Wednesday 20 July 2016

Review ~ Carter (The Harlow Brothers #1) by Brie Paisley

Carter (The Harlow Brothers, #1)
eARC received via the tour company in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: July 22nd 2016

Publisher: Self-published

Description:
Carter
She was the one for me.
The one that I knew would be mine forever until I made the biggest mistake. I pushed her away and I’ve regretted that decision ever since. I’ve tried to move on, tried to put the memory of her behind me, but she’s always consuming my thoughts. Now, she’s back in our hometown, trying to rebuild a new life. I know she’s keeping secrets. She tries to hide them from me, and I will do whatever it takes to prove that I’m the one she needs. Because Shelby Ross is the other part of me that I can’t live without and I refuse to let her go again. 

Shelby
He broke my heart.
I never thought I would be able to pick of the pieces he left behind. When he let me go, I ran away from it all, thinking it was the easiest thing to do. But, running has a price and I’ve paid it in full for years. Now, I’m back where it all began, back to putting my life together and starting over. It should’ve been easy, but Carter Harlow is reawakening long buried emotions that I thought were gone. He wants to make me his again. I can’t let that happen. He ruined me, broke me, and I’m afraid I’ll never survive it a second time around.

My Opinion

This book has been plastered on my news feed for weeks. I wanted to read it as soon as I saw the cover, even though I had no idea what it was about. Anyway, I went on a FB stalking mission and found the tour sign up form. Yay!

When Carter appeared on my kindle I had to dive in straight away. I love second chance romances and for the most part this was a good read. The start hooked me instantly and had me asking questions about Shelby. I thought the romance as well was sweet and played out nicely. The book was a cute read with some emotional drama and it held my attention well for the most part.

I did feel it could have been cut down at times. Some information became repetitive and I felt like I was reading the same thing over and over. I also kept waiting for something to happen. Shelby's past seemed like it would amount to more in her future and the ending seemed a little anti-climatic.

Overall, this was still a good read. I enjoyed it and would like to read more about the brothers, especially Clark.

4

Tuesday 19 July 2016

Review ~ Hitched: Volume Two (Imperfect Love, #2) by Kendall Ryan

Hitched: Volume Two (Imperfect Love, #2)
eARC received via InkSlinger PR in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: July 17th 2016

Publisher: Self-published

Description:
Arranged marriage? Check. 

Cocky new husband? Check. 


It's a marriage of convenience—one I’m determined to keep strictly professional. I can't be stupid enough to fall for this sexy playboy's charm or advances. I have to be strong, even if he is my husband.

Except he has a huge cock with an even bigger ego, and his main goal in life seems to be getting me to stroke both. The arrogant bastard is like sweet, sugary candy for my libido. I know he’s bad for me.

But I want to devour every wicked inch of him. 

With his sexual prowess and experience, I know he’ll be explosive in the bedroom. And since we’re stuck together for the foreseeable future—keeping up this marriage charade long enough to turn the company profitable again—I deserve something to look forward to at the end of a long workday, right?

What could one little taste hurt?

My Opinion

I had to start this as soon as it appeared on my Kindle. After the cliffhanger in book one I needed to read the next instalment, and I finished it in under a couple of hours.

I won't say anything about the plot since this is a three part serial and I don't want to give anything away. However, I liked how the intensity between the characters heightened in this instalment. It's short and to the point, but hot and steamy.


Of course there is another major cliffhanger. I knew it was coming and I probably should have waited to read this closer to my review date so there isn't a big gap between book 3, but I couldn't. I'd definitely recommend this series, although waiting until they're all out might be a good idea if you hate cliffhangers.

4

Sunday 17 July 2016

Review ~ Angels & Whiskey (Saddles & Racks #1) by Kimberly Knight

Angels & Whiskey (Saddles & Racks, #1)
ebook downloaded for free from Amazon

Release Date: March 9th 2015

Publisher: Self-published

Description:
Whiskey, women and sleepless nights…
United States Army Captain Gabriel Hastings knew he would always follow in his grandfather’s footsteps. Serving his country was his destiny. 

Until he fell in love…

When Gabe’s love affair is cut short, he turns to whiskey for comfort and swears he will never fall in love again.

