Give Me Something

Here's the deal... I learned a long time ago that sometimes you have to use what you've got to make things happen. What I happen to have is a pretty smile, long legs and the ability to make men believe anything I say. Before you get on your high horse and start judging me, can you honestly say you've never batted your lashes at some guy for a free drink at the bar? That's what I thought.

Keep that in mind as I tell you my story of how I took it one step further. My story of lies, deceit, manipulation and love. Yeah, love. Believe me, it fits. Especially, when you factor in Nick and Tucker – one had my heart and the other one wanted it all for himself. Which one? Well, I can't tell you that. It would defeat the purpose of the story. If I'm going to fill you in about me, Lila Garrison, and my life as a con artist you're going to need to know all the facts, including the ones about the two guys who made me want to give up the life of fancy clothes, expensive jewelry, fast cars and easy money. Because sometimes, one person can give you something that's more valuable than all of that.

If you're still interested, stick around. Just remember, I'm pretty good at convincing people to do what I want, so if by the end of this whole thing you feel worked over, don't say I didn't warn you.

4 STARS out of 5
TITLE: Give Me Something
AUTHOR: Elizabeth Lee
GENRE: New Adult

Since I've been in a perpetual con artist high lately, I decided to make a short review of this New Adult book.

3.5 stars

Trickster, bamboozler, grifter. There were lots of names for what I did, but only one that everyone seemed to know -- con artist. That was me and I was good at it.

That was Lila talking, btw. She's currently a sophomore at a private college which she didn't pay for. And guess how that happened?

a. She slept with an admin
b. She blackmailed the dean

  
Ding, ding ding.

Time's up guys. 

Sorry to disappoint, but slut isn't Lila's middle name. It would be a huge disappointment on my part if she turned out to be one. I don't want my female MCs to be sleeping around in exchange for something that one can actually work hard for.

So of course, she just blackmailed the dean to get scholarship. Who knew compromising photos could turn handy one day?

Since she ran away from home 5 years ago (for reasons so materialistic I wanted to bang her head on the wall to shake some sense into her), she'd been in love with her con-partner-slash-pimp, Nick.

 

Nick owes someone something, and they had to do one last con because of it. And their mark? None other than the golden boy from Sigma fraternity house -- the very rich and gorgeous baseball player, Tucker Kline.  

What happened next? 

Just a really sexy, albeit frustrating love triangle; and more conning in between.

Supposedly deserving of solid 4 stars right?

Ehhh. 

Okay, I was so hooked and then, I wasn't anymore. Although there were still a few unanswered questions, I thought the story was pretty much resolved at 76%. Which means, IMO, it just needed a few pages to wrap up, and certainly not another 1/4 of the book since the rest of the time was mostly spent revisiting the country charm of Tucker's hometown. It gets old you know.

Just when I was about to skim the book for good, things spiced up a bit at the last two chapters.

Well, actually let's just say I was holding my breath until the very end. And my goodness Ms. Elizabeth Lee, my heart almost dropped!

I'm thanking the heavens for that kickass epilogue!

True Love Story

Sparrow Fisher is transforming. No longer dressed up in antiquated clothes and ideals, she is finally trying on her freedom.

Before she moves to New York City, she meets Ian Sterling, a musician Sparrow has dreamed about since she first saw him. The attraction is instant, but their relationship isn't so simple.

Over a five year span, Sparrow and Ian run into each other in unusual places. Each time, Sparrow has to decide if she can trust him, if he feels the same for her, and finally, if love is really enough.

3 STARS out of 5
TITLE: True Love Story
AUTHOR: Willow Aster
GENRE: New Adult 

I do believe he loves me.

I just don't believe it's enough.

I wasn't enough for him for the last couple of years, why would I think I could be enough now?

Seeing as this book's first chapter was at the end of Dirty Red by Tarryn Fisher (from my fave romance series) and of course, the high ratings this book received, I was expecting more from it.

Most especially from its hero, Ian.

At first, I've skeptically regarded Ian a bit on the cheesy side BUT THE LETTERS he sent to Sparrow after the whole stupid affair just proved it isn't just a bit! The author even dedicated a whole chapter for that 2-month period of cheesiness alone. A whole freaking chapter!!

Since the aforementioned letters, I was skimming the pages and rolling my eyes at the same time. Then it started to become NOT really sweet and cute at all. It's a bit stalkerish (as Ian said so himself) and it's pissing me off! I seriously just wanted to shoot him and get it over with.

For me, everything went downhill from there.

I enjoy writing about simple things, really, but in a funny, honest way. I'm not too flowery or even deep. I mean... I can go there, but it's most fun to put a twist on an every day subject. Or to write a love story that has real, flawed characters. I don't like things to be wrapped up with a bright red bow. Life isn't that way. -Sparrow

Okay, I get it.

This is about real, flawed characters, but so are the loads of romance fiction books on the market. I don't want my stories wrapped up in a pretty neat red bow either; but the events leading to the much anticipated ending fell a bit short.

I expected more drama worthy of some emotional pull... but nothing happened. What follows are short stories of how Sparrow had one botched relationship after another, all in an effort to forget.

I wanted to love this book, I really do.

But as you can see, I just can't.

Ruining You

For a girl who dared to tempt death, living is the only promise that matters now.

Jay’s life almost came to a forced end when her darkest secrets were revealed and the one who she chose to give her future to was ripped away. Now, everything she kept hidden is the topic of everyone’s conversation, and not all are sympathetic. Someone wants her horrific past to dictate her future, and another is determined to help her choose a different path.

In conclusion to Ruining Me, Kane and Rhye know that Jay is worth the fight, but waiting for her to find herself may ruin them all.

4 STARS out of 5
TITLE: Ruining You
AUTHOR: Nicole Reed
GENRE: New Adult

You know a sequel is really good when you need not read the blurb of the first book, only the quick gushing review you’ve made a couple of months ago – and you could still relate with the main character at the very first chapter.

That was Ruining You for me.

This book takes us to the time after Jay, the main character, almost took her life. The angst in this book felt so raw and real, I can’t help but feel empathetic towards Jay.

Sometimes the bad things that happen in our lives put us directly on the path to the most wonderful things that will ever happen to us.

She met another wonderful guy inside a nut-house. I just can’t forget their first conversation so I had to include the guy’s response here:

"Uh, I was just going to introduce myself, but since you seem to think you’re God’s gift to guys, I’ll move out of the way so someone else can kiss your ass." - Eli

Later, Eli will hold a special place in her heart. It’s just sad when I found out what he is. I thought he’ll be competing for Jay’s heart too. Oh well, I still love their friendship.

    One makes me laugh...  One makes me cry...  One touches my heart...  One owns it.

This book reminded me of That Boy by Jillian Dodd, but in a more angsty sense. Like Jay, I actually felt at odds between the two guys. I also want Kane, but I don’t want to let go of Rhye either.

Oh, I just love it whenever things become dysfunctional for Jay. I seriously dig the kind of angst in this book.

IMHO, that was the main reason why this series actually even worked. There was confusion as to who Jay will really pick in the end. I mean, who wants to read about straight cheesy romances with MCs who can’t seem to keep their hands off each other all the time? Certainly, not me!

So when the book made a serious turn on that direction at exactly 3/4 through the story, I can’t help but feel let down. This could have been another favorite of mine.

And oh another thing, Jay’s constant refusal to testify against that effing DOM also got on my nerves.

Then there was her inner monologue about why she doesn’t want to testify. And I’m like, 'Aw okay, I get it.'

Then I realized – 'well, actually, no I don’t!' The first few times, it was okay. She just got back from major emotional trauma, so I’m cutting her some slack. But you know, it gets tedious after awhile. I just want to shake Jay and tell her – 'What! You’ll stay indifferent and will it solve things?'

*sighs*

For the record, I enjoyed reading this book.

This got a star less of 5 stars because I just felt disappointed at how things turned out.  Zizz did an amazing job of pointing it out. Actually, when I read about authors who say that they also adore books that grips the reader from the beginning and never let go, I can't help but sort of make some expectations for their book – especially when the said book has really great potential from the start.

So when this book actually “let go” in my opinion, I felt falling from my high. I was so sure that this book will take another space in my faves shelf. Well, I was wrong. Lesson learned, never expect.

Anyway, if you still haven’t read the first book, do yourself a favor and READ IT SOON -- then jump straight to this one.

Regardless of my rants, I can’t deny the fact that this series is really really good.

Rule

I had loved Rule Archer since the first moment I ever laid eyes on him. He was everything I shouldn't want and the only person I went out of my way to not try and please. He only saw me as a brat, and an entitled, stuck up princess but worse than that all he saw when he looked at me was his deceased twin's girl. It broke my heart because as much as I had loved Remy Archer there was never anything romantic between us and no matter how hard I tried to convince myself that loving Rule was a terrible idea, my poor heart just wouldn't listen. We tolerated each other, barely and had forged an uneasy alliance until one night I had too much to drink and changed the way we were forever. Suddenly life long secrets were no longer hidden and the one thing I always wanted for myself seemed obtainable as long as I was willing to go through hell to hold onto it.

Shaw Landon was a class act and I had no idea what to do with her. She was tied to my family, tied to the person that was my other half so I tolerated her and her haughty attitude when I didn't have any other choice. What I didn't know was that a short skirt and too many cocktails on her birthday was going to change my outlook on her for the rest of my life. Some people thought I hid behind all my tattoos and piercings, that I tried to distance myself from my dead twin, Shaw saw through it all and wasn't scared of what was underneath. We weren't supposed to be together, weren't supposed to be anything but uncomfortable acquaintances but that all changed in the blink of an eye. Now I had to figure out just how a girl like her and a guy like me were supposed to be in love without destroying each other. Add in her custom made ex and two disapproving sets of parents and the whole situation sounded like it was more trouble then it was worth.

4 STARS out of 5
TITLE: Rule
AUTHOR: Jay Crownover
GENRE: New Adult

I love reading with background music.  At first, it distracts me but when I’m really immersed in a book, I find it soothing.  Then whenever I am spaced out from reading, I find it hard not to relate the book on the current song.

So when I was a bit halfway through the story, a line from a country song struck me the most about Rule:

You know I've never been the type that would ever want to stay

Bring 'em home at night and they're gone the next day

But that all changed when she walked into my life

- Whatever It Is by the Zac Brown Band

Just in case New Adult is your preferred book genre and you still haven’t met Rule, let me do the introductions – you see, Rule is this tattooed womanizer with a seriously uptight family.

And then, there’s Shaw – the gorgeous rich blonde and almost family to Rule’s family, only she has a thing for Rule since she was 13 years old.  Unfortunately for her, he wasn’t giving her the time of day.  And when he finally did:

I refused to be the girl that pined after him, that stalked him, and called him a hundred times a day.

Attagirl!

And oh, Rule didn’t disappoint too!  I’m glad he did not make a 180-degree change in his character right after sleeping with Shaw.

And so, their story goes...

Wow!  I really enjoyed reading this.  How the author got me hooked into her story despite the numerous typos found in the book astounds me!  All I remember is that this book has personality written all over it.  Honestly, I’d love to give this book 5 stars but I won’t.  For what it’s worth, I still believe that publishing a novel without even a solid proofreading is a blatant disrespect to the readers/consumers.  But I digress.

The point is Jay Crownover is simply an amazing author.  I can’t wait to read her next book.  There’s no doubt that she’ll nail it again.  God, I’m actually hoping.  And I also hope Jet’s story goes through proper proofreading.  I’d love to see the author’s next work in its polished glory.

“I swear you pull more tail than me and I’m in a freaking band.  All you have to do is blink and you have broads falling all over themselves to have at it.”

- Jet to Rule

Don’t worry Jet!  You’ll get your love story soon!  I’m effing excited!

Bad Rep

"Who gives a damn about their reputation? Oh, that would be me! Especially since mine had gone straight to hell in the span of thirty minutes".

Maysie Ardin is soaking up the summer before her junior year of college, shopping, hanging by the pool and shopping some more. But when her black belt in spending lands her in trouble with her parents, she is forced to take a second job at a local bar to dig herself out of a deep financial pit.

She thought she’d be miserable. But then Maysie didn’t count on Jordan Levitt, the hot, pierced and tattooed, drum playing bartender who also happens to be very interested in her. And the feelings are totally mutual.

It had the makings of the perfect romantic set up. Boy meets girl. Boy likes girl. Boy has girlfriend? Okay, maybe not.

But attraction is a hard thing to ignore and soon Jordan and Maysie find themselves in the middle of a gossip induced firestorm. Maysie has to learn whether she can set aside her fear of public disapproval in order to be with the one she wants. Or will she let the opinions of others dictate her life and her heart?

5 STARS out of 5
TITLE: Bad Rep
AUTHOR: A. Meredith Walters
GENRE: New Adult

One day, I’ll get you a ring on your finger.  You just wait and see.

Aww.  Seriously.  One of the best New Adult novels I’ve read recently!

With all the sorority drama going on in this book, Bad Rep clearly has more issues than the movie Mean Girls.

Everything started with the $3500 credit card statement from a weekend trip to Virginia Beach:

My Visa was supposed to be used “in emergencies only.”  My parents had given me a 5,000 dollar limit, stressing that I was NEVER to even think about using it.  Unless I was broken down on the other side of a deserted highway with a serial killer hot on my tail.

In case you’re wondering, that would be Maysie Ardin, our female MC.  She’s a people pleaser.  Loves the sorority so much and can’t drop it like a bad habit even when things went downhill.  Because of her immense credit, she needed another part-time job… fast.

Meet Jordan Levitt – Does bartending job at Barton’s.  He’s a drummer from the Generation Rejects band.  President of the Pi Sig house.  Said to be the most popular guy at Rinard College.

And before I forgot, because Jordan himself forgot to tell our female MC here while he’s chasing her… he’s the boyfriend of Maysie’s sorority president, Olivia.

Now, things just got a little more interesting.

Honestly, I know nothing about the Greek system aside from the stuff I watched on TV.  But the sorority/fraternity events going on here seemed pretty realistic and enjoyable.

This book was really well-written.  And the best thing about this book is the consistent character development.

Other people might get really annoyed at how insecure Maysie could be… but then who wouldn’t be insecure when your boyfriend’s ex-gf is as gorgeous and as popular as Olivia Peer and the relationship you have was built on lies?

Anyway, I just loved how Maysie matured throughout the book!  Thank God for her bestfriend and recently roomie, Riley.  She supported Maysie through the good and the bad times!

My favorite part of the bad times?  Why, she just slapped and yanked her hair.  I know that was totally uncalled for but I’m pretty wistful here.  Indeed, tough love coming from bestfriends can put someone out of one’s funk.

The other secondary characters in this book were amazing too!

Vivian and Gracie.  Wow!  They’re the ultimate sidekicks.  They’re the best sorority sisters out there!

I even liked Eli, Maysie’s townie ex-hookup.  I thought he was this great douchebag but then he redeemed himself by giving Maysie the most helpful advice throughout the book:

"Well, shit, Mays.  Then you need to fight for him.  Don’t give up on something like that.  It doesn’t come along very often.  And when you find it, you hold on tight.  You lock that shit down with an iron fist and you never, ever let go.  Even when life tries to take it from you, you smack life upside its head like a little bitch and you keep on fighting for it.  You hear me?”

Oh btw, be sure to be on the lookout for the lunchroom scene.  It’s my favorite part of the book.  I actually re-read it a couple of times.  Maysie finally put on her big girl panties!  Way to go girl!

I would like to end this review with the song Jordan wrote for Maysie, just so I would always remember why I fell in love with this book in the first place.  I have this thing for songs written for the female lead.  I feel giddy everytime.  It’s like they’re written for me. HAHA

What do I have to do to make you stay?
What should I say to make you mine?
When will you stop running, girl?
I’m watching for the sign.

You build me up and break me down
Over and over again
I crave your seductive destruction
Even as I long for your pain

But it wasn’t all bad was it?
Things weren’t always this way.
You filled the space in my empty heart,
Your eyes told me things your lips would never say.

So here I am, watching you run.
I wish you’d stop trying to leave.
How easy you forget
That you’re my reason to breathe.

Stop running, girl
It won’t always feel like this,
Stop running, girl
Stop running.

We could have our tomorrow
We could have our dreams,
My future is wrapped up in you,
Even as my heart bleeds.

Stop running, girl.
I’ve got nowhere to go.
I’ll wait until forever
I promise to take this slow.

How easily we tore each other down
It’s hard to take it all back
Feeding those fears and regrets,
I’m all alone in the black.

Stop running, girl.
It won’t always feel like this.
Stop running, girl.
Stop running, girl!

Stop running away!

Losing It

Virginity.

Bliss Edwards is about to graduate from college and still has hers. Sick of being the only virgin among her friends, she decides the best way to deal with the problem is to lose it as quickly and simply as possible-- a one-night stand. But her plan turns out to be anything but simple when she freaks out and leaves a gorgeous guy alone and naked in her bed with an excuse that no one with half-a-brain would ever believe. And as if if that weren't embarrassing enough, when she arrives for her first class of her last college semester, she recognizes her new theatre professor. She'd left him naked in her bed about 8 hours earlier.

4 STARS out of 5
TITLE: Losing It
AUTHOR: Cora Carmack
GENRE: New Adult

My attention was immediately caught by this book's cover after most of my GR friends started adding this to their TBR pile weeks ago.

Whoever made this book's cover was a genius. Even with the miniscule thumbnail of the book on my phone's GR app, it literally stood out. Translation, it looked really hot. Readers took notice and moved on to the blurb. Then, bam, TBR button clicked.

After reading really beautiful books, I thought the writing in this one seemed plain. In my mind, I was already deducting a star.

After a chapter though, I noticed that my impression about this book has changed. The writing wasn't trying hard to be beautiful. Instead, it opted to be realistic.

Scenes changed at second chapter, and from then on, everything else felt right and humorous. Give me a book that makes me giddy with excitement, and I'm hooked.

All throughout, I was chuckling like a madwoman at Bliss' crazy talk and inner monologues. Just look:

Whoever said one-night stands were supposed to be simple with no strings attached had clearly never met the disaster that was me.

She is such an endearing character. Her awkwardness to lose her virginity is believable. Her unfortunate antics, especially the "Stop! Cats! Stop..." part, didn't feel over the top. Just sort of something ridiculous you think of randomly just to escape a situation. And I'm glad the author included that part well with the unfolding of the story because it surely made me giggle like a little girl.

Oh, and what made me giggle a whole lot more? Of course, it would be Garrick, the male lead. I may not know much about him, because this book didn't provide an in-depth characterization about his past (which I'm thankful for because it would be a bit useless with the plot); still, my heart swoons for this British guy.

The forbidden aspect of their relationship was what made the book ticked, and this wasn't new to most readers. Fortunately, the author gave the trite plot with her own twist.

Most of the reviews I've read about this one complained that it wasn't that steamy enough. And I'm telling you right now, if you want to read this book because of the cover, sorry to disappoint but there are no phenomenal sex scenes here. Okay, just plain ol' vanilla sex almost at the end.

There were so many predictable moments; still, I enjoyed reading this.  The sexual tension was handled well and with this kind of story, it was enough.

Losing It is a quick read, not only because it's short, but also because it is really captivating. While I'm writing this review, it seemed that my smile is permanently plastered on my face. I definitely had a fun time reading this book!

Life of the Party

Seventeen-year-old Mackenzie Taylor can't wait to be free; free from high school, the shadow of her perfect older sister, and her disapproving parents. The rebellious party girl has a perfect accomplice in best friend Riley, a boy from the wrong side of the tracks who scores them drugs, booze and under-age entry into the only club in town. But then everything changes. A traumatized Riley suddenly decides to give up the party life, and a wide-eyed Mackenzie meets Grey Lewis, a broodingly talented, gorgeous older man she falls instantly in love with. Though Riley warns her to stay away, the aspiring rock star's body and ample drug supply are too tempting for her to resist. Previously inseparable, Riley and Mackenzie go their separate ways.

When summer hits, Mackenzie has new friends, a new apartment and new drugs to mask the pain of Riley's absence. And of course, she has Grey. But despite the fierce, consuming passion they share, the mysterious bad-boy always leaves her guessing. Is Grey really a good guy? Or was Riley right about him all along? Mackenzie's in too deep to care. Unable to curb her mounting addictions, before long the lust-for-life teen totally loses control. She forgets Riley, forgets life, forgets everything but Grey and their next hit.

But luckily for Mackenzie...Riley has never forgotten about her.

4.5 STARS out of 5
TITLE: Life of the Party
AUTHOR: Christine Anderson
GENRE: New Adult

I should warn you -- this book is NOT by any means a light YA read. And this isn't your average teen angst novel. This one is so well written -- beautifully dark and emotionally intense. I loved it!

As most of you already know, I don't rave about books which couldn't even hold my attention for the first 100 pages or so. Well, this book is quite long.. but please don't get intimidated. It had me captivated at the very beginning, and ended up being a winner. IMHO, what this book needs is a devoted reader.

Now, I'm just thinking of how to review this book without giving so much away.

Hmm. What first caught my attention was the title -- Life of the Party. That wasn't extraordinary but it's everything I'm not. I enjoy parties, but I don't like the attention. I'm one of those people contented enough to really laugh at another person's jokes, but couldn't bring up a single, original joke to save myself.

I'm a wallflower. Yes, and I'm actually glad to be one. Feels more comforting, I think.

I'm not sure what happened to me. There's no defining moment in my life that separates the good girl I used to be from what I've become. It was like a gradual transformation, and one day I realized that I just didn't care anymore. I started living to please myself instead of everybody else, and realized there's more to life than school and studying and going to college to get a good job and make the most money possible. There's fun, friends... life outside of how we're told to live. Basically, I just started rebelling.

And I've loved every minute of it.

Meet Mackenzie --- the 17-year-old girl with an easy-go-lucky attitude. She's the black sheep of the family. A total bad-ass.. and a virgin. She craves danger and drama like a passion.

I was an all-around good girl during my highschool years that Mac was the perfect person I imagined to be, if I did want to suck up and throw my life away during those years.

Mac smokes and parties a lot. Oh, she loves being high too, courtesy of her bestfriend Riley. Though in fairness to the latter, he takes care of Mac even though he's the one providing her with drugs.  Even from the start, I could tell Riley has feelings for Mac. Although it was hinted that they made out, Mac was too high to even remember. Dang Riley! I feel you man.

Then we meet Grey (Of all the sexy names in this world, why author, why??), the singer of the Serpentine band and Mac's instant dream guy. He also works with Riley at some restaurant. He's like Kellan Kyle from Thoughtless, only a bit hotter.

And this, my friends, is NOT an instalove story, which I'm totally grateful for. Nothing else screams ho-hum like two people making out at the first few chapters. Mac has to grovel for Grey's attention. It's awkward but really fun to read. I was hooked.

I chuckled mostly at the beginning. I especially liked the mushroom part where Mac prayed for Riley. It was hilarious.

Then it stopped being funny, and started being heartbreaking instead. Life changed for Riley and Mac, and from then on, I felt a bit empty. Of course, I'm rooting for Grey and Mac, but I don't want Riley out of the picture. I know, I'm such a selfish person.

It was pretty hard not to wallow in self-pity. In the matter of a few short weeks I had managed to lose all my friends and get a broken heart in the process.

Ring a bell? I suddenly couldn't help but think that it's really easy to get carried away with a new guy.

And to think that Grey isn't your usual womanizer. He just doesn't do relationships. Period. And with Mac, everything seemed hot and cold. I was frustrated most of the time, as evidenced by the updates below.  But somehow I understood and actually craved for that flaw in their relationship. Gah, at first, I don't even know what to call with what's going on between them. There are a lot of ups and downs, but they are really captivating that you almost wouldn't notice you just went through a hell of a rollercoaster ride.

Then a BIG twist happened; and I was sobbing like crazy. WOW. This book was so intense to the core. It pulled a myriad of emotions out of me that I felt utterly depleted the moment I'm done reading.

I'm giving this book 4.5 STARS! Which is actually a first for me.

Now I understand why people sometimes give a half-star rating. This book sends a powerful message about drug addiction, but I didn't like some events that transpired after the said twist. They were realistic and some people may like it, but I honestly don't. I know it's Mac's journey to positivity but it's just too full of everyday whatnots that I thought the book might be better off without the detailed aftermath.

Please don't get me wrong though, because I don't regret picking up this book ever. I've been absolutely floored by the epilogue. Life of the Party is a gripping tale about friendship, love, loss, self-destruction and the beauty of second chances; and one of the most emotional reads I've had recently.
 

If I have the strength to leave,
It'd be the greatest gift that I could give.
The greatest gift that I can give,
I want you to truly live.

-as seen on Mac's diary

Ruining Me

Eighteen year old Jay Stevenson is living a horrible nightmare.

Two years ago she had the world in the palm of her hand and in one moment it was all ruined for her. Secrets, lies and the worst imaginable betrayal will haunt her for the next two years, until all of it catches up to her and she will lose the control of the lonely world she has built around herself.

Three guys from her past and present will be there when it all comes crashing down. JT the perfect boyfriend she never wanted to give up, Rhye the local bad boy “rock star” that made her forget the past and Kane the funny and sweet tattooed bartender that wants her future.

Is it possible to change the path she chose for herself and still keep all of her secrets?

4 STARS out of 5
TITLE: Ruining Me
AUTHOR: Nicole Reed
GENRE: New Adult

WOW! Okay, I was more like, what!!! This book was really good! This had been a combination of recently hyped books DONE RIGHT. Thank goodness!

Our heroine, James -- nicknamed Jay (which is a weird name for a girl IMO) -- was a bit slutty. Well, NOT really. Though she used to favor one-night stands. Nice change from the goody two-shoes heroines I've been reading lately.

She's torn among three guys:
- JT, the highschool quarterback and her first ex-boyfriend
- Rhye, the average highschool bad boy and her previous conquest
- Kane, the 23 year-old bartender she just met who was described as seriously fuckable

And with three gorgeous guys like that, who gets my ultimate vote?

He's about six foot two with buzzed dark hair. He's got amazing cut arms and don't get me started on his stomach. One night, he pulled his t-shirt up and he's got a serious six pack. Oh, and his butt? You could bounce a quarter off of it... I didn't know that people could actually have eyes that green and he's got the coolest tats on both of his arms and neck.

-Jill, another bartender friend of Jay

Did she just described him like that?? LOL That's super illegal, like it came straight from a model's profile! Oooh now I'm drooling and totally not making any sense! Team Kane over here!!!

Whew.

Anyway, I really like Jay, the heroine. She's damaged but fierce. And she has a secret nobody knows. But being a perceptive reader that I am, I already have a good guess at chapter 2! And damn, I was right! If not for the conspicuous clues, I would have thought that this has a TSOT vibe in it because of how beautifully the story unfolds.

Towards the latter part of the book, it all came down to two guys though -- and I kept thinking that this is Thoughtless, the shorter YA version.

Everything seemed predictable until after the climax, where it took my breath away.. and I felt stunned by what happened. But no tears to shed this time. I was just plain stunned. This was like the book Taking Chances done right. Like WTF did just happened??!!

I really enjoyed reading this book -- very captivating and angsty! I would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves angsty reads. 

Taking Chances

Eighteen year old Harper has grown up under her career Marine of a father's thumb. Ready to live life her own way and experience things she's only ever heard of from the jarheads in her father's unit; she's on her way to college at San Diego State University.

Thanks to her new roommate, Harper is introduced to a world of parties, gorgeous guys, family and emotions. Some she wasn't expecting yet, and others she never knew she was missing.

She finds herself being torn in two as she quickly falls in love with her boyfriend Brandon, and her roommate's brother Chase. Covered in tattoos, known for fighting in the Underground and ridiculously muscled...they're exactly what she was always warned to stay away from, but just what she needs. Despite their dangerous looks and histories, both adore and would do anything for Harper, including stepping back if it means she's happy.

Her first year away is turning out to be near perfect, but one weekend of giving in to heated passion will change everything.

2 STARS out of 5
TITLE: Taking Chances
AUTHOR: Molly McAdams
GENRE: New Adult

Okay, I loved the first half.. and that's it. I only tolerated the remaining part of the book.

To say that I skimmed when it came to the 3/4 of the story was a serious understatement. So many "I love you's" were thrown that I can't help but think that the HEA should end earlier, and not drag the readers to an excruciating pages of unnecessary details.

And by the way, aside from the climax, one scene shocked me to the point of almost closing this book for good:

"Brandon? Harper?!”

We sat up at Bree’s shrill voice and were off the bed before she got to the room. Taking four long steps toward us, her palm connected with my face before I even registered her hand swinging back.
 ...
 Bree sobs turned to hiccups not long after and she pulled back to look at me, “I’m sorry for slapping you, I can’t believe I did that.”

The corners of my mouth tilted up, “I think I deserved that one friend.”

What?? I know they're bestfriends, and I know that it was Harper's fault that Bree became concerned (for those who already read this, you know what I mean). But wow, that was a real slap, and seriously, WHO DOES THAT? That was completely uncalled for! Can't Harper bring her kid somewhere and just think for awhile? It was completely out of character for Bree to physically hurt her BFF.

There are a couple more shocking twists in the story.. that I think you have to re-read to fully understand because it really hits you when you don't expect it. The author likes to put the characters in the scenes wherein you will be left confused because the said characters knew THE TWISTS first, before you will be able to know.

Oh, and another thing which bothered me.. Well, I like love triangles when reading a story, and I truly respect the author for trying something new.. but when you kill a character like that, make sure that the end of the story is already near. Because frankly, where is the original angst if one point of the triangle is already gone?

When he died, the story should have wrapped itself up. It makes the angst fresh on the reader's mind and heart. It makes us want to crave for more. 

The Perfect Game

He's a game she never intended to play.
And she's the game changer he never knew he needed.

The Perfect Game tells the story of college juniors, Cassie Andrews & Jack Carter. When Cassie meets rising baseball hopeful Jack, she is determined to steer clear of him and his typical cocky attitude. But Jack has other things on his mind... like getting Cassie to give him the time of day.


They're both damaged, filled with mistrust and guarded before they find one another (and themselves) in this emotional journey about love and forgiveness. Strap yourselves for a ride that will not only break your heart, but put it back together.


Sometimes life gets ugly before it gets beautiful... 


3 STARS out of 5
TITLE: The Perfect Game
AUTHOR: J. Sterling
GENRE: New Adult

SPOILERS AHEAD. Read at your own risk.

Let me get this off my chest first. Honestly, I don't know much about baseball other than what I see while channel hopping on TV.

As far as I know, its popularity hasn't even reached my country yet. Lack of wide media coverage for the national team is a proof. (I actually googled if we even have a national team.)

So a professional college baseball player doesn't really excite me that much. But I thought, as long as the hero has one thing he's passionate about, aside from breaking a girl's heart of course; I decided to give this book a try.

And I wasn't disappointed. At first.

I was really entertained. The writing wasn't really something to gush about, it's simply good.

Just don't get me started with Jack Carter, the said baseball player. He's a world class jerk, and at first, I really liked him. He's fucked up since chapter 1.. so I thought, oooh, no surprises! But I was wrong. He has no redeeming qualities whatsoever. What he did at the end was too cheesy, it actually pissed me off.

Oh, and it was mentioned that Cassie, the main character, was reading The Opportunist! I liked Cassie because she puts herself first and she doesn't tolerate BS.. then I liked her more because she read one of my fave books. I know, pretty shallow reasoning.

I should have stopped there.. with me liking her character. But then, after the WTF events, she accepted Jack like nothing happened, and that's where it went a bit downhill for me.

Clearly, there was a complete 180 degree turn from Cassie's character because it's like I don't know her at all. She started off strong then became almost pathetic towards the latter part of the story.

If a guy who loved me marries another girl for whatever fucked-up logic he has and also for the unborn baby he wasn't 100% sure "his", then leaves the said girl after he found out what a lying, manipulating bitch she really is.. And then goes back to me, groveling.. Well, I wouldn't forgive myself for accepting the guy easily.. much less beg for his attention.

Unfortunately, that's what Cassie did. She welcomed him. JUST LIKE THAT. It was really unrealistic and completely out of character for someone who has serious trust issues.

Anyway, I had a hard time rating this book. At first, I thought this was a "3". But then I realized that despite some inconsistencies found in the book, I really enjoyed reading this. And when I enjoy reading a book, no matter what, it remains a 4 for me. So this should be a 4. But then a part of me didn't feel that 4 is right, so I went back to 3 stars.

So there folks, 3 stars!

But please, don't go running yet. Because if you're looking for a good new adult drama, and you have high tolerance for jerks, you might really like this.

The Edge of Never

Twenty-year-old Camryn Bennett had always been one to think out-of-the-box, who knew she wanted something more in life than following the same repetitive patterns and growing old with the same repetitive life story. And she thought that her life was going in the right direction until everything fell apart.

Determined not to dwell on the negative and push forward, Camryn is set to move in with her best friend and plans to start a new job. But after an unexpected night at the hottest club in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, she makes the ultimate decision to leave the only life she’s ever known, far behind.

With a purse, a cell phone and a small bag with a few necessities, Camryn, with absolutely no direction or purpose boards a Greyhound bus alone and sets out to find herself. What she finds is a guy named Andrew Parrish, someone not so very different from her and who harbors his own dark secrets. But Camryn swore never to let down her walls again. And she vowed never to fall in love.

But with Andrew, Camryn finds herself doing a lot of things she never thought she’d do. He shows her what it’s really like to live out-of-the-box and to give in to her deepest, darkest desires. On their sporadic road-trip he becomes the center of her exciting and daring new life, pulling love and lust and emotion out of her in ways she never imagined possible. But will Andrew’s dark secret push them inseparably together, or tear them completely apart? 

5 STARS out of 5
TITLE: The Edge of Never
AUTHOR: J.A. Redmerski
GENRE: New Adult


I.AM.LEFT.SPEECHLESS by this book's sheer awesomeness!

THIS IS BY FAR THE MOST EPIC LOVE STORY I'VE EVER READ!

And I don't say that lightly because I am seriously considering making a "most-epic-read" shelf solely for this one!

I wonder what the hell I’m doing here.

Yesterday I thought about why I felt the need to get up at exactly the same time as the day before and do everything like I did the day before. Why? What compels any of us to do the things we do when deep down a part of us just wants to break free from it all?

And so.. armed with a small bag and few necessities, 20 year-old Camryn decided to leave everything behind to travel across the country.
During the bus ride, she met Andrew, a guy who needs to go back to Kansas to visit his father for one last time:

"I’m going to see him before he kicks the bucket,” he says, and his choice of words shocks me a little, “because that’s what we do, right? It’s a customary thing, kind of like saying ‘bless you’ when someone sneezes, or asking someone how their weekend was when really you don’t give a shit.”

The dialogues in this book were realistic and very insightful. I won't deny that this is a slow read; but I learned not so long ago NOT to judge the book based on the pacing alone. Glad to say I kept reading because Maryse was right -- this book has a TSOT vibe in it. And I super liked it!

Definitely worthy of e-highlighting are these quotable quotes courtesy of Andrew -- MY TOP FAVORITES OF THEM ALL:

"Live in the moment,” he says as if making a serious point, “where everything is just right, take your time and limit your bad memories and you’ll get wherever it is you’re going a lot faster and with less bumps in the road along the way.”

"I don’t think you ever really fall out of love with someone,” I say and see a flicker of thought move through her eyes. “I think when you fall in love, like true love, it’s love for life. All the rest is just experience and delusions.”

Oh! Andrew's such a deep guy! I thought this one melted my heart the most:

Never thought I’d intentionally sleep on a bathroom floor next to a toilet while sober, but I meant it when I said I would sleep anywhere with her.

This book seriously has everything!! Not once did I felt like it dragged. Their alternating POVs were so smoothly done and very captivating. I really savored the words, but felt like rushing to the talked-about ending which was kinda ironic by itself.

 One thing had me anticipating the ending very much -- the real reason why Andrew was holding back from having a relationship with Camryn at first.

I was so consumed at knowing his secret that my guesses ranged from being outrageous to fairly stupid --- Andrew's shooting for both genders and actually had a gay lover because he said he likes it in the ass; he's about to be deployed to a country in the midst of a God-forsaken war where he knows there's a great probability he won't return in one piece; he has a kid and a estranged wife back in Texas.

Then finally, I learned about Andrew's secret. It came out of the blue, and I just couldn't believe it. Some books tear me up, even made me cry really hard but quick -- but this book... THIS BOOK HAD ME BAWLING LIKE A BABY FOR THE LONGEST TIME. Snot was actually dripping from my nose. I cried so much, my eyes are still literally swollen.

I won't say much anymore because I might rob someone of a wonderful reading experience, and I certainly wouldn't want to do that. So if you haven't read this yet, take it from me who doesn't even want to read this at first because of the lame blurb (yeah, I'm blaiming the blurb)...

DO YOURSELF A FAVOR. Read this honest-to-goodness amazing book!!!