Review: Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
Release Date: February 26, 2013
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Source: Personal Copy
Reviewed by: Jenn
Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Goodreads / IndieBound

My rating: 4 stars out of 5 stars

Synopsis:
Set over the course of one school year in 1986, Eleanor & Park is the story of two star-crossed misfits - smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. When Eleanor meets Park, you'll remember your own first love - and just how hard it pulled you under.

I had really difficult time writing this review and I spent weeks and weeks working on it and I still feel like I can't properly do the book justice. I guess I'll just break things down:

1. It doesn't feel like Young Adult
   - Eleanor and Park are wise beyond their years
   - There are issues and topics that are normally not seen or dealt with in YA books.
2. Swoony but realistic
    - We have to remember that this is first love but I just found it to be so cute and made me all happy sigh and reminding me of my first crush.
3. Eleanor
   - I loved her
   - Strong and independent and doesn't change herself for a boy, not even Park. My kind of girl.
   - I want to be a friend to her, she needs one. If there ever was girl that needs a girlfriend, it Eleanor. There were so many times that I just wanted to take her and hug her and just shield her from the world.
4. Where the hell was Department of Children and Family in this book?! Her mom made me rage. Richie = squm. Remember what I said about issues not normally seen in YA books? It comes into play here. 
5. Park
   - The sweetest boy ever. Seriously.
   - During the drive to Minnesota
      - Broke my heart how sad and angry and hurt he that she was asleep. He was so conflicted. He wanted to spend time with her but he knew that she need to rest and escape for a little while. 
      - Also broke my heart at how he was after she was gone. The feels.
  - Loved how he fell in love. How things suddenly changed for him. So realistically done. Kudos to Rainbow for doing such a great job.

I really enjoyed this story. It was so well done and Rainbow managed to bring back all the memories of first crushes and first love and how exciting and nerve-wracking things are when you're a teenager. I wouldn't mind if Rainbow decides to do a sequel but it not something that I'm absolutely dying for. I guess my heart can only take so much angst. But on a side note, anybody want to take guesses with me and what those three words were?

Blog Tour Stop: Review & Giveaway: Sia by Josh Grayson

Sia by Josh Grayson
Release Date: November 20, 2013
Publisher: Josh Grayson
Source: Gifted for Blog Tour
Reviewed by: Nahomi
Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Goodreads / Kobo

*I received a copy of this book for part of a blog tour but it did not influence this review in any way*

My rating: 3 stars out of 5 stars

Summary from Goodreads:
When Seventeen-year-old Sia wakes up on a park bench, she has no idea who or where she is. Yet after a week of being homeless, she's reunited with her family. At school, she's powerful and popular. At home, she's wealthy beyond her dreams. But she quickly realizes her perfect life is a lie. Her family is falling apart and her friends are snobby, cruel, and plastic. Worse yet, she discovers she was the cruelest one. Mortified by her past, she embarks on a journey of redemption and falls for Kyle, the "geek" she once tormented. Yet all the time she wonders if, when her memories return, she'll become the bully she was before... and if she'll lose Kyle.

     I am a sucker for YA contemporary romances, so when I read the synopsis for Sia I was hooked. There are several aspects of this story that I truly enjoyed and some that were ok, or I was on the fence about. But lets start with the good, because I like to begin on a positive note.

Sia, the main character is very strong and determined. Some might even say hard headed at times, but in some cases during her story it is actually a good thing. I love that she wants to change, and inspire change around her. The fact that she learned from her experience in the beginning of the book says a lot about her character and strength.

The love interest was cute and sweet. I liked how their relationship evolved and that it wasn't the focus of the novel. It felt believable to me. I thought Kyle, although maybe for selfish reasons, was right to be cautious in the beginning. The supporting characters in the story were definitely a plus. It's great that she stays friend with Carol and that later on Carol is able to turn things around for herself.

Now, for the not so good. I felt like the plot was a little predictable. I understand that what Sia experienced in the beginning of the novel was necessary to her character development, her logic for not going to the police right a way was a little off for me. It seemed like she just jumped to conclusions. Although at times it felt like an after school special, I enjoyed reading Sia. I like the message this story portrays. 

You can follow the rest of the blog tour here.

Now here is the giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author:

Josh Grayson was born in Mexico, raised in Massachusetts, and now lives in Martinsville, Virginia. It was his move to the South that stirred his imagination and gave him the courage to start writing. During his free time, Josh enjoys reading, jogging, swimming, and watching YouTube videos.