Until he bumps into an unexpected angel…
By all appearances, Autumn Jones has the perfect life. Her husband, Richard, is a loving man who wants to be a father to her unborn children. But Autumn knows the truth. Richard has a controlling, dark side that leaves nothing to chance, especially Autumn. He’ll stop at nothing to make her the trophy wife he wants her to be.

When Autumn bumps into Gabe, he consumes her every thought, but she can’t act on her feelings. She’s married to a dark man she can never leave. 

When he learns who Autumn’s husband really is, Gabe knows he will stop at nothing to protect her. Or is it too late for him to save his angel?

My Opinion

How could I resist downloading this book when it was free with a cover like that? I mean, really, there was no chance. It only convinced me more when I read the blurb. For some reason I'm in a phase of reading about military men and since Gabe is ex-army this intrigued me.

Finally, I found the time to read this and I couldn't put it down. I read the first 50% in one night before not being able to keep my eyes open any longer and I picked it back up the second I woke up until I'd finished it. It held my interest the entire way through and I didn't want it to end. I loved Gabe and Jackson. The devotion to Autumn and their need to protect her was admirable, especially when they hardly knew her. There was also a spark between Gabe and Autumn which only grew.

I think the plot was well developed and flowed easily. I got lost in the authors world completely, yet the only thing that stopped me from rating this book 5 stars is there were a few sections I skimmed. The majority of the time this was at the start of a chapter when the author repeated events from the end of the previous chapter, but from a different character's POV--since this book is dual POV. At times it didn't feel necessary and rather than add anything I felt it was just repetitive information.


Overall though this was a great read. I will definitely be reading more by this author in the future.

4

Saturday 16 July 2016

ARC Review ~ Until Harry by L.A. Casey

Until Harry
eARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: July 19th 2016

Publisher: Montlake Romance

Description:
He was my best friend, my best not-really-big-brother, and my best protector.

He was my best everything.

He was mine.


Coming home is hard for Lane. Hard because Harry, her beloved uncle, has died suddenly, but also because of him. Kale.

Kale Hunt has been her best friend since childhood. But it was never that simple. He was Lane’s reason for leaving home and moving to New York. Seeing him with someone else, in love with someone else, shouldn’t have hurt. But it did. It really, really did. So she upped sticks and left, started a new life and cut herself off from her past.

But now she’s back, and all the feelings are right there. As if she had never left.

Emotions are running high for everyone, and tragedy has a funny way of bringing people together. But is Lane reading the signs right? Are they still just friends, or is there something more?

My Opinion

This is the second L A Casey book I've read now. If I'm brutally honest, I didn't engage with her writing style in Dominic. She wrote with an Irish accent, which drove me so nuts that I couldn't enjoy the story. That was the reason I decided to take a chance on Until Harry. It wasn't her stories that put me off and I took the chance she wouldn't write with the same accented voice since this is a different family. I'm glad I did and gave Casey a second chance. I enjoyed this book so much more than Dominic.

Until Harry is a gentle and touching read. It's more contemporary than romance, whereby the Lane and Kale have to find themselves again after a series of losses. The death of Uncle Harry brings Lane back home from America to York and in doing so forces her to reconnect with her family, and also face everything she left behind with her best friend and love of her life Kale. With some cruel truths, their future isn't certain and they have to fight if they're ever going to forgive each other.

Overall, this was a good read. The switch between past and present kept me hooked and it flowed well. I couldn't stop reading, and although the romance isn't the main focus or entirely happy throughout the whole book, it was moving and real. Things weren't perfect, Lane and Kale's lives were messy, and they both made bad decisions, but their life was interesting.


I'd definitely recommend this.

4

Friday 15 July 2016

Review ~ Forever My Girl (The Beaumont Series, #1) by Heidi McLaughlin

Forever My Girl (The Beaumont Series, #1)
ebook downloaded for free via Amazon

Release Date: December 27th 2012

Description:
I was never supposed to be a rock star. I had my life all planned out for me. Play football in college. Go to the NFL. Marry my high school sweetheart and live happily ever after. 

