Category Archives: Books

Book Review: Aftermath – Cara Dee

Posted on June 2, 2014 | Leave a comment
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I absolutely adore this book! It was written beautifully and it tugs to your heart in so many levels. Austin Huntley is a family man who lives his life in order. He’s got a nice career and a nice family and is simply content with what he’s got. Cameron Nash on the other hand is an antisocial mechanic with very little patience when it comes to dealing with – err life. Bonded by their five months traumatic captivity together, the two men formed something that they realized is more than just their will to escape their captor but something that will change their lives forever.

I didn’t expect this book to be so good. I mean, I loved how the author seemingly tied everything together while going back and forth from the past to the present every other chapter. I love the “love” element in it though, I find the whole kidnapping thing a bit puzzling but it’s okay. It’s no biggie to be honest since it kinda helped the story development. It’s also nice to note that both characters have their own identity that was easily dissected throughout the book. Cam’s character for one is a very interesting character. I liked the fact that his Asperger Disorder was discussed here and it didn’t become an issue at all because seriously, it’s no biggie. Cam’s so adorbs here to be honest. It’s actually surprising that the book isn’t that dark at all. Their situation was traumatic ofcourse but it sure was nice to note that the author was able to turn it into light reading – in a good way.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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Book Review: More Than Him – Jay McLean

Posted on May 31, 2014 | Leave a comment

More Than HimMore Than Him is the third book from the More series by Jay McLean. It’s the continuation of what transpired during the second book of the series (More than Her.) Basically, it’s still about Logan and Amanda. Personally, I was not at all excited to read this one because I thought the author could’ve concluded their story in the second book and moved on with the other characters. You see, their story has become repetitive. There’s too much going on in it- too much drama, too much sex, too many conflicts. It felt like the author tried to stretch the story which became utterly unbearable. I’m very disappointed with this after having high regards on the first book. This one didn’t live up to its promise at all and review ratings for that matter. It’s such a shame because it could’ve been great. At the end, it’s obvious that there’s an impending book again and it’d be about Cameron and Lucy – whilst I love these two, I think I’d skip a Jay McLean for now after reading the last two titles from her. It was just exhausting reading those. Gaaaahhhh! I’d love for it to work but it just didn’t (atleast for me)….it was just frustrating and all. The whole POV writing style also became a bit inconsistent – like there are moments that the characters will be talking directly to the reader and it will change again. This was just utterly disappointing for me. Maybe I’d give it time and perhaps I’d be able to read Luce’s story – she’s my favorite character to begin with.

Rating: 1 out of 5 stars

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Book Review: The Fault In Our Stars – John Green

Posted on May 31, 2014 | Leave a comment
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I’ve read this one like a few months ago and I still enjoyed re-reading it every now and then. This was the first John Green book I’ve read as well. This book is narrated by Hazel Grace Lancaster, a sixteen year old cancer patient who is forced by her parents to attend a support group where she met the handsome Augustus (Gus) Waters whom she eventually fell in love with.

Hazel’s a rather quirky girl and does have a unique sense of humor. Gus on the other hand was more carefree on the surface but deep inside, he’s someone who take things a lot more seriously. For the record though, I’ve read this book prior to learning that there will be a movie adaptation set to be released this year – next week actually! (exciting huh?!)

It was so hard letting go of Hazel and Gus, I mean finishing the book – I was a bit depressed and was feeling so bad because of how it ended. You see, It’s actually a beautiful ending – bittersweet perhaps? It’s a connection from the characters that you fell in love with and if something bad happen to them – it feels like youre heart is breaking for them. I’m getting overly-sentimental here but it’s true. This book is an inspiring book, a spirit-lifter and a book that tells you that nothing’s really permanent in this world. And yes, I did cry reading this book. I know, I know but hey’ crying is good right?

‘tis one of my favorite quotes from the book:

“There will come a time when all of us are dead. All of us. There will come a time when there are no human beings remaining to remember that anyone ever existed or that our species ever did anything. There will be no one left to remember Aristotle or Cleopatra, let alone you. Everything that we did and built and wrote and thought and discovered will be forgotten and all of this will have been for naught. Maybe that time is coming soon and maybe it is millions of years away, but even if we survive the collapse of our sun, we will not survive forever. There was time before organisms experienced consciousness, and there will be time after. And if the inevitability of human oblivion worries you, I encourage you to ignore it. God knows that’s what everyone else does.”

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

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Book Review: More Than Her – Jay McLean

Posted on May 30, 2014 | Leave a comment
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The story of More Than Her centers on Logan Matthews (Jake’s best friend from More Than This.) He’s got a very interesting back-story. He was abused as a child and was adopted by the Doctor who checked on him when he was brought to the hospital by his biological mother. Unlike Jake, Logan here is the resident playboy amongst his group of friends. He’s fooling around like a normal teenage boy does and it was revealed here that he actually thought that he’s in-love with Mikayla (Jake’s gf) until he realized that it’s actually just a sisterly-love of some sort. Then enter Amanda, the girl whom he eventually dated for a night and things seemed to fall into places – only it did not. You see, Logan’s a very good character – actually, he’s much more interesting than Jake but his story / history became too much over the course of the series. It was alarming how slow the pacing was when the dates in the book are moving. I mean, the whole Amanda-Logan-Shit-WeLoveEachOther-But-WeCannotBeTogether was getting redundant by the time that you actually realized that you’re at the last chapter. I mean, seriously now? I can’t even begin to comprehend the stupidity of both parties. I’m just glad that every now and then, Lucy came along the picture and gets into a Drunk Lucy state. Man’ those are the best parts of the book. After easily giving More Than This a very good rating, I was hoping and expecting that the second book would surpassed it but unfortunately – it was a rather wasted effort to read the whole thing. I’m sad and disappointed with the outcome of this second book.

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

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Book Review: More Than This – Jay McLean

Posted on May 29, 2014 | Leave a comment
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If you’ve read The Secret of Ella and Micha, you’d notice a striking resemblance on the writing style of Jessica Sorensen and the author of this book, Jay McLean. Not that it’s bad but it feels like reading a book from the former. But hey, this first book from the “More series” is actually truly much more than the “Secret series by Sorensen”. This I enjoyed reading tremendously. I appreciate the characters more and the story development is more enticing and fast-paced.

 You see, Mikayla and Jake met each other under some horrible circumstances. Mikayla caught her boyfriend cheating with her bestfriend, then her whole family was murdered and these things happened in just one night. A girl couldn’t handle that much right? That’s where the knight in shining armor, Jake Andrews shows up and helps Mikayla get through all of these. With all of these things, both developed feelings for each other but they are both scared to admit it believing that they’re not yet ready for it or the other may feel differently.

 I just love how progressive the characters here are. They are funny in a very strange way and they’re adorable all at the same time. Jake’s character so reminds me Micha that is why I mentioned the book by Sorensen but the reminder only begins at their “loyalty” with one girl and it stops there. I love the chemistry between him and Mikayla. I love that they have friends who are much involved. I love one of their friends Lucy who loves reading e-books and is a mean drunk! That girl’s way too funny! My one slightly unfavorable critique is the interchanging POV. It gets a bit confusing a couple of times but I guess that’s okay. I mean, the story’s beautifully written and the characters are well introduced. It was a strong book and a great start of a series!

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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Book Review: The Forever Of Ella And Micha – Jessica Sorensen

Posted on May 28, 2014 | Leave a comment

Published October 15th 2013 by Forever

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Maybe I’m truly a masochist because reading this book was terribly painful and I went through it even if it hurts – bad pain that is. I was thinking that I owe it to my friend (who bought some ebooks for me including this one and eight titles from the same author) to finish the book since I’ve already started it but this one’s just utterly disappointing! It’s probably one of the worst books I’ve read so far this year.

Ella and Micha have survived tragedy and heartbreak. When they’re together, anything seems possible. But now they are thousands of miles apart, and managing their long distance relationship will put their love to the test.

