Abby Road by Ophelia London

Title: Abby Road
Author: Ophelia London
Format I Read: Kindle
Pages: 400
Genres: Romance, Contemporary, New Adult
Release Date: March 2013
Stars: 3
Goodreads Link

Let me start this off with a warning: Abby Road is not what you expect. It’s a whirlwind of topics, a hurricane of emotions, and a tornado of character development. It’s a wild rollercoaster, from start to finish. It offered a fantastic sense of catharsis that pulls you in.

For those who aren’t familiar with Abby Road:

Fame can't buy her love...

It’s been exactly one day since rock star Abigail Kelly fled her chaotic life in L.A. to her sister’s home in Florida. One day without her demanding manager, paparazzi, ridiculous tour schedules, and recording sessions. For the first time in five years, she has the summer off. To be anonymous. A summer to not think about losing her brother...or that her once-normal life has turned into a mess of panic and heartbreak.

But all it takes is one twist of fate—to enter a stranger's surf shop while trying to dodge some fans—for everything to change.

Because the shop owner happens to be a really cute guy with an amazing laugh. With Todd, an ex-Marine sniper turned surfer, she feels things she hasn’t felt for a long time. Possibly never. But when the real world comes crashing back in, Abby is caught between the superstar she’s become...and the painfully real human being she longs to be.

Honestly, I’m still a little confused about what I just read. Don’t get me wrong: Abby Road was a great read that sucked me in and trapped me in London’s world from start to finish. However, it was a mish-mash of just about a million different stories. When I first read the synopsis, I thought it would be a breezy summer romance. Abby would fall for Todd in this small beachside town and it’ll be a refreshing reprieve from her crazy celebrity life. Surprise! That was just the tip of the iceberg.

London weaves a tale that includes a handful of major plotlines and ideas. First, there’s the summer romance mentioned about. Second, there’s Abby’s struggle to accept her brother’s death and free herself from the haunting guilt of that night. Third, there’s the difficulty of Abby and Todd’s relationship surviving her L.A. rock star life. Fourth, there’s the battle for Abby to finally stand up to her manager and take control of her own life, to be a happy and healthy person.

Surprisingly, I didn’t hate this wild mix of plotlines. At first, if I’m completely honest, I didn’t like it. By the end of the book, it grew on me. This book was a really refreshing story of redemption and personal development. It explored a young woman’s ability to be her own savior. I found that to be an astoundingly redeeming quality.

I really enjoyed the characters. Todd was definitely swoon-worthy and I liked his backstory. His romance with Abby was lovely. It felt very real and heart-warming. They had so much chemistry. I wish we could’ve seen more of the development of their relationship! Unfortunately, London skipped the three months that they got together and skipped right to the move back to L.A. I also loved the minor characters: Hal, Molly, Lindsey, etc. They were fantastic additions and I loved the scenes with them. In particular, I ended up really loving Lindsey. She was such a fantastic sister and she really grew on me! Abby herself was a little frustrating. She wasn’t the most likable main character, though I didn’t hate her either. Fortunately, her character development made up for any complaints I had about her throughout the novel!

One complaint I did have was the chapter transitions. London would skip entire weeks and months without any real indication. Within the first few pages of the chapter, she would clarify, of course. But it was definitely disorienting and threw me off. I would’ve liked to see some smoother transitions.

The writing was also a mix of good and bad. Though I liked the tone and style that London used, the dialogue and transitions could fall a little flat. Sometimes I had to reread paragraphs to find out what just happened or if I missed something. The characters were often very obscure in how they spoke; I sometimes felt like London cut scenes out but didn’t compensate in later scenes. It was a little disorienting. Fortunately, it didn’t detract too much from the story; it was just a little off-putting.

Overall, I’d give Abby Road 3.5 stars. It was a cathartic story that really had me invested. For those who like summer beach romances (the first third), glitzy celebrity romances (the second third), and/or personal discovery and redemption stories (the last third), definitely try out Abby Road!

Confess by Colleen Hoover

Title: Confess
Author: Colleen Hoover
Format I Read: Paperback
Pages: 306
Genres: Romance, Realistic Fiction, New Adult
Release Date: March 10, 2015
Stars: 5
Goodreads Link

Wow. That is honestly the only word I have for this book. Wow. Last night (when I was finishing this book at 1am, since I couldn't put it down) was the first time that I actually left tear stains in a book. Colleen Hoover is truly an artist when it comes to plot twists and plot connections. I was completely amazed by the last page.

For those who are unfamiliar with the story, here's the synopsis:

Auburn Reed has her entire life mapped out. Her goals are in sight and there’s no room for mistakes. But when she walks into a Dallas art studio in search of a job, she doesn’t expect to find a deep attraction to the enigmatic artist who works there, Owen Gentry.

For once, Auburn takes a risk and puts her heart in control, only to discover Owen is keeping major secrets from coming out. The magnitude of his past threatens to destroy everything important to Auburn, and the only way to get her life back on track is to cut Owen out of it.

