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momwithareadingproblem
Initial Reaction:
I really wanted to like this book. No one is more disappointed that I didn't than me!
Cress by Marissa Meyer is book three of the Lunar Chronicles and picks up a few weeks after the end of Scarlet. (Spoiler Warning: if you haven't read the previous books in this series, there are minor unavoidable spoilers in this review.) Cinder, Scarlet, Thorne, and Wolf are in space, avoiding all satellites and ships that pass by them thanks to their yet unknown friend Cress. Cress is a Lunar shell with a gift for technology, who her mistress Sybil, the head Thaumaturge, keeps on a satellite all by herself. Her only job is to monitor all the cameras they have on Earth and keep the Lunar ships from being detected. Can Cinder save her from the satellite and together can they stop Kai's impending marriage to Levana in time?
Okay so I've waited a few weeks to write this review, hoping my feelings would change but they haven't. I just didn't care for this book at all, which is such a disappoint after how much I loved Scarlet :( Honestly the whole time I was reading it I kept thinking that things would change, I kept HOPING things would change, but they didn't. Cress was predictable, caused a lot of eye-rolling and was VERY cliche. Then the ending happened.....
The ending saved the book/series for me. I honestly didn't want to continue reading at all until the end. Now I'm at least looking forward to Winter :D
Ok it's no shocker I love Captain Thorne. So does Cress. However my views of Captain Thorne (as well as all the readers) are a lot different than Cress's. Cress, bless her heart, is under the delusion that Thorne is her prince charming. I love Thorne (I said that already didn't I?) but he is NO prince charming. He's a womanizer, selfish, and a thief....but I guess even a thief can be charming right :::eyeball:::
Now to why I was so disappointed with this book. Each book in this series is based (loosely) on a fairy tale. In each book, the princess gets her prince. This worked well with Cinder and Kai and Scarlet and Wolf. They clicked, they fit. This didn't work well for Thorne and Cress. At least I didn't think so. The whole book I kept thinking that she was going to wake up and realize that Thorne was not her prince charming that she made him out to be. I felt like this was just so cliche. Thorne and Cress....ugh!!!
Then the ending was REALLY drug out. I mean more than five chapters on a 24 hours period drug out....I mean I kept thinking how much more detailed can this get?! Now I enjoyed the ending as it made me realize why I fell in love with the series and I will be reading more. I just thought this whole book could have been done better. I'm a little hesitant to read Winter as my hopes were dashed with Cress.
If you've read this book, what did you think? Am I being to harsh? Should I reread it? I don't know. I just didn't buy into the romance in this book. Did you?
I really wanted to like this book. No one is more disappointed that I didn't than me!
Cress by Marissa Meyer is book three of the Lunar Chronicles and picks up a few weeks after the end of Scarlet. (Spoiler Warning: if you haven't read the previous books in this series, there are minor unavoidable spoilers in this review.) Cinder, Scarlet, Thorne, and Wolf are in space, avoiding all satellites and ships that pass by them thanks to their yet unknown friend Cress. Cress is a Lunar shell with a gift for technology, who her mistress Sybil, the head Thaumaturge, keeps on a satellite all by herself. Her only job is to monitor all the cameras they have on Earth and keep the Lunar ships from being detected. Can Cinder save her from the satellite and together can they stop Kai's impending marriage to Levana in time?
Okay so I've waited a few weeks to write this review, hoping my feelings would change but they haven't. I just didn't care for this book at all, which is such a disappoint after how much I loved Scarlet :( Honestly the whole time I was reading it I kept thinking that things would change, I kept HOPING things would change, but they didn't. Cress was predictable, caused a lot of eye-rolling and was VERY cliche. Then the ending happened.....
The ending saved the book/series for me. I honestly didn't want to continue reading at all until the end. Now I'm at least looking forward to Winter :D
She was a girl. A living girl, smart and sweet and awkward and unusual, and she was worth far more than they could ever realize.Cress is this sweet, innocent Lunar shell who realizes she has a way to rebel against Queen Levana and takes it. She contacts Cinder in book one about Levana's plan to kill Kai after the marriage and it's her that protects Cinder and Thorne from being found. She's naive and all too trusting of what the internet tells her. I like her, but as my grandmother would say "Bless her heart" she has no clue what the real world is like.
Ok it's no shocker I love Captain Thorne. So does Cress. However my views of Captain Thorne (as well as all the readers) are a lot different than Cress's. Cress, bless her heart, is under the delusion that Thorne is her prince charming. I love Thorne (I said that already didn't I?) but he is NO prince charming. He's a womanizer, selfish, and a thief....but I guess even a thief can be charming right :::eyeball:::
Now to why I was so disappointed with this book. Each book in this series is based (loosely) on a fairy tale. In each book, the princess gets her prince. This worked well with Cinder and Kai and Scarlet and Wolf. They clicked, they fit. This didn't work well for Thorne and Cress. At least I didn't think so. The whole book I kept thinking that she was going to wake up and realize that Thorne was not her prince charming that she made him out to be. I felt like this was just so cliche. Thorne and Cress....ugh!!!
Then the ending was REALLY drug out. I mean more than five chapters on a 24 hours period drug out....I mean I kept thinking how much more detailed can this get?! Now I enjoyed the ending as it made me realize why I fell in love with the series and I will be reading more. I just thought this whole book could have been done better. I'm a little hesitant to read Winter as my hopes were dashed with Cress.
If you've read this book, what did you think? Am I being to harsh? Should I reread it? I don't know. I just didn't buy into the romance in this book. Did you?
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
Mine to Spell by Janeal Falor is the follow up to [b:You Are Mine|17888912|You Are Mine (Mine, #1)|Janeal Falor|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1367880789s/17888912.jpg|24246098] and follows the story of the younger sister Cynthia. Cynthia has a secret, not only does she have more magic in her blood than her sister did, she can wield it! This leaves Cynthia in a dangerous situation but also one that could promote change in her country of Chardonia. If she’s brave enough, Cynthia could be the start of a rebellion and a way for women, including her younger sisters, to gain freedom. But can she do it?
