Review- Echoes of Scotland Street by Samantha Young

Summary-

Shannon MacLeod has always gone for the wrong type of man. After she drifted from one toxic relationship to the next, her last boyfriend gave her a wakeup call in the worst possible way. With her world shattered, she’s sworn off men—especially those of the bad-boy variety.

Cole Walker is exactly the sort that Shannon wants to avoid—gorgeous, tattooed, charming, and cocky. But his rough exterior hides a good man who’s ready to find “the one.” He’s determined to pull Shannon from her self-imposed solitude and win her heart.

As Shannon opens up in the face of Cole’s steady devotion, the passion between them ignites to blazing levels. But when Shannon’s past comes back to haunt her, her fears may destroy the trust Cole has built between them—and tear them apart for good…

Release date: October 7th 2014

Published by: NAL

Page numbers: 331

Review-

I have been following the On Dublin Street series by Samantha Young since the beginning. Cole Walker has easily been one of my most favorite characters in the series so I was really excited for Echoes of Scotland Street. I will say the book was good but it wasn't brilliant like some of its predecessors. 

Shannon has had a horrible past where relationships are concerned. She always goes for the wrong man. She's here for a new start in Edinburgh but what she doesn't expect is to come face to face with Cole Walker at her work place. I really didn't like Shannon. She was very judge mental in the beginning and I  didn't like her behavior towards Cole.

It did improve as the misunderstandings between them got cleared but I didn't love her like say Joss or Olivia. Cole works as a tattoo artist where Shannon has just got a job. I found Cole to be a really nice and genuine guy. He was still the sweet guy we'd met before, just the grown up version. But I did feel at the end Cole should have been more understanding of Shannon's situation.

The chemistry between Cole and Shannon is present from the moment they meet. Samantha Young has a certain charm while writing romance and it comes through in the book. The book goes from Shannon's point of view and I really wish we'd get the guy's pov too for a change. It would make understanding things much better. Also, I felt it was necessary here and I felt restricted reading only from Shannon's point of view.

We also get to meet the whole gang in this book. It was a  little weird looking at a 42 year old Braden from Shannon's point of view. I am not liking the huge time gaps in this series. We also get to meet Logan, Shannon's brother who looks like he'll be getting the next book. Echoes of Scotland Street was a good read, if not the best.

Review- The Hook Up by Kristen Callihan

Summary-

The rules: no kissing on the mouth, no staying the night, no telling anyone, and above all… No falling in love.

Anna Jones just wants to finish college and figure out her life. Falling for star quarterback Drew Baylor is certainly not on her to do list. Confident and charming, he lives in the limelight and is way too gorgeous for his own good. If only she could ignore his heated stares and stop thinking about doing hot and dirty things with him. Easy right?

Too bad he’s committed to making her break every rule…

Football has been good to Drew. It’s given him recognition, two National Championships, and the Heisman. But what he really craves is sexy yet prickly Anna Jones. Her cutting humor and blatant disregard for his fame turns him on like nothing else. But there’s one problem: she's shut him down. Completely.

That is until a chance encounter leads to the hottest sex of their lives, along with the possibility of something great. Unfortunately, Anna wants it to remain a hook up. Now it’s up to Drew to tempt her with more: more sex, more satisfaction, more time with him. Until she’s truly hooked. It's a good thing Drew knows all about winning.

All’s fair in love and football…Game on.

Release date: September 7th 2014

Published by: Kristen Callihan

Page numbers: 352

Review-

I am a fan of new adult so after reading several good reviews of The Hook Up by Kristen Callihan I really wanted to read it. I am glad I gave this book a chance.The Hook Up was a pleasant read. It had all the elements which make a good new adult novel. I won't say that there was anything especially new with this book which I've never read about before but still I enjoyed it.

Anna wants to finish college and figure out what she wants to do for the rest of her life. But its the first day of class and she clashes with Drew and a lot of things change. Anna was a hard character to like at first because she was riddled with insecurities. She was also a bit harsh with Drew and never showed her true feelings. But slowly and steadily she learns and by the end of the book you at least understand her.

