Review- Salem Falls by Jodi Picoult

Salem Falls on Goodreads

 BOOK SUMMARY:

Tall, blonde and handsome, Jack St. Bride was once a beloved teacher and football coach at a girls' school, until a student's crush sparked a powder-keg of accusation and robbed him of his career and reputation. Now after an eight-month jail sentence, Jack resolves to pick up the pieces of his life.

Release date: April 1st 2008

Published by: Hodder & Stoughton

Page numbers: 472

REVIEW: 

Before Salem Falls, I have only read Jodi Picoult's My Sister's Keeper. But that one book was enough for me to decide that I wanted to read more books from the part of my shelf dedicated to Jodi Picoult as I have an inexplicable obsession with collecting her books. I had my eye on Salem Falls as it had me extremely intrigued with its blurb so I thought I should pick it up next. And I am super glad I did because it's a book that gave me a major brain blotch which is something I had been waiting for... 

Salem Falls is the story of Jack St. Bride who is accused and convicted of sexually assaulting his student Catherine Marsh. Once he has served his time, he moves out to Salem Falls, a quiet town and stumbles into Do-Or-Diner, owned and managed by Addie Peabody. When Jack and Addie meet, they obviously have no idea what's in store for either of them but it is one incredible journey that I thoroughly loved reading about. Jack is once again accused of raping a teenage girl in Salem Falls and that's when the story picks up pace and turns into a series of events that are super interesting to read about. 

Jack and Addie aren't the only characters in this book. It's basically the entire town that gets involved in Jack's case and like always, Picoult manages to write some smashing characters who stay with you long after you've closed the book and who make you contemplate life in general. I don't know how she does it but the author weaves some magic that makes her books so mind blowing and touching. She knows her art super well and that's super admirable. 

Like My Sister's Keeper, Salem Falls also started on a slow note. I felt like I was reading the book forever. It was only once I crossed the 60% mark that I really got into it and I couldn't wait to find out how everything would turn out. Having said that, the first part of the book was packed with information and clues that help figure out some major information but it was just very difficult to get into. There were times when I felt like giving up or putting it on hold but I am so glad I didn't. It's like they say: Great stuff takes time. And it stands so true for this particular book. 

I would highly, highly recommend this book, whether you are a Jodi Picoult fan or not, this one is going to keep you hooked! 

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Review- My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult

 My Sister's Keeper on Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Now a major film. Sara Fitzgerald's daughter Kate is just two years old when she is diagnosed with a rare form of leukaemia. Reeling with the helpless shock of it, Sara knows she will do anything -- whatever it takes - to save her child. Then the tests results come back time and again to show that no one in their family is a match for Kate. If they are to find a donor for the crucial bone marrow transplant she needs, there is only one option: creating another baby, specifically designed to save her sister. For Sara, it seems the ideal solution. Not only does Kate live, but she gets a beautiful new daughter, Anna, too. Until the moment Anna hands Sara the papers that will rock her whole world. Because, aged thirteen, Anna has decided that she doesn't want to help Kate live any more. She is suing her parents for the rights to her own body.

Release date: June 11th 2009

Published by: Hodder Paperbacks

Page numbers: 407

REVIEW: 

How do I even review a book like My Sister's Keeper? I had been procrastinating writing this, but then I thought, let's just give it a go and get it over it. But guess what? I have been staring at my black screen for the past five minutes. I have no words to describe the journey that this book has been. I am a 100% sure that my words won't do justice to this marvel. But here goes nothing.

My Sister's Keeper is the story of the Fitzgerald family, where Kate is diagnosed with leukaemia at the age of two, and her only chance at survival is a major bone marrow transplant, for which her parents give birth to another baby who is designed to help Kate. And so, we have Anna. Kate and Anna also have a bother, Jesse. The three siblings were incredibly and realistically portrayed and any intense moments between siblings brings tears to my eyes. This novel wasn't any different. I found myself sympathising with Kate, supporting Anna and trying to understand Jesse.

But there's so much more than the story of a family and their hardships to My Sister's Keeper. This book is about science, medicine, law, justice and what not. I did find it to be a wee bit slow at the very beginning, but once it picked up pace, I was engrossed in it to the point that I both wanted to know the end but didn't want the story to be over. Speaking of the end, I found it both satisfying and disappointing. It wasn't predictable per se, but I did have this ending in mind somewhere along the way. However, it was a medley of coincidences which I always find a tad bit hard to believe. But when everything comes together in the end, it's deeply satisfying.

