Mini Review: Queen of Shadows

 * Throne of Glass Book 4 *

Celaena Sardothien returns to reclaim her throne, save her friend, and avenge her friend's death. It won't be easy, it won't be pleasant, and it might not save her future. But revenge must be taken and order must be restored.

The Good:
Revenge plots - double crossing - the plot twists
I like how Aelin had to confront her past
I grew to love Manon and her story line
I ADORED Lysandra - her snark made me laugh and tear up in places
The big battle
That ending
ALL the feels reading this one

The Bad:
Waiting for the next book

Final Thoughts: I seriously Love this series and would read it until the end of time. I can't wait to see what happens next!!

Upcoming Review: Red Girl, Blue Boy

Katie's dreamed of being in the limelight again. Now that her father's running for President, she's about to get her wish.

Unfortunately, it doesn't go well. Her blog causes her father trouble. Then she called out the son of her father's opponent on . TV after he declines to show up for their interview together.

Now Drew wants revenge. They agree to go back on the show the next day. When Katie's ambushed on the show, Drew jumps in to protect her. Afterwards, Katie and Drew play hooky from school.

Underneath the snark and banter, they find a connection. As they spend more time together, the more that connection grows. Can they become something more than friends with their parent's competing against each other?

My Thoughts: I loved this book (and this series). I really liked the political aspect of the book and the family drama. I felt bad as both teens had their lives changed by their parents. They had to act perfectly, especially in public - which also led to social media outlets.

I really liked Katie - she was sheltered, bossy, and a know-it-all. I loved watching her experience things and break out of her shell. She bought new clothes to hang out in, but wanted to pretend they weren't new. She learned about life from movies. I loved the moments where Drew and Katie hung out while he worked on his car. Plus the time they spent working on their costumes for the dance was fantastic. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: ARC sent for Review
Release Date: October 20th

If You Like:

Final Thoughts: A charming romance with a political spin with great banter. Make sure you grab this one come October.

A Court of Thorns and Roses

Happy Book Birthday to one of my favorite books this year. 

My gushing review can be found here. 

But I wanted to do something special for the release date - so if you liked (loved this book), here are some other books to enjoy.

Upcoming Review: Court of Thorns and Roses

Feyre hunts to keep her family from going hungry. When she kills a wolf in the woods, everything changes. Without knowing it, she's broken a treaty between humans and the faeries. Tamlin comes to her house seeking revenge.

She's held hostage in his house, where she learns more about the treaty and more about the world of the Fae.  As her time with the Fae grows on, Feyre begins to feel more comfortable in their world and with Tamlin.

Just as she grows comfortable - Tamlin sends her back to her home. He orders her to stay there. With her heart torn, Feyre takes matters into her own hands - but will her actions mean the death of everyone she holds dear?

My Thoughts: I tried really hard to savor this book and read it slowly - but I just couldn't do it. I LOVED it and needed to see how everything turned out. I'm not sure I can saw how much I loved this book, but I'll try.

Tamlin ran cold and hot with his affections. He reminded me greatly of Mr. Darcy. I loved the slow burn of their relationship - how it changed from enemies to friends to maybe something more.

Lucien made me laugh, made me angry, and made me love him. I hope the next book contains his story. 

I liked learning more about the Fae world and their politics.

I loved watching Feyre paint - from the paintings in her home to the room Tamlin sets up for her. Painting is w way for her to express herself, but to also work out problems in her head. 

At first, I had mixed feelings about Feyre's sisters. But I came to really enjoy them. I hope they're more present in the upcoming books.  I don't like the way they treated Feyra in the beginning, but I like how they grew closer after everything. 

I really really really liked Feyre - she was smart, driven, determined, feisty, and sweet at times. She didn't always make the best choices (who does really?). She was brave and loyal to those she loved; she went through hell and back for them. 

Cover Thoughts: Love
Source: ARC
More New Adult than YA, I'd still place this in YA at my library.
Release Date: May 5, 2015

Final Thoughts: Emotions, choices, standing on the sidelines or getting in the game, good vs evil, loyalty, friendship, and a fantastic love story - this book has it ALL and more. Add this one to your reading list and move it to the top! You won't be sorry. 

Review: Not in the Script

Emma's grown up on TV - through the awkward situations, including her first kiss. She's made some bad boyfriend choices in the past and now that she's about to star in a new teen drama (Coyote Hills) she's sworn off dating co-stars.

That was before she met Jake. The model turned actor who's off limits and not just because of her past. Her BFF adores him (or at least the him on paper). The more Emma hangs out with Jake, the more she falls for him. Can she risk  both her friendship and her heart on another co-star?

My Thoughts: I really really enjoyed this look at Hollywood behind the scenes. I loved seeing what happens on the set of a TV show and the relationships between the co-stars. Lots of drama and misunderstands and hurt feelings that translated into the papers as well as relationships that aren't there just to sell the idea of the show. You have to ask yourself - how much of the Hollywood life is true and how much is made up for the cameras to sell the movie/show. The questions of real friendship and loyalty in the business were brought up. While I liked the idea of Emma having a BFF not from the acting world - her BFF wasn't a true friend. I really loved the relationships Jake had with both his mom and his friends. I loved the moments where Emma and Jake got to know each other and started falling for each other. Their banter, their cute moments, and their hidden moments were adorable. I loved how Emma needed to live her own life and not the life set out before her by the media. She took control of her life including her past. A fantastic book that made me long for a sequel just to stay with the characters longer.

Similar Read:

Heir of Fire: A LOVE Letter

Dear Throne of Glass Novels,

I've been a fan since I first started reading you - after hearing all kinds of buzz. I was so happy to read your first book in lines at BEA. I devoured you and you were one of my favorite books that year. The next year, I found your book at the SLJ Day of Dialogue and I was so happy.

Obtaining Crown of Midnight was one of my goals that year. Knowing your goodness, I saved you until I had a few days where I would be free to read and not yell any anyone who interrupted me or resent having to be social when all I wanted to do was read you. And you blew me away. I was happy for a short time and then all the comfort was ripped away. Although I found peace in wondering where you would take Celaena next. Again, you were among the top reads that year.

I was happy to have the Assassin's Blade novellas to keep me company while I waited for Heir of Fire. Again, I attended BEA and one of my goals was getting this book. I knew the line would start early, but I didn't imagine how early. I waited in line for two hours and when I left the line with my signed ARC, I beamed and carried the book like a prize.

I wanted to sit down and read it right then, but I forced myself to wait. I didn't read it on the train home, but several days later. I saved it for the right time and then I devoured it. I only wanted to read and find out what happened in the wake of the last book. I grew to like the brooding and mysterious Rowan. I grew found of the kitchen staff. At first I was confused about Manon, but soon grew to admire her fieriness and her determination. I felt horror, happiness, confusion, and was terrified for my favorite characters. Heir of Fire is 576 pages long and it still isn't long enough. Whatever the future holds for Celaena, I can't wait to read it. I will follow her anywhere.

~ A loving reader

And readers, if you're wondering what to read next, I have a few suggestions:

Review: Chapel Wars

Holly's grandfather dies and leaves his wedding chapel to her in his will. She's 16, but loves the chapel. At first, she's beyond happy, but then she learns the truth.

The chapel's in serious financial difficulty. Holly must make some hard choices - offering services that her grandfather refused in hopes of getting out from under debt and keeping the chapel.

On top of that, she's fallen for the grandson of her family's worst enemy.  Dax is amazing and perfect for Holly. She knows she can't keep their relationship a secret. She's terrified to lose anything else, but can she really juggle everything?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this contemporary read. I felt bad for Holly - losing her beloved grandfather. That happened to me in high school and it's not easy to forget. I like how she made the hard choices in order for the chapel to survive, including her inventive ways to make more money. Dax was a great distraction - showing him around Vegas in hopes of changing his mind about the city, which was a great way to show off the normal side of the city. I loved Holly's friends and how she was one of the guys. Walking the tightrope of balancing grief and hope, The Chapel Wars explores a range of emotions following the death of a loved one.

Cover Thoughts: Love it
Source: My Library

SummerTime Review: Open Road Summer

Books perfect for the beach or to read by the pool

  Reagan's made some bad choices recently, but she's excited to go on tour with her BFF Dee. Dee, known to the world as Lilah Montgomery, is the hottest country star around. Dee's nursing a broken heart of her own.


When a scandalous looking picture emerges of Dee and her ex-boyfriend, Dee's torn up. Reagan does her best to help her friend, but it's almost impossible to cheer her up. The record label decides to add a wholesome opening act in hope of sparking romance rumors in the tabloids.


Dee and Matt are interested in each other - they're almost like brother and sister. The more time Reagan spends with Matt, the stronger her feelings for him grow. Could this be the start of something?

My Thoughts: OMG - I loved this book, a perfect debut novel. I'm a fan of country music - I like how many of the songs tell a story, so I enjoyed the moments where Dee and Matt wrote together and reading the lyrics.  I love the friendship between Dee and Reagan - the love, the laughter, and the loyalty. I love how the walls come down and they make each other stronger. While I would never want to be famous, I liked how you saw an inside look at fame and how it takes control over your life. I loved the "in the moment" scene and the banter between Reagan and Matt. The book looks up to all the buzz, it's beautiful and fantastic. Go Read it if you haven't!

Cover Thoughts: Love it!
Source: Sent for review (Thanks Anna!)

Review: Going Rogue

* Book 2 in the AKA series - read my review for Book 1 *

The Collective has accused Maggie's parents of stealing priceless gold coins. She knows they're innocent and she's willing to do whatever it takes to prove it.

She didn't figure on getting into fights with her boyfriend and her best friend. Yes, they helped her out of a jam last time, but she's trying to protect them.

Yet, it doesn't quite work out the way Maggie expected. She's keeping everyone except for Angelo in the dark. Could it be her downfall?

My Thoughts: I'm a sucker for spy books and this series is amazingly good. I love Maggie - how she longs to be a normal teen even though her entire life has been different. I like how she gets excited about every day things. I love her sense of loyalty and how she wants to protect her friends. I love Roux and her smart-aleck ways. My heart breaks for her family and school life and I'm glad she and Maggie found each other. I love Jesse and how he wants to look out for Maggie. I loved not knowing who to trust and how the secrets start piling up. A great spy novel with action, danger, family, and friendship.  I can't wait to read more adventures from Maggie and her friends. 

Cover Thoughts: Love it!
Source: ARC for review

Review: Taste Test

Nora's Dad owns a BBQ joint and Nora's been working there forever. When her BFF suggests that she audition for the Taste Test- a reality cooking show for teens, neither of them expect her to make it.

Now she's leaving home for the semester, joining the team of cooks. Nora's Southern roots show. She's not like the drama queens or chef royalties. She wants to win the scholarship to the Internationals School of Cuisine in Paris - and unlike some contestants, she can't afford to pay her way.

Soon, Nora's going head to head with her snobby roommate and her arrogant friend. Nora tries to stay away from them, but Christian has a way of getting under her skin. The two of them heat up the ratings with their banter. Could something else be brewing?

My Thoughts: LOVED this book and devoured it. I didn't want to stop reading it. I liked the drama of the cameras and the reality show. I loved the tension between Nora and Christian. I loved when they cooked together. I really enjoyed Nora's Southern ways and how she stuck to her roots. I liked the mystery of the sabotage on set. I loved the set-up of the book with interviews and scores from the show interspersed with the story. A fantastic debut novel; I can't wait to read more from Kelly Fiore. 

Cover Thoughts: Sure cute
Source: My Library

Review: Unbreak My Heart

Clem thought her summer would be boring. She was wrong.

She thought she would miss her life - most of all her friends. She was wrong.

She's happy to be getting away from everything - all the drama, all the judgement, and all the accusations.

She's not getting away from the sadness or the heartbreak because her best friend and her broke up. Clem's been trying to write to Amanda to share her side of the story, but she can't find the right words.

She spends her days hanging with her family, moping, reading, and trying to forget.

Clem meets people along the same boating route. There's one boy her age and they've started hanging out. She wants to tell him the truth, but she's terrified what he will think of her.  But as the summer progresses and the more time they spend together, she begins to find a glimpse of her old self. Does she owe him the truth?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. I liked the timeline - flashing between the previous school year and the summer. I liked waiting to uncover the horrors of the year. I really liked Clem's sister  Olive. She was so observant and wise beyond her years. I liked how she tried to break Clem out of her shell. I liked the talk of music, Clementine's friends, and that she read so many books. I loved the main issue with the year before and what Clem's heartache was really about. I really liked the ending. A fantastic summer book!

Cover Thoughts: Love it!
Source: My Library