship abuse. 
I tried skimming ahead but this book dragged and reading was a chore so I dropped it. I'm sure some people will love this book but it's not for me. I prefer my fantasy to be pure fantasy unless it's urban fantasy which is not what this book was promoted to be. 
My Rating:

#BookMail Thursday #43

This week's book mail encompasses several weeks worth of book mail. I received a make-up package from Bookstagram Secret Santa about a week and a half ago and just yesterday I received my last book mail of January...

#LiveLaughSantaTales17 Make-Up
#SignedBookSundays December Winner Package
Thank you to Sydney from #LiveLaughSantaTales17 for making up this package after my assigned secret Santa turned out to be a heartless jerk and thank you Christy for these Stephanie Perkins books!
February Waiting On:- Moonlight Sins by Jennifer L. Armentrout (Coming today!)
- Everless by Sara Holland (won from a blog)
- Glitter by Aprilynne Pike
- Heart of Ash by Kim Liggett

"What I'm Reading" Wednesday #108

This "WIR"-Wednesday I'm reading a recent release before I dive into my February ARC reading...

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black Blurb:Of course I want to be like them. They're beautiful as blades forged in some divine fire. They will live forever.
And Cardan is even more beautiful than the rest. I hate him more than all the others. I hate him so much that sometimes when I look at him, I can hardly breathe.
Jude was seven years old when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King.
To win a place at the Court, she must defy him--and face the consequences.
In doing so, she becomes embroiled in palace intrigues and deceptions, discovering her own capacity for bloodshed. But as civil war threatens to drown the Courts of Faerie in violence, Jude will need to risk her life in a dangerous alliance to save her sisters, and Faerie itself.
Why I Chose This Book | What I Think So Far:I've wanted to read about this book since I first heard about it last summer and of course I had to have a signed personalized copy from the Good Choice Reading virtual signing (signed books are my obsession after all). I wasn't going to start The Cruel Prince until February but I got slammed with eARCs for next month and wanted to start something on Monday night so I picked this one up. Plus I got The Coldest Girl From Coldtown from the library and wanted to see if I liked the author's writing style before I tried that one. 

This book started out different than I expected. I'm used to fantasy novels that take place entirely in fantasy worlds not books that start in the "normal" world and then transport to a faerie world so that threw me off a little but the story did grab me that first night. If it hadn't have been after 1 AM I think I probably would have read 50-60 pages that night. 

I'm interested to see where this one goes. 

Book Review: Secrets of Bennett Hall by Jordan Elizabeth

Secrets of Bennett Hall (Return to Amston #2) by Jordan Elizabeth Blurb:Darkness once twisted Adelaide Dinsmore’s mind, but she thought she had grown out of that. Her job as a teacher in Hedlund proved that – until she discovers one of her students dead and the town turns against her. As her mind starts to crumble, she is offered a new job, this time as a governess for Gentleman Bennett’s granddaughter back east. 
Bennett Hall is a sprawling manor of winding tunnels and manicured lawns, and the fence is really just for show. The little girl, Theodora, is a delight, albeit quiet, and the Bennetts are kind enough, especially the dashing young Joseph. So what if one of the servants sends chills down her spine every time he looks at her? Surely that, and the noises in the night, are figments of her imagination. She won’t allow the past in Hedlund to tarnish her future at Bennett Hall.
Then, Theodora begins to speak of a Villain who haunts secret passages in the manor, and Adelaide stumbles upon a sealed off wing where ghosts whisper from the shadows. Twisted inventions fill the basement and the villagers are wary of the Bennett family. 
The longer she stays at Bennett Hall, the less likely her chance for escape, but she cannot leave Theodora or Joseph. The darkness in her mind might be the only thing to save them.
My Review:When Adelaide's first teaching job out west results in a dead student and the townspeople driving her out of town she's sure that she'll never get a job teaching again. When she returns home to the east she's surprised to find that the university that placed her at the school she was teaching at already has a new job lined up for her as a governess to a little girl on an isolated, sprawling estate. 
Bennett Hall and its' occupants are not what Adelaide was expecting. While she takes to her new pupil, Theodora instantly Theodora's mother is ill and bedridden, her father is absent, and her grandfather seems to call all of the shots. Then there is Wille Green, a manservant who rubs Adelaide the wrong way. 
After being told she's not allowed to leave the property without documentation, strange screams in the night, a run-in with Theodora's elderly great-aunts, and rumors of murders in the house Adelaide is determined to find out what's really going on in Bennett Hall and why the house brings forth memories of another life, a life before she was Adelaide Dinsmore. A life that's memories she's tried to squash to avoid being sent back to the asylum she spent time in as a child. 
The only person who may be able to help Adelaide is Theodora's older cousin Joseph. But when uncovering the secrets of Bennett Hall takes an unexpected turn will Joseph believe her or think she's insane?
I've read quite a few of this author's other books but Secrets of Bennett Hall is on a whole other level than the rest. The writing shines and I couldn't get enough of the story. 
Secrets of Bennett Hall reminded me of Maybe This Time by Jennifer Crusie because of the house and the little girl and The Revenant by Sonia Gensler because of Adelaide and the teacher/governess aspect which may contribute to why I loved this story so much. It really grabbed me from the beginning and just when I was sure I had unraveled the mystery the author threw in a plot twist I never would have guessed. 
Overall, this is definitely my new favorite book by this author. I know she prefers to write her steampunk things, but I'd much prefer reading more books like this. 
My Rating:

Cover Reveal: True Storm by L.E. Sterling

Bonus Post! I'm also helping Entangled Teen and L.E. Sterling reveal the cover of the third book in the True Born Trilogy, TRUE STORM!
Let us know what you think of the cover for True Storm (True Born Trilogy, #3) by L.E. Sterling, which releases May 1, 2018!
This cover reveal is brought to you by Entangled Teen.
About True Storm:If you can't beat them, change them...
Want to read more? Pre-order your copy of True Storm (True Born Trilogy, #3) by L.E. Sterling today!
Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo | Entangled PublishingEarlier Books in the True Born Trilogy:
Entangled Publishing Entangled Publishing

About L.E. Sterling:L.E. Sterling had an early obsession with sci-fi, fantasy and romance to which she remained faithful even through an M.A. in Creative Writing and a PhD in English Literature - where she completed a thesis on magical representation. She is the author of two previous novels, the cult hit Y/A novel The Originals (under pen name L.E. Vollick), dubbed “the Catcher in the Rye of a new generation” by one reviewer, and the urban fantasy Pluto’s Gate. Originally hailing from Parry Sound, Ontario, L.E. spent most of her summers roaming across Canada in a van with her father, a hippie musician, her brothers and an occasional stray mutt - inspiring her writing career. She currently lives in Toronto, Ontario.
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon

Cover Reveal: BRING ME THEIR HEARTS by Sara Wolf

Today I'm helping Entangled Teen and Sara Wolf reveal the gorgeous cover of her upcoming novel, BRING ME THEIR HEARTS! This is a book you'll definitely want to add to your TBR!
*****
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In a new series Publishers Weekly has listed as “one of the most anticipated YA's of 2018”, we're excited to share the cover for Bring Me Their Hearts! NYT bestselling author Sara Wolf delivers a fast-paced, gritty fantasy sure to thrill fans of Holly Black, Sabba Tahir, and Sarah J. Maas.
About the book:Zera is a Heartless—the immortal, unaging soldier of a witch. Bound to the witch Nightsinger ever since she saved her from the bandits who murdered her family, Zera longs for freedom from the woods they hide in. With her heart in a jar under Nightsinger’s control, she serves the witch unquestioningly.
Until Nightsinger asks Zera for a prince’s heart in exchange for her own, with one addendum: if she’s discovered infiltrating the court, Nightsinger will destroy Zera’s heart rather than see her tortured by the witch-hating nobles.
Crown Prince Lucien d’Malvane hates the royal court as much as it loves him—every tutor too afraid to correct him and every girl jockeying for a place at his darkly handsome side. No one can challenge him—until the arrival of Lady Zera. She’s inelegant, smart-mouthed, carefree, and out for his blood. The prince’s honor has him quickly aiming for her throat.
So begins a game of cat and mouse between a girl with nothing to lose and a boy who has it all.
Winner takes the loser’s heart.
Literally.
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Entangled Publishing: https://entangledpublishing.com/bring-me-their-hearts.html
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07232WZBF
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bring-me-their-hearts-sara-wolf/1126358416
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/bring-me-their-hearts/id1237042410
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/bring-me-their-hearts
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35144326-bring-me-their-hearts
Release Date: June 5th, 2018
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About Sara Wolf:Sara Wolf is a twenty-something author who adores baking, screaming at her cats, and screaming at herself while she types hilarious things. When she was a kid, she was too busy eating dirt to write her first terrible book. Twenty years later, she picked up a keyboard and started mashing her fists on it and created the monster known as the Lovely Vicious series. She lives in San Diego with two cats, a crippling-yet-refreshing sense of self-doubt, and not enough fruit tarts ever.

