Books and Swoons: April 2016

Our Monthly Wrap-Up (#4)

Morning friends,

For April, I read:

COME ON CLOSER by Kendra Leigh Castle

JUST ONE DAY by Gayle Forman on audio

UNTRACEABLE by Laura Griffin

LADY RENEGADES by Rachel Hawkins

THE SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING PANTS by Ann Brashares on audio

SHADOW AND BONE by Leigh Bardugo

JUST ONE NIGHT by Gayle Forman

THE GREAT HUNT by Wendy Higgins

SUCCUBUS ON TOP by Richelle Mead

THE PROGRAM by Suzanne Young on audio

STILL THE ONE by Jill Shalvis

Nahomi read:

THE RUBY CIRCLE by Richelle Mead

FAKING IT by Cora Carmack

I'm currently reading:

UNSPEAKABLE by Laura Griffin

THE SECOND SUMMER OF THE SISTERHOOD by Ann Brashares on audio

Nahomi is currently not reading anything.

Reviews we posted in April:

Emerald Green by Kerstin Gier - Nahomi
Walk the Edge (Thunder Road #2) by Katie McGarry - Jenn
The Epidemic (The Program #0.6) by Suzanne Young - Jenn
Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) by Marissa Meyer - Nahomi
Lady Renegades (Rebel Belle #3) by Rachel Hawkins - Jenn
Come On Closer (Harvest Cove #4) by Kendra Leigh Castle - Jenn

Features we did:

So, how was your month? What did you read/talked/swooned about? Let's chat!

Waiting on Wednesday (#153)

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:

Life After Juliet by Shannon Lee Alexander

Expected Release Date: July 5, 2016

Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Goodreads

Synopsis:

Becca Hanson is a reader-a "voracious" reader. And with all those fictional friends, she never had time for real ones. Plus real ones come with uncontrollable quirks, like constantly filling a room with song, drawing on any available surface, and worst of all, dying. Real friends are more trouble than they're worth. Since her best-and only-real friend Charlotte's death six months before, Becca has returned to a life of books in order to distance herself from heartache and constant loneliness as her junior year at Sandstone High begins.

When a class project forces her into the Drama Club, she attracts the attention of not one, but TWO guys involved in the production, onstage and off. Meanwhile, she's still dealing with the grief of Charlotte's death--the fact that Charlie is away at MIT--and that she finally has to build a life for herself on her own terms. Ultimately she learns more about who she is, what she wants, how she feels--and how to find what she's looking for. And while she isn't sure what comes next, she's pretty sure there'll be more kissing involved.

I'm SUPER excited about this book. I read Alexander's Love and Other Unknown Variables and loved it so I'm super happy to be getting more of her words.

What are you "Waiting on?"

Review: Come on Closer by Kendra Leigh Castle

Come On Closer
(Harvest Cove #4)
Author: Kendra Leigh Castle
Release Date: March 1, 2016
Publisher: Signet
Format: Mass Market Paperback
Source: Signet
Review by: Jenn

Nothing’s sweeter than a chance at true love…

Larkin O’Neill refuses to let anything stand in her way. Despite a troubled upbringing, she’s created the life she always wanted, surrounding herself with close friends and opening the bakery of her dreams. But the free-spirited baker is blindsided when she falls hard for the local bad boy. She knows that she should stay away, but the sizzling attraction between them is just too tempting…

Shane’s love ’em and leave ’em ways have left him a persona non grata in Harvest Cove. But when Larkin bursts into his life, the handsome lawyer can’t think of anywhere he’d rather be than by her side. She’s the first person in a long time who believes there could be more to him than meets the eye. Now he’s determined to prove to Larkin that he’s worth taking a chance on—and prove to himself that he’s the kind of man she deserves….

3 stars out of 5 stars

*I received an early finished copy of this book from the publisher, however, that did not influence my review in any way.*

I was super happy when I managed to get my hands on this book because I truly enjoyed Every Little Kiss and I wanted more from the little town of Harvest Cove. We met Larkin and Shane in the previous books and so I wanted to see what their story would be like. Larkin and Shane both have family baggage and while they seem to be complete opposite, Larkin being a free spirit who always sees the good in other, and Shane the woman womanizer of Harvest Cove, they both can't deny the attraction they feel for the other.

