Sorcha O'Dowd's Blog, page 33

Book Review ~ ‘Since Forever Ago’ by Olivia Besse.

Since Forever Ago by Olivia Besse

Genres: New Adult, Contemporary

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SYNOPSIS

Fresh off the heels of a devastating breakup, Riley Benson is a mess. But with her ingenious plan to become a ball-busting heartbreaker herself, she’s pretty sure she’ll survive. After all, what better way is there to get revenge than to move on?

Riley’s determined to become the perfect bachelorette—she’s going to drink like a bro, belch like a beast and swear so much that she’ll make even the most seasoned sailors blush. After all, those are the qualities that every guy’s secretly looking for…. aren’t they?

Max Fletcher is in love with the girl who gave him chicken pox and his first broken leg. When his best friend seems to finally be out of the picture, he can’t help but want to keep Riley all to himself. And, after coaching her with the very best of the very worst love advice, it seems as if he might actually get what he’s wanted after all those years. But just as the two come to the realization that they’re actually kind of perfect for each other, along comes a secret that threatens to tear them apart.

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 Book Review ~ ‘Since Forever Ago’ by Olivia Besse ~ Unrated

Since Forever Ago is a fresh, unique read within the New Adult Genre. I started this book unaware of any of the previous reviews of this book, so I was not influenced before I read this in anyway. For one, the cover is stunning and I’m not ashamed to say that this drew me in, as it’s all too often there are terrible covers on really good books which mean that it just won’t get the credit it deserves, so I was super pleased with the obvious care the author had put into the marketing side of this novel.

The storyline was a promising one, I loved the idea of Max sabotaging Riley’s dates in the hopes that he could win her over to himself, and I liked that there was some tension and obvious doubt when it came to Riley understanding what exactly her feelings for Max were, especially when her ex-boyfriend Noah begins to try and win her back. I also absolutely adored how the entire book was based on realistic elements of life approaching the end of college. All too often we see characters in New Adult books who are very mature for their age, which I love personally, because I felt like I could identify with them more, however in real life, college students aren’t always mature. They make stupid decisions, get drunk, party, act in a way that is far from how they should when they enter the adult world. I should know, after all I spent my first year of University sharing a flat with four very loud party-goers who represented a very stereotypical view of Students.

And it is for this reason that I myself couldn’t connect with this book, therefore think it would be unfair for me to give it a rating. I had a very stressful and traumatic university experience where I was shunned for not being like main character Riley. I felt too strongly that Riley was just everything I wasn’t, and therefore just couldn’t connect with her as a main character. The idea was so fresh, and the storyline so promising though that I made myself finish this book in order to give it a fair review, and in no way should my feelings about the main character in this book have any influence on any potential readers, because the author is obviously a very good one, who writes fluidly and creates a unique character base who I feel many young readers might identify better than I did. So I urge you to give this book a read, and make your own mind up, because as with every book, not everyone will like it, and with this one, I’m sure there is a group of readers out there who will find everything they are looking for with the characters in this story.

I will definitely read more from this author in the future, because I loved the writing style and the way the story flowed, so I look forward to seeing where this author will go next.

Unrated

*Review copy was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

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~ Amazon UK ~ Amazon US ~

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Olivia Besse

~ Facebook ~ Goodreads ~ Website ~

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Book Blitz ~ ‘Double Negative’ by C. Lee McKenzie.

Double Negative by C. Lee McKenzie

Published by: Evernight Teen

Publication date: July 25th 2014

Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult

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SYNOPSIS

“My life was going, going, gone, and I hadn’t been laid yet. I couldn’t go into the slammer before that happened.” Hutch McQueen.

Sixteen-year-old Hutchinson McQueen is trapped between an abusive mother and an absentee father. Shackled by poor vision and poor reading skills, he squeaks through classes with his talent for eavesdropping and memorizing what he hears. After another suspension from school and suffering through one of his mother’s violent attacks, he escapes to a friend’s house that turns out to be a meth lab. The lab is raided and Hutch lands in juvenile detention. When the court sentences him to six months in a new juvenile program, he meets a teacher with Alzheimer’s who will change his life and hers.

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~ Amazon UK ~ Amazon US ~ B&N ~

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Three Things YA Fiction Writers Should Avoid

If you’re not writing historical fiction, there are three things YA fiction writers should avoid.

Including Identifiable Technology:

I wrote a story a few year ago called The Princess of Las Pulgas, and by the time I’d finished it, and it was ready to submit to publishers, I had some major changes to make. One big change had to do with technology.

In the original story, I had a flip phone—remember those? They were the latest in cell phone technology a few years ago, but not in 2010 when Princess came out.

This writer can’t keep up with the changes that Intel or Apple or whoever, comes up with. They spew new software and new devices faster than a high powered automatic.

I now try to make my techie references as generic as possible and hope those won’t be outdated before publication.

 

Using Current Slang:

Slang comes and goes about as fast as techie stuff, so finding something fresh, but not soon to be on its way out is difficult to impossible. I often approximate slang with what I call “loosely correct” grammar, or I just stay away from it entirely. It doesn’t necessarily add to character. In fact, I sometimes think it detracts. Still I do resort to some when it suits the character and I can’t come up with another way to express something.

Including Well-known Celebrities:

I took a big chance in Double Negative when I mentioned Lady Gaga. I knew I shouldn’t use a well-known celebrity, but I did anyway because the scene and the elderly character of Maggie begged for it. Here’s a snippet to give you an idea of how I trapped myself and probably will date my book within a few years.

The scene takes place at Thanksgiving dinner. Dixson Wang’s mom is Chinese and doesn’t speak English well. Hutch is the pov character.

I look over at Wang who’s leaning close to his mother. I guess he’s telling her what people are saying because sometimes he translates what she says to him. “Mom says the peas are delicious,” or “My mom has never tasted this kind of salad, but she likes it very much.”