Cover Reveal + Giveaway: DARK EMBRACE by Elle Boon

Today I'm helping Elle Boon and Rockstar Book Tours reveal the cover and an exclusive excerpt for DARK EMBRACE, her new paranormal romance which releases February 8, 2018! Check out the gorgeous cover and enter to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card!
On to the reveal! 

Title: DARK EMBRACE (The Dark Legacy Series, #1)Author: Elle BoonPub. Date: February 8, 2018Publisher: Elle BoonFormats: eBookPages: ?Find it: Goodreads, iBooks, B&N, Kobo
A DARK LEGACY where only the strong survive and those who are Goddess touched can complete the warriors who fight to protect the world from the creatures that go bump in the night. 
DARK EMBRACE 
Jennaveve, the Fey chosen by the Goddess to be the queen of her people for the past few millennium, is tired and wishes for a break, but hadn’t counted on being reduced to almost mortal thanks to a dark stranger. They say you should be careful what you wish for. The last time she’d taken a break, her Fey had left their realm, resulting in shifters on Earth known as the Mystic and Iron Wolves and even more she was still searching for. 
Damien and Lucas Cordell knew they’d share a Hearts Love when the time came. As the twin sons of the Vampire King who’d mated a shifter, they were the first of their kind. When they’d thought their mate was finally within their reach and was a shifter like their mother only to realize she wasn’t theirs, they’d almost lost their lives to the alpha of the Iron Wolves, Kellen Styles. Instead, the error led them to the being that was…the Fey Queen Jennaveve. Only she was even more elusive than the wind.
Time and patience was something Damien and Lucas had in spades, until the female they’d already laid claim to, even if she hadn’t accepted them yet, was taken by an enemy. Saving Jenna became their one and only focus. As time and realms slip between them, their fear for her had them forgetting about patience and made claiming Jenna as their Hearts Love, hoping she accepted their Dark Embrace.
Will the Cordell Twins be able to rescue Jenna from the evil who has taken her? Will Jenna get her powers back? Who is the dark presence and how will they defeat a being who is strong enough to bring the Fey Queen down to her knees?
books2read.com/u/4NR0ez
Lyric’s Accidental Mate, Iron Wolves Book 1 is a crossover series with the first book being FREE http://amzn.to/1NOzmVF
Exclusive Excerpt!They both turned as one toward the door as a commotion swirled into the room. 
“What have you done?” Raina asked.
Lucas looked at the tall man who followed behind their sister, waiting to see what Creed, the son of Satan, had to say. Hellboy himself would be a good one to have on their side. “Shit, how’d you get in?” he asked as realization dawned.
Damien flashed to his sister. “Where did you come from?” He held her by the arms, giving her a little shake.
A deep rumble came from Creed. “Boy, I suggest you unhand my Eros, or I’ll remove your arms from your body.”
Lucas came to stand next to his brother. “Our Hearts Love is missing along with our father. We’ve been locked into this fucking castle and you two just strolled in like it’s nothing. We just want to know if you can get us out.” The last was yelled at a decibel that bordered on a roar, but Lucas was at the zero fucks giving point. 
“You got two seconds before I start dismembering your brother. Tell him to get his fingers, palms, and any other body part off my Raina if he wants to keep them.” Creed’s voice had become the deep tone of his demon side.
“Damien, you might want to take a step back before we have to rumble with our brother-in-law in front of baby sis here. Raina, please answer the damn question while our brother is letting you go. Now, Damien, release her.” He put as much order behind the last part, hoping to reach his twin, but he’d never seen his twin’s eyes turn such a dark obsidian like their father’s. 