Drew on the other hand is the star quarterback. He has everything going for him but still he feels empty with the same routine. That is until he meets Anna and then its like a part of him has woken up. Drew was an easy character to like. He pursues Anna with determination and wears his heart on his sleeve. I also found him to be very sweet and understanding.

If you are not a fan of insta lust this is not the book for you. Drew and Anna are pulled towards each other since the first moment their eyes meet. While Drew chases Anna, Anna tries her best to resist. The chemistry between them was undeniable. I also loved that we got to see different sides to Anna and Drew's personalities.

The book goes from dual pov so I loved that. I also loved all of Drew's team and Anna's friends. The Hook Up was a long novel for new adult but I liked the pace. The steamy scenes in The Hook Up were hotter than I expected.With a good amount of angst added in The Hook Up was an enjoyable new adult read.

Review- Need Me by Tessa Bailey

Summary-

When Honey Perribow traded in her cowboy boots for stilettos and left her small Kentucky town to attend Columbia University, she never expected to find a dirt-cheap apartment or two new best friends. No stranger to hard work, Honey is completely focused on her medical degree … until she sees newly minted professor Ben Dawson, and her concentration is hijacked. Honey is fascinated by her gorgeous young English professor and vows to find a crack in his tweed-wearing, glasses-clad exterior.

At an off-campus party, an accident lands Ben in a dark, locked closet with a sexy-sounding Southern belle … and their chemistry is explosive. But when he discovers that the girl in his arms is the same beautiful student he can't stop thinking about, he is stunned. Student-teacher relationships are strictly forbidden … yet no matter how hard he tries, Ben can't stay away from Honey.

And when his attempt to fight their attraction nearly ruins the best thing that ever happened to him, Ben will do anything to prove how much he needs her.

Release date: April 21st, 2015

Published by: Avon Impulse

Page numbers: 288

Review-

I love reading Tessa Bailey's books because they are fun and sexy. While I had liked the first book in the Broke and Beautiful series I was really looking forward to Need Me. This is the second book and kinda has the forbidden student-teacher storyline. I have to say I really enjoyed myself while reading Need Me. It had everything I love in a good romance.

Honey is a student at Columbia University. She shares an apartment with Roxy and Abby and everything is going well according to plan in her life. Till she meets Ben who just so happens to be her English professor. I loved Honey. She was a sweet girl and I loved her determination to go for what she wanted. A five year age difference may not be much but it certainly matters where a student and teacher are concerned. And that is exactly what happens here.

Then we have Ben. Ben has just started off his career and he does not want to mess it up. Ben can see the off the charts chemistry he shares with Honey but he isn't going to do anything about it. Ben could be a real ass at times. But he could grovel and he admits when he's made a mistake. Ben also had issues due to his family which prevents him from believing in relationships.

Like all Tessa Bailey books, this one was hot. Ben and Honey were amazing together and I loved their banter. Even though Honey and Ben were opposites in many ways they were well matched and it showed as they got to know each other.

I also really liked seeing Roxy and Louis again. I loved the bromance Ben and Louis and Russell shared. I have to say I am SUPER excited for Make Me which is Abby's story. With minimum angst and loads of romance Need Me was a very enjoyable and light read.

Review- Make Me by Tessa Bailey

Summary-

Construction worker Russell Hart has been head-over-work boots for Abby Sullivan since the moment he laid eyes on her. But he knows a classy, uptown virgin like her could never be truly happy with a rough, blue-collar guy like him. If only she'd stop treating him like her personal hero—a role he craves more than oxygen—maybe he could accept it.

With the future of her family's hedge fund on her shoulders, Abby barely has time to sleep, let alone find love. And her best friend Russell acting like a sexy, overprotective hulk any time their Super Group goes out in public definitely isn't helping her single status. But after a near-tragedy lands Russell in her bed for the night, Abby's suddenly fantasizing about what he looks like shirtless. Chest hair and tattoos—who knew?

As Russell struggles to keep Abby at a safe distance, she begins to see through his tough-talking exterior—and acknowledge her own feelings. Now she's ready to turn the friend-zone into foreplay…and make him lose control. 

