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erinarkin20
This is one of those books that just grabs you from the very beginning and doesn't let go until you turn the last page. Even then I wanted more. Doller does a fabulous job of bringing the reader into Callie’s world and I have to admit, this is my first book by her but it will not be the last.
Callie was taken from her family at the age of 5 by her mother and has been living on the run. With a broken taillight, her mother is arrested and suddenly, after 12 years, Callie is introduced to a family she doesn't really know. I just wanted to give Callie a great big hug…she probably wouldn't have wanted it but I felt like she really needed one (or five).
On her first day back, understandably, Callie becomes overwhelmed – her family is Greek and they all really do care about her. She decides to go for a walk to the docks and comes across Alex Kosta where there appears to be an instant connection. It’s implied that Alex is a player – he is also gorgeous. I loved him. He is going through some tough family things as well and Doller made me want to give him hugs too…and maybe more. I mean, come on – a guy who says “All week I've wanted just three things: hot wings, cold beer, and you.” But seriously, when he starts saying things in Greek… big sighs.
Alex and Callie together are great. They bring out sides of each other that they don’t really feel like they can share with anyone else and I loved their trip snorkeling. Bit by bit, their connection becomes more than just physical attraction. They are drawn to each other and begin to share the things about themselves that no one else really knows.
Callie’s relationship with her mother is tough. Her mom clearly has issues and at times I was so angry with her and the way she treated Callie. I know she has a disease but I could feel Callie’s pain when she found out that if she had only taken her medication, Callie could have had a “normal” childhood. It was the fact that she decided what she wanted was more important than what was best for her child and when she destroyed the book – I was angry on the behalf of both Callie and Greg.
Callie’s father, Greg, is great. It is clear he is trying to adjust to the sudden addition of a seventeen year old girl to his family. He was trying so hard and Callie didn't know how to adapt to someone actually caring about where she goes and what she does. In my mind, eventually Callie tells him everything that happened while she was gone and they have the opportunity to heal together.
Kat is great for Callie – she loves her and although she doesn't completely understand what Callie has been through, she is trying. She is also very patient. Callie is slowly learning what it means to have a friend and how what she says and does impacts those around her.
Definitely go get this one when you can. I don’t want to give everything away so my review doesn't go into a lot of detail – just know that this is about family, love, healing, and so many more things that you won’t be able to put it down once you have started it.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing the ARC.
Callie was taken from her family at the age of 5 by her mother and has been living on the run. With a broken taillight, her mother is arrested and suddenly, after 12 years, Callie is introduced to a family she doesn't really know. I just wanted to give Callie a great big hug…she probably wouldn't have wanted it but I felt like she really needed one (or five).
On her first day back, understandably, Callie becomes overwhelmed – her family is Greek and they all really do care about her. She decides to go for a walk to the docks and comes across Alex Kosta where there appears to be an instant connection. It’s implied that Alex is a player – he is also gorgeous. I loved him. He is going through some tough family things as well and Doller made me want to give him hugs too…and maybe more. I mean, come on – a guy who says “All week I've wanted just three things: hot wings, cold beer, and you.” But seriously, when he starts saying things in Greek… big sighs.
Alex and Callie together are great. They bring out sides of each other that they don’t really feel like they can share with anyone else and I loved their trip snorkeling. Bit by bit, their connection becomes more than just physical attraction. They are drawn to each other and begin to share the things about themselves that no one else really knows.
Callie’s relationship with her mother is tough. Her mom clearly has issues and at times I was so angry with her and the way she treated Callie. I know she has a disease but I could feel Callie’s pain when she found out that if she had only taken her medication, Callie could have had a “normal” childhood. It was the fact that she decided what she wanted was more important than what was best for her child and when she destroyed the book – I was angry on the behalf of both Callie and Greg.
Callie’s father, Greg, is great. It is clear he is trying to adjust to the sudden addition of a seventeen year old girl to his family. He was trying so hard and Callie didn't know how to adapt to someone actually caring about where she goes and what she does. In my mind, eventually Callie tells him everything that happened while she was gone and they have the opportunity to heal together.
Kat is great for Callie – she loves her and although she doesn't completely understand what Callie has been through, she is trying. She is also very patient. Callie is slowly learning what it means to have a friend and how what she says and does impacts those around her.
Definitely go get this one when you can. I don’t want to give everything away so my review doesn't go into a lot of detail – just know that this is about family, love, healing, and so many more things that you won’t be able to put it down once you have started it.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing the ARC.
3.5 stars
First let me say that the cover on this book is gorgeous....and a little creepy but mostly gorgeous. When I first saw it I hoped that the story would draw me in just as much and it truly did. This is a fresh idea and the story kept me turning the pages to see what happens.
Elizabeth doesn't feel any emotions instead she can see them. When others are feeling courage, fear, guilt, etc., they appear but nothing appears to affect her – except for Fear. He is intrigued by Elizabeth and although he doesn't really understand it himself, he is determined to find out what is going on with her. Both Elizabeth and Fear believe that her story begins with an accident she was in when she was 4 and are linked to the dreams she constantly has.
Elizabeth’s life isn't easy. She has grown up on a farm in Wisconsin and ever since her accident, her family has felt she was different. Her mother (Sarah) has withdrawn from her over the years and her father (Tim) is abusive and drinks. Her brother (Charles) is the only one who makes a bit of an effort to engage with her but unfortunately he isn't around very often. On top of this, she is somewhat of an outcast at school. Her only friend, Maggie, has cancer and isn't ever in school and the only other person who is interested in her in a good way is Josh.
The story is about more than just Elizabeth’s relationships. She is trying to figure out why she is different from everyone as well as what this dream she continues to have means. As the story progresses, we see how the memories are slowly coming to the surface and ultimately what it means to Elizabeth.
The characters help make this an engaging story – Elizabeth, Fear, and Josh were great. I didn't get the purpose of Sophia – other than to play the “mean girl” and be antagonistic. A lot of her story could probably be lifted out and it wouldn't really bother me or interrupt the story at all.
Throughout the entire book I just wanted to give Josh a hug. He became the catalyst to Elizabeth remembering everything and I liked how it was done. He is much tougher than I expected but at the same time, he is still somewhat sensitive. I liked how Elizabeth was able to see each of the emotions triggered when he interacted with her…I also liked how she didn't take advantage of the fact that she knew exactly what he was feeling and use it to her advantage in any way. It was clear he also didn't have an easy life and he definitely felt a connection with Elizabeth. I was glad he didn't give up on her.
Fear…what can I say. He was by far my favorite. He was antagonistic, protective, and forced Elizabeth to see what she didn't really want to see. The first time he intervened with Tim…it was perfect. Their story (Fear and Elizabeth) is pretty complex but I was happy with the way the book ended.
Overall, this was a great debut novel by Sutton. She takes this story of a girl trying to figure out who she is and folds in a fresh idea. The characters are well developed and the story is engaging.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing the ARC in exchange for a review.
This review can be found on our blog, Fic Fare:
First let me say that the cover on this book is gorgeous....and a little creepy but mostly gorgeous. When I first saw it I hoped that the story would draw me in just as much and it truly did. This is a fresh idea and the story kept me turning the pages to see what happens.
Elizabeth doesn't feel any emotions instead she can see them. When others are feeling courage, fear, guilt, etc., they appear but nothing appears to affect her – except for Fear. He is intrigued by Elizabeth and although he doesn't really understand it himself, he is determined to find out what is going on with her. Both Elizabeth and Fear believe that her story begins with an accident she was in when she was 4 and are linked to the dreams she constantly has.
Elizabeth’s life isn't easy. She has grown up on a farm in Wisconsin and ever since her accident, her family has felt she was different. Her mother (Sarah) has withdrawn from her over the years and her father (Tim) is abusive and drinks. Her brother (Charles) is the only one who makes a bit of an effort to engage with her but unfortunately he isn't around very often. On top of this, she is somewhat of an outcast at school. Her only friend, Maggie, has cancer and isn't ever in school and the only other person who is interested in her in a good way is Josh.
The story is about more than just Elizabeth’s relationships. She is trying to figure out why she is different from everyone as well as what this dream she continues to have means. As the story progresses, we see how the memories are slowly coming to the surface and ultimately what it means to Elizabeth.
The characters help make this an engaging story – Elizabeth, Fear, and Josh were great. I didn't get the purpose of Sophia – other than to play the “mean girl” and be antagonistic. A lot of her story could probably be lifted out and it wouldn't really bother me or interrupt the story at all.
Throughout the entire book I just wanted to give Josh a hug. He became the catalyst to Elizabeth remembering everything and I liked how it was done. He is much tougher than I expected but at the same time, he is still somewhat sensitive. I liked how Elizabeth was able to see each of the emotions triggered when he interacted with her…I also liked how she didn't take advantage of the fact that she knew exactly what he was feeling and use it to her advantage in any way. It was clear he also didn't have an easy life and he definitely felt a connection with Elizabeth. I was glad he didn't give up on her.
Fear…what can I say. He was by far my favorite. He was antagonistic, protective, and forced Elizabeth to see what she didn't really want to see. The first time he intervened with Tim…it was perfect. Their story (Fear and Elizabeth) is pretty complex but I was happy with the way the book ended.
Overall, this was a great debut novel by Sutton. She takes this story of a girl trying to figure out who she is and folds in a fresh idea. The characters are well developed and the story is engaging.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing the ARC in exchange for a review.
This review can be found on our blog, Fic Fare:
4.5 stars
Josie Byrne’s world is falling apart – her parents are splitting up and her boyfriend and best friend are hooking up with each other behind her back. With all of this happening, Josie has started to have some weird dreams. Every 12 hours, at 3:59, she dreams about an alternate Josie…one who has a boyfriend and has picnics in the park, one who has nice things, and loving parents. While looking into a mirror that her mom made her chase down at her dad’s condo, Josie sees something that makes her think that these dreams may not really be dreams. There in the mirror is Josie, but not really her. There are slight differences and Josie realizes that she is looking at herself in an alternate universe.
Here is where the book really begins to get interesting. I will admit that at first I didn't really care for Josie, and I thought that if she continued to let everyone walk all over her as well as not do anything about what she was unhappy about I would want to punch her. Thankfully this doesn't last. As soon as she realizes what she is looking at in the mirror, she steps up and comes up with a plan to communicate with the other girl. When she does, she finds out the girl’s name is Jo and together they decide to swap universes for a day…I mean, what really can go wrong…right?
When the switch takes place, Josie adjusts fairly quickly. Clearly things weren't as perfect in Jo’s life as she was led to believe. As a matter of fact, there is a lot off including the fact that Jo neglected to mention the things that go bump in the night…literally. No one goes out in the dark because of the Nox and Josie quickly finds out what they can do. Thankfully someone comes along and helps her out of the mess and all she can think about is going home to her own world the next day. Unfortunately Jo has other plans. Turns out, she moved the mirror so that Josie can’t get through it again and now Josie is stuck.
Don't hate me but this is where I say you will need to go get this one when you can.
A lot happens in this book and it is definitely an action packed, quick read. This mostly has to do with the fact that on top of the alternate universe thing there is a bit of a mystery to solve. I couldn't stop turning the pages as I needed to know what was going on and who was betraying whom. And while the science was way beyond my basic knowledge it sounded believable. I would have liked a less abrupt ending – don’t get me wrong, it kind of fits but I felt like something was missing…perhaps there is more to come?
If you are looking for a different kind of story, check this one out. It has some solid characters and a great story that will keep you turning the pages.
Josie Byrne’s world is falling apart – her parents are splitting up and her boyfriend and best friend are hooking up with each other behind her back. With all of this happening, Josie has started to have some weird dreams. Every 12 hours, at 3:59, she dreams about an alternate Josie…one who has a boyfriend and has picnics in the park, one who has nice things, and loving parents. While looking into a mirror that her mom made her chase down at her dad’s condo, Josie sees something that makes her think that these dreams may not really be dreams. There in the mirror is Josie, but not really her. There are slight differences and Josie realizes that she is looking at herself in an alternate universe.
Here is where the book really begins to get interesting. I will admit that at first I didn't really care for Josie, and I thought that if she continued to let everyone walk all over her as well as not do anything about what she was unhappy about I would want to punch her. Thankfully this doesn't last. As soon as she realizes what she is looking at in the mirror, she steps up and comes up with a plan to communicate with the other girl. When she does, she finds out the girl’s name is Jo and together they decide to swap universes for a day…I mean, what really can go wrong…right?
When the switch takes place, Josie adjusts fairly quickly. Clearly things weren't as perfect in Jo’s life as she was led to believe. As a matter of fact, there is a lot off including the fact that Jo neglected to mention the things that go bump in the night…literally. No one goes out in the dark because of the Nox and Josie quickly finds out what they can do. Thankfully someone comes along and helps her out of the mess and all she can think about is going home to her own world the next day. Unfortunately Jo has other plans. Turns out, she moved the mirror so that Josie can’t get through it again and now Josie is stuck.
Don't hate me but this is where I say you will need to go get this one when you can.
A lot happens in this book and it is definitely an action packed, quick read. This mostly has to do with the fact that on top of the alternate universe thing there is a bit of a mystery to solve. I couldn't stop turning the pages as I needed to know what was going on and who was betraying whom. And while the science was way beyond my basic knowledge it sounded believable. I would have liked a less abrupt ending – don’t get me wrong, it kind of fits but I felt like something was missing…perhaps there is more to come?
If you are looking for a different kind of story, check this one out. It has some solid characters and a great story that will keep you turning the pages.
I have been waiting on this book and while at BEA almost jumped over the guard rail to grab a copy off of Susan Dennard’s table when I saw it…alas, I held back and was rewarded when my lovely friend Stacee (@bookjunkee) told me she found a copy in some magical bookstore near her. Of course, I dropped everything once I received it in the mail and OH MY GOD am I glad I did!
A Darkness Strange and Lovely picks up right where Something Strange and Deadly left off and this book dives right into everything. First, let me say that I love everything about this series…zombies, a great heroine, and a swoony boy. Second, if you haven’t started this series, I encourage you to get started. I am going to spoiler tag this entire review to make sure I don’t spoil anything for anyone. Just know that the following gif explains the majority of the review.
The story opens with Eleanor still in Philadelphia while the Spirit Hunters have moved on to Paris to fight of Les Morts. Right from the beginning, we realize how difficult things have been for Eleanor and despite her struggles and her wish to meet up with the group, she holds to her obligations to her mother and stays. She has no family left and her circumstances have put her in a lot of danger. Things have definitely not gone smoothly for her and I honestly just wanted to give her a hug.
Unfortunately Marcus has found her and while Eleanor has been preparing for this, she isn’t 100% ready to go. She quickly says her goodbyes and gets on a boat to Paris.
While on the boat, Eleanor can’t escape the danger and at the same time, crosses paths with Oliver. Oliver is the same “Ollie” mentioned in the letters from Elijah – and she finds out, happens to be a demon. With his assistance (I’m still unsure about whether he is really helping Eleanor or just interested in helping himself), Eleanor survives the Hell Hounds and ultimately does something that could impact her relationship with the Spirit Hunters.
I have mixed feelings regarding Ollie – there are times where I really like him and it shows that he cares about Eleanor and wants to help. Other times it was clear…he is a demon and doesn’t really care about anything other than what is important to him. He has his secrets and I have my own theories about his relationship with Elijah but I will keep them to myself until the next book. I am hoping the next book gives us more background on their story and time together.
So, I had to wait 200 pages before I got my first glimpse of Daniel in this book but what an entrance he made. Having read the novella shortly before reading this novel, it is clear what his feelings are toward Eleanor but since we are getting the story from her perspective, his actions gave me mixed feelings. As Jie mentioned, he is definitely making an effort to become a gentleman and rise above his past but I agree with Eleanor in that I like the old Daniel better than the fancy Paris gentleman. Don’t get me wrong, I think I love Daniel no matter what but he gives me the swoons when he is calling her Empress and talking normally (for him). Also…page 396 made me very, very happy….that is all I will say about that.
Once Joseph, Jie, and Daniel find out that Eleanor has been using her magic and working with Oliver, they change their views of her. They clearly see things in black and white and I found that frustrating – I wanted them all to understand what she had been through and keep in mind that she hasn’t had the luxury to think the same way. I am curious to see where their relationships go in book 3 based on where things were left between these characters.
Overall this was a great second book and a great lead in to the next chapter in Eleanor’s adventures. I look forward to the next book and am willing to offer up something in exchange for an early copy….cookies or whatever. Seriously….whatever.
If you haven’t started this series, definitely check it out. You have time to get and read book one AND the novella (which happens to be about Daniel…just in case you needed to be convinced) before this book comes out in July.
You can find this review on my blog - Fic Fare.
A Darkness Strange and Lovely picks up right where Something Strange and Deadly left off and this book dives right into everything. First, let me say that I love everything about this series…zombies, a great heroine, and a swoony boy. Second, if you haven’t started this series, I encourage you to get started. I am going to spoiler tag this entire review to make sure I don’t spoil anything for anyone. Just know that the following gif explains the majority of the review.
Spoiler
The story opens with Eleanor still in Philadelphia while the Spirit Hunters have moved on to Paris to fight of Les Morts. Right from the beginning, we realize how difficult things have been for Eleanor and despite her struggles and her wish to meet up with the group, she holds to her obligations to her mother and stays. She has no family left and her circumstances have put her in a lot of danger. Things have definitely not gone smoothly for her and I honestly just wanted to give her a hug.
Unfortunately Marcus has found her and while Eleanor has been preparing for this, she isn’t 100% ready to go. She quickly says her goodbyes and gets on a boat to Paris.
While on the boat, Eleanor can’t escape the danger and at the same time, crosses paths with Oliver. Oliver is the same “Ollie” mentioned in the letters from Elijah – and she finds out, happens to be a demon. With his assistance (I’m still unsure about whether he is really helping Eleanor or just interested in helping himself), Eleanor survives the Hell Hounds and ultimately does something that could impact her relationship with the Spirit Hunters.
I have mixed feelings regarding Ollie – there are times where I really like him and it shows that he cares about Eleanor and wants to help. Other times it was clear…he is a demon and doesn’t really care about anything other than what is important to him. He has his secrets and I have my own theories about his relationship with Elijah but I will keep them to myself until the next book. I am hoping the next book gives us more background on their story and time together.
So, I had to wait 200 pages before I got my first glimpse of Daniel in this book but what an entrance he made. Having read the novella shortly before reading this novel, it is clear what his feelings are toward Eleanor but since we are getting the story from her perspective, his actions gave me mixed feelings. As Jie mentioned, he is definitely making an effort to become a gentleman and rise above his past but I agree with Eleanor in that I like the old Daniel better than the fancy Paris gentleman. Don’t get me wrong, I think I love Daniel no matter what but he gives me the swoons when he is calling her Empress and talking normally (for him). Also…page 396 made me very, very happy….that is all I will say about that.
Once Joseph, Jie, and Daniel find out that Eleanor has been using her magic and working with Oliver, they change their views of her. They clearly see things in black and white and I found that frustrating – I wanted them all to understand what she had been through and keep in mind that she hasn’t had the luxury to think the same way. I am curious to see where their relationships go in book 3 based on where things were left between these characters.
Overall this was a great second book and a great lead in to the next chapter in Eleanor’s adventures. I look forward to the next book and am willing to offer up something in exchange for an early copy….cookies or whatever. Seriously….whatever.
If you haven’t started this series, definitely check it out. You have time to get and read book one AND the novella (which happens to be about Daniel…just in case you needed to be convinced) before this book comes out in July.
You can find this review on my blog - Fic Fare.
4.5 stars
Losing Hope is listed as Hopeless #2 and to an extent it is but I honestly felt like this wasn't just a retelling of Hopeless. The reason is that not only is this book told from Holder’s point of view, but we also get to dive into some of the things that were outside the scope of Sky’s knowledge. Yes, there is some overlap but it was done in all the right places (remember the first date??) and done in a way that didn't just seem like a retelling. If you haven’t read Hopeless yet, definitely check it out and then while you’re at it, order a copy of Losing Hope so that you can read it immediately after. I almost wish I had re-read Hopeless before diving into this one.
Holder is intense….not only do I think this, it is called out right in the book. He has dealt with a lot of things kids his age shouldn't have to but he continues to push forward and in the end comes out a stronger man. Don’t get me wrong, he makes mistakes along the way but that is what you’re supposed to do as a kid. Unfortunately, he takes everything onto himself and blames himself for things that are completely outside of his control. I loved the letter from Les to Holder – in my mind that is what helps him to move forward and let go of some of those things.
It was great to see from Holder’s point of view how his relationship developed with Sky. Going from like, to live, to love…it was lovely. All the things that he appreciated in her and called out in his head (the attitude, her baking, the rudeness, etc.) helped me see just what it was, outside of her possibly being Hope, that made him fall for her. It was important to see how much he doubted himself and whether he could trust his instincts about her and when he realized just how right he was, he almost couldn't help being angry with himself all over again.
In Losing Hope we also get to see Holder’s relationship with Daniel. Daniel honestly is perfect for the friend role – I honestly don’t remember him from Hopeless (possibly because it has been a while since I read it….also maybe he wasn't as prominent there due to that one being from Sky’s point of view) but he made the first few chapters of this book enjoyable. He is the person that helps Holder when he comes back to school and in his own way, protects him. He’s weird and doesn't like anyone (his own words) but he’s there for Holder when he needs to be and continues to stand by him.
If you have enjoyed any of Colleen Hoover’s books in the past, you will most likely enjoy this one. The main storyline obviously doesn't change and follows alongside Hopeless so if you have read that, you know what happens but the great thing here is that you get a different viewpoint and a slightly different story because of who is telling it. I myself happen to be a huge fan of Colleen Hoover’s work so no surprise here that I loved this book. Fans of Holder will definitely enjoy and appreciate it...I'm sure of that.
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the review copy.
This review can be found on my blog - Fic Fare.
Losing Hope is listed as Hopeless #2 and to an extent it is but I honestly felt like this wasn't just a retelling of Hopeless. The reason is that not only is this book told from Holder’s point of view, but we also get to dive into some of the things that were outside the scope of Sky’s knowledge. Yes, there is some overlap but it was done in all the right places (remember the first date??) and done in a way that didn't just seem like a retelling. If you haven’t read Hopeless yet, definitely check it out and then while you’re at it, order a copy of Losing Hope so that you can read it immediately after. I almost wish I had re-read Hopeless before diving into this one.
Holder is intense….not only do I think this, it is called out right in the book. He has dealt with a lot of things kids his age shouldn't have to but he continues to push forward and in the end comes out a stronger man. Don’t get me wrong, he makes mistakes along the way but that is what you’re supposed to do as a kid. Unfortunately, he takes everything onto himself and blames himself for things that are completely outside of his control. I loved the letter from Les to Holder – in my mind that is what helps him to move forward and let go of some of those things.
It was great to see from Holder’s point of view how his relationship developed with Sky. Going from like, to live, to love…it was lovely. All the things that he appreciated in her and called out in his head (the attitude, her baking, the rudeness, etc.) helped me see just what it was, outside of her possibly being Hope, that made him fall for her. It was important to see how much he doubted himself and whether he could trust his instincts about her and when he realized just how right he was, he almost couldn't help being angry with himself all over again.
In Losing Hope we also get to see Holder’s relationship with Daniel. Daniel honestly is perfect for the friend role – I honestly don’t remember him from Hopeless (possibly because it has been a while since I read it….also maybe he wasn't as prominent there due to that one being from Sky’s point of view) but he made the first few chapters of this book enjoyable. He is the person that helps Holder when he comes back to school and in his own way, protects him. He’s weird and doesn't like anyone (his own words) but he’s there for Holder when he needs to be and continues to stand by him.
If you have enjoyed any of Colleen Hoover’s books in the past, you will most likely enjoy this one. The main storyline obviously doesn't change and follows alongside Hopeless so if you have read that, you know what happens but the great thing here is that you get a different viewpoint and a slightly different story because of who is telling it. I myself happen to be a huge fan of Colleen Hoover’s work so no surprise here that I loved this book. Fans of Holder will definitely enjoy and appreciate it...I'm sure of that.
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the review copy.
This review can be found on my blog - Fic Fare.
This story was somewhat heartbreaking to me.
Anna is the main character and grows up in a household that at first seems loving. Over time, her mother focuses more on the men in her life and her job instead of anything to do with Anna.
Anna's relationship with boys is what propels the book along. She doesn't really understand how relationships work and it is hard to believe the she is only 16 years old in this story. She is fairly open sexually at a young age and I believe she was only 15 (or about that age) when she moved in with one of her boyfriends.
Another aspect to this story is the fact that Anna doesn't have many girlfriends. There is one girl, Nancy, who stops being her friend when she does something with a boy on the school bus. Eventually she becomes best friends with Toy. Their relationship is interesting - neither of them have a perfect life but all we hear about throughout the book are all the different boys Toy has in her life and how they love her and buy her things. The entire time, Anna struggles with why the boys she knows don't act the same.
Eventually Anna meets Sam. They start having a relationship and he and his family show her what life should be like for a girl her age. They are loving and Sam takes his time getting to know her.
I really liked the ending of the story.
Anna is the main character and grows up in a household that at first seems loving. Over time, her mother focuses more on the men in her life and her job instead of anything to do with Anna.
Anna's relationship with boys is what propels the book along. She doesn't really understand how relationships work and it is hard to believe the she is only 16 years old in this story. She is fairly open sexually at a young age and I believe she was only 15 (or about that age) when she moved in with one of her boyfriends.
Another aspect to this story is the fact that Anna doesn't have many girlfriends. There is one girl, Nancy, who stops being her friend when she does something with a boy on the school bus. Eventually she becomes best friends with Toy. Their relationship is interesting - neither of them have a perfect life but all we hear about throughout the book are all the different boys Toy has in her life and how they love her and buy her things. The entire time, Anna struggles with why the boys she knows don't act the same.
Spoiler
The end could have ruined their friendship and I am glad that the author opened the door back up with the way she ended the book.Eventually Anna meets Sam. They start having a relationship and he and his family show her what life should be like for a girl her age. They are loving and Sam takes his time getting to know her.
I really liked the ending of the story.
Spoiler
The way the author brought Anna's relationship with her best friend Toy around and also the fact that she was able to tie it up with an introduction between Toy and Sam was nice.
A big thank you to Tracey Garvis Graves for giving us more of this story. Uncharted gives us a view of the island before Anna and TJ ended up on it along with Owen’s story. The novella actually opens with Owen walking up to Anna and TJ’s house which allows us a glimpse into their life and we are introduced to Owen and how his story merges with theirs.
Owen is getting away from it all. After having a lot of success in the dot com boom of the 90’s, he has made the decision that he doesn't want to deal with all of the things that come with that success. He doesn't trust his business partners to make the right decisions any longer, his family is feeling very entitled to his money and he has had it.
After researching and planning, Owen purposely goes to the most remote island and he was able to leave any time he wanted. I loved how his story was written from that perspective as it gave me a completely different view of the island than I had with Anna and TJ. It was great to read his journal entries and see how he managed on the island all by himself. His story also answers some questions around who lived there and what happened on the island prior to Anna and TJ ending up there.
The way the stories are tied together is what makes this book so well done. Not only do we see what happened to Owen while he was on the island but as he is telling his story, we realize just how different things could have been had certain events happened. The fact that Owen has almost blamed himself for their fate (a bit) said a lot about who he is but also the fact that Anna and TJ have moved beyond the “what if” stuff and decided to embrace life as it is was pivotal.
While the story was not really about Anna and TJ I have to say I loved how there were chapters from their points of view - it definitely added to the story to be able to get their reactions to what Owen was telling them from them directly.
If you enjoyed On the Island, you will definitely want to read this novella and not just because Anna and TJ are included. Owen was a great addition to this story and his perspective brings a different view that one might not expect regarding the island based on reading On the Island. If you haven’t done so already, trust me when I say you should run out and get this one and dive right it – you can thank me later.
Owen is getting away from it all. After having a lot of success in the dot com boom of the 90’s, he has made the decision that he doesn't want to deal with all of the things that come with that success. He doesn't trust his business partners to make the right decisions any longer, his family is feeling very entitled to his money and he has had it.
After researching and planning, Owen purposely goes to the most remote island and he was able to leave any time he wanted. I loved how his story was written from that perspective as it gave me a completely different view of the island than I had with Anna and TJ. It was great to read his journal entries and see how he managed on the island all by himself. His story also answers some questions around who lived there and what happened on the island prior to Anna and TJ ending up there.
The way the stories are tied together is what makes this book so well done. Not only do we see what happened to Owen while he was on the island but as he is telling his story, we realize just how different things could have been had certain events happened. The fact that Owen has almost blamed himself for their fate (a bit) said a lot about who he is but also the fact that Anna and TJ have moved beyond the “what if” stuff and decided to embrace life as it is was pivotal.
While the story was not really about Anna and TJ I have to say I loved how there were chapters from their points of view - it definitely added to the story to be able to get their reactions to what Owen was telling them from them directly.
If you enjoyed On the Island, you will definitely want to read this novella and not just because Anna and TJ are included. Owen was a great addition to this story and his perspective brings a different view that one might not expect regarding the island based on reading On the Island. If you haven’t done so already, trust me when I say you should run out and get this one and dive right it – you can thank me later.
3.5 stars
Jillian is 21 and definitely not looking for a long-term relationship. She is a Junior in college and every week since freshman year has been going out with her girlfriends for “boy catching night”.
Unfortunately (in Jillian’s opinion) things have been changing, as both her close friends have moved into relationships and Jillian has refused to even consider anything more than a one night stand. The book opens chapter one with Jillian waking up to the smells of breakfast being made which she is firmly opposed to since she doesn't typically want the guys she hooks up with staying longer than necessary.
Enter Liam…he is definitely swoony and happens to say all the right things. On top of that, he is Scottish and if you don’t know this about me, I appreciate a great guy character who knows how to woo a woman and just happens to have an accent.
Example 1: “Making a beautiful woman breakfast after a night of debauchery is the definition of polite.”
Example 2: “You look unbelievably sexy. I’m afraid we won’t be getting any sleep tonight.”
There are more lines – and in skimming my notes it appears most of the ones I noted revolved around his willingness to make Jillian breakfast….anytime.
Although Liam knows he will be going back to Scotland after the school year, he knows he wants more than a one night stand with Jillian. Unfortunately, he has his work cut out for him and he has to work hard to get anywhere with her. He is definitely willing to put up with her antics and figure out what he needs to do to win her over and eventually he does. As with anyone though, he has his limits on what he will put up with and because of the secret that Jillian is keeping from him, he is a bit behind the curve when it comes to her. Lucky for Jillian he is someone who doesn't give up easily and is very determined to give their relationship everything he has. If not for that, they wouldn't have made it past the one night stand.
From the beginning it is clear that Jillian is hiding something. She takes medications and has brief episodes that are unexplained to the reader until a fairly significant episode hits her. Because of her illness, she makes some choices that I wouldn't necessarily agree with - mostly around her relationships – both with Liam and her mother. She continuously wants to feel useful because she is worried there will be a point in her life where she won’t be able to be.
I found myself a bit frustrated with Jillian’s character – I get it, she is losing control of certain aspects of her life. It seemed to me that she was a bit over the top - perhaps it is because I’m not in college (and haven’t been for a while) but as loose as she appears to be, I didn't understand how she could get any fulfillment – outside of the moment – from it and it actually made her seem less in control since, we never got to hear from her how it made her feel and what she really got out of it.
Jillian’s relationship with her mother is a huge point of the story. It is clear there are issues between them – her mother (Tara) would prefer it if she moved back to California so she could keep closer tabs on Jillian. At least that is what Jillian thinks…come to find out it isn't really that she wants to control Jillian it is that she is worried about her and despite what Jillian thinks, really does love her. It was great to see the relationship between these two characters evolve over the span of the story. At first I did think Tara was just trying to control every aspect of Jillian’s life but eventually (when the characters actually talked about things) it was clear the concern was because Tara loved her and wanted what was best for Jillian.
It is clear that Jillian relies on her friendship with Jess and Cassie to help her get through college. They are very close and although their relationships with their boyfriends have caused their relationships to change, they are still very close. It was a completely relatable situation because we've all been in those situations that when a close girlfriend starts dating a guy, they sometimes disappear for a while and that is what Jillian seems to be working through. Jess has school and Brett while Cassie is very much invested in Trevor. Although their relationships were briefly mentioned, we don’t get to see too much of them. I am curious to learn more as I feel like there is more to each of these stories that we didn't get to dig into in this book.
Overall I enjoyed this book. There were some minor editing issues but nothing that took away from the overall tone and feel of the book. I found that it was a quick read and Sophia Bleu definitely knows how to write the steamy scenes. On top of that, Jillian’s story (there is definitely some angst here) kept me turning the pages to see what was going to happen next. I always appreciate a good story, a swoony male lead and a headstrong, opinionated female lead so in the end I can clearly say that this book kept me engaged and I look forward to seeing what the rest of the series has in store. Hopefully this isn't the last we've seen of Liam as he was definitely one of the reasons I think I enjoyed it so much.
This review can be found on my blog: Fic Fare
Jillian is 21 and definitely not looking for a long-term relationship. She is a Junior in college and every week since freshman year has been going out with her girlfriends for “boy catching night”.
Unfortunately (in Jillian’s opinion) things have been changing, as both her close friends have moved into relationships and Jillian has refused to even consider anything more than a one night stand. The book opens chapter one with Jillian waking up to the smells of breakfast being made which she is firmly opposed to since she doesn't typically want the guys she hooks up with staying longer than necessary.
Enter Liam…he is definitely swoony and happens to say all the right things. On top of that, he is Scottish and if you don’t know this about me, I appreciate a great guy character who knows how to woo a woman and just happens to have an accent.
Example 1: “Making a beautiful woman breakfast after a night of debauchery is the definition of polite.”
Example 2: “You look unbelievably sexy. I’m afraid we won’t be getting any sleep tonight.”
There are more lines – and in skimming my notes it appears most of the ones I noted revolved around his willingness to make Jillian breakfast….anytime.
Although Liam knows he will be going back to Scotland after the school year, he knows he wants more than a one night stand with Jillian. Unfortunately, he has his work cut out for him and he has to work hard to get anywhere with her. He is definitely willing to put up with her antics and figure out what he needs to do to win her over and eventually he does. As with anyone though, he has his limits on what he will put up with and because of the secret that Jillian is keeping from him, he is a bit behind the curve when it comes to her. Lucky for Jillian he is someone who doesn't give up easily and is very determined to give their relationship everything he has. If not for that, they wouldn't have made it past the one night stand.
From the beginning it is clear that Jillian is hiding something. She takes medications and has brief episodes that are unexplained to the reader until a fairly significant episode hits her. Because of her illness, she makes some choices that I wouldn't necessarily agree with - mostly around her relationships – both with Liam and her mother. She continuously wants to feel useful because she is worried there will be a point in her life where she won’t be able to be.
I found myself a bit frustrated with Jillian’s character – I get it, she is losing control of certain aspects of her life. It seemed to me that she was a bit over the top - perhaps it is because I’m not in college (and haven’t been for a while) but as loose as she appears to be, I didn't understand how she could get any fulfillment – outside of the moment – from it and it actually made her seem less in control since, we never got to hear from her how it made her feel and what she really got out of it.
Jillian’s relationship with her mother is a huge point of the story. It is clear there are issues between them – her mother (Tara) would prefer it if she moved back to California so she could keep closer tabs on Jillian. At least that is what Jillian thinks…come to find out it isn't really that she wants to control Jillian it is that she is worried about her and despite what Jillian thinks, really does love her. It was great to see the relationship between these two characters evolve over the span of the story. At first I did think Tara was just trying to control every aspect of Jillian’s life but eventually (when the characters actually talked about things) it was clear the concern was because Tara loved her and wanted what was best for Jillian.
It is clear that Jillian relies on her friendship with Jess and Cassie to help her get through college. They are very close and although their relationships with their boyfriends have caused their relationships to change, they are still very close. It was a completely relatable situation because we've all been in those situations that when a close girlfriend starts dating a guy, they sometimes disappear for a while and that is what Jillian seems to be working through. Jess has school and Brett while Cassie is very much invested in Trevor. Although their relationships were briefly mentioned, we don’t get to see too much of them. I am curious to learn more as I feel like there is more to each of these stories that we didn't get to dig into in this book.
Overall I enjoyed this book. There were some minor editing issues but nothing that took away from the overall tone and feel of the book. I found that it was a quick read and Sophia Bleu definitely knows how to write the steamy scenes. On top of that, Jillian’s story (there is definitely some angst here) kept me turning the pages to see what was going to happen next. I always appreciate a good story, a swoony male lead and a headstrong, opinionated female lead so in the end I can clearly say that this book kept me engaged and I look forward to seeing what the rest of the series has in store. Hopefully this isn't the last we've seen of Liam as he was definitely one of the reasons I think I enjoyed it so much.
This review can be found on my blog: Fic Fare