JJ's Review
HOW I FALL by Anne Eliot 5 Reasons for 5 stars: 1. Sweet, innocent, forbidden, young, and true: 5 adjectives that describe the LOVE in this book. It makes your heart flutter just a little bit doesn’t it? Knowing what that combination of adjectives can hold for the person reading this LOVE story? How it can both lift you and crush you? How it’ll make you laugh, cry, lose your breath, sigh in utter happiness, and never want to put the book down until you’ve read every single last word of it. 5 adjectives that led me to fall IN LOVE with this story. 2. Friends. Laura and Patrick. Once you’ve read this book, those word will be all you need to understand why this is one of my reasons. So ferociously devoted and true. So much fun. So perfect in their special, quirky ways. Never, EVER, have any two people needed friends the likes of Laura and Patrick than Ellen and Cam, and no two people could ever be more worthy of such perfect friends than Ellen and Cam either. With a bit o’ luck, the fairies of fate have sprinkled enough magic glitter on this fantastic foursome that there’s no way life will ever take them away from each other permanently. 3. First kisses and big dreams. That’s what a YA romance is all about. And few write them as well as Anne Eliot. She has mastered the perfect combination of sweet and clean that makes you not miss the steam and sizzle of typical romances. You’ll be so wrapped up in your cocoon of “awwww” and “sigh” that you won’t care that it’s affecting your heart rather than your lady parts. 4. Real world problems. I understand that reading allows you to escape the mundaneness of real life, but I think I get more fully lost in a book when it’s something real, something I can relate to, whether from personal experience or observation of others’ experiences. And I think it was brilliant work on the part of Ms. Eliot to take real life struggles—both common and less common—and use them to not only educate us on their existence and how they affect the lives of those fighting said struggles, but to also turn them into a captivating story that will grab your heart at the very beginning and refuse to let go, even at the very end. (I suppose this is the best place to mention that there will be a sequel to this book, so you will be left hanging.) There are so many ailments that tremendously affect the everyday lives so many people all over the world. As a person living with epilepsy—which can affect the control I have over my body—I can empathize with what Ellen struggles with every day of her life with cerebral palsy. You’re constantly planning and backup planning everything to ensure the best outcomes. Spontaneity goes out the window…a freedom that so many people take for granted. And then there’s the case of Cam, being forced into a future that he doesn’t want, completely dominated and bent by his parents to create the version of him that they want, the future for him that they want, the public image of themselves that they want. Forcing Cam to consider drastic, dangerous measures to finally get out from under their thumbs and be who he truly wants to be, to love who he truly loves. I can also empathize with Cam. Though I think I would’ve always been able to take the college/career path that I wanted to, every other aspect of my life was dictated by an overbearing, overprotective, overjerkish step-dad. My mom didn’t agree with a lot of the outrageous reasons he found to ground me and make me a prisoner in my own home. But she didn’t stick up for me as often as she should have. Once she finally did—which was actually over a boy, a boy that is now a man and my husband—she ended up divorced. So, while reading this book, I could feel Cam’s desperation so strongly that I wanted to move from my nice, warm, southeastern US home to that frozen cluster of craziness known as Canada just so I could take him away from his sordid, self-righteous, snobbish parents and let him live with me until he was legally free to be on his own, let him know that love shouldn’t be used as a weapon—it should be taken as a gift and cherished. 5. I am a fierce Grammar Nazi and obsessive editor at heart, so I obviously noted any and probably all editing/grammar/punctuation errors. However, I couldn’t give two large blue slushies to the face about it because the story was THAT GREAT! I was given a copy of this book for an honest review, and it was an incredible unbirthday gift. Anne, though it may seem improbable, I both love and hate you right now because I love this story so much that my heart is literally crushed over the fact that I have to wait for the sequel. Amazing work on your part, as always, and my heart will be crying until you get Book Two into my hands. I do have one request (other than that you get this book finished and on my Kindle ASAP, of course). Please, please, please, with nacho cheese on top...write me into this story and let me do some sort of damage to Cam’s parents. I’d love to go all Laura pixie-crazy on Cam’s mom, and I’d give up the beloved Banana Moon Pie beside me to get to throw the first punch at Cam’s dad. A swift kick to his manhood would be sufficient, but that dude really needs to be punched. Why not by the reader who, despite her hate of the cold, wants to live in this town and be best friends with this wacky-yet-amazing group of kids. Anne, thank you for sharing this story with me and the world. Readers, go buy this book and start to believe in fate, pixies, and young, star-crossed love. |