Release date: August 11th, 2015

Published by: Avon Impulse

Page numbers: 304

Review-

Make Me is the last book in Tessa Bailey's Broke and Beautiful series. I have been following this series since the first book came out because I am such a huge Tessa Bailey fan and I have to say Make Me was my most anticipated read in the series. We had been getting hints about Abby and Russell since the first book but now we finally got the book. I have to say Make Me was a very good read and a satisfying end to the series.

Abby has always been a good girl. She works hard to keep her father's company afloat but she has never felt like she belonged until she met her flatmates and became best friends with them. The only person who makes her feel normal is Russel. I really loved Abby. She was a great heroine who was ready to take a chance with Russel. She just wanted him to love her but she was afraid of ruining their friendship.

Then we have Russell. Russell has been head over heels in love with Abby since the first moment he met her. But he's been friend zoned so he tries to friend zone her back. Plus the fact also remains that Russell thinks that he can never be good enough for Abby. I loved Russell's gruff nature. He was the rough to Abby's smooth. But Russell did take time getting his head out of his ass. You can get frustrated with him but his insecurities were genuine.

I loved the relationship Abby and Russell shared. They were best friends first even though they had undeniable chemistry. Tessa Bailey writes amazing steamy scenes and the ones in Make Me made me swoon. I do have to admit that I liked Abby a teeny bit more than Russell though. 

I also loved seeing the entire Super Group together. Louis and Roxy and Ben and Honey were so happy and in love. It was so cute seeing them completely smitten with each other yet supporting Russell and Abby. I have to say this has been a really fun series which I enjoyed reading. I am sad to see it end but I am looking forward to reading more from Tessa Bailey. Make Me was a solid 4 star read.

Review- Fall With Me by J.Lynn

Summary-

Eleven months ago, bartender and weird-shirt-wearing extraordinaire Roxy and Officer Reece Anders had a one night stand. Well, kind of. She’s been in love with him since she was fifteen, and he wishes that night they shared never happened. She’s sworn him off forever, but the past and future collide, forcing her to rely on the one man who broke her heart not once, but twice.

Her best friend since birth has been in a long-term care facility since he became a victim of a hate crime years ago, and the person who put him in there is out of prison and wanting to make amends with him and Roxy. She’s not sure she has room for forgiveness in her and when she begins to receive frightening messages and is on the receiving end of escalating violence, she thinks she knows who is to blame. The man who already destroyed one life already.

But Reece isn’t convinced. The threats are too personal, and even if Roxy doesn’t believe him, he’s not willing to let anyone hurt her. Including himself. He’s already messed up more than once when it comes to Roxy and he’s not going to let history repeat itself.

Release date: March 31st, 2015

Published by: Avon

Page numbers: 389

Review-

I have been religiously following J.Lynn's Wait For You series since the first book came out. Fall With Me is the fourth book in the series and it is Roxy and Reece's story. I was really excited to get to Roxy and Reece's book because we could feel the tension between them since the last book itself. While Fall With Me was not as good as Wait For You, it was still a good read.

Roxy is our heroine. I loved her quirkiness. She was the perfect combination of nerd and cute and I loved how she wore t-shirts with weird sayings on them. Roxy has been in love with Reece since a long time. But things are awkward and complicated between them now more than ever. But someone is stalking Roxy and Reece will do anything to protect her.

The one thing I found stupid about Roxy was how she blew off things when she felt something was not right. There is a stalker on the prowl so obviously you should be more alert girl! Reece was very swoony like all J.Lynn heroes. I so wish we had gotten his point of view to know exactly how he felt about Roxy but unfortunately we don't. Reece is dealing with issues of his own as well.

I loved the chemistry Reece and Roxy shared. They were so very attracted to each other and the tension between them was for everyone to see. Roxy was very hot tempered but her heart was always in the right place. Reece was actually the steady and calm one and just what Roxy needed in her life.

I also enjoyed that we got to see how some of the couples from the previous books were doing. I adored Roxy's over protective family and how they were always there for her. Like all J.Lynn books this one was lengthy for a new adult romance. I liked the little bit of suspense we got with the romance. All in all Fall With Me was a good read.

Review- Come to me Recklessly by A.L.Jackson

Summary-

His heart was turned off…

Until she turned him on…

Christopher Moore gave up on the idea of love years ago. Now, his life is an endless string of parties and an even longer string of girls. Enjoying the physical perks with none of the emotional mess, hes convinced everyone that hes satisfied—everyone but himself. 

