Review: Grounded by You by Ivy Sinclair @Author_Ivy

Grounded by You by Ivy Sinclair

Series: A Willoughby Inn Love Story #2

Publication date: November 20th, 2013

Pages: 330

Spice: 🔥🔥

Synopsis:

Lights, camera, and passions flare when a small town boy gets the break of his career. As the lines of life and art blur together, can he also find a way to win the love of the girl who got away?

Carter Samuel Groveson.

His name is on the lips of every woman in the country who has a pulse. An actor plucked from obscurity to star in the most anticipated movie of the century, he's an enigma to all. Everyone wants a piece of him.

Except her.

Amelia St. John isn't about to follow the life plan that her father set out for her. She refuses to be tied down or commit to anyone. A year ago, she ran as far and as fast from Sam Groveson as she could. But when he reappears in her life and asks her to be the friend he needs to keep him tethered to reality in the midst of the chaos, she can't say no.

Unfortunately for Sam, his big break comes with expectations that threaten his career if he doesn't toe the line. In this high stakes game of love, everyone is watching.

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Review:

I received an e-copy of this book from the publishers at NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Okay. I will admit it. I requested this book completely on cover appeal. I didn't even read the synopsis. I saw the cover and it reminded me of the beauty of The Truth about Me & You by Amanda Grace cover (not surprising since they're the same picture). I knew that this book was a New Adult read by an author I didn't know much about who produced a gorgeous cover. That is all it took. Sometimes I am so easy.

The story starts with Millie coming face-to-face with the boy she left many months ago without a goodbye or an explanation. Millie had always been a commitment-phobe and when she realized that Sam's affections for her may be holding him back, she did what she does best. She bolted under the guise of letting him be free of her and possibly move on in his life. With the emotions of a summer with Sam heavy on the brain, Millie starts exploring her life outside of what her family has planned. She starts dabbling in more artistic ventures than her father's multi-million dollar company that he expects her to work for after graduating college. With Sam back in her life and pleading with her to rekindle their forgotten friendship in hopes of keeping him grounded while he undergoes his dreams of being a movie star, Millie starts to question if whatever she had felt for Sam that summer has really been forgotten.

Sam has had feelings for Millie from the moment he met her. Fear of rejection kept him from revealing his emotions, but he suspected it was obvious. The fact that Millie didn't seem to treat him as anything more than a best friend and confidant was a blow to the ego. When she disappeared he decided to let her go. That was until he landed the lead in a new movie about the very place Millie and him met. He needs someone real to lean on so the stardom doesn't completely consume him. But once he comes in contact with his old friend again, the feelings roar to life with a vengeance like never before.

Sam and Millie must fight their attraction and developing feelings because in Sam's life a romance with anyone but who the media wishes is not possible. Is their love strong enough to perservere?

I finished a book the same day I started this one and figured I would get myself a few chapters in and set it aside until the following day. From the first page, I was drawn in. I physically felt the love connection between Sam and Millie. I felt my stomach fall with the fear of something driving a wedge between them. I swallowed tears when the characters her hurting. I was consumed by this world Sinclair had created. The romance was structured and portrayed exquisitely. Anytime a story is so well written you can feel your heart break and mend and break again along witht he characters, you know you have a masterpiece in the making. I highly recommend this book.

Grounded by You will cause it's reader to see love in a new light and appreciate it even through overwhelming obstacles.

Review: Breaking Nova by Jessica Sorensen @NetGalley @jessFallenStar

Breaking Nova by Jessica Sorensen

Series: Nova #1

Publication date: September 3rd, 2013

Pages: 224

Synopsis:

Nova Reed used to have dreams-of becoming a famous drummer, of marrying her true love. But all of that was taken away in an instant. Now she's getting by as best she can, though sometimes that means doing things the old Nova would never do. Things that are slowly eating away at her spirit. Every day blends into the next... until she meets Quinton Carter. His intense, honey brown eyes instantly draw her in, and he looks just about as broken as she feels inside.

Quinton once got a second chance at life--but he doesn't want it. The tattoos on his chest are a constant reminder of what he's done, what he's lost. He's sworn to never allow happiness into his life... but then beautiful, sweet Nova makes him smile. He knows he's too damaged to get close to her, yet she's the only one who can make him feel alive again. Quinton will have to decide: does he deserve to start over? Or should he pay for his past forever?