Josh currently works as a medical driver, shuttling people all over Virginia and North Carolina. He has also worked as a machinist, film sales rep, administrative assistant, and telemarketer (he apologizes if he called you).
 Sia is his debut YA novel.

Author Links: Website / Facebook / Goodreads / Twitter

Blog Tour hosted by:

Waiting on Wednesday (#36)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Morning swooners!

This week pre-publication "can't wait to read" selection is:

Into the Still Blue (Under the Never Sky #3) by Veronica Rossi

Expected Release Date: January 28, 2014

Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Goodreads

Synopsis:

The earth-shattering conclusion to Veronica Rossi's "masterpiece" Under the Never Sky trilogy and sequel to the New York Time bestselling Through the Ever Night (Examiner.com).

Their love and their leadership have been tested. Now it's time for Perry and Aria to unite the Dwellers and the Outsiders in one last desperate attempt to bring balance to their world.

The race to the Still Blue has reached a stalemate. Aria and Perry are determined to find this last safe-haven from the Aether storms before Sable and Hess do - and they are just as determined to stay together.

Meanwhile, time is running out to rescue Cinder, who was abducted by Hess and Sable for his unique abilities. And when Roar returns to camp, he is so furious with Perry that he won't even look at him, and Perry begins to feel like they have already lost.

Out of options, Perry and Aria assemble a team to mount an impossible rescue mission - because Cinder isn't just the key to unlocking the Still Blue and their only hope for survival, he's also their friend. And in a dying world, the bonds between people are what matters most.

In this final book in her stunning Under the Never Sky trilogy, Veronica Rossi raises the stakes to their absolute limit and brings her epic love story to an unforgettable close.

I'm super sad and excited about this trilogy coming to an end. I've been such a fan of this series and of Veronica since Under the Never Sky was release but I can't wait to see how it finally ends.

Review: Crash Into You by Katie McGarry

Crash Into You (Pushing the Limits #3)
By: Katie McGarry
Expected Release Date: November 26, 2013
Publisher: HarlequinTeen
Source: HarlequinTeen through NetGalley
Reviewed by: Jenn
Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble /Goodreads / IndieBound

*I received an eARC of this book from the publisher but it did not influence this review in any way.*

My rating: 4.5 stars out of 5 stars

Synopsis:
The girl with straight As, designer clothes and the perfect life - that's who people expect Rachel Young to be. So the private-school junior keeps secrets from her wealthy parents and overbearing brothers...and she just added two more to the list. One involves racing strangers down dark country roads in her Mustang GT. The other? Seventeen-year-old Isaiah Walker - a guy she has no business even talking to. But when the foster kid with the tattoos and intense gray eyes comes to her rescue, she can't get him out of her mind.

Isaiah has secrets, too. About where he lives, and how he really feels about Rachel. the last thing he needs is to get tangled up with a rich girl who wants to slum it on the south side for kicks - no matter how angelic she might look.

But when their shared love of street racing puts both of their lives in jeopardy, they have six weeks to come up with a way out. Six weeks to discover just how far they'll go to save each other.

       Katie McGarry outdid herself with this book. Crash Into You was everything and more than what I was expecting. After the ending of Dare You To, I was unhappy by how Isaiah was left and that he wasn't given his happy ending. So I was super excited when this book was announced.

Isaiah has this super tough, scary persona and I'm glad that we got to really know him in this book. His love and loyalty to the people he cares about really came out. He's the kind of guy that, if he's your friend, will stand by you no matter what. I really like Rachel and I loved getting to know her. There were several times I wanted to stand up to her overprotective brothers and overbearing parents. I understood why they acted that way but I did not like it at all. I wanted shake some sense into them and make them see that she's a person and they couldn't just toss her feelings aside.

Isaiah and Rachel has to be my favorite couple of the series so far. They're absolutely perfect for each other. I loved how Isaiah managed to make Rachel feel strong and like she can take on the world. And how Rachel made Isaiah realized that there is good in the world and that he doesn't need to control everything and to trust other people. After reading this book, it made me realized how perfectly suited Isaiah and Rachel are and how Beth and Isaiah would have been a disaster if they had gotten together.

Overall, this has to be my favorite of the series, I just loved it so much. Crash Into You lived up to all my expectations and I can't wait to go out and buy my own copy. Katie McGarry did a great job in keeping her readers hooked and entertained and I can't wait to read West's story. Although, I do hope she does a book on Ethan and Abby, they're just so cute. I say, go out and read this. It will not disappoint.

Cover Reveal - Draw Me In by Megan Squires

Draw Me In by Megan Squires

Expected Release Date: December 2013

Links: Goodreads

Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Cover designed by: Mae I Design

Cover reveal organized by: Xpresso Books Tours

Synopsis:

He's young, up and coming businessman with the keys to his family's Italian wine enterprise.

I'm a fine arts students, navigating life in the Big Apple, my pencil and sketchpad in hand.

We meet. We fall in love.

But it's not that story.

Sometimes, by a rare gift of fate, two lives cross paths. And hey, if that happens to occur when staring at Michelangelo's naked masterpiece, even better. We can tell out future children how a seventeen-foot tall marble guy named David brought us together.

But there's always more to a relationship than it's beginning and ever after. In life, there's a whole lot of backstory. There are ex-fiances and hot roommates and family members whose advice continues, even beyond the grave.

When you say you love someone, it's never just that one person you're saying it to. And it's never just that one moment that sets everything in motion.

There is always more that draws you in.

About the author:

Megan Squires lives with her husband and two children just outside of Sacramenton, California. A graduate from the University of California, Davis, Megan is now a full-time mother, wife, and dreamer - though her characters don't often give her miuch opportunity to sleep.

Visit www.theoutlierchronicles.com to learn more about her latest young adult series.

Author Links: Website / Goodreads / Facebook

Quotes (#36)

Morning lovelies. I hope everyone had a great weekend.

"I don't want to do anything. I don't even want to start this day because then I'll just be expected to finish it." - Rainbow Rowell, Fangirl

"I was literally seeing stars, and every ragged breath I took felt like I was trying to breathe through broken glass.
On the upside, my crush on Archer was totally gone. Over. Once a boy has slammed his kneecap into your rib cage, I think any romantic feelings should naturally go the way of the ghost." - Rachel Hawkins, Hex Hall

"You don't have time, Len. That is the most bitter and most beautiful piece of advice I can offer. If you don't have what you want now, you don't have what you want." - Ann Brashares, Sisterhood Everlasting

"Sometimes crying or laughing are the only options left, and laughing feels better right now." - Veronica Roth, Divergent

"That moment," she told Cath, "when you realize that a guy's looking at you differently - that you're taking up more space in his field of vision. That moment when you know he can't see past you anymore."- Rainbow Rowell, Fangirl

"I don't want to feel this way around him. I want things to be normal. I want to be his friend, not another stupid girl holding out for something that will never happen." - Stephanie Perkins, Anna and the French Kiss

"Bad things happen whether you're scared or not, so you might as well not bother being scared. It's a waste of time." - Louise Rozett, Confessions of an Angry Girl

That's it from me. It a short week for the Americans since we celebrate Thanksgiving on Thursday. I plan on hanging out with family and seeing the boyfriend. However, I do have a giveaway plan for later on this week so do stop by.
Have a great day, lovelies!

Review: Origin by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Origin (Lux #4)
by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Release date: August 27, 2013
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Source: Personal Copy
Reviewed by: Nahomi
Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Goodreads / IndieBound

My rating: 5 stars out of 5 stars

Synopsis:
Daemon will do anything to get Katy back.
After the successful but disastrous raid on Mount Weather, he's facing the impossible. Katy is gone. Taken. Everything becomes about finding her. Taking out anyone who stands in his way? Done. Burning down the whole world to save her? Gladly. Exposing his alien race to the world? With pleasure. 

All Katy can do is survive.
Surrounded by enemies, the only way she can come out of this is to adapt. After all, there are side of Daedalus that don't seem entirely crazy, but the group's goals are frightening and the truths they speak even more disturbing. Who are the real bad guys? Daedalus? Mankind? Or the Luxen? 

Together, they can face anything.
But the most dangerous foe has been there all along, and when the truths are exposed and the lies come crumbling down, which side will Daemon and Katy be standing on? And will they even be together? 

     I was so excited when my friends told me that Barnes and Noble had Origin earlier than its release date. So much that I called right away and had my copy reserved. Let me just say I didn't see any of this coming. I was rendered useless for the entire time I was reading this book.  Anytime my friends were around while I was reading they would laugh at me reacting to it and boy there were so many reactions. The following is my experience reading Origin, I don’t want to get into the specific detail of what happened because I don’t like to spoil the experience for those who haven’t read it yet.