Raina wrapped her arms around their brother, stilling Creed from going killer beast. “Damien, calm down. We popped in like we always do. I felt mama’s distress and told Creed I needed to visit. He of course insisted he come with. When we got here I couldn’t find her, so I followed you two morons’ scents. There’s another, not quite the same, but familiar smell here too.” Her voice shook, the slight tremor more an indication of her rising worry. She released Damien and went to the same corner. “It’s like dad but toned down.”
“Can you track him?” Damien asked.
“No,” Creed growled.
“He took Jennaveve and our father went after him, alone. He’s our…brother,” Damien said in a barely there whisper.
Raina spun to face them, her hand going to her throat. “What?”
Creed flashed to her side. “She will not be your sniffing dog.”
“Our father has another son. Goddess, its messed up to even say that. He’s the one who hurt Jenna. He nearly killed her the last time he had his hands on her. Somehow that…bastard traced her back here and took her out from under our noses. Now, our father is tracking them alone while we stand here arguing. We can’t breach these walls, but you two can. You can sense him, Raina. Please.” Lucas held his hand out, holding the pillow with Jenna’s scent still on it.
“That’s why mother is hurting.” She moved forward, a tear slipping down her cheek. “Creed, I can’t stand here and do nothing when my family is falling apart.”
“Damn it, I knew this family stuff was going to be a pain in my ass.” Creed jerked the fabric out of Lucas’s hand. “It’s the Fey Queen. I can scent her as well. We go together, all of us on one condition.”
Lucas and Damian nodded, waiting.
“I’m in charge and Raina is not to be harmed.”
“Hellboy, you can call all the shots as long as we find our Love.” There was nothing he wouldn’t agree to in order to find Jenna.
“I’m so going to regret this.” Creed dropped his chin to his chest.
Raina turned to face Creed.
Damien pointed at the two. “No making out with our sister in front of us. Save it for the bedroom. Let’s go people, times a wasting.” He changed into all black clothing, and although his words were teasing, the hardness behind the tone was anything but.
“Can I eat them?” Creed asked.
Raina shook her head. “You promised to be nice to my family.”
“Can I let Liv eat them?”
Their sister snorted. “No, you told her she couldn’t do that either. Come on, boys. Let’s get this party started.”
Lucas focused on Jenna’s sweet smile and promised himself they’d have her tucked between them soon. When he opened his eyes, his brother was staring with that same single minded intent on his face. “We’ll get her back and make sure she can’t escape without one of us always knowing where she’s at.”
Raina snorted. “You two will learn, a woman like Jenna won’t take to being caged or coddled.”
He met Creed’s dark stare. “How’s that working for you, Hellboy?”
Creed lifted his middle finger. “You still wanting a way out of here, or we gonna sling insults back and forth? Believe me, your little nickname is nothing compared to the things I’ve been through and trust me, boy, I’ve definitely had much bigger beings say much nastier things than that to me.”
Instant regret punched him in the gut. “Damn it, I’m sorry man. You’re right. Hellboy isn’t meant to be a…bad thing. Shit! I like you and I think you’re great for our sister.”
His sister’s mate tilted his head and nodded. “Good enough. Let’s go. One big circle like…well, one big happy family.”
Damien groaned. “Son of a bitch, not you, too.”
Their sister clapped like she was proud to be part of the crazy, wrapping one arm around Creed and held the other out. He moved forward, slipping his hand in hers, waiting for Damien to grab onto his other one. 
Once they formed a circle, Creed’s lips formed a straight line. “Here we go boys and my girl.”
Darkness came quickly. The opulent bedroom replaced by a forest that had gone eerily quiet. Creed moved next to Raina, waving his hand around her, changing the sexy dress she’d had on into all black, making her resemble a character from the movie Underworld. He didn’t have time to question the man as they all seemed to notice the unnatural quietness.
“Anyone know exactly where we are?” Damien’s voice echoed around them.
Creed closed his eyes, then opened them quickly. “We’re still on Earth. Something is unnatural here, but it’s not demon born.”
Dark Embrace
Playlist
1. You don’t know by Katelynn Turner