I don't suppose this review is going to be of any help to anyone. All I would say is that this book is a roller coaster and an emotional one at that. I understand how and why readers can both love and hate it. I, for one, have a bunch of mixed feelings, leaning more towards the positive of course. But this is one of those books that, the longer they stay on your mind (oh, and trust me, this one will), the more youe feelings change as it makes you think.

Buy the book: AMAZON

Review- Lost and Found Sisters by Jill Shalvis

Summary-

From New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis comes her first women's fiction novel—an unforgettable story of friendship, love, family, and sisterhood—perfect for fans of Colleen Hoover, Susan Mallery, and Kristan Higgins.

They say life can change in an instant…

After losing her sister in a devastating car accident, chef Quinn Weller is finally getting her life back on track. She appears to have it all: a loving family, a dream job in one of L.A.'s hottest eateries, and a gorgeous boyfriend dying to slip an engagement ring on her finger. So why does she feel so empty, like she's looking for a missing piece she can't find?

The answer comes when a lawyer tracks down Quinn and reveals a bombshell secret and a mysterious inheritance that only she can claim. This shocking revelation washes over Quinn like a tidal wave. Her whole life has been a lie.

On impulse, Quinn gives up her job, home, and boyfriend. She heads up the coast to the small hometown of Wildstone, California, which is just a few hours north, but feels worlds apart from Los Angeles. Though she doesn't quite fit in right away, she can't help but be drawn to the town’s simple pleasures…and the handsome, dark-haired stranger who offers friendship with no questions asked.

As Quinn settles into Wildstone, she discovers there's another surprise in store for her. The inheritance isn't a house or money, but rather something earthshattering, something that will make her question everything she thought she knew about herself, about her family. Now with a world of possibilities opening up to Quinn, she must decide if this new life is the one she was always meant to have—and the one that could finally give her the fulfillment she's searched so long for.

Release date: June 20th, 2017

Published by: William Morrow Paperbacks

Page numbers: 400

Review-

I love Jill Shalvis' books. Her Lucky Harbor series is one of my all time favourite series which I have reread more times than I can count. I love how she combines romance with humor and sensuality. Lost and Found Sisters is a little something different from her. Firstly, it falls under the women's fiction category. Secondly, the length of it is definitely longer. But I didn't mind that. I'm more than happy to read more by Jill Shalvis.

So this is the story of Quinn, our heroine. Quinn works as a chef in Los Angeles. It has been two years since her sister passed away in a car accident and Quinn continues to feel numb of her surroundings. When a surprise bomb gets dropped on her she moves to the small town of Wildstone to figure things out for herself. 

I loved Quinn as a person. She was sweet and sad but she didn't hesitate to do the right thing. Quinn was quick to help anyone in need and she just wanted to take care of her loved ones. Quinn thought something was wrong with her because she couldn't feel emotions but actually she felt too much. Quinn was scared to show her vulnerability but the town of Wildstone gave her the courage to do just that.

I also really liked Tilly. She is a teenager with a chip on her shoulders. Life hasn't been fair to Tilly and she's just trying to figure out her relationship with Quinn. Mick is our hero. The chemistry between Quinn and Mick was great and their conversations were really cute and funny. Know that the romance isn't at the heart of this book but it is still an integral part of it. I also liked meeting the myriad of new characters who made up the residents of Wildstone.

I have a little bit of mixed feelings around this book. I mean, I do like it, Jill Shalvis' writing is fantastic and all the warm and mushy feelings are there. But I know I enjoy her proper contemporary romances more. But that's just my preference. I think anyone who enjoys Women's Fiction or contemporaries in general would enjoy Lost and Found Sisters.

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

Review- Girls of Riyadh by Rajaa Alsanea

Girls of Riyadh on Goodreads

 BOOK SUMMARY:

When Rajaa Alsanea boldly chose to open up the hidden world of Saudi women—their private lives and their conflicts with the traditions of their culture—she caused a sensation across the Arab world. 

Now in English, Alsanea’s tale of the personal struggles of four young upper-class women offers Westerners an unprecedented glimpse into a society often veiled from view. Living in restrictive Riyadh but traveling all over the globe, these modern Saudi women literally and figuratively shed traditional garb as they search for love, fulfillment, and their place somewhere in between Western society and their Islamic home.