Samantha Schultz has moved on with her life. Finishing her student teaching and living with her boyfriend, shes deluded herself into believing shes content. But there is one boy she never forgot—her first love—and she keeps the memory of him locked up tight. She will never allow any man to break her the way Christopher did.

When Christopher's sister and her family move into a new neighborhood, Christopher is completely unprepared to find Samantha living at the end of the street. Memories and unspent desires send them on collision course of sex, lies, and lust. But when guilt and fear send Samantha running, Christopher will have to fight for what has always been his.

Release date: April 7th, 2015

Published by: NAL

Page numbers: 445

Review-

I had really enjoyed the first book in A.L.Jackson's Closer to You series. Come To Me Recklessly is the third book in the series which is the story of Aly's brother Christopher and Samantha. I have to admit I did not enjoy this book much. I just had way too many issues with it. The only thing good about the book was the writing and what parts we got about Jared and Aly.

So let's start with this. We have Christopher who has given up on love when he was sixteen and he lost the girl he loved. Now his life is filled with parties and hook ups. The only good thing in his life is Aly and Jared and their daughter Ella. But things change when Samantha walks back in. The simplest way to put this would be to say that Christopher was an asshole for half the book. He does improve but he is very much stuck in his spiral of pain.

Then we have Samantha. Samantha was portrayed to be a really nice and innocent person but then she started spewing all these lies and I couldn't see what Christopher saw in her. The worst thing, and this may be a minor spoiler was the cheating. I hated that Samantha cheated on her live in boyfriend. Yes, he may be an ass but I think she could have handled things much differently.

Christopher and Samantha defintiely have chemistry. They had been together in the past despite the odds and they do love each other still. The book goes in the present with flashbacks from the past. But I felt that the misunderstanding between them was quite silly. I felt that the conflict was not strong enough to have kept them apart for seven years.

So, yeah Christopher and Samantha irritated me. But I liked all the bits where we see how Jared and Aly are doing. They have come a long way. I also enjoyed Samantha's younger brother Stewart and how his plot went. Come To Me Recklessly was an okay read for me.

Review- The Game Plan by Kristen Callihan

Summary-

A beard-related dare and one hot-as-hell kiss changes everything.

NFL center Ethan Dexter’s focus has always been on playing football and little else. Except when it comes to one particular woman. The lovely Fiona Mackenzie might not care about his fame, but she’s also never looked at him as anything more than one of her brother-in-law’s best friend. That ends now. 

Fi doesn’t know what to make of Dex. The bearded, tattooed, mountain of man-muscle looks more like a biker than a football player. Rumor has it he’s a virgin, but she finds that hard to believe. Because from the moment he decides to turn his quiet intensity on her she’s left weak at the knees and aching to see his famous control fully unleashed. 

Dex is looking for a forever girl, but they live vastly different lives in separate cities. Fi ought to guard her heart and walk away. But Dex has upped his game and is using all his considerable charm to convince Fi he's her forever man.

Game On

Release date: November 1st, 2015

Page numbers: 323

Review-

I had really enjoyed the first two books in the Game On series by Kristen Callihan so I was super excited to read The Game Plan. There were a few hints given in the last book that this one may be about Fi and Dex and these two couldn't be more opposite than each other. Though I wasn't that blown away by The Game Plan, I really did enjoy the book.

Ethan Dexter is an NFL center. He has always been calm and composed, never letting anything get to him. He is the strong, silent and bearded type whose presence can be felt though he tries not to be the center of attention. I really liked Dex. He was so smitten by Fi and he wanted her with everything he had. He was tired of living the lonely life and Fi was all things bright and happy.

Then we have Fiona or Fi as most people refer to her. Fi has always been the party girl. Even though she has come a long way, sometimes that image comes back to haunt her. All Fi wants to do is focus on her career and prove that she can be independent but Dex comes along. I liked Fi. She had genuine reasons for hesitating with Dex with the whole long distance relationship thing. She was the perfect fit to Dex.

Dex and Fi were both really likable characters. They have their faults but never does it get irritating to be in either's head. Yes, they both make mistakes but they are willing to learn from them. Fi and Dex also shared amazing chemistry. It is hard to imagine but Dex is a virgin hero which made things really interesting. 

