Tag: Friends

Posted in Author Interviews, L.M Augustine, Promotional Events, YA

AUTHOR INTERVIEW with L.M Augustine (+GIVEAWAY)

Posted on by Z. Elizabeth

So L.M Augustine week kicks off with an interview from the awesome guy himself!

Kicking off the week, we’ll get to know L.M and Click To Subscribe before we do anything else hey 😉

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17285743Synopsis

1,135,789. That’s how many subscribers sixteen-year-old West Ryder has on his web vlog series. But he only has eyes for one of them.

As one of the internet’s most prestigious video bloggers, West talks about high school relationships under the name “Sam Green.” As far as he knows, no one from school, not even his best friend, Cat, has seen his videos. But the highlight of the whole thing is Harper Knight, who comments every day at exactly 2:02 in the afternoon. He doesn’t know anything about her aside from the occasional deep philosophical messaging on why pizza tastes so delicious, but as stupid as it sounds, he might be falling for her. So when they finally agree to meet in real life, West’s hope for romance seems more and more in reach. But that all changes as soon as he arrives at their meeting spot and sees Cat walking toward him, wearing the same “I ❤ Sam Green” T-shirt Harper promised she’d have on.

To his alarm, West realizes he is falling in love with the best friend who has always been a sister to him

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L.M’s interview

1.       What was the first book you can remember reading?

This definitely isn’t the first book I ever read, but I remember reading Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke pretty young when it first came out.

2.       How did you come up with the idea of Click to Subscribe?

 Click was inspired after I watched one of John Green’s vlogs where he mentioned that two of his fans met online and hit it off so much that they were organizing a real life meetup. At the time, I thought that was so interesting. I mean, falling in love through social media? I didn’t even realize that happened.

Over time, the idea started to develop, and I kept thinking how plausible that could be. I wondered what those two people would have to be like to fall in love over the internet, wondered what happened to them and how all of it came to be. I’m not sure how the rest came about, but the next thing I knew it was midnight and I was scribbling away the first chapter of what would eventually become Click To Subscribe.

3.       How long did it take you to write the book?

Only a month, actually. The book really flowed out of me.

4.       The banter between Cat and West is amazing. How did you come up with it?

I really have no idea. Cat and West took over my brain from the start. It was more like they were actually speaking, rather than me “coming up with dialogue,” as weird as it sounds. Their characters just meshed so well that they did the rest of the work! I only sat back and watched. 🙂

5.       Cat and West loveeee ice cream. Did you have a massive tub next to you when you were writing?

I didn’t! But that would’ve been a brilliant idea… because it’s for, um, research. Yeah. Research. (How did I not think of it at the time?!)

6.       And what is your favourite flavour?

Black raspberry chip. I know, I know, I’m weird.

7.       West used his videoing as a way to keep his mother in his life, as she was the only one who knew about it. Why did he not want to tell Cat about it? Was it just because it wanted it to be his and his mother’s thing?

I think for West, he just wanted his own thing. I mean, he has always has Cat and he has always loved her in a friend kind of way, but with his mom, he needed something that was just for the two of them–and that was vlogging. He liked having this own part of his life that he could escape to whenever he wanted, because real life kind of sucks sometimes. I don’t think he shared because he liked having his own thing with his mom, and he didn’t want anyone, best friend or not, intruding on that space.

8.       Cat was an amazing character, never giving up on her feelings for West and trying to make him see what was in front of him. What made you write Cat this way? Most YA girls aren’t so strong and confident as she was with her feelings and telling West.

Honestly, I wrote her strong because I was tired of the weak YA heroine trope. Anyone who reads the book can see that Cat is the stronger character–she knows what she wants while West is so conflicted–and I think that’s more realistic. Females are just as often strong characters in real life as males, and plus, it only felt right for Cat and West’s relationship that Cat is the strong one. West is dealing with his mom’s death and she is his support system through and through.

9.       Your next book is called Two Roads and is N.A. How big a jump was it from YA to NA, if there was any jump?

For me, the issue wasn’t so much a jump between genres as it is a jump between characters. NA and YA are much different and I definitely had to change some of my storytelling and book themes for NA, but that part wasn’t very difficult for me. The part that gave me trouble is distinguishing Logan and Cali from Cat and West. They’re very different couples with very different problems, and I sometimes found myself turning Logan and Cali’s banter into something Cat and West would say, which I couldn’t have. Separating them on a relationship level was the definite challenge.

10.   Have you thought about who would play Cat and West if it was made into a movie?

I have, actually! I picture West as a young Austin Butler and Cat as Ariana Grande. Ariana’s red hair is EXACTLY like Cat’s, with the red velvet color and all.

This is how L.M sees West: (Austin Butler)

West

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And this is how he sees Cat: (Ariana Grande)

Cat Davenport 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.   And lastly, is there a deep dark secret you would like to tell me? 😉

*leans in* *whispers* My deep dark secret, the fate of the world as we know it, is actually– *connection gets cut and secret forever lost*

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About L.M Augustine

L.M. Augustine is a YA romance author who is obsessed with writing about dorky teenagers, love, and happy endings. He currently lives in New England, where he spends far too much time reading books and screaming at his computer, and he believes that the solution to the world’s problems can be found in chocolate cake. Click To Subscribe is his first novel, but it won’t be his last.
Find L.M. on:

Email: authoraugustine@gmail.com

Links to buy Click To Subscribe (Which ya’ll should!)

(And all other Amazon stores)

iBooks
Smashwords

GIVEAWAAAAAAAAAAAY

And now for your chance to win TWO Ecopies of Click To Subscribe. It’s open internationally, so good luck!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Posted in Family, Romance

Billy and Me – Giovanna Fletcher

Posted on by Z. Elizabeth

16112830Synopsis

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.

Posted in New Adult, Suspense

Breathe Into Me – Amanda Stone

Posted on by Z. Elizabeth

16222687Synopsis Eighteen year-old Kelsey Rien is more than ready to leave her past behind her. Wanting nothing more than to walk into a room without everyone knowing the horrific details of an event that changed her life six years ago, she vows to concentrate on school and make something of herself. But then she meets Kane Riley – the local bad boy. Kane’s reputation is far from perfect, but is there more to him than what everyone else sees? Kelsey soon learns that you can’t run from your past, no matter how hard you try. When her nightmares find her once again, Kelsey must find the courage to face the demons that have been haunting her and save the people she loves most. 4 / 5 Stars add-to-goodreads-button3 ——————————————————–
My Review

Six years ago, something horrific happened in Kelsey Rien’s life. It changed her world upside down and changed who she was. As it would anyone who went through what she did.

For those six years, she has wanted nothing more than to just walk into a room and not have people know her history. Now eighteen, she and her best friend Jesse leave their small town behind and leave for college, away to a state where no one knows her and she can try to leave the past behind.

She never expected to meet Kane Riley, the resident bad boy. His reputation is anything but perfect yet there is more to him that meets the eye that has Kelsey intrigued by him. He’s nothing like his bad boy persona, yet everything still thinks he is. Has Kane really changed? He has some demons he’s fighting too.

Still battling her demons and her nightmares, Kelsey realizes she can’t run from the past, but opening up to Kane is the first step. But when her demon’s come to haunt her, she must face up to them and save the people she loves the most.

I had been waiting months for Breathe Into Me to be released. When I saw the cover on Goodreads it was an instant add to my TBR list and bad boys and tattoos and piercings always get my vote. The synopsis made me want to read it too. I like a bit of mystery wrapped up in books, so I really wanted to know what Kelsey’s past was so I had some theories.

I read this book over two days – mainly because I had to go to inductions for my new job, but I really did not want to put it down. I was hooked with the plot, with the characters and just with the book in general. Amanda Stone developed the story nicely, along with the characters, which you see journey throughout the book into better versions of themselves – due to being in love and growing up over the weeks. She has me laughing, smiling, crying and kindle throwing (throughout certain events throughout the book which frustrated me and of course, had me panicking over what was going to happen).

Although there are many books with the same storyline, it was a cute read with college characters falling in love, dealing with heartbreak with a terrible past added into the mix, but overall, I really did enjoy the book!

