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ARC Review: Unforgettable by Cherie M. Hudson
Unforgettable
Cherie M. Hudson
Always Series, Book 2
My name is Brendon Osmond. I’m a 25 year old post-graduate student who knows three things with absolute conviction. I know damn near everything there is to know about keeping in peak physical shape. I have a plan to make a lot of money from that knowledge. I’m an optimist who’s not easily rattled. But then the girl I fell in love with almost two years ago texts me out of the blue and everything I know is thrown out the window.
Am I rattled?
No.
Not until I fly to the other side of the world and discover the girl I fell for has kept a very big secret from me.
A secret that mocks all my knowledge of the human body and how to keep it healthy.
A secret that shatters my plans for my own personal training business.
A secret with my eyes.
A secret who needs me more than I can comprehend.
Ask me again if I’m rattled.
Now ask me if I’m still in love.
5 Stars
Amazing, heartbreaking and hopeful.
Going into a book where you have a preconceived dislike of the heroine, that you have yet to meet, is a bit trying and harder than you think. Then Ms. Hudson gives the reader a story of ups and down, tragedy and blessing, loss and love, devastation and triumph with an amazing amount of optimism.
I loved Brendon from the moment I met him in Unconditional. He’s a true friend, and a damn good man. Always seeing the good in people. Brendon is the kind of person who will support you when you need it, push you just enough and alway be by your side.
Amanda was a wonderfully written character however I did not love her. I thought her to be very selfish. She made a move of desperation that I found tackles. Upon her reasoning I to a point understood, I still didn’t like her decision. By the end she did grow on me a bit. I still don’t love her but found her to be one of the strongest women I have read in a very long time.
I flippin loved this book. And I cried every kind of tear known to man while reading Unforgettable. No, I didn’t love the heroine and I gave this book 5 Stars. Why? This story is heartbreaking, gut wrenching, and raw. Hopeful and passionate. The characters, writing and author make it all blend together to give the reader a roller coaster ride of emotions, a fight against something neither of them could control and showing sometimes hope and faith all we really have. That is what makes a damn good book.
I’m not the biggest fan of New Adult romance. If Cherie M. Hudson is writing it, I will be reading it. Grab your tissues and dive in. You will need them.
Review copy provided by netgalley.
ARC Review: In Tune by Laramie Briscoe
In Tune
Laramie Briscoe
Red Bird Trail Trilogy, Book 3
Published August 14th 2015 by Laramie Briscoe
Forgiveness
Compassion
Love
When Cash Montgomery and Harper Stillwell decided to take a chance on a fling, neither one knew where it would take them. From the highest of highs to the lowest of lows, they are clawing their way back to the kind of relationship they have both fought so hard for.
Cash can forgive, but he can’t forget. Harper can apologize, but she can’t express her true feelings.
Growing up is hard—just because you reach an age where the world says you’re an adult doesn’t mean you are. These two are figuring out that life only gets more difficult the older you get, they are learning that love comes at a price, and they are deciding whether it’s worth fighting for.
After the Collision—they’re desperately trying to figure out if they can ever be in tune.
4.5 Stars
In a time that should be filled with happiness, Cash and Harper are at a kind of stand still. All the secrets are out and hearts are hurting. This is where the healing begins. Cash shows the man he truly is (totally giving Tyler a run for his money. Fans of Laramie’s Heaven Hill Series will understand) with his compassion, willingness to trust, loyalty and patience. Giving his love and support to the woman that truly changes his life.
Harper’s fear got the best her. Keeping a part of her locked away. Shame and embarrassment makes a girl do things that hurt. A good kick in the butt from a friend and Cash’s loyalty and persistence, Harper opened her heart whole to the love of a man that changed her for the good.
Cash and Harper send the reader on an emotional roller coaster showing love is not always easy but so worth it in the conclusion to the Red Bird Trail Trilogy, In Tune. No emotion is spared, as Cash and Harper work together to get their love IN TUNE!
Ms. Briscoe has in my opinion, really out done herself with not only In Tune, the Trilogy as a whole. With each book Laramie writes, the characters become more real. Cash and Harper are no exception. Individually they will hit your heart, together set it on fire. Passionate, heartwarming and emotional. I didn’t view In Tune as the end of a trilogy, but as a new beginning for Cash and Harper.
A complimentary copy was provided for an honest review.
Review: Unconditional by Cherie M. Hudson
Unconditional
Cherie M. Hudson
Always Series, Book 1
ebook
5×5 Publishing
She has a future she can’t escape. He refuses to let her face it alone.
Twenty-one. The age when adult life begins. In my case, it’s the age I learned my future sucked, big time, and there was nothing I could do about it. Every minute of every day I face the fact my life is only going to get worse. Why? Because I have early-onset Parkinson’s Disease. I’m not going to let it get me down, but I also can’t let anyone close. That’s not fair to them, or to me. Trust me. So that means my heart and my soul, is off-limits.
But then I traveled to Australia on a college scholarship program and life royally screwed me over. Again.
Raphael Jones is an arrogant Australian celebrity, the hottest guy on campus and a pain in my ass. Worst of all, he makes me ache for a life I’ll never be able to have. Especially when he takes me in his arms and does wicked things to my body.
How do I have a hope of surviving ten weeks in Australia when it’s not just the paparazzi who have me in their sights, but Raph as well? Because Raphael Jones is a man who always gets what he wants. And no matter what I say or do, he refuses to accept what I so painfully know: a life and future with me is no life at all.
4.5 Stars
The best New Adult book I have read!
Maci was as real as they come! I totally fell in love with her! A young woman dealing with the life of becoming an adult and a disease that makes life hard to live. Wants and dreams are not seen the same way to Maci as others do. Love is also something Maci see different. No attachments, as she feels all she will cause is hurt. Traveling halfway around the country opens her eyes to more than just the world.
Ralph surprised me from the get go. He’s a super hot, simple man who became a celebrity by circumstance. A bit argonaut, fun and carefree in his own way. Running into someone who knows nothing about changes his world with one kiss. Ralph is genuine in all aspects of the word. The thoughtfulness and caring this man contains the things that dreams are made of.
A complex yet passionate book that will make you laugh and cry all in one. Truly giving the reader a peek at what Unconditional love really is. Dealing with real life through laughter, struggle, pain, tears and passion. Ms. Hudson nails this book on every level. Well developed and engaging characters with personalities and charisma that make you want to read them. Great plot and storyline will keep the pages turning. While the chemistry and passion will make you fall in love. A great read!
Review: Never Let You Go By Katy Regnery
Never Let You Go
Katy Regnery
A Modern Fairytale Series
Published June 12th 2015 by Katharine Gilliam Regnery
In this modern retelling of “Hansel and Gretel,” 13-year-old foster children, Holden and Griselda, escape from their abductor after three years of brutal captivity and try to cross the Shenandoah River on foot. Tragically, one of them makes it to safety but the other is left behind.
Ten years later, Griselda’s boyfriend drags her to a fight club grudge match where her world is turned upside down when she watches Holden step into the ring.
Though the connection between them is fierce, bitter regret, simmering rage and a cache of physical and emotional scars lie between them, just as dangerous as the whitewater of the Shenandoah.
Never Let You Go is a story of fear and hope, defeat and survival, and two people – once profoundly broken – who discover that love is the only thing that can make them whole again.
This is a standalone novel inspired by Hansel & Gretel. New Adult Contemporary Romance: Due to profanity, scenes of physical abuse and very strong sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18. (Note: children are not sexually abused in this book.)
For June and July 2015, 25% of all gross royalties will be donated to the Elizabeth Smart Foundation.
3.5 Stars
As I begin to read Never Let You Go, I was pushing myself a bit. I ask myself why am I still reading this. I hate not finishing a book. I get to about the halfway mark and realize I have been sitting in my chair reading non stop for a few hours. As I finished the last page I knew why I had to finish reading Never Let You Go.
A story of survival, turmoil, longing, hope and romance. Talk about an emotional roller coaster. Katy Regnery take the fairytale to a whole new level. Holden and Griselda are both complex and immensely strong. Both victims of circumstance into many ways. A bond that somehow stand the test of time and a trip through hell and back.
It’s generally known that I’m not a fan of New Adult romance. I feel a lack of substance and true emotions in most of them. Katy Regnery blew me out of my seat with the powerful and emotional story of Holden and Griselda. A dark and edgy tale that will make one cringe in fear and cry with joy.
A review copy was provided by the author/publisher for an honest review.
Review: Before I Fall by Jessica Scott
Before I Fall
Jessica Scott
Stay focused. Get a job. Save her father’s life.
Beth Lamont knows far too much about the harsh realities of life her gilded classmates have only read about in class. She’ll do whatever it takes to take care of her father, even if that means tutoring a guy like Noah – a guy who represents everything she hates about the war, soldiers and what the Army has done to her family.
Noah Warren doesn’t know how to be a student. All he knows is war. But he’s going to college now to fulfill a promise and he doesn’t break his promises. Except he doesn’t count on his tutor being drop dead gorgeous and distracting as hell. One look at Beth threatens to unravel the careful lies Noah has constructed around him.
A simple arrangement turns into something neither of them can deny. And a war that neither of them can forget could destroy them both.
4 Stars
As I started reading Before I Fall, I thought this was going to be another one of those New Adult books. Boy was I wrong. Before I Fall is one of those too close to real life romance that I have read in a very long time.
Beth is a struggling student. Classes are the easy part for her. It’s make sure she has money for rent, trying to keep the lights on and taking care of a parent who is in pain constantly and an addict. A girl that had to grow up to fast. Beth is saint, survivor and a damn smart woman. I related to her all too well.
Noah carries mental and physical scars from war. Trying to live life as a college student is more than a challenge for him. Somedays it hard to tell if the anxiety is worse than the pain. The thing I loved about Noah is, one he knows his issues. Two, he wants to change himself and not rely on pharmaceutical means to get through a day. And three, he’s sweet, caring and willing. That’s a good man.
Where do I begin. Before I Fall is an emotional ride to say the least. This book is going to make you think. This is not a story where the hero comes in and makes it all better. Many social issues play a big part in this book. Addiction, poverty, health care and PTSD, just to name a few. Just like in real life when everything is in utter chaos there will be these moments and people you meet that make you stop and pause in life. A breath of fresh air. That’s Noah and Beth! They struggle everyday and keep going! The characters will pull you in and their stories will get your heart.
Ms. Scott gave me an unexpected thought provoking read.
A complementary copy of this book was provided for an honest review.
Review: Without You by Reylynn Purdue
Without You
Reylynn Purdue
But that was before– Before she found her mother’s lifeless body– Before she walked in on her boyfriend in bed with someone else. Before she knew what heart shattering pain felt like.
Now all she wants is for the pain to go away. But it never does.
Until him. A complete stranger who could end up being much more.
But letting go and moving on is easier said than done.
ARC Review: Too Many Reasons by Kristen Strassel
Too Many Reasons
Kristen Strassel
Spotlight Series, Book 2
Expected publication: February 9th 2015
Abby Gauthier is close to getting everything she’s worked so hard for. The band she manages, Sinister Riot, has been offered a major record contract. But it comes with a catch: the band must add Eli Jamison, winner of the talent show The Spotlight, to the lineup.
Devon Sinclair is the singer of Sinister Riot, and he’s Abby’s best friend. She’s in love with him, but fears she’ll lose him if she makes the first move. Devon knows adding Eli to the band is a mistake, and he’s right. Eli’s interested in more than just making an album. He wants to take control of the band, and he wants to get to know Abby better. A lot better. When tensions between Devon and Eli threaten to destroy Sinister Riot, Abby must act on her true feelings or lose everything she’s ever wanted.
4 Stars
Life, Love and Rock-N-Roll!
Abby and Devon have a very unique relationship. A friendship started many years ago. To the average outsider, they are the perfect couple. To those in their inner circle, wonder why they do what they do to each other. He is her dream man. She is the one he falls on, always. They are closer than close. Rising through the ranks of the trying to make it rock and roll world, tests the bounds of this tighter than knots friendship. Or is it really more.
Rockstar drama, sexual tension and great characters light up the pages of Too Many Reasons. This is a character driven story with a plot that kept me guessing. Abby and Devon made me love and want to smack each of them in turn. I felt like Too Many Reasons was a down to earth, real life rocker story. I love that music was a big focus of the story, along with the crazy romance. Well done, Kristen Strassel!
Coffee Books Life 