REVIEW; Afraid to Fly (Fear of Falling #2), by S.L. Jennings

Rating: ★★★★★

Genre: New-Adult, Romance, Suspense, Dark

Recommend: Yes

NO SPOILERS 

Summary:

Dominic Trevino, or Dirty Dom, doesn't do love. He has the support of Angel and Kami and doesn't need anyone else. He sleeps with girls as a past-time and a way to escape the trauma of his youth. He feels numb. 
Then he meets Raven. She makes him break free from the hatred and loathing he has wrapped himself in, but she has a past of her own and secrets that could make Dom regret trusting someone again. Can the two of them learn to forgive and love each other? Or will their past prevent them from their future?

My Thoughts:

***Fear of Falling Review***

Dominic: We get to read about Dom in more detail here. We discover more about his abuse and torment and get into his head. We also see how much he loves Kami and views her relationship with Blaine. I love how, even though he suffered a horrible past and childhood, he's put that experience towards helping other kids who are struggling and to try and help them. His character is so admirable. Now, he's no book boyfriend for me (Blaine won that one) but he has definitely got best friend material going on as Kami is one lucky girl having his support and admiration.

Raven: I loved Raven. I preferred her to Kami and although it annoyed me how she was so cruel to Dom, it was totally justified when the truth all came out. I love how S.L.Jennings manages to create intricate pasts and plots and yet steer clear of stereotypes. Raven's hatred for Dom was justified but when the reader sees things from Dom's point of view, your heart just breaks for them both. Raven is so strong and independent and almost stoic. She is so protective over her younger brother and he plays a cheeky role in getting the pair together. She is presented in a sort of bad light, we don't know anything about her and just see her being a bitch for no reason, but when all is discovered it just creates a wonderful spread of complex characters.

Romance: Similar to in Fear of Falling, the romantic element in this is executed so carefully and eloquently. The relationships in this go further than your average romance as they are all a family and support network. It's heart-warming watching Raven being welcomed into the family and become one of them and begin to trust Dom, despite it being so difficult for her to do so. Every emotion and exchange is so raw and strong, it adds so much depth and weight to it all, ultimately constructing such a captivating and engulfing read.

Overall: 

Almost surpassing Fear of Falling, Afraid to Fly is a beautiful second installment, still featuring Blaine and Kami, creating a wonderful overlap of both stories. Heartwarming and raw, it will have you in tears. 

Goodreads 

REVIEW; Push The Envelope, by Rochelle Paige

Rating: ★☆☆☆☆

Genre: New-Adult, Romance,

Recommend: No - DNF

NO SPOILERS 

Summary:

Alexa juggles her studies with flying planes to offer a Mile High service after learning to fly alongside her father. Since having her heart broken, no boy features on her radar until she meets Drake. 
Drake could have any girl he wants, and when he spots Alexa across campus before they even meet, he knows he wants her. Not used to being rejected, he doesn't give up in convincing her to give him a chance. 

My Thoughts:

I don't even know if there's much point in writing much else! This was terrible... sorry to the author but this had everything I hate in a book... I really tried to even skim read but in the end it got progressively worse it was a DNF...

Alexa: I don't mind when the protagonist is "weak" etc but Alexa was just annoying and a contradiction. She had her heart broken and so had no interest in guys. But when she sees Drake she instantly falls for him based on his looks - so lust, fairly common. Yet when she turns up to fly her plan and Drake is her passenger, she falls immediately for his charm even though she is meant to have trust issues and not be interested. She lets him hold her hand before anything has even happened and woo her in front of her father! It's just major cringe and typical. If she was so upset and heartbroken from her previous relationship, where was the guarded and hurt Alexa? Instead, we got an absolute push over who allowed herself to just be spoken to and treated like shit!

Insta-Love: PET HATE RIGHT THERE! The pair fall for each other based on first sight. And Drake is meant to be the number on player but yet when he sees Alexa on campus he decides he wants her. And when they do finally get to meet he doesn't try to charm her into liking him, just decides they're going to be together because he likes her and she just happily follows along!!! For someone who's had her heartbroken, she's going down the good route for a repeat!