Their story is really touch and go. While Larkin tries to see and believe the best in people, she has a hard time in seeing any good in Shane because she's afraid of him, so they tend to make very slow progress in learning from each other. Since they took a little longer in getting together because of misunderstanding that really shouldn't have happened and because of family baggage that "separated" them, I was kind of over it and sped read towards the end. Which sucks because the beginning had such potential for a great book.

We did see some of the previous characters and it was so fun seeing them and where they are now. I haven't read book 1 and 3 but I really want to because seeing them now just pique my interest. I can't wait until the next book comes out because Fitz and Kira definitely seem like fun characters and I'm curious to see what shenanigans Kira will get herself in.

Quotes (#154)

Source

Morning Friends,

This is my attitude for this week! I ready to kick its butt. I'm currently reading Faking It by Cora Carmack and these are some of my favorite quotes so far.

“Living is hard. And every day our feet get heavier and we pick up more baggage. So, we stop and take a breath, close our eyes, reset our minds. It's natural. As lond as you open your eyes and keep going.”
~Cora Carmack, Faking It

“But fear lets us know we're alive. It tells me that you care about what happens between us because the mind doesn't waste time being scared about things that don't matter.”
~Cora Carmack, Faking It

“After what could have been an eternity or a few seconds, Cade whispered, "Pain changes us. Mine made me want to be perfect, so that no one would ever want to leave me again.”
~ Cora Carmack, Faking It

“But sometimes you don’t know what you’re looking for until it’s already knocked you flat on your back.”
~Cora Carmack, Faking It

“There are some things that are worth fighting for, no matter the outcome, and you are one of them.”
~ Cora Carmack, Faking It

“I’ll take my chances against your fickle heart if it means it’s mine.”
~Cora Carmack, Faking It

“Her eyes were a bottomless ocean that I would give up air to explore.”
~Cora Carmack, Faking It

Have a great week friends!

On Our Nightstand (#7)

On Our Nightstand is where we show the state of disarray our nightstand look holding all the books we are currently reading.

One night, I was halfway through a book when I knew I was going to finish it right then and there. So, before snuggling in for the night, I went ahead and grabbed my next TBR book and put it on my nightstand just so I didn't have to get up and get it. I looked at my nightstand, which is just stack of pretty boxes, and had an idea. After talking about this with Nahomi, we're going to be sharing, occasionally, how the towering books on our nightstands look with our readers.

On my nightstand, I have The Great Hunt by Wendy Higgins (which I'm currently reading), Unspeakable by Laura Griffin (I hope to read next), and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling (which I'm reading with my husband).

On Nahomi's nightstand, she has Faking It by Cora Carmack (which she hopes to be starting soon) and her daughter's bedtime books.

What books are on your nightstand?

Review: Lady Renegades by Rachel Hawkins

Lady Renegades
(Rebel Belle #3)
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Release Date: April 5, 2016
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Format: ARC
Source: Putnam Juvenile
Review by: Jennifer

Just as Harper Price starts coming to terms with her role as David Stark's battle-ready Paladin, protector, and girlfriend—her world goes crazy all over again.

Overwhelmed by his Oracle powers, David flees Pine Grove and starts turning teenaged girls into Paladins—and these young ladies seem to think that Harper is the enemy David needs protecting from. Ordinarily, Harper would be able to fight off any Paladin who comes her way, but her powers have been dwindling since David left town, which means her life is on the line yet again.

Now, it’s a desperate race for Harper to find and rescue David before she backslides from superhero to your garden-variety type-A belle.

New York Times bestselling author Rachel Hawkins brings the fun once again in the finale of this pitch-perfect romantic paranormal comedy series.

3.5 stars out of 5 stars

*I received an ARC of this book from the publisher but it did influence this review in any way.*

Lady Renegades is a few months after Miss Mayhem and Harper is trying to return to normal after David's quick departure. Even though she wanted things normal, she's feeling restless with not knowing where David went off to. After series of events where she and Bee are having the same dreams and fighting for Harper's life, they go off in search for David with help from a surprising character.

To be honest, the person that they get help from (I'm not saying any names because I was shocked! and I want you to be too), I was a little nervous in trusting. I was always worried about their motivations and reasons. However, the trio proved to be a very funny combination and in a weird way, I like the way they all meshed and worked with each other.

