Review to come soon! :D

Review to come soon! !! :)

Originally posted on Books Forget Me Knot.

I have been wanting to branch out of my YA comfort zone and Romancing the Bookworm accomplished that goal for me. It’s a new adult summer read filled with sweetness, humor, and romance! I had a really nice time reading this book and it was definitely something that I didn’t know I needed!

Tamara Winters is an avid bookworm. So much so that she is reclusive and likes being left alone. During Spring Break she has a plan, to spend her free time reading romance novels in her dorm. But her best friend, Ronni has a different idea. Ronni practically drags Tamara away from their university campus and take a trip to Maverick Bay where they get jobs at the Shore Shack waiting tables. It is there that Tamara’s world is flipped upside down, giving her an unforgettable Spring Break full of hot romance that would outweigh her romance novels.

I really liked Tamara as a female MC. Why? Well, for all us avid book girls, she is the epitome of us. Her passion for reading is realistic and so, so, SO much like my passion for words. You know what else is believable and realistic about Tamara? That she is a size 14. Yep. She isn’t your regular run of the mill female MC where she is stick thin. There’s something refreshing about a character who is normal. Who has insecurities, unsure, and well, scared. As the novel progresses, she slowly steps out of her shell. She doesn’t have that many friends nor does she like interaction, but she blossoms from a shy girl to a bold one. It was beautiful to see and really great character development on Evangelista’s part.

I also really liked Ronni! She was just awesome and a true friend for Tamara. Even though, there were times where Tamara was difficult, Ronni was always there like a best friend should. It was nice seeing the dynamics of their relationship come to life within the pages.

How about the possible love interest in Xavier? Well, he was just great! He’s your typical campus playboy, or so the rumors say. Xavier proves to be everything he’s not. He comes from a wealthy family and is coveted by many girls. You’d think he’d be an arrogant d*** but he’s not. Xavier has had his sights on Tamara for a long time and it was so cute seeing him all flustered when he talked to her. I instantly fell in love with Xavier and the situations that he landed himself with Tamara were hilarious. I loved his effort to win Tamara’s heart. He certainly captured mine.

Overall, this was a great summer read! Perfect fluffiness in the form of a new adult novel where most guy MC’s are tattooed and bad news. I liked this change of scenery and definitely recommend it to fellow bookworms. I promise you’ll fall head over heels in love with the romance and humor. This is an indie gem I was glad to have stumbled upon.

A gripping new voice in young adult fiction – Kasie West delivers a fresh and riveting fantasy story that will leave you wanting more.

This book was purely magic! It was MAGIC, I tell you! !! I have had this book sitting on my shelf since March when I went to the Yappiest event in Disney. Anyways, I put on the back burner not really knowing if I should read it, but being berated (not really) by my friends to read it.

Needless to say, I didn’t regret it for a second and I am completely and utterly excited for the sequel Split Second to be released soon!

I won’t bore you with my own summary of the novel because the synopsis is self-explanatory. In Addie’s world there are people who have special abilities like telekinesis, clairvoyance, ect. She lives in a hidden compound in the mountains where people who have gifts live separately from the “Norms.” Within the compound, those with abilities learn to develop and expand their gift. Those who live on the outside don’t have an ounce of knowledge that people like Addie exist.

The story is told from Addie’s p.o.v. in first person present tense. Every chapter is split between two alternate paths, which I found really interesting and fresh. I’ve never read something like this, in which a girl has the power to see two possible paths based on a decision. It sounds like it would be confusing, but West’s writing easily flowed with no awkwardness.

Each chapter also began with a word and it’s definition. Every word held emotion and was a glimpse to what may lie ahead in the chapter. This was one of my favorite aspects of the novel, to see that West took her time in finding the right word to integrate to each chapter with clarity and depth.

Addie Coleman was an interesting female MC. I really liked her and at times, found that I related to her.

When I read, I feel emotion all on my own. Emotion no living person is making me feel. To me, it almost seems more real; because I know those characters can’t influence me with any power.

I think any person who is a lover of books can relate to the above ^^ I know I did. Addie is also sort of sassy and her own person. She doesn’t let anyone dictate her life, and even when they do she speaks up. She alone has the power to make a decision, and sometimes that is hard, especially when she has to decide to live out a bad possibility to steer clear of a worse one. Lastly, I really love how she is kind of quiet and witty. All in all, I really loved Addie and found her character refreshing and enticing! Her voice is what drives the story and it’s what essentially made me love this book.

Pivot Point also holds two possible love interests in Duke and Trevor. I loved them both (at first) but in the end only one boy completely wins my heart, err Addie’s heart. Duke is the quarterback for Lincoln High. He’s also the most popular guy in school. Trevor used to be a star football player until an injury put him on the bench permanently. Between the alternate futures, we (the reader) see how her relationship with both Duke and Trevor blossoms. I really loved how both guys were pivotal in some way in each of Addie’s possible futures. Their purpose wasn’t just as a “love interest” but offered more to the story. They fueled lies, startling revelations, and danger.

Last but certainly not least, are the side characters. They were fan-tab-olous! I loved Addie’s best friend Lalia and even Rowan. There was something cute and endearing about him even though Addie thought he was a total creep in the beginning. Lalia, on the other hand, is a force to be reckoned with, but I liked her nonetheless. Much like Trevor and Duke, Lalia and Rowan offered a further drive in Addie’s story, making it steadily progress into heart-pounding revelations and action.

Pivot Point was and is possibly one of my favorite reads this month thus far. I read it in 3 sittings and found myself devouring the pages with interest and intrigue. A gripping new voice in young adult fiction – Kasie West delivers a fresh and riveting fantasy story that will leave you wanting more. I highly recommend this book to all you bookish lovers! It is a new series that you’ll thoroughly enjoy! And maybe just like me, you’ll be dying to have the sequel in your hands the next second!

Kasie West has also gained a new fan in me! I have her newly released contemporary novel, The Distance Between Us, thanks to my friend Crystal! I can’t wait to sink into it! :D

P.S. Pivot Point is on sale on Amazon for only 1.99! Definite e-book bargain! !!

Originally 3.5 stars


This book is intended for readers 17+ due to strong language and sexual situations.

From the occasional NA reads that I have read Promise Me This was a pretty good read and start to a series. The story revolves around Charlie and her trip to San Diego, where she is there to pack up her recently deceased brother’s things at his apartment. It is there that she meets Jett and finds out things that she never knew about her brother, Cam. Charlie is thrust into a journey of self-discovery, truths, and love.

I really liked Jones writing style. It easily flowed and thought that Charlie and Jhett’s character development grew the further the story progressed. I also liked the romance between the two. Charlie is this southern belle while Jhett is this hard, tattooed guy. There are extreme opposites, yet there is something there between them. The chemistry crackled and was really well done. The only thing that annoyed me and caused my inner grammar bee to cringe was the array of typos throughout the story. It’s easily fixed and didn’t take away from the interesting plot line, but it did bother me. Just a wee bit.

Although, the story was good, I particularly didn’t find myself enthralled by it. This in part, had to do with my detachment towards the characters. I didn’t relate to Charlie, though I did sympathized for her. On the other hand, this doesn’t mean that I didn’t enjoy the story. Just that I didn’t love or fall head over heels with it. The story is interesting enough that I read through it with no qualms. Maybe it had to do with the romance. I’m kind of a sucker for romance.

Then there is Jhett who I really did like! He’s this bad boy musician turned chef with a kind heart. I liked his honesty and loyalty to Cam. He made some promises to Cam where Charlie is concerned and he tries to keep them as best he can. That to me, is an A+ in my book! As I’ve said before, their romance is really sweet and gradual. Charlie decides to stay the summer in San Diego where she grows closer to Jhett over dinner and nights out. It all is very swoon worthy. As the reader delves deeper into the story we find out that Jhett may have had something to do with Cam’s accident.

Dun. Dun. Dunnn.

As you’ve guessed it, things kind of go on a rough route for Charlie and Jhett.

Then,

it

ENDS.

Yep.

Sarah Ashley Jones is a tease.

Even though I just liked the book overall, I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series. The ending gave me hope that things will work out between Jhett and Charlie even after the harsh truth. I theorize that things aren’t always what they seem and there is more to the mystery to be solved! Also, I just want some more romance between the two! Yeah. I’m greedy. All in all, I think you should check out this series! It wouldn’t hurt and if you’re a fan of romance this is definitely a book worth picking up as a leisure, fluffy read.

It was FANTASTIC. Full review will be up soon! :)

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To simply put it, I adored Stephanie Constante’s Pygmalia. It had the right amount of suspense, mystery, and romance. From the moment I picked it up, I was thrust into a world of magic. Lily could care less about the fortune she is to acquire when she comes of age. All Lily cares about is being at her true home with her mother. She dreads spending the summer with her father in a run-down mansion in England. But this summer is different. It’s the last and certainly the most exciting one she’s ever had.

In her father’s basement, Lily finds Adam. A cyborg – per se. With time Lily and Adam form a bound that inevitably leads Lily to make a difficult decision that may jeopardize her family.

I just loved the forbidden romance in this. I mean, c’mon. Who has ever heard of a half-human/half-machine? I certainly have not! Nor, have I ever read of such a thing in existence. I think it’s one of the reasons that I really liked this novel. Why I was completely enthralled with it from the moment I started reading. – I also liked the fact that, even though, their love is doomed (because he was made to be a war machine and she is to go back to America) they both still persist and defy Lily’s father.

I liked Lily’s stubbornness and gall. She had every reason to fear Adam, yet, she knows that he is just as alone as she is and that there is more to him then what he was made for. Then there is Adam who is this machine made for war. He’s strong, but weak at the same time. His weakness is his love Lily – humanity. He goes through great lengths to protect her and to save her. I couldn’t help but like him. A lot. I’m a sucker, okay?

The pacing for the novel was great. There was never a dull moment. The beginning was actually very creepy and dark. Definite brownie points to Stephanie for that factor! I don’t scare easy, but I was a wee bit frightened there for a sec.

Overall, this was a really great book! The story line is original and captivating. I am really excited because this is the first in a series and I cannot wait to see what else Constante has in store for Lily and Adam! Definitely recommend this read for all YA lovers out there.

When Amelia Hoffman discovers that she is more than human, things escalate quickly. Supernatural beings begin to surface and a murder plagues a community. Twined with mystery, romance, and heart-pounding action, Natural Selection has everything that I love in YA.

When I picked up Natural Selection, it proved to be more than what I was expecting. The magical creatures that are integrated throughout the novel are endless. For example, her sister is a succubus and her brother is a Djinn, while Amelia is a Gaia. She is a creature of nature and has the ability to heal and work with plants/greenery. I loved that there wasn’t a specific supernatural being. It was different and added to the unique and creative story line that Sharp created.

I really liked Amelia Hoffman. Her character is by far one of the youngest that I have read this year. I remember when I was fifteen and it’s much to the insecurities that Amelia faces. She’s sort of plain, but as the novel progresses she blossoms into a beautiful creature (no pun intended). Her feelings towards a certain boy *cough* her brothers’ best friend *cough* is really sweet. He seems to know more about her than she does. Mysterious, eh?

While we’re on the topic of love, Nathaniel, the love interest, is just so sweet and loyal. I just wanted to hug him. Okay, more like attack bear hug him. But still. His fierce protectiveness over Amelia was by far one of my favorite parts. What can I say? I’m a sucker for romance.

Aside from supernatural beings, there are also witches. But the witches in Amelia’s world aren’t the good guys. It’s also difficult to trust people when enemies turn out to be the unlikeliest of people.

Another thing that I really enjoyed about this novel was the realistic bond between the characters. I loved that strong connection between family. As a reader, you could really see how much Amelia cared for her brother and sister. Her parents as well. Amelia is willing to do anything it takes to save her family. I found that admirable.

Lastly, I really enjoyed Sharp’s writing style. It flowed easily and well, it was just fun to read.

All in all, Natural Selection was a great start to a series. The ending leaves you wanting more! Plus, isn’t the cover absolutely gorgeous??

Tera Lynn Childs does not disappoint with this brilliantly sassy sequel! Full thoughts will be posted soon! :)