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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Review: Mad Love (1995)

Posted on May 26, 2014 | 3 comments
Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8345481

Mad Love remains one of my personal favorites from Chris O’Donnell. It may not be his best or most acclaimed film, but it was one of the first I saw of him—and it stuck with me.

O’Donnell plays Matt Leland, a straight-laced teenager who falls for Casey Roberts (Drew Barrymore), the wild and impulsive new girl next door who struggles with bipolar dhttps://amzn.to/3V6fpRpisorder. Fueled by young love, rebellion, and a desire to escape their troubled lives, the two run away together in hopes of finding freedom. But Matt soon learns that love isn’t enough to outrun reality—especially when mental illness is part of the journey.

Despite its lukewarm reception from critics, I still find Mad Love watchable and emotionally resonant. Yes, the story has its flaws—the plot is thin, and at times, the pacing falters—but there’s a quiet honesty in how it portrays teenage angst, first love, and the complexities of mental health.

The film doesn’t get everything right, but it has heart. The chemistry between O’Donnell and Barrymore carries the story, and the soundtrack adds just the right amount of 90s grit and sentimentality to give the film its own flavor.

Mad Love may not have delivered a perfect narrative, but with a solid cast, a moody soundtrack, and two compelling leads, it still deserves a second look—especially for anyone who grew up in the era or has a soft spot for 90s teen dramas.

Via PEx Movie Challenge – Movies Released Before 2000

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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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Book Review: Ball & Chain (Book 8 Of Cut & Run Series) – Abigail Roux

Posted on May 24, 2014 | Leave a comment

via riptidepublishing.com

via riptidepublishing.com

Now, I’ve to agree with most of the reviews I’ve read about this book before & after reading it. The duo took the supporting roles here – clearly, this was more of a Nick O’ Flaherty book than Ty and Zane and I’m a bit disappointed. It’s like the screen time were focused more on Nick and Kelly (Abbott) and their budding relationship. Gosh, I keep on hoping that the other half of the book would focus more on Ty and Zane but the whole thing was like a Sidewinder love story. And the last few pages was focused more on Nick! OMG! The final proposal of Ty when Zane finally said yes was sweet and I don’t know – my heart goes to Ty because he was so sweet, sincere and all! I just love this guy.

Home from their unexpected deployment, the former members of Marine Force Recon team Sidewinder rejoin their loved ones and try to pick up the pieces of the lives they were forced to leave behind. Ty Grady comes home to Zane Garrett, only to find that everything around him has changed—even the men he went to war with. He barely has time to adjust before his brother, Deuce, asks Ty to be his best man. But that isn’t all Deuce asks Ty to do, and Ty must call for backup to deal with the business issues of Deuce’s future father-in-law.

Nick O’Flaherty and Kelly Abbott join Ty and Zane at the wedding on an island in Scotland, thinking they’re there to assuage Deuce’s paranoia. But when bodies start dropping and boats start sinking, the four men get more involved with the festivities than they’d ever planned to.

With the clock ticking and the killer just as stuck on the isolated island as they are, Ty and Zane must navigate a veritable minefield of family, friends, and foes to stop the whole island from being destroyed (source)

In this book, there’s too much happening. Too many suspects, too many twist and turn and too many dying! Oh, did I say too many pages for Nick (you see, I love Nick but this isn’t supposed to be his book! Cmon’ now Abi!) Oh well, I’m just glad that we still have Ball & Chain to linger over the impending goodbye of Ty & Zane’s adventure. Gosh, I don’t think I’m ready for the last book – I mean, I don’t think I’m ready to let go of them just yet. Let me cry my eyes out first… see you in the ninth book!

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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Book Review: Point Of Retreat (Slammed Book 2) – Colleen Hoover

Posted on May 23, 2014 | Leave a comment

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There are some who are pretty disappointed with this book but I think this one’s actually better than the first book. I love how the first book made us like Will and Layken but this book made me fall in love even more with their story. Not only that, we’re treated more with Kel, Caulder, Eddie, Gavin, Sheree and the feisty Keirsten!

Hardships and heartache brought them together…now it will tear them apart.Layken and Will have proved their love can get them through anything; until someone from Will’s past re-emerges, leaving Layken questioning the very foundation on which their relationship was built. Will is forced to face the ultimate challenge…how to prove his love for a girl who refuses to stop ‘carving pumpkins. (source)

Point Of Retreat was told through Will’s perspective after the death of Layken’s mom and into the progress of their relationship. My, I just love this two! In the first book, I was swooning over Will and loving his character so much, this time – I’m over the moon with Layken. That’s a bit odd right? Considering that Will’s character the one telling the story. I also love that this was funnier than the first one. Some may call it a bit cheesy but really, I’m such a sucker for cheesy lines these days! I can’t believe that after raving about the Beautiful Disaster series – I’ve my new favorite couple again (well next to Ty and Zane ofcourse). You see, Will and Layken are realistic characters and somewhere, a couple like them existed! I’m so butterflying inlove with this character. Their interaction’s such a joy to read! I think I’d reread this book sooner than I expected! It’s nice when an accompanying book surpassed its predecessor! I’m totally putting Colleen Hoover to my always-watch-out author list from now on.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

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Book Review: Touch & Geaux (Book 7 Of Cut & Run Series) – Abigail Roux

Posted on May 23, 2014 | Leave a comment

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This book was totally heartbreaking to read. I don’t think I’d be able to reread it anytime soon. I’m not used to Ty and Zane fighting this much after reading the first 6 books in the series. Here, a lot of secrets have been revealed and a lot of bad, bad guys are after Ty, Zane and the rest of their crew (Sidewinder!)

After having their faces plastered across the news during a high-profile case, FBI Special Agents Ty Grady and Zane Garrett have become more useful to the Bureau posing for photo ops than working undercover. Just as Zane is beginning to consider retirement a viable option, Ty receives a distress call from a friend, leading them to a city rife with echoes from the past.

New Orleans wears its history on its streets, and it’s the one place Ty’s face could get him killed. Surrounded by trouble as soon as they land, Ty and Zane are swiftly confronted with a past from which Ty can’t hide—one with a surprising connection to Zane’s.

As threats close in from all directions, both men must come to terms with the lives they’ve led and the lies they’ve told. They soon discover that not all their secrets are out yet, and nothing lasts forever.

So at the beginning, Zane’s about to propose for Ty to marry him but they have to fly to New Orleans ASAP for some emergency. Turns out, that emergency’s a highly traumatic journey to their past! Ouch! I’m hurting by simply remembering everything that happened in the book! It was the Sidewinder reunion commemorating the birthday of their fallen comrades. The revelations of Ty are just beyond! Zane was beyond mad thinking if he really knows Ty or if what Ty have shown him all this time was simply a ploy to do his mission?! Ouch again! I admit that Ty was I the wrong here. He’s crazy shit but surely, they could talk some sense into this right? LOL. Oh well, it’s just crazy – everything that happened to this book was just crazy and I don’t know. It’s painful, beyond painful! The best thing that I loved about this was the ending – it was bittersweet moment for both of them! Awee – this book hurts but at the end of the day (err…the novel) I still love both of ‘em. Abigail, please don’t do this again…

 Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

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Book Review: Shock & Awe (Book 1 of Sidewinder Series) – Abigail Roux

Posted on May 23, 2014 | Leave a comment

18005253From the Cut & Run series, we’ve got here a couple springing from the Sidewinder team. Nick O’Flaherty and Kelly Abbott finally discovered that they have something that they could share more. The story picked up after the events in Touch & Geaux (Cut & Run Series Book #8) and it was just a quick narration of both men deciding whether they should be pursuing what their hearts was telling them or just remain friends / brothers-in-combat.

After barely surviving a shootout in New Orleans, Sidewinder medic Kelly Abbott has to suffer through a month of recovery before he can return home to Colorado. He’s not surprised when fellow Sidewinder Nick O’Flaherty stays with him in New Orleans. Nor is he surprised when Nick travels home with him to help him get back on his feet—after all, years on the same Marine Force Recon team bonded the men in ways that only bleeding for a brother can. He’s very surprised, though, when Nick humors his moment of curiosity and kisses him.

Nick knows all of Kelly’s quirks and caprices, so the kiss was a low-risk move on his part . . . or so he thought. But what should’ve been a simple moment unleashes a flood of confusing emotions and urges that neither man is prepared to address.

Now, Kelly and Nick must figure out what they mean to each other—friends and brothers in arms, or something even deeper?—before the past can come back to ruin their tenuous future (source)

Shock & Awe to put it simply is a walking sex novella. Really, it’s just sex, sex and sex and less talk. It’s funny (especially Kelly – oh my, he’s kinky! Lol) and it does not require too much thinking. Kelly’s just so adorable especially whenever he’s demanding Nick to kiss him. And I just love his stubbornness – the guy’s horny every time! LOL

Really, you just gotta read the whole thing to peek at the fire that started between them and then go read “Ball & Chain (Cut & Run series Book #8)” to read more of the progress in their relationship.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

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