Drake: He's not even portrayed as being a character any female could like. Apart from his apparent good looks, his personality is shit. He takes on this horrible smothering possessive nature with Alexa in some Alpha-Male attitude that is so unromantic and clingy, I'd run a mile and then keep going. He is also way too deep and chatty for a boy, and even more so for someone who's meant to be the top lad out there. FEMALE AUTHORS, PLEASE NOTE YOUNG MEN DO NOT DO DEEP AND MEANINGFUL, at least not on the first date or in the early stages of meeting someone. Of course, mainly are capable, but it's not a side shown when trying to charm a girl. He is completely disrespectful, arrogant and chauvinistic in how he looks and treats Alexa, but his behaviour is romanticised as if his actions are totally justified and usual. He is the epitome of what I do not want in a guy...

Overall: 

Sorry, but this wasn't for me. Typical, over done, "pretty heroine unaware of her beauty who transforms the man whore into a one woman man with one glance". So much no.  Male character is awful and if that's the example the author is setting for young readers on what is the standard of how to be treated, I worry. This book is all tell tell tell, there's nothing left for the reader to feel or work out. Don't treat your reader like they need everything spelled out on the page for them, it just pisses us off...

Goodreads 

REVIEW; Because She Loves Me, by Mark Edwards

Rating: ★★★★☆

Genre: Psychological Thriller, Suspense

Recommend: Yes

NO SPOILERS 

Summary:

When Andrew meets Charlie he instantly falls for her. She is beautiful and funny and loves him just as much. Before he knows it, he's asking her to move in with him - everything is perfect. 

But is everything as it seems? Andrew notices some things have gone missing, he's losing friends on Facebook, his pretty young cleaner is replaced with an older woman, an ex-girlfriend winds up dead. Charlie has shown she has issues with jealousy... but how far will she go to ensure she keeps Andrew for herself? Is she capable of murder? Or is it just a chain of coincidences... ?

My Thoughts:

Story/ Paranoia: Similar to The Magpies, the cause of torment and menace is a simple one. Supposedly all down to the jealousy of a girlfriend, which adds to the creepiness as it's something that could easily happen to anyone. I love how Mark Edwards can take a simple concept and make it grow to create such horror stories. Towards the end I was nearly shouting at people to listen to Andrew and stop the deaths we were expecting to occur as it all got heated. The one thing this does is get inside your head. Is Charlie who she says she is? Who is she? Is she lying? Is she responsible for strange things occurring? Is she mentally unstable? Is she just insecure? WHAT IS GOING ON?! It drives you crazy. 

Twist: There is a twist in this and it is the reason why this isn't a 5 star rating... I didn't HATE the twist, which I won't mention as it is a huge spoiler. I just don't think it was necessary too much. It wasn't too awful; just before the twist occurred it was hinted at and I had a moment of calculating the possible plausible conclusions before the truth was revealed. I can see why people are annoyed at it - a solid story was built for everything that the reader knew to just be thrown to one side and BAM! something else with no warning... but a part of me liked it also. I liked it wasn't a complete predictable outcome and the reader was blind-sided by the events. I think my main issue is who was involved with the twist seemed off and it would have worked better if a different character was involved with a better reason... 

Ending: I think the hardest part about psychological thrillers is constructing the ending. Do you end it on a high of the shock? Or finish off the stories of the characters? And to what extent do you follow their aftermath? Endings are delicate aspects of every story and I have to applaud this one. There was a suitable epilogue to the events and a nice ending that still leaves the reader wondering what truly occurs in the future. 

Overall: 

I think this is my favourite Mark Edwards read so far. Possibly because I can relate to knowing jealous people and having been jealous myself at times, it's nearly more scary as you realise "this could be me", be it for either Andrew or Charlie's position! Recommend this for anyone looking for something unnerving and different to your regular reads.

Goodreads 
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REVIEW; Entice (Evolve #3), by S.E. Hall

Rating: ★★★★☆

Genre: New Adult, Romance

Recommend: Yes

SPOILERS

Summary:

Sawyer Beckett has never done love, but watching his best friends all couple off together, he wonders if he's missing something. 

Setting eyes on Emmett Young, Sawyer gets hit with love like a brick wall, and suddenly understands what it means to be in love and be so protective. 

But Emmett has her own issues and past, and isn't an easy conquest to the infamous Sawyer. Can he win her heart and prove this is the real deal? 

