I don't know why it took me so long to pick this series up but my God, this is quite possibly THE BEST fantasy series I've come to read 5 STARS! ★★★★�
I don't know why it took me so long to pick this series up but my God, this is quite possibly THE BEST fantasy series I've come to read and love. I know the last time I felt this way was reading The Infernal Devices but oh my gawd THIS SERIES- from having the most badass heroine that has graced the literature world to weaving a storyline that knocks the wind out of you, Sarah J Maas proves why she deserves to be the Queen of YA Fantasy.
“She was fire, and light, and ash, and embers. She was Aelin Fireheart, and she bowed for no one and nothing, save the crown that was hers by blood and survival and triumph.�
I've spent the last 2 days reading the prior books and even after 24 hours of finishing this latest masterpiece, the read still consumes my mind. Entirely. What started out quite simply for all the characters in Throne of Glass has grown immensely up to this point and to fathom that this is hardly the end, I'm in awe. The twists and turns, the unexpected romance, the badassery that is Aelin- it continues to blow me away each time.
No doubt that it's the characters in this series that have stolen my heart and has me placing this book on a mighty pedestal. I would have never imagined that when I first started this series, the dynamics of Aelin, Dorian and Chaol would have changed in so many ways. Yet Maas pulled it off flawlessly and the entire last portion of this read would have warranted 10 stars alone from me. The gigantic amount of feels that slayed me right there!!
“They joined hands. So the world ended. And the next one began.�
I'm literally in book hangover after this one and honestly I'm sitting here with glasses of wine wondering how I'm going to get through another 9 months to get the next book. It's absolutely agonizing because even with this being just right past the halfway point of the series, I know the worst has yet to come. I'm terrified and nervous out of my wits, pondering the fates of these characters. I'm DYING to know who Aelin will ultimately be with. I'm DYING to know if any of my favourite characters are going to die next. I just, I can't-
I'm not over this book at all, can you tell? #bookhangover
Deservedly a winner of the Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ Choice Awards this year, everyone just needs to read this series and revel in the awesomeness that is Sarah J Maas.
Thank you Rachel for pushing me to read this and then holding my hand as I cried/swoon/fangirl throughout. No one enables my reading addiction like you do ;) ...more
"But as long as air moves in and out of my lungs, as long as I breathe, I will fight for you. I will fight for us."
Once again5 STARS! ★★★★�
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"But as long as air moves in and out of my lungs, as long as I breathe, I will fight for you. I will fight for us."
Once again, Brittainy C Cherry has delivered a top-notch romance read and dare I say rather effortlessly. Her previous work, Art & Soul easily snagged one of my top reads of 2015 and so does this one. Right from the prologue, I already knew this book would put me through for an emotional ride.
This is a story about loss, forgiveness, redemption and finding love again. Both MCs, Tristan and Elizabeth have experienced a crippling loss by losing their most loved ones and stumbled upon each other when they became neighbours. Tristan is the least of welcoming and puts up an icy exterior to every person he comes in contact with. Even after an attempt by Elizabeth who saved his dog, Tristan wants nothing to do with this woman.
Eventually when they realised they shared a common loss, they saw a chance to make their pain more bearable by holding onto their past through each other. Two broken souls who desperately seeks the feelings they once felt and longed for. But will they be able to move forward if they keep latching onto their pasts?
"She undressed me and made love to her past. I slid into her and made love to my ghosts."
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I've said it before but I'll say it again: this author has a way of writing so beautifully that will tug at your heartstrings in every book she puts out. From the admirable characters whether main or supporting, you can't help but be smitten by all of them. Even right down to the golden retriever, Zeus. She brings the light moments into the read by bringing in characters like Faye who says the darnest things that cracked me up like mad! But most of all, this author writes like she pours her heart and soul into every read because you will truly feel for these characters and experience their love, their loss and their heartbreak of it all.
"The magic is in the tiny moments. The small touches, the gentle smiles, the quiet laughs. The magic is about living for today and allowing yourself to breathe and be happy. My dear boy, to love is the magic."
Easily another of my top read of 2015, The Air He Breathes promises a love story that teaches you that with loss, there can still be love. There is beauty in tragedy and there can always be more than one happily ever afters in your life. This story will gripped you from start till end and also promises some unexpected twists that will shock you. I'd highly recommend this read for sure!!
P/S: It's only $0.99 for this crazily amazing book!! Pre-order now ->
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ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
The Air He Breathes is a contemporary romance standalone read. This is also the first standalone book in her Romance Elements series.
“Take it from a man who almost lost everything, you can’t focus on the end. You have to concentrate on what’s right in front of y4.5 STARS!!! ★★★★�
“Take it from a man who almost lost everything, you can’t focus on the end. You have to concentrate on what’s right in front of you�
Oh. My. God. I cannot remember the last time I cried so hard over a read but this book completely wrecked me inside out. I mean, I was full-fledged sobbing into my pillow during the last 10% and I didn't know if I could even finish the read for crying out loud.
A. Meredith Walters has once again succeeded in punching me right in the feels (multiple times may I add) with this heartbreakingly beautiful read. There's just so much raw honesty in her words and so much truth in how we cope with the thought of life and death. This story had absolutely consumed me right from the start and I almost wished it never end.
"Stop thinking about your life in increments. Seconds. Minutes. Days. Look at the bigger picture and embrace whatever time you have. Don't look constantly toward the end. Enjoy the right now."
This book had everything I loved in a read. I laughed as much as I cried. The heavy moments were balanced out by the light moments. The pain from the heartache equally compensated by the joy in finding love. I felt like I was truly a part of Corin & Beckett's journey and I wanted to live alongside them. Forever.
Also I never thought I'd get to say this ever but there is finally, FINALLY someone who can match up to Augustus Waters. If you don't know who that is (shame on you!), he's my ultimate book boyfriend from my all time favorite soul-crushing beautiful read The Fault in Our Stars. I'm not even going to tell you how many times I cried reading this book or watching the movie. So yes, Beckett Kingsley, YOU DEFINITELY GAVE ME THE BUTTERFLIES FEELS.
This is a definite must-read for all you romance lovers who thrives on the great emotional punch in their reads.
"In wine there is truth. But the greater knowledge that now lived in the peaceful silence in my heart was: in love there is tr5 STARS! ★★★★�
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"In wine there is truth. But the greater knowledge that now lived in the peaceful silence in my heart was: in love there is truth."
I can't remember the last time I had a 5-stars winner read but I couldn't be happier that I finally found one with a Mia Sheridan book. Most of us are no strangers to this woman's talented gift in writing but I am one of a few to admit that her books have been hits or misses with me in the past. But I believe if there is one thing we can all agree on when it comes to Mia's books, it is that you can always walk out of the read with a renewed sense of hope.
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Grayson's Vow being the latest addition in her Sign of Love series is inspired by the zodiac sign of Libra, symbolizing the scale of balance. In this modern tale, we have Grayson and Kira, two desperate souls with a vow to fulfil but lacking the financial resources to accomplish them. They find themselves in an interesting arrangement proposed by Kira, one so outrageous but tempting that Grayson couldn't resist saying no to. After all, desperate times call for desperate measures, no?
Both Grayson and Kira butted heads at every chance they get, going as far as dubbing one another as the wicked witch and the fiery dragon. They can't stand each others' guts but try to play nice for the sake of living out their new partnership. I really enjoyed watching these two spitting-fire at each other as it builds up for some great humor especially with all the name-callings and sarcastic remarks that had me chuckling.
"Oh, I dare you. Show me that dragonish side. Do your worst."
