Category: Reviews


Oct
2017

Book Review: Final Girls by Riley Sager

categories: Books, Reviews

Final GirlsFinal Girls by Riley Sager
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. And oh, what a read this has been. It has been about a month since I finished this book and I am still not over it.
Quincy, Lisa and Sam have been dubbed “Final Girls” by the press. Each of the girls were the only remaining survivor of three different massacres. It’s been a decade since Quincy and her friends were attacked at a cabin in the wood and she has put the past behind her. She has a great life, a great career and an amazing boyfriend. Her life is pretty perfect… Until she finds out that Lisa has killed herself. Lisa was a motivational speaker and possibly the most upbeat of the Final Girls. Her death leads to Sam showing up to meet Quincy in person. As the remaining Final Girls bond, two things quickly become clear- 1) Quincy is not as okay as she thought she was and 2) Sam can’t be trusted. Quincy may be done with her past but her past is certainly not done with her.
This novel had me glued to my seat. The plot was compelling and the writing was great. I also enjoyed the many plot twists. This novel was unexpected but so enjoyable. I will definitely be reading more from this author in the future. If you enjoy mystery novels and thrillers, you will love this book.

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Sep
2017

Fiction Friday: Book Review- Christmas at Mistletoe Cove by Holly Martin 

categories: Books, Reviews

Christmas at Mistletoe CoveChristmas at Mistletoe Cove by Holly Martin

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Eden and Dougie have been best friends since they were kids. Eden has always been in love with Dougie while his feelings for her seem to just be platonic. Now Dougie has moved back home and he is Eden’s neighbour. Desperate to find the girl who once believed in magic, Dougie takes Eden to a magical spot in town where you can have any three wishes granted. Eden doesn’t believe in magic and the only thing she has ever wished for is the one thing she can’t have- Dougie.
As much I was looking forward to this book, I found it pretty predictable. I loved the chemistry between Dougie and Eden. They are undoubtedly my favourite couple in this series. The only flaw in this book is the predictable plot. The character’s are entertaining and funny, the romance is beautiful. This is a great Christmas read that I recommend to anyone who is looking for something sweet and light-hearted.

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Sep
2017

Fiction Friday: The Law of Tall Girls by Joanne Macgregor

categories: Books, Reviews

The Law of Tall GirlsThe Law of Tall Girls by Joanne Macgregor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Peyton is a very tall girl who makes a bet that she can get a guy who is even taller than her to take her on three dates and the prom. However finding a guy who is taller than her, interesting and single turns out to be a challenge. The number one person on Peyton’s “Tall Guy” list is Jay. But while Jay is taller than Peyton, gorgeous and charming, he is also taken. But when Peyton and Jay are both cast as the leads in the school play (an adaptation of Romeo and Juliet), things might turn a turn in Peyton’s favor. If she can keep all her secrets locked safely away from Jay, that is.
The whole idea of a romance between characters playing Romeo and Juliet in their school play seemed incredibly cliched but Joanne Macgregor carries this out in a wonderfully real way. I loved seeing all the effort that went into the play and the romance happened naturally. Instead of the play driving the romance, both the play and the romance seemed to happen at the same time which was great. As a tall girl, I found this book difficult to get into at first. It just reminded me of my awkward teen years (which I honestly didn’t want to be reminded of now. I’m an adult now. Being tall doesn’t bother me anymore but reading this book brought back alot of those old feelings of inadequacy). However which I got through my tall girl issues, I devoured this book. I loved Peyton and Jay’s character and I loved that their families had such interesting backstories (especially since so few YA novels mention parents and other relatives). This book was funny, entertaining and dealt with real-life issues. I definitely recommend this book to fans of YA contemporary fiction.

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Sep
2017

Fiction Friday: Book Review- Now I Rise by Kiersten White (The Conqueror’s Saga, #2)

categories: Books, Reviews

Now I Rise (The Conqueror's Saga, #2)Now I Rise by Kiersten White
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I had major doubts going into this book. It had been about a year or so since I read “As I Darken” and while I did enjoy it, I wasn’t sure that “Now I Rise” would be as good (second books rarely are).  I was wrong. “Now I Rise” was infinitely better and I cannot wait to read the next book in the series. Since I read “As I Darken” so long ago, I was sure that I wouldn’t remember much of the plot or the characters. In fact, I read about two pages before I realised I didn’t remember the events of the last novel (of course the only thing I remembered was the love triangle between Radu, Lada and Mehmed). Thankfully the novel recounted characters and events from the first book so I was able to read this without having to reread “As I Darken.”
“Now I Rise” follows Lada, Radu and Mehmed as they each go after the thing they want most. Lada wants to be prince of Wallachia, Radu wants to be respected by Mehmed (but any sort of positive attention from Mehmed makes Radu happy because he has an unhealthy obsession with Mehmed) and Mehmed just wants Constantinople. However for each of the characters to get what they want, they have to make difficult decisions- decisions that involve lies, betrayal or brutal deaths.
This book is nothing like what I would usually read. However there is just something about this series that drew me in and refuses to let go. I NEED to know more about these characters. Will Lada get her throne? Who will Mehmed choose? Will Radu ever grow a pair? (Can you tell he’s my least favourite Dracul sibling?) I need answers to these questions ASAP.
There was amazing character development in this novel. Both Dracul siblings see that their way is not always the best and they may need the other. Lada is as bloodthirsty in this novel as she was in “As I Darken”- but this time instead of just threatening people she is a girl of action and I loved seeing that side of her. She is fierce, she is vicious and it is incredible.
“Now I Rise” has a compelling plot and flawless writing which makes the book impossible to put down. Definitely get yourself a copy. NOW!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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Aug
2017

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

categories: Books, Reviews

Spellbound & Ever AfterSpellbound & 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.

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Aug
2017

Fiction Friday: Book Review- Firsts by Laurie Elizabeth Flynn

categories: Books, Reviews

FirstsFirsts 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.

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Jul
2017

Fiction Friday: Book Review- Lying Out Loud by Kody Keplinger

categories: Books, Reviews

Lying Out LoudLying Out Loud by Kody Keplinger
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Sonny lies about everything. It’s her way of regaining control over her life. So when her nemesis, Ryder messages her instead of his crush, her best friend, Amy, she doesn’t bother to fix his mistake. However a real connection developed between Ryder and Sonny and Sonny is now forced to stop her lying ways. But Ryder hates her in real life and telling the truth would mean ending things between them permanently.
I absolutely hate stories/movies where there is a lying character who, for whatever reason, is unable to confess to the truth. It pisses me off because literally all you have to do to fix everything is TELL THE DAMN TRUTH.
As much as I enjoyed this book, I was incredibly frustrated with Sonny. She was incapable of telling the truth throughout the book and it just annoyed me.
Like “Run”, this also had a really strong female friendship which I loved. I also enjoyed seeing Wesley and Bianca again.
This was a great read (with the exception of annoying, lying Sonny) but the ending was a bit too open for me. Like in “Run”, I needed to know more about the future of these characters. I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a quick read.

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Jul
2017

Book Review: One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus

categories: Books, Reviews

One of Us Is LyingOne of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley and took ages to read it because I thought it would let me down. I had built this book up in my head to be totally amazing and I was scared that it wouldn’t meet my expectations. Luckily, I was wrong. This book was enthralling and I could not stop reading it. I actually felt sad once it ended because I had grown so attached to the characters (Death does tend to bring people closer. Just read this book if you don’t believe me).
Five very different students end up in detention after a misunderstanding…and then one of them dies. Simon’s death is quick and very carefully planned. The question is who did it? Simon ran a gossip blog and was not very well-liked. Anyone could have killed him. Unfortunately for the other student’s who were in detention with Simon, he knew secrets about them that he had planned to reveal the very next day.
This book should be called “All of Us are Lying” because everyone here has secrets which makes for an incredible story with several plot twists. This is a well-written book with characters that you can’t help but feel sorry for.
The ending was pretty obvious to me but it didn’t make it any less shocking. This was a beautiful, gripping read and I DEMAND THAT EVERYONE READS IT. EVERYONE!!!I don’t care who you are or what your reading preferences are. Just read this book. I promise you won’t regret it.

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Jul
2017

Fiction Friday: Book Review- Run by Kody Keplinger

categories: Books, Reviews

RunRun by Kody Keplinger
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Bo and Agnes should not be friends. Bo is the town’s typical bad girl while Agnes is considered a sweet angel by the town. They’re total opposites. Or are they?
When Bo and Agnes meet, they become fast friends. One day, things get too bad for Bo at home and she decides to run away. Agnes joins her. Their journey away from their small town and the events leading up to it form part of this story.
I thought this was an interesting story but it felt a bit lacking. There were several questions I had that were left unanswered at the end of the book. This was a quick read but I enjoyed it and I could not put it down. I loved how different Bo and Agnes were from each other. It was refreshing to see such a deep bond between females.
The characters in this book were all amazingly well-written and well-developed. I just wish that the ending was more complete. Reading this book was incredible but the ending left me feeling a bit empty.

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Jun
2017

Fiction Friday: Book Review- A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J Maas (A Court of Thorns and Roses #3)

categories: Books, Reviews

A Court of Wings and Ruin (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #3)A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’m not sure how to review this without spoilers but I’m going to try anyway. This review may contain spoilers for the first two books in the series but I’m guessing you read them already if you’re reading reviews for ACOWAR (if you haven’t read them, go read them. They’re amazing and well-written and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THEM SO VERY MUCH!!!).

Feyre is back with Tamlin the Tool but this time she is determined not to let him push her aside. She is thirsty for revenge and she WILL have it. Honestly I didn’t expect much from Feyre- what was she going to do to Tamlin in his own court? Deny him sex as punishment for ruining her and her sisters’ lives? However this is not the Feyre we knew. This is no meek girl. This is the new Lady of the Night Court. She is dark and she embraces it.
My biggest issue with this book is that it was not as compelling as ACOMAF. I reread ACOTAR and ACOMAF while waiting for this to release. While ACOTAR was kind of boring at times, I found ACOMAF impossible to put down. ACOWAR however just tired me out at times and I found myself putting the book away just so I could get a break from the world (maybe Tamlin is just that boring). It was definitely difficult to read this book especially knowing that it was the end. Once things were in action, they were IN ACTION. I had to read during my breaks, during meals, before bedtime. And then the book ran out of pages and I had to go cry. What did I do with my life before I waited for ACOWAR to release? Did I even have a life?
I loved that I saw the return of so many characters that I loved throughout the series. ACOWAR also completes the first part of this series in a way that is both satisfying but still leaves room open for more. I can’t wait to read more about this world. Can the next book release already???

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