Review: Our Love Unhinged by Brighton Walsh

Our Love Unhinged
(Reluctant Hearts #3.5)
Author: Brighton Walsh
Release Date: August 20, 2016
Publisher: Bright Publishing, LLC
Format: ebook
Source: Personal Copy
Review by: Jenn

Despite everything she thought she knew, Winter fell in love, and she fell hard. Living with the security of Cade’s unconditional devotion for the past two years has been a welcome reprieve from the decades of loneliness that came before him.

So when he pops the question, she says yes. Of course she does. But two years isn’t long in the grand scheme of things, and certainly not enough time to erase the memories of the past.

Sometimes, even the greatest love can’t silence fears.

Our Love Unhinged is the final novella in the Reluctant Hearts series, and is best enjoyed after reading books 1-3 in the series.

3.5 stars out of 5 stars

Our Love Unhinged was a sweet, hot, and perfect ending to this series. Every character I came to love in the Reluctant Hearts series, we saw one more time and I was able to seem them get their happy ending.

It was so sweet how Cade finally proposed to Winter. How nervous he was and how he just HAD to ask her. And I loved how the boys reacted to Tessa and Paige spotting Winter's ring. It was HILARIOUS how Jason didn't really acknowledge it at first because he wasn't asked for ring shopping help. God I love him. My only problem is that in my romance books, I don't really care for couples having babies, it just something I don't want to read about. So I didn't really love how it was included in two ways in the book.

I am going to miss this gang. The boys shenanigans are always fun and the girl talk, especially with Paige around, will be missed. I might have to go reread now.

Quotes (#168)

Morning Swooners,
Another Monday has come and it's hard to keep from being a little gloomy. I always wish the weekend would be a little bit longer. Either way, here are some of my favorite quotes to help with the Monday blues.

“Phones are distracting. The internet is distracting.The way he looked at you? He wasn't distracted. He was consumed.”
~Stephanie Perkins, Isla and the Happily Ever After

“A blank canvas...has unlimited possibilities.”
~Stephanie Perkins, Isla and the Happily Ever After

“I've always thought the best relationships are those that are as happy and content in silence as they are in action [...]”
~Stephanie Perkins, Isla and the Happily Ever After

“Josh grins. It’s wide and relieved and reveals a rarely seen pair of dimples. I could live inside those dimples for the rest of my life.”
~Stephanie Perkins, Isla and the Happily Ever After

Take a risk. Take a fucking risk. If you keep playing it safe, you'll never know who you are.”
~Stephanie Perkins, Isla and the Happily Ever After

“That was the strangest timing. The strangest. It's like fate, if I believed in fate. I don't know. Maybe I believe in fate now.”
~Stephanie Perkins, Isla and the Happily Ever After

“People can play dumb all they want, but they always give themselves away in actions. In the small moments like that.”
~Stephanie Perkins, Isla and the Happily Ever After

Have a wonderful and productive week!

Mini Review: Just One Night by Gayle Forman

Just One Night (Just One Day #2.5)
Author: Gayle Forman
Release Date: May 29, 2014
Publisher: Vikings Children's Books
Format: ebook
Source: Personal Copy
Review by: Jenn

After spending one life-changing day in Paris with laid-back Dutch actor Willem De Ruiter, sheltered American good girl Allyson “Lulu” Healey discovered her new lover had disappeared without a trace. Just One Day followed Allyson’s quest to reunite with Willem; Just One Year chronicled the pair’s year apart from Willem’s perspective. Now, back together at last, this delectable e-novella reveals the couple’s final chapter.

4 stars out of 5 stars

I'm extremely happy that Gayle wrote this little novella and gave us a little more closure with Allyson and Willem's story. While I was okay with Just One Year's ending, getting this "epilogue" of a sort, definitely helped in moving on from these characters. It gave me enough to imagine how their story may continue.

Also, with just a few pages, Gayle gave me travel wanderlust all over again. Along with the feels with her words. I can't wait to read more of Gayle's words.