It also made up for some delicious angst as they battle the undeniable attraction between them but are too stubborn to admit. It's not before long before they realised that despite being complete opposites on the scale, they shared a common bond that led to their distrusting behaviour towards people around them.
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As I was reading Grayson's Vow, I found myself in multiple emotional states; from laughing at the witch-dragon name callings, then to heartbreak from the betrayal they've been through but lastly, a renewed sense of belief that there is hope in all things that mattered. Reading Grayson and Kira's story brought such joy to my heart as I connected to both of them on such a personal level that I can't quite fathom. I'm not even ashamed to admit that I had tears in my eyes more times than I can count as I grieved for these characters. This is a true testament of Mia's ability to put out words that have the power to break and heal you thereafter.
The thing I LOVE most about her books is that she writes about these real-life situations, real-life problems that we all go through whether we like it or not and they remind me that these characters are just like us living in this very real world. She write these stories that grants you strength, to remind yourself that even at the deepest and darkest corners of your life, there is always hope if we choose to believe in it. Her words speak volumes and with such raw honesty that I find myself clinging onto them everytime.
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Of dragons and witches and of love and betrayal, Mia Sheridan continues to deliver romance stories in spades. This is a story that will leave you enamoured by her characters and convey a message of hope amongst the beautiful setting of Napa Valley. I can easily say that Grayson's Vow is now my favorite Mia book to date or perhaps I'm more bias towards this one since I'm a huge fan of the enemies-to-lovers trope.
Honestly if I could erase my memory and read this book all over again, I would a thousand times over because I can barely bring myself to read another book after finishing this. Definitely going into my top 2015 reads list. So thank you, Mia for sharing yet another piece of your beautiful gift with the world �
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Grayson's Vow is a standalone NA contemporary romance in the Sign of Love series.
ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
"I knew this had danger written all over it. Knew there was something wild in him that hadn't been there before."
Right from4.5 STARS! ★★★★�
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"I knew this had danger written all over it. Knew there was something wild in him that hadn't been there before."
Right from the start, the Capital Confessions series got me hooked onto each of the Reynolds sisters' stories but this one is hands down my ABSOLUTE favorite! The irony was when I reading the entire series previously, Kate Reynolds was my least favorite sister and I wasn't even sure if my love for the series will continue up to the very end when it came to her story. But color me surprised! I know I shouldn't have doubted Chanel Cleeton when it comes to delivering another kickass heroine.
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This final instalment will also be the hardest to review as any details of the plot may give out the most crucial parts away, so I'll try my best to give this book justice by my vague review.
This one had much more action, more intensity that keeps you on the very edge and the stakes have never been higher. Kate Reynolds is still grieving over the loss of her childhood friend and fiance, Matt whom she believes that his death was not a mere accident. Joining the CIA is part of her mission to investigate his death but when she starts uncovering the truth, it'll be more than just answers that comes to surface. Her life might just be on the line too and her saving grace will come from the one man she least expected to.
This book was just full of surprises and packed with intensity that had me flipping the pages so fast. Before I knew it, I nearly wailed in agony knowing that my favourite series was coming to an end so soon. Reading Kate's story and understanding more depth of her love shared between Matt definitely had my heart breaking for her. I mean, I always knew she had this undying love for him since the start of the series that drove her into this cold facade she put up but tapping into her thoughts finally led me to understand her motivation.
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The romance was a slow build-up but it reeked with such strong sexual tension between our two leads that have you rooting from them since the start. Both have baggage on their own that needs to be confronted but I truly enjoyed seeing the support they had for each other as they try to mend their broken bridges.
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Sex, scandals and politics; The Capital Confession series is definitely not a series to be missed and will be sitting proudly on my top reads list for 2015. Although I'm quite surprised by how this series wrapped up in the end, I thought it was still befitting given the circumstances of how everything played out. Similar to the prior books, there was no petty drama in the read and both MCs made mature decisions that didn't drive me up the wall. Throughout the series, the sisters always had each others' backs and it was just amplified even more in the final instalment. I loved every single moment of it and I can't wait to read more from this author!
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Falling for Danger is the third and final instalment in the Capital Confessions series. Each book can be read as a standalone but is recommended to be read in order.
ARC kindly provided by Berkeley via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
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ARC kindly provided by Berkeley via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. ...more
"Love is never satisfied with half-measures. It won't take parts of you. It will own all of you, every single, longing piece."
OH M4.5 STARS! ★★★★�
"Love is never satisfied with half-measures. It won't take parts of you. It will own all of you, every single, longing piece."
OH MY GOD. THIS BOOK. This is EXACTLY what I've been waiting for from RK Lilley for the longest time. I've had rotten luck with her past few works but THIS ONE is the one that reminded me why I loved her work in the first place. She came, she brought the mothafreaking angst and she absolutely conquered.
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Both Scarlett and Dante completely owned this book. Right off the bat, these two are the most stubborn people and they keep holding onto their damn pride. There's just so much going between these two that are outright explosive! They hate each other yet they love each other. They've been childhood sweethearts but something so awful happened which we have yet to learn that tore them apart. I love their flashback chapters as much as I love the present. One made me so giddy on love while the other had me riding the angst!!
"What happens when two people of terrible pride fall for each other? Terrible things. Destruction. Chaos. Pain. Sorrow. War."
For all the angst-whores just like me out there, READ THIS BOOK!! It will satisfy your angst cravings and be prepare to get your heart stomped on into tiny pieces. This is a read that will gripped you from page one till the very end even if it means there is a huge cliffy right there. I just know I need the second book right this second. OMG MY HEART AND MY FEELS.
P/S: Thank you Jennifer for holding my hand while I read this book!! I'm so glad we went through this angsty ride together! �
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Breaking Him is the first book in the Love is War series and is not a standalone read.
"If you fuck with me and what's mine, then yes, I am the judge. I am the jury. And sometimes when the situation calls for it, 5 STARS! ★★★★�
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"If you fuck with me and what's mine, then yes, I am the judge. I am the jury. And sometimes when the situation calls for it, I am the motherfucking executioner."
Mark your calenders everyone. June 15 is the day to live by because embrace yourselves for the awesomeness that is King. Pick up this book, read it, devour it and when you're done freaking out over that ending, let's all give each other mental support to make it through the next. Okay? Okay moving on.
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Brantley King is a man who lives outside the law. Just coming out from his 3-years stint in prison, his best friend and partner in crime, Preppy throws him a homecoming party. However King is anything but in the celebratory mood, struggling to adjust after being thrown back into the outside world. He does however finds solace in inking tattoos. On the same night of his party where he caught the gaze of a pair of blue eyes observing him in a middle of one of his inking sessions, something powerful stirs within the darkness in him.
Doe is a nobody, a girl who can't remember her name or her past memories. She's been living off the streets until she got picked up by a hooker named Nikki and took her in. They both ended up in the same homecoming party when Nikki convinced her that the only way to survive is to sell herself. A desperate act somehow led her into the confines of King and before she even realised what she had gotten herself into, she was about to become King's property.
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It shames me to say that I've not read anything by this author prior to this but when I saw that blurb, I just knew I had to read this one. So when I got a copy and went in with close to zero expectations, I sure as hell didn't expect to come out feeling like my brain has been blown into smithereens! I loved every single bit of the book- from the moment I picked it up till I put it down in an entire sitting, I was wailing in agony when it ended all too soon.
Both King and Doe were amazing as individuals but even more explosive when they came together. Equally they struggled with the attraction that had for each other; the lust and the confusion which brought out some well needed angst in the read. The author did an amazing job by creating these multi-layered characters and her portrayal of them will leave you feeling incredibly raw as you truly feel for these characters.
