Review: Up in Flames by Abbi Glines

Series: Rosemary Beach #13
Format: Paperback
Pages: 246
Rating: 4 Stars
How I Got It: Borrowed from Library
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Atria

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

Spoiled. Selfish. Rich girl. Villain. Slut.

As the Prada-clad bad girl of Rosemary Beach, Nan Dillon has been called every vile name under the hot summer sun. Some of her reputation is deserved—she’s never had to worry about anything but maintaining her perfect figure and splitting Daddy’s private jet with her brother, Rush.

But Nan is far from happy. Rush has another kid on the way and doesn’t have time to catch up with his sister. Grant, the last guy she truly cared about, chose to be with her half-sister, Harlow, instead of her. And Harlow, who has never gotten over the way Nan treated her when she first moved to town, remains distant.

So when Major asks her out, she jumps at the chance to date the gorgeous charmer. Though she doesn’t know much about the sweet-talking Texan, and though it’s clear he doesn’t want to be exclusive, dating him beats hanging out with vapid socialites or watching Netflix alone at home.

For a while, Nan deals with Major’s playboy ways, but after he burns her one too many times, she takes off for an impromptu wild weekend in Vegas. There, she meets Gannon, a darkly seductive and oh-so-dangerous businessman who knows exactly how to handle her.

With Major asking for a second chance and Gannon haunting her dreams, Nan has to decide who to give her heart to. But what she doesn’t realize is that these players are involved in a much bigger game—and they’re already two moves ahead of her.

Review

Honestly, this is the best Abbi Glines book I've read. It still has some issues, but overall I'm happy. And Abbi Glines didn't fall back on some of the things she uses regularly.

I've seen some people say the relationship in here is dysfunctional or abusive, but I disagree. Actually, many of the others are more abusive in my opinion.

I don't do this normally, but the rest will contain spoilers.

You've been warned!!!

Nan has been a huge pain point for me throughout the series. Not because she was a villian, but because she wasn't very well developed. This finally let me get a glimpse into her head so shes an actual multi-dimensional person. I particularly liked her interactions with Nate. I didn't want her changed by some man. But the unconditional love of a child I can get behind. Seeing her open up to Blaire a little was also great. If only she could do the same with Harlow.

When it comes to the romance-it was like Abbi Glines tricked us, but I don't mind. I just assumed because of the chapter headings she would end up with Major and I'm glad she didn't. He was such a tool. Cope actually got Nan as a woman and was a man that complemented her. He's a little stalkery, but not as bad as some other Abbi Glines heroes.

I give Ms. Glines props for exploring a different kind of sexual relationship. Nan was consenting to everything-ok most things but I'll get there-Cope did to her. S&M or violence in bed may not be your cup of tea, but that doesn't make it inherently wrong. What did give me pause was when he had sex with her while she was sleeping/dreaming. It was definitely a consent grey area. He did own up to it which helped.

I'm glad I pushed through this series and it's Virgin hero-worship, because I got to read this one. I did skip Captain's book because my library happened to have this one so I will probably go back now. That night fill in some parts of the plot that left me a tinsy bit confused.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Review: While it Lasts by Abbi Glines

Series: Sea Breeze Book #3
Format: Trade Paperback
Pages: 268
Rating: 3 Stars
How I Got It: Purchased
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Atria

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

Low broke Cage’s heart by getting with Marcus in Because of Low. Cage went into a tailspin that ended in a DUI. In order to salvage his baseball scholarship—the one thing he truly valued besides Low—Cage must take a summer job. At a farm. Away from Sea Breeze. With lots of cows, but no hot girls. Maybe that’s what Cage needs to get back on track.

But wait—there’s that hostile daughter of the farm boss. She’s pretty and occasionally sweet, and there seems to be a lot of sadness and mystery behind her anger. Cage is dying to strip her down—physically and mentally—in the back of the barn. But is he prepared for what will happen afterward?

 
Review

Why do I keep doing this to myself? This isn't horrible and is a quick read, but there are so many problematic things. And it's the same issues I've had with other Abbi Glines books. For some reason I keep reading them-maybe because so many people love them.

Cage is a very typical Abbi Glines hero. He's hyper-aggressive and sexual. He also fully embraces the idea that women/girls fit into two categories-virgin or whore. This is the thing that bothers me the most about all the Abbi Glines books I've read-they glorify the idea that certain women are more pure and therefore the only ones worthy of love. Cage is kind of mopey because of parental issues. That was the most interesting thing about him, but it wasn't explored that much.

Eva fell pretty flat. In the beginning she had so much potential, but the moment she met Cage whatever personality she had disappeared. She was very easily influenced by others. And she just goes from being taken care of by one guy to another. She has no agency.

This feels like a really negative review but I'm struggling to give this less than 3 stars. And I will keep reading these because they are fast and I own more in the Sea Breeze series so I might as well.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Books You'd Buy Right This Second If Someone Handed You A Fully Loaded Gift Card

Top 10 Tuesday was created by the Broke and the Bookish. You can find more information here.

Damn this is a topic! There are so many books I want that I don't already own. So, how to narrow it down-Books that would add to my TBR? Books that I've read and just don't own?

Fortunately, I already have a list of the books I want to buy soon so I pulled from that. And I only did ones that are already released. It's primarily romance and new adult, because that's what I'm really into right now.

It's been a long time since I did a Top 10 Tuesday, but in case you were wondering, I put these in no particular order.

So, here's my list.

1) Cream of the Crop by Alice Clayton

2) His Royal Secret by Lilah Pace

3) Us by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy

4) Broken Prince by Erin Watt

5) Up in Flames by Abbi Glines

6) The Power by Jennifer L. Armentrout

7) Irresistibly Yours by Lauren Layne

8) Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare

9) Bittersweet by Sarina Bowen

10) Fortune's Pawn by Rachel Bach

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Review: Because of Low by Abbi Glines

 

Series: Sea Breeze Book #1
Format: Paperback
Pages:
Rating: 3 Stars
How I Got It: Purchased
Genre: New Adult
Publisher: Atria

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

 

layboy Cage owns the apartment, and he hosts a revolving door of people, in and out, at all times. Most of them are long-legged hot girls who are never there more than a night or two. When Cage’s new roommate, Marcus, enters the picture, he’s just looking to nurse a broken heart. But there’s one particular semi-frequent regular who catches his eye.

Willow—“Low”—is the one Cage wants to marry. But the two of them are night and day, and Marcus can’t see how Low puts up with all of Cage’s womanizing. What she really needs is a real man....like good-looking and sensible Marcus. But that’s going to get real complicated and real messy—real fast.

Review

I want to start this by saying I'm very meh about Abbi Glines books. I read them because they are easy to read entertaining in the way a soap opera can be. Sometimes I think there is unfulfilled potential. This was better than the first book, Breathe.

Generally, I lied both Marcus and Low. Marcus is a pretty typical Abbi Glines hero. He's very possessive and dramatic but isn't quite as bad as say Rush. Low was sympathetic and kind. Sometimes she felt a little innocent especially since she would talk about how hard her life was.

The romace was fast but pretty believable. It helped that the physical aspects of the relationship progressed slower than I'm used to. There was some snap judgements by both of them that could have been resolved by being a grown up and using your words. I've come to expect this kind of storytelling.

My big complaint with this and most of Abbi Glines books is the way women are portrayed. Now this is very common so it isn't just her. She often falls into the whore or virgin types. Women can be and are far more complex than that. And, to me, the fact that women slut shame other women is the worst. Low thinks she's so great and constantly tears her sister down which really bothers me. This would've been a four star read for me if this language and behavior wasn't so plentiful.

I will continue to read Abbi Glines books, because for some reason she interests me. So far I do still like the Rosemary Beach books better but hopefully this series will continue to get better.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Review: Rush Too Far by Abbi Glines

Series: Too Far Book #4/Rosemary Beach Book #4
Format: Paperback
Pages: 240
Rating: 3 Stars
How I Got It: Purchased
Genre: New Adult, Romance, Contemporary
Publisher: Atria Books

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

Fallen Too Far was Blaire's story. Now it's time for Rush to share his side.

