Review: The Truth About Faking by Leigh Talbert Moore

Title: The Truth About Faking
Author: Leigh Talbert Moore
Publication: Spetember 1st 2012
Publisher: Smash
My rating: 3.5 stars

Jason just wants a date with Harley. Harley just wants a date with Trent. Trent's still getting over Stephanie.

When Harley and Jason decide to fake date, they uncover a school of deceptions. Trent's got a secret, but so does Jason. And the more time Harley spends secretly kissing her fake boyfriend, the further she gets from her dreams with Trent.

Worst of all, Harley's mom is getting cozy with her hot massage therapy student, and even Harley's Reverend Dad can't fake not being bothered by it. But when the masks finally come off, can everyone handle the real truth?

The Truth About Faking is one sweet and cute read. I have always love the idea of two people faking a relationship but would eventually developed feelings for each other. Reading Harley and Jason's story was a fun and enjoyable experience.

Harley had a crush on Trent for quite a long time so when Trent's girlfriend broke off with him Harley made plans on how to win Trent over and be his boyfriend. However some of her plans went flying out of the window when the new student, Jason, came. Harley asked Jason to help her get Trent to notice her by fake-dating. When the two started spending more time together they became closer and noticed more things about each other. But Harley felt complicated about it and her feelings for Trent, to top it off some issues were arising between her family and their community.

Harley is a character that is fun to read about albeit a bit awkward and frustrating sometimes. Still she's a character that is easy to like. She did mistakes and wrong choices but that only made her character more realistic. What's more good was that she learned from it and her character did progress throughout the story. Jason. He's my favorite character in this book. He was never dull and I really liked his sense of humor. Plus he was really sweet towards Harley and had always been there with her even if she was quite hard-headed. 

Harley's dad was a pastor so there were some religious aspects in this book. Although some parts felt a bit preachy it wasn't really that much to make me or some readers uncomfortable about it. I actually liked some of the messages this book had offered. And I think the issues were handled very well.

Overall, this was an entertaining and enjoyable read. The characters are great and fun, the plot was wonderful and sweet and the messages were lesson-filled and insightful. I recommend this. 

Thank you Leigh Talbert Moore for the review copy of this book.

I'm back!

I'm back! Woohoo! And I'm no longer MIA. Haha. I came back from Palawan actually last Saturday night but I was then bombarded with so many school works on the following days (the semester is ending and lots of requirements are being finished) so I wasn't able to blog and visit you guys. I wasn't even able to post a review yesterday for a tour stop I joined in but Ashley from Bookish Brunette who've been hosting it have been very understanding and let me move my stop on the 14th instead. Thank you girl! So anyhoo, I had so much fun in Palawan! Haha! And I'd like to share some of the photos on my trip there.

Picture on the left was the skeleton of one of the biggest crocodile in the country and on the right is a "sisig" (a Filipino dish) but instead of pork, crocodile meat was used.

This is the view from where we had our dinner on the first day.

The picture on the left was the entrance to the Puerto Prinsesa Underground River, it was pretty small during that time because the water was too high due to the constant raining the previous days. And because of that the coast guard didn't let us get inside which was just sad. Hopefully the when I get back someday I'll be able to get inside.  This was during our dinner on our last night. Some of the students on the local university had this cultural presentation to entertain us while having our dinner. 
So there guys! I'm officially back! Haha! I'll go visit you guys tomorrow since it's already....12am here.

Review: Cursed by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: Cursed
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Publication: September 18th 2012
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
My Rating: 3.5 stars

Dying sucks-- and high school senior Ember McWilliams knows firsthand. After a fatal car accident, her gifted little sister brought her back. Now anything Ember touches dies. And that, well, really blows.

Ember operates on a no-touch policy with all living things--including boys. When Hayden Cromwell shows up, quoting Oscar Wilde and claiming her curse is a gift, she thinks he's a crazed cutie. But when he tells her he can help control it, she's more than interested. There's just one catch: Ember has to trust Hayden's adopted father, a man she's sure has sinister reasons for collecting children whose abilities even weird her out.

However, she's willing to do anything to hold her sister's hand again. And hell, she'd also like to be able to kiss Hayden. Who wouldn't? But when Ember learns the accident that turned her into a freak may not have been an accident at all, she's not sure who to trust. Someone wanted her dead, and the closer she gets to the truth, the closer she is to losing not only her heart, but her life. For real this time.

Hi guys! So I manage to write a review before I go MIA for a few days! Yaaay! Haha! I'll be leaving tomorrow and I don't know if I be able to get on line in the next few days but I'll be back next week so yeah, I'll be sure to visit your blogs by then and see what I missed and comment more. For the mean time here's my review for Jennifer Armentrout's Cursed. Check it out. :)

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Cursed is a fantastic novel that even though has a pretty common trope - the touch of death - was still able to offer something that is quite different and fresh. And although I did find it not as striking as Armentrout's first two published novels it was still a fairly entertaining read with outstanding characters and fantastic twists. 

Embers suffered a lot since the accident that caused his father to die and her to have the ability of touch of death. Her mother had gone into depression after that thus leaving her alone to take care of her younger sister, Olivia. Ember is a character that is easy to sympathize with especially with how things turned out for her after the accident - inside and outside of her home. Yet she became a determined and strong-minded character especially when it comes to Olivia. I like how much she cared for her and loved her. But it was also saddening and yes, quite frustrating with how strongly she believed that her ability is a curse - that she is cursed. 

In all honesty, I was actually really frustrated with her especially with the trust issue she had with Cromwell's group and how long it took her to realized that she'd been wallowing herself for so long and that it was finally time for her to take action and help herself with her ability. Although I think it was already a little late for me to make me like her as much as I did with Katy and Alex, I do still think that she is a person that has a lot of admirable and desirable characteristics. 

As for the Hayden Cromwell, Ember's love interest and also someone with ability, he is a character that is so easy to like. He is a total sweet heart and although could be described soft if compared to Armentrout's other boys he has this edges in him that makes him definitely crush-able and swoon-worthy. And yes, hot too! His patience and hard work in helping Ember control her gift is admirable and I like how much he loved his adopted family. 

Overall, this is definitely an entertaining and fantastic read albeit a bit predictable and in my case, quite frustrating. But I can still say that Armentrout's writing is indeed really good because even with those issues I had I can't seem to put this down when I started reading it. This may pale compared to her Obsidian and Half-blood this book is still a very worthy read. And yes, I guess I treasure this because this is my first ever physical ARC! Haha! I recommend this. 

Thank you so much Spencer Hill Press for sending me an ARC of this book! You guys rock!

I've gone MIA!

Hi guys! Sorry if I've been out for the past couple of days not updating and commenting on anything. I had been so busy with some school stuffs plus my internet connection isn't being very friendly to me lately. *sigh* And the month is ending! I can't believe I've only written four reviews for the whole month! OTL I've been so lazy in writing reviews and I've been pretty picky with books lately. I have so many review copies that I still haven't read and are supposed to be reviewed this month or sooner. So sorry to all the authors who'd given me a copy of their books but I promise I'll read your books and review them sooner rather than later. 

I'll probably be gone for a couple of days next week too. I'm having a vacation in Puerto Prinsesa, Palawan. (I don't know if you've heard of that place but it's famous for it's underground river which has been one of the New7Wonders of Nature.) But I'll try to slip some post or a review this weekend and visit some blogs and comment. :) When I get back I'll try to post more reviews than memes or promo posts. Haha! 

Have a great day everyone!

Cover Reveal: Just for Now (Sea Breeze #4) by Abbi Glines

Hi guys! I have the pleasure to share you the cover of Abbi Gline's upcoming new-adult novel, Just for Now designed by Mooney Design. Just for Now is the fourth book from the Sea Breeze series! This time it's Preston Drake and Amanda hardy's story. Yay! Check out the cover, blurb and trailer below! (This cover reveal is hosted by AToMR Tours)

Title: Just for Now (Sea Breeze #4)
Author: Abbi Glines
Expected Publication: October 23rd 2012

The day Preston Drake figured out that wealthy women paid well for a set of tight abs and a pretty face his life turned around.

The run down rat-infested trailer he had shared with his alcoholic mother and three younger siblings was now only a place he visited to pay the bills and stock the pantry with food.

He no longer worried about his family starving or living without electricity. The money he made entertaining rich older women more than covered his family’s needs and his own. He had it all figured out. Except…

There was this girl.

She was as innocent as he was tainted.

Amanda Hardy wished her knees didn’t get weak when Preston walked into a room. She hated the fact her heart raced when he flashed his smile in her direction. He had a different girl in his bed every night. He was the kind of boy a smart girl ran from. So, why was she coming up with ways to get close to him? Even when it was obvious he wanted to keep her at a distance.

Maybe her heart knew something the world didn’t. Maybe Preston Drake was more than just a pretty face.

Book Trailer (created by Hellion Works)

Author Bio

AbbiGlines can be found hanging out with rockstars, taking out her yacht on weekends for a party cruise, sky diving, or surfing in Maui. Okay maybe she needs to keep her imagination focused on her writing only. In the real world, Abbi can be found hauling kids (several who seem to show up that don’t belong to her) to all their social events, hiding under the covers with her MacBook in hopes her husband won’t catch her watching Buffy on Netflix again, and sneaking off to Barnes and Noble to spend hours lost in the yummy goodness of books. If you want to find her then check Twitter first because she has a severe addiction to tweeting @abbiglines. Facebook is also somewhere she visits a little too often. She blogs regularly but rarely about anything life changing. She also really enjoys talking about herself in third person.

AbbiGlines| Facebook| Twitter

Abbi Gline's book covers are always my favorites. They always look so sweet but sexy at the same time. And can I just say that I love the hair of the guy in this cover? Haha! So what do you think of the cover guys? 

Stacking the Shelves (#5)

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews as way to share all the great books you've received throughout the week.

Defy the Stars by Stephanie Parent - This one sounds quite edgy and intense but I'm pretty curious how the story would turn out. Plus this is a verse novel! Ins't it just lovely? Thank you YA Bound for the review copy.  Freedom Road by T.M. Souders - I love music related novels so when I saw this I was instantly interested. Hope this would be a good read. Thanks Bookish Brunette and T.M. for the review copy. Entangled by Nikki Jefford - Oh yeah, another auto-approve from Netgalley! So glad to be able to grab a copy of this since I've seen so many positive reviews about this one. Can't wait to get into it! Thanks Netgallet and Nikki Jefford. 

Dante's Girl by Courtney Cole - After seeing so many lovely reviews of this book saying that this is a very sweet read I decided I'd have to read this. Thank you Netgalley and Courtney Cole for the review copy. Death and The Girl Next Door by Darynda Jones - This was describe in the blurb as "Thrilling, sassy, sexy, and inventive" so yeah, that definitely had me. I'm quite worried though since there are two guys. Haha! Thanks Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the review copy. :) Even by Jessa Russo - The blurb of this book just had me really interested for some reason. Let's just hope this would be a very worthy read. Thanks Netgalley and Curiosity Quills Press for the review copy!

Lengths by Steph Campbell and Liz Reinhardt - I'm currently reading this and so far so good! I loved Steph's My Heart for Yours and Liz's Double Clutch so I'm really hoping I would love this too. :) On Dublin Street by Samantha Young - I finished this the other day and I can say this is a wonderfully written novel. I love that this wasn't just some mindless romance but something that has really depth and profundity. I mini review will be coming up soon. :)

Review: Such a Rush by Jennifer Echols

Title: Such a Rush
Author: Jennifer Echols
Published: July 10th 2012
Publisher: MTV Books
Rating: 4 stars

A sexy and poignant romantic tale of a young daredevil pilot caught between two brothers.

Heaven Beach, South Carolina, is anything but, if you live at the low-rent end of town. All her life, Leah Jones has been the grown-up in her family, while her mother moves from boyfriend to boyfriend, letting any available money slip out of her hands. At school, they may diss Leah as trash, but she’s the one who negotiates with the landlord when the rent’s not paid. At fourteen, she’s the one who gets a job at the nearby airstrip.

But there’s one way Leah can escape reality. Saving every penny she can, she begs quiet Mr. Hall, who runs an aerial banner-advertising business at the airstrip and also offers flight lessons, to take her up just once. Leaving the trailer park far beneath her and swooping out over the sea is a rush greater than anything she’s ever experienced, and when Mr. Hall offers to give her cut-rate flight lessons, she feels ready to touch the sky.

By the time she’s a high school senior, Leah has become a good enough pilot that Mr. Hall offers her a job flying a banner plane. It seems like a dream come true . . . but turns out to be just as fleeting as any dream. Mr. Hall dies suddenly, leaving everything he owned in the hands of his teenage sons: golden boy Alec and adrenaline junkie Grayson. And they’re determined to keep the banner planes flying.

Though Leah has crushed on Grayson for years, she’s leery of getting involved in what now seems like a doomed business—until Grayson betrays her by digging up her most damning secret. Holding it over her head, he forces her to fly for secret reasons of his own, reasons involving Alec. Now Leah finds herself drawn into a battle between brothers—and the consequences could be deadly.

Jennifer Echols is the author that can still make me want to read more of her books even though most of it didn't really make me fall in love with them. From all the four books I've read of her Going Too Far was the only one that had successfully astounded me. But after reading Such a Rush, I'm glad to say that a new book from her has found it's way directly into my heart! Such a Rush is a complex story yet a poignant and heartwarming one that deals with issues about family and I just loved how Jennifer Echols explored it through Leah, Grayson and Alex's story.

Leah is a very endearing character. She's tough and independent yet there's something in her that makes you feel so protective of her. She is a character that is so easy to like and care about. Her determination to get a way from her current life through flying was something I really loved about her. Her passion with it was just very captivating and impressive that I myself can sometimes feel the elation she get through it with her narration. Jennifer Echols voiced her character in a very appealing way but with great realness and honesty in it.

Grayson is a complex and a very confusing character. He acted like a complete jerk but I can see that she cares for Leah a lot. He'd shown some of his caring and sweet side but still it didn't stop me from getting mad at his actions. I know there was something behind all the blackmailing but when I figured what it was all about I can't help but feel sad and sympathetic for him even if his choice of actions were wrong. He was emotionally wounded from the grief of losing Jake and his Dad. He was broken and was scared of having someone he really loved to lose again. In the end, I'm glad that he gained himself and I realized how invested I was to his character actually.

Jennifer Echols did an amazing job on exploring the importance of the relationship within a family whether you're blood related or not. I love how she showed and addressed the father-daughter like relationship Mr. Hall and Leah developed, the close relationship of the Hall boys and their father even though it was quite tainted by the past and how the loss of two of them affected the others. It was poignant, heart breaking but touching and moving. I love how the characters developed, grew and learned throughout the course of the story.

Although I find the pacing a bit slow it wasn't the kind that would make you feel bored about it. It would just make you want to know more and be eager to see what's gonna happen next. 

Such a Rush sure lived by it's title. Reading this was indeed such a rush, it was thrilling and exhilarating. Meeting these characters and seeing them grew and developed through all the obstacles was heartwarming and lifting. Being with them as they fly and feel the elation with it was like having the same experience as the had. It was wonderful and utterly captivating. This is such a beautiful novel. I recommend this.

P.S. I can't believe I didn't mention this. There are actually smexy times here that just had me really swooning and grinning like a maniac. Haha! Just adding more reason why you have to read this! XD