BOOK REVIEW | The Problem with Forever by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: The Problem with Forever
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Publiation Date: May 17, 2016
Pages: 474
Source: I bought this at Barnes and Noble!

For some people, silence is a weapon. For Mallory “Mouse” Dodge, it’s a shield. Growing up, she learned that the best way to survive was to say nothing. And even though it’s been four years since her nightmare ended, she’s beginning to worry that the fear that holds her back will last a lifetime.

Now, after years of homeschooling with loving adoptive parents, Mallory must face a new milestone—spending her senior year at public high school. But of all the terrifying and exhilarating scenarios she’s imagined, there’s one she never dreamed of—that she’d run into Rider Stark, the friend and protector she hasn’t seen since childhood, on her very first day.

It doesn’t take long for Mallory to realize that the connection she shared with Rider never really faded. Yet the deeper their bond grows, the more it becomes apparent that she’s not the only one grappling with the lingering scars from the past. And as she watches Rider’s life spiral out of control, Mallory faces a choice between staying silent and speaking out—for the people she loves, the life she wants, and the truths that need to be heard.

Links: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Book Depository | Goodreads

Book Review: The Replacement Crush by Lisa Brown Roberts

The Replacement Crush is an amazing young adult contemporary novel!
 
Lisa Brown Roberts is now officially on my radar. The Replacement Crush blew my expectations out of the water. The novel follows Vivian and her mission to logically fall in love after she is broken up with by her long term crush. I knew I was going to have fun with this just based off of the synopsis, but I didn't know I would be so invested with the story. 

Mini Review #2

Hey guys and welcome back to my blog! Today I will be reviewing three recent reads that I want to share my thoughts on. However, I don't have enough to make a full review for each book so I'll just be doing mini reviews for each.

Sinner by Maggie Stiefvater
Sinner is the last book in Stiefvater's Wolves of Mercy Falls series. Although Sam and Grace had a complete story arc in the first three books, the series continues with Isabel and Cole. I loved Isabel and Cole in the first three books, and was disheartened when they didn't get their happily ever after in Forever. Maybe it is because I have grown as a reader, but I didn't really enjoy this one. Both Isabel and Cole frustrated me and instead of rooting for them, I just wanted the book to wrap up. If you're a fan of the first three books but haven't read them in a while, I would say to just skip this one and be content with the ending of Forever. 
2.75 Stars

Half Blood by Jennifer L. Armenntrout
Half Blood is the opening novel in Armentrout's Covenant series. If you've read the Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead, you might see some similarities between the two. Both feature a protagonist that is half human with the other half being a superior species. Our protagonist also want to be in a relationship but isn't because they would be shunned. Though I had a lot of fun reading this book, I couldn't get over the striking similarities between the two. Alex also reminds me of Rose due to how similar they are physically and in personality. However, if you are looking for a fast paced read that doesn't require too much thought, I would recommend this. What it lacked in originality was made up for in its humor. I'm sure that the series improves as it progresses, so I will be continuing on with this series.

3.75 Stars


Did I Mention I Love You? by Estelle Maskame
Did I Mention I Love You? (or DIMILY for short) is the first book in a contemporary trilogy by teenage author Estelle Maskame. This series is a wattpad sensation and has its roots there. The novel follows Eden as she spends the summer with her estranged father in California. Along the way, Eden slowly falls for her infuriating stepbrother Alex. This novel was pure fun and I started to really love the characters. I would absolutely recommend this to anyone who is looking for a fast paced summer/spring read! I'm reading the sequel right now and cannot get enough of it. 
4.25 Stars

So those were my mini reviews! Have you read or are planning to read any of these?

Thanks so much for stopping by and I'll see you soon with another post!

Happy Reading!

Genni @ Ready, Set, Read!

Book Review: Breathe Into Me by Sara Fawkes

Breathe Into Me is one of the best new adult novels I have read this year. 

This novel is the type of book you pick up when you are in a reading slump, and that is exactly what I did! I wasn't really feeling any of the books I had from the library, so when this came in my Black Friday Book Outlet purchase, I immediately picked it up and didn't put it down. I read this book in less than three hours and I'm still riding the high six days after reading it. 

Breathe into me follows Lacey St. James, and her ongoing bad luck. She lives in a trailer park with  her brother, mother, and abusive grandmother. Talking about abuse, when the novel opens, Lacey is in a relationship with an abusive boyfriend. Everything changes when she meets this mysterious guy who makes her realize that she deserves better. 

Most of this book focuses on the romance between Lacey and Everett, said mysterious guy. I really loved their dynamic and chemistry. They really fit each other and make each other better people. The part of the plot I really loved though was the tension between Lacey and her family. I found it really interesting to see how her life got so messed up. Some of my favorite scenes are the confrontations between Lacey and her family.

There is something you should be warned about though before getting into the book. It does take a deeper and darker turn, so if you are uncomfortable reading about self harm, suicide, or abuse, I would say that this book isn't for you. Breathe Into Me features all of these subjects in a really good way, but I would say read another book if you are uncomfortable with it or it might trigger something. 

Another aspect of the story I just really enjoyed was Everett's familial drama as well. There was a big reveal with about 75 or so pages left, and I was not expecting it! This was actually a great experience, because unfortunately, the books I have recently begun to figure out the twist before it happens. The other thing that sets this apart from some other new adult books is that it doesn't just focus on the romance. Yes, it is definitely prevalent in the story, but it also focuses on Lacey as a person as well and her evolving into a person who is more sure and confident in herself. Lacey is struggling throughout the book to get her life together. 

The only big issue I had with this book was that if kind of felt like Lacey's life only changed and became for the better when she met Everett. I wish that this wasn't the case because it warps the message of the novel into something reliant on a male. I'm all about female power and I wish I didn't see the common trope of a girl only changing her life for the better after she meets the guy. Another thing that I was kind of bothered by was the  change in view after Lacey and Everett got together. The focus shifted into their relationship and not as much Lacey's family. I wish we got to see more of her brother and learn more about how everything was solved. We hear about it, but we don't necessarily see it in the novel.

Besides that, I don't really have any more complaints. There was this one scene where Everett said that his summer was so relaxed and I was so shocked. This book is chock full of drama! How was it ever relaxed? Two aspects I really loved about the novel was the friendships in the book. Sometimes female friendships are shown as catty and superficial, and this wasn't the case and I really liked it. There were also two MAJOR twists that I completely didn't see coming and I absolutely loved it. After the first twist, I thought it was it and then we learn some more about Everett's past and I was completely blindsided. This really made the book so much better in my eyes.

To say I liked this book is an understatement! No, it wasn't perfect. But, it was really entertaining and I loved the story. If you are new to new adult like I am, I would recommend this book. I haven't read much of new adult as I started reading it this year, but I say pick it up! It's definitely underrated and I don't see too many people talking about it either on the book community. 

With that, I give this book

4.25 out of 5 Stars!

Book Review: Sweet Temptation by Wendy Higgins

Sweet Temptation was such a fun read!

Sweet Temptation is the fourth and final novel in Wendy Higgins's Sweet series. This novel is actually a recap of the first three books in a different perspective. If you don't know what the first three books are about, they follow Nephilim and demons. Sweet Evil, the first book, is about Anna's journey when she learns she is a Nephilim and daughter of the Duke of Substance Abuse. She has a love story with Kai, who is the son of the Duke of Lust. The story and series evolves from there while Anna discovers more about the world and her destiny. The three books have a complete story arc and conclusion. Sweet Temptation just recalls these events in one novel in Kai's perspective instead of Anna's.I can't give out too much more of the plot because I'd spoil the whole entire series for you, and no one wants that! I would recommend reading the first three books first instead of just reading this novel because as a reader you wouldn't grasp and understand the book as easily in my opinion.

I really loved reading in Kai's perspective. There were so many times throughout the series where I was so frustrated with Kai's actions, especially in Sweet Evil. When I first read Sweet Evil, I gave the book 2 stars. However, the series in my mind is a solid four star read. I think I disliked the first one so much because not only did Anna come off as too juvenile and saintly for me, but Kai seemed like a major jerk. What I didn't realize was that there were so many pivotal scenes in all three books that I was excited to read in Kai's POV. There were a couple right off the bat that I knew I wanted to read, but while I was reading the book, I kept on remembering different scenes that I was so eagerly anticipating.

The pacing was really well done and I liked how Wendy Higgins didn't include all the scenes from all the books, because than this novel would have been so, so long. Instead, she chose some really key moments and introduced scenes we haven't seen before because Anna wasn't there. What we got in return was a 485 page book of pure fun.

Reading in Kai's POV was really refreshing. I understood Kai more as a character, and his motivations were clearer throughout the novel. I really disliked Kai in the first novel and half of the second, and this gave me a whole entire different view of him. In book three, Sweet Reckoning, I absolutely loved Kai and liked him just as much in Sweet Temptation. Because the first three books were in Anna's perspective, a lot of Kai as a character was lost in translation in the first novel and I didn't completely understand him. With Sweet Temptation, I completely connected and understood him.

This novel was amazingly fun to read. Kai was such a fun character to read; he was sassy and sarcastic and overall just really funny. This book really improved the series in my mind. I do recommend this series as a whole. Though I didn't necessarily like the first book, the series improved with every single progression. Sweet Temptation was more fun than I anticipated and I really loved it.

With that, I give this book

4.25 Stars!