Category: Reviews


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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Jan
2018

Fiction Friday: Book Review- Confessions of a Shopaholic (Shopaholic #1) by Sophie Kinsella

categories: Books, Reviews

Confessions of a Shopaholic (Shopaholic, #1)Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Becky Bloomwood is a shopaholic who is seriously in debt. She can’t afford most of her lifestyle but that doesn’t stop her. Sure she tries to cut down on her spending or making more money but nothing seems to work for her.
The only reason why I read this book is to see how alike Becky and I am (in case you were interested- we’re pretty similar in our spending habits but as of this moment, I am debt-free). I enjoyed this book immensely. Becky is a very colourful character and her exploits were hilarious.
My only issue with this book is that there seemed to be very little plot. The first half of the book is about Becky’s debt while in the second half, she manages to find herself a guy. Luke and Becky’s relationship seemed almost like an after-thought and I saw no chemistry between them. This was a fun read that I recommend to anyone who enjoys chick-lit or wants a light, easy read.

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Jan
2018

Book Review: Alterations by Stephanie Scott

categories: Books, Reviews

AlterationsAlterations by Stephanie Scott
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I received a digital copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Amelia is a quiet and reserved girl who has been in love with her mother’s employer’s son, Ethan for as long as she can remember. When her grandmother signs her up for a prestigious fashion internship in NYC, Amelia is reluctant to go. She doesn’t want to be away from home and she certainly doesn’t want to be away from Ethan. After all, this summer was going to be her chance to show him that they belonged together. However once Amelia gets to New York, she discovers a totally new world as well as a totally new side to herself. Returning back to Miami as a changed and more confident version of herself, Amelia catches the eye of Ethan while working with his brother, Liam.
This was a pretty long read but I enjoyed it immensely. I loved how focused and career-orientated Amelia was. She reminded me of myself back in high school and I really enjoyed seeing that. I loved watching Ethan go from a flat character who was just hot, rich and popular to an actual fleshed-out person. This was a fun, light-hearted read that I definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys YA.

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Nov
2017

Fiction Friday: Book Review- Spindle Fire by Lexa Hillyer 

categories: Books, Reviews

Spindle Fire (Spindle Fire #1)Spindle Fire by Lexa Hillyer

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Spindle Fire is a retelling/unusual adaption of Sleeping Beauty. Now while any fairytale retelling hooks me, Spindle Fire had the added bonus of being wonderfully dark. This sleeping beauty cannot feel or speak while her sister (the king’s bastard) is unable to see.
When Princess Aurora and her sister Isabelle are separated, Aurora ends up accidentally pricking herself on a spindle and falling into a deep sleep. However this sleeping sickness soon moves to the rest of the kingdom and Isabelle might be the only one who can save them. This was an incredibly well-written, compelling read and I enjoyed it immensely. I found it difficult to put down. There’s countless fairytales, sibling rivalry, dark fae and lots of plot twists.
However this is the first of a series and leaves you with an awful cliffhanger. This is a series that you need to binge-read. This book has mystery, romance and intrigue. I cannot wait for the sequel. This was a great read for anyone who enjoys fantasy or fairytale retellings

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Nov
2017

Fiction Friday- Book Review: Without Merit by Colleen Hoover

categories: Books, Reviews

Without MeritWithout Merit by Colleen Hoover
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Why are you even reading this review? This a Colleen Hoover book. You don’t need to read reviews of Colleen Hoover books. They’re published with a seal of excellence. This book in particular is well-written and very moving. It has romance, some plot twists and some angst. Go get yourself a copy ASAP.
(I notice that you are still here reading this review. Fine then. I’ll share my thoughts on this book with you. But you really should get yourself a copy).
Merit is pretty much ignored by her entire oddball family. She is known as the troublemaker, the one who always seems to have issues with everyone else. What no one realizes is that the reason why Merit is so miserable is because she is forced to keep all of her family member’s secrets. Merit buries her feelings with an unusual hobby of buying trophies that once belonged to other people.
One day while looking for a trophy, Merit runs into the gorgeous Sagan. They share a passionate moment but Merit quickly discovers that Sagan is taken. When he reappears in her life, Merit becomes even more isolated.
This book was like a combination of the romance in “Hopeless” and the serious issues raised in “It Ends With Us” (which explains that cover that look so much like IEWU).
This book retains Colleen Hoover’s wit and beautiful romance but also tackles real-life issues which I appreciated. This was an amazing read that I recommend to anyone who know hows to read. Trust me, you’ll enjoy this book.
(Now PLEASE go and get yourself a damn copy already).

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