Katie – Z. Elizabeth

Author Interviews, Book Tours, Interviews, Karli Perrin

BOOK TOUR: AUTHOR interview with Karli Perrin

Posted on June 14, 2013October 6, 2014 by Z. Elizabeth

So this is my second entry for the April Showers tour and its my author interview with Karli 🙂

Before we get to the interview, here are the links for April Showers:

Amazon UK
Amazon US

Without further ado, here are my questions and her answers…

When did you realize you wanted to become a writer? –
I have always loved to read and write and have been plotting stories for years. But it was only last year that I actually sat down and gave writing the proper time and attention it deserved.
Which book inspired you to write?
I can’t pinpoint it to just one book but reading definitely inspires me. I grew up reading the Harry Potter books so J.K.Rowling is definitely a big inspiration to me. She is a genius!
How did April Showers come about?
I wanted to write a book about a girl moving away from home and starting University. The rest of my ideas just stemmed from there.
What was the writing process like? Did you write it in order or different scenes before joining it all together?
As this was my first book, I just let the writing take control. I started off by writing the big scenes and then went back to the start and joined all of the scenes together. I also added scenes in during editing.
How long did it take you to write April Showers?
It took me just under six months. I work full time so it took me a while to get into the rhythm of coming home and writing during the evenings.
You’ve given us two book boyfriends, if you had to choose, which one would top the other?
I’m going to keep that a secret! I love them both. Even though they are completely different, they would do anything for April.
Katie is a brilliant friend to April – shes always there with advice, was she based on anyone in particular?
I love writing for Katie, she’s so much fun! One of my best friends in real life is called Katie but that’s where the similarities end!
The banter between everyone has me in stitches, where did you come up with all these lines?
Well I love sarcasm and I think that is pretty evident after reading the book 😉
What made you choose Manchester University for the school April, Lukas and Isaac attend?
Manchester is my home town so I wanted to pay tribute to it! I also went to a University in Manchester.
Rain scenes and kissing in the rain covers are my favourite. The rain scene in the book is a pretty pivotal moment in April’s life. Did you always know that the rain scene would be the scene to change everything?
Yes, right from the start, I knew that the rain scene was going to be the turning point in the book.
There are some pretty shocking events that occur in April Showers that I had no idea they were going to happen. Has anyone else guessed before they were revealed, or were they just as surprised as me?
I think most people have been surprised by them, which is what I was aiming for!
April is a big believer in fate, are you?
YES! I am a huge believer in fate. Good or bad, I think that everything happens for a reason.
I highlighted so many quotes in April Showers, which one(s) is your favourite?
I love when Katie is giving April some advice and says this – “You deserve a man who makes you feel butterflies. Love isn’t safe. Love is crazy and scary and unpredictable. You can’t control it and you sure as hell can’t fight it. It’s one of life’s greatest risks…but it’s also one of life’s greatest gifts.” This is so true!
Would you get a tattoo of that quote?
No because it’s too long but I also like the quote – ‘No rain, no rainbow.’ I would consider getting that as a tattoo 🙂
Have you thought about who you would like to play each character if April Showers was made into a film?
Yes, I think that every writer has their dream cast! Just based on looks, I imagine April to look like Emma Roberts, Lukas to look like Alex Pettyfer and I’m not sure if there is anybody hot enough to play Isaac 😉 But there is a guy called Rodrigo Guirao Diaz and he looks pretty close to how I imagine Isaac to look!!!
Have you got a plan of what is going to happen in book two? And when will you begin to write it?
Yes, I know the main storyline for book two and I have already started planning. I know exactly what will happen in the first few chapters. I will begin writing it after April Showers is released. I won’t make my readers wait too long! Book two will definitely be out this year.
And lastly, is there a deep, dark secret you would like to reveal?
😉 If I told you, I would have to kill you!

You can follow Karli at:

@Karli_uk

Book Tours, Karli Perrin

BOOK TOUR: April Showers – Karli Perrin (AUTHOR + CHARACTER INTERVIEW)

Posted on June 14, 2013June 14, 2013 by Z. Elizabeth

YAAAAY! April Showers book tour begins today. SUPER EXCITED to share my review, author interview and my interview with my boyfriend, Isaac. I’ll also share what he looks like with you 😉

Before we get to the review, here are the links for April Showers:

Amazon UK
Amazon US

So without further ado, let’s start this partaaaaay.

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Synopsis

What happens when your head and your heart pull you in completely opposite directions?

April Adams is about to find out the hard way.

When April enrols at Manchester University, it feels like a whole new life. New city, new house, new friends…new crush.

Isaac Sharpe is the hottest guy on campus – with an even hotter reputation. After a chance meeting, April quickly finds herself wrapped up in all that he is. But what if all that he is isn’t what it seems?

Caught up in a battle between what she wants and what she thinks she needs, April meets Lukas Roberts. Lukas is the security blanket that she craves so desperately and she finds solace in their friendship. But what happens when she finds more than she bargained for?

April has always been a big believer of fate, but will she learn that she’s in control of her own destiny before it’s too late?

Join April as she embarks on a life changing journey of love and loss, which will have you laughing and crying until the very end.

5 / 5 stars

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My Review

Before I start my review, I want to say a few things regarding my rating of April Showers. Firstly I want to say that I was completely impartial when reading this book. I read it without being bias and I am reviewing it like I would with any books that I read/given an ARC too. With honesty.

Just because Karli is my twinnie doesn’t mean that she has been given special treatment and I haven’t based my stars on her, it is on her book, her writing, and the emotions that I experienced throughout the book. So before I have people telling me I am bias, I let go of the fact that I know Karli and read it like any other book.

Secondly, I have dibs on Isaac from the start / when I first ‘met’ Karli and she shared him with me, so back off girlies, he is mine! Hahah.

And lastly, I love my twinnie. I am so proud of her and the acknowledgment made me cry. It was the sweetest thing ever.

Now that is all out of the way, let’s get on with the review of April Showers.

When April Adams enrolled in Manchester University, never in a million years did she think her life would end up the way it did. On the first day, she quite literally runs into the hottest guy on campus – Isaac Sharpe. That chance meeting is now all she can think about. But what happens when she finds out exactly who Isaac is? Her heart just broke.

Lukas Roberts is the first friend April meets on her course. He quickly becomes her best friend, her security blanket, the one she can rely on. But what happens when all is not what it seems?

April is caught up in a battle between her head and her heart. What she wants and what she doesn’t want, or more importantly, to her, can’t have.

But what is April going to do? A big believer in fate, will everything fall into place at the right time for her or will it be too late?

For a debut novel, Karli Perrin has included everything in her book. Humor, swooning, frustration, tears, sarcasm, heartbreak, love, pain, laughter and an amazingly awesome best friend that everyone will fall in love with as well as two hot guys you will love too…but remember, Isaac is mine. Don’t worry; I’ll keep reminding you throughout this review.

It is simply the perfect first novel to share with the world. Karli has obviously put a lot of time and effort into making it the book she is proud of and a book which we can all become engrossed with. I know I sure did. I became crazy public transport lady with all my crazy ass smiling and giggling at my phone (I used the kindle app to read it).

There is something in the book for everyone. Ms. Perrin’s writing style is one that I simply loved. The writing flowed, the plot flowed, she makes you care about the characters and before you know it, you have devoured the book and are at the final page, with tears in your eyes, shouting at your kindle/Phone and begging it not to end there. Begging Karli to write book two as soon as possible so we can find out what happens.

As I’ve mentioned, April Adams is starting her first year at Manchester University. Already running late on her first day, she literally runs into something hard. That something turns out to be Isaac Sharpe. The hottest guy around. It’s basically love at first sight, but what comes after that is a series of events and heartbreak that she just can’t deal with at the moment. Her head and heart are both saying to different things but Isaac will never give up on her.

That very same day she meets Lukas Roberts. He’s in the class she is late for and they strike up a friendship. He’s her security blanket for all the anguish and dilemmas she is going through even if she doesn’t share them. But all is not what it seems with him either and when April is told his secrets, can she forgive him or is that the end for their friendship?

April has a decision to make. A ‘can’t or won’t’ will not suffice this time around.

I’m going to start with my boyfriend. YES, my boyfriend Isaac. (Told you I’d remind you). He is the epitome of a hunkalicious man. A man that I think everyone would love to run into and have him pick you up! He’s adorable, sexy, and sarcastic and I would give anything to banter with him….and I have done! Wait for the interview!!

He’s passionate and outspoken and loveable and sexy (yes, twice sexy) and fiery and will fight for April despite the…..No, that’s a spoiler, I can’t reveal that. You’ll have to read it to find out exactly who he is…and I suppose most of you wouldn’t care either 😉 It would be so HOT. But anyway, my heart broke for him when we find out about him…vague, I know. But I love him. I.LOVE.HIMMMMM.

You see his sensitive side too; a side of pain as well as we find out about his past. And dear god, it will make you cry and want to comfort him and be so proud of him at the same time. He’s done a great job in preserving a memory of his younger years.

He says things like this too, which would make your panties drop in an instant:-

“Your lipstick is driving me fucking crazy”
“If you were mine, you would never have to share”
“Embarrassing? I’m not embarrassed. I’m scared. Scared that you don’t want anything to do with me”
“I love hearing you say my name”
‘He took my hand and held it against his chest, “Feel that? It beats for you.”’
“You’re keeping those heels on”

Okay, I need to stop or this review will just turn into quotes from Isaac. But you get why I love him?!
Isaac also has tattoos, and you alllllll know that I am partial to some tattoos 😉

Now onto the girl of the book, April Adams. I really liked April. Shes also sarcastic and the comebacks and banter she has with both Lukas and Isaac had me in stitches. Shes a girl after my own heart and she can definitely hold her own. She’s honest, probably not with her heart though, and at times she broke my heart over the pain of what was going on. I wanted to shake her and tell her to just go for it (Soooo can’t say what for though, complete spoiler for the book) but I wanted her to say ‘Fuck it’.

I could understand her reservations about it, why she couldn’t because in some ways I would be thinking the same, but then the chemistry between her and Isaac is amazing. It sizzles and pops. You can truly see how much they should be together. Every time they look at one another it’s like BOOM!

Here are just a few of my favs that she says:-

“I want you to take me home…but I’ll be okay”
“I was never going to be able to look at a tree in the same way again.”
“If you come a little closer, I’ll be able to see right up your kilt.”

Despite everything that happens to April, she does get a happy ending….even if you will cry your eyes out at what happens next. We shall have to see if it lasts in book two.

Now Lukas Roberts. Lukas, Lukas Lukas. Scottish Lukas. Hes a difficult one. He was an absolute gem to April, always there for her, their banter was hilarious, and they just gelled from the first moment they met and it was great to see such a strong friendship between them. He truly was the one she turned to and her security blanket when everything goes tits up. But then I’m conflicted over him. I don’t know whether I should like him or dislike him after he confesses something to April.

He had me with tears in my eyes on the train (thank god for sunglasses), gasping at my phone and I got really angry and started ranting to Karli about him. Okay, so in some ways you can see why he didn’t tell April that secret, he wanted people to see him for him, but then wouldn’t you tell April if you’re her best friend? I still don’t know whether to like him or not. We’ll have to see in the next book. See if he really does redeem himself….

Because of my dirty mind, this one quote from him sticks out to me:

“You know…whips, chains, handcuffs. Like I said, the essentials.”

EEEEEE now onto the best friend eveeeer. Katie. Oh smokes, she is freaking amazeballs. I can see parts of myself in her, and I was sat there going “oh hell yes I would say this.” She is hilarious. She comes out with some great lines that will have you spitting your drink out but she always has the best advice. She’s just obviously based on me hahahah.

She’s an amazing friend to April, always there when she needs someone to talk to. She makes her see sense, even if April doesn’t take it on board straight away or shrugs it off and she helps her along with the thing or lack of, that is happening with Isaac.

She’s also a bantersaurous rex and can definitely hold her own. Shes fiery and can bite your head off in an instant as well as dropping you down a peg or too. Someone you definitely need in your life. Her and April really are two peas in a pod. I can’t wait to see more of her in book two.

Now onto Katie’s quotes:-

“At least sleep with him before you get rid.”
All I want is to be a MILF, is that too much to ask for?”
“It’s like I’m the guy in the relationship.”
“Well if you’re not going to sleep with him, can I have him?”
“There’s nothing better than watching a dick get turned down…Literally”
“You said he was hot. You didn’t tell me he was smoking hot, I bet you could cook food on his abs.”

I’ll stop there, as with Isaac, I could just write a review full of quotes.

Now this is the point where I normally tell you my favourite scene, but I really can’t because it would spoil it for you. I know, I know, bad times but let’s say it involves the rain and a certain licking of a certain area on a certain someone’s body. This was so written for me…no Joking, it really was. Enjoy my scene when you get to it. I demanded Karli write it in hahah.

Right, so this is now 4 pages long. I think I should probably stop here. You probably have given up reading this too because I tend to babble on but thank you if you haven’t and have gotten to this stage. I’ll give you some chocolate. But not Isaac. He’s here with me now, so sorry people.

I will reiterate how much I loved April Showers. It’s a bloody awesome read and ya’ll should get your copies TODAY! YES, it’s out TODAY! So what the frigg are you still doing here? Go click on the link and get your copy right now, and begin it right now and see exactly why Isaac is my boyfriend and Katie is my best friend and I love April and why book two needs to be written now. Go Go GOOOOOO!

Throughout the day, I will be posting my Author Interview and Isaac’s interview. They are quite long so it’s only fair to post them separately 😉 Keep you coming back for more.

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

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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.

Chelsea M. Cameron, Cover Reveal, New Adult

COVER REVEAL: Faster We Burn – Chelsea M. Cameron

Posted on February 14, 2013February 12, 2013 by Z. Elizabeth

LOOK! LOOK! LOOK! IT’S THE COVER FOR FASTER WE BURN! I am SO excited to be sharing this with all you Chelsea fans and of course all you fans of Deeper We Fall. (Swooooon Zan!)

For those who have yet to read Deeper We Fall, where have you been? Grab your copy RIGHT NOW and get reading it because you will not regret it. If you STILL need convincing to read it, which I am sure you don’t, then read my review and hopefully you will be sucked in too.

NOW, can we pleaseeee talk about the cover? It’s freaking hot right? Ohh I could just stare at it all day long. It’s perfect!!

Faster We Burn by Chelsea M. Cameron (Deeper We Fall #2)
Genre: New Adult Contemporary
Publication date: April, 2013
Blurb Teaser:
The last thing Katie Hallman needs is another guy in her life, but Stryker Grant is there anyway. What starts out as just an escape from her previous relationship disaster soon turns into something more. Stryker gets under her skin the way no one has before, and soon she realizes she can’t shake him, even if she wanted to. But is Katie ready to trust her already-battered heart to the guy who could shatter it into a million pieces?

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17283748-faster-we-burn

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AUTHOR BIO
Chelsea M. Cameron
Chelsea M. Cameron is a YA/NA New York Times and USA Today Best-Selling author from Maine. Lover of things random and ridiculous, Jane Austen/Charlotte and Emily Bronte Fangirl, red velvet cake enthusiast, obsessive tea drinker, vegetarian, former cheerleader and world’s worst video gamer. When not writing, she enjoys watching infomercials, singing in the car and tweeting. She has a degree in journalism from the University of Maine, Orono that she promptly abandoned to write about the people in her own head. More often than not, these people turn out to be just as weird as she is.

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Author Links:
Website: http://www.chelseamcameron.com/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5752359.Chelsea_M_Cameron
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chelsea-M-Cameron-Official-Author-Page/304422529610919
Twitter: https://twitter.com/chel_c_cam

Jade C. Jamison, Music, New Adult

Tangled Web (Tangled Web #1) – Jade C. Jamison

Posted on December 1, 2012December 3, 2012 by Z. Elizabeth

Synopsis

A Steamy Heavy Metal Novella
Katie Logan has had a secret crush on her best friend Johnny Church since high school, but he’s never looked at her the same way. So when Johnny—now a famous rock-and-roll guitarist—comes home to visit, Katie can’t bring herself to tell him she’s engaged to be married. She should have, though, because she soon discovers that maybe the attraction is mutual…

Warning: Not for the faint of heart! This book contains explicit sex, drugs, and rock and roll, not to mention a few eff bombs here and there. Proceed with caution.

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My Review

Katie leads a boring life. There’s nothing more she wants than to come home from work and curl up in bed with a book, in the company of Sam, her cat – not her fiancé Grant. She likes being alone, mainly due to how she now views her life as she works in the Child Protective Services, which can be pretty full on at the worst of times.

One night, when all she wants to do is read, a knock at the door disrupts her night and her childhood best friend and famous rockstar Johnny Church, or J.C Gibson as he’s known to the world, is standing at her doorstep. She hasn’t seen him for a couple of years now, but it’s like they have never been apart.

Growing up together, Katie harboured the ultimate crush on Johnny, but never took it any further than that as he had never looked at her in that way…or so she thought.

Now that Katie is engaged to be married and Johnny is back in town for a while at least, she never tells him of her engagement until after they end up in bed, where he finds out she has a fiancé and all hell breaks loose.

Will Katie be able to fix their friendship and keep Johnny in her life, or will she loose him and never regain his forgiveness? THAT is something you will have to find out.

I loved Katie. Although she lead a boring life, and she knows it, after Johnny leaves, he makes her see that she can be so much more which leads her to studying Creative Writing – her lifelong passion which she put on hold when her dad was ill. Now that she has left her old job, left her fiancé and finally pursuing her writing dream – there is only one thing she is missing and that is Johnny.

Johnny was your typical rockstar but he also had a vulnerable side, especially when he finds out about Katie’s engagement. Towards the end, I felt that Johnny was a complete asshole they way he spoke to Katie and how he left her in the room – although she probably did deserve it, maybe a little bit. Although it seemed that he was still angry at her for sleeping with him when she had a fiancé, it pains her that he thinks she would be his fuck buddy and that all those years of friendship are now down the drain. But he completely redeems himself at the end. What he confesses had me gushing as it was so sweet.

I also enjoyed the jumping back and forth from current day to past times of the two of them. It let us, as the reader, understand their relationship. For those complaining about that part, I felt it slotted in really well with the story, as things mentioned ‘in the past’ were then explained when Jade wrote about that past, clearing things up a bit, especially the night that Johnny turns up looking worse for wear and needs Katie to look after him.

To end, I have to say, I love how Jade writes sex scenes. She makes it really intense and as a reader, I love to see the chemistry between the characters when sex is involved.

Definitely give this book a read. It’s about two people who have loved each other all their lives, just have never known it. It’s a quick read too so if you don’t have much time, pick up this book and become obsessed with Johnny and Katie’s relationship to the very end.

I am looking forward to reading Everything But, to find out about Riley Schultz, who is mentioned in this book. He was the bad boy that everyone wants to date – including me, so I can’t wait to read his story next!

Also a big thank you Jade for sending me copies of your books 🙂