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If you love anti-heroes in your reads, then you'll enjoy King as much as I did. You'll first meet King as the scary and powerful alpha-male that you won't want to mess with, he's all kinds of dark and dangerous but you just can't stay away from him. But beneath that tough exterior is a man who is capable of great things and when the layers are slowly peeled off, it was just devastatingly beautiful to meet the real King.
"I'd found myself again in the haunted eyes of a girl was just as lost as I was. Or maybe, we didn't find each other at all. Maybe, we just decided to be lost together."
I really loved Doe as a heroine, she had a good amount of resilience albeit the vulnerability she possessed due to her memory loss. She was rather mouthy with King and didn't take any kind of bullshit from anyone, easily a feisty character with some spunk. But most of all, I loved that she had this internal struggle of not knowing who she really was. It really added on another dimension to her character that made me admired her even more. Can you imagine living in someone's body but not knowing or understanding that body at all? The portrayal of Doe being protective and not reckless of her ownself seriously garnered my respect for her character.
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Above all, it was the fantastic mix of secondary characters that really brought this book to a complete winner for me. I cannot wait for you guys to meet Preppy, he was such a great addition to the read that made it light-hearted amidst the dark nature of the story. There's also Bear and Grace; together all these characters developed such a strong bond that the focal point of the story doesn't lie entirely with the MCs. It's crazy how I've grown such a strong attachment with them that had me crying and laughing throughout the read.
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Although it's a relatively quick read, it sure packs one helluva punch. It's just one of those that you want to devour every single page slowly but yet you can't flip the pages fast enough to know what happens next. Even with a dreaded cliffhanger at the end, I had no complaints about this book at all. Every twist and turn was slotted in perfectly that was enough to blow my mind away. And thank God for the prologue teaser of the next book at the end to help tide the waiting!
It's dark, it's edgy, it will send you on an emotional rollercoaster that will enthralled you from start till the end; King is one masterpiece of a read that will knock the wind out of you when you're done. Undoubtedly another read that goes into my top reads of 2015, I definitely urge everyone to give this one a shot!
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King is the first book in the King series. The second book, Tyrant will be out on August 17th.
ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Art � noun | [\ˈärt\] : The quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautifu5 STARS!! ★★★★�
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Art � noun | [\ˈärt\] : The quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance.
What an amazing book!! Yet another read that took me by a complete surprise, Art & Soul was beautifully written with characters that were so endearing and realistic, a story that I'd say would appeal to everyone. Having not read anything by this author before, I was completely blown away by her ability to take such a simple plot and turned it into such an emotionally-fuelled journey with her writing. After finishing this, I was so afraid that I couldn't find the right words to bring it justice because I'd like to shout from the rooftops and tell everybody to READ THIS BOOK!!
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Art & Soul follows the story of Aria Watson whose passion is in art, her favorite kind being the abstract ones. She's always been the good girl, staying out of trouble at school but all that changed when one bad decision led to her being noticed by everyone for the wrong reason. Then there's also Levi Myers who plays the violin, the new boy in school that has been grabbing everyone's attention too. He just moved in from Alabama, staying with his dad who has separated from his mum and in hopes that moving to Wisconsin would mend the broken relationship between his parents. When both Levi & Aria got paired up for a school project that requires them to present a piece which infused art with music, what started out as a friendship slowly blossomed into something more and beautiful.
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The only way I could describe this book is that reading Art & Soul made me remembered why I fell in love with the New Adult genre in the first place. Reading this brought me back to a place I've longed for, it reminded me when I first picked up my first CoHo book, Slammed and fell in love with a simple yet wonderful read that had me smiling, laughing and crying throughout. You get the same high school setting; nothing extraordinary but it's the author's writing that will touch your soul with her words. I fell in love with all her characters, even the ones that I thought I'd hate for their actions. I felt like I personally got to know each of them and was alongside them fighting their own battles.
"I wanted Dad to want me a little. I wanted Mom to stop wanting me so much. I wanted to be wanted, but not wanted a lot."
What I loved most about Art & Soul was that it didn't just solely focused on the romance aspect between Levi & Aria but it became a story that presented love in all forms. You get to witness the true love that stemmed from a parent towards their own child, the love of a survivor who had a second chance at life and most of all, this book brought hope even when it seemed like there was none and the world was against you.
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The story flowed effortlessly with each chapter and the dual POV was done beautifully for both Aria & Levi. There were just moments in this read that left me breathless as the emotions brought upon by these characters were just so raw and real. It had me misty-eyed at one point but I couldn't put it down because I just needed to know that things will be okay thereafter.
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Even with the absence of smut that would probably shelved this as a YA genre instead, this book had all the right ingredients that still made it a wonderful read but more importantly, it had the heart and soul that truly made it an unforgettable one. It got me smiling, swooning, crying but by the end of it all, it left me with a huge smile and wanting so much more. I didn't want to part ways with these characters that I've come to known and love, I wasn't ready to say goodbye :(
This is one of those books that stays with you and be remembered for its heartfelt story. I know there won't be enough words to fully capture the beauty of this read but all I ask from everyone is to give this read a shot if you're just looking for something simple yet wonderful to read. This was such a hidden gem that I never thought I'd pick up any time soon but I'm so glad that I did! A huge shoutout of thanks to Jennifer who recc'd me this and loaned it to me in a heartbeat, otherwise I would have missed out an amazing read, so THANK YOU!! �
Again, I'd HIGHLY recommend this to everyone and no doubt a 2015 top read for me. The writing itself was enough to warrant 5 stars & had me highlighting all the quotes non-stop, enough said ;)
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Art & Soul is a standalone YA contemporary romance read.
I'm still trying to wrap my mind around how amazing this book was and to be left in awe by what the Courtney Lane has created her5 STARS! ★★★★�
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I'm still trying to wrap my mind around how amazing this book was and to be left in awe by what the Courtney Lane has created here with this read. It was brilliantly written, it had complex multilayered characters and a plotline intricately crafted by the author that makes it such an absolutely riveting read. This is one book that I'd highly recommend to all my dark junkies! :)
I felt like this read had my brain doing cartwheels and it constantly challenged my mind every step of the way. It's crazy addictive till I had to read it every chance I had, in which now I thanked heavens for subway rides while on my trip to give me that free reading time.
Both characters were very well-written, especially Elias who is the anti-hero of this read. Nothing screams anti hero better than a manipulative, twisted and cocky bastard that is driven and hell-bent in getting what he wants. No hesitation, no remorse and every move he makes is a calculated move. He was a complete enigma that had me questioning his motives right till the very end.
“If you think there is a fault inside my brain that makes determining right from wrong troubling for me, you’re wrong. I purposely ignore the line because I can."
I found the anti-heroine, Hanley to also be a refreshing character from my usual dark reads. She's equally driven with the revenge for her mother's death. Meeting with Elias was not by chance, it's all part of her plan and she'll do whatever it takes to take him down. She wasn't afraid to push Elias and test his limits.
The entire read is like watching one giant chess game with multiple players having their own agendas and not knowing who will top each other in the end. Tangled in a web of lies and secrets, it kept me guessing the entire time and while I wouldn't call it a total epic mindfuck, I was definitely blown away by how the entire thing panned out in the end. Brilliantly written, I mean...WOW. I wanna know how it's like to live inside this author's mind.
Delusive is a dark erotic thriller read and the romance here is very much a secondary element. Plus there's a very very twisted alpha-male anti hero whose words could very much evoke fear in you and simultaneously combust your ovaries. Which makes me love the book even more when they're so messed up like that.
