Waiting on Wednesday (114)

Hey,

This week I'm waiting for...

Suspicion by Alexandra Monir

Release Date: December 9, 2014

Mysterious. Magnificent. Creepy. Welcome to Rockford Manor.

"There's something hidden in the Maze." Seventeen-year-old Imogen has never forgotten the last words her father said to her seven years ago, before the blazing fire that consumed him, her mother, and the gardens of her family's English country manor.

Haunted by her parents' deaths, Imogen moves to New York City with her new guardians. But when a letter arrives with the news of her cousin's untimely death, revealing that Imogen is now the only heir left to run the estate, she returns to England and warily accepts her role as duchess.

All is not as it seems at Rockford, and Imogen quickly learns that dark secrets lurk behind the mansion's aristocratic exterior, hinting that the spate of deaths in her family were no accident. And at the center of the mystery is Imogen herself--and Sebastian, the childhood friend she has secretly loved for years. Just what has Imogen walked into?

That cover though! It's a real beauty. BUT THE CONCEPT SOUNDS AMAZING ALSO. Mazes. I love mazes. AND THERE'S A ROMANCE. A maze, mystery, and a romance... Could I have it now please?

Leave a link to your WoW post in the comments below so I can check it out!

Have a good week,
Sam :D

My review of Before You

Before You (Before & After #1) by Amber Hart
Release Date: July 29, 2014
Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon | The Book Depository

Some say love is deadly. Some say love is beautiful. I say it is both.

Faith Watters spent her junior year traveling the world, studying in exquisite places, before returning to Oviedo High School. From the outside her life is picture-perfect. Captain of the dance team. Popular. Happy. Too bad it’s all a lie.

It will haunt me. It will claim me. It will shatter me. And I don't care.

Eighteen-year-old Diego Alvarez hates his new life in the States, but staying in Cuba is not an option. Covered in tattoos and scars, Diego doesn't stand a chance of fitting in. Nor does he want to. His only concern is staying hidden from his past—a past, which if it were to surface, would cost him everything. Including his life.

At Oviedo High School, it seems that Faith Watters and Diego Alvarez do not belong together. But fate is as tricky as it is lovely. Freedom with no restraint is what they long for. What they get is something different entirely.


Love—it will ruin you and save you, both.

Reading Before You was like reading Simone Elkeles' Perfect Chemistry. They follow a similar story line of an exotic Spanish-speaking dude who moves to the high school after being in a dangerous gang. At the beginning our heroine can't stand him, but then she realises that she can't resist him and their racy romance just gets going from there.

Before You was not a bad read, I actually really enjoyed it, and I hate to say that it's not as good as Perfect Chemistry as I felt that it had a lot more to offer than just the similar plot. For instance, Faith's best friend Melissa who was just completely hilarious and could not have been a better portrayal of a best friend. I admired her confident attitude and how she would always stand with Faith no matter what, but also Faith's father who plays a big part in her character development through out the novel. He is a pastor which means that she is expected by the community to be a certain way and she's really just wanting to make father happy while also longing to end the fake image that she has to up hold.

Faith and Diego's relationship is bittersweet and the author takes you on a crazy roller coaster as there are some extreme appearances from dangerous gangs who just mess everything up. It's a shaky start between the two, but obviously they begin to fall for each other. Their relationship is enjoyable and I loved watching them fall for each other in the time in which they were given.

I some how felt that the story was a bit predictable and didn't hold that extra spark that Perfect Chemistry had. Nevertheless, I felt that Before You was an engaging read that would definitely be perfect for the summer or for any contemporary fans out there looking for another book like Perfect Chemistry.

Rating

A review copy was provided by the publisher

Blogging Crisis and What Am I Reading?

Hey there my fellow chums,

I was scrolling through my posts (as I do when I need some inspiration) and noticed that I don't post that much. I compared my posts during months from when I first started blogging to now and I feel disgusted. Most of the reason is due to my busy schoolwork schedule that is gradually becoming more hectic, but part of the reason is down to laziness. I have so many ideas for posts, so many blogs I want to stalk, so many readers I want to interact with... but I feel like I've lost my spark. 

