Family – Z. Elizabeth

The Rocker That Needs Me (#3) – Terri-Anne Browning

Posted on July 14, 2013July 13, 2013 by Z. Elizabeth

Synopsis

The Demon…

I’ve been fighting my own demons for most of my life. The alcohol seems to numb the pain, but it never makes the nightmares go away. All I want in life is a little peace. When I met my angel it felt like I found it, but there is so much standing between us. Why does she have to be so young…?

The Demon’s Angel…

Meeting Drake was the best thing to ever happen to me. I found my friend, my soul mate. But he lets my age stand between us. There is something that haunts him, and I selfishly want to be the one that helps him conquer his ghosts. If he would just let me in, let me closer, I think I could help him…

4.5 / 5 stars

My review of The Rocker That Holds Me HERE
My review of The Rocker That Savors Me HERE

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My Review

Since I had found the first book in The Rocker series by Terri Anne Browning, you could say I have fallen in love. In love with her and with the band. Since The Rocker That Holds Me, I have become obsessed with the stories. Of wanting to know the past of each character, to wanting ALL the books out now so I can gobble up each of the guys and the girls and watch their happy endings after all the shit they have been through.

If you have read my review of book two – The Rocker That Savors Me, you will see that I have such a massive soft spot for Drake. Okay, not a soft spot, I am basically in love with this guy. There is just something about him that drew me in. His dark past, his vulnerability, and the fact I want to mollycoddle him and be the one to help him through his past, through his drinking and just be the one for him. I know, I know, hes fictional, but I don’t care. In my head, he can be as real as I want him to be! Hahah.

You could say that my excitement for this book is an understatement. I was PISSING myself over getting my hands on this book so when Terri-Anne emailed me about an ARC, well who the hell was I to pass up reading The Rocker That Needs Me and my book boyfriend? OF COURSE I wanted an arc. I needed to learn all about Drake and his past and his relationship with Lana.

Myself and Holly (@Hollyshotreads) are completely besotted by this series and by Drake that we waited until each other had finished our respected books and read it together. We have been sooo anxious for the past few weeks and were completely excited to finally read Drake’s story. The texts she was sending me were making me chuckle!!

My darling Drake. My darling, darling drake. His prologue killed me. It killed me. And I cried. Yes, I cried at the start of this book. I knew it was going to be a bumpy and emotional ride, I knew it would be a hard and long journey and I knew we would find out about his awful past and the reason why he drink excessively until he blacks out. I was hoping that this wasn’t going to be his past, but I just cried so much when it turned out just what his past was.

It was heartbreaking and it really made you understand part of the reason he drank. I completely understood though, it just broke my heart that he needed the alcohol to numb him, to make the pain and the past go away. To stop him feeling guilty too.

But then he spots his angel when moving Layla and her sisters back to their guest house. But his angel is 17 years old and hes 31. He feels like hes found his soul mate but shes too young. He wants to stay away but he can’t. It’s like he needs Lana to breathe. To fill his life with some kind of hope, hope that he can get over his demons in time and hope that he can turn his life around and stop the drinking once and for all.

You really do see Drake change over the course of the book. Because of the dual POV, we got inside Drake’s head, which I absolutely loved. You got to see his fears, his insecurities, how he thought of himself and his band brothers and Emmie, and especially how he thought of Lana – his angel.

Of course there are parts where you just want to smack Drake but I loved how he needed and wanted to get help. Help for his drinking and for his past, no matter how hard it was for him to dredge it all back up. I felt like a proud momma for Drake sorting his shit out. He did it for Lana, for Shane, for himself.

Drake really does come a long way. He is a strong character, despite the addiction to alcohol. He is vulnerable too and completely besotted with Lana, which I found so heart clenchingly adorable. You could really see the fear of losing her when something big happens, and that is what kicks him ass into gear to try and win her back, to be a better man for her. He never wants to be without her, ever.

Angel, or Lana, as her real name goes is so mature and grown up for her 17 years. So doesn’t get involved in petty situations in school, she works hard, and focuses on her future and getting through school. She and Drake instantly click. Despite the age gap, there is something there between them that although they try to ignore, it’s blatantly there. They spend all their time together and it’s obvious that feelings are changing between them both for each other even though they are petrified and would rather hide them.

I loved the fear Drake had in losing her (which you will read in The Rocker That Savors Me). It was pure and you see just how much he and Lana balance each other out. But when one situation changes everything, Lana needs to do what is best for her. She is such a strong, caring girl and you really do feel for her. She loves Drake so much, but this something, she just needs to get away. To try and forget what happened. To focus on herself now even though she cares so much for Drake, it’s down to him to make the change.

Being miles away from Drake, I think it made Lana grow up and grow into herself. She just needed that time away to be herself – to focus on school but also focus on what she wants. I was so proud of her for standing up for herself, for not taking crap off Emmie, whom, despite my love for her, seemed to have some sort of vendetta against her. (I’m hoping this works itself out) but as I’ve said, Lana is amazing, shes brilliant and she didn’t deserve the hate towards her because it wasn’t her fault at all. (You’ll see what I mean). But I am glad she got her happy ending and both her and Drake, well I love them together and I’m glad they got over the issues standing in the way.

Drake does get his happily ever after. My heart was clenching in sweetness and an overpowering feeling to cwtched the shit out of him and Lana. My darling Drake finally got there in the end. Got to a point in his life where he was completely and utterly happy, in love so deeply with the one girl who stole his heart from the first sight. His journey wasn’t an easy one in any means. Lots of hurdles and bumps along the way, but they made him stronger. He broke his own barrier down, he stopped drinking, he put his guilt behind him, knowing and learning it wasn’t his fault and he got the girl who he knew he wanted to change for and be a better man for. You really cannot get any better than Drake. No way.

If you have yet to read about my book boyfriends in The Rocker series by the fabulous Terri Anne, then you are completely missing out. Seriously, you are because from the first book I knew this would become a favourite series of mine and it has. You have a band of ‘brothers’ all who have different secrets from their childhood and have grown up together and they have Emmie, the glue to their family. The girl who they all protected when they were younger and still are in a way. You watch the separate band members find their own way in life now; finding the one girl they want to spend their life with, and watching them grow.

The Rocker series isn’t one I’ve read before. The Rocker aren’t party animals, they aren’t the drink and drugs types. They are tame and it’s now time for them all to find the love of their life.

So join me in loving this series so hard and find new book boyfriends in each one of them.

Family, Romance

Billy and Me – Giovanna Fletcher

Posted on June 2, 2013May 31, 2013 by Z. Elizabeth

Synopsis

Sophie May has a secret.

One that she’s successfully kept for years. It’s meant that she’s had to give up her dreams of going to university and travelling the world to stay in her little village, living with her mum and working in the local teashop.

But then she meets the gorgeous Billy – an actor with ambitions to make it to the top. And when they fall in love, Sophie is whisked away from the comfort of her life into Billy’s glamorous – but ruthless – world.

Their relationship throws Sophie right into the spotlight after years of shying away from attention. Can she handle the constant scrutiny that comes with being with Billy? And most of all, is she ready for her secret heartbreak to be discovered and shared with the nation?

4 /5 stars

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My Review

*Thanks to Katie Sheldrake and Penguin for sending me and Advance copy in return for an honest opinion*

Billy and Me is about Sophie May and Billy Buskin. Sophie is a shy girl, having grown up with a secret that she would very much like to keep secret.

When a film is being made in her hometown, she meets the star – Billy Buskin. At first she doesn’t recognise him, wondering why he is in the small village. They start up a friendship, spending time together when he comes into the teashop. When she eventually knows who is he, nothing changes. Yes hes famous but he’s not egotistical, hes sweet and kind and really likes Sophie.

When they fall in love, Sophie is whisked into his world, surrounded by famous people, bitchy people and paparazzi; her life is thrown into the spotlight, after years of shying away from it. With comments and the scrutiny of being with Billy, can she handle it all? And is she ready for her secret to be exposed to the nation?

What will become of Billy and Sophie?

So I have known about Giovanna Fletcher for many years. Being a McFly fan, it was kind of hard not to know who she was. I really admire her and she is a great role model, so when I found out she was writing a book, well that baby was going straight on my TBR list and the countdown was on for the release date.