First off, I loved the first book in this series and this one doesn’t disappoint! Cynthia is a different person from her sister Serena. Serena was quiet, followed the rules set out by her father, and is scared to death of magic. Cynthia is the complete opposite. She’s outspoken, LOVES magic, and while outwardly appeared to follow the rules did everything against them. She’s a great deceiver and boy did she deceive her family and close friends! Yet everything she does in this book proves not only what she can do but what lengths she is willing to go to protect her family. And believe me she’ll go the distance :D
While there is some romance (very light and very clean!) it’s not the focus as it was in [b:You Are Mine|17888912|You Are Mine (Mine, #1)|Janeal Falor|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1367880789s/17888912.jpg|24246098]. In that book, the relationship that builds between Zade and Serena was the main focus. In Mine to Spell, the main focus is Cynthia and her ability to wield magic. I found this aspect of Falor’s world fascinating! I loved learning more about the Chardonian’s way of life which for the women is basically slavery, but also the magical aspects and everything they can do.
I was horrified by the tournament, the same tournament that Zade won Serena in. This year’s tournament Cynthia competes and her training is the main focal point of the book. I have to say I loved every word!!! I cringed, I teared up, and I smiled A LOT! Cynthia was my favorite character in the first book and I love her even more now.
What I love about this series so far is that each book tells the story of different characters so that technically each book is a standalone. BUT the overreaching plot of the series ties each book together. A war is coming, I feel it and I can’t wait to see just where and who Falor takes us to next!
Review in a Gif:
Mine to Spell by Janeal Falor is the follow up to [b:You Are Mine|17888912|You Are Mine (Mine, #1)|Janeal Falor|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1367880789s/17888912.jpg|24246098] and follows the story of the younger sister Cynthia. Cynthia has a secret, not only does she have more magic in her blood than her sister did, she can wield it! This leaves Cynthia in a dangerous situation but also one that could promote change in her country of Chardonia. If she’s brave enough, Cynthia could be the start of a rebellion and a way for women, including her younger sisters, to gain freedom. But can she do it?
First off, I loved the first book in this series and this one doesn’t disappoint! Cynthia is a different person from her sister Serena. Serena was quiet, followed the rules set out by her father, and is scared to death of magic. Cynthia is the complete opposite. She’s outspoken, LOVES magic, and while outwardly appeared to follow the rules did everything against them. She’s a great deceiver and boy did she deceive her family and close friends! Yet everything she does in this book proves not only what she can do but what lengths she is willing to go to protect her family. And believe me she’ll go the distance :D
While there is some romance (very light and very clean!) it’s not the focus as it was in [b:You Are Mine|17888912|You Are Mine (Mine, #1)|Janeal Falor|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1367880789s/17888912.jpg|24246098]. In that book, the relationship that builds between Zade and Serena was the main focus. In Mine to Spell, the main focus is Cynthia and her ability to wield magic. I found this aspect of Falor’s world fascinating! I loved learning more about the Chardonian’s way of life which for the women is basically slavery, but also the magical aspects and everything they can do.
I was horrified by the tournament, the same tournament that Zade won Serena in. This year’s tournament Cynthia competes and her training is the main focal point of the book. I have to say I loved every word!!! I cringed, I teared up, and I smiled A LOT! Cynthia was my favorite character in the first book and I love her even more now.
What I love about this series so far is that each book tells the story of different characters so that technically each book is a standalone. BUT the overreaching plot of the series ties each book together. A war is coming, I feel it and I can’t wait to see just where and who Falor takes us to next!
Review in a Gif:
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
Note: If you have not read previous books in this series, there are minor unavoidable spoilers related to the character Katherine.
Mine to Tarnish by Janeal Falor shows the beginnings of a rebellion against the cruel Chardonian warlocks in the form of Katherine's story. Katherine has been sold by her father to an elderly, vicious warlock and rather than marry him, she runs away. This is her back story and I loved every word!
Katherine has been one of my favorite characters that pops up in the Mine series. She's a tarnished, basically a slave, living without a master as a seamstress when we first meet her in [b:You Are Mine|17888912|You Are Mine (Mine, #1)|Janeal Falor|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1367880789s/17888912.jpg|24246098]. Through this story we see her as a young woman, before she was tarnished, and are given a glimpse into the events that led up to it. I have to say I was both shocked and in awe of just how strong this character is!
Katherine is strong from the get go, independent, and refuses to live under any man, especially as his slave. She goes from this independent woman to a woman willing to fight the Chardonian empire and I love her for it :D
This story starts with Katherine learning of her engagement to a mean warlock and follows her through to escape. It adds a lot of background to the tarnished society as well as to the underlying rebellion that helps women like Katherine escape. I always knew there was more to her and this novella confirms it! And the ending.....ugh!!! I honestly couldn't stop crying. My heart broke for her yet I was so happy that she overcame it all.
Overall if you enjoy this series, this novella is a must! It's short (a day read) and it adds so much to the world Falor has created. I enjoyed every minute of it and I wouldn't trade it for anything! If you enjoy clean, young adult fantasy with a touch of romance, I highly recommend it!
Review in a Gif:
Note: If you have not read previous books in this series, there are minor unavoidable spoilers related to the character Katherine.
Mine to Tarnish by Janeal Falor shows the beginnings of a rebellion against the cruel Chardonian warlocks in the form of Katherine's story. Katherine has been sold by her father to an elderly, vicious warlock and rather than marry him, she runs away. This is her back story and I loved every word!
Katherine has been one of my favorite characters that pops up in the Mine series. She's a tarnished, basically a slave, living without a master as a seamstress when we first meet her in [b:You Are Mine|17888912|You Are Mine (Mine, #1)|Janeal Falor|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1367880789s/17888912.jpg|24246098]. Through this story we see her as a young woman, before she was tarnished, and are given a glimpse into the events that led up to it. I have to say I was both shocked and in awe of just how strong this character is!
Katherine is strong from the get go, independent, and refuses to live under any man, especially as his slave. She goes from this independent woman to a woman willing to fight the Chardonian empire and I love her for it :D
This story starts with Katherine learning of her engagement to a mean warlock and follows her through to escape. It adds a lot of background to the tarnished society as well as to the underlying rebellion that helps women like Katherine escape. I always knew there was more to her and this novella confirms it! And the ending.....ugh!!! I honestly couldn't stop crying. My heart broke for her yet I was so happy that she overcame it all.
Overall if you enjoy this series, this novella is a must! It's short (a day read) and it adds so much to the world Falor has created. I enjoyed every minute of it and I wouldn't trade it for anything! If you enjoy clean, young adult fantasy with a touch of romance, I highly recommend it!
Review in a Gif:
I received an eARC from Sourcebooks via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
Initial Reaction:
AND THEN
Spelled by [a:Betsy Schow|6563985|Betsy Schow|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] encompasses everything I LOVE and HATE about young adult fiction. Set in the land of fairy tales come to life, Dorthea is the spoiled princess and prisoner of the Emerald Palace. A curse placed on all the females of her family keeps her a prisoner in her own palace. Then one wish gone awry unlocks the laws of magic and sends Dorthea on a journey to save magic and the fairy tale kingdom from destruction.
What I Loved
A story set in Oz....well sorta ;) The entire story is set in a land of fairy tales, like every fairy tale you can think of has its own kingdom including the Land of Emerald. This makes for an exciting read as Dorthea and her ragtag group travel from kingdom to kingdom on their quest. AND the author ties these different kingdoms to scenes from The Wizard of Oz which of course I loved!
The Fantasy Elements....this story is full of fantastical creatures, magic, and infused with just the right amount of fairy tale and pop culture. It makes for an entertaining read! The imagery is surreal and perfect and I felt as if I could feel and hear and taste everything that was happening to the characters.
Prince Kato :D This character is one that is easy to hate and love. He's arrogant (or at least he comes off that way), yet kind and loyal to a fault and so stinking cute as this weird chimera hybrid puppy. His relationship with Dorthea is tenuous to say the least as their first disastrous encounter but I did like him and rooted for him throughout the book.
The Humor....this book is hilariously funny. I laughed til I cried and then laughed some more. Dorthea is a spoiled brat and it shows. It's especially funny and a bit endearing when she's so concerned about her clothes and shoes after she basically causes the collapse of her kingdom. The pop culture/urban references to technology like iPhones and internet are throughout the book and appealing to those with dry humor like me ;)
What I Hated
Teen Drama....if I've said it once I've said it a million times, I CANNOT STAND TEEN DRAMA!!!! It's why I avoid young adult contemporary and this book is full of it.
Dorthea....the main character is extremely shallow concerned about the latest fashions rather than the collapse of magic, selfish thinking of only what she wants instead of what is best for her kingdom, and immature not thinking of the consequences of her wish. Despite how much I disliked her, Dorthea does have some redeeming qualities though they don't show up til the end of the book.
Mean Girls....I didn't like them in high school and I certainly didn't care for them in this book. Unfortunately Dorothea is one of them, picking on anyone she deems unworthy. This included her first encounter with Prince Kato and the maid girl she eventually saves.
The Villain....the Gray Witch or Griz is not very good at striking fear in the hearts of the reader. She's petty, doesn't seem to have a clear plan other than giving the princess her wish, and seems rather incompetent at becoming queen. She adds some comedic relief but not much suspense in my opinion.
Not What I Expected
This book was so far from what I expected, but that's not a bad thing. I was expected a loose retelling of The Wizard of Oz and while all my favorite elements are there, it isn't a retelling at all. Dorthea makes a wish that she can escape her curse and the forced engagement to Prince Kato, yet the wish becomes a curse itself when it threatens to undo magic. Dorthea is forced to face the world outside the Emerald Palace and she must rely on two people she didn't think worthy of her time. To defeat the Gray Witch, Dorthea must face her own fears about the curse placed on her family and she must learn to use the magic within her.
Overall I could have done without the first 50% of the book. It contained all I hate about young adult contemporary and I was really ready to DNF it. But the last 50% is golden! It's unique, reminds me of why I read young adult fantasy, and it's fast-paced. Dorthea's character redeems herself in the last half and Prince Kato becomes a bit more likable as well. I think this quote sums up the book really well:
Initial Reaction:
AND THEN
Spelled by [a:Betsy Schow|6563985|Betsy Schow|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] encompasses everything I LOVE and HATE about young adult fiction. Set in the land of fairy tales come to life, Dorthea is the spoiled princess and prisoner of the Emerald Palace. A curse placed on all the females of her family keeps her a prisoner in her own palace. Then one wish gone awry unlocks the laws of magic and sends Dorthea on a journey to save magic and the fairy tale kingdom from destruction.
What I Loved
A story set in Oz....well sorta ;) The entire story is set in a land of fairy tales, like every fairy tale you can think of has its own kingdom including the Land of Emerald. This makes for an exciting read as Dorthea and her ragtag group travel from kingdom to kingdom on their quest. AND the author ties these different kingdoms to scenes from The Wizard of Oz which of course I loved!
The Fantasy Elements....this story is full of fantastical creatures, magic, and infused with just the right amount of fairy tale and pop culture. It makes for an entertaining read! The imagery is surreal and perfect and I felt as if I could feel and hear and taste everything that was happening to the characters.
Prince Kato :D This character is one that is easy to hate and love. He's arrogant (or at least he comes off that way), yet kind and loyal to a fault and so stinking cute as this weird chimera hybrid puppy. His relationship with Dorthea is tenuous to say the least as their first disastrous encounter but I did like him and rooted for him throughout the book.
The Humor....this book is hilariously funny. I laughed til I cried and then laughed some more. Dorthea is a spoiled brat and it shows. It's especially funny and a bit endearing when she's so concerned about her clothes and shoes after she basically causes the collapse of her kingdom. The pop culture/urban references to technology like iPhones and internet are throughout the book and appealing to those with dry humor like me ;)
What I Hated
Teen Drama....if I've said it once I've said it a million times, I CANNOT STAND TEEN DRAMA!!!! It's why I avoid young adult contemporary and this book is full of it.
Dorthea....the main character is extremely shallow concerned about the latest fashions rather than the collapse of magic, selfish thinking of only what she wants instead of what is best for her kingdom, and immature not thinking of the consequences of her wish. Despite how much I disliked her, Dorthea does have some redeeming qualities though they don't show up til the end of the book.
Mean Girls....I didn't like them in high school and I certainly didn't care for them in this book. Unfortunately Dorothea is one of them, picking on anyone she deems unworthy. This included her first encounter with Prince Kato and the maid girl she eventually saves.
The Villain....the Gray Witch or Griz is not very good at striking fear in the hearts of the reader. She's petty, doesn't seem to have a clear plan other than giving the princess her wish, and seems rather incompetent at becoming queen. She adds some comedic relief but not much suspense in my opinion.