It was also really great to see Ivy and Gray with their kid and Anna and Drew. They made for a great support system for Dex and Fi. I am extremely curious to see what happens next in the Game On series and as to who will be the next couple. I enjoyed the Game Plan.

Review- Infraction by Rachel Van Dyken

Summary-

New York Times bestselling author Rachel Van Dyken proves that everyone scores to win. But off the field, a fumble can change the entire game.

Pro footballer Miller Quinton would do anything for his best friend and teammate—including “fake dating” his friend’s sister. What no one knows is that seven months ago in Vegas, Miller and Kinsey did a whole lot more than just kiss. Miller knows that this cheerleader is off-limits to him and any guy on the team. Still, he can’t stop himself.

Kinsey’s whole world is on the verge of crumbling. Her dad has cancer. Her overprotective brother is falling apart. Dating Miller may be a fake-out, but he’s the one guy who can make her forget about everything—including all the reasons she stayed away from football players. With each heated moment, Miller feels more like a safe place…even though he’s not safe at all.

Now temptation is testing every rule in the game of love. But how long can they go on playing when winning is a harder goal than either of them imagined?

Release date: January 9th, 2018

Published by: Skyscape

Page numbers: 278

Review-

Infraction was one of those books I impulsively requested on Netgalley. I basically just saw the cover and blurb and my fingers hit request before I knew it. Leave aside the fact that I haven't read the first book in this series. Nor have I actually read anything by Rachel Van Dyken before. But I am so glad I gave this book a chance because as soon as I started reading it, I was hooked!

So this is the story of Miller and Kinsey. They had a one night stand in Vegas seven months ago after which Kinsey left for Europe because Miller insisted on it. Now Kinsey is back and her world is crumbling. To appease her overprotective brother Kinsey has to fake date Miller and things obviously get very complicated.

I really liked Kinsey. She was sassy and sweet but she definitely had her vulnerabilities. With her Dad having cancer and an abusive ex coming back she has a lot to deal with. Miller is the only one who can make her forget. Miller is a pro footballer. He wants to help his best friend Jax out but he doesn't want to risk his heart again. Obviously Miller can't help but be pulled in to Kinsey. She makes him feel good.

I loved the banter between Kinsey and Miller. They were so funny and flirty. Them calling each other chicken and waffle was just hilarious. Kinsey and Miller had great chemistry. They understood each other and always tried to make the other person feel better. Another point to be noted for Infraction is that this book goes from Miller, Kinsey AND Jax's point of view. Jax is the over protective brother who has a super hero complex.

I am a little bit on the fence about the necessity of Jax's pov. On one hand I genuinely liked seeing what was going inside of his head and seeing the start of his relationship with Harley. But on the other hand it took a little bit of something away from Miller and Kinsey's story. I wanted a bit more focus on them. But I loved seeing the entire gang together. Now I'm even more curious about Sanchez and Emerson and I think I need to read their book asap. Infraction was a great new adult book and I can't wait to read more from Rachel Van Dyken.

*Note: A copy of this book was provided by the author/publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. We thank them.

Review- It Could Happen by Mia Kerick

It Could Happen on Goodreads

 BOOK SUMMARY:

Three misfits, mismatched in every way—Henry Perkins, Brody Decker, and Danny Denisco—have been friends throughout high school. Now in their senior year, the boys realize their relationship is changing, that they’re falling in love. But they face opposition at every turn—from outside and from within themselves. Moving to the next level will take all the courage, understanding, and commitment they can muster. But it could happen.

Henry is a star athlete and the son of religious parents who have little concern for the future he wants. Brody is a quirky dreamer and adrenaline junkie, and Danny is an emo artist and the target of bullies. Despite their differences they’ve always had each other’s backs, and with each of them facing a new and unique set of challenges, that support is more important than ever. Is it worth risking the friendship they all depend on for the physical and romantic relationship they all desire?

In this unconventional new adult romance, three gay teens brave societal backlash—as well as the chance that they might lose their treasured friendship—to embark on a committed polyamorous relationship.