I obtained a review copy and when it came through my door, I just KNEW that is was Billy and Me and ripped open the package, gleaming that I had this book in my hand and I was staring at the most gorgeous cover. I proceeded to read it everywhere; on the bus, on the train, in bed, at the bus stop, I could not put it down. No matter how much I needed to eat etc, the book was etched in my hand the whole time.

Mrs Fletcher has written an amazing debut novel. Being married to a famous musician, you would expect her to have encountered many of the things she writes about in Billy and Me and write about her experiences. Either way, if she did, or didn’t experience the paranoia and the paparazzi and the comments, she still wrote the story to perfection. She makes you love her characters, feel their emotions, feel the pressure and paranoia and everything that comes from being in a relationship with a famous person.

I was crying, I was laughing, I felt paranoid, I was smiling so hard and I also had to put the book down at times to take deep breathes because I didn’t want things to happen, or read on to find out what was going to happen. Emotions, people, you feel!

I really did like Billy. He wasn’t like all the other ‘famous’ actors whom are high maintenance, only think about themselves and throw money around. He was down-to-earth, wasn’t in it for the fame, and was genuine, and completely loveable and romantic. It was hard not to fall for him at first read. He was the famous guy who you would love to be with simply because he loved the acting side and didn’t care for the fame and money. He liked his home necessities, his love for him family and the love he had for Sophie was lush to witness. He would do anything to be with her, to make her happy and feel loved.

Sophie is independent. She never used to be but a trauma in her life made her push people away. She doesn’t really have any friends, apart from Molly, the old lady she works for and her mother. She has a warm and caring aura about her. You want to be friends with her, for her to be your best friend and to confide in. She hates gossip, as she has been the subject of it, so she keeps to herself. She’s very comfortable in her ways, there aren’t many people who live in her village, and most of them are older women, she shes not really used to dating or seeing anyone her age around. When Billy comes into the shop, you can see that she finds him attractive, yet she holds her own, despite the lack of men, she can talk to him, make him feel at ease, make him laugh, and that is what is so great about Sophie is that she just has this aura about her that you want to spend time with her, want to know her and have to love her because she is true to herself.

Molly. Oh Molly. I absolutely loved this gem of a woman. She was Sophie’s boss but also her best friend. She was such a brilliant character to read about and you just want her as your own friend or your grandmother because she was funny and caring and gave the best advice. She looked out for Sophie, didn’t like anyone hurting her and pushed her in the right direction. She was the perfect character, and I really loved her throughout Billy and Me.

My favourite scene has to be the first date. I’m not going to say what happens, but seriously..Billy is the perfect romantic and I loved what he did. I really want my boyfriend – when I get one – to replicate this date because it is something that seems so intimate and sweet to come up with and make for a first date. You will be swooning over this date and over Billy, no question about it!

Giovanna Fletcher has written a great first novel. I know I am slightly late in reviewing it….well writing my review as I read this about a week or so ago, but damn work commitments. But seriously, if you are looking for a great love story, then Billy and Me is it. It’s hard to put down; you will fall in love, swoon, cry and generally savour every single page. So what are you waiting for, go grab your copy now and see what I am talking about.

Family, Romance

The Doctor Wears A Stetson (#1) – Anne Marie Novark

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Z. Elizabeth

Synopsis

Jessie Devine can rebuild an engine blindfolded, but when it comes to men, she’s all thumbs. When it comes to Cameron McCade, it’s even worse. He stole her heart in high school, then left town for good. Now he’s back and sparks are flying. Can they take up where they left off? Can Jessie risk her heart again? Repairing cars is no problem, but taming Cameron’s restless spirit is something else entirely.

3.5 / 5 Stars

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Excerpt:

The atmosphere sizzled in the small office. Jessie stood like a statue, her eyes opened wide. “Why did you come back?” Her raspy voice held a note of accusation.

Cameron also heard anguish in her words. Was he causing Jessie pain? When all he wanted was to hold her in his arms, take her to bed and make love to her until the passion between them was spent?

In two long strides, he was beside her. She backed against the file cabinet. He stepped closer.

“You know why I’m back. We need to finish what we started seventeen years ago.” He touched a finger to her cheek, traced the smooth line of her jaw, eased his hand behind her neck and pulled her to him. Her trembling intensified and she put her hands on his chest as if to ward him off.

He caught her hands and moved them over his heart. “Feel my heartbeat, Jess. It’s beating for you.” He pressed his body against hers. “Feel how much I want you. I tried to stay away, but God help me, I couldn’t.”

His mouth claimed hers in fierce desire. Jessie moaned, holding back only for a second, knowing deep down resistance was hopeless.

She couldn’t help it . . . she kissed him back
(From Goodreads)

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My Review

17 years ago, at 15, Grease Monkey Jessie was asked out to a high school dance with Cameron McCade. The guy she has always had a serious crush on. After having a great night, he stole her heart but after that night he finished school and left town for good, leaving Jessie broken-hearted, even though it was only a few hours, she felt that spark and she knows he must have too.

Now 17 years later, and after nursing a broken heart for the death of her parents and her husband, Cameron is back in town for a couple of days and seeing him brings back all her old feelings for him…feelings that never went away. But can she got there? She’s filled up with guilt but her feelings are so strong for Cameron that it’s hard to resist him. But how long can she resist him for before she gives in?

Cameron had a plan in high school. To get out of the small town and become a Doctor. And that is exactly what he did. He never really comes back to his home town but he’s been offered a promotion at work and it’s his mother’s birthday so he’s back in town for a few days. Never did he think seeing Jessie again, working in her father’s garage would spark his old feelings for her, but they did and now it’s time to try and get Jessie to agree to start off where they left off 17 years ago.

I have an obsession with reading about Cowboys. I’m not sure where this stemmed from but I want to go to Texas, just hang out on a ranch and ‘bump’ into a sexy cowboy who wears a Stetson, has his top off and sweat glistening off him, has a sexy accent and a pick-up truck….*goes off into a dream world*okay, I’m back. So when I found this little gem on Amazon, 1-Click called out to me and I read it within a couple of hours.

Okay, so Cameron isn’t exactly a cowboy, but his family live on a ranch and he wears a Stetson so that is good enough for me.

So it’s the first book I have ever read by Anne Marie Novark but it certainly wont be the last! I will be downloading the next few books in the series as they focus on the other brothers in the family and their love life’s too. From reading the synopsis and the excerpt on Amazon, I knew it would be a great book, and I wasn’t wrong. Ms. Novark had me engrossed within the storyline, wanting to know every little bit of Cameron and Jessie and of course, the supporting characters who were there for both Cameron and Jessie. It was a fun, sexy and sometimes frustrating book to read (In a good way) and it has paved the path for me to read more about the sexy McCade brothers now. More Cowboys!!

As mentioned, the book starts when Jessie is 15. She’s an utter Tomboy and helps her dad out at his garage. She’s a grease monkey, so when Senior Cameron McCade asks her to his prom, she hesitates until he begs her to go with him. She accepts, buys a gorgeous dress and goes to the dance with him.

She may be a little young and inexperienced, but that night up on Lover’s Point, she gave her heart away to Cameron only to have it broken in two when he left the town straight after high school.

For 17 years, Cameron has been at the back on Jessie’s mind. She’s had to change up her life after her dad became ill and died. She got married and then became a widow when he died too. So her life hasn’t been the greatest and now, after trying to safe her dad’s shop, she has the dilemma of running out of money. When TR died, she inherited a piece of land on the McCade’s ranch and although she promised Cameron’s mother she wouldn’t sell it to the big oil companies, now is the time where she is in a rut. She feels guilt and doesn’t know what to do.

Cameron McCade hardly ever returns to the small town he grew up up. He’s not a busy Doctor and really doesn’t have time. His plan for to move away and that’s what he did. But his life isn’t all the fulfilling anymore and when offered a promotion, he is given time to go away and think about it. So he returns back home to think on it and visit his family as it’s his mum’s 60^th.

Pulling up outside Jessie’s shop with his flash car in tow, he needs it fixing and when he sees Jessie still in town, working at the shop, all his old feelings for her spring back and he knows now, that is needs to start back up what they began 17 years ago.

But with obstacles along the way, guilt eating up Jessie and Cameron’s careful planning going to shreds, will they get their happy ending?

I kind of felt sorry for Jessie throughout the book and at times annoyed and frustrated with her – But then I kind of understood, a tiny incy bit, where she was coming from. But not a lot to want to strangle her and tell her to go with her heart. She had her heartbroken at 15 to Cameron McCade and over the 17 years has seen fleeing sights of him. She had to leave her dream of going to college behind when her father became ill and when he died, she took over his garage and has been working there ever since. She is also widowed but she feels utterly guilty for not loving him the way a wife should. She also feels guilty for not being able to give him children and she also keeps turning down Cameron because of a promise she made to TR before he died.

All of this weighs on her so much so, that you just wanted to shake her and be like “PLEASE just stop it. You love Cameron, always have done but TR is dead and you need to stop living in the past and live for the future.”

You do feel sorry for her. The guilt is enough to make anyone down and although when she does get over it and realizes nothing is her fault, she is a bright and bubbly girl who loves being with Cameron.

She bloody well goes through a journey. You see her at 15, see her lose her heart to Cameron only to have him break it when he leaves. Then he’s back and she feels all the feelings rush back to the surface, having never gone away. The thing that annoyed me was that she let him back into her life too easy, but then I suppose, they didn’t know each other that well when they were younger and only spent a few hours together, so maybe it was easy to slip back into the ‘friendship’ mode and act normal, even if they hadn’t seen each other for many years.

It really was nice to see the chemistry between the both of them. To see they really should be together and finish off the rest of their life, just like it start 17 years ago, even though they were both to young. 17 years is a long time to be apart, but they flowed right back into how they were when they were kids and i suppose all that time just drifted away and it was like they were never apart.

Cameron McCade has always been a planner. At 18 he had his life planned out. Get out of the small town, go to medical school and become a Doctor. And that is exactly what he did. He didn’t want to become a rancher like his brother and father, he needed out. He left straight away after high school, not even saying goodbye to Jessie as he was scared of his feelings for her and since then he has hardly returned home.

Coming back home for his mother’s 60^th and to think over his promotion, he hangs out with Jessie a hell of a lot. Being with Jessie is changing something in Cameron, which was really nice to see as you realize he really does plan his whole life. Being around Jessie makes him not want to plan his life anymore, she makes him calm, different, and perhaps a little scared as he had never felt this way about anyone.

I loved how determined Cameron was to make Jessie see that they have this amazing chemistry and are good together – that they should continue what they started as kids. He never gave up on pursuing her, knowing that she really is The One for him. He goes through his own obstacles during the book such as his feelings for Jessie, how he doesn’t have a plan for once but he kind of likes it. It was really nice to watch him change and grow along the way too. The fact that he loves Jessie so much to switch up his life, well that just made me smile a lot.

There are a lot of barriers along the way, which could have easily been straightened out and a lot of blind sighting from Jessie and Cameron which also could have been straightened out if they both just cut to the chase of what they were hinting and their feelings for one another. They are eventually sorted out but I felt that if they both just said what they meant in the first place, a lot of what happened wouldn’t have dragged on.

Jessie and Cameron do get a HEA though and I cannot wait to see cameo’s of them in the next couple of books.

So if sexy Doctor’s who wear Stetson’s and are literally like a walking sex stick is your kind of thing, then give The Doctor Wears A Stetson and fall in love with Cameron too. Then go and download the rest of the books (Like i am) and fall in love with the other McCade brothers.

Family, New Adult, Romance, Samantha Young

ARC: Down London Road (#2) – Samantha Young

Posted on May 5, 2013May 5, 2013 by Z. Elizabeth

Synopsis

Johanna Walker is used to taking charge. But she’s about to meet someone who will make her lose control….

It has always been up to Johanna to care for her family, particularly her younger brother, Cole. With an absent father and a useless mother, she’s been making decisions based on what’s best for Cole for as long as she can remember. She even determines what men to date by how much they can provide for her brother and her, not on whatever sparks may—or may not—fly.

But with Cameron MacCabe, the attraction is undeniable. The sexy new bartender at work gives her butterflies every time she looks at him. And for once, Jo is tempted to put her needs first. Cam is just as obsessed with getting to know Jo, but her walls are too solid to let him get close enough to even try.

Then Cam moves into the flat below Jo’s, and their blistering connection becomes impossible to ignore. Especially since Cam is determined to uncover all of Jo’s secrets even if it means taking apart her defenses piece by piece.

My review of On Dublin Street can be found HERE

My review of Until Fountain Bridge can be found HERE

5 / 5 Stars

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My Review

I was so privileged to have receive a copy of Down London Road and I literally cannot wait for all of you to get your hands on this when it is out… I NEED someone to talk to about it and no one can yet 😦 BOO! I guess I’ll just have to wait for you all to read it and fall in love with Cam and rekindle your love for Braden…because you sure as hell will, for both of these!

We all fell in love with Samantha Young during On Dublin Street and now you will fall even more in love with her. Down London Road had me hooked. I took the book everywhere with me and read it when I could. I even did the whole clichéd ‘sit in starbucks with a hot chocolate reading a book whilst it rained outside’. My first proper cliché! Samantha definitely knows how to keep you captivated, if it’s not with the sexual chemistry, it’s the dialogue to the journey each character takes to the drama in the book. You can mark my words at times I had to walk away from the book to take a breather as I couldn’t handle the things that were happening.

So when Down London Road comes out, can someone read it ASAP so we can talk about it please? It’s already killing me to keep everything locked up inside when I just want to scream that I loved this book so much.

Anyway enough of my fangirling for Samantha Young and Down London Road, here’s what you are waiting for…the review!

Johanna Walker has always been there for her family, or more importantly, her little brother Cole. Her father is absent and her mother is literally useless, so it’s up to Johanna to provide for Cole and make decisions on what is best for both of them. Dating men who have money and being the ‘best’ girlfriend is what is important. Knowing that they can provide for both her and Cole, regardless of if there are any sparks.

But enter Cameron MacCabe. The attraction between them is sizzling, but they get off to a rocky start. Although they don’t see eye to eye, Jo can’t help but eye him up every opportunity at work and for once, she is tempted to put her needs first. But can she give in?

When he moves into the flat below, it’s then that he learns about Jo’s home life and there that they become friends who have this amazing connection that Jo tries to ignore. Cam is obsessed with wanting to know her and be with her but he knows she had her walls built too damn high. Yet Cam is determined to break down and smash every brick to make her see that letting someone in and being loved isn’t the end of the world.

Before reading Down London Road, I had this preconception of Johanna, from On Dublin Street where all she did was use guys for their money. Ohh how wrong was I? Okay, so she picks guys who have money, but each to their own, shes doing it so she and her brother have a future, so they can be cared and provided for. Everything she does, she does it with the mindset of making sure her brother has everything she never when she was younger.

That is how she is with Malcolm now. She cares for him, he has money but she’s not in love with him. One night at an Art Gallery showing for Malcolm’s ex-girlfriend is where she links eyes (and souls) with a gorgeous, tattooed guy across the room. The attraction is immediate but before long, she finds out he is going out with Malcolm’s ex.

From the get-go, Cam is horrible to Jo, judging her before he knows her. Jo is used to this and so she doesn’t bother correcting him, letting him think what he wants. If he wants to think shes this false bimbo gold digger, shell let him, because there’s no way she is telling him about her mother and Cole. She knows the truth and that’s that. Although Cam was a little bastard, she still helps him out with getting a job at Club 39.

But Johanna is conflicted. She has this instant attraction to Cam the first time she meets him, but he’s judged her already, making her out to be something shes not, but then even through the attraction she thinks he’s an absolute dickhead the way he talks to her.

Jo had been told all her life she will never amount to anything. She’s a high school dropout who had worked hard to keep her family afloat and housed with food on the table. No thanks to her mother. She will do whatever it takes to make sure her brother Cole is safe and secure, that he never goes without. She is one protective sister and will beat anyone who hurts him. Despite not thinking she is good enough, being told that enough times in her life, which is one reason she goes for men who are wealthy, so she and Cole will be cared for.

She tore at my heart at her low opinion of herself, because truly, everything she was doing was all for Cole and his future and making sure he was happy, even with the situation of their mother. She doesn’t want anyone to know about her home life, embarrassed over what is really going on under the roof of London Road. No boyfriends have ever been inside, let alone met Cole or her mother and she prefers it that way.

As much as I felt so sorry for Jo, she was a strong character, standing up for herself, protecting her and Cole and working hard to provide. But she had a vulnerable side, she didn’t like opening herself up to other people, she didn’t accept their help and she was a stubborn soul. But despite all of this, she really goes on a journey, into accepting herself and letting her walls slowly crumble around her, for the better good of herself. It was a long journey, but no less important as it grafted her into the person we fall in love with along the way to the very end.

Although Cam starts out as an asshole to Jo, he does redeem himself and truth be told, I forgave him for the way he acted as he does tell Jo why. He’s not Jo’s usual type but their attraction to one another is on another scale. Although he was a douchebag, the more he finds out about Jo and the more he understands her and learns about her family situation, the more he admires her strength for what she is doing and falls in love with her.

He is the sweetest, kindest guy and completely embraces Jo and her brother Cole into his life, hell he’s more than happy to. He knows how stubborn Jo is, so peeling away her insecurities and wall piece by piece, it was so nice to see Cam wanting to help Jo out, loving her and protecting her. Have I mentioned how much I love him and how much reading about him and Jo and of course, his relationship with her brother Cole…uh it literally melted my heart.

It was plain and simple to see how much these two were attracted to one another and it was lovely to see them fall in love along the way. The sex, well, it was steaming and there was one sex scene where I wanted to be Jo so badly!! I’m going to put this on my list for when I get a boyfriend so we can go and do it haha. I’m not going to say what or where it was, but it definitely was fun and sexy to read about!

There was a point in the book where my heart couldn’t handle it…I had to put the book down and walk away. Okay two points. One was a soppy part, which I loved and another, I just couldn’t take it because I had a feeling something was going to happen and I really didn’t want it to.

The epilogue, oh god, it had me crying and squealing like the emotional wreck I am when I read books that really capture me. I wrote on Twitter when reading Down London Road that I get emotionally involved when reading books, and that is exactly what I was when I was reading this. So much so, I was feeling every emotion Jo was, from her insecurities to her love for her friends and family to her questioning over a certain thing that happens – I literally was feeling her emotions and feeling panicky over the next few pages – even when I hadn’t even come to them yet because I was this wreck. Books that evoke that reaction, to me, are the greatest kind around. But got to be said, you will cry your eyes out whilst giggling when you read the end, because it is THE best way to end the book and the best way to end the story of Cam and Jo.

Joss and Braden are still the people and couple we all adore! They are waaay more cuter in Down London Road. The things Joss came out with had me in stitches, the way she handles Braden, the both of them together and the way they are fiercely protective are what made me love them even more. They were always there for Jo and Cole. Although they aren’t in it a lot, it was great to see them involved in the important parts that occur.

You really do see all the characters come together for one another and they are really are a family. They help one another out, they bicker, they throw comments to each other but they really do protect and love one another to pieces, as you will see when things happen throughout the book. Everyone is fiercely protective and it made my heart clench at them all. After everything that Jo has had to go through on her own, to know she had so many people to fall back on when things get tough, it really did bring a tear to my eye and a smile to my face.

I know this review is realllllly long and trust me, there is a whole lot more I could write about and gush about Cam and Braden but I have forced myself to stop otherwise I would be writing an essay and you really don’t want that. I will leave you on the fact I totally absorbed this book. It made me happy, giddy, frustrated, cry but most of all, end on such a high. So when it’s out, can someone PLEASE read it asap so I can talk about it with you! I will repay you in pictures of hot, semi-naked males in return!

Family, New Adult, Romance, YA

Wide Awake – Shelly Crane

Posted on April 7, 2013 by Z. Elizabeth

Synopsis

A girl.
A coma.
A life she can’t remember.

When Emma Walker wakes up in the hospital with no knowledge of how she got there, she learns that she’s been in a coma for six months. Strangers show up and claim to be her parents, but she can’t remember them. She can’t remember anyone. Not her friends, not even her boyfriend. Even though she can’t remember, everyone wants her to just pick up where she left off, but what she learns about the ‘old her’ makes her start to wish she’d never woken up. Her boyfriend breaks up with the new girl he’s dating to be with her, her parents want her to start planning for college, her friends want their leader back, and her physical therapist with the hazel eyes keeps his distance to save his position at the hospital.

Will she ever feel like she recognizes the girl in the mirror?

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My Review

When Emma Walker wakes up in hospital she is more than confused. She has no idea where she is, how she got there but more importantly who the strangers are that are telling her they are her parents. She’s been in a coma for six months and now she can’t remember anyone.

Her parents want her to pick up from where she left off, her boyfriend wants the old her back and her friends want their leader back. But how can she be all this when she doesn’t know who she is?

But then a hazel eyed guy in the name of Mason, her physical therapist seems to be the only person who isn’t pushing her to remember her old life, he treats her with kindness and patience and Emma feels he is the only one who understand her. She begins to develop feelings for him but he needs to stay away to save his job at the hospital and Emma is determined to work her butt off to graduate with her ‘friends’. But what will happen when she leaves hospital and is no longer a patient?

Firstly, I have to say I love books that include coma patients who lose their memory and really are starting over again. I know I sound creepy, but there is something about them I love. Remember Me by Sophie Kinsella is one of my favourite books and Wide Awake reminded me a bit of that, I think that’s why I knew I had to download this book too! Not just because the synopsis drew me in, but because of the journey of beginning again, finding who you truly are.

It was the first book I had read by Shelly Crane and it won’t be the last. I couldn’t stop reading Wide Awake and I did sing along to the song by Katy Perry a fair few times too! I read it on the train to work, thought about it throughout my shift then read it home and well into the night. I loved both Mason and Emma and I just needed to know what was going to happen, if she would remember her old life, about Mason’s life and along the way there were some shockers for me. Especially near the end with the ex-boyfriend. Yeah, I wasn’t expecting that to happen. But really, I whizzed through the books, only putting it down for my shift at work.

I pretty much loved Emma. Although she didn’t have a clue who she was, who her family and friends were or anything to do with her ‘old’ life, not even recognizing herself until she looked in a mirror, and it scared her, she was so determined in her life to graduate, to find herself, now that she didn’t know about herself but also determined to be anyone other than who she used to be once she got a glimpse into her own life back at school where she used to be a spoilt brat who was top of the food chain along with her ‘boyfriend’. It was nice to see that she just didn’t want to be that person anymore and couldn’t believe it was her for so many years.

She grows up a lot in this book, I suppose as you would do if you couldn’t remember anything at all. Although it’s a scary prospect and her friends and family weren’t exactly supportive as they wanted the old her back, she had Mason to lean on when everyone was telling her to try and be the old her, she brushed them aside and focused on herself, on learning to be her true self, not the old her. She definitely grasped at having a second chance at life and put everything in her past – like her friends – in the backburner, knowing that she would never want to be like them and wondering how she ever was. She was such a strong character, I admired that about her.

I adored Mason. My tattooed sweetheart, he was simply amazing, yet also harbouring some secrets away – secrets that tore at his heart and mine, because everything he was doing, it was for his family. You’ll understand when you read it. He’s one of the good guys and I could totally see why Emma fell for him. He was always there for her, helping her through her physiotherapy sessions, so proud of her for pushing through the pain and learning to walk again and the flirty banter between them was brilliant! Everything he and Emma had been through, alone and together, well, it only made them stronger. I loved that Mason told her he would wait for her and that’s exactly what he did. He really was a great guy and he was perfect for Emma, they both were together. It was also great to see a vulnerable side to Mason, a side that he has shielded away for so long, so when Emma came alone, told he she wasn’t leaving, I think it was great to see his reaction, to know that someone was there for him, as he was for them too.

I normally tell you my favourite scene, but I really don’t want to spoil it for you because although it’s a shorter book, there is a lot packed into it that you have to read by yourself without me telling you what is going to happen. But take a chance on this book, it’s awesome.

I definitely recommend it. I’ve already told you I like books like this so of course, I was going to love Wide Awake. It really is a journey, for everyone really, in the book, from Emma, to Mason, to her parents and friends. Everyone goes through something and has their life changed by the accident. It’s beautiful, it’s a breath of fresh air and you all should read it, you will instantly fall in love with Mason and root and be so proud of Emma!!

Family, Jamie McGuire, New Adult, Romance

ARC: Walking Disaster – Jamie McGuire

Posted on March 25, 2013March 25, 2013 by Z. Elizabeth

Synopsis

Finally, the highly anticipated follow-up to the New York Times bestseller Beautiful Disaster. Can you love someone too much?
Travis Maddox learned two things from his mother before she died: Love hard. Fight harder.

In Walking Disaster, the life of Travis is full of fast women, underground gambling, and violence. But just when he thinks he is invincible, Abby Abernathy brings him to his knees.

Every story has two sides. In Beautiful Disaster, Abby had her say. Now it’s time to see the story through Travis’s eyes.

5/5 stars

Release date: April 2nd 2013

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My Review

I was lucky enough to be one of 250 bloggers to get a copy of Walking Disaster on NetGalley and my gosh, you won’t be disappointed.

Not a sequel, but an alternative perspective of Beautiful Disaster in Travis’ POV, you see everything in W.D, from the way Travis was thinking, feeling, all his emotions, his conflictions about Abby and the scenes from Beautiful Disaster that we wanted to see from his POV. To see when and how he fell in love with Abby, to the moment he realized he needed to keep fighting for her – just like his mother told him all these years ago on her deathbed. You can really see him listening to what she told him. Although we know there are times when he just gave up, he always came back fighting, and that is one of the reasons we love Travis Maddox.

You kind of understand why he is so possessive, why he had anger issues and that he is insecure. Insecure of feeling these things for Abby when all he’s ever done is sleep around and not even considered the thought of loving anyone apart from his family. We never got to see why he was so damn possessive in Beautiful Disaster, but you begin to see this different side to him that we didn’t necessarily see first time around. We got to go inside Travis’ mind and delve into everything that he was afraid of.

I started Walking Disaster and got in about 40 % before realizing I really should have reread Beautiful Disaster first, but then an idea popped in my head. I starting reading Beautiful Disaster up to the point I had read to in Walking Disaster and then I alternated between the two books, getting Abby’s POV and then reading Travis’. It was perfect to read the scenes, right after each other to see both Abby and Travis’ feelings over what was happening. There are also added content in Walking Disaster, as there is in Beautiful Disaster when Travis and Abby are apart from each other. I loved that we got to see them both thinking things over, on their own or with Sheply and America. It made the two books much more alive and you understood why Travis acted the way he did in Beautiful Disaster, now that we got his side of the story.

Walking Disaster is a brilliant book. I loved everything about it. Much like B.D, I fell even more in love with Travis, I suspect like everyone else will when Walking Disaster comes out at the start of April. I know it’s one of 2013 highly anticipated books and it definitely will not disappoint at all. I was hooked, needing to know Travis’ side.

I cried reading to prologue once again, like I had when Jamie McGuire put it online and my heart went out to Travis and his family, losing their mother, whom they loved dearly. I loved the advice she gave to Travis and he certainly never forgot it, not once. He definitely fought hard and loved even harder, and Abby was definitely his one.

Jamie McGuire wasn’t teasing when she said there was extra on Travis and Abby’s story in W.D. I’m not going to spoil it for you at all, but the epilogue is amazing. I was sighing, and crying and giggling at it. You get to see beyond their epilogue in B.D and see that they definitely had the happy ever after that they both totally deserved with one another after all.

THIS needs to be the book you pre-order now, so when April 2^nd hits, you can begin to relive Beautiful Disaster in Travis’ point of view, fall in love all over again with him and see him have his happily ever after.

Family, Jamie McGuire, New Adult, Romance

Beautiful Disaster (#1)- Jamie McGuire

Posted on March 24, 2013March 24, 2013 by Z. Elizabeth

Synopsis

INTENSE. DANGEROUS. ADDICTIVE.

Abby Abernathy is a good girl. She doesn’t drink or swear, and she has the appropriate number of cardigans in her wardrobe. Abby believes she has enough distance from the darkness of her past, but when she arrives at college with her best friend, her path to a new beginning is quickly challenged by Eastern University’s Walking One-Night Stand.

Travis Maddox, lean, cut, and covered in tattoos, is exactly what Abby wants—and needs—to avoid. He spends his nights winning money in a floating fight ring, and his days as the ultimate college campus charmer. Intrigued by Abby’s resistance to his appeal, Travis tricks her into his daily life with a simple bet. If he loses, he must remain abstinent for a month. If Abby loses, she must live in Travis’s apartment for the same amount of time. Either way, Travis has no idea that he has met his match.

5/5 stars

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My Review

Abby Abernathy moves away to college with her best friend America to Eastern University. Wanting to distance herself from her past and everything to do with it, she arrives at college a ‘good girl.’ But when she encounters the univerisity’s walking one-night stander, Travis Maddox, her new beginning far away from her past is now being challenged.

Enter Travis Maddox. Your typical bad boy, covered in tattoos, hoards of girls throwing themselves at him and the ultimate winner in the floating fight ring. He is everything Abby used to know and everything she wants and needs to stay away from. But when his charms are resisted by Abby, he’s suddenly drawn to her and challenges her to a bet. If he loses, he has to stop whoring around for a month and if Abby loses, she must live in Travis’s apartment for the same amount of time.

But neither of them realized is that when the month is up, it’s changed both of them.

I read Beautiful Disaster many, many months ago. Long before I set up my book review blog. With Walking Disaster around the corner, and having the privilege to read it, thanks to NetGalley, I read this alongside Walking Disaster as there were certain scenes I had forgotten about. But now I have read it again, I think it’s time Beautiful Disaster graced my blog and had its own review, in courtesy of being such an AMAZING book and so Abby and Travis can go side by side on my blog when my Walking Disaster review goes up tomorrow.

Abby moved as far away as she could to start her life again. She wanted to leave the past in the past and tell no one her secrets, apart from America, of course, who has been her best friend since they were little and been there every step of the way. Wanting to just concentrate on university and not get mixed up with anything that will remind her of her past life, its then that she meets Travis ‘MadDog’ Maddox who ultimately switches her life upside down. She resists his charms, because she had been through this before. But then Travis can’t stay away, so the more time they spend together, the more feelings are starting to change. Making a bet, Abby loses and has to stay with Travis for a month. Easy, she can do that, but then everything from dating, to gossip and rumours being spread about her and Travis is tipping her and with Travis’s hot and cold tempers confusing her, can she make it through the month?

I really liked Abby. She just wanted to disappear from her past and start afresh. A place where no one knew who she was and the type of person she was. She tried to be the ‘good girl’ but throughout the book, you see her spark. The old her is slowly reappearing and you see her spunk, her attack back. But you also see the vulnerable side to her. The side she doesn’t want to show but with Travis and her feelings, she can’t help it. She tries for so long to keep them under wraps, not wanting to be dragged back into what she came to get away from, but it was too damn hard in the end to stay away. I could see her reasoning for not wanting to be with Travis, even though she blatantly wanted him like he wanted her. She wasn’t a doormat to the relationship, she spoke out and stood up for herself, even knowing that being with him probably wasn’t the best idea as the relationship was so turbulent and she even left him for a couple of weeks, but no matter what happened, they always came back together.

Travis is known throughout the university as being a ladies’ man. He bags them then dumps them. That’s just how he is. But every single girl wants to try and tame him, not getting far enough to do so. He’s never wanted to be with a girl long enough to include feelings but then Abby comes along and after one meeting after his fight, he sees something in her that kind of reminds him, of him. She had this innocent look but he could see through her. See that she had been hurt before. Knowing she is different from the girls he sleeps with, he wants to get to know her. So making a bet one night at his fight, Abby loses and moves in with Travis for a month. Never being in love, this month proves to Travis how much he can’t and doesn’t want to be without Abby. She is the first girl to ever make him feel that way and it makes him fight for her – even if he sometimes pushes her too far by his tempers and possessiveness as they aren’t going out…yet.

There are so many obstacles and issues standing between Abby and Travis. Abby acts like she doesn’t want Travis but deep down she does, she just doesn’t and can’t get involved with him. It was a real up and down rollercoaster with these two that at times I wanted to strangle them because they needed to get their shit together and just confess that they loved each other than going around in circles and starting back at the beginning once again.

But when they do get together, it’s still a rollercoaster of a ride. They have high and lows, break-ups, scream and shouts, and tears and I just wanted to throw them into a room, make them talk it all out and get them back together.