Not What I Expected
This book was so far from what I expected, but that's not a bad thing. I was expected a loose retelling of The Wizard of Oz and while all my favorite elements are there, it isn't a retelling at all. Dorthea makes a wish that she can escape her curse and the forced engagement to Prince Kato, yet the wish becomes a curse itself when it threatens to undo magic. Dorthea is forced to face the world outside the Emerald Palace and she must rely on two people she didn't think worthy of her time. To defeat the Gray Witch, Dorthea must face her own fears about the curse placed on her family and she must learn to use the magic within her.
Overall I could have done without the first 50% of the book. It contained all I hate about young adult contemporary and I was really ready to DNF it. But the last 50% is golden! It's unique, reminds me of why I read young adult fantasy, and it's fast-paced. Dorthea's character redeems herself in the last half and Prince Kato becomes a bit more likable as well. I think this quote sums up the book really well:
It's not about who I want to be; it's about who I need to be.So while I obviously didn't like some of the book, I really liked other parts and the ending has me hooked. If there are more books in the series (which the ending sets it up for more) I will read them. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy urban fantasy, fairy tales, all things Oz, and of course young adult ;)
I received an eARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review
Initial Reaction:
The Witch Hunter by [a:Virginia Boecker|7170939|Virginia Boecker|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1374771785p2/7170939.jpg] is not at all what I expected it to be and yet it was everything and more than what I anticipated! Set during the time of witch trials and burnings in England, this book takes on an alternative history where magic is real and the witches are being hunted by trained hunters. Elizabeth Grey is one of these hunters. Trained from early adolescence, Elizabeth thinks that what she is doing is right, it has a purpose, and she is protecting those who can't protect themselves from the evil witches. Until the tides turn on her and she is caught with illegal "magical" herbs, then she is sentenced to burn. Her best friend leaves her in prison to burn and who comes to her rescue but the wizard she's been hunting.
Elizabeth is a hard character to like yet she's very relatable. She's an orphan, who was rescued by an older boy who then secures them both jobs at the castle, so of course there's a bit of hero-worship/school girl crush going on. Her being an orphan though doesn't define her. She's trained to be a witch hunter, she hates magic but then again she's only seen the darker side of it, and she's fiercely loyal. She'll go anywhere and do anything that Caleb (boy who saved her) asked her to do, including the scary training to be a witch hunter.
Then the herbs show up. Okay I can honestly say I wasn't expecting this twist so soon in the story. (I promise this isn't a spoiler as it's revealed in the second chapter, however I'll put it in spoilers tags just to be safe) So Elizabeth is thrown into jail by the very man who trained her and sentenced to burn, Caleb is no where to be found, and then the wizard shows up to save the day at the last minute. This twist of fate sets the plot for the entire story!
I like Nicholas. He is like this grandfatherly wizard who trusts Elizabeth despite what he knows about her. He takes her in, heals her, and treats her better and with more respect than she ever had at the castle, yet she doesn't trust him and can you blame her?! He is everything she's been trained to hate, but there is nothing in his character to hate. In addition to him there's the other people in hiding with him: Peter the pirate, John the healer, George the king's fool, and Fifer the prodigy. Each of these characters I loved. They grow on you and they are genuinely good people, not much to hate. You can see where Elizabeth gets frustrated.
Oh Caleb! I wanted to like you for Elizabeth's sake but I just didn't. He is arrogant, treats her like his little sister, and just doesn't see her (do you know what I mean?) He sees her but doesn't get her. He doesn't understand why she would have herbs, it just doesn't dawn on him the reason and then he makes promises he doesn't keep. He is her family in a sense, but also he crushes her as only those close to you can.
And let's not forget Blackwell, Elizabeth's boss, the king's uncle, the head of the witch hunters. This man is shady and I didn't like him from Elizabeth's first encounter with him in the book (her arrest). He claims to live by a set of rules and follow those rules to the letter, but don't all heretics? Let's just say he makes a great foe to Elizabeth and her newfound "friends."
This book is all about redefining preconceived notions, things that maybe you were taught, and for Elizabeth this is no easy task. In addition to having to relearn what she thought she knew, she has to hide what she is: a witch hunter. These good people would kill her if given the chance and can you blame them? They've watched their families be tortured and burned at the stake. Of course they'd kill her! Or at least this is what she thinks.
Overall I enjoyed this book. It hooked me from the first line:
Oh and one more thing...the synopsis compares the book to [b:A Game of Thrones|13496|A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1)|George R.R. Martin|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1369520317s/13496.jpg|1466917].....just NO!!! Don't even go there! It is NOT like GoT. I can't speak for [b:Graceling|3236307|Graceling (Graceling Realm, #1)|Kristin Cashore|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1331548394s/3236307.jpg|3270810] because I've never read it but GoT it is not.
Initial Reaction:
The Witch Hunter by [a:Virginia Boecker|7170939|Virginia Boecker|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1374771785p2/7170939.jpg] is not at all what I expected it to be and yet it was everything and more than what I anticipated! Set during the time of witch trials and burnings in England, this book takes on an alternative history where magic is real and the witches are being hunted by trained hunters. Elizabeth Grey is one of these hunters. Trained from early adolescence, Elizabeth thinks that what she is doing is right, it has a purpose, and she is protecting those who can't protect themselves from the evil witches. Until the tides turn on her and she is caught with illegal "magical" herbs, then she is sentenced to burn. Her best friend leaves her in prison to burn and who comes to her rescue but the wizard she's been hunting.
Elizabeth is a hard character to like yet she's very relatable. She's an orphan, who was rescued by an older boy who then secures them both jobs at the castle, so of course there's a bit of hero-worship/school girl crush going on. Her being an orphan though doesn't define her. She's trained to be a witch hunter, she hates magic but then again she's only seen the darker side of it, and she's fiercely loyal. She'll go anywhere and do anything that Caleb (boy who saved her) asked her to do, including the scary training to be a witch hunter.
Then the herbs show up. Okay I can honestly say I wasn't expecting this twist so soon in the story. (I promise this isn't a spoiler as it's revealed in the second chapter, however I'll put it in spoilers tags just to be safe)
Spoiler
Contraceptive herbs are found on Elizabeth after she returns to her rooms. I wasn't expecting this because of the hero-worship she has going with Caleb. It's obvious she loves him, why would she need contraceptive herbs and WHY would there be a guard at her room at midnight to escort her to the king's chambers?! I think we all know what's going on there...I like Nicholas. He is like this grandfatherly wizard who trusts Elizabeth despite what he knows about her. He takes her in, heals her, and treats her better and with more respect than she ever had at the castle, yet she doesn't trust him and can you blame her?! He is everything she's been trained to hate, but there is nothing in his character to hate. In addition to him there's the other people in hiding with him: Peter the pirate, John the healer, George the king's fool, and Fifer the prodigy. Each of these characters I loved. They grow on you and they are genuinely good people, not much to hate. You can see where Elizabeth gets frustrated.
Oh Caleb! I wanted to like you for Elizabeth's sake but I just didn't. He is arrogant, treats her like his little sister, and just doesn't see her (do you know what I mean?) He sees her but doesn't get her. He doesn't understand why she would have herbs, it just doesn't dawn on him the reason and then he makes promises he doesn't keep. He is her family in a sense, but also he crushes her as only those close to you can.
And let's not forget Blackwell, Elizabeth's boss, the king's uncle, the head of the witch hunters. This man is shady and I didn't like him from Elizabeth's first encounter with him in the book (her arrest). He claims to live by a set of rules and follow those rules to the letter, but don't all heretics? Let's just say he makes a great foe to Elizabeth and her newfound "friends."
This book is all about redefining preconceived notions, things that maybe you were taught, and for Elizabeth this is no easy task. In addition to having to relearn what she thought she knew, she has to hide what she is: a witch hunter. These good people would kill her if given the chance and can you blame them? They've watched their families be tortured and burned at the stake. Of course they'd kill her! Or at least this is what she thinks.
Overall I enjoyed this book. It hooked me from the first line:
I stand at the edge of the crowded square, watching the executioners light the pyres...Ummm....more please :D The writing, the intrigue, the suspense, and the wildly unpredictable turns in the novel kept me turning the pages late into the night. In fact I finished this book in less than 24 hours, forgoing sleep to do so. It's one of the better reads I've had in a while! If you enjoy young adult fantasy, alternate histories, and lots of surprises this book is for you.
Oh and one more thing...the synopsis compares the book to [b:A Game of Thrones|13496|A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1)|George R.R. Martin|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1369520317s/13496.jpg|1466917].....just NO!!! Don't even go there! It is NOT like GoT. I can't speak for [b:Graceling|3236307|Graceling (Graceling Realm, #1)|Kristin Cashore|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1331548394s/3236307.jpg|3270810] because I've never read it but GoT it is not.
I received an eARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
First off, I have to say I love this author's Spearwood Academy series and in kind I think I will love this one as well :D Gildemer: The Garden is a serial series about a servant names Gabriella Hansforth. Gabby is a Branch 4 servant, one of the lowest branches in this odd cast-like system, at Gildemer, a private school for the upper Branches. All Gabby wants is a little freedom, a little taste of what life is like outside of her Branch. But this costs more than she realizes.
I have to say I like Gabby. She's smart, tenacious, and a risk-taker. She follows the rules when she has too, but she has no problem breaking them. She knows what she believes in and she's willing to fight for it. Like I said I like her :D
The story alternates POV with Gabby and Koi. Koi is the heir to the king, he's number One in Branch One. Literally he's over everyone. One day he will be king and he is being forced to marry to unite two kingdoms. His life basically sucks and is good all at the same time. He's just as trapped and wanting freedom from it as Gabby, though he would never admit it to anyone. He's just to proud. I personally can't decide if I like him or not. He isn't a risk-taker, he follows all of daddy's rules, and the crappy part is he believes in them, including the Branch system. Really and truly can't say I love him, but I can't say I hate him either...
The world of Gildemer is fascinating to me. They are a breed of humakats, part human - part cat. The descriptions given of the characters range from being all cat with human characteristics to being like Gabby with only the eyes of a cat. It's quite fascinating and I can say I'm intrigued to see more of this world!
Overall, I more than enjoyed this first episode of Gildemer. It was a quick read, full of suspense and a little drama. Already I'm invested in Gabby and I'm curious to see more of the world and the coming rebellion (you know there's going to be one when there's a cast system in place). If you enjoy fantasy, young adult fiction I highly suggest you pick up this serial. It's full of surprises :D
My Pic of Gildemer:
First off, I have to say I love this author's Spearwood Academy series and in kind I think I will love this one as well :D Gildemer: The Garden is a serial series about a servant names Gabriella Hansforth. Gabby is a Branch 4 servant, one of the lowest branches in this odd cast-like system, at Gildemer, a private school for the upper Branches. All Gabby wants is a little freedom, a little taste of what life is like outside of her Branch. But this costs more than she realizes.
I have to say I like Gabby. She's smart, tenacious, and a risk-taker. She follows the rules when she has too, but she has no problem breaking them. She knows what she believes in and she's willing to fight for it. Like I said I like her :D
The story alternates POV with Gabby and Koi. Koi is the heir to the king, he's number One in Branch One. Literally he's over everyone. One day he will be king and he is being forced to marry to unite two kingdoms. His life basically sucks and is good all at the same time. He's just as trapped and wanting freedom from it as Gabby, though he would never admit it to anyone. He's just to proud. I personally can't decide if I like him or not. He isn't a risk-taker, he follows all of daddy's rules, and the crappy part is he believes in them, including the Branch system. Really and truly can't say I love him, but I can't say I hate him either...
The world of Gildemer is fascinating to me. They are a breed of humakats, part human - part cat. The descriptions given of the characters range from being all cat with human characteristics to being like Gabby with only the eyes of a cat. It's quite fascinating and I can say I'm intrigued to see more of this world!
Overall, I more than enjoyed this first episode of Gildemer. It was a quick read, full of suspense and a little drama. Already I'm invested in Gabby and I'm curious to see more of the world and the coming rebellion (you know there's going to be one when there's a cast system in place). If you enjoy fantasy, young adult fiction I highly suggest you pick up this serial. It's full of surprises :D
My Pic of Gildemer:
I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
Crimson Bound by [a:Rosamund Hodge|6474354|Rosamund Hodge|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1362755691p2/6474354.jpg] is a dark and twisted retelling of the classic Red Riding Hood, a VERY LOOSE retelling ;) Rachelle was only 15 when her life was changed forever by a chance meeting with a dark and forbidden magic in the forest. Now she serves the king as one of his royal bloodbound hunting others like her and protecting the kingdom from the dark forest. When she is assigned to protect the king's son Armand, she finds herself in a position to stop the ancient evil that is coming if she's brave enough to face it.
Rachelle is a hard character to like, but she does have some redeeming qualities which I loved. First off when I say this story is a loose retelling of the classic, I mean it. About the only thing in common between Red Riding Hood and Rachelle is their cloak and how they are tricked by the "wolf." Rachelle is sassy, quick-witted, and extremely curious, which gets her into all kinds of trouble. But she also has her own values, lines she won't cross, and she's devoted to saving the kingdom for her own fate.
Armand is the handsome, illegitimate son of the king, who has been elevated to Saint-status in the kingdom after he met a bloodbound and lived to tell the tale. He lost both hands, but he lived. He's arrogant, HATES all bloodbound, and seems to think of himself as a Saint. At least Rachelle believes all these things. Turns out he's a decent guy and I can tell you from reading the story that he's quite a bit more than he seems ;)
So this whole bloodbound stuff....yeah it's the heart of the story. In a nutshell, there's these evil fairy/canine/vampiric creatures living in the forest. Once you are marked by one of them you have three days to kill. If you kill someone you live and the mark turns blood red, hence bloodbound. Rachelle hates what she has become and is determined to stop this mythical creature from rising again to throw the world in darkness. It's her mission and what she devotes herself too after she becomes a bloodbound. In fact it's why she became a bloodbound to find out how to stop it.
There's only one problem. She needs a mythical sword and an heir to the king to find it. It's kind of like fate when she's assigned to Armand. Their dynamic is very odd. At times you can feel the sexual tension and attraction rolling off the pages, at other times the suspense of them trying NOT to kill each other. It's a very tenuous relationship AND it helps to move the story quickly.
Romance is not a main theme of the book. No instead the main theme is a strong female lead coming in to conquer a dark evil. It's haunting and horrific at times and it will give you nightmares....at least it did me! Overall I loved every word. [a:Rosamund Hodge|6474354|Rosamund Hodge|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1362755691p2/6474354.jpg] knows how to weave a fantastic tale and leave the reader wanting more. If you've read Cruel Beauty, this is not set in the same universe but does have the same feel. If you enjoy dark fantasy, fairy tales, and a little romance, I highly recommend this one.
Favorite Quote:
Crimson Bound by [a:Rosamund Hodge|6474354|Rosamund Hodge|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1362755691p2/6474354.jpg] is a dark and twisted retelling of the classic Red Riding Hood, a VERY LOOSE retelling ;) Rachelle was only 15 when her life was changed forever by a chance meeting with a dark and forbidden magic in the forest. Now she serves the king as one of his royal bloodbound hunting others like her and protecting the kingdom from the dark forest. When she is assigned to protect the king's son Armand, she finds herself in a position to stop the ancient evil that is coming if she's brave enough to face it.
Rachelle is a hard character to like, but she does have some redeeming qualities which I loved. First off when I say this story is a loose retelling of the classic, I mean it. About the only thing in common between Red Riding Hood and Rachelle is their cloak and how they are tricked by the "wolf." Rachelle is sassy, quick-witted, and extremely curious, which gets her into all kinds of trouble. But she also has her own values, lines she won't cross, and she's devoted to saving the kingdom for her own fate.
Armand is the handsome, illegitimate son of the king, who has been elevated to Saint-status in the kingdom after he met a bloodbound and lived to tell the tale. He lost both hands, but he lived. He's arrogant, HATES all bloodbound, and seems to think of himself as a Saint. At least Rachelle believes all these things. Turns out he's a decent guy and I can tell you from reading the story that he's quite a bit more than he seems ;)
So this whole bloodbound stuff....yeah it's the heart of the story. In a nutshell, there's these evil fairy/canine/vampiric creatures living in the forest. Once you are marked by one of them you have three days to kill. If you kill someone you live and the mark turns blood red, hence bloodbound. Rachelle hates what she has become and is determined to stop this mythical creature from rising again to throw the world in darkness. It's her mission and what she devotes herself too after she becomes a bloodbound. In fact it's why she became a bloodbound to find out how to stop it.
There's only one problem. She needs a mythical sword and an heir to the king to find it. It's kind of like fate when she's assigned to Armand. Their dynamic is very odd. At times you can feel the sexual tension and attraction rolling off the pages, at other times the suspense of them trying NOT to kill each other. It's a very tenuous relationship AND it helps to move the story quickly.
Romance is not a main theme of the book. No instead the main theme is a strong female lead coming in to conquer a dark evil. It's haunting and horrific at times and it will give you nightmares....at least it did me! Overall I loved every word. [a:Rosamund Hodge|6474354|Rosamund Hodge|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1362755691p2/6474354.jpg] knows how to weave a fantastic tale and leave the reader wanting more. If you've read Cruel Beauty, this is not set in the same universe but does have the same feel. If you enjoy dark fantasy, fairy tales, and a little romance, I highly recommend this one.
Favorite Quote:
I received an eARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review
Initial Reaction:
What the....how could....what do I do until the next book?!?!
Note: If you've not read [b:Earth & Sky|17875055|Earth & Sky (Earth & Sky, #1)|Megan Crewe|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1406826337s/17875055.jpg|25028780], there are minor unavoidable spoilers in this review.
The Clouded Sky by [a:Megan Crewe|2839407|Megan Crewe|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1413660351p2/2839407.jpg] picks up literally like thirty minutes after the end of [b:Earth & Sky|17875055|Earth & Sky (Earth & Sky, #1)|Megan Crewe|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1406826337s/17875055.jpg|25028780]. Skylar is with Win on an alien ship on her way to the space station Win's people call home. Skylar's mission is to help the rebel group put a weapon together and save Earth. Can they do it in time?
It's no secret that I didn't care for the first book in this series. However the ending of [b:Earth & Sky|17875055|Earth & Sky (Earth & Sky, #1)|Megan Crewe|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1406826337s/17875055.jpg|25028780] hooked me and I felt I HAD to read the next book and get some answers. There were major plot twists at the end that affected my feelings towards the whole book. Honestly, the author pulled the rug out from under me and I was in shock. So I did what I do best, I picked up this book and binge read. AND I was not disappointed :D
Sky is a stronger character this time around. She's gotten some answers, the panic attacks that plagued her on Earth don't plague her on the space station, and she's more secure with her decisions and actions. She stands up for herself and she's not afraid to fight because it means she will save those she loves and ALL of Earth IF (and that's a very big if) she succeeds.
It's decided before they arrive at the space station that Sky will pretend to be a "pet" of Jule, one of the boys that is a part of the rebellion with Win. Jule however is arrogant, rude and just flat-out mean at times to Win in book one and we see some of that in book two. BUT Jule turns out to be this handsome guy with a lot of secrets and a vulnerable side that he only reveals to Sky. Can I just be real for a minute? I fell in love with Jule! I'm not big into changing ships in the middle of a series, I'm usually one to stick with one person from the beginning, but Jule is just perfect
Where book one jumped through time and the characters visited multiple places throughout the course of the book, this book takes place almost entirely on the space station. It's a bit slower paced than the first, but this wasn't a bad thing. On the contrary, it gave the author a chance to build up this fantastic world and the characters. The plot revolved around Sky and the rebellion that was taking place to save Earth from Kemya. There was a lot of action, suspense, quite a bit of romance, and some betrayal. While I could predict some of it the ending I was not ready for in any way, shape, or form!
If you enjoy young adult, science fiction I highly recommend you check out this series. I couldn't set it down!
Initial Reaction:
What the....how could....what do I do until the next book?!?!
Note: If you've not read [b:Earth & Sky|17875055|Earth & Sky (Earth & Sky, #1)|Megan Crewe|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1406826337s/17875055.jpg|25028780], there are minor unavoidable spoilers in this review.
The Clouded Sky by [a:Megan Crewe|2839407|Megan Crewe|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1413660351p2/2839407.jpg] picks up literally like thirty minutes after the end of [b:Earth & Sky|17875055|Earth & Sky (Earth & Sky, #1)|Megan Crewe|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1406826337s/17875055.jpg|25028780]. Skylar is with Win on an alien ship on her way to the space station Win's people call home. Skylar's mission is to help the rebel group put a weapon together and save Earth. Can they do it in time?
It's no secret that I didn't care for the first book in this series. However the ending of [b:Earth & Sky|17875055|Earth & Sky (Earth & Sky, #1)|Megan Crewe|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1406826337s/17875055.jpg|25028780] hooked me and I felt I HAD to read the next book and get some answers. There were major plot twists at the end that affected my feelings towards the whole book. Honestly, the author pulled the rug out from under me and I was in shock. So I did what I do best, I picked up this book and binge read. AND I was not disappointed :D
Sky is a stronger character this time around. She's gotten some answers, the panic attacks that plagued her on Earth don't plague her on the space station, and she's more secure with her decisions and actions. She stands up for herself and she's not afraid to fight because it means she will save those she loves and ALL of Earth IF (and that's a very big if) she succeeds.
It's decided before they arrive at the space station that Sky will pretend to be a "pet" of Jule, one of the boys that is a part of the rebellion with Win. Jule however is arrogant, rude and just flat-out mean at times to Win in book one and we see some of that in book two. BUT Jule turns out to be this handsome guy with a lot of secrets and a vulnerable side that he only reveals to Sky. Can I just be real for a minute? I fell in love with Jule! I'm not big into changing ships in the middle of a series, I'm usually one to stick with one person from the beginning, but Jule is just perfect
Spoiler
AT LEAST HE WAS!!! Then the author had to make him the bad guy and I wanted to scream at him through the book. I had figured out what was happening a few chapters before Sky did but I didn't want to believe it and kept thinking "Jule wouldn't betray her! No he wouldn't!" Boy was I wrong!!!!!Where book one jumped through time and the characters visited multiple places throughout the course of the book, this book takes place almost entirely on the space station. It's a bit slower paced than the first, but this wasn't a bad thing. On the contrary, it gave the author a chance to build up this fantastic world and the characters. The plot revolved around Sky and the rebellion that was taking place to save Earth from Kemya. There was a lot of action, suspense, quite a bit of romance, and some betrayal. While I could predict some of it the ending I was not ready for in any way, shape, or form!
If you enjoy young adult, science fiction I highly recommend you check out this series. I couldn't set it down!
I received an eARC of this book from the author on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
Chosen Thief by Scarlett Dawn marks the beginning of the second saga in the Forever Evermore series and follows the story of Caroline Jules. Finding herself on death row at the age of 22, Caro has accepted her fate but after an exciting escape orchestrated by her "brother" Sin, she finds out that her life is about to get a lot more complicated as she is chosen as the next Elemental ruler.
I have to come clean....I have NOT read the first part of the Forever Evermore series. I have King Hall sitting on my Kindle ready to be read, but when I received this one for review I decided to go ahead and read it. Well, while you don't necessarily HAVE to read the first part of the series to understand Caro and the others I felt lost through a majority of the story. The world is complex and because I wasn't already immersed into the world I was confused about terminology and what the heck was going on! Now that being said I did enjoy the book and I'm now planning to go back and read the first part of the series and come back to reread this one and see if it changes my review any. If it does expect an update ;)
Caro is a hard character to like, but she quickly won me over. She's ruthless, cunning and stealthy, all required traits for a criminal of her standing. On top of this she's loyal, loves with her whole being, and doesn't go back on her word, all traits of a good ruler which she most certainly will be. However she had me a bit confused. The girl clearly loves Sin, I'll get to him in a minute, yet her eyes wander more than I thought possible!
In just under 200 pages, Caro sets her eyes on not one but 5 different people. Really this bothered me. I'm a monogamous kind of girl, so I was pretty much arguing with Caro (in my head) for her to pick someone and stick with them! In the first chapter which is kind of a looking at the past chapter, Caro is with Isa and there's a lot of build up and flirting and attraction which makes you invested in the two of them. Then it just abruptly ends. Three years go by and there are new, multiple people in Caro's life.
Sin is perhaps my favorite character in the book. He's handsome, fully and unconditionally loves Caro. A+ in my book ;) The two of them have this odd connection, like best friends or brother/sister type love, and yet it still goes deeper than that. I'm curious to see just where their relationship will go in the coming books.
Overall I wasn't that impressed and I was left with more questions than answers. The book felt rushed and incomplete for a first in series book even though this is a continuation of the saga. I was confused and at times I checked to be sure I hadn't skipped pages as things and time jumped and left plot holes, which was disappointing because I <3 Scarlett Dawn's writing and the complex worlds she creates. I'm planning to go back and read the first part of the series and reread this one to see if my opinion changes and I hope it does. As for now though I leave it with three stars.
Review in a Gif:
Chosen Thief by Scarlett Dawn marks the beginning of the second saga in the Forever Evermore series and follows the story of Caroline Jules. Finding herself on death row at the age of 22, Caro has accepted her fate but after an exciting escape orchestrated by her "brother" Sin, she finds out that her life is about to get a lot more complicated as she is chosen as the next Elemental ruler.
I have to come clean....I have NOT read the first part of the Forever Evermore series. I have King Hall sitting on my Kindle ready to be read, but when I received this one for review I decided to go ahead and read it. Well, while you don't necessarily HAVE to read the first part of the series to understand Caro and the others I felt lost through a majority of the story. The world is complex and because I wasn't already immersed into the world I was confused about terminology and what the heck was going on! Now that being said I did enjoy the book and I'm now planning to go back and read the first part of the series and come back to reread this one and see if it changes my review any. If it does expect an update ;)
Caro is a hard character to like, but she quickly won me over. She's ruthless, cunning and stealthy, all required traits for a criminal of her standing. On top of this she's loyal, loves with her whole being, and doesn't go back on her word, all traits of a good ruler which she most certainly will be. However she had me a bit confused. The girl clearly loves Sin, I'll get to him in a minute, yet her eyes wander more than I thought possible!
In just under 200 pages, Caro sets her eyes on not one but 5 different people. Really this bothered me. I'm a monogamous kind of girl, so I was pretty much arguing with Caro (in my head) for her to pick someone and stick with them! In the first chapter which is kind of a looking at the past chapter, Caro is with Isa and there's a lot of build up and flirting and attraction which makes you invested in the two of them. Then it just abruptly ends. Three years go by and there are new, multiple people in Caro's life.
Sin is perhaps my favorite character in the book. He's handsome, fully and unconditionally loves Caro. A+ in my book ;) The two of them have this odd connection, like best friends or brother/sister type love, and yet it still goes deeper than that. I'm curious to see just where their relationship will go in the coming books.
Overall I wasn't that impressed and I was left with more questions than answers. The book felt rushed and incomplete for a first in series book even though this is a continuation of the saga. I was confused and at times I checked to be sure I hadn't skipped pages as things and time jumped and left plot holes, which was disappointing because I <3 Scarlett Dawn's writing and the complex worlds she creates. I'm planning to go back and read the first part of the series and reread this one to see if my opinion changes and I hope it does. As for now though I leave it with three stars.
Review in a Gif:
I received an eARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review
Initial Reaction:
As the title suggests, this book is so stinking sweet!!! Sugar on Top by Marina Adair is book two in her Sugar, Georgia series and follows Glory Mann and Cal McGraw as they navigate the waters of their small hometown. While this is a series, each book is a standalone featuring new main characters that may have been introduced in past books but you do not have to read those to appreciate this one. (Does that make sense?)
Glory is this cute, hometown girl with a troubled past. Caught making out with the football coach in high school, her past as the "town whore" - even though she's really a good girl - follows her like a shadow. She's fun, determined, loyal, and everything you might expect of a Southern Belle.
Cal is....oh my!!! Cal is the eldest of the McGraw brothers who feature prominently in this series. He is devoted to his family. His parents having died while he was in college, leaving his two younger brothers to fend for themselves, Cal dropped everything to come home and raise them. (((swoon))) So you get the picture right? Handsome construction worker, family guy, oh and he's a single dad raising a teenage daughter....gotta love him right?! And he's the epitome of a Southern gentleman :D What more could a girl ask for?!
Obviously the book surrounds Cal and Glory as they are thrown together due to a few bad choices and now they are responsible for the town's Peach Pageant. It makes for a hilarious story as they try to navigate the town waters, the rumor mill, and of course their growing affection for each other. It honestly is a sweet, light-hearted romance and a very quick read!
My only complaint, and maybe this is because I'm southern, was the cliches. I mean really?! Southerners are known for their hospitality and yes for the rumor mill, but it went a little far I thought in this book. Not to mention the awful, HORRIBLE accent/slang the characters throw around. Yes I say some of those words but not in every sentence or in every conversation. It was a bit annoying and so the book lost a star in my rating because of it.
Overall the story of Glory and Cal is as sweet as the title suggests. If you enjoy new adult, contemporary romance this is the book for you!
Initial Reaction:
As the title suggests, this book is so stinking sweet!!! Sugar on Top by Marina Adair is book two in her Sugar, Georgia series and follows Glory Mann and Cal McGraw as they navigate the waters of their small hometown. While this is a series, each book is a standalone featuring new main characters that may have been introduced in past books but you do not have to read those to appreciate this one. (Does that make sense?)
Glory is this cute, hometown girl with a troubled past. Caught making out with the football coach in high school, her past as the "town whore" - even though she's really a good girl - follows her like a shadow. She's fun, determined, loyal, and everything you might expect of a Southern Belle.
Cal is....oh my!!! Cal is the eldest of the McGraw brothers who feature prominently in this series. He is devoted to his family. His parents having died while he was in college, leaving his two younger brothers to fend for themselves, Cal dropped everything to come home and raise them. (((swoon))) So you get the picture right? Handsome construction worker, family guy, oh and he's a single dad raising a teenage daughter....gotta love him right?! And he's the epitome of a Southern gentleman :D What more could a girl ask for?!
Obviously the book surrounds Cal and Glory as they are thrown together due to a few bad choices and now they are responsible for the town's Peach Pageant. It makes for a hilarious story as they try to navigate the town waters, the rumor mill, and of course their growing affection for each other. It honestly is a sweet, light-hearted romance and a very quick read!
My only complaint, and maybe this is because I'm southern, was the cliches. I mean really?! Southerners are known for their hospitality and yes for the rumor mill, but it went a little far I thought in this book. Not to mention the awful, HORRIBLE accent/slang the characters throw around. Yes I say some of those words but not in every sentence or in every conversation. It was a bit annoying and so the book lost a star in my rating because of it.
Overall the story of Glory and Cal is as sweet as the title suggests. If you enjoy new adult, contemporary romance this is the book for you!