Moss keeps shoveling food into his mouth as if his elbow’s set to a timer, and Meeker’s already taking seconds. Like me, they don’t talk, but they look around at the others.

That’s when Maggie says, “We should talk about sex or Lady Gaga. The boys are bored.”

Heather chokes and grabs her water glass.

Maggie asks Liz, “What is it about that singer that makes her so popular in the gay community?”

Dixson Wang isn’t translating anymore.

I hope Lady Gaga stays in style for a while.

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C. Lee McKenzie 

 

In my other life–the one before I began writing for teens and younger readers–I was a teacher and administrator at California State University, San Jose. My field of Linguistics and Inter-cultural Communication has carried me to a lot of places in the world to explore different cultures and languages. I can say, “Where’s the toilet?” and “I’m lost!” in at least five languages and two dialects. Go ahead. Pat me on the back.

My idea of a perfect day is one or all of the following: starting a new novel, finishing writing a blockbuster novel, hiking on a misty morning trail in the Santa Cruz Mountains, saying Namaste after a great yoga practice, sipping a cappuccino topped at a bustling café, reading in front of a fire with snow outside, swimming in an ocean someplace.

I’ve just set out my perfect life. Day after day after day.

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~ Goodreads ~ Twitter ~ Website ~

 

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Book Blitz organised by Xpresso Book Tours.

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Book Blitz ~ ‘Come Back to Texas’ by K.K. Hendin.

Come Back To Texas by K.K. Hendin

(Twelve Beats In A Bar #1)

Publication date: August 18th 2014

Genres: Contemporary, New Adult

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SYNOPSIS

Everyone thought we’d be the ones who made it through high school. The ones who’d get married and stay married forever. The example of how young love can work.

We thought so, too.

Too bad life had other plans.

It’s been three years since Hayley and Nate broke each other’s hearts. Three years, and a lot has changed. Hayley’s a freshman in Bushwick University, and the only things keeping her sane are stress baking, and her a cappella group, Twelve Beats in a Bar.

Nate’s a Marine, stationed in Afghanistan. The only thing that’s keeping him sane is the last picture he has of him and Hayley, and the hope that maybe when the hell of deployment is over, he can find her again and apologize.

One explosion will change everything.

When a bomb kills all of Nate’s unit, leaving him missing a leg and eyesight in one eye, he’s sent back home to Texas. Texas, where he loved Hayley more than he could possibly imagine ever loving anyone else.

With seemingly endless amounts of free time and needing something to distract himself, Nate starts making YouTube videos, imploring Hayley to come back to him, and come back to Texas.

Hayley’s life is wrapped around the Beats, making sure she doesn’t flunk out of biology class, and babysitting Ohio’s smallest monster, Brandon. She doesn’t want to admit it, but she misses Nate more than anything.

It’s too bad she doesn’t know just how much he misses her, too…

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~ Amazon UK ~ Amazon US ~

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Transcript, YouTube video uploaded by user ILoveHayley, entitled ‘Intro’.

-camera, probably a webcam, turns on to show a 20-something year old guy sitting on a hospital bed. His face looks like he’s been through hell, his hair sticking up and a bandage covering part of his forehead and one eye. There is a faint sound of beeping, probably from various machines.

ILH: Hi, Hayley. This is kinda weird, but this is the only thing I can think of. I don’t think if I sent a letter home anyone would send it to you. Can’t blame them for it, but still. So, hi. I’m just going to babble into this webcam, lookin’ like shit and hoping that maybe you’ll see this. So, I kind of got myself into a little trouble while I was… away, which kinda explains the shitty makeup I’m wearing.

ILH *laughs*.

ILH: I miss you, and I’m sorry I fucked up.

ILH *sighs*.

ILH: This video is depressing and fucking morbid. I know you’re not in Texas anymore, but I think you ought to come back and visit. And not just visit Austin like you’re just here for South by Southwest, but actually visit. Here’s one reason why you should come back to Texas: Noreen just told me that at the last county fair she was at, they were selling deep fried ham crackles, which I’m sure they’re not selling wherever you are. Although you probably wouldn’t actually eat them… remember when I dared you to try deep fried butter and you ate nothing but vegetables for a week after? But I can’t dare you to eat deep fried anything if you’re that far away. When Noreen finally lets me out of here, we’re going to find ourselves a county fair and we’ll clog our arteries with deep fried shit. And then figure out how to make deep fried sweet tea, because I’m sure nobody’s done that yet.

ILH *pauses* *makes a face at the screen*

ILH: I’m gonna end this now because I feel like an idiot as is. I miss you, Hayley May. Please come back to Texas.

The screen goes dark.

-End of transcript.

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Three winners, each one gets their choice of any two signed copies of K.K. Hendin’s books (Heart Breaths, Only The Good Die Young, Come Back To Texas) and a guarantee of an ARC of the second book in the TBIAB series when it’s available.

*Open US only; ends September 1st*

~ A Rafflecopter Giveaway ~

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In Which KK Interviews Herself For A Blog But She’s Not Sure Which One…

Interviewer KK: Congratulations on your new book, KK!

Regular KK: Thank you!

Interviewer KK: So, a twelve book series? Are you crazy?

Regular KK: Apparently.

Interviewer KK: Wow. Good luck with that.

Regular KK: Gee, thanks.

Interviewer KK: Where did you get the idea for COME BACK TO TEXAS from? Was it a dream? Were you drunk? Did it really happen? Or did someone give you the idea and you wrote it and now you’re going to split the profits?

Regular KK: Well, there are a few different parts of the story, and they all came to me at different times. While I was awake. And sober. From my own imagination J The first part of the story that came to me was Nate and Hayley’s story, and that was inspired by Bowling For Soup’s song Come Back To Texas. (HEYYYY… WAIT A SECOND.) I loved the idea of a guy using everything but himself to entice a girl to come back to him, and I loved that it was Texas, because Texas. And as usual, the idea kind of started spiraling… and then Nate and Hayley talking ice cream showed up, and there was that. The series concept came while I was watching the Sing-Off. I love a cappella, and I’ve always wanted to write about an a cappella group. When everything clicked into place…. Well, let’s just say I happy danced so much I probably traumatized my neighbors.

