Review ~ Nowhere But Here (Thunder Road #1) by Katie McGarry

eARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: may 26th 2015

Publisher: Mira Ink (Harlequin UK)

Description:
Seventeen-year-old Emily likes her life the way it is: doting parents, good friends, good school in a safe neighborhood. Sure, she's curious about her biological father—the one who chose life in a motorcycle club, the Reign of Terror, over being a parent—but that doesn't mean she wants to be a part of his world. But when a reluctant visit turns to an extended summer vacation among relatives she never knew she had, one thing becomes clear: nothing is what it seems. Not the club, not her secret-keeping father and not Oz, a guy with suck-me-in blue eyes who can help her understand them both. 

Oz wants one thing: to join the Reign of Terror. They're the good guys. They protect people. They're…family. And while Emily—the gorgeous and sheltered daughter of the club's most respected member—is in town, he's gonna prove it to her. So when her father asks him to keep her safe from a rival club with a score to settle, Oz knows it's his shot at his dream. What he doesn't count on is that Emily just might turn that dream upside down. 

No one wants them to be together. But sometimes the right person is the one you least expect, and the road you fear the most is the one that leads you home.

My Opinion

I'm a big fan of Katie McGarry and therefore I couldn't wait to read this. It has been on my kindle since March and it's been so hard to not pick it up because the release date was so far away. Anyway, finally I couldn't wait any longer.

I will admit that this book didn't really engaged me right from the offset like her other series. Nowhere But Here took awhile for me to get into and begin to enjoy. I found the start quite slow and not a lot happened. For me, only when things started to develop with Oz did the book pick up and the usual style from this author begin to shine through. By the 50% mark I couldn't stop reading and the ending had me up until 2 a.m. because I needed to know how everything concluded.

There not much I can say about the plot without giving anything away. McGarry has a lot of hidden secrets and lies that remain that way right up until the end and I wouldn't want to spoil anything for anyone. What I will say is that I didn't guess the secrets--in fact I never tried to. There seemed to be so many that even when you feel you're getting close to the truth there's another layer of lies added on top of it so I gave up guessing.

With regard to characters I liked Oz and Olivia the most. Olivia made me smile a few times and I liked her strength. Similarly, I believed in Oz's character and felt for what he went through. Although I didn't like him from the offset, he grew on me. However, I'm still not sure about Emily. There were moments I liked her and then there were moments she annoyed me. I didn't feel there was a gradual growth in her, but I liked her curiosity.

Overall, it hasn't beaten my love of this author's previous series, but it was still a good read. It gets better as the book goes on and more is revealed, and I'd definitely recommend it.

4

Review ~ Gone for You by Jayne Frost

eARC received from the author in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: March 28th 2015

Publisher: Sixth Street Press

Description:
As the guitarist for the rock band Caged, I know the rules: no relationships. No complications. Leave ‘em smiling when you go, but always go. Besides, it’s not like I’m ever in one place for more than a few days at a time. As the next hottest thing out of Austin, the band and me are riding the wave, and the music is all that matters. 

Until her…

Lily Tennison has “complication” written across her beautiful face. But I can’t get involved. The timing’s all wrong. But she’s under my skin, and I can’t resist her troubled eyes and sweet smile. And I do have a little time to kill. Not much, just a few days in Dallas.

So I’ll scratch the itch and move on, like I always do.

Simple, right?

My Opinion

Gone For You was a pleasant, quick read. It centres around the stereotypical  bad boy rockstar who falls for the girl and has a few hot moments combined with some more heartfelt ones. This book has split my opinion though.

On one hand it was an easy read. The plot moved at a fast pace and it did keep me interested. I like feel-good romances and this is what Gone For You was. It was relatively drama free and a simple read to understand.

My main issue however was that it is written in first person from the male's (Cameron's) POV. Personally, I find it hard to get across necessary information and emotions from the male's perspective and I kept wanting to know Lily's thoughts. For me a romance needs to have the female's POV because that's what I engage and relate to most. I think the author wrote convincingly as a man but it lacked the depth I needed to connect with the characters. I never really formed a bond with Lily because I never got inside her head, and Cameron was ... well he was the typical guy and I found that hard to relate to.

Because of this I did find myself distanced from the story. I never really felt invested in it and although it was enjoyable, my emotions weren't in it. Similarly, I thought the ending was rushed. Things twisted and turned (predictably) but it all happened so quickly. I never felt the emotions or had time to adjust and connect with the characters.


Overall, whilst this was an okay read, I did struggle to engage with it. This is probably down to the POV mostly as the writing was good. I wish it had been written in dual POV as I felt there was a lot more detail to be told, and think it would have been a good read had we heard from Lily.

3

Review ~ Unbreakable (Forehead Kisses, #1) by Abby Reynolds

ebook downloaded for free via Amazon

Release Date: June 6th 2014

Description:
This is a stand alone novel. It is not a cliffhanger. And it is the first novel in the Forehead Kisses Series.

Can there be too many pieces to piece back together?

This is a question Keira faces every day. It’s impossible for her to go anywhere unaccompanied by her cousin, the only person who knows what happened on that horrific night a year ago. The guilt and pain weigh her down every day. Unwilling to open up to anyone and give someone a chance, she lives in solitude.

