August 2017 – Playground of Randomness

Month: August 2017

25
Aug
2017

Fiction Friday: Book Review- Spellbound and Ever After by Nora Roberts

Spellbound & Ever After by Nora Roberts
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I think this book was a good read but just not a very realistic one. Both stories deal with the supernatural and of course love is the answer for these two couples. However while Nora Roberts normally uses these elements flawlessly, I found this novel difficult to follow.
The first story, “Spellbound” tells of a couple who have been separated through death and are now brought together. But while Bryna accepts their destiny together (since she has always known Calin is the one for her), Calin is far more disbelieving (which is ridiculous considering he had a childhood of the supernatural). However the story betwen Bryna and Calin is sweet and well-developed despite it’s relatively short length. I really enjoyed this story.
The second story, “Ever After” was just a really painful read. There was too much of insta-love and I did not find any of it believable. The characters seemed weak and I found the entire story to be over-done.
I warn anyone considering this book to proceed with caution.

View all my reviews

23
Aug
2017

Waiting on Wednesday: Tower of Dawn by Sarah J Maas (Throne of Glass #6)

categories: Books

I didn’t really enjoy the first two books in the “Throne of Glass” series and I’m not really following it. But like “Game of Thrones” it is impossible to miss any news about this series. And with my order of Crown of Midnight (which I already read and cannot forgive Aelin for- SHE KNEW WHO SHE WAS! HOW DARE SHE NOT SHARE THAT WITH THE READER? I KNEW WHO SHE WAS AND I FELT SMUG THAT SHE DIDN’T KNOW BUT SHE BLOODY WELL KNEW!!! DAMMIT ALL) and Heir of Fire coming in a few days, I’ve begun to feel pretty excited for the release of “Tower of Dawn”. I really liked Chaol and I can’t wait to see his story.

Official Synopsis from Goodreads.com:

In the next installment of the New York Times bestselling Throne of Glass series, follow Chaol on his sweeping journey to a distant empire.

Chaol Westfall has always defined himself by his unwavering loyalty, his strength, and his position as the Captain of the Guard. But all of that has changed since the glass castle shattered, since his men were slaughtered, since the King of Adarlan spared him from a killing blow, but left his body broken.

His only shot at recovery lies with the legendary healers of the Torre Cesme in Antica—the stronghold of the southern continent’s mighty empire. And with war looming over Dorian and Aelin back home, their survival might lie with Chaol and Nesryn convincing its rulers to ally with them.

But what they discover in Antica will change them both—and be more vital to saving Erilea than they could have imagined

18
Aug
2017

Fiction Friday: Book Review- Firsts by Laurie Elizabeth Flynn

categories: Books, Reviews

Firsts by Laurie Elizabeth Flynn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Mercedes has an unusual after-school activity. She helps virgins learn how to have sex. Mercedes believes other girls should have the special first-time experience she never did and so she coaches their boyfriends. But Mercedes’ life is about to get more complicated. As she tries to stop her unique service, things don’t work out as planned and everything starts to spiral out of control.

I absolutely loved loved loved this book. It was so well-written and the characters are so well-developed. Mercedes seems like a foolish girl but it’s hard to not feel sympathy for her. I especially liked how sweet Zach was no matter how often she pushed him away. This book was a great coming-of-age novel and I will definitely be reading it again. I recommend this to all fans of YA and contemporary fiction.

View all my reviews

09
Aug
2017

Waiting on Wednesday: Without Merit by Colleen Hoover

categories: Books

I love Colleen Hoover’s books and her last one, “It Ends With Us” was an absolutely incredible piece of work. It was compelling, it was moving and it was real. There was less romance and more real life and I loved it! I don’t know much about “Without Merit” but I have no doubt that is going to be amazing. The only question is “will it be as amazing as “It Ends With Us”?

Without Merit by Colleen Hoover

Official Synopsis from Goodreads.Com:

In Colleen Hoover’s gripping novel, reminiscent of the bestselling works of Liane Moriarty and Jojo Moyes, a young woman decides to reveal the dark secrets of her seemingly-happy family before she leaves them behind, but when her escape plan fails, she must deal with the staggering consequences of telling the truth.

Release Date: October 3rd 2017 by Atria Books

07
Aug
2017

August Book Haul

categories: Books

Saturday was my monthly SPCA/bookstore splurge day. As usual I got a great combination of books I really wanted. My overall haul felt smaller than usual but that was probably for the best since I am rapidly running out of book space.

August Book Haul

SPCA BOOKHAUL:

SPCA BOOK HAUL 1 SPCA BOOK HAUL 2

I’ve already read (and enjoyed immensely) “Whiskey Beach” and “Key of Valour” by Nora Roberts (in fact I think I might already own a copy of “Key of Valour”. I also immediately finished “Spellbound” as soon as I started it last night. I can’t wait to read “Ever After”. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Nora Roberts’ writing. The rest of the books are all unread. I’ve been wanting to read “Nice Girls Don’t Get the Corner Office” ever since it was referenced in a Her Campus article once. It seems like a really interesting read.

Bargain Books Haul:

My visit to Bargain Books was pretty sad since I owned all of the YA books on sale (and I was certainly not buying YA at regular price because I’m too cheap for that). However as soon as I walked in, I found a copy of “Leave Your Mark” and grabbed it. Since it was part of the sale books, I needed two more books to get it at the discount price. It was a struggle to find those books but then I found Dumplin!!! IN HARDCOVER! Obviously I had to have it. And despite my best efforts I couldn’t find a third book so I settled for Melissa Delport’s “Rainfall”. I don’t really like that book since it made me cry like a baby and I am still not over it. I am so not over it that I reread the last chapter and started crying again before putting the book on my shelf without covering it in plastic. That book doesn’t deserve to be protected. I would tear it up myself if it wasn’t for the fact that I bought it with my own money. Stupid evil book.

Bargain Books Haul

What did your latest book haul look like? I’d love to know below!

02
Aug
2017

Waiting on Wednesday: Christmas at Mistletoe Cove by Holly Martin

categories: Books

I’m not sure what it is about this book or it’s pairing but I have wanted to read this since I met Eden’s character in the first book in this series. I feel like Dougie might have feelings for her too so I’m interested in reading this book and seeing his perspective on things. Dougie and Eden seem like a great couple so I can’t wait for this book to release. I am sure that this is going to be one of my favourite contemporary novels.

Official Synopsis from Goodreads.com: Growing up on Hope Island, Eden Lancaster always believed that if you wished hard enough for something, dreams really could come true. But Eden’s greatest wish is also her biggest secret: she has been completely in love with her childhood friend, the charming and attractive Dougie Harrison, for as long as she can remember. And he has no idea.

When Dougie leaves his successful life in New York to return home to Hope Island for good, Eden can’t escape her feelings. Her heart is full of hope that her romantic dreams are finally, at long last, going to come true…

This Christmas could change everything. But can a lifelong friendship really turn into the perfect romance? And will Eden get the happily ever after she’s always wished for?