REVIEW; Blood to Dust, by L.J. Shen

Rating: ★★★★☆

Genre: New-Adult, Romance

Recommend: yes!

Standalone

SPOILERS 

Summary:

Prescott is fighting to stay alive, when she is kidnapped by her ex's father. She is thrown into a basement and kept hostage by two men. Her days are numbered, knowing she will be murdered when her ex arrives back from the UK, so she has to work fast. Beat, one of the kidnappers, has a sensitive side and Prescott targets this. Through charm and flirtatious actions, Prescott aims to get Beat on her side so she can win and be free. And then murder her ex and his father for targeting her.

My Thoughts:

I haven't read anything else by this author but the blurb given is so vague it really piqued my interest - and I was not disappointed. 

Prescott: She once had it all. But her mom went AWOL. Gay brother missing. And betrayed by her father. Now she is on her own, out for revenge. She is by no means a weak victim and I loved her for this. She was a badass strong heroine and it was refreshing to see how she fought back. 

Nate: "Beat" is also quite badass with a rather dark history. Caught between a rock and a hard place, he owes Godfrey and this is in the form of keeping Prescott down in his basement and not to go near her. If he obeys, he lives. For Nate, this is simple. Or not. He has murdered and he has been violent, but he isn't really a bad guy - he would never hit a girl. He has standards. And after seeing the torture Prescott endures and her determination to not give in, he begins to admire her and question if his loyalties are in the right place. 

Story; There is a lot of violence, abuse and pain - so not for the faint hearted to read. However, the writing is wonderful and the story of the characters is intriguing and addictive. The story is presented to the reader as a countdown to the day Prescott will be killed, and the constant tension and suspense is palpable. Eventually, Prescott and Nate realise they need to pair up and fight against the same enemy, and their journey is brilliant together, as they fight so hard to trust each other but can't break old habits too easily. 

Overall:

This wasn't a story- it was a journey of freedom and breaking free from the safe constraints to trusting someone with your life. Both Nate and Prescott are used to life on their own, but if they want to survive, they need to trust each other - a foreign gamble to both of them. 

Goodreads

REVIEW; Twisted Palace (The Royals #3), by Erin Watt

Rating: ★★★★★

Genre: New-Adult, Romance

Recommend: Definitely 

Book 3 of 3

SPOILERS 

Summary:

Ella has finally found a family and is loved by them all - she has never known happiness like it. But her boyfriend's stepmum has been murdered and Reed is the main suspect, with evidence stacking up against him. Amongst it all, Ella's father, previously presumed dead, has turned up and is trying to make up for lost time. Ella doesn't want to move away from the Royals and live with her father, and is terrified of losing Reed as she tries to do her own detective work into the murder of Brooke. 

Thoughts:

Drama: This followed straight on from the cliffhanger of book 2, so there will be spoilers in this review. Ella finds out her father is alive and her boyfriend is the prime suspect for murdering his soon to be stepmother. I thought the plot was going to be predictable and the final installment would not live up to the expectations of the first two books - and this was sort of true. The drama towards the end saved the book overall. I felt at times it wasn't too clear where the book was heading and then for the final climax, it all seemed a little rushed and then just tied up nicely with a bow to finish. It is quite a slow burner, but there is a lot of mystery that kept me reading.

Ella: I really like her character and her strength and we definitely see a more vulnerable side of her. She is wary of letting her father just waltz into her life and goes back to her default of fending for herself. It was so heartwarming seeing how she clearly views the Royals to be her true family after everything. Now, that being said - she annoyed me a little. I'll put this down to being a 17 year old girl but I didn't like how she flickered between believing and doubting Reed. Considering the amount of love they had for each other, I'm sure even if it were possible she would be blinded by love and be in denial. 

Romance: Meh. Ella and Reed finally do the deed but meh, Wasn't that interesting or exciting and just felt like it was all at the wrong moments for their personalities. Oh well. 

The Royals: I loved watching how their family dynamic changed and adapted due to Ella's presence. They really became a loyal unit rather than dis-jointed as at the beginning. They may not have been the average representation of family, but they were a great example of how a family acts, and it was beautiful seeing how a young girl could make them grow. 

Overall:

This was a perfect ending to the series. Everything was finished up nicely with a satisfying end to the overall plot. Such a brilliant series and recommend it for both YA/NA readers. 

Goodreads 

2016 Favourite Reads

Below is my selection of some of my best reads throughout 2016.

1. I Am Pilgrim, by Terry Hayes

Rating:  ★★★★★
Genre: Thriller, Suspense

Not only is this a top favourite, but this book is the first one I think of when someone asks me for a recommendation. I devoured this book and read it any second I could. This is a brilliant thriller, set around the acts of terrorism as the race to save America is on, led by top secret agent, Pilgrim. To fully enjoy this story, you have to go in blind. The standard of writing and story-telling is brilliant. It's all a great web with the minor stories and plots intertwining and coming together. Such an exhilarating read.

My Review

2. A Different Blue, by Amy Harmon

Rating: ★★★★★

Genre: New Adult, Romance

Blue Echohawk doesn't know who she is, or where she came from. She doesn't even know her real age. Her teacher, Wilson, takes an immediate interest into Blue and her mysterious nature. And so begins a beautiful story of self love and discovery with a soft romance woven between it all. The writing is so powerful and will blow you away with poignancy. 

My Review

3. Needing to Fall, Ryan Michele

Rating: ★★★★★

Genre:   Dark, New-Adult

This is a dark, dark read. Reign was passed from foster home to foster home and collected scars along the way. She is damaged and barely surviving. Along the way she meets Lynx. He too has his demons and suffering, but they help each other in moving forward. It's a haunting story about finding love in darkness and the importance in moving forward in life and not giving up. 

My Review

4. Paper Princess (The Royals #1) , by Erin Watt

Rating:  ★★★★★
Genre:  New Adult, Drama, Romance

This series blew me away! The story is so captivating and addictive. Ella was orphaned as a teenager and was well capable of looking after herself. She finds herself with a legal guardian and housed with his sons. Naturally, a romance blossoms between her and Reed but it isn't all that wonderful - it's heartbreaking! This story will beautifully destroy you and you will be swept up as Ella fights for herself in the new world she finds herself in. 

My Review

5. Cinder & Ella, by Kelly Oram

Rating:  ★★★★★

Genre: Romance, Young Adult

This is a great teen read. It's a wonderful modern adaption of the fairytale with some great twists and plot line. I read the book within 24 hours and the relationship between Cinder & Ella was hilarious to read about. The writing isn't at the highest standard, but as it is aimed for teens, this can be easily overlooked for the great story.

My Review