Tag: Books


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.

View all my reviews


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


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.

View all my reviews


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


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!


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?


Jul
2017

10 Problems that Only Bookworms Understand

categories: Books

Bookworms have different reading tastes. Some prefer fantasy or YA while others only read non-fiction. However hardcore bookworms are on another level. Here are a few problems that only hardcore bookworms can relate to:

1) Not having enough book space:

Excuse me while I just make a random stack of books here in the middle of the room. Please don’t trip over my babies.

435ff28865c3fa44098ace850104dc98--book-memes-book-quotes

2) Not having enough money for books- especially when there is a sale:

Can I just get a I.O.U? (Why are there always sales when I have no money?)
3) Making the decision between books or adulting:

Do you really need food? Because you could survive on sandwiches for the rest of the month just so you can finally read that new bestseller everyone is talking about. C’mon. You know it’s totally worth it.
4) Paperback vs hardback:

Paperbacks are more comfortable to read but hardbacks look so gorgeous on the shelves. Is both an option?
5) Having an endless TBR but still needing more books:

You need to get new books just so you’ll have something to read when you finish your TBR pile

no more books


6) Falling in love with a fictional character:

We all know boys are better in books.

book boyfriends


7) Mourning the death of a fictional character:

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows almost killed me. Like it killed several of my favourite characters.

8) Not being able to function in The Really World after you finish a book:

Like after reading a Sarah J Maas. How can you live in a world with no faeries or wars? What do you DO with yourself?

9) Having someone tell you “It’s just a book” when a book tears you into a million shattered pieces:

Shut up, okay! You know nothing, you callous non-bookworm-person! This book is my life.

book hangover

10) Trusting someone enough to lend them a book only to get in back in awful condition…or worse, not at all:

Do NOT get me started on how many times this has happened to me. This is why I don’t lend out my books anymore. Insensitive non-bookworms!


Jul
2017

July Weekend Bookhaul

categories: Books

I bought books! Again. “Valley of Silence” was from a secondhand stall at the Stables while the rest of the books were from Bargain Books Umhlanga. I love that place. I should just move in.

What was your last book buy? Have you read any of these books? I’d love to know below.


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.

View all my reviews


Jul
2017

Waiting on Wednesday: One Dark Throne by Kendare Blake (Three Dark Crowns #2)

categories: Books

I absolutely loved “One Dark Throne” by Kendare Blake. The world was dark but compelling and the story stayed with me long after I finished the book. I especially loved all the twist and turns towards the end of the book. The sequel releases in September and I CAN NOT WAIT!!!
Official Synopsis from Goodreads.com:
The battle for the Crown has begun, but which of the three sisters will prevail?

With the unforgettable events of the Quickening behind them and the Ascension Year underway, all bets are off. Katharine, once the weak and feeble sister, is stronger than ever before. Arsinoe, after discovering the truth about her powers, must figure out how to make her secret talent work in her favor without anyone finding out. And Mirabella, once thought to be the strongest sister of all and the certain Queen Crowned, faces attacks like never before—ones that put those around her in danger she can’t seem to prevent.

In this enthralling sequel to Kendare Blake’s New York Times bestselling Three Dark Crowns, Fennbirn’s deadliest queens must face the one thing standing in their way of the crown: each other

 

 

Follow

Get the latest posts delivered to your mailbox: