ARC – Z. Elizabeth

ARC: Return to Poughkeepsie (#2) – Debra Anastasia

Posted on January 2, 2014December 26, 2013 by Z. Elizabeth

Synopsis

Beckett Taylor is a murderer. His calling, his craft are destruction and intimidation—whether he wants it that way now or not. He left Poughkeepsie to keep his brothers safe, to keep Eve safe. Set up with happy lives to live, they’re better off without him, right?

But all his willpower crumbles when he hears his brother Blake’s frantic voice on the phone. An unknown enemy has moved in on his old territory, and Livia’s been taken. In an instant, Beckett knows it will take an attack only he and Eve can execute to bring her back. All his self-imposed embargoes are torn to shreds, perhaps along with the new man he’s struggled to become.

“Brother, call Eve. I’ll be there soon.”

In this emotional and action-packed sequel to Poughkeepsie, Debra Anastasia conjures a tale of love at its most raw and ragged. With Beckett and Eve, how could we expect anything less? But even when it’s messy, not magical, true love perseveres. Real love finds a way—for better or for worse until death does part.

5 OUT OF 5

My review of Poughkeepsie

——————————————————————–

My Review

If you have been with my from the start of my blog, you will remember that Poughkeepsie and the characters were a major part in the 30 Day Book Challenge and you will also remember just how MUCH I freaking love Poughkeepsie…i think its obvious as its one of my top books this year. When I received a tweet from Debra asking me if I wanted an ARC of Return to Poughkeepsie, I actually could not keep the grin off my face and the second it landed in my inbox I was a goner.

Before you read this review, I want you to buy both Poughkeepsie and Return to Poughkeepsie and read them. I promise you you will not regret divulging your time in these stories and with these characters…you will actually pretty much love them all (and hate the ones you are supposed to). The story is gritty, its filled with crime and murder…many murder scenes I had to read quickly, but both books are filled to the brim with love and loyalty and despite the fact that Beckett is a murderer, he is so loyal to his brothers that he will do whatever he can to protect them and that they wish and ask for nothing, and that is exactly what he does.

We all know what went down in Poughkeepsie, well the ones of us who have read it and Return to Poughkeepsie is Beckett and I’d say, Eves story too. Beckett is on the run, he wants to redeem himself and after 5 years, 5 years with no contact to his family, one phone call from Blake is all he needs to return. We go through the motions, following Beckett, Eve, Cole and Kyle, Blake and Livias storylines, which all entwine within one another in some way or form. We are also introduced to new characters. Some evil such as Mary Ellen, some I was in two minds over because I adore my Beckett, but in the end I was loving Ryan and I fell in love with Ghandi…you will know who he is and love him too! 😉

All the evils have reasons to go after Beckett; they want to overpower Poughkeepsie for themselves and its up to Eve and Beckett to make sure this doesnt happen. So what in the fucking hell is going to go down with Beckett’s return?

Let’s start with Eve. God, Eve is such a bloody badass! Like seriously, she is deadly, murderous and a girl after my own heart. Hiding a knife in her hair? Uhhh you are awesome. Knowing how to assassin, clear a murder scene, make sure she doesnt get caught, Eve is the epitome of someone who is trained to kill, someone who is careful in her ways but someone who has let love into her heart, no matter how much she told herself she would never love again. Eve was once happy but now? She has seen death, has had her heart ripped out, and this made her change. She’s a trained killer and a bloody good one at that!

She aims to protect her family, and will do whatever she can to do that…if it means going undercover. She has to get information and stay close to Mary Ellen, despite just wanting to kill her. Eve is most definitely a strong character. She loves Beckett even after five years but there is just something about Ryan, the undercover copper she is working with to take down Mary-Ellen. Their banter made me giggle, they had sweet moments too and when shit hit the fan, you knew she cared about him but he didn’t have her heart. She does something in a moment of carelessness but you know the love of Beckett will save her anywhere, any time she needs it. And I was pleading for him to turn up at the right time. She’s strong willed and hides her fear underneath, not wanting to show it at all. I admire Eve a lot, especially with everything she had been through in life. I just hope she had a happy ending…well as happy as can be in book three.

Beckett is a wanted man. We know his crimes, his murders and now on the run from Poughkeepsie, all he wants is to see his family, but he knows the moment he steps foot in Poughkeepsie, the cops will be on him. He thinks everyone will just be better off without him if he dies but something stops him. He wants to be a better man, but its hard for him. He’s always lived this crime riddled life since getting out of the foster system, he built up his empire so his brothers would be safe and cared for, needing nothing when they too get out of the system. He did it for them. We see Beckett try to redeem himself, he tries for five years to be a better man, to help those in need, to care, to not murder and let people deal with things in their own way. He misses Eve like no tomorrow, but he tells himself that he’s not worthy of her, despite loving her and hating the fact she could be with someone else.

His family will always come first and he will always drop everything to run back to safe them, and that is exactly what he does when Livia gets taken. I love Beckett a lot, and if you look past all the murders, there is someone who loves with everything, loves his family, wants them safe and protected and if that means not being around them, not having contact then he will do it. But it kills him not knowing about their life for the past 5 years. We watch him kick into ‘boss’ mode and get all his old ’employee’s’ to help him take down Mary-Ellen and her father from overtaking Poughkeepsie . Yes, its Beckett’s turf, although not being around for 5 years and he can still turn on the charm and the fear into people.

I did enjoy seeing two sides to Beckett. His old self returning and the calmer one, the one who wants to redeem himself, helps other people, even owns a shop! Despite seeing this whole other caring side, you know deep down that it could be enough, but its not enough. He wants Eve with him, wants his brothers and sister-in-laws with him and you know he still has the murder inside him. But WELCOME BACK BECKETT, you utter babe you, with your fierceness, your pet names, your banter and your heart full of love for everyone.

We indulge into the lives of Cole and Kyle so much more in this book. Their story is most definitely heartbreaking and clutches at your chest because of everything they go through. But Cole is there, every step of the way with Kyle when a part of her dies every month and a bigger part of her dies after something happens. She is distraught, blaming herself but Cole is there, holding her, soothing her best he can, telling her just how much he loves her, how he is not going to let her go. You seem them both struggle in their own ways, but their love never falters between them. You know Cole will be there in a heartbeat when Kyle needs him and you now Kyle will do the same.

EEEE Blake and Livia ❤ One of my favourite couples. I loved seeing their story advance. They really went through so much shit in Poughkeepsie and to be standing strong together, to have a family of their own, jobs, a house, it was pure bliss to witness them. To see their love grows each day, that they will fight to their dying day to be together…which is technically what happened, but these two hold a special place in my heart. They banter, they confess their love, they have others who have their heart now too, and they are perfect. When Livia gets taken, Blake will do whatever he can to get her back, and her reverts back to his ‘tramp’ days to find her. Love definitely overpowers these two and I was so glad when Livia was safe and sound, back with Blake and her family. I liked seeing Blake overcoming his sun fear, the one which killed me a little in the first book. We see him overcome so much and it was amazing to see him so content and happy with his life, with his family, with his love for Livia. These two definitely deserve so much happiness together.

The suspense over what will happen will keep you on your toes and turning the pages. From the first page…no the first sentence I was hooked and I knew, I just knew that Return to Poughkeepsie would be another book that stole my heart and had me reading well into the night/morning, not wanting to put it down, needing to know what the eff was happening or going to happen with each and every storyline and character.

Grab it now and get to know each and every character. Fall in love, be on tenterhooks and bug Debra for book three now! I need it after that little teaser in the back.

——————————————————————–

Poughkeepsie links:

Amazon UK || Amazon US

Return to Poughkeepsie:

Amazon UK || Amazon US

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesday: Fading – E.K Blair

Posted on June 11, 2013June 9, 2013 by Z. Elizabeth

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers.

My Teaser

“No wonder you were starving at breakfast, you eat like a rabbit.”
I roll my eyes at him and continue grabbing food for the week

37%, Loc 2229, Fading – E.K Blair

New Adult, Romance

ARC: True – Erin McCarthy

Posted on April 30, 2013April 29, 2013 by Z. Elizabeth

Synopsis

When Rory Macintosh’s roommates find out that their studious and shy friend has never been with a guy, they decide that, as an act of kindness they’ll help her lose her virginity by hiring confident, tattooed bad boy Tyler Mann to do the job…unbeknownst to Rory.

Tyler knows he’s not good enough for Rory. She’s smart, doctor smart, while he’s barely scraping by at his EMT program, hoping to pull his younger brothers out of the hell their druggy mother has left them in. But he can’t resist taking up her roommates on an opportunity to get to know her better. There’s something about her honesty that keeps him coming back when he knows he shouldn’t…

Torn between common sense and desire, the two find themselves caught up in a passionate relationship. But when Tyler’s broken family threatens to destroy his future, and hers, Rory will need to decide whether to cut her ties to his risky world or follow her heart, no matter what the cost…

4/5 stars

Release Date: 7th May 2013

————————————————-

My Review

*Thanks to NetGalley and the Publishers for an instant download of True in return for an honest review*

When Rory accidentally lets out that she hasn’t slept with anyone in her 20 years, her roommates Kylie and Jessica decide to help her out. Behind her back. It’s out of kindness as they want her to experience sex, so they decide to hire tattooed, bad boy Tyler Mann to do the job. Will he go through with it?

Tyler Mann has admired Rory from afar. She’s different from all the other girls but he knows he isn’t good for her. He’s barely scraping by his EMT program so he can get his brothers out of the hell hole of his family home, away from his druggy mother. Rory is too smart for him but he cant resist taking up the offer as it’s a way to know her better.

The more time they spend together, the more they are falling for one another. They open up to one another but what happens when Tyler’s family threatens his future. Will Rory stand by him or cut ties? Tyler had always known his not good enough for Rory, but he loves her. Will he fight for her or let her go?

I wrote this on Twitter when I was only a few pages in. I had a slight premise of what True was about, I had just forgotten who the guy was. So when I started reading about Rory’s roommate Jessica sleeping with Tyler, I was like “Hang on” and went back to read the synopsis. Now this is probably a spoiler, although you would have found out a few pages in anyway and been like “Hold up” but, in my opinion, I would NEVER want to sleep with a guy my friend had been getting with. Wouldn’t that just be completely weird?

But once I got over the whole issue of that, it didn’t actually bother me a whole lot throughout the book then. At the start Rory was a bit funny about it and about liking Tyler but it didn’t bother Jessica, seeing as her and her other roommate Kylie hired Tyler to help Rory lose her virginity and it didn’t bother me either.

This is the first book I have read of Erin McCarthy’s and when I saw it on goodreads and read the synopsis, I KNEW I had to get my hands on it. So when NetGalley emailed me saying it was a free download for a day, I jumped at the chance to download it. Seriously guys, you will not be disappointed in True at all. I devoured it, I fell in love with the characters, I smiled, cried, gasped, threw my kindle down. All the usual acts I do with a great book. Although it sounds like a book that has been rehashed many times over, it certainly isn’t like that at all. The book is completely different to every good girl/bad boy college love out there and you would be a fool not to read this.

As mentioned, Tyler is hired to help Rory lose her virginity, unbeknown to her. Tyler used to sleep with Rory’s roommate Jessica and so Rory is hesitant to get to know him, because she does like him but she finds it a bit weird to like him when he is sleeping with Jessica.

But when Jessica tells her that it’s fine, they weren’t together, Rory decides that maybe it’s okay to hang out with him. They both get along and are both helping each other out with their courses. The more time they spend together, they more they are liking one another but when Rory finds out about Tyler being hired to sleep with her, she’s so angry and upset that she lies to her roommates and tell them that she slept with him. She doesn’t want to lose her friends even though they set it up so she keeps quiet about knowing.

After a week of ignoring Tyler, they go back to being friends. One night there is a family emergency at Tyler’s and he takes Rory with him. No one has ever been to his family house, Rory being the first. This is the part where they truly begin their relationship.

But with every relationship comes family drama and although Rory and Tyler seem strong, something happens that tears them apart. It breaks Rory but what can she do? She doesn’t want to talk about it, she tries not to think about it but it’s all she thinks about. When a tragedy occurs on Tyler’s side, she goes to pay her wishes. She still loves him but she knows she can at least live without him, even if it hurts, but when they both talk and Rory walks off, Tyler can let her leave once again. Will she take Tyler back or let him go?

I really, really adored Tyler. From first glances, you would totally say he was a tattooed bad boy, but underneath his exterior he is a caring soul. He’s smart, he’s on the EMT programme and he is definitely family orientated, trying to power through college so he can pull his two brothers from the hell that is their druggy mother. He will do whatever to make sure they are okay and protected, coming to their every need. I truly admired him for this. For loving and protecting his brothers so fiercely that he would do whatever he could for them. He and his older brother both have a tattoo that reads “TRUE”. It is after the four bothers names and that proves that their bond is so strong that nothing will ever break them apart. They will fight together and for one another. I think this part of him is what made me want to be with him and be Rory. To be there for him when things got tough, to befriend his brothers, to be there for him and them. That is exactly what Rory did and you could really see the love Tyler had for Rory, to show her this side of him that no one has ever seen.

I really liked Rory too. Shes not like many young adults we read about in NA. Since her mother’s death at a young age, she’s had insecurities. Her father didn’t know what to do when her mother died and in turn, that meant all the parties she used to get invited to slowly decline until it was just her and her father for company. This is why she is so socially awkward. She’s a virgin and shes socially awkward but her roommates try to get her out of her shell, giving her hugs which is something she is not used to, trying to get her to open up and in turn, she craves the connections now, understanding that she actually likes being hugged or kissed or touched. Shes grown up not having this and now shes got it, she feels loved.

She’s a logical and honest girl, not like most heroines we read about who are so angst-ridden (even though I love those kinds of books) and it was kind of a breath of fresh air to read about Rory and see her grow into herself. Learn to understand that there are guys out there who like her – such a Tyler – who want to spend time with her, who find her interesting. Tyler lets her into his world and she lets him into hers. I think this helped her open up, to show her feelings, to fall in love, to actually talk to her dad about their feelings instead of bypassing them like they always did. She definitely got stronger throughout the book and I really liked that.

It was nice to see their friends and family take a big part in the book too. From both their friends being included a lot, you got to see their story and their personality throughout the book as well as both Tyler and Rory’s families. You got to see into their family background and why they are the way they are. Rory being the socially awkward girl and Tyler being the family orientated guy. It was lovely not to just focus on their relationship, but to add in the family and friends too, making True a wholesome book.

Rory and Tyler both go through a journey. A journey of acceptance, of learning to love, of growing up, but they do it together and alone. I truly enjoyed reading True and Erin McCarthy did an amazing job writing it that I hope you will all pick up your copy when it is out. If you are like me and don’t like the fact that you are going out with the guy your friend was a Fuck Buddy with, then don’t worry, you will completely bypass and forget that part when you see how utterly great Rory and Tyler are together. They bring out the best in each other and share sides that no one else has seen in them. It was pretty awesome to witness this.

So yes, please do read True. You will fall in love with Tyler and his brothers and just want to cuddle them all. I certainly did. Amazing book and I cannot wait to see more of Rory and Tyler in the book instalment which will be Jessica’s book.

Definitely recommend True to all you lovely readers.

Erotica, New Adult, Romance

ARC: Extreme Love – Abby Niles

Posted on April 26, 2013 by Z. Elizabeth

Synopsis

New body. New clothes. New men.

Used to the average Joe, Caitlyn Moore is overwhelmed when the supremely masculine Dante Jones walks into her life and expresses an interest in her. At first she pushes him away, refusing to encourage the attention of a cage fighter. Then she learns Dante has a love ‘em and leave ‘em reputation. What better way to fine-tune her non-existent flirting skills than with a male who won’t stick around? But Dante has no intention of being a practice dummy; he’s out for all or nothing. Now Caitlyn must accept Dante—violent career and all—or let him go.

Dante “Inferno” Jones has one goal: win the Welterweight Championship. At a time when focus is crucial, the last thing he needs is a distraction. Yet Caitlyn Moore becomes a challenge he can’t resist. When the light-hearted pursuit shifts to a battle to win her heart, his focus is shot. Faced with losing the biggest match of his career, Dante must decide if his extreme life also has room for Extreme Love.

4 / 5 stars

Release Date: 30th April 2013

————————————————————————

My Review

*Thanks to the Publishers and NetGalley for approving me to read Extreme Love in return for an honest review*

Caitlyn Moore is used to dating average guy kind of guys so when she is taken to an MMA after party after being dragged to the fight by her friend Amy to meet her new boyfriend, there she meets Dante ‘Inferno’ Jones. One look and he has her hot under the collar, but even more so, he’s interested in too!

She finds out about Dante’s reputation and with her lack of flirting skills she decides to test them out on Dante. He’s not going to stick around after his fight after all anyway. But Dante is fed up of just f’ing groupies, he doesn’t want to be a practice dummy for her flirting, he wants all or nothing. And now Caitlyn has to decide if she can accept Dante, with his violent career – or let him go.

Dante has one goal and that is to win the Welterweight Championship. But first he needs to train extra hard to make sure he can win against Sentori – who plays mind games before matches. He knows focus is crucial and he doesn’t need any distractions. But Cait becomes a challenge he can’t resist. But what happens when winning the championship may be easier than winning her heart?

So I have to say, I am one of those people that firstly judges a book by its cover before reading the synopsis. But can you see why I do this when we get book covers that look that this one?
HOLY HELL it is like sex on a book. It just makes you want to lick his perfectly defined abs and tattoo….okay, I need to stop staring at this cover and get on with the review, because it really was a great book to read.

From the first page you become hooked. It starts off with action, and action that makes you want to read on. And then you feel all the emotions stemming from the characters. You will cringe, you will grin, you will laugh, and you will throw your kindle and shout at the characters. I do this a lot with books, but I get stressed when it doesn’t go my way! But you can see why I threw my kindle as you just wanted Cait to stop messing around and admit her feelings. Will she? You’ll have to wait and find out.

As mentioned, Cait is dragged to an MMA fight with her best friend Amy. She’s under the pretence that Amy’s new boyfriend Brad is working there tonight…she has a shock when it turns out they are watching him work. He’s an MMA fighter. To make matters worse, Cait hates the sport and now she is going to an after party where groupies and testosterone will fill the club. Cait isn’t the most confident person and being around skinny-minnies is making her hyperventilate, especially when she locks eyes with one Dante ‘Inferno’ Jones who makes her heart race.

Dante is fed up of groupies and when he locks eyes with Brad’s girlfriend’s friend, he knows he wants to get to know her. But Amy tells him to go slow, to not rush Cait into anything as shes super shy. He doesn’t want to listen to her though, but soon finds out just how reserved Cait is. Short, blunt answers are not what he was expecting and he knows it’s going to be a challenge to get her to break down her barrier.

With Dante’s future fight being the one he has to win, he has to beat the ass that is Sentori, he knows he has to focus on training, but he can’t get Cait out of his head. Winning the fight may be easier than winning her heart, but he’s determined to help her through her insecurities, to show her that he does want her, that any man would be lucky to have her, as long as it’s him. He’s proud of everything she is doing with her career, proud of the little steps she is taking to change into a new and confident her, but then little push-backs occur and its back to step one. But never does he give up, he wants her to realize just how much she means to him, how much he wants her to be with him.

But what happens when his heart is being to affect his training? The only way for him to focus is if Cait gives him something to focus on, and she goes to completely wrong way about it. But in a way it pushes them together, although trouble is on the horizon yet again for these two. Gosh, can they catch a break already? Will Dante give up at the last hurdle after having enough of chasing Cait or will Cait now be the one to make the decision to go after what she realizes it the real deal?

Firstly, I could really empathise with Cait. I know she got on many reviewers nerves, but try to see it from her point of view. She’s lost a hell of a lot of weight, she’s never had male attention on her and she doesn’t know how to handle it. Plus she’s utterly shy with that attention and she still sees herself as ‘fat Cait’ when she looks in the mirror. I really did admire her strength throughout the book. Although she starts off timid and afraid, she comes out of her closet, she changes herself, and she gains confidence with Dante, with switching up her wardrobe and buying clothes that actually fit her.

Right now I am going through a weight loss program to get rid of my University weight. I’ve lost 2 stone so far, my clothes don’t fit me and I am utterly shy with male attention. So before you all judge her what her ways, think about it from her view point.

Okay, so there are points where you want to shake her and tell her that Dante does really like her, he wants to be with her and support her. And the way she acts would send any guy away for good, but Dante doesn’t go anywhere. I liked that she finally realized this and let herself and her true feelings for him show. With comments about her weight (She’s a size 12) from jealous ex-girlfriends and MMA rivals, she did a great job of trying not to let it show, to let her blasé attitude towards the comments prove that even though they hurt inside, she would never let them know. You really see Cait blossom and grow into such a strong and confident character.

DANTE! Oh sweet, sweet Dante. I fell in love with him, got to be said, and you all will too. Despite his hard exterior, his MMA background, he really is a sweet and caring guy. The second he lays eyes on Cait he knows he wants her, want to get to know her but there’s something holding her back. At first it’s like trying to break a goddamn wall talking to her and he’s not used to that, he’s used to women throwing themselves at him but Cait is different and he likes that about her. Likes that shes not like everyone else but shes a tough cookie to speak to.

His determination to want to get to know her pushes him to try and get through to her. I admired that he wouldn’t give up on her, knew that she would begin to trust him soon and open up to him about her life (which had been a journey in itself). When things happen, he keeps coming back. You could see he really did like Cait, he admired her strength (when he found out about her life), really cared for her and he had never felt this way about anyone before. Going from one night stands to one night stands. To finally find someone who he actually wants and needs to be with, he’s determined to make her see that they are perfect together, despite her hatred and hesitation over his fighting. She hates it.

They both go through a journey, together and alone. Cait goes through one of self- discovery and I admired her so much for breaking down her barriers bit by bit, letting not only her friends in but Dante too. He was a big part of those barriers coming down and I loved him for helping Cait out. Dante goes through a journey of falling in love, of fighting for the women he knows is the one for him time and time again, never giving up. But also he has to choose, Cait or his career….which one will he choose?

I absolutely loved Cait’s best friends Pete and Amy. They were brilliant. They were completely supportive and would kick Cait’s butt into gear not just over her insecurities but over her feelings for Dante. She really liked him but didn’t want to show them because she was scared and she hated his job. They made her see she was beautiful both inside and out, helped her with her confidence in herself and with Dante and helped her break out of her shell. They were the perfect friends for Cait and I’m glad they got their happy ending too.

Abby Niles has written an amazing book in Extreme Love. Her writing flowed, she made the characters have their own voices, she wrote about issues that every woman has been thrown in their life and can relate to, and she damn sure made my fall in love with nearly all the characters – there are a few baddies 😉 but other than that, it was hard to put the book down. I had my kindle stuck in my hands until I finished it. I’ve recently been obsessed with reading books about MMA Fighters and this book definitely did not disappoint my visions of these fighters. Abby Niles wrote the fights in a way I understood what he going on (I’m easily confused) and I was cheering, if not wincing, along with Cait and the other supporters. You do get drawn into this book, not just with the fighting, but with cheering for both Cait and Dante.

Extreme Love is out on the 30^th April and I insist that you all download it. If not for the smoking hot cover, then for the journey Cait and Dante go through. It is a struggle, but they get there in the end.

Chelsea M. Cameron, New Adult

ARC: Faster We Burn (#2) – Chelsea M. Cameron

Posted on April 20, 2013April 20, 2013 by Z. Elizabeth

Synopsis

Katie Hallman is done with douchebags. Done with guys who treat her like crap and leave her broken. But then Stryker Grant is there anyway. With his numerous piercings and bleached hair, he’s the polar opposite of all of her past relationships, which makes him the perfect candidate.

At first, Katie just sees him as a physical escape from her previous rocky relationship, and Stryker doesn’t seem to mind just being a distraction from Katie’s problems. But soon he’s getting under her skin, peeling back layers she’d rather keep covered. She tries to make it clear that she doesn’t want a relationship, but keeps breaking her own rules.

Then a tragedy sends Katie into the only arms who are there to catch her, and she’ll realize that she needs him more than she ever thought possible. But is she ready to let herself trust another guy with her already-battered heart? Or will she push him away to protect herself from getting hurt again?

Out today!

4 /5 stars

———————————————————

My review

*Thanks to Chelsea M Cameron for the ARC in return for an honest review*

“You and Me. No Space. Always”

Katie doesn’t want another relationship. Shes done with guys who treat her like crap and shes done with going back to them all the time. No, she is sticking to her guns this time. But then Stryker Grant appears and although she’s not usually attracted to someone like him, he’s the perfect candidate to make her forget all about Zack. She purely wants a physical relationship, where she has sex whenever she wants without all the lovey-dovey and feelings involved and Stryker is more than happy to comply with that demand.