Interviewer KK: So, did you have the Bowling For Soup song stuck in your head the whole time?

Regular KK: Not the *whole* time, but a fair amount of it. I listened to a lot of a cappella music and country music while writing CBTT, so some of those songs got stuck in my head. There are worse things that could happen J

Interviewer KK: Country music? Really?

Regular KK: I actively like country music. And when I find country a cappella music, my head about explodes with happiness. I’ve been listening to country music for quite some time, so getting to drop different song references throughout the book was a lot of fun.

Interviewer KK: It’s all just trucks and cows and your girl leaving you, isn’t it?

Regular KK: Nope. Well, there are some songs like that, but not all of them. There’s quite a range of music within country music. And even more of a range in a cappella music. J

Interviewer KK: Well, I’m glad you had a good playlist for this book. I know those are important to you. What was your favorite scene?

Regular KK: WHY MUST YOU ASK HARD QUESTIONS???

Interviewer KK: I *could* have asked you what your favorite book is. You’re lucky I’m asking you easy questions.

Regular KK: Geez. I hate you.

Interviewer KK: That’s professional of you, dear.

Regular KK: Phoof.

Interviewer KK: You didn’t answer the question.

Regular KK: Fine. I don’t have only one though, I have a few. The period scene, the work study scene, and the end. I’m really fond of the end J

Interviewer KK: Okay, real talk—are we going to cry while reading CBTT?

Regular KK: Maybe? I actually cried while editing it. Not while writing it, but editing. And I didn’t cry while writing or editing HEART BREATHS or ONLY THE GOOD DIE YOUNG, so I don’t know what that means.

Interviewer KK: So, what’s up next with you?

Regular KK: More books! And vacation in which I will write all the words!

Interviewer KK: Well, that does sound fun.

Regular KK: It will be!

Interviewer KK: Well, thanks for answering all my questions, KK!

Regular KK: Anytime, Interviewer KK!

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K.K. Hendin

 

KK Hendin’s real life ambition is to become a pink fluffy unicorn who dances with rainbows. But the schooling for that is all sorts of complicated, so until that gets sorted out, she’ll just write. Preferably things with angst and love. And things that require chocolate.

She spends way too much time on Twitter (@kkhendin), and rambles on occasion over at www.kkhendinwrites.blogspot.com.

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~ Facebook ~ Goodreads ~ Twitter ~ Website ~

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Book Blitz organised by Xpresso Book Tours.

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Cover Reveal ~ ‘The Rental’ by Rebecca Berto.

The Rental by Rebecca Berto

(The Rental #1)

Genres: Erotic, Romance

Expected Release Date: 22nd September 2014.

Cover Designer: Berto Designs

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SYNOPSIS

At first, Rick Delaney watched Vee Wyland with the hungry eyes of a fox as if she were a rabbit … his rabbit. But one day, he slunk away without notice.

 Months away from graduating high school, Vee’s life is on the verge of crumbling. At home, dire finances and long hours test her family. Her boyfriend hardly pays attention to her. And she can’t shake her feelings for his older brother, Rick.

 Then, all in one night, tragedy tears her teetering life into shreds.

 When Rick and Vee reunite, the sparks fly. However, she unwittingly signs away a future for both of them. In his world, a place called The Rental, she becomes Victoria and Rick becomes Rhett. One part of her watches with fascination, while the other unfurls and embraces her sexual awakening. It began as a game, but the consequences are real.

 Following their heart’s desire is forbidden, but walking away could strip their hope for a future.

The Rental is an erotic romance that explores how sex isn’t purely physical; sometimes, it’s a gateway to your soul.

 

 

 

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Pre Order THE RENTAL today!

~ Amazon UK ~ Amazon US ~ Amazon AU ~ Amazon CA ~ B&N ~ iTunes ~ Kobo ~

 

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Chapter One

Rick Delaney was parked outside my house with my boyfriend. He stepped out of his car and lifted two fingers, saluting me at the front door. He shouldn’t have been.

How could he return to Melbourne after a whole year when I resigned to a life without him—a life, specifically, with the brother he’d arrived? Bottled-up feelings pounded in my chest so hard I was glad no one was home to witness it.

And my boyfriend? He tripped getting out of the passenger seat. That’s what can happen when you looked at your mobile phone instead of your girlfriend’s smiling face. My expression soured as he passed me, not even a peck on the cheek.

“What’s with the ride?” I called.

Their mum, Mrs Delaney, should’ve been dropping Justin off like usual. But he ignored me and trudged farther into my house.

Rick noticed my expression and jogged up the stairs. Elder by three years, he stood tall with the composure of a man compared to his teenage brother. Strong shoulders filled out his dark T-shirt. He was bigger in not only his upper body but everywhere—thick arms and thighs and a solid build. Add that to a smile and he melted the hearts of women everywhere—seventeen-year-old girls included.

“Mum and Dad are in Europe,” Rick said. “They call it a long-awaited honeymoon. Justin and I call it a mid-life crisis.”

My jaw hung open. How could Justin not tell me? I thought this type of thing excited a boyfriend. Weeks of no parental supervision at home—it’d excite me if not for the sudden pit of worry in my belly. “They’re away? They’re not here?”

“That’s what a holiday is.” Rick deadpanned.

“It’s just that Justin never told me anything.”

“It was only a few days ago.”

As if that made it okay. If Justin didn’t spend so much time with his phone in his face, he might have remembered to tell me. I didn’t know why, but it cut me that I didn’t know an important change in his life. I told him every time my dad left to truck interstate for work and that was every few weeks. He was gone more than he was here, and Mum worked odd hours. It was lonely and hard to stay away from the temptations Justin and my best friend, Cara offered me at parties or when we hung out.

“Hey, bro,” Justin called behind us. He came up and slammed his hand on the side of the front door. “Come fix the washing machine.”

“Washing machine?” I asked. Why are you acting like you live here? I was close to adding.

“Yeah,” he held out the front of his top, “got a Coke from your fridge and it squirted everywhere.”

“We don’t have any Coke left in the fridge.”

“You do in the spare one.”

I bit my lip and flexed my fingers by my side. Facing him, I cracked a thin smile. Most of the time, Justin wasn’t like this. Correction, before recently, my boyfriend wasn’t like this. He kissed me like no one else, and made me laugh, but damn it, he either had the memory of a goldfish or was too ignorant to care.

“That was for tomorrow night!” I stared into his eyes with hope of making him feel guilty, but he was clueless. “Dad’s back from Sydney tomorrow, and Mum’s got a dinner for us three. You know he loves Coke. You know he’s been away for weeks. You know Mum’s too busy working to buy more groceries before then.”

Justin shook his head. “So uptight.” He squeezed my ass, smiling as he planted his lips fully to mine. “I love that about you, but seriously, I forgot. And, your mum works at a supermarket, for fuck’s sake.”

True, but Justin drank Coke, and ate all the ice cream, and ate all the chips, and I got sick of explaining to Mum why I was so selfish as to keep putting her out when she only requested little favours like these on special occasions. Such as tomorrow.

“I’m not uptight.” I paused. “It’s fine about the top—I’ll hand wash and Rick—”

But as I turned to tell him not to worry about fixing the washing machine, my hands met a rock solid chest. I froze. My palms lingered on the contours of his defined pecs with my fingertips at his collarbone. Not able to look at his eyes, I dropped my hands, as if that would undo our moment.

It didn’t.

I’d spend sleepless nights dreaming about his body, as I did when he was far away and stopped talking to me. Pictures and memories of him were all I had.

Justin was hot with his dark eyes and brown hair, but compared to Rick, he was scrawny. Mostly bones everywhere, and when we made out, his hips rubbed into mine. I’d forgotten his shortfalls when it was just him and me. I liked him plenty and that grew to love. But now my past was back, and I had no idea what to feel when seconds ago my hands were on his brother.

That brother with a firm build, one that wouldn’t rub against me if we were to … I shut down that thought pattern. I shouldn’t imagine Rick on top of me. We were three years apart, and at my age, sex with him was illegal.

I pulled my thoughts in and mumbled, “Oh, um,” then took a breath and tried again. “Dad’s back tomorrow, so don’t worry about it. He’ll fix it then. I feel terrible putting you out.”

“It’s fine, Vee, really. Kill some time.”

“Thanks, fag,” Justin said, pulling at my arm to drag me away.

“God, Justin, you’re such an ass sometimes.” I shook out of his grip. He looked offended, so I added, “Gotta go clean up the Coke, remember?”

“Seriously,” Rick said, “you two just chill. I’ll let myself through. This way?” He pointed down the hall.

I nodded. “I’ll come with you.”

“Fine.” Justin walked the other way. “You two have fun. I’m hanging in Vee’s bed.”

“Such a tool,” Rick said, walking to the washing machine.

“I know,” I mumbled.

I took out the mop and bucket, and then went to the cupboard to grab the concentrate liquid.

“I was born with a link to him, but indulge me,” Rick crouched by the washing machine on his haunches, legs spread and hands dangling between, “why is someone as smart and gorgeous as you with him?”

“I ask myself why—”

I stopped.

He said I was smart and gorgeous.

“Oh,” I managed between strangled breaths, “thanks.”

He half-smiled then got to work. His T-shirt rode up on one side as he leant over. Just above his pant line, the angular ‘V’ at his lower back peeked out. Hard as I tried not to gawk, it was impossible when I was alone with him in this small space.

“The um,” I started and almost forgot what I was going to say. Luckily, I recovered. “The machine won’t start. Not sure what it is. Mum and I have been hand washing for now.”

Rick turned, focusing his attention on the washer. I wiped the laundry bench and cupboard and mopped the floor, trying to concentrate on the mop end and not Rick’s ass or his body bent over the machine.

After I was done, I went to my room to hang with Justin, but he wasn’t there. I did a lap of the house, called his name, and checked the other rooms too, but he had literally disappeared. I paused a moment in the kitchen, steadying myself on the corner of the bench while I let the realisation absorb. He left without a goodbye, without much of a hello for that matter.

“Rick!” I called.

He emerged wiping his top down his face. I looked away as fast as I could, but the image of his lean eight-pack projected in my imagination anyway.

Justin might’ve been outside or somewhere I hadn’t checked. He had to be. I pushed aside the topic. It would be stupid to suggest he left.

“Thank you so much,” I said, meeting Rick’s eyes, “for in there.” I pointed behind him.

“But you don’t know if I fixed it.”

“You tried.”

He smiled with his lip jutted out and nodded, as if I impressed him. “Well,” he said, “you can be a woman of modern technology from now on. All fixed. It was a loose belt. Slipped off.”

“Oh, lucky me.”

The silence became louder, and judging by the tightness between Rick’s eyebrows, he had just noticed Justin’s absence.

“Justin?” I queried, and he nodded cautiously. “Yeah, I looked everywhere for him. This might sound stupid, but I think he left. I couldn’t find him. He’s just not here.”

Rick tensed his jaw, scoping the open living area. “Bull,” he said, but by the dismissive tone, he sounded like he was saying it to himself or about something else.

He stalked off toward my backyard without another word, so I scampered after him, my little legs no match for his long strides. I flipped the light on outside and Rick walked down the steps, following the shallow lighting spilling over the clumpy, yellowed grass and shrubs lining the property fence.

“Unbelievable,” Rick muttered, I thought, but I couldn’t be sure with his back facing me or by the growl to his tone.