To all my dark lover junkies, I very much recommend you to read this book!! If you love anti heroes to be dark in all ways possible, this is for you. Additional bonus if you love them talking dirty ;)
P/S: This book has certain trigger elements that some may find uncomfortable so I'll spoiler tag it here in case (view spoiler)[very rough sex, asphyxiation fetish, brutal murder, F/F, M/F/F. (hide spoiler)]
ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
"We'd shared a beautiful week. Because of him I was on a new path, a path I loved."
I'm still feeling a little raw from all 4.5 STARS! ★★★★�
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"We'd shared a beautiful week. Because of him I was on a new path, a path I loved."
I'm still feeling a little raw from all the emotions that this book has just put me through, not to mention I stayed up till 4 a.m. to finish reading this because God forbid I could NOT put it down! I don't know how else to say it but I LOVE this series. I love it that I absolutely want everybody to read it. I'm irrevocably in love with Katy & Martin's journey and Penny Reid's writing that I wish it was an actual person that I could marry.
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I'll try to keep this as spoiler-free as I can because Capture continues on from that terrible cliffy ending of the previous instalment, Heat and needless to say, this proved to be an agonizing read once I jumped back into it. The story follows with a mini time jump after the heartbreaking event that transpired between Katy & Martin at the end of Heat and the third instalment here has now shifted into the next gear for these two. I'd like to say this final instalment heavily focused on them growing as individuals and gravitated towards a self-discovery journey more than anything.
I'll admit, I'm usually not a fan of time-jumps but personally I felt it was a necessary move on the author's part here to allow the story to roll with the direction the read was heading towards to. It was also done in a transitional phase and as a reader, I was still being fed with little details of what occurred during that time-jump so it didn't feel like I missed out on anything important. Both Katy & Martin had come a long way since we first met them and I truly enjoyed reading how their relationship was being tested in this final instalment. No doubt it's the most angsty one among all three but it was such a healthy dose of angst that wasn't stemmed from OTT drama. Instead it came from a realistic place of two young individuals who were navigating and figuring out their lives at this point.
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What I loved most about the entire series was how it encompassed all these different elements and having them pieced together beautifully, it was evident that Katy & Martin's entire journey flowed perfectly between each instalment. It was an evolution of kinds that started out as fun and flirty which then grew to a crescendo of intensity laced with heat and lastly, bracing through a massive storm before we hit to the rainbow at the end. That being said, I can appreciate why the author would break this series into 3 parts adequately because each part was unique on its own and every instalment had me overcome with a different set of emotions.
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Reading this series was like taking a roadtrip with my best friend; it was a journey that I knew I'd enjoy but having its unpredictable moments and living through its ups and downs was what made the entire journey unforgettable and ultimately bittersweet by the end of it. Added on with Penny's intelligent writing that brings these characters to life, I'd say it's a no-brainer for me to classify Elements of Chemistry as one of my top NA series for the year. Overall a 5-stars series for me, hands down.
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With the final instalment out, I would definitely urge everyone to pick this series up and be ready to smile, laugh, swoon and cry over these amazing characters that I've come to love so dearly. Not only will I miss Katy & Martin but the side characters such as Sam and Abram will be some whom I'll terribly missed as much :(
Dear Penny, if you're reading this, please please please write a spinoff novella on these two!! You can't just write these incredible characters & leave us with no more!
In a nutshell, I'd highly recommend this series to everyone who loves their reads to be filled with intelligent wit, humor, steam and angst. It's the perfect package seriously, what more can I say ;) I still can't believe this is Penny Reid's first attempt at the NA genre because if it's any indication at all, she is masterful at her craft.
I truly hope y'all will enjoy this ride as much as I did and allow this series to capture your heart like it did to mine �
Elements of Chemistry: Capture is the third and final part of a trilogy series called Hypothesis and each instalment will be released within a month of each other. This series is a NA contemporary romance read.
ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
"But it's not going to be meaningful for you...unless you're passionate about me."
I cannot even begin to express my excitem4.5 STARS! ★★★★�
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"But it's not going to be meaningful for you...unless you're passionate about me."
I cannot even begin to express my excitement when I saw this hit my Kindle and was ready to jump right back into Katy & Martin's world with the second instalment of Elements of Attraction! And as the title simply puts it, Heat turns up the intensity between our duo and if anyone here dare says Penny Reid can't do hot and steamy, Y'ALL BE DEAD WRONG.
Newsflash everyone: Penny has not only let a sexy and swoony man on the loose but he is one mighty fine dirty-talking hero! I'm talking hot like 'holy mother of all Bunsen burners' because the scorching heat is at an all time high! Pretty sure I needed a few cold showers to calm myself down from the multiple panties combustion. I swear I could almost feel the heat sizzling burning fervently through the pages. Wow wow wow.
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A quick rundown on this second part (with no spoilers I promise!): It picks up right after the first one, Attraction and while both of them tide through that speed bump soon enough, this instalment really explores in depth about Katy & Martin's current stance as a couple now. For Katy, this is all very new to her and I loved that while she's slowly evolving and breaking out from that shell of hers, she doesn't lose that unique quirk that made me love her so much. Her analytical ways are still ever-present but she's slowly starting to lose her inhibitions the more she bonds with Martin. As their relationship progresses, Katy will soon find out if love will finally trump logic.
"But you are terrified, Kaitlyn. Everything is logical discussions with you, everything is so reasonable and analytical. Don't you feel passionate about anything?"
And Martin Sandeke, let me just say that this guy is just a whole bag of surprises. I mentioned he was pretty much an enigma in the first one but we really get to learn a lot more about him here. These characters are anything but one-dimensional and there's so much more to them than meet the eyes. They're imperfect in their own ways but no doubt, they bring out the best of each other. I found my heart swelling with love as these two try to balance out each other's flaws.
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BUT ALAS THAT ENDING. Oh Penny, why hast thou forsaken me with that ending?! I knew the terrible cliffhanger was coming but NOTHING was enough to prepare me for it. I didn't expect to be crying like a little schoolgirl who just lost her lunch money and left to wallow in the sandbox of misery by the end of it. You have hit me right in the feels with that last portion there, Penny!! *clutches heart*
Again, I feel the need to reiterate that Penny's writing is all kinds of smart, funny, refreshing and will keep you hooked to the story from start to end. I loved this instalment as much as the previous but add on the heat, I couldn't even peel my eyes away from the read at all! I felt that the heat factor definitely played more roles than one, other than merely spicing up the read but it proved to be pivotal by allowing both characters to confront some of their issues head-on.
I'm nervous and excited to see where Penny will bring us in the final part but if there's one thing I'm sure of now, it'll be that this brilliant lady will deliver an epic finale for our beloved duo. Now I just need another truckload of patience to survive the wait, GAH THE STRUGGLE IS REAL.
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Elements of Chemistry: Heat is the second part of a trilogy series called Hypothesis and each instalment will be released within a month of each other. This series is a NA contemporary romance read.
ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
"I hoped Martin Sandeke had no idea that he affected the heat levels of my figurative Bunsen burner."
If anybody can put the s5 STARS! ★★★★�
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"I hoped Martin Sandeke had no idea that he affected the heat levels of my figurative Bunsen burner."
If anybody can put the smart in a romance, it's gotta be Penny Reid. I can say this easily now and hands down after finishing Elements of Chemistry: Attraction. It's just one of those books that I could already tell it will be an epic read the moment I finished the first chapter because the writing was just. that. good. There was this huge goofy grin smacked on my face the entire time which I could not get rid of!