During this entire novel I had this feeling of impending doom… like something really messed up was going to happen, so I took it slow in the beginning because I was scared of what would happen (after being traumatized at the end of Opal). The first part of the book is torture, literally for many reasons, if you've read the series you’ll understand why and if you haven’t what are you waiting for. Then just when I’m about to lose hope, Armentrout throws us a bone and then things start to get crazy. We start finding out a lot of information about the DOD and Daedleaus that left me thinking WTF is going on here and are they really serious with this shit.

As if I wasn't already head over heels with Daemon this book sealed the deal. Every time I think "Oh I can live without him" he reels me back in. *fan self* Daemon is perfect, bad attitude and all. Kat has evolved very well from the first book; she is definitely a stronger, more confident Kat from the one we got to know in Obsidian.

Jennifer Armentrout delivers a fast pace story that is full of surprises at every turn. As I read Origin, I often found myself laughing out loud, gasping or pacing the floor because sweet alien babies I couldn't believe that just happened. I love love love where she has taken this series and now I am left anxiously awaiting the fifth installment Opposition.

Blog Tour Stop & Giveaway- Azure by Chrystalla Thoma

Azure (Drowning In You) by Chrystalla Thoma

Release Date: September 2, 2013

Genre: New Adult, Romance

Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble 

Synopsis:

A terrible mistake haunts college student Olivia Spencer. To escape the past, she travels to the Mediterranean island of Crete, hoping for the courage to start anew.

By the sea, she meets sexy and enigmatic Kai. But there's more to Kai than meets the eye- and nobody want to talk about it. The locals shun him, accusing him of magic. Kai, apparently, belongs to the sea, no matter how crazy that sounds.

Kai isn't free to be with her or live his own life, and this is how he will stay, unless Olivia can break his curse and save him- in doing so atoning for those she failed in the past.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

To follow the rest of the tour just click here.

About the Author:

Greek Cypriot with a penchant for dark myths and good food. Chrystalla Thoma has proven her tendency to settle down anywhere but at home by having lived and studied in France, England, Germany and Costa Rica, before returning to Cyprus two years ago.

Chrystalla likes to write about fantastical creatures, crazy adventures, and family bonds. She lives in Cyprus with her husband and her vast herds of books. She's currently working on a few novels, including a vampire novel set in Cyprus an epic fantasy trilogy, and a YA science fiction series.

Author Links: Facebook / Goodreads / Twitter / Website

Waiting on Wednesday (#35)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Morning swooners!

This week pre-publication "can't wait to read" selection is:

Fracture Me(Shatter Me #2.5) by Tahereh Mafi

Expected Release Date: December 17, 2013

Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Goodreads 

Synopsis:

As Omega point prepares to launch an all-out assault on The Reestablishment soldiers stationed in Sector 45, Adam's focus couldn't be further from the upcoming battle. He's reeling from his breakup with Juliette, scared for his best friend's life, and as concerned as ever for his brother Jame's safety. And just as Adam begins to wonder if this life is really for him, the alarms sound. It's time for war.

On the battlefield, it seems like the odds are in their favor-but taking down Warner, Adam's newly discovered half brother, won't be that easy. The Reestablishment can't tolerate a rebellion, and they'll do anything to crush the resistance... including killing everyone Adam has ever cared about.

Can I begin by saying this cover is soo pretty... I am so excited for Fracture Me to come out! I'm a Warner fan, but I can't wait to hear Adam's point of view!  Swooners, what are you waiting on?

Review: Beautiful Beginning by Christina Lauren

Beautiful Beginning (Beautiful Bastard #3.5) 
By Christina Lauren
Expected Release Date: November 19, 2013
Publisher: Gallery Books
Source: ARC provided by publisher
Reviewed by: Jenn and Nahomi
Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Goodreads / IndieBound

*This ARC was provided by the publisher but it did not influence this review in any way.*

Jenn's rating: 5 stars out of 5 stars
Nahomi's rating: 5 stars out of 5 stars
Our Overall rating: 5 stars out of 5 stars 

Synopsis:
One beautiful bastard of a groom. The most beautiful bitch of a bride. A panty-ripping office hook-up turned true love everlasting.