Their relationship as Shepley puts it: “When you’re happy, its love and peace and butterflies. When you’re pissed, you rake the whole fucking world down with you!” Yes, this is basically what it was. But, when they get all the jealousy and insecurities out of the way at the end, then yes, their love – even throughout everything that happened in the book – can withstand anything that is thrown their way and the ending was perfect for those two.

It started with a bet and finishes with one.

Many people don’t like this book because of Travis and his temper and possessiveness. The way he flies of the handle in some scenes, trashing the apartment, throwing punches at people who disrespect Abby. Okay, so most of the temper was due to his and Abby’s relationship but he would of NEVER hit Abby and although lashing out probably wasn’t the best way to act, remember he grew up with 4 brothers who, of course, you’re going to play fight and fight when you get angry at each other. (You’ll understand his temper and issues in Walking Disaster so much more better because it’s Travis’s POV). I’m not condoning his actions, but since reading W.D, I can’t see why he’s angry and jealous and insecure in B.D.

But deep down, Travis, to me, has so much love to give, he just needed to find and fight for the right one. The one being Abby. He is a jerk and jealous and protective but to me, I think it’s because she was the one who turned him upside down. The one who unlocked all these unusual and scary feelings within him that he had no idea how to handle it because he was a ‘screw them and leave them’ kinda guy for years but then Abby appears and throws him for account. Although it takes him a long time to control his emotions, you really does love Abby and them having a happily ever after was exactly what both of them deserved after the journey they had gone on to get to that point.

They both truly are a beautiful disaster together and I can’t see them being with anyone else apart from one another. It was a long journey to get where they got to, but in the end, no matter what they both said to one another throughout the book, no matter how much time they spent apart, they always came back together, like a magnet. People say us young ‘un’s don’t know real love…but this love? This hot, possessive, consuming, powerful love they have for one another? You can’t say that teenagers/young adults don’t know love, because it doesn’t matter how old you are, love hits everyone, and it certainly did for Abby and Travis.

If you still haven’t read Beautiful Disaster, I suggest you go and buy it/download it and then pre-order Walking Disaster because once you fall for Travis in B.D, you will definitely want to know his side of the story in Walking Disaster!

Erotica, Family, New Adult, Romance, Serenity Woods

Seven Sexy Sins – Serenity Woods

Posted on March 14, 2013March 13, 2013 by Z. Elizabeth

Synopsis

The road to passion is paved with guilty pleasures.

Faith Hillman is in a bit of a pickle. She’s been commissioned to write a series of magazine articles on spicing up your love life. She’s got the theme—the “Seven Sexy Sins”—but there’s one major problem. She hasn’t experienced any of them.

Ever since Faith’s older brother gave Rusty Thorne a black eye for kissing her on her eighteenth birthday, he’s kept his distance, waiting for the right time to make his move. This is it. She needs a research partner? He’s the man for the job.

When sex-on-legs Rusty offers his services, Faith is all over it—with one caveat. The notorious heartbreaker must sign a confidentiality contract. Just to keep him safe from her brother’s wrath, of course…and her heart off Rusty’s long list of conquests.

As they work their wicked way through the list, the implications of the contract hit Rusty as hard as the handcuffs binding his wrists to the bed. It isn’t just Faith’s touch that rocks his world. It’s the way his heart likes it that blows his defenses out of the water. And makes him wonder, when the contract ends, if he can bear to let her go.

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My Review

Faith Hillman has been commissioned by her magazine to write a number of articles on how to spice up your love life. The theme? Seven Sexy Sins. Although there is a slight problem with that…She hasn’t experienced any of them!

So who can she get to be the lucky guy to help her experience these sins and help write her article? Enter Rusty Thorne. Her brother’s best friend, who has kept a distance from Faith ever since receiving a black eye for kissing her on her 18^th birthday from her brother. But now that she needs a research partner, he’s more than happy and experienced, to assist her in her ‘research.’

When offering his service, Faith makes sure to draw up a confidentiality contract. One) to keep him save from her brother’s fist again and two) to keep her heart save from the heartbreaker.

As they work their way through the seven sexy sins and become a hell of a lot closer in the run haul, the contract hits Rusty right in his heart. Faith just doesn’t rock his world; she’s rocking his heart too and scares him due to his families past. But there’s one thing it makes him wonder, can he really let her go when the contract ends?

So as I’ve mentioned on my Day 2 of the 30 day book challenge, THIS is the book that I reread constantly. Really, it’s the only book I ever reread and I’m not lying. I came across this book after reading another book on my kindle last year. It has an excerpt at the back of the book and I knew, right there and then, it had to be downloaded.

When I finished the book, I knew I was in love with it and since then, I’ve lost count how many times I’ve read it. That is how obsessed I am with it. Serenity Woods is awesome for coming up with this story. I literally want to find someone to do the sexy sins with. They sound so goddamn hot. Any male takers? HAHA.

Faith and Rusty have secretly been in love with one another for years. At Faith’s 18^th birthday, Rusty kissed her, only to have her brother, Dan punch him and warn him off. Since then, Rusty has kept his distance and although they are friends, there is this boundary that hasn’t been crossed again. Until Faith mentions her article and finding a partner to help her research it, Rusty volunteers to help her out and be the one to give her every experience of the sexy sins.

Not wanting to ruin their friendship, Faith agrees and draws up a contract for them. They can only have sex seven times in conjunction to the sins and it remains a secret. But what neither of them expected was for their feeling for one another to heighten every time they were together and apart and for them to slowly fall in love with each other. That was never the plan.

So what happens after the sins are up? Well…. That would be telling.

I loved Faith. She was a brilliant character. She (and Dan) had been through heartbreak when her parents died three years ago, but shes had her friends around her to be there for her and over time, shes realized how much her mother’s advice has shaped her into the person she is today. She’s inexperienced when it comes to sex, but shes not naive about it. She’s put herself out there to do these sins, to let her readers know the true experience of doing these sins instead of making up the pleasure. You can tell shes nervous to walk into this territory with Rusty, because shes loved him for years and she doesn’t want to screw up their friendship.

I can totally see where she is coming from because sex really does change everything. Her nerves make way for some seriously hot sex with Rusty though but the doubts are always at the back of her mind but she was strong and at times took charge over Rusty, who sometimes would keep looking at her like Dan’s little sister. The things she were saying, Oh my Faith! You go girl. You tell him like it is. I was so proud of her for shouting at Rusty; letting him know that it has nothing to do with Dan, it’s between him and her.

“I’m just a girl, Rusty, a girl who wants you, very, very much. I don’t need to be romanced, and I don’t need to be cajoled. And I swear, if you’re not inside me in, like, two minutes, I’m going to tie you to the bed and carry all seven sins out on you in one go, whether you like it or not.”

Rusty is such a book boyfriend. He’s gorgeous, a history teacher, and absolutely adores Faith. But the problem? She’s Dan’s sister and the men in his family are less than men and for that, he doesn’t drink, he doesn’t want a serious relationship in fear of turning out like his relatives and hurting the ones he loves. So it’s easier for him to just jump from one girl to the next. Not getting attached to them.

Then he volunteered to help Faith out and that is when everything inside him started to change. Never one for love, his feelings over the weeks, after the intensity of their sins and the sex really took a hold on him. It had him questioning everything about love. He was nervous and unsure whether he had made the right decision in helping Faith out, but when she said something so filthy to him, all that zoomed out of his head and all he could see was this gorgeous woman in front of him.

Really, the love they had for one another was so great. But it scared Rusty so much that he said something hurtful to Faith that made her throw him out. But it does all turn out happy in the end for them both, even through the angst they faced. I loved this one part that Rusty sang and when he opened his eyes, Faith was standing over him smiling. That took my breath away because it was like he was singing it to her, even though he didn’t know she was there.

“He was singing softly. ‘Is it me you’re looking for?’”
Ohh be still my beating heart.

I really enjoyed how nervous Rusty and Faith were when it came down to all the sins. Although they were friends, who were physically attracted to one another, sex definitely changes everything, even though they didn’t want it to ruin their friendship. Over time, you could definitely see the emotions changing for both of them from lust to love. The romance didn’t come easy for them, because they know all about their pasts and doubted themselves about what they were doing yet you could really see just how attracted to each other they were and in time, they did become comfortable in doing the sins and being around each other in a sexual situation.