2. Sorry by Halsey

3. The Feeling by Justin Bieber and Halsey

4. I’m Gonna Show You Crazy by Bebe Rexa

5. Sway by Danielle Bradberry

6. Tennessee Whiskey by Justin Timberlake and Chris Stapelton

7. Tell Me You Love Me by Demi Levato

8. Faking by Calvin Harris Kehlani and Lil Yachty

9. Praying by Kesha

10. Bad at Love by Halsey

11. Dusk till Dawn by Zayn

12. Issues by Julia Michaels

13. Heavy by Linkn Park

14. At my Best by Machine Gun Kelly ft. Haily Steinfield

15. Scars to Your Beautiful by Alessia Cara

16. Glorious by Mackelmore and Skylar Grey

17. Perfect by Ed Sheeran

18. I Like Me Better by Lauv

19. Filthy by Justin Timberlake

20. There’s Nothing Holding Me Back by Shawn Mendez
About Elle:  Elle Boon lives in Middle-Merica as she likes to say…with her husband, two kids, and a black lab who is more like a small pony. She’d never planned to be a writer, but when life threw her a curve, she swerved with it, since she’s athletically challenged. She’s known for saying “Bless Your Heart” and dropping lots of F-bombs, but she loves where this new journey has taken her.
She writes what she loves to read, and that is romance, whether it’s erotic, Navy SEALs, or paranormal, as long as there is a happily ever after. Her biggest hope is that after readers have read one of her stories, they fall in love with her characters as much as she did. She loves creating new worlds, and has more stories just waiting to be written. Elle believes in happily ever afters, and can guarantee you will always get one with her stories.
Connect with Elle online, she loves to hear from you:
Sign up for Elle’s Newsletter!
Website | Twitter| Instagram | Facebook | Amazon Author Page | BookBub | Goodreads
Giveaway Details:1 winner will receive a signed finished copy of DARK LOVERS & a $10 Gift Card to the book retailer of their choice, International.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

{Book Review Blog Tour} xo, Zach by Kendall Ryan

xo, Zach by Kendall Ryan xo, ZachBy Kendall RyanStandaloneRelease Day: Jan 23, 2018Blurb:
The first time we met was at a party.
Your ex arrived to show off the person he'd left you for last month, and you asked me to pretend to be your date. 
I was more than happy to help. You were attractive, smart and witty--and that kiss we shared? It left me wanting you for days. 
The second time we met was in my office on campus where we were both surprised to discover you were the new master’s degree student in poetry that I would be working with. You promised to be professional. I did no such thing.
The late nights and intense study sessions spent alongside you majorly throw me off my game. I want you, and I fight with myself daily over this fact. 
I know I'm crass, that my sexual innuendos and dirty mouth annoy you, but I live for those two bright spots of color in your cheeks. If that's the only reaction I can get out of you, I'll gladly take it. 
You hate Mondays so every Monday I slip an anonymous poem into your bag and your smile gets me through the week.
I think I'm falling for you, and I know it's wrong. I know that I'm only supposed to be your adviser and nothing more, but here's the thing. I think you're falling for me too. 
xo, Zach
Buy Links: 
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2h9bQaa
Amazon Paprbk: http://amzn.to/2zfQSxW
iBooks: https://goo.gl/Hbtc41
Nook: https://goo.gl/N9ELpt
Kobo: https://goo.gl/9ruZks
Goodreads: https://goo.gl/3kqqdo
Audible: Live release, narrated by Andi Arndt & Sebastian York!
My Review:The college party scene is not Poppy’s thing. The 24-year-old grad student just wants to get her degree and be a good role model to her 7-year-old son Connor. But when she sees her ex-boyfriend at a house party she decides instead of running away, she’s going to get even which means grabbing a random guy at the party and asking him to be her fake boyfriend for the night.
What Poppy wasn’t expecting was Zach, the gorgeous guy she convinces to be her fake boyfriend or how the kiss they share makes her want him more than she’s wanted anyone for a long time. And she definitely doesn’t expect to go to school the following Monday and find Zach as her college advisor.
As Poppy tries to deny their chemistry and claims there can be nothing between them Zach does everything he can think of to show her that what they have is worth pursuing. 
Will Poppy give in to their smoldering attraction and realize Zach is the guy for her? Or will the risks outweigh the rewards? 
xo, Zach is a sweet, funny, sexy read that you’ll breeze through. I loved Zach’s sensitivity and his dirty mouth/mind and Poppy was a great mom to her son although it seemed to take a lot of convincing for her to relax and have fun.
I also really loved Zach’s mom! She was hilarious and if I ever have kids that’s the type of mom I want to be! 
Overall I really liked the story although I found it hard to believe Poppy didn’t realize it was Zach sending her the notes. I mean really? Who else is pursuing you that actively? And the notes themselves were so emphasized in the blurb but although supposedly Zach was leaving her a lot of them, we only really hear about the first and last notes during the course of the story. 
If you’re looking for a quick, cute, contemporary romance xo, Zach is a great read! 

