REVIEW; Heartless, by Vanessa Marie

Rating: ★★★★☆

Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Drama

Recommend: Yes

SPOILER-FREE

Summary:

Charlie has lived her life moving from place to place as her father moves with the military. She is finally excited to move when she discovers she will be returning to her original home town and will be reunited with her best friend Julian. 
Not having any interest in boys, Charlie can't help but give into the attraction she has for Sam - a cool, light-hearted 25 year old she meets in a cafe. But Charlie doesn't like letting people in and is always expecting to be let down. Sam manages to break down her walls and discover glimpses of her harsh youth and loves her for it. 
But just as they seem to be on the same page, Charlie starts back at school. And Sam walks into her Creative Writing class... as her teacher. 

My Thoughts:

Writing: At the beginning I couldn't help but cringe at the writing in this. The forced wit and banter among the characters seemed juvenile and childish. I'd really suggest re-writing the first 1 or 2 chapters as they just are such a turn off. However, as the story progressed the writing did also. The torment of life that plagued Charlie was described so emotively and I could really sense her suffering throughout. 


Characters: 

• Charlie: I loved her fight to begin with. She seemed so strong and sure of herself. But I got a little tired of the whole "selfless" act she tries to pull towards the end. Just feels a tad over done in so many novels where characters push people away for their protection. 

• Julian: He was awesome! Totally could see the twist involving him from the get go, but he's a best friend anyone would want. He was so good at giving Charlie the kick up the ass she needed but also he still had his breaking point, like every human

• Sam: Ooh la la! I'd say everyone reading this wished they were Charlie in the coffee shop! He had a great personality and charm that wooed the reader, but he wasn't perfect either. Charlie really got under his skin and seeing his anger and frustration play out, made him so authentic and realistic. He wasn't some glorified man who had no flaws, and this made him even more attractive. 

"Experience is a hard teacher because she gives you the test first and the lesson afterward"

"Life is bullshit. It's not sunshine and fucking rainbows, it's dark clouds and acid rain" 

Story: Regardless of any drawbacks, this story drew me in and kept me up late in order to finish it. I immediately bought book 2 to continue their story. Sam and Charlie had such a rich relationship in the first half, and it was painful to read their pain when they realised their new situation. Throw in the drama of Charlie's health and it's just a rollercoaster of emotion! This also really went beyond the usual teacher-student romance. I liked how it developed between them two initially and the chemistry that pervaded the novel. 

Overall: 

I loved this a lot. I'm so glad I stuck with it even though my first impressions were quite negative. There is such a beautiful, heartwrenching love story that unravels in the pages of this. It is a little heavy dealing with difficult topics and the struggles of life - but an amazing read. Definitely recommend!

Goodreads 
Amazon

REVIEW; Fallen Fourth Down (Fallen Crest High #4), by Tijan

Rating: ★★★☆☆

Genre: New Adult, Romance, Drama

Recommend: Yes

SPOILER-FREE

Summary:

Mason Kade has left for university, and Logan is left to look out for Sam. But after what Tate told her, Sam wants to keep Logan away in an effort to protect everyone. 

Trying to keep her relationship alive despite Mason being so far apart, Sam doesn't know what to do. Meanwhile Mason is met with a girl from his past, adding fuel to the fire as he fights for his relationship to stay alive. 

Is this finally it for Mason and Sam? Will the secrets wedge them apart or will their love triumph over distance and gossip?

My Thoughts:

***Fallen Crest High Review***

***Fallen Crest Family Review***

***Fallen Crest Public Review***

UGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. 

So disappointed with this one! There was such a good route to have tried to go down and it was just abandoned and instead filled with boring story filler. 

I can't really break this review up into specific parts like I normally do. I kind of expected more drama between Logan/Sam/Mason but instead it was sort of weakly executed. I didn't want any cheating but everyone can tell Logan loves Sam in some manner. 

After Sam had regained her fight in the third book, she certainly lost it again in this one. She was way too co-dependent on Mason and acted like she couldn't function with him gone and then obsessed over the Logan drama. Get some bloody self-control and own yourself! She just seemed like a pathetic needy teenager rather than a woman in a loving relationship. Although the distance was there, they knew they'd be seeing each other so just get out of your slump and deal with it. 

It all just got too annoying by this stage. 

Even the Kade brothers seemed to show a more sensitive weak side as if they weren't those same brothers as in the first book! There was a lot less tough guy and a lot more emotional dealings and I'm not sure if that worked or not. There just seemed to be a lot more of me wanting to through my kindle across the room during this than I have previously... 

Overall: 

This had the same feel as the second book - merely a story filler. I was really expecting a LOT more but still did enjoy the story nonetheless. That cliffhanger though!! I will definitely be finishing this series though regardless of feelings about this one. 

Goodreads 
Amazon UK
Amazon

VOTE! - Whiskey Devils, by Brandon Zenner

KINDLE SCOUT: 

Hi All,

I love supporting authors in any way I can, and even more so when they've produced books that I have absolutely loved. I recently favorably reviewed a novel by Brandon Zenner and now have the opportunity to help with his latest piece of work.

I ask anyone reading this, please take 10 seconds of your time to follow this link and vote or "nominate" his novel, Whiskey Devils.

Kindle Scout gives readers the opportunity to nominate new novels with the chance that Amazon will then publish the winning novel.