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Waiting on Wednesday (#157)

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:

Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

Expected Release Date: September 27, 2016

Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Goodreads

Synopsis:

Kaz Brekker and his crew have just pulled off a heist so daring even they didn't think they'd survive. But instead of divvying up a fat reward, they're right back to fighting for their lives. Double-crossed and left crippled by the kidnapping of a valuable team member, the crew is low on resources, allies, and hope. As powerful forces from around the world descend on Ketterdam to root out the secrets of the dangerous drug known as jurda parem, old rivals and new enemies emerge to challenge Kaz's cunning and test the team's fragile loyalties. A war will be waged on the city's dark and twisting streets―a battle for revenge and redemption that will decide the fate of magic in the Grisha world.

I can't wait to get my hands on Crooked Kingdom, especially after how Six of Crows ended!! Leigh Bardugo is an amazing story teller.

What are you "Waiting on?"

Blog Tour: Review + Giveaway: Olivia Decoded by Vivi Barnes

Olivia Decoded (Olivia Twisted #2)
Author: Vivi Barnes
Release Date: September 6, 2016
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Format: Ebook
Source: YaReads Blog Tours
Review by: Nahomi
  

This isn’t my Jack, who once looked at me like I was his world. The guy who’s occupied the better part of my mind for eight months.
This is Z, criminal hacker with a twisted agenda and an arsenal full of anger.
I’ve spent the past year trying to get my life on track. New school. New friends. New attitude. But old flames die hard, and one look at Jack—the hacker who enlisted me into his life and his hacking ring, stole my heart, and then left me—and every memory, every moment, every feeling comes rushing back. But Jack’s not the only one who’s resurfaced in my life. And if I can’t break through Z’s defenses and reach the old Jack, someone will get hurt…or worse.

3.5 stars out of 5 stars

*I received an eARC of this title from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. However, it did not influence this review in any way.*

A while back I read Olivia Twisted, so when the opportunity presented itself to read Olivia Decoded the second book in the series, I took it! Olivia Decoded takes place eight months after Olivia Twisted and picks up right after the last chapter. The beginning is a recap of what has been happening with all of the characters since we last saw them in Olivia Twisted.

I really liked that the story is told from both Olivia and Z perspective. I love the elements of mystery and suspense in the story. The plot is fast paced and kept me turning pages until I was done. There are definitely some plot twists I didn’t see coming!

The only thing stopping me from giving the story a higher rating was my inability to connect with the characters. Olivia is basically the same as the last book with the exception of a setting change. I feel the same about Z. There really wasn’t any character growth between the last book and this one.

Other than that the story is was really interesting and kept me turning pages.

You can follow the rest of the tour here: Tour Schedule

Giveaway: 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author:

Vivi Barnes was raised on a farm in East Texas where her theater-loving mom and cowboy dad gave her a unique perspective on life. After college, she convinced her supportive husband to move with her to be part of the sunshine and magic in Orlando, Florida. On a good day, she manages to divide her time writing, working, reading, goofing off with her three kids, and avoiding dirty dishes. Vivi is a proud member of SCBWI and attends conferences whenever she can.

Author Links: Website / Facebook / Goodreads / Twitter

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Quotes (#167)

Morning Swooners,
Once again I am starting the week off exhausted. We had a busy but fun weekend, and I am not totally ready to face this week. I am going to try to face this week head-on! Lets see if these quotes help move things along today.

"I certainly have not the talent which some people possess," said Darcy, "of conversing easily with those I have never seen before. I cannot catch their tone of conversation, or appear interested in their concerns, as I often see done."
~Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

“All I ever wanted was to reach out and touch another human being not just with my hands but with my heart.”
~Tahereh Mafi, Shatter Me

“I'm oxygen and he's dying to breathe.”
~Tahereh Mafi, Shatter Me

“Time goes on even when we do not.”
~Tahereh Mafi, Unravel Me

“It's the kind of kiss that inspires stars to climb into the sky and light up the world.”
~Tahereh Mafi, Ignite Me

“Girls are always talking about electricity in their romance, but none are too happy to actually be electrocuted, apparently. Bloody confusing, is what it is.”
~Tahereh Mafi, Shatter Me

“People seldom realize that they tell lies with their lips and truths with their eyes all the time.”
~Tahereh Mafi, Destroy Me

Have a great week!

