Wednesday, August 30, 2017

The Winner's Crime

For the love of all the Book Gods, I am lost for words! I finally dared to open the second in a series. And when I say dare, I really mean it because I was so scared to start this book. I shouldn't have been! If I thought this book was going to disappoint me, I was absolutely wrong. I said it with the first book and I'll say it again: this is probably the best book I've read in 2017 so let's make this statement right: this will probably be the best series I've read this year. The second book in The Winner's-trilogy is ready for it's review: The Winner's Crime by Marie Rutkoski

WARNING For the ones here that haven't read the first in this series, I recommend you not to read on since there will be further developments to the characters and to the plot. This will create a less pleasant read of The Winner's Crime because you know more information than you already should. Therefore, I recommend you not to read the review of The Winner's Crime but to read the review about the first in the series: The Winner's CurseJust clicking on the title will open a new page with the review on the first book. 

Now Arin is free and has his country back, it's Kestrels duty to keep him safe and free. However everything comes with a price and Kestrel is paying it. Being the Prince's finance, she feels as if she's living in a cage going from one celebration to the other. All this time her heart is longing for someone else but she's made it her job to protect the one that lies closest to her. But with every day that day of the wedding approaching and every moment Kestrel has to live through the torture, she's aching to tell Arin the truth about everything and tell him how she sacrificed everything because of him and so he would be safe. 
Arin however tried everything to win Kestrel back and to make her tell him the truth, but the God of Lies loves Kestrel and all this time she tried to protect him. Some truths should have been told earlier and some lies should've never been said in the first place. Kestrel becomes the goddess of  deceit as she becomes a spy all the while Arin is fighting to keep his country's freedom. When the truth finally will come out, hearts will be cut open and left to bleed...

This book has left me speechless! The reason why I was so scared to begin the second is the series is because of the ending in The Winner's Curse. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely loved the first in the series and also loved the ending because it wasn't typical and as I had thought it would end. 

By now we all know that (SPOILER ALERT if you're reading this review and haven't read the first book!) Kestrel and Arin aren't together and left each other. We also know there's been made a deal and that Kestrel didn't get engaged because she was madly in love with the prince. All of us that read The Winner's Curse know that sacrifices have been made and that one of the parties doesn't know anything about it. My ship was totally wrecked at the end of the book because my love for Arin and Kestrel is too big for words. My thoughts immediately thought that The Winner's Crime would make sure that Arin and Kestrel would be far away from each other and that the book would begin to develop a plot where both don't or barely see each other. However the author really made sure that both characters were still linked to each other and would develop the plot while also coming across each other in different situations! 



So the thing that scared me to start The Winner's Crime was really nothing to be scared of and even though the characters will not be like they were in the first book, due to circumstances and lies, I still absolutely enjoyed the atmosphere they brought the book and how, independently, they twisted the story to what is has become! 

What I really feel with these characters is that each of them is growing on a rapid pace and have now fully stepped into the world of deceit and lies. Although The Winner's Curse also really focused on this, I felt like the second book did an even better job on this! Especially because the lies are the main thing that split our characters apart from each other and might keep them that way or might bring them together like this.

The role with deceiving and lying and being totally focused on the game was really Kestrels and I absolutely loved to see how she was going at it. From the first book we knew that Kestrel has a very strong mind that's smart and knows how to makes strategies. We wouldn't expect less of a general's daughter. However in The Winner's Crime, Kestrel did an even better job especially because she felt the need to. This need was very clear for the readers and also made it very pleasant. 

Once again we saw a very strong and determined Kestrel that always explained her motives to the readers but never let anything get obvious to the other characters that she was deceiving them. Her strategies were totally new and also amazing to see. The author really made sure that we could follow every step through her mind and that we knew her motives and which strategy she preferred over the other. The thing with Kestrel in this book was that I really felt like she was balanced out. Her longing to protect Arin was so strong that it made her mind games even better and her strategies excellent. 

The last thing I really want to say about Kestrel is that she might look very strong and of course, she is! However we really see her suffer in this book as well, because she can't have what she wants so badly. Her need to protect is bigger which I think is a trait from this character that came out a lot stronger in the second book than it did in the first. The things she wants and where she's currently at because of her protectiveness also really reflects how caged she feels and how it's making her rot from the inside out. Above that Kestrel doesn't only want to keep Arin safe by helping him and give information through someone else, she also wants her father to love her and respect her. 

That's something that Kestrel always has wanted, even since the first book and I have to say that my questions about if this was going to be resolved and how are now satisfied. The author will also concentrate on her inner conflict: getting the love of her Father and being with the man she loves. There's a lot in store for Kestrel and she'll be walking on a very thin line where she'll have to be careful not to make any mistakes. The verge of danger she's in and what her heart wants will really make this character amazing and magnificent!

As for Arin, I really felt that his character struggled a lot as well and was in an inner conflict just like Kestrel. Arin is also longing for everything in the past and that made it hard for him to move on and be a man. The plot will keep referring to Arin fighting between the little boy from the first book and the man that he's now in the second book. Arin does play well in the games at court, however he's less of a game player in The Winner's Crime. While Kestrel really is fighting for something close to Arin, Arin is trying to keep his land and busy with other political influences that can help him keep Harran. 

Although he might be busy with other things, Arin will still think of Kestrel a lot. And Kestrel's strength of strategy has been rubbed off on him in this book. The author really showed how much more Arin can do and how much he can think like Kestrel which I think was a great asset to the book because that was something that linked the two characters, now split, together. 

Speaking of the two linked together, both will see each other on multiple occasions through the book where we see their personalities develop and grow stronger. Kestrel being deceiving to protect but also being a source of information for Arin without him knowing and Arin being smarter, stronger and more developed. Both of their characters are going to be very strong and stubborn which will form multiple clashes between the two and the readers will be left with frustration because we know everything but they don't! 

A last thing about Arin though, is that I feel like he isn't only struggling with the whole past and present but also with seeing the lies and conspiracies. Throughout the book we'll see that Kestrel has the advantage because she has a stronger mind to make conspiracies, strategies and to lie. Arin is strong in that part too but not as strong as Kestrel which causes Arin to struggle a lot with seeing the truths when he thinks she's lying. Both play a very convincing role in pushing and pulling each other which will have different effects that will leave the readers with feelings all over the place! 

The relationship between the two isn't like we saw it in the first book which I think is an asset to the story. The plot has developed in many ways so we can't expect for them to be the same. However since it's written in an all-knowing-persona we do really see what they both long for but how things have changed and what made the change. Meanwhile we'll be left with feeling and wished we were the Gods of love so we could interfere! The characters really showed a big development that left me lost for words but really happy. Their personalities are just so much stronger, kind of the same, which makes it hard for them to interpret and understand each other like they did before, even if their feelings speak the same language. Absolutely outstanding once again!

As for the plot there's a game to play so make sure you're ready! Even in The Winner's Curse I noticed that the author had a gift to make these conspiracies and to trick the readers even if it was written in an all-knowing-persona. Also in the second book the conspiracies and games will play a major role. Especially because it's these games that Kestrel needs to protect the person she's wanted from the start. 

In the first book the author focused on the empire of Valoria and how Herran was colonized by them. Even then there were conspiracies and rebellion which caused the ending of The Winner's Curse as we all know it now. In The Winner's Crime the focus of war will be less on Herran and more on the East: Dacra. This doesn't mean that Valoria and it's players won't keep Herran in their sight. The book really has a higher political aspect than it had in The Winner's Curse but I actually loved to see that because it made sure that we could see our characters form strategies which I absolutely adore. Being that the focus of war has changed also brings Arin to the table. 

As I mentioned the eyes won't leave Herran because many Valorian people are not happy that it got it's independence. Kestrel will do anything to make sure it keeps it and therefore will also start playing an even more dangerous game. For the first time Kestrel changes her ways and will turn on her own nationality because of Arin. Even though he doesn't know, Kestrel will be feeding information and she'll be everywhere when it comes to the political games. Why? Because the emperor of Valoria knows how strong Kestrel is when it comes to war and making moves and he wants her to take over when she's ready. I really loved how the plot turned this story so much in the second book. Although The Winner's Curse also contained this political aspect, I feel like it didn't concentrate on it as much as it did in The Winner's Crime. The danger is real because Kestrel turned on her people and will now have to be extra careful. The author also really shows what happens when you do that and how dangerous it can get.

The plot really needed all these wars and strategies to make the plot evolve the way it did. I can't really tell more because that would spoil but just know it's not a boring thing at all! Many might think this will be dragging on but in fact it made things a lot more interesting and also a lot clearer. You really got to be in the character's head and see how every move is written out and why they chose things the way they did. The war is now everywhere. Valoria is turning onto Herran and Dacra which makes things very interesting for the main characters and will develop a lot of things.

The plot is one big game where the players have to trust their gut to see through lies and deceit. I think that was also the thing that made me love this book the most: even though our characters aren't close all times both still play the game to favor the other and to find out the truth. The lies are big and important and the reader really needs to read carefully which also makes us feel like we're into this book. It really gives a lot of freedom to think for ourselves and to search for motives of other characters such as the General, the emperor, the queen of Dacra and even old friends. 

Even though we think we know everything because of the all-knowing-persona we keep being presented with these unexpected turns that make us suffer or encourage the characters to go on and that's really what a book should do: be unexpected when it seems like we know everything. If you loved the first book and really fell in love and made Kestrel and Arin your ship, then you'll also be on fire when it comes to feelings. It's really as if we're part of this game where we see our characters go away from each other because of everything that's happening: the war, the upper hand in the game, the players and the conspiracies. It's easy to feel lied to in this book and to have to guess if you're right or wrong which adds to the feels in this book and made the characters as they are now! 

For short the plot is absolutely amazing: it's a big game where it doesn't only resolve around Kestrel and Arin anymore, many other characters will find their way into the story and play along with the game. You'll be lied to, you'll be seeing people disappear and deceive and you'll see how much people long for things they can't have. Above that the plot really influences the moves of the characters and made them develop as they did.

Once again Marie Rutkoski brought an amazing story that followed up on the first book in this series. I was so pleased with book one and finally got around to read the second. I have to admit I was scared to start The Winner's Crime, because I didn't know if I'd like to see my two main characters in a situation they got in at the end of The Winner's Curse. However I'm also really happy to admit that this book turned out to be even better than I had expected. The characters grew and fight against what they see as lies and truths. I really loved how the author played games with us and made us doubt these lies and truths. Above that this book is filled with conspiracy that still involved both characters and therefore kept them linked together even if they weren't near each other. It's an outstanding book that really keeps you on your toes, even though we know almost everything since it's written in 3rd person. I absolutely loved how the plot evolved and how the author played with the characters. A great book (and so far series) if you're in need of a game that's played with lies, conspiracy and so much more!

“If you won’t be my friend, you’ll regret being my enemy.” 

Wednesday, August 23, 2017

The Struggle

As every summer for the past two years I've posted a review about a book in a series that I absolutely adore. And when I say adore, I really mean lots more than that word can ever describe. The book I want to talk about today is also one of that series and also written by one of my most favorite authors! If you followed around on my blog, you might already know how much I love this author and her books: The Struggle by Jennifer L. Armentrout.

WARNING For the ones here that haven't read the first in this series, I recommend you not to read on since there will be further developments to the characters and to the plot. This will create a less pleasant read of The Return  and The Power because you know more information than you already should. Therefore, I recommend you not to read the review of The Struggle but to read the review about the first in the series: The Return or the second in the series: The PowerJust clicking on the title will open a new page with the review on the first book. 

This book series is also a sequel to the Covenant series by Jennifer L. Armentrout. If you haven't read that series yet but plan on reading it I also suggest to not read any of these books first, since they reveal details of the ending of the Covenant series which comes before these books! If you're interested in finding out what the Covenant series is I also wrote review on those! By clicking on the title of the first book a new page will open and reveal the review: Half-blood

Everyone is doubting of what Seth has become. Only one person trusts him with her life and she's the only one willingly to seek him out and this time help Seth to become who he really should be. Believing that Seth isn't a monster, Josie starts to seek him all over the world. However this won't stop the Titans from attacking and getting what they've always wanted: absolute power and control. As they strike their battles against Josie and her friends, the other demi-gods are still in danger and Josie being one of those gods the Titans want doesn't mean anything good. Running from the titans and meanwhile searching for the person she loves, Josie will be in complicated situations where she has to choose between her own life or his. The question is, will she ever find Seth before it's too late?

As always we'll start with the characters and start with Josie! I really have to say that I admire Josie so much. I've always thought she was a very strong woman, especially with how she handles everything and because her world totally got turned upside down and she kept going. This book really brings another facet to that, in the other books I felt like the focus was on her not being able to defend herself physically and her learning that she could do this on her own. This time around you really felt the emotional part where she was strong and independent for someone else she felt really strong about. Josie really is the only one who wants to help Seth now he is what he is, which we don't even really know. I really admired Josie being strong for someone else and willing to fight for others and not just think about the greater problem which were the titans. 

Once again we really saw another side of Josie's strong character which I think is a great asset to the series in general as well. It's really amazing how the author can still make us see new facets and parts of a character, and Jennifer L. Armentrout really did that with Josie. As always I admire her in every way possible and grow to love her even more. Especially because she'll have to endure a lot more during this book than she has in every other book before. And it doesn't only stays with physical strength or mental strength, the author really does make sure that Josie can prove to be a strong female character in every way possible. An amazing well written character she is, she really amazes me each time around!  

As for our other main character Seth, I really was feeling so happy when he finally got into the book! The author really leaves us in suspension at the beginning of the book, making us wait on SETH! Although I have to say this really gave a big boost to my excitement of seeing him and also brought mystery to where he was and what he was doing, I was so happy to finally see him! 

Seth really will be a big mystery for most of the beginning of the book which I think is marvelous when you think about it. The author gave us such a strong character that changes so much from how we once knew him in the rest of the books. He's such an amazing person to Josie and his friends, very protective but gentle and still has this cockiness from time to time. However last time around in The Power, Seth changed and nobody knows if it was for the better or not. We only know he left Josie which is a big thing for the both of them and will have major impacts. 

I can't really say much more than that because that would totally ruin the read. All I want to say is that whatever happened to Seth will become clear during the read, but the author really made us wait for it which I think isn't a bad thing but really adds to our mystery and excitement. When he does come around though I really loved Seth, as usual, and really was glad to see him in the picture again. More I won't say because that might give away how his change affected everything around him, his relationships and his personality. Just know: I heart Seth, okay?

What I can say more about the relationship between Josie and Seth is that Seth being gone and being whatever the heck he's being really will affect their relationship. In what way I can't tell since that's something for you to find out, but I can say that it reaches another level and deepness I never thought was possible between the two. Once again the author made sure we could see more and root even deeper for these two and I think that's the best thing she could ever give us! Above that the author has this major surprise during this read that involves both of them and you guys cannot even guess how exited I am for that!

Now the plot because oh wow the plot. Of course there's this big problem that the book will focus on: the Titans. This is a problem that's been overshadowing this whole series and what it really is about. Defeating them will therefore be a major thing in this book. Last time in The Power, they were already searching for other demi-gods which now will continue. I have to say that these demi-gods really will give an impact that leaves you chilled and feeling things you never thought you'd ever feel. I personally hadn't seen coming what will happen with them as it also involves one of the characters we've been looking at closely during the books. 

The titans will also be involved with this situation of the demi-gods which really gives it a lot more suspicion and thrill. The thing with the titans is, is that in The Struggle they will really start to come forward and will be more involved. We'll see more of them, their behavior and their motives, than we did in any other book before this. This is something I really enjoyed because they're the enemy and being able to situate them was a really good thing during this read. It also gives way to thinking about how we can defeat them and how they'll approach the rest of our characters. A really good plot part in my opinion to boost the series!

Of course next to the overshadowing problem of the series there's Seth being something we don't know what. As I mentioned before we really get to wait it out and drown in mystery! That's the thing I really loved most about this book: the big question about Seth. Him being this whole other thing really divides the group of friends he has and will also majorly affect everyone and the situation. Even if we don't know what he is and if he changed for the better or not, this will bring feels all over the place and that's what I really adored. The impact this will all have on his relationship is also something highly discussed during the book and also something I could really agree was necessary. I can't go too deep into this one especially because it's a big thing in the book, all I can say is that the author really wrote some major surprises during this book and really made sure we totally understood the situation.

Speaking of surprises there's this one thing that surprised me so much and involves our two main characters! Yes, I can't tell but know that surprise is waiting for you and the author did something I never thought would ever happen. Next to being in for surprises during this book and a lot of revelations, I really know that this book will give the readers all they wanted and were waiting for in this book. Once again it has so much thrill and new aspects that boost the book and never make it boring. It makes you exited, it makes you feel so many things and above that the titans will be more involved which will bring situations you never thought would happen involving Josie, involving the other demi-gods and even just the gods. I have to say I was not disappointed at all during this read and the things that will be revealed... oh holy book gods, be ready for it! There's another book after this one and we have to wait so long once again but the wait will be so worth it!


Such non real characters but such REAL feelings! Gah, just absolutely amazing!
As always I have nothing to complain about when it comes to Jennifer L. Armentrout. Her stories are filled with thrill and romance that makes your head spin and your heart race. And once again, even if it's the 3rd book in the series, she managed to present an amazing book that won't make you stop reading. I fell in love even more with the main characters as both really make life changing decisions and try to find out what's best for either of them. Of course we finally get answers to questions and get more thrill in this book than I had ever anticipated. The Struggle is also topped of with a lot of unexpected twists and turns I never thought we'd get to read in Seth and Josie's story and believe me when I say that I was that excited and scared that I probably needed medical help! I really couldn't get enough of this book as it contains surprise, romance, changes, decisions, action and of course amazing characters that might or might not make thrilling changes because of... things. I absolutely LOVED this book. If you haven't read Seth's sequal: BE ASHAMED! And pick it up. 

"A bloody path has been chosen. The Great War fought by the few is coming and in the end the sun will fall..."

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Emancipated

Time for a book I received for Christmas from my niece! First of all I'd really like to thank her again for this book so thank you so much. I really felt as if this was a summer kind of read so I also left it for summer. Now it's time and I finally got to read the book Emancipated by M.G. Reyes and I have to say I am surprised!

6 teens, all no longer under control of their parents, live together under one roof at Venice Beach. And every one of them has something to hide. Bringing them together might end up as a blessing or in a total catastrophe. There are no limits, no rules and no alibis and everyone can betray anyone. Living under the same roof brings a lot more that responsibility, especially when people start to trust one another and share their secrets. Murder, drama, long lost friends and a spy. It takes one person to deceive and betray anyone and nobody will be ready for when that day comes. Especially because other eyes are looking over the house...

Now the characters, as the synopsis said it contains 6 characters. All these characters were really nice to see together and also amazing to witness but I have to say I wished every character was equally talked about. Some received more attention than others which makes me wonder a lot about if the ones not highly spoken of are really important for the story.

First of all there's Grace, the character I absolutely loved most and really surprised me the most as well. Grace is just very relatable for me since she's such a silent and calm person also very gentle and kind. I absolutely loved this character for who she was! She didn't seem to be any harm to anyone, very open to everyone and always there when people needed her. The thing a lot of people and all characters in the book might love about this character is her feeling for justice as she writes with people who have been sentenced to death. During the story we get to see her go to visit the person she's writing with and see how much this affects her life. It really brings a lot of sympathy for Grace when you read it which only adds a lot more to how you feel about her. 

Something I absolutely loved about Grace was the fact that she didn't only come as a sweet, gentle girl. Grace has this darker side to her and this jealous side to her that I really enjoyed to read about. Especially because it brought more to her relationship with the other characters and also build the intensity of her character: is she really as kind as she seems? Soon enough it seems like Grace's character runs a lot deeper than we expected and also she seems to hide something which I thought was magnificent to witness. It really builds up questions about this character because she kind of deceived us at the beginning of the book. When even she's hiding something but you know she's so gentle you can only wonder if her intentions are good or bad. The author really saved her for last, her part in the book started to grow more towards the end which I think was a good thing because Grace really is my favorite (female) character!

Secondly there's Candace, the step-sister of Grace. I have to say I'm really disappointed in this character as she was the one character that wasn't talked about at all. The synopsis says they all have something to hide but with Candace there's literally no indication to what she might be hiding. All we know is that she's trying to make it in Hollywood which is fine and she has a role she's constantly out for. The thing with Candace is that I really don't have any grip on her and on her life. We know little of her background and she's only interested in other people's business so she can gossip. 

If I had to describe Candace in a few words it'd be arrogant, self-centered and gossip. She really is one of my least favorite characters in this book just because of her personality as well. I found it really hard to like her with the few things we got from her in the story, she written very superficial. She sure does bring drama when she's around which does bring some things to the plot but that's really it. There's no indication of her hiding something or meaning harm to the others other than gossiping. I don't really know if her role in the next books will increase since her role in Emancipated wasn't big and she also didn't get any chapters for herself. This book has six pov's and each chapter is someone elses pov but Candace barely gets any. A very disappointing character to me.  

Then there's another female character named Lucy. It's not that I didn't like Lucy but she's also not my favorite, that's probably because I'm still trying to figure her out. Lucy gets a very big and important role in the book because of what she's hiding. It also takes a very long time to understand what her secret is and for how long we've known it because Lucy's secret really brings a big mystery in the book that makes things confusing. I can't really get into that too much because then I'd spoil but just know Lucy's secret is major and really affecting the rest of the plot and characters! 

As for her personality itself, since she has such a big role it's obvious she'll be talked about a lot. First impression of Lucy is that she's kind of distant but the more you see her the more you recognize a facade in it for some reason we don't really know yet. She's also a rock chick in this book and very invested in the music world which I really loved about her because she sparkled passion for music and I absolutely adored that! She comes off strong but eventually it's really easy to like her and get the things she says. I really loved the fact that Lucy is one of those girls that doesn't care what others say and go for what they want, it really shows how courageous and passionate she is!

The last female character is Maya, who's also the youngest sibling. She's also one of those characters that's not spoken of that much which is a little annoying. However the author did increase her participation in the book near the end which really made up for a lot. Her part in the book will also open eyes and be very shocking which was something I never had expected to happen with Maya. The author really saved best for last when it comes to this character so I can't say I don't like the part she plays!

As for her character Maya is a very closed off character and only busy with creating an app. Most of the time she isn't around and when she is, there's not much to be said about her. I think that's a little disappointing though that we didn't get to know her better from the start but not knowing her that well really plays with the character she is as she's very closed off. Her secret also leads to her being this and it will also make sure that the characters will start to ask questions about her when she is around. I'm really glad that M.G. Reyes decided to make her role bigger near the end since it really does make sure we can get to know Maya in some way but I hope her role will be bigger in the next book, which I'm sure it will be.

As for out male characters, let's start with Paolo. The first impression everyone gets from Paolo is the hot guy, the gets-every-girl guy which is very misleading with this character because he actually has a bigger heart than he leads on. It's also very clear from the start that he's looking for more than just one nightstands and is seeking for something deeper. The question is will he find it in a house full of women? Above that his secret won't be there until he comes into the house which makes it different from the other characters. The secret he's keeping also isn't anything he thought would happen and comes over as a little shocking when it happens.

The main thing with Paolo is that he's trying to find himself out and trying to find what he's been looking for for so long: real, deep and connecting love. He's really trying to figure that out and how he can get that. If he will get that at all. That's going to be the main plotline about Paolo. His secret will be important for a little but gets less interesting further on into the read. 

The last character to discuss is John-Michael which is my favorite male character in this book because he's very diverse. The thing with John-Michael is that the first chapter we see him in he's doing something very weird but we don't know for sure what he's doing. The author really wrote it suggestively and readers will have their suspicion and know for 80% sure that what they think is real. However this isn't discussed until very late in the book which makes his character all the better. 

John-Michael is a little like Grace in my opinion which makes him of course a great character in my opinion. Although we already knew the secret from the start, it's still easy to really like this guy for who he is. He's very nice, gentle and kind towards everyone else and the author really builds a story around him including his past. The first things we know about John-Michael is that he has a bad relationship with his now dead father and that it really bothers him a lot. This tension will really make him feel bad at times and makes him close off for others about himself, but he'll still be there when others need him. Things get really interesting for John-Michael and for the readers since we don't know everything and a lot about his secret will be revealed in the book. I think his secret is pretty amazing and well build so you won't be disappointed at the end. Especially because a long lost person will come to visit him which makes it even more thrilling! A very interesting plotline he has!

As for the plot I have to be honest in the beginning it was very confusing. The book has these six plotlines which isn't really the problem but there's another plotline I can't tell more about. The thing it that coming into the book and having no clue at all, it got really confusing because you didn't know anything about anyone. Others can and probably  will say this isn't confusing but building up the mystery, which I really agree on. For me it just became a little much to comprehend next to the other six main character's that are revealing their secrets as well in the beginning. So that's a little downside to the book, although the start was confusing things will get really clear even before half the book and that really made things a lot better for me.

As I did mention it can be seen as building up the mystery which this book really has a lot of. Although I'm not that into mystery this book really made me love it in a way I never thought I could. The fact that each of them has a secret and none of them are clearly in the picture for the readers really builds up the tension and mystery during the book. Especially because some characters are more related to each other than others and some aren't who they say they are. 

Of course the fact that each of them has this secret they're protecting with their life really builds up tension between the characters and makes sure some relationships work better than others, also their personalities make sure that some work better and some just don't kick it off. I really loved how the characters and their secrets had such influence on their relationships.

Also since the tension and their relationships toward each other, the house screams drama. I have to say I'm not much into drama reads but this wasn't over the top and was also very understanding since you're in each persons head most of the time. You really see everyone's perspective and understand their point of view towards each other or towards a subject. Therefore the drama wasn't anything that bothered me at all but really added to the plotline.

Main thing in this book will of course be the secrets and I was happily to start figuring them out without being confused and start to unravel each mystery with the characters. Some things even seemed so obvious than others and then you're all wrong and so on, for short the book will keep making you guess and it'll never bore you at all! 

Regardless of the few remarks I had this book was absolutely surprising as I had never expected it to like it as much as I did! Although not all the characters were that well visualized, other that were I was a great fan of since they were well written and well thought of as they will play a major role in the next couple of books. I absolutely felt the drama and feelings the characters were going through and it all really added to their personalities. The fact that many characters don't seem like they really are also kept me on my toes and on the lookout for new clues to their personality! I really like the characters and how they create the environment around them, although I wished some characters should've been more in the spotlight! As for the plot in the beginning I did find it very confusing but that's a big asset to the mystery that's being created. I did really love the mystery and all the drama the plot had to offer, the confusion was a bit big on my part which is a pity. Overall, I really enjoyed this book better than I had expected and it really left me wanting for more!

"Six teens legally liberated from parental control for six different reasons, all with one thing in common: something to hide."

Wednesday, August 9, 2017

Anticipated releases!

As always summer makes me more eager to read, especially because most days I'm working! So not a lot of the days are over to get a lot of reading done, because then you're just so tired as well... You know the drill! Even though I can't read a lot right now, I'm really looking forward to two books that will be releasing in the next coming time! Both feel like a big summer read but one isn't coming out until 2018! Sad face... Here are my anticipated releases!

Just Friends by Tiffany Pitcock
Release date: 1st august 2017
I might never have read anything by this author, the cover and the synopsis just really make me feel like this needs to be read during summer. I'm in luck, it gets released this summer in August so I will be able to read it this summer and feel absolutely great about it! 

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Jenny meets Chance for the very first time when she is assigned as his partner in their Junior Oral Communications class. But after they rescue a doomed assignment with one clever lie, the whole school is suddenly convinced that Little-Miss-Really-Likes-Having-A’s and the most scandalous heartbreaker in school have been best friends forever. It’s amazing how quickly a lie can grow―especially when you really, really want it to be the truth.

With Jenny, Chance can live the normal life he’s always kind of wanted. And with Chance, Jenny can have the exciting teen experiences that TV shows and movies have always promised. Through it all, they hold on to the fact that they are “just friends.” But that might be the biggest lie of all.


I also just read that the author is a debut author which makes this release even more exciting! I'm always on the lookout for new authors that present a first book. It's nice finding new ones because it means a new writing style and who knows maybe a new favorite author!

Also the story just gives me amazing vibes and who doesn't love to read something like this? It's a classic romantic one so I'm hoping that it'll get a twist anyway and maybe a bit of drama. For short I'm just really, really excited about the book and I can't wait to get it in my hands. 

Love & Luck by Jenna Evans Welch
Release date: 1st May 2018
A little downside to the book: we need to wait another year before we can get this book! Nevertheless am I absolutely thrilled for this one! Last year Jenna Evens Welch brought her first book Love & Gelato which I fell in love with the moment I saw the cover.

A few of you might remember that I wanted to take this book with me on my trip to Italy because the characters were based there but that the release was postponed to a later date and I had to leave without the book. I read the book when I got home and boy, I loved it! This book has so much thrill and romance and a beautiful written description about the city that it was hard not to love. Of course I just had been to Italy and I had seen the beautiful piazza's which added a lot to my imagination in the book.

This time around the author will do something similar but in another city and with another background story! I'm already very excited for this as the cover is very close to Love & Gelato's so that makes it even more thrilling in my opinion.

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Addie is visiting Ireland for her aunt’s over-the-top destination wedding, and hoping she can stop thinking about the one horrible thing she did that left her miserable and heartbroken—and threatens her future. But her brother, Ian, isn’t about to let her forget, and his constant needling leads to arguments and even a fistfight between the two once inseparable siblings. Miserable, Addie can’t wait to visit her friend in Italy and leave her brother—and her problems—behind.
So when Addie discovers an unusual guidebook, Ireland for the Heartbroken, hidden in the dusty shelves of the hotel library, she’s able to finally escape her anxious mind and Ian’s criticism.

And then their travel plans change. Suddenly Addie finds herself on a whirlwind tour of the Emerald Isle, trapped in the world’s smallest vehicle with Ian and his admittedly cute, Irish-accented friend Rowan. As the trio journeys over breathtaking green hills, past countless castles, and through a number of fairy-tale forests, Addie hopes her guidebook will heal not only her broken heart, but also her shattered relationship with her brother.

That is if they don’t get completely lost along the way.
 


I'm already so excited to visit Ireland through the eyes of the characters, and through the eyes of the author. I really love her writing style and it was also very easy to read in Love & Gelato so I'm hoping that this won't be any different. I really loved the author's first book so my expectations are high!

If you're interested in reading my review on the first book by Jenna Evans Welch, the review on Love & Gelato is HERE! It was my summer read of July 2016 so it's absolutely a recommendation to read during summer!

Those are the two books with summer-y feeling that will be released in the next couple time (ugh year!) that I'm really looking forward to! Hopefully I can read both during summer as I know this will add more to the feels while I read. I do wonder if I'll be able to contain myself for a month with Love & Luck since it comes out May but it's not summer yet... we'll have to see!


Wednesday, August 2, 2017

Tell me three things

Time for a book by a new author and also a book that I really enjoyed! It took me one day and a half to finish this one because it was such a huge page turner. I already finished 200 pages on the first day, if I wasn't tired I would've probably finished it in one sitting. A recommendation for this summer: Tell me three things by Julie Buxbaum!

Moving across the country, Jessie has to adjust to a new lifestyle of rich snobs and high expectations. Not feeling like she belongs anywhere, Jessie eats all by herself on the new school, and getting support from her new stepbrother is nothing she needs to wait on. It isn't until an unexpected mail that Jessie understands someone has been watching her very closely. Calling himself SN, he guides Jessie in school situations while keeping his anonymity. She finds herself swooning for him very soon as SN is starting to become bigger part of her life and someone she feels comfortable with and can relate to. But then there's Ethan Marks who made a very good first impression on her... Fighting against the feelings she has, Jessie will have to pick. Before deciding anything she thinks it's time for her and the famous SN to finally meet... 

First of all there's Jessie! I have to say I was absolutely stunned reading her part in this book. She's a very sweet girl, very open towards others but then there's also her being so shy which makes it even more difficult for her. It's clear from the start that Jessie has a hard time adjusting to her new life style as her head keeps going back to past events and memories of where she used to live. People at school also don't make it easy for her and she doesn't make it easy for them.

At some point in the book we really see how vulnerable but strong this character is. She might have been making friends, especially with the help of the all too famous SN, there are also enemies. I think that's a very relatable aspect in the story as well, the people who you don't get along with or that will judge you the moment you arrive. Soon we see that she's having some bullies and I really loved how we saw Jessie grow and be strong for herself. It was relatable and a amazing role model for a lot of people out there.

In general I have to say I really loved this character since she has a realatable character and background story for I bet a lot of people out there. She also grew a lot during this book and shows how something bad can turn into something brighter. The only remark I have in this character was the fact that she was sometimes a little bit too consumed by her own situation and own thoughts which made sure that she sometimes forgot about the others around her. Other than that I loved to read in her perspective! 

Another character I want to discuss is this SN person. I'm a sucker for books like this: the anonymity of well... kinda a savior! I absolutely loved this SN person. From page one we know it's also a guy which really made me excited to find out how the bond between our main character and SN would become during the book. 

SN really is somewhat a savior as he really pays attention to Jessie and also looks out for her from afar. The representation we get from him in the mails is also a very caring guy that wants to meet Jessie but is scared to. I guess that also made sure that we stayed excited for SN and also got a soft spot for him. In general this character was very well written even though we only see him in the mails during the book which I think is a very big asset to this book. 

Even though we only see him in the mails, I think we get a very good picture of how this character is or may be in real life and that made sure that our speculations could begin. The biggest question always is do we even know who SN is? The author might just make him a character that will never be spoken about next to the mails... I really adored reading SN's mails and also really enjoyed him as a person too.

As for the plot I have to say this is a 9 out of 10 for the level of swoon-worthy! This damn book got FEELS! I love it when books make me feel this deeply and Tell me three things is absolutely one of those books. There's also so much more next to love affairs that Jessie is going to encounter in this book. I mean, Jessie has so many problems and drama around her head at home but also at her new school and also at her hometown where she will be going back to during the book. The author really played this book on so many different levels and aspects it never got boring and just stayed interesting to read. 

As I already mentioned before this book is a huge page turner, which has to do with the fact that there are so many facets to this book but also because of the thrill and excitement about SN. Even though I wished to see even more of SN through mails I was very satisfied with him and so excited to know who this person would be and if we'd ever know. The anonymity this character brings so much more to the general plotline because he's everywhere and nowhere at the same time, only communicating with mails. 

The best part yet is that we can speculate as much as we want as we'll see different guys through the book and get hints from SN about who or how he could possibly be in real life. The speculations also make sure that we stay excited and pay close attention to all behavior from our men in this book! 

Although I have to say when you passed half the book, it seems a little bit predictable to who it might be and that's something I really found a sad thing. The author could have used SN for so much longer if she could have kept up the anonymity but on that part I think the book got a little too obvious and a little too expecting. Not that I minded it that much, I still was really excited and still am really in love with this book! I just think that it got predictable which is just a bummer when you've been speculating and being excited for so long during the book and then just know before the very end!

At last there's the title that's being used in the book and got me very excited! Tell me three things is sort of like a game between Jessie and SN where they each tell each other three random things. I found this also one of the things that made the book very cute and adorable but also very excited because it had hints of who SN might be. Overall I think that was just such a cute thing in this book that showed how close SN and Jessie really are but also showed us more about their personalities which was an asset in my opinion. 

Oh and not to spoil anything at all but because of all situations Jessie has been in and who she all met with or without the help of her friend SN, Jessie will find her in better situations but also make new harder situations for herself. This is the part where Jessie will have to use her strong personality traits to make decisions and man, we won't be disappointed. I really loved how the author made this somewhat predictable ending funny by a little twist!

Overall this book has really surprised me but also really made me excited. Julie Buxbaum really concentrated on many aspects of life which made sure that the book was equally balanced and also stayed really interesting. On top of that the book is really swoon-worthy and very cute which makes it the perfect read for this summer. The only aspects that were kinda sad or disappointing were that it was a bit predictable near the second half of the book and also that our main character was sometimes self-absorbed which made her forget about everyone else while her character isn't like that at all! I was really excited to find out who SN was and what he'd become in Jessie's life and how he had an impact on this character. Both of them really connected which was amazing to see. And as far as I can tell here are 3 things: (1) this book was so cute! (2) it's a huge recommendation (3) tell me three things!

"Perfect days are for people with small, realisable dreams. Or maybe for all of us, they just happen in retrospect;"