REVIEW: Flawed (Flawed #1) by Cecelia Ahern

Flawed (Flawed #1) by Cecelia Ahern

Publication Date: April 5, 2016

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Source: OwlCrate Subscription 

Buy it at: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

My rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

You will be punished…

Celestine North lives a perfect life. She’s a model daughter and sister, she’s well-liked by her classmates and teachers, and she’s dating the impossibly charming Art Crevan.

But then Celestine encounters a situation where she makes an instinctive decision. She breaks a rule and now faces life-changing repercussions. She could be imprisoned. She could be branded. She could be found flawed.

In her breathtaking young adult debut, bestselling author Cecelia Ahern depicts a society where perfection is paramount and flaws lead to punishment. And where one young woman decides to take a stand that could cost her everything.

All the stars for this one, guys! I mean I absolutely loved reading this book!

The society in this world is one where doing unethical things will deem you a flawed person. Illegal acts are handled the same way as our current society but unethical acts are handled a bit differently. If you perform an unethical act, you are tried for said act. If you are found guilty of being flawed, which everyone usually is, the judges will determine what branding you will receive as punishment to let the world know that you were unethical and branded flawed by society. That premise alone was enough to keep me intrigued the entire time just waiting to see how everything turned out.

Celestine, our MC, is a teenaged girl who always follows the rules...until one day she doesn't. For purposes which are unclear to her family and friends at the time, Celestine breaks the rules to help a Flawed citizen in front of a large group of people. I think her actions were admirable for doing what she did and I love the person she becomes after she finally realizes that what she did was not an accident. Realizing that human kindness is not a flaw at all was inspirational to read and the people of this society needed this dose of reality because their views were seriously skewed!

Overall, I truly loved reading this book and losing myself in this world with Celestine and her friends. I can't wait to get my hands on the next installment, Perfect. 

REVIEW: The Truth by Jeffry W. Johnston

The Truth by Jeffry W. Johnston

Publication Date: February 1, 2016

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Source: Received from Publisher 

Buy it at: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

*This eARC was received from the publisher, but it did not influence this review in any way *

My rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Lie, torture, kill—there's nothing Chris and Derek wouldn't do for their younger brothers…


When Chris wakes up tied to a chair in a dark basement, he knows that he's trapped—and why. He shot and killed Derek's little brother. He had his reasons, but no matter how far Derek goes to uncover the truth about that night, Chris's story won't change. It can't. There is far too much at stake…

Derek is desperate to prove his brother didn't deserve to die. And if kidnapping his brother's killer is the only way to the truth, than he'll go to extremes. But Chris's truth is far more dangerous than Derek could have imagined, and knowing could cost both their lives…

When I started reading this book I was a little skeptical about how the author was going to handle this story, but I instantly fell into the rhythm and soon found that I couldn't put it down. This story is told through a combination of flashbacks and the present which I normally find a bit difficult to read, but this author made it flow naturally and beautifully. The story itself was told in reverse which I loved because it's such a different style to write and it kept me guessing until the very end!

The story is told from Chris's point of view while alternating between the present and flashbacks as Chris tells Derek his side of what happened. The entire time I was reading, I loved how unpredictable it all was! I never knew what was going to happen and the ending was such a perfect twist. It truly had me questioning everything I had learned while reading. That ending was perfect! There are no words for it!!

I think what makes "The Truth" so special is that it touches on realistic subjects and gives such a realistic feeling while reading it. The author turned this story into more than just a young adult book. He highlighted facets of human nature. He shows you that everyone is damaged in some shape or form and that corruption can drive people to do horrible things. He shows you that not everyone gets to have a happily ever after, no matter how much they deserve one and everyone has bad things happen to them, even good people. He also made me feel sad for the antagonist of the story. His love for his brother was truly heartfelt.

This book is a fast-paced story that will leave you wanting more as you turn the last page and wonder how you could have read it so fast without realizing.

COVER REVEAL: Alpha (Mackenzie Grey #3) by Karina Espinosa

SHIFT (book 1): http://smarturl.it/49zrvq

CAGED (book 2): http://smarturl.it/hzfe3y

ALPHA (book 3): TBA

About the Author:

Karina Espinosa is the Urban Fantasy author of the Sins of the Fallen series and the Mackenzie Grey novels, and a Senior Contributor for HollywoodNewsSource.com. Infatuated with travel, pop culture, and the need to write everything down, she spends much of her days in front of a computer working on her next book, shopping online, and listening to music. With nomadic tendencies, she is currently resting her head in South Florida until the itch to move strikes again. You can usually catch her on Facebook, Instagram, and live-tweeting during episodes of The Walking Dead and Orphan Black. Follow her on social media!

Author / Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

COVER REVEAL - Ladies Man by Katy Evans

Ladies Man
By Katy Evans 

Publication Date: April 26, 2016


He’s not the guy you date. 

He’s the one night stand.
You’d think this man who sent hot looks my way, who called me succulent, would want to strip me bare and spread me out on his bed like every other woman in Chicago.
Except, he passed on my offer….
Just like I once passed on his.
He’s wary, like I am.
He’s broken, like I am.
And everyone knows two broken parts can’t ever make a whole.
So I try to distract myself with dating.
Tahoe and I are strictly friends. He doesn’t think my new beau is good enough—he doesn't think any man is, especially himself.
The more time Tahoe and I spend together, the more confused I feel.
I'm trying to open up to love.
But I'm quickly realizing that the only man I want is the stubborn, cocky, unattainable playboy Tahoe Roth.
The one my mother warned me about.
The one my body craves.
The only one who will surely break my heart.

Releases April 26, 2016
A new standalone contemporary romance from Katy Evans' NYT bestsellingManwhore series. You can preorder exclusively from iBooks here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/ladies-man/id1083496039?mt=11

If you'd like to be notified when the Amazon, BN, Kobo, Google Play, and other vendor links are live, sign up here: http://meettahoe.com/

Pre-order Ladies Man on Audio: http://books.simonandschuster.com/Ladies-Man/Katy-Evans/The-Manwhore-Series/9781508223375

Add to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27231804-untitled

#LadiesMan

REVIEW: This is Where it Ends by Marieke Nijkamp

This is Where it Ends by Marieke Nijkamp

Publication Date: January 5, 2016

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Source: Received from Publisher 

Buy it at: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

*This eARC was received from the publisher, but it did not influence this review in any way *

My rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

10:00 a.m.
The principal of Opportunity, Alabama's high school finishes her speech, welcoming the entire student body to a new semester and encouraging them to excel and achieve.

10:02 a.m.
The students get up to leave the auditorium for their next class.

10:03 a.m.
The auditorium doors won't open.

10:05 a.m.
Someone starts shooting.

Told over the span of 54 harrowing minutes from four different perspectives, terror reigns as one student's calculated revenge turns into the ultimate game of survival.

Right now i'm sitting in my Pathophysiology class trying to write this review without turning into a giant puddle of tears. Let's just say this has been a major fail for me! This book has to be one of the most heartbreaking, gut-wrenching books I have ever read and i'm just having a really hard time giving it a review that will do it justice. My words just don't seem like enough right now.

I can count on my hands the number of books i've read that have made me cry. It was 6. Now, it's 7. I had such a hard time getting through this book because it was such an emotional read. It constantly reminded me of all those school shootings that have happened during my life and all I could think about was how accurate the book seemed. I've never personally experienced a school shooting (which I am unbelievably thankful that I can say) but I imagine that this author nailed the emotions of what it must feel like to be in one.

The scenes that unfolded during the 54 minutes this shooting occurred in was detailed and heartbreaking to read. I don't have children, but I know that this is a parents worst nightmare. Or really, it's a family's worst nightmare because the parents are not the only ones that are hurt when these things happen. This is something that the author portrayed in the book very well.

The story was told in four different points of view, and at the end, turned into three points of view. This one tiny detail caused me such sorrow, but I don't consider this a "spoiler" because when talking about shootings, you can kind of assume that there will be death involved. One of the deaths in the book involved one character that I actually really loved and I was so incredibly sad when he died. Of course I went through the eight stages of grief and hated the author for killing them off but then I realized that, like life, you have no control over these things. So I forgive you, Marieke! (haha)

Overall, I think you need to be mentally prepared before picking up this book because the emotional distress is so serious! Or then again, maybe i'm just a sensitive sissy? Either way, with books like this, you just never know! :)

REVIEW: This Song is (Not) For You by Laura Nowlin

This Song is (Not) For You by Laura Nowlin

Publication Date: January 15, 2016

Publisher: Sourcebooks
Source: Received from Publisher 

Buy it at: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

*This eARC was received from the publisher, but it did not influence this review in any way *

My rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Bandmate, best friend or boyfriend? For Ramona, one choice could mean losing them all.

Ramona and Sam are best friends. She fell for him the moment they met, but their friendship is just too important for her to mess up. Sam loves April, but he would never expect her to feel the same way--she's too quirky and cool for someone like him. Together, they have a band, and put all of their feelings for each other into music.

Then Ramona and Sam meet Tom. He's their band's missing piece, and before Ramona knows it, she's falling for him. But she hasn't fallen out of love with Sam either.

How can she be true to her feelings without breaking up the band?

I didn't enjoy this book quite as much as I thought I would. Being a huge fan of Nowlin's first book, I couldn't wait to get my hands on this book, but after reading the first few chapters I knew this wasn't your standard story.

For one, the three main characters are each a bit odd in their own ways. Ramona is this super quirky pixie girl that couldn't be "normal" if she tried. Maybe that's a good thing though. In a way I kind of liked her weirdness. I mean, i've read odd characters before but Ramona definitely takes the cake. Then there's Sam. I really liked Sam's personality. He was the calm to Ramona's storm. He was level headed and cool while Ramona was off beat and eccentric. And good 'ol Tom was our last MC. Tom was kind of weird in his own way. He meets the other two bff's at an audition and Ramona instantly knows that Tom is "magic." Though Sam is a little bit reluctant, Ramona convinces him to let Tom be a part of their band. Together, the three of them become best friends and make the most magical music together. Oh and btw Ramona falls in love with Tom while already being in love with Sam.

So basically a love triangle forms between the three of them and that's when things really start to get weird. All I can say about this is that we have one character that seems a bit polygamous while another character seems very much asexual. It's all very weird and interesting to see how everything unfolds.

Other than this crazy love triangle situation that is going on, the story doesn't appear to have any real plot or twist. It just seems like a story about a bunch of kids (that are apparently very mature for their age) that fall in love. I feel like certain feelings displayed in the book and their reactions are a bit off. Especially in this day and age when people are cruel and unforgiving.

Overall, this book was an interesting read (to say the least!) and I think anyone with an open mind with enjoy reading it!

FEATURE: Waiting on Wednesday~ Yellow Brick War (Dorothy Must Die #3) by Danielle Paige (#52)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Morning Swooners :-)

This week my "can't-wait-to-read" pre-publication selections are:

Yellow Brick War (Dorothy Must Die #3) by Danielle Paige

Expected release date: March 15, 2016

Purchase: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Summary from Goodreads:

In this dark, action-packed third book in the New York Times bestselling Dorothy Must Die series, Amy Gumm—the new girl from Kansas—must do everything in her power to save Kansas, kill Dorothy, and make Oz a free land once more.

Amy Gumm’s mission to take down Dorothy Gale is not going according to plan. Dorothy has found a way to bridge the worlds of Oz and Kansas, and if the power-hungry dictator of Oz has her way, Kansas will be destroyed forever. Now, Amy has to team up with the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked to save her home, restore the balance between the magic and nonmagic worlds, maybe get the guy—and kill that not-so-sweet Kansas farm girl once and for all.

In the third installment of the New York Times bestselling Dorothy Must Die series, Danielle Paige’s twisted versions of beloved Oz characters are back, including the biggest, baddest, most famous of all: the Wicked Witch of the West.

Welcome to the other side of the rainbow. Here there’s danger around every corner, and magic shoes won’t be able to save you

Why I'm waiting:

I'm pretty much obsessed with this retelling of The Wizard of Oz and this book sounds just as good as the others! Does anyone else love retellings as much as I do?

What are you anxiously waiting for?

FEATURE: Waiting on Wednesday~ Never Tear Us Apart by Monica Murphy (#51)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Morning Swooners :-)

This week my "can't-wait-to-read" pre-publication selections are:

Never Tear Us Apart by Monica Murphy

Expected release date: January 5, 2016

Purchase: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Summary from Goodreads:

Crazy how eight years can disappear in an instant. One look at Katie Watts, and I’m a fifteen-year-old again—the one who risked everything to save a terrified girl from her twisted kidnapper. She’s grown-up now—beautiful, quiet, composed—and telling her story to the world. A story that involves me in more ways than you can imagine. She used to call me her guardian angel. Sure, I risked my life, but she was worth dying for.

I need to make contact with her. Just to ensure that she’s safe.

Somehow we reconnect. We become friends . . . but I want more. I want to make her mine. And she wants me too. Does she know who I am? Has she figured me out? Not yet. But she will. In the meantime, I need to make sure that whatever hold that animal had on her is gone.

So, yeah, I’m stealing these moments with her. Savoring them. Knowing, dreading, that she’ll soon find out who I really am. And everything will fall apart. All because of that twisted, perverted monster sitting on death row. Her kidnapper. A convicted serial killer.

My father.

Why I'm waiting:

I absolutely loved her Fowler Sisters series and the synopsis for this book sounds just as good as the other ones. I mean come on, his father kidnapped her! This sounds so good!!

What are you anxiously waiting for?

FEATURE: Waiting on Wednesday~ Riders (Riders #1) by Veronica Rossi (#50)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Morning Swooners :-)

This week my "can't-wait-to-read" pre-publication selections are:

Riders (Riders #1) by Veronica Rossi

Expected release date: February 16, 2016

Purchase: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Summary from Goodreads:

For eighteen-year-old Gideon Blake, nothing but death can keep him from achieving his goal of becoming a U.S. Army Ranger. As it turns out, it does.

Recovering from the accident that most definitely killed him, Gideon finds himself with strange new powers and a bizarre cuff he can't remove. His death has brought to life his real destiny. He has become War, one of the legendary four horsemen of the apocalypse.

Over the coming weeks, he and the other horsemen--Conquest, Famine, and Death--are brought together by a beautiful but frustratingly secretive girl to help save humanity from an ancient evil on the emergence.

They fail.

Now--bound, bloodied, and drugged--Gideon is interrogated by the authorities about his role in a battle that has become an international incident. If he stands any chance of saving his friends and the girl he's fallen for--not to mention all of humankind--he needs to convince the skeptical government officials the world is in imminent danger.

But will anyone believe him?

Why I'm waiting:

I pretty much LOOOOOVVEEE the earth Veronica Rossi walks on. I adored her Under the Never Sky series and loved the Boomerang books she co-authored and just basically love her as a person. So yea, she writes it and I will always read it!!

What are you anxiously waiting for?

FEATURE: Waiting on Wednesday~ This Song Is (Not) For You by Laura Nowlin (#48)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Morning Swooners :-)

This week my "can't-wait-to-read" pre-publication selections are:

This Song Is (Not) For You by Laura Nowlin

Expected release date: January 5, 2016

Purchase: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Summary from Goodreads:

Bandmate, best friend or boyfriend? For Ramona, one choice could mean losing them all.

Ramona and Sam are best friends. She fell for him the moment they met, but their friendship is just too important for her to mess up. Sam loves April, but he would never expect her to feel the same way--she's too quirky and cool for someone like him. Together, they have a band, and put all of their feelings for each other into music.

Then Ramona and Sam meet Tom. He's their band's missing piece, and before Ramona knows it, she's falling for him. But she hasn't fallen out of love with Sam either.

How can she be true to her feelings without breaking up the band?

Why I'm waiting:

I loved the authors previous book and I seriously can not wait for this one to come out. I think Laura Nowlin is a great author and even though I did not like the ending of her last book, If He Had Been With Me, I firmly believe that she will not disappoint me with this one!

What are you anxiously waiting for?