Second Chance Read: Just One Day by Gayle Forman

Just One Day (Just One Day #1)
Author: Gayle Forman
Release Date: January 3, 2013
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Format: Audiobook
Source: Library Overdrive
Review by: Jenn

When sheltered American good girl Allyson "LuLu" Healey first meets laid-back Dutch actor Willem De Ruiter at an underground performance of Twelfth Night in England, there’s an undeniable spark. After just one day together, that spark bursts into a flame, or so it seems to Allyson, until the following morning, when she wakes up after a whirlwind day in Paris to discover that Willem has left. Over the next year, Allyson embarks on a journey to come to terms with the narrow confines of her life, and through Shakespeare, travel, and a quest for her almost-true-love, to break free of those confines.

4 stars out of 5 stars

The audiobook for Just One Day was such a breeze to get through. The narrator did a great job of capturing Gayle's way with words. She made the world Gayle wrote come alive. I felt all of Allyson's confusion, indecision, and eventual rebellion in her quest to find the answers that have plagued her for a year. I fell in love with Gayle's storytelling ability all over again.

Audiobooks are becoming the best way for me to go back and fall in love all over again with books that I initially read and loved a while ago. And that is exactly how I felt about this audiobook.

Have you listened to the audio or read the book? What do you think?

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Mini Review: Succubus Blues by Richelle Mead

Succubus Blues (Georgina Kincaid #1)
Author: Richelle Mead
Release Date: February 27, 2007
Publisher: Kensington Books
Format: ebooks
Source: Personal Copy
Review by: Jenn

Succubus (n) - An alluring, shape-shifting demon who seduces and pleasures mortal men.

Pathetic (adj.) - A succubus with great shoes and no social life. See: Georgina Kincaid.

When it comes to jobs in hell, being a succubus seems pretty glamorous. A girl can be anything she wants. The wardrobe is killer, and mortal men will do anything just for a touch. Granted, they often pay with their souls, but why get technical?

But Seattle succubus Georgina Kincaid’s life is far less exotic. Her boss is a middle-management demon with a thing for John Cusack movies. Her immortal best friends haven’t stopped teasing her about the time she shape-shifted into the Demon Goddess get-up complete with whip and wings. And she can’t have a decent date without sucking away part of the guy’s life. At least there’s her day job at a local bookstore—free books, all the white chocolate mochas she can drink, and easy access to bestselling, sexy writer, Seth Mortensen, aka He Whom She Would Give Anything to Touch but Can’t.

But dreaming about Seth will have to wait. Something wicked is at work in Seattle’s demon underground. And for once, all of her hot charms and drop-dead one-liners won’t help because Georgina’s about to discover there are some creatures out there that both heaven and hell want to deny…

3.5 stars out of 5 stars

1- As my first adult book from Richelle Mead, I really enjoyed Succubus Blues. There were some definite LOL moments.

2- I love the fact the Georgina is a fellow book nerd. It was hilarious reading Georgina's first conversation with Seth, AKA her favorite author.

3- I like the fantasy aspects of the books. All the different kind of species and how they all interact with each other. I haven't read anything like it so I was a bit hesitant about it but since it Richelle, I knew I could give it a shot.

4- I did feel like the book was a little long. It felt there was some unnecessary information. I did enjoy the book, though. I can't wait to continue with the series.

Quotes (#166)

Source

Morning Swooners,
Happy belated birthday to my partner in crime and founder of Books and Swoons Jenn!!! There are a few things I would like to say in your honor. Jenn you are such a special person. You are sweet, giving, determined and overall just a great person to know. I love you and hope this year brings you all of the good things.