I broke both our hearts that day when I told her I was leaving. I was young. I made the right decision for me, but the wrong decision for us. I’ve poured my soul into my music, but I’ve never forgotten her. Her smell, her smile. 

And now I’m going back. 

After ten years. 

I hope I can explain that after all this time. 

I still want her to be my forever girl.

My Opinion

I have no idea why I haven't read this sooner. It isn't the the first book by this author for me, but it was the first I bought. It's been sat on my Kindle for ages and when the time came that I wanted to start it, I had no Internet to get it out of my cloud!

Anyway, finally I have the Internet back and I downloaded this from the Cloud immediately. I didn't expect to read it in one sitting, but that's what I did.

Forever My Girl whisked me away to Beaumont for a few hours and absorbed me in Heidi's world so much I forgot about my cold. It's a sweet, heartwarming romance that is just a story that makes you want to curl up and not put it down because it puts a smile on your face. The whole story is simple and easy. It flows well and ... well it just made me feel good. Liam definitely wasn't the bad boy rock star I was expecting and I loved him around Noah.

The only slight negative is I felt Nick faded out too suddenly. I felt the break up wasn't that clear, but it's minor in the scheme of the book.


Overall, I really enjoyed this and I'll be looking forward to book two, which I won't allow to sit unread for so long.


4.5

Thursday 14 July 2016

Review ~ A Lush Betrayal (Lush, #1) by Selena Laurence

A Lush Betrayal (Lush, #1)
ebook downloaded for free via Amazon.

Release Date: May 2015

Publisher: Self-published

Description:
Joss Jamison is the sexy, brooding lead singer of the nation's hottest rock sensation, Lush. He prides himself on his control--of the music, the business, and himself. But, when emotions overtake him and he loses control for one fateful night, he jeopardizes everything he loves.

Mel DiLorenzo has waited her whole life for the chance to prove her talents in photojournalism. When her older sister invites her to document the world tour for Lush, Mel jumps at the chance. But she quickly finds herself in the middle of a band on the edge, and an incredibly hot lead singer on her case.

With sparks flying on tour buses, hotels, and auditoriums, Mel and Joss are about to find out that rock and roll can be a very wild ride.

My Opinion

I've been making the effort to go through my Kindle freebies lately since I've finally got on top of my ARC pile. A Lush Betrayal is another book I've had for a while, but never got round to reading until now. 


Now I've read it, I wish I'd have discovered the series earlier and I will definitely be buying the box set. I really enjoyed Joss and Mel's story, and the band surrounding them was well formed and likeable. I can't wait to read about Mel's sister and her fiance.

4

Wednesday 13 July 2016

Review ~ The Baller: A Down and Dirty Football Novel by Vi Keeland

The Baller: A Down and Dirty Football Novel
ebook purchased by myself.

Release Date: January 18th 2016

Publisher: Self-published

Description:
The first time I met Brody Easton was in the men’s locker room.
It was my first interview as a professional sportscaster.
The famed quarterback decided to bare all. 
And by all, I don’t mean he told me any of his secrets. 
No. The arrogant ass decided to drop his towel, just as I asked the first question. On camera. 
The Super Bowl MVP quickly adopted a new hobby—screwing with me.
When I pushed back, he shifted from wanting to screw with me, to wanting to screw me.
But I don’t date players. 
And it’s not because I’m one of the few women working in the world of professional football. 
I’d date an athlete. 
It’s the other kind of player I don’t date. 
You know the type. Good looking, strong, cocky, always looking to get laid.

Brody Easton was the ultimate player.
Every woman wanted to be the one to change him.
But the truth was, all he needed was a girl worth changing for.
Turned out, I was that girl.
Simple right?
Let’s face it. It never is.
There’s a story between once upon a time and happily ever after… 
And this one is ours.

My Opinion

I've seen this book around everywhere since its release. It's been on my tbr pile for a while and finally I found the time to buy it and read it.

This is a first read by this author for me and I found this to be an entertaining read. The characters were interesting, and if you follow my reviews closely, you'll know I'm a big sports romance fan. The Baller was a great quick read I couldn't put down.