The last thing Owen wants is to lose Auburn, but he can’t seem to convince her that truth is sometimes as subjective as art. All he would have to do to save their relationship is confess. But in this case, the confession could be much more destructive than the actual sin…

I'll be completely honest: I was thinking of giving this book 3 stars, 4 stars if I was feeling generous. The romance was just too fast-paced. Since the moment Owen and Auburn met, they've been completely entranced with each other. They've barely spent any real time together, yet they're so invested in each other. Auburn even thinks that they've only seen each other for four days. Yet they're practically in love?! I just couldn't jump on this instantaneous love train.

"How many days have we actually seen each other since we met?" he asks.

I want to laugh at his randomness, because I think it's my favorite part of him. I shrug. "I don't know. Four? Five?"

He slowly shakes his head. "If you count today, it's seven," he says, sliding a hand through my hair. "So tell me, Auburn. How is it possible that I"m already falling in love with you?" (273)

But by the last page, I was singing praise for this book. I don't want to go in depth because then this review would be riddled with spoilers. But wow. This novel came completely full circle. The last chapter is a flashback that explains so much (including the instant connection that Owen feels with Auburn). It made me sob.

The great thing about Colleen Hoover is she somehow makes a romance into a mystery. She really plays on the fact that the reader only knows what she allows them to know. She then fills the book with little reveals and epiphanies. It takes true talent to write a book in this way. I was honestly amazed.

In the prologue, the reader is introduced to Adam, who was Auburn's boyfriend when she was fifteen. Unfortunately, Adam is sick and only has a few weeks left to leave. The reader meets the two characters as Auburn says goodbye for the last time. Adam, though a minor character, is truly amazing. He's the one who really made me cry. He's just such a fantastic character, filled with such pure love and peace. Another great thing about Adam: the entire book wasn't about Auburn's struggle over his loss. Auburn wasn't crying over the fact that she can't be with Owen because she doesn't want to let Adam go. She already healed after his death--that isn't the conflict, which was totally refreshing. Instead, the characters face countless other conflicts: like Owen's network of lies that lead to unfortunate consequences for Auburn and Owen's relationship. Fortunately, with the alternating points of view, we see the motivation behind these lies. There are many other conflicts, but I literally cannot say them without spoiling so I'll stop there.

A few other cool things about this book: the confessions and the art. Hoover's dedication is to her readers because they submitted the confessions in the novel. Owen runs an art studio, but his art is based on anonymous confessions submitted by anyone who passes by the studio. Not only is this form of art such an amazing concept and idea, but the confessions are real. Real people submitted them to the author, which makes it all the more striking. Additionally, Hoover included pictures of the art pieces described in the novel. That was so fantastic to see as a reader. It gave the art such a greater impact and really showed the reader what was so moving about these pieces.

Overall, this book was a fantastic story of healing and redemption. With traces of addiction, guilt, and family, Confess was one of the most moving books I've read all year. I would recommend this book to absolutely anyone and everyone, with no reservations. While I would technically give it 4.5 stars, simply because of the fast-paced romance, I label this novel as a 5 star masterpiece.

Congratulations to Ms. Hoover for making me sob and writing a true work of art!

Fall With Me by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: Fall With Me
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Format I Read: Paperback
Pages: 389
Genres: Romance, Realistic Fiction, New Adult
Release Date: March 31, 2015
Stars: 3
Goodreads Link

Let me preface this review with this: I have not read the rest of the Wait for You novels. I do own a few of them, but I haven't read them. Fall With Me is the fourth in the string of relatively standalone novels. This book was similar to When I'm Gone by Abbi Glines, as both can be read as a standalone but are more satisfying if you've read the prior books. The rest of the cast in the novel has been featured in the previous books; being more aware of who they are (and who is dating who) would make the book much more enjoyable! So though Fall With Me can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading the rest of the series first.

However, in general, this novel was pretty satisfying! For those who don't know what it's about:

Eleven months ago, bartender and weird-shirt-wearing extraordinaire Roxy and Officer Reece Anders had a one night stand. Well, kind of. She’s been in love with him since she was fifteen, and he wishes that night they shared never happened. She’s sworn him off forever, but the past and future collide, forcing her to rely on the one man who broke her heart not once, but twice.

Her best friend since birth has been in a long-term care facility since he became a victim of a hate crime years ago, and the person who put him in there is out of prison and wanting to make amends with him and Roxy. She’s not sure she has room for forgiveness in her and when she begins to receive frightening messages and is on the receiving end of escalating violence, she thinks she knows who is to blame. The man who already destroyed one life already.

But Reece isn’t convinced. The threats are too personal, and even if Roxy doesn’t believe him, he’s not willing to let anyone hurt her. Including himself. He’s already messed up more than once when it comes to Roxy and he’s not going to let history repeat itself.

I liked the book. It was interesting. I love how Armentrout tackles issues. It was so cool to see a novel that straight-up said, "You don't have to go to college to be successful." The messages in Fall With Me were just so fantastic. There was an air of forgiveness in the Charlie plot line (Charlie is relatively brain dead after an incident that Roxy takes the blame for). There was the reminder that the most important thing in life is to be happy, not focus on others' expectations of you. You have to live for yourself. And then there was also the theme of falling. Yes, falling for someone and putting your faith in another person is risky and scary. But it's so worth it. You need to let yourself go in order to enjoy life. Honestly, I love the deep, reassuring messages that Armentrout always threads into her novels.

Unfortunately, the novel itself was a little lackluster for me. Like I said, I liked it. I just didn't really love it. There were so many plot lines going on: the Charlie struggle with his failing health and Roxy's guilt, Roxy's stalker and the investigation of a serial rapist, and Roxy's relationship with Reece. It was a little overwhelming, but still very well done.

I also have something to say about Armentrout's writing style. I usually love how realistic she makes it. It feels like stream of consciousness, in that it feels like Roxy (and Armentrout's other characters) is actually talking to the reader. She includes references to things like Harry Potter and Doctor Who and Game of Thrones in a way that the book doesn't feel very far removed from real life. That's very refreshing in a book! However, it can make the writing style a little juvenile. Roxy said (in her head) that she was going to make some sort of her food "her bitch" at least a handful of times. It was funny at first, but then it just because silly. People rarely actually say that kind of stuff and it feels like the author is just trying a little too hard.

Additionally, I struggled with some of Armentrout's minor characters. Particularly, a random character named Jacob, who was only featured for one scene. He seemed very forced. I also didn't like Katie, just because the way she was treated in the novel was so weird. Katie, Roxy's close friend and a stripper, is very fun and strong-willed and flamboyant. Roxy constantly defends her and I loved how Armentrout drew attention to the fact that the stripper occupation shouldn't have such a stigma. However, I felt like she was just a stock character. She was constantly wearing flamboyant and bizarre clothes; she constantly popped into a scene and then popped back out; she didn't really seem to have any depth. I wished that Armentrout developed her a little more because I felt that she had a lot of potential!

But along with Roxy's defense of Katie, I loved Roxy's take on feminism! Armentrout wonderfully delineated the fact that a woman can be strong and still want a man. Roxy often admitted that, yes, she can do things herself, but that doesn't mean she loves Reece's affections and protections any less. I thought that was a really fantastic statement!

Overall, the novel was good. A nice read that gives you a hefty dose of everything: romance, excitement, and redemption!

Becoming Rain by K.A. Tucker

Title: Becoming Rain
Author: K.A. Tucker
Format I Read: Paperback
Pages: 384
Genres: New Adult, Realistic Fiction, Romance, Suspense
Stars: 4
Goodreads Link

Becoming Rain is the first book I've read by K.A. Tucker. Though this book is technically the second in Tucker's Burying Water series, the books appear to be standalone. I felt only a mild sense of loss because I hadn't read Burying Water. The characters from the previous book were mildly mentioned and featured, but not to an extent that I felt it hindered my experience reading Becoming Rain. So you can definitely read Becoming Rain without reading Burying Water!

For those who don't know what Becoming Rain is about:

Luke Boone doesn't know exactly what his uncle Rust is involved in but he wants in on it-the cars, the money, the women. And it looks like he's finally getting his wish. When Rust hands him the managerial keys to the garage, they come with a second set—one that opens up the door to tons of cash and opportunity. Though it's not exactly legal, Luke's never been one to worry about that sort of thing. Especially when it puts him behind the wheel of a Porsche 911 and onto the radar of gorgeous socialite named Rain.

Clara Bertelli is at the top of her game—at only twenty-six years old, she's one of the most successful undercover officers in the Washington D.C. major crime unit, and she's just been handed a case that could catapult her career and expose one of the west coast's most notorious car theft rings. But, in order to do it, she'll need to go deep undercover as Rain Martines. Her target? The twenty-four-year old nephew of a key player who appears ready to follow in his uncle's footsteps.

As Clara drifts deeper into the luxurious lifestyle of Rain, and further into the arms of her very attractive and charming target, the lines between right and wrong start to blur, making her wonder if she'll be able to leave it all behind. Or if she'll even want to.

This book was a nice change from my past few reads. I've been reading a lot of serious romances that deal with serious topics, such as mental disorders (like Scorched and When I'm Gone). Those have been great, but it was nice to change the pace with Becoming Rain. With its action and suspense, in addition to the romance, it was really interesting and different from other books I've read!

Unfortunately, I found that the crime plot was a little too complex for me--it was a bit too much for a book that I was reading more for the romance. Especially at the end, all the puzzle pieces were a little too overwhelming. However, it was an interesting contrast to the romance. It added an edge to what could've just been a normal "forbidden love."

With the romance, I really fell in love with the relationship in this book. Tucker created two amazing characters that had absolutely amazing chemistry. I loved watching Rain (or Clara) slowly abandon everything for Luke. I loved the gradual progression as she became less Clara and more Rain. And I loved how Luke was more than just a hot guy. From the start, Tucker established that he was more than just a man dealing in illegal activities. He was a genuine, sweet person who was inheriting a mixed up lifestyle. That whole aspect of the story made every other mistake or flaw about the book meaningless. It was captivating!

Thinking back, there were a lot of things that felt off about the book. I really did not like Warner (Rain's handler from the FBI). He was obnoxious and made me very uncomfortable. I hated the scenes that he was in. I also realize, in hindsight, just how dirty the whole book was. Rain/Clara was doing something very, very wrong by tampering with the investigation and leaving behind her wire when interacting with Luke. I probably shouldn't have enjoyed the book as much as I did. Nonetheless, I read it all in one sitting and basically devoured it.

Overall, a very interesting and different read that I'm glad I picked up! I enjoyed the change of pace and loved the romance. For those who love an all-encompassing romance and fantastic chemistry, I definitely recommend it. It was a great introduction to K.A. Tucker's books! 

When I'm Gone by Abbi Glines

Title: When I'm Gone
Author: Abbi Glines
Format I Read: Paperback
Pages: 273
Genres: New Adult, Realistic Fiction, Romance
Release Date: April 7, 2015
Stars: 3
Goodreads Link

This is the first book I've read by Abbi Glines. I've like other authors that she's typically compared to, so I figured I'd give her a try. I received a copy of When I'm Gone while I was at BEA, so it was the perfect chance to finally read one of her books. Overall, I wasn't amazed, nor was I disappointed.

When I'm Gone is actually the eleventh book in Glines' Rosemary Beach series. However, as far as I can tell, they're relatively standalone books. Unfortunately, because the book belonged in a series, I felt that I missed out on a lot of the connections and references to previous books. Glines threw a lot of characters at the reader, expecting the reader to be familiar with them. I was sadly unfamiliar with them, making the cast of characters a little overwhelming and confusing. Because of this, I would recommend reading books earlier on in the series before tackling When I'm Gone; I suspect that doing so would make the book (and the journey) much more gratifying.

For those who don't know what When I'm Gone is about:

Mase Colt-Manning has always preferred his humble life as a Texas rancher to his birthright as the son of a legendary rock star. In fact, he rarely visits his father’s rarefied world in Rosemary Beach, especially if it means bunking at his vile half-sister Nan’s house—until one visit leads to a chance encounter with a young, gorgeous house maid who awakens him with her off-key but spirited imitation of a country music star…

Reese Ellis finally has her freedom. After escaping a lifetime of abuse from her parents and classmates for an undiagnosed learning disorder, she seizes the opportunity to be a house maid to some of the richest families in Rosemary Beach. But her job is in jeopardy when she causes an accident at the home of her most important client, Nan Dillon. When a hot, half-naked stranger with a cowboy’s swagger comes to her rescue, she’s intrigued—then afraid once he shows his own interest. Reese has never met a trustworthy man in her life. Will Mase be any different?

I really enjoyed the depth behind the characters. It was very interesting how Reese had a learning disorder and I really admire Glines for tackling such a topic. Despite today's medical advances, some people are still so ignorant about learning disorders, which leads to many children who struggle through school and life. I feel like that's a situation that isn't really discussed very often, though it's such an important one to talk about. It made the book both unique and meaningful!

Beyond her learning disorder, Reese's rocky past--both with a sexually abusive stepfather and an emotionally abusive environment--really added a layer of depth to her character. I also appreciated how Glines approached Reese's situation. I feel that so many books involving victims of abuse feature the main character jumping into the man's arms as soon as she sees his abs. Glines handled the topic in a much more mature and realistic way. Reese's attraction to and relationship with Mase progressed gradually and naturally. She started off fearful of all men, but slowly began to trust Mase (and his gender) as time went on. It all felt very real.

However, though Reese's attraction to Mase seemed believable, Mase's attraction to Reese didn't seem as believable. He fell a little too hard a little too fast for me to be fully invested. I just didn't feel convinced. However, once I got past that, the romance was very enjoyable. It was one of those books that gives you the nice bubbly feeling in your stomach--the butterflies that take flight every time Mase runs to Reese's rescue.

Overall, When I'm Gone was an enjoyable read. I look forward to trying out more of Abbi Glines' books! She's a great writer and storyteller. When I'm Gone just didn't strike the right chord with me to get 5 stars.

Scorched by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: Scorched
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Format I Read: ARC
Pages: 320
Genres: Romance, New Adult, Contemporary
Release Date: June 16, 2015
Stars: 3
Goodreads Link

For those of you who don't know, I absolutely adore Jennifer L. Armentrout. She's probably one of the sweetest, most fun, most down to earth authors I've ever met. I've had the pleasure of meeting her three times now: at Bookcon 2014, at Apollycon 2015, and at BEA 2015. She's literally a book machine. She cranks out books like crazy. Yet somehow she doesn't lose quality; she manages to maintain both quality and quantity.

For those who are unaware of what Scorched is about, here's the synopsis:

Sometimes life leaves a mark…

Most days, Andrea doesn’t know whether she wants to kiss Tanner or punch him in the gut. He is seriously hot, with legit bedroom eyes and that firefighter body of his, but he’s a major player, and they can’t get along for more than a handful of minutes. Until now.

Tanner knows he and Andrea have had an epic love/hate relationship for as long as he can remember, but he wants more love than hate from her. He wants her. Now. Tomorrow. But the more he gets to know her, the more it becomes obvious that Andrea has a problem. She’s teetering on the edge and every time he tries to catch her, she slips through his fingers.

Andrea’s life is spiraling out of control, and it doesn’t matter that Tanner wants to save her, because when everything falls apart and she’s speeding toward rock bottom, only she can save herself.

Sometimes life makes you work for that happily ever after…

I originally thought that Scorched was going to mark Armentrout's loss of quality. It started off as a canned, steamy romance. It really didn't have any depth. It was the typical "he's a manwhore, but I'm still attracted to him ugh." After that introduction, there was the cliche, fast-paced "maybe he does have more depth than that." And then there was the expected "let's f*ck like rabbits" when they finally worked out their differences. But after this stereotypical first third of the book, it finally picked up.

I like to think that Scorched has two different plots. There's the romance, as previously described. But then there's the more serious, more important plot. There's the meaningful exploration of undiagnosed mental disorders, anxiety, and self-medicating as a form of coping. The main character, Andrea, binge drinks. Everyone else sees that she has a problem, but she brushes it off. She insists that she's in control. The entire story builds up, with her trying to justify her problems and trying to be the girl that she thinks Tanner deserves.

The end was absolutely amazing. I loved the last fourth of the book. There was such an astounding level of forgiveness and such a fantastic depth to the characters. That last section of the book redefined Armentrout's work. Yes, Armentrout has always been a lovely writer who adds such lovely realism (she includes references like Tumblr and One Direction that make everything feel so close to home). Yes, she has always written incredible romances and relationships. Yes, she writes a great story. But this time, she wrote more than that. She wrote a book that deals with a serious issue that is so rarely talked about--a reassuring novel that shows that redemption is possible. That even when you hit rock bottom, you can get back to the top. It was truly moving and I'm proud to be able to say that I read it.

Yes, I gave it 3 stars, merely because of the first third. I couldn't handle the steamy romance; it wasn't exactly my genre. I love New Adult as much as the next girl, but I felt that this was a bit out of my realm.

But if I could rate the last fourth of the book as a standalone? Definitely 5 stars. Congratulations to Ms. Armentrout for exquisitely handling such an important topic.

All Played Out by Cora Carmack

Title: All Played Out
Author: Cora Carmack
Format I Read: ARC
Pages: 320
Genres: Romance, Realistic Fiction, New Adult
Release Date: May 12, 2015
Stars: 5
Goodreads Link

Since I first saw this cover (eep!), I've been calculating just who I have to kill to get a copy of it before May 12. Fortunately, no deaths were necessary. When I attended Apollycon, I was graced with an Advanced Reader Copy after a raffle. Cue the screaming and crying.

I know I say this every time, but nonetheless... Cora Carmack strikes again. I'll admit that I am not a football fan, yet somehow each installation of the Rusk University novels leaves me wanting to scream "Bleed Rusk Red!" off the rooftops. I know it's a fictional school, but damn, do I want to go to Rusk.

I think that one of the greatest things about the Rusk novels is that no couple is the same. Carson and Dallas, Silas and Dylan, Mateo and Nell: they're all different people with different dynamics. I love that. Each book is a new adventure, a new story. Not only was All Played Out's story new, but it really struck a cord with me.

The basic premise is that Nell is a die-hard student. She's the first in her family to attend college and she's studying biomedical engineering (talk about intense). She's spent the first three years of her college career pushing herself to succeed. On track to graduate early, she suddenly realizes that succeeding may not be everything it's cracked up to be. College isn't just a place for education; it's a place for experience. And Nell has had 0 experiences. Insert Mateo Torres. Mateo is the joker of the football team, the carefree partier. The most common description is "flashy and shameless." After he learns of Nell's "College Bucket List," he vows to help her get through all of her firsts. However, Mateo isn't the shallow flirt that he seems to be. It turns out that he's got an ex haunting him, and Nell just might be the cure to help him move on. Cue classic college experiences, off-the-charts chemistry, and a little exploration.

As someone who will be going to college next year, someone who is hoping to get a BA in three years, someone who has always put studying above all else, I identified with Nell. I identified with her internal struggle, her constant questioning of her capabilities when it came to relationships. Is she even capable of love? Is she just too analytical? Is she destined to be married to her work? That resonated with me.

At first, I didn't really like Nell. She was just too stereotypical. Too "nerdy." It felt like Ms. Carmack was trying too hard to make her the typical girl genius. But as the book went on, she grew on me. She loosened up and she became more real, which I think was the whole point. She didn't start living until Mateo broke her out of her shell. And even though Nell didn't seem quite real at the beginning, the relationship always felt real. Despite their differences, Nell and Mateo just fit. Brookes even says, "I literally have no clue how you and Nell work. None" (ARC 229). I don't quite know either. But they just do. Nell is the brains and the rational; Mateo is the heart and the fun. Together, they blend and Nell becomes a little bit of the heart and Mateo becomes a little bit of the brains, and they balance. It just works.

So I reiterate: Cora Carmack strikes again. All Played Out did not disappoint, which was impressive considering the insanely high expectations I had for this book. Definitely worth 5 stars. Everyone should buy it ASAP (March 12 cannot come sooner)!

Now I'm just eagerly awaiting Stella's story!

Also, side note: we get to see Dylan/Silas and Dallas/Carson being all cute and coupley. Totally adorable!

Inspire by Cora Carmack

Title: Inspire
Author: Cora Carmack
Format I Read: Kindle
Pages: 284
Genres: Romance, Fantasy, New Adult
Release Date: December 15, 2014
Stars: 3
Goodreads Link

I'd have to say that Inspire fell in the middle of the pack for Ms. Carmack this time. I love the Rusk University novels. Losing It and Faking It were meh for me. Inspire was just about in the middle.

I loved the concept. Kalli, the main character, is really Kalliope, the muse. She needs to inspire to survive. If she doesn't assist artists by bleeding out her inspiration, she will go mad. She struggles to live a normal life. And then she meets Wilder. She believes him to be a rational business man, someone who won't be endangered by her inspiration. Because too much inspiration can lead some people to insanity. Greatness is dangerous, which she had to learn the hard way. Kalli struggles to juggle her life without dropping any of the pieces. But is it possible for a muse to be normal?

The mythology was super fascinating. Ms. Carmack definitely did her research! The plot was impressive. Nonetheless, the book fell a little flat. Kalli was just a little too much for me. Her struggle and her insanity at times were a bit too overwhelming. Wilder was all things smolder and kind. He was the bad boy under the good boy facade. As much as I loved Kalli, I felt like Wilder who was the character who shined. He had more depth and complexity, in my opinion. I loved his character, though he did get a bit wishy-washy at the end.

Which brings me to the end. I didn't like it, but I kind of did at the same time. It was very abrupt and ended as a huge cliffhanger. I felt like the entire novel built up to something, some resolution, and suddenly "JUST KIDDING. BAM." It was disarming, to say the least. But I'm still interested, so I guess that says something.

So I'm torn with this novel. I'll definitely read the next installment because I'm dying of suspense. But the plot was just a little spotty and it kept tugging me back and forth. Kalli was a little too on edge for me. However, I'm still impressed. Ms. Carmack strikes again!

Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover

Title: Maybe Someday
Author: Colleen Hoover
Format I Read: Kindle
Pages: 385
Genres: Romance, Realistic Fiction, New Adult
Release Date:  March 18, 2014
Stars: 3
Goodreads Link

This book definitely caught me off guard. I found myself simultaneously pulling away and being drawn back in.

Sydney finds herself with no place to go after she catches her best friend and her boyfriend in their lie. They've been cheating together, and Sydney's left angry and confused. Luckily, the man in the apartment across the way is willing to take her in. Deaf, yet musically gifted, Ridge is an enigma. He's been stuck with writer's block, but Sydney inspires him. They make a deal that he'll let her stay in his apartment if she helps him write songs. Together, they're fantastic. But it's not that easy... Especially when Ridge already has his perfect match, Maggie.

I really loved the chemistry between Sydney and Ridge. I loved how eager Sydney was to make Ridge feel normal and her willingness to fit in to his deaf lifestyle. The whole dynamic was really cool. I really loved the book until Maggie came along. She kind of ruined it for me. She was so sweet and I loved her character, but she shattered my hopes.

I felt myself rooting for Sydney and Ridge, but also fighting against them because Sydney was becoming the cheater. The push and pull kept me from enjoying the book fully. However, I did like how the book ended. It had a good ending and everything tied up.

There was nothing inherently wrong with the book. The character development seemed steady. The characters themselves were good, though Ridge made me a little angry. I'm just not a girl who likes reading drama like this. It physically hurt, the pain everyone was going through. From Sydney's pain that Ridge is choosing Maggie, to Maggie's pain at knowing Ridge loves Sydney, to Ridge's pain at being put in his position, I hurt. I stuck through and the book redeemed itself, but it hurt nonetheless. Because of that, I had to give it 3 stars. However, it would be a high 3!

If you like music or new adult, this is definitely for you. Especially if you like drama! Well done, just not quite my style.

All Broke Down by Cora Carmack

Title: All Broke Down
Author: Cora Carmack
Format I Read: Kindle
Pages: 368
Genres: Romance, Realistic Fiction, New Adult
Release Date: October 28, 2014
Stars: 5
Goodreads Link

Ms. Carmack does it again. Absolutely nails it. This story, a standalone in the Rusk University saga, is similar to All Lined Up, but different. Yes, there's football. Yes, there's hot guys. Yes, there's steamy romance. But Silas definitely isn't Carson.

Silas, a football player from not-so-pleasant beginnings, feels doomed to fail. Dylan, a student who is just trying to make a difference in the world while still playing the perfect daughter, is tasked with "fixing him." After a few unfortunate events, Silas realizes that his dream and his life is about to slip out of his fingers. So he recruits Dylan to help. However, we soon realize that Silas can help Dylan just as much she can help him.

If you're ready to swoon every other page, then please dive right into this novel. Dylan and Silas have the kind of chemistry that can start a fire. The story has all of the best characteristics of romance. The good girl "tames" the bad boy, but not really. It has that typical feel, but Dylan isn't really a good girl and Silas isn't really a bad boy. They're both so much more than the stereotype. Not only that, but Dylan never truly tames Silas. That's not what this is about. Silas can't be tamed, and he'll always be the dirty, wild boy that he is. But Dylan makes him better, and they complement each other.

This book is definitely dirtier than All Lined Up, but that's fitting considering the differences between Silas and Carson. So yes, the two novels are different. But one thing they have in common?

They're both books that I've read numerous times and will continue to read again and again. Ms. Carmack strikes again, everyone!

Faking It by Cora Carmack

Title: Faking It
Author: Cora Carmack
Format I Read: Kindle
Pages: 304
Genres: Romance, Realistic Fiction, New Adult
Release Date: June 4, 2013
Stars: 4
Goodreads Link

Unlike Losing It, Faking It made a much better impression. Faking It is connected to its predecessor but still relatively standalone.

The aforementioned best friend who fell in love with Bliss in Losing It has moved to Philadelphia to try to start fresh and get over her. This quest to cure his heartbreak brings him into the arms of Max, a rebellious daughter who needs him to fake being her boyfriend. Max's family doesn't accept the tattooed and wild girl she is. They love their daughter Mackenzie, the blonde cheerleader from high school. A chance encounter leaves Cade with the role of Max's boyfriend, perfect for an actor trying to leave behind his heartbroken reality. However, sparks fly and the relationship may become more than just a sham.

In the first chapter, Max and Cade stole my heart in the way that Bliss and Garrick weren't capable of doing after an entire book. The banter, the clash, and the eventual love between the two characters made me melt. I felt as if the conflict was more legitimate here and I related to the characters much more. The character development and the progression was so natural. It wasn't love at first sight. Ms. Carmack made sure to convey that, yes, it was attraction at first sight, but not love. That made it more real for me.

Despite the "opposites attract" trope, Faking It was still wonderfully original. Cade was the Golden Boy and Max was the Angry Girl. But we learn that they aren't really opposites after all. Both are broken and both are in pain. Max lives in the shadow of her dead sister, and Cade is constantly being left behind. Both have issues to deal with and this gives them a common ground. The development was fantastic.

Overall, it was a cute (adorable) read that I ripped through. The characters, the plot, the conflict, the writing (hello, Cora Carmack) were all fantastic. Definitely recommended for someone looking for a nice New Adult romance!

Losing It by Cora Carmack

Title: Losing It
Author: Cora Carmack
Format I Read: Kindle
Pages: 189
Genres: Romance, Realistic Fiction, New Adult
Release Date: October 15, 2012
Stars: 2
Goodreads Link

This will be a quick review because I read it a while ago. However, it made an impression (not technically a good one). As much as I love Cora Carmack and the majority of her books, Losing It was a complete flop for me. Bliss was completely unlikable. I don't quite understand how she ensnared so many guys. Garrick was swoon worthy at the beginning, but became pretty drab as the time went on.

I felt like the whole novel was just a dirty soap opera. And then they went ahead and threw in the curve ball that Cade, one of Bliss's best friends, is in love with her too. Every time one problem was solved, a new one appeared.

I just felt like it wasn't realistic and it wasn't entertaining. There was too much insta-love and sappy woe-is-me fawning. I found myself wondering when the heck the happily ever after was going to come around so I could stop reading.

My English teacher described courtly love to us the other day. It's when the two people have nothing physical. It's just "ohmygosh did you see he just blinked, maybe it was a wink at me swoon" and "oh, how I wish we could be together." I felt like that was this book, especially during Bliss's classes with Garrick. It was just constant pining.

The only good thing about this book? It made a nice set up for Faking It (which I loved).

As much as I love you, Ms. Carmack, not one of your best.

All Lined Up by Cora Carmack

Title: All Lined Up
Author: Cora Carmack
Format I Read: Kindle
Pages: 320
Genres: Romance, Realistic Fiction, New Adult
Release Date: May 13, 2014
Stars: 5
Goodreads Link

So it's been a little while since I read this one, but I've read it multiple times. Which should speak for itself.

Ms. Carmack is truly a literary genius. Of her extensive repertoire, I've read All Lined Up, All Broke Down, Losing It, Faking It, and Inspire. I've fallen in love each time (though I do have my favorites).

All Lined Up is a book that I come back to time and time again. It's such a fantastic read that I constantly revert to it if I want to achieve a feel good mood.

The writing draws you into the minds of both Dallas and Carson. Carmack completely masters the dual POV, seamlessly transitioning between the two main characters. I don't think I've ever read an author who captures personalities as well as Ms. Carmack does. There is nothing fake about these college students; their language, thoughts, and actions are completely realistic.

It amazes me how easily this book can draw me in, when I don't even enjoy sports. Yet I found myself cheering on the Rusk University football team and swooning over a quarterback. There is nothing boring about this novel: the characters, the plot, the sports analogies, the relationships. Nothing fell short of perfect.

I honestly don't know what else to say about this book. I've read it a handful of times. That should truly be all that I need to say. It's good enough that I keep coming back.

Getting it from the library just may not be enough. You're going to need a copy that you can love and cherish, even if it's a digital copy. You won't regret it. Cora Carmack's Rusk University novels will suck you in, just as they have to me!

The Edge of Never by J.A. Redmerski

Title: The Edge of Never
Author: J.A. Redmerski
Format I Read: Kindle
Pages: 426
Genres: Romance, Realistic Fiction, New Adult
Release Date: November 15, 2012
Stars: 5
Goodreads Link

When I started this book, I thought it was a book called Sovereign, which is dystopian. So you can imagine my confusion when it's a realistic fiction love story, with an escapist main character, a naughty love interest, and tangible sexual tension. Not to mention, I was reading this on my Kindle, and didn't realize that the book wasn't in fact Sovereign until about halfway through. So the first half of the book, I was anxiously waiting for some apocalyptic event to cause dystopia. So that kinda screwed me up. But if I had known what the book was, I'm sure I would have enjoyed the first half more :')

But anyway. I loved it. Loved, loved, loved it. It had alternating points of view between Camryn and Andrew, who meet on a bus while both are looking to escape reality. Camryn's best friend's boyfriend (cliche, I know) has confessed that he loves her and comes onto her, even when Camryn rejects him; she tells her best friend about it, but she doesn't believe Camryn and accuses her of being a terrible friend. So Camryn decides to take a break from life and get on a bus to Idaho--destination chosen because the bus counter attendant was eating a potato. On the other hand, Andrew receives a call that his father is dying, but he wants to procrastinate the arrival and reality by taking the long way home--with a bus. So they meet on the bus and the rest is history.

Of course, they hate each other at first. Camryn has her defenses up, but Andrew is just charming enough that they start to fall.
And the romance is just... lovely. I loved them together. And I loved that Camryn was so cautious at first; which is great because I'm sick of girls jumping in stranger's arms.

Later, at the end of the book (don't worry this isn't a spoiler), it's mentioned that they've known each other for less than a month. Which makes their love story seem crazy. But then I reminded myself that throughout the time they knew each other, they were on the road and were together 24/7. It makes the relationship a little more realistic and less "love at first sight" unreasonable.

Also, just warning you, for around the last fourth of the book, make sure you have nowhere to be. Because there is a MAJOR plot twist that I personally never expected; which led to me staying up way later than I had planned to keep reading.

Another thing is sex. So warning; this is a New Adult book, and therefore it's for mature readers. Both characters are in their early 20s, so they're not afraid of sex and aren't afraid of some sexual escapades. So if you're uncomfortable with that, you may want to forgo this book.
I personally loved the couple so much that I didn't mind the sex scenes, but again, if you have a weak stomach for sexuality in books, you may want to consider not reading this. It's not 50 Shades of Grey caliber, but it is significant.

In conclusion, I loved the book. It was a feel good read that turned "gasp-heart-palpitation" worthy with the plot twist and then turned feel good again. The relationship was realistic considering the circumstances and was not an immediate, irrational love. I felt like the characters were realistic and the writing was well done.
It ended well too. It left you feeling satisfied and happy with the ending (though there is a sequel, which is dangerous because for once I was actually happy with the ending of the first book).

Definitely worth a 5/5 rating. Perfect for anyone who wants a nice romance with some excitement and spontaneity. And insane chemistry!

*I apologize for any rambling or confusion in this review; I read the book over winter break and never got around to reviewing it, so it may not be the best*