I’ve said this before. There is nothing harder for me than reviewing a book I LOVE. Add to that a book that is full of so many twists, turns and betrayals that I couldn’t possibly say anything without spoiling the whole damn book and…yeah. How to talk about the awsomeness that is The Winner’s Crime without babbling or spoiling is a mystery to me.
I want to discuss how wonderful Rutkoski is at world building, about her writing nuanced characters that walk a morally grey line of impossible choices and the way she throws out old, tired traditional gender roles. I’m sure there are bloggers who are capable of such feats but alas, I am not one of them. So I’ll just say this book is incredible! By the end you will be curled into the fetal position wondering what the hell just happened and OMG how do I survive the year long wait until the conclusion??
You will LOVE characters. You will HATE characters. You will scream at your book – contemplate throwing it across the room. You just might vomit. This book goes places that most YA’s just dance around. When reading books like this, there’s always a sense of danger of what might happen to the main characters, but no real fear. In The Winner’s Curse, there’s a sense of dread and pure terror for what might happen to characters you love. Almost ANYTHING can happen and it’s scary as hell and thrilling to read.
This book was painful and frustrating to read at times (in a good way!) but amazing and I highly recommend this series. No sophomore slump here.
I do however recommend gathering a few supplies before starting:
1. The Winner’s Crime (obviously)
2. Teddy bear. Of course any soft object that you can hug/smother will work. A blanket to hide under would make a nice alternative.
3. Tissues. Still *wipes tears* months after reading.
4. If reading on a electronic device please add padding in case you throw it across the room. ...more
I LOVED this book! Like really, really, want to read it again, loved it. It had everything I want in a good romance/chick-lit novel – especially smart characters and witty banter.
Their chemistry is off the charts but Minerva and Cal do not fall in love at first sight. They don’t even like each other but Fate keeps throwing them together again and again and watching these two unwittingly fall in love was just perfect.
Cal has a reputation as a womanizer while Min, an insurance actuary, measures risks vs benefits even in her personal life and has her shields up full force against him. After all their random meetings they always leave it with a – well it was interesting, you’re a jerk, I need to get away from you now, have a nice life. Yet they always end up thrown back together.
The conflict comes mostly from their ex’s and well meaning friends and I wanted to strangle everyone at a few points but again – it was ok - because although they were annoying, Cal and Min are stronger than that and make their own choices. It’s so well done!
Both Cal and Min’s family are pieces of work. Especially Min’s mom who is constantly berating her about her weight. Cal handles this beautifully and reading about Min with Cal’s sweet nephew, Harry made me all soft and mushy inside.
Despite meddling ex’s, disapproving friends and family this story never delves into wacky, unbelievable territory and that’s because both Min and Cal are so sincere. Even though they met under dubious circumstances, Min has a great practical attitude about the whole thing and it’s fun to watch Cal go down hard when he least suspects it.
The ending was of the fairytale, sugarcoated variety but I adored it. I got so attached to everyone that I wanted them to all have their own books. Since this isn’t a series - a where are they now type ending was perfection.
I’m sure I could find something to nitpick about it but I’m not going to rain on my parade and pick the book apart just for a review. This was a truly FUN reading experience.
Has anyone read anything else by this author? Any recommendations? ...more
I think I have run out of ways to gush over Laura Florand’s writing. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, there is just something about the way she climbs so deep into a character’s soul that it seems like I inhabit them for the duration of the story.
Florand’s writing is immersive and evocative. After reading the Amour et Chocolate series I’m pretty sure I know everything about living in France, chocolate and living with cranky chefs because I feel like I lived it just by reading the series. (that's not true of course - but that's how I feel)
Shadowed Heart is a sequel/companion to The Chocolate Heart (Amour et Chocolate #5) – Summer and Luc’s story. Out of all the couples they have the most troubled pasts to overcome and were the most prickly of characters. It was hard to break through their armor but they found each other and got their HEA. Or did they?
Well, yeah they did, but there’s nothing like the announcement of a baby arriving to unearth old insecurities and test Summer and Luc’s staying power.
This book is gorgeous! Simply gorgeous, in a painful, raw, and ultimately heart soaring way.
While Summer and Luc have found each other to confide in and feel safe, you can’t live your whole life around one person. It’s a painful lesson for both of them, as they don’t let others in easily. Summer tries desperately to find a way to make friends in a world where women find her beauty and aloof personality off putting and to make her own mark in the world. While Luc fights the seemingly never ending battle (in his own mind) to prove he's good enough for Summer.
For long time fans of the Amour et Chocolat characters, you WILL NOT be disappointed. Past couples are weaved together in one of the most beautiful moments of this series. The bond that these determined, arrogant, perfectionist chefs and their feisty women counterparts have created almost make me tear up.
Despite the sometimes heaviness of the story, there are also many light moments to make you smile. Watching the men try to create something healthy that Summer can keep down, instead of *gasp* American peanut butter and pickles was hilarious.
It’s my opinion that this book can’t really be read as a stand alone. I think it’s important to have at least read The Chocolate Heart first, the whole series (but it's not necessary) – even better so you can squeal over the cameos.
I hope we get more glimpses of the after the Happily Ever After's in the future from Florand. While it’s nice to see the falling in love part, these heroes are too gruff, some too damaged to think that they just fall in love and never relapse into old patterns. This was such a welcome, honest, loving dose of reality. P.S. Especially if it’s Patrick. Hint…hint…lol
This book really shouldn’t have worked for me – angst galore, some voyeurism - but it was so so so well done that it ended up being a last minute addition to my 2014 favorites list. (I read it December 30th)
First of all, Off Campus is funny as hell. From Reese trying to shock Tom with his gayness out of being his roommate , to Tom’s best friend Cash’s well intentioned, but no filter verbal diarrhea and Reece’s feisty BFF, I could not stop laughing. There are a lot of stand out characters in addition to Tom and Reece.
Then and most importantly to me, it handles a very sensitive issue with the respect it deserves. Reese has been through something very traumatic and it doesn’t go away because he talks to, falls in love with, or has sex with Tom. It’s so beautifully written I could cry. And hug Tom for the way he is so gentle with and protective of Reese. Tom has issues as well – in fact they end up being even more crippling than Reese’s at times but again – it’s not glossed over or easily resolved.
I hate when sex solves all in romances. I’m not gonna lie. There’s a LOT of sex in Off Campus. Really hot sex. But that’s not enough to fix everything. Loved that! The sex is a really important give & take between the two men that is about trust, love and commitment. It was very emotional. These two really work for their HEA.
There’s also more to the story than the romance. It’s kind of everything I wish more NA would be about. The struggle to find your place in the world, shifting friendships and that limbo land of still needing to rely on others but also needing to strike out on your own.
Both Reese and Tom f*cked up a lot but they were both truly nice guys who tried to push through their bullshit to be better people. For themselves and for each other. I can’t say enough good things about his book.
*Right after finishing this one I picked up Five Dates (freebie) by Cousins and although super short, it was really good. If you want to give her writing a try first check it out....more
REALLY loved this one! Such a sweet and heartfelt story about family, following your dreams and second chances. I think this just might be my4.5 stars
REALLY loved this one! Such a sweet and heartfelt story about family, following your dreams and second chances. I think this just might be my favorite Cindi Madsen couple.
I hope this is the beginning of a series because I would love to get a few of the other characters HEA's.
Top 5 Reasons to buy Second Chance Ranch posted on For What It's Worth on 9/19/14
To be perfectly honest, I bought this book because of the cover. Look at the pretty cakes! The protagonist, Holly owns a bakery, appropriately named CAKE, and I love food so I was in!
While there is cake, Since You’ve Been Gone isn’t really about any of that.
What could have been an over the top,cliché, story about a “dowdy” (Holly’s word) widow and an arrogant, millionaire, turned into a truly beautiful story about second chances and trusting enough to let go and love again.
Holly has been a widow for two years, going through the motions but only finding comfort in dreams with her deceased husband Charlie. She meets Ciaran ( & his crazy pants father) delivering a somewhat unorthodox cake to their mansion – a testicle cake with a stiletto heal piecing through. Yeah – you read that right and it’s hilarious.
Ciaran takes an interest in Holly but isn’t sure how to woo her since she’s not at all impressed by his flash and money. Like I said – this could have taken the cliché route at any time. Ciaran is big, gorgeous and bossy but Knight really takes the time with this romance and focuses more on Holly’s journey to move forward without Charlie. The romance is sexy as hell but doesn’t overwhelm everything.
Never once was Holly and Charlie’s marriage dismissed or treated lightly. It was a HUGE part of Holly’s life and Ciaran fully respects that, even if he comes on too strong in other ways. He is used to women using him for his money and thinks that’s the way to Holly’s heart. Dumb boy but well intentioned. lol
There is also a cast of eclectic supporting characters including Holly’s overbearing, perfectionist sister and mom, her wonderfully gruff neighbor Mrs. Hedley, co-worker Jesse (who seriously needs his own book!), and Ciaran’s eccentric, inappropriate and flawed father, Fergal.
It often walked on the edge of going too far with the drama (as these books & rom coms tend to do at times) but the author reigned it in and the characters always felt sincere, heartfelt and grounded.
This was just a really sweet, wonderful book and I wish Anouska Knight had another book published so I could go on a reading binge....more
I’ve tried to read graphic novels several times but I have never made it through one. I always have a difficult time getting absorbed into the story. One or two words in a panel, skipping around often leaves me confused and unattached to the characters.
The Graveyard Book, originally written by Neil Gaiman, and adapted by his long time collaborator P. Craig Russell was an entirely different, and wonderful, experience.
I was immediately pulled into this quirky coming of age story about a baby, who after his family is murdered, is adopted by the inhabitants of a local graveyard. As he grows up he embarks on all sorts of adventures with ghouls, witches, hellhounds and vampires.
There were the usual speech bubbles, of course, but there was also a narrative (I believe this is called a caption in graphic novel speak – forgive this newbie’s awkward review)) that rounded out the story and tied it all together without bogging it down.
Each chapter is illustrated by a different artist and although they stuck with very similar drawing styles, it was interesting to see each persons interpretation of the same characters. For example, Silas, Bod’s vampire guardian, is drawn with harsher lines in some chapters than others.
The Graveyard Shift is delightfully creepy, surprisingly sentimental and just plain riveting. I can’t wait to read Volume #2! ...more
This is my first book by Knox and all I've ever heard was that her characters were so relatable and realistic. Yes. YES!!
There were things about bothThis is my first book by Knox and all I've ever heard was that her characters were so relatable and realistic. Yes. YES!!
There were things about both Ben and May that cut so close to home for me.
This is a story about finding hope in messy, complicated love. Not the picture perfect love that we see in movies and read about.
It's also about finding yourself - not in another person - but maybe because of a bother person.
Good stuff.
Oh - and the food descriptions….zomgyum and a guy that cooks - thud.
I was just in NYC a month ago but after reading Truly I wanted to hop right back on a plane and go back. Knox captured all the things I love about being there. How overwhelming an unfriendly it can appear but with all those secrets and surprises just waiting to be discovered.
So in conclusion…flail…flail…flail….read the book!
I know need to read ALL the Ruthie Knox books. ...more
How we met: Ok - I admit it. I was shallow and only dated you for your looks. I mean come on! That book cover screams fun summer read!
First date: You are so much more than just your good looks! I know everyone says that… “I love you for more than your unbroken spine and crisp pages baby” but it's true. YOU ARE A STORY WITH SUBSTANCE. A FUN story with substance!!!
We're going steady now: Ok - so there's a lot of wackiness going on with how Mia and Ethan met and they're competitive work situation. After an anonymous, drunken one night stand they find themselves working as interns for the same dating company - competing for only one paid position at the end of the summer.
There's a no dating policy at work and now they also have to date other people to learn how Boomerang - a dating site promising no-commitment hookups - works while still longing for each other.
Despite the kind of far fetched circumstances it's Mia and Ethan that make this book work so well. They are truly kind, open, thoughtful people.
Ethan loves kids and coaches a children's soccer league (sa-woon), while Mia is an aspiring filmmaker trying to document her grandmothers life as Alzheimer's takes her memories away. I LOVED both of them and their smoking hot chemistry!
I'm going to hug you, and squeeze you and keep you on my bookshelf forever: There are so few New Adult titles out there that are fun to read but Boomerang is one of them. I laughed almost non stop watching Mia and Ethan try to navigate their relationship on the down low and their hilarious attempts at on-line, hook-up dating. I thought I would hate that part (them dating other people) but it was so funny and sometimes very poignant.
There is also an emphasis on friends, family and going after your dreams. I loved how a potential romance didn't derail all thoughts of Mia and Ethan's future. Sex doesn’t solve all. They were refreshingly mature characters - even though they made a few mistakes along the way.
The afterglow: One more thing - this is New Adult - but it is NOT the non stop sex NA that we've been reading. I'm loving the new sexier rather than explicit books that have started entering this genre. All Lined Up by Cora Carmack & I Want It That Way by Ann Aguirre are two other NA’s that I highly recommend.
I think we might finally be pulling out of that “NA is just YA with porn” label phase.
This is the most fun I've had reading a book in a very long time. Great characters. Great story. I HIGHLY recommend Boomerang.
*Speed date reviews inspired by The Book Swarm...more
No! No more New Adult blind dates! No! I had pretty much declared a moratorium on the NA genre. I can’t even tell them apart anymore and if I read about one more tortured character who cures himself/herself through hot sex I might scream. But ya know – when a good friend says she likes you and it’s safe to dip my toes back into the NA dating waters, I said OK – I’ll give it a try.
I think I’m in love: This date could have gone all kinds of wrong. You would think you know where this story is going by reading the blurb but you would be wrong. This is New Adult that fulfills the promises this genre has to offer. I am SO hooked and in love with you right now.
I don’t need a second date – I’ll marry you! All Lined Up is about so much more than hot sex and drama. In fact, this is probably the tamest NA I’ve ever read. SUPER steamy but not in a way that takes over the story.