Available at:

Review:

I received an e-copy of this book from the publishers at NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Jessica Sorensen is truly a household name when it comes to contemporary fiction, so it's not surprising that when I was alerted to a new series I was desperate to try it out. From the synopsis it sounded like a troubled girl who would ultimately tame the wild and broken boy. Seems like a light and fun little read, doesn't it? And then I got to page 1...

Nova's story opens on her discovering her childhood best friend and love of her life in some sort of traumatic situation. It is only to be assumed he died in some manner and she was the one who found him that way. (Okay... not so light and fun) Nova doesn't know how to coup with her existence without Landon. She tries to distract herself from the pain by counting things obsessively. Number of cracks in the street, number of rocks in a path, number of limbs in a tree, and so forth. She sets a routine for herself to keep her panic attacks and break downs manageable. She knows she will never love again and is merely surviving each day because she doesn't have the strength of will to end her suffering. Her life and routines are rocked to their core when she meets Quinton.

Quinton also has issues. He has also confronted a devastating loss that he can't seem to recover from. Guilt and shame eat away at him until the only way he can numb the pain is through drugs. He, also, swears to never love again. Enter Nova.

Nova and Quinton rock each others steadfast law to never enter into a relationship with another person. They are instantly drawn to each other. Perhaps because they are both suffering from the same sort of pain that is eating away at their souls, or maybe it's simply because they see their lost loved ones in each other and are hungry to experience that connection again. Either way, whatever is happening between Nova and Quinton can either mend their shattered lives or destroy it even further.

I have not had a book that rocked me to the core as much as this one did. I started it directly before bedtime thinking I'd get a chapter in and call it a night. I stayed up for 6 hours and finished the entire thing without stopping. I was sobbing my eyes out almost the entire book. Sorensen made the characters' devastating plights and their tragic stories believable. She made me want to root for Nova and Quinton to finally find happiness again and pull themselves out of the downward spiral they were headed. I wanted them to heal through each other's combined strength.

I will not give away the ending but... that didn't happen and I am MAD! I am mad that the book was so intoxicating and I have to wait until February 2014 to find out what happened with it's epic cliffhanger (why do you hate us, Jessica, why?). I am mad because when I could finally breath easy for the characters something happened and they started to backslide. I am mad because I will not be able to get over this book for many, many days/weeks/months! You are a genius, Jessica. An evil, diabolic, cruel genius of literature!

Breaking Nova will completely break your heart into a million tiny pieces and Jessica Sorensen will own at least a fragment of it even after it is finally put back together.

Review: Dreamer by Nicole Thomas

Dreamer by Nicole Thomas

Series: Dreamerbound #1

Publication date: October 28th, 2013

Pages: 160

Synopsis:

Someone is using Anna's dreams as a weapon, and so far, they've gotten away with murder. Anna isn't quite sure why those closest to her die when she dreams, but it's enough to turn this teenager off REM sleep and relationships for good. She has more than enough blood on her hands without boys crushing on her and getting buried six feet underground as a result.

As of right now, Anna's plan to avoid relationships with anyone outside her family has gone off without a hitch. And if it weren't for her classmate, Liam, she would've continued to do so. Liam's successfully flown under her social radar, and if he wants to avoid having his obituary in the local newspaper, he'd keep it that way. But when he confides in Anna and tells her he has dreams as well, he becomes an exception to the rule.

Okay, so his dreams might not be as dangerous, but it turns out his mother's were. Liam's mom is missing. His mom just turned eighteen when she fell completely off the grid, and Anna could be next.

Available at:

Review:

I received an e-copy of this book from the author herself in exchange for an honest review.

I have started receiving a lot of review requests in recent dates and, the book addict and eager to please reviewer that I am, normally end up accepting any that are asked of me. Who am I to say "thanks, but no thanks" to someone who has worked hard at their craft and put their blood, sweat, and tears into their work just to entertain book enthusiasts such as me? So when Nicole asked if I wanted to read her work and gave me an idea what the book was about, I hastily agreed. I was interesting in the dream aspect of the book. I have yet to really read anything that incorporated that idea. I was anxious to see what sort of world the author created. Dream-like story or a literary nightmare?

Anna's story begins with yet another foster family taking her in after the tragic loss of her parents years ago. Anna believes her dreams killed her parents. Anna also believes that she is cursed to endanger all those that come in contact with her, which is why she limits those she lets into her heart and even into her general area. She is counting the days until she turns 18 and she can disappear and hope to end the suffering of those she loves. However, Anna didn't count on the boy who stared at her and obviously crushed on her fairly severely being a hindrance to her overall plan.

Liam knows what Anna is. A dreamer like himself, except her dreams actually make an impact. Her dreams become reality. What started out as a way to study an active dreamer turns into genuine attraction and, dare he dream it, love. He cares about Anna and wants to help her to understand what is causing her dreams and stop them if at all possible. He knows from experience with his active dreamer mother that if Anna doesn't find answers, she will most likely disappear just like his mother did many years ago.

Anna and Liam are on a collision course with something big. Something that could change their understanding of the world they live in. Something that could make or break them and the existence of humans as an entirety.

When I got into the book I was interested in what could cause Anna to have quite literal killer dreams. What I found to be the cause of them was a little unnerving. I didn't expect it and since it is a pinnacle part of the story I won't divulge what that revelation was. I found the book to be exceptional up until a certain point. At about the half way mark, things got a little odd. I understand that with dreams, things are bound to be very Alice in Wonderland-esk, but this was almost a bit too hard to swallow. When the climax came about I found there was a lot of explaining from the antagonist. I would have maybe liked Liam and Anna to find out some answers for themselves about the grand evil plot instead of it just being explained out by the big baddie. I was almost expecting there to be some sort of moral to the story where it really wouldn't fit in the grand scheme of things.

I would say this book was about middle of the road for me. I really enjoyed some aspects and saw room for improvement in others. It's the author's debut novel, there are bound to be a few kinks along the way.

Dreamer is a dreamland of the paranormal genre that will cause you to wonder just how real ones dreams could actually be.

Review: Preservation by Rachael Wade @NetGalley @RachaelWade

Preservation by Rachael Wade

Series: Preservation #1

Publication date: May 25th, 2012

Pages: 217

Synopsis:

Fear is sabotage's sweetest weapon.

Kate has no time for meaningless romantic charades, and definitely no time for hot college professors who are full of themselves and smitten with her. Constantly battling eviction notices, tuition she can't afford, and a sick, dependent mother, the last thing she needs is to be distracted with someone else's complicated baggage.

When she stumbles into Ryan Campbell's creative writing class, he is only "Mr. Campbell" to her, until Ryan finds himself captivated by her writing and she is forced to face their mutual attraction. His cocky know-it-all syndrome is enough to send her running in the other direction, and his posse of female admirers and playboy reputation are enough to squander any odds in her favor.

But underneath Ryan's abrasive façade is something to behold, and she can't stay away for long. Ryan and Kate must decide who they're willing to become and fight against their former selves if they want to make things work. That's if academia, vicious vixens, old skeletons, and their own mastery at self-destruction don't pummel their efforts first.

Available at:

Review:

I received an e-copy of this book from the publishers at NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I had heard amazing things about Rachael Wade's new adult series and was anxious to see how I liked it personally. I have to admit to a perverse curiosity with the whole teacher-student dynamic when it pertains to a love story. If not done correctly it could read like a bad written version of pornography. I usually stay away from realistic romantic reads (I am more a vampire and werewolf love story type of girl), but something about either the cover, the author's prestige, or the synopsis of this book drew me in. What did I have to lose?

The story opens on the entire foundation of all things that affect Ryan Campbell. He is confronted with the fact that the women had devoted his life to and who he had one day planned to make his wife, had betrayed him and, in doing so, ended up costing him the opportunity of a lifetime. Ryan takes to teaching as a simple way to earn a paycheck after no longer feeling the desire to put his writing skills to use. It is only when he eyes alight on the ambitious girl in his creative writing class and feel the sting of her sharp tongue and ferocious determination that he soon finds his drive as well as the desire to cease his playboy bed-hopping ways.

Kate had no intentions of ever entering a relationship in the immediate future. She had options as the beautiful girl that she is, but with caring for her sick mother, attempting to make ends meet financially, and a strenuous school schedule, love is the last thing she needs. She especially doesn't need the affections of a callous, arrogant professor who has set his sights on making her his next notch on his bedpost. And yet... despite all the signs saying that Ryan is no good for her and will only end up burning her in the end, she finds herself drawn to him in a way she never thought possible.

