Review: Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Outlander
Author: Diana Gabaldon
Release Date: July 26, 2005
Publisher: Dell Publishing Co.
Format: e-book
Source: Personal Copy
Review by: Nahomi

The year is 1945. Claire Randall, a former combat nurse, is just back from the war and reunited with her husband on a second honeymoon when she walks through a standing stone in one of the ancient circles that dot the British Isles. Suddenly she is a Sassenach—an “outlander”—in a Scotland torn by war and raiding border clans in the year of Our Lord...1743.

Hurled back in time by forces she cannot understand, Claire is catapulted into the intrigues of lairds and spies that may threaten her life, and shatter her heart. For here James Fraser, a gallant young Scots warrior, shows her a love so absolute that Claire becomes a woman torn between fidelity and desire—and between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.

4.5 stars out of 5 stars

I absolutely loved Outlander! It’s the second time book I’ve read, and I became enamored with this world and its characters.  I have to say that although I really like the story and characters I found it hard into the story at the beginning. I would pick it up read a few pages and put it down and this pattern persisted for a few weeks before I really got into the story and I couldn’t put it down.

Diana Gabaldon’s writing is very descriptive. The plot and characters are wonderful but some of the passages are verbose and can on occasion slow down the pace of the story. All of the descriptiveness did give me a clear and vivid picture of Claire, Jamie and their surroundings. 

Claire is a head strong heroine, I love her character and how she does what she feels is right. Although, sometimes I wish she would wish she would just listen to Jamie. Jamie is handsome, manly and just a softy inside. I love his sense of honor and tenderness all the while being a big tough warrior. Together Claire and Jamie have a great friendship and even greater chemistry that keeps me coming back for more. 

Overall Outlander is a fantastic story! I can't wait to start on Dragon Fly in Amber! 

Mini Review: Believe by Katie Delahanty

Believe (Brightside #3)
Author: Katie Delahanty
Release Date: October 24, 2016
Publisher: Entangled Embrace
Format: eBook
Source: Entangled Embrace
Review by: Nahomi

My name is Amanda Conrad and I. Am. A doctor.

When my cousin Liv whisked me away to South Africa to be maid of honor in her super-secret celebrity wedding, I was about to begin a five-year residency at NYU and was on my way to becoming a plastic surgeon. My plans definitely did not include a rock-star best man sweeping me off my feet.

But what happened in South Africa needed to stay there—he’d return to his touring and I’d start my residency, with our fond memories of a whirlwind, fairy-tale week. But now nothing feels right—I’m questioning my once solid plans, and I can’t stop thinking about him. Our lives are so different… Am I ready to risk everything I’ve worked for since I was thirteen—and put my heart on the line? To dream bigger than I ever thought possible? To believe I can have it all? That’s the thing about growing up...sometimes you have to be brave enough to redefine happily ever after.

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.*

Believe is a heart warming romance that will leave you wanting more! Amanda aka Boots and Mark have an intense chemistry together. I just couldn’t get enough of those two when they were together. It was wonderful catching up with Liv, Berkley and some of the other characters from In Bloom!

The African adventure was so much fun to read! Just a little lep just a little lep… When you read the story you’ll see what I mean. The story alternated between spurts of high action and times of less activity. I felt so frustrated with Boots and Mark at times because they can both be so stubborn!

Mark is a sweetheart but is a little closed off. Boots is extremely closed off but I enjoyed seeing her develop and find her own way! Believe has everything that I love in a romance novel!!

Review: Three Simple Words by A. J. Pine

Three Simple Words
Author: A. J. Pine
Release Date: October 17, 2016
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Format: eBook
Source: Entangled Publishing
Review by: Nahomi

She's holding out for a happy ever after.

Annie
I know where to find my happily ever after—between the pages of a romance novel. It’s why I sell books, why I blog about them, and why I’ll never get disappointed by love.

So what if my brother’s best friend from high school is now a bestselling author? Or that he just blew back into town on a Harley, filling out a pair of jeans like he never did before? Or that he’s agreed to do a signing at my bookstore on such short notice? Because despite all his adoring female fans, I kind of hated his book.

Wes
The last time I saw Annie Denning, she was a senior in high school, three years older than me and way out of my league. Now I’m her last-minute date to a wedding, and what started as a night of pure fun has turned into something more real than either of us anticipated.

Annie is my muse. When I’m with her, my writer’s block fades away, and the words finally flow.

The only problem? She wants the fairy tale—her very own happily ever after—and anyone who’s read my book knows the truth. I just don’t believe they exist.

Rating: 5 stars out of 5 stars

*I received an early copy of this title from the publisher, however, my review is not influenced by it in any way.*

    A.J. Pine’s writing has a way of sucking me into her stories. I am a fan of Pine’s work, and when I read the synopsis of Three Simple Words I just had to read it! I fell in love with the story and its characters from the get go. Three Simple Words is funny and heart warming.

   Annie and Wes are remarkable characters. Pine transformed them from what seemed like typical romance characters to characters that are unique and three dimensional. Annie is funny, smart and sarcastic. Wes, is HOTT, egotistical and witty. Together Annie and Wes had amazing chemistry! The love scenes were extremely sexy and intimate.

   I enjoyed the dialogue in the story. Several times I found myself laughing out loud. There are several book references that were really entertaining. I loved the elements of forbidden love. A. J. Pine does a phenomenal job of creating an environment for her characters that makes me as a reader feel at home.

   Three Simple Words is a beautifully crafted story that I would recommend to anyone who loves to read romantic comedies.

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

SaveSave
SaveSave

Review: The Distance Between Us by Kasie West

The Distance Between Us
Author: Kasie West
Release Date: July 2, 2013
Publisher: Harper Teen
Format: Paperback
Source: Personal Copy
Review by: Nahomi

Seventeen-year-old Caymen Meyers studies the rich like her own personal science experiment, and after years of observation she’s pretty sure they’re only good for one thing—spending money on useless stuff, like the porcelain dolls in her mother’s shop.

So when Xander Spence walks into the store to pick up a doll for his grandmother, it only takes one glance for Caymen to figure out he’s oozing rich. Despite his charming ways and that he’s one of the first people who actually gets her, she’s smart enough to know his interest won’t last. Because if there’s one thing she’s learned from her mother’s warnings, it’s that the rich have a short attention span. But Xander keeps coming around, despite her best efforts to scare him off. And much to her dismay, she's beginning to enjoy his company.

She knows her mom can’t find out—she wouldn’t approve. She’d much rather Caymen hang out with the local rocker who hasn’t been raised by money. But just when Xander’s attention and loyalty are about to convince Caymen that being rich isn’t a character flaw, she finds out that money is a much bigger part of their relationship than she’d ever realized. And that Xander’s not the only one she should’ve been worried about.

Rating: 4 stars out of 5 stars

The Distance Between Us is a cute story. I wouldn't tag it as a summer read because I feel that some of the issues the story deals with are a bit heavy for a light summer read. On that note, I really liked the premise of the story. I like that it’s set in a small town and that Caymen and her mom live above a porcelain doll store. I really enjoy reading stories that take place in these types of settings.

Caymen has a very dry humor. I got it but it really isn't my cup of tea. Although I will say that it definitely added comedic relief to some very uncomfortable situations. Her relationship with her mom at times was a little frustrating, but I enjoyed the dynamic between Caymen and the other characters.

The romance in the novel is reminds me of a fairy tale in some sense. Caymen is really determined not to like Xander, and he is determined to get to know her under any pretense. I love the scenes when they are “researching careers.” Xander really tries hard to get Caymen to experience different jobs, in search of what she would like to do. There were definitely times when Xander had me swooning.

The Distance Between Us had some plot twist that I didn’t see coming. Overall, it was a very entertaining read. I didn’t give it a higher rating because I felt Caymen carried a lot of baggage that wasn’t hers to carry. Also the story deals with other issues that a bit heavier than what I was expecting.

Review: Wild Crush by Simone Elkeles

Wild Crush 
(Wild Cards #2)
Author: Simone Elkeles
Release Date: September 22, 2015
Publisher: NLA Digital LLC
Format: E-book
Source: Personal Copy
Review by: Nahomi

When the only girl you want is the one you can't have...

Bad boy Vic Salazar breaks all the rules except one: Don't make a move on your best friend's girl. It’s a Guy Code that Vic lives by. It doesn't matter that he's had a crush on her for years. Monika Fox is off limits.

Monika has a secret of her own and when a tragedy throws her and Vic together, the only boy she trusts is the one she shouldn’t confide in. Vic.

As Vic struggles to keep his distance, and Monika struggles with her secrets, will their wild connection violate every rule both vowed never to break—about relationships, about friendship, about love?

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5 stars

     A while back I read Derek and Ashtyn’s story in Wild Cards and fell in love with this world and its characters. I was so excited when I saw that the second book Wild Crush was out that I purchased it immediately! The story is good. Wild Crush is filled with a lot of angst and drama. The pacing is a little slow, although the climax is intense. The story tends to drags a little towards the end.

     I felt a little hesitant throughout the entire story because I wasn’t sure how Vic being in love with his best friend’s girl would pan out, but Simone Elkeles covered all of her bases in this respect. Trey was living a double life and I don’t want to go into details, but his behaviors were meant to ease the, she’s my best friend’s girl and I’m breaking the code uneasiness.

      I didn’t really connect with Vic and Monika. Monika comes off as a strong character because of all of her issues, but she wasn’t my cup of tea. Vic is tough on the outside and a softy on the inside, which I usually love but something about him didn’t make me crush on him like I usually do with characters that are similar.

      It was great to see Derek and Ashtyn again, as well as Alex from Perfect Chemistry!! Overall it’s a good story, but not one of my favorites from Simone Elkeles.

Mini Review: The Ruby Circle by Richelle Mead

The Ruby Circle
(Bloodlines #6)
Author: Richelle Mead
Release Date: February 10, 2015
Publisher: Razorbill
Format: E-book
Source: Personal copy
Review by: Nahomi

Their forbidden romance exposed, Sydney and Adrian find themselves facing the wrath of both the Alchemists and the Moroi in this electrifying conclusion to Richelle Mead’s bestselling Bloodlines series.

When the life of someone they both love is put on the line, Sydney risks everything to hunt down a deadly former nemesis. Meanwhile, she and Adrian becomes enmeshed in a puzzle that could hold the key to a shocking secret about spirit magic, a secret that could shake the entire Moroi world and alter their lives forever.

4 stars out of 5 stars

        It’s bittersweet getting to the end of The Ruby Circle. I’m going to miss the characters, and all of their shenanigans. There is so much happening in this last installment of the Bloodline series; it made my head spin.

       I was glad to see Sydney recovering nicely after the all the trauma from in Silver Shadows. The pacing is a little slow in the beginning although it speeds fairly quickly. I have mixed feelings about everything that happened in this book. I was totally thrown for a loop with who ended up being the villain. I had many theories but I was way off.

      One of my favorite parts is that Sydney finally gets to kick ass. I am happy with her and Adrian’s ending. Although, I’m iffy about certain things that happened at the end, but I don’t want to give any spoilers. I will say though that I ship Eddie and Jill! I wish there was a story about these two! I’d read it in a heartbeat.

     After all was said and done The Ruby Circle was an enjoyable read. It was action packed and quick paced. Richelle Mead did a great job with this series.

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!