Release date: July 5th 2007

Published by: Fig Tree

Page numbers: 320

REVIEW: 

I remember picking up Girls of Riyadh at a random book sale in my city a few years ago. Since then, the gorgeous book with sparkling gold embossed sequins and the title written in the same way in bright red and pink, had been sitting on my shelf. I was looking forward to reading it since it talks about the contemporary condition and situation of women in Saudi Arabia. I was extremely curious to know all about it as 1) I studied feminism and love reading and exploring the field more and 2) after hearing so much about women in Saudi, I wanted to read and find out about them myself.

Girls of Riyadh, as the title suggests, is set in Riyadh and tells the story of four elite Saudi women and everything they go through in life. It gave a very interesting glimpse into the lives of these women, who, over the course of the book, grow from eager teenagers to strong women. These four friends, Gamrah, Sadeem, Michelle and Lamees, live lives within the confines of society; but forget being women, as human beings, they, like you and I, have emotions and feelings; which is why, they go through experiences that end up teaching them so much about life. In a way, the book doesn't just portray the image of Saudi women, but of women who live under male domination, which is most parts of the world. And it also gives an excellent glimpse into the minds of men. 

While the way in which the author portrayed Saudi and its women was meticulous, the story itself is what bothered me sometimes, because I just could not understand why the main characters did something they did as it seemed very naive and irritating at times. I do get why stuff happened and how people tend to take relationships very seriously and then it damages them, but when one doesn't learn from one's experiences, that's when it starts bothering me to no end; which started happening towards the end of Girls of Riyadh. But I have to appreciate the fact that this book talks about everything; raw, real and ruthless.

All that aside, however, the way in which this book is written is very unique and interesting as its a girl sending out emails about her friends to practically every email user in Saudi. The way these readers become curious to know more and more about Gamrah, Sadeem, Michelle and Lamees mirrored my enthusiasm and curiosity as well since whenever I wasn't reading the book, I couldn't wait to get back to their very exciting and entertaining lives, which is always a plus point because a book truly means something when it's on you mind even when you're not reading it. I do wish the writer of the emails was revealed at the end though. 

The fact that Girls of Riyadh was first written in Arabic and then translated in English and was even banned in Saudi and is still doing so well proves what Malala says- "Extremists have shown what frightens them most: a girl with a book". But also, a girl with knowledge and experience. I applaud author Rajaa Alsanea for writing this crisp, curious and very clear book about women. I will definitely use this book for further research and I definitely recommend it to everyone who loves reading and gaining knowledge from reading.

Buy the book: AMAZON

Review- How to Be Bad by E. Lockhart, Sarah Mlynowksi and Lauren Myracle

How to Be Bad on Goodreads

 BOOK SUMMARY:

Three bestselling authors--E. Lockhart, Sarah Mlynowski, and Lauren Myracle--bring you on the road trip of a lifetime in this dynamic novel packed with fun, friendship, and feminism.

Jesse, Vicks, and Mel each has her own reason for wanting to get away from their nowheresville Florida town. Add in a hot (and harmless) hitchhiker, an impending hurricane, and a close encounter of the gator kind, and the result is one sizzling road trip where the journey is far more important than the destination. Now in a fresh new package, How to Be Bad will take even more readers along for the ride. 

Release date: April 28th 2015

Published by: HarperTeen

Page numbers: 352

REVIEW: 

I was gifted a copy of How to Be Bad by my family, and somehow, whenever I saw that it was written by not one, not two, but three authors, I thought it was a collection of three short stories. When I finally decided to read the book in the hopes that it would break my very long and very boring reading slump (which it did, by the way), I realised that it is a road trip book written in three points of views, and my God, what a fun book it is!

How to be Bad is the story of three young girls who work at the Waffle House and are each facing their own problems, when one day Jesse convinces her friend Vicks to go on a weekend road trip to Miami and somehow new girl Mel becomes a part of the gang as well. Over the course of the book and everything the girls went through, I found myself growing fond of them, and both admiring and appreciating them because they are so real, raw and relatable.

The three girls were so different from each other, and somewhere, that is what made the book so fun to read. On the one hand, we have Jesse and Vicks, who have been close friends and even though they are the complete opposites, they complete each other in a certain way. Then we have Mel, who I thought was most relatable, and she just adds that extra something to not just the entire road trip, but to the lives of Jesse and Vicks.