He eased me back with a polite hand and walked around to my front door and beyond. He surveyed the porch and front yard in the same swift and efficient manner as the back, and then turned to me. We were facing each other separated by my whole house. The front light slammed behind him and it made him glow. I supposed I looked the same, and wondered if I seemed as mysterious and alluring as he did. Not possible.

We shut the doors and walked towards each other, meeting near my kitchen bench.

“Did he tell you he was leaving?”

“Not at all,” I said, scratching my head. “I just came from the laundry and he was gone. Maybe …” but I trailed off, feeling stupid for thinking it.

“What?” Rick said, eyes narrowed.

“Maybe he texted me letting me know why.”

Rick shrugged. “You could check.”

I did, returning with my mobile phone. I had one new message.

Justin: Had to go. Sorry, babe xoxo

“Unbelievable,” I muttered, embodying the same rage as Rick.

“What? He didn’t—” Rick looked at my mobile which I handed over, and he cut himself off to read. “He did. Where did he even go? What a bastard.”

Rick’s cheeks were inflamed now, and a telltale vein popped from his forehead. He scrubbed his temples with the heels of his hands.

I remained there not doing a thing. I hadn’t seen Rick for so long. I hadn’t a clue how to calm him down or what would be appropriate.

“It’s not a big deal,” I said. “He’s my boyfriend, not yours.”

“He’s my brother. I’m here to look out for him and the kid slips from my fingers.”

“Look out?” I asked.

Rick’s face blanched. He stood there with these big helpless arms dangling on either side of his body. He coughed and said, “Parents are away. Someone’s gotta keep him out of trouble.”

“Oh.” I sighed. “It’s nice of you to come back to keep an eye on him. I’m sure he doesn’t think so. Now he can’t run amuck with freedom.” I had so many questions to ask Rick, like whether London was an extended holiday or was he there for work or did he miss me? I couldn’t ask any of them though when we had more important things on our minds.

“I don’t think so either,” Rick said in a solemn tone. The severity of it hit me square in the chest like a physical force, and my body stood immobile while I adjusted to the weirdness of everything. Justin leaving, but also the aloof Rick Delaney that had changed since I last knew him.

“I better go search.” He patted his pockets, looked over the bench, and then ducked into the laundry room. When he emerged, he walked to the front door.

I followed, and we both turned to each other at the same time, emitting a startled chuckle from me. I placed my hand over my chest. “Thanks for everything. It’s good to see you back, Rick.” I leaned up to kiss him, and he stooped to my cheek, pecking it so lightly, only the bristle of his stubble grazed my skin.

He jogged down the front steps, unlocked his car, and was about to jump into it when he looked up at me, this big, lost expression on his handsome face. “See ya,” he called. And then he hopped in and drove.

At least he said goodbye, but the whole night had left me shaken.

• •

Read the first 3 Chapters on Wattpad (free, no sign up required):

http://www.wattpad.com/66159659-the-rental

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Rebecca Berto

Rebecca Berto writes stories about love and relationships. She gets a thrill when her readers are emotional reading her books, and gets even more of a kick when they tell her so. She’s strangely imaginative, spends too much time on her computer, and is certifiably crazy when she works on her fiction.

Rebecca Berto lives in Melbourne, Australia with her boyfriend and their pets.

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~ Facebook ~ Goodreads ~ Pinterest ~ Twitter ~ Website ~

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Cover Reveal organised by Between the Sheets Book Promotions.

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Book Blitz ~ ‘Shades of Chaos’ ~ A Post-Apocalyptic Collection

Shades of Chaos

Authors: Alexia Purdy, Cameron Jace, Chrystalla Thoma, Katie Salidas, Megan Duncan, Nadège Richards

Publication date: June 11th 2014

Genres: Dystopia, Young Adult

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SYNOPSIS

Dare yourself to enter into post-apocalyptic future with this gritty collection of first-in-a-series books by six bestselling authors! Discover unique worlds packed with non-stop action, adventure, and suspense set against a gritty, futuristic backdrop.

NOTE: Together, these books have over 320 5-star reviews on Amazon!

Over 1400 pages of stories, with *exclusive* content from Alexia Purdy, Katie Salidas, and Chrystalla Thoma!

Best for ages 16 and up~

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I AM Alive:

I am not my heart rate. I am not my skills. I am not how I look like. My name is Decca Tenderstone. I live in a future America where teenagers are ranked on a scale from 1 to 10 on graduation day. There has never been a 10. Those below the rank of 5 are considered Monsters, a liability to society. The system says I am a Monster. I will not let them kill me. I will survive.

Initiation: B

eing a Vampire is a crime punishable by eternal servitude in the arena as a Gladiator of the Iron Gate. Mira, a newly turned vampire, must prove she has what it takes to survive in the human’s world. It’s kill or be killed. Immortality is not guaranteed.

Dissension:

In the aftermath of the great cataclysm, vampires are enslaved by humans and used for blood sport as gladiators in the arena. Mira is undefeated, uncompromising, and unbreakable, but when an escape attempt leads her into the path of the city’s Regent, her destiny is changed forever.

Finding Hope:

After the death of the one person he called mother, Elei leaves the Trashlands of Ost for the city – looking for other people and for answers. But he soon finds out that people are complicated and answers hard to come by…

Rex Rising:

In a world where parasites create new human races, Elei leads a peaceful life as aircar driver — until a mysterious attack on his boss sends him fleeing with a bullet in his side and the fleet at his heels.

Resonant:

As the first days of the end of humanity tumble across the City of Las Vegas, turning everyone into vampire-like creatures, April Tate will find out what it really means to survive.

Reign of Blood:

April Tate is a seventeen-year-old ferocious vampire killer who lives in the remains of Las Vegas one year after a viral epidemic has left the world decimated. After her family is abducted, her world tilts when she discovers they’re not truly alone.

Released:

After a demon apocalypse kills everyone they know, 17-year old Abby Phillips, her brother and her friend Max flee their home to travel through the wastelands of America, chasing a radio transmissions of a resistance offering shelter. But soon enough Abby and her companions discover what awaits them is much worse they could have ever imagined.

Burning Bridges:

In a world divided between Hunters and Warriors, where prisoners are forced to fight in the arena until death, young Princess Echo must fight to find out who she really is and to put a world that has been swallowed by lies back together again.

 

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The book is on sale at $0.99 for a limited time!

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Book Blitz organised by Xpresso Book Tours.

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Cover Reveal ~ ‘Captured Love’ by Juliana Haygert.

Captured Love by Juliana Haygert

Publication date: November 2014

Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Cover Designer: Najila Qamber Designs

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SYNOPSIS

Warning: strong language, sex scenes

Word count: ~70,000

It’s been four years since twenty-year-old Jessica Hayes has been home, but when she discovers her father is dying, she must return to her hometown in South Carolina and face her past. Jessica thought patching up her relationship with her father would be her biggest challenge, but when she runs into Ryan Dawson—the catalyst of all her problems—she wonders if coming home was a mistake.

Ryan knows he screwed up. Hell, he paid the price…with interest. But when he runs into his best friend’s little sister, Jessica, he’s reminded that his debt will never truly be paid. He may have turned his life around, but he can’t undo the damage. So, he does what he should have done all those years ago. He stays away from Jessica, and all the other personal demons that still haunt him.

Jessica thought she wanted nothing to with Ryan, but something is different about him and she needs to know why. When she discovers the truth behind his change, she puts her troubles aside and tries to help him. But is putting her heart back in the line of fire worth disrupting her stable life back in Ohio, or will the past repeat itself, leaving her brokenhearted once again?

 

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~ A Rafflecopter Giveaway ~

Goodreads Book Giveaway

 

 

Captured Love

 

by Juliana Haygert

 

Giveaway ends October 20, 2014. See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

 

Enter to win

 

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Juliana Haygert

While Juliana Haygert dreams of being Wonder Woman, Buffy, or a blood elf shadow priest, she settles for the less exciting—but equally gratifying—life of a wife, mother, and author. Thousands of miles away from her former home in Brazil, she now resides in Connecticut and spends her days writing about kick-ass heroines and the heroes who drive them crazy.

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Cover Reveal organised by Xpresso Book Tours.

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Sale Alert ~ ‘The Only Exception’ & ‘The Only One’ by Magan Vernon.

The Only Exception and The Only One by Magan Vernon are ON SALE for $.99 from now until the end of August!

Keep your eye out for ‘The Only Answer’ releasing next week!

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The Only Exception

(The Only Exception #1)

 

SYNOPSIS

Monica Remy doesn’t make exceptions.

The fiery nineteen-year-old transferred to Central College to escape her problems, blend into the crowd and forget the past. But escape becomes almost impossible when she attracts the attention of her new and undeniably sexy neighbor: Trey Chapman, the governor’s son.

Despite his vivid green eyes, adorable freckles, and athletic body, Trey is everything that Monica despises – haughty, conservative, bossy. And able to get under her skin in a way no other man ever could.

A class project forces the unlikely pair together, their chemistry building with each heated debate. But when the ghosts of Monica’s past come back to haunt her, both their beliefs will be tested, and both will be forced to see the world in a new light.

Their differences threaten to tear them apart, unless they can make one another their only exception.

 

99c Sale!

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The Only One

(The Only Exception Companion Novel)

SYNOPSIS

Honor student, manager at the campus coffee shop, owner of an impressive sweater collection – Melanie Wilder has it all together. Then John “John Boy” Walden strolls into her life wearing nothing more than an impish grin and all-too-revealing loin cloth.

Soon, make-out sessions replace homework, lust triumphs over work. And to further crumble her perfect world, an unexpected phone call threatens to take away everything she’s worked for.

Now, as Melanie struggles to pick up the pieces, she realizes that John may be the only one to put her life back together…unless he shatters it first.

**This is not a sequel to The Only Exception. It’s a companion novel with two characters from the first book. You don’t need to read The Only Exception to understand this book.**

 99c Sale!

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The Only Answer

(The Only Exception #2)

SYNOPSIS

The sequel to the international hit, The Only Exception.

A boy burdened with a family legacy.

A girl haunted by a shattered past.

Both searching for answers to a future threatened by the unknown.

Three years ago, conservative Trey Chapman and liberal Monica Remy met their match in one another – and made the only exception that would change their lives forever.

Now, Trey’s father is running for president, forcing Trey and Monica to put aside their personal beliefs to be the model of perfection.

But fate has other ideas, casting the family in scandal.

Some seek to use that disgrace to further their family legacy, while others refuse to let go of the past. Trey and Monica soon find themselves lost among questions that challenge their true feelings. Will they be able to rediscover that the only answer lies with one another, or will they lose each other forever?

AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER

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Tour Stop + Review ~ ‘Next to You’ by Claudia Y. Burgoa.

Next To You by Claudia Y. Burgoa

(Life #2)

Publication date: June 2014

Genres: Contemporary, New Adult

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Where Life Takes You by Claudia Y. Burgoa

(Life #1)

Publication date: July 31st 2013

Genres: Contemporary, New Adult

SYNOPSIS

Becca Trent lived her childhood next to a cruel woman—her mom—who lived to torment and neglect her. During her high school years, her mother married; bringing home not only a new husband, but a step sister her same age. The latter took over her Mom’s role—making Becca’s life miserable. Including stealing Ian—Becca’s best friend and boyfriend—Lisa treated her worse than her mother had for the previous fifteen years. A couple of years later, things ended up in tragedy.

Becca buried that part of her life in the deep corners of her psyche, but that only work during the days when the nightmares didn’t come back to haunt her. Her best friend, Dan gives her that family love she always lacked. Everything was close to perfect, until everything and everyone from her past came back. Now, she’s trying to figure out how to survive and keep that bond which seems now to be held together by a thread.