But the more time they spend together, feelings about what their situation is, is becoming blurred for both of them and when a tragedy in Katie’s life happens, Stryker is there every step of the way and she realizes she needs him more than ever now. But can she trust herself to be with Stryker and not get her heart battered again? Or will she push him away to protect herself?

I love Chelsea’s novels and I snapped up the opportunity to review Faster We Burn because I simply LOVED LOVED LOVED Deeper We Fall. Faster We Burn did not disappoint at all and I was completely sucked into the story of Katie and Stryker, liking both of them in DWF and the start of their ‘relationship’ also began in that book too. Chelsea knows how to keep you captivated with her books, her writing drawing you in until you realize you are at the end and wishing there was more after the last page. She certainly made all the characters have their own personality and made them come to life and act like college teenagers, not teenagers who act older than they seem. That is part of the reason I loved reading this book.

We first meet Katie in Deeper We Fall. She is Lottie’s roommate and quickly, one of her best friends, becoming a part of their small, close group. In Deeper We Fall, we see a side story of Katie, where she is going out with Zan’s brother Zack but after he beats her, for sleeping with Stryker, she changes. And now that Faster We Burn is her and Stryker’s (Zan’s friend) story, we get to see what happened the first time they slept together, the meeting with Zack which left her hospitalized and the continuation of both their stories where we get to know more about them.

As I’ve mentioned and as you’ve read in DWF, Katie was in a torturous relationship with Zack, who decided to beat her up, leaving her on the street for Will to find. After that moment, she decided that Zack was history and that she never wanted to have her heart broken again so she decides that instead of having a relationship with a guy, she will just have a physical one, no strings sex and when Stryker comes knocking to get his cape after the Halloween party, she decides that hes the perfect candidate for this ‘relationship’.

Katie goes through a lot in this book. She is a strong girl, but after everything that has happened, shes built her walls so high, so no other guy can hurt her. You really do see her go through a journey. She was drowning and struggling through everything in her life, not knowing what to do, and Stryker was not only there for her throughout everything, he was her best friend. He taught her to find herself, to live her life but also to love again and trust again. I loved watching her grow every day, finding herself, trusting again and of course, loving again. Katie is a mess throughout the book, but she really learns who she is and you see a strong woman come out in the end, even if at times shes still vulnerable, she always has Stryker to fall back on and help her out.

Stryker is really not the typical tattooed, pierced guy that most of us have preconceptions of. He is the sweetest, kindest and lovely guy you could read about. His tattoos define who he is, as does his music. He plays all kinds of instruments from guitar to violin, he sings and he draws and he really is a vulnerable soul. He knew from the first time he saw Katie that there was something there for him, so when she wants a physical relationship, he doesn’t say no.

I loved his POV’s throughout the book, as you really got to know him and know what he was thinking. You got to go through his journey with him in slowly realizing his feelings for Katie and not wanting to admit them out loud but you could see how much this situation was tearing him up and he just wanted more with Katie, whereas she was scared to go any further, even though she was feeling the same. He’s not perfect, there are a few things that he does throughout the book, one mistake he makes but it was only because he was completely in love with Katie and he had no idea what to do about his feelings. No excuse but the feeling overwhelmed him…

I loved how it started out physical and over time the lines were truly blurred for both of them. They supported one another, became best friends and then fell in love. They do go through a lot, and have done but they get through it at the other end and become stronger together, having tackled everything together. They really are best friends in love.

There are two tragedies in this book. One for Katie and another for Trish and Stryker. I found it so great how both of them were there for one another throughout these tragedies and it made them both realize that they truly were there for each other, to help them through everything that was going on and just being there was a massive deal while they grieved. Both the tragedies were pivotal points in their relationship and you could really see how special they both were to one another.

I loved that the group were involved throughout the book too. It was nice to see them beyond DWF and see their friendships and relationships blossom. Maybe a story involving Will and Audrey will be next? Hint, hint!

If you have yet to read Deeper We Fall, please get on the bandwagon and get it in your life. Love Lottie and Zan and then read Faster We Burn and love Katie and Styrker. It truly is a great book. The journey they take leads them to being together and being happy together, despite all the stuff that had happened in both their lives. But together, they are completely the right fit.

I’m excited to see what book three of the Rise and Fall series will be about. Fingers crossed we get to see Will and Audrey’s story, because those two are just so sweet together.

You can find my review of Deeper We Fall HERE.

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesday: Down London Road – Samantha Young

Posted on April 16, 2013April 13, 2013 by Z. Elizabeth

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

My teaser

“Guess who was at the bar last night?”
I’ve always been crap at guessing games. “Who?”
“Hot guy from the shitty art show.”

And that, ladies and gentlemen is all I can share so far!!

Pg62, ARC paperback of Down London Road – Samantha Young

Release date: Ebook – 7th May
paperback: 9th May

New Adult, Romance

ARC: Levitiating las Vegas – Jennifer Echols

Posted on April 12, 2013August 16, 2013 by Z. Elizabeth

Synopsis

Nothing up her sleeves…or so she’s been led to believe.

Showgirl Holly Starr is sick and tired of assisting her dad, a celebrity magician, in his Las Vegas casino magic show. As soon as he keeps his promise to her and shares the secrets to his tricks, she can break out on her own. But can she really make it? For years Holly has taken medication to stave off crazy hallucinations that she can levitate objects. Just when she thinks she’s ready to make a career and a life for herself, her medicine—and her luck—run out.

Elijah Brown suffers from a similar delusion—that he can read minds—and he’s out of medicine too. Determined to save himself and his old flame Holly, he kidnaps her and takes her straight to the source, a town high in the Rockies where their medicine is made. What they discover there leads them to suspect their powers are not imaginary after all…and neither is the intense attraction they feel for each other.

They make a pact to stick together as they return to Vegas to confront the people who kept them in the dark so long. But soon they’re pitting their powers against each other in a dangerous world where the nightlife is seductive, domination is addictive, the sex is beyond belief…and falling in love is murder.

2/5 stars
Release date: 7th May 2013
———————————————————-

My Review

*Thanks to Edelweiss and the publishers for approving me for a EArc copy of Levitating Las Vegas in return for an honest opinion*

What if you had been lied to for seven years? Told you had a mental illness, forced to take tablets everyday and told never to tell anyone? That is exactly what Molly and Elijah were told to do at just 14 years old.

At 21, Holly Starr is fed up of assisting her dad, a celebrity magician at his casino show. She wants to break free and be the stay of her own show, if only he would spill his tricks to her. For years she had taken medication to keep the crazy hallucinations away that she can levitate objects but what happens when she thinks shes ready to make a life and career for herself? And what happens when shes taken off her medication and finds out shes been lied to about her illness for seven years.

Elijah Brown is also on the same medication as Holly. Suffering from a similar delusion – he can read minds and when he runs out of medicine, he believes he’s going crazy. Finding out that his old flame Holly has MAD too, and shes about to run out of medicine, he believes the only way to save them both, is to kidnap her and take her to where they make the medicine. But on the way, what they find out and discover is that they may very well have powers that have been hidden from them for seven years…and that their feelings for one another had never gone away.

But having these powers leads them into dangerous territories and as they plan to stick together and confront everyone who kept them from their powers and each other for so long can only lead them into the hands of the people who want them; want to pit them against each other in a dangerous world where dominance, sex and falling in love can lead to disastrous consequences.

I was so excited when I got approved to read Levitating Las Vegas. Ever since I had read the synopsis, I added it to my TBR list and willed the days until it was released. When I found it on Edelwiess, I took a chance, requested it and got approved.

But, and this is a big but, because I LOVE Jennifer Echols books, I was disappointed in it. I loved the concept of two teenagers having powers, only to be told they didn’t and had to take this tablet every day and tell no one about their illness, until they are taken off it and realize everything they had been told was a lie and they did have powers.

I just felt that it dragged all the way up until the last 20% where my attention spiked because there was a ‘battle’ and secrets came out from some of the characters, where I was uhming and ahhing about them. I willed myself to want to like it, I wanted to, desperately and I powered through. But books normally take me 1-2 days to read, this took me nearly a week. (add in the fact I was ill too, but I still read a couple of pages) – I just suppose it wasn’t the book for me in the end.

I had a love/hate relationship with Holly and Elijah. You can pretty much tell they are the done deal for one another, even in their teens as the book begins seven years in the past when they are 14. But once their parents find out they are going on a date to their school prom, they stop them immediately and tell them to never see each other again. That is where everything starts for them and that is when they ‘discover’ their power, only to have their parents tell them they have MAD.

Fast forward seven years and they haven’t seen each other, even though they both work at the casino. As ive mentioned, Eljiah finds out Holly has MAD too and after running out of pills, he asks Holly for one. This starts the back and forth relationship these two didn’t have in high school, thus starting it now. To me, there wasn’t really any romance linked with these two, although to them, they are the real deal. They are just dangerous to one another as they could and most probably at some point manipulate each other with their powers, but they don’t want to. They want to just be normal, as they can be, together, but of course, it’s going to be hard, as Elijah can hear her thoughts and she can strangle, push him away, and move him etc with her mind.

The two of them really did have a turbulent relationship and the powers did not help that at all. One minute they were fine together, the next they were fighting and storming off (well, Holly was). They were all over the place and i suppose can you really blame them? They really liked each other in school but were forced to stay away, then they get together 7 years later, only for her parents to want her to stay away again, add in their powers and you do get a messed up relationship, where their love is powerful but their powers are dangerous. Its a lot to handle I’d expect for both of them, seeing as neither had been in a relationship, nor less, intimate with anyone else in that time span. But one thing that I do know about these two, was that they would go to hell and earth to save one another.

The Rez is mentioned throughout the book, but its not until the last 20% that you finally get to see exactly what it is. You do get brief outlines as to what goes on there and why you should never want to be a part of that ‘crowd’ as they use your powers against you and your loved one, as you get to see in the final parts of the book. It’s not a good or nice place to end up.

I did enjoy all the powers, that being said. The mind readers, the mind changers and the levitators. I liked how all the characters involved at something different and how they used them, even if some used it for the wrong reasons, Holly and Elijah wanted to use theirs for the good, not to be sucked in by the danger of the Rez, who will do anything to have they both and pit their powers against one another. They know they have to stand strong but what happens when one of them is taken?

Although I wasn’t a big fan of Elijah (Or Holly), the one thing is did do near the end proved just how much he loved Holly that he was willing to sacrifice something so big for her, so she would be let go and they couldn’t manipulate his mind-reading power and hers. Although it wasn’t her fault she was acting that way, she was being controlled, I really did feel for him doing what he did, just to save her.

So yeah, I’m going to say that what Elijah did was my favourite part of the book. Although I cant tell you what he did, as it will be a big spoiler, but if you want to find out, read the book when it comes out on May 7^th.

I’m giving it a 2. I winced as I wrote that. A two because the last 20% I liked and because the concept of the story was a good one, but it just needed more for me. I’m sure other people may very well love this book, but it took every inch to try and keep my attention, plus, I’m not sure if there is a second book, but there needs to be because there are a few things that were left unsaid and need to be rectified, such as WHAT was going to happen right at the end. It seemed to just be left hanging.

I DO love Jennifer Echols books, Just a Rush is one of my favourites, but Levitating Las Vegas, I’m sorry, but it’s not for me. I’m not saying this to put you off, because this is my opinion of the book, and as we all know, we all have very different tastes, so if you are looking forward to this book, don’t beat it down and never read it because of me, because you may very well love it.

New Adult

ARC: Before You Go – Clare James

Posted on April 3, 2013April 1, 2013 by Z. Elizabeth

Synopsis

Paralyzed by the past and terrified of the future, Tabitha Kelly is broken.
After a public sex scandal at her college, Tabby moves to a new city with a new school, convinced she can start over. But she soon realizes the changes are not enough. Tabby must take action to help her heal and move on from the past.
And though it sounds crazy, she believes a one-night stand is the best way to take back what’s hers. If she can choose where, when, and most importantly, who … maybe she can regain control.
First, she needs a willing participant.
She finds more than that when she meets Noah Adler.
Unfortunately, she can’t go through with it. And when she tries to forget about the plan—and the guy—it becomes impossible.
Noah quickly weaves his way into her new life and her heart. But as he comes dangerously close to discovering her secret, Tabby’s at risk of losing it all.

4.5/5 stars

————————————————————–

My Review

*Id like to thank Clare James for supplying me with an ARC of Before You Go in return for an honest review*

Tabitha has been through a lot in the past couple of months. From being involved in a sex scandal at her old school, to her friends ditching her, to drowning in a deep depression, it’s a lot to try and overcome so when she goes to live with her dad, she figures she can at least try to get through the next two years.

In doing so, she decides that she just wants one night, one night with a guy in which after, it will help her gain control on her life and she can start over. But not everything is that simple.

Picking up a guy in her local bar, she meets Noah Adler and he’s more than willing to sleep with her. But when they both get to the final stages before having sex, Tabitha can’t go through with it, and she becomes paralyzed and fakes illness.

Tabitha tries to forget about Noah, but it seems impossible when he seems to be everywhere she turns at school. He quickly weaves his way into her life, and her heart and it scares Tabby but she kind of likes it. But shes so scared of him finding out her secret, that she doesn’t tell him. What happens what it all comes out though? Will Noah stand by her or leave her?

When Clare James emailed me and asked if I would like to receive a copy of this book, I read the synopsis and instantly knew I wanted to read it. And I’m so glad I did because I couldn’t put it down. I even took to reading it over my friend’s house last night while they all talked amongst themselves. So yes, I can honestly say I was hooked. I know there are many books about popular girls and sex scandals but really…this book was nothing like any of them. It was completely different and took a different spin on them all, into something that wasn’t just focused on the love aspect, it focused on the issue at hand – the sex scandal and how it affected Tabitha’s life, to how she needed to control her life and get it back on track without anyone finding out about her past.

We meet Tabitha in her local bar and get a glimpse into her past – the night that changed everything about her. Everything that was taken from her. She’s depressed, scared, frightened, emotionally scarred but all she really wants is to move on and take control of her life, thinking the only way to do so is to find a willing guy who will have a one night stand with her. She thinks by doing this, everything will at least, try to be back to normal.

Spotting a hot guy at the bar, Tabitha approaches him, asks him to play bingo with the locals and they engage in drinks and literature all night until they get back to her apartment. But before anything can really go any further, Tabby stops it, a feeling a dread soaring through her, but Noah doesn’t mind, he stays with her, making sure she is alright and playing nurse. Such the cutie, right?

Thinking she would never see him again, shes surprised when he’s in her class and he’s her ‘boss’ at her internship with the school’s newspaper. Noah never wanted her to be a one night stand but not wanting to pursue anything with him, at least that’s what she first says, he slowly worms his way into her life, makes her see that he’s not a bad guy and he really likes her and wants to help her through whatever is hurting her. She never knew that he was the guy she was looking for to help her and love her, loving him in return.

I fell for Noah the instant he appeared in the book. There was something about him that captivated not only me, but of course, Tabby. He was charming, he was sweet, but he also cared about Tabby, becoming persistent in being friends and wanting to pursue more with her. But he knew there was something deep down in Tabby that was still hurting her and I loved that he wanted to help her out, help her to stop being so scared of whatever it was, to help her overcome her need of being in control, both in her life and in the bedroom, in turn gaining her trust and not pushing her to tell him her secret, waiting until she was comfortable in telling him. He was literally the greatest boyfriend/friend that Tabby could have had, and to help her through everything, he was just perfect, even when he was hiding his own secrets.

I have to say; I enjoyed the scenes where Noah was helping Tabby overcome her need to control and her fear of being touched intimately. He knew just want to do to make her feel relaxed and let her, give him some of the control in turn, making her trust him and the ways he used to help her through this insecurity and dread. They were great scenes with Tabby slowly getting used to being touched by Noah and because of that, she let herself go, let Noah touch her, relax her and finally learn that sharing the control meant trusting one another, knowing they won’t push you into something you don’t want. It was great to see her journey throughout the book in gaining back pieces of herself.

I applaud Tabby’s strength. It took a lot of courage to let people in, even though she hadn’t told them about her past. Strength to let a guy in, to trust him and fall in love with him, to having a friend that she can lean on and a family that support her and love her. She pushed everything from her past away, including dancing, in which she loved. She didn’t want anything to do with the old her, but I loved that she just couldn’t stay away from her dancing. It was a big part of her, but also an escape but the more she danced, the more the old her was slowly seeping back. She found that strength to power through and try to overcome her past, and in doing so gained a best friend and a boyfriend who adores her and they both will do anything for Tabby, so when the scandal comes out, Noah does what any guy in love would do, hes there for Tabby. Like he would ever leave her. She has his heart for the taking.

The secondary characters from her Dad and stepmother, Amy to her friend Jules were big parts in Tabby’s story and life. They were constantly there for her, making sure she was okay, pushing her to achieve her potential and helping her overcome her past (even if Jules didn’t know what was wrong, she was there to comfort and assist in gaining that strength back).

Clare James has written a great debut novel, one that I think you should read. I love books that take characters on journeys, to be the best person they can be, and Before You Go is just that. It’s about a emotionally damaged girl who grows day by day in strength with the help of friends and family and who falls in love with the boy who stands by her throughout everything. It’s a perfect read and has the right amount of emotions for everyone. It’s a beautiful read and I definitely think you should add it to you TBR list and read it right now.

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

——————————————————————————

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.

Jade C. Jamison, New Adult

ARC: Bullet – Jade C. Jamison

Posted on February 17, 2013 by Z. Elizabeth

Synopsis

An Epic Rock Star Novel

What if you discover the man you want is toxic?

She tasted a little bit of heaven with him, and now they’ve gone through hell and back, but can their relationship take anymore?

Valerie Quinn is a naïve college freshman when she meets on-the-rise rock star Ethan Richards. He’s an idealistic, handsome, reckless young man, but he’s captured her heart. She doesn’t give up on him and eventually his walls crumble down. By the time Valerie has given herself to him completely, she discovers he’s damaged and may be beyond help. Can she save Ethan and their relationship before he implodes, or will he self-destruct and take her with him?

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

My Review

Valerie Quinn is a college freshman. Shes had little experience with guys so when she meets on-the-rise rock star and fellow student Ethan Richards, he’s instantly captured her heart.

But there is something about Ethan. Something damaged him from his childhood that he’s held onto all these years and Valerie tries to help him, eventually breaking down his walls. But when Valerie gives herself completely to him, that’s when she discovers he may be beyond help.

She’s determined to try and help Ethan and rebuild their relationship but Ethan is toxic and is leading towards a road of self-destruct. Down a road where it may be hard for Valerie to save him and save herself in the long haul.

Bullet begins in the present. I’m not going to tell you who Valerie is with, but it sets you up with the beginning of Val’s story and how she got to this point in the first place. The chapters are divided into past and present –more past than present but no less important as the present makes you think back over the past ‘past’ chapters to really see how she became to person she is now, in the present.

We meet Valerie in the ‘present’ as I’ve mentioned and shes got some huge news to share. She seems grown-up, mature and in love. When Jade introduces us to Valerie in the ‘past’, shes a virgin, she’s naive to all things sexual, but that’s only because of her up-bringing but she’s far from shy. She finds it easy to make friends.

The first real friend we see her make is Ethan. He’s in one of her classes and she decides that next class shes going to talk to him. I loved how they both had a passion for metal music, thus starting the beginning of their friendship. Although she only really hung out during class and their walk back to their dorms, they became friends fast and I found it refreshing that Val had someone with a common interest, unlike her bitchy roommate Charlotte, who I instantly took a dislike to.

Throughout her journey in the first year of college, she becomes closer to Ethan and his roommate/band member Zane and also becomes friends with the other two members of his band, who live back at home, Brad and Nick. They all welcomed her to their ’group’ with open arms. They cared about her.

The more time they all spent together, the more Val knew she wanted to be in their group and not return to college. She didn’t know what she wanted to major in, so she really thought there would be no point staying. Their group dynamic changed and I loved that having a girl in the band who also wrote the lyrics to their songs made them become even more popular than they were. It worked because she put so much effort and passion into making them work.

I thoroughly enjoyed the journey we had with Val and the band members. You see Valerie as an inexperienced, naive young woman who is hung up on her best friend – Ethan, bypassing any other guy who looks her way. Although she kind of knows they look at her, all she wants is Ethan. Over the course of the book, she grows up a lot, she grows into her sexuality, knowing how to flaunt it and use it and she seems to enjoy the fact that she’s matured and can hold her own around guys and on stage too, with engaging the audience. I loved reading her grow, albeit going back to Ethan all the time annoyed the heck out of me, but in between with the romances with Clay/Jet who was in another band that they toured with let her experience even more with her sexuality.

Clay/Jet was a few years older than Val and the boys. What I loved about him was that he had two different personas. Clay was the sweet, caring guy, who would cuddle you and Jet was his persona on stage and in bed. He’d make sure you had a great time in bed. After everything he and Val went through, I think the outcome for both of them was the right path to choose. Even if she did go back to Ethan once again.

I really liked Ethan at the start when we first meet him. He seems like a cool kid, someone who really cares for Val but won’t admit it, in turn staying true to his womanizing ways, which seems to hurt Val. He seemed jealous when guys gave her attention but he never did anything to prove his feelings to her. It was like he didn’t know how to, or he didn’t want to destroy her ‘purity’. She was his muse and he didn’t want to change that.

Throughout the years they spend together, either together or just as a band, I despised him bit by bit over his hurtful and painful actions towards Val. He didn’t know a good thing if it hit him in the face and it was like he was bi-polar. I had no idea what he was going to do. Drugs and alcohol seemed to be his void over his past but he just always took it too far, causing pain not only to Val but to Brad as well. All the things he did to Val over the course of the book, well I just wanted to punch him. Val loved him with everything and he put her through so much that she just didn’t know if she could handle that pain again.

There were parts when I thought he would change, but he never did. He’d change for a while then retreat back to his asshole state. I thought Valerie was so stupid for taking him back all the time, it got me so frustrated that I was shouting at her through my Kindle. I wanted her to say ‘Fuck you’ and stand up for herself when he acted like a douchebag. Although there are times she did say ‘fuck you’ to him, I suppose she kept going back because she thought he truly would change and she was so deeply in love with him that she just brushed over everything he did when he showed her some affection. He really was toxic.

Now Brad. I LOVE HIM!! I’d love to have him for myself please. He was such a sweetheart. The first time we meet him it’s obvious he and Val share this connection. She knows it and so does he but she’s hung up on Ethan and she tries to forget about it. He tells her that he knows she likes Ethan so nothing will happen while that card is on the table. I loved him for that because he was respecting her.

He was a worrier and really cared about the band when no one else seemed to give a rats arse about it. He was literally their band manager, tour manager; driver and he wrote music/lyrics, had a job so they could afford to live and drove to their concerts. I loved his dedication for the band, wanting to make them noticed so they could get signed. Music was his life and all he wanted to do and I really admired him that he was so passionate about following his dreams.

He and Val had a close friendship, even though there was some sort of sexual chemistry between them but he swore that he wouldn’t go there (again). He worried about her relationship with Ethan because of the toxicity that is Ethan, who was damaging her poor heart over his actions. Brad was the guy that Val should be with not Ethan!

Ohhh the ending! It was just perfect and Valerie really did end up with the right guy. I was rooting for them throughout the book and I was so glad it was the person who I REALLY wanted her to be with. They were just so right for each other and albeit, their journey was a long one, but it just proves that in the end, those who are meant to be together, will find their way to one another and this was the perfect way to end such an amazing book as Bullet.

Jade has done it once again and drawn me into the story of Valerie, much like she has with her other books and she makes it so hard to put her books down and actually get some sleep! It is longer than her other books, but it’s no less important or drawn out for the sake of it, no! it’s captivating and you really become engrossed in the plot and with the characters.

I’d like to thank Jade for sending me an ARC copy of Bullet. She’s such a brilliant person and author, so if you haven’t read any of her books – boo at you! Please download them or read my reviews under Jade C. Jamison in the category box, because her books will leave you wanting more.

NOW, if you’re looking for smoking hot Rockstars, smoking hot sex, love triangles and a metal rock band then Bullet will be and is the book for you. It’s about growing up, finding love, dealing with damaged souls, succeeding and finding true happiness. PLEASE buy this e-book when it comes out because you will be obsessed with the characters and story right from the beginning.