Release date: June 5th, 2017

Published by: Dreamspinner Press

Page numbers: 200

REVIEW: 

It was the cover of It Could Happen that pulled me towards it, and when I read the summary, I knew I had to read it because LGBT contemporaries are one of my most favourite books to read. I have read many such books in the past, but none of them sounded even close to It Could Happen, which had me so fascinated that I went out of my current comfort zone of reading only paperbacks and decided to pick up the ebook, as part of a blog tour for the book.

It Could Happen is a very difficult book to summarise because one thing will eventually lead to another and I'm sure I'll end up spoiling it which I don't want happening because everybody deserves to discover stuff on their own. What I will say is that the story of friends Danny, Brody and Henry is very unique. Each character is so different and yet so similar that this friendship is really the definition of "goals". Now I can already see that some people will really dislike this book, but then there'll also be others like me, who will love it so much that it'll stay somewhere in the head and heart forever.

Just the way in which author Mia Kerick has written and paced the story, portrayed and developed the characters and just taken up and nailed such a difficult, intimate yet normal topic in such a beautiful manner has bowled me over. I haven't read any other books by the author, but I'm already a fan of the writing and storytelling. The way the transition from friends to more than friends is shown in this book is simply wonderful. The sudden changes in voices had me confused, but by the time I was halfway through the book, I began to distinguish the characters and they grew on me in spite of everything.

I am so glad I read this book because it really is something totally different, fresh and absolutely interesting. I enjoyed reading It Could Happen so much that I did not want it to end because I became so close to the characters that I wanted to know everything and more. I would definitely recommend this one to fans of contemporaries who have an open mind don't mind going for something hot and new every once in a while. Give this book a go; you won't be disappointed. And when you understand the cover, you'll appreciate it even more.

*Note: A copy of this book was provided by author Mia Kerick and YA Bound in exchange for an honest review. We thank them.

Buy the book: AMAZON (IN)

Review- I'll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios

I'll Meet You There on Goodreads

 BOOK SUMMARY:

If seventeen-year-old Skylar Evans were a typical Creek View girl, her future would involve a double-wide trailer, a baby on her hip, and the graveyard shift at Taco Bell. But after graduation, the only thing standing between straightedge Skylar and art school are three minimum-wage months of summer. Skylar can taste the freedom—that is, until her mother loses her job and everything starts coming apart. Torn between her dreams and the people she loves, Skylar realizes everything she’s ever worked for is on the line.

Nineteen-year-old Josh Mitchell had a different ticket out of Creek View: the Marines. But after his leg is blown off in Afghanistan, he returns home, a shell of the cocksure boy he used to be. What brings Skylar and Josh together is working at the Paradise—a quirky motel off California’s dusty Highway 99. Despite their differences, their shared isolation turns into an unexpected friendship and soon, something deeper.

Release date: February 3rd 2015

Published by: Henry Holt & Co. (BYR)

Page numbers: 388

REVIEW: 

You know you're reading a great book when you dream about it. I'll Meet You There will take you on an emotional roller coaster that very few books manage to do. You will be out of words to describe how full of amazing, beautiful and wonderful this book is. The story will kill you from the inside out, the romance will make you melt and the writing will enthral you. If that isn't enough for you to pick this up, continue reading further. 

I'll Meet You There is the story of Skylar and Josh. Sky has always wanted to escape the monotonous and boring lifestyle of her tiny town Creek View which is why she is dying to start art college in San Francisco come September. Josh got the chance to leave Creek View when he signed up as a Marine, and is now back without a leg, haunting, life changing and unforgettable memories from Afghanistan and a very deep perspective on life in general. Co-workers at the Paradise from the time before he left, the two form a friendship that gives them a reason to smile, and a reason to live. 

The main characters were simply amazing. Both Skylar and Josh were portrayed beautifully as broken people. There was so much common to them than what appeared on the surface. Josh's situation was obviously more serious, but I loved how Sky had equally important issues going on. The two of them had a wonderful chemistry that was slow, steady and simply satisfying. Trust me, they did not even kiss till the end pages, and that makes their story so much more wonderful. Romance for them wasn't about getting physical, it was about having a shoulder to support your emotional burdens on, and it was amazing. The other characters were just as beautiful and added so much depth and meaning to the already meaningful and sad story. 