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This instalment starts off with Kaitlyn "Katy" Parker overhearing a devious plot that involves her chemistry lab partner, Martin Sandeke and while she admits that she's very much physically attracted to him, Katy knows better than to get involved with the popular jock cum manwhore. In a kind attempt to save him by spilling out the deets, her world is about to be spun off its axis when she gets more in return which involves a sudden kiss from Martin who apparently had his eyes on her for a long while already.
With the simmering attraction now being set in, it won't be long before the chemistry start to works its magic and what better way to ignite the sparks by going on a spring break trip. A trip that will find both themselves figuring out what this attraction truly means between them.
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Now the only work I've read so far from Penny is from the The Hooker and the Hermit and when I fell in love with the way she portrayed Annie, I knew I had to have this author on my radar. If there's anything I learnt so far after finishing this, it's that her heroines are smart, quirky and has a brilliant sense of humor and wit. Katy here is no exception at all.
Nerdy, awkward and an introvert by nature; Katy was such an endearing character and a lot of times, I saw a glimpse of myself in her. She was never afraid to speak her mind and her awkward inner monologues sent me in a frenzy of giggles or giving out mental high-fives. I love that Penny writes her heroines that don't immediately scream beautiful on the surface but the kind of beauty she portrays in her heroines are the self-empowered females that aren't shy in admitting their flaws and can be proud of who they are.
Can I just say how much I ADORE Katy that she was such an unapologetic nerd (the LoTR debate truly took me by surprise!) and how she was never afraid to stand up to Martin or the other guys when it came to her self-image. My personal favs are her takes on the misogynistic view and about men acting all possessive-like; those were just wickedly brilliant!
“What does me being a virgin have to do with anything? All girls should be treated with respect regardless of whether or not they’re virgins. Being a virgin doesn’t make me any more or less worthwhile than a non-virgin. Your seduction logic is flawed.�
Martin on the other hand was a pretty enigmatic character I must say. We didn't get his POV at all but surprisingly I thought it fit quite well with the read. It does add an element of mystery with his character and serves for a much needed angst in this read. But as the story unfolds, we do get glimpses of what lies underneath that layer of sexiness and just like Katy, I was falling hard for Martin too. He's always been used to getting what he wants but with Katy, it's a whole different ballgame and I enjoyed watching how their attraction brought them closer in ways than they'd imagined.
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And as much as I hate to say it, this one ends on a pretty huge cliffhanger that would send readers like me into an anxiety attack while I patiently wait for the next one. Thankfully, it's only less than a month till the next instalment is out but I'm not gonna lie...it's killing me already not to have the next one NOW!! I'm so close to throwing a junk-punch when I hit the ending and then proceed to think of ways I can bribe Penny to send me the next one already (oh lordy yes, I am a very desperate lady right now!).
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There are not enough words and possibly synonyms to the word 'brilliant' & 'amazing' that I can use to describe how much I enjoyed this read. The intelligence and humor that Penny brings out in her writing is a testament to what this lady is capable of when it comes to writing a smart romance. If anyone can make science sexy, it's Penny Reid.
EoC: Attraction had everything a NA book should strive to achieve; the right balance of quirk, humor, angst and steam but most of all, endearing and realistic characters that will make you feel.I would highly recommend this series to everyone and anyone who's looking for a entertaining, creative & refreshing NA read!
Now Lord please grant me the strength and patience to make it through the wait for the second one.
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Elements of Chemistry: Attraction is the first part of a trilogy series called Hypothesis and each instalment will be released within a month of each other. This series is a NA contemporary romance read.
ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
“I never stopped loving you, not even in my darkest hour.�
Every time I pick up a LH Cosway book, I know I can expect wonderfu5 STARS! ★★★★�
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“I never stopped loving you, not even in my darkest hour.�
Every time I pick up a LH Cosway book, I know I can expect wonderful things. They're magical in a way that I find myself easily whisked away in any world she creates. Her stories always have this touch of realism with beautifully flawed characters whom you could easily relate to. But above all, each story she puts out is refreshingly unique and she paints a tale so vividly with her words that you'll fall in love hard with.
When we were introduced with King in her previous book Hearts of Fire, I already knew this will be quite different from the rest in the series. For that reason alone, I've been DYING to read his story. Oliver King as we learnt previously, was a homeless alcoholic whose sister was the ringmaster of the Circus Spektakular. Rumor has it that he was once a king in the financial empire but after his downfall, he was so closed up that no one could get through to him. And now, we'll get his story.
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King of Hearts is a story told in two parts; the before and the after. The 'before' part starts off with Alexis Clark who's about to attend a job interview at a prestigious bank in Canary Wharf for a position as an exec assistant to one of its head directors, Oliver King. Only with a diploma and years long experience as a barmaid, Alexis didn't think she'd stand a chance but she was not one to easily back down either. Charmed by her wit and brutal honesty, King knew that she was the right woman for the job.
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The dynamic between these two was incredible right from the beginning. Both of them equally charming with their way of words and their banters skirting the line of that undeniable attraction they had for each other. And the sexual tension? It was painstaking to watch as they fought to stay within the boundaries of a strictly professional relationship. But it can only be so long till King claims his queen and set off the scorching moments in this read.
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With all the good things that happened, I already knew the inevitable downfall was coming and I was biting my nails in anticipation to see the events unfold. And when it did, I didn't expect my heart to be painfully crushed knowing what drove King to be who he is in the present. You can hardly blame a man who almost had everything at his fingertips but still be plagued by a past that refused to let him go.
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The 'after' part brings us back to the present time where King drowns in his pain with alcohol at the circus. Only this time we finally got to see from Alexis's end and thankfully with the help of the circus, a reunion was due. With 5 years that had gone by, these two will have a tough emotional time ahead of them as they come to terms with the aftermath of events that tore them apart. The journey to recovery wasn't an easy one but with enough patience and love, Alexis was determined to bring her king back to his rightful place.
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King of Hearts is a read that stays true to LH Cosway's vividly beautiful writing style but yet stands apart from her other work as King's story proves to be the most emotional one yet in this series. With joy, there is pain and with highs, there are lows. I laughed, I swooned and I cried but by the end, I was grinning like a fool (yes considered yourself assured that there is a HEA!). LH Cosway brings you on a remarkable journey that is uplifting and emotional at the same time. I'm in awe with the level of work this author delivers every single time and this one is no different.
I find it impossible to not fall in love with her stories and her eccentric characters that are so endearing. Easily a winner read for me and a 2015 highlight read that everyone should lookout for. In fact, I would highly recommend all of LH Cosway's work if you have yet to read her books!
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King of Hearts is the third in the Hearts series and can be read as a standalone. However, I will highly recommend to read Hearts of Fire first to get a better insight of King's character.
ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
"I never expected her. Sometimes people sneak up on you and suddenly you don't know how you ever lived without them."
What a4.5 STARS! ★★★★�
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"I never expected her. Sometimes people sneak up on you and suddenly you don't know how you ever lived without them."
What a complete hidden gem read! Who is this author and why haven't I read any of her books before? This needs to change pronto. I know there's already so many stellar reviews on this read, so I'll get straight to the point and tell you how this one absolutely worked for me.
Let me just say that I haven't picked up a NA contemporary college romance read since The Hook Up and that was equally a 4.5 stars read for me too. Ever since then, I've been wary about picking up another until this gem came flooding over my feed. I'll be honest: I wouldn't have thought of picking it up just based on the cover or blurb. Is there anything extraordinary about this trope? Nope. But did I enjoyed the hell outta it? Abso-facking-lutely.
"Exactly how old is your penis?"
"He's twenty, like me." Garrett answers seriously. "But he's way more mature than I am."
It really proves to show that you don't need an extraordinary plot to produce a spectacular read if you have the writing skills to put your own unique spin to an overused trope. With Elle Kennedy, she did just that and she aced it. From the likeable characters that came off real to the endless smartass banters, I completely devoured this one and I came off this read with a goofy smile on my face. Scratch that, I pretty much had a big dorky goofy smile on my face the entire time reading it. Also, I may have chuckled out loud a few times in public *cue the locker room scene*
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There's nothing I love more than a slowburn romance and with Hannah/Garrett, their relationship developed at an almost perfect pace. It's the kind that starts off with some love-hate banters, then grows into a delicious sizzling kind of unresolved sexual tension and finally BOOM! it happens. So much so that when it happened, I literally did an airfist and celebrated while sending squeeing text messages to my girlie, Rachel.
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I also liked that while Garrett came off like a manwhore, he was nothing but sweet and caring. He wasn't the typical reformed manwhore that changed his ways for the nerdy quiet girl. He was still who he is but there was just a side you didn't see before until Hannah came along. And Hannah, I loved that she didn't caved in to Garrett's persistence and I felt her insecurities due to her past was portrayed well and not OTT at all. It didn't take away her wonderfully witty persona or let it overshadowed her, it only strengthened her.
"You won't let anything bad happen to me, will you, Garrett?"
"Never."
Overall this is one of those that will take you by surprise because it sure as hell did for me. If it wasn't for all my book buddies recc'ing me this, I wouldn't have gave it a second glance and for that, I am very thankful :) And to those who haven't pick this up, this is where I urge you to give it a shot. Sure it may sound like your typical NA college romance read & it's predictable but the writing that Elle Kennedy brings to her characters and their banters truly made this read shine.
Oh and also, the sex is hot hot hot. What more can you ask for seriously? ;)
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The Deal is a standalone New Adult contemporary romance read.
� Thanks to my lovely girl, Rachel for the amazing buddy-read! Had so much exchanging all the amazing banters from the book & squeeing over these characters through the phone! � ...more
"All that matters is that I have you. The rest is background noise."
I've always been wary when reading a collaborative work5+ STARS!! ★★★★�
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"All that matters is that I have you. The rest is background noise."
I've always been wary when reading a collaborative work but with this dynamic duo, all I can say is that they absolutely need to produce more babies like this in the near future! My first read from LH Cosway being Six of Hearts was an absolute huge winner for me and although I haven't read any of Penny Reid's work yet (this is an absolute blasphemy for me & shall be rectified!!), I've heard nothing but such high praises for her work. Added on with the amazing hype surrounding this read pre AND post release, inevitably I went in with high expectations and let me tell ya, that usually doesn't end so well.
But lo and behold, I've hit the jackpot with this one and got a one-way ticket to book heaven!
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The Hooker and the Hermit surpassed and bulldozed all my expectations, it went far beyond that. My virtual highlighter had a fieldtrip with the witty quotes and off-the-charts sexual innuendos from this read that if anyone saw my Kindle, one would think that a unicorn had pooped rainbow all over it. A pretty massive one in fact (I kid you not).
This read in a nutshell: Bring in one dirty-talker charmer that comes in the form of a rugby player named Ronan Fitzpatrick and a socially awkward world-famous blogger who thrived behind anonymity that is one Annie Catrel...Ladies and gentlemen, be ready to be dazzled by this highly entertaining read where hunky meets geeky. Proceed with caution when reading in public as there will plenty of LOL-worthy moments.
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I don't even know where to begin to express my ginormous love for this book. It literally encompasses everything I searched for in an ideal read. Brilliant wit, well-developed characters, engaging storyline, perfect amount of steam and angst. But mostly the BONUS ICING AND MY PERSONAL KRYTOPNITE: The dirty-talker hero who could melt my heart AND panties. Repeatedly. Move over all my fellow book boyfriends/husbands and make way for this lovechild of hobbit and leprechaun Mr. Irish panty-dropping Ronan.
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With a collaborative piece, it's usually difficult to find one where the writing flows seamlessly between chapters but with this one, there was no telling where one started and the other ended. It's really impressive as both authors achieved a perfect sync and gave each their own character an unique individuality while still maintaining an equal level of humor and wit. Both characters so beautifully flawed in their own ways, you can't help but be completely enamoured.
"Ronan, you are worth ten thousand Fitzpatricks and their self-important douchebaggery. Their stupidity is their loss, not yours."
I cannot stress how amazingly well-written is Annie's character. Her introverted persona was something that I could relate to on a personal level which gave this read an extra edge for me and given her backstory, my heart squeezed one too many times for her. I loved that she was real and while her actions may not be the most ideal ones, it's her flawed character that stood out to me in this read. In most books, we usually get the feisty, ballsy heroine that we'd love to be but with Annie, she's perfectly imperfect being that hermit sitting at the corner of the coffee shop and being awesome in her own way. She's the one that I could hear myself saying "That sounds just like me" as opposed to the "I wish I was her".
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And of course, there's Ronan who quickly swept me off my feet with his lovable charm and dirty mouth. His character was a like candy waiting to be unwrapped and oh boy, did I find a delicious layer hidden underneath coated with so much goodness! Ronan was such a multi-dimensional character; there was a certain tenderness beneath all that rugged sexy persona and his fierce loyalty to Annie made me swoon so hard.
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No doubt that this read has officially become the first one to hit my Best Reads of 2015 List and earned a spot on my all-time favorite reads! There was absolutely nothing that I didn't love about this read, if it had another 500 pages, I would happily gobble them up. This was the kind of read that gave me the flutters, set my panties on fire and made me roll in a puddle of happy feels.
I cannot recommend this read enough if you're looking for a light-hearted romance read that is guarantee to put a smile on your face and yet tugged at your heartstrings as you read it. These two authors are definitely on my auto-buy list for sure. So everyone, get yourself acquainted with this read now!
The Hooker and the Hermit is a collaborative standalone romance read by LH Cosway and Penny Reid.
"There are, in fact, only three ways to become a queen. Signing up isn't one of them."
**SPOILER FREE REVIEW (but involves major gushing of the entire series)**
It breaks my heart to write this review because it feels like I'm officially saying goodbye to a series I've come to love so much. This alluring world that Tiffany Reisz has created, these complex characters that I've admired; we've reached the final chapter of an amazing saga. The Queen marks the epic conclusion to the entire Original Sinners series that we've all been holding our breath for. And our Queen, the one and only Tiffany Reisz has delivered and brought this entire journey back to a full circle.
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The final instalment picks up from where we left off with The Virgin, the beautiful wedding that finally takes place for one very lucky couple. All our beloved characters have come together for one last time, reminiscence of the past begins. But one crucial piece of the puzzle still remains throughout the entire series...the year that Eleanor became Mistress Nora. The rise of the Red Queen in the Underground.
And so it begins. With a confession from Nora to her beloved Soren in the present day.
“Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned,� she began her confession.
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I'm not gonna lie, this was the story I've been WAITING for. Ever since picking up the very first book, The Siren, Nora has captivated me with her dominatrix ways. So to be able to finally witness the transformation of Eleanor to Mistress Nora, I couldn't ask for a better way to end this saga and our Queen delivered it in spades. Eventhough it may seemed that this book will focus primarily on Nora, more importantly we got to explore more in depth between the dynamics that make up Nora, Soren and Kingsley. Book after book, there's always still so much more that we've yet to learn. That is the absolute beauty of this series and the writing perfection to be expected from TR.