4.5

Tuesday 12 July 2016

Surprise Release ~ Keep (Seaside Pictures #2) by Rachel Van Dyken

Keep (Seaside Pictures, #2)


My name's shouted on rooftops.
It's written on bras, bathroom stalls, hell my name is everywhere. To say my name is to experience an orgasm without ever leaving your house.
My name?
Zane "Saint" Andrews.
I'm sex.
I'm a rock god.
I'm also a virgin.
What they don't know won't kill them right? Give the people what they want. And what they want is the idea of me; the pleasure they gain at listening to my song and knowing without a doubt I'm talking about them and only them.
It worked for a while. Until a nerdy girl with glasses falls at my feet, literally, and suddenly I don't want to be Saint anymore, what I want? What I really need? Is to be kept. By her.
 

        
   
Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she's not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor. She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband, adorable son, and two snoring boxers! She loves to hear from readers! You can connect with her on Facebook www.facebook.com/rachelvandyken or join her fan group Rachel's New Rockin Readers. Her website is www.rachelvandykenauthor.com. FACEBOOK / TWITTER / GOODREADS / AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE / NEWSLETTER

Monday 11 July 2016

Review ~ Not Yet (Not Yet, #1) by Laura Ward

Not Yet (Not Yet, #1)
ebook downloaded for free via Amazon

Release Date: July 28th 2014

Publisher: Self-published

Description:
Emma Harris is learning that life is just a series of lessons. 

Lesson #1: Nothing goes the way you plan.
Lesson #2: You can’t trust men. Especially not the pretty ones.
Lesson #3: Turns out, appearances are almost always deceiving.

Emma thinks she has life all figured out, and what she knows isn’t good. For years, she’s put her big sister, who was born with Down syndrome, first. Now Emma’s ready to start her own life, but fate has other plans. To do the right thing for the sister she loves, Emma’s dreams will just have to wait.

She doesn’t plan on meeting Landon — a rich, flirtatious jock, who never has to wait for anything. Not for attention, not for money, and certainly not for girls. Meeting Emma marks the first time in his life that he’s had to fight for something. And Landon doesn't know how to lose.

Emma has no interest in wasting her summer with a superficial guy like Landon. But very soon she realizes she is wrong about him. The question is, can she trust him? Or will he let her down like every other guy in her life? But most importantly, can Emma trust herself enough to live the life she's always dreamed of?

Life has a way of sneaking in the most important lessons when you aren't looking. And once the heart gets involved, that's when the real learning begins.

My Opinion

Once again, this is another new author for me. I came across Not Yet free on Amazon and since I have no ARCs until July I dived right in. I wasn't sure what I was going to get, but I was pleasantly surprised.

Not Yet is a touching read. It's an easy book to relax with, and the romance is sweet. Once again it's a book that heavily features disabilities. It's not something I read about often so the change is nice and I think the author's passion against bullying and treating them differently came across strongly. I will admit, near the start it did feel like I was being lectured a bit, but as things progressed it got better. I respected Emma for what she did for her family and her kindness. I also liked how she got through to Landon so he could change himself for the better.

Although predictable, the romance is cute. I did feel the spark and chemistry between Landon and Emma and I thought the emotions developed well. Things kept a good pace too. 

This might just be me remembering wrong, but I did think I spotted some continuity issues--namely the sport Dean and Landon played. Sometimes it was football, others baseball. The terms didn't quite cross over and remain consistent.


Overall though this was a good read and I'm looking forward to Dean's book.

4

Sunday 10 July 2016

Review ~ Edge of Glory (Friendship, Texas, #1) by Magan Vernon

Edge of Glory (Friendship, Texas, #1)
eARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: July 12th 2016

Publisher: Self-published

Description:
"Welcome to Conti's. I'm Lia and I'll nguhhhhhhhhhhhhh".

I froze. Directly facing me was Olympic swimmer, Jay Morningstar… and I just made an idiot of myself.

The rest of the table looked up to see me standing there with my mouth practically gaping. His coach, who I recognized from TV interviews, and even two other swimmers from the Olympic team... they didn't say anything, they didn't even blink.

"Uh… I mean…"

I couldn't even put together my words and Jay Morningstar was just staring at me with that Wheaties box smile and those icy blue eyes.