With mutual troubles of the heart and commitment issues the likes of which none of seen before, can Kate and Ryan find a happily ever after together or are they barreling down the path of being burned yet again?

This may sound odd, but I absolutely ADORE books that make me cry. If I can find some sort of connection with the characters to the point where their pain is MY pain, there is something special within those pages. This book brought me to loathsome, yet soothing, tears on a number of occasions. Everyone in this world has probably been cheated on and I am sure everyone has some sort of commitment issues every once in a blue moon. Bad break-up = Over-dramatic statement of never dating again? Ring any bells? Take something small like that example and multiply it by 10. That is the mental suck-fest that Kate and Ryan seem to have to deal with.

I love when stories alternate perspectives. This book is written entirely through Kate's perspective and then towards the end you get a little snippet of Ryan's perspective upon meeting Kate. It was amazing and sheer genius to add that small tidbit.

One draw back... Rachael seems to be a fan of saying "deadpanned me/him/her". The phrase was used several times and it just doesn't sound right to me. I have never heard it used with a pronoun attached at the end. It was a bit odd, but not to hard to get over. It only gave me a very moderate quirk of the eyebrow.

Preservation gives new definition to "Hot for Teacher" and brings a hot, ever prevalent, fantasy into literary stardom. Sidenote: Ryan Campbell can keep me after class any day.

Review: The Darkness of Shadows by Chris Little @NetGalley

The Darkness of Shadows by Chris Little

Publication date: August 2nd, 2013

Pages: 202

Synopsis:

Natalie's parents weren't the nurturing type--and she has the physical and emotional wounds to prove it. For sixteen years she's hidden behind a wall of sarcasm and decadent desserts, but now her father is back, and she has only one thought: to kill him before  he can hurt the family that took her in.

But there's more to his darkness than even his own daughter can understand, and a gun is no defense against magic that can raise the dead.

It turns out those scars he left on Natalie's back were more than just a sadistic hobby. Now her father demands that she finish a ritual so ancient, so terrifying, that even the vampires and werewolves are nervous.

Can anyone protect her?

Available at:

Review:

I received an e-copy of this book from the publishers at NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

As is customary for me, I scoured NetGalley for new reads and stumbled across this little gem. I loved the cracked and creepy cover as well as the seemingly horrific synopsis. I had my fingers crossed, a lucky rabbit's foot clutched in my hand, and a wish on a star that I would find this book to be everything the appearance made it out to be.

Natalie's story begins with her determination to leave the safety of her adopted family to search out and destroy her abusive father that has thrust himself back into her life. She has the limp and the scars to prove that her father is a very dangerous man and to protect the people that she loves she knows she must draw him away from them and kill him once and for all.

Naturally things don't go as planned. Her father has no desire to wait until she is safely out of town before he comes after her. It is this little problem that causes her to have to come clean to her best friend and adopted sister about her father and his odd obsession with her. Her sister decides that Natalie cannot do this alone and she will help her rid her life of the fiend who haunts her dreams.

That is all that I managed to get into the book. I am a firm believer in always finishing what you begin. I swore to myself that I would never start a book and not finish it. Especially not if it was only 200-something pages. That is such a short read I should have been able to finish it despite not liking it. Unfortunately, after nearly two weeks of only being able to read a page of two at a time, I finally had to resign myself to having to write my first DNF (did not finish) review. It is disheartening that something I hoped would be so wonderful turned out to not be able to draw me in in the slightest.

The book's writing was a little off kilter. In the beginning I had no idea who was talking. Since it was in first person narrative, I had no pronouns such as 'he' or 'she' to go off. I had to go back to the synopsis to figure out whether the protagonist was a female or male. That was my first issue.

The next was in Natalie as a character. Natalie as a character has a lot of baggage, naturally. She seemed to always be the wounded victim and that may be possibly why I couldn't finish the book. I like my characters to have a few scars but be able to power through it and come out the other side. Perhaps if I kept reading Natalie would have rallied but after making it 50% through and still not being able to continue without gritting my teeth, I had to throw in the towel.

Would I be willing to try out another of Chris Little's books? Perhaps, but not very likely.