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The level of respect and love that Nora, Soren and Kingsley have for each other is one that astounds me and one that I will probably never encounter in any other books I'll read. Underneath all that kink and unconventional taboo relationship lies the greatest devotion you'll ever see shared between three people. This is the book that will piece all the bits together and fill in all the gaps in the past, to finally understand what defines these characters and made them who they are.
“This was how they were faithful to each other, by letting each other be faithful to their own hearts."
Everything comes back to one full circle but what really took the cake for me in this entire read was the last portion of it. Tiffany Reisz stripped down the final layer of Soren and bare to us this unmasked version of the powerful man we've never seen before. Needless to say, I weeped my way through that scene and goddamnit was it beautiful. I've never doubted his love for Nora and Kingsley but that final scene right there...it just solidifies everything I've come to love and admire in that man.
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You know the saying where great stories will live on forever? That rings true here with the Original Sinners. Even with the final chapter sealing the fate of this saga, I know for a fact that the series will stay on with me forever. Tiffany Reisz is a world-class storyteller and with every read she puts out, I can only expect greatness and never once has she failed on me yet. She doesn't even need to put out a heart-stopping read as a finale to win me over, she just needs to do what she does best: writing one helluva read.
“My endgame is the same endgame as in every game of chess."
The only thing that I could probably do without in this series was the introduction of Nico. He was probably the only character that hardly stuck with me and dare I say, quite forgettable. Regardless, this series was still perfect in my eyes.
In a true TR fashion and right down to the VERY LAST LINE, that woman never fails to surprise you. What a perfect brilliant way to end this amazing saga with just that final word. I bow down to you, my Queen. And thank you for giving us an unforgettable journey with the Sinners.
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The Queen is the final book in The White Year series and the conclusion to The Original Sinners series. It should be read in order and is also recommended to only read this series after finishing The Red Year series (Book 1 -4).
ARC kindly provided by Harlequin via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
"It was a dark and stormy night...And I was leaving you. Forever."
Even after putting out 7 full-length novels, Tiffany Reis4.5 STARS! ★★★★�
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"It was a dark and stormy night...And I was leaving you. Forever."
Even after putting out 7 full-length novels, Tiffany Reisz still leaves me in this stupor of awe after putting down her read. Every. Single. Time. Not to mention, my mind is now going wild with imagery of all my favorite men in kilts. I repeat, Kinglsey AND Søren in kilts. In the words of Eleanor, THIS IS NOT A DRILL.
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Okay those lovely imagery aside, The Virgin is no doubt yet another brilliant addition to The White Year series. You'd think by now after 7 books of these same characters, you are ready for what's to come but in true TR fashion, always expect the unexpected.
With each read, you'll always learn something new about your favorite sinners and there's just so much depth she brings to these multilayered characters. How is it possible that I've feel like I known these characters forever but yet be left surprised after each new read? It's amazing how well TR captures the complexity of human nature and nails the character dynamics perfectly each time that nothing will ever come close to her portrayal of taboo relationships.
I don't want to spoil much about The Virgin but here's what you can expect going into this read. 1) There will be a wedding in the present day. 2) The backstory of the year that Nora/Eleanor ran away from Søren. 3) The backstory of the year that Kingsley met Juliette. 4) Again, them men in kilts!!
The book starts off very similarly to the previous ones, being in the present day and this time we have our lovely threesome gathering around and reminiscing the time where both King and Nora left Søren. That's right, it was that dark year we've all been wondering about too since the early series and let me say, learning about this pivotal moment didn't disappoint me at all. The beauty of TR's work is that every scene has its purpose, it keeps giving an additional layer to the characters and just continues to enhance this already amazeballs series.
"There are five possible scenarios that would force you to run. I want you to be ready."
After the lack of Nora in The King, it was nice to have her back and reading about her time at her mum's convent where she ran away to, I thought it was refreshing that we got to see another side of Nora, the one without Søren. With the arrival of a young novice nun named Kyrie who seemed to have an affection for Nora, it does add the F/F flavour to this series which previously haven't been explored in depth. There were some amazing witty dialogues thrown in there between them but most of all, I truly felt the genuine love and care they had for each other.
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But if it's anyone who stole my heart in this read, hands down it will be Kingsley. I honestly didn't think I could learn more about this Frenchman since the last book but color me wrong. After reading about his pursuit of Juliette and his time in Haiti, my heart truly ached and swelled for this beautiful man. Their love story was achingly beautiful to read and after this one, I’m glad King found someone who is worthy of his love.
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In my eyes, Tiffany Reisz is a world-class storyteller and with every read she puts out, I can only expect greatness and never once has she failed on me yet. With her books, I find myself lost and immersed in this sinful world she has built and not to mention, her alluring and sexy as hell writing is one that had me devouring each word up. Her books can be a million pages long and it will still never be enough for me. My only mini issue on this one is that I wished we got more on Soren and his perspective of the night that Nora ran away from him. Or just generally more Soren, I'll take him any way I can get.
As I type this out, I can't believe we're only one book away from the end of this entire series. I can already anticipate the motha of breakdowns I will go through when I finally read The Queen. There better be a support group I can sign up on post-Sinners series because y'all can expect a terrible case of withdrawal that involves me going through a denial and grief stage by then. I'll never be ready for the end.
The Virgin is the third in The White Year series and should be read in order. It is also recommended to only read this series after finishing The Original Sinners series.
ARC kindly provided by Harlequin via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
“We are unique, you and I, the black wolves of our families, mutations; we are special.�
If there is such a thing as book heav5 STARS! ★★★★�
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“We are unique, you and I, the black wolves of our families, mutations; we are special.�
If there is such a thing as book heaven, I'm in it now after finishing The Black Wolf. This is a high that I can't come down from because reading this is like being on crack; one taste and it kept me addicted. Hook, line and sinker. Hands down this series is THE BEST romantic thriller/suspense series out there and if you haven't pick it up, you have NO IDEA what you're missing out!
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The Black Wolf being the 5th book in the series, takes on a progressive storyline whereby The Order (which is the organisation of assassins) has been shaken up with the aftermath of Book 4. Secrets were revealed and the consequences are devastating for some, particularly with Niklas learning about his brother, Victor's betrayal.
When a new mission surfaced that only Niklas would be the perfect man for the job, Izabel convinced him to take the job and together with the newly recruited Nora, they were jetted of to Italy. A mission that hits close to home for Izabel, their latest target comes in a form of a beautiful sadistic madam named Fransesca Moretti.
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I'm finally glad that we got Niklas's story in this series. Readers have always seen him as the rebellious and cocky one but being gifted with his POV certainly presented another side of him we've been dying to learn about. While Niklas may be the focus point of this book, I love how the author cleverly shifts to other MCs at times to allow character growth especially Izabel in this one. The dynamic between Niklas and Izabel was something that I've been looking forward to for a long time and I'm glad it delivered!
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This is probably a book that I can't give too much away due to the nature of the plot but honestly people, READ. THIS. SERIES. This is just one of those reads that I wish I could devour each page slowly but I can't help but flip the pages fast enough to see what comes next. Call me a hopeless dreamer but I honestly wish this series would never come to an end.
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JA Redmerski once again delivers a read that is incredibly well-paced, a storyline that grips your attention from start to finish and puts you on a ride that keeps you on the edge at every single turn. If this series was a real drug, I'd be a very jolly addict because God forbid I wish I could have infinite of it!! Not only is the author capable of messing with my mind with new twists and revelations, she is a genius with wrecking my emotions with her words alone that I wished I wasn't more of a human to be able to stomach these feelings. She hits me right in the gut!