What was I supposed to say? Sorry I just made a weird noise, it's just that I have a poster of you on my wall where you are wearing nothing more than your gold medals, a smile, and a pair of man panties?

My Opinion

I've only ever read a few books about swimmers before. In fact, I can probably count the titles on one hand. However, since I love sport romances Edge of Glory intrigued me and I always like reading about different types of sportsmen.

Edge of Glory was an easy read. It held my attention well and I sped through the entire book in a few hours. The book centres around Jay and Lia. Jay is a gold medallist Olympic swimmer and Lia is a waitress in her family's Italian restaurant. They run into each other when Lia has to serve Jay and his friends in the restaurant and from then on, Jay is trying to prove his feelings for her. With obstacles such as the media, strict parents, Lia suddenly becoming put into the spotlight, and other drama, the couple have a lot to overcome if they're to be together. The question is can they?

Although predictable, I felt the swimming aspect gave this book a hint of originality that kept it interesting. It didn't bother me that the plot was generic to this genre, I connected with the characters and was happy to enjoy their story.


Overall, this was an enjoyed read. If you're looking for a sweet romance this might be for you.

3.5

Saturday 9 July 2016

Review ~ Bound by Honor (Born in Blood Mafia Chronicles, #1) by Cora Reilly

Bound by Honor (Born in Blood Mafia Chronicles, #1)
ebook downloaded for free via Amazon

Release Date: December 14th 2014

Publisher: Self-published

Description:
Born into one of the leading Mob families in Chicago, Aria Scuderi struggles to find her own path in a world where no choices are given. Aria was only fifteen when her parents betrothed her to Luca – The Vice – Vitiello, the oldest son of the head of the New York Cosa Nostra to ensure peace between the two families. 

Now at eighteen, the day Aria has been dreading for years is looming dangerously: her wedding to Luca. 

Aria is terrified of marrying a man she hardly knows, especially someone like Luca who got his nickname ‘the Vice’ for crushing a man’s throat with his bare hands. Luca might be one of the most sought after men in New York thanks to his good looks, wealth and predator-like charisma that radiates power, but the society girls throwing themselves at him don’t know what Aria does: that the bad boy aura isn’t just a game; blood and death lurk beneath Luca’s striking gray eyes and arrogant smile.

In her world a handsome exterior often hides the monster within; a monster who can just as easily kill as kiss you.

The only way to escape the marriage to Luca would be to run away and leave everything she’s ever known behind but Aria can’t bear the thought of never seeing her family again. 

Despite her fear, she decides to go through with the marriage; Aria has grown up among predators like Luca and knows that even most cold-hearted bastards have a heart and she has every intention of working her way into Luca’s.

My Opinion

I downloaded this for free when I saw it up on Amazon. Since I was flicking through my Kindle to look for something darker, this seemed perfect. I've never read anything by this author before so I wasn't sure what I'd get, but I was pleasantly surprised.

Bound by Honor is a darker mafia read--then again you don't really get lightheartedness with the mafia. It revolves around Luca and Aria's arranged marriage and how they grow as husband and wife.

I will admit I thought the start was a bit slow. I really just wanted them to get married and for everything to kick off. When Aria was fifteen it seemed kind of weird. Anyway, once they finally get married things picked up and I couldn't put the book down. I thought the balance between monster and husband was struck well in Luca and that his transformation was nicely paced and developed. He wasn't all bad with Aria and he did care even if he didn't want to admit it. Similarly, although Luca scared Aria, she still put him in his place and made him wait. For that I respected her.

As for the plot, for the most part it was a great read. My only problem is the ending with the Bratva. I'm not sure if the problems between New York and the Russian families continue into the next book since the main character change. If they do then I don't have an issue. If they don't then I feel everything wasn't completely resolved on that side on things in this book. Either way, I guess I'll have to read book 2 to find out.


Overall, this book surprised me. It was both dark and tender and I couldn't put it down.

4

Friday 8 July 2016

Review ~ Web of Deceit by Lauren Reign

Web of Deceit
ebook received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: March 9th 2016

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Description:
FBI Special Agent Colton Brady is an important person in Kalliope Winters’s life. He’s been her savior, pulling her out of the darkest of days and rescuing her from herself on more than one occasion. She trusts him implicitly, but he’s hiding something, and it may cost them their lives. A cracked serial killer obsessed with Kalli is stalking her. She’s completely unaware of this until she wakes up painfully zip-tied to a chair, severely beaten, and close to death.

Now she has to rely on Jaxxon, Colton’s twin brother, a man she’s craved since adolescence, to keep her safe. Jaxxon is moody, arrogant, and bossy as all hell. His demeanor is as lethal as his sinfully good looks and he will stop at nothing to keep his current assignment, Kalli, alive. But Jaxxon is also lying to her.

My Opinion

Actual rating 3.5

Web of Deceit is a quick romantic suspense. This is the first book I've read by this author and I did find myself enjoying it. 

I finished this book in a matter of hours. It moved at a quick pace and kept me hooked. Although there isn't much mystery to Kalli's stalker and how the plot would unfold, the intensity and speed held my interest well enough. The suspense element was definitely the best part of this book.

The bit that I didn't totally buy into was the romance. For me the chemistry wasn't there. I felt the author told me about it rather than showed me and made me feel it. I also found it hard to accept Kalli's feelings. She seemed to move on so quickly and forget. There were quite a few smaller details that were glossed over between her and Colton and I didn't see the need for them. They were mini twists that didn't really add much. 

As for the plot. The main story arc was good. Like I said the suspense element was well done, if not predictable. However, it's once again the little details that let this book down slightly for me. Things weren't plausible at times, characters acted stupidly and in a unrealistic way, and I just didn't quite buy into it. For me there needed to be less random twists and more build up and explanations.

Overall though this was a good read I did enjoy My issues come from the little things rather than huge things that render the story unreadable. It's and easy, quick romantic suspense.

3.5

Tuesday 5 July 2016

Review ~ Hitched: Volume One (Imperfect Love, #1) by Kendall Ryan

Hitched: Volume One (Imperfect Love, #1)
eARC received via InkSlinger PR in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: July 5th 2016

Publisher: Everafter Romance

Description:
Marry the girl I’ve had a crush on my whole life? Check.

Inherit a hundred-billion-dollar company? Check.

Produce an heir… Wait, what?

I have ninety days to knock up my brand-new fake wife. There’s only one problem—she hates my guts.

And in the fine print of the contract? The requirement that we produce an heir.

She can’t stand to be in the same room with me. Says she’ll never be in my bed. 

But I’ve never backed down from a challenge and I’m not about to start now.

Mark my words—I’ll have her begging for me, and it won’t take ninety days.

My Opinion

I have read quite a few Kendall Ryan books now and so when I saw the email with the sign up for for Hitched I couldn't resist.

Hitched reminded me a little of Meghan March'a Dirty Billionaire series. As a serial it centres around Noah and Olivia who have an arranged marriage so they can take on the job of co-CEOs of their family company. Things move at a fast pace because of this, but the chemistry is definitely there. I enjoyed Noah's playful flitting as he tried to warm Olivia up to him. It put a smile on my face and I'm glad she made him work for things.

Of course there is a cliffhanger, what with this being a serial. However, I won't say any more regarding the plot.


Overall, I'm dying to read the next instalment. I would definitely recommend reading this.

4

Monday 4 July 2016

ARC Review ~ Keeping London (Flawed Heart, #2) by Ellie Wade

Keeping London (Flawed Heart, #2)
eARC received via Enticing Journey in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: July 5th 2016

Publisher: Self-published

Description:
GONE.
He's gone away,
Deployed.
My biggest fear realized.
Well, my second biggest fear.
He's overseas, but he's alive.

When Loïc left, my heart went with him.
In shattered pieces of good-bye.
Until we are together again…

GONE.
Leaving her was the hardest thing I've ever done.
Until I got here.
The danger, the fear, the pain—
It's real.

I promised I'd get back to her.
A promise I'm determined to keep.
A vow that might be harder than I thought.
A battle of my heart.
A war with my mind.
A fight to return to London…

***Intended for readers 18+ due to mature content.
***Book 2 in The Flawed Heart Series, must read Finding London first.

My Opinion

Keeping London definitely lived up to the first book. I wasn't sure at the end of Finding London whether I'd continue the series. However, when I got the tour invite and saw I didn't have any other ARCs until July things all just seemed to fit and I wanted to know what happened to Loic and London.

Things in this book did start off slow. I assumed it would pick up with Loic being deployed straight away and when it didn't I was slightly disappointed. For me, that's where the book began and things became interesting. The aforementioned seemed a bit of a filler.

Anyway, once Loic was sent to Afghanistan things became more interesting. I liked the emails between the characters and I thought the author kept their personalities well in the writing. She also did a good job of creating a story around the emails. Things happened in their every day life too.


I won't reveal anything more because I don't want to ruin anything. Even if the book takes a predictable line in the plot, it was still a good follow up. I will more than likely read book 3.

3.5

Friday 1 July 2016

Review ~ A Lover's Lament by K.L. Grayson & B.T. Urruela

A Lover's Lament
ebook purchased by myself.

Release Date: October 6th 2015

Publisher: Self-published

Description:
In a matter of seconds my entire world changed, and it was in that moment that I stopped living and simply began to exist. 

In my grief, I sent a letter to the first boy I ever loved. I hoped in writing it I’d find some peace from the nightmare I was living, some solace in my anger. 

I didn’t expect him to write back. I wasn’t prepared for his words, and I certainly wasn’t ready for the impact this soldier would have on my life. A deep-rooted hate transformed into friendship, and then molded into a love like I’d never known before. 

Sergeant Devin Ulysses Clay did what I couldn’t: he put the shattered pieces of my heart back together, restoring my faith in humanity and teaching me how to live again. 

But now that I’m whole, I have a decision to make. Do I return to my life as I knew it and the fiancé I left behind, or do I walk away from it all for the only man to ever break my heart? 

*** 

I’ve been living in hell, but you won’t hear me complain. 

These men depend on me, as I do them, and this brotherhood is the only family I’ve ever known. 

The Army saved me from a callous mother and a life on the wrong side of the tracks that was quickly spiraling out of control. So unlike most of the men in my platoon, going home wasn’t something I longed for. 

I was content overseas, spending my days defending this country that gave me my life back. Fighting became my new normal … until her. 

A letter from Katie Devora—a letter that I almost didn’t open. Her words put a fire back inside of me that I didn’t know I’d lost. She gave me hope during a time when I was fighting every day just to stay alive, and now it’s time I fight for her.

My Opinion

I came across this book by chance. The 0.99 sale post from a blogger I follow came up from my feed and after reading the sample I couldn't resist. I'm so glad I took a chance on this book because it's one of the most moving reads I've read so far this year.

A Lover's Lament surprised me. Most of the book sees the main characters--Katie and Devin--in separate countries. Devin is deployed in Iraq while Katie is home in the US. Fate brings them back together again through a soldier pen pal program while Katie is struggling to move past a certain set of events. As old lovers and best friends, they find each other again after ten years to reconnect.

This book surprised me because of this. The majority of the re-connection takes place through letters, emails, and phone calls. I was surprised y the intensity of the connection the authors managed to establish with no physical contact or body language. The relationship between the characters was brilliant and I was amazed by how much they made me feel in spite of the distance. Normally I what the characters to hurry up and meet, but in this book it flowed and pulled you along effortlessly. The emotions brought to the book were brilliant and never failed to tug on my heartstrings.

As for the plot, the authors' knowledge from being a US veteran came into play greatly on Devin's side of things. Usually in these types of books, the war is muted or skimmed over. In A Lover's Lament there's no of that. Of course it's not bloody and gruesome, but Devin spends the majority of the time in Iraq and it felt real. The emotions, situations ... everything was done well.

The only slight negative is I did feel it ended too quickly. There were big chunks of time missed out in the end and I jut felt it all ended rather abruptly. Considering the pace had been so good up until then it did feel rushed. This is probably more down to me not wanting the story to end, though.


Overall, a great read. It moved me, tugged on my heartstrings, and I couldn't put it down. I would definitely recommend this.

5

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