There's so much that happens in this book over the course of one weekend during the road trip that it's hard to summarise everything. The authors E. Lockhart, Sarah Mlynowski and Lauren Myracle have written a spectacular book with a very fun yet moving and touching story. I've previously read E. Lockhart's We Were Liars, which was a very unique and heart-warming read and Sarah Mlynowski's Ten Things We Did (and Probably Shouldn't Have) which again, I loved. So only Lauren Myracle was new to me, but man, was I impressed with the way this book was written!

All I will say is that How to Be Bad is a lovely coming of age story that is done so brilliantly. Coming of age stories are always a hit, and this one is no exception. I am in complete awe of this stunning and engrossing read that has so much to offer and teach, that has nothing to do with being bad, but learning how to accept both sides and live with it. I read this book over a weekend, and I had a great time doing it, so I would highly, highly recommend it, especially to fans of young adult contemporaries.

Buy the book: AMAZON

Review- Count Your Blessings by Sharon Sala

Goodreads Summary:

Previously titled Color Me Bad, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Sharon Sala dishes up Count Your Blessings, a contemporary romance piled high with love, laughter, and plenty of heart in Blessings, Georgia!

As the respectable wife of the town preacher, Patty June Clymer never thought she'd have to worry about a cheating husband. But when things come to a head, Patty decides to take charge of her life by kicking her no-good husband out her house, and getting a total makeover at the popular local salon. 

With a new spiky black haircut and a new outlook on life, Patty goes from mousy and meek to living large and in charge, and fairly starts a revolution in the small town of Blessings, Georgia.

REVIEW:

Sometimes, I go on a novella spree, and end up binge-reading novellas. When I picked up Count Your Blessings, it was one of those times. The novella is free on Amazon, and from what I have gathered, it was initially called Color Me Bad, and is an introductory novella to The Curl Up and Dye series. If the novella is anything to go by, the series will be fun and entertaining. 

This novella isn't a story as such, it's more about incidents that take place in a small town called Blessings. I love reading about small American towns as that gives stories a warm and welcoming touch. A place where everyone knows everyone, Blessings poses as a harbinger of gossip, especially when a brave lady named Patty June decides to take serious action against her cheating husband. 

My initial thoughts when I began reading the novella were that the story would be about salon owner, Ruby, but it turns out that it wasn't. Like I have mentioned previously, the novella is about a series of incidents that go from one person's point of view to another's but all in third person, which keeps it smooth. It doesn't get confusing at all, but I really would have liked to see more of the story taking place at the ever famous salon, because that was so much fun to read. 

The strong feminism that shines throughout this novella is admirable. But at the same time, it seemed like it leaned towards misandry at times. Keeping all that intellectual babble aside, however, Count Your Blessings was an entertaining novella that was a fast paced and extremely quick read. It would be really interesting to see how author Sharon Sala takes this story ahead, and I definitely look forward to reading it.

RATING:

Review- Bad For You by Abbi Glines

Goodreads Summary:

Innocence was never meant for the addictive… 

Addiction was something Krit Corbin accepted as part of his nature a long time ago. He decided to embrace it and flip his finger at the rules. Women had always been the number one thing on his list of addictions. He couldn’t get enough. Being the lead singer in a rock band had only made access to his favorite addiction that much easier.

Being alone was the only thing Blythe Denton understood. The small town minister’s family that raised her hadn’t accepted her as their own. The minister’s wife had always made sure Blythe understood just how unworthy she was of love. When Blythe is sent away to college and given a chance to finally be free of living as an unwanted burden, she looks forward to having peace in her life. Being alone isn’t something that bothers her. She escapes reality in the stories she writes.

However, the ridiculously sexy tattooed guy who keeps throwing parties in the apartment above hers is driving her crazy. For starters, he doesn’t treat her like she would expect a guy with a different woman always hanging on his arm to treat someone as uninteresting as her. She looks nothing like the gorgeous women she sees parading in and out of his apartment, but for some strange reason he keeps showing up at her door.

During a party at his apartment, Krit’s new neighbor comes to the door with her long brown hair pulled up in a messy knot and a pair of glasses perched on her cute little nose. She wants him to turn down the music, but he convinces her to stay.