It's absolutely thrilling, heart-racing, dark and gritty in all the right places plus a group of characters that I'd love to be acquainted with. I can't ask for a better read when it comes to this genre and I'm already dying for the next!
"Never give up or back down on the things that fill your soul, Calloway. There is no worse life than a **SPOILER-FREE REVIEW** 5 STARS! ★★★★�
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"Never give up or back down on the things that fill your soul, Calloway. There is no worse life than a hollow one."
After 6 hours of reading (& crying) within one sitting of this read, I was almost afraid that I could never bring myself to write this review. Each and every book in the Addicted/Calloway Sisters series has such a dear place in my heart and with Long Way Down marking the end of this entire series, embracing myself for this read was like wishing that the end will never come.
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Long Way Down will bring you on a tumultuous ride with Ryke Meadows & Daisy Calloway as they chase after their long deserved happiness. They're wild and primitive; these two are the daredevils of the gang and nothing will slow them down, not even their 7-years age difference. Living life on the edge comes with risks that these two are no strangers to but, how far are they willing to go when it boils down to their lives at stake.
Reading this was like unwrapping an early Christmas gift, knowing that whatever lies inside will cause my heart to swell with nothing but everlasting love and joy. I don't want to go into specifics of the story because I want everyone to experience this journey through their own eyes as they read it. The Ritchie twins are never short of words that could evoke a storm of emotions from their readers, I already had tears rolling down my face by the time I hit 5% of this read! My heart went from soaring high to suddenly being plummeted as Ryke & Daisy's story took me on an adventure.
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Every couple in the Addicted series have their own battles to fight but with Ryke & Daisy, they're the risk-takers. Everyone sees them as reckless but to each other, their love runs deeper than that and they see each other for who they truly are. Their love was selfless, not only to their own but to every single person they cared about. It broke my heart over and over again to watch them fight their battles but it was their strength and faith to overcome them that really sent me into puddles of tears.
Even with this being marked as the 9th book in the series, I'm still blown away by the dynamics of the entire Addicted gang. Whether it's the Calloway sisterhood or the brotherly love of Lo, Connor & Ryke; the Ritchie twins continues to showcase the growth of these characters and the level of maturity they've reached since the very first book. I felt like I've grown along with these characters and witness every ups and down with them. The kind of attachment I have for these people are as real as they can be.
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Exhilarating yet heartbreaking, I dare you to not fall in love with this read. The Ritchie twins have brought their A-game to greater heights by delivering the perfect conclusion to this epic saga. There was no other ending I could possibly ask for than the beautiful one given to us. The Addicted series was more than just a series of stories, it was an adventure of a lifetime and an unforgettable journey. From friendships to love, from hitting rock bottom to making breakthroughs; I wouldn't trade the experience of it for anything else in this world.
Krista & Becca Ritchie are definitely forces to be reckoned with and they continue to outdo themselves with each book they put out. I could easily find myself completely immersed in this world they've built and wishing that I could spend an eternity with these characters. With this bittersweet finale, no doubt it'll definitely take me a while to recover from this read.
My final parting words: READ THIS SERIES. YOU WON'T REGRET IT. [image]
Long Way Down is the 4th book in the Calloway Sisters spinoff series and must be read in order. It must also be read after Addicted After All as it contains spoilers. This book also concludes the entire Addicted series.
It's gonna be tough to review an amazing book without **SPOILER-FREE REVIEW** 5++ STARS! ★★★★�
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"So long as I may be living, I live with you."
It's gonna be tough to review an amazing book without giving away the best parts of it; it's like trying to figure Connor out without seeing the deepest parts of him. The best reads are the ones I'd tell you to go in blind and experience them for yourselves but regardless, I'll try my best to give this book the justice it deserves although I know there will never be enough words to express the beauty that is this read.
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So you know you've read a great book when it leaves a huge smile on your face or when it consumes you once you put it down. But you know you've read an epic one when you've walked out of the read feeling like you've been shot in the chest multiple times by a platoon of emotions and leaves an everlasting effect on you thereafter. This is it.
When the Ritchie twins said this was one of the toughest books they've written especially when it involves two of the (literally) smartest characters in the book universe, they probably didn't realize that they have undoubtedly written their absolute BEST work to date. If you think Kiss the Sky was your most favorite one in the series, then you won't know what's about to hit you with Fuel the Fire.
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Fuel the Fire, similar to Kiss The Sky where it centers around Connor & Rose, will have their story be elevated onto a whole new level as the stakes are higher now with their loved ones on the line. It's going to be an intense ride as buried pasts will resurface and with enemies lurking in the shadows just waiting to tear everyone apart. Rose & Connor has always been the more mature pair, the responsible duo and the ones that believe that they can fix anything. But when a secret threatens everything they've fight so hard for, will their brilliance and love be enough to withstand it all?
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Without giving too much away, I'll just say that FtF will shed a lot of light on Connor and he will in fact, be pushed to limits like never before. What we've gotten from the entire series so far is merely the tip of the iceberg; you know Connor as the narcissistic, conceited smartass who's at equal with Rose, the only woman he's ever capable of loving. The notion of emotions is what Connor deemed as a weakness in the human nature, he is a man of control and above all, he will always win. But times have changed and with more at stake, for the first time ever...Connor actually cracks under the pressure.
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What makes this read stands out from the entire series is how fantastic the dynamics of Rose & Connor have evolved since KtS; their fierce loyalty to each other is ever present but there's just so much more depth to their relationship that us readers have yet to see. Both of them are complex characters on their own, they're manic in their own ways but in this and every alternate universe, they're perfect for each other. They'd go through Hell and back if it means protecting the ones they loved most.
Their love is unique in ways people cannot even begin to comprehend because it cannot be seen; it can only be felt through the power of the words that they utter to each other in private. Every word counts, every exchange between them have weight and every scene between them gives the story more depth. It was just the most beautiful kind of love to witness.
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Double the banters, double the intensity, double the sexiness and most of all, quadruple the emotions. This one has completely blew all the other books out of the water and left a mighty wake of destruction behind. And by that, I meant my heart was completely wrecked and destroyed single-handedly by a read so powerful that had me sobbing into my pillow at night and crying silently in the back of my parents' car. The twins had the ability to channel such strong emotions through their writing that tore me apart and later rebuild me up again.
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I say this with so much certainty: Krista & Becca are forces to be reckoned with and even after putting out 8 books in this series, they keep setting the bar higher with each one. Their writing is just one-of-a-kind that makes you believe that these fictional characters are your real-life friends. You feel the pain, the love, the joy; their highest of highs and their lowest of lows. In each book, it's never just one couple that you read about but it's the entire gang and each individual relationship is so unique that when it's all pieced together, it gives birth to a magnificent universe.
There is just no other NA series that can come close to the Addicted series and with each read, I fall in love with the characters harder than before. It encompasses more than just a love story between a couple but there's family, friends, siblings and much more. Throughout the series, the twins constantly tackled some heavy and sensitive issues brilliantly instead of just sweeping them under the rug and that's really something to be commended for.
If you had to ask me to choose one NA series that I would recommend to you in this lifetime, I'd choose the Addicted series in a heartbeat. From amazing character dynamics to undoubtedly talented writing, the Ritchie twins continue to outdo themselves with each instalment. I find myself completely immersed in this world they've built and wishing that I could spend an eternity with these characters. Just absolute perfection & easily a top read of 2015 for me, I simply cannot recommend this series enough!
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Fuel the Fire is the 3rd book in the Calloway Sisters spinoff series and must be read in order. It must also be read after Addicted After All as it contains spoilers.
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