Note: This is the first part of a two book novel.

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Next To You by Claudia Y. Burgoa

(Life #2)

Publication date: June 2014

Genres: Contemporary, New Adult

SYNOPSIS

Him

…I need time. Time to heal those wings and learn to use them…

Was part of the letter Rebecca Trent, Daniel Brightmore’s fiancée and best friend left when she ran away. The person he trusted the most for the past decade disappeared without giving him a second glance. She taught him how to love, believe in family and that everyone deserves a happily ever after. Now he’s struggling between wiping any traces of her from his life and drowning his sorrows away with the help of his new best friends—Don Julio and Jack Daniels.

Her

Rebecca’s past suffocated her to the point of not wanting to continue, her lifeline and the only reason to live began to withdraw from her. She wished it had been her imagination, but heard it loud and clear: “If not, there’s always a divorce, nothing is forever.” This time it became a leave or die situation. Something has got to change—she had to change. Packing light and leaving a letter behind, she takes a journey that can help her find herself through the shards of her painful childhood.

As letters, memories and stories are exchanged, two once inseparable people reconcile what’s left of their relationship. Beyond the confines of everything they built together, they’re left with two lonely people searching for what it means to be whole. Will they find meaning under their bruised psyches or will their pasts get the better of them?

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Book Review ~ ‘Next to You’ by Claudia Y. Burgoa ~ 5 Stars!

This was a stunning conclusion to Daniel and Rebecca’s heartbreaking yet beautiful story. I was dying to get my hands on this book ever since I finished the first one, and knowing that it would be from Daniel’s point of view, only made me want it even more. I loved seeing the first book from Rebecca’s narrative, so was intrigued to see the difference in how Daniel and Rebecca had viewed their relationship.

‘Next to You’ really packed the emotional punch, and there were many times when I just had to put my kindle down and remind myself that it was only fiction as I could feel my heart break for the pain the characters went through. Yet, I was determined to persevere, as I became so entwined with the characters and just had to finish their journey with them.

I grew to adore Daniel even more in this book as we start to see the perfect facade he presented to the world in ‘Where Life Takes You’ couldn’t be further from the truth. Inside he is broken, desperate and intensely traumatised from his own past, something that was all brought to the surface again when Rebecca left him at the end of the first book. I really rooted for him throughout this story, as I began to see the cracks that he’d tried to hide splinter now that he’d lost the only thing in the world that had kept him fighting.

Seeing Rebecca’s development in this story, made all the pain and heartbreak worth it. I did worry that Rebecca was broken beyond repair at the end of the first book, even as I held out hope that she would return to Daniel and the love they shared, but this book really showed the inner strength she had, and I really admired her for finally putting herself first and starting her journey of self discovery where she began to accept her past, and look forward to a brighter future. To see the toll that her absence from Daniel’s life had on not only him, but also her was just heartbreaking, and I wept throughout the scenes where we began to see the two of them doubt a future between them was every possible.

Even though Daniel was still Rebecca’s rescuer in this novel, in many different ways, it was wonderful to see Rebecca become her own saviour, and to in turn become the stronger and healthier one of the two, something so different to the way they were in the first book.

Hearing of some of the things that Rebecca went through in ‘Where Life Takes You’ unknown to the reader just broke my heart, and it really made it clear to me why she felt she had to leave Daniel, giving me the closure I needed after heart-wrenching ending to Book One.

In addition, I felt that the authors writing style was a lot more fluid than in the previous book, and details of the story flowed better, as I remember commenting in my review of ‘Where Life Takes You’ on how certain aspects of the first book seemed contradictory to what had been mentioned in previous chapters, which is why I rated it 4 over 5 stars. In ‘Next to You’, the whole novel flowed beautifully, and I never once felt that the plot or pasts of the characters were jumping in different directions.

This was an absolutely stunning, heartbreaking and beautiful conclusion to the ‘Life’ series, and this is one that will definitely stay with me for many years.

5 Stars!

*See my review for ‘Where Life Takes You’, the first book in the Life series here*

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Where Life Takes You

(Life #1)

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Next To You

(Life #2)

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Open INTL – Ends Sept 2nd

*$100 USD Amazon or paypal GC*

*1x signed copy of both life series books*

*2x ecopy of both life series books*

~ A Rafflecopter Giveaway ~

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Claudia Y. Burgoa

Claudia lives in Colorado with her family and three dogs. Two beagles who believe they are human, and a bichon who thinks she’s a beagle. While managing life, she works as a CFO at a small IT Company. She’s a dreamer who enjoys music, laughter and a good story.

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Blog Tour organised by Xpresso Book Tours.

Click the banner above to follow the ‘Next to You’ Blog Tour.

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Book Review ~ ‘This is Falling’ by Ginger Scott.

This is Falling by Ginger Scott

(Falling #1)

Genres: New Adult, Romance, Contemporary

Release Date: 29th August 2014.

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SYNOPSIS

First, I had to remember how to breathe. Then, I had to learn how to survive. Two years, three months and sixteen days had passed since I was the Rowe Stanton from before, since tragedy stole my youth and my heart went along with it.

When I left for college, I put a thousand miles between my future and my past. I’d made a choice—I was going to cross back to the other side, to live with the living. I just didn’t know how.

And then I met Nate Preeter.

An All-American baseball player, Nate wasn’t supposed to notice a ghost-of-a-girl like me. But he did. He shouldn’t want to know my name. But he did. And when he learned my secret and saw the scars it left behind, he was supposed to run. But he didn’t.

My heart was dead, and I was never supposed to belong to anyone. But Nate Preeter had me feeling, and he made me want to be his. He showed me everything I was missing.

And then he showed me how to fall.

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Book Review ~ ‘This is Falling’ by Ginger Scott ~ 5 Stars!