The writing was so amazing. After every few chapters that go strictly from Sky's point of view in first person, you will get a small chapter from Josh's point of view where he writes in second person to his best friend from his troop. Author Heather Demetrios has written an amazing, beautiful and wonderful story that you should read. You will not just read this book, but you will live it. And that cover. You will understand it when you read the book. You can thank me later. Although if you get the significance of the title, let me know as that's the only thing I didn't quite get. 

Buy the book: AMAZON (IN)

Review- Spiked by Jennifer Lane

Spiked on Goodreads

 BOOK SUMMARY:

They say
University is the time
To find yourself
But I don’t need to find myself
Just want to find you 

After watching his older siblings find their love matches at Highbanks University, Mateo Ramirez feels unlikely to follow in their footsteps. What girl would want him? Unlike his brother and sister, he battles diabetes and chooses music over sports. But at least he can write songs about his life—and the girl who caught his eye when their parents ran against each other for US President.

Hey, chica! Come conmigo
And baby, why don’t we go
Down under the bridge to the water
With you it can only get hotter 

Jessica Monroe is a talented swimmer who dreams of representing Team USA at the Olympics. When she earns an athletic scholarship to Highbanks, she’s excited to attend the same school as the cute boy she met two years ago: Mateo. Too bad he’s not around when a teammate spikes her drink. Jessica may never trust men again.

Trust
Is a hard-to-earn thing
Just
Try to keep listening

Swallow
Down all of the unjust
Hollow
My chest, my heart will bust 

College years are the time to shake off the past and find your future. But will that future find Mateo and Jessica together? Dive in and immerse yourself in the eagerly anticipated conclusion to Jennifer Lane’s Blocked trilogy.

Release date: October 1st 2016

Published by: Psyched Publishing

Page numbers: 285

My review of Blocked (Blocked #1)
My review of Aced (Blocked #2)

REVIEW: 

"If you liked author Jennifer Lane's Blocked, you will love Aced." This is what I had said in my review for Aced, the second book in the Blocked series. Now I don't really know what stage comes after love, but whatever that is, you will feel that after reading Spiked. Aced still remains my favourite, but the last book in the series, Spiked was just as good as Blocked and an extremely satisfying conclusion to what has become one of my most favourite New Adult series.

Spiked is the story of the youngest children in the Democratic and Republican families, Jessica and Mateo. Their siblings got their achievements and happily ever afters in their respective novels, and while their stories were lovely, I was always curious about Lucia and Alejandro's younger brother Mateo because he seemed like such a nice and quiet boy. And when I got to know that he would be paired with Dane's little sister Jessica, I could not wait to see what Jennifer Lane would put out for us. Well, it goes to say that, like always, Jennifer didn't disappoint because this book was so bloody good.

I feel sad that this series is over, because I love how each book doesn't just focus on the main couple, but on the most important families in America. It's great to get a bit of everything like politics, sport, drama, family, friendship, psychological issues, illnesses and love in one book as that makes it so much more interesting and highly entertaining. Jennifer Lane has a knack for taking up a serious subject and portraying it in a way that is both important, from an awareness point of view and light, in the way that is it incorporated in a contemporary fiction book. 

I feel like the biggest problem with books that I love is that I cannot stop talking about it. I mean, it's been three paragraphs and I haven't said anything about our main characters, Mateo and Jessica yet. It goes to say that I loved them both. While they are part of very important and prestigious families, they both seemed so normal and all the stuff they went through made them relatable and comforting. Jessica and Mateo were both total sweethearts and it was hard not to love them as individuals and even more as a couple, because they were just so perfect for each other; almost like magnets.

Spiked, just like Blocked and Aced, was a great read with a nice message. With this series, Jennifer Lane has made me genuinely appreciate the physical and mental intensity of sports people, the strength of people with physical, medical, psychological or basically any problems or issues, and a good romance; the latter being something I'm not too fond of, but hey, there's a first for everything. I don't normally furiously recommend books, but I would definitely recommend this series to everyone, because aside from being entertaining, it's important as well.

*Note: A copy of this book was provided by Jennifer Lane via Raven Publicity in exchange for an honest review. We thank them.

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