8 Followers
26 Following
readsandthoughts

Reads and Thoughts

Ola! I'm one of those crazy girls who is overly addictive to books and reading. I'm weird around books and tends to read them abnormally fast. And I'm a hopeful romantic who is a firm believer of Happily Ever Afters.
Wanted: Wife - Lacey Wolfe A guy who placed an advertisement looking for a fake wife to ensure his business.
A girl who has it all but chose to make it on her own.
Control freak parents. There is the best friend. The jealous brother and the bitchy ex -girlfriend and of course love all around.
This story is a wild case of craziness!

During this week, this is the second time that I’ve read a story wherein characters get attracted with a certain newspaper advertisement. Is that an omen that maybe I could also find my happily ever after on a newspaper classified ads? LOL.

Well, the concept of Wanted: Wife is nothing new for me, in fact I’ve read several stories with people hiring fake fiancés, wife or even husbands but as always it’s the way that you never really know what would happen or if it would lay you a different plate as to others that would hold you into reading it. Fortunately, even though the concept of this book was really not on the original side, I find myself still engaged with Steven and Darcy’s story.

I’m also thinking that this is another case of insta-love but I don’t think that’s really the case here because basically the characters already know each other in High School, its just that they don’t belong in the same social class during that time that they didn’t have the opportunity to dwell with each other. With them seeing each other once again – even in a very weird and awkward situation – they’ve known that they both harbor the same feeling for each other during their school neither do anything to act on it.

I like Darcy and Steven. They both gave me pure positive vibes throughout the story even though I wanted to smack the both of them for they lack on the communication aspect of their relationship. It’s really obvious they’re really into each other even though they’re only pretending it all. You could easily how they grow in each other.

It was a pretty short and easy read! So, if you're into simple contemporary reads, pick this one up!
Frigid - J Lynn I'm one of those 'waiting-on-the-edge-of-my-seat-munching-popcorns' for the release of Frigid. After J.Lynn's smashing hit into the new adult scene with Waiting For You - us fans of hers is waiting for this next one. With its awesome cover and swoony blurb and to kill teasers, what's there not to be excited about Frigid right?


He fights his desire for her. She is looking for the courage to tell him how she feels.

---
Kyler Quinn and Sydney Bell - best friends and have been inseparable since childhood. They're two different sides of a coin - our guy was the love ‘em and leave ‘em type while Sydney is the one who doesn’t like to let loose and let much of control go - very much frigid. A night stranded in a ski resort could be the doom of their friendship or the start of their romance.
---

Honestly, there is nothing bad a bout this book. It was okay and I even finished it in one sitting. So what happened here and to my 3 stars rating? Well, it would have been only 2 stars but I'm feeling generous enough. The not so high rating is for several reasons in fact...

I’m overly excited about this that upon acquiring a copy and started reading it I'm eating up every word through the first few chapters. The writing is still flawless as ever and the dialogue still has the same magic that J.Lynn always has – its ability to to give the readers a real feel to the story. So what happened? Well, I guess the overall familiarity of the plot didn’t work well for me, I see nothing new about it. It was too predictable and cliché - makes me roll my eyes and even scratch my head at times.

Of course, as I’m still reading it I’m keeping my fingers crossed for it to give us at least something new, something that would make Frigid different from any contemporaries out there but unfortunately I didn’t quite see something that booming about it. I'm looking for something spectacular, mind-blowing and firework inducing scene on the story - its all in the mellow and predictable stage. I guess, I was expecting too much from it that when it didn’t reach up to that it leaves me high and dry.

Tested friendship, high emotions, extreme misunderstandings, drama, suppressed feelings encompasses this book. It was a great mix of this all but I guess it was just too familiar for me. Oh and there is a mystery mixed in with the story and honestly saying it was out of place and was too forced to be put in the story.

Sydney and Kyler are characters that are easy to go through. They’re the type of characters that is 'what you see is what you get' types. They’re not annoying and I truly adore what they have. There is no doubt in me that they will not be together. Don’t get me wrong, the characters are good and Kyler definitely put the "oo" in swoon but Cam and Daemon still ranks up on my list. I’m looking for a development from both of them.

See, there is really nothing wrong with this book. I guess I just have too much expectations and I already have my own dose of these types of stories so I tend to get picky every now and then but if its one of your first for sure it would be more than okay for you. Nonetheless, if you’re looking for an easy read which would make you feel lovey-dovey and stuff alike pick this one up.
Right of Way - Lauren Barnholdt I've read a couple of Lauren Barnholdt's novels, but I guess Two Way Street is the one that really leaves a mark to the majority of young adult readers out there once the name of the author was mentioned. Yes, I do love road-trip stories that's why Two-way Street indeed appeal to me and this new novel of Ms. Barndholdt also appeals coz of road-trippy appeal but unfortunately it seem to be a mirror of Two Way Street even though it was a companion novel to that, it too much mirror to the first book.

Peyton needs to get away from her betraying mother and uses their trip to Florida to escape it all with her best friend. Unfortunately, her best friend couldn’t make it for her mom find out their plan leaving Peyton stranded in Florida - with no money and no phone. Then Jace came and the so-called road trip began...

From the beginning, we really don’t know what has gone down between these two and honestly that’s the only thing that keeps me on reading it. I wanted to really know what has gone down between them. I was expecting something big and shocking issue that lies between them, but once it was revealed I was baffled. I find the reasons too ridiculous. I find the circumstances of the characters underdeveloped and it lacked complete foundation. I also didn’t quite bond well with either Jace or Peyton. I’m waiting for a pinch of character growth and Peyton and Jace didn’t seem to reach that point.

The way this books ends definitely left me high and dry; it’s not enough for me and I'm really asking for more. There is no real resolution to the story and that is a great deal of unfortunate event for me.

Yes, it’s a road trip but the majority of the story was spent on both Peyton and Jace's rants about what happened to them. Yes, their circumstances were very much different from Courtney and Jordan from Two Way Street but the way their story was told seems to be a complete rip-off from the mentioned book. Some parts seem like nothing is really happening. Yes, the story was very straight to the point but it leaves me nothing to be excited and to look forward about. Sigh.

Despite my hesitations and complete lack of enthusiasm because of its complete likeness with Two Way Street, the book still managed to catch my attention in a way that makes me curios as to what really happened between these two sparring characters. Those mysterious parts that lead us until the very end gripped me and I appreciated Barnholdt’s ability to do just that. I also do appreciate that the story was told in dual narrative form. I enjoyed reading told in dual POV's. Plus there's also their before the trip and during the trip. It was a great way in telling the story.

Right of Way was an okay read but it definitely didn’t work well with me. I was expecting an awesome road trip story and awesome people but everywhere I look everything is flat. I do have high expectations but it didn’t quite well work. Maybe it will work for you, but meh. For me it didn’t do its magic.

*Thanks to Edelweiss and Simon Pulse for providing advance copy for review*
Ryan Hunter - Anna Katmore, Piper Shelly I'm really a fan of stories told in guy's POV. It's just nice seeing a certain twist to the story that we don’t see when it's the girls telling it. So, once the news that Play With Me would be also be told in Ryan Hunter's POV, I’m definitely one of those excited ones.

This short novel gives us the different sides of Ryan Hunter that wasn’t really told on the original book. In here, we definitely see the sweet, romantic, charming, friendly, possessive, angry, pervy and the majority good side of Ryan. I like seeing his interaction with his family - how well he bonded with his mom, dad and sister.


She didn’t know it yet, but she wouldn’t stand a chance. In the end, she'd be mine.


Seeing how he's really into Liza throughout the book makes me smile - I mean a guy like him with girls flaunting on his ways yet he's pinning for that one girl who doesn’t even see him. Sigh. It made us all see how vulnerably in love he is with Liza and see the extent of what he could do for her.

With Ryan thoughts, it made me think how Liza could be so oblivious with all of this. Well, maybe it was overshadowed by her extreme fondness with Tony but didn’t she even feel a thang? Hmm.

I honestly enjoyed reading this but it feels like there is something lacking while I'm reading this. Maybe those tiny butterflies that hoarded my tummy while reading Play With Me isn’t much there maybe brought by reading it in girls POV but nevertheless reading this in Ryan's POV was still a delight.

With all the drama and angst that made up books this day Ryan Hunter – This Girl is Mine and even Play With Me are all refreshing things to read. I'll never get tired of stories like this - no dramas, not too much conflict, plain sweetness and happiness. I'm looking forward in reading more from this author and I heard Tony's story is on its way and I'll definitely look forward to his own happy ever after. :)
The Story Guy - Mary Ann Rivers STORYGUY : A good guy with a bad story doing something stupid.

The thing about novellas is that for a very short work of art it is packed with a great story and emotional turnover that would definitely left you wanting for more and Story Guy is no different than the other novellas coz it indeed left its one of a kind mark to me.

I will meet you on Wednesdays at noon in Celebration Park. Kissing only.

If I was the one who found an advertisement like this how would I feel? I would definitely feel curios but at the same time there’s this sense of comical reaction. Comical sense in a way that makes me thinks that it was a very desperate move from someone looking for a hookup. I mean, people do hook-ups but is he that desperate? But the greatest thing would be the feel of curiosity; to be honest the ad was indeed mesmerizing. The words used and the way it was constructed was really captivating.

Luckily, I’m not on that place for I don’t really know how to react and as for our character – Carrie who is longing to find a relationship like her friends has, this ad just might be her last hope. With all her friends laying low planning their life out with their partners, she started to feel the pressure and even though answering and ad such as that isn’t on her norm - what could be so wrong in trying?

I think, Brian carries this whole story. He’s our story guy. I know, he may seem like any other fictional guy out there who’s also a story guy, but I find a certain vulnerability with him that really makes me admire his character. He’s looking for an escape in every hating that is happening to his life. He's awkward, responsible and selfless. He offers no other personal thing with Carrie, not even his last name. I almost came to the point of really hating him for throwing away the spark and the thing that he and Carrie has but once our story guy's story was told it really tugged my heartstrings and made me understands more of him. His obligations interfere with his personal life so seeing him mingle with Carrie every Wednesdays and just simply living his life seem to make him forget everything bad the world would offer and has served him.

The first meeting melted my heart. I was surprised how the author expressed that first meeting - it feels so good to watch two strangers dive into something as like this one. I really like how the whole story played out and how it was told.

The Story Guy is a novella that you should definitely try. It started a bit on the slow side but it will definitely pick up. It was simple, sweet and heart tugging.
More Than This (More, #1) - Jay McLean
Betrayal. Breakups. Death. Love. Sex. Future

More Than This is the story of two barely adult people.
Prom Night. Spilled Beer.
Then Mikayla's world shifted all around.
A chance encounter that led to a tragedy, friendship and into love.

I don't really know how to conceptualize writing my review for this since it involves a lot of things - it jumps from love, loss, betrayals, new friendship, romance and moving on. I might end up babbling all throughout this but whatever, I'll just go on with the thoughts in my mind as I write this.

It's really hard to get into details of the story without spoiling you guys so I think my little hints would be enough. But prepare your box (es) of Kleenex because reading this would definitely take you into one emotional bliss ride. This book definitely made me feel - a lot of things. It's silly but since the chapter of that certain incident up to maybe the next four or five chapters I'm crying my eyes out. How could such book invoke the feeling of anxiety, depression and sadness, I don’t really know. It's really has that powerful reach.

I'll start with the end (no pun intended)-now the whole story of More Than This was intense and I never even thought that its ending could be more intense. It's like there’s a truck behind you, you can’t see it and it just suddenly crashes you - the last sentence on this book definitely cracks me! Just when things are all rainbows and butterflies the author threw that in; so I’m making a request to her now that to pretty pretty please don’t make it into a love triangle. Make a companion novel and leave Kayla and Jake on their own bubble of happily ever after. (See what I'm talking about emotions?)

Mikayla don’t need much of my pity but Kayla's character is one of the most tragic one I encountered. Imagine your life turning into a complete 360 degrees, how would you feel? In an instant it seems like everything you have was taken away. The road to moving on was really hard especially for her, but I admire her strength and will to continue living.

Jake Andrews, I think your Aussie accent will be enough to make me swoon. He's living the normal teenage life but a responsible one. I know beforehand that Jake Andrews will definitely be genuine character and I'm happy he didn’t disappoint me.

Jake and Mikayla's relationship development was really good. I totally loved it. It's another case of insta-love but it’s a totally different one. It started in a very weird and uncertain way. The tension between them was literally palpable and they’re one of those people who are not into a relationship but more than friends and honestly I'm a sucker for those. ;)

Dylan, Heidi, Lucy, Cam and Logan are totally great additions to the story. I really like how accommodating and accepting they are. They’re really cool set of friends to have.

As for James, yes, you're a big piece of douche! But at least he did extend his repentance to what he has done. And with that I start to wonder, how could guys like him end? I mean, he's totally not a bad guy at all. Could guys like him fond his own bubble of happy ever after? But whatever, its just a random though.

Oh and could I say how I totally hate Megan? I knew it! I knew from her first appearance that she would do no good. Oh and be warned - she's the trigger to the story. ;)

After all the twists and turns and ups and downs, I’m happy that new beginnings are coming for the people on this story. In all, More Than this is a story with a triple roller coaster ride of emotion – it was mixed well making it a great read, so do you a favor and read it.

I more than a lot like it, so much more than a lot!!
Axel (Corps Security, #1) - Harper Sloan Let’s start this by ticking off the list of things that I do like with this book:

Firstly, I like the story progression. It didn’t happen in an instant. There’s history with the characters. There’s a past, present and definitely a future. Things didn’t happen in an instant and once the reunion happened it also didn’t happened all at once and I do like it.


Isabelle has it all. The fairy tale like love life with Axel and loving parents. But he is going off to the marines…


I admire Axel’s stint with the Marines. I’m always a sucker for story guys who are part part soldiers or marines. I always see something too vulnerable and admirable despite their very hard physicality.

Dee and Greg are like the saving grace for Izzy and Axel’s story. They;’re both always there for Izzy and as Axel came back to Izzy’s life they’re still both there to make it seem bearable, not only for Izzy but for Axel as well.

Greg. Could I just say now that I can’t wait for his story! He carries this story great for the min characters Isabelle and Axel. I think he seems to become a foundation to these two.

Another thing is the presence of a very sensitive topic to this story which is what happened to Isabelle. It’s a given problem to the society and really helps me know where Izzy is coming from.

The not so good side that I saw about it is Isabelle’s continuous whining! Could she could get more frustrating? I understand where she’s really coming from – her young love going away to join the marines, her parents dying, miscarried a baby and a husband who treats her badly, but seriously? For all those shitty things that happened to her, couldn’t she just appreciate what she has at the moment? She has a nice group of friends who all definitely love her plus they’re all hot ex-marines, what more could she ask for?

Another thing is that even though I love intensity to the stories I’ve read, Axel gives us too much of it. Everything clashes all at once.

In all, it was a good reading experience. Well, despite my hesitations, this story still gripped my heart and will definitely look forward for the upcoming books from this series. :)

*Advanced copy kindly provided for review*
*Blog Tour deets posted at Reads and Thoughts.
Stealing Harper - Molly McAdams Finally I find the guts to read this last night! I'm honestly slacking off in reading this coz as I've continuously said, I hate how Chase ended. I thoroughly hate it. But, of course curiosity eats me up and I can't let this book on his POV slip of my reading knowledge, so finally, I find the guts to read it.

Unfortunately, as I'm in the middle of the first chapter, this thought that "I already know what would happen in the end why I need to read it again blah" caught up to me, so I decided to skip it all and start on the 13th chapter (its not the last, but its the second to the last, I guess). It's cheating I know, but I just can't bear to go through it all again so I decided better rip it off like a band aid and see how this one would end.

So, this is me after reading Taking Chances or better yet after reading the part where something happened to Chase.

description

This is me before I started reading Stealing Harper. Nothing different from my reaction after reading the first because relieving Chase moments are 'nuff to make me feels sad again.

description

And finally, this is me after reading this book...

description

Breaking down, thinking how could someone like Chase end that way? How could he? His last thoughts are enough to make me bawl out my eyes. I'm telling you guys, those last thoughts are so ugh.

Dramatic much? But it's true. Sigh.
Oh and I didn't rate it coz, you know, I just can't.

*I promise to write a better review soon*
Lick - Kylie Scott What if one day I get the chance to visit Las Vegas, would I also ended up married?
That thought always pops up in my mind whenever I encounter 'Las Vegas' stories wherein people as always, ended up married either with someone they’re close with but most of the time married to someone that they just know for a couple of hours.

Just like Evelyn - who woke up with a massive hangover and with also a massive rock on her hand, a tattoo on her butt and a hazy memory as to what happened the other night.

Reading this was honestly all kind of fun. It was one of those stories with an overused Las Vegas plot line and the insta-love is back and alive but I can't erase the fact that David and Evelyn has a funny story to read - from their topless cuddles, to Mal's continuous bromance and banter between David add up to this is David's rock star life. It was all mixed so finely.

The chemistry for these two is there and they’re the types of characters that are easy to be with, but I just wish that their relationship has the time to evolve. I wanted a timeline to what they have, because everything happen so fast and as much as I enjoy reading it, the relationship they have seems to be too good to be true and unbelievable. One moment they’re together then the guy left and he get back the girl and they travel to some secluded place and the story goes on – I just wanted it to happen in due time and not instantly and all at once.

But in all, I enjoyed reading it. And I’ll be honest; I’ll be reading the next installment to this series if there is more. So, if you wanted a story with undeniable romance this book is definitely for you.
Killing Sarai (Killing Sarai, #1) - J.A. Redmerski
The first kill is always the hardest, the one you never forget.
The first kill is also what drops the chances of living a normal life...


WOAH! INTENSITY OVERLOAD!

As much as I love J.A Redmerski's "The Edge of Never", I was hesitant to read Killing Sarai, Why? Well, maybe because I’m thinking it would not live up to what I’m expecting it to be which is a definite kill and awesome as to the other reviews I have read and I’m also thinking this would to off The Edge of Never. But fortunately, I was definitely not disappointed instead I’m left wanting for more.


Killing Sarai is way way way different from the first novel of J.A. Redmerski that I've read - it was dark, mysterious, captivating and just plain good!


She spent nine years of her life learning to be numb about rape, drugs and killing.
Nine years held in captive by a drug lord named, Javier.


It's really not hard to admire Sarai's will to survive. She has the strength and drive to push herself in order for her to survive. In nine-years he’s been held captive, she learned a lot and become stronger as ever and held so much in until she breaks down pushing her to get away. By the ends of it all, I can't help but feel proud on what she become.


He could speak Spanish, German, French, English and god knows what other language.
He's an alpha male. Sexy, mysterious and he's an assassin.


Victor is all sorts of messed-up and he definitely defined the word intriguing. He's definitely that word from the get go. He doesn’t trust anyone and always questions people's intention. He's definitely one though character to get through; yes, he's mysterious and all hard but he's an assassin with conscience. I get to see a softer side to him from time to time but it still feels like he's hiding a whole lot more.

The lingering romance between these two is definitely there. I don’t think it is one of Stockholm Syndrome since Sarai is not really forced into anything - coz she’s the one who forced Victor to save her. But he does keep her and tie her up but mostly it’s just to keep her in place knowing hoe tough Sarai could be.

Disconnected - Sarai and Victor is definitely disconnected to me initially. I can't seem to find a connection with the both of them as I start reading it plus the pacing of the story didn’t do quite well for me initially but around halfway through it when things started to heat up and the key to the story was suddenly eliminated - that's where my connection to the whole story and characters start. I honestly don’t know where the story would head when that important person was eliminated on the story and it really keeps me off the edge of my seat.

The book ended leaving me with a whole lot more of questions - about Victor, The Order and Niklas and what’s more in store for Sarai. The major problems are solved, but it still left me wanting for more.

Killing Sarai is definitely not your typical romance story and as I've said it was way way different from the author's other novel. I love the action, mystery and the lingering romance. Way to go Ms.Redmerski!
Smitten (Crush, #2) - Lacey Weatherford I'm too smitten with this book!
Love, family, action, mystery drama, suspense and intensity - the fire just keeps burning for Cami and Hunter.

Smitten kicks off a few months from where the first book Crush ends up. But the intensity and tension between Cami and Dylan is by far more palpable here, add up to this is the additional sense of suspense and action to Hunter's new mission.


He was set to be an undercover for a car thief suspected for murder.
But with one careless mistake, he unintentionally pulls Cami right in the middle of it.

Their relationship was tested when they both needed to watch each other acts as someone that they’re not while keeping their faces and story straight.


I won't say more but from that start expect a messy, intriguing but highly entertaining story along the way. The villains are all so convincing - they’re all nicely done. I have my hesitations with Ripper if he really is the suspect for the crime, I have a hunch but I was still surprised with things at the end. I honestly like the flow of the story – it was really unpredictable, the character’s and villains moves and everything in between. It’s all so convincing and good and the way things ended? I was surprised but I totally loved it!

I still love Cami - her strength as character, compassion and just the way she sees the good things in people. Having Cami dragged into Hunter's work could be very dangerous but I really do like how it was composed, I love the thrill it gives to me and the additional twist to the story. Hunter of course, still wins my heart here.

I had so much fun reading this book, in fact I think I enjoyed it far more than the first one. I laughed, get thrilled and swooned over those romantic scenes that I've been waiting for Cami and Hunter. I totally loved it. I could say that the wait for it was oh so worth it.
The Distance Between Us - Kasie West Yay! Another summer romance read for me. It was way past summer here in Manila but I know summer is just about so start in other countries and I think my timeline is with them what with me reading endless summer reads for the past couple of days. Anyhoo, this is my first novel by Kasie West, the cover really hooked me - just saying - and aside from the creepy doll house and the rich-boy poor girl relationship that the blurb suggest, I don’t know what really to expect about this. And fortunately, the very good side for summer romance read is that it offers a story that is not too complicated.

I love Caymen! I think we could be the best of friends! She's too sarcastic for her own good and her dry sense of humor rocks! People might think it was weird but she carries it all out, she rocked her sarcastic nature exceptionally! I was honestly hesitant to her character at first, but I overall admire her. She doesn’t harbor great feeling for the rich people, not because she and her mom was barely struggling on their own but because her rich dad left her mom pregnant and paid her off to keep her mouth shut plus her rich grandparents disinherited her mom upon knowing the news - so you really can’t blame her right? There is a root for all those feelings.


There are two types of people in our small beach town: the rich and the people who sell things to the rich. Apparently.


The came Xander - he's filthy rich; the heir to a famous hotel chains. But the very good thing about him is that he has a great charming personality. He's not arrogant because of his life status he acts normally, he's sweet and dreamy. As he interacts with Caymen, I sometimes forgot that he's that rich because he pretty much acts so normal whenever when he's with Caymen.
Following the story was really fun; the plot was cute and pretty much easy to read. I enjoyed the author's way of writing and easily get the hang of it.

Flaws I see through the story was the presence of Cody - Caymen's other love interest. Well, I really don’t consider him a love interest coz Caymen never did show any intent with him other than being friends so I guess his character was pretty much pointless.

I also wanted to see more depth with our characters for it seems like we only get to see sides of them whenever they’re together. I wanted to see Caymen at school and even Xander with his family and his school and other stuff he does.

The ending though didn’t do much justice as to how much I enjoy Xander and Caymen's story. It was a bit rushed for my taste - I guess I wanted to see an aftermath. An epilogue would be nice. I wanted to see Xander handling the hotels and what would be the future of the doll store.

In all, The Distance Between Us is a great summer or even an everyday read with a good story, good characters and epic humor.
Playing For Keeps (The Game, #2) - Emma  Hart And the games begin again...but voluntarily on both sides this time.


A voluntary game of love. With its own set of complex yet easily broken rules. With the ability to make or break the players. And both with the same prize.


I'm excited for Megan and Aston as I finished the first book! I'm excited to see what more there is between these two characters that are often mentioned on the first book. The tension is pretty evident with all their jokes and insults with each other giving me an idea that there would definitely be more from them and now my waiting is finally done! Yay


She's looking for Mr. Darcy and he's looking for nothing more than a roll in the sack.


I know there is really something more with Aston - more than the cocky, womanizing, jerky guy; Broken. Shattered and Mismatched. That's what Aston thinks of him. I always became a softie when it comes to guy characters that are vulnerable. I already got a hint during the first parts that there is definitely more than meets the eye with Aston but knowing what really happened during his childhood - the abuse and being left all alone, I really can't help but feels sad about little Aston. As the story progress, seeing him trust and be with Megan makes me feel happy despite the things he'd been through. The good thing about this is that though he has his demons and is wounded, he never felt sorry and never wallows to pity.

Megan on the other hand, was I thought the sweet little girl so I was totally surprised on how she acted during that first scene upon opening this book. But she handles things pretty good, her devotion and love for Aston has been strong enough to help him chase the demons that is hunting him.I love her geeky literature side and I especially relate to her Pride and Prejudice Obsession. It's nice seeing her find her own Mr. Darcy.

I love Braden's big-brother attitude toward Megan, honestly I wanted to have a big brother but unfortunately didn’t have one - anyway he knows Aston's womanizing ways that's why he always threatened to castrate anyone who laid a finger on Megan. The journey with Megan and Aston's secret relationship keeps me hanging on and I indeed love the anticipation as to how Braden would react upon knowing.

Things didn’t work smoothly for them, but things we're settled. I have this tiny itch that is looking for more but fighting childhood demons and brother-like people are enough to keep this story rolling.

I also love seeing their group of friends; the group of "player" friends, which life and friendship blossoms into something more. I’m looking forward for their group to get bigger!

Many people said they prefer Aston and Megan’s story and as much as I enjoyed it, I think I'm still a Braden and Maddie fan but Playing For Keeps is another great addition to the series. The deep-side plus the humor and sarcastic side of the characters mixed up greatly to the story. I have no idea as to whose story the next installment to this story might be but for sure I’m looking forward to it.
All I Need - Susane Colasanti
"How is it possible to feel like you've known someone your whole life when you just met him yesterday?"


You guys don't know how totally I'm into Summer Love. I always smell the beach and the bonfire and everything that is summery whenever I get to read summer romances, plus I missed reading Colasanti's work so everything about this book excites me.

The story started good with Sky meeting Seth on the beach and their two-day summer romance started. But due to life circumstances, they parted ways. A year or two passed, they saw each other again, and continue the thing thay started a few summers ago.

It was a nice little story but I needed more frameworks. The characters, Seth and Skye are good, but I wanted to see more from them, more than what was already on the surface. As much as I enjoyed uncomplicated stories like this one, I think that story rolls off too fast. It's really too fast. I could’ve wanted to cherish every little detail about Seth and Skye's romance but unfortunately days seem to roll off so fast on this book.

The story has a lot of potential to diving into deeper issues. For instance, they are somehow in a long-distance type of relationship but it seems like they easily just get into it without much of a struggle. Their too different life status - Skye comes from a wealthy family while Seth comes from an average one. The side issues of Seth’s parents and Skye's best friends at war was also mentioned but it seems like through all of this we all skimmed it up instead of really giving us readers more info about it, making me feel that it isn’t enough. I just wanted a more elaborate flow to the story and not simply skimming up parts of it because that’s what it seems to be happening as I’m reading it – everything is skimmed.

Despite those rants, I enjoyed Seth and Skye's relationship, maybe it’s because I'm growing up and a bit old for these types of stories that's why I'm asking for more, but those little happy moments still tickles my heart and still appreciate it. Plus I love the Serendipity-like twist of the story.

All I Need may not satisfy my every craving and expectations, but if you’re looking for a fast and sweet summer read, pick this one up.
Losing Hope  - Colleen Hoover Need I say more?
Dean Holder owned my heart in Hopeless and its no surprise that he still owned it and owned it more with Losing Hope.

It's been awhile since I've read Hopeless (not really coz I did a bit of review of it before proceeding with Losing Hope ;)) - anyhow, I just find Losing Hope like a different story than Hopeless. Yes, it was simply retelling the story of Hopeless and bits and pieces are there but seeing things in Holders view makes this story like another different adventure.

We all know how Dean and Hope's story ended, but I was still in awe with the author as to how she could retell the same exact story but still making its reader fall in love with it all over again and makes the reading like a new one. All pent up emotions and feeling in reading Hopeless opens up while you read Losing Hope.

Losing Hope lets us see a lot of different sides of Dean Holder. Dean Holder as a brother, a broken and lost child, a mushy in love teenage guy, a pissed-of teenage guy and a person who has so much guilt and emotions kept up inside.


We realized that day that even adults do horrible things. Children disappear. Best friends get taken from you and you have no idea if they’re even alive anymore.


He continue to live his life but his letters to Les just gives us a lot more about him. I think those letters gives us the biggest picture as to what he really feels and how he lives his daily life from the time he also loses Les. His thoughts are so much more different as to what I imagined. Although I know where the story was heading, I still can’t help but feel my heart clench and strikes a little. I clearly see his depth as a character.

Aside from Holder, I really appreciate his friend Daniel's participation in the story. He's the comic relief that Dean definitely needed here. He's the exact equivalent of Six to Sky and he's insults to Dean doesn’t hit a bad bone to me in fact it hits those tickle bones and I can’t help but grew on him.

Losing Hope is more than just Dean Holder telling Hopeless in his view. It was more on knowing him and where he's really coming from. The love and romance is all so worth it to read and I'm still caught as to whose view I love more to read, but despite that one thing I'm certain is that Dean and Hope's story was phenomenal.

Colleen Hoover, you definitely ruined me. I love you for making characters that are all vulnerable and broken and making us believe that in due time it all could be fixed. Hopeless and Losing Hope will be kept forever on my favorite shelf.

*Thanks to Atria Books and Netgalley for kindly providing advance copy for review.*
The Plunge - Sindhu S.
An Indian woman. Her trials, happiness, love and her man.


I will start this review with the way I feel about the ending of this book, well, honestly its the only redeeming part of it. The end happened just when I'm starting to get the hype on. I love the emotional and surprising turn of events.

Why is that you ask? I don't really know. The first part and middle part of the story just didn't quite grip me.

Here I am with my expectations once again. Sigh. So I'm expecting a romance story that flows through the same plot as to others but what I get is a story where the girl is involved in affair with a married guy but for her, their affair is simply more than hitting the sack for she harbor deep feelings for the guy. It was really far far from what I was expecting based on the blurb posted.

As for the characters, I really didn't get the chance to connect with them. The story was told in different point of views of Anjali, Swapna and Siddharta so at the beginning I'm a bit confused as to who should I put my focus on - whether it Siddharta, Anjali or Swapna's story though these three are all intertwined.

Anjali is a soft-hearted character. She may be the one girl who has the most horrible sexual past due to idiotic guys that she's been around with. I really find myself questioning what really she did find with Siddharta. I mean, he's hot and cold with her and seems to take what they have too casually, I think Anjali sees it but she's being blinded by what she feels with him. I honestly think, that Siddharta's character was lamely made. I mean, I didn't see an inch of thing that makes him pretty much likable!

Despite those hesitations, I can't erase the fact the The Plunge was a story with a lesson. Oh and a question, why is it titled The Plunge? Feel free to enlighten me about it. ;)

I'm honestly expecting more but didn't get that hype. But as I've said firstly, I like the ending, despite the not so good middle parts, it ended with a bang! It's emotional, heavy and surprising, sometimes I hate that kind of ending but I think it quite suited this one.

*Copy kindly provided for review*
*Blog Tour deets posted at Reads and Thoughts.