My Thoughts:

*** Emerge (Evolve #1) Review*** 
*** Entice (Evolve #2) Review*** 
*** Entangled (Evolve #2.5) Review*** 

This is definitely the installment that could challenge Emerge in every way. I loved reading this story from Sawyer' eyes and really getting an insight into his mind and thoughts. 

The love battle between Sawyer and Emmett was captivating, as the two stubborn minds were constantly put head to head. We also got more of Dane and Laney and their story marginally progressed in the background which was good support to the overall series. 

The usual Caveman attributes were adopted by Sawyer and it got a little tiresome. All the men in this series have it and it runs a bit thin after a while as they may as well all be the one character... But it was still adorable in what ways Sawyer performed his caveman act. 

Insta-love: Hrm, the one downside in this - I HATE insta-love so much. It's in so many novels and I can't believe it most of the time and just roll my eyes at it. Especially in a Sawyer situation where he sleeps around and doesn't have feelings so it seems more unrealistic and "novelistic" (e.g. something only ever happens in romance novels). Sawyer fell so hard for Emmett just on sight and knew NOTHING about her and it just so happened she lived up to all of his expectations and dreams? One thing we all get from The Great Gatsby is the real thing will never match the perfect movie-reel dream played on repeat in your mind so it was a tad annoying that he remained a love-sick puppy from the get go... 

Sawyer as a character is amazing - I prefer him to Dane any day. He has great wit and such a carefree attitude, you can't help but smirk and laugh at his one-liners and comebacks. So seeing him fall so much for Emmett and her baby and be willing to go above and beyond to be there for her, it was so endearing and exciting. 

Emmett... okay it took me a while to warm to her although I thought her character was brilliantly constructed and depicted. She encapsulated the helpless damsel in distress but yet trying to prove to everyone she was okay. I got a little fed up of her juvenile "running away" drama - Sawyer had gone ABOVE AND BEYOND to prove to her and I felt so sorry for him that she kept pushing him away and jumping to conclusions when it didn't feel like she really had as much reason to as she thought. Give the guy a break! It was clear in so many scenarios that his heart was in the right place and guys and girls definitely differ on what decisions/situations are considered important or note-worthy. 

Overall: 

As already said, this really challenged Emerge for being my favourite in the series... but Emerge has definitely clinched the title! I think if there was a little more depth to this book it would've come out on top, but I think nothing can compare to the initial punch from Emerge... 

Goodreads 
Amazon UK
Amazon

REVIEW; Techbitch, by Lucy Sykes & Jo Piazza

Rating: ★★★☆☆

Genre: Chick-Lit, Contemporary, Social Media

Recommend: Yes

NO SPOILERS 

Summary:

Imogen Tate is the Editor in Chief of Glossy Magazine, but when she returns after six months off due to Cancer, she doesn't recognise her magazine. 
Eve Morton was Imogen's assistant a few years ago, but in Imogen's absence she has returned to Glossy after Harvard Business School, and is turning the magazine into an online platform; Glossy.com
The staff have all been swapped for younger tech-savvy models, and Eve is like a rocket with her ideas and innovation, as she attempts to intimidate Imogen to leave. But Eve hasn't got the personal skills or respect required for the fashion industry, and maybe she could actually learn a thing or two from Imogen. But only one can be in charge of Glossy, and they both know this. 

My Thoughts:

Depending how seriously you take your books, will probably determine whether you love or hate this book. The concept and idea is very apt for modern society, and focuses on the control social media has over the latest generation. But, there were downfalls that ultimately made it a little weak. 

Imogen Tate: She isn't totally realistic for the role she is meant to be playing. In her early 40's, she should know a little more about technology than what is portrayed - she doesn't know how to even print something.  I find it a little hard to believe someone in any magazine company, especially an Editor in Chief, is that far behind. As far as her lack of social media grace and knowledge, that's a more substantial ignorance as that is a relatively recent development in the past 10 years. As far as her character goes, her weak and timid personality doesn't seem like the type of persona that would rocket to the top of the fashion industry. She could've easily stepped in the way of Eve as soon as she returned, using the authority she actually had to control her magazine rather than just passively letting Eve win... but of course then there would be no story so fair enough. 


Eve Morton: She is brazen and arrogant and full with self importance. I quite liked reading about her antics. Totally enveloped in the technology and social media world, likes and comments validate her importance. Her ruthless and horrible attitude makes for a brilliant bitch and reader can hate and seethe at, as she attempts to get rid of Imogen grow more and more desperate and vile. 


Writing: The writing in this is mediocre, it's no great literature piece and the story is portrayed fairly simply. There's a lot of fashion world take, name and brand dropping, which if you have no interest/knowledge in, you just skim past it all. But it adds to the authenticity of Imogen's role in the fashion world and adds a good depth to it all. There is good pacing and dispersion of twists and drama occuring, keeping the reader interested and reading until the end. There's also some good attempts at humour which can illicit the random chuckle here and there. 

Overall: 

I'd recommend this to anyone who wants a really light-hearted amusing read, and someone who loves a revenge plan and bitchery. Once you don't tear it apart for the flaws, there is a fun modern story to be enjoyed. 

Goodreads 

Amazon

REVIEW; Random Acts of Crazy, by Julia Kent

Rating: ★☆☆☆☆

Genre: New Adult, Contemporary

Recommend: No

SPOILERS 

Summary:

Darla is driving in her beat up truck when she spies a guy on the side of the road, naked except for a guitar across his body. Picking him up, she realises he is Trevor Connor, lead singer of her favourite band Random Acts of Crazy. 

Trevor is hundreds of miles from home, finding himself in Ohio after getting high and then meeting Darla. Darla isn't his typical type, but her rough nature and lack of manners draws him in deep and it doesn't take long for them to fall for each other. 

Then Darla meets Joe, who is there to bring Trevor home and she can't tear her eyes away from the god-like figure. And so ensues the drama. 

My Thoughts:

This was an absolute wreck, I'm sorry. This sounded so up my street but it felt like it was written by a teenager attempting their first essay. 

Characters: There isn't one redeeming character in this. None sparked any interest or contained any depth - at. all. Darla, is so unlikable. She is rude and foul-mouthed (which is fine) but she is glorified through the eyes of Trevor and Joe as if she's fantastic. Her curvaceous figure is always referred to, as if being a huge turn off but in Darla's case, it was beautiful - it seemed so hypocritical that a girl who both lead males would have deemed "not their type" won both their hearts. Meanwhile, Trevor and Joe have no attractive traits, except for their apparent gifted physical qualities. 

Story: Like what the hell... there was no real solid story here. It started promising with Darla picking up Trevor and it being slightly amusing for about a page until suddenly it jumps to just sexual wants by both parties. Trevor and Darla supposedly fell in love within these pages, and yet there was nothing remotely intimate, emotional, loving about their exchanges. Again, no depth in anything.

Writing: The writing is nothing to rave about. Half of it is obscenities as it is (which in fairness, is forewarned) and the other half is stumbling sexual encounters and random train of stereotypical thoughts. All scenes are depicted quite straightforward and simply. Luckily, this aids the ability to skim - read, and admittedly, I skimmed through the latter half just to know where the story was going. In the end, probably should have just DNF'd. 

Overall: 

Sorry, but do not recommend this. It lacks so much needed to create a captivating story with decent characters that have some depth and idiosyncrasies. Nothing really happens. The blurb sounds like such a fun and exciting concept, but execution failed. 

Goodreads 

REVIEW; Quintessentially Q (Monsters in the Dark #2), by Pepper Winters

Rating: ★★★★☆

Genre: Adult, Romance, Abuse

Recommend: Yes

NO SPOILERS 

Summary:

Tess has returned willingly to her master, her lover, Q Mercer. Both must learn the rules of engaging in a relationship, and the boundaries they must set to make it work. 

But as they jump into their new life, tragedy strikes resulting in Tess and Q being apart. Tess finds herself back in the hands of those who originally sold her on, and this time they are ensuring to break her beyond repair. 

Trauma and death ensues, in a dark and bloody battle in the name of love and revenge. Can Tess and Q's love conquer? Or were they doomed from the beginning?

My Thoughts:

***Tears of Tess Review***

I was really apprehensive reading this as I loved Tears of Tess and was worried this would ruin the high from the first book. I'm really torn as to whether I loved this or whether it strongly aggravated me. 

Writing: The writing in this is still exquisite. The changes of POV from Tess to Q as we unravel their story and battle, really draws you in. This worked so well from Tess' POV when she is kidnapped and how what she witnesses is presented to the reader is executed so clever, it makes the reader feel they are Tess. I really love Winter's writing style and how far she can get into a character's mind to be able to write so well from their eyes. 

Story: I think what put me off with this, was how hard it was to get into. Tears of Tess gripped me from the get go, but it took three attempts to get into this one... I started it almost 6 months before I actually got settled to properly read it. Just for me, it took a little too long for the drama to occur. I had enough of reading about Tess and Q proving they belonged to each other and maybe this was why it seemed a bit dull following the whirlwind of the first novel. But, once the twist happened and things got a bit more serious, I was properly hooked. This is even darker than before and so much more ominous. There is so much torment and pain and I really couldn't predict how it would all turn out and end.

Q: He is a lot more attractive in this one. We know about his past and his desires and how much he loves Tess, but in this we see him truly lose everything and put his heart on the line, but yet remain so dominating. It's a great contrast to how he is presented in Tears of Tess, as the reader gets a further insight into how Tess has affected him and how much she means to him. 

Overall: 

Although it took some time, I loved this almost as much as the first one. It has just as much darkness and terror, but has some beautiful heart-wrenching moments. Can't wait to read the end to their story in the final book! 

Goodreads   

Amazon

REVIEW; A Game For All The Family, by Sophie Hannah

Rating: ★★★☆☆

Genre: Psychological Thriller, Suspense

Recommend: Yes

SPOILERS 

Summary:

Justine Merrison has left her London life behind as she moves to Devon with her husband, Alex, and their daughter Ellen. 
Finally, she gets the peaceful life she wanted. But after reading the beginning of a story Ellen is writing for school, Justine can't rid the feeling of something being wrong. 
When Ellen's best friend George gets expelled from school, she spirals into despair. But when Justine goes to discuss George's expulsion with the school, George's existence is denied. 
Being plagued with anonymous phone-calls from a woman who promises to kill Justine and her family if they don't leave, Justine's world is thrown upside down. 
Who is the caller?
Does George really exist? And if so, why is the school lying about him? 
And where did Ellen get the material for her murder mystery story? 
Can Justine get to the bottom of things before she and her family come face to face with the real danger?

My Thoughts:

This is the second novel by Sophie Hannah that I've read, so I did have relatively high hopes. Ultimately, I felt let down though. I kept waiting for everything to fall into place and click and just make sense, but it never did. It all read like one crazy train and never really making much sense for the reader... 

Characters: I didn't really like or connect with any of the characters in this. Justine was just crazy from the start and a little neurotic. Ellen was a brat. Alex was dull. George was an oddball and to me, didn't fit the personality of a child in his position. School teachers were not at all authoritative. Just completely all over the place! Justine was so easily spooked and it didn't seem like she had a back-bone at all in regards to dealing with her family, but this was the same person who forced her way into a school and spoke down to the principal? And this same person was later capable of murder without a shadow of guilt or shame? None of it fits! 

Mystery: This is meant to be a story of suspense, to keep the reader on the edge of their seats and be scared, like the main character. But it was dull. My attention wasn't held to want to get to the bottom of Perrine's murder, the anonymous calls, the truth about George, the alleged unhinged Anne. I didn't feel the threat behind the calls either and the reader should've been scared for Justine- especially after she falls into a grave that has been dug! But nope, I didn't care. I ended up just skim reading just to be able to finish the book. 

Story: All over the place. From the start... As they're driving to Devon the story is all haphazard. They're arguing in the car and Justine is overwhelmed after seeing a particular house. Then dealing with a crazy stalker and everything being intertwined with the story Ellen was writing -more interesting than Justine's story but equally as ridiculous - it was like the reader was meant to be sent on a mind f*ck journey but truth being told, the train never even left the station. Things did pick up pace towards the end, but I felt like we were still left without answers. The conclusion was so far-fetched and out there, I was left wondering "did I really just read what I think I read?" Hrm...

Overall: 

I'm quite undecided with this book. I really enjoyed the other book by Sophie Hannah and this sounded equally as mysterious - but I guess the story just wasn't for me. I did keep going and read through the whole thing, so it can't have been so bad! 

Goodreads 
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