SERIES QUICK REVIEW: Fallen Too Far & Never Too Far by Abbi Glines

Title: Fallen Too Far
Author: Abbi Glines
Series: Too Far (#1)
Pages: 207
Publisher: Self-Published
Date Published: December 14, 2012
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased

To want what you’re not supposed to have…

She is only nineteen.

She is his new stepfather’s daughter.

She is still naïve and innocent due to spending the last three years taking care of her sick mother.

But for twenty-four year old Rush Finlay, she is the only thing that has ever been off limits. His famous father’s guilt money, his mother’s desperation to win his love, and his charm are the three reasons he has never been told no.

Blaire Wynn left her small farmhouse in Alabama, after her mother passed away, to move in with her father and his new wife in their sprawling beach house along the Florida gulf coast. She isn’t prepared for the lifestyle change and she knows she’ll never fit into this world. Then there is her sexy stepbrother who her father leaves her with for the summer while he runs off to Paris with his wife. Rush is as spoiled as he is gorgeous. He is also getting under her skin. She knows he is anything but good for her and that he’ll never be faithful to anyone. He is jaded and has secrets Blaire knows she may never uncover but even knowing all of that…

Blaire just may have fallen too far.

Title: Never Too Far
Author: Abbi Glines
Series: Too Far (#2)
Pages: 306
Publisher: Self-Published
Date Published: February 24, 2013
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased

Rush withheld a secret that had destroyed Blaire's world. She knows she can never forgive him, but she can't forget him either... Now, Blaire's back home in Alabama and is trying to move on with her life... until something happens to send her world spinning once again.What do you do when the one person you can never trust again is the one that you need to trust so desperately? You lie, hide, avoid, and pray that your sins never find you out.

My Thoughts:

Abbi Glines has quickly become one of my very favorite authors. Every book that I've read of hers has been absolutely amazing! I love her writing style, her steamy sex scenes, and her smoking hot bad boys. Fallen Too Far and Never Too Far definitely didn't disappoint.

Fallen Too Far begins with the death of Blaire's mother. Blaire has spent the last three years of her life taking care of her mother, putting her life on hold, and now she doesn't know how to live without her. With no money and nowhere to go, she calls her dad-- the dead beat dad that walked out on her and her mom years ago--for help. He offers to let her come live with him and his new wife, but when she gets there Daddy's conveniently taken off on a cruise...leaving her alone with her new step-brother, Rush.

Rush is the son of rock star, and he plays the part well. Bad boy, tattoos, parties, different girl every night...you know the type. But, Hot Damn is he sexy!

You've got me all kinds of worked up, girl. I'm trying hard to be a good boy. I can't lose control in the back of damn car.

The connection between Blaire and Rush is so amazingly hot! They both try to fight it. They know it's not a good idea, but it's uncontrollable. They both fall hard and fall fast. But what Blaire doesn't know is that Rush has secrets. Secrets that will destroy her world and tear her apart. When everything comes out Blaire will trust no one.

This is an amazing series, one of the best I've read. It's a great love story filled with steamy sex, betrayal, heartbreak, tons of sweet moments, and lots of twists and turns. Just when you think you know the truth about everything you find out someone else has been lying. Fallen Too Far ends with the mother of all cliff-hangers, so do yourself a favor and go ahead and buy both books right now. When you get to the end you'll be glad to have Never Too Far within immediate reach!

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Never Too Far
 

REVIEW: Walking Disaster by Jamie McGuire

Title: Walking Disaster (Beautiful #2)
Author: Jamie McGuire
Others in Series: Beautiful Disaster (Beautiful #1)
Pages: 433
Publisher: Atria Books
Date Published: April 2, 2013
Format: eBook
Source: Received from Publisher for Honest Review

Travis Maddox learned two things from his mother before she died: Love hard. Fight harder.

In Walking Disaster, the life of Travis is full of fast women, underground gambling, and violence. But just when he thinks he is invincible, Abby Abernathy brings him to his knees.

Every story has two sides. In Beautiful Disaster, Abby had her say. Now it’s time to see the story through Travis’s eyes.

I was actually a bit worried when I saw that Jamie McGuire was planning to write Walking Disaster.  When I read Beautiful Disaster about a year ago, it completely blew me away.  I consider it my "gateway book" because after I finished it, I had so many emotions flying around that I just had to get them out.  I sat down and wrote my first real review (click here!).  I only posted it on Amazon at the time, but it wasn't long after that I started this blog, and I was sure to add it here too.  Although I've read MANY amazing books since then, Beautiful Disaster is still one of my all time favorites.  I like the way Beautiful Disaster ended, and I didn't really think there was a need to go further.  But, the opportunity for a glimpse into Travis's soul was just too much temptation.  I knew I had to read it, and I am so glad I did!  Travis was such a complex hero, and I had a serious love/hate relationship with him.  I loved his intensity, his passion for Abby, and his determination.  But, his anger and obsessiveness were pretty disturbing!  You'll probably want to read my review of Beautiful Disaster now, if you haven't already.  I think this review will make more sense if you do!  

For the record...I take back every negative thing I said about Travis in my Beautiful Disaster review.  Getting to hear his side of the story has totally changed my opinion of him.  Yes, he's still angry and obsessive.  Yes, he still beats the hell out of everyone that pisses him off.  But you get to see why he is the way he is.  You get to see what he's thinking  when he's totally screwing up.  And you get to see how he feels afterwards when he's totally pissed Abby off.  Watching him realize that he's in love with Abby is like an awakening.  It totally changes who he is.  What really broke my heart was his fear.  He's so afraid of losing her that you can actually feel his agony every time they fight.  And boy do they fight...a lot.  

I loved getting to see more of America and Shepley this time, too!  I already loved them both, but this time we get to see just how America feels about Travis.  The bonding between the two of them is something I never expected, and totally loved.  You would never have guessed in Beautiful Disaster that she actually cared about Travis like she does.  Her loyalties are with Abby, but  she cares about what Abby is doing to Travis, too.   And Shep...*swoon*...can he be any sweeter?!  The way he loves America just makes me smile.  We get to see more into his side of the story, and I loved seeing  the relationship that he has with Travis.  He really is the only thing keeping Travis from snapping so much of the time. 

Walking Disaster really is all about Travis and his demons.  This means we don't see nearly as much of Abby, and what we do see is mainly during the negative moments.  If you haven't read Beautiful Disaster, 1.)What are you waiting for?!  Go read now!  2.) Be sure to read Beautiful Disaster first, or Abby is going to come off as a real bitch.  Well...even more of a bitch.  She still makes me want to smack her in the back of the head.  Wake up girl!  We also get to see Travis lean on his family when he feels like everything is falling apart.  While we meet his father and brothers in Beautiful Disaster, we really get to know them in Walking Disaster.  I can't wait to see what's in store for the Mattox bothers in upcoming books!

All in all, I'm extremely happy that I decided to give Walking Disaster a chance.  It is the perfect companion to Beautiful Disaster.  Walking Disaster made me fall in love with Travis all over again, and this time, I'm all in.

Oh, and the epilogue...O.M.G.  Yes, there's an epilogue!  I won't say any more than that, but it alone was worth the read!!

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ARC REVIEW: Rapunzel Untangled by Cindy C. Bennett

Title: Rapunzel Untangled
Author: Cindy C. Bennett
Pages: 304
Publisher: Cedar Fort, Inc.
Expected Publishing Date: February 12, 2013
Format: eBook
Source: Received from Publisher via NetGalley

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Rapunzel is not your average teenager.

For one thing, she has a serious illness that keeps her inside the mysterious Gothel Mansion. And for another, her hair is 15 feet long. Not to mention that she’s also the key to ultimately saving the world from certain destruction. But then she meets a boy named Fane, who changes all she has ever known, and she decides to risk everything familiar to find out who she really is.

Filled with romance, adventure, and mystery, Rapunzel Untangled is one story you won’t want to put down. Discover the true meaning of love and friendship in this modern twist to the classic fairytale.
 

I absolutely adore fairytale retellings, so I jumped at the chance to read and review Rapunzel Untangled.  Writing a retelling has to be a very difficult thing for any writer.  How do you take a story that's been told for years and give it your own unique twist?  It's all been done before!  Well, Cindy Bennett has done an amazing job of giving us a unique and imaginative story while keeping to the basics of the classic fairytale.  This is probably the darkest Rapunzel story I've heard.  Most all have the same basic plot:  Rapunzel is kidnapped as an infant by the witch Gothel and grows up in a tower, trapped there for years.  Sometimes Rapunzel lives as a prisoner, sometimes as a daughter of Gothel.  This story is no different, but that is where the similarities end.  Rapunzel Untangled is modern and fun, but gives us a twist filled with darkness and horror.

Rapunzel is nearly 18 years old, and she has lived in her rooms in the tower of Gothel Mansion all of her life.  She has a serious illness that makes it impossible for her to go outside without getting sick.  Her mother, Gothel, is the only other person she has ever had contact with.  She does all of her schoolwork online, and when she accidentally finds this wondrous site called Facebook she realizes she can use it to connect with other people her own age.  This is how she meets Fane.  At first they only correspond online, but Rapunzel eventually agrees to meet him.  He climbs her tower and the two become close friends.  When Fane convinces Rapunzel to sneak out of her rooms one night, they find stairways that lead nowhere and doors that open up to cement walls.  There's also a creepy room covered with black scorch marks and decorated with 6's.  Soon Rapunzel starts questioning everything she's been told.  Things don't add up.  The more Rapunzel learns the more questions she has, and the answers aren't at all what she wants to hear.

I enjoyed the uniqueness of Rapunzel Untangled.  It was unexpected and refreshing to read a story that's so classic, yet it's turned into something so much more modern and fun.  Rapunzel transforms throughout the book from the quiet girl that obeys every order to a strong woman willing to risk everything just to live a real life.  What we see of Fane is great.  He's funny, and he's completely loyal to Rapunzel.  I'd like to have seen more of his personality.  This would have been a great book to have alternating points of view.  His mind had to have been blown by the circumstances surrounding Rapunzel, but we don't really see that.  I also found the ending bit incomplete.  It would have been nice to see more about Rapunzel's real family.  Without a doubt, Rapunzel Untangled was a great read, and a great fairytale retelling.

 

 

ARC REVIEW: Hopeless by Colleen Hoover

 

 

Title: Hopeless

Author: Colleen Hoover
Pages: 391
Publisher: Self-Published
Date Published: December 19, 2012
Format: eBook
Source: Received from Author for Honest Review

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Sometimes discovering the truth can leave you more hopeless than believing the lies…

That’s what seventeen-year-old Sky realizes after she meets Dean Holder. A guy with a reputation that rivals her own and an uncanny ability to invoke feelings in her she’s never had before. He terrifies her and captivates her all in the span of just one encounter, and something about the way he makes her feel sparks buried memories from a past that she wishes could just stay buried.

Sky struggles to keep him at a distance knowing he’s nothing but trouble, but Holder insists on learning everything about her. After finally caving to his unwavering pursuit, Sky soon finds that Holder isn’t at all who he’s been claiming to be. When the secrets he’s been keeping are finally revealed, every single facet of Sky’s life will change forever.

My Thoughts:

 

There is absolutely no way that I will be able to write a review that will do justice to how Hopeless truly made me feel.  I've read dozens of reviews that talked about how they read Hopeless in one sitting, never putting the book down.  It was totally the opposite for me.  The more I read, the more I had to pause.  Not because I didn't want to continue, but because my emotions were going crazy.  Even when I wasn't reading, Hopeless is all I thought about.  It consumed me and left me gasping for air.  It made heart skip a beat, only to send it pounding erratically later.  Emotionally, I simply couldn't keep up.  All of my emotions are still a jumbled up mess.  I wanted to laugh and I wanted to cry.  I needed to scream in fury and frustration, and I needed a hug.  A real hug, the kind where all of your pent up feelings burst free, and you wonder how you can even continue to stand upright. I loved every single word of Hopeless, and I hated every single word. There is nothing about Hopeless that I would change, yet I want to change everything. I know this makes no sense, and until you read Hopeless for yourself you really won't understand. I loved this book completely, but I have never had a fictional story break me so utterly. 

“It's amazing what the sound of a voice you've been longing to hear can do to your heart. He spoke five words just now, but in the time it took him to speak those five words, my heart was shredded and minced, then placed back inside my chest with the expectation that it should somehow know how to beat again.”

Sky is one of the most amazing characters I've ever met. She is so fragile, and she doesn't even realize it. From the outside looking in you see a sheltered, but normal teen.  She has a somewhat normal family life with her adopted mother, Karen, and her best friend, Six, lives next door.  While she puts up the front of a semblance of normalcy, she admits to having no feelings at all when it comes the boys she's had in her life.  But, all of that changes when she meets Holder.  He is the first guy that has ever given her that sense of butterflies, to make her heart skip a beat.  She finds herself swooning over a guy for the first time, yet there is also something about him that terrifies her.

 

“I can already tell he isn't the kind of guy a girl gets a simple crush on. He's the kind of guy you fall hard for, and the thought of that terrifies me.”

Dean Holder has his own demons. He has a bad boy reputation, but no one knows the real Holder. When he meets Sky he's drawn to her. Everything about Holder screams savior, yet he needs saving himself. Together, Sky and Holder open a floodgate of heart-breaking emotions, and they have no choice but to cling to each other and see it all through to the end. 

“You have to let it go. You can hold on to the hate and the love and even the bitterness, but you have to go of the blame. The blame is what's tearing you down, babe."

The dynamics of the relationship between Sky and Holder are mesmerizing. I love that even in the most messed up of situations Holder can manage to make Sky laugh. The connection between the two of them is so intense. I love the way Holder brings out such raw feelings in Sky. He manages to peel back the protective shell that Sky has around herself. He makes her feel.  

“We won’t go any further than this, I promise. But please don’t ask me to stop where we already are. I need to watch you and I need to hear you because the fact that I know you’re actually feeling this right now is so fucking amazing. You feel incredible and this feels incredible and please. Just… please.”

“And once again in my new world full of heartache and lies, this hopeless boy somehow finds a way to make me smile.”

Hopeless is dark. It's raw and heart-breaking, and it will leave you sobbing.  Just when you think you can't handle any more truth, things get uglier. When you think you have it all figured out...you don't.  But, it's also an amazingly beautiful story about friendship, love and truth and uncovering all of your scars so that you can learn to heal.  When you think it's all about to fall apart, the pieces begin to come together.  I fell completely in love with this book, even while it was breaking my heart into a million pieces.  Hopeless is a story that will forever be etched in my heart. 

 

 

 

   

QUICK REVIEW: Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella

Title: Remember Me?
Author: Sophie Kinsella
Pages: 389
Publisher: The Dial Press
Date Published: February 28, 2008
Format: Paperback
Source: Bought

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Blurb:

Lexi wakes up in a hospital bed after a car accident, thinking it's 2004 and she's a twenty-five-year old with crooked teeth and a disastrous love life. But, to her disbelief, she learns it's actually 2007 - she's twenty-eight, her teeth are straight, she's the boss of her department - and she's married! To a good-looking millionaire! How on earth did she land the dream life??! She can't believe her luck - especially when she sees her stunning new home. She's sure she'll have a fantastic marriage once she gets to know her husband again. He's drawn up a 'manual of our marriage,' which should help. But as she learns more about her new self, chinks start to appear in the perfect life. All her old colleagues hate her. A rival is after her job. Then a dishevelled, sexy guy turns up...and lands a new bombshell. What happened to her? Will she ever remember? And what will happen if she does?

My Thoughts:

What do you do when you wake up one day and realize that you have everything you've ever wanted, but you can't remember how it happened? That's what happens to Lexie Smart. One day she's working at a dead end job, dating a loser and pretty much hates where her life is going.  She goes out drinking with her girlfriends, and she's trying to hail a taxi in the pouring rain when she slips and falls down a flight of stairs. When she wakes up in the hospital everything about her life has changed. It's three years later and she's told she's been in a car accident.  She's the boss at her company, wears designer clothing and is married to a gorgeous millionaire, and she can't remember anything about those three years in between.

I went into Remember Me? thinking that I was going to get The Vow (girl loses memory but husband manages to make her fall in love all over again), but what I got was 13 going on 30 (girl wakes up in the future and has everything she's ever dreamed of but realizes she doesn't like the person she's become along the way). This isn't a bad thing, I was just expecting a more emotional novel. Remember Me? turned out to be a quick and fun read with more comedy than emotion. Lexie is a very likable character, and I loved some of her snarky remarks. This was my first Sophie Kinsella book, but I will definitely be back for more.

REVIEW: The Forgotten by Claudia Carozza

Title: The Forgotten
Author:  Claudia Carozza
Series:  The Barronlands Trilogy (Book #2)
Reviews in Series:  The Twenty (Book #1)
Pages:  282
Publisher:  Self-Published
Date Published:  September 23, 2012
Source:  Received from Author for Honest Review

Synopsis:

Hazel's job at the Antioch didn't work out at all like she had planned. After a daring escape and one very risky delivery of the first baby born in years, she's still holding on to the hope of a better future. Out of the Antioch and on the run, who can Hazel turn to for help and can they really be trusted? In the second book of the Barronlands Trilogy, relationships are tested and even more secrets are revealed. Hazel tries to put the pieces together, hoping everything doesn't fall apart. Will she be able to hold it all together or will there be those who slip through the cracks?

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The Forgotten picks up right where The Twenty left off, and we're immediately thrown into the adventure.  Hazel and her friends have escaped the Antioch and are on the run.  Some have gone into hiding; some have chosen to fight.  With everything she's up against, Hazel is having a hard time keeping it together.  Her friends are all leaning on her, and she isn't sure she's up to the job of leading this group of misfits.
 
There is so much to love about this series!  First of all we have two super hot guys.  They are strong, sexy characters, and you can't help but love them both.  If you've read The Twenty you know just how hard it is to pick a favorite.  I know I can't!  One minute I think I like Luka best.  He's the tough and sexy bad boy.  It's apparent that he's totally into Hazel, and he's extreme.  But, then there's Shane.  We only got a glimpse of who Shane really is in The Twenty.  His real bad-ass personality comes blazing through in The Forgotten.  He wants Hazel, and while he's more laid back and quite, he's also pretty damn passionate about it.  He kinda makes me melt. 
 
Now, let's talk about Hazel.  In The Twenty she goes to the Antioch prepared to make a better life for herself and her family.  She has no idea what she's getting herself into.  When I reviewed The Twenty I had this to say about Hazel:   "I immediately liked and respected Hazel. She is selfless and will do whatever it takes to protect the people she cares about. She's self assured and amazingly strong willed, and when things get tough she squares her shoulders and marches ahead, even pushing everyone else behind her."  This is exactly how I would describe her in The Forgotten, but she's wiser, tougher and even more selfless.  She's gotten to be quite the bad-ass herself!  The trials she and her friends are going through weigh heavily on her, sometimes breaking her down, but she never fails to stand tall and kick ass. 
 
The Forgotten is much more action packed and full of adventure.  We meet some new people, some I like and some, not so much.  I'm not sure who I trust, yet.  We lose some of our group, some with no idea as to their whereabouts.  Some questions are answered, usually leaving you with another.  We find out that the Antioch has many more secrets that we first thought.  I'm still not sure what the Antioch is up to, but I'm enjoying finding out one piece of the mystery at a time.  I am completely and thoroughly captivated by this amazing series, and I can't wait until the third and final book comes out!

 

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Claudia is giving away two signed copies of "The Forgotten"!  If you'd like to win one be sure to enter the rafflecopter below.

 



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ARC REVIEW: Confessions of an Angry Girl by Louise Rozett

Title:  Confessions of an Angry Girl
Author:  Louise Rozett
Series:  Confessions (#1)
Pages:  304
Publisher:  Harlequin Teen
Expected Publishing Date:  August 28, 2012
Format:  eBook
Source:  Received from Publisher via NetGalley
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Pre-Order:  Amazon or B&N

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Rose Zarelli, self-proclaimed word geek and angry girl, has some CONFESSIONS to make...

#1: I'm livid all the time. Why? My dad died. My mom barely talks. My brother abandoned us. I think I'm allowed to be irate, don't you?

#2: I make people furious regularly. Want an example? I kissed Jamie Forta, a badass guy who "might" be dating a cheerleader. She is now enraged and out for blood. Mine.

#3: High school might as well be Mars. My best friend has been replaced by an alien, and I see red all the time. (Mars is red and "seeing red" means being angry-get it?)

Here are some other vocab words that describe my life: Inadequate. Insufferable. Intolerable.

(Don't know what they mean? Look them up yourself.) (Sorry. That was rude.)

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Fave Quote:

"Clearly Tracy has been studying Gossip Girl, absorbing lessons in how to treat your friends like crap."

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I thought the blurb for Confessions of an Angry Girl sounded really good, but I was worried that I wouldn't enjoy it because our main character, Rose, is so young.  I worried needlessly though.  I still thought it was really good!  Rose has just started her freshman year of high school after "the worse summer of my life", and she's having a hard time fitting in.  As if high school isn't bad enough she's also dealing with the fact that her father died over the summer while he was working as a contractor in Iraq.  Then she meets Jamie Forta.  She's totally confused by the fact that he seems interested in her, but he's supposedly dating a cheerleader, Regina.  Oh, and Regina is crazy!  Like stay-away-from-my-man-or-I-will-cut-you crazy!

I really enjoyed this quick and easy read.  Rose is an easy character to love.  While you feel sympathy for her and the situation she has been put into, you also want to see her move on.  She's sad, she's angry, she misses her dad and watching her brother move on hurts.  She can't seem to relate to her friends anymore.  I'm not sure what to think of Jamie.  While I like him, he also tends to come off as weak.  It's obvious that he likes Rose, but he lets a lot of things get in his way...namely, Regina.  Speaking of which, she is one scary b****!  I love a good rivalry, and Regina is perfect!  She's beautiful, a cheerleader and she has her claws dug deeply in Jamie.  I would NOT want her angry with me.  Rose finds this out the hard way.  Confessions of an Angry Girl was an extremely enjoyable read, and I'm looking forward to the next book, Confessions of an Almost Girlfriend.

REVIEW: Point of Retreat by Colleen Hoover

Title: Point of Retreat
Author:  Colleen Hoover
Series:  Slammed (#2)
Pages:  320
Publisher:  Atria Books
Date Published:  August 10, 2012
Format:  eBook
Source:  Bought
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Buy It:  Amazon or B&N

In the second book in the Slammed series by New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover, Layken and Will's relationship has endured through hardships, heartache, and a cruel twist of fate, further solidifying the fact that they belong together. But the two lovers could not have expected that the things that brought them together may ultimately be the things that tear them apart. Their connection is on the brink of being destroyed forever and it will take an extraordinary amount of willpower to keep their love afloat.

Layken is left questioning the very foundation on which her relationship with Will was built. Will is left questioning how he can prove his love for a girl who can't seem to stop "carving pumpkins." Upon finding the answers that may bring peace back into their relationship, the couple comes across an even greater challenge—one that could change not only their lives but the lives of everyone who depend on them.

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Fave Quote:

“I brush her hair out of her eyes and run my finger along the edge of her face. "I love you, Lake."
"Say it again," she says.
I kiss her forehead and repeat what I said. "I love you, Lake."
"One more time."
"I." I kiss her lips. "And love." I kiss them again. "And you."
"I love you, too.” 
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Click HERE to read my review of Slammed and an interview with Colleen Hoover!

Once again I'm tasked with writing a review for a book that left me speechless.  I feel like nothing I have to say could possibly do justice to this amazing book.  Just like Slammed, Point of Retreat snagged me from the first page, and it never let me go.  While Slammed is told from Lake's point of view, with Point of Retreat we get to see into Will's soul. Hearing the story from his point of view was great.  I butterflying loved it!!  For those of you who will read the next line and STOP READING like I ask, all I can say is go now and read Slammed!  You will not regret it!  Then, come back and read this review if you want.  But, if you're like me you'll know you MUST read Point of Retreat no matter what!

**If you have NOT read Slammed PLEASE DO NOT READ ANY FURTHER! While there are no spoilers for Point of Retreat below there will be spoilers for Slammed!**

  
Point of Retreat starts off right where Slammed leaves us.  Will has custody of Caulder and Lake has custody of Kel.  Both Will and Lake are in college.  Of course, Eddie and Gavin are still their best friends, and they are great supporting characters once again!  Will and Lake have settled into a sort of routine, and things are working for them.  Things are good.  But, when Will starts class his last semester he's surprised to see his ex-girlfriend, Vaughn, in his class.  When she starts to question his relationship with Lake things spiral out of control.  Lake begins to wonder if maybe the only reason they're together is because they're both raising their brothers.  Maybe they're together for the wrong reasons. 

I'm not sure what else I can say about this book that I haven't already said!  I totally adore each and every character in this book.  Will is amazing.  I love how romantic he is.  I love the poetry he writes.  I love how dedicated he is to the people he cares for.  He's raising his little brother, which means he's had to work extra hard and give up his own youth.  Not very many guys would be able to pull off the accomplishments he has.  Lake is much more mature in Point of Retreat.  She didn't have much choice but to grow up.  Even though she was given the opportunity to have the college life most kids her age would want she chose to grow up fast and take on the parent role with her brother.  Eddie and Gavin have a lot going on with them in this book, and I love both of their characters.  The devotion to each other is so romantic, and I love how they stick by Will and Lake.  Kel and Caulder are just as hilarious in Point of Retreat...maybe more so!  They love to get under their teacher's skin.  They have a new friend, Kiersten, and she is my favorite character!  I love her quirky little mind!!  Point of Retreat doesn't have as much poetry in it, but the poetry is does have is amazing and extremely emotional.  The slams again play a big part in the lives of the characters.  Colleen Hoover has wormed her way into my heart, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for her!  If this series is anything to judge by we'll be seeing a lot of amazing things! 

5 Stars * * * * *

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Be sure to enter the giveaway for an autographed copy of Slammed AND Point of Retreat!!  Since it took me a little longer than planned to get this review up I've extended the giveaway for another week.

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REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Slammed by Colleen Hoover

Title:  Slammed
Author:  Colleen Hoover
Series:  Slammed (#1)
Pages:  314
Publisher:  Atria Books
Format: eBook
Source:  Bought
Buy It:  Amazon or B&N

Following the unexpected death of her father, eighteen-year-old Layken is forced to be the rock for both her mother and her younger brother. Outwardly, she appears resilient and tenacious, but inwardly, she’s losing hope.

One young man brings change to all of this. After moving across the country, Layken meets her attractive twenty-one-year-old neighbor, who has an intriguing passion for slams. Within days of their introduction, Will and Layken form an intense emotional connection, leaving Layken with a renewed sense of hope.

Not long after a heart-stopping first date, they are slammed to the core when a shocking revelation forces their new relationship to a sudden halt. Daily interactions become impossibly painful as they struggle to find a balance between the feelings that pull them together and the forces that tear them apart.

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Fave Quote:

"God, Layken.  How do you do it?" she says.  She blows her nose and grabs another tissue out of the box.  "How do I do what?"  I sniff as I continue to wipe the tears from my eyes.  "How do you not fall in love with him?"  The tears begin flowing just as quickly as they had ceased.  I grab yet another tissue.  "I don't not fall in love with him.  I don't not fall in love with him a lot!"

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This book and the sequel, Point of Retreat, are officially my favorite books of the year!  I made the mistake of starting Slammed late one evening.  Before I knew it, it was 4:00 a.m. and I was finished!  I was absolutely hooked from the very first page, and after a few hours of sleep I immediately started Point of Retreat.  I literally consumed both books in under 24 hours!

Slammed begins with Layken (Lake) and her mother and brother moving from Texas to Ypsilanti, Michigan.  It's been six months since her father died, and her mother decides that it's time for a change.  Layken is less than thrilled with the idea, but when she meets her neighbor, Will, she begins to think that maybe things are starting to look up.  After going on an amazing date Will is all she can think about.  But it's not long until they learn that being together will be impossible.  Unfortunately for them both staying away from each other is also impossible, and the heart wants what the heart wants. 

Colleen Hoover's writing is absolutely amazing!  There are so many twists and turns in Slammed, and I don't want to give away anything!  The emotions are just rolling through the pages.  One minute I would be laughing out loud, and on the very next page I would be crying.  Then, just when you think you have it all figured out...you don't.  A lot of times the instant attraction romances feel too forced and too rushed, but with Lake and Will everything feels real.  The connection between them is tangible, but the circumstances keeping them apart isn't something that they can just ignore.  The chemistry between them is magnetic. You can almost feel the pull towards each other.  It's like they're on opposite ends of a rubber band.  The harder they try to stay away from each other the stronger the pull is.  But, Slammed is about more than just a forbidden romance.  There are many family issues going on with both Will and Lake.  They have both been through so much heartbreak, and they can't help but lean on each other.  I also love the poetry in this book!  I've never been much of a fan of poetry, but the slams blew me away.  It has to be so amazing to get up on stage like that and let your emotions completely take over.  I loved that it played such a huge part in who Will and Lake are, and it goes a long way towards healing some of the scars.  I also have to say this woman can write some dialog!  Jokes, arguments, drama, steamy make out scenes...the dialog is all wonderful!  The supporting characters are also great.  Eddie is Lake's best friend, and her character is so quirky and fun.  She's the kind of person I could see myself being friends with.  Lake and Will both have younger brothers, Kel and Caulder, and they become instant best friends.  These two kids manage to keep the laughs going all the time, even when nothing else seems to be going right.  Slammed is an amazing story with great characters.  Even though I had a total book hangover after reading it I can't wait to do it again.

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Interview & Giveaway!!

Colleen Hoover

Website/Blog

Goodreads

Facebook

Do you have a favorite book, one that you go back to over and over?

Oh, goodness.  You know, I don't really read books more than once.  I'm the same way with movies.  Once I watch it, I don't want to see it again.  It just never gets better than the first time.  Especially if the surprise element is great. 

Did you always know that you wanted to write?

I've always loved writing.  I remember when I was four, my older sister came home with a story she wrote.  She read it to me (she was in second grade) and I was SO jealous that she could read and write.  I remember almost crying because I was so ready to go to school and learn how to write.  It's the earliest memory I have of actually developing a love for it. 

Who or what was your inspiration to write?

Like the previous question, I just always remember having that desire.

Do you have a favorite place to read?  To write?

We just recently moved into a new house and I have an office.  There's a huge, comfy chair that I usually curl up in with my diet pepsi and write.  I need complete silence when I write, so the music gets turned off. 

Bookmarks or dog ears?

Bookmarks

Dust jacket on or off?

Off.  I hate them.  That's the first thing to go when I purchase a book.

Paper books or ebooks?

Ebooks.  I love, love, love my kindle. 

What book would you like to see made into a movie?

Umm...does it count if I say SLAMMED? lol.  Because that would be awesome!

Favorite comfort food?

Chocolate.  Any kind as long as it doesn't have raspberry flavoring.  I hate raspberry.

What are your pet peeves?

In regards to writing, I hate sequels that re-introduce everything from the previous books.  I don't know why that bothers me so much, but it's why I didn't do it in Point of Retreat.  Not a whole lot gets on my nerves, though.  I'm really good at tuning things out, especially children.  ;)

What is the first book you remember reading as a child?

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein.  I love all of his books so much.  Where The Sidewalk Ends is one of my faves. 

What are you reading right now?

Right now, I'm reading final pass edits of SLAMMED and POINT OF RETREAT.  They are being submitted to Simon & Schuster and I'm stoked that I never, ever have to read them again.  I've read both of these books probably no less than 200 times each.  I can't wait until this switchover is finished so I can jump back into a few good books.  I've been getting a ton of recommendations on my blog, but I'm also scared to start reading again because I really need to write. 

How much time do you spend every day reading?  Writing?

Lately, zero.  I've been so busy with everything else that comes along with this, stuff I had no idea about.  When I wrote Slammed and Point of Retreat, I spent a good 12 hours a day writing.   I hope to get back into that mode, but it's so hard pulling myself away from the computer. 

Out of all the characters you have written so far, who was the hardest to write and who was easier? Do you have a favorite?

I think Will is my favorite, of course.  :)  I loved writing all of them, though.  I really enjoyed Kel, Caulder and Kiersten's characters and think they would make a great book someday in the future. 

If you could be a superhero what super power would you want to have?

Is time travel considered a super power?  lol.  I'd love to time travel. 

If you could take a week vacation with any book character, who would you chose and why?

Ahem.  Christian Grey, maybe?  Because he's a billionaire, so the vacation would be amazing.  And not to mention...fun. 

You recently announced some amazing news on your blog!  (Congrats by the way!!)  Can you give us a hint as to what we can expect from you in the near future?

Simon & Schuster bought the rights to both books, but we haven't really discussed future projects together yet.  I'm waiting until these two get pushed out first, then I'll see what they think of the two I'm working on now.  So as of right now, no dates or projects to announce.  I'm still working on Will's Story and hope to get that out someday.  I'm also working on a book titled Fall Together that I'm really excited about.  There are constantly so many ideas going around in my head that I sometimes have to force myself to stop thinking about it.  I like to focus on one book at a time. 

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Big Thanks to Colleen for doing this interview!!  She is also giving away a signed paperback copy of both Slammed AND Point of Retreat (which I will be posting my review for soon) so be sure to enter the giveaway below!!  I'm jealous...I need a signed copy too!

*Giveaway is open Internationally!!* 

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REVIEW: Rape Girl by Alina Klein

Title:  Rape Girl
Author:  Alina Klein
Pages:  126
Publisher:  Myrick Marketing & Media, LLC
Publishing Date:  June 5, 2012
Format:  eBook
Source:  Received from publisher via NetGalley
Buy It:  Amazon or B&N

Valerie always wanted to be the smart girl. The pretty girl. The popular girl.  But not the rape girl.

That’s who she is now. Rape Girl. Because everyone seems to think they know the truth about what happened with Adam that day, and they don’t think Valerie’s telling it.

Before, she had a best friend, a crush, and a close-knit family. After, she has a court case, a support group, and a house full of strangers.

The real truth is, nothing will ever be the same.

Rape Girl is the compelling story of a survivor who does the right thing and suffers for it. It is also the story of a young woman’s struggle to find the strength to fight back.

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Valerie wants what all high school girls want.  She wants to be popular, she wants to fit in and she wants to date that cute guy.  When Valerie's mother goes out of town she and her best friend, Mimi, decide to throw a party.  Things spiral out of control pretty fast and both girl end up extremely drunk.  The last thing Valerie expects when she's nursing her hangover the next morning is to wake up to her crush, Adam, undressing her.  When she reports him everyone, even Mimi, thinks she's lying. 

I really wanted to like this book, but I just couldn't seem to connect with Valerie.  I felt like I should be angry for her and I should feel sorry for her, but there wasn't enough back story for me to really relate to the situation.  The book was more about her social demise than it was the emotional turmoil she had to deal with after the rape.  And since we don't really know her before the rape it's hard to think of her as anything other than "rape girl".  Her mother's breakdown actually felt a little more real to me.  She feels guilty that she wasn't there to protect her daughter, and there is nothing she can do to protect her from the gossip.  I found myself sympathizing with her, maybe because I'm a mother.  Just when the book started to feel like it was picking up I was left with an ending that had a lot to be desired.  While I didn't dislike it, Rape Girl wasn't as good as I had hoped.

2 Stars * *

ARC REVIEW: Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

Title: Pushing the Limits
Author:  Katie McGarry
Pages:  384
Series:  Bared to You (Companion Novel)
Publisher:  Harlequin Teen
Date Published:  July 31, 2012
Format:  eBook
Source:  Received from publisher via NetGalley
Buy It:  Amazon or B&N

"I won't tell anyone, Echo. I promise." Noah tucked a curl behind my ear. It had been so long since someone touched me like he did. Why did it have to be Noah Hutchins? His dark brown eyes shifted to my covered arms. "You didn't do that-did you? It was done to you?" No one ever asked that question. They stared. They whispered. They laughed. But they never asked.

So wrong for each other...and yet so right.

No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with "freaky" scars on her arms. Even Echo can't remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal. But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo's world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible.Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she'll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again.

______________________________

Fave Quote:

"The worst type of crying wasn't the kind everyone could see -- the wailing on street corners, the tearing at clothes.  No, the worst kind happened when your sould wept and no matter what you did, there was no way to comfort it.  A section withered and became a scar on the part of your soul that survived.  For people like me and Echo, our souls contained more scar tissue than life."

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Pushing the Limits is definitely going at the top of my favorite reads of the year!  This book was gritty and dark and absolutely amazing.  It's told in alternating points of view, which I tend to enjoy.  I like that I got to know who Echo and Noah really are.  

Both Echo and Noah have been through terrible ordeals in their pasts.  First Echo's brother is killed overseas, and then something happens that leaves her covered in scars and other than the fact that her mom had something to do with it, she can't remember what caused them.  Her father is overbearing and a control freak and she hates her stepmother.  Noah's parents died in a house fire and since then he's been passed from one foster family to another.  He's a dark bad boy that's always getting high and using girls.  All Noah cares about is turning eighteen so that he can get his younger brothers out of the foster system.  When their counselor/therapist, Mrs. Collins, asks Echo to tutor Noah they become an unlikely pair in a mutual attempt to steal information from their case files.  Echo wants to know what happened to her the night she got her scars, and Noah wants to know where his brothers are.

This is an emotionally raw story.  There is so much pain shared between these two, and even with the supporting characters.  Both Echo and Noah are strong characters even though they've been through so much turmoil in their lives.  Even when they break down it's a part of the healing they need to go through to move on with their lives.  The romance in Pushing the Limits is very genuine.  This is no love-at-first-sight-fall-madly-and-deeply kind of romance.  The attraction between Noah and Echo is sweet, but it's better because it's more than physical.  It's also about the way they support and care for each other when they reach the bottom.  It's tough, it's emotional and it's real.  I absolutely adored Mrs. Collins.  She is a great supporting character that gives the story a level of comedy while also moving the main characters forward in healing.  It's immediately obvious that she really cares about Echo and Noah in a way neither of them have ever had with other therapists.  I love that each and every character has major growth throughout the story.  None of them are without flaws and emotional scars, but they are all working to push themselves to be someone better.  Pushing the Limits was a beautifully written, dark and emotional read, and I loved every minute of it.

4 Stars * * * *

ARC REVIEW & AUTHOR Q&A: Wake by Amanda Hocking

Title: Wake
Author:  Amanda Hocking
Series:  Watersong (#1)
Pages:  320
Publisher:  St. Martin's Press
Date Published:  August 7, 2012
Format:  Paperback ARC
Source:  Received from author for review
Buy It:  Amazon or B&N

Gemma seems to have it all—she’s carefree, pretty, and falling in love with Alex, the boy next door. He’s always been just a friend, but this summer they’ve taken their relationship to the next level, and now there’s no going back. Then one night, Gemma’s ordinary life changes forever. She’s taking a late night swim under the stars when she finds Penn, Lexi and Thea partying on the cove. They invite her to join them, and the next morning she wakes up on the beach feeling groggy and sick, knowing something is different.

Suddenly Gemma is stronger, faster, and more beautiful than ever. But her new powers come with a terrifying price. And as she uncovers the truth, she’s is forced to choose between staying with those she loves—or entering a new world brimming with dark hungers and unimaginable secrets.

_____________________________________

"Lexi put her arm around her, and something about the touch made the hair on the back of Gemma's neck stand up.  Instinctively Gemma pulled away from her, but then Lexi began singing again, and Gemma melted in her arm."
_____________________________________

This is the first siren story I've read, and I enjoyed it so much!  It has a good dose of romance, family drama, and it's super spooky.  Wake follows Gemma and Harper, two sisters with very different personalities.  Gemma, the younger of the two, is a free spirit.  She loves swimming, especially at night, and she tends to be bit self absorbed.  Harper, on the other hand, is extremely level-headed and responsible.  She tends to be more of a parental figure than a sister.  One night Gemma is out swimming when she runs into Penn, Lexi and Thea, three girls that are new in town.  They are beautiful, captivating and strangely scary.  She can't put her finger on it, but Gemma knows they can't be trusted. After her late night meeting with them everything starts to change.

I've been a fan of Amanda's since she self-published her first series, My Blood Approves.  She has a very unique writing style that seems to draw you into the story.  I was so excited to read Wake because I knew that a story about sirens, something so magical, was exactly the kind of thing Amanda could put her own spin on and make it wonderful.  Wake is an extremely compelling story.  It grabbed me from the very first page.  Gemma and Harper have a somewhat strained relationship, but it's obvious that they love each other.  They have a great dad that manages to be there for them even though he's basically a single father.  Their mother was injured in a car wreck, and she lives in an assisted living home.  Although she's got a lot of mental issues she still comes across as a caring and loving mother.  I have a feeling that there may be more to her that we haven't seen yet.  Gemma's love interest, Alex, happens to be the boy next door.  He's always just been a friend, but things have started to change between them.  I didn't really connect with Alex very well, and I would have liked to have seen more of him.  I think his real personality will come out in the next book because he now as an important job to do.  Harper's love interest, Daniel, is definitely my favorite character.  He lives on his boat in the harbor and leads a pretty quite life.  At first Harper doesn't like him, and she's really rude to him.  I love how he takes it all in stride and never lets it get to him.  He's constantly throwing out witty comments, which I love.  And then we have Penn, Lexi and Thea.  Oh my goodness are these girls creepy!  Every time they speak the people around them hang on every word.  But Gemma and Harper seem to sense that they are evil.  When they came to town there were four of them.  Now there are only three and they want Gemma to join them.  How creepy is that!?  My only complaint with them is that I never really got a grasp on who was who.  They didn't seem to have very unique personalities.  I suppose this could be part of the mythology of the sirens always functioning as a group.  They don't really have unique personalities.

I really enjoyed Wake, and I love that I'm now addicted to a new series that is so different and magical.  I'm excited to see where The Watersong Series takes us.  I'm sure it will be an adventure!

4 Stars * * * *
   

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Q & A with Amanda Hocking

Thank you so much to the readers that participated in our Q&A!  We got some really great questions.  A big Congratulations to Amy @ Read to My Heart's Content!!  She is the winner of the ARC copy of Wake.


Out of all the characters you have wrote so far, who was the hardest to write and who was easier? Did you have a favorite?  ~Amy @ Read to My Heart's Content
Lazlo was the hardest to write, because he was a soft male lead. He was more of a damsel in distress than Remy, so it was a little hard to make sure he didn't come across as weak or un-sexy.

You're book is about mermaids/sirens. What made you write about them? Did you have a fascination with them when you were younger? Or was it just a dream?  ~TayteH
I was really into mythology growing up, so I think that played a part in it. I think Eric helped plant the seeds for the idea, because he really loves mermaids, and lady villains.

When did you realize that you wanted to write? How did you get the idea for this book?  ~Maria Stanica
I always knew that I wanted to write, since I was a kid. Even when I had other interests, I still wanted to be a writer. I wanted to be a paleontologist/writer, and a lawyer/writer.

When you were younger (teenager or kid), did you want to become a writer? Like when teachers asked you what you wanted to be, did you say "An author."? ~Cierra P
Yes. I always wanted to be an author. When I was a kid, I would sometimes say other things, like a farmer, (or a paleontologist or a lawyer), but I would always say I wanted to be an author.

If stranded on a deserted island, what 3 things would you NEED to survive? food and water don't count :) ~madnzanymomma
My cell phone, a Gilligans Island-style cell phone charger, and a jet ski.

How did you come up with ideas for your books? Is there any mainstream authors that you pulled inspiration from and made you want to be a writer? Did you put any thoughts or feelings or anything from your life growing up into your characters? ~Jolene and Family
My ideas come from everywhere, I literally take some inspiration from everything. I think the authors that most inspired and influenced my writing would be Judy Blume and Stephen King, but when I'm writing I'm not thinking "Well, how would Judy Blume say this?" I think that there's definitely some inspiration from my own life, but no direct situations, characters, or feelings are based on me or anyone in my life.

Which book so far has been your favorite to write and why? Thanks! ~Danielle B
So far, my favorite book to write has been Lullaby, which is the third book in the Watersong series. And before that, it was Torn from the Trylle Trilogy.

If you could take a week vacation with any of your book characters, who would you chose and why? :D ~Karen
Probably Bobby from My Blood Approves and Marcy from Watersong. That would be the best vacation ever.

Where does the inspiration for you stories come from? When you get an idea do you do an outline or do you just write? Out of all the dreamy boys you have invented who do you think is the most swoon worthy? ~Bridget Howard
I do always outline before I write a book, I take notes, character outlines, chapter outlines, just so I know where everything will be before I start writing. I think the most swoon-worthy guy I've written, for me at least, would be Loki from the Trylle books or Daniel from Watersong.

If you could hop into the life of any book character for a day, who would if be and why? Thank you for the giveaway! ~Gabby
Batman. Because he's Batman.

Who is your favorite muppet? ~Claudia Carozza
Beaker or Gonzo

What's your favorite book that you've read this year? ~ryllina
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

What was the first novel you completed and was it published? ~Kirsti
The first novel I completed was called "Dreams I Can't Remember," and no it was not published, because it is terrible.

Are any of your characters based on your real life friends/family members? ~jayandmelb
No. I think some characters might take some inspiration from different people, but none of them are solely based on anyone.

Did you always want to be an author? When did you first know? ~Erika
As soon as I learned what an author was, that's what I wanted to be.

Amanda, You're achieved so much success already. Are there any major milestones you're still looking forward to with your writing career that you're aiming for? ~Heather
The biggest thing I look forward to in my career, is to hopefully keep writing and entertaining readers...that's not really a milestone, but it's my favorite part.

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Before I Wake by Rachel Vincent

Title: Before I Wake
Author:  Rachel Vincent
Narrator:  Amanda Ronconi
Series:  Soul Screamers (#6)
Length:   10 hrs, 24 min
Publisher:  Harlequin Teen
Date Published:  June 26, 2012
Format:  Audiobook
Source:  Bought
Buy It:  Amazon / B&N / Audible

I died on a Thursday-killed by a monster intent on stealing my soul. The good news? He didn't get it. The bad news? Turns out not even death will get you out of high school.  Covering up her own murder was one thing, but faking life is much harder than Kaylee Cavanaugh expected. After weeks spent "recovering," she's back in school, fighting to stay visible to the human world, struggling to fit in with her friends and planning time alone with her new reaper boyfriend. But to earn her keep in the human world, Kaylee must reclaim stolen souls, and when her first assignment brings her face-to-face with an old foe, she knows the game has changed. Her immortal status won't keep her safe. And this time Kaylee isn't just gambling with her own life.

**Review Contains Spoilers for Previous Books!**

_________________________

Fave Romantic Quote:

“You're not lost, Kaylee. You can't ever be lost, because I'll always know where you are. And if I'm not there with you, I'm on my way, and nothing standing between us will be standing for very long.”

Fave Funny Quote:

“Why? Why is this happening to me?" Sophie asked.  Sabine rolled her eyes. "Because you're the beautiful fairy princess and the evil Lord of Hell can't secure his kingdom until he's feasted from your flesh and slaked his thirst with tea brewed from the ashes of your incinerated bones."  Nash groaned, and Tod laughed out loud.  Sophie hiccuped, and turned to me, frowning. "Is she serious?”

_________________________

Story:

Fans of the Soul Screamers series, we have once again been rewarded by the awesomeness that is Rachel Vincent!  This was absolutely the best yet in this series.  We're introduced to a new Kaylee in Before I Wake.  She is struggling to come to grips with her new status as "walking dead girl", and it isn't as easy as she thought.  Nothing seems to matter anymore, except for Tod, the only thing in her undead life that make sense.  She doesn't want to eat, she can't relate to her friends and family, and she's struggling to stay corporeal in class.  As if that's not enough to deal with, being dead isn't stopping Avari from trying to steal her soul.  This time he has new tricks up his sleeve.  If he can't get to her soul he'll just torment her and feed from her misery.

Before I Wake is filled with the action we've come to expect with Rachel's Soul Screamers series.  The people that Kaylee loves are once again in danger and it's up to her to protect them.  Nash and Sabine are still angry, and Kaylee wants to repair the relationship.  Sophie finally knows the truth about her family, and she's even dating a necromancer, Luca.  Her character is much more enjoyable than in the past books, although she's still a prissy, spoiled brat.  And then there's ever swoon-worthy, Tod.  At the beginning of this series I was totally and completely rooting for Nash to get his act together so that he and Kaylee could work things out, but it didn't take much persuasion from Tod for me to change my mind.  Tod is perfect for Kaylee.  Every time Kaylee has a moment of dispair Tod is there to support her.  His love for her is so consuming.  I love his sarcastic wit, but his romantic side has the ability to take my breath away.   This is a wonderful addition to the Soul Screamers series.  With All My Soul (Book #7) is going to be the series finale, and it is sure to be bittersweet. 

Narration:

Amanda Ronconi narrates all of the books in the Soul Screamers series, and she does an amazing job.  I love it when a female can narrate male characters well and Amanda definitely does.  Her storytelling is flawless.  I highly recommend all of this series in audio.

5 Stars * * * * *