DD's Review
STAINED by Ella James Stained was the first indie book I ever read. As of today, it’s been about 2 years since I laid eyes on the book, so the fact I can still recall it so easily after all this time says volumes for Ella’s work. I fell in love with Julia on her journey, and the more Cayne hung around, the more I found myself loving him as well. There is a reason Cayne won Best Book Boyfriend of 2011. This book is about Julia, a girl who never seemed to fit in. She ended up losing the only family she ever knew to a fire and found the winged monster lingering close by. She ran, the only thing she knew to do, and that’s when she met Cayne. In a Memphis warehouse, she woke to find him fighting the creature, and that’s how they started out. Sadly, through this series they seem to always be fighting. Be it themselves, each other, another creature, or another army. They have to fight every second of their lives, and it's gut-wrenching. This book takes you on an emotional ride, leaving no stone unturned. You find yourself fighting right along with demons, nephilims, stained, whatever you want to call them or yourselves. Because you are right there for the entire ride. Ms. James sucks you in and makes you forget a world exists outside those pages. Samyaza, the winged creature, is something you would never expect, and he ends up being connected to someone you would never imagine. When you believe someone is a bad guy, they turn out to be the good guy, and when you believe the good guys are good, they aren’t! This book has so many twists and turns you won’t be able to figure out where you want to be or what group you want to be a part of. But with the perfection of the story being told, you will be led in the right direction. Too bad, that direction leads you straight to HELL! Check out Stained, the first book in a series of 4 books to find out what happens to Julia, Cayne, and the rest of the gang. I truly enjoyed this entire series and plan to revisit it very soon! |
DD's Review
LUSTLY by Jennifer Foor Novellas aren’t really my thing. I love the detail in a book. But when Jennifer Foor writes a novella...YOU READ IT! I am an avid J4 supporter, and will read anything she is a part of. In Lustly, we follow a devoted mother and wife, Lily. And though I am not a fan of cheating, I am a fan of realism. This novella is just that. Reality - sometimes the one you love the most cheats. Reality - a mother would sell her soul for her children’s well-being. Reality - sometimes even a strong woman needs a man to hug her close and remind her of her worth. Lustly is a high-priced hooker, a devoted mother, and a badass wife. I mean, come on, Mr. Shit Stains! Really? Why would you betray the woman who adored you? I know why... BECAUSE YOU ARE A MAN...and yes...WE SEE YOUR PENIS STANDING TALL FOR A PIECE OF ASS EVEN WHEN IT’S NOT YOUR WIFE’S!!!!! I wish Lily had done some of the things she had daydreamed about doing to him. Then again, her lawyer Eli may have had to offer up more services than the two he already was. And don’t get me started on Frankie, THAT SORT OF, KIND OF WHORE BUYER!!!! OK, well...maybe, just maybe, I love him a little bit, also =] Read this book! It’s a great short book with a HEA of sorts. I want to know who your favorite was...so leave a review so I can go back and stalk later to see who all felt the same way I did! |
JJ's Review
LEAP OF FAITH by Michele Shriver I was sent a copy of this book by the author for an honest review, and I gotta say… I LOVED it. It was a good, clean, enjoyable read. It had drama and mystery, but not too angsty. Just comfortable and intriguing. I couldn’t put it down. I read the whole book in one day. Which is saying a lot when you have a rambunctious two year old wrecking everything he touches all day long! Tracey and Steve share a complicated history that spans over twelve years, as well as an eleven-year-old daughter. Despite their failed attempts at romance, they are always there for each other and for their daughter. When Tracey estranged mother unexpectedly suffers a stroke and winds up in a coma, she will need Steve even more than she realizes. And he wants to be there for her…despite the objections from his live-in girlfriend. Question is: Can Tracey allow herself to depend on Steve after occurrences from their past? They try to fight their pull towards each other, both to protect themselves, their daughter, and their respective