As the story continued to neared its end, I was worried about how it was going to end. After reading the previous two books and putting in perspective what needed to be done, I knew how it was supposed to play out. I was actually surprised that Rachel Hawkins was actually going to end the series on that note but there was still one more little surprise in the end. I was both happy and disappointed by the surprise. Happy because of reasons I won't say because it's too spoiler-y and disappointed because I felt like everything we went through before was for no reason after all.

However, I'm still happy with the way the series wrapped up. Harper was always fun to be around and I think I'll miss her character a lot; Rachel wrote her brilliantly. And of course, I'll miss Rachel Hawkins' snark and comedy but I know I'll get it in more books.

Waiting on Wednesday (#152)

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:

The Crown by Kiera Cass

Expected Release Date: May 3, 2016

Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Goodreads

Synopsis:

Twenty years have passed since the events of The One, and America and Maxon’s daughter is the first princess to hold a Selection of her own. Princess Eadlyn didn’t think she would find a real partner among the Selection’s thirty-five suitors, let alone true love. But sometimes the heart has a way of surprising you... and now Eadlyn must make a choice that feels more difficult—and more important—than she ever expected.

I love the dress on the cover. I am a big fan of the selections series. I can't wait to see what happens next.

What are you "Waiting on?"

Mini Review: Winter by Marissa Meyer

Winter
(The Lunar Chronicles #4)
Author: Marissa Meyer
Release Date: November 10, 2015
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Source: Personal Copy
Review by: Nahomi

Princess Winter is admired by the Lunar people for her grace and kindness, and despite the scars that mar her face, her beauty is said to be even more breathtaking than that of her stepmother, Queen Levana.

Winter despises her stepmother, and knows Levana won’t approve of her feelings for her childhood friend—the handsome palace guard, Jacin. But Winter isn’t as weak as Levana believes her to be and she’s been undermining her stepmother’s wishes for years. Together with the cyborg mechanic, Cinder, and her allies, Winter might even have the power to launch a revolution and win a war that’s been raging for far too long.

Can Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, and Winter defeat Levana and find their happily ever afters?

Rating: 5 stars out of 5 stars

Winter is the final installment of the Lunar Chronicles. After finishing Cress I was so anxious to get my hands on this story that I bought it immediately. Winter is the retelling of Snow White with a twist. In this tale Winter (Snow White) lives on the moon and is going insane with Lunar sickness. Marissa Meyer does an outstanding job with this retelling! There are enough elements from the original story that it’s noticeable that it’s Snow White, but the story is definitely different. Normally, I am afraid to read the final book in any series and have a number of unfinished series to prove it; but Winter was everything I look for in a final book and more. I love how all of the stories intertwined in this final book.

Winter is full of suspense and excitement. I was always on my toes not knowing what to expect next. Winter and Jason balance each other in a great way. Winter has a quiet strength to her that is admirable. Jason is stoic, but has a soft stop for Winter. I had fun getting to see all of the characters interacting with one another. I loved how all of the characters stories ended up. Winter is another great addition to an already amazing series!

Quotes (#153)

Source

Morning Lovelies!

I worked on this post while listening to my boys so today you get Backstreet Boys gifs. Today is also a difficult day for my family so I'm choosing happiness and the BSB are a definite way to keep me reminded of the happy moments in life. Let's do quotes!

“We are told that people stay in love because of chemistry, or because they remain intrigued with each other, because of many kindnesses, because of luck. But part of it has got to be forgiveness and gratefulness. ” ― Ellen Goodman

“I know some who are constantly drunk on books as other men are drunk on whiskey.” ― H.L. Mencken

“Even when you have doubts, take that step. Take chances. Mistakes are never a failure—they can be turned into wisdom.” ― Cat Cora

“Deserve your dream.” ― Octavio Paz

“Cakes are healthy too, you just eat a small slice.” ― Mary Berry

“Basically, I have two speeds.... Hostile or smart-aleck. Your choice.” ― James Patterson, Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports

“It is easy to love people in memory; the hard thing is to love them when they are there in front of you.” ― John Updike, My Father's Tears and Other Stories

Stacking the Shelves (#31)

Stacking the Shelves, which is hosted by Team Tynga's Reviews, is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This mean you can include books you buy in a physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course, ebooks.

Morning friends!

So far, in the month of April I've gotten a few books.

For review: