Book Review: White Hot Kiss by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Series: The Dark Elements Book #1
Format: Paperback
Pages: 384
Rating: 4 Stars
How I Got It: Borrowed from Library/Own an ebook edition
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal, New Adult
Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

One kiss could be the last.

Seventeen-year-old Layla just wants to be normal. But with a kiss that kills anything with a soul, she's anything but normal. Half demon, half gargoyle, Layla has abilities no one else possesses.

Raised among the Wardens—a race of gargoyles tasked with hunting demons and keeping humanity safe—Layla tries to fit in, but that means hiding her own dark side from those she loves the most. Especially Zayne, the swoon-worthy, incredibly gorgeous and completely off-limits Warden she's crushed on since forever.

Then she meets Roth—a tattooed, sinfully hot demon who claims to know all her secrets. Layla knows she should stay away, but she's not sure she wants to—especially when that whole no-kissing thing isn't an issue, considering Roth has no soul.

But when Layla discovers she's the reason for the violent demon uprising, trusting Roth could not only ruin her chances with Zayne… it could brand her a traitor to her family. Worse yet, it could become a one-way ticket to the end of the world.

Review

I really enjoyed this but I don't have much to say. It's a Jennifer L. Armentrout book and I want to keep reading. But I still like the Lux books better.

I like the idea of Gargoyles. It isn't something I've read before. The Demon things remind me a lot of the Sweet books by Wendy Higgins, but I don't mind.

Layla was a great character. She's a little immature, but she's only seventeen and has a lot going on. So, I forgive her. Zayne bothered me a little. He kept calling her childish when he was either being the same or she was actually reasonable.

Now, I've heard there's a pretty intense love triangle in this series. I also know Ms. Armentrout let the readers decide who Layla would end up with. This scares the crap out of me. I'm very much on Team Roth and don't want to see him hurt. We'll see how I feel after reading book two.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

April Wrap-Up (2016)

In April, I got a promotion at work. This is great for a bunch of reasons, but has also cut into my reading time. Eventually, I will find a new schedule/situation that works for me.

And I have a new love now. I think I equally love Maria V. Snyder and Yelena from the Study series. More people need to read these books because they are amazing. It's actually been a couple weeks since I read the second book and I'm still thinking about these characters/books.

Here are the books I read in April and my ratings:

Poison Study-5 Stars

One Night for Love-4 Stars

 

A Steel Town-3 Stars 

Magic Study-4 Stars

City of Champions-3.5 Stars

White Hot Kiss-4 Stars

Bitter Sweet Love-3 Stars


Lingus-4 Stars

Review: City of Champions by Chloe T. Barlow

Series: Gateway to Love Book #2
Format: ebook
Rating: 3.5 Stars
How I Got It: Purchased
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Sports Romance
Publisher: Self-published

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

 

How do you find the will to try, when you've spent all your life playing on a field strewn with shattered lives and broken rules?

Tragedy and betrayal taught Jenna Sutherland early on that her safest bet was to fiercely avoid any risk, whether it is in work, life, or love. Now a respected orthopedic surgical resident on the cusp of finally breaking through in her career, she’s more guarded than ever.

When injured NFL quarterback Wyatt McCoy bulldozes into her life there’s no denying he’s cocky, selfish, and downright dangerous — everything Jenna’s sworn she doesn’t want.

Suddenly the levelheaded doctor finds herself facing down her greatest fear, and she’s tempted to gamble all she’s fought so hard to build. The two embark on an intense holiday love affair that quickly teeters on obsession, and tempts them both to think they could go all-in on a real future together. Yet Wyatt's desperation to stay on the field — and out of the operating room — lures him to take dangerous risks with Jenna's trust.

Will they win at love or lose everything — including their fragile chance at happiness?

Review

Have you ever wanted to like a book so you started justifying things that bother you? That's what I kept doing while I read this. I did like it more than A Steel Town but just barely. This may sound mean but the writing needs more polish. It may be an editing issue. The dialogue-internal too-often felt disjointed. There were also some continuity errors which is a personal pet peeve.

The characters are fine. A little irrational but fine. I did like Jenna when she wasn't acting like a hormonal teenager. I totally get being attracted to someone but I don't get potentially sacrificing a job you've spent years and tons of money to obtain on a nice body and good sex.  That's what would frustrated me. Then there was Wyatt who was more likeable than I was expecting. But he could have been better developed.

The romance worked especially when they stopped playing games. There was a decent amount of not talking to each other but what are you going to do. I don't know why but I did find some of Wyatt's behavior kind of inappropriate. He would force himself on Jenna and say she wanted him. It's a tough situation because she did want him physically but was still coming to terms with it in her head. Teenage me would've found this super hot but as I get older I'm starting to see the dangers of this type of behavior. Now, i think ms. Barlow meant it to be innocent but it still sets a bad precedent.

This didn't have suspense elements like her other book. It's more of a straight up contemporary romance which I prefer. It isn't the strongest book but it's OK and a quick read.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Review: Magic Study by Maria V. Snyder

Series: Study Book #2
Format: Paperback
Pages: 419
Rating: 5 Stars
How I Got It: Borrowed from Library (Then bought)
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, New Adult
Publisher: Mira

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

elena is a survivor. Kidnapped as a child, held prisoner as a teen, then released to act as a poison taster, she is now a student of magic. But these magic skills place her in imminent danger, and with an execution order on her head, she has no choice but to escape to Sitia, the land of birth
But nothing in Sitia is familiar. As she struggles to understand where she belongs and how to control her powers, a rogue magician emerges - and Yelena catches his eye. Suddenly she is embroiled in a situation not of her making. And once again her magical abilities will either save her life... or be her downfall.

Review

I'm obsessed right now. I want to live in this world. And I have like the hugest girl-crush on Yelena. She is amazing, strong in so many ways, and very kick-ass. To me, she is who Celeana from Throne of Glass is trying to be.

This book caused me a lot of stress just like the first one. I never knew who to trust and I felt betrayed when Yelena was. And it's hard to guess what's going to happen. I think this is because Ms. Snyder writes deep realistic characters. A character can be likeable and have positive attributes, but make a mistake or give into selfish desires.

Sitia is definitely different, but I'm so glad the world is expanding. In this world there is less good versus evil and more how to navigate diplomacy. This is definitely something I love reading about and I expect it will only continue.

Based on the title, it should be no surprise that the magic system is explored. I am still confused by some of it, but I think I just need to spend more time with it. It is cool that the magic works in different ways and strengths. Plus, the clans handle it in unique ways.

I'm so excited to read more about this world-especially Yelena. Good thing there is so much out there. Well, not good for my bank account.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Review: A Steel Town by Chloe T. Barlow

Series: Gateway to Love Book #3
Format: Ebook
Rating: 3 Stars
How I Got It: Purchased
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Self-published

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

How do you protect the woman you love, when you fear you are the very person who could destroy her?
Claudia McCoy has been told what she can't do enough for one lifetime. After a near-fatal childhood battle with juvenile diabetes and having to accept that her dreams of serving in the military would never come true, she's thrilled to begin a life on her own terms. Yet, when she finally starts her career in the FBI, Claudia is furious that her condition and overbearing big brother, Wyatt, have both once again interfered with her ability to have the life she truly wants. Now derailed from her high-profile aspirations of a position in the FBI's D.C. headquarters, she is instead planted far away from the real action, and practically right in her brother's Pittsburgh backyard.
Trey Adler is known for fixing things, but he's broken just as many — leaving him with regrets that never go away. He'd be the first to agree he should stay away from a nice girl like Claudia, but he can't deny his friend Jenna Sutherland's request when she asks him to use his position as a temporary FBI consultant to keep Claudia safe — especially as it's clear this little firecracker needs protecting. Far away from all the action she so craves, Claudia is more determined than ever to prove herself in her first major investigation at whatever cost — and those costs are proving to be dangerously high.
Their battle of wills turns quickly into a powerful need for one other, making them both rethink everything they ever wanted.
Will Trey be able to keep her alive long enough to give them an opportunity at something real together — a future that can survive the danger in their present, as well as the darkness of his past?

Review

Based on the synopsis, I was really prepared to love this book. I mean, the heroine is dealing with diabetes and people's treatment of her because of it. And Trey had that sweet bad boy thing going on. But it kind of let me down.

The writing was one of the disappointing thing. It was stilted and didn't always make sense. And every character had a nickname. This isn't horrible, but the constant switching between real names and nicknames which was confusing. I regularly found myself distracted and not paying attention.

Generally, I liked Claudia and Trey. I didn't really have any issues with Trey. My only complaint is that he's a little too protective. Claudia is likeable and feisty. But she want to be taken seriously when she constantly makes bad decisions with her diabetes. You can't have it both ways. Her past also wasn't as developed as it could've been. Maybe it would have been better if I read her brother's book, but I shouldn't have to.

This was a little bit of a suspense read which isn't my favorite. But there wasn't a lot of danger boner which I appreciated. I can't promise I will read another Chloe Barlow book, but I am mildly interested in the other characters so it might happen.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Review: One Night for Love by Mary Balogh

Series: Bedwyn Saga Book .5
Format: Mass Market Paperback
Pages:
Rating: 4 Stars
How I Got It: Purchased
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Dell

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

 

Enter the world of Mary Balogh—the glittering ballrooms and vast country estates of Regency-era England, where romance, with all its mystery, magic, and surprises, comes vibrantly alive.

It was a perfect morning in May . . .

Neville Wyatt, Earl of Kilbourne, awaited his bride at the altar—when a ragged beggar woman raced down the aisle instead. The cream of the ton saw him stare, shocked, then declare that this was his wife! One night of passion was all he remembered as he beheld Lily, the woman he'd wed, loved, and lost on the battlefield in Portugal. Now he said he'd honor his commitment to her—regardless of the gulf that lay between them.

Then Lily spoke her mind . . .

She said she wanted only to start a new life—wanted only a husband who truly loved her. She had to leave him to learn how to meet his world on her terms. So Lily agreed to earn her keep as his aunt's companion and study the genteel arts. Soon she was the toast of the ton, every inch a countess fit for the earl, who vowed to prove to his remarkable wife that what he felt for her was far more than desire, that what he wanted from her was much more than . . . One Night for Love.

Review

This was a very good book and definitely made me willing to read more Mary Balogh books. The first book had writing that wasn't quite for me, but this was exactly what I wanted.

Lily was great and went on quite the journey. Trigger warning for rape, but it was handled in such a respectful and non-dramatic way. She is so down to earth and naturally charming. But she does get embarassed and is very aware of the differences between her world and Neville's.

Neville is also a solid character, but I just like Lily more. I did love his loyalty to Lily even when she was trying to push him away.

Ms. Balogh did some interesting things with women in this story. They were very well-developed and diverse. You know like real people. Elizabeth-Neville's aunt-is probably my favorite and she's very wise. Then there are Gwen and Lauren. Now, I've read Gwen's story so it was odd to see such negative parts of her personality. In different ways, they had to deal with the pain Neville unnecessarily caused them. And it was very natural that they would be angry and "hate" Lily. I'm just glad Ms. Balogh was willing to go there.

The romance was solid and well-paced. The physical aspects are described, but on the tamer side. The main conflict is the class difference between Neville and Lily which is definitely a favorite of mine.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Review: Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder

Series: Study book #1
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 361
Rating: 5 Stars
How I Got It: Borrowed from the Library
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, New Adult
Publisher: Luna

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

About to be executed for murder, Yelena is offered an extraordinary reprieve. She'll eat the best meals, have rooms in the palace—and risk assassination by anyone trying to kill the Commander of Ixia.

And so Yelena chooses to become a food taster. But the chief of security, leaving nothing to chance, deliberately feeds her Butterfly's Dust—and only by appearing for her daily antidote will she delay an agonizing death from the poison.

As Yelena tries to escape her new dilemma, disasters keep mounting. Rebels plot to seize Ixia and Yelena develops magical powers she can't control. Her life is threatened again and choices must be made. But this time the outcomes aren't so clear...

 
Review

Where has this book been all my life? I must have the next book now, but I can't because it's late at night as I write this. And I feel a serious book hangover coming on.

I didn't read the synopsis before going in and I think that was the best decision. I had no idea what was going to happen. The tension was really high because of that. And I never knew who to trust or like. I still don't completely know.

Yelena was an amazing protagonist. I don't even know if I can explain why I love her so much. She wasn't perfect, but I understood why she did everything she did. And she didn't frustrate me at all which is pretty rare.


The other characters were also great. They were well-developed and intriguing. I want to know more about so many of them like the Commander. I basically want them all to have their own books.

And of course, Ms. Snyder did a good job with the world-building. Especially the government and politics. It felt very real and made sense. It was also different than I normally expect in these kinds of stories. She also laid a lot of groundwork for the magic system which I'm sure will be explored in the rest of the series.

I was hoping writing this would calm me down so I could go to sleep, but it hasn't. I can't wait until I get out of work tomorrow so I can go to the library and get the second book. I would've bought the whole series, but my local Barnes and Noble doesn't have them. Boo!

I haven't felt this way about a book in a long time. Curse you Maria V. Snyder and whatever crack you put in this book.

Thanks for reading!
Holly