After finishing ‘How We Deal With Gravity’ by Ginger Scott, I just had to get my hands on another book by this fantastic author. From reading the synopsis, I had a feeling that this was going to be another very special story, and my god it was.

To see the amount of thought and heart that goes into these characters is something that makes them so much more relatable to me as a reader. Having been to University myself and struggled to find my feet, I really connected to Rowe and her fears of fitting in and making friends, as well as her desire to keep to herself. All too often books set in college seem to have girls leaving home and suddenly finding their niche, but I loved that Ginger Scott went for a different approach and depicted Rowe as a teenager who didn’t feel comfortable going out to parties, and felt slightly intimidated by sharing a room with girls who seem far more confident than her.

Anddd, Nate. Oh Nate, how I love you! What a beautiful, beautiful book boyfriend. I loved having his point of view alternating with Rowe as it really showed just how in tune he was with how she was feeling in her chapters. I loved that he was so sensitive to her emotions and that he would do anything to make her happy, including sleeping in a pink room with Barbie blankets (honestly, I can’t remember the last time I ever laughed so much!) The prank wars between Rowe and Nate were hilarious and I loved that their relationship started off as them being close friends, despite their stronger feelings for each other, because it made the scenes between them later seem that much more lovely as they could joke and laugh with each other in between their romantic scenes. These prank scenes also showed another side to Rowe, one that had disappeared after her traumatic past, and made me all that more invested in her and Nate’s relationship as I could see just how much he brought her out of her shell and made her live again rather than just exist.

Rowe’s past storyline was one that had me in tears, and my heart just breaking for her and those she left at home. I could really sympathise with her despair at moving on, and her guilt for her feelings for Nate, especially when we find out that her boyfriend Josh is not actually technically her ex. I could feel her confusion seeping off the page, and it was something that Ginger Scott pulled off so well that I commend her for creating such a well-developed character with so many layers.

The pacing of this novel was spot-on and I never once felt that Nate and Rowe’s relationship was moving too fast or too slow, as their trust in each other grew at such a realistic level that I felt happy when their relationship finally moved forward.

The secondary characters were again so brilliantly developed, and I absolutely adored how Ginger Scott broke tradition and had one of the secondary characters being wheel-chair bound. I loved Ty and especially how confident he is despite being confined in a wheel-chair. It was inspirational to see how he refused to be held back by his disability, one that he wasn’t born with but acquired in the prime of his teenage life. The strong relationship he had with his brother Nate was just so much fun to read, and I can’t wait to read Ty’s story next, and to see more of the development of his relationship with Cass.

This was a beautifully written and heart-warming novel which shows the strength and pain in moving on from the past, and remembering the good times with a fond smile, rather than letting the pain of the bad times overtake.

5 Stars!

*Review copy was provided by the author through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

 

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Ginger Scott

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Book Review ~ ‘The First Time We Met’ by Pippa Croft.

 

The First Time We Met by Pippa Croft

Oxford Blue #1

Genres: Romance, Women’s Fiction, Contemporary

 

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SYNOPSIS

The First Time We Met is the first novel in the sizzling new Oxford Blue romance series from Pippa Croft.

Senator’s daughter Lauren Cusack is leaving Washington behind for the dreaming spires of Oxford University – and she’s ready for a challenge. Now a fully-fledged Master’s student, Lauren is determined to make the most of every single minute.

But then she meets Alexander Hunt, and everything changes.

A devastatingly handsome English aristocrat, Alexander is as brooding and enigmatic as they come. Lauren tries to resist his advances, but he has his sights clearly set on the young American, and what Alexander wants, he gets.

Caution soon gives way to mind-blowing passion and Lauren is drawn into Alexander’s privileged world of glamour and status. But all that glitters is not gold – for Alexander is a man with a dark past, and desire may not be enough to conquer all else . . .

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Book Review ~ ‘The First Time We Met’ by Pippa Croft ~ 5 Stars!

I was really excited at the prospect of reading ‘The First Time We Met’ as being a Brit, there aren’t all that many books set in England in this genre, and as much as I’ve loved all the American books I’ve read, I did feel sometimes that I had trouble relating to them because they were all set in the States. ‘The First Time We Met’ took me on a journey in my favourite British City ‘Oxford’, and my god was this a great journey, one that has made me laugh and cry, and I know will continue to niggle at me until I read the next books in the series.

Lauren was a brilliant heroine, and a character that I feel a lot of young people will relate to, especially when it comes to making choices about their future. I really liked the approach she had towards her life, and in particular her relationship with Alexander, as she made it clear that despite her strong feelings for him, she wasn’t looking too far into the future when it came to their relationship, instead just taking it a day at a time. All too often I read New Adult and even Adult books where the heroine falls in love with the hero within a month and is hoping for a proposal or planning a wedding. As lovely as this is, I instead felt a really strong kinship with Lauren who instead thought like a young girl who had her whole life in front of her, a life that she wanted to make for herself.

Now Alexander. *sighs* He is well on the way to becoming a favourite book boyfriend of mine, and the last page of this book, as well as the great character development he made throughout this first book in the series, definitely had me rooting for him. I loved the dark and mysterious persona that he has, which he tries to hide from those he cares about, and I really liked how in the end his issues with his family and his past that he was so desperately trying to ignore, were in fact the things that started to come between him and Lauren. The psychological undertones that began in this novel are one of the things that have really intrigued me and have me waiting on tenterhooks to read the next book in the series.

The storyline was a beautiful one, and the writing style is something that is both easy to read, and packed with meaning and heart. Although the last chapter broke my heart, I felt really pleased with the road that the author took with these characters, and I am excited to see how the ending of this book will impact Lauren and Alexander in the next book, and to help them grow stronger as both individuals and perhaps as a couple.

5 Stars to this brilliant first book in the series, and I can definitely say I will be devouring the next books in the series as soon as they become available.

* Review Copy was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

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Pippa Croft

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