The Seven Sexy Sins…Now you’ve got me talking. Serenity made them original and every one of them were smoking hot. Hot enough that you’d need cold water thrown over you when you’d read one. I don’t think you will ever look at a Mars Bar in the same way once you’ve read this but it’s so imaginative and it made the whole situation and sex much more interesting. Each sin brought a new sexual experience, for both of them and you could feel the sexual chemistry and the tension and the intensity between them and the build up throughout the sins leading to the sex. Jeeeeze, it really was powerful.

Yes, it’s a sex book, but to be honest with you, it’s so much more than that too. It takes both Faith and Rusty on a journey. A journey of love and acceptance. A journey to unleash what was always inside of you, yet you just never had the chance and a journey where you are nothing like you thought you were. That you are worthy of being loved, especially by the person you have always loved.

I really recommend buying this book. The sex literally pours off the book, the sins are deliciously hot, the chemistry is smoking and the journey they both take leads them to becoming the best people they can be.

DEFINITELY download a copy and get reading it, because once you do, you’ll be hooked just like me.

Now I’m off to read Toby’s book (He’s their friend) in Six Naughty Nights. Ohh how I will have much fun reading his book, that’s for sure!

Emma Hart, Family, New Adult, Romance

Never Forget (Memories, #1) by Emma Hart

Posted on March 1, 2013March 1, 2013 by Z. Elizabeth

Synopsis

A city girl.
A small town boy.
A summer they’ll never forget.

Spending the summer at her Grammy’s in Lilac Bay, Devon, is city girl Alexis ‘Lexy’ Edwards idea of hell. That is, until she reconnects with her childhood friend, Jen, and meets Alec Johnson.
Alec is the kind of guy Lexy knows she needs to stay away from. He’s the village flirt, ridiculously hot and very dangerous to her self control. But there’s a problem – she can’t seem to keep him out, even though she knows he’ll break her heart.
As Alec slowly strips away Lexy’s defences and the two embark on a summer romance she never wanted, their feelings grow to more than either expected. But nothing lasts forever, and reality intrudes.
As her world is shaken to it’s core, Lexy’s self made prediction comes true when she discovers she’s spent six weeks surrounded by secrets. Kept out by her family and the only guy she’s ever trusted, she falls apart.
And when Grammy tells her that ‘you might not end up where you wanted to be, but you’ll always end up where you’re meant to be,’ she has to figure out if her meant to be is back home in London, or if it’s been in Devon the whole time

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My Review

“You have to learn …that you might not end up where you wanted to be… But you’ll always end up where you’re meant to be. Maybe Alec is your meant to be”

City girl Lexy used to spend her summers with her Grammy in Lilac Bay, Devon, but it’s been five years since she’s been there and during that time, she’s changed a lot. She doesn’t want to spend two months at Lilac Bay but when an old friend gets in touch, she soon remembers how much fun she used to have at the beach with Jen and now they are rekindling their friendship, it looks like it’s going to be a great summer after all.

But of course, you can’t go a whole summer without adding a boy into the mix and that is where Alec comes along. Handy man to her Grammy for the summer, he’s extremely good looking and very flirty and when he meets Lexy, she resists his charms, due to knowing his reputation from Jen. She doesn’t trust him but he sets out to prove he’s nothing like the reputation he has. That shes the girl he wants to be with.

But when secrets come out, everything changes. Lexy now has to decide if she can trust and forgive Alec for what he was hiding and if she can let him back in, back into her heart.

This is the first book I have read by Emma Hart but it certainly won’t be the last. Never Forget, in my eyes, was perfection. Oh I can’t tell you how much I love the book. From the first page I couldn’t put it down. It had me laughing, crying, and wanting to be in Devon with everyone, because I love Devon and have been to Barnstaple quite a few times and I love it there. Emma Hart’s imagery throughout the book had me falling in love once again with Devon. She made it picturesque, she made me want ice cream and learn to surf and have a great summer on the beach surrounded by friends and boys and of course, get my butt back to beautiful Devon.

Also how awesome is the book cover? I know they say ‘Never judge a book by its cover’ but come on, everyone does that. But I KNEW, even before reading the synopsis that I had to have my hands on this book. The cover is beautiful and romantic and lovely to look at. And the colours displaying romance and warmth and girly feelings that you can’t not look at it and think “Hm let’s see what the synopsis is about.”

The story is one that I instantly knew I had to read.

A city girl and a small town boy who fall in love over the summer. I LOVE these kinds of stories because I am a total sucker for romance and HEA’s.

Lexy isn’t happy that she has to spend two months at Lilac Bay with her family and her Grammy. Don’t get her wrong, she loves her Grammy, it’s just she’s nearly 18 and she would rather stay at home with her friends and using her fake I.D at bars. She’s not happy at all, but when an old friend, Jen, gets in touch, it seems her summer has taken a turn for the better. She knows how much fun they used to have and is glad that she has someone to spend summer with.

Her Grammy’s handy man Alec is a sight that no girl can resist, not even Lexy, even if she does deny that to anyone who asks. Jen – although friends with Alec – tells Lexy about his reputation as a ladies’ man and that in turn makes Lexy know she can’t trust him, so she isn’t fazed by his comments and lets him know that nothing will ever happen between them. She isn’t looking for a summer romance and wants to protect her heart.

But Grammy has other plans and sets it about herself to play cupid. So the more time they spend together, the more that Lexy tries to hold onto her heart but its failing. She’s beginning to see Alec in a new light and it’s scaring her. He’s pushing his way into her heart, but she is with his heart too.

Taking a chance on him, they both open themselves up to each other and fall in love. But then the worst happens and Lexy’s world crushes beneath her. Her family have betrayed her, Alec has betrayed her and the pain is unbearable. Alec and Lexy are heartbroken but he’s determined to make her never forget the time they spent together even if she decides she can’t forgive him for keeping the secret that everyone knew but her.

I have to start off by saying that I absolutely loved Lexy’s whole family. They were amazing to read. They were so close and their banter with one another, oh my, it had me laughing so hard at the things they all came out with, especially Grammy. She’s one hell of a character and was such a great read. I loved everything that came out of her mouth. She seemed like such fun to be around and I would loved her to be my Nan, to give me banter, to tease me and to give me advice when I would be angry/confused/lost/happy – just like Lexy was throughout the book.

Lexy, as her mother called her, was a control freak. She doesn’t want to be in Lilac Bay, she wants to be in London, but day by day, she’s pushing her up-tightness out the window and becoming someone else, someone better. Shes having fun, she’s renewing her friendship with her crazy friend Jen; she’s meeting new friends (and love interest) and is letting her hair down. I loved her journey from being closed up and not wanting a summer romance, to just focus on school to falling in love and letting her defences down. It’s great when you see a character change in them – for the better and grow into the person they were meant to be – just forget along the way.

I have to say, I have a new book boyfriend. ALEC! Oh how you stole my heart from the word get go. He’s confident, cocky, and flirty but he’s also incredible loyal, he’s a sweetheart and he would do anything for his friends/the people he loves. Although he does have a reputation as a bit of a ladies’ man, which is why Lexy was cautious and found it hard to trust him, she too, broke his walls down bit by bit and made him actually have feelings for a girl for the first time. To actually want to be with them and not have them be a one-night stand. I loved watching his journey and growing into himself. I loved watching him fall in love and actually mean it. I loved watching him prove he wasn’t what his reputation deemed him and that Lexy truly was the one person he cared for deeply and the first girl he had ever loved – and will probably only love.

The supporting characters were brilliant. Jen is crazy but loyal and she will tell Lexy how it is but always be there for her. I can’t wait to read her book when it’s out. I know it’s going to be a great one!

Bing, Lexy’s brother. Oh he had me in stitches. Their banter to one another is out of this world. They bicker like siblings do, but you can see that anyone who touches Lexy will get a fist in his face. He’s protective of his little sister but he does love embarrassing her in front of Alec. I would just love for him to be my brother (And I do have a brother). His and Jens book. Well, I can’t wait. I could really see the chemistry between them so I can’t wait to see what happens with these two.

I truly loved the ending. It was reminiscent of her parent’s past and I just cried at it because it was perfect. Perfect for these two who know it’s more than a summer romance and know that they don’t want their love to end at all. What Alec said, oh, I fell in love with him even more. He and Lexy are so right together. They bring out the best in one another and for him to go to all that effort to be with her, I command him!