This past weekend was a blur of activities as usual. Now, it's Monday and I am absolutely exhausted. Lets move on to our quotes see if I can find some motivation.

"You must give everything to make your life as beautiful as the dreams that dance in your imagination."
~Roman Payne

"When someone tells me "no," it doesn't mean I can't do it, it simply means I can't do it with them."
~Karen E. Quinones Miller

"Your inner strength is your outer foundation"
~Allan Rufus

"Never allow the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game!"
~Babe Ruth

"There’s nothing you can’t do if you want it bad enough."
~Danielle Ciborium, For Always

"If we change our thoughts from 'it's too late' to, 'there's still hope', we might see some change in the world."
~Kellie Elmore

"Then came the healing time, hearts started to shine, soul felt so fine, oh what a freeing time it was."
~Aberjhani, Songs from the Black Skylark sped Music Player

Have a great week!

Let's Chat Non-Bookish Edition: Can I Press Pause?

I wish there was a way to pause time, guys, just for a few hours. A few hours will give me time to breathe and get my thoughts together and just get myself organized. At my last discussion post, I talked about how my husband and I were moving in with my parents because he is starting his second year of law school at a more prestigious school. Ever since our move, almost a month ago, I haven’t had the chance to sit down and gather myself. Without going into a lot of details, my family is going through a tough situation and we are trying to deal with it as best as we can. Unfortunately, other stuff around us seems to be falling apart at the same time and it just feels like there’s no moment of rest.

I wish there was a way to just pause time, get some of the most pressing things done and out the way, and take a breather. I would then un-pause time and deal with things as they come. But at least I would be better prepared for the long road ahead.

I’m sorry to pick such a downer discussion but every time I tried to write about something, I would always be thrown back into reality. So I just decided to go with whatever was bothering me and leave the fun other topics for a later time.

I’m sure I’m not the only person who’ve wanted to pause time for whatever reasons. How have you dealt with it? How do you prioritized when everything is going downhill and you need to be on top of responsibilities (that may not even be yours)? Let me know how you cope, I could use some advice!

Mini Review: Untraceable by Laura Griffin

Untraceable (Tracers #1)
Author: Laura Griffin
Release Date: November 24, 2009
Publisher: Pocket Star
Format: Mass Market Paperback
Source: Personal Copy
Review by: Jenn

Be careful what you look for…you might find it.

Private investigator Alexandra Lovell uses computer skills and cunning to help clients drop off the radar and begin new lives in safety. Melanie Bess, desperate to escape her abusive husband, was one of those clients. But when Melanie vanishes for real, Alex fears the worst and sets out to discover what happened. Using every resource she can get her hands on—including an elite team of forensic scientists known as the Tracers, and a jaded, sexy detective who’s helped her before--Alex embarks on a mission to uncover the truth, one clue at a time.

Homicide cop Nathan Devereaux wants to believe that Alex’s hunch about Melanie’s murder is wrong, but his instincts—and their visceral attraction—won’t let him walk away. As a grim picture of what really happened begins to emerge, he realizes this investigation runs deeper than they ever imagined. And each step nearer the truth puts Alex in danger of being the next to disappear. . . .

4 stars out of 5 stars

Untraceable follows Alex and Nathan as they navigate a case that is personal for Alex. One of her former client is missing but according to Nathan, there is no proof of any foul play.  So they both go on to investigate what really happened together.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was such a quick, easy read and I was unable to put down the book. The plot and the romance hooked me from page one. I'm hooked and will continue to read the rest of the series. Laura Griffin has made a fan out of me.

Swoony Boy of the Month: Jamie from Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Swoony Boy of the Month is our feature where we spotlight a favorite and/or swoony boy from the books we have read.

I can't believe we are in September already!! This month the boy that has us swooning left and right is: James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser aka "Jamie" from Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. Holy smokes, I am totally head over heals for Jamie. He is primitive and rough, yet sweet and gentle. The things he says make me melt on the spot. 

For more Jamie check out the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon!