Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Double Crossed by Ally Carter



Format: eBook

Pages:  60

Rating: 4 Stars

How I Got It: Free eBook

                This is a novella that connects the Heist Society and Gallagher Girls characters. Mostly it’s Hale and Macey which was pleasant surprise.

                This definitely felt more high stakes but had the hallmarks of an Ally Carter novel. And it made me want to see more of these characters together.  Can you imagine Cammie and Kat together? Or Simon and Liz? Ally Carter should write more novellas like this one, because I would just eat them up.

~Thanks for reading!
Holly 

Perfect Scoundrels by Ally Carter



Series: Heist Society (Book 3)

Format: Paperback

Pages: 328

Rating: 4 Stars

How I Got It: Purchased
               
                I really enjoyed this book, but I don’t have much to say. The characters, especially Kat and Hale, matured a lot in this book. They had to face more personal struggles.

                Hale and Kat’s relationship (and friendship) has always interested me. And I love that it’s continuing to grow-naturally. Plus, Kat’s family’s reactions toward this changing relationship were hilarious.

                Unlike the Gallagher Girl books these books don’t seem to have an over-arching plot. This makes me wonder-is this the last book in the series? It could go either way, but I would like another book. Mostly I need to know what Hale’s real name is.

~Thanks for reading!
Holly 

Sunday, October 26, 2014

What a Wallflower Wants by Maya Rodale



Series : Wallflowers Series (Book 3)
Format: ebook
Pages:  251
Rating: 4 Stars
How I Got It: Purchased

                This is my first Maya Rodale book and I’ll definitely be picking up more. I picked this up after a bunch of praise on the DBSA podcast. And I’ll be as upfront as they were: this book is about a woman who is raped and the experience is discussed in detail.
                Prue is a great heroine. She’s obviously devastated by what happened, but she isn’t constantly throwing a pity party. And she is an incredibly strong woman.
                John is equally amazing. He is a beta hero that’s still strong physically. It’s refreshing to see a male character that doesn’t try to fix everything with his fists.  And the way he treats Prue is perfection. He reminds me of Lucas from Easy.
                Sex is always complicated, especially if someone was assaulted. But Ms. Rodale addressed the complications and showed a beautiful recovery. The relationship between Prue and John was fantastic.
                If rape isn’t a trigger for you I would highly suggest this book. I only wish my TBR shelf was smaller so I could by more of Maya Rodale’s books. 

~Thanks for reading!
Holly

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood



Series: The Cahill Witch Chronicles (Book 1)

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 330

Rating: 4 Stars

How I Got It: Purchased

                This book is hard to describe. It’s an alternate history historical witch book that reads like a contemporary.

                I think there’s a lack of world-building, but it doesn’t bother me. To some extent I wish I knew more about the past and the rest of the world, but I don’t need it.

                And I like the characters. Cate is likeable and a good narrator. She could be a little more trusting, but her society explains it. And the story mainly focuses on women-powerful women. Plus, there are tons of different relationships between these women.

                I’m completely invested in Cate’s story and am excited to continue the series. Ms. Spotswood weaves the romance with the magic storyline with Cate’s personal journey. I care equally about each of these story points and want to know where they’ll go next. 

~Thanks for reading!
Holly

Say What You Will by Cammie McGovern



Format: Hardcover

Pages: 343

Rating: 4.5 Stars

How I Got It: Purchased


                Before I get started can we talk about this book cover? I think it’s beautiful. This is what you can create with typography and color. Plus, the speech bubbles are on the actual hardcover.

                OK. Onto what’s inside this beautiful book. I really loved this book. But I struggled to rate it so I actually waited a few days. I had to give it 4.5 stars because there were a couple things that bothered me, especially now that I’m out of that just finished a book high.

                This book was different for me because both main characters have a disability. Yes, OCD isn’t a traditional disability, but the principle applies. You just don’t see a lot of stories, especially where the girl is the one with the “problem.”

                Amy is definitely an interesting character. I don’t have any background knowledge on CP and very limited experience with it. Maybe it’s just me, but it’s easy to assume someone with a physical disability also has a mental one. Amy reminds you not to judge someone.

                However, my main issue with the book is connected to Amy. She gets a little pushy and close-minded. The way she treats Matthew sometimes rubbed me the wrong way.

                This book is about Amy and Matthew, but I was more connected to Matthew. He had a more compelling story and character development.

                I feel I need to be honest: I suffered from OCD in high school and college. I still have some compulsions, but nothing like when I was younger and Matthew goes through.  This part of my past definitely allowed me to relate him in a way I’ve never connected to another character. I would love to read more about books with OCD suffering characters.

                All of this being said—I don’t think this is a book for everyone. It’s very emotional and I don’t think the plot points would appeal to all readers.

~Thanks for reading!
Holly