It’s a truly touching story that you can just tell was personal to the author. (she says as much in a “Behind the book” letter at the end.) I know absolutely nothing about football but I was enthralled with those scenes and the teams success. Carson and Dallas are characters finding their way in their next phase of life. They stumble, learn lessons, fall in love. There is a friendship and respect between the two that you don’t see very often. Perfect! Dallas’s troubled relationship with her father and wariness of football players was also written very well.
*Speed Date reviews inspired by The Book Swarm...more
I'm going to miss this series like crazy. I don't think any author has done a better job of writing a family relationship in Urban fantasy th4.5 stars
I'm going to miss this series like crazy. I don't think any author has done a better job of writing a family relationship in Urban fantasy that has felt so real and touching.
Banishing the Dark brings Cady full circle to confront her past, her mother and her powers, so she can finally move on and and build a future.
I really don't want to spoil anything - but Bennett really kicks it up on the action, romance for her long time fans. There were some twists that I was so unsure of at first but Bennett made it work.
Jupe has a few chapters of his own and I couldn't even contain my excitement of laughter while reading them.
Because this is the end, the focus was on Cady, Lon, Jupe and the showdown with her mother. That means there wasn't a lot of time for old favorites and I missed them terribly, although you're not left wondering what happens to them.
Cady and Lon's relationship was so damn sweet and funny. There was a lightness to Lon that he didn't have in the previous books, despite the drama going on around them. Knowing that I wasn't going to be able to spend time with them again made each of their scenes more special and even made me a little teary eyed.
I'm not a fan of long epilogues but this one was perfect. I needed it for closure.
The Arcadia bell series is one of my favorite UF series and I'm sad to see it end but also thrilled with it going out on such a high note. ...more
Top 5 Reasons You Should Pre-Order The WInner’s Curse
Winner's Curse doesn't even come out until March but I just can't contain my excitement until theTop 5 Reasons You Should Pre-Order The WInner’s Curse
Winner's Curse doesn't even come out until March but I just can't contain my excitement until then. I'm not going to write my review yet - but here are my top 5 reasons why you should pre-order this book today.
1.) Winner's Curse deserves the hype.
I rarely, if ever, give into book hype these days. In fact, having 20 people tell me how amazing a book is, makes me NOT want to read it. I've been burned.
From the gorgeous publisher ARC & swag sent to bloggers to all the high praise I hear - this book and author deserve any and all hype. It's gooooood.
2.) The tension. THE TENSION.
There is action, there is romance but above all there is a delicious tension running throughout. What choices will the characters make? What will the consequences be? OMG THE TENSION.
3.) Black, white and shades of grey.
You think you know where you stand on something that happens on one page - but then rethink your position on the next. I LOVE that.
4.) The romance.
Now THIS is a forbidden romance. For about 100 reasons this shouldn't work out, but I still hope it does…but it might not. No insta-love but two VERY complex, evenly matched people in a battle for their autonomy and the future of their people. The stakes don't get higher than that. What will they choose? *bites nails*
5.) Kestrel.
This would actually be my #1 reason for loving this book so much. Kestrel is the best kind of book heroine. She's whip smart and observant but knows her limits. She makes mistakes, admits when she is wrong and learns from the experience. She's not super human or especially kick-ass but don't cross her. She has a tender heart but can be tough and calculating when she needs to be.
Kestrel has to make tough decisions over and over that have dire consequences for her and those she loves. And she does it.
It's only January but I already have my first 5 star read and can begin making the Best of 2014 book list thanks to Winner's Curse!...more
It's hard to review this book without inserting your own feelings & views into it. This is not just a m/m romance but specifically takes on t4.5 stars
It's hard to review this book without inserting your own feelings & views into it. This is not just a m/m romance but specifically takes on the coming out process in general but also coming out in the heterosexually dominated, traditionally homophobic world of sports.
Brandon and Alec love each other. They just do and they always have. They always will. There really isn't any problem between them other than everyone else's reaction to their relationship. So they hide their feelings, break up, fight it and make themselves miserable for years. It hurt to read because seriously…there is just NO reason they shouldn't' be together other than what other people think.
They are both so brave as they push towards what they want out of life. They stumble and fall a few times but their love for each other and desire to find peace for themselves - even if they aren't sure they can't be together - was beautiful to see.
I wish that all couples could end up as strong and happy as Brandon and Alec but I know that's not the case.
I loved this book but I also wish there was no need for Nyrae Dawn to write it. That it was a non issue. But I'm glad she did. ...more
I was so lucky to have been able to read an early version of this book. It’s a beautiful, poignant, uplifting story that makes you think about love, lI was so lucky to have been able to read an early version of this book. It’s a beautiful, poignant, uplifting story that makes you think about love, life and loss in a whole new way. You will fall in love with the protagonist, David. And that cover! Eep – it fits the story SO perfectly.
This is very different than anything Jeri has written before. - a male protagonist (yay! because Jeri writes the male POV perfectly IMO) and a stand alone novel that explores a lot of interesting ideas.
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