I started this blog because I genuinely loved books with all my heart and I loved the idea of sharing my reviews and getting to know others with the same passion. Obviously I still love books, but that extra spark I once had has dimmed. Has it completely gone? I don't think so. Perhaps I'm just not cut out for blogging but I will keep going because I actually really enjoy it once I get into the routine. All I can is a gigantic sorry for being a lazy bug and hardly posting anything interesting, while also offering a big thank you to you all for being so supportive and amazing and everything because it has really opened my eyes that I need to try harder, do more, EXPRESS MY FEELLLLS FOR BOOOOOKS! You will be washed away by all my feels.

Now that mini crisis is over. I thought it'd be cool to share with you guys what I'm reading right now, what I think about them, etc. 

Before You (Before and After #1) by Amber Hart - July 29, 2014
I requested this from Netgalley because it just sounded like a really nice YA contemporary read. It's hard to make contemporaries stand out nowadays because it seems like all the unique concepts have been done (but some authors will find ways, I'm sure.) Now this book follows in the well-known "bad-boy" style. Actually, I'd compare this very closely with Perfect Chemistry. The only redeeming qualities so far have been the supporting characters and the main character's pastor father. I'm really liking it so far but it's not entirely unique and the concept will seem like dave ja vu if you've read Perfect Chemistry. But I've heard there are some twists in this one to come so I'll be looking out for them. 

If you want to see my updates on the books I'm reading regularly then you can friend me on Goodreads.

Have a good weekend,
Sam :)

Waiting on Wednesday (113)

Hey,

This week I'm waiting for...

Heir of Fire (Thrown of Glass #3) by Sarah J. Maas

Release Date: September 2, 2014

Lost and broken, Celaena Sardothien's only thought is to avenge the savage death of her dearest friend: as the King of Adarlan's Assassin, she is bound to serve this tyrant, but he will pay for what he did. Any hope Celaena has of destroying the king lies in answers to be found in Wendlyn. 

Sacrificing his future, Chaol, the Captain of the King's Guard, has sent Celaena there to protect her, but her darkest demons lay in that same place. If she can overcome them, she will be Adarlan's biggest threat - and his own toughest enemy. 

While Celaena learns of her true destiny, and the eyes of Erilea are on Wendlyn, a brutal and beastly force is preparing to take to the skies. Will Celaena find the strength not only to win her own battles, but to fight a war that could pit her loyalties to her own people against those she has grown to love? 

THESE BOOKS ARE SO AMAZING; I CAN'T DEAL! One of the best fantasy series I've ever read (and I've only read two of the books in the six books series.) Throne of Glass and Crown of Midnight  were brilliant and I am desperate for this book. I just want it. On my shelf. In my hands. HERE NOW!

Leave a link to your WoW post in the comments below so I can check it out!

Have a good week,
Sam :D

My review of Little White Lies

Little White Lies by Katie Dale
Release Date: August 1, 2013
Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon | The Book Depository

The first time Lou meets tall, dark, and handsome Christian, she knows he's hiding something. Why does he clam up every time she asks about his past? Why doesn't he have any family photos and why does he dye his blond hair black? 

Then suddenly his terrible secret is unveiled to the world - and it seems everything he's ever told Lou is a lie. Can what the media are saying about him really be true? Should Lou trust him? Or is she in terrible danger? But Christian isn't the only one keeping secrets. For what if their chance meeting was no accident at all ...? 


As lie follows lie, nothing is as it seems, and soon Lou finds herself ensnared in a web of deceit, her loyalties torn, her emotions in tatters as she faces a heart-wrenching dilemma: should she shatter the lives of those she holds dearest, or betray the guy who, against all odds, she's fallen in love with?

Little White Lies is a mystery-thriller that you will not be able to put down to the very end. The storyline is gripping and mysterious. It is a book that will keep you guessing. If you're looking to step away from the fluffy romance contemporaries, pick this up; for you will not regret it!

This story is about Lou. She's having a normal life in university until Christian turns up; but he's not like everyone else. He acts suspiciously and everyone knows he's hiding a big secret which he continues to cover up with lies. Piece by piece, the truth is uncovered and Christian is definitely not who anyone expecting...

Dale has done extremely well delivering a stunning second novel which provides everything and more than what you could ask for from a YA contemporary thriller/mystery. It ticks all the major boxes for me and Dale's writing style is the icing on the cake! 

I enjoyed the characters very much indeed. Lou is extremely interesting and the way she thinks is intriguing to follow. However, sometimes I felt like I needed to slap her round the head and get some sense into her because she's quite confused and naive at times, but the information about her life is slowly revealed to us to keep us on our toes.

Don't brush Little White Lies to the side, definitely give it a go. It is one of a kind with a storyline that will not let you go. There is a romance side, but mainly it focuses on mystery and crime. Perfection.

Rating

Waiting on Wednesday (112)

Hey,

This week I'm waiting for...

Trial by Fire (The Worldwalker Trilogy #1) by Josephine Angelini

Release Date: September 2, 2014

Love burns. Worlds collide. Magic reigns.

This world is trying to kill Lily Proctor. Her life-threatening allergies keep her from enjoying many of the experiences that other teenagers take for granted...which is why she is determined to enjoy her first (and perhaps only) high-school party. But Lily's life never goes according to plan, and after a humiliating incident in front of half her graduating class Lily wishes she could just disappear.

Suddenly Lily is in a different Salem - one overrun with horrifying creatures and ruled by powerful women called Crucibles. Strongest and cruellest of all the Crucibles is Lillian . . . Lily's identical other self in this alternate universe. This new version of her world is terrifyingly sensual, and Lily is soon overwhelmed by new experiences.

Lily realizes that what makes her weak at home is exactly what makes her extraordinary in New Salem. It also puts her life in danger. Thrown into a world she doesn't understand, Lily is torn between responsibilities she can't hope to shoulder alone, and a love she never expected.

But how can Lily be the saviour of this world when she is literally her own worst enemy?

I am a loyal fan of Josephine Angelini after her amazing Starcrossed trilogy (Starcrossed, Dreamless, Goddess) and I'm anxious to see what she can pull out of the bag now!!

Leave a link to your WoW post in the comments below so I can check it out!

Have a good week,
Sam :D

My review of Defy the Stars

Defy the Stars (Flynn #4) by Sophie McKenzie
Release Date: January 2, 2014
Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon | The Book Depository

After months apart, everyone thinks that River is successfully building a future without Flynn. Indeed, she has almost convinced herself that she is moving on. And then, one day, Flynn is back, bringing with him tales of his glamorous new life. River suspects his lucrative new work involves some form of criminal activity, but will she let herself be drawn back into Flynn's world? Or is this, finally, the end of the line for them both?

Defy the Stars is the fourth and final book in the contemporary series Flynn set over the course of over two years. It follows a girl named River who meets her first love Flynn. And their romantic relationship does not follow a steady course. After many bumps in the road, we finally witness whether their fierce and burning love was really meant to last.

This is not a contemporary series that I would rave about because I'm not particularly obsessed with the storyline. However, I have enjoyed what the books have had to offer and how the characters have wonderfully developed over the course of the four books.

River isn't the best protagonist and her decisions are not always great; but she is tolerable.  In the first book, Falling Fast, she seems so young compared to how she is in this book. She's grown and matured and the way she narrates the story is not too bad either. As for Flynn, he's now got a hold of his anger and temper issues and is attempting to make something of himself. I couldn't help but cheer their relationship on to the very end of the book.

The ending may not be what we are exactly expecting, but it's a great twist that will surprise you and bring you to tears! I really liked how the author rounded the story off, and I would recommend this series to anyone wanting a contemporary series that is short, sweet, and compelling while dealing with some difficult and daring issues.

Rating

Waiting on Wednesday (111)

Hey,

This week I'm waiting for...

A Thousand Pieces of You (Firebird #1) by Claudia Gray

Release Date: November 4, 2014

Marguerite Caine’s physicist parents are known for their radical scientific achievements. Their most astonishing invention: the Firebird, which allows users to jump into parallel universes, some vastly altered from our own. But when Marguerite’s father is murdered, the killer—her parent’s handsome and enigmatic assistant Paul—escapes into another dimension before the law can touch him.

Marguerite can’t let the man who destroyed her family go free, and she races after Paul through different universes, where their lives entangle in increasingly familiar ways. With each encounter she begins to question Paul’s guilt—and her own heart. Soon she discovers the truth behind her father’s death is more sinister than she ever could have imagined.

A Thousand Pieces of You explores a reality where we witness the countless other lives we might lead in an amazingly intricate multiverse, and ask whether, amid infinite possibilities, one love can endure.

I haven't read anything from Claudia Gray since her Evernight series and I really like the sound of this. I am familiar with her writing style and I know that I will immensely enjoy this.

Leave a link to your WoW post in the comments below so I can check it out!

Have a good week,
Sam :D

Just Couldn't Put It Down Giveaway Hop

Hey,

Welcome to the Just Couldn't Put It Down Giveaway Hop hosted by Valerie at Stuck In Books.

For this giveaway, there will be one winner who may pick a book from below. This is international.

The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski

Wait For You by J. Lynn

Cress by Marissa Meyer

White Hot Kiss by Jennifer L. Armentrout

**GIVEAWAY CLOSED**

Winner: Orla P.

Congratulations! Reply to my email ASAP.

Thank you to everyone who entered!!

Thanks for visiting,
Sam :)

My review of The Iron Traitor

The Iron Traitor (Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten #2) by Julie Kagawa
Release Date: October 23, 2013 (UK)
Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon | The Book Depository

After his unexpected journey into the lands of the fey, Ethan Chase just wants to get back to normal. Well, as "normal" as you can be when you see faeries every day of your life. Suddenly the former loner with the bad reputation has someone to try for-his girlfriend, Kenzie. Never mind that he's forbidden to see her again. But when your name is Ethan Chase and your sister is one of the most powerful faeries in the Nevernever, "normal" simply isn't to be. For Ethan's nephew, Keirran, is missing, and may be on the verge of doing something unthinkable in the name of saving his own love. Something that will fracture the human and faery worlds forever, and give rise to the dangerous fey known as the Forgotten. As Ethan's and Keirran's fates entwine and Keirran slips further into darkness, Ethan's next choice may decide the fate of them all.

**No spoilers for The Lost Prince**

Whenever I feel like Julie Kagawa cannot pull out anymore surprises to shock me, guess what? She does. It's like this woman could write a story about a leaf blowing in the wind and still make it an incredible adventure with plenty of twists that you'd never see coming. Her imagination inspires me, honestly.

The Iron Traitor is the sixth book in the Iron Fey series, but the second book in the Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten series. You with me? Once again, we follow Ethan's POV as he struggles between helping his friends in the fey world, and attempting to ignore the fey and stay safe in the human world.

I love Ethan. I love the part of him that is selfless and the part of him that expresses his love so fiercely to those that get close enough to his heart. I love that he's fierce and protective. Julie Kagawa is ace at telling an engaging story from a realistic male POV, as previously demonstrated in The Iron Knight. It was absolutely faultless and I don't think there could of been anymore surprises or swoon-worthy moments with his love interest Mackenzie.

Kenzie is stubborn and will not back down from a promise or a challenge. I liked her fight and it made her so much more appealing in the book. Naturally, we as the readers would only want the best for Ethan, of course. 

We still see our original three: Meghan, Ash, and Puck (who is still up to endless mischief.) The three are woven into the story effortlessly making sure that they each have their own part to play, but also their presence in general is deeply satisfying. If you've read the Iron Fey series, why would you ever avoid this spin-off series?

FEYS KICK ASS! With Kagawa introducing another Fey group "The Forgotten", this spices up the story even more and gives the story line so many opportunities to show more action scenes. I can't get over how perfect this series is and I think I only have a good view of Fey books because of this series.

The Iron Traitor is a beautifully crafted book set in a brilliantly imagined world. It is a sequel that must not be missed at all (none of Julie Kagawa's books should be missed anyway.) I promise you that this author will not disappoint you if you're looking for your next book series to devour.

Rating

Book Haul (#88)

Hey,

I hope you have had a good week! It's been a week full of sunshine for me.

This week I received:

No Place to Fall by Jaye Robin Brown - Received -

Thank you Edelweiss and Harper Teen! I finished this a few days ago and I thought it was a good read. My review will be up closer to the release date.
Before You by Amber Hart - Received -
Thank you Netgalley and K-Teen! I love the sound of this one it looks super cute.

Shut Out by Kody Keplinger - Borrowed -
I read A Midsummer's Nightmare and loved it so much! I cannot wait to read this, the concept sounds... daring but I'm sure it'll work.
Chasing Stars (After Eden #2) by Helen Douglas - Borrowed -
After Eden was a good read and I'm interested to see how the story line goes.

Dirty Little Secrets by Jennifer Echols - Borrowed -
I like Jennifer Echols' contemporary novels so this was something that I needed to pick up.
Take Me On (Pushing the Limits #4) by Katie McGarry - Received -
Thank you, Mira Ink / Harlequin Teen! I ADORE KATIE MCGARRY SO MUCH AND I WLL READ THIS NOWWWWWW.

Leave a link to you Book Haul/Stacking the Shelves/Letterbox Love/Showcase Sunday/In My Mailbox in the comments below so I can check it out.

Enjoy your books,
Sam :)

My review of Wide Awake

Wide Awake (Wide Awake #1) by Shelly Crane

Release Date: March 22, 2013
Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon | Book Depository

A girl.

A coma.

A life she can't remember.

When Emma Walker wakes up in the hospital with no knowledge of how she got there, she learns that she's been in a coma for six months. Strangers show up and claim to be her parents, but she can't remember them. She can't remember anyone. Not her friends, not even her boyfriend. Even though she can't remember, everyone wants her to just pick up where she left off, but what she learns about the 'old her' makes her start to wish she'd never woken up. Her boyfriend breaks up with the new girl he's dating to be with her, her parents want her to start planning for college, her friends want their leader back, and her physical therapist with the hazel eyes keeps his distance to save his position at the hospital.

Will she ever feel like she recognizes the girl in the mirror?

Wide Awake pulled me in with its intriguing premise and the hint of an epic romance just waiting to happen. It follows the life of Emma Walker as she wakes up from a six month coma with amnesia. She has parents, a boyfriend, and friends all expecting her to embrace her past; the way she used to be. But Emma wants to be herself, and only her amazingly-gorgeous-only-23-years-of-age therapist understands. You see? Romance just waiting to blossom.

I felt quickly drawn by Crane's writing style as it was easy to follow with enough description to be satisfied and not overwhelmed or lacking. The whole idea of the book just sounded too good to pass up. Imagine waking up from a coma and having no recollection of who you are. All the while, having a smoking hot therapist as your savior? 

I liked our protagonist Emma. I felt that she was strong and very likable. Of course, she had moments where she broke down, but she always remained headstrong and never gave up on the things that she felt passionately about... like Mason. Mason is the hot therapist, guys. He is one of the sweetest sweetie pies I have ever come across in a story. He is also the only guy I've read about who is ticklish... which made him so much more appealing too. HE'S TICKLISH! IT'S JUST SO REALISTIC. I LOVE HIM. Come on, you never hear about the masculine and strong guy in the story being ticklish... it just works.

Through the book Emma has to put pieces together of who she wants to be, and the people around her have to decide whether they can accept her even if she doesn't regain her memories and change back into the person they once loved. I was engaged throughout and didn't want to put it down. Luckily, there is a sequel Wide Spaces, and a companion novel about one of the other characters featured in this book called Wide Open.

This is a solid four for me. I would recommend Wide Awake to those contemporary junkies out there who can completely engulf themselves in a beautiful, I-wish-this-were-real kind of romance. I haven't read anything else by Shelly Crane but I sure will soon!

Rating

A review copy was provided by the author

Waiting on Wednesday (110)

Hey,

This week I'm waiting for...

Whisper the Dead (Lovegrove Legacy #2) by Alyxandra Harvey

Release Date: October 9, 2014

Gretchen is struggling with her newfound gift as a Whisperer; the constant buzzing in her ears from detecting spells is more frustrating than fun, especially when she is spending time with one of the Order of Iron Nail's Keepers, the icy but strikingly handsome Tobias Lawless. But while Gretchen tries to hide the truth and resolve her feelings for him, London fades from beautiful and bustling to deathly silent ...Something evil is once again menacing Mayfair, and Gretchen and her cousins must use their powers to prevent a horrible sacrifice.

Breath of Frost was absolutely stunning! About witches and magic and set in the olden days, LOVED IT! I thought that the cover for that book was nice, but the blues and greens on this one... OOSH. I really like it and honestly can't wait. And it looks like this book is told from a different POV. Still gonna enjoy it though!

Leave a link to your WoW post in the comments below so I can check it out!

Have a good week,
Sam :D