Review ~ Thrive (Guardian Protection, #2) by Aly Martinez

eARC received via Inkslinger PR in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: January 18th 2018

Publisher: Self-published

Description:
Technically, you aren’t supposed to fall in love with your best friend’s girl. 

But if we’re talking technicalities, he wasn’t supposed to be cheating on her every other weekend, either.

The day I met Mira York, I knew she was off-limits. But after months of stealing side-glances while he ruined the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen, I realized there wasn’t a rule in the world I wouldn’t break to make her mine.

She chose him anyway.

I wasn’t sure how I’d ever move on, but bitterness turned into fuel for my fire.

Without Mira, I thrived.

Until seventeen years later, when she showed back up, begging for protection from the very same man she’d left me for all those years earlier.

Now, it was my turn to choose. 

And she wasn’t going to like my answer.

THRIVE takes place seventeen years AFTER a love triangle.

My Opinion

I never quite know what I'm going to get with this author. I have loved her previous work, but I've also been disappointed by some titles. It's a bit hit or miss and I seem to only have extremes when I read Martinez's work: love or hate. Thrive finally seemed to break that pattern.

While I didn't hate this book, I didn't love it either, not like I loved Transfer or The Darkest Sunrise. Thrive held my attention, but I felt it was only an okay read. It didn't really draw much of an emotional response for me. I also didn't like the main characters very much. Don't ask me why, I don't know. There was just something stopping me from connecting to Mira and Jeremy.

As for the plot, I liked the idea but I got a bit lost towards the end. Maybe I noticed it more because I've read four outstanding books by this author so I know how good she can be, but the story and writing felt a bit disjointed in Thrive.


Overall, I've read better books by Martinez. It wasn't a bad read but when compared to the tear-jerkers I've read by her in the last few years then it's hard to forget. I'd recommend it if you like this author but if your new to this author then I'd recommend the series aforementioned more.

3

Review ~ The Darkest Sunrise (The Darkest Sunrise #1) by Aly Martinez

eARC received via InkSlinger PR in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: July 13th 2017

Publisher: Self-published

Description:
Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never harm me.
Whoever coined that phrase is a bald-faced liar. Words are often the sharpest weapon of all, triggering some of the most powerful emotions a human can experience.
“You’re pregnant.”
“It’s a boy.” 
“Your son needs a heart transplant.”
Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never harm me.
Lies.
Syllables and letters may not be tangible, but they can still destroy your entire life faster than a bullet from a gun.
Two words—that was all it took to extinguish the sun from my sky.
“He’s gone.” 
For ten years, the darkness consumed me.
In the end, it was four deep, gravelly words that gave me hope of another sunrise. 
“Hi. I’m Porter Reese.”

My Opinion

This author can be a bit hit or miss for me. I found her via a book signing and started with The Fall Up. If you saw my review for this book, I enjoyed it, but didn't love it. However, after seeing the buzz about her Retrieval duet, I gave her another chance, picked up those books, and absolutely loved them. For that reason, I decided to take a chance on this duet and I'm so glad I did.

I requested The Darkest Sunrise, but wasn't sure what I was getting into. What I got was an emotional read about two sets of people struggling to piece themselves back together after horrible events. Through their pain and darkness, they find each other and help each other through the tough time.

Martinez's writing in the book is beautiful. Everything flows, it kept me hooked, and I finished this book much too quickly. It reminded me of her Retrieval series in structure, so if you're a fan of that definitely check this out. It had the same tone and amount of emotion.

What I really loved though was the humour brought to this book. While it is a sad, intense, and emotional read, the author did a great job of injecting lighter scenes that balanced out the bad. It made the characters more likeable and developed the connection between them.

Overall, this is definitely one of the better books by this author. I would highly recommend it and I can't wait to conclude the duet in book 2.

4

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Review ~ Transfer (The Retrieval Duet, #2) by Aly Martinez

ebook purchased by myself.

Release Date: September 27th 2016

Publisher: Self-published

Description:
One story. Two couples.

I fell in love with a man who didn’t exist.

What started out as romance ended in hell.
His words turned to razor blades.
His kisses converted to fists. 
His embrace became my cage.
His body transformed into a weapon, stealing parts of me until ultimately….
I broke. 

I hated him.
My sole job in life became to protect our daughter.

I wasn’t sure I’d ever escape the prison he’d skillfully crafted from my fears. 
Until the day our savior arrived. 

This is the story of how I escaped the man who thought he owned me.
The transfer of my life and my family.

My Opinion

I had to start this book the second I finished book one. It's taken me a bit longer to finish than I anticipated thanks to life's crazy schedule, but I thought it was a good conclusion.

Transfer picks up right where book one ends. However, the majority of this book is told from Clare or Heath's point of view with the odd Roman and Elisabeth chapter thrown in for balance. I liked this flip as it developed Clare and Heath more. We got to learn about Elisabeth and Roman in book one, and they're still an important factor in Transfer. However, I thought it was clever decision by the author to flip things to create four well-rounded characters by the end of the duet. It made things more interesting and helped move the story along.

As for the plot, I did enjoy the book. Those of you who follow my blog will know I love darker reads every now and then. With Walter's evilness, this book definitely got dark in some places. I will admit I did feel the ending lacked something, it didn't feel as dramatic as I would have liked and it was all over a little quickly. Regardless, Transfer still engaged me and kept me hooked.


Overall this was a good conclusion to the duet. I'd definitely recommend both books.

4

Blog Tour Review ~ The Fall Up by Aly Martinez

eARC received via the tour company in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: October 26th 2015

Publisher: Self-published

Description:
I wanted to jump.
He made me fall.

As a celebrity, I lived in the public eye, but somewhere along the way, I’d lost myself in the spotlight.

Until he found me.

Sam Rivers was a gorgeous, tattooed stranger who saved my life with nothing more than a simple conversation.

But we were both standing on that bridge for a reason the night we met. The secrets of our pasts brought us together—and then tore us apart.

Could we find a reason to hold on as life constantly pulled us down?

Or maybe there’s only one direction to go when two people fall in love at rock bottom—up.

My Opinion

I didn't know what to expect from this book. In fact I spent around fifteen minutes staring at the cover because it played with my head. I also nearly didn't read it because of the bad experience with the tour company. However, I didn't think it fair to punish the author for something she didn't control and I'm glad I didn't.

The Fall Up was an intriguing and captivating read. Although it deals with serious subjects such as suicide, depression, and over working one's self, it didn't feel heavy. There were some moving moments, but I think the author did a good job of balancing these with humour. The Fall Up both tugged on my hearts strings and made my smile.

I thought the characters were also engaging and easy to relate to. I'm glad the author didn't go down the route of spoiled, arrogant pop star. I found Levee to be a down to earth and caring person. She cared to the point it damaged her own health. It was refreshing for a book with links to the music industry.

Similarly, I thought Sam complimented her perfectly. With her comedic phrases, sweet heart, and stubborn personality he was just what Levee needed. He kept her in line and was an all round sweet guy I could easily fall for. The passion between them was also hot and it lead to some steamy scenes that broke up the tension in the book well.

The only thing I wanted more of was Levee's back story. It needed fleshing out more.

Overall this book surprised me. I didn't really know what to expect, but it was a book that dealt with serious issues, but made it feel more like an uplifting story rather than a depressing one. I'd definitely recommend it.

4.5