My Rating:

{#BookReview & Blog Tour} Say You'll Remember Me by Katie McGarry

From critically acclaimed author Katie McGarry, comes SAY YOU’LL REMEMBER ME—a story of two people from different worlds pushing themselves, and each other, to get what they deserve!
SAY YOU’LL REMEMBER ME releases on January 30, 2018. Order your copy today!
Say You'll Remember Me by Katie McGarry Blurb:When Drix was convicted of a crime--one he didn't commit--he thought his life was over. But opportunity came with the new Second Chance Program, the governor's newest pet project to get delinquents off the streets, rehabilitated and back into society. Drix knows this is his chance to get his life back on track, even if it means being paraded in front of reporters for a while.
Elle knows she lives a life of privilege. As the governor's daughter, she can open doors with her name alone. But the expectations and pressure to be someone she isn't may be too much to handle. She wants to follow her own path, whatever that means.
When Drix and Elle meet, their connection is immediate, but so are their problems. Drix is not the type of boy Elle's parents have in mind for her, and Elle is not the kind of girl who can understand Drix's messy life.
But sometimes love can breach all barriers.
Fighting against a society that can't imagine them together, Drix and Elle must push themselves--Drix to confront the truth of the robbery, and Elle to assert her independence--and each other to finally get what they deserve.

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2mydpUL | B&N: http://bit.ly/2A0N6MS | iBooks: http://apple.co/2t06RR3 | Google Play: http://bit.ly/2juPunZ | BAM: http://bit.ly/2muDOCz |Kobo: http://bit.ly/2sWO9cg


My Review:Ellison “Elle” Monroe is the govenor’s daughter and with that comes a lot of expectations to be perfect and sacrifices of things that are important to her. But Elle doesn’t see it that way, she thinks she’s helping her father on the campaign trail.
Hendrix “Drix” Pierce is trying to see where he fits in now that he’s back from seven months of juvie and three months in an Outward Bound program for a crime he didn’t commit. He’s not the guy he used to be but he’s not sure who he is now either. For the next year he’ll be the governor’s dancing monkey pulled out at fundraisers to show that the governor’s pet project, a second chance program is working. What he didn’t expect was that the girl he meets on the midway at a carnival would turn out to be the governor’s daughter.
Nobody wants Elle and Drix together. It would be bad for Elle’s image, bad for the campaign, bad for the program, and bad for Drix’s future if things go south; yet together they find comfort, friendship, and then something more.
Do Elle and Drix have a shot at being together? Can Drix show the governor and the people that just see his record that he’s not that guy? Can he find out who really robbed the convenience store he was convicted of robbing? 
I loved Say You’ll Remember Me. Most of Katie Mcagarry’s books that I’ve read seem to have the same theme, a girl from money and a guy from “the wrong side of the tracks” who fall in love. This one takes on a girl who is oblivious to her parents using her for her father’s political gain and a guy who’s had a hard life with no one in authority giving him a break.
I liked Drix more than Elle because at times I felt Elle was very naive. And Elle’s parents drove me nuts. It just shows you that politicians say they’re for the people they’re representing but when it comes right down to it they only care about themselves and their agendas. I loved the secondary characters, Dominic, Holiday, Marcus, Axle, and Henry and thought they made the story in a way. 
I feel like this book is very relavent right now, especially with Elle’s interaction with the donor at one of her father’s fundraisers touching her inappropriately but feeling like she can’t do anything to make a scene because of his contribution to her father’s campaign. It’s very current with everything that’s been in the news lately even if I was screaming at the character to do something.
The ending of the book broke my heart a little but does have a happy, satisfying end. Overall, this may be one of my favorite Katie McGarry books and I definitely recommend it. 
My Rating:

"What I'm Reading" Wednesday #107

This "WIR"-Wednesday I'm digging into an ARC of the sequel of one of my favorite YA Fantasy series. I was so happy that the publisher sent me a copy...

The Heart Forger (The Bone Witch #2) by Rin Chupeco Blurb:In The Bone Witch, Tea mastered resurrection―now she's after revenge...
No one knows death like Tea. A bone witch who can resurrect the dead, she has the power to take life...and return it. And she is done with her self-imposed exile. Her heart is set on vengeance, and she now possesses all she needs to command the mighty daeva. With the help of these terrifying beasts, she can finally enact revenge against the royals who wronged her―and took the life of her one true love.
But there are those who plot against her, those who would use Tea's dark power for their own nefarious ends. Because you can't kill someone who can never die...
War is brewing among the kingdoms, and when dark magic is at play, no one is safe.
Why I Requested This Book | What I Think So Far:Requesting this book was a no-brainer because I loved the first book so much. I wasn't sure I'd get an ARC - in fact I was pretty sure I wouldn't or if I did it would be just an eARC but then one day this book showed up in a plain no-return-address envelope. I was afraid since it had been a while since I read The Bone Witch that I'd have a hard time getting back into the story but I'm pleasantly surprised how seamlessly I was able to get into this book. I continue to love how this series unravels being told in both the present and Tea recounting the past. I can't wait to see how the book ends and I still have plenty of questions about a few plot points.