relationships. But sometimes, life pushes you together for a reason; you just have to have the courage to take that leap of faith. Everyone else can see that Tracey and Steve belong together, but will they trust each other enough to take a chance at love again? Or will they keep their relationship a friendly one, focused on raising and loving their daughter? Tracey is a bit skittish and indecisive, but she’s strong and definitely isn’t a disappointment as a lead female character. Steve is a good guy, and I was rooting for him the entire time, hoping he’d start making the right decisions. Meredith is a wretched biotch. That’s all you need to know about her. And Tracey’s mother… you’ll love her and you’ll hate her, but her feisty butt is the glue that holds everything together. The author did an excellent job with the timeline of this book. When trying to integrate pertinent information from a twelve-year relationship into the present story, it would be easy to leave things out or add too much or make the story seem choppy, but that didn’t happen in this book. Everything flows well, and you get the info from the past when you need it. And in just the right amounts. And without giving away too much too soon. Kudos to you, Ms. Shriver! Because I am a Grammar Nazi, I will point out that there were a few editing issues with missing and/or extra words and words in the wrong order, but it wasn’t enough to take away from the story or to decrease my 5-star rating of the book. That’s how much I loved the story and the writing. This story isn’t full of sex and heavy, angsty drama. It’s a clean love story that contains the real world drama of complicated relationships, both familial and romantic. If you’re looking for a refreshing read that keeps you interested and warms your heart, I highly recommend this book. Even if you aren’t looking for that, pick up this book anyway. It makes you feel that good! |
JJ's Review
HIGH CLASS HARLOT by Delia Steele Well…she’s gone and done it. Author Delia Steele gave Mando her own book. *shakes head* I don’t know if the world is ready for this much fuckmazingness! Can our Kindles handle the #mandomania held within its pages? In Mando’s own words, “Strap on your seatbelt, bitches, and get ready for one hell of a ride.” You may think you know me, but rest assured, you do not know me. If you read Trailer Park Princess (Switching Tracks Series, Book 1), there’s no way you’ve forgotten Amandolette Riaz and her unfiltered, polluted mouth. *If you haven’t read it, you definitely need to remedy that because it’s great!* In High Class Harlot, we get to see a deeper side of Mando—her struggles, her loves, her losses, her breaking points. She isn’t just the rich, sassy fashionista we knew her to be in TPP. There’s so much more going on behind that thrashing tongue than anyone is aware of, including her those closest to her. Will you love her, or will you hate her? Will you pity her, or will you blame her? HCH picks up where TPP left off. Rory’s married to Rome, and they have a new baby, R.J. They’ve moved to Atlanta where Rory runs The Diner 2 and Rome has opened his own garage. Toby and Ashley are in ATL as well, popping out babies left and right. Clay followed Rome to Atlanta and works with him at the garage. And Mando is… I have searched my entire life trying to find myself, but in my heart, I think I’m designed to be lost. Secrets. It’s Mando’s secrets that keep her from setting her life on the right course. It’s Mando’s secrets holding her back from true happiness. It’s Mando’s secrets that are threatening to destroy her. We’ve witnessed the fight in her more than once. Question is: Does she have enough? “Can your Mandoconda come out to play?” This just wouldn’t be a Mando book without some crazy reference to the substantial…delights Clay is packing in his pants. (Again, you gotta read TPP!) And speaking of Clay’s manmeat… Mando and Clay will set your Kindle on FIRE! “I dare you to break this crotch!” See what I mean?! Warning to the prudish: THIS BOOK IS NOT FOR YOU! Eyes and panties may melt from the vulgarity in this book. *eyes turn devilish* But it’s a whole helluva lot of fun! Clay is such a beautiful creature. Oh-so-gorgeous, oh-so-sweet, and oh-so-well-endowed… That’s the Clay we all know and love. And you can’t help but love him. He may not be sex on a stick like Rome or a hot-ass football star like Toby, but he’s still #hotstuff, and he can sling that sex-saber like a Master. (That’s right, Rory; I’m a Star Wars fan, too!) His devotion, his heart, and his patience make him perfect for handling Mando’s bite, fight, and flight nature. But how much can he take? Will Mando push him too far? “And tell that little shithole if he doesn’t pull those pants up, I am going to take my double barrel, stick it right up his asshole, and…” Folks, meet two new characters: Gran and Chico. I guess Gran isn’t technically new since we were told in TPP that she lived in the same