Chasing Each Other (Chasing #2) by J.D. Rivera

Edition: ebook
Pages: 220
Publish Date: July 7, 2015
Publisher: Self
Genre: Na Romance
Series: Chasing
Goodreads Rating: 4.16 (57 ratings)

I had such high hopes for this story. It had everything I love in contemporary romances, a troubled past, new perfect guy, trying to keep that guy away from your past, crazy ex comes back to haunt you. But it was the way this book was told that ruinned it. I didn't really connect with the characters, the main character Miranda was very whiny and self conscious. And the main relationship was just weird, I didn't feel much of the supposed chemistry and next thing I knew they were professing their love for eachother....
I did not enjoy this book at all, the story had a lot of possibilities, it was just the way it was written that was all wrong.

Review: Emmy and Oliver by Robyn Benway

Edition: ebook
Pages: 352
Publish Date: June 23, 2015
Publisher: Harper Teen
Genre: YA Contemporary
Series: No
Goodreads Rating: 3.93 (2,823 ratings)

This was one of my highly anticipated releases for 2015 and it did not disappoint. The emotions in this book were off the charts but it was perfectly leveled with the humor similar to that of John Green. There were also past and present views of Emmy and Oliver together, but the people they are now are even more meant to be than the kids they used to be. Though I'm not a fan of Stockholm syndrome books, this one was done in a way that was romantic and focused more on life after being kidnapped. It also was easier to handle considering his Father was the one who kidnapped him.  
Overall this was an amazing book and I'm happy to have finally read it, but I wish there had been more. I'm a romance junkie, I needed more of that especially since these kids weren't even kids they were seniors in highschool, I mean COME ON! ;)

Review: On Dublin Street (#1) by Samantha Young

Edition: paperback
Pages: 336
Publish Date: July 2, 2012
Publisher: NAL
Genre: NA Romance
Series: On Dublin Street 
Goodreads Rating: 4.26 (120,679 ratings)

Reading this book in public is a big no-no. 
I've heard many things about Samantha Young's books and after a friend recommended this one to me and it was on Book Outlet for only a couple bucks I couldn't say no.
Though it's an extremely embarrassing cover the story itself was pretty good. Though for such a short book the back and forth was dragged out a bit too much. 
I did enjoy Joss, he spunk and hard headedness was attractive. Her past was hugely depressing and it was understandable that she had attachment issues. It was great to see the changes in her just by being with Braden and his family. 
The romance was super hot too ;)

July Wrap Up!

There will be no August TBR as I seem to have entirely gone off course from most everything I had planned for this summer and Monthly plans.

Review: Chasing River (Burying Water #3) by K.A. Tucker

Edition: ebook
Pages: 336
Publish Date: July 7, 2015
Publisher: Atria
Genre: NA Romance
Series: Burying Water
Goodreads Rating: 4.26 (911 ratings)

Fall in love with a foreigner.
This book is really my fantasy, aside from the near death experience. I absolutely adored Amber in Burying Water and to get a story and happily ever after for her was so perfect. 
K.A. Tucker can do no wrong when it comes to companion novels, I usually hate them because I loved the first one so much, but these have all been perfect.

Review: Shadow and Bone (The Grisha #1) by Leigh Bardugo

Edition: Paperback
Pages: 368
Publish Date: June 5, 2012
Publisher: Henry Holt & CO
Genre: YA Fantasy
Series: The Grisha
Goodreads Rating: 4.09 (78,338 ratings)

This is a world where the nation of Ravka is torn apart by The Shadow Fold, those who travel through it may not survive to the other side. The only way to destroy it lies in the hands of Alina Starkov, the frail average orphan girl who, after seeing the boy she grew up with (and loves) Mal, attacked by the monsters in the Shadow Fold releases a power she never knew she possessed. Taken away from her life as a refugee and placed into Grisha training and the only sun summoner, the last hope to destroy the Fold.
This story follows Alina through old and new love, broken hearts, Grisha training, betrayal, and oh so much more.
I've said this for so many books, and I'll say it again for this one. I hate myself for not reading this sooner! Onto the next book I go!!!

Review: The Guardian by Nicholas Sparks

Edition: Audiobook
Pages: 12 hours
Publish Date: January 1, 2003
Publisher: Grand Central
Genre: Adult Romance
Series: No
Goodreads Rating: 4.13 (120,942 ratings)

This book was so intense! reading it as an audiobook sucked because the chick was a slow reader and in those intense moments I was jumping up and down just freaking out! But we all know that reading the book is better then listening to audiobooks.
This story follows Julie, after losing her husband a few years back she's finally ready to get back into the dating thing. After a few failures she meets Richard, a charming handsome man that takes her to the theater and to fancy restaurants. But then there's Mike, her long time friend and her husbands best friend. It should have been simple, she knows who she loves but the one she left behind won't let go. Everything spirals out of control and Julie nearly loses everything but she has her husband watching over her, her guardian by her side through the whole thing, keeping her and the man she loves safe.
I won't spoil the ending, but if you've read this book you know exactly why I can't give it 5 stars.

Review: The Rescue by Nicholas Sparks

Edition: Paperback
Pages: 420
Publish Date: January 1, 2000
Publisher: Vision
Genre: Adult Romance
Series: No
Goodreads Rating: 4.08 (125,111 ratings)

The one issue I have with Nicholas Sparks' books is the insta love. Sometimes it feels like the love story is rushed, one second they're friends or co-workers, then all of a sudden they sleep together and they are saying they're in love?
But with this book, I loved every bit. The love was obvious at first as well as the deep connection, they went on dates as friends, then date officially and then they're in love. That's how it's supposed to be.  
Not only was the love story beautiful, but the connection between family and friends was perfect, the love and loss just made everything even better. 
But my favourite aspect was that it was the man who had issues that needed to be worked out, and with the help of this new woman in his life he can work through his issues and in the end be with the one he loves.

This is officially my favourite Sparks book :)

Review: Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott

Edition: ebook
Pages: 176
Publish Date: September 2, 2008
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Genre: YA Contemporary
Series: No
Goodreads Rating: 3.84 (20,194 ratings)

After reading stolen by Lucy Christopher and hating it, I thought I'd give another similar book a try. Especially since one of my favourite booktubers LittleBookOwl loved this book. But I myself, again, hated it. 
I don't know if it's just too hard to comprehend what goes through someones mind in captivity but it's just way too disturbing to enjoy. Overall I'm very glad this was a short book because there's no way I would have been able to get through any more of it. I truly disliked/hated all characters in this book, and especially the ending, and everything leading up to it. It's just a sad story that left me wondering why I bothered reading it.

This ends all further ideas about trying another kidnap/Stockholm syndrome books. my apologies to those who love these style books, but they are definitely not my cup of tea.

Review: The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks

Edition: Paperback
Pages: 384
Publish Date: January 1, 2008
Publisher: Vision
Genre: Adult Romance
Series: No
Goodreads Rating: 4.08 (221,782 ratings)

Love love loveeee this book! I, along with many other woman I assume, went to see this movie solely for Zac Efron, and boy did he do Logan justice. 
Once again I did find many discrepancy between the book and film but overall I loved them both. 

Review: End of Days (Penryn and the End of Days #3) by Susan Ee

Edition: ebook
Pages: 336
Publish Date: January 1, 2013
Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton
Genre: YA Fantasy
Series: Penryn and the End of Days
Goodreads Rating: 4.27 (41,355 ratings)

Wow. Honestly that's all I have to say about this series. Wow.
The characters are amazing, the story itself was so different, but my god Raffe and Penryn, total MTB. Even with their species fighting against one another they found together and found their happily ever after. 
This has been 3 strait days reading this whole series and by the first book I knew I'd love it. Don't put this series off as long as I have, it's amazing and totally worth the read.

Review: World After (Penryn and the End of Days #2) by Susan Ee

Edition: ebook
Pages: 336
Publish Date: January 1, 2013
Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton
Genre: YA Fantasy
Series: Penryn and the End of Days
Goodreads Rating: 4.27 (41,355 ratings)

Wow. Just wow. I am loving where this is going. Penryn is kicking ass with Raffe's angel sword, Penryn's sister is a freaky demon child with a taste for flesh but is somehow important, and Raffe finally has his wings back, just needs to find a surgeon to sew them back on. 
I am one though who hates when the love interests are apart, but the sword memory transfer was an amazing substitute, showing Raffe's feelings while training her to use the sword.
But my goodness when Raffe see's her, second guessing if it could actually be her, my heart just broke. It was amazing, though he has yet to admit his feelings, the way he held her and spoke to her showed it perfectly. But can an archangel and human truly be together? I hope so. Onto the End of Days!

Review: Angelfall (Penryn and the End of Days #1) by Susan Ee

Edition: ebook
Pages: 325
Publish Date: January 1, 2011
Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton
Genre: YA Fantasy
Series: Penryn and the End of Days
Goodreads Rating: 4.21 (86,493 ratings)

Yet another book that I'm kicking myself for not reading sooner. Such a dark and twisted post-apocalyptic world with a kick ass resistance and of course an adorable budding romance between Penryn and Raffe.
If you don't already have this on your TBR, you need to add it and for those who do quit putting off reading it, all three books are out now so you can join me in marathoning this entire series!

Review: A Bend in the Road by Nicholas Sparks

Edition: Paperback
Pages: 341
Publish Date: January 1, 2001
Publisher: Grand Central
Genre: Adult Romance
Series: No
Goodreads Rating: 4.01 (104,637 ratings)

Though you could easily guess who was responsible for Missy's death it was still shocking and heartbreaking.
I don't know if it's the stories that are perfect or Nicholas Sparks' writing. Jumping from past to present so flawlessly, going in depth with every character, showing everyone's perspective makes all of his stories beautiful. 
This was definitely one of my favourites, but I truly wanted more in the end just to know where Miles and Sarah ended up, at least had the epilogue go a little further then just knowing that they end up together.

2015 Goal: Reading all of Nicholas Sparks' books!

So I've read a few, as I will list below, and I don't know why it has taken me this long to realize how much I love them and need to read MORE

Already read...


Need to Read...


I know that's not all of them, but I'm going to be an ass and say that I hated the movies for Dear John and The Notebook...but that's the majority of them anyways. Hope they're as amazing as the rest I've read :)