For her, that’s the only way to live.

Liam struggles with his own demons. After losing someone who means the world to him, he combats his anger and pain on a daily basis. He dives into violence and sex, losing himself more and more. But as soon as he meets Keira, he recognizes the same pain he suffers every day. And he pursues her, wanting to connect to someone who understands.

Keira can’t put herself back together, and neither can Liam. But can they do it together?

My Opinion

This read surprised me. I downloaded it because I saw it free in Amazon, and that meant I only really skimmed the blurb--it was more of an impulse purchase. However, I'm definitely glad I one-clicked.

Unbreakable was a moving, touching, an endearing story. It held my attention the whole way through so well that I finished it in one sitting. I thought the plot was crafted well, especially with the past chapters spread out through the beginning. They gave a good understanding of everything going in and even though they weren't easy to read they made you feel for Kiera.

Moreover, I thought the author did a really good job with Kiera's character. I found her emotions believable and how she reacted to people made my heart bleed for her. I also liked that the author took time to develop the relationship with Liam--this isn't an insta-love book. He won me over a little more with every kind or patient gesture he performed for Kiera. He was a good mix of strong, manly, vulnerable, and had a sweet side. He also has a past that links with Kiera so he's an easy character to connect with and like.

There were a few grammatical errors and typos in this book that had me re-reading a few sentences every now and then to make sure I understood what I was reading but it was nothing too detracting.


Overall, this book surprised me in a great way. It was a good read that dealt with some tough subjects and the characters are loveable. I'll definitely be reading more.

4.5

Review ~ Pocketful of Sand by M. Leighton

ebook purchased by myself

Release Date: March 15th 2015

Description:
I don’t know what makes a great love story. Is it that instant attraction when boy meets girl? The passionate kisses and the fairy-tale ending? Or is it a lifetime of tragedy, paid in advance, for a few stolen moments of pure bliss? The pain and the suffering that, in the end, you can say are worth it for having found the missing piece of your soul? 

The answer is: I don’t know. I don’t know what makes a great love story. I only know what makes my love story. I only know that finding Cole when I did, when Emmy and I were running from a nightmare, was the only thing that saved me. That saved us. He was more broken than I was, but somehow we took each other’s shattered pieces and made a whole. If that is what makes a great love story, if that is what makes an epic romance, then mine…ours is the greatest of them all.

**Contains material that some may find disturbing. Not intended for readers under the age of 18**

My Opinion

I've been wanting to read this for weeks, but I refrained from buying it long enough to get all of my work done. Yesterday I finally completed the work and I jumped straight on Amazon to buy this book. I was going to buy the paperback but after reading the sample I ended up buying the ebook because I couldn't wait.

This was a touching story that tugged on my heartstrings. I really felt for the Eden and Cole and their stories were moving. They were broken together and helped each other come through it.

As for the story, whilst its slightly predictable it held my attention well. It moved at a good pace and it felt believable. The relationships, emotions, and events felt realistic. I liked the dynamic between Emmy and Eden and I thought Emmy's situation made her impossible not to like. She was adorable.

Moreover this book has the unique quality of two endings. The author allows you to choose between a HEA and one that leads on to book 2. Of course I wasn't going to read just one, but I'm glad the HEA was there. The second ending confused me so I'm glad there was closure and a choice to continue the series.


Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was moving and endearing. I was unable to stop reading, but I'm not sure I'll continue with the next book. I liked the HEA and I might keep it as a standalone. I would definitely recommend this.

4.5

Review ~ Before You Go (Impossible Love, #1) by Clare James

ebook downloaded for free via Amazon

Release Date: March 30th 2013

Description:
Paralyzed by the past and terrified of the future, Tabitha Kelly is broken.

After a public sex scandal at her college, Tabby moves to a new city with a new school, convinced she can start over. But she soon realizes the changes are not enough. Tabby must take action to help her heal and move on from the past. 
And though it sounds crazy, she believes a one-night stand is the best way to take back what’s hers. If she can choose where, when, and most importantly, who … maybe she can regain control.
First, she needs a willing participant.

She finds more than that when she meets Noah Adler.

Unfortunately, she can’t go through with it. And when she tries to forget about the plan—and the guy—it becomes impossible.

Noah quickly weaves his way into her new life and her heart. But as he comes dangerously close to discovering her secret, Tabby’s at risk of losing it all.

My Opinion

This was another short, easy read that I downloaded for free. I've been trying to find as many NA romances as possible for myself rather than ones I'm obligated to review and because this is a standalone read it seemed perfect.

Whilst this book did hold my interest and overall I enjoyed it, it wasn't as emotional as I thought it would be. From the way the book started off I was I intrigued. The chapters were short and that meant I kept turning the pages quickly. I wanted to confirm what I assumed had happened to Tabby, and I couldn't wait to see the relationship with Noah develop.

However, I can't help but wish this book engaged with me more. All the piece of a good plot where there, and the characters were set up to be interesting, but I just felt like there was something missing. I didn't really connect with the characters' stories and I found it hard to sympathise. I didn't really feel their pain and everything felt rather blasé or over too quickly. I wanted to care but I didn't.


Overall, for a freebie it's a good read. It did hold my interest and others might connect with it more but I don't think it's convinced me to read the next book. I need more emotion from stories like this.

3