Mini Review: The Golden Lily By Richelle Mead

The Golden Lily 
(Bloodlines #2) 
Author: Richelle Mead
Release Date: June 12, 2012
Publisher: Penguin Group
Source: Personal Copy
Review by: Nahomi

Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. Alchemists protect vampire secrets - and human lives.

Sydney would love to go to college, but instead, she's been sent into hiding at a posh boarding school in Palm Springs, California - tasked with protecting Moroi princess Jill Dragomir from assassins who want to throw the Moroi court into civil war. Formorly in disgrace, Sydney is now praised for her loyalty and obedience, and held up as the model of an exemplary Alchemist.

But the closer she grows to Jill, Eddie, and especially Adrian, the more she finds herself questioning her age-old Alchemist beliefs, her idea of family, and her sense of what it means to truly belong. Her world becomes even more complicated when magical experiments show Sydney may hold the key to prevent becoming Strigoi - the fiercest vampires, the ones who don't die. But it's her fear of being just that - special, magical, powerful - that scares her more than anything. Equally daunting is her new romance with Braydon, a cute, brainy guy who seems to be her match in every way. Yet, as perfect as he seems, Sydney finds herself being drawn to someone else - someone forbidden to her.

When a shocking secret threatens to tear the vampire world apart, Sydney's loyalties are suddenly tested more than ever before. She wonders how she's supposed to strike a balance between the principles and dogmas she's been taught, and what her instincts are now telling her.

Should she trust the Alchemists - or her heart?

5 stars out of 5 stars 

I was aching to start The Golden Lily after I finished Bloodlines. I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next! The pacing is faster than in Bloodlines which really made the difference for me. I really like the elements of intrigue that the story has, which definitely kept me turning pages.

Sydney is so smart and resourceful, but man can she be socially awkward. At times she is so oblivious to certain situations that it’s endearing. I love to see how her character evolves throughout the novel. There is a noticeable difference from the Sydney we meet in Bloodlines to the Sydney in The Golden Lily.

I love the relationship between Adrian and Sydney! There is so much sexual tension between these two that you can cut it with a knife. Adrian definitely adds comedy to the story. I love to see Adrian interacting with all of the other characters. I was so excited about the old characters that are brought back in this book!!! I really enjoyed reading this story and I can’t wait to get my hands on The Indigo Spell!

Waiting on Wednesday (#141)

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:

Wicked Sexy Liar by Christina Lauren

Expected Release Date: February 2, 2016

Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Goodreads

Synopsis:

Dating a friend’s ex is supposed to be off the table. But sometimes what’s really, really wrong is actually really, really right. Book Four of the Wild Seasons series.

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.

I can't wait to jump back into the Wild Seasons world! It will be great to catch up with old characters, and finally get to read more about London!

What are you "Waiting on?"

Review: Smart Girl by Rachel Hollis

Smart Girl
(The Girls #3)
Author: Rachel Hollis
Release Date: January 19, 2016
Publisher: Lake Union Press
Source: NetGalley
Review by: Jenn & Nahomi

Brilliant designer Miko Jin is a hopeless romantic. She’s spent most of her life falling in love over and over again…with the men she finds in the pages of her favorite novels.

When Miko meets Liam Ashton, it’s love at first sight. At least, for her. Sure, the two of them are polar opposites, and yes, he seems to be dating someone new each week. But Miko knows what true love is and that you can’t rush it—after all, what she lacks in real-world experience, she makes up for in book smarts. With novels as her guide, and her best friends by her side, she knows she can get Liam to love her back. But just like any good romance novel, fate has a few plot twists in store. Will Miko get her own happy ending? Will she find the strength to stand up for what she deserves even if it means breaking her own heart?

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 

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

Jenn:
I loved Rachel Hollis' Sweet Girl but after reading Smart Girl it was decided for me that this was my favorite book of the series. Filled with book references, a main character that feels so relatable and just a sweetheart, and a love interest that is endeared by her strange antics. Smart Girl was more than what I was hoping for and it bought on a lot of fuzzy and happy feelings.

Smart Girl follows Miko, who've known from the previous two books in the series. Miko is a brilliant designer, has a unique sense of style, the best of friend, and a book nerd. Liam, on the other hand, we've got to know in pieces shown through other people eyes and a few scenes he was actually present. Both are complete opposite from one another and at first have nothing in common but the attraction has always been there. Especially for Miko. Miko decides to take matters into her own hands and device a plan that would make all heroines proud.

Rachel Hollis has managed to pick the best from other romance novels and put her own twist, and ideas into making Miko’s story all the more unique and special. Of course I found myself shaking my head at Miko’s shenanigans when I could see how it woulldn’t work out in her favor. But I couldn’t help but be hopeful for her because what book lover wouldn’t want to take a page from their favorite heroine and have it work out? But I do have to admit that Liam’s behavior towards Miko frustrated me. I just wanted to take Miko away and say a few choice words at Liam because his actions and words were really hurtful. In Liam’s defense, though, he was very honest about himself in the beginning, about his ways, and so I can’t really be upset at him. Until he really does screw up.

Rachel Hollis further cemented herself as one of my go-to authors. I’m extremely sad to say goodbye to this series because I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Miko, Landon, and Max. My only condolence is that we were left in a way where we can picture what happens for them in the future. I am looking forward to whatever Rachel writes because I need more words from her.

So if you’re in the mood for some interesting shenanigans, funny banter, and just plain good all around, I sincerely recommend you to pick up this book or any of the other books in the series.

Nahomi:
I had such a wonderful time reading Smart Girl, Rachel Hollis out did herself. Smart Girl is funny and full of wonderful characters. The story is heart wrenchingly honest and the emotions depicted are raw and at times overwhelming. Smart Girl is intelligently written and full of so many book references which made the story that much more interesting. There are so many things I loved about this book that it’s hard to choose what to focus on.

For starters Miko is a fantastic character. She is quirky, and sarcastic which made for very interesting dialogue throughout the story. Miko is also very smart and hardworking and puts a lot of effort into her crazy antics and research in order to create her own love story. Her antics had me laughing so hard. Miko deals with a lot of self-esteem issues throughout the story which aren’t sugar coated at all. Smart Girl is painfully honest at times to the point where I found myself cringing on Miko’s behalf.

Liam is ok. He really did come off as a sleaze bag most of the time except on rare occasions when he actually opened himself up. He wasn’t my favorite throughout a lot of the story, but in the end he redeemed himself. His grand gesture at the end of the story is so romantic. *swoons*

I love Smart Girl! I am so sad to say goodbye to this wonderful world Rachel Hollis has created. I hope to read more from her in the future.

Quotes (#139)

Source

Morning Lovelies,

My body woke me up at 5am Saturday and I was unable to fall asleep on Sunday. So I'm a huge ball of tiredness and of course today is when I want to sleep in. Can I be excuse from work?

“Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.” - Steve Jobs

“Scared is what you're feeling. Brave is what you're doing.” - Emma Donoghue, Room

“And then I am going to rattle the stars.” - Sarah J. Maas, Heir of Fire

“If there's a single lesson that life teaches us, it's that wishing doesn't make it so.” - Lev Grossman, The Magicians

“Of course motivation is not permanent. But then, neither is bathing; but it is something you should do on a regular basis.” - Zig Ziglar, Raising Positive Kids in a Negative World

“You get older and you learn there is one sentence just four worlds long and if you can say it to yourself it offers more comfort than almost any other. It goes like this… Ready ”
“Ready.”
“At least I tried.” - Ann Brashares, Sisterhood Everlasting

“Find something you're passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it.” - Julia Child

I hope you all have a great week!

Our 2016 Reading Challenges

Heya Swooners,

2016 is upon us so it time to decide on reading challenges. Here's what we'll be participating in.

We're participating on the Goodreads Reading Challenge.

Nahomi has pledge to read 50 books and I have pledge to read 45 books. 

We are also participating in Falling For YA's NetGalley and Edelweiss Reading Challenge.

The details for this challenge can be seen here.

These are the levels:

Bronze - 10 Books <-----Nahomi & Jenn

Silver - 25 Books

Gold - 50 Books

Platinum - 75 Books

Diamond - 100 Books

We're both are hoping to get the Bronze for this challenge.

Lastly, we are participating in Bookish Lifestyle's TBR Pile Reading Challenge.

The details for this challenge can be seen here. The levels are:

1-10 A Firm Handshake

11-20 A Friendly Hug<-----Nahomi & Jenn

21-30 First Kiss

31-40 Sweet Summer Fling

41-50 Could This Be Love?

50+ Married with Children

We're both hoping to get to that Friendly Hug.

What reading challenges are you participating in?

Favorite Friday (#53) - Destroy Me by Tahereh Mafi

Have a favorite book? Series? One that you've just read or are currently reading? Favorite Friday is a bi-monthly meme hosted by Books and Swoons where we spotlight some of our Favorite Reads. Everyone is welcome to join. Just enter your information on the linky or leave us a comment!

This week pick is: Destroy Me by Tahereh Mafi.

In Tahereh Mafi’s Shatter Me, Juliette escaped from The Reestablishment by seducing Warner—and then putting a bullet in his shoulder. But as she’ll learn in Destroy Me, Warner is not that easy to get rid of. . .

Back at the base and recovering from his near-fatal wound, Warner must do everything in his power to keep his soldiers in check and suppress any mention of a rebellion in the sector. Still as obsessed with Juliette as ever, his first priority is to find her, bring her back, and dispose of Adam and Kenji, the two traitors who helped her escape. But when Warner’s father, The Supreme Commander of The Reestablishment, arrives to correct his son’s mistakes, it’s clear that he has much different plans for Juliette. Plans Warner simply cannot allow.

Tahereh has a way with words that just sucks you in and when I first read Shatter Me, I was hooked. When I read Destroy Me I knew that I would read anything she writes. This book gave me a kick in the feels and started my rule of not picking teams without reading at least two books from a trilogy.

About the author:

Tahereh Mafi is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the SHATTER ME series. She was born in a small city somewhere in Connecticut and currently resides in Santa Monica, California with her husband, fellow author Ransom Riggs. She can usually be found over-caffeinated and stuck in a book. SHATTER ME is her first series, with television rights optioned to ABC Signature Studios, and FURTHERMORE, her newest project, will be out in 2016.

Her work is represented by Jodi Reamer of Writers House, LLC.

Author's links: Website / Instagram / Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest

I hope you can join us in sharing and talking about some of your favorite reads. Book talk always make me happy. 

What are one of your favorite reads?

Review: Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

Bloodlines 
(Bloodlines #1)
Author: Richelle Mead
Release Date: August 23, 2011
Publisher: Penguin Group
Source: Personal copy
Review by: Nahomi

I wasn't free of my past, not yet.

Sydney's blood is special. That's because she's an alchemist - one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets - and human lives. But the last encounter Sydney had with vampires got her in deep trouble with the other alchemists. And now with her allegiences in question, her future is on the line.

When Sydney is torn from her bed in the middle of the night, at first she thinks she's still being punished for her complicated alliance with dhampir Rose Hathaway. But what unfolds is far worse. Jill Dragomir - the sister of Moroi Queen Lissa Dragomir - is in mortal danger, and the Moroi must send her into hiding. To avoid a civil war, Sydney is called upon to act as Jill's guardian and protector, posing as her roommate in the unlikeliest of places: a human boarding school in Palm Springs, California. The last thing Sydney wants is to be accused of sympathizing with vampires. And now she has to live with one.

The Moroi court believe Jill and Sydney will be safe at Amberwood Prep, but threats, distractions, and forbidden romance lurk both outside - and within - the school grounds. Now that they're in hiding, the drama is only just beginning.

3.5 stars out of 5 stars

        I was excited to start Bloodlines because I really loved the Vampire Academy series and I was dying to jump back into that world again. I was itching to read about Sydney and Adrian, and hopefully catch a glimpse of some of some of my favorite characters from the VA series. In that respect Bloodlines was on point, however it was really hard for me to get into the story.

       The pacing is so much slower than what I was used to in the VA series and it took me some time to get used to it. I know Sydney is a different character and analyzes everything, so I should have surmised that the stories pacing would be different too but I wasn't expecting it. At times the story was a little predictable but towards the end there was a plot twist that took me by surprise. The pacing also sped up which was great.

       I loved getting to read about Jill, Eddie, Adrian, Sydney and the rest of the gang. My love for these characters is what got me through the first part of the story. Sydney is a little ridged at the beginning but as the story progresses she undergoes tremendous character growth. It was a slow process getting to know her, but by the end I really liked Sydney and was rooting for her. Adrian is well, um Adrian charming, and out there like always. Although it was great to see him from Sydney’s perspective.

      By the end of the story I was hooked on the series and the characters and was definitely curious as to what would happen next. I can’t wait to see what Golden Lily has in store for me.

Swoony Boy of the Month - Adam Wilde from If I Stay

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

For our first Swoony Boy, we are spotlighting one of the first swoony boy, Adam Wilde! Adam comes to us from Gayle Forman's If I Stay and Where She Went. He made us swoon with his lyrics, and his good looks. He also has one of the saddest lines in If I Stay and if you don't cry, you may have a heart made of stone. Let's meet Adam, shall we?

“This is the you I like. You definitely dressed sexier and are, you know, blond, and that's different. But the you who are tonight is the same you I was in love with yesterday, the same you I'll be in love with tomorrow. I love that you're fragile and tough, quiet and kick-ass. ” - Adam Wilde
― Gayle Forman, If I Stay

Source

“I want you to play me like a cello.” - Adam Wilde
― Gayle Forman, If I Stay

Source

“You don’t share me. You own me.”
― Gayle Forman, Where She Went

Source

“All I can think about is how fucked up it would be for your life to end here, now. I mean I know that your life if fucked up no matter what now, forever. And I'm not dumb enough to think that I can undo that, that anyone can. But I can't wrap my mind around the notion of you not getting old, having kids, going to Juilliard, getting to play that cello in front of a huge audience, so that they can get the chills the way I do every time I see you pick up your bow, every time I see you smile at me.” - Adam Wilde
― Gayle Forman, If I Stay

“If you stay, I'll do whatever you want. I'll quit the band, go with you to New York. But if you need me to go away, I'll do that, too. I was talking to Liz and she said maybe coming back to your old life would be too painful, that maybe it'd be easier for you to erase us. And that would suck, but I'd do it. I can lose you like that if I don't lose you today. I'll let you go. If you stay.” - Adam Wilde
― Gayle Forman, If I Stay

Source

“Please Mia," he implores. "Don't make me write a song.” - Adam Wilde
― Gayle Forman, If I Stay

Source

“But I'd do it again. I know that now. I'd make that promise a thousand times over and lose her a thousand times over to have heard her play last night or to see her in the morning sunlight. Or even without that. Just to know that she's somewhere out there. Alive.” - Adam Wilde
― Gayle Forman, Where She Went

Ugh. His line, "Please Mia, don't make me write a song" kills me even four years after I first read the book. If you haven't already read this book, I implore you to do so because Gayle Forman knows how to bring the feels and with this book plus Adam will just give you a punch in the gut.

Review: Seducing the Playboy by Amanda Usen

Seducing the Playboy
(Hot Nights #2)
Author: Amanda Usen
Release Date: May 26, 2014
Publisher: Entangled Publishing (Brazen)
Source: Personal Copy
Review by: Jenn

The best desserts are worth the wait…

Pastry chef Jenna Cooper crushed hard on playboy chef Roman Gallagher when her older brother brought him home to share their family Christmas six years ago. Now she’s old enough to do something about it, and she won’t take no for an answer—for anything.

Out of the frying pan into the fire…

Roman has one hard and fast rule—don’t sleep where you eat. But he can’t say no to Jenna’s plea for him to help her save her family business. Soon she’s working for him, and their scorching chemistry melts Roman’s resistance.

If you can’t stand the heat…

Jenna knows Roman has reservations about enjoying the heat between them, but she’s got a plan. She’s going to keep this sexy man so satisfied in—and out—of the kitchen, he won’t regret a thing. But Roman has his own ideas. He wants more than a few hot nights, and he’s going to teach Jenna a lesson about playing with fire.

3 stars out of 5 stars 

Sexy, sweet, hot, and delicious. These are all words I would use to describe Seducing the Playboy. I was in an adult romance binge when I read this book and this book certainly satisfied the need for a quick and fluffy romance.

Jenna and Roman have some insane chemistry, both in and outside the kitchen. I loved reading their interactions because it was a great balance between flirty quips and professionalism. Jenna is eager to make her dreams of learning what Roman is like in bed come to life and Roman is more concerned with maintaining a platonic friendship with Jenna out of respect to her brother and family. Even if he can't stop picturing her naked. Trying to appease Jenna and maintain boundaries, he comes up with the worst idea that end up backfiring on him. Also, Amanda Usen also managed to catch my attention with all the recipes Jenna and Roman cooked up. My only complaint now is how I wish I knew a Roman in real life who would cook all these recipes for me.

While the book was predictable at times, I cannot hold anything against it. It was exactly what I looking for at the moment and it put Ms. Usen on the map for me. I look forward to reading more her and see how her heroes compare against Roman.

Quotes (#138)

Link

Happy New Year Swooners,
This is my first week back after being on vacation and well I am dragging butt this morning. The meme above pretty much sums up my New Years resolutions this year. I plan to read all of the books! During the break I was able to do  a lot of reading and came across some great quotes that I would like to share with you.

“Never give up on something you really want. However impossible things seem, there's always a way.”
~Sophie Kinsella, Mini Shopaholic

“You don't need to change one hair. One freckle. One little toe. And if its me thats made you feel you should do this..then there's something wrong with me. -Luke Brandon”
~Sophie Kinsella, Mini Shopaholic

“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

“Do adults realize how lucky they are? Or do they forget that these small moments are actually small miracles? I don’t want to ever forget.”
~Stephanie Perkins, Isla and the Happily Ever After

“I'm beginning to think that maybe it's okay to be a blank canvas. maybe it's okay that my future is unknown.”
~Stephanie Perkins, Isla and the Happily Ever After

“Stars are beautiful, but they may not take part in anything, they must just look on forever.”
~J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan

“You're the most important thing in this universe. You; this vessel; the people of this planet; lovers, warriors, artists, leaders, dreams more numerous than stars. Each mind unique, each thought created for an instant and then broken apart to form new ones. You don't understand the unbearable beauty of being you.”
~Amie Kaufman, This Shattered World

I hope you had a wonderful end of 2015 and beginning of 2016! May 2016 be full of health, happiness and many blessing.