Review: Alienated (Alienated # 1) by Melissa Landers

Title: Alienated (Alienated # 1)
Author: Melissa Landers
Published: February 4th 2014
Publisher: Disney Hyperion

My Rating: 3 stars

Two years ago, the aliens made contact. Now Cara Sweeney is going to be sharing a bathroom with one of them.

Handpicked to host the first-ever L’eihr exchange student, Cara thinks her future is set. Not only does she get a free ride to her dream college, she’ll have inside information about the mysterious L’eihrs that every journalist would kill for. Cara’s blog following is about to skyrocket.

Still, Cara isn’t sure what to think when she meets Aelyx. Humans and L’eihrs have nearly identical DNA, but cold, infuriatingly brilliant Aelyx couldn’t seem more alien. She’s certain about one thing, though: no human boy is this good-looking.

But when Cara's classmates get swept up by anti-L'eihr paranoia, Midtown High School suddenly isn't safe anymore. Threatening notes appear in Cara's locker, and a police officer has to escort her and Aelyx to class.

Cara finds support in the last person she expected. She realizes that Aelyx isn’t just her only friend; she's fallen hard for him. But Aelyx has been hiding the truth about the purpose of his exchange, and its potentially deadly consequences. Soon Cara will be in for the fight of her life—not just for herself and the boy she loves, but for the future of her planet.

Ever since reading JLA's Lux Series, when I hear aliens in YA novels my brain automatically equates it to hot guys. Lol! So I was actually pretty excited to start this one, plus quite a lot of positive reviews this book is getting, so that definitely added to the anticipation. And so I dove into it and I...liked it. Not loved, which was what I was hoping to happen. It did deliver most of my expectations and did put on a number of smiles is my face and gave off swoony and giddy feeling but in the end, it's just that. I liked it but I just didn't really lose myself into it. 

Cara, our heroine, was an easy character to like. She was smart and an over achiever but determined and extremely loyal. I liked that although she was reluctant about the scholarship and the arrangements she took responsibility of it and with great open mindedness. Her efforts on being a host and a friend to Aelyx were adorable and genuine. Aelyx on the other, while I like his initial mysterious and aloof personality, sometimes it borders to boring, (almost Edward Cullen-y, if you know what I mean). So I took great pleasure whenever this playful and sexy side of him slips in. It was fun and entertaining reading through the dynamic and development between the two especially how different they are. 

Now, as for the plot and world building, I have to say that the story did provide quite a lot of interesting and intriguing ideas especially about the world of L’eihr. I was curious with it and was really looking forward exploring more of them. However I was a little disappointed to realize early on the story that the setting for the first book will mostly revolve around in our world. While the whole book was actually and easy read I would have love to see more complex and complicated situations that would make the story a whole lot more exciting and thrilling. 

Nonetheless, Landers was still able to provide enough ideas and factors to keep me entertained all throughout. And she does know how to write a funny but totally sexy and drool worthy scenes. Heh. 

This book will probably work much better to those who are looking for a fun, light and entertaining read but wouldn't want to venture out of the world of paranormal or sci-fi books and jump over the realistic/contemporary ones. A good little break to all those too complicated and problematic ones. Ha!

Thanks to Disney Hyperion for providing a copy of this book.

Review: All Our Yesterday (All Our Yesterday #1) by Cristin Terrill

Title: All Our Yesterday (All Our Yesterday #1)
Author: Cristin Terrill
Published: September 3rd 2013
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
My rating: 4.5 stars

"You have to kill him." Imprisoned in the heart of a secret military base, Em has nothing except the voice of the boy in the cell next door and the list of instructions she finds taped inside the drain.

Only Em can complete the final instruction. She’s tried everything to prevent the creation of a time machine that will tear the world apart. She holds the proof: a list she has never seen before, written in her own hand. Each failed attempt in the past has led her to the same terrible present—imprisoned and tortured by a sadistic man called the doctor while war rages outside.

Marina has loved her best friend James since the day he moved next door when they were children. A gorgeous, introverted science prodigy from one of America’s most famous families, James finally seems to be seeing Marina in a new way, too. But on one disastrous night, James’s life crumbles apart, and with it, Marina’s hopes for their future. Now someone is trying to kill him. Marina will protect James, no matter what. Even if it means opening her eyes to a truth so terrible that she may not survive it. At least not as the girl she once was.

All Our Yesterdays is a wrenching, brilliantly plotted story of fierce love, unthinkable sacrifice, and the infinite implications of our every choice.

Time travel is not exactly my favorite concept in a book and most of the time I avoid reading them. So it was actually quite surprising when I found myself picking this up, turning each page eagerly and digging the book with such enthusiasm in one night! Cristin Terrill's All Our Yesterday definitely took me by surprise with it's clever and thrilling concept, fantastic characters and sweet romance. And I just so so loved it!

Ironically enough, my favorite part of the story is actually the time-travel itself - the whole re-writing of history, the connection of the past and the present, how things turned out like that and how they all add-up in the end. It was very interesting and impressive as Terrill presented it in such a mind-boggling and clever manner. I enjoyed predicting and finding out how each turn around will affect and change the course of the story. 

With the way the story was presented, we were able to see the changes from the past Marina, Finn and James to the present them. The inbetweens during the time travel, what led to this and to that, things they had gone through - we were able to understand how all of these contributed to the development and growth of their characters. It was an effective presentation because I quickly became invested with the characters - with their relationship and the friendship and love between them - it's quite impossible not to be emotionally involve as well. 

And I wouldn't be ending this without, of course, the mention of romance. I loved the subtle way it was handled in this book but never lost the sweet and swooning effects it should invoke upon its readers. It was lovely, heartwarming and achingly sweet. 

Although I was satisfied with the overall of the story, I felt some things could still be add up and developed on the story so I was really happy when I found out that there would be a sequel for this book! It's a little hard to imagine what the next book would be especially with that pretty clean ending but of course, I certainly won't pass up another whole book with Finn! Lol!

This is a must read! I highly recommend Finn this! ;D     

Review: Triangles by Kimberly Ann Miller

Title: Triangle
Author: Kimberly Ann Miller
Published: June 18th 2013
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
My rating: 3 stars

A cruise ship. A beautiful island. Two sexy guys. What could possibly go wrong?

In the Bermuda Triangle—a lot.

Hoping to leave behind the reminders of her crappy life--her father's death years ago, her mother's medical problems, and the loser who’s practically stalking her--seventeen-year-old Autumn Taylor hops on a ship with her sister for a little distraction. When she wakes up in the Bermuda Triangle, she fears she's gone nuts for more than one reason: that loser’s suddenly claiming they're a happy couple... a hot guy is wrapping his arms around her and saying "Happy Anniversary"... and suddenly, she’s full of bruises, losing her hair, and getting IV medication. Autumn visits the ship's doctor, hoping for a pill or a shot to make the craziness go away. Instead, she's warned that these "alternate realities" could become permanent.

She just has to ask herself one question—how the hell is she going to get out of this mess?

While this book boasted some really interesting and unique ideas and concepts, I was unable to fully appreciate everything because I couldn't just say the same thing with its characters. I really had a hard time with the main character, Autumn. She had some issues and problems but it was awful how she was handling and how she kept on whining about her life. I understand that in order for the story to work her character has to be like that but I would probably like it more if the author tried harder to make us understand Autumn's line of thinking. 

Still there are things that I enjoyed in this book, mainly the alternate realities. I liked how the author thought of presenting different realities every each day with the things Autumn had been wishing only for her to realized that she didn't actually like them. It was what kept me on reading this, it was interesting to see how Autumn would react and handle things with each realities. I loved how the author made use of these alternate realities for Autumn to grow up, learn and see things in a different but much better ways. 

This book could have really been better. It has good materials, especially with that amazing concept of the Bermuda Triangle and alternate realities but I wished that we were able to get more connected with Autumn and in a much deeper level or at least, really understand her situation.

Overall, Triangle was a pretty decent read. Although a little improvement for the main character could have been made, the ideas and twists this book offers was still, I think, something you will enjoy reading about.

Thank you Spencer Hill Press for providing a copy of this book.

Series Review: Shadows (The Rephaim #1) and Haze (The Rephaim #2) by Paula Weston

Shadows (The Rephaim #1) Paula Weston July 2nd 2012 My rating: 4 stars

Haze (The Rephaim #2) Paula Weston May 22nd 2013 My rating: 4.5 stars

It has really been a very long time since the last time I started an angel book and I am really happy that when I finally decided to start one, a really fantastic and wonderfully written series was the one that landed on my lap. Rephaim was such an amazing series I definitely devoured in a very short time. I had a lot of fun reading this thrilling but beautiful world of half-angels Paula Weston created.
In Shadows, we were introduced to this intricate yet very interesting world of the Rephaim. The concept was intriguing especially with how Weston made of with the circumstances of Gabe's character. We learned as she learned, and it was a wonderful way for us to get a good grip of the story and the world but still continued to make us intrigued and curious throughout the book. This one had me sitting on the edge of my seat with all the thrilling and gripping action scenes, discoveries and revalations. The characters too were easily likable and interesting. While I think the first book is a lot more plot driven and is more focus on building a foundation, the main characters especially Gabe and Rafa certainly did left a very big and lasting impression on me. 
So on to the next book, Haze, which I think made me more obsessed with Gabe and Rafa. Haha.This sequel is a lot more focused now on the character development but still didn't lose on providing an exciting and intriguing plot line. I think what made me loved this more was because I finally found a much deeper connection with the characters which brought me more appreciation to them. Although I do think that there aren't that much action on this one than the first book, the focus on the characters, the growth and improvement, definitely made up for it. We were also finally introduced to this one character that was only being talked on the first book. And I was very to have finally met him and that he didn't end up to be on the bad side. 
Now, the ending did leave us on quite a predicament but for some reason it didn't quite bother me, I had my full trust on the characters and know that everything will be alright on the next book. Although I did feel a little disappointed since I wanted a lot more of alone time between Gabe and Rafa. Haha. :)
Overall, this series is absolutely now one of my favorite and best-read angel novels and I'd be definitely stalking this book and its author.  I highly recommend this. With all the angle books out there, I assure you this one is without a doubt a hit to your reading experience.

Review: Catching Liam (Good Girls Don't #1) by Sophie Bleu

Title: Catching Liam (Good Girls Don't #1)
Author: Sophie Bleu
Published: July 8th 2013
Publisher: Sophie Bleu
My rating: 4 stars

Twenty-one year-old Jillian Nichols only has one rule when it comes to boys: catch and release. Boy-catching isn't just a game for Jillian and her friends, it's a lifestyle. After all, boys might be good for a dance or a drink and certainly a little under-cover action of the scandalous variety, but expect much else and you're bound for heart ache.

So when her best friends and fellow boy catchers start dropping like flies junior year, Jillian is determined to keep boys in her bedroom and out of her heart. Until she meets Liam McAvoy, the kind of guy that sticks around to make waffles and who can't—or perhaps won't—take a hint.

Study abroad student Liam doesn't want to be another notch on Jillian's bedpost. Actually he has much more interesting ideas for Jillian and her bedposts, but his student visa's set expiration date means he can't promise her forever. That doesn't mean he's going to walk away from the challenge of discovering why Jillian is hell-bent at keeping people at a distance.

Before long, neither is sure who is catching who—or if they're playing for keeps. Jillian knows one thing though: falling in love will not only break the only rule of boy-catching, it could also break her heart.

From the influx of so many new-adult books the past months I'm really happy that I was able to find this little jewel and witnessed a really sweet and heartwarming contemporary story. Catching Liam was a fun and lighthearted read with enough emotional insight and depth that would definitely tug your heart strings and touch you. 

I was a little wary while reading this one especially after all my not so great experiences from this particular genre. But I'm glad to say that Sophie Blue manages to surprise me with how well she took things in this story. The characters were well developed, the plot was hilarious, romantic and touching, and the writing was surprisingly good. And I liked how this certain health condition was handled with knowledge and understanding. It isn't perfect but it has all what it takes for me to really like a contemporary novel. 

Jillian Nichols and Liam McAvoy were characters I really enjoyed reading about. They were easy characters to connect with and understand. Their relationship, although started in quite an unconventional way, grew naturally and genuinely. But with lots of swoon-worthy, giggle-inducing and steamy moments. 

Jillian's issues was something that saddened me and grab my heart and emotions especially with how hard she tried to hide it and how negatively it affected her thinking of self-worth. As the story progressed though, as her feelings with Liam developed and through his and her best friends' support she learned that she could face it together with them, with their help, with their love and care. 

And on to Liam, well I just have to say I second what JLA said about him in her review - definitely one of the swoon-worthiest male leads I'd ever read. Not just from his looks but from his overall characteristics - understanding, patient and very supportive. And did I mention he's a scot? Just imagine the accent. (Zachary Moore got himself some competition now on the kilt department. Haha.) 

The secondary characters too, I have to say, were well rounded especially Jess. Her friendship with Jillian was actually one of my favorite aspects in this book. It was very tender, heartwarming and amazing.

Quirky, sexy and fun but completely heartwarming. This book will definitely work out for those who enjoy contemporary reads without the worry of it being too stressing but with enough depth and insights that will still make you appreciate it in a deeper level. I recommend this. 

Review: The Distance Between Us by Kasie West

Title: The Distance Between Us
Author: Kasie West
Published: July 2nd 2013
Publisher: Harper Teen
My Rating: 4.5 stars

Seventeen-year-old Caymen Meyers studies the rich like her own personal science experiment, and after years of observation she’s pretty sure they’re only good for one thing—spending money on useless stuff, like the porcelain dolls in her mother’s shop.

So when Xander Spence walks into the store to pick up a doll for his grandmother, it only takes one glance for Caymen to figure out he’s oozing rich. Despite his charming ways and that he’s one of the first people who actually gets her, she’s smart enough to know his interest won’t last. Because if there’s one thing she’s learned from her mother’s warnings, it’s that the rich have a short attention span. But Xander keeps coming around, despite her best efforts to scare him off. And much to her dismay, she's beginning to enjoy his company.

She knows her mom can’t find out—she wouldn’t approve. She’d much rather Caymen hang out with the local rocker who hasn’t been raised by money. But just when Xander’s attention and loyalty are about to convince Caymen that being rich isn’t a character flaw, she finds out that money is a much bigger part of their relationship than she’d ever realized. And that Xander’s not the only one she should’ve been worried about.

When was the last time I felt like this over a book? You know, the warm fuzzy feeling, all giggly and swoony and you felt like you were floating on the clouds from all the sweetness and cuteness of a story? That's exactly how I felt the entire time I was reading The Distance Between Us. I was practically high over all the adorable-ness of it and it's something I wouldn't really mind getting dose after dose. This book was just that fun and enjoyable.  

Caymen Meyers was a character I thought I would have a hard time liking. I thought her sarcasm would grate on my nerves and made her look like a judgmental, bitter and whinny girl. But turns out she just really has a dry humor which I eventually found funny and endearing. She has a strong and understanding personality. I loved how even with her mom's experience in love and with the rich people it didn't completely cloud her judgment on Xander and still let him in in her life. 

Xander on the other hand was a character that was really easy to like. I started a little cautious with his character thinking he would be some cocky, arrogant rich kid but nooo, he was the opposite! He was so nice, considerate and kind. I loved how he plans and thinks through their "career day" and makes sure that it was something Caymen would enjoy.

The development and the romantic build-up between the two was the best treat on this book. The process and the in-betweens from being friends to lovers were just so so adorable. I loved the morning hot chocolate, the sip-first-before-giving-it to Caymen, the questions, the "career days", Eddie's addictive muffins and all the other things they did as their feelings grew and develop. It was a little slow yet it made it a lot more genuine and sweet. 

The only complain I could probably give to this book was that I wish it was longer and the family thing had been elaborated more. Still, it was a very satisfying and pleasing read. Hopefully, there would be a sequel or a companion novel seeing as how the ending left enough room for it. Maybe we could start asking and emailing Kasie West for a next book? Haha.

This book will definitely be right up the alley of those who enjoyed Anna and the French Kiss, My Life Next Door, Amy and Roger's Epic Detour, From What I Remember and First Comes Love! This was such a fun, sweet and quirky read. I highly recommend this! :)

Review: Faking It (Losing It #2) by Cora Carmack

Title: Faking It (Losing It #2)
Author: Cora Carmack
Published: June 4th 2013
Publisher: William Morrow & Company
My rating: 4 stars

Mackenzie “Max” Miller has a problem. Her parents have arrived in town for a surprise visit, and if they see her dyed hair, tattoos, and piercings, they just might disown her. Even worse, they’re expecting to meet a nice, wholesome boyfriend, not a guy named Mace who has a neck tattoo and plays in a band. All her lies are about to come crashing down around her, but then she meets Cade.

Cade moved to Philadelphia to act and to leave his problems behind in Texas. So far though, he’s kept the problems and had very little opportunity to take the stage. When Max approaches him in a coffee shop with a crazy request to pretend to be her boyfriend, he agrees to play the part. But when Cade plays the role a little too well, they’re forced to keep the ruse going. And the more they fake the relationship, the more real it begins to feel.

Cora Carmack, the first time I've seen your name on your debut novel, Losing It, I know you'd be a favorite author. Then I read it and totally loved it which just made you an official favorite. Months later you came back with another book, Faking It, which I have to say I absolutely adored! And that's when I knew I you just made your way through my heart as one of the authors I'll always be looking forward to. Thank you for writing these books.

Okay, where will I start with this one? Can I just say that I absolutely enjoyed it? Like really enjoyed it - great fun, with all the giggly, swoony and giddy feeling? Because that's what I think is missing on most of new-adult novels that's coming up lately. The fun. I don't know if you get what I mean but I've encountered a lot of NAs lately that were just too heavy, intense, dramatic and emotional (not to say frustrating as hell) that I'd end up feeling worried and anxious almost the entire time I just couldn't completely enjoy it. You know the feeling that even you, the reader, is tiptoeing around the story and characters, I slight wrong move will make everything bad. Wouldn't it be nice if even with all the issues and baggage the characters were carrying you could still feel relaxed and just enjoy their story? 

Thankfully, Faking It was exactly what I was looking for. It was a story with characters carrying emotional baggage and has to deal with their own personal demons yet it was also a story full of humor, laughs, sweetness and giddy feelings. It was a story where the author was able to make me really trust the characters and believed that even though one of them is expected to fucked things up they'd be able to still fix it in no time. 

I'm getting a lot of role reversal lately and I have to say that I'm absolutely loving it. Max is our rocker girl, who dropped out of college to pursue her dream of being a musician. She's a bad-ass who smokes, wears tattoos and dark sexy clothes with a no-nonsense attitude. While Cade is our golden all-American guy. The perfect gentleman, who goes to graduate school, a student volunteer and helps old ladies cross the street. 

How this two met and how their relationship started and developed was really funny and cute but it was still laced with deepness and seriousness as the story went on and as I learned more about each of them. I admit that there are moments that frustrated me quite a bit (although I know some of it were necessary for them to learn) but like I said, Carmack made me trust and understand them, so I was still able to relaxed and just see how they work things out. In the end I was rewarded with a really sweet and touching ending, with not so much drama, but still with great depth and insightfulness. 

Although I wouldn't completely disagree with those who said that it was quite predictable and that plot had already been used before I hope you wouldn't close your judgement in this book based on that because this book definitely has a lot more to offer than that. And as I've said it was really a very fun read. (And sexy!) I highly recommend this.

Blog Tour: Dirty Little Secret by Jennifer Echols (Review + Excerpt)

Title: Dirty Little Secret
Author: Jennifer Echols
Expected Publication: July 16th 2013
Publisher: MTV Books
My rating: 4 stars

Bailey wasn’t always a wild child and the black sheep of her family. She used to play fiddle and tour the music circuit with her sister, Julie, who sang and played guitar. That ended when country music execs swooped in and signed Julie to a solo deal. Never mind that Julie and Bailey were a duet, or that Bailey was their songwriter. The music scouts wanted only Julie, and their parents were content to sit by and let her fulfill her dreams while Bailey’s were hushed away.

Bailey has tried to numb the pain and disappointment over what could have been. And as Julie’s debut album is set to hit the charts, her parents get fed up with Bailey’s antics and ship her off to granddad’s house in Nashville. Playing fiddle in washed-up tribute groups at the mall, Bailey meets Sam, a handsome and oh-so-persuasive guitarist with his own band. He knows Bailey’s fiddle playing is just the thing his band needs to break into the industry. But this life has broken Bailey’s heart once before. She isn’t sure she’s ready to let Sam take her there again…

While I have read a number of Jennifer Echols' books before, they're usually either a hit or miss for me. So whenever I picked a book of hers there's always this little cautiousness that comes with it. Yet when I picked Dirty Little Secret, for some reason, I actually felt quite sure that I would enjoy it. Maybe because it was music-themed? Or because the main protag is a fiddle/violin player? (I have serious soft spot for violin players, i.e. Virtuosity)Or maybe because it was just really good? Oh well, whatever it was I'm just glad to say that Dirty Little Secret is definitely a hit for me! It certainly is one of my favorite Jennifer Echols' books.

Bailey Mayfield was a character I easily felt for even from the very start. The emotional baggage she was carrying was something I had easily understood. I could not entirely fault her for her past unwise actions because I can clearly see where it all came from. Instead, I blamed it all to her selfish, unfeeling parents! Bailey was a very likable character; she was a very good sister, daughter and musician. That's why I just couldn't fathom how her parents could easily disregard her like that. So I was really glad when she met Sam Handiman and his band. 

So onto Sam, this guy was someone you could so effortlessly fall into but just as easily you could get pissed off. YET, for some reason, it was hard not to remain too angry with him. This guy is very charming, talented, sweet and so so adorable (although he does carry some pretty intense emotional baggage too). But even with that I like how it was showed how flawed he is too. His strong drive and determination to reach his dream was admirable but sometimes it gets a little too much that he consciously/unconsciously ends up disregarding some other people's feelings. In the end though he learned that there are things or person that is much more important than what he think is.  

Although I don't know much about country music I actually still enjoyed exploring it through here. The dynamic between the band too was amazing. I love how they could easily work and produce a really wonderful music together. 

I'm not sure if this is the kind of book that would work for almost everybody. I admit there are moments that I get a little lost and disoriented in this one, especially with Sam, although I still always found my way back (to him) eventually. Lol! But there are a lot of good and great things that definitely make up for that. In the end, I still end up having a lot of fun reading this. I recommend this book.

Thank you MTV Books for providing a copy of this book.

***Excerpt***

“We’ll see about that,” I grumbled. With my circle skirt sweeping behind me, I spun in Ms. Lottie’s chair and stepped out of her hair-and-makeup alcove. I opened my fiddle case on an abandoned bookcase with a “Romance” sign on top. Better that than “Addiction” or “Family Planning,” which was where my parents thought I was parking my fiddle these days. I ran the bow across the strings, making minor adjustments with the tuning pegs. I didn’t need a tuning fork. I could tune my instrument by ear and I was always right. Other people didn’t believe me, though, and I often spent a whole set of songs gritting my teeth and playing A at a fourth of a step up or down from 440 hertz.

Determined not to let that happen this time, I marched across the bookstore with a smile on my face, which seemed a lot more natural while I was in costume. Mr. Cash and his son sat in chairs on opposite ends of the lounge area, playing their guitars. I would charm them into doing things the way I wanted. I watched them as I walked closer. Johnny Cash was a man about my dad’s age with his dark hair greased and combed into a pompadour. He wore a dark suit with a white shirt and a bolo tie, which worked fine for Mr. Cash but also wouldn’t have turned heads anywhere in Nashville. People around here were a little eccentric about bolo ties.

Ms. Lottie had coaxed his son’s hair into the same glossy pompadour, but his clothes could have passed for current, too, part of the Buddy Holly aesthetic so popular right now at Vanderbilt. He wore low-top black Chuck Taylors, black jeans folded up a few turns like greasers wore them in the 1950s, and a plaid shirt with the sleeves rolled up above the elbows. The material stretched tight across his chest and biceps. He was big enough to have played football.

As I approached, Mr. Cash never looked up. There was no reason for him to. The lounge area was always busy at this time of the afternoon with musicians milling back and forth between the couches and Ms. Lottie’s area. A 1950s fiddle player coming closer shouldn’t have been an unusual sight.

But his son looked up. I was watching them, listening to the cacophony as they played two different songs in two different keys. I saw the exact moment when Cash Jr. realized someone was making a beeline for him. His dark eyes widened at me, his stare so unabashed and his expression so intent, as if reading my face that I felt myself blushing in response.

And then he grinned at me. His eyes sparkled. The corners of his mouth lifted through a day’s worth of dark stubble, which didn’t quite jive with the pompadour. He definitely was only a few years older than me, and so handsome that I wished for the millionth time I’d never cut my blond hair off and dyed it black. Then I remembered I was wearing my red ponytail wig, which was even worse.

Now I knew what Ms. Lottie had meant when she said he was a heartbreaker. And he hadn’t spoken one word to me yet.

***Giveaway***

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Review: Apollyon (Covenant #4) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: Apollyon (Covenant #4)
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Publication Date: April 4th 2013
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
My rating: 4 stars

Fate isn’t something to mess with… and now, neither is Alex.

Alex has always feared two things: losing herself in the Awakening and being placed on the Elixir. But love has always been stronger than Fate, and Aiden St. Delphi is willing to make war on the gods—and Alex herself—to bring her back.

The gods have killed thousands and could destroy entire cities in their quest to stop Seth from taking Alex’s power and becoming the all-powerful God Killer. But breaking Alex’s connection to Seth isn’t the only problem. There are a few pesky little loopholes in the whole “an Apollyon can’t be killed” theory, and the only person who might know how to stop the destruction has been dead for centuries.

Finding their way past the barriers that guard the Underworld, searching for one soul among countless millions, and then somehow returning will be hard enough. Alex might be able to keep Seth from becoming the God Killer… or she might become the God Killer herself.

I'll probably make this a little shorter than most of my reviews since it's been more than a month since I finished it and I'm afraid I'd forgotten some stuff about this one. But one thing I know and so sure about is that this book is absolutely fantastic! I know, I know, I've said that a million times in all of JLA's books but there was just something very definite in this one making me breathe and say that finally, everything is happening my way. 

One thing I like so much about this book was - okay, I don't know what this say about me starting this review with the hero/love interest, but it was just something very hard not to notice and has to be said right away - the change in Aiden's character here. After three books, I'm finally seeing this other side of Aiden that was just so refreshing. The side where he was a lot more open in his feelings, in his love and devotion to Alex. This Aiden who laughs and jokes and even flirts! Which was enough to send me over the edge and be gaga, but also sent warm fuzzy feelings in my chest. I seriously couldn't love him more. 

Alex too had undergone a significant change and development in this book. She matured a lot in here, especially given their situation. She had some reflecting too with her old self and her new self. It was actually very notable how she starts thinking first now before making any decisions and actions. 

The plot is ever fantastic. Before, most of the time I tend to forgot that this series is greek mythology inspired and not just urban fantasy/pnr story. I liked how the mythology stuff were more pronounced in this book, particularly with that scene in the Underworld. Other than that, the butt kicking action scenes were great and just as thrilling and exciting as in the previous books. 

Although the ending was sort of abrupt and a bit hanging, it still left me with a satisfied and confident feeling. I am definitely very much looking forward for the next and final book. (Huh, I just actually realized now that the series is actually ending in the next book. )= )

Review: Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez

Title: Virtuosity
Author: Jessica Martinez
Published: October 18th 2011
Publisher: Simon Pulse
My rating: 4 stars

Now is not the time for Carmen to fall in love. And Jeremy is hands-down the wrong guy for her to fall for. He is infuriating, arrogant, and the only person who can stand in the way of Carmen getting the one thing she wants most: to win the prestigious Guarneri competition. Carmen's whole life is violin, and until she met Jeremy, her whole focus was winning. But what if Jeremy isn't just hot...what if Jeremy is better? Carmen knows that kissing Jeremy can't end well, but she just can't stay away. Nobody else understands her--and riles her up--like he does. Still, she can't trust him with her biggest secret: She is so desperate to win she takes anti-anxiety drugs to perform, and what started as an easy fix has become a hungry addiction. Carmen is sick of not feeling anything on stage and even more sick of always doing what she’s told, doing what's expected.

Sometimes, being on top just means you have a long way to fall....

I've always wanted to learn how to play a violin but never really got the chance. The closest I get on that was learning Twinkle Twinkle Little Star (I did actually have to coax and force my friend to teach me play it) which I have totally forgotten by now. Ha! But violin has always fascinates and mesmerizes me. So when I read the blurb of this book and learned that the main characters are violin prodigies I was absolutely sold! And boy was I not disappointed. Because reading Virtuosity was just as mesmerizing and captivating as listening to a violinist play.

Carmen was a character I instantly identified with. I was amazed and impressed by her accomplishments at a very young age and I truly felt the strong passion and love she had on being a musician. She was a very real and genuine character and although at first she let almost everything in her life be in control of her mother/manager who was totally overbearing and quite manipulative, she sooner realized that she has to start making decisions and choices for her own life.