Krit Corbin may have just found his biggest addiction yet. And Blythe Denton realizes too late that she’s finally been claimed.

REVIEW:

I had decided some time ago that I wouldn't begin my reviews with the following three words, but let me just break my own rules and go ahead and say it- oh my God! What a book! I absolutely adore Abbi Glines' Sea Breeze series. It's one of the few New Adult Contemporary series that I actually follow and look forward to. Although the previous book was a major disappointment, I loved Bad For You so much. The story of Blythe and Krit, Bad For You is an adorable and lovely twist to and take on the regular bad boy meets good girl romance. 

The nicest aspect of Bad For You was that the romance didn't begin till some 50%. Till that point, the protagonists were just friends and even though they were attracted to one another, they knew their boundaries and limits. It's not everyday that we meet New Adult main characters who don't kiss each other and get under the sheets as soon as they meet or within a few days of when they meet. It's also not everyday that these same characters actually indulge in some meaningful conversation and try to genuinely get to know each other. Oh, and another one, it's also not everyday that these characters give each other and their potential relationship all the time that it takes to make it work. 

Krit. Krit, Krit, Krit. I don't know how she does it every time, but Abbi Glines has made me fall in love with yet another one of her bad boys. I hate how these boys have sex with many girls and throw them away left, right and centre but when their girl even as much as talks to another guy, all hell breaks loose. It annoys me to no end and yet, I can't really help but admire how the guy changes from this bad ass dude to a caring and sensible man. I had nothing but pure disgust towards Krit in the previous books of the series, but after giving him a chance and getting to know him in Bad For You, I have to admit that I adore him. He was adorable in his psychotic ways. He was a great friend with an addictive and sparkling personality. And if that isn't enough, to top it all of, the dude's a singer. 

Blythe was perfect for Krit. She was the exact opposite of him. He craves attention. She tries to blend in. He practically knows the whole town. She barely talks to people. He's experienced. Everything is new for her. Sometimes, I thought that for a girl who loves to read and write, Blythe was way too innocent but then again, her side of the story strongly proves the whys of it. I would have ideally liked to know more about her past, but she herself is willing to let it all go and start afresh. She was a really nice person who needed Krit to show her just how nice she was. 

My most favourite books in the Sea Breeze series have been While It Lasts and Sometimes It Lasts and I am loyal to our male protagonist in these stories, Cage York. But Bad For You has been such an unexpectedly and exceptionally well done story that I can easily say that it's my new favourite. I am very stingy with my ratings these days and it's only because of that that I'm giving this book four very bright, shiny, sparkly and glittery stars. I haven't stopped smiling since I put the book down. 

RATING:

Review- Three Little Words by Melissa Tagg

Goodreads Summary:

Ava Kingsley and Seth Walker might be the most unlikely friends ever. The only thing these two polar opposites have in common is a knack for wordsmithing. Back in college, they were known for their written sparring in the campus newspaper's popular "He Says/She Says" column.

At their ten-year college reunion, they pick up right where they left off. Except this time their squabbling leads to a surprising turn: friendship and a year-long exchange of emails. So when Ava approaches a crossroads in her athletics department career in Minnesota, Seth is quick to offer the open apartment above the restaurant he's been remodeling in Maple Valley, Iowa.

Ava doesn't know where her career will lead her next, but she's starting to suspect she might see Seth as more than a pen pal. Which would be exciting...except for the fact that he only sees her as a friend.

As Maple Valley grows on her, Ava wonders if there might be something here for her even though Seth is unavailable. And maybe, just maybe, after all the words the two of them have exchanged over the years, they'll finally be able to say the three that matter most.

Three Little Words is an e-only novella that gives an exciting introduction to Melissa Tagg's new series about the charismatic Walker family and the endearing town of Maple Valley! 

REVIEW:

Author Melissa Tagg's novella, Three Little Words, is free on Amazon. I've been digging novellas lately, that's how I came across it. And I am glad I did. Three Little Words was a very cute and enjoyable story that I devoured in spite of it being a romance, a genre I'm not the most fond of. However, I do enjoy my share of mature and thoughtful Adult Romances here and there, and this one turned out to be super sweet. 

Ava lost the love of her life in a skiing accident. A tomboy since childhood, she has always wanted to coach a football team, a passion she isn't able to follow, as a woman. She decides to stop by her school reunion with the hopes of meeting her father figure professor, but ends up bumping into Seth, her classmate and constant email bickering partner, who has opened a new restaurant in his hometown and invites Ava over for the summer. 

Ava was a very sweet and different girl. Although she seemed really simple and ordinary at first, I really liked her determination to follow her heart even when it wasn't possible. I also admired her for taking a step ahead, rather than waiting for the man to do it. Seth was just as wonderful as Ava. He was teasing her in the most enjoyable ways, and when together, Ava and Seth seemed really at ease and peace. They were totally meant for each other. Their email and face to face conversations were fun to read. 

I also really enjoyed reading about Seth's restaurant, The Red Door, that he started just below his uncle and cousins' apartment. The family was really warm and kind, and that always adds a wonderful touch to novellas. Three Little Words was a very cute read that had a bit of everything ranging from family to friendship, love to hate, bickering to normal discussions, emails to real talk and so much more. The end was super sweet, and I really liked it. I hope to read more books from the Walker Family series sometime. 

RATING:

Review- Beautiful Redemption by Jamie McGuire

Goodreads Summary:

If A Maddox boy falls in love, he loves forever. But what if he didn't love you, first? 

No-nonsense Liis Lindy is an agent of the FBI. Deciding she is married only to her job, she breaks off her engagement and transfers from Chicago to the field office in San Diego. She loves her desk. She is committed to her laptop. She dreams of promotions and shaking hands with the director after cracking an impossible case. 

Special Agent in Charge Thomas Maddox is arrogant, unforgiving, and ruthless. He is tasked with putting away some of the world’s toughest criminals, and he is one of the best the Bureau has to offer. Though, as many lives as he’s saved, there is one that is beyond his reach. Younger brother Travis is faced with prison time for his involvement in a basement fire that killed dozens of college students, and the media want a conviction. Travis’s only savior is his unusual tie to the mob. In a deal that will spare his brother, Thomas has agreed to recruit Travis into the FBI. 

Liis is stubborn, defiant, and yet somehow softens Thomas’s rough edges, making her the perfect agent to accompany him to the ceremony. Posing as a couple, they must travel to Travis & Abby’s beach vow renewal and give him the news, but when the pretending ends, she finds herself wondering if they were pretending at all. 

In the second installment of the Maddox Brothers books, experience firsthand the mysterious world of the elusive Thomas Maddox, and how good love can be when you’re not the first, but the last.

REVIEW:

I went into Beautiful Redemption without any expectations whatsoever as I was highly disappointed by the first book in the Maddox Brothers series, Beautiful Oblivion. While it is no secret that I love love love the Beautiful series (and by that I mean Travis Maddox), I was hoping that Beautiful Redemption wouldn't be another Abby and Travis retelling from another perspective. I'm not saying that it wasn't. But this story had an actual fixed plot and really strong characters that made it a very good read or maybe it's just that I hadn't read a thorough Jamie McGuire romance or any romance in a long time, so I found this to be cute. 

There are only two negatives that I could come up with when it comes to Beautiful Redemption and unfortunately, those two points end up playing a major role. I did not like the way the story started and neither did I like the way it ended. Major turnoff, I know. And it has me confused about my final rating of the book. But trust me, what happened in between the start and the end was just too good. The story of two FBI agents, I didn't really care or even understand the mystery/ thriller aspect as I'm not the biggest fan of the genre. The characters, however, were well developed and most importantly, they were adults. For me, Beautiful Redemption is more of an adult romance. 

Speaking of the characters, Thomas Maddox was just too cute to be true. We didn't ever really get to know him before or even meet him for that matter. So he was always a mystery, and from the little that we saw of him in Beautiful Oblivion, I wasn't the biggest fan. But in his own book, he was awesome. I love how protective he was of his family. His love interest Liis was perfect for him. A career-oriented woman, I enjoyed how real she was as a person and her kick-ass attitude in a contemporary novel was a fresh and much needed change. But it was irritating when she tried denying her feelings all the damn time. Together, Liis and Thomas made for a cute couple who acted immature sometimes and took way too long to make things work. 

As always, it was great to meet the Maddox family who I didn't even realise I missed so much. Obviously we have Abby and Travis who we all know always sell. But thankfully Beautiful Redemption didn't revolve around them. Their part in the story was an amazing surprise that I enjoyed reading. But this book for me, is Liis and Thomas all the way. Beautiful Redemption was a fantastic read with fabulous characters and even though it had negatives, it was an enjoyable and funny read overall. 

RATING:

Review- Confess by Colleen Hoover

Goodreads Summary:

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover, a new novel about risking everything for love—and finding your heart somewhere between the truth and lies. 

Auburn Reed has her entire life mapped out. Her goals are in sight and there’s no room for mistakes. But when she walks into a Dallas art studio in search of a job, she doesn’t expect to find a deep attraction to the enigmatic artist who works there, Owen Gentry.

For once, Auburn takes a risk and puts her heart in control, only to discover Owen is keeping major secrets from coming out. The magnitude of his past threatens to destroy everything important to Auburn, and the only way to get her life back on track is to cut Owen out of it.

The last thing Owen wants is to lose Auburn, but he can’t seem to convince her that truth is sometimes as subjective as art. All he would have to do to save their relationship is confess. But in this case, the confession could be much more destructive than the actual sin…

REVIEW:

Even though I was pretty apprehensive about reading Confess as I have had both positive and negative experiences with Colleen Hoover previously, I was quite excited to read the book after following all the teasers the author was sharing on her social media. Confess started out as really cute read, then went onto to become too much of a drama, but ended on the sweetest note. So all in all, this was a good read that I enjoyed. 

Confess is a typical Colleen Hoover book which is generally comprised of the wonderful combination of friendship, family, love, issues and problems and most importantly, characters who show human nature as being good or bad, which isn't necessarily a good division to make all the time. As our main characters, we have Auburn as the female lead, who was really sweet and showed immense character development by the time the book ended. There were times when she was extremely vulnerable and the fact that she didn't stand up for herself irritated me, but her situation was always explained. 

Then there is Owen, who was just as sweet as Auburn, but I did feel that he was way too good to be true. He came with his own guilt baggage, but never once did he make his situation seem more important than that of those around him, which was good. There were also two other guys who played an important role in the book, and they were Adam and Trey. Adam was the hero of the book for me, and Trey was way too dumb to ever get his way. 

Coming to the chemistry between Auburn and Owen, it was quite good and I liked how they both had bigger problems than what they seemed to be showing. Although the instalove between them had me questioning the whole relationship and their secrets were too big to be hidden, they made for a good couple. It's just that we didn't get to see them actually sit down together and discuss their problems. Everything was kind of in the air and left to find it's own way. 

Overall, as I said before, Confess was a cute read that did have some downs. But just for the fact that this one didn't annoy me like the previous few books by Colleen Hoover, I feel that it stands out as a good read. Not as good as the first half a dozen books by the author, but still, quite good. 

RATING:

Review- Beautiful Oblivion by Jamie McGuire

Goodreads Summary:

The Beautiful Disaster and Walking Disaster phenomenon continues in the first heart-pounding new adult romance in The Maddox Brothers series.

Fiercely independent Camille "Cami" Camlin gladly moved on from her childhood before it was over. She has held down a job since before she could drive, and moved into her own apartment after her freshman year of college. Now tending bar at The Red Door, Cami doesn’t have time for much else besides work and classes, until a trip to see her boyfriend is cancelled, leaving her with a first weekend off in almost a year.

Trenton Maddox was the king of Eastern State University, dating co-eds before he even graduated high school. His friends wanted to be him, and women wanted to tame him, but after a tragic accident turned his world upside down, Trenton leaves campus to come to grips with the crushing guilt. 

Eighteen months later, Trenton is living at home with his widower father, and works full-time at a local tattoo parlor to help with the bills. Just when he thinks his life is returning to normal, he notices Cami sitting alone at a table at The Red. 

As the baby sister of four rowdy brothers, Cami believes she’ll have no problem keeping her new friendship with Trenton Maddox strictly platonic. But when a Maddox boy falls in love, he loves forever—even if she is the only reason their already broken family could fall apart.

In the first installment of the Maddox Brothers books, readers can experience the rush of reading Beautiful Disaster for the first time, all over again.

REVIEW:

Okay, first and foremost, let me make one thing absolutely clear. The first book in Jamie McGuire's Maddox Brothers series and one of the most anticipated releases of 2014, is not the story of one single couple, Cami and Trenton. It is the story of three couples and I mean that in a negative way. With the #Trentislikewoah hashtag going around like wildfire, I was expecting Trent, Trent, Trent and more Trent. Unfortunately, this is not just about Trent, but T.J, Brazil, Kody and Travis.

I wouldn't say I absolutely disliked Beautiful Oblivion because I didn't. If anything, I was just disappointed. For me, it seemed like Abby and Travis- and I admit that they're one of the greatest couples out there and I heart them both large- seemed like sugar. You put it in anything and it'll sell. And in this case, it doesn't have to be a dessert, savoury will do too. I see nothing wrong in it. In fact, I was delighted to meet my most favourite book boyfriend. But honestly? We read Beautiful Disaster. We read Walking Disaster. And now we read. The. Exact. Same. Stuff. In Beautiful Oblivion. Besides, Beautiful Oblivion is essentially Cami and Trenton's book. This brings me to another part. I was so disappointed to see- and I keep the hashtag in mind here- that Trent didn't get a point of view. Maybe we'll read. The. Exact. Same. Story. From Trent's point of view in Walking Oblivion (totally made up) perhaps?

Now onto the better stuff. I must admit that I had fun reading his book. It was a nice change for me from a lot of intellectually heavy stuff I've been reading these days. So in that way, it was a nice read. But as I contemplate over it, I realise that there are many aspects to Beautiful Oblivion that seriously make me question it. I didn't appreciate how Cami was hiding such a major aspect of her life from Trenton. I got the why of it, but how? You say you love someone and then you don't tell them the truth. How is that going to work? And the same goes for Trenton. I mean, come on. You are a Maddox. Aren't you boys supposed to be walking sex? Why did you have to wait so long to tell the girl you love, that you love her? And why, someone please tell me why do you need a child- any and whom so ever's child- to make stuff pleasant?

I feel so bad to have said the stuff I have said, but it is what it is. Like I said, I did have some fun here and there when reading Beautiful Oblivion, but once I shut the book and started gathering my thoughts, I realised it wasn't all that worth it, and there's plenty of stuff to be discussed in there. Overall, Beautiful Oblivion wasn't as promising as it promised to be. And New Adult and I have gone- for the nth time this year- on an off relationship again. 

RATING:

Review- Rush Too Far by Abbi Glines

Goodreads Summary:

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:

New Adult and I have been in an on again/ off again relationship since the past few months. After a series of predictable and mediocre reads, I had decided to take a break from NA. I wasn't even the least bit interested in Rush Too Far, which is Fallen Too Far, from one of my top ranked book boyfriend, Rush's point of view. But then I thought, this is Rush. The guy I can't stop talking about. I mean, come on. I had to read his book and boy, I am so glad I did!

First off, I have to start by saying that Rush Too Far is such an apt and pretty title for Rush Finlay's book. It's just perfect. Although I am not the biggest fan of the guy on the cover (I much rather prefer the picture of the guy on Rush's Twitter account), he could just grow on me and keeping all the stuff I don't approve of aside, I adore his tattoos and Raybans. Also, his hair colour matches my imagination perfectly.

Secondly, the story. The story isn't anything different. It's just Fallen Too Far, the first book in Abbi Glines' Too Far or Rosemary Beach series, from the male protagonist's point of view. The author sure knows her female readers (I don't know about the males, because I don't know any male who has read her books) blush and drool when it comes to Rush and how the Rush Crush wave has washed us all with its adorableness, cuteness, hotness and sexiness. And that's what this book gives us. Rush was his usual adorable, cute, hot and sexy self and honestly, he is way too good to be true. The way he looks at Blaire is just too cute. 

While Rush Too Far gives the reader a look into Rush Finlay's head, it made me (after having recently written a paper on feminism), look at him with a very different perspective. His possessiveness, his caveman instincts, his need to claim Blaire, his desire to have a say in what she does and wears, got a little too much for me. But the thing about New Adult reads that I have figured out is that you have to keep your brains aside because they have many flaws that can be looked at and examined critically. Whatever that may be, Abbi Glines' books are an excellent escape for a few hours.

I really enjoyed this light and sweet read that made me realise how much I had missed Rush. I can't say that my faith in NA has been reinstated, nor can I promise that I'll read all books under the genre from now on. What I can say, instead, is that I will give the books in series that I have previously loved, a chance. Who knows? Like Rush Too Far, they might prove to be a nice little change from the current heavy reads I find myself opting for.

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