Everyone in Rosemary Beach thinks they know how Rush Finlay and Blaire Wynn fell in love. But Rush is back to tell his side of the story...

Rush has earned every bit of his bad-boy reputation. The three-story beach house, luxury car, and line of girls begging for time between his sheets are the envy of every guy in Rosemary Beach, and Rush handles it all with the laid-back cool of a rock star’s son. All he needs are his best friend, Grant, and his sister, Nan.

Until Blaire Wynn drives into town in her beat-up pickup truck with a pistol under her seat. The Alabama farm girl instantly captures Rush’s attention once he discovers that the angelic beauty is his new stepsister, but he vows to keep his distance. Even if she needs his help. Even if he craves her.

Because Rush knows why Blaire is all alone in the world, forced to ask for help from the father who abandoned her three years ago. And he knows if he gets too close it will destroy Nan, who has a secret connection to Blaire.

He has every reason in the world to stay away from her. Find out why he doesn’t.

Review

This is a hard one for me to write. A lot of my feelings about this is how I felt about Fallen Too Far. And Rush is the kind of guy in New Adult that bothers me. I did know that going in. Despite my complaints, these books seem to always suck me in.

I did really like getting a slightly different look at Grant and Woods. They are my favorite guys in the series. Sometimes I liked Rush, but he was a little too caveman for me.

Something that really pisses me off is how Rush treats his mom and Nan. He is constantly yelling at them and threatening them with money. To me, this is abusive behavior. Just because they are bad people doesn't mean he can act that way.

If you like the Rosemary Beach series you will probably like this, too. But if you have some issues don't think this fixed them.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Review: When You’re Back by Abbi Glines

Series: Rosemary Beach Book #12

Format:ebook

Rating:4 Stars

How I Got It: Purchased

Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Publisher: Simon and Schuster 

Synopsis (from Goodreads)

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Abbi Glines comes the next new adult novel in her beloved Rosemary Beach series, which continues the story of Mase and Reese from When I’m Gone.

The future is bright for Reese Ellis. She has Mase Colt-Manning, the man of her dreams, and a family she didn’t know existed until her long-lost father arrived on her doorstep in Rosemary Beach. After growing up with a cruel mother and abusive stepfather, Reese is eager to get to know the caring and charming man who wants to be a part of her life. Everything is finally falling into place.

While Reese is visiting her new family in Chicago, Mase spends time with his “cousin,” Aida, who has worshipped him since childhood. Though they’re unrelated by blood, Mase and Aida have been raised to think of each other as family. But when Reese returns, she can tell something isn’t quite right with Aida, who clearly resents Reese and excels at manipulative little games. And though Mase is unsuspecting, Reese knows Aida doesn’t love him like a cousin should...  

Review

This was a step up. But I also just threw myself into the crazy soap operaness that is these books. Plus, Captain. I actually REALLY like him and that chapter from his POV just made me want more.

This book didn’t really address the issues I had with Mase in the first book. But he got a little better. And Reese sort of grew a backbone. I’m glad she gained some more independence and didn’t want Mase to be her only thing in life.

I actually am really interested in Reese’s dad. But I definitely didn’t get enough or the answers I want. I am hopeful that some of this will be addressed in the next book.

Overall, I enjoyed the crazy drama of this story, but why did Aida have to exist? She didn’t actually contribute anything. She’s basically mini-Nan. Why most we always have women hating on women? It makes me angry.

I feel like I should apologize because this is less of a review and more of me just throwing up words/thoughts.

Trigger Warning: Sexual Assault/abuse

Thanks for reading!

~Holly

Review: When I’m Gone by Abbi Glines

Series: Rosemary Beach Book #11

Format: Ebook

Rating: 4 Stars

How I Got It: Purchased

I feel like this is common when I read an Abbi Glines book, but I’m conflicted. She definitely knows how to write an engrossing story, but I do have some issues. But I keep reading them so she’s doing something right.

Generally, I liked the characters in here. But I liked Mase in Harlow’s story so that wasn’t much of a surprise. And it was nice to see Jimmy again. But Mase was a little bit of a freak-which I mean in the nicest way possible.

Reese is very easy to like. But in the first few chapters she was written kind of dumbed down. I understand she has problems, but she sounded like a ten year old inn those chapters. That did go away so it wasn’t a hug problem for me.

For the most part I like Mase and Reese as a couple. They have chemistry. But they also talk a lot which is kind of a breath of fresh air in the World of New Adult. (Is this even still classified as New Adult?) And Mase is a very supportive partner.

However, there were some things I found a little problematic. Because of her past I think Reese is a little naïve so sometimes she seemed to not have any agency in their relationship. And Mase’s words sometimes felt too possessive and a little manipulative. Looking at other parts of his character I don’t think he’s a bad guy, but it still rubs me the wrong way.

I definitely plan on reading the next book in this series and it will probably be my next read.

Trigger Warning: Sexual Assault/Abuse

Thanks for reading!

~Holly

Book Review: Breathe by Abbi Glines

Series: Sea Breeze Book #1

Format: Ebook

Rating: 3 Stars

How I Got It: Purchased

I think I can safely say that the Abbi Glines crack doesn’t work for me. And this makes me sad because I feel like I’m on the outside of a club. I enjoy her books, but they don’t blow me away or completely suck me in. I do plan on continuing to read them though. This is an OK book. At only one book in, I do think I like the Rosemary Beach books better.

Jax and Sadie are both decent characters. I wish there had been more (or longer) Jax POVs so I could get to know him more. And I usually enjoyed those sections when they showed up. I also liked Marcus and feel really bad for him. My big issue with Rush (from the Too Far books) was how much of an alpha-hole he was. Jax talked like an alpha but didn’t act like one which I really appreciated.

My biggest complaint is the dialogue. It often felt stilted and unnatural. If you read it out load it would not have flowed well. But I feel like this was earlier in Ms. Glines books so that could be why. The writing, in general, was way too much tell instead of show. And there was a lot of repetition.

The romance was good. I’m not a big fan of the billionaire trope and this is related to that one. I do think it progressed a little too fast but that’s fairly standard for NA/romance so I can usually overlook it.

Like I already said I do plan on reading more of the series. The Rosemary Beach books definitely got better as the series progressed, so I’m hoping this is the same. But I don’t know if I’ll keep reading right away because I have no immediate urge to read about the side characters.

Thanks for reading!

You Were Mine by Abbi Glines

Series: Rosemary Beach #9

Format: Ebook

Pages: 221

Rating: 3.5 Stars

How I Got It: Purchased

               

                I think this book suffered from too much hype. I’ve cared about Bethy since the beginning. And she and Tripp have been rocking the unresolved sexual tension for a few books now.

                The first-probably-half was great. Basically up until the wedding. It was emotional , real, and well-paced. It felt different from other books in the series, Then, everything sped up and problems were resolved without much difficulty.

                I’m going to be honest- I was all about Jace and Bethy. Jace was a great nice guy who respected Bethy. And I was angry when what happened to Jace happened. I felt used. But Ms. Glines got me to buy into Tripp and Bethy so that’s a pretty big deal.

                I did have some issues. First, can we all agree that Tripp was stalking Bethy in the beginning. Don’t get me wrong, I completely believe he was coming from a good place. But stalking is wrong and creepy.

                My other main problem is that so many things went unresolved. How does Bethy’s aunt feel about their relationship? Does Bethy really get over her abandonment issues that easily?

                I am incredibly grateful to have a story with no Nan and her tired, flat personality.

                And I read the teaser for Mase’s book. I don’t normally do that, but I’m glad I did. I’m so excited for his story and I hope Ms. Glines handles his heroine’s story well. Guess I’ll just have to wait until next year to find out.

Thanks for reading!

~Holly