Jeremy, although he started to be quite this arrogant and kind of a jerk guy I sooner found out that he was also this very soft and gentle guy who just also get nervous and insecure but covers it with his cool and proud facade. I love how he directly and indirectly contributed on making Carmen see how her life was and be an independent woman. Although he did make this mistake with Carmen I saw how he truly felt sorry about it and that his feelings for her were definitely genuine.

The romance here did happen a little too fast which in most case would have make me ran off to the other side but for some reason it worked for me here. Or more like, I actually didn't mind it because I just loved the characters. Ha! It was definitely okay though since as the story went on the development of Carmen and Jeremy's relationship and how it was explored felt really genuine and natural.

The musical aspect here was also really good. The playing was describe in such a very colorful and dramatic way and not really in technical way that might have my mind spinning in confusion. It was more on the feelings of the player and what the musical piece is trying to tell.

Overall, this was truly a great novel that centers about music, passion, love, discovery and choices. You really don't have to be a music lover to enjoy this book. It was beautifully written that I'm pretty sure it would easily make its way in your mind and heart. I recommend this.

Review: Sanctum (Guards of the Shadowlands #1) by Sarah Fine

Title: Sanctum (Guards of the Shadowlands, #1)
Author: Sarah Fine
Published: Ocotber 16th 2012
Publisher: Marshall Cavendish Children's/Amazon Children's Publishing
My rating: 4.5 stars

“My plan: Get into the city. Get Nadia. Find a way out. Simple.”

A week ago, seventeen-year-old Lela Santos’s best friend, Nadia, killed herself. Today, thanks to a farewell ritual gone awry, Lela is standing in paradise, looking upon a vast gated city in the distance—hell. No one willingly walks through the Suicide Gates, into a place smothered in darkness and infested with depraved creatures. But Lela isn’t just anyone—she’s determined to save her best friend’s soul, even if it means sacrificing her eternal afterlife.

As Lela struggles to find Nadia, she’s captured by the Guards, enormous, not-quite-human creatures that patrol the dark city’s endless streets. Their all-too-human leader, Malachi, is unlike them in every way except one: his deadly efficiency. When he meets Lela, Malachi forms his own plan: get her out of the city, even if it means she must leave Nadia behind. Malachi knows something Lela doesn’t—the dark city isn’t the worst place Lela could end up, and he will stop at nothing to keep her from that fate.

When I started this I didn't really know what to expect. I've seen a lot of my friends loving this and I just thought maybe I'd enjoy it too but nothing really extreme. So imagine when at the middle of the book I realized I was already in love with Malachi this book? This book is so much more than I have initially thought. There were so many layers in this story that you wouldn't though it would've when you read the synopsis. Don't take this as just some usual and normal paranormal book out there because this one is definitely not. It offered me a lot more than I have truly expected. Sanctum turns out to be a very very pleasant surprise for me.

The world-building is definitely a highlight I enjoyed very much about this book. I've read a lot of stories where different versions of the places where dead people go - Underworld, Hell, Sheol, Purgatory - were described. In this novel, Sarah Fine created her own version of it but exclusive for those souls who committed suicide. And I tell you what, it was one hell of a version! It was something I haven't seen before, how things work there - souls wandering around, their wants and desires so intense they made something out of it. It was sinister and unnerving but oddly very interesting in a way that you would also want to explore it.

Lela Santos, the main character, is definitely one of the most loyal and determined characters I'd ever met. Her decision to enter the Suicide Gates willingly to find her best friend and save her was very brave and...crazy. Yeah, that's what I thought at first but as the story went on we got our chance to see more reasons to Lela's actions and decisions. I was able to see how their friendship started and developed, how deeply Nadia had gone through her walls and at the same time saved her. Through that I was able to understand her and greatly connect with her. She was a very well portrayed character.

Malachi, ah, how do I start with this one? Well, he's very Aiden St. Delphi and Dimitri Belikov of a character! Ha! He was dedicated, strong and could be really dangerous at times but he was also just as gentle and caring to people he cared so much about. He was so genuine and selfless and although he has an awful haunting past I saw that he was a character that is moving on and learning from it. His character development as a hero and love-interest is striking. He was a very very lovable character.

And the ending! Did you know that I put this on hold for almost a month because I was so so afraid the ending would turn into a cliffhanger in a very awful situation? Well, yeah I wanna smack myself after I finally read it! Because it was a very very lovely one and cute too! Yet it still made me wish that the second book is already out, I just couldn't get enough of Lela and Malachi after that kind of ending. Haha! They're definitely one of my favorite couples now!

So if you haven't pick this up yet go pick this up now! I'm sure you'll get a very wonderful and fantastic reading experience with this one. I highly recommend this.

Mini Reviews: Sever (The Chemical Garden #3) by Lauren DeStefano and Chasing Brooklyn by Lisa Schroeder

Title: Sever (The Chemical Garden #3)
Author: Lauren DeStefano
Published: February 12th 2013
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Read synopsis at: Goodreads

Sever is the last and final book of the Chemical Garden trilgoy. In here I was finally able to get answers I have since the first book and learned more of the characters. Though there's a lot that I have liked about this book I think this is quite the weakest of the trilogy. 

While I can say that I was fairly satisfied with how everything turned out I still felt that some of the revelations weren't really that conclusive. Particularly, the explanation about the virus. It was like the answers just walk through me and for the most part it felt quite anticlimactic. I was actually hoping for something that is more thorough and detailed. The other part though was Rhine's feelings about Linden and Gabriel - which I have to say was very confusing and formless. I didn't get what it really was she felt about the two. Plus, it really disappointed me how undeveloped Gabriel's character was. I've been rooting for him since the first book and I was really looking forward to see more of him here yet I barely see him until the later part. Although I was happy that he still end up with Rhine I'm not really satisfied with how their relationship developed. 

I am split on a half on this one. I don't really know what are my exact feelings about the conclusion of this trilogy. I'm pretty satisfied with how things turned out but whenever I think more of it I kinda wish that there should have been something more with it. It felt like there were some things missing or that it wasn't completely delivered to us. Still, I think the majority of what had happened on this book had been very intriguing, there were twists and revelations that manage to surprise me and most of the questions were answered.

3.5 stars

Title: Chasing Brooklyn

Author: Lisa Schroeder

Published: January 5th 2010

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Read synopsis at: Goodreads

This is the second time I've read a work from this author and it still didn't fail to leave me at awe especially since this is a verse novel.

When I started this I realized that this is much more intense and emotional that the last book I've read of this author so I was a little doubtful if it would be able to connect and affect me deeply since it was written in a verse form. But lo and behold because it did! I was surprised to find myself tearing up on some parts and some making my skin filled with goose bumps. I fascinating how those short verses was able to contain such powerful emotions and feelings. It was very captivating and entrancing.

Nico and Brooklyn are characters that are so easy to like. I felt instant connection with them and felt the sadness and the struggles they've been having since the death of someone they both loved so deeply. The comfort they found through each other and how both of them had helped to let go and move on was very heartwarming and poignant. Their story was such a lovely and touching one that it made its way easily on my favorites shelf.

4 stars

Review: A Shade of Vampire (A Shade of Vampire #1) by Bella Forrest

Title: A Shade of Vampire (A Shade of Vampire #1)
Author: Bella Forrest
Published: November 14th 2012
Published: Bella Forrest
My rating: 3 stars

On the evening of Sofia Claremont's seventeenth birthday, she is sucked into a nightmare from which she cannot wake.

A quiet evening walk along a beach brings her face to face with a dangerous pale creature that craves much more than her blood.

She is kidnapped to an island where the sun is eternally forbidden to shine. An island uncharted by any map and ruled by the most powerful vampire coven on the planet. She wakes here as a slave, a captive in chains.

Sofia's life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn when she is the one selected out of hundreds of girls to join the harem of Derek Novak, the dark royal Prince.

Despite his addiction to power and obsessive thirst for her blood, Sofia soon realizes that the safest place on the island is within his quarters, and she must do all within her power to win him over if she is to survive even one more night.

Will she succeed? ...or is she destined to the same fate that all other girls have met at the hands of the Novaks?

Although Vampire-themed books aren't really my thing, from time to time I find myself getting really interested in picking one. I first saw A Shade of Vampire in a promo post from a blog and got interested with its blurb right away. It sounds really intriguing. So when I received an email from the author if I could review this book I didn't hesitate. 

A Shade of Vampire has a very promising plot. It was what really draws me in to it. The world the author created was very intriguing and the positions and situations the characters were put through had made it look even more thrilling to read. However, I'm afraid to say that it lacks some elements that might have made the delivering of the story much more compelling thus making me a quite disappointed with it.

I'm not saying that it was an awful read. I have enjoyed some parts of it and some I find really exciting and interesting. The main problem I had was that I felt emotionally detached to the story. I wanted to be completely connected to it but that's just hard to do if the things are happening too fast. There weren't enough build-up (especially on the romance) to convince me that everything is happening naturally or genuinely. It's only the surface emotion that I can see and every explanations and actions seem too brief.

And one more thing, I was expecting some work and efforts on part of Sofia here in winning Derek over as indicated on the blurb (that was what I was really looking forward, how Sofia would to it and how it would turn into something more) however it has become quite apparent early on the book that there won't be that much action regarding that part since Derek had an insta-attraction to her. 

Nonetheless, there were parts that manage to make still want to continue the book. I was still curious on what Sofia's faith would be. And some of the ideas presented on this book is admittedly very interesting to explore. There were sweet moments too that I do find genuine (like the Sun Room! I really like that). The last part had me really curious on what's gonna happen next that despite the flaws I mentioned made me decide to still read the next book. 

If you're looking for a light and descent paranormal read which isn't really that complicated but still offers some pretty cool world-building and likable characters, I think you might want to check this out.

Thank you Bella Forest for providing me a copy of this book.

Blog Tour: The Boys of Summer by C.J. Duggan

Welcome to my stop on The Boys of Summer blog tour hosted by YA Bound. Click HERE to check out the full blog tour schedule!

Title: The Boys of Summer
Author: C.J. Duggan
Published: December 17th 2012
Publisher: C.J. Duggan

It seemed only natural to nickname them the ‘Onslow Boys’. Every time they swaggered in the front door of the Onslow Hotel after a hard week’s work, their laughter was loud and genuine as they settled onto their bar stools. I peeked through the restaurant partition, a flimsy divider between my world and theirs. I couldn't help but smile whenever I saw them, saw him ... Toby Morrison.

Quiet seventeen-year-old Tess doesn’t relish the thought of a summertime job. She wants nothing more than to forget the past haunts of high school and have fun with her best friends before the dreaded Year Twelve begins.

To Tess, summer is when everything happens: riding bikes down to the lake, watching the fireworks at the Onslow Show and water bomb fights at the sweltering Sunday markets.

How did she let her friends talk her into working?

After first-shift disasters, rude, wealthy tourists and a taunting ex-boyfriend, Tess is convinced nothing good can come of working her summer away. However, Tess finds unlikely allies in a group of locals dubbed ‘The Onslow Boys’, who are old enough to drive cars, drink beer and not worry about curfews. Tess’s summer of working expands her world with a series of first times with new friends, forbidden love and heartbreaking chaos.

All with the one boy she has never been able to forget.

It will be a summer she will always remember.

Amazon | Kindle | B&N Nook

I wouldn't have read this right away if I haven't been part of the blog tour which I actually forgot I signed up for until I, to my surprise, received a schedule for a tour stop. Haha! Yeah, it was during the few weeks before my practicum ended and my blogging schedule was really a mess. But now, I'm so glad I am part of this tour and that I'll be able to share you how much I enjoyed this book because The Summer Boys is definitely a very lovely read!

It's been quite a while since the last time I read a summer book. The Boys of Summer was definitely a good way to start with them. A lot of my GR friends have enjoyed this very much so I was really excited to start this. And to realized that this book isn't just some ordinary contemporary book, but a summer read, set in Australia, in the 90's (!) is definitely a very very good treat and encouragement to read this book.

The characters of this book are very fascinating to read about. Every one of them complimented each other and made this book shine and stand out. They carried the story very well and have provided so much amusement and laughter in me. Tess was a fantastic MC. The development and changes she'd gone through with the help of her friends and the Onslow boys and how she realized and learned things about herself were very admirable. She had her frustrating moments too but I'm glad how she reflected on it in the end.

The Onslow boys are the gem of this book! Haha! They just made this book feel more summery and light. Full of easy banters, teasing and laughter. Even with the age difference they had with Ellie and Tess they treated them with so much respect. They treated them like equal and not like they're just some naive teenage girls but still took great care of them.

After reading this I felt like I just had my own summer in Onslow! I enjoyed going through different experiences Tess, Ellie, Adam and the Onslow Boys had in their summer. The friendship they formed and the lessons they learned with it was wonderful. The romantic build-up between Toby and Tess too was really sweet. Although I think the conflict around the last part felt a bit too dramatic and frustrating, I'm glad how they pass through with it and how it strengthened more their relationship.

This book is such a lovely summer read. I would gladly recommend this to everyone! Read this. :)

About the Author: 

C.J Duggan is an Australian author who lives with her husband in a rural border town of New South Wales, Australia. The Boys of Summer is Book One in her Mature Young Adult Romance Series.

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Review: Warm Bodies (Warm Bodies #1) by Isaac Marion

Title: Warm Bodies (Warm Bodies #1)
Author: Isaac Marion
Published: April 26th 2012
Publisher: Atria
My rating: 4 stars!

R is a young man with an existential crisis--he is a zombie. He shuffles through an America destroyed by war, social collapse, and the mindless hunger of his undead comrades, but he craves something more than blood and brains. He can speak just a few grunted syllables, but his inner life is deep, full of wonder and longing. He has no memories, no identity, and no pulse. Just dreams.

After experiencing a teenage boy's memories while consuming his brain, R makes an unexpected choice that begins a tense, awkward, and strangely sweet relationship with the victim's human girlfriend. Julie is a burst of vibrant color in the otherwise dreary and gray landscape that R lives in. His decision to protect her will transform not only R, but his fellow Dead, and perhaps their whole lifeless world.

Scary, funny, and surprisingly poignant, Warm Bodies is about being alive, being dead and the blurry line in between.

Now that I've read this I kinda wanna slap myself for reading this just recently even though I have seen this a lot of times in goodreads for as long time with all its number of glowing reviews. And it was all because I thought it was corny and it just felt a little 'meh' on me - I mean a zombie and a teenage girl? Eww, right? Only until I realized that the movie adaptation will be out this month (and saw a zombie Nicholas Hoult in action) did I decide to finally give this book a try.

And boy, oh boy, did I want to drop on my knees and beg some forgiveness for being too judgmental. Because this book has just flat-out and completely proven me wrong! I mean, yes there were still those gory/weird moments and some parts where I don't know if I should take it seriously or just laugh it out but what I loved was that Marion was also able to make it into a very sweet, adorable and surprisingly very poignant and moving story. I have to admit, I did shed some tears while I was reading this. 

Marion's writing was what I enjoyed so much about this book. He wrote R's perspective in such a way that you would instantly connect and understand him. Which is saying a lot since he wrote a guy's pov and not just some guy but a guy zombie's pov. He wrote it so effectively and his prose so beautifully and lovely that compelled me to really adore and appreciate R's character despite the weirdness and absurdity of the situation.

More than anything else, I loved the underlying yet very powerful and thought-provoking poignant messages about hope, love, change and humanity in this book. It was something I wasn't expecting when I started this but it was what I had greatly appreciated about this book in the end. I loved how Marion made us delve deeper into the story and see the more important and bigger values and issues in it.

Review: Boundless (Unearthly #3) by Cynthia Hand

Title: Boundless (Unearthly #3)
Author: Cynthia Hand
Published: January 22nd 2013
Publisher: HarperTeen
My rating: 3 stars

The past few years have held more surprises than part-angel Clara Gardner could ever have anticipated. Yet from the dizzying highs of first love, to the agonizing low of losing someone close to her, the one thing she can no longer deny is that she was never meant to live a normal life.

Since discovering the special role she plays among the other angel-bloods, Clara has been determined to protect Tucker Avery from the evil that follows her . . . even if it means breaking both their hearts. Leaving town seems like the best option, so she’s headed back to California - and so is Christian Prescott, the irresistible boy from the vision that started her on this journey in the first place.

As Clara makes her way in a world that is frighteningly new, she discovers that the fallen angel who attacked her is watching her every move. And he’s not the only one. . . . With the battle against the Black Wings looming, Clara knows she must finally fulfil her destiny. But it won’t come without sacrifices and betrayal.

In the riveting finale of the Unearthly series, Clara must decide her fate once and for all.

Finally, after days undergoing the five stages of loss and grief, (Uhmm, I think I still haven't gotten that close to the fifth step) I'm calm enough to form some coherent thoughts and explanations about what I think of this final book of the Unearthly series. This still has some major ranting but I really did try to be objective here. So here we go. 

Spoilers ahead.

After reading this I have to say that this series will always be one of my most favorite angel books even if it cause quite a major heartache on me (later on that). Each aspects of the story - the character developments, the emotional depths, the plot line and the world-building were just fantastic! I finished this in one day, I couldn't really put it down. I adored almost every part of it. And Hand's writing is definitely exceptional especially since she never failed to reach me in an emotional level that mostly only contemporary books could do. I felt the hurt, the love, the regrets, the happiness, the loss, the acceptance in each of every characters. Despite its paranormal setting the emotional situations were very realistic. The development of the characters and their relationships (especially the parental love) was something I have to give Hand a very great credit for. It was wonderful and full of profound and poignant insights. 

However as much I loved almost everything about it there is this one aspect, a pretty big aspect in this book that I think Hand wasn't able to completely handle very well: the romance. The reason that left me feeling conflicted, unsettled and hurt after finishing the story. 

I am on the other team. Yes, the team whom Clara didn't choose. But I am not complaining because of her choice or more likely, Hand's choice. What made me disappointed and sad was the way it was handled. I have encountered countless stories with love-triangles, may it be a novel, a movie, a tv series, an anime or manga but never did I feel so bitter and broken than I had in Boundless. I could be really accepting and understanding if convinced, if it gave me reasons to believe that it has to be this guy and not the one I want. However that's where the problem in Boundless came. Hand failed to convince me and make me believe that Clara did the right decision by choosing Tucker but successfully and completely sold me to the idea of Clara and Christian together (and it isn't just me but a whole lot of readers too). 

The first question that popped out on my mind after reading this was what was all that about then? Hand took a lot of time polishing, emphasizing and building up Clara and Christian's relationship in this novel. And that's what I wish she never did. 'Cause you see what was the point if in the end it they wouldn't be together? (Unless Hand plans to write something about them like 80 years later). What's worse was that she actually made a great job with it, it was very convincing that personally I think even the Tucker fans could accept the idea of Clara and Christian. And that if she went straight in that direction I can see that she'd be able to pull it off and make a really wonderful conclusion.  

I wish she didn't make Christian a very great guy, always so supportive and understanding. I wish she didn't make Christian say all those wonderful words of adoration and love. I wish she didn't make him the perfect hero for Clara. Because seriously, all of it were pretty pointless when I reached the ending. I don't get why she has to do that. Look, I don't have a problem with Tucker. He was a great and wonderful character too, it was just that I wish Hand put a lot of more effort in him, in making me see that he had greater connection to Clara and that he was indeed her "home" so at least my heart, my poor, fragile heart wouldn't have been too hopeful and confident. 

In the end, more questions just arose in me. More notably is What really is Christian to Clara? Her assistant? Her freaking sidekick? Someone who'd lend her power? Her personal body guard? Well, I sound bitter on that but I just can't help it. Clara and Christian had a really strong and firm connection. Putting everything together from the first book to Boundless, it just didn't make any sense. With the way everything turned out and with that convenient twist in the last part it seems really unfair for Christian. He went from being a very major character, a very essential one to someone who wasn't even present on the supposedly "happy" epilogue. 

While I enjoyed most part of this book I can't say that I was satisfied with how things turned out. At some point, during those days I was processing what I really feel about this book I wanted to shout that this book is a freaking tease! Haha! Or maybe it really is. The ending did blow in my face like a sucker punch. I wish Hand could come up with another novel or even a novella just to explain everything and hopefully could give us our much needed closure. 

*Initial Thoughts After Reading*

I wouldn't question the brilliant level of poignancy and profundity in this book. I was touched and moved in so many ways while reading this. The emotional depth of this story was just plain wonderful and  downright amazing. However, I couldn't help feeling some qualms and apprehensiveness about the authenticity and the naturalness of the things that happened around the last parts of the book (yeah, I'm talking about the romance). It left me conflicted and had me questioning what were the purpose of some things. Like, what were all those build-up and convincing (from a lot of characters actually) for? It makes me think that they were pretty pointless with how things turned out. So you see, I really have this one big question popping out of my head after reading this book. 

So what was all THAT for?

To those who've read this you know what I'm referring to. And I'm being pretty objective here. I really like this story and I consider this one of my most favorite angel-book. It's just hard not to wonder why the sudden left turn when more than half part of the book is pushing and taking us in a straight direction? And because of that the last part kinda felt a little forced for me. *sigh* I really don't know if I'm making sense. But yeah, I guess I need to process thoroughly everything out first.

Review: Altered (Altered #1) by Jennifer Rush

Title: Altered (Altered #1)
Author: Jennifer Rush
Published: January 1st 2012
Publisher: Little, Brown, & Co.
My rating: 4 stars

When you can’t trust yourself, who can you believe?

Everything about Anna’s life is a secret. Her father works for the Branch at the helm of its latest project: monitoring and administering treatments to the four genetically altered boys in the lab below their farmhouse. There’s Nick, Cas, Trev . . . and Sam, who’s stolen Anna’s heart. When the Branch decides it’s time to take the boys, Sam stages an escape, killing the agents sent to retrieve them.

Anna is torn between following Sam or staying behind in the safety of her everyday life. But her father pushes her to flee, making Sam promise to keep her away from the Branch, at all costs. There’s just one problem. Sam and the boys don’t remember anything before living in the lab—not even their true identities.

Now on the run, Anna soon discovers that she and Sam are connected in more ways than either of them expected. And if they’re both going to survive, they must piece together the clues of their past before the Branch catches up to them and steals it all away.

Altered was definitely a very pleasant surprise for me. It's always such a lovely treat whenever I encounter a paranormal book with a fantastic, unpredictable plot yet with very likable characters. Not to mention, a number of hot, hot, hot boys. Altered was such an amazing and fantastic read. I enjoyed almost every part of it (especially Cas!).

And yes, I do think the Merrick brothers have finally found their competition. I remember Brigid Kemmerer saying something about the boys here too...

And they indeed are!

Anna was a character I appreciated quite a lot. She appears to be a bit vulnerable but she has very real and honest personality. What I admire most about her though was the genuineness of her relationship with the boys. She may not be a very kick-ass heroine and though sometimes, she tends to seem a bit of the damsel in distress, her faults and flaws where overshadowed by how much she treasures and loves Sam, Cas, Trev and even Nick. In the end it was her loyalty and love for the boys that pushed her to be brave and strong and do some pretty kick-ass moves too.

Now the boys. Let's start with Sam. He was aloof, mysterious, a bit standoffish but he was a great leader and friend. It was actually the opposite of what I had imagined of him but I still end up really liking his character. He seems so serious and distant most of the time but he always took great care of everyone. Nick was the gorgeous bad-boy in the group. He was rude to Anna and seems to really dislike her. He had a very bad and awful past that forced him to have that kind of attitude and thinking. Trev was the levelheaded, rational and smart one among the boys. He had a close relationship with Anna and considers him her best friend. He loves to read books and always ready to give advice and quotes for Anna. He was a character that was so easy to like and trust but... And last but not the least, my favorite, CAS! He was an easy-going, laid back kind of guy who never seems to get his stomach full, always demanding for food but he was also very sweet, funny and really really charming. He was the kind of friend that you would need when everything is just too intense and overwhelming. Who would make you laugh and put a smile on your face when thing started to feel too stressful. I remember asking Jennifer if I can have him and she said HE said YES!

So move over girls! Cas is mine. Hahaha! Just kidding. I'm really not that selfish. Contact me and maybe we could make some arrangements. Lol!

As for the plot, I just loved it! I love how it mixes some mysteries and actions.I enjoyed how they try to figure out what really happened through the small clues they had. It was fascinating and what made it more really good was the unpredictability of it. It was hard to guess or calculate what's gonna come out and what's gonna happen next so all you'll be able to do was just to continue reading. I just have some slight issue with the romance although I still enjoyed it and I do think that Anna and Sam were really great couple. However it was just that I wish a few more convictions were added that it was indeed real since it was hard not to worry that it might just have been caused by the alterations. But we're only on the first book so I think I can oversee it and I'm sure more explanations and developments will come of the following books.  

Overall, Jennifer Rush did an amazing job in delivering us a story with such fantastic yet unpredictable plot, awesome action-packed scenes, shocking twists and discoveries and lovely but amazing characters. I enjoyed it very much and I'll be sure to have an eye on this series. I highly recommend this.

Review: The Proposition (The Proposition #1) by Katie Ashley

Title: The Proposition (The Proposition #1)
Author: Katie Ashley
Published: November 1st 2012
Publisher: Katie Ashley
My rating: 4 stars

With her thirtieth birthday looming, Emma Harrison finds her biological clock clanging and the elusive knight in shining armor yet to appear. She’s running out of options, especially after her gay best friend backs out from being her sperm donor. Of course, there’s always a sperm bank, but Emma fears a donor mix-up might impregnate her with the spawn of Satan.

Resident company womanizer, Aidan Fitzgerald, is used to always getting what he wants, especially in the bedroom. When Emma spurns his advances at the company Christmas party, he's determined to have her no matter what it takes. After Aidan learns of Emma's predicament, he is quick to offer a proposition that will benefit them both. He will father Emma's child, but she must conceive it with him naturally. Not one for hook-ups or casual sex, Emma is reluctant to take him up on his offer, but his charm, coupled with her intense desire for motherhood, wins out.

Soon their baby-making sessions become more than just physical. Aidan can't seem to walk away from her while Emma begins to wonder if Aidan could be the one. But can Aidan leave his past behind to become the man Emma needs him to be?

I was so glad I picked this book up on a whim. I didn't even check out the blurb nor did I find the cover eye-catching, in fact I didn't quite like it. I don't really know what urged me to pick and download this. But for whatever the hell reason, I just did. I started reading this with no idea what this book will be about. So you see, I was surprised, completely surprised to find myself devouring this in one night. And gratefully thanking my instinct for letting me pick this. Because this book is so freaking awesome! I rarely write reviews for adult books but I can't pass up the opportunity to express how thoroughly I enjoyed this book and to convince other readers to have this book. So here we go...

Emma Harrison, like any other normal woman wants to have a family. But she feels like her biological clock is ticking away to fast and a romantic relationship with a guy wouldn't be coming close anytime soon. So she decided to get a sperm donor from her gay best friend. However things turned quite differently when her friend suddenly backed out which left her pretty devastated with almost no options. But then comes Aidan Fitzgerald - the answer to her prayers. He offered to be her sperm donor but in a condition that they would have it in a traditional way - meaning she has to sleep with him until he gets her successfully knocked up.

Upon realizing that this story is going to be that way I had my doubts that this could be any more different than the other books with the same plot. But then the author surprised me by taking things a bit faster and differently than I expected. Only it did really good because it brought me to a place where I wasn't very familiar with how things would go. So I was left really thinking and anticipating everything.

Emma was such a wonderful character. She was smart, adorable and impressive. She seems to be a shy heroine but in fact she was a very dependent and strong woman. She knows what she wants and what she does. She keeps her emotions in check but she doesn't hold them back. I like how she lets herself take a chance for a relationship with Aidan despite the risks behind it. I thought she would start to complicate things but between her and Aidan she was actually the braver and reasonable one.

Aidan on the other hand, I wasn't so sure at first. I didn't like him right away but as the story progressed I was able to see a lot of admirable layers in him. I love how he tends to be so genuinely caring with Emma, how he loved his nephews and how considerate he was with most things. However, he was also a character that has a lot of doubts in him and some secrets that holds him back. The last part had me almost not forgive him but when her sister mentioned that there's something in him can't let on and his tendencies of self-sabotaging himself I realized there's something dark, deep and emotional trauma Aidan was carrying within himself. And I know he deserved a second chance.

Now with the ending. That one caught me really off guard! And I hate cliffhangers! God, I was so caught up with all that's happening that I barely noticed that I only have a page left and when I reached the ending I was utterly, absolutely left shocked and hanging. Although this left me a bit in disarray I was glad that the author decided to have it that way and have things be settled in a second book. This would leave lots of time and space for discussion and exploration between the relationship of Emma and Aidan and their circumstances. And I do really want that.

I could say that this is probably one of my most favorite adult contemporary romance I'v read. I enjoyed it very much. The plot was fantastic, the characters were very lovable, the banters and dialogues were funny and entertaining, and the scenes were absolutely sweet, swoon-worthy and yes, steamy. Overall, this is one hell of a brilliant and stunning read. I can't wait for the next book! :)

*I'd like to recommend this to everyone although I have to say that this is an adult book and contains some explicit and graphic contents. But if you're not that sensitive I would love for you to try this.