trailer park as Rory, leading to the creation of #TeamSparkleforce, but we don’t really get to meet her until HCH. And Gran is a force to be reckoned with. Her mouth and libido rival Mando’s, and she’s not afraid to break out the shotgun when necessary. I can tell you before you ever get started reading that Gran is going to become one of your favorite characters from this series. Chico, on the other hand, should come with a gag reflex warning label. His rekindled friendship with Mando is not condoned by anyone, but she keeps him around because he facilitates her walks on the wild side. She feels free with him. But will Mando let it go too far? Will Chico become her point of no return? “All the fancy shit in this world couldn’t hide the disgust I have inside me…for myself and for you.” The girl’s got daddy issues! In fact, a lot of the turmoil that leads to Mando’s downward spiral is a direct result of her father’s scoundrel ways. She lets what should be his shame devour her sparkle and leave her empty inside. She worries her loved ones won’t accept her once they realize the lie she’s been living, the secret she’s been keeping, all because of him. She hides the dark truth at the risk of smothering her light forever. #reembracethesparkle This book is about Mando’s struggle to find herself. It’s some heavy stuff that brings her to that crucial junction in her life, and it’s up to her to decide which track she’s going to take. Once again, Delia Steele has taken real-life struggles and turned them into an endearing story that will hit close to home for more than just one reader. With High Class Harlot, she proves that even the loudest character can be stifled by her demons, even the toughest bitch may not be able to fight alone. We all have to make choices, and those choices set the course of our lives. I’m elated Ms. Steele chose to give Mando her own book, and I can’t wait to see where she takes us from here in the Switching Tracks Series! #iwantmore |
JJ's Review
REGRET ME NOT by Danielle Sibarium Regret Me Not is in my top 5 reads of 2014… And being a blogger and avid reader, I read a LOT of books. From the very beginning, I knew it was going to wreck me. I was sucked in from the first page and couldn’t put it down. I had an almost sleepless night and was even reading at the table in a restaurant during dinner out. I was completely enthralled with the story. I haven’t been that worked up over a book in a while. It had my heart racing and my eyes tearing up as the drama unfolded. The love, heartache, conflict, and outcome had me in emotional turmoil… And I loved every minute of it! Mackenzie is a shy loner who just wants to go unnoticed. Especially after the social embarrassment her family has suffered because of her sister, Jessica. Little does she know that Jessica’s rock bottom will lead to her to the best thing to ever happen to her. But will the effects of her past ruin her future? From the first time he saw her, Brayden was intrigued by Mackenzie. When he’s finally given the chance to get close to her, he does everything he can to make sure it lasts. He knows she’s skittish and untrusting because of what her sister went through, and he’s willing to do whatever it takes to keep her. But how many times can Mackenzie push him away and break him before he’s had enough? Will Mackenzie realize, too late, that Brayden is everything she wants and needs? When unexpected circumstances bring Mackenzie and Brayden back together, it’s sure to be a rocky road they are about to travel. Past hurts and present problems threaten to shatter their relationship and their hearts. Can they trust that their love for each other will get them through the hard times? Or will their insecurities cause them to lose everything? My inner Grammar Nazi has to note for those who notice editing errors that there are, in fact, some errors in the book. Missing words, repeated words, and verb tense confusion are some of what I noticed. But they, in absolutely no way, took away from my enjoyment of the story. I would give this book 500 stars if I could, despite the errors. And coming from me and my anal tendencies when it comes to verb tense, that says A LOT about the amazing story contained within these pages. I can’t stress enough how much I LOVED THIS STORY, and I hope every person who reads this review, or even sees the title, buys it and experiences what I did. It touched my heart and gave me a new appreciation for the love and happiness in my life. I want to scream from the rooftops for everyone to read this book! It was one of the most beautiful and heart-wrenching stories I have ever read. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Danielle, for letting me read and review this book. I feel like I was missing out before I read this story, and my future reads have a high standard to live up to now. Regret Me Not is most definitely a book I will revisit in the future, and I can’t wait to read more from this author. |