Books and Swoons: ARC

Showing posts with label ARC. Show all posts

Mini Review: Deep Dark by Laura Griffin

Deep Dark (Tracers #10)
Author: Laura Griffin
Release Date: May 24, 2016
Publisher: Pocket Books
Format: ARC
Source: Pocket Books
Review by: Jenn

The moment detective Reed Novak steps onto the crime scene, he knows the case is going to rock his world. A beautiful young woman murdered at home. No sign of forced entry. No motive. She’s obviously not the killer’s first victim, and Reed’s instincts tell him she won’t be his last. Reed’s first clue comes via a mysterious text that links to a dating profile, but even more intriguing than the clue is the person who sent it.

As a white-hat hacker in the Delphi Center’s cyber investigation unit, Laney Knox sneaks into some of the deepest, darkest corners of the Internet looking for predators. Laney would prefer to stay away from Austin PD’s most recent murder case, but she can’t ignore the chilling similarities between that crime and her own brutal attack years ago. Laney offers to help the sexy lead detective, but he wants more from her than just a promising tip—Reed wants her trust. Laney resists, but as their relationship deepens she’s tempted to reveal the closely guarded secrets that could make her a key witness…or the killer’s next victim.

4 stars out of 5 stars

*I received an ARC of this book from the publisher. However, that did not influenced this review in any way.*

I was hooked from page one of Deep Dark. It had been ages since I picked up a romantic suspense novel and this book bought everything that I love from this genre. Laura Griffin wrote a hero and heroine I could root for, some slow burn sexual tension that I love, and a story and villain that terrifies me. I love these kinds of novels and I can’t wait to go back and start this series from the beginning.

If you love suspense with some romance, then I sincerely recommend this series. All books can be read as standalone, so you don’t’ have to read them in order. So go pick up this book!

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.

Review: The Epidemic by Suzanne Young

The Epidemic
(The Program #0.6)
Author: Suzanne Young
Release Date: April 19, 2016
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Source: ARC given by friend
Review by: Jenn

Can one girl help others find closure by slipping into the identities of their loved ones? Find out in this riveting sequel to The Remedy and companion to the New York Times bestselling The Treatment and The Program.

In a world before The Program…

Quinlan McKee has spent her life acting as other people. She was a closer—a person hired to play the role of the recently deceased in order to give their families closure. Through this process, Quinn learned to read people and situations, even losing a bit of herself to do so. But she couldn’t have guessed how her last case would bring down her entire world.

The only person Quinn trusts is Deacon, her best friend and the love of her life. Except Deacon’s been keeping secrets of his one, so Quinn must set out alone to find Arthur Pritchard, the doctor who’s been trying to control her life. The journey brings Quinn to Arthur’s daughter, Virginia, who tells Quinn the truth about Pritchard’s motives. The former closer will start to see that she is the first step in fighting an epidemic.

But Quinlan doesn’t want to be a cure. And with all the lies surrounding her, she realizes she has no one left to rely on but herself—even if she doesn’t know who that is anymore.

4 stars out of 5 stars

Good Lord, Suzanne Young always gets me with her books. I am always nervous as I read her books because I never know what is coming towards her characters. But unlike the other books in the series, The Epidemic doesn't kill me with the feels like the others did in the sense that I wasn't paralyzed with fear and sadness. However, I was still nervous for Quinn because she seriously put herself in danger's way in the worst possible way.

After already experiencing The Program and The Treatment, I know what is coming. And while I hope for the best and wish that Quinn, Deacon and everyone finds their way out of the clutches of the grief department, I know that my hopes are futile. With the way The Epidemic ends, I wonder what Quinn and Deacon were up to during the The Program/The Treatment story line because Suzanne piqued my curiosity.

Also, with the way The Epidemic end, I'm in the mood to reread The Program and The Treatment so I can see how everything progressed now that I know how The Program initially started. I might reread considering that Suzanne is treating us with a new book set after The Treatment called The Adjustment. If you haven't already picked up this series, I really hope you do because they're so good and deserve some more love.

Review: When We Collided by Emery Lord

When We Collided
Author: Emery Lord
Release Date: April 5, 2016
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children
Source: ALA AC 2015
Review by: Jenn

Meet Vivi and Jonah: A girl and a boy whose love has the power save or destroy them.

Vivi and Jonah couldn't be more different. Vivi craves anything joyful or beautiful that life can offer. Jonah has been burdened by responsibility for his family ever since his father died. As summer begins, Jonah resigns himself to another season of getting by. Then Vivi arrives, and suddenly life seems brighter and better. Jonah is the perfect project for Vivi, and things finally feel right for Jonah. Their love is the answer to everything. But soon Vivi's zest for life falters, as her adventurousness becomes true danger-seeking. Jonah tries to keep her safe, but there's something important Vivi hasn't told him.

2.5 stars out of 5 stars

I'm not sure how I feel about this book and in turn how to review it. I read When We Collided almost three months ago and I've been struggling to put into words how I feel about it. I thought it was good and I enjoyed it but I couldn't click and love it.