Wedding bells can't chime soon enough for Chloe Mills and Bennett Ryan. Chloe, exasperated and stressed by all the last-minute to-dos, is on the verge of saying "I do" to eloping. For his part, Bennett's so worried about being distracted by Chloe's body that he makes a no-sex-until-the-wedding-night rule that only seems to be making things worse by continually backfiring on him. As their crazy families descend for the big day- only a few of them actually trying to be helpful- the fiery lovers are about to test whether the couple that argues together can keep it together long enough to exchange rings, and not just heated words.

Jenn:

     I think Beautiful Beginning has to be the best of all the novellas. It wrapped up all the loose end very nicely and left you feeling satisfied. Christina Lauren managed to end a wonderful series with all the happy feels and all my favorite characters happy.

Beautiful Beginning starts off with a very stressed out bride and a very focused groom. Chloe and Bennett are down to the wire with wedding preparations and Chloe is about ready to head off to Las Vegas. Bennett is more focused on keeping his bride sane but also on how to make their wedding night special. So he decides that weren't going to have sex until the wedding night. Which is 5 days away and Chloe, being who she is, decides she needs to fight Bennett on that and what ensues if a test of restraint for Bennett.

We get a glimpse of how life is working out for our beloved characters, Max and Sara and Will and Hanna. There were some surprising twists and lots of funny, laugh out loud moments. Beautiful Beginning left me feeling nostalgic but really happy where these characters I’ve come to love are in their life. I can easily picture them living their happily ever after.

“Straightening up, I pushed off the wall and patted his cheek. “I am excited. I like seeing that the only thing that will change after this week is that Bennett will a ring on his finger and my last name after his first name. I like knowing that you guys will continue to escalate this big testicle war. You and Hanna will continue to be adorable and giddy, Max and Sara will continue to be disgustingly in love. Bennett will continue to alternately rock my world and make me insane. It’s life as it should be.” - Chloe pg 122-123

Just like Chloe, I can picture them doing just that.

Nahomi:

      I completely agree with what Jenn said above, I really enjoyed Beautiful Beginnings. For me it was the perfect ending to a wonderful series. Christina Lauren had me laughing out loud for the majority of the novella. And when I wasn't busy laughing I was busy swooning over Bennett, Max and Will. I really enjoyed how realistic Christina Lauren made the novella.

True to the series the sexy scenes were really HOTT but I feel that in this novella it wasn't so much the focus of the entire story, which is one of my many favorite things about this novella. I feel very at peace with the ending and where everyone ended up. A job well done by Christina Lauren, now I am left anxiously awaiting their next book.

Top Ten Tuesday - Top 10 Books I Recommend to Everone

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the wonderful girls at The Broke and The Bookish. Every week the girls come up with a subject and we have to answer them.

Morning Swooners,

Here's our list of the top 10 books we recommend:

1. Harry Potter - Everyone should read this series.

2. Shatter Me - the writing. Tahereh Mafi has a way to capture you with her writing.

3. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer - creepy but it has a hot guy with a British accent.

4. Throne of Glass - The story line, the female characters, everything is just brilliant.

5. Beautiful Stranger - Max!

6. Pride and Prejudice - Mr. Darcy. Need I say more?

7. Delirium - the concept of love as a disease still gets me all the time.

8. If I Stay - the writing, the story, the feels is just perfection.

9. Anna and the French Kiss - feeling sad and down, this will be the perfect feel good book you can read.

10. Divergent - the unique story line. But this is only up to book 1 and book 2, Insurgent.

That is for me, what are the top 10 books that you recommend?

Quotes (#35)

Good Morning Swooners, 

This will be my mantra for the day...I may end up eating a whole lot of cookies. Hope your Monday treats you well.

"There is never a time or place for true love. It happens accidentally, in a heartbeat, in a single flashing, throbbing moment."- Sarah Dessen, The Truth About Forever

"There is nothing I would not do for those who are really my friends. I have no notion of loving people by halves, it is not my nature." - Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey

"Your lot in life? A lot is something you draw, like straws. It's chance. You didn't get this life by chance. You chose it on purpose. If you're dissatisfied from it, you can change it." 
-Jennifer Echols, Going Too Far

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." - Eleanor Roosevelt, This is My Story

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." - H. Jackson Brown Jr

"I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where. I love you simply, without problems or pride: I love you in this way because I do not know any other way of loving but this, in which there is no I or you, so intimate that your hand upon my chest is my hand, so intimate that when I fall asleep your eyes close." - Pablo Neruda, 100 Love Sonnets

"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage." - Lao Tzu

"I am nothing special, of this I am sure. I am a common man with common thoughts and I've led a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten, but I've loved another with all of my heart and soul, and to me, this has always been enough.." 
-Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook

"We're all a little weird. And life is a little weird. And when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall into mutually satisfying weirdness-and call it love -true love." - Robert Fulghum, True Love

"All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt." - Charles M. Schulz

Hope Monday treats you well, Swooners.
P.S. I will try not to eat all the cookies today... no guarantees though.

Cover Reveal- Seeking Her by Cora Carmack

Seeking Her (Losing It #3.5)
Expected Release Date: January 28, 2014
Publisher: WM Morrow Impulse
Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBookstore / Google Play

ABOUT SEEKING HER by Cora Carmack

      A few months after being honorably discharged from the military, Jackson Hunt is still struggling to adjust back to the real world. He needs to get a job and find a sense of normalcy if he's going to keep his own demons at bay. The job that falls into his lap, through, is anything but normal.

     Bodyguard (and baby-sitter) to spoiled-rich-girl Kelsey Summers isn't exactly what he'd been looking for, but it's a chance to travel, to get away from the home that has felt stifling ever since his return. It would be a pretty sweet gig if it weren't for the fact that Kelsey's father doesn't want Kelsey to know she's being followed. Hunt feels guilty (and a little bit creepy) as he watches her from afar. She's vibrant and infuriating, exciting and reckless, mysterious and familiar. When he sees her falling into the same patterns he suffered years ago, he decides it's time to stop watching and help her instead. But getting to know her is more difficult than he thought, especially because the more he knows her, the more he wants her.


About the Author

I'm Cora Carmack, a twenty-something writer who like to write about twenty-something characters. I've done a multitude of things in my life-- boring jobs (like working retail), Fun jobs (like working in a theatre), stressful jobs (like teaching), and dream jobs (like writing). I enjoy placing my characters in the most awkward situations possible,and they trying to help them get a boyfriend out of it. Awkward people need love, too. I'm a New York Times and USA Today bestseller...and a nerd (mostly the nerd part).

Author links: Facebook / Twitter / Website

Book Blitz + Excerpt -Knowing You by Allie Everhart

Knowing You (Jade #2) by Allie Everhart

Release Date: November 2, 2013

Genre: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Blitz organized by: Xpresso Book Tours

Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Goodreads / Kobo

Synopsis:

Now that Garret's decided he's no longer following the rules of  his wealthy family, he can finally develop a closer relationship with Jade. Things are going well, but Jade still worries that being with Garret is only temporary. And because of that, she's not sure how much of herself and her past she's willing to let him see.

Garret does all he can to assure Jade that the two of them can last, but convincing her of that is difficult when she's never trusted anyone. So he has to show her, by being there when she needs him the most, even when she tries to keep him away.

The mysterious letter from Jade's mom still haunts her and now she's getting threatening phone calls. Someone from Jade's past will stop at nothing to keep his secrets from getting out. And his number one secret is Jade.

(New Adult: Contains sexual situations, language, mature themes, and alcohol usage.)

Excerpt

Garret swims over and stands up right behind me, placing his hands on the edge of the pool around my head. He’s so close I can feel his warm breath on my neck and it sends a shiver down me.

“When are you gonna admit I’m a better swimmer than you?” 

“Never.” I flip around and let go of the pool, quickly grabbing his shoulders so I don’t sink since I’m too short to touch the bottom. But now my legs are dangling awkwardly and I’m having a hard time holding myself up. Garret notices and casually puts his arms around me, pulling our bodies together. 

My heart is beating wildly but I try to keep my breath steady to hide it. “When are you gonna admit I’m a better runner than you?” 

“I’ve already admitted that. I’ve told you that several times. I’ll say it again. You’re a better runner than me. Now do you have anything to say to me?”

“Hmm.” I pretend to think. “Nope. Nothing.”

He smiles. “You just can’t give me a compliment, can you?”

“I give you compliments all the time!” I wrap my legs around his waist. He doesn’t even react. 

“Like what? Because if you gave me one, I totally missed it.”

“I don’t know, but I’m sure I’ve given you one.”

“I’m sure you haven’t.” He keeps his eyes on mine, barely blinking.

“I told you how much I liked those lights you gave me for my birthday. That was kind of a compliment.”

“Not really.” He slides his hands down under my thighs, supporting my weight. It allows me to loosen my grip on his shoulders but it also makes me completely breathless. “Jade, is there anything I do that you like? Anything you think I’m good at?”

I know what he’s implying and yes, there are many things he does that I like. And he’s definitely good at them. Like the way he’s holding me right now? Definitely good. 

Before I can speak, he slowly licks the water from my lips until they part, then slips his tongue in my mouth. I wrap my hands behind his neck as his tongue explores my mouth in a way that gets my body so scorching hot that even the water can’t cool me down. 

After a few incredible, mind-blowing minutes, he slowly pulls away. 

“Do you like it when I do that?” There’s that cocky smile I know and love. 

I smile back. “I’ll admit you’re pretty good at that.”

“Finally! A compliment.” He lets me go, forcing me to grab the edge of the pool. He sets himself up in the lane next to me like he’s preparing to swim laps.

“Hey, where are you going?”

“I have to practice.”

“So we’re just done here?”

“We haven’t even been on a date. I was only kissing you because I was trying to find something you thought I was good at. And I did. So we’re done.”

He takes off swimming, leaving me wanting more. Much, much more.

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About the author:

Allie Everhart writes about dating, love, and romance. She's also a freelance writer for magazines and websites. Before freelancing, she was a book editor for a publishing company where she worked on several NYT bestselling nonfiction books. She loves to read as much as she loves to write. And when she's not reading or writing, she's outside running, which is when she gets her best book ideas.

Author Links: Goodreads / Twitter

Mini Review: Take What You Want by Jeanette Grey

Take What You Want
Author Jeanette Grey
Release Date: March 12, 2013
Publisher: Saimhain Publishing
Source: Personal Copy
Review by: Jenn
Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Goodreads

My rating: 3 stars out of 5 stars

She needs an escape...and he's exactly what she had in mind.
College senior Ellen Price spends every spare minute studying to get into medical school. Until spring break yawns before her, as empty as her wallet.
With no money to hit the beach, she fills her empty to-do list with a plan: for just one week, she will become the kind of take-no-prisoners woman she secretly wishes to be, starting with the hot guy at the bar. It's a no-risk situation: at the end of the break, he'll head back to his campus, and she'll go back to hers. No muss, no fuss.
At first, Josh Markley isn't sure what to think when the quiet, intense beauty from his pre-med classes approaches him for a night of casual sex. Even more mystifying, she doesn't seem to return his recognition. But if she wants to play "strangers in a bar", he's game.
Their passionate night is a welcome respite from life's stress, but afterward, Josh realizes he wants more - from himself, from life, from Ellen. Except she still thinks he's one-off she'll never see again. Confessing the truth now - before she figures it out on her own - could shatter the fragile beginnings of just what the doctor ordered. A forever love.
Warning: Contains mistaken identities, a sometimes-glasses-wearing hottie, deep questions about figuring out what you want from life, and a red-hot college romance.

         I really enjoyed Take What You Want by Jeanette Grey. This book was a really great way to get out of the young adult age range. It was fun, sexy, steamy, and exactly what I needed. It was a quick read and straight to the point. My only complaint was how Ellen didn't recognized Josh even though they had been taking the same classes for the almost four years. I found that a little hard to believe. Josh, on the other hand, was a complete sweetheart. He was patient and let Ellen choose the pace of their "relationship." Other than that, I can't wait to read more from this author.

Waiting on Wednesday (#34)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Morning swooners!

This week pre-publication "can't wait to read" selection is:

Uninvited (Uninvited #1) by Sophie Jordan

Expected Release Date: January 28, 2013

Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Goodreads 

Synopsis:

You can't change your DNA...even when it says you're a murderer. 

When Davy tests positive for Homicidal Tendency Syndrome, aka "the kill gene," she loses everything. Once the perfect high school senior, she is uninvited from her prep school and abandoned by her friends and boyfriend. Even her parents are now afraid of her - although she's never hurt a fly. Davy doesn't feel any differently, but genes don't lie. One day she will kill someone.

Without any say in the matter, Davy is thrown into a special class for HTS carriers. She has no doubt the predictions are right about them, especially Sean, who already bears the "H" tattoo as proof of his violence. Yet when world turns on the carriers, Sean is the only one she can trust. Maybe he's not dangerous as he seems. or maybe Davy is just as deadly.

Once I heard about this book and the premise, I knew I had to get my hands on it. I can't wait for this to come out. 

What are you "Waiting on?"