You will need to sign in/up to amazon to cast a vote.

Thanks in advance to all who vote! Please share among other readers.

Every vote helps!

REVIEW; Fallen Crest Public (Fallen Crest High #3), by Tijan

Rating: ★★★★☆

Genre: New Adult, Romance, Drama

Recommend: Yes

SPOILER-FREE

Summary:

It's the last semester before Mason Kade heads off to college. Sam is starting in their school and has to face the predicted obstacle of not being wanted there by the popular crowd. 

Trying to fend for herself, Samantha has Heather who helps her out with a mutual hatred for Kate, who is hellbent on ruining Samantha. 

Meanwhile Sam is trying to keep Mason and Logan in check from being involved with the rival gang of Broudou's... and the situation isn't helped when one of the brothers has his eye set on Sam.

My Thoughts:

***Fallen Crest High Review***

*** Fallen Crest Family Review***

This was definitely up to the standard of the first book! I loved it so much. It had everything I originally loved with the whole story.

Sam: She got her spunk back in this book. She definitely seemed stronger and more able to stand her ground. Maybe not every time, but she wasn't as broken as she was in the last book and this really supported her character development as she gets stronger with the more that's thrown her way. It definitely helped that she had Heather, a girl friend she could properly rely on to have her back.

Story: Oh wow the drama in this was just so addicting! Every second there was something being thrown Sam's way and I secretly enjoyed Sam and Mason's relationship being put to the test. It always flowed so well and it was sort of redeeming to see it struggle slightly and there be a little fight on their hands. Add in the Broudou brothers... I loved that dynamic between them and how opposite they were. It worked so well for me rather than them just being a pair of cold asses!

Ending: *JAW TO THE FLOOR* WHAAAAAAT?! Okay, I'd like to say this totally surprised me... It didn't surprise me what Tate said as honestly, I got that impression too but always dismissed it as just being... nothing. BUT THE FACT IT WAS FINALLY ADDRESSED AND IN TYPE! Just got me so hyped for the next book to see where the story went and what drama would ensue. I think it worked a treat. Totally drew me in! 

Overall: 

As per everything I read by Tijan - I recommend this series entirely. Probably my number one series at this rate. Totally head over heels for everything they're involved with. It's just so addictive! I could go on and on but I really don't want to give any spoilers away. 

Goodreads 
Amazon UK
Amazon

REVIEW; The Experiment of Dreams, by Brandon Zenner

Rating: ★★★★★

Genre: Psychological Thriller, Suspense

Recommend: Yes

SPOILER-FREE

Summary:

Ben Walker's life ended with the death of his wife. Passing his days with alcohol, he earns extra money by being test subject to new drugs and sleep related studies due to his migraines and ability to lucid dream. 

When offered a new job to be a part of a highly paid, top secret experiment, to test a machine that can record and playback dreams, Ben can't resist the financial benefit. 

With the added perk of being able to travel the world with his job, Ben soon meets Sophia, the first woman that has caught his eye since his wife's passing. But not all is what it seems. Ben is being watched and kept in the dark about a lot of things. When one of Ben's dreams sparks panic and outrage, the truth begins to unravel, and Ben is put right in the path of danger.

My Thoughts:

Woooooooooooooooow!!!!!!!

I downloaded this book from BookBub as I love psychological thrillers or novels surrounding dreams and experiments. After falling into a lull of reading NA Romance, I chose this to break up the cycle and WOW! It reminded me why I love these type of books so much. 

Story: The plot in this is so original and fascinating. The idea of Lucy - the dream recording machine - is amazing and the amount of scientific explanations for everything in this make it so believable and plausible. From the start the reader is thrown into a whirlwind of drama and suspense, not knowing when the dangers will present themselves. I love anything to do with how the mind works and this novel really explores the nitty gritty about dreams and the states of mind. It's actually unsettling to read about how easily one can fall victim to their own mind. 

Ben: Immediately I felt for Ben; his tragic past and his lethargic and vulnerable state made me care and worry for his safety. With the added uncertainty and untrustworthy vibe from the Dr, Iain etc, I was constantly on the edge of my seat waiting to see what they'd do. Zenner has gone into such great but precise detail with describing the tortured and depressed mind of Ben, suffering still with the loss of his wife and how he coped, or failed to cope, with her death. 

Writing: I'm a big fan of the writing in this. I really got the sense every single word was chosen specifically, like in poetry, rather than just in a haphazard method of writing in a stream of consciousness. The level of description, even in basic passages is astounding and so emotive, but it doesn't lull. I was never tempted to skip a paragraph like I normally would. The story often jumps back in time as more is revealed to the reader and I liked how this was displayed subtly; 

"A younger Iain Marcus and Michael Bennet approached Drapery Falls in the dead of night..."

 Rather than stating "X years ago...". Great examples permeated the novel of perfect "show not tell" execution.

Ending: The last 30% of this flew by and was filled with shocking twists. I don't know many times I shouted "Oh. My. God!" when finishing this. Not only was there a surprising ending, it was wrapped up so well that it didn't feel like the story just ended. 

Overall: 

The Experiment of Dreams has made it onto my favourites list. From the beginning to the end it's a complete rollercoaster of suspense. There's so many little twists incorporated and it's not a predictable read in the slightest!! Definitely a stand out novel. 

Goodreads 
Amazon UK
Amazon