As my first Emery Lord book, I really enjoyed her writing style. Her descriptions and way with words really made the book stand out. I can vividly picture these characters in my head, especially Vivi with all her energy and quest for living life. However, my problem comes in the form of Vivi.

Three months later and I'm still on the fence about how I feel about Vivi. Knowing that the book deals with mental illness, I started reading prepared for characters that are a bit different from me. I have a psychology degree and worked in a psychiatric and psychotherapy office for almost ten years so I've seen patients and read about the kinds of stuff that happens in this book. I even figured out the diagnoses of the character before hitting the halfway mark because I'm so aware of it. But even going in prepared, Vivi's character was just too much for me. Wait, let me explain before what I say gets taken out of context and proportion. Vivi was too much for me prior to her decent to her episode and prior to realizing her diagnosis, what with her exuberant self and just the way she is. I wanted to hide from her because my shy self would never be able to keep up with her loud and vivacious self. Also, there were scenes that really turned me off of her character. The way she treated her mom and Jonah really bothered me and those scenes had nothing to do with her illness but more with her being selfish and inconsiderate.

What I did like from When We Collided was the way Lord wrote about mental illness. It such a delicate subject and I feel like she did a great job in portraying the denial and anger that comes from Vivi's diagnosis. And while I don't have the disorder, the episode Vivi's experiences felt real, honest, scary and dangerous.

I also enjoyed Jonah's story. The poor boy is dealing with a lot in the home front and Vivi helps him in getting out of the house and out of his head. His character is a lot quieter and Vivi gives his life a splash of color that was missing. However, because Vivi is such a bigger than life character, his story sometimes got pushed back to give way to her and her needs, even if the book is in dual point of views.

As my first Emery Lord book, I'm a little disappointed I didn't love it because I've heard nothing but wonderful things about her and her books. Like I mentioned before, I really wanted to love it but I just couldn't click with the book. I'm still going to go back and read Lord's previous books because her writing is beautiful and I need to find a book I love from her.

Stacking the Shelves (#30)

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.

In the month of March, these are the books we've added to our shelves.

For review:

LADY RENEGADES by Rachel Hawkins

DARKNESS by Karen Robards

CROSSING THE LINE by Meghan Rogers

Bought/Borrowed:

SUCCUBUS BLUES by Richelle Mead

SUCCUBUS ON TOP by Richelle Mead

UNDER THE NEVER SKY by Veronica Rossi

OBSIDIAN by Jennifer L. Armentrout

ONYX by Jennifer L. Armentrout

THROUGH THE EVER NIGHT by Veronica Rossi

MATERNITY LEAVE by Julie Halpern

NOVEMBER 9 by Colleen Hoover

THE ALCHEMIST by Paolo Coelho

What did you add to your shelves?

Review: Wicked Sexy Liar by Christina Lauren

Wicked Sexy Liar
(Wild Seasons #4)
Author: Christina Lauren
Release Date: February 2, 2016
Publisher: Gallery Books
Source: Gallery Books
Review by: Jenn

For two people ambivalent about dating and love, they sure get naked around each other an awful lot . . .

London Hughes is very content to surf daily, tend bar, hang out with her group of friends, and slowly orient herself in the years after college. Everything’s going great and according to the non-plan.

But when a wave knocks her for a loop one morning, then Luke Sutter’s flirtatious smile knocks her for another that evening, she veers slightly off course…and into his path. Sure, he’s a total player, but theWhy not—it’s only one night is a persistent voice in her ear.

For his part, Luke’s been on hookup autopilot for so long that he rarely ever pauses to consider what he’s doing. But after an amazing time with London, he realizes that he hasn’t been moving on from a devastating heartbreak so much as he’s been drifting to wherever—and whomever—the current takes him. With London he wants more.

Every relationship involves two people…plus their pasts. And as much as she enjoys her fling with Luke, when London learns about his past—more specifically, who’s in it—everything becomes the brand of complicated she strives to avoid. It’s up to Luke then to change some things in order to try and ensure he’s not something she’ll outright avoid as well.

4 stars out of 5 stars

I enjoyed Wicked Sexy Liar so much more than I did the last Wild Seasons book and, just like London, it was such a breezy, laid back easy read. When I read the synopsis of this book, I knew I recognized Luke's name from somewhere but I couldn't pinpoint from exactly where. Once I realized where Luke comes to us, I was super excited to see where this story took us.

Luke is sexy and totally adorable because he just lets the women in his life run him and he just goes along with their shenanigans. Reading London and Luke story was such a fun time but I'll be honest, I liked reading Luke's character more than London's. I can't quite put my finger on why I feel that way but being in his head was a lot more fun. I'm not sure why I feel that way, considering I can relate to London on some level. I think the problem might be is that she reminded me a lot of Lola and I wasn't the best of fan of Lola's and Oliver's book.

This being a Christina Lauren book, we got to see how our favorite characters from the previous books are doing and to be honest, that always my favorite part. But my favorite part of this book? Not-Joe! We get to see him some more and actually learn of his real name! Like always, Christina Lauren gave us exactly what we were expecting in their book which is some flirty, sexy banter, with some flirty, sexy times, and a happily ever after.