Ella is back at school, trying hard not worry so much about her future. But with her father in and out of rehab, she’s having a hard time making it through the days. All she wants is Micha by her side, but she refuses to let her problems get in the way of his dreams.

Micha spends his days touring the country with his band, but deep down he knows something is missing. Being away from Ella is harder than he thought it would be. He wants her closer to him-needs her with him. But he won’t ask her to leave college, just to be with him.

The few moments they do spend together are intense and passionate, but it only makes it more difficult when they have to part. They know they want to be together, but is wanting something enough to get them to their forever? (source)

The pacing of the story was my main problem here and the story arc isn’t going anywhere – that is beside the fact that it tends to be predictable. I wasn’t even hoping for redemption of some sort at the end because the whole thing feels so heavy – just unbearable. I didn’t expect that I’d have such intense dislike of these first two titles from the series. For now, I think I’m going to skip the rest and delay reading the other eight titles that I’ve gotten from the same author.

Rating: 1 out of 5 stars

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Book Review: The Secret Of Ella And Micha – Jessica Sorensen

Posted on May 27, 2014 | Leave a comment
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I’m currently on the second book (The Forever Of Ella And Micha) while writing this review. I was able to finish this book in six hours and it’s not because it’s that good but because I just want to get over the whole thing. It’s not that bad though, I’m just really disappointed with the whole story.

Ella and Micha have been best friends since they were kids. But one tragic night shatters their friendship and their lives forever.

Ella used to be a rule-breaker with fiery attitude who wore her heart on her sleeve. But she left everything behind when she went to college and transformed into someone that follows the rules, keeps everything together, and hides all her problems. But now it’s summer break and she has nowhere else to go but home.

Ella fears everything she worked so hard to bury might resurface, especially with Micha living right next door. If Micha tries to tempt the old her back, she knows that it will be hard to resist.

Micha is sexy, smart, confident, and can get under Ella’s skin like no one else can. He knows everything about her, including her darkest secrets. And he’s determined to bring his best friend, and the girl he loves back, no matter what it takes. (source)

I thought the beginning was very promising and the characters of Ella and Micha are very interesting but the whole vibe of the story’s just borderline boring. I love the setting but I didn’t like the narrative at all. Ella’s character’s just too overbearing for me. Whilst I love Micha’s character – I thought it lacks characterization. I’m even more interested with Ethan and Lila’s character (their respective bff’s and I’m glad that they have their own book which I’m more excited to read in the coming days.) Anyways, I’m gonna make this quick. I still want to give this two a chance (since I’m having more fun this time reading the second book) but the first one was just a total snooze fest. I thought the title’s great but really – the inside of the book is nowhere near the impressive and curious title.

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

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Book Review: Tangled – Emma Chase

Posted on May 25, 2014 | 3 comments
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This book got me smiling from ear to ear in less than three pages from the moment I started reading it. Crazy right? But true, the book’s really quite funny. I feel like reading the diary of the male version of Carrie Bradshaw! Drew’s narration of his epic love story is funny, witty, clever and 100 percent honest to goodness orgasmic! LOL. Now top that!

You see, Drew’s got the looks, the power, wealth and that sexy adorable charm. The guy’s got everything – yup, almost until he catches “the flu”. Yup, dear ol’ Drew fell for Katherine Brooks – a newbie from his father’s investment firm where he’s the main star – until Kate came around the picture. And she’s engaged.

With his main mantra, “What Drew wants, Drew gets” – our loverboy is set to sweep Kate off her feet but Kate’s like Drew  in every sense so how on earth could he win her especially if he never fell in love before?

Pretty interesting huh? You got to love the way Emma Chase tells you the story through the perspective of a guy who almost have it all and Drew’s telling it straight like a boss – straight in your face honest-no-bull-crap. This is actually a good self-help book for women if I’m being honest. Haha.

I am so getting on with the Tangled bandwagon – after all, the book’s author won last year’s Debut Goodreads Author of the year for this piece! It was freaking amazing that’s why it won so many hearts and so many swooning book dork (like moi.) This is one book I don’t mind seeing on the big screen! It’s just a total mouth orgasm! It’s too good a book not to be realized in the big screen! Cmon’ people start the petition and make this into a movie NOW!!!!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

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Book Review: Nowhere But Here – Renée Carlino

Posted on May 25, 2014 | Leave a comment

Nowehere But HereAlthough predictable from the very start, the book was enticing enough for me to read and actually enjoy the whole thing. It’s a feel good read and after finishing it, I just feel totally rejuvenated for some reason.

Kate and Jamie’s love story is a tender story of love, loss and living life at the moment.

Kate’s a Chicago reporter in her mid-twenties who was given an assignment to interview the elusive R.J Lawson, a tech billionaire who disappeared in the public eye until he recently emerge as an owner of a successful Napa Valley vineyard. Here, Kate met the handsome and charming Jamie who showered her with attention and made her feel like “worth coming home to” but at the end of the week, Jamie disappeared from her and she was left heartbroken going home – that is after realizing that she didn’t really know who the man really was. Now, once the truth surfaced – will their love conquer everything or will this end all of the dreams she’s started to build in her head and in her heart.

I’m glad that I was able to get hold of this beautifully written love story. Renée Carlino writes with passion which I could tell from merely reading the wording of this book. It’s the first book I’ve read from her and it actually says on her bio that she’s got this series (a bestselling one called “Sweet Thing”) like seriously – I enjoyed this book so much and I’m actually very excited to read some of her works (which I’ve already purchased by the way *grin*.) Reading this book was rather a pleasant surprise and I’m just so happy that I stumbled upon this one at the right time.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Published May 5th 2014 by Atria Books

About The Author
Renée Carlino is a screenwriter and bestselling author of romantic women’s novels. She lives in Southern California with her husband, two sons, and their sweet dog June. When she’s not at the beach with her boys or working on her next project, she likes to spend her time reading, going to concerts, and eating dark chocolate.

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Book Review: Warrior’s Cross – Abigail Roux and Madeleine Urban

Posted on May 24, 2014 | Leave a comment
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I’ve read this book after reading the first eight books of Cut & Run series but don’t get me wrong though, this is a stand-alone book and if you happen to be curious about the characters in this one – meaning the main characters Julian Cross and Cameron Jacobs, then you can read the fifth series of Cut & Run – Armed & Dangerous but that won’t be fun if you won’t read the Cut & Run series right? Anywas, the events that transpired here happened before Armed & Dangerous so if you don’t have the time or you don’t want to read the Cut & Run series, you can just enjoy reading this one.

Cameron Jacobs is an open book. He considers himself a common waiter with normal friends, boring hobbies, harmless dogs, and nothing even resembling a secret… except a crush on a tall, dark, devastatingly handsome man who dines alone at his restaurant on Tuesday nights. All it takes is one passionate night with Julian Cross to turn Cameron’s world on its head.

Julian’s love and devotion are all Cameron could have hoped for and more. But when his ordinary life meets and clashes with Julian’s extraordinary lifestyle, Cameron discovers that trust and fear can go hand in hand, and love is just a step away from danger (source.)

The story’s actually fairly simple. An ordinary looking guy who works as a waiter in a fine-dining restaurant fell for his customer who’s also been attracted to him for like the longest time now. I’m not really digging the whole story. I thought it was repetitive and has a very weak storyline. I thought it’s the worst from the Cut & Run network of books. Though, I loved Julian Cross’s character – I thought the story didn’t give him justice. Cameron Jacobs’ well – as the book implies – is truly unremarkable. I think his character have more to offer in Armed & Dangerous. Here though, his character’s just plain flat. It was Julian’s character and his driver Preston who actually piqued my interest more than Cameron. Hey, don’t be discourage though, I thought the whole thing’s still readable – or better than some but I highly suggest that if you’re going to read this one – make sure you take some time off and immerse yourself in the world of Cut & Run.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

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