Category: Reviews


Mar
2018

Fiction Friday: Book Review- I’ll Give You The Sun

categories: Books, Reviews

I'll Give You the Sun

I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Back in 2014, everyone seemed to be talking about this book. I got myself a Kindle copy and I was unimpressed. Noah’s tone annoyed me and the whole story seemed to drag.
I recently bought it on Audible during a sale and I’m glad I did. This was a wonderful, moving read and I am so happy I gave it another try.
This book is told in two parts in two different time frames by both Noah and Jude. Noah and Jude were once inseparably but then something tore them apart. Now they can barely stand to be around each other and it’s like the two of them have switched personalities. What neither Noah or Jude know is that each of them has a secret that could finally help to restore their shattered family. I started listening to this book on Audible but eventually reverted back to the eBook whenever it became impossible for me to listen. I could not stay away from this story. I NEEDED to know what was going to happen and how. I actually wanted to crawl into this book and scream at the characters- something that has not happened since I was a kid.
This book had me crying at times but I loved it nonetheless. This was an emotional read but so worth it. If you’re looking for something a bit different, definitely give this a try. This book deserves it’s hype.

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Mar
2018

Fiction Friday: Book Review- The Woman in The Window

categories: Books, Reviews

The Woman in the Window

The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Anna has agoraphobia and spends her days watching her neighbours, drinking large amounts of wine and taking the wrong dosage of pills. When the Russells move in, Anna befriends the mother and son. But one day, Anna sees something in the Russells house that she was not supposed to. But who is going to believe someone who has a drinking problem AND medications that may induce hallucinations?
From the first very second that I heard about this book from a fellow book blogger, I knew I wanted to read it. I’m not really a fan of mysteries (usually I get bored and skip to the end but that didn’t happen this time) but this was definitely one of my favourite reads for 2018. A. J Finn’s writing is captivating and I was drawn in from the very first page.
Anna is a cliche as an unreliable narrator with a drinking problem but it was difficult to not feel sympathy for her and her trauma.
This book had me guessing throughout and with all of it’s plot twist and turns. Despite my best efforts, I did figure out a few pieces of the puzzle only for the book to throw me another surprise. I LOVED IT. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who is looking for their next read. This book took me on a roller-coaster ride and I loved it!

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Mar
2018

Fiction Friday: Book Review- The Trouble With Flirting by Rochelle Morgan

categories: Books, Reviews

The Trouble with Flirting (The Trouble Series, #2)The Trouble with Flirting by Rochelle Morgan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was much longer than previous ones in the series but it didn’t drag so that was good. Livi makes a very convincing misfit who longs to change her nerd status as she enters college. I loved that this book was so real. I’ve seen so many people struggle with their image the way that Livi did and I was glad for the insight that this book brought me. Originally I thought that the romance would seem cliché but it happened gradually enough to seem natural.
My favorite part was that this book didn’t seem forced to me. It told the story of a rich girl trying to fit in. This story was not rushed. It was written well and there were themes such as friendship, fitting in and infidelity.

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Mar
2018

Fiction Friday: Book Review- Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas (Throne of Glass #1)

categories: Books, Reviews

Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass, #1)Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Celaena Sardothien (that name though… How does Sarah J Maas get her character’s names???) is an eighteen-year-old killer who is imprisoned in a mine for her crimes. Her only shot at freedom is to win a competition and work for the king- killing those who are against him. The very same king who basically ruined the lives of everyone.
I liked this book but found it overdone. Everyone kept fawning over Celaena and I honestly didn’t see her appeal. Um, hello she’s a killer.
I loved watching her train for the competition as she makes it clear that while many are obsessed with her looks, she is more than just a pretty face. She is fierce and deadly. It is easy to see why she was the most wanted assassin. I think this book sets the stage for the series really well but it is no “A Court of Thorns and Roses” (which is what I was expecting). Nonetheless I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy and is looking for a series for more than a few books out.

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Feb
2018

Fiction Friday: Expelled by James Patterson

categories: Books, Reviews

ExpelledExpelled by James Patterson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This was the first James Patterson book I ever read and it was sadly underwhelming. Theo gets kicked out of school for something he didn’t do and is determined to figure out who framed him. His idea? To go around with a video camera, asking questions to other student until he finds proof that he’s been set up. This is a pretty odd idea- in real life, no one would admit to setting someone else up so I don’t know what was going on with that strange plot point.
This book was incredibly well-written with an intriguing mystery (which really made up for Theo’s ridiculous camera idea). I loved how everyone seemed to have something to hide. However while the mystery compelled me to read non-stop, the ending was pretty flat and predictable.

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Feb
2018

Book Review: One Paris Summer by Denise Grover Swank

categories: Books, Reviews

One Paris SummerOne Paris Summer by Denise Grover Swank
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I had this books for months before reading it (life got in my way) and I sorely regret it. Once I stated this book it was impossible to stop reading. Sophie and her brother visit Paris for their father’s wedding. However their new sister seems determined to do anything and everything to spoil Sophie’s time abroad. Added to that there’s a hot and mysterious guy who’s friend with the evil step-sister AND Sophie’s longtime crush seems to be turning into a jerk. Could things get any worse? Yes, they can but you’ll have to read the book to find out more. At several points I just wanted to curl up in a corner and cry. Sophie goes through so much and it just upsets me. Paris is supposed to be magical and romantic, not full of horrible mean people.
This book was such a delight to read. I really wish I read it sooner. I thought Sophie’s relationship seemed a bit too serious for someone her age but besides that I loved every other thing about this book. I’d love to see a sequel about the other characters who are all so memorable.

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Feb
2018

Fiction Friday: Caraval (Caraval #1) by Stephanie Garber

categories: Books, Reviews

Caraval (Caraval, #1)Caraval by Stephanie Garber
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

There are two types of “Caraval” readers: those who loved it and those who found the hype totally undeserved. I was one of the former which was a good thing since I picked this as my first ‘FREE’ Audible read (definitely check out the audiobook. The narrator is amazing).
“Caraval” follows the story of sisters, Scarlett and Tella. The girls have grown up hearing stories about the magical Caraval but neither of them have ever experienced a show firsthand. In fact, neither of them have ever left their island or their abusive father. However, a week before she is about to marry, Scarlett receives a special invitation to Caraval by Legend, the master of Caraval himself. Scarlett is too afraid to attend the event but Tella is determined to finally see a performance for herself. When Tella runs away to Caraval, Scarlett follows her to bring her home before their father catches them. However Scarlett soon discovers that her sister is the star of this year’s game. Tella has been kidnapped and the first person to find her will win Caraval and a wish of their choice. Scarlett has been warned that everything that happens is just a game. But as time goes on, it becomes more and more difficult to trust anyone or anything around her. This book had me second-guessing myself and I loved it. There were millions of twist and turns, some predictable and some not. This book was a rollercoaster ride and it was such a delight to experience. I enjoyed the audiobook so much that I eventually bought an ebook copy so I could read on my own whenever it was not possible to listen (and I’m going to get myself a hardcover copy too because it was just that good). I really enjoyed this book and I CANNOT wait for the release of “Legendary”.

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Feb
2018

Fiction Friday: Book Review- My True Love Gave to Me by Stephanie Perkins

categories: Books, Reviews

My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday StoriesMy True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories by Stephanie Perkins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

For some bizarre reason I have really been feeling for a YA contemporary read. Normally I don’t do YA contemporary. I am strictly a YA fantasy and adult contemporary fan (don’t ask me why but this is the way I have always been).
I picked this up to try and fill that craving and it definitely worked! This is a collection of twelve wonderful romances that can be read in one setting. Many of these authors are some of my favourites and it was great to see them write these bite-size stories. For me, personally, I hated that Real Life got in the way of me reading this book but I loved that I could read a story a day. It was like having Christmas in January (which is something I really needed). I also enjoyed the fact that these stories were all guaranteed a happy ending. The stories range from cute and sweet to magical and mystifying. This was a cute holiday read that I recommend to anyone who is looking for a good contemporary. I can’t wait to read the Summer anthology.

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Jan
2018

Fiction Friday: Book Review- A Season of You (Cloud Bay, #2) by Emma Douglas

categories: Books, Reviews

A Season of You (Cloud Bay, #2)A Season of You by Emma Douglas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Will has been in love with Mina since the minute he saw her. However, Mina was married so Will kept his distance from her. Now she’s a widow whose husband was killed by a drunk driver while Will is the owner of a whiskey distillery. One day, Mina meets with an accident and Will saves her which puts them back on each other’s paths. But can Mina really move on from her loss especially considering Will’s career?
This was a really sweet Christmas read which I found incredibly enjoyable. Will and Mina have very clear chemistry and I loved watching their relationship unfold. There was no fluff. Their relationship was sweet and real- they both had issues which they worked through and I haven’t seen that in too many romance books. This is a well-written book with great characters. I can’t wait to read the sequel! This book is a must for anyone who enjoys Christmas or contemporary romance fiction.

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Jan
2018

Fiction Friday: Book Review- Rebel Faerie (Creepy Hollow, #9) by Rachel Morgan

categories: Books, Reviews

Rebel Faerie (Creepy Hollow, #9)Rebel Faerie by Rachel Morgan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I received an ebook copy of this book in return for an honest review.
Emerson teams up with Calla to help her parents and Dash. Problem is, no one knows where the Guild has taken the Griffin Rebels or what is happening to them. Meanwhile Emerson is struggling with having such immense power but not being able to save her loved ones.
“Rebel Faerie”was a really fast, action-packed read and I enjoyed it immensely. The darker side of the Guild is finally revealed to Creepy Hollow and this time the Guild isn’t bothering to cover their ways.
I loved seeing favourite characters from previous books in the series. I was more than a little heart-sore since “Rebel Faerie” is the last book in the Creepy Hollow series. We’re never going to see these characters again! This book was incredibly well-written and the character development was amazing. The series ended beautifully (why did it have to end though? I love this series!) and it was great seeing the characters finally get their happy endings. This is a great read for anyone who enjoys fantasy fiction.

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