We first meet Kelsey when she is moving into her college dorm with her best friend Jessie. It’s a chance at a fresh start away from her past. We don’t find out until a few chapters in but there are hints about what happened to her those six years ago that changed her from the out-going little girl she was to a shy and reserved teenager. She has gone through so much. She feel guilty and although it wasn’t her fault, she harbours this guilt always.

One trip to get some lunch and everything changes. She catches eyes with a pair of grey eyes and from then she can’t stop thinking of them. It helps that the guy is friends with the guy her best friend is seeing later that night.

After that night, Kane and Kelsey become friends. They spend every day together, hanging out, doing work, generally becoming best friends until one night when it all changes. Kane has never seen Kelsey in anything dressy so when the four of them head to the club he works out, he’s stunned. Kelsey is simply stunning and Kane can’t hold back his feelings for her anymore. She’s consumed his every thought and he wants her.

Things are going great for Kane and Kelsey. They have both bared their souls to each other, they love one another greatly and spend all their time together until one night, everything goes wrong and Kelsey gets her heart broken even when it wasn’t Kane’s fault.

Battling heartbreak, even more drama occurs for Kelsey and when it’s a battle of life or death for her and her loved ones, she will do whatever she can to make sure they live.

Kelsey was a delicate character in the beginning. You could see the guilt pouring off her, for what, we did not know yet. She was shy to an extent; she didn’t like ‘putting herself’ out there even though she wanted to be the girl she used to be. You really do feel sorry for Kelsey. Her past has overtaken her life – throwing nightmares at her during the night at times, so she relives that one moment that changed her.

But throughout the book, we see her change; her friendship with Jessie and her friendship with Kane are both factors of this change. We see her turn back into the girl she was, the strong, playful, loving girl. We see her open up her past to Kane which took courage and trust. We see her think of the ‘best’ parts of her past which in turns makes her get a tattoo in memory of that one memory she tells us about. (Hint, it’s on the book cover)

I applaud Kelsey for the journey she took throughout this book. She learned to trust, learned to open up and learned to love and be loved. Although she still harboured the guilt, in time she began to realize that none of what happened was her fault. She has a strength to her that took over her in the end and although that was the past that made me panicky, I am glad that she let go of her past for good and did what she did. So kudos Kelsey.

Now Kane. Before he met Kelsey he had a rep. Love ‘em and leave ‘em rep. But this was his way of dealing with the guilt he had racked up inside of him too. Then one day he just flipped and decided he didn’t want to be that way anymore. Didn’t want to drink, do drug or sleep with numerous women whom he didn’t give a rat’s ass about.

He really didn’t have a bad boy rep if I’m being honest. He was the sweetest guy around. He changed himself for the better, even if he was protective around Kelsey; it was due to never feeling this way before. All these feelings he had, they were new to him and it was pretty lush to watch him fall in love with Kelsey. To want to be the one for her. He’s had his struggles too, he has guilt over his past too, but he bears his past to Kelsey too and in turn, they learn to trust and try to not let their demon’s get to them.

I love that Kelsey and Kane both let one another in. Their relationship was cute and I loved the trust and love they had for one another. It was instant, their attraction was undeniable and it was just perfect for them to be with each other. It was sweet and the things Kane told Kelsey, I just wanted to sweep him up into a hug and keep him for myself, plus I wanted to kiss his lips! Pierced lip is hot…I should know, I used to have my lip pierced 😉

I have to say, my favourite part was when they first had sex. I know, I know, but it was like the perfect scene. It was the perfect time for them to consummate their relationship (HAHA) and it was all Kelsey’s doing, Kane didn’t pressure her or anything and he was so careful and loving with her that he made it that much special for her. I was smiling like an idiot over that scene. I just loved the connection they had and the love for one another for them to take it to the next level.

Although there are quite a few questions that I would love to have answered, I am still giving this book 4 stars. I did enjoy it and I love a tattooed boy, as you should all know by now. If you are looking for a cute college romance, with broken characters with a past that they eventually try to get over together, then Breath Into Me is the book for you.

Mentioned above, I love the bald, tattooed drummer that is Jesse. Growing up with a drunk of a father who used to beat him until Jesse was old enough to fight back, protecting Emmie along with his band mates was the only thing that mattered. Making sure she was safe, especially when the band became famous. Nothing mattered more than Emmie.

Jesse really is a brilliant character. He loves unconditionally, hes strong yet he’s gentle, hes confident and cocky but he never really uses his famous status, more content on being grounded and just basking in the love that all this band mates and Emmie share together.

As everyone in the band, he has a past. He’s never really had anyone who he has felt ‘more’ with apart from Emmie, but he’s just her best friend, so when he hears and meets Layla for the first time, its like a shock to the system. He can’t get this girl out of his head. He just needs her, needs to be with her and have her. It was so nice to see Jesse this way; to find someone who he wants to be with, to pursue romantically because he and Layla had this sizzling chemistry right from the start. As much as she told herself to stay away, she couldn’t, and Jesse was adamant on having her. Their pull just overtook them both and they just had to be together.

I loved how he (and the group) took Layla’s sisters under their wings, treating them with care and love. It was perfect to see this band, who love music and don’t care for the famous status to embrace three new characters into their dynamic and love them unconditionally too.

Jesse really would do anything to make Layla happy – even when they had a tipping point during parts of the book – but in the end, Jesse loved Layla with everything. You will find out just how much throughout the book ;).

Posted in Family, Romance

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

Posted on by Z. Elizabeth

10151164Synopsis

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 60th.

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 60th 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.

Posted in Family, New Adult, Romance, Samantha Young

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

Posted on by Z. Elizabeth

16140408Synopsis

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!

Posted in Chelsea M. Cameron, New Adult

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

Posted on by Z. Elizabeth

17283748Synopsis

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
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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.

Posted in Book Tours, Emma Hart, New Adult

BOOK TOUR: Holding On (1.5 Memories) – Emma Hart

Posted on by Z. Elizabeth

???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????Synopsis

Living in London after spending almost twenty years in a town with a population of three hundred would be hard on anyone – and Alec Johnson is no exception to the rule.

When Alec followed Lexy to London, he knew his life would change drastically. He just didn’t know how much. With Lexy’s friends and admirer to contend with, he has to show there’s more to the country surfer boy than is ability to ride the waves. With his own shameless admirers, he has to keep Lexy’s trust – and despite her love for him, that’s no easy task.

Beneath her tough girl exterior, all Jennifer Mason has ever wanted to do is paint. London’s School of Art can give her that, and she couldn’t be happier she’s finally breaking free from Lilac Bay. What she’s not happy about is having to leave Carl behind – or his reluctance to visit her while she’s studying.

Their relationship is put to the test as living on her own for the first time and university take their toll on Jen. After all, three hundred miles is a long way to be away from your boyfriend when you’re eighteen years old.

And it’s even harder when you can’t keep your eyes off your best friend’s older brother.

5/5 Stars

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My Review

Alec has moved to London to be with Lexi. Now living in a flat, a job working with her father and having Lexi around him nearly 24/7 is utter heaven for him. That only thing is there is a guy who wants them to split up so he can have Lexi to himself. Oh no, Alec is having none of that! Lexi is his and its going to stay that way for as long as she wants him.

Jen is settling slowly in big, old London. Missing her boyfriend, who refuses to even come down, waiting for her to go back home, its stressing her out and it doesn’t help that she has feelings for her best friends brother. Their sarcastic and snappy comments have been an on-going routine but is that just to hide the sexual attraction she has for him?

Lexi is back in her hometown of London but now she feels like she doesn’t fit in with her old life. Her best friend is a bitch, her guy friend wants to split her and Alec up and she just doesn’t feel like hanging around with this people anymore. She found the real her in Devon and her real friends and she knows Jen and Alec are the real deal, not the fakeness shes been friends with for years, where she lost herself. But shes scared. Will Alec make her see that nothing is ever going to come between them?

Bing has always been a bit of a ladies’ man but he’s also always liked Jen way more than he should. During the summer, they bantered and bit at one another but now shes in London and seeing him nearly every day, the snapping as increased and so has his attraction towards her. He wants her. So will he get her?

You should all know my love of Emma Hart by now. So when I received Holding On (#1.5 Memories) I NEEDED to read it asap. Alec is my book boyfriend so I desperately wanted more of him (and of course Lexi) but also we get Jen and Bing a lot more in this novella.

Emma’s writing is faultless. She knows exactly what to do to keep you reading, to draw emotions from you, to make you laugh, cry, feel anger, you name it, Emma can do it and her writing is exactly what keeps me captivated along with her plots. She could write about a piece of cheese and it would probably hold my attention and make me fall in love with that cheese.

If you haven’t given Emma a chance, then please do, her writing style is a breath of fresh air and you will be turning pages at lightning speed, along with falling in love with all the characters. At one point I was shouting at my Kindle…at who? I’m not going to say…

NOW, if you have read Never Forget (Review can be found here) then you will know that Jen, Bing and Lexi have known each other since they were little, only recently rekindling their friendship. Jen and Bing have this love/hate relationship where they are utterly sarcastic to one another and their banter is simply amazing it was have you in stitches and going ‘ohhh he/she didn’t’. It’s totally hidden sexual attraction yet neither of them can admit it, so they keep on biting at one another.

You can see their chemistry in Never Forget and you can certainly see it turned up a notch in London. One: because Lexi is best friends with Jen, 2: Bing is now friends with Alec and 3: They all hang around together. Unlike in Devon where the comments were fleeting, there are more now they are seeing more of each other.

Poor Jen though. She’s completely uprooted of her life. She’s now in a bustling city, at university so she’s constantly busy, her boyfriend won’t visit her and shes away from her parents. It’s enough to make anyone upset but good thing she has Alec, who has also moved away from Devon too, and Lexi, who is like her soul mate and, well Bing, in some way. Although she has the familiarity of her best friend’s around her, and shes settling in despite missing Carl and crushing on Bing, she is still the witty, crazy, protective Jen we all fell in love with in Never Forget and damn straight, she will never let us forget…not that we would ever want her to change!

Bing is definitely still Bing. He’s a ladies’ man, more in his comfort zone being back at home but something switches inside of him. As I’ve mentioned, he and Jen still bicker and snap at one another, but he definitely address’s why he does this. You see him change, you see him get irritated but you also see his protective streak, not just with Jen but with Lexi. Standing up for her; he’d do anything for his sister. I loved seeing this side of Bing and I know in Always Remember we will get to see more of him all crazy about a girl…oh I’m excited just thinking about him acting this way!!

I did love that Lexi, Bing, Alec and Jen got their own POV’s during the book. We got to understand them more, since Alec and Jen had moved to London, plus we got to delve into Bing and Jen’s heads, readying ourselves for Always Remember. And because of Jen and Bings POV’s, I loved knowing that they had been harbouring secret feelings for one another, only masking them up with witty and sarcastic comments to one another, the only way they know how to cover up their feelings.

Holding On sets us up for Always Remember. We get a glimpse into the life Alec has to adjust to in London while trying to hold back an admirer of Lexi’s, who is more than certain he will split them up and get Lexi. Because of this, it’s hurting Lexi because she’s undoubtingly in love with Alec and she knows Alec loves her. He followed her to London! And would, of course, follow her to the end of the world.

Holding On definitely proves that no matter how long you how known/been together, love holds no time limit, and it really doesn’t for these two. It’s easy to see the love they have for one another is pure and strong and no one in their right mind would be stupid enough to try and break them up. They are the real deal. And don’t worry Alec (swoooon) and Lexi fans; Emma isn’t that horrible to us to break up these two. As I’ve said, they definitely are the real deal and I look forward to them in Always Remember.

The ending though!! I did chastise Emma on Twitter for it, but all is good because I know it only makes me more giddy and excited to read about Jen and Bing in Always Remember even though I want it in my hands now to read!

If you have yet to read Never Forget, shame on you. Go read Lexi and Alec’s story then come back and read more about their life and delve into the start of Bing and Jen’s. Go on, what are you waiting for?

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Author PhotoAuthor Bio

By day, Emma Hart dons a cape and calls herself Super Mum to a terrible two year old and cooking baby, due September 2013. By night, she drops the cape, pours a glass of wine – well, tropical juice now – and writes books. She likes to write about magic, kisses and whatever else she can fit into the story. Sarcastic, witty characters are a must. As are hot guys. She’s working on the companion novel to her latest release and NA debut, Never Forget (Memories #1), and The Love Game (The Game, #1) will release on March 29th. She likes to be busy – unless busy involves doing the dishes. Ironically, that’s where most of her ideas come from. Her debut YA series, The Mauve Legacy, is an Apple iBooks Bestseller – and this makes Emma excited.

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Posted in Family, New Adult, Romance, YA

Wide Awake – Shelly Crane

Posted on by Z. Elizabeth

15810336Synopsis

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!!

Posted in New Adult

ARC: Before You Go – Clare James

Posted on by Z. Elizabeth

Sexy young couple passionately kissing in bedroom.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

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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.

Posted in New Adult, Romance

Waiting For You – Shey Stahl

Posted on by Z. Elizabeth

17207108Synopsis

Bailey Gray is tired of her perfectly planned life. Everything about her life has been organized and lived out to the expectations set of her parents. She is the class valedictorian, has perfect grades, the perfect friends, a perfect boyfriend, basically perfect life…or so everyone thought. That’s when she realizes the path planned isn’t always the path chosen.

On graduation day she makes a decision. One that changes everything she thought she knew about her intended future.

On a whim, she runs away with the town rebel, Dylan Wade, in search of the unknown.

Dylan Wade isn’t looking to run away from anything.

He knows what he wants as he’s been waiting on it for years.

On a journey to find the unknown, they discover a friendship they once knew along the open highway and have not a care in the world. Between the yellow and white lines of the heated summer asphalt, a spark draws them together as Dylan’s past and Bailey future try to ripe them apart.

Could it be that Dylan and his GTO are exactly what her perfectly planned life needs?

5/5 stars
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My Review

“Some say a sunset can be too beautiful for words. I’d agree with that. There are a lot of things too beautiful for words for me. To me, it was the earth’s way of saving the best for last.”

Bailey has been raised to be perfect. To be the type of daughter her parents want her to be. Never setting foot out of line. But it comes to a point in your life where you have to stick your fingers up to your parents and say FU, I’m not being this person anymore, I want to be free and that is exactly what Bailey did at her high school graduation. It was like someone had flipped a switch and she just needed to be free from the shackles her family had her tied to her whole life.

Fed up of being controlled by her parents, especially as her dad is the town mayor and expects nothing short of perfection, much like her mother’s attitude, graduation was a humiliation for them both, but I was so proud of Bailey for standing up to them, for ripping that part of her life away and wanting her freedom, to find herself.

Dylan Wade is seemingly nothing of perfection. From losing his mother at a young age and rebelling since then, he is a tattooed bad boy who has been arrested more times than he can count. He and Bailey used to be friends when they were younger, but when appearances meant more to Bailey’s family, she was no longer allowed to see or speak to him. Although everyone judges on appearances and town gossip, even if most are true about him, there’s just something about him that draws you to him, especially Bailey, once again.

Running away together, they slowly build up their friendship once again, as it’s a chance to be free from their town, from their family and just be their selves on this trip, even if they both are just running away from the things in their past and present.

I ABSOLUTELY loved this book. I was consumed by its every being, unable to put it down; needing to read it page by page until the very end. Books that include old friends, road trips and freeing/finding yourself are books that I bloody well love to read. It’s the thought that I’d love to be in that very position, experiencing everything the characters are, so if I can’t do it, then I can live through their trip and experiences.

This was my first book by Shey Stahl, although I have her Racing series on my kindle. I loved the way she wrote this book. She captivated me, had me highlighting nearly every sentence, going on this journey along with Bailey and Dylan and had me going through the motions, from happiness, sadness, sexual frustration and tears. Yes, I did really feel everything Bailey and Dylan were. It was really hard not to, especially as I just mentioned I lived through them during this road trip. The one I truly wish I could go on.

As I’ve mentioned, Bailey Grey has grown up doing everything right. Everything by the rules for so long. Shes sick of having her life planned out, from her school to her boyfriend and friends so during graduation, she flips and just wants freedom. Freedom to be her true self, to be reckless and enjoy her life; live for the moment.

Dylan Wade hates being at home with his violent, drunken father. Since his mother died, nothing has been the same. He was very close to his mother and loved her so much. But now he’s just tired of being in the same house as his father, who occasionally beats him in his drunken state. He wants out and after graduation, he knows now is the time to run away, since watching the girl he’s wanted and waited for, for eight years to finally realize she’s had enough of being controlled.

Asking her to come with him, Bailey doesn’t hesitate and goes with Dylan. On a road trip that neither of them were really prepared for. They both live for the moment. They love hard and go through a journey, both alone and together that you know will eventually end but right now, they are just basking in each other, learning to give up and be free, learning to love and feel. Feel that freedom.

I loved the little things they both unveiled. Dylan loved music. He wrote songs, he played guitar and he sang. But he was very timid about his hobby, timid in the sense that he didn’t want to pursue it as a career, he just loved it enough to want to play in pubs and make enough money to live. Timid in the sense he was enclosed on stage, until he came out of his shell and became engrossed in what he was singing about, losing himself in the song.

Bailey hasn’t known much in her controlled life, she knew enough but nothing about running away, feeling the wind in your hair and not knowing where they were going to end up. But what she did know and loved was photography. I really liked that about her. Taking pictures of sunsets, sunrises, of Dylan… But the sun was her thing. Something no one can take away from her.

“There’s something refreshing about a sunrise, it’s just as unpredictable what a new day would bring.”

Every day for Dylan and Bailey was unpredictable, and every day they fell that bit more in love with one another, showing each other how to be free and alive; sharing that piece of special with one another.

I have to mention the sexual frustration/tension/ pent up desire from both of them. It really got to me. No joke. I was frustrated along with Bailey, wanting and needing something to happen because it was just too much for them to not give in, although there were times when it got frigging steamy although it was Dylan who would pull back. I just wanted him to stop thinking and holding back and just f**k her because god knows they both wanted each other. I would have literally jumped his bones and told him to F**k me or I would find someone else haha. Seriously, it got to Bailey, it bloody well got to me too!!

When the secret came out, I kind of had an inkling about what and who it was about. There were kind of clues throughout the book but it only really confirmed it when it all came out. My heart just broke in two for Bailey and Dylan. Their love was pure, it was overpowering, it was dangerous but it was true love and to have the secret come crashing down upon them, it tore them apart.

The next few pages, I was hurting just as much of these two. Hurting for the secret, hurting for it tearing them apart, hurting for the heartbreak they both had but then I thought that maybe that is what they needed. They needed the pain and break after the intensity of their relationship and their love. A break to think about if they really can’t live without one another and if fate decided to step it, then it truly was meant to be.

I truly loved the journey they both went on. From having lies fed to her, from being controlled all her life, it was breathtaking to watch Bailey take control of her own life, the way she wanted it to be and to be carefree and go with the flow. She was sweet and a bit naive but the road trip and being with Dylan made her feel more alive than ever before and make memories together. Memories neither of them will forget.

Dylan was renowned for his recklessness, but we see the sweeter side of him. The side he doesn’t show hardly anyone. He respected Bailey, not pushing her into anything but just letting her experience everything. Although he had a temper, he really meant well and just wanted to protect Bailey. He loved her so much, since he was seven so I suppose waiting for her to feel the same way before pursuing anything, even though she kept pushing him, was so chivalrous of him. He only wanted what was best for her.

I hung onto every sweet word he said and whispered to Bailey, making me fall in love with him too. The way he wanted her, the way he showed her how to live, it was beautiful. And of course, the way they both experience this trip together, as friends to lovers. Making memories that no one can take away from them, no matter how hard they try.

I can’t mention enough times how much I was absorbed within Waiting For You. I fell in love with the characters, with their experiences, with their freedom, with their love for one another and their memories. It’s an amazing book to read, especially if you loved The Edge Of Never too, which I freaking did. I love the road trip books; there is just something about them.

Definitely a 5 star book.