Emma Hart has written a fantastic novel in Never Forget. You will have laughs, you will cry and you will feel the pain that Lexy felt when her world crushed beneath her. It’s a truly wonderful coming-of-age book. You watch a great family bond become even closer, you watch friendships rekindle, you watch a love affair grow but most of all, you watch two people change right before your eyes, into the best possible person they can be, together and alone.

There were also dual POV’s, so we got to see both Lexy and Alec’s thoughts and feelings towards one another. I love it when an author does this, because it’s mostly the girls feelings we get and we have to guess whether the guy is genuine or not. But Alec’s POV’s were truthful and you could really see how much he wanted to prove himself to Lexy and how much growing up he did. It was real.

I really, really, really recommend this book because one page in and you will be hooked right to the very end. The writing is a breath of fresh air, the plot flows and to be honest, there isn’t enough words to tell you how amazing Never Forget is.

I’d also like to add that I’m super excited for book two, Always Remember, focusing on Bing (I love him) and Jen. It means more Lexy and Alec which is going to be awesome!

Abbi Glines, Family, New Adult, Romance

Never Too Far (Too Far #2) – Abbi Glines

Posted on February 27, 2013 by Z. Elizabeth

Synopsis

He had held a secret that destroyed her world.

Everything she had known was no longer true.

Blaire couldn’t stop loving him but she knew she could never forgive him.
Now, she was back home and learning to live again. Moving on with life… until something happened to send her world spinning once again.
What do you do when the one person you can never trust again is the one that you need to trust so desperately?

You lie, hide, avoid, and pray that your sins never find you out.

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My Review

If you have yet to read Fallen Too Far, check out my review of it here, before you read Never Too Far.

Never Too Far starts off from where Fallen Too Far ends.

Its three weeks later and Blaire is in Sumit, living with Cain’s grandmother. She knows she can’t stay there forever; she’s just biding her time to leave and uproot somewhere else. Where, she doesn’t yet know but its not only her she has to think about now.

Rush is still in Rosemary. He’s a complete wreck and he’s missing Blaire more than he’s ever missed anyone before. He’s become a recluse, staying in and not hosting parties anymore. All he thinks about is Blaire and how he can get her to forgive him. He needs her like he needs air to breath. He just can’t live without her but he understands how hurt she is.

When Blaire moves back to Rosemary, Rush takes it as his chance to try and win her back. He’ll do whatever he can to make her stay in Rosemary and be with him again; to forgive him for everything that has happened in the past few weeks. Can Blaire truly forgive Rush, like he so desperately needs her to do?

With Rush heartbroken over Blaire, he feels that he will never see her again. Feels that she will never love him again and never forgive him. He loves her too much to let that happen.

So when Bethy brings Blaire back to Rosemary, Blaire insists it’s only for a few months, to save up some money and then move on to another city. Somewhere where she can leave Rosemary and all the memories behind. But now that Rush knows Blaire is back, he’s going to do whatever he can to win her back.

Blaire is determined not to let Rush back in. Not to let him hurt her all over again when he decides to leave her. There has been too much between them for her to trust him again, but it’s not that easy for Rush. He’s determined to prove that he’d do anything for Blaire, anything to get her back and anything to be near her. Even shutting out his family for her. Shutting out Nan.

Blaire is torn between wanting Rush and needing to stay away from him, but she still loves him and doesn’t know what to do. Does she want him back? Can she trust him again? And add in the hormones and she’s screwed. Literally screwed. Rush is crumbling her wall bit by bit, pulling himself back into her life and she just can’t let him go. Not again.

But then add in a whole lot of drama in their lives. Misunderstandings – mainly on Blaire’s part as Rush seems to be the one who cocks up all the time, and you have Never Too Far.

These misunderstandings could have easily been sorted out if they both talked to one another when they happened instead of being angry before listening to what actually happened. I suppose with so much history between them, it’s hard to fully forget what has happened and to fully trust again. I think this is why Blaire kept jumping to conclusion about Rush. They were all straightened out in the end, and they do get a HEA. They are perfect for one another.

You find out the truth about Blaire’s father, Rush’s mother and the whole story about the betrayal that broke up Blaire and Rush. By Gosh, I was not expecting that all at. I was hooked on how and what was going to happen after that. That truth has well and truly rocked the boat.

Although my love for Rush reached top level, there were some points in the book where I just got so annoyed at him. He kept messing up time and time again. Not on purpose, but it’s who he is. But the one part I got so angry at was at 80% when he screamed at Blaire. Sorry, I know what happened was truly horrible, but she was only trying to be supportive and if I was her, I would have moved back in with Bethy and told him to get lost. Because she didn’t deserve to be spoken to like that and left alone at night.

And then not to speak to her for 7 days, get Grant to tell you how she is and find out that Woods is helping her out. Sorry mate, you should have called her. She’s your girlfriend.

He always redeems himself, but I don’t know why Blaire stayed. I certainly wouldn’t have.

Still hate Nan. What an evil character. She’s a cold, hearted bitch. When that whole thing (At 80%) happened, I literally couldn’t have given a bigger shit about it. I had no feelings about her at all. Maybe I’m the cold hearted bitch, but I really didn’t care about her at all. I also hated that she wanted to know if she would be in the baby’s life. Why should she be allowed when she had been the ultimate bitch throughout her life and to Blaire? I would have told her to Fuxk off.

But Blaire is too nice. She’s too good. She puts people before herself. She cares so much and even though Nan was the problem, she still wanted to know how she was. It proves how great a character Blaire truly is.

Grant. I loved him in Fallen Too Far. But in Never Too Far, hm, I’m not sure now. Yes, he gave some good advice and was there for Rush no matter what but he seems kind of sneaky now. That he’s hiding something from Rush. I can’t wait to find out in his book what that something is. I do have my suspicions over what it could be. I’ll just have to wait and see if they are true.

Now Woods. Oh how I loved him! He’s brilliant. Such a kind, understanding and pleasant friend to Blaire throughout everything that is happening in her life. His book is going to be amazing! I can’t wait to find out more about him and his life beyond the club. Such a great friend and I hope his book makes me fall in love with him a little bit more. He deserves all the love that comes his way.

Bethy. I loved her character. In Fallen Too Far, Blaire guided her and took her under her wings and you can see how grown up she is now. How much stronger she is and how she takes no bullshit from anyone. She can stand her ground even against Rush. I loved her protectiveness with Blaire, taking care of her and making sure she was okay throughout the book. You could really see how great a friend Blaire had in Bethy and I know that she will be there for her no matter what. They are definitely BFF’s.

There was a lot of sex in this book. Got to love the sexy times. And it was even steamier than in Fallen Too Far. Of course, it was down to hormones but hells yes, give me a Rush fix any time of the day. He’d never leave my bed if that’s how he performs during sex.

I did enjoy the alternating POVS. Loved how we got to see Rush’s pov throughout the book. How miserable is was, how much he needed Blaire back, his feelings and emotions pouring through the book but also how much of an utter idiot he was at times. But he redeemed himself and I knew that no matter what, he would always be there for Blaire. Even when it seemed other things were more important, they all added up to spending the rest of his life with Blaire.

I have to say, the ending was a bit abrupt. I felt there could have been so much more to the story and I did get a bit frustrated when it said “The End”. BUT good news, Abbi Glines WILL be writing a third instalment of Rush and Blaire’s story, albeit it won’t be out until late summer, she said, but we will get to see beyond how it ended. Thank the lord! I need more Rush in my life!

There is going to sound so random, but after I finished the book, I led in bed thinking about their family dynamic. Like Nan and Rush are half-siblings. Nan and Blaire are half sibling (;)). Nan, Rush and Grant are step-siblings. Rush (maybe Grant, kind of) and Blaire are step-siblings. Holy Moly. Their family is super confusing and there are a lot of questions that I have that I still want answered. Hopefully with Grants book and the third book, Abbi will cover them so I’m not going to worry about them right now.

Never Too Far is about a journey. A journey into trust, love, friendship and family. It’s about standing up for yourself and doing what you think is best for you. It’s about forgiving too. I did really enjoy reading Never Too Far and going through Rush and Blaire’s journey together once again. I couldn’t put the